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Metro Orlando features an ideal climate, quality soil and native
plants—all key necessities for the pioneering efforts of
agritech businesses. The region has attracted a range of
progressive agritech businesses with expertise in tissue culture,
carbon dioxide extraction, bulk extraction, controlled greenhouse
environments and plant cloning. As the agritech cluster continues
to strengthen, businesses will have ready access to skilled labor,
support resources and information sharing.
A variety of important research and development activities are
occurring within the region, which also provides critical
infrastructure to help advance the groundbreaking strides being
made in the agritech industry:
- Eustis Commerce Park: 90-acre commerce park that
targets technology-based agricultural businesses and complementary
industry. Features wildlife preserve setting; modern infrastructure
ideally suited for heavy water use; up to 15,000 square feet of
zero degree freezer space and available spec building space. Anchor
tenants are national leaders in the agritech field.
- Eustis Fisheries Research Lab: Part of the
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and one of the
country’s largest freshwater research facilities; studies
fish-related life histories, ecology, population dynamics and
culture technology to help enhance the state’s aquatic resources
and sustain its $1.4 billion freshwater sport fishing industry. The
Lab is currently investigating potential diseases and contaminants
affecting largemouth bass to determine potential threats to this
important sport fishery.
- Proposed Research Park: A research park dedicated to
agritechnology is under consideration and would further enhance
clustering activity already occurring across the region.
- Scripps Research Institute: One of the top non-profit
biomed research organizations in the world is creating a research
center in Florida, which will bring more industry resources,
critical mass and attention to the area.
Florida is one of three states in the U.S. recognized as a major
contender in the emerging agritech industry. Additionally, Florida
dominates production of tropical foliage with approximately 90
percent of United States sales. The state’s agricultural and
natural resources industries, which comprise agritech-related
sectors, generate $35 billion in net sales and employ more than
336,000 people
Some of the country’s leading innovators in agritech are
headquartered in Metro Orlando, including:
- AG 3, Inc.: working on cloning hard-to-grow plants
- Florida Food Products Inc.: extracting liquid from vegetables
for use in food colors, flavors and nutraceuticals
- Valensa International (formerly U.S. Nutra LLC): using plants
in vitamin supplements
For more information on some of Metro Orlando's leading advanced
manufacturing companies, please visit their websites by clicking on
the links below, or, visit Company
Profiles to read brief synopses of each company.
AG
3
Cherry Lake
Tree Farm
Florida Food
Products Inc.
Holloway
Irrigation Systems
Senninger Irrigation, Inc.
Valensa
International (formerly U.S. Nutra LLC)
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