JUNE 2013
HEARTL AAND Way of Life.
COVER STORY:
Florida Dairy Farming: A Brief History
Microbes Matter EASILY integrate microbes into your nutrition program … For Your Citrus Summer Nutritional Program Foliar Spray or Inject
+ Blend with Dry Fertilizer
This “trim back” season is an ideal time for microbes … to focus on root growth and shoot development.
+ Foliar Spray or Inject Every 2 Weeks Pathway’s microbial science solutions are providing growers with the benefits of plant health and disease resistance for a multiplicity of crops with improved nutrient cycling, root architecture and soil structure.
Available From
www.PathwayBioLogic.com 813 . 719 . 7284 www.PathwayBioLogic.com
|
813 . 719 . 7284
June 2013
Heartland InThe Field Magazine
3
COW WITH ADEQUATE COPPER
COPPER-DEFICIENT COW
For more information contact Central States Enterprises 800.275.4429 www.censtates.com
4
Heartland InTheFieldMagazine
June 2013
Tree T Pee The BEST Frost Protection The ONLY Water Containment System Now the FARMER decides how many inches of rain he puts on each tree
SAVES Money, Water, Fuel and Fertilizer while the young trees are not producing income
TreeTPee.com
Polk County Distributor Frostproof Growers Supply 512 N Scenic Highway Frostproof, FL 33843 863-635-3620
June 2013
Johnny Georges 863-990-2095 Johnny@TreeTPee.com Made in the USA from recycled plastic
Heartland InThe Field Magazine
Used by the USDA
5
JUN 2013
HEARTL AAND Way of Life. Departments 16
18
20
28
40
32
26
Making Music with Chris MacArthur, By Robbi Sumner
34
Dakin Dairy Farm Tours
Telling the Story of Dairy Farming through Sports, Florida Dairy Farmers
38
Dairy Month Kid’s Corner
40
48
50
Bo & Emily Hobby, By Robbi Sumner
Cummings Cattle Wins Manatee County Ranch Rodeo By Kathy Gregg
58
Operation Outdoor Freedom, By Brian Norris
60
A Legislative Update with Rep. Cary Pigman
64
Agriscience Education Leadership Program, By Erica Der
Florida Farming: Corey’s Watermelon Patch By Ron Lambert Farmer & Rancher: Perry Bishop By Robbi Sumner Step Up and Be a Leader By Dr. David M. Kohl Women In Ag: Kris & Lindsey Rucks By Robbi Sumner Florida Cattlewomen’s Recipe: Garlic-Herb Cheeseburger
56
Featured Artist: Rodger Drawdy
Florida Dairy Industry: A Brief History By Robbi Sumner, Photo submitted by Florida Dairy Farmers
Citrus Update: Citrus at Ag Day By Justin Smith
62
54
30
June Features
36
June Hunting Spotlight: Taylor Dane Martin
66
78
A Birds-Eye View of Egypt By SPC Levi Lambert FFA Spotlight: Lincoln Middle School FFA By Robbi Sumner
A Series on Florida Literature: Richard Powell By Brady Vogt
81
Ag Calendar
Most of the dairy cows living in Florida are Holsteins (the black and white cows).
DID YOU KNOW? On a hot day, lawns will be 30 degrees cooler than asphalt and 14 degrees cooler than bare soil. Discover more interesting facts next month in the Heartland as we feature Sod Farming.
6
Heartland InTheFieldMagazine
June 2013
Hardee County Cattlemen’s Association 5th Annual Ranch Rodeo* Friday, July 19th and Saturday, July 20th 7:00 PM Hardee County Cattlemen’s Arena Double Mugging, Team Branding, Team Sorting, Bronc Riding, Trailer Loading, Mutton Busting
All events both nights—Come watch all the fun! Payout: 1st Place $1,000 2nd Place $500 3rd Place $250 Buckles for All Around Team Winner and Mutton Busting Winner Admission:
Adults $10 Senior Citizens $5 Children 10 and under FREE
Concession and vendors available on grounds Mutton Busting—Age 6 and under (limited space) To register, call Darin 863-781-0349 *A Florida Cattlemen’s Association Ranch Rodeo Qualifying Event
Note: No alcohol permitted on premises
June 2013
Heartland InThe Field Magazine
7
HEARTLAND A Way of Life.
Publisher Rhonda Glisson Rhonda@heartlanditf.com Karen Berry kdberry@inthefieldmagazine.com Executive Editor Morgan Taylor Norris morgan@heartlanditf.com Business Manager Nadine Glisson Lizette Sarria Art Directors Carrie Evans Olivia Fryer Graphics Intern Lauren Taylor Staff Writers Cindy Cutright Ron Lambert Brian Norris Justin Smith Robbi Sumner Contributing Writers Capt. Mark King, Spc. Levi Lambert Dr. David M. Kohl Rusty Hartline Nell McAuley Brady Vogt Matt Warren Lindsey Wiggins Kathy Gregg Social Media Director Brian Norris Photography Sharon Glisson Kathy Gregg Russell Hancock Nell McAuley Brian Norris Lauren Taylor Holly Taylor Regina Blackman
Editor’s Note June is National Dairy Month and all of us at Heartland Magazine are excited to celebrate with you, so scoop out a big dish of fresh churned (or store bought because who really has time to churn?) ice cream and sit a spell with us.
Morning, noon and night… you can enjoy delicious dairy products at all times; from creamer in your cup of joe to a slice of cheese on your favorite deli sub to an ice-cold glass of milk and cookies to end the day. Thanks to dairy farmers like our Women In Ag, Kris and Lindsey Rucks, and our Farmer & Rancher Perry Bishop, we are able to enjoy these products fresh from local farms. Although we have come a long way from a dairy cow being among a family’s most prized possessions, providing milk and butter for the dinner table, Mr. Kent Price shared with us the transition from private family farms to larger dairy operations. Read more about the history of Florida Dairy Farming on page 40. As you flip through the pages of this month’s magazine, don’t miss the Holstein cows along the way sharing Florida Dairy Facts, like Florida’s second leading dairy county is located right here in the Heartland! Can you find all ten facts? Heartland Magazine knows the importance of educating our youth, which is why we are featuring a Kids Corner on pages 38 and 39 with activities for the little Farmers where they can learn more about the industry as well as have some fun doing it. If they enjoy learning about dairy farming, you should take them to Dakin Dairy in Myakka City. They have been giving Farm Tours to locals, visitors and schools for 5 years and are planning to celebrate National Dairy Month in a big way on June 15th! June is also host to the Florida Cattlemen’s Association Convention and Allied Trade Show in Marco Island where farmers and ranchers from across the state will be trading in their cowboy boots for toes in the sand. This year’s convention theme is “Get a Grip” and will be focused on the relationship aspect of the cattle industry. We hope to see you there!
Whether you are enjoying your ice cream, a glass of sweet tea (June 10th is National Iced Tea Day!) or building relationships at the FCA Annual Convention, we want to know about it! Connect with us and share your pictures at facebook.com/HeartlandMagazine or twitter.com/ HeartlandITFMag We love to hear from our readers and if you have a story idea or an event you think we should be covering, please let us know! E-mail me at morgan@ heartlanditf.com or give me a call 863-381-8014. Happy Father’s Day from Heartland Magazine and we’ll see y’all In the Field,
Morgan Taylor Norris
Please send any comments or questions to morgan@heartlanditf.com
Heartland in the Field Magazine is published monthly and is available through local businesses, restaurants and other local venues within Hardee, Highlands, DeSoto, Charlotte, Glades, Hendry, Okeechobee, Lee, Manatee and St. Lucie Counties. Letters, comments and questions can be sent to Heartland In the Field Magazine, P.O. Box 3183 Plant City, FL. 33563 or you are welcome to e-mail them to Rhonda@heartlanditf.com or call 813-708-3661. Advertisers warrant & represent the description of their products advertised are true in all respects. Heartland In the Field Magazine assumes no responsibility for claims made by their advertisers. All views expressed in all articles are those of the authors and not necessarily those of G Five Publications, Inc. Any use or duplication of material used in Heartland In the Field Magazine is prohibited without written consent from Berry Publications and G Five. All contents Copyright 2013. No part of this work may be copied, transmitted, reproduced or reprinted without the express written consent of the publisher. Annual subscriptions to receive Heartland A Way of Life at your home or business is $25 annually. For advertising, subscriptions or editorial questions please call 813-708-3661 or email morgan@heartlanditf.com. Heartland® A Way Of Life In The Field publication has been in print since 2008.
8
Heartland InTheFieldMagazine
June 2013
Put the Power of “Fresh From Florida” Behind Your Product. Join the program that will maximize your marketing efforts. The Florida Agricultural Promotional Campaign (FAPC) provides the marketing resources and advertising awareness of a well established brand. Put “Fresh From Florida” to work for you.
To find out how your business can benefit from this program, visit
FreshFromFlorida.com or call 850.617.7330.
June 2013
Heartland InThe Field Magazine
9
JUN 2013
HEARTL AAND Way of Life. Index of Advertisers
21 21 17 49 24 83 14 37 55 61 4 3 45 79 53 87 79 61 15 85 31 17 35 9 71 35 84 83 47 47 7 19
A&K Development Agro Culture Airboat Wildlife Adventures Arcadia Stockyard Banker’s South Benchrest Shooters Supply Big T Tire Brenmar Advertising Cattlemen’s Livestock Market Center State Bank Central States Enterprises Creel Tractor Dakin Dairy Daniels Deceivers Deer Valley Farm Desoto DCFJ DeSoto Machine Shop Desoto Memorial Hospital Everglades Farm Equipment Everglades Seasoning Farm Credit Fields Equipment Florida Fence Post Florida Department of Ag Glade and Grove Glades Electric Glisson’s Animal Supply Goin’ Postal Griffin’s Carpet Mart Half Acre Construction Hardee Ranch Rodeo Helena Chemical
77 59 86 11 83 82 49 85 83 23 22 2 18 25 71 83 16 82 83 23 79 19 5 83 22 55 88 57 27 79 83
Hicks Oil Highlands County Farm Bureau Kelly Tractor KeyPlex Labelle Feed Laye’s Tire Service Lee & Associates Marmer Construction Michael G. Kirsch Mosaic Newton Crouch Pathway Agriculture Peace River Citrus River Pasture Metal Art Seedway Spring Lake Hardware Spurlows Outdoor Sugar Ridge Environmental Superior Muffler Taylor Oil Company The Andersons The Timbers Tree T Pee Triangle Hardware Trinkle Redman Coton Walpole Feed Watering Hole Wauchula State Bank Werts Welding Wicks Brown Williams CPA Winfield Solutions
One gallon of milk is approximately 345 squirts of a cow’s udder. More than 7,000 years ago, domesticated cattle appeared along the Tigris and Euphrates river valley, the origin of the first agricultural society of the Sumerians. The ancient Egyptians made cheese, and Isis, the Egyptian goddess and patroness of agriculture, is often represented as a woman with the horns of a cow, a sacred animal
Sales Team Highlands
Morgan Norris
Manatee
Morgan Norris
morgan@heartlanditf.com
morgan@heartlanditf.com
Hardee & Desoto
Charlotte
Robbi Sumner
robbi@heartlanditf.com
Morgan Norris
morgan@heartlanditf.com
Ron Brown
ron@inthefieldmagazine.com
10 Heartland InTheFieldMagazine
Lee and Hendry
Corporate, Polk & Hillsborough
Cindy Cutright
cindy@heartlanditf.com
Danny Crampton
danny@inthefieldmagazine.com
Morgan Norris
Okeechobee, Glades & St. Lucie
morgan@heartlanditf.com
Rhonda Glisson
Robbi Sumner
rhonda@heartlanditf.com
robbi@heartlanditf.com
June 2013
June 2013
Heartland InThe Field Magazine
11
CHARLOTTE/DESOTO COUNTY
HARDEE COUNTY
1278 SE US Highway 31 • Arcadia, FL 34266
1017 US Highway 17 N • Wauchula, FL. 33873
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone: 863.494.3636 Charlotte Line: 941.624.3981 • Fax: 863.494.4332
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone: 863. 773. 3117 Fax: 863. 773. 2369
OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
FARM BUREAU
President…………....Jim Selph Vice President……….Jeffrey Adams Sec./Treasurer......Bryan K. Beswick
DIRECTORS FOR 2012-2013 Jim Brewer John Burtscher Mike Carter Steve Fussell
Lindsay Harrington Richard E. Harvin Ann H. Ryals Mac Turner
Matt Harrison Ken Harrison
FARM BUREAU
President……David B. Royal Vice President…Greg L. Shackelford Sec./Treasurer……..Bo Rich
DIRECTORS FOR 2012-2013 Joseph B. Cherry Corey Lambert Daniel H. Smith
Steve A. Johnson Bill Hodge David B. Royal
Greg L. Shackelford Bo Rich Scott Henderson
Federation Secretary Mary Jo Spicer
Federation Secretary Rhonda Willis
Farm Bureau Insurance.Special Agents
Farm Bureau Insurance.Special Agents
HIGHLANDS COUNTY
MANATEE COUNTY
6419 US Highway 27 S. • Sebring, FL 33876
5620 Tara Blvd, Ste 101 • Bradenton, FL 34203
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone: 863. 385. 5141 • Fax: 863. 385. 5356 Website: www.highlandsfarmbureau.com
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone: 941-746-6161 • Fax: 941-739-7846 Website: www.manateecountyfarmbureau.org
OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Agency Manager: Cameron N. Jolly Agents: Dawn A. Hines, Clint Brown
FARM BUREAU
President………Scott Kirouac Vice President…Doug Miller Secretary………..Carey Howerton Treasurer……..Frank Youngman
DIRECTORS FOR 2012-2013 Sam Bronson Steve Farr Charles Guerndt Charles Lanfier
Mike Milicevic Emma Reynolds Lindsey Sebring Trey Whitehurst
Jeff Williams Marty Wohl
Agency Manager: N. Jay Bryan Agents: George L. Wadsworth, Jr.
FARM BUREAU
President……Gary Reeder Vice President…Jim Parks Secretary……..Ben King Treasurer……..Robert Zeliff
DIRECTORS FOR 2012-2013 Carlos Blanco Gary Bradshaw Jerry Dakin Ralph Garrison
Ken Hawkins Alan Jones Vick Keen Bruce Shackelford
Jim Strickland Hugh Taylor Dan West
Federation Secretary Janet Menges
Federation Secretary Christie Hinson
Farm Bureau Insurance.Special Agents
Farm Bureau Insurance.Special Agents
Agency Manager: Chad D. McWaters Agents: Joseph W. Bullington
12 Heartland InTheFieldMagazine
Agency Manager: Branden Bunch Agents: Doug Dierdorf, Mike Shannon
June 2013
District 6 Update From the Desk of Andy Neuhofer
The Florida Department of Emergency Management hired a consultant from Virginia to write a model ordinance to deal with flood issues. Local governments must periodically review and amend their flood ordinances. This model ordinance is being passed out to local governments throughout the state. The ordinance, if adopted verbatim, is damaging to agricultural operations in Florida’s floodplains and flood ways. It recaptures the exemptions for building and repairing non-residential farm structures. The movement of soil on farms and ranches could be a problem in extreme cases. Farm Bureau has been working with congressional leaders, the FDEM and local government officials to mitigate potential damage and unnecessary expense to agricultural producers. Information is available from the FDEM, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and Farm Bureau on this issue. At some point, all local governments will have to deal with this matter. This could be an issue of significant consequences to agriculture in Florida. Be advised that the issue is at varying stages in local governments and it behooves farmers and ranchers to learn what can be done in your respective home county and city.
On a positive note, the Legislative Session is over and Farm Bureau fared well representing Florida Agriculture. The Agritourism bill passed both houses and has been sent to the Governor. The legislation is pro-business and pro-agriculture. Legitimate farming operations would be authorized to have agritourism operations on their land without undue regulation from local governments and have some liability protection too.
ANDY NEUHOFER FLORIDA FARM BUREAU DISTRICT 6 352.318.2506 Andy.neuhofer@ffbf.org www.floridafarmbureau.org
The Greenbelt law would be strengthened by allowing rezoned land to remain in bona fide agricultural production. County governments and property appraisers would not be able to remove the classification from agricultural lands determined to be a deterrent to further development. Also, land that is sold for more than three times its assessed value would have the Greenbelt protection provided it remains in bona fide agricultural production.
Farms and ranches will be protected from local government regulations if it is regulated by state or federal agencies. Examples of local rules include tree ordinances, fertilizer ordinances, etc. Timber and agricultural operations are regulated by water management districts, FDACS, etc. FDACS will have a seat at the table regarding water issues. Agriculture needs water and should be represented when state and federal agencies discuss and make decisions on the issue of water use and conservation.
