Page 15 - CFAN_Sep2014

BIG TIME BEVERAGE NAME
INVESTS MORE
IN THE FUTURE
O FEATURE | citrus
ON AUGUST 19, 2014 the University more specifically on other methods, such of Florida announced Coca-Cola’s plans to as inhibiting the psyllids or creating a donate a generous 1.5 million dollars for greening-resistant rootstock.
citrus research. Coca-Cola is the world’s Jack Payne, UF senior vice president largest beverage producer, and they have for Agriculture and Natural Resources, promised to distribute a 1.5 million dollar explains that when the fruit production gift in increments of $500,000 over the is low, so is the funding. State funding next three years. The Citrus Research and for research is generated by the box tax, Development Foundation (CRDF) plans for which growers pay three cents per
CITRUS GREENING causes fruit to be green and misshaped, unsuitable for sale or for juice.
OF FLORIDA CITRUS
Donating Funds for
Research to Help
Eradicate Greening
by JULIE GMITTER
WHEN DISASTER STRIKES
to use this money to fund sustainable research labs, which focus on eliminating the biggest threat to citrus and Florida’s $9 billion citrus industry— the disease known as citrus greening.
This is not Coca-Cola’s first act of generosity to the CRDF and the University of Florida’s greening research programs. The first $1.5 million donation was used by several different research programs, which focused on the Asian citrus psyllid, the insect responsible for the spread of citrus greening. Greening has caused the destruction of millions of trees in the United States, primarily in Florida; the psyllid feeds on the phloem and infects the tree with a bacteria, sometimes killing the tree within a few years. The effects are particularly devastating in our Central Florida groves.
Managing greening infected trees currently means destroying the tree to prevent the spread of the disease; this funding will help research programs at the Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred, for example, which focus
box of fruit produced; but with the yields being so low for the last few seasons due to greening, the funding generated is not sufficient to tackle this problem. He explains that UF research labs will still have to write grants to compete to get the most funding from the Coca-Cola donation. “Currently, the most interesting research involving eradicating greening focuses on the development of a greening tolerant rootstock,” states Payne.
Coca-Cola’s most recent generous donation will, according to Payne, “Allow the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researchers to move farther, faster, as they work to find a cure for citrus greening.” He continues, “This is a hugely welcomed donation, and I’m excited to compete and collaborate with the top scientists in the field to work on solving the greening problem.” The whole citrus industry and the University of Florida research centers are very appreciative of Coca-Cola’s generous gifts, getting us one step closer to the eradication of greening.
ag
WE OFTEN THINK of disasters as something that won't happen to us. Though they are often unexpected, it is important for any business to be prepared in case disaster strikes. Planning for the worst will ultimately help minimize both the potential damage and recovery time for your business.
When designing a prevention plan, the safety of your staff should come first. To ensure that your employees are prepared for the unexpected, you should develop both a disaster plan and business continuity plan. A disaster plan will explain what to do in case of emergency and how you will communicate to employees if the time comes. A business continuity plan focuses on the aspects of your business that are vital to keep it running and how employees charged with this work will continue doing their jobs.
FloridaAgNews.com
When it comes to areas such as buildings, equipment, livestock, and crops, there are measures you can take to mitigate potential damage to your business. One way is to keep accurate inventory of all livestock and equipment. This way you will be able to easily determine if livestock is missing or what equipment is damaged or needs to
be replaced. Regularly inspecting and maintaining your property, as well as installing protective devices and materials, can also lessen the physical damage to your land and buildings in the case of a natural disaster.
If you do experience a disaster that leaves lasting effects on your agriculture business, there are several resources that can provide relief. If you suffer from crop damage, you may qualify for government aid in the form of crop insurance proceeds or crop disaster payments. You will also be able to claim losses resulting from a disaster on
by STEVEN E. CRISMAN
your tax return. More information on deducting disaster losses can be found on irs.gov.
BIO: Steven Crisman is the managing partner of Cross, Fernandez & Riley, LLP’s (C/F/R) Winter Haven office and leads their Agriculture Practice Group. He primarily serves the agriculture, manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution industries. He has specific experience with citrus growers, cattle ranchers, citrus and other horticultural nurseries, citrus harvesters and other support industries as well as watermelon, blueberry and other growers. In addition, Steve provides comprehensive tax and estate planning, attestation and business succession planning services.
CFAN | 15