In a recent editorial, The Ledger showed support for the Florida Citrus industry by calling for $14.5 million in state funding as production continues to decline due to citrus greening. Proposed by Rep. Ben Albritton, the funding would go toward greening research and promotional activities.
Florida Citrus Commission Chairman and Florida Orange Grower Marty McKenna spoke to the board about the impact an investment would make:
“The scientists are working as hard as they can. We just need a little bit of help,” McKenna said. “It’s an investment in industry. Not a bailout. The growers have given back more to the state than they’ve taken out.”
The Florida Citrus industry is valued at $10.7 billion and provides more than 62,000 jobs. It’s the state’s largest agricultural crop.
