In The Field Magazine - Hillsborough February 2012 by Berry Publications, Inc

February 15–March 15, 2012 ®

Innovative products are only part of what we do. Syngenta is committed to helping you produce the highest-quality crop possible. Our goal is to aid growers in producing higher marketable yields, year after year, with proven solutions. To learn more about the products listed below, including the broad-spectrum control of Durivo® insecticide and the superior control of gummy stem blight and powdery mildew with Inspire Super® fungicide, contact your local Syngenta sales representative.

©2011 Syngenta. Important: Always read and follow all bag tag and label instructions before buying or using Syngenta products. The instructions contain important conditions of sale, including limitations of warranty and remedy. All products may not be registered for use or sale in all states or counties. Please check with your state or local extension service before buying or using Syngenta products. Agri-Mek, Gramoxone, Voliam Xpress and Warrior II with Zeon Technology are Restricted Use Pesticides. Actara, Agri-Mek, Durivo, Platinum, Voliam Xpress and Warrior II with Zeon Technology are highly toxic to bees exposed to direct treatment on blooming crops and weeds. Do not apply these products or allow them to drift onto blooming plants while bees are foraging adjacent to the treatment area. Actara,® Actigard,® Agri-Mek,® Bravo,® Durivo,® Fulfill,® Gramoxone,® Inspire Super,® Platinum,® Quadris,® Quadris Top,™ Revus,® Ridomil Gold,® Voliam Xpress® Warrior II with Zeon Technology,® the Alliance Frame, the Purpose icon and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. Syngenta Customer Center: 1-866-SYNGENT(A) (796-4368). www.FarmAssist.com MW 1L111033 11/11

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2012

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2012

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Table of Contents

From the Editor

Sarah Holt

February VOL. 8 • ISSUE 4

I just got back to my office after attending the Fresh From Florida Agriculture Breakfast at the Florida State Fair. Held at the Ag Hall of Fame Building, the breakfast brings together the agriculture community, along with city, county and state officials, to enjoy Fresh From Florida food. Many look forward to the Florida State Fair, and the reasons are varied. Some attendees like the Fair because of the food (and I use this term loosely). You can get any type of food “fried” at the Fair. And for some reason, even those who eat somewhat healthy meals the rest of the year will try “fried cookie dough” when it is offered. Other attendees look forward to the rides. They spend hours on the midway riding every spinning, tilting, climbing, whirling ride they can get on. Yep, goes great with fried Pepsi. I am always careful about standing too close to these rides. You never know what will come flying off. My favorite part of the Fair? Really? Can’t you guess? It’s the 4-H and FFA shows! You better believe it! That’s our future right there in front of us. They are showing pride in the hard work they have put into preparing their project for competition. And boy are there competitions! What would you like to see? Beef? Dairy? Horses? Swine? Rabbits, chickens, llamas and goats, oh my! You can see it all at the Fair. Did I mention Jack Russell Terrier races? There is nothing like the Florida State Fair. If you missed it this year, please make plans to attend in 2013. And if you are one of those who attend for fried food, or rides, take a minute to visit the livestock area and pat an FFA or 4H student on the back for a job well done. It takes hard work and dedication to get ready for these shows, but our students take it all in stride. Look for results from the Florida State Fair agriculture events in our next issue and on our website at www.inthefieldmagazine.com. Be blessed,

Sarah

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

February 15–March 15, 2012

Cover Story It’s Time for the Strawberry Festival! Cover Photo by Stephanie Humphrey

7 8 10 14 18 40 48 72 78 86

Did You Know? Advertisers Index Business UpFront S & O Greenworks

Fishing Hot Spots Captain Woody Gore

Grub Station The Copper Bell Café

2012 Queen & Court Meet Our New Court

Tractor Review JCB, CAT, Kubota

Ag Committee The New Team

Bug

Large Milkweed Bug

Florida Veggie Callaloo

Publisher/Owner Karen Berry

Sales Manager Danny Crampton

Editor-In-Chief Al Berry

Sales Al Berry Tina Richmond Danny Crampton

Senior Managing Editor/Associate Publisher Sarah Holt Editor Patsy Berry Office Manager Bob Hughens In The Field® Magazine is published monthly and is available through local Hillsborough County businesses, restaurants and other local venues. It is also distributed by U.S. mail to a target market, which includes members of Hillsborough County Farm Bureau and Strawberry Growers 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.

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2012

Creative Director Amey Celoria

Photography Karen Berry Al Berry Stephanie Humphrey Staff Writers Al Berry Sandy Kaster James Frankowiak Sean Green Mark Cook Ginny Mink

Designers Mona Jackson Juan Carlos Alvarez Contributing Writer Woody Gore Les McDowell

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 their advertisers. All views expressed in all articles are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Berry Publications, Inc. Any use or duplication of material used in In The Field® magazine is prohibited without written consent from Berry Publications, Inc. Published by Berry Publications, Inc.

www.InTheFieldMagazine.com

February 2012

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 5

Hillsborough County Farm Bureau

100 South Mulrennan Road • Valrico, FL 33594 Phone (813) 685-9121

Dear Readers, Even though we are only into the second month of 2012, we have already reached an important annual milestone. As you are reading this letter, we are celebrating Food Check-Out Week. Every year in the U.S. it takes just five weeks for the average family of four to earn enough disposable income to pay for his or her family’s food supply for the entire year. That’s an achievement that all of us at Farm Bureau celebrate and want each of you to share in that celebration and make the very most of it. This year’s theme is “Stretching Your Grocery Dollar With Healthy, Nutritious Food.” The importance of that milestone for Americans is based upon some very interesting comparisons. In 2009 the average U.S. household devoted less than 10 percent of its disposable income on food purchases. That is the best in the world and households in more than 40 other nations spent more than 20 percent or double that of families in our country. In fact, there are 24 countries where that figure was 30 percent or more. Beyond global cost leadership, are the selection, quality and safety of food items we have here in the U.S. It is unmatched and for that we are most grateful. I think it is also important for you to know that according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, farmers and ranchers in the U.S. receive 19 cents out of every dollar spent on food. Off-farm costs absorb the rest of that dollar. In 1980 farmers and ranchers received 31 cents of every food dollar. Recent hikes in retail prices are the result of higher energy costs to process, ship and refrigerate food. Wholesale prices have remained stable. All of us in agriculture continue to strive to maintain the quality, selection and safety of the nutritious food products available to you, while enhancing our efficiencies to keep our costs low. Even though we continue to offer a very cost-effective selection of food items, I encourage you to consider several suggestions for helping your family live within a food budget while enjoying balanced meals. Plan balanced meals using the USDA’s MyPlate food guidelines, which are available at http://www.choosemyplae.gov/. These guidelines replaced the food pyramid diet the USDA previously suggested to families. When shopping for food, stick to your grocery list, read food labels and buy only items that will be eaten. Don’t go grocery shopping when you are hungry. Also, be sure to compare cost per unit shelf stickers and per serving estimates when choosing foods. Finally, if you are not a Farm Bureau member, please consider joining our organization. A growing and active membership helps to keep the voice of agriculture strong and that’s vital as we strive to maintain the price, selection and safety of nutritious foods that we enjoy in the U.S. Please visit our website, www.hcfb.org, to learn more about Farm Bureau and the many benefits available to our members. Have a great month!

Danny Aprile Danny Aprile President, Hillsborough County Farm Bureau

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Danny Aprile, Vice-President; Jemy Hinton, Treasurer; George Coleman, Secretary; Glenn Harrell, Member-at-large; Bill Burnette, Jake Raburn, Patrick Thomas, Amanda Collins, Roy Davis, David Drawdy, Jim Dyer, Alvin Futch, Stefan Katzaras, Greg Lehman, Carl Little, Lance Ham, Michelle Williamson and John Stickles. Judi Whitson, Executive Director

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February 2012

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HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FARM BUREAU 100 S. Mulrennan Rd. Valrico, FL 33594

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

• • • •

One million dollars’ worth of one-cent coins weighs 246 tons. The US and Europe spends 17 billion dollars per year on pet food. Tobacco is a 200 billion industry, producing six trillion cigarettes a year. A third of the world’s people live on less than $2.00 a day. If Los Angeles County was a country, it would be the 19th largest economy in the world. The “$” sign was designed in 1788 by Oliver Pollock. In 1998, the US states spend $30 billion in funds on correctional services. If you stack one million US dollar bills, it would be 361 feet high and weigh exactly one ton. TIP is the acronym for “To Insure Promptness.” The term “Blue Chip” comes from the color of the poker chip with the highest value, blue. Nessie, the Loch Ness monster, is protected by the 1912 Protection of Animals Act in Scotland. The hippo is the third largest land animal. Adult frogs are carnivorous and will eat just about anything smaller than themselves. Heron of Greece invented steam power in 50 BC. While Thomas Crapper is commonly given credit for inventing the first flushing toilet in the late 1800s, the first version can actually be traced back to 1596. At this time, a British nobleman, Sir John Harrington, first engineered and invented a valve that could release water from the water closet (WC) when pulled. Sir Harrington, who was also the godson of Queen Elizabeth I, recommended pulling the valve (“flushing” the toilet) once a day for sanitary purposes. The escalator was invented by Charles Seeberger. The loudspeaker was invented by Horace Short. Briton Henry Brearly invented stainless steel. Thomas Edison invented the telephone recorder.

Insurance Services 813.685.5673 Member Services 813.685.9121

OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Danny Aprile .............................. President Bill Burnette ....................... Vice President Jemy Hinton ................................Treasurer George Coleman....................... Secretary Glenn Harrell ...............Member at Large

DIRECTORS FOR 2010-2011

Amanda Collins, Roy Davis, David Drawdy, Jim Dyer, James Frankowiak, Stefan Katzaras, Joe Keel, Greg Lehman, Kenneth Parker, Jake Raburn, Marty Tanner, James Tew, Patrick Thomas, Michelle Williamson, Ray Wood

Judi Whitson, Executive Director 813.685.9121

FARM BUREAU INSURANCE SPECIAL AGENTS Valrico Office 813.685.5673

100 S. Mulrennan Rd. Valrico, FL 33594 Tommy Hale, CLU, ChFC, CASL, CPCU Agency Mgr. Julie Carlson, John McGuire

Plant City Office 813.752.5577

1302 S. Collins St., Plant City, FL 33563 Jeff Sumner, Bill Williams

Tampa Office 813.933.5440

1046 W. Busch Blvd., Ste. 100, Tampa, FL 33612 Greg Harrell, Jeff Harper, Carter Metts

AGENCY MANAGER Tommy Hale www.InTheFieldMagazine.com

February 2012

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 7

Index of Advertisers • Screen Enclosures • • Carports • Siding & Soffits • • Vinyl Windows • “Serving Your Home Improvement Needs Since 1961”

LARRY JOHNSON (813) 659-2501 806 Woodrow Wilson St., Unit #1, Plant City, FL 33563

Lic. - Bonded - Ins.

www.plantcityawningandaluminum.com

Index of Advertisers

Agricon Equipment Company................33 Ag Technologies...................................... 5 Agro-Culture Liquid Fertilizers............ 101 Aquarius Water Refining........................81 Astin Strawberry Exchange....................99 Bella, Hermida, Hurn & Stertzer...........93 Beast Feast & Auction Invitation............98 Berry Blue Farm & Nursery...................97 Bill’s Transmissions................................89 Bingham Portables.................................99 Brandon Auto Services...........................91 Brandon Farms Market..........................65 Broke & Poor Building Surplus..............87 Brown’s Jewelers....................................97 Buckeye Self-Storage of Plant City..........80 Byrd & Barnhill, P.L...............................93 Cecil Breeding Farms.............................39 Certis USA - Melocon.......................... 103 Certis USA - Soilgard.............................41 CF Industries.........................................27 Chemical Containers........................... 101 Chuck’s Tire & Automotive...................77 Classifieds............................................ 100 Clem’s Meat Market & Fresh Produce....63 Cowboys Steakhouse & Saloon..............73 Cowboys Western World........................73 Crescent Jewelers.................................... 9 Dad’s Towing.........................................89 Discount Metal Mart.............................83 Driscoll’s...............................................61 Fancy Farms..........................................77 Farm Bureau Insurance-Jeff Sumner.......81 Farm Bureau Insurance-Valrico............ 102 Farm Credit...........................................70 Felton’s Market......................................91 Florida Agriculture in the Classroom......63

Florida Strawberry Festival.....................37 Florida Strawberry Growers Assoc..........71 Forbes Road Produce.............................16 Fred’s Market.........................................95 Gator Ford.............................................67 Gladstone Land.....................................96 Grove Equipment Service.......................75 Handy Can Portable Restrooms.............96 Harold’s Feed & Pet Supply............... 12-13 Harrell’s Nursery...................................76 Haught Funeral Home.................. 25 & 46 Helena Chemical...................................79 High Yield Industries.............................80 Hillsboro State Bank..............................91 Hillsborough County Farm Bureau.......... 7 Hinton Farms Produce...........................83 Home Protection Pest Control................76 Hydraulic Hose & Cylinder...................71 I-4 Power Equipment..............................17 ITFM - Distribution Locations...............34 ITFM - No Farmers No Food Contest....82 ITFM - Tell Your Stories........................45 Johnson’s Barbeque................................95 Keel & Curley Winery............................15 KeyPlex Nutritionals..............................19 L.I.T. Security Cages..............................99 Land’s Feed & Farm Supply...................69 Lewis Insulation Technologies................97 Loetscher Auto Parts..............................96 Magnolia Hill........................................87 Malissa Crawford, Realtor.....................79 Mark Smith Excavating..........................20 Meryman Environmental.......................65 Mosaic..................................................75 Muck Truck...........................................66 Oakwood Wholesale Nursery................. 8

Parkesdale Farms.............................. 42-43 Parrish Threads.....................................33 Pathway BioLogic..................................23 Plant City Awning & Aluminum............. 8 Plant City Tire & Auto..........................99 Red Rose Inn & Suites....................... 52-53 Rhizogen...............................................85 Rick’s Custom Meats.............................93 Ring Power Corporation........................26 Roadrunner Veterinary Clinic............... 104 S & O Greenworks.................................11 Savich & Lee/Stalnacker.........................21 Seedway.................................................96 Shell’s Feed & Garden Supply.................29 Sisters & Company................................35 Southern Water & Soil...........................90 Southside Farm & Pet Supply.................. 3 Stephanie Humphrey Photography.........98 Stingray Chevrolet.................................51 Sunshine State Federal S & L..................44 Super Shuttle International....................69 Sweetgum Environmental.......................66 Syngenta................................................. 2 The Catering Company & Cafe.............67 The Crestfallen Rose by Mike Martin.....70 The Hay Depot......................................97 Timberlane Pet Hospital & Resort.........31 Timberlane St. Pup’s Day.......................99 Tip to Toe Salon & Spa.........................47 Trinkle, Redman, Swanson, Coton, Davis & Smith....................................85 Walden Lake Car Wash..........................95 Wells Memorial.....................................90 Willie’s Seafood......................................93 Wish Farms............................................24 Zaxby’s.................................................59

You, Too, Can Be A Winner HEY READERS, hidden somewhere in the magazine is a No Farmers, No Food logo. Hunt for the logo and once you find the hidden logo you will be eligible for a drawing to win a FREE InTheField® T-Shirt. Send us your business card or an index card with your name and telephone number, the page on which you found the logo and where on that page you located the logo to: InTheField® Magazine P.O. Box 5377, Plant City, FL 33563-0042 All Entries must be received by March 3, 2011. Winner will be notified by phone. You Too Can Be A Winner - Enter Now! 8

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February 2012

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Strawberry Blossom Jewel Pop Round Antique Ring Swarovski Green Pearl Jewel Pop

Buy 2 Pops & a Piece of Jewelry Get a Compact for Free! Strawberry Frosting Jewel Pop

Strawberry Shortcake Jewel Pop

Fine Jewelry | Diamond Settings & Restyling | Custom Design | Expert Watch & Jewelry Repair | Watch Batteries Installed “While You Wait”

tab

lis

We Buy Gold!

Our store location will be closed during the Strawberry Festival... All repairs will be done in our booth at the Festival instead! Come See Us in Booths 115 & 116 under the grandstands. We’re open daily at the Festival from 10-10pm March 1st - 13th. Fairgrounds: 303 N. Lemon St. Plant City, FL Call us at 813-752-2413 or 813-650-1512

Don’t forget your 14K & Sterling Silver Strawberries!

Bracelets & Charms Our Answer to Pandora®

Free $50.00 bracelet with a purchase of $100 in charms

crescent.jewelers@yahoo.com www.crescentjewelerspc.com www.InTheFieldMagazine.com

February 2012

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 9

Business UpFront: S&O Greenworks

S&O Greenworks by Mark Cook From David and Goliath to movies like Rocky, people love to see the underdog succeed. In the ultra-competitive world of lawn fertilization, pest control, and irrigation services, Hillsborough County has their own “against the odds” success story – S&O Greenworks. Started in the garage of co-owner Steve Edwards in 2006, S&O Greenworks has grown to one of the areas largest, and more importantly, one of the areas most respected service companies in the county. S & O Greenworks began as a lawn fertilization company and that is still their primary function, but due to customer requests they now also provide irrigation repairs, licensed and certified services, like indoor pest control and termite prevention and treatment. The road traveled has been rocky, but the two co-owners refused to give up, even when facing companies with larger workforces and huge marketing budgets. Edwards talked about the humble beginnings. “Myself and business partner Oscar Villanueva literally started with all our equipment, fertilizers and chemicals in my garage. We cleaned out a back bedroom in my house and set up the computer and filing cabinets as our office. It was kind of a crazy idea and risk now looking back on it, but we never had a doubt we could succeed as long as we outworked our competition.” Edwards and Villanueva have been friends for 17 years and both were in the restaurant business locally in Plant City. The 80-hour workweeks were draining and both knew they needed a change. Edwards was the first to embark on the new journey and gave him a taste of the business he now thrives in. “The crazy hours, lack of weekends and so on had me ready for a change of pace,” Edwards said. “So when a customer at the place I worked suggested working in the lawn fertilization business I jumped at the chance.” Villanueva, who was also ready to try something else while attending college, soon followed Edwards. After seeing first hand how the business worked both began thinking about going out on

10 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2012

their own. “We were working crazy hours with the company we were with, covering from Naples to Wesley Chapel,’’ Villanueva said. “We both knew we had a strong work ethic so we decided to try and make a go of it. We both started studying for our certifications (Lawn and Ornamental) and we finally took the classes and tests and passed. Later on we got termite GHP. ” After spending a few years in the business working for what would one day be their competitors, both Edwards and Villanueva had been mentally planning a business model. “We weren’t trying to reinvent the wheel,” Edwards said. “But we took notes of the things that customers didn’t like about the companies we worked for and thought if we could just improve on those things we would have a shot. Basically we wanted to do all the good things and then eliminate the things that customers didn’t like about lawn companies.” But first the two had to figure out how to finance the operation. “I refinanced my house, maxed out my credit cards and Oscar got a loan from a family member,” Edwards said. “And even then it was still tight. When we made our first dollar we didn’t frame it, we went and bought lunch and supplies with it. There were many afternoons waiting by the mailbox hoping our checks would be there. Despite all the tough times, we are completely debt free today. Everything we own and use is paid for.” The lean times went on for quite a while. With the budgets of the larger, nationally known companies to compete against, S & O had to be creative in their marketing. “We would be up and out in neighborhoods before 8 in the morning,” Edwards said. “Then we would get on the truck and work all day, then back out passing out flyers before finally going home and cleaning the truck and getting ready for the next day.” Slowly the hard work began paying off. The phones started ringing more and more and business began to improve. “I think people saw how hard we worked and delivered what Continued on page 98.

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• Food Plot Mix • Attractants • Feeders • and much more!

