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by Nick Chapman
Business Up Front Rhonda Wetherington, Realtor® Typically the largest purchase we make in our lifetime is our house. The book of Proverbs suggests seeking wise counsel when making plans, and there’s no need to look any further for great advice than the capable talents of Rhonda Wetherington. Rhonda has been in the real estate business for over 20 years working for Weichert Realtors Yates & Associates, and she can help make your next house purchase become your new home. Rhonda offers real estate services in residential, commercial, vacant land and rentals. She even has a few horse farms listed at this time. Although intimately familiar with Eastern Hillsborough County, she has a keen eye for matching properties with people and is not afraid to venture throughout West Central Florida. “I know Tampa and I’m comfortable with Tampa,” said Rhonda, whose recent sales have ranged from Lakeland to Odessa and Lutz to Apollo Beach. “I have sold homes from Pasco, Pinellas, Polk…I have a listing in Polk right now, a horse barn with 10 acres. I’m happy to look anywhere for my clients.” When asked what a seller would expect if they contact her, she replied, “I would set up a meeting, tour their home and find out what they have to offer and what their time frame is.” Rhonda then presents her listing package that demonstrates that she does her homework, and has the experience to get the job done. Once your home is listed with Rhonda and Weichert Realtors, then she gets down to the real work of making sure your house gets sold. She takes an unbiased inventory of the shape of the home to see if there is anything that needs to changed or improved. “I try to be very honest about it,” she explained. She elaborated that once people get comfortable in a place, they tend not to notice the little imperfections that might turn a prospective buyer off. She guides her clients through the process so they can get the best price possible for their property. Her professionalism combined with the resources of Weichert Realtors’ dynamic marketing program seem to make an unbeatable pair. If you’re looking for a home, Rhonda said their company has helped many professionals and military families relocate to this area, as well as local families that are ready for a change. “Because of my background in Dover and Plant City, I have a pretty good sphere of influWWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
ence in this area. Very often I have spoken to prospective buyers and said, ‘I know the perfect place for you.’” And building those relationships and matching people and places are what makes Rhonda such an effective real estate agent. Rhonda’s background in the area stems from five generations of her family being in Eastern Hillsborough. Both of her grandfathers and her dad were farmers “I grew up with orange groves and strawberries,” she said. But she chose a different path. “I was selling cosmetics when a family friend called me and said, ‘Why are you selling that stuff? You need to be selling real estate.’ And I said okay!” She obtained her license in 1996 and went to work for her friend’s old company, which at the time was the largest female owned realty company in Tampa. This same company later became affiliated with Weichert Realtors, and Rhonda has stayed in the same office these last 20 years. “I started in the real estate business and have loved it ever since.” One of the greatest rewards in the business is making and sustaining relationships. Rhonda relayed a story about how her first listing rapidly became her first sale, and how nervous she was at the time. She was able to make both sides of the transaction happy and she closed the deal. Because of her follow up and caring attitude she has been blessed to make multiple deals with the same parties and their families over the last 20 years. “I do what needs to be done to help my clients, from beginning to the end and then afterwards. I continue to follow up and check on my clients,” Rhonda said. She went on to say that consequently she has been to birthdays, weddings and funerals with these same people. The relationships she establishes go beyond the deals of the moment. The personalized experience and true concern for her client’s needs make Rhonda Wetherington your best friend and ally whenever you need to buy or sell property in the Tampa Bay area. If you have any questions concerning real estate, whether buying, selling or renting, contact Rhonda for help from an expert you can trust. Call her at (813) 763-0986 or email her at rhondawb@msn. com. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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VOL. 11 • ISSUE 10
Andy McDonald Page 66
Hillsborough County Farm Bureau 100 S. Mulrennan Rd. Valrico, Fl. Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Insurance Services: 813.685.5673 Member Services: 813.685.9121 OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Contents AUGUST 2016 Business Up Front
Florida Mushroom
Equine Vaccinations
UF/IFAS News
Melissa Grimes
New Faculty
Fishing Hot Spots
Jack Payne
Rocking Chair Chatter
John Dicks
Page 3
Page 10 Page 14 Page 18 Page 22
Florida Southern
Page 26
Endangered Species
Page 28
AG in the Classroom
Page 32
Page 35 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 46
Hiring Heros
Page 48 Recipes
Page 52 Literary Time Machine
Page 54
Soil and Water Conservation
Page 56 TBNEH
Page 60 Gude Family
Page 64
Harvest Awards
Page 65 Activity
Page 78 A Closer Look
Page 79
Harvest Croo Robotics
Page 82
Kenneth Parker....................President Will Womack................Vice President James Tew..........................Treasurer Buddy Coleman..................Secretary DIRECTORS FOR 2015 - 2016 Jake Cremer, Tiffany Dale, Bradley Ferguson, Carson Futch, Jim Frankowiak, Chip Hinton, John Joyner, Tony Lopez, Lawrence McClure, Rep. Jake Raburn, Emeritus, Sambahv Sambahv, Marty Tanner, Vincent Tort, Ron Wetherington
Judi Whitson, Executive Director 813.685.9121 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. Juile Carlson, John McGuire
Plant City Office 813.752.5577
1302 S. Collins St., Plant City, FL 33563 Jeff Summer Bill Williams
Tampa Office 813.933.5440
13103 W. Linebaugh Ave. Tampa, FL.33626 Greg Harrell, Sonia Valladares
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AGENCY MANAGER Tommy Hale INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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IN NTHEFIELD IELD MAGAZINE
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Letter from the Editor
STAFF
Publisher/Photography Karen Berry Senior Managing Editor/ Associate Publisher Sarah Holt Editor-In-Chief Al Berry Editor Patsy Berry
It’s mid August and the kids are already back in school. Take care on the roads as the future of our country makes their way to bus stops and schools. Your phone can wait until you are at your destination so pay attention to where you are going. I was raised in a very rural area in northeastern Kentucky. My father was a city boy who married a country girl, and after a few years of living in town, they moved to the farm. I couldn’t be more thankful. It was a long drive to get anywhere, even to the grocery store, especially for a young girl prone to motion sickness. This was something I never outgrew, but growing up on a farm made that a very small sacrifice. We did not have a large farm, a few cattle roamed the hillsides you find so abundant in that neck of the woods, pigs were acquired each year to go along with the beef we put in the freezer, a garden supplied most of our vegetables for the year and our cash crop was tobacco. When not in school I could be found roaming the hillsides searching for adventure. I would stop by my house, or my grandparent’s house for a snack or lunch and right back out the door I would go. It wasn’t all play, but looking back now it seems that way. I often spent time with my grandmother, stringing beans, shelling peas and canning. Although I’m sure I was in the way more than I actually helped. I was so tired at the end of the day that bedtime was never a fight for my mom. I didn’t sleep late, there was too much fun to be had outside. I enjoyed hearing my grandparents talk about their experiences growing up, both good and bad. Family stories should be cherished. I learned an appreciation for the land. I miss those carefree days on the farm and will cherish those memories for the rest of my life.
Sales Manager Danny Crampton Sales Al Berry Tina Richmond Danny Crampton Melissa Nichols Creative Director/Illustrator Juan Alvarez Photography Karen Berry Al Berry Stephanie Humphrey Staff Writers Al Berry Sandy Kaster James Frankowiak Sean Green Ginny Mink Libby Hopkins Nick Chapman Vanessa Caceres Contributing Writers Woody Gore Les McDowell John Dicks
Until Next Month
Sarah The LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. - Numbers 6:25
Hey Readers!
Hidden somewhere in the magazine is a No Farmers, No Food logo. Hunt for the logo and once you find the hidden logo you will be eligible for a drawing to win a FREE No Farmers No Food Sticker and a FREE In The Field T-Shirt. Send us your business card or an index card with your name and telephone number, the number of the page which you found the logo and where on the page you located the logo to the address below
InTheField® Magazine P.O. Box 5377 • Plant City, Fl. 33566-0042 *Winners will be notified by phone. You Too Can Be A Winner! 6
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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 335630042 or you are welcome to email them to: info@inthefieldmagazine.com or call 813759-6909 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. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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100 South Mulrennan Road • Valrico, FL 33594 • 813-685-9121
IT’S BACK TO SCHOOL TIME – BUT NOT JUST FOR THE KIDS I’m sure by now most, if not all, of you know school is
back in session. If you have school age children you know that first hand. If your children are grown, you still know it’s school time with the many buses on the road and other adjustments to daily traffic. However, it really is back to school time for all of us, especially those of us who are part of agriculture here in Hillsborough County. Many of us are both students and teachers. Agriculture has changed and those changes continue as advances in technology are helping us do a better job of feeding the world and protecting our environment. Those in Ag today continue to learn about new ways to use our cell phones to help protect our crops and their yields. Precision Ag is a pretty important new term that has to do with the use of drones to carefully monitor our crops and tell us what actions to take to protect those crops. In those instances—and there are many others—people in agriculture today have to continue to be good students so our industry can continue to feed consumers. That won’t ever change. Some of us also have to be teachers, especially if we are involved in agriculture. We have countless “students” that must be educated. They range from those who live next door to our farms and ranches to those who purchase what we produce. And there are also our elected officials here locally, in Tallahassee and Washington, D.C. and the laws they enact. And, we can’t forget the regulators that have an impact on our industry at those same levels.
members of Hillsborough County Farm Bureau, Florida Farm Bureau and Farm Bureau nationally, we receive abundant help both learning of advances in technology and helping to educate our many stakeholders. I would like to thank those of you who are reading this letter that help our industry through involvement in Farm Bureau programs. If you are not a participant, please give us your consideration. I assure you we have something of interest for everyone. Those opportunities run the gamut from helping young children learn about agriculture all the way to face-to-face meetings with our elected officials. And, if you are a farmer or rancher, please visit the Florida Farm Bureau website for a very substantial list of opportunities to learn about technological advances that could help your operation and how to comply with new regulations that you must abide by. So as you can see, it’s back to school for all of us either as students or teachers. To learn more about either, please visit: http://hcfarmbureau.org or call 813/685-9121 for more information. Thank you.
Kenneth Parker Kenneth Parker - President
Keeping pace with advances in technology and working to keep our many stakeholders current on our industry is not an easy task. Thanks to the many volunteers and staff
Board of Directors
Kenneth Parker, President; Will Womack, Vice-President; James Tew, Treasurer; Buddy Coleman, Secretary; Member-at-large; Glenn Harrell; Board members: Jake Cremer, Tiffany Dale, Bradley Ferguson, Carson Futch, Jim Frankowiak, Chip Hinton, John Joyner, Tony Lopez, Lawrence McClure, Rep. Jake Raburn, Emeritus, Sambahv, Marty Tanner, Vincent Tort, Ron Wetherington Judi Whitson, Executive Director 8 8
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~ Margaret R., a patient of South Florida Baptist Hospital
The Care You Need, When You Need It. After having knee replacement surgery, Margaret is back to all the activities she enjoys. When it comes to her health care needs, she takes comfort in knowing that everything
Our Specialties:
is available right in her Plant City community. A member of the community since
n ER: Efficient medical treatment for minor or major emergencies and illnesses
1953, South Florida Baptist Hospital was built on quality, compassionate care. You’ll find a highly skilled and experienced team that works to make patients and visitors as comfortable as possible during their hospital experience. When you’re treated at South Florida Baptist Hospital, you’ll feel at home, close to home — all your health care needs are covered, without ever leaving Plant City.
n Heart: State-of-the-art heart and vascular center offering cardiac diagnostic services and procedures
Choose South Florida Baptist Hospital. Learn more: SouthFloridaBaptistCare.org
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n Surgery: Large operating rooms, high-tech equipment and spacious recovery rooms create a pleasant environment for patients
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HORSE OWNERS URGED TO ADDRESS DISEASE PREVENTION
Incidents of EEE and WNV Reported Animal health officials are encouraging horse owners to consider vaccinating their horses against Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV), both transmitted by mosquitoes. There has been an increase of reported cases in Polk County and other parts of Florida. Recent reports included the first in the state for WNV and an additional EEE case in Polk County. The Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) reported “the six-year-old Arabian had no vaccine history for EEE and no recent travel history. Clinical signs began June 19 and the horse was euthanized for humane reasons the same day.� The EDCC said this is the third EEE case in Polk County and the seventh confirmed case in Florida for 2016. EEE is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system and is transmitted to horses by infected mosquitoes. Clinical signs of EEE include moderate to high fever, depression, lack of appetite, cranial nerve deficits such as facial paralysis, tongue weakness and difficulty swallowing. There may also be behavioral changes such as aggression, self-mutilation or drowsiness. Other signs include gait abnormalities or severe central nervous system actions such as head pressing, circling, blindness and seizures. When a horse has been bitten by an infected mosquito, the course of EEE can be swift, with death occurring two to three days after onset of clinical signs despite intensive care. Fatality rates among horses 10
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By Jim Frankowiak reach 75 to 80 percent. Horses that survive EEE might have longlasting impairments and neurologic problems, officials said. The clinical signs of both EEE and WNV can be consistent with other important neurologic diseases such as rabies and Equine Herpesvirus-1. Therefore, it is important for horse owners to work with their veterinarians to get an accurate diagnosis through laboratory testing. Officials also encourage horse owners to consult their veterinarian to determine an appropriate disease prevention plan for their horses. Vaccines have proven to be a very effective prevention tool. Horses that have been vaccinated in past years will need an annual booster shot. However, if an owner did not vaccinate their animal in previous years, the horse will need the two-shot vaccination series within a three to six week period. A horse cannot transmit EEE to a person, but the presence of infected mosquitoes in an area poses a risk to people as well as horses. Officials recommend the wearing of protective clothing, use of mosquito repellant and removal of standing water breeding sites to reduce mosquito populations. The most effective EEE prevention is vaccination. The vaccine is usually combined with vaccines for WNV and western equine encephalitis (WEE). Most owners usually vaccinate in the spring, but immunity to EEE is the shortest and wanes within about three to four months. Owners are encouraged to vaccinate every three-to-four months to protect against EEE. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Melissa Grimes
NEW YOUNG FARMERS AND RANCHERS PROGRAM COORDINATOR By Jim Frankowiak
Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers (YFR) Program is a very important initiative as it ultimately develops future leaders of the Farm Bureau Federation. Melissa Grimes recently agreed to serve as the program’s volunteer coordinator in Hillsborough County, taking over from Tiffany Dale. The move was a natural progression. “I have the time to wholeheartedly commit to the program, which I believe is essential,” said Melissa, who is married to Buddy and they are the parents of three-year-old Clayton. “Tiffany has done an outstanding job for so long, but wasn’t able to commit the time it takes to coordinate events and conduct monthly meetings, but she is still very much involved and will continue as an active member.” Dale is Director of Member Services and Community Relations for the Florida Strawberry Growers Association and has led the local YFR program for the last several years. Born and raised in Lithia, Grimes has been involved in agriculture all of her life. “Being homeschooled allowed me time to spend most days outside working with or riding my horses, helping my dad manage his cattle business or working in a garden, while completing my school work at night,” she said. “I still ride and train horses as a hobby, as well as enjoy helping my husband manage our 130-head of cows. Melissa had worked in the banking industry in Plant City until deciding to become a stay-at-home mom “raising our son and enjoying these impressionable years along with being a helper to my husband is what I was created to do.” 14
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“My family has been lifetime Farm Bureau members, and I have been involved with YFR for a little over a year. My involvement stems from my desire to make sure I do my part for generations to come, whether that be attending a legislative meeting and talking to state representatives about issues of concern to local farmers or taking advantage of the personal leadership opportunities available to me through YFR.” While Grimes plans to continue the varied YFR programs in the county, she does have some emphasis areas she plans to focus upon. “Like with any group, active members are a necessity for the life of the program,” she said. “My current goal is to have a membership drive and educate others about the benefits of being part of Young Farmers and Ranchers that they might not know exist. Letting others know what we are all about and getting the word out will hopefully reap active members that want to be part of where we are headed as a group.” “As for the future, members can expect to be involved in multiple agriculture training and development opportunities, along with farm tours and networking with peers within the industry. Community outreach and charity work will continue to be a huge part of my purpose for the group. I strongly believe we, as young farmers and ranchers, can make a difference in our county and be the voice of agriculture for future generations.” Open to Farm Bureau members between the ages of 18 and 35, WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
the YFR Program has a history of involvement in various projects and events in the county. Among those are: • State YFR Leadership Conference – a statewide conference that helps to foster leadership development through participation in various workshops • Taste of Florida Agriculture Breakfast – YFR members typically cook omelets for attendees at this event held during the State Fair, which enables networking among agriculture community and local, regional and state officials • Farm Bureau Day – held annually in the state capital, this a day for Farm Bureau members to interact with state legislators as the Voice of Agriculture • Farm Tours - opportunities for Farm Bureau members to learn about different types of agriculture in the county and beyond • Florida Ag Expo – YFR members man a booth at this annual educational event held at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center to encourage participation in Hillsborough County Farm Bureau • Farm City Festival – this annual event permits YFR members to share the story of agriculture’s importance to Hillsborough County among urban and suburban residents of the county • Ag Literacy Day – YFR members participate in this educational program as readers to elementary classes about different aspects of agriculture • Harvest for All Good Drive – this is a national YFR program which encourages everyone to help feed the hungry by donating time, food and money to America’s Second Harvest, a charitable hunger relief organization For more information about the YFR Program, visit: http://www.hcfarmbureau.org/yfr.
