The "BeerMosa," featuring Florida orange juice and slice, teamed with Blue Moon Brewing Co. ale, was the popular beverage of choice during the 2015 Florida Citrus Industry Annual Conference opening reception.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Hail To The Chief
Florida Citrus Mutual executive VP/CEO Mike Sparks announced more than 600 attendees were at the 2015 Florida Citrus Industry Annual Conference. That figure is markedly down from the past few years.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Research Comes To The Fore
Michael Rogers, current director of the UF/IFAS Citrus Research & Education Center in Lake Alfred, led off the educational sessions with a presentation on tools available to address health of HLB-infected groves. Rogers noted that growers have seen a 10% increase in fruit drop over the last three years.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Straight From The Grower's Mouth
Larry Black of Peace River Citrus Packing and current Florida Citrus Mutual president, spoke on investing in replanting citrus. Though laying out the difficult road still ahead regarding HLB, Black did point to a positive: "The best news is consumers want what we grow."
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Duda Digs In
Rob Atchley of Duda Citrus provided attendees an update of how Duda's new plantings are faring. He stressed the importance of partnerships. "Partnerships can make the difference. Great partnerships broaden horizons."
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Any Questions?
Educational session MC Harold Browning, CRDF (left), called up growers Larry Black and Rob Atchley to field a few questions from the audience.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Break Time
Growers, stakeholders, and industry suppliers mix and mingle during a break from the educational sessions.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Citrus Sidebar
Florida Ag Commissioner Adam Putnam (left) and Mike Sparks, executive VP/CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual, catch up during break time at the 2015 Florida Citrus Industry Annual Conference.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Still Lots To Learn
As the morning educational session wore on, the crowd grew in size and interest.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Orange Is The New Black
Once again, the Florida Department of Citrus hosted an interactive, informative display area dubbed "The Orange Room." Visitors had a chance to test their citrus knowledge, get their picture taken, and even audition to become the voice of "Captain Citrus."
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Fresh From Florida
For the third year in a row, the luncheon featured a Fresh From Florida-inspired meal.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Home Sweet Home
The Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa in Bonita Springs has become the unofficial home of the Florida Citrus Annual Conference having served as the host hotel for the last several years. The setting provides a nice balance between work and play.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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A Good Sign
Directly outside one of the entrances to the reception and banquet was a nice call-out to the 2015 Florida Grower Citrus Achievement Award winner Orie Lee.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Vintage Art
Several old-time citrus box label art pieces were part of the annual silent auction.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Go With The Flo
Another blast from the past that would ultimately fetch a handsome purchase prince in the annual silent auction.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Hungry Crowd
The Industry Banquet is the centerpiece of the three-day annual conference presented by Florida Citrus Mutual.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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On The Spot
Paul Meador of Everglades Harvesting Co. (left) was graciously volunteered by his wife to join comedian Ronn Lucas on stage as part of the evening's entertainment at the Florida Citrus Industry Annual Conference.
Photo by Frank Giles
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In The Spotlight
Comedian Ronn Lucas also is a talented ventriloquist. He enlisted Paul Meador of Everglades Harvesting Co. to go along with the act. Paul obliged.
Photo by Frank Giles
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An Honor And Privilege
Florida Grower® magazine editor Frank Giles gives opening remarks of the 2015 Citrus Achievement Award presentation. Keith Griffith, Arysta LifeScience, waits his turn to give a few words from the sponsor.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Perfect Handoff
Karen Lee, granddaughter-in-law of Orie Lee, accepts the 2015 Florida Grower Citrus Achievement Award on his behalf.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Stirring Speech
Unfortunately, Orie Lee, the 2015 Citrus Achievement Award winner, could not be present to accept the award. However, his granddaughter-in-law Karen Lee delivered an emotional acceptance speech, which also included the announcement that she and her husband Matt (looking on, far right) were expecting their first child.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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How Sweet It Is
Karen Lee and her husband Matt pose for a few post-Citrus Achievement Award ceremony photos for Florida Grower editor Frank Giles.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Winning Lineup
Flanked by Frank Giles, Florida Grower (left) and Keith Griffith, Arysta LifeScience, Karen and Matt Lee were honored to accept the 2015 Citrus Achievement Award on behalf of their grandfather Orie Lee.
The crowd itself seemed smaller compared to recent years, which was confirmed by Mike Sparks, Florida Citrus Mutual executive VP/CEO, who said a little more than 600 attendees were present for the three-day event. Last year’s gathering set a new attendance record with more than 800 on hand.
For those in attendance, the message was pretty clear: Commitment is key if the Florida citrus industry is to survive and succeed in the age of HLB.
To that point, during the educational session proceedings, there were multiple references to the term “all in” when describing what it’s going to take to move forward.
Michael Rogers, currently interim director of the UF/IFAS Citrus Research & Education Center, said growers need to be “all in and aggressive with psyllid control,” especially given that the state’s producers have seen a 10% increase in fruit drop over the last three years.
The citrus community needs to be aware of the problems with trying to control fruit drop, Rogers said. “We have to give consideration to how much money is spent on these efforts based on results from past studies.”
Larry Black, Ridge grower and current Florida Citrus Mutual president, said his operation is “all in” and trying all options in the fight against HLB. “There’s no silver bullet on the horizon,” he said. “We have to combat the disease with the tools we have today.”
One operation that is using all available resources is Duda Citrus. In his educational session presentation, Rob Atchley showed attendees through PowerPoint and a slick video how modern technology is not only increasing productivity, efficiency, and filling in labor gaps, but also aiding production issues.
By implementing technology and precision agriculture to help scout and monitor conditions around the grove, Atchley said Duda’s new plantings are faring well. Using data gathered over the last year, he reports (despite a 350-acre grove reduction) yields were level.
Check out the video from the Florida Grower Citrus Achievement Award presentation.
While Atchley’s presentation projected a positive, optimistic light on what many see as a dim situation, summing up the state of the Florida citrus industry best was Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam. During the annual luncheon, Putnam provided a keynote speech that didn’t mince words. “Candidly, I don’t think we’ve hit rock bottom yet,” he said. “And we have to be prepared for that.”
Part of the preparation, Putnam said, would be to expect a different-looking industry down the road. Comparing the sector’s current situation to that of a house that’s burning down, Putnam said a collaborative effort will be necessary to pour enough water on the fire and help lay the groundwork for the future. “I frankly believe an answer (to HLB) will be found due to the innovation of our growers.”
015Florida Citrus Growers’ Resolve Put To The Test
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Paul Rusnak is the Senior Online Editor for Meister Media Worldwide's Specialty Crops Division, which consists of American Vegetable Grower, American Fruit Grower, and Greenhouse Grower magazines, all Meister Media brands. He is based in Northeast Florida. See all author stories here.