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Contents
VOL. 10 • ISSUE 4
Feature Steve Maxwell Highland Packing Solutions
Page
54
cover photos by Stephanie Humphrey
Farmers Markets
Page 10
Archery
Page 74
Business Up Front
Page 15
Farm Bureau Mini Grants
Page 80
Fishing Hot Spots
Page 18
Frost Protection
Page 83
Rocking Chair Chatter
Page 22
Neighborhood Village
Page 89
Asian Confusion
Page 32
Winter Lawn Care
Page 94
Tax Preparation Help
Page 37
Market Watch
Page 95
Recipes
Page 50
BMP Did You Register?
Page 108
Herb Garden
Page 60
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January 2014 February 2014
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Publisher/Photography Karen Berry
I just returned from the Fresh From Florida breakfast, an annual event held at the start of the Florida State Fair in the Ag Hall of Fame building. I don’t enjoy it just for the food, although I do enjoy “grazing” on the food grown right here in Florida. It is always a pleasure to see the large crowd of people on hand from such a wide variety of agricultural backgrounds. Once again, Governor Rick Scott, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, joined Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam in welcoming everyone to the breakfast. Every person who eats is involved in agriculture. Unfortunately most consumers don’t see it that way. The thought of how their food arrived on the table doesn’t really cross their minds until there is a crisis of some sort in the media. This is a mindset that needs to change. We have many things we take for granted, like cell phones, cable TV, computer games, and more. These are not necessities of life. Life cannot be sustained without food. So please, take the time to thank your farmer and rancher. Look for the Fresh From Florida label on your food. It only takes a second of time, but can make a world of difference to the local economy. This community of agriculturists is truly passionate about what they do. Where would we be without them? Until Next Month,
Sarah
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Country Village Power Equipment................34 Crescent Jewelers............................................57 Dad’s Towing......................................................43 Dr. Barry Gaffney, O.D. PA...............................11 Senior Managing Editor/ Dr. Pat Almerico.................................................13 Associate Publisher East Coast Ag Products, Inc...........................42 Effective Edge Communications, Inc.............27 Sarah Holt Everglades Farm Equipment.........................112 Fancy Farms......................................................26 Editor-In-Chief Farm Bureau Insurance-Valrico....................90 Al Berry Farm Bureau Insurance/Jeff Sumner............47 Farm Credit.........................................................71 Felton’s.................................................................51 Editor Fischbach Land Co...........................................45 Pasty Berry Fla Dpt of Ag & Consumer Svcs...................65 Florida Mineral, Salt & Ag Products..........100 Office Manager Florida Strawberry Festival...........................78 Bob Hughens Florida Strawberry Growers Asso................44 Forbes Road Produce........................................14 Fred’s Market Restaurant................................23 Sales Manager Gator Ford.........................................................40 Danny Crampton Grimes Hardware Center.................................14 Grove Equipment Service...............................58 Sales Grove Equipment Service...............................99 Al Berry Harold’s Feed & Pet Supply..............................3 Harrell’s Nursery, Inc.......................................93 Tina Richmond Haught Funeral Home......................................72 Danny Crampton Helena Chemical-Tampa.................................69 Melissa Nichols Highland Corporation.....................................23 Justyna Thomson Hillsboro Bank..................................................24 Home Protection Pest Control......................103 Creative Director/Illustrator Hopewell Funeral Home..................................25 Huff Muffler..........................................................79 Juan Alvarez Hydraulic Hose & Cylinder, Inc.......................36 Jarrett-Scott Ford..............................................2 Photography JH Biotech..........................................................93 Karen Berry Johnson’s Barbeque.........................................68 Al Berry Jon & Rosie’s Tree Farm................................93 Keel & Curley Winery......................................63 Stephanie Humphrey Key Plex..............................................................66 Loetscher Auto Parts.........................................79 Staff Writers Malissa Crawford..............................................52 Al Berry Magnolia Hill Mobile Home Park....................96 Sandy Kaster Mark Smith Excavating....................................93 James Frankowiak Meryman Environmental.................................36 Morrow Steel....................................................104 Sean Green Mosaic.................................................................26 Ginny Mink Napa.....................................................................12 Libby Hopkins O’Conner Automotive.......................................16 Parkesdale................................................59 & 111 Contributing Writers Pathway BioLogic..............................................77 Patterson Companies.......................................49 Woody Gore Patterson Companies.......................................49 Les McDowell Plant City Homestyle Buffet.............................5 Plant City Tire & Auto....................................93 Platinum Bank..................................................62 Poppell Insurance.............................................56 ABC Pizza..................................................19 QLF Nutrients Division....................................43 Adventures Archery...............................109 QLF Specialty Products..................................73 Ag Technologies......................................31 Railroad & Industrial Fed Credit Un............40 Agro-Culture Liquid Fertilizers............52 Rhonda Wetherington......................................98 Allan’s Air Conditioning Service..........86 Savich & Lee Wholesale................................20 Antioch Feed & Farm Supply..............101 Savich & Lee Wholesale................................21 Aquarius Water Refining......................103 Seafood Dive.....................................................99 Arrowhead Archery................................67 Seedway.............................................................45 Astin Strawberry Exchange.................93 Shrimp & Co. Express......................................13 Bankers South Group............................76 Silent Technology, Inc......................................45 Bill’s Transmissions................................96 Sister’s...............................................................106 Bingham...................................................87 South Fl Baptist Hospital..................................7 Brandon Auto Services, Inc..................75 Southside Stores LLC......................................53 Brandon Farms Market..........................12 Southside Stores LLC.......................................91 Brandon Regional Hospital..................107 Stephanie Humphrey.......................................84 Brewington’s Towing & Recovery........44 Stollers..............................................................105 Broke & Poor..........................................42 Timberlane Pet Hospital & Resort.......17 & 73 Cameron Financial Service..................23 Trinkle,Redman,Swanson,Coton,D................69 Cecil Breeding Farm..............................30 Verti-Gro, Inc....................................................68 Certis USA................................................41 Walden Lake Car Wash & Service..............42 Certis USA................................................97 Wasabi Japanese Steak House.......................9 CF Industries Enterprises, Inc...............81 Willie’s................................................................79 Chancey’s..................................................45 Windfield............................................................93 Chuck’s Tire & Automotive..................34 Wishnatzki...............................................29 & 48 Country Village Power Equipment.....27 WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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(813) 443-2037 or PlantCityEmergency.org
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301 N. Alexander St. | Plant City
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February 2014
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100 100South SouthMulrennan MulrennanRoad Road••Valrico, Valrico,FL FL33594 33594••813-685-9121 813-685-9121
IT’S AND FESTIVAL TIME AAFAIR BUSY TIME FOR BUSY TIME FOR YOUR YOUR FARM FARM BUREAU BUREAU Dear Readers: Dear DearReaders: Readers: This is a special time of year for all of us who participate in and support agriculture as we celebrate at I am humbled and to amboth bothState humbled andhonored honoredStrawberry tohave havebeen been theI Florida Fair and Florida Festival. elected president of YOUR Hillsborough County elected president of YOUR Hillsborough County Great family entertainment and exhibits plus competiFarm All of debt gratitude Farm Bureau. Allpeople ofus usowe owe debt of gratitudeto to tion forBureau. the young whoaawill beof tomorrow’s agoutgoing president Danny Aprile for his outgoing president Danny Aprile for hisyears yearsof of riculturists. service serviceto toour ourorganization. organization.IIpromise promiseto todo domy my
continue the he forth. Tobest meto this is an opportunity to celebrate agriculture best to continue themomentum momentum hecarried carried forth. as we know it today and also an opportunity for us to nurture the young men and women whoIIare thethe future As generation Florida farmer, know Asaasixth sixth generation Florida farmer, know the ofmany our industry. While I know that all of us enjoy the challenges and opportunities all of us have many challenges and opportunities all of us have rides, exhibits and bountiful food and beverage offerininthe theagriculture agricultureindustry industryand andthat thatisisan anindustry industry ings atisboth the Our fair and festival, let’s is not overlook the that global. major challenge to continue that is global. Our major challenge is to continue chance we have to recognize and support agriculture’s to toproduce producethe thefood foodour ourgrowing growingpopulation populationmust must next generation.
have havewhile whilethe thelands landsdevoted devotedto tofarming farmingcontinue continue to diminish. The good thing is that the diminish. good thing is that themarket Wetocan do thatThe in many different ways. Imarket would ask for our task foryou ourproducts productscontinues continues toexpand. expand.Our Our task that consider the many to opportunities for young isisto effectively meet those dual challenges while people to participate in the activities associated with to effectively meet those dual challenges while protecting our precious environment. I am confident the Neighborhood Village Youth program at the protecting our precious environment. I am confident Strawberry Festival. This is a program developed we are up to that task and I look forward to helping we are up to that task and I look forward to helping and overseen bypart Hillsborough County Farm us to we so. usall alldo doour our part toassure assurethat that wedo do so. Bureau’s
Women’s Leadership Committee and it is available to Hillsborough County youth ages 5 – 18 (Kindergarten Let Letme mealso alsotell tellyou youabout aboutthe theother othernew newofficers officers through 12th grade). elected by your board last month. They are: elected by your board last month. They are: Vice President Will Womack, Treasurer Ray Wood,
Vice Will Womack, Ray Wood, This is President a pretty diverse craft andTreasurer baking competition Secretary Michelle Williamson Member-AtSecretarycake Michelle Williamson and Member-Atincluding decorating, foodand preservation, cookLarge Bill thanks to of and Large BillBurnette. Burnette.My My thankscrafts, toeach each ofthem them and ies, baking, needlework, sewing, child developour board for their willingness to serve. our board for their willingness to serve. ment, citizenship, natural resources and models and collections. As you can see, it offers competitive opAs you come to realize portunities for all both women and AsIIam amsure sure allof ofyoung youhave have come tomen. realize vacation vacationtime timeisisover. over.We Weare areparticularly particularlybusy busyatat
Just to Bureau. give youThis an idea of we theare potential impact Farm month completing the Farm Bureau. This month we are completing theinvolvement in this activity has, consider Julia Chew. She third of our legislative tours during which we take third of our legislative tours during which we take iselected an attractive 17-year-old young lady who has been a electedand andappointed appointedofficials officialsto toseveral severalof ofour our participant in this competition with her dresses and agricultural businesses ininthis areas so can agricultural areas sothey theyblue cansee see quilts since shebusinesses was 9. She’sthis been a regular ribagriculture at work, some of the best management agriculture at work, some best bon winner and recipient of of thethe Best ofmanagement Show purple practices put of practices that have beengarments putinto intoplace placeand andlearn learnvia of ribbon. Shethat nowhave sellsbeen her internationally
the internet and is quite talented. You might want to check the January 2014 edition of ORLANDO LIFE the our local industry partners face thechallenges challenges partners faceas as Magazine. Juliaour is local on theindustry cover and a number of her they strive to produce the high quality products they strive produceinthethe high quality products designs aretodepicted feature story about her. our demand. Those are ourmarkets markets demand. talented Thosetours tours arehard hard work She’s a tremendously designer and work her work and represent many hours of support from and represent many hours of support fromour our was recognized at the Florida Strawberry Festival. industry colleagues. We thank them and That’s just one story and I know there are countless industry colleagues. We thank them andthose those legislators and regulators who take the time to others in work and ready to be begun. legislators and regulators who take the time to learn learnfirst firsthand handabout aboutagriculture agricultureininour ourarea areaand and Think about your children and how their talents how and why we need their ongoing awareness, how and why we need their ongoing awareness,could be showcased and nurtured through the Neighborhelp helpand andsupport. support.
hood Village Youth competition. You all know about the pure agricultural competitions and for events at the There’s Ag-Venture, our bringing There’smore. more. Ag-Venture, ourprogram programfor forchildren bringingto festival, but here’s another opportunity the of to through school thestory story ofagriculture agriculture tochildren children throughStrawberry school grow through participation in the Florida activities, is going on and we will again be particiactivities, is going on and we will again be particiFestival.
pating patingininFarm FarmCity CityDays Daysthrough throughwhich whichwe webring bring the story of agriculture to our friends living inin Youth the story of to agriculture living That brings mind the to factour justfriends like the Village Tampa. program Tampa. where it isn’t necessary for you to be involved
directly in agriculture to participate, you don’t have
to be aififfarmer ornot rancher to belong toFarm FarmBureau Bureau. Lastly, you aamember of Lastly, youare are not member ofour our Farm Bureau In addition to supporting our important industry family, please join us. It isn’t necessary that you aa family, please join us. It isn’t necessary that yoube beand helping to assure our future, Farm Bureau membership farmer or rancher to join. Please visit farmer or rancher to join. Please visit for your family brings its own rewards. If you haven’t http:// http://hcfarmbureau.org hcfarmbureau.orgor orcall call813/685-9121 813/685-9121for for checked out the benefits of belonging to Farm Bumore information. more information. reau, please do. The modest fee associated with family membership in Farm Bureau is a great deal. To learn
Once president and Onceagain, again,IFarm Iam amhonored honored tobe beyour your president and more about Bureau, to please visit: http://hcfarmmy very best to you and your family. my very best you and your family. bureau.org orto call 813/685-9121 for more information.
