1

Citrus canker decimated South Florida’s citrus industry.

In 1994 Brooks grew so many limes in South Florida, we supplied the nation with over 60% of the country’s needs. Because of citrus canker, we no longer grow limes in the U.S.

It happened in a matter of months. To prevent the disease from spreading to Central Florida’s citrus crops, infected trees were taken out along with any citrus tree within 1500’ of the infected.

It took 3 months to irradicate our lime groves, unfortunately, it did nothing to irradicate the disease which has re-emerged and spread to Central Florida and beyond.

2

A virus can impact papaya fields. Once found in a field, any papayas grown will need to be GMO to handle it.

This virus was first found in the Pacific region and was held at bay for years. More recently, papaya growers in Central America have noted that the virus has crossed the ocean.

We don’t know what that means for our crops or our fellow papaya growers.