FLORIDA HARVEST HIGH TECH IN SMALL-TOWN AMERICA

U.S. SUGAR ON CUTTING EDGE FROM FIELDS TO REFINERY TO TABLE

Written by: Ava Grace

The U.S. Sugar facility in rural Clewiston, Florida, in Hendry County, is one of the largest vertically integrated sugarcane milling and refining operations in the world. It is among the world’s most coste cient sugar producers—likely the result of the cutting-edge technology in its sugar-making process from fields to refinery to your table.

U.S. Sugar began in 1931 by a visionary hailing from a long line of farmers. Back in 1931, Florida limes and beans were harvested in abundance, but much of Florida’s crops were hand-picked because farm technology was in its infancy.

ese days, Florida crops such as oranges, grapefruit, squash, fresh market snap beans, fresh market tomatoes, and sugarcane, rank among the first in the nation in value production. U.S. Sugar plays a large role in this overall output. Not only does it harvest and process sugarcane, but it also grows sweet corn—more than 4 million crates every year. And it leases land to other local farmers who grow sweet corn, green beans, lettuce varieties, peanuts, squash and watermelons on more than 10,000 acres.

Today, U.S. Sugar produces nearly 10 percent of domestically grown sugar. at sustainable production is mainly the result of incorporating the latest, greatest technology. “To start, we have one of the largest private Wi-Fi networks in the world,” explains Judy Sanchez, senior director of corporate communications/public a airs.

at wireless network covers 270 square miles, connecting people and equipment across the operation. With more than 1,000 connections, “smart” farm equipment, farm and factory personnel can send and receive data to share crucial information in real-time—saving time, energy and costs.

“Another farming hack—we use an app best described as an ‘Uber for agriculture,’ ” adds Sanchez. Harvesters and tractors send beacons that signal precisely where they’re located, e network spans more than 195,000 acres and helps to transmit real-time data between “smart” harvesting equipment, tractors, railcars and U.S. Sugar’s factory and personnel. helping alleviate delays and bottlenecks, and making their harvest operations highly e cient. Additionally, high-tech Best Management Practices, or BMPs, such as GPS and lasers for field leveling with sub-inch accuracy, help reduce runo . is reduces flooding and also improves water quality.

U.S. Sugar is home to one of the largest private WiFi networks of its kind in the world.

“Perfectly level fields reduce run-o , keeping our naturally phosphorus-rich, organic ‘muck’ soils on the farms,” Sanchez says. Such BMPs have led to a 57 percent average annual phosphorus reduction, helping restore Florida’s Everglades.

Mechanical sugarcane harvesters equipped with Autosteer use GPS coordinates to harvest sugarcane fields. To harvest safely and prevent wildfires, U.S. Sugar follows the Florida Forest Service prescribed burn program—utilizing the latest weather technology to determine wind speed and direction. “Pre-harvest burns are specifically designed to protect our workers, crops and our communities,” Sanchez notes. In addition to making life sweeter and growing food for American families, U.S. Sugar also is dedicated to giving back to the community. It devotes thousands of volunteer hours to local events, organizations, schools, sports teams and social programs, and provides financial support to help local students, families, education and feeding programs. Aided by technology, the people of U.S. Sugar are able to produce more and give more. FCM

111 Ponce De Leon Ave. Clewiston, Florida 863-983-8121, ussugar.com

Written by: Dave Kelly

Tucked into Charlotte Harbor on the Southwest Florida coastline is the quaint little city of Punta Gorda, in Charlotte County. Much of it is on a broad peninsula extending into the harbor; for centuries inspiring local Native Americans to refer to it as "fat point." e name stuck—it was later settled by the Spanish and christened "Punta Gorda."

e shoreline evolved into a small fishing village, while cattlemen and frontiersmen staked homesteads inland. Punta Gorda’s historic downtown sits close by the picturesque harborside, home to marinas, waterfront parks and charming boutiques and restaurants.

For our trip to discover more about Punta Gorda, we chose Four Points by Sheraton Punta Gorda Harborside as our home base. Situated on the gorgeous Peace River and steps from the revitalized downtown, there’s no better location in the city from which to set out to explore. We checked into our spotless room and were delighted to have an awesome marina view. It was an opportunity to watch yachts slide in and out of the harbor as we contemplated our next steps.

