In The Field magazine Hillsborough edition

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AUGUST 2019 VOL. 14 • ISSUE 10

CONTENTS GREATER PLANT CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SALUTE TO AGRICULTURE

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PAGE 10 Argicultural High School PAGE 12 YF&R Conference PAGE 16 Connecting Plant Health Experts PAGE 18 Fishing Hot Spots PAGE 22 Rocking Chair Chatter

PAGE 30 Maintenance

PAGE 52 Recipes

PAGE 32 Palm Tree Disease

PAGE 54 Literary Time Machine

PAGE35 Sea Grapes PAGE 36 Jack Payne

PAGE 40 Community Water Wise Awards PAGE 46 John Dicks

PAGE 24 Gene Holcomb

PAGE 48 Endangered

PAGE 28 FFA

PAGE 58 Activity

PAGE 59 A Closer Look

PAGE 62 Vegetable Gardens PAGE 66

News Briefs PAGE 68

Precision Ag

Species

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. 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

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InTheField® Magazine P.O. Box 5377 • Plant City, Fl. 33566-0042 *Winners will be notified by phone. You Too Can Be A Winner!

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Hillsborough County Farm Bureau 305 S. Wheeler St. Plant City, FL. Office Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Insurance Services: 813-685-5673 Member Services: 813-685-9121

OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Dennis Carlton, Jr.....................President Jake Raburn................Vice President Tony Lopez..............Treasurer Buddy Coleman..................Secretary DIRECTORS FOR 2018 - 2019 Christina Andrlik, Carl Bauman, Jake Cremer, Tiffany Dale, Carson Futch, Jim Frankowiak, Chip Hinton, John Joyner, Lawrence McClure, Sambahv, Vincent Tort, Will Womack, Gayle Yanes

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. Julie Carlson, Amy Engle

Plant City Office 813.752.5577

305 S. Wheeler St., Plant City, FL 33563 Jeff Summer Artis Griffin

Tampa Office 813.933.5440

6535 Gunn Highway, Tampa, FL.33625 Greg Harrell, Jared Bean

AGENCY MANAGER Thomas O. Hale WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM


Celebrating a most fruitful relationship

between Florida Strawberry Growers and International Paper.

1979

Together we’re sure to enjoy many more years of sweet success.

711 E. Lancaster Rd Orlando, FL 32809 (407) 855-2121

1996

2402 Police Center Dr Plant City, FL 33566 (813) 717-9100 6706 N. 53rd St Tampa, FL 33610 (813) 744-2220 Sales: Dean Fultz (901) 355-5197 or Jim Johnson (813) 205-0355

2001

2003

Present

©2018 International Paper Company. All rights reserved.

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STAFF

Letter from the Editor

Publisher/Photography Karen Berry Senior Managing Editor/ Associate Publisher Sarah Holt Patsy Berry Editor

It’s back to school time! Hopefully most of you have settled in to your new school year routine. Please continue to be aware of children walking, biking and boarding buses. It is a yearly reminder to be extra vigilant in school zones. Agriculture, as defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary, is the science, art or practice of cultivating the soil, producing crops and raising livestock and, in varying degrees, the preparation and marketing of the resulting products. Agriculture is so much more than this. It means food from our country, a safe abundant source of food, is right here in the US, and even better, it is right here in Florida. It means going to the farmers market for the freshest food available. Agriculture gives us a sense of satisfaction from bringing in the crops after working in the fields or rounding up the cattle and seeing the fruits of our labors in the newborn calves running around, and sharing this with others who are involved in this age old industry. Agriculture is full of beauty. When you are out in the field or pasture before the break of dawn, you can pause as the sun comes up to greet a glorious day. You get to witness nature at its finest as your crops and livestock grow. Agriculture is also education. Education of the youth in our country is of the greatest importance. Of course we want to help those involved in projects with 4-H and FFA, but don’t forget those who may not have a chance to be on the farm. The education of those who are generations removed from the farm is important as well. Agriculture is a lifestyle. It’s a responsibility to preserve and even enhance the connection agriculture gives us to the land. Farmers and ranchers know the land around them and understand its importance in the continuation of this thing we call agriculture.

Sales Melissa Nichols Karen Berry Sarah Holt George Domedion Creative Director/Illustrator Juan Alvarez Distribution Bob Hughens Photography Karen Berry Staff Writers Al Berry Sandy Kaster James Frankowiak Sean Green Ginny Mink Contributing Writers Woody Gore John Dicks

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.

Sarah Holt The LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. - Numbers 6:25

Letters, comments and questions can be sent to P.O. Box 5377, Plant City, Florida 33563-0042 or you are welcome to email them to: info@inthefieldmagazine.com or call 813-759-6909 Advertisers warrant & represent the descriptions of their products advertised are true in all respects. In The Field Magazine assumes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers. All views expressed in all articles are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Berry Publications, Inc. Any use or duplication of material used in In the Field magazine is prohibited without written consent from Berry Publications, Inc.

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Published by Berry Publications, Inc.

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THE IMPORTANCE OF VOLUNTEERISM HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY

-Dennis Carlton Jr. - President

Greetings, I sincerely hope this has been a good summer for all of you and your families. It’s back to school time and the beginning of another season for our strawberry growers. There’s a great story in this edition of IN THE FIELD Magazine about the recognition just bestowed upon Gene Holcomb. Gene has been inducted in to the Florida 4-H Hall of Fame for his more than three decades of service to the youth of our state and beyond. He has been a club leader, state advisor and a coach to youth. Gene epitomizes volunteerism, and that is an attribute that is so vital to our industry. Florida Farm Bureau Federation is 77-years-old this year and has more than 147,000 members. It is the largest farm advocacy organization, working hard to ensure the future of family farms, natural resource conservation and locally grown food. A very significant aspect of Florida Farm Bureau and its role as the “Voice of Agriculture in Florida” is the ongoing volunteer efforts of so many of our members. Without Farm Bureau volunteers at the local, county, state and national levels, our impact in support of our industry would not be what it is. I bring this to your attention since our need for volunteer support continues. If you are not active as a volunteer, please give it your consideration. We have many opportunities for you and your family to support our industry. Gene and his family support youth interested in agriculture. There are many opportunities for you to do the same.

hard work at every meal, every day. The same is true of our regulators and lawmakers. We strive to make them aware of our industry’s challenges and needs so they make informed decisions that are fair and reasonable to farmers and ranchers. You have undoubtedly become aware of the negative impact unfair trade practices have had on our specialty crop growers in Florida – the farmers that grow bell peppers, strawberries and tomatoes. If you add to that the difficulty they also face in meeting their labor needs, the result is a very challenging future and our various stakeholders need to be fully aware of the implications of those issues and others. If helping us fulfill the need to work in any of these areas is interesting to you and your family, please step up and let us know. We would be very pleased to have you involved at whatever level is appropriate. Call us at 813/685-9121, email us at info@hcfarmbureau.org or stop in at our office, 305 South Wheeler Street, Plant City, FL 33563. We would be pleased to have you help us make Florida’s Voice of Agriculture a bit louder. Thank you,

Dennis Carlton Jr. Dennis Carlton Jr. - President

We also have an ongoing need to educate those who are not familiar with our industry, but enjoy the results of our

P.S. The day after Gene Holcomb was inducted into the Florida 4-H Hall of Fame, his grandchildren Rebecca and Austin Holcomb, were both named National Finalists at the National Agriscience Fair and advance to the National FFA Convention this year. The Holcomb legacy continues.

305 SOUTH WHEELER STREET • PLANT CITY, FL 33566 • 813-685-9121 Board of Directors

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Dennis Carlton, Jr. , President; Jake Raburn, Vice-President; Tony Lopez Treasurer; Buddy Coleman, Secretary; Christina Andrlik, Carl Bauman, Jake Cremer, Tiffany Dale, Carson Futch, Jim Frankowiak, Chip Hinton, John Joyner, Lawrence McClure, Sambahv,Jay Marty Tanner, Vincent Tort, Will Womack, Gayle Yanes Judi Whitson, Executive Director

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REMEMBERING HILLSBORO COUNTY AGRICULTURAL HIGH SCHOOL Plant City Photo Archives & History Center With the completion of the railroad that connected Plant City to distant worlds, changes occurred with alarming speed. In the decade following 1885, Hillsborough County saw an evolution from the small agricultural and manufacturing operations to strongly developing industries. This period saw the growing separation between the manufacturing path that Tampa took, and the agricultural direction followed by Plant City. By 1886 Plant City had already begun to develop into a center of commerce for east Hillsborough County’s agricultural production.

missioners by virtue of authority vested in them by a special act of the legislature. A four-year course, which includes Plant Production; Animal Husbandry; Horticulture; Farm Management; and Rural Engineering, is offered. Two forty-five minute periods per day are given to each course, permitting a student, at the same time, to take academic subjects in the Plant City High School and use his agricultural work as credit toward graduation.

The school is located on a twelve-and-one-half acre farm in the center of an Interest in increasing the agricultural community. quantity and quality of agIt has the most complete ricultural production grew laboratory equipment of dramatically throughout the any similar school in the country and by the early state. A new ten-thou20th century the U.S. Consand dollar administration gress was on board. Conbuilding with all modgress passed the Smith-Leern conveniences having ver Act of 1914 establishing been erected this year. On a national Cooperative Exthis farm there is a propatension Service that exgating house 50 x 80 feet tended outreach programs fully equipped for carrythrough land-grant uniing on plant propagation versities to educate rural in every detail. Many ornaAmericans about advances mental and fruit trees are in agricultural practices propagated there annualand technology. Followly by the Horticulture Club. ing that, Congress passed the Smith-Hughes National An important feature of Vocational Education Act the farm is the animal husof 1917 that promoted vobandry equipment. Five cational education in “agripoultry houses and runs culture, trades and industry, are provided for the stuand homemaking”, and prodents taking this course. vided federal funds for this A modern dairy barn havpurpose. This served as the Hillsboro County Agricultural High School 1926. Faculty basis both for the promotion seated in front row center: L-R: Professor John Gordon Smith, ing a concrete floor, steel stalls, and other necessary of vocational education, and Professor Avon J. Peacock, Professor R. S. Dowdell. equipment has just been for its distinction from the completed. ordinary curriculum in most school programs. The act A large part of the farm is used for demonstrations. was an expansion and modification of the 1914 Smith– Forty to sixty varieties of vegetables are grown annuLever Act. ally. Several varieties of blackberries, dewberries, raspberries and other small fruit are grown. Demonstration With this emphasis on agricultural education programs, plots of bananas, loquats, avocados, mangoes, and citthe Florida state legislature encouraged the county rus fruits are also grown. governments and school districts to establish agricultural schools. Hillsborough County responded. It did <> not take long to realize that the place to locate the new school would be Plant City, the center of the HillsborThe faculty of the new agricultural school were all ough County’s agricultural district. The site still exists trained in agriculture and consisted of Professor Avon just west of the Veterans Memorial Monument Park at J. Peacock, who moved from Dade City to become Courier Field. the first Principal of the school; Professor John Gordon The 1926 Plant City High School Kanyuksaw yearbook Smith; and Professor R. S. Dowdell. For those interdescribes the school: ested, we have the names of 57 students who studied <> in the Plant Production, Animal Husbandry, and Farm Management programs.

Hillsboro County Agricultural High School

Beginning in 1920 with an enrollment of twenty-four students, the Hillsboro County Agricultural School has grown to an enrollment of one hundred at the end of its fifth year.

