Florida Takes Steps to Save Endangered Citrus Production, Protect Valuable Farm Land from Foreign Buyers

In an aerial view of a fruit loader harvesting oranges at a grove in Fort Meade, Fla. on Feb. 1, 2022. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Florida lawmakers are taking steps to save Florida’s citrus industry and to restrict foreign countries from purchasing the state’s valuable farmland.

At the Jan. 4 Florida Senate Agriculture Committee meeting—the first in the 2023 regular session—Chairman Jay Collins (R-District 14) acknowledged that the citrus industry in the Sunshine State is facing formidable challenges.