May. Growers are constantly researching new ways to safely and efficiently harvest fruit that minimizes handling and enhances the product between the tree and consumer. Table grade citrus is taken to packinghouses in the area for shipment to market. The rest of the fruit is taken to several juice processing plants in the area for ultimate distribution to a national market. This translates to about 60 cents of each dollar paid by citrus growers benefiting other county taxpayers which helps keep local property taxes low. Highlands County citrus growers are among the leaders in state water conservation efforts and in the reduced use of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and other farm chemicals through state of the art techniques and best management practices developed locally and in conjunction with the University of Florida, the Florida Department of Agriculture and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Severe weather is a threat to the citrus industry.
It is understandable therefore, that when occasional threats of hurricanes occur just before the fruit matures for picking, or freezing temperatures occur just north of Highlands County, area growers and the community at large have a lot at stake. Many Highlands County citrus growers go beyond their daily work routine and provide valuable services in a variety of community leadership roles. To say that the citrus industry is important in Highlands County is at best, an understatement. The greatest use of land area in Highlands County comes from the cattle industry. Cattlemen of Highlands County and across Florida are considered by many as first line environmentalists when it comes to use of land and natural resources.