In The Field magazine Hillsborough edition by Berry Publications, Inc

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

MAY 2013

W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M

Contents

VOL. 9 • ISSUE 7

Feature FSGA Ambassador Program Pa ge

54 Cover photo: Stephanie Humpfrey

Seed By The Scoop

Bringing the

Page 10

Community to the

Great Florida Bulbs

Page 14

Dinner Table

Page 52 Stephen Gran

Tampa Bay

Page 58

Fishing Report

Page 18

Clay For Kids

OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Danny Aprile ..............................President Bill Burnett ..........................VicePresident Jemy Hinton ..............................Treasurer

DIRECTORS FOR 2012-2013

Amanda Collins, Roy Davis, David Drawdy, Jim Dyer, James Frankowiak, Stefan Katzaras, Greg Lehman, Kenneth Parker, Jake Raburn, Alex Ritzheimer, Marty Tanner, James Tew, Patrick Thomas, Ron Wetherington, Michelle Williamson, Will Womack, Ray Wood

Judi Whitson, Executive Director 813.685.9121

Page 65

Rocking Chair Chatter

If You Like to Eat....

Page 22

Page 70

Florida Figs

Evirothon

Page 33

Page 76

Bobby Coleman

2013 Ag Awards

Page 39

Banquet

Page 81

Earth Day 2013

Page 43

Mistaken Identities

Page 89

Seeds of Faith

Page 44

Dennie Ross

Recipes

Page 92

Page 50 4

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

MAY 2013

From the Editor

ITFM Staff PUBLISHER/PHOTOGRAPHY Karen Berry EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Al Berry SENIOR MANAGING EDITOR/ ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Sarah Holt EDITOR Patsy Berry

Engaging and supporting out youth in agriculture endeavors is critical. Ag topics should be introduced to students and maintained throughout their education. This is important not only for those students who will remain involved in agriculture in their adult lives, but to those students who will make a living in other avenues. Why? Because all consumers are involved in agriculture. Having an informed consumer, who reads labels, buys local and supports the local economy, is of the utmost importance at this juncture. We need young people to take over the often times under appreciated business of growing our nations food. So when you see local FFA and 4H students working on projects in the community, take time to let them know how much you appreciate them and their hard work and dedication. They are our future. Being involved in these organizations also teaches leadership and speaking skills for future career endeavors both in and outside of the agriculture arena. Help us to continue to spread the word about agriculture by patronizing our advertisers. They allow us to continue to cover what is growing each month. Until Next Month,

Sarah

The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. –Numbers 6:25

OFFICE MANAGER Bob Hughens SALES MANAGER Danny Crampton SALES Al Berry Tina Richmond Danny Crampton Melissa Nichols CREATIVE DIRECTOR Mona Jackson PHOTOGRAPHY Karen Berry Al Berry Stephanie Humphrey STAFF WRITERS Al Berry Sandy Kaster James Frankowiak Sean Green Ginny Mink Libby Hopkins Lindsey English Melissa Nichols CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Woody Gore Les McDowell

Index of Advertisers

“Letʼs show-off and roll in the mud for the new FFA students!” In The Field Magazine is published monthly and is available through local Hillsborough County businesses, restaurants, and many local venues. It is also distributed by U.S. mail to a target market, which includes all of the Greenbelt Property owners, members of the Hillsborough County Farm Bureau and Strawberry Grower’s Association. Letters, comments and questions can be sent to P.O. Box 5377, Plant City, Florida 33563-0042 or you are welcome to email them to: info@inthefieldmagazine.com or call 813-759-6909 Advertisers warrant & represent the descriptions of their products advertised are true in all respects. In The Field Magazine assumes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers. All views expressed in all articles are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Berry Publications, Inc. Any use or duplication of material used in In The Field magazine is prohibited without written consent from Berry Publications, Inc. Published by Berry Publications, Inc.

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE MAY 2013

ABC Pizza................................................................90 Ag Technologies......................................................62 Agro-Culture Liquid Fertilizers .............................25 Alto Recycling, LLC...............................................28 Antioch Feed and Farm Supply .................78 & 79 Aquarius Water Refining.......................................80 Astin Strawberry Exchange...................................76 B Powerful Promos...................................................9 Badcock....................................................................23 Bill’s Transmissions .................................................32 Bingham...................................................................42 Brandon Auto Services, Inc. ..................................90 Brandon Regional Hospital...................................66 Brewington’s............................................................32 Broke & Poor..........................................................40 Brownlee Citrus & Garden Center......................80 Cameron Financial .................................................23 Cecil Breeding Farm...............................................60 Center State Bank..................................................87 CF Industries..........................................................56 Choo Choo Lawn Equipment.............................96 Chuck’s Tire & Automotive ................................36 Crescent Jewelers.................................................. 41

Index of Advertisers Dad’s Towing....................................................................85 Deliguori Estate Sale........................................................87 Discount Metals...............................................................26 Dr. Barry Gaffney O.D. PA.............................................84 Driscoll’s............................................................................57 EcoWater...........................................................................45 Eshenbaugh Land Company..........................................50 Farm Bureau Insurance...................................................77 Farm Bureau Insurance/Jeff Sumner..............................86 Farm Credit.........................................................................9 Felton’s ..............................................................................51 Fischbach Land Company..............................................72 Fishhawk Sporting Clays ................................................65 Florida Dept. of Agriculture............................................37 Florida Strawberry Festival.............................................71 Florida Strawberry Growers Assoc................................74 Forbes Road Produce......................................................12 Fred’s Market.................................................................. 26 Gator Ford........................................................................12 Gladstone............................................................................7 Grimes Hardware Center ...............................................25 Grove Equipment Service ..............................61, 63 & 67 Halfacre Construction Company...................................64 Harold’s Feed & Pet Supply .............................................3 Harrell’s Nursery, Inc.......................................................90 Haught Funeral Home.........................................48 & 49 Helena Chemical-Tampa ................................................17 Hillsboro State Bank........................................................73 Hillsborough County Farm Bureau....................36 & 80 Hinton Farms Produce, Inc.............................................17 Huff Muffler.....................................................................41 I-4 Power Equipment ......................................................34 Jane Baer Realty...............................................................94 Jarrett-Scott Ford................................................................2 Johnson’s Barbeque..........................................................90 Jon & Rosie’s Tree Farm...................................................9 Ken’s Well Drilling & Pump Service, Inc.......................15 Key Plex ............................................................................21 Loetscher Auto Parts .......................................................86 Malissa Crawford............................................................57 Mark Smith Excavating..................................................26 Meryman Environmental, Inc........................................69 Mid Florida American Pit Bull Terrier Assoc................53 Mike Milliron...................................................................92 Mosaic...............................................................................35 Myers Cleaners.................................................................40 O’Connor .........................................................................11 Parkesdale Market...........................................................20 Pathway BioLogic............................................................38 Plant City Homestyle Buffet..............................................5 Plant City Tire & Auto Service, Inc...............................26 Platinum Bank..................................................................46 Railroad Credit Union.....................................................93 Savich & Lee / Stalnaker.................................................29 Seedway...............................................................................7 Shrimp & Co Express.....................................................86 Southside Farm & Pet Supply .............................30 & 31 South Florida Baptist Hospital .......................................88 Southwestern Produce Company...................................27 Squeal Deal.......................................................................92 Stephanine Humphrey.....................................................90 Stingray Chevrolet............................................................95 Super Service Tire & Auto..............................................69 The Hay Depot................................................................75 Timberlane Pet Hospital & Resort................................68 Trinkle, Redman, Swanson, Coton, Davis & Smith .................................................................93 Turkey Creek Animal Hospital......................................75 Vertigro .............................................................................64 Walden Lake Car Wash ..................................................24 Waller’s Lawn Equipment...............................................13 Wells Memorial................................................................75 Willie’s ...............................................................................19 Woodside Dental..............................................................71 W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M

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 No Farmers No Food Sticker. Send us your business card or an index card with your name and telephone number, the number of the page which you found the logo and where on that page you located the logo to:

InTheField速 Magazine P.O. Box 5377 Plant City, FL 33566-0042

Winners will be notified by phone. You Too Can Be A Winner! Search for the logo below and enter now!

W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

MAY 2013

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

A CLOSER LOOK AT FARM BUREAU MEMBERS And, Some Special Member Benefits Dear Readers: I hope you all read the article, “You Don’t Have to be a Farmer or Rancher to Join Farm Bureau,” published in this edition of IN THE FIELD Magazine. It sheds some needed light on the misconception that you have to be either a farmer or rancher to become a member of Farm Bureau. That is not true. Honestly, if you appreciate the abundance of choice and value of all that is available at your favorite supermarket, that is reason enough to join. Membership in Farm Bureau does many things. For one, it helps assure that our plentiful and diverse food supplies will continue to be available. And there are other aspects of our lives that Farm Bureau works hard to protect. Please read this article and learn why some non-farmers and ranchers belong to Farm Bureau. Additionally, there are many different benefits that members enjoy and among them: $500 off GM vehicles, premium insurance products, a full line of banking products and some pretty significant discounts on hotels, prescriptions, car rentals, propane, Grainger products, theme park tickets and more. Right now, and for a limited time, there are some really great discounts available to Farm Bureau members from Universal of Orlando. The special is a

“buy one” and get a “2nd day free” for a limited time only. To find out more about this special and some others, visit www.ticketsatwork.com and enter the company code “FFBC” to take advantage. Read the fine print, too. When you get right down to the heart of the matter, it doesn’t cost – it pays to be a Farm Bureau member. For more information, visit our website: www.hcfb.org or call 813/685-9121. We would be very happy to have your family join us.

Thank you,

Danny Danny Aprile President

Board of Directors

Danny Aprile, President; Bill Burnett, Vice-President; Jemy Hinton Member-at-large; Amanda Collins, Roy Davis, David Drawdy, Jim Dyer, Jim Frankowiak, Stefan Katzaras, Greg Lehman, Kenneth Parker,Jake Raburn, Alex Ritzheimer, Marty Tanner, James Tew, Patrick Thomas, Ron Wetherington, Michelle Williamson, Will Womack and Ray Wood, Judi Whitson, Executive Director 8

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• In 1961, Fidel Castro closed Cuban schools for a year so students from the 6th grade up could teach other Cubans how to read and it was successful. The countryʼs illiteracy level came down from 38% to 3.9% in just 8 months. • In eastern Africa you can buy beer brewed from bananas. • A giraffe can clean its ears with its 21-inch tongue. • The Grand Canyon can hold around 900 trillion footballs. • All the blinking in one day equates to having your eyes closed for 30 minutes. • 1 nautical knot equates to 1.852 kph (1.150 mph). • A sponge will hold more cold water than hot. • Lightning strikes the Earth 6,000 times every minute. • Cats have over 100 vocal chords. • Camelʼs milk doesnʼt curdle. • Macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs. • Elvis Presleyʼs middle name was Aron. • The least used letter in the alphabet is Q. • The average speed of a skydiver is 124 mph. • The only continent with no active volcanoes is Australia. • You burn more calories eating celery than it contains. • Tennessee is bordered by eight states. Can you name them?

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MAY 2013

Business Up Front

By Ginny Mink

NO FRUIT BY THE FOOT, BUT SEED BY THE SCOOP BROWNLEE GARDEN CENTER

odern day times are uncertain and challenging at best. People are struggling to make it each and every day. Those whom have spent their whole lives in one industry are discovering that they need to broaden their horizons and enlarge their scopes of expertise. Such was the case for the Brownlee’s. After many, many years in the citrus trade they discovered that in order to continue in a profitable manner they would need to expand their focus. Patti Brownlee is co-owner of Brownlee Garden Center with her husband, Ray. She says, “My husband is a third generation in the citrus business. His father and grandfather, that’s what they did. So he was brought up doing the same thing but in the last two or three years, the citrus in Hillsborough County, with the greening and other diseases that are attacking the citrus trees, there’s just not an abundance in Hillsborough County anymore so that led us to look for something else to do.” Patti continues, “When Gro-Mor decided they were going to go out of business we decided we would take up where they left off and that’s kind of where it started. Gro-Mor was a vegetable seed, vegetable plant, fertilizer company downtown. We just decided there was a need for that so

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE MAY 2012

we just kind of took up where they left off. We do the vegetable seeds, vegetable plants, we’ve gotten into flowers, plants, we do fertilize, we do chemicals, and we’ve even opened up a little antique shop in the back where we are now. Well, we’ll hit the customers somewhere.” She chuckles at the thought of such an eclectic set-up. It’s obvious that this is not your average nursery. Patti and Ray are not newcomers to Plant City. Though Patti was born in Gainesville she reveals, “My granddaddy had a drug store in Plant City so we moved back and my dad went in with him so I was raised here and Ray was born and raised here. We have two daughters and one of them works for us, her name’s Rebecca. Ray and I started liking each other when I was twelve, so I’ve basically been brought up around everything he was doing and then when we got married I started working in the office for my in-laws.” Returning to conversations about the nursery Patti explains, “When customers come in the front, that’s where we have our flowers, our plants, we have vegetable plants, blueberry plants, then when you come in the front door that’s where the vegetable seed and the chemicals are and we have fertilize outside. Then like I said,

we have the antique shop in the back. We have downsized in our house and so a lot of the antiques were ours that I had to take out of storage, and then I have a couple of vendors.” Patti reveals that she and Ray have 32 years in the citrus industry but they are learning the vegetable seeds and vegetable plants as those are new things for them. When asked about their motivation to get involved in the nursery business, Patti says, “There was a need, people plant gardens, so we knew there was a need for it so we thought we would add that to what we have. This is the first year in the 32 years that Ray and I have been in the business that we have not picked. There’s just not the volume.” Patti discusses the joys and challenges about having made the transition from a solely citrus focused orientation to this broader landscape. She expounds, “The customers now, a lot of them are backyard vegetable growers, you know, they come in and get their seeds and thank us for being here so I guess that’s the best part about it. I guess the challenge was moving from a location we’d been in for 27 years, ‘cause we’ve only been opened on 39 since the first part of February, so I guess the difficulty has been getting the word out W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M

that we have moved and letting people know where we are. We’ve been with the vegetable seeds and everything probably three years.” In case you are wondering, they are in the old Gramling Nursery location just past Southside on the way toward Highway 60.

by the scoop, and so it would be a dollar more a scoop than the regular. A four pack of tomato plants is $2.50-$3.50. A lot of people are doing earth boxes, container gardens so that works out good because they aren’t real big plants so they can put a lot of plants in a small space.”

