WINTER 2020 | TCBUSINESS.COM
REGION’S AGRICULTURE
BOUNCING BACK
BY BERNIE WOODALL
Agriculture has been a prime driver for the
Treasure Coast economy for most of its modern
history. Pineapples were king in the late
1800s and then were eclipsed by other crops,
particularly citrus, which along with cattle
ranching continued to dominate the economic
landscape until air conditioning and interstate
highways helped boost tourism and industries
tied to exponential population growth.
Citrus diseases and development reduced
agriculture’s role on the Treasure Coast in the
late 20th century.
Agriculture is slowly coming back, though
it will no longer be No. 1. Innovations such
as introducing protein crops such as water
lentils and importing citrus trees such
as pomgania from India are part of the
renaissance.
This issue of Treasure Coast Business is
produced through a unique partnership
between Indian River Magazine Inc. and
the Florida Small Business Development
Center at Indian River State College.
SEE STORIES STARTING ON PAGE 6
FLORIDA DEPT. OF CITRUS
A tub of harvested oranges waits to be loaded in an area citrus grove. Indian River citrus has been shipped around
the globe.
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PAGE 17
PAGE 26 PAGE 30
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PAGE 22
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