Agriculture and its related industries play a critical role not only in Polk County, but also in the nation. Polk is the top citrus county in the United States and ranks second among Florida's counties in market value of agricultural products sold. Agriculture utilizes 43% of Polk County's total land area. Polk's agriculture and its related industries support 8,500 employees accounting for an annual payroll of well over $154.3 million. Citrus is the most important crop in terms of employment, dollar return to the grower and impact on the general economy. In the 1997-98 growing season, Polk produced 40 million boxes of fruit. Citrus accounts for $2 billion of Polk's $9 billion annual economy. Greenhouse and nursery products are second in importance, accounting for $51 million in personal income during the same period. Beef Cattle breeding herds graze more than half a million acres in Polk County. Beef animals convert grass and other forage, having no value as a human food, into nutritious protein, mineral & vitamin rich beef. The beef industry was responsible for $45 million in personal income in Polk County in 1993. Minerals produced in Polk County in order of value are phosphate rock, stone (crushed ), sand/gravel, and peat. Florida produces 75% of the nation's and one-fourth of the world's supply of phosphate, with the majority coming from the Polk County area. Phosphate is one of the three vital ingredients in all commercial fertilizer. Ninety percent of the phosphate mined is used to make fertilizer, 5% to make animal feed supplements, and the remainder is used in a variety of consumer products, such as vitamins, soft drinks, toothpaste, light bulbs, film, etc. Many of the area's manufacturing and service industries exist because of the multi-billion dollar phosphate industry. Phosphate is Florida's largest export. The industry owns or has mineral rights to 530,253 acres of Florida land. Reclaimed Phosphate Land is a newly emerging agricultural resource for Polk County. More than 150,000 acres have been mined. About half of the mined land is clay settling areas. Unlike most soils in peninsular Florida, clay soils are highly fertile and have good water holding ability. A substantial research investment is being made to develop the agricultural potential of clay soils. Promising areas include alfalfa for hay and crops for conversion into biofuels. Mined land has been successfully reclaimed for residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, and recreational purposes. Forest Resources...Polk County has 270,000 acres of commercial forest land. In addition to providing much needed forest products, forestland is also used for cattle grazing, wildlife habitat, recreation and plays an important role in conserving our water resources. Fuel Oil...All major oil companies sell fuel oil. Two companies have distributorships. L.P. Gas ...Six firms distribute L.P. gas. In aggregate, these firms have a storage capacity of 362,000 gallons. Natural Gas is provided by Central Florida Gas Company. Coal is not normally used by industry in this area. It may be purchased in Tampa, 39 miles west.

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