Vegetable seeds and plants aren’t the only things provided by Brownlee Garden Center. Patti has a cousin in St. Cloud who has a nursery and so a lot of the flowers they provide are from him and then she has another cousin in Lakeland who owns Harrell’s Fertilizer and thusly she’s glad to provide his products to her customers. As of yet, the Brownlee’s have not ventured into the realm of onsite propagation, though it is part of their future plans. However, she says that in the next several weeks they do hope to open up a fruit stand. The fruit will come from local people. She adds, “A lot of the people that we sell seeds to end up having an abundance of vegetables and you know you can only give it to your neighbors so many times, so they are looking for a place to put their stuff – so that’s a possibility.”

In closing, the newest addition to the Brownlee Garden Center is something called a pink lemonade blueberry bush. When questioned about it she explained that it is a blueberry plant whose fruit is supposed to taste like pink lemonade. However, she hasn’t harvested them yet to check it out for herself. If you’re feeling a little bit bold though, feel free to get a one gallon bush for $12.95. If you’d rather start your garden from scratch make sure to check out their seed by the scoop, you can actually buy seed by the pound though most are sold in one to two ounce scoops! Apparently a local Ag teacher bought ten pounds of seed for her half acre campus plot. So, whether you’re looking for new fruit ventures, beautiful flowers, or a scoop of seed, make sure to visit Brownlee Garden Center. •

According to Patti, the best seller in their nursery is the green beans. However she adds that black-eyed peas, corn and squash are also quick movers. Given a menu of supplies, Patti says, “We have everything from beans and corn and peas to lettuces, tomatoes, squash, beets, radish, cucumbers, carrots. Just about any of your vegetables, we have the seeds for, we basically do what this area can grow. Most of our plants are tomatoes and cabbage and collards, peppers, lettuce, stuff like that. Hybrid seeds are a little bit more expensive. Just as an example, a Gentry squash is a hybrid, the squash seed we sell W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M

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Great Florida Bulbs

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

e live in an amazing state, warm climate, and great opportunities to plant bulbs! Having lived most of my life in the Midwest, I wanted to continue growing tulips and hyacinths after relocating to Florida. I did some minor research and discovered that we can grow a vast amount of bulbs right here. The bulbs featured in this article can be grown in north, central and south Florida. GLORIOSA LILY (Gloriosa spp.) – one of my favorites! This is a fast growing perennial that can reach a height and spread of two to eight feet. It prefers slightly acid to slightly alkaline soil pH, 6.0-7.2, and sandy/clay soil. Soil moisture needs to be well drained. It has medium drought tolerance, performing best in partial shade and well in full shade. Gloriosa Lily sports crimson/yellow-orange flowers from spring through summer and grows well on trellises. B LOOD LILY (Haemanthus multiflorus) – This is a slow growing perennial that can reach a height of one and a half feet and a spread of one foot. It prefers soil pH that is slightly acid to slightly alkaline, 6.0-7.2, and sandy/loam soil texture. Soil moisture needed is well to medium drained. Blood Lily has medium drought tolerance and performs best in partial shade. Its summer flowers are gorgeous red puffballs.

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DAYLILY (Hemerocallis spp.) – This is a fast growing plant that can reach a height of one to three feet and spread of one to two feet. It prefers acid to slightly alkaline soil pH, 4.5-7.2. Any soil texture is acceptable and well drained soil moisture is needed. It has medium drought and high salt tolerance, performs best in full sun and well in partial shade. Daylily produces flowers in the summer and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, two more great reasons to have many! HYBRIDS AMARYLLIS (Hippeastrum spp.) – This perennial can reach a height and spread of one to three feet. It prefers slightly acid to slightly alkaline soil pH, 6.0-7.2, and any type soil is fine. Amaryllis need well drained soil moisture. It has medium drought and low to no salt tolerance. It prefers partial shade and does well in full sun. Amaryllis produce large spring flowers in clusters of two to five and is semi-evergreen. S P I D E R L I LY (Hymenocallis spp.) – This is a fast growing perennial that can reach a height of one to three feet and spread of three to five feet. It prefers acid to slightly alkaline soil pH of 4.5-7.2 and any type of soil texture is fine. Spider Lily needs well drained soil moisture and has high drought and salt tolerance. It performs best in partial shade and well in full sun. Select species that adapt best to your area of the state. This plant products white-yellow flowers from spring through fall. RAIN LILY/ ZEPHYR LILY (Zephyranthes spp.) – This fast growing perennial can reach a height and spread of one half to one foot. It prefers soil pH that is acid to slightly alkaline, 4.5-7.2, and any soil type is fine. Well drained soil moisture is needed. Rain Lily has medium drought and salt tolerance. It performs best in full sun and well in partial shade. The flowers can be white, yellow, pink or red from spring through fall.

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CRINU M LILY (Crinum spp.) – This perennial can reach a height and spread of three to six feet. It prefers soil pH that is slightly acid to slightly alkaline, 6.0-7.2. Any soil texture is fine. Soil moisture should be well drained. Crinum Lily has medium drought and salt tolerance. It performs best in full sun and does well in partial shade. The flowers have a spidery look, are fragrant and some varieties bloom year-round. This plant is poisonous. CANNA LILY (Canna spp.) – This is a fast growing perennial that can reach a height of two to six feet and spread of one to three feet. It prefers soil pH that is acid to slightly alkaline, 4.5-7.2. Any soil texture is fine. Soil moisture should be medium drained to wet. This plant has medium drought and low to no salt tolerance. It performs best in full sun and does well in partial shade. The foliage is very attractive, and the flowers attract butterflies. AZTEC LILY, ST. JAMES LILY, JACOB EAN LILY (Sprekelia formosissima) – This fast growing perennial can reach a height and spread of one to two feet. It prefers soil pH that is slightly acid to slightly alkaline, 6.0-7.2 and sandy/loam soil. Well drained soil moisture is needed. It has low drought and medium salt tolerance. It performs best in full sun and well in partial shade. Aztec Lily produces red flowers from spring through summer.

d For more information on bulbs, please see the following University of Florida publications: “Zephyranthes spp. Rain Lily” by Edward F. Gilman, http:/ / edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ pdffiles/ FP/ FP62100.pdf, “Rainlily, Zephyranthes and Habranthus spp.: Low Maintenance Flowering Bulbs for Florida Gardens” by Gary W. Knox, http:/ / edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ pdffiles/ EP/ EP41200.pdf; and “Daylilies for Florida” by Sydney Park Brown and Robert J. Black, http:/ / edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ pdffiles/ EP/ EP00600.pdf. For assistance with horticultural questions, call 813-744-5519 or visit us at the Hillsborough County Extension Service, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner. More gardening information is available at: http:/ / hillsborough.ifas.ufl.edu and http:/ / edis.ifas.ufl.edu. Remember to reuse, reduce and recycle. W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M

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erty taxes, which is approximately $7 million, pays for the services of our police department and other revenue sources must cover the balance of services we provide. We continue to look for ways to provide services at lower costs.”

PLANT CITY IS A “COMMUNITY” WELL-POISED FOR THE FUTURE BY JIM FRANKOWIAK

lant City is not unlike cities throughout the county, country and world. Each was impacted by the downturn in the economy, and all coped as best possible. “Plant City was fortunate in that it had and continues to have a very strong financial base,” said Mayor Michael Sparkman. “We have always been conservative and focused on providing our residents with public safety, water and sewer services and good transportation, closely following our responsibilities mandated by state law. Accomplishing all of that to the satisfaction of our residents during the past few years has by no means been easy, but I believe we have responded well and hope the turnaround signs we are seeing will continue.” The challenges of the last few years were manifest in a number of ways for Plant City government. “We experienced a drop in our General Fund from $32 million in 2006 to $24 million last fiscal year. Our workforce was reduced by 12 percent from 450 at peak of the economic boom to 400,” noted City Manager Greg Horwedel. “Those were painful reductions that had to be done. Our City Commission emphasizes frugality in everything we do and challenged us to find ways to continue to provide the level of services our residents have come to expect amid the economic realities we faced.” “We based our fiscal decisions on the basis of necessity and cost-effectiveness,” said Sparkman. “Our commissioners are private businessmen, as well as elected officials,” said Horwedel, “and they approached this ongoing challenge with the same philosophy they follow in their business decision-making. There are signs we have successfully accomplished that. For one, our population remained constant at approximately 35,000. While we did lose private sector jobs, we also saw new companies come to Plant City and help regain jobs,” said Horwedel. “The most significant loss was the closing of the Smithfield facility and those 800 jobs. The 2200 jobs lost over the last five years have been mitigated to a degree by 1,000 new jobs with companies such as Gordon Food Service, Highlands Packaging Solutions, Toufayan Bakeries, Plasti-Pak, Evergreen Packaging and others.” “City government structure also underwent change,” said Sparkman. “Bill McDaniel became Assistant City Manager and Public Safety Director with responsibility for overseeing our fire and police departments, as well as code enforcement. That helped us save budget dollars while utilizing Bill’s management expertise to a greater extent. Most people don’t realize that the monies we receive from prop-

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“Plant City is often considered a sleepy little town in eastern Hillsborough County, but that is hardly the case anymore,” said Horwedel. “Despite the economic challenges we have and continue to face, there are more capital projects underway in Plant City than at any other municipality in Hillsborough County. In addition, we are investors and an active participant in the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation whose mission is focused entirely on retaining high-wage jobs and capital investment in Hillsborough County and the cities of Tampa, Plant City and Temple Terrace.” The EDC was established in 2009 as a partnership between the public sector and private corporate investors. It is the lead economic development agency for the county and the official local representative of Enterprise Florida. Jake Austin, a staff member of the EDC, is officed at the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce. The EDC staff works with CEO’s, site selection consultants, corporate real estate brokers and other influential decision-makers providing customized, confidential relocation services to domestic and international companies interested in growing their companies. Locally, the EDC helps existing businesses access the tools they need to expand their operations, and ensure they have the resources to succeed today and into the future. “Our economic development efforts have four primary targets,” said Horwedel, “and they are agribusiness, food packaging and preparation, manufacturing and nutraceuticals.” Nutraceuticals are products derived from food sources that provide extra health benefits, in addition to the basic nutritional value foods, such as preventing chronic diseases, improving health, delaying the aging process, increasing life expectancy or supporting the structure of function of the body. They are popular outside of the U.S. and the worldwide market for nutraceuticals is expected to reach $250 billion by 2018. “We see that as a significant opportunity for our economic development efforts and hope to be in the forefront as a location for the production of those products. We currently have land parcels totaling 4,000 acres in and around Plant City that we can show to site selection consultants interested in finding new locations for their client facilities,” said Horwedel. Sparkman and Horwedel noted the realignment of Wheeler Street as the next step in the development of the Midtown project. “That work will straighten Wheeler and open up additional acreage for the Midtown project,” said Horwedel. The project is planned to include a park area plus development that includes both residential and commercial. “Other communities envy what we have in downtown Plant City and try to imitate what we enjoy every day. The Midtown project will sustain and help grow our downtown.” “We have something very special here in Plant City. It is a community where people can work, live and play,” said Sparkman. “That is why we have so many generations of families here, why our young people return after receiving their educations or working elsewhere and why existing businesses expand and new ones relocate. I share that belief and message whenever I have an opportunity to tell people about our community.” For information about the community of Plant City, visit:

www.plantcitygov.com W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M

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by Captain Woody Gore BIRDS NEST, OR WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL THEM….

sually, an angler’s worst nightmare, they often show up at the most inopportune time possible. If you’ve ever spent much time behind the reel I’m certain you’ve wondered why your fishing reels get backlashes. As for me, I thought if you fished it was something you simply had to endure because you were an angler. However, as you gain fishing experience and begin to understand more about the equipment you’re using and the theory behind this hair pulling aggravation called a backlash, they are actually really fairly simple to avoid. Saying this brings us to another source of understanding since there are several different models of fishing reels on the market and each one has its own idiosyncrasies to master. Bait casters for example, are probably the worst, especially older models.

With a B ait Caster the whole thing starts during a cast and ends when the spool over runs the line. In other words, when casting bait or lure, its weight, plus the forward motion of the cast, causes the spool to spin forward. As line is pulled off the spool it overcomes its stationary position and begins accelerating the speed of the spool. Then as the lure or bait slows or lands in the water, the natural inertia of the spool continues spinning at an accelerated speed. It’s for this reason, some type of control is needed to first slow and then stop the spool. If this control is not exercised precisely at this critical point, the line 18

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continues unraveling on top of the spool, causing loops and twists and there it is our good old “backlash.” The control needed to overcome the spinning spool can be anything from your thumb on older models to the latest technology which involves integrated braking systems or adjustable mechanical devices that enable the user to set and control spool speed.

Some even go so far as to manufacture reels with miniature computer boards that automatically control the spool. This new technology doesn’t mean reels do everything for you. Even with the new controls compensating for spool speed, it’s still a mechanical device requiring human input. A good starting point, when adjusting bait casters, is to begin with a completely rigged rod, reel and the lure you’ll be casting. Here is the basic setup for spool adjustment: 1. Gently tighten the adjustment control knob until the spool does not turn when the release is pushed. 2. Holding the lure off the ground, at approximately 45 degrees, loosen the adjustment control until the lure starts to drop. 3. Finally, adjust the control knob to stop the spool the moment the lure hits the ground.

While this is a good starting point, every angler has their own preference depending on their experience. These adjustments aid in preventing backlashes but remember nothing works like practice.

Open Face Spinning Reels are relatively easier. However, backlashes do occur, especially using the newer braided lines. Not the over-running spool scenario we’re accustomed to on bait casters, it’s more a series of twist and loops associated with “loose wraps” on the spool. Avoiding this, especially when using braid, is a fairly straightforward procedure and following the steps below will give you a definite heads up on avoiding spinning reel line fouling. Following these few steps should help: 1. When making your cast, stop the line just as the bait hits the water. 2. An easy way to do this is placing your index finger on the spool. (takes a little practice, but once you get used to it you’ll find you use it to stop your line in all casting scenarios) 3. Once the bait or lure is in the water, close the bail manually, making certain the line is in the line roller. 4. Finally, always lift the rod to take up any slack before starting to reel. W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M

Using these suggestions should improve your anti-backlash ratio. However, sooner or later you’re going to encounter that dreaded backlash, or bird nest as it is often referred. To get them out, start by gently pulling on the loops. You’re looking for that specific one that caused this disaster. Continue lightly pulling and untwisting the loops and you’ll soon begin separating and untangling the line. It takes patience, but given the cost of braided line a little patience is worth it. Your worst case scenario means cutting the line. However, a simple double Uni-knot gets you back fishing in no time. Accurate casting, using either a bait caster or open face spinning reel, comes with practice and no one likes to do it. However, becoming proficient and consistently placing a lure or bait in an area the size of a basketball takes some effort and doesn’t happen overnight. Well that’s about it for backlashes, hopefully this gives some insight into what causes them and what you can do to correct them.