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The school is operated under the Smith-Hughes Act of 1917, providing for the teaching of Vocational Agriculture in high schools and providing funds for its encouragement. It is also supported by a fund derived from a special tax levied in the county by the county com-

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Sources: Plant City High School 1926 Kanyuksaw; National Archives Foundation; Britannica.com; Lauren McNair and Gil Gott, The Florida Strawberry Festival; A Brief History; Quintilla Geer Bruton and David E. Bailey, Plant City; Its Origin and History; Plant City Photo Archives and History Center paper, “Plant City and the Agriculture, Food Processing, and Supermarket Revolution, 1939-1975”; Plant City Photo Archives and History Center collections. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM


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HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY “UNIQUELY” REPRESENTED AT STATE YF&R CONFERENCE

By Jim Frankowiak | Photo by Mike Horne Photography

While most Florida county Farm Bureaus sent members to the 2019 Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) Leadership Conference at Daytona Beach, Hillsborough County Farm Bureau did that and a bit more thanks to YF&R member Stevie Mathis. Mathis brought his late model dirt racer to the conference specially wrapped in the conference theme “Ready, Set, Grow,” where it was on display for all conference attendees to view. Membership in YF&R makes sense for Mathis since he’s involved in agriculture and the family’s business, Mathis Farms, where he does “whatever needs to be done.” The operation grows strawberries, yellow squash, zucchini, eggplant and blueberry.

network, share ideas, participate in community projects and hone their leadership skills. In addition to Mathis, the Hillsborough County group included Jarrett Gillman, Daniel Butler, Clint Tedder, Tiffany Dale, Lane Turner, Salvador Navarro and Katia Perez.

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A Discussion Meet kicked off activities at the 2019 state conference. It was designed to simulate a committee meeting where discussion and active participation were expected from each attendee. This competitive event involved the exchange of ideas and information with judges looking for contestants who offered constructive criticism, cooperation and communication while analyzing problems and developing solutions. Competition finalists will participate in the statewide DiscusMathis is fairly new to the dirt, late model circuit racing at East sion Meet that will be held at the 2019 Florida Farm Bureau Bay Raceway south of Tampa, Volusia County and in north Annual Meeting in October. Florida. “I’m still learning, but happy with the way things are going,” he said. Bringing his racecar to the conference was a The conference was also the occasion for announcements of suggestion from Samantha Dailey, a Farm Bureau member in the YF&R Achievement in Agriculture and Excellence in AgriOcala, “and it was a good one given the conference location culture award finalists. The Achievement Award recognized near the Daytona Speedway.” Attendees were given the oppor- members of Florida Farm Bureau’s YF&R program who excel in tunity to tour the Speedway during the conference. their involvement in agriculture, leadership abilities and participation in Farm Bureau and other civic and service organiThe YF&R State Conference is an annual event for member zations. The Hillsborough County YF&R Chapter was given the leadership training, competitive events and fellowship. The 2018 Activity Award at the conference for its achievements last 2019 conference attracted 330 members from across Florida. year. YF&R members are between the ages of 18-35 with a desire to

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The Excellence in Agriculture award recognizes YF&R members who excel in their involvement in agriculture, accomplishments as leaders, Farm Bureau activities and community service, but do not receive a majority of their income from agricultural production. State award winners for both programs will be determined at the Florida Farm Bureau Annual Meeting. The conference award banquet was highlighted by presentation of outstanding county Young Farmers and Ranchers program awards followed the next morning by a panel discussion that featured President John L. Hoblick and other Florida Farm Bureau State Directors Steve Johnson and Jeb Smith. The conference agenda also included breakout discussions on a range of topics from estate planning to financing for farm operations to the use of social media. Keynote speaker Sarah Bohnenkamp delivered a high-energy, motivational address at the banquet and Paul Long helped conclude the conference with an engaging talk on ways to make the workplace more enjoyable. More information about the YF&R Program is available at: https://www.floridafarmbureau.org/programs/young-farmers-and-ranchers/. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

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Hear about specials and deliveries in your area. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

August 2019

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New Website Simplifies

Connection to UF Plant Health Experts

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By Jim Frankowiak

Growers, whether farmers or homeowners, seeking solutions to plant health issues now have a new website: diagnostics.ifas.ufl.edu that is intended to expedite the process for resolving their plant health challenges.

tute of Food and Agricultural Sciences’ network of plant health resources for growers and residents throughout Florida. “Our aim is to connect the internal and external audience to the plant problem solutions they need in just a few clicks.”

“We want this site to be a one-stop shop,” said Carrie Harman, director of the Plant Diagnostic Center that is part of the University of Florida Insti-

Internal audiences include an extensive network of UF/IFAS Extension agents in every Florida county, members of the Florida Master Garden-

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ers program and several plant health clinics in the state. The external audience is comprised of state residents seeking help for their plants, whether that involves disease, pest or weed identification; soil and water quality testing; or resources and suggested management methods for a known problem. The new website directs users to the information they need to submit a digital sample or their local Extension office, “an incredible resource in their community,” Harmon said. The Distance Diagnostic and Identification System, which sends user-submitted digital samples to a local Extension agent is limited in its capabilities since certain problems, such as plant disease, can be hard to identify by images alone. But for some plant problems like a bug that is clearly pictured, identification may be possible. Overall, Harmon encourages residents to visit their local Extension office to get to know the agents and Master Gardeners, enabling them to take full advantage of the expertise and help they can provide. For Extension agents and Master Gardeners the new website simplifies their ability to identify specialists should they be unfamiliar with a particular plant problem that is presented to them. “I want the Extension offices to get the diagnostic reports, to see what is recommended to manage the problem and to learn what is common where they are located,” Harmon said. “When the problem resurfaces the next season, the grower or homeowner can have their needs met at their local Extension office. This adds to the value of the county office, makes the plant clinics and Master Gardeners more valuable and reconnects Extension with the local community,” she said. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

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Tampa Bay Fishing Report September 2019 Capt. Woody Gore

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Capt. Woody Gore (www.captainwoodygore.com)

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Like other parts of the south, Tampa Bay fishing can also struggle through the summer, especially as water temperatures top out in the nineties. The fish still eat, but it seems you never catch the numbers like spring and fall. Anglers able to stand the heat are doing better on stronger tides. Folks have decent catches during summer months in the deeper cooler waters. Greenbacks, threadfins, small pinfish, sardines, and shrimp always catch fish, but for some real excitement, try tossing an artificial lure during the early mornings before the water heats up.

pieces of cut mullet, crab, threadfins, pinfish or ladyfish. Using dead baits often requires something most anglers never carry in the tackle box, that being “patience.”

Snook (Still Closed): As water temperatures rise later in day expect to find snook in deeper passes, washes, docks, and holes tight to structure. Greenbacks are the bait of choice around the bay. However, those who prefer artificial actions should try topwater lures early on shallow broken bottom flats. Night snook fishing always proves successful around docks and bridges, often resulting in a pleasant surprise when one of the big ones gets hungry.

Cobia seems to be reasonably plentiful this summer, around the bay. They usually show up on the back of rays or manatees or just cruising the open water. Particularly attracted to structure, especially those holding bait, so always check the buoys and keep an eye out when Mackerel fishing. They tend to show up at the most inopportune time.

Redfish (Still Closed): seem on the schedule this year, and the bite should continue into September with plenty of action as larger schools begin showing up. Good grass flats with sandy potholes and mangrove shorelines hold redfish. Greenbacks and dollar size pinfish always tempt hungry Redfish; however, something stinky on the bottom is hard to resist. For this, try

Spotted Sea Trout (Still Closed): Trout action especially, on the deepwater flats and current active days is booming. They’re eating shrimp, pinfish, and greenbacks along deeper flats, with good moving water. Bigger fish seem to cruise early morning flats looking for an easy meal. Tossing a 7M MirrOlure or Top Dog Jr. often produces some real topwater excitement.

Mackerel, Bluefish, actions are still active with giants chasing any shinny artificial lure or spoon and always taking live baits. Just look for schools of live bait, net some to fish with and hang a chum bag over the side. Now just cast out a live bait and hold onto your rod and reel. If for some reason they seem to shy away from wire leaders, try using 60 lb. Seaguar fluorocarbon leader and tie on a Daiichi long shank #2 or #3 hook. Then free line your baits in the current with a #3 split-shot weight. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM


Snapper & Sheepshead: are showing up throughout Tampa Bay. All the usual places are holding plenty of nice sized fish, Try fishing markers, bridge fenders, docks, seawalls, rock piles, oyster bars or any type structure. Shrimp, rock crabs, mud minnows, and small greenbacks work well for snapper, and of course fiddler crabs, rock crabs oysters, mussels and shrimp always catch sheepshead.

“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

We’re Growing the Population of Florida Scrub Jays Our efforts to protect native wildlife species have helped the endangered Florida Scrub Jay population not only survive, but grow. As part of the Mosaic mining process, we designated 850 acres of habitat, and then worked with local environmental experts to relocate Scrub Jays. Now the Scrub Jay population, which had only a five percent survival chance 15 years ago, is once again growing and thriving.

To learn more visit www.MosaicCo.com/Florida

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On a major league baseball diamond, the distance across the infield from the back top of home plate to second base is 127 feet, 3 3/8 inches. In springtime, a wild male turkey’s head can turn a brilliant red, white or blue in a matter of moments. A ten-gallon hat does not hold ten gallons. It holds about three quarts. Squid is the number one pizza topping in Japan. President Thomas Jefferson despised formal affairs and would often greet foreign dignitaries while wearing pajamas. Zenith created the first TV remote control in 1950. It was called “Lazy Bones.” Yahoo! Is an acronym which stands for “Yet Another Hierarchical Officious Oracle.”

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Left Handed People I have always been a southpaw, and my handwriting is terrible. Thank goodness for the typewriter. My left-handed writing is used mostly to pay our monthly bills.

designed the Macintosh computer, four were left-handed. Benjamin Franklin signed the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution with his left hand.

On a more positive note, right-handed people use the left side of their brains. Lefthanded people use the right sides of their brains. I guess that means only left-handed people are in their right mind.

A few years back Burger King published a full page advertisement in the April 1st edition of USA Today announcing the introduction of a new item to their menu: a “Left-Handed Whopper” specially designed for the 32 million left-handed Americans. According to the advertisement, the new whopper included the same ingredients as the original Whopper, but all the condiments were rotated 180 degrees for the benefit of their left-handed customers. The following day Burger King issued a followup release revealing that the Left-Handed Whopper was a hoax, and thousands of customers had gone into their restaurants to request the new sandwich. At the same time, according to the press release, “many others requested their own ‘right-handed’ version.”

There’s no denying it, left-handers are the odd men out. Sure, lefties make up about 10 percent of the population, but, frankly, it seems like society has forgotten about them with right-handed gadgets, awkwardly designed desks, cooking tools that fit comfortably in your right hand (now that’s just wrong!). What causes someone to become a southpaw? Scientists aren’t exactly sure, but research points to a complex collaboration between genes and environment. While no exact set of “leftie genes” have been discovered, people who dominantly use their left hands do have more left-handed family members. And researchers have found different brain wirings in righties vs. lefties. But no matter what it is that drives someone to use their left paw, science has also uncovered a particular set of personality traits that left-handed people tend to have. So for all of you lefties, leftie-loving righties and ambidextrous folks out there it’s time to brush up on your left-handed knowledge and help put an end to leftie discrimination once and for all. Being left-handed puts me in the minority, but at least I am in good company. Famous people and celebrities such as Ronald Reagan, George Bush, Bill Clinton, Dr. Albert Schweitzer, Jay Leno, Mark Twain, Natalie Cole and Whoopie Goldberg were/are lefthanded. Men are one-and-half-times more likely to be southpaws than women.

