As part of ‘Rural Renaissance,’ Senate appropriators slot $200M for Florida’s citrus industry

Florida citrus growers are expected to harvest nearly 20 million boxes of oranges this year.

The Senate’s proposed budget is out, providing plenty of green that the citrus industry will like.

Amid a promise by Senate President Ben Albritton to lead a “Rural Renaissance” this Session, the proposed budget would allocate $200 million to help the industry increase production levels.

The bulk of those funds, $190 million, would go toward “large-scale field trials that demonstrate the impact of utilizing a combination of grove management, therapeutic tools, and disease-resistant varieties for new plantings and the rehabilitation of existing trees,” according to a release announcing the initiative.

That includes “grove design, planting preparation, pest management, disease management, pest and disease exclusion structures, and post-planting production practices that promote increased production of citrus.”

Those efforts could help combat citrus greening, which, along with devastation from several severe storms, has been a primary driver in disappointing production levels in recent years.

“Mark my words, Florida citrus is not going down on my watch. This heritage industry is not only vital to our state’s economy, but it is truly a part of the DNA of Florida. To those growers who are left in the business, hear me when I say, you are not forgotten, you are not alone, and the Florida Senate is running to this fight,” said Albritton, a Wauchula Republican.

“Research and new technologies offer a renewed hope for the future of citrus. Florida will lead the way in pursuing these opportunities. We’re on the edge of something special. Florida Citrus is making a comeback, one tree at a time.”

According to the proposed budget, at least $125 million of that $190 million must go toward acquiring trees.

To begin with, 60% of funds would go to growers who maintain groves between five and 2,500 acres. The money would then be available to the remaining growers.

Wednesday’s Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget proposal comes from the Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment and General Government, which Senate President Pro Tempore Jason Brodeur chairs. It’s the opening salvo in a process that will likely run until near the end of the 60-day Session.

“Preserving and expanding our iconic citrus industry is key to Florida’s overall economy,” said Brodeur, a Sanford Republican.

“Citrus production, harvesting, packing and shipping creates steady, good-paying jobs in rural, heritage communities across Florida’s Heartland. These are small, family-run operations that have a generational impact on local economies. We won’t stand by as these jobs are lost to foreign countries. Our citrus industry will adapt and overcome the current obstacles and challenges and come back better and stronger.”

The remaining $10 million slotted for the citrus industry will help the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services offer cost-sharing so citrus packinghouses can buy or refurbish equipment and acquire new technology. Only Florida packinghouses willing to cover the remaining 20% would be eligible.

Finally, the Senate proposes additional meetings and reporting on research to aid the citrus industry.

“The Citrus Research and Development Foundation must hold quarterly meetings at locations that best represent all geographic regions of the state with an emphasis on citrus production,” adds Wednesday’s release.

“The public meetings must include reporting on the results of non-confidential completed research projects, current research and planned research projects on citrus disease, including but not limited to citrus canker and citrus greening. Scientists, growers, industry representatives, and Citrus Research and Development Foundation administrators must be represented at the public meetings. Public meetings must provide the opportunity for public input, questions and comments.”

The proposed spending surge adds to “Rural Renaissance” legislation already moving through The Process. Last week, the Senate unanimously approved a bill from Tallahassee Republican Sen. Corey Simon (SB 110) as a cornerstone of Albritton’s “Rural Renaissance” push.