ABOUT BRITE LEAF CITRUS NURSERY
Brite Leaf Citrus Nursery is a seventh-generation family farm, producing sugarcane and corn for syrup and grits for local trade, in addition to cattle and row crops since the early 1900’s. Today, Brite Leaf Nursery, owned by Nate and Anna Jameson, now grows commercial, retail and wholesale citrus trees in fully enclosed, insect proof greenhouses.
Best Management Practices (BMPs) have been implemented to manage water and fertilizer use and protect local water quality as well as the bordering Wildlife Management Area. Some of the most effective BMPs implemented include transitioning from overhead to drip irrigation, they have reduced reducing water use from 24,000 gallons per day to less than 10,000 gallons per day, at a 60% water savings.
It has been important to the Jameson family to always manage inputs and outputs precisely in order to minimize impacts on the environment. They are always looking for new ways to advance their BMP program and are considering collecting the water from the roofs of greenhouses during rain events for irrigation. Through their BMPs, the Jameson’s are able to include leaf and water sampling to analyze the nutrition of plants and uptake of nutrients.
They utilize coconut fiber, a sustainable by-product of the coconut oil industry as their potting media because it is more sanitary and works well with the liquid fertigation system. Outside of the greenhouses, pine trees have been planted as windbreaks and provide natural habitats for local wildlife. They are even considering collecting rainwater from the greenhouse roofs for irrigation to enhance their BMP program.
When they aren’t running the family business, the Jameson’s are active in leadership and community programs. Anna serves as Vice-President of Sumter County Farm Bureau where she coordinates the Youth Speech Contest and the Sumter County Farm City Week event held in the Villages where residents are educated about local agriculture. Anna is also a member of the Florida Farm Bureau Citrus Advisory Committee and Sumter County Ag Alliance. She loves being involved in FFA Alumni as well.
Nate serves as Vice-President of the International Society of Citrus Nurseryman and on the executive committee of FNGLA’s Citrus Nursery Division. He has been active in Farm Bureau serving as a past member of the Water and Natural Resources Advisory Committee and board member in Polk County. Nate and Anna began their Farm Bureau involvement in the Young Farmers and Ranchers program. Their oldest son Nathan is a recent graduate of the University of Florida College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, who now works alongside them learning the family business. Their son William is currently a student at UF studying Agricultural Operations Management.
Florida Farm Bureau is honored to present Nate and Anna Jameson, of Bright Leaf Citrus Nursery, with a 2019 CARES designation and sign for their continued efforts to protect our precious natural resources.