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4031 US HWY 129 Live Oak, FL 32606 386.362.7626 Read's Forklifts has been serving Live Oak Florida and the surrounding areas for over 30 years. We are an authorized dealer for Taylor Forklifts, SSI, Cummins B&C series, Multisweep, Heli, Perkins and more. Some of our services include: Trained Industrial A/C Repair Cummins Off Road Certified Friendly Sales Department Taylor Forklift Repairs Industrial Tires Available
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Lorin - Snook Michelle - Trout
August Fishing Report 2016 Tampa Bay Area Capt. Woody Gore (www.captainwoodygore.com)
Snook action has been fair. You’ll find plenty of large fish around bridges and docks especially at night with free-lined baits like pinfish, greenbacks and jumbo shrimp. Fish zthe broken bottom grass flats and mangroves for some exciting action using live bait or artificial lures. Mangrove Snapper:
If you’re looking for some late summer fun particularly for the youngsters, take them snapper fishing. Not only are these fish fun to catch, but they are great eating. Small free-lined greenbacks or pieces of fresh shrimp around markers, bridges or rock piles will usually result in a limit of fish. If the tides are strong, add enough weight (1/4 – 3/8 oz); (knocker rig) to keep the bait down. You might also have to go lighter on the leader 12-15 lb. and smaller on the hook #1. For some reason the get really hook shy after you catch a few. Here’s a tip: Put them on ice immediately, this make them much easier to clean, because it gels the fat in their stomach keeping it from sticking to your knife.
Mackerel and Blue Fish:
Tampa Bay is still loaded with plenty of threadfins, so if you’re looking for some amazing, light tackle action Mac’s and Blues are excellent targets; then toss in a nice blacktip shark and could it get any better? Threadfins are everywhere, but look around marker cans, range markers or shallow reefs. Anchor up current, toss out a few baits or cut a few into pieces for chum and throw to the striking fish; then make sure you’re hanging onto your rod and reel.
Power Pole: if you don’t have a “Power Pole”
from JL Marine it’s something you should certainly consider purchasing... it will change your fishing life.
Redfish action will be steady with fish moving around the area.
If they’re grouped up always approach carefully; you don’t want to split the school. When approaching fish pole or slow troll within casting distance, Power-Pole; down and get off the bow, so as to present a low profile. Make your cast to fish on the outer edges of the school and remember to never cast into the middle of a school unless
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you want to spook the fish. Reds eat shrimp, greenbacks, pinfish and crabs. If they’re not looking for live, remember cut bait always works.
Spotted Trout is productive around Tampa Bay grass flats.
But keep in mind it takes moving water to get them eating, be sure to fish the open sand holes throughout the grassy areas. Popping corks with artificial DOA or Gulp Shrimp or live shrimp all rigged by hooking through the carapace. Don’t forget greenbacks if you’re able to net your own bait. Deeper water rocky bottoms and some markers are producing some really nice catches of larger silver trout.
Cobias are still hanging around some flats and we’re seeing a few
while mackerel fishing especially if we’re cutting baits or using chum bags. They are also on the markers and can be caught throughout the bay if you’re interested in using a lot of fuel.
“Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing” 813-477-3814
Captain Woody Gore is the area’s top outdoor fishing guide. Guiding and fishing the west central Florida areas for over fifty years; he offers world class fishing adventures and a lifetime of memories. Multi-boat Group Charters With years of organizational experience and access to the areas most experienced captains, Captain Woody can arrange and coordinate any outing or tournament. Just tell him what you need and it’s done.
Visit his website at: WWW.CAPTAINWOODYGORE.COM send an email to wgore@ix.netcom.com or give me a call at 813-477-3814 WWW.IN NTHE HEFIELD IELDMAGAZINE.COM AGAZINE.COM WWW.
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Smokin’ WE’RE
• Strawberries are the only fruit that wear their seeds on the outside. • Strawberries are members of the rose family. • Native Americans ate strawberries long before European settlers arrived. • Current research suggests that eating just 8 strawberries a day can improve heart health, lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, reduce the risk of cancers and even improve cognitive function. • Research suggests that people who load up on strawberries before exercising have greater endurance and burn more calories. • Strawberries score in the fruit group with the highest antioxidant values, which can help to prevent cataracts and other eye degeneration. • Ancient Romans used strawberries as medicine, believing they could cure fever, bad breath, gout, sore throats, depression, fainting and diseases of the blood.
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Giving back to our communities is
As an operator in Mosaic’s supply chain team, I help ensure our phosphate crop nutrients get to farmers in America and all over the world. At Mosaic, we share our passion for agriculture and environmental stewardship with the next generation of local farmers and ranchers. In fact, I’m one of hundreds of Mosaic employees who volunteer annually with youth agriculture organizations and at county fairs. For me, giving back is more than a job. It’s about nourishing the communities where we all live, work and play. We help the world grow the food it needs.
®
mosaicco.com/florida Mike Bennett, Supply Chain Operator, Florida phosphate operations
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© 2016 The Mosaic Company
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Growing Old I have finally accepted the fact that I am getting old. I take the stairs one step at a time. I get the same sensation from a rocking chair on the front of Fred’s market in Plant City that I once got from the roller coaster at Disney World. It’s also apparent that I’m aging when I fall down I wonder what else I can do while I am down. Now I choose my cereal for the fiber, and not the toy. And as for eating health food, forget it, I need all the preservatives I can get.
oil is made from vegetables, then what is baby oil made from? Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible black crisp, which no one will eat? Why is it that when someone tells you that there are over a billion stars in the universe, you believe them, but if they tell you there is wet paint on the chair you have to touch it to make sure? I have often wondered why Goofy stands erect while Pluto remains on all fours? They are both dogs!
As a child I would help my mother hang the freshly washed clothes on the clothesline. I am sure many of you reading this that have never heard of a clothesline. This was before the washer and dryer was invented. It was simply a heavy wire strung between two poles about 30 feet apart.
My next-door neighbor, Mark Poppell, who loves to bar-b-que, said he can not understand why it is that one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box of matches and a bottle of lighter fluid to start a grill!
Wash day was always on Monday. My mother had certain ways of hanging her clothes up to dry. First, she would wash the clothesline before hanging any clothes. She did this by walking the entire length of the line with a damp cloth around the lines. She would hang the clothes in a certain order, and always hang “whites” with “whites,” and hang them first. The socks were always hung by the toes…not the top. All pants were hung by the bottom cuffs, not the waistbands. She would always hang the sheets and towels on the outside line so she could hide our “unmentionables” in the middle. One Tuesday morning I woke up to find my mother crying and really beside herself. During the night someone had stolen all of her sheets and towels off the clothesline. She said it was her fault for not taking the clothes down before dark. Dad took it in stride, and said, “Don’t worry about it Nita, get dressed and we’ll go to Rogers and Middlebrooks and buy some new ones.”
They tell me if you yelled for 8 years 6 months and 4 days you would produce enough energy to heat one cup of coffee. But, if you farted consistently for 7 years and 8 months, you would produce enough gas to create the energy of an atomic bomb. I know a couple of people in Plant City that are getting close to that level. Now might be a good time to move to the mountains. I have some questions for you to ponder! Most packages say “Open Here.” What happens if you open it somewhere else? Why is it that when you transport something by car, it’s called a shipment, but when you transport something by ship, its called cargo? If it’s called a TV set why do you get only one? Why is it called a “building” when it is already built? Why do they call them interstate highways in Hawaii? Why did kamikaze pilots wear helmets?
It wasn’t long ago the only hazardous material we knew about was a patch of sandspurs in right field on the baseball field. During those early years people generally lived in the same hometown with their relatives. So “child care” meant grandparents or aunts and uncles! It was the time when your grandma grew blackeyed peas in the back yard, and had a chicken yard behind the garage.
Did you ever think that maybe Presidential Candidate Donald Trump is on to something? A typical American starts the day early having set his alarm clock (made in Japan) for 6 A.M. While his coffeepot (made in China) was perking, he shaved with his electric razor (made in Hong Kong). He put on his dress shirt (made in Sri Lanka), designer jeans (made in Singapore) and tennis shoes (made in Korea). After cooking his breakfast in his new electric skillet (made in India) he sat down with his calculator (made in Mexico) to see how much he could spend today. After setting his watch (made in Taiwan) to the radio (made in Japan) he got in his car (made in Germany) and continued his search for a good paying American job. At the end of yet another discouraging and fruitless day, he decided to relax for while. He put on his sandals (made in Brazil) poured himself a glass of wine (made in France) and turned on his TV (made in Indonesia) and then wondered why he can’t find a good paying job in America.
Some things I still wonder about. For instances if you drive your car into a 50mph wind at 50mph, and stick your head out the window will you feel the wind? If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable
Speaking of Presidents, did you know that President Thomas Jefferson invented the coat hanger, the hideaway bed, the calendar clock and the dumbwaiter. I guess Jefferson had more to do than play golf!
I have been trying to remember what life was like before dishwashers, TV and airplanes. Can you remember when all the makeup women had had to wear was powder?
