Hlilsborough's In The Field Magazine - March 2011

Mar. 15-April 15, 2011 ®

D&K Farms A Family Tradition

Billy Keith Williams

Covering What’s Growing

www.InTheFieldMagazine.com

March 2011

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The best deals on New Holland tractors and hay & forage equipment are going on now — before spring arrives. Buy during the Pre-Season Savings event and get 0% financing or choose cash back on select New Holland equipment.

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*For agricultural use. Offer subject to CNH Capital America LLC credit approval. See your New Holland dealer for details and eligibility requirements. Depending on model, a down payment may be required. Offer good through March 31, 2011, at participating New Holland dealers in the United States. Offer subject to change. Taxes, freight, set-up, delivery, additional options or attachments not included in price. © 2011 CNH America LLC. All rights reserved. New Holland and CNH Capital are registered trademarks of CNH America LLC.

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March 2011

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From the Editor

March VOL. 7 • ISSUE 5

Heartland’s AGRICULTURE Magazine

®

Cover Story

Sarah Holt

Mar. 15-Feb. 15, 2011 ®

When you make a mistake, don’t look back at it long.

Take the reason of the thing into your mind and then look forward. Mistakes are lessons of wisdom. The past cannot be changed. The future is yet in your power. Hugh White (1773 - 1840) People make mistakes. That is our nature. It is important to resist the urge to label people for something they may have done in the past, especially when atonement has been made and there are no signs of a repeat of that mistake.

Don’t let the past cloud your judgment. Take a step back and look at the big picture. One sure fire way of being unhappy is to dwell on mistakes. The best bet is to move swiftly in the opposite direction.

A major blunder isn’t the end of the world. Alexander Pope wrote the words, “To err is human,” nearly three centuries ago. After the heart stopping moment when the error is realized, take the appropriate steps to correct what you can. First of all, acknowledge your mistake. Don’t be defensive. Own up to it and start the process of learning from your experience. Secondly, don’t blame someone or something else. If someone else will be impacted by the mistake, communicate. Finally, try to salvage the situation!

Why all the talk about mistakes? Because sometimes I feel we “rent” too much space in our brains worrying about our own, as well as other people’s mistakes. We lose sleep and try to figure out why we “let” it happen. It happened, it can’t be erased, so move on. The world will be a much brighter place because of it.

We hope you enjoy this issue of In The Field magazine.

You will find a variety of stories relating to agriculture and those involved in the industry. If you have ideas you think may be of interest to our readers, please let us know. We are always looking for great article ideas.

We had a great time at the 2011 Florida Strawberry Festival. Look for the results of the agriculture events in the next issue of In The Field.

As always, thank you to our advertisers. You allow us to continue to cover what is growing.

Until next month,

Karen Berry

D&K Farms A Family Tradition

Editor-In-Chief Al Berry

Billy Keith Williams

Covering What’s Growing www.InTheFieldMagazine.com

March 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

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D & K Farms 50

Senior Managing Editor/Associate Publisher Sarah Holt

Editor

7 Did You Know?

10 Grub Station Tinatapa’s 14 Business UpFront Bingham On-Site Portables 16 Water Conservation Month 18 Fishing Hot Spots 24 Rocking Chair Chatter 28 Strawberry Expo 42 Zooville, USA

Sarah

Publisher/Owner

46 Berry Blue Farms 64 State Fair Results 76 Florida Potato 80 Waxrooms

The LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you.

Numbers 6:25 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.

Patsy Berry

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March 2011

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Contributing Writers Woody Gore

Photography

Karen Berry Al Berry Stephanie Humphrey

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.

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 5

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FARM BUREAU

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

Dear Readers, Yes, this is fair time! This is the time for children and their parents to go have a little fun at the fair. The midway and sideshows are really not the main events. The Florida State Fair and The Strawberry Festival are both agriculture events. Most people are having fun while being educated about agriculture. Cracker Country at the Florida State Fair is a great place to learn about the history of ranching in Florida and the way country people lived back when. Counties have their exhibits which represent the different commodities they produce. In the Milking Parlor and Salute to Ag Tent fairgoers experience milking a cow, seeing a live calf being born and interacting with cattle, pigs, and goats.

The Ag Venture Building is targeted directly to educating children by showing them how to make butter, grow a seed, shop for healthy food, and milk a cow along with other teaching stations.

The fair is also a time to honor those who have contributed so much to Agriculture. This year the Agriculture Hall of Fame ceremonies inducted Florida Farm Bureau’s Assistant to the President Pat Cockrell, along with Bill and Trudy Carey, Paul Lyrene and Joseph Orsenigo. The Florida Agriculture Hall of Fame was established in 1980 and has inducted 136 members.

Hillsborough County Farm Bureau and I would like to thank all the volunteers at Ag Venture and all of the agriculture exhibits and showcases. Also a special thanks to all of the kids for showing their animals and poultry.

As February closed out the Florida State Fair, March brought in The Strawberry Festival.

The Strawberry Festival was in Plant City from March 3 to the 13. We hope you enjoyed the great entertainment and fine strawberry shortcake!

100 S. Mulrennan Rd. Valrico, FL 33594

Ravens will work in small groups to hunt prey.

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There are close to 4,000 known species of frogs, including toads.

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Frogs range in size from one half inch to nearly a foot long.

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The smallest mammal in the world is the bumblebee bat from Asia. It weighs less than a penny.

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A bat can eat as many as 500 insects an hour.

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Bats are the only mammal that can fly.

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Night blooming flowers depend on bats for pollination.

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The largest bat has almost a 6 foot wing span.

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The honeydew melon is a member of the gourd family.

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You can keep your mirror from fogging up after a shower if you rub a cucumber slice along the mirror before showering.

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To keep bugs and slugs out of your garden place a few slices of cucumbers in a small aluminum pie plate in your garden. The reaction of the chemicals in the cucumber and pie plate gives off a scent undetectable to humans, but drives pest crazy.

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The Marbled Hatchetfish are the only fish that can actually fly by jumping into the air and moving their fins.

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Before George Washington was President he was a surveyor.

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Donald Duck comics were banned from Finland because he doesn’t wear pants.

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The cigarette lighter was invented before the match.

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40 percent of McDonald’s profit comes from the sale of Happy Meals.

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The word TYPEWRITER is the longest word that can be made using the letters only on one row of the keyboard.

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If you yelled continuously for 8 years, 7 months and 6 days, you would have produced enough sound energy to heat one cup of coffee.

LOOK WHO’S READING ®

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, Alvin Futch, 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, Agency Mgr. Julie Carlson, John McGuire

Plant City Office 813.752.5577

John Shuphard & Kim WIlls of Crescent Jewelers

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

March 2011

Member Services 813.685.9121

OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Rubbing a cucumber on a squeaky hinge will stop the squeak.

Danny Aprile

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Insurance Services 813.685.5673

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Have a great month!

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

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March 2011

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, Mike Miller, Brad Allsgood

AGENCY MANAGER Tommy Hale INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 7

Hillsborough County's Only Estate Winery Our Tasting Room & Gift Shop is open daily until 6PM Dear In the Field Readers, After returning from Argentina, the Florida FFA State Officer team hit the ground running. From District Career Development Events, The Florida State Fair, State Leadership Summit, and FFA Week celebrations in between, you can only imagine the excitement of the past few weeks!

FFA members from across Hillsborough, Pasco, and Hernando Counties competed at the District Nine Career Development Event competitions held at The Hillsborough Community College campus in Plant City. The participants had already clenched their sub-district titles and competed at the district level in order to qualify for the state level competitions that will be held at the 83rd Annual Florida FFA State Convention in June. Career Development Events (CDEs) are an important part of the FFA experience, offering members the opportunity to learn and develop in-depth career skills that will help them in their futures in a fun, competitive way before even graduating high school. Florida FFA offers 37 CDEs throughout the year, but members at this district competition competed in Prepared Public Speaking, Extemporaneous Public Speaking, Creed Speaking, Agricultural Mechanics, Agribusiness Management, Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Parliamentary Procedures, and Tractor Operations. Congratulations to all who competed, I enjoyed watching you! And good luck to those of you that will be advancing to the state level.

Every year the Florida FFA State Officer Team has the opportunity to work at the Florida State Fair. Although there were very early mornings, and very late evenings, the 12 days spent at the fair were some of the best I have spent during my year in state office. I had my first experience as a ring hand in an open beef show, and even witnessed my first llama performance and agility class, all while strengthening relationships with Florida FFA members. We spent one evening honoring the 2011 inductees in to the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame: Paul Lyrene, Joseph Orsenigo, Pat Cockrell, Bill and Trudy Carey. Thank you to all of the Florida FFA

members that volunteered at AgVentures, teaching the youth of our state about our agriculture industry.

The Florida FFA State President Clay Sapp and I traveled to Tallahassee on February 17 for Career and Technical Education Day on Capitol Hill. Career and Technical Student Organizations from all over Florida sent representatives to the State Capitol in order to demonstrate to our state government the importance of Career and Technical Education to our workforce and economy.

At the beginning of the month, Governor Rick Scott proclaimed February Career and Technical Education Month. I have a passion for our state government and politics, and my heart was filled with joy as our state legislators took an interest in and increased their support of the Florida FFA Association! Also in order to promote FFA, February 19 marked the start of the 2011 National FFA Week, running through February 26. FFA chapters all over the nation put on exciting activities and community service projects to educate the general public about the FFA. As February wrapped up with State Leadership Summit, District, Sub-district, and Federation officers met at the Leadership Training Center to determine the delegate issues for the 83rd Annual Florida FFA State Convention. Their hard work will ensure that Florida FFA is serving its members in the best way possible.

With this summit, the countdown to State Convention begins!

While this does mean that my year as a state officer is winding down, I am thrilled to celebrate the accomplishments of Florida FFA members. I am so grateful for the opportunities God has blessed me with this year, and I look forward to those to come!

Hillsborough County’s Friday Evening After Hours WineOnly Bar Dinner Served 5PM to 10PM Estate Winery Happy Hour 6PM to 7PM Live MusicRoom 6:30PM to Our Tasting &10:30PM Gift Shop is $5 Cover Charge open daily until 6pm.

Host Your Next Special Moment at Keel & Curley Friday Evening After Hours Wine Bar Wedding Ceremonies & Receptions Dinner Served 5pm to 10pm Bridal & Baby Showers Happy Hour 6pm Parties to 7pm Anniversary & Birthday Events Live MusicCorporate 6:30pm to 10:30pm $5 Cover Charge Get Ready For Valentine's Day with Our One Day Wine Sale, 25% off o all our wines on Wednesday, February 9th 11AM-6PM Host Your Next Special Moment at Keel & Curley 813.752.9100 5202 W. Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City (I-4 exit 17 - minutes East of Downtown Tampa) Wedding Ceremonies & Receptions Bridal & Baby Showers Anniversary & Birthday Parties Corporate Events

God Bless,

Nicole Liles FFA Area V State Vice President

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: No Farmers No Food

www.keelandcurleywinery.com

InTheField® Magazine P.O. Box 5377, Plant City, FL 33563-0042 All Entries must be received by April 3, 2011.

Winner will be notified by phone.

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 9

www.groveequipment.biz

by Cheryl Kuck For those of you, who have never been to Spain, run with the bulls, admired the masterwork of Goya, El Greco or Diego Velázquez among the 8,697 visual delights at the El Prado in Madrid, it’s ok. Running with the bulls is scary and the art can be Googled. But the food has to be tasted. Savored.

Experienced.

There is a place on Channelside Drive in Tampa called Tinatapas or “tiny top of the dish” that allows you to taste little variations of rich Spanish cuisine with an occasional flavorful Cuban touch. One small selection at a time.

Food gurus up on the latest “skinny” say it’s better to fuel your personal engine (while watching your waistline) by eating lightly every four hours.

For somebody like me who usually prefers an appetizer as her main course that’s a pretty good idea. However, my husband and strapping sons (all at well over six-feet-two-inches) were horrified at the thought of sitting down to a meal consisting of tiny platefuls…of anything.

My guys have fond memories of trips where humungous portions of paella were consumed and words like, “muy grande” and “cerveza” overcame any language barriers. They were mollified when told their favorite Spanish fare at Tina tapas could be ordered in man-sized portions as well.

If they enjoy seafood that comes in a long-stemmed glass, you can bet it’s good. The shrimp ceviche’ is a treat for the eyes as well as the palate. This is not meant to, in any way, resemble a spicy shrimp cocktail. Only a slight tang should accent a refreshing ceviche’ with cooked and marinated shrimp, yellow pepper, cilantro and fresh tomato lightly blended with the restaurants own ceviche’ vinaigrette.

Most of the “tapas frias” or cold plates are affordable enough ($3.95 to $8.95) so that you can taste test quite a few without denting your wallet.

Like ceviche’, the Latino take on Caesar salad is also out of our normal frame-of-reference. This hearty and filling Tijuana version is served on a tortilla with Jack cheese and black bean salsa. Add avocado and you’ve covered every essential food group.

From cold to hot dishes or “tapas calientes,” attention is paid to what is healthful. Every meat or seafood dish is combined, in some way, with tomato, dairy product or by-product, greens and/or other vegetables and an extensive use of extra virgin olive oil.

It doesn’t get any healthier than balsamic vinaigrette chargrilled vegetables with fresh red peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, squash and eggplant. Honestly, I couldn’t buy all those veggies, much less prepare them, for only $4.95.

A pitcher of sangria or one filled with a sparkling classic Mojito, made with rum, fresh mint, lime juice and cane sugar adorned almost every table.

Everyone was trying to blame their unquenchable thirst on February’s hot spell but I think whatever you drink, from fine Spanish coffee to their famed Snickertini’s and uniquely-crafted Spanish beer Inedit (meaning “never been done before”), each liquid, in whatever form, is thoughtfully meant to be a refreshing accompaniment to your tapas.

Finally, the moment my guy had been waiting for, his definitely “muy grande” entrée’. This gorgeous grilled filet mignon al cabrales’ (topped with a buttery Spanish artisan blue cheese) surrounded in a rich gravy sauce, was as

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5905 Hwy. 60 East • Bartow, FL 33830 1-800-833-2460 Toll Free Tel: 863-537-1345 • Fax: 863-537-2645

equally grilled-to-perfection as my smaller, more tapas-sized portion. When your knife barely needs any pressure in order to cut through the pink center, you know it’s good beef even before you taste it. When the gravy is not runny, but smooth with body and has a deep Lady Godiva-esque chocolate color, you know it’s good even before you taste it. It melted in our mouths, a memorable and savory bargain, for my tapas at $13.95 and his entrée’ at $18.95.

At this point, even my he-men said they had to take a break before they could do justice to the fried banana cheesecake served with dulce de leche and whip cream topped with caramel and fresh strawberry garnish personally brought by Tina tapas General Manager Scott Fox. Trust me, this Bananas Foster with a Spanish twist is better than the original version.

Fox has been with The Millennium Management Group of partners who founded a plethora of Channelside Drive clubs and eateries (Splitsville, Stump’s Supper Club, Howl at the Moon and Tina tapas) for 12 years and loves it. “Every day is an adventure. I want every table to feel they are the only table…to feel like a family. I never forget a name or a face,” says Fox. One Plant City Pop Art Diva that is impossible to forget is Jules Burt, the quirky artist whose name, face and heart is behind the High Heel Hike for Autism. Jules began her High Heel Hikes in 2004 with a kick-off event at Stump’s Supper Club.

Today she was having a meeting at Tina tapas with her teams of community leaders and sponsors devoted to making the 2011 Hike tour to benefit the children and families with Autism the greatest ever. This year the Jules Burt Foundation has partnered with CARD (Center for Autism & Related Disabilities) and she is busy dreaming up new products that will be sold to benefit Autism.

Jules mugged for the camera with her supporters from Tina Tapas. “We’ve believed in Jules and the High Heel Hike events benefiting others since the beginning and we’re happy to continue giving her our support,” said Millennium Managing Partner Jason Manwaring.

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GROVE

908 E. Baker Street • Plant City, FL 1-800-717-8333 Toll Free Tel: 813-759-8722 • Fax: 813-752-9627

EQUIPMENT SERVICE INC.

Tinatapa’s A taste of 36 flavorful varieties of Spanish and Cuban cuisine in small versions for those who love to graze. An inviting place for the afterwork-crowd; before or after sports and entertainment events at the St. Pete Times Forum.

Regular entree-sizes of tapas “small plates” for larger appetites. Hot or cold tapas: $3.95 $11.95. Entrees are under $20.

Valet or adjacent lot parking: Regularly $5 with $10 charged during Forum events Special Events Manager is Tiffany Davies Seating: Inside for 250 and approximately 50 in the covered outside verandah.

Reservations suggested.

Location: 615 Channelside Drive in Tampa Phone: (813) 514-Tina (8462) Hours: Mon. – Thurs 4PM to 12:00midnight.

Fri.12:00noon – 3AM. Sat. 12:00noon - 3AM. Sun. 12:00noon -12:00midnight Entertainment: Acoustic guitar on Sun. 7-11PM Web site: www.tinatapas.com

March 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 11

Phosphate Operations “Helping Farmers Feed a Hungry World”

The Importance of the Port of Tampa

Business UpFront Bingham On-Site Portables

by Mark Cook Any company that survives nearly 50 years in business is doing something right. Bingham On Site Sewers Inc. has been serving central Florida growers, farmers, construction sites and homeowners with personal service and their reputation speaks for itself. Owner and family leader Dewayne Bingham Sr. has overseen the company but is slowly easing off the reins allowing sons Dewayne Jr. and Andy to handle more of the day-to-day operations.

“I’m backing off a little letting these boys handle a lot of things but I’m not ever going to get out completely,” Bingham said. “I’ve got a recliner in my office, but I’m here and they know where I am when they need me.”

When asked how the business has grown and prospered for nearly 50 years Bingham quickly answered. “Service is the key,” Bingham said. “Doing what you say you will and doing it right is the only way to operate. I bought this business from my wife’s father Herbert Gay and knew I wanted to run it the way I want to be treated.”

In the mid 60’s when Bingham and his wife Linda of 48 years took over things were quite a bit different. “Septic systems have changed very little as far as how they work,” Bingham said.

“However the rules and regulations have changed dramatically and we have to change with them. They are a huge investment and it is important we do it right to give the customer years of problem free service.”

Another thing that has changed in the last 40 years is the portable toilet business. Bingham has seen that part of the business continue to grow.

“As a former berry grower myself I understand the importance of the food safety part of the growing business. We’ve had it a part of the business since the beginning but it has really grown over the years,” Bingham said. “We run, depending on the growing season, between 600 and 700 portable units that are serviced at least once if not twice a week.

“Growers depend on us to make sure they are compliant and don’t have any issues. We understand that from our years of growing. There is too much money at stake for these growers to have to worry about having any violations and we like to take

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one less thing off of their mind.”