Harold’s Feed & Pet Supply

Full Line of Feeds 813-689-1570 HONEY-RAW- WILD BIRD SEED Regional Recipe LOCAL-DARK , m o s s Blo

Open: M-F: 8 to 6 pm Sat: 8-5 pm Closed Sunday

Corner of Martin L. King Blvd. & McIntosh Rd. Dover, FL 33527

Ora nge e t t o, G a ll b e r r y, Pa lm Wildflo we r y & Tu p e lo H o neK ! NOW IN STO C PRICES GOOD FEB15 THRU MAR 14, 2012

25# BAG Price Lo w Ne w

$2 S E V LB A

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FREE DOG FOOD

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many brands

Great New Low Price for 99 Goats!

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COME IN AND CHECK OUT THE SALES...

COMING SOON

Attention Strawberry Festival Steer & Swine Exhibitors Steer Feed Pay Back Prize

1 Place = reimbursement for 85 bags of feed 2nd Place = reimbursement for 43 bags of feed st

Swine Feed Pay Back Prize

1 Place = reimbursement for 11 bags of feed 2nd Place = reimbursement for 6 bags of feed st

d e v o r p m I & W e N m r a o f r g h o c r p Wat k c a b ! y s a t p u o 2 y a 201 p r e g g I b â&#x20AC;&#x201D;eveN HOW IT WORKS:

Levi Ma Winner of Steer Feed yo 1. Must have completed application on file. Pay Back Drawing 2. Must make minimum feed purchases: Steer-85 bags (July thru Show) Swine-11 bags (November thru Show) Show Chow Fitters Edge Show Chow T100 or Show Chow Final Touch Moormans Show Pig 3. Feed purchases will be tracked under exhibitor name. Must notify cashier of your involvement in the program at the time of purchase. 4. 2 Steer exhibitor names and 2 Swine exhibitor names will be drawn at the conclusion of each show. Payment will be made as an add-on plus 6% at the sale.

APPLICATION Name:___________________________________________________________________ Parents Name:____________________________________________________________ Street Address:_____________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip:____________________________________________________________ Phone: Home________________________________ Cell__________________________ School:_____________________________________ Chapter/Club:________________ Steer:___________________________________ Swine:____________________________ Signature:_________________________________________________________________

FARM SUPPLY

Open: M-F 8am to 6pm Sat 8am - 6pm Closed Sunday

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not just feed anymore! Proud Supporter of Youth Agriculture

813-689-1570

Corner of Martin L. King Blvd. & McIntosh Rd. Dover, FL 33527

Fishing

TAMPA BAY’S FISHING REPORT

tow it right– Arrive Safely by Captain Woody Gore

Choosing the right size tow vehicle is critical to safe towing.

If you’re planning on towing something it’s a good idea to match the tow vehicle to the object being towed. For example, choosing a tow vehicle to match your boat and trailer requires some evaluation, not only for the best price, but also to find a vehicle with the capable of doing the job and doing it safely. Automobiles are great for fuel economy and comfortable transportation, however towing a trailer isn’t a typical car’s strong suit. Today’s cars are made with a unibody frame, or actually no frame, like the older cars of years ago. So, if for no other reason than their frameless construction this usually takes cars out of the equation. Ok what’s left? Well it leaves us with pickup trucks, larger vans, and SUVs. All have enough power to safely pull a boat and trailer. Just because a pickup truck looks big and powerful, doesn’t mean it’s the right alternative or is equipped for towing. Almost all towing applications are determined by the weight being towed. To figure the weight towed ratios it is recommend that you load the truck and boat just as you would to go boating or fishing, then take it to a certified public scale located at most truck stops. Next, accurately determine how much the rig weighs. Once you have this information you can determine the best tow vehicle for your situation.

More Precise Information:

When you actually start looking for the ideal tow vehicle, keep in mind that vehicle manufacturers determine the Gross Vehicle Weight and Tow Rating based upon a single person, usually the driver, without gear or passengers. However, by the time you add your crew, and necessities, you can easily add another 1,000 pounds

14 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2012

to the truck’s weight, which reduces the vehicle’s towing capacity. The Gross Combined Weight Rating is the most important rating criteria for towing. GCWR is the maximum permissible weight of the tow vehicle including passengers, gear, and tank full of fuel plus a fully loaded trailer consisting of things in your boat like gear and tank full of fuel. The Trailer Weight Allowance is another critical statistic that determines the vehicle’s maximum trailer rating. This information tells how much trailer a given vehicle can pull, and varies significantly depending whether the vehicle is equipped with a manual transmission, automatic transmission, 2WD, 4WD, engine size, etc.

Vehicle Equipped Properly:

Vehicles designed for towing usually come with, or have installed, the extra equipment to enable the truck to handle the additional load and stress on the drivetrain. The engine is typically larger and the cooling system is improved with a larger radiator. The transmission has an auxiliary oil cooler and is probably programmed to maximize the engine’s torque. The differential will likely have a lower gear ratio for increased pulling power. On some tow vehicles, the instrument panel may have gauges instead of warning lights to allow you to monitor the engine/transmission’s health during your travels. In addition, the truck will probably be pre-wired for trailer lights, and may even have a factory-installed trailer hitch.

Two or Four Wheel Drive, Never Front Wheel Drive:

If you’re towing anything heavy always avoid front wheel drive tow vehicles, because all the weight is in the back of the vehicle, which tends to lift the front of the vehicle off the ground. Two-wheel rear-wheel drive trucks are okay for most

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Come Experience the Napa Valley of Tampa Bay

ONLY 4.5 MILES FROM THE STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL FAIRGROUNDS! Our Tasting Room & Gift Shop is Open Daily Until 6pm Sample All Our Wines and Receive a Souvenir Wine Glass for Just $6

Friday Evening After Hours Wine Bar Appetizers Served from 6pm-9pm Happy Hour 6pm to 7pm Live Music 6:30pm to 10:30pm $5 Cover Charge

Winery Tours

Saturdays & Sundays 12noon, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm $5/person or $10 including a wine tasting Visit KeelAndCurleyWinery.com for more details.

Spring Music Series

2/25 The Piano Men: Featuring Songs of Billy Joel and Elton John 3/4 Thomas Wynn & The Believers Festival goes from 2pm to 10pm Tickets start at $10 online Host Your Next Special Moment at Keel & Curley! Wedding Ceremonies & Receptions Bridal & Baby Showers Anniversary & Birthday Parties Corporate Events

813.752.9100

5202 W. Thonotosassa Rd. Plant City

www.InTheFieldMagazine.com

F 2012 I T F M 15 www.keelandcurleywinery.com ebruary

N HE IELD

AGAZINE

Fishing

applications, however, trying to pull a heavy boat up a slippery boat ramp is next to impossible. Those who have pulled trailers for some time, especially in and out of boat ramps, prefer four-wheel drive tow vehicles. With four wheel drive you have no problem getting in and out of unimproved or slimy boat ramps. Use Your Head: The information provided is really important, so make the salesperson work to get the tow vehicle that’s right for you. Don’t simply walk into the car dealership and pick a vehicle with a great paint job and plenty of accessories. Instead, take a deep breath, and use your head.

Tampa Bay Fishing Report

Snook: The last cold front that came through in early January has dropped the water temperatures into the high 50s. If we continue getting these cold fronts it should push the snook into their wintertime haunts. If you’re targeting snook you should remember when their metabolism slows, so does their bite. For this reason, why not target something else other than snook? If you just can’t stand it and must go after linesiders, remember they go deeper, seeking warmer water. Top baits still include live greenbacks, shrimp, small and pinfish dead-sticking cut baits. Artificial lures do well during the winter, but plan on covering lots of water. Redfish: There are plenty of rat redfish running around practically any canal or channel. A tail hooked shrimp, 1/0 circle hooks, #5 split shot and you’re set. You can catch slot fish on low tides, using a shallow water boat or wading and fishing the pot holes. Grass flats with broken bottom, submerged oyster bars and mangrove shorelines hold hungry Redfish. Artificials fished slow still work during the winter. Greenbacks, shrimp, dollar size pins, cut bait and patience usually catch some nice redfish. Spotted Sea Trout: “IT’S OPEN” and with the new

16 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2012

regulations, all year on the Gulf coast north and south. Trout action will increase with the cooler waters. However, on those windy days, when the mud stirs up, they tend to head for deeper cleaner water. So if you don’t find them shallow, look a little deeper. Good moving water and a popping float prove deadly in catching spotted sea trout, using either live shrimp or artificial lures. Soft plastics on a jighead, bounced off the bottom around potholes, can produce some surprisingly large trout. Cobia As the water temperatures cool even more in February, you and others will have opportunities if you fish the hot water discharges of power plants. Large shrimp on a ¼ oz. jighead normally does the trick. But small or chunk crab will also work. Sheepshead should be in by mid to late February, so try fishing markers, bridges, docks, seawalls, rock piles, oyster bars or practically any type of barnacle encrusted structure. Shrimp and fiddler crabs seem to be the bait of choice.

“Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing” 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. www.InTheFieldMagazine.com

www.InTheFieldMagazine.com

February 2012

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 17

Grub Station

by Cheryl Kuck

The Copper Bell Café in Riverview is the second restaurant of that name. Its Brandon sister café is the first Copper Bell and the brainchild of executive chef and business entrepreneur Darren S. Dennington, as well as, the two-time winner of “A Taste of Brandon” for 2010 and 2011. With Café number one’s stellar reputation, it piqued my curiosity about how the two-yearold fledgling baby sister café was coming along. For the second venture, Dennington has partnered with Bo Angel, son of Margitta and Chef Holger Engel, owners of Brandon’s “Taste of Berlin.” The Copper Bell’s level of culinary expertise is virtually unheard of in a café that, for the most part, only serves breakfast, brunch and lunch. Not only have they formed a collaboration with “Taste of Berlin,” there are five full-time certified chefs working at the Copper Bell. As a certified chef who has been working in the restaurant business since age-13, Dennington insists on employing those who have qualified for certification. That may not be a big deal to some, but it should be. Certification requires a minimum job experience as a Sous Chef (a position only secondary to the executive chef) or chef who supervises a shift or station(s) in a foodservice operation. They must have supervised at least two full-time people in the preparation of food and that experience must be within the past 10 years. The minimum education level requires a high school diploma or GED (general education diploma) plus 100 hours of continuing education. If you do not have a high school diploma or a GED, 200 hours of continuing education are required. In addition to the requirements previously listed, you must provide documentation of three 30-hour courses, one in Nutrition, one in Food Safety and Sanitation, and one in Supervisory Management. If these courses were taken

18 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2012

more than five years ago, an eight hour refresher course is required in each topic…whew! If every eatery held to those standards, fears about illness or sanitation would be eliminated. It is definitely a good idea to ask if there is a certified chef in charge of the kitchen when making reservations at any restaurant. Both Bell locations adhere to the open kitchen concept, where guests can view the food that is being made, the organization and cleanliness of the kitchen at all times. Fresh produce is so important to Dennington, he keeps the names of his suppliers a closely guarded secret. “In Florida, we are lucky to have the benefit of home-grown produce coming directly from the farmer to our kitchen to the table. We, the chefs and I, shop ourselves and are a wonderful team.” “The Brandon Copper Bell manager and I are always talking about recipes, as well as, how to make improvements with regular kitchen meetings. We strive for consistency but will change any recipe at any time if the consensus shows the change will make a better product,” he says. My intrepid photographer and I were given three items to sample and agreed that it would be difficult to find a better version of any of the three. The first item was from the breakfast menu, a western omelet, plump, moist and delicious with the accompaniment of some very special coarsely chopped hash brown potatoes with bacon. The potatoes were so wonderful, it made me want to come back for their corned beef hash. I’m told the corned beef is slow-roasted for 14 hours and is also used to produce an excellent Rueben sandwich. The second item was their Copper Club sandwich. I am not a sandwich person, with two exceptions. One is the Rueben and the other is the classic club, also called a clubhouse sandwich or double-decker. It has two layers of fillings between three slices of toasted bread and it’s all about the fillings.

www.InTheFieldMagazine.com

February 2012

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 19

Grub Station

• Land Clearing • Demolition • Drainage • Ditch and Pond Cleaning and Mowing • Mulching & Mowing of Heavy Underbrush • Free Estimates

Bus: 813-986-4242 Cell: 813-293-4242

For me, that means turkey or chicken and ham must be really fresh and moist, the lettuce or spinach and bacon very crisp. There must be real mayonnaise and not some spread or salad dressing with the bread lightly toasted and tomatoes firm and juicy…a pinch of kosher salt, coarsely ground fresh pepper and whalah, the result is a perfect classic club as it is served at the Copper Bell. My philosophy is that the simpler the food, the more likely you will be able to judge the quality of the ingredients. Keeping simplicity in mind, the specialty strawberry Feta salad is a treat that can only be true perfection when the restaurant’s location is in close proximity to some of the greatest strawberry fields in the world. We, who live in the fertile areas of greater western central Florida, are truly blessed. The salad served to me was over-flowing with beautifully ripe berries and an abundance of the freshest Feta cheese I have ever been served in any restaurant. The marriage of sweet and savory ingredients, berries, cheese, red onions, tomatoes and a luscious house raspberry ranch dressing with toasted pita bread, was not just a salad, it was a sustaining, incredibly healthy taste of nirvana. This café does create for the customer and has gone to great lengths just to please those on special diets. With five chefs on-site, they are able to make everything by hand. Under those circumstances, it is possible to accommodate customer’s special needs. The copper bell is all about home-cooking with flair. When you enter a sign says “Welcome Home.” When you depart, by the door is a copper bell. The sign above it reads, “Ring it if you loved it.” I did.

20 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2012

Copper Bell Café ~ Riverview

Features Breakfast and lunch with 5 certified chefs on staff

Location: 11226 Boyette Rd. in Riverview Phone: 813-671-1100 Hours: Open 7 days-a-week, Mon.- Fri. from 6:30AM to 3:30PM, Sat. – Sun from 7:30AM to 3:00PM, Sun. brunch served in the Bistro Room from 8:00AM to 2:30 PM Prices: Very Moderate Specials: Holiday evening dining events advertised Catering: Buffets, boxed meals, party platters, deli salads and entrée’s available Seating: 70 persons in main dining area, with 40 in the Bistro Room Lounge Area: Comfortable seating for newspaper readers with flat screen Beverages: Non-alcoholic; lemonade, coffee, flavored coffees, soda’s, root beer floats Website: www.copperbellcafe.com E-mail: copperbellcafe@verizon.net Copper Bell Café location in Brandon: 401 S. Parsons Ave. * Taste of Brandon restaurant winner for 2010 & 2011 Phone: 813-681-3354 www.InTheFieldMagazine.com

SAVICH & LEE / STALNAKER

Ph: (813) 620-3006 • 6902 Causeway Blvd, Tampa • www.Fencing-Farm-Ranch.com

Like us on

DELIVERY & INSTALLATION AVAILABLE Cattle Hay Rings ........ $149 $ WOOD FENCE Horse Hay Rings.......... 179

1”X6”X16’ ROUGH CUT $6.95 Limited Lifetime Warranty

6’x8’ Stockade Fence $32 6’x8’ Board on Board $39

10+ for $31/ea 10+ for $38/ea

Heavy Galvanized

Q: How can you sell wire at your advertised price? A: At any given time we stock $75,000-$90,000 worth of premium high-tensile, low carbon and carbon zinc wire with Class 1 or Class 3 coating.

5 ft. Cattle Bunk ............ $85.00 10 ft. Cattle Bunk ........ $115.00

All Panels 60”H x 12’L w/ pins - not chain hook ups, 19 gauge (1 3/4”) gav. steel 1-9 PANELS: $68 EA. • 10 OR MORE PANELS: $66 EA. • PANELS HAVE (2) TWO VERTICAL BRACES

40’ Galvanized ..................(10) 12’ Panels + (1) 6’ Bow Gate ..................................... $735 50’ Galvanized ..................(13) 12’ Panels + (1) 6’ Bow Gate ..................................... $930 60’ Galvanized ..................(15) 12’ Panels + (1) 6’ Bow Gate ...................................$1,059

CHAIN LINK FENCE

12½ ga 11½ ga 4’........................... $46.00 ..................... $54.00 $ 00 5’........................... 64. ..................... $67.00 6’........................... $75.00 ..................... $82.00 line post corner post 6’........................... $7.50 .................... $10.50 $ 7’........................... 8.50 .................... $12.50 8’........................... $9.50 .................... $13.75 1 3/8” top rail 10 1/2’ ................................................ $8.95 21’......................................................$17.90

CHAIN LINK GATES

height -------4’ 5’ 6’ 3’ 1 3/8” tube welded ....... $41 ..... $46 .... $56 $ $ $ 4’ 1 3/8” tube welded ....... 43 ..... 51 .... 72 5’ 1 3/8” tube welded ....... $49 ..... $57 .... $80 6’ 1 3/8” tube welded ....... $62 ..... $69 .... $86 7’ 1 3/8” tube welded ....... $80 ..... $92 .. $109 8’ 1 3/8” tube welded ....... $91 ... $107 .. $131 10’ 1 3/8” tube welded ... $115 ... $131 .. $148 12’ 1 3/8” tube welded ... $125 ... $147 .. $160 14’ 1 3/8” tube welded ... $154 ... $173 .. $190 16’ 1 3/8” tube welded ... $165 ... $196 .. $209 18’ 1 3/8” tube welded ... $176 ... $211 .. $236 20’ 1 3/8” tube welded ... $199 ... $223 .. $258 Gate Roll Kits Available

CHAIN LINK GATES

4’ x 20’ 1 5/8” Tube Welded ............. $229.00 6’ x 16’ 1 5/8” Tube Welded ............. $287.00 6’ x 18’ 1 5/8” Tube Welded ............. $321.00 6’ x 20’ 1 5/8” Tube Welded ............ $338.00

CHAIN LINK FENCE PARTS

1 5/8” loop caps.................................... $.95 1” loop caps ........................................ $1.35 2½” loop caps ..................................... $1.95 1 3/8” rail ends .................................... $.95 1 5/8” rail ends .................................. $1.35 2½” 1-way & 2-way caps ....................... $1.95 1 3/8”, 1 5/8”, 2”, 2½” tension bands .. $.60 1 3/8”, 1 5/8”, 2”, 2½” brace bands ..... $.60 4’ tension bars..................................... $2.50 5’ tension bars..................................... $2.95 6’ tension bars..................................... $3.25 6½” bag ties 100ct .............................. $4.95 8½”bag ties 100ct ............................... $8.95 50’ razor wire....................................$39.00

100’ HARDWARE CLOTH

24” 36” 48” ¼ x ¼ 23ga......$57.00 ....... $85.00 ....... $112.00 00 00 ½ x ½ 19ga......$55. ....... $85. ....... $110.00

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WELDED WIRE FENCING

½” x 1” x 18” 16ga 100’ cl1 .....................$99.00 ½” x 1” x 24” 16ga 100’ cl1 ................... $121.00 ½” x 1” x 30” 16ga 100’ cl1 ................... $150.00 ½” x 1” x 36” 16ga 100’ cl1 ................... $180.00 ½” x 1” x 48” 16ga 100’ cl1 ................... $225.00 ½” x 1” x 60” 16ga 100’ cl1 ................... $271.00 1” x 1” x 24” 16ga 100’ cl1 ......................$81.00 1” x 1” x 36” 16ga 100’ cl1 .................... $120.00 1” x 1” x 48” 16ga 100’ cl1 .................... $158.00 1” x 1” x 60” 16ga 100’ cl1 .................... $207.00 1” x 1” x 24” 14ga 100’ cl1 .................... $111.00 1” x 1” x 36” 14ga 100’ cl1 .................... $165.00 1” x 1” x 48” 14ga 100’ cl1 .................... $210.00 1” x 1” x 60” 14ga 100’ cl1 .................... $257.00 1” x 2” x 18” 14ga 100’ cl1 ......................$66.00 1” x 2” x 24” 14ga 100’ cl1 ......................$77.00 1” x 2” x 36” 14ga 100’ cl1 .................... $131.00 1” x 2” x 48” 14ga 100’ cl1 .................... $159.00 1” x 2” x 60” 14ga 100’ cl1 .................... $197.00 1” x 2” x 72” 14ga 100’ cl1 .................... $228.00 2” x 4” x 24” 14ga 100’ cl1 ......................$41.00 2” x 4” x 36” 14ga 100’ cl1 ......................$56.00 2” x 4” x 48” 14ga 100’ cl1 ......................$65.00 2” x 4” x 60” 14ga 100’ cl1 ......................$92.00 2” x 4” x 72” 14ga 100’ cl1 .................... $110.00 2” x 4” x 36” 12.5ga 100’ cl1 ...................$79.00 2” x 4” x 48” 12.5ga 100’ cl1 ................. $100.00 2” x 4” x 60” 12.5ga 100’ cl1 ................. $125.00 2” x 4” x 72” 12.5ga 100’ cl1 ................. $153.00

