"As a local homeowner with children I believe that any crop, not just citrus cultivation, should be careful not to destroy rare native plant species such as the patches of scrub that are the oldest kind of plant community unique to Florida.  But,  I do feel citrus cultivation is greatly needed to boost the economy in Florida as well as feed the necessary people in our nation.  So there needs to be a functional co-existence between the citrus industry that provides jobs, food and money to the environmentalists who protect native species.

My concern lies within the statement as I read this paragraph that "citrus experts seem determined to alter soils through drainage and the use of fertilizers and pesticides."  As a homeowner with children I want to know if this is true...and if it is what kind of fertilizers and pesticides are being used?   Have these fertilizers and pesticides been tested for side effects that can cause disease?  Are there any known diseases that can occur from these fertilizers and pesticides?  If there are I believe the public should be made aware of the possible health hazards and research efforts to find fertilizers and pesticides that are not hazardous to our health."