Have fun at the Fair and Festival. Thank Thankyou, you,
Kenneth Kenneth Kenneth KennethParker Parker--President President
Board BoardofofDirectors Directors
Kenneth KennethParker, Parker,President; President;Will WillWomack, Womack,Vice-President; Vice-President;Ray RayWood, Wood,Treasure; Treasure;Michelle MichelleWilliamson, Williamson,Secretary; Secretary; Member-at-large; Member-at-large;Bill BillBurnette; Burnette;Board Boardmembers: members:Roy RoyDavis, Davis,David DavidDrawdy, Drawdy,Jim JimDyer, Dyer,Jim JimFrankowiak, Frankowiak, Glenn GlennHarrell, Harrell,Chip ChipHinton, Hinton,John JohnJoyner, Joyner,Greg GregLehman, Lehman,Erin ErinNesmith, Nesmith,Jake JakeRaburn, Raburn,Marty MartyTanner, Tanner,James JamesTew, Tew, Ron RonWetherington, Wetherington,and andRay RayWood, Wood, Judi JudiWhitson, Whitson,Executive ExecutiveDirector Director 8888
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Community
Markets Brandon Fresh Market
Winthrop Town Center, at the corner of Bloomingdale Avenue and Providence Road 11109 Winthrop Market St Riverview, Florida 33578 October to May Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Phone: (813) 748-0441 brandonfreshmarket@yahoo.com
Plant City Market Place / Country Village Market North Plant City 708 West Sam Allen Road Plant City, Florida 33565 Open year-round Daily from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Phone: (813) 752-4670 Fax: (813) 659-1984 pcfmarket@gmail.com
5000 North Central Avenue Seminole Heights, Florida 33603 Open October 10 to May 8 Second Sunday of each month from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Phone: (813) 649-8747 sundaymorningmarket@tampabay.rr.com www.sundaymorningmarket.com Sweetwater Community Farm 6942 W. Comanche Avenue Tampa, Florida Open-air / seasonal November through May Sundays, Noon to 4:00 p.m. Andrea Harms, Market Manager 6942 Comanche Avenue Tampa, FL 33634 Telephone: (813) 887-4066 www.sweetwater-organic.org Lykes Gaslight Square Park 400 and 500 Block Franklin Street and 200 and 300 Madison Street Tampa, Florida 33602 Open: Mid-October through Mid-May Fridays, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Ms. Tiffany Ferrecchia 601 North Ashley Drive, Suite 1100 Tampa, Florida 33602 Telephone: (813) 649-8747 Fax: (813) 229-1328 10
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Tampa Wholesale Produce Market 2801 East Hillsborough Avenue Tampa, Florida Open year-round Monday through Saturday from 3:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Peter Filippello 2801 East Hillsborough Avenue Tampa, Florida 33610 Telephone: (813) 237-3314
Ybor City Saturday Market
Seminole Heights Sunday Morning Market Hillsborough High School
Tampa Downtown Market
marketmanager@tampadowntown.com www.tampadowntownmarket.com
Centennial Park at the corner of Eighth Avenue and 19th Street, Ybor City Tampa, Florida Year-round Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Rain or shine Lynn Schultz P.O. Box 5294 Tampa, Florida 33675-5294 Telephone: (813) 241-2442 ybormarket@yahoo.com www.ybormarket.com
MANATEE FARMERS MARKETS Downtown Bradenton Farmers’ Market Old Main Street, Downtown 12th Street West Bradenton, Florida 34205 Open October through May Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Phone: (715) 222-6140 market@realizebradenton.com
Lakewood Ranch Farmers’ Market Main Street Lakewood Ranch, Florida Manatee County Street-side Market Open November through May Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Contact Information: Bob Fernandez, Market Manager 301 North Hillcrest Drive Clearwater, Florida 33755 Telephone: (727) 461-7674 Email: pbjfernandez@ij.net
Manatee County Health Department Local Farmers Stand Manatee Health Department 410 Sixth Avenue East
February 2014
Bradenton, Florida 34208 Open year-round Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Phone: (941) 748-0747 megan_jourdan@doh.state.fl.us www.healthmanatee.org
PASCO FARMERS MARKETS Fresh Market at Wiregrass
The Shops at Wiregrass 28211 Paseo Drive Wesley Chapel, Florida 33543 Open year-round First Saturday of every month from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Phone: (813) 649-8747 eternalbalanceliving@yahoo.com www.theshopsatwiregrass.com
Longleaf Farmers’ Market
Longleaf Downtown 3101 Town Avenue New Port Richey, Florida 34655 Open mid-October through May Thursday from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Phone: (727) 808-2440 longleafmarket@gmail.com 
PINELLAS FARMERS MARKETS
Clearwater Gateway Farmers’ Market 1200 block of Cleveland Street Clearwater, Florida 33755 Phone: (727) 776-7932 Fax: (727) 447-2424 myclearwatermarket@gmail.com www.myclearwatermarket.com
Corey Fresh Market
Downtown St. Petersburg Beach Corey Avenue St. Petersburg Beach, Florida 33706 Open October through May Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Phone: (727) 498-8778 coreycorner@yahoo.com www.coreyave.com
Downtown Clearwater Farmers’ Market 500 block of Cleveland Street Clearwater, Florida 33755
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Open mid-October through May Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Phone: (727) 461-7674 Fax: (727) 518-3867 pbjfernadez@ij.net www.clearwaterfarmersmarket.com
Fax: (863) 421-3701 bpeck@hainescity.com www.hainescity.com
Dunedin Green Market
East Stuart Avenue and North Market Street Lake Wales, Florida 33853 Open year-round Second and fourth Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Phone: (863) 412-6960 Fax: (863) 678-1987 mike.lwcc@gmail.com
Pioneer Park Corner of Main Street and Douglas Avenue Dunedin, Florida 34698 Open mid-October through April Friday and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. May through July Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Phone: (727) 733-4215 greenmarketmanager@verizon.net www.dunedingov.com
Gulfport Tuesday Fresh Market
Near 29th Avenue South 3000 Beach Boulevard Gulfport, Florida 33707 Open year-round Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Phone: (727) 278-4285 gulfportmarket@gmail.com www.gulfportma.com/freshmarket.html
Safety Harbor Farmers’ Market John Wilson Park 400 Main Street Safety Harbor, Florida 34695 Open mid-October through May Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Phone: (727) 461-7674 pbjfernandez@ij.net www.safetyharborchamber.com
St. Petersburg Saturday Morning Market First Avenue South and First Street St. Petersburg, Florida 33701 Open October through May Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Phone: (727) 455-4921 saturdaymkt@yahoo.com www.saturdaymorningmarket.com
Tarpon Sunday Market
Mother Meres parking lot 19 S Pinellas Ave Tarpon Springs, Florida 34689 Open October through May Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Phone: (727) 943-0451 tarponsundaymarket@gmail.com 
Lake Wales Farmers’ Market Marketplace Square
Lakeland Downtown Farmers Market 200 North Kentucky Avenue Lakeland, Florida 33801 Open September through July Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Phone: (863) 687-8910 Fax: (863) 683-2783 becky.abel@lakelandgov.net www.ldda.org/curbmarket
Winter Haven Farmers’ Market 442 4th Street Northwest Winter Haven, Florida 33881 Open year-round Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Phone: (863) 291-5870 Fax: (863) 298-7544 amcintosh@mywinterhaven.com 
SARASOTA FARMERS MARKET
Phillippi Estate Farmers’ Market Phillippi Estate Park 5500 South Tamiami Trail Sarasota, Florida 34231 Open November through April Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Phone: (941) 266-6691 Fax: (941) 373-7080 thtttbrown@aol.com
Sarasota Farmers’ Market
The corner of Lemon and State streets 1420 State Street Sarasota, Florida 34236 Open year-round Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Phone: (941) 225-9256 manager@sarasotafarmersmarket.org www.sarasotafarmersmarket.org
POLK FARMERS MARKETS
Haines City Farmers’ Market
Railroad Park, Downtown Sixth Street and Main Haines City, Florida 33844 Open year-round Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Phone: (863) 421-3700 WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Haulin’ it All: By Ginny Mink
As children we are fascinated by them, they’re huge, they roll and they can make a lot of noise! In fact, there are an infinite number of adults who will admit that as kids they repeatedly begged for the loud blare. Even today you can travel an interstate and see a child grinning from a minivan window as he pulls his imaginary air horn rope with all of his being, hoping that the trucker about to pass him will not only acknowledge his existence, but oblige as well. Yes, the eighteen wheeler is a testament of all that is red, white and blue, otherwise, how would we get our food? How would big box stores provide us with overpriced Chinese wares? More importantly, how in the world would the rest of the country have the distinct pleasure that is a Plant City strawberry? Indeed, the semi is a necessity and those who need one, for whatever purpose, would do well to contact Patterson Companies to line up the necessary transportation. Steve Howard is the President and CEO of Patterson Companies. He’s a nice man, even includes his own direct line on the website for those who might want to chat or are seeking employment. We suspect that’s part of his North Carolinian upbringing, though it could very well have something to do with the fact that he was a truck driver, too. It goes without saying (though we are going to say it anyway) that people with direct personal experience in their industries make better leaders as they are able to relate to and be more compassionate with those who work for them. No doubt Steve is an exemplary representative of said concept. We had the distinct honor of conversing with him and though he was feeling a little under the weather, he was cordial and good natured, the kind of guy you’d willingly interact with at a corporate luncheon or family barbeque. He was very down to earth and while the company packs a punch in the financial arena he didn’t present any arrogance at all (something to be appreciated when dealing with a President and CEO of a rather large company). Steve shared that he moved to Florida in 1993 and began working for Patterson as a broker. In 2001, he became part of the management team and an owner. In 2006, he became the President and CEO. Quite an accomplishment for an ex-trucker, but who better to run a truck brokering company than someone who used to drive them? Steve explained, “It has been a great run, the last 20 years, and I have been blessed to be a part of Patterson’s significant growth. I come from a truckin’ family.” Obviously he knows what he’s doing! Patterson Companies has offices in ten states and transports things all over the continental US, as well as some parts of Canada. However, the website adds, “Though we service all growing areas of North America, various ports, and Mexican entry points, we possess a stronghold in produce originating in the Southeastern region of the United States. Our delivery network of carriers services all desWWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
Business Up Front
tination points in North America. Our primary destination points include the Northeastern US and North Central, and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec.” They utilize various trucking companies and also independent owner operators. Given their strong fiscal underpinnings they have been able to show growth and profitability in a mighty treacherous economy. Certainly a good portion of that success can be attributed to their customer service, and their drive to meet customer requirements. Steve adds in his online address, “Our strong financial performance and healthy balance sheet provides us with the necessary capital to continue our substantial investment in our people, organization, processes and technology. We possess a very healthy working relationship with our financial institutions and are confident of our ability to meet the future needs of our customers. Our company focus is not driven by meeting quarterly numbers for Wall Street, but rather by responding to dynamic changes in the marketplace and always being responsive to our family of customers, carriers, drivers, growers, producers, shippers, and receivers throughout North America.” With a positive attitude of this magnitude there is absolute certainty that they will continue to drive home success. In case you were wondering, Patterson Companies mainly transports produce, some from well know Plant City growers and various other large name entities throughout the southeast. However, Steve told us that they ship everything. “We haul exports out of Miami and out of Jersey. We pick up off the ports. We haul everything you can think of, mostly produce, but we haul everything, you name it, from perfume to furniture. We do have some trucks but most everything we do is brokered.” And in closing we asked him what he liked best about his job. He said, “The best part of my job is people, reaching out to people, communicating with people every day, talking to people all over the country. To be honest with you, that’s probably the best part of it.” Oh and by the way, Steve Howard is a fan of Plant City, as most people who encounter the quaint little town readily become. We wondered how he ended up here in the first place. He shared, “Plant City was a place I knew I’d hauled from when driving trucks. I found Plant City as a truck driver; I like Plant City. I thought it was a nice little town, and as I’ve moved here and gotten to know Plant City, it is a great little town. It’s nice! The only thing you don’t have is a mall but they’re ten, fifteen miles either way, Lakeland, Brandon, Tampa, they’re all over the place, and I don’t like a mall anyhow. My wife love’s a mall, but not me!” That’s ok, we don’t either and hopefully Plant City will remain mall-less in the future (though a Target would be nice)! If you’d like more information on Patterson Companies please visit their website: www.pattersoncos.com. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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Large Tampa Bay snook, caught late afternoon just before leaving to end the charter. She picked up a piece of cut ladyfish and it was game on.
Tampa Bay Fishing Report February Snook: (Snook is closed until the end of February) Gulf of Mexico, Monroe County, and Everglades National Park (state and adjacent federal waters) If we all remember correctly back in 2010 is when we had that tremendous snook kill that almost decimated our snook population. I can remember marking Bay water temperatures in the 40’s which is cold by anyone’s temperature gauge. If you’re lucky enough to find some they’ll probably be lethargic and perhaps not willing to chase down bait. If you must target them in the winter months while they are trying to survive, you might try dead bait on the bottom using a circle hook.
Spotted Sea Trout: Trout action usually goes off the wall with cooler water temperatures. Fish the strong in or out tides around deep water. They eat shrimp, small pinfish, greenbacks and artificial lures. Rig a popping cork with shrimp, either live or artificial and hang on. Soft plastic jerk style lures on a jig head produce excellent catches when bounced off the bottom. Remember, the bite always comes on the fall, so don’t be surprised to have a fish on just after the lure hits the water. Sheepshead & Snapper: They will show up everywhere during the winter months. Try fishing markers, bridge fenders, docks, seawalls, rock piles, oyster bars or any type of structure. Shrimp and fiddler crabs work along with green mussels and oysters. Pompano: Don’t be surprised when you hook into several nice pompano around the Big Bend Power Plant. They are frequent visitors every winter with many boats and manatees. Cobia: Don’t be surprised to see one on the back of large Rays and Manatees. As the waters cool you should see them around the hot water discharges of power plants. Large shrimp on a ¼ oz. jig head normally does the trick. But small or chunk crab also works.
Redfish: Redfish continue to be fairly active with plenty of smaller fish running around channels and canals. Patience usually produces the occasional slot fish. Artificial’s, hard and soft baits catch wintertime reds as well as shrimp and cut bait.
Warm Water Discharges:
There are plenty of manatees, so try not to hook them. 18
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Sharks: Sharks also frequent the warm water discharges this time of year, so don’t be surprised when you catch several while targeting Cobia. You’re more likely to catch them on the shallow sand bar on the Northeast side of the discharge area. Just remember you’re not going to be alone at the Big Bend Power Plant, besides all the boat traffic there will be several hundred manatees. In January, at the Power Plant, on the East side of Tampa Bay it was one shark on almost every cast using shrimp. And February should be the same as long as the water temperatures stay down. “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 Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, Bradenton, and Sarasota areas for over fifty years, he offers world class fishing adventures and a lifetime of memories. Single or Multi-boat Group Charters are all the same. With years of organizational experience and access to the areas most experienced captains, 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 him a call at 813-477-3814
Photo of me and Captain Mel Berman caption: This month marks the death of a longtime friend and fishing companion Capt. Mel Berman. I enjoy many hours trout fishing with Mel and listening to stories about his broadcasting career. You’re fondly remembered my friend and not forgotten.
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Alfred Hitchcock did not have a belly button. When you sneeze, all bodily functions stop, even your heart. Only 7% of the population is left-handed. 40-people are sent to the hospital every minute. The average person over 50 will have spent 5 years waiting in lines. The toothbrush was invented in 1498. The average housefly lives for one month. 40,000 Americans are injured by toilets each year. A coat hanger is 44 inches long when straightened. Your feet are bigger in the afternoon than any other time of day. Only two animals can see behind themselves without turning their heads, the rabbit and the parrot. The first Harley-Davison motorcycle built in 1903 used a tomato can for a carburetor. Humphrey Bogart was the 7th cousin to Princess Diana. In most television commercials advertising milk, a mixture of white paint and a little thinner is used in place of milk.
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Ham Radio I have had a Ham Radio Operator’s license (W4WKH) ever since I was a senior in high school. Over the years I have talked to people all over the world. In the beginning, as a novice license operator, I was restricted to using only the Morse code. I built my first transmitter in a Tampa Nugget cigar box that my dad gave me. Needless to say it wasn’t the best as I messed up every TV set within a quarter of mile every time I hit key to transmit. I recall a conversation I had with an old gentleman Nevada on 20 meters many years ago one Saturday morning. Bert was his “handle,” and he gave me a lesson on the value of time after I related the number of things that was on the agenda for the day. I explained my lack of time because of my busy weekday schedule. He said, “Al, let me tell you something that has helped me keep my own priorities.” He then began to explain his theory of a ‘thousand marbles.” Bert said, “I sat down one day and did a little arithmetic. The average person lives about 75 years. Some live more, some lest but on an average 75 seems to be the norm. Now then,” he continued, “I multiplied 75 times 52 and came up with 3900, which is the number of Saturdays that the average person has in their entire life on average. It was not until I was 55 years old did I start to think about all this in any detail and by that time I had lived through over 2800 Saturdays. I got to thinking that if I lived to be 75, I only had about a thousand of them left to enjoy. So I went to a toy store and bought every single marble they had. I took the marbles home and put them inside a large clear plastic container on my desk right next to my ham radio receiver.” “Every Saturday since then, I have taken one marble out and thrown it away. I realized that by watching the marbles diminish, I focused more on the really important things in life. There is nothing like watching your time here on this earth run out to help get your priorities straight.” As we continued our Saturday morning chat Bert continued, “let me tell you one last thing before I sign off with you and take my wife out for breakfast. This morning I took the last marble out of the container. I figure that if I make it until next Saturday then I have been give a little extra time.” 22
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He signed off, and I just sat there thinking about what he had just told me. How many Saturdays had I squandered over the years. From time to time I recall that pleasant Saturday morning conversation in making a decision on what was really important that morning or any other day of the week. If I go by Bert’s theory, then I don’t have any marbles left. However, recently I read where the insurance companies say the average lifespan of men is 82 years. That’s encouraging! You realize you’re getting older when you enjoy reading senior citizens bumper stickers.
“I was always taught to respect my elders. Now I don’t have anyone to respect” “I’m so old I don’t buy green bananas.” “Sometimes I wake up grumpy, and some days I let him sleep.” “I am so old that whenever I eat out, they ask me for money up front.” Let me close with this short story. A retired couple just down the mountain from our home in Blairsville, Georgia, have become good friends over the past year. Fred was telling my wife, Patsy, about his young grandson that asked him what was his favorite fast food when he was growing up. Fred said I told him, “We didn’t have fast food when I was growing up. All the food was slow.” “Come on Granddad, where did you eat?” He replied, “It was a place called “home.” Mom cooked everyday and when Dad got home from work, we sat down together at the dining room table, and if I didn’t like what she put on my plate I was allowed to sit there until I liked it.” In closing, there are three kinds of men both young and old. The ones that learn by reading, the few who learn by observation, and the rest of them that have to pee on the electric fence to find out for themselves. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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America’s First Frontier
By Les McDowell
Photos by Linda Constant
There are lots of exciting things are happening with Dry Creek, Americas First Frontier. You’ve heard of an Amish old fashioned barn raising? Well we are having an old fashioned Show Building.
me that work on series and they are faces the public knew. They offered their talents. All of these things to blend in with our cast and crew who got us to this point in our journey.
After our nomination for Best Series/ Family Friendly in NYC I was invited to speak at a Film Commission gathering in Sarasota, with movie and TV folk’s that had been there and done that in the business. I spoke about Dry Creek and what has been happening with no budget, how the Little Show that could needed coal in its engine.
I recently sent out a letter to our Dry Creek family explaining where we were on our Journey. We started the trip with just a nap sack and a few folks climbing the mountain to where we dreamed that good family programing lives.
After I stepped away from the microphone there where folks standing in line to offer help. Every aspect of the production and talent offered their services, believing in what we were trying to do to get family Programing back on TV. From those people came other people in the industry to supply what we needed for an old fashioned show building. They would help to bring the look of Dry Creek up to the standards of networks like Hallmark. So in came the big movie production trailer with dressing rooms. Also edit trucks and lighting trucks etc. Actors started to approach 28
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With prayer, passion and hard work we got so far and started running out of oxygen. I yelled out for the Calvary and they came as all the above. The Dry Creek episode they came to work on is called “The Doll.” We just wrapped filming of it and it brings tears to my eyes to have all these people come and help us raise Dry Creek up into the air like an Amish barn raising. We are so thankful they came out to Dry Creek. Everybody knows where Dry Creek is, “Cause it’s inside each and everyone of us.” WWW.IIN NT THE HEFIELD IELDM MAGAZINE.COM AGAZINE.COM WWW.
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ASIAN CONFUSION INTRODUCES THAI GOURMET SAUCES; SECRET GOURMET BRAND SAUCES NOW OFFERED NATIONALLY Locally Grown Products Sought By Jim Frankowiak
For more information about Brown’s multifaceted approach to clarifying “Asian Confusion,” visit: www.asianconfusion.com
Established four years ago to explain the mysteries of the subtle relationships between East and West in cuisine, lifestyle and culture, Asian Confusion recently took another step to find and share fundamental similarities through the introduction of a range of Thai Gourmet sauces produced under the Secret Gourmet Brand. In addition to producing and distributing the new sauces here in Tampa, Asian Confusion operates the Thai Gourmet Market and restaurant with outlets for fresh Thai food and the Secret Gourmet sauces at Hyde Park Market, St. Petersburg Saturday morning market, Downtown Tampa and Carrollwood Markets. “By exploring the journeys first started via the space trading routes between the two cultures, we can link and understand the differences we see today,” said Asian Confusion Founder and Chef Petta Brown. “Although separated by vast distances and cultural barriers, there is a distinct theme that still links East and West.