ROLL GATE PARTS

5” steel rear track wheel ....................... $12.50 universal line track bracket ....................... $8.50 clamp-on roller bracket ........................... $5.95 double trolley wheels 6”x6” ................... $34.95 double trolley wheels 6”x12” ................. $39.95 air type trolley wheels 10”x12” .............. $59.00 no Flat trolley wheels 10”x12” ............... $79.00 swing gate wheels .................................... $19.95

WOOD FENCE POST Quantity Prices Available

6½’ treated

2-2½” ...................................................... $2.19 2½-3” ...................................................... $2.89 3-3½” ...................................................... $3.79 3½-4” ...................................................... $4.25 4”-5” ....................................................... $5.10

8’ treated

3-4 ............................................................ $5.50 4-5 ............................................................ $6.79 5-6 .......................................................... $10.95 8’ treated 6-7......................................... $15.50

POTABLE WATER TANKS

275 gallon w/ metal cage ............ $75.00 - $125.00

POULTRY WIRE 1x12x150’ 20ga ..... $2100 1x18x150’ 20ga ..... $3100 1x24x150’ 20ga ..... $4100 1x36x150’ 20ga ..... $5900 1x48x150’ 20ga ..... $7900 1x60x150’ 20ga ..... $9800 1x72x150’ 20ga ... $11600 2x24x150’ 20ga ..... $2150 2x36x150’ 20ga ..... $3100 2x48x150’ 20ga ..... $4100 2x60x150’ 20ga ..... $5100 2x72x150’ 20ga ..... $6100

WIRE FENCE

1047-330’ Field Fence 14ga cl3 ........................ $115.00 1047-330’ Field Fence 12½ga cl1.......................139.00 1047-330’ Field Fence 12½ga cl3 low carbon .... $139.00 1047-330’ Field Fence 12½ga cl3 high tensile.... $155.00 barb Wire 15½ CL3 Gauge .................................$35.00 barb Wire 12½ GA CL3 ......................................$65.00 barb Wire 15½ GA 3” spacing............................$49.00 100’x4’ cl3 no climb horse wire ...................... $125.00 100’x5’ cl3 no climb horse wire ...................... $149.00 200’x4’ cl1 no climb horse wire ...................... $199.00 200’x4’ cl3 no climb horse wire ...................... $229.00 100’x4’ cl1 4 X 4 goat wire ...............................$75.00 330’x4’ cl1 4 X 4 goat wire ............................. $239.00 5’x16’ Horse Panel 6ga 2x4 ...............................$59.00 50”x16’ 10 Line Panel 4GA ...............................$22.00 39” Field Fence 12½ga 330’ ...............................$112.00 barbless wire 12½ga 1320’ ..................................$54.00 barbless wire 14ga 1320’ ....................................$35.00 smooth wire 9ga 140’ ....................................... $11.95 smooth wire 12½ga 210’................................... $12.50 Fence stays 100 pair 42” ......................................$46.00 staples 1¼-1½-1¾ 50# .......................................$49.00

gates

Ideal for Horses & Small Animals

4’ black powder coated 2x4 mesh........................ $75.00 6’ black powder coated 2x4 mesh........................ $89.00 8’ black powder coated 2x4 mesh...................... $114.00 10’ black powder coated 2x4 mesh.................... $129.00 12’ black powder coated 2x4 mesh.................... $143.00 14’ black powder coated 2x4 mesh.................... $169.00 16’ black powder coated 2x4 mesh.................... $179.00

PIPE GATES 2” DIAMETER

12’ Galvanized Hvy Duty/16 ga ................... $119.00 16’ Galvanized Hvy Duty/16 ga ....................$148.00

FARM GATES w/hardware

4’...........................Pipe $49.00 ................. Mesh $60.00 6’...........................Pipe $59.00 ................ Mesh $71.00 8’...........................Pipe $69.00 ................ Mesh $76.00 10’.........................Pipe $76.00 ................ Mesh $89.00 12’.........................Pipe $86.00 ................ Mesh $97.00 14’.........................Pipe $95.00 ............... Mesh $111.00 16’.......................Pipe $105.00 ............... Mesh $120.00 18’.......................Pipe $136.00 ............... Mesh $156.00 20’.......................Pipe $147.00 ............... Mesh $168.00

COUPON

Horse Fence 200’x4’, Sheep & Goat Fence 330’x4’ 1 to 3 rolls - $2.50 off, 4 or more - $5 off, 10 piece limit. Field fence 47” 1-8 - $2.50 off, 9 or more - $5 off, 10 piece limit. Barbed Wire - 5 or more - $1 off 10 piece limit. Pick up ONLY while supplies last.

February 2012

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 21

Al Berry’s Rocking Chair Chatter

A few weeks back I was having lunch at the weekly Lions Club meeting in the Twelve Oaks room at the Red Rose Inn and Suites in Plant City. The foursome at the table included myself, Davey Miles, a Real Estate agent, Gail Lyons from Regions Bank and Tim Haught, who owns Haught Funeral Home in Plant City. Davey said he read years back where they plan to freeze the body of baseball great Ted Williams and asked Tim what he knew about this process. He said there is a company that specializes in this in Scottsdale, Arizona called “The Alcor Life Extension Foundation.” He said they have been in the business of freezing bodies since 1972, and nobody has come back to life. The conversation about funerals continued, and I asked, “Why do they call it a Funeral Home since nobody lives there?” Tim replied, “I don’t know, but at one time they called the funeral home a funeral parlor.” That night, in front of my computer at home, I decided to study up on funerals, first, that Alcor place in Arizona. Their mission is to preserve the human body in a state that will be viable and treatable by future medicine. They call it Cryonics. I know as a kid, one time I froze a minnow for a week, and when it thawed out it swam around in a saucer once and went belly up. I wonder if Ted Williams will come out swinging when they thaw him out?

22 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2012

One of the more unusual funerals I have ever heard of was a motorcycle funeral. A biker at the Plant City Chamber of Commerce’s monthly bike fest in downtown Plant City related the story of a biker friend we’ll call Fred. He said this guy was a preacher and loved to ride a motorcycle. The editor of Bike magazine nicknamed him “Faster Pastor.” A few years back he left his church and opened a funeral home. The story goes that he uses a motorcycle with a specially built sidecar to carry a coffin. He claims his business has been very good since the first day he opened his funeral home. I found the story of Cliff Berkley, a young stock car driver, very interesting. According to police records, he wrecked his car on a winding mountain road, landing right in the midst of the funeral of an elderly NASCAR fan. As punishment for his spectacular car wreck, the local authorities of the small Tennessee town of Judas Grove gave him a choice, serve three months in jail for reckless driving, or spend two weeks teaching the local ministers to drive stock cars, so that they can compete in a race with a prize that is the $2 million legacy left by that deceased NASCAR fan. Have you ever read the article of “Things Not to Do at a Funeral?” Don’t laugh, there is one. There are three main things listed. Never climb into the casket. People understand the serious emotional turmoil of the grieving process, but climbing on top

www.InTheFieldMagazine.com

BioLogic Science to SoilizeTM crops â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a good crop becomes great when its SOIL is optimized Increase specific populations of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria Optimize soil structure and water percolation Maximize nutrient availability & uptake with reduced leaching Optimize root architecture and increase root length and root hairs Manage organic matter Maximize crop tolerance to heat, drought, nematode and disease stress

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BMP Compliance with Balanced Soil Biology

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www.PathwayBioLogic.com (813) 719 -7284 www.InTheFieldMagazine.com

February 2012

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 23

Al Berry’s Rocking Chair Chatter

s errie. b f o a etern Florid k r a i r m es emieegetabl r p A v

and

Come Grow With Us 100 Stearn Ave. Plant City, FL 33563 Tel: 813.752.5111 www.wishfarms.com of your dead friend or relative will not make you feel better. Two, never get drunk at the graveside ceremony and get all of your inebriated friends to climb into the back of the hearse and crank up the radio and drive the hearse around the cemetery while the gravediggers finish burying your friend. Third, never wear all black. Only the widow really does that, and it’s an old tradition anyway. I recall many years ago I was at a funeral in Plant City. The preacher made one profound statement about the deceased, and over the public address system came a loud voice, “Ten Four Good Buddy.” Everybody laughed of course, and it was determined it came from an 18-wheeler with an over powered CB radio just outside the church at the stoplight. Police in Alabama cracked the case of “body jewelry snatcher.” It was reported that jewelry was missing from the deceased before interment. A careful eye noticed one woman that appeared regularly to area funerals. She was caught slipping jewelry off the deceased as she would bend down to kiss them goodbye!

24 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2012

I read where a funeral director in north Georgia was the guest speaker at the local Rotary Club. He was asked what was the most interesting thing about his job as owner of a funeral home. He answered, “Excuses people give for not attending a funeral.” He said one man called to tell him he could not attend his father’s funeral because he had an appointment with his doctor. One lady called and asked him to tell the family of the deceased that she would be unable to attend the funeral because her cat had diarrhea. One thing you can always count on is the size of your funeral will be determined by the weather. Let me close with a way to know if you have Inner Peace. I have no idea who wrote this, but it gets to the point. If you can start the day without caffeine, if you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains, if you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles, if you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it, if you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time, if you can take criticism and blame without resentment, if you can conquer tension without medical help, if you can relax without liquor, if you can sleep without the aid of drugs, then you are probably the family dog.

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HAUGHT FUNERAL HOME Serving Plant City and East Hillsborough County

813-717-9300

708 W. Dr. M.L. King Jr. Blvd. • Plant City Fl. 33563 www.haughtfuneralhome.com

Since 1999, Haught Funeral Home has been assisting families during their loss of a loved one with interment in these area cemeteries: Antioch Bethlehem Hopewell Memorial Gardens Hopewell Church Cemetery Pelote

KATHERINE, DAVID & CYNTHIA WOLF

TIM & JO HAUGHT

Oaklawn Memorial Park Mt. Enon Springhead Shiloh

Haught Funeral Home Remembers…

In recognition of the families who entrusted us with their loved ones in January of 2012 It has been an honor to serve you.

Helen Elizabeth Young French, 96 of Plant City, Florida died on Thursday, January 5, 2012, at her daughter’s home in Plant City, Florida from heart failure. Born Monday, March 1, 1915 in Cord, Arkansas, to the late John Henry and Sarah Almittie (McDaniel) Gould. She was preceded in death by her husbands Elmer Young and Emery French. Everlean Tollar, 93 of Plant City, Florida died on Friday, January 6, 2012 from heart failure. Born Monday, April 8, 1918 in Lake Village, Arkansas. She was the wife of the late Charles E. Tollar Sr., and Maxie Coleman.

Connie Joyce Edenfield, 60 of Dover, Florida died from complications of a hip fracture on Tuesday, January 10, 2012, at South Florida Baptist Hospital in Plant City, Florida. Born Friday, October 5, 1951 in Florence, Alabama, she was a member of New Hope Free Will Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents Buford and Cora Lee Staggs and her husband Kenny Edenfield. Michael James Robinson, 20 of Plant City, Florida died on Tuesday, January 10, 2012 after being struck by a car. Born Saturday, March 23, 1991 in Brandon, Florida. He is survived by his father, James E Robinson; mother and stepfather, Fleita & Curtis Blackmon; sister Kathryn “Kat” Robinson; fiancée Laci Thomas; and grandparents: Mary and Doug Ford, and Diana and David Morris.

William Lacy Blanton, Jr., age 62, of Plant City, FL, died Tuesday, January 10, 2012. Survived by sons, William III, Timothy; daughter, Nancy; sisters, Lillian “Pat” Highsmith, Mary Boyette, and Shirley; brother, O.C. Blanton. J. Pascual Mendez, 61 of Plant City, Florida died on Thursday, January 12, 2012, at Descendent’s Residence in Plant City, Florida. Born Monday, October 23, 1950. He was the loving husband of Maria Ramirez Mendez, she survives. James William Jones (J.W.) of Antioch, FL,Went to be with his Lord and Savior on January 15, 2012 with his family by his side. J.W. was born September 5, 1933 in Meigs, GA and raised in Zephyrhills, FL. He is survived by his wife of 56 ½ years Catherine.

Mary Ethel Kerrn of Dover, Florida, died on Monday, January 16, 2012. She was a devoted mother to a son, Richard E. Kerrn of Plant City, FL and a daugh-

ter, Teresa Kerrn. Also survived by Two brothers, Leonard Metts and Kenneth Brooks and a sister, Shirley Hobbs; 2 grand children; 1 great-grand child.

Gregory Allan Brownlee, 50 of Plant City, Florida died on Sunday, January 22, 2012, at South Florida Baptist Hospital in Plant City, Florida. Born Thursday, July 27, 1961 in Plant City, Florida, he was the son of Harold Brownlee and Ellen Ayscue Butler. Mrs. Rosa Lee Cameron, 79 of Dover, Florida died on Tuesday, January 24, 2012. Born Tuesday, July 12, 1932 in Fort White, Florida.She was the wife of the late William Cameron.

Herman Dale Baker, 63 of Plant City, Florida died on Thursday, January 26, 2012, at South Florida Baptist Hospital in Plant City, Florida. Born July 1, 1948 in Otisfield, Maine, he was the son of the late Lester Baker Sr. and Carol Baker. He was the beloved husband of Diana Farrar Baker, she survives. Reverend R.L. Daniels, 93 of Plant City FL died on Saturday, January 28, 2012 Born Saturday, March 16, 1918, in Groveland FL to the late Ruey and Mary Anderson Daniels. He was predeceased by his wives Lucille Watts Daniels and Helen Geren Daniels. Donald Eugene Scutt, Sr., 80 of Plant City, Florida died on Sunday, January 29, 2012, at Decedent’s Residence in Plant City, Florida. Born Monday, January 25, 1932 in Virgil, New York, he was the son of the late Alfred Scutt and the late Iva Cotterrill. He was the husband of Elizabeth Gilbertsen Scutt.

Keith Ryan Reece of Plant City, Florida, died on Monday, January 30, 2012. He was the son of the late Willard Reece and is survived by his loving Mother Kathy Forbes Reece. He was a devoted father to two sons, Keith Buster Caleb Reece and Carter Columbus Reece and a daughter, Elexa Lynn Reece.

Martha Elizabeth Watkins, 70 of Plant City, Florida died at her daughter and son-in-laws home in Lakeland on Monday, January 30, 2012. Born Sunday, September 14, 1941 in Plant City, Florida. Surviving are daughter, Kindle (Brett) Bowden, brothers, Harlan, Earl and Bob Smith, sister, Jessie C. Smith; and grandson Matthew Bowden.

Landscaping: UF/IFAS Extension

Managing Yards Responsibly

The 6th of the 9 Steps to a Florida-Friendly Landscape by Lynn Barber, Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM Agent Hillsborough County and UF/IFAS Extension Managing pests responsibly means utilizing Integrated Pest Management practices (IPM). The emphasis of IPM utilizes environmentally friendly practices focused on preventing pest issues. These practices include designing a landscape that supports pest-free and pest-resistant plants, utilizing natural pest control, scouting regularly for earlier pest detection, using pruning of infected plant parts or manual removal of pests, selecting the least harmful pesticides; i.e. insecticidal soap, horticultural oil and microbials such as spinosad, abamectin and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), and spot treating affected plants. Apply soaps, oils and other pesticides during cooler parts of the day to avoid injuring plants. Avoiding pest problems can depend on how you design and maintain your landscape. Right plant-right place is the first of 9 Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM principles. This means selecting insect and disease resistant plant varieties, choosing plants that fit your site conditions (soil type and pH, wet or dry area, sun or shade), water and fertilize moderately and as needed, prune selectively, mow to the height for your type of turfgrass and encourage the presence of beneficial insects (ladybugs/lady beetles, lacewings, spiders, parasitic flies and wasps).

Identifying pest problems helps you keep pests under control and can be as easy as walking through your yard a couple of times a week, observing your plants while watering, pruning or enjoying their presence and beauty. Many times we see the damage done before we locate the pest involved - mold on stems or leaves, curled leaves and ants running up and down plant stems. Here are some tips for treating pest problems. Remove the infested/affected plant parts, place in a plastic bag and put in your household garbage, not in your landscape recycling materials, which could spread the problems to others. You can handpick the pests, then drop into soapy water or isopropyl alcohol, put in a plastic bag then the freezer overnight, pick and crush them underfoot or, depending on the size of the pest, cut it in half with a pruner. This works well for me with Lubber grasshoppers. Don’t use a broad spectrum pesticide which will also kill beneficial insects. Use the safe alternatives mentioned above. Always read and re-read product labels and apply according to the directions. Don’t mix your own chemicals unless you have been properly trained to do this. Treat only the affected plant and for the specific pest involved.

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26 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2012

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Phosphate Operations “Helping Farmers Feed a Hungry World”

CF Industries Salutes the 2012 Florida Strawberry Festival! Join us for eleven days of family fun that features great entertainment, friendly agricultural competitions, educationally enriched programming and of course, Strawberries!

March 1 – 11, 2012 Plant City, Florida www.flstrawberryfestival.org

The CF Industries AgTent is shown above in this photo from the 2011 Florida Strawberry Festival. Showcased in this facility are poultry, rabbit, lamb, horticulture, and beef breed exhibits. We look forward to welcoming guests again this year! 10608 Paul Buchman Highway  Plant City, FL 33565  813-782-1591 2520 Guy Verger Boulevard  Tampa, FL 33605  813-247-5531 www.InTheFieldMagazine.com February 2012 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 27 www.cfindustries.com

Landscaping: UF/IFAS Extension

Common Landscape Pests and Their Management

Table information is from A Guide to Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Handbook, Revised 2009.

LANDSCAPE PEST

DESCRIPTION

NATURAL ENEMIES

OTHER CONTROLS

Ants

3 body segments, size range from 1/16” -1/2”, most Phorid flies (decapitate Dry/fresh baits are effective fire ant control. Apply not harmful, but fire & carpenter ant bikes can affect fire ants), Thelohania fire late afternoon or evening around the mound people ant disease edges. Don’t apply when ground/grass is wet. Don’t disturb mound. Store baits in cool place.

Aphids

Winged or wingless bear-shaped bodies-green, yellow, black, red or multi-colored. Typically on new growth. Damaged leaves appear twisted, yellow or distorted. Ants or sooty mold may also be present.

Lady beetle (ladybug) Rune infested plant parts. Apply insecticidal soaps adults & larvae, lacewing or horticultural oils. Soil drench with product larvae, syrphid fly larvae, containing imidacloprid. parasitic wasps.

Caterpillars

Larvae of butterflies & moths. Chew on foliage creating skeletonized or notched leaves. Watch for greenish fecal pellets on leaves or below plants.

Wasps, predatory stink bugs, big-eyed bugs, birds, lizards.

Remove by land (use pliars to remove stinging caterpillars) apply Bt (most effective when caterpillars are small).

Chinch Bugs

Adults are 1/5” long, black with white patches on wings. Young nymphs are smaller, reddish and have a white stripe across their backs. Feed on St. Augustinegrass, often in stressed areas in full sun or near pavement. Injured turf yellows & dies.

Big-eyed bugs, earwigs, a parasitic wasp.

