About Us
About Us
In 1880 James Shelfer moved his family to Florida, settling in Joshua Creek near Arcadia. He planted his first orange tree soon thereafter and the rest is history. A little over one hundred years later we established Joshua Citrus, Inc. and began shipping the fresh Florida citrus that our family had been growing in this area for generations. Over the years, our goal has remained the same – to provide the highest quality, best tasting, freshest Florida citrus! Located in the heart of Florida’s Peace River Valley, our warm tropical climate and near perfect growing conditions produce some of the best tasting oranges and grapefruit in the world!
Whether you order from our catalog, order online or come by our packing house and grove stand we will give you friendly personal service you won’t get anywhere else. Satisfied customers are our most valuable asset!!
The tradition continues with Florida’s Finest Citrus from our family to yours…
-The Shelfer Family
Our history
In 1887 James Shelfer moved his family to Florida from Texas. He brought his wife, Melissa, his three sons, and a herd of cattle. He settled in the community of Joshua Creek, right outside of Arcadia. Soon after settling, he planted his first orange grove. James died only four years after moving to Florida in a tragic horseback riding accident leaving four sons and a pregnant wife. Melissa and the boys expanded the farm and kept it alive to be passes down for generations.
After many years of the family selling to packinghouses and juice canning plants, Kevin Shelfer, the great-great grandson of James, and his wife Lynn established the Joshua Citrus that we know today. In 1989, Kevin and Lynn created a retail store front and grove stand right in the middle of the old family grove and homestead.
Now joining the family business are Kevin and Lynn's children, Olivia and Caleb Shelfer. Going up in the industry and helping out in the business their whole lives, they have decided to make it their career as well. They plan to continue the family tradition and heritage of growing Florida Citrus.
