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The revitalization of Florida’s citrus industry won’t happen overnight, but a variety of sweet orange developed by biotechnology company Soilcea is showing impressive resistance to the devastating effects of Huanglongbing (HLB or citrus greening disease) in a current trial.  Soilcea leveraged CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat) technology to improve the sweet orange’s natural […]

Hoof abscesses in horses can be alarming, but understanding their causes and implementing preventive measures can keep your horse comfortable and healthy. Here’s what you need to know to ensure your horse stays sound.   What Is a Hoof Abscess? Imagine a hoof abscess as a pimple—just on your horse’s foot. It occurs when bacteria enter

Polk stands as one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions, attracting a skilled workforce and Fortune 500 companies. Our strategic location, business-friendly environment and homegrown talent fueled by seven institutions of higher education offer a distinct competitive advantage.   With proximity to two major metros, extensive air and sea ports, a vast rail network and a well-connected

Spring is a busy time for most ag operators, and the citrus industry is no exception. According to the experts at UF/IFAS, Spring is the time when Florida citrus growers should map out their foliar disease management plans. The Florida Citrus Production Guide should be your go-to resource for disease management, including pesticide applications and

If you know me, then you know I don’t do anything half-cocked. When I’m in, I’m all in. That’s more evident this time of year than perhaps any other time. In 2020, when I realized there was an egregious gap in the supply chain when it comes to meat processing at the local and state

The Florida citrus industry is at a crossroads. (Actually, many might argue that it has already left the crossroads and is headed to the graveyard, but we disagree.) February was a big news month for the industry, and the key takeaways underscore the need for action and perseverance now. Not in a month, and not

There’s been a lot of water cooler talk about citrus giant Alico’s decision to shutter their citrus operations, closing the book on one of the nation’s largest citrus producers and beginning a new chapter for Florida citrus. While the move was quite a shock for some due to the company’s size and local presence, it

Florida’s tropical weather is great, but it’s also great for agricultural pests. The Sunshine State doesn’t get sustained freezing temperatures that knock pests back like northern states do. Florida citrus growers need to have a robust Pest Management Plan to combat pests, and they need to use the knowledge of each pest’s biology to tailor

If you’ve had your ear to the ground lately, you’ve likely noticed that there is a newly ignited excitement around locally raised beef.  There’s more behind local beef’s surging popularity than just Instagram trends and hashtags.  It’s a real phenomenon highlighting the value of meat from local farms and local butchers, from flavor to economics. 

The Central Florida Development Council’s mission is to attract quality businesses to Polk and help existing companies expand, enhancing our tax base and increasing the availability of jobs – a mission that in some ways grew from impacts to the citrus industry in the mid-80’s. In 1985, 300 business leaders met at the Bartow Civic