Avoid high fertilizer rates. Maintain St. Augustinegrass at a 3” height in sun and 3” in shade. Use chinch bug-resistant grass varieties when available. Spot-treat infestations with insecticides labeled for chinch bugs.

Mealybugs

Soft-bodied insects 1/16”-1/8” long with welldeveloped legs. Bodies & egg masses covered by powdery white wax. Attack leaves, twigs & roots & leave behind white, mealy wax deposits. Sooty mold or ants may also be present.

Lady beetles, lacewing larvae.

Spray with horticultural oil or insecticidal soil. If that fails, apply a systemic insecticide (i.e. imidacloprid) to the root system. Soil systemic may take several weeks to work. Choose a product that affects only pests that feed on plant sap.

Mole Crickets

Velvety brown, 1 ½” long, feed on turfgrass and Parasitic wasp, red-eyed vegetable roots. Flattened front legs adapted for fly, insect-parasitic burrowing. Mole crickets affect all grasses, but pre- nematodes and birds. fer bahiagrass and bermudagrass. Injured turf may be spongy and thinning with ¾”-round holes that are signs of tunneling. Infestation usually occurs in same area year. Test for infestation by flushing area with soapy water (1-2 tablespoons soak in a gallon of water). Crickets will surface within 3-5 minutes if present.

For chronic infestation, considering replacing turf with trees, shrubs or groundcovers. If necessary, spot-treat infestations in May or June with insecticides labeled for mole cricket control.

Plant-Feeding Mites

Tiny 1/32” red, yellow or green with oval bodies. May have spots. Some spin loose webs on foliate. Mites reproduce rapidly in hot weather. Injuries to plants look like light-colored dots, giving leaves a dull, gray-green, speckled appearance.

Flush with water, then alternate with soap and soils if necessary.

Scales

Vary in size, shape & color, approximately 1/8” in Lady beetles, parasitic diameter. Soft scales and armored scales are the wasps. most common. Soft scales produce honeydew (sugary secretion). The Armored scale body is hidden under a waxy scale covering. Mature scales are stationary and feed on leaves, twigs, stems and fruit. Watch for yellow spots (feeding damage) on top of leave with scale underneath. Ants or sooty mold may be present. “Crawlers” (the immature, mobile stage) are the most vulnerable life stage and easiest to control.

Scrape scales off plant tissue. See other controls for mealybugs.

Thrips

Tiny 1/32” winged insects that scar leaves, buds Predaceous thrips, & flower petals to drink sap from wounds. Injured predatory mites. plant may be dull gray with curling, distorted leaves.

Apply horticulture oils, insecticidal soaps, spinosad spray.

Whiteflies

Adults look like tony white moths on plants. They take flight when leaves are disturbed. Eggs are on leaf undersides. Nymphs are oval, flat, transparentto-greenish in color and may look like scales. They are stationary and located on the undersides of leaves. Dead nymphs are dull white; pupae have red eyes. Ants or sooty mold may be present.

Spray with insecticidal soap. Follow with horticultural oils, if necessary. Be aware that several species are resistant to insecticides.

For more information about landscape insect control, please see University of Florida publication, “Insect Management in the Home Garden,” by Susan E. Webb and Freddie A. Johnson: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/ VH/VH03600.pdf. Information in my article above was adapted from The Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Handbook, A Florida-Friendly Land-

28 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2012

Lady beetles, predatory mites.

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 29

Home Canning: UF/IFAS Extension

“Cottage Food” Legislation Sparks Added Interest in Extension Home Canning Classes by Jim Frankowiak

The 2011 Florida Legislature enacted a new law allowing individuals to manufacture and sell certain types of “cottage food” products from an unlicensed home kitchen. “The enactment of this new law has resulted in increased interest in our already popular home canning classes,” said Hillsborough County Extension Agent Mary Keith. Cottage food products include such items as breads, cakes, cookies, candies, jams, jellies and fruit pies. “The law does not include items such as pickles, canned fruit, vegetables or sauces,” said Keith, “nor does it include low sugar recipes of approved items at this time.” These activities, which are designated cottage food operations, require no license or permit from the state and are not inspected by any state government entity. Gross sales for a cottage food operation must not exceed $15,000 annually. Products must be sold directly by the cottage food operator to the consumer. Sales by Internet, mail order, consignment or at wholesale are prohibited. Cottage food products must be labeled in accordance with the requirements in Section 500.8-(5), Florida Statutes and United States Code of Federal Regulations Title 21, Part 101. Additionally, a cottage food operation must comply with all applicable county and municipal laws and ordinances regulating the preparation,

30 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

processing, storage and sale of cottage food products. Added information is available through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Food Safety, telephone: 850-245-5520 or via the web at http://www.freshfromflorida.com. All cottage food products offered for sale to the general public must have on the label: Made in a cottage food operation that is not subject to Florida’s food safety regulations. Labeling must also include the name and address of the cottage food operation, name of the product, ingredients in descending order of predominance by weight, allergen information and nutritional information, if a nutritional claim is made. Extension offers a wide range of classes covering home canning of sweets, pickles, tomatoes, fruits and vegetables. All are held at the Extension office, 5539 County Road 579, Seffner. Classes are held weekdays and weekends and doubleclass days are also included. “We offer classes enabling participants to learn how to make jams and pickles,” said Keith, “as well as how to can fruits and tomatoes and to learn what equipment is needed and the use of a boiling water canner. Our classes also detail what can and cannot be altered in a recipe, plus what is important for safety,” she said. Participants are asked to donate $5 for each class to cover costs. Directions, recipes and resource lists are provided to participants. The classes also include equipment demonstrations and procedures. Home canning classes teach participants how to can vegetables, meats and seafood. The sessions detail what equipment is needed; types, pros and cons of canners, how to use pressure canners and

February 2012

the opportunity to have participants’ canners or gauges tested. The classes show four or five different kinds of pressure canners in operation so people can see and hear them before deciding which one to purchase. “In addition to the classes already scheduled, we will once again be offering our popular solar cooking classes,” said Keith. “We are finalizing the dates for those classes and they will be listed on our web site shortly.” “Since our classes cover the preparation of items both included and excluded from the list of approve cottage food products, it may be helpful for potential class participants to note the following are included under the new law,” said Keith. That list includes: • Loaf breads, rolls and biscuits • Cakes, pastries and cookies • Candies and confections • Honey • Jams, jellies and preserves • Fruit pies and dried fruits • Dry herbs, seasonings and mixtures • Cereals, trail mixes and granola • Homemade pasta • Coated or uncoated nuts • Vinegar and flavored vinegars • Popcorn and popcorn balls The full schedule of available classes is one the web at Hillsborough.extension. ufl.edu. Interested parties may also call Keith at 813/744-5519, extension 54136 or via email: mkeith@ufl.edu.

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Youth: Strawberry Breeding

Language Arts and Strawberries? Tomlin’s Strawberry Breeding Fieldtrip by Ginny Mink

Schools that participate in agriculturally focused activities typically do so under the direction of the Ag teacher. Imagine the surprise to discover that a language arts teacher headed up just such an activity! Yet, such is the case thanks to Evie Simmons of Tomlin Middle School. “My dad grows strawberries, so I’ve been around that my whole life,” she explained, thereby providing the tie-in to this project. She continued, “I’m a language arts teacher at Tomlin and we started a STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) academy. Our team’s focus is environmental resources. The purpose of that program is to give the kids focus to get a career or go into college. We do that by pulling in people from the industry and that gives them real world experience for what we’re doing in the classroom.” The drive for this particular activity came from the biotechnology class. “In the biotechnology class the kids were learning about tissue culture, propagation, asexual reproduction or genetic breeding, and that’s how they produce strawberries for the market, it’s through tissue culture,” Evie said. Given her prior experience in the realm of strawberries, the student field trip she assisted with seemed like an obvious fit. This fieldtrip was quite an experience for the students. Evie elaborated, “We have a contact at the IFAS facility in Balm, the research facility is where they created the festival, radiance, and winter star (that’s the new one). So, we took the kids to the IFAS facility. They took them on a tour through some of their main labs so they looked at how they did the tissue culture. They also looked at how they did the pollination. Then we also looked at how they marked the fields to identify the traits that they want to continue to develop, and the kids got to compare the tastes in the different berries.” Visiting the IFAS facility is an awesome opportunity in itself, but the learning didn’t end there. Evie says, “When we left that facility, we went to Simmons Farms which grows for Wish Farms and Wish Farms actually paid for our buses to go on our fieldtrip. We went to Simmons Farms to see the production of the berries that were created through the tissue culture. The last portion of our unit with that was marketing. So, the Marketing Director for Wish Farms did a presentation at school and then the kids created a campaign for a strawberry product.”

32 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2012

Taking non-Ag students to a strawberry farm was definitely an innovative concept with great potential. “What we wanted to show the kids was the whole product line of strawberries, from the creation, to the production field, to marketing to the consumer.” No doubt the students gained a great deal from the exposure herein. “I think there’s a couple of different things they took away: one, a career in Ag doesn’t just mean being a farmer and the second thing I think it taught them was to broaden their view of the world because at middle school it’s so narrow and they could see how things work together to create something bigger. And, I think it just made them more excited about going to school,” she says. Evie is no stranger to the industry having grown up on Simmons Farm. When asked about being raised on a strawberry farm she chuckled and said, “I don’t ever get sick of strawberries that’s for sure! Growing up on a strawberry farm lets you see a different side of what Plant City is all about. The reason why, is because farming as an industry takes a lot of people working together. Even though we’re not all family in the area, we all work together and it’s neat to see how all the farmer’s kind of work together to build the industry. I learned from a very early age that if you want to get something done you have to get up early.” Evie is fourth generation when it comes to her family’s involvement in agriculture. She added, “My dad’s been growing strawberries for 40 years. Production before was vegetables, like squash, melon and cucumbers. It’s grown from a 20-acre farm to 150 acres. We picked up some property and some leases in different places. My dad started the strawberry farm.” Though Evie has only been teaching two years for the School District of Hillsborough County, she’s been teaching at HCC for five. Obviously she’s doing well since her fieldtrip was definitely a success. She said, “We had 58 students attend. It was the 8th grade STEM team. We had two students out of our team that didn’t go.” Educationally based fieldtrips are usually less enthusiastically attended, but such was not the case for this highly motivational learning opportunity. It is our hope that more schools will follow in Tomlin’s footsteps and begin to expose non-agricultural students to the myriad of possibilities in the agriculture industry. Great job, Evie!

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Come in and See Our Babies, Our Bling and Our Berries! Harley & Zoe

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February 2012

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 33

Local History: Strawberry Market

Looking for us?

Observation of the 1935 Strawberry Market in East Hillsborough County

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by Harry Hamilton Huff Reprinted with permission from the Florida Strawberry Festival

In the 1935 Florida Strawberry Festival program, Henry Hamilton Huff wrote an article entitled “Florida’s Only F.O.B. Cash Market Plant City, Florida.” Below you will find his observation on agricultural market in eastern Hillsborough County. Hamilton wrote: Those who are not familiar with the Plant City, Florida, cash market, I desire to bring to them a few facts in connection with what I believe to be one of the outstanding financial factors of the community and county. Plant City cash market, why it is, and what was the origin of it? No one person knows, various explanations have been advanced — listened to and then discarded, never-the-less we have it — all the vegetable output, the strawberry output is sold for spot cash — the producer getting his money when he delivers his product to the platform or cars. This method of marketing places Plant City in a position unique to the marketing activities of the nation — for the reason the producer does not have to await days or weeks for returns on his products, but the money he gets in hand at time of delivery is immediately put in channels of local trade and thereby keeps the city and community activities working practically the entire year. Within a period of 60 days this year over eight hundred thousand dollars ($800,000.00) in spot cash has been turned loose in the Eastern Hillsborough territory. The strawberries shipped from Plant City, on an average, bring more money than those from any other territory of the state—this is brought about not only from reputation of Plant City Strawberries—but the fact exists that better berries can be grown in East Hillsborough County territory than in any other section of the state — and for this one thing Plant City has combined with other intangible factors, established a cash market which is the basis for the ever increasing progressiveness of this territory. Scores of commission men from the large cities of the United States come here each season and remain until the golden harvest is marketed—and through them Plant City secures untold publicity and well wishes which can be measured in dollars and cents, as well as a reputation that sometimes cannot be measured by the scale of financial weights. Other territories and communities are striving to secure what Plant City is today enjoying. Today, efforts are being put forth by those cities and communities to get on a par with Plant City’s market. If others think it good — we should know that it is — the future predicts continuation of this method and with a combined effort by the citizenry of East Hillsborough County, we will not only continue to hold our place in the sun, but with rapid strides marching hand in hand with undivided allegiance and co-operative spirit — East Hillsborough will out step her National reputation and her place in the circle of those communities listed as of International fame.

February 2012

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2012 Strawberry Festival

What’s New at the 2012 Strawberry Festival?

“For the price of a movie, a family can have a full day of fun at the 2012 Florida Strawberry Festival,” says General Manager, Paul Davis. Celebrating its 77th anniversary, March 1 – 11, 2012, the Festival’s theme this year is “Growing Sweet Memories!” This year the theme was chosen to reflect on the many memories that have been made through the years. “We want our patrons to think back to their first concert, that delicious strawberry shortcake or the many laughs they had with friends and family on the midway,” said Davis. This year, the Festival will help make new memories with an exciting headline entertainment line-up, competitive contests, youth events, free on-grounds entertainment, thrilling rides, and, of course, delicious strawberries. With today’s economy, Davis noted that the Festival’s board chose to keep the price of admission and the cost of strawberry shortcake the same in an effort to help patrons come out and create new memories. Adult advance ticket sales are $8 for ages 13 and up while youth tickets purchased in advance are $4 for 6 – 12. Children under 6 are admitted free when accompanied by a ticketed adult. Advance general admission and show tickets can be purchased on the Festival’s website, calling the ticket office at 813-754-1996 or by visiting the Amscot Main Ticket Gate at 2209 W. Oak Avenue in Plant City. Group Sales are available by calling 813-719-6680. “The Florida Strawberry Festival is again teaming with Sweetbay Supermarkets where advance gate admission tickets can be purchased from February 9 – March 11,” said Davis. The full listing of participating Sweetbay Supermarkets locations is on the Festival’s website. “Brought back by popular demand are the Festival’s Special Days which run throughout the annual event where members of select groups are admitted free or with a discount such as Senior Citizens’ Day, American Heroes Day, Farm Worker Appreciation Day and Free Kids’ Day,” said Davis. “We offer additional specials on our midway such as Mountain Dew Family Day, Tampa Tribune Day and Sweetbay Supermarket Day in addition to our annual Moonlight Magic Nights,” he noted. The Wish Farms Soundstage will be hosting 26 headline acts during the 77th annual Strawberry Festival, as well as free daily, family-oriented entertainment, nearly 400 vendors, exhibitors and food concessions as well as Belle City Amusement’s Midway with more than 80 thrilling rides of which many are the only ride of its kind. New to the festival this year is Sea Lion Splash, the only traveling, self-contained sea lion show in the United States. “I have been told that one look at the sea lions and you will be hooked,” said Davis. We are also excited to be welcoming back Robinson’s Racing Pigs and Paddling Porkers. We will be making new memories this year as we host our first ever Karaoke contest! “We are thrilled to be hosting the Open Qualifying for Talent Quest Florida on Thursday,

36 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2012

March 1, 2012 from 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.,” Davis noted. The Florida Strawberry Festival is primarily an agricultural fair, formed to celebrate the bountiful harvest of the strawberry. The founding principles of the Festival continue to be the guiding purpose while striving to enrich the lives of thousands of our areas youth. “I am proud to say that over the last two years, more than 6,800 students who participated in agricultural contest at the Florida Strawberry Festival received more than $1.3 million in funding through premium awards, scholarships and sales. “We find our youth to be our most precious resource,” said Davis. “And we support higher education by providing agricultural organizational programs that benefit students financially.” Students learn the value of hard work and dedication all while investing in their futures. For this reason, our board approved the construction of the new Evelyn and Batista Madonia, Sr. Agricultural Show Center, noted Davis. The main building of this complex is approximately 30,000 square feet of enclosed air-conditioned space. The building will be used for agricultural events during the Festival while also providing available space for off season events. The Florida Strawberry Festival is a great time to discover the charm and allure of Plant City, and it’s the perfect time to enjoy eating ripe, luscious strawberries alongside the local berry farmers that have worked hard to bring to them to market. More than 10,000 acres of strawberries are planted annually in the local area. In fact, there are some 2,800 farms in Hillsborough County that produce fruit and vegetable crops with an annual value of over $360 million. This county is now one of the largest agricultural counties in the nation with diverse farm production including strawberries, citrus, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, squash, okra, peppers, beans, dairy products, eggs, ornamental horticulture, tropical fish, beef cattle, swine and other related products. “The Florida Strawberry Festival is known for its traditions and one of the most obvious is the volunteer spirit that prevails,” said Davis. Because of their love for this community, more than 2,700 volunteers devote countless hours to the success of the Festival. “Our volunteers have a passion for this community and to this event,” he said. “I’m not talking about just service, but each volunteer is committed to making the Festival enjoyable for every visitor,” said Davis. Today, the Florida Strawberry Festival is ranked among the top 50 fairs in North America. The Festival is a community-oriented event committed to providing family fun entertainment and does not allow the sale of alcoholic beverages on its premises. While the Festival strives to offer new and exciting attractions each year, The Florida Strawberry Festival will always be a community event which celebrates family, community, the harvest and the important role that agriculture plays in our area. For more information about the Florida Strawberry Festival, visit www.flstrawberryfestival.com.

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February 2012

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 37

Wish Farms

Wish Farms 2012 Florida Strawberry Festival Soundstage Sponsorship For the second year in a row, Wish Farms is the proud sponsor of the Florida Strawberry Festival Soundstage. With history in Plant City that dates back over 80 years, we are proud to support the local strawberry industry and community. As the title sponsor, our signage will be displayed throughout the Strawberry Festival Amphitheatre and we will feature videos before each concert performance. Nationally recognized for quality and innovation, Wish Farms is a year round supplier of strawberries, representing over 2,000 acres. We utilize FreshQC™, a patented tool for traceability that allows us to provide specific information for each individual package of produce – promoting accountability and continuous improvement for our work. Consumers are able to learn where their food comes from and give feedback to our team. With the launch of our mobile website, our fans are now able to meet the grower that picked their produce, learn nutrition and variety information, look up delicious recipes and more! The Florida Strawberry Festival platform presents another great opportunity to build our consumer brand and connect our growers to the individuals and families who enjoy our produce.

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Spread the Love (and the Likes!) on Facebook for a Chance to Win Grocery Shopping Money from Wish Farms!

Who couldn’t use a little extra grocery money? Help Wish Farms reach our goal of 5,000 Facebook fans and enter for a chance to win a gift card to the grocery retailer of your choice. Once we hit the 5,000 fan mark, you get the chance to win a $25, $50, $100 or the grand prize of a $250 gift card to your favorite grocery retailer. Four (4) lucky winners will receive $25 worth of grocery money, two (2) winners will receive $50, one (1) lucky winner will receive $100, and one (1) grand prize winner will get $250 to spend at your favorite grocery store. That’s a lot of free produce! Enter today and be sure to share with your friends! For more details and contest rules, please visit: www.facebook.com/wishfarms.

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February 2012

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 39

2012 Strawberry Queen & Court

Photo by Harry Jeffcoat:

77th ANNUAL

FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL® Queen’s Scholarship Pageant Plant City, Florida January 28, 2012

Photo by Harry Jeffcoat:

Below Left To Right: Erica Kelley, Calie Jo Parker First Maid, Chelsea Bowden (Queen), Chelsea Talavera & Olivia Higgins

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February 2012

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The most important real estate in the soil is at the root tip. It is there that

yield robbing soil diseases, like Pythium, Rhizoctonia, Phytophthora, Sclerotinia and Fusarium enter and infect plants.

