Florida

Florida Citrus Show: A Day of Education and Enjoyment

Daniel CooperEvents, Florida Citrus Show

The Florida Citrus Show marked another successful event in March in Fort Pierce. The show provided attendees with a fun, informative day to learn about citrus and specialty crops while engaging with exhibitors during the tailgate-style trade show. CRAFT UPDATE Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) programs have been very popular with growers and have incentivized new citrus plantings across …

Citrus Mutual

Florida Citrus Mutual Reports on Washington Visit

Daniel CooperFlorida Citrus Mutual

Matt Joyner, executive vice president and chief executive officer of Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM), reported on a recent trip that he, FCM President Kevin Koppleman and other FCM staff members made to Washington, D.C. Citrus Research and Field Trial Foundation Executive Director Steven Hall accompanied the group. During their visit, the National Citrus Council convened to discuss challenges facing citrus. …

Forecast Projects Increased Florida Citrus Crops

Tacy CalliesCrop Forecast

Despite a winter freeze in Florida that many thought would reduce the citrus crop, the April 9 federal citrus forecast increased production estimates for all Florida varieties. The forecast by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA NASS) also included forecasts for other U.S. citrus-producing states. FLORIDAThe new orange forecast for Florida is 12.2 million boxes, up …

Florida Citrus

Florida Citrus Grower Cautiously Optimistic

Daniel CooperEvents, Florida Citrus Show

It can be challenging to be a Florida citrus grower and find optimism in today’s economic and production climates. After more than 20 years of dealing with citrus greening disease, it is understandable for growers to be downtrodden. But one grower sees some positivity. Daniel Hunt, with Hunt Bros. in Lake Wales, was cautiously optimistic when discussing the future of …

citrus land transactions

Summary of 2025 Florida Citrus Land Transactions

Daniel CooperFlorida, Land, sales

According to Saunders Land’s annual Lay of the Land Market Report, there were 79 Florida citrus land transactions in 2025 totaling 20,352 acres. Pricing ranged from $3,936 to $56,003 per acre. The average price per acre was $13,788. Sales ranged in size from 9.81 acres to 4,633.47 acres. Notable large transactions included a 4,633.47-acre sale in Charlotte County for $41.9 …

efforts

Update on Florida Citrus Marketing Efforts

Daniel CooperFlorida Department of Citrus, Marketing

The Florida Citrus Commission’s (FCC) Global Marketing Committee on March 18 reported on several Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) marketing efforts. FLORIDA ORANGE JUICE The committee reported that attributed Florida orange juice (OJ) sales have reached $36.15 million to date with 2.73 million units sold, exceeding the attributed sales goal of $35 million. To further advance the True Original campaign, …

Citrus Research

Florida Citrus Research Organizations To Merge

Daniel CooperCRAFT, CRDF, Research

The Florida Farm Bill, signed into law on March 23 by Gov. Ron DeSantis, combines the Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) with the Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) Foundation. The law will take effect July 1. CRDF Chief Operating Officer Rick Dantzler cited some of the bills provisions pertaining to the merge: Dantzler reported that reasons cited for the …

industry

Florida Citrus Commission Acts on Industry Requests

Daniel CooperFlorida Citrus Commission, Florida Department of Citrus, Fresh

The Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) on March 18 responded affirmatively to citrus industry requests for increased marketing allocations for domestic fresh citrus and for limited promotions in some export markets. The FCC is the governing board for the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC). DOMESTIC FRESH CITRUS The FDOC reported that a request from Florida Citrus Mutual for allocating more of …

CRAFT

CRAFT Discussed at Florida Citrus Show

Daniel CooperCRAFT, Events, Florida Citrus Show

The Florida Citrus Show provided an opportunity for Citrus Research and Field Trial Foundation (CRAFT) Executive Director Steven Hall to share the organization’s accomplishments and future plans. Hall moderated a panel discussion and spoke about the organization’s work. “Thanks to Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, Senate President Ben Albritton, the Florida Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis, we’ve been able to …

coalition

Florida Ag Coalition Asks for Federal Freeze Aid

Daniel Cooperfinancial, freeze

The Florida Ag Coalition has asked President Donald Trump for supplemental federal disaster assistance through a state-administered block grant for Florida farmers and ranchers impacted by recent freezes. The coalition represents agricultural producers and organizations across the state. The request was made in a March 9 letter. The letter noted that Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson on Feb. 20 indicated …

