Chairman Johnson: Our Focus for Florida Citrus

With the effects of the recent freeze on our groves and as we continue to focus on replanting efforts, it's more important than ever for us to take time to recognize the good of what's happening in our industry. Being in the groves every day and being neck-deep in the challenges that I know all of us are facing sometimes gets me discouraged. But then I remember why I'm a Florida Citrus grower, and it gives me the strength to keep going. You know what else gives me strength? Keeping hope alive and focusing on the good.

Just a few months ago, we were celebrating an unprecedented $100m in funding for replanting efforts from the Florida Legislature. CRAFT Cycle 7 work is just getting started, and we are just now starting to get data from the earliest cycles of the CRAFT program. We're also seeing new varieties come out of the Program for Expedited Propagation that show promise with their tolerance against citrus greening.

There is a light at the end of this tunnel. No matter what the future brings or how the present challenges reshape our industry tomorrow, we will adapt, we will recover, we will innovate, and eventually, we will thrive once again.

Will our industry look different than it did in 2005? Absolutely. We can't move the clock backwards. We won't ever be the industry from 20 years ago, which is why it's up to us to keep hope alive and take strategic steps that help shape a better tomorrow.

Speaking of learning from the past and taking time to recognize the good, I was glad to be at the Citrus Hall of Fame banquet on March 27. The unwavering commitment and passionate focus of each of these individuals is inspiring. It stirs the blood and fuels my fire for the future of Florida Citrus that I know we are all fighting for. I extend my congratulations to the Class of 2026 inductees to the Citrus Hall of Fame: Brenda Eubanks Burnette, Kristen Carlson, James "Doc" Redd, and Dr. L.W. "Pete" Trimmer.

And, like these individuals inspire me to keep going, it is my hope that this column helps you take heart and persevere.

Steve Johnson is Chairman of the Florida Citrus Commission, which oversees the Florida Department of Citrus. He is the owner and general manager of Johnson Harvesting, Inc., based in Wauchula, FL.