One who has been a fan of the Bingham family is local long time strawberry farmer Carl Grooms of Fancy Farms. “Dewayne and I go way back and I’ve know his family forever,” Grooms said. “Dewayne and I started growing berries about the same time and we used to meet up to pick each other’s brains about growing. When he got out of farming I started using their company and 30 years later I’m still a customer. I know when they say they will do something it will get done. Besides the great work they do they are all really fine people and I’m proud to know them.”

One advantage Bingham has over his competition is their own manufacturing plant in Mulberry where they make their own tanks. “The fact we manufacture our own tanks helps save the consumer money in the fact we don’t have to go through a third party vendor for a tank,” said Heather Bingham, accounting manager/contractor and wife of son Andy. “Besides the advantage of helping to save money we can also control the quality of what we install. We know exactly what is going in the ground and feel comfortable when we finish a job.”

Being part of a family business has its ups and downs but in the end Bingham Sr. wouldn’t have it any other way. “We have a few issues from time to time but for the most part things run really smooth,” Bingham said. “With my sons Dewayne and Andy out in the field and Linda and daughters Aliesha and Heather in the office, we all run things by each other and we all play a part in the management of the company. Being able to see your family like we do is a real pleasure and another advantage is always knowing things are run the right way when one of us is on vacation or taking some time off. The peace of mind outweighs any of the negatives. Bottom line is we all respect what everyone in the company does and that makes life a lot easier. We all share the same goal and that is to provide the best possible service to our customers as we can.”

Bingham On Site Sewer covers central Florida consumer’s need from septic install, repairs, cleanouts and portable toilet rentals. For more information contact them at 813-659-0003 or visit their website at binghamonsite.com.

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One of the nation’s largest and most diversified seaports (and the largest in the state of Florida), the Port of Tampa is the largest economic engine in west‐central Florida, responsible for nearly 100,000 jobs and $8 billion in annual economic impact.

Phosphate, a key ingredient in quality fertilizer, is the backbone of Tampa’s port economy. Every year, CF Industries ships more than a million tons of fertilizer to North American farmers and customers around the world. Overall, the phosphate fertilizer industry in the Port of Tampa generates about $5.8 billion annually, and 12 billion tons of cargo (32% of the entire Port tonnage).

The phosphate fertilizer industry has been the cornerstone of the port since the late 1800’s, and today provides over 67,000 direct and indirect jobs. Phosphate severance taxes helped to fund the real time navigational system, PORTS, that helps all cargo ships safety navigate Tampa Bay.

10608 Paul Buchman Highway  Plant City, FL 33565  813-782-1591 2520 Guy Verger Boulevard  Tampa, FL 33605  813-247-5531 www.cfindustries.com

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March 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 13

New John Deere boots

FLORIDA-FRIENDLY LANDSCAPING™ IDEAS:

Men’s, Women’s, & Children’s sizes

Some Suggestions to Whet Your Appetite for Attractive & Environmentally Friendly Landscapes

By Jim Frankowiak So you think there’s no way you could ever have the landscape of your dreams or you would like to make your current landscape more attractive and eco-friendly, but just don’t know how to proceed. Take heart. There’s a way to achieve both that has been developed by the University of Florida. It’s called Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ and it is an integrated approach to landscape design, installation and maintenance of your new landscape.

This innovative approach to attractive and environmentally friendly landscapes is based on nine principles: • Choosing the right plant for the right place • Fertilizing appropriately • Attracting wildlife • Recycling yard waste • Protecting the waterfront • Watering efficiently • Using mulch • Managing yard pests responsibly and, • Reducing storm water runoff Let’s take a look at some drought-resistant items that you may want to consider as you design or change your landscape: ground covers, perennials, shrubs, trees and vines.

Ground Covers A ground cover is any plant that grows low to the ground and can be used to fill in areas where turf grass will not grow or is not wanted. Ideally, most ground covers should be evergreen and provide a permanent covering.

Some of our landscapes struggle with plants that are not in the right place. Replacing problem plants with appropriate ground covers can work quite well in hot, dry strips next to sidewalks or driveways. Ground covers are sometimes used as a natural barrier to prevent foot traffic or to reduce soil erosion on sloped areas. Many ground covers will also do well in deep shade, as opposed to even the most shade-tolerant turf grass.

Here are some particularly tough, colorful and drought-resistant ground covers for landscapes in this area: beach sunflower, lantana, mimosa, perennial peanut and dwarf Asiatic jasmine.

Perennials Perennials are plants that grow and die multiple seasons.

The shrubs and trees that comprise our landscapes are perennials, but they are referred to as woody perennials. Most flowering plants are herbaceous perennials. Flowering perennials can provide color in your landscape during every season of the year.

Once established, these plants require less maintenance than annual flowers, and they have the advantage of being a more permanent part of your landscape. Here are some colorful, drought-resistant and tough perennials for your Central Florida

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landscape: variegated flax lily, porterweed, society garlic, devil’s backbone and muhly grass.

Shrubs Shrubs are woody perennials that improve air quality, stabilize the soil with their expansive root systems and provide wildlife habitat to birds and other creatures. Large, deciduous shrubs, if planted on the south and west sides of a home, provide shade and passive cooling effects on structures during warmer months. The shade from large shrubs in the heat of the summer can potentially reduce indoor cooling costs by as much as 20 percent.

The following shrubs are well-suited for this part of Florida: dwarf allamanda, esperanza, firebush, thyrallis and plumbago.

Trees Here are some trees that provide the same type of benefits as shrubs in this part of the Sunshine State: weeping yaupon, vitex, sweet acacia, European olive and golden dewdrop.

Vines Vines can function in your landscape in many ways. When grown on arbors, they provide “doorways” to homes or transition points from one area of the landscape to another. Vines can be used to soften and add interest to fences, walls and other hard spaces. They are used as living walls to provide privacy and/or screen out unsightly views. Narrow plant beds are the perfect spot to “vertically garden” with a vine. Lastly, vines provide protective cover and nesting areas for birds and many flowering vines are rich nectar sources for butterflies and hummingbirds.

This part of Florida is ideal for the following vines: cross vine, trumpet vine, coral honeysuckle, flame vine and bougainvillea.

As you develop your landscape plans, don’t overlook microirrigation, a water conserving system that easily connects to an outdoor spigot or hose bib. This system provides small amounts of water directly to the root zone of landscape plants.

There are four types of microirrigation: micro-sprayers, microbubblers, drippers and drip tubing. Each has its own benefits for particular irrigation needs in your landscape, as well as adjustments that can be made for your plant choices.

For information about Florida-Friendly Landscaping™, visit hillsborough_fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/ and fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/ or stop by the Hillsborough County Extension Office, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL 33584. Master Gardener volunteers and horticulture staff are available to assist you with your landscape questions.

For more information on Florida-Friendly plant selections, view The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Guide to Plant Selection & Landscape Design available on-line at fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/pdf/FYN Plant Selection Guide v090110.pdf.

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 15

Nematodes: Old battle.

New strategy.

April is More Than Tax Time It’s Also Water Conservation Month with Many Opportunities for Residents to Learn How to Save Water

MeloCon nematicide effectively controls plantinfecting nematodes, including root knot, burrowing, cyst, root lesion, false root knot and sting nematodes. Can be applied as a transplant drench at planting, in transplant water, or through drip irrigation systems pre- or posttransplant.

By Jim Frankowiak April is traditionally that time of year when we file our income tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service, but it’s also Water Conservation Month and there are many opportunities for us to learn how to save water and more.

One of the first events actually takes place the last weekend in March. It’s GreenFest, a two-day festival, March 26 and 27, dedicated to gardening and environmental conservation. It will be held at Plant Park on the historical campus of the University of Tampa.

The Friends of Plant Park, a non-profit volunteer organization, initiated GreenFest in 1997. There is no charge to attend, although donations to Friends of Plant Park, which are tax deductible, are encouraged. This year’s GreenFest luncheon sponsor is Publix GreenWise Market and the guest speaker is Ian Prosser of Botanica International Design Studio, who How Many Barrels? will be presenting “Come 1 inch of rain on 1,000 to the Table with Nature’s sq ft of roof yields 625 Bounty.”

Attendees will be treated gallons of water to all things vital to successful gardening Avg annual FL rainfall = and conserva50 inches tion, including a wide variety You do the math! of plants and gardening sup31,250 gallons a year ply vendors, educational speakers and innovative gardening demonstrations. Festivities will also include delicious food and beverages.

Florida horticulturists will present in Tent #1, beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday and 11:30 a.m. Sunday. Among topics are, Why VermiCompost?, Tales from the Blog with the Dirt Girls Penny Carnathan and Kim Franke-Folstad, and Green Ways to Outwit and Evict Wildlife.

University of Florida (UF)/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) Hillsborough County Extension Master Gardeners will speak in Tent #2 on subjects ranging from Chemically Speaking and Begonias to The ABCs of Repotting Orchids, DogFriendly Yards and Canning What you Grow. Master Gardener presentations begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday and at noon on Sunday.

There will also be a tent with activities for very young gardeners. For more information, visit www.greenfest.org.

Saturday, April 2, is the date for the 8th Annual Hillsborough County Neighborhoods Conference. Being held at the Dale

16 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

March 2011

Mabry Campus of Hillsborough Community College, the event, which runs from 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., offers workshops and exhibits designed to help neighborhoods grow and thrive. It is also an opportunity for county residents to become aware of the scope of county services available to them. There is a $15 registration fee and that includes the Neighborhoods Awards Ceremony & Luncheon. For registration, sponsorship and exhibitor information, contact the Office of Neighborhood Relations at 813-307-3564 or email sloanw@hillsboroughcounty.org.

The biggest plant event held in the area occurs at the University of South Florida Botanical Gardens, Saturday – Sunday, April 9 and 10. The Annual Spring Plant Festival brings together plant enthusiasts to learn about landscaping and specialty plants. The festival begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday and will feature over 70 ven- Rain Barrel Benefits dors and many experts to help Reduces use of potable you with your Florida plant needs.

The water event offers free parking Reduced erosion and a children’s activity area, as well as free talks and Reduces stormwater wo rk s h o p s.

Admission is runoff $5 (USF Botanical Gardens members are admitted free). The gardens are located at 12210 USF Pine Drive, Tampa, FL 33612. For more information, call 813-910-3274 or visit www.cas.usf.edu/garden.

In addition, UF/IFAS Hillsborough County Extension is offering a series of three workshops on microirrigation and rain barrels (rainwater harvesting) one Saturday morning per month from 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. These sessions are free for county residents.

Those who are not residents of the county, but wish to attend, must pay a $26 workshop fee to cover materials. Those interested in attending must register in advance since class size is limited.

For more information, call 813-744-5519, Extension 127 or visit hillsboroughextension.ufl.edu/HomeGardening/event-calendar. html.

Master Gardeners also coordinate and teach workshops on a variety of gardening topics at 16 public libraries throughout the county each month. For a schedule of these classes, visit bit.ly/HortCalendar.

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TAMPA BAY’S FISHING REPORT

BLUE CRABBING— FamiLY FUN

By Captain Woody Gore

Blue Crabs are local favorite for many area residents. They can be prepared in many ways, but everyone has their own favorite recipe. Steamed, fried (soft shells), and Crab Chilau (pronounced something like: SHAL’ow) ow… like ouch are a few of my favorites. Check my website: www. captainwoodygore.com for some great recipes.

Blue crabs are one of the most common species found from New England to the Gulf of Mexico. As a predator/scavenger they eat a variety of food including clams, oysters and mussels.

Like most crustaceans, crabs have a hard shell with colors ranging from olive, brown to varying shades of blue.

As a youngster, a fond memory was going crabbing with my family along the Courtney Campbell Causeway. This seems to be a thing of the past as families never seem to do anything together. Everyone is too busy with their own agendas and for a teenage boy or girl to be out with the family is often considered social suicide in the eyes of other teens in their group. Regardless of today’s attitudes, I can tell you that crabbing, fishing, hunting or just enjoying the outdoors with my family was some of the best times I had as a youngster.

Dad and my Uncle Bill would get off work and Mom and Aunt Eleanor would have the picnic baskets ready.

We’d head out to the Courtney Campbell

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March 2011

Causeway just before dark. Using the fire pit, dad would build a fire and we would sit around the concrete table with my cousins and a couple of buddies and have sandwiches Mom and Aunt Eleanor had prepared. As it got dark we’d get ready to hit the water for a few hours of crabbing. Its memories like these that stick in a kid’s mind for a lifetime of fond reflections.

All we needed to catch a mess of crabs was a pair of old tennis shoes, old pants, a long handled crab net, a # 3 galvanized wash tub to float behind you and a piece of rope to tie the wash tube to your waist and most importantly, a bright headlamp.

Headlamps have come a long way since my first one that had a battery you wore on your waist with the wires running up to the light on your head.

Ours was a simple method. We would wade along the causeway searching the shallow grass flats for the crabs hiding in the grass. After a couple of stabs at netting one, you quickly learned how quickly those rascals could move and what it took to capture one. What it comes down to is proper net placement and where and how you scoop them up. Once you got the hang of it and actually scooped one up, the next lesson you learned was how fast they could get back out of the net. Overall, the key was scooping and quickly getting the crab into the tub.

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March 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 19

Hand Line Crabbing: Another way to pass time while getting a few dozen crabs is using a hand line. Again a simple method that required small cotton or nylon line, a package of chicken necks (skin on) or cut mullet, a long wooden handled crab net, a wash tub or ice chest. A folding lawn chair also comes in handy to sit back and relax while the chicken necks do their thing.

Here’s what happens. First find a deep water creek or river bank with a decent tidal flow. You can use wooden or PVC stakes driven into the ground or just tie the string off to the mangroves or bushes. Next secure a chicken neck to the line so it won’t come off then toss it into the creek. When you get five to ten lines in the water, sit back with some refreshment so you can keep an eye on the lines.

You can tell when a crab has latched onto the bait, because the line will become taut. As the crab pulls on the bait, you slowly but gently start to retrieve the line. It’s not unusual for a crab to drop the bait when he feels tension on your side, don’t get too excited as they usually come right back a few seconds later. This little game of grab and run is one that makes for some exciting fun and games for whole family. Success means solid nerves and a steady but gentle retrieve. Usually the covetous crabs are so intent on a meal they refuse to let go and a speedy scoop of the net puts it in the bucket. It takes a little practice, but after a few attempts you get the hang of it. Crabbing can rapidly become a really fun way to entertain the family.

Seawalls, Bridges and Pilings: Some folks use a boat to search the pilings of bridges and docks. Crabs will often cling to these to avoid being washed with the current. They also like the opportunity to capture small morsels of food that often get stuck on the barnacle incrusted structures.

The last two hours of outgoing tide seen to be the best times to carefully work the seawalls, bridge buttresses and dock pilings.

As the current slows you’ll find plenty of crabs hanging around these areas. Simply work the boat around the pilings and net the hanging crabs. If you’re working the boat and the kids are netting the crabs make certain they are wearing a life preserver, you never know when someone can get tossed overboard. Like other methods, crabbing from a boat can take practice, because you’ll probably only get one attempt before the crab turns loose and is gone. It can also cause damage to your boat as it scrapes against the pilings.

Crab Traps: Another method you can also use is a crab trap like the professional crabbers use. Here’s what you need; a commercial style wire trap, ¼ inch nylon rope, large marker buoy and cut fish for bait. In the state of Florida there is a list of requirements for using a crab trap. The top three in the list tells

20 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

March 2011

you that there are five trap limits per person, each trap used in open water must have a buoy and it must have a legible “R” at least two inches high, permanently affixed to it.

Traps shall have the harvesters name and address permanently affixed to it in legible letters. The remainder of the rules and regulations can be found on the internet at www.myfwc.com/rulesandregs look under saltwater and find blue crabs.

Recently the state added a regional closed season. This means all traps must be removed from the water for that period of closure. If you’re looking for more crabs, usually in less time, with not as much fun… here you go.

One final note on crabbing is using caution when handling any crab with pinchers. Sometimes one or two can get loose, so you should learn how to handle live crabs using tongs, gloves or your bare hands. A crab’s claws are very powerful and a bite can be painful.

A crab pinch can cut through the skin and cause severe bleeding. If you must pick up a crab with your hands, hold it from the back by one or both swimming fins and be careful not to let your fingers extend too far under the crab. They can reach back a good distance and get you! Trust me when I tell you, once you get caught with a pair of pinchers it’s an experience you’ll never forget.

I have several recipes on my website for crabs; go to www. captainwoodygore.com, look under the blog tag and find recipes.

We also have a local restaurant right here in Plant City that serves up a delicious crab dinner. Linda’s Crab Shack located at 200 E. Reynolds Street.

“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

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N HE IELD MAGAZINE 21

Florida State Fair

Submitted by Connie Celoria

Sour Cream Pound Cake Ingredients

3 cups sugar 2 sticks butter 6 eggs separated 3 cups cake flour 1 cup sour cream ¼ tsp soda 2 tsps vanilla or lemon extract or 1 of each

Preparation

Cream butter and sugar until creamy. Add egg yolks one at a time beating well after each. Sift flour 3 times. Add soda to sour cream and stir together. Add flour and sour cream to butter, sugar and egg mixture alternately starting and ending with flour. Add flavoring and blend well. Beat egg whites until stiff and fold into batter. Pour batter into well greased and lightly floured tube cake pan. Bake 1 ½ hours at 300° .

Ham and Egg Casserole Feb 16th was Strawberry Day at the State Fair and our Ambassadors demonstrated how to make a delicious strawberry salad and educated the audience on our industry. They served over 300 people fresh Strawberry Salad and two flats of fresh berries were passed out as well. Our booth was very popular that day!

Ingredients

½ cup chopped onion sautéed in 1 tbsp butter 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese 2 cups chopped ham (small cubes) 2/3 cup saltine cracker crumbs (15 crackers) 3 eggs beaten 1 cup milk Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

Mix ingredients and pour into greased 2 qt casserole. Bake at 350° for 45 minutes or when toothpick stuck in middle comes out clean.

I have been preparing this for 35 years and serving it for breakfast on Christmas morning. I put it together the night before and let it cook while we open presents in the morning. I like to serve it with orange bowknots also hot from the oven.

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March 2011

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Florida Strawberry Growers Association

2011 site at I www.flastrawberry.com T F M 23 813.752.6822 • VisitMour Web

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N HE IELD

AGAZINE

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I was having breakfast at the Sawmill Place Restaurant in Blairsville, Georgia while on vacation this past August. While putting some strawberry jelly on a fresh homemade biscuit as big as a softball I overheard a couple of old timers talking about how “dirt poor” they were until they started farming. The one with the white hair and long beard used the term “it rained cats and dogs” the day he set out his corn, and washed up about a half acre. I finished my biscuit, eggs and ham, downed the last sip of coffee and headed out as they continued their amusing conversation.

