INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Gov. Ron DeSantis spoke at a Vero Beach country club Tuesday, discussing a major grapefruit planting on the Treasure Coast and announcing the state’s approval of more than $173 million for citrus growers recovering from Hurricane Irma.
DeSantis said the Florida Division of Emergency Management approved the funds through the Citrus Recovery Block Grant since January. Florida was awarded $340 million in total by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to support the state’s citrus industry, officials said.
“Florida is proud to have the best citrus produce in the world,” DeSantis said. “Since January, we’ve been dedicating resources and improving policies to make sure Florida’s citrus industry gets back on its feet, and today, we’ve surpassed the 50 percent milestone for this important funding. For citrus growers still suffering from Hurricane Irma, know this – we are providing recovery funding as quickly as possible, and we will not waiver in our support.”
Indian River County was one of the communities impacted by Hurricane Irma, a Category 3 storm which swept across Florida’s east coast in September 2017. The storm dropped heavy rains and whipped toward the north with strong winds, damaging some of the state’s agriculture along the way.
Irma destroyed 30 to 50 percent of crops in Indian River County. DeSantis visited the county Tuesday, where he spoke about the citrus industry at the Quail Valley River Club, 2345 State Road A1A, Vero Beach.
Joined by the Florida Citrus Industry and private sector partners, DeSantis discussed the first major grapefruit planting on the Treasure Coast, including Indian River County. Local businesses Peace River Citrus Products and The Scott Family Companies will collaborate with Coca-Cola Company and Takasago International Corporation, a Japan-based company that produces flavors and fragrances.
The two local citrus businesses plan to invest more than $25 million to plant 250,000 grapefruit trees on 1,500 acres of land in St. Lucie and Indian River counties, Peace River Citrus Senior Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer Andrew Taylor said. Taylor said the planting will start in March 2020 when the trees are ready in the local tree nurseries.
“Right now we’re focused on preparing land and installing an irrigation system,” Taylor said. “Through this innovative grove planting commitment, Peace River and The Scott Family Companies aim to boost Florida’s grapefruit crop by 15 percent once the new groves reach maturity.”
Mark Westfall, Chief Procurement Officer for The Coca-Cola Company, said the company announced in 2013 its $2 billion commitment to support the planting of 25,000 new acres of orange groves in Florida. Takasago is investing $1.5 million toward the new tree plantings.
DeSantis said citrus has been through a lot in many years, including citrus greening and Irma. “It’s one of the most iconic industries we have,” he said.
Citrus greening is a disease spread by an insect called the Asian citrus psyllid. The psyllid feeds on the stems and leaves of trees, infects the trees with bacteria and prevents trees from taking in nourishment.
Citrus greening leads to smaller and fewer fruit over time. There is no cure once a tree is infected.
“This will continue to be a vital industry for our state,” DeSantis said.
Toward the end of the announcement, DeSantis led the crowd in a grapefruit toast. Attendees raised their glasses of grapefruit juice as DeSantis made his last remarks.
“I’d like to raise a glass to a tremendous announcement, a great new venture and a bright future for Florida citrus.”
Photos courtesy of Verola Studios
