In The Field magazine Hillsborough edition

PAGE 10

Endangered Species

PAGE 14

Homegrown

Hillsborough

PAGE 16

Invasive Pests

PAGE 18

Fishing Hot Spots

PAGE 22

Rocking Chair Chatter

PAGE 24

Youth Ag Expo

APRIL 2023 VOL. 19 • ISSUE 6

40

PAGE 28

Water Wise

PAGE 30

News Briefs

PAGE 35

Blood Orange

PAGE 36

Grand Champion Plant

PAGE 38

Invasive Plants

PAGE 40

Grand Champion Steer

PAGE 44

John Dicks

Readers!

Hidden somewhere in the magazine is a No Farmers, No

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A Closer Look

PAGE 50

Grand Champion Swine

PAGE 53

FFA Booth

PAGE 56

From The Scientific Fields

PAGE 58

Durant FFA

PAGE 60 Recipes

Hillsborough County Farm Bureau 305 S. Wheeler St. Plant City, FL.

Office Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Insurance Services: 813-685-5673

Member Services: 813-685-9121

OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Dennis Carlton, Jr.....................President

Carl Bauman................Vice President

Tony Lopez..............Treasurer

Madison Astin Salter..................Secretary

DIRECTORS FOR 2021 - 2022

Dennis Carlton Jr, Carl Bauman, Madison A. Salter, Tony Lopez, Tiffany D. Randall, Jake Cremer, Brittany Coleman, Travis Council, Drew Futch, Rep. Lawrence McClure, Sammi Wilcox, Michelle Williamson, Casey Runkles, Gayle Yanes

Kaylee Poppell, Executive Director

Farm Bureau Insurance Special Agents

Valrico Office

813-685-5673

100 S. Mulrennan Rd., Valrico, FL. 33594

Tommy Hale, CLU, ChFC, CASL, CPCU Agency Mgr.

Julie Carlson, Amy Engle

Plant City Office

813.752.5577

305 S. Wheeler St., Plant City, FL 33563

Jeff Summer

Tampa Office

813.933.5440

6535 Gunn Highway, Tampa, FL.33625

Greg Harrell, Jared Bean

AGENCY MANAGER

*Winners will be notified by phone. You Too Can Be A Winner!

Thomas O. Hale

Letter from the Editor

Publisher/Photography

Karen Berry

Senior Managing Editor/ Associate Publisher

Sarah Holt

Editor

Patsy Berry

Sales

Karen Berry

Sarah Holt

Melissa Nichols

George Domedion

Once again, I would like to remind everyone of the impact agriculture has on the state of Florida. It’s talked about with some frequency, but let’s put some real numbers out there. It’s definitely eye opening.

The 2023 statistics from Feeding the Economy study (feedingtheeconomy. com) show that in Florida agriculture accounts for:

Total Jobs – 2,875,202

Total Wages - $143.2 B

Total Taxes - $53.8 B Exports - $5.7 B

In The United States agriculture accounts for:

Total Jobs – 46,283,917

Total Wages - $2.61 Trillion Exports - $202.17 Billion

According to the website, “The 2023 Feeding the Economy report clearly demonstrates the resilience and strength of America’s food and agriculture sector, showing increased economic output in every state compared to the 2022 report. These industries are responsible for over $8.6 trillion – or nearly 20% – of the country’s economic activity, directly supporting nearly 23 million jobs (15% of U.S. employment).”

As always, when shopping for yourself or your family, look for Fresh From Florida products. Support the farmers and ranchers who do so much for us. Their contributions are innumerable.

Until Next Month

Sarah Holt

Creative Director/Illustrator

Juan Alvarez

Photography

Karen Berry

Melissa Nichols

Staff Writers

Al Berry

Sandy Kaster

James Frankowiak

Sean Green

Contributing Writers

Woody Gore

John Dicks

Social Media

Victoria Saunders

In The Field Magazine is published monthly and is available through local Hillsborough County businesses, restaurants, and many local venues. It is also distributed by U.S. mail to a target market, which includes all of the Greenbelt Property owners, members of the Hillsborough County Farm Bureau and Strawberry Grower’s Association.

Letters, comments and questions can be sent to P.O. Box 5377, Plant City, Florida 33563-0042 or you are welcome to email them to: info@inthefieldmagazine.com or call 813-759-6909

Advertisers warrant & represent the descriptions of their products advertised are true in all respects. In The Field Magazine assumes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers. All views expressed in all articles are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Berry Publications, Inc. Any use or duplication of material used in In the Field magazine is prohibited without written consent from Berry Publications, Inc.

Published by Berry Publications, Inc. The LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. - Numbers 6:25

Advocating for Agriculture

-Dennis Carlton Jr. - President

Greetings,

As many of you know, advocacy is critical to our mission and the well-being of our members as well as agriculture locally, statewide and at the national level. Farm Bureau is known as “The Voice of Agriculture” and we have been busy making sure our voice is heard. We will be visiting our nation’s capitol this month as part of the annual “Field to the Hill” Program sponsored by American Farm Bureau, through which members from across the country come together to meet with lawmakers on behalf of our industry. This is in addition to our visits to Tallahassee and ongoing meetings with local elected officials.

These advocacy initiatives are needed when you realize our industry’s economic impact here in Hillsborough County. Agricultural and related industries generate more than 176,000 jobs, account for nearly $12 billion in gross regional product and that is nearly 12 percent of the county’s overall regional product contribution. Those figures are the latest available from the University of Florida, and I am sure you will agree that they are both impressive and important to protect and sustain.

This month also marks our annual spring Ag-Venture program field trips. These visits to the Florida State Fairgrounds serve as a learning experience for approximately 1,500 Hillsborough County 3rd grade students through which they come to understand agriculture and the importance of where our food comes from through both presentations and hands-on activities, many involving volunteers.

Please join with me in congratulating our Women’s Committee which was honored with the Activity Award at the state gathering in Panama City. Their work helps to promote, protect and represent the interests of our farmers and ranchers.

Hats off to the winners of various competitive events at the Florida Strawberry Festival and to the Festival itself which attracted more than 606,000 attendees this year, making it the largest event of its type in Florida and the 30th in the U.S. The Festival is a great opportunity for highlighting agriculture and its ongoing success and could not be achieved without the countless volunteers – many of whom who are Farm Bureau members - who devote their time to varied programs at this annual event.

If you are a Farm Bureau member actively involved as a volunteer assisting us in our advocacy on behalf of agriculture, thank you! If you are not a member, please consider joining so that you can help us with our role as the “Voice of Agriculture” whether it is locally, statewide or nationally. Please visit www.hcfarmbureau.org for more information about member benefits and opportunities for engagement.

Dennis Carlton, Jr.

Carlton Jr.

Dennis Carlton Jr. - President

Dennis Carlton Jr, President; Carl Bauman, Vice-President; Tony Lopez, Treasurer; Madison Astin Salter, Secretary; Tiffany D. Randall, Jake Cremer, Brittany Coleman, Travis Council, Drew Futch, Rep. Lawrence McClure, Sammi Wilcox, Michelle Williamson, Casey Runkles, Gayle Yanes

Dennis

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY

“We provide compassionate care for you and your family.”

It’s not just an ID badge. It’s a badge of honor.

At South Florida Baptist Hospital, the team members who wear this badge give you high-quality care in a comfortable atmosphere. Our wide range of specialty services includes comprehensive orthopedic care, sports medicine services and total joint replacement procedures. We have a comprehensive gynecology program that offers a variety of women’s services, and our weight loss surgery program meets nationally recognized standards. And if surgery is required, we have surgeons who are experts in minimally invasive robotic surgical procedures, which means shorter hospital stays and smaller incisions that reduce the risk of infection. All of this means you get outstanding, compassionate care right here in Plant City. Learn more: SouthFloridaBaptist.org

Avon Park Harebells

By Libby Hopkins

Avon Park Harebells, or Crotalaria avonensis as they are known by their scientific name, is a rare species of flowering plant in the legume family known by the common names Avon Park rattlebox, Avon Park harebells, and Avon Park rabbit-bells. It is endemic to Central Florida where it is known from only three sites.

Many individuals exist on land that is unprotected and they are threatened with destruction. The plant is a federally listed endangered species.

This is a perennial herb with one to three hairy stems growing from a taproot. Most of the stem is located underground, with up to 10 centimeters growing above the surface. The stems are lined with fleshy oval leaves which are coated in white or yellowish hairs. The inflorescence is a raceme of yellow pealike flowers around a centimeter long. The fruit is an inflated legume pod in shades of dark red or brown which can be up to 2.5 centimeters in length and contains 18 seeds. After the plant flowers in spring it becomes dormant for the rest of the year.

It was first collected in 1950 but not recognized as an undescribed species until 1989, when it was named. It grows in the white sand scrub of Florida’s Lake Wales Ridge.

It can tolerate some disturbance and partially shady conditions. It grows alongside other rare scrub plants such as Small’s Jointed (Polygonum dentoceras), Florida Lady’s Nightcap (Bonamia grandiflora), Scrub Blazing Star (Liatris ohlingerae), and Highlands Scrub St. John’s Wort (Hypericum cumulicola).

The plant is threatened by the degradation and destruction of its habitat. It is limited to a small section of Central Florida which is being consumed for development. Much of its range has been converted to residential neighborhoods or agricultural fields, especially orange groves.

Its two populations and one small subpopulation are broken up into scattered, localized occurrences. The largest population is located on private, unprotected land near Avon Park Lakes, a growing residential development that remains there is fragmented and degraded by human activity, such as offroad vehicle use.

A nearby subpopulation is estimated to contain fewer than 600 plants. The third location is in better condition and is either declining at a slow rate or stable. It has sustained some damage, including the destruction of living plants, during construction of roads. Other threats to the species include the invasion of non-native plant species such as Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) and Pangolagrass (Digitaria eriantha), dumping of abandoned cars and other garbage, and vandalism.

The plant was added to the endangered species list in 1993 along with other rare Florida species, including pigeon wings (Clitoria fragrans), a plant, and Florida perforate Cladonia (Cladonia perforata), a lichen.

Many aspects of the plant’s life cycle are unknown. Studies indicate it has a low fecundity, probably because of low flower and fruit production. Flowers require pollination by insects, but few insects have been observed at plants.

The plant’s annual survival rate is apparently quite high but few seeds are produced and few of those germinate. The plant is probably at high risk for extinction, a risk that could be lowered by enacting protection measures for the largest population, which exists tenuously at a site of rapid residential construction. Other conservation efforts underway include cryopreservation of shoot tips, but this plan is not supported by all involved biologists.

Extension Launches “HOMEGROWN HILLSBOROUGH” to Help Create a Culture of Community Food Breeze

By Jim Frankowiak

Hillsborough County Extension has launched “Homegrown Hillsborough,” a new food system program that seeks to educate residents and connect local organizations that are interested in supporting local food production. The initial phase of this new initiative “is to collect data through surveys to understand the need of residents and organizations,” said Monica Petrella, Food System Program Coordinator for the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Hillsborough County Extension.

