FEATURES

ON THE COVER: Amanda Coleman represents true Florida Country. She is ranked ninth in the world for breakaway roping at the young age of 19, and joins her idols in paving the way for other women to make a career in roping. Read this rodeo athlete’s story on page 44. Photo by Paul Gray.

30 Homosassa— River of Fish

Sights Include Iconic Monkeys, Convalescing Manatees and One Very Old Hippo

34 Toes in the Sand Jensen's Captiva Island Beach & Marina Resorts Turning the Tide

FCM CIRCLE A NOTE FROM THE PUBLISHER page 8

VET VIEW PROTECT YOUR PETS AND YOURSELF FROM LEPTOSPIROSIS page 10

FLORIDA 4-H FIRST PROJECT CALF page 12

HORSIN' AROUND THE ALTOONA TRAIL RIDERS OF LAKE COUNTY page 14

FLORIDA HARVEST TUPELO HONEY IS TRULY TERRIFIC page 18

SIGN OF SUCCESS IN NORTHWEST FLORIDA’S OKALOOSA COUNTY page 22

MEET 2020 MISS UNITED STATES AGRICULTURE page 26

FLORIDA EXCURSIONS HEAD FOR THE DUNES AT TOPSAIL HILL STATE PARK page 40

RODEO PROFILE FLORIDA RODEO ATHLETE BECOMES PART OF HISTORY page 44

RISING STARS OF RODEO page 48

THE HOMESTEAD RARE WESTERN PARADISE IN BROOKSVILLE page 52

PICTURE PERFECT page 56

FLORIDA MEMORIES OLD-FASHIONED CHRISTMAS GREETINGS FROM FLORIDA page 60

WILD FLORIDA WINTERTIME WADE FISHING FOR SEATROUT page 62

MY BEST FRIEND page 66

STARS & GUITARS MEET LUKE COMBS page 68

CROSSWORD page 73

TECH TALK LIVING THE LIFTED LIFESTYLE page 74

THE CULINARY CRACKER WHIPPING IT UP IN YOUR KITCHEN page 76

Owner/Publisher Scarlett Redenius

Owner/C.E.O. Brad Redenius

President Thomas Fifield

Vice President Sheila Fifield

Editorial Director Katherine Waters

Design Director Brian Stromlund

Travel Editor Dave Kelly

Contributing Writers

Brenda Eubanks Burnette, Christopher Decubellis, Ava Grace, Kathy Ann Gregg, Kym Rouse Holzwart, Dave Kelly, Myles Mellor, Linda Thompson, Paul Thurman, Ph.D.

Featured Photographers

Nick Adams, Bonnie Williams Anderson, Madison Ayers, Michael Berio, Jennifer Casares, Cornelius, Shane Cribbs, Nikki Feldman, Paul Gray, Kathy Ann Gregg, Dave Kelly, April Lopez, Zack Massey, Karen Pando, James Phyfer, Mike Rastelli, Scarlett Redenius, Thomas Rex, Sandy Shoop, Virginia Marshall Stokes, Nathan Ward, Brandi Watford, Jim Wright

For more information about advertising with Florida Country Magazine , or joining our regional sales team, please contact: 239-692-2613 sales@floridacountrymagazine.com

For other inquiries contact: Scarlett Redenius, Publisher 239-600-4783

Published by: Florida Country Publications PO Box 50989 • Fort Myers, FL 33994

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Florida Country Magazine is published bi-monthly, copyright 2021, all rights reserved. Reproduction of contents in print or electronic transmission in whole or in part in any language or format must be by expressed written permission of the publisher.

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