“LET ’S GO FISHING” TAMPA B AY FISHING REPORT - MAY 2013 As the waters warm, bait shows up on the flats, winds lighten and if recent trips are any indication, it is good fishing ahead.

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SN OOK season is officially closed. However, we’re definitely catching some nice fish with even a few lunker’s mixed in with the juveniles. We’re even beginning to catch a few on artificials around the mangroves and docks. Good tidal grass flats, passes or cuts from upper Tampa Bay all the way to Sarasota should prove productive. Anglers using and chumming with greenbacks usually produce plenty of action, but use caution when tossing out chum baits, too many and you’ll fill em’ up.

tures reach the 70s. Rig up and experience some awesome action on this speedy action fish.

REDFISH should pick up this month using live and dead baits or artificial lures. Although it seems they’ve had lock jaw, recently we’ve been getting some to eat using live or dead baits; but you’ve got to be patient. Check your favorite oyster bars, cuts and broken bottom grass flats on the last of an outgoing tide and the first of an incoming. Do not forget, redfish often feed with large schools of mullet as they stir up the bottom.

“Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing” – 813-477-3814 Captain Woody Gore is the area’s top outdoor fishing guide. Guiding and fishing the Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, Bradenton, and Sarasota areas for over fifty years; he offers world class fishing adventures and a lifetime of memories.

SPANISH MACKEREL/ B LU EFISH: As the massive schools of threadfin herring invade Tampa Bay the Spanish mackerel and bluefish bite goes crazy. It’s not unusual to limit out in a couple of hours on moving water using live threadfins and greenbacks and have a blast doing it. I’ve been using 60 pound Seaguar fluorocarbon leader, shiny long shank 2/0 hooks and # 2 or 3 split shots with good success. If live bait is not your repartee then tie a silver spoon onto an 18” small wire leader and catch all you want. A word of caution about mackerel, they have razor sharp teeth and plenty of them, so be careful when handling them because they can inflict a nasty and often infectious bite. KINGFISH action should be good on any near shore hard bottom holding bait. They often move into Egmont channel and lower Tampa Bay as the water tempera-

TARPON should begin showing up around the Skyway and along the beaches. They also begin moving inside around deeper flats and hard bottom or artificial reefs holding baitfish. Expect plenty of activity throughout the summer using free-lined threadfins, pass crabs and greenbacks.

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.

If you like smoked fish give this a try, it’s delicious and simple to do. Simply fillet, remove rib bones, leave skin on, sprinkle with Lawry’s Garlic Salt and smoke until done. It usually only takes 15 to 25 minutes depending on how much heat you use with your smoke. What you don’t eat, remove from the skin, vacuum seal, and freeze for fish spread later.

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MAY 2013

Al Berryʼs

The girl’s bike riding has caught on with all the staff of “In The Field.” Danny Crampton, general sales manager, and Bob Hughens, office manager, have jumped on board, too. Bob said he has to have a three-wheeler and all rides must be downhill. He went on to comment, “To me the hardest part of learning to ride a bike was the road.” When Bob Hughens was working for Focus magazine he also worked part time driving a stretch limousine for Mike Floyd. Now this was before he learned to ride a bicycle. Bob tells the story of a passenger in a hired limousine that leaned over to ask the driver for the time and gently tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention. The driver screamed to the top of his voice, lost control of the limo, nearly hit a car, drove up over the curb and stopped just inches from a plate glass window. For a few moments everything was silent in the limousine. Then the still shaking driver said, “Are you OK? I am so sorry, but you scared the daylights out of me.” The badly shaken passenger apologized to the driver and said he didn’t realize that a mere tap on the shoulder would startle him so badly. The driver replied, “No, no. I’m the one who is sorry. It is entirely my fault. Today is my first day driving a limo. I’ve been driving a hearse for the past 25 years.”

remember when I was in junior high school I would ride my bike about two miles every Saturday to downtown Plant City to see a double feature at the Capitol Theatre. For a dime I could see a double feature and get a bag of popcorn. The city provided a parking area for your bike. You didn’t have to put a lock and chain on it, as nobody would steal it back then. It was just south of City Hall and the fire station. What I remember most is, the bicycles we rode back then had one speed and a chain guard to keep your britches from getting caught in the chain. One speed was all we had. To go up hill you just peddled harder. Bicycles have really gone the next level in the past few years. In 2009 Lance Armstrong rode a bike that used real butterfly wings in its ornate décor. The bike recently sold for $500,000. Our youngest daughter, Karen, who is the publisher of this magazine, and her side-kick Sarah Holt, associate publisher, have taken on bike riding, which of course requires new bikes with all the fancy attachments. Recently both girls bought new bikes from Cycle Sport Concepts in Tampa. I don’t know what they paid, but I heard they took out a first mortgage on their homes. Karen said it was a good deal, ‘cause it came with a “fit to you” package. To get the bike “fitted” they had to take their bikes to Cycle Sports and go through all sorts of workouts. Now get this! They have special shoes that clip to the pedals. Before you stop you have to release the shoes from the pedals. Sarah said, “It takes time to get use to doing this. I have failed to release my shoes and ended up on the ground with the bike on top of me.”

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Years ago, right out of high school, I was attending college at Texas Western College in El Paso. My uncle was a customs inspector on the border and helped me get a part time-job collecting toll from those crossing the bridge into Juarez, Mexico. Sometimes we would be on the same shift. Just as regular as a heart beat a very old native Mexican would cross at 7 p.m. on Friday pushing a bicycle loaded with eggs. My uncle suspected he was smuggling something and would check every carton of eggs only to find nothing. A few days later while having Sunday dinner I asked him if he ever caught the old fella with the bike and eggs. He said, “Sure did! He was smuggling bicycles.” Later I moved up to a Cushman Motor scooter. Karen, my daughter, owned a Harley motorcycle for a few years, but has stayed with cycling. Speaking of motorcycles, I am reminded of the story of a mechanic that was removing a cylinder head from the motor of a Harley motorcycle when he spotted a well-know cardiologist in his shop. The cardiologist was there waiting for the service manager to come take a look at his bike when the mechanic shouted across the garage “Hey Doc, want to take a look at this?” Being a bit surprised, the cardiologist, walked over to where the mechanic was working on the motorcycle. The mechanic straightened up, wiped his hands on a rag and said, “So Doc, look at this engine. I opened its heart, took the valves out, repaired the damage, and then put them back in, and when I finished, it works just like new.” “How come I make about $40,000 a year, and you get the really big bucks when you’re doing basically the same work?” The cardiologist paused, smiled and leaned over, then whispered into the mechanics ear, and said, “Try doing it with the engine running.” W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M

I’ll close with the story of the preacher who was out riding his bike in the country when he came upon a farmer working in his field. Needing a rest the preacher stopped and said to the man, “Are you laboring in the vineyard of the Lord my good man?” Not even looking at the preacher and continuing his work the farmer replied, “Naw, these are blackeyed peas.” “You don’t understand,” said the preacher as he leaned his bike on a fence post and walked over to the farmer. “Are you a Christian?” “Nope, my name is Smith. You must be looking for Jim Christian. He lives about a mile from here.” The preacher tried again. “Sir, are you lost?” “Naw, I’ve lived here all my life,” he replied. “Are you prepared for the resurrection?” the frustrated preacher asked. The farmer perked up and asked, “When is it gonna be?” Thinking he had accomplished something the young preacher replied, “It could be today, tomorrow, or the next day.” The old farmer pulled a handkerchief from his back pocket and wiping his brow the farmer remarked, “Well, don’t mention it to my wife. She don’t get out much and she’ll wanna go all three days.” •

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

MAY 2013

I-4 Power Equipment Holds Luncheon

Baby donkey,

“Si” Born at Plant City High School

Plenty of Bar-B-Que, roasted corn, baked beans, rolls and dessert. Help yourself. To show his appreciation to all his customers, Marc Waller held a “Customer Appreciation Luncheon” on Friday, April 26 in the I-4 Power equipment showroom. In addition to the Bar-B-Que meal cooked up by “Kountry Boyz” catering, numerous Sthil battery operated lawn equipment and other items were given away as door prizes. •

By R.J. Moore, Plant City High School agricultural communications student

lant City High School’s agriculture department is happy to welcome a new member to its pasture. Upon his birth, the newborn donkey, Si, has became a local celebrity on Facebook and among PCHS faculty and students practically over night. Si was born on April 16 early in the morning. No one expected him to be born for another two months, as the school’s agriculture teachers estimated that the mother would give birth over the summer. It was a huge surprise for the teachers and students to walk out to the land lab that morning and find Si already walking around. One of Si’s most noticeable qualities is his already lengthy beard. It is quite comical to see male students compare their own beards to Si’s impressive facial hair. Much to their dismay, Si wins every time.

(L-R) Robert Fenner, Marci Waller, Charlotte Waller, Marc Waller

The mother of Si was donated to the agricultural department from Tanah Tyoe, an agriculture student at Plant City. Si’s mother is named “Donkey” (with a Shrek inflection, of course). Both Donkey and Si are Bethlehem donkeys, named for the crosses on their backs and the Bible story of the donkey carrying Mary to the town of Bethlehem to give birth to Jesus. Si joins three sheep, three lambs, several cows and four mini horses in the school’s land lab, some of which have a very close bond. Chances are Si will develop his mother’s habit of “heehawing” when taken away from the mini horses. The reason for this behavior is the pack instinct of the donkey. They feel alone when not with other animals. Si will possibly stay at the agriculture department and be used in teaching, but that has yet to be decided. If he is not kept he will be sold. I hope that Si is here to stay because he has brought so many smiles to Plant City’s students and teachers. Hopefully, he can be used to educate students for years to come. •

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE MAY 2013

Dry Creek

Simple Things By Les McDowell Photos Courtesy of Linda Constant

'm sitting on the Dry Creek set looking at the simplicity of a time remembered. I see the wooden buildings and occasional hand pump placed at different places and think how simple life was. Long before bottled water that we have to pay for, it was free. A few pumps from the squeaky handle and cool clean water appeared. I guess I'm simplifying things. But then again maybe I'm not. Seems since we've gotten so fancy with conveniences we've missed the simple things in life. A simple walk, laugh, visit, embracing quiet times so we can hear ourselves think. In that quietness thoughts seem to bubble up through the confusion from living in such a fast paced world. Common sense, answers to problems, gut feelings seem to bubble to the surface in those quiet times. The other day we had a family visit the Dry Creek set. The little girl, about 5, looked at the 1880s buildings with her mouth open. She said, "It's all wood?" She was used to concrete and plastic. Once again simple. Her mother said the little girl didn't spend much time outdoors. Her play world was in front of a TV or computer screen. But not this day. The little girl and her brother had to be coaxed from the teetertotter in front of the Dry Creek School house. Their day was complete after they each got a jawbreaker from the Dry Creek General Store. As I sat and watched them I got to thinking, it's really the simple things that can put a smile on our faces. That's what Dry Creek the TV show is really all about. Letting those simple things in our life come into focus. We travel past them so quickly that they become a blur. Little things like watching a dragon fly perched on your bobber as the sun shines off the water, a child's face breaking out in honest laughter, the coolness of grass between your toes on a warm summer day. The smell of fresh cut grass or just a simple thing as a cool drink of water. Life is full of simple things and from my view from the saddle... those are the things that put the life in life. Tune into Dry Creek and experience the Simple Things with us. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everybody Knows where Dry Creek is... cause its inside of each and every one of us.â&#x20AC;? Watch Dry Creek on BlueHighwaysTV, Channel 246 on Verizon Sat nites at 7:30. Go to DryCreekT V.Com for more information. Check us out at drycreektv.com

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By Sandy Kaster, M.S. Clinical Medicine, B.S. Nutrition Science

resh Florida figs are in their peak season during the summer months. A member of the mulberry family, figs are intensely sweet with a flavor that is like a combination of dates, strawberries, and peaches. Three main varieties of figs include common, Smyrna, and San Pedro, and are categorized by pollination requirements. Common types of figs found in Florida are Brown Turkey, Celeste, Green Ischia, and Mission. Dried or candied figs are available year-round. The “eye” of a fig refers to the small opening on the rounded bottom of the fruit where the skin attaches. Different types of figs can have either a closed or an open eye. Fresh figs are delicate and difficult to transport, so the vast majority of figs produced in the U.S. are processed into dried figs, fig paste, preserves, or powder. The skin of the fig is entirely edible, as are fig leaves, which are often grown as an ornamental.

NUTRITIONAL PROFILE Figs are as nutritious as they are delicious. Rich in magnesium, potassium, and fiber, figs pack a hearty nutrition punch in a small package. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, one medium fig (50 g) contains 37 calories, 0.4 g of protein, 0.1 g of fat, 9.6 g of carbohydrate, and 1.5 g of fiber. A single fig provides 5.8% of the Daily Reference Intake for dietary fiber, 3.3% for potassium, 3% for manganese, and vitamin B6, 2% for thiamin and magnesium, and 1.8% for calcium. Figs also contain notable amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C, copper, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin E, folate, selenium, zinc, and phosphorus.

PROTECT AGAINST HEART DISEASE Eating figs and other foods high in fiber can decrease the risk of coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis. Figs are a great source of fiber, which speeds up transit time through the digestive tract and prevents 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. Fiber can also help with weight control by providing a sensation of fullness. Many foods high in fiber, such as fruits and vegetables, are also very low in calories.

ENJOY BETTER VISION Figs provide a healthy dose of vitamins A and C, antioxidants that can promote healthy eyes. High fruit intake appears to be related to a lower risk of age-related macular degeneration. Data from a large study of W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M

over 100,000 men and women indicated that eating three or more servings of fruit per day lowered the risk of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) by over one third, compared with people who ate less than 1.5 servings of fruit per day. ARMD is the primary cause of vision loss in older adults. Researchers concluded that the vitamins and carotenoids in fruit, such as figs, were responsible for the protective effect on the development of ARMD.

HOW TO SELECT AND STORE Look for figs that have a deep, rich color, firm, crisp stems, and a rounded, plump shape. Some varieties, such as Black Mission and Brown Turkey figs will have a dark purple to black skin when ripe, while Calimyrna and Adriatic types will have a light green skin when ripe. Figs should feel soft, but not mushy, and have a sweet, pleasant fragrance.

• Chop and add to bread or rice stuffing • Boil to make fig jam • Stuff figs with goat cheese or cream cheese for an easy appetizer • Poach figs in juice or wine for a fast dessert With so many ways to enjoy this delicious fruit, enjoy fresh Florida figs today! They add natural sweetness and nutrients to your dish.

Ripe figs can be refrigerated for up to two to three days or frozen for up to several months. Cover or wrap the fruit to prevent them from drying out or picking up surrounding odors. Under-ripe figs can be ripened on the countertop at room temperature. Dried figs, which are available year-round, can be stored in an air-tight bag in the refrigerator or other cool place for several months.

