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IN NTHE HEFIELD IELD MAGAZINE AGAZINE
January anuary 2015 2014
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Contents
VOL. 11 • ISSUE 3
Shad Simmons Page
66
Pictured on the cover: Leslie, Shaz and Shad Simmons Cover Photo by Karen Berry
Business Up Front
New Years Resolutions
Adam Putnam
Recipes
Page 10
Page 46
Page 15
Page 50
The Meat We Eat
Action Trackchair
Page 16
Page 52
Fishing Hot Spots
Endangered Species
Rocking Chair Chatter
Lunch Box
Page 18
Page 54
Page 22
Page 56
A Short Walk To Freshness
Tiffany Parrish
Page 28
Literary Time Machine
Page 33
Butternut Squash
Ag Referral Program for Veterans
Page 61
Ag In The Classroom
Page 64
Caitlyn Chandler
Page 70 Tiffany Dale
Page 74 Wild Horse Adoption
Page 78
Page 59
Meet The Minks
Mechanically Harvested tomatoes
FSGA Awards
Page 60
Page 35
Page 88 Page 92
Buddy Coleman
Page 97
Irrigation System Evaluation
Page 42
4
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January 2015
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Letter from the Editor Publisher/Photography Karen Berry Senior Managing Editor/ Associate Publisher Sarah Holt Editor-In-Chief Al Berry Editor Patsy Berry
Happy New Year to all our readers! We are well in to the first month of 2015 and I trust everyone is still abiding by the resolutions made on January 1. One you can easily keep is to read every issue of In The Field magazine! The start of a new year can mean only one thing, it’s fair time! The Florida State Fair will be held February 6 – 16 and, as always, will showcase agriculture in Florida. Youth from across the state will vie for a variety of awards with their agriculture projects. So while enjoying all the fair has to offer, don’t forget to stop by the livestock pavilions to tell the youth that we appreciate them, the future of our industry. In The Field magazine will have a booth in the Ag Hall of Fame building, so stop by and say hello. As always, when shopping to feed your family, look for food that is “Fresh From Florida.” Check out your local famers markets, too. These cultural icons will have fresh fruits and vegetables as well as other offerings available on a seasonal basis. Check out the Florida Department of Agriculture web site at www.freshfromflorida.com to find a market near you. Please support our advertisers! They allow us to continue to cover what is growing. We would like to wish them, and you, a very prosperous New Year. We look forward to spending it with you. Until Next Month
The LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. - Numbers 6:25
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
Sales Manager Danny Crampton Sales Al Berry Tina Richmond Danny Crampton Melissa Nichols Creative Director/Illustrator Juan Alvarez Photography Karen Berry Al Berry Stephanie Humphrey Staff Writers Al Berry Sandy Kaster James Frankowiak Sean Green Ginny Mink Libby Hopkins Contributing Writers Woody Gore Les McDowell John Dicks
ABC Pizza...................................................91 Agro-Culture Liquid Fertilizers.............77 Alan’s Air Conditioning Service............37 All World Lift Truck Co. LLC...............106 Antioch Feed.............................................47 Aquarius Water Refining.......................101 Arrowhead Archery................................94 Astin Strawberry Exchange...................91 Bill’s Transmissions..................................81 Bingham...................................................80 Brandon Auto Services, Inc....................19 Brandon Farms........................................27 Brandon Regional Hospital.....................41 Brantley Realty........................................59 Brewington’s Towing & Recovery........68 Broke & Poor............................................81 Cameron Financial Service...................27 Cecil Breeding Farm...............................49 Certis USA.................................................51 Certis USA...............................................107 Chuck’s Auto..............................................111 Country Village......................................40 Cresecent Jewelers...............................57
Sarah
6
Office Manager Bob Hughens
January 2015
Dad’s Towing......................................................45 Dr. Barry Gaffney, O.D. PA...............................11 Dr. Pat Almerico................................................29 Driscol’s...............................................................12 East Coast Ag Products, Inc...........................83 Everglades Farm Equipment..........................112 Exo Creative......................................................39 Fancy Farms.......................................................25 Farm Bureau Insurance-Valrico....................90 Farm Bureau Insurance/Jeff Sumner............53 Farm Credit........................................................77 Felton’s.................................................................31 Fischbach Land Co.........................................105 Floor & Decor..................................................103 Florida Mineral, Salt & Ag Products............30 Florida State Fair.............................................55 Florida Strawberry Festival...........................24 Florida Strawberry Growers Asso................44 Forbes Road Produce........................................13 Fran Haasch.......................................................76 Fred’s Market Restaurant................................23 Gator Ford.........................................................40 Grimes Hardware...........................................102 Grove Equipment Service...............................48 Grove Equipment Service...............................95 Gulf Coast Tractor............................................73 Harold’s Feed & Pet Supply..............................3 Harrell’s Nursery, Inc........................................91 Haught Funeral Home......................................72 Highland Corporation......................................30 Hillsboro Bank..................................................26 Home Protection Pest Control........................21 Jarrett-Scott Ford..............................................2 Johnson’s Barbeque.........................................21 Jon & Rosie’s Tree Farm.................................91 Keene Plumbing................................................32 Ken’s Well Drilling............................................27 Key Plex..............................................................96 Loetscher Auto Parts........................................39 Malissa Crawford..............................................61 Meryman Environmental................................105 Mosaic..................................................................13 Pathway BioLogic.............................................79 Patterson Companies.......................................86 Parkesdale Farm Market..................................17 Plant City Homestyle Buffet.............................5 Plant City Housing..........................................102 Plant City Tire & Auto.....................................91 Quality Pumping Inc........................................68 R&O Pest Control............................................36 Railroad & Industrial Fed Credit...................44 RCS Company....................................................25 Rhonda Wetherington......................................83 Savich & Lee Wholesale.....................20 & 21 Seedway.............................................................23 South Fl Baptist Hospital..................................7 Southside Stores LLC.............................14 & 63 Stephanie Humphrey........................................84 StingRay Chevy.................................................34 Strawberry Distance Challenge....................12 Sweet Life Farms.............................................86 The Southern Barn..........................................87 Timberlane Pet Hospital & Resort...............69 Trinkle,Redman,Swanson,Coton,...................69 Verti-Gro, Inc.....................................................45 Walden Lake Car Wash & Service..............91 Wasabi Japanese Steak House.......................9 Wells Memorial..................................................82 Willie’s.................................................................83 WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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BC1403144-0614
FARM BUREAU Dear Readers:
100toSouth MulrennantheRoad • Valrico, 33594 • 813-685-9121 I am both humbled and honored have been challenges our localFL industry partners face as elected president of YOUR Hillsborough County they strive to produce the high quality products Farm Bureau. All of us owe a debt of gratitude to our markets demand. Those tours are hard work outgoing president Danny Aprile for his years of and represent many hours of support from our service to our organization. I promise to do my A BUSY industry colleagues. We YOUR thank them and those TIME FOR best to continue the momentum he carried forth. legislators and regulators who take the time to FARM BUREAU learn first hand about agriculture in our area and As a sixth generation Florida farmer, I know the how and why we need their ongoing awareness, Dear many Readers: bers and participated in this tour. This is one challenges and opportunities all of us have helpwho and hosted support. of our key priorities-- the opportunity for you to have in the agriculture industry and that is an industry Dear I think the Readers: holidays came and went much too soon. That your voice heard and it is another benefit of Farm Bureau There’s more. Ag-Venture, our program for bringing that is global. Our major challenge is to continue is especially true for Hillsborough County Farm Bureau. membership. the story of agriculture to children through school to produce the food our growing population must January 2 found us engaged in one of two significant tour Ihave am both and honored to have been the challenges our local industry face as is going on and wethe willpartners again be whilehumbled the lands farming activities taking place this devoted month –topart of ourcontinue ongoing Ifactivities, you haven’t checked out benefits ofparticibelonging, elected president of YOUR Hillsborough County they strive to produce the high quality products pating in Farm City Days through which we bring to diminish. The good thing is that the market commitment to reach out on behalf of our industry. please do. The modest fee associated with family memFarm Bureau. All continues of us owe to a debt of gratitude our demand. Those tours are living hard the markets story agriculture to friends in more, for our products expand. Our taskto bership inof Farm Bureau is our a great deal. To work learn outgoing president Danny Aprile for his years of and represent many hours of support from our Tampa. is to effectively meet those dual challenges while On the day immediately after New Year’s, we hosted please visit: http://hcfarmbureau.org or call 813/685service to our I promise to dowho my had industry colleagues. We thank them and those a tour of State and Ag Ruralenvironment. Leaders (SARL) 9121 for more information. protecting ourorganization. precious I am confident to continue thetask momentum heforward carried forth. andare regulators who take the time comebest to are Florida the organization’s 2015 Legislative Lastly, if you not a member of our FarmtoBureau we up tofor that and I look to helping legislators Ag Chair organization dedicated Lastly, please read the article this edition IN learn first hand about in our areaof and family, please join us. agriculture It isn’t in necessary that you us allSummit. do our That part to assure thatiswe do so. to probeTHE a moting fostering cooperation, leadership and educaFIELD about Ag Day coming up April 21. This As and a sixth generation Florida farmer, I know the how and we Literacy need their ongoing awareness, farmer orwhy rancher to join. Please visit tionalmany opportunities and the for other statealland Canadian is an and important educational for school age challenges and about opportunities of us have help support. http:// hcfarmbureau.org Let me also tell among you new officers or program call 813/685-9121 for chilprovincial legislators that are passionate about agriculdren in Florida. To assure its continued success, please in the agriculture industry that They is an are: industry elected by your board lastand month. more information. ture and rural communities. consider volunteering to serve as a reader. More inforThere’s more. Ag-Venture, our program for bringing that global. Our challenge is to Ray continue ViceisPresident Willmajor Womack, Treasurer Wood, mation is available in that article about the day and how the story of agriculture to children through school to produceMichelle the foodWilliamson our growingand population must Member-AtOnce honored to be your president and agFour Secretary busloads of Ag leaders visited citrus, cattle and you canagain, assist.I am Sharing important information about activities, is going on and we will again be particihave while the lands devoted to farming continue Large Bill Burnette. My thanks to each of them and my very best to you and your family. strawberry operations in Hillsborough County plus a riculture with youngsters in elementary school is another pating in Farm Days through which we bring diminish. The good thing is that theinmarket our board their willingness to serve. visit to to the Feldfor Elephant Breeding Farm Polk City. important FarmCity Bureau initiative. the story of agriculture to our friends living in for our products continues to expand. Our task Our special thanks to Dennis Carlton, Carl Grooms, and Tampa. isAstofamily meet those dual challenges while Ag the Feld for all agreeing tohave host these out-of-state Sincerely, I effectively am sure of you come to realize protecting our precious environment. ambusy confident leaders. We aretime delighted that they to Ilearn of agrivacation is over. We are want particularly at Thank you, culture in Florida the concerns our industry has here Lastly, if you are not a member of our Farm Bureau we are up to and that task and Iwe look to helping Farm Bureau. This month areforward completing the in theus Sunshine State and areathat induring particular. type family, please join us. It isn’t necessary that you be a all do our part toour assure we do so.That third of our legislative tours which we take of understanding only makesofficials our collective voices louder farmer or rancher to join. Please visit elected and appointed to several of our with Let more upon at all officers levels. http:// hcfarmbureau.org meimpact also tell youdecision-makers about the other new or call 813/685-9121 for agricultural businesses in this areas so they can see Kenneth Parker - President elected by your boardsome last month. Theymanagement are: more information. agriculture at work, of the best Later in the month we had another opportunity to reach Vice President Womack, Treasurer Ray Wood,of practices that Will have been put into placetours and learn out. In this instance it was a series of farm for atSecretary Michelle Williamson and Member-AtOnce again, I am honored to be your president and tendees at the National Farmers Union Women’s ConLarge Bill Burnette. My thanks to each of them and my very best to you and your family. ference that was held in Clearwater. Those tours also our board for their willingness to serve. introduced participants to the diversity of our industry Board of Directors
CONTINUING OUR OUTREACH IN THE NEW YEAR
Kenneth
in Hillsborough County particular emphasis on Kenneth Parker, with President; Will Womack, Vice-President; Ray Wood, Treasure; Michelle Williamson, Secretary; Member-at-large; Billcome Burnette; Board As I am sure all ofDiscussion you have toat realize women-owned farms. topics eachmembers: of the Roy Davis, David Drawdy, Jim Dyer, Jim Frankowiak, Glenn Chip John Joyner,busy GregleadLehman, Erin Nesmith, tour vacation stops included management strategies and time Harrell, isrisk over. WeHinton, are particularly at Thank you, Jake Raburn, Marty Tanner, James Tew, Ron Wetherington, and Ray Wood, ership activities. Farm Bureau. This month we are completing the Judi Whitson, Executive Director
8
third of our legislative tours during which we take Onceelected again,and my appointed personal thanks toto Farm Bureau memofficials several of our INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2013 agricultural businesses in this areas so they can see agriculture at work, some of the best management practices that have been put into place and learn of
Kenneth
Kenneth Parker - President
W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
Board of Directors
Kenneth Parker, President; Will Womack, Vice-President; Ray Wood, Treasure; Michelle Williamson, Secretary; Member-at-large; Bill Burnette; Board members: Roy Davis, David Drawdy, Jim Dyer, Jim Frankowiak, Glenn Harrell, Chip Hinton, John Joyner, Greg Lehman, Erin Nesmith, Jake Raburn, Marty Tanner, James Tew, Ron Wetherington, and Ray Wood, Judi Whitson, Executive Director 8 88
THE FIELD M AGAZINE January 2015 INTIINN HE FIELD AGAZINE 20132015 THE FIELDMM AGAZINE NOVEMBER January
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January 2015
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All World Lift Truck Business Up Front
By Ginny Mink
Perhaps when you see the word, lift truck, in the title of a business you are a little like me, you think that surely that company deals in mud trucks, big lifted four wheel drives or the like. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that All World Lift Truck actually deals in forklifts and other load toting equipment! Thankfully, Gilbert Adams, the owner, was able to shed some light on the concept in our recent interview.
The whole gamut, anything to do with warehousing or inside a warehouse: dock levelers, dock doors, conveyors. We do it all. We rent a lot of forklifts to the strawberry farmers and produce people. We rent them, repair them, sell them: new and used. We have full-fledged service vehicles, we do road service and we have shop mechanics. We have three sales people and two truck drivers. We do all the work.”
First, he gave us a little background information, “My father-in-law started this business back in 1969. We used to be under Gulf Coast Lift Truck and then in 2008 he retired and sold his business off. I bought his assets and started All World Lift Truck in 2008. But, I’ve been in the business since 1978 with him, originally with a Toyota dealership and now I’m a Clark forklift dealer. That’s where it started originally. We’ve been in this building since 1972, in Ybor. The name changed when I bought the assets out.”
We wondered where his agricultural connection might be. He answered honestly, “I have no agricultural background per se. We decided to advertise in your magazine because Clark has a new line of burden carriers which are like utility golf carts. Stuff you would use in the fields or warehousing. So, we decided to advertise our forklifts for rental because we do a lot of work with the farmers and they rent a lot of forklifts from us. They all use forklifts, that’s how they move their product once it comes off the field in the background. They use forklifts to load and unload their trucks.”
