Perdue

Perdue Joins National Ag Hall of Fame

Daniel CooperAgriculture, Awards

Sonny Perdue was inducted into the National Agricultural Hall of Fame on Oct. 23 for his contributions to American agriculture. He is a former Georgia governor and U.S. secretary of agriculture and the current University System of Georgia chancellor. Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper nominated Perdue with support from Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and American Farm Bureau President and Georgia …

Florida 500

Florida 500 Includes Citrus Leaders

Daniel CooperAgriculture, Awards

Several men with strong ties to the citrus industry have been included in the 2025 edition of Florida Trend’s Florida 500. The Florida 500 highlights 500 influential executives from various economic sectors in the state.  Florida Trend places a high premium on community service and philanthropy when selecting the Florida 500. “We look for individuals to whom others in their …

Fundecitrus

Fundecitrus Honors California Researcher

Daniel CooperAwards

Brazilian citrus research organization Fundecitrus (Fund for Protection of Citriculture) recently honored University of California Davis (UC Davis) Distinguished Professor Walter Leal for his outstanding contribution to citriculture. Fundecitrus emphasized the importance of Leal’s work on the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) and citrus fruit borer. Brazilian native Leal is a member of the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology faculty …

Albritton

Albritton Fighting For Citrus in the Florida Legislature

Daniel CooperAwards, Legislative

Editor’s note: This is the second installment of four articles honoring Ben Albritton, the 2025 Citrus Achievement Award winner. The 2025–26 citrus season has arrived, and growers are cautiously optimistic that trees might be turning in a more productive direction — if the weather cooperates. Many growers are taking advantage of Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) Foundation programs that …

Callaham

Dundee Citrus Growers Association’s Callaham Honored

Daniel CooperAwards

Steven Callaham, executive vice president and chief executive officer of Florida’s Dundee Citrus Growers Association (Dundee CGA) for the last 22 years, was recently honored by The Packer. He was recognized as one of the 25 fresh produce industry innovators and agents of change. Callaham graduated from the University of Florida College of Agriculture and joined Dundee in 1999. He …

Lennon Grove Service

Lennon Grove Service Awarded for Sustainable Farming

Daniel CooperAwards

The Florida Farm Bureau Federation presented Lennon Grove Service, Inc. with a This Farm CARES award on Oct. 6 at the Orange County Farm Bureau annual meeting. The grove was recognized for sustainable farming practices. The award is given to farmers and ranchers enrolled in best management practices. Established in 2000, Lennon Grove Service focuses on citrus production as well as …

Citrus Achievement Award

Grower Recognizes Citrus Achievement Award Winner

Daniel CooperAwards

Editor’s note: This is the first installment of four articles honoring Ben Albritton, the 2025 Citrus Achievement Award winner. With the 2024–25 citrus season complete, growers are now turning their attention to the coming year. That comes with a new sense of optimism as HLB therapies appear to be improving overall tree health and turning quality and production numbers in …

UF/IFAS

UF/IFAS Hosts Citrus Packinghouse Day

Daniel CooperAwards, Events, Packing

The 64th annual Citrus Packinghouse Day was held in early September at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred. The event drew fresh fruit growers and packers from various parts of Florida. Presentations were given on shipping regulations, new varieties and citrus under protective screen (CUPS). Fresh fruit, …

director

A New Director for Two Citrus Organizations

Daniel CooperAwards, Miss Florida Citrus

Kristi Joyner on April 1 succeeded Brenda Eubanks Burnette as executive director of both the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame (FCHOF) and the Miss Florida Citrus program. BACKGROUND AND GOALS “I started my career in political campaigns and grass roots advocacy, working on numerous successful congressional, state legislative and county commission campaigns,” Joyner said. “I spent many years as a …