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Our goal is to broaden people’s perspective of culture, cooking and lifestyle and to find fundamental similarities.” The sauces, which were introduced at a year-end gathering after more than two years of market testing, are now produced and packaged locally with ingredients sourced from within Florida whenever possible and contain no monosodium glutamate (MSG) or preservatives. “There are four sauces presently: Satay Peanut, Red Curry, Green Curry and Tamarind sauces,” said Brown. “The sauces are used as a base for curry vegetables and proteins are added and usually served over rice, further enhancing the great taste, low fat, no MSG or additives attributes of Thai foods.” In addition to being available at the various Asian Confusion venues locally, the new sauces may be purchased online at www. asianconfusion.com. The company is interested in buying the following items from local growers: WWW. WWW.IIN NTTHE HEF FIELD IELDM MAGAZINE.COM AGAZINE.COM
green bell peppers, red bell peppers, green yellow and red onions, green and yellow zucchini, Thai basil, shallots, limes, carrots, bean routs, red hot long peppers, green and red cabbage, bok choy, gai lan, peeled garlic, cilantro, Thai egg plant, mirasol chilis and guajillo chili. Local growers interested in establishing a relationship with Asian Confusion are encouraged to email petta.asianconfusion@ gmail.com. In addition to its market and various outreach initiatives, Asian Confusion is also engaged in residential and business catering and a new series of cooking classes. “Our catering services range from small, private parties to full scale corporate events,” said Brown. “We can also provide a personal chef service to create the ultimate home dinner party experience. Cooking classes can take place at a residence, our commercial kitchen or at other locations. It is also possible for us to provide a full service market experience where you acquire the actual food you will be preparing.” Asian Confusion also offers a full range of menu planning services to new or existing restaurants that specialize in Asian Fusion cuisine. “We can refresh your existing menu with new and exciting ideas and concepts to add value to your current business. Traditionally, Asian menus have been difficult to successfully pair with fine wines, but we have the insight and experience to address and accomplish this,” she said. The company also adWWW. WWW.IIN NTTHE HEF FIELD IELDM MAGAZINE.COM AGAZINE.COM
dresses interior design requirements through it partnership with Changing Space of Orlando. “This capability specializes in custom finishes and accent with an Asian flare and we can assist with the procurement of Asian influenced furniture pieces for either residential or commercial applications.” Brown grew up in southern New Jersey “in a traditional Thai family where my parents taught me how to cook.” She worked in a French fusion restaurant as a teenager, which gave her the inspiration to combine Asian and Western influences. She then moved to Los Angeles and to Thailand to start a garment and real estate business with her mother. While in Thailand, Brown and her mother contributed considerate time and effort on a project working with the queen of Thailand and her Silapacheep Foundation, developing products that utilized Thai silks and arts and crafts from different provinces for export. After selling both businesses, Brown returned to the U.S. and started a French Thai restaurant in Florida. She also began importing Asian furniture and accent pieces for the wholesale market, as well as designing her own custom jewelry line for onboard cruise ship sales. “I want to enlighten people about Asian lifestyle and cooking and encourage a true cross cultural understanding,” she said. “As part of this process, I am also exploring what truly makes the recipes of the American “melting pot that forms our diverse culture here in the U.S.”
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FLORIDA
Arugula Spicy and Bold
By Sandy Kaster, M.S. Clinical Medicines, B.S. Nutrition Science
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resh Florida greens and lettuces are in their peak season now during the cool weather months. Both lettuces and fresh greens are flavorful and pack a variety of nutrients. Arugula, a type of green commonly eaten in Europe, stands out for its spicy, peppery, slightly bitter flavor. Its leaves are similar in taste and appearance to radish greens, with a similar spiciness to radishes. Also called rocket, salad rocket, roquette, rucola, or rugula, arugula is easy to both grow and enjoy. Younger leaves are more tender and milder in taste. Its zesty flavor complements other milder lettuces and is present in a spring mix or mesclun salad. The mesclun salad is a combination of flavorful greens that combine the tastes of mild, bitter, spicy, and piquant. In addition to arugula, other components of mesclun salad might include leaf lettuce, radicchio, escarole, curly endive, watercress, sorrel, parsley, basil, fennel, dandelion greens, or mizuna. The combination of different greens contributes to both flavor and nutritional value. NUTRITIONAL PROFILE Very low in calories, arugula is bursting with vitamins and minerals, such as fiber, iron, copper, and vitamins A, C, and K. This peppery green is a rich source of phytochemicals that have been shown to fight cancer-causing elements in the body. Eating a variety of lettuces and greens provides an array of different phytonutrients. According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, a diet rich in dark green leafy vegetables, including lettuce, lowers the risk for developing a variety of cancers. In general, the darker colored leaves have more nutrients than their paler counterparts. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, one ounce (roughly 1.5 cups) of raw fresh arugula (28 g) contains 7 calories, 0.7 g protein, 0.2 g fat, 1 g carbohydrate, and 0.4 g of dietary fiber. One cup of arugula also provides 38% of the Daily Recommended Value (%DV) for vitamin K, 13% for vitamin A, 7% for vitamin C and folate, 4% for calcium and manganese, 3% for potassium and magnesium, 2% for iron, and significant amounts of copper, zinc, phosphorus, vitamin E, and riboflavin. Arugula is one of the lowest calories foods available and is packed with nutrients! Vitamin K: For blood and bone health A one ounce serving of this zesty green meets more than one third of your daily requirement for vitamin K, an essential vitamin for bone and blood health. Vitamin K plays a major role in proper blood clotting in the body. It also helps your body transport calcium and metabolizes the mineral into your skeleton. Several research studies have found that vitamin K boosts bone mineral density and reduces fracture rates in people with osteoporosis. As a result, the Institute of Medicine increased its daily recommendation of vitamin K. One serving of arugula covers 38% of your daily requirement. Mixing arugula with other lettuces and greens, most of which are also very high in vitamin K, can help meet your daily requirement. Vitamins A and C: Fight Free Radicals Fresh Florida arugula is high in both vitamins A and C. These
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vitamins are also considered antioxidants that act to prevent cell damage from free radicals in the body. Free radicals cause damage to cells and are involved in cholesterol accumulation in the arteries, which leads to atherosclerosis and heart disease. These harmful compounds also play a role in nerve and blood vessel damage in those with diabetes. In addition to their protective effects against free radical damage, vitamin A is also required for good eye function and vitamin C plays a role in strong immunity. Vitamin C is also important for healthy blood circulation and wound healing, and helps the body absorb more iron, which is also plentiful in arugula. Folate Florida arugula is a good source of folate, a vitamin that can reduce the risk of birth defects of the brain and spinal cord (neural tube defects) in the fetus. Pregnant women should consume a diet high in folate, and eating greens, lettuces, and other vegetables and fruits every day can help. Folate is also essential for growth and development, and plays a key role in DNA formation. Its heart-healthy benefits come from its ability to lower homocysteine levels in the body. Homocysteine is an amino acid in the blood that is correlated with heart disease. Additionally, low levels of folate have been linked with low energy levels, depression and even memory impairments. So it’s an essential vitamin for everyone, in addition to its significant importance for the developing fetus. How to Select and Store Choose arugula leaves that are bright green and look fresh and deeply colored. Avoid any that are limp or have yellow or dark spots. The leaves and stems should look crisp and tender and feel dry to the touch. Arugula is delicate. To store, wrap the roots in a damp paper towel, cover with a plastic bag and refrigerate. Use within a day or two and wash immediately before use. How to Enjoy To prepare the greens, trim the roots, separate the leaves, and place in a large bowl of water to remove dirt. Dry leaves well. Taste a few leaves of arugula before deciding how much to add to the salad mix, since age and season can make the leaves much spicier. Arugula adds a delicious peppery taste to any vegetable or fruit salad. Other ways to enjoy this flavorful vegetable include: • Mix into pasta dishes • Use to top pizza, bruschetta or sandwiches • Sautee with olive oil, salt, and pepper • Blend with garlic, oil, and pine nuts for a pesto sauce • Puree and use in soups and sauces • Toss into a stew or soup Fresh Florida arugula is at its peak today. The spicy leaves add zest and nutrition to any salad or dish. SELECTED REFERENCES http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu http://www.whfoods.com INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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EXTENSION OFFERS TAX PREPARATION HELP, FINANCIAL COACHING Volunteer Financial Mentors Needed
by:Jim Frankowiak
Photos Courtesy of Martha Maddox, CEA III, Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Florida/IFAS, Sumter County Extension Service
If you or your family is seeking help with tax preparation or creation of a financial management plan, Hillsborough County Extension may be of assistance. In addition, residents who would like to serve as volunteer financial mentors are encouraged to get in touch with Extension. “We are offering free tax preparation assistance for individuals or families with incomes of $58,000 or less,” said Extension’s Lisa Leslie, Agent – Family and Consumer Sciences. “These services are offered by appointment Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 2 – 7 p.m. up until April 8.” Services are provided at Extension’s office, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL. “At these appointments tax filers will be able to access a self-guided tax preparation program and receive assistance, as needed, from an Internal Revenue Service-trained and certified volunteer,” said Leslie. This service is being offered as part of the United Way of Tampa Bay’s Prosperity Campaign. “That campaign offers free tax preparation at a variety of locations and they are all listed on the website: www.myfreetaxes.com/tampa. Filers may also visit the IRS website, www.irs.gov and click on “free file” for no cost access to a software program that will enable them to prepare their income tax returns,” said Leslie. “In addition to helping with the timely preparation of income tax returns, this is also a good time for individuals and families to take a close look at their financial lives to determine where their money is going, how to create and maintain a spending plan, saving for the future, building or improving credit and how to communicate with family members about money,” she said. The Florida Master Money Mentor (FMMM) program is a statewide coordinated referral network designed to match mentors trained in increasing financial knowledge and promoting positive financial practices with Floridians needing those skills. “Program participants receive one-on-one assistance in developing spending plans, organizing financial records, understanding credit and planning for the future,” Leslie said. “This program is open to WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
all Floridians, regardless of their annual income.” The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension began providing the infrastructure for FMMM in early 2010 thanks to a gift from Bank of America. Since then, more than 230 mentors have been trained and more than 255 Florida residents have utilized the program’s services in 18 counties. The program continues to expand to areas where it is needed the most, including rural areas and city centers hit hardest by high unemployment and a high incidence of home foreclosures. Beyond the Extension network, the FMMM Program has collaborated with agencies such as United Way Suncoast, Children’s Home Society, Hispanic United of Florida, All-Purpose Life Skills, Children in Crisis Florida, Office of the Attorney General of Florida and others. “For this program to continue to grow and serve residents, we need the ongoing involvement of volunteer mentors,” said Leslie. Mentors receive approximately 20-hours of intensive training in basic money management, strategies for dealing with financial problems, credit and debt management, savings, mentoring techniques and connecting to community resources. Following completion of training each volunteer provides financial mentoring for at least 50 hours within the year after training has been completed. “Anyone is welcome to apply to become a mentor and no previous financial education is needed,” she said.
To make an appointment at Extension for tax preparation assistance or to find out more about serving as a volunteer financial mentor, contact Leslie via email: lesliel@hillsboroughcounty.org or by calling 813/744-5519, Extension 54143. FMMM Program information is also available by email: FMMM@ifas.ufl.edu or by calling 352/273-3499.
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Aides Animal Rescue by Cheryl Kuck
In a benefit held on Saturday, January 4, the Krewe of Alegria teamed up with The Suncoast Animal League and their own charitable program, Alegria’s Kickin’ for Kids, Inc., to host the Cutest Pirate Dog Contest at Gaspar’s Grotto in Ybor City. This is the third year for the contest, enabling dog-lovers from throughout the Bay area to dress their pet pooches (and themselves) in pirate regalia, strutting their stuff along 7th Avenue and the grotto stage while vying for votes, applause, prizes for outstanding costumes and, of course, some ear scratching. One of the Krew’s recipient charities this year, Suncoast Animal League, is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to the protection and welfare of animals. It is a no-kill animal rescue and adoption agency providing for medical treatment, shelter, socialization, as well as, temporary foster care for abandoned, abused, homeless and unwanted animals. Almost all contest attendee’s had a story to share about the dog (or multiple dogs) they have rescued with a belief that “saving” and “rehabilitating” pets is regarded as a personal mission. The ongoing charitable work of the Alegria Krewe centers on children as well as animals in need. Jeanne Cameron, chairwoman for the Gasparilla Cutest Dog Event, is also The Alegria secretary, and vice-president of Alegria’s Group, Inc., their very own 501(c)3 charity, Alegria’s Kickin’ for Kids, Inc., providing new shoes for children within the Tampa Bay Area. The Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranch, Cornerstone Kids, The Children’s Home, The Salvation Army-Naomi’s Daughters, Hillsborough County Public Schools, The Salesian Boys and Girls Club and other groups have been recipients of thousands of dollars in value of new shoes and socks in the recent past. 38
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“It’s a good feeling to be able to give to so many organizations through the fund-raising efforts of our 50 member civic-minded krewe of dedicated professional women. We regard ourselves as good-will ambassadors who want to be of service to the greater community and are always interested in adding like-minded members to our number,” she said. Cameron, with her son Miles and their dog Nemo, were awarded a first place in the costume look-alike judging category. The competition’s gargantuan 18-winner roster of categories included weight and gender of dogs. As one of those vertically-challenged folks, I am usually wary around large animals…of any kind. Cautiously entering Gaspar’s unbelievably crowded (elbow-to-elbow and nose-to-tail) patio, there was barely enough room to walk without fear of stepping on a costumed canine. Then I noticed an amazing thing, while people were hugging, clinking glasses, laughing and shouting greetings, the dogs were all relaxed amid the unbelievably loud large party chaos and too gentlemanly and lady-like to bark, sniff me or each other. Huge Great Danes and Boxers quietly lounged while smaller varieties daintily stepped over them, slept or preened while waiting for the contest to begin. When asking a nattily costumed group consisting of long-haired, short-haired and mixed varieties of petite dogs about this behavioral phenomenon, Ruth Berg, holding her rescued 6-year-old Chihuahua Lilly, informed me they were members of Chihuahuas of the Tampa Bay Area, a club also open to other breeds under 20 lbs. “See all these small dogs? They’re usually yippy. Well, You won’t find any yippy dogs here because of socialization,” stated Berg. “Small WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
pooch owner look-a-like contest, pet photos and more. dogs can be very territorial, especially if they have been abused. In our club, we are always participating in different events where we take our dogs, so they can get used to people and we all have a lot of fun.” Lynne Tonte, founder of the Chihuahuas of the Tampa Bay Area (now boasting more than 108 members) said there were about 26 dogs from the club and 24 members participating in the Alegria Cutest Pirate Dog event. “I go everywhere to support our members. Today, four of the top winners are from our club. While socialization at gatherings like this are important, people need to understand that small dogs are not toys or accessories. I have four Chi’s including Fifi, the white short-hair with me today.” She laughingly adds, “Four is our limit. There just is no more room in the bed.” Adorned in complimentary buccaneer ensembles, Sherry Parsons, with her two rescued Lhasa Apsos, Charley Ann, age-6, and Jessie Ann, age-15, says, “Every day out with my pups is a happy day for all three of us.” “Rescue owners support each other and animal-based charities though it doesn’t stop there. We try to give back wherever we can. We are involved with therapy, establishing relationships with the elderly, reading stories, taking the pups to elementary schools to interact with children there and in hospitals. So, you see, it’s simply love. It’s about creating an ever-increasing circle of giving love.” For more information about Krewe of Alegria, Kickin’ for Kids, or organization membership, go to: www.kreweofalegria. com or Contact: kreweofalegria@verizon.net. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
The Krewe of Alegria provides new shoes to underprivileged children from infants to high school age through our Alegria’s Kickin’ for Kids, Inc. charitable program.