Then he revealed the truth behind what he does, “I’m a forklift dealer; we sell forklifts. We sell anything that has to do with material handling for warehouses: racks to shelving to burden carriers to forklifts to pallet jacks. 10
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January 2015
We explained our previous misconception and he laughed. He added, “No we don’t do lifts on trucks. They call them lift trucks, but they’re actually called forklifts. You WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
can’t imagine how many phone calls I get: do I work on lift gates on trucks? No, I don’t work on lift gates on trucks. We do forklifts is what we do.” On a more personal level, we asked him where he was from. He shared, “Originally I was raised here in Brandon. I was born in Key West. I’m a Floridian; one of the last of ‘em. I’ve been here in Florida all my life, in the Brandon area since 64-65. We moved here when I was a little kid. Went to high school, married my high school sweetheart, Belinda. Graduated high school and went to work for my father-in-law. I’m still married. I have two children and a granddaughter.” We asked him about his thoughts on his business, “It pays the bills. I make a living. I work for myself so most days I enjoy it. Some days are hectic. We love our business, this is all we know. This is what we’ve done for thirty something years and it’s a family business. My son works in the business, my wife works in the business. It’s kind of gone from father-in-law to son-in-law to my son to grandson (which will take it over eventually).” Prior to this interview we’d tried to contact him but he’d been out of town. He explains, “I own property up in Georgia and took some time off to hunt the rut. Normally when I go up there I don’t even turn my phone on really. People can text me from time to time. I go into town to make phone calls. Where I’m at I kind of sit off in a hole. The phone doesn’t work, that’s part of the reason I bought the place.” In closing he revealed, “I’ve been hunting since I was 14 years old. All my life. I’ve hunted all over the world. I’ve been to Africa, Canada, Spain, Brazil. I’ve been fortunate enough to get to hunt and fish different places all over the world. I fished the Amazon, been to Africa five times; it’s great. I love hunting and fishing, that’s my passion. I got into custom motorcycles there a few years ago, building custom bikes with a couple friends of mine. I got out of that pretty quick. That was just a phase but we had a good time with it.” There you have it, Gilbert Adams, business owner and hunting/fishing aficionado. He’s the one to get in touch with whenever you’ve got forklift or warehouse needs. He might even be the guy to talk to about lions and piranhas! Whatever the case may be, definitely check out: www.allworldlifttruck.com or contact his sales manager, Lou Canton: lou@allworldlifttruck.com. Or, if you’re not so computer savvy, there’s always the good ole phone method: (813) 621 4613. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
January 2015
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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
January 2015
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The work we do at Mosaic is critical to helping feed the world. We provide farmers with phosphate crop nutrients that enable them to produce more food on less land.
IMAGINE A WORLD WITH HALF AS MUCH FOOD. Without crop nutrients, that would be our reality.
Essential crop nutrients — like phosphate mined and manufactured in Florida — are responsible for 40-60 percent of the crop yields farmers produce worldwide.* That translates into more abundant and affordable food here at home. As our world keeps growing, Mosaic keeps working to help put food on the table, for all of us.
We help the world grow the food it needs. ®
mosaicco.com/florida *
Source: Agronomy Journal
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January 2015
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813-752-2379
Mon. - Sat.: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
3014 S. Jim Redman Pkwy. (Hwy. 39 S) Plant City, FL • www.southsidestores.com
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January 2015
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By Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam
With Increased Trade, Comes New Threats Our economy is more global than ever. Boundaries, currencies and cultures are no longer impediments to the exchange of goods, services and ideas. New technologies and innovations in transportation have helped us break down these barriers to trade, and the expansion of the Panama Canal, which is expected to be completed in 2015, will further expand opportunities for global trade.
image: Canal de Panama, MWH Global, Monclair State University
The expansion of the Panama Canal is a game changer in global trade logistics. The newly constructed, larger locks will enable postPanamax ships, with more than double the cargo capacity, to pass through the canal. The exponential growth in trade that will inevitably follow will provide tremendous opportunity for the state and Florida’s more than $100 billion agriculture industry, but it also presents an increased risk to Florida agriculture. Over the years, Florida has earned the reputation as an invasive pest and disease hotbed. Florida’s warm climate, nearly 100 million visitors a year and growth in international trade have all contributed to WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
the problem. Unwelcome pests like the giant African land snail, a snail the size of a human hand that feeds on structures and 500 varieties of plants, or the Asian citrus psyllid, a tiny insect that spreads citrus greening, are examples of invasive pests that present serious threats to Florida agriculture. One of the many ways the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is working to protect Florida agriculture from pests and disease, while supporting increased international trade, is through a partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Customs and Border Protection. Currently, imports of fresh fruits and vegetables from certain countries are prohibited from entering the United States through Florida ports due to significant risk of introducing pests and disease. Through our partnership with USDA and DHS, however, we’ve developed a pilot program that allows specific produce from certain countries to enter Florida ports after receiving cold treatment to prevent the entry of pests and disease. The cold treatment brings produce down to low temperatures for an extended period of time in order to eliminate any invasive pests that may have accompanied the produce shipments. This pilot program, which began in October 2013, is a great example of how we can work together to protect our domestic food supply from the threat of invasive pests. If we can effectively eliminate invasive pests from shipments of produce, South Florida ports will be able to accommodate new products that were previously restricted to ports in the Northeast. I take my responsibility to protect and grow Florida’s agriculture industry very seriously, so I have personally traveled to Panama, and other department leaders have traveled to Peru, to evaluate the progress and effectiveness of the pilot program. After these visits, and more than a year into the pilot program, I am confident we can aggressively protect Florida and the nation’s agriculture industry while capitalizing on opportunities to further expand Florida’s international trade in this increasingly global economy. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
January 2015
15
The Meat We Eat By Jack Payne
ligence.
Chad Carr had 20,000 students sign up for his University of Florida class on meat last summer. No one got turned away.
Over seven weeks, Carr leads his students through the history of U.S. meat production, humane slaughter, inspection, grading, processing, growth-promoting technologies, and more.
It’s among the first meat courses in the nation to be taught as a massive open online course, known in industry parlance as a MOOC.
It’s not sanitized. He includes video of a pig slaughter, for example, and he tells viewers that he respects their choices to eat food from a production system of their choosing – organic, vegetarian, glutenfree, or anything else.
Teaching through the Web isn’t new, but letting anyone anywhere in the world enroll in it for free is an innovation that became popular three years ago after students from all over the globe signed up for a Stanford University course on artificial intel-
He just wants it to be a choice informed by science.
Chad, an associate professor and Extension meat specialist in the UF/IFAS Department of animal sciences, provides real-life intelligence – the facts about meat. Chad exemplifies how IFAS embraces technology in teaching as well as in research and Extension. His course is also a case study in how UF/IFAS is dedicated to serving all Floridians, not just those who can make it to Gainesville. In fact, students from 169 countries registered for Chad’s first offering of the “The Meat We Eat.” It’s a whole lot more than a videotaped talking head. The technology gives Carr’s presentation a visual dynamic that would not be possible in a traditional classroom. He’s on location in a meat locker, for example, as he declares in his introduction: “The average American consumer is more than three generations removed from production agriculture, and with that comes some common misconceptions about where food comes from.”
Results from his first course indicate that his students developed more positive attitudes toward meat production and the meat industry’s transparency. The success that Chad and his animal sciences faculty colleague Dwain Johnson have already had with the meat MOOC has them thinking about creating an online certificate program in meat production. Some of the topics might include fresh meat cutting, artisan meat processing or “charcuterie,” and consumer topics such as organic meat and forage-fed beef. It’s just an idea at the moment, but it has potential as a valuable marketing tool for cattle producers to signal their competency and professionalism to beef consumers. It could become another way you can benefit from UF/IFAS without having to go to Ona, Marianna, or Gainesville. We’ve long considered the whole state our campus. With educators like Chad making use of technology, we’re developing the capacity to extend that campus all the way to your home, your office or your mobile phone. Feel free to reach out to Chad directly at chadcarr@ufl.edu or 352392-2454. You can get an introduction to his course at https://www. coursera.org/course/meatweeat
If you know Chad, you know his passion for the subject bursts from him in high-decibel delivery. On the computer you can set Chad to whatever volume you’d like! Carr wants a more educated consumer. People who learn about and connect with the source of their food, he asserts, are less likely to come down with food-borne illnesses. They’re also more likely to embrace the technologies that will have to be part of the mix if we’re going to meet the challenge of producing more food in the next 40 years than we have in the past 10,000. The planet’s swelling population requires it. He plans to launch his course on the heels of another MOOC on U.S. food systems that comes across to him as a bit too much like an indictment of how food is produced. Jack Payne is the senior vice president of agriculture and natural resources at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. jackpayne@ufl.edu 16
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Tampa Bay Fishing Report January 2015 January usually means cool weather, windy days and low, tides. Low tides are a good indicator of where you’re going to fish. Just remember, when the tides are negative and you’re looking around and seeing nothing but sand, at least you know where you’re not going to fish. One of the most asked questions I get is probably “when is the best time to go fishing?” There is no perfect answer to this question, but it has always been a good idea to go anytime you get the chance. There are always days better than others, but if you wait on the great days, you will miss many other good ones. Over the years, I have discovered that moving water means moving bait and moving bait means eating fish. Therefore tides play an important role in whether you’re going to catch fish or just fish. I prefer the first of the incoming or outgoing because that’s when the water seems to move the most bait. Winter months normally produce some low, but strong tide movement and fishing is good during those times.
Snook
Snook fishing in January means cool mornings and warmer afternoons. Low tides around new or full moons means fish should concentrate in potholes and the outside of bars. The season remains closed during January however as long as we do not get 18
NTHE HEFIELD IELD MAGAZINE AGAZINE IN
anuary 2014 2015 January
any long, hard freezes catch and release should be okay. Search out deep-water canals, rivers, and creeks with heat holding mud bottoms. Bridges, pilings and deep-water docks are good places to start. Try using baits like finger mullet, small ladyfish, pinfish and jumbo shrimp. And don’t forget about diving lures fished slowly along or near structure. Later in the day look for sandy shoals and sunning snook. Often soft plastics worked slowly along the bottom will result in some nice fish. Do not forget docks, especially those with lights, at night.
Redfish
Winter weather normally does not bother Redfish. However, Reds like other fish, are subjected to extreme low water temperatures and can get lockjaw. There are usually plenty of good fish hanging around a variety of areas like shallower grass flats, oyster bars, docks and jetties. Reds are not fussy about eating artificial lures, especially soft plastic on a jig head. Try tipping each jig with a small piece of shrimp, it does wonders around docks.
Spotted Sea Trout
Incoming or outgoing tides, live shrimp, artificial shrimp, Popper Corks and any good grass flat will produce nice trout. Seek out and target potholes on broken bottom flats. Trout like lying in and around potholes. Broken bottoms mean grass flats dotted with sandy potholes or rocky bottoms. Drifting flats and tossing artificial lures will produce plenty WWW.IN NTHE HEFIELD IELDMAGAZINE.COM AGAZINE.COM WWW.
“Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing” – 813-477-3814 Captain Woody Gore has been guiding and fishing the Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, Bradenton, and Sarasota areas for over fifty years; his level of customer service, experience and attention to detail allows him to offer world class fishing adventures and a lifetime of memories. Single or Multi-boat Group Charters are all the same. With years of organizational experience and access to the areas most experienced captains, Woody can arrange and coordinate any outing or tournament. Just tell him what you need and it’s done.
Visit his website at: WWW.CAPTAINWOODYGORE.COM send an email to wgore@ix.netcom.com or give him a call at 813-477-3814
of fun and often larger fish. Remember, potholes hold large trout.
Cobia
If we get some good cold fronts dropping the water temperatures, it should send the cobia looking for warmer water. The beaches and near shore waters should start showing fish sunning themselves near the surface. When fishing sandy flats keep an eye open for large rays since Cobia often cruise with them looking for a quick meal. Big shrimp, small crabs, large greenbacks or pinfish will work.
Other
Sheephead will be everywhere this time of year especially around docks, bridges, rock piles and oyster bars. Try using green mussels, shrimp or oysters. Small jigs tipped with shrimp work good around dock and oysters. Ladyfish, Jack Cravalle, Blue Fish are always a fun way to bend a rod.
