The Abandoned Grove Initiative was developed in 2009 as an incentive to growers to voluntarily remove abandoned, unmanaged citrus groves that can harbor pests and diseases that threaten Florida’s citrus industry, and slow the progression of citrus greening disease.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services works with county property appraisers to provide an incentive to owners who remove their abandoned groves by offering a reduced assessment on cleared property and allow owners to maintain their agricultural classification on the cleared property for up to 10 years.
In 2025, the years an owner may maintain agricultural classification on cleared land was increased from five to 10 years. Growers with existing compliance agreements could qualify for an extension of their current agreement and should contact their local CHRP office for assistance.
See the
Abandoned Grove FAQ
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for more information, and contact your local
Citrus Health Response Program Office
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for details and instructions on how to participate in the initiative.
