Agribusiness & Agri-Technology
Florida Citrus Mutual, UF/IFAS Extension Office, the Polk County Farm Bureau and Department of Citrus are all located in Bartow: the education hub for agribusiness and agri-technology in Florida providing support in all things agriculture. This includes food flavoring, agriculture equipment manufacturing, food processing and expanded production of crops including blueberries, citrus, and hemp: with some farmers experimenting with producing olives and sod in Polk County. Mosaic provides fertilizer for the crops. Cattle remains a vibrant business in Florida with 2500 operational cattle farms that are home to 90,000 head of cattle in Polk County alone.
​
​
Leading Agribusiness Entities
The UF/IFAS Extension office in Polk County is a collaborative effort between the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and the Polk County Board of County Commissioners. Located in Bartow, this extension office provides a wealth of resources and educational programs to the local community. Their services span various areas, including agriculture, natural resources, 4-H youth development, home landscapes, and family and consumer sciences. The office is dedicated to addressing everyday challenges and promoting sustainable practices, such as Florida-Friendly Landscaping and nutrition education. Through workshops, consultations, and volunteer opportunities like the Master Gardener Program, the UF/IFAS Extension office plays a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life for Polk County residents.
The Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC), located in Bartow, is an executive agency of the Florida government dedicated to the marketing, research, and regulation of the state’s citrus industry. The FDOC plays a crucial role in promoting and protecting Florida citrus products both domestically and internationally. It oversees various aspects of the industry, including research on citrus diseases, production standards, and marketing strategies. The department is funded by an assessment paid by growers on each box of citrus that moves through commercial channels, contributing significantly to Florida’s economy1. The FDOC’s efforts ensure the sustainability and growth of the citrus industry, which is vital to the state’s agricultural sector UF Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) in nearby Lake Alfred,Home to the Florida Department of Citrus, CREC has 200 employees, 600+ acres of groves and more than 40 laboratories dedicated to uncovering new innovation in the citrus and other agricultural industries. It’s also home to the largest citrus library in the world.​​​
Leading Agribusiness Education Programs
Florida Southern College – Citrus: Florida Southern College features the nation’s only bachelor’s degree specifically in Citrus. Students benefit from classes taught by industry leaders as well as the school’s close proximity to the CREC in Lake Alfred. Warner University – Agricultural Studies: Warner’s project-based curriculum provides students with marketable experience through internships, field trips, mentorships, capstone projects and guest lectures led by industry leaders.
​​
​