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Smokin’ WE’RE
WWW.johnsonbarbeque.COM winter haven • plant city
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• Did you know it takes 540 peanuts to make one 12 ounce jar of peanut butter? • We will need to produce as much food in the next 40 years as has been produced in all of human history. • Cattle have one stomach but it is divided into four compartments, the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum, the rumen being the largest compartment, this arrangement helps cattle to more efficiently digest grains and grasses. • Cattle chew their cud for up to 8 hours each day and they spend approximately six hours eating. • The world record for the heaviest bull, a Chianina which is an Italian breed of cattle, named Donetto was an amazing 1,740 kilograms (3,836 lb) He was exhibited at the Arezzo show in 1955. Chianina are among the world’s largest breeds of cattle and for centuries were used as draft animals. • It may surprise you to know that a pig may be more intelligent than your dog and ranks forth intelligence wise behind chimpanzees, dolphins and elephants. • There are roughly 200,000 varieties of animal pollinators in the wild, most of which are insects 3/28/14 10:15 AM
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I wonder just how many that have joined “LinkedIn” on their computer really know what it is and how to use it? I first became of aware of this form of networking when I got an email asking me to join. At first I thought it was some sort of online sausage company. I hooked up and soon other’s started coming in asking me to connect to them. Now there are many people in my network, but I don’t really know what to do with them. Supposedly LinkedIn is a good way to find past and present friends and classmates quickly. They say this application makes staying in touch simple. I thought that was what email was for! Some time back it was reported that Russian hackers stole and exposed more than 6 million LinkedIn passwords. If mine was one of them I wish they would e-mail it to me. This past April I logged in to my LinkedIn profile, while still trying to figure out how it would benefit me, and noticed that there was a “Robin Hood,” Chief Fund Raiser at Nottingham asking for me to confirm him. Since I’m least half way around the world from the United Kingdom and have never been there, I thought to myself, “Hmm, there is really a person named Robin Hood.” Then it dawned on me it was April 2nd, the day after April Fools Day. I finally realized that each endorsement I get is designed to trigger a visit to the unsolicited endorsements to their profile. If you’re in sales of some sort I guess it’s a pretty good way to find someone to talk about your product or service. You can find anything you want to know on the Internet. There are web sites for everybody and everything. For instances, go to Google and type in “Worldometers,” and you will get in real time from the current world population, water consumed this year, death caused by smoking and many more interesting, but non essential information. I found at www.census.gov/popclock/ that there is one birth every 8 seconds, and one death every 12 seconds. Want a truly non-essential iPhone application? Check out “Talking Tom,” a sweet cheerful kitty that lives in your Apple iPhone and talks to you. And there’s iFunFace, where you can put your face into a funny character and make your own video. Lately I have been getting unsolicited calls on my iPhone wanting me to buy all sorts of things. Most of the time they are automated audio machines that start the moment you pick up the phone. When this happens I immediately hit the pound key about ten times. This screws up their computer, and the message ends. I am on the no-call list, but still get calls. Instead of getting upset with the calls, I have a little fun. The other day a man called trying to sell me some death insurance. In the middle of his pitch I interrupted, and said, “Is it any cheaper if I buy two of the same plans?” “Why would you want two of the same death insurance plan?” he asked. 22
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I replied, “I recently bought a suit for my funeral with two pair of pants!” Enough of the Internet and iPhone! Let me close with one of the funniest stories I have heard in a long time. After 15 years of marriage, a man dumped his wife for his young secretary. His new girlfriend demanded to live in the couple’s multimillion dollar home. Since the man’s lawyers were a little smarter, he got the house. The ex-wife was given just three days to move out. She spent the first day packing her belongings into boxes, crates and suitcases. On the second day she had the movers come and remove her things from the house. On the third day she sat down for the last time at their beautiful dining room table by candlelight, put on some soft background music, and feasted on a pound of shrimp, a jar of caviar, and a bottle of wine. When she had finished, she went into each and every room and deposited a few half eaten shrimp shells, dipped in caviar into the hollow of the curtain rods. She then cleaned up the kitchen and left. When the husband returned with is new girlfriend, all was bliss for the first few days. Then slowly the house began to smell. They tried everything: cleaning, mopping and airing the place out. Vents were checked for dead rodents, and the carpets were steam cleaned. Air fresheners were hung in every room. Exterminators were brought in to set off gas canisters. They even replaced the expensive wool carpeting. Nothing worked. People stopped coming over to visit. Repairmen refused to work in the house and the maid quit. Finally, they could no longer take the stench and decided to move. A month later, even though they had cut the price of the home in half, they could not find a buyer for their stinky house. Word got out and eventually even the local realtors refused to return his calls. Finally, they had to borrow a huge sum of money from the bank to purchase a new house. The ex-wife called the man and asked how things were going. He told her his problem of the rotting house. She listened politely, and said that she missed her old home, and would reduce her divorce settlement in exchange for getting the house back. Thinking his ex-wife had no idea how bad the smell was, he agreed on a price that was about 1/10th of what the house had been worth… but only if she were to sign the papers that very day. She agreed, and within two hours, his lawyers delivered the paperwork. A week later, the man and his new girlfriend stood smirking as they watched the moving company pack everything to take to their new home…including the curtain rods. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL
®
ADVANCE TICKETS ON SALE DEC 4th! • www.flstrawberryfestival.com
FEB. 26 - MAR. 8, 2015 • PLANT CITY, FLORIDA Artists Appearing on the
Bobby Vinton
Thu. Feb. 26, 3:30 $15 & $20
Soundstage:
Alabama
Thu. Feb. 26, 7:30 $40
Mel Tillis
Fri. Feb. 27, 3:30 $15 & $20
Sat. Feb. 28, 3:30 $20
Kevin Costner & Modern West
“Brett Eldredge”
Sat. Feb. 28, 7:30 $35
Sun. Mar. 1, 3:30 $20 & $25
Sawyer Brown
Happy Together Tour
Ronnie Milsap
MercyMe
Mon. Mar. 2, 3:30 $15 & $20
Mon. Mar. 2, 7:30 $25 & $30
Tue. Mar. 3, 3:30 $15 & $20
Scotty McCreery Fri. Feb. 27, 7:30 $25 & $30
Hunter Hayes
Sun. Mar. 1, 7:30 $40
Sara Evans
Tue. Mar. 3, 7:30 $20 & $25
Ricky Skaggs
Wed. Mar. 4, 3:30 $15 & $20
Craig Morgan
Wed. Mar. 4, 7:30 $20 & $25
Visit www.flstrawberryfestival.com or call 813-754-1996 and get your tickets for the best seats available! Oak Ridge Boys
Newsboys
Thur. Mar. 5, 3:30 $15 & $20
Thur. Mar. 5, 7:30 $20
Loretta Lynn
Fri. Mar. 6, 3:30 $20 & $25
Boyz II Men
Fri. Mar. 6, 7:30 $20 & $25
Free Grandstand 3:30 & 7:30pm Seating is on a first come, first seated basis. Dan + Shay
Sat. Mar. 7, 3:30 $15 & $20
John Legend
Sat. Mar. 7, 7:30 $50
Parmalee
Sun. Mar. 8, 3:30 $15 & $20
REBA
Sun. Mar. 8, 7:30 $50
Concert dates and times are subject to change
Candyland Warehouse • Stingray Chevrolet • Mosaic • Alessi Bakery • AMSCOT • Carolina Carports • Astin Farms • DIRECTV TECO • Verizon Wireless • Netterfield’s Concessions • Florida Blue • VOSKOS® Greek Yogurt • Southern Ford Dealers Outcast Watersports • Florida’s Best • Bionic Band • Images Everywhere! • Good Health Saunas • bluegreen vacations 24
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• Retraction•
In our December 2014 issue In The Field Magazine ran the incorrect ad for the Strawberry Festival entertainment lineup. We apologize for any inconvenience this might have caused.
Stop by our produce stand and pick up some delicious strawberries. We’re sure they’ll make any occasion. berry special!
Our produce stand is now open.
Located at the corner of Rice and County Line Road | 813.478.3486 or 813.754.4852 | FancyFarms.com
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A Short Walk to Freshness By Libby Hopkins In the art of cooking, seasonings are the magic ingredients, without them many culinary creations would be dull and flavorless. This is not the case with the culinary creations Executive Chef Rene Marquis creates for the Everything’s Fresh Market at MOSI. He uses fresh herbs and spices that are grown in the garden at the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI). “When I came to MOSI and saw the fresh herbs we were growing here, I became excited and saw the opportunity to incorporate them in the menu I was creating for our new café,” Marquis said. “I like any opportunity to grow our own produce as a way of sustainability.”
The museum a non-profit, community-based institution and educational resource that is dedicated to advancing public interest, knowledge and understanding of science, industry and technology. MOSI’s core ideology is to make a difference in people’s lives by making science real for people of all ages and backgrounds. MOSI grows herbs for its butterfly garden, which is part of MOSI Outside. This exhibit includes the Flight Encounter Exhibit where guests can get up close and personal with Central Florida’s native butterflies, which are all raised on-site in their animal husbandry lab. Guests can also walk the trails of the Backwoods Forest Preserve, or 28
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visit the Historic Tree Grove, where the herbs and spices are grown in the tree garden. “We were already growing herbs in a limited capacity as part of one of our demonstration gardens and chef approached me about growing more for the café,” said Kristen Gilpin, MOSI Outside’s coordinator. “I’m always looking for opportunities to grow more stuff in our garden here at MOSI so I was on board with chef.” Gilpin and her staff are currently growing tarragon, mint, rosemary, basil, oregano, sage, parsley, chives and lemongrass in the garden at MOSI. “You really can’t beat growing herbs that you only have to walk 100 feet to pick, that’s pretty awesome,” Gilpin said. MOSI has partnered with Tampa-based Ovations Food Services to manage their new café as well as the museum’s day-to-day food and beverage operations. Because of this partnership, MOSI is able to offer their guests the highest quality food and beverages, and benefit from the company’s skill in food and beverage management, marketing and the booking of high-caliber events. The company offers an “everything’s fresh” approach to the way they prepare and serve the food right in front of MOSI’s guest with ingredients that are locally sourced whenever possible. “It’s all about finding the freshest herbs and produce possible,” Marquis said. “If you can save money by growing your product on site, that’s great and I plan on working WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
with Kristen to get more seasonal herbs and produce to grown in MOSI’s garden.” Sustainability is very important to MOSI and its staff. “We grow all of our own butterflies and we grow all of our own plants to do that, so it’s a pretty unique exhibit,” Gilpin said. “We are one of the few butterfly gardens in the country that raises all of our own butterflies, so sustainability is very important to us here at MOSI. You can’t continue to do that without a lot of forethought into sustainability.” Marquis sees sustainability as a large piece of the farm to table movement. “Farm to table is never going to go away because people want fresh food,” Marquis said. “Why should we empower someone to deliver our food when we have the capability of growing right here.” He wants to add more produce to the gardens at MOSI and maybe even some hydroponic gardens as well. “We want to have more fresh greens for the cafe, but you have to crawl before you walk,” Marquis said. “So right now, we have passed the crawling phase and we are in the walking phase. In the near future I see us at a full sprint.” If you would like to learn more about MOSI and MOSI Outside, you can visit the museum’s website at www.mosi.org or call 813987-6000. The Everything’s Fresh Market is located at the main entrance of MOSI and it’s open during museum hours. MOSI is located at 4801 E. Fowler Ave. in Tampa. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Part 4 By Ginny Mink
Enter the Literary Time Machine as we venture, once again, back to 1926 with Charles Torrey Simpson’s: Ornamental Gardening in Florida. As we begin this section on the architecture of one’s dwelling, we’d do well to see that indeed Torrey Simpson had it right, “Florida is in some respects a peculiar country and those who build their homes here will do well to fit them for its conditions.”¹ Surely we understand the oddity that is the Florida landscape. Yet, he goes even further, “…the whole has an abundant and well distributed rainfall, from about fifty to sixty-five inches annually…it is subject to the West Indian hurricanes in autumn…”¹ Curious about his rainfall estimates we did a little research and discovered that the area receiving the least amount of rainfall was Key West at 39.8 inches and the greatest was Niceville at 71.0 inches. All together, the actual average: 55.1! That result shocked us incredibly because this book is closing in on being 100 years old and there’s this sense of enduring accuracy throughout. There’s also a question about how much natural patterns actually don’t change? Worthy of further investigation, since well we know that the hurricanes in autumn part is still dead on! He continues to paint Florida’s picture as he saw it in 1926: “Over nearly all the state insect life is abundant and somewhat aggressive; mosquitoes are especially bad in many places during the rainy season of the warmer part of the year.”¹ We had to chuckle at his description of the insect life being aggressive. If you’ve lived in this gorgeous yet, odd, state for any length of time you’ve probably had your own insect battle. There’s the mosquitoes he mentions, of course, but there’s also the red ants and the heinous roaches and veggie eating aphids. Yep, Florida insects are still on the aggressive side! Torrey Simpson moves then to something with which this author’s husband would wholly agree, having spent 30+ years in that industry, “The roof of any building in Florida is a matter of the greatest importance for if it be unsuitable or defective the entire house is ruined.”¹ From the roof he jumps (not literally) into the height of the foundation, while returning to his insect issue, “Because of numerous insects it is eminently wise in building to guard against them if possible. It is found that at an elevation of ten feet mosquitoes are not nearly as bad as immediately on the ground and the same is true of other insects.”¹ He mentions, to our amusement, cockroaches in this list of problematic insects. Man, we hate cockroaches but apparently they’ve been around a long time and probably aren’t going anywhere any time soon! Here we discover a point of serious contention for him. He mentions the recent introduction of Spanish style building, which he says, does not find its roots in Spain, and is rather ridiculous given the design and Florida’s excessive rainfall. He shares multiple experiences with bad roofs and wet plaster on WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
the homes built this way. In fact, one can almost hear his exasperation, “Dingy, dirty tiles supposed to be taken from the roofs of Cuban mansions built three hundred years ago, are laid for a covering to houses in the wild piney woods whose walls are so new that the mortar in them has not dried out! If ever there was a case of putting old wine into new bottles surely this is it!”¹ He so mad he’s quoting Scripture! He calls the man-made, designed-to-look-old cracks “architectural hypocrisy,”¹ and says that the homes “look more like jails than anything I can think of.”¹ He thinks perhaps they’d be better suited for the arid, desert landscapes or those with cliffs and crags. In fact, so vehement is he about his distaste of this design he declares, “…if all the architects in the country had spent years in study they could never have devised anything more utterly unfit for Florida than this so-called ‘Spanish architecture.’”¹ Further he adds that they’re “a jumble of barbaric incongruity, a medley of architectural jazz.”¹
He switches then to the bungalow style home and applauds the two story design claiming, “…it would be very fitting to conditions in our state,”¹ as long as it was set up off the ground. He gives great accolades to the porch design and admits that unlike other states, people in Florida spend more of their time outside their homes. He then discusses his own dwelling, “I have a piazza running entirely around the main part of my house and it makes a delightful promenade especially when it rains as I can watch my plants and rejoice with them. It is a delightful place by moonlight.”¹ In closing the section he admits that, “I have introduced an illustration of my own house which I designed and built and it is a sort of tropical dwelling. Some of the best architects in the country have pronounced it an atrocity…”¹ Surely he was laughing when he admitted that part because he adds, “…I present it in order that my readers may know what an architectural atrocity is.”¹ There is no doubt a sense of pride in his design; he illuminates the roof style and the fact he’s so far off the ground. Then he shares that he got his ideas from a mixture of Jamaican, Haitian, Hawaiian, Cuban and Filipino designs. In his classic prose, he sums everything up thusly, “Nature is very kind in this land of rain, warmth and sunshine where everyone plants trees, shrubs and vines in their grounds and around their houses. In a few brief years the vegetation covers up and hides the deformities and mistakes of the builder; trees screen it out and kindly vines mercifully spread themselves over the architectural enormities that man has perpetrated so that at length his shortcomings and blunders are made a part of a thing of grace and beauty.”¹ As is his writing…until we meet again on the Literary Time Machine, happy planting and happy building! ¹ Simpson, Charles T. (1926). Ornamental Gardening in Florida. Published by the Author; Little River, FL. Printed by J.J. Little and Ives Company, New York. (p. 12-16). INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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Florida
Butternut Squash By Sandy Kaster, M.S. Clinical Medicines, B.S. Nutrition Science Butternut squash is known for its sweet, mild flavor and superb nutrition. This winter squash is grown throughout Florida and is in its peak season now, between November and January. Distinctively pearshaped with a light orange or tan rind and a vibrant orange flesh, butternut squash has edible seeds and flesh. Its smooth texture lends to its versatility in entrees, side dishes, breads, or muffins. The hard rind is usually peeled before cooking or eating. Butternut squash can be stored for up to six months at room temperature. Florida, along with California, Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia produce the majority of winter squash in the country. NUTRITION INFORMATION According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, one cup of cubed, cooked butternut squash (205 g) contains 77 calories, 1.8 g of protein, 0.7 g of fat, 18 g of carbohydrate, and 6 g of fiber. It provides 350% of the recommended daily requirement for vitamin A, 52% for vitamin C, 23% for dietary fiber, 19% for vitamin B6, manganese, and copper, 14% for potassium, 11% for vitamin B2, 10% for folate and vitamin K, and 8% for omega-3 fatty acids. Butternut squash is also a good source of magnesium, vitamin B3, vitamin E, iron, calcium, and pantothenic acid. ANTIOXIDANTS Fresh Florida butternut squash is bursting with vitamins A and C. These vitamins have antioxidant properties, which help to fight disease and inflammation by neutralizing free radicals, harmful byproducts of metabolism. Antioxidants may reduce the risk of some diseases, including several forms of cancer. High levels of vitamins A and C in the body have been associated with lower levels of cancers of the breast, bladder, cervix, prostrate, colon, and esophagus. BETTER VISION In addition to their role as antioxidants, vitamins A and C also contribute to good vision. One cup of butternut squash has over 300% of your daily needs for vitamin A and over 50% for vitamin C. In a study of over 50,000 women, those who consumed the highest dietary amount of vitamin A had a 39% reduced risk of developing cataracts. In another study that looked at the incidence of cataract surgery and diet, researchers found that those people who ate a diet high in vitamins A and C had half the risk of cataract surgery. Betacarotene also provides protection against macular degeneration. Vitamin A plays an important role in night vision and being able to see black and white. Additionally, this nutrient helps to maintain skin health, both when ingested and when used topically. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
HOW TO SELECT AND STORE Choose butternut squash that is firm and heavy for its size. The rind should be hard and dull in color and free of any soft spots or discoloration. Whole, uncut butternut squash can be stored in a cool place, away from direct sunlight, for three to six months. Once cut, the squash should be wrapped in plastic wrap and stored in the refrigerator for up to several days. Butternut squash can also be frozen for up to six months. HOW TO ENJOY Rinse butternut squash with running water before use. This squash can be baked, steamed, boiled, or grilled. It does not have to be peeled first. To bake, simply cut in half, and scoop out seeds. Place cut sides down on baking sheet to bake. Alternatively, squash can be roasted whole. Pierce holes into squash to allow steam to escape and place whole squash in oven. The seeds can be roasted and eaten for a nutritious snack in the same manner as roasting pumpkin seeds. The seeds are high in monounsaturated fats (the beneficial kind of fat), protein, and fiber. Butternut squash is sweet and mild, and can be enjoyed in many delicious ways. Try roasting it with spices like cinnamon or nutmeg, boiling and mashing for a nutritious side dish, or even swapping it for pumpkin in pie. Other ideas include: • Puree cooked butternut squash and mix into yogurt or a smoothie • Mix chunks or puree into oatmeal, soups, stews • Use puree in pancakes, breads, cookies • Roast seeds and toss them on cereal, oatmeal, or yogurt • Cut in half, scoop out seeds, stuff with rice and vegetables and bake as you would a stuffed pepper • Toss cooked cubes into salad or stir fry Enjoy fresh Florida butternut squash in its peak season today! SELECTED REFERENCES http://www.whfoods.com http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/enjoy_the_taste_and_health_benefits_of_winter_squash
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What a History
America’s First Frontier
By Les McDowell
Photos by Linda Constant
This month we start production on another Dry Creek episode called, The Awakening. Ann Carpenter, Gene Bicknell and myself sat at the table to write about the old Florida characters. Really it’s their stories and we are just putting pen to paper and they add the breath that brings them back to life. One character that will be introduced this episode is the Crown Prince of Cow Hunters, Morgan Bonaparte “Bone “ Mizell. Bone was bigger than life in real life. To quote a paragraph from his bio: “Bone was lean, mean and loquacious, faulted at times for being too funny, too frolicsome, too fractious. This was particularly true when he was drinking, which was most of the time. Tales of his drinking were as legendary as those of his pranks.” Bone is buried in Arcadia and in life worked cattle in some of the same fields where Dry Creek, Americas First Frontier is filmed. Bone Mizell became known 38
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to the rest of the world thru paintings and stories of Fredrick Remington. Remington traveled from New York City to Florida to paint Mizell on his horse. Remington called the painting A Cracker Cowboy. Other paintings of Bone and his cowboy colleagues appeared in the August 1895 issue of Harper’s New Monthly Magazine. Eventually it grew into Florida Cracker, the title now reserved for the Sunshine State’s native-born sons and daughters. As the creator of Dry Creek I am amazed at the stories of the folks that were here long before the I-75s and I -4s cut through this pristine land. A Land Remembered by Patrick Smith, and the 1938 novel written by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, The Yearling, told of this land and it’s people. Now, in a small way, Dry Creek is trying to bring some more of the stories out of the swamps for others to see. As a transplant to Florida I was always amazed at the stories that I had heard about early Florida. I’ve WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
worked cattle in California some and saw the way they did things. When I got to Florida I saw a whole different way that cow work was done. These Cow Hunters here was a whole different breed. Their dogs circled the cattle to hold them in an area. The dogs out west were heelers, nipping at the heels to move them. Out west they used ropes, even in the brush, and were called brush poppers. Here in Florida I was totally blown away by how they used whips horseback to move cattle in some strange places. It’s all part of their history and I feel honored to help tell their stories in a small way.
