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Below you'll see everything we could locate for your search of “HCCGA”
Fruit drop “is probably the No. 1 concern” of the citrus growers he knows, says Ray Royce, executive director of Highlands County Citrus Growers Association (HCCGA). “Fruit drop and profitability are going hand in hand,” he adds. “There’s a tremendous struggle now to be profitable, given the relatively low harvest numbers,” Royce says. “I think growers believe that if they …
Highlands County Citrus Growers Association (HCCGA) Executive Director Ray Royce recently discussed grower concerns about Florida’s Best Management Practices (BMP) program. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) runs the program. According to Royce, growers are concerned about the BMP implementation, verification audits, some of the information they’ve been asked for by the FDACS staff and what may …
Editor’s note: A correction has been made to this article. It previously stated that “UF/IFAS’ current highest recommendation for phosphorus on citrus is 16 pounds per 100 pounds of fruit per acre annually if soil tests and tissue samples indicate insufficient phosphorus content.” The information has been corrected to 16 pounds per 100 boxes. For years, participation in Florida’s Best …
By Brenda Eubanks Burnette Leila Sabet, Miss Florida Citrus 2020, virtually started her year of service in June by competing in the very first virtual Miss America preliminary pageant in Florida. Due to COVID-19, Miss Florida Citrus appearances have not been as prolific as in past years. However, as restrictions have eased, Sabet has been invited to several industry events. …
Laurie Hurner is resigning as Highlands County Extension director and citrus agent Aug. 4 to become Highlands County assistant county administrator. “There are no negative reasons for leaving, just an opportunity here for me to better serve my home county and even help UF (University of Florida) before it is over,” Hurner stated. “I feel that it is time in …
Several growers recently asked the Highlands County Citrus Growers Association (HCCGA) if they need to sign a Grower/Caretaker Compliance Agreement (CA) they received from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). HCCGA Executive Director Ray Royce’s answer is essentially yes. He says state law requires all citrus growers and caretakers of 40 or more trees to sign a …
Highlands County Citrus Growers Association (HCCGA) is urging its members to “seriously consider” enrolling in and implementing best management practices (BMPs) if they haven’t already done so. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Office of Ag Water Policy (FDACS-OAWP), as a result of several changes in state law, is in the process of stepping up its BMPs implementation …
Important information for agriculture related to the COVID-19 pandemic was issued from numerous sources this week. A brief summary of some of the information follows. Ray Royce, executive director of Highlands County Citrus Growers Association, addressed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ stay-at-home order that went into effect at midnight on April 2. “All agricultural and agricultural support activities are considered essential …
Social distancing and enhanced sanitation practices have been adopted in many Florida groves and facilities in an effort to curtail spread of the coronavirus. “Growers are making the necessary adjustments by increasing sanitation and keeping workers separated,” said Steve Smith, executive vice president of Gulf Citrus Growers Association. “The larger growers with multiple locations are keeping crews separated into small …
Harvesting labor availability has reportedly been adequate so far this season for the Florida citrus industry. However, it could become an issue as some foreign workers under the federal H-2A program leave to work in other industries or to harvest other crops. Several Florida citrus growers and association executives recently addressed the labor situation. “As our season winds down, it …
Aaron Himrod indicated he was cautiously optimistic about Highlands County Citrus Growers Association (HCCGA) members’ ability to grow fruit in the face of HLB at the association’s annual meeting on March 12. But Himrod, the outgoing association president, said the industry’s emphasis now needs to be on marketing. That and other activities at the meeting were described by association Executive …
Tim Hurner will be inducted into the Florida Association of County Agricultural Agents (FACAA) Hall of Fame at the annual Extension Professional Associations of Florida meeting in Panama City in September. Hurner served Highlands County as the citrus Extension agent and county director for more than 40 years. He was inducted into the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame in 2019. …
Highlands County grower Jarred Eddy recently shared his frustration with the Florida Citrus Commission over his failure to receive any offers for the fruit from his 200-acre grove. Following Eddy’s Oct. 23 presentation, he and Highlands County Citrus Growers Association Executive Director Ray Royce discussed the problem. Eddy says he expected offers several times since the middle of summer, but “as …
“This was a big miracle,” Indian River Citrus League Executive Vice President Doug Bournique said late Wednesday morning after Hurricane Dorian had passed Florida’s Citrus Belt. He said while assessments were still being made, there apparently was only minimal leaf and fruit loss in the Indian River region. The Indian River area was the closest Florida citrus-growing region to Dorian, …
The Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) Foundation Board held its initial meeting on July 31 at Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM) headquarters in Bartow. FCM President Tom Mitchell as well as FCM board members Glenn Beck and Mark Wheeler serve on the CRAFT board along with Harold Browning, Premier Citrus; John Updike Jr., Florida citrus grower; Phillip Rucks, Phillip Rucks …
Ray Royce of the Highlands County Citrus Growers Association reminds citrus industry members that this Saturday, May 4 is National OJ Day. “You are encouraged to think about how, even in a very small way, you can help assist in reminding your friends, neighbors and business associates that Americans have long had a love affair with orange juice,” says Royce. …
Several hundred Highlands County Citrus Growers Association (HCCGA) members and area community leaders turned out for the association’s 29th annual meeting on March 21 in Sebring, Florida. Florida Department of Citrus Executive Director Shannon Shepp briefly updated the group on activities of the department. Rep. Greg Steube (FL-District 17) was the featured speaker. He shared some of his experiences and …
The Florida Citrus Recovery Grant Program (CRGP) is available to citrus producers who maintain an active citrus farming operation and who suffered citrus crop damage as a result of Hurricane Irma. In order to qualify for CRGP, producers must first apply for the Federal 2017 USDA Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program (WHIP). Producers receiving assistance under either CRGP or WHIP must obtain …
The Highlands County Citrus Growers Association (HCCGA) is hosting its 2017 Golf Day on April 27. HCCGA’s executive director, Ray Royce, is very excited for this year’s event. The golf day is a yearly event for the public and HCCGA members. Royce says that there are generally about 100 people in attendance, and he expects the same turnout this year. …
Billy Barben, new president for the Highlands County Citrus Growers Association (HCCGA), says he is optimistic that new fertilizer programs and future genetic trees “will give us hope in the future.” Barben, whose brothers, Bobby and John, have also served the association as president, says, “I’m more of the dirt guy in my family.” As a grower, he has opinions …
