In The Field magazine Hillsborough edition

PAGE 10

Endangered Species

Mushrooms

PAGE 18

Fishing Hot Spots

PAGE 22

Rocking Chair Chatter

PAGE 24

Military AgTour

PAGE 30

News Briefs

FEBRUARY 2023

VOL. 19 • ISSUE 4

FLORIDA COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE

40

PAGE 35

Manderin

PAGE 36

HSWCD Board

PAGE 38 Gardening

PAGE 44

John Dicks

PAGE 47 A Closer Look

PAGE 48

UF/IFAS Research

PAGE 50

GCREC Tour

Readers!

Hidden somewhere in the magazine is a No Farmers, No

PAGE 52

In Bloom

PAGE 56

Scott Angle

PAGE 56

Milee Hasting

Hillsborough County Farm Bureau

305 S. Wheeler St. Plant City, FL.

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

Insurance Services: 813-685-5673

Member Services: 813-685-9121

OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

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

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

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

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

DIRECTORS FOR 2021 - 2022

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

Kaylee Poppell, Executive Director

Farm Bureau Insurance Special Agents

Valrico Office

813-685-5673

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

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

Julie Carlson, Amy Engle

Plant City Office

813.752.5577

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

Jeff Summer

Tampa Office

813.933.5440

6535 Gunn Highway, Tampa, FL.33625

Greg Harrell, Jared Bean

AGENCY MANAGER

Thomas O. Hale

Letter from the Editor

I just attended another fabulous Fresh From Florida breakfast at the Florida State Fair. This event happens every year in the Ag Hall of Fame building on opening day of the fair. Farmers and ranchers, representatives from Florida’s agriculture community and others joined together with local and state politicians for this event that features Fresh From Florida products.

It’s always a good time when like-minded people gather, especially when it involves feeding our county, state, and country. Farmers and ranchers are cut from a different cloth. Many of which are soaked with generations of blood, sweat and tears.

Paul Harvey said it best in his 1978 speech to members of the FFA. Here is a portion of that speech.

And on the 8th day, God looked down on his planned paradise and said, "I need a caretaker"

God said, "I need somebody willing to get up before dawn, milk cows, work all day in the fields, milk cows again, eat supper, then go to town and stay past midnight at a meeting of the school board"

God had to have somebody willing to ride the ruts at double speed to get the hay in ahead of the rain clouds, and yet stop in mid-field and race to help when he sees the first smoke from a neighbor’s place

It had to be somebody who’d plow deep and straight and not cut corners; somebody to seed, weed, feed, breed and rake and disc and plow and plant and tie the fleece and strain the milk and replenish the self-feeder and finish a hard week’s work with a five-mile drive to church; somebody who would bale a family together with the soft strong bonds of sharing, who would laugh, and then sigh, and then reply, with smiling eyes, when his son says that he wants to spend his life "doing what dad does"

-- so God made a Farmer.

There’s more to that speech. Look it up. It’s worth reading, or you can give it a listen. It’s a great reminder to us all.

Until Next Month

Sarah Holt

- Numbers 6:25

Publisher/Photography

Karen Berry

Senior Managing Editor/ Associate Publisher

Sarah Holt

Editor

Patsy Berry

Sales

Karen Berry

Sarah Holt

Melissa Nichols

George Domedion

Creative Director/Illustrator

Juan Alvarez

Photography

Karen Berry

Staff Writers

Al Berry

Sandy Kaster

James Frankowiak

Sean Green

Contributing Writers

Woody Gore

John Dicks

Social Media

Victoria Saunders

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

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

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

Published by Berry Publications, Inc.

IT’S SHOW TIME!

-Dennis Carlton Jr. - President

Greetings,

It’s that special time of year once again, and I encourage all of you to attend both the Florida State Fair, which is taking place now through February 20 and the upcoming Florida Strawberry Festival March 2 -12. These events both offer not only great opportunities for fun with family and friends, but also provide us a great platform to share important information about the agriculture industry here in Hillsborough County and around our state.

As you know, both events have fun-filled options for attendees of all ages, plus the chance to savor some interesting menu items, among them the very popular strawberry shortcake as well as a host of others. Farm Bureau has a substantial presence at those events thanks to the efforts of our many volunteer members. It’s important for us to have the “Voice of Agriculture” heard on a continuing basis and the Fair and Festival provide excellent opportunities for us to share our messages.

March 8 is another important date for Farm Bureau members across Florida. On this date, our members will visit our State’s Capital in Tallahassee and interact with our State Legislators. Farm Bureau works hard to keep our lawmakers up-to-date on our industry and its importance to Florida’s economy, as well as the challenges our farmers and ranchers are facing on a daily basis.

In that regard, I would like to tell you that we have been working diligently to educate our new Hillsborough County Commission about our industry and

getting them on the farms so they can see firsthand why agriculture is a key industry to the success of our county. The commissioners have attended tours that included stops at some of our member’s farms and ranches and have also attended our board meetings. Educating our local elected officials on our industry and its economic impact to Hillsborough County is essential. These tours and meetings equip our commissioners with the information they need to make informed decisions, keeping in mind the needs and challenges of our farmers and ranchers.

If you are a Farm Bureau member, please consider volunteering to help us tell our story, ad if you are not a member, please consider joining so that you can help us with our role as the “Voice of Agriculture.” Please visit www.hcfarmbureau.org for more information about member benefits and opportunities for engagement.

Thank you,

Dennis Carlton Jr.

Dennis Carlton Jr. - President

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

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY

ES Scrub Blazing Star

By Libby Hopkins

Scrub Blazing Star or Liatris tenuifolia, which is its scientific name, is a perennial flowering plant in the Aster family that produces a striking blaze of flowers. The inflorescence is a spike of rayless rose/ purple-colored flowers that typically bloom from the top, down.

It reaches a height of three to four feet and grows in welldrained soils in the Southeastern United States, typical of scrub and Flatwoods communities.

In early spring it produces leaves similar to pine needles and then in summer it begins growing a stalk that will produce the showy, purple flowers. Its showy flower display makes it ideal for attracting pollinators. Liatris species are an important food source for the larvae of butterflies and moths and the flowers have special value to native bees.

Scrub blazing star is restricted to sand pine scrub, a central Florida plant community that encompasses 40 or more endemic plant species. The richest collection of endemics is found along the sandy, well-drained Lake Wales Ridge that extends in a north and south direction through Polk and Highlands Counties. Scrub vegetation is dominated by large evergreen shrubs, sand pine, and scrub oaks. Sandy clearings scattered among the oaks and pines support smaller shrubs, numerous herbs and a few hardy grasses.

Because of its brilliant flowers, scrub blazing star has been included in many botanical collections. The plant’s geographic range extends from near Auburndale and east of Lake Wales (Polk County) south along the Lake Wales Ridge through Sebring to the Archbold Biological Station (Highlands County). An extensive survey of scrub habitat conducted in 1988 documented 22 localities for scrub blazing star in Polk County and 71 localities in Highlands County. Most of these sites support very limited numbers of plants and most are found on private property, although several do occur on state and federal lands. Land acquisition efforts by government and private organizations are increasing tracts of protected habitat.

Sites at the Archbold Biological Station, in Arbuckle State Park, and in the Arbuckle State Forest are protected. Two other sites, at Saddle Blanket Lakes and adjacent to Highlands Hammock State Park, are being acquired by the state.