On the way back to the house on Bearpaw Road, I got to thinking about those sayings, and remembering my dad used a lot of sayings in his conversations from time to time. When I got back to the house I jumped on my computer and looked up the old sayings the old timers used.

I discovered where the saying of “dirt poor” came from. Back in the 1500’s only the wealthy had slate floors unlike the poor who had dirt floors. Thus came the saying, “dirt poor.“ In the winter, the slate floors would get wet, so they spread straw on the floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added more straw until, when you opened the door it would all start slipping outside. They would place a piece of wood in the entranceway, so came the word “thresh hold.”

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March 2011

After further study I found that most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May, and they still smelled pretty good by June. However, since they were starting to smell, brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor, hence the custom of carrying a bouquet of flowers when getting married.

In the 1500’s, the bathtub consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the clean water then all other members of the family, ending when the babies had their turn.

By the time everybody had bathed the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it. Hence the saying, “Don‘t throw the baby out with the bath water.”

Three centuries ago, houses of the time had thatched roofs of thick straw piled high, with little or no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and dogs slept on the roof. When it rained the roof became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof. So there is where the saying “It’s raining cats and dogs” came from.

It is amazing how many of the sayings we used today came

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about during the 16th Century. It was the custom to cook in the kitchen with a big kettle (much like an old wash pot) that always hung over the fire. Every day they would light the fire and add things to the pot, mostly vegetables with very little meat. What ever they had left over at lunch went into the kettle. Depending how many big eaters they had the food would be there for a number of days.

Remember, peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days old? Every once in a while when they were so fortunate to obtain pork, it would make it them feel real special. When visitors came over they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could, “bring home the bacon.” They would cut off a little bacon to share with their visitors and then sit around and “chew the fat.”

As for bread, they divided it according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle and guests got the top, or the “upper crust.”

Lead cups were used to drink ale and whiskey. The two would sometimes knock the drinker out for a couple of days. At times when someone found a person that had been snookered and passed out beside the road they would take them for dead and deliver him to their family where they prepared them for burial. The passed out drunk would be placed on the kitchen table for a couple of days and

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• Tortoise Permitting/ Relocations • Eagle/Osprey Nest Relocations • Endangered Species Surveys • FFWCC/USFWS Violation Resolutions

the family would gather around, eat and drink, and wait to see if they would wake up. So there my friends is where the custom of “holding a wake” came from.

Now here’s the best one of all! It has been said that old England started running out places to bury people, so they would dig up coffins and take the bones to the bone house, put in a new corpse, close the lid and cover it up. When reopening some of these coffins, one out of thirty were found to have scratch marks on the inside. They realized they had been burying people alive. It was then that a system was devised where they would tie a string to the wrist of the dead person, run it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. For a week or so, they would take shifts sitting next to the grave to listen for the bell.

The person that sat all night was considered on the “the graveyard shift,” listening for the bell to ring. Thus, someone could be, “saved by the bell”, or was considered a “dead ringer.”

Now you know! Whoever said history was boring?

March 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 25

FOOD SAFETY:

Food Modernization Act Facts

Sports Injuries: ACL Repair and Increasing Mobility For Your Active Lifestyle

by Steve Michalec Handy Can

According to the Food and Drug Administration’s website (www. fda.gov), the Food Safety and Modernization Act puts prevention up front.

The FDA will, for the first time, have a legislative mandate to require comprehensive science-based prevention across the food supply. Under the act, mandatory preventive controls for the facilities in compliance with mandatory produce safety standards will be required. The FDA is in the process of developing a proposed rule that will establish science-based minimum standards for the safe production in harvesting of fruits and vegetables and will address soil amendments, worker’s health and hygiene, packaging, temperature controls, water and other issues. The food facilities will be required to implement a written preventive control plan, provide for a monitoring of those controls, and specify the correct action the facility will take when necessary. Here are some facts that may be of interest to you.

• Fifteen percent of the food supply is imported, including 60 percent of the fresh fruit and vegetables and 80 percent of seafood.

• According to the Center for Disease Control, they estimate there are 48 million cases of food-borne illness each year in the USA with 128,000 resulting in hospitalization and 3,000 deaths.

• Farms that do less than $500,000 in gross sales per year and sell 50 percent of their product directly to customers, stores or restaurants within 270 miles within their own state are exempt from many of the extensive rules and regulations associated with the new act. They must keep a clean, food-borne illness free record. The FDA will have little interference.

• The act, once implemented, will give the FDA the power to directly

26 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

Mobility Is Everything

March 2011

•

•

issue a food recall.

Previously, all recalls were voluntary with companies in question.

The new provision was designed to speed up negotiations with food companies and in some cases circumvent the negotiation process altogether.

The new law requires the FDA to establish no less than five offices in foreign countries that ship food to the USA. To improve food oversight, they will work with foreign governments to streamline inspection of their food facilities.

Under the new law, the FDA upon request will gain food production facility records for tracking purposes or if they suspect a potential public health risk. The FDA, along with the produce industry, will create a new method of tracking and tracing fruits and vegetables to locate and recall contaminated produce and more effectively trace food-borne illness back to their source.

• The new law will give the FDA the power to set nation-wide standards for producing and harvesting fresh produce. The FDA will publish updated safety guidelines for specific fruits, vegetables, and identify risk produce.

• Health and Human Services along with the Department of Homeland Security, will be required to have a response and recovery layout in the event of a food-borne outbreak.

• The new law’s Watchdog Clause protects food production companies’ employees if giving information regarding potential violations to the FDA. This bill is estimated to cost $1.4 billion over a five year period. Funding of this bill is in question in everything that is published concerning it.

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Learn About Advances in ACL Repair

Scott E. Goldsmith, MD Orthopedic Surgeon

Wednesday, March 23, 6pm

South Florida Baptist Hospital, Community Conference Room • 301 N. Alexander St., Plant City

Join orthopedic surgeon Scott Goldsmith, MD, at an informative seminar to find out about the latest advancements and new techniques for treating ACL and sports-related injuries.

Discussion topics include: • Knee pain: When is it your ACL and not something else?

• How ACL injuries are diagnosed • Treatment guidelines • Surgical options for repair A question and answer session will follow the presentation.

To reserve your space: (813) 402-2344 or MobilityIsEverything.org Free Seminar • Convenient Parking • Light Refreshments www.InTheFieldMagazine.com

March 2011

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 27

Florida Strawberry Expo Attracts Growers from Throughout the U.S. and Scientists from Around the World

By Jim Frankowiak The annual University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center’s (GCREC) Florida Strawberry Expo was an especially broad event this year. It was part of the North American Strawberry Growers Association 35th conference in conjunction with the 7th North American Strawberry Symposium.

Attendees included growers from across the U.S. and scientists from abroad.

The event, which attracted more than 350 attendees, included lectures and walking tours. The Expo began with lunch sponsored by Marrone Bio Innovation, Chemtura, Syngenta, AMVAC, BASF, Bayer Crop Science, Natural Industries, Inc. and Isagro USA. The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association and Florida Strawberry Growers Association were event partners with UF/IFAS – GREC. Following welcome remarks by Dr. Jack Rechcigl, GCREC director, Dr. Joan Dusky, Associate Dean for Extension, reminded attendees that “agriculture is a $200 billion driver of the state’s economy with one-third of the state involved in agricultural production, another third in forestry and forest products with the remaining third tied to people and tourism.” She also noted the state is second in the U.S. in vegetables and tenth overall in cash crops.

Manatee County Extension Agent Crystal Snodgrass then moderated presentations by members of the GCREC faculty who detailed their current program emphases. Dr. Joe Noling also addressed the group regarding sting nematode and methyl bromide alternatives in a newly regulated environment.

Strawberry breeder Dr. Vance Whita-

28 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

ker described the major elements of the GCREC breeding program: crossing, germination, summer nursery and evaluation.

He emphasized the center’s team approach “and our overall focus on both the grower and consumer.”

Diseases and control strategy programs were then detailed by Dr. Natalia Peres and her colleague, Dr. Jim Mertely, who discussed chemical trials that are underway. Major diseases include anthracnose (fruit and crown rot), botrytis, powdery mildew, angular leaf spot, phytopthoris crown rot and charcoal rot.

She also described the Strawberry Advisory System (SAS), which assists growers by advising them of the need for fungicide applications and specific spray recommendations. “Work is currently underway to expand SAS to cover other diseases and the need for applications and crop/area sensitive application recommendations,” she said.

Dr. James Price described the comprehensive program that has been developed to control sap beetles, noting the support provided by the FSGA. “Keys to the program are the removal of red fruit, the need to continually scout for sap beetles and the use of both larvicides and adulticides,” he said. Price then detailed the latest insect threat, the spotted wing drosophila, noting that the most affected crops are cherries, raspberries, blueberries and strawberries in that order and “this challenge is rapidly spreading around the world, but can be managed if programs key in on the adults.”

“The sting nematode is the primary nematode in Florida,” said Dr. Joe Noling, who noted the range of impacted fruits and vegetables not just strawberries. He

March 2011

said an effective methyl bromide replacement will be a “cocktail of different fumigants plus herbicides that will be required with the overall mix tailored to the time of year,” he said.

The focus of herbicide work under Dr. Andrew MacRae and his team is “strawberry tolerance under plastic, but there is a need for more data before final recommendations can be developed.”

Current issues on protected agriculture, water and fertilizer management for strawberries was the focus of Dr. Bielinski Santos’ presentation. His work also includes blueberry, tomato, pepper and cucurbits and encompasses worldwide partnerships studying fertilization and plant nutrition.

“Irrigation and water management studies include freeze protection, irrigation scheduling, technology for transplants, while protected agriculture is looking closely at crop diversification, types of structures, hydroponics and soilless cultures,” said Santos.

His work also involves the evaluation of cultivars. He concluded his remarks by thanking growers for their participation in validation and demonstration studies, as well as the graduate student and intern members of his team.

The expo concluded as attendees were given walking field tours so they could see first hand evidence of the work that had been described in the areas of weed science, nematology, pathology, entomology, horticulture and breeding.

For additional information and the opportunity to review individual Florida Strawberry Expo presentations, visit www.gcrec.ifas.ufl.edu.

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March 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 29

2011 In The Field Trucks in Review See ad on page 3 for more information See ad on page 19 for more information

Chevrolet Silverado HD

Motor Trend’s 2011 Truck of the Year Breaking Ground in More Ways Than One According to Motor Trend, “In the heavy-duty truck world capability is most important.” And Silverado HD is very capable in the all the areas that matter to Chevy owners. We engineered the 2011 Silverado 2500HD with durable, advanced technologies like a stronger powertrain for bigger towing numbers, a sturdier frame to handle more payload and deliver an improved ride, and more secure trailering features to help keep it all under control.

With everything Silverado 2500HD has going for it, you can understand why Motor Trend said, “No wonder it’s this year’s Truck of the Year.”

We looked at everything that made the proven, available Duramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V8 engine great, then we made it even better: • More Torque • More maximum hp and torque - 397 horses and 765 lb.-ft. of torque. (Our standard workhorse, the Vortec 6.0L V8 gas engine, generates 360 HP and 380 lb.-ft. of torque.)

Towing Power Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD has 17,800 lbs. of maximum towing.

Ford F150

®

What Males Silverado 2500HD Stronger?

Allison Transmission With nearly a decade on the job, the available, legendary heavy-duty Allison® six-speed transmission harnesses the power of the available Duramax.

Duramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel The reliable available Duramax Diesel has improved torque, horsepower and towing numbers, as well as highway fuel economy that was improved by more than 11% over the previous generation.

B20 Biodiesel Compatible The available Duramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel can run on B20 biodiesel.

Our all-new chassis features a high-strength, fully-boxed steel frame that’s 5 times torsionally stiffer than before and lets Silverado 2500HD shoulder up to 4,192 lbs. of payload. (5,9) The suspension got a complete redesign with bigger, stronger components engineered to handle increased loads and improve ride quality over the previous generation. The fully boxed frame and all-new front and rear suspensions are the biggest reasons for the huge increases in Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings.

The rear suspension includes 20% wider leaf springs with an asymmetric design that reduces wheel hop on acceleration and better handles increased payloads.

The facts are clear: The Ford F-150 can haul more cargo and tow a heavier trailer than any of its competitors.* And F-150 has a fully boxed frame that’s the strongest in its class.** Engineered and tested to withstand more punishment than your most difficult tasks can subject it to, the F-150 is Built Ford Tough to come through with the dependability you expect in this full-size pickup.

And this, at the end of the day, is what capability is all about.

The F-150 continues its tradition of delivering best-in-class* payload capability. And that’s not all. Two class-exclusive available features, the Tailgate Step and Box Side Steps, provide easier access to all that payload capability.

The F-150 gives you best-in-class trailer-towing capability* across all cabs with the added confidence and stability of standard Trailer Sway Control (TSC) and an available factoryintegrated Trailer Brake Controller (TBC).** What’s more, the selectable Tow/Haul Mode on the standard 6-speed automatic transmission compensates for altitude, grade and load to aid performance, especially when you’re driving up steep grades or down extreme slopes. You can choose the Trailer Towing Package or the optional Max Trailer Tow Package — a special group of heavy-duty towing upgrades.

The new standard in F-150 performance is the 3.7L V6 with advanced twin independent variable-cam (Ti-VCT) technology, followed by the power of the available 5.0L V8, also with TiVCT design. For the best in horsepower and torque, there’s the new 6.2L V8. And for the latest in innovative powertrain design, is the

EcoBoost™ engine combining the efficiency of Direct Injection technology and the thrust of Twin Turbocharging. What you have in Ford F-150 for 2011 is an all-new powertrain lineup with overall leadership in power, payload and towing.* Hydroformed Frame The frame beneath the F-150 features fully boxed highstrength steel and through-welded crossmembers that form the foundation for being Built Ford Tough.

Integrated Trailer Brake Controller The first-in-class, available fully integrated Trailer Brake Controller (TBC) synchronizes the vehicle and trailer brakes to provide greater control and confidence.

Rear Shocks Twin tube shocks are mounted at all four corners to refine ride and improve control.

AdvanceTrac® With Roll Stability Control™ (RSC®) This advanced technology uses reduced engine power and selective wheel braking to help you maintain control.

Electronic Locking Rear Differential When engaged, the available Electronic Locking Rear Differential locks the axle completely to provide maximum traction at both wheels at the same time.

*Class is Full-Size Pickups under 8,500 lbs. GVWR vs. 2010/2011 Competitors. **When properly equipped. Class is Full-Size Pickups under 8,500 lbs. GVWR vs. 2010/2011 Competitors. **Remember, even advanced technology cannot overcome the laws of physics. It’s always possible to lose control of a vehicle due to inappropriate driver input for the conditions.

Chevy 3500

See ad on page 29 for more information 30 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

March 2011

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New Chevy 3500 Regular Cab Chassis 2WD, 12’ FLATBED, 11,400lb GVWR, 2010 Duramax Diesel (NO UREA TANK), Allison 6 sp automatic, AC, AM/FM Stereo, Locking Differential, Cruise Control, Integrated Trailer Brake Controller, Dual Air Bag, Security Features, Daytime Running Lights, Intermittent Wipers, Power Brakes. Pricing includes all eligible rebates and incentives assigned to dealer. Prices are plus tax, tag, and $99 dealer fee unless you have or are eligible for a GM FAN, call today to see if you are eligible for additional incentives or discounts. This truck is ready to work—call us today! (813) 359-5420

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March 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 31

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 and Fusarium enter and infect plants.

[ 32 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

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www.InTheFieldMagazine.com

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. As the root grows, SoilGard defensively shields the most important real estate in the field.

• Biotic Burst cleansing action • Surrounds and shields • Protects against damping off and root rot diseases

] March 2011 ©2011 CertisINUSA. THE1-800-250-5024 FIELD MAGAZINE 33 •www.certisusa.com

The Gator Nation Brings Home Another National Championship

By Marisa White

The University of Florida took top honors at the 2011 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Collegiate Quiz Bowl Competition in Denver, CO. In a head-to-head collegiate quiz bowl, students competed against Penn State in multiple rounds of questions based on all segments of the beef industry. All four team members have strong roots in the beef cattle industry in Florida. The team members pictured from left to right are: Marisa White, Melissa Miller, Richelle Miller, and Cody Welchons.

Marisa White, Inglis, FL, is a member of the Florida CattleWomen, Inc. and was a recipient of last year’s Allied Members Scholarship. She received her bachelor’s from the University of Florida in Animal Sciences and is currently working on her master’s in meat science at the University of Florida under the direction of Dr. Dwain Johnson.

Melissa Miller, Brandon, FL, is a member of the Hillsborough County Cattlewomen and is the collegiate representative to the American National CattleWomen Board of Directors.

She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida in Animal Sciences and is currently working on her master’s in meat science at the University of Georgia under the direction of Dr. Dean Pringle. Richelle Miller, also from Brandon, FL, received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida in Food and Resource Economics and is currently working on a master’s in meat science at North Dakota State University under the direction of Dr. David Newman. Cody Welchons, Valrico, FL, is a member of the Florida Cattlemen’s Association. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida in Animal Sciences and is currently working on a master’s in beef nutrition at the University of Florida under the direction of Dr. Matt Hersom In order to qualify, the team competed in several preliminary

34 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

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competitions. The team placed first in the local competition where they competed against other students in a quiz bowl competition, written test, and practicum portion that tested the overall knowledge of the team members. In January, they competed in the Southern Section of Animal Sciences Quadrathalon where they placed first in the practicum, oral presentation, and written exam; second in the quiz bowl; and first overall. The team competed against universities across the southern United States.

The team has strong ties to the beef cattle industry and is very passionate about animal agriculture. They are proud to be a group of proactive men and women who are making an impact in the industry they serve. The team extends their sincere appreciation to the Hillsborough County Cattle Women, Florida Cattlemen’s Association Foundation, and the Block and Bridle Club at the University of Florida for graciously providing their financial support and to Dr. Saundra Tenbroeck who accompanied them.

The Florida Cattlemen & Cattlewomen’s Associations have played an influential role in our success through education, encouragement, and sponsorship over this past year’s competitions.

Without this support, our team would have never made it this far.

We are proud to be players in Florida’s Beef Industry and look forward to making a strong impact in years to come. Winning the 2011 NCBA Collegiate Beef Quiz Bowl has allowed us to give back to Florida’s cattlemen and cattlewomen by putting them in the spotlight and sharing our industry with the rest of the country.

We look forward to playing a part in Florida’s Beef Industry for many years to come!

