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Citrus Research and Field Trial Foundation Inc (CRAFT)

Annual Giving
$100.0M
Grant Range
$0K - $0.0M
Decision Time
1mo
Success Rate
61%

Quick Stats

  • Annual Funding Available: $100+ million (Year 7 cycle)
  • Total Distributed Since 2019: $85+ million
  • Success Rate: 23-100% (varies by program; traditional planting programs ~100%, Existing Tree Therapies ~23%)
  • Decision Time: 3-6 weeks from application deadline
  • Grant Range: $35-40 per tree or $350 per acre (varies by program)
  • Geographic Focus: Florida statewide (all citrus-producing regions)

Contact Details

Website: https://craftfdn.org

Key Contacts:

Address: 600 N. Broadway Avenue, Suite 101, Bartow, FL 33813

Overview

The Citrus Research and Field Trial Foundation, Inc. (CRAFT) was established in 2019 as a Florida not-for-profit direct support organization to the Division of Plant Industry of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Recognized as a 509(a)(3) supporting organization under IRS section 501(c)(3), CRAFT coordinates and manages broad-scale field trial programs to determine the efficacy of various treatments for citrus greening (HLB). Since its founding, CRAFT has distributed over $85 million in grower payments, supporting the planting of nearly 10,000 acres of citrus trees (approximately 6,000 acres of solid-set groves and 4,000 acres of resets). With record-breaking legislative support of $104.5 million for its Year 7 cycle, CRAFT represents the largest sustained investment in applied citrus research in Florida, working to develop economically viable and sustainable citrus production practices in the presence of HLB and Asian citrus psyllid.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

CRAFT offers four primary programs with payment structures designed to incentivize grower participation in large-scale field trials:

Traditional New Plantings Program: $35 per tree

  • Payment to plant commercially available citrus tree varieties
  • Planting deadline by June 30, 2027
  • Six-year commitment to submit harvest data annually
  • Open to any rootstock/scion combinations

Fast-Track Nursery Stock Program: $40 per tree

  • Accelerated planting program for available nursery stock
  • Six-year commitment to submit harvest data annually
  • Higher payment rate than traditional plantings

Emerging Varieties Program: $40 per tree

  • Focused on selected unreleased or recently released citrus varieties from CRAFT eligible list
  • Eight-year commitment to submit harvest data annually (longest commitment period)
  • Targets innovative varieties showing promise against HLB

Existing Tree Therapies (ETT) Program: $350 per treated acre

  • Applies to groves with existing citrus trees
  • Approved treatments include oxytetracycline, brassinosteroids, 2,4-D, gibberellic acid, or approved Stage Two Grove First therapies
  • Three-year commitment to submit harvest data
  • Year 7 allocated over $8 million for ETT including waitlist

Application Method

  • Online portal applications only (rolling basis for active cycles)
  • Fixed application periods announced annually
  • Not first-come-first-served, but early application encouraged due to high demand

Priority Areas

CRAFT focuses on:

  • Combating citrus greening (HLB) and Asian citrus psyllid control
  • Large-scale field trials with data collection across diverse Florida growing conditions
  • Grove management practices and treatment efficacy testing
  • Disease-resistant and emerging varieties development
  • Post-planting care and grove design optimization
  • Economic viability and sustainability of Florida citrus production

Small Grower Priority

  • At least 60% of appropriated funds must be made available for "small" growers (defined as owning under 2,500 acres)
  • Program designed to be accessible to growers of all sizes

What They Don't Fund

  • Growers outside Florida's citrus-producing regions
  • Groves not enrolled in Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Best Management Practices (BMP) Program
  • Non-commercial citrus operations
  • Applications submitted outside official application periods
  • Non-approved treatments or varieties not on CRAFT eligible lists

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

The CRAFT Board consists of five Florida citrus growers, one Florida citrus nursery representative, and the Florida State Plant Health Inspection Service Director. Board members are appointed annually by the Florida Commissioner of Agriculture.

Current Board Members:

  • Tom Mitchell, Chairman
  • Phillip Rucks, Vice Chairman
  • Daniel Hunt, Treasurer
  • Glenn Beck, Board Member
  • Dr. Trevor Smith, Board Member
  • John Updike Jr., Board Member
  • Steven Hall, Corporate Secretary (Non-Voting), Executive Director

Leadership Insights

Executive Director Steven Hall has emphasized the program's accessibility: "At least 60% of the appropriated funds must be made available for 'small' growers owning under 2,500 acres." He encourages growers who decided against applying in the past to "take another look at the program rules, as they may be surprised at how accessible the program is to growers of all sizes."

