Good Times, Good Food, Great Company

Morgan Cole Events

Get ready to tailgate at the Florida Citrus Show! This one-of-a-kind event is returning to the Treasure Coast on April 3. In between seminar sessions, the trade show will become a tailgate party that you won’t want to miss. The day will kick off with breakfast and coffee in the tailgate hub. Attendees will have the opportunity to walk the …

Registration Now Open for Florida Citrus Show

Morgan Cole Events

The Florida Citrus Show returns on April 3! Registration is now open for the 2024 show. Join us for a trade show full of the top agricultural companies, informational seminar sessions and an exciting tailgate party. This isn’t your average trade show. In between seminar sessions, growers can mingle with exhibitors and sample their tailgate dishes. Be sure to visit …

New AgTech Expo Looks at Rapidly Moving Sector

Tacy Callies Events, Technology

The Gulf Citrus Growers Association and the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Southwest Florida Research and Education Center presented the Florida AgTech and AI Expo in Punta Gorda on Dec. 14. The event showcased emerging trends in technology and how some farms are putting ag technology to work in the real world. In addition to …

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Rootstocks and More Showcased at Field Day

Daniel Cooper Events, Rootstocks, Varieties

In early December, the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) hosted its annual A.H. Whitmore Foundation Farm field tour and variety display in Groveland, Florida. The event was well attended and showcased the USDA-ARS citrus scion and rootstock breeding program. Attendees loaded up for a hayride and guided tour through the grove. One stop showcased the cooperative work the …

Millennium Block Drive-Thru Highlights

Josh McGill Events, Indian River, Research

Florida citrus growers and researchers arrived from Davie, Bartow, Lakeland, Plant City, Fellsmere and Gainesville to view more than 5,500 trees of several new citrus varieties. Some of the trees are showing initial tolerance to citrus greening.   The occasion was the Millennium Block Drive-Thru at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Indian River Research and …

Field Day Showcases Efforts to Breed HLB-Tolerant Oranges

Josh McGill Breeding, Events

By Maegan Beatty On Oct. 27, Jose Chaparro hosted a citrus breeding research update at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Teaching Orchard in Gainesville. The event included a variety display and field tour. Chaparro, a UF/IFAS associate professor of horticultural sciences, focused on how he and his team are taking on the significant task …

Cold-Hardy Citrus Growers Gather for Field Day

Josh McGill Cold Hardy, Events

Production in the cold-hardy citrus region was under the spotlight during a recent field day in Quincy, Florida. Growers and industry leaders visited the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC) to learn about various facets of citrus production. Topics like controlled-release fertilizers, crop diversification and implementation of artificial intelligence …

Millennium Block Varieties Tour

Josh McGill Events, Rootstocks, Varieties

Citrus growers are invited to tour the 20-acre Millennium Block at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC) in Fort Pierce on Nov. 7. The tour will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  New varieties in the grove are in their fourth year of growth. Researchers are …

Provide Feedback During Florida Fruit Displays

Josh McGill All In For Citrus Podcast, Events, Varieties

Later this month, Florida citrus fruit displays will get underway. This is a key component of the citrus breeding program to get input from growers and other industry stakeholders on how fruit from potential new varieties looks and tastes. During the September All In For Citrus podcast, Michael Rogers, director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural …

Peace River Growers See Hopeful Signs in Groves

Josh McGill Events, HLB Management, Pests

The Peace River Valley Citrus Growers Association hosted a grower forum in September to discuss how trees are looking after the first application of oxytetracycline (OTC) has been injected. The event had a good turnout, and growers were mostly optimistic about what they are seeing in groves. Nearly all in attendance have treated at least some portion of their acreage …

Participate in Variety Displays and Field Days

Josh McGill Events, Tip of the Week, Varieties

By Peter Chaires Each year, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus breeding teams provide opportunities for interested parties to sample fruit from new and recent selections. This is a great opportunity to remain current on research results. Participation from growers, processors, packers, marketers and fruit enthusiasts is desired. Shoppers in produce departments represent a …

Highlights From Citrus Packinghouse Day Presentations

Josh McGill Events, Packing

Trunk injection for HLB, diplodia stem-end rot (diplodia SER) and citrus under protective screen (CUPS) were among topics addressed at the recent Citrus Packinghouse Day. The event took place at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC). TRUNK INJECTION FOR HLBTrunk injection of oxytetracycline (OTC) increases tree health, fruit quality …

Citrus Packinghouse Day Is Aug. 24

Josh McGill Events, Packing

Topics of interest to Florida’s fresh citrus industry will be addressed at Citrus Packinghouse Day on Aug. 24 in Lake Alfred. The event will be held at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center. The free event in Ben Hill Griffin Hall will include an educational program, exhibitors and networking opportunities. …

International Flavor Summit Returns in March

Josh McGill Events, International

The third International Flavor Summit will take place on March 4–6, 2024, in Orlando, Florida. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) and the UF Center for Smell and Taste will once again co-host the event. The conference will be held at the Holiday Inn Lake Buena Vista within walking …

Grower Wins Gun Safe at Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo

Josh McGill Citrus Expo, Events

Although the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo is at a new location this year at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, many of the event’s traditions are alive and well. One of those traditions is the annual gun safe giveaway, sponsored by Everglades Equipment Group. Growers who preregister for the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo are eligible to win the …

HCCGA Citrus Fun Shoot Set for December

Josh McGill Events

The Highlands County Citrus Growers Association (HCCGA) is planning for its annual Citrus Sporting Clays Fun Shoot, scheduled for Dec. 9 at the OK Corral Gun Club. The facility is a world-class shooting destination just east of Okeechobee, Florida. “This will be our 26th annual event and our first year at the OK Corral Gun Club. The fun shoot always provides a …

Growers Learn About Cost-Share Opportunities

Josh McGill Events, financial

The Mid-Florida Research and Education Center in Apopka hosted the first annual Growing Together: Central Florida Partners for Agriculture Symposium on July 27. The event was for both beginning and experienced growers and explored various tax, regulatory and insurance issues farm businesses must deal with. Several presentations focused on irrigation and nutrient management and how growers can obtain cost-share funds …

Ag Commissioner Wilton Simpson Confirmed to Speak at Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo

Josh McGill Events

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson will speak during the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo’s General Session on Aug. 16. Simpson, a farmer himself, brings a perspective grounded in the importance and realities of agriculture. “We are excited to have Commissioner Simpson join us for the Expo,” says Robin Loftin, president of AgNet Media. “The Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo …

Highlights from the Florida Citrus Industry Annual Conference

Josh McGill Events, Florida Citrus Mutual

Florida Citrus Mutual provided a summary of its Florida Citrus Industry Annual Conference held in June: After a year full of challenges, the 2023 Florida Citrus Industry Annual Conference once again offered an opportunity for more than 500 growers, allied members, family and friends to come together and focus on the highlights of the year and the promise of better …