New Digital Exhibit – Remembering the Citrus Workers

            Last summer, I did a missionary internship on the Yakama Reservation in the state of Washington. Even though it wasn’t the main reason for going, I saw the faces of the people involved with producing the food I eat each and every day. I even got to do some of the work myself – shoveling, digging, planting, watering, weeding, picking – I experienced and learned what it takes to bring the food I take for granted to the supermarket shelves.  As a result, my eyes were opened to the very real world that exists behind the scenes in the food industry.

            This is why, when my supervisor gave me the opportunity to create a digital exhibit for the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame at Florida Southern College’s McKay Archives Center, I knew exactly what my topic would be – Remembering the Citrus Workers. I wanted to bring a very intentional spotlight to the many citrus workers that were never recognized for their dedication to the citrus industry. Whether they were men or women, African-American, Hispanic or Caucasian, young or old, they are part of the unique history involved in producing one of the most cherished products on the market. They deserve to be thanked for their contribution because, as I now know, I’m sure it was not easy.

            So, at last, please join me in Remembering the Citrus Workers. 

Written by Selys Rivera

Student Fellow at the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame

In partnership with Florida Southern College’s McKay Archives Center

New Collection at the Archives!

            It is so exciting to have a new collection donated here at the archives: the Anthony Whiting Collection of Florida Fruit Labels. There are forty-seven labels from all parts of Florida included and while most are duplicates of items we already have, these are in better condition. In addition, there are a few labels that are unique to this collection. Several of these new labels have already been scanned for inclusion in the digital Fruit and Vegetable Crate Label Collection. An example would be this Prairie Flower label:

            Overall, I have enjoyed processing the collection and going through the diligent artwork that went into making these crate labels. It’s a part of the Florida Citrus Industry history that should never be forgotten.

Written by Selys Rivera

Student Fellow at the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame

In partnership with Florida Southern College’s McKay Archives Center

The Search for New Florida Citrus Hall of Fame Inductees

How exciting! The Florida Citrus Hall of Fame is on the lookout for potential inductee nominations, with a scheduled inductee ceremony already in place for Friday, March 11, 2016 at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, cosponsored by Florida Citrus Mutual and the Florida Department of Citrus.

In case you are wondering who is eligible, the Hall of Fame looks for nominees who have made an impact to the Florida Citrus Industry in fields such as harvesting, packing, processing, marketing, scientific and/or educational areas. To see an example, you can visit the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame website to find information and videos on past inductees, such as last year’s inductees, Nicholas “Nick” D. Faryna, Sherwood J. “Buddy” Johnson, and John C. Updike, Sr.

If you have someone you think should be nominated, here is what you need to do:

Nomination forms can be found at the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame website and must be sent in no later than November 1^st, 2015. Any later submissions will be considered for the following year. All nominations need to include the following: a full summary of the nominee’s accomplishments, letters of support from industry members, and a photograph. Completed applications can either be emailed to Executive Director, Brenda Eubanks Burnette at bburne1003@aol.com or sent as hard copies to Florida Citrus Hall of Fame, 411 East Orange Street, Lakeland, FL 33801.

For more information, please contact either John Jackson at jackson71344@yahoo.com or Brenda Eubanks Burnette at (561) 351-4314 or bburne1003@aol.com.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Written by Selys Rivera

Student Fellow at the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame

In partnership with Florida Southern College’s McKay Archives Center

Florida’s Citrus Around the World

                A child sits down at the table, eager to eat breakfast before heading to school. Waiting for him, alongside a bowl of cereal and some fruit, is a glistening glass of Florida’s orange juice. One might assume that this means the child lives in Florida, maybe even somewhere else in America, but he could actually be in another nation thanks to the business relationship that Florida’s citrus industry has with other countries.