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FLORIDA SOUTHERN COLLEGE HOSTS HERITAGE ROSE BREEDER AND NAMESAKE FOR SPECIAL GARDEN PHOTOGRAPHY EVENT By Jim Frankowiak There are photo “shoots” and there are photo “SHOOTS.” The session recently held at the Jane Elizabeth Jenkins Rose Garden on the campus of Florida Southern College (FSC) is an example of the latter. It was a session that brought together a noteworthy rose breeder from India and a former U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland under President Ronald Reagan. They met for a photography session to recognize an awardwinning heritage rose, named in honor of the former ambassador, Faith Whittlesey. Photos from the session are to appear in an upcoming edition of AMERICAN ROSE, the official publication of the American Rose Society. The Faith Whittlesey™ Rose, a hybrid gigantea- tea rose, was bred by Viru Viraraghavan, who traveled to FSC with his wife, Girija. He has developed thousands of rose seedlings and registered more than 90 new rose varieties with the U.S.-based International Rose Registry. Viraraghavan has been growing roses since the age of 18 and began to breed them in 1965. The Viraraghavans were named Great Rosarians of the World in 2006. His ultimate aim is to extend rose growing to the warmer parts of the subtropics and even the tropical parts of the world, areas which are rapidly developing, but without roses. Viraraghavan places special emphasis on producing roses with evergreen foliage so that the rose becomes a plant beautiful even when not in bloom and thus able to compete effectively with the spectacular foliage of tropical plants. There are two formal gardens on the Florida Southern campus: Ruth’s Rose Garden, which houses approximately 300-roses, and the Jane Elizabeth Jenkins Rose Garden, housing approx26
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imately 75 plants, including the Faith Whittlesey Rose. The college greenhouses also have many more varieties in containers, and there are some smaller rose beds across the campus. “We try to grow roses from as many classes and with as much genetic diversity as possible, within the limitations of the Central Florida climate,” said Professor Malcolm Manners of the FSC Horticultural Sciences Department, who also manages the on campus rose gardens. “So the collection is strong on Teas, Chinas, and Noisettes, but is quite diverse. Special collections include the true musk roses, Florida-bred and Florida-found roses, Bermuda’s Mystery roses and Viraraghavan’s Indian R. gigantea hybrids. “FSC also has one of the two rose mosaic virus heat therapy programs in the U.S., and as such, the vast majority of our roses are tested free of that disease,” Manners said. “We serve as a source of mosaic-free propagating material to nurseries throughout the U.S. and internationally.” Dr. Manners was named a “Great Rosarian of the World” in 2013, and he is a trustee of the Heritage Rose Foundation, an international, not-for-profit organization that works to preserve the genetics of old roses. The Faith Whittlesey Rose was bred in India and introduced into the U.S. in 2005 by Roses Unlimited. It is creamy white with a pink center with a mild fragrance. The rose has an average diameter of 3.5-inches and is double (17-25 petals), most often with one flower per inflorescence. It blooms in flushes throughout the season. It is short and bushy with medium, semi-glossy, medium green foliage and grows to a height of up to 30-ionches. “It is an ideal variety for our climate in the WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
southeast and southwestern U.S,” said Dr. Manners. As to the name of the rose, “We had sent our very first Tea seedling to Roses Unlimited nursery, and Gene Waering, our good friend, who often visited the nursery, was struck by this seedling, which was disease resistant, had blooms with good petal texture, evergreen foliage and altogether made a good compact plant,” said Viraraghavan. “He asked us if it would be all right with us to name this rose for Mrs. Faith Whittlesey, ambassador of the USA to Switzerland in the l980’s and presently Emeritus Chairperson of the American Swiss Foundation, based in New York, where Gene used to be vice president before he retired. Gene has the highest regard and respect for Mrs. Whittlesey, and as he was very taken with this rose, so he requested us, and we, of course, agreed straightaway. Ambassador Whittlesey is fond of roses, and she will be a good diplomat to further the cause of heritage and modern heritage roses like our varieties.” She served as Chairman and President of the American Swiss Foundation for more than two decades, working “to protect and strengthen the friendship between the United States and Switzerland.” Former Ambassador Whittlesey currently resides in Boynton Beach, Florida. She previously lived in eastern Polk County. She is a former Republican politician and White House Senior Staff member notable for her effort to communicate President Ronald Reagan’s policy agenda to U.S. opinion leaders. Whittlesey also organized the White House Central American Outreach Group at the direction of Chief of Staff James Baker to provide information about President Reagan’s anti-communist policies in the region. She served twice for a total of nearly five years as U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland and also served for two years on the White House Senior Staff of President Reagan as Assistant to the President for Public Liaison. Florida Southern’s gardens are open to the public every day, and visitors are welcome. Dr. Manners can be contacted for more information at mmanners@flsouthern.edu or by calling 863-6804337. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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The Ring’s the Thing: Key Ringneck By Ginny Mink
I grew up in South Florida, Fort Lauderdale to be exact. Imagine my surprise to discover that one of my favorite reptiles (as a child) is possibly on the threatened list! I had no idea that these wee creatures were in any danger at all. It seemed to me that there was such a plethora of them at my home there. I recall going outside in search of them, lifting up the landscape timbers that outlined the gravel area around our pool, and catching them with ease. In fact, just last week I was cleaning up debris (left by the previous owner) at my house and was thrilled to find a tiny fella hiding there under a rotting board. I caught him, took him inside and scared my children with him (Hazel and Jaidyn were the biggest chickens). Then I allowed Zeke to hold him until he tired of the little guy’s presence. Zeke let him go in the yard and away he went. Had I known what I know now, I might have been a good deal more protective of this little snake (they only average 10 inches in length). Or, I would have at least paid more attention to the definitive markings. Actually, there are two subspecies of ringneck snakes in Florida. I’m feeling pretty sure that the snakes I played with as a kid, and even captured recently, fall into the Southern Ringneck variety, but who knows? I didn’t understand the difference prior to the writing of this article. Apparently, “The Key ringneck snake was listed as a Threatened species in Florida in 1975. This listing provided legal protection from direct take without a permit.”¹ Research on these really-a-lot-of-fun snakes shows that the difference between the two sub-species is in the appearance (and of course, location). The Southern ringneck has a prominent ring (usually broken) around its neck.² The one I captured on my property definitely had a standout yellow ring around its neck. According to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Key ringneck has a very faint (sometimes non-existent) ring. They also have half-moon spots on their red/yellow/orange underbelly². The Key ringneck snakes have been found in Little & Middle Torch, Big Pine, No Name, and the Lower Keys. There is the possibility that, based on habitat, they could also survive on Cudjoe, Summerland, Sugarloaf and Ramrod Keys. They like rockland habitats and appear to need to be near sources of freshwater. The moist habitats are necessary for monitoring and maintaining their body temperatures. These snakes eat insects, worms, lizards, small amphibians, slugs, and other snakes. They probably lay about 4 eggs as that’s the average for the Southern ringneck. And, it is possible that they do this more than once a year. The species itself has been known to lay up to 10 eggs. Since there’s not documentation with certainty, this could actually apply to the Key ringneck. Researchers assume that there is a decline in the presence of Key ringnecks due to the degradation of their habitats. However, further study and investigation is necessary to determine if that is truth and at what rate the decline is occurring. People have cleared numerous pine rocklands and tropical hardwood hammocks over the last 40+ years. This implies that these little reptiles have also been removed. The roads we are so eager to build cre28
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ate separation between potential breeding pairs and this generates limited genetic diversity, which has been shown to lead to extinction. Storms can also drastically affect the lives of these minute creatures. When hurricanes and seawater surges add salinity to their much needed freshwater sources they are seriously impacted. The flooding and extra salt kills some of their prey, which is to their detriment as well. “Although the species has survived many hurricanes, severe saltwater overwash from very large storms has the potential to increase the salt content of freshwater ponds and brackish ponds to an extent that would eliminate them as suitable habitat.”¹ Fire ants are a problem too. In case you didn’t know, the red fire ants that have well-invaded Florida (and my yard) are imports! It is possible that these unwanted transplants are preying on the Key ringneck. In fact, non-native species are most definitely a problem. The Cuban tree frog, cane toad, and various introduced lizards are quite capable of focusing their diets on small reptiles. Feral and “outside” cats, as well as opossums, are also known to kill snakes. With that many predators, these little guys are in serious danger. Given the fact that the Key ringneck is only known to occupy a 9.7 square mile space, it makes perfect sense that we seek to protect its limited presence. The existing, suitable habitats need to be maintained and the altered, or decimated habitats should be rectified in order to provide these creatures with some semblance of security for continued existence. More importantly, perhaps, is the desperate need for the removal of non-native, invasive species. “Currently, there are several non-native animals in the Keys targeted for rapid response removal such as black spiny-tail iguanas (Ctenosaura similis), tegus (Tupinambis spp.), monitor lizards (Varanus spp.), and large-bodied snakes. In addition, numerous non-native invasive plant species are being actively removed from public and private lands in the Keys. These efforts should be continued and expanded to include untargeted species identified as a threat to the Key ringneck snake and its habitat.”¹ Educating ourselves is the first step in the recovery of the Key ringneck and its habitat. Then, it is important that we support those who are seeking to rescue endangered and threatened animals statewide. Finally, we should never release unwanted exotic pets into the environment. We are seeing the drastic repercussions of these choices in the Everglades and the Keys. Let’s save the Key ringneck, but more importantly, let’s protect God’s earth and the animals He put here, where He put them. Resources: ¹Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. (2013). A Species Action Plan for the Key Ringneck Snake. http://www.myfwc. com/media/2718849/Key-Ringneck-Snake-Species-Action-Plan-Final-Draft.pdf ²Florida Museum of Natural History. Snake Identification: Ringneck Snake. http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/herpetology/fl-snakes/identification/snake-id-q34-ringneck Photo Credits: Florida Fish and Wildlife: https://flic.kr/p/ejdpVm (belly up) Cayobo: https://flic.kr/p/6XJC8h (snake on deck) WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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FLORIDA AG IN THE CLASSROOM TO CELEBRATE THREE DECADES OF AG LITERACY IN STATE SCHOOLS By Jim Frankowiak
What began in the 1980’s at the behest of then U.S. Agriculture Secretary John Block is about to celebrate its 30th “birthday.” The “what” here is Florida Agriculture in the Classroom, Inc. (FAITC) and the celebration will be held November 3 at Sunny Acres Lodge in Polk City. “Boots, Barns and Books” will feature Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Chef Justin, a special FAITC historic video, a clay shoot and buggy ride amid the scenic home for Sunny Acres Lodge in Polk County. “We’re very proud of how the organization has grown over the years,” said Tamara Wood, chairman of FAITC and representative of Florida Citrus Mutual on the non-profit organization’s board of directors. “We are reaching more K-12 teachers and students with our popular elementary school reading program Florida Agriculture Literacy Day, school garden curricula, Gardening for Grades and Gardening for Nutrition and school mini-grants and school garden teacher workshops and farm tours.” FAITC officials estimate its initiatives reach an average of 6,000 Florida teachers and 160,000 Florida students in kindergarten through the 12th grade every year. FAITC began in the 80’s with other state Agriculture in the Classroom programs in response to Secretary Block’s request. He recognized the importance of educating teachers and students in K-12 general education classrooms about agriculture by infusing agricultural concepts into reading, writing, science and social studies instruction. Because Americans were becoming so removed from the farm, he asked states to create Agriculture in the Classroom programs to help address the issue. His challenge was readily accepted by Florida agriculture industry leaders and Florida Agriculture in the Classroom was incorporated August 12, 1986 with three board members: Kelvin Robinson of FDACS, Elin Oak of the Florida Phosphate Council and Polly Golden of the Florida Beef Council. The program operated under the FDACS’ umbrella during its early years and began developing educational materials and holding teacher workshops around the state. FDACS’ Doty Wenzel served as the organization’s executive director at the time. “I am just so appreciative of the entire industry that got behind Florida Agriculture in the Classroom and kept it going, and I look forward to more good things to come from it in the future,” said Kevin Morgan, assistant to the president of Florida Farm Bureau and one of FAITC’s first board members. 32
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FAITC got a boost in the mid-1990’s when the Florida agriculture industry worked together with the help of Florida Fruit & Vegetable Associations Butch Calhoun to create the Ag Tag specialty license plate, one of the first specialty license plates offered to Floridians. It provided the steady source of funding the organization needed, and allowed FAITC to hire its first full-time executive director, Deena Stokes, in 1998. After that, FAITC developed its signature Keeping Florida Green curriculum with lessons about Florida’s citrus, beef, dairy and horticulture industries, among other commodities. “Getting the Ag Tag license plate was a huge effort on the part of so many in the industry,” said Joan Kyle, long-time treasurer of FAITC and a representative of the Florida Fertilizer & Agrichemical Association on its board of directors. “The level of support I received from the agricultural community for the Ag Tag was amazing.” Coincidentally, the Ag Tag celebrates its 20th anniversary this, year, as well. With every purchase of an Ag Tag, $20 goes to FAITC to supports its programs. Since then, FAITC continued to grow under its next executive director hired in 2003, Lisa Gaskalla. FAITC began its elementary reading program Florida Agriculture Literacy Day in 2004, and began writing its own children’s books with the help of the FDACS’ Division of Marketing in 2007. Two years later, it launched its school garden program with the development of school garden curriculum Gardening for Grades in 2011 and Gardening for Nutrition in 2014. Additionally, $500 school garden mini-grants are offered each school year as a result of funding FAITC receives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and FDACS through the Specialty Crop Block Grant program. STEMming Up Gardening for Grades, a secondary school garden curriculum, is set to debut next year. FAITC continues to offer professional development workshops to teachers around the state throughout the year, and ties lesson instruction in the morning to crops teachers see in the afternoon on farm tours. This effort was enhanced in 2013 when former classroom teacher Becky Whitmer Sponholtz was hired and has improved the organization’s curriculum and teacher workshop offerings. Next school year, FAITC will partner with international agribusiness company Agrium to host two ‘See Survivor’ mobile learning trailers that will visit elementary schools around Florida to educate students about seed germination and plant growth. In addition, it will introduce Agrium’s new ‘Journey 2050’ educational platform that uses a farming game to educate students in 7th through 12th grade about the meaning of sustainable farming. For more information about FAITC’s 30th anniversary dinner, visit: http://faitc.org/30th/. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Florida
Mushrooms
By Sandy Kaster, M.S. Clinical Medicines, B.S. Nutrition Science
Florida summers are hot, but the rainy season and humidity also nurtures fresh mushrooms. One of the most delicious and nutritious mushrooms that grows in Florida is the shiitake mushroom, which is often seen in Asian dishes and gourmet markets. Shiitake mushrooms are very flavorful, savory, and pungent with a meaty, chewy texture. Grown on oak and other natural hardwood logs, the words shiitake comes from the Japanese words for “tree” and “mushroom.” They are considered symbols of longevity in Asian countries because of their many health benefits. Shiitake mushrooms are very high in protein and contain all of the essential amino acids, making it an ideal, balanced substitute for meat. They can be used the same way as white button mushrooms— stir-fried, sautéed, fried, grilled, baked, or boiled. Shiitake mushrooms are the third most widely produced mushroom in the world and the most popular specialty mushroom grown in America. Larger than the white button mushroom, shiitakes are dark brown to black in color, large, and umbrella-shaped. They have antiviral, antifungal, and anti-tumor effects. Consuming shiitake mushrooms has been associated with lower cholesterol blood pressure.
NUTRITIONAL PROFILE
Shiitakes are low in calories and high in a variety of nutrients. Particularly rich in B vitamins, shiitakes are an excellent source of pantothenic acid, a very good source of vitamin B2, and a good source of vitamin B6, niacin, choline, and folate. Additionally, they are an excellent source of selenium and copper, a very good source of zinc, and a good source of manganese, vitamin D and dietary fiber while also providing a wide variety of unique phytonutrients. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, a one half cup serving of cooked shiitake mushrooms (72 g) contains 41 calories, 1.1 g protein, 0.2 g fat, 10.4 g carbohydrate, and 1.5 g of dietary fiber. A single serving also provides 52% of the Daily Recommended Value (%DV) for pantothenic acid, 33% for selenium, 9% for vitamin B2 and zinc, 8% for manganese, as well as significant amounts of vitamins B3 and B6, choline, fiber, vitamin D, and folate.
HEART HEALTH
Shiitake mushrooms are traditionally used in herbal and Oriental medicine, largely because of their known cardiovascular benefits. Leninacin, also called d-eritadenine, is a naturally occurring compound in shiitakes that lowers blood cholesterol. Lowering cholesterol helps ensure clear arteries by decreasing the likelihood that fats and plaques will form clots through atherosclerosis. Additionally, compounds in these mushrooms can help protect blood vessels by making fat less likely to adhere to the vessel walls. Interestingly, shiitake mushrooms are full of a variety of antioxidants that also protect heart health. Shiitake mushrooms are very high in WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
manganese, selenium, and zinc, which are minerals that act as antioxidants in the body. Antioxidants combat the damage to blood vessels and arteries by chronic oxidative stress.
IMMUNE SUPPORT
Shiitake mushrooms, as well some other types of mushrooms, are well known for their role in supporting the immune system in fighting off diseases. However, shiitakes are unique in that they not only boost immune activity when needed but also prevent an excessive immune response. These mushrooms appear to help macrophages, a type of immune cell, more effectively clear away potentially cancerous cells from the body, giving them the reputation of being an anticancer food. Other immune supporting compounds in shiitakes are polysaccharides, a type of carbohydrate that lessens the effects of stress on the body’s immune system.
