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Florida Heartland ERO | tburroughs@co.okeechobee.fl.us | 1.863.697.6325 | ADDRESS:304 NW 2nd St. | Room 123 | Okeechobee, FL 34972
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FLORIDA’S HEARTLAND
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AGRICULTURE & AGRIBUSINESS

The business of agriculture is big in Florida and particularly in South Central Florida where land is abundant and competitively priced. Well-known for its rich and fertile soil and decades of farming, the Heartland region is a natural fit for agriculture-based businesses.

  • Our “center of everything” location puts you at the heart of Florida’s robust agricultural industry and gives you the fastest access to all points in Florida and beyond.
  • Our workforce is agrarian-based. You’ll find a ready-to-work labor force with the skills, diversity, and personal values you need to succeed.
  • Florida's Heartland was responsible for approximately 21% of Florida's total agricultural products sold in 2007.
    • Florida ranked first in the United States in the value of production of oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, sugarcane for sugar and seed, squash, watermelons, sweet corn, fresh-market snap beans, fresh-market tomatoes, and fresh-market cucumbers.
    • Florida ranked second in the United States in the value of production of strawberries, bell peppers, and cucumbers for pickles.
    • Florida ranked fourth in the value of production of honey.
  • In 2010, Florida had 47,500 commercial farms, using a total of 9.25 million acres. The number of farms in Florida has increased by 3,500 over the past 10 years.
  • The counties of FHERO offer an abundance of available land that is modestly priced and FHERO counties offer competitive local incentives.
Rank County Total
 4 Hendry $567 million
 6 Highlands $326 million
 10 Hardee $232 million
 11 DeSoto $220 million
 14 Okeechobee $178 million
 26  Glades  $85 million

Source - Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services