[ 2011 Certis USA

Apply SoilGard® fungicide with the “Biotic Burst.” Every application releases billions of spores that burst and cleanse the soil. Mycellium growth covers, blocks and protects the tender root tip against damping off and root rot diseases before the pathogen enters the root and does damage. As the root grows, SoilGard defensively shields the most important real estate in the field.

• Biotic Burst cleansing action • Surrounds and shields • Application ﬂexibility • Excellent crop safety • No plant-back restrictions

]

0 hr. REI 0 PHI

1-800-250-5024 • www.CertisUSA.com

Chelsea Bowden, 2012 Strawberry Queen

Sponsored by Tip to Toe Day Spa & Gifts

• Parents are Barrett & Stephanie Higgins • A Home-Schooled Senior • Dual-enrolled at Hillsborough Community College • Member of Phi Theta Kappa, Youth in Government • Hobbies include swimming, attending her younger sister’s softball games and volunteering at church • Plans to attend USF to pursue a degree in Education and a Masters degree in English

2012 Tractor Review

2012 In The Field

The JCB WORKMAX 800D is your new choice in Side-bySides. With and 800cc three-cylinder diesel, here’s all the power you need in a compact 4x4. And best of all it comes from JCB, the major equipment manufacturer with an American heritage spanning over 40 years. You’ll find our products at work on construction sites, down on the farm, and as essential back up, which is relied upon by the American Military to perform in overseas Defense Theaters. So here’s all you would expect in a mid-size UTV, steeltipping cargo deck, independent suspension on each wheel for a comfortable driving experience, and a range of attachments. Seating is just right, bucket seats or a bench. This is the professional user’s machine designed with safety and strength in mind. Go a problem? Chances are a WORKMAX will solve that problem. That ride-on ATV you’re probably using now may be fun, but it doesn’t quite cut it nowadays when there’s serious work to be done does it? Time to get off that ATV, and get into a JCB.

TOUGH, VERSATILE, RELIABLE GROVE EQUIPMENT SERVICE INC. www.groveequipment.biz 908 E. Baker Street • Plant City, FL 1-800-717-8333 Toll Free Tel: 813-759-8722 • Fax: 813-752-9627 5905 Hwy. 60 East • Bartow, FL 33830 1-800-833-2460 Toll Free Tel: 863-537-1345 • Fax: 863-537-2645

ringpower.com challenger@ringpower.com

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2012 Tractor Review

d Tractors in Review Kubota Enters Compact Track Loader Market Kubota Tractor Corporation announces the arrival of its new, eagerly awaited, compact track loader series, with the introduction of the 75-horsepower SVL75 and the 90-horsepower SVL90 models. Powered by efficient Kubota engines, the new compact track loaders are all-Kubota designed, engineered, and manufactured to deliver exceptional reliability, durability and quality that operators have come to expect from Kubota. “The addition of the compact track loaders to the Kubota product line, at selected Kubota dealers, offers customers an efficient, rugged, highly maneuverable track loader that only Kubota could make,” says Greg Embury, Kubota vice president, sales and marketing. “The Kubota track loaders are different from our competitors because they are created exclusively from Kubota engineered and manufactured components in a specific track loader design. The SVL75 and SVL90 models offer customers a new dimension in Kubota quality and versatility to add to their equipment selection. Kubota is involved in each and every aspect of these machines, and we are proud of what these compact track loaders can deliver to our customers in terms of machine quality, innovation and value.” Outstanding Power and Performance Both Kubota compact track loader models deliver best-in-class bucket breakout force and exceptional lifting capacity to provide outstanding performance and productivity. The 74.3-gross horsepower SVL75 boasts a 6,204-pound bucket breakout force and a 4,881-pound lifting capacity. The 90-gross horsepower SVL90 has a bucket breakout force of 7,961 pounds and a lifting capacity of 5,869 pounds. Both models are powered by a four-cylinder, direct injection, turbo-charged Kubota diesel engine. Kubota’s versatile compact track loaders are equipped with a rigid-mount undercarriage and a vertical lift designed for long reach and maximum lifting and dumping capabilities. A variety of performance-matched attachments are available for the SVL75 and SVL90, including several bucket options with teeth or straight edges, 4-in-1 buckets, pallet forks and more.

5211 W. Silver Springs Blvd. | Ocala, FL 34482

AGRICON Equipment Company

Ring Power is excited to offer our agricultural customers a machine that can handle your most demanding needs throughout the day and night. The MT500D series offers a remarkable amount of productivity, style and ease of control. The tractor is equipped with e3 clean air technology using the TechStarTM CVT transmission and the Tier 4i-compliant Agco PowerTM engine resulting in clean power, performance and efficiency. Challenger offers the wheeled row crop tractor in four models; MT555D, MT565D, MT575D, and MT585D. The horsepower ranges from 170 through 225. What’s new that sets the MT500D series apart from other MT serious and the competitors? New features and benefits include: • Auto steering is available with the touch of a button providing superior accuracy. No more going over ground you already covered, the auto steering reads where you have already been and saves you time and money.

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Call Gary: (352) 368-2400 or Cell: (813) 385-1844

www.AgriconEquipment.com •

AGCOMMAND a smart, money saving device that collects real time tractor performance data and analyzes it to help producers monitor and further increase your performance, productivity and efficiency. • Customizable multi-function joystick. • Multipad control so you can format operations to increase your overall productivity and time. Agribusiness Professionals know that an efficient day in the field is money well earned. If you are a worker that is looking to streamline your productivity so you can concentrate on other tasks at hand, consider looking at the Challenger MT500D series. Ring Power is a leading provider of new and used AG equipment backed by our state-of –the-art service shops. Please contact Mike Jones for more information at 813-478-0723. Visit us online at: ringpowerag.com

February 2012

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 49

Recipe from the FSGA

Citrus Chicken Salad Florida Strawberries, Grilled Chicken and Spinach Salad with Citrus Dressing

Submitted by Strawberry Sue Harrell of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association

ingredients Citrus Dressing: 2/3 c. olive oil 2 tbsp. orange juice 3 tbsp. lemon juice 1 garlic clove, minced 1 1/2 tsp. grated orange peel 1 tsp. Dijon mustard 1 tsp. soy sauce 1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper

Salad: 1 pint of fresh Florida strawberries 1 (6 oz.) package of bagged baby spinach 2 boneless chicken breasts

DIREcTIONS

1. For citrus dressing, simply combine all ingredients in a blender and set aside. 2. Bring strawberries to room temperature. Wash, drain and remove caps. Slice strawberries and toss with spinach in a large bowl. 50 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2012

According to the National Institute of Health, spinach is among the top six vegetables for iron content. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also one of the most important minerals and one that 9-16% of women lack in their diet, according to the Center for Disease Control. Iron is a mineral found in every cell of the body. Iron is considered an essential mineral because it is needed to make part of blood cells. The human body needs iron to make the oxygen-carrying proteins hemoglobin and myoglobin. Hemoglobin is found in red blood cells and myoglobin is found in muscles. Iron also makes up part of many proteins in the body. (NIH) The trouble is, your body can only absorb about half of the iron. This is because the iron is bound tightly to oxalic acid which makes it much harder for our bodies to absorb the iron. But, did you know that a serving of vitamin C with the spinach helps your body take in more of the iron? Lucky for you, Florida strawberries are a wonderful source of vitamin C and a delicious addition to a spinach salad. This recipe combines the the vitamin C of Florida strawberries with the iron in fresh spinach and the protein in lean chicken breasts with a delicious and bright citrus dressing. What more could you ask for? Makes four servings.

3. Grill chicken breasts until cooked through on both sides. Let chicken rest for ten minutes before adding to spinach and strawberries. 4. Pulse citrus dressing in blender to ensure the dressing is well mixed. Toss chicken with strawberries and spinach while drizzling with citrus dressing. www.InTheFieldMagazine.com

GM IS PROUD TO PARTNER WITH FARM BUREAU速 TO BRING YOU THIS VALUABLE OFFER1. Farm Bureau members can get a $5001 private offer toward the purchase or lease of most new GM vehicles, including the Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD lineup. Visit fbverify.com for more details. They get tough jobs done with a maximum payload of up to 6,635 lbs.2 and a conventional towing capacity of up to 17,000 lbs.3 And through the GM Business Choice Program4, business owners receive even more when purchasing or leasing an eligible Chevrolet or GMC truck or van for business use. Visit gmbusinesschoice.com for details. 1Offer valid toward the purchase of new 2011 and 2012 Buick, Chevrolet and GMC models, excluding Chevrolet Volt. 2Requires Regular Cab model and gas engine. Maximum payload capacity includes weight of driver, passengers, optional equipment and cargo. 3Requires available 6.6L Duramax速 diesel engine. Maximum trailer ratings assume a properly-equipped base vehicle plus drive. See dealer for details. 4To qualify, vehicles must be used in the day-to-day operation of the business and not solely for transportation purposes. Must provide proof of business. This program may not be compatible with other offers or incentive programs. Consult your local Chevrolet or GMC dealer or visit gmbusinesschoice.com for program compatibility and other restrictions. Take delivery by 9/30/2012. Farm Bureau and the American Farm Bureau Federation速 are registered service marks owned by the American Farm Bureau Federation, and are used herein (or by GM) under license. 息2011 General Motors LLC

W W W. S T I N G R AY F L E E T. C O M www.InTheFieldMagazine.com

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 51

The Premier Showplace for Talent in Florida

FEBRUARY 17 JOHNNY ALSTON’S - MOTOWN ROCK & ROLL REVUE A dynamite crowd pleaser! Plus, Destiny performs before and after the show.

FEBRUARY 25 RALPH ALLOCCO & SECOND WIND

MARCH 9 RALPH ALLOCCO & SECOND WIND

FEBRUARY 25

MARCH 10 BEAUTIFUL BOBBY BLACKMON & THE B3 BLUES BAND

Performing in the Red Rose Dining Room.

FEBRUARY 18 TROY “SATCHMO” ANDERSON - TRIBUTE TO LOUIS ARMSTRONG

THE FABULOUS HUBCAPS

Troy Anderson on trumpet as “Satchmo,” a tribute to Louis Armstrong. Plus, a 3 hour set from The Wonderful World Band with the same instrumentation as Armstrong's bands. Destiny opens and closes.

Come and hear one of the nation’s most sought after oldies’ bands. Their music spans generations of some of the top hits of our time. The Las Vegas Sounds also perform in the Red Rose Ballroom. Dinner served in a supperclub atmosphere.

MARCH 2 BOBBY PALERMO

Performing in the Red Rose Dining Room, plus Destiny.

Performing in the Red Rose Dining Room.

Bobby Blackmon's career began in a small town not far from the Dallas, Texas area. His Texas blues influence is heard loud ‘n’ proud in his soulful guitar playing. He's worked with the likes of Barbara Lynn, Jimmy Reed, ZZ Hill, Johnny Taylor, Lavelle White and Lou Rawls. Destiny opens and closes in the Red Rose Dining Room.

MARCH 16

BRIAN ROMAN One of Canada’s finest entertainers! Roman performs the classics – spanning the Golden Era, ranging from Sinatra to Tom Jones. Destiny also performs.

MARCH 17 RALPH ALLOCCO & SECOND WIND

FEBRUARY 24

Performing in the Red Rose Dining Room.

BRIAN ROMAN One of Canada’s finest entertainers! Roman performs the classics – spanning the Golden Era, ranging from Sinatra to Tom Jones. Destiny also performs.

MARCH 3 JOHNNY ALSTON’S MOTOWN ROCK & ROLL REVUE Performing in the Red Rose Dining Room, plus Destiny.

GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE

W W W. R E D R O S E I N N A N D S U I T E S . C O M

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I-4 Exit 21 2011 N. Wheeler St. Plant City, FL 33563

Mrs. Evelyn Madonia -Owner Show Guests stay overnight at special rate!

The Toys and The Las Vegas Sounds. Saturday night performances include: The Mystics, Jimmy Gallagher, The Legendary Teenagers and The Las Vegas Sounds Band will perform in the Ballroom. Bob Ryman will perform in the Dining Room.

APRIL 13 JOHNNY ALSTON’S MOTOWN ROCK & ROLL REVUE

Performing in the Red Rose Dining Room, plus Destiny.

MARCH 30 JOHNNY ALSTON’S MOTOWN ROCK & ROLL REVUE MARCH 17 “THE FIDDLER” BOB RYMAN A ST. PATRICK’S DAY BALLROOM DINNER SHOW

Come celebrate the event! Ryman is a master of the violin and takes you through a magical journey of the classics to country favorites. The Las Vegas Sounds will also perform. Car show in the afternoon and deck party with a St. Patty’s tradition of green beer before the show. Pre-show at 7–Main-show at 8.

Performing in the Red Rose Dining Room, plus Destiny.

MARCH 31 BOB RYMAN

Bob Ryman is a master of the violin. Ryman plays favorites from Bluegrass to Broadway, from Country to Classics. Destiny before and after the show in the Red Rose Dining Room.

APRIL 14 THE JARMELS

The Jarmels are a Doo Wop/R&B group. Their single, “A Little Bit of Soap,” reached number 12 in America on the Billboard chart. Destiny opens and closes the show in the Red Rose Dining Room.

APRIL 20 JOHNNY ALSTON’S MOTOWN ROCK & ROLL REVUE Performing in the Red Rose Dining Room, plus Destiny.

APRIL 6 BOBBY PALERMO

MARCH 23 thru 24 DOO WOP WEEKEND EXTRAVAGANZA VI STARRING - BARBARA HARRIS & THE TOYS THE MYSTICS • THE LEGENDARY TEENAGERS JIMMY GALLAGHER OF THE PASSIONS • DESTINY THE LAS VEGAS SOUNDS • BOB RYMAN The annual event is taking on its sixth year of fun, food, contest and great music from a bygone era. Friday night performances include: The Mystics, Jimmy Gallagher (lead singer of the Passions), Barbara Harris &

Bobby Bobby Palermo has been voted Tampa Bay Entertainer of the Year two years in a row. Enjoy a night of humour, impersonations and fabulously listenable and danceable music. Destiny opens and closes.

APRIL 7 RALPH ALLOCCO & SECOND WIND

Performing in the Red Rose Dining Room.

APRIL 8 EASTER

BUFFET

Our chefs are preparing a fabulous feast for you! Call for seating times and reservations.

APRIL 21 RALPH ALLOCCO & SECOND WIND

Performing in the Red Rose Dining Room.

Call 813.752.3141 for Reservations Today!

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February 2012

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 53

By Jim Frankowiak

it weren’t for an Irish postmaster and Henry B. Plant that major event we celebrate here annually could be known as the Ichepucksassa Strawberry Festival. Not very catchy and certainly not easy to spell or pronounce. But that was the original name for our town, named in the mid 1800s after the Indian village that once occupied this territory as settlers began to migrate to the area.

Originally Plant City was a major cotton center. Can you image the annual Ichepucksassa Cotton Festival? However, the shift to strawberries came about when Constantine Shannon brought strawberries to the Plant City-Dover area in the 1880s from Shannon, Mississippi. He was undoubtedly drawn by the rich, sandy soil, which is so important to yielding the delicious berries we have come to know and love.

buyers would inspect strawberries as they were brought to the Farmer’s Market by growers in the wooden ponies and, though much has changed over the last 100 years, the bond between the community and commodity was forged and is even stronger today.

Incorporated in 1885, 16 years after Florida was chartered, the then postmaster, an Irishman pretty much fed up with the confusion over spelling and pronouncing the name, changed the name of the village to Cork, after his home city in Ireland. A year after the town was incorporated, which also happened to be one year after Mr. Plant extended the South Florida Railroad into the town, it was again renamed in honor of Mr. Plant. Some think the city’s name derives from the surrounding agricultural industry so important to the area’s growth, but though logical that is not the case.

Thanks to Mr. Shannon and the railroad’s decision to locate a depot in the town, the basis for a long term relationship was formed. It became easy for northerners to vacation in sunny Florida during the cold winter and for local strawberry growers to serve markets out of the area with their sweet and luscious berries.

While there is no clear cut answer regarding the origin of the strawberry name, there are some pretty logical theories. Many think strawberries got their name from the common practice of growing berries under straw to protect them from the winter cold and late spring frosts. Others think the name came from the practice of weaving together long stems holding the ripe fruit to form “straw” of berries and yet some others suggest the Old English word “strawn,” reflecting the random network of strawberry plants allowed to run, as the basis for the name of the berry.

54 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

Consumers in the north readily obliged and gladly paid a premium for mid-winter Florida strawberries then packed with ice in large wooden crates dubbed “ponies” for the trip to out of area markets. Berry Yard was the place in Plant City where

February 2012

A FEW FACTS ABOUT STRAWBERRIES

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The strawberry “season” in our area begins with planting in the fall, usually October. Harvesting begins in November and continues until April. During that time, the plant will put on at least three crops and the same field may be picked as many as 50 or more times. The average harvest each season is 15,000 quarts per acre, but some growers harvest up to 25,000 quarts from an acre. Growers plant strawberry plants, not seeds. Every strawberry seed contains different genetic material, the product of countless potential gene combinations. Because the genes of strawberries are so diverse (humans are diploid, strawberries are octoploid), each variety comes from a single seed, which was cloned from a single mother plant. The mother plant puts out runners, called daughter plants, that are genetically identical and they, in turn, put out runners. A year ago growers planted more than 100 million plants from a single variety, each of which was identical to their great, great, great grandmother found to be a good selection a decade or so earlier then copied in a laboratory to ensure exact duplication. Put simply, growers stick with winning plants that produce the type of berries consumers want. Getting back to history and the relationship between the community and berries, it has often been essential for the community to provide the resources needed to make strawberry farming possible. In the old days when a freeze threatened, everyone went to the fields to cover the plants with pine straw or cypress boughs. Anyone without a “city” job picked strawberries. Until 1954 schools in eastern Hillsborough County operated during the summer, so farm family children could help in the fields during the winter. These “Strawberry Schools” are part of the area’s history and alumni still gather annually to reminisce

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and share popular tales of that era. Since Mr. Shannon brought those first strawberry plants to the area from Mississippi, the community and industry have both grown substantially. The industry has advanced and Mr. Plant’s railroad has been replaced by the refrigerated tractor-trailer and air conditioning has changed even more. Plant City strawberries once consumed in the winter months primarily in the northeast are now a treat throughout the world. Farms are larger and mechanized, while the Plant City area continues to be the “Winter Strawberry Capital of the World.” Earning that title and keeping it is hard and most don’t realize the challenges associated. For the most part, strawberry fields lay fallow during the summer when agriculture in the rest of the country is hard at work growing food. That’s because the same subtropical climate that brings tourists to Florida in the winter, provides us with summer monsoons, tropical storms and sufficient steamy humidity to dampen the coolest of the cool. In other words, there is just no way strawberries could survive in the fields during the summer and growers don’t even try to keep plants alive after their season despite the fact that they are perennials, they are treated as annuals and replanted every year.

rows to an irrigation lateral or area. The strawberry beds that comprise the rows are raised by a piece of equipment called a superbedder, which forms a compact, 8 to 10-inch table where the plants will be located. The growers then sterilize the beds through the application of a fumigant and a film of plastic is then applied as a covering over the beds. A drip irrigation tube is placed under the plastic usually in the center of the bed. The superbedder creates three rows of beds at a time. Strawberry production has been greatly served by advances in technology. The plastic film used to cover beds is also referred to as plastic mulch. It retains the soil moisture and serves as a barrier against pests, diseases and weed seeds. Its black color inhibits weed seed germinations and warms the bed during the cool winter production cycle. Drip irrigation has enabled growers to reduce water usage by half and permits precise nutrient delivery directly to the plant’s root system, thereby eliminating costly waste.

THE GROWING CYCLE

Water use has been further reduced through reuse of collected field runoff and efforts continue to identify and implement new techniques to help reduce water usage, among them alternatives to the use of water for frost-freeze protection.

