The folks at CRAFT repeatedly promised growers that this year’s cycle was going to be different — less red tape, less confusion, more streamlined processes. The goal was to remove the obstacles and minimize the hassle that could possibly deter growers interested in taking a chance. Judging by the response, I’d say the Foundation’s recruiting efforts were a success.
In a recent email, Florida Citrus Mutual’s Matt Joyner shared some exciting news: With the closing of the CRAFT Year 7 application window on October 3, the Foundation received more than 2,000 applications! Compare that to the 907 applications in Year 6, and 1,121 applications in Year 5.
That interest was earned through constant communication, clarification, outreach, and a series of informational meetings the CRAFT Foundation led in Lake Alfred, Fort Pierce, and Lake Placid. Those meetings were packed, and it’s clear the growers got the message and were enticed to join what CRAFT Executive Director Steven Hall dubs the world’s largest citrus research experiment.
In last month’s column, I reflected on the shift in mood myself and others were detecting. The unprecedented number of applications further stokes my hopes that we are witnessing the start of a revival of sorts.
However, as the saying goes, no good deed goes unpunished. Freshly inspired by the overwhelming interest, CRAFT must now sort out the next steps to navigate the program and participants to success. Joyner says the Board of Directors faces the formidable task of determining the final structure and approval process.
Of course, none of this work has been made any easier by the federal government’s shutdown, which forced the postponement of the Florida Citrus Mutual Grower Meeting in Zolfo Springs.
Regardless, I’m sure I speak for most in the industry when I say this: The 2025 State Legislature took the stance of “go big or go home,” and you’d be hard-pressed to find a farmer in Florida who is ready to go home with this much excitement lingering in the air.