Editor’s note: The following profile is from the 2025 Packer 25, our annual tribute to 25 leaders, innovators and agents of change across the fresh produce supply chain. (You can view all honorees here.) This feature has been edited for length and clarity.
Steven Callaham — CEO, Dundee Citrus Growers Association
Steven Callaham has been a stalwart in the Florida citrus industry for nearly three decades. He’s served as the executive vice president and CEO of Dundee Citrus Growers Association for the last 22 years.
A University of Florida College of Agriculture graduate, he joined Dundee Citrus Growers in 1999, where he’s led one of the largest grower cooperatives in the state’s citrus industry through unprecedented challenges and innovation.
He serves as the chairman of the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association and president of Florida Classic Growers. He also serves on multiple industry boards and committees that focus on research, new variety development and grower sustainability.
What makes Florida citrus so special?
Florida citrus is unlike anything else in the world. Our state’s unique subtropical climate, with its warm temperatures, abundant sunshine, and plentiful rainfall, produces fruit with exceptional flavor and unrivaled juiciness. This distinctive taste profile has long set Florida citrus apart, making it a staple in produce departments and households across the country.
Dundee Citrus Growers has a long history in Florida agriculture. How do you balance tradition with innovation?
Reaching a century in business requires both resilience and foresight. At Dundee, we honor our cooperative roots and the trust of our grower-members while embracing bold, forward-looking innovations. Our board and management team are committed to staying ahead of the curve, from investing in groundbreaking production technologies to trialing high-value citrus crops that meet evolving market demands. This balance allows us to preserve our legacy while ensuring we remain leaders in shaping the future of Florida agriculture.
How is Dundee tackling some of the biggest challenges facing the Florida citrus industry?
We are addressing these challenges with both urgency and vision. By maintaining a strong financial position, we have the agility to invest strategically in solutions that strengthen our growers’ long-term sustainability.
This includes large-scale adoption of Citrus Under Protective Screen (CUPS) production, where we are trialing high-value citrus varieties, such as mandarins, limes and specialty fruits, that retailers are actively seeking additional volume and alternative supply solutions for. These efforts, combined with investments in disease-resistant rootstocks and advanced grove management practices, are enabling us to mitigate the impact of greening and rebuild confidence in Florida citrus.
What innovations are you most excited about?
Our most transformative initiative is Citrus Under Protective Screen (CUPS) technology. Dundee has been an early and large-scale adopter of this system, which protects citrus trees from greening disease while creating a controlled environment that enhances fruit quality and yield. Within CUPS, we are pioneering trials of high-value citrus crops that directly respond to unmet consumer demand, offering retailers and consumers the promise of reliable, premium-quality fruit. This innovation not only protects Florida citrus but also positions our growers at the forefront of the industry’s future.
With all the challenges facing the Florida citrus industry, how do you keep grower-members aligned and engaged when the industry is under pressure? How do you personally stay motivated?
Our grower-members remain engaged because we provide them with real opportunities to thrive, from access to cutting-edge production systems like CUPS, to cooperative marketing channels that maximize their returns. We back innovation with robust support services, ensuring our members are not only adopting new technologies but are also equipped to succeed with them.
For me personally, motivation comes from a deep passion for this industry and for Dundee’s role in shaping its future. Even in the most challenging times, we have an inspiring story of resilience and reinvention to share. Being part of writing that story fuels my drive every day.
What does the future hold for the Florida citrus industry?
The future of Florida citrus is not just bright; it is resurgent. Through innovations such as Citrus Under Protective Screen (CUPS), the introduction of disease-resistant trees, and advanced horticultural practices, Dundee is producing fruit with quality and consistency that surpasses anything we’ve seen before. Simply put, Dundee is back on the map with better quality than ever before.
Retailers are telling us what they need: reliable supply, consistent eating experience, and premium varieties that excite consumers. We are aligning our production directly with those demands, trialing high-value citrus crops that complement and strengthen retail citrus programs. By delivering fruit that meets today’s highest retail standards, we are not only restoring confidence in Florida citrus but creating opportunities for retailers to differentiate themselves with fresh, flavorful, Florida-grown fruit. Florida is well positioned to regain its strength as a citrus powerhouse.
The challenges are real, but so is the determination of our growers and industry leaders. Together, we are building a sustainable, market-driven future where Florida citrus once again stands as a cornerstone of produce departments and a trusted favorite of consumers worldwide.
What advice would you give to the next generation of agricultural leaders?
My advice is simple: embrace innovation, think creatively and surround yourself with smart and passionate people. Agriculture demands both vision and collaboration. The leaders who will make the biggest impact are those willing to take calculated risks, adopt new ideas, and empower others to succeed.