During the summer months, growers sow a cover crop to reduce weeds and increase organic matter in the soil. In early August they begin to cut that cover crop, incorporating the organic matter into the soil. Once that has been done and the cover crop has become part of the soil media, the fields are leveled and marked for rows. Rows are typically 48-inches apart with 13

Two weeks after the beds have been created, the tractor returns with a hole punch, which provides precise spacing the for the placement of the strawberry plant. Bare root plants are set by hand 12- to 16-inches apart, two rows to a bed. During the late September early November timeframe, more than 200 million plants are set in this manner with the precise timing dependent

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 55

upon the variety used. Plants are then established with liberal water and the first flat of berries is usually picked, again by hand, at the end of October. As the year comes to an end, harvesting is in full swing. Farm workers will hand harvest from the same fields every three to four days, grading and packing the berries into flats for the wholesale markets. The berries are collected at packing sheds in the fields, placed on pallets and then driven to a nearby cooler for sale and shipment to market. Because of the perishable nature of strawberries, time is critical. Usually within two hours of har-

vest, berries are air-cooled to between 32 and 36-degrees Fahrenheit and then placed in refrigerated storage until they are shipped later that day. The trip to the consumer may be just down the road or around the world. Most Florida strawberries are shipped by refrigerated truck throughout the nation. International shipments have increased with new cooling techniques and more frequent air flights. The entire process continues throughout the local growing season and usually ends around Easter.

Mr. Berry

is a lifelong Plant City resident with his roots deep in Hillsborough soil. Although he is only seen in public during events surrounding the Florida Strawberry Festival, he works tirelessly in the background to make the Strawberry Festival bigger and better every year. Cold weather brings out the sweetness of strawberries, and as he is the sweetest of all berries, he loves the brisk cool days of Florida winter when he spends time with family and friends.

THE IMPACT OF A SUPER BOWL A MONTH The areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strawberry industry has become big business. Strawberry sales in 2009 for Hillsborough County totaled more than $338,000,000 grown in about 9,500 acres. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more than the economic impact of an NFL Super Bowl held in the county every month. To help protect and nurture the industry, the Florida Strawberry Growers Association (FSGA) was officially formed in 1982 by

When the sun pops out, he is ready to show his bright red face all around town. His favorite activities include waving at crowds, posing for pictures, and applauding for the contestants who enter Festival competitions. He appreciates a variety of music and enjoys visiting every vendor at the Festival. For the best chance to capture a photo of the elusive Mr. Berry, it is recommended that you look for him where the laughter of children is plentiful.

F L S T R A W B E R R Y F E S T I VA L . C O M

*Historical photos from the photographic files of the Quintilla Geer Bruton Archives Center of the East Hillsborough Historical Society, Inc., 605 North Collins Street, Plant City FL 33563 (DO NOT REPRODUCE)

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five founding farmers: Carl Grooms, Tommy Brock, Allen Williford, Bob Hinton and Johnny St. Martin. The mission of the organization, a voluntary participation, non-profit cooperative, was to become “partners in research, promotion and member/community service.” That mission has been achieved as FSGA has grown to a voluntary organization that represents well

over 8,000 acres of strawberries. It supports research, encourages and directs marketing and strives to influence favorable policy through the dissemination of public information. So, it’s been a long time and a great ride ever since Mr. Shannon brought those first strawberry plants to the Plant City area from

Mississippi. Much has been achieved and the future holds even greater potential. (Special thanks to the Florida Strawberry Growers Association and Quintilla Geer Bruton Archives Center for their assistance with information and photos used in this article.) •

An Animated Video that Rocks ... ”Jammer Saves the Farm” IT’S A FACT — Florida strawberry growers produce some of the sweetest, reddest and juiciest strawberries known to man. And they bring fresh beautiful fruit to market during a season when many regions of the country are blanketed with snow. Just how Florida farmers manage to do this year after year is a story that deserves to be told. Jammer, a talking, singing, animated and oh so sweet strawberry, is the perfect character to do just that. “Jammer Saves the Farm” is a 12-minute, fun-filled educational video. It takes kids from kindergarten through third grade (and fun-loving adults, too) through the unique and sometimes tricky process of growing strawberries, specifically in Florida. The fact is, a lot of folks don’t realize that Florida is an important strawberry producing state. The video is a show-and-tell about how on a dark, cold, stormy night Jammer and his friends save a Florida strawberry farm. In the video, Jammer details the importance of irrigation to protect tender strawberry plants during freezing weather conditions, the role that bees play in pollination, and the nutritional benefits of strawberries. For those wanting a light-hearted, condensed look at the life cycle of a strawberry plant,

Jammer explains it all — from preparing the beds to bringing the crop to market. Friendly, fun-loving Jammer is the new mascot for the Florida Strawberry Growers Association. His image is on billboards, in specially designed coloring books, and on containers of Florida strawberries themselves. A live, costumed Jammer makes personal appearances at special events in Florida and beyond. Jammer even has his own Facebook page. Take a look and become a fan. Jammer Saves the Farm may be viewed by visiting our web site. Information on ordering coloring books and a “Jammer Saves the Farm” DVD may be requested through… info@FlaStrawberry.com or by calling (813) 752-6822. If desired, retailers may order edited versions of Jammer Saves the Farm for in-store use. Fresh Florida winter strawberries are available each year from Thanksgiving to Easter.

www.FlaStrawberry.com www.InTheFieldMagazine.com

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 57

Local History: T&K Produce

The  of the City by Libby Hopkins

Albert Einstein once said, “Try not to become a man of success but a man of value.” Tommy Wetherington became a man of success with help from his wife, Kathryn, and the two of them were of great value to the Plant City community for 39 years. Tommy and Kathryn were the owners of T&K Produce. Their produce stand was located on 2603 James L. Redman Parkway. It closed in December of 2010 and the property was sold to Fifth Third Bank. Produce was not Wetherington’s original career choice. He was an iron worker by trade, but iron work around the Plant City area in the late 70s was scarce so he needed to find another source of income. A neighbor of the couple had some produce equipment to sell and Wetherington thought he would give the produce business a chance, so he bought it. “A bunch of people laughed at me, even my wife laughed at me,” Wetherington said. “They said I’d never make any money selling produce, but I figured I had nothing to lose.” He set up the stand and started selling tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes and watermelons. “I made seven dollars my first day,” Wetherington said with a smile. Most people would have been discouraged after making so little money, but Wetherington would not quit. The stand was a wood frame building with chicken wire all around it and it was open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. At night, Wetherington would have to attach locks to the chicken wire to close the stand and keep it safe. It took a year before the stand started to turn a profit, but when it did, Wetherington’s wife Kathryn quit her day job to work full-time with her husband. Eventually, Kathryn took over running the stand and Wetherington went back to iron working, but he would still come and help his wife on the weekends. “During strawberry season, I would take about 100 flats of strawberries to the Lakeland Flea Market to sell and then I would be back to the stand by 2 p.m., and then finish working there the rest of the day,” Wetherington said. Word about the stand started to spread and people were traveling from as far away as Daytona Beach to buy produce at T&K. Glenn Long, the Wetheringtons’s son, said people loved to come to the stand because you just didn’t run in and run out, it was like you were going to the stand to visit your family. “It was the kind of place where people would come in, sit down, and have a cup of

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coffee,” Long said. “Everyone loved coming in and talking to my mom and all the employees because they felt like they were part of the family.” Long said his mother treated her employees like royalty. She would buy them breakfast and lunch while they were working, or if they needed time off, she made sure they got it. Family came first to Kathryn and family didn’t mean you had to be related by blood. “Everyone was part of the family in one way or the other,” Long said. As time moved on and big store chains moved into Plant City, people told the Wetheringtons that the chain stores would put them out of business. It didn’t happen. The employees from the chain stores come to T&K to buy their produce. “People like when their produce is fresh from the farm,” Long said. In today’s society, people have become more aware of where their food comes from and the impact it has on their health, the environment and the economy. This concern has created an eco-healthy movement in which more people are eating healthy and buying locally grown produce. According to the Local Shops 1 website (www.localshops1.com), a 2008 study by Civic Economics found that a small change in your shopping habits can make an enormous difference. The study that was conducted in Michigan found that “a 10 percent shift in market store to independent businesses from chain stores would result in 1600 new jobs, $35 million in wages, and $137 million economic impact to an area.” Long said that his family have always been big believers in buying local. “We want people to know that we promote buying from local farms and we have always supported our local famers,” Long said. Even though T&K Produce closed over a year ago, Long is keeping the family tradition of bring fresh produce to the Plant City community alive. He is produce manager at Clem’s Custom Meats located at 206 S. Evers St. in Plant City. He said that people still come in to the meat market and ask about his parents and share their stories of visits to the stand for boiled peanuts. “My parents and the produce stand were really the heart of Plant City,” Long said.

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Fried Pickles

FALL IN LOVE ALL OVER AGAIN

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Home Gardening

Feeding America One Backyard at a Time

by Libby Hopkins When you first meet Chris McGuire of Backyard Food Solutions in Dover, you realize that his family is the most important thing in his life. His family is quite large, too. It consists of his wife, Erin, three dogs, chickens, rooters, and a threeweek-old baby calf. The other thing that’s important to McGuire is feeding all of them. The vertical garden he built in his yard provides all of them with an array of fruits and vegetables, as well as an income. “Backyard Food Solu-

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tions is a business where we install food solutions into backyard landscapes,” McGuire said, “Vertical growing allows you to maximize your grow space per acre.” McGuire said with a conventional garden for example, one could plant 18,000 strawberry plants on an acre of land. With a vertical garden, one could plant 80,000 strawberry plants on an acre of land. According to the Verti-Gro website, which is a supplier for Backyard Food Solutions, “There are over 80 million gardeners in the U.S. today. This indicates that one out of every three people have a small or large garden for vegetables or flowers.” The website also said it’s the number one past time in North America. The vertical gardens grow hydroponically, a method of growing using mineral nutrient solutions in water without soil. Some of the advantages of having a vertical garden are that they conserve space and water. The garden’s roots are insulated from extremes in weather. They are easy to re-locate and you can grow a variety of crops at the same time. McGuire built his garden in late October of this past year and by the middle of November, his garden was in bloom and he has seen a three percent return on his investment. “We had a regular garden and it didn’t really take,” said Erin McGuire. “The vertical garden has taken quite well.” People driving by the McGuire’s home have stopped and asked if they could buy some of their fruits and vegetables from their garden. A neighbor of the couple buys produce from them and sells it in her subdivision. The McGuire’s are working on getting approval from Hillsborough County to open a fruit and vegetable stand on their property in the next few months. “To eat healthy and fresh, you have to go to the store every

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Congratulations!

Please join us in congratulating Rosa Rodriguez on her recent promotion to Quality Assurance Supervisor. Rosa has been with the company for 16 years and in those 16 years she has been with our Quality Assurance Department as a strong asset. Her most recent role was Pack-Out Coordinator which she worked closely with our growers, and with her new role it will entitle her to assist the QA manager in making decisions, analyzing weaknesses and strengths for the success of the team and the company. Driscoll’s as a company and especially us here in the Eastern Region are very proud and appreciative of Rosa with her proven track record we know she will meet and exceed all expectations.

12880 Hwy. 92 E., Dover, FL 33527 • 813.659.4120 • 813.659.1584 Fax day and I don’t like to go to the store every day,” Erin said. “I get to go in our backyard and pick my own fresh vegetables.” The vertical gardens are available in kits as small as one tower with 20 plant sites for the beginner gardener to 25 towers with 500 plant sites for the serious gardener. The company also offers backyard chicken coops that are custom made and include two hens. Customers can choose if they want mature hens or chicks. It takes approximately six months for chickens to begin laying eggs. In addition to the vertical gardens and chicken coops, Backyard Food Solutions has put together a plan to successfully manage a small blueberry patch in your backyard. They will build a planting area with 8-10 inches of blueberry-blended mulch. The pine bark base provides the necessary acidity to the soil, which makes the blueberries thrive. In addition to the base, a selection of bushes is very important as well. Cross-pollination between the bushes

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is key to ensure the bushes will produce the best possible fruit. They will install up to four different varieties of blueberry bushes in your landscape. They also provide fertilization and trimming plans for the bushes. McGuire said all of the services his company offers helps to save time and money so you can eat better. “Food is something that’s not going to go away,” McGuire said. “You’ve got to eat and so to me, it’s a safe investment.” There is also an education aspect that McGuire’s company offers. “If you have a family, gardening is a great way to help your kids learn where their food comes from,” McGuire said. For more information about the vertical gardens or other services offered by Backyard Food Solutions, you can visit their website at www.backyardfoodsolutions.com or you can contact McGuire at 813-833-2969.

February 2012

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 61

GCREC: UF/IFAS Extension

Agricultural Economist Zhengfei Guan Joins Gcrec Faculty The “team” is complete to aid growers as they compete in the global marketplace. by Jim Frankowiak It’s not a professional athletic team, so you are seeing no media coverage about free agent signings, new coaches, contracts, stadiums or the like, but the stakes are probably even more important. This team is the faculty of the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, which works diligently to help local growers compete effectively and profitably in the global marketplace. And that team, headed by Dr. Jack Rechcigl, has a new addition: Agricultural Economist Dr. Zhengfei Guan. “The appointment of Dr. Guan fills a tremendous need for us,” said Rechcigl, “a need that has been unmet for the last 15 years.” Guan’s fellow team members include plant pathologists, entomologists, soil scientists, horticulturists and breeders. “He will work across all commodities that we assist, helping each enhance their competitiveness in our global economic environment,” said Rechcigl. Rechcigl said Guan’s initial focus will be assisting strawberry growers to determine the affordability of various protective culture options they have for their crops as an alternative to water use for frost-freeze protection. “I anticipate that Dr. Guan will be conducting an extensive analysis of these options to help growers determine break even points, risks and appropriateness of one option over another as they strive to compete in the growing marketplace,” said Rechcigl. “He will work with other faculty on the financial aspects of their projects and also meet with various commodity groups to ascertain their needs.” Originally from China’s Jiangsu Province west of Shanghai, Dr. Guan received his undergraduate degree from Nanjing University, majoring in international economics and trade. He then joined an agribusiness corporation formed to oversee state farms during a process of reorganization and commercialization of state-owned farms. Dr. Guan’s assignments included finance and planning where he analyzed proposed investment projects with responsibility for approval once financial viability had been determined. His next position, with the Jiangsu Agribusiness Corporation, involved the monitoring and administration of World Bank funds being used by the corporation as it progressed with the commercialization of state farm operation. “That position provided me with the opportunity to work with World Bank agricultural experts and led me to my desire to learn more and seek

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advanced degrees,” said Guan. This desire led Guan to the Netherlands and a Master of Science and doctorate in agricultural economics and management at Wageningen University. Following receipt of his doctorate at the end of 2005, he moved to the U.S. and became an assistant professor at Michigan State University (MSU) where he taught agricultural finance. “My studies in the Netherlands gave me a good understanding of how the horticulture industry in that country competed in the global market and the efficiencies they achieved in many different areas of operation,” said Guan, who was able to parlay that knowledge and experience into his first grant at MSU to help the horticulture industry in that state achieve greater energy efficiency in their operations. Dr. Guan became familiar with the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center through a project in which he collaborated with faculty member and environmental horticulturist Dr. Zhanao Deng. He became aware of the ag economist post at GCREC through a posting on the web. “My work with Dr. Deng, the reputation of the center and the great weather in Florida all led me to apply for the position,” said Guan, who is married and the father of two children. “I look forward to helping growers become more efficient and competitive,” said Guan. This will come through benchmark or confidential peer comparisons, enhanced production and the reduction of costs, as well as improved risk management and analysis of the best mix of crops for multi-crop producers. “Much of my work involves investment analysis just like a stockbroker or advisor,” he said. “This means careful study of risks, utilization of technological advances and other considerations all designed to help growers compete and be profitable.” Dr. Guan believes there may also be opportunities to work with regulators to help them understand and recognize the impact of proposed actions or options that may help achieve regulatory objectives in a manner that may be of greater value to growers and the environment. Guan and his family enjoy the Florida climate and look forward to participation in activities of particular interest to his children, as well as their church. He enjoys badminton, table tennis, jogging and watching soccer. Welcome to the GCREC team Dr. Guan.

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February 2012

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 63

Hillsborough County Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau HIGHLIGHT: Glenn Harrell Helping to Protect the Interests of All Farmers

by Jim Frankowiak

Texas, as well as Puerto Rico. “The last few years have been chalEver since the eighth grade, Glenn Harrell has been involved lenging for our industry with the downturn of the economy,” said in agriculture. Today, he is production manager at Harrell’s NursHarrell. “2007 through 2009 were just bad years for us. 2010 was ery in Plant City and an eight year member of the Hillsborough up and last year was even better.” County Farm Bureau Board of Directors. Since its founding in 1962, Harrell’s Nursery has always put Harrell, who has an older brother Wayne, went to work at customer satisfaction as its first priority. “With 50 years of experithe nursery his uncle Winfred established 50 years ago. The senior ence, we are able to achieve healthy, hardy plants and efficient serHarrell, an electrician by trade, enjoyed raising woody ornamenvice to our customers with respect and appreciation,” the nursery’s tals, especially azaleas, so much so that he used to initially give website, http://harrellsnursery.net, says. them away at his parent’s fish market. That eventually led to sales Glenn is married to Kendra and there are three girls in the and a hobby that has grown from a backyard endeavor to 235-acre operation today. With the exception of time away for college at the family, Kelsey, 16, Emily, 14 and 12-year-old Taylor. Though he enjoys fishing and golf, the majority University of Florida, Glenn has of his time away from the nursery been active in the business since 1982. “My fellow Farm Bureau board members is spent with his daughters, who He holds the title of producare down to earth people, always willing are involved in competitive swimtion manager, but Glenn notes, to do the extra miles to help protect the ming and volleyball, participating in events throughout Florida. He “we all wear different hats at the interests of all farmers,” said Harrell. “I is also active in Farm Bureau, an nursery and do whatever it takes see the value in what we do and I am organization he has served at the to get the job done.” While workboard level for more than eight ing at the nursery as he grew up glad to be a part of that effort.” years. Harrell was also active in sports, “I realize it is important playing football and baseball at to watch over the varied interests of farmers, especially from a Plant City High School and for a short time at the college level. political standpoint,” said Harrell. “Farm Bureau does that and Harrell and his UF classmates were the first group to receive I am glad to be part of that effort.” He also sees the need for and degrees with majors in Environmental Horticulture. Previously, participates in activities designed to educate others, particularly students majored in Ornamental Horticulture. While at UF, Harrell worked part time for the Gainesville Tree non-farm audiences about the important and value of agriculture. “I enjoy volunteering for Ag in the Classroom and AgAbiliFarm. ties,” he said. Ag in the Classroom is part of a national educationHarrell’s Nursery currently employs 100 and offers more al effort designed to educate students on the importance of agrithan 150 varieties of woody ornamentals, particularly azaleas. A culture, while AgAbilities provides the opportunity for challenged wholesale nursery, Harrell’s sells to landscapers, retail nurseries high school students to experience varied aspects of agriculture. and re-wholesalers throughout the southeast and as far west as

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February 2012

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 65

SWEETGUM ENVIRONMENTAL Sweetgum Environmental is a full service environmental consulting firm with national experience and recognition. Headquartered in Plant City, Sweetgum provides a full range of services throughout Florida and the southeast US.

