Column

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

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

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

As cold weather sets in, horse owners often prioritize warm stalls and blankets. However, one critical aspect that can easily be overlooked is water intake. Maintaining proper hydration in winter is just as vital as it is during the hot summer months. Failing to do so can put your horse at risk for impaction colic—a

The suspicions and fears of even the most hopeful in the Florida ag sector came to a head this month with the announcement that Alico is pulling out of the citrus industry. The company, one of the largest growers in the nation and a major supplier to Tropicana, said the combination of citrus greening and