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 35

Disease-Carrying Asian Citrus Psyllids Find Refuge in Abandoned Groves, UF Study Shows

by Tom Nordlie UF/IFAS photo by Tyler Jones For years, citrus growers have feared that abandoned groves psyllids might be present. They also placed insect traps in nearby provided refuge for the Asian citrus psyllid, an invasive insect that commercially active groves. transmits citrus greening—now, University of Florida researchers When the traps were checked, researchers found psyllids say they were right. bearing the marker chemicals, indicating that the pests had travA study published in the current issue of the Journal of eled from abandoned groves to active ones. Laboratory analysis Economic Entomology shows that the psyllid not only survives in revealed that some of these psyllids carried the bacterium that abandoned groves, it often travels to commercially active groves causes greening disease. nearby, bringing along the bacterium responsible for the disease.

Researchers also took leaf samples from citrus trees and First detected in Florida in 2005, greening is incurable and found the presence of greening was about the same in abandoned fatal to citrus trees. It is considered the biggest threat to the and managed groves. Other members of the research team were state’s $9 billion citrus industry. Asian citrus psyllids pick up the Siddharth Tiwari, Hannah Lewis-Rosenblum and Kirsten Pelzgreening bacterium by Stelinski, all with UF’s feeding on sap from infectentomology and nematoled trees and later transmit ogy department. the pathogen while feedStelinski added that ing on healthy trees. as-yet unpublished findThe results unings showed the insects derscore the need for could fly up to 1.25 miles landowners to remove in 10 days, and could or destroy unmanaged probably travel farther trees, something the state over time. is urging, said entomolo“So you don’t necesgist Lukasz Stelinski, an sarily need to be right next assistant professor with to an abandoned grove to UF’s Institute of Food and be at risk,” he said.

Agricultural Sciences and Currently, the state is one of the study’s authors. asking local property ap“There was very praisers to urge landownmuch anecdotal evidence ers to remove or destroy that these abandoned untended citrus trees by areas are harboring citrus offering tax incentives to Insect expert Lukasz Stelinski, an assistant professor with the University of Florida’s psyllids,” Stelinski said. do so, said Mike Sparks, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, poses in a greenhouse in this undated file “It’s just one of those executive vice president photo. Stelinski was part of a research team that confirmed the invasive Asian citrus psyllid can transmit citrus greening disease from abandoned citrus groves to commerthings that had to be conand chief executive officer cially active ones. The study, published in the Journal of Economic Entomology, underfirmed.” of Florida Citrus Mutual, scores the need for landowners to remove or destroy citrus trees on Florida’s estimated An estimated 140,000 Florida’s largest citrus 140,000 acres of abandoned groves, he said. acres of citrus groves go grower trade organization. untended in Florida, according to the U.S. Department of Agri“Even though we’ve had some success, it’s not nearly culture. The state has an estimated 550,000 acres of active groves. enough,” Sparks said. “This study could help us mold public Much of the abandoned grove acreage is believed to be policy.” owned by developers or investors who expected to clear the land Sparks said he hopes that the UF research will persuade state rather than produce citrus, Stelinski said. Consequently, the own- and local officials to take further action to reduce the amount of ers never provided basic management such as pest control. abandoned citrus acreage.

In the study, Stelinski and colleagues from UF’s Citrus “We have a $9 billion industry and 76,000 jobs at stake,” Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred sprayed nontoxic Sparks said. “Abandoned groves are putting all of that at risk and “marker” chemicals on trees in seven abandoned groves, where policymakers need to know that.”

36 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 37

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©2010 Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc., 410 Swing Road, Greensboro, NC 27409. Important: Always read and follow label instructions before buying or using Syngenta products.

The instructions contain important conditions of sale, including limitations of warranty and remedy. Agri-Mek, Gramoxone Inteon and Warrior II with Zeon Technology are Restricted Use Pesticides. Actara, Durivo, Inspire Super, Platinum, Revus and Voliam Flexi are not currently registered for use or sale in all states. Please check with your state or local extension service before buying or using these products. Actara, Agri-Mek, Durivo, Platinum, Voliam Flexi 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 if bees are foraging adjacent to the treatment area.

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March 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 39

South American Beetle Released by UF Researchers Benefits Florida Ranchers

Hopewell Funeral Home

& Memorial Gardens

by Robert H. Wells Over the past two decades, Florida cattle ranchers have Okeechobee counties. spent as much as $16 million a year doing battle with an invasive TSA can grow taller than 3 feet and equally wide. Its leaves weed called tropical soda apple, known as TSA, that takes over are covered in long spikes, and its immature fruits with pale and pastures, elbowing out the forage grasses ranchers need for their dark green stripes resemble small watermelons. It is an aggressive cattle. propagator, and cattle will not feed on its leaves.

But a beetle released by the University of Florida’s Institute TSA is native to South America and was discovered in the of Food and Agricultural Sciences is taking a bite out of the U.S. more than 20 years ago in Glades County. It now covers more problem by feeding on the weed and reducing its competitiveness. than 1 million acres in Florida and has spread to other states UF researchers describe the beetle’s success as a biological control including Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Texas. agent in the current issue of the journal Florida Entomologist.

Buzz Eaves, a cattle rancher in St. Lucie County, first encounGratiana boliviana, as the beetle is known to scientists, tered TSA in 2000 when it began overtaking his forage grasses. is a native of South After four years of America and the first aggressive campaignbiological control ing against the weed agent in North Amerusing herbicides, fire ica to be used against and mowing, Eaves alTSA. The beetles are lowed IFAS researchers highly specific feedto release the Gratiana ers whose voracious boliviana beetles on appetite is focused only his ranch. Eaves said on TSA but not on for the first two years related plants such as the beetles worked eggplant, peppers or slowly on the TSA and potatoes. steadily increased in Julio Medal, the number.

UF entomologist who “And then the led the research team following year, we had that released the beetle, pretty much reached said TSA has not only a biological balance been a problem on with the plants,” Eaves cattle ranches but also said. “The TSA plants in citrus groves and would start growing in vegetable fields.

Julio Medal, an entomologist with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural the springtime and be Sciences, examines a tropical soda apple (TSA) plant contained in a greenhouse on campus in followed a month or “It causes a lot of Gainesville. Medal led the research team that released a South American beetle that is successfully economic problems, controlling the invasive TSA weed in Central and South Florida. Recognizable because of its fruits two later by the beetles. that resemble small watermelons and leaves covered in spikes, TSA elbows out forage grasses that And the beetles would and to prevent its spread, you can’t move Florida ranchers need for their cattle and has cost the ranchers as much as $16 million a year to work on them all sumcontrol. (UF/IFAS photo by Tyler Jones) INSET PHOTO: Gratiana boliviana, seen on a leaf in cattle from Florida to this photo, is the first biological control agent to be used against TSA in North America. (Photo mer long, and by the courtesy of Bill Overholt, Indian River Research and Education Center) other states without end of the summer, holding them at least those plants would be six days in a TSA-free area,” he said. This is enough time to deskeletonized and away we go to another year.” stroy the viability of any TSA seeds that may be in their digestive Eaves said the beetles have reduced his annual spending on tracts.

TSA control from as much as $25,000 to nothing.

Nearly 200,000 beetles have been released in the state since Medal is working to gain approval from the U.S. Depart2003, and the insect is now established throughout Central and ment of Agriculture for the North Florida release of two more South Florida. In the journal, Medal reported that the beetles TSA biological control insects. These insects are better adapted caused the invasive weed to suffer significant defoliation as to colder climates than Gratiana boliviana, which has failed to well as decreased fruit, and thus seed production, in Polk and establish north of Central Florida.

40 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

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Standing: Dan Druen - Funeral Director, Glenda Thomas Creative Development, Marsha Passmore Director of Marketing, Michael Dagrosa Funeral Director Seated: Margie Willis - Managing Partner, Edwena Haney President, not pictured Glenda Haney Managing Partner

Local Obituary

Mr. Vernon J. Waterman-January 23, 2011 • Mr. George “Bill” Coleman-January 24, 2011 Mrs. Ruby Watson-Meek-January 24, 2011 • Mr. John Riley Johnson, Sr.-January 24, 2011 Mr. Robert “Kenny” Henderson-January 29, 2011 • Mr. Rayond Cay Fleming, Jr.-January 30, 2011 Mr. Charles “Doc” Hester, Sr.-January 31, 2011 • Mr. Gordon Lynn Gruber-February 2, 2011 Mr. David L. Uresti-February 4, 2011 • Mr. Lee “Buddy” Maxwell-February 4, 2011 • Mrs. Alyce Taylor Williams-February 4, 2011 Mrs. Emma Jean Hunter-February 5, 2011 • Mr. Angel Viruet Chaparro-February 7, 2011 Mrs. Helen J. Stone-February 11, 2011 • Mr. Edwin K. Harrington, Sr.-February 12, 2011 • Mrs. Clara N. Dykes-February 12, 2011 Mr. Anthony L. England, Jr.-February 15, 2011 • Mr. Donald L. Hammock-February 15, 2011 Mr. Earl Lee Howard-February 16, 2011 • Mr. Curtis Chancey-February 16, 2011 • Mr. Duane D. Diana-February 16, 2011 Mrs. Avy Eugenia Daniels, February 20, 2011 • Mr. Randy E. Phillips-February 23, 2011 • Antoinette Almerico-February 23, 2011 Mrs. Ruth J. DuBose-February 24, 2011 • Mrs. Delores Whidden Glover-February 25, 2011 Mr. Kenneth D. Pearson-February 25, 2011

www.hopewellfuneral.com • 813.737.3128 Family Owned & Operated for Over 35 Years 6005 State Rd. 39 South (1/2 mile south of State Rd. 60) Plant City, FL 33567

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March 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 41

Lions, Tigers and Bears and So Much More: Zooville, USA

by Ginny Mink What started off as a Barbary lion program known as Preservation Station in 1997, has blossomed into an impressive educational resource facility aptly named Zooville, USA. Originally, Director, Susan Bradshaw’s plan included working with geneticists and conservationists to propagate and return these majestic creatures to their wild habitats.

“However, over the years people started contacting us for help in taking animals that were in need of a home. There were more and more animals in need so we evolved and took a different direction and before we knew it we had a sort of zoo. These animals are spokespeople for their wild cousins,” Bradshaw explains.

Zooville’s long term goals are to attract enough corporate sponsorship to allow student visitors to come in for free. They “hate that educational opportunities depend on the dollar,” and while they provide wildlife educational programs to schools and do assemblies, they are in need of additional financial supports. Assistant Director, Sherry Dewald adds, “We’re working on doing week long summer programs for youth, but space will be limited.” The zoo is 100 percent volunteer driven and they are so thankful for “the support of a phenomenal vet staff at Animal Diagnostic Center in Valrico.”

The over 30 species that call the zoo home, are not reclusive, in fact, “some of our animals have been seen on the Tonight Show, Dr. Oz, Good Morning America and Jack Hannah.” The objective has been to spread messages of conservation and these ventures have been, “a very exciting opportunity not just for the zoo but for the volunteers that got to travel and participate in them. We hope to do a lot more of it, it was a great opportunity to reach a lot of people.”

They legally changed their name to Zooville, USA in 2010 because the original mission was for preservation of one species, “now we’re a zoological community, we’ve gotten animals from all over the US and we thought having zoo in the name would make us more identifiable to kids for what they’re gonna find here.” Zooville, USA is unique because “we are not species specific, not dedicated to just big cats, wolves or primates.

We’ll provide a home to any exotic animal if we have the room,” Bradshaw elaborates.

As mentioned previously, the zoo is home to over 30 different species as big as lions, tigers and bears and as small as the Cotton Top tamarin, and every size in between.

Thusly they are licensed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the US Department of Agriculture and the US Fish and Wildlife Service and are inspected regularly. Due to Florida’s unique weather they want people to know that they have hurricane shelters for all the big animals and that “all animals have hurricane safe lockdowns.”

Given the large range of animals at the zoo it’s hard to choose one that’s most interesting, however, Bradshaw says, “the Viverridae family, which includes the binturong (a bearcat) and the Asian Palm and African civets,” fits the bill. Depending on a visitor’s olfactory sense, the binturong either smells like Fritos or buttered popcorn. “It is one of only two carnivores in the world with a prehensile tail. It’s a very unique looking animal.” The African civet used to be caught for the purpose of having its scent glands expressed to make musk cologne. “Today everything’s synthetic and musk is now made from palm oil which is depleting the forests and habitats of many species,” Bradshaw passionately explains. While the Asian Palm civet is “not as interesting looks wise, it’s where the Kopi Luwat coffee comes from.” This is an expensive coffee made from cleansed and roasted beans that the Asian Palm civet eats and excretes.

Zooville, USA is a beneficial addition to Hillsborough County but since it is solely volunteer supported and run, they have a list of needs and desires for continued growth, like an educational center, onsite classroom, pavilion and butterfly garden. Anyone who can assist in the following areas would be greatly appreciated: construction (materials, equipment and skills), fencing (materials and installation) and landscaping (plants and design). In addition, zoo volunteers are willing to “turn your trash into the animals treasure,” by accepting and hauling all forms of scrap metal – even the bigger ones like cars and appliances in an effort to assist in fundraising. Corporate sponsorships are available via banners that will hang in the zoo area for a year and individual animal sponsorships help provide funds for the care of the animals.

Bradshaw’s husband, Stewart, and Dewald’s husband, Mike are deserving of kudos as Stewart and his brother are responsible for building Bradshaw’s dream while working full time jobs, and Mike is the “best chef in town,” because he comes and cooks the BBQ whenever they have special guests. “It’s a family affair,” the ladies add.

For more information on the zoo you can visit the website: www.zoovilleusa.com.

If you’d like to set up a school visit or a private tour, please call Susan Bradshaw at (813) 690-9696 and if you’re interested in summer programs or are in need of native wildlife rehabilitation (just another aspect of what these tremendous women do) please call Sherry Dewald at (813) 416-0129.

42 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

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Flock to the Furriest Night of Fashion!

, y a d i r F April 15th

Tickets ar e

$50

SAVE THE DATE!

Doors open at 7pm

WHEN: Friday, April 15th at 7:00pm WHERE: HCC Trinkle Center; Plant City, Fl BENEFIT: Local Animal Rescue Groups WHAT: First Annual - Fashion, Feathers & Fur  Fashion Show featuring local celebrities and adorable adoptable (cats, dogs & birds) from local rescue groups.  Master of Ceremonies - Chip Carter - Fox 13 News  Silent & Live Auctions  Delicious Dinner & Local Celebrity Chef Desserts (FOX 13 News) !  Slide show featuring YOUR pets - Email us your pictures

Chip Carter

will Keep up a Waggin’ Good Time...

Sponsorship Levels:

Platinum Paws: $1000 - Corporate Table with 8 tickets, Name & Logo on: Event Banner, Email Invites/ Flyers/Postcards, Program, Web site; Facebook Recognition, Stage Recognition the night of the event.

Golden Whiskers: $750 - 6 Tickets, Name & Logo on: Event Banner, Email Invites/Flyers/P -ostcards, Program, Web site, Facebook Recognition Silver Wings: $500 - 4 Tickets, Name & Logo on: Program, Web site, Facebook Recognition Bronze Tails: $300 - 2 Tickets, Name on Program; Name & Logo on Web site, Facebook Recognition Company Booth: 150 - 1 Ticket & Name on Website & Program; Facebook Recognition Ticket Price: $50. per person

Hillsborough Community College Trinkle Center

So, don’t be left Waiting Check out our Website: in the Wings!

1206 N. Park Rd, Plant City, FL 33563 www.FashionFeathersAndFur.com Make a Difference. ___ I would like to Sponsor this event (circle one) us as we celebrate $1000.00 as $750.00 other __________ Meet our Adorable Adoptable Animals they$500.00 escort$300.00 Join the tireless work of these Celebrity Models down the runway donning the ___ I would like to buy ____ ticket (s) @ $50. Animal each total Rescues–saving $________ latest fashions from Sister’s & Company lives Auctions. and bringing hope ___ I would like to donate the following to the Silent/Live to these otherwise _______________________________________________________ Enjoy “Sweet Tweets”, a delicious surprise selection Forgotten Friends...

Name of Business or Individual _________________________________________ Address:____________________________________________________________ of Desserts Prepared by Local Celebrity “Chefs” Phone : ________________________Email: _______________________________ For more Information, Contact name:______________________________________________________ call Adrienne at Live & Silent Auction items Offered, as bywell as are: Florida Parrot Rescue, Pit Stop Bully Rescue, Florida Boxer Rescue groups being helped this fundraiser (813) 754-7387 Rescue and Cat Call.

Florida Parrot Rescue is licensed with the State of Florida and is a tax exempt Corp.

Exciting Entertainment throughout the Evening

k k k

Registration # CH30490. Make Checks payable to: Fashion, Feathers & Fur.

www.fashionfeathersandfur.com

All proceeds will benefit: Cat Call, Florida Boxer Rescue, Florida Parrot Rescue, & www.InTheFieldMagazine.com Pit Stop Bully Rescue

Presented By: Charles & Jennifer Charles & Closshey arch 2011 Jennifer M Closshey  Charleene Closshey 

Veterinary INTHETechnology FIELD MAGAZINE 43 Program

A Slice (or Slumber) of Heaven?

The Strawberry House Bed and Breakfast

by Ginny Mink If you’ve ever driven down Wheeler St. in Plant City, heading towards I-4, more than likely you’ve noticed the massive yellow two-story touting itself as the Strawberry House Bed and Breakfast. Chances are, if you’ve lived in Plant City for any length of time, you remember when it was just a big purple house without such grandiose business aspirations. That was before Brenda and Guy Ford say they, “watched Suze Orman talking about being creative in order to keep your house in such trying economic times.”

That snippet on a day time talk show was their motivation to stay at a bed and breakfast for the first time. This led them to the thought that, “it was a good idea and we should try it.” They knew Plant City didn’t have a bed and breakfast and so they filled out all the necessary paperwork and got their licenses including the ability to cook a full breakfast.

Brenda has been in Plant City for 23 years and has been a full time teacher at Tomlin Middle School the entire time. This is the third historic house she’s renovated and with Guy’s help over the course of their 15 year marriage it is indeed the most eccentric of them all. At first glance it’s just a cute old yellow house, but entrance into it reveals its museum-esque quality and collector driven motifs.

There are four rooms for guests to choose from, two upstairs and two downstairs. The upstairs rooms hold king size beds while the downstairs rooms house queen size beds. Most impressive is the fact that each of the four has its own bathroom – equally accessorized and theme oriented, this is of course not to mention that all the rooms have their own fireplaces too!

The Bowman Bear Cave is located upstairs and appears to be the most popular. It gets its name from Hazel Bowman who was born in that very room in 1917. Artifacts from that time were found in the house and therefore, Hazel Bowman’s christening outfit is on display in the room. Also located upstairs is Anabelle’s Angel Room. This angelic alcove is named after Brenda’s grandmother. Brenda and Guy own Anabelle’s 1862 built house in Indiana and have decorated the room with old paintings of Anabelle and the necklace she wore while being artistically me-

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March 2011

morialized.