“A lot of residents are interested in backyard composting, maybe turning their yard into an edible landscape, maybe they want to support local farmers, maybe they want to see more restaurants that source local foods, have more food festivals or learn more about how agriculture in Hillsborough County impacts our culture and economy, as well as land use,” she said. Extension and participating organizations will develop plans based on this information that will lead to a program that helps create a culture of community food.

Homegrown Hillsborough is a network of community members with the mission to grow a strong food system. “Our vision is an integrated food system that is diverse, reliable and creates opportunity for active participation,” said Petrella. “Our values are: stewardship, community well-being, choice, education and accessibility.”

In addition to survey residents and meeting with various organizations, Homegrown Hillsborough representatives will be present at various events to share program information and encourage engagement. “We will then be in a position to create plans that detail activities, accountability as we begin

implementation,” she said. “I’d be willing to bet that county residents would like to see a really robust network of community gardens and community spaces where food is the center point.”

Locally Grown Inc. is one of the existing programs in the county that is involved with Homegrown Hillsborough. It is a farm-to-school program founded by Jenna Kaczmarski and Arianne Corbett. “I think there are a lot of opportunities for the community to connect through food, and an initiative like Homegrown Hillsborough is a way for us to connect around food values,” said Kaczmarski, who made sure the surveying effort included questions about school meals.

“Farm-to-school is a key player in a local food system because the schools represent such a large food purchasing power,” said Kaczmarski. “If you compare them to restaurants, they’re bigger than any restaurant chain. So, if they are engaged in buying from local farmers and local producers, they have big impact on that local food system and supporting that effort to build a stronger, resilient food system.”

WellFed Community is another involved organization. It provides a mobile free market that goes to nearly 20 different locations each month, providing over 2,500 pounds of food a week and serving about 150 county residents each week. WellFed Co-Founder and Director of Programming Dhalia Bumbaca sees Homegrown Hillsborough as a way to network, creating a platform to communicate in a shared space to make sure no food goes to waste.

“WellFed rescues thousands and thousands of pounds of food each week,” she said. “But we can’t necessarily process everything that might go to waste, and that’s because there’s not that infrastructure in place to support us such as refrigeration facilities, community kitchens, volunteer manpower and policies.”

“It’s proven around the country and world that we need to be thinking about our food system in this way,” said Bumbaca. “Otherwise, we are not innovating in one of our most basic needs, which is to be fed.”

University of South Florida (USF) Department of Religious Studies faculty member William Schanbacher, who is also a member of the Urban Food Sovereignty Group, sees Homegrown Hillsborough as a way to foster connection and collaboration within the county’s food system. This would benefit food sovereignty, which he described “as empowering people to produce, choose and consume their own culturally meaningful food. This provides us to promote human rights, human dignity and our collective ability to live flourishing lives.

Schanbacher would like to see greater county financial support for things such as entrepreneurial opportunities “for local community members to start healthy, organic and environmentally sustainable businesses related to food and agriculture.”

For more information about Homegrown Hillsborough and participation, sign up for the Homegrown Hillsborough newsletter at: www.tinyurl.com/homegrownhillsborough.

our environment.

Reclamation ecologists like Ashlee work to return mined lands to productive use as wildlife habitats, public parks and more—so future generations can enjoy these lands for years to come.

®

With every generation, we get better at protecting

SCIENTISTS WARN OF INVASIVE PLANT PEST; SAY EARLY DETECTION, REPORTING KEY

By Tory Moore

An invasive thrips species has started to wreak havoc in Florida. The insect was first detected in Florida in 2020 but has since spread significantly across the state. What once was isolated to greenhouses now has begun to harm a wide range of plants including those in residential landscapes.

The insect, Thrips parvispinus -- commonly known as pepper thrips -- is one of the smallest thrips species in Florida. Its size makes it challenging to detect. The tiny insects fly and hop from plant to plant, rasping the plant with their mouth parts and sucking the sap. Feeding on the plant restricts the plant’s growth and reduces crop yields. Researchers don’t know of any viruses this species transmits, but often, thrips can transmit viruses between plants, killing the plants.

“In order to minimize any kind of negative impacts we started warning people right away that this pest had made its way to Florida,” said Lance Osborne, UF/IFAS entomologist at the Mid-Florida Research and Education Center. “We better be careful. This insect is notorious for damaging peppers around the world but now it has moved from the greenhouse to the environment and has established itself in several areas around the state.”

Currently, scientists don’t know of any effective predators or other biologicals that attack Thrips parvispinus in Florida and chemical control has been very difficult. That makes early detection and prevention even more important.

“While damage symptoms are the most noticeable indicators of its infestations, they may not appear until after the plant has sustained considerable harm,” said Muhammad “Zee” Ahmed, USDA research entomologist. “As they say, prevention is always better than cure, and this is particularly true when dealing with Thrips parvispinus.”

The research team including Ahmed, Cindy McKenzie of USDA, and UF/IFAS Extension agent John Roberts conducted a survey of garden centers in Palm Beach County to understand how widespread the pest is. Eight out of nine stores entomologists visited had the pest.

In November, a south Florida grower lost an entire pepper crop to the pest valued at more than $1.3 million.

“At first, the damage can mimic mites and can be misleading,” said Osborne. “The control methods are not the same and without proper treatment, these thrips can take out a whole crop.”

Entomologists encourage growers to scout often and inspect their plants carefully.

“It isn’t that the sky is falling but we have to pay attention to this and not ignore it,” said Osborne. “Growers of any crop should be aware. This insect seems to have a fairly broad host range. This won’t just impact peppers and ornamental plant growers.”

The pest has been detected on a wide variety of plants including 43 species from 19 plant families including fiber crops, vegetables and ornamental plants.

“Now that we know more about the insect, we need to do more research to know how to manage them,” said Osborne. “We want to help growers avoid wasting money and chemicals so we are working to develop effective spraying strategies for controlling their populations.”

Researchers are conducting controlled experiments in quarantine facilities including Alexandra Revynthi at the UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center and Osborne at MREC. But scientists are eager to test their findings in realword scenarios.

The regulations for research on controlled pests of this kind are strict. Scientists cannot move plant material or the live insects outside of infested areas, or work with them in university facilities accept in an approved quarantine room. These quarantine rooms are very small and not much different than a broom closet, which makes testing difficult.

“We are hearing that some things may work to control these thrips, but we need to conduct research to validate what we are hearing,” said Osborne. “I may find something to be successful when testing it here in a small room with artificial lighting, but it might not work in a greenhouse, landscape or vegetable field. We’re interested in working with growers to help manage the pest so we can better understand how to treat these thrips in a commercial setting.”

Growers who detect Thrips parvispisnus should immediately report their findings to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry. Then, researchers can work with growers to help manage the pest and develop the best treatment options available.

A new website developed in collaboration between UF/IFAS and USDA provides detailed information on the insect’s biology, early detection, and damage symptoms with detailed videos and images.

“This information will be critical in developing effective control strategies and preventing the further spread of this invasive species in the U.S.,” said Ahmed.

ABOUT UF/IFAS

The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents.

So Many Lures, So Many Colors

Captain Woody Gore

Color is everywhere around us. Color provides essential visual clues to our world in nature, school, and home. And it also can influence our feelings and perhaps even our thoughts.

So what other ways does color influence our lives? How about fishing and lure selection? That brings me to the question, can fish see colors? When shopping for new lures, you've probably asked yourself that question. I've pondered it a time or two, and they all look so enticing it's challenging to decide.

Over the years, studies done by various organizations like Marine Laboratories, Universities funded by study grants, and private oceanographic institutes conclude that fish see colors and contrasts and distinguish various hues. So, in theory, day feeders living in relatively shallow water should show a greater sensitivity toward colors. Ok, let's assume fish see colors. But for a reason, that light reacts differently underwater; what colors or combinations are visible?

The spectrum comprises seven primary colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet, each with a different wavelength. Wavelengths are how we measure color, beginning with the most extended "red" and ending with the shortest "violet." For example, red, yellow, and blue are pure colors, not created by mixing other colors. Others, like orange, green, indigo, and violet, are created by mixing pure colors in various combinations. And when all are combined, we get white, so white must contain all the spectrum colors. To demonstrate this, hold a prism up to the sun and watch as the colors begin separating. Here's an easy acronym to remember wavelengths beginning with the longest to the shortest "Roy G. Biv."

Unlike colors usually experienced in our lives, these same colors react differently underwater. Water reacts to color as a selective filter, so as we increase in depth, the colors with the longest wavelengths begin gradually filtering out. To explain, let's assume we're dealing with clear, clean water on a bright sunny day and starting with the longest wavelength, red. We can expect red to disappear around 4-8 feet; at 25', orange is mainly gone, and below 35', yellow is lost. Then continuing through the spectrum, each subsequent color disappears at various depths until we reach violet, which disappears around one hundred feet.

Interestingly, something interesting showed up in a diver's video that changed how we think about deepwater colors. While filming, he discovered neon colors begin to shine, therefore surviving some filtering processes. For example, neon red, orange, and pink continue sending out varying degrees of their original colors even below the 100-foot mark, remembering water clarity and available light.

Visibility in clear water is somewhere around a distance of 250 feet. However, since water is not gin clear, we need to understand that various factors influence reflective light and the filtering process related to color. Suspended particles such as algae, silt, tannic acid, and sand may drop visibility to almost zero, changing how colors are perceived. Visibility is also affected by overcast and cloudy days. This condition adds another element of understanding how colors are affected by light intensity and its ability to penetrate water. As illumination begins to weaken, red is always the first color to disappear.

Consequently, fish's ability to distinguish colors becomes increasingly complex. Looking up and knowing how rods and cones work in low-light situations, we recognize that rods start taking over, and color perception becomes difficult. Accordingly, contrast, or an object's ability to stand out against its background, plays a much more significant role, mainly as fish differentiate objects by contrasting shapes and movement.

In the mid-90s, an optometrist and fishing enthusiast conducted color experiments in water. These experiments revealed that contrast was essential to see during low light conditions. He discovered that hues and certain color combinations provided maximum contrasting properties. And because of these contrasting properties, reds and oranges remained somewhat visible in shallow discolored water. He surmised that colors similar to the tint of the water could see from greater distances. As a result, in clear or blue-clear water, fluorescent blues, fluorescent greens, and shiny silver spoons or spinners appear brighter from further distances. Likewise, fluorescent yellows, greens, shiny gold spoons, or spinners appear brighter in clear or green-clear water from further distances.

As you start combining the above influences, you'll see it's not likely we'll ever fish under perfect light and water conditions. And frequently, some of the above factors will come into play and change the colors fish see. With everything we've discussed so far, let's get to the point. How do I choose a color? Here are a few thoughts I subscribe to.

Bright summer days and clear shallow water: Red, orange, yellow, silver, and metallic colors are the most dominant during these times. And specific metallic finishes tend to create flash even under relatively low light. So, considering these almost perfect conditions, all colors are visible in clear shallow water. If the fish are actively feeding on baitfish having green backs and white bellies, can you guess what color to choose?