There are several other bills that passed the legislature and some harmful bills that did not pass. The favorable bills that passed have been sent to the Governor. As of this writing, we are awaiting signatures on the legislation we supported. If you wish to have more information, please contact me at andy.neuhofer@ffbf.org
Coca-Cola Invests in Florida Citrus The upcoming Citrus Issue to be published in August will feature an indepth look at the recently announced expansion of Florida orange groves by Coca-Cola. The company owns the Minute Maid and Simply juice brands. The expansion is thought to be the largest citrus addition in the state in the last 15 years and will entail the planting of 5 million new trees in three key citrus counties: Hendry, DeSoto and Polk. June 2013
Heartland InThe Field Magazine
13
Everglades Farm Equipment Hosts Deere Day in Immokalee John Schlechter and Mike Schlechter, president and vice-president respectively of Everglades Farm Equipment, hosted a well-attended customer appreciation day at the company’s Immokalee facility on May 15. The event, simply called ‘Deere Day’ is a nod to the John Deere Company that recognizes Everglades
Farm Equipment as one of its largest dealers in the world.
Mark Henderson, site manager of the Immokalee location, reported over 350 lunches were served to the hungry crowd. “Deere Day was a great event,” Mark said. “It went very well and gave us an opportunity to show our appreciation for a diverse group of customers.” And diverse they are. Everglades Farm Equipment serves the needs of virtually every type of agricultural producer one can find in Central and South Florida. Customers range from citrus, sugar and vegetable producers to individual farmers to commercial nurseries, landscape management companies and beyond.
Top Left: Future farmers, Caiden and Coen Harper enjoyed the day with their parents.
The family-owned firm is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year having grown to ten locations since its inception in 1963, a milestone worth celebrating to be sure. For more information visit their website at www.evergladesfarmequipment.com
Top Right: Event attendees were greeted by Kristina Vera and Christina Deleon. Middle Right: A large crowd enjoyed a delicious lunch provided by Everglades Farm Equipment. Above: J.O. Schlechter, President of Everglades Farm Equipment addresses the crowd. Far Right: (left to right) Mike Schlechter, Vice President of Everglades Farm Equipment; J.O. Schlechter, President; and Mark Henderson, Site Manager of the Immokalee facility; are dwarfed by a John Deere tractor.
14 Heartland InTheFieldMagazine
June 2013
Rugged performance you can rely on. Offers that make ownership easy.
NOTHING RUNS LIKE A DEERE!
Serving our customers with 12 locations Leesburg
1800 US HWY. 441 Leesburg, FL 34748
352-315-1016
New Port Richey
6918 US Hwy. 19 New Port Richey, FL 34652
JDL - Melbourne
6957 W. Nasa Blvd, Bldg. 1 West Melbourne
321-261-8141
727-842-8618
Okeechobee
Plant City
820 US Hwy. 98, North Okeechobee, FL 34972
2805 SR. 60 West Plant City, FL 33567
863-763-1921
813-737-1660 JDL - Largo
Fort Pierce
727-259-7748
772-461-5568
6150 Orange Ave. Ft. Pierce, FL 34947
6782 118th Ave. North Largo, Fl. 33773
Palmetto
Loxahatchee
906 US HWY 301 North Palmetto, FL 34221
13295 Southern Blvd. Loxahatchee, FL 33470
941-722-3281
Fort Myers
561-784-4000
9501 State Road 82 Fort Myers, FL 33905
239-332-5045
Immokalee
775 E. Main St. Immokalee , FL 34142
239-657-4413
Belle Glade
Corporate Headquarters
2017 N. W. 16TH Belle Glade, FL 33430
561-996-6531
Since 1963 www.EvergladesFarmEquipment.com June 2013
Heartland InThe Field Magazine
15
June’s Hunting Spotlight brought to you by Spurlow’s Outdoor Outfitters 1 East Wall Street Frostproof, FL 33843 spurlows.outdoors@hotmail.com 863-635-0240 www.spurlows.com
Taylor Dane Martin
Taylor Dane Martin is the 10-year-old daughter of Dane and Linda Peeples Martin. She is in the 4th grade at West Glades Elementary. Her turkey had an 11.5 in beard and 1 ¼ inch spurs. Taylor got her turkey on a hunt with her dad at Devils Gardens, Florida. Taylor won the African Safari Youth Hunter of the year in 2011. Taylor is also the 2013 Chalo Nitka Princess.
Submit your children’s hunting pictures for the Monthly Hunting Spotlight to morgan@heartlanditf.com
June 2013
Heartland InThe Field Magazine
17
by Justin Smith
CITRUS UPDATE BY JUSTIN SMITH
Citrus at Ag Day Growing citrus is, for many, a heritage. Unfortunately it is also a declining heritage. Agriculture in general seems to have fewer and fewer young people every year that are making it a profession. What is the cause for this? Why aren’t kids interested in this as a career? Fortunately there was a small spike in agricultural degrees in the last few years, but even that is nowhere near the numbers needed to make domestic agriculture sustainable.
18 Heartland InTheFieldMagazine
I was recently asked to speak on Citrus at a school for their “Ag Day�. The grade span was Pre-K thru 12. The topics covered were Plant and Soil Science, Feed Stock Science, Animal Husbandry, Animal Showing and last but not least Citrus. The children were fascinated by how much Science, Math, Reading and even English are incorporated into every type of agriculture production. In mainstream education, society has gotten so focused on academics that the young people are not exposed to ideas like how their food is produced. With careers being pushed in fields such as technology, healthcare and business, these young people become more and more complacent with the idea of getting food from the supermarket. On the other hand, there is a great interest that is sparked when you begin explaining how to grow and produce food. The young faces became fascinated when the process of growing, harvesting and processing are explained. During the Citrus presentation, all ages had questions and showed great interest in the history of citrus. Varieties, fertilization and marketing likewise drew questions and much discussion. But, what seemed to trigger some of the most interest was the economic impact of Citrus to the Florida economy. Even to young children the mention of nine billion dollars makes an impression. When breaking that down to a local level the older teens, which have career and college on the brain, begin to give agriculture more consideration. Bringing in local information, history, and finances also generates a sense of attachment and ownership to a product. When that product is as primal as food, it then becomes even more important. When kids find out that the oranges they see growing every day, are the best ones grown anywhere and their juice is demanded all over the world, they begin to understand the global scale of it all. June 2013
Overall the experience of exposing young people to agriculture proved to be fascinating. If you would like to see younger people get involved in agriculture, then take part in educating and showing them what it’s all about. Show them that agriculture is more than just planting a seed or mending fences and the importance of these things on a world-wide scale. Teach them there are wonderful fulfilling careers and not all of them are out in the field, if that’s not your forte.
There is no doubt; the world’s population is growing. With that being a fact, it is also a fact these people will need to eat. At some point the demand for agriculture professionals could rival that of Doctors and Lawyers we have seen in the past. Agriculture is not a dying profession; it’s just not a popularized one. Since academia, through public means, does not widely popularize all the possibilities for Ag and definitely does not break it down to local and regional specialties like Citrus production, then it is our responsibility to teach the young people of the heritage and what it can be for their future. One of the best long term investments anyone could make in citrus or any other ag related profession is to teach younger people more about it.
Lafayette is Florida’s leading dairy county with 21 farms; Okeechobee is second with 19.
Professional hunts Elk - rifle and archery Mule deer Spring turkey All private land No draw required Fully guided 575.588.7950 lodge 813.690.4100 cellular bill@thetimbersatchama.com
June 2013
Heartland InThe Field Magazine
19
BY RON LAMBERT
Corey’s Watermelon Patch Last spring I helped my son Corey plant 4 rows of watermelons. Of course, this was not a commercial venture, rather just a small hobby garden. The yield last year was very respectable and the grandkids had a great time helping with the harvest. After a successful try last year, we decided to continue the tradition. It is a great way to spend time with the family and teach the grandkids about hard work and agriculture. For this year’s crop, we began making the necessary steps to prepare for planting back in late November, but the real push came in late January. We got together at the property on a Friday afternoon and put out fertilizer and really went to work the next morning. First, we laid off the beds in preparation for laying plastic mulch and drip tape. This process took most of the morning. After all the machine work was done, we laid
20 Heartland InTheFieldMagazine
out poly tubing and connected the drip tape to the supply lines. When the irrigation was in operation, Corey injected some chemicals to help control soil borne pests prior to planting.
Again this year we planted seed in trays a few weeks in advance of the actual outdoor plant date. By having these plants ready, you hope to wait till after the danger of frost is past. Another problem that you must deal with is the wind in the month of March. After we had planted our plants this year, we had several threats of frost as well as a lot of wind. This all led up to a delay in getting our plants to take off.
The following pictures show the early prep work and a few pictures of the field around the first week of May. We should have some ripe melons by the 3rd week of May. The grandkids can’t wait, and the parents are ready for a taste also. This is just one way to keep the children interested in growing things. June 2013
Better Yields, Better Quality, Safer for the Environment Available through Jim Dorman of Charlie’s Plant Farm, Inc. (813) 601-2540
www.agroliquid.com June 2013
FL-Ad.indd 1
Heartland InThe Field Magazine
21
9/18/2012 10:54:40 AM
22 Heartland InTheFieldMagazine
June 2013
We’re creating new jobs and economic opportunities.
That’s our promise. Mosaic is committed to providing essential crop nutrients to help the world grow the food it needs. In carrying out this mission, we employ more than 3,000 Floridians — and tens of thousands more have jobs that rely on our industry. Mosaic’s employees work not only to produce phosphate, but also to reclaim the land, protect our waters and implement extensive safeguards for our shared resources. We are proud to invest in a healthy environment and to create abundant economic opportunities. Join in Mosaic’s promise at www.mosaicco.com/promise. Danielle Weiszhaar Environmental, Health & Safety Management System Lead, Florida
June 2013
Heartland InThe Field Magazine
23
Bankers South
is the New Ag Lender in Town
Though Bankers South Lending & Financing may be new to the ag industry, they have a lot of experience in the lending world. Bankers South, based in Lakeland, is the lending arm of parent company Land South, founded in 2002 by Brian Philpot and Rob Harper. Bankers South provides a variety of loan products, including conventional agricultural real estate loans through the AgAmerica Lending program. Over the past year, AgAmerica Lending has been growing steadily. AgAmerica loans cover all facets of farming, from smaller blueberry farmers, to vast cattle ranches. The folks at Bankers South know and understand the issues of needing capital to grow in the ag world. With over 200 years of combined agricultural backgrounds and experience, they know what it takes to make it in the agricultural industry. Growing up in DeSoto County, Dale Johnson, Senior Vice President at Bankers South, is a sixth generation Floridian. He has been a certified public accountant for the last 21 years and his focus has been in the origination of agricultural loans and agribusiness
24 Heartland InTheFieldMagazine
consulting. Johnson also spent eight years as the Controller for a large 9,000+acre row crop operation in Southwest Florida. With all of his experience in the agricultural industry, Dale has gained an insight into the financial needs of farmers and ranchers. Mostly lending on land, since not many banks were willing to, Bankers South’s asset-based, “bridge” loan program has grown over the past few years. By listening to their friends, the owners of Bankers South realized there was a need for low interest loans in the agricultural community. Long term customers of theirs were repeatedly coming to them having problems finding or continuing their agricultural funding. After the financial crisis of 2008, traditional ag lenders and local banks were stuck with nonperforming loans leading them to not
renew current loans on their balance sheets, downgrade their portfolio size and have stricter lending regulations. This, in turn, forced higher interest rates and longer loan processes. Due to their agricultural and financing backgrounds, the folks at Bankers South understand that a typical ag borrower’s assets are not very liquid and their cash flow may not always be steady. Because of this they offer flexible payment options: annual, semi-annual or monthly. Another way Bankers South helps farmers and ranchers is by offering a Line of Credit that has no “resting period” for ten years. A resting period is where a bank will require a borrower to pay back all funds for a short period, usually thirty days, once a year. No resting period allows the farmer to keep the money in the commodity, where it is needed, for the entire ten years with only one upfront June 2013
lending they need to grow their businesses,” said Philpot.
approval. Unlike some banks, Bankers South has no prepayment penalty, that means you will not be charged a fee if you repay the loan early. Whether the loan for a small farm, a cattle ranch or a citrus grove, Bankers South is glad to help farmers and ranchers continue to grow their business by offering great terms and low interest rates. “While we lend all over the U.S., we are especially excited to help our neighbors in Central Florida get the
June 2013
“We may be the new Ag lender in town, but our clients are already sharing about the ways we have saved them money on their investment projects,” said Leigh Ann Wynn, Director of Marketing and Business Development for Bankers South. “Cattlemen are shocked when they hear how low our rates are and that we can offer terms as long as 25 years.” While the American dream may include a house with a picket fence for some, for others it has a wider vista, including acres of grass pastures, rows of crops or timber. Contact Bankers South today to see if these loans are the right choice for your ag operation by calling 855 898 BANK (2265) or email LeighAnn@ BankersSouth.com
Heartland InThe Field Magazine
25
Making Music with Chris
MacArthur By Robbi Sumner
Country music singer and songwriter Chris MacArthur got his start
in music at an early age, singing and playing piano in church. And it was music that brought him to Florida from his home in New Brunswick, Canada in 1988. “A buddy of mine that I had met while playing on the road was managing the Marina 31 and asked me to come play down here. It was a real hot spot back then,” Chris shares. Folks who lived in the area at that time might remember his band “Murphy’s Law” who later transformed and became “Thoroughbred.”
While playing at the Marina 31, Chris met Lisa Stanaland and the two were married in 1989. In order to pursue Chris’ dream of signing with a record label, the couple moved to Nashville. One of Chris’ other talents is finish carpentry, as both his dad and grand-dad were wood workers. While first trying to break into the music industry, Chris found the need to work outside of the music industry, as many artists do. As luck would have it, he hired on with a contractor working at Tammy Wynette’s home. “One day they were holding auditions for a keyboard player so I asked if I could try out,” says Chris. “I took the afternoon to learn two new songs on Tammy’s grand piano, meanwhile the other guys had been practicing for weeks, but after the audition I was hired and played with her band for five years! It was a great experience – she was a real nice lady.” During this time, Chris and Lisa purchased and lived on a 230acre hay farm west of Nashville with her parents. Lisa owned a nail salon in Dickson and competed in barrel racing on the International Professional Rodeo Association circuit.
Chris continued to seek his own recording deal, writing songs for Sony Tree and singing on demo records. “I came really close to signing one time. We really thought we had it after several producers came to visit us – they don’t typically spend time with you unless they are serious about signing. Then the call came in that they didn’t want to be responsible for breaking up the life that Lisa and I had built.” Chris describes the process as an “emotional rollercoaster. You have a team that is behind you and believes in you 100%, then that happens.”
26 Heartland InTheFieldMagazine
That devastating news led to Chris not performing for about 6 years. In 2002, he and Lisa returned to Florida where he formed a new band and started playing again as Chris MacArthur and The Florida Cracker Boys. In 2005, he and Lisa purchased the 80 acres in eastern Charlotte County where they now live in a beautiful log cabin that Chris built. A talented cabinet maker and wood worker, Chris is known for his “conversion” work on living-quarter horse trailers and other recreational vehicles, customizing interiors to owners’ specifications. He also works on every aspect of RVs including generators, slide-outs, awnings, and diagnostics. With his mobile “Mobetta RV & Horse Trailer Service” he travels to RV parks and special events in Charlotte and surrounding counties making repairs and completing conversions on everything from pop-ups to million-dollar coaches.
June 2013
Chris and his band are local favorites, having played events like Okeechobee’s Hospice Boots & Pearls and the Arcadia All-Florida Championship Rodeo. The band has also gained national exposure by performing the National Anthem at the 2008 National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, playing the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association Gold Buckle Gala in 2009, and has been the opening act for performers like Clay Walker and Neil McCoy. Their brand of traditional rodeo music is enjoyed by many at events including wedding receptions and anniversary parties, and they can adjust their playlist to cater to a particular event. Chris and the Florida Cracker Boys are looking forward to playing at this month’s Cattlemen’s Convention dances on Wednesday and Thursday nights. Lisa stays busy handling the marketing and purchasing supplies needed for their business. She also continues to ride horses, taking in some colts for training. Her parents come down from Tennessee for six months each year and they enjoy canning fresh vegetables, smoking meat, and making sausage from her Dad’s 100-year old recipe. “My dad taught me to hunt, fish, garden, and process meat and we still enjoy doing many of those things together,” she shared. To that end, Chris built them a nice cook shed where they spend a great deal of their time. Chris and Lisa sponsor several local events like the Arcadia Youth Rodeo and Dash for Cash Barrel Racing Series, and help a number of youth rodeo contestants. Lisa said, “We’ve found our niche. We can enjoy Chris’ music and work doing things we love. We enjoy all parts of Florida, from Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades to the salt water. There’s no place like home. ” You can visit www.mobettaconversions. com and www.chrismacarthurmusic.com to learn more about Chris, his RV expertise, and enjoy some of his music.
Made IN USA
NEW
FUEL UP FASTER – Spend more time at the wheel and not at the pump.