Sand pine scrub in central Florida is disappearing at a rapid rate. Almost every day new tracts of land are cleared to support citrus groves or new residential subdivisions. Recent frost and freeze patterns have caused large-scale citrus growers to move south along the Lake Wales Ridge. The urban populations of ridge communities, such as Haines City, Winter Haven, Lake Wales, Avon Park, and Sebring, have experienced dramatic growth in recent years and continue to expand. The remaining habitat is becoming increasingly more fragmented. Because of its beautiful flower, the scrub blazing star has been popular with collectors, further endangering its lasting survival. It was one of four Florida plants added to the federal list as a group in July 1989.

State acquisition of a large tract of scrub at Saddle Blanket Lakes and smaller tracts purchased by the Nature Conservancy provide protection for several populations of scrub blazing star. The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) altered previous draft recovery plans, which covered first nine and then 11 previously listed plants to include blazing star, the ziziphus and other endangered and threatened scrub taxa. The latest revised draft recovery plan was announced by the FWS in 1995, outlines basic efforts deemed necessary to restore the scrub blazing star and other endangered plants, including habitat protection through land purchase and other means (including the Habitat Conservation Plan process for threatened animals in the Florida scrub habitat); the management of protected habitats; and the assessment of progress and plan post-recovery monitoring.

From the Beginning to the End

by: Libby Hopkins

A mycologist is someone who works with fungi, which are living organisms such as molds, yeast, and mushrooms. Their research focuses on the diversity and evolution of mushroom-forming fungi.

Richard Neal of Riverview, is a local mycologist with a growing mushroom business. “I didn’t like mushrooms at first, but once I started researching their health benefits, I was intrigued,” Neal said. “Now I love them because they are pretty much the beginning and ending of everything. I want to educate people about their health benefits and how to grow them for consumption.”

Neal grows various types of mushrooms but the ones he grows the most are Lion’s Mane, Red Reishi, Turkey Tail, and Chaga mushrooms to name a few.

One of the fastest-rising supplement categories today is mushrooms. Traditional Chinese practice has used mushrooms for thousands of years to treat various ailments, detoxify the body, and provide overall well-being and longevity. Modern science has recently unraveled the mystery behind how these fungi work to help support memory, focus, immune function, energy, and even reduce anxiety and inflammation.

Lion’s Mane Mushrooms have many health benefits. Lion’s mane is a large, white mushroom, that, as it grows, has a shaggy appearance that resembles a lion’s mane. Studies have demonstrated that lion’s mane helps increase Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) levels, which protects us against degenerative brain diseases that contribute to memory loss. While lion’s mane is best known for improving memory and concentration, studies show it can reduce irritability and anxiety. Several studies have also indicated that lion’s mane has immune-boosting benefits. Harmful pathogens enter the body through the mouth or nose as we breathe in. Lion’s mane can bolster our defenses by helping to stimulate gut bacteria to trigger the immune system.

Chaga mushrooms have been used for centuries throughout the world to help boost immunity. White blood cells are the immune systems first line of defense. Studies have shown that the Chaga mushroom regulates a protein known as cytokines, which stimulates white blood cells’ production. This antioxidant-rich mushroom contains high amounts

of zinc, which help the immune system combat bacteria and viruses.

Maitake mushrooms have been hailed in Asia as a mushroom with vast healing properties. The Japanese love this mushroom so much that upon discovering it, they named it Maitake, which means “dancing mushroom” as they were thrilled with its health benefits. Maitake is considered a type of adaptogen. It helps the body achieve optimal balance by suppressing physical and mental stress that you may experience. Studies show it can be of benefit to those that suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome. Recent studies have shown that Maitake can help activate cells that stimulate the immune system’s natural killer cells and T cells.

In a world filled with stress and anxiety, Reishi mushrooms have become one of the most popular mushrooms to help support a state of calmness. Reishi contains a potent amount of the active compound triterpene, shown in studies to help reduce stress, improve sleep, boost mood, and mental focus. The triterpene found in Reishi has also been shown in studies to enhance immune system response by helping increase white blood cells’ activity in the form of natural killer cells that fight off infections.

Shiitake mushrooms, primarily grown in Japan, are loved worldwide for their superb taste and coveted for thousands of years by those looking to boost longevity and reduce inflammation. What makes shiitake mushrooms so effective is that they are a great source of B vitamins and have antiviral and antibacterial properties.

If you, like many of us, put on a couple of extra pounds during quarantine, you might be pleased to hear that a study published in the Journal of Obesity concluded that shiitake could help reduce and prevent body weight gain and the build-up of fat. Even more, a recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that shiitake can help boost immune function, improve cell function, gut immunity, and reduce inflammation.

Neal taste tests all of his mushrooms so he can educate his clients on the mushrooms flavors. “All I do is cook the mushrooms with a little butter so I can get the true taste and flavor of the mushroom,” Neal said. “I was honestly surprised by how flavorful my mushrooms taste.”

Neal has recently begun to offer his mushroom in capsule form to his clients. “I go through the whole drying process and then grind the dried mushrooms into a fine powder,” Neal said. “I’ve even have vegan capsules I put the powder in, so what my clients are getting is completely organic.”

If you would like to learn more about the various mushrooms

Neal has to offer, you can email him at nealr95@yahoo.com.

OUR PROFITS ARE YOUR PAYDAY

When you do business with Farm Credit, you are a member of a cooperative. When we do well, you do well. And we’ve been doing well for over 100 years.

Refinancing Buildings

Fences

Equipment

Loans for land, homes & living.

HOW ABOUT A LITTLE COURTESY OR JUST COMMON SENSE

Capt. Woody Gore

I’ve spent endless hours enjoying the companionship and friendship of other anglers, each sharing numerous stories and adventures. However, pressure to catch fish, inexperience, and overcrowding can increase tensions among recreational and professional anglers and undermine a fishing trip.

We’re all guilty! So let’s get that out of the way. While we may not do it deliberately, we’ve all gotten too close. And when we do, we get that familiar “hey you idiot” stare or an oratory of verbal banter and profanity admonishing us for infringing on their fishing spot. Just take it like an adult, apologize, and move away.

Common sense and courtesy are simple and everyone should practice them. There’s plenty of water with loads of places to fish. So, if someone’s in the spot you want to fish, just move on to one of your other spots or look for new ones. We’ve all been there, traveling long distances to our favorite spot. But when we arrive, oh my goodness, boats are fishing right there. Well, life happens. Think positive and consider it an opportunity to find new locations.

So you pack up and leave for another area wondering why anyone would be so inconsiderate as to crowd other anglers? The answer to that question is mainly to catch a fish. More than any other spot violation and fishing protocol. This is probably the number one source of irritation and arguments. We

all understand we cannot expect to fish alone, especially on weekends and holidays - especially those popular hot spots. But we should expect common sense, courtesy, and consideration, especially if you’ve arrived there first.

Casting Distance - How far is enough to stay away from another boat? It depends on the area, but a general rule of thumb that’s been around for years is 100 yards. Or if your cast lands within the casting range of another boat, you’re too close.

As a guide spending many hours on the water, I’m sure I’ll make some judgment errors and may do something to irritate a fellow angler. Let me apologize in advance and tell you it will never be deliberate. Okay, that about covers it.