HOW TO SELECT AND STORE
Choose mushrooms that are firm, plump, and clean. Avoid any that are wrinkled or have wet spots. Store fresh shiitake mushrooms in a loosely closed paper bag in the refrigerator for up to one week. Dried mushrooms should be tightly sealed and stored in either the refrigerator or freezer for up to one year. To use dried mushrooms, rehydrate them in hot water for 15 minutes before using.
HOW TO ENJOY
Shiitake mushrooms are often seen in miso soup, hot-and-sour soup, and other Asian soups. They are also stir-fried in a variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Other ways to enjoy shiitake mushrooms are: • Saute mushrooms with onions and garlic to serve as a topping for chicken or beef • Add dried shiitake mushrooms to any soup to make it more flavorful • Slice and stir-fry with other vegetables • Saute shiitakes with soy sauce, snap peas and tofu, and serve over buckwheat soba noodles • Cut off stem and stuff mushroom caps with sausage and bake for Asian style stuffed mushrooms • Chop and stir-fry into fried rice or risotto • Slice thinly and add to any frittata or egg dish • Dice and add to ground turkey or beef for a healthier burger Enjoy delicious Florida shiitake mushrooms today and every day. Eating shiitake mushrooms is a great way to add delicious flavor while giving your health a big boost.
SELECTED REFERENCES
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ http://www.whfoods.com
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NEWS FROM UF PLANT CITY
By Jim Frankowiak There are several changes that have taken place at the University of Florida (UF) Plant City Distance Education Center located on the Hillsborough Community College (HCC) campus on North Park Road. Agricultural Education Professor Jim Dyer has announced his retirement, Academic Advisor Debra Barry has been named a lecturer in Agricultural Education and Kati Lawson has joined the faculty as Agricultural Communications and Leadership lecturer. Katie Britt, a doctoral candidate from Virginia Tech, has become the Geomatics Program Specialist. Most recently responsible for the promotion of UF among prospective students in the area, Barry, who will also begin doctoral studies this coming semester, will assume many of Dr. Dyer’s responsibilities. She will continue her role as the Advisor for the Plant City Collegiate FFA Chapter. She joined the UF-Plant City team earlier this year, coming from Braden River High School in Bradenton where she had taught since 2005. Barry holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from UF. Her cum laude Bachelor of Science degree is in Agricultural Education & Communication with a teaching specialization, while her Masters of Science is also in Agricultural Education & Communication. She is married to Jason and they are parents of four-year-old daughter Abby. “I look forward to picking up and continuing to grow the program here,” said Barry. “I am excited with this new opportunity, the new team here on campus and to have the opportunity to teach in the program and to work with future agricultural educators.” Lawson was most recently an educator and college and career counselor at Okeechobee High School. While there she taught agricultural communications while also serving as the college and career counselor. Previously she taught math at Osceola Middle School. Lawson has an undergraduate degree in Agricultural Communications with a minor in Agricultural Leadership from UF. She has a Master in Education with a specialization in Guidance from Angelo State University, San Angelo, TX. Lawson’s father, Roger McWaters, taught agriculture at Okeechobee High School for 33 years. She grew up with two older brothers and they were involved in FFA, showing animals and caring for hobby herds. “I bought my first truck with the money from the sale of one of my cattle,” she said. “This is a great opportunity for me to use my degrees that I earned. I look forward to bringing my creativity to web and video design.” Kati and her husband Rob, a ranch manager in Sarasota County, are parents of 15-month-old son Roan. She enjoys spending time with her family, cooking and executing design assignments for a diverse client base. As the Geomatics Program Specialist at UF-Plant City, Britt’s main responsibilities include recruitment for the Geomatics Program and assisting in teaching and research taking place at the campus. She was most recently a doctoral candidate at Virginia Tech in Geospatial and Environmental Analysis and in Remote Sensing. Britt will continue work on her dissertation using Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and hyperspectral imagery to assess forest nutrient cycle dynamics. 40 40
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She served as a graduate teaching assistant while at Virginia Tech and with the Virginia Cooperative Extension and Geospatial Extension Program, teaching Geographic Information system (GIS) and remote sensing labs to Virginia Tech students, and workshops to landowners, state agency employees and community college and high school educations in a variety of geospatial technologies. She is an alumna of UF with a Bachelor of Science in Geomatics and the University of Memphis with a Master of Science in Earth Science with a concentration in Geography. Britt grew up across the southeastern U.S. in tree farm communities and paper mill towns. This, along with her family’s involvement in state garden associations, fed her interest in geospatial environmental analysis. Katie and her husband, David, recently relocated to the Tampa area. She enjoys Gator sports, traveling, cooking, gardening and the outdoor activities that accompany year-round warm weather. As part of UF’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, the Plant City Distance Education Center accepts junior level status or graduate level students. The degree programs offered include Agricultural Education, Communication and Leadership Development, Geomatics and Environmental Management. HCC and UF will co-host a “Transfer Day” Wednesday, September 14, at the Trinkle Center on the HCC Campus from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is an opportunity for HCC students and others interested in enrolling at UF. Academic advisors from a range of curricula will be in attendance. For more information about programs and enrollment at the UFPlant City Distance center visit: http://gcrec.ifas.ufl.edu/featured3-menus/teaching/uf-degree-programs/ You may also email either Barry at dmbarry@ufl.edu or Lawson, kmcwaters@ufl.edu.
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NEW FACULTY APPOINTMENTS AT THE GULF COAST RESEARCH AND EDUCATION CENTER
By Jim Frankowiak
Dr. Johan Desaeger, a nematologist Dr. Tong Geon Lee, an applied geneticist Two new faculty members have joined the University of Florida’s Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC). Dr. Johan Desaeger, a nematologist, and Dr. Tong Geon Lee, an applied geneticist, became faculty members last month. Desaeger, who is originally from Puurs, Belgium, comes to the GCREC from DuPont Crop Protection where he served the last 11 years. While with DuPont, Desaeger was Principal Nematology Investigator and responsible for the establishment of a new, nematicide research program that involved building a nematology team, training staff and overseeing development of a new laboratory. Desaeger also collaborated with several private companies to evaluate new chemical and biological nematicides. While with DuPont, he also discovered a new nematicide which is now in full development, led a global team of nematologists, worked closely with entomologists, pathologists, chemists, (eco) toxicologist, engineers, soil scientists, modelers and agronomists. Desaeger also introduced nematology competency at DuPont research stations in Brazil, India and France. Additionally, he set-up research projects and collaborate work with more than 20 universities and government agencies within and outside the U.S. Prior to his association with DuPont, Desaeger held postdoctoral research positions at the University of Georgia, where his focus was alternatives to methyl bromide in vegetable production; and at the University of Florida where his research focused on the evaluation of alternatives to methyl bromide for nematode control in Florida vegetables. He was also an Associate Scientist Nematology at the International Center for Research in Agroforestry in Nairobi, Kenya from 1994-2000. He received his doctorate in Applied Biological Sciences (Nematology) from the University of Leuven (Belgium). At the GCREC he is responsible for the establishment of a new nematode program, working with his colleagues and growers. Additionally, he looks forward to “training students in field applications and the opportunity to collaborate with Dr. Joe Noling.” “While I enjoyed my work in the private sector, academia has long been my long term desire,” said Desaeger. “The University of Florida is tops in nematology and the challenges in this area are significant. I look forward to working with my colleagues as we develop new nematode management options for Florida growers that will diversify their options and enable them to reduce their reliance on fumigants.” WWW. WWW.IIN NTTHE HEFFIELD IELDM MAGAZINE.COM AGAZINE.COM
Desaeger’s wife, Karla, who holds a doctorate in entomology, is also joining the GCREC faculty in a postdoctoral position with Entomologist Dr. Hugh Smith. His leisure pursuits include gardening and soccer, both as fan and participant. Desaeger is currently hoping to identify an amateur soccer league he can join. Lee comes to the GCREC from a postdoctoral research associate position at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a position he has held since 2010. Lee’s work focused on the role of genomic variants in soybean traits and he was also involved in collaborative projects in which genomics and computational tools were applied to identify resistance genes. Prior to his post at the University of Illinois, Lee was a research professor at Korea University leading a project designed to genotype genome-specific transcripts in wheat-rye translocations. He also served as a researcher at the Institute of Life Science & Natural Resources, also at Korea University, in the small grains breeding program. Dr. Lee received undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees from Korea University. He is a native of South Korea. His doctorate is in Plant Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering. “I was attracted to the Gulf Coast Research Center based upon its reputation and the opportunity to apply my experience to the work taking place at the center,” Lee said. “I will function as an applied tomato geneticist linking the science developed in the lab with work in the field. Essentially, I hope to bridge between the lab and field, bringing new technological tools to the development of new varieties of tomatoes by my colleagues.” Lee is married to Yeojin Jung, who gave up a very popular virtual dessert shop in the Champaign-Urbana area, to move with her husband and his new position in Florida. “I would not be surprised if my wife builds another business like that in this area,” he said. The Lee’s enjoy travel to major U.S. cities and then taking advantage of destinations such as national parks close to those cities. Las Vegas is their planned next destination. He also enjoys sports such as jogging and fishing. “I look forward to catching and eating seafood,” Lee said. Desaeger and Lee will support the GCREC mission to develop and share new science-based information and technology that will help Florida’s agricultural industry compete in the global marketplace. For more information about the GCREC and new faculty members, visit: http://gcrec.ifas.ufl.edu. IINNTTHE HEFFIELD IELD M MAGAZINE AGAZINE
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Game Changer By Jack Payne
Nian Wang’s office is so small that to get behind his desk, he has to move a visitor’s chair blocking the narrow path. Across the hall in what was supposed to be his office, he has six post-docs and Ph.Ds. crammed into a 12-foot-by-12-foot room with cinder block walls. Welcome to the Wang lab in Lake Alfred, the hub of one of the most promising areas of research on citrus greening. Wang is an international leader in applying to citrus a new gene editing technique known as CRISPR. By tricking a fruit into sending itself instructions to snip out the gene sequences that program it to welcome HLB bacteria into its cells, Wang believes he’s getting close to finding an off switch for the disease. It would rapidly produce a tree that theoretically could eventually be created through conventional breeding, but with none of the elements of genetic engineering that consumers find most objectionable. Wang has no complaints about his facilities. In fact, he repeatedly extols the support he gets from the Citrus Research & Development Foundation and the Legislature, which have funded his cutting-edge work. It’s up to Wang’s employer, the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, to make sure the funding also keeps the lights on in his lab. Research is an expensive proposition before you ever get to the salary and benefits of the researchers. Wang’s work is possible – and he can concentrate on science, not administration – because IFAS provides air conditioning, payroll, and expensive gizmos such as the microinjector needed for CRISPR work. If we sometimes have to cut corners on space, our researchers know that it’s because we’re trying to put as much of the money into the science as we can. We lured Wang here from Berkeley nine years ago because, fortunately, he was more interested in con-
fronting a daunting scientific challenge than enjoying a well-appointed office. He has also benefited from the collaborations afforded an ambitious scientist surrounded by other high performers. UF is one of the nation’s largest public university research operations. And there is not a single challenge that commands more attention from its agricultural arm than the fight against HLB. CRISPR has been a game-changer in Wang’s research. He was inspired by the potential of the technology to propel his work forward through the learning and examples he encountered in his professional community. Conversations with colleagues, seminars and workshops at conferences (again, an overhead expense that makes the best science possible) convinced him that he could go into a citrus gene and edit out susceptibility to HLB. He has had tremendous success in hitting the off switch for canker. He now believes he’s done it for HLB. There are still greenhouse and field tests to be done to validate the lab work. Wang has, of course, overcome many obstacles that we’ll never know about in the long, steady march toward a solution. But you see him and his team cheerfully overcome the physical obstacles. His scientists giggle about standing up from their desks to make room for a visitor. Wang offers no complaints, just a sheepish apology, as he clambers past a visitor’s chair to get to his own desk. Florida agriculture depends on the discovery and innovation of minds like Wang’s. For his part, Wang depends on the equipment, services, and administrative support that comes from UF/IFAS. It’s not a Cadillac setting. After all the goal isn’t to get there in style. It’s just to get there – the place where HLB is no longer a threat.
Jack Payne is the senior vice president of agriculture and natural resources at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. jackpayne@ufl.edu • @JackPayneIFAS 42
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It’s Time To Vote! by John Dicks
It’s a funny thing about elections in Florida. Other than voting for the President, we hold our primary election just barely two months before the general election. Not that I’m complaining, mind you; but it is tough on candidates to sweat it out over the summer, focusing only on voters of their same party only to have the winner switch attention over Labor Day to the general election fast approaching. It’s especially strange to voters who are registered as independent or non-affiliated with any party since they are essentially ignored during the primary election (because they can’t vote for party candidates) but as the general election draws near they become the most sought after voters to candidates who have just clinched their own party’s primary election. To add confusion to things, while in primary elections Democrats can cast ballots only for Democrats and likewise Republicans only vote for Republicans, anyone of any party as well as independents and non-affiliated voters can all vote for their favorite candidates in non-partisan races regardless of any party affiliation. This ends up rather surprising for many and leads to some confusion on voting day. Even “voting day” is today a bit of a misnomer. This year, for example, the primary election is officially August 30th, but chances are that you and many of your friends have by the time you’ve read this already voted or soon will do so. That’s because our Florida Legislature has been very aggressive in promoting early voting and Vote-By-Mail. Early voting begins August 15th. In Hillsborough County, there’s a handful of polling places you can vote early and you can actually vote in any of the designated sites. That’s unlike the actual “voting day” of the election when you are required to vote only in your specific polling place near your neighborhood. What’s really become popular in Florida is voting by mail. While previously you could get an absentee ballot, but to do so required that you swear that there was a good reason you could not show up on election day. Now you can get a Vote-ByMail ballot just by asking, without giving any specific reason, and its free to return your marked ballot because the postage is paid for by us taxpayers. Vote-By-Mail and early voting has now become so popular in Florida that it is estimated nearly 50% of all votes cast will be
done before the election voting day itself! Incidentally, Florida is certainly not alone in this process. In fact the whole system of voting when it is convenient has become so popular in Oregon that all elections are now done by mail. That may be a surprise to some, but it’s been done that way in Oregon for the last 16 years! It appears that in Florida the popularity of Vote-By-Mail is growing, with each election seeing more and more people opting to do so. People like it because it’s convenient, takes little time to do so, and the whole process is free. To get a ballot, all that is required is a call to request one from the Supervisor of Elections office (in Hillsborough it’s 813-612-4180 and Polk County it’s 863-534-5888). When you return the ballot by mail (with no postage required), you must sign the outside of the envelope where marked, which is verified with your signature on file. It’s actually all rather interesting, considering that you’ve likely heard of great discussion and debate about whether to require voters to produce a photo ID when showing up to vote. Presently when you physically vote at the polling place itself (whether for Early Voting or on elections day) you are required in Florida to provide a current and valid picture identification with a signature. The ID must specifically be one of the following: • Florida Driver License • Florida ID Card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles • U.S. Passport • Debit or Credit Card • Military ID • Student ID • Retirement Center ID • Neighborhood Association ID • Public Assistance ID • Veteran Health ID (issued by VA) • Concealed Weapon License (issued pursuant to s. 790.06) • Government Employee ID Regardless of how we decide to vote, or for whom, I am sure we all agree that we are thankful for living in America where we have the opportunity to do so!
