Jim Snively, vice president of grove operations at Southern Gardens in Trenton has been honoured by Florida Grower magazine as the Citrus Achievement Award winner for 2008.

The award was presented to Snively at Florida Citrus Mutual's Citrus Industry Conference held from June 6-8 at Bonita Springs.

The award, sponsored by Chemtura, recognises the most influential and innovative citrus growers in the industry. Judges said Snively won the prestigious award based on his leadership and dedication to the marketing and advancement of the state’s largest commodity. He has a proactive approach to the future and believes that, despite being plagued with problems such as canker and greening, the future of Florida citrus looks bright. He and his team were ready in 2005 when they were confirmed to be the second grove attacked by greening in Florida. He was immediately on the phone with friends in Brazilwho had delt with greening before, and Snively was planning a counter attack. Judges were impressed that since the outbreak Snively has worked tirelessly and unselfishly, doing more than his part to protect the Southern Gardens grove and the entire Florida Citrus industry. “Even if I had zero greening in my groves today, I would be doing what I am doing right now,” Snively said, “because at the very least the infection source would be less.”

Topics