Alico’s Citrus Cash Grab: Millions from Florida Citrus Commission, FDOC, and FCM—Then They Ditched Growers for Land Deals
From saving citrus groves to gated communities—Where are the millions Alico received from the Florida Department of Citrus, Florida Citrus Commission, and Florida Citrus Mutual-funded programs that were meant to sustain citrus production? Let's uncover the money trail and how they turned their backs on Florida’s citrus legacy by bankrolling a real estate pivot to land deals.
From Paradise to Peril: How Florida’s Citrus Empire Crumbled Under Failed Leadership
Florida’s citrus industry, a 500-year-old legacy that once defined the Sunshine State, lies in tatters. Hurricanes, diseases, and development pressures have ravaged groves, but the real rot may lie with the industry’s leaders: the Florida Citrus Commission, Florida Department of Citrus, and Florida Citrus Mutual. This blistering exposé uncovers leadership failures leaving small farmers closing.
The Florida Citrus Industry’s Shocking 8/10 Corruption Score!
How corrupt is Florida’s citrus industry? Based on the information provided and carefully evaluating the evidence, the systemic issues—favoritism toward large corporations, neglect of small farmers, and complicity in the industry’s decline—point to a deeply corrupt system. Here’s why the Florida citrus industry’s corruption level deserves a score of 8/10, and why it could arguably be even higher.
How the Florida Citrus Industry Became Ground Zero for Corruption—And Why Florida Is the Most Corrupt State in 2025
Florida leads the U.S. with 794 convictions for public‐official corruption—more than CA, NY, TX, and PA combined, according to the DOJ. This “Sunshine State” moniker thus masks a darker reality: a systemic culture of backroom dealings, and cronyism—rooted in the very heart of its citrus industry. A Harvard study from also notes illegal corruption is "very common" in Florida's legislative branch.
Open Letter to the Collier County Planning Commission: South Naples Citrus Grove Development
The Save Florida Citrus Groves Foundation expresses our disappointment at your recommendation to amend the county’s growth-management plan, paving the way for SWJR Naples I LLC to bulldoze South Naples Citrus Groves and build 423 homes, near Picayune Strand State Forest. This decision threatens not only a piece of Naples’ history, already scarred by Florida’s most infamous real estate scams.
You’ll Never Believe How This Florida Citrus MILF Keeps Herself Ripe and Pruned—And It’s Driving Farmers Wild!
Welcome to the world of the Florida Citrus MILF—“Mother I’d Like to Fruit”—the most luscious lady of the orchard, grown to perfection under swaying palms and balmy breezes. She’s the kind of orchard darling who knows exactly when to blush (just as dawn breaks), when to sweat (midday heat), and when to surrender her juice in the sweetest surrender imaginable.
You Won’t Believe How Florida’s Citrus Industry is Screwing Over Small Farmers
Florida’s citrus industry is a rotting mess, and it’s not just the oranges that are decaying—it’s the whole system. Corruption, greed, and incompetence are strangling small farmers and family-owned groves, while the big players cash in and the state looks the other way. If you’re not pissed off yet, you will be. Here’s the ugly truth about how Florida’s citrus industry is rigged.
Open Letter to the Seminole County Planning & Zoning Commission: Stop Queen’s Crossing Development Plans!
The Save Florida Citrus Groves Foundation, alongside countless Floridians, write to the Seminole County Planning Commission with a deep sense of urgency and concern regarding the proposed Queen’s Crossing development in Sanford, Florida. This project, which plans to bulldoze 1,500 acres of historic citrus groves, threatens the cultural and agricultural heritage of Seminole County.
Citrus Conspiracy Trifecta: Why Small Farmers Must Sue FCM, FDOC, and FCC Now
Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM), the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC), and the Florida Citrus Commission (FCC)—are complicit in a coordinated failure to support small growers, helping the demise of Florida's citrus industry. It’s time for small citrus farmers to file a single class action lawsuit against all three entities to demand accountability, recover losses, and fight for their survival.
Sued to the Core: Florida Department of Citrus’ Dirty Secrets Exposed in Multimillion-Dollar Scandals
The Florida Citrus Commission has paid out $191.6 million in taxpayer dollars to defend their negligence. The FCC, through its oversight of the FDOC and collaboration with FDACS, was implicated in lawsuits primarily related to the Citrus Canker Eradication Program (CCEP) and a citrus greening policy.
