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Florida Citrus Mutual Hires New Field Representative

LAKELAND, Fla. (August 8, 2007) – Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM) today announced the hiring of John P. Baxter as a field representative covering Southwest Florida including Sarasota, Manatee, Hardee, DeSoto, Charlotte, Lee, Collier and Hendry counties.

In addition to calling on FCM grower members, Baxter, 33, will also lead a regional membership campaign.

A Punta Gorda resident, Baxter has spent 12 years in the citrus industry from facility operations to grove management.

“John comes to us with a strong citrus background and we are delighted to have him on staff,” Rusty Wiygul, Director of FCM’s Grower Division.

Laurie Hurner, Assistant Director of Grower Affairs, who previously served the Southwest region, will begin covering Highlands, Okeechobee, Glades, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties.

Walt Boland will continue to cover the Polk, Pasco, Hernando, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties while Wiygul will continue cover the Northern Citrus Belt including Putnam, Volusia, Seminole, Brevard, Orange, Osceola, Lake, Sumter, Citrus and Marion counties.

Wiygul said the reorganization is designed to maximize the service FCM field representatives can bring to grower members. FCM staff is available to assist members with issues regarding production, labor, regulation and pests and disease, he said.

For information on how to join the statewide citrus organization please contact Wiygul at 352-266-2426.

Florida Citrus Mutual, founded in 1948 and based in Lakeland, is the state’s largest citrus growers organization with more than 8,000 grower members. The Florida citrus industry employs 90,000 and has a $9 billion economic impact. Please visit www.flcitrusmutual.com.

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