John Dicks is both a lawyer and a farmer. He and his family own 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. He and his wife, Sharon, live in Plant City, where he served nine years as City Commissioner, including three years as Mayor. 46
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U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SETS TAMPA BAY AREA ‘HIRING OUR HEROES’ EVENT SEPTEMBER 16 By Jim Frankowiak
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has scheduled its “Hiring Our Heroes” job fair for service members, veterans and military spouses September 16 at the C.W. “Bill” Young Armed Forces Reserved Center at 2801 Grand Avenue in Pinellas Park. The event will begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at 1:30 p.m. The event is open to all U.S. service members, veterans and/or military spouses of either of those groups. There is no cost to attend the event, but attendees are encouraged to register online in advance. If unable to register in advance, the job seeker may register in person at the event. Service members and veterans must display proof of service such as a military ID, DD Form 214, veteran’s retirement card, copy of military orders or even a photo in uniform at registration. The September 16 fair will begin with an Employment Workshop led by Human Resource (HR) and workforce professionals and covers a variety of topics including resume building, networking and interview tips, taking into account the job seeker’s military background and lifestyle. Hiring Our Heroes Digital Tools (http://www.myhoh. org/) are also integrated into the workshop curriculum. Immediately after the workshop, volunteer career coaches will help job seekers develop an elevator pitch, participate in mock interviews and create a more effective resume. Links for additional event information and registration may be accessed at https://www.uschamberfoundation. org/event/tampa-hiring-fair-0. One week prior to the fair, a list of participating employers will be posted and accessible via this link.
ber Foundation as a nationwide initiative to help veterans, transitioning service members and military spouses find meaningful employment opportunities. Working with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s vast network of state and local chambers and strategic partners from the public, private and non-profit sectors, the program has as its goal to create a movement across America in hundreds of communities where veterans and military families return every day. From the beginning the implementation team adopted two strategies: (1) grassroots engagement and (2) public-private partnerships. Through the commitment-based engagement of the business community, more than 1,000 jobs fairs have been held across the country and on military installations overseas, and a suite of free online career tools, the partners have worked to help hundreds of thousands of veterans and military spouses find jobs. To date, more than 28,000 veterans and military spouses have obtained jobs through Hiring Our Heroes events. More than 2,000 companies of all sizes have committed to hire 710,000 veterans and military spouses as part of the Hiring 500,000 Heroes campaign. Of those commitments, there have been more than 505,000 confirmed hires.
Best practices in veteran recruitment will be detailed during a Brunch & Learn that begins at 9 a.m. on the 16th. Sponsored by USAA, this program will provide insight on how to brand your company as military friendly, how to find the right veteran talent and how to keep them engaged in your work force. Brunch and Learn is open to employers, recruiters and HR professionals. Brunch will be served and there is no charge to attend. Job seekers who are unable to attend the fair are encouraged to utilize Hiring Our Heroes digital platforms. A visit to Hiring Our Heroes Dashboard (http://myhoh.org) permits creation of a dashboard account to access all of Hiring Our Heroes’ digitals tools with one log-in. The hiring event is being conducted by the U.S. Chamber of Foundation, the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, the United States Army MEDCOM-HHD, the Private Public Partnership (P3O) Office, CareerSource Hillsborough and Pinellas, Florida, the Florida Committee of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, the U.S. Department of Labor Veterans Employment and Training Service, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the American Legion, Goodwill Industries International, NBC News and other local partners. Hiring Our Heroes was launched in March of 2011 by the U.S. Cham48
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Outreach Gardens
By Libby Hopkins
There is an old saying that “Gardening is cheaper than therapy and you get tomatoes.” This may sound funny but it is the truth. Will Carey is the Executive Director of Tampa Bay Harvest and one of the creators of the Sustainable Living Project (SLP), which is a community garden located in Tampa. The Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger, Tampa Bay Harvest, The Tampa Bay Urban Food Forum, The Salvation Army, Lowry Park Zoo, Whitwam Organics and the JP Morgan Chase Foundation saw a need in the Tampa community for a community garden to help feed those in need. All these organizations came together to collaborate on the project. “All of this began with an effort to get healthy foods to folks in need in our community,” Carey said. Carey is now creating more community gardens in other locations in the Tampa Bay area as a form of gardening outreach. He recently installed a community garden at the J.L. Young Garden Apartments, which is an apartment complex that was built in 1971and named after a former THA Commissioner J. L. Young. The apartments house primarily the elderly and disabled within its 450 units. An annex comprised of 50 additional units was added later. This property has an on-site clinic that began as a collaborative effort between nurses at the University of South Florida, the County Health Department and area health care providers. “I had been going through Sulfur Springs as part of a grant awarded to Tampa Bay Harvest and More Health from the Tampa Bay Community Foundation to install and educate healthy alternatives through Community based Gardens, while addressing hunger issues in that zip code,” Carey said. “The residents are 55 and older and living on a sliding scale, as well as dealing with the challenges of aging. Installing the garden and holding gardening classes will benefit the residents both with healthy free produce and an activity that helps in many other ways.” According to the American Horticultural Therapy Association (www. ahta.org), “Gardening increases overall levels of physical activity and fitness, burn more calories and hence contribute to healthy weight management and reducing the risk of obesity. Gardening increases healthy fruit and vegetable consumption, for adults that grow food, and among schoolchildren participating in food-growing activities at school, as well as improving young people’s attitudes to healthy eating. It reduces physical pain, and helps with rehabilitation or re-
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covery from surgery or other medical interventions. Gardening also helps people cope with physically challenging circumstances, such as intensive cancer treatment or learning how to live with chronic conditions such as asthma or severe allergies.” Gardening can also help with PTSD. Carey is also working with USAA and VA Psychological Department to install a community garden. “USAA came to SLP for a corporate volunteer day and liked the SLP, so after a second visit, I was invited to explore the possibility of installing a garden on the USAA campus in Tampa. We had several meetings and a different plan was eventually devised,” Carey said. “The garden will be installed at the SLP and will be segregated and named ‘Veterans Garden.’ All food grown there will go to veteran groups. The garden will be manned by the SLP and volunteers groups.” Carey is working with the groups to arrange transportation for Vets to come and work in the gardens. “We are also working with North Tampa Behavioral Services for Vets which have also been volunteering at the SLP,” Carey said. “I got in touch with the VA by just reaching out and offering to talk to them about a garden for Vets long before USAA and I got together, some things just works out.” These outreach projects are near and dear to Carey’s heart. “We do it all because it is the right thing to do, hunger is real and growing food, no matter how small, helps to perpetuate a healthy, sustainable, self-sufficient lifestyle,” Carey said. “Partnering with as many agencies and individuals creates communities and collaborative impact.” Carey is currently working on creating another SLP in Hardee County. “Through the Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger there is a donor willing to donate 15 acres with the understanding we model it after the SLP in a sustainable Eco-friendly food for the needy production,” Carey said. “We would be working directly with Hardee and Polk county existing food streams. To date I have made 10 site visits, an MOU is being written and a small exploratory grant request has been submitted.” If you would like to learn more about the Sustainable Living Project, you can visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SLPTampa or you contact Carey at 813-943-9224. The Sustainable Living Project located at 918 West Sligh Avenue in Tampa.
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Recipes Courtesy of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Chef Justin Timineri
Veggie StuffedIngredients Mushrooms 1 cup zucchini, finely diced 1/2 cup radish, finely chopped 1/2 cup onion, finely diced 1/2 cup bread crumbs 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped 3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
1 egg 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper 24 medium-sized mushroom caps, rinsed and stems removed
DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Combine all ingredients except mushrooms; mix well. Stuff mixture into mushroom caps and place stuffed mushrooms on a large baking pan. Bake until mushrooms soften and mixture begins to brown, approximately 15 minutes.
Florida Mushrooms Stuffed with Feta and Spinach INGREDIENTS 2 ¾ pounds Florida button mushrooms stemmed (about 48, each about 1 ½ inches in diameter) 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled (about 3/4 cup) 1 (10-ounce) package chopped frozen
spinach, thawed, squeezed dry 8 ounces bacon slices 1 cup chopped onion 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature 1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cook bacon in heavy, large skillet until crisp, about 8 minutes. Transfer bacon to paper towels to drain. Coarsely crumble bacon. Discard all but 1/4 cup plus 2 teaspoons bacon fat (adding olive oil if necessary to equal that amount). Heat 2 teaspoons reserved bacon fat in heavy medium skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Transfer to medium bowl and cool; mix in bacon, spinach, feta, cream cheese and crushed red pepper. Season filling to taste with salt and pepper. Line 2 large rimmed baking sheets with foil. Toss mushrooms and reserved 1/4 cup bacon fat in large bowl to coat. Sprinkle 52
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mushrooms with salt and pepper. Place mushrooms, rounded side down, in single layer on prepared baking sheets. Bake mushrooms until centers fill with liquid, about 25 minutes. Turn mushrooms over. Bake mushrooms until brown and liquid evaporates, about 20 minutes longer. Turn mushrooms over again. Spoon 1 heaping teaspoon filling into each mushroom cavity (filled mushrooms can be prepared 1 day ahead). Cover and refrigerate. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bake mushrooms until heated through, about 10 minutes. Transfer mushrooms to platter and serve warm. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Ornamental Gardening in Florida By Ginny Mink If you have never had the pleasure of holding a book in your hands that is older than your grandmother, you have been deprived of the value of antiquity. There is nothing like yellowed pages that hold the secrets of yesteryear. That is the basis of this series: The Literary Time Machine. We’ve been studying Ornamental Gardening in Florida¹ by Charles Torrey Simpson.
This month we are traversing the halls of his chapter: Native Herbaceous Plants. Of course the word, herbaceous, seems like a Jeopardy topic so we thought it would be prudent to determine what it means. We found a most amusing explanation via the UK. We read, “A herbaceous border is one of the most familiar terms in gardening. But defining what ‘herbaceous’ actually means is a perennial problem.”² The author of this piece, Ken Johnson, later explains his shortened Oxford definition as, “Herbaceous: Not forming a woody stem but dying down to the root each year.”² This left much to be desired as an answer, so we returned to Mr. Simpson’s book where he states, “Under this heading will come a large number of species, in fact most of our wild plants that should be worth cultivating that do not form regular woody trunks or stems. It is impossible to draw any strict lines between the two in all cases.”¹ Obviously we aren’t the only people confused by the use of the term: herbaceous. Therefore, we’ll just move right along! Agave tops Mr. Simpson’s list in this category. He writes that they are, “A large genus of American succulents, four species of which are credited to Florida.”¹ He then lists them: A. sisalina (sisal hemp), A. neglecta, A. decipiens, and A. Americana. Aloe Vera gets a nod at this stage in the list as well. Then he mentions something we’ve never heard of, Commelina. He elaborates, “Several species of this genus have fine flowers but C. hamipila of the Dade County pinelands has blossoms of marvelous, heavenly blue with the texture of satin and should be cultivated.”¹ With a description like that we had to do some research. Although we didn’t find much, we can tell you that its common name is: Whitemouth Dayflower and it really does have some heavenly blue petals (see the picture).³ 54
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A few other herbaceous plants appear on the list but the liatris, or blazing star, grabbed our attention. Mr. Simpson elaborates, “Plants with erect habit bearing long spikes of handsome, purple flowers. We have over a dozen species in our state most of which are worthy of cultivation.”¹ There’s just something about purple flowers that draws us. On the website, Gardening Know How, we discovered, “There’s probably nothing more versatile and easy to grow in the garden than liatris blazing star plants…These 1 to 5 feet tall plants emerge from mounds of narrow, grass-like leaves. Liatris flowers form along the tall spikes, and these fuzzy, thistle-like blossoms, which are usually purple, flower from the top to the bottom…” They are cool looking flowers that remind us of feather dusters and that’s probably where they get their other name: gayfeather. Evening primrose is included but it’s not until we reach Physostegia virginiana that we see Mr. Simpson get excited again. He writes that it, “…is a beautiful plant found growing in moist places over a wide range of the eastern United States. It has narrow, glossy, serrate leaves and long spikes of tubular, irregular, purplish pink flowers. It was one of my favorites when a boy in Illinois and I am pleased to know that it also grows in Florida.”¹ We are a little shocked (and disappointed) that he’s not a Florida native! Ruellia is next. It caught our attention due to his description of its flowers. He says they are, “…salvar-shaped…”¹ What does that mean? Webster’s dictionary (circa 1913) says it means, “Tubular, with a spreading border.” Further investigation reveals that this is a common description among botanist. It is indicative of a salver which is a tray used for serving drinks in formal situations. And we all said, “Ahhh, very interesting,” as we stroked our chins in contemplation. As he closed up this section of the chapter he described Salvia coccinea, “…one of the sages and an old-fashioned garden favorite up north…”¹ He also mentions pink root (Spigelia marylandica), “A handsome plant distributed pretty well over the eastern United States…It has one-sided spikes of very pretty red flowers…”¹ and the violets. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
However, his conclusion focused on Yucca aloifolia, Spanish dagger or Spanish bayonet. We saw yucca and thought of Spanish cuisine. Wondering if the two were connected, we looked it up. As some of you may know, we’ve come to really appreciate Green Deane of Eat the Weeds (.com). Here’s what he has to say in his piece entitled: Yucca’s not Yucky. He writes, “For you survivalists, the yucca provides more than food…The roots and leaves can be rubbed in water to get a natural soap (that’s what makes the yucca bitter)…Also the leaves can be made into extremely strong cordage…” There’s a recipe on the site for sautéed yucca flowers with chipotle (in case you’re interested). While we doubt Mr. Simpson figured on eating any of these herbaceous plants, it is good to know that some of them serve more than one purpose in our gardens. We’ll look forward to learning about bulbous native plants next month. Until then, keep seeking knowledge! Resources: ¹ Simpson, Charles T. (1926). Ornamental Gardening in Florida. Published by the Author; Little River, FL. Printed by J.J. Little and Ives Company, New York. (p. 112-114). ²Johnson, K. (2014). What exactly does ‘herbaceous’ mean? The Telegraph. UK. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/gardeningadvice/11150968/What-exactly-does-herbaceous-mean.html ³Whitemouth Dayflower. The Institute for Regional Conservation. http://regionalconservation.org/ircs/database/plants/PlantPage. asp?TXCODE=Commerec ⁴Phipps, N. (2015). Liastris Planting Information: How to Grow Liastris Blazing Star. http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/ flowers/liatris/liatris-blazing-star.htm ⁵Deane, G. (2011). Yucca’s not Yucky. Eat the Weeds. http://www.eattheweeds.com/yucca-yuca-which-is-edible-2/ WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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HILLSBOROUGH SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT SCHEDULES SEPTEMBER 7 LOCAL WORKING GROUP MEETING
Hillsborough Soil & Water Conservation District awarded $50,000 Grant by the National Association of Conservation Districts (l-r: Michael Hepburn, HSWCD Treasurer; Mark Proctor, HSWCD Chairman, Betty Jo Tompkins, HSWCD Executive Director; Jeremy Peters, NACD Executive Director; Roy Davis, HSWCD Vice-Chairman; Deborah Tamargo, HSWCD Supervisor; David Maynard, HSWCD Supervisor) The Hillsborough Soil and Water Conservation District (HSWCD) has organized a local working group meeting that is to take place September 7 at the Florida Strawberry Growers Association, 13138 Lewis Gallagher Road in Dover. The meeting will begin at 3 p.m. and conclude at 5 p.m.
winners in the National Association of Conservation Districts Agricultural Urban Conservation Initiative Grant program and will be receiving a $50,000 grant as part of the Hillsborough 100 Challenge. “We are most appreciative of the grant which was at the maximum level given by the NACD,” said Tompkins.
