Working towards replanting citrus trees through support and innovation.
As we look back on the year in our rearview, we can confidently say it was filled with support and innovation that fueled our hope. From critical funding received through our State Legislature to new varieties showing promise in the field, the sun is rising on a moment of truth for many of us to take action and replant. This was the sentiment at our most recent Florida Citrus Commission Meeting held on December 17. While that sentiment holds true, we still face the sober reality that, as growers, difficult business decisions are being made daily to preserve our family groves for the next generation — and a critical part of that preservation is to replant. The commission, made up of growers and processors (many of us also from multi-generational citrus growing families) know your challenges and we’re in the fight with you. In fact, we’re so deep in the fight that we know what must be done to make 2026 the beginning of a replanting renaissance:
Legislative support is a must.
Innovation is a must.
Marketing our products is a must.
Collaborating is a must.
The funding that CRAFT received from the State of Florida for Cycle 7 is a strong start, with estimations that the Fast Track program saw over 350,000 trees get in the ground by end of year, and at least 2 million additional trees will be planted as part of the new field trials in this cycle. That does not include the work being done through the Existing Tree Therapy programs as well as other tools and programs for innovation.
This brings me to a few highlights from our recent FCC Meeting that emphasizes how we’re working towards all of the above:
- For the 2025-26 Program for Expedited Propagation (PEP), the Scientific Research Committee proposed that the $2M in non-recurring general revenue funds be used to help mitigate some of the licensing fees to growers through CRAFT Cycle 7 — an essential program for current replanting efforts. Under this proposed contract, growers would be reimbursed for licensing fees of up to $6 per tree for CRSPR rootstocks and up to $1 per tree for other emerging varieties. The FDOC, through CRAFT, would reimburse growers under these terms utilizing the non-recurring general revenue funds of up to $2M. The commission unanimously approved this recommendation.
- The latest sales report shows the department is on track towards hitting the attributed sales goal for Florida Orange Juice in the 2025-26 fiscal year of $25M as early as January.
- Our Global Marketing team will be hosting a Fresh Citrus Workshop, which will be held at FDOC headquarters in Bartow on January 29 at 10:00 a.m. EST, where growers and stakeholders can take part in a planning session for the 2026-27 year and provide real-time feedback.
Mark your calendars for our next FCC Meeting, which will be held at the Florida Department of Citrus, 605 E. Main Street, Bartow on January 21, 9:00 a.m. EST.
Steve Johnson is Chairman of the Florida Citrus Commission, which oversees the Florida Department of Citrus. He is the owner and general manager of Johnson Harvesting, Inc., based in Wauchula, FL.