Downstairs visitors will find what Brenda refers to as the “prettiest room in the house,” Betty’s Berry Patch, which is named after Guy’s stepmother and displays a cornucopia of Betty Boop memorabilia along with strawberry sheets, quilts and other accoutrements on the two queen size beds located therein. Lastly, there’s Guy’s Golf Room, the most masculine looking room in the house. It holds a queen size bed and beautiful oak antique furniture to add to its appeal.

The Strawberry House Bed and Breakfast opened in 2009.

The Ford’s goal was to be able to pay their property taxes and insurance with the proceeds from this business and they came very close in their first year. So far they’ve seen steady improvement in bookings and are pleased to note that they have people staying with them “every night but two of the Strawberry Festival and two nights all of the rooms are full.” They do admit though, that this is still more of a hobby than a business, adding that, “keeping the place clean is the biggest job in the world because we’re worried somebody’s gonna see a drop of dust.”

Breakfast is one of the more entertaining aspects of the business as Brenda has a tendency to overcook. She makes sure to serve strawberries every morning and in fact, most of them come from Tomlin’s Agriculture Department. She also puts Parkesdale Farms Strawberry Butter on the table and gives away Parkesdale Farms Pure Strawberry Preserves as a parting gift to their visitors.

Guy interjects that, “she makes the best strawberry desserts in the evenings.”

People have come from near and far to stay with Brenda and Guy at the Strawberry House. They’ve had visitors from England, Ireland, Hungary, Plant City, Auburndale and St. Pete.

“It’s neat meeting everyone, it’s like having family come in for the weekend or night, you hear great stories,” Brenda says, and given her friendly, talkative nature, no doubt she tells some of her own.

You can find out more about the Strawberry House Bed and Breakfast on their website: www.StrawberryHouseB-B.com or you can contact Brenda and Guy by phone: 813 759-0279 or by email: info@StrawberryHouseB-B.com.

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March 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 45

Berry Blue Farms & Nursery Expanding USDA Loan Program Aids Growth

by Jim Frankowiak If you have driven State Road 60 east of Turkey Creek Road within the last two years, you have probably seen the changes taking place at Berry Blue Farms & Nursery, located on the south side of SR 60 immediately west of the John Deere dealership.

Berry Blue is a family run operation of Ken and Patsy Frier.

A native of Plant City, Ken returned to the area a few years ago after spending several decades in Sarasota. Patsy, a long time Plant City municipal employee originally from Zephyrhills, and Ken “blended their families” four years ago. The “blended” Frier family includes Ken’s daughter and three grandchildren and Patsy’s two daughters and one grandchild. Those are important numbers on “family days” at Berry Blue Farms & Nursery.

When Ken returned to Plant City his sister, Carol, who owns and operates her own blueberry farm on Jerry Smith Road, said he ought to get involved in blueberries and he and Patsy did. By the way, Ken and Patsy just celebrated four years of marriage.

“We became licensed to sell and grow four varieties of blueberry plants,” said Ken. Licensure was provided by the Florida Foundation Seed Producers, Inc., an entity affiliated with the University of Florida. Ken and Patsy built shade and mist houses on land provided by Carol on her farm. “That was the beginning and sales just took off and have increased ever since,” said Ken. Ken and Patsy formed a limited liability company in 2008 and sought to expand to meet the increasing demand in their plants. The company was named Berry Blue Farms & Nursery, LLC. They found an 8-acre plot for lease on State Road 60 and began to put forth the effort needed to expand inventory.

However, expansion requires capital and the traditional source of capital, banks, had pretty much stopped lending thanks to a pretty tough economy. After several attempts with different lending institutions, Ken and Patsy turned to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and its Farm Service Agency office in Plant City where they met with Farm Loan Manager Bronwyn BetheaMyers.

“We have a number of loan programs,” said Bethea-Myers,

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March 2011

“and our annual operating loan program was precisely what Ken and Patsy needed,” she said. That program is a one-year loan with a maximum of $300,000. It can be renewed, if needed, in subsequent years.

Thanks to the assistance of the USDA loan program, the Friers have been able to expand their operation and increase available inventory. “While we sell primarily to farmers putting in new fields or resets for older farms, we are seeing a growth in retail sales,” said Ken. “People are becoming more conscious of the health benefits of blueberries and are interested in plants for their home. We are expanding our retail area to include blackberry plants, Florida Peach trees, raspberries and other fruit bearing plants. Our high visibility along busy State Road 60 is very helpful to reach that segment of the marketplace.”

Berry Blue propagates and grows quality varieties of Southern Highbush blueberry plants for its customers. “The Southern Highbush varieties are developed by the University of Florida specifically for this part of Florida,” said Ken. As a family owned and operated business, Berry Blue offers its customers the assurance of personal attention and care to every plant in its inventory. “This has become a passion for us,” said Patsy. “Despite the hard work and persistence this business demands, we enjoy the opportunity to be outside and see the results of our efforts.”

Though Ken handles the majority of outside work at Berry Blue, “we have help twice a year when we propagate plants and again for potting.” Patsy handles all of the office tasks for the business. “We also have family days several times a year when our blended family members come to help with our labor of love,” said Patsy.

Whether you’re interested in one plant or 10,000, visit Berry Blue Farms & Nursery “where we treat our customers the way we like to be treated.” Berry Blue is located at 2903 State Road 60 West, telephone – 813-752-4909 or www.berrybluefarm.com.

The farm is open Monday – Saturday from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

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March 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 47

MARCH 19 & 25

JOHNNY ALSTON’S MOTOWN ROCK & ROLL REVUE

A dynamite crowd pleaser! P.J.Leary’s Las Vegas Sounds perform before and after the show.

Because of his fans’ requests, The Red Rose Inn is bringing “The Fiddler” back. P.J.Leary’s Las Vegas Sounds will open & close the show in the Red Rose Ballroom.

APRIL 29

APRIL 9

MAY 6 & 7

JOHNNY ALSTON’S A dynamite crowd pleaser! P.J.Leary’s Las Vegas Sounds perform before and after the show.

APRIL 15

RICHIE MERRITT

Richie Merritt, formerly of The Marcels, formerly sang with The Clovers when they were inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2002 and also sang on PBS DOO WOP 51 with The Clovers. Plus, Destiny will play before and after the show.

BUDDY HOLLY & THE BEATLES TRIBUTE SHOW

APRIL 16 & 23

RALPH ALLOCCO & SECOND WIND

A tribute to two of music’s historical cutting age acts - Buddy Holly & The Beatles. BeatleBeat previously performed at Disney’s Epcot and was a big crowd pleaser. If you loved Holly or the Beatles, this is an act not to miss! Dinner served in a supper club atmosphere in the Red Rose Ballroom.

APRIL 2 & 8

RALPH ALLOCCO & SECOND WIND

Performing in the Red Rose Dining Room

APRIL 2

BOB RYMAN “THE FIDDLER”

Bob Ryman “The Fiddler” was a legend in the area for many years when The Red Rose was Lanny Purcell’s Holiday Inn and was also a favorite at The Florida Strawberry Festival®.

JOHNNY ALSTON’S A dynamite crowd pleaser! P.J.Leary’s Las Vegas Sounds perform before and after the show.

APRIL 24

EASTER SUNDAY BUFFET

A grand buffet fit for Anybunny!

Freshly prepared salads, seafood, beef, ham, vegetables and desserts (including chocolate fountains) and much more! Serving times: 12 Noon, 2:30 p.m. & 5:00 p.m. For your musical entertainment, Destiny performs.

Call to reserve your table in the Ballroom.

A 2-day event that will “Rock Around the Clock” & “Shake, Rattle & Roll” in the Red Rose Ballroom with Bill Haley’s Comets. They were regulars on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand, their music was featured in the film “American Graffiti” and the TV hit “Happy Days.”

PJ Leary’s Las Vegas Sounds will also perform before and after the show.

BOBBY PALERMO

APRIL22

MOTOWN ROCK & ROLL REVUE

WITH

BILL HALEY’S COMETS

MAY 6

Performing in the Red Rose Dining Room

Bobby Palermo brings you a night full of humor, impersonations and high energy audience interaction. Bobby has received numerous National Awards and has been selected Tampa Bay’s Entertainer of the Year – 2 years in row!

Destiny will open and close the show.

SHOW RESERVATIONS Please call for ticket prices. Shows in the Red Rose Ballroom are in a supper club atmosphere with a four course meal (seats also available for the show only – for a lower price!)

NO COVER CHARGE for shows in the 5-Star Red Rose Dining Room with the purchase of dinner.

Show Guests - inquire about our special room rates when staying overnight after a show!

The Premier Showplace for Talent in Florida 48 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

Richie Merritt, formally of the Marcels, will be performing in the Red Rose Dining Room.

LOST IN THE 50S

MOTOWN ROCK & ROLL REVUE

MARCH 26

RICHIE MERRITT

March 2011

TEL: 813.752.3141

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

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Mrs. Evelyn Madonia Owner

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March 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 49

Where Strawberries and Peppers Coexist D&K Farms, Inc.

By Ginny Mink

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March 2011

Adversity comes to us in all forms, each person walking this planet knows, on some level, what his or her weakness is. However, it takes a strong, honest and daring individual to readily admit that struggle.

Billy Keith Williams is just that man. It takes a lot of heart to tell a complete stranger that the greatest accomplishment of your life, “aside from my wife and kids, is being 15 years sober.” He shared the final drunken escapade that brought him to his knees in 1995, the one that ultimately led him to seek help through prayer and instantly changed the course of his life.

Billy Keith Williams is a third generation Plant City native. His dad “was a pioneer in the strawberry revolution when we went from old school to plastic and overhead irrigation for freeze protection.”

Billy Keith grew up on the farm and he knew the “farm would always be there,” so he went to college on a baseball scholarship and when he graduated he says, “I was like any other 22 year old child that didn’t know what he wanted to do.” So, he took a job with a fertilizer company. That year his brother, Darryl, and his dad, “made a fortune in a cabbage patch and I couldn’t stand it so I quit the job and came back.”

Unfortunately, the year he returned, sometime in the 70s, the season, “was so cheap we couldn’t hardly give it away.” However, he stuck to it and has remained on the farm ever since.

When Billy Keith came back to the farm it was known as Williams Farms of Plant City, Inc. However, when his dad retired in 1992, “we changed the name to D&K. Dad retired from the field but he didn’t retire from telling us what to do, we still had to do it his way,” Billy Keith jokes, but is happy to say both his parents are still with us at 81 years of age.

Billy Keith says he had “good parents, good siblings, got married to a good woman” and has been blessed, “truly blessed with three great children.” His son Chris, he says, “is a farmer, but he spells it different.”

In fact, Chris has a doctorate in pharmacy. He recently won the Next Generation Pharmacist Rising Star of the Year Award. The winner had to be someone who had been in pharmacy for five years or less and had made a major impact on the industry. There were over 150 applicants nationwide and Chris won.

Chris is the oldest of the three children. Billy Keith’s oldest daughter, Sarah, is getting her PhD in neuro-biology this spring. She will graduate from UNC Chapel Hill after previously completing four years at UF. Kacy, the youngest of the three children is a nurse at Brandon Hospital. Billy Keith adds, “I am proud of all of them, extremely proud.” With good reason!

Billy Keith reports that he’s seen a lot of changes in the strawberry industry, as well as in Plant City itself over the years. He remembers going to the old farmer’s market with his dad and a truckload of produce where they would auction it off. One of his fondest memories is when, “Daddy would give me a dime and I’d go see Blind Charlie and get a bag of peanuts. One day, Daddy gave me a quarter and I was concerned because the peanuts only cost a dime, but Daddy told me not to worry, Charlie will know the difference, and he did.” On other occasions, “Daddy would give me a quarter and I’d get a hotdog and a root beer in a frosted mug at the Bell’s concession stand. It was the best hotdog and root beer I ever tasted.”

This was back in the times when people put berries in wooden crates.

The crates held 24 quarts or 36 pints. In fact, farmers still ask, “how many crates did you pick?” But technically now they are called flats.

The crates used to get loaded into railcars and then get iced down, “that’s why we had to use wood. We went to cardboard when we went

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March 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 51

Unlike other forms of produce, strawberry farmers can’t use moon phases and positions to tell them when to plant their crops.

to coolers.” Billy Keith adds that, “in the 80s people made money in strawberries, now there’s more and more regulations that have taken the fun out of it. It’s too much of a business compared to what it used to be.” However, he admits that he has no regrets and wouldn’t change a thing. Yet, there is one change being made, this spring Billy Keith and Jerry Clendenning intend to open a meat market in downtown Plant City. It will be called Clem’s Custom Meats.

Although it may appear, based on the text, that Billy Keith is on his own, Darryl Williams, Billy Keith’s younger brother, co-owns the farm. When he graduated high school in 1977 he immediately went to work on the farm. “We are farming a total of about 120 acres now, split between strawberries and veggies,” Darryl explains.

There have been times in the past when they have “grown as much as 140 acres of berries and employed 150 workers.”

While Billy Keith oversees the strawberry end of the farm, Darryl is in charge of the vegetables. According to Darryl, they currently grow, “tomatillos, 12 different kinds of hot peppers, squash, pole beans,

52 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

green beans and yellow wax beans.” The two crops of peppers they grow each year, in fall and spring, generate more revenue than the strawberries, which no doubt makes Darryl proud as that’s his end of the business. Back when their dad was in charge they grew cherry tomatoes to supplement the berries and then the grape tomato craze hit so they switched to them, but these days, peppers are the crop of choice.

While many farms employ migrant workers, D&K Farms is unique. “The people who work for us aren’t migrants because they stay all year. We plant the other vegetables to keep our crew here,” Darryl said.

This methodology has served them well because, “most of our crew has grown up with us. We have one couple that worked for us five years before they had their first child and that child graduated two years ago.” Perhaps the difference on their farm is that they don’t have a crew leader. They elaborate, “We’re not roll around in the pick-up with windows up farmers. If we need ditches dug we’re right out there with them digging ‘em. We know each worker by

March 2011

name,” and they both speak conversational Spanish, namely because they believe their employees appreciate hearing directions straight from them, not translated. They currently employ about 90 workers.

This year’s strawberry production consists of the Festival and Radiance varieties, but they’ve grown Treasure, Camino Real, Winter Dawn and Albion in the past. Billy Keith explains that, “strawberries are bred in labs and watched for several years before they come to us. Usually a variety lasts ten to twelve years, they’re bred to adapt to the specific conditions here. Years ago the varieties came from California and did great there, but not here. We have to have varieties that produce while California isn’t producing or we can’t compete.”

Unlike other forms of produce, strawberry farmers can’t use moon phases and positions to tell them when to plant their crops, “because every year is different. No one knows what to plant, or when, or what nursery to get it from. That’s why most people have more than one variety,” Billy Keith said and Darryl added, “We have four different types of jalapenos because it’s the

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 53

same situation as the strawberries, some work in spring and some work in fall, it’s trial and error.”

While the two divide the fruit and veggie aspects of their farm when it comes to picking and packing, they unite during the planting and preparing of fields. “Family organizations are good because we can trust each other and when someone needs a day off the other can cover,” Darryl said. Billy Keith added, “and when neither has anything going on we go play golf - two times a year whether I need to or not.”

These brothers, though vastly different (Billy Keith was into sports while in school and Darryl was involved in the FFA raising steer, Billy Keith goes fishing at his place in Lake Wales, while Darryl is a Ray’s season ticket holder) obviously compliment one another and together add a certain charm to the atmosphere of D&K Farms.

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We’re not roll around in the pick-up with windows up farmers.

If we need ditches dug – we’re right out there with them digging ‘em.

LF 60 39

54 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

March 2011

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301 State Road 60 W Plant City, FL 33567 landsfeed@ymail.com 8:30 - 6:00 MON-FRI

p: (813) 737-LAND (5263) f: (813) 737-5260 8:30 - 4:00 SAT

March 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 55

HAROLD FALLS:

An Ambassador for Science

by Jim Frankowiak Harold Falls is sold on science and, after more than 40 years in various scientific capacities with CF Industries, that should not be a surprise.

What is surprising are the many different ways in which Harold uses his favorite subject to benefit people of all ages, the community and his industry.

A native of Chase City, Virginia, a small town about 90 miles south of Richmond, Harold grew up in town but spent a good deal of time working and playing on farmlands owned by his relatives. Crops included corn and tobacco and he enjoyed hunting with his friends and their hunting dogs.

He attended Campbell University, the largest private university in North Carolina, at Buies Creek where he majored in chemistry. After receiving his degree, he taught high school chemistry at his alma mater, Bluestone High School. “I learned of an opportunity for a chemist at Texas Gulf in Aurora, North Carolina through a friend and was hired,” he said. “When I joined the industry, I became a rarity at Campbell since most students there became teachers.” He next joined Farmers Chemical at its plant in Ahoski, North Carolina. That plant was actually owned by four co-op members of CF Industries.

“CF bought the plant a few years later and I worked there as a chemist for 12 years,” said Falls. The plant was closed and Harold moved to the CF Industries Phosphate Complex in Plant City and he has been there ever since November of 1982. He is now Chief Chemist overseeing two groups with a total of 24 employees. One group is devoted to quality control and the other to overseeing environmental activities.

“In 1992 the National Science Foundation and the American Chemical Society jointly developed and in-

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troduced a program called Operation Chemistry,” said Falls. The program is designed to show teachers innovative ways to teach chemistry to students in grades 4 – 8. The General Manager of the Plant City Phosphate Complex approached Harold and asked if he would be interested in becoming involved with Operation Chemistry.

“The General Manager’s wife was a teacher and my wife, Lynda, was an aide at one of the elementary schools in Brandon and we all saw the need to promote science and math to students in this country,” said Harold. He accepted the offer and quickly became one of the five founding members of Operation Chemistry in Hillsborough County.

That group consisted of one elementary teacher, two college instructors and Harold as the industry representative. Today, he is the lone remaining founding member still active in the program.

“We began the program in 1993 and since then have taught more than 450 teachers different ways to teach chemistry to young students,” said Falls. “Some of the teachers we taught are now teaching other teachers.”

The Operation Chemistry program is a two-week course that blends classroom teaching of teachers with real world experience. “The final day of the program involves examples of real world applications of science either at our CF Industries mine in Hardee County or at our Plant City Phosphate Complex.” In addition to seeing the application of classroom studies in the real world, the Operation Chemistry Hillsborough County faculty shows teachers how to incorporate ordinary household chemicals into some innovative demon-

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 57

strations such as “Genie in the Bottle” and “Elephant Toothpaste” – two dramatic heat liberating experiments that continue to be classroom hits.

“My role in that program has led to invitations from participating teachers to visit their schools and conduct sessions for students,” said Falls.