“The purpose of working group meetings is to share current information from agricultural agencies with the agriculture community and public and to receive input from them on issues of concern,” said HSWCD Executive Director Betty Jo Tompkins. “The meeting’s agenda has been designed to benefit all attendees and the interests they represent.” The District has extended invitations to all area agricultural producers, partner agencies and the general public.
Soil and Water Conservation Districts were originally organized primarily within county boundaries by landowner petition based on a need for soil and water conservation and in the interest of public health, safety and welfare. The districts and NRCS have a close partnership. Their mutual conservation programs are designed to benefit all, but the districts do not levy taxes on county residents, do not charge fees for use of district services and do not have regulatory authority. A memorandum of understanding is the basis for cooperation and assistance between districts and the USDA/NRCS to achieve “the common objective of helping to bring about the use of each acre of agricultural and other land within the limits of its capabilities and the treatment of each acre in accordance with its needs for protection and improvement.” This effort serves conservation needs at a county level and works in partnership with the federal government.
Environmental Manager Jessica Stempien with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and Jemy Hinton, Extension Educator, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences will discuss Best Management Practices (BMP’s) and available Cost Share Programs for farmers and landowners interested in implementing BMP’s. District Conservationist Lisa Alamo Harper with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will introduce and facilitate discussion among local working groups. NRCS is an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that provides technical assistance to farmers and other private landowners and managers. The Local Working Group session will then focus on local issues and concerns with an opportunity for public input and discussion. Tompkins will also update attendees on the Hillsborough 100, a challenge program of the HSWCD that is to culminate with 100, diversified conservation projects implemented during a one-week period in April 2017. The District recently learned that it is one of the national 56
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The HSWCD was organized August 5, 1946 by the people of Hillsborough County. The purpose of the district is to provide a local, grass roots mechanism to deal with soil, water and other natural resource problems and in preventing problems in the county. FDACS administers the soil and water conservation programs assigned to it by the Legislature. The HSWCD is governed by five supervisors, including HSWCD Chair Mark Proctor. For more information about the September 7 Local Working Group Meeting or the HSWCD, contact Tompkins at 813.752.1474, Extension 3; 813.477.8332 or by email: bjt6890@yahoo.com. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Turning Solutions Into Actions By Libby Hopkins
Author Virginia Woolf once said, “One cannot think well, love well or sleep well if one has not dined well.” The truth is, you can’t do anything if you can’t focus because you are hungry. Food insecurity is becoming a huge problem in today’s society. According to Feeding America (www.feedingamerica.org), “Total number of food insecure people is 3.1 million. The total child food insecurity rate is 28 percent. The total number of children who are food insecure is 1.1 million. In Hillsborough County, more than 201,000 people are food insecure.” The Tampa Bay Network To End Huger (TBNEH) was started to help those in need of food. The mission of the organization is to end hunger in Tampa Bay by bringing people together to find solutions that eliminate barriers, increase access, and expand the amount of nutritious food available. “Despite the good efforts of governments, private-sector institutions and everyday Americans, millions of our children still don’t have daily access to the nutritious meals they need to live active, healthy lives,” said Tampa Bay Network To End Hunger Manager, Caitlyn Peacock. TBNEH has more than 290 members in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties, ranging from food pantries and churches to farms, school districts, and government agencies that all focus on fighting huger. The members join work teams in their areas of interest, including topics like food recycling, transportation, garden boxes, food recovery, healthy corner store initiatives, childhood and teen hunger and farming. The network meets once a month for work teams to report on their progress, to discuss important research and news relating to hunger, and so that members may meet others in the same line of work to learn from each other and work together more efficiently. Back in 2011, TBNEH hosted a conference to bring members of the organization together to share best practices, discuss issues, problem solve and hold votes for board positions by members. “Our conference focuses on solutions and actions that the audience can take home to put into action,” Peacock said. “This is why we are sticking with last year’s theme of ‘Turning Solutions Into Actions.’ We want to briefly cover the problem but focus on what is being done and what people can do to solve it.” The conference provides a unique opportunity to gain maximum visibility among community members from various fields and industries. This year’s conference will be held in Tampa on October 21 and the keynote speaker will be Dr. Craig Gundersen, Soybean Industry 60
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Endowed Professor of Agricultural Strategy at the University of Illinois. His research concentrates on the causes and consequences of food insecurity and on the evaluation of food assistance programs, with an emphasis on the SNAP program. “SNAP is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formally known as food stamps, which helps individuals and families that are struggling to afford food for themselves and their families,” Peacock said. “All a person needs to do is fill out an application to see if they are eligible.” The annual conference is a chance for members and the community to hear experts speak on a variety of hunger issues and by learning more about the problem, they can form and act on practical solutions to helping the 1 in 6 Americans who face hunger and food insecurity. According to the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Services website (www.fns.usda.gov) “SNAP offers nutrition assistance to millions of eligible, low-income individuals and families and provides economic benefits to communities. SNAP is the largest program in the domestic hunger safety net. The Food and Nutrition Service works with state agencies, nutrition educators, and neighborhood and faith-based organizations to ensure that those eligible for nutrition assistance can make informed decisions about applying for the program and can access benefits. FNS also works with state partners and the retail community to improve program administration and ensure program integrity.” The conference is currently looking for sponsors. “As a sponsor with Tampa Bay Network To End Hunger, you can assure that the issues and barriers surrounding those suffering with hunger will be prioritized with measurable outcomes,” Peacock said. A few examples are increasing breakfast participation in school age children, increasing participation in the Summer Food Service Program, Affordable Access to Healthy Food Choices and food recycling efforts to name a few. “Our hope with this year’s conference is to increase the communities awareness that hunger is an issue and empower the attendees to take action to solve it,” Peacock said. If you are interested in becoming sponsor for the 2016 Tampa Bay Network To End Hunger Conference or if you would like to learn more about the network, you can visit their website at www.networktoendhunger.org or call 813-344-5837. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Community rallies for Gude family at BBQ fundraiser Over 1,200 tickets were sold for the event, which was held July 30.
The Gude family, including Joe Gude, Lindsey Pope Gude and children Faith, Ashlyn and Piper.
Family friend Denise Perkins with Lindsey Pope Gude and Piper Gude.
Hundreds packed into the Charlie Grimes Agricultural Center at the Florida Strawberry Festival fairgrounds Saturday, July 30. Over BBQ, raffles and live music, attendees gathered to show support for Brandon Farms strawberry grower Joe Gude. The father of three was recently diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme, tumors that affect the brain or spine. The family’s 200-acre farm had to be shut down for the year. To raise funds for the family, Dennis Carlton Jr., Kevin Pope, Mike Perry and Jimmy Aldridge organized a fundraiser dinner that sold about 1,200 tickets, not including those sold at the door. The family’s church, Free Will Baptist Church in Tampa, also helped organize the fundraiser.
by Emily Topper
Christy Skyles, Rebekah Cherry, Courtney McClure, Melissa Thomas, Crystal Denison and Sarah Aldridge.
Piper Mae was a blessing that came after a rough few months for the family. The day before her birth was Joe Gude’s official diagnosis of glioblastoma multiforme. Since the 2016 Florida Strawberry Festival in March, Joe Gude had been complaining of neck pain. Normally able to rise at 5:30 a.m. and spend his day working in the fields of Brandon Farms, Joe Gude soon started walking strangely and dragging his left leg. At first, doctors didn’t have any answers. Pain pills didn’t help with the neck pain, and a chiropractor told him he had a pinched nerve. It wasn’t until Joe Gude’s face started dropping that the real answers started to come in. Joe Gude was taken to Brandon Regional Hospital May 19, where the five tumors occupying his brain were discovered.
“It’s amazing,” Joe Gude’s wife, Lindsey Pope Gude, said. “It’s great, way more than I expected. I have calls, texts and emails from people I don’t even know telling us they’re praying for us.”
Today, the left side of his body is paralyzed. But though he is currently unable to work and needs a wheelchair to help him move, his faith and his love for his family have been unwavering.
Despite needing days of radiation and chemotherapy treatment, Joe Gude was able to make it to the fundraiser and stayed the whole time. He addressed the throng of supporters at the event, leaving no one in the room with a dry eye.
Lindsey Pope Gude with her 2-month-
“You wouldn’t know he was sick, except his left side is paralyzed,” Lindsey Pope Gude said. “He always just says, ‘God’s got this.’ ... He performs miracles every day. We’re praying that He’ll give us one of those miracles.”
old daughter, Piper Mae Gude. “I just want to say thank you from the bottom Lindsey Pope Gude added that her family, as well of my heart,” Joe Gude said. “Thank you so, so as the birth of Piper Mae, have been the biggest help during the fammuch. I pray the Lord will heal me so I can take care of my babies. I ily’s difficult time. just want to say thank you. Thank you all.”
The community has rallied around the family. In addition to the BBQ fundraiser dinner, a GoFundMe set up by family friend Michael Perry has yielded $14,660 for the family. The funds will go toward Joe Gude’s medical expenses, and to taking care of the rest of his family. His older daughters, Faith and Ashlyn, welcomed their younger sister, Piper Mae Gude, on May 26.
Friends stopped by the family’s table to give Joe Gude and the rest of the family well wishes. 64
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“The only way I handled it was my faith in the Lord and my family,” Lindsey Pope Gude said. “My mom and dad were there every day. And (Joe’s) brother also, Steve. We receive stuff every day in the mail. All of that is a huge help right now. You don’t realize how many friends and people love you until something like this happens. We’re thankful they’re taking the time out of their busy lives to come help us.”
Piper Mae Gude got love and hugs from friends, family and strangers.
August 2016
The organizers of the event, Dennis Carlton Jr., Kevin Pope, Mike Perry and Jimmy Aldridge. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FAIR ANNOUNCES ‘HARVEST AWARD’ RECIPIENTS By Jim Frankowiak The Hillsborough County Fair has announced 2016 recipients of its Harvest Awards which will be presented at the exposition’s initial event, an award luncheon, October 20, in the new, air-conditioned Exhibit Hall at the fairgrounds, located at State Road 60 and Sydney Washer Road east of Brandon. “The Harvest Awards program was created sixteen years ago to recognize the accomplishments of families, individuals, businesses and organizations for their commitment and contributions to agriculture and to preserve the agricultural heritage of Hillsborough County,” said Mike McKinney, Harvest Award co-chair and former Extension Director. The Roy Davis family is the 16th farm family to be recognized and honored with the distinction of Farm Family of the Year. Inaugural recipient of this honor was the Roy Parke family of Plant City. The Davis family, Roy and his wife Leta and their sons Steve and Michael, incorporated family activities into their 20-acre farm in Dover. “The Davis family’s impact stretched far beyond production agriculture with Roy serving for years on the boards of the Tampa Bay Wholesale Growers’ Association, Hillsborough County Farm Bureau and the Florida Nurserymen Growers and Landscapers Association,” said McKinney. The Harvest Lifetime Achievement Award recipient this year is Tony Ippolito who served the agricultural community as manager of the Tampa Wholesale Produce Market for more than 32-years. The market serves as a meeting place for local farmers to sell their produce to buyers from across the nation. “Tony was also a civic leader and served on the advisory council of the Hillsborough County Cooperative Extension Service and was named Extension’s Volunteer of the Year,” said McKinney. Ippolito is the 26th recipient of the Harvest Lifetime Achievement Award. Agribusiness of the Year honors this year go to Wish Farms in Plant City. Gary Wishnatzki represents the 3rd generation to lead his family’s business that began in 1900 when Harris Wishnatzki, a Russian immigrant, came to New York City where he sold fruits and vegetables on the streets of Manhattan from his produce pushcart. The Wishnatzki family moved to Florida in 1929 and has become one of the largest produce brokers in the U.S., distributing tons of strawberries and blueberries annually. The Hillsborough County 4-H Foundation is being honored as the
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Outstanding Public & Community Service Organization this year for its work in fostering 4-H in the community. The Foundation sponsors two major fund-raising events annually to help more than 30 deserving 4-H members attend various camps and leadership development opportunities throughout Florida. “This assistance includes special financial support for local 4-H members who are advancing to regional, state and national competitions,” noted McKinney. “In addition, the Foundation sponsors the annual 4-H awards banquet for youth and their parents.” The 2016 Woman in Agriculture honor is being awarded to Susan Dumke, owner of Blues Berry Farm in Plant City. “Farming blueberries for the past nine years has provided Susan with an opportunity to advocate on behalf of small farmers and their workers,” said McKinney. To continue to enhance the popularity of her blueberries, Dumke provides samples of her blueberry cobbler for tasting events throughout the area. “She also reaches out to U-pickers on her farm, giving them recipes and other ideas for enjoying her blueberries.” This year will mark the first time the Harvest Awards will present the Posthumous Memorial Tribute Award and it will be given in memory of Lee and Minnie Holcomb. Both were raised on family dairy farms in upstate New York. “When Lee and Minnie moved to Florida, they started their own diary operation called LeeMin Premium,” said McKinney. “They were first located in Lutz and then moved their farm to Riverview. Until their passing, the Holcomb’s were passionate about the agricultural industry and promoted 4-H and FFA youth dairy competitions.” Dates for the upcoming Hillsborough County Fair are October 2023 and October 27-30. Additional information about the Harvest Luncheon, including reservations, and the fair is available by visiting: www.hillsboroughcountyfair.com. The Harvest luncheon is the official first event of the fair and is complimentary with advance reservations.
