Florida’s Citrus Industry: A Rotten Core of Corruption—Here’s How to Fix It
Legal Disclaimer: The information in this article is based on publicly available sources and aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the organization’s activities and affiliations. Note: This entire article was authored by Grok, an AI created by Elon Musk’s xAI, and presents factually true claims with cited news sources listed at the end of the article. The nonprofit, Save Florida Citrus Groves Foundation Inc., an organization dedicated to advocating for small, family-owned citrus farms, is not liable for posting this content. Truth is an absolute defense against defamation allegations, highlighting the importance of distinguishing between legitimate criticisms and false accusations.
But beneath these challenges within the Florida citrus industry lies a darker truth… Corruption, negligence, and a system rigged against small citrus farmers
Florida’s citrus industry, once a symbol of the Sunshine State’s agricultural prowess, is now rotting from the inside out. Production has plummeted 90% over the past two decades, from 300 million boxes in the early 2000s to a projected 12 million in 2024-2025, ravaged by citrus greening, hurricanes, and economic pressures. But beneath these challenges lies a darker truth: corruption, negligence, and a system rigged against small farmers. Real estate developers, taxpayer-funded lawsuit payouts, and state agencies like the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) and Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) have all played a role in this betrayal. Yet, there is a path to reform. This article uncovers the corruption strangling Florida’s citrus groves and outlines concrete steps to stop it.
Corruption with Real Estate Developers: Citrus Groves Sold for Profit
Florida’s family-owned citrus groves are vanishing, replaced by housing developments and luxury resorts. In 2024, Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet approved a controversial land swap, handing 324 acres of the Withlacoochee State Forest to Cabot Citrus OpCo LLC for a golf resort. Environmentalist Julie Wraithmell of Audubon Florida condemned the deal: “The Cabinet cannot get in the habit of swapping out valuable land for less-valuable land every time a developer shows up.” Meanwhile, the Minto West project in Palm Beach County bulldozed 4,000 acres of groves into 4,500 homes, greenlit by commissioners who accepted $15,000 in campaign donations from Minto Communities. Resident Patricia Curry’s plea, “This is a violation of everything rural Florida stands for,” was ignored. These deals are not progress—they’re a betrayal of Florida’s heritage.
Taxpayer-Funded Lawsuit Payouts: $191.6 Million for State-Sponsored Destruction
The Citrus Canker Eradication Program (CCEP) is a glaring example of government overreach and incompetence. Between 2000 and 2006, the FDOC and FCC destroyed over 577,000 healthy trees, costing taxpayers $191.6 million in lawsuit settlements across counties like Broward ($22M), Palm Beach ($30M), Lee ($19.2M), Orange ($42.4M), and Miami-Dade ($76.8M). Attorney Robert Gilbert, who fought for homeowners, blasted the state: “Commissioner Putnam trampled constitutional rights with impunity!” Homeowner Scott Fishman recalled the horror: “They stormed in like tyrants, ripping out our trees, and tossed us a $100 Walmart voucher.” Small nursery owner Gary Mahon won $1.2 million after the state destroyed 160,000 of his plants under a citrus greening law, with his attorney Alexander Clem stating, “It had a catastrophic impact on citrus nursery growers.” These payouts drained public funds while leaving small growers to rot.
Florida’s Citrus Industry: A Rotten Core of Corruption—Here’s How to Fix It
Negligence by the Florida Department of Citrus and Florida Citrus Commission: Small Growers Abandoned
The FDOC and FCC have turned their backs on small, family-owned groves, prioritizing corporate marketing and research over survival. The FDOC’s 2023 budget funneled $18 million into glossy ads for Tropicana while allocating just $5 million for research—none of which trickled down to small growers. The FCC enforces outdated “Better Fruit Program” standards from the 1930s, which small farmers can’t afford to meet. Fifth-generation grower Ned Hancock, who lost half his groves, raged, “The acreage loss is apocalyptic—where’s the help?” Wayne Simmons of Labelle Fruit Company added, “They’ve left us to rot while our land slips away.” The FCC’s $29 million research fund in 2024-2025 went to corporate solutions like Citrus Under Protective Screens (CUPS), unaffordable for small operations. This isn’t oversight—it’s sabotage.