HOW TO ENJOY Aside from the ubiquitous Fig Newton, figs are delicious eaten straight out-of-hand and their smooth skins are edible. They also can be sliced and used in fruit or vegetable salads. Other ways to enjoy them include: • Combine with milk and frozen yogurt in the blender for a fig milkshake • Dice figs and add to oatmeal or cereal • Use mashed ripe figs in quick bread, cookies, and muffins for natural sweetness

Selected References http:/ / edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ mg214 http:/ / www.whfoods.com

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Floriculture

he Lennard FFA Floriculture team traveled to St. Petersburg technical facilities (P-tech) to compete in the State Floriculture CDE. Lennards Floriculture team was represented by: Natalie Hausler, Joy Bordner, Amber Bronson, and Roger Smith. These four

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individuals were required to identify plant species, judge flower arrangements, and solve business practicums. Participants were also required to demonstrate flower arrangement, propagation, and floral design skills. The four mentioned individuals placed among numerous other high

school FFA chapters throughout the State of Florida. Joy Bordner tested as highest individual in the State of Florida and the Lennard FFA Floriculture team placed second throughout the state of Florida. â&#x20AC;˘

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ome schools are blessed with spacious facilities yet find themselves lacking in the awesome teacher arena. Other schools discover that though they are hindered by limited resources, the devotion and dedication of phenomenal educators makes up for those circumstances a great deal. Turkey Creek Middle School, on the other hand, has both the acreage and the teacher, Buddy Coleman, necessary to inspire an outstanding Ag department and FFA Chapter.

vinced him to go back to school to become a teacher as well. He explains, “I got my degree in special ed. I was a special ed teacher for ten years here at Turkey Creek. I taught math and science. I always did the Ag spin on my science with plants and animals with the special needs kids. Then the opportunity came up when one of the Ag teachers decided to retire so I took the Ag certification exam, passed that and became the head Ag teacher here at Turkey Creek. I started being an Ag teacher about three years ago.”

Buddy is no stranger to agriculture having grown up on a 13 acre farm. However, he claims he started his agricultural career at Turkey Creek in the mid 80s. He says, “I was involved with the FFA program here considerably. I was involved in the competitions and that kind of stuff and I became an officer. Then when I moved to Plant City High School, was involved in agriculture throughout my high school career. Once I got out and into the real world I got married and we had kids and I was feeling not connected with the livestock component out of school and stuff so we started working with the 4H group, Antioch Critters, and then once we had kids I was one of the advisors of Antioch Critters with Rhonda Burnett.”

In addition to his Ag teaching experience, Buddy has some interesting extracurriculars under his belt. He says, “I was on several committees like the Hillsborough County Fair Hog Committee, and the Sheep Committee at the Strawberry Festival and I’m on the Pasco County Fair Sheep Committe there.” As a side note Buddy reveals the fact that he’s got a most interesting weekend job. He says, “We have sheep and llamas and miniature donkeys and miniature pigs. I have all that kind of stuff at home and we have our own business, a petting zoo, a mobile petting zoo, that we do on the weekends as a family activity deal with my kids and my wife. It’s called Coleman’s Critters. It’s on facebook. We do that because we have all the animals because the kids show them. I gave that business to my kids and it helps offset some of their expenses for their animals.”

He delves a little deeper into his own agricultural history and adds, “I raised cows and pigs so it’s kind of been in my heritage for a long time, probably three or four generations anyway. I know my great grandfather owned 10,000 acres in Georgia. Then my dad’s family moved to Florida and they did citrus and farmwork and that kind of stuff. Then when I got married, my wife’s family owned a berry farm, so that was something else that kind of got me. I helped there with her grandparents because they were kinda gettin’ up there. So I helped on the farm there as well so it’s always been one of those deals where it’s been around and I’ve enjoyed it.” Buddy didn’t go the traditional educational route, high school then college. Instead he did his share of manual labor in the landscaping industry while his wife, Deborah, worked on her education degree at USF. She con-

Buddy and his wife raised their children on seven acres. He says they started a sheep project with his daughter, Brittany, when she was six because that’s the age in which kids can start showing animals. He adds, “We went from there, we showed sheep and pigs and cattle. My son, Jesse, is graduating this year, he’s the baby. He’s graduating from Durant High School and then going into the military but he shows animals. He’s actually just finished up with his last steer at the state fair and the Strawberry Festival. And my daughter is going to follow in my footseps and be an Ag teacher. She just got accepted to UF and is finishing up her degree there to be an Ag teacher.” Returning to conversations about Turkey Creek, Buddy reveals, “We have

By Ginny Mink

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...continued from page 39

a strawberry field that we do every year. Sam Astin donates the plastic, the strawberries and we have a two acre strawberry field here at school that our school kids produce and pack and sell the produce. We also have a vegetable garden that’s just winding up. We have a plant nursery that we’re starting back up. It was all in disarray when I got here. We’ve got the greenhouse back in working order and are starting to propagate plants. We have a hay field that we bale our own hay at for the animals. We have four commercial heifers and they’re producing their first calves this year. We also have a flock of sheep that the kids show. I went to Massachusetts this past summer and bought sheep and brought them back. So we have a sheep program at the school and cattle that the kids get to be involved with.” Recall that we mentioned the fact that Turkey Creek has an exceptionally large amount of resources as compared to other county middle school programs. In fact, according to Buddy, they have a ten acre pasture, an eight acre hay field, and the strawberry and vegetable area is three acres. Given such an expanse, one would expect impressive competitve results. Buddy expounds, “We hold our own. This year we were eighth in the state in livestock judging and I had the high individual in the state, Tanner Jurnigan, for livestock judging. We were second in the state for forestry, we were ninth place in citrus judging, we were eleventh place in tool identification, we were nineteenth in the state for horse judging this year and some of these contests we’re just starting so to place in the top twenty, we’re doing pretty good just getting started with them.”

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Buddy has roughly 250 Ag students, but more impressive is the fact that 150 are active FFA members. While he definitely treasures these students, he still has quite a heart for the special needs kids. In fact, he made a point of ensuring his ability to keep working with them by requesting an ESE Ag class before he transitioned into his now fulltime Ag teacher role. He’s so devoted to those kids that he’s an active participant and planner of the Ag Abilities day at the state fair in mid-May. It is sponsored by the Farm Bureau and specifically designed for ESE kids.

and that’s all the way from our higher functioning to our profound kids get to drive the lawnmower, a lot of kids don’t get that experience. I think the forestry department is gonna be there and have a display this year.” It would appear that Turkey Creek has much to look forward to and under the tutelage of Mr. Buddy Coleman there is little doubt that all the students he comes in contact with will be quite successful in those endeavors. We wish them continued agricultural achievement and enjoyment. •

Buddy elaborates, “It’s animal I.D., we teach the kids how to I.D. different breeds. We also do plants, trees and different grasses and like twenty different fruits vegetables and nuts. They have to identify them. They get to drive lawnmowers. We take our John Deere lawnmower and we have adults surround them and kinda put them through a little obstacle course

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Earth Day 2013 By Libby Hopkins

together to celebrate Earth Day 2013. “We have a lot of partnerships within the community and our main goal with this event is to bring environmental awareness to the community,” Neckar said. “We try to promote all local green and environmental businesses.”

arth Day is the biggest and most celebrated international environmental event on the planet. It helps celebrate Earth’s unique place in the universe. It’s the only place in our solar system packed with amazing biodiversity. Learning about and protecting this biodiversity is what Earth Day is all about. People all over the world celebrate their efforts to protect plants and animals as well as cleaning up the place we call home. So, how did Earth Day get its start? Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin founded Earth Day on April 22, 1970. Across the U.S. 20 million people participated in the first Earth Day. The huge turnout for the first Earth Day made it the largest organized celebration in U. S. history. This groundbreaking event helped influence the government to create stronger laws to protect the environment. Earth Day Tampa Bay 2013 took place on April 20 at the USF Botanical Gardens on the Tampa Campus. It was co-hosted by the University of South Florida’s Patel College of Global Sustainability through its Office of Sustainability along with the Tampa Bay Sierra Club. This year’s theme was “Fresh Food Revolution,” which promoted local food growers, producers, distributers, educators and supporters. The event featured a farmers market, exhibitors, including local businesses with home and garden products, eco-friendly arts and crafts, community groups, government and non-profit organizations. They all came together with one common goal, to help Tampa Bay residents create a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. The Patel College of Global Sustainability (PCGS) fosters sustainable urban communities and environments through collaborative research, education, and community involvement. Its research generates innovations and new knowledge that will help cities around the world, including those in developing countries, reduce their ecological footprint. PCGS does this by improving their form and function to make them healthier, more livable and resilient. Shawna Neckar is the program coordinator for the Office of Sustainability at USF and she was thrilled to see the community come

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Marcia Biggs is the Chair of the Tampa Bay Sierra Club and she is proud of the partnership the Sierra Club has formed with PCGS. “We work on many different issues from clean water to mass transit,” Biggs said. “The main goal of this event is to bring awareness and educate the pubic about all the issues that are happening within our state as well as the Bay area.” The Sierra Club was founded in 1892 by conservationist John Muir. It’s the largest and most influential grassroots environmental organizations in the country, with 1.4 million members and supports. The organization helped to establish and expand national parks like Yosemite and the Grand Canyon. They also pushed to define landmark legislation like the Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts. Today the club has 63 chapters nationwide with dozens of active local and national chapters like the one here in Tampa. The Earth Day event also gave numerous non-profits and small businesses that support green practices an outlet to let the community know they are here and ready to help. Tara LaSalla is an account www.goinggreentampa.com) manager with Going Green Tampa (w and her company was one of the vendors at this year’s Earth Day event. “We are an online resource for eco-friendly businesses and events throughout the Bay area,” LaSalla said. “We also act as an educational resource for the community.” Going Green Tampa was established in 2010 with a mission to bring awareness to the Tampa Bay area about eco-friendly businesses, events and sustainable living. They serve as a one-stop online eco-directory full of businesses, events and educational resources that are both sustainable as well as local. The company plays an active role in stimulating dialog between environmental leaders and business leaders in the area. They will be launching a website sometime in May called Green Me www.greenmelocally.com). It will serve as a national Locally (w directory of all eco-friendly and sustainable businesses. Earth Day has been celebrated for 43 years and from its start, the goal was to educate people. It reminds us that we all share the same planet and this means we need to take responsibility for what we use and how we use it. It’s a day to think of the environmental challenges we face and how to solve them. Protecting the Earth is everyone’s responsibility, no matter where we live. If you would like to know more about the different programs that are offered through PSGS, you can visit them on the web at www.patel.usf.edu. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

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Seeds of Faith By Libby Hopkins

bout 19 years ago, God called a group of his followers to Brandon to plant a church. The seed they planted became Baylife Church and they built the church on a foundation of authentic community, relevant worship and, most importantly God’s, grace. A little over two years ago, the church started planting again, only this time it wasn’t a building, it was a garden. The Seeds of Faith Community Garden at Baylife Church was started in September of 2011. The mission of the garden is to help those in need in Brandon and its surrounding communities. The garden was the dream of the church’s missions coordinator, Eleanor Saunders. The church had a third of an acre of land behind it that wasn’t being used. Saunders held a meeting at the church to discuss starting a community garden. She asked Cindy Pauhus to come to the meeting because she is a master gardener for Hillsborough County through the Hillsborough County Extension Office. “Eleanor is very involved with social issues in the community and she wanted the garden to be a way of helping those in our community who are in need,” Pauhus said. “At the meeting we figured we were going to plant a few things and maybe some flowers, but God was with us at that meeting because now we have a beautiful garden full of vegetable and herbs.”

make room for the refrigerators they bought to keep the produce,” Pauhus said. Trinity Café has been a part of the Tampa community since 2001. It is housed at the Salvation Army of Tampa Bay. It serves over 200 hot meals every weekday and holidays. Since the café began, it has served over 789,000 meals to the homeless in Tampa. “Every week we harvest about 70-80 pounds of collard greens that we take to Trinity Café,” Pauhus said. The Women’s Resource Center of Tampa is a faith-based non-profit organization that is dedicated to providing services that encourage, support and assist individuals and families meet their basic needs. Like ECHO, they provide emergency food assistance to families and partners with other community organizations to assist families in obtaining food. Metropolitan Ministries is a homeless shelter in Tampa that runs the I Am Hope Café in Brandon. The garden donates collard greens to their organization. “Metropolitan Ministries takes the collards and cooks them and then brings them to I Am Hope Café, so our collards come right back to Brandon to feed those in need,” Pauhus said. Times are hard for many all over our country as economic recovery has been a slow process. Unemployment continues to grow and the need for social service programs is increasing. Churches have stepped up to meet these challenges by taking the ageless tradition of smallscale food production and giving it a ministry twist. “Last year we donated 17,000 pounds of food and since October, we have already donated 21,000 pounds of food to various community organizations,” Pauhus said. The most common motivation for faith-based community gardens is the opportunity to help those in need, especially during difficult times. Also, a faith-based community garden is not just a place to grow food, it’s a place where one can express their faith and interact with God and his creation. “Our hope for the garden is to continue to rent the beds to the people in the community that want to garden,” Pauhus said. “We also want to continue our mission of donating food to the organizations that help those in need in the Brandon area.” Keeping the food in the community is the most important thing to Pauhus and the rest of the volunteers at the garden.

The garden has 60 raised vegetable gardens, 48 of the beds are rented out to community growers and the other 12 beds are used to grow produce that is donated to various community organizations to the feed the homeless and those in need. It costs $50 to rent a bed from August to June and the fee covers the water and soil for the beds. Renters have to supply their own seeds but sometimes seedlings are donated to the garden and Pauhus and her staff share them with the renters. Some of the community organizations the garden donates to are Metropolitan Ministries, ECHO (The Emergency Care Help Organization) of Brandon, Trinity Café, and The Women’s Resource Center of Tampa. ECHO provides immediate relief in the forms of food, clothing and household items to those in need in the community. Since its start in 1987, ECHO has assisted over 125,000 individuals in the Brandon area. Their emergency food bank assists an average of about 300 families per month. The organization never donated fresh food to their clients before the garden started at Baylife Church. “They now donate fresh produce and they have expanded to 44

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For more information on the Seeds of Faith Community Garden at Baylife Church, visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ seedsoffaithgarden or email Eleanor Saunders at esaunders@baylife.org. Baylife Church is located at 1017 N. Kingsway in Brandon, Fl. W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M

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Extension Announces 2013

4-H Summer Day Camps Registration Now Open for Campers (Ages 8-13) By Jim Frankowiak

Lost in Space Camp June 20-21

Through fun, hands-on activitie s, campers will explore the excitement and wonder of space and the solar system. After a “space explora tion” gone awry, campers will use GPS and work as a team to find their way home while at Hillsborough County Fair grounds.