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FUN
By Libby Hopkins
When people think of Florida, they think of our sunny beaches and Orlando’s abundant theme parks. They don’t know about the local treasures that keep Floridians entertained year round, like Old McMicky’s Farm. “It’s not a petting zoo,” said farm manager, Scot Silvest. “It’s an educational farm where we teach the guests about the animals and get them to interact with the animals.” Silvest doesn’t come from a farming background but he does have over 20 years experience in the theme park business and he is using that knowledge to make the farm a must see destination in the Tampa Bay area. The farm is housed at Camp Keystone in Odessa. According to the farm’s website, “Camp Keystone is Florida’s oldest continuously inhabited camp. It has been around for 65 years. Old McMicky’s Farm opened in 1991 and quickly became a favorite field trip destination for kids and parents. Camp Keystone gave thousands of kids from all corners of the U.S. fun, unforgettable memories for six decades, hosting staff and campers such as Burt Reynolds. Creating a big family of camp alumni, Camp Keystone and Old McMicky’s Farm encompassed the traditional summer camp of sleeping in cabins, horseback riding and singing around campfires, and American farm life.” 46
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The camp opened in 1946 and Old McMicky’s Farm started in the early 90s. For many years, children from all over spent many summers at the camp. In 1950 the camp started its “Best Camper” program where the most outstanding camper got his or her name listed on the 10-foot high “Honor Board” at the camp. At one point, the farm hosted field trips for about 30,000 Tampa Bay area children every year, with many seeing and interacting with goats, pigs and sheep for the first time in their lives. In the late 90s the camp started to fall upon hard times because parents were sending their children to specialized camps or vacationing overseas for the summer. Eventually the camp and the farm closed. Many thought the land would be turned into condominiums or a retail site. When Ralph Zuckerman bought the property in 2006, he planned on building homes on it but he decided to hold off on that plan. He held off for several years and then finally decided to re-open the farm in May of 2013. Zuckerman ran an ad in the newspaper for farm manager and Silvest saw the advertisement. The two men met and the rest is history. “I saw the ad and I was curious about what an educational farm was, so I WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
applied for the job, not thinking much would come of it,” Silvest said. Now the two men have many plans for the farm. They are currently working on hiring an event planner for the farm because so many people want to use the barn on the property for weddings and parties. In addition to the educational programs offered at the farm, they offer senior programs and their 1,000 kids program. “Our senior program is a great opportunity for seniors to come out and enjoy the farm and we can accommodate wheelchairs and walkers,” Silvest said. Their 1000 kids program gives kids who are less fortunate or disabled a chance to visit the farm and experience farm life. “We want to bring 1000 kids out to the camp and give them the same opportunities as other kids.” So far, they have hosted 366 kids with this program. Many of the employees at the farm are former campers and they are thrilled to see that the farm is still running. “When we brought the farm back, many people said we gave them their life back because they love the farm and all the animals. They are happy to be here again,” Silvest said. Keeping things local in every aspect, from employees to vendors, is important to Zuckerman and Silvest. “Supporting the community and giving back to it is very important to us because of the history of the camp,” Silvest said. He hopes the camp will be able to work with more community organizations and charities as well. “We hope to reach out to the tri-county area and have different organizations host events here on the farm and get to experience the different programs we offer,” Silvest said. If you would like to learn more about Old McMicky’s Farm and the different programs they offer or if you would like to host an event at the farm, you can visit them on the web at www.oldmcmickys.com or call 813-920-1948. The farm is located at 9612 Crescent Dr. in Odessa. The farm’s hours of operation are Tuesday – Sunday 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
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Florida Strawberries & Cream Cake
Recipe
A take off on the classic Tres Leches Cake
from the FSGA
Submitted by Strawberry Sue Harrell of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association
DIRECTIONS 1. Place sliced strawberries into a mediumsize bowl. Add sugar. Toss gently. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Toss again. Refrigerate until ready to serve. 2.
INGREDIENTS
2 pounds Florida strawberries, sliced 1 cup sugar 4 large eggs 1 1/4 cups water 1 (18 1/4 ounce) box white cake mix 1 cup heavy cream 1 (12 ounce) can evaporated milk 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
Preheat oven to 350ยบ. Grease a 9x12-inch baking pan. Beat eggs in a large bowl. Add water and cake mix and beat three minutes. Pour batter into pan. Bake for 30 minutes, or until center of cake springs back when touched. Let cool to room temperature.
3. In a medium-size bowl mix cream, evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk. Set aside. Using a fork, wooden skewer or chopstick generously punch holes in cake. A chopstick works best. Slowly pour the milk mixture over the cake until liquid is absorbed. Refrigerate until ready to serve. 4. To serve, cut cake into squares and generously spoon sweetened berries on top. Add whipped cream if desired. Makes 12 servings.
Whipped cream (optional) 50
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Western & Outdoor Wear, Farm, Ranch & Pet Supplies 3014 S. Jim Redman Pkwy. (Hwy. 39 S) Plant City, FL • www.southsidestores.com WWW. WWW.IIN NTTHE HEF FIELD IELDM MAGAZINE.COM AGAZINE.COM
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Strong Growth, Bright Future Based on Traditional Values, Customer Partnerships and Team Effort By Jim Frankowiak Before Steve Maxwell and his friend and business partner John Durham acquired the forerunner company of Highland Packaging Solutions, it was a “captive” distributor of packaging products for a segment of the agricultural market. “Captive” in the sense that the company was limited to those plastic packaging products provided by a single manufacturer. In less than a decade since the acquisition, the company – now known as Highland Packaging Solutions – has become a multi-faceted manufacturer and marketer of varied plastic packaging items and services for fruit and vegetable growers across the U.S. and around the world. “We did it thanks to a team of great people and an unwavering commitment to truly partner with our customers,” said Maxwell, who met Durham while serving in the U.S. Navy stationed in Texas. “John and I come from similar blue collar backgrounds,” said Maxwell. “His father worked at a refinery in Texas and my dad was a state trooper. We hit if off while stationed at Chase Field in Beeville, Texas and that has become a lifelong friendship and business partnership.” After ending his naval tour in 1990, Maxwell returned to Plant City. Both he and his wife, Bev, are from the area. Maxwell began his career in produce, working in a potato shed with his brotherin-law in Immokalee. He later moved to the tomato industry and then on to a position with Ben Hill Griffin Inc., where he progressed up through the ranks and eventually became vice president of the company’s fresh fruit division. Maxwell held that position until 2003 when he joined Highland to learn the packaging business. Durham, in the meantime, had become a successful entrepreneur. Maxwell’s ties to agriculture can be traced to his early childhood and summers spent on his grandfather Wesley Collins’ farm in southern Georgia where he watched him work hard to get his products to the marketplace, properly graded with hopes for the best possible prices. “Those experiences gave me an appreciation for the challenges farmers face with post-harvest quality, handling and the marketing of their products,” said Maxwell. This recognition formed the basis for Maxwell’s desire and goal to build a company that is committed to helping farmers succeed. “Once I joined Highland Corporation, I came to realize that the in-
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dustry and our competitors were plastics people that understood their business, but not agriculture. And, while competition was strong, there was a genuine opportunity for us to grow even though the demands and challenges of the agriculture market can be tough.” That realization led Maxwell and Durham to acquire Highland and begin to take the steps necessary to become a leading packaging and label source for produce. “We had to build on our initial customer base and expand,” said Maxwell. “The strawberry growers in and around Plant City were and continue to be our core business. The local strawberry and grape tomato growers gave us the chance to do what we do. I will never forget what they have done for Highland. This allowed us to expand into new markets, specifically blueberries, and it has been continued growth since then. The blueberry market represents a year long base of customers as those berries grow throughout the country at different times of the year. “In return for the growers’ support, competition was brought to the marketplace reducing the cost of clamshells over 20%. Last year alone over $7 million in packaging cost were eliminated. This is how free enterprise works. Competition helps the customer. We are very proud to be a part of their success.” Maxwell is quick to credit the team members that have been vital to the company’s continued growth and expansion. “Our first hire as owner was Bill Clark, who knew our customers and prospects. Bill, his sales team and head of Customer Service, Lisa Giesel have helped us grow sales into new markets, both geographically and by commodity.” The company was originally based at Mulberry, “but we knew to accomplish our goals and meet growing demand for our products we had to find a larger facility that would permit expanded operations,” he said. After scouring potential locations in Polk County over a more than two year period for an existing facility of 250,000 to 300,000 square feet with the capability for expansion, none could be found. However, in early 2013 Albertsons was departing its Plant City distribution operation and 243,000-square-feet of space at that location would be available. Gordon Food Service (GFS), the
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new owner/landlord, offered Highland a separate entrance, fenced grounds and adjacent expansion space. Located off Park Road on the east side of Plant City, the facility is near Interstate 4 and has a railroad spur. Highland and GFS agreed to terms and the transition began. Highland has retained approximately 100,000-square-feet of its original Mulberry location, primarily as finished product warehousing. “As this process unfolded, we relied on our key team members to guide us,” said Maxwell. “In addition to Bill and his sales team, our Chief Financial Officer John Baird, Controller Vicki Maxwell, Manufacturing Director Roger Hanna, Plant Manager Rob Slagle and Human Resources Manager Steve Blackwelder have provided us with the expertise to go from a distributorship to a full-service food packaging solution.” That transition served as the basis for the new company name, Highland Packaging Solutions, as well. “As the company developed its manufacturing capabilities, we committed to the best quality and latest technology with the equipment we acquired,” said Maxwell. “This was essential if we were to compete effectively in the marketplace and meet our customer commitment.” Highland now offers one-stop packaging solutions for a range of fruits and vegetables: strawberry, blueberry, blackberry, raspberry, lychee, kumquat, table grape, grape tomato, peach, Roma tomato, heirloom tomato, potato, herb and cherry tomato. Cost-effective packaging products are manufactured using PET material. The company, via Highland Label, offers its customers custom label design and printing, label application, variable data traceback printing, barcoding, pad application, inventory control and delivery. Highland Fresh Technologies, a Highland Packing Solutions subsidiary along with Highland Manufacturing and Highland Label, offers customers cleaning, sanitation and food safety solutions, featuring products that can extend shelf-life, minimize cross contamination and enhance product quality. Another dimension of the Highland philosophy, which parallels that of its customer base, farmers, “is our sensitivity to the environmental impact of our products and processes. We are continuously seeking new ways to reduce the energy consumption, emission and waste during manufacturing and shipping,” said Maxwell. “Every member of our team is focused on environmental, health and safety performance. This is an important part of how we do business and that
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mirrors how our customers relate to and protect the environment in their operations. “This carries forward to our concern for reduction of our energy footprint internally and externally. Our newly developed extrusion technology uses 25 percent less energy per pound of output when compared to traditional extrusion technology,” he said. The company also uses energy efficient lighting, heating conservation air conditioning and ventilation efficiencies. The Highland commitment to source reduction and management is reflected in the use of recycled content where “we use a minimum of 70 percent recycled content in our extruded products. That also means for every pound of recycled PET flake used, energy consumption is reduced by 84 percent,” said Maxwell. “Greenhouse gas emissions are also reduced by 71 percent as compared to virgin material. And, we continually look for ways to improve that performance. “We are also committed to reducing the solid waste in our operations. We recycle 100 percent of our plastic manufacturing process scrap directly into our products and recycle aluminum, corrugated, scrap metals and remaining plastic scrap through suppliers and recycling services,” said Maxwell. The potential ascertained by Maxwell and Durham through the acquisition of Highland has become reality and can best be attested by the recent expansion into an additional 40,000-square-feet of space at the company’s Plant City location. “We have been truly blessed and the future is very bright for us,” said Maxwell. “We feel we’ve really just started. There are other agriculture markets that deserve better service and better products and we are planning to be there for those industries in the near future.” The company shares its good fortune with the community, supporting FFA, the Florida Strawberry Festival, Polk County Youth Fair and new agriculture program at Warner University to name just a few. The Maxwell’s enjoy family-oriented activities with their children, Mallory, Megan and Marshall, as well as their extended family at Highland, which currently numbers some 300 members. “We consider them all to be family and we enjoy being together with them,” noted both Bev and Steve. For more information about Highland Packaging Solutions, visit www.highcor.com.
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Taking The Plunge:
Growing an
Herb Garden
By Ginny Mink
If names like Rachel Ray, the Barefoot Contessa and the Pioneer Woman are frequently thrown around your house then we’ve something in common. Perhaps though the only name you’d recognize is Trisha Yearwood and that is for other reasons than the one to be discussed here. We’re talking about food and yes, Trisha can cook and sing. Recently the Food Network Channel became a daily staple and so have the recipes provided on their website. The problem of course, if you’ve ever spent time in the kitchen, is the frequent fresh herb request. Do people actually grow their own herbs so that they can cook like professionals? If so, how?
People do grow their own herbs! It may be a shocking revelation for you, but common everyday housewives and even business men and women are actually reveling in the fact that they can pinch some basil here or chop some parsley there. Herbs are an important part of making our daily meals taste either fantastic or forgettable. Surely you’ve been somewhere and received a meal that was particularly bland. Perhaps the chef didn’t use enough spice (take that to mean herbs) or perhaps, dare we say it, the chef only used dried, in the shakable bottle kind. Dried herbs are drastically taste reduced. While you might be a fan of beef jerky, you’re really only enjoying the additives, the beef has all but withered away. It’s the same concept for pre-bottled herbs, they’re dried to crisp tasteless perfection. Maybe you feel better adding them to your meals but chances are, very little is happening to your pallet when you eat them. There are a couple of different kinds of people whom are adamantly seeking to grow their own herbs, vegetables and various other edibles. The number one type is perhaps those who want to go green, they want all organic, anti-pesticide, anti-genetically modified foods. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that venture or desire, people are rapidly coming to the realization that all those preservatives and added flavors are really very detrimental to our health. So, while the reasoning behind their venture is a noble one, they aren’t the people we are talking about today. Instead we’re discussing those women (more than likely, though there are some terrific male chefs around) who want to make nightly dinners phenomenal. Those of us who are so totally in love with our husbands and in complete adoration of our families that we desire beyond comprehension to wow them every night they sit down to eat a meal with us. Maybe that’s going a little too far. Really, growing an herb garden is for people who like to eat great tasting food but they want to be the ones to make it, too! 60
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How do we move in that herbal direction? There are numerous resources at your disposal. We accessed the IFAS site and found out some pretty useful tips. You can read the whole article yourself at: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vh020. According to the University of Florida, “Most of the common herbs can be grown seasonally in Florida in sufficient quantities for home use. Since only a small portion of the plant is usually needed at any one time and because the plants are generally small, herbs are adapted to container culture. Their attractiveness as an ornamental plant makes them fit well into the home landscape, either in a border planting, or included in the flower garden.” This is excellent news for those of us living in restricted spaces be it apartments or subdivisions. Not everyone is capable of just adding their herbs to their vegetable gardens. Currently we’re considering turning the sandy flower bed around our front stoop into an herbal paradise. Thusly, we’re wondering how that will work out? The IFAS site answered that one for us as well, “In general, most herbs will grow satisfactorily under the same conditions of sunlight and soil, and with similar cultural techniques as are used for vegetables. Most herbs can be successfully grown in containers attractively arranged outdoors along borders of drives, walks, and patios or on porches and balconies. Hanging baskets are especially suitable for herbs. A few can be grown fairly well indoors with special care. Attention must be given to providing plenty of sunlight. Additions of organic matter to sandy soils are particularly beneficial to herbs since they are shallow rooting.” It would appear that the key is adding organic matter to our sandy space, but what does that mean to those of us who are not erudite gardeners? The Soil Association had this answer for us, “Organic matter is a term that refers to any natural material that is added to the soil and allowed to decompose. It adds nutrients to the soil and also fibrous material that helps promote soil structure and provides ‘food’ for the insects and microbial organisms that are present in healthy soils,” (http://www.soilassociation.org/whatisorganic/organicfarming/organicmatter). Translated, we’re taking that to mean humus or composted materials. There are several places you can acquire organic matter and they don’t all have to be retail chains. So, you’re gonna take the herbal plunge, what’s next? Of course the first thing you’ll need to do is acquire your plants or seeds. IFAS advised, “Seed and planting stock of the savory herbs can WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
Recycling in the Garden
By Shannon Mitchell – The Redheaded Gardener During these cooler months and darker afternoons I like to think about how I can repurpose materials in the garden. I have a friend who has recently taken to supplying what he calls “the cause.” “The cause” being my weird gardening ideas and repurposing of unusual items for garden decor. In his line of work he tends come across lots of cast off items. Some of them he has generously “dropped” off at my door step inspiring me to break out my creativity gene.
