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Industry
Apopka's industrial claims are largely agricultural but that continues to change as time goes along. The early Timucauans were an agricultural people who, without any tools of metal, grew two crops a year and built storehouses for their grain. The first white settlers continued tilling the soil, and, with the advent of the railway, were shipping carloads of oranges as well as two thousand crates of vegetables a day from the area. This was in 1885.

Until this year, Zellwood farmers have had thousands of acres of muck land under cultivation, and many crates of vegetables, especially corn and carrots, were shipped to northern markets each day. Corn, the dominant crop alone, was a multi-million dollar business. These muck lands, formed by diking Lake Apopka during World War II food shortages, were so fertile that several crops were rotated each year on the same land. Because of the popularity of the corn grown on the muck lands, the Zellwood Sweet Corn Festival, held in May each year, has now become an annual affair, drawing thousands to enjoy the sweetest sweet corn in the nation.

However, the state buyout of the muck farms has changed all that and precious few crops will be found in that area in the future. The state is trying to clean up Lake Apopka and this is part of the solution, they say. The economic effects on the area are to be determined, but many farm workers are out of jobs and many have little training for other jobs. Many, both inside and outside government (including the chamber of commerce), are trying to help these displaced farm workers.

The growing of indoor foliage accounts for a large portion of Apopka's economy. According to figures from the USDA Statistical Service, Florida grows more foliage plants than all other states where foliage data is available, and Apopka-area growers account for three-fourths of the smaller size foliage grown in the state. Foliage in the Apopka area represents an industry valued in the millions of dollars. The area, in addition to the foliage, grows cut flowers, blooming plants, roses and bulbs. This industry is growing by leaps and bounds with nationwide distribution and a fast-developing Canadian and European market. A significant amount of all foliage grown in the world is grown in Apopka.

The Apopka Art & Foliage Festival, held each year on the fourth weekend in April, is sponsored by the Apopka Woman's Club, and hosted at our city's Kit Land Nelson Park. It attracts artists and craftsmen from all over the nation. Also included are foliage displays and bus tours of area nurseries.