Fishing in Tampa Bay and Near

Coastal Waters

Everything seems to be biting, depending on the tides. Snook, Redfish, Sea Trout, Mangrove snapper, Sheepshead, later season mackerel, and summer trout are showing up in deeper channels and grass flats.

Capt. Woody Gore (www.captainwoodygore.com)

protecting our environment.

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

813-477-3814

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

Visit his website, www.captainwoodygore.com Email: fishing@captainwoodygore.com

®

With every generation, we get better at

3159

• According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Americans eat an average of 3.4 pounds of fresh strawberries every year.

• Ancient Romans believed strawberries had medicinal powers.

• There is a museum in Belgium dedicated to strawberries.

• Native Americans ate strawberries long before European settlers arrived.

• Strawberries are believed to help reduce the risk of heart disease and certain cancers.

• Strawberries contain high levels of nitrate.

• The strawberry belongs to the genus Fragraria in the rose family, along with apples and plums.

• June 14th is National Strawberry Shortcake Day

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FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1971

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Unusual Contest

We all love to watch contests, everything from football to the strawberry shortcake-eating contest at the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City. There are hundreds of weird and unusual contests going on all over the world every day.

Every year, young men in a Sudanese tribe take part in a four-month long eating contest. The goal is to eat as much as possible staying as still as possible (since moving burns calories). At the end of the four-month period, they’re carted out in front of their fellow villagers and judged on their roundness. I know a couple of people who could win this one hands down. Just park them in front of a TV with a barrel of nacho cheese and they could make history.

One of the oddest competitions known to man is the World Worm Charming Championship that has been held in a small village in England since 1980. Contestants stake off a small plot of land and, for 30 minutes, coax as many earthworms out of the dirt as possible without digging for them or using drugs. They use vibrations, by inserting a stick in the ground, and rubing it with another stick. Some say they make “earthworm music,” and the worms come to the top. Whoever collects the most worms, wins. Grand prize is a fishing pole!

Men are asked to test their strength in Finland every July by running through a 772-foot obstacle course while carrying their wife on their back. The winner wins

his wife’s weight in beer. The rules are: You must be married to the woman you are carrying, and she must be over 17 years of age, and weigh at least 108 pounds. Each time you drop her during the contest a 15-second fine is incurred. The sport originated as a joke in Finland, and is supposedly reminiscent of the past when men courted women by running into their village, picking them up, and carrying them off.

According to the records, the first “World Toe Wrestling” competition started in 1976 in a pub in the UK. The locals kicked off this competition by having contestants lock their big toes together, and attempt to force their opponent’s foot to the ground. The organizers were so excited about this game they applied in 1997 to have it included in the Olympic games. Unfortunately the supporters of this competitive sport were turned down.

Toe Wrestling doesn’t sound like much, but past participants will testify to the contrary, as they have broken toes and sprained ankles to prove it.

About 85 years ago there were numerous endurance tests in the United States. Some of the marathon competitions included people walking, talking, running, dancing drinking, eating and even kissing. One of the most famous competitive events of all time was the “Bunion Derby.” It was the first, and last, transcontinental running race between Los Angeles and New York City. No wonder they called it the “Bunion Derby!” It

Editor’s Note: This Rocking Chair Chatter was originally printed in the February 2017 issue

started on March 4, 1928. By the end of the first day, 77 runners had dropped out. Only 80 left Oklahoma! By the time they got to Chicago only 65 remained in the race. Finally, on May 26,1928, 55 runners made it to the finish line in New York.

The winner, had a 15-hour lead, and was Any Payne, a 20-year-old Cherokee farm boy from Oklahoma. His time was 573 hours, 4 minutes, and 34 seconds over 83 consecutive days. He won $25,000 and paid off the family farm debt.

If you’re over 65 listed below are a few games you can play!

1 - Sag. You’re it.

2 - Pin the Toupee on the bald guy.

3 - 20 questions shouted into your good ear.

4 - Kick the bucket.

5 - Red Rover, Red Rover, the nurse says bend over.

6 - Hide and go pee.

7 - Spin the bottle of Mylanta.

8 - Musical recliners.

Speaking of competitive senior citizens, have you seen the movie, Age of Champions? The movie is about five competitors who sprint, leap, and swim for gold at the Senior Olympics. In the movie there’s a 100 year-old tennis champion, 86 year-old pole-vaulter, and a rough and tumble basketball team, known as the “Tigerettes,” made up of grandmothers who discover the power of the human spirit and triumph over the limitations of age.

Adolph Hoffman, 88, wins the track and field events, and 90 year-old swimmers Bradford and John Tatum win the swimming competition.

It’s a fact that brains of the elderly are slow because they know so much. The elderly have so much information in their brain that it takes longer for them to access it. The seniors’ brain is somewhat like a computer. A computer struggles when the hard drive gets full. Likewise, senior citizens brains take longer to access information because it has so much information stored over the years. Some doctor’s say the brain of the elderly does not get weak, it is slower because of all the information taken in over time, and they simply know more.

8TH ANNUAL MILITARY AG TOUR MARCH 24

By Jim Frankowiak

The eighth annual Military Agriculture Tour (MAT) will take place Friday, March 24. “This is a great opportunity for active duty, transitioning personnel, veterans and their spouses to tour a variety of agricultural opportunities that exist in Hillsborough County,” said Simon Bollin, Agribusiness Development Manager for Hillsborough County Extension Service.

“We will visit Oak Ridge Fish Hatchery, Fancy Farms, Harrell’s Nursery, tour the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) and Astin’s blueberry farm during the daylong event,” said Bollin. Participants will bus from tour locations.

“The tour is a great opportunity for participants to meetand-greet with local farmers and agribusiness representatives to discuss careers in agriculture,” said Bollin. “They will also hear from former veterans-turned-agri-

business professionals about how they utilized their skills to transition from the military to careers in agriculture.”

The cost for the tour is $5 per person with lunch provided. Seating is limited. Visit the following link to register: https://mar24militaryagriculturetour.evenbrite.com. The tour, which starts at 8 a. m., will begin at the Hillsborough County Extension Service office, 5339 County Road 579 in Seffner.

The tour is sponsored by Chemical Dynamics, Farm Credit of Central Florida, Hillsborough County Farm Bureau, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Ag Units and Hillsborough County Extension Service.

Contact Bollin via phone – 813/853-1086 – or email –BollinS@HCFLGov.net for more details.

2,208± Acres in Multiple Tracts

SATURDAY, MARCH 11TH • 10AM

PROPERTY LOCATION: 1 mile south of Arcadia, Florida just off Highway 17. Property is situated along the Peace River. Watch for Auction Signs.

LIVE AUCTION LOCATION: Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center. 75 Taylor St, Punta Gorda, FL 33950

The Peace River Preserve is a 2,208± acre property that lies on both sides of the Peace River in Desoto County, Florida. This property has endless recreational opportunities, as well as valuable conservation opportunities with great potential for a conservation easement as the property has yet to be conserved. The property also has the potential for mitigation banks, habitat preservation, water quality mitigation, and university studies.

East of the river the property, lies outside of the Federal Flow Way allowing for development near Arcadia. Possibilities on the West side outside of conservation include camping, hunting, motor recreation, canoeing, and eco-tours. In the past, this property has been hunted for exotic game and has also been used for river boat tours.

