Below you'll see everything we could locate for your search of “Florida”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced Sept. 1 it was increasing the area quarantined for citrus black spot (CBS) in Florida. APHIS is expanding the quarantined area by adding eight sections in Charlotte County, 18 sections in Collier County, one section in Glades County, two sections in Hendry County, four sections in Lee …
The 2026 Citrus Achievement Award winner Ned Hancock believes what makes Florida’s citrus industry special is its people. He said the grit and determination of growers have helped the industry weather the storm of HLB, and he’s cautiously optimistic about the future. “There is no question that citrus is a lifestyle and one big family,” Hancock said. “The people make …
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) announced the permanent protection of more than 1,500 acres of agricultural land on four farms through its Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. Two of the protected farms include citrus. Rural lands protection easements prevent future development and allow agricultural operations to continue producing food, timber and other resources. Since its …
Florida’s citrus acreage tumbled again in 2026, but the state’s citrus production increased in the 2025–26 season, according to two recent U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service reports. LAND LOSS Results of the 2026 Commercial Citrus Inventory show total citrus acreage is 165,359 acres, down 21% from the 2025 annual survey. New plantings, at 5,200 acres, are down …
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The deadline for Florida’s agricultural producers to apply for more than $600 million in disaster assistance for impacts from 2023 and 2024 hurricanes has been extended to Jan. 1, 2027. Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson on Aug. 20 announced the extension for the Florida Block Grant Disaster Relief Program. Eligible agricultural producers can apply for grant funding to address …
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 …
