Florida has a long-standing tradition of citrus judging contests, and it’s no surprise given the state’s deep-rooted connection to the industry. While these contests highlight the state’s agricultural expertise, Highlands County 4-H has taken things a step further with a hands-on project that not only educates youth about citrus cultivation but also provides them with real-world agricultural experience. This unique program allows kids to nurture their own citrus trees, track their growth, and ultimately sell them at auction, all while gaining valuable insight into an industry facing increasing challenges.
At the heart of this initiative is Alexis Cooper, who has been with Highlands County 4-H for over a decade. As the administrator of the citrus program, originally founded by Tim Hurner, a member of the Citrus Hall of Fame, Cooper now oversees the project that has grown significantly from its origins in the late 1990s.
Originally a community-driven endeavor, it transitioned into an official 4-H club to ensure participants were covered under the organization’s insurance. Despite this structural shift, the program remains open to anyone interested in citrus cultivation, including those without prior 4-H or FFA affiliation.
Participants in the project receive a citrus tree kit containing a young tree, a pot, soil, and a Tree Defender — a protective cover designed to safeguard young trees from the psyllid bug, which spreads the devastating citrus greening disease.
“The kids will buy a citrus tree kit. A kit will include a pot, your actual tree, your little tree, the soil, and then something called a Tree Defender,” Cooper explained. “If you’re around orange groves and you drive past them and you see these white, like, tent things over the citrus tree, we get them from Tree Defender, but of course there’s a bunch of knockoff brands. Tree Defender is basically the one that pretty much started that. It was created by farmers for farmers.”
Highlands County 4-H adopted the use of Tree Defenders about five years ago, and since then, the program has worked remarkably to prevent greening among its trees. Prior to this, the program used amitocloprid sprays, a pesticide that still left some trees vulnerable to infection. The success of the Tree Defender system has been remarkable, Cooper said.
“With those tree defenders, we have since had a 100 percent success rate, which is great because, the greening disease is what is taking these groves over,” he said
Throughout the 10-month project, 4-H members attend meetings focused on various aspects of citrus care, from pest management to growth optimization. They meticulously track their tree’s progress in a record book, documenting every watering, pruning session, and fertilizer application. The project also includes an educational component requiring participants to either deliver an illustrated talk or create a display board on a citrus-related topic. Past projects have ranged from analyzing the impact of hurricanes on citrus crops to culinary experiments using citrus fruits.
A key feature of the program is its silent and live auctions, where participants have the opportunity to sell their trees. Those who cultivate the top trees — determined by a panel of experienced citrus growers — see their work auctioned live, often fetching impressive bids.
“This past year, we had the Grand Champion tree sell for $2,600, and the Reserve Grand Champion sold for $2,900, which is so much more than it’s ever been, so I’m very happy about that,” Cooper noted. “I think the year prior there was, like, just over, like, $1,400 or something like that, but this year, I don’t know, the supporters are great for this program because it’s, you know, the youth that are learning about the citrus industry trying to keep it alive.”
Even at the base level, every tree sells for a minimum of $50, with additional incentives ensuring that each participant earns at least $200 for their efforts.
“Every tree will sell — $50 is how much the minimum bid is, but obviously, you can go there and bid $100, $200, what have you, you can bid anything you want to on the tree as long as it’s a minimum of $50,” he added.
Judging criteria for the competition focus on tree health and structure. Judges evaluate factors such as branch formation, foliage density, and overall growth balance.
“First, we have the trunk of the branches — so they’re well-formed and sturdy. Is the branching plentiful? Is it uniform? Then, we talk about the foliage itself. Is it nice and dense? The color? Is the leaf shape and size correct?,” Cooper explained
The process is designed to be fair and ensure that each tree is evaluated on its own merit rather than in direct competition with others.
“We don’t judge kids against each other,” Cooper emphasized. “They are all judged based on their own merit.”
Florida’s citrus industry has faced mounting challenges over the years, with citrus greening continuing to take its toll. While the future of large-scale citrus farming remains uncertain, programs like Highlands County 4-H’s citrus project keep the industry’s legacy alive by fostering an appreciation for agriculture among younger generations.
Though few participants go on to pursue careers in citrus, the skills they develop — patience, responsibility, and business acumen — are transferable to various fields. In a region where livestock tends to dominate 4-H and FFA programs, this citrus project offers an alternative entry point for youth who may not be ready for the commitment of raising animals.
“Our county is huge on livestock — like, huge. But a lot of times, kids just aren’t confident or aren’t ready yet for the whole show world of stuff.” Cooper said. “Sometimes they haven’t got to that point yet. They still want to try to earn money, but they’re just not ready for livestock animals yet, so they start with citrus.”
With strong support from local citrus growers and sponsors, Highlands County 4-H continues to expand its reach, offering a hands-on learning experience that bridges tradition and innovation. As registration opens for the next cycle, the program will continue to offer a look into Florida’s citrus heritage and the young minds eager to nurture it.
Heidi Crnkovic, is the Associate Editor for AGDAILY. She is a New Mexico native with deep-seated roots in the Southwest and a passion for all things agriculture.
