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WPEC-TV CBS12 News :: News - Treasure Coast News - Gov. Scott 'gets to work' in Indian River County citrus groves

Gov. Scott 'gets to work' in Indian River County citrus groves

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, Fla. -- The citrus industry, plagued by disease and hard freezes, is still one of the largest employers in the state. Today Governor Rick Scott learns more about the industry by getting to work firsthand on the line.

From the groves to the packing house, the governor today focusing on the $9 billion citrus industry. In season, Valencia oranges. Hand-picked by Governor Rick Scott in Fellsmere. Getting a hands-on education on how the citrus industry making a comeback. It's an industry nearly decimated by disease and weather in the last decade.

"With all the diseases, last year, the year before, we had light freezes that hurt us a little bit. Citrus business is tough," said Mike Heath, IMG Citrus.

RAW NEWS: Watch Governor Scott's full interview with CBS 12.

A tough business at IMG Citrus in Indian River County. First, citrus canker destroyed entire groves. Then, the disease called "greening."

"They have issues. They have greening, they have other citrus issues, but they are out working hard to market themselves," said Gov. Scott.

Onto the front line, the governor learns to sort the fruit. Then all citrus is sprayed down with chemicals to give it that super orange appeal.

"I am learning a lot about the industry and some of the issues they deal with and hopefully I can have an impact on solving some of them," said Gov. Scott.

Citrus may face more threats in the future.

"Seems like every time we turn around there's something else, but we've been here for a long time, and we'll probably be here for a long time," said Heath.

But the Governor now may better understand what's at stake after today, hundreds of thousands of jobs. Gov. Scott says this isn't about a campaign, he says this is about doing his job and making sure people get back to work in the state of Florida. Gov. Scott 'gets to work' in Indian River County citrus groves

Wednesday, May 2 2012, 09:19 PM EDT

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