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The first six episodes of Dry Creek we didn’t let the viewer know where we were. It was like the Simpsons never saying where their town was. The more we shot and heard stories of locals and heard stories of Florida’s rich history, I was sold. I finally saw the light one day while riding on a four wheeler with a several generation cow hunter. He was showing me his families ranch and started sharing some of their history. He looked at me and said, “It’s going to take a Yankee like you to tell our story.” From that day on I’ve listened with awe shaking my head. I can’t help but look out from my truck as I travel down I-75 and see some wetlands and see the ghost of Bone Mizell cracking a whip in the fog. That brings us back to Dry Creek. Everybody knows where Dry Creek is....cause it’s inside each and everyone of us.
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Web Design Graphic Design Lead Generation Online Marketing Content Development Branding exocreative.com 929.500.1396 301 S. Collins Street, Plant City
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FREE EXTENSION IRRIGATION SYSTEM EVALUATION OFFERS POTENTIAL TO SAVE MONEY AND WATER By Jim Frankowiak
As you make plans for the coming growing season you may want to take advantage of a free in-ground irrigation consultation service offered by Hillsborough County Extension to county residents, businesses, homeowner associations and others who use sprinkler systems on their landscapes with water purchased from utilities. “The purpose of this on-site evaluation is to help high landscape water users benefit by learning more about irrigation system settings, seasonal adjustments and potential economic savings,” said Paula Staples, Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Public Education Program Coordinator. “Property owners interested in the evaluation can schedule an onsite visit time and date that is usually completed in less than two hours.” The process involves four parts: 42
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• An Irrigation System Review • Determination of Landscape Concerns of the Property Owner • Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Principles in Practice • System Evaluation Recommendations Based on the Visit Catch-can tests are conducted for each sprinkler system zone. “This determines the average amount of water the system is applying to the lawn in each of the system’s zones,” said Staples. “Science-based research from the University of Florida shows that 1/2 to ¾ of an inch of water is sufficient whether WWW. WWW.IN NTHE HEFIELD IELDMAGAZINE.COM AGAZINE.COM
this is from rainfall or irrigation. Excess watering is costly and not wise use of water.” During the evaluation, Staples also looks for system leaks and other factors that may have an impact on irrigation uniformity. She also checks on property owner knowledge of local watering restrictions. “We sometimes find systems that blend rotary sprinklers and sprayers for turf. Rotary sprinkler heads use less water and cover more turf, while spray heads use more water, but cover less of an area,” she said. “We evaluate head-to-head coverage and mixing those types of sprinkler heads can be problematical in terms of actual system coverage and rate targets.” Her system evaluation, which is conducted in the presence of the property owner, also looks for system leaks, clogs, broken heads, blocked spray paths, misdirected heads, head types and proper use of heads for lawn and landscape. Staples also checks the system controller, rain sensor and rain gauge, if applicable. Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Principles included in the evaluation include: right plant right place, fertilize appropriately, water efficiently, mulch, attract wildlife, control yard pests responsibly, recycle, reduce stormwater runoff and protect the waterfront, if applicable. “I also remind participants that it is best to water during the cool, early morning hours to minimize water loss by evaporation and to discourage disease,” she said.
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Once the catch-can tests and system inspection have been completed, property owner landscape concerns determined and Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Principles in practice, Staples completes the final part of the evaluation, University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/ IFAS) Extension Hillsborough County Recommendations, which are provided to the homeowner and relate to each item addressed during the visit. These recommendations are provided by email or traditional mail when email is not available. “My recommendations are designed to enhance irrigation system performance and landscape beauty, while maintaining plant health and conserving water,” said Staples. Should there be a need for system service, Staples provides referrals to a listing of companies holding certification from the Florida Irrigation Society. Each participant in the evaluation receives a copy of the UF/IFAS publication, “The Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Handbook,” which teaches property owners about landscape maintenance practices that save time, money and water while protecting Florida’s environment and natural waterways. Hillsborough County residents with in-ground irrigation systems using water purchased from utilities can schedule free system evaluations by contacting Staples via email: StaplesP@hillsboroughcounty.org or telephone: 813/744-5519, Extension 54142. Additional information about Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Principles is available on the web at: http://hillsborough.ifas.ufl.edu.
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New Year’s Resolutions… and Laws… for 2015 by John Dicks
A new year traditionally brings a flurry of resolutions. They are usually accompanied with a vow that this year, unlike years gone by, those resolutions will be kept and adhered to.I hope that yours are coming along quite well.Regarding resolutions and changes, our Government tends to follow suit with its new laws, making the first of January a good date to implement things or otherwise start anew. Our Federal Government as well as those of the States particularly seem to favor starting such measures with a brand new year. Funny, though, that in the case of the Federal Government, laws are often placed in effect retroactive to the beginning of the year, even when they are actually passed with only days left in the old one! That’s often particularly true with tax law changes. For example, we Floridians fortunately will still get to deduct sales taxes that were paid all throughout last year, but that provision wasn’t for certain until Congress finally got around to passing it the week before Christmas! All in all, there were more than 50 tax breaks that would have expired had Congress not acted and made them effective, retroactive to the beginning of last year!
No matter which side of this issue you stand on, Legislators seem to dread debating the subject. So the rate increase, amounting to about 1.5%, was actually automatic, brought about by a 2004 constitutional amendment that leads to annual adjustments. The other new Florida law to pay attention to most particularly affects young children and their parents while driving in their cars. The new requirement entails placing children through age 5 in car seats or booster seats while riding in vehicles. Previously, the limitation was that children ages 3 and younger were required to ride in such child-restraint devices. Kids older than three could use seat belts, as is required for adults. Interestingly, AAA, the automobile association, supported the change although it more particularly recommended use to be determined by height and weight, noting that the “American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the use of a 5-point harness until the child is 40 lbs.” With everything now finally in effect, it’s time to look forward to a Happy New Year. I wish you a happy, healthy, safe and prosperous one!
Among the extended tax breaks were many popular provisions including educator expense deductions, tuition and fees deductions, mortgage relief deductions and energy tax breaks. So widespread and beneficial were the deductions that with a bit of “tongue in cheek” humor, Congress titled the legislation the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014. Our own Florida Legislature passes new laws in the spring of each year, but will often allow a later implementation, presumably so that the public will have time to prepare. For example, in 2014, there were 255 bills passed by the Lawmakers and sent on to Gov. Rick Scott; but of those, 158 of them did not take effect until July 1 and three of them were effectively delayed until 2015. Of the three new state laws that went into effect with the new year this year, however, only two are really significant. One is the raising of the minimum wage. It’s not to the $10 level that we heard so much talk about during the elections. But the increase does break the $8 level, rising from $7.93 last year to $8.05 this year.
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John Dicks is both a Lawyer and a Farmer. He and his family own a Blueberry Farm and have Agricultural lands which they lease for cattle operations, as John says, “to someone who knows and handles cattle much better than I do!” John is both a Gator, having received his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida, and a Seminole, with his Law Degree from Florida State University. He and his wife, Sharon, live in Plant City, where he served nine years as City Commissioner, including three years as Mayor. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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s e p i c e R These recipesipes come from WWW.STRAWBERRYSUE.COM
Florida Strawberry & Gorgonzola Salad INGREDIENTS 6 cups of fresh spinach 1 cup of fresh strawberries, sliced 1/2 cup gorgonzola cheese 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped 1 apple, sliced thin 4 tbs of your favorite vinaigrette
DIRECTIONS Toss all ingredients and serve immediately.
DIRECTIONS
Easy Strawberry Cobbler
Meanwhile, in medium bowl combine sugar, flour, milk and vanilla, whisking until smooth. Remove baking dish from the oven and pour cobbler base into the middle of the pan. Next pour the prepared strawberries down the middle of the cobbler. Avoid your temptation to stir!
16 oz strawberries 1 cup plus 1 tbsp sugar 1 stick butter 1 cup flour 1 cup milk 1 tsp vanilla extract
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Bring strawberries to room temperature. Wash, drain and remove caps. Slice strawberries and toss with 1 tbsp of sugar. Place the stick of butter in a 9×13” baking dish, or for a thicker cobbler use a 8×8” baking dish. Put the baking dish in the oven to melt the butter.
INGREDIENTS
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Preheat oven to 350°F.
Bake at 350°F for one hour.
Serve with a scoop of ice cream for a delicious and easy treat! January 2015
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Getting the Disabled Back on Track by Nick Chapman
Taking his grandson hunting was proving to be a challenge for Vietnam veteran, Ray Hargroves, who lost both his legs during combat. Although he had an offroad capable wheelchair, the fatigue of pushing himself on uneven terrain at his age presented a major obstacle. “By the time I got back to the hunting spot, I was tired,” commented Ray. Then one day a friend from church mentioned a charity that Bill O’Reilly helped support, and he encouraged Ray to watch the show and get the information about a special chair. He watched the show on T.V. and got the information and website address to The Independence Fund. Their stated goal is: Moving Our Nation’s Severely Injured Veterans Towards Greater Independent Mobility. He went to a neighbor’s house to borrow the internet to see what it was all about. Ray found out he could obtain a motorized off-road chair that ran on durable tracks. Called an Action Trackchair, this amazing piece of technology was being made available to severely injured veterans. The Independence Fund provides financial support to veterans to receive this and other life-changing mobility equipment, for no cost to those who qualify. Ray filled out the veteran’s application to receive aid to obtain the Action Trackchair. A few weeks later his chair arrived at no cost. “I’ve been to the Green Swamp and Croom hunting and fishing, this thing will go anywhere” said Ray. “It goes up hills and down hills, I’ve had it in gullies and crossed creeks, nothing stops it.” He has also taken it to the annual Pig Jam and other events that would be difficult for him to push through. The chair also came with a transport trailer that attaches to his vehicle’s towing hitch. It also has accessories like fishing pole holders, gun racks, tool box and more. Each chair is made specifically for 52
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the individual based on type of disability, weight, size and the intended use of the chair. Depending on available funds and manufacturing, it could take up to three months to process a chair. Ray has been trying to get the word out to other veterans. “If one veteran can be reached by this story, that would be great.” He has been a great advocate for the Action Trackchairs, and has handed out information and will readily speak to anyone who asks about his chair. “The more I use it, the more I want others to know about it. And if they don’t watch Bill O’Reilly on television, they may never find out.” The chairs are not covered by VA benefits since they are considered a luxury, not a necessity. This was one of the reasons Bill O’Reilly got involved in supporting The Independence Fund on his show. After his service as a Marine in Vietnam, Ray came home to marry his high school sweetheart. They had three children, and now have 6 grandchildren. Ray lost Debra to cancer in 2005 after 35 years of marriage. One of Ray’s sons and grandsons also joined the Marines. Ray is a faithful and active member at the Victory Baptist Church in Plant City. The Independence Fund is a 501c3 organization run entirely by volunteers. The funds they use to provide services to veterans come entirely from donations. Everyone should visit The Independence Fund website or their Facebook page to see how their work has changed the lives of veterans and their families. There are several ways to donate your time, money or service to this worthwhile cause. If you are a disabled veteran and are interested in learning more about The Independence Fund and the mobility equipment they provide to vets, please visit their website WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
Ray Hargroves
at www.independencefund.org or call them at (843)822-3802. The Action Trackchair is available for any disabled individual wishing to gain off-road mobility through regular retail purchase as well. These chairs have changed thousands of lives by providing a way for disabled individuals to gain greater access to trails, beaches, snow and marshy areas. To learn more, visit their website at: www.actiontrackchair.com. Ray’s parting thoughts were to encourage every person in the community to visit the James A. Haley Veteran’s Hospital in Tampa, especially where the veterans are going through therapy. “Every American needs to go there and spend an hour watching these veterans trying to get back to normal, and most of them can’t. But they keep trying.” Ray certainly has as his love for God, family and country has made him a valuable member of our community.