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Andy McDonald SWEET LIFE FARMS: Quality of Life and Produce
For the McDonald family and their partners at Sweet Life Farms, it’s all about sharing the life they enjoy. It blossoms on family farms where produce is grown and shared at their tables, bringing lasting memories and good company. The sweet life is about quality living and quality produce and the mission of Sweet Life Farms is to bring that to their customers. The company traces its beginnings to the 1970’s and a family farming berries and vegetables in Plant City. “My father – Jerry McDonald – began the business at that time and laid the foundation for an endeavor that will soon be 50-years-old,” said Sweet Life Farms President Mark McDonald, who also heads sales for the company. Though the company sells all local produce, its main commodities are strawberries, cantaloupe and watermelon, which it grows on farmed acreage which it directly owns and controls. Mark’s nephew, Andy McDonald, is farm manager and co-owner along with Plant City residents Steve Howard and Ron Lovell, providing transportation and financial resources. “We have about 400-acres of our own farm and sell for a total 66
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By Jim Frankowiak
of 700-acres,” said Andy. Additional commodities of Sweet Life Farms include mixed vegetables and blueberries. The “sweet life” changes throughout the year in conjunction with the Sweet Life Farms harvest schedule with strawberries harvested during the period November through April; watermelons April through July; cantaloupe in May and June, mixed vegetables year round and blueberries April-May and June. Andy’s wife, JeanAnn; and Mark’s son, Shane, are also part of the Sweet Life Farms team along with Jacob Lawton, Chris Peterson and Steve Machell. JeanAnn oversees payroll and the all-important food safety area, while Jacob, Shane and Steve are involved with sales and Chris is a farm manager. “Many of our staff members are part of our backbone with many years of experience in the Ag industry,” said Andy. The company re-branded itself a little over five years ago with some of the new identity inspiration coming from the Italian phrase, La Dolce Vita, said Mark. “We felt like the new name WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
summed up our philosophy,” said Shane. “The sweet life for us is about quality and enjoying the good things in life. That is the approach we take to farming. We enjoy what we do and we strive to bring the best produce to our customers, and that includes us. The sweet life is about quality eating and living. It’s the good life,” he said. “We aren’t the biggest, but we strive to be the best,” said Mark. “There are many choices for consumers when it comes to produce. Grocery store aisles are full of different brands from many different parts of the world. We want our customers to know when they buy Sweet Life produce they are getting the care and attention to detail some bigger farms can’t promise.” “We might be a company with a new name, but we are not new to the industry. Our roots go back more than a half century. We know what matters most to the consumer, and that is quality and consistency. We want to bring our customers the best, and we strive for nothing less,” said Mark. Sweet Life Farms has a rich mix of customers “up and down the east coast and into Canada,” noted Andy. “Much of our customer base is in the southeast, while we have long term relationships with customers in Montreal, Toronto and other parts of Canada. We also count Publix, Winn-Dixie, Harris Teeter and other notable grocery chains among our customers,” he said. In addition to having its own transportation capabilities, Sweet Life Farms purchased Gulf Coast Produce two years ago which provided produce cooling and shipping resources. “That gave us what I refer to as the holy trinity of strawberry farming– our farm, our sales and our cooler,” said Andy. Sweet Life Farms, just as other industry members, all have a growing list of challenges today and looking to the future. “Mother Nature will always have her say,” said Andy, “but there are other factors, too. Our industry represents a substantial economic impact, but I don’t think that is appreciated or understood by many, especially those area residents who are not familiar with agriculture other than the purchases they make at the market.” “NAFTA (the North American Fair Trade Agreement) has proven to be truly unfair for growers such as us. When it comes to strawberry taste and quality, we can beat berries grown in Mexico hands down. But our playing field is not level when it comes to wages for our workers compared to theirs. We have to have equal footing with foreign producers. Part of that challenge is the availability of labor, as well,” Andy added. Local growers are not sitting still in the face of these challenges. They actively seek and embrace technological advances that help them. “We are using precision agriculture to help us be more efficient,” said Andy. “Precision ag with drones gives us the capabilities to efficiently scout and monitor pest and disease problems much sooner than other conventional scouting techniques. We are teaming with Highland Precision Ag for these services.” “For growers today to be successful and to continue they have to wear many hats and do many things beyond growing and harvesting their crops. They have to be astute businessmen, statesmen, environmental stewards and educators, just to name a few,” said Andy. Each of those jobs brings about its own responsibilities and tasks. “We have to keep looking for ways to do things better and less expensively, and that means looking at advances in technology that can help us. Also, we have to help educate our elected officials at the local, state WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
and national levels so they understand how the laws they pass and regulations they enact will impact our industry and what the implications of those actions are on our ability to feed the people of this country and the world.” “That also makes it important for us to educate residents about our industry, what we do, why we do it and how we protect the environment. Far too many have no idea what it takes and the costs associated with providing them with the choices they enjoy at the food market every time they shop,” said Andy, who is an active member of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association, serving as president for two terms and currently its vice president. “Those same people elect our lawmakers and relate to our regulators so it is important for us to help them understand our industry and the challenges we face. This educational outreach is a continuing responsibility for agriculture.” “But that’s not all,” said Andy. “Farmers are too often taken to task for some of their practices that the uninformed suggest are harming the environment or compromising the safety of what they grow. There is no reason for a farmer to take any action such as that jeopardizes the farmer’s ability to produce crops and the future of his livelihood.” “As far as the safety of our crops, we rely heavily on the best science that is available and we are subject to stringent regulations. To ignore either would make no sense whatsoever. It can be frustrating and very challenging at times, but we have no plans other than to keep moving forward, and continuing our commitment to keep growing exceptional products that the consumer demands.” It is a bit too soon to say if the next generation of McDonald’s will carry forward the family’s agricultural legacy, “but I will say JeanAnn’s and my three children love the farm and the products we grow,” said Andy, “and those are pretty favorable indicators for the future.” “We have been blessed with the hard work of our family members, workers and tremendous resources that have been made available to us,” said Mark. All important parts of the “sweet life.” For more information about Sweet Life Farms, including detailed health and nutritional information about the crops they grow and market, visit: http://www.sweetlifefarms.com. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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Organic Products and Systemic Nutritionals for the Strawberry Industry.
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813-752-2379
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WE BUY FARMS Gladstone Land is actively acquiring farms in Florida. We offer owners and farmers three options: 1. We buy farms and provide long-term leases to the farmer.
2. We buy land that farmers would like to farm, but not own.
3. We buy farms with leases in place or can be leased.
Please contact Bill Frisbie at Gladstone Land: (703) 287-5839 bill.f@gladstoneland.com | www.GladstoneFarms.com
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Mini-Farm Coming Soon
By Ginny Mink
Last month I informed you that the Minks were making some changes. We packed up our stuff and headed out to North Lakeland. Yes, we got ourselves a 1985 mobile home on an acre (a wet one, but an acre nonetheless) and we’ve been slowly clearing out brush and designing mini-farm plans in our heads. I recently purchased about 65 feet of chain link fence and 50 foot of chicken wire. I’m no builder, but it’s in the plans to construct a chicken coop and eventually a dairy goat enclosure. Of course, we are in need of a lot more materials to actually get that job done. And, since we live on a wet acre we’re going to dig a pond, too (anybody got a backhoe?). So, we’ve mostly just been learning about living on a big (way bigger than subdivision anyway) piece of property. At first, J and I were push mowing that acre. It took an hour and a half just to do the front yard (and that was with a self-propelled lawn mower). Thankfully we were able to get a great deal on a John Deere riding mower. If you’ve been following this series you know how much my kids love John Deere. Now J mows the lawn every Monday on our very-mini-tractor (it’s seriously just a riding mower but we gotta feel a little bit like farmers). Hazel and Zeke take turns “helping” him. I think they all just want the mower to be a 4-wheeler and are doing their best to pretend that’s what it is. You’d know I’m right on that if you ever saw J mow (like a maniac). In fact, my brother was over the other day and he informed me, “He’s gonna have that broke inside of a year.” So, J had to get “straightened out” on that mowing methodology. Since the four of us now have our freedom, there are many slip and slide days in the yard. The neighbor and her wee ones come over and play, too. It’s actually quite amazing to live in the boonies (which is what we call it). But, since we haven’t been able to gather up all the necessary materials to get the farm begun, we felt like we were missing something. Then 74
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it dawned on me, the kids have never had a pet! Therefore, I decided it was time for a kitten (I’m not a big fan of dogs and we’re not home enough for one right now anyway). In all honesty, this did not go down the way I had intended, but the kids are thrilled to no end. Zeke will tell you that we got our orange tabby, whom Hazel named, Eli, from “a not berry good neighborhood.” That’s the truth. We drove to Auburndale to rescue this wee guy but I’d intended to return with a Hemingway (6 toed) female. I ended up with a regular ole orange striped male, but he’s cute and he needed to be rescued. Every day, when I pick the kids up from school (day care) they want to get home to play with Eli. “It makes me sad that he’s home all day by himself,” Hazel, the every dramatic one, informs me. And then Zeke chimes in, “Me too! I wanna give him a hug.” Which he attempts to do at Eli’s duress and my hollering to, “Put him down!” J has the pleasure of Eli’s company every night on the couch after the kids go to bed because Eli thinks J is his personal pillow. Adding the cat to our little family has been quite an adjustment. J agreed to be the litter box cleaner. However, the other day I went into the kid’s bathroom (where the litter box is) and even though it was clean I could still smell cat poop. Wanting to ensure that this boy, Eli, was not doing things he wasn’t supposed to, I looked around but could not find the smelly culprit. “Why do I smell cat poop if the litter box is clean?” I called out from the bathroom. “I cleaned it!” Zeke said with glee. My heart dropped. “You’re not supposed to clean it! What did you do with the poop?” I was afraid he’d flushed stuff and I’d already had septic issues at the new house. “I put it in the trash.” He said. By then he’d come to the door WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
and his face wore the wide grin of pride. He felt he’d done something great. The “UGH!” in my head probably escaped my lips as I looked in the bathroom trash can and sure enough…well, I’m sure you get the picture (probably better than you want to). Obviously, Zeke has been informed that he’s not to touch the cat litter. It is indeed J’s job. Of course, that doesn’t prevent him from wanting to “help.” I just hope that he’ll be as enthusiastic when we get the chicken coop built. There will be plenty of helping to be done when it comes to gathering eggs, feeding chickens, and making sure their “fertilizer” is properly distributed.
One last thing about our newest endeavors: God is good. I’ve never owned a yard bigger than a third of an acre and the ability to walk out there at night and see the plethora of stars, hear the bullfrogs (we live in the swamp), and occasionally catch a glimpse of some fireflies brings great peace. I’m certain that if I hadn’t started writing for this magazine I would have never fully appreciated the value of wide open spaces and using it to care for your family. Now, I’m a city girl in boots and I love every minute of it!
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Market Watch: Blessings of the Home
Family traditions bridge the past to the present. They help create memories that teach our children values and give them an identity. Melissa Luria treasures the family traditions and memories she has of her great-grandmother. “My mother’s grandmother crossed the country in a covered wagon at the age of five to Ada, Oklahoma,” Luria said. “One summer, after my great-grandmother had passed away, we went out to visit her house. Memories flooded my mother as she walked from room to room.” Luria said the stories never ended on that visit.
Her mother also told her about the fantastic garden her greatgrandmother kept. “After seeing the home my great-grandmother created, I saw new life and importance in the traditions my mother was passing on to me,” Luria said. “Cooking was not just a way to get calories into your body; it was growing memories around a table by filling hearts along with stomachs. Home is where we grow.” These memories and traditions eventually turned into her business, Blessings of the Home. Luria makes homemade jams and jellies. “Making jam was not just a way to preserve fruit, it was a way to put love into a jar and save it for later,” Luria said. “One of our Christmas traditions is that we try to make as many homemade gifts as possible, so I was making jam and jelly as presents for our families.” Her husband’s siblings all loved the flavors that she made. “They asked me if they could buy some to give as gifts to other people,” Luria said. “I realized that if they loved it enough to buy it from me, when they could have just asked me to make it, there was a business possibility.” 76
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Luria feels jams and jellies can be very personal. “Many people have memories of cooking jam with their mothers and grandmothers,” Luria said. “I often hear stories of ‘grandma’s blackberry jam,’ which holds a special place of honor. I make a number of traditional flavors, like blackberry, because they are the jams of home.” She makes her jams and jellies by using as little sugar as possible, just like her great-grandmother did all those years ago. “I make them fresh, just like my greatgrandmother did,” Luria said. “I make them with the fewest number of ingredients as possible, just like my great-grandmother.” Luria loves the culinary freedom jams and jellies give her. “In my own house, we have tasting picnics where we cut up a bunch of different chesses, fruits and jams to see who can come up with a new, interesting flavor combination,” Luria said. “It transforms a simple dinner into an experience, a memory. I am constantly on the quest for fun new flavor combinations. I want to make something that you try and say, ‘Wow, that never would have occurred to me, but now I cannot imagine my life without it.’” When Luria first started her business, she was still working full-time as a teacher, so she looked to the local weekend farmers’ market circuit to sell her jams and jellies. “My favorite thing about doing the fresh markets is getting to watch another person taste and enjoy something that I have made with my own hands,” Luria said. “The people at the fresh markets frequently care as much about food as I do. When they love WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
what I make, I know that I’ve really hit the mark.” She also loves the positive feedback she gets from her customers. “My favorite feedback is when a regular customer comes up and asks for a jar of my specialty seasonal jam,” Luria said. “I offer them a sample and they say, ‘I don’t need to try it. Everything you make is amazing.’ That is the best feedback to me because that means my customers know that if it’s not amazing, I will not bring it to the market. I know that they trust me. It reminds me that I really am helping them to grow their homes.” Luria is a huge supporter of keeping things local and shopping local. “Local and small is how all businesses start. It’s how the majority of business is run,” Luria said. “Shopping local means that you can purchase a product from someone who grew or made that product themselves. That face-to-face purchase is the true heart of the capitalism, it provides a much loved service or good in exchange for someone else’s hard earned dollar.” She feels that relationship is at the heart of what a community is and should be, the enrichment of each other’s lives through our mutual effort and service. “For many people in this community, I’m the ‘Jam Lady’,” Luria said. “It seems like a simple title, but I’ve earned it over the course of thousands of jars or jam and that connection means a lot to me.” If you would like to learn more about the different jams and jellies Blessings of the Home has to offer or if you would like to know what local farmers’ market they will be attending, you can visit their website at www.blessingsofhome.com or their Facbook page at www.facebook.com/Blessings-ofHome.