Attention Conservationists, Recreational Land Buyers & Developers - This Property Has Something For You! Broker: Murray Wise BK3295976 • Auctioneer: Russell Seneff #AU4521

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

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

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

NEWS BRIEFS

Compiled by Jim Frankowiak

State Fair February 9 – 20/Strawberry Festival March 2-12

The 2023 Florida State Fair is taking place February 9 – 20. For information about the fair, visit: floridastatefair.com. The annual Florida Strawberry Festival is set for March 2-12 with information available at: flstrawberryfestival.com.

FDACS Announces Funds Available for Protecting Florida Land Program

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has $2.6 million available to landowners through the Sequestering Carbon and Protecting Florida Land Program, which offers Florida landowners incentive payments to help increase the acreage of healthy forest in the state. To obtain an application and learn more about the program, visit: FDACS.gov/CarbonProgram.

Prescribed Fires Taking Place Through March

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is conducting prescribed burns through March on the Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve, located south of Cross Creek Boulevard between U.S. Highway 301 and Morris Bridge Road. Approximately 700 acres will be burned in small units to help reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control.

According to research by the University of Florida, grass doesn’t need to be watered as often during the cooler months. One-half to three-quarters of an inch of water every 10–14 days is sufficient. In fact, if your lawn has received any significant rainfall, then you can turn off your irrigation system and operate it manually as needed. You can determine when your grass needs water when:

• Grass blades are folded in half lengthwise on at least onethird of your yard.

• Grass blades appear blue-gray.

• Grass blades do not spring back, leaving footprints on the lawn for several minutes after walking on it.

Watering only every other week at most during the winter will help conserve drinking water supplies that the public needs for critical uses during the dry season. For additional information about water conservation, please visit the District’s website at WaterMatters.org/SkipAWeek.

South Hillsborough County Water Restrictions Lifted

Water restrictions in south Hillsborough County have been lifted. Commercial and residential property owners in that area can now water twice per week on specific days and times of day. For more information, visit: https://news.yahoo/hillsborough-lifts-water-restrictions-south-171700817.html.

District Asks Homeowners to “Skip a Week” of Irrigation this Winter

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is reminding residents who irrigate their lawns to “Skip a Week” or more of watering during the cooler months of January and February.

NRCS Offers Conservation Assistance Programs

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has several assistance opportunities for agricultural producers and private landowners. One such program is the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) through which NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to help producers and growers make conservation improvements on their land that benefit natural resources, build resiliency and contribute to combating the impacts of climate change.

EQIP provides cost share assistance for producers to use conservation practices to address a wide variety of resource concerns. Applications for EQIP assistance are accepted throughout the year. For more information, contact the USDA’s Plant City Farm Service Agency office, 201 South Collins Street, Suite 201, Plant City, FL 33563. Telephone: 813/752-1474, Ext. 2.

FLORIDA MANDARIN ORANGES

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

Fresh Florida oranges and grapefruit are famously known for being a sweet, delicious wintertime fruit, a nutritious snack, a refreshing dessert, or a healthy holiday gift. Florida’s state flower is the orange blossom, and indeed the orange and all citrus fruit are important state crops. Did you know that Florida also produces sweet mandarin oranges? Mandarins, known scientifically as Citrus reticulate, are known for having thin, loose peels surrounding a sweet, juicy, small orange. Native to the Philipines and Southeast Asia, mandarins are commonly grown in Japan, China, and India, as well as in the United States, in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas. Different types of mandarins include clementine and Satsuma types. Often mandarins and tangerines are used interchangeably.

NUTRITIONAL PROFILE

An excellent source of vitamins and minerals, a medium-sized mandarin contains 39% of the daily value for this vitamin. Mandarins are an excellent nutritional source of dietary fiber, folate, thiamin, potassium, and Vitamin A. In addition to these vitamins and minerals, they contain a wealth of other diseasefighting compounds, such as phytonutrients and antioxidants. These potent chemical fight cancer, lower cholesterol, and control blood sugar levels.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, one medium-sized mandarin (88 g) contains 47 calories, 0.7 g protein, 0.3 g fat, 12 g carbohydrate, and 3 g of dietary fiber. It also provides 39% of the Daily Recommended Value (%DV) for vitamin C, 14% for dietary fiber, 5% for vitamin B6, 3% for calcium, and 2% for magnesium.

Vitamin C

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

Current research findings support that vitamin C’s benefits come from consumption of whole fruits and vegetables. A high intake of produce is associated with a reduced risk of death from all causes, including heart disease, stroke, and cancer. Taking supplements does not seem to provide the same protective benefits as eating the whole fruit.

Fiber

Mandarin oranges and other citrus fruits contain a significant amount of dietary fiber, which can help lower cholesterol, assist with digestion, and prevent constipation. According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, a diet high in fiber may decrease the risk of several types of cancer including colon, rectum, breast, and pancreas.

A single mandarin orange provides 14% of the daily value for fiber, which has been shown to reduce high cholesterol levels, which helps to prevent atherosclerosis. Fiber can also help maintain steady blood sugar levels, as can fructose, the naturally occurring type of fruit sugar found in oranges. Oranges also contain pectin, a water-soluble fiber that helps reduce blood cholesterol levels and aids in satiety.

How to Select and Store

Choose mandarins that have smoothly textured skin and are firm and heavy for their size. Avoid any with soft or brown spots. The juiciest mandarins tend to be smaller, heavy for their size, and thin skinned. Avoid those that have soft spots or traces of mold. Mandarin oranges can be stored either at room temperature or in the refrigerator, and will last about two weeks with either method.

How to Enjoy

Since mandarin oranges come in their own natural packaging, they are a portable, convenient snack. You can simply peel and separate into wedges, and eat out-of-hand. The fruit can also be juiced with a juicer or squeezed by hand.

Other ways to enjoy oranges include:

• Toss orange segments into any fruit or vegetable salad.

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

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

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

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

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

• Serve orange wedges after a meal for dessert.

Enjoy fresh Florida mandarins today. With its sweet juicy flavor, mandarins are delicious as well as healthy!

SELECTED REFERENCES

http://en.wikipedia.org/ http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ http://www.whfoods.com

HSWCD BOARD OF SUPERVISORS BEGINS NEW TERM

Elected in November, the Hillsborough Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors held its swearing in ceremony recently at the County Center with Commissioner Michael Owen presiding over the ceremony. Other County Commissioners participating were Donna Cameron Cepeda, Gwen Myers and Joshua Wostal.

Sworn in were new Supervisors Ryan Gill, Chris “Bear” McCullough, Robert “Myke” Morris and Adam Young, with Mark Proctor returning for another term on the Board. With the passage of SB 1078 during the 2022 Florida Legislative Session, soil boards throughout the state must now consist of elected Supervisors who are currently active and engaged in the agricultural industry, or retired from agricultural endeavors.

Gill and McCullough are well known in the cattle industry, both within Hillsborough County and throughout the state, while Young is in the strawberry production business. Morris covers the forestry field, while Proctor is engaged in the family’s veterinary practice. Each of them brings an expansive and impressive resume of involvement in civic and commodity groups and organizations.

During the first organizational meeting of the year, Proctor was elected Chair, Gill elected Vice-Chair and Morris chosen as Treasurer.

According to Executive Director Betty Jo Tompkins, “We’re truly excited to have on the Board a group of individuals that are keenly aware of the critical role agriculture plays in both our county and the state of Florida. Many people fail to realize that Hillsborough County is Florida’s 3rd largest agricultural county and that Plant City is the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World.”

