Citrus Grove Caretaking - Kahn Citrus Management

Caretaking

We use a long-term approach in our caretaking services. We recognize a grove represents a substantial investment to the owners and the objective is to maximize the return on their investment. This is achieved by focusing on what is best for the grove over a long-term period.

At KCM we design and utilize a Strategic Plan for the grove. This utilizes the collective knowledge of management regarding the future productivity of the grove, while taking into consideration changes in the industry. This type of strategic planning requires the input and consent of the owner of the grove.

Customized expense budgets are prepared at the beginning of each grove year for all groves. This budget is submitted to the owner for his/her approval and is the Production Manager's yearly guide for managing and caring for the grove.

The data for this budgetary process is primarily from three sources: the Strategic Plan, experience from the prior year, and information gathered from our automated grove inspection report. The latter item represents technology designed by KCM to facilitate timely grove care. The reports are accumulated in our "Grove Management/History Database" and allows us to have instant access to detailed inspection information.

Our caretaking is a complete service. This includes fertilizing, herbiciding, spraying, tree removal, reset planting, irrigation, hedging and topping (etc.). Also, we repair and maintain the irrigation system and provide maintenance to a customer's equipment (pump house, wells, etc.).

In addition to these "end-to-end" services, we also are available to assist the owner with the following:

Obtaining water-use permits
Gathering and reporting information required by water-use permits
Supplying tree count information for tax assessments
Tracking chemical usage as required by the Regulatory Agencies
Assisting in obtaining specialized insurance (liability, crop, tree, etc.)
Complying with Governmental policies and procedures to control diseases such as Canker

A newly developed technology for the citrus industry is Variable Rate Technology (VRT). Through the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) soil maps, multiple soil types may be detected within a grove. KCM has the knowledge and capability to implement this technology when the situation warrants it.

In performing all of these tasks, we recognize the need to have regular communication with the owner during the year.

As mentioned above, we are available to assist the Grove Owner with complying with policies to help control diseases, such as canker. Following these policies, we require:

Canker wash in every company vehicle and with all equipment
Autos, as well as equipment must be sprayed upon both entering and exiting groves.
Picking crews and equipment must be sprayed before entering the grove



Kahn Grove Service Company assigned it citrus caretaking, management and harvesting operations to its wholly owned subsidiary, Kahn Citrus Management, LLC, effective October 1, 2009.