FR3210B High Flow 12V DC Pump 22 GPM Out Of The Nozzle • • • • • • • • • •
Features & Benefits: 12V DC. ½ HP. Thermally protected motor 30 – minute duty cycle Heavy-duty cast-iron construction Self priming up to 12’ of lift Theft-deterrent lockable nozzle 2” NPT tank adapter 20’ 10-guage battery cable included Diesel, gasoline, kerosene, E15, and BD up to B20 18’ foot 1” hose High Flow Automatic Nozzle
June 2013
Heartland InThe Field Magazine
27
FARMER & RANCHER Perry Bishop By Robbi Sumner
Dairy farming is in Perry Bishop’s blood, like his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather before him. His greatgrandfather was a dairyman in Miami, and his grandfather “Jug” Bishop owned R.H. Bishop Dairy in Davie. “In the 1950s, my grandfather bought some land in Lorida where he raised replacement heifers and grew hay,” Perry shares. “He passed away in 1972 and his dairy in Davie closed. Then my dad, Donald, built Bishop Brothers Dairy on the property in Lorida.” Perry’s uncles Vernon and Cliff were also dairymen.
Perry grew up in Lorida and attended grade school in DeSoto City, before graduating from Sebring High School. In 1982, Perry married Janet White of Okeechobee. Janet’s father Murphy White was also a well-known dairyman, so the dairy lifestyle is in her blood as well. Her grandparents were Louis and Nonie Melear White, and the Melears are another long-time dairying family.
At the time, Perry was working for his father, but badly wanted to have a dairy of his own. “I always wanted a dairy, since I was a little kid,” says Perry. “I remember taking the train to Davie to spend summers with my grandfather or Uncle Jim (Hazel).” In 1985, Perry was approached with the opportunity to lease land in Vero Beach that a dairy had operated on. With help from his father-in-law and Tom Hebel at Barnett Bank, the deal was made and Perry was in the dairy business.
28 Heartland InTheFieldMagazine
of P.W. Bishop Dairy, Inc.
“Another dairy had bought the cows; I just bought the business and equipment, so Murphy and I went to Kentucky to buy some cows, mostly Holsteins and some Jerseys. We started milking in September 1985. Our first milk check was $1,886 and our first feed bill was $9,000. The place was pretty run-down, with oddsand-ends equipment, but it did have a new milk tank,” Perry says. “Then in January we started testing for Bangs (Brucellosis) and we lost 110 cows in six months. We later learned that the tests were wrong, but we had to replace almost half of our herd.” Perry kept the dairy in Vero for 12 years, enduring many hardships along the way. Then in 1997, he was able to buy the approximately 600 acres in Okeechobee where P.W. Bishop Dairy, Inc. currently operates. “At the time it just had a flat (roof) barn that had been built in the 1950s. The barn suffered a great deal of damage from hurricanes in 2004, and then an electrical fire got the rest of the roof,” recalls Perry. Fortunately no cows were lost in the fire, but with construction supplies in high demand, it took a long time to get repairs made. “We milked in the rain or whatever weather for six to eight months, but none of our employees quit.” In 2008 they completed construction of a new double-30 milking parlor, and are close to completing a free-stall barn June 2013
that will house up to 400 cows. With forage at a premium, the new barn will free up more of their pasture for growing hay. With 1,100 head of cows, Perry cites feed prices as their greatest business challenge. “We go through 400 round bales of hay and five truckloads of feed each month.� Perry’s son Hamilton, who is the Dairy Manager, explains three priorities that the free-stall barn will address as cow comfort, nutrient management (manure disposal), and feed/hay management.
While they typically buy replacement heifers as needed, Hamilton currently has about 50 calves that they are raising as a test for supplying their own replacements. Perry and Hamilton shared that they weigh the milk production of each cow on a monthly basis, monitoring for ups and downs to determine if any cows need to be culled. They also showed me their two cold storage tanks, with 4,000 and 5,000-gallon capacities, explaining the importance of temperature control and sanitization. Trucks arrive daily to transport the milk to the processing plant. Heartland InThe Field Magazine June 2013
Perry and Janet have four grown children: Sarah, Hamilton, Hannah, and Rebekah. All of the kids grew up in 4-H and FFA showing dairy cows and competing on judging and quiz bowl teams. While none of the girls play an active role on the dairy today, Hamilton works alongside Perry, utilizing his Dairy Science degree from the University of Florida and continuing the family dairy tradition.
29
Step Up and Be a Leader By: Dr. David M. Kohl
While listening to side conversations traveling through airports, discussion at producer seminars, and at the community church picnic, everyone is asking, “Where has the leadership gone?” Whether you flip on cable television, or follow the soap opera politics playing out at all levels, leadership is being questioned.
Society and the world have become more fragmented by information and technology, which tends to create a loss of focus. In a world where economic volatility and speed of change are accelerating, the opportunities for success are plentiful; however, the opportunities for failure are also abundant. Proactive, strong leadership is essential to maintain focus.
Leaders can be demonstrated in many forms at all levels given the situation or timing of an event. For some, leadership is shown by providing guidance to a 4-H project or FFA event, supporting the local rescue squad, or coaching a football or basketball league. Serving on church, community, or agricultural boards, or representing your industry locally, regionally, or nationally can be a context for leadership. Often an unusual event or emergency brings out the best leadership qualities of everyday normal people. However, for many the day-to-day interaction with family, employees, suppliers, and the community shows evidence of leadership and focus on success. Great leadership is built on the art of communicating a vision, core value, or principle. Moreover, it involves inspiring a person or group of people with common values and ideals to create and pursue within their personal skill sets.
The foundation of great leadership is the “why” connection. I recently watched a video of Simon Sinek on the TEDTalks YouTube Channel in which he explained how leaders inspire action through the power of “why.” (http://youtu.be/ qp0HIF3SfI4) The main idea of his message was that people connect with you when they believe what you believe, or have a similar purpose, motivation, or “why.” After sharing this video at a strategic planning conference of an agricultural cooperative, I asked the group a simple question. Why do you work for this particular agricultural cooperative? Many in the group thought responses would be picking up a paycheck or providing for the family.
30 Heartland InTheFieldMagazine
To everyone’s surprise, we received a different set of responses. Many felt that it was empowering to work with farms engaged in producing food, fiber and fuel for a growing world population. Others stated they enjoyed having coworkers with similar beliefs and a work environment that is like family. Some stated their lives are enriched by the challenge and fun of helping agricultural producers solve problems. One person stated that he enjoys working in this business because the people are more important than the quarterly financial bottom line. The special relationships that they have with their customers rank much higher than a paycheck. The leadership of this management team suddenly realized that the connection between employees and customers who have very similar “whys” set them beyond the status quo of the competition. Knowing the “whys” took them to another level. As a matter of fact, this organization now has established a “why statement” that speaks from the heart and goes beyond the traditional mission, vision, and core values. The same can apply to your situation whether it is work, family, or a community setting. Effective leaders are able to connect with people who have a similar purpose, cause or belief.
Over the years, I have been in a position to examine many outstanding leaders while involved in athletics, teaching, and facilitating numerous agricultural groups. The following list, though not exhaustive, provides key elements of leadership that I have observed. • • • • • • •
Building a team on a single purpose, vision, and focus Knowing how to gain commitment of others with goals and actions Creating an environment of empowerment Thinking and acting independently and creatively, but also gaining consensus with balanced input Remaining believable and positive, while understanding the capabilities of others Praising, reinforcing, critiquing, and sometimes working through others as agents of change Making others better, lifting, and enriching lives
Many great leaders never forget their roots; they are humble and always remember the people who got them where they are today. Good leaders tend to be superior listeners and observers of people’s verbal and nonverbal communication. They know June 2013
how to motivate others and realize that each individual is unique, having special experiences and talents that, if unlocked, can make them blossom. Outstanding leaders never forget that change starts bottom-up, not top-down, and they value people and input from the front lines.
What is fun to observe about great leaders is some are fiery like Bob Knight, while others are quiet and subtle, but passionate. One quality that all great leaders possess is the ability to connect with people by establishing a common purpose. Sometimes leaders can be subservient, or engaged with people in an activity side-by-side, “walking the talk.” However, they are keen on the art of connecting with the minds and the hearts of others to further a common cause with balance and common sense.
Loans to fit your lifestyle.
Agriculture and rural America have many of the oldtime values that have made America great. It is up to all of us to be advocates for our industry and cultivate an environment that sets us beyond the status quo. Being leaders by connecting and communicating the “whys” from our day-to-day tasks on farms to working with families, employees, consumers, and stakeholders in our industry is imperative to lead the industry forward. Agriculture has been and will always be the foundation of the pyramid of success of our country. Are you ready to step up and be a leader? David Kohl received his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Agricultural Economics from Cornell University. For 25 years, Kohl was Professor of Agricultural Finance and Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia. He was on special leave with the Royal Bank of Canada working on advanced initiatives for two years, and also assisted in the launch of the successful entrepreneurship program at Cornell University. Kohl is Professor Emeritus in the AAEC Department at Virginia Tech and has traveled over 8 million miles throughout his professional career; has conducted more than 6,000 workshops and seminars for agricultural groups. He has published four books and over 1,000 articles on financial and business-related topics in journals, extension, and other popular publications. Kohl regularly writes for Ag Lender and Corn and Soybean Digest. Kohl is currently President of AgriVisions, LLC, a knowledge-based consulting business providing cutting-edge programs to leading agricultural organizations worldwide. He is also a business coach and part owner of Homestead Creamery, a value added dairy business in the Blue Ridge Mountains. If you would like to keep up with Kohl’s information and perspectives, you can find his weekly columns on the following websites:Ag Globe Trotter: www.farm-credit.com/ and Road Warrior of Agriculture: www.cornandsoybeandigest.com
June 2013
Heartland InThe Field Magazine
We appreciate the value of long-term relationships. We've been financing farms, land and homes for almost 100 years. Let us put our experience to work for you. Loans and leases for: · Land · Lots and homes · Recreational property · Refinancing and debt consolidation · Buildings, fences and equipment · Vehicles and trailers · And much more!
800.432.4156 | FarmCreditFL.com
31
WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE
Kris & Lindsey Rucks
By Robbi Sumner
The mom and daughter team of Kris and Lindsey Rucks continues to prove that dairy farming isn’t just for men, as both women are actively involved with their family’s Milking R, Inc., dairy. Milking R was formed in 2001 by Kris’ husband Sutton and his father Sutton, Sr., better known as Diddy, when the Rucks family split their Dry Lake Dairy between Diddy and his brother. Rucks family members have been dairy farmers in South Florida since the mid-1930s, moving from Deerfield Beach to Okeechobee in 1955.
Cattle at Buck Island Ranch “Basically, I do whatever The Boss tells me to do,” she laughs, referring to Sutton as “The Boss”. But it is obvious that Kris loves her job, and more importantly, the family lifestyle that farming allows. It is also obvious that she knows their dairy business inside and out - from the feed mixes and the employees to the property and the animals they care for. “Everybody dairies differently – what we do works for us,” she says. “The cows provide our living so we do everything we can to keep them healthy, comfortable and productive.”
Kris enjoys both the inside and outside responsibilities at the farm. As Office Manager, she handles all of the record keeping – financial and cow records – for the 1,200 milking cows and approximately 1,200 heifers. There is a great deal of information to maintain from breeding, calving, and vaccination dates to production records. While they do have a full-time employee to manage the calf barn, Kris feeds on that employee’s days off, helps doctor any calves that need it, and cares for those from birth to when they are shipped to a grower in Ohio at approximately 14 days old. Calves return to Okeechobee between 4 and 6 months of age to finish growing out and be bred in order to begin lactation and milking.
Lindsey is a 2012 graduate of the University of Florida, and is Assistant Editor for Purebred Publishing, the company responsible for the official publications of the Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Guernsey, and Milking Shorthorn associations. She also works part-time for Accelerated Genetics, a world leader in supplying breeding, nutrition, and other health products to the beef and dairy industries. While those jobs keep her busy taking care of clients and travelling to various fairs and conventions, Lindsey also helps on the farm and is continuing with her own line of genetics that she started as a 4-Her.
Kris’ father, Murphy White, was also a dairyman (she and Perry Bishop’s wife Janet are sisters) so marrying into another dairy family was a perfect fit for her.
32 Heartland InTheFieldMagazine
In addition to the dairy, Kris handles the bookkeeping for their 450-head commercial beef cattle operation and for the trucking business that Sutton and Kris’ brother Steven White own.
June 2013
“4-H offers so many incredible opportunities for kids,” says Kris. Both Lindsey and her younger brother Garrett showed dairy cows, but it quickly became a passion for Lindsey. During her 4-H career, she excelled not only at showing, but also in dairy judging and quiz bowl events. In 2008, her judging team won first place at the All-American Dairy Show Judging event in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania with Lindsey scoring as High Individual. At the National 4-H Dairy Judging contest in Wisconsin, the team came in second Overall, placing first in Reasons, with Lindsey scoring as High Individual in Reasons and second Overall. Their success earned the team a trip to Europe where they spent two weeks touring various cities and farms in England, Scotland, Germany, and France. They even competed at the Royal Highland Show, Scotland’s premier showcase for rural and agricultural products and services, where Lindsey again ranked as High Individual. “The trip was a great experience,” she shares. “I stayed with a host family in Luxembourg for a few days and still keep in touch with them.”
Lindsey and her parents started RAD-ical Genetics as a way of promoting and furthering the genetics of Lindsey’s award winning line of Brown Swiss cows. “RAD-ical Rock It” took 1st Summer Yearling & Best Bred and Owned honors at the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin in 2012, as well as 1st Summer Yearling and H.M. Junior Champion at the Kentucky State Fair in 2012 prior to being sold at the World Premier Sale in Madison, Wisconsin last October. “That is your ultimate goal as a breeder,” Lindsey explains. “I also owned her dam who had been the Reserve All-American Fall Calf in 2009 and the Junior Champion at two youth National June 2013
Heartland InThe Field Magazine
Shows in 2009.” Last fall she sold the right to “first choice” of one of ten Brown Swiss calves, each from “Top Acres JP Gaiety” via in vitro fertilization (IVF), that she is caring for on a daily basis. “The buyer will choose their calf in June, and then we will probably keep a few and sell the rest.” Gaiety is a cow that Lindsey bought instead of a car when she was 16, and still believes that she made the right choice!
While farm life doesn’t allow much time for a number of other hobbies, Kris and Lindsey do enjoy an occasional shopping trip, as well as their travels to dairy shows in New York, Kentucky, Wisconsin, and other locales. Since they live on the farm, Kris says there is always something to do whether it’s tending calves or spraying weeds. But as Lindsey put it, “I can’t imagine living anywhere else.”
33
Dakin Dairy Farm TOURS
Dakin Dairy Farms will be celebrating their 5th Anniversary offering Farm Tours October 5th, 2013! It’s funny how one thing leads to another. After Jerry and Karen built their new dairy farm in 2002, people would just show up wanting to see the dairy. School groups, 4H &FFA groups and traveling or retired farmers started consuming more and more of their time acting as Tour Guides. As they began construction of their milk bottling plant, they decided to also pursue opening their family farm to the public for guided farm tours during the cooler months from October through April. This dream sent them visiting and researching other farms throughout the country that offered farm tours.
There was a lot to be done to make a working dairy farm “public friendly”. Roads were moved, fences were installed, parking was addressed, tour paths were created, public restrooms and then the “Farm Fun” play area was designed. Karen and Jerry wanted the theme to be “old fashioned outdoor fun at the farm”. They saw hay mazes, sand piles, tire swings, pig races, cow train rides, goats, slides and swings nestled under the gorgeous oak hammock, camp fires to roast hot dogs and marshmallows, picnic tables, fossil digs, chickens and the list continues to grow each year. Of course every farm must offer hayrides, so they took a retired set of axles and built their first hayride. Last year they purchased a new covered hayride lower to the ground with built in stairs
34 Heartland InTheFieldMagazine
and a ramp that pulls out. For $10 an “All The Way” Farm Fun experience is quite the bargain.
In 2008, they sent brochures out to the local schools offering an educational but “fun” guided farm tour of the dairy. The response was amazing, and hasn’t stopped. The kids have a blast while learning about where their milk comes from. They make butter, feed baby calves and plant a bean seed in compost made right on the farm then take a hayride deeper into the farm. It is so much fun that kids want to have their birthday parties here, and so do Mom’s: it’s hassle free, bring your cake and they provide milk samples during cake cutting. The dairy upgraded their onsite café and offer “Old Fashioned Country Picnics” featuring an “It’s All About The Cheese” menu with pizza, quesadillas, grilled cheese sandwiches, pan “fried” cheese; pulled pork; homemade slaw, dressings and Dakin Tomato soup. To top it all off, they offer hard and soft service ice cream with toppings. On June 15th they are geared up to celebrate Dairy Month where they will offer soft serve frozen yogurt made right there with Dakin Milk! To contend with the heat, they are bringing in a 35-foot waterslide, dunk tank and are putting sprinklers in at the volleyball and tetherball games. Visit their Facebook page for more details and save $2 pre-buying your Dairy Day Ticket. June 2013
June 2013
Heartland InThe Field Magazine
35
Telling the Story of Dairy Farming through Sports Submitted by the Florida Dairy Farmers
Florida’s dairy farmers know the value of hard work and determination and practice it every day. They also know the importance of being involved in, and giving back to, their community. Both of these are reasons why Florida’s dairy farmers came to sponsor the most unique and longest-running sports awards program in the nation; the Florida Dairy Farmers High School Sports Awards (FHSSA).