Among its many activities, the Board will be monitoring agricultural and other legislation coming up in the 2023 session, working to support area agricultural needs and participate in a wide array of other programs, projects and activities.

HSWCD operates under the belief that “Conservation is Everybody’s Business” and its meeting are open to the public. Upcoming meetings are scheduled at 4:00 pm at the Florida Strawberry Growers Association, 13138 Lewis Gallagher Road, Dover on February 22, March 22 and April 19.

The 2023 Hillsborough 100 Conservation Challenge will be held April 16 – May 6, with signups currently underway. For further information contact Betty Jo Tompkins, (813) 477.8332 or bjt6890@yahoo.com.

BUY WHAT SURVIVED… AND OTHER ALTERNATIVES

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

How many of your favorite plants were damaged by frost or freeze this winter? What were those plants? Were they tropical plants established in the ground and not suited for our zone, which is 9b? They could have been plants suited for our zone but were not the right plant in the right place. Micro-climates exist in our landscapes, so one plant may survive in a certain place, and in another location the same type plant may not.

I’ve witnessed and been told about the demise of several tropical plants in Hillsborough County that are suited for more temperate zones than ours. Some include Poinciana, Mussaenda, Christmas Palm and Jacaranda. My Firebush look horrible, but once pruned after the last chance of frost/freeze, they will come back quickly. What can you do to increase the number of surviving plants? Here are a few tips:

1. Buy and plant what survived. In my landscape and ours at the Extension office, some survivors include Bulbine, Liriope, Ground orchid, Coontie and St. Bernard’s lily. This, however, depends on the location.

2. Repeat your successes.

3. Do not repeat your failures…unless you have a lot of time and money and little to do with either!

4. If you must have tropicals suited for warmer zones, plant them in a pot placed on a plant coaster with wheels, so you can move them inside easily. You can also grow tropicals on your lanai or front porch in pots and move them closer to the house in colder weather. Planting tropicals under mature trees can protect them from frost damage.

5. Can’t live without orchids? Buy a hanging clothes rack or garden cart with wheels. Load the plants on the rack or into the cart, then wheel them inside your garage, which can easily be 10-15 degrees warmer than the outside temperature.

6. Divide and share surviving plants with your friends and ask them to share theirs with you.

7. Order your own personal and free copy of The Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM Guide to Plant Selection & Landscape Design from the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s website. This is a great resource you will use time and time again to select appropriate plants for our zone. In this Guide, we are in the Central region of the state.

We hope you will stop by our teaching/demonstration gardens at the Extension office to view our plant selections. You may want to wait another month or so first! Check out our calendar of events at: http://hillsborough.ifas.ufl.edu/calendar.shtml. For horticultural assistance, contact the UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County, 813-744-5519, or visit us at 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL 33584.

Contact Lynn Barber at labarber@ufl.edu

Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture: A CHAMPION FOR FLORIDA

By Tiffany Dale

Florida’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is officially in the hands of a fifth-generation Floridian, an agriculturist, businessman, experienced legislator, and family man. Commissioner Simpson took victory in the 2022 election and was sworn into his new role in January of 2023. Born in Polk County to a family of agriculturists, Simpson learned not only the value of hard work but also the importance of sound business decisions and standing by what you believe in. Through his success in agriculture, leadership, and the Florida Senate, it is evident that Simpson is well equipped to serve as Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture.

“From a big picture perspective, I want to make sure that we’re protecting agriculture and we’re protecting Florida consumers. More specifically, I want to make sure we’re working to secure the future of Florida agriculture, and not for the next five to ten years, but for the next 50 to 100 years. That really means defining Florida agriculture as a national security issue and evaluating any regulations or burdens on agriculture through that lens,” said Simpson.

Simpson’s appreciation for agriculture was developed at a young age. Born in Lakeland, Florida, he was raised with the expectation that he was to be part of the family’s agricultural operations. Simpson spent many hours after work and on the weekends working alongside his family.

“Prior to moving to Trilby, our family did a lot of farming at our home in Plant City. We raised our own cattle and swine. We also did a lot of canning of our food, like tomatoes, strawberries, and other things of that nature. When we moved to Dade City, we started the egg business,” stated Simpson.

Simpson’s interest in agriculture continued through the years as he established a life in Pasco County. He and his family began an egg business in Dade City that continues to be in operation today, 45 years later. Simpson is also involved in other aspects of agriculture in addition to eggs including cattle, hay, and the citrus industry, providing a vast perspective and knowledge of agriculture. As a result, Simpson understands firsthand the impact the industry has on our state, and the challenges the industry faces.

“One of our greatest challenges is being able to respond to our natural disasters, like hurricanes, in ‘real time’ and making sure that we continue to fight invasive pests and diseases. Some of the greatest opportunities are protecting Florida’s food and water supply by banning foreign control of agricultural and sensitive military lands through the Secure Florida Act. Additionally, I’m requesting $300 million for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, which partners with willing farmers to preserve working agricultural lands and their immense economic and environmental benefits,” said Simpson.

Photos Courtesy of Wilton Simpson

Not only has Simpson been a famer throughout the years, but he has also taken his expertise and involvement beyond agricultural operations, into other organizations and the government. Simpson is an active member of the Pasco County Farm Bureau Federation where he has served as president of the board of directors. He has also served as a director on the Florida Farm Bureau Federation board and countless other organizations.

“Florida Farm Bureau and similar agriculture organizations are an incredible asset, and are very informative to not only the public, but to the agriculture community itself,” said Simpson.

In addition to agricultural organizational involvement, Simpson’s leadership in the Florida State Senate and serving as the Florida Senate President has shown proven success for Floridians.

“When you look at back at my career in the Senate, I’m proud of what we were able to accomplish for the agriculture community - from the Right to Farm Act, strengthening Florida’s Greenbelt Protections, enacting the agritourism statute, sales tax breaks on farm equipment, and advocating for growers,” said Simpson. “In my 10 years in the Senate, we cut $10 billion in taxes, paid down $10 billion in debt, and we’ve created a model of prosperity for the rest of the country.”

As a business owner himself, Simpson recognized the impact that legislation can have on industries. This spurred his motivation and interest in becoming involved with being part of the policymaking process.

“The first election that I could vote in was in 1984 for Ronald Reagan. I saw the interaction and the differences, even back then, from business and the priorities of keeping everyone fully employed. Less regulation, less government, and less taxes are the key to prosperity. Between running our family businesses and then getting more involved in my philanthropic efforts, government always seemed to be in the way. Government was blocking what I thought were common sense solutions that folks were trying to do to improve our communities, and to make our state a better place to live in,” stated Simpson.

As a result, a resonating theme throughout the years and efforts of his leadership in the Florida Senate continues to lead back to the idea less government, less taxes, less regulation, and more private sector growth. Simpson will now implement his leadership skills at FDACS. His outlook is positive as he believes the future of agriculture is bright. He is encouraged by the diversification in Florida’s agriculture industry with over 300 commodities, expressing that agriculture is a year-round business in Florida. This not only provides for year-round jobs and economic impact, but it is meeting consumer demand year-round, too.

Simpson is excited for what’s in store as Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture and expressed that any recognition he has ever received is humbling as a farmer, and someone who takes pride in putting food on people’s tables. It is evident that through his leadership, experience, and hope for the future of agriculture and protection of consumers, Florida is in promising hands with Wilton Simpson as the state’s 13th Commissioner of Agriculture.