Capt. Woody Gore (www.captainwoodygore.com)

Windy winter days and murky waters: Under these conditions, reds and oranges are the first colors filtered out. Choose bright-colored lures in a green, blue, yellow, or a good flash because they become more visible beneath the surface. Like many fluorescents, red and orange lures come into their own in tannin-stained waters.

Fishing at night or in low light conditions: If you ask any seasoned night angler what color he uses, he'll always tell you the same thing black. While this may seem strange to most, experience has proven it does work. And here's the reason. Consider objects you see at night, usually black, grey, or shadowy images. Fish feeding at night or in low light situations usually attack their food from below because it maximizes available light. Your choice of lure should be dark or black.

Fishing with Topwater: Topwater fishing is my favorite simply because of the anticipation. When fishing topwater lures, I've found color is far less significant than the lure's action, size, and shape. Topwater strikes come from below or behind in shallow water; in either case, the lure only looks dark or grey. Therefore, it is evi-

dent that dark-colored lures are the best choice for topwater action because they produce a great silhouette against surface light.

Dragging Lures: Lure color becomes less critical when trolling or using downriggers, especially in water containing high amounts of suspended solids, sediment, or low light conditions. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a lure for this application; you're mainly concerned with its shape, size, and action.

In closing, let's remember that while color has a role in lure selection, action, size, and noise play a more significant role. And most of all, never miscalculate your confidence in specific lures. We all have our favorites and tend to fish them harder because we've achieved success in the past. Fishing artificial lures for most of my life, I've narrowed it down to simple rules, and I choose a lure that best suits the action, depth, and available bait in the area.

Remember, don't get hung up on the color thing; too often, lures are selected on color, then because of water depth or conditions, they are not visible to

fish anyway. However, if you're inflexible about color, remember to ask yourself a few basic questions. What takes place with color in the water? Is it overcast or bright, how deep are the fish, and what's the water clarity? It might make a difference.

813-477-3814

Capt. Woody Gore operates Tampa Bay's #1 Outdoor Fishing Guide Services. Guiding and fishing in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater areas for over fifty years, he offers first-class customer service, family-oriented charters, and a lifetime of memories.

Visit his website, www.captainwoodygore.com

Email: fishing@captainwoodygore.com

“Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing”

10 Tips to Save Water for Water Conservation Month

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (District) Governing Board declared April Water Conservation Month at its March meeting. April is historically one of the driest months of the year and typically marks the peak demand season for public water suppliers.

With these 10 simple tips, you can lower your monthly water bill and do your part to save hundreds of gallons of water:

INDOOR

Only run your washing machine and dishwasher when they are full.

Use the shortest clothes washing cycle for lightly soiled loads; normal and permanent-press wash cycles use more water. Thaw frozen food in the refrigerator or microwave, not under running water.

Scrape, don’t rinse, your dishes before loading in the dishwasher.

Install high-efficiency showerheads, faucets and toilets.

OUTDOOR

Check your home’s irrigation system for leaks. Turn off your irrigation system and only water as needed. Don’t leave sprinklers unattended. Use a kitchen timer to remind yourself to turn sprinklers off.

Use a hose with a shut-off nozzle when washing the car.

Consider installing a rain barrel with a drip irrigation system for watering your landscaping. Rainwater is free and better for your plants because it doesn’t contain hard minerals.

Leaks are the biggest water waster, both inside and outside of your home. You can use your water meter to check for leaks. Turn off all faucets and water-using appliances and make sure no one uses water during the testing period. Wait for the hot water heater and ice cube makers to refill and for regeneration of water softeners. Go to your water meter and record the current reading. Wait 30 minutes. (Remember, no water should be used during this period.) Read the meter again. If the reading has changed, you have a leak.

For more information about water conservation, please visit the District’s website at WaterMatters.org/Conservation.

A couple of guys with the “right stuff” participated together in U.S. bombing missions over Korea. Astronaut John Glenn and baseball Hall of Famer Ted Williams were co-pilots.

Twitter’s bird logo is named Larry, after Boston Celtics Hall of Famer Larry Bird.

When Oreo cookies were first made, they were mound-shaped. The name comes from the Greek work “oreo,” which means “hill.”

It cost $1 for admission to Disneyland when it opened in 1955. The first minimum wage, instituted in the U.S. in 1938, was 25 cents an hour.

Home plate in baseball was square until 1900 when it was made fivesided to help umpires in calling balls and strikes.

Edgar Allan Poe often wrote his works with his cat seated on his shoulder.

FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1971

YOUR AROUND TOWN SPONSOR

A while back I took ten days off and spent the time at our place on Moon Shadow in Blairsville, Georgia with my wife, Patsy, and Cynthia Holt, the mother of Sarah Holt, editor of In The Field.

The first thing on their agenda after we got settled in was a shopping trip to Home Depot for a 40 watt light bulb and to Wal-Mart for a pair of jeans for Patsy. What I thought would be a brief trip turned out to be an all afternoon excursion.

First stop was Home Depot. The girls decided to go in and look around while I made the purchase of the light bulb. In five minutes flat I had found the bulb and checked out. I looked around and they were no where to be found, so I sat down in a chair located next to the exit thinking they would be along shortly. WRONG! Fifteen minutes passed and I decided to go look for them. I walked the entire store. They were nowhere in sight. I decided they were playing hide-and-go-seek with me.

Back to the chair to wait! Five, ten, fifteen minutes still no Patsy and Cynthia. Maybe they slipped by me and went to the car. I checked the car and they were not there. Maybe one more round in the store would do it. That was when I made a rare discovery. I ran into a sales person in the electrical department. He said no, he had not seen the two ladies as he had been in the lounge in the back drinking coffee.

As a last resort I headed back to the chair to wait only to discover that it was occupied by a man in overalls with a dip of snuff under his bottom lip. ‘Been here long?” I asked.

“Nope,” he replied. Thinking I could pass some time until the girls show up, I tried to strike up a conversation. “Do you live around here,” I asked. “Yep,” he replied. “Have you finished shopping.”

“Didn’t come here to shop,” he said.

“Well, why are you here?” I asked.

“I’m waiting for my wife Bertha. We came in here last week for a few things, and I ain’t seen’er since.” he said.

Hearing that made me feel better. I turned around and there they were, leaving the #4 checkout lane. Guess what? Patsy bought the same light bulb I went in for. What took them so long? Who knows? I didn’t ask, as I was just happy to get out of there.

Next stop, Wal-Mart. I let them off at the front entrance. Our last conversation was that they would be in the women’s department looking for jeans. I walked directly to that department immediately after parking the car. They were nowhere to be found, so I walked the store like I did at Home Depot, but there was no sign of them. A female sales representative in the women’s department noticed that I was walking back and forth and politely ask, “Sir, may I help you?”

Editor’s Note: This Rocking Chair Chatter was originally printed in the April 2019 issue

I said, “No, I’ve lost my wife.” She looked me directly in the eyes and said, “Mister, I know men who would kill to be in your position!”

Like Home Depot, I headed for the chairs between the checkout counters and the exit. Watching the people coming and going, I thought it would be fun to get some of my friends to meet at Wal-Mart on a given day, synchronize our watches, and on a set time we would all shop in slow motion.

A woman is capable of shopping in one store for hours. Knowing this I reconciled myself that it may be sometime before we leave. So what can a man do to entertain himself while waiting for his wife? As a kid we would set all of the alarm clocks to ring at the same time at McCrory’s Five and Dime store in Plant City. Can’t do that any more, because times have changed and all the clocks are electric. Maybe I could create some excitement if I went to the sporting goods department, picked up a shotgun and ask the clerk if he knows where the antidepressants are. Or, go into a fitting room, close the door and wait a minute; then yell loudly, “Hey, somebody! I need some toilet paper in here!”

Getting restless, I walked back to the women’s department and there they were. I didn’t ask where they had been because their shopping cart gave the answer. They spent about 30-minutes in the grocery department shopping for potato chips and a few odds and ends.

I spent the next 30-minutes waiting for Patsy and Cynthia in the chair by the exit. Out of the corner of my eye I could see them in line emptying the shopping cart. That one pair of jeans turned out to be four pair, a couple of sweaters, three pair of socks, two bras, four slips, and a pair of wool gloves. If that makes her happy that’s fine with me.

I didn’t score any points when I told them on the way back to the house that the next time they would not have to spend an hour getting all dressed up if they went to the Dollar Store instead of Wal-Mart. I guess men just don’t understand that women like to browse while shopping.

Erma Bombeck said it best, “Shopping is a woman thing. It’s a contact sport like football. Women enjoy the scrimmage, the noisy crowds, the danger of being trampled to death, and the ecstasy of the purchase.”

As for me, the next time they want to go shopping I’ll hand them the car keys and say, ‘Have fun. Where’s the flipper, it’s almost game time.’

UF/IFAS GCREC HOSTS FIRST YOUTH AG EXPO

By Jim Frankowiak

More than 100 guests participated in the first ever University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) Youth Ag Expo held last month at the GCREC in Balm.

“This initial event was over a year in the making,” said UF Plant City Assistant Professor of Agricultural Education and Communications, Debra Barry, who guided organization of the event. “Faculty, staff and doctoral students at both the GCREC and UF Plant City all participated in the development of this event, which was designed to engage the local community and to help local youth in the Balm/Wimauma area become more aware of the research center and its role in agriculture and potential career pathways in agriculture that might be new to them.” The GCREC’s 20 scientists and 200 staff members develop and disseminate new scientific knowledge and technology that will assist Florida’s producers to be competitive, both nationally and in the world economy.

The Youth Ag Expo engaged more than 100 guests “that took part in visits to the greenhouse, Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research Lab and Plant Diagnostic Lab,” said Barry. “Students participated in a DNA Extraction Lab exercise, interacted with real scientists and met with several Ag and Ag-related organizations.” Those groups included the Ruskin-based UF/IFAS Tropical Aquaculture Lab, UF/IFAS Extension, Florida Strawberry Growers Association (FSGA), Hillsborough County Farm Bureau, East Bay High School Ag/Vet Program, UF/IFAS Range Cattle Research and Education Center at Ona, Florida, lab groups from the GCREC and UF/ IFAS College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) at Plant City.

“We also had great interactions between our youth and the graduate students and faculty who came to talk

about their journey and life as a scientist,” said Barry. “Students asked very specific questions, and you could see their interest in learning about how people at the GCREC found things like entomology and robotics.” The Youth Ag Expo also introduced several of the student attendees, teachers and chaperones at the UF/IFAS CALS at Plant City program, located off of Park Road at the Hillsborough County Community College campus, where students from the surrounding area can attend class and earn their UF degree from CALS.

Students at the Youth Ag Expo included 7th and 8th graders from the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Program at Barrington Middle School and 8th graders from the Redlands Christian Migrant Association (RCMA) Wimauma Community Academy. RCMA serves migrant and rural, low-income families in central and southern Florida.

“This was a great opportunity to introduce students to the many career opportunities available within the ag-

ricultural industry, ranging from research and development through production,” noted Barry. “Hopefully this experience will spark some interest from students to explore areas of agriculture and career pathways that they hadn’t considered or that they weren’t aware of.”