be obtained from a number of established herb gardens and seedsmen, as well as from many vegetable-seed mail-order firms in various parts of the country. Usually the seed of the more common herbs (sage, dill, fennel, parsley, celery, and chive) can be obtained from local seed retailers, while the less common ones can be purchased only from those specializing in savory herbs.” There are some really great resources in Plant City for seed stock, check out some of our advertisers for ideas. Once you’ve got things moving in your personal herb garden, no doubt you’ll have some harvesting questions. It’s quite probable that you won’t be sure about what to do with those fragrant green things taking up space on your window sill, porch or front stoop. Here are some more answers from the IFAS site, “The seeds, leaves, flowering tops, and occasionally the roots of the herbs are used for flavoring purposes. Their flavor is due for the most part to a volatile or essential oil contained in leaves, seeds, and fruits. The young, tender leaves can be gathered and used fresh at any time during the season.” These leaves can also be dried and stored just remember that dried versions are less flavorful. Certainly, understanding what to do with the herbs once you’ve grown them is imperative to their value in your life and garden. There are however other benefits from having planted them. Lisa Robinson, a Hillsborough County local, shared her experiences with us, “You asked what spurred me to start growing herbs. I’ve gardened since I was a child. Mostly vegetables and your basic herbs like basil, parsley, dill, and oregano. A number of years back, I decided that the first time I had enough space to plant a garden, I was going to grow my own herbs for cooking with, as well as for medicinal purposes. Beyond that, I just love the fact I can walk out the door, clip off what I need and add it to what I am cooking. It’s the same with my vegetables, I love being able to pick fresh from our gardens and add to the pot or salad. Many days I can be found in my back yard in one of my garden beds, on my hands and knees happily digging and working with my plants. I spend a lot of time out there praying, and working, it’s incredibly therapeutic.” Whatever your reason for beginning such an admirable venture, rest assured you are not alone. Your questions are never silly and there’s always someone willing to assist be it IFAS or some of these other resources: www.growgainesville.wordpress.com (they also have a Facebook group page) and www.herbsarespecial.com.au. Happy herb gardening, folks! WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
Among these items was a lovely old tool box. Made out of weathered wood with a time-rusted handle, it was the perfect receptacle for a diverse selection of succulents and sedums. For those of you not familiar with the term “succulent” it generally refers to a plant with fleshy leaves that tend to conserve moisture. Common succulents you might be familiar with are Burro’s Tail (Sedum morganianum), Hens-and-Chicks (Sempervivum tectorum or Echeveria elegans), Jade plant (Crassula ovata), Kalanchoes or Aloes (Aloe vera). Sedums are also a type of succulent with the common name of Stonecrop. You might have seen roofs with Sedums growing on them in photographs of “green roof” treatments. My tool box planting turned out to be a wonderful entryway accent planted with different shades of evergreen succulents. Succulents are very versatile and there are many more varieties than can be listed here. I suggest you try a google search to see some of the more common forms. They are also easily attainable at local nurseries and box stores. Many do well in our heated climate and tend to be fairly resilient even during cooler weather. Hard freezes are a different story so protect them from extreme cold. They do very well in container plantings and can create a nice arrangement of textures when juxtaposed. Because they retain moisture they tend to be a little more tolerant of neglect, but for best results water at least once a week, more in extreme heat or periods of drought. Another method of recycling I have taken advantage of for garden décor includes scavenging my local thrift store. I have planted up discarded children’s rain boots, tea pots, purses and martini glasses. While some of these containers only last a season out in the weather, they are fun and whimsical. If the material is a more durable plastic or glass I find these repurposed objects perfect for seasonal annual plantings that I can change out for color or climate needs more readily. I recently gave a discarded designer purse new life by filling it with cascading succulents. I hung it on a shepherd’s hook by my driveway and have enjoyed its unusual bell shaped blooms for several years – longer than I expected. Today’s Pinterest addicts (Yes, I am one of them!) are providing more and more inspiration in the gardening realm by sharing “upcycled” projects that make treasures out of trash. I don’t know about you, but I look at everyday objects around the house with new eyes before I decide to get rid of them. That old refrigerator freezer bin? Why not use it as a planter you can hang on your fence or an old Oak. Sometimes all you have to do is drill a few holes for drainage or if it’s a wire bin, line it with sphagnum moss and fill with potting soil then plant away. Have an old metal bowl and tin coffee pot? What about a creating a fountain with the metal bowl as the reservoir? That old bicycle with the basket on front makes a great entry way planter. The more aged or vintage the better. Rust is the new paint in the garden. Broken garden tools? Try painting them bright colors and mounting them as wall art on your patio wall or garden fence. Old shovel heads can be mounted perpendicular to a fence to create a pot shelf. Many ideas await you if you just let your imagination take over and give some of your worn out things new life in the garden. Happy recycling! INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OFFERS ‘TECHNOLOGY Farm TRANSFER’ FORCredit—Your FLORIDA STRAWBERRY VARIETIES
One Stop Lender
An Opportunity for Global Networking By Jim Frankowiak The words “technology transfer” are not typically associated with strawberries, but that was decidedly the case in January when 120 strawberry growers from around the world – yes, around the world – gathered at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) to share information and learn the latest about varieties of Florida strawberries. The conference was entitled: “Florida Fortuna and Beyond…” The conference highlighted the newest developments in the University of Florida Strawberry Breeding Program including varieties, innovations in technical management, disease control and the use of the latest technologies to identify important genes that influence fruit flavor, disease resistance and other characteristics. It also included growers and marketers from different counties participating in panel discussions covering diverse topics such as production practices, post-harvest management, international environmental safety and marketing in leading strawberry regions. Attendees also had the opportunity for field visits to some of the area’s most advanced facilities. This was the second such meeting at the GCREC, the first was held in 2010 and attracted 50 growers from 12 foreign counties. The January event had 120 growers from 20 countries in attendance. “Both conferences were organized by Ekland Marketing of California,” said Florida Strawberry Growers Association (FSGA) Executive Ted Campbell. “And it’s Roy Ekland who uses the term technology transfer to describe the proceedings of the conference.” Ekland, who is headquartered at Chico, California with several offices off shore, would know, as his firm has represented and marketed Florida strawberry varieties for many years. Royalties from those sales are shared with the University of Florida and FSGA. “There has been • Agriculture • Operating tremendous growth in the international sale of Florida strawberry • Youth Projects Expensesmarket generates five varieties,” noted Steer Campbell. “The international times the of royalties compared•toLivestock domestic sales, and that helps • level Residential to fund ongoing research and development of Florida varieties, as well Property • Equipment as addressing grower challenges from around the world and here in the • Hunting & royalty income •has Crop Insurance U.S.” Campbell said supported research programs Recreational at increasing levels over the past five plus years. “Our research has gone
Properties
from under $100,000 five years ago to more than $1 million currently and that bodes well for our capabilities in Florida and the growing markets we are serving around the world. There are several reasons for the dramatic growth of Florida strawberry varieties internationally. “Let’s face it, Florida is the torture test for any variety of strawberries,” said Campbell. “If a variety makes it successfully here, it will do so just about anywhere.” In addition, grower problems with Florida varieties are quickly and thoroughly addressed by the researchers at the GCREC and their colleagues in Gainesville. “That type of after sale service is critical to a grower no matter where they are located when their crop and livelihood are on the line. “The conference serves to bring growers from around the world together to learn and to network,” said Campbell. “This is very candid networking since there is no need for them to be concerned about their competition. There is a significant difference among the way growers do thing here and elsewhere. For example, we field pack here, but elsewhere packaging typically takes place at a central location and that poses a different set of circumstances and challenges.” Growers attending the conference came from distant counties such as Turkey, Australia, Spain and elsewhere. Two young men, Mithat Yaltir and Mehmet Ozmen came to the conference from Adana, Turkey where Yaltir’s family has a nursery with citrus, blueberries, strawberries and blackberries. Ozmen’s father is a partner of the Yaltir operation located near the Mediterranean coast. Ozmen had an internship in the Plant City area where he was involved in all aspect of strawberry growing from planting through and including harvesting with a number of local growers and at post-harvest facilities. “I think it’s pretty interesting that Mithat’s family operation ships Florida bred strawberries from Turkey to Moscow,” said Campbell. “That is certainly an example of how the marketplace for agriculture has become truly global. Incidentally, Fortuna is the international name for the variety of strawberry we know in the U.S as Radiance. The name change was made to accommodate language issues in certain foreign countries. “Overall, we are delighted to have had this conference for it provides an excellent opportunity for all of us in the strawberry industry to learn from one another and continue to grow.
OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
1-866-245-3637
www.farmcreditcfl.com Farm Credit of Central Florida’s Director of Marketing & Government Affairs, Ron O’Connor (Center) accepts the Florida Cattlemen’s Institute and Allied Trade Show’s Lifetime Commitment & Longstanding Achievement Award from University of Florida IFAS Okeechobee Dairy/Water Quality Agent, Courtney Davis (L) and UF-IFAS Orange County Livestock Agent, Dennis Mudge (Right). This year marked the event’s 31st year. Florida’s three Farm Credit associations are long-time supporters of the FCA’s Allied Trade Show. O’Connor accepted the award on behalf of Farm Credit. 64 64
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Fresh From Florida: Nurturing Success. Growing the Future.
Spivey Family Farm Stephen, Zachary, and David 2013 Fresh From Florida Members The Florida Strawberry Growers Association joined the Fresh From Florida program on behalf of all of its members. “We joined Fresh From Florida because the program supports our best interests and the interests of all producers in the state. We’re proud to be Florida strawberry growers.” – David Spivey
INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE or call February 2014 65 ForWWW. more information on member benefits visit FreshFromFlorida.com (850) 617-7399.
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Libby Hopkins Have you ever thought twice about throwing out that old lamp you have in the garage, or maybe that old chair in the attic? Did you stop yourself and say, “Hey I might be able to use this for something someday?” Or did you just toss it out in the trash, not thinking twice. There is an old saying that says “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” Larry Schiller of Schiller’s Salvage in Tampa has a warehouse full of old items that people have tossed aside thinking they are of no value. He sees these items as architectural antiques. “I’m a builder and for about 30 years I have been collecting architectural antiques on a small scale,” Schiller said. “My wife is an interior designer and I was building a lot of big houses, but when the market turned, I wasn’t building as many big houses as before and my wife was worried about our finances.” He decided to tell her that he was moving his office to a warehouse and he was going to sell his cool junk, so she wouldn’t have to worry. This was a wonderful idea because now he has a thriving salvage business. Schiller goes all over the country looking for unique items to salvage and nothing is off limits. In his warehouse he has everything from old pieces of wood to crystal chandeliers. He also has old amusement rides and a phone booth in the lot outside of his warehouse. “The longer I’m in this business, the more people surface that have stuff to get rid of and they call me to come look at it,” Schiller said. “I wander the United States looking for stuff and I have a whole bunch of crazy auctions I go to for more stuff.” Most of the items in his warehouse he’s found outside of Florida. One of the unique items he has hanging in his warehouse is a jester’s head. Schiller actually had 12 jester’s heads at one point that he got from a casino boat that was to be anchored in New Orleans, but was being renovated in Tampa. The group that owned the boat fell apart and the boat was ceased by the marina. The marina called Schiller to come down and take the items off the boat. “I originally had 12 heads but I sold most of them to everyone from home owners who wanted them for parties to an artist who has one of them on his front lawn,” Schiller said. 70 70
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More people have been coming to Schiller’s warehouse because they were inspired by the “Do It Yourself” reality T.V. shows. Upcycling is the new trend where old is new again and Schiller has a lot of old to make new. According to the website, The National (www.thenational.ae), “Upcycling is the new recycling, fuelled by the increasing troubled world economy and the need for environmental awareness in all aspects of society, designers are rescuing what would once have been landfill fodder and turning it into eco-friendly and innovative products. It’s a perfect solution, reducing waste and the need for virgin resources while sourcing raw materials for very little, if any, cost.” Schiller’s client base increases every week from upcycling and artistic expression. “I have a lot of artist and motivated people who come in wanting to build their own stuff,” Schiller said. “I never thought that there would be so many people doing things like that but there are and come here looking for all kinds of items.” He even has designer and photographers using the warehouse and all its items as a backdrop for photo shoots. He also rents his antiques for parties and other functions. Many people come to Schiller’s Salvage just to take a look around at all the antiques, while other comes to shop and haggle Schiller over prices. “It’s the nature of this business,” Schiller said. “They think they are supposed to haggle over price with me and I let them, but sometimes I won’t.” His wife does most of the pricing of the items and sometimes he will haggle with her over the price of an item. He didn’t say who wins when they haggle, but all he is concerned with is selling the items so he can by more. If you would like to see some of the crazy items Schiller has in his warehouse, you can visit his website at www.schillersalvage.com, or you can visit his warehouse which is located at 1002 N. Rome Ave. in Tampa and its hours of operation are Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and most Saturdays. Schiller can be reach at 813-443-4641.
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Farm Credit—Your
One Stop Lender Photo by Ron O’Connor – Farm Credit
Farm Credit of Central Florida Chief Appraiser, Shane Platt (4th from Left) and his wife, Carol (5th from Left) were honored by Florida Governor Rick Scott (3rd from L), Cabinet members, Chief Financial Officer, Jeff Atwater (L), Attorney General, Pam Bondi (Second from right), Commissioner of Agriculture, Adam Putnam (Right), as well as Florida House of Representatives member, Mike LaRosa (Second from left). The Platts were recognized as recipients of the coveted Commissioner of Agriculture’s Ag Environmental Leadership Award. Kissimmee Park Properties, LLC covers 1,200 acres in Osceola County and features orange groves and a cow/calf operation. It has been under continuous family ownership for more than 135 years and has achieved Century Pioneer Farm status. Kissimmee Park Properties borders Lake Tohopekaliga, the headwaters of the northern Everglades. The Platts have been renowned for their extraordinary environmental stewardship and wildlife conservation efforts. They have teamed up with the Florida Forest Service and other conservation groups to preserve wildlife habitat and follow Best Management Practices (BMPs) while operating a viable, productive agricultural business.
Photo by Ron O’Connor – Farm Credit
Farm Credit of Central Florida Business Analyst, Maria Hernandez (Second From Right) is congratulated by Congressman Dennis Ross (Right) on earning her U.S. citizenship. Her Husband, Roy (L) and son, Javi helped to honor Maria at the Town Hall meeting in Lakeland on Wednesday night. “Maria Hernandez is truly an inspiration. Her hard work and dedication showcase the attributes that make this country great. I was honored to present her with a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol and I wish Maria, Roy, and Javi the best in all of their future endeavors.” The flag Maria received flew over the White House and is a special honor Congress can bestow upon citizens in recognition of significant achievements. WWW. WWW.IIN NT THE HEF FIELD IELDM MAGAZINE.COM AGAZINE.COM
• Agriculture • Youth Steer Projects • Residential Property • Hunting & Recreational Properties
• Operating Expenses • Livestock • Equipment • Crop Insurance
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Not Just for Men, Anymore By Danielle Edelmann, Coach/Public Outreach Coordinator at Adventures Archery
Dog fennels and waist high pine saplings engulf you in every direction. You can feel the hard bottom of the ground beneath the soles of your shoes. You are stealth in your movements, but the remnants of fallen trees and their scattered branches keep grasping at your feet as though they are haunted remains of the forest trying to sabotage your cover. You transition to an area that has been transformed as though a farmer had just plowed the ground…plants uprooted, a mixture of torn grass and mud that appears so deep it could swallow a person alive. Just then you notice a familiar wild and pungent odor…you realize your target is quickly approaching. You nervously take cover, your bow and arrow in hand, shaking with every beat of your heart and wait patiently. While this may sound like a scene out of one of the ‘Hunger Games’ movies, it actually describes a common place day of hog hunting in Florida. Young archers are quickly realizing that the real life experience of an action scene like the one described above, is quite a bit more exciting than a captive indoor video game. Thanks to the influence of popular archery related movies and television shows, parents and children alike are being introduced into archery related activities, such as competitive archery and bow hunting. “I decided to try archery because when I saw the Hunger Games, Katniss’ bravery and confidence inspired me to come to Adventures Archery and shoot,” explained eight year old Paris Stanley. The number of youth and female archers is now rapidly expanding, and the archery industry is doing its best to keep up with this market by developing products that cater to women and children. For example, manufacturers are producing bows with shorter draw lengths, lighter draw weights, smoother draw cycles, and a whole lot of adjustability. These products are not only more appropriately designed, but also visually appealing with new color and camouflage patterns for the targeted audience. With sales of youth archery equipment at an all-time high and continuing to grow exponentially, involvement in outdoor competitive archery and bow hunting activities is clearly on the rise. New archery clubs, such as JOAD (Junior Olympic Archery Development) and NASP (National Archery in the Schools Program) are being created daily. Adventures Archery, one local archery center, is home to Tampa Bay JOAD and also acts as a headquarters for local NASP schools, offering equipment sales and repairs, practice ranges, a tournament venue, and lessons from certified instructors. Dedicated students earn achievement pins and lanyards to be placed 74
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on their quivers, and medals to showcase their successful shooting. One of the main objectives of these shop-based clubs is to offer the community a safe and exciting sport that the entire family, regardless of skill and physical level, can enjoy together. Adventures Archery, for example, offers introductory to intermediate archery classes to the local community every Monday through Friday. Novice to aspiring competition archers receive personalized attention from professional instructors, from just getting the basics to perfecting their form. Logan Newberry of Adventures Archery local JOAD club explained, “I thought I knew about archery from the basic classes I took before I moved to Florida, but when I joined Tampa Bay JOAD I learned so much more. The coaches took me under their wing and expanded my knowledge of archery and how everything works as a unit.” They are also planning to offer a seminar series on traditional and competitive archery and bow hunting in the very near future. Topics will range from proper shooting form to preparing for a hunt and proper care of harvested game for successful bow hunters. Archery is an exciting family activity with physical and mental benefits. Archers of all ages are reminded of the values of focus and patience, confidence, and athleticism through this ageless sport. One positive aspect of archery is that it is available to those of any age, sex, and physical condition. Archery brings families together and centered around an activity enjoyed by all. Interestingly, the number of women, from little girls to grandmothers, wanting to accompany their partners, husbands, and dads on bow hunting trips is expanding at a remarkable rate. Even more impressive, is the number of woman who enjoy the solitude and excitement of bow hunting adventures on their own. Woman featured in bow hunting programs on television and recent popular movies are no doubt part of the trend, but these are not the only factors. It is said that archery and bow hunting is not just a sport, but an instinct rooted deep within your soul. This is evident when you see the passion of archery enthusiasts. In fact, whether at Adventures Archery on the range, or at local and national tournaments, it can be observed that at least half of the participants will be comprised of women and children, with a fair number of them being the most accomplished archers in the crowd. Not only is this encouraging for the future of archery, it is positive for our society. Once tried, it is easy to see why so many men, women, and children are becoming passionate about this age-old sport and obsessed with getting out in the woods to become a participant in the wildness or nature, and no longer just an observer. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
Myrtle Lou Swindle and granddaughter Kimberly Swindle-Barber, embarked on a successful, fair chase elk hunt in New Mexico! Myrtle Lou, wife of Ed Swindle, may be an 82-year-old great grandma, but she can shoot, and has proven it time after time. She has hit her limit of turkey for several years. Kimberly is an avid hunter, bagging her first deer at the tender age of 8. The Swindle family has been making the trek to Jerry Clifford’s property in New Mexico for 10 years. This year proved a challenge thanks to the rain in New Mexico, making it tough to get to the good hunting ground. After some trying times Myrtle Lou said, “we got a bad start, but I’m sure it will be better this afternoon.” And boy was she right! At 5:15 PM the 82-year-old great grandmother nailed the shot at 220 yards, dropping a 6x6 bull elk that weighed over 900 pounds. A larger bull elk followed this one out, he got within 75 yards, but no one else in attendance had a license! They just admired the view as he went by. Ed said there were three reasons he didn’t shoot it. One, he didn’t have a license, two, he knew better than to kill an elk bigger than Myrtle Lou’s, and three, if he had missed he would never hear the end of it! Now it was Kimberly’s turn. This was her first elk hunt and she was thrilled! She got a 5x5 trophy elk at 301 yards that weighed over 800 pounds. That same afternoon, she killed a 31” wide Mule Deer. Hunting for the Swindle’s is truly a family affair and they plan many more trips to New Mexico.
