ABOUT BRITE LEAF CITRUS NURSERY

Brite Leaf Citrus Nursery is a seventh-generation family farm since the early
1900’s, farming sugarcane and corn for syrup and grits for local trade, in
addition to cattle and row crops. Today, Brite Leaf Nursery, owned by Nate
and Anna Jameson, now grows commercial, retail and wholesale citrus trees
in fully enclosed, insect proof greenhouses.

As their business has grown, 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. Transitioning
from overhead to drip irrigation, they have reduced water use from 24,000
gallons per day to less than 10,000 gallons per day at a 60% water savings.

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.

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 Sumpter 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, working alongside them learning
the family business. Their son William is currently a student at UF studying
Agricultural Operations Management.

It is very important to the Jameson family to manage inputs and outputs

precisely in order to minimize impacts on the environment. They are always
looking for new ways to enhance their BMPs and are considering collecting
rainwater from the greenhouse roofs for irrigation.

Florida Farm Bureau is honored to recognize Nate and Anna Jameson, of

Bright Leaf Citrus Nursery, with a 2019 Cares award for all of their BMPs
and environmental stewardship.