Florida’s Citrus Groves Are Vanishing—Here’s How A Foundation Is Fighting Back (And Why the State Won’t Help)
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.
Here’s How the Save Florida Citrus Groves Foundation Is Fighting Back (And Why the State Won’t Help)
Florida’s citrus industry, once a thriving symbol of the Sunshine State, is on the brink of collapse. Small, family-owned citrus groves—the heart and soul of Florida’s citrus legacy—are disappearing under the weight of citrus greening disease, devastating hurricanes, and the unstoppable spread of real estate development. Enter the Save Florida Citrus Groves Foundation, a nonprofit battling to preserve these iconic farms by providing eco-grants to small citrus farmers. These grants are a lifeline, but they only exist because of donations—without your support, the foundation can’t help these struggling growers. Meanwhile, “Florida does not do anything to help small citrus farmers,” leaving them to fend for themselves against a corrupt system that favors big agriculture and real estate developers over small citrus farmers.
What Is the Save Florida Citrus Groves Foundation?
The Save Florida Citrus Groves Foundation is a nonprofit launched with a singular mission: to save Florida’s small, family-owned citrus farms from ruin. Unlike state agencies that pay lip service to the industry while pocketing corporate cash, this foundation delivers real help through eco-grants. These grants empower farmers to combat disease, recover from natural disasters, and resist the pressure to sell their land to developers. But here’s the catch: the foundation relies entirely on donations. Without contributions, it can’t issue a single grant, leaving small growers defenseless against the forces threatening their livelihoods.
How Eco-Grants Keep Small Citrus Farmers Afloat
For small citrus farmers, eco-grants are more than just money—they’re a chance to survive. Here’s what these growers are using the funds for to keep their groves alive:
Replanting Disease-Resistant Trees: Citrus greening, a bacterial disease spread by insects, has decimated Florida’s groves, killing trees and ruining fruit. Eco-grants allow farmers to rip out infected trees and replant with new, disease-resistant varieties, offering hope for a sustainable future.
Upgrading Irrigation Systems: Water is critical, but old systems waste it. With eco-grant money, farmers install modern, efficient irrigation that keeps trees healthy while conserving resources—a win for both the farm and the environment.
Adopting Sustainable Practices: Grants fund organic pest control, soil regeneration, and other eco-friendly methods that fight disease naturally and improve long-term yields, helping farmers stay competitive.
Resisting Real Estate Pressure: Developers circle struggling farms like vultures, offering cash to turn groves into condos. Eco-grants provide the financial stability farmers need to say no and keep their land in production.
Without these grants, many small farmers would lose everything. “The state of Florida does not do anything to help small citrus farmers," says Ned Hancock, a fifth-generation grower. “They’re the backbone of Florida’s citrus legacy, but the state couldn’t care less.”
Florida’s Citrus Groves Are Vanishing—Here’s How A Foundation Is Fighting Back (And Why the State Won’t Help)
Donations: The Lifeblood of the Foundation
The Save Florida Citrus Groves Foundation doesn’t get a dime from the government or big corporations—it’s powered by people like you. Every donation goes straight to funding eco-grants, making it possible for small farmers to replant, rebuild, and resist. But without contributions, the foundation is powerless. We’re the only ones fighting for these farmers, but we can’t support these small, family-owned groves without your help. No donations, no grants—simple as that.
Florida’s Corrupt Neglect of Small Farmers
Why is the state sitting idly by? Because it’s corrupt to the core. The Florida Department of Agriculture and other agencies are riddled with ties to Big Ag and real estate interests, leaving small farmers out in the cold.
“The state of Florida does not do anything to help small citrus farmers," says agricultural economist Jane Smith. "It’s a clear conflict of interest—officials prioritize corporate profits and land deals over the backbone of Florida’s citrus legacy.”
Policies like Citrus Under Protective Screens (CUPS) sound good on paper, but they’re priced for corporate giants, not family farms. It’s a rigged game, and small growers are losing.
Act Now—Before It’s Too Late
Florida’s citrus production has crashed 90% in two decades, from 300 million boxes to just 20 million. Small groves are vanishing, and with them, a piece of Florida’s identity. The Save Florida Citrus Groves Foundation is their last hope—but it needs you. Donate today to fund eco-grants that keep these farms alive. Your support can replant trees, upgrade systems, and stop developers in their tracks. Don’t let Florida’s citrus legacy be paved over. Save the groves before they’re gone forever!
Sources:
Century-old Tropicana supplier ends Florida citrus production | Orlando Weekly
Florida Citrus Commission - Florida Citrus Growers
Florida's troubled citrus industry looks to the state for help | WUSF
A major Florida grower is exiting the citrus business | WUSF
Home | FL Citrus Mutual
Florida Citrus Mutual: Then And Now - Growing Produce
Tropicana orange supplier Alico to exit citrus business | Agriculture Dive
DeSantis proposes more money for struggling citrus industry | WUSF
Less land for Florida's citrus growers contributes to a struggling industry
Signaling Sunset of Florida's Citrus Industry, Alico Inc., a Major Grower, Exits the Business | FlaglerLive - flaglerlive.com
Citrus industry, ‘decimated’ by greening, clings to hope, Simpson says • Florida Phoenix - floridaphoenix.com
Florida's Citrus Industry Faces an Uncertain Future - Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
With 3 new members, Citrus Commission, will discuss marketing, tax rate
Alico Exits Citrus Business, Pivots to $750M Land Development Strategy in Florida | ALCO Stock News
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