While no plans have yet been finalized, Barry hopes the Youth Ag Expo will become an annual event at the GCREC and she looks forward to bringing in more students from the local area to learn about opportunities in the agriculture industry.

Tampa Bay Community Water Wise Awards Program

By Lynn Barber, Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Agent Hillsborough County and UF/IFAS Extension

Does your landscape have what it takes to win? Enter soon to find out!

The Tampa Bay Community Water Wise Awards, sponsored by Tampa Bay Water, UF/IFAS Extension and Florida-Friendly Landscaping™, were created to recognize individuals and businesses committed to conserving our water resources and protecting the environment by using Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) principles. There are nine FFL principles which include: right plant right place, water efficiently, fertilize appropriately, mulch, attract wildlife, manage yard pests responsibly, recycle, reduce stormwater runoff and protect the waterfront. Many of these principles are used as part of the landscape evaluation process for this awards program.

The University of Florida/Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM teams in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas Counties will evaluate your county’s landscapes using specific criteria which includes the following and more:

Landscape Design and Plant Selection: organic/plant-based mulch is applied 2-3 inches deep throughout the plant beds, plants with similar maintenance and water requirements are

grouped together, no strips of grass less than four feet wide

Stormwater Runoff Prevention: use of rain collection devices, gutter downspouts and roof runoff are directed onto mulched/planted areas, no bare areas in the lawn/landscape which are subject to erosion

Efficient irrigation: landscape exists primarily on rainfall or watered only as needed with an irrigation system

You can view photographs and watch short videos of past winners at: https://awards.tampabaywaterwise.org/. The deadline for entries is June 30. Complete your application now, which will take about five-ten minutes; then submit online at the link above. Attaching a photo or two is helpful. Onsite landscape evaluations will be scheduled and conducted in June, July and August with homeowners and business owners. Winning entries will receive a beautiful, handmade mosaic steppingstone for homeowners or a plaque option for businesses.

Today is a great time to complete and submit your application. We hope to receive your entry soon! Thanks in advance

for participating. If you have questions regarding the Tampa Bay Community Water Wise Awards program and live in Hillsborough County, please contact me. If you live in Pasco or Pinellas County, contact your Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM (FFL) program coordinator.

For more information about the FFL Program, assistance with gardening and irrigation system-related questions, contact the UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County at 813744-5519 and visit our website at: http://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/ hillsborough/upcoming-events/ for upcoming workshops.

Contact Lynn Barber at: barberL@hcflgov.net

Lakeland Nursery, Lakeland, FL 14.02± Acres

14.02± acre active nursery with significant improvements, located on the border of booming Hillsborough and Polk County, and running along the explosive I-4 corridor. This property is fully perimeter fenced with an electric entry gate, featuring a 3,500 SF metal building, an approved water use permit along with two wells and irrigation. Additional improvements are included to make this nursery fully operational..

Sale Price: $925,000

Old Hopewell Ranches, Plant City, FL 99.52± Acres

Very rare opportunity for this preserve like property; with close to 100 acres to call your own. Embrace the lush open pasture, meandering creek, and small pond with possibilities for residential, agricultural, and recreational uses. Enjoy the quiet country lifestyle while being minutes away from State Road 60 and County Road 39 and having easy access to I-4 and I-75. Available as 3 separate lots, or one grand parcel.

Lot 1 (21.35± Acres): $575,000

Lot 2 (32.71± Acres): $590,000

Lot 3 (45.46± Acres): $540,000

NEWS BRIEFS

Compiled by Jim Frankowiak

USDA Offers Help to Producers Recover from Hurricane Ian

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has a range of programs to help Florida producers rebuild their operations and increase their revenue as they recover from the impact of Hurricane Ian.

Farmers.gov, the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster Assistance-at-a-Glance fact sheet and Farm Loan Discovery Tool can help producers and landowners determine program or loan options.

Farm Bureau Federation Offers New Children’s Book

Feeding Minds Press, American Farm Bureau Foundation’s publishing arm, has a new book for children. Farm Boots looks at the various types of boots farmers and ranchers use. More information about the book, including how to order, is available at: feedingmindspress.com.

Springs Protection Awareness Month

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) has declared this month as Springs Awareness Protection Month, emphasizing that springs are vital to the environment, economy, citizens and visitors of the state. There are more than 200 springs in the 16-county District with five, first magnitude spring groups that collectively discharge more than 1 billion gallons of water each day.

University of Florida Ag College Ranked 23rd Globally

Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) has just released its latest Top 50 World University Rankings by Subject report. The report ranked the University of Florida (UF) as #23 among Ag colleges globally. UF was ranked #28 in last year’s report that is based on a methodology that measures academic reputation, employer reputation and research impact at 1,594 institutions globally.

USDA Announces Funding to Help Energy Needs of Farmers, Ranchers and Rural Businesses

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now accepting applications for $1 billion in grants to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses invest in renewable energy

systems and make energy-efficiency improvements. Information on application deadlines and submission details is available on page 19239 of the March 31 Federal Register at www. federalregister.gov.

Buyers Club Available to Farm Bureau Members

Farm Bureau members are also exclusive members of the Farm Bureau Buyers Club permitting them to purchase discount-priced “Florida’s Best”® products such as citrus and peanuts and products produced by fellow Farm Bureau members nationwide like sausage, smoked turkeys, catfish, frozen fruits and vegetables and more. Visit: floridafarmbureau.org/benefits/fama for more information.

UF/IFAS Offers Monthly Webinar Series to Help Keep Landscapes and Trees Healthy

Faculty and scientists at the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) have introduced a monthly webinar series to keep Florida’s landscapes and tree canopies thriving. The South Florida Arboriculture and Landscape Professional Webinars Series are presented at noon on the third Thursday of each month and take less than an hour. Participants must register for each webinar. Webinars are free. For industry participants seeking continuing education credits (CEUs), webinars are $10 each. For more information and registration, visit: https://discover.pbcgov.org/coextension/Lists/NewsEvents/NewsDispForm.aspx?ID=138&RootF older=%2Fcoextension%2FLists%2FNewsEvents&Source=htt ps%3A%2F%2Fdiscover.pbcgov.org%2Fcoextension%2FPage s%2Fdefault.aspx

National Hurricane Center Issues “Ian” Impact Report

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has blamed Hurricane Ian for 156 deaths and $112 billion in Damage. Of the $112 billion in damage, most of it came in Florida for a total of $109.5 billion, the costliest hurricane in Florida history. Sixty-six direct deaths were attributed to the storm in Florida. The state’s crops took a hit as well with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) estimating losses ranging from $1.1 billion to $1.8 billion.

FLORIDA BLOOD ORANGES

By Sandy Sun, M.S. Clinical Medicines, B.S. Nutrition Science

During the winter and spring months in Florida, fresh, juicy citrus is abundant and in peak season. Did you know that not all oranges are orange in color inside? Cara Cara oranges are pinkish inside and blood oranges have a dramatically dark red interior. The deep red color comes from anthocyanins, a type of antioxidant that Blood oranges also have. Their outer peel is dark orange with pink and red flecks. They are lower in acid than navel oranges, but slightly more tart with a bittersweet citrus flavor.

Originating in Sicily, blood oranges are also produced in the United States, mostly in California, Florida, Arizona, and Texas. The zest of the peel and interior are enjoyed raw, in baked goods, juices, and cocktails. The three main types of blood oranges are Moro, Tarocco, and Sanguinello. Moros are the most common blood oranges in the United States, and they have a sweet-tart flavor and deep red flesh. The peak season for Fresh Florida blood oranges is typically December through April.

NUTRITIONAL PROFILE

An excellent source of Vitamin C, a medium-sized blood orange contains more than 150% of the daily value for this vitamin. Oranges are also an excellent nutritional source of dietary fiber, folate, thiamin, potassium, and Vitamin A. In addition to these vitamins and minerals, oranges contain a wealth of other disease-fighting compounds, such as phytonutrients and antioxidants. These potent chemical fight cancer, lower cholesterol, and control blood sugar levels.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, one medium-sized blood orange (154 g) contains 70 calories, 0.2 g protein, 0.1g fat, 16 g carbohydrate, and 3 g of dietary fiber. It also provides 93% of the Daily Recommended Value (%DV) for Vitamin C, 12% for folate, 12% for dietary fiber, 11% for potassium, and many other vitamins and minerals.

Vitamin C

One delicious blood orange can meet almost your total daily requirement for vitamin C. This nutrient is important for a healthy immune system, cancer prevention, healthy blood circulation and wound healing. Vitamin C acts as a potent antioxidant in the body, neutralizing harmful free radicals and preventing its damaging effects in cells. By fighting cell and tissue damage, Vitamin C protects against cancer and other diseases, such as the common cold. This vitamin also helps the body absorb more iron, and aids in the development of strong bones and teeth.

Anthyocyanins

In addition to vitamin C, blood oranges contain other antioxidants, including flavonoids and carotenoids. Blood oranges are exceptionally high in the antioxidant anthocyanin, which

gives the fruit their reddish color and has anti-inflammatory properties. Eating foods high in anthocyanins may help protect against heart disease and diabetes.

How to Select and Store

Choose fresh blood oranges that have smoothly textured skin and are firm and heavy for their size. The juiciest oranges tend to be smaller, heavy for their size, and thin skinned with a sweet fragrance. Avoid those that have soft spots or discoloration. Blood oranges can be stored either at room temperature for up to one week or in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. The juice can be stored in the freezer for up to six months.

How to Enjoy

Since blood oranges come in their own natural packaging, they are a portable, convenient snack. You can simply peel and eat the orange or slice it into wedges and eat. Sweet-tart blood oranges can also be juiced and cooked into jams, sauces, and baked goods.

Use in savory or sweet preparations, pair with avocados, lettuces, nuts, bacon, other citruses, tropical fruits, fresh herbs, strong and aged cheeses, grains, seafood and poultry. Use the juice in curds, cocktails, vinaigrette and syrups. Other ways to enjoy blood oranges include:

• Slice orange and add to any fruit or vegetable salad

• Squeeze the juice into a pan, allow it to thicken over heat, and use it as a sauce for fish or chicken

• Add orange juice to baked goods for a bright refreshing twist.

• Slip a few slices of orange into a pitcher of water for a refreshing low-calorie beverage.

• Boil orange slices with your teabag or add slices to boiled tea.

• Float orange slices in your bath for a citrusy spa treatment.

• Use the whole orange, peel and all, to make marmalade.

• Serve sliced oranges after a meal for dessert.

• Pair with cheese and bread for an easy appetizer or meal.

• Marinate chicken in the juice and add zest for a zip of fresh flavor.

Enjoy fresh Florida blood oranges in their peak season today. With their sweet juicy flavor, blood oranges are delicious as well as healthy!

SELECTED REFERENCES

http://www.growingproduce.com http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ http://www.whfoods.com

MARSHALL LEMUS HOME TOWN CHAMPION

By Michelle Caceres

Not many people can make the claim that the COVID-19 pandemic had a positive impact on their life but for one Durant High School sophomore, the pandemic paved the way for the teen to learn about the agricultural industry and become a two-time Grand Champion winner in the Florida Strawberry Festival Youth Ornamental Plant Show and sale.