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Dig Out or Gross Out:
The American Burying Beetle By Ginny Mink
No doubt an agricultural magazine writing the woe-is-me story about a bug might seem a little counterproductive. However, there are certainly those insects out there that are of value to the farmer and the earth in general. The last bug we wrote about was understandable, after all, most everybody loves butterflies. So, to hear about the potential demise of such a beautiful entity can certainly pull at the heartstrings. Probably not the same emotive response generated by the American Burying Beetle (Nicrophorus americanus). Truth be told a good number of us are probably making that oneeyed squint face that translates to: what in the world is that? So, if you are one of those people (like myself), let me explain. The American Burying Beetle is also known as a sexton or carrion beetle. Surely the word carrion is cringe worthy and if not, perhaps this will assist, carrion equals “dead things Mikey, dead things.” Sorry, I just couldn’t refrain from the 80’s Goonies reference! That said, burying beetles exist off of carcasses not just as their food source but also their reproduction sites. Allow me to elaborate, and as bugs go, this is mad cool. These bugs have an insanely accurate and supersonic (if that were applicable) ability to locate dead things within an hour of death and from up to two miles away¹! So, they catch the scent of a dead mouse and head out. If the male gets there first, because this is like a first and lifetime date, he’ll spray some pheromones to bring in his lady-to-be². When she gets there, a match made in decomposition heaven is made. They work together (even though they just met) to move the carcass up to a few feet in order to bury it in soft soil. Again, they somehow simultaneously (maybe we just don’t understand carrion beetle conversation) agree on a burial spot and crawl under the carcass to start digging out the ground beneath it¹. Of course, this is where it gets a little bit on the gag me side. They utilize anal and oral secretions to preserve the carcass and then they bury it under an inch or two of soil³. The female digs a tunnel just above the carcass and lays 10-30 eggs. No biggie, so far, and then they dig a funnel shaped hole from above¹. Here they regurgitate (that’s where the gag-me for me kicks in) droplets of food in preparation for the babies that will arrive in a few days². If there’s not enough mouse to go around, these research proclaimed great parenting pairs³ will chow on any excess wee-ones¹. They take responsibility for the brood together so I guess they share in the cannibalism too. Moving right along, another cool thing about these bugs is that they bury their carrion so soon after death due to their need to protect their food source. They are nocturnal animals and therefore, digging the grave site at night enables them to keep the flies and all the flyminis (read that maggots) out¹. Also, being able to sense the carcass 54
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so soon gives them a head-start on the other scavengers out at night, foxes, raccoons, rats, etc. By the way, in case you were wondering, they pull all the fur, or feathers, off and then roll the carcass into a ball after they bury it². Presumably to make it easier to eat. And, believe me, they intend to eat all but the bones! Basically, these scavengers are providing our environment with a much needed resource, a clean-up crew that doesn’t strew feathers and bone fragments all over your yard. Sadly, they were placed on the Federal Endangered Species list in August 1989. While they were historically recorded in at least 35 states and 150 counties, that population has dropped exponentially. In fact, numbers show fewer than 1000 east of the Mississippi River¹. The last place they were noted in Florida was in Marion County but that record is undated. In truth, we may be wholly devoid, as a state, of these necessary trash disposals². Why? That’s the question everyone’s trying to figure out. What happened to them? Unfortunately, there are so many potential contributors to their decline, it’s nearly impossible to single one out. In Florida though, we can certainly thank the imported fire ant for its fierce contest against any repopulation efforts (by the way, that’s sarcasm, who likes fire ants?). There’s also the extinction of the passenger pigeon which may very well have been a key food source for the burying beetles in our neck of the woods². On the whole though, there’s the fragmentation of habitat which increases the population of competing scavengers while decreasing the population of various small woodland creatures to gnaw on¹. What can you do? Well, that’s a hard one. Suffice it to say, if you see one, you should probably let the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission know. Thusly, you should take note of their unique appearance. Here’s what to look for: a black body, two wing covers that meet in the middle of the back, orange-red scallop shaped markings on the wing covers, a dark orange mark just below the head, and antennae with orange tips². The marking just below the head is what distinguishes the Nicrophorus americanus from other similar beetles. Seriously, if you see one (they only get to be 1 ½ inches long), let somebody know!
Research Resources:
http://museum.unl.edu/research/entomology/endanger.htm http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/imperiled/profiles/invertebrates/ american-burying-beetle/ http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/walker/ufbir/files/pdf/UFBIR_Chapter14. pdf WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Cliff Barsi (left) Chely Figuer (center) and Neil Ravenna (right) are thrilled with the success of Inside the Box Café and Catering.
The Lunch Box That Keeps on Giving By Libby Hopkins
Dr. Maya Angelou once said, “Shelter network’s programs and services are the rainbow in the clouds for homeless children and adults.” For those who are food insecure or homeless in the Tampa Bay area, their rainbow in the clouds comes in the form of a lunchbox. “God laid it on my heart to start a culinary school for high school dropouts,” said Cliff Barsi, Service Director of Food Services and Social Enterprise for Metropolitan Ministries in Tampa. “So I started my own non-profit and decided to bring it to Metropolitan Ministries because one of my board members was a former employee.” Barsi pitched the idea to the ministry and they loved the concept. They wanted Barsi’s to start the program in their kitchen. “Of course in the non-profit world, you need funding so we entered the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County’s Innovated Business Plan and we won,” Barsi said. “We got $25,000 and that was our seed money for In The Box Café and Catering.” The way In The Box Café and catering works is a meal for you and a meal for them. The “them” are those who are in need in the Tampa Bay community and beyond. “When you order an executive box lunch from Inside the Box, you’re not just getting a fabulous, creative, mouth-watering meal, but you are actually helping the community grow,” Barsi said. “All the profits from your amazing meal go to an amazing cause. They will go toward providing Boxes of Hope filled with nutritious food to feed a family in crisis for three days.” According to Metropolitan Ministries website (www.metro56
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min.org), “We serve 69,000 meals each month in Tampa Bay and at partner sites around Hillsborough, Pasco, Polk and Pinellas counties. And, during Thanksgiving and Christmas, Metropolitan Ministries serves 23,000 families in need with holiday meals. We are growing to meet the most urgent needs of the Tampa area’s families in need. Our main outreach center is in downtown Tampa, but we have an additional Outreach Center in Pasco County.” The residents at Metropolitan Ministries are the driving force behind Inside the Box. While interning with Barsi in the culinary program, they receive on the job training to prepare them for a successful career in catering and food service. They have 32 students a year who go through the culinary program. The students work for three months in the café kitchen and take classes. They then complete a one-month externship in a local Tampa restaurant. In the Box Café and Catering has taken off and they currently have two locations. One café is in Downtown Tampa and the other one is in the Westshore area of Tampa. “Our board member, Bob Basham from Outback had a location they had tested a concept on that they weren’t going to use anymore, so that location became our first café,” Barsi said. “Then six months ago, we were approached by the Westshore Business Center because they were renovating their building and they wanted a nice café in the building for higher-end clients. So, they built out the restaurant how we wanted it and they gave us all new equipment as well.” WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
Chely Figuer is the Catering Coordinator for Inside the Box Café and Catering. She is also a former resident of Metropolitan Ministries. When Barsi started In the Box, Figuer quit her job at 7-11 because she knew in her heart Metropolitan Ministries was where she wanted to work. “I’m a former resident because I was homeless and Metropolitan Ministries helped me in my time of need,” Figuer said. “I wanted to give back to them for helping me so I started volunteering in my spare time, but I knew in my heart that I wanted to work here. Cliff gave me a chance and I took it.” Figuer loves working for Inside the Box, but she also loves bragging about how good the food is and how it helps those in need. “Not only do our clients think our food is good, but they also love what our food does for people in the community,” Figuer said. “We have a great operation and people want to be a part of it.” Barsi hopes to build the catering side of Inside the Box in the New Year. The cafe is part of a bid at Tampa International Airport to have Inside the Box Café grab and go stations throughout the terminals. “We make everything from scratch and we roast our own meats. We do this so we can teach our students,” Barsi said. “The airport wants to do more local food and they like that all of our staff in the kitchen and in the café are either residents or former residents.” If you would like to learn more about In the Box Café and Catering or if you would like to order some box lunches for you next event or meeting, you can visit their website at www.itbcafe.org or call 813-209-1272. The Downtown Tampa café is located at 505 N. Tampa Street and their hours of operation are 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. The Westshore café is located at 1715 N. Westshore Blvd. and their hours of operation are 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
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NEW CITY MANAGER BELIEVES PLANT CITY IS POISED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE ECONOMIC REBOUND By Jim Frankowiak Mike Herr has been City Manager of Plant City since the end of last September, but he already has some strong impressions of the city and plans for its future. A government service veteran with more than 35 years of administrative experience, Herr was most recently Tampa’s Public Works and Utilities Services administrator. “I enjoyed my position with the City of Tampa, but it was a number two position and that would never change,” said Herr. “I really enjoy the opportunity to lead a community and the Plant City opening offered me that chance.” “There is genuine respect for the council/manager form of government, past city managers had served for long periods of time and there is a high level of stability among Plant City’s elected leaders,” he said. “Those were all important factors and distinct advantages in my estimation. That told me the city supports and appreciates the direction of its government.” Since being named City Manager Herr has found his appraisal of Plant City government to be on target and more. “In addition to my assumptions, I have found much more than I had anticipated,” he said. “We have a great management team and group of employees. There is limited staff depth and no margin for error, but that does not compromise services or the ability to get the job done.” “Additionally, Plant City is poised and ready to take advantage of the economic rebound that is occurring. The opportunities for job creation, development and redevelopment are substantial and we will pursue each of them with our economic development partners at the county level.” Attesting to Herr’s commitment is a series of strategic initiatives he recently shared with the City Commission. Entitled: “Embracing the Future While Preserving the Past,” the document outlines key emphasis areas Herr plans the city to focus upon over the next few years. Among them are considerations that will support and enhance economic development and redevelopment. Focus areas for local economic development leading to new business recruitment and expansion of current businesses include manufacturing, financial and professional services, life sciences, distribution and logistics, information technology and agribusiness. The initiatives will utilize existing incentives and top priorities including:
opers for the midtown Village Green project within the first quarter of this year • “Get some dirt turning” on the Northeast Master Plan, the substantial tract north of I-4 to the west of Charlie Taylor Road and south of Knights Griffin owned by Walton International that will include residential and commercial development • Progress on North Park Isles, a residential/commercial development that is also north of I-4 • Get a great business in the Red Rose Inn site • Keep storefronts occupied and downtown looking bright, vibrant and attractive • The City and private sector investors should work closely with the U.S. Postal Service so the former downtown post office is placed on Plant City’s tax rolls and the building converted into professional office space with other amenities for community enjoyment The initiatives also call for focus on the Economic Opportunity Corridors of State Road 39 and Park Road, tourism and sports marketing, strong and safe neighborhoods along with city outreach and the development of relationships with citizens that would achieve dialogue regarding city and its services plus fostering input from citizens on city performance and prioritization of future efforts and funding support. Since becoming city manager, Herr has made a concerted effort to meet with citizen and business owners. “I am impressed with the business owners and operators that I have met with so far and plan to continue since I think it is critical for me to understand what drives our local economy and where the opportunities are for growth.” One other thing Herr has discovered has to do with the people he has met since assuming his new post. “In all of my years of government work I have had the good fortune to dzzeal with nice people. The people here in Plant City are the nicest I have met,” he said. “And, though I am not obligated to live within the city limits, my wife Cathy and I plan to relocate to Plant City as the economy continues to improve.” Herr is currently a resident of Lakeland. For more information on Plant City government, visit: www.plantcitygov.com.
• Issuance of a Request for Qualifications from private sector devel58
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Brandon High School Agriculture Teacher Selected for Professional Development Scholarship By Jim Frankowiak Tiffany Parish, agricultural educator at Brandon High School in Brandon, is one of a select group of agriculture teachers nationwide who received the 2014 Teachers Turn the Key professional development scholarship. As a scholarship recipient, Parish attended the 2014 National Association of Agricultural Educators annual convention in Nashville, TN, November 18-22. The Teachers Turn the Key scholarship brings together agricultural educators with four or fewer years of experience and immerses them in three days of professional development that addresses issues specific to the early years of teaching agriculture. Participants also have the opportunity to become involved in NAAE leadership and network with other NAAE convention attendees. TTTK participants come away from the experience with a long-lasting peer cohort and tools that will help them have successful careers as agricultural educators. Parish has been the agriculture teacher at Brandon High School since 2011. Brandon High School is in a very urban area, but the high school’s agriculture program has on a 10 acre land lab that includes barns, a greenhouse, a shade house, and mechanics lab. Parish cites her district’s teacher induction program as a great resource, from which she has learned teaching techniques such as the tic-tac-toe model that lines up different types of assignments students choose from to reach an objective. She understands that every student is different and gives each options on how to complete an assignment through either a hands on activity, visual presentation, or writing assignment. Outside of the classroom, Parish also helps students achieve success through FFA and Supervised Agricultural Experience projects. SAE projects allow students to apply the skills they have learned in the classroom through an internship, entrepreneurship project, or research project. This year, Parish had more than 50 students with an SAE project and 18 with an SAE internship. As an FFA advisor, Parish helps students prepare for a variety of competitions, including leading a team to national placement in the FFA Dairy Judging Career Development Event. FFA and SAE help students apply skills learned in the classroom in a practical way, helping them find future career success. “Ms. Parish has an unmatchable passion for agriculture and the FFA,” said Carl Green, principal at Brandon High School. “The knowledge and skills that her students receive impact them for life.” Each of the TTTK scholarship recipients was also recognized during a general session during the NAAE convention. RAM Trucks sponsors the TTTK program as a special project of the National FFA Foundation. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
NAAE is the professional organization in the United States for agricultural educators. It provides its’ nearly 8,000 members with professional networking and development opportunities, professional liability coverage, and extensive awards and recognition programs.The mission of NAAE is “professionals providing agricultural education for the global community through visionary leadership, advocacy and service.” The NAAE headquarters are in Lexington, Ky. In the photo from left to right are Tiffany Parish, scholarship recipient, Aaron Dean, RAM Brand Marketing/Advocate Manager for RAM Trucks, and Kevin Stacy, NAAE President
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UF TOMATO BREEDERS CONTINUE QUEST FOR ’MECHANICALLLY HARVESTABLE’ VARIETY
Decades Long Work Getting Closer to Desired Result By Jim Frankowiak The processing tomato industry underwent a very significant change in the 1960s with the introduction of the varieties appropriate for mechanical harvesting. Prior to that time, tomatoes for processing were planted and harvested by hand. The work of Tomato Breeder Jack Hanna changed all of that.
