Florida Citrus Commission: How To Fix A Corporate Crony Circus That’s Screwing Small Citrus Growers
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.
Small farmers are forced to sell to developers because they can’t survive the disease, the storms, and the Florida Citrus Commission’s failure to prioritize their needs
The Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) is supposed to be the guardian of the state’s citrus industry, a lifeline for small farmers battling a relentless storm of challenges. Instead, it’s a corporate puppet show, prioritizing big players while small growers are left to wither on the vine. With citrus greening, hurricanes, and corporate favoritism decimating the industry, the FCC needs a radical overhaul—yesterday. Here’s why, and here’s how to make it actually work for the little guy.
Why the Florida Citrus Commission Is Failing Small Farmers
The Florida Citrus Commission, a nine-member board appointed by the Governor of Florida, is tasked with overseeing the Florida Department of Citrus, regulating quality standards, and supporting growers, processors, and packers. But small farmers are getting crushed under the weight of a system that’s rigged against them. Citrus greening has slashed production by over 75% since 2005, costing billions in lost revenue. The 2022-2023 season was the worst in nearly a century, with only 18 million boxes produced, according to Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson. Hurricane Ian in 2022 only made things worse, wiping out groves in South Florida. Meanwhile, the FCC’s priorities seem to align more with corporate interests than with the small farmers who are the backbone of this industry.
Fifth-generation citrus grower and former FCC chairman Hancock paints a grim picture: “I think most of what got sold into development would not have, had it not been as difficult as it is now.” His own operation shrank from 3,200 acres to less than half, a direct result of greening and systemic neglect.
Small farmers are forced to sell to developers because they can’t survive the disease, the storms, and the FCC’s failure to prioritize their needs.
The FCC’s funding comes from “box taxes” paid by growers—5 cents for fresh oranges and 12 cents for processed ones this season. Historically, these taxes funded marketing, but since greening hit, the focus has shifted to research. Yet, small farmers see little benefit.
Ed White, president of White’s Red Hill Groves, said, “When I was growing up, everything all totaled about $600 or $700 an acre per year. Now that same production is anywhere from $2,000 and up just to keep one acre of citrus trees alive.” The FCC isn’t doing enough to offset these skyrocketing costs for small operations.
Worse, the FCC’s structure is a breeding ground for cronyism. Governor-appointed members often have ties to big corporations, leaving small farmers without a real voice. The 2025 appointments under Governor Ron DeSantis have raised alarms over ethics violations, with picks linked to PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, and Florida’s Natural, sidelining the needs of independent growers. This isn’t just mismanagement—it’s a betrayal of the industry’s roots.
The Urgent Need for Reform
The citrus industry is on life support, with production down more than 90% in less than three decades. Small farmers are selling out not because they want to, but because they have no choice.
Christa Court from UF/IFAS notes the decline in acreage due to greening, hurricanes, and real estate development: “I’m not sure exactly what’s happening with [sold-off farms], but I do have a colleague, Dr. Ariel Singerman, who looks extensively at what’s happening with citrus acreage around the state.”
The FCC must act now to stop this hemorrhaging, or Florida’s citrus legacy—dating back 500 years to Spanish settlers—will be reduced to a corporate footnote.
Simmons, a grower fighting to keep his family’s legacy alive, sums up the stakes: “It won’t feel like Florida anymore.” If the FCC doesn’t reform, the state risks losing not just an industry, but its very identity.
Florida Citrus Commission: How To Fix A Corporate Crony Circus That’s Screwing Small Citrus Growers
How to Overhaul the Florida Citrus Commission for Small Farmers
Democratize Representation: The FCC must reserve at least 50% of its seats for small, independent farmers—no corporate affiliations allowed. Currently, the Governor’s appointments favor big players, but a transparent nomination process involving grower associations like Florida Citrus Mutual can ensure real representation. This would give small farmers a fighting chance to influence policy.
Redirect Box Tax Funds: Shift the majority of box tax revenue to direct financial aid for small farmers, not just research that often benefits large corporations. Subsidize the $2,000+ per-acre costs small growers face, as White highlighted. Create a tiered tax system where large processors pay more, easing the burden on small operations.
Prioritize Anti-Greening Solutions for Small Farms: Research is great, but small farmers need practical, affordable solutions now. The FCC should fast-track access to treatments like oxytetracycline hydrochloride (OTC), which has shown promise in reducing greening symptoms. One grower noted, “It’s not a cure, but it’s like taking a child to the doctor… the child feels better.” The FCC must subsidize OTC and methods like citrus under protective screens (CUPS) for small farmers, not just corporate groves.
Combat Land Loss: Partner with state lawmakers to offer tax incentives and grants to small farmers who commit to keeping their land in citrus production, countering the pressure from developers and solar companies like Florida Power & Light, which is gobbling up groves for solar farms. Between 2008 and 2016, thousands of citrus acres were abandoned— the FCC can’t let this continue.
Transparency and Accountability: Mandate public disclosure of FCC members’ financial ties and recuse those with conflicts of interest. Hold quarterly town halls where small farmers can directly address the commission, ensuring their voices aren’t drowned out by corporate lobbyists.
Why This Can’t Wait
Florida’s citrus industry is at a breaking point. Production has plummeted, groves are being sold off, and small farmers are being squeezed out by a commission that’s more interested in corporate handshakes than saving its own people. The FCC’s failure to act decisively is a death sentence for small growers.
As Glenn Beck of Florida Citrus Mutual warned after the 2022 hurricanes, “It’s eight months after the storm… you can imagine the difficulty that growers are having in recovering and going on with their operations without any kind of disaster relief at all.” The FCC must stop dragging its feet and start fighting for the little guy—before it’s too late.
Sources:
Florida Citrus Commission - Florida Citrus Growers.
North central Florida farmers, experts find new ways to combat citrus greening. The Independent Florida Alligator.
The 20-year fight against citrus greening in Florida has farmers and researchers exhausted. WLRN.
Florida's Citrus Industry Faces an Uncertain Future. Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.
Citrus industry withers as Florida's groves flounder. Business Observer.
Florida's struggling citrus industry asks for help from state lawmakers. CBS Miami.
The 20-year fight against citrus greening in Florida has farmers and researchers exhausted.
Florida’s once-thriving citrus industry is on the decline. Gulfshore Business.
Florida's citrus industry continues to struggle plagued by disease and weather.
Florida orange producers record worst year since 1930s. Fox Business.
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.
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