|
Apopka's industrial claims are largely
agricultural but that continues to change as time goes along.
The early Timucauans were an agricultural people who, without
any tools of metal, grew two crops a year and built
storehouses for their grain. The first white settlers
continued tilling the soil, and, with the advent of the railway,
were shipping carloads of oranges as well as two thousand
crates of vegetables a day from the area. This was in 1885.
|
 |
|
Until this year, Zellwood farmers have
had thousands of acres of muck land under cultivation, and
many crates of vegetables, especially corn and carrots, were
shipped to northern markets each day. Corn, the dominant
crop alone, was a multi-million dollar business. These muck
lands, formed by diking Lake Apopka during World War II food
shortages, were so fertile that several crops were rotated
each year on the same land. Because of the popularity of the
corn grown on the muck lands, the Zellwood Sweet Corn
Festival, held in May each year, has now become an annual
affair, drawing thousands to enjoy the sweetest sweet corn in
the nation.
However, the state buyout of the muck
farms has changed all that and precious few crops will be
found in that area in the future. The state is trying to clean
up Lake Apopka and this is part of the solution, they say. The
economic effects on the area are to be determined, but many
farm workers are out of jobs and many have little training for
other jobs. Many, both inside and outside government (including the chamber of commerce), are trying to help these
displaced farm workers.
The growing of indoor foliage accounts
for a large portion of Apopka's economy. According to figures
from the USDA Statistical Service, Florida grows more foliage
plants than all other states where foliage data is available,
and Apopka-area growers account for three-fourths of the
smaller size foliage grown in the state. Foliage in the Apopka
area represents an industry valued in the millions of dollars.
The area, in addition to the foliage, grows cut flowers,
blooming plants, roses and bulbs. This industry is growing by
leaps and bounds with nationwide distribution and a
fast-developing Canadian and European market. A significant
amount of all foliage grown in the world is grown in
Apopka.
The Apopka Art & Foliage Festival,
held each year on the fourth weekend in April, is sponsored by the
Apopka Woman's Club, and hosted at our city's Kit Land Nelson Park. It attracts artists and
craftsmen from all over the nation. Also included are foliage
displays and bus tours of area nurseries.
|