“Had that not taken place, you have to wonder what today’s cost would be for canned sauces, soups and stews with tomatoes,” said Samuel Hutton, assistant professor, Tomato Breeding and Genetics, University of Florida Horticultural Sciences at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. Ninety-five percent of the U.S. processed tomato crop is produced in California and harvested mechanically, but there is increasing interest among Florida fresh tomato growers in mechanical harvesting for the same reasons that led to work on a variety of tomato for processing in California decades ago. Those are ever-increasing production costs and labor concerns. Florida fresh tomatoes are hand-picked. Some researchers suggest transplanting, staking, pruning, tying and harvesting may be as a high as 55-percent of the total tomato production cost. Add to that the cost and availability of farm and unsettled immigration issues plus competitive factors of Mexican grown tomatoes and you have the reasons for the ongoing search for a tomato variety that is appropriate for growing in Florida. “Even when sufficient labor is available in Florida, there is no guarantee those workers will remain for the complete tomato harvest, and the same is true for strawberry growers,” noted Hutton. “They might leave during the spring season for blueberry harvesting which is more lucrative. However, the challenges facing fresh tomato growers in Florida go beyond labor considerations. Florida fresh market tomatoes are staked, tied upright and harvested manually three times unless market conditions are not favorable. Mechanically harvested tomatoes grown in California and elsewhere are plum-shaped fruit, called by some Roma-shaped. Although processing varieties do have somewhat compact vines, they are not exactly compact growth habit (CGH) tomatoes. Processing tomatoes are bred to have high yields and to have a concentration of fruit set. “We are trying to get these characteristics in large-fruited types, but we also need the CGH to keep on the plants on the plastic. They form compact plants that hold fruit above the ground with short branches. CGH tomatoes do not require staking, tying or pruning, thereby reducing labor costs. “The breeding to develop a fresh market tomato variety that could be grown in Florida and harvested mechanically led to the MH-1 variety in the 70s,” said Hutton. “This was a round variety unlike the 60
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plum-shaped fruit of processing tomato varieties. Our current efforts are building on the work of Dr. Jay Scott, who continues his active involvement, and breeders Randy Gardner and Ed Tigchelaar.” Also, substantial funding has recently come from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Specialty Crops Block Grant that is focused on cultural management practices, breeding and economics. The majority of that approximately $300,000 grant is underwriting breeding work. “Incorporation of the brachytic gene has been a significant step forward since that gene fosters CGH,” said Hutton. “This gives us a bush that sits on the plastic bed and with proper fertilization leads to a concentrated fruit set.” Other attributes sought in the new variety and manifest in those already produced include firmness enabling the fruit to endure mechanical harvesting and plant architecture that is suitable, specifically stems that stay with the plant during harvesting. Since all fruit is harvested at one time, it is important to ensure that the variety is not prone to fruit defects. In addition, fertilization programs are critical for CGH varieties because it is important to get early fruit set to maintain a proper reproductive/vegetative balance. “Incorporating disease resistance is another concern along with maintaining yield, marketability, fruit size and quality (color, lycopene levels and good flavor),” said Hutton. “Overall, we are making progress and the results of our breeding and trials over the next three to four years should be meaningful.” Once varieties are commercially available, it will be vital for growers to adapt new and different cultural practices that must be followed with the new varieties coupled with the economics associated with this new path for fresh Florida tomatoes. Hutton noted that the majority of tomatoes grown in Florida with certain exceptions are for the food service industry. “Our overall goal is to develop varieties whose benefits to growers outweigh the risks, “said Hutton. Those risks may be significant; for example, how environmental conditions could negatively affect a highly-concentrated fruit set, while the potential benefits of mechanically harvested varieties are lower harvesting costs, a shortened growing season, a reduced carbon foot print, less fertilizer and pesticide use and a reduced reliance on manual labor. “While we are not there yet, we are approaching a point where we will know whether or not it will be practical for fresh tomato growers in Florida to consider mechanical harvesting,” he said. “I am hopeful we will be in that position within the next three to four years.” WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY INTRODUCES AGRICULTURAL REFERRAL PROGRAM FOR VETERANS By Jim Frankowiak
Agriculture is a growing job market and Hillsborough County wants to help fill those slots through a new program designed to match veterans with education and career opportunities in agriculture in the greater Tampa Bay area and beyond. “Agriculture is a significant industry in this area and its future globally is very bright,” said Hillsborough County Agribusiness Development Manager Simon Bollin. The world’s population is estimated to be nine billion by 2050 with a continuing need for food, fiber and natural resources. “That has opened a wide field of new opportunities in agriculture and food science. “In the next five years alone, U.S. agriculture will need more than 250,000 new jobs to meet the needs of the industry. The technical and management skills acquired by veterans put them in an excellent position to start a new career in agriculture,” said Bollin. “Agriculture today has many career options, including technicians, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) specialists, mechanics, managers and teachers. There is great focus today on using technology and management systems to increase production of food, medicine, consumer products and energy – and to do it in a way that is safe for people and the environment,” he said. New areas in agriculture include: Precision Agriculture, Energy Crops, Agribusiness, Food Science and Technology, Community Supported Agriculture, Environmental Protection and Aquaculture. Specific examples of growth occupations in agriculture include: *Environmental Engineers - +30.6 per cent * Agricultural Inspectors - +12.8 per cent * Market Research Analysts - +28.1 per cent * Veterinarians - + 33 per cent *Computer & Information Systems Analysts - +16.9 per cent * Financial Analysts - +19.8 per cent “In Hillsborough County we have many resources available to veterans who want
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to explore the possibility of pursuing careers in agriculture,” he said. “We have compiled a list of those resources in a new brochure that is available at no charge to interested veterans or their friends and family members.” Among resources listed are three specifically directed to veterans: Center for Rural Affairs, Veteran Farmers Project: www.cfra.org/veteran_farmers_project; Farm Bureau Resource Guide to Assist Veterans in Agriculture: mdfarmbureau.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/FBVetGuide_LR_Final1-2014.pdf; and Farmer Veteran Coalition: www.farmvetco.org. “There are also online sites that can assist with specific agricultural job opportunities and placement agencies able to help with services,” said Bollin. Listed local agricultural resources include the University of Florida/Plant City with Bachelor of Science degrees in Geomatics, Agricultural Education and Agricultural Communication and Leadership Development – (813/7572280) - gcrec.ifas.ufl.edu/pcc/index.shtml, plus Hillsborough Community College with a range of associate degree programs – www.hccfl.edu and UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County – (813/744-5519) - hillsborough.ifas. ufl.edu. State education and training resources include the University of Flor- ida – (352/392-1365) - cals.ufl.edu and Florida A & M University – (850/599-3796) - www.famu.edu/index.cfm?admissions&ApplyOnline. Loan programs include the U.S. Department of Agriculture Beginning Farmer and Ranchers Loans – www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webpage/area=home&subject=fmlp& topic=bfl and Farm Credit of Central Florida – (1-866/245-3637) – www.farmcreditcfl.com/home.aspx. For copies of the resource brochure, go to http://hillsborough.ifas.ufl.edu/, HCC and UF offices in Plant City, Hillsborough County Extension Office in Seffner, Hillsborough County Veterans Affairs office in Brandon and the Fredrick B. Carl County Center in Tampa. For further questions, please contact Simon Bollin at 813-2762735.
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Lennard FFA
Lennard FFA from Hillsborough County placed second overall Florida FFA is excited to announce the results of the 2014 High School State Citrus Evaluation Career Development Event. High school teams from across the state competed in the event held on December 2, 2014 at the Florida FFA Leadership Training Center in Haines City. The CDE is designed to stimulate learning activities focused on the production and management of citrus fruit. Lennard FFA from Hillsborough County placed second overall in the competition. Roger Smith a senior on the team earned fourth highest individual in the state. He was followed by his teammates Jessica Maestas, Lexi Garner, and Jarrett O’Brien. 62
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NEWS FROM FLORIDA AGRICULTURE IN THE CLASSROOM Literacy Day Set; Volunteers Needed; Teacher Grants Announced By Jim Frankowiak
Florida Agriculture in the Classroom (FAITC), the non-profit organization that educates Florida teachers and K - 12 students about where their food, fiber and fuel comes from via a variety of initiatives, is seeking volunteer readers for its 12th annual Literacy Day, which is scheduled for Tuesday, April 21, 2015. That day will also serve as the debut of a new, non-fiction children’s book that highlights Florida agriculture. Entitled: “Drive Through Florida: Livestock and Poultry,” the book features an animated red truck that takes students on a tour of Florida’s beef, dairy, poultry, swine, equine, sheep and goat industries. It was developed by Florida Ag In the Classroom. Speaking on behalf of Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and FAITC, Lisa Gaskalla invited “farmers, growers, ranchers, Farm Bureau members, Florida cattlemen and cattlewomen, University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension and 4-H agents, master gardeners, FFA teachers and students and agriculture industry representatives to read portions of the new book to elementary students around the state as part of this annual event.” Gaskalla is FAITC’s Executive Director. 64
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“The book is geared to upper elementary students – third, fourth and fifth graders—so we recommend that volunteers target those grade levels when they schedule their readings,” said Gaskalla. “It can be read to younger elementary students in kindergarten, first and second grades, provided readers follow instructions in the book and in an online video on FAITC’s website regarding reading to younger audiences.” While readers are encouraged to read on Agriculture Literacy Day, “they don’t have to,” she said. “They can read until the end of the school year.” The book and materials will be provided to volunteer readers for free thanks to funding FAITC receives from sales of the agriculture specialty license plate called the “Ag Tag,” and a donation from Florida Farm Bureau’s Women’s Committee. Teachers and agriculture industry representatives interested in participating are asked to check FAITC’s website and www. agtag.org to order materials beginning in February 2015. The deadline to register for materials is Tuesday, April 7 for those who plan to read on Florida Agriculture Literacy Day which takes place two weeks later. Gaskalla recommends that readers schedule their classroom visits first, and then order materials on the FAITC website. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
Materials will be mailed to readers. Each volunteer reader will receive one book, one disc with the book and teacher resources on it, and classroom sets of stickers and bookmarks per classroom. They are to deliver the materials to the classroom the day of the reading. FAITC has also announced teacher grants awarded for the 2014-2015 school year. This FAITC initiative provides funding with Teacher Grants. This school year, 37 projects were funded with grants totaling $27,904 and the projects are expected to reach more than 12,500 students in all elementary grades at schools across Florida. “The teacher grant projects we’re funding are very innovative and show how effective agriculture can be as a teaching tool,” said Ken Barton, FAITC Chairman and executive director of the Florida Peanut Producers Association. “We are happy to provide these funds to help teachers educate their students about the Florida agriculture industry.”
• Let’s Grow Together – Pre-kindergarten through third grade students at Claywell Elementary will expand their school garden to give them hands-on, scientific experiences with longterm botanical investigations, and allow them to work collaboratively to understand the benefits of gardening on the environment. • Panther Gardening – First, fourth and fifth grade students at Hunter’s Green Elementary will continue the momentum created last year with their gardens to create a watering system that is economical and easy for students to install. FAITC also awarded project grants to teachers at Bardmoor Elementary in Pinellas County and Roosevelt Academy, Polk Avenue Elementary and Valleyview Elementary -- all in Polk County.
Three of the 37 projects funded by FAITC are taking place at schools in Hillsborough County: • Seed the Superhero – Pre-school students at St. Clement Early Childhood Center will learn how plants grow. The project will give younger students the opportunity to count and sort seeds and predict what will happen when seeds are planted. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Shad Simmons
By Jim Frankowiak
Continuing His Family’s Agricultural Legacy and Addressing the Contemporary Challenges Facing Strawberry Growers Shad Simmons is in the business of growing strawberries and vegetables in the Plant City area with his father, Earl W. “Billy” Simmons III. He is also the president of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association. Neither is surprising since the Simmons family name and agriculture go hand in hand as they have for generations in Plant City, beginning back in the mid-1800s. The same can be said of the family’s involvement in the association since it was formed in the early 80’s. Shad’s grandfather, Earl W. “”E.W.” Simmons Jr., began farming on his own at the age of 15 when he planted his first crop of strawberries on land next to the family farm. He used the proceeds from his first two berry crops to purchase an adjacent 10-acre plot for $500. That land, which is located along Mud Lake Road south of Plant City, is still owned by the family and is part of E.W. Simmons Farms, Inc. “He also ran a fertilizer business from his truck,” said Shad. In addition to strawberries, Shad’s grandfather raised a good deal of cabbage, beans, eggplant, kale, mustard greens, turnips and citrus. E.W. devoted his life to agriculture, living in the same home until
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he passed in 2007. His father, Earl Simmons, was a Hillsborough County commissioner for 28 years until the early 1960s. The senior Simmons instilled a love for community service in his son and that has carried forward to Billy and on to Shad. Billy and Carol Simmons have six children: brothers Chaun, Philip and Shad and sisters Casey, Evie and Brea. Shad and Casey Simmons Runkles are the only children involved in the family farm. Casey is chief financial officer, as well as an independent food safety consultant, serving both the Simmons Farm and other agricultural operations in the area. Carol’s Plant City roots are deep, too. Her father, James Causey, was a Sherman tank operator in World War II and held the rank of master sergeant. He later worked with his parents at J. A. Causey Hardware Store on Evers Street and for South Florida Baptist Hospital and Shore Fertilizer. Carol taught at Plant City High School and before getting into farming full-time in 1977, Billy worked for Equipment Services, involved in the maintenance and repair of equipment used in the phosphate mines. WWW. WWW.IINNTTHE HEFFIELD IELDM MAGAZINE.COM AGAZINE.COM
After graduating from Durant High School in 1999, Shad had plans to pursue a degree in aeronautical engineering and then to become a pilot with the U.S. Air Force. “However, that plan came to an end when I ran up against a calculus class,” said Shad. “I had worked on the family farm while growing up and in 2003 my dad offered me a job and I have been involved ever since.” Shad is farm manager with responsibility for day-to-day operations, while his father handles the other matters associated with the farm. Three years after joining the family farm business, Shad married Leslie Thompson and they are the proud parents of four-year-old Shaz, who just earned his orange belt in karate. Leslie is pursuing a nursing degree and is currently enrolled at Hillsborough Community College with plans to continue her education at Polk State and possibly beyond. Leslie, like Shad, is a lifelong resident of Plant City. The Simmons family has been involved in the Florida Strawberry Growers Association since its beginnings in 1982. Initially it was Shad’s grandfather, then his father, who held the posts of association president, vice president and secretary and now Shad. “The board still has representation from older growers, but there has been move to add younger members to the leadership,” said Shad. “I have found the experience both challenging and rewarding.” The future for strawberry growers is not without challenges. “Among the most significant is the issue of labor,” said Shad. “It is important for us to have a readily available workforce and that has become an ongoing challenge. Some of the options that have been made available are simply not practical or economically viable. Add to that the need to adequately address our immigration policy on the long term basis. “There has also been ongoing media attention over the issue of fumigants the last few seasons,” said Simmons. “Growers are in compliance with applicable regulations, but I have come to the belief that there is a small group of people who have an agenda that includes other issues and hoped for outcomes.” Simmons noted representatives of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have been closely monitoring the fumigation situation. “Growers utilizing the fumigant in question have been fully compliant with regulations regarding its use. In fact, some have gone beyond in the interest of WWW. WWW.IINNTTHE HEFFIELD IELDM MAGAZINE.COM AGAZINE.COM
community harmony.” The regulators continue to consider the fumigation matter, but to date have made no changes regarding either the use or application. “Compliance with other, ever-changing regulations is also among the challenges we face as are effective control of production costs and managing introduction of new varieties of strawberries. And, we have competition from Mexico and California that becomes a factor as our season nears completion. Mother Nature is another factor that we face as growers have forever.” The FSGA continues its funding of the development of new breeds of strawberries to further differentiate Plant City-grown strawberries from those originating elsewhere. Those monies come from royalties paid by growers worldwide who purchase Florida strawberry varieties developed by breeders at the University of Florida underwritten by the FSGA. Simmons noted different options strawberry growers have exercised to meet some of these challenges. “We have opted to grow our farm from 33 to 150-acres since 2003, and we have diversified with different crops. We have devoted eight acres to blueberries this year and we plan to increase that to 15 acres over the next two years.” “In the fall after planting our strawberries, we have also planted peppers. We do the same in the spring and both are done primarily to provide additional work for our workers,” he said. “Many growers are taking advantage of technological advances that help lower production costs and enhance sustainability. Simmons noted his fellow growers work to help one another and share information. “If you have a question or need help, all it takes is a phone call and the answer or assistance is always available. That’s something that makes our industry strong even in the face of the ongoing challenges before us. I feel very confident in our future.” In his spare time, Shad enjoys taking his airboat out on Lake Kissimmee, trail riding his jeep and watching Shaz improve his karate skills. “I used to hunt alligators, but have not had a chance the last few years,” he said, noting his biggest catch was “an eleven-footer.” For information about the FSGA, picking strawberries, recipes for preparing desserts and more with Plant City strawberries, visit: http://flastrawberry.com.