Celebrating its 20th anniversary during the 2011-2012 school year, the FHSSA program has honored more than 5,000 of the state’s top athletes and coaches since its inception in 1992 and currently recognizes all 30 Florida High School Athletic Association-sanctioned sports. Many of these winners have gone on to collegiate, professional and Olympic fame and include names like: • • • •
Football stars Tim Tebow, Daunte Culpepper and Anquan Boldin Olympic gold medalist Ryan Lochte Major league baseball superstar Alex Rodriquez Basketball greats Vince Carter, Amar’e Stoudamire and more
The program also sheds light and accolades on the smaller sports, coaches and athletes who put in a tremendous amount of work and are often overshadowed by the larger sports. “That was the essence of the program,” said David Stirt, owner of Florida Sports News, Inc., and co-creator of the FHSSA program. “Football and basketball players always get
36 Heartland InTheFieldMagazine
attention; everybody knows who they are. But the swimmers, softball players, track athletes, volleyball players and so on now get equal recognition with all the bigger and so-called ‘major’ sports and all the athletes and coaches in the state have the chance to receive recognition for what they are doing.”
Perhaps even more importantly, the FHSSA program exemplifies Florida Dairy Farmers’ commitment to youth and gives a face to Florida’s dairy farmers. At on-campus award ceremonies, dairy farmers from across the state present the athletic awards, allowing thousands of kids a chance to see the men and women who produce their food. “Many kids are now three to four generations removed from the farm and do not know where their food comes from,” said Matt Lussier, Alachua county dairy farmer and President of Florida Dairy Farmers. As these dairy farmers lead the assemblies in a “milk toast,” the program also emphasizes to young people the importance of keeping dairy a primary part of their diet. “It’s a great way to reinforce the value of consuming milk and dairy products for optimum athletic performance, recognizing that these athletes would be influential to their peers,” said Michele Cooper, CEO of Florida Dairy Farmers. And it has inspired coaches as well. “Six or seven years ago we started using chocolate milk within 45 minutes of our games to help rejuvenate the muscles and get them recovering quicker,” said Mike Pickett, St. Johns Country Day School soccer coach and 2012 Girls Soccer Coach of the Year. June 2013
The FHSAA program is a longterm investment by Florida’s dairy farmers in the state’s youth and in telling their story. The award is looked at by athletes and coaches as the Florida high school version of the Heisman trophy, and the 2011-2012 season has resulted in outstanding media attention for the program and its winners, each one mentioning the nutritious product and hardworking people behind it. For a complete list of winners throughout the program’s history, visit www.floridamilk.com/ FloridaHighSchoolSportsAwards.
Florida Dairy Farmers is a farmerfunded organization that works to educate people about the state’s dairy farming industry and Tim Tebow accepts the Florida Dairy Farmers Mr. Football Award in 2005 from dairy farmer promote nutrient-rich dairy foods Jim Frazel of Putnam County, Florida as an important part of a healthy lifestyle. The promotions group that represents the more and carries out the programs of Dairy Management Inc., than 130 dairy farms in the state, FDF is one of 18 member the umbrella organization based in Chicago. For more organizations of the United Dairy Industry Association information, call 407- 647-8899 or visit www.floridamilk.com
Ranch or Farm Land
AUCTION! 11am, Saturday, June 29th
940± ACRES
• Offered in 5 Parcels • 2786 SR 29 S., Labelle, FL • 11 - 8 inch Wells • 1 Mile of Frontage on Helms Road • 1/4 Mile of Frontage on SR29 • Adjacent to Airport Preview: 11am-2pm, Saturday, June 22nd
1666 Williamsburg Square, Lakeland, FL 33803
June 2013
Broker Participation Welcome
Heartland InThe Field Magazine
800-257-4161 Higgenbotham.com
auction@higgenbotham.com M.E. Higgenbotham, AARE FL Lic.# AU305 AB158
37
FLORIDA DAIRY BREEDS
C
Milk comes from dairy cows. In Florida, most cows are Holsteins. Other breeds include Guernsey, Jersey and Brown Swiss. One way to tell the breed of the cow is by its color. The sign next to each cow tells you its breed and color. Use those clues to help you color them. Which breeds have you seen?
Jersey: Tan color with
black nose and feet; came to the U.S. from the British Channel Isle of Jersey in the 1950s.
T
Thre help
Brown Swiss: Solid brown, varying from very light to dark; came from Switzerland in 1869.
39
38
37
40
36
35
41
34
42
33
43
32
Guernsey: A shade of tan with white markings; came to the U.S. from the British Channel Isle of Guernsey in 1831.
30
T AR ST
31
1 2 4 3 44 45
Holstein: Black
and white or red and white; came from Holland in 1621.
6JKU KU RCTV QH VJG &CKT[ -KV 8KUKV ĆƒQTKFCOKNM EQO HQT OQTG KPHQTOCVKQP
Kids Corner Brought to You By the Florida Dairy Farmers
46 47 48 49 50
51
52
6JKU KU RCTV QH VJG &CKT[ -KV 8KU
CONNECT
THE DOTS
ee servings of dairy (milk, cheese or yogurt) every day ps you get the nutrients you need to build strong bones!
Milk has played an important role in America’s history since 1611 when the first cows were brought to Jamestown, Va.
… K L I M han re t o M
Milk supplies calcium and other nutrients to help you stay healthy. Drink 3 to 4 glasses every day for a strong and hard-working body.
he! tac s u am Vitamin A: Assists with normal vision
Circle the different milk jug. Calcium:
Builds strong bones and teeth
Protein:
Grows and builds muscles and other tissues
Phosphorous: Generates energy in cells and strengthens bones
0
29 28 27
Potassium:
26
25 21
20
22
24 23
Water:
19 6 18
17
5
16
15
14
13
Maintains body temperature and carries nutrients and oxygen to cells
Helps your muscles move and contract and keeps blood pressure in balance
Vitamin D:
SH NI FI
53
54
Niacin and Riboflavin:
Absorbs and deposits calcium and phosphorous in your bones and teeth
Help cells produce energy
7 12
8 9
10
11
KV ƃQTKFCOKNM EQO HQT OQTG KPHQTOCVKQP
Vitamin B-12: Carbohydrates: Produce energy to fuel your muscles
Produces red blood cells
6JKU KU RCTV QH VJG &CKT[ -KV 8KUKV ƃQTKFCOKNM EQO HQT OQTG KPHQTOCVKQP
Florida Dairy Farming – A Brief History By Robbi Sumner
Dairy production has been a part of Florida agriculture since the first settlers came to our great state.
40 Heartland InTheFieldMagazine
A dairy cow was often among families’ prized possessions as they provided fresh milk and butter for consumption or to be used in trade for other items. Often times the cows served multiple purposes, pulling wagons or plows in addition to their milk production.
I recently had the opportunity to visit with Mr. Kent Price of Okeechobee and learned a great deal about the early dairy industry in Florida. Mr. Price is a former Extension Agent who worked in Dade, Palm Beach, and Okeechobee counties and has been referred to as “a walking research source for June 2013
L to R standing: Jack Kidwell, John Nord, Tommy Rucks, Sr., Charles McArthur. Carlton Melear seated, signing for IDFA the day McArthur joined IDFA
Kent Price and Al Stokes, Manager of McArthur Barn #6, taken in 1969
South Florida dairymen and ranchers.” Price’s career with IFAS began in 1951 when he moved from Alabama to accept the position as an Assistant Agent in Dade County. From 1955 to 1971, he worked from Palm Beach County as the Multi-County Livestock Agent serving Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin and Okeechobee counties, before serving as Okeechobee County’s Extension Director until his retirement in 1982. At that time, Mr. Price was able to focus on his own farming and consultant businesses. June 2013
Heartland InThe Field Magazine
Looking Back Prior to World War II, most Florida milk production came from private family farms, as according to Price, there were very few dairies in the area. As time passed and the demand for milk increased so did the number of dairies. During the War, a shift occurred and the producer-distributor system became prevalent, with many farmers providing not only production but also processing and distributing their milk and milk products for sale to the public. Those involved in distribution saw their costs lowered due to adoption of the
41
Sr. Herd Sire Loxahatchee Farms was taken in 1930
The state’s more than 130 dairy farms are primarily owned and operated by second- and third-generation farmers.
“Every-other-day” milk delivery program which was adopted as part of the War Conservation Program.
By 1952, there were over 80 dairies in Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties alone. Some of those dairymen began to realize the importance of working together for the betterment of the industry as a whole, particularly concerning milk prices. The Florida Milk Commission was responsible for establishing milk prices, and it was believed by many that the pricing strategies supported distributors more than producers.
to move north, with Lafayette County now home to 21 farms, while Okeechobee is second with 19. A number of factors including real estate prices, more favorable weather conditions, and fewer environmental regulatory restrictions continue to impact the migration from south Florida.
One of those men was Bill Graham (brother of thenfuture Florida Governor Bob Graham). Graham worked to organize the dairyman in order to speak as a unified voice, and in 1956, the Independent Dairy Farmers Association of Southeast Florida was formed. IDFA also formed sub-groups in Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Tampa, although Southeast Florida and Tampa were the two main groups, according to Mr. Price. The Southeast group was initially comprised of 4-5 dairymen from each Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties.
IDFA was one of the predecessors to today’s Southeast Milk, Inc. dairy cooperative. SMI was created in 1998, with the goal of more efficiently marketing their members’ milk, and today the co-op markets 3 billion pounds of milk annually. You may also have heard of the Florida Dairy Farmers, a farmer-funded organization that works to increase milk consumption through a variety of education and marketing promotions. FDF works with health professionals, schools, and retailers to help spread the good word about the nutritional values of milk and other dairy products.
The Numbers
According to the 1950 Edition of “Milk Facts,” a Milk Industry Foundation publication, Florida was home to 135,000 milk cows in 1949. Average milk production per cow was 1,907 quarts or about 4,100 pounds. Statistics compiled by Mr. Price show the number of milk cows topping out at over 200,000 in the mid-1970s, with production per cow at just over 9,400 pounds annually. While the number of dairies has drastically shrunk – there are only about 130 left in Florida when at one time there was close to that many just in the southeast – production has increased dramatically thanks to improvements in feed, milking practices, and cattle genetics.
The roughly 122,000 dairy cows in Florida today each produce about 18,600 pounds of milk annually, an increase of 353% over 1949. Much dairy production has continued June 2013
Heartland InThe Field Magazine
Cows drink 25-50 gallons of water a day. That’s enough to fill a bathtub!
The People While the dairy business itself has undergone a number of changes, the names of the producers have not. Many of today’s farming families look to the humble beginnings and hard work of previous generations that have made their success possible. While space constrictions do not allow for a full accounting of those who were so instrumental to the growth and development of the Florida dairy industry, we’ve chosen to highlight a few who remain recognized in our area. Families like the McArthurs, Larsons, and Rucks are just a few that have been involved for multiple generations.
43
The largest and most commercially well-known name, McArthur Farms, was opened in 1929 by James Neville McArthur in Hollywood, with just 20 cows. Originally from Mississippi, McArthur left a career in education to pursue his dairy dream, surviving the Great Depression by dedication and perseverance. Through the years the operation grew and in 1958 the farm moved to a larger tract of land in Okeechobee. The McArthur empire grew to include
processing and distribution, citrus and beef cattle operations, as well as non-agriculture and philanthropic endeavors, with family members still involved.
Louis E. “Red” Larson has come a long way since hand milking cows on the dairy of a family friend for $2 a day. After serving in the Air Force during WWII, he attended the University of Miami and partnered in his first dairy in 1947. In 1954, he purchased a farm in Palm Beach County where the dairy operated until 1971 when they relocated to Okeechobee. Today Larson Dairy, Inc. is served by three generations of Larsons including Red’s sons Woody and John who each also have their own dairy operations, and grandsons Jacob and Travis. Like many other dairy farmers of that time, Otis Rucks came to Florida from Alabama, and in 1923 started a dairy in Dania (Broward County). Soon after, several of his brothers also made the move and started dairies, including Gordon and Hobart. In 1949, Hobart’s son Tommy joined his father’s farm which came to be H.W. Rucks & Son Dairy, Inc., and moved from Dade County to Okeechobee in the mid-1970s. The dairy continues to operate today with participation from Tommy’s children Keith, Tommy, Jr., and Robin Sims. There are many other branches of the Rucks’ family tree operating their own dairies as well.
44 Heartland InTheFieldMagazine
We could continue on about pioneering families like the Melears, Butlers, Bermans, Goolsbys, and others. Suffice it to say that Dairy is a strong family business that seems to get into the blood of those who live it. June 2013
June 2013
Heartland InThe Field Magazine
45
Anne Truslow, VP of Conservation Programs of the National Wildlife Refuge Association.
This group lobbied for more funds from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund to be appropriated, $50 million to be exact, for protecting lands through conservation easements in the Headwaters of the Everglades. This land encompasses about one million acres north of Lake Okeechobee in the Kissimmee River Basin, with 150,000 acres in particular in Polk, Highlands, Orange, Osceola and Okeechobee counties to be selected because of its value for wildlife and water conservation. Current funding from the President for 2013 equaled $5 million. 100,000 of the acres are set for conservation easements, as the remaining 50,000 would be set for outright purchase. This land is critical for preserving water for the 6 million residents of South Florida. These ranchlands act as nature’s filtration system as the water slowly seeps back to recharge the aquifer, compared to the quick runoff when development and concrete cover the land. The water enters into Lake Okeechobee cleaner, leading to fewer costs associated with filtering the water as it flows out of the south end of the lake. The natural habitat is preserved, endangered species are protected, sportsmen are given space to hunt and fish, along with keeping these lands in the family’s hands that have looked over them for generations.
Northern Everglades National Wildlife Refuge & Conservation Area Representatives from Central Florida Make Trip to DC By Leigh Ann Lightsey Wynn
Members of the Northern Everglades Alliance, a group of landowners in Central Florida, made the trip to Washington, DC the third week of April to advocate for funds to be appropriated to the Northern Everglades National Wildlife Refuge & Conservation Area. Seventeen scheduled meetings with Congressmen, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior and the Senate Ag Committee took place over a three day period. Traveling members included Leigh Ann Lightsey Wynn of Lightsey Cattle Co and Land South Group, LeeAnn Adams Simmons of the Adams Ranch in Fort Pierce, Lefty Durando and Doyle Durando of the Durando Ranches in Wauchula, Carlos Vergara of Camp Lonesome Ranch in Kenansville and
46 Heartland InTheFieldMagazine
A conservation easement is a voluntary encumbrance on a piece of land that limits its development rights. These valuable easements can be “sold” to federal agencies, private entities or conservation groups like The Nature Conservancy in order to keep the land as a working landscape. These perpetual easements “run with the land”, so even if the land is sold years from now, it will not be developed.
For more information on whether your land qualifies for a conservation easement, feel free to contact Leigh Ann Wynn at LeighAnn@LandSouthGroup.com or call 855 607 LAND.
June 2013
June 2013
Heartland InThe Field Magazine
47
RECIPE OF THE MONTH
Garlic-Herb Cheeseburger
Did you know? Cows can go up stairs, but not down stairs.
Total recipe time: 20 to 25 minutes Makes 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef 80% to 85% lean) 4 slices red onion, cut 1/2 inch thick 1 large red bell pepper, cut into quarters Salt and pepper 1/2 cup garlic-herb cheese spread 4 round French sandwich rolls, split, toasted
Instructions: Lightly shape ground beef into four 1/2-inch thick patties.
48 Heartland InTheFieldMagazine
Place patties in center of grid over medium, ash-covered coals; arrange onion and bell pepper around patties. Grill, covered, 8 to 10 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, 7 to 9 minutes) until instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into center registers 160째F, turning occasionally.
Grill vegetables 13 to 16 minutes or until crisp-tender, turning occasionally. Season with salt and pepper, as desired. Cut bell pepper into 1/2-inch strips. Spread 1 tablespoon cheese on bottom of each bun; top with burger, another 1 tablespoon cheese, onion slice and 1/4 of bell pepper. Close sandwiches. June 2013
FARM LAND FOR SALE
117 Acres COLLIER COUNTY 5980 SR 29, Immokalee, FL
377 Acres COLLIER COUNTY 6130 Pringle Lane, Immokalee, FL
Previous crops included:
4 Individual parcels, buy
Cantelope, watermelons
all or individual parcels.
and peppers. Also features
All lots are sloped laser
6� well - electric motor and
114 Acres HENDRY COUNTY 465 Country Road UN 830A, Felda, FL
781 Acres LEE COUNTY 12500 Green Meadow Road, Fort Myers, FL
31.78 Acres HENDRY COUNTY 388 Country Road 830A, Felda, FL
Located 8.4 miles east of
property located 1 mile
2 bed/1 bath home plus
I-75. large farm operation.
north of the Collier/
leveled and are currently
mobile home. Currently
CALL FOR PRICING
Hendry County line, in the
throw out pump - diesel
farmed.
farmed.
northeast quandrant of SR
motor. ASKING: $877,500
ASKING: $3,398,940
ASKING: $1,026,000
29 & CR 830A.