“I am grateful to CF Industries for allowing me to participate in this program and for its support with classroom materials and tours for participating teachers. Seeing the application of classroom work in the real world is a real eye-opening experience for the teachers and helps them as they return to their schools with many different ideas for ways to present science to their students.” In addition to Operation Chemistry and his guest appearances at schools throughout Hillsborough County, Falls is a regular participant in the annual Great American Teach-In. He is also a member of the Student Advisory Council at Knights Elementary.

Outside of the classroom, Falls has brought his scientific background to the community through his 11 years as a member of the Citizens Environmental Advisory Committee to the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners as the appointed representative of Plant City. “Our committee meets monthly and provides the commissioners with input on a wide range of environmental issues,” he noted.

Falls is also active in a

number of industry groups.

He is on the technical committee of The International Fertilizer Association where global standardization of analytical methods is a current focus. Falls is also chairman of the methods committee of the Association of Fertilizer and Phosphate Chemists and a member of the professional task force of the Fertilizer Institute, which meets twice a year with the American Plant Food Controls Officials, a group composed of the departments of agriculture nationwide, who work on a range of issues of importance to both citizens and fertilizer manufacturers.

Falls and his wife, Lynda, have two sons Trevor and Allen and two grandchildren. He enjoys cooking for his family and serving as a volunteer with the Gulf Ridge Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He is a founding member of the First Light Ministries at the First Baptist Church of Plant City, a program that tapes church services and makes them available either real time or for later rebroadcast.

Harold continues to enjoy his profession and community involvement. “It’s something special to see a youngster become enthused about science as a result of a demonstration experiment.”

Those interested in a classroom science visit by Harold Falls are urged to contact 813-364-5652 or email: hfalls@ cfindustries.com.

Fresh Produce, Citrus, Jams, Vegetables, Jellies & Honey, Plus More...

Strawberry Milkshakes

Cultivating America’s

crops and community values

IFAS Survey

Community values are like crops: Their roots run deep. They must be cultivated, protected and, most of all, grown responsibly. At Mosaic, we know quite a bit about all three.

Farm Bureau Strongly Encourages Responses to UF/IFAS Survey ISSUE: The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension, in partnership with Florida Farm Bureau, is soliciting responses to a brief survey about communication between you and your community neighbors. The purpose of the survey is to determine how agricultural producers communicate with non-farm people, especially in areas with large urban populations.

58 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

March 2011

Look for us online at.... www.brandonfarmsmarket.com

We provide American farmers with nutrients to grow the food we need. But our work doesn’t stop there. After mining the natural phosphate needed to make our products, we reclaim the land for recreational and environmental uses.

The same deep-rooted traditions shared by our community are values we champion every day.

IMPACT: Your responses will help create an effective statewide program designed to enhance your ability to educate urban residents about contemporary agriculture. All survey answers will remain confidential.

A better Florida and a better world

®

ACTION: The short survey can be accessed via the Internet at: www.surveymonkey.com/s/5B2MPY9. The deadline for survey responses is March 31.

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www.mosaicfla.com

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March 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 59

IFAS/UF Extension Storm Water Runoff: Minimizing Impacts

by Dr. Marina D’Abreau, Residential Horticulture Agent UF IFAS Hillsborough County Extension Service Now that we’re definitely in the dry season, it’s a great time to talk about rain!

Water is the essence of life. In an average year, Florida receives over 50 inches of rain water, especially during the summer months, and this is also when plants in your yard are growing like crazy.

Yet, as Florida’s population grows, the demand for this water continues to strain our natural resources. This, in part, is due to a loss of natural green space and an increase of impervious surfaces like concrete and asphalt, which prevent rain water from filtering back to our groundwater systems.

Florida’s year-round high humidity and temperatures result in a natural loss (through evaporation) of at least 30 to 50 percent of the rainfall that we receive. Once you start adding densely populated communities consisting of miles of concrete sidewalks and driveways, asphalt roads, and compacted soils, even more water is lost to surface runoff. In the end, less than 10 percent of the nutrient-rich, life-giving water coming out of the sky actually makes it back into the soil to percolate and recharge our groundwater aquifer.

Storm water runoff is any water flowing off of roofs, driveways, and yards that carries fertilizers, pesticides, oils and other chemicals, contributing to pollution in our surface waterways.

This is called non-point source pollution, and it can be controlled.

Whether you’re dealing with runoff from an irrigation system or from natural rainfall, the environmental impacts can be significant. Improper plant choices and poor landscape maintenance practices create a perfect environment for issues like topsoil erosion, localized flooding, and polluted storm water.

The long-term costs of fixing these issues include increased storm water and public utilities infrastructure expenditures, which often gets put on the taxpayers’ shoulders.

Reducing runoff from your property is simple. Follow these behaviors to make a difference, one step at a time…

• Install and maintain a Florida-Friendly landscape that absorbs runoff and allows it to filter back into the soil.

• Choose drought-resistant plants that don’t

60 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

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need a lot of supplemental irrigation.

• Install practical areas of warmseason turfgrass for play, entertainment, pets, etc. Use ground covers as turf alternatives in low traffic, high shade, and/or nonirrigated areas of the landscape.

• Maintain 3” of mulch in plant beds to reduce erosion and retain soil moisture, minimizing watering needs.

Follow local watering restrictions, and water only as needed. Many Florida-Friendly plants, once established, can survive with little supplemental irrigation.

• Water in the early morning hours to avoid water loss from wind and evaporation.

• Install low-volume irrigation in plant beds to minimize overspray and excess watering of plants.

• Install a functioning rain shut-off device on all irrigation systems to avoid unnecessary watering.

• Use a rain gauge to track rainfall and determine if supplemental watering (on your assigned day) is necessary.

• Use rain barrels or cisterns to collect rain water for landscape irrigation. Rain barrels capture storm water runoff, reduce erosion around the foundation of the house, and provide a free source of water for your plants.

Storm water runoff is inevitable in a state that is consistently wet at least five months out of the year, but the impacts of this storm water runoff do not have to be severe. A few commonsense changes or additions to your landscape design and maintenance practices can make a world of difference, not just in your yard, but in the entire watershed!

For more information or help choosing Florida-Friendly plants for your landscape, call or visit the Hillsborough County Extension Office in Seffner (5339 County Road 579 or 813-7445519). You can also download the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Guide to Plant Selection and Landscape Design at http:// fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/pdf/FYN_Plant_Selection_Guide_v090110.pdf.

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March 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 61

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by Ginny Mink Agriculture teachers have a significant challenge laid before them, particularly if they teach in an urban school setting. Children growing up in the heart of the city have very little personal experience with regards to farming, livestock, produce, etc. So, the challenge then is to get students interested enough in that aspect of life to join an agriculturally focused classroom setting.

However, ag teachers do this everyday, and some are amazingly successful.

But, what about non-ag teachers who strive to educate nonag classroom students about the wonders of food-production and environmental responsibility? Those teachers must step out of their original knowledge spheres and create informative and enjoyable ag related lessons. This is what Susan Ferrell has accomplished based on the fact she is Hillsborough County’s only teacher to receive this year’s Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture Award in the Middle School Educator, as a NonAgriscience Teacher, category.

Susan has been teaching in Hillsborough County since 1985, having started her career as a social studies teacher at Turkey Creek Middle School where she remained until 1998. Then she got a position as a Lead Resource Teacher at Dowdell Middle School with its magnet focus on environmental sciences, animal sciences and advanced core scholars. Her main job there is to promote the magnet program, however, her love of agriscience has led her to venture beyond that. She has had extensive agriscience training over the years to include training at the Farm Bureau in using Florida and National Ag in the Classroom curriculum. She also attended the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, which is attached to FAU, in Fort Pierce for a week long course on aquaculture and the importance of fresh water ornamentals.

Susan has written and received three Ag in the Classroom grants, two for aquaculture and one for hydroponics. She’s also received grant money from SWFWMD. She uses these resources to “teach that water conservation, micro farming and hydro gardening can grow food in a small area,” which is important given her students’ urban setting. The concept is to provide students with, “alternative ways of agriscience, simple ways to grow our own food,” she explains.

The grant money has allowed the school to purchase a “tank for ornamental fish and a large tank for food production aquaculture for 100 tilapia.” They will be adding aquaponics by, “placing

62 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

Hillsborough Community College Trinkle Center

s ’ k c u h C

March 2011

a plastic lid that floats on the top of the tank and grows food, the fish waste fertilizes the vegetables.” This large tank is located indoors, however, there’s also an outdoor system using rain barrels that will be home to 12 additional tilapia. The school had to be inspected to raise tilapia because they are a non-native species of fish and they must pay $100 a year to maintain their ability to continue the program. Yet, there are no intentions to sell the fish.

Instead, the kids will eat them when they have their first fish fry.

Some of the SWFWMD money went to purchase eight hydro stackers. Rain barrels were placed throughout the campus and buckets were positioned under the ac units. Some kids were concerned that the water collected wasn’t viable, but she has shown them that they can use the water from the rain barrels and the buckets to water the plants in the hydro stackers.

With the help of magnet school money and Target Field Trip grants, Susan has been able to take 45-50 kids on overnight camping trips at the Hillsborough River State Park. They usually bring 25 four person tents and rent canoes and bikes. The objective is to study the Hillsborough River and they have done so in various areas including the Withlacoochee and Crystal Springs areas.

These trips have also allowed the students to visit the National Weather Service and UF’s Aquaculture Lab. In addition, she and her students participate in Ag Literacy Day in April by traveling to Clair Mel Elementary school to read books to the children there.

In 2010, Susan presented at the State Conference and will be a presenter at the National Conference in Fort Lauderdale this year. She plans to utilize a fiction book entitled Seedfolks in her presentation. It is about making a community garden. While there she will employ a common teacher training strategy known as “make it and take it,” wherein people attending her presentation will create “Incredible Shrunken Heads, or cheap Chia pets,” by combining stockings/panty hose with soil and grass seeds.

The grass seeds will grow through the hose and create a hair like appearance.

Susan’s dedication to conservation and education are what led her to receive this honor. She asks students if they’ve heard the adage, “the fruits of our labor,” and then she tells them that vegetables have gotten a raw deal. Students leave her with a new found appreciation for food production and aquaculture and they come to understand her “vegetables of our labor,” slogan.

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Call: (813) 754-PETS (7387)

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March 2011

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Junior Champion – Darby Gravitt, Lakeland Intermediate Champion – Katie Hendrix, St. Pete 4th place Senior Champion – Caitlin Bailey, Fort Meade 3rd place Senior Champion – Amber West, Riverview 2nd place Senior Champion – Kimberly Pridgen, Lakeland Champion Youth for Dog Show – Savannah Kutz, St. Pete

64 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

March 2011

TURN SOMETHING OLD INTO SOMETHING NEW!

Youth Llama Show

Junior Champion – Jonathon Ness Intermediate Champion – Morgan Holdsworth, Sarasota 4th place Senior Champion – Jacob Sellers, Ocala 3rd place Senior Champion – Sarah Birkhold, Sarasota 2nd place Senior Champion – Haley Wright, Sarasota Champion Youth for Llama Show – Alex Rodman, Sarasota

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Youth Rabbit

Junior Champion – Tiffany Undestad, Spring Hill Intermediate Champion – Renee Hoover, Tampa 4th place Senior Champion – Nathan Odom, Howey in the Hills 3rd place Senior Champion – Alana Namaka, Parrish 2nd place Senior Champion – Elizabeth Surface, Lithia Champion Youth for Rabbit Show – Yaslin Gonzalez, Miami

Youth Steer

Intermediate Champion – Cassidy Hasting, Plant City 4th place Senior Champion – Stacy McFarlane, Miami 3rd place Senior Champion – Darby Hasting, Plant City 2nd place Senior Champion – Travis Theige, Oxford Champion Youth for Steer Show – Erin Jones, Trenton

Youth Dairy

Junior Champion – Cara Zeveney, Parrish Intermediate Champion – Kacee Langford, Newberry 4th place Senior Champion – Jessica VanVaerenbergh, Riverview 3rd place Senior Champion – Pamela Mayo, Riverview 2nd place Senior Champion – Brianna Smith, Odessa Champion Youth for Dairy Show – Helena Polansky, Land O Lakes

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March 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 65

Youth Poultry

Junior Champion – Ethan Fernandez, Plant City Intermediate Champion – Jillian Hanley, Boynton Beach 4th place Senior Champion – Matthew Jennings, Dade City 3rd place Senior Champion – Anna Hoffmann, Lithia 2nd place Senior Champion – Olivia Cook, Clearwater Champion Youth for Poultry Show – Caitlin Bailey, Fort Meade

Youth Goat

Junior Champion – Isabel Perdomo, Wesley Chapel Intermediate Champion – Mia Herrera, LaBelle 4th place Senior Champion – Lauren Watts, Eustis 3rd place Senior Champion – Jareck Butterbrodt, Edgewater 2nd place Senior Champion – Cayce Walker, Edgewater Champion Youth for Goat Show – KT Spencer, Lakeland

9th place – Collier County 4H Livestock 10th place – Riverview FFA

Youth Swine

Grand Champion - Moriah McCullers, Frostproof Middle FFA Reserve Grand Champion - Brittany Alexander, Riverview FFA

Youth Swine Showmanship

Junior Champion – Drake Treffeisen, Lake Panasoffkee Intermediate Champion – William Jameson, Lake Panasoffkee 4th place Senior Champion – Martin Oakley, Riverview 3rd place Senior Champion – David Walden, Plant City 2nd place Senior Champion – Shelby Rae Adams, New Smyrna Beach Champion Youth for Swine Show – Morgan Carlton, Lakeland

Youth Beef

Junior Division – Courtney Fox, Winter Haven Intermediate Division – Briana Leverette, Trenton Senior Division – Adrian Land II, Branford

Youth Beef Showmanship Week 2

Junior Champion – Thomas Schroeder, Deland Intermediate Champion – Trevor Rosso, Deland 4th place Senior Champion – Danielle Gellerman, Edgewater 3rd place Senior Champion – Nathaniel Lawson, Lakeland 2nd place Senior Champion – Brittany Coleman, Plant City Champion Youth for Sheep Show – Jeremy D’Angelo, Deland

4-H/FFA Agricultural Exhibit Contest

1st place tie – Young Sprouts 4H Club and Wakulla County 4H 3rd place – Suwannee County 4H 4th place – Nassau County 4H 5th place – South Plantation High School 4H Club 6th place – Gilchrist County 4H Council 7th place – Desoto County Beaks & Bills 4H 8th place – Bronson FFA

66 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

Junior Division - Drake Treffeisen, Lake Panasoffkee Intermediate Division - William Jameson, Lake Panasoffkee Senior Division - Brittany Ritenburg, Arcadia Division 1 Champion – Brittany Alexander, Apollo Beach Division 1 Reserve Champion – Kristina Nichols, Lakeland Division 2 Champion – Moriah McCullers, Frostproof Division 2 Reserve Champion – Ben Luchka, Plant City Division 3 Champion – Courtney Wingate, Myakka City Division 3 Reserve Champion – Casey Wingate, Myakka City Division 4 Champion – Suraj Ramrakhyani, Lutz Division 4 Reserve Champion – Zachary Zolna, Plant City

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Junior Champion – Emily Jennings, Dade City Intermediate Champion – Mason Bishop, Orange City 4th place Senior Champion – Brittany Skaggs, Alachua 3rd place Senior Champion – Nathan Odom, Howey in the Hills 2nd place Senior Champion – Elizabeth Surface, Lithia Champion Youth for Beef Show – Erin Jones, Trenton

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Youth Angus

Grand Champion Female – Briana Leverette, Trenton – Dameron C5 Marsh Lady 9400 Reserve Grand Champion Female – Briana Leverette, Trenton – River Ranch Dora B925 Grand Champion Bull – Destiny McCauley, Bowling Green – McCauley Hot Rod Reserve Grand Champion Bull – Brandis Austrino, Dade City – AA Roller 921

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March 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 67

Youth Brahman

Grand Champion Female – Adrian Land, Branford – Miss V8 137/7 Reserve Grand Champion Female – Brandalyn Bishop, Trenton – MDS Lady Reload 430 Grand Champion Bull – Adrian Land, Branford – Mr Berchman Suville 176 Reserve Grand Champion Bull – Brandalyn Bishop, Trenton – IS Mr A Plus 82 Youth Brangus Grand Champion Female – Brad Rigdon, Glen St. Mary – JH Ms Sadie Mae 699 Reserve Grand Champion Female – Brad Rigdon, Glen St. Mary – JH Ms Milky Way Sal Grand Champion Bull – Brad Rigdon, Glen St. Mary – JH Cowgirls Koolside Reserve Grand Champion Bull – Derek Rigdon, Glen St. Mary – JH Mr Blackhawk 896

Black Max 43X Reserve Grand Champion Bull – Seth Poppell, Plant City – PW 619 Victor

Youth Rabbit Show

Best In Show – Emily Poznaniak 1st Reserve in Show – Elizabeth Faxthrop 2nd Reserve in Show – Jenna Latimer

Youth Dairy Goat

Grand Champion Female – Karah Bradley, Lady Lake – FBR Ms Dew Reserve Grand Champion Female – Dusty Cook, Plant City – R&S Mystic Lady Grand Champion Bull – Taylor Patterson, Dundee – RHF Asphalt 903W

Recorded Grades Grand Champion – Christopher Mnago, Kathleen – Kickin Toggs KY Coconut Reserve Grand Champion – Caitlin Conway, Indiantown – SpringSong Sadie Toggenburg Grand Champion– Garrett Carley, Weirsdale – Mattielil Farm Lady Calypso Reserve Grand Champion – Garrett Carley, Weirsdale – Fawn-Brook Alma All Other Purebreds Grand Champion – Ariah Peters, Jacksonville – Cream of Kansas’ Rid Kendall Reserve Grand Champion – Hank Simonet, St. Augustine – Doin It Ober Is Morgana Alpine Grand Champion – Rachel Johnson, Monticello – Sand Dance WRA Dream Mist Reserve Grand Champion – Rachel Johnson, Monticello – Sand Dance HLLVIVI LaManche Grand Champion – D’Ayn Sayre, Umatilla – Listening Eagle Chiana Reserve Grand Champion – Mason Simonet, St. Augustine – Noble-Oaks/WR/Shera Zade Nigerian Dwarf Grand Champion– Halie Weber, Groveland – The Ella’s Babe Reserve Grand Champion – Mattie Weber, Groveland – Gotta B Kid N Mala Bar Gold Nubian Grand Champion – Desiree Holstein, Bell – Whiteacre’s Pick Up Sticks Reserve Grand Champion Nubian – Caitlin Conway, Indiantown – Chubby’s Farm Maggie Sue

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Youth Steer

Youth Limousin

Grand Champion Female – Jorge Rojas, Hialeah – Capo Wish Me Luck Reserve Grand Champion Female – Jorge Rojas, Hialeah – Capo Copper Gypsy Grand Champion Bull – Reda Nazer, Arcadia – Black Eye P Reserve Grand Champion Bull – Jorge Rojas, Hialeah – Capo’s Nefarions