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February 2012

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February 2012

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 67

Jimmy Saranko

Free Spirit and Nature Lover: Jimmy Saranko

by Ginny Mink

These days people struggle to put in the necessary amount of time required for a pension. Thirty years seems an improbable amount of time to spend working in one field. Yet, if indeed one is capable of reaching that milestone, the very next thing that hits him is thoughts of retirement. The concept of finishing the “rat race” and leaving the “working world” is a goal for many Americans. In fact, the idea of retiring at 65 is so pervasive, one would toil greatly to discover an individual without that mindset. However, In the Field Magazine has encountered just such a person, Jimmy Saranko. Jimmy says, “I’m 75 years old and I haven’t thought about not working but once or twice. This January 3 I started my 45th year.” Hard to believe? Yes, but the truth nonetheless. He adds, “I guess I’ll keep on doing it as long as I’m healthy enough to keep on.” Jimmy’s career in the citrus industry started in 1956 or ’57, though he admits, he “can’t quite remember the year.” He does recall that it was the year after he graduated from Turkey Creek High School. He says he got his first job, “at Citrus Caretaking and Trucking out of Valrico, Florida.” Then he reminisces about its location which is long since gone. “I did some time there working in citrus and learning different aspects of it,” he says. However, that experience was short lived because he recalls, “After that I was in the Marine Corp Reserves out of Tampa. It was an amphibious tractor battalion. In other words it was tanks, military type tanks that went in the water. I was there and I got notice (they still had the draft in those days) the army drafted me but because I was in the Marine Corp they inducted me for two years of active service. They said, ‘don’t report to the Army, report to Paris Island, South Carolina.’ After going through 13 weeks of basic training I went out to California to Camp Mateo. I was there for awhile then I went overseas. I was stationed overseas at Okinawa. During the two years of active duty I went to Borneo, Hong Kong, China, the Philippines, and I got to go to Japan,” you can hear the delight in his voice. Though he enjoyed traveling during his service in the Marine Corp, the two years came to an end and then he explains, “After returning home to the states, I guess I was home about three days, and I got me a job and it wasn’t in citrus. I worked at Florida Steel on 7th Avenue in Ybor. I got a call one day from C.W. Bennett and he was the procurement manager for H.P. Hood. He asked me if I’d like to talk about a job with him. This was in the citrus business. He hired me to look after picking crews and odds and ends

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jobs. He offered me $125 a week, which was big money back then, and he give me one tank of gas out of the pumps at the office. I looked after labor crews and anything else, labor-wise, they had for me to do.” Though H.P. Hood has now become Oakley, Jimmy says, “I never changed jobs, it just changed around me. In 1970, a man by the name of Tom Ed Oakley took over the job that Bennett had. He said he wanted to make me a citrus fruit buyer, to go knock on doors of people that have groves and try to buy their fruit. So, I’m a citrus fruit buyer, started doing it in 1970 sometime and I’m still doing it today. When he made a fruit buyer out of me, he gave me $200 a week and a brand new Chevy Impala because we had to have a way to get around, like salesmen. They furnished gas and all. I went out wherever and tried to buy oranges for the company. You just try to do a good job. I don’t know where the years went!” In all actuality, Jimmy is quite the fruit buyer, averaging between 700,000 and 800,000 boxes a year. “ But,” he says, “I have hit a million before. That was a lot of fruit!” However, buying fruit isn’t all Jimmy is required to do in his position. In fact, he elaborates, “Also in buying fruit, I had to look after the harvesting crews, go in and test the fruit to make sure it’s ready to pick, call the grower and give him the test results and then go in and pick it if the grower’s ready. I enjoy it. I like the freedom of being out in the open. I get up at 5 o’clock in the morning, get cleaned up and go to work depending on which direction I need to go. I’m not cooped up in some office, my car is my office.” Jimmy is a bit of a free spirit and definitely a nature lover, “I love to see the little trees and how God makes them grow if you do what He tells you: feed ‘em, water ‘em, fertilize ‘em. I love to see the groves in bloom. I just love nature. I like to see, when I get up in the morning, what God has out there. I like the smell of the blossoms. I think that when you get up in the morning, if you can’t see God in your heart and mind, something’s wrong.” This is indeed a keen bit of observation. Jimmy and his wife, Jane, celebrated their 38th anniversary on November 2 of last year. They have two children and four grandchildren. He’s a deacon at Turkey Creek First Baptist Church and he adds, “Trust in God in the valley and He will come and put you back on that mountain top.” Though there have been, “sleepless nights over the years,” due to the possibility of freezes in the groves he looks after, he says, “we survive.” May we all survive as successfully and as impressively as Mr. Jimmy Saranko!

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February 2012

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 69

AVAI NOW LABL E!

The Crestfallen Rose merges the journey of a child born blind with that of two women whose lives are devastated in pre-World War II Germany—yielding an exciting tale of love and death. Samantha Talbot is born blind. Her mother Ally, searches for the cause. She finds a mysterious link to a pesticide and Worldwide Chemical. No lawyer will touch her case until a former District Attorney, David King, agrees to fight for her and Sam. Decades before Samantha’s birth, Amalia Hecht and her uncle Karl perfect a miracle pesticide that is sought by the Gestapo. They pass it secretly to an American agent. Hunted by the police they flee Germany. Amalia befriends Rachel Wisemann, a young girl, at the Swiss Border. Ally, Samantha and David face Worldwide Chemical in Federal Court in Miami, their quest frustrated by an ambitious judge, unscrupulous lawyers, and a callous opponent. Deftly drawn protagonists, Ally, David, Amalia and Rachel, become one with the reader in a thrilling tale. You can purchase a paperback, hardback copy, or download the E-Book format of The Crestfallen Rose from these online bookstores: Amazon Barnes and Noble www.thecrestfallenrose.com

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29 Our new 2012 Strawberry Ambassadors

Ambassador Scholarships at $1,000.00 each were awarded at our awards banquet, Jam 29. We are in our eleventh year of the Strawberry Ambassador program. Again this year we honor four outstanding students. These students represent the Association for the upcoming season.

(L to R) David

Walden, Megan Rogalsky, Haley Ours, and Kelsey Bozeman

We have another fine group of students to help us promote delicious and nutritious Fresh Florida Strawberries! Congratulations!

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February 2012

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 71

Ag Committee

Florida Strawberry Festival Ag Committee Rhonda Burnett (no photo)

In 1995, her daughter became interested in raising/showing sheep. They purchased a few sheep and that’s where it started. There were no 4H clubs in the area, so she became a 4H leader that year, also. Through raising/ showing sheep, she met Karen Green. Karen was, at the time, the chair of the Sheep Show at the Festival. Rhonda became a member of the committee in 1996 and shortly after Karen stepped down as head of the committee. Rhonda then took over the job of heading the Sheep Show in 1997. Today she is still a 4H leader, with a club of about 95 members. She and her husband, Bill, own Harold’s Farm Supply, and they are both avid supporters of youth agriculture programs. Rhonda loves being part of 4H, FFA, and the Festival. She truly believes in the positive influence that 4H and FFA has on our young people. Rhonda also stated that she sees and appreciates the support that our Plant City community gives these students. It’s the kind of thing that you just don’t see anywhere anymore. She hopes to be a part of Festival, 4H,and FFA for a long time to come

Suzanne Churchwell

Suzanne Churchwell has lived most of her life in Turkey Creek and graduated from Turkey Creek High School. She has been a teacher for 25 years and is currently teaching Biology at Plant City High School. She became interested in the dairy industry when her kids began showing dairy cows 27 years ago. Their interest in 4-H dairy projects parlayed into a small family dairy in Turkey Creek. Her now “grown up” children still assist Suzanne and the other dedicated Dairy Show Committee members with the Dairy Show at the Festival Suzanne helped coach the Florida 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl team for many years and gained a great deal of knowledge and appreciation for all aspects of the dairy industry. When Richard Kahelin retired from the position of Strawberry Festival Dairy Show Chairman about eight years ago, Suzanne was asked to fill his shoes, and has been working toward having a successful Dairy Show ever since. Though the Dairy Industry in Hillsborough County is much smaller than it once was, she has worked diligently in encouraging 4-H and FFA members to continue to participate. The numbers of exhibitors has increased substantially for several years and the dairy animal exhibit area at the Festival is now nearly full. Suzanne feels very strongly about the

72 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

dairy industry and agriculture and would like to share and instill this passion in the youth involved in 4-H and FFA programs through her volunteer work at the Florida Strawberry Festival and the Hillsborough County Fair.

Karen Grimmer

Karen Grimmer has assisted her husband, Ken, in their cattle operation for 23 years. Karen’s sons were participating in FFA activities at the time Karen became involved in the operation. To Ken and Karen, it was only natural that they wished to help promote agriculture and the organizations, like 4-H and FFA, that serve youth involved in agriculture. In the early 1990s Bill McClelland was the chairman of the Strawberry Festival Steer Committee. Mr. McClelland, who became a dear family friend, asked Karen if she would assist Jim Jeffries and Dane Hamilton with keeping the records for the Strawberry Festival Steer and Swine Sales. Karen accepted and has served for 22 years. Her husband, Ken, was asked to serve on the Steer Show and Sale Committee. Both have been heavily involved in those areas since then. During those years Ken’s four grandchildren were involved in the Steer Show and other livestock events at the Festival. For over 20 years, Ken and Karen have also assisted many other 4-H and FFA youth with livestock projects. Because of this long service Ron Gainey, the current Festival President, asked Karen to serve on the Strawberry Festival Agricultural Committee. Karen says, “I know that I have learned and enjoyed so many things through this endeavor. I feel that if our volunteer time leads any young person to a career in any agricultural area, we have been blessed. Ken and I hope to continue to work with the young people of this community and the Strawberry Festival.”

Jim Jeffries

Jim Jeffries is a graduate of the University of Florida. Jim is married to Robyn and has two “grown” daughters, Ginger Blackmon and Dawn Kicklighter, who participated in the Plant, Swine, and Steer Shows at the Festival during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Jim became heavily involved with all Festival youth agricultural committees when he became Supervisor of Agribusiness Education with the Hillsborough County School District in 1989. He retired from that position in 2008 but continues to serve as a Festival volunteer.

February 2012

Jim became chairman of the Steer Committee in 1996 and chairman of the Agricultural Committee in 2006. The Agricultural Committee membership consists of the chairmen of all Festival youth agricultural committees and other key volunteers. Jim is currently a member of the Festival Board of Directors and realizes that the Festival could not function without volunteers such as those conducting activities for youth involved in agriculture. Though all are proud of the quality of plants and animals exhibited at the Festival, they are more pleased with the characters of the youth who exhibit them. He sees a common character in all committee members – the positive impact of the Festival activities on their children, leading to a desire to provide the activities for other youth. All believe that the activities also provide a venue to highlight agriculture and youth to patrons attending the Festival.

Tom Lay

Tom Lay became involved with the Strawberry Festival when his daughters started exhibiting Livestock in 1994. In 1996, one of his daughters decided she wanted expand her interests and began exhibiting heifers at the Strawberry Festival Beef Breed and Commercial Heifer Show. After one year, the family was hooked! In 1998, his daughters entered college and an offer to join the Strawberry Festival Beef Breed Committee was extended to Tom by Jim Thompson, who was the chairman at that time. In 2004, Mr. Thompson decided it was time to step down and asked Tom to take

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 73

Ag Committee over the Chairman position. He gladly accepted and states, “I have been blessed by being able to work with such an awesome committee and enthusiastic group of exhibitors.” Tom believes that It is a truly “family oriented” show and that this is apparent when many of these exhibitors begin showing at age 7 and continue with the program through graduation. Tom also states, “It is extremely rewarding to watch the kids as they grow and mature in the program”

Jon Poppell

Jon Poppell is a Plant City native who participated in the Strawberry Festival as an FFA member at Turkey Creek Junior and Plant City High Schools. Jon is married to Leslie (Purvis). Leslie attended the same schools and was also active in the FFA. Jon attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and after graduation from college became employed at Poppell Insurance in Plant City. Jon and Leslie have maintained various plant and animal enterprises on their home property. Both their sons, Daniel and Seth, exhibited many animals at the Strawberry Festival and both are now college students. Shortly after beginning a career he became involved with the Festival as a member of the Swine Committee. Dan Walden, who was the chairman of the Swine Committee, assumed another duty at the Festival in 1996 and Jon became the chairman. Later, Jon was elected to serve the Festival as an Association Member. This year, Jon has assumed a different role as chairman of the Steer Committee. Because of his sons’ and his experiences with the agriculturally related activities at the Festival, Jon firmly sees the value of those activities and continues to dedicate much time to the youth involved in those activities.

Shawn Steed

Shawn Steed is the Environmental Horticulture Production Extension Agent for Hillsborough and Polk Counties. A portion of his duties is to coordinate and manage the Florida Strawberry Festival Youth Plant Show and Sale with the help of many volunteers. Shawn works closely with Steve Davis, chairman of Education Committee of the Tampa Bay Chapter of the Florida Nursery Growers and Landscape Association. Shawn also volunteers because he is committed to the environmental horticulture industry in the local area. He wishes to see the next generation learn about nursery plant production and gain an appreciation of the benefits of plants.

74 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

State Fair. Tom and his wife, Racquel, have two children, Brenna (7) and Jackson (2). Tom enjoys teaching and especially working with 4-H and FFA members at the Strawberry Festival.

Shawn believes that the Florida Strawberry Festival Youth Plant Show and Sale gives local 4-H and FFA youth a chance to raise plants that meet industry standards and allows them to sell the plants as a reward for their efforts. The participants in the event learn many skills, in addition to plant production, that will assist them in their everyday lives, such as business, money management, record keeping, marketing, advertising, public speaking, and patience. The event has raised over $690,000 for the youth participants over the last 37 years and Shawn is extremely proud to be a part of this event.

Tom Sturgis

Tom attended Frostproof High School and was active in FFA serving as Vice-President his senior year. He participated in the Citrus, Parliamentary Procedure, Soils, and Livestock Judging Career Development Events. He also exhibited Steer, Beef Cattle and Citrus. He then attended South Florida Community College and the University Florida He received a Bachelor’s in Science - Agriculture Education and was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity and Alpha Zeta. Tom began teaching Agriscience in 1992 at Van Buren Junior High and taught there for four years. While there, he enrolled in Nova Southeastern University and obtained a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership. From Van Buren, he transferred to Durant High School, and has taught Agriscience Education courses for the past 16 years. He serves on several committees of the Florida Strawberry Festival. He is the Chairman of the Rabbit and Poultry Committees and is a member of the Swine Committee. He also serves on the Swine Committees for the Hillsborough County Fair and the Florida

February 2012

Dan Walden

Dan is a native of the Plant City area and is married to Pam. After graduating from college, Dan worked in education and the insurance industry. He works with Poppell Insurance. Dan and Pam have two children, Tasha and Beau, who both participated in numerous 4-H and FFA activities at the Festival. Tasha attended Flagler College and Beau attended the University of Florida. Dan has been involved with the Festival for many years. He has worked with several Festival Committees, including Plant Show, Poultry and Rabbit Shows, and Swine Show before being named chairman of the Swine Committee in 1997. He remained in that position until 2000 when he became chairman of the Festival Parking Committee. He now cochairs the Agricultural Committee, serves on the Strawberry Festival Board of Directors as Secretary, and is a member of several other Festival Committees. Dan firmly believes that the youth agricultural activities are an important part of the Festival. He believes that the success of the plant and animal sales and the number of sponsors for all youth activities exhibit a level of support from the community that few Florida fairs or festivals enjoy. Dan works diligently each year to help assure that such support is warranted.

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 75

Ag Committee

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Pam Walden

Pam Walden is the Agriculture and JROTC Supervisor for Hillsborough County Schools. She serves on the Swine, Steer, Plant, Poultry, and Rabbit Committees in the Livestock area at the Strawberry Festival. She also is on the committee for the Strawberry Ball and Media Party. Pam is actively involved with the swine and steer shows at the Florida State Fair with the 4H and FFA students as well. Pam serves on the Florida FFA Foundation Board of Directors as an Associate Director and is active with fundraising with the Beast Feast. Through the FFA Federation, Pam helps the FFA students sell water at the Festival as a fundraiser for the Federation and also helps to oversee the ushering that the students do during each of the shows in the grandstands each day. Pam is a lifelong resident of Plant City. She has been employed by Hillsborough County Schools for 33 years, first as a teacher and now as the Agricultural Education Supervisor. She enjoys working with both the Ag Teachers and the JROTC Teachers and the students. Pam is married to Dan Walden and they have two children, Natasha and Beau.

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Lane Wetherington has been a full-time strawberry grower for 30 years. Lane is a native of Dover and his parents are Ron and Faye Wetherington. He has two sisters, Rhonda, her husband Chip Carpenter and Shayla, her husband David McCullers. Lane also has two nieces, Scarlett and Moriah McCullers and one nephew, Dakota McCullers, who are highly involved in the Polk County Youth Fair. Lane has been involved in the Florida Strawberry Festival for over 30 years. He is currently the Swine Committee Chairman. His responsibilities have also included working with the steer and swine lineup and working as the ring man for the swine and steer sales. Lane and his committee have handled the decorating of the invitational Strawberry Ball from design to implementation. Furthermore, Lane has built several floats for local churches, middle schools, and other community organizations that are used in the annual Strawberry Festival Parade. Lane has been involved with FFA since he was in middle school. He has had the honor to serve on the State Selection Committee for the State Star Degrees. He continues to serve on the board of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association, serves as an honorary deputy of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Department, and is a member of First Baptist Church of Dover. Lane’s community involvement doesn’t stop with the Festival. He started a Christmas display known as Christmas Lane as a teenager. This display has continued to grow since it first began and requires approximately 200 volunteers to set up and run. It has become a community effort that draws 40,000 visitors each year.

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 77

Florida Bugs

A Closer Look:

Large Milkweed Bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus) By Sean Green The increasing practice of biologic pest control demands an increased understanding of the insectsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; response to biologic and organic influences. The Large Milkweed Bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus), has become one of most popular research insects, rivaling the lab rat in its service to science as an animal model. These insects have been instrumental in the research of insect behavior, biochemistry, immune responses to bacteria, and have even played a role in our current understanding of DNA and RNA genetics. Oncopeltus fasciatus are easy to maintain and are docile enough that they have become a first choice in many schools for collections maintained to teach biology. A closer look at this species helps farmers control it and other crop pests. The Large Milkweed Bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus) is a member of the family Lygaeidae (seed bugs) within the large order Hemiptera (true bugs) shared with Aphids, Leafhoppers, and Shield Bugs. One of the defining characteristic of this order is mouthparts that have evolved into a proboscis with which it pierces plant tissue to feed off the plants liquids. The proboscis of the adult milkweed bug is sturdy and long, designed to pierce seedpods more so than stems full of phloem. Nymphs, unable to pierce seedpods, however, do feed on milkweed sap from the plants tender shoots. Milkweed bugs cannot survive on a diet of phloem sap alone and must consume seed grains to remain healthy. If the host plant is not available, milkweed bugs will seek food sources from other plants and reportedly resort to scavenging. Because milkweed can seed all year in Florida, populations of milkweed bugs can also thrive all year. This is a good thing for those who want to study this increasingly significant insect. The two month lifecycle of this species does not include a complete metamorphosis like other insects, but instead has only three stages of development; egg, nymph, and adult. The female lays an average of 30 eggs per day in milkweed pod seams or under leaves, the egg color changing to bright orange just before hatching. Milkweed Bug nymphs resemble adults but lack wings and reproductive organs. The adult stage is reached after five molts in as little as a month in warm weather. Mature adults are orange with black spots at both ends of the body and a black band in the middle. Adult females have several black spots on the underside of their ab-

78 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2012

domen while the males have only one. Northern populations of milkweed bugs migrate to the south to overwinter, feeding and breeding before making a return trip north to complete their cycle in the spring and summer. Milkweed belongs to the dogbane family (Apocynaceae), a family of plants characterized by the milky sap it produces. The milky sap is actually a complex emulsion of latex that coagulates when exposed to air. This brilliant design not only seals the plants injury but also has the potential to seal the mouth of small sap sucking predators such as insects. For larger predators such as horses or livestock, a latex seal is not possible. The plant itself is reported to be objectionably bitter, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the toxic properties of the sap within the milkweed that is the best deterrent. All species of milkweed contain cardiac glycosides and in some species a neurotoxin as well. In simple terms cardiac glycosides are compounds that affect the movement of sodium and potassium through animal cells and can have either beneficial or deadly effects on the heart depending on the circumstances. Although most grazing animals will avoid milkweed, there are reports of livestock consuming lethal doses of it. The Large Milkweed Bug is one of a handful of insects that have managed to leverage the characteristics of the milkweed to its advantage. Like the monarch butterfly, the milkweed bug stores the plants toxins in its body without consequence and gains the same protection inherent in the plant. In one study, the milkweed bug was presented to one of my favorite spiders, the Jumping Spider (Phidippus) and consistently, the spider attacked but rejected milkweed bugs that were reared on milkweed seeds but readily consumed the same species (Oncopeltus fasciatus) when it was reared on sunflower seeds. In a series of 100 encounters the milkweed bugs survived the attacks, in the few instances the insect did not survive the attack, the spider not only dropped the insect, but engaged in mouth wiping behavior. Recent observation suggests that certain chemical compounds, in addition to the cardiac glycosides, function as a chemical warning odor and are a product of the insectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s diet of milkweed rather than a biologic feature of the insect itself. The alarming orange coloration of the milkweed bug will encourage most predators to look elsewhere for a meal.