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Save $2.00 on Adult & $1.00 on Youth General Admission Tickets at Publix Super Markets!
FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL
®
Florida’s Best Family Recipe!
Artists Appearing on the
FEB. 27 - MAR. 9, 2014 • PLANT CITY, FLORIDA
Soundstage:
Jimmy Sturr
Thu. Feb. 27, 10:30 FREE
Love and Theft Sat. Mar. 1, 3:30 $15 & $20
Shoji Tabuchi
STYX
Thu. Feb. 27, 3:30 $15 & $20
Ronnie Milsap
Thu. Feb. 27, 7:30 $25 & $30
Little Big Town
Thompson Square Sun. Mar. 2, 3:30 $25
Sat. Mar. 1, 7:30 $40
Charley Pride Mon. Mar. 3, 3:30 $15 & $20
Josh Turner Mon. Mar. 3, 7:30 $20 & $25
Lee Brice Wed. Mar. 5, 7:30 $20 & $25
Tommy Dorsey Orchestra Thu. Mar. 6, 10:30 FREE
Brenda Lee Tue. Mar. 4, 3:30 $15 & $20
Fri. Feb. 28, 3:30 $15 & $20
Colt Ford
Fri. Feb. 28, 7:30 $15 & $20
Rascal Flatts “LIVE & LOUD” Tour 2014 Sun. Mar. 2, 7:30 $55
Kellie Pickler Tue. Mar. 4, 7:30 $15 & $20
Oak Ridge Boys 40th Anniversary Tour Thu. Mar. 6, 3:30 $15 & $20
Crystal Gayle Wed. Mar. 5, 3:30 $15 & $20
Third Day Thu. Mar. 6, 7:30 $15 & $20
John Anderson Fri. Mar. 7, 3:30 $15 & $20
Mobile App
#berryfest
Free Grandstand Boyz II Men Fri. Mar. 7, 7:30 $20 & $25
Caroline Kole Sat. Mar. 8, 1:00 FREE
Dustin Lynch Sat. Mar. 8, 3:30 $15 & $20
Jerrod Niemann Sat. Mar. 8, 7:30 $20 & $25
Easton Corbin Sun. Mar. 9, 3:30 $15 & $20
The Band Perry Sun. Mar. 9, 7:30 $40
Seating at 3:30 & 7:30pm is on a first come, first seated basis. Concert dates and times are subject to change
Visit www.flstrawberryfestival.com or call 813-754-1996 and get your tickets for the best seats available! While online, check out the Free Entertainment, Midway Specials, Discounted Days, and Full Schedule of Festival Events.
Alessi Bakery • Verizon Wireless • Florida’s Best • Images Everywhere! • CF Industries • Bionic Band AMSCOT • TECO • Stingray Chevrolet • Carolina Carports • Good Health Saunas • Netterfield’s Concessions HERSHEY’S ® • Southern Ford Dealers • Astin Farms • Candyland Warehouse • Florida Blue • 5-hour ENERGY 78
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TWO HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY TEACHERS WIN FARM BUREAU MINI-GRANTS Winning Submissions Designed to Promote Understanding of Agriculture By Jim Frankowiak
Hillsborough County teachers Peggy Smith at Willis Peters Exceptional Center, Dover, and Velda Hopkins at Shiloh Elementary in Plant City, recently received Mini-Grants from Florida Farm Bureau for individual educational initiatives designed to help their respective projects to further the understanding of agriculture. The grants were presented to each educator by Hillsborough County Farm Bureau Executive Director Judi Whitson and board member Michelle Williamson. The Mini-Grant program is part of Florida Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Program’s Agriculture in the Classroom (FFB-AITC) initiative for educators in the state. The FFB-AITC grant is a public/private partnership serving Pre-K-12th grade education with a goal of helping to increase the understanding of agriculture among students and educators. The program is administered through Florida Farm Bureau, the state’s largest agricultural organization. Up to $9,500 may be awarded via mini-grants to Florida schools each year. The program offers cash awards to help educators more effectively integrate agriculture into their curriculum. Since agriculture is broad in scope, entries are encouraged in all subject areas. Certified Florida teachers engaged in classroom instruction at the Pre-K-12th grade levels are eligible for the FFB-AITC MiniGrant Program. Individual grants up to $250 have been awarded for budgeted expenses to provide an original and creative activity or program. This year, the program awarded over 35 grants statewide. Mrs. Smith’s class was awarded a grant of $250. Those funds will be used to add to their hydroponic strawberry and tomato garden to learn about the plant cycle, how much work it takes to produce food and how to keep them healthy. “Our special needs students require hands on experience and teaching to understand things in the world around them,” said Smith. “This garden has been a wonderful opportunity for our students to see how plants grow and where our food comes from. It has given students in wheelchairs the opportunity to easily access plants from their chair. They have loved putting the garden together, watching it grow and eating the produce. It has given students the opportunity to share the tangible gift of their labor with significant people in their lives as they have shared the produce. Our students are excited about the win and having money to continue the garden. “We thank Farm Bureau for this wonderful opportunity,” she said. “It has helped us appreciate not only how hard farmers work, but the amount of knowledge they need to successfully put food on our tables.” The grant to Mrs. Hopkins’ class, which was also $250, will be used to build a student maintained greenhouse to study humidity, temper80
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ature, growth and other elements by recording and tracking observations. The students then plan to sell the plants, vegetables and herbs to maintain the greenhouse. “Students have been given an opportunity to experience working with plants to assist in understanding the implications of all the benchmarks in education,” said Hopkins. Since I grew up in Bay City, Michigan with my dad farming 120-acres and my grandpa, also a farmer, I realized how this knowledge aided my understanding of math and science, along with language arts. I could mentally visualize real world problems since I gained a lot of knowledge working outside on the farm.” “My grandpa grew potatoes, field corn, navy beans, oats, wheat, hay and sugar beets,” Hopkins said. “My dad grew field corn, navy beans, oats, wheat, and hay. Crops were raised to sustain all of the animals throughout the winter months. My thoughts were to begin with a greenhouse in hopes to continue toward a complete agricultural program to prepare students interested in agriculture along with contributing to the community, especially since Plant City stems from farmers. If students can see the connection of a balance in nature within the greenhouse and the good work ethics necessary in working with one another, then they can see the essence of community collaboration and the impact it has on our future. “Since we began the school year the students’ enthusiasm for Science grew when they actively took part in digging up the grass and preparing the ground for a small garden, a few garden boxes and some containers we used for herbs. The students actively shared responsibility of weeding, watering and maintaining the garden. “I was even shocked on our cold mornings when they begged to water and weed the garden. Their pride in the process was realized with the excitement they had when it was time to pick and shell the peas. When the tomatoes started to ripen, they individually rushed in to report there was a ripe tomato and asked if they could pick it,” she said. Hopkins’ class purchased a greenhouse with money made available through a Going Green grant, which was won separately. “This created an opportunity for the students to plant flower seeds early and to enjoy their active part in growing flowers to create baskets and other plants to resell to the public to help support the green house. We also plan for the future, an opportunity for the students to participate in a booth at the Strawberry Festival to become more involved with the community and for the community to become aware and support Shiloh’s vision in growing up our future generation and assisting in their success of giving back to the community.
“Thank you Farm Bureau for your mini grant enabling us to continue Shiloh’s dream.” WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
Dannie Glassburn Florida 4-H, District IX
Connecting our mission to our communities At the heart of every local fair are young people learning about responsible farming, ranching and food production. As a global leader in the production of essential crop nutrients, Mosaic takes pride in fulfilling our mission of helping the world grow the food it needs. However, most people don’t know we also produce high-quality feed ingredients that provide the critical building blocks of animal nutrition – for farmers and ranchers here in Florida and around the world. Quality food on our tables begins with quality feed on farms. That’s why we’re proud to support our local FFA and 4H programs – where commitment to teaching responsible agricultural practices is about growing a safe and healthy future, for all of us. Let’s keep our communities growing, together.
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Saving your Tomato Harvest By Brad Buck
Look at a basket full of glistening red, ripe tomatoes that were picked at their peak. Smell that fresh tomato aroma. Don’t you wish you could have them that way every day of the year? If you had your own personal greenhouse, you might. But our Florida seasons just won’t cooperate with our wishes! So, while we have baskets of local, ripe, delicious goodness, what are our options for preserving them? We can freeze them, or we can can them. (Yes, I know we pack them in glass jars, but it’s been called ‘canning’ for centuries!) Freezing is so quick and easy, why not just freeze them all? There are a couple of downsides of freezing foods. One, it costs more, because you have to keep paying the electric meter for the freezer. Probably more important is that if the power goes off, likely during any of our windy storms, you might lose all the food. You might lose the freezer, too if the power stays off so long the food spoils. Too many people realize that the hard way each year. But for many of us, freezing is the way to go. You’ll be able to use them for cooking whenever you want them. Fresh tomatoes can be frozen whole, stewed or as juice. Choose whichever form you will be most likely to use later. Dip them in boiling water for 30 seconds, or enough to loosen the skins, then drop them into ice water to chill and stop the cooking. The skins will slip right off. Cut out the core as you remove the skin. The boiling water dip also stops the action of enzymes in the fruit that can cause flavor and aroma changes. You’ll have a better quality product if you dip them. The peeled tomatoes can be packed in freezer containers or bags, whole, sliced or quartered. You can stew the tomatoes, too and freeze them that way, or make juice and freeze it. If you choose to stew them first, just cook the peeled tomatoes. Celery is one vegetable that often gets bitter or develops a strange flavor and odor when it’s been frozen, so don’t add it to the tomatoes until they’re thawed and you’re about to cook them. Be sure to use containers or plastic bags that are labeled as ‘freezer weight’ or ‘for freezing.’ If you use something that is too thin or not intended for freezing you are likely to end up with packages of frost and freezer-burnt produce. Freezer weight containers will not allow air or moisture to pass through, which means you’ll have much better quality in your frozen foods. The longer they’re in the freezer the more likely they are to lose some quality. But if they were safe when they were frozen, and the freezer stays on, they’ll be safe whenever you take them out. That’s not to say you should plan on keeping them for 10 years, but they’d still be safe! Automatic defrosting freezers and those over refrigerators that are opened often will not preserve your food’s best qualities either. If you plan to freeze large quantities of foods for long term storage, it’s a good idea to invest in a deep freezer. The quality will be much better.
canning. That means a stock pot could be enough. The pot has to be deep enough for a rack, your jars of tomatoes, two inches of water over the top, and enough space for the water to boil. Recipes with added vegetables, such as onions, peppers and celery may require a pressure canner, or there will be limits on how much extra vegetable you add. You MUST add 1 Tbsp of lemon juice to each pint of all your canned tomatoes. Salt is optional and is just for flavor. You can add spices such as red pepper or celery seed if you want. But lemon juice or vinegar is a MUST. If you use vinegar, use twice as much, The reason for the different pots and the lemon juice is the bacteria that cause botulism. These bacteria cannot grow above a certain level of acidity. Tomatoes are right on the line. Some have enough acid to keep them from growing. Others don’t. It depends on the soil where they’re grown, how ripe they are, whether they were picked on a sunny or cloudy day and probably other reasons, too. But we can’t tell by looking or tasting. So adding lemon juice is important for making sure they are all acidic enough. No one wants botulism paralysis from their canned food! All other vegetables are low acid. When we add them to tomatoes they lower the acidity. Too much vegetable would make it low enough for botulism bacteria. Even lemon juice won’t push the acidity back up to safe levels. Those mixed products we must can in a pressure canner. Pressure canners get much hotter than boiling water, and can kill bacteria without adding acid. So most spaghetti sauce, and stewed tomatoes and mixtures such as tomatoes with okra must be processed in a pressure canner. Be sure to use a tested recipe, or check with your local extension office Family and Consumer Science Agent to get a tested recipe. How long you have to boil the jars of tomatoes depends on how you prepared the tomatoes and the size of your jars. Don’t just pick a number! Use tested recipes. You can adjust the seasonings to suit your tastes, but you can’t change the balance of tomatoes to vegetables without risking botulism. For more information on canning tomatoes you can check with your local extension office. You can call or email me in Hillsborough County no matter where you live, Mary Keith, 813-744-5519 ext 54136, or mkeith@ufl.edu. You can check our website http:// hillsborough.ifas.ufl.edu/nutrition/canning.shtml or the National Center for Home Food Preservation website http://nchfp.uga. edu/. Be safe, don’t be afraid to ask, and enjoy the tomatoes!
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ORGANIC PEACH GROWER USES WIND MACHINES FOR FROST PROTECTION A Retirement Hobby has Become Much More By Jim Frankowiak
Dan Davis is a restless man who prefers the outdoors to the confines of an office. A computer software engineer by trade and currently the chief operating officer for the retail division of a prepaid financial services company in Tampa, he anticipates retirement in a few short years.
version, when the air above the orchard is warmer than the air at ground level. Wind machines pull the warmer air down into the crop area to raise temperatures and consequently help save crops from spring frosts or winter freeze damage.
“I wanted to get involved in an outdoor hobby and my research led me to growing peaches,” he said. That “hobby” has evolved into a lot more on the 20-acre Davis Family Orchard in the Keysville area of eastern Hillsborough County. The orchard consists of 3,000 trees planted in two phases amid the 35-acre Davis tract.
Though Davis’ orchard needs three wind machines for full coverage he “decided to move forward with two machines in my colder section as a test and I would purchase the third if everything works as expected.” The chosen brand was Orchard Rite and their distributor, TWC Distributors in Sarasota, which serves growers throughout Florida and southern Georgia. Orchard-Rite has been helping farmers and growers protect their crops from cold weather for more than three decades.
Born in Tampa, Davis has been a Plant City resident for 35 years, “but I did not come from a farming family or background.” Consequently, he has approached this endeavor with the analytical skills of an engineer, open to considering all options and not bound by any preconceived notions regarding his new endeavor. “I considered different crops and was leaning towards blueberries when I was advised to consider peaches for a variety of reasons,” he said. The first block of eight-acres was planted in December of 2011 and the last block, comprising 12-acres was planted in September 2012. The trees include Tropic Beauty with melting flesh and non-melting UFSun, UFOne and UFBest. Davis has taken the added steps to gain organic certification as a competitive edge to protect his efforts and investment. The establishment of a new orchard such as Davis’ involves myriad details and decisions. Among those many considerations is frost protection and selection of the option that offers the best fit. For Davis, there were only two options and water use was not one of them since “the orchard is located within the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s water use caution area, eliminating overhead irrigation for freeze protection,” said Davis. That left him with either orchard heaters, the contemporary version of the old smudge pot, or wind machines. The recommended configuration for heaters was 20-25 propane units per acre, while three wind machines would provide total orchard coverage. “I chose wind machines over heaters for several reasons: easier maintenance of two machines versus 500 heaters and the required plumbing. Safety, since that many heaters would have required a very large tank all tied to a single distribution system. A leak in the system posed a significant hazard for someone to drive a vehicle into a large pool of gas. This is further complicated by the fact that our orchard is organic and therefore we rely on mechanical weed control which places additional risk for damage to the gas supply lines.” Wind machines help raise temperatures within a crop zone by making use of a climatic phenomenon known as temperature inWWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
The two wind machines were installed in 2013 and underwent their initial, real world and real time tests in January. “The results were impressive and raised temperatures in the orchard sections they serve by fourdegrees within 30-minutes,” said Davis. Each machine is equipped with sensors for starting and turning off the machines as temperatures rise and fall. He is also utilizing portable temperature sensing devices throughout his orchard for optimum utilization of his wind machines. His investment in frost protection to date is approximately $75,000 “which is comparable to what heaters would have cost,” he said. There was a surprise during that initial wind machine utilization as “ TWC and Orchard-Rite were present during the initial machine operation even though it took place at 3:30 in the morning and they stayed for the better part of the next three hours,” said Davis. “That further confirmed my decision to select OrchardRite and the commitment and interest TWC showed in the successful protection of my orchard.” While Davis plans to install the third wind machine, he is also evaluating a tractor-towed propane heater for use during windy nights when the wind machines can’t be run. At the same time he is awaiting completion of a two-story, multi-use facility under construction on the edge of the orchard. “We will store equipment on the first floor and the field manager, my 22-year-old son Danuel, will live in his apartment on the second floor and oversee day-to-day activities.” Though full production is to come, initial crops have been distributed by Uncle Matt’s Organics and “we are really looking forward to the time when all of our trees are producing and I can devote more time to our orchard.” INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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Naturally Amazing Activities
Bird Feeder 1
By Sean Green
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Building a bird feeder is a great way to attract birds to your garden. Many children enjoy watching their cheerful, energetic activities and it’s always fun to see how many birds can be identified. This month we will craft a simple bird feeder made of popsicle sticks,
but a more elaborate bird feeder can be made by substituting the popsicle sticks with small twigs that can be found around the house or garden.
