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