Positive Perspectives on the Florida Citrus Season

Josh McGill Crop Forecast, Florida Citrus Commission

By Steve Johnson The first U.S. Department of Agriculture crop forecast of the season was announced on Oct. 12. While the forecast arrived on a stormy day, the numbers were radiant rays of sunshine for our growers, and the Florida citrus industry as a whole. Every member of this industry knows there are still hurdles to clear, and there will …

Social Media to Promote Florida Gift Fruit

Josh McGill Florida Department of Citrus, Fresh

The majority of the Florida Department of Citrus’ (FDOC) $58,200 budget for gift fruit marketing in 2023–24 will fund promoted social media content. FDOC Global Marketing Manager Katelynn Long told the Gift Fruit Shippers Advisory Council Oct. 11 that the budget also includes influencer partnerships, media relations releases and content development and administration. Long said the FDOC plans to focus …

Telling the World About Florida Citrus

Josh McGill Florida Department of Citrus, Marketing

A delegation from Japan’s Yamano & Associates recently visited Florida to meet with exporters and get an inside look at the future of the Florida citrus industry. That visit led Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) Chairman Steve Johnson to write the following commentary about the importance of Florida citrus worldwide:  The company (Yamano) has been the Florida Department of Citrus’ (FDOC) …

Japanese Agency Tours Florida Citrus Industry

Josh McGill Florida Department of Citrus, Grapefruit, International

Yamano & Associates, Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) partner agency in Japan for over 40 years, recently concluded an educational tour in Florida, continuing its efforts to explore and engage with key individuals in the Florida citrus industry. The two-day tour provided the agency with a unique opportunity to closely observe the operations and processes involved in the Florida citrus …

Citrus Commission Chairman: Marketing Programs Work

Josh McGill Florida Citrus Commission, Florida Department of Citrus, Marketing

Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) Chairman Steve Johnson recently shared his thoughts on the Florida Department of Citrus’ (FDOC) marketing programs. “As the budget has decreased over the past couple of years, and into next year, the FCC has placed a stronger emphasis on the need for the FDOC to utilize data to track their programs,” said Johnson. “Performance has played …

Florida Budget Includes $65 Million for Citrus

Josh McGill Legislative

This year’s Florida state budget, established by the Legislature in early May, is the largest in history at nearly $115 billion. Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM) reported that approximately $65 million was allocated to the citrus industry. FCM itemized what was allocated to the citrus industry prior to Gov. Ron DeSantis signing the budget:  Additionally, the Department of Agriculture package bill …

Citrus Growers Speak Up at Farm Bill Meeting

Josh McGill Farm Bill, Legislative

Citrus growers discussed their challenges and voiced their needs during a farm bill listening session held April 24 in Newberry, Florida. Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (PA-15), chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, along with bipartisan members, including Rep. Kat Cammack (FL-03), Rep. Darren Soto (FL-09), Rep. Austin Scott (GA-08), Rep. Doug LaMalfa (CA-01) and Rep. Chellie Pingree (ME-01), listened to …

citrus production

Florida Processed Orange Standards Reduced

Josh McGill Florida Citrus Commission, Florida Department of Citrus, Regulation

The Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) on Feb. 22 reduced processed orange maturity standards for the remainder of this season due to the negative effects of 2022’s Hurricane Ian. The emergency rule, proposed by the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC), requires that all processed oranges have a Brix value of no less than 7.0. The rule also stipulates that there shall …

Florida Citrus Commissioners Reappointed

Josh McGill Florida Citrus Commission, Florida Department of Citrus

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Aug. 5 announced the reappointment of the nine members of the Florida Citrus Commission. They are: CHRISTOPHER GROOMGroom is chief operating officer of Florida’s Natural Growers. He serves as vice president and treasurer of Florida’s Natural Growers Foundation. Groom earned his bachelor’s degree in economics and Hispanic studies from Northwestern University and his master’s degree in …

HLB-Tolerant Tree Program Progressing

Tacy Callies Florida Citrus Commission, Florida Department of Citrus, HLB Management

The goal of an expedited tree propagation program is to have several million HLB-tolerant or HLB-resistant trees planted in the next several years. Greg Hodges, assistant director of the Florida Department of Agriculture’s Division of Plant Industry (DPI), said he believes that goal is attainable. Hodges and others presented the propagation plans to the Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) on July …

marketing agency

Orange Juice Sales ‘Remain Strong’