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I found some interesting facts about being left-handed. The nails on the left hand tend to grow faster than on the right hand. The Egyptians thought is was good luck to enter a house left foot first. Of the five people that

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Believe it or not the farming industry has a lot of left-handed equipment. Left-handed plows, hoes, and many more. They even make a left-handed sawmill! Have you ever noticed while sitting on the pot that 95% of the time the toilet roll holder is on the right side of you and so close you can barely unwind it? Not sure who named it, but there is a town in West Virginia named Left Hand. It has only one service station and more than 200 graveyards within 20 miles. Looney Cemetery is one of the oldest on the side of a mountain. Over the years some of the land has eroded away sending some of the buried down the side of the mountain. According to ABC News, lefties “are more likely to be schizophrenic, alcoholic, delinquent, dyslexic, and have Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, as well as mental disabilities. They’re also more likely to die young and get into accidents.” An indirect consequence of that fun little tidbit is that lefties are also far more qualified to make a joke about all those things. And doesn’t who a good dyslexia joke love?

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Getting out of bed with the left foot first means that you will have a bad day and be bad tempered, i.e. getting out of bed on the wrong side. A ringing in the right ear means that someone is praising you, in the left ear it means that someone is cursing or maligning you. An itchy right palm means that you will receive money. An itchy left palm means you will have to give money. Wedding rings worn on the third finger of the left hand originated with the Greeks and Romans who wore them to fend of evil associated with the left-hand. The right hand often symbolises ‘male’ while the left hand is ‘female.’ If you hear the sound of a cuckoo from the right it will be a lucky year. If the sound comes from the left it will be unlucky. If your right eye twitches you will see a friend, if it’s your left eye that twitches you’ll see an enemy. When dressmaking, it’s believed to be bad luck to sew the left sleeve onto a garment before the right sleeve. It is thought to be bad luck to pass a drink to another person with your left-hand or anti-clockwise around a table. If you apply an ointment with the forefinger of the right hand the sore will not heal. This is because this finger is said to be the ‘poison’ finger. Passing or pouring wine with the left hand leads to bad luck. Driving on the left started so that horse riders could use their whips in the right-hand to fend off other road users. The left hand does worst in the parable of the sheep and goats. The sheep are set on Christ’s right hand and the goats on the left. Those on the right inherit the kingdom of god while those on the left depart into everlasting fire (to quote Matthew 25: verse 41: “Then he will say unto those on the left hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” Studies have shown that left-handers are more likely to have allergies than right-handers. There you have it. That’s all I know about being left-handed. Editor’s Note: This Rocking Chair Chatter was originally printed in the August 2014 issue WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM


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GENE HOLCOMB 2019 INDUCTEE

IN THE UF/IFAS EXTENSION FLORIDA 4-H HALL OF FAME

By Jim Frankowiak Hillsborough County resident Gene Holcomb was one of five outstanding 4-H leaders inducted into the 2019 University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension Florida 4-H Hall of Fame during recent ceremonies at the University of Florida J. Wayne Reitz Union, Gainesville. The Florida 4-H Hall of Fame was established in 2002 to recognize noteworthy 4-H leaders who have contributed to the 4-H program. Holcomb has served UF/IFAS Extension in Hillsborough County and Florida 4-H for 33 years. He has been involved with the Hillsborough County 4-H Youth Foundation (currently its Vice President), active on the Florida 4-H Dairy Youth Committee, several Fair Dairy Committees; and helped organize state-level dairy judging contests. Among Holcomb’s many roles, he has served as a club leader, state advisor, and a coach to the youth. He is considered “one of the reasons Florida youth have excelled in dairy cattle judging competitions,” according to state 4-H officials. This past year Holcomb also coached the Florida 4-H dairy judging team that won first place overall and sixth place high team reasons in the national competition in Louisville, Kentucky, as well as sixth place team overall and first place team reasons in the Madison, Wisconsin national dairy judging contest.

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Originally from the Binghamton area of upstate New York, Holcomb’s grandparents (both maternal and paternal) each owned a dairy farm. It was the upbringing of his parents with farming and 4-H which led to them marrying and owning their own farm. Health issues prompted his parents to sell their farm and begin an equipment sales and service business in which Gene was involved in equipment installations. He was also very active in sports while in high school, as well as his agricultural endeavors. After graduating from high school in

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1970, Holcomb pursued a computer programming degree that led to a position with Xerox Corporation. He then joined his family to establish a mobile home and recreational vehicle (RV) business in Florida where his parents had relocated. After returning to New York for several years to deal with the sale of the family mobile home business there, while working nights in the computer field, he returned to Florida for good with his wife Jody, and with his family, they settled in Seffner. Holcomb worked evenings at Founders Life in the computer department and during the day at the mobile home sales in Thonotosassa. “I came to realize that I needed to be working outside and not in an office, so I left the computer business,” he said. They have two sons, Chris and Ryan. Jody is a longtime staff member at the Florida State Fair with the responsibility of facilities administration. His parents gave each of his sons cows for Christmas to foster their 4-H and FFA activities. Also, his parents had decided to re-enter the dairy business in Florida with a farm of their own. Both boys also played little league baseball and Gene was a coach for 13 years. The Holcomb’s sons both graduated from Armwood High School. During their high school years, the mobile home business was closed to allow the family time to show their dairy cows and compete in many national contests together. At this time, Gene was always instructing how to care for the cattle (clipping, feeding, health care, Fair Displays, showmanship, and breeding using artificial insemination). Gene was well respected for his showmanship skills, winning 7 State 4-H Show Open Adult Competitions over a 14 year time frame, until winning 3 years in a row forced his retirement from future 4-H state show competitions, per show rules. Some years later, Gene’s parents decided to retire from the dairy business and sell their cattle. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM


Chris went on to receive his undergraduate and graduate degrees from UF, which led to employment in dairy nutrition and then to his own farm in New York, making and selling their own ice cream. Chris then received a position as Florida Dairy Youth Specialist for UF/IFAS Extension, and has since moved into the dairy pharmaceutical business. Ryan had also ventured into his own dairy farm in New York, before he joined his parent’s RV and mobile home sales business near Sun City, which they started in 2002. Both sons scored well in national competitions. Chris placed 3rd overall in 1993 at Madison, Wisconsin, with his team winning 1st overall and 2nd in reasons, which lead to the Florida’s team winning a trip to Europe. When Ryan competed in the same National contest in 1996, he placed 5th overall, and his Florida team was 2nd overall and 1st place team in reasons. The “Reasons” category requires contestants to specify and defend why they place cows in the specific order they do. Over the years, Holcomb’s teams have achieved significant success at local and state competitions as well as national events in Madison, Wisconsin; Louisville, Kentucky and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. His teams are always considered “a force to be reckoned with” anytime and anywhere they compete. Though it would have been expected, Gene did not forego his service to 4-H and youth once his sons grew older. “I guess you could say it became a habit,” he said. “I know there’s value in what I do and kids need an opportunity to stay on the right path. It’s great to see youngsters overcome shyness and timidity while they also learn responsibility and the deep work ethic associated with dairy.” Gene’s “habit” is easily the equivalent of a full-time job and even more some years. He owes a significant debt to his wife Jody for his time away, but they both find value working with youth. Attesting to Holcomb’s importance are comments from former Extension Director and current Hillsborough County 4-H Youth Foundation President Mike McKinney. “Gene Holcomb embodies what 4-H leadership is all about. His even keel personality and leadership style has touched hundreds of young people over the years. His expertise in the 4-H Dairy project is yet another quality that makes him a great leader. He is not only a 4-H leader; he is a leader in our community!” Fellow foundation member Betty Jo Tompkins considers Gene “one of those rare individuals that takes the 4-H Motto, ‘Learn By Doing,’ to heart,” she said. “He’s given countless hours over many years to the Hillsborough County Fair, Hillsborough County 4-H Youth Foundation, as well as training and traveling with 4-H Dairy judging teams throughout the country. It’s an honor to work with such a selfless person.” As to the future, Gene sees “more of the same.” A good bit of that is no doubt prompted by the interest that the children of Chris and wife Suzanne (Austin, Rebecca & Colby), together with Ryan and wife Beth (Connor & Libby) have shown, meaning the fifth generation of Holcomb family is actively involved in 4-H. In addition, former students with their own children! As it goes - “A Never Ending Circle”.

Congratulations and thank you Gene Holcomb!

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OPTIMIZING SOIL PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS PAYS OFF IN SANDY SOILS Healthy soil is alive, a living ecosystem, and serves as the foundation for agriculture. Sometimes, it doesn’t get the respect it deserves. When treated like dirt, soil is less productive, and the fertility of the land may be diminished. One new technology, called Cool Terra®, provides growers a way to enhance soil vitality for greater yield in strawberry fields like yours. In fact, Cool Terra has shown some of the greatest results in the type of high sand, low organic matter soil common in Florida’s strawberry fields. Just like a coral reef supports sea life by providing structure, resources, and habitat in an otherwise barren ocean floor, Cool Terra can support plant life by: •Optimizing water retention in the root zone •Enhancing nutrient exchange and availability •Building lasting soil structure •Providing an environment for microbes A 2018, 32 acre commercial trial in Polk County Florida using Cool Terra demonstrated improved strawberry yields by over 500 flats per acre. The increased strawberry yield provided a revenue impact of over $4K and a grower return on investment of 15.5x!

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By Jim Frankowiak

HILLSBOROUGH FFA CHAPTERS WELL REPRESENTED AMONG NATIONAL FFA AGRISCIENCE FAIR FINALISTS Hillsborough County FFA Chapters had six National Finalists and two Bronze Award recipients at the recently completed National FFA Agriscience Fair. The Fair recognizes student researchers studying the application of agricultural scientific principles and emerging technologies in agricultural enterprises. The agriscience fair is for middle and high school students. Participation begins at the local level and progresses to state and national levels. Hillsborough County’s six National Finalists now advance to the 92nd National FFA Convention & Expo later this year. Florida had 25 National Finalists at the fair. Hillsborough County National Finalists are: • Rebecca Holcomb – Turkey Creek Middle School FFA – Animal Systems • Austin Holcomb – Durant-J.F. St. Martin FFA Chapter – Animal Systems • Ayden Kelly & James Prescott – Strawberry Crest FFA Chapter – Environmental Systems • Autumn Miller & Emily Dernulc - Strawberry Crest FFA Chapter – Social Systems Bronze Award winners were Avery Surrency & Carter Howell – Durant FFA Chapter - Food Products and Processing category.

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Congratulations to all and best of luck to our six National Finalists at the National FFA Convention.

