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State sets aside $2-million for citrus research

By Kris Hundley, Times Staff Writer
Posted: Apr 29, 2008 07:10 PM

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The Florida Legislature has approved $2-million for research to help the state's $9-billion citrus industry. Battered in years past by hurricanes and canker, Florida's growers are now confronted with citrus greening, a bacterial disease that kills trees and has spread to 28 counties. More than 100 research projects are already working on ways to combat greening. State Sen. J.D. Alexander, whose family controls the major cattle and citrus producer Alico Inc., along with Rep. Marty Bowen and Rep. Stan Mayfield, were instrumental in obtaining the $2-million allocation for citrus research. It will be part of the state's 2008-09 budget, which is expected to be approved by Gov. Charlie Crist within the next week.