Florida Southern College image
A collaborative effort among citrus industry partners and Florida Southern College (FSC) has led to the rehabilitation of two historic citrus groves on the Lakeland campus. The rehabilitation was made possible through donations by FSC alumnus Phillip Rucks of Rucks Citrus Nursery, as well as Mike Hurst of Mike Hurst Citrus Services.
Rucks Nursery provided the trees that form the foundation of the project. The trees are on a rootstock developed by the nursery that is resistant to huanglongbing (HLB) disease, also known as citrus greening.
Mike Hurst Citrus Services donated citrus tree covers that help protect the young trees from the HLB-transmitting Asian citrus psyllid. The covers also help protect the trees from heat stress, sunburn and moisture loss during hot Florida summers.
On the official reinstallation day of both groves, FSC Horticulture, Land and Resource Management students worked alongside Assistant Professor of Horticulture Science Shea Keene, facilities staff, faculty and college leaders to plant the groves. They also developed a long-term plan for research, maintenance and educational use.
“Florida agriculture has always been built on innovation, and these citrus innovation groves represent an investment in the future of agribusiness,” said Michael Weber, dean of FSC’s Barney Barnett School of Business and Free Enterprise. “Through these living laboratories, our students will gain hands-on experience with the rootstock varieties, protective technologies and production systems that are helping the industry address citrus greening and build more resilient citrus operations.”
FSC, founded in 1883, has a strong and lasting connection to the state’s citrus industry. When the college relocated to Lakeland in 1921, the campus was built atop a former citrus grove. FSC’s Citrus Institute was implemented in 1947. It offered the first classes in grove management for the state of Florida.
Source: FSC
Share this Post