Florida College Revives Historic Groves to Fight Citrus Industry Collapse

LAKELAND, Fla. – June 29, 2026 – On the historic campus of Florida Southern College, a quiet but determined battle is underway for the future of one of the state’s most iconic industries. The college, built on a former citrus grove over a century ago, is rehabilitating two of its own groves, transforming them from historical landmarks into cutting-edge "living laboratories." This initiative isn't just about preserving heritage; it's a strategic move to confront Huanglongbing (HLB), the devastating disease that has brought Florida's citrus industry to its knees.

By blending advanced agricultural technology with hands-on student research, Florida Southern is creating a unique model for recovery and innovation. The project represents a critical convergence of academia and industry, a partnership aimed at cultivating not only resilient citrus trees but also a new generation of leaders equipped to solve the complex challenges of modern agribusiness.

A Crisis Decades in the Making

To understand the significance of Florida Southern's project, one must first grasp the sheer scale of the devastation wrought by HLB, or citrus greening. Since its detection in Florida in 2005, the bacterial disease, spread by the tiny Asian citrus psyllid, has been catastrophic. It effectively strangles trees by blocking their vascular systems, resulting in small, bitter, and unsellable fruit before ultimately killing the tree.

The economic fallout has been staggering. Florida's citrus production has plummeted by over 90% from its peak, dropping from nearly 300 million boxes in the early 2000s to less than 20 million in recent seasons. According to industry data, the disease has cost the state's economy more than $4.4 billion and has been linked to the loss of over 8,000 jobs since 2006. The physical landscape of Florida has been visibly altered, with citrus acreage shrinking by more than half, from nearly 750,000 acres in 2004 to under 300,000 today. The number of citrus growers has fallen by nearly 70% in two decades, as many family-run operations have been forced to close. With no known cure, the industry has been locked in a desperate and costly fight for survival, relying heavily on expensive insecticide regimens to control the psyllid population.

The Living Laboratory

Against this bleak backdrop, Florida Southern’s "citrus innovation groves" represent a tangible source of hope. The project is a collaborative effort, made possible through the vision and generosity of industry partners, including college alumnus Phillip Rucks of Rucks Nursery and Mike Hurst of Citrus Service, Inc.

The innovation begins at the root. Rucks Nursery, a leading propagator of citrus trees in the U.S., provided trees grown on a special rootstock developed to be more tolerant of HLB. While not a "silver bullet" cure, these rootstocks have shown significant promise in field trials conducted by the University of Florida, demonstrating a greater ability to withstand the disease's effects and continue producing fruit longer than conventional varieties.

Above ground, the young trees are shielded by another layer of technology: Individual Protective Covers (IPCs), also known as "Tree Defenders," donated by Citrus Service, Inc. These fine-mesh tents encase each young tree, creating a physical barrier that the Asian citrus psyllid cannot penetrate. Research has shown that this simple but effective strategy can keep trees disease-free for the first two to three years of their life—a critical period for establishing a strong root system and canopy. The covers also offer secondary benefits, protecting the delicate trees from Florida's harsh sun, reducing heat stress, and conserving moisture, which further promotes vigorous growth and resilience.

"Florida agriculture has always been built on innovation, and these citrus innovation groves represent an investment in the future of agribusiness," said Dr. Michael Weber, Dean of the Barney Barnett School of Business and Free Enterprise. "Through these living laboratories, our students will gain hands-on experience with the rootstock varieties, protective technologies, and production systems that are helping the industry address citrus greening and build more resilient citrus operations."

Cultivating a New Generation of Innovators

Beyond the immediate research goals, the groves serve a vital educational purpose. They are central to Florida Southern’s new "Horticulture, Land, and Resource Management" major, a program redesigned to address the modern realities of agribusiness. The curriculum moves beyond traditional horticulture to include land management, property law, and real estate valuation, preparing students for a world where agricultural land use is increasingly complex.

Students were involved from day one, working alongside Assistant Professor of Horticulture Science Dr. Shea Keene to plant the new groves. They will continue to be responsible for the long-term research, maintenance, and data collection, evaluating the performance of the tolerant rootstocks and protective covers. This hands-on, experiential learning is a cornerstone of the college's philosophy, providing students with practical skills that are in high demand. They aren't just reading about solutions in a textbook; they are actively participating in the search for them. This direct engagement prepares them for careers as not just growers, but as environmental consultants, land use planners, and agricultural project managers capable of navigating the intersection of science, business, and resource management.

A Return to Deep Roots

This forward-looking project is also a profound reconnection with the college's past. For more than a century, citrus has been woven into the fabric of Florida Southern's identity. When the college relocated to Lakeland in 1921, its now-famous campus, home to the world's largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, was built on what was then a defunct citrus grove.

The connection deepened in 1947 with the creation of the Citrus Institute, which offered the first classes in grove management in the entire state of Florida. Today, the college houses the state's official Florida Citrus Archives, a vast collection of documents, photographs, and historical records preserving the industry's rich heritage. By reviving its campus groves as centers for innovation, Florida Southern is honoring that legacy not as a static piece of history, but as a living tradition that continues to evolve. The project demonstrates that the solutions to tomorrow's challenges may well be found by tending to the roots of the past.