We didn’t have to go far to find the best tiki bar in town. ’s—short for “ e Tiki”—is on the property, with its bars, tables and low-back beach chairs situated waterside. ’s crew serves up oneof-a-kind tropical drinks and fresh seafood from a distinctive Florida-based menu. Top-notch live entertainment plays to people whose toes are planted in the surrounding sand. It’s the best view in town for gorgeous sunsets and spectacular river panoramas.

Down the street from Four Points by Sheraton is the inspiring Military Heritage Museum. Originally located in Fishermen’s Village a few blocks away, the museum debuted on Pearl Harbor Day in 2001. In the next 18 years, it expanded twice, opening in 2019 at its current 17,000-square-foot location on Marion Avenue, while adding a conference center and worldclass military library.

e museum’s goal is to honor veterans from all branches and eras of U.S. military service. To that end, it houses more than 30,000 authentic artifacts that played an actual part in that history.

We met up with executive director Gary Butler, who explained that the museum’s layout is simple: e first floor walks you through the chronological history of U.S. conflicts, while the second floor showcases many of the specific aspects of our military, such as submarine warfare and women in the service.

e Military Heritage Museum, below le and top photos, honors veterans from all branches and eras of U.S. military service. Below right, Leroy's Southern Kitchen & Bar is a half-mile stroll from the museum. Inset, gators line the banks of Telegraph Creek at Babcock Ranch.

Rural eastern Charlotte County is the home of Babcock Ranch Eco-Tours, where you can take an excursion through historic Babcock Ranch. Punta Gorda has cattle roots, and they are evident when you ride through this 14,000-acre working cattle ranch steeped in history.

There’s also a “sim-room”—visitors use virtual reality goggles to enjoy “experiences” such as parachuting from a plane and operating a tank. Additionally, there are computer flight simulators; guests sit in front of huge video screens and learn how to pilot anything from a small plane to an F-15 jet fighter.

e library houses the Fold3 program, which provides access to military records, including stories, photos and personal documents of the men and women who served in every U.S. war. Visitors can search the records free of charge with daily admission. ere’s also a state-of-the-art theater featuring historical footage, military documentaries and classic military movies daily at 1 p.m.

Butler noted the museum is sta ed by eight to 10 veterans who volunteer their time to help guests understand the complex history of U.S. conflicts. is approach provides a highly personal look at the men and women who have served in all branches across nearly three centuries of U.S. military history. Plan to spend most of the day in this fascinating museum. e new land management plan called for ranching and other business operations, such as the eco-tour, to continue operating. We strolled leisurely through the main area, which features a gi shop, museum and the Gator Shack Restaurant. We then hopped on the eco-bus with Darlene, our driver and tour guide, and headed out into the Babcock Wilderness Management Area. e 90-minute expedition takes you on a winding ride through typical Southwest Florida ecosystems, all the while “making friends” with local wildlife. Within the first few minutes of our journey, we had up-close encounters with wild turkeys, hogs, dozens of alligators, osprey, majestic sandhill cranes and herds of resident cows.

Rural eastern Charlotte County is the home of Babcock Ranch Eco-Tours, where you can take an excursion through historic Babcock Ranch. Punta Gorda has cattle roots, and they are evident when you ride through this 14,000-acre working cattle ranch steeped in history.

Originally 156,000 acres and called the Crescent B Ranch, it was settled by the McAdow family in the late 1800s and acquired in 1914 by Edward Babcock, a Pittsburgh lumber magnate and politician. e renamed Babcock Ranch served as the base for the family’s timber business, producing turpentine and pine-based pitch to ward o termites— shipping it as far away as South Africa.

In 2005, the family sold the property to Kitson & Partners, who shared the Babcocks’ desire to preserve as much of the ranch as possible. Kitson then sold 80 percent of the ranchlands to the state and Lee County, dedicating more than 73,000 acres of the most environmentally valuable areas of the ranch to land preservation.

While driving along Telegraph Creek, we saw the property’s 100-year-old telegraph line to Cuba that still exists and inspired the creek’s name. Halfway through our journey, we stopped in the vast Telegraph Swamp and ventured out on the wooden walkway to explore native cypress trees and knees that populate the area.

At that point, Darlene surprised us with an up-close visit with a resident juvenile alligator. e tour is a perfect way for families to explore the outdoors, experience “Old Florida” and get back to nature.

