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Some Florida Citrus Growers Turning to Alternative Crop  by PAUL CATALA Florida’s annual Commercial Citrus Inventory just recently revealed that the state’s current citrus acreage is 274,705 acres, down 17 percent from the last annual survey.  As the state’s citrus industry continues to reel from the effects of hurricanes and greening, some embattled citrus growers […]

by RYAN MILEJCZAK Sponsored by Farm Credit of Central Florida Oranges might be the star when it comes to Florida citrus, but their cousin the grapefruit is well deserving of the spotlight as well.  The grapefruit, Citrus x paradisi, is a hybrid fruit that was first found in Barbados in the 18th century. It resulted

Growing Beyond the Familiar to Explore Nontraditional Crops  by REBEKAH PIERCE Florida is perhaps best known for the expansive acres of citrus groves that once stretched across the state. But the state’s crops aren’t limited to citrus, and that’s something Florida growers are proving by investing in a wide variety of emerging crops, including eucalyptus,

by PAUL CATALA On August 16, the Polk County Commission delivered a win for agriculture by allocating $21 million for the creation of a new agricultural center on county-owned land between Bartow and Fort Meade. The county’s original livestock arena — the Bartow Livestock Auction — was built in 1951.  That was 73 years ago,

CRAFT Foundation Under New Management as Wood Moves on and Hall Steps Up by MATT COBBLE After five years, the Citrus Research and Field Trial Foundation is under new leadership. On July 8, former Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture Steven Hall replaced Tamara Wood as CRAFT’s Executive Director. Hall grew up on his family’s farm

Clermont Farmer Banks Helfrich Is On a Mission to ‘Close the Loop’ by REBEKAH PIERCEtitle photo by SAI PATEL Variety is the spice of life, or so they say — and for Clermont farmer Banks Helfrich, that statement couldn’t possibly hold more truth. A performer-turned-farmer, Helfrich grows hundreds of different plants on his 7-acre plot. 

Pat Spinosa’s ‘Like a Farmer’ Podcast Is Making Rural America Cool Again by REBEKAH PIERCE If Pat Spinosa could say one thing about the goal of his now famous podcast, “Like a Farmer,” it would be this: “I want to make farming cool again.” He admits (happily), that rural America is starting to become trendy

by RYAN MILEJCZAK Sponsored by Farm Credit of Central Florida Peanuts are one of the South’s most emblematic crops. Rich in protein, fat, fiber, and other essential nutrients, peanuts can be enjoyed roasted, as peanut butter, boiled, or used in classic recipes, to name just a few uses. And though you might not know it,

Sebring’s Secret Gardens Winery & Farm Sharing the Fruits of Its Labor by PAUL CATALA The Murrays live and work in a secret garden they want everyone to know about.  The Murrays – Rick and Valerie and their daughter Alexa “Lexi” Murray – own and operate Secret Gardens Winery & Farm Inc. in Sebring. It’s

by DAVID AUSTIN, UF/IFAS Extension Highlands County There’s nothing more refreshing than enjoying the shade of a tree while eating some fresh fruit on a hot summer day in Florida. The best way to do that is to ensure you have some nice fruit trees in your yard. Central Florida is a great place to