Health Rocks & More Camp

illsborough County Extension has announced its 2013 4-H Summer Day Camps for youth ages 8 – 13. “We are pleased to offer six different, two-day camps with subject matter ranging from science and nature to space and the solar systems, as well as robotics, filmmaking and videography,” said Extension Agent Brent Broaddus, who, along with Agent Brandi Yancy, are overseeing the 4-H camps. “Interested boys and girls do not have to belong to 4-H to participate in the camps and all area youth, not just those residing in Hillsborough County, are welcomed,” he noted. Most of the camps are two days and the hours of operation for each are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. “Camps are limited to 20 participants, and we must have at least 10 registrants to proceed with a camp,” noted Broaddus.

T he camps and the schedule for each are:

Super Scientist Camp June 13-14

d the wonders Campers will experience firsthan ds-on han of science through fun, ents. erim exp sy) mes (and sometimes and physics. try mis che , ogy biol ic bas They will explore

Creepy Crawly Camp June 17-18 Campers will experience nature through insects by learning about their characteristics, identification, mimicry and more. Participants will demonstrate what they learn on an insect safari.

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July 1-2

” to their favorite Campers will “move and groove snacks. This camp music and learn to make healthy using hands-on will cover many health topics, enjoy. will s per activities cam

Junk Drawer Robotics Camp July 8-10

Campers will explore the design and function of robotic arms, hands and gripper s while building a robotic arm that really moves. They will also design and build machines that roll, slid e, draw or move underwater and explore robot mobility, movement, power transfer and locomotion.

Film Making Camp July 18-19 Campers will experience film making and videography, while producing, directing and starring in their own mini movies

Cost for each camp is $25 per person and includes two healthy snacks per day and bottled water. Campers must bring their own lunch. Registration for all camps is taking place now and may be done online at www.hillsborough4hsummercamps.eventbrite.com. Payment must be made at the time of registration. All camps will be based at the Extension office, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, Florida. Additional information is also available by calling Extension, 813-744-5519, and speaking to either Broaddus (Ext. 54132) or Yancy (Ext. 54116). INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

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In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14th as Flag Day. This day commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States. In 1949, National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress. The United States Army also celebrates its birthday on this day in June. According to the U.S. Code, Title 4, Chapter 1 Section 8(j) says â&#x20AC;&#x153;The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing.â&#x20AC;?

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When the honor guard correctly folds the American Flag (as seen at military funerals) 13 times, there is a reason for each fold. 1st fold 2nd fold 3rd fold 4th fold 5th fold 6th fold 7th fold 8th fold 9th fold 10th fold 11th fold

12th fold

13th fold

Represents a symbol of life. Our belief in eternal life. Honor and remembrance of vet Our weaker nature and trust in God Tribute to our country Where our hearts lie Tribute to our Armed Forces One who enters into the valley of shadow of death Tribute to womanhood and Mothers Tribute to father Represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob Represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In God We Trust.â&#x20AC;?

After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington, and the Sailors and Marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones, who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges and freedoms we enjoy today. The colors of the American Flag also have meaning... RED - is for Valor and Hardiness WHITE - Innocence and Purity BLUE - Vigilance, Perseverance and Justice The FLAG CODE allows any deceased to be allowed to have the flag adorning a coffin. Veterans are the most common to flag theirs, but anyone is allowed to use the flag in this manner.

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RECIPES Recipes Courtesy of the Florida Department of Agriculture

Zucchini Chips

Feta and Dill Dip 1 cup plain low-fat yogurt 1 tablespoon fresh Florida dill, chopped 1 tablespoon crumbled feta cheese

PREPARATION 1/4 cup dry breadcrumbs

Mix all ingredients and serve.

1/4 cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese 1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 2 tablespoons fat-free milk 2 1/2 cups Florida zucchini, sliced Âź-inch thick

PREPARATION Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Whisk together the first five ingredients in a medium bowl. Pour milk into a shallow bowl. Place an ovenproof wire rack coated with cooking spray on a baking sheet. Dip zucchini slices in milk, and dredge in breadcrumb mixture. Put coated slices directly onto the prepared wire rack. Bake for 30 minutes or until browned and crisp. Serve immediately with Feta and Dill Dip.

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CHEF TIP â&#x20AC;&#x201C; To minimize clean up, put aluminum foil on the baking sheet before placing the wire rack on it

Meet Martha Locklear 12 years - cashier at Felton’s

Specialty Meats Ducks, Capons, Fresh Ham, Rabbits, Quail, Fresh & Smoked Turkey Wings and Drumsticks, Beef and Pork Kidneys, Hog Heads, Hog Maws, Pork Skin, Tripe & Honeycomb Tripe, and Alligator Meat. • We Accept TECO Payments • Western Union Money Orders 49¢ each

By Libby Hopkins

hrista Leonard was not born with a green thumb. She got her thumb, as well as all of her fingers, green by volunteering at Geraldson Community Farm in Bradenton. “I started volunteering at the farm about a year ago, on my birthday, while I was working with the Tampa Jaycees,” Leonard said. “We were doing a farm month where we volunteered at different farms.” She visited different farms but there was something that kept drawing her back to Geraldson’s. “I went to other farms but there was some sort of nostalgia to the farm and I loved the positive energy created on the farm,” Leonard said. Geraldson Community Farm is a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Program. CSAs are an innovated way to connect local consumers with local farmers. At the beginning of each season, the members of the CSA invest financially in the farm, much like a shareholder of a company. This investment helps pay for seeds, equipment, labor and compost. During the season, members reap the benefits of their investment. Every week, members can come to the farm or a delivery site to receive a portion of that week’s harvest. The CSA structure creates a mutually supportive relationship where members know their farmers and the growing methods. Members essentially partner with the farm,

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sharing in both the abundant harvest and the risk of crop failure. Little by little Leonard got more involved with the farm and ended up working there full-time. She is CSA manager for the farm and she loves working with its members. Leonard started bringing produce from Geraldson’s to sell at the Ybor Twilight Market in Ybor City. The market is held every Tuesday night from 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. at The Roosevelt 2.0, which is community space that focuses on social change and urban sustainability. Leonard started connecting with other vendors at the market. They would buy produce from her to use in goods they were selling at the market. This inspired Leonard to do a farm to table event to benefit Geraldson’s because the farm is looking to build a chicken coop so they can offer eggs to their CSA members. She called the event, “Beets and Brews” and it was held at The Roosevelt 2.0 on April 27. Many of the vendors at the market either contributed food from their businesses or they made dishes for the dinner. “What was really amazing about the whole process was that it was done on a completely volunteer basis,” Leonard said. Tom and Bea Miranda are the owners of the Sausage Laboratory (www. sausage-

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laboratory.com) in Wesley Chapel. They have a stand at the Twilight Market where they sell artisan sausage and they donated five pounds of their sausage to Leonard for her dinner. They have used some of the produce Leonard sells at the market to make their sausage. “When we can, we try to use local organic products in our sausage,” Tom Miranda said. “Keeping things local is very important to us.” Jill Johnson is the owner of Mangia Gourmet Catering (www.mangiagourmet.com) in St. Petersburg and she too has a stand at the market. She made borscht and a blood orange hummus for “Beets and Brew.” “Everything I make is home-made, all natural and gluten-free,” Johnson said. “I like to keep things fresh and local.” Cassie Bookamer and her husband Scott are the owners of Cassie’s Cookies (www.cassiesperfectcookies.com) and they

also have a stand at the market. The Bookamer’s donated 300 cookies for the dinner. “We started Cassie’s Cookies about

of the vendors at the Twilight Market, as well, and they donated pickled beets for the dinner. Leonard hoped to get more people from Hillsborough County involved with Geraldson’s Farms with the dinner. “There really aren’t that many CSA’s in Hillsborough County to provide people with the ability to eat local and know where their food comes from or a chance to connect with the farmer who grew their food,” Leonard said. She would love for “Beets and Brews” to be held twice a year, one in the beginning of the farming season and one at the end.

a year ago and we try to incorporate local ingredients in all of our cookies,” Cassie Bookamer said. They used jellies from Gnarly Farms to make some of the cookies they donated. Gnarly Farms (www.gnarlyfarms.wordpress.com) is one

For more information on Geraldson’s Community Farms, you can visit them on the web at www.geraldsoncommunityfarm.org.

“I’m Just Saying!” The “Ag Issues” debate team from Strawberry Crest High School made a presentation to the Plant City Lions Club on April 30 regarding the importing of strawberries from Mexico. Pictured (l to r): Susan Mayo (Advisor), Levi Mayo, Jamee Townsend, Ashley Modrow, Adrian Dyer, Nick Fernandez, Megan Snyder, Essy Barrera, (seated) Karrie Gafford, Pres. PC Lions Club

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FSGA AMBASSADOR PROGRAM A “WIN” FOR PARTICIPANTS AND THE INDUSTRY

By Jim Frankowiak Photos by Stephanie Humphrey

ducation is an important aspect of the overall mission of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association (FSGA). Since the association was founded in 1982 as the voice for Florida strawberry growers by “becoming partners in research, promotion and member/community service,” it has awarded more than 350 scholarships with a total value of several hundred thousand dollars through a multi-faceted program with the sole purpose of encouraging young men and women to continue their education beyond high school. One of those is the Strawberry Ambassador Program, which is now in its 11th year. Through this competitive program, four high school seniors are selected each year to represent the industry at a range of events, both locally and at Tallahassee during the annual Florida legislative session. Ambassadors serve a oneyear term. This year’s FSGA Ambassadors include Miranda Mayo, a senior at Durant High School and three Strawberry Crest High School seniors: Morgan Boykin, Abigail Jett and Jamee Lynn Townsend. Boykin, daughter of Marty and Jennifer Boykin, plans to continue her education at Polk State University where she seeks to become a respiratory therapist. “It has been fun being an ambassador,” said Boykin. “I especially like dealing with the little kids and teaching them where strawberries come from and how they are grown.” Jolee and Mark Jett’s daughter Abigail, is considering pursuing a college degree in Ag Communications. She, too, has enjoyed her term as an FSGA Ambassador and felt “the questions posed at the State Fair were very interesting. It was very natural for me to be interested in becoming an Ambassador since I have always been interested in the industry and its importance as an asset to our community.” Townsend, who will be attending St. Leo University on a full volleyball scholarship, was especially pleased with the chance “to tell city kids at the State Fair about the importance of agriculture

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and where the food they eat comes from.” The daughter of Rob and Cathy Townsend, Jamee Lynn’s educational plans also include a law degree with a focus on environmental law. “Continuing a family tradition” was the inspiration for Mayo, daughter of Jeff and Tonya, to seek an Ambassador Scholarship. “I liked the chance to meet new people, especially in Tallahassee during the Farm Bureau Legislative meeting.” Miranda plans on becoming a Registered Nurse and continuing “to help people” as her family does through the ownership and operation of an assisted living facility. “Scholarship applications are ready to pickup or download from the FSGA website beginning in June each year,” said Glenda McNary, FSGA’s Director Member Services/Community Relations. “Completed applications are due in September and the four Ambassadors are announced in October.” The selection of Ambassadors is by the FSGA Scholarship Committee, which consists of six people, a mix of FSGA board members and others involved in the strawberry industry. The committee makeup is kept confidential. To be eligible, applicants must be high school seniors and submit a letter of intent to attend college along with their scholarship application. The four Ambassadors receive $1,000 scholarships and are “expected to attend local events such as helping out at the FSGA’s Strawberry Festival booth for 11 days, helping out at the Florida State Fair for 12 days, helping with spring and fall Ag-Venture, attending a three-day trip to Tallahassee for participation in the Florida Farm Bureau legislative reception, making presentations and demonstrations at events and local schools, helping auction off the nine Best Strawberry Flats during the Strawberry Festival,” said McNary. Funds for the Ambassador Scholarship Program come from the “Best Flats” contest, which is part of the Swine, Plant and Steer sales. This year’s auction raised more than $15,000.

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“We also have a two-day Agri-Tech trade show and education seminar annually in August and they are expected to help during that event plus our annual Jam Banquet in December where they help pass out awards and a host of other community events. Scholarship recipients know up front of our expectations for them as year-long representatives of our association and industry,” McNary said. In addition to the Ambassador Program, FSGA annually awards six special $1,000 scholarships, including the Brenda St. Martin Memorial Scholarship, the Steve Dukes Memorial Scholarship, the Marty Sewell Memorial Scholarship, the Rodney Hutto Memorial Scholarship, the Eddie and Trenda Jones Memorial Scholarship and the O.M. Griffin Memorial Scholarship. FSGA also helps to fund a program with the University of South Florida’s Department of Education to provide scholarships to deserving children of migrant workers. The association also sponsors special awards during the Florida FFA Convention each year. Congratulations to the FSGA Ambassadors and our appreciation for their efforts in representing an industry of such importance to our community. For those interested in applying for the various FSGA scholarships, visit: www.flastrawberry.com or call Glenda McNary at the FSGA office: 813-752-6822.

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committee recognized my past experience as being very similar to the work of Extension, as well as the unique challenges a director faces in a large urban county such as ours.”