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WOULD BE TEACHER BECOMES PLANT SCIENTIST By Jim Frankowiak
After graduation from Plant City High School, Caitlyn Chandler enrolled in Hillsborough Community College with an eye to becoming a teacher. That plan came to an end after a chance visit to the neighboring University of Florida – Plant City Center and a brochure she happened to pick up about the Environmental Horticulture program available there. That led her to enroll in a non-degree class on plant identification where the seed was planted --- no pun intended—for a plant science degree which she was awarded this past December. The daughter of Susan and Allen Chandler and sister of Cody, Caitlyn is a lifelong resident of Plant City. While a student at Plant City High School she swam competitively and played basketball for one semester. “Yes, we have a garden at home where we grew flowers and vegetables, but I was not involved in FFA or 4-H,” she said. Her grandfather, Earl Shearin, is a UF Agriculture alumnus “but my interest in agriculture, specifically plant science, came about as a result of that chance visit to the UF Plant City Center and that brochure I picked up. I must mention that I have always been a Gator fan.” Like many students at UF in Plant City, Caitlyn worked her way through school working in a variety of jobs, sometimes as many as three at a time. “I worked
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at Mid Florida Nurseries doing everything from retail sales to loading trucks and maintaining a list of available plants.” She also served as manager of the Teaching Gardens on campus which is an arboretum and collection of gardens used as a teaching resource. The garden also provides ideas and inspiration for those interested in gardening or landscaping. In addition, Caitlyn participated in the AVID college readiness program in which she was an algebra tutor for students at Marshall Middle School. As Caitlyn was finishing her program at UF, Dr. Sydney Park Brown, the faculty member who heads the Plant Science program, suggested she consider an internship, specifically the opportunity for a paid internship at Longwood Gardens at Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, about an hour west of Philadelphia. After giving that suggestion some thought, she made the decision to apply. “Once I submitted my application, I participated in a phone interview and several hours later I received a call back and was told I had been selected for an internship,” said Caitlyn. “Caitlyn is a hard-working student that is truly focused,” said Dr. Park Brown. “It has been a pleasure to teach and work with her. The opportunity at Longwood Gardens seemed like a good one for her, and I am very pleased that she was selected.” World renowned, Longwood Gardens was founded by Pierre S. du Pont and comprises more than 1,000 acres. It has a staff of 400 full and part-time employees, more than 800 volunteers and a $50 million annual budget. It is considered one of the world’s premier horticultural display gardens and annuWWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
ally has more than one million guests. It features large-scale, ever-changing displays within its four-acre conservatory and throughout its hundreds of outdoor acres. Longwood Gardens internship program involves both domestic and foreign students. “My group includes three interns from the UK, one each from New Zealand and Croatia, two from Japan and five from the U.S. including me,” said Caitlyn. While she has been pleased with the internship, Caitlyn has had some interesting experiences “like helping to plant 200,000 bulbs in October and helping to decorate a 28-foot Christmas tree outdoors when the temperature was 17 degrees. “Display changeovers are very substantial and they take place within a very short period of time,” she said. “It’s a lot of hard work, but the results are really something to see.” Though Caitlyn’s official internship ended in January, she has been invited to stay on at Longwood Gardens through August. As to her plans after that, they are not firm, but may include advanced studies or pursuit of a position where her degree could be put to work along with customer relations. “Whatever I decide to do, I am pretty sure it will be here in Florida.” For information about the UF, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences online Certificate program in Environmental Horticulture Management, visit: http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/undergraduate/ehm-certifcate.shtml. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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Tiffany Dale
PICKED FOR NEXT GENERATION STATEWIDE AG LEADERSHIP GROUP By Jim Frankowiak
Florida Farm Bureau has selected Tiffany C. Dale of Valrico as one of the state’s outstanding young agriculturists and as a member of the 2014 – 2016 Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Group. The group, which consists of members 18 – 35 years of age from each of Farm Bureau’s eight districts in the state, will spend the next two years participating in a combined study/travel program implemented in 13 seminars, eleven of which will be held in selected Florida locations, one in Nashville, TN and another in Washington, D.C. Dale and Christian Spinosa of Polk County represent District 5, which is comprised of Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lake, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Sumter counties. Spinosa is also serving as the group’s president. “The intent of the program is to develop and refine participants’ leadership capabilities so, in turn, they will be better prepared to become increasingly involved in Farm Bureau at the local, county, state and national levels,” said Farm Bureau’s Program Coordinator Michael Rogalsky. “Over the next two years, the focus will be on personal growth and leadership development in the areas of public speaking, media training, legislative awareness, issue advocacy, business development, networking and service leadership.” Rogalsky said these objectives will be achieved through: • Presentations by a variety of guests speakers and other 74
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resource persons • Visits and tours on location, allowing interaction with key leaders and individuals who can offer insight on issues and how they are being addressed • Educational opportunities and experiences for participants to learn about the history, philosophy, structure, programs and services of the Farm Bureau organization • Personal/professional skill development sessions designed to help participants understand themselves and how to more effectively work and communicate with others • Leadership training to prepare participants to assume the responsibilities of leadership and positively promote agriculture and Farm Bureau • Opportunities to actively participate in various Farm Bureau activities at local, county state and national levels. Dale, who received encouragement to apply for group membership from District 5 Farm Bureau Field Representative Jason Davison, submitted the required written application and her selection, as well as that of other members of the group, was made by Florida Farm Bureau’s Board of Directors. “I enjoy serving on the county level and felt that through the leadership group I could benefit immensely from networking, professional development, leadership skills enhancement with hopes of bringing those improved skills back to District 5 and the various initiatives we have underway,” said Dale. “I am honored to have been selected to be a member of this group,” she said. “There are innate leaders from across the state who WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
understand the issues that all of us face as members of the agriculture industry. I am excited to learn from others on the team and bring my own strengths to the group.” “We are fortunate to have a group that is wholeheartedly concerned and invested in the future of agriculture, outgoing and willing to dedicate the next two years and beyond to intense training and growth in understanding how as a young agriculturist, we can make a difference.” Dale is an Academic Program Coordinator at the University of Florida, Gulf Coast Research and Education Center where her duties include curriculum development and lecturer for the Communication and Leadership Development degree specialization, adviser for Collegiate FFA and
Agricultural Communicators and Leaders of Tomorrow, student recruitment and advising, the provision of academic, research, administrative support to the Agricultural Education and Communication faculty and community service for industry support and program development. She is an alumna of the University of Florida with a Master of Agribusiness in Food and Resource Economics and a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Communication and Leadership, Cum Laude. Her professional memberships include Hillsborough County Farm Bureau, where she co-chairs the Young Farmers and Ranchers Program, Plant City Chamber of Commerce and Plant City Collegiate FFA.
Congratulations Tiffany and best of luck with the Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership Group.
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By Jim Frankowiak The U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has a wild horse and burro adoption event set for January 30-31 at the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds, located east of Brandon at the intersection of State Road 60 and Sydney Washer Road. Adoptions begin both days at 8 a.m. and conclude at 7 p.m. The event is part of the federal Wild Horse and Burro Program, which has fostered the adoption of more than 225,000 animal adoptions since the program began in 1971. The BLM anticipates approximately 65 horses and “a few burros will be looking for new homes.” Wild horses or burros, considered living symbols of American history, are descendants of animals released by or escaped from Spanish explorers, ranchers, miners, U.S. Cavalry or Native Americans and will be offered for adoption both days on a first-come, first-served basis to those who qualify, said the BLM. Federal law defines a wild, free-roaming horse or burro is an unbranded, unclaimed, free-roaming horse or burro found on Western public rangelands administered by the BLM and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). Federal protection and a lack of natural predators have resulted in significant increases in wild horse and burro herd populations, said the BLM. The bureau monitors rangeland conditions and wild horse herds to determine the number of animals, including livestock and wildlife that the land can support. Each year, the BLM gathers excess wild horses and burros from areas where vegetation and water could become scarce if too many animals use the area.
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Wild horses and burros have been trained for many uses. Wild horses have become champions in dressage, jumping, barrel racing, endurance riding and pleasure riding. Burros excel in driving, packing, riding, guarding and serving as companion animals. Both wild horses and wild burro are known for their sure-footedness, strength, intelligence and endurance. Every wild horse or burro is different, according to the BLM. They come in all shapes and sizes and each animal has its own personality. They are of no particular breed, although some exhibit characteristics associated with certain breeds. A typical wild horse stands about 13- to 15-hands and weighs about 700- to 1,000-pounds. Wild burros average 11-hands and weigh about 500-pounds. Since they have only recently been removed from public lands, they are not accustomed to people. Adopters must develop trusting relationships with their adopted horse or burro. These excess animals are offered for adoption to qualified people through the BLM’s Adopt a Horse or Burro Program. After caring for an animal for one year, the adopter is eligible to receive title or ownership from the Federal government. To adopt a wild horse or burro, the adopter must: • Be at least 18 years of age (Parents or guardians may adopt a wild horse or burro and allow younger family members to care for the animal.); • Have no prior conviction for inhumane treatment of animals or for violations of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act; WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
• Demonstrate that the adopter has adequate feed, water and facilities to provide humane care for the number of animals requested, and • Show that the adopter can provide a home for the adopted animal in the United States. Up to four wild horses or burros may be adopted within a 12-month period. Additional animals may be adopted with special permission from the BLM. Good quality grass hay is adequate for a wild horse or burro. They are very sensitive to abrupt changes in diet. At the adoption, the BLM provides additional information about feeding. The adopter must provide a minimum of 400-square-feet for each animal adopted. Until gentled, adult horses need to be maintained in an enclosure at least 6-feet high, burros in an enclosure at least 4.5-feet high and horses less than 18-months-old in an enclosure at least 5-feet high. Ungentled horses should not be released into an open area, such as a pasture, as the animal may not be able to be recaptured for retraining or to provide veterinary care. Acceptable corrals must be of heavy duty construction using poles, pipes or planks of a minimum 1 ½-inch thickness and without dangerous protrusions. Barbed wire and large mesh woven, stranded and electric materials are unacceptable for fencing. Woven small net wire fencing is acceptable with a minimum of two sightboards, one on the top and one in the middle of the enclosure. Also, the adopter must provide shelter from inclement weather and temperature extremes for adopted animals. The shelter must be a two-sided structure with a roof, well-drained, adequately ventilated and accessible to the animal(s). The two sides need to block the prevailing winds and need to protect the major part of the bodies of the horse or burro. Tarps are not acceptable and the BLM can provide area specific shelter requirements. The minimum base adoption fee for each wild horse or burro is $125. Mares and female burros, jennies, adopted with their unweaned foal are $250. Competitive bidding often takes place at adoptions. Current medical records and negative Coggins tests are provided for each animal at the time of adoption. Additional information on the BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Adoption program is available at: http://www.blm.gov. That information includes adoption application downloads, what items should be brought to the adoption and transportation requirements for adopted animals. You may also call: 1-866-4MUSTANGS or 1-888-274-2133. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Naturally Amazing Activities
By Sean Green
Pirate Coin Bag Ahoy Me hearties! Gasparilla be comin’ soon and ye would be served well ta have a doubloons bag fer yer pieces o’ eight, pirate beads, and whatnot. These bags be simple ta make yerself with just a few basic materials. Make yer bag big enough fer the booty ya plan to keep or share and don’t be afraid ta decorate the bag t’ yer likin.
Suggested Material: Fabric scrap (felt, canvas, thin leather) Hole punch
Draw String
(shoelace, leather strip, natural twine cord)
Directions:
Step 1 Trace a large circle onto the fabric, larger circles make larger bags.