Three years ago, Marshall Lemus and his family moved from Dover (where he was attending Independence Academy, a school that didn’t offer agriculture classes) to Plant City, where he attended Mulrennan Middle School as an e-learning student. One of his online classes was Agriculture, that had a requirement he complete an agriculture-related project. He chose to grow plants to show at the Florida Strawberry Festival Youth Ornamental Plant Show and sale.

“It was my first year doing an FFA project and I thought plants would be easy to grow so I chose them,” he said. He carefully selected and purchased Confederate Jasmine and Dracaenas plants because someone said they were good for firsttime growers. While his plants didn’t win at the Florida Strawberry Festival that year, the experience sparked a desire to learn more about plants in all their varieties.

The following year, as a high school freshman, his Ag teacher, Ms. Coleman, encouraged him to grow plants again. He originally wanted to grow a bottle brush tree but found out it was a popular plant to show so he went with White Powder Puff

trees. It was a smart choice because he was named Grand Champion. “When I won I really didn’t know what that meant and Ms. Coleman had to explain it to me,” he said. “Then I was happy and excited.”

This year, he wanted to switch gears and turned his attention to a pig project but his Ag teacher this year, Mr. Sturgis, encouraged him to stick with plants. “He told me I had won Grand Champion with plants last year so I should enter the contest again this year, so I did,” he said.

He selected Chinese lantern trees, which he purchased in three-gallon containers, but eventually grew to six feet tall, filling seven-gallon pots. “They were pretty easy to take care of but very delicate,” said Lemus.

This year, his competition included a family member. His younger brother, Luke Stutler, showed plants at the festival. With a house divided, Lemus got help from his mom while his brother turned to his dad for assistance. His family built a greenhouse in the backyard so they could be protected from the weather in the cooler months. “There were a lot of plants growing in our backyard,” joked Lemus. “Even though we were in competition with each other, we also helped each other.”

Their mom, Melissa Stutler, couldn’t be more proud that her boys want to be involved in Agriculture and FFA, which becomes a family affair and teaching opportunity for them on

responsibility and plant care. “These two boys are so competitive and when they see something they want, they go after it,” she said. “In the end, no matter who wins, they support each other and push each other to do better and I couldn’t be more proud of them.”

It was a busy festival for Lemus, who was also showing a pig. He was at the festival when a friend told him he needed to go look at his plants. “When I walked over there and saw the purple ribbon, I’m not gonna lie I got a few tears in my eyes,” he said. “I was surprised, happy and just speechless that I had won two years in a row.”

Lemus felt sad for his brother, who didn’t win, but encouraged him to take the lessons he learned this year to improve his skills for next year’s show. That’s the purpose of the show and auction, after all, to learn to properly produce an agricultural product, a task that requires daily man

me during the auctions,” he said. “I’m usually shy so it helps me to be more open to communicating with others.”

At the plant sale, Jai Buttram from Consolidated Pest Control, who bought his plants last year, had the winning bid during this year’s sale. “I’m so thankful for his support and generosity,” said Lemus. “It’s people like him who help make these shows so successful.”

He plans on using the proceeds from the plant sale to purchase plants for next year’s show. “I have to up my game a little for next year,” he said. “I want to make it three in a row.”

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UF/IFAS helps identify and avoid invasive plants

By Lynn Barber, Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Agent Hillsborough County and UF/IFAS Extension

Invasive plants can create havoc in your yard by displacing native vegetation. Their populations explode, with catastrophic effects. Those include displacing native and non-native adaptive plants and disrupting naturally balanced plant communities. When our native and non-native adaptive plants are destroyed and replaced by invasive species, we encounter significant consequences. These include an aggressively hostile plant takeover, ecological problems such as habitat degradation or biodiversity loss, high management costs and significant impacts to recreational areas, which result in economic losses.

We want to reduce the number of invasive plants invading your yard. To help, UF/IFAS developed the Assessment of Non-native Plants in Florida’s Natural Areas. This online resource, available at https://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu/, provides information about invasive plants and invasive plant potential around the state and those under caution in other areas.

Note that the status of a plant can change from being acceptable to high invasion risk based on the above criteria. One such plant, Liriope, common names monkey grass, lily turf, border grass, has been determined to be invasive. In the newly published Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM Guide to Plant Selection and Landscape Design, this plant is no longer included. Here are three of many of the “worst offenders” among invasive plants:

• Scientific name: Melaleuca quinquenervia

Common name: Melaleuca, paper bark, punk tree

Prohibited in North, Central and South Florida. The only good thing about this tree is that the harvested byproduct is Melaleuca mulch which has high termite resistance.

• Scientific name: Paederia foetida

Common name: Skunk vine

Prohibited and high invasion risk in North, Central and

Photo credit: Melaleuca (left), Skunk vine (center), Liriope (right)  All photos from: UF IFAS Assessment of Non-Native Plants in Florida’s Natural Areas. You can shortcut it to UF IFAS Assessment if you need to do that.

South Florida. It has a foul smell (thus the name) and is extremely difficult to control. This plant can well be an unfortunate ‘gift’ from and to your neighbors. Vines can reach a length of thirty feet.

• Scientific name: Lantana strigocamara, Shrub Verbena

Common name: Lantana

Invasive in North, Central and South Florida. All parts of this plant are toxic and have impacted livestock, pets, and children according to the Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, University of Florida IFAS. There are non-invasive varieties. Look for those.

The assessment uses science-based tools to evaluate the risk of invasion by non-native species, new species that might arrive here and novel agricultural and horticultural varieties. The assessment, in conjunction with the UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants and the UF/IFAS Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM Guide to Plant Selection and Landscape Design, can provide you with the information you need to make appropriate plant selections. Let’s get outside and garden!

Contact Lynn Barber at labarber@ufl.edu

BELLA BALLARD

HOME TOWN CHAMPION

By Libby Hopkins

Bella Ballard is 12-years-old. She is homeschooled an actively involved in my church. “I’m a member of the Junior Florida Cattlemen’s Association, Hillsborough County Junior Cattlemen’s Association and Youth Leaders in Production Agriculture,” Ballard said. “I am homeschooled so that I can have the flexibility to do what I love and what I’m most passionate about which is showing cattle!”

Ballard started showing at the young age of eight. “I bought my first competitive show heifer that I named Honeybun from a good friend of ours Mr. John Maples and I had a lot of success my first year out,” Ballard said. “I won Supreme Champion Heifer at the Florida Strawberry Festival. That heifer is what started this off for me and is what really turned me into being competitive in this industry and having the drive and determination to maximize my potential.”

After her first year being in the showing ring, she knew what she wanted to do. “I started showing steers when I was 9, they seemed to be a lot more challenging then the heifers I showed which made me like them even more cause I am always up for a challenge,” Ballard said. “My parents decided to start D-B Show cattle so we could start to raise our own calves. I knew I wanted to be able to show a strawberry festival steer but I had to wait until seventh grade to do that. So, really the preparation began early around 2019 to get ready for this 2023 Festival. I helped my dad in the production process from start to finish to produce my steer.”

Ballard has shown and competed all over the southeast. “I’ve competed and shown steer in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and I have won a lot of awards,” Ballard. “I have three award rooms in our house filled with banners, trophies, hardware and buckles I’ve won. I have 39 buckles.”

Ballard has won numerous Grand Champion titles at Florida shows and in other states. “I’ve shown in with my steers, heifers and also showmanship,” Ballard said. “Locally in our county I won Grand Champion Market Steer at the Hillsborough County Fair in 2021 and 2022, Grand Champion Market Steer at the Hillsborough Beef Expo in 2021 and 2022 and now Grand Champion Market Steer and Grand Champion Junior Showman at the Festival for 2023.”

Ballard is a firm believer that her success isn’t just from her work ethic and all of the hours spent in my barn. “First and foremost all the glory goes to God cause without him I wouldn’t be where I am today,” Ballard said. “This may sound crazy to some people but every time we bring a calf in the barn to start showing my mom prays over them, she prays with me at shows, she prays with me before I enter the ring to show. God always calms my nerves and I always hit the ring with confidence. So, without him I know I wouldn’t be where I am today with 3 award rooms to show for it and memories I’ll never forget.”

Ballard as a lot of goals she has set to achieve in the coming years. “I want to be able to show all over the country, at a national level and be able to make an impact on this industry,” Ballard said. “I absolutely will continue to compete. I want to be a role model for other kids to look up to and a mentor for others and be able to help the youth. I have a little sister Baylee who is five and she loves to show cattle and she looks up to me. I always try to be an example for her cause I know I have her always watching me. How I win matters, but more importantly how I handle a loss makes a difference. I want my little sister to always know how you handle defeat and overcome an obstacle is what really makes the heart of a champion.”