Youth Santa Gertrudis

Grand Champion Female – Fort White FFA, Fort White – CT Callie Reserve Grand Champion Female – Raquel Smithlin, Orlando – Miss Grizzley Massive D810 Grand Champion Bull – Fort White FFA, Fort White – CT Remington Reserve Grand Champion Bull – Fort White FFA, Fort White – Commanche

Youth Simmental

Grand Champion Female – Clayton Brock, Plant City – Miss Broken Hearts Reserve Grand Champion Female – Chrissy Grimmer, Plant City – Frosty Grand Champion Bull – Jeffery Mitchell, Zephyrhills – DRFS

68 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

March 2011

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Grand Champion – Wildwood FFA – Franklin Lee, Wildwood – Producer – Hal & Debbie Phillips Reserve Grand Champion – Asheton Sanchez, Bell – Producer – Doyle Carlton III

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March 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 69

Youth Sheep Show

Supreme Ewe – Nathaniel Lawson, Lakeland Supreme Ram – Jessica Squitieri, Brandon Black Face Show Grand Campion Ewe – Nathaniel Lawson, Lakeland Reserve Grand Champion Ewe – Jaime Minnis, Deland Grand Champion Ram – Nathaniel Lawson, Lakeland Reserve Grand Champion Ram – Trevor Rosso, Deland

White Face Show

Grand Champion Ewe – Brittany Coleman, Plant City Reserve Grand Champion Ewe – Kendall Reed, Lithia Grand Champion Ram – Jessica Squitieri, Brandon Reserve Grand Champion Ram – Courtney Fletcher, Plant City

Cross Bred Show

Grand Champion Ewe – Jareck Butterbrodt, Edggewater Reserve Grand Champion Ewe – Trevor Rosso, Deland Grand Champion Ram – Kelin Try, Wimauma

Exotic – Hair Show

Grand Champion Ewe – Ana Gamble, New Smyrna Beach Reserve Grand Champion Ewe – Brittany Coleman, Plant City Grand Champion Ram – Brittany Coleman, Plant City

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Youth Poultry

Exotic – Wool Show

Grand Champion Ewe – Chad Hibbens, Tampa Reserve Grand Champion Ewe – Jennifer Sawicki, Tampa Grand Champion Ram – Chad Hibbens, Tampa Reserve Grand Champion Ram – Delad Bulldog 4-H, Eustis

Youth Llama

Junior Youth Performance Champion – Jonathan Ness, Ocklawaha Intermediate Youth Performance Champion – Morgan Holdsworth, Sarasota Intermediate Youth Reserve Performance Champion – Zephyrhills FFA – Jaclyn Debolt, Zephryhills Senior Youth Performance Champion – Alex Rodman, Sarasota Senior Youth Reserve Performance Champion – Sarah Birkhold, Sarasota

Youth Dairy

Youth Ayrshire Grand Champion – Megan Carey, Lakeland – Lemola Runaway Dreamer Reserve Grand Champion – Armwood FFA, Seffner – Armwood Abigail Youth Brown Swiss Grand Champion – Courtney Ogle, Myakka City – Idlywile Sgw

70 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

Dyn Bonkers Reserve Grand Champion – Zachery Quattlebaum, Myakka City – CIE Southern Acres Bailey Youth Guernsey Grand Champion – Armwood FFA, Seffner – Lily Reserve Grand Champion – William Curren, Okeechobee – Walnut Ridge Darth Lisa Youth Holstein Grand Champion – Brandon Carey, Lakeland – Kingsmill Roy Dew Reserve Grand Champion – Megan Carey, Lakeland – Wlesh Edge Boss Aileen Youth Jersey Grand Champion – Brooke Freeman, Plant City – Lucy Lu Reserve Grand Champion – Raychel Rabon, Okeechobee – Signal Blue Youth Milking Shorthorn Grand Champion – William Curren, Okeechobee – Halpins Margetta Reserve Grand Champion – Jacob McGehee, Okeechobee – Rocking W’s Valors Gem

March 2011

Overall Champion – Tyler Margita, Arcadia Best Commercial of Show – Tyler Margita, Arcadia Champion Large Fowl – Deland Bulldog 4-H, Eustis Reserve Champion Large Fowl – Makayla Kinard, Arcadia Champion Bantam – Tyler Margita, Arcadia Reserve Champion Bantam – Jeanette Zambrano, Tampa Champion Waterfowl – Anna Hoffman, Lithia Reserve Champion Waterfowl – Daltin Paul, Dade City Champion Turkey – Megan Regaldo, Tampa Reserve Champion Turkey Megan Regaldo, Tampa Champion Guinea – Louis Pinkston, Hudson Reserve Champion Guinea – Miah Bradley, Lady Lake Best Exhibit – David Rider, Christmas

Youth Boer Goat

Grand Champion Percentage Doe – Ashlyn Banks, Balm Reserve Champion Percentage Doe – Ashlyn Banks, Balm Grand Champion Fullblood Doe – Jade Banks, Balm Reserve Champion Fullblood Doe – Hailey Huffman, Brooksville Grand Champion Buck – Cayce Walker, Edgewater Reserve Champion Buck – Jade Banks, Balm Grand Champion Market Wether – Jade Banks, Blam Reserve Champion Market Wether – Austin Davis, Deleon Springs

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March 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 71

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Little League Memories

by Mark Cook

As I stood on the field at Pinecrest Little League with my son’s baseball team for opening night ceremonies a few weeks ago, my mind went back in time. We were standing on the major league field that I once played on and all of a sudden I heard the loud booming voice of my old coach Ted Jones in my head.

“Cook you got cement in your shoes?” Mr. Jones voice said.

“You move slower than Grandma Moses!”

I never exactly knew who Grandma Moses was but whoever she was, apparently she was really slow. The memories came flooding back.

My little league career started in 1978, playing for the T-Ball blue team. My whole baseball career the teams were named after colors. Blue, Green, Maroon, and the Red team. Today the teams at the little league have licensed MLB uniforms and while it’s nice I still miss the simplicity of the four color teams. Back in the 70’s and 80’s when I played we always had four teams in each division, but today there are some that only have one or two teams. I suppose kids have too many options these days. Between Xbox, Facebook, and satellite television, for whatever reason not as many kids play ball. And that’s a shame. I’m starting to sound like an old person now so I’ll change the subject.

72 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

March 2011

A few weeks ago I ran into Clint Corbett and Scott Smothers at the ballpark and we started talking about the old days. We reminisced about the coaches we had, our old teammates, and the pitchers we always hated to face. Mike Smith and Keith Tolar were the two I dreaded to see on the mound. Clint and Scott agreed but also put Johnny Pollock in that category. I had forgotten about him and we laughed about the good times. I reminded Clint about how most of us got our first taste of Copenhagen or Skoal tobacco from the ball field. Someone usually snuck a can in and we all fell under the peer pressure and had our first dips.

Speaking from experience, a mouthful of Copenhagen can make your head spin, stomach churn, and make it nearly impossible to hit a baseball at any speed. Probably part of the reason my batting average was less than .300 in 1984. I told Clint of all the characters at the ball field he was in a league of his own. Clint was my teammate in senior league and his Dad was our coach.

He was as talented as anyone on the diamond but Clint also liked having fun more than anyone else I ever knew. He drove his Daddy crazy for two seasons but it was the most fun I had playing ball. The game would be going bad and Mr. Corbett and coach John Purvis would start getting on us and all of a sudden

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March 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 73

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Clint would bust out with a song.

“She was hotter than a two dollar pistol,” he’d start singing the 80’s country hit by George Jones, and the rest of the team would try and keep a straight face. It was no use. Next thing you know we would all be laughing and singing along. Mr. Corbett would get mad, his face red, then turn around shaking his head smiling. It was a lost cause with our group but like I said, we had fun.

Winning was secondary some Saturdays as the Alafia River that ran just beyond the outfield woods called our names.

Many Saturday afternoons as soon as the third out was recorded we were taking off to cool down in the dark tea colored river waters. I’m not saying we purposely lost games but once we were out of the championship race the river became priority and we might have swung at some bad pitches to speed things up a little bit if you know what I mean.

One memory that’s not a silly one is one I’ll never forget.

Mr. Corbett let me pitch my very last little league game. I was a left-hander and didn’t throw with a lot of speed but I threw strikes. My whole career I wanted to pitch but never got the chance. As a lefty I played first base primarily but as the season went on I pitched more and more in practice. Right before that last game started Mr. Corbett handed me the ball and told me to take the mound. I have never felt as good as I did the afternoon I stepped on the rubber. I pitched four innings, gave up six runs, and took the loss but struck out Mike Smith looking two times on curve balls.

Mike struck me out at least a hundred times but for once I got a

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little payback It was my athletic career highlight and if I’ve never thanked Mr. Corbett and Mr. Purvis I’d like to now.

I heard someone recently say as a coach you make an impression on the players you teach. Good or bad. But they will remember their experience for a lifetime. And they are right. I can still name all my coaches from little league football, baseball, all the way to my last year at Plant City High School. Names like John Greer, Donald Dixon, Ted Jones, John Purvis, Tommy Corbett, Buddy McCullough, Howard Barnes, Larry Murphy, and my Dad Larry Cook.

And while they didn’t coach me, hundreds of men and women’s legacy still lives on at the ballpark. Names like Varnum, Conrad, Hunter, Hood and Sheppard and so many others that cleared palmettos and pine trees, built concession stands, and shoveled clay to give a bunch of country boys and girls a place to make lasting memories. Some of my family members, like my Uncle Quinton Cook who helped build the park, still talks about how a community came together and built something out of nothing. I know I’ve forgotten many others and I apologize. You know who you are though and we thank you.

Today Pinecrest Little League is growing again and has nearly two hundred kids playing baseball or softball. We have an excellent board of directors, volunteers, and coaches. And while I’ll never replace the men who coached me I’m influenced by them still to this day. In fact one of my players recently asked me who Grandma Moses was. I told him don’t worry about it and go run another lap and get the cement out of his shoes.

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March 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 75

Potato

By Sandy Kaster, M.S. Clinical Medicine, B.S. Nutrition Science Mashed, fried, boiled, sautéed, and roasted potatoes are delicious ways to enjoy this well-loved tuber. The widely-eaten potato is one of America’s most popular vegetables, with 125 pounds of potatoes consumed per person per year, on average. Size, shape, starch content, flavor, and color differ among varieties.

The main potato season in Florida is January through June, so get fresh Florida potatoes at their peak season now. According to the University of Florida Extension Office, Florida produces one-third of the winter/spring crop and is ranked seventh nationally in the value of potatoes produced in the U.S. Approximately half of the statewide production is processed into potato chips. Nationwide, 70 percent of all potatoes are processed into chips, French fries and dehydrated potato flakes.

Nutritional Profile

As root vegetables, potatoes are jam-packed with a wide variety of nutrients including vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals such as carotenoids and polyphenols. Potatoes are considered a very good source of vitamin C, a good source of vitamin B6, copper, potassium, manganese, and dietary fiber. They also contain iron, niacin, magnesium, thiamin, riboflavin, phosphorus, and folic acid.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, one cup of baked potato with skin (122g) contains 133 calories, 2.8 g protein, 0.12 g fat, 30.8 g carbohydrate, and 2.9 g of dietary fiber. It also provides 26 percent of the Daily Recommended Value (%DV) for vitamin C, 21 percent for vitamin B6, 18.5 percent for copper, 14.6 percent for potassium, 11.7 percent for dietary fiber, 9 percent for iron, and other minerals and vitamins.

Good Carbs: Fiber & Resistant Starch

One cup of baked potato provides almost 12 percent of the daily requirements for fiber. Most of the fiber is concentrated in the skin, so it’s an added nutrition bonus and time-saver to skip peeling them.

Fiber has many beneficial functions, including lowering cholesterol, preventing colon cancer, and improving bowel regularity.

Potatoes are a great source of complex carbohydrates, including fiber and resistant starch. Resistant starch is a type of fiber, along with soluble and insoluble types, and has beneficial physiological actions in the body. Resistant to digestion in the stomach and small intestine, it reaches the large intestine intact. It improves glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, lowers plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations, increases satiety, and provides bulk. In the bowel, resistant starch also supports the growth of healthy bacteria and inhibits the growth of potentially harmful bacteria. The amount of resistant starch can be maximized by cooking and then cooling the potatoes before consuming, such as in potato salad.

Building Cells with Vitamin B6

One cup of baked potato contains 21 percent of the daily requirement for vitamin B6. As a water-soluble vitamin, B6 is not stored in the body, and needs to be consumed in adequate amounts on a regular basis to replenish the body’s supply. Vitamin B6 is involved as a coenzyme in many enzymatic reactions and is essential for the formation of new cells in the body. This nutrient is required for the synthesis of amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein, as well as nucleic acids, which are used to make DNA. Phospholipids, which make up the cell membrane, and heme, the protein component of red blood cells, are also dependent on vitamin B6. Additionally, this important vitamin is involved in glucose and lipid metabolism,

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helping the body use the fats and carbohydrates eaten, as well as synthesis of neurotransmitters, which include serotonin, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and GABA. Epinephrine and norepinephrine are hormones that play a key role in responding to stress, GABA is essential for healthy brain function, and serotonin contributes to feelings of well-being. Conversely, a lack of serotonin and norepinephrine is linked with depression.

An important contributor to heart health, vitamin B6 also lowers homocysteine levels, a dangerous molecule that causes damage to the blood vessel wall and subsequent atherosclerosis. High homocysteine levels have been associated with increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Eating potatoes and other foods high in vitamin B6 is good for your heart.

Fiber

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

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Choose potatoes that are firm, smooth, and free of decay or wet spots. Avoid those that have sprouts or green discoloration. Potatoes have a wonderfully long shelf life and can be stored for up to three months or even longer. Store them in a paper or burlap bag in a dark, dry place between 45°F to 50°F, such as a root cellar, or a cool, dark basement. Avoid storing potatoes in the refrigerator because that will hasten their starch conversion to sugar.

How to Enjoy

Potatoes can be baked, boiled, stewed, fried, and roasted. Since they have a neutral flavor, they fit easily into many dishes. Additionally, potatoes (either grated or dried potato flakes) can serve as a glutenfree thickener in soups and stews. Here are some more serving ideas: • Mash boiled potatoes with milk, yogurt, or chicken broth • Make smashed potatoes with coarsely mashed potatoes with the peel • Scoop the flesh out of the peel, mix with cheese and spices, and refill the shells for twice-baked potatoes • Saute sliced potatoes with sliced carrots, rutabaga or parsnips for a mixed root vegetable dish • Add sliced, cooked potatoes to egg omelets • Roast potatoes with olive oil and salt • Grate and use for hash browns, dumplings, or potato pancakes • Combine with tuna fish and steamed green beans in a salad nicoise • Make mashed potato candy • Chips, fries, roasted, grilled, baked, boiled, mashed, diced • Grated into bread • Mashed potatoes into cake and muffin recipes Enjoy fresh Florida radishes today. With their satisfying crunch and peppery flavor, radishes can add flavor to any dish as well as boost its nutrition at the same time.

Selected References

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ http://www.florida-agriculture.com http://www.ipmcenters.org/cropprofiles/docs/FLradish.pdf

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March 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 77

Naturally Amazing Activities BREEDING WAXWORMS

By Sean Green

Breeding waxworms is a fun way to understand the insects. This activity would be a great science project for school and can provide a supply of food for your pets, fishing trips, or even snacks if you are including insects in your diet. Your starter culture will begin to spin cocoons for pupation within a few weeks depending on their size when you get them. Once they spin a cocoon, move them to another jar and allow the adults to emerge for mating. Adult females will lay eggs and die. Remove the dead adults and watch the cycle begin again.

From egg to next generation adult should be about six weeks under ideal conditions. It is important to keep the jars clean.

The culture material will collect mites, bacterial and fungal growth if it is not consumed fast enough. Experiment with different recipes for the culture. One the larva mature, they can be stored for a few months of slow growth at around 60° F. A typical refrigerator is set too cold for storage and will kill them rather than slow them down.

Culture Mix

(keep refrigerated until needed): • Wheat or oat cereal • Water • Honey • Bee Pollen • Calcium powder (gut load) • Mix into a moist paste about the texture of potting soil, or wet coffee grounds

Procedure:

1. Fill the jar with culture about two inches deep, top off as the larvae consume the culture.

2. Add corrugated cardboard 3. Add starter culture (about 20 waxworms) to the jar.

4. Stretch nylon hose over the top of the jar, secure with rubber band.

5. Keep culture warm and humid (80° to 90°)

On February 4th, 2011 Driscoll’s held an awards ceremony for the following employees to recognize them for their years of service with the company.

Service Awards for 15 Years of Service Service Awards for 5 Years of Service Driscoll’s Gold Key Chain Driscoll’s Gold Leaf Coffee Cup Maria Contreras – Research Department Teresa Contreras – Research Department Rosa Rojas-Rodriguez – Quality Assurance Department Maria Miramontes – Research Department Esther Gutierrez – Logistics Department Lecticia Zabaleta – Quality Assurance Department Raysa Vazquez – Quality Assurance Department Service Awards for 10 Years of Service Judy Rojas – Logistics Department Driscoll’s Gold Lapel Pen Juan Bueno – Logistics Department Esperonza Belmontes – Research Department Ruth Rojas – Logistics Department Arcelia Mojica – Research Department Paolo Avila – Crate Shed Alicia Melgoza – Research Department Guadalupe Perez – Crate Shed Natalia Benavides-Fuentes – Crate Shed Richard Fiorelli – East Coast Production Manger Adriana De Moreno – Crate Shed Pedro Ruiz – Operations & Facilities Manager Eastern Region Kristal Lara – Office Coordinator – Eastern Region This is an amazing combined total of 155 years of service. Thank you everyone for your commitment and service to Driscoll’s and Congratulations on fulfilling our brand of “Only the Finest Berries”.

12880 Hwy. 92 E., Dover, FL 33527 • 813.659.4120 • 813.659.1584 Fax

Materials: • Empty jar • Old nylon hose • Corrugated Cardboard • Wax Paper • Waxworms (ideally from a beekeeper, but also readily available from pet store)

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March 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 79

A Closer Look: Lesser Waxworms (Achroia grisella)

A Closer Look:

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into our ecosystem. The lesser waxworm (Achroia griella) is the larva of the wax moth and is the same species that is commonly breed commercially as food for exotic pets.

In nature, the adult male wax moths will invade a honey bee hive that has been weakened by pesticides or disease. Invasion occurs seasonally when the hive will have the lowest population to guard it, usually early to mid autumn. Male moths must find a wax rich hive that is suitable for the female to lay her eggs. The female sex hormone contains compounds that are also found in beeswax. It’s possible that the male moth is stimulated by these compounds leading it to invade the hive in search of a mate.