C E ON justDsouth Located TRA R of Cincludes LaBelle. property T!
The information contained herein was obtained from sources believed reliable, however, Lee & Associates makes no guarantees, warranties or representations as to the completeness or accuracy thereof. The presentation of this property is submitted subject to errors, omissions, change of price or conditions prior to sale or lease or withdrawal without notice.
For More Information Please Contact:
www.commercialpropertyinfo.net June 2013
Heartland InThe Field Magazine
Zoning General AG,
ASKING: $9,000/Acre
Chuck Smith, CCIM
Carlos Acosta
Senior Vice President
Senior Vice President
csmith@ccim.net
cacosta@lee-associates.com
T: 239.826.3337
T: 239.823.0115
49
Robert “Bo” and Emily Hobby
“We are first generation ranchers and land owners. It’s different from those who’ve had it passed down, but we were welcomed with open arms into the biggest family you can belong to,” says Emily Hobby of the life she and husband Bo share on their ranch near Williston.
While the two came from diverse backgrounds – Bo’s father was an auctioneer/car salesman and Emily’s owned a wholesale plumbing supply business – they’ve been together since meeting as freshmen at Florida State University. “He threw a Frisbee that hit me and spilled my chocolate milkshake,” laughs Emily. “And the rest is history!” The two transferred to Western Kentucky University as sophomores, where Bo continued playing on a football scholarship, excelling on the field. The “Hilltoppers” went to two National Championships in three years, with Bo playing wide receiver.
Emily earned her degree in K-8 Education with a minor in Child Development, taking a break from teaching when their children were young, then returning when the youngest started Kindergarten. Bo worked part-time for a mobile veterinarian while earning his Criminology degree. After graduation and a summer working for the Sheriff’s Department in Orlando, he decided to return to ag-related
50 Heartland InTheFieldMagazine
work and joined Purina in 1979 as a Sales Representative/ Cattle Specialist where he spent the next 20 years. He then spent 10 years with Cargill, and has been a Beef Cow Nutrition Consultant with XF Enterprises the past 3-4 years.
The couple purchased their ranch before Bo retired from Purina. Both are quick to praise Bo’s former boss and mentor, Don Plagge, whom they say offered invaluable advice and support through the years.
“We mostly run commercial cattle but are also partners in Imperial Wagyu Beef, a niche business breeding Angus cows to Wagyu bulls to provide high quality Kobe-style beef,” Bo shares. “The partners handle every aspect from conception to harvest, each having expertise in a particular field from feed yards, harvest facilities, trucking, and Wagyu genetics.” Imperial Wagyu Beef now has 35 distributors across the United States and abroad.
Bo and Emily first became involved with the Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) when Bo joined as an Allied member. “Bo attended his first convention with FCA in 1980, and I attended my first in 1981,” Emily says. Through the years, each has become deeply involved with the organization which Bo served as President in 2008-09. When I asked Bo what he considered to be the highlights of his Presidency June 2013
By Robbi Sumner
he responded, “There were so many highlights it’s hard to name them, but I’m really proud of the Ranch Rodeo that started then, as well as the travelling heritage display that got started and is now housed at the State Fairgrounds.” He added, “Travelling to all of the County Association meetings throughout that year and getting back to the grassroots of what drives a volunteer association – people in each county coming together – was a humbling experience. We’re living a dream to be in the ranching and land stewardship industry, getting to work with others who I believe to be salt of the earth people.” Bo now chairs the Annual Florida Ranch Rodeo Finals and Cowboy Heritage Festival held at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee. 2013 will mark the 6th event, planned for September 27th and 28th. “It takes a tremendous number of people make it a success – a lot of work by a lot of people,” says Bo of the event that raises money to support the FCA Foundation.
Emily serves as Chair of the Silent Auction that takes place at the FCA Convention in Marco. “Don Plagge got me involved many years ago. It’s all about the next generation – we raise money to support our youth, and I’m always overwhelmed by the generosity shown by those who support the auction,” she says. Emily grew up in Naples and her dad supplied the June 2013
Heartland InThe Field Magazine
original plumbing fixtures at what is now the Marriott. “It’s like old home week when I’m there for FCA. As a teenager I used to babysit at the hotel.”
Bo and Emily also support youth by hosting an annual Christmas party for members of the University of Florida’s Collegiate CattleWomen and Block and Bridle organizations. You may be surprised to learn about Bo and Emily’s other hobby. They own a 2000 Harley Davidson Heritage Softail Classic that the two have ridden to Canada on twice so far. They also enjoy going to events like the recent Leesburg Bikefest to visit with old friends. Bo and Emily are tickled to have their family - son Creason and grandson Nox, as well as daughter Nikki, her husband Caleb Smith and grand-daughters Layla Grace and Millie - living nearby. “The ag environment is unique and brings with it certain experiences and rites of passage that we try to recreate for our kids. They can run and play outside and learn about work ethic and responsibility,” says Emily. “We’re doing what we wanted to do from the beginning,” shares Bo. “We’ve been so blessed, not necessarily with financial wealth but with opportunities, and we know the importance of giving back. In the end it’s not what we’ve done or achieved but how we lived that matters.”
51
Protecting Their Heritage
Okeechobee County Cattlemen’s Association Rodeo Arena
For the past several years, the Okeechobee County Cattlemen’s Association (OCCA) has held their Spring and Labor Day rodeos at the County-owned Agri Civic Center. The decision to move their events stemmed largely from a desire to help promote the County facility, which includes an arena, spectator bleachers, and concession areas all under one roof.
Recently, the membership voted overwhelmingly to return to holding their rodeos at their own arena located on Highway 441 North. At that meeting, many members cited concern over potentially losing sight of the history and heritage not only of the events, but also of the local organization itself. The OCCA began holding rodeos in 1951, building a strong community tradition throughout the years. Unfortunately, portions of the facility are in need of deferred maintenance repairs, and in 2012, a local contractor provided an estimated cost for those repairs to be over $60,000. That amount did not include a new PA (public address) system, which many believe is also needed. Among the cited repairs planned are bleacher maintenance, replacement of portions of the tin roof that covers
52 Heartland InTheFieldMagazine
the bleachers, and concession, restroom, and lighting upgrades.
While the cost initially seemed daunting, many members offered to volunteer their time and resources towards the repairs, and since have launched an “Arena Restoration Fundraiser.” To show their support of the project, Okeechobee businesses Gilbert Chevrolet, Eli’s Western Wear, and the Okeechobee Livestock Market have pledged a total of $50,000 to match any funds that are privately raised by the end of this year. “The arrival of our new grandson really brought home to me the importance of carrying on the Cattlemen’s legacy. We need to hold on to our values and heritage for the benefit of future generations,” shared newly elected OCCA President Todd Clemons regarding his motivation for the project. “Depending on how much money we are able to raise, we’ve also discussed building an Okeechobee Cattlemen’s Heritage Museum on the property. It would be a place for families to donate artifacts and share our heritage with others for years to come.”
An account has been established at CenterState Bank to receive contributions. Anyone interested in making a donation can contact John Williams at CenterState, 863.763.5573, or contact Billy Marcum, Chairperson of the OCCA Arena Restoration Committee, 863.467.0331.
“Cattlemen need to be involved in their industry, and I would like to urge anyone interested in the cattle industry to join and be active in their county and state Cattlemen’s Associations,” Clemons said. Citing 4-H horse shows, barrel races, ranch rodeos and other family-oriented community events that can continue to be held at the facility in the future. He added “If our arena means anything to you – memories of attending past rodeos as a spectator or contestant, the importance of our local heritage – please contribute to the Restoration Fund.” June 2013
Dee r Va l l ey Fa r m … TH E SOU RC E for q u a l ity A n g u s G e net ics
Saturday, November 16, 2013 Annual Female Production Sale Performance-Tested Angus Bull Sale One of t he bree d’s most truste d source s for 18-mont h old bulls — Bre d to per form!
Join Us! Two Sales in One Day Ca l l U s to Re q u e st a S a l e Boo k!
PROVEN GENE TICS IN VOLUME Progressive Program — Reliable People — Committed to Customer Service
Selling Over 350 Head in One Day!
Selling Bred Heifers, Bred Cows, Proven Donors, Three-in-Ones, and Open Heifers.
Female Sale Begins at 10:00 am Bull Sale will begin at Approx 1:00 pm
All
Bulls
Free Nation-Wide Delivery for All Bulls
Trich-Tested
Negative
First Breeding Season Guarantee on All Bulls
11 Fred Clark Lane • Fayetteville, TN 37334 Owners: Fred & Rinda Clark • Kim Clark Jonathan Perry, General Manager—Cell: 931.703.6330 Office: 931/433-1895 • Fax: 931/433-0730 Email: Jonathan Perry at jjperry@deervalleyfarm.com
www.DeerValleyFarm.com June 2013
Heartland InThe Field Magazine
53
Team branding was the third event. The ropers have learned to lead the calf as close to the branding circle as they can, which is what helped Clay and Christy Newsome, roper Matt Smith, Chance Wright and Brandon Dieter of the M&N Cattle team to win in 35 seconds. A short break was then had, and barrelman Josh Wolf of Myakka City led the youngsters in a boot race. All boots were claimed, as were all the kids!
CUMMINGS CATTLE WINS
Manatee County Ranch Rodeo Article and Photos By Kathy Gregg
The Manatee County Cattlemen’s Association hosted the 5th Annual Manatee County ranch rodeo at the Palmetto Fairgrounds on Saturday, April 20. This ranch rodeo is one of the qualifiers for the FCA Finals to be held at the Silver Spurs Arena on September 27-28.
The 13 teams competing were 3-D Quarter Horses & Training Stables, Adams Ranch, Audubon Ranch, Bevilles Ranch, Cummings Cattle Company, Deseret Ranch, J3/Lazy JB Ranch (one of the Heartland teams, consisting of Buck Lee, Dusty “Sowbelly” Savoie and his wife Whitney, Allen Lanier and Shane Perkins), JJ Show Horses, M&N Cattle Company, Rockin’ KP Ranch, Schroeder Manatee Ranch, Strickland Ranch & Exports, Inc., and Switch Ranch (another Heartland team, with Peck Harris, Matt Carlton, Robert Fussell, Brett Johnson, and female team member Jessie Gattis). These teams consisted of 4 cowboys and 1 cowgirl from around the state. The teams were introduced in the Grand Entry, and Maria “WeeWee” Mathews, the current Manatee County Cattlemen’s Sweetheart, presented the American flag.
The action resumed with the double muggin’ event, where the steers drag the cowboys, knock them over, and the cowgirls often dig in their heels while holding it’s tail. Cummings Cattle took their second set of buckles, with a time of 45 seconds. The final event was woods tying – this one was started by the Manatee County ranch rodeo. Adams Ranch, with a time of 39 seconds, took their second win. And the crowd was treated to something not often seen – Travis “I Never Miss” Dorman MISSED his catch, leaving teammate (and President of the Manatee County Cattlemen’s Association) Jason McKendree to roll his eyes! Article and Photos By Kathy Gregg
This qualifying event has a special, and sentimental, part to it – Walter Mann was a long-time Myakka City cattleman, and everyone who knew him or had the privilege of working with him are filled with his praises. And in his honor, his wife Faye Mann presents a Top Hand award. Miss Faye herself does all the judging, which is no small task – and this year’s special buckle went to Peck Harris of the Switch Ranch team. Then came the overall winners – Third place went to Audubon Ranch (Dennis Carlton, Jr., Pat Thomas, Wesley Markham, Charles Robert Stevens III, and Laci Whaley), with second place going to Adams Ranch. AND THE WINNER IS – Cummings Cattle Company, with Dusty and Charity Crosby, cousin Rodney Crosby, Justin Peeples and Michael Grimaldi. It must have been those good luck charms cheering them on – 4-month-old Rhett Crosby and 5-month-old Wyatt Peeples (our future cowboys and cattlemen)!
The action started with the team-sorting event. The herd was well controlled by the competitors, with only 2 teams receiving a no-time, both for the wrong calf getting out. Cummings Cattle sorted out their 3 calves in 43 seconds to take first place. Next up was team doctoring, where the bovines beat the cowboys, with 7 teams receiving no-times. Adams Ranch, consisting of Billy Adams and his daughter Sage, Marshall Godsey, and father and son Carson and Cody Storey, won this event with an astounding time of TEN SECONDS.
54 Heartland InTheFieldMagazine
June 2013
Located At: 3305 Hwy. 92 E. • Lakeland, FL 33801
WEEKLY BEEF SALE: TUESDAY
Don’t Miss...
WATCH OUR TUESDAY SALE LIVE ONLINE
START TIME: 12:00 p.m. (NOON)
GO TO: WWW.LMAAUCTIONS.COM THEN CLICK ON CATTLEMEN’S
For Competitive Prices, Let Cattlemen’s Live Auction Market Handle Your Livestock Merchandising Dave or Mike Tomkow • Office: 863.665.5088 Mike Cell: 863.559.5091 • Home: 352.523.2081 • Dave Cell: 863.559.3266 • Home: 863.686.4486
June 2013
Heartland InThe Field Magazine
55
FEATURED ARTIST
RODGER DRAWDY “The best way to predict your future is to invent it. Seek out your gift and live with all your passion. Your desire will create knowledge and time will determine your wisdom.” That is exactly what Rodger Drawdy of River Pasture Metal Art did with his talents. Rodger began making custom ranch signs and hardware, custom built gates, custom-built entranceways, wall decor and anything he set his mind to after a career on the highway. “I have learned a lot about the passion of my work in the most primitive way. In most cases ‘self taught;’ in other ways it’s just hands on, mind wide open and strategies.” Rodger taught himself and built the technological system used to help create his art, including the table that supports the machinery. Starting with pen and paper, drawing the image into a computer CAD program, tweaking and perfecting the images, then sending the information to the prestige-cutting table, his customized decorations are created. “I can say that the journey has been with better riches and value than the profit. I have taught people in North, Central and South America the trade of using some of the machines and software to improve their skill level and production,” says Rodger. He said that each person is at a different level of learning and that he takes a lot of time in the process of teaching him or her to
56 Heartland InTheFieldMagazine
operate the particular type of flatbed CNC machines. There is a lot that could go wrong if the machine is not operated as it was designed and small mistakes could cost a great deal of money in a short period of time. Rodger explained that the robotic company that builds these machines also designs machines in the car manufacturing and hospital industry. “I also perform machine demos for Torchmate CNC based in Nevada. Over the years this company has sent people from all June 2013
over the world to my shop for service; I have taught and setup these machine for a lot of fine people with my same outlook.” You can visit www.torchmate.com and create your own rainbow. Interested in that rustic look for your home or barn? Rodger can create and fabricate timber brackets for just that. He designs anchor brackets for many contractors that cannot purchase the custom sizes that their projects require. Rodger also designs and cuts custom brackets for trailer and performance companies that use these items for their own projects. Can’t come to him, but want Rodger’s expertise? He is equipped to go mobile for welding repairs and fabrication as well. When he’s not creating custom works of art, Rodger enjoys riding his Triumph motorcycle and building vintage motorcycles. Rodger said, “Collecting and fabricating parts to build my vintage bobber style motorcycles—I have been riding these and many other types for 43 years—seems I just can’t get away from the joy of it. There is nothing better that riding out on the country back roads on a full moon night or packing up a camera and metal detector on a nice day and taking a cruise out to find some old barn or building to take pictures and finishing up the day hunting old coins. Oh yes, and stopping somewhere to have a fine meal in the Heartland. Yes, Life is good!” To see a great collection of Rodger’s work, pleasevisit his website at www.riverpasture.com or contact him at (863) 990-9851 for more information.
There are about 122,000 dairy cows in Florida that collectively produce about 2.34 billion pounds of milk a year. The total represents 272 million gallons of Florida-produced milk in the grocery store.
Six convenient locations throughout Highlands and Hardee Counties www.wauchulastatebank.com
June 2013
Heartland InThe Field Magazine
57
Operation Outdoor
Freedom
(Left to Right): Host Bert Tucker of Far Reach Ranch in Kenansville, Wounded Warrior Hunter Damon Zeigler, Florida Cattlemen’s Association Jim Handley and Ned Waters.
Mark Lollie and his guide Ned Waters pose after Mark took his first turkey at Camp Prairie, part of Lake Wales State Forest on Lake Kissimmee.
Every year, for the past five years, Operation Outdoor Freedom has been giving back to those men and women who have been injured serving our country. The first hunt, which took place in Lake Wales, hosted 10 wounded veterans. Ned Waters, the state wide coordinator for Operation Outdoor Freedom said, “This is just a way we could say thank you.” This local project soon went statewide when Adam Putnam was elected as Commissioner of Agriculture and helped to pass a bill that allowed state lands to be used for wounded veteran hunts. The passage of this bill started what is now known as Operation Outdoor Freedom, a program under the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Forest Service.
never be opened again. They showed me that I can still be involved in the outdoors despite being paralyzed, and gave me the needed motivation to be more productive with my time and the abilities I still have.”