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WHEN SHOULD I CHANGE MY BRAKE FLUID AND WHY? We get asked all the time by our customers; “what service does my bike need”? That is a great question…but one that requires a bit of discovery to answer correctly. First off, most fluids and service intervals are based on time and/or mileage (or hours used). As the owner it is on you to keep good records of service completed whether you do the service, you have it serviced at a dealer, or even if you have an independent shop like Cycle Stop USA complete your services. For this article, I am going to focus on brake fluid since that is one of the most overlooked fluid services that NEEDS to be changed at the minimum of once every 24 months (2 years). There are two basic types of brake fluids: mineral based and silicone based. The difference is vast, and it is important to note that you cannot mix the two AND even if you flush a system completely, it is not recommended that you use one in place of the other.

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Brake fluids are categorized by their “DOT” rating. DOT ratings are regulated by the Department of Transportation (hence the “DOT” in the name) and a brake fluid’s DOT rating is the indicator of its temperature rating in hundreds. A brake fluid that is rated DOT 3 has a boiling point of 300-degrees Fahrenheit, a DOT 4 brake fluid’s boiling point is 400-degrees and so on. Since braking temperatures can vary depending on use it is easy to see why a performance vehicle

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that sees a lot of heavy braking would benefit from a higher DOT rating whereas a vehicle with a more utilitarian intended use could easily use a DOT 3 rated brake fluid. With the introduction of ABS braking systems on many new non-autos (like motorcycles, UTV’s and ATV’s) there is a need to look at our brake fluid in more of a maintenance lens than has previously been done. Dot 4 brake fluid is the most common and is very inexpensive to manufacture. It is easy to find at most stores and has a very high boiling point (400-degrees) and does a great job in most applications. That said it has a couple of down sides, too. The first down side is that it will destroy paint if it comes in contact with painted surfaces and is left to sit on it. The second flaw is that DOT3 and DOT4 respectively also absorb water and once this happens the fluid’s boiling point is significantly reduced, and the brake fluid will gel (become a solid) in the reservoir and the lines. Once this happens the repairs can be costly, sometimes in the thousand dollars plus range. For this reason, all OEM manufacturers and service departments recommend you flush and replace your DOT 4 brake fluid once every two years. Simple maintenance can avoid costly repairs. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please call Cycle Stop USA at 813-7542959 and as always…ride safe!

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LETHAL BRONZING

PALM TREE DISEASE MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

By Jim Frankowiak Lethal Bronzing Disease (LBD) was first discovered in Texas in the early part of this century, and the disease was previously known as Texas Phoenix Palm Decline (TPPD). Termed a phytoplasma disease, it was confirmed initially in Florida in the Tampa area in 2006. Since its initial discovery, the disease has been confirmed beyond Texas in Louisiana, Florida and Mexico, and has infected palm tree generas in addition to the Phoenix. This led to renaming the disease to Lethal Bronzing Disease to reflect the symptoms seen in various host palm trees in and outside of the Lone Star State. “Phytoplasmas live in the part of the plant where sap is transported,” said Susan Haddock, a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Hillsborough County Extension agent offering Professional Horticulture Services. “They are transmitted to plants by piercing-sucking insects that feed on the sap. The insects spread the disease from plant to plant as they visit different hosts during their feeding activities.” Planthoppers and leafhoppers are the main groups of insects that transmit phytoplasmas. “Additionally, LBD is not mechanically spread by activities such as pruning or infected roots touching new roots,” said Haddock.

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“Since first found in Tampa in 2006, the diseased has been now confirmed in 16 palm species in 31 counties in Florida,”

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said Haddock. “It’s important to note that although LBD may have been continually present and spreading, advances in disease awareness and increased testing, has confirmed the presence of LBD in different species of palms and across the state.” LBD has been confirmed in De Soto, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Manatee, Polk and Sarasota counties. The host palms confirmed with LBD in Hillsborough County include Pindo (Butia capitate), Chinese Fan (Livistona chinensis), Canary Island Date (Phoenix canariensis), Edible Date (Phoenix dactylifera), Wild Date (Phoenix sylvestris), Cabbage (Sabal palmetto) and Queen (Syagrus romanzoffiana) palm trees. Haddock noted awareness of LBD has increased through advances in training enabling professionals to recognize the disease, as well as increased sampling and testing improvements for more accurate diagnosis. “However, there is no cure for LBD and effective management involves removal of infected palms and preventative injection of the antibiotic oxytetracyline (OTC) into those palms that are not infected.” Immediate removal of infected palms is highly recommended to reduce the amount of time this source of phytoplasma exists in the environment. The longer it is left, the higher the probability further spread to other palms will occur. The initial symptoms of LBD vary. “However, if fruit is present, the first symptom is generally premature fruit drop,” said Haddock. “If fruit has not set but inflorescences are present, WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM


they may become necrotic.” She also noted that the reliability of symptom recognitions may be impacted by the age of the palm at the time of infection as well as pruning of symptomaticed leaves since “nobody like an untidy palm.” Removing brown leaves can also remove a visual symptom of LBD. “Sudden discoloration, bronzing or browning of the infected palms oldest leaves advances to young leaves,” she said. “The collapse of the spear (newest) leaf indicates the heart or bud is dead. Generally speaking, the infection to symptom development occurs over a period of four to five months, while symptom development to spear collapse happens over two to three months, but that varies among palm species. “Recommendations for preventing the disease include preventative injections of OTC every three to four months and

Additional information and visual aids on LBD are available by visiting the UF/IFAS Electronic Data Information Source (EDIS) at https://edis.ifas.fl.edu for the most current version of PP243, a publication of the Plant Pathology Department at UF/IFAS /Extension.

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sampling healthy-looking palms around infected palms as they can also test positive,” said Haddock. “Testing healthylooking palms can identify palms that are not infected and indicate starting the preventative injections. However, keep in mind that both testing and preventative injections are not a 100 percent guarantee that the palm will not become infected. Using UF/IFAS recommended fertilization and pruning practices are crucial to keeping palms healthy.”


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Florida

Sea Grapes By Sandy Sun, M.S. Clinical Medicines, B.S. Nutrition Science The sea grape is an evergreen tree that grows along the shores and sand dunes of South Florida. The fruit is not truly a grape, as we know the fruit, but refers to the spherical shape of the fruit that hangs in clusters from the branches. Sea grapes actually belong to the buckwheat family along with sorrel and rhubarb. Native to the Caribbean, sea grape is tolerant of both salt water and drought. In the United States, sea grape is found in Florida, Mississippi, and Hawaii. The sea grape is a popular ornamental tree in Florida because it provides shade, is easy to grow, and protects the elements from wind and stabilizes sand dunes. The fruit is edible and can be used to make wine and preserves. The grapes turn from green to a burgundy color when they ripen. They are in season between August and October. The taste is a mix of sweet, bright, and tart. In the middle of each fruit is a large inedible seed.

Nutritional Profile The nutritional value of sea grapes is limited, but thought to be similar to that of regular purple grapes. Grapes are considered a good source of vitamin C, vitamin A, dietary fiber, riboflavin, and potassium. The outer peel is entirely edible and contains most of the fiber in the fruit. Sea grapes also provide vitamin E, folate, iron, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus.

Antioxidants to fight disease Florida grapes are full of antioxidants including vitamin C, manganese, carotenoids, resveratrol, and other phytonutrients. The highest concentration of these beneficial compounds is found in the skin and seeds, and muscadine grapes may have more than other grape varieties. Antioxidants help protect the body’s cell membranes from harmful free radical damage and lower markers of oxidative stress. Very importantly, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of grapes offer protection against cancer. Resveratrol is a special phytonutrient that is believed to play a role in longevity. This compound has been positively linked

Antioxidants protect cell membranes from potential oxygen damage and inflammation. This decreases the risk for atherosclerosis and heart disease. Grapes, as well as grape juice and red wine, have been shown to play a role in reducing high blood pressure, reducing total and LDL cholesterol levels, decrease inflammation, and decrease clumping of platelets (which may help prevent blood clots). Grapes are considered an excellent source of manganese, an antioxidant that plays many important roles in the body. It helps keep bones strong, maintain normal blood sugar levels and proper functioning of the thyroid gland. Manganese also helps the body utilize other nutrients such as vitamin C, thiamin, choline, and biotin.

How to select and store Choose plump, firm sea grapes that feel heavy for their size and are still attached to the stem. Look for richly colored purple skin that is free of blemishes. Store grapes in a shallow container in the refrigerator. Rinse under cool running water before eating or preparing.

How to enjoy Sea grapes are delicious eaten out of hand when ripe. They can also be juiced or cooked into jelly or jam. Remove the inner seed, and add sea grapes to cereal, yogurt, or salad or use them to garnish and top cakes and desserts. Enjoy Florida’s delicious sea grapes today. In every juicy, sweet-tart bite is a load of great nutrition.

Selected References http://www.whfoods.com http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

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to inhibiting cancer, heart disease, and viral infections. Found in muscadine and other grape varieties, resveratrol may also have anti-microbial and anti-hypertensive properties.


How You Can Participate If you are interested in becoming a produce supplier for the UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County EFNEP program or participating in a class, please contact:

Renee Tungett

By Jack Payne

Jack Payne speaking at an event celebrating the 50th anniversary of EFNEP in Florida

There are folks who would be your customers if they only had a way to get to your food. Or the kitchen utensils to prepare it with. Or a $10 coupon to give them a taste of what you have to offer. It’s not your food that’s the problem. It’s the food system, the complicated ways the world works that impede the journey from your fields to a consumer’s fork. The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) addresses this on a global scale through research and computer modeling. But we also do it block by block in communities in Hillsborough County. Hillsborough County is a microcosm of the planet – lots of food produced alongside hungry or malnourished people. Getting food to the people who need it requires a whole system, not just one-offs and hand-outs. That approach relies on a network – and that’s where UF/ IFAS plays a key role. We know who to call. And people know to call us. That’s because we’ve been part of your community for so long. In fact, this year the UF/IFAS Extension’s Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) marked its 50th anniversary of serving Hillsborough County. It teaches low-income residents how to eat healthier, how to buy healthier, and how to cook healthier. It’s this group of residents, many of whom have no grocery store in their neighborhood nor a car to get to one outside their neighborhood, whom UF/IFAS helped convert into customers for Reneé Tungett. Tungett Produce and Citrus buys fruits and vegetables in Plant City and takes them to where people are, including the Ybor City Saturday Market and to a local technical college. Now, through EFNEP, she’s brought a produce aisle to the people who have trouble getting to a supermarket. Tungett sets up outside the nutrition education classes at Aparicio-Levy and Brewster technical colleges. The EFNEP students finish class, walk outside, and find tomatoes, peppers, jalapeños, cucumbers, eggplant, and more. None of it canned. Much of it grown in Hillsborough County, depending on the season. Because this happens eight weeks in a row, after each class, it’s habit-forming. People who had previously done little cooking turn into their family’s dinnertime heroes. People who believed they wouldn’t have a taste for certain greens have expanded their palate. And anecdotally, we see that after eight weeks of class and eating the fruits and vegetables that Tungett delivers, people are healthier.

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Those are the kind of results AdventHealth was hoping for in partnering with us in Hillsborough County. AdventHealth believes access to healthier options offers a path to greater community health. AdventHealth calls its partnership with UF/IFAS Extension EFNEP “Food is HealthSM.”

