After the hurricanes of 2004, citrus growers were philosophical. Sure, 175 million boxes of citrus were just 58 percent of what they had produced seven years ago, but if the supply went down, and demand remained the same, prices would go up. Profits would even out. ...more

January 14, 2009

I read recently about local government's decisions to allow several large tracts in Hardee County to be developed in major fashion. This brought sadness to my heart. Pastoral views from my truck window may soon be replaced with construction cranes and vegetation destruction. ...more

July 9, 2008

The steepest run-ups in food prices since 1990 are hurting grocery shoppers, restaurants and school cafeterias, but they're making others rich. ...more

May 28, 2008

Savvy investors know dirt is not sold cheaply these days, certainly not the phosphate-laden earth mined for fertilizer production. ...more

May 22, 2008

AVON PARK — An additional 20 to 25 workers will be unemployed by Jan. 31 as Cargill Juice North America exits the citrus processing business in Florida. The company announced plans in August to close the Avon Park and Frostproof plants. "It's interesting," said Tom Abrahamson, president. "When we decided to shut down the plants for good, we said at the time that we still had inventories of juice, and we estimated they would last until December 2008." ...more

December 23, 2007

As Cargill shuts down its juice plants in Avon Park and Frostproof, it's a reminder that Highlands County is changing. Fewer and fewer citrus farms exist. Farms that are more valuable as housing developments or shopping malls than they can possibly produce in orange juice. Slowly, the citrus groves along U.S. 27 are disappearing. So are the groves on U.S. 98, between U.S. 27 and Spring Lake. They will remain along our country roads. Cargill Juice North America is laying off an additional 20 to 25 workers at Avon Park and Frostproof by Jan. 31. The company is getting out of the citrus processing business in Florida. Imagine saying that in the days of Ben Hill Griffin Jr., when oranges were king. ...more

December 23, 2007