Glamping! It’s Glamorous Camping

by John Dicks | Photo by iStock

To know me, is to know that I like camping. I guess I always have, and certainly I still do. Maybe you do, too.

Or maybe you’re intrigued with the idea, or loved it in the past, but thinking that pitching a tent in these times, with skeeters seemingly bigger than buzzards, is something you’d like to just take a pass on.

Well times do change, and even so with camping.

Starting as a fad just a few years ago, and now growing quickly into the mainstream of popular diversions is “Glamping.” It’s one of those made-up words combining two competing interests into one polar opposite expression.

In this case, “glamping” is said to combine “glamorous” with “camping.”

Yes, that’s rather strange on its face. I mean, how in the world can those two concepts ever co-exist?

If I had to guess, it all started with the fancy bush camping done for safaris throughout central Africa. Many years ago, elaborate (and expensive) camping quarters were built in order to attract and accommodate tourists who wanted to get up close with nature, and most particularly, with wild animals.

All across the great Kenyan Savannah to the Serengeti in Tanzania, companies have established and built both permanent and portable lodges and camps to keep comfy the countless throngs of people itching to get a glimpse in the wild of lions, elephants, leopards and giraffes.

When I set off on a sojourn several years ago to the heart of Africa, I was absolutely amazed at not just the luxury of it all, but the engineering it required to fashion a tent to include hot and cold running water as well even as flush toilets and bidets! How was that even possible?!

The answers I still don’t really comprehend; but the popularity of it all, I certainly understand.

Lots of people care not to deal with the difficulty of sleeping on top of a rock, but give them a warm therapeutic mattress and a few outlets for USB chargers and maybe the idea of listening to a cricket crescendo in the middle of the night might not be all that horrifying.

Particularly so for many is when there are gourmet meals mixed into the adventure. Who wouldn’t enjoy dining outdoors when it so often provides such stunning views and vistas?

It’s grown so popular that the option to glamp awaits you in almost any setting. Even several of our state parks have gotten in on the trend. Check out Colt Creek for instance. It’s less than an hour away, and offers more than 5,000 acres of native Central Florida habitat, making it a perfect spot to find everything from bald eagles, deer, otters, alligators; and glamping! You can find some info at www.coltcreekstatepark.com

Care to visit some of our best National Parks, but have no interest in pitching your own tent? One notable outfitter ready to help is aptly named, Under Canvas. They generally gather right outside of the Park itself, but it’s a fine way to avoid the crowds and still enjoy the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore, Zion and others. Contact them at UnderCanvas. com.

How about really getting away from it all and glamping while kayaking with killer whales? As you would suspect, it’s more than just whale watching. It can be a close encounter!

Just getting to this remote spot is an adventure in itself, but it makes things all that much more enjoyable knowing you’ll be glamping when you get there. Check out Orca Camp at www. wildcoastadventures.com.

The whole idea of Glamping has now become so popular that you can indulge in it nearly anywhere, doing almost anything. One website frequented by many glampers lists locations and accommodations in places all around the world, including a handful right here in Florida.

You’ll find it at Glamping.com. It’s a resource for listings including “cabins, huts, lodges, tents, tree houses, villas, and yurts.”

Yes, yurts!

You know, yurts are those round portable tents covered and insulated with furs and skins used by the nomads of Central Asia.

Glamping in yurts for a summer vacation? Why not?!

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

A Closer Look by

Sean Green | Photo Courtesy Derek Hauffe

Southern Devil Scorpion (Sus scrofa)

om of the insect that attacked. Though our scorpions prefer to live in the wild, they are known to crawl into homes through drafty doors and windows, cracks in the homes foundation or flooring and sometimes enter the home along plumming pipes. Because scorpions actively hunt at night, chances are you may never see them crawling around in your home.

We kicked off the new year with short bursts of cold weather and we have made it through the dead of winter. Springtime is only a month away and many insects are still dormant preparing for Springtime emergence. The colder weather makes for great hiking but at the cost of a significant reduction in the variety of critters that could otherwise be easily found. There are, however, certain critters that are easier to find in the winter months and one of those is our native scorpions, as they will certainly seek shelter in or near warm places such as your home, garage, mulch, or leaf litter. Though we have six known species of scorpion in Florida, this month we are taking a closer look at the Southern Devil Scorpion (Vaejovis carolinianus) because it likes humidity and we are still getting rain so it may be more active than our other species.

The Southern Devil Scorpion (Vaejovis carolinianus) is a member a large family of scorpions that range throughout Mexico, North America, and into Canada. The Canadian species (Paruroctonus boreus) holds the title of the northernmost species of scorpion in the world. Our Southern Devil species can be found in the southeast and ranges no further north than Tennessee and Kentucky. Unlike western species of scorpion that are associated with hot and dry dessert environments, the Southern Devil scorpion thrives in the humid environments we’re used to in Florida and our weather is perfect for year-long scorpion activity.

Our scorpions do not hibernate in the wintertime, but instead, simply find food and shelter in a warmer place, often in or near human dwellings. Natural sources of heat in the wild include decaying leaves, underground burrows, rock or wood piles that can create or store heat. These scorpions typically run when disturbed, however, like other wildlife, will not hesitate to defend itself if it feels trapped and threatened.

I have personally never been stung by any scorpion in Florida and that is a direct result of having a healthy respect and understanding for the scorpions I have kept as pets or sought in the wild. I have read blogs from some enthusiasts that have been stung by the Southern Devil scorpion and they described the sting as as slightly more painful than a hornet or wasp with symptoms of pain and swelling lasting no more than an hour.

If you’re entertaining the thought of trying to catch any Florida scorpions proceed with caution and keep in mind that venom from any insect can be a medical emergency if you find out the hard way you are allergic to the particular ven-

Scorpions are ambush hunters. They will venture out at night and lie in wait for their prey. They don’t see very well and must rely on ground vibration and movement to locate their prey; they do so however, with astounding accuracy. Once prey is located and within range, the scorpion rushes to the prey to grab it with crawfish like claws, holding it still while it plunges its venomous stinger, located on the end of its tail, into its prey sometimes impaling it in the process. The venom quickly kills its prey and begins the digestive process. The scorions chelicere (mouthparts) also resembles small claws and are used to rip small pieces of flesh from its prey rather than to chew it. Scorpions, like spiders, can only consume liquids and because they do not have a proboscis with which to stab and drink from, scorpions access the liquids by ripping away the solid pieces of prey to get to the liquid of the innards. Common prey includes spiders, roaches, termites, and other soft body insects, but I have seen them attack small lizards as well. After a meal, the scorpion can go 15 to 30 days without food, however must have daily access to water.

Scorpions are not insects, they are arachnids in the same family as spiders and ticks. Scorpions, like some spiders, bear live young that are enveloped in a sac. The brood size can range from just a few to more than 100 tiny white scorpions. When birthed, the baby scorpions (scorplings) free themselves from the sac and complete their development on top of the mothers back over a period of about 50 days.

Control of scorpions within the home can be difficult because chemical means of doing so are ineffective for an arachnid that can go up to six months without eating and typically remain sedentary after a good meal. The best means of control are to understand scorpion behavior and reduce the availability of an ideal habitat for scorpions within your home.