Materials: Popsicle Sticks or twigs Glue Twine Glue Gun
3. Make a square pattern on the first layer over the top of the platform. 4. Continue gluing popsicle sticks around the outside until the feeder is at least an inch deep. 5. Thread twine through the top stick so it can be hung up. Fill the feeder with bird seed or fruit and enjoy the show.
Directions:
Show us your feeders at https://www.facebook.com/InTheFieldMagazine
1. Line up 11 popsicle sticks. Glue 3 sticks across them. Turn it over. 2. Do a second row of popsicle sticks going in the opposite direction to strengthen the base
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A Closer Look
By Sean Green
Foods that heal
The topic of human health is clearly dominating the minds of Americans with more frequency than ever before. This month more than ever, human health has been heavy on my mind. A very close member of my family was diagnosed with stage four kidney cancer at the end of January. My natural instinct for confronting such news is to immerse myself in research in an attempt to understand the dynamics involved in the condition of a beloved family member, or any human being for that matter. Much of the research I have done so far confirms my existing sentiment that the human being is designed to persist rather than perish and we are provided everything needed to do so from the natural world. Hippocrates of Cos was an ancient Greek physician of the Age of Pericles, his contribution to the field of medicine distinguishes him as the “father of medicine”. Two of his principles that are nearly non-existent in contemporary Western medicine are: “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food” and “Medicine should do no harm.” Too often we are trained to accept a dependence on synthetic drugs, toxic treatments, or chronic medical care rather than healthy food sources and habitual exercise. A closer look at our foods contribution to human health will define the choice between life and death for some. Perhaps with renewed attention to health issues, the farmers role in human health will be restored to its appropriate significance. The internet is loaded with articles and testimony from people that have survived cancer and other conditions by eating healthy foods in their natural state, some resources are supported by scientific research while others are persistent folk remedies. The common thread within every resource I examined is that eating natural, unaltered fresh vegetables is the most successful means of not only preventing, but curing cancer. I have included a partial list of foods prepared by the Cancer Cure Foundation that have been the subject of clinical research and are medically significant. I am eternally grateful for the harvest of little miracles that are regularly delivered to the local farmers market. In the face of seemingly impossible odds, it is ultimately our Farmers that provide the best medicine.
Broccoli, Cabbage, and Cauliflower
Convert a cancer-promoting estrogen into a more protective variety. Phytochemicals prevent colon and rectal cancer, and Sulforaphane triggers enzymes that deactivate carcinogens. According to Agriculture Department studies, the more bitter broccoli contains more of the cancer preventing compound Glucoraphanin.
Beets
In studies published in the journal Nahrung, beets were found to reduce serum cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels by 30 and 40%, respectively and increase HDL (good cholesterol)
Carrots
According to researchers at Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
(DIAS), the substance falcarinol slows cancer cell growth.
Chili peppers and jalapenos
Capsaicin, neutralizes certain cancer-causing substances (nitrosamines). Hot peppers can be placed on a cut to stop bleeding almost instantly and apparently do the same for intestinal cancers.
Vitamin D
A report presented at a recent American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) meeting revealed that vitamin D can lower the risk of developing breast cancer by up to 50%.
Garlic
Allium compounds (dialyl sultides) increase the activity of immune cells that fight cancer, block carcinogens and slow tumor development. In addition, these components deactivate carcinogens in the liver. According to reports published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, eating garlic regularly reduces the risk of stomach cancer 50% and colorectal cancer 66%
Mushrooms
Studies continue to confirm mushrooms fight cancer by boosting the immune system through the compound lentinan, believed to slow tumor growth. According to the American Cancer Society, “at least one randomized clinical trial of lentinan has shown it to prolong life of patients with advanced and recurrent stomach and colorectal cancer.” Coriolus Versicolor is the most promising species studied and is now used in Japan in association with chemotherapy.
Raspberries
According to a study reported by Cancer Research 2001;61:61126119, rats fed diets of 5% to 10% black raspberries saw a 43% to 62% decrease in esophageal tumors. A similar report published in the journal Nutrition and Cancer shows black raspberries, outperform both blueberries and strawberries in cancer prevention.
Green Tea and Black tea
Green Tea and Black Tea contain antioxidants known as polyphenols (catechins), which prevent cancer cells from dividing. According to a report in the Journal of Cellular Biochemistry, polyphenols that are abundant in green tea, red wine and olive oil, may protect against various types of cancer.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes contain lycopene, an antioxidant that attacks free radicals, the trigger for cancer. It appears that lycopene levels increase with the temperature of the weather. Vitamin C, is antioxidant and prevents cellular damage that leads to cancer. These substances are concentrated by cooking the tomato. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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COWBOY-UP MINISTRY NOW MEETING AT HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS A Non-Denominational Mix of Horse Training and Biblical Readings
By Jim Frankowiak
Skipper Calder has moved his Cowboy-Up Ministry, helping people start over with their life and God, to the Hillsborough County Fairground just in time to celebrate his 7th year of service to God. Previously the ministry had been located at “The Farm” owned by Mike and Denise Homes on Lithia Pinecrest Road near Highway 39. That was after a multi-year stint on an 1800-acre Hardee County ranch owned by Mike and Betsy Damboise and family. Calder founded his ministry in Hardee County in 2006 as “New Beginnings Ministries of Hardee Inc,” while feeling “God wanted me to take the two things I love, horses and God and put them together.” Calder was raised in Hardee County on the Hass Ranch near the Charlie Creek swamp. “I grew up in a rodeo family,” said Calder. “My dad, the late Jim Calder, moved to Florida from Montana in 1950 where he won many titles. I did not grow up wanting to be a cowboy, I was born one. “After winning seven saddles and several buckles, I went through a divorce, losing the desire to rodeo,” he said. “I started working with colts and learning to give them a good foundation. All the time becoming more involved in church and ministry with a new wife and a new life.” Calder was ordained in 2003 by Randy Johnson of Reality Ranch Ministries, a non-denominational ministry preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. “I believe God called me to teach both horses and people to endure the storms of life through Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. “I never went to school to be a preacher. I am a cowboy,” said Calder. “I have day worked for years, helping ranchers work their cattle. I have rodeoed, built fencing, planted grass, worked in orange groves, and drove all kinds of equipment, including 18-wheelers. I am a common cowboy that loves God and wants to share that love with others.” Cowboy-Up services take place out of doors or under a barn. There is no singing, no offering plate passed and casual dress in a relaxed atmosphere. Calder said it’s “a safe place, no politics. Just a group of people with the same vision, Spread the Good News and the Power to live it. Or in other words, lead people to the saving grace of Jesus and teaching the power of the Holy Spirit available to every believer.” Horses are used every Sunday as a visual word-picture and applying scripture to how God is training us.
Services begin with coffee, donuts and other beverages served from 10:30 – 11 a.m. when horse training and the delivery of the Lord’s message begins. Services end at 12:30. The Cowboy-Up Ministry includes a ministry for children called “The Yearlings.” “Several of our volunteers help with the children’s program, providing a message and activities for children ages four to 12,” said Calder. “The children also get papers to work on and color during church when they don’t go to a class of their own. Children attending must be accompanied by a responsible adult. We are not equipped to handle children who are dropped off by their parents. We find most children love watching the horse being trained. We keep the truth simple, not watered down, just simple to understand. The mature Christians are encouraged to minister with their individual gifts working as a team to accomplish our vision.” “We want to bring people to wholeness in Jesus Christ, teaching love, acceptance and forgiveness. Teaching people to be Jesus’s hands, feet and voice in this world. This is God’s church not ours. I pray God readies us for the growth he provides,” said Calder. One of the ways the ministry accomplishes this is through a Wednesday night bible study in a private home. “No other ministry supports us financially or directs us,” noted Calder. “We function under the leadership of Christ. We are not in competition with other churches. We want the unchurched to feel welcome in a place that will not judge them. As they grow in the Lord they may find a different church which may better fit their needs and that is great. We are not trying to grow a church, we are growing a Kingdom.” The theme verse for Cowboy-Up Ministry is from Ephesians 2:10: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God‘s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” For more information about the Cowboy-Up Ministry, visit a Sunday service at the Hillsborough County Fairground, just north of the intersection of State Road 60 and Sydney Washer Road in Dover. Visit the ministry’s website: www.cowboyupministry.com or check the Facebook pages for Skipper Calder or Cowboy-Up Ministry.
The ministry’s move to the permanent site of the annual Hillsborough County Fair overlooking State Road 60 is “a perfect fit for us,” said Calder. “It has a large outdoor arena for horse demonstrations, a large Ag building we can use when weather is bad, but still permits us to involve a horse in our service. There are 80-acres of land for horseback riding and room to grow with seating for hundreds. Our recent services have attracted more than 250 attendees.”
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New Neighborhood Village Building Gets Ready for the Festival
By Cheryl Kuck The excitement is building! We know who the 2014 Strawberry Festival entertainment headliners will be. Tickets have already been printed. Farmers predict a great strawberry season.
Florida tourist bureau officials predict large numbers of snow birds fleeing a frigid winter will seek shelter in Tampa Bay, thereby raising Festival attendance records. A new Strawberry Queen, Jessie Rae Varnum has been selected and makes history as the daughter of 1985 former queen Kay Newsome Varnum. Plant City residents within two miles of the Festival grounds are dusting off their parking signs and the February 27 opening day is quickly approaching. While next to the administration offices, construction, carpenters and maintenance workers are feverishly working to plan, complete and make the move from the longtime Neighborhood Village location in the old Fort Milton E. Hull Armory Building to the newly constructed building site adjacent to Lemon Street. On January 14 village department heads got the opportunity to view their new digs and discuss the layout of the various areas to be used for display. It’s hard to visualize how things will look when you are standing in the middle of a space that looks like an empty airplane hangar. Fortunately Dale Goodall, head of Festival maintenance, was there to answer questions and address concerns of village department heads regarding construction and placement of their individual areas showing home-created cuisine and craft competitive Festival entries. “We’re just running out of time and money. We will give you what we’ve got this year using the framing construction from the old location. Tell me what you would like and work with us now while looking forward to next year with new walls and display risers. Remember, this is all a work in progress. If any suggestions are at all feasible, we are more than willing to work with you,” he assured Betty Lucas, Neighborhood Village chairwoman and volunteers. Carl Rupp, assistant maintenance manager, and K.W. Everett, head of carpentry, measures the display space that will be allotted to MarWWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
sha Passmore and her knitting, crocheting and tatting crew of experts. Passmore has big plans to improve her department, including the purchase of new mannequins. “You have all been so gracious to us and we are grateful to you for all you are trying to do,” she told Goodall and his staff. In 2013 an optimistic Lucas said, “I haven’t an inch of extra space to put anything and am looking forward to expansion.” This year the planned expansion now includes a move of the Plant City Garden Club’s horticulture exhibit from the Arthur Boring Building to the village building and Judi Whitson, Executive Director of the Hillsborough County Farm Bureau and chairwoman of village youth, has plans for more entrants and will need space for demonstrations. Lucas also needs expanded space for her sponsordemonstrators and Judy Hasch, quilting chair, has been working with quilters in Plant City and Lakeland with the expectation of an influx of quilting entrants. Tania Summers, cake decorating chair, has also been communicating with outside organizations such as Michaels and JoAnn’s Fabrics requesting their demonstrators encourage students to enter. She will ultimately need more central display space with additional clear protection panels. These are only a few of the needs that have been mentioned and there are many more department heads that have yet to verbalize their concerns. A final walk-through with Goodall is scheduled a mere 15 days before opening day. It’s starting to look like the new village space needs more space. “Each year has brought more changes and more quality. It indicates greater numbers of people than we have seen in years are devoting time to the home arts and using their creative abilities,” says Lucas. There aren’t many opportunities for folks to show off their skills in a major venue at no charge to the entrant with the possibility of gaining recognition and monetary awards. The Florida Strawberry Festival’s Neighborhood Village affords opportunities to those with particular talents and skills in 11 categories. With 2013 producing record-breaking attendance of 526,100 visitors, the possibilities are endless. However, it’s obvious space will continue to be an ongoing issue not just for the village, but for the Strawberry Festival’s foreseeable future. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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Winter Lawn Care by Susan Haddock, Commercial Horticulture Agent, UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County
This time of year many people ask me how they should take care of their lawns. Deciding what you should do can be overwhelming when concerns include mowing, irrigating, fertilizing, weed control, insect control and disease control. Did I mention some things you had not thought about? Are you overwhelmed now? Lawns actually need very little care during the cooler winter months. In fact, many people tend to love their lawns to death, literally. Keep two things in mind: knowledge is power and less is better. First, it is very important to know what type of turfgrass you have. In the southern United States we grow warm season turfgrass. This means that the turfgrass grows during the spring and summer when temperatures are warm and hot. Once the daylight hours shorten and nighttime temperatures dip into the 50’s or lower, plant growth slows. Photosynthesis slows so much that turfgrass sloughs off some of its roots during winter months in Central and North Florida. The turf wants to go into dormancy. The fact that we don’t need to mow as frequently is evidence of slower growth. Because turfgrass is not actively growing much in cooler months, its’ need for fertilizer and water are minimal. We grow four basic varieties of turfgrass: St. Augustinegrass, Zoysiagrass, Bermudagrass and Bahiagrass. St. Augustinegrass, ‘Floritam’ cultivar, is the most widely produced and used turfgrass in Florida. It is coarse-textured, has poor cold and shade tolerance, and grows vigorously in the spring and summer. Chinch bugs are a major pest. It is susceptible to gray leaf spot and other fungal diseases, and is intolerant of atrazine herbicides when temperatures are above 85°F. It should be mowed to a height of 3.5–4 inches. Each turfgrass variety will have different mowing and fertilization management recommendations to keep the grass looking aesthetically pleasing. Second, it is important to know what you are starting with in terms of soil. A soil test will tell you the soil pH as well as give fertilizer recommendations based on your turfgrass. Optimum pH for most plants including turfgrass is 6.0 to 7.0, although it varies slightly by variety. This is the pH range where most nutrients are in a form that is available for plant uptake. At high or low pH ranges, some nutrients are either not available for plant uptake (nutrient deficiency) or are very soluble and too available for plant uptake (nutrient toxicity). It is also important to know whether you have sandy soil or a soil that contains organic matter. Sandy soil retains nutrients and water for short periods of time while soil with organic matter tends to have a higher nutrient and water holding capacity. Turfgrass scientists have shown that applications of fertilizer and over irrigation during winter months actually promote fungal and other disease issues. Fertilizer applications during the winter that promote deep green turf do so at the expense of turf roots and the long-term health of turf. This is why some lawns deteriorate after three to five years of over management. Recommendations are to make the last fertilizer application during the month of November and the first spring application in late March or early April once the turf has begun to green up on its’ own. Apply no more than four pounds of Nitrogen over the growing season from March through 94