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 81

Activity

Naturally Amazing Activities Build a Moss Garden by Sean Green

Moss Gardening is a common form of creating miniature living landscapes. Often used in Bonsai or Penjing arrangements, moss is an attractive and easily maintained shade loving plant that is ideal for indoor growth. Moss will grow on nearly anything that will support its rhizoids (roots) and creates food through photosynthesis thereby eliminating a dependence on soil. The coolest part of moss gardening is the level of creativity you can have with it. The moss slurry can be painted on to any porous surface such as rocks, logs, statues, or soil. Consider creating a Leprechaun clothed in moss and you can have the magic of nature right in your house. When harvesting moss from nature, it’s best to remove a small chunk from the center of the colony and sprinkle a little soil in its place to encourage renewal of the resource. Take note of the environment from which you gather the moss, this is the environment the moss will require in your

home, typically shaded and damp.

Materials: • Moss from the wild (dead or alive) • Blender • Buttermilk: (powdered is easier to control consistency) • Paintbrush • Water mister Wash the soil or any debris off the moss In the blender blend buttermilk, water, and moss to a milkshake consistency, there should be no chunks. Paint the mixture onto anything you want the moss to grow on. Moss will grow best in a shaded location that is kept moist, misting as often as needed. Moss should begin growing within a couple of weeks.

The “Make Yourself Famous” Plan or The “Support Your Local Farmers” Plan 1. Make a No Farmers No Food sign. 2. Take a photo. 3. Email it to info@inthefieldmagazine.com or mail it to PO Box 5377, Plant City, FL 33563. We’ll select a photo each month to highlight in the pages of the magazine! 82 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2012

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February 2012

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 83

Youth: FFA Teacher

FFA with Heart: Tim Cribbs and Durant High School by Ginny Mink

Ag teachers always have kids to brag about and accomplishments to revel in. Certainly these instances are merited and well worth the read. However, on rare occasions we are introduced to an Ag teacher with formidable bragging rights. Tim Cribbs, of Durant High School, is a prime example. Tim is no stranger to agriculture. “I was raised on a family farm here in Turkey Creek. My grandparents were some of the first strawberry farmers in the Turkey Creek area. We had citrus and cattle. I’ve always been in agriculture, all my family’s been in agriculture,” he said. Tim went to Turkey Creek Junior High and was very active in the FFA. He showed cattle. He added, “I graduated from Plant City High School in 1979, where I was an active member of the chapter there. I was an FFA Federation Officer. After I graduated, I received my American Farmer Degree, which is the highest degree you can receive from the FFA.” After high school Tim attended HCC and then he transferred to UF where he majored in agriculture extension and education. He said, “I got my bachelors and graduated from there in 1984. I started teaching at Leto High School, was there for one year then transferred to Turkey Creek Junior High School and was there for five years, then Plant City for two and a half years, Tomlin – two and a half years and then I opened Durant in ’95.” Obviously he has quite an extensive teaching resume. Of course, teaching isn’t Tim’s only accomplishment in the agriculture industry. “I’ve served on the Florida Strawberry Festival Steer Committee, I was the Chairman of the Rabbit and Poultry Committee and the Florida State Fair Steer Committee. I’ve been named Agriculture Educator of the Year, I think that was in 2007,” he said. When it comes to students, he has plenty to boast about. “We opened in 1995 and we’ve had seven state FFA officers, 83 state champion teams and three national winners. Our chapter was named a three star FFA Chapter by the National FFA in October at the National FFA Convention. There were only two in Hillsborough County. Some of our students have gone on to become agriculture teachers in our county and throughout other counties and have become very successful in local schools.” Every teacher desires to pass the torch and undoubtedly this is something Tim has achieved with his former students. Durant isn’t small when it comes to their land lab and other facilities. Though Tim downplays the extensiveness therein. “Our department consists of a small cattle operation, a citrus grove, a nursery and crop production that includes strawberries, broccoli, onions and collards. We have a small hydroponics outfit to show the kids the difference between traditional farming and hydro stackers. We have ten head of cattle, commercial cattle, all cross-breeds. We have a 23 acre cattle pasture, the strawberry

84 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2012

field is one acre and the citrus grove is one acre.” That’s 25 acres, not to include the area that houses the pig barn, or the giant Ag mechanics classroom. When it comes to the strawberries, Tim said, “We do everything the way the strawberry farmers do, lay plastic, use low volume drip irrigation. We show the students how to fertilize through that and conserve water. Even our citrus grove is on micro jet irrigation.” Which brings us to the usage of the grove, so he explained, “We use that as specimen trees for Mr. Sturgis. He coaches the citrus team and uses it for specimen to get ideas for contests.” All the money made from the produce goes toward helping the students participate in contests and attend fieldtrips. However, there’s an additional source of support. According to Tim, “We have a very strong Alumni Chapter, former members and parents of members, that help raise money for scholarships and to send students to state and national events.” This is a benefit since Durant has two FFA chapters: Durant Senior and J.F. St. Martin Junior (which was, according to Tim, “named after the late John F. St. Martin who was a teacher at Turkey Creek and a local strawberry grower”). While all this is impressive, there’s something about the Durant FFA, and its 225 members, that makes it stand out. Tim leads a group of kids with big hearts. They have participated in Operation Bike Drop for the past 15 years. “This is an event where we have given bikes to children at local elementary schools. This year we gave two bikes away making a total of 78 bikes that our FFA students have given to children that might not have had a gift at Christmas.” As if that generosity wasn’t enough, Tim’s FFA has started a program called Tools for Schools. He elaborated, “This is a new community service that we started this year where we give school supplies to students that attend Trapnell Elementary School.” They are quite a busy bunch since they also give out Thanksgiving baskets to families in need! With a program as big as the one at Durant, certainly it is more than one man can handle. Tim made a point of introducing the newest member to their group, “We have a new agriculture teacher at Durant and her name is Mrs. Kendell Jenkins. She attended Plant City High School and then the University of Florida.” Perhaps we’ll have to check in on her after her first year there. Tim’s been married for 27 years, to Suzanne, who’s an English teacher at Turkey Creek. They have two children, Joshua and Caitlin. Joshua’s in the Masters program at Texas Technical University studying animal nutrition and Caitlin will be transferring to UF in August to major in elementary education. May his children be as successful in their endeavors as he’s been in his.

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February 2012

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 85

Florida-Grown Fruits & Vegetables

Callaloo

by Sandy Kaster, M.S. Clinical Medicine, B.S. Nutrition Science Known as a traditional Caribbean vegetable, callaloo is a robust, nutritious vegetable that also grows well in Florida. For clarification, callaloo also refers to a popular Jamaican stew made of callaloo or amaranth leaves. As is the case with most other dark green, leafy vegetables, callaloo is bursting with vitamins and minerals. The large leaves of the callaloo plant are high in fiber, iron and calcium, and are low in calories. Callaloo, along with other leafy green vegetables, rank the highest on the Aggregate Nutrient Density Index (ANDI). The ANDI score reflects the nutrient density of a food on a scale of 1-1000, based on the content of vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and antioxidants.

Nutritional Profile

Plentiful in vitamins and antioxidants, callaloo is a real nutritional standout. According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, a diet rich in dark green leafy vegetables lowers the risk for developing a variety of cancers. One cup of fresh callaloo leaves, or roughly one-half cup of cooked callaloo, contains 20 calories, 1 g protein, 0.1 g fat, 4.4 g carbohydrate, and 2.5 g of dietary fiber. One cup of callaloo also provides 60% of the Daily Recommended Value (%DV) for vitamin A, 20% for calcium, 15% for iron, and 8% for vitamin C, as well as significant amounts of folate, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, and manganese.

Antioxidants

Callaloo leaves contain antioxidants in several forms, including flavonoids, carotenoids, and vitamins A, C, and E. These compounds help provide anti-inflammatory effects, which is beneficial in warding off many major diseases. Other antioxidant nutrients high in callaloo include manganese and zinc. Antioxidants protect blood vessels from oxidative stress, which means a lower risk of atherosclerosis and high blood pressure. Several of the carotenoids play a role in good eye health, offering protection to the retina and macula.

Calcium

Callaloo leaves are an excellent non-dairy source of calcium. Calcium is important in the maintaining the strength and density of bones. Additionally, this mineral has been shown to prevent bone loss that can occur as a result of menopause and reduce symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome. Adequate calcium intake is needed to prevent calcium stores being leached out of bones. Calcium also plays an important role in muscle contraction, nerve conduction, and cell membrane function.

Vitamin K

Vitamin K is an essential component for clotting of blood in

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February 2012

the body. This vitamin also helps maintain bone health by transporting 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. Other bone-boosting nutrients are calcium and magnesium, both of which are found in callaloo.

Manganese

Manganese is an important mineral that plays a role in a variety of physiological functions throughout the body. It is needed for glucose, protein, lipid, and cholesterol metabolism from the foods we consume, as well as for pancreatic function and development. The mineral is important in normal skeletal growth and development, prevention of sterility, and synthesis of thyroid hormone.

How to Select and Store

Choose callaloo that has a dark, uniform green color with no signs of wilting or yellowing. The leaves and stems should look fresh and feel dry to the touch. To store callaloo, pat leaves dry with a paper towel, place in a tightly wrapped plastic bag and squeeze out as much air as possible. Keep refrigerated for up to five days. Do not wash until immediately before use.

How to Enjoy

Callaloo can be enjoyed in a number of ways. Wash well before use, and peel away the stems, which can be tough. The leaves are delicious lightly sautéed or made into a soup. The traditional callaloo stew contains okra, chili peppers, and onion, and variations include the addition of coconut milk, crab, lobster, or pork. Here are some more serving suggestions: • Stir-fry chopped callaloo leaves with other veggies and soy sauce. • Sauté callaloo leaves with onions and garlic in olive oil until tender. • Wilt callaloo leaves then add to salad or sandwiches. • Add sautéed callaloo to cooked whole-grain pasta and toss with olive oil and parmesan cheese. • Chop and stir leaves into soups, stews and pasta sauces, cooking until tender. Fresh Florida callaloo is at its peak now. Try this mild, delicious vegetable and reap all the health benefits with few calories.

Selected References

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ http://www.eatjamaican.com http://www.latinfood.about.com

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February 2012

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 91

Youth: FFA

Dear In the Field Readers, After traveling nearly half way around the world and back, I can now say that I truly appreciate the little things in life. China was one of the greatest experiences that I will remember for a lifetime. After traveling for 13 hours with 67-seven other state officers representing 27 states to get to China, the other state officers and I could not have been more excited to be in another country. We hit the ground running as soon as we stepped off the plane. We were able to tour many farms, such as a dairy farm, beef production farm, tea farm in the mountains, and also a fishery. We were able to do some cultural visits while in China as well. We got to see the Terracotta Warriors, climb the Great Wall of China, walk through the Forbidden City, attend a traditional Chinese show, and so much more. One of the occasions that stood out the most was being able to see the open air markets in Shanghai. It just goes to show how Americans take for granted all the little things in life. We overlook all the regulations that our government puts on us for our safety and well being. We saw meat being cut without gloves and proper handling. In our eyes, they are doing wrong by handling meat that way, but to them they are going about their everyday lives and doing what they know best. I am still amazed by the different perspectives of our beliefs and the views that they have. I remember talking to our tour guide about economic classes, where America has low, middle, and high class, which can be broken down even further, China has low and high class, where you either live in the city (high class) or you live in the country (low class). The Chinese typically live in an apartment and have a lot of the high-end products like iPhones, expensive clothing, cars, etc. One of the biggest life lessons I have been reminded of lately is that we have to be able to learn from our past if we ever want to live a successful life. We have to take every situation into account no matter the size. If we look at life like there is no tomorrow, then we are surely going to be left in the dust and not be able to catch up. But through looking at what we have done and assessing the situation to see what went right or wrong and moving on, we are surely to keep up with everything that is happening in our lives. We can’t live in the past or we will never be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel, which is the new day that will allow us to grow as a person. Walt Disney once said, “If you can dream it, you can do it.” This is one of the simplest quotes that has so many meanings. You could be dreaming of your ideal career or day dreaming in class about what you are going to eat for lunch. No matter what we dream about, they all begin with a simple thought. Just think, what if Walt Disney never thought of that mouse we have all grown to love? Or Bill Gates never thought of the idea for his software? We have to dream big if we ever want to get anywhere in our lives. It just goes to show that no matter how big or small our dreams may be, we will always be successful if we put our minds to it. I hope that you are able to dream big and keep your head up no matter what situation you are thrown into, because even if you think you have failed, I can promise you that you have not, you have only found a way that the situation does not work. Much love,

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 93

Youth: 4H

It’s Not About the Money: Hillsborough County 4-H Dairy Club by Ginny Mink

Cows aren’t just what’s for dinner. What good would a bowl of Frosted Flakes be without a cow’s liquid gold, milk? The agriculture industry, as far as the magazines that support it, has a tendency to focus on the concept of beef when writing about cows, but milk is of massive importance as well. This month we’ll take a look at the dairy side of things with the help of Hillsborough County 4-H Dairy Club. Terri Johnson is the leader of the club, but it has been in existence for quite some time. In fact she reveals that, “Family names such as Holcomb, Churchwell, Thomas, Kahlens, Blackadar, McKeen, Hamilton, Huggins and Salter have been the backbone of this club throughout the years.” Actually, Tammy Salter passed the position on to Terri when Tammy’s son decided he, “wanted to work more with blueberries.” Though the club has a lengthy agricultural history, Terri does not. “I grew up right in the middle of Brandon,” she explains. It wasn’t until her oldest boy, Trehy, started going to Turkey Creek Middle School, and got involved in the Ag program there with Mr. Drake, that she realized, “we wanted to do something with FFA.” Eventually they concluded that they wanted to look into dairy cows. “Mr. Drake said they didn’t do a lot of dairy in FFA so he recommended 4-H and that’s how I got in with the Salter’s, they’re my neighbors.” However, given her background, she admits, “I didn’t know what 4-H was. I didn’t really want to do a market animal. My cousin, Audra, was showing dairy in high school. I can remember hangin’ all over her Holstein. I didn’t know the difference between a Brown Swiss and a Brahma. I didn’t know meat for dairy. But we got into the 4-H Dairy Club. If it weren’t for Clint Salter we wouldn’t have gotten as far as we have. If we needed help with breeding, dehorning, or vet help he was there for us. I had a horse before I got married but cows were new to me.” Terri describes the club’s purpose, “The Hillsborough County 4-H Dairy Club was created to assist 4-H members with their love of dairy cows and to learn more about the dairy industry.” Then she elaborates, “Many club members have started out showing dairy at a very young age. Dairy projects usually grow up with the kids and are shown in 4-H shows year after year. Because of that, the cows are not

94 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2012

really considered market animals such as beef cows and swine. These projects are raised from heifer calves until they calve themselves, and need to be milked twice a day.” Obviously, raising dairy cows is a challenging endeavor, in fact, according to Terri, “We’d be milking every twelve hours. Trust me, I work for a law firm, I’m not going to be doing that.” Thusly, it’s imperative that the club has outside support from members in the dairy industry full time. “The dairies that support our 4-H projects and keep our milk cows are very important. They feed, doctor, trim hooves, and milk our cows. In exchange, they receive our cow’s milk. It’s a win/win situation for all.” One such dairy is Milkaway Dairy located in Webster and run by Gary Keys. “He keeps cows from 4-H kids all over the state. I can’t thank them enough for what they do for these kids,” Terri says emphatically. There’s a big difference between market animals and dairy cows, according to Terri. She expounds, “Dairy projects do not make the big money that the typical market animals make because our cows are not auctioned off each year. The kids have worked hard, it’s not one of these where you feed it a couple months and make big money. We keep them and raise them for an eventual sell to the dairy. Genetics, conformation, a selective breeding program, and nutrition help to establish a nice milking herd. By the time our 4-H members graduate high school, they have knowledge and an understanding for the dairy industry.” Though the main focus of the 4-H club is of course, dairy, Terri wants interested parties to know that’s not the only thing they do. “Raising, feeding, and showing dairy cows is not all there is to our club. We compete in local, state and National Dairy Quiz Bowl, and dairy judging competitions. These kids study the different dairy breeds and compete in Jeopardy type competitions. Dairy judging tryouts, and workouts, take up the entire summer traveling to dairy farms in Okeechobee, Central Florida, North Florida, and Georgia. They work on placing cows, and giving oral reasons, preparing them for the ultimate judging competition at the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin. Our club is not just dairy. We also have members that show, beef, swine, poultry, sheep and plants.” With a bit of sorrow in her tone, Terri says, “Agriculture and the dairy industry are a part of

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everyone’s life that not everybody knows, or understands, how it works. Dairy farms are so few, there are only two, maybe three, in this county and milk prices keep going up. There are very few dairy farms in Florida. I wish I did work more on the farm, cleaning stalls, sometimes I think I’d rather be doing that than pushing paper.” Terri’s youngest son, Trent, is graduating this year and thusly she’ll be leaving her position. “I’m hoping to pass it down to Jennifer Linton. She has two little girls, 7 and 10, and they’re jumping into it feet first and I know they’re going to go far. They even have a little boy who’s four and he’ll be showing in the peewee class.” So, the tradition will continue as Hillsborough County 4-H Dairy Club passes from one family’s hands into the next. Anyone interested in participating in this 4-H club should contact the current club leader, Terri Johnson, at 813-967-2562.

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 95

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 97

Business UpFront: S&O Greenworks

Continued from page 10. we promised,” Villanueva said. “People started referring their friends because they saw the work we did and were pleased.” “We like to do things other companies fail to do. For one, it will always be the same crew working on your lawn each service. You know when you look out your window it will be the same guys each time. And they will be professionally dressed. We make sure our guys all follow a dress code.” “If a customer comes home while we are working and they (workers) see you unloading your groceries, we want them to stop and help. Little things like bringing up garbage cans from the road go a long way in the eyes of many customers. It’s all about building relationships with our customers and that is something I think we have done well.” “And we are constantly educating our employees about the products we use, which are always the best and most effective available on the market today.” Six years later, S & O Greenworks has expanded from two guys with hand pushed spreaders to a fleet of 10 vehicles and 18 employees. One individual that appreciates S & O Greenwork’s attention to detail is longtime customer Brian Killman. “Something I like that Oscar and Steve do is they are very detail oriented,” Killman said. “They explain exactly what they are doing and what to expect. And they also add suggestions from time to time. Even with my bill. I know exactly what they did and why. There are never any questions. They call the day before they show up and in over five years they have never failed to be here when they say they will. I’ve used the bigger more known companies but they can’t match the service I have gotten from S & O.”

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Edwards, and especially Villanueva, are proud of their local roots. “My parents were in the farming industry and Steve’s Dad was in the military, so we both understand work ethic,” Villanueva said. “We also love the community. I graduated from Plant City High School and love living in the area and raising my family here. It has been my home my whole life and I look forward to raising my children here.” Edwards agreed with his partner and best friend. “No matter how large we grow, S & O will never compromise the integrity and service that has made us who we are today. We love to say thank you to our current customers by paying them a $20 referral bonus when they help us sign up a new customer.” “We want to be the hometown choice for our services and no matter how big we expand, Plant City will always be our home.”

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