Scorpions like dark, undisturbed areas. Inspect under sinks, in closets, and storage areas. Such places are ideal for a glue board that will trap spiders, mice, and scorpions that walk over it. Scorpions hunt at night, take measures to make sure beds and their sheets do not touch the floors or walls to give the scorpion easy access to a warm bed to hide in. It is wise to avoid walking barefoot in the dark if scorpions have been found in your home and make a habit of shaking out clothing and shoes especially if they are left outside for a time.

The Souther Devil scorpion is common throughout Florida and the Southeast and will certainly have its place outsude the home. They are beneficial and I would not encourage taking any measures to eliminate them from your yard. Taking reasonable measures to preserve natural outdoor habitats such as rock piles, decaying wood, and leaf litter will help prevent them from seeking shelter in your home.z

UF/IFAS RESEARCH: HELPING FLORIDA STRAWBERRY GROWERS AND MEETING CONSUMER DESIRES FOR 70 YEARS

By Brad Buck

As far back as the early 1950s, University of Florida scientists have been studying how to improve strawberry production and consumption – not just in Florida, but globally.

Did you know UF/IFAS-developed strawberry varieties grow in more than 50 countries and on every continent except Antarctica?

Fun facts as we enter the thick of Florida’s strawberry growing season, which runs through April.

To help those who grow the crop, which generates $300 million annually for Florida’s economy, UF/IFAS researchers aim to develop strawberries that fight diseases and pests, but that also taste and smell delicious. Vance Whitaker and other researchers at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) have bred many cultivars over the years. Among those are ‘Strawberry Festival,’ ‘Florida Radiance,’ ‘Florida Brilliance’ and Sweet Sensation®.

Whitaker’s most recent variety is known as the “pineberry,” aka Florida Pearl ® ‘109.’ It’s white, and has a sweet flavor with a subtle pineapple aroma.

‘Brilliance’ grows on 60% of the state’s strawberry acreage. That’s because the fruit is relatively firm and resists many diseases, said Wael Elwakil, a fruit and vegetable agent for UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County.

‘Sensation’ is the second most common cultivar because of its savory flavor and size. Growers are increasingly choosing ‘Medallion,’ a newer variety compared to ‘Brilliance’ and ‘Sensation,’ and they’re growing more of it each year.

GCREC is in Balm, about 20 miles southeast of downtown Tampa -- in the heart of Hillsborough County’s farmland. The county produces most of Florida’s 12,000 acres of strawberries, but some of the fruit also grows in Manatee County.

“The Tampa Bay area is ideal for growing strawberries due to its climate, not so far north as to have too many freezes but not so far south that the autumn is too hot and unsuitable for planting,” said Whitaker, a professor of horticultural sciences.

Strawberry consumption continues to rise in the United States, creating a strong domestic demand for strawberries, he said.

A GCREC fact sheet shows strawberries are rich in vitamin C and low in calories. To keep up with consumer demand for healthier lifestyles, U.S. fresh strawberry production has increased from the past 20 years.

California and Florida lead the nation in strawberry production, growing over 91% of the crop.

This fall’s weather has hindered strawberry growers, but Elwakil remains optimistic for a “fruitful” season.

“The weather this fall has been particularly challenging for the majority of the strawberry growers in the central and south Florida area,” Elwakil said. Hurricanes Ian and Nicole didn’t help. “The overcast, rainy weather persisted, which is not ideal, and in the middle of all of that, we had two freeze events around Christmas.”

Having said that, “Strawberry plants and our growers are both resilient, so we look forward to a good season,” he said.

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

WHY FOOD IS OUR MIDDLE NAME

Feeding a hungry world takes effort. Nearly everything we do comes back to food: from growing it and getting it to consumers, to conserving natural resources and supporting agricultural efforts. Explore all the reasons why at ifas. ufl.edu/food or follow #FoodIsOurMiddleName.

ABOUT UF/IFAS

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

FLORIDA

Strawberries & Pineberries

IN BLOOM AT THE PLANT CITY GARDENS

By Jim Frankowiak

Despite the very cold weather that impacted the Plant City area at Christmas, things are looking good in a variety of colors at the Plant City Community Garden on the Plant City Campus of Hillsborough Community College, 2001 East Cherry Street. Winter hours of operation are from 8 a.m. to dark.

Orange Firebush (began late March)

Tacoma

Nasturtium

Pink Roses

“Southern Charm” Azalea “Flordaprince” Peach

Purple Bougainvillea

Yesterday Today and Tomorrow

Red Roses

Glory Bower

Firebush

Jatropha

Snapdragons

Violet

Garlic Vine

White Roses

Spanish Needle

Loquat

Scorpion Tail

Tea Olive

“G.G. Gerbing”

Feverfew

White, Yellow and Pink

Shell Ginger

Yellow

Papaya

Rosin Weed

Thryallis

Firebush

Marigold

Yellow and Red

Marigold

Shrimp Plant

Pink and White

“George Tabor” Azalea

Blue

Blue Ginger

Prospective Garden members are encouraged to join for a full year of growing or support. Annual membership is $45.

FMS Super-Mol Blocks, Tubs, and Super-Pro Blocks providing the protein, energy and vital nutrition that your cattle need to stay in tip top shape during the winter changes to your forages Proper nutrition matters for pregnancy rates, healthy calves, and high performing cattle throughout the year

For the Love of Mulch and Mulching!

By Lynn Barber,

I LOVE TO MULCH. It’s relaxing; I’m outdoors and can see immediate results of my labor! It’s multi-tasking, too: mulching while thinking about installing microirrigation in a landscape bed, starting seeds, what to divide, relocate or conquer. Early morning, before the heat of the day, is a great time to add mulch to your landscape beds.

Mulch is very beneficial. It retains moisture in the soil, suppresses weeds, adds nutrients to the soil as it decomposes which improves soil structure, moderates soil temperature, reduces runoff and erosion from your yard, provides increased area for root growth, protects plants from lawnmowers and weed eaters, and enhances the beauty of your landscape.

Mulch can be organic or inorganic. Organic mulches include: Pine bark, a by-product of the timber industry, which has good color retention. Purchase the medium or small size as the large size tends to float away in a heavy rain.

Pine straw settles quickly and is another timber industry byproduct.

Eucalyptus, produced from Florida plantations, has a light reddish-brown color and minimal settling over time.

Melaleuca has high termite resistance, almost no settling over time and is produced from an invasive, non-native tree. Oak leaves are a free source of mulch, have minimal settling over time and create ‘self-mulching’ areas under trees.

Municipal yard waste will be available at county recycling facilities when they reopen.

The University of Florida (UF) does not recommend Cypress mulch because it’s not a renewable resource and harvesting

destroys the habitat for native birds and animals. Inorganic mulches include: Crushed shell, gravel and rock, which provide nice texture and color in landscape beds, but don’t prevent weeds to the extent organic mulches prevent them. They reflect heat, preventing soil moisture loss.

Recycled tire/rubber mulch lasts for a long time, can be quite costly and may contain high zinc levels in leachate which may harm plants (based on USDA research). Rubber mulch can be flammable, and there may be issues with using this because of stormwater runoff and chemicals entering Tampa Bay.

What about termites? University of Florida research indicates termites may be present more frequently in mulched versus non-mulched areas; however, certain practices will help deter these critters: leave space between plants and exterior walls; pull mulch one foot away from walls or apply mulch one inch thick near buildings to reduce moisture near foundations, and apply no more than one inch of water per irrigation.

Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Agent Hillsborough County and UF/IFAS Extension

Mulch the entire landscape bed. Wood and bark mulches should be three inches deep after settling. Mulch newly-set plants after they are planted and watered. Reapply mulch around established plants as needed to maintain the three-inch depth. Pull mulch two inches away from stems to prevent rotting. When mulching under a tree, apply a one-inch layer over the root ball if necessary, but keep the mulch at least ten inches from the trunk. Improper mulching can cause trunk rot, cut off oxygen to the roots and in some trees, it may cause stem girdling.

Enjoy the beautiful weather and spruce up your landscape beds at the same time! Happy mulching! For assistance with horticultural questions, contact your local County Extension office. Although our offices may be closed, we are working from alternative locations. Remember to reduce, reuse, recycle and repeat. Be safe out there!

FROM THE SCIENTIFIC FIELD

By J. Scott Angle

ship Institute, a three-semester program that includes personal and professional leadership development, an international experience and access to a mentor, all with the goal of preparing students for leadership in business, communications, science, and natural resources.

It’s not just the faculty in the UF/IFAS College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) who know their students and make CALS feel special. The dean knows them, too.

And not just their names. As International Baccalaureate (IB) at Bartow High School graduate Abbie Putnam was preparing to become a UF CALS graduate, she asked Dean Elaine Turner for a letter of recommendation.

Turner could have written it from memory if the list of Abbie’s beyond-the-classroom experiences were not so long. Internships with the UF/IFAS government affairs office in Tallahassee, with the Florida Farm Bureau national affairs team, with a congressman in Washington, D.C., with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service working on issues related to Bangladesh and the European Union, with a major seed association in Washington, D.C., and more.

While she’s been in Gainesville, Abbie has enjoyed a sense of family in CALS. The faculty and administration know her well enough that they have personally recommended opportunities they knew she’d be interested in.

Abbie’s sister Libby, also an IB at Bartow High School grad, recalls a moment when she experienced that same personal touch. It was an email from Cathy Carr, director alumni and career services, letting Libby know about an internship with the agribusiness giant Land O’ Lakes. Libby’s first reaction was to reply: “This is epic!!!”

Her second reaction was to get started with what turned out to be a successful application. She spent last summer in Minneapolis, Canada, Indiana and Washington, D.C., learning about government affairs, about how a multinational corporation works and about a row-crop agriculture far different from her family’s citrus and cattle operation in Polk County.

The sense of family Abbie and Libby enjoy at CALS grew even more this year when a third Putnam sister arrived. Like her sisters, Emma is majoring in agricultural education and communication. She also earned a spot in the most recent cohort of the CALS Leader-

It wasn’t their dad, CALS alumnus and former commissioner of agriculture Adam Putnam, who sold them on CALS. Nor was it their mom Melissa, a UF College of Education graduate who nonetheless so enthusiastically promotes her daughters’ college that she could be an unofficial CALS recruiter.

The Putnam sisters each say taking advantage of the opportunity to be CALS students for a week while they were still in high school heavily influenced their decision to attend not just UF but CALS.

They each participated in the Florida Youth Institute, a weeklong CALS camp that challenges students to think deeply about global challenges related to food security and offers a preview of life on campus. Turner, Dr. Charlotte Emerson and a whole team spend a week challenging, inspiring and recruiting FYI students. On my very first day as leader of UF/IFAS in 2020, I spoke to Emma’s cohort.

Through FYI and the leadership development opportunities that followed when the Putnam sisters became CALS students, they’ve heard about and lived the school’s priorities—excellent instruction, relevant curricula, experiential learning, and strong alumni and stakeholder connections.

All three say a hallmark of their education has been the ability to apply classroom lessons through the college’s experiential learning opportunities—opportunities that CALS faculty help them identify.

Turner’s letter of recommendation helped keep Abbie at UF. She’ll enter the UF Levin College of Law in the fall.

And there may be yet a fourth Putnam sibling entering CALS in 2024. Abbie, Libby and Emma’s brother Hughes (who now lives in Memphis but attended Union Academy Middle Magnet School in Bartow) participated in FYI last summer.

Hughes isn’t committed to attending CALS. But if he does, CALS will be committed to him. And he’ll find family, even when he’s not around his sisters.

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

TWO-TIME STRAWBERRY CREST FFA SWEETHEART

MILEEE HASTING

IS A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH

By Michelle Caceres

Plant City resident Milee Hasting’s life is rife with contradictions. The Strawberry Crest High School sophomore loves shopping and putting on makeup with her friends…and hunting and fishing with her family. She proudly drives a 1977 Ford F250 pickup truck she purchased with her own money…then adorned it with a hot pink undercarriage.

“I have these girly things I like to do but I have my country side that I love,” said Hasting.

That country side comes out in Strawberry Crest’s FFA program, where she shows steers at the Florida Strawberry Festival and local fairs. Her one-year old Charolais cross steer named Shock will be shown at this year’s festival. She also competes in the organization’s Extemporaneous Public Speaking Leadership Development Events, which allows her to showcase her agricultural knowledge and ability to think on her feet by giving a speech and answering questions with limited prep time. She is the event winner for District Nine with judges giving her top marks for speaking about genetically modified organisms (GMO’s) and how that technology is revolutionizing the agriculture industry.

Hasting also serves in several leadership positions. She’s Vice President of the Senior Chapter at Strawberry Crest and is also Treasurer of the Hillsborough FFA Federation.

Her accolades continue to pile up. Last month, she was crowned 2023 Strawberry Crest FFA Senior Sweetheart. Hasting competed against six other FFA members who first showed off their best “unofficial” dress (Hasting didn’t spend a dime on her borrowed Regalia gown). She also didn’t spend a lot of time on big hair and heavy makeup. “This pageant is more about who you are as a person and how well you lead,” she said. Each girl was escorted by a male FFA member of their choice. Hast-

ing’s escort was her boyfriend and FFA member John Baxter. The contestants then swapped out their dresses for the official FFA uniform with its signature blue corduroy jacket and were asked an extemporaneous question. Hasting’s question: What skills have you learned in FFA that you can apply to your future? “I responded that I now have the ability to think quickly on my feet, like when the karaoke machine stops working on club days having that skills is important,” she said. “It made people laugh.”

When her name was announced as Senior Sweetheart, she was in shock. “I was Junior Sweetheart last year and it’s crazy to win back to back titles,” she said. “It was just an honor and I was excited the judges saw my passion for the industry and desire to be a leader.”

Her mom Julie Hasting was in the audience and is proud of her daughter’s accomplishment. She almost backed out of the pageant when her Mimi ended up in the hospital after breaking her hip two days before the event. After much consideration, she decided to participate in the pageant. “Our family and friends took up an entire row,” she said. “We ran to the stage to congratulate her and then celebrated at Chili’s.” The next day, they visited Mimi in the hospital and showed her the crown.

As Senior Sweetheart, Hastings looks forward to advocating for FFA and helping people see that its members think about more than cows and plows. “There’s a stigma that we’re just boring country kids that don’t know anything and that couldn’t be further from the truth because it’s about learning leadership skills and understanding technology, FFA really has something for everyone,” she said. “People don’t realize the benefits of belonging to this organization that helps its members grow mentally and spiritually.”

The skills learned in FFA will last for a lifetime.

Photo Courtesy of Kelley Photography

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