With sales of $6.6 billion in 1998 Florida is ranked the nations number 9 agriculture state. It is the largest producer
of citrus in the US and ranked only behind Brazille in the world wide citrus industry. The vegetables and horiculture
products market ranks number 2 in the nation. So as you can see, agriculture is a huge and vital part of
Florida's economy.
My primary focus here will be on the citrus industry, however there will be a list of links available for you to view that
covers a wide range of Florida agriculture topics.
FLORIDA CITRUS FACTS:
** According to the most recent facts I have found there are approx. 107,110,200 commercial citrus trees in the state on
845,260 acres of land.
**In 1997-1998 Florida produced over 300 million boxes of fruit with a on-the-tree value of $974,469,000.
**97.9 percent of all fruit produced in the US came from Florida.
**Florida’s first cultivated grove was planted in Pinellas County sometime between 1803 and 1820.
THE WORLDS FIRST PINK GRAPEFRUIT
Nicnamed "Nature's million dollar mistake" the first of it's kind was found in Manatee County in 1913. The site
was Atwood Grove in a town called Manavista, which Mr Atwood founded. R.B. Foster, a grove supervisor
found the biological mutation growing on a single limb of a Walters Seedless yellow-fruited grapefruit tree.
Thompson Grove had the fortune of finding this same mutation growing on a Marsh Seedless yellow grapefruit tree
the same year.
Both groves took the branches to Reasoners Royal Palm Nursery to have the budwood grafted onto orange stock and
it became known as Fosters Pink Seedless Grapefruit in 1914. In the 1920's Texas bought it's original tree's from this
Oneco Florida nursery.
VARIETY OF ORANGES:
The Hamlin
Originated as a chance seedling in 1879 near Deland, Florida; named by owner A.G. Hamlin. It's season
runs from October-December but may vary. One of the seedless variety of oranges which make it great for juice.
Navels
Easily identified by it's "belly-button" this sweet popular variety originated from Bahia Navel from Brazil.
Sent to the USA in 1870. It has the same season as the Hamlin Orange does.
AmberSweet
This is a new variety that was introduced in 1989 to Florida Growers. It is a seedless orange, which makes
it a great juice orange. It's season is from October-January. Cross between a Clementine and an Orlando
tangelo hybrid with a seedling midseason orange made in 1963 by C. J. Hearn and P.C. Reece, USDA, Orlando,
Florida. Originated from USDA breeding program to develop orange varieties with early maturation, deeper
colored fruit and juice, and more cold hardy trees.
Pineapple Orange
Originated from China Origin and was brought to Charleston, South Carolina and planted by Rev. J.B. Owens at
Sparr, near Citra, Florida, around 1860. It's season is from December - February but may vary also.
Valencia
THE juice orange! It is tangy, yet sweet, and seedless. Sometimes having a green tint to it that would
give the idea it is not "ripe" yet. It's season is from February - June. Originated from Azores
in early 1860s; sent to Thomas Rivers, a nurseryman at Sawbridgeworth, England, it was first
named Excelsior. He sent it to Long Island, USA in 1870, where it was in turn sent to Florida and California.
Temples
I have no idea where they came from, but it is my favorite! They are small in size and bright orange, which
makes them stand out among other varietys of fruit. They are sweet, juicy, and easy to peel. Excellent to keep
handy for a fruit snack.
