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by SHAYLYNN MARKS If you’ve ever wondered how to turn your garden into a source of health and refreshment, the upcoming “Making Tea From Your Garden” class at the Sebring Civic Center in Sebring may be just your cup of tea. Hosted by the Highlands County Master Gardener Volunteers and UF/IFAS, the class will be […]

by PAUL CATALA Sponsored by Visit Central Florida Born and raised in Winter Haven, Joseph Dunham grew up with the sights, sounds, and smells of Florida’s citrus industry. With that once-thriving industry fading amid ongoing bouts with hurricanes and greening, Dunham sought a way to preserve some of its legacy. In doing so, he placed

Katie and Shane Bevilacqua Unveil Plans for Golden Ridge Groves and Market, Set to Open in November by SHAYLYNN MARKS photos provided by the Bevilacquas An agritourism destination unlike any other is quietly taking shape in Alturas, and Katie and Shane Bevilacqua couldn’t be more excited. This November, the couple is launching Golden Ridge Groves

Hot, Dry Conditions a Boon for Florida Watermelon Growers  by REBEKAH PIERCE photos provided by the FLORIDA WATERMELON ASSOCIATION There is perhaps no single food that’s quite as synonymous with summer as the watermelon. Yet the most important thing that Trey Miller, chairman of the Florida Watermelon Association Board, wants you to know is that

After 3 Decades and an Ever-Growing Fanbase That Spanned the Globe, Owners Archie and Jill Ritch Retire by SHAYLYNN MARKS photos provided by RIDGE ISLAND GROVES After more than three decades serving up fresh-squeezed orange juice, homemade ice cream, and Southern hospitality, Ridge Island Groves has closed its doors to the public. The family-run citrus

Growers Report Steady Market Prices, Strong Production by RYAN MILEJCZAK While the 2025 Florida blueberry season wasn’t without its struggles, Florida growers report a strong year. “South Florida seems to have been a bit lower on production, but everyone had a pretty good year,” says Wild Goose Farms’ Cameron Allison, a second-generation blueberry grower with

by RYAN MILEJCZAK Sponsored by Farm Credit of Central Florida There’s no doubt that the avocado is an odd fruit. Due to its rough, scaly skin, it is sometimes known as the “alligator pear,” and its soft, rich, and fatty flesh is unlike anything else you can find at your local supermarket.  So, it should

David Sumner’s Book Traces the Rise, Fall, and Future of Florida’s Citrus Industry by REBEKAH PIERCE There are very few industries that are as deeply intertwined with the identity of a place as citrus is with Florida. When you think about Florida, that is, you think about oranges. Unfortunately, that narrative may be changing. Once

Bee-Haven Honey Company Delivers Raw Taste of Florida by RYAN MILEJCZAK Sponsored by Visit Central Florida Tucked into the trees of North Lakeland, Bee-Haven Honey Company is doing more than bottling honey — it’s capturing the flavor of Florida. The company, which specializes in raw, unprocessed honey, is educating the community and collecting new customers

University Partnership Focuses on New Possibilities for Citrus by RYAN MILEJCZAK The flavors and aromas of citrus are some of the most prized of any fruit. Lemon and orange scents are nearly synonymous with cleaning products, while citrus plays a starring role in the flavors of popular beverages, snacks, candies, and foods. Despite this, there’s