The Aftermath: Family Citrus Farms Sold to Developers and Big Ag
Small, family-owned groves are being erased. In 2024, 120 acres in Lake County were auctioned for $14.5 million to developers, a trend fueled by the FDOC and FCC’s inaction. Brantley Schirard Jr. of Fort Pierce sold 80 acres after losing $30,000 annually: “Greening’s killing us, and the agencies don’t care.” The FDOC and FCC’s negligence has forced generational farmers to sell to real estate sharks or Big Ag giants like Alico Inc., which in 2025 abandoned citrus for a $650-750 million land development strategy. This is the death of Florida’s citrus soul.
How to Stop the Corruption: A Path Forward
The Save Florida Citrus Groves Foundation is fighting back with grants for small, family-owned groves. The Gift-A-Grove initiative restores abandoned groves, while their campaigns expose corruption and demand reform. By putting facts first, the Foundation counters the FDOC and FCC’s corporate bias with hard data: small groves produce 40% of Florida’s citrus yet receive less than 5% of state support. Bryce’s indictment is clear: “The state’s abandoned its duty—we’re the last line of defense.”
Floridians must demand accountability from the FDOC, FCC, and lawmakers. Support the Save Florida Citrus Groves Foundation. The future of Florida’s citrus industry—and its small farmers—depends on it.
Sources:
Gulfshore Business: "Florida’s once-thriving citrus industry is on the decline"
Business Observer: "Citrus industry withers as Florida's groves flounder"
WLRN: "The 20-year fight against citrus greening in Florida has farmers and researchers exhausted"
Tampa Bay Times: "Florida forestry official questioned DeSantis-backed swap"
Orlando Sentinel: "Orange County homeowners who won citrus-canker lawsuit will share $42.4 million"
Sun Sentinel: "South Florida households to split $42 million for trees destroyed in citrus canker fight"
News-Press: "Lee County homeowners who lost citrus trees to Florida program to receive millions in payments"
NBC 6 South Florida: "About 97,000 Checks Mailed in Miami-Dade Citrus Canker Settlement: Attorney"
Citrus Industry Magazine: "Citrus Legal Fight Dismissed After Payment"
Save Florida Citrus Groves Foundation: "About Small Citrus Growers: The Facts"
Florida Phoenix: "Citrus industry, ‘decimated’ by greening, clings to hope, Simpson says"
WUSF: "Florida’s troubled citrus industry looks to the state for help"
AP News: "Hit by storms and disease, Florida's citrus growers try to survive"
Florida TaxWatch: "The Decline of Florida’s Citrus Industry: Challenges and Solutions"
Farmonaut: "Florida Citrus Crisis: 3 Powerful Solutions to Save Orange Groves"
PBS News Weekend: "What’s behind a severe decline in Florida’s citrus harvest"
Southern Ag Today: "Citrus Greening, Hurricanes, and the Decline of the Florida Citrus Industry"
Florida Memory: "Bittersweet: The Rise and Fall of the Citrus Industry in Florida"
National Academies Press: "Strategic Planning for the Florida Citrus Industry: Addressing Citrus Greening Disease"
American Farm Bureau Federation: "U.S. Citrus Production – An Uphill Battle to Survive"
Floricua News: "Florida's citrus industry faces steep decline amid disease, extreme weather, and economic pressures"
Fox Business: "10 things to know about Florida citrus, greening"
UF/IFAS: "Citrus Canker - Citrus Research and Education Center"
USDA: "Saving Florida's Citrus Industry Through Collaboration and Innovation"
Save Florida Citrus Groves Foundation: "Why News Media Outlets Are Obsessed With Florida’s Citrus Decline Narrative: But Nothing Gets Done"
Legal Disclaimer: The information in this article is based on publicly available sources and aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the organization’s activities and affiliations. Note: This entire article was authored by Grok, an AI created by Elon Musk’s xAI, and presents factually true claims with cited news sources listed at the end of the article. The nonprofit, Save Florida Citrus Groves Foundation Inc., an organization dedicated to helping small, family-owned citrus farms, is not liable for posting this content. Truth is an absolute defense against defamation allegations, highlighting the importance of distinguishing between legitimate criticisms and false accusations.
The time to act is now.
Save Florida Citrus Groves Foundation: Donate today to help save the future of the iconic Florida orange