Stephen Gran Committed to Creating Greater Program Awareness and Participation By Jim Frankowiak

nterim County Extension Service Director Stephen Gran, leader of a nationally recognized program for maintaining the economic sustainability of agriculture in an urbanizing community, has accepted the position on a fulltime basis. A Hillsborough County employee since 1998, he led the county’s Agriculture Industry Development Program to a position of national prominence and also served as Interim Director of the county’s Economic Development Department. Prior to joining Hillsborough County, Gran was an Extension Agent with Sarasota County. In his new post, he becomes part of the Hillsborough County Public Safety & Community Services leadership team. Gran has served as Interim Director since last August with responsibility for management, supervision, coordination and leadership of Extension programs. “I was asked to take on this role because of my past Extension Service experience and my knowledge of Hillsborough County government operations,” he said. In addition to his prior Extension service in Sarasota County, he has been an Extension “cooperator” for 15 years. Gran termed the interim appointment a “homecoming in a way for me given my prior position and educational background. I like the work of Extension and see opportunities to bring my educational experiences to the position and ongoing challenges of meeting the expectations and needs of the residents of Hillsborough County.” “While serving as Interim Director, I have successfully managed the leadership transition within the department, improved working relationships with faculty and staff and established effective linkages with Extension administration, county government, community leaders and advisory groups. I look forward to moving forward at all levels with particular emphasis on reaching out to residents of the county not aware of the broad base of programs Extension has available for them,” he said. “I am pleased that the selection

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Commonly referred to as Extension, it is an educational service provided by both the University of Florida and Hillsborough County, sharing information with the public through workshops, publications and various media outlets. The entities official name is UF/IFAS Hillsborough County Extension Service and it is part of a national network formed in 1914 When the U.S. Congress established the Extension Service as a means for spreading researchbased information from land-grant universities. The University of Florida is the state’s land-grant university and the transfer of knowledge from UF to state residents is the work of Extension and its faculty in each of the state’s 67 counties. This partnership is at the heart of the Cooperative Extension Service mission and enables the university to extend its knowledge base to every community. There is a misconception that Extension focuses exclusively on the needs of the agricultural community, but outreach is geared to the needs of all county residents. County extension faculty develops educational programs based on issues determined by their urban and commercial customers or citizens. These priority issues form the basis for major educational programs that are conducted across Florida. “The range of subject matter is diverse and significant,” said Gran. “Our blogs, for example, offer subject matter that includes: Parenting 4 Tomorrow – Parenting Resources, Commercial Horticulture – Agent’s Update, Personal Financial Management and Home Gardening just to highlight a few areas.” Gran is confident his knowledge of county government structure and program offerings will bode well for future Extension efforts. “I think there is a significant opportunity for Extension to grow its outreach to residents by partnering with existing county programs. One area that comes to mind is county social service initiatives. Working cooperatively with those existing programs will enable Extension to reach thousands of Hillsborough County residents that are not aware of us or how we can be of assistance, and that is just one example,” he said. Gran’s appointment has the support of a number of county leaders, including Farm Bureau Executive Director Judi Whitson, Hugh Gramling, former head of the Tampa Bay Wholesale Growers Association and Florida Strawberry Growers Association Executive Director Ted Campbell, who said Gran’s selection “would enhance the cross involvement and working relationships of both his former position and new one – a win for all involved.” Gran holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in Food and Resource Economics from the University of Florida. He and his wife, Belinda, an Ag teacher at East Bay High School, have two children. For more information about the broad Extension program offerings and services, visit: http:/ / hillsborough.extensin.ufl.edu, call 813-744-5519 or visit the Extension office, 5339 South County Road 579, Seffner, Fl 33584.

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Esterline Landscape

very business is looking for a way to stand out. They spend exorbitant amounts of money on logo design and website building, as well as your print advertising. Most of them even come up with catchy phrases or musical jingles to keep them at the forefront of your thought processes. However, very few of them are better known for the charities and moral necessities they support than for their flashy logos. Esterline Landscape and Construction is one such business, people recognize it for its pink breast cancer awareness trailers. Dan Esterline and Henry Turner are the owners of this overtly supportive business and we had the joy of speaking with Henry about all they do. Of course, the first questions revolved around the pink trailers, as it’s something everyone who sees them wants to know about. Henry elaborated, “We have five trailers in operation that are all painted pink with breast cancer awareness and our logo in pink. I’m a partner with Dan Esterline and we own Esterline Landscape and Construction, basically all our trailers are painted pink for breast cancer awareness.” We asked Henry to explain the motivation for the pink paint. He said, “My mother is cancer free now for three years. She had breast cancer and then our irrigation manager, (his first wife died of breast cancer) and he just recently, probably about eight months ago, found out that his wife has stage three cancer and she’s been going through treatments and is in remission right now, she’s been through a lot. We got talking a bit, and I’ve got another employee that works for me and his wife was going through breast cancer, so it kind of hit home. It’s a pretty common thing and the more you talk about it and get to know people, the more you find out that you’re not the only one going through some stuff.” Indeed, most of us have someone within our spheres of association whom has been touched, or injured, by this heinous disease.

outs and stuff for our employees but we all decided that it would be a great idea if we took that money and put it into something that we felt good about and that was breast cancer awareness.” As if that isn’t impressive enough, Henry adds, “Just recently, as our company’s growing, I bought four more trailers. I asked them if there was any way we could get them painted pink. They were kind of shocked about it and I kind of shared with them what we were doing with our trailers and what it meant to us. So he got with the company that builds the trailers and they actually were a little nervous so they wanted at least half of the money down because they were scared that if we backed out what would they do with these pink trailers? So I went ahead and paid for the trailers and they saw how serious we were about our passion for these pink trailers and it sparked them to get on board with this also and so they wanted to put their logos on our trailers supporting breast cancer awareness. So Caliper, the company that builds the trailers, now supports breast cancer and for every trailer they’re gonna build they are going to donate a certain percentage for breast cancer. So it actually sparked something pretty good. It’s been a pretty positive thing for us.” Agreeing to paint your trailers pink, when you’re a landscape and construction company takes a lot of confidence and insinuates a strong partnership. So, we asked about how all that came to be. Henry gladly explained, “Dan is a fourth generation nurseryman, his father and grandfather owned a nursery up in Indiana. I used to work for his family and seven years ago we went in business together and we started Esterline Landscape and Irrigation. Dan already had his construction company. He runs the construction side of it and I actually run the landscape and irrigation side of it. Dan moved down here in ’98 to go to work for his family. His family is some of the owners of Carlton Arms Apartments. I worked for 16 years for Carlton Arms

Even though most of us know a little about the big C, we don’t run out and paint our cars pink. So what’s different about Esterline Landscape and Construction? Henry continues, “We were having our meeting and we wanted to come up with a way to bring awareness to it. So we had a big 38-foot tree trailer and we decided to paint it pink and we got a lot of really good response out of it, about how the trailers looked and what it stood for. All our planting pots, we recycle them, so they bring them back to the shop and we have a person that comes around and buys all our used flower pots. What we do is take the money from that and we find organizations that donate to breast cancer. We used to use the money from our pots to do cookW W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M

By Ginny Mink

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Apartments. I was the Grounds Supervisor and I did all the landscape installs for their new communities and he was the Construction Project Manager, he actually builds the apartment complexes. We would build them and turn them over and his family manages them. After we built Winter Haven we decided to go into business together. We do residential and commercial.” In closing we asked Henry about the coolest landscaping job he’d had thus far and after contemplating a moment he excitedly revealed, “Well actually, we just did two shows for Yard Crashers. We did two shows that should be airing within the next month or two on the DIY Channel. They crash somebody’s yard, it’s a big production. They select people out of all the applicants and they go in and do a makeover of their backyard. We did the landscaping for them. It was pretty cool. It’s on our website; we have little flashers to look for us on Yard Crashers. We have some projects on there. We’ve done the Sam’s in St. Pete. We do all of D.R. Horton’s work in their Tampa and Orlando divisions, we probably do eighty communities for them and they’re the largest home builder in America.” Henry didn’t want to end the interview without giving credit to his Maker. He said, “I just basically have been blessed. I think God surrounded me with the right people. Most of all I just enjoy the fact that God’s blessed me with the opportunity to have seventy employees and be a part of their lives and financially help them out with their families and everything like that, it’s been a huge blessing.” We suspect that all Henry and Dan are trying to do beyond the landscape and construction is a blessing to others.

If you’d like to know more about them or get in touch, please visit their website: www.esterlinelandscape.com.

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Clays for Kids

undraising can be a tricky task for charities. They have to be creative in finding ways to make the event fun for people to attend as well as meet their monetary goals. Some charities hold dinners or golf tournaments but those events can get old and boring kind of quick. Charities need to do something out of the ordinary to raise money for their cause. David Armstrong is the Director of the Bill Carey Boys & Girls Club in Brandon, and he and his board felt they needed to do something different to raise money for their organization. The Bill Carey Brandon Boys & Girls Club is a child care center for 160 children in the Brandon area, which is significantly more than the average for a child care center. The board had a brainstorming session and came up with the idea of doing a clay shoot. They figured they would have more fun shooting then golfing so they gave the clay shoot idea a try. “There are numerous golf tournaments and dinners going on and we were just trying to think of something different that many other organizations don’t do,” Armstrong said. The shoot is in its third year now and they have made more than $20,000 for their organization. James Livingston is also on the board of directors with Armstrong. He is a retired FBI agent who is employed by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. He too felt the clay shoot was a great choice for a fundraiser. “We chose sporting clays because it is popular in this area and with the sheriff’s office,” Livingston said, “Other groups have had good success in the past using sporting clays as a charitable fundraiser.” Some of you may be wondering what exactly a clay shoot is and how it works. The sport got its start in the late 1800s in Europe. According to the World Sporting website (www.worldsporting.net), “From the late 1880s until the outbreak of WWI, pheasant and grouse shooting in England enjoyed a popularity level that had never been seen, or rivaled since. The same time period also marked a time change with the first clay target, a flat disc, appearing between 1883 and 1887. The clay pigeon was then introduced and as a direct result, came the birth and development of sporting clays. Before clay pigeons, the game of ‘glass ball’ shooting W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M

By Libby Hopkins

took place in England and become very popular in the United States, which every historian credits Charles Portlock of Boston, as the originator of the sport in the year 1866. The first competitive shoots began in 1867 in the Boston area. Unfortunately the game did not have much success, as the traps used at the time only threw the glass balls straight into the air. Obviously this was not much of a challenge to a shooter who was used to a darting, fast flying pigeon. In 1877, an American, Adam Bogardu invented the first catapult in order to launch these glass balls at shooting shows, and the term ‘ball trap’ was adopted.” Clay shooting is a discipline that can offer so much to so many. It can be pure fun; it can be a test of ability or a competitive challenge. The organization decided to partner with The Rotary Club of Valrico and FishHawk Sporting Clays of Lithia, to host the Bill Carey Sporting Clay Tournament. The event was held on May 4 and their goal was to raise $15,000 at this year’s event. Chris McGuire is the president of the Rotary Club of Valrico and he felt that the shoot raised more money than past years because the economy is doing a little better. “I’m certain we did better than last year and we definitely educated more people in the area of what the Boys & Girls club has accomplished locally,” McGuire said. The funds raised at the shoot are used for supplies and reward/incentives for programs that promote academic success, healthy lifestyles and leadership development. The mission of the organization is to enable all young people, especially those who are in need, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Ryan Odiorne is that past president of the Rotary Club of Valrico as well as a board member of the Bill Carey Boy’s & Girl’s Club. He participated in this year’s clay shoot and he loved being a part of the event. “The feeling I get from helping the Bill Carey Boy’s and Girl’s Club is overwhelming when you see the children and young adults playing together in a safe place, doing school work, and just being kids,” Ordiorne said. “That is the way it should be.” FishHawk Sporting Clays is located at 13505 Hobson Simmons Rd. in Lithia. • INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

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NEW ENVIRONMENTAL HORTICULTURIST JOINS GCREC FACULTY BY JIM FRANKOWIAK

Dr.

Andrew Koeser has joined the faculty of the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center as Assistant Professor, Environmental Horticulture. He is part of a state wide team of researchers working under the umbrella of the Gainesville-based Center for Landscape Conservation and Ecology (CLCE). “As part of this team, I am charged with finding ways to keep urban and developed landscapes green and healthy without putting any undue burden on Florida’s natural systems,” he said. “To this end, I look forward to working with growers, landscape managers, educators and the public to identify ways to increase green industry sustainability.” Koeser defined sustainable production as the most efficient use of inputs (water, fertilization, lighting, etc.) to achieve acceptable yield. While in the landscape, Koeser said sustainability means maximizing the functional lifespan of plantings while minimizing their maintenance demand. “The trick to doing this correctly is finding a balance of environmental and economic efficiency that is socially acceptable to the industry and consumers.”

Having just completed his doctorate in Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Koeser has “a few studies that will follow me down from Illinois. Namely, I will be wrapping up my dissertation work on plant-based containers in greenhouse ornamental production. In addition, I am working on a carbon footprint of urban forestry/tree care practices to determine when a typical shade tree gains carbon neutrality. Through practitioner surveys and tree inventory data, I hope to identify factors that push that break-even point earlier in a tree’s life and increase overall tree longevity/benefit. I plan to do a lot of visiting and listening to determine what is needed by the industries I serve. All of my work to date has come from or been greatly enhanced by input from engaged green industry professionals.” Dr. Koeser’s email address is: akoeser@ufl.edu. The CLCE, which was created by the Florida legislature in 2006 to protect and conserve Florida’s natural resources through research-based sustainable urban landscape practices, has as its vision to be the leading source of science-based information on horticulture and the urban environment in the Sunshine State. The interdisciplinary center has faculty throughout the state advancing research, Extension and education efforts in multiple fields. Its website is http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/clce. Koeser, who also has his Master of Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point where he majored in forestry with an emphasis in urban forestry. He and his wife, Stephanie, are parents of three-year-old Edith and 18-month-old Elizabeth. Baby Evelyn is anticipated this coming August. “I originally grew up in Wisconsin on the shores of Lake Michigan,” said Koeser. “As such, I am extremely happy to be by water once again. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point I worked halftime at the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) in the Educational Goods and Services Department while working toward my MS. I worked two more years fulltime as the Science and Research Manager at ISA, putting together their annual conference educational programs, working on publications and guiding many of the organization’s research initiatives. While I felt good supporting other researchers in my field, I truly missed doing the science myself. In 2010, I jumped back into academics and began pursuit of my doctorate fulltime. I am still quite involved with ISA and I am a Board-Certified Master Arborist. “When I started looking at positions, I knew I would likely be leaving the Midwest. I was fortunate enough to have a number of face-to-face interviews, offering me a chance to meet and interact with research centers/institutes from across North America,” said Koeser. “In doing so, I can say that Hillsborough County is extremely fortunate to have a top-notch facility in the GCREC filled with engaged, productive and remarkably down- to-earth researchers. When Dr. Jack Rechcigl gave me a call, the decision was easy. The location didn’t hurt either.” As to extracurricular pursuits, Koeser currently finds himself “making cardboard castles and playing horsey with my kids.” He also enjoys gardening and “I love being on the water in a kayak, canoe, sailboat or what have you. I hope to have the time to build my own boat and to get reacquainted with my basset hound, Baxter. He has been spending a lot of time on the couch with Steph, chasing the girls, and me being chained to my computer writing my dissertation. It really doesn’t look like he minds, but he needs to walk off a few pounds.” A Florida welcome to Dr. Koeser and his family. •

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If You Like to Eat, You Ought to Belong! YOU DONʼT HAVE TO BE A FARMER OR RANCHER TO JOIN THE FARM BUREAU By Jim Frankowiak

here’s a misconception that you have to be a farmer or rancher to become a member of Farm Bureau. “That is simply not the case,” said Hillsborough County Farm Bureau Board Member and Membership Chair Ray Wood. “Yes, we have many farm and ranch families among our 147,000 family members in Florida, but our membership also includes a growing number of families not directly connected to agriculture.” There are several reasons for that, but first a bit of history. “Farm Bureau was created within communities, chartered in 1941, when farmers came together to discuss issues that affected their lives: business practices, new technology and fair pricing,” said Florida Farm Bureau President John Hoblick. “Now our number one goal remains the same – to improve the lives of our members.” That has a strong and direct impact on all of us as farmers and ranchers who produce all that we eat each day. “That realization has prompted many to join Farm Bureau and to help agriculture progress so it will continue to offer all of us the broad selection and quantities of food we have available at costs far below what many pay in other parts of the world. And that is with neither the comparable selection nor abundance we enjoy,” said Wood. “Some have been attracted by the valuable benefits afforded Farm Bureau members such as low rates and substantial discounts on loans, personal, life and car insurance, merchandise, travel and other services. Ultimately, we are talking about the well-being of our nation as Farm Bureau advocates educational improvement, economic opportunity and social advancement for our farmer and rancher members and their operations. Global population is growing while lands devoted to farming and ranching are diminishing. Thankfully there have been advances in

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agriculture leading to higher yields able to meet that growing demand and we have to maintain that momentum.” John Hall, an agriculture teacher at Martinez Middle School in Lutz, is a Farm Bureau member and active in Farm Bureau activities such as Ag-Venture since his high school days. He is neither a farmer nor rancher. “I believe it is important for students, especially those in urban and suburban settings, and the community to understand the importance of agriculture,” said Hall, whose FFA groups have exhibited at the Florida State Fair and at other events in the area. “There are benefits, too,” he said. “Farm Bureau offers insurance for livestock projects for FFA chapters that join Farm Bureau. We also have the opportunity to network and keep up-to-date on real world agricultural challenges and programs.” Tonnya Rawlins joined Farm Bureau 15 years ago in North Carolina where she was a licensed general contractor and owner of an award-winning home building company in the Raleigh area. “Though I’ve never been a farmer or rancher, I do have many wonderful childhood memories of my grandmother’s North Carolina farm,” she said. “I had obtained homeowner’s and auto rates from five or so major insurers and Farm Bureau’s quote was the best. I rechecked every few years and Farm Bureau continued to provide the best rates.” After relocating to Florida a year ago, Rawlins became president of Maid in Space, Inc., a residential maid service company utilizing NASA advanced home sterilization technology.