This program is specifically for wounded veterans that live in Florida. Partnering with the Wounded Warrior Project as well as others organizations, veterans are selected for various hunting and fishing trips around the state. Since 2010, 307 hunting veterans have been given the opportunity to go deer hunting, hog hunting, quail or fishing on various guided and unguided trips. Waters says that he is excited to see where this program has come and plans to give an even larger number of veterans the opportunity to get outdoors and do something they might not otherwise be able to do.
Waters had the honor of guiding one of the veterans, Mark Lalli, (pictured with turkey) on Lalli’s first turkey hunt, in the Lake Wales Ridge State Forest. After he took his first turkey, Mark wrote “I can’t thank Operation Outdoor Freedom enough for what it has done for me and my recovery. It really gave me my drive back, and it opened so many doors that I thought would 58 Heartland InTheFieldMagazine
Waters says that without private landowner contributions this program would not be able to operate at the level it does. He wants to give a special thank you on behalf of Operation Outdoor Freedom to the privately owned ranchers and timber growers who were kind enough to open their lands, homes and camps all across Florida to some of the most deserving folks, our Wounded Veterans. Operation Outdoor Freedom is just a small way that we can say thank you to those men and women who serve our country. With the increasing number of veterans taking part in the program, the need also increases. There are various ways that you can help out Operation Outdoor Freedom. You can make contributions at www.OperationOutdoorFreedom.com If you are a landowner and would like to allow wounded veterans to hunt on your property or want to get more information, contact Ned Waters at (863)-297-3979 or e-mail him at Ned. Waters@FreshFromFlorida.com If you are a wounded veteran and would like to get more information about Operation Outdoor Freedom or want the opportunity to go hunting or fishing, you can visit www. OperationOutdoorFreedom.com. New events for 2013-2014 will be posted on the website by August 15th. June 2013
Thank You... To Highlands County Farm Bureu’s Heritage Sponsors
The NRA Women’s Wilderness Escape I recently renewed a membership for NRA and received an email about this wilderness retreat for women. Never thought about a wilderness retreat for women, but it sounds like a really great experience.
8 days with other women, who may or may not have any experience with guns and shooting or hunting. The good news is, you don’t need experience. You don’t even need to bring a gun or ammo. It is all provided for you. You can learn how to shoot all types of guns and archery, go on a mock hunt, learn survival training and even attend a Wine Social benefit for the Escape.
This year the Wilderness Escape is in New Mexico, nestled in the high mesa country and Western mountains at the NRA Whittington Center. According to the website, there are deer, elk and antelope who also call this home and you will see them roaming the area. There are a total of 18 courses to help you learn how to shoot, and 13 instructor courses for various NRA programs. The cost of this program is $1800; however, Food, housing, guns, ammo, targets, activities, demonstrations, classes, instructors and adventures are all included. You will have to provide your own transportation to and from the NRA Whittington Center.
Please support these businesses! June 2013
Heartland InThe Field Magazine
For more information about this Wilderness escape, find it online at http://women.nra.org/womenswilderness-escape.aspx Hope to see you there! Barb Lipscomb Treasurer , Heartland Friends of NRA
59
A Legislative Update with Representative
Cary Pigman Dr. Cary Pigman (R) of Avon Park was elected to serve in the Florida House of Representatives last November. Pigman represents District 55, which encompasses Highlands, Glades, Okeechobee and the western portion of St. Lucie Counties.
A member of the U.S. Army Reserves, Dr. Pigman is serving a 90-day tour of duty in the emergency department of a combat support hospital in Kuwait this summer. “I received the phone call about two weeks before the legislative session started. Of course, as a doctor, the right answer to being called up is ‘yes,’” he said. “Troops can be injured moving crates, develop appendicitis or other illnesses – it’s a lot like practicing medicine here, just in a different environment.” We caught up with Representative Pigman after the regular session ended to learn more about legislation that will specifically impact our agriculture community. During the session, Rep. Pigman served on the following committees: Agriculture & Natural Resources; Health & Human Services; Veteran & Military Affairs; Healthy Families; and the Select Committee on PPACA (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act). “The PPACA committee relates to ObamaCare and is one of the most important issues being addressed,” he stated, referring to the fact that every American will be impacted by proposed health care changes, whether it be as an individual, a business owner, or caregiver. Several issues that pertain to and impact those involved agriculture were addressed, including continuing protection provided by “green belt” tax exemptions, expanded opportunities for Agri-tourism that will help small producers and farmers, and water quality credit trading. “Water quality credit trading is a complex issue, but basically it allows
60 Heartland InTheFieldMagazine
different entities in given water basins to exchange credits. Best Management Practices (BMPs) accomplish nutrient management benefitting those beyond the point source,” Rep. Pigman explained. The Bill, which he sponsored, also deletes the requirement that voluntary trading of water credits be limited to Lower St. Johns River Basin. The legislature worked to approve full funding for IFAS (Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences) to pursue mitigation of citrus greening and continued canker research, issues that are currently crippling the citrus industry in Florida.
“We achieved a phenomenal agreement with regards to Everglades Restoration, an issue that has been tied up for years.” Referring to the Everglades Improvement and Management bill which allows for approximately $60 million in tax proceeds to be used for design, construction, and implementation of the Everglades Construction Project long-term plan. Rep. Pigman added, “Farmers, water management districts, and conservationists will all benefit from this landmark legislation.” Pigman looks forward to completing his military service and returning home in mid-August to spend time with his family and constituents, and prepare for next year’s legislative session.
June 2013
CardioPulmonary
SERVICES:
Inpatient / Outpatient
Physical Therapy
Center for Family Health
Laboratory
Radiology
Emergency Services
Mother/Baby Care
Senior Life Improvement Prog
Home Health
Nutrition Services
Surgery
Infusion Therapy
Pain Management
Tobacco Cessation Program
900 North Robert Avenue
(863) 494-3535
June 2013
Heartland InThe Field Magazine
Arcadia, FL 34266
www.dmh.org
61
A Heartland Soldier’s Story Abroad
A Birds-Eye View of Egypt BY SPC LEVI LAMBERT
Mid-day heat bears down on the landing zone, or LZ, because the military loves abbreviations. A strobe light effect flashes through the cockpit windows, caused by the rotor blades splitting the high noon sunshine. The co-pilot completes a checklist of the in-flight systems, while the bird hovers a few meters over the LZ. Shortly after the last box was checkmarked, the whistle of the turbines intensified. The rotor disk tilted toward the nose. Slowly the helicopter pitched forward. The craft’s air speed increased along with the altitude. My little world on the ground started to change into a birds-eye view of Egypt. Peering downward through the side door windows, the obstructions normally taller than me, no longer segregated the land. The dark brown mountains formed a dike, which contained the ripples of the wavy golden sand. In the opposing direction, waves of sand followed the shoreline as if the desert sands yearn to wash out to sea. Sections of tourist developments stand out in the miles of grainy ocean with their bright blue swimming pools and irrigated patches of grass. Nevertheless the repetitious sounds of the engine and the inland scenery began to dull, as my eyes grew weary. Less than an hour passed before I was overcome with ennui. Since the trip would last several hours I decided to constructively occupy my time and start a new story. Changing gears, I began to ponder. My cabin window was filled with chilly blue waters and warm blue skies, which
62 Heartland InTheFieldMagazine
made the solution come to me “out of the blue” quite literally. Last year this month I was ordered to report to North Carolina to the 5-113th field artillery. I was released from the 84th Chemical Battalion stationed at Fort Leonardwood, Missouri. I spent a short bit of time in NC. My receiving unit was currently not in NC. The 5-113th mobilized to Virginia for training. Getting behind the wheel, I prepared to join them. While on the road, an old friend of mine called me. She was a Staff Sergeant with a unit in NC at the time. She went June 2013
on to tell me some surprising news. Later that year the 5-113th will deploy to Egypt. I assumed when I heard deployment, Afghanistan or Kuwait would follow. It is a common misconception that the Army National Guard (ARNG) does not deploy. Many soldiers and the American public are unaware that since 2002 the ARNG has played an active role in the unique mission for the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO). Weeks turned into months of training, before the actual MFO mission details were released to the lower enlisted. Field artillery primarily train to destroy, neutralize, or suppress an enemy with cannon, rocket, and missile fire. I learned many new skills during the months of preparation and training. However none of which had anything to do with field artillery. There is much to learn to ready a unit for the MFO. Other missions’ prep training schedules tend to be filled with refresher courses. Before long our training was to be applied and Egypt bound we flew. Once on the ground in Egypt our standard Army colored patrol cap (PC) was stowed away in exchange for a terracotta-colored beret. This color signifies that the MFO is not part of the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping force. In 1979 the peace treaty agreement between Egypt
June 2013
and Israel sparked a need for international peacekeepers. The UN was unable to participate by supplying a peacekeeping force in the Sinai. In the early months of 1981, a proposal was made to supply an alternative to the UN peacekeeping force. Approval of the MFO organization followed shortly thereafter and construction was underway midyear. The challenge for the construction was a time crunch. By March of Heartland InThe Field Magazine
1982, the MFO was to be operational. It became apparent in January of 1982 that the two main camps’ constructions deadlines would be met. Egypt was returned to its people early in the year and the MFO was ready to start. Thirteen nations joined the pool in support of the MFO. Italy, Uruguay, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Republic of the Fiji Islands, Czech Republic, France, Australia, Canada, Columbia, Norway and Hungary work closely together, both military and civilian.
Today the MFO mission remains the same; to supervise the implementation of the security provisions set forth by the Egyptian- Israeli treaty of peace and employ best efforts to prevent any violations of its terms. Since 1982, the MFO has been successful as an independent international organization. Although the headquarters of the MFO is located in Rome, the true success of the organization rest with the men and women in the Sinai. Challenges from a peacekeeping mission are different than what was expected by many. Egypt is certainly not Kuwait or Afghanistan yet the sacrifices and rigors of duty remain for each member of the MFO.
63
Agriscience Education Leadership Program
By Erica DER
Standing in the middle of Jackson County in September might lead some to believe that it’s snowing. Upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that the blanket of white covering acres of farmland is in fact not snow at all, but cotton. One of Florida’s prominent row crops, cotton is grown throughout the Panhandle. If you’re not from North Florida, you may have never seen the spectacular sight of snow white bolls.
In a state of 18 million people and more than 300 agricultural commodities, Florida’s agricultural landscape reaches far and wide, from oysters to orchids and everything in between. Many Floridians do not have an understanding of the breadth and importance of Florida agriculture and, if they do have an appreciation, it is typically limited to particular regions of the state.
This need for agricultural awareness was the foundation for the creation of the Agriscience Education Leadership Program in 2001. Led by Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam and now in its 10th class, the Leadership Program is an opportunity for middle and high school science teachers, agriculture teachers and school administrators to experience Florida agriculture firsthand. The educators are initially nominated by their superintendent of schools and then complete a rigorous application process in order to be one of the 15 teachers selected statewide.
64 Heartland InTheFieldMagazine
June 2013
Once the team has been chosen, they complete four tours throughout the year in different regions of the state. In North Florida, teachers visit agricultural operations including cotton, peanuts, poultry, bees, oysters and agricultural law enforcement. During the Central Florida tour, visits include tropical fish, strawberries, cattle, phosphate, blueberries and citrus. While in South Florida, teachers learn hands-on about sugar cane, bamboo, tropical nursery plants, rice, caladiums, lettuce and more. And finally, during the trip to Tallahassee, the group learns more about state government, including the Florida House, Senate and Cabinet. The team also meets with Commissioner Putnam to discuss the importance of agricultural education.
Following each tour, educators submit a lesson plan relating to one of the agricultural experiences they had during the trip. Those lessons are then shared among the team and among educators throughout the state in order to broaden the information available to teachers about Florida agriculture. In the past 10 years, more than 150 of Florida’s finest educators have completed the Leadership Program and carried their experiences back to their classrooms and students. Each teacher helps to spread the message of the diversity and importance of the industry.
“We as agriculture teachers many times feel we are on our own in our mission to educate and excite young minds to the important field we are in, but after our experience, I know I came home feeling much more support than ever before,” said Beth Harper, a teacher at New Smyrna Beach High School. The official class graduation ceremony takes place each June at the Florida FFA State Convention in Orlando. Teachers are recognized for their program participation and completion.
As Florida agriculture continues to grow, the Agriscience Education Leadership Program will continue to showcase the important industry that feeds, clothes and sustains our state. For more information about the Agriscience Education Leadership Program, please contact Program Coordinator, Erica Der at Erica.Der@FreshfromFlorida.com or visit www. florida-agriculture.com/kids.
Rock Crossing Incorporated into your BMP Many ranchers implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) for water quality without even realizing it. One good thing about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Water Quality BMPs is that it they are common-sense practices that are backed up by sound science. Looking into the future, we as ranchers and landowners are going to have to step up and sign on with the BMPs, not only for the environment but also to show the public that we are doing our part in taking care of our lands and waterways.
Creeks and Streams flow though a large portion of Florida’s ranches and other agricultural lands. Many landowners and workers drive through these creeks when it is feasible. Cows also use the easiest place to cross to avoid deeper water or getting bogged down. Creek crossings can stir up sediments and cause cloudy water and erosion through the crossing. The banks along these crossings usually have a cow trail or truck ruts that can lead to erosion during the wet season. These issues can be prevented by simply adding 2”4” aggregate rock in creek/stream crossings. This provides sound footing for the cows and reduces the potential for trucks to create further erosion or disturbance in the water. It is a practical way to enhance water quality through a fairly inexpensive, practical management measure. Many ranchers have used this practice, and are glad they did. Thanks Matt Warren FDACS OAWP Matthew.warren@freshfromflorida.com
.
June 2013
Heartland InThe Field Magazine
Rock Crossing through Charlie Creek in Hardee County
65
FFA SPOTLIGHT
Poultry Science Team: Sha’la McMillan, Takeema Ward, Kris Townsley, Sebastian Siegler, Maxwell Pridgen
Lincoln Middle School FFA BY ROBBI SUMNER
Showcasing their own fresh-picked strawberries: Arnetrice Gatheright, Enrique Caballero, Alyssa Kemmerer, Madison Stackhouse
Learning poultry cut identification
Sebastian Sigler and Caitlin Moore “Living to Serve” at Palma Sola Botanical Park
Kimberley Lough has been teaching Agriscience and serving as FFA Advisor at Lincoln Middle School in Palmetto for ten years now. Originally from Western Kentucky, she graduated from Western Carolina University with a degree in History and a minor in Geology, and then earned a Master’s degree in Geology from the University of South Carolina. Prior to Lincoln Middle, her professional experiences included working as an environmental consultant and Extension Agent, teaching at a community college, and managing a bakery. “Baking is another one of my passions,” she explains. “I really enjoyed the educational parts of my jobs and was looking for the right balance of science, people, and teaching. When this opportunity came up, a friend suggested that I give it a try and I fell in love with it!”
The Lincoln Middle FFA Chapter currently has 33 members between 6th and 8th grades. Their officer team includes President Rachel Strom, Vice President Sebastian Siegler, Secretary Nicole Lewis, Treasurer Kris Townsley, Reporter Jalynne Brown, Student Advisor Hannah Whitaker, Sentinel Christopher Miller, Historians Jana Elsenheimer and Caitlin Moore, 6th grade Representative Brandon Pridgen, and 7th grade Representative Callie van Wormer.
Land Evaluation Team: Sebastian Siegler, Elizabeth Atkinson, Jonathan Tyler, Dylan Alvarez
thankful to Dakin Dairy who annually donates calves for members to raise from November to January, and then be shown at the County Fair before returning to the dairy.
According to Miss Lough, some of the members made history at the fair with their chickens this year. “It was the County’s first time offering Poultry Showmanship and the top three awards went to Lincoln Middle students, all of whom were first time showers!” Members of the Poultry Judging team attended an event at the University of Florida on April 13th and placed in the top percentile judging classes of chickens, grading eggs, candling eggs, and identifying cuts of poultry meat. Ag students stay busy with a variety of projects on their approximately one-acre urban farm that includes a greenhouse, raised bed vegetable and herb gardens, a hydroponics area, and a small barn with a turn-out area for livestock. “We try to make the most of what we have,” says Miss Lough.
In the greenhouse, they grow an array of ornamental bedding and potted plants, pineapples, plus seed starts for their vegetable and herb gardens, “whatever is in season” including corn, lettuce, celery and tomatoes. The large variety of ornamentals grown and cared for by students includes Peace Lilies, chenilles, and Christmas Cacti. The “tropical area” includes grapes, papayas, bananas, and avocado trees. The raised beds utilize the “square-foot” garden method. Beds are segmented into square feet, with each foot’s planting density determined by the space needs of each crop. For example, the requirements of lemon grass and brussel sprouts are quite different from that of lettuce. The beds also allow greater control over soil quality. To improve that quality, students make their own compost using worms and food waste from the school cafeteria. They can also earn extra credit by bringing in items like coffee grounds and orange peels from home.