Hall has also stressed the importance of timely response: "CRAFT urges growers to respond promptly to emails from CRAFT" to ensure smooth processing of applications and contracts.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Eligibility Requirements:

Application Method:

  • Applications accepted ONLY through online portal at craftfdn.org
  • No paper applications accepted
  • Application periods typically open in late summer/early fall (Year 7 deadline was October 3, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. EST)

Application Process Steps:

  1. Submit initial application through online portal during open application period
  2. Selected applicants meet with CRAFT team to create mutually agreeable experimental design
  3. Design presented to Technical Working Group for consideration
  4. Recommended applications forwarded to CRAFT Board of Directors for final approval
  5. Non-selected applications added to waitlist

Key Advice from Leadership: While not first-come-first-served, Executive Director Steven Hall advises: "Interest is very high, so growers should not delay if they are interested in applying... applications are coming in fast, and there could be a time where CRAFT is getting close to funding capacity." In the first 30 days of Year 7 applications, $30 million in applications were already received.

Decision Timeline

Review Process: 3-6 weeks following application deadline

  • Multi-stage review including technical evaluation and board approval
  • High volume of applications (2,000+ for Year 7) extends review time

Notification:

  • Email notification of acceptance/waitlist status
  • Accepted applicants receive prorated tree allocation or acreage approval
  • Must confirm project design within specified deadline (typically 10 days)
  • Participation agreements issued via email
  • Contracts for ETT program mailed via U.S. Postal Service in December

Year 7 Progress Example: CRAFT has issued more than $12 million in grower payments and completed more than 600 contracts in early stages of Year 7 cycle, demonstrating rapid processing once decisions are made.

Success Rates

Success rates vary significantly by program and cycle:

Traditional New Planting Programs (Cycles 1-2):

  • Cycle 1 (2019): 43 applications, all approved (~100% success rate)
  • Cycle 2 (2020): 50 applications approved

Existing Tree Therapies (ETT) Program:

  • Nearly 700 eligible applications received (representing 42,000+ acres)
  • 159 projects selected
  • Success Rate: Approximately 23%
  • Used lottery system due to high demand

Year 7 Overall:

  • Received over $207 million in eligible applications
  • Approximately $106 million available for funding
  • Processed 2,000+ applications

Success rates are significantly higher for traditional planting programs than for the highly competitive ETT program.

Reapplication Policy

CRAFT has an automatic waitlist rollover system:

  • Applications not selected for funding are added to a waitlist
  • Waitlisted applications automatically roll over to the next funding round
  • No additional action required from applicants on waitlist
  • As funding becomes available, contracts extended to waitlist applicants
  • Example: Year 7 ETT program included waitlist from 2024 application cycle

Previous CRAFT cycle participants are eligible and encouraged to apply for new cycles.

Application Success Factors

Program-Specific Insights

BMP Enrollment is Mandatory: All groves must be enrolled in the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Best Management Practices Program before application. This is a hard requirement and non-negotiable.

Data Submission Compliance is Critical: CRAFT emphasizes that "submittal of the third year's treatment and harvest data remains a contractual requirement for all ETT participants." Non-compliance can affect future eligibility. Data submission surveys are available on the CRAFT website data entry page, with specific surveys for each program round.

Accessibility for Small Growers: Executive Director Hall specifically encourages smaller operations: "At least 60% of the appropriated funds must be made available for 'small' growers owning under 2,500 acres." The program is designed to be accessible to all grower sizes, not just large commercial operations.

Responsiveness Matters: CRAFT emphasizes prompt response to communications. Hall states: "CRAFT urges growers to respond promptly to emails from CRAFT." Delayed responses can result in loss of allocation, as agreements must typically be signed and returned within 10 days or risk withdrawal.

Design Flexibility: Applicants work collaboratively with the CRAFT team to create mutually agreeable experimental designs, suggesting flexibility in project structuring to meet both grower needs and research objectives.

Early Application Encouraged: While not first-come-first-served, applying early is strategically wise. With Year 7 receiving $30 million in applications in the first 30 days and over $207 million total versus $106 million available, competition is intense.

What the Research Shows

CRAFT has planted nearly 10,000 acres of citrus trees since 2019, representing projects across 16+ Florida counties and diverse soil types and environmental micro-climates. This broad geographic distribution demonstrates that projects from all citrus-producing regions have been successful.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • BMP enrollment is non-negotiable: Ensure groves are enrolled in Florida DACS Best Management Practices Program before applying—this is a hard requirement
  • Apply early despite rolling basis: With $207 million in applications competing for $106 million in funding, early application positions you favorably even though it's not first-come-first-served
  • Success rates vary dramatically by program: Traditional planting programs historically have ~100% approval rates, while ETT program is only ~23%—consider this when selecting programs
  • Small growers have advantage: At least 60% of funds reserved for operations under 2,500 acres; don't assume the program is only for large commercial operations
  • Data commitment is serious: Multi-year harvest data submission is contractual and affects future eligibility—ensure capacity to comply before applying
  • Respond to CRAFT communications within 10 days: Delayed responses can result in loss of allocation; contracts require quick turnaround
  • Design collaboration is available: CRAFT works with applicants to create mutually agreeable experimental designs, suggesting room for project customization
  • Waitlist system is automatic: If not selected initially, applications automatically roll to next round without reapplication—maintaining your spot is passive

References

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