Josh McGill Florida Department of Citrus, Marketing, Orange Juice

Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) Chairman Steve Johnson discussed strong orange juice sales in an email this month to members of the Florida citrus industry: “As prices continue to rise across the board for goods and services, many shoppers may find themselves buying not what they want but what they need. The key for us is making sure OJ remains on …

Program to Provide HLB-Tolerant Trees

Josh McGill Florida Citrus Commission, Florida Department of Citrus, HLB Management

The Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) on May 18 received an update on a propagation program intended to quickly produce and commercialize trees showing tolerance or resistance to HLB disease, also known as citrus greening. The program will focus on the Donaldson tree and other escaped trees. The Donaldson is a tree at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Whitmore Farm that …

Inflation Considered in OJ Marketing

Josh McGill Florida Department of Citrus, Marketing, Orange Juice

The Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) is exploring ways to entice consumers to buy orange juice (OJ) in the face of inflation, Florida Citrus Commission Chairman Steve Johnson stated recently. He reported that the FDOC is “analyzing how inflation may impact consumers in the months ahead and exploring which marketing activities may help ensure Florida orange juice remains in carts …

A Fruitful Partnership for Florida Growers

Josh McGill Florida Citrus Commission, Florida Citrus Mutual, Florida Department of Citrus

Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) Chairman Steve Johnson recently cited the partnership between the FCC and Florida Citrus Mutual as “a shining example of the synergy happening in our industry.” The FCC serves as the governing board of the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC). Mutual is the state’s largest association of citrus growers. “The two entities, which at times have diverse …

Donaldson Tree Is ‘Beacon of Hope’

Josh McGill Florida Citrus Commission, HLB Management

A recently discovered HLB-infected tree that is producing high levels of fruit holds hope for Florida’s citrus industry, according to Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) Chairman Steve Johnson. “By now, many of you have heard about the Donaldson tree,” said Johnson. “Recently rediscovered at USDA’s (U.S. Department of Agriculture) Whitmore Farm, this decades-old tree is abundantly producing early-season oranges and despite …

Florida Grapefruit Promoted Globally

Josh McGill Florida Department of Citrus, Grapefruit

Florida Citrus Commission Chairman Steve Johnson recently reported on efforts to promote Florida grapefruit around the world: “Florida grapefruit continues to be highly sought after throughout Asia and Europe. With many countries honoring February as National Grapefruit Month, this time of year is especially important in terms of marketing programs promoting the fruit to consumers. “In Canada, Florida grapefruit sampling …

Update on OJ Marketing Efforts

Ernie Neff Florida Department of Citrus

“From research to sales, there’s momentum and a feeling of energy in the air,” Florida Citrus Commission Chairman Steve Johnson wrote in a recent email to members of the Florida citrus industry. His update focused on Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) orange juice (OJ) marketing efforts. The Florida Citrus Commission is the governing board of the Florida Department of Citrus. …

Florida Citrus Commission Appointments Made

Ernie Neff Florida Citrus Commission

Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed three new members to the Florida Citrus Commission and reappointed four others on Oct. 8. The appointments of John Smoak and Daniel Sutton fill two vacant seats, and the appointment of Christopher Groom fills a seat held by a commissioner serving a previously expired term. Commissioners Carlos Martinez, Martin “Marty” McKenna, Steve Johnson and William “Bill” …

E-commerce Works, ‘Even in Wauchula’

Ernie Neff Florida Department of Citrus

Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) Chairman Steve Johnson noted that as consumers continue to navigate life in a pandemic, growth of e-commerce shopping is expected to continue. “Even in Wauchula, Florida, Kroger delivery is taking hold,” Johnson wrote. Wauchula, with a population of about 5,000, is home to numerous citrus growers and grove workers. Johnson stated that the Florida Department of …

FDOC Preliminary Budget Approved

Ernie Neff Florida Department of Citrus

The Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) approved the Florida Department of Citrus’ (FDOC) preliminary operating budget of $29.12 million, an increase of $9.75 million from last season. The FCC serves as the governing board for the FDOC. Steve Johnson, FCC chairman, said the increased budget is largely due to the receipt of $17 million in general revenue funding from the state …