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	Edwin Friedlander Lake Wales Citrus Growers Association

• Edwin looks out into the groves with guard dog, Maggie. Beyond the property, Bok Tower, a Lake Wales landmark can be spotted in the hills.
• Edwin has spent a lot of time out in the groves in his time as a citrus grower. He fondly recalls applying fertilizer out of his old Volkswagen convertibles in years past.
• Edwin and other growers remain committed to finding eco-friendly solutions to keep the citrus fruit healthy and fresh.

The view from Edwin Friedlander's 100-year-old ranch house is a lot different from when his father bought it many years ago. The home, which used to sit across the street from his father's department store in downtown Lake Wales, now overlooks the sprawling land where Harry Friedlander bought his first orange groves in the 1930s. The family moved it there when its previous plot was needed for parking space for the store. Aside from a couple of fireplaces that did not make the trip, the interior remained intact, if not its exterior surroundings.

There's been tremendous change as well in the landscape in which Edwin now runs the family citrus business. Growing costs are up, and the competitive global market is set on an arguably unlevel playing field. His resiliency is key to any citrus grower. "It's different every year," he says. "You just have to work accordingly."

Early on, Edwin wasn't sure the lessons of citrus growing were his to learn. His father and brother-in-law had more direct involvement with the citrus business, and after college and military service, Edwin worked mostly in retail. But as his father grew older and it came time to decide the future of the groves, there was no question Edwin wanted to help.

"I was quite pleased with what my father did as a citrus grower," he said. "So it was important to continue what he had started." When a 1989 freeze damaged every one of his family's groves, the decision had to be made whether or not to start over. Edwin opted to replant more modestly sized groves and see what happened. New citrus trees grew, and they now produce oranges and grapefruit, which he markets through the Florida's Natural GrowersWant to show your support?
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He's since moved the weather vane that belonged to his late sister and brother-in-law to his own property, as a reminder of the family legacy he continues each day. Though the future of the citrus industry is always tenuous, there is no doubt that his father would be happy to see his son continuing his dream.

From its perch today, the view from the house isn't bad at all. The house faces the region's famous Bok Tower in the distance. The guard dog, Maggie, is one of a lineage of house dogs to lounge in the driveway, only leaving the shade of the oak tree in front to greet visitors. Not far away, a couple of Edwin's rundown Volkswagen convertibles can be seen peeking from the old barn.

And of course, there are the groves. Still standing and producing some of Florida's best citrusIs Your Juice Imported?
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