Last year, the 8th grade students began farming tilapia in 500-gallon tanks. While only about 10 fish survived due to unexpected cold snaps, they were able to harvest the fish and enjoyed eating baked nuggets at the end of the school year. The process allows for additional science–based learning with water quality testing, monitoring growth of the fish, and observing how they are affected by conditions such as the weather. Hopefully this year’s crop will yield enough for a year-end fish fry for the students. Chapter members enjoy raising and showing livestock projects including rabbits, turkeys, chickens, hogs and cattle. They recently started a dairy program and are
The Lincoln Middle FFA Land Evaluation Team also performed well at the State contest held in Levy County, placing 4th at that competition. The team will be recognized for their efforts while attending the State convention in June, which eight or nine of the Chapter members plan to attend. In February, the Floriculture Team placed 6th overall in the State, another great showing. Other Career Development events FFA members competed in during the year were Public Speaking, Food Science, Tool Identification and Livestock Judging. The members give back to their community by participating in a number of community service activities, including volunteering at the Palma Sola Botanical Park, Palmetto Historical Park and Agricultural Museum making pinecone bird feeders for younger kids at Christmas in the Park, and helping the Manatee County Cattlemen with their booth at the Fair.
They are also involved with their Lincoln Middle FFA Alumni, who they thank for showing support through providing scholarships and donating items like chicken wire to repair the school farm’s hen houses. The members worked with the Alumni to hold a fashion show and hog roast fundraiser at Tractor Supply in January, and a special lunch fundraiser recently held at Carrabba’s Italian Grill. As for the members’ favorite aspects of FFA involvement, they shared that they enjoy learning about and caring for the animals along with the responsibility that care requires. They are also thankful for the leadership skills they are learning through FFA.
“Middle school is wonderful,” Miss Lough says. “I use reading, writing, and math to teach skills they can share and use at home like small-area gardening and food science in addition to animal science. Our school has a diverse population and I enjoy the big picture that teaching Agriscience provides.”
Okeechobee Meat Judging Teams Do It Again
T
he Okeechobee FFA Meat Judging Team has now won 4 of the last 6 State Contests in FFA. The members from last year’s team have also won the 4-H contest this year. On April 20, 2013, the FFA and 4-H members competed in the State Meats Evaluation event hosted by the University of Florida Animal Science Department. Each team did very well, coming home with both the FFA and 4-H State titles.
4H: Julie Sharpe, Travis Register, Brandon McKee, Cody Casperson
The 4-H team consisted of Brandon McKee High Individual, Julie Sharpe 4th high, Cody Casperson 5th high, and Travis Register. They have the opportunity to go to Kansas City, Missouri in October for the National event. This team will be fundraising throughout the summer and fall to pay for their trip. The previous 4-H team to go to nationals placed 10th. Good luck as you prepare! The Okeechobee Jr. Chapter was the winner of the state title on the FFA contest. This team is all 9th Grade members. The team consists of John McGehee High individual, Kristen Dryden 10th High, Caitlyn Albers 11th High and Jacob McGehee. The last FFA team went last year to Nationals and came home 4th in the nation out of 42 teams. This team has a lot of work to do to prepare to go to Louisville, Kentucky in October to the National Contest. This team will also be conducting fundraisers to prepare for their trip. Good luck and bring home the Gold!
OFC (aka Jr. Chapter): Jacob McGehee, Kristen Dryden, Caitlyn Albers, John McGehee, Advisor Brian Dryden
Also competing in the Middle school FFA contest was Yearling Middle FFA. They placed 4th in the state. The team consisted of Cady McGehee High Individual, Evan Soto, Kelvin Ford, and Noah Wilcox. Most of the students will move to the high school next year and could be the future High School Champions. Going to the middle school next year is Kevin Dryden who competed in the intermediate 4-H contest. He placed 5th High individual but did not have a team as he was the only intermediate from Okeechobee.
Each team is appreciative of their school and School Board members for their support, their parents for helping them get to the contest, Mrs. Debbie Clements for certifying the 4-H members, and their Coach Mr. Brian Dryden for tireless work in getting them ready to compete.
68 Heartland InTheFieldMagazine
YMS: Nate Wilcox, Evan Soto, Cady McGehee, Kelvin Ford, Advisor Buddy Mills
June 2013
Highlands County Farm Bureau Youth Speech Contest On Monday, April 22, four students competed in the Highlands County Youth Speech Contest. The 5-5 ½ minute speech topic was “Over the past 500 years, how has technology influenced Florida agriculture?” Donna Howerton and the Highlands County Farm Bureau coordinated the event. Sebring High School’s Emily Little took first place followed by Angie Patino in 2nd, 3rd went to Mariah Alvarez and 4th was Zack McKinney. Patino and Alvarez are also from Sebring and McKinney is a student at Avon Park High School.
On April 25th Emily Little presented her speech to the Highlands County School Board. Then on May 7th, she went on to compete in and won the Area Contest in Arcadia. Little will represent the area in the State Youth Speech Contest October 24-26 at the Farm Bureau Annual Convention, held in Ponta Vedra Beach.
Presidential Candidates: Wally Martin, DeSoto FFA Megan Stein, Sebring FFA Area I Candidates: Gordon Yoder, Blountstown FFA Ashley McLeod, Laurel Hill FFA Area II Candidates: Hailey Bason, Chiefland FFA Logan Luse, Lafayette FFA
Twelve FFA Members Slated to Seek State Officer Positions in June
Area III Candidates: Tyler D’Angelo, Deland FFA Travis Theige, Wildwood FFA Area IV Candidates: Brett Wasden, Bartow FFA Thomas Farris, Kathleen FFA Area V Candidates: Haley Smith, Durant FFA Ashley Modrow, Strawberry Crest FFA
The 2013 State Officer Screening Committee slated the following student members as candidates for state office. Thirty-seven student members took part in the 2013 Screening Process. These student members were challenged with an individual interview, written exam, individual problem solving activity, group problem solving activity, SAE interview, Agricultural Education Interview, and conversational exercise. The selected candidates will seek election at the 85th Florida FFA State Convention. June 2013
(L-R) Emily Little, Angie Patino, Mariah Alvarez and Zack McKinney
Heartland InThe Field Magazine
The primary responsibility of a state officer is to serve the Florida FFA Association, Agricultural Education and Agriculture as an ambassador in local, state and national activities in a way that will inform, motivate and inspire FFA members, advisors and others to embrace and uphold the FFA mission. Heartland Magazine is proud that both Presidential candidates hail from our area and we are wishing Wally and Megan the best of luck at convention! We are proud to say the future of agriculture is in your hands and know that you both will be outstanding representatives of the Heartland, the state of Florida and the agriculture industry!
69
d n a l t r a He
Left: Brogan Bates (back) with Shird Moore III Right: Helen Stumpf has been a volunteer with Friends of NRA for 21 years! She is at just about every South Florida Friends of NRA event to help.
Heartland Friends of NRA’s held their annual banquet Saturday April 27, 2013, at Sebring International Raceway’s Hall of Fame building with record attendance. Wondering what Friends of NRA is? Friends of NRA is a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization that raises funds for grants by annual banquets and raffles. The money raised by the Friends of NRA is divided equally between state grants and national grants. State grants are given twice a year to organizations and groups that promote the shooting sport and safety. 4H Shooting Sports, ROTC, Boy Scouts, shooting sports clubs, ranges and law enforcement agencies are eligible to apply for grants. Highlands County 4H recently started a shooting club and received a grant for their equipment and supplies this year. National funds are used to support programs like Eddie Eagle, Women on Target, Youth Education Summit, Refuse to be a Victim, Youth Hunter Education Challenge. They also support conservation programs and range development.
While they are an all-volunteer committee, they could not do this alone. Heartland Friends of NRA are very appreciative of all the donors, sponsors and banquet attendees that make this event possible.
They would like to give a special thanks to those who made donations and sponsorships this year: Rick Whidden Drafting, Wal-Mart, Henscratch Farms, Lake Placid Marine, Heartland National Bank, Chicanes, Big T Tire, Taylor Rental, Everglades Seasoning, Harder Hall, Highlands Ridge, Bass Pro Shop,
70 Heartland InTheFieldMagazine
The Blueberry Patch, Everglades Farm Equipment, Sebring International Raceway, and Town & Country Leather. The organization would also like to thank the businesses who helped with selling tickets this year:Triangle Hardware, GunSmoke, Glissons Animal Supply, Boom Boom LLC and a special thanks to Tom Ouverson at All Star Gun and Pawn, who handled all gun transactions this year. For more information and ways to help or volunteer, visit Friends of NRA’s website at www.friendsofnra.org and find a local event in your area. The Friends of NRA could not support programs that encourage the shooting sport without the help of our volunteers, supporters and sponsors.
June 2013
Your Southern Pea Headquarters! We feature the best varieties available with over 20 varieties in stock and ready to ship! Top Pick Pinkeye Top Pick Brown Crowder Top Pick Cream Quickpick Mississippi Pinkeye California Blackeye #5 Texas Cream 8 and more!
On April 30th, the Sebring Middle School FFA Officer Team traveled to Woodlawn Elementary School to participate in Ag Literacy Day. They read to all 2nd grade classes at Woodlawn along with the Pre-School Migrant and ESE classes. The Sebring Middle School FFA Chapter would like to thank Woodlawn Elementary for allowing them to share their passion for Agriculture with the students! June 2013
Heartland InThe Field Magazine
Don’t forget your Okra seed! Clemson Spineless 80 in stock now! Walk-ins Welcome! 7 am - 4:30 pm
Seedway Vegetable Seeds 3810 Drane Field Road, Unit 30 Lakeland, FL 33811 www.seedway.com 863-648-4242
71
JFCA Visits Strickland Ranch Junior Florida Cattlemen’s Association members from around the state gathered for their Spring Field Day at Strickland Ranch, owned and operated by Jim and Renee Strickland, on Saturday, April 27th. After welcoming everyone to the ranch, Renee explained how conservation easements work, and the benefits to both land managers and cattlemen. She also spoke briefly about her export business which involves shipping beef and dairy cattle as well as other livestock and equipment to foreign countries like Saudi Arabia, Nicaragua, and the Caribbean. Jim then shared some entertaining stories of his international travels promoting the cattle industry. Two separate long-bed trailers loaded with hay bales carried everyone past citrus groves and out to the pasture where Renee keeps her herd of Cracker cattle. She and Cully Rowell, Past President of the Manatee Cattlemen’s Association, shared some history of the Spanish Andalusian cattle that developed into our present day Cracker cattle. According to Renee, these cattle are much heartier than most commercial breeds and thrive on native land that other breeds would have difficulty grazing. Many of her cows are 15-16 years old and are still producing healthy calves.
Upon our return to the ranch house, lunch was served under the shade of large oak trees in the backyard. JFCA President Courtney Wingate, a Manatee County high school senior, presided over the general membership meeting. Jason McKendree, Manatee County Cattlemen’s President was introduced and shared some words of wisdom with the future cattle industry leaders. “You have your whole life to make money. Make sure you’re happy when you wake up in the mornings. The cattle industry can be difficult, but the rewards are worth it,” he said. Other
72 Heartland InTheFieldMagazine
topics covered by Courtney included a recap of the previous Quarterly meetings; the prospect show series – next show will be in July; the success of JFCA’s participation with Operation Shoebox; new fundraisers selling t-shirts and sunglass bands; selling tickets to support the CattleWomen’s $5,000 drawing to held at Marco; accepting donations to the Nemours Fund for Children’s Health in memory of Waylon Butler; and the various JFCA contests to be held at Marco. The JFCA officers then participated in a Quiz Bowl demonstration to close out the meeting.
Gene Wingate and Christine Damron Co-Chair the JFCA, with help from Vice Chair Stephanie Conrad, as part of the Florida Cattlemen’s Association Executive Committee. Stephanie explained to me that each county has the opportunity to include a JFCA Chapter and participate in the various activities of JFCA. Current JFCA Officers are President Courtney Wingate, Vice-President Wally Martin, Secretary Robbie Dry, Treasurer Samantha Dailey, Reporter Anna Conrad, and Ex-Officio/Past President Christy Grimmer. For more information on the Junior Florida Cattlemen’s Association, visit www.floridacattlemen.org/jrfca June 2013
Okeechobee Ag-Venture 2013
T
he Okeechobee Area Agri Council and TD Bank worked together to present the 2nd Annual Okeechobee County Ag-Venture event May 1st and 2nd. All fourth graders from the county’s public and private elementary schools, Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School at Brighton and home schooled students ages 8 and 9 were invited to attend.
helping to keep the students engaged and increasing their learning retention. At the Soil & Water station, students made layered desserts with pudding, crushed Oreos, and sprinkles replicating the various layers of soil. Who could forget that?!
During the event held at the Trading Post Flea Market, students and chaperones toured one of two identical tracks (A or B) and experienced six individual stations learning about Alligators, Beef, Citrus, Dairy, Soil & Water and Vegetables.
Students were each given a bag to carry throughout the day to collect goodies from the stations. For example, at the Citrus station, they got to squeeze and enjoy their own fresh juice and were given an orange to take home. At the Vegetable station, they planted seeds with cotton balls in a rubber glove (planting a different vegetable in each finger) to take home and watch their very own garden sprout. Each student also received a custom Okeechobee County Ag-Venture back pack, courtesy of TD Bank. Interactive activities such as making their own butter, playing Beef-o Bingo, and getting to touch baby alligators coupled the educational aspects of each station with fun activities, Heartland InThe Field Magazine June 2013
This year Ag Council provided a BBQ sandwich lunch for all students, teachers and volunteers. During the lunch break, Paddock Farms entertained the crowd with their miniature horses and gave a demonstration of barrel racing with a horse-drawn cart.
“This was better than Disney World!” one student exclaimed. I’d call that a successful event!
73
Tater Hill Fun Shoot BY RON LAMBERT
On a beautiful Saturday, April 27, the DeSoto County Chamber of Commerce held a very enjoyable and successful sporting clay fun shoot out at square one sporting clays. Kathy Browning and the staff at the chamber put forth a great effort in organizing this year’s Tater Hill Fun Shoot. They were able to raise about $11,000 after expenses, which the chamber’s Executive Director Debby Snyder says is the best fundraiser to date. She said, “Our event keeps gaining momentum each year!” Mosaic and Seacoast National Bank were the title sponsors. There were also eight gold sponsors and 13 regular sponsors. In addition, there were a number of local businesses that stepped up as station sponsors. There was a great selection of raffle prizes that included a nice pump action shotgun and a .270 bolt action with scope. Sweetbay Supermarket sponsored a delicious lunch of BBQ ribs and chicken. All in all, a crowd turned out to enjoy the day and support the Chamber’s fund raising event to include over 115 shooters and about 150 people there in total with volunteers and families.
The Grand Champion shooter was Jason Cloud with a score of 96. High individual shooter was Mike Singletary with a 93 and High Lady shooter was Yvette Singletary with an 85.
The High Scoring team was the Nav-a-Gator grill team scoring 357. Team members were Sox Youngblood, Charlie Gibson, Todd Bowman and Mark Fisher.
74 Heartland InTheFieldMagazine
Congratulations to all these folks as well as to Dalton Tubbs whose 74 put him into the Top Youth spot.
Businesses receiving the chamber’s Top Gun trophies for their support were Seacoast National Bank for business services; Custom Drilling Services, Inc., Construction; Moretrench, in Manufacturing; GEO Care, LLC, Public Safety, Mosiac team 1187, Ranch & Agriculture and Nav-A-Gator Grill for retail sales. I brought in a team on behalf of Heartland In The Field Magazine that included Steve Lasiter, Bruce Armstrong, Jim St. Clair and myself, Ron Lambert. I would like to thank the DeSoto Chamber of Commerce and all the sponsors who had a part in this enjoyable event.
I also want to mention the hospitality of Square One Sporting Clays who continue to improve the overall experience of participating in a shoot at their ranch. The new building is a very nice site for hosting lunch. I hope to see you there real soon. Best wishes from me to you readers. June 2013
MORE THAN 7,400 STUDENTS REACHED WITH MOSAIC COMPANY FOUNDATION SCHOOL GARDEN GRANTS Students in the five Florida counties in which Mosaic does business – DeSoto, Hardee, Hillsborough, Manatee and Polk – learned how to grow Florida fruits, vegetables and other plants this school year thanks to grant funding provided by the Mosaic Company Foundation through Florida Agriculture in the Classroom. The Foundation awarded non-profit organization Florida Agriculture in the Classroom with $30,000 last year to fund $500 school garden mini grants in the five counties in Central Florida where Mosaic operates.
According to final reports turned in by the teachers who carried out the projects this school year, more than 7,400 students in these counties were reached with these school garden projects. “Students in kindergarten through fifth grade have created a small fall and spring vegetable garden during their time in the science lab this year,” said Polk County teacher Dana Burroughs of Jesse Keen Elementary in a letter describing her grant project. “Our gardening project is teaching students the value of hard work, discipline and giving to others to make their community a better place to live.” Florida Agriculture in the Classroom Chairman Ken Barton thanked Mosaic for the opportunity to fund more school garden grant projects around the state this school year.