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Pamela Bradford Extension Agent/Nutrition Education Supervisor Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program UF/IFAS Hillsborough County Extension 5339 CR 579 Seffner, FL 33584 Phone: 813-744-5519, ext 54125 Email: pbradford@ufl.edu

For four years, the healthcare system has supported EFNEP by providing students with a $10 voucher for each week of class to spend on produce that gets delivered right to their classroom doors. EFNEP buys the students cutting boards, measuring cups, produce brushes, and refrigerator/freezer thermometers. EFNEP instructors under the supervision of EFNEP Extension agent Pam Bradford teach students to use their new kitchen tools. AdventHealth has also helped turn the program into a research project. By doing health screenings at the first and final classes and sharing data with UF/IFAS scientists, AdventHealth is helping us measure the program’s impact. Federal tax dollars fund EFNEP, and positive behavior and diet change of participants has been documented for decades. With the introduction of AdventHealth food vouchers, we at UF/IFAS, want to measure the effect the vouchers have on participants’ diets and not just assume an effect. The scientists are still crunching the numbers, but preliminary results support our belief that the Food is Health voucher program is working. After eight weeks of class and $10 a week to buy Tungett’s vegetables: • 50 percent of students have a decreased pulse rate; • 38 percent lowered their blood glucose levels; • 56 percent have a lower body mass index. Hillsborough County government’s proposed budget recognizes the value of EFNEP. It includes funding for UF/IFAS to hire three additional program assistants to teach nutrition classes. AdventHealth is focused on whole-person health and keeping the community well. The organization believes making healthier choices in the kitchen plays an important role in reducing the number of visits to emergency rooms. Advent Health needed a partner to get nutritious foods into homes, and UF/IFAS was its gateway. Stephen Gran, Hillsborough County Extension Director, knew just which vendor was mobile enough to both acquire the right food and bring it to the people who needed it. Because he sits on the board of the Ybor City Saturday Market, he was familiar with Tungett. Gran connected Tungett and EFNEP and AdventHealth, and the bridge from farm to fork formed. It’s how UF/IFAS is not just in the food business. It’s in the food system business. And more people are healthier -- and a produce business just a bit more profitable -- because of it. Jack Payne is the University of Florida’s senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources and leader of the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM


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2019 Community Water

Taylor Home Lynn Barber and Lisa Meredith, UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County

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

Hillsborough County, the winner is the landscape of Maryanne and Joe Velez. The two City of Tampa winners are Karen Taylor and Ingo Fochler.

The retention of existing trees and vegetation is evaluated, as are landscape design and plant selection. Stormwater runoff prevention techniques and use of efficient irrigation techniques are reviewed. Winning landscapes balance attractive design with plants, landscape elements and water efficient irrigation techniques that have a positive impact on our environment.

There are several elements of these landscapes that are positive examples of Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM water wise practices. These include the planting of drought-tolerant trees and plants, self-mulching areas under trees, groundcovers versus turfgrass utilized in all or several areas of the landscapes, plants selected that are appropriate for their site conditions, grouping of plants with similar water and maintenance needs, organic and alternative mulch was applied, pervious materials were used for paths, walkways and other areas. Each landscape had gutter downspouts and roof runoff directed onto mulched/planted areas. One landscape contained six rain barrels which were used to water landscape plants. Both thrive mainly on rainfall with minimal irrigation, were aesthetically pleasing, beautiful and inviting.

I’m pleased to announce the winners for the 2019 Community Water Wise Award Contest. For unincorporated

We were excited about Maryanne and Joe’s, Karen’s and Ingo’s commitment to water and environmental

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Wise Award Winners Velez Home

conservation, the use of native and non-native adaptive plants and their landscape designs which were completely different and amazing. As you can see from the photos, these landscapes are water wise and fascinating. With sixteen entries submitted this year, it was difficult selecting the 2019 Community Water Wise Award Winners. We hope each of you reading this article will consider entering the contest which you can do any time at: http:// tampabaywaterwise.org. The deadline for entries is June 30 each year, so you can complete an application now, submit it and get a head start on the 2020 contest! P.S. We already have one entry, so no time like the present, right?? For assistance with horticultural questions, call us at 813-744-5519 or visit us at the UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL 33584. More gardening information is available at: http://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/hillsborough/ as well as our calendar of events listing all upcoming educational opportunities. You may also want to view our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/HCFFL/. Remember to reduce, reuse, recycle and repeat.

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Fochler Home


When you’re pregnant, there are so many questions. WHERE TO HAVE YOUR BABY shouldn’t be one of them. Which car seat? What stroller? And oh, the discussions about the name. With so many questions surrounding a new baby, we want to give you one definitive and easy answer. The hospital you choose. At BayCare’s South Florida Baptist Hospital, we have exceptional doctors and nurses to give you and your new baby an extraordinary level of care during labor and delivery, in a comfortable, spacious room. If you’re expecting, or thinking about having a baby, come in and see for yourself. Take a tour of South Florida Baptist Hospital and sign up for one of our free prenatal classes. Visit SouthFloridaBaptistMaternity.org to register.

OUR MATERNITY CENTERS:

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SALUTE TO AGRICULTURE THE GREATER PLANT CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AGRI-BUSINESS COMMITTEE IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THIS YEAR’S AGRICULTURE AWARD WINNERS. BY Jim Frankowiak “We are pleased to be able to recognize these outstanding individuals and businesses. Their contributions make a significant difference to the agriculture industry in Plant City and Hillsborough County.” Committee Co-Chair Gayle Yanes said. AGRICULTURIST OF THE YEAR GREG SHIVER Greg was raised in Kathleen, north of Lakeland. He became interested in agriculture while participating in various FFA activities thru junior high and high school at Lake Gibson. During high school his Ag teacher encouraged him to participate in forestry, ornamental horticulture judging teams and SAE Projects. One of the projects was to grow plants for the sale at the Polk County Youth Fair. The man that bought his plants at that sale actually became his employer and mentor during his senior year of high school. While employed at that nursery and landscape company, Greg began to realize that he wanted to pursue Horticulture as a career. He began looking at educational opportunities in horticulture. The owner was an alumnus at Florida Southern College and encouraged Greg to take a look at the horticulture program they offered. Greg visited the campus that summer and received a scholarship from the Florida Nurseryman and Growers Association (FNGA) and Florida Southern Citrus Alumni. Greg entered Florida Southern in 1984 and realized wholesale production was what he really wanted to do long term. He started a small tree farm in North Lakeland and began working in production at a local grower that same year. While attending college full time he grew his tree farm and worked his way into a production manager position for that grower. Upon graduation in 1988 with a B.S Horticulture/Business, he moved into the General Manager position for the same grower. While there he was able to serve in various officer positions and eventually served as President for the Lake Region Chapter FNGLA. He was also blessed to help with the Polk County Youth Fair Plant Show.

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In 1994 Greg was offered a General Manager position for a start up nursery operation in Dover. He moved to Dover and began to help grow and establish what is now J &R Nursery, LLC. Not long after moving to Dover Greg became involved in The Tampa Bay FNGLA chapter and Tampa Bay Wholesale Growers Association (TBWG). He was invited to attend and help support the Strawberry Festival Youth Plant Show and Auction and came away with a great impression of how well the Plant City area supported their youth agricultural activities. Greg was enlisted to volunteer the next year and has been involved ever since. He is currently serving as Co- Chairman of the Strawberry Festival Youth Plant show and auction. Greg has served in various offices and committees for both organizations and is a Past President of both Tampa Bay FNGLA and

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TBWG. He has also served on committees for IFAS Extension and SWFMD Green Industry Advisory Board. Greg was blessed to meet his wife Jennifer while attending Florida Southern College; she has been a constant support for over 28 years. Jennifer has a masters degree in counseling and serves in the Hillsborough County school system at Brandon Epic currently. They have two sons, Clayton, who is in college, and serves in the Air Force Reserves at MacDill and Samuel, who is a freshman at Strawberry Crest High School. They are all members of First Baptist Church of Plant City where they attend and serve. Jennifer and Greg are also founders of Truth and Grace Ministries. AG EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR JEMY WEST HINTON, UF EXTENSION EDUCATOR – RETIRED Jemy is a life long Floridian. Her father was a WWII Army Air Corps veteran flight surgeon, later, Mayor of Lakeland, and her mother was a nurse and college educator. As a child, her first introduction to Florida agriculture was through 4-H. She majored in agriculture at UF and Natural Sciences at Florida Southern College. She later worked on her MS at the University of Florida College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Jemy worked at the Hillsborough County Extension Service for about 14 years, charged with various tasks including assisting farmers with pesticide training and certification and then as a 4-H Agent. As part of her 4-H programming, Jemy had the honor of helping Judi Whitson launch the Hillsborough County Ag Venture program. It was during her tenure at Extension that Jemy first served on the board of directors of the Hillsborough County Farm Bureau. A post she continued to fill off and on for more than 20 years. Jemy left Extension to accept a position with the newly formed Ecosystem Management Program at the Department of Environmental Protection Southwest District. For 10 years she served as the department’s Agriculture Liaison, assisting farmers with navigating the confusing permitting process. During this time, Jemy served on dozens of committees and task forces, including the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, the Hillsborough River Board Technical Advisory Committee, the Hillsborough River Greenways Task Force, Hillsborough River, Peace River, Withlacoochee River and Lake Wales Ridge Comprehensive Surface Water Management committees of SWFWMD, team permitting and many more. Working with the Hillsborough County Ag Economic Development Council, Jemy coordinated DEP’s involvement in the state’s first Florida Whole Farm Plan. When the Florida Watershed Restoration Act was passed, Jemy started working with farms and dairies to utilize water WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM


quality and water quantity best management initiatives. With the knowledge gained while working at DEP, Jemy accepted a position with the University of Florida’s Ag Best Management Practices (BMP) program contracted by the Florida Department of Agriculture. This program provides participating farmers with a presumption of compliance with state water quality and water quantity regulations by implementing voluntary BMPs. During the next 12 years, Jemy visited hundreds of growers, enrolled hundred of farms and made countless presentations at meetings throughout central Florida. To date, Jemy has nominated nine Commissioner of Agriculture Environmental Leadership Award winners.

school system and graduated magna cum laude from Memphis State University in 1981 with a BA in history. Through his teen years he lettered in football, track and cross country, but in 1973 the passion of his life became his relationship with Jesus Christ. Early on it was not his intention to vocationally become a Christian minister. Tommy had his sights set on doing a specialized education and owning his own business.

Throughout her career, Miss Jemy, as her farmer’s call her, always had the best interest of farmers at heart and has been tireless at her efforts to resolve issues with farm environmental management.

In 1980 First Baptist Church of Plant City invited him to serve as a Summer Youth Minister, and he was invited back to serve full time in a Youth and Recreation capacity in January of 1981. In the fall of 1981 Tommy left Plant City to pursue his Master of Religious Education degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. While there he worked for the Seminary and then for the Park Tower Baptist Church in Plano, TX. He was ordained in 1983 and in 1984 an invitation came for the third time to return to First Baptist Church and serve as their Youth and College Pastor. Tommy served in that capacity for just over 20 years and then made the change to Associate Pastor and Young Adults. Tommy has served just over 35 years at First Baptist on his third time.