“In late December, we purchased a 2013 Chevrolet Sonic for our new business and when we were finalizing the purchase, we were thrilled to learn yet another advantage of being Farm Bureau members – we saved $500 on the final auto price with the Farm Bureau member benefit.” Farm Members in good standing for at least 60 days prior to the delivery date of a GM vehicle are eligible for the GM Private Offer – a $500 manufacturer incentive. “Farm Bureau staff members I dealt with in North Carolina and here in Florida are very courteous and dependable,” said Rawlins. “I developed a trusting relationship with them.” “I have been interested in agriculture since a young age,” said Farm Bureau member Tiffany Dale. “Although my family is not directly involved with agriculture production or an agricultural business, I decided to pursue an education in agriculture.” Dale holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Florida, W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M

majoring in Agricultural Communication with a minor in Ag Law. She also has a Masters in Agribusiness. “I have been involved with Florida Farm Bureau since 2011 and became a member in October of 2012. Farm Bureau, locally and nationally, is a federation that connects agriculturists across the nation. That is a great benefit when telling the story of agriculture and understanding the vastness of the industry. Understanding a national and even global perspective of what goes in to getting food to the table allows for a stronger appreciation of the industry,” she said. “Farm Bureau is beneficial in networking, education and first hand involvement opportunities in agriculture.” Dale, who is actively pursuing a fulltime position in agriculture, is a substitute teacher for Hillsborough County Schools and a member of the staff at Cross Creek Ranch in Dover. She is the Young Farmers and Ranchers chair for Hillsborough County Farm Bureau, as well as a participant in many Farm Bureau activities and programs throughout the county and state. “These are just a few of many stories of non-traditional members of Farm Bureau not just here in Hillsborough County and Florida, but throughout the nation,” said Wood.

“I encourage individuals and families interested in learning more about Farm Bureau and the broad benefits of membership to visit: www.floridafarmbureau.org or call our Hillsborough County office at 813-659-9121.”

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Specializing in Agricultural, Transitional and Commercial Land

Available

PENDING SWEAT LOOP 80 ACRE FARM WIMAUMA

S COUNTY ROAD 39 5.5 ACRES LITHIA

12 inch and 8 inch well in place. Water Use Permit approved for 97,700 avg gpd and 6,842,800 crop protection gpd. $7,500 per acre

Excellent Site for Homestead and you can bring a few critters with you. $95,000

OLD WELCOME 40 ACRE HORSE FARM LITHIA

POLO CLUB LANE 5 ACRES LITHIA

Turn-Key Horse Farm with Two Homes, 50 x 100 horse barn, lighted arena and rolling lush land. $800,000

Well and septic are on site and property is fenced and cross fenced. Completely high and dry. $ 150,000

BONITA DRIVE 19 ACRES WIMAUMA

BUTCH CASSIDY TRAIL 4 ACRES WIMAUMA

Open pasture land with oak hammock and creek located on the northern edge of the property. Just minutes to I-75! $ 179,000

Just minutes from Little Manatee River State Park which offers 12 miles of Equestrian trails, 6 miles of Hiking trails, fishing and camping. $72,000

Reed Fischbach, Broker

813.546.1000

Fischbach Land Company

P.O. Box 2677 â&#x20AC;˘ Brandon, FL 33509

Note: While every attempt is made to provide as accurate information on the property offering as possible, FISCHBACH LAND COMPANY, LLC does not guarantee the accuracy thereof. Buyer shall rely entirely on their own information and inspection of property and records.

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Registration Registration deadline is July 25th, to be listed in event programs.

Company Address: Phone: Registrants Names: Sponsor Registration Clay Shoot Dinner Tues. or Wed. Break Tues. or Wed. Breakfast Tues. or Wed. Lunch

$500 $250 $500 $1,000

Registration Clay Shoot Registration $300 (50 Clays) *Team of 4 Shooters Membership Registration $35 Non-Membership Registration $50 Exhibitor Registration

Corporate membership required

The 31st annual Agritech is hosted by the Florida Strawberry Growers Association. As a vendor you will meet with growers and industry representatives, and enjoy great food. Fifty (50) booths are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. To exhibit, Associate membership is required. Gold Associate members get a free booth. This is one event of the year where we have almost 90 percent of the industry in one room! This year’s theme is Hunting. Ribbons will be given out to the top three booths that participate in the theme by decorating their booth. New this year is a Clay Shoot and dinner on Monday night. After the exhibitors set up at Agritech, we head to the Fishhawk Sporting Clays in Lithia for a fun event! Agritech guest speakers and sessions are currently being lined up. Topics will include food safety, immigration, fumigant alternatives, traceback, and labor issues – along with the latest information on research and technology. Included in your Registration: Breakfast and lunch both days for two (2) people • 8 ft. x 8 ft. booth • 8 ft. high backdrop & 3 ft. high side drape • 2 side chairs • One 6 ft. table • Electricity: 5 AMP 120 volt Important Dates & Times: • Set-up: Monday, Aug. 12th - Noon to 4 p.m. • Clay Shoot: 5 p.m. • Show Times: Tuesday & Wednesday, Aug. 13th & 14th 7:30 a.m. 4 p.m. • Tear down: Wednesday, Aug. 14th after and not before 1 p.m.

Booth Associate Bronze Silver Gold

$500 (per booth) $250 $500 $1,000 $2,000 Total Due $

Please fill out form completely if you are paying by credit card. If paying by check, please make payable to FSGA.

Visa

MasterCard

Name on Card: Card Number: Exp. Date:

Billing Zip:

* All registrations include meals, breaks & educational materials. Mail registration and/or checks to: 13138 Lewis Gallagher Rd. Dover, FL 33527

Agritech 2013 will be held in the John R. Trinkle Building and is located at the Plant City Campus of the Hillsborough Community College at 1206 N. Park Rd., Plant City, FL 33563 Hotel accommodations can be made at the Holiday Inn Express on Park Rd. For a special rate, mention the Florida Strawberry Growers Association. For more information call FSGA at (813)719-3800.

Adopt-A-Pet My name is Cohen and I’m a one year old female, spayed Pit Bull type dog. I’d love to have a family of my very own, hopefully with a kid, backyard and pool (if possible). I like to play and need a home with lots of love and attention! If you would like to meet me, Contact Timberlane (813-754-PETS). I would love to be the new member of your family... our family!

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HILLSBOROUGH SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT TAMPA BAY REGIONAL

E NVIROTHON

1st Place - Canterbury

2nd Place - Newsome

3rd Place - Brandon

he Tampa Bay Regional Envirothon, or "Environmental Olympics" allows high school students in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties the opportunity to use what they have learned in the classroom to resolve environmental issues in the field. Both teachers and students enjoy the Envirothon’s in-class learning that combines handson outdoor activities. Student teams are exposed to scientists and experts in the field who coach and guide their learning experience. Teams, consisting of five members per team, then compete in local Envirothons and winners advance to state/provincial/territorial contests. Top teams head to the North American Envirothon, a week-long culminating competition hosted by one of the states/provinces/territories in North America, where over $100,000 in scholarships and prizes are awarded. Through the program, students develop an understanding of effective teamwork, resource management and ecology. At the same time, they gain valuable exposure to a range of disciplines and possible career paths.

Classroom with 21 Hillsborough County schools and 2 Pinellas County schools attending. The annual competition focuses on the following five main areas of study as developed by its respective professionals, called Resource Specialists: Aquatics – Monica Rivera, P.E., Current Environmental Issue – Lynn Barber, Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Agent for the Hillsborough County Extension of University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and Susan Haddock, Horticulture/Integrated Pest Management & Small Farms Agent for UF/IFAS, Forestry – Rob Northrop, Extension Forester for UF/IFAS Hillsborough County Extension, Soils – Juan Vega, Area Soil Scientist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Wildlife – Jeanne Murphy of Sensing Nature, LLC. This year’s Current Environmental Issue is “Sustainable Rangeland Management: Achieving a balance between traditional agricultural uses with non-agricultural uses on Montana rangelands.” At a sixth testing station, Oral Question, teams were also judged on how well they verbally presented their knowledge of Current Issue topics to Resource Specialist Julie Vogel, Environmental Science and Technology Instructor for St. Petersburg College, Seminole campus. Teams recognized for academic achievement in those above categories are as follows: Alternate Team 3 – Grasses (combination of students from various schools) received the highest score in Aquatics; The Coccolithophores (Canterbury School of Florida) received the highest score in the Current Issue; Gang Green (Brandon Senior High School) received the highest score in Forestry; Spotosols (Spoto High School) received the highest score in Oral Question; Blake High School Yellow Jackets received the highest score in Soils; and The Coccolithophores (Canterbury) received the highest score in Wildlife. The Regional Winners are: 1st Place - The Coccolithophores from Canterbury School of Florida, 2nd Place - Newsome Wolfpack from Newsome High School, and 3rd Place - Gang Green from Brandon Senior High School. The Coccolithophores, representing Pinellas County, and Newsome Wolfpack, representing Hillsborough County, advance to the state-level to compete at the Florida Envirothon on Saturday, April 27, at Hillsborough River State Park. This event would not have been possible without the assistance of the volunteers, Resource Specialists, and Nature’s Classroom, the backing of Hillsborough County Public Schools’ Supervisor of Secondary Science, and the sponsorship received from MOSI, the Florida Aquarium, Southwest Florida Water Management District, Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, Tampa Bay Water, Tampa Bay Wholesale Growers, Hillsborough Soil & Water Conservation District’s Board, and CF Industries, Inc. Together, they all provided great support for the participating teams to have an effective and enjoyable competition. •

On Monday, March 18, the Hillsborough Soil and Water Conservation District sponsored the 2013 Tampa Bay Regional Envirothon at Nature’s Classroom in Thonotosassa. It was a very pleasant day at Nature’s 76

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4892 Sun City Center Blvd. Sun City Center, FL 33573

P O Drawer L Plant City, FL 33564

12880 E US Highway 92 Dover, FL 33527

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he 2013 Florida Strawberry Festival Ag Awards Banquet was held in the Evelyn and Batista Madonia Ag Center, Tuesday, April 9 at 6pm at the Festival grounds in Plant City.

competition, which included Patterson Company, CF Industries, Tractor Supply, The Hay Exchange, Gulf Coast Turf and Tractor, and the Astin and Swindle families.

Grand Champion Carcass – Morgan Gaudens

Steer Carcass – (Standing): Jacob Burnette, Michael Garrison (Seated): Miranda Lane, Morgan Gaudens, Shelby St. Amant, Karla Mishler

Ray Clark was the MC for the evening to a large crowd of FFA and 4H participants and their parents. Mr. Clark gave special recognition to the major sponsors of this years Ag

Grand Champion Steer – Jake Maxwell presenter John Hammond, CF Industries W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M

The steer sale averaged $4.30 per pound totaling $402,397.15 with add-ons of $60,274.55. The swine sale total was $160,089.76, with the average price per pound of $7.87. The plant sale with add-ons

totaled $32,760.00. The total for all three events grossed approximately $665,119.91. This was another record year for all of the Ag events at the Florida Strawberry Festival.

With the help of back-to-back sellout shows of Hunter Hayes and Blake Shelton, the overall attendance of the 11-day Festival was 526,100, a little better than 2012ʼs attendance of 525,300.

Gain In Weight Benson Cain, Plant City, FFA Levi Mayo, Strawberry Crest FFA Anna Conrad, Strawberry Crest FFA Jessi Varnum, Stampede 4H Justin Jordan, Strawberry Crest FFA Standing Alan Kicklighter

Heather Layton Memorial Award – (L-R) Tim Lopez, Mike Dry, Michaela Dry, Valerie Dry, Mike Lopez INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

MAY 2013

James L. Redman Memorial (L-R) Ruby Jean Redman WINNER: Sara Kate Snapp

Premier Exhibitors Red Coat â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Jon Poppell, (Left to right) David Walden, Darby Hasting, Alexander Fernandez

Producer Award Ken Grimmer & Glen Ford

Reserve Grand Champion Steer Justin Stallard

Roy Parke Memorial (L-R) Helen Parke, WINNER, Jamee Townsend, Sandee (Parke) Systma

Grand Champion Steer Buyer Award presented to Tim Lopez by Natasha McClelland

Reserve Grand Champion Steer Buyer Award presented to Kenneth Parker, Chemical Dynamics by Natasha McClelland and Madilyn Conrad.