2023 Florida Strawberry Festival Results

Mosaic Youth Steer Show

Patterson Companies

Livestock Arena

Grimes Family Agricul-

tural Center

Grand Champion

Bella Ballard

Reserve Champion

Gillian Mattheson

Lightweight Division

Grand Champion

Madison Hurley

Reserve Champion

Milee Hasting

Middleweight Division

Grand Champion

R.J. Christopher

Reserve Champion

Alli Taylor

Heavyweight Division

Grand Champion

Bella Ballard

Reserve Champion

Gillian Mattheson

Class 1

1st – Parker Scott

2nd – Gabija Davila

3rd – Nicholas Kouimanis

4th – Chloe Crim

5th – Hannah Cook

6th – Jaxon Griffin

7th – Mia Peters

8th – Alex Nuckles

9th – Cameryn Smith

10th – Kendall Donaldson

Class 2

1st – Madison Hurley

2nd – Julie Jones

3rd – Jaylie Wyatt

4th – Harlee Miller

5th – Nathaniel Lezama

6th – Marlena Deboben

7th – Alivia Knight

8th – Kaylee Hudson

9th – Dylan Almeda

10th – Ella Connell

Class 3

1st – Milee Hasting

2nd – Payton Thomas

3rd – Nathan Sewell

4th – Lexi Ford

5th – Kyndall Bass

6th – Kendall hall

7th – Kipras Davila

8th – Evan Scott

9th – Mackenzie Puerto

10th – Morgan Walters

Class 4

1st – Julia Jones

2nd – Levi Sampson

3rd – Brooklyn Zajac

4th – Tucker Thomas

5th – Trevor Hinton

6th – Caris Schneider

7th – Delany Baird

8th – Carly Varnum

9th – Nicole Lietz

10th – Caroline Crim

Class 5

1st – R.J. Christopher

2nd – Mason Howard

3rd – Addison Griffin

4th – Adrienne Campbell

5th – Madelynn Council

6th – Joleigh Hinton

7th – Jessie Parker

8th – Autumn Rutherford

9th – Judson Smith

10th – John Paris

Class 6

1st – Alli Taylor

2nd – Carter Manis

3rd – Kayla Hanson

4th – Gabby Howell

5th – Kenley Connell

6th – Brooklyn Ball

7th – Connor Kennedy

8th – Knox McDonald

9th – Austin English

Class 7

1st – Gillian Matheson

2nd – Kiah Swilley

3rd – Tytan Gill

4th – Annistyn Griffin

5th – Ava Futch

6th – Lyla Bent

7th – Connor Scott

8th – Emma Leiss

9th – Hallie Peacock

10th – Cooper Donaldson

11th – Addison Johnson

Class 8

1st – Dakota Lapointe

2nd – Logan Shoop

3rd – Emilee Taylor

4th – Jayden Mathena

5th – Wyatt Drawdy

6th – Brody Bryant

7th – Kennedy Schrier

8th – Olivia Ennis

9th – Nevaeh Trujillo

10th – James Haynes

Class 9

1st – Jayden McDaris

2nd – Mackenzie Kolpin

3rd – Abigail Michnowicz

4th – Kassie Williams

5th – Brielee Bendenbaugh

6th – Parker Smith

7th- Alleigh Goff

8th – Marley Goodwine

9th – Samuel Shiver

Class 10

1st – Bella Ballard

2nd – Morgan Walls

3rd – Kayla Peacock

4th – Ava Hasting

5th – Shelby Lawrence

6th – Spencer Baylor

7th – Kaylee Marsh

8th – Riley Silkworth

9th – Hardy Polk

10th – Riley Guy

11th – Olivia Vaughan

SHOWMANSHIP

Senior

Morgan Walls

Intermediate Brielee Bedenbaugh

Junior

Bella Ballard

Mosaic Youth Swine Show Patterson Companies

Livestock Arena

Grimes Family Agricultural Center

Grand Champion

Jaylynn Wood

Reserve Champion

Avery Ashley

Class 1

1st – Haley Jones

2nd – Georgia Kimbrell

3rd – Kylie Devaun

4th – Hunter Jones

5th – Joel Bender

6th – Jackson Raburn

7th – Braxtyn Crumley

8th – Braxton Battaglia

9th – Alex Griffin

Class 2

1st – Grace Merrell

2nd – Kash Swilley

3rd – Colt Connell

4th – Peyton Haxton

5th – Kyndell Drawdy

6th – Christopher Dudzinski

7th – Jackson Blanton

Class 3

1st – Jackson Sturgis

2nd – Alexandra Jirinec

3rd – Kendall GillespieGee

4th – Alyssa Chancey

5th – Trentin Gilmore

6th – Sophia Briel

7th – Brodie Layton

8th – Anna Lovell

Class 4

1st – Easton Goff

2nd – Karoline Kmetz

3rd – Cooper Newman

4th – Connor Jirinec

5th – Alayna Glisson

6th – Declan Layton

7th – Emily Franson

8th – Haleigh Horner

Class 5

1st – Avery Ashley

2nd – Dallas Edwards

3rd – Macey Riley

4th – Brantley Newsome

5th – Kortney Whitmer

6th – Blake Chancey

7th – Makayla Mahoney

Class 6

1st – Kyleigh Murray

2nd – Alyssa Fletcher

3rd – Danielle Ricks

4th – Lillian Cannon

5th – Carly Steward

6th – Lily Nance

7th – Adriana Ursetti

Class 7

1st – Jaylynn Wood

2nd – Tyler Peak

3rd – Jacob Purcell

4th – Benjamin Casey

5th – Halie Hinson

6th – Mason Raburn

7th – Hadleigh Zahradka

8th – Carter Durrance

9th – Caroline Hickey

Class 8

1st – Faith Satterfield

2nd – Bristol Bedenbaugh

3rd – Tregg Aguero

4th – Madison Brewer

5th – Jacob Ogden

6th – Braxton Bailey

7th – Brooklynn Brewer

8th – Lucas Dusnik

9th – Tyler Mohamed

10th – Adrianna Herlong

Class 9

1st – Skyler Hancock

2nd – Haley Bell

3rd – Reid Connell

4th – Marshall Lemus

5th – Alli Swindle

6th – Brayden Keys

7th – Paige Sanchez

8th – Lainey Dyches

9th – Brooke Wright

SHOWMANSHIP

Senior

1st – Faith Satterfield

2nd – Avery Ashley

3rd – Alyssa Chancey

Intermediate

1st – Haley Jones

2nd – Jaylynn Wood

3rd – Jackson Sturgis

Junior

1st – Bristol Bedenbaugh

2nd – Georgia Kimbrell

3rd – Sophia Briel

Beef Breed Show Patterson Companies

Livestock Arena

Grimes Family Agricultural Center

Sponsored by Bad Boy

Mowers

All Breeds Grand Champion Heifer

Carlie Shenefield

All Breeds Grand Champion Bull

Morgan Walls

Grand Champion Bred & Owned Heifer

Raelan Sherouse

Reserve Champion Bred & Owned Heifer

Ansley Bryant

Grand Champion Bred & Owned Bull

Kyleigh Criswell

Reserve Champion Bred & Owned Bull

Hanna Lightsey

Grand Champion Angus Heifer Case Watson

Reserve Champion Angus Heifer

Emily Cason

Grand Champion Brangus Heifer

Payge Dupre

Reserve Champion Brangus Heifer

Madilyn Nichols

Grand Champion Brangus Bull

Kyleigh Criswell

Reserve Champion Brangus Bull

Madyson Carter

Grand Champion Brahman

Heifer

Zibe Stein

Reserve Champion Brahman Heifer

Alli Taylor

Grand Champion Brahman Bull

McKenzie Hollie

Reserve Champion Brahman Bull

Hanna Lightsey

Grand Champion Simmental Heifer

Bella Ballard

Reserve Champion Simmental Heifer

Gabrielle Howell

Grand Champion Simmental Bull

Zachary Gibbons

Grand Champion Other Breeds Heifer

Maddox Sewell

Reserve Champion Other

Breeds Heifer

Adalyn Compton

Grand Champion Commercial Brahman Heifer

John Paris

Reserve Champion Commercial Brahman Heifer

Kyndall Akins

Grand Champion Commercial Brahman Bull

Morgan Chancey

Reserve Champion Commercial Brahman Bull

Nathan Sewell

Grand Champion Commercial English Heifer

Carlie Shenefield

Reserve Champion Commercial English Heifer

Mattisen Keeble

Grand Champion English Bull

Sara Clanton

Junior Herdman

1st – Mason Goff

2nd – Barrett McCullough

Intermediate Herdsman

1st – Kyleigh Criswell

2nd – Kaylee Mixon

3rd – Morgan McCullough

Senior Herdsman

1st – Hope McKay

Junior Showmanship

1st – Adalyn Compton

2nd – Madilyn Nichols

Intermediate Showmanship

1st – Ansley Bryant

2nd – Carlie Shenefield

Senior Showmanship

1st – Payge Dupre

2nd – Mattisen Keeble

Bill McClelland Scholarship

Sponsored by the McClelland Family

Annabelle Crandell

Greenhand Award

Addison Pilla

Jim Thompson Senior Award

Kayley Best

Justin Gill Scholarship

Sponsored by the Gill Family Case Watson

Hicks Family Scholarship

Sponsored by the Florida Strawberry Festival

Payge Dupre

Herb Granneman Award

Evangelina Garcia

Florida Strawberry Festival Scholarship

Sponsored by the Florida Strawberry Festival

Kendall Donaldson

Dairy Show

Patterson Companies

Livestock Arena

Showmanship, Dairy Cattle Show and Costume Ball sponsored by Grove Equipment

Ayrshire

Grand Champion – Colby Schibler

Reserve Champion – Kelsi Gray

Junior Champion – Austin Boyd

Reserve Junior Champion – Austin Boyd

Senior Champion – Colby Schibler

Reserve Senior Champion – Kelsi Gray

Brown Swiss Grand Champion – Ely

Evans

Reserve Champion –Thomas Campoamor

Junior Champion –Kenslee Heinke

Reserve Junior Champion – Colby Schibler

Senior Champion – Ely

Evans

Reserve Senior Champion – Thomas Campoamor

Continued on pg. 48

Giant Swath of Seaweed Headed to Shore!

by John Dicks | Photo by iStock

It’s likely that you’ve read, heard, or seen the news about the giant blob of seaweed headed towards our Florida shores.

As if our recent encroachment of red tide wasn’t bad enough (and hitting our shores months before its normal invasion), now we’re facing tons of yucky and decaying seaweed which they say also puts out a noxious and raunchy smell.

What a “Welcome to Florida” it will be for all the tourists!

Then again, maybe smaller crowds this summer would be a good thing. Yes, I’m only kidding about that (sorta).

Of course I’m always looking for that silver lining in any cloudy situation. Though this one may really turn out to be a mess.

Already the giant swath of seaweed has swept its way mostly across the Atlantic. If it was a straight line, with no gaps along the way, it would stretch completely from the western coast of Africa all the way across the ocean, nearly in sight of the Miami Beach condos.

Satellite images suggest that it’s more than 5,000 miles wide!

The good news, at least the bit that there is and which I want to address first, is that by most accounts the blob will not cause much of a mess to our western Gulf coast beaches. The panhandle of Florida may not be so lucky, and it looks like much of our east coast neighbors will be enjoying things up close and personal.

It’s being said that this is a natural occurring phenomena that science has been studying for more than a decade. That they make it sound so commonplace makes me wonder a bit why we haven’t heard more about it any time before.

Technically, the seaweed blob is not some kind of mysterious, invasive creature running amok and out of control. Instead, it’s JUST a massive algae bloom known as sargassum. Its area of origin has been assigned an official name, the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt, and is considered the largest such seaweed bloom on the planet.

The experts say that sargassum has been floating in the ocean for eons. Maybe some 30 million years, though

I never can understand how they can be so decisive about such things.

Regardless of its estimated 30 million year history, it’s said that Christopher Columbus discovered the stuff during his 15th century voyages. He wrote about it in his journals and named it with reference to a Portuguese term for a similarlooking plant.

He was concerned that the colossal clumps of seaweed might trap a ship or hide dangerous shallows and reefs.

Sargassum has a simple life. It just floats wherever wind blows it and tide take it. It’s kept on the surface of the water by a number of gas-filled pods.

It all starts in the Sargasso Sea, which is a large area of the Atlantic Ocean, and is unique in that it has no land boundary. Currents just whip things along and allows the seaweed to grow and multiply.

Sargassum does have some good side benefits. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), sargassum creates a unique ecosystem for a variety of marine creatures.

Some 70 species of marine animals, including shrimp, crabs, fish and even birds seem to feed and multiply from the habitat it produces. Baby turtles love to hide in there and float along with the mat of grass.

It also produces lots of oxygen by converting through photosynthesis the massive amounts of carbon dioxide that it sequesters in its floating mat.

Fisherman suggest that it even makes the fish healthier, stronger, and much more plentiful. Their only complaint is getting a boat through the blob of seaweed and finding a clear spot to cast a line.

All in all, it’s just one more thing to give us something to gripe about while we gear up our plans for the summer!

Still, I’ll take Florida over any other place!

