Hall of Fame

Florida Ag Hall of Fame Seeks Nominations

Daniel CooperAgriculture, Awards, Florida

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 …

Florida

Florida Southern College Citrus Groves Rehabilitated

Daniel CooperEducation

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 …

state budget

Signed State Budget Invests Nearly $196 Million in Florida Citrus

Daniel Cooperfinancial, Florida

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

Seeking Florida Citrus Hall of Fame Nominations

Daniel CooperAwards

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 …

Florida citrus

Florida Citrus Marketing Awarded, New Plans Presented

Daniel CooperAwards, Florida Department of Citrus, Marketing

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 …

Florida Citrus

Honors Bestowed at Florida Citrus Industry Annual Conference

Daniel CooperAwards, Events, Florida

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 …

consumer

Consumer Insights on Florida Citrus

Daniel CooperFlorida Department of Citrus

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 …

Florida grapefruit

IMG and Mixon Form Florida Grapefruit Partnership

Daniel CooperFlorida, Grapefruit

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 …

agriculture

Agriculture Victories in Florida Budget

Daniel CooperAgriculture, financial, Florida

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 …

Florida freeze

Legislators Seek $3.5 Billion for Florida Freeze Assistance

Daniel Cooperfreeze, Legislative

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 …

specialty crops

Florida Citrus Payment Details for Specialty Crop Assistance Program

Daniel Cooperfinancial, USDA

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 …

Florida Allocates Almost $200 Million for Citrus Recovery

Daniel Cooperfinancial, Research

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 …

rock dust

Could Volcanic Rock Dust Improve Florida Crops and Soil?

Daniel CooperFlorida, Research, Soil Health

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 …

welcome centers

OJ to Keep Flowing at Florida Welcome Centers

Daniel CooperFlorida Department of Citrus, Marketing

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 …

Florida citrus

Florida Citrus Marketing Plans Presented for 2026–27

Daniel CooperFlorida Department of Citrus, Marketing

The Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) presented marketing plans for the 2026–27 season at the May 20 meeting of the Florida Citrus Commission (FCC). The FCC serves as the FDOC’s governing board. ORANGE JUICE Florida orange juice will continue to be positioned as the original wellness drink. The marketing effort will be aimed at juice consumers and health professionals. The …

water-shortage

Water-Shortage Orders Issued in Florida

Daniel CooperRegulation, Water

As the drought deepens across Florida, water management districts are issuing tighter watering rules. Water-shortage orders may be issued when temporary reductions in surface and ground water uses are necessary to protect water resources from serious harm. As of May 15, the state’s water management districts were operating under the following conditions: A May 14 U.S. Drought Monitor map of …

meeting

Florida Citrus Mutual Hosts Spring Grower Meeting

Daniel CooperEvents, Florida Citrus Mutual

Florida Citrus Mutual hosted its spring informational meeting for growers at Golden Ridge Groves in Alturas on May 13. Golden Ridge Groves is growing fresh fruit in citrus under protective screen and recently added you-pick and agritourism options for the public. Steven Hall, executive director of the Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) Foundation, gave an update and recounted the …

block grant

Florida Block Grant Disaster Relief Questions Answered

Daniel Cooperfinancial, Florida Citrus Mutual, hurricane

Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM) recently compiled a question-and-answer (Q&A) document about the 2026 Florida Block Grant Disaster Relief program. The document has answers from grant administrators to citrus grower questions. It covers eligibility, production loss thresholds, base-year considerations and more. Some key points from the document include: See the full Q&A document here. Source: FCM Sponsored ContentTake Advantage of Rising …

Florida

Florida Drought Triggers Emergency Loan Availability

Daniel Cooperfinancial, Weather

April and May are typically the driest months in Florida. But South Florida crop consultant Gene McAvoy said conditions are dire even for this time of the year. “We haven’t had a drought like this in 20 years, at least,” McAvoy said. “We didn’t have much of a rainy season. It’s really impacting citrus. You do irrigate trees, but you’re …

conference

Florida Ag Policy Conference Focused on Key Programs

Daniel CooperAgriculture, Events, Florida

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Mid-Florida Research and Education Center in Apopka hosted the 11th annual Florida Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference on April 16. The event covered a range of subjects critical to farmers. Sen. Keith Truenow (FL-13) discussed the passage of the Florida Farm Bill and its benefits to farmers. The legislation, signed by …