                Florida’s citrus has always been an integral part of the United States, but it has been important around the world too. People from other countries also enjoy having a glass of Florida orange juice for breakfast or a Florida grapefruit for a snack. The March, 1958 issue of Florida Southern College’s newspaper, The Southern, had an article titled, “Germany Vital to Florida,” which explains how important the business relationship between Florida’s citrus industry and other countries has always been.

                At the time, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland were the most important European countries to Florida’s citrus industry. Europe was in a time of recovery from the destruction of World War II, with several countries recuperating their agricultural centers. As a result, the long lasting commercial relationship that budded between America and Europe was beneficial for both ends. Germany gave Florida about “$60,000,000 worth of chemicals, structural steel, glass, cement and automobiles.” Austria gave “bicycles, nails and glassware.” Finally, Switzerland gave “watch movements, special chemicals and pharmaceuticals.” Consequently, these countries were able to receive Florida’s citrus in return.

                The commerce comradeship between Florida and these European countries was a crucial one for Florida’s citrus industry. Martin E. Hearn, a former Mutual’s export coordinator, explained that, “This matter of trade is strictly a two-way proposition…If Germany and Austria and Switzerland could not sell their wares to us we could not sell them our Florida orange and grapefruit juice.”

                Thanks to these kinds of business relationships, people can enjoy Florida’s citrus all over the world, no matter how far they are from Florida. It’s something to keep in mind if I ever travel to Europe and feel a little homesick at breakfast time!

Written by Selys Rivera

Student Fellow at the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame

In partnership with Florida Southern College’s McKay Archives Center

Sources:

“Germany Vital to Florida.” The Southern, March 1958.

Reflections on the 2015 Inductee Ceremony

                With a small smile on his face, Sherwood J. “Buddy” Johnson proudly accepted his plaque signifying his acceptance into the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame at their luncheon last Friday, March 6^th. Family, friends, and other citrus industry participants applauded, celebrating alongside him. It was a magnificent honor and Johnson made sure to let his audience know how grateful he was for it.

                Johnson was not the only one inducted. There were also Nicholas “Nick” D. Faryna and John C. Updike, Sr., who were inducted posthumously. Their children accepted their awards for them, glad to have others acknowledge the impact their fathers had on the citrus industry.

                It was a wonderful experience to take part with this celebration. Through videos about their lives and speeches made, it was amazing to see the involvement that these inductees had with the citrus industry. According to the 2015 Florida Citrus Hall of Fame Citrus Celebration program, Faryna experimented on ways to use water during a freeze to protect citrus crops, which ended up being implemented in many northern groves. Updike created the “dairy pack concept of frozen orange concentrate.”And Johnson was one of the first packers that moved into the computer age with his grading line. All three inductees clearly deserved recognition and it was wonderful to see them get it.

                It was also so sweet to see Faryna and Updike’s adult children go up to the microphone and speak warmly and nostalgically about their fathers. In addition, it was nice to see Johnson go up and personally thank everyone. I had no idea the diligence, time, and work that needed to be invested in the citrus industry to run groves, packinghouses, gift fruit businesses, and more. By the end of it all, I was glad to see these inductees commemorated for their contributions to the citrus industry.

                Before I attended the inductee ceremony, I never really understood what the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame was all about. According to the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame website, “The Florida Citrus Hall of Fame was established in 1962 to pay tribute to those who have made outstanding contributions to the Florida citrus industry.” I had read this description, but I did not understand it until I went to the inductee ceremony and saw the award accepted with immense gratitude. There are so many people involved in the citrus industry, having to constantly think of innovative ways to work through freezes, financial issues, and other obstacles. It is not an easy job, but those who fulfill it deserve to be commemorated.

                I am glad I was able to witness such a celebratory event. It inspired me to work diligently in my own life; perhaps someday I might have family members that are proud enough to want to share my accomplishments with the world. However, in order to have accomplishments worth celebrating, like these three inductees, I learnt there is one important action I need to take to heart: perseverance.

Written by Selys Rivera

Student Fellow at the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame

In partnership with Florida Southern College’s McKay Archives Center