The acreage and crops are bountiful, and so is the specialized knowledge and expertise, creating unbound opportunity for Heartland agriculture and ag-related industry.
The numbers tell the story: Florida’s bounty feeds the nation and brings beauty to everyday living. In 2022, the state ranked #1 for total value of a half dozen fruit and vegetable crops, floriculture sales and foliage plants for indoor use, producing total floriculture sales of $1.16 billion and other agricultural sales of over $3.4 billion.
The numbers also show the leading role that the Florida Heartland plays in the Florida food chain, contributing a total of $1.735 billion in production in 2022. See the numbers here or see below for county rankings and total value produced:
| Rank | County | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Hendry | $633 million |
| 9 | Okeechobee | $302 million |
| 13 | Hardee | $229 million |
| 14 | Highlands | $225 million |
| 16 | DeSoto | $221 million |
| 24 | Glades | $125 million |
Immokalee, also in the Heartland region, is the nation’s #1 producer of winter grown tomatoes.
Produce It, Ship It, Profit in the Heartland
Agriculture and ag-related industries are flourishing here, nurtured by rich soil, expansive affordable acreage and abundant advantages in labor and logistics. A strong combination of work experience and work ethic assure performance across sector areas, while a multimodal logistics network supports rapid, cost-effective distribution.
The Heartland puts products on the move through extensive highway and interstate connections, including three interstate highways. Other transit options: CSX rail, plus proximity to seven deepwater ports and convenient access to air connections, including Airglades, the state-of-the-art logistics center focused on the flow of perishable goods between Latin America and the U.S.
Grow Stronger with Cutting-Edge Research and Innovation
Florida universities and other innovation centers are working with local producers, leading the way to a sustainable future of even greater abundance. Resources for ag innovation include:
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University of Florida. At the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, scientists are deploying tools like artificial intelligence and drone technology to produce more productive, resilient crops. Other UF educational and innovation centers include the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the Agricultural and Biological Engineering program and Agroecology programs.
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University of Central Florida. At UCF, the Materials Innovation for Sustainable Agriculture (MISA) is a USDA-NIFA recognized Center of Excellence focused on interdisciplinary research, education and outreach/extension.
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Florida High Tech Corridor. A location on this powerful research and development corridor opens access to greater knowledge and opportunity.
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University of South Florida. The Patel College of Global Sustainability is developing research for sustainable solutions using broad, interdisciplinary expertise in multiple areas, from water and food to energy to global security and social equity.