Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the state's Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget, which includes more than $175 million allocated for citrus research. The broader $117.6 billion spending plan also covers agriculture, water quality, and rural infrastructure across the state.
The citrus investment comes as Florida's industry continues to struggle with the long-term effects of Huanglongbing and the aftermath of multiple hurricane seasons. Research funding at this scale signals that the state is committed to a long-term recovery strategy rather than letting the industry wind down.
Combined with USDA's deregulation of an HLB-resistant rootstock, the funding sets up a potentially meaningful year for Florida citrus recovery efforts — though any real production rebound remains years away.