Florida strawberry farmers face growing challenges with new development

It's no secret: Plant City is known for some of the most amazing strawberries in the country.

Recent studies have questioned whether that will change in the future with a changing climate. Ongoing conversations are circulating about farmers being able to grow strawberries in Plant City in the years to come.

Some farmers expressed they are considering buying additional land outside of Plant City, but their decision isn't focused on climate – but on development.

Kristen Hitchcock, who serves as the Chief Financial Officer for Parkesdale Farms, explained there's an overload of people moving to Central Florida. They're finding people building homes on vacant land, which leaves farmers with less land to grow on. That means farmers will need to find land elsewhere.

"At some point, we’re going to have to find other land somewhere," Hitchcock stated.

Some farmers are selling their available land to people moving to the area.

"A lot of the farmers going South are selling their land here to people who are willing to build homes on the property," Hitchcock said.

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