Once inside the hive, male moths find a safe place to hide near wax cones and emit ultrasonic signals to attract female moths while fanning their wings to release and disperse sex pheromones. Mating occurs within the bee hive and the female lays up to 300 eggs, ideally in combs that have a pollen reserve for the larva to eat when they hatch. Once hatched, the larva tunnel through the combs in the hive feeding on beeswax, pollen, nectar, and bee larva leaving behind a silk lined tube in its wake. After months of growth, the larva chews a groove into the hive woodwork or frame and spins a strong paper y cocoon within the groove for its final molt and transformation into its pupal stage after which it will emerge as an adult to continue population cycles until the hive is overrun.

Typically a healthy bee hive will have a large enough population to protect the entrance to the hive preventing any intruders such as moths from entering the hive. Any invaders that get past the guards are quickly eliminated inside the nest.

The bees within the nest are the most effective control agent.

There are no traps that can completely protect the hive from wax moth invasion. The best strategy Beekeepers can employ is to prevent hive infestation altogether by making sure the colonies territory is small enough for the hive population to guard it. Like any other insect, wax moths are part of the ecosystem in which they exist. In nature; they provide a valuable service by ridding the hive of old cones and cocoons that could potentially spread disease to the healthy portions of the hive or worse, to other nearby healthy hives.

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80 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

ESPOSITO PIZZA since 1983

Waxworms (Achroia grisella) When thinking of agricultural insects, the most common image that comes to mind is likely to be pests that directly affect our crops by feeding on its root systems, leaves, and fruit. There are some insects that indirectly affect our crops by endangering honey bees and other valuable insects.

The waxworm (Achroia griella) is the larva of the wax moth and gets its common name from its behavior as a honey bee colony parasite. It chews through the wax in the hive to feed on bee cocoons and the pollen collected by the worker bees.

Although this insect has a devastating potential, it is only capable of infesting a hive that has already been compromised by other factors such as pesticides or insect pathogens and therefore considered a secondary pest.

It is interesting that this insect has become economically significant in more than one realm. Waxworms are commonly sold in pet stores as live food for reptiles, fish, and invertebrates.

Their high protein and calcium content make them an ideal supplement for exotic pets and even carnivorous plants, however, they are also high in fat content making them more appropriate as a treat than a staple diet. Waxworms are easy to breed and are not as prone to parasites as crickets. If you like fishing, you may find breeding waxworms a rewarding hobby.

Waxworms are especially good bait for the sunfish family (Centrarchidae) which includes bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed and crappie. In addition to traditional demand for waxworms, a growing awareness of the benefits of eating insects (entomophagy) has begun to take root in America. In fact, If you have a chance to visit the Museum of Science and Industry in Tampa this month, the My Bug World exhibit features some New Orleans chefs that offer samples of insect cuisine, that’s bugs for food, not food for bugs. When I went I was not fortunate enough to find any waxworms being served, but I did sample some closely related species and was not at all disappointed.

Lesser Wax Moths are very common in mild climates worldwide and especially prevalent in Florida because of our tropical climate. They were probably introduced in the early 1800’s with the European Honeybee (Apis mellifera) and like its introduced hosts, the lesser waxmoth has established itself

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 81

FERTILIZER • CROP PROTECTION • SEED Since 1943 • Walk-ins are Always Welcome

Cozy Compact Cottages, LLC Have you ever looked at a turtle and thought “how great to have your home with you?” Well, probably not quite that thought, but to be able to travel and have even some of the conveniences of home has to have crossed all our minds from time to time.

A Cozy Compact Cottage can be just that for you and your family, for your guests and family to stay over, a hunting trip or a vacation.

The Cozy Compact Cottage is appropriately named too. A “compact cottage” implies a small home and “cozy” leads us to thoughts of home and hearth. Once inside you have everything you need to set up housekeeping for as long as you like.

Quality construction gives you peace of mind while traveling or you can set up your cottage in one place. The exterior and interior can be finished to your personal tastes and, if you are using the cottage in a permanent location, a deck can be added for extra outdoor living.

Go to our website www.cozycompactcottages.com to view photos of the exterior and interior, as well as readabout the construction specifications.

We’re sure you will agree that Cozy Compact Cottages meet all the requirements you may have for permanent or portable housing.

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Hillsborough County homeowners have until March, 31, 2011, to apply for a Sinkhole Assistance Grant. The Grant is to provide qualified homeowners with financial assistance to recover from the damages of sinkhole impacts from January 2010 through March 2010, and to assist them in the maintenance and support of their families.

The maximum Grant award is $3,000, and only the property owner of record at the time of the sinkhole damage is eligible to receive assistance.

The application period started on Jan. 3, 2011, and runs through March 31, 2011. Applicants can pick up an application packet in person through the Hillsborough County Family & Aging Services Department at the Plant City Neighborhood Service Center, 307 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 2, in Plant City. They can also apply by calling (813) 757-3871, ext. 201.

To qualify, the applicant must have a qualifying property that is: 1. Zoned to allow a single family residence on which has been constructed a single family residence.

82 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

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2. Located within Hillsborough County.

3. Has been documented to have suffered sinkhole damage to the property and/or structure during the months of January 2010 through March 2010.

The applicant must also provide specific documentation, such as, but is not limited to: 1. Ownership of the qualifying property at the time the damage occurred.

2. An estimate of the cost to assess or repair sinkhole damage prepared by a professional engineer or licensed and qualified contractor.

3. Property Tax bill for 2010 tax year.

The Sinkhole Assistance Grant was approved by Board policy in a Sept. 2010 regular Board of County Commissioners meeting.

For questions regarding grant qualifying documentation, call Stephen Gran, Hillsborough County Manager, Agriculture Industry Development at (813) 272-5506.

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March 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 83

The Ambassadors’ Journey Begins

by Calli Jo Parker

This month the Florida Strawberry Growers Association Ambassadors are embarking on their yearlong journey. Four driven young ladies representing three different high schools have begun promoting the strawberry industry with passion and style. Bedazzled in their new ambassador attire Brittany, Chrissy, Lauren, and Calli Jo are on the go.

Initially, with two weeks at the Florida State Fair the girls enjoy entertaining visitors with the importance of agriculture and new delicious strawberry recipes. They also attended the Ag Hall of Fame Banquet at the Fair to witness the many achievements in agriculture today. The 2011 ambassadors are looking forward to expanding their talents north to Tallahassee to spend a few days with our state’s leaders. They will be attending Ag Ventures to spend time teaching young elementary students about agriculture and the many career paths in our agricultural industry. The girls will be serving their community at the Florida Strawberry Festival selling strawberry paraphernalia and promoting the strawberry industry.

The impact they have already made is a mere glimpse of the spectacular year that is to come. These girls are excited to continue their work as ambassadors and will serve to the best of their abilities. Don’t miss the outstanding work the FSGA is accomplishing and be sure to stop by to purchase your very own bedazzled strawberry attire!

Trinkle, Redman, Swanson & Coton, Davis & Smith, P.A.

LENNARD FFA Floriculture TEAM WINS 3 rd The Nursery & Landscape and Floriculture events were held Saturday, February 5, 2011 at the Pinellas Technical Education Center (PTEC) in St. Petersburg, Florida. Twenty-nine high school teams from throughout Florida gathered to compete for the Nursery Landscape State Championships. The purpose of the Nursery Landscape CDE is to stimulate interest in learning activities related to the nursery and landscape industry, including the identification of plants, insects, diseases and business situations.

The Lennard FFA Nursery Landscape team placed first overall. The team included Kyle

84 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

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Attorneys at Law

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Bowman, Randall Casey, Rebecca Knowles and Josh Stanaland. Josh Stanaland was the second high individual, Rebecca Knowles was the third high individual, Randall Casey was the fourth high individual and Kyle Bowman was the fifth high individual. The team has earned the opportunity to represent Florida in the National FFA Nursery Landscape CDE in Indianapolis during October. This will be the third consecutive year Lennard FFA has a team compete at the National level.

Thirty-one High School teams from throughout Florida gathered to compete for the Floriculture State Championship.

The purpose of the Floriculture CDE is to stimulate interest in learning activities related to the Floriculture industry, including the identification of plants, business situations and safety issues.

The Lennard FFA Floriculture team placed third overall. The team included Joy Bordner, Natalie Hausler, Rey Penaloza and Tyler Leonard. The Floriculture team was coached by FFA member Lucas Worley. Joy Bordner was the sixth high individual.

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CORPORATE & BUSINESS LAW • Incorporations, Partnerships & LLCs • Acquisitions, Sales & Mergers • Employer & Employee Relations FAMILY LAW • Dissolution of Marriage • Alimony, Child Custody & Support • Adoptions ESTATE PLANNING & PROBATE • Will & Trust Drafting • Probate & Administration of Estates • Guardianship Proceedings

REAL ESTATE • Commercial & Residential Closings • Title Insurance • Development, Planning & Zoning • Foreclosures • Landlord - Tenant LITIGATION & LAWSUITS • Commercial Litigation & Collections • Creditor Representation in Bankruptcy • Real Estate • Personal Injury • Property Damage • Probate

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March 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 85

Strawberry Crest High School

160 Years

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History & Heritage, Reliability

Strawberry Crest FFA Collects Teddy Bears

by Kelsey Bozeman When National FFA Week was approaching, Strawberry Crest FFA set out to find a way to serve our community in a new way. When the idea of delivering Teddy Bears to Shriners Hospital for children was mentioned, we knew that it was the right community service project for us. As we walked the halls of the hospital, and saw the smiles of the children who filled them, we knew it was much more than a community service project.

Members of Strawberry Crest FFA brought in Teddy Bears to their agriculture classes. Classrooms were soon filled with stuffed animals of every shape, color, and size. Once the Teddy Bears were collected the chapter officers had the opportunity to deliver the stuffed animals to the children at the hospital. As we delivered the bears to the patients, we got the chance to talk and learn a lot from the kids. Members were then offered a tour of the hospital to learn what the hospital does for children every day. Shriners Hospital specializes in Pediatric Orthopedics giving many children the chance to walk, and live normal lives again.

We were deeply touched and honored to be a part of such a humbling experience. We would like to thank all of the members that donated stuffed animals, and the many members that joined us in delivering the gifts to the hospital.

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Strawberry Crest FFA Participates in Unity in the Community

by Alli Thomas On Tuesday February 22, 2011 Strawberry Crest FFA were met with open arms when they delivered over 500 cans and non perishable food items adding up to 575 lbs and ranging from cake mixes, vegetables and soups, to the United Food Bank of Plant City. These items were brought in by the members of the Strawberry Crest FFA chapter and local middle school FFA members during their annual Lock-in. National FFA week ran from February 19-26, 2011 and it is no coincidence that Strawberry Crest FFA delivered the cans during this time. They realized the importance of motivating and informing the community during this time and used their “infinite potential,” the theme of the current year’s National FFA Organization. The Officers from the Strawberry Crest FFA Sr. chapter that attended when the canned food was delivered were Ashton Houston, Kelsey Bozeman, Abby Jett, Jamee Townsend, Alli Thomas, Jake Maxwell, Lauren Shelb, Patrick Mayo, Ashley Modrow, and Alex Hughes and from the Elton Hilton FFA chapter (their 9th grade Chapter) Emily Williams, Haley Smith, Levi Mayo, Megan Snyder, and Dwight Pickens. Strawberry Crest is coming into its “infinite potential” by serving its community during National FFA week. How will you celebrate this week and reach your “infinite potential?”

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March 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 87

County Teaming with USDA to Teach Local Farmers and Rural Businesses How to Fund “Green” Energy Projects What:

USDA Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Program Workshop for Local Farmers, Ranchers and Rural Businesses Date: Tuesday, April 5, 2011 Time: 1 pm – 5 pm Where: Hillsborough County Extension Office Auditorium, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner Cost: FREE Hillsborough County’s Agriculture Industry Development Program and Extension are partnering with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Office to provide a workshop on government programs available to assist farmers, ranchers and rural businesses with renewable energy projects and energy efficiency improvements.

This workshop will help participants learn more about the programs available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Office.

Specific topics will include: Renewable Energy Program – Provides guaranteed loans and grants to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements.

Biomass Research & Development Initiative – Provides financial assistance for research and development of biomass based products, bioenergy, biofuels and related processes.

This workshop is FREE, but seating is limited. Please register by calling Alayna Shiver in the Hillsborough County Econom-

ic Development Department at (813) 272-5909.

For more information, contact Stephen Gran, Hillsborough County Agriculture Rural Development Manager, Economic Development Department, at (813) 272-5506.

The Hillsborough County Agriculture Industry Development Program is a section of the Hillsborough County Economic Development Department. The purpose of this program is to initiate and assist with efforts to create a business atmosphere that is conducive to the continuation and expansion of agricultural businesses within Hillsborough County for the benefit of all its residents.

In 2009, almost $778 million in agriculture products were sold from Hillsborough County, with more than 243,000 acres devoted to agriculture in the County. The top three agricultural products by sales were strawberries, ornamental plants and vegetables. For more information on Hillsborough County’s agricultural industry, visit the County’s Agricultural Industry Development Program online.

April 26– Agricultural Literacy Day 2011 Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam will participate in the eighth annual Florida Agriculture Literacy Day on Tuesday, April 26, and invites agriculture industry experts and Florida teachers to register to participate in this year’s event.

In its eighth year, Agriculture Literacy Day 2011 will highlight different careers related to Florida agriculture. On April 26, registered participants, including Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services employees, University of Florida IFAS Extension Agents, 4-H Agents and Master Gardeners, Florida Farm Bureau members, Florida Cattlemen and Cattlewomen members, FFA teachers, students, and other agriculture industry representatives, will read to students throughout Florida.

Individuals who play a role in the agriculture industry and

88 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

March 2011

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are interested in participating in Agriculture Literacy Day or teachers who would like to request a reader visit their classroom can visit www.agtag.org to sign up by April 15.

Florida Agriculture Literacy Day is led by Florida Agriculture in the Classroom, Inc., a non-profit organization that develops and trains teachers and agriculture industry volunteers in its agricultural curricula and materials, which they in turn use to educate students about the importance of agriculture.

Florida Agriculture in the Classroom provides the Agriculture Literacy Day books and other materials to readers free of charge through funding received from sales of the agriculture specialty license plate known as the Ag Tag.

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March 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 89

Hillsborough County’s 4-H Horse Judging Teams Making the Grade

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

by Nick Chapman After fielding a second place finish in 2010 in the state 4-H Horse Judging competition, Hillsborough County’s team started this year with only one returning member. “We didn’t know what to expect, but we knew it would be a challenge,” said Jonnie Chapman, the coach for 4-H horse judging in Hillsborough County. “Two of the girls from the intermediate team moved up to the senior team, so they had some experience coming in.” And that year of learning has paid off big dividends, as the team of three has performed admirably this year.

The team is composed of returning Newsome High School senior, Logan Renew, joined by Durant freshmen Rachel Battle and Tara Hankinson. The team members belong to the Boots & Bridles 4-H chapter in Valrico. Jessica Gaskin and Ashlyn Rhyne returned from last year’s team to help coach. The senior and intermediate teams meet weekly to learn horse breeds, confirmation and practice by judging from pictures and videos of horse classes. “We have been fortunate to have a dedicated group of kids and parents. And Jessica and Ashlyn have helped me immensely,” Jonnie said. They have also visited local farms for clinics, giving them real-life experience as well.

The intermediate and senior team participated in a workshop and competition in Marianna in January. The senior team took 1st place in their division, and the intermediate team took

3rd in theirs. The intermediate team is composed of Kendall Reed, Shannon Smith and Victoria Isget. Senior team members Rachel and Tara also took top individual honors for the competition. That momentum propelled them at the Florida State Fair competition, where the senior team took 5th place overall.

The two teams also captured four of the top 12 high individuals overall in the state, with Rachel taking 1st, Tara 3rd, Kendall 6th and Shannon 12th.

The senior team will compete in the state competition in Gainesville in April. The top two teams in the state qualify to compete in the Regional competition, and the first place team goes on to represent Florida at the Nationals this fall. “Regardless of how we do, I’m so proud of what our teams have been able to accomplish. It’s nice to see all of their hard work pay off.”

It’s hard to predict the future, but whether it’s this year or next, the Hillsborough County 4-H team will be a force to reckon with in the horse judging competitions.

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

Biking, Hiking and Horseback Riding at Chito Branch Reserve

by Al Berry The Chito Branch Reserve is open to the public from sunrise to sunset seven days a week. This unique natural sanctuary is situated in the heart of southeastern Hillsborough County, and has miles of winding foot paths, bike and bridle trails.

It the perfect place for a day out on your bike, horse or just hiking. It is located south on Browning Road just off County Road 640. There are six miles of unimproved interior roads.

Florida law requires bicyclist and equestrians under 16 to wear helmets. Each horseback rider must carry proof of their horse’s current negative Coggins test.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District purchased the 5,515-acre reserve in 2001, in cooperation with Tampa Bay Water, for the primary purpose of building the 15-billiongallon C.W. “Bill” Young Regional Reservoir to collect and store drinking water. The reservoir is built on 1,100 acres. The remaining property consists of a variety of habitats, including wetlands, pine and scrubby flatwoods, scrub, freshwater marshes and improved pasture.

You’ll enjoy a day at Chito Branch Reserve. So pack a lunch and explore this natural habitat that is full of wildlife, rare plants and winding trails.

90 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

March 2011

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 91

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by Al Berr y O’Connor photos by Ron issioner of Florida Comm was dam Putnam, Agriculture, A al nu an e r at th the guest speake a Strawberry orid Farm Credit Fl Bapast at the First kf ea br al iv Fest day on M Plant City tist Church in March 7th. e “State of He spoke on th and equated ,” re tu Florida Agricul lue of farm the economic va state to that of our production in e l per month. H w Bo r pe one Su es uc od riculture pr isaid Florida ag od m m co t differen three hundred s te crea ties a year, and bs, making jo of s nd sa thou est indusrg la it the second try in the state.

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No Farmers No Food

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March 2011

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March 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 93

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Call 813-759-8722 DBL INSULATED Thermo Pane. Starting at $55.00 Call Ted 813-752-3378 HUSQVARNA LZ 6127 Zero turn mower. 61” cut, 27 hp Kohler engine, 5 yr. warranty $7,499 (MSRP $9,699) C&J Equip., Lake Wales, 863-638-0671 SURPLUS WINDOWS DOUBLE INSULATED Starting at $55.00 • Call Ted 813-752-3378 MOBILE HOME SIZES WINDOW SCREENS We make window screens all sizes available in different frame colors.

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94 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

HAY FOR SALE 4X5 rolls, Tifton 85, Star Grass, Clean Bahia Grass. Delivery available.

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 95

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