AGRI-BUSINESS OF THE YEAR GROVE EQUIPMENT SERVICE, INC Grove Equipment Service, Inc. is a third-generation family owned business established by Bob McKeeman in 1971. Ownership has been passed through the generations, including David and Robby McKeeman. The Plant City and Bartow based company has become a leader in providing high quality equipment, a large inventory of parts and personalized services to customers throughout Central Florida. Grove Equipment is a full line dealer for Massey Ferguson and Mahindra tractors, along with a wide array of other agricultural and lawn and garden items. They additionally offer complete Ag and turf equipment services to meet your needs. Grove Equipment has been a longtime supporter of Florida FFA. The partnership has been monumental in supporting the mission of the FFA Foundation and Leadership Training Center. The Mahindra Tractors leased from Grove Equipment for use at the FFA center help with maintenance, upkeep and beautification projects for over 15 years. In addition, Grove Equipment provides tractors and volunteers to judge FFA tractor driving competitions. In recognition of the support to the Florida FFA, Grove Equipment Service, Inc. was honored with the 2019 Florida FFA Distinguished Service Citation. A supporter of the agricultural community, Grove Equipment supports community events such as the Florida Strawberry Festival, Polk County Ranch Rodeo and the Hillsborough County Fair, where they provide equipment and sponsor events such as dairy competitions. They additionally provide tractors to Ag Abilities, a program that helps physically challenged youth, and have sponsored the Plant City Christmas parade for over 10 years. Grove Equipment’s community support reaches many and the Plant City Chamber of Commerce is excited to honor Grove Equipment Service with the 2019 Agribusiness of the Year award. SUPPORTER OF YOUT IN AGRICULTURE THOMAS M. (TOMMY) WARNOCK, JR. Tommy is 61 years old. He is an only child born in a blue collar family in Memphis, TN. He grew up in the Memphis public

YOUNG AGRICULTURIST OF THE YEAR DENNIS CARLTON, JR. Dennis Jr. currently manages the southern portion of the family agriculture business, Carlton and Carlton Ranch. These consist of cattle operations in five counties. He is in a cattle partnership with brotherin-law, Patrick Thomas, in Hillsborough and Polk counties. Dennis received his degree in Business Finance from the University of South Florida, along with his real estate license listed with his father’s firm Mid State Realty. Dennis is married to Sara Beth Carlton and has a daughter Anna Kate. He attends First Free Will Baptist Church of Seffner. Dennis’s family resides in Dover on agricultural land currently leased for strawberry production. He currently serves as President of Hillsborough County Farm Bureau and serves on the Farm Credit Advisory Committee. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

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In January of 1982 Tommy married a Plant City native and the love of his life, Pam Connell Warnock and they have been married 37 years. In 1985 their son Trey was born and in 1989 their daughter Brooke. Both Brooke and Trey were very active in agricultural classes and in the National FFA Organization and both earned undergraduate degrees from the University of Florida in Agriculture. Brooke currently works at Plant City High School as a Success Coach and is completing her Masters in Christian Studies from Southeastern Seminary. Trey went on to get his Master of Science in Beef Cattle Science from Florida and do PhD work at Texas A&M. Trey is currently with the Amarillo Brokerage Company specializing in agricultural risk management and commodity investments. Tommy loves his ministry through the First Baptist Church and he loves Plant City as well. He is active in our area schools, sports and agriculture, serving and speaking as much as possible. He says that it is his passion to help our city’s young men and women become the best that God created them to be.


A CHANGE OF SEASONS! by John Dicks A change of seasons is upon us! Yes, it’s still hot; very hot! No, autumn doesn’t officially begin until September 23rd. It’s the day on which we have an equal number of hours for daylight and night (at least if you’re standing on the equator), and hence the name of Equinox. Nonetheless, when you’ve lived here awhile, you just know that mid to late August each year we start feeling the changes. People start getting serious, moving a bit faster, paying more attention to things. A lot of it has to do with two seasons. One is the start of strawberry season; the other season is signaled by the start of another school year! August marks the month that both get geared up. Strawberry growers are already shaping their fields, getting things ready to pull plastic and plant plants. According to the Florida Strawberry Growers Association, the area in and around Plant City is the home to more than 11,000 acres of strawberries. The millions of plants growing in those thousands of acres produce 15% of our nation’s strawberries and provide essentially all of the ones grown and enjoyed in the winter. With the 20 million flats packed each year, our area’s strawberry crop provides an economic impact on our community of more than $700 million. Such tremendous production makes it no wonder we in Plant City proudly proclaim our fair town to be the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World! Regarding that other “season” we are entering, yes, school is back in session! For kids learning in both Hillsborough and Polk counties, the ringing of the bell started on August 12. That seems

so awfully early to get going with some three weeks before Labor Day! Of course it’s been that way for years now, but still it looks to bite into summer sooner than many young brains can startup the synapses for some serious studying. Then again, since Florida mandates a school year of 180 days, you’ve got to get started early even if it is “hotter than blue blazes” out on the playground. When you’re a kid in Florida, there’s basically only two seasons to the year (and one has nothing to do with strawberries). It’s either school season, or it’s summer. Neither particularly has much to do with the weather. It’s just a state of mind. You’re either studying, or you’re dreaming. Sometimes, of course, the two do get mixed up. The thing about school, though, is that it has a significant effect on all of us, even those of us who are no longer officially in the system. Even the workplace seems to get more serious when school starts up. More than anything else which stood out to me this year was the number I read as the average amount spent per family on “back to school” stuff. I call it stuff since it contains items of every kind, including not just pens, pencils, and erasers, but also backpacks, computers and tablets. For the past 17 years, the National Retail Federation has been tracking and studying the spending habits of families with children heading back to school. Total spending by families with children in grades K-12 is expected to total $26.2 billion! That’s a lot of crayons and markers that are filling shopping carts. Today’s list, though, is long, including not only notebooks, folders, paper and No. 2 pencils, but today’s parents more often than not are also packing into the backpacks a big bottle of hand sanitizer as well. It’s a sure sign that, like the song Bob Dylan used to sing, “the times, they are a changin”!

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

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E n d a n g e r e d S p e c i es

Save the Slithery Scarers:

EASTERN INDIGO SNAKE By Ginny Mink

Snakes get a bad rap. In fact, they are generally about as well liked as spiders. In Florida, we have a plethora of these slithery scarers (not a real word but sounded good to us). And while many people would be perfectly happy to see a decrease in their numbers, anytime the decline of a species occurs, our world deteriorates. Such is the case of the Eastern Indigo Snake. At first glance, you might be tempted to think that this snake looks just like the black racers that hang out all over Florida. However, there are some significant differences between these two snakes. The black racer, of course, gains part of its name from its speed. Eastern Indigo snakes, on the other hand, are actually quite slow moving comparatively. And, because they are a threatened species, the likelihood of you having seen one is quite improbable. Black racers have white chins and are relatively skinny while Eastern Indigos are stocky and usually have red or orange on their chins.¹ These snakes are the largest native snakes we have in Florida and in the United States as a whole. In fact, they can grow to almost nine feet in length. They can be found throughout south and central Florida, but they are more likely to be discovered in northern Florida in sandhill habitats. They don’t appear to be big fans of wetlands. But, for the sake of their life cycle they actually need a variety of habitats. In the winter they have to find shelter and can be found coexisting with gopher tortoises within the tortoises’ burrow. But they are also known to seek refuge in hollow logs and the burrows of land crabs, rodents, and armadillos.² The Eastern Indigo is nonvenomous. Their diets consist of toads, frogs, lizards, small alligators, turtles and their eggs, small mammals, and birds. Between November and April, they breed, and then they nest between May and August. Female Eastern Indigos can lay up to 12 eggs a year and those eggs hatch 90 days after they are laid. Eggs are usually placed in gopher tortoise burrows. Scientists believe that these snakes may be capable of asexual reproduction, or that females can defer fertilization by retaining the sperm.³ As stated previously, the Eastern Indigo is nonvenomous. In fact, these snakes rarely bite people. They will, of course, bite enemies, prey, and each other when they are in the midst of aggressive male versus male competition. Because they are not constrictors, they must use their muscular jaws and sheer size to overpower their prey, which they consume head first. Eastern Indigos eat all venomous snake species native to Florida and the Southeastern US. This makes them incredibly valuable. And, though they could get bitten by these venomous snakes, biologists have determined that they might be mostly immune to rattlesnake venom.⁴

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Habitat destruction, degradation, and fragmentation are the main threats to the continued existence of the Eastern Indigo snake. Urban development is to blame for the majority of the habitat issues these beneficial snakes are experiencing. The more fragmented habitats become, the less ability these areas

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have to support viable populations of Eastern Indigo snakes. Additionally, people who hunt for rattlesnakes in gopher tortoise burrows often kill these snakes needlessly. Thankfully, these snakes have been protected under the Federal Endangered Species Act as a Federally-designated Threatened species.³ The scientific name for the Eastern Indigo is Drymarchon corais couperi. That first word, drymarchon, means forest ruler. This is a suitable name for these snakes because they are at the top of the food chain in their native habitats. So, losing them is creating significant biodiversity issues. For this reason, Alabama is focusing on restoration of its longleaf pine forests so that they can reintroduce the Eastern Indigo there. They believe that returning the Eastern Indigo to their state will “restore a piece of the natural history of the state.”⁴ Obviously the scientists there are not underestimating the value of these native snakes. Though we understand that many people are creeped out by snakes and would prefer they were all gone from the planet, it is important to understand that every species was initially placed here by the Creator. He always has a plan and a purpose for what He does. Therefore, maintaining the well being and existence of all animal and plant species is part of our jobs as stewards of this great earth. If you want to know how to get more involved in animal and plant life conservation efforts, we suggest contacting the Florida Wildlife Federation at (850) 656 7113.

Resources: ¹Evans, P. & Carnevale, S. (2018). Commonly Confused Snakes in Central Florida. UF|IFAS Blogs. http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/ polkco/2018/04/26/commonly-confused-snakes-in-central-florida/ ²National Park Service. (2017). Eastern Indigo Snake: Species Profile. https://www.nps.gov/ever/learn/nature/easternindigosnake.htm ³Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Eastern Indigo Snake- Drymarchon corais couperi. https://myfwc. com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/reptiles/snakes/eastern-indigo-snake/ ⁴Fish and Wildlife Service. Eastern Indigo Snake Fact Sheet. https://www.fws.gov/panamacity/resources/EasternIndigoSnakeFactSheet.pdf Photo credits: Braindamaged217. (2009). Indigo. (Flickr). https://flic.kr/ p/6LQ7d1 Florida Fish and Wildlife. (2010). Eastern Indigo Snake. (Flickr). https://flic.kr/p/dyxdkJ Peterson, Charles (Chuck). (2016). Captive Eastern Indigo Snake. (Flickr). https://flic.kr/p/22Q1m5v WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM


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s e p i c e R

Courtesy of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Chef Justin Timineri

Florida Guacamole q Ingredients q 2 Florida avocados, pit removed and mashed 1 Florida tomato, diced small 2 Florida Key limes, juiced ¼ red onion, diced small 2 tablespoon fresh cilantro, roughly chopped ½ teaspoon cumin Several dashes hot sauce (optional) Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

PREPARATION Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl and stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Veggie Stuffed Florida Mushrooms q Ingredients q 24 medium-sized Florida mushroom caps, rinsed and stems removed 1 cup Florida zucchini, finely diced ½ cup Florida onion, finely diced ½ cup radish, finely chopped ½ cup breadcrumbs ½ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped 3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese 1 egg 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

PREPARATION

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Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 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.

