It makes me sad that Florida farmland is being replaced by subdivisions and apartment complexes. There, I said it, and I’m not alone in feeling this way.
I fully understand the economic aspect of why those decisions are made by those who get to decide, but it doesn’t make it stink any less that parts of old Florida are vanishing before our eyes. Old Florida — a land I’ve known and loved my whole life — seems to be slipping away.
The USDA recently released two reports with some pretty powerful numbers. The Commercial Citrus Inventory Report for Florida shows that citrus acreage has decreased. Another report, however, shows the state’s citrus production has actually improved in recent years. There are two ways to look at this.
Glass half-empty: At 274,705 acres in production in 2024, citrus acreage is down 17% from 2023. This is due to a number of factors, including greening and development.
Glass half-full: Florida’s citrus production for the 2023-2024 season is 20.2 million boxes, which is a 12% increase from the previous year. But while production is up, it’s still the second-lowest harvest in nearly 90 years.
One of the ways Florida is making sure the entire state isn’t covered in high-rise apartment complexes and cookie-cutter housing developments is through conservation easements. These are legal agreements between a landowner and a government agency or non-profit organization that protect a property’s natural or cultural resources. Aside from preserving Old Florida, conservation easements can yield tax benefits, community benefits, and flexibility in land management.
Let’s stay positive and work with our land owners and local and state governments to support smart development while still supporting our farming and ranching families as best we can.
May the good Lord bless you and your families.
