The application window for the Existing Tree Therapies program is now closed. Applicants will be contacted shortly regarding their status.

The CRAFT Existing Tree Therapies Program focuses on four primary therapies used on existing plantings, including giberellic acid, 2,4-D, brassinosteroids and the direct systemic application of approved antimicrobials such as oxytetracycline. Existing groves between 10 and 250 acres that will be treated with one or a combination of the aforementioned therapies will be eligible for application into the program. A control area of at least 10 untreated trees must be included in the application. This control may be contained within the treated block, or in an adjacent, similar block. Much like the original CRAFT new planting program, participants will be required to submit related production records and yield data to the CRAFT-USDA Data Portal as a part of the program. In exchange for their participation, growers will receive payments totaling $350 per acre over the course of their three-year agreement.   

CRAFT Existing Tree Therapies Rules for Participation

  • Proposed treated grove blocks must be at least 10 contiguous acres and maximum of 250 acres. For smaller growers, less than 10 acres will be considered on a case-by-case basis. All citrus production regions of Florida are eligible. Entities may have multiple approved projects but may not exceed 500 acres cumulative.
  • Projects must be completed on existing plantings.
  • Proposed treated grove blocks may not be currently enrolled in any other cycle of CRAFT.
  • Participants will develop plans to compare one or a series of eligible treatments to the grower standard (without therapeutic treatment) on each site approved. Adjacent paired blocks may be proposed to serve as grower standard. Grower standard (control) must be a minimum of 10 trees.
  • Test Factors for Grower Selection include but are not limited to:
    • Giberellic Acid
    • 2-4D
    • Brassinosteroid
    • Direct systemic injection of approved antimicrobials (oxytetracycline)
    • Other HLB therapies may be suggested by applicant and will be reviewed by the CRAFT Board of Directors for relevance prior to final selection of applications to be approved for the Program.
  • Grower must begin approved therapy/treatment no earlier than January 1, 2023 and no later than December 31, 2023.
  • Growers must provide prior three years’ historical production data including fruit yield and quality upon contract with CRAFT.
  • Annually, for a period of at least three years, growers are required to enter certain information related to treatment/therapy being used on the project.
  • Grower Participants will receive annual participation payments throughout the course of the three-year agreement in exchange for application of treatment and data entry.
Read the Full Rules for Participation