Florida Agricultural

Nominations Needed for Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame

Daniel CooperAwards

The Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame is accepting nominations for new inductees through 5:00 p.m., Aug. 1. The Hall of Fame honors men and women who have made lasting contributions to the state and to mentoring of youth, who represent the future of agriculture. The Hall of Fame has honored 173 inductees since 1980. These individuals’ contributions to agriculture have …

hall of fame

Florida Citrus Hall of Fame Accepting Nominations

Daniel CooperAwards

Nominations are being sought through Sept. 15 for potential inductees to the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame. Eligible nominees are those distinguished leaders who have made significant contributions to the Florida citrus industry in any of the following fields: pioneering, harvesting, packing, processing, marketing, science and/or education. The Florida Citrus Hall of Fame was established in 1962. In the fall, …

international

Fundecitrus Honored at International Juice Conference

Daniel CooperAwards, Events, International

During the recent International Fruit and Vegetable Juice Association (IFU) conference held in Brazil, IFU honored Fundecitrus for its contributions to the citrus industry. Fundecitrus is an association maintained by citrus growers and juice manufacturers from São Paulo, Brazil. The association aims to foster the sustainable development of the Brazilian citrus industry. Its mission includes developing research, disseminating knowledge and …

São Paulo

Fundecitrus Honors São Paulo Ag Secretary

Daniel CooperAwards, Brazil

Brazil’s Fundecitrus recently led a tribute to Guilherme Piai, secretary of agriculture and supply of the state of São Paulo. The recognition of the secretary’s support in the fight against citrus greening occurred during the opening ceremony of the 50th Expocitrus/46th Citrus Week. Fundecitrus Executive Director Juliano Ayres presented Piai with a symbolic trophy in gratitude for his work and …

engineer

Citrus Engineer Honored

Daniel CooperAwards, Brazil

Ivaldo Sala, coordinator of the Fundecitrus Technology Transfer department, recently received the Outstanding Agricultural Engineer in Citrus award. The award was granted by organizers of the 50th Expocitrus/46th Citrus Week in Brazil.  The award ceremony was part of the opening afternoon of the exhibition week. Sala, who has worked at Fundecitrus 32 years, said, “We have worked tirelessly, transforming the …

HLB

Georgia Student Honored for HLB Research

Daniel CooperAwards, Georgia, HLB Management

Carlton Collins recently was named top master’s researcher in the E. Broadus Browne Research Awards for Outstanding Graduate Student Research competition at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. He was recognized for his research on huanglongbing (HLB) disease, also known as citrus greening. Collins, born in Jamaica, was introduced to citrus production on a small …

Jake Price

University of Georgia Honors Jake Price

Daniel CooperAwards, Cold Hardy, Georgia

Jake Price, who has helped introduce cold-hardy citrus to Georgia, was recently honored by the University of Georgia (UGA). He is one of five UGA faculty and staff members recognized for their commitment to public service and outreach. Price won a Walter Barnard Hill Award, named for UGA Chancellor Walter B. Hill. Each award recipient receives a medallion, a permanent …

environmental

Nominate Ag Women and Environmental Leaders

Daniel CooperAwards

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has announced the opening of the nomination process for the Woman of the Year in Agriculture and the Agricultural-Environmental Leadership awards. Nominations for both awards must be submitted by March 1. “Florida agriculture thrives because of the extraordinary people who dedicate their lives to it,” said Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson. …

Joyner

Joyner Honored With UF Distinguished Alumnus Award

Daniel CooperAwards

The University of Florida honored College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) alumnus Michael Joyner (Bachelor of Science, 1986) with the Distinguished Alumnus Award. He was recognized for his outstanding contributions to the agriculture industry and his dedication to serving the university. Throughout his career, Joyner has made a lasting impact on the lives of agriculturists, shaping policies and initiatives …

Citrus AI

Florida Student Honored for Citrus AI App

Daniel CooperAwards, Technology

The Citrus AI app created by Rohan Dash, an 11th-grade student at Pine View School in Sarasota County, earned first place in the 2024 Congressional App Challenge for the 17th Congressional District of Florida. The app is designed to support Florida’s citrus industry by analyzing crop health, predicting threats and optimizing resource usage. “Rohan Dash’s Citrus AI app stands out …