Callie Walker, FDACS Chief Bureau of Pest Eradication and Control and Danielle Sprague, UF/IFAS Jefferson County

The Citrus Health Response Program, “CHRP,” is pleased to announce the opening of a new office at the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center in Quincy. This new office will provide services to the expanding citrus industry in North Florida.

The Citrus Health Response Program was established in 2007 as a cooperative program of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) with contributions and support from industry and other stakeholders. It is administered by the Division of Plant Industry (DPI), Bureau of Pest Eradication and Control (PE&C) whose mission is to detect and defend the industry from pests and diseases of citrus and to support management practices to help maintain viability for Florida’s citrus.

Citrus Health Response Program Offices are located throughout the state.  There are five CHRP offices statewide (Avon Park, Vero Beach, Immokalee, Winter Haven and Quincy) that provide services throughout the citrus-producing areas including surveys for Citrus Black Spot, Preharvest (for fresh fruit shipment), Grower Request, Nursery Environs (survey one-half mile around commercial citrus nurseries), Multiple Pest Survey for signs of Huanglongbing (HLB or greening), the Asian citrus psyllid(vector of HLB), citrus canker, and other diseases and pests that threaten Florida’s multi-billion dollar citrus industry.

The CHRP office located in Quincy will provide services including surveys, sampling as indicated or requested with follow up diagnostic services through the DPI laboratory, regulatory oversight as required by the state including the issuance of compliance agreements to growers/caretakers, harvesters/haulers, and processors, permits for certified citrus waste dumpsites, and various other inspections. CHRP offices also provide assistance and support to growers as well as participate in meetings and distribute information as public outreach in each of their respective areas, answering questions and seeking input from the grower communities to best serve their needs.

Ethan Andrews is the supervisor of the Citrus Health Response Office located in Quincy. Ethan received his Bachelor’s degree from South Florida State College. He began his career with FDACS in 2016 as a citrus grove surveyor. While in that role, Ethan inspected commercial citrus groves for various diseases that threaten the industry. After a year in the field, he was promoted to Senior Clerk data entry position in the office. In that position, Ethan created monthly data reports of all scouting survey data, created maps for grove blocks in GIS mapping system, and worked with growers on compliance agreements. Ethan is excited and looking forward to being a part of the growing citrus industry in North Florida.

If you have any questions or want further information, please contact Ethan Andrews at 850-508-6830 or Callie Walker at 863-271-3766.

Danielle S. Williams
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