813-767-4703 301 South Collins Street, Suite 101, Plant City, Florida 33563
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P ortrait P h o tograp h er Spe c ializ ing in H igh Sc hool Se niors
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Naturally A Closer Look Amazing Activities
by Sean Green
Mosquito Smudge If you like camping, hiking, fishing and generally being outdoors in Florida’s humid summers, you know the potential toll you pay is literally blood, sweat and tears. Mosquitoes in Florida would make much of the state uninhabitable if it were not for modern mosquito control programs. Florida’s Indigenous populations withstood the assault of mosquitoes and other biting flies for more than 12,000 years without modern insect repellant. Some of the native plants used by the Indigenous populations to endure mosquitoes are still known today and although not mainstream, those suggested for this activity have been scientifically verified to be as effective as modern commercial repellents though often for a shorter duration. Although smudging is intended as a spiritual activity, this month’s activity will include using smudge (smoldering plants) to create an insect repelling smoke screen and introduce some plants that can be used either directly on the skin or in the smudge pot.
Materials: • Smudge Pot or Smudge Stick • Plant Material (see below) • Ignition Source (lighter, matches, etc..) • Cotton Thread or TwineFan (4 to 6 inch) Using the Smudge Pot Use any container that can withstand a small bed of coals. Possibilities include old pails, tin cans or old pots. • Start a fire in the smudge pot and let it burn to form coals on the bottom ¼ of the pot • Pile loose plant material (green is best) onto coals to smolder into a thick smoke • Place one or more smudge pots strategically to create a smoke screen around you or your camp. Creating and Using a Smudge Stick Using any plant material that will smolder rather than flame and is not toxic when burned will work. The list provided is only a fraction of the plants and herbs that are commonly used. • Roll green plant material and or herbs together like a bouquet of flowers • Bind the roll of plants with cotton thread, starting from the bottom make a slipknot and wind the thread to the top, tie to secure • Hang the roll upside down to dry for a week or two. Light the end of the smudge stick to get a slow smolder, it can then be placed into a decorative tray, sea shell, for stationary smudge. It can also be attached to a stick, placed inside a leather sachet, or attached to a hat for a portable smoke screen. American beautyberry plant (Callicarpa americana) Many sources agree that this plant is the best natural mosquito repellent to be found in central Florida and it is abundant throughout Florida’s pine forests. Leaves can be crushed and spread on the skin to repel mosquitoes and other biting flies. Branches of crushed leaves placed between the harness and the horse repel deerflies, horseflies and mosquitoes according to personal accounts of Charles T. Bryson, an ARS botanist in Stoneville, Miss. The USDA-ARS at the UM natural products research center began investigating the beautyberry plant and identified three repellent chemicals during the 12-month study: callicarpenal, intermedeol and spathulenol.s Sweetgrass (Hierochloe odorata) This plant is sacred to the Indigenous Peoples of North America. It is braided, dried and burned. When burned, the leaves of sweetgrass smolder creating a smoke that is smudged (fanned) on to people with a feather. The Indigenous Peoples value sweetgrass for its use in prayer and purifying ceremonies to attract positive energies and 78
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• Water • Salt • Ice good spirits, it’s tendency to repel mosquitoes and other biting flies is regarded as a gift from Mother Earth. The scientific community is increasingly confirming the ancient ways are as effective now as they have been for thousands of years. Dr. Charles Cantrell, a research chemist who works for the US Department of Agriculture identified the two chemicals in sweetgrass that repel mosquitos: phytol and coumarin. Coumarin is used commercially in many natural antimosquito products and is said to work as well as DEET. Phytol has promise but so far it’s mosquito repellent potential has only been published in scientific literature. Wax Myrtle (Morella cerifera, formerly Myrica cerifera) Indigenous Peoples in this part of the country utilized leaves of wax myrtle. Leaves can be crushed and spread on the skin, but requires frequent applications (10-15 minutes). This plants volatile aromatic compounds include ethyl acetate, commonly used in killing jars by entomologists. Extracts were shown to repel the yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) in laboratory tests. Additionally, the compounds found in this plant stem and leaves are highly flammable and actually considered a fire hazard. It can be smoldered in a smudge pot to create an effective smoke screen that repels insects. Cedar Cedar has a history of being one of the best insect repellents known, consequently, a popular choice for clothing chests, landscape mulch, pet bedding, livestock stable mixes. Many natural insect repellents contain cedarwood oil as an ingredient. What is termed “Cedarwood Oil” is a natural derivative of volatile compounds found in one of three families of trees: Juniperus, Thuja and Cedrus. Among these families, the oils vary considerably in the kind and amount of chemical components. Cedar has a wonderful aroma and can be used in a smudge pot to create an aromatic smoke screen. Thyme (Thymus) Thyme can be planted and used topically or in a smudge pot as an aromatic mosquito repellent. Researchers from the University of Guelph in Ontario found crushed lemon thyme leaves reduced the biting activity of yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) by 62 percent, compared to being unprotected volunteers. A study published in the Journal of Medical Entomology found a mixture of 50/50 mix of thyme and clove oil was an extremely effective topical mosquito repellent and provided protection lasting from 1 ½ hr to 3 ½ hrs depending on the oil concentration but may be limited by the users sensitivity to the oils as these oils in high concentration can cause skin irritation or damage. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
A Closer Look
by Sean Green
A Fowl Smell Repels Mosquitoes fessor at the Swedish University of Agricultural Science heads up a study that was originally intended to determine how mosquitoes interact with other animals. Ignell sought to discover if certain animals attracted or repelled mosquitoes and conducted his studies in three Western Ethiopian villages in which humans and farm animals routinely share the same living space. The Mosquito studied, Anopheles arabiensis, feeds on both animals and human beings and is a significant malaria vector in Ethiopia. Collection and analysis of blood meals from over 1000 mosquitoes revealed that for the most part, Anopheles arabiensis strongly preferred human blood when seeking a host indoors and when outdoors, the mosquito feed randomly on other animals such as cattle, goat, and sheep and only one mosquito in the entire sample had a blood meal from a chicken. Furthermore the mosquitoes in the study not only appeared to avoid taking a blood meal from the chicken but consistently appeared to avoid the chicken entirely. With this new discovery the team of researchers collected fur, wool and feathers from common village animals to isolate and extracted the chemical components that characterize the animals scent. Once isolated, researchers could reproduce a pure essence of the scent of cattle, goat, sheep, and chicken. The essence that was produced was the focus of the second experiment in which thousands of villagers volunteered to serve as mosquito bait as researchers planted scent emitting devices in the sleeping quarters of the volunteer villagers, each villager was provided a device that emitted one of the four animal scents. Researchers found that in the rooms that included chicken scent devices there was a 90% to 95% reduction in mosquito counts when the mosquito traps were analyzed. Similarly, researchers conducted a test with over 6000 volunteers and live animals; sleeping quarters that featured a live caged chicken near the bed resulted in an 80% reduction of trapped mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes are problematic everywhere. It’s no secret they are the most dangerous animal in the world, responsible for more human deaths per year than human being themselves. In some countries such as Ethiopia, human death tolls from malaria reach tens of thousands each year. Modern research has expanded our understanding of the mosquito and thus armed our western civilization with tools to protect us from the onslaught of this tiny but potentially deadly insect. Contemporary solutions have their pitfalls, for example, toxins are effective, however, present biologic dangers to both pest and host; few natural predators feed on mosquitoes exclusively and therefore, become hard to sustain; bacterial and viral weapons can be species specific, but also prohibitively expensive. A recent study in Ethiopia has revealed interesting patterns in the feeding behavior of the malaria mosquito (Anopheles) thinning the veil of uncertainty and uncovering the potential for new methods of mosquito control. Scientists have discovered that the mosquito in the study seems to have an aversion to the scent of live chickens. A closer look at this study and the behavioral instincts of various mosquito species will be necessary to determine the extent to which new knowledge can be utilized in potential future solutions to combat mosquito borne illness. The new study published in the Malaria Journal last month reports new knowledge from old world Ethiopia, a country that suffers on average 70,000 deaths per year due to malaria. Rickard Ignell, a proWWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
Every animal, including insects, evolves to avoid predators. Mice, for example, instinctively avoid the scent of natural predators such as cats and rats. Similarly, mosquitoes in the Culex genus have been observed avoiding bodies of water that include predators such as backswimmers (Notonecta), and mosquito fish (Gambusia). In this study, the mosquitoes responded to the scent of a chicken. Although the chicken is not a primary predator, its scent resulted in a distinct behavioral change nonetheless. While it is commonly known that mosquitoes use exhaled carbon dioxide, body odors and temperature to locate a blood meal, less is known about how the mosquito detects and avoids natural predators. A decade ago when the mosquito genome was first sequenced, scientists assumed the odorant receptors (ORs) on the mosquitoes antenna worked like the sensors in a mammals nose. It is now known that the mosquitoes ORs, are sensitive to specific predator-released kairomones (PRKs). The kairomones (pheremone like chemicals) that are released by a predator such as the backswimmers (Notonecta) are pheremone like compounds that trigger an instinctive response such as avoiding laying eggs in a body of water that has an abundance of predators, or seeking a blood meal from an animal that may feed on the mosquito such as the chicken. Researchers have discovered at least 75 different ORs, some of which are components of popular insect repellents containing DEET. The ORs do not mask the attractants in mammal breath and sweat, but rather, trigger an instinctual evolutionary behavior of avoidance. This study certainly does not provide a silver bullet for mosquito control, but it is a terrific beginning. Chemical identification of PRKs will facilitate the study of predator– prey interactions; taking a closer look can potentially enhance efforts to protect ourselves from the most dangerous animal in the world.
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HARVEST CROO ROBOTICS APPROVED FOR PITZER WHEEL PATENT The latest in agricultural robotics
Harvest CROO Robotics is developing and testing the latest technology for agricultural robotics – an automated strawberry picker to help alleviate the labor shortage the industry is facing. Its first U.S. Patent approval marks one of Harvest CROO’s milestone accomplishments. The Pitzer Wheel, named after co-founder and inventor Bob Pitzer, is an autonomous and continuous picking wheel on the apparatus. “Our biggest differentiator has always been that growers will not have to change the way they currently grow strawberries,” said Gary Wishnatzki, co-founder of Harvest CROO and owner of Wish Farms. “Now, with the patent of the Pitzer Wheel, what I believe to be the heart of the invention, we have another strong distinguishing factor.” The picking wheel uses conservation of motion as opposed to a “pick and move” motion. It picks the initial berry, then rotates to expose the next claw to pick another berry at a rapid rate. Once a strawberry is picked by one of the six food-grade silicon claws, it is rotated to the top of the wheel. From here, the berry is carefully placed into a cup that will then be transferred to a central location on the machine, to be inspected for a second time, before placing into consumer packs. This is all done without human intervention. “By reaching this milestone to protect the intellectual property of one of the key components of our machine, we are steps closer in our mission to revolutionizing the ag-tech industry,” said Wishnatzki. Since the start of the project, Harvest CROO has filed a total of six patents. Current patent-pending applications include GPS navigation techniques, an altitude control system and leaf manipulation concepts for harvest. The company’s breakthrough vision technology, used to identify the perfect ripe berry, is being held as a trade secret. Harvest CROO is currently fundraising in preparation for the next round of prototypes. To learn more about Harvest CROO, including investment opportunities, contact info@harvestcroo. com.
About Harvest CROO: Harvest CROO (Computerized Robotic Optimized Obtainer) began in 2012 on Gary Wishnatzki’s vision of creating a solution to the dwindling labor force in agriculture. With the expertise of co-founder and Chief Technical Officer, Bob Pitzer, they began developing the first Harvest CROO machines. In Previous rounds, $1.8 million was raised through qualified investors. Many of these investors are members of the strawberry industry, including Sweet Life Farms, Sam Astin III, California Giant, Inc., Main Street Produce, Inc., Sweet Darling Sales, Inc. Innovative Produce Inc., DG Berry, Inc., and Central West. In Round C, Harvest CROO is seeking to raise $3 million to build the next version, the Alpha unit, which will be the predecessor to a production model. To learn more about Harvest CROO, including current career opportunities for experienced engineers, contact info@harvestcroo.com. 82
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Try it
CRAVE IT TOMORROW.
The Boneless Wings Meal With Spicy Honey BBQ Sauce. Enjoy the sweet taste of honey with a little bit of kick. It’s two great flavors on one plate of wings. Served with Crinkle Fries and a Small Beverage. Try them today! 2901 1/2 James Redman Pkwy. Plant City • 813.752.1971 1060-1390 cal.
© 2016 Zaxby’s Franchising, Inc. “Zaxby’s” is a registered trademark of Zaxby’s Franchising, Inc. Each Zaxby’s restaurant is independently owned and operated under a license agreement with Zaxby’s Franchising, Inc. DR PEPPER is a registered trademark of Dr Pepper/Seven Up, Inc.
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Tel: 813.759.6909 Info@inthefieldmagazine.com 2015 MAHINDRA EMAX TRACTOR
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Equipment serving the fur bearing animal & exotic bird industry! Cages built to order. Wire by roll or foot. (813) 752-2230. Call Don Ammerman. www.ammermans.com July 17, 2016, Nov. 27, 2016
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Millcreek Pine Bark Row Mullcher. For blueberry farms, six yard, PTO drive need at least a 30hp tractor. Call 863-604-2526 for rental details.
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is looking for agriculture/tractor mechanics at both the Bartow & Plant City locations. Having own tools is a plus. Pay based on skill and experience. Call Bartow at 863-537-1345 or Plant City at 813-759-8722
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EFFECTIVE PEST CONTROL
STARTS WITH PAL ADIN® Start the strawberry season with Paladin ® soil fumigant for broad-spectrum control of weeds, nematodes, and soil-borne diseases. Since 2012, growers in Hillsborough County have relied on Paladin® fumigant to effectively control sting nematodes, purple and yellow nutsedge, and charcoal rot. And Paladin® has proven cost-effective while delivering high yields.
We are committed to providing our growers and distributors up-to-date information on proper product stewardship for successful use. To learn more, visit our website or contact your local distributor.
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Paladin® soil fumigant is a restricted-use pesticide. Always refer to and follow the federal label requirements for crops, specific use rates and application directions.
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