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Below you'll see everything we could locate for your search of “Florida”
Citrus black spot (CBS) quarantines have been established for the first time in Florida’s DeSoto and Highlands counties. In addition, sections of other counties have been added to the existing CBS quarantine in Florida. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA/APHIS) in cooperation with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Plant …
Growers and industry stakeholders gathered in Bonita Springs last week for the Florida Citrus Industry Annual Conference hosted by Florida Citrus Mutual. Despite the challenges of HLB and recent hurricanes, the event drew strong attendance. The educational program provided updates on potential solutions for the disease that has plagued the industry for two decades. SEEKING A RESISTANT TREEOne of the …
At the June Florida Citrus Commission meeting, Florida Department of Citrus Director of Economic and Market Research Marisa Zansler presented a strategic overview of the economic case for citrus replanting. Her presentation focused on how targeted investments in grove restoration, supported by aligned Florida-centric marketing and infrastructure protection, can stabilize the industry and position it for long-term viability at a …
Matt Joyner, Florida Citrus Mutual executive vice president and chief executive officer, issued the following statement in reaction to the Florida Legislature’s approval of nearly $140 million ($139,673,565) for the citrus industry in the state’s 2025–26 fiscal year budget: “Florida’s citrus growers applaud the Florida Legislature’s record-breaking investment of nearly $140 million to shepherd the state’s iconic citrus industry back to …
The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA NASS) released a citrus crop forecast update on June 12. Florida’s 2024–25 all-orange forecast climbed 3% to 12 million boxes. That’s an increase of 370,000 boxes since the May forecast of 11.63 million boxes. If the forecast is realized, it will be more than a third less than 2023–24 Florida …
Recent rainfall has been a welcome sight for Floridians, but it can be a concern for the state’s citrus growers who are producing next year’s crop. Chris Oswalt, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences citrus agent, cautions growers about citrus canker amid the increased moisture in the region. “With rainfall, you need to be concerned about those …
A new statewide mental health report found that Florida farmers and ranchers face emotional distress, which is worsened by financial pressures and natural disasters. The Florida Farm Bureau Federation (FFBF) in partnership with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Center for Leadership and Mind Your Melon Foundation released the report. The 2025 Mind Your Melon Farmer …
Growers spend a substantial amount of money every year to employ a labor force for their crops. Labor is the main issue that John Walt Boatright deals with as director of government affairs at the American Farm Bureau Federation. “No matter where we go and no matter who we talk to in farm country, labor continues to be the focal …
In late 2021, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) published proposed changes to their trapping regulations. Many of the changes would have proven detrimental to farmers’ and ranchers’ ability to control feral hogs and other nuisance wildlife. After extensive public comment received from Florida Farm Bureau Federation (FFBF) and others, the FWC postponed its planned trapping regulations update. …
The Florida Department of Citrus marketing team on May 21 presented its 2025–26 global marketing plan to the Florida Citrus Commission, the department’s governing board. The team stated that it plans to expand on the True Original campaign to reinforce the value of Florida orange juice (OJ) for modern juice consumers and health professionals. To reach and engage health professionals, …
Florida Citrus Commission Chairman Steve Johnson noted that recent media articles have reported that consumers are snacking less. He said causes behind this trend of snacking less are the costs of food or concerns about finances. Another reason is a growing desire to eat healthier and reduce the consumption of foods with additives and artificial dyes. Florida Department of Citrus …
Four University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) horticulture researchers recently wrote an update in the Cold Hardy Citrus Connection about optimizing citrus nitrogen applications in North Florida. The authors are Muhammad A. Shahid, Davie Kadyampakeni, Shahid Iqbal and Muhammad Nadeem. The following edited excerpts explain the research project and provide conclusions: THE RESEARCH The need for …
The 2024–25 citrus forecast released on May 12 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows little change from the April forecast. ORANGESThe Florida all-orange forecast, at 11.63 million boxes, is up less than 1% from last month. If realized, this will be 36% less than last season’s final production. The forecast consists of 4.58 million boxes of non-Valencia oranges (early, …
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson applauded the Florida Legislature for passing the Florida Farm Bill (SB 700), the most comprehensive agriculture-focused legislation in the state’s history. Sponsored by Senator Keith Truenow and Representatives Kaylee Tuck and Danny Alvarez, the legislation was passed with strong support from both chambers, delivering sweeping reforms that protect farmland from development, invest in agricultural …
Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) Chairman Steve Johnson recently wrote about Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) and state legislative efforts to help rejuvenate the Florida citrus industry. Johnson described the efforts in a column titled “The Four Rs of Florida Citrus Right Now: Reset. Replant. Renew. Renaissance.” FDOC INITIATIVES Johnson listed the following efforts by the FDOC: WORKING WITH THE LEGISLATURE …
By Lauren Diepenbrock and Nicole Quinn In recent years, a new pest has been added to the ever-evolving scope of pest management in Florida citrus: Bulimulus bonariensis snails. These snails, also referred to as ghost snails or peanut snails, were reported to be clogging irrigation jets in Central Florida in 2020 in limited locations. Now, in 2025, they have spread …
The 2025 Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute had a different setup compared to previous years. Scientists from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) convened at South Florida State College in Avon Park on April 8 to share research that will help shape the future of the Florida citrus industry. Chris Oswalt, UF/IFAS citrus Extension agent who …
Fifth-generation Floridian David Sumner, who grew up in a citrus family, has written “The Rise, Fall, and Future of Florida’s Citrus Industry.” The 327-page book includes historic citrus photos dating back to the late 1800s. Sumner tells the story of Florida citrus from the end of the Civil War to the present. He visited Florida archives and conducted 53 interviews …
International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. (IFF) on April 9 announced the opening of the Citrus Innovation Center in Lakeland, Florida, in partnership with Florida Polytechnic University. According to IFF, the 30,000-square-foot facility “encompasses state-of-the-art capabilities in botanical research leveraging … natural ingredients expertise, processing, analytics and product creation for scent and taste.” IFF stated that the center offers job opportunities …
Malcolm Manners, Florida Southern College (FSC) professor of citrus science and coordinator of the citrus and horticultural science program, will soon retire after 44 years at the college. Manners’ fascination with plants and horticulture started at a young age. “My parents were always gardeners, and I’ve had an interest in plants my whole life,” he said. After earning a bachelor’s degree …
