5 Questions With a Florida Citrus Grower

Ned Hancock Speaks on Challenges, Purpose, and Drive

Provided by Florida Citrus Mutual

Florida’s citrus industry is a cornerstone of the Sunshine State – its legacy has been passed down in hardworking Florida families for more than a century. Among these centennial citrus growers who have helped to build and sustain this industry is the Hancock Family, founders of Hancock Citrus in Sebring. For more than 100 years, they have embodied the resilience, innovation and dedication that define Florida’s citrus industry. 

In this edition of “5 Questions with a Florida Citrus Grower,” Ned Hancock, owner and president of Hancock Citrus, reflects with pride on his family’s legacy and looks ahead with determination to nurture and grow Florida’s citrus industry. 

1.  How did your family get involved in the citrus industry?

1. Our family’s roots in Florida agriculture trace back to 1855. Around the turn of the century, after a major freeze in the Jacksonville area pushed citrus production further south, my family planted their first seedling grove – just 5 acres. They were primarily cattle ranchers then, but that small grove marked the beginning of our citrus story. Remarkably, that original grove is still there today.

My own involvement in the industry began early. On the other side of my family, my grandfather had one small grove and sold it to me when I was 13. That’s when I really developed an interest in what makes the citrus industry work. There’s a lot more to this industry than what you see through the window of a truck. That’s really what got me interested and kept me in it.

2. What are some challenges Florida’s citrus industry has faced over the years and worked to overcome? 

1. There’s always been an element of luck involved in this business with so much out of our control. My wife and I bought our first grove in December of 1983 – about two weeks before a major freeze. Weather has always been a challenge, along with market swings, labor shortages, and population growth. None of those have been easy, but growers have always managed to adapt and find a way forward.

Citrus greening disease has been a different animal. It’s a disease spread by an insect more prolific than a mosquito, and there’s still no known cure. We started from zero when it hit Florida, without much research to guide us. Over time, Florida growers worked together – sharing what was working, what wasn’t and leaning on each other to push through. We’ve seen production drop from roughly 250 million boxes to about 12 million, which is a stark reminder of how devastating it’s been.

What defines this industry, though, is the resiliency of its people. It truly feels like a big family. If you have a question, you can make a couple of phone calls and people fall all over themselves trying to help. That’s always been one of the best and most endearing parts of Florida citrus.

3.  What is your why for working in Florida’s citrus industry all these years?

1. At an early age, I just knew this was what I wanted to do. No one else in my family was citrus full-time, but I picked it because it was what I knew – and it’s been a great way of life. I rarely feel like I’m waking up and going to work. Instead, I feel like I get up and do what I love. I’ve been fortunate to work with really good, hardworking people who strive to do their best and help each other succeed. There’s something rewarding about planting a grove from scratch, or rehabilitating one, and then seeing it gain in production and quality. We produce a healthy product, and the impact we have on our communities is something I take pride in. 

Over the years, I’ve also believed that when there’s something you can do to serve the industry, you should. This industry has always had people who serve unselfishly – doing whatever it takes to help others and move the industry forward. Whether serving on the Florida Citrus Commission with the Florida Department of Citrus, holding a leadership role at Florida Citrus Mutual, supporting the local Highlands County citrus organization, or participating on different boards, I never felt like my story was any greater than anyone else’s. That’s the neat thing about this industry: When your name’s called, people step up – rarely does anyone say no. That spirit of service and support is what’s kept this industry moving forward, and I’m proud to be a small part of it.

4. How have the advancements in technology, especially with citrus greening, impacted the way citrus groves are managed compared to, say, a hundred years ago? 

1. Of course, a hundred years ago, citrus growers didn’t have irrigation or tractors like we do today. Our tools and technology have advanced tremendously over time, but, in my opinion, citrus greening has changed the way we operate more than anything else. Now, every ounce of water matters. Every granule of fertilizer matters. Every spray application must be perfectly timed. You can’t be a month or a week late. In the past, you could see a challenge coming and have a little room to react. That’s no longer the case. 

Citrus greening tightened the margin for error and greatly increased the need for additional capital. It’s also forced us to manage groves in a much more precise way than we ever did before. That’s probably been one of the toughest adjustments for a lot of us because none of us were originally geared up to operate this way.

5. Why is it important to continue championing Florida’s citrus industry?

1. First and foremost, it starts with the product. We grow the safest, best-tasting citrus available. But it’s not just about the product; it’s about what we give back to the state of Florida and how we steward the land entrusted to us. Our groves recharge water aquifers, sequester carbon, purify the air and preserve open space. When former orange groves become housing developments or industrial sites – not that those things are bad – we lose that balance. In the long term, that loss takes a toll on the environment and ecology. 

The citrus industry has always been the economic backbone of Florida’s small communities. It provides direct jobs, makes a strong economic impact and reflects growers’ commitment to taking care of the land, the trees and the places they call home. But it’s also about the people. This industry has always felt like a big family – where folks are willing to step up, serve and help one another when needed. That shared sense of responsibility and community is part of what makes Florida citrus special. I just can’t imagine why we would ever want to give that up.

This feature is part of Florida Citrus Mutual’s Centennial Citrus Growers series, which recognizes multigenerational families who continue to shape the future of Florida citrus.