John Dicks is both a Lawyer and Businessman, including an interest in farming. He and his family have owned a Blueberry Farm and have Agricultural lands which they lease for cattle operations, as John says, “to someone who knows and handles cattle much better than I do!”. John is both a Gator, having received his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida, and a Seminole, with his Law Degree from Florida State University. John serves as Of Counsel to Trinkle Redman, a law firm in Plant City where he also served nine years as City Commissioner, including three terms as Mayor.

A Closer Look by Sean Green Tent Caterpillars (Malacosoma)

The weather this month has been amazing. I know of many folks that avoid the outdoors most of the year because they don’t like the Florida insects that will be encountered. I spent nearly every weekend last month at various outdoor festivals and the common conversation I overheard was patrons anticipating caterpillars falling out of the trees and into their shirt collar. It has only been in the past two weeks that their fears have come to fruition. One of the caterpillar species that we can expect in the early springtime of Florida is commonly known as the tent caterpillar. Though bothersome, these caterpillars are harmless and worth a closer look while they are abundant.

Tent caterpillars are members of the family (Lasiocampidae), also known as snout moths because their protruding mouth parts resemble a nose. Within this family there are over 200 genera and more than 2,000 species worldwide. The tent caterpillars you are most likely to see this month in our part of Florida belong to the genus (Malacosoma). There are two species that are of interest; the Eastern Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma Americanum), which may alarm homeowners as they feed almost exclusively on ornamental trees, and there is the Forest Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria), which is the species most often encountered in the wild as they feed on the variety of deciduous hardwood trees typically found in our parks and forests.

The eastern tent caterpillars (Malacosoma Americanum) typically emerge in March along with the forest tent caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria) and likewise, have one generation per year. Unlike the forest caterpillar, the eastern caterpillar prefers ornamentals in the rose family (Rosaceae), which include agriculture crops such as plum, cherry, peach, raspberry,

blackberry, and strawberry. Newly hatched caterpillars begin collaborative construction of a silk tent immediately after emerging. It is within their shared tent that the entire colony of 200-300 will rest and molt. Unlike the forest tent caterpillars, which feed whenever they are hungry, the eastern tent caterpillars feed on a schedule; three times per day, breakfast just before dawn, lunch in the midafternoon, and dinner right after sunset. At each mealtime, the caterpillars exit and tend to the tent, adding silk to it to accommodate the growth of the colony. Once done, they travel together to a feeding site that has been identified and marked with a pheromone covered silken trail that leads them to a source of food found earlier by a scout caterpillar. Once they are done feeding, the caterpillars return to the tent to rest until the next feeding time. As they grow, they shed their skin (molt) through six growth stages. When the caterpillars have matured to their sixth and final growth stage (instar) their feeding schedule changes to only one time per day in the evening.

Unlike other caterpillars, including the forest tent caterpillar that have pigmented colors on their skin, the eastern tent caterpillars use “structural color” for the blue and white patches while the black and orange coloration are pigmented. Structural color is created by iridescence and the refraction of sunlight. The cool thing about it is that it changes color with the angle of the view or light. A common example of structural color is a peacock’s feathers. They are pigmented brown, but because structural color, they look blue, turquoise, and green. Rather than sport bright colorful warning signs of red and yellow to warn predators like other insects do, eastern tent caterpillars work together when they feel threatened. When a danger is near, individual caterpillars will start thrashing about with the tail end of their body. This initial response

Give photo credit: Eastern Tent Caterpillar by Lacy L. Hyche, Auburn University

Give photo credit:

Forest Tent Caterpillar by Steven Katovich

from one caterpillar causes a chain reaction until the entire colony is thrashing about and thus making an attack on any single individual difficult and often startling a predator away. This brings us to an important defense strategy that distinguishes the eastern tent caterpillar from its cousin the forest tent caterpillar. The eastern tent caterpillars feed on plants in the (Rosaceae) family, many species of which contain a chemical called amygdalin, which releases cyanide when digested, thus making the caterpillars that consume such plants toxic to predators in much the same way the Monarch butterfly is toxic from the milkweed it consumes. It is important to note that the sequestering of toxins is designed for natural predators, which tend to be small, such as birds, other insects, reptiles, and the like; not humans or horses as we clarify below.

In 2002 the eastern tent caterpillar became the villain associated with mare reproductive loss syndrome (MRLS). MRLS was first observed in Kentucky in May of 2001 when up to 30% of Kentucky’s mares suffered later term abortions. It just so happened that during that period, Kentucky saw a heavy outbreak of eastern tent caterpillars (Malacosoma Americanum). By June of 2001, the eastern tent caterpillars had pupated, emerged as adult moths, and were no longer available for research. Research continued with only a hypothesis that the cyanide sequestered from the black cherry trees that hosted the caterpillars was passed along to mares that ate the caterpillars and the toxins were ultimately the cause of MRLS. During research, the administration of both cyanide and mandelonitrile (the cyanide containing component in cherry leaves) to horses demonstrated that cyanide does not cause MRLS as previously suspected. Fast forwarding through years of research it was finally discovered that the root cause of MRLS is a simple mechanical irritation caused by of the setae (spines) of the caterpillar. When swallowed, the setae penetrate the intestinal blood vessels of the mare and consequently transport bacterial pathogens through the cardiovascular system and into the fetus, still vulnerable without a fully developed immune system, the organs and tissue quickly fail to infection resulting in a still born or abortion. It is ultimately bacterial infections, not sequestered toxins that causes MRLS and the infections can be associated with any caterpillar with setae, not just the tent caterpillar. From this study we can see that the spines on caterpillars, regardless of toxins, may be an ancient mechanical defense for a variety of caterpillars.

The forest tent caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria) has one generation per year and began emerging in mid-March and we may see the emergence taper off through the month of April. These caterpillars are not villainized like the eastern tent caterpillar, but because they also have setae, are potentially just as capable of being a vector for MRLS as any caterpillar

with setae. The forest tent caterpillar is often the species that drops out of trees (accidently) and down the neck of your shirt but are not generally medically significant to humans. The caterpillars will feed on the new tree leaves, buds, and flowers through five instars, or growing phases. Typical host trees in Florida include Oak, Sweetgum, and Sugar Maple, though the caterpillars will feed on other deciduous trees and during large outbreaks when preferred food sources were scarce are known to feed on conifers and citrus. When these caterpillars are first born, they are very tiny and stick together as a clan. The social behavior of these caterpillars distinguishes them from other caterpillars that complete their development alone after emerging from the egg. An egg mass can contain hundreds of emerging caterpillars, all of which forage, sleep, and travel together until they reach their final fifth instar and independently seek refuge for pupation. The foraging behavior is unique; the caterpillars forage for food as an organized group when needed and a hunger signal from only a few individuals will result in the entire colony setting out for a foraging trip. When foraging, the caterpillars lay down a silk strand along the travel route. The silk strands not only indicate the route in which to find the food source, but provide traction, like a road, for the caravan of caterpillars. Caterpillars that venture off the trail, often fall off the tree to their own demise.

When it comes to sleep, the forest tent caterpillar is like a hard-core camper when compared to the eastern tent caterpillar. Unlike the eastern tent caterpillar (Malacosoma Americanum), the forest caterpillar makes silken blankets along the trunks and branches of the host tree and the entire colony relies on the collaborative blanket they have created together for rest and molting. Because the caterpillars cannot generate much heat internally, they bask together in the sun, usually on their blanket, to raise their body temperature and by staying close to each other can stay warm enough to develop more quickly than other caterpillars. This behavior of group thermoregulation can result in cyclic population spikes in proportions that have resulted in defoliation of up to 30,000 acres of Florida forestland. Such outbreaks typically occur every six to 16 years or so and taper off to normal levels within four years. The latest data from University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences (UF\IFAS) suggests that the last serious outbreak in West Central Florida began in the spring of 1993 and escalated until 1997 after which UF\IFAS reports a noticeable decline in forest tent caterpillars and there was no tree mortality resulting from the last recorded outbreak. We are certainly not seeing a catastrophic outbreak this year, so take the time to take a closer look at tent caterpillars while you are out this month.

Holstein

Grand Champion – Nicolas Hamer

Reserve Champion – Anna

Koch

Junior Champion – Austin

Boyd

Reserve Junior Champion

– Elizabeth Sutton

Senior Champion – Nicholas Hammer

Reserve Senior Champion

– Anna Koch

Guernsey

Grand Champion Kenslee

Heinke

Reserve Champion –

Kenslee Heinke

Junior Champion –Kenslee Heinke

Reserve Junior Champion – Kenslee Heinke

Jersey Grand Champion –

Kyleigh Glenn

Reserve Champion –

Kyleigh Glenn

Junior Champion – Eliza-

beth Sutton

Reserve Junior Champion

– Elizabeth Sutton

Jersey Senior Champion –

Kyleigh Glenn

Reserve Senior Champion – Kyleigh Glenn

Richard Kahelin All Breeds

Champion Award

Colby Schibler

Premier Exhibitor Award

Kenlsee Heinke

Senior All Breeds Bred-By Exhibitor Award

Kyleigh Glenn

Junior All Breeds BreedBy Exhibitor Award

Austin Boyd

Junior Herdsman

Adriona Goodman

Senior Herdsman

Michaela Hunt-Cruz

Junior Sportsman Award

Jacob Carey

Senior Sportsman Award

Colby Schibler

Florida Strawberry Festival

Junior Dairy Grant

Kaylee Cloete

Florida Strawberry Festival

Senior Dairy Grant

Charis Allen

Florida Strawberry Festival

Dairy Scholarship

Elizabeth Sutton

Showmanship

Pee-wee Division

Georgia Patton

Adult

Jessica Heinke

COSTUME BALL

Funniest

Ashley Lehnert

“Ronald McDonald with the Hamburgler”

Prettiest

Brooke Hiers

“Cowgirl and Cow Horse”

Most Original

Selah Allen

“The Great “Moo”dini and Her assistant “Cow”ina

Most Colorful

Angela Palacios

“Alien Moovasion”

Overall Winner

Rob ert Campaomor

Thomas Campoamor

Nico Sommers

“Ghostbusters”

Dairy Judging

4-H Junior Individual

Morgan Cook

4-H Senior Individual

Robert Campaomor

FFA Middle School Individual

Lena Bent

FFA High School Individual

Neveah Trujillo

4-H Junior Team

Kenslee Heinke

Austin Boyd

Kaylee Cloete

Chris Allen

4-H Senior Team

Robert Campoamor

Thomas Campoamor

Annaliese Llaverias

Libby Sutton

FFA Middle School Team

Lena Bent

Ryan Rice

Cody Ric

Colby Holcomb

FFA High School Team

Makayla Watson

Anna Kock

Steven Ragan

Lamb Show

Patterson Companies

Livestock Arena

Grimes Family Agricultural Center

Overall Grand Champion

Emma Leiss

Black Face Ewe

Grand Champion – Kaylee

Snyder

Reserve Champion – Riley

Silkworth

Black Face Ram

Grand Champion – Ruca

Rhonton

Reserve Champion – Julia Jones

White Face Ewe

Grand Champion – Emma Leiss

Reserve Champion –Emma Leiss

White Face Ram

Grand Champion – Emma Leiss

Reserve Champion – Peyton Eatman

Crossbred Ewe

Grand Champion –Makenzie Paul

Reserve Champion – Riley

Silkworth

Crossbred Ram

Grand Champion – Lila Potter

Reserve Champion –Samuel Potter

Rare Breed Ewe

Grand Champion – Cadience Mountain

Reserve Champion – Harrison Kinney

Rare Breed Ram

Grand Champion – Hannah Sevret

Reserve Champion – Julia Jones

COSTUME

Funniest

Rucca Rhoton

“Sheep For Sale”

