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n a seismic shift, Alico, once the citrus crown jewel of Florida's agricultural landscape, is pivoting towards a new horizon. The company has submitted plans to develop a sprawling 3,000-acre community in the state's southwest region, where 4,500 homes will be nestled among 6,000 acres of protected conservation land.

    This bold move comes as no surprise, given Alico's struggles with citrus greening disease and harsh weather conditions. In January, the company revealed that its citrus production had plummeted by a staggering 73% over the past decade, rendering it economically unviable to continue investing in the sector after the 2025 harvest.

    As Florida's citrus industry continues its downward spiral – from a peak of over 832,000 acres at the turn of the century to just 275,000 last year – Alico is joining the ranks of other growers forced to abandon their groves. With 53,371 acres across eight counties and 48,700 acres of oil, gas, and mineral rights under its belt, the company is now charting a new course for growth.