The 2017 Citrus Hall of Fame Inductees!

Hey Citrus Fans, for those of you who do not know, The Florida Citrus Hall of Fame inducted three new men. On March 10th, The Florida Citrus Hall of Fame inducted James H. “Jim” Ellis of Bartow, Florida, T. Ralph Robinson (deceased), and Michael W. Sparks of Apollo Beach, Florida. These three distinguished men all dedicated their lives to helping promote the citrus industry right here in the sunshine state, and the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame is honored to have these men join the ranks of the many others who have helped to advocate for the citrus industry.

Jim Ellis graduated from Florida Southern College, and while he was a student he was president of the Citrus Club and received the Florida Citrus Mutual Award due to his dedication to the field of citrus. Ellis is currently is in charge of the Citrus License & Bonds in the Division of Fruits & Vegetables for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

T. Ralph Robinson (1876-1967) graduated from Syracuse University and used to live in Syracuse, New York, but moved to Terra Ceia, Florida in 1910. During his life he was president of the Florida State Horticultural Society and he has a biography listed in “American Men of Science” and “Who’s Who.” He also published about 80 papers on horticultural subjects.

Mike Sparks has worked with the citrus industry for much of his life. For 29 years he worked with the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) in several capacities. For the past 10 years he has held the position of Executive Vice President and CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual in Lakeland, Florida (which happens to be the largest citrus grower trade association in the world) and has helped FCM to start incredible long-term appropriations for pest and disease research. Because of his efforts he has helped secure $125 million in mandatory Farm Bill funding that will benefit the citrus industry greatly.

These men have secured their place in citrus history through their unprecedented commitment to the Florida Citrus Industry. Thanks to their efforts, the Florida Citrus Industry will continue to grow and continue to forward research for advancements in this field of agriculture. From all of us here at the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame, we welcome Mr. Ellis, Mr. Robinson, and Mr. Sparks into the Citrus Hall of Fame family.

Written By: Emma Morton

Student Fellow at the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame

In partnership with Florida Southern College’s McKay Archives Center

Citrus Cosmetics!

Hey Citrus Fans!

It’s no secret that everyone wishes they had healthier, more radiant skin and with cooler temperatures on the horizon, it can often be hard to maintain it. But, did you know that citrus can be used to achieve that glow all year round? Citrus fruits have been known to soften skin, and bring out that youthful glow that everyone is searching for due to the high levels of citric acid the fruit contains.

The acid, which is known to kill bacteria, is often found in high-end cosmetics -- with a hefty price tag attached. But it turns out that you can make many of your own citrus infused lotions and cosmetics at home for a fraction of the cost! A few tips for achieving that perfect oh-so-natural look include: cutting a lemon in half and placing chapped or rough elbows or fingers directly into the fruit for five to ten minutes a day to soften the skin and keep the damage from returning. Another useful tip (that I personally have tried and liked) is to soak a cotton ball with lemon juice twice a day and apply the cotton-ball anywhere that you may have discoloration in the skin due to age or sun exposure. In about six weeks, you will likely see that the spots have faded or are completely gone.

Citrus is not just for skin care, though. The properties that make it so useful on the skin also make it very effective in your hair. Grapefruit is particularly good for your hair. If you would like to try and jump on the citrus-cosmetic bandwagon, might I suggest this cheap alternative to styling gel (which can have many harsh chemicals and dyes) which can be found Mother Earth Living.

Everyone knows that citrus fruits are good for their insides, but not everyone knows how amazing they can be for their outsides. If you decide to give citrus cosmetics a try, send us a message about how well they worked for you (or recipes you liked) in the comments section, or on our Facebook Page (The Citrus Hall of Fame).

Thank you!

Works Cited

Publications, Inc. Ogden. "Body & Soul: Pink Grapefruit Styling Gel for Extra Body - Heal - Herb Companion." Mother Earth Living. N.p., 27 June 2012. Web. 07 Nov. 2016.

Written by Emma Morton

Student Fellow at the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame

In partnership with Florida Southern College’s McKay Archives Center