A Bright Future Ahead: Florida Citrus Show Celebrates Growers and Innovation

Morgan ColeEvents, FCS24, Florida Citrus Show

The AgNet Media team extends a heartfelt thank-you to all of the exhibitors, sponsors, speakers, attendees and, most importantly, the growers who made the Florida Citrus Show such a special and successful event. Events like the Florida Citrus Show are about more than just gathering together for a day. They are about creating a space for growers to continue learning, …

Florida Farm Bill

State Legislature Passes Florida Farm Bill

Daniel CooperFlorida, Legislative

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson on March 3 hailed the Florida Legislature’s passage of the 2026 Florida Farm Bill, SB 290. According to Simpson, the bill sponsored by Sen. Keith Truenow and Rep. Danny Alvarez supports and defends Florida agriculture, strengthens public safety and protects natural resources and rural lands. Truenow declared agriculture to be “the foundation of our …

Florida Citrus Show

Last Chance to Preregister for the Florida Citrus Show

Daniel CooperEvents, FCS24, Florida Citrus Show

The Florida Citrus Show is just a week away. Preregistration for the event ends on Sunday, March 8. So, sign up now to skip the onsite registration process. The event is on March 12 at 8:00 a.m. at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Indian River Research and Education Center and the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural …

FDACS

FDACS Announces Disaster Updates for Florida Citrus

Daniel Cooperfinancial, freeze, hurricane

As Florida citrus growers deal with the aftermath of freezes, they are at long last able to apply for block grants for damages incurred by 2023 and 2024 hurricanes. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) provided details on citrus freeze damage and began accepting applications for the Florida Block Grant Disaster Relief Program. FREEZE DAMAGE FDACS released …

Florida Citrus Show

Earn Continuing Education Units at the Florida Citrus Show

Daniel CooperEvents, FCS24, Florida Citrus Show

The Florida Citrus Show is only two weeks away, scheduled for March 12. The event will be held at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Indian River Research and Education Center and the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory in Fort Pierce. The educational seminars have much to offer for both citrus …

Schapansky

Schapansky Is Miss Florida Citrus 2026

Daniel CooperAwards, Miss Florida Citrus

Caroline Schapansky, 21, a student at the University of Florida, was crowned Miss Florida Citrus 2026 on Feb. 14. She is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing with a minor in disabilities in society. Nine Florida women competed for the title in five phases of competition: private interview, on-stage question, health and fitness, talent and evening gown. Schapansky won the …

damage

Estimate Puts Florida Freeze Damage at More Than $3 Billion

Daniel Cooperfreeze

As growers surveyed fields and groves after the freeze in late January and early February, it was clear the damage has been catastrophic in many cases. That was confirmed by Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson with the first estimate of damage released on Feb 20.  Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) preliminary estimates of losses to Florida …

PIECES OF THE PAST: The Hills Are Alive in Florida

Tacy CalliesPieces of the Past

By Brenda Eubanks Burnette William John Howey (1876–1938) was born in Odin, Illinois, and spent his early adulthood in insurance, real estate development and automobile manufacturing before turning to agriculture. After ventures in Oklahoma and Mexico, he arrived in Florida in the early 1910s and began selling citrus groves near what are now Dundee, Lake Hamilton and Star Lake. By …

director

Florida Citrus Show To Feature CRAFT Insights

Tacy CalliesCRAFT, Events, FCS24, Florida Citrus Show

The Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) Foundation has been a lifeline to Florida’s citrus industry in the battle against HLB. CRAFT’s programs provide incentives for new plantings and existing tree therapies in exchange for growers submitting data for those projects. In 2025, CRAFT received more than $100 million dollars from the state legislature to fund more cycles of the …

See the Seminar Program for the Florida Citrus Show

Tacy CalliesCitrus, Events, FCS24, Florida Citrus Show

The Florida Citrus Show is just a month away, scheduled for March 12. The event will be held at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Indian River Research and Education Center and the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory in Fort Pierce. The seminar program offers a wealth of educational opportunities, and …