Alligator Alcatraz: Florida’s Everglades Nightmare Unleashed – Why This Detention Center Spells Doom
A controversial migrant detention facility, ominously nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz,” is being hastily erected deep within Florida’s Everglades. Championed by state leaders as a tough-on-immigration fix, this project is a ticking environmental time bomb. From poisoning fragile ecosystems to threatening citrus groves and potentially breaking federal law, Alligator Alcatraz is a catastrophe.
Saving Florida Citrus: Protecting Groves from Disease and Development
Florida’s citrus industry has a storied past but a steep decline. Small, family-owned groves are in crisis. While big producers thrive, Florida’s many small growers often struggled to stay afloat. The Save Florida Citrus Groves Foundation launched as the state’s first nonprofit dedicated to saving Florida’s citrus legacy. Its mission is to assist the small growers who keep Florida’s citrus heritage alive.
Florida Citrus Farm Tours: Visiting Orange Groves, U-Pick & Agritourism
Florida citrus farms are popular destinations for both tourists and locals. Many family-run groves welcome visitors for tours, fruit picking and farm shopping. Some farms offer a tour of the packing house or a walk through the orange trees where you can pick fruit by hand. Remember that citrus is seasonal: Most u-pick groves open in fall through spring, and some close in the summer off-season.
How to Grow Citrus in Florida: Expert Tips for Gardeners & Growers
Florida’s climate is ideal for citrus, but trees need proper care. Plant citrus in full sun on well-drained soil. Avoid low, swampy spots that collect frost. Space trees at least 15 feet apart to ensure air flow and fruit production. Start with nursery stock to avoid introducing diseases. After planting, water trees deeply until roots establish, then water regularly (about 1–2 inches per week).
Health Benefits of Florida Citrus: Oranges, Grapefruit & Tangerines
Florida citrus is renowned not just for their flavor but for their nutrition. Oranges, grapefruit and tangerines are packed with vitamins and antioxidants. An 8-ounce glass of 100% Florida orange juice delivers about 90 mg of vitamin C (100% of the Daily Value). It also provides roughly 470 mg of potassium (10% DV). Importantly, Florida Orange Juice is sodium-free, fat-free and cholesterol-free.
Ultimate Guide to Florida Citrus Varieties: Oranges, Grapefruit & Tangerines
Florida is the largest orange-producing state in the United States. About 95% of Florida’s oranges go into juice. Major orange types include Navel and Valencia, along with a few specialty cultivars. Navel oranges are large, round and generally seedless. Valencia oranges have thin peels and rich orange juice. Temple oranges are hybrids with deep-orange color, rich fragrance, and few seeds.
Why Florida Oranges Reign Supreme: Flavor, Nutrition, and the Fight to Save Our Citrus Groves
Florida oranges set the global benchmark for taste, juiciness, and nutrition, thanks to the Sunshine State’s unique terroir. But, these groves face threats that endanger this vital agricultural sector and Florida’s cultural heritage. The Save Florida Citrus Groves Foundation stands at the forefront of the fight to protect this legacy. These are the reasons Florida oranges taste the best.
Florida Citrus Daddy Loves to Eat Juicy Oranges Raw—And He’s Fighting to Save Citrus Groves From Greedy Developers
Deep in the heart of Florida, where the scent of orange blossoms dance and the groves stretch out like oceans, lives a man known as the Citrus Daddy. He might be part myth, part hero, part sweaty fruit-loving lunatic—but to the small farmers who still cling to their land, he’s nothing short of salvation. “Processed citrus is for cowards,” he growls, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
Florida’s $140 Million Citrus ‘Rescue’ Is a Scam For Small Citrus Growers—Here’s Who Is Really Cashing In!
The Florida legislature approved a $140 million allocation in the 2025-26 fiscal budget for the citrus industry. Lawmakers hailed it as a lifeline for growers, but a closer look reveals a troubling reality: it does little to nothing to help small citrus growers and family-owned farms. Instead, it seems tailored to benefit corporations, research institutions, and politically connected players.
Collier County's Permit Fraud Scandal: How It Could Be Killing Florida's Citrus Industry
In 2025, Collier County, Florida, became the epicenter of a sprawling permit fraud scandal that has disrupted the local construction industry and sparked concerns about its impact on Collier County’s hidden gem: citrus groves. The fallout includes stop-work orders, permit reviews dating back to August 2022, and substantial financial losses for affected homeowners and builders.