16 S G M A G A Z I N E | S P R I N G 2 0 1 8 Jones has also developed a secondary market for satsumas that includes the production of juices, jellies, and syrups. He explained that the fresh fruit market is where the bulk of the money is made; however, there are a lot of satsumas that don’t meet the visual standards. “We use what we call the ‘No.2’ satsumas for making the products like juice and jelly,” Jones said. “We are using our satsumas, as well as ones we get from other growers.” Jones said the No. 2 satsumas have the same taste but the coloring or size might not be as marketable. “We juice the fruit and freeze it, this way we can enjoy it all year,” Jones said. “We call it liquid fruit. It is pure juice.” Jones is an advocate for the citrus industry in North Florida and South Georgia. He currently serves on the board for both the Cold Hardy Citrus Association and the Georgia Citrus Association (GCA). Formed last year, the Cold Hardy Citrus Association was established to represent citrus growers in North Florida, Alabama, and South Georgia. “There are multiple citrus associations in Florida, most of them are regional,” he said, “but we felt that we need to have our own voice.” Moving Forward Lindy Savelle, president of the GCA, said the interest in Georgia’s citrus market has exploded in the past four years. The first GCA meeting took place in October 2016 with 27 members. The following year the number soared to more than 270 in attendance. The 2018 meeting, which was held in Tifton, had more than 300 growers, researchers, vendors, and industry experts. “It is developing into a viable commercial industry,” Savelle said. “I have received calls from the big players…Dole, Del Monte, and Seald Sweet. They are asking about grapefruit, lemons, and navels. It has reached a level far beyond satsumas.” Savelle, who co-owns 1 DOG Ventures, a citrus nursery in Mitchell County, said, one of the most significant issues facing Georgia’s citrus industry is supply and demand. “Typically growers have to wait 12 to 18 months after placing an order for satsuma trees,” said Savelle, who started 1 DOG Ventures with her brother, Clay Lamar, in 2016. “There are only a few nurseries in Georgia. We were one of the first, and then others have opened. We want to grow the best trees we can to meet the demand and protect the investment that growers have made in putting trees in the ground.” With three new cold-tolerant citrus varieties developed by Dr. Wayne Hanna, a professor in the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, commercial growers and homeowners now have the option of planting cold-hardy tangerines, lemons, and grapefruits. Savelle said 1 DOG Ventures is exclusively licensed to propagate and sell the UGA varieties. “We have a commercial grower in Mitchell County that is planting 2,800 of the UGA trees,” Savelle said. “These are people who believe in the UGA product and Dr. Hanna.” Though pleased with the excitement surrounding citrus in Georgia, Savelle said she is not surprised by the expanding interest. “It is something different that growers and homeowners want to try,” said Savelle, “and a day doesn’t go by that I don’t get a Dr. Wayne Hanna, professor in the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences recently developed three new cold-tolerant citrus trees.