Most Original

Reid Patino

“We Have a NASCAR Winner”

Most Elegant

Noreen Doyle

“Strawberry Shortcake”

Most Creative

Reece Patino

“Headed to the Winner’s Circle”

Most Colorful

Josie Clark

“Pinkie Pie”

Best Overall

Mackinley Jensen

Braxton Willis

Brightyn Willis

Adelyn Jensen

“You Got a Friend in Me –Toy Story”

SHOWMANSHIP

Beginner

1st – Noreen Doyle

2nd – Josie Clark

3rd – Reece Patino

Junior

1st – Makenzie Paul

2nd – Shelby Southerland

3rd – Brock Sampson

Intermediate

1st – Gracie Lopez

2nd – Brighton Willis

3rd – Ashlyn Clark

Senior

1st – Riley Silkworth

2nd – Kaylee Snyder

3rd – Nadia Rhoten

JUMPING

Short-legged Division

1st – Kylieann Fitzenburg

2nd – Carter Lynch

3rd (tie) – Sarah Menendez

3rd (tie) – Autumn Brazil

Long-legged Division

1st – Serenity Keating

2nd – Sophia Brownell

3rd – Braxton Willis

MOSAIC YOUTH RABBIT AND POULTRY SHOW SWINDLE FAMILY PAVILION

POULTRY

Grand Champion - Abigail Spivey

Reserve Champion – Sierra McCoy

Champion of Production –Kendall Donaldson

Champion of Production

Opposite Sex – Kenzie Palmer

RABBIT

Grand Champion – Elizabeth Buie

Reserve Champion –Shaylyn Simonds

Champion Fancy – Ashley

Manzanarez

Champion Production –Aubrey Hall

BARRINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL FFA MEMBER BREAKS GRAND CHAMPION RECORDS AT THE FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL MOSAIC YOUTH SWINE SHOW

By Michelle Caceres

Jaylynn Wood, an eighth-grade student at Barrington Middle School is the first to achieve the highest victory at the 2023 Florida Strawberry Festival Mosaic Youth Swine Show twice. Not one, but two Grand Champion Swine projects, last year, and this year, makes it clear that she takes showing pigs very seriously.

On Thursday, March 2, 2023, Wood prepared to walk out into the show ring with Cardi B, a Hampshire cross bred. As the 2022 Grand Champion winner, her standards were high and she was filled with excitement as she invests a great deal of time and effort into her swine projects. The time to shine was here.

“I took four steps in the ring in my class and the judge told me to “shut her down.” I knew then I had the class winner. When I went back out for final drive, my pig was tired and worn out, so I knew I had to take it easy on her to drive in the final drive. I was literally saying to myself, “Come on girl we got this!” When the judge picked us to win, I just started crying, all I could think is I did it again! How did this just happen,” exclaimed Wood.

Wood explains that she gets into “show zone” as she enters the arena. She not only works to showcase her pig to the top of its class, but also conducts herself in a way that she will shine in showmanship as well. Wood did just this. She made history,

as a middle school exhibitor, winning Grand Champion victory for two consecutive years. While she is no longer eligible to exhibit swine at the Florida Strawberry Festival since she has achieved the ultimate victory, she still plans to show across the state and nation. However, Wood never considered her pig a Grand Champion, she considers her pig another opportunity to showcase the animal and her showmanship abilities.

“I never want to think I have Grand Champion. I always try to make sure my pig is at its best for show. We call it “12 o’clock” on show day.  At the end of the day, it is one judges opinion,”said Wood.

Wood first became interested in showing pigs, when she was drawn to show a pig at the Hillsborough County Fair, in 2017. She was a third grade 4-H member at the time. To her, showing at the Hillsborough County Fair was her first opportunity to get involved, and learn more about swine. Ever since that time in third grade, Wood realized showing pigs was an interest of hers.

Wood has become increasingly involved with showing pigs throughout the years. She is now a member of the Florida Junior Swine Circuit (FJSC) and shows pigs all over the state of Florida, Southeastern United States, and the nation.

“Showing pigs is my passion. I show pigs year-round, this is what I do. For most kids, they may play sports, but I show pigs,” said Wood.

Wood takes showing pigs very seriously and knows it’s not just showing up with your pig on show day. From the time she gets her pig as a baby, she creates a feed plan, works with it daily, and creates a plan of action for her projects.

“This is not easy it’s a like job and a lot of responsibility. I wake up in the mornings before school and go straight to the barn, I come home from school and go straight to the barn. I walk my pigs 45 minutes a day for showmanship, and with my daddy’s guidance I have feed programs my pigs are on. I take care of the hair and skin, they get baths three times a week, and if you fall in love with it, it becomes a passion,” said Wood.

FFA, 4-H, and FJSC, have all allowed Wood to learn and grow with her swine projects. She enjoys that memories and experience that these organizations pro-

vide to her. While they keep her quite busy, she considers showing pigs an honor. Wood is the Vice President of the Barrington FFA Chapter and is actively involved in FJSC. She enjoys being involved at the school as well as in the community.

While Wood will no longer be seen in the swine show at the Florida Strawberry Festival, there is no doubt she will still be around. Her heart for swine, and showing livestock is remarkable, and she is grateful for her family and the Florida Strawberry Festival livestock team.

“First, I would like to thank My Lord and Savior, my parents and my two sisters. Without them this wouldn’t be possible. I want to thank the Florida Strawberry Festival for giving me the opportunity to show. I am sad that I will not be able to show a pig there anymore, due to show rules on winning Grand Champion twice, but I am thankful for all the memories and opportunities. It is an honor to be the first to set a record in the swine livestock ring,” said Wood.

FFA Exhibit Competition Winners

“We Have a Winner”

The Florida Strawberry Festival hosts a competition for local FFA chapters to design and construct a booth related to the festival’s current theme. In this year’s competition, Durant High School won first place, Mulrennan Middle School was second, Tomlin Middle School was third and Plant City High School finished fourth.

“The time and energy these kids put into their exhibits is quite impressive,” said Florida Strawberry Festival President, Paul Davis. “What a great way to honor the youth in our community by showcasing the outstanding work they do!”

Pictured is Durant High School’s winning display.

FROM THE SCIENTIFIC FIELD

Two big things happened in Hillsborough County agriculture in the past few weeks. First, an icon retired. Second, a young leader emerged with a vision to do even more for local fish farmers.

Craig Watson is the only director the UF/IFAS Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory has ever had. He retired on March 31 after nearly 27 years leading the lab he founded. There is simply no replacement for this ornamental fish industry giant.

There is, however, a successor. I chose Matt DiMaggio as the new director because of the way he will honor Watson’s legacy and yet build upon it. And as a protégé of Watson, DiMaggio was ready to go on April 1.

First, the build part. It became clear to me during a two-day visit to TAL late last year for a discussion on its future that DiMaggio should be a central part of that future.

DiMaggio pitched a vision to add four more faculty to the current six. The areas of expertise will depend on the talent available, but whom he’d hire today if he had the resources reveal where he thinks the lab can go. He’d bring on a molecular geneticist, an engineer, a nutritionist and an ecologist who apply their disciplines to aquatics.

This will require space, and DiMaggio doesn’t hold back here either. He aims to someday double the size of TAL’s building square footage. More tanks, more labs, more space to do more things for fish farmers.

DiMaggio has excelled in his scientific work at TAL for nine years. He also developed a deep understanding of the Florida aquaculture industry and forged close

professional relationships with its leaders, fish farmers and regulators.

DiMaggio’s big-picture goal is to gain TAL recognition as the nation’s top academic aquaculture laboratory. DiMaggio wants more people to make a living off raising ornamentals, farming food fish, restoring our marine environment.

DiMaggio wants those who are already doing this to make a better living.

As for honoring the legacy, DiMaggio wants to continue Watson’s record of leading a lab that saved stakeholders millions of dollars. He intends to keep Watson’s focus on serving the industry and to emulate Watson’s attention to relationships, the stuff that earned him induction into the Florida Tropical Fish Farms Association Hall of Fame and a lifetime achievement award from the U.S. Aquaculture Society.

That foundation is a great start for DiMaggio. Now, with the continuing increase in ornamental species’ popularity, the immense potential of Florida sea- and land-based food fish production and the need for coral restoration and other ecological initiatives, TAL is going to play a central role in a burgeoning sector of Florida agriculture. DiMaggio is the right scientist and leader at the right time to deliver on this promise.

Scott Angle is the University of Florida’s Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources and leader of the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).

By J. Scott Angle

DURANT FFA WINS TWO STATE TITLES IN TWO DAYS

Members from the Durant FFA chapter competed in the State Floriculture contest on March 21 and placed first in state competition. Team members include Peyton Haxton, Savannah Rice, Caroline Haxton and Bryan Ferrell.

The next day, March 22, members competed in the State Nursery and Landscape contest and placed first again in the state competition. Team members include Peyton Haxton, Savannah Rice, Caroline Haxton and Grace Merrell was high individual in the state.

These students will be traveling to Indianapolis in November to compete in the National FFA contests.

Recipes

Courtesy of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Florida Cucumber and Sweet Pepper Salad

Chef Justin Timineri

Ingredients q q

2 Florida bell peppers (or 12 small sweet peppers), seeds removed and sliced thin (a variety of colored peppers is recommended)

2 Florida cucumbers

1 red onion

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped fine

1 tablespoon fresh herbs (basil, thyme, oregano or mint)

2 tablespoons white wine vinegar

1 tablespoon olive oil

Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS

Add all ingredients, except the salt and pepper, to a medium-sized mixing bowl. Lightly toss all ingredients to coat. Taste salad and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Keep refrigerated and serve cold.

Florida Tomato Linguine Sauté

Ingredients q q

2 pounds ripe Florida tomatoes

1 pound whole-wheat linguine (or your favorite pasta)

3 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 bunch fresh basil, hand torn (or 1 tablespoon

DIRECTIONS

dried)

1/2 cup olive oil

1 lemon, zested and juiced

Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

Wash and rinse tomatoes. Dry tomatoes, then core and cut in half. Use a spoon to remove most of the seeds. Chop tomatoes coarsely. Add chopped tomatoes to a colander, sprinkle with a few pinches of salt and let them sit so they can release some of their water (this should only take a half an hour and can be done ahead of time). Combine drained tomatoes, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest and garlic into a large sauté pan. Heat tomato mixture over low heat (the idea is to warm the mixture and not cook it). Cook and drain pasta according to package directions. Combine pasta and tomato mixture together in a bowl. Add fresh basil and Parmesan to pasta dish. Taste for seasoning and adjust with kosher salt and fresh ground pepper. Serve warm with crusty bread or chill for later.

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