From Oranges to Gated Estates: These Are the Florida Officials Who Greenlit Citrus Grove Destruction for Profit
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.
These Are the Florida Officials Who Greenlit Citrus Grove Destruction for Profit
Florida’s citrus groves, once the lifeblood of the state’s agricultural identity, are vanishing at an alarming rate, replaced by sprawling residential developments, commercial complexes, and golf courses. This isn’t just a natural progression—it’s the result of deliberate decisions by key individuals in power who have prioritized profit over heritage, environmental stability, and the livelihoods of small farmers. In 2025, the decline of Florida’s citrus industry hit a new low, with thousands of acres converted for real estate, driven by citrus greening, hurricanes, and the allure of development dollars. Let’s name the individuals responsible, expose their roles, uncover the money trails, and highlight the legal and environmental fallout of their actions.
The Decision-Makers: Who Approved the Land Conversions?
The transformation of citrus groves into real estate developments involves multiple layers of approval, from local county commissions to state-level councils. In the case of the Withlacoochee State Forest land swap, the Florida Cabinet—comprising Governor Ron DeSantis, Attorney General Ashley Moody, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson—approved the transfer of 324 acres of state forest land to Cabot Citrus OpCo LLC on June 12, 2024. This deal, adjacent to the luxury Cabot Citrus Farms golf resort in Brooksville, was fast-tracked through an unusual last-minute process typically reserved for emergencies.
E-mails reveal DeSantis’ deputy chief of staff, Cody Farrill, drafted agenda language stating the Florida Forest Service supported the exchange, raising questions about transparency. Environmentalist Julie Wraithmell of Audubon Florida criticized the move: “The Cabinet cannot get in the habit of swapping out valuable land for less-valuable land every time a developer shows up.”
At the county level, Palm Beach County Commissioners played a pivotal role in approving the Minto West development, which converted nearly 4,000 acres of the old Callery-Judge Grove into 4,500 homes and 2 million square feet of commercial space. The commission’s vote in October 2014 included then-Commissioners Paulette Burdick, Shelley Vana, Steven Abrams, Mary Lou Berger, Hal Valeche, Priscilla Taylor, and Jess Santamaria. Minto West attorney Gary Hunter defended the decision, claiming the development would bring “incremental change” to benefit the area, despite opposition from residents like Patricia Curry, who argued it violated rural building limits.
Alico Inc.’s exit from citrus production in January 2025, converting 25% of its 53,371 acres (approximately 13,343 acres) for residential and commercial development, didn’t require direct government approval but was enabled by state policies. The FCC, chaired by individuals like Steve Johnson and Patrick Schirard in 2022, failed to implement policies that could have saved growers like Alico from abandoning citrus. Johnson, a fourth-generation grower, and Schirard, a Fort Pierce citrus veteran, oversaw a commission that prioritized corporate-friendly research over small farmer support, indirectly paving the way for land sales.
The Money Trail: Who Funded Whom?
Cabot Citrus OpCo LLC, the beneficiary of the Withlacoochee land swap, employed lobbyists to influence state officials. One lobbyist, Sydney Ridley, daughter of Augusta National Golf Club chairperson Fred Ridley, was involved in pushing the deal, though specific donations to Cabinet members aren’t publicly documented. However, DeSantis’ influence over the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)—where he appointed Secretary Shawn Hamilton in 2021 without Cabinet approval—suggests a cozy relationship with developers. Hamilton read a brief statement at the June 12 meeting, omitting key details about the swap, a move critics called deceptive.
In Palm Beach County, Minto West’s parent company, Minto Communities, has a history of political contributions. According to Florida campaign finance records, Minto donated $10,000 to Commissioner Hal Valeche’s 2014 re-election campaign and $5,000 to Steven Abrams’ campaign in the same year, both of whom voted for the project. These donations, while legal, raise questions about influence, especially as Minto committed to paying $62 million for road improvements—funds that directly benefit county infrastructure but also grease the wheels for approval.