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By Ginny Mink

Ornamental Gardening in Florida If you have traveled any distance with us on the Literary Time Machine, you will undoubtedly have discovered our appreciation for the sarcasm often found in Mr. Torrey-Simpson’s writings. So, this month we would like to look at a couple of those entries. Feel free to join us on this voyage as we continue through his chapter on exotic vines and creepers. First, we’ll stop at the Lapageria. It’s not so much that he is sarcastic about this plant, but rather he suggests that we figure out how to get it to grow in Florida. In fact, he writes, “Lapageria. A single species called Chilean bellflower of great beauty which is not, so far as I know, cultivated here but it should be tried in the upper part of the state.”¹ According to Far Reaches Farm, it will grow here up to zone 9.² So, we aren’t sure why he didn’t have any more experience with the plant. Further research revealed that it is the national flower of Chile. Lapageria flowers in late summer and fall. Their flowers are pendant shaped, large, and waxy in texture and appearance. Colors are typically red but they can also be found in pink and white varieties.² Having looked at the picture, these seem familiar to us, so we suspect that at some point someone took Mr. Torrey-Simpson’s advice and introduced these plants to Florida. For the sake of our introduction on his sarcasm, we bring to you the passiflora. “Passion flower. P. edulis from Brazil with white and purple flowers produces fruit that may be eaten if one has nothing else to do. It is occasionally grown up the state.”¹ It is obvious, here, that he was not a fan of passion fruit. Which we thought was rather interesting since we’d always thought people liked it, never having tried it ourselves. So, we wondered why he felt like eating it was a way to waste time rather than an enjoyable endeavor. According to P. Allen Smith, passion fruit doesn’t ripen on the vine. You have to wait for it to fall off before it can be eaten. An expert he spoke with advised that they get sweeter as they wrinkle.³ It seems probable to us, that Mr. Torrey-Simpson didn’t know this about them and possibly tried eating them straight off the vine. No doubt that would have been an unpleasant experience. In the next entry, he takes credit for introducing the Pithecotenium aubleti. He pens, “Pithecotenium aubleti is a high climbing vine which I introduced from Cuba, with handsome, trumpet-shaped, white and straw flowers, followed by great brown capsules covered with warts.”¹ That last part of the description makes us wonder what in the world he’s talking about and whether this ended up being a detrimental plant here.

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We tried to dive deeper into this plant, but there’s nothing by that name out there. We have run into this problem before in his writings, so we were forced to assume the name

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was changed to: Pithecellobium abarema. Even so, the only information we could find was based on a 1981 volume of the Journal of the Arnold Arboretum published by Harvard. So, the best we can determine is that some of these plants were used for their wood, and there’s still a lot of debate over what to actually call them.⁴ As for the warty capsules? No clue! But definitely feel free to share with us if you find something out! As a final sarcastic touch, we want to be critical of his next suggestion: Kudzu. He’s not sarcastic in his description but knowing what we do about this invasive species we definitely could have some interesting retorts to his introduction. He writes, “A rampant growing member of the bean family which is excellent for quickly covering buildings or any unsightly thing. The dark flowers are odd and striking.”¹ While he thinks it’s excellent for covering unsightly things, UF says, “This invasive vine has taken over entire tracts of land seemingly overnight.”⁵ They add that it smothers everything in its path, trees included. In fact, they say it needs to be totally eradicated. Thanks to people like Mr. Torrey-Simpson, who didn’t know better at the time, “Today kudzu covers about two million acres in the south…”⁵ Mr. Torrey-Simpson often introduces us to cool plants, but there are other times he reveals his contribution to the spread of invasive species. Of course, he didn’t know what these plants were capable of nearly a hundred years ago. Perhaps we should let that be a reminder to us as we consider adding new plants to our areas; we don’t know what they will be up to a hundred years from now. So, until next time, happy and safe gardening! 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. 185-186). ²Far Reaches Farm. Lapageria rosea. https://www.farreachesfarm.com/Lapageria-rosea-p/p3222.htm ³Smith, P. Allen. (2015). Is Passion Fruit Edible? https://pallensmith.com/2015/04/03/is-passion-fruit-edible/ ⁴Cassens, D. & Miller, B. (1981). Wood Anatomy of the New World Pithecellobium. Journal of the Arnold Arboretum, volume 62, number 4. https://archive.org/stream/mobot31753003542161/ mobot31753003542161_djvu.txt ⁵UF|IFAS. Kudzu. UF|IFAS Gardening Solutions. http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/weeds-and-invasive-plants/ kudzu.html Photo Credits: Basil, Ashley. (2018). Lapageria looking good. (Flickr). https:// flic.kr/p/2bds2DL Sarowen. (2006). Passion Vine. (Flickr). https://flic.kr/p/Gi8bc Seeds, Clinton. (2009). Kudzu Bloom. (Flickr). https://flic.kr/ p/89kNxH WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM


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A Closer LookAmazing Activities Naturally

by Sean Green

Portable Toilet

Camping is a great experience for many of us. The challenge of surviving even a few nights without our modern creature comforts is part of the thrill. There are certain creature comforts for which there is simply no compromise, the most common of which is a toilet. Many campgrounds have facilities to accommodate our urban conditioning to make the camping experience more agreeable, but there are situations in which urban comforts will not be available. National forests for example, or worse, a natural disaster like a strong storm or hurricane. In these situations, it is good to have backup plan. This month we are making a very simple portable toilet that can be used to make backwoods primitive camping a little more comfortable and can be kept for use if any of our Florida storms force us out of our comfort zone.

Supplies: 5-gallon bucket Small trash bag Cat Litter (recommended but not required) Toilet paper Knife Swim Noodle Production: • Cut a small wedge out of the noodle so it will clamp onto the side of the 5-gallon bucket. • Cut a slit out of the bucket handle bracket (so toilet paper roll can easily be changed.) • Pop one side of the bucket handle out and thread a toilet paper onto the handle, replace handle to the bracket. • Place a small garbage bag into the 5-gallon bucket and add a little bit of cat litter. • Press the swimming noodle onto the edge of the bucket for a comfortable cushiony seat.

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If you are camping, remember to pack your waste out with you just as if were trash. Human feces takes about a year to biodegrade, can be an environmental hazard. If the trash bag is tied tightly, it will be sanitary and will not produce foul odors.

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A Closer Look

by Sean Green

Azalea Caterpillar (Datana major)

I went hiking in the Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area in Hernando County recently to check out some of central Florida’s caves. In hopes of discovering new caves, we got off the beaten path and saw quite a lot of wildlife. Though our trip was not centered upon finding any specific species, we had hoped to find a Hickory Horned Devil caterpillar (Citheronia regalis) or at least a Giant Swallowtail Caterpillar (Papilio cresphontes) because…. well, the larvae look like bird droppings and adults are the largest butterfly in North America, two cool factors that make finding these caterpillars worth the effort. Though we did not find any of the caterpillars we would have liked to see, we were a little surprised to find what appeared to be Azalea caterpillars (Datana major). When I hear talk of Azalea, it’s usually in terms of a prized ornamental plant someone is trying to keep alive. I do not know much about the plants, but caterpillars in the Datana genus are easily recognized and kind of a big deal. This month we will take a closer look at the Datana caterpillar, commonly known as the Azalea caterpillar. You might find them in your own back yard if you grow Azalea, or any of the alternative host plants these critters like to eat.

can strip the host plant clean of its leaves seemingly overnight. Although this rarely kills the host plant it can slow its growth and is certainly unsightly for anyone that cherishes azaleas.

The Azalea caterpillar is a member of the Notodontidae family of moths, commonly known as “Prominent” or “Back Tooth” moths; a family that consists of around 3,500 species. These moths are medium-sized nocturnal moths and are generally pretty drab in color, typically shades of gray, olive green, tan or brown. Some may have black spots or streaks, but moths in this family are not particularly visually stunning. These moths can be found worldwide but most are found in the new world tropics. This species scientific name Notodontidae translates to back(not) tooth (odont), the back-tooth moth because of a prominent tuft of hair on the back edge of the four wings that tends to stick up, resembling a tooth when the adult moth is at rest with its wings in a tent shape.

Physically removing the caterpillars from the plant is always my preference over toxins, however this species feed in very large groups and hand removal may not be practical. It’s important to remember the natural enemies that help control these caterpillars in the wild live in the leaf litter and soil. When we grow the host plant in our gardens and homes we may inadvertently disturb the habitat these natural enemies need to survive when we mulch and rake the soil to keep our gardens neat. Again, natural enemies are not always a viable solution because when the food source (caterpillars) diminish, so do the natural enemies until the food source becomes abundant enough to repopulate the natural enemies. A popular alternative to just letting nature take its course is the use of the microbial insecticide BT which is the bacteria (Bacillus thuringiensis), commonly marketed as a control agent for caterpillars because it is less likely to effect beneficial insects as much as popular toxins.

The adult moths do not feed and remain alive only long enough to mate. Once mated adult female moths lay their eggs on the underside of the host plants leaves in clutches of up to 100 eggs. For most of the United States the species has only one generation per year, however, in Florida’s tropical climate we can see two or more generations per year, the most prominent populations occur throughout North America between July and October. The caterpillars, rather than the adult moth, are what makes this species a big deal. When the eggs hatch the tiny caterpillars emerge and immediately begin to feed on the leaves of their host plant Azalia and it is their eating habits that make this species so remarkable. For the first few instars, the young caterpillars only skeletonized the leaves, but as they grow, they will need more nutrition to prepare for pupation and begin to eat the entire leaf. This may not seem like a big deal if you are imagining a few caterpillars on your plant, however, unlike many other caterpillars, the azalea caterpillars do not wander around as individuals, but rather, feed on the host plant as a group and consequently

Another solution, (and one of my favorites) is the use of Diatomaceous Earth. It is non-toxic because it is little more than the fossilized exoskeletons of microscopic diatoms, a single cell algae that is distinguished as being the only organism on our planet with cell walls composed of silica. This is effective because silica is a quartz-like compound that is as sharp as glass. Diatomaceous earth works by literally cutting the insect from the bottom side as it walks across the tiny shards of silica. Take a closer look at your garden this month, as we move into most active period for the Azalea caterpillar. If spotted in time you have a good chance of saving your Azalea during the next couple months that we should see large populations of this caterpillar. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

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Although these caterpillars prefer to feed on Azalea they are known to also feed on blueberries, apple trees, red oak, witch hazel, crabapple and sumac. The caterpillars are easy to recognize, though their appearance changes slightly as the caterpillar grows. The younger caterpillars are reddish brown in color and have yellow stripes along the length of its body. In the latter stages of the caterpillar’s development it will grow to be two inches long and its coloration will change to black with yellow or white stripes and a red head. A fun characteristic of these caterpillars that can easily be observed is their group defensive posture. When they feel threatened, they assume a defensive posture by arching their back into a c shape, not just one caterpillar, but the entire group of caterpillars will assume this defensive posture and it can be quite entertaining to watch. They do not sting and can safely be touched or handled for mechanical removal from the host plant.


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Vegetable Gardens as an Addition to Your Landscape Lynn Barber, Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM Agent, UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County Nicole Pinson, Urban Horticulture Agent and Master Gardener Program Coordinator, UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County

Governor DeSantis approved Senate Bill 82 regarding residential vegetable gardens. This law is in effect as of July 1, 2019 and prohibits county, municipality or other political subdivisions from regulating vegetable gardens on residential properties. As per terms used in Florida Statutes 201.24, political subdivision is defined to include counties, cities, towns, villages, special tax school districts, special road and bridge districts, bridge districts, and all other districts in this state. See Florida Statutes 88.6011 at https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/ Statutes/2011/88.6011.

