Florida Citrus Mutual: Then And Now
December 1, 2007 
A wise man once said, “If you don’t know your past, you won’t know your future.” I thought of this quote recently as I came across some back issues of the Triangle we keep in our vault here at Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM).
The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same
Browsing through them was very interesting to say the least. These valuable snapshots from the past say a lot about the industry’s current situation as well as the future.
Consider these stories:
• August 1982 — FCM had just testified in front of the International Trade Commission about Brazilian farm subsidies and how they are suppressing the price of U.S. orange juice.
• December 1969 — The use of mechanical harvesting is growing.
• May 1998 — Industry battles medfly.
And take a look at this quote in the Sept. 11, 1969 issue from former FCM CEO Robert Rutledge on the upcoming season: “The season ahead promises to be the most challenging in an almost never ending series of challenging seasons.”
I think I may have said that exact quote a time or two about the 2007–2008 season.
The point I’m making is that the Florida citrus industry produces a global commodity, and we are always going to face tough issues. In fact, some of them mirror what we faced almost 40 years ago whether it is trade battles or the spread of pests and disease.
FCM is committed to being on the front lines of all current issues. We always have been and we always will be. Starting next year, our great organization will be celebrating its 60th anniversary.
In 1948, a group of visionary growers founded FCM to distribute accurate market data. Over the next six decades, FCM evolved into a full-service trade organization that now does everything from issuing up-to-date market information to lobbying state and federal governments on a variety of issues important to Florida citrus growers.
FCM now has more than 8,000 grower members. It also has 100 allied members — a designation reserved for businesses interested in citrus-related matters.
Protecting Grower Dollars
One thing remains the same: The benefits of FCM membership are tangible.
In August, FCM played an integral role in preventing the Farm Service Agency (FSA) from forcing growers who didn’t comply with certain FSA requirements to pay back hurricane disaster assistance money. If not for FCM’s sustained dialogue with USDA and congressional policymakers, both members and non-members of FCM in Florida would have had to return almost $25 million to FSA.
Even more recently, FCM worked to protect the Citrus Advertising Trust Fund from prying hands. Through our contacts in Tallahassee, FCM convinced key state legislators to ignore a recommendation from Governor Charlie Crist to take $2 million from the citrus trust fund to make up for a budget shortfall. That’s $2 million in box tax money that will help finance marketing and research in a time when both are desperately needed.
FCM and other Florida agriculture groups have spent a large portion of 2007 lobbying Congress to include specialty fruits in the 2007 Farm Bill. The move will generate millions of dollars for greening research. The House already passed a strong version of the Farm Bill, and we’re now making sure the Senate follows suit.
There’s a lot of demand on citrus grower money these days: increased production costs, box taxes, trade organization dues, etc. FCM wants to make sure you see its dues assessment as an investment that pays real dividends.
We are well aware of our past at FCM. To serve the Florida citrus grower, we have institutional knowledge on our staff as well as new blood who also have a passion for the industry. This potent combination positions FCM well for the battles we are sure to face in the future. Just look at our history.
As always, do not hesitate to contact me at 863-682-1111 with any questions or concerns.
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