Alico’s pivot to real estate was indirectly supported by state research funds, with Florida Citrus Mutual securing $29 million in 2024-2025 for greening research that Alico accessed before exiting. FCM CEO Matt Joyner told a Senate committee in January 2025, “Losing the citrus industry is not an option,” yet their focus on corporate solutions left small farmers vulnerable, allowing companies like Alico to cash out. Alico’s CEO John Kiernan stated, “The long-term production trend and the cost needed to combat citrus greening disease no longer supports our expectations for a recovery,” justifying their shift to a $650-750 million land development strategy.
From Oranges To Gated Estates: Florida Officials Who Greenlit Citrus Grove Destruction For Profit
Legal and Environmental Consequences
The conversion of citrus groves into developments carries significant legal and environmental risks. The Withlacoochee land swap, still pending final approval by the Acquisition and Restoration Council (ARC) in 2025, violates state law requiring the land to be deemed “no longer needed for conservation purposes.” Environmental groups, including Audubon Florida, argue the 324 acres are part of a critical wildlife corridor, conserved to offset the Suncoast Parkway’s impact. Retired water management executive Emilio “Sonny” Vergara noted, “I’d like to hear [the DEP’s] explanation for this,” pointing out the land’s value likely escalated due to nearby development, not dropped to the DEP’s claimed $85,000.
Minto West faced legal challenges from residents like Patricia Curry, who argued the project contravened rural zoning laws. The 2015 hearing before a judge didn’t overturn the approval, but it highlighted the tension between development and conservation. Environmentally, the loss of 4,000 acres of groves disrupts carbon sequestration—citrus groves act as carbon sinks, absorbing CO2—and destroys habitats for species like the eastern indigo snake, as noted in St. Johns County restoration efforts.
Alico’s conversion of 13,343 acres risks exacerbating groundwater contamination, a legacy issue from past pesticide use. In the 1950s and 1960s, citrus groves were saturated with ethylene dibromide (EDB), banned in 1984 but still lingering in groundwater. Lake Wales utility director David Stokes said in 1987, “We don’t see any sign of it letting up,” a problem that could worsen as development disturbs contaminated soil. Additionally, the loss of groves reduces aquifer recharge, critical for Florida’s water supply, and increases runoff, threatening water quality.
The Real Victims: Small Citrus Farmers and Florida’s Legacy
While developers and officials profit, small farmers bear the brunt. The FCC, FDOC, and FCM—led by figures like Johnson, Schirard, and Joyner—have failed to support small growers, focusing on corporate solutions like CUPS that are unaffordable for most. As previously discussed, the Save Florida Citrus Groves Foundation has stepped in, offering grants and advocacy, but it’s a drop in the bucket compared to the systemic failures enabled by these officials. Fifth-generation grower Ned Hancock lamented, “It’s staggering to me what the overall acreage loss in this industry has been,” a sentiment echoed by many as they watch their heritage bulldozed for profit.
Florida’s citrus industry, once contributing $9 billion annually, is now a shadow of itself, with production down 90% over two decades. The individuals named here—DeSantis, Moody, Patronis, Simpson, Farrill, Hamilton, and the Palm Beach County Commissioners—have either directly approved or enabled these conversions, trading a cultural and environmental treasure for short-term gains. As groves become gated communities, the question remains: who will be held accountable when the environmental bill comes due?
Sources:
Florida forestry official questioned DeSantis-backed swap - Tampa Bay Times - www.tampabay.com
Hit by storms and disease, Florida's citrus growers try to survive - AP News - apnews.com
The 20-year fight against citrus greening in Florida - WLRN - www.wlrn.org
Florida OK’d giving 324 acres of state forest to golf course company - Suncoast News - www.suncoastnews.com
Citrus industry, ‘decimated’ by greening, clings to hope - Florida Phoenix - floridaphoenix.com
Handing Florida state forest to a golf course builder - Florida Phoenix - floridaphoenix.com
Citrus industry withers as Florida's groves flounder - Business Observer - www.businessobserverfl.com
Florida Citrus Commission - Florida Citrus Growers - www.floridacitrus.org
Legal fight seeks to halt Minto West building plans - Sun Sentinel - www.sun-sentinel.com
CONTAMINATION OF WATER BLAMED ON PESTICIDE USE - Sun Sentinel - www.sun-sentinel.com
Environmental Division - Restoration Projects - St. Johns County
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.
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