“Industry partners like Mosaic help us reach even more Florida teachers and students with the message of the importance of Florida agriculture with resources like the school garden mini-grant program,” said Barton, who represents the Florida Peanut Producers on Florida Agriculture in the Classroom’s board of directors.
So far, 42-$500 school garden mini grants have been distributed to teachers in kindergarten through 12th grade in those five Florida counties. Fourteen more grants are available to teachers. The easy online application process is available by visiting www.agtag.org Heartland InThe Field Magazine June 2013
Florida Agriculture in the Classroom is a Gainesville-based non-profit organization that provides curriculum, materials, grant money and other programs to Florida teachers to help them incorporate agriculture into their language arts, math, science, social studies classes, among other subject areas. It is funded by sales of the agriculture specialty license plate called the ‘Ag Tag.’
75
Earth Day Initiative at Highlands Hammock Over 8000 Sand Pines Removed for Scrub-jay Habitat Restoration!
Above Left: Assistant Park Manager Brian Pinson with son Wesley Above Center: Lake Placid ROTC are all smiles at the end of the workday Top Right: Ridge Ranger Jerry Burns fells sand pine
H
Bottom Right: APM Pinson and FWC Bill Parken crunch numbers adding up the total number of sand pines removed while ROTC take a break
ighlands Hammock, in partnership with the Ridge Rangers, Lake Placid High ROTC, and Walker Memorial Academy held three volunteer workdays at the end of April to mark the 43rd Anniversary of Earth Day. Assistant Park Manager Brian Pinson planned and initiated a major “First Annual Habitat Restoration” event that will carry on the April 22nd legacy for many years to come. He worked closely with Bill Parken, Volunteer Coordinator, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) in scheduling two workdays for the Ridge Rangers to maximize results. Florida scrub-jay habitat restoration was the focus of this year’s effort. It is one of several priority goals the park is undertaking in accordance with park management plans and recommendations stemming from an intensive five-year Land Management Review completed this past February. The Ridge Rangers are sponsored by the FWC. Their activities are largely directed towards aiding the preservation of scrub jays and other rare and endangered plant and wildlife species endemic to the Lake Wales Ridge and Florida scrub. Highlands Hammock’s North Branch area is predominantly sand pine scrub with an overstory of sand pines and an understory of dwarfed, shrubby oaks, saw palmetto, prickly pear cactus, and other scrub vegetation. It is comprised of three management zones totaling 125 acres. The objective is to reduce the density of sand pines and transform the acreage
76 Heartland InTheFieldMagazine
to an oak scrub, which will draw families of scrub jays to establish new territories and maintain breeding populations. As scrub jays are communal, some jays assist the breeding pair with the care of nestlings and act as sentinels alerting the family group to the presence of predators such as hawks, owls, and snakes. Optimal habitat must have low, uniform oak thickets for nesting in proximity to bare, open sandy patches for acorn-caching. The height of the oaks is low, 3 to 5 feet from the ground, not exceeding 7 to 10 feet. Ideally, there should only be one or two taller pines between 15 to 20 feet in height per acre. These zones are also targeted for prescribed burns, which will further enhance and improve the habitat for the jays and other wildlife species.
Prior to Earth Day, quite serendipitously, Walker Memorial Academy contacted the park requesting a volunteer project for students in need of completing Community Service hours required for college admission. Seven Walker high students and three instructors worked closely with Pinson and jumpstarted the restoration by working for three hours on April 19. They took down some 400 sand pines with handsaws and loppers. June 2013
The following Friday, Pinson and a group of thirteen Ridge Rangers picked up where Walker Academy had left off. The Friends of Highlands Hammock, the park’s Citizen Support Organization, had purchased new brush cutters for the workdays. Pinson had also scheduled a major resource management exotic removal “spray day” for all available park staff which included Park Manager Steven Dale, four park rangers, the maintenance mechanic, two park service specialists, and the two exotic crew. The ten park staff, armed with herbicide backpacks and loppers, split into two groups to treat areas in the park where two highly invasive, non-native plants from Southeast Asia had begun to spread. Both Cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica) and Old World climbing fern (Lygodium scandens) can invade natural areas including habitats where threatened and endangered native plant species occur. Unchecked they blanket areas and pose serious management problems related to fire. Park staff worked through the morning into the early afternoon dispersing 42 gallons of herbicide.
The final push occurred on Saturday when fourteen Lake Placid High ROTC members associated with the Ridge Rangers teamed up with thirteen rangers and seven park staff. The ROTC downed 537 sand pines. Working under the tutelage of the Ridge Rangers, the unit is becoming adept and gaining valuable experience. The Ridge Rangers, one of Florida’s premier stewardship organizations, whose members thrive on being outdoors, are masters with chainsaws and brush cutters. Their cumulative experiences from many Saturday mornings contribute to their success in working effectively as a team in the extreme heat and inhospitable prickliness of scrub. This Earth Day initiative was also very much a family affair as the park manager’s daughter assisted on Friday and the assistant manager’s son worked along side his father
June 2013
Heartland InThe Field Magazine
on Saturday. Collectively over the two days, Ridge Ranger volunteers and park staff removed a total of 7487 sand pines. The combined total from all three workdays totaled an astounding 8424 trees! Hard work does not go unrewarded. At the end of the four-hour workdays, the Ridge Rangers and staff returned to Highland’s Recreation Hall for lunch and refreshments generously provided by the Friends. In closing, Pinson made a presentation about parks and exotic invasive species to the Ridge Rangers, while ROTC students went on a park tram tour with longtime Sebring resident and park staff Mike Sawyer. Although Earth Day may have lost some of its original “punch” over the years and become “just another day on the calendar” for many people, Brian Pinson would like everyone to “celebrate” Earth Day, saying that “this First Annual Earth Day Scrub-Jay Restoration Celebration may sound kind of silly, but we never know how this will evolve as we look to the next ten years.”
Highlands Hammock State Park would like you to join the celebration and become better acquainted with your local public lands. They are yours to discover, explore and enjoy. Volunteer groups such as the Ridge Rangers provide invaluable assistance to government agencies and other organizations entrusted with resource management. If interested in volunteering with the Ridge Rangers, visit the website at myfwc.com/get-involved/volunteer/ridgerangers/. Park volunteers are currently needed to open and close Lake June-in-Winter Scrub State Park, maintain and repair park rental bicycles, act as CCC Museum docents, and monitor water quality at Seven Lakes. If interested in volunteering, or to obtain more information, please call 863471-5324, office of the Park Services Specialist, Highlands Hammock.
77
A Series on Florida Literature: Richard Powell of Fort Myers BY BRADY VOGT
R
ichard Powell was a fine, friendly fellow, why you can see it in his face. He was born in Philadelphia in 1909 and graduated from Princeton in 1930. He worked as a newspaper reporter and then went into advertising. During World War II he was a member of General Douglas MacArthur’s staff in the Pacific, and served as a speechwriter and public relations officer. Mister Powell came to Fort Myers in the late 1950’s and stayed until his passing in 1999. He was the most accomplished and successful writer of modern fiction to make the area a home. He and his wife lived on the Caloosahatchee at the end of Carlene Avenue, where now resides only a nearly vacant lot, save for a few elderly mango trees. His body of work is substantial. He had published eighteen novels, beginning in 1944 and through 1968. His first stories were mysteries, and at that time, the 1940’s and 1950’s, the competition was strong. He wrote seven crime novels, most are called the “Arab and Andy Stories” (Arab short for Arabella). They were published by Inner Sanctum (mystery fiction specialists) and had great titles, including “Lay That Pistol Down” and “Shoot If You Must”. His first Florida book was printed by Simon and Schuster in 1950. “Shark River” takes place on the lower west coast, specifically on an island called Redfish Key. Mister Powell achieved financial and critical success in 1956 with his novel, “The Philadelphian”. It was for many months on the bestseller list and in 1959 was released in theaters as “The Young Philadelphians”. The movie starred Paul Newman, and Robert Vaughn (“there was a time when I would have caught all three.” … from “The Magnificent Seven”) who was nominated for an Academy Award. Richard Powell continued to write from his Fort Myers home, probably looking over the broad river. He wrote two more novels about the region of Florida in which he lived. He must
78 Heartland InTheFieldMagazine
have immersed himself into the water and forest cultures, he wrote about them so accurately. In 1959, Charles Scribner’s Sons (remember that Scribner A?) published “Pioneer Go Home”, and in 1962, his most “epic” story, “I Take This Land”. The novel is set along what was then the extreme northwest corner of the Everglades, which Cyrus Teed named Estero. His celibate group, called Koreshans, entered and settled and farmed the Big Carlos in the 1880’s and surprisingly did not die out completely until almost one hundred years later. It is a big book. Robert Frost has said, “literature begins with geography”. Richard Powell made an outstanding effort to convey the lay of the land and the depth of the waters with great accuracy. The novel is based on that same old thing that troubles Florida farmers, cold weather. A railroad company is persuaded to extend its line to the edge of the swamp in order to carry the citrus that will be grown there, back north, after hard (and historical freezes) in the middle of the state. The villain is a treacherous, moonshine guzzling, back stabbing, murderous cracker named Rush Lightburn. His manners in the swamp as a poacher and plume hunter (baby bird killer) June 2013
are reprehensible, and as expected, he treats his fellow man in the same styles.
Richard Powell had to know then about railroads, wind and weather, wildlife, and the tough business of growing citrus trees. He wrote with fine detail about the swamp and the rough crew that lived there. He wrote about industry and powerful men and companies, who and which invaded Florida ever southward, into the swamp itself, to extract from it what they might, and turn its rich resources of virgin timber (Bald Cypress trees five hundred years old) into boards and shingles and sawdust, representing a thing called profit. And before the railroads and the horseless carriages and civilization came, there were the swamp rats that slaughtered birds for a few feathers, and hunted and killed bears and panthers and bobcats to trade pelts for whiskey and tobaccy and coffee and salt.
June 2013
Heartland InThe Field Magazine
Richard Powell is remembered as cordial, humble man, who did not pass himself unto others as a big shot writer. He and his wife became partners in something called “contract bridge”. In 1968, Scribner’s published his novel “Tickets To The Devil”. Though not really a Florida story, the scene is set at a plush hotel called Xanadu on Miami Beach, and is an expose of the eerie, elite, eccentric world of duplicate bridge tournaments. The book is dedicated by the author: “To My Favorite Partner”.
He was involved in the civic affairs of Fort Myers and was especially interested in tropical plants and beautification of the city. He was fast friends with Jim Hendry (just by coincidence, Princeton 1933 ) who owned the historic Everglades Nursery and referred to Jim, who was the great grandson of Captain F. A. Hendry, as a “swell fellow”, said Helen Hendry, Jim’s widow. Helen added that at the time, that was as fine a compliment as one man could pay another.
This one has an old letter, from May 30,1972 on Mister Richard Powell’s letterhead. It is a full page, typewritten, without a single mistake or erasure or blemish, in which he offers advice and encouragement to a young man interested in writing and poetry. The letter is signed in a neat backward sloping style as he did in all his books on the half title page to his many friends and admirers “With Warm Regards Richard Powell”.
79
Youth Leadership Highlands Class II Graduation
Class II Graduates: Ariel Bauer, Tanya Carlisle, Ben Collins, Briana Cox, Hannah Farr, Lance Feagley, Thomas Henderson, Kaylon Johnson, Toryana Jones, Hunter Livingston, Logan Lowery, Koy McGrath, Jerrian Perry, Traci Reschke, Ashlee Robitaille, Ashley Royce, Katie Stoll, Robbye Teal, Hannah Tucker
T
he Mason G. Smoak Foundation hosted the second class of the Youth Leadership Highlands program Friday night at the Bert J. Harris, Jr. Agricultural center in Sebring. Youth Leadership Class II consisted of 19 sophomore high school students. They were celebrated for completing the yearlong leadership program focused on educating students about the county while developing their leadership skills. The students met five times during the year and spent each day focused around a different theme. The five themes were: agriculture and environmental stewardship, government and education, social service, tourism and economic development, and business and healthcare. Each day students visited Highlands County businesses and organizations that related to the theme of the day.
“We do our best to expose students to aspects of the county they have not experienced. The community has been incredibly receptive and engaged in hosting our group on each Youth Leadership Highlands day,” said Micah Scanga, Executive Director of the Mason G. Smoak Foundation. In addition to educating students about Highlands County, the program is also designed to develop leadership skills. Each student practices public speaking skills by giving a thank you presentation to speakers or hosts throughout the year.
“This program has helped to build the leaders of tomorrow in us. They have
80 Heartland InTheFieldMagazine
From left to right: Micah Scanga, Logan Lowery, Tracee Smoak
helped many of us to come out of our shell and become more open to others,” said Logan Lowery, Class II Youth Leadership Highlands student, “one of my fellow graduates has had a terrible fear of speaking in front of the class for most of her school career, thanks to this program I have seen her speak in front of a group of 20 plus students - no problem.” During the graduation, Mr. Steve Farr, who has had a child in both Class I and Class II of the program, spoke about the great opportunity this program has allowed these students. Mr. Farr spoke of why it is so important to take advantage and make the most of the chances given to us during our lives.
The third class of Youth Leadership Highlands will begin in the fall. A committee composed of community members and the Mason G. Smoak Foundation board of directors will select the class. The Foundation is also exploring youth leadership programs in Hardee County and DeSoto County. Youth Leadership Highlands is a program of the Mason G. Smoak Foundation, a faith based organization that will support education, promote environmental stewardship, and foster opportunities for leadership development in a manner reflective of Mason’s integrity and character. For more information about the program, please listen to the Youth Leadership Highland podcasts available for playback or download at masongsmoakfoundation.org/podcasts/. June 2013
AG CALENDAR June 1st Lawn Mower Racing at the Mower Plex, Avon Park
June 14th National Flag Day June 15th Dairy Day Celebration, Dakin Dairy, Myakka City DakinDairyFarms.com
June 1st DeSoto County 4-H Banquet, Turner Agri Civic Center, Arcadia (863) 993-4846 June 1st National Trails Day Animal Olympics, Sanibel Island (239) 472-1100
June 16th National Fresh Veggies Day
June 7TH National Doughnut Day
June 16th Happy Father’s Day
June 10TH National Iced Tea Day
June 17th-21st Florida Cattlemen’s Convention, Marco Island
June 10th-14th 85th Florida FFA State Convention and Leadership Conference, Caribe Royale Orlando
June 18th Cattle ID Rule Workshop, Florida Cattlemen’s Convention, Marco Island 2:30 -5:00pm
June 28th UF/IFAS Range Cattle REC Youth Day, Range Cattle & Research Education Center, Ona
June 29th Kids 4th of July Fishing Tournament, Ft. Myers Beach (239) 463-2588 June 30th Florida Coastal Conservation Association, Fun A-Ment Fishing Tournament, Cape Coral (239) 437-6166
June 18th National “Go Fishing Day” July 4th July 4th Celebration, Sugarland Park, Clewiston June 11TH Cattle ID Rule Workshop, Highlands County Extension Office, Sebring 7:00-10:00am June 12th-14th Ninth Annual Florida Citrus Industry Annual Conference, Hyatt Regency Coconut Point, Bonita Springs (863) 682-1111
The average dairy cow weighs 1,400 pounds, which is about the same size of a mature male polar bear.
July 4th Working Cow Ranch Rodeo/Old Timers Roping to benefit Tidewell Hospice, Turner Agri Civic Center, Arcadia June 21ST Calusa Agility Dog Show, Turner Agri Civic Center, Arcadia
July 19th-20th Hardee County Cattlemen’s Association Ranch Rodeo, Hardee County Cattlemen’s Arena Call 863-781-0349 to register
Submit your events for the ag calendar to morgan@heartlanditf.com In the Field Magazine
Your Monthly Agricultural Magazine Since 2004, Serving the Heartland Since 2008 June 2013
Heartland InThe Field Magazine
81
82 Heartland InTheFieldMagazine
June 2013
Heartland’s Growing Businesses
B
ENCHREST SHOOTERS SUPPLY 863-735-0979
ALLEN WIDENER 5276 JOHNSTON RD. ZOLFO SPRINGS, FL 33890 Benchrest Shooters Supply BC.indd 1
12/16/11 9:55 AM
84 Heartland InTheFieldMagazine
June 2013
June 2013
Heartland InThe Field Magazine
85
for Sales, Service Your #1 Choice & Satisfaction
“Best Selection of All 2013’s New and Pre-Owned Vehicles.” 47
2013 FORD
23
MPG HWY
FUSION HYBRID
2013 DODGE
21
DURANGO
27
MPG HWY
2013 DODGE
21
MPG HWY
CHALLENGER
MPG HWY
MPG HWY
25
MPG HWY
2013 JEEP
2013 FORD
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-7pm Saturday 8 am–5 pm Sunday Closed
1-800-880-3099
F150
WRANGLER UNLIMITED
2013 DODGE
Visit us 24/7 on the web at
WWW.DESOTOAUTOMALL.COM Dowload our Dealership App for your Smartphone.
TOWN & COUNTRY
Highway 70 Arcadia All stores available at one convenient location Follow us on