Steer Premium Awards

Sitting (L-R): Aly Joyner, Raelynn Nichols, Zachary Campbell, Jerri Rowell Standing: Jake Maxwell, Zachary Campbell, Justin Stallard

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MAY 2013

Division Reserve & Champions

Steer Herdsman

Presented by John Hammond, CF Industries (L-R) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Jake Maxwell, Haley Smith, Mylie Feaster, Justin Stallard, Abigail Jett

Sitting: Alyssa Shepherd, Linda Sanchez, Kailee Trainer Standing: Dusty Cook, Benson Cain, Clint Walden, Zachary Campbell, Nicholas Andrlik, Dalton Davis

Steer Record Book

Steer Showmanship (Standing): Kyle Lee, Jake

Seated: Nicholas Fernandez, Jacob Burnette, Kristie Kettner, Alyssa Shepherd Standing: Justin Jordan, Dustin McMath, Sadie Carr, Hunter Hampton, Dalton McHenry

Maxwell, Nicholas Andrlik, Justin Stallard (Seated): Morgan Belsley, Meridith Del Castillo, Kacee Lewis, Cassidy Hasting, Anne Conrad

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Swine Champion of Show Award

Swine Herdsman Award – Junior Division 1st Place – Jayce Ware, Country Folks 4H

Swine Herdsman Award – Junior Division 2nd Place – Brodie Brown, Turkey Creek FFA

Swine Herdsman Award – Intermediate Division 1st Place – Jacob Sweat Turkey Creek FFA

Swine Herdsman Award – Senior Division 2nd Place – Chesley Campbell Turkey Creek FFA

Swine Premier Award – Junior Division Jayce Ware Country Folks 4H

Swine Premier Award – Intermediate Division Aaron Bingham, Tomlin FFA Also pictured, Mike Lopez, Southside Farm Supply

Swine Premium Award Class 1 Taylor Grimes, Tomlin FFA

Swine Premium Award Class 2 Clayton Brock, Tomlin FFA

Swine Premium Award Class 8 Madilyn Conrad, Antioch Critters 4H

Swine Premium Award Class 9 Jayson Burke, Turkey Creek FFA

Swine Record Book Award – Junior Division 3rd Place – Emma McConnell Also pictured, Vonda Fulwood

(L-R) Lane Wetherington, Jayce Ware, Country Folkʼs 4-H (Buyer Ramm Transport), Ashlyn Gude, Turkey Creek FFA (Buyer-Astin Family Farms), Judy Barta

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MAY 2013

Swine Record Book Award – Intermediate Division 1st Place – Connor Watson

Swine Record Book Award – Intermediate Division 2nd Place – Parker Killebrew

Swine Record Book Award – Intermediate Division 3rd Place – Cheyenne Lopez

Swine Showmanship Award – Junior Division

Swine Showmanship Award – Intermediate Division

Swine Showmanship Award Senior Division

1st Place – Aaron Bingham, Tomlin FFA 2nd Place – Madison Simcox, Marshall FFA 3rd Place – Megan Sodders, Antioch Critters 4H

1st Place – Marissa Zolna,Young Sprouts 4H 2nd Place – Emma Futch, Cork Clover 4H 3rd Place – Sarah Carter, Turkey Creek FFA Also Pictured is Taylor Tyson

2nd Place – Lindsey White, Newsome FFA Also Pictured is Taylor Tyson

William R. McClelland Memorial Award (L-R) Johanna Wetherington, Natasha McClelland, Louise McClelland, Stephanie Conrad (Winner) and Jonathan Swindle.

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2013 Scholarship Winners

Front row: Left to right: Staci Gossage, Ashley Gallops, Michaela Dry, Jamee Townsend, Riley Brown, Morgan Boykin, Morgan Belsley 2nd row: Sara Snapp, Haley Smith, Jerri Rowell, Kelsey Newsome, Miranda Mayo, Katelynn Lewis, Abigail Jett 3rd row: Paul Davis, Lindsey White, Kyle Lee, Kade Greene, Justin Jordan, Nicholas Fernandez, Jesse Coleman, Shelby St. Amant, Jim Jeffries

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MAY 2013

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

MAY 2013

Mistaken Identities By Nicole Pinson Urban Horticulture Agent/Master Gardener Coordinator UF/IFAS Hillsborough County Extension Service

ach week, I speak with clients that have questions about their plants, asking for remedies and cures to problems. Some of these problems are not symptoms of disease or insect presence, but are instead, common “mistaken identities.” These are the best “problems” to encounter, because I can inform the customer no control is warranted and a problem does not exist. This article will introduce you to a few common mistaken identities encountered in the Hillsborough County plant clinic. Test your knowledge by looking at each photo and thinking “yes” it is a problem or “no” it is not an issue. Homeowners often fear Spanish moss, Tillandsia usneoides, is parasitizing their trees. However, Spanish moss is an epiphyte, which means it obtains its nutrients not from a host or tree, but from air and rainwater. “Graybeard” or Spanish moss, is a type of bromeliad, not a true moss, and boasts the greatest geographic range of any bromeliad. It has no root system, is capable of making its own food through photosynthesis, and has scaly, permeable leaves. Spanish moss only uses trees for support and stability. This is an impressive plant, because it is adapted to withstand extreme temperature fluctuations and drought. Spanish moss is important to Florida’s ethonobotanical history and was used for several purposes including absorbing moisture during cooking, medicine for diabetes, insulation, tanning hides, producing dyes, arts and crafts, and in textiles. If you have Spanish moss on your trees, and your tree is declining, some other cause is the likely culprit. Look for signs such as soil compaction, poor drainage, stress, irrigation issues, or improper planting. When Spanish moss shades a tree, reducing its photosynthetic abilities, or weighs down branches, hand removal is appropriate. Today, Spanish moss provides ecological benefits such as protection for reptiles, insects, and amphibians, nesting material for songbirds, and a place for bats to rest during the day. A Hillsborough County resident emailed me, expressing concern that this organism killed two citrus trees. This organism is a lichen (pronounced lī-ken), and lichens are often mistaken as disease-causing agents. A lichen is a relationship between an algae and a fungus, but the fungi do not exist independently and therefore are not capable of causing disease. Lichens have structures called rhizoids, or fungal hyphae, and the rhizoids attach to rocks, bark, branches, and soil. As with Spanish moss, lichens do not parW W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M

asitize the structures they are living on. They obtain minerals from atmospheric moisture such as rainwater, fog and dew, plant leachates, and organic debris. If your tree appears diseased, consider other contributing factors such as stress, drought, disease, insects, and water. Since lichens are not harmful pests, no chemical control is necessary. Lichens are a food source for animals, provide protective camouflage, are used in tanning and dyeing, and are contributors to soil formation. In addition, lichens are associated with good air quality. They are at the center of worldwide research linking the effect of air pollutants to their growth and reproduction. Instead of looking at lichens as problems, see them for what they are, powerful organisms that are bioindicators of air quality!

This is another interesting problem to talk about because I love the name. In the first photo, there is a white, raised substance on the rachis and leaves. In the second photo, a black substance is concentrated around the base of the petiole. The young, pygmy date palm, Phoenix roebelenii, in the first photo appears to be covered in scale. Scale insects have piercing-sucking mouthparts that suck the nutrients from plants. The foxtail palm in the second photo, Wodyetia bifurcata, appears to have sooty mold. Sooty mold is fungal growth caused by the honeydew secretions of piercing-sucking insects such as aphids, scale, and whiteflies. However, both photos show normal growth on young palms called scurf. Scurf may appear to be a leaf or insect problem, but this natural growth falls off the palms as they age. No pesticide application or chemical control is necessary. This last photo is a tough one! This growth appears on citrus leaves, and is most common during flush and periods of new growth. Doesn’t it look harmful? On the contrary, these are types of friendly fungus, Aschersonia aleyINTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

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$1,000 Built Ford Tough – FFA Scholarship Awarded to

Jett, Farkas and Rowell Abigail Jett, a 2013 graduate of Strawberry Crest High FFA, has been awarded a $1,000 scholarship by Jarrett Scott Ford and Ford Motor Company. Jett’s parents are Edward Jett and Jolee Jett of Dover. Jett plans to study Agricultural Communications at Hillsborough Community College. Lindsey Farkas, a 2013 graduate of Plant City HS FFA, has been awarded a $1,000 scholarship. Farkas’ parents are Larry and Jamie Farkas of Plant city. She plans to study at Hillsborough Community College. Jerri Rowell, a 2013 graduate of Durant HS FFA, has been awarded a $1,000 scholarship. Rowell’s parents are Mark and Stacy Rowell of Plant City. Rowell plans to study Animal Nutrition at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College – University of Georgia. The Built Ford Tough – FFA Scholarship Program is designed to recognized FFA members’ talents and accomplishments while encouraging their future academic achievements. The scholarship is one of 530 scholarships awarded by Ford Division, Ford Motor Company Fund and Ford Dealers

to FFA members who are high school seniors planning to attend college in the fall of 2013, or current collegiate students. This program is a part of Ford’s overall commitment to the National FFA Foundation. Additionally, five National $1,000 BFT – FFA Scholarships are being awarded on behalf of Ford Trucks as a special project of the National FFA Foundation. Ford has supported the National FFA Foundation since the first F-Series truck was introduced in 1948, and has sponsored the Built Ford Tough collegiate scholarship program since 1997. To date, the program has awarded $7,645,000 in scholarships to 7,645 FFA members throughout the country. Ford knows the value of hard work, and believes that hard work should be rewarded. Educating aspiring young people to become the leaders of tomorrow is just another way of ensuring a successful future.

in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The National FFA Organization operates under a federal charter granted by the 81st United States Congress and it is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture. The U.S. Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to state and local agriculture education programs. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at www.FFA.org, on Facebook, www.facebook.com/nationalFFA, on Twitter, http://twitter.com/nationalFFA, and FFA Nation at http://FFAnation.FFA.org.

The National FFA Organization is a national youth organization of 557,318 student members as part of 7,498 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference

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rodis and A. goldiana. Here, they are attacking whitefly larvae. Whiteflies look like tiny moths and have two pairs of wings. Their populations increase in March/ April, June/July, and September/October. Whiteflies are piercing-sucking insects that feed on plant juices, removing valuable nutrients. They secrete honeydew, which causes sooty mold to form. When sooty mold covers leaves, photosynthesis decreases. These beneficial fungi parasitize whitefly nymphs. Both Aschersonia aleyrodis and A. goldiana attack cloudywinged whitefly. Aschersonia aleyrodis also attacks citrus whitefly. The fungi are a red/pink or yellow/cream/white raised growth, about 3 mm in size, and they cover the whitefly nymphs. Their color fades with age, and they can be found on the undersides of leaves where the whitefly nymphs feed. If you’re using copper spray to manage greasy spot, scab, or W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M

melanose, note that the copper spray will also kill the friendly fungi. Since this is not a pest, no chemical control is warranted. So, how did you do? When you observe a problem in your garden or landscape, use this information to rule out a few common mistaken identities. Think about what other factors may be contributing to the problem and be sure to properly identify the organism, pest, or symptom. You are encouraged to visit our office so we can help you find solutions to your landscape problems.

Happy gardening! The Hillsborough County Extension Service is located at 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, Florida, 33584. Our office hours are Monday – Friday from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Contact me by phone at

(813) 744-5519 or by email at pinsonn@hillsboroughcounty.org. Look for Master Gardener plant clinics and UF/IFAS horticulture information at your local events and libraries. References: Allen, Ginger M., Michael D. Bond, and Martin B. Main. 50 Common Native Plants Important in Florida’s Ethnobotanical History. 2002. UF/IFAS, Gainesville, FL. Brinen, Gary H. Lichens. Alachua County Extension http:/ / alachua.ifas.ufl.edu/ lawn_and _garden/ fact_sheets / lichens.shtml Broschat T. K. and M. L. Elliott. Normal “Abnormalities” in Palms. 2007. UF/IFAS, Gainesville, FL. Fasulo, T. R. and R. F. Brooks. Whitefly Pests of Florida Citrus. 2010. UF/IFAS, Gainesville, FL. Ferguson, James J. Your Florida Dooryard Citrus Guide- Common Pests, Diseases, and Disorders of Dooryard Citrus. 2001. UF/IFAS, Gainesville, FL. Larson, Barbra C., et al. Florida’s Native Bromeliads. 2009. UF/IFAS, Gainesville, FL.

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

MAY 2013

CONGRESSMAN DENNIS ROSS RECEIVES “FRIEND OF THE FARM BUREAU” RECOGNITION

He also met with UF researchers doing work on fumigation. He wanted to understand so he could best represent us, just as he has done with the numeric nutrient criteria. Congressman Ross will do his homework so he understands the issues that affect us and not just know there is an issue.” Williamson presented the award to Congressman Ross at Plant City Hall prior to a gathering of his Hillsborough County constituents in a public forum. Florida Farm Bureau Federation President John Hoblick praised Congressman Ross as “A tireless leader for his district’s farmers and ranchers on issues as varied as taxes, over-regulation by the EPA and labor. We applaud Congressman Ross for earning this award and the legislation he has already introduced in the first session of the 113th Congress.” This recognition is based upon Congressman Ross’ voting records on AFBF’s priority issues established by the Board of Directors, number of bills that he has sponsored and co-sponsored, specific leadership role for Farm Bureau on priority issues and how accessible and responsive he is to Farm Bureau members and leaders.

Learning How the Issues Impact His Constituents

Ross, who resides in Lakeland, was first elected to Congress in 2010, representing the then 12th congressional district which was vacated by retiring Congressman Adam Putnam who opted to run for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture. After redistricting, Ross decided to run in the newly redrawn 15th congressional district. He won re-election to a second term in Congress unopposed. Ross and his wife, Cindy, have two children, Shane and Travis. •

BY JIM FRANKOWIAK

ep. Dennis A. Ross of Florida’s 15th Congressional District has been named a “Friend of the Farm Bureau” for his efforts and voting record in support of Florida agriculture during the 112th Congress.

Each year at the end of the Congressional session, American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) recognizes those members of Congress who were nominated by their respective state Farm Bureaus and approved by the AFBF Board of Directors. His recognition was supported by Hillsborough and Polk County Farm Bureaus. “Dennis worked on Numeric Nutrient Criteria which resulted in a precedent-setting agreement between the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding the regulation of Florida’s waterways,” noted Hillsborough County Farm Bureau Director Michelle Williamson. “He also championed specialty crop research funding, especially greening research for the hard-hit citrus industry.” “When I first met Representative Ross when he was running for Congress, all I knew about him was that he had served in the Florida House and was the reason we reformed Florida’s Workman’s Comp law,” said Williamson. “That is why we have seen workman’s comp rates decline in Florida over the last eight years. I knew that he cared for Florida’s business community.” “When he was running for the 12th Congressional seat, someone had told him about EPA reforming regulations for putting out fumigant and he really wanted to understand what that would mean to agriculture in his district, so he made time to spend with me and meet with my workers to watch us put out fumigation so he would understand the process. 92

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