Enhancing U.S. Citrus Nursery Sustainability

A Collaborative Initiative Funded by USDA APHIS

Overview

Awarded through USDA APHIS’s Plant Pest & Disease Management & Discovery Program, this UCR-led project is dedicated to strengthening the U.S. citrus nursery industry. By fostering collaboration among growers, researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders, we aim to streamline best practices and drive sustainable innovation across states—from California to Florida, Texas, and beyond.

Go to the NCNA Website

The Challenge

Citrus nurseries face a rapidly changing landscape, driven by new regulatory policies, evolving market demands, and the urgent need to adopt sustainable production methods. In response to challenges such as disease prevention (including the threat of Huanglongbing) and the shift toward fully enclosed indoor production systems, nurseries must realign their practices to ensure the availability of clean, disease-free citrus propagative material.

Our Approach

We are creating a dynamic, interactive web platform to serve as a centralized hub for:

Stakeholder Alignment:

We are leveraging the established associations across six states and the newly launched National Citrus Nursery Association (NCNA) to create a robust platform for networking and dialogue. This initiative will bridge communication gaps, dispel misinformation, and promote a unified industry voice.

Interactive Web Platform:

A state-of-the-art digital portal, integrated with the upcoming NCNA website (NationalCitrusNursery.com), will serve as a central hub. This platform will offer discussion forums, resource libraries, event updates, and interactive tools to foster continuous engagement among stakeholders.

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Engagement & Outreach:

A blend of in-person events and virtual outreach—through webinars, roundtable sessions, surveys, and interactive virtual boards—will be used to ensure active participation. We anticipate engaging over 200 industry stakeholders nationwide, enhancing collaboration, and driving best practices.

Advocacy & Education:

By promoting targeted education and streamlined information dissemination, the project will support the development of sustainable practices and advocate for sound federal regulations that protect and advance the citrus nursery industry.

Impact

This project is poised to transform the U.S. citrus nursery landscape by:

Enhancing Communication: Establishing a unified platform where growers, researchers, and regulators can share insights and coordinate efforts.
Boost Awareness: Increase stakeholder participation and public support for APHIS’s critical plant pest and disease eradication initiatives.
Driving Sustainability: Encouraging the adoption of innovative, sustainable production methods that reduce costs, prevent disease spread, and boost nursery efficiency.
Fostering National Collaboration: Creating a dynamic network that brings together industry stakeholders from across the nation, ensuring that emerging challenges are met with a coordinated response.

Why It Matters

With active participation from over 100 industry stakeholders and the support of established associations across six states, our initiative is poised to redefine industry standards and enhance U.S. citrus nursery sustainability.

By fostering stakeholder alignment and promoting best practices, this project not only supports the economic stability of hundreds of nurseries but also enhances our nation’s ability to deliver high-quality, disease-free citrus propagative material to growers and consumers alike.

Join the Movement

Explore our interactive web platform, join our webinars and roundtable discussions, and be part of a collaborative effort that is shaping the future of the citrus nursery industry. Together, we can ensure that our nation’s citrus legacy thrives—sustainably and resiliently.

For more information or to get involved, contact Deborah Pagliaccia at deborahp@ucr.edu or visit our project page:

Go to the NCNA Website