On October 1, the first day of the 2026–2027 sugarcane harvest, Stop The Burn–Go Green Campaign activists gathered in Glades Pioneer Park in Belle Glade. For generations, the start of the harvest season has meant smoke in the air and ash on the ground but on this past rainy October 1st the start of the harvest season has been met with positive news: change is happening, and it's about time!
The Numbers Tell the Story
According to data from the Florida Forest Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the 2025–2026 season had the lowest sugarcane acreage and the fewest burn authorizations ever recorded. It also set a record for cane harvested green.
Of roughly 417,000 acres harvested for sugar and seed between October 2025 and June 2026, about 266,873 acres were authorized for burning. That leaves an estimated 150,127 acres, or 36 percent (over one-third) of the crop, harvested without a burn authorization.
Six years ago, that figure was just 4 percent. In the 2019–2020 season, only about 17,120 acres were estimated to have been harvested green. In six seasons, green harvesting has grown nearly ninefold.
Voices From the Glades
For Belle Glade resident Steve Messam, the numbers reflect years of persistence. "For years, residents and advocates throughout the Glades have called for greater use of burn-free harvesting, and these numbers give us hope that our voices are finally being heard," he said. "This is meaningful, and we want to encourage the industry to keep building on it."
South Bay resident Kina Phillips pointed to Florida Crystals' embrace of regenerative organic sugarcane as proof of what's possible. "Florida agriculture can evolve!" she said. "Now it's time for all Florida sugar growers to expand organic sugarcane production."
The Work Isn’t Finished
Progress is not the finish line. Nearly two-thirds of last season's crop was still authorized for burning, and the smoke continues to fall hardest on the same underserved communities.
Former Pahokee Mayor Colin Walkes put it plainly: "While we appreciate the progress being made, sugarcane burning remains a threat to the Glades and its residents. Pre-harvest burning must be phased out."
Walkes also sees opportunity in the transition. By finding productive uses for sugarcane leaves and tops, he said, Florida can fuel new industries, new economic opportunities, and new jobs for Glades residents. "Our mutual goal should be to move Florida toward a cleaner agricultural future."
How You Can Help
The growers are listening, so now is the time to keep the pressure on. Share this story and purchase organic green harvested sugarcane if you have the means to do so. Keep informed by signing up for updates HERE.
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