Rio Grande Valley citrus growers grapple with shrinking industry

ALTON — Two or three times a week, Brandon Thompson wakes up early to walk one of his orchards.

Introverted and reserved by nature, Thompson favors an orchard a few miles north of Alton Memorial Jr. High.

It’s one of the biggest patches of the 300-odd acres of citrus Thompson farms, a mix of older orange and grapefruit trees.

It’s quiet and peaceful there, even though it’s practically in town.