For what’s believed to be the first time in Florida, customers can enter a citrus growing structure designed to prevent greening, the disease that has ravaged citrus trees in Florida for two decades.
“Unfortunately, like many other outdoor growers, greening has affected our outdoor groves,” said Katie Bevilacqua, co-owner of Golden Ridge Groves and Market in Alturas.
Citrus growing is in Bevilacqua’s blood.
She said when her father and uncle retired from growing citrus, then blueberries, they partnered with the University of Florida to tackle greening.
Greening, also known as Huanglongbing (HLB) disease, is a disease transmitted by a tiny insect that has devastated Florida’s citrus industry.
Since the disease was detected in 2005, the state’s citrus production has fallen by 75%, including 90% of grapefruit production, according to the USDA.
“My family’s always been in ag,” Bevilacqua said. “We love ag. We’re passionate about it. When we saw a problem, my dad was like let’s find a solution.”
They helped develop CUPS structures, which stands for “citrus under protective screen.”
The screen is meant to protect the citrus trees from wind damage and greening.
“We’ve been able to see increased consistency in quality, juice, content, Brix levels. The fruit looks amazing. The trees are thriving,” said Bevilacqua. “Greening has not been able to infiltrate.”
On Thursday, Bevilacqua and her husband, Shane, are opening Golden Ridge Groves and Market on Alturas Road and, for the first time inside a CUPS structure, allowing the public to pick citrus.
At this time, customers can pick their own ray ruby grapefruit.
“I’m really passionate about educating consumers coming from the commercial side of agriculture. I always felt like the farmer was the unsung hero and a lot of the innovative techniques that we use don’t really get talked about,” said Bevilacqua.
Customers can also enjoy fresh-squeezed juices, homemade ice cream and milkshakes, and Florida-grown produce.
“I know there’s some other innovative strategies that are out there that are going really well so we’re hoping with the cup structure and with those strategies we can find a way to help with greening,” said Bevilacqua.