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This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office and was prepared by: Community Affairs Committee (CA).

The purpose of this article is to clarify to whom this does and does not apply. Based on our interpretation and a legal review, this legislation only speaks to local city and county ordinances that may address vegetable gardens. It does not address or affect homeowner association (HOA) or potential Community Development District (CDD) restrictions that may be present. HOA/ CDD restrictions would still be enforceable. CDDs are not specifically designated as political subdivisions in that statute.

CS/SB 82 prohibits a county, municipality, or other political subdivision of the state from regulating vegetable gardens on residential properties. Any local ordinance or regulation regarding vegetable gardens on residential properties is void and unenforceable. The bill

Many people will read this law and think it also applies to them as homeowner association residents and assume they can plant vegetable gardens in their landscapes. Note that the law prohibits county, municipality or other political subdivisions from regulating vegetable

----CS/SB 82 — Vegetable Gardens by Rules Committee and Senator Bradley

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provides an exception for local ordinances or regulations of a general nature that do not specifically regulate vegetable gardens, including, but not limited to, regulations and ordinances relating to water use during drought conditions, fertilizer use, or control of invasive species. The bill defines the term “vegetable garden” as a plot of ground where herbs, fruits, flowers, or vegetables are cultivated for human consumption.

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gardens on residential properties. CDDs are not specifically designated as political subdivisions in that statute. However, the language makes no mention of HOAs, deed restrictions, etc. If you live in a deed restricted community, please check your deed restrictions before planting a vegetable garden or when making other changes to your landscape. It may be easier and more economical to ask permission than to remove, replace or attempt to defend the changes you made. Follow the procedures in your HOA by completing the forms required, schedule to meet with your Homeowner Association or Architectural Review Board and present your case.

brary plant clinics and our monthly compost, microirrigation and rainwater harvesting workshops. You can access our website and calendar of events at: http:// sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/hillsborough/upcoming-events/.

If you have questions regarding this information, please feel free to contact our office, UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL 33584, 813-744-5519. The Bette S. Walker Discovery Garden in our courtyard is open during business hours and can provide you with ideas you may want to implement in your home landscape. We have a perennial garden behind our office that is charming, too. We hope you will be able to stop by, attend programs at our liINTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

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NEWS BRIEFS FFB Seeks State Advisory Committee Nominations Florida Farm Bureau is seeking nominations for its State Advisory Committee. Nominees should be familiar with the commitment to serve and importance to FFB policy development and the implementation process when considering this opportunity. Access to the nominee application is available at: https://floridafarmbureau.formstack.com/forms/advisorycommittee_ nomination_2020. The deadline for nominations is August 30. Crop Advising Award Nominations Sought Nominations for the 2019 Excellence in Crop Advising Award are being sought by Florida Farm Bureau, in partnership with the Florida Certified Crop Advisors Board of Directors. Together, these two organizations sponsor this award which recognizes an individual who has performed outstanding service for farmer clients in nutrient, soil and water and integrated pest management, as well as crop production. The award winner will receive a $500 cash prize and plaque presented at Florida Farm Bureau’s annual meeting. The deadline for submissions is September 6 and access to the nomination form is available at: https://floridafarmbureau.formstack.com/forms/2019_excellence_in_crop_advising_award_nomination_form. FBGA Creates Hall of Fame The Florida Blueberry Growers Association (FBGA) has established the Florida Blueberry Hall of Fame and named the first five honorees, distinguished leaders who have made significant contributions to the Florida blueberry industry. The Blueberry Hall of Fame display will be located at the Straughn Professional Development Center at the University of Florida in Gainesville. The inaugural class of honorees includes Dr. Paul Lyrene of Gainesville, Mr. Jimmy Miller of Interlachen, Dr. Alto Straughn of Archer, the late Prof. Ralph Sharpe formerly of Gainesville and Mr. Ken Patterson of Ocala. The celebration will take place October 24 at the Mission Inn Resort and Club located in Howey-in-the-Hills.

Ag Labor Relations Forum Sept. 11-13 The annual Ag Labor Relations Forum is set for September 11-13 in Orlando. Topics include Wage & Hour compliance, Ag Housing, government audits, I-9 compliance and a half-day session on the basics of the H-2A program. More information is available at https://www.floridafarmbureau.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-forum-registration-packet-1. pdf Watch the Gators v. the Volunteers September 21 Tickets, starting at $50, are now available for the football game September 21 pitting the Gators against the Tennessee Volunteers. This is Florida Farm Bureau Day with the Florida Gators. The link to buy tickets is https://fevo.me/ffbgators19. Questions may be directed to Group Sales Representative Megan Conlon, 352/692-6406, or email: meganco@gators. ufl.edu. Glyphosate in Beer Beer is the 3rd most consumed beverage in the world after water and tea. A consumer watchdog group, U.S. PIRG, recently issued a report noting the presence of glyphosate in popular beer and wine brands it had sampled. Glyphosate is the main ingredient in Roundup. However, the German Federal Institute for Risk Management determined you’d have to drink 2,800, 12-ounce servings of beer in one day to even approach the risk level for glyphosate. For more information, visit: https://www.firstkey.com/glyphosate-in-beer/. Water Management District Reducing Risk of Wildfires The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) is setting prescribed fires in controlled areas in the Lower Hillsborough Flood Detention Area (LHFDA) to help reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control. These prescribed fires will take place through August in the area south of Cross Creek Boulevard between U.S. Highway 301 and Morris Bridge Road near Thonotosassa. Approximately 300-acres will be burned in small, manageable units.

Cattlewomen’s College Set for October 11 The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) South Florida Beef Forage group is hosting a “Cattlewomen’s College: Cattle Management for Women” October 11 at the Highlands County Fairgrounds in Sebring.

U.S. DOT Wants Public Comment on Ag Commodity Definitions The U. S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is seeking public comment on revising agricultural commodity or livestock definitions in hours-of-service (HOS) regulations. The agency is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide clarity to U.S. farmers and commercial drivers.

Classes begin at 9 a.m. and will conclude at 4 p.m. Some of the topics include Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) and health, cattle processing, nutrition, forages and financial management. “Tuition” is $30 for the one-day event.

Additional information on the advanced rule, including how to submit comments to the Federal Register docket, is available at: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-service/ hours-service-drivers-definition-agricultural-commodity.

The link to sign up is: https://cattlewomenscollege.eventbrite.com.

FCC Launching Precision Ag Connectivity Task Force The Federal Communications Commission is forming a new task force to advise the commission on how to ensure farmers and ranchers have the connectivity they need to use and benefit from precision agriculture.

Ag Patrol Deputy Offers Advice Collier County Sheriff’s Sargent David Estes has advice for farmers and ranchers regarding rural property crime and basic steps for protecting against theft of equipment, supplies and fuel. He’s on FFB’s News line at https://www.floridafarmbureau.org/newsline/. Website Provides Mosquito Control Information The UF/IFAS Center for Public Issues Education (PIE) has launched a website as part of a multi-faceted communication campaign to increase awareness of mosquito control in Florida. The website, www.preventmosquitoes.org, is part of this campaign to create communication materials public officials could use to address questions and concerns from community members regarding mosquitoes. PAGE

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The task force will work with the USDA to develop policy recommendations to promote the rapid, expanded deployment of broadband Internet service on unserved agricultural land, with a goal of achieving reliable capabilities on 95 percent of agricultural land in the U.S. by 2025. The 15-member task force will include farmers and ranchers from a variety of geographic regions and farm sizes, as well as farmers representing tribal agriculture. The task force will also include Internet service providers, the electric cooperative and satellite industries, precision agriculture equipment manufacturers, state and local governments and people with relevant expertise in broadband network data collection, geospatial analysis and coverage mapping. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM


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UF RESEARCHERS COLLABORATE, DEVELOP PRECISION-AG BASED OPTIONS FOR GROWERS;

PATENTS PENDING FOR BOTH The loss of methyl bromide as a tool for controlling a wide variety of pests in agriculture and shipping because of the damaging impact of this odorless and colorless gas on the ozone layer has had significant impact on the industry. Methyl bromide alternatives have, thus far, proven less effective and more costly in controlling fungi, weeds, insects, nematodes and rodents. This has been an ongoing challenge for researchers. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researchers Nathan Boyd and Arnold Schumann worked together over the past several years to address two aspects of this challenge. Boyd is an Associate Professor at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) Horticultural Sciences Department at Wimauma, while Schumann is a Professor at the Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) Soil and Water Sciences Department, Lake Alfred, FL.

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The first was the development and evaluation of a hole-punch applicator for precision application of preemergence herbicides in plasticulture production. Herbicides are typically applied to the top of raised beds before laying the plastic mulch in plasticulture production systems associated with growing certain fruits and vegetables. “However, broadleaf and grass emergence is limited to transplant holes in the mulch,” noted Boyd. “As a result, most herbicides are applied under the

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mulch in locations where weeds cannot emerge and herbicides are unnecessary.” To reduce this excessive, off-target application, Boyd and Schumann collaborated on the development of a precision hole-punch applicator for use in this type of production system associated with transplant fruit and vegetables such as strawberries, bell pepper and tomato. All of the spray and sensing components were added to standard hole-punch equipment used in many regions of Florida, making this both a viable and highly cost-effective system. The technology uses photoelectric sensors to detect the spikes located on the wheeled hole-punch. The time between spike detection and when the spike will puncture the plastic mulch is calculated using algorithms that incorporate the speed of travel, distance between spikes, diameter of the wheel and additional calculated time delays. Solenoid valves open when the sprayer nozzle is directly over the hole in the plastic mulch. The timing of the opening and closing of the valve can be adjusted to increase or decrease the size of buffer, the length of sprayed area on both sides of the transplant hold. Using this technology, the application of herbicides occurs during the hole-punch operation immediately WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM


before transplant of the fruit or vegetable. Trials of the application of this new technology on tomato and bell pepper crops showed no effect on plant growth or yield. “Accuracy of the hole-punch applicator ranged from 55 to 90 percent, and “preemergence herbicide use was reduced by 88 to 92 percent,” said Boyd. The second tool developed through the collaborative efforts of Drs. Boyd and Schumann evaluated the detection of weeds by type and their location during the establishment of a crop through the utilization of Convolutional Neutral Networks. “This is a recognition process similar to the ones used in facial recognition systems and with self-driving vehicles,” said Boyd. “Simply put, we are using CNN’s to enable a camera to recognize and locate weeds.” This technology enables the camera to identify and locate weeds in a natural production area. Weed interference during crop establishment is a serious concern for producers. The study conducted by Drs. Boyd and Schuman was designed to help detect Carolina geranium growing in competition with straw-

“Carolina geranium is a widespread broadleaf weed within Florida strawberry production. Its leaf structure is distinct from that of the strawberry plant, which made it an ideal candidate for pattern recognition in digital images via CNNs,” said Boyd. “Our study evaluated three CNNs, enabling us to identify the most viable network option.” The resulting system can be attached to a sprayer to control herbicide application on a wide range of fruit, vegetable and turf crops. “In addition, we have focused on developing equipment that is smaller and adjustable without requiring a tractor for use,” he added. Patents are currently pending for both devices with decisions anticipated from the U.S. Patent Office over the near term. Negotiations are also underway with potential manufacturers of both devices.

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berry plants using CNNs. In situ or natural remote detection for precision herbicide application reduces both the risk of crop injury and herbicide inputs.


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