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November. Some turfgrass varieties, such as Zoysiagrass, require only two to three pounds of Nitrogen annually. The purpose of irrigation is to provide supplemental water to plants when there has been no rain. During the cooler months lawns need supplemental irrigation every 10 to 14 days if we have had no rain. St. Augustinegrass with six inch roots can go seven to 23 days without irrigation depending on the soil type. Turfgrass may need supplemental irrigation when the leaf blades fold in half lengthwise, the grass takes on a blue-gray tint and/or footprints or tire tracks remain visible long after they are made. Overwatering harms long-term turf health by greatly increasing disease susceptibility and thatch buildup, leads to a shorter root system which reduces the overall stress tolerance and ability to survive without water during droughts, and promotes the growth of certain weed species such as dollarweed and sedge. There are no major insect pests to be concerned with during the cooler months. If you suspect that you may have an insect problem practice integrated pest management by identifying the pest prior to taking any action. Don’t assume a problem needs chemical treatment. It may be that a management practice, such as fertilizing at the wrong time or over watering needs correcting. Even if an insect pest is present, treating with an insecticide may not be appropriate. Insects cause damage at specific life cycle stages. So, you need to know which stage causes the damage and treat at the right time to prevent the damage. Using insecticides at the wrong time wastes money and introduces unnecessary pesticides into the environment. To check for insect pests try these methods: • Monitor by mixing one tablespoon of liquid dishwashing soap in a gallon of water; pour the solution onto a four square foot area near the damage; insects crawl to the surface if present • Inspect the root zone by cutting three sides of a one-foot square piece of sod about two inches deep at the edge of one of the damaged areas and lay the sod back; see if grass roots are chewed off and sift through the soil and thatch looking for insects Most turf diseases are a result of improper cultural management practices such as mowing, water management, fertility management or less than optimal soil physical or chemical properties. Large patch is a fungal disease that can affect St. Augustine or Zoysiagrass lawns during the cooler months. It will occur from November to May when temperatures are below 80 degrees and the leaf blades are continuously wet for 48 hours or more. It is triggered by rainfall, excessive irrigation, or extended periods of high humidity. A soft dark rot will occur at the base of the leaf and the leaf blade can be easily pulled from the sheath. The base of a pulled leaf may have a rotted odor. Large patch begins as small one foot diameter patches that turn yellow, and then reddish brown, brown or straw colored. You may observe rings of yellow or brown with healthy appearing turf in the center. The patch can expand to several feet in diameter and may coalesce to form one large damaged mass. Large patch can be treated with a fungicide (Azoxystrobin, Thiophanate, Triadimefon), which is best applied as preventive maintenance in WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
Large Patches
Market Watch: The Gum Tree Company by: Liddy Hopkins
Weeds grown Over Irrigation
the fall and early spring. Weeds can be controlled by using a combination of preventative, cultural, mechanical and chemical options. When few weeds are present hand pulling is the best option. When many weeds are present improper cultural practices may be the culprit. Weed seeds can be transferred from property to property on lawn care equipment, by the wind or by wildlife. Keep in mind that herbicides can kill or injure weeds and turfgrass. Identifying the weed first, is key to determining if and what chemical treatment may be warranted. Annual weeds complete their life cycle in one year and are primarily spread by seed. Perennial weeds live for many years and do not die after flowering. Perennial weeds have underground parts that store food over the winter and allow them to reemerge in the spring, and may spread by seed, stolons, rhizomes or tubers. Preemergence herbicides that are applied before the weeds sprout through the soil surface are very effective for annual weeds and a bit less effective for perennial weeds. Apply preemergence herbicides for cool season annual weeds in early fall (September-October). The application may be repeated in late fall or early winter (November-December). Postemergence herbicides are applied after weeds have sprouted and are most effective on young plants less than four inches tall. The winter maintenance bottom line is: • Know what type of turfgrass you have • Perform soil tests regularly • Mow turf when it needs it and at the right height • Water only when turf needs it; if you must set an irrigation timer, skip a week watering every other week is all your turf needs • Don’t fertilize during the cooler months • Utilize integrated pest management, properly identifying pests first • Apply preemergence herbicides for weeds in late fall and early winter • Learn to recognize problems • Don’t assume a problem needs treating; a practice may need correcting Always read pesticide product labels completely prior to purchase and/or use and follow all directions for use as the label is a legally binding document that presents information for proper use to protect you, your landscape, your pets and the environment. Unneeded fertilizer, irrigation, and pesticide applications runoff into stormwater drains or leach into ground water and contribute to water pollution and depletion of water resources. So, think about all the money and time you can save by only applying fertilizer, irrigation and pesticides when the turfgrass needs it. For more information on winter lawn care, contact your UF/ IFAS Extension Hillsborough County office at (813)744-5519 or check the website at Hillsborough.ifas.ufl.edu. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
The Ybor Saturday Market in Ybor City is one of my favorite markets in the Tampa Bay area. I love the Latin vibe of Ybor and the market complements that vibe. It offers local crafts, art, jewelry and not to mention, some delicious food. It’s amazing to say the least. On my most recent trip to the market, I stopped by The Gumtree Company’s booth. They offer a wide variety of “Do It Yourself” homemade soda kits, spouts, teas and spices. Ron Tetrault and his wife Jan Cochenour are the owners and they are advocates of making food the old way. “We are strong proponents of restoring the lost knowledge of food preparation and storage,” Tetrault said. “We are trying to teach people how to eat again.” They have been in business just over a year, but they have been growing and producing their own food since the 70s. “I’ve always been an experimental cook and a foodie,” Tetrault said. “I’ve fermented beer, wine, oatmeal, basically if there is a way to ferment it, I’ve tried it. Some were a success and some were dismal failures.” One of the couple’s products that is a huge success is their “Do It Yourself Homemade Soda Kit.” It comes in birch beer, ginger ale, and hibiscus lime. “All of our soda kits are made with 100 percent organic roots, berries, bark and flowers,” Tetrault said. “Each kit contains all the specialty ingredients you need to make approximately one gallon of soda. All you need to do is add water.” Their soda kits are so popular that the retail chain, Williams Sonoma, sells their root beer and vintage lime soda kits. “A senior buyer from the store came to the market and bought a couple of our kits and my son-inlaw was thinking that they just stole our concept,” Tetrault said. “A few days later, they called us back decided they wanted to do business with us.” The store sells their kits online. Another popular product at their booth is their sprout kit. “We offer sprouting seeds and the supplies needed to grow your own sprouts at home,” Tetrault said. “It is quick, easy and very efficient.” Their sprout products come with a time proven set of instructions for “no fail” results. “Our current seed selection includes, alfalfa, buckwheat, fenugreek, clover, lentil, mustard, mung bean, radish and wheatgrass,” Tetrault said. The spices available at their booth are pretty impressive. They have a variety of 10 spices and spice blends, as well as salts and peppercorns. “All our products are hand blended in small batches to ensure maximum freshness, premium appearance and are a delight to the senses,” Tetrault said. “We offer real mixes of spices and blends to make fresh salads, guacamoles, dips and smoothies at home without all the emulsifiers and anti-caking chemicals that come with store bought packages.” The product that the couple is most proud of is their kimchi kits and kombucha kits. Kimchi is a fermented cabbage made with a variety of seasonings. It is Korean’s national dish. Kombucha is a beverage that the Chinese call the “Immortal Health Elixir.” It’s a fermented tea that helps to detox the body. “It’s good for your gut and it increases the flow in your gut,” Tetrault said. The kimchi and kombucha kits are very popular with Tetrault’s customers. The Gumtree Company plans on offering freshly ground whole grains very soon in addition to all their other products. “We expect to create quite a buzz at the market as we offer to let folks grind their own flour or of course we will grind it for them if they choose,” Tetrault said. “We feel offering fresh whole grain flour will be a wonderful addition to our product mix and the do it yourself option is a great draw for the foodie family segment.” If you would like to learn more about the products offered The Gumtree Company, you can visit their Facebook page at www. facebook.com/TheGumtreeCo or call 813-375-2862. You can visit their booth at the Ybor Saturday Market. The market is located at 1800 E. 8th Ave. in Ybor City. The market’s hours of operation are 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. For more information on the Ybor Saturday Market, you can visit the market’s website at www.ybormarket.com. IINNTTHE HEFFIELD IELD M MAGAZINE AGAZINE
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Nematodes: Old problem. New solution.
MeloCon nematicide effectively controls plantinfecting nematodes, including root knot, burrowing, cyst, root lesion, false root knot and sting nematodes. Can be applied as a transplant drench at planting, in transplant water, or through drip irrigation systems pre- or post-transplant.
[
➤ In-season applications ➤ No fumigant management plan required ➤ Application flexibility ➤ Broad spectrum nematicide
]
4 hr. REI 0 PHI
MeloCon is a registered trademark of Bayer CropScience WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM 2014 Certis USA
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Yield Enhancer
IMPROVE Fruit Set and Tree Vigor
GET MORE from your citrus trees by enhancing tree development and stimulating cell differentiation, enlargement and division. Stimulate™ is an EPA-registered product to help manage proper hormone balance for improved citrus yield. Add Stimulate to the spray or foliar fertilizer tank and apply at first bloom and at each flush of new growth to: n
Improve flower retention and fruit load
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Enhance fruit size and quality
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Maximize root growth
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Boost marketable yield
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Increase tree vigor and resistance to stress
Visit StollerUSA.com or contact John Fisher at 814-323-0163 for more information.
Unleashing the Power of Plants WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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BMPs, Have You Enrolled?
Agriculture has been in the spotlight for many years, being seen as a contributor to environmental problems. Although some agricultural methods do have environmental impacts, agricultural producers see themselves as true stewards of the land and try to do what is best for the environment. One way to demonstrate this is by participating in water quality Best Management Practices (BMPs) through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). BMPs are practical, cost-effective actions that reduce the amount of pollutants entering our water resources.
Florida law provides for agricultural producers to implement BMPs adopted by FDACS as a non-regulatory means to reduce their water quality impacts, rather than add to existing permitting requirements. BMPs are an important tool for Florida producers to ensure their lands are environmentally friendly. As farmers and ranchers know, one of Florida’s greatest resources is water. Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam has stated that, “water policy is the most important long-range issue facing not only agriculture but all of Florida.” Implementing BMPs demonstrates to regulatory agencies and the public that agriculture is doing its part in protecting water resources. BMPs include practices to reduce the amount of soil, nutrients, pesticides, and microbial contaminates entering surface and groundwater while maintaining or improving the productivity of agricultural land. Although BMPs are designed primarily to protect water quality, they also have water-saving benefits. Examples of BMPs are soil and/or leaf testing to
For enrollment and cost-share information contact either: Jessica Stempie jessicalea.stempien@freshfromflorida.com (813) 985-7481, ext. 2125 or (813) 546-1121 Or Jemy Hinton jwh@ufl.edu 813-478-6630
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determine when to fertilize, maintaining vegetation on road banks, maintaining water control structures, irrigating at appropriate times when evaporation is low, and storing fertilizers and pesticides in a manner that protects them from wind and rainfall. Participating in BMPs can be a real asset to your operation, and help improve its overall efficiency. Furthermore, under state law, producers who enroll in and implement applicable FDACS BMPS are presumed to be in compliance with state water quality standards for the pollutants the BMPs address. Enrollment in FDACS BMPs makes you eligible for cost share to implement certain practices in areas where funding is available. FDACS has a program called MiniFARMS for growers within the Southwest Florida Water Management District to help growers with 100 acres or less of existing farm land pay for things such as soil moisture sensors, automation, filtration, soil/leaf testing, conversion to low-volume irrigation, and weather stations. There is also cost share available for enrolled cow/calf operations of all sizes for solar water pumps, use of aggregate, and other BMPs. Florida farmers and ranchers already have enrolled more than four million acres of their lands in FDACS BMPs. That means you will not be alone. It is a great opportunity to show legislators and the public how serious Florida agriculture is about protecting the environment, their lands, and their way of life. The Office of Agricultural Water Policy is here to offer help and assistance for agricultural producers. Join the thousands that have already enrolled, and let’s keep agriculture in a positive light.
Also, see:
http://www.freshfromflorida.com/water/bmp http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/agriculture/mini_farms.php
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Classifies
Tel: 813.759.6909
ANIMALS & NEEDS
MASSEY FERGUSON 210 2wd., diesel tractor. $3,750 Call Alvie. 813-759-8722
CECIL BREEDING FARM Full service thoroughbred farm from foaling to the track. Broodmare care. Investment opportunities. 863-899-9620
F OR S ALE
ANIMAL CONTROL Complete Nuisance/Destructive Wildlife Removal & Management! Wild hogs, coyotes, raccoons, opossum, armadillo, squirrels, bobcats, etc. (licensed & insured professional Services) 863-287-2311 ANIMAL & BIRDCAGES Equipment serving the fur bearing animal & exotic bird industry! Cages built to order. Wire by roll or foot. (813) 752-2230. Call Don Ammerman. www.ammermans.com Swaps July 13, 2014 and November 30, 2014 CHICKEN MANURE FOR SALE Dry and available immediately! Call Tim Ford or Danny Thibodeau 863-439-3232
B UILDING S UP P LIES WINDOW SCREENS We make window screens of all sizes available in different frame colors. Call Ted 813-752-3378 T1-11 4 X 8 SHEET 5/ 8-INCH THICK B-grade $22.95. Call Ted 813-752-3378
KITCHEN CABINETS & VANITIES Get quality all wood cabinets for less than the BIG BOX STORES! Call Today! Ask for Blake. 813-752-3378 DOORS AND WINDOWS SPECIAL ORDER No upcharge. House & mobile home. Many standard sizes in stock. Call 813-752-3378 Ask for Blake
J OB S CONTRIBUTING WRITER Write about events in your community. Immediate openings in Hillsborough and Polk Counties. Paid per article. Responsibilities include covering community events and taking pictures. Email your resume to sarah@inthefieldmagazine.com
INDEPENT ACCOUNT MANAGER In The Field Magazine is looking for an independent account managers to Join our team! Please contact Danny @inthefieldmagazine.com or call 813-759-6909
LAW N EQUIP MENT/ S UP P LIES
NEW DOORS CLOSEOUT SPECIAL!!! $75 to $295. Call Ted today 813-752-3378 MOBILE HOME TUBS Metal brand new in box 54” Mobile Home Tubs. Call Ted 813-752-3378 $165.00
FARM EQUIP MENT
BRAND NEW HUSTLER RAPTOR Zero Turn Mower. 52" cut, 23 hp. Kawasaki engine, 3 year warranty. $2,999 Call Alvie 813-759-8722 RUBBER MULCH All colors, buy 10 bags, get 1 FREE! $8.99 a bag. Call Ted 813-752-3378
info @inthe fie ld m a g a z ine .c o m REAL ES TATE 9.36 ACRES WITH 2 -8' WELLS, 1 - 4' Well septic tank, shed 24'X24', irrigation throughout. 250K, Tanner Road, Plant City, Call 813-752-9620. FOR SALE – 45 ACRES VACANT LAND (Pasco County) 45 acres are comprised of gently rolling hills with big trees & solid ground. A great setting for residential development. To the east of the property is a 60 acre parcel (Lake Gilbert) that adds significant aesthetic value to the 45 acres. Zoning: AR (Agricultural-Rural) Call Heidi Cecil for more information 863-899-9620 2.66 ACRE NURSERY FOR SALE OR LEASE N. Lakeland with 1,000 sq ft frame house, 2 sheds, irrigation throughout. Call Bruce 863-698-0019 JANE BAER REALTY Looking for that mountain getaway home? We have what you are looking for. Check out our website at www.janebaerrealty.com or call us toll free 800-820-7829. We are located in Blairsville GA, North Georgia Mountains!
S ERVICES CALLER ON HOLD A low cost service that enables you to communicate mportant information about your i usiness to customers while they are on hold. b No monthly payments or annual payments. Call today and ask for Al 813-763-2220
P RODUCE FRESH PRODUCE Forbes Road Produce. Open everyday from 7:30am - 8pm. Forbes Rd. & I-4 @ exit 17. Come out and see us!
MIS C.
2012 MASSEY FERGUSON 2615-4L 4X4, shuttle shift, loader with skid, steer bucket. 94.5 hours, warranty. $22,900 Call Alvie 813-759-8722
NEW HOLLAND Crop Saver Preservative for hay 2, 50 Gal. Drums. $200 each OBO. 813-620-3006
MAHINDRA 8560 40 actual hrs., 2wd, diesel, 83hp, shuttle shift, warranty. $22,500 Call Alvie 813-759-8722 MASSEY HARRIS FERGUSON NO. 16 PACER With belly mower $1950 Call Alvie 813-759-8722 BAD BOY CZT50 Zero turn 26hp Kawasaki. 138 hrs., Warranty. $4,995 Call Alvie 813-759-8722 USED EQUIPMENT Mowers, disk, box blades & disk plows. Call Alvie TODAY! 813-759-8722 KUBOTA B6100E Tractor with 48" woods belly mower. $1,750. Call Alvie 813-759-8722
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MORE BANG FOR THE NOTHING RUNS LIKE A DEERE!
BUCK
2805 SR. 60 West Plant City, FL 33567
Package a fleet of tractors, gators and other equipment together with a 2 or 3 year lease and always have new, worry free equipment with service available from Everglades Farm Equipment fleet of road service technicians.
New Port Richey
Leesburg
727-842-8618
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6918 US Hwy. 19 New Port Richey, FL 34652
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1800 US HWY. 441 Leesburg, FL 34748
813-737-1660
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820 US Hwy. 98, North Okeechobee, FL 34972
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6782 118th Ave. North Largo, Fl. 33773
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6150 Orange Ave. Ft. Pierce, FL 34947
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906 US HWY 301 North Palmetto, FL 34221
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13295 Southern Blvd. Loxahatchee, FL 33470
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9501 State Road 82 Fort Myers, FL 33905
239-332-5045
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Corporate Headquarters
Immokalee
775 E. Main St. Immokalee , FL 34142
239-657-4413
2017 N. W. 16TH Belle Glade, FL 33430
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561-996-6531
Comming soon 2014 Naples , FL
Some restrictions apply, see dealer for complete details . Some pictured items may have been used for display purposes only. Leases must go through John Deere Financial. With great deals on new tractors and gators all year long, check with your local dealer for additional savings.
www.EvergladesFarmEquipment.com
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