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Year 2 PPA 7721 Award: Building a Stronger Citrus Nursery Community

Updated: Sep 25

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Project: Enhancing U.S. Citrus Nursery Sustainability: Collaborative Stakeholder Alignment & Engagement


Lead: UC Riverside’s Deborah Pagliaccia (in collaboration with NCNA leaders and state partners)



Project Overview


USDA’s PPA 7721 program has renewed funding for Year 2 of “Enhancing U.S. Citrus Nursery Sustainability: Collaborative Stakeholder Alignment & Engagement,” led by UC Riverside’s Dr. Deborah Pagliaccia in partnership with the National Citrus Nursery Association (NCNA) and state partners. The project continues to address challenges such as HLB, evolving regulations and market pressures by fostering stakeholder alignment, dispelling misinformation and promoting sustainable production practices.




Objectives and Scope


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The Year 2 plan focuses on five core objectives: (1) further develop and refine the NCNA web platform; (2) strengthen NCNA’s leadership and national engagement focusing on Texas; (3) increase stakeholder participation and responsiveness to regulatory and market changes; (4) enhance public and industry support for USDA‑APHIS plant pest and disease management initiatives; and (5) ensure broad stakeholder involvement across Texas, California, Florida, Arizona, Louisiana, Georgia and Hawaii. These objectives build on Year 1 successes and aim to create a unified, informed citrus nursery community.



Approach and Activities


The project employs a multi‑faceted approach that combines information technology, structured stakeholder engagement, and targeted education. Enhancements to the interactive NCNA portal will include improved information sharing, virtual conferencing, transcription tools, and surveys. The stakeholder‑engagement strategy calls for a steering board, roundtables, and panel discussions—both in‑person and virtual—focused on regional and national nursery challenges. Educational initiatives include workshops, state‑specific guide,s and regular updates on federal regulations, all housed on the NCNA website.



Key Year‑2 Milestones


  • Cultivate Roundtable – July 12, 2025 (Columbus, OH): A policy‑and‑practice forum connecting nursery leaders, regulators and researchers.

  • Field Tour & Conference — In Person and/or virtual event - Date TBD (Texas or DC area). A three‑day event featuring a reception, field trip (including the Becnel nursery in Orange, TX) and a half‑day conference near Houston. An A/V crew will record sessions for remote participants.

  • Ongoing virtual panels and webinars: At least one panel will coincide with the annual Cultivate event; others will address regional concerns and feature experts from across the country.



Deliverables and Measurement 

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By June 2026, stakeholders can expect an expanded NCNA website with recorded talks, transcripts, best‑practice guidelines, and FAQs. At least four structured engagement events will accelerate the adoption of clean‑plant protocols and regulatory alignment. Impact metrics, including NCNA membership growth, event participation, website analytics, and user feedback, will guide continuous improvement.


Benefits to the Industry

Year 2 aims to deliver a science‑based response to HLB pressures, compliance challenges and misinformation by elevating clean‑plant standards, strengthening APHIS‑aligned practices and supporting resilient, compliant nursery operations nationwide. Growers benefit from a stronger educational network; academics gain a platform for research collaboration; and regulators see a unified industry voice advocating for pragmatic policies and clear protocols

Get involved


  • Join NCNA to access resources and shape priorities.

  • Attend the virtual and in-person events. 

  • Share your needs so the Steering Board can target content and policy dialogues where they matter.


 
 
 

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