The mission of Georgia Grown Citrus is to show thankfulness for our citrus community and customers by providing superior quality trees and products, encouraging all growers to learn about good tree maintenance and care, and promoting Georgia's citrus industry through education and volunteer work.
The Journey
Lindy and Perry Savelle began exploring small business ideas in 2014, prior to Lindy’s retirement, with the goal of returning to their family farm roots and giving back to their South Georgia communities. While working overseas, Lindy researched business concepts and here at home, Perry evaluated the practical pros and cons. After considering a wide range of agricultural options— from pomegranates to persimmons and lychee to crawfish—they ultimately decided citrus was the best fit: a sustainable niche commodity with strong potential for Georgia’s agricultural economy.
Both Lindy and Perry were raised on farms—Lindy on a tobacco farm in Mitchell County and Perry on a diversified farm in Thomas County. Perry spent more than 20 years as a banker and another 25 years as a cattleman, while Lindy retired in 2019 after a 30+ year federal law enforcement career. Deleted the last sentence here.
In 2016, they planted their initial grove and test plot and became involved in growing citrus trees for sale. Lindy helped establish the Georgia Citrus Association, serving as President from its inception in 2016 until 2024, when she became executive director. She has served on the following boards/committees/councils: Georgia Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Deans Advisory Council, American Farm Bureau Federation Issues Advisory Committee, Georgia Citrus Commodity Commission, Georgia Farm Bureau Policy Development Committee, USDA National Institute of Food & Agriculture Emergency Citrus Disease Research & Extension Program Review Committee. And USDA Farm Service Agency State Committee, viewing service as her way of giving back to the state and agricultural community.
Lindy and Perry founded Georgia Grown Citrus LLC, (GGC) a commercial citrus nursery located on JoNina Farm. In May 2021, they built a USDA-certified greenhouse, allowing them to ship citrus trees outside Georgia. Today, Georgia Grown Citrus works with five partner commercial nurseries to grow nearly 100 citrus varieties for homeowners, commercial growers, and other nurseries. GGC is also Georgia’s supplier of Tree Defender Individual Protective Covers, offering online ordering of tree supplies and materials year-round!
Growing citrus in Georgia is still relatively new, and Lindy and Perry are candid about what has and hasn’t worked for them. Through trial and error, they’ve learned many lessons—often what not to do—and they openly share those experiences through their website’s tree care Q&A pages to help others succeed.
Citrus, they believe, is a crop a small family can grow together with effort, determination, and cooperation rather than reliance on heavy capital equipment. Together, Lindy and Perry encourage everyone, from commercial growers, to homeowners and citrus enthusiasts, to become involved with the Georgia Citrus Association as the industry continues to grow.
Whether you’re here for trees, fruit, supplies, or information, they thank you for visiting and hope you’ll explore all that Georgia Grown Citrus has to offer.
