 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Below you'll see everything we could locate for your search of “Florida”
By Marisa L. Zansler The 2026–27 Florida citrus season is about to begin, making it an appropriate time to assess the outlook and consumer demand for Florida’s orange, grapefruit and specialty citrus production. For much of the past decade, industry conversations about what lies ahead for Florida citrus have, understandably, centered on its production challenges. The grip of citrus greening, …
By Michael E. Rogers Florida citrus growers continue to adapt to new challenges, regulations and technologies while maintaining the resilience that has defined the industry for generations. Supporting that effort, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) research and Extension programs remain focused on delivering practical, science-based solutions that help growers maintain productive and profitable operations. For …
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) recently announced that the enrollment window for citrus packinghouse and nursery equipment grants is open and will remain open through Sept. 1. FDACS is offering 70% cost-share funding to support equipment purchases, equipment refurbishment and related infrastructure repairs for eligible packinghouses and commercial citrus nurseries in Florida. PACKINGHOUSE COST-SHARE FDACS …
Shannon Shepp, Florida Department of Citrus executive director, recently discussed the renewed sense of optimism being felt in the Florida citrus industry due to recent positive developments. INCREASED CITRUS PRODUCTION One of the reasons for optimism is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s final citrus forecast for the 2025–26 season. Despite weathering another challenging season, including damaging freezes, Florida orange production …
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) hosted a bamboo field day in July at Phillip Rucks Citrus Nursery in Frostproof. Scientists at the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) have initiated several projects to evaluate bamboo varieties and production practices. Phillip Rucks has planted numerous bamboo varieties for evaluation and sells bamboo plants to …
Citrus under protective screen (CUPS) has been grown on a commercial scale in Florida for about a decade. The practice was adopted to exclude the Asian citrus psyllid from trees to protect them from HLB, but other benefits have been achieved like high yields and excellent quality fruit. Dundee Citrus Growers Association helped establish a mainstream approach for CUPS production. …
The Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame is accepting nominations for 2027 inductees. The online application deadline is Aug. 1 at 5 p.m. Anyone can nominate individuals whose contributions to Florida agriculture have helped advance the industry and ensure it continues to thrive. Nominators are encouraged to submit a thorough, well-developed submission that shows the magnitude of a nominee’s contributions to …
A collaborative effort among citrus industry partners and Florida Southern College (FSC) has led to the rehabilitation of two historic citrus groves on the Lakeland campus. The rehabilitation was made possible through donations by FSC alumnus Phillip Rucks of Rucks Citrus Nursery, as well as Mike Hurst of Mike Hurst Citrus Services. Rucks Nursery provided the trees that form the …
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the state budget on June 29 for the 2026–27 fiscal year. It includes nearly $196 million in support for the recovery and revitalization of Florida’s citrus industry through investments in research, field trials, nursery and packing equipment infrastructure, and marketing. Florida Citrus Mutual Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer Matt Joyner issued the following statement: …
Nominations are being sought by Sept. 15 for potential inductees to the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame. Eligible nominees are 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 luncheon and induction ceremony is tentatively scheduled to …
A Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) meeting was held on June 10 at the Florida Citrus Industry Annual Conference in Bonita Springs. At the meeting, Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) Executive Director Shannon Shepp reported that the FDOC’s True Original campaign for orange juice (OJ), along with marketing agency Padilla, recently received the Best of Show award from the National Agri-Marketing …
During the Florida Citrus Industry Annual Conference, Ned Hancock was presented with the Citrus Achievement Award trophy during a special ceremony at the event’s industry luncheon. Hancock was selected as this year’s winner for his years of dedicated service to the industry and optimism that the industry will overcome HLB and other challenges. In his acceptance speech, Hancock spent much …
Marisa Zansler, Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) director of economic and market research, reported on citrus economic issues at the June Florida Citrus Commission meeting. Her report included consumer perceptions and intentions. ORANGE JUICE Zansler’s reported findings regarding orange juice (OJ) included: FRESH FRUIT Zansler shared the following findings regarding fresh Florida citrus: Source: FDOC Sponsored ContentTake Advantage of Rising …
IMG Citrus and Mixon Family Citrus have announced a partnership to serve Florida grapefruit customers around the world. The partnership combines Mixon’s citrus under protective screen (CUPS) production with IMG’s experience marketing grapefruit across North America, Europe and Asia. Both entities are multigenerational Florida agribusiness families. The partnership is expected to account for more than half of Florida’s fresh grapefruit …
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson on June 2 highlighted the major agriculture victories included in the Florida Legislature’s 2026–27 state budget. CITRUS INDUSTRY Florida’s citrus industry received $196 million to support research, cost-share for equipment and infrastructure improvements at citrus nurseries and packinghouses, and the production and increased availability of healthy citrus rootstock. “Florida’s citrus industry remains resilient because …
U.S. Senators Rick Scott and Ashley Moody of Florida on June 2 introduced the Florida Freeze Disaster Assistance Act. Congressman Scott Franklin of Florida is leading the bill in the U.S. House of Representatives. This past winter, Florida’s agricultural producers faced consecutive weeks of subzero temperatures during the state’s peak citrus, berry and corn-growing season, amounting to more than $3 …
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on May 29 announced payment rates and the enrollment period for the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) Program. The USDA will issue $1.625 billion in payments to eligible specialty crop producers in response to elevated input costs and market disruptions resulting from foreign competitors engaging in unfair trade practices that impeded specialty crop …
The Florida Legislature on May 29 approved nearly $196 million as part of the 2026–27 fiscal year budget to accelerate the recovery of Florida’s citrus industry. The expenditure includes $160 million for the Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) Foundation to expand field trials and support new plantings. It also provides $4.5 million to advance basic research through the Citrus Research and …
Florida’s soils present unique challenges for growers. The soils vary widely from nutrient-poor sandy to highly organic soils, depending on location. These conditions make it difficult to sustainably manage agriculture in a way that supports food production, environmental health and a strong economy. To address these challenges, University of Florida (UF) researchers are leading a four-year study supported by a $749,999 …
The Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) on May 20 approved a $250,000 contract with Visit Florida to continue providing free orange juice at Florida welcome centers on interstate highways. The FCC serves as the governing board for the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC), which performs marketing, research and regulatory functions for the state’s citrus industry. Visit Florida, the state’s official destination …
