Conley’s Wraps Up Nearly 6-Acre Project

[November 11, 2014] — In 2013, Conley's was contracted to supply and build a brand new large state-of-the-art growing and processing facility for a world-leading Citrus Grower. This was not your average greenhouse project as the number one need of the facility was to be fully protected from a specific harmful citrus pest otherwise known as the Asian Citrus Psyllid.

Citrus Trees' Worst Enemy

The Asian citrus psyllid is a small insect that feeds on the leaves and stems of citrus trees. The insect is extremely dangerous because it can transmit a disease that is fatal for citrus. The deadly bacterial disease is called Huanglongbing (HLB), also known as citrus greening disease, and it has been found in Southern California, putting all citrus trees at risk. Once a tree is infected with HLB, there is no cure and the tree will die. The best way to prevent the disease from killing citrus trees is to stop the Asian citrus psyllid.

Demand for More Growing Space

Paramount Citrus’s history of growth and innovation has developed the company into the largest fresh citrus grower in the western United States. Lou Ghiz founded Paramount Citrus in 1950 with the objective of giving independent orange growers an opportunity to market the juice as well as the fruit outside of the Sunkist Cooperative. The orange juice was sold under the CAL FAME brand. In 1981, the company was bought by Stewart and Lynda Resnick of Roll Global (Fiji Water, JUSTIN Wines, Landmark Wines, POM Wonderful, Suterra, Teleflora, Wonderful Almonds, Wonderful Halos, Wonderful Pistachios). Stewart and Lynda remain the sole owners today, with Stewart as the CEO.

To date, Paramount Citrus grows citrus all over the world in 6 different locations. Their steady growth is in constant demand of more growing space, especially indoor growing space with the threat of the Asian Citrus Psyllid. Much to our pleasure, plans to build a brand new 6-acre state-of-the-art growing and processing facility included the help of Conley’s Manufacturing & Sales. We supplied and built a half-acre greenhouse range for Paramount Citrus back in 2008 and since that project went so well, Conley’s was hired again for the new facility. Conley’s has been specializing in fully screened-in greenhouses and USDA-approved and acclaimed positive pressure vestibules (plenums/air shower chambers) for many years now. Our expertise in the USDA’s strict Citrus Nursery Stock Protocol came in handy for this big job because the new large indoor facility needed to be completely sealed and protected, while remaining a fully functioning, successful greenhouse growing and processing operation.

Currently, Conley’s field crews are working on finishing touches of the large new facility, wrapping up a multiple bay add-on to the existing greenhouse range from 2008 and a few further additions to both. Conley’s is proud of the outcome and very grateful to have had the opportunity to work with such an outstanding and reputable company.