Naples nonprofit formed to help small citrus growers

A new organization has formed in Naples aimed at preserving the state’s citrus industry by providing grants to small growers.

The nonprofit is the Save Florida Citrus Groves Foundation and its goal is to help smaller growers with funding that will “bring abandoned citrus groves back to life and safeguard vital agricultural land from commercial and residential development.”

Adrian Bryce, the foundation’s president and founder, says the hope at this time is to issue grants ranging from $500 to $10,0000. How much will be doled out to growers will depend on donations and the scope of what the grant will be used for, he says.