Ocala Elite Grading & Excavation has been grading and resloping lots in the Citra, FL area for over 20 years. With a population of roughly 6,000 and a median household income near $35,000, Citra is a historic agricultural community about 15 miles northeast of Ocala via US-301, known as the birthplace of the pineapple orange and still surrounded by working citrus groves and farmland. We're licensed and insured for the agricultural and rural residential grading this community depends on.
Central Florida's climate brings hot, humid summers with highs in the low 90s and over 51 inches of annual rainfall concentrated from June through September, conditions that directly affect Citra's citrus groves, farmland, and rural properties. That combination of heavy seasonal rain and sandy soil common to northern Marion County makes proper grading and drainage essential for the agricultural operations and residential lots that make up this farming community.
Our knowledge of the area's sandy topsoil, seasonal water table shifts, and Florida Building Code drainage standards means fewer surprises once excavation begins. We've also graded sites for the region's equestrian properties, where paddock leveling and arena base prep carry different drainage requirements than a standard residential lot.
Our equipment lineup includes GPS-guided grading systems, track excavators, and vibratory compaction rollers, allowing us to hit target elevations within a fraction of an inch across large sites. Crews complete ongoing equipment operation and safety training annually, and every completed grading job is verified against the original elevation plan before we consider a site finished.
We have completed residential lot grading, commercial site prep, agricultural pond excavation, and equestrian site work throughout Marion County. Our repeat business comes largely from builders and property managers who return for every phase of a project, from initial clearing through final grade.
Citra's mix of working citrus groves, farmland, and rural residential lots along US-301 and County Road 225 creates a range of grading and drainage needs.
Citrus groves need proper drainage to prevent root damage from standing water during Citra's wet season. We regrade grove rows and farmland to shed water toward designated drainage paths.
Sandy soil throughout Citra settles unevenly without proper compaction, and we correct foundation-area grading on farmhouses and rural residential properties.
Agricultural ponds used for grove and farmland irrigation need banks regraded and stabilized against erosion from seasonal water level changes.
Rural roads and culverts throughout Citra can silt in or lose grade over time. We clean out and regrade these features to restore proper flow.
Citrus groves and farmland need grading that maintains proper drainage without disrupting root systems or planting rows, work we approach carefully given Citra's agricultural heritage.
Rural residential lots along US-301 and County Road 225 need standard grading and compaction before landscaping, coordinated with the property owner's timeline.
Farm outbuildings, equipment storage, and packing structures common to Citra's agricultural properties need properly compacted pads scaled to the operation's needs.
Swale regrading and drainage correction address standing water that surfaces most often during Citra's June-through-September rainy season.
Sloped grove and farmland areas benefit from regrading and erosion control matting to hold up through repeated wet-season rainfall.
Irrigation ponds need banks graded for both erosion resistance and reliable water access for agricultural use.
Citra's sandy soil requires layered compaction to hold a stable grade under structures, farm roads, and drainage features alike.
Low-lying farmland areas sometimes need engineered fill to correct persistent wet spots before final grading.
Long farm driveways and access roads throughout Citra need a compacted base suited to agricultural equipment and heavy vehicle traffic.
We recommend a pre-wet-season drainage check for grove and farmland properties, catching small grading issues before summer rains arrive.
Newly graded farm pads and residential lots benefit from a follow-up check within the first year as soil settles.
Regular clearing and regrading of farm roads and culverts keeps water moving properly across Citra's agricultural properties.