Growers Hoping New State Investment Boosts Citrus Prospects

    This year’s Valencia crop is coming off local trees this week, marking the harvesting end of another difficult season for area citrus growers. The harvest comes as the USDA estimates for the season continue to hold at 19.8 million boxes and industry advocates seek to find potential positives for the industry in new growth and maintenance practices.
   The upcoming 2024-25 Florida budget recently voted on includes $47 million for support of the Florida citrus industry, a number that drew cheers this week from industry advocates.
       “From challenges caused by citrus greening, hurricanes, and freezes, the story of the Sunshine State’s iconic citrus industry would be regarded as ancient history if it wasn’t for the resiliency and tenacity of Florida citrus growers in recent years. The Florida Legislature’s investments today in research and innovation will support the restoration of Florida’s signature crop to its former glory. We are grateful to Senate President-Designate Ben Albritton, a citrus grower himself, for championing $47 million to support the industry. With Governor DeSantis’ approval of this budget, growers and researchers can script the story of a bright future for Florida citrus,” said Florida Citrus Mutual Vice President and CEO, Matt Joyner.
   The Florida Legislature’s Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget includes $47 million to champion the Sunshine State’s citrus industry for the following:
• $18 million for the Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) program and Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) to research citrus treatments and therapies.
• $9 million for Florida Department of Citrus marketing to promote the state’s citrus products among consumers and influencers.
• $8.3 million for the citrus health response program, administered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), to help researchers develop new varieties, increase citrus production, and advance technologies to treat and prevent citrus greening.
• $4 million for the citrus inspection trust fund to supplement grower assessments for citrus inspection.
• $2.7 million for pest management through FDACS, in collaboration with the Florida Department of Citrus, to suppress the Asian Citrus Psyllid that causes citrus greening.
• $2 million for the citrus recovery program, administered by the Florida Department of Citrus, to advance technologies that produce tolerance or resistance to citrus greening and produce trees that show tolerance or resistance to citrus greening.
• $2 million for the citrus Budwood facility through FDACS to expand the propagation of citrus greening-tolerant or resistant citrus sinensis or citrus sinensis-like budwood trees and seedlings, and for operations and maintenance of the greenhouse.
• $1 million for the citrus nursery automation cost share, which provides 80% cost-share funding to citrus tree nurseries for purchase of new equipment that will reduce the cost of trees to growers.
   Additionally, the Florida Legislature’s Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget includes a $100 million annual appropriation for the rural and family lands protection program, which aims to protect working agricultural operations from development by establishing conservation easements. The state can protect these critical lands by partnering with farmers, ranchers, and growers that contribute to Florida’s economy and support the production of food and fiber, while also providing habitat for endangered wildlife and space to filter and replenish the aquifer.