With its rich history and unhurried pace, Punta Gorda is a can’t-miss stop for your next road trip in the Sunshine State. FCM

Roundup

Four Points by Sheraton Punta Gorda Harborside 33 Tamiami Trail

Punta Gorda, Florida 941-637-6770, four-points.marriott.com

Military Heritage Museum

900 West Marion Ave.

Punta Gorda, Florida 941-575-9002, freedomisntfree.org

Babcock Ranch Eco-Tours

8502 State Road 31 Punta Gorda, Florida 800-500-5583, babcockranchecotours.com

Written by: Kathy Ann Gre

The Professional Bull Riders LLC, most commonly known as “the PBR,” came into existence as the dream of 20 top bull riders, and—almost three decades later—is a global sports sensation.

Bull riding is affectionately called “The Toughest Sport on Dirt” and is followed by millions of fans worldwide.

The Unleash the Beast series, which features the top tier of 30 riders, is televised weekly on CBS, CBS Sports Network and networks around the world. And the PBR itself broadcasts the events on its RidePass service, which extends to more than half a billion households in 50 nations and territories.

Above le , bullfighters Lucas Teodor, Frank Newsome and Cody Webster display their "cowboy protection" skills at Arcadia. Right, Floridian Caleb Sanderson shows why pick-up men are sometimes called "cowboy tow trucks."

For

And for the first time in its history, the Unleash the Beast tour stormed into the Sunshine State with events in Ocala, Arcadia and Okeechobee during this past January. ese opened the PBR’s 2021 season, in its “highly anticipated American Roots Edition, a limited series of events scheduled to be held in historic outdoor venues and longstanding rodeo communities across the South,” according to public relations director Easton Colvin.

Ocala’s Monster Energy Invitational was held Jan. 16 to 17. During the opening performance, top contestant Jess Lockwood su ered a broken jaw, and 2020 World Champion Jose Vitor Leme also joined the injured list when he broke his right ankle.

e loss of these two riders allowed Brazilian Junior Patrik Souza the chance to compete in the Sunshine State. He hurried to Ocala from where he was competing in Texas, and was standing in the No. 2 spot at the end of the weekend, directly behind Ocala’s winner and a fellow Brazilian, Mauricio Moreira.

e Mosaic Arena in Arcadia hosted the Pendleton Whiskey Invitational the following weekend, Jan. 23 to 24. Its Saturday short round included a 93-point ride by Texan Ezekiel Mitchell on reigning two-time YETI world champion bull Smooth Operator.

is 11-year-old animal is a Chad Berger bull, who holds the title of the Reigning Stock Contractor of the Year. And Mitchell got his revenge a er being bucked o by the legendary bovine in 2 seconds in the 2020 season at the Chicago event.

Arcadia also witnessed the debut of a rider from Guatemala, 23-year-old Rodrigo Melgar, competing in the elite Unleash the Beast series.

e series then moved to Okeechobee for the Coors Banquet Invitational held Jan. 30 to 31. e new season’s initial 15/15 Bucking Battle was held in the Saturday performance. Once again, bovine athlete Smooth Operator was bested by rider Marco Eguchi, with a 94-point ride. As the excitement mounted, it came down to the last two riders in Sunday’s short round. e rookie Colten Fritzlan, in his debut on the Unleash the Beast series, ended up winning the event with 86.5, 86.75 and 87-point rides. e highlight of each performance was world-famous entertainer Flint Rasmussen. e 50-some-year-old kept the crowds entertained with his “Are You Smarter an a Cowboy” and other routines. At Arcadia, he paid tribute to Irish dancer Michael Flatley with his “Lord of the Clowns” dance. He challenged the Okeechobee audience to bring him shirts featuring the school mascot—and on Sunday, he received several! e Unleash the Beast series has one more event this season in the Sunshine State—the Bad Boy Mowers Invitational Presented by Union Home Mortgage. It will be held May 22 to 23 at Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville. en there is the Coconut Point Ford PBR, which is a Touring Pro Division event, held annually at the Hertz Arena in Estero during July. is year it is scheduled July 23 to 24. Here’s hoping the Professional Bull Riders decide to favor Florida with regular stops! FCM

He held his breath, though, when Cooper Davis, with 87.5 and 86-point rides under his belt, could have snatched the win from him. But Davis desperately hung onto the le side of Speed Demon for the final 2 seconds of the ride, and this lack of control cost him, resulting in being awarded only 84.75 points. While Fritzlan took the event win, the overall scores catapulted Davis, the 2016 World Champion, to the No. 1 spot in the PBR.

No current contestants are from Florida but the pick-up man was Caleb Sanderson, who hails from Kissimmee. In addition to his roping skills in the arena, he was a four-time PBR Finals qualifier, with lifetime earnings exceeding $500,000.