1
Step 3 Loop the draw string through the holes in the fabric
3
Step 2 Punch a series of double holes around the edge of the fabric (about ¼” in from the edge)
2
Pirate trivia:
piece-of-eight is a Spanish dollar, worth eight reals or royals, and the currency upon which the U.S. dollar was founded. THE GOLDEN AGE OF PIRACY was between 1650 and 1730 during which piracy was common in the Caribbean. BUCCANEERS were English and French sailors that began to settle on the island of Hispañola around 1630. They cooked their food on a wooden framework called a “buccan” that was used to smoke meat over a fire. Because they typically cooked in this manner, they were called “buccaneers”. The Spanish believed they could force the buccaneers to leave Hispañola by depriving them of food so they sent hunters to slaughter the wild boar that was the buccaneers primary food source. As the population of boar diminished, many buccaneers resorted to piracy to survive
Step 4 Pull the string to close the bag and establish the bags pleats
4
5 6 Step 5 Place a knot into the drawstring to limit how far the bag can open. Place a second knot at the end of the drawstring to keep the drawstring together. Step 6 Hang the bag on a belt by looping the bag through the drawstring around the belt
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A Closer Look
By Sean Green (aka Sean Lafitte)
Minute Pirate Bugs (Anthocoridae)
Photo Credit: Orius Insidiosus by Jack Dykinga, USDA Ahoy mateys! I hope yer holiday celebrations left ye in good cheer and shipshape fer the coming Gasparilla celebrations. Any old salt can tell ye that Tampa Bay has hosted its share of pirates and privateers throughout history, but shiver me timbers! Did ye know that there be tiny insects that have earned the reputation of a pirate? Blimey! Though rarely seen at sea, the minute pirate bug (Anthocoridae) is worth its weight in gold to any landlubber that wants to protect their fresh grub from plunderin pests. Avast ye! Our booty this month be from diggin up science journals to discover fer ourselves how this particular tiny landlubber has earned the reputation of a pirate, and why it should be part of yer crewe. Minute pirate bugs (Anthocoridae) are “true bugs” (Hemiptera). The pronunciation is (mahy-noot) pirate bug, meaning very tiny, not (min-it) as in 60 second pirate bug. Collectively, these insects comprise over 500 species in more than 70 genera, like fleets of pirate ships, their colors vary but their role remains consistent throughout the world, eliminate the enemy. These predatory insects are important biologic control agents in many agroecosystems. Both the immature nymphs and mature adults feed on pest insects such as mites, aphids thrips, caterpillars. The minute pirate bug will pierce its prey with its proboscis (needle like beak), inject its saliva into the prey, then drink the insects contents through its proboscis. Each nymph and adult consume an average of 30 adult mites per day and have become a popular insect predator for a variety of agricultural crops and are known to prey on corn borers, corn leaf aphids, potato leafhopper nymphs, whiteflies, thrips, and mites. Some species in this family of insects have been designated more effective than many beneficial insects because of a characteristic co-evolution with some important crop plants, specifically peppers, okra, and cotton. Some plants, including crop plants, create tiny chambers called domatia that support a mutual benefit for both the plant and the insects that nest in the chambers, this relationship is called mutualism. The domatia chambers created by the plant offer protection to small insects such as ants and mites and the plant benefits not only by housing small predators such as ants, but also gains the nutritional benefit from the insects waste. The domatia and its protection are not always used by the ideal tenant, sometimes harmful insects such as thrips will move in and the domatia becomes a stockpile of WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
pest insects that will feed on the plant until the plant dies, not much benefit in that. The minute pirate bugs distinguished advantage over other beneficial insects is its co-evolution with specific plants. Many beneficial insects must locate a new food source once they have consumed all of the pest insects on a particular plant. The beneficial insect moves on or starves, then in the absence of a natural predator, pest insects return and propagate until increasing pest populations once again attract another predator. The pirate bug feeds primarily on insects, however, unlike other beneficial insects, when the pest insects are gone, the pirate bug doesn’t need to move on to search for food. It’s co-evolution with the plant allow the minute pirate bug to live inside it’s host plants domatia and survive by feeding on the plants pollen and juices without damaging the plant. When pest insects return, the minute pirate bug will switch it’s diet back to eating the pest insects. Female pirate bugs lays their eggs safely inside plant tissues, where they hatch into nymphs and grow to maturity within 20 days. The length of the day and temperature govern the insects reproductive rate. In northern Florida, minute pirate bugs are active from March to November, however tend towards year-round activity towards southern Florida and several generations are common during a single growing season. Several species are commercially reared and shipped as adults in bran, rice or vermiculite substrates along with a food source. Once shaken out of their shipping habitat, the pirate bugs will readily disperse to find prey. Insects such as minute pirate bugs are increasingly common components of a sound IPM approach for commercial agriculture, the home garden, and even corporate environments. The incorporation of such solutions must be balanced by minimizing insecticide applications to maximize the natural biologic control from the minute pirate bugs. If your adding pirates to your home garden, be aware, that even good pirates can sometimes be irritating. Minute pirate bugs are about the size of the period on the end of this sentence. They can easily fit through window screens and make their way into your home. They are known to occasionally bite humans but do not take blood or inject saliva. No one knows why they sometimes attack, perhaps just a pirate thing? INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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By Ginny Mink
Arrowhead Archery
After last month’s adventure, we were certain it would take some kind of amazing to even come close to the thrill the kids experienced. Thankfully, we were able to locate just that kind of amazing. Now, keep in mind that the Mink mini’s are city-folk, they live in a subdivision and have a 5ft wide yard (that might be inaccurate but you get the idea). So, the thrill behind Meet the Minks is always the exposure to those agricultural/outdoorsy things they’d never get, “in the neighborhood.” To our surprise, there was something new to do in our, “neck of the woods.” New to us, that is. We had the distinct honor of spending some time at Arrowhead Archery in Seffner! When we pulled into the parking lot, Hazel immediately got excited by the screen printing on the exterior window. Now, remember, I don’t ever tell her where we’re going for Meet the Minks, it’s always a surprise for her. So imagine the eruption of laughter when she declared, thinking she’d finally figured it all out, “It’s a DEER FARM!” The big buck image on the front must have given it away. We were all rolling (I think Zeke was even chuckling)! Obviously, Hazel is too used to going to the farm so this was a great change up of venues for her! Upon entrance, 88
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all three of the Mink kids were enthralled by the hanging heads (moose, deer, etc.). Hazel pretended to know what she was talking about, making up names for the animals on display. She called the lynx a tiger and if I could spell the other names she ingeniously and creatively divulged, I’d share those too. Ultimately she had a hard time believing the fowl on the back wall was a turkey, the same kind she’d had for Thanksgiving… Having made our way to the back of the shop, I introduced the fam to Johnathan Swindle, the owner of Arrowhead Archery. He quickly set us up on two “lanes” grabbing J, the eldest, first. All the while, my husband, Chris, was entertaining Zeke with the various wildlife sticking out of the walls. Hazel, ever the jealous one, was in the background squealing, “Me too, me too,” as Johnathan explained stance and technique to J. Now, prior to our arrival, I had asked J if he ever shot a bow and arrow. To which he sarcastically replied, “Yeah, and a kindergartener was better than me!” Thankfully, he ended up hitting the bull’s eye five times while we were there! In fact, he didn’t want to leave and has asked to look into archery 4H when we start homeschooling next year! I wish I could reveal to you how ecstatic about that I am. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
Now for the moment you’ve all been waiting for, the Haze with an arrow! She was given a pink compound bow, to her great joy. Johnathan, who is a big man, sat down with her and patiently showed her how to hold, aim and shoot. She was in hog heaven! Under his guidance, she was able to hit the bag, though she wasn’t pulling hard enough to get the arrows to stick. In fact, he announced that she’d hit the bull’s eye on her first shot (much to J’s chagrin). Hazel was in no hurry to leave either, I can assure you. The unfortunate part there was that someone had to assist her (as the bow was a little too big for her wee hands). Therefore, when Johnathan had to run his shop, I was left to fill in. Now, this is the funny part, I don’t recall ever shooting a compound bow either. So, prior to his departure, Johnathan taught me how to shoot. When my first shot showed J’s up, I got the evil eye, but then the confidence I gained therein quickly made my aim wholly inaccurate (pride comes before a fall – or a bunch of misses in this case). So, then J got to smirk at me as he was getting closer and closer to the bull’s eye. Hazel was eagerly awaiting my turn’s completion because that meant it was her turn again. I was terrible at assisting her. I think out of at least 21 shots, we might have hit the target 3 times! Yet, she didn’t care, she was thrilled to just shoot! Zeke helped with the arrow pick up at the end, but mostly he just watched with Chris. Unfortunately, he was just a little too small for this one. At the end of our visit and with great consternation, the children were forced (by their mother) to exit the building. When I had them back in the car I asked Hazel, “So how’d you like archery?” She replied, matter-of-factly, “I don’t know what that is, but I sure love shootin’!” Thankfully, Johnathan informed us that we’re welcome back any time! Therefore, I anticipate another venture to the range in the near future! We’re very thankful for the opportunity and are even looking into some smaller sized compound bows so that Hazel and Zeke can do it themselves next time! Thanks Arrowhead Archery! This was a Meet the Minks that won’t be quickly forgotten. If you’d like to try out your shootin’ chops, definitely check out Arrowhead Archery and let them know the Minks sent ya. You can contact them at: (813) 621-4279 or find them on the web at: http:// www.arrowheadarcheryshop.com! WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Florida Strawberry Growers help Marines fill bags for local Toys for Tots program
Toys for Tots
FSGA Director of Marketing Sue Harrell, Marine Corps Master Sgt. Danny Ramirez and FSGA Executive Director Kenneth Parker collect donations for Tampa Bay Toys for Tots. When the members of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association attend their annual awards banquet, they don’t show up empty handed. For the seventh year in a row, the strawberry farmers used this opportunity on December 12 to support the local U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program.
Corps’ premier community action program and the only charitable endeavor within the Department of Defense that reaches outside the military establishment to give something back to the communities from which it draws the young men and women who wear the uniforms of the armed services of the United States.
“Each member who attends brings an unwrapped gift for a boy or girl for ages infant to 14,” said Sue Harrell, director of marketing for FSGA. Harrell said growers also contribute cash to the effort so the local Toys for Tots campaign can purchase items to meet the unique needs of the children they serve in the Tampa Bay area.
The U.S. Marines have distributed more than 469 million toys to over 216 million needy children throughout the nation. For more information about the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program, visit the website at http://www.toysfortots.org/.
“Seven large bags were filled to overflowing with toys during the 32nd Annual FSGA Awards Banquet, known as the Jam,” Harrell said. Also for the seventh year, Master Sgt. Danny Ramirez was on hand to accept the toy and cash donations from Harrell and FSGA Executive Director Kenneth Parker. The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is the Marine 92
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The Florida Strawberry Growers Association was formed in 1982, and became a voice for Florida strawberry growers. Its mission continues to allow farmers to be partners in research, promotion and member/community service. Local growers and members of the FSGA produce about 15 percent of the nation’s strawberries and virtually all the berries grown during the winter. The commodity, grown on approximately 11,000 acres, has an economic impact on the local community exceeding $700 million. For more information about FSGA, visit www.flastrawberry.com. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
Shad Simmons FSGA’s 2013-2014 President
Mike Rennell with Highland Corporation and Jerod Parker with Chemical Dynamics. Mike received the Classic Award for his continued support of the growers. Chemical Dynamics sponsored the award. Shad Simmons 2013-2014 FSGA President, His mother Carol Simmons, and father Billy Simmons. Â Mr. and Mrs. Simmons received the 2014 FSGA Strawberry Hall of Fame Award.
Todd Jameson one of the FSGA Board Members received the Workhorse Award sponsored by RCS Company of Tampa given to Todd by Chris Harrell representing RCS. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
Dr. Natalia Peres received the Public Service award for her achievements in strawberry research. Pictured here Mr. and Mrs. Jack Rechcigl, Award winner Associate Professor, Dr. Natalia Peres and her husband. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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Buddy Colman Keeping the Ag Education Perspective Before the Farm Bureau Board; Showcasing the Diversity of Ag for ALL Turkey Creek Middle Schoolers When Buddy Coleman accepted a position on the Board of Hillsborough County Farm Bureau he had two unofficial slots to fill: one was formerly occupied by his brother George, Jr., and the other, fellow Ag Teacher Greg Lehman. The former would enable him to continue his family’s support of agriculture and the latter was to maintain the Ag education presence before the Farm Bureau board. “Agriculture has been an important part of our family life for as long as I can remember,” said Coleman. “My brother and I learned about agriculture at home and while attending schools here in the Plant City area, and we continue that involvement today.” Buddy’s brother works for Hinton Farms while Buddy and his colleague, Allison Sparkman, teach agriculture at Turkey Creek Middle School, where he was also a student. While attending elementary, middle and high school, Buddy was involved in athletics and FFA activities. “I was an FFA officer and participated in just about every competition that was offered,” he said. Coleman also raised and showed horses, steers and pigs. “I owe a debt of gratitude to my Ag teacher John Altizer for all he taught me while at Turkey Creek Middle School.” After graduating from Plant City High School, Coleman earned his undergraduate degree in Special Education from the University of South Florida. He joined the faculty of Turkey Creek Middle School shortly after that as a Special Education teacher. Coleman is married to Deborah and they have two children; Brittany, 21; and Jesse, who is 20. Deborah is an Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Specialist at Turkey Creek Middle School where she oversees all special needs students on campus. Brittany is pursuing an Ag Education degree at the Plant City Campus of the University of Florida and she is a longtime substitute in the ESE Department at Turkey Creek Middle School. She has also been active in FFA. Jesse is enrolled at Hillsborough Community College where he is studying criminology and hopes to major in forensics for his undergraduate degree and then a career in the U.S. Air Force. He, too, was active in FFA and competed with Brittany in the national livestock WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
By Jim Frankowiak
competition. Jesse was also a member of the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) while at Durant High School. After a decade as a Special Education Teacher, Coleman was presented with the opportunity to lead the Ag program at Turkey Creek in 2009. “I made a commitment to continue to promote the diversity of agriculture through our program and to make it available to all students at Turkey Creek,” he said. Buddy brings a special perspective to that commitment. “I am dyslexic and I understand the challenge facing our ESE students. I will not allow them to say they can’t because I know first-hand that they can.” A portion of the strawberries growing at the time of this article were planted in a way that would permit wheelchair bound students the chance to enter the field and view the berries as they grow and pick them when ripe. “We sell what we grow to the community to help fund many of our activities,” said Coleman. “We are fortunate to have a good deal of community and industry support for our Ag program,” said Coleman. “Strawberry growers Sam Astin, Jr., and Tres McQuaig spoke to our Ag students, demonstrated the proper way to lay plastic and helped with supplies. It’s support like that that has helped make our program what it is. I am grateful for all that they do for us.” The Ag operation at Turkey Creek Middle School is impressive with 10-acres of pasture for four cows and 16 sheep (Oxford and Cheviot; a 10-acre hay field; 2.5 acres for berries and vegetables; a half-acre catfish pond and nursery and tree house. Equipment includes three tractors with implements, cattle chutes, showing equipment and assorted hand tools plus several riding mowers. Those mowers are regular participants in Farm Bureau’s Ag-Abilities events at the Florida State Fairgrounds where special needs students have the opportunity to operate them under supervision and to participate in several hands-on type Ag education sessions. “The mower riding part of that day brings some pretty wide grins to our students,” said Coleman. Welcome Buddy, and thank you for accepting the opportunity to serve the Hillsborough County Farm Bureau Board. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County
Recycled Yard Art Contest
at the Hillsborough County Fair By Lynn Barber Photos by Lisa Meredith, Hillsborough County Extension
The purpose of the Recycled Yard Art Contest was to increase environmental awareness and encourage reuse/recycling of materials into yard art. The competition involved two and three dimensional art created from items already used for their original purpose. During the eight days of the Hillsborough County Fair, attendees voted for the People’s Choice award. The votes have been tallied, all 1,543 of them, and the winner is: McClaren A. Streets “Buddy” for Horse Power, which he created from used automobile parts and tools. Buddy also won the first place award by the panel of judges for Butterfly Collection, which he created using saw blades and automotive paint.
People’s Choice award and First Place McClaren A. Streets
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First Place The Dowdell Middle Magnet School won first place for their creation of Penguin Bottle Lawn Decorations, made of plastic bottles in varying sizes and fabric scraps.
First Place The first place award for elementary school went to Gage Wink who created an owl shaped potted plant holder made from a cracked five gallon bucket, scrap burlap, scratched CD, jar lids, aluminum can pieces and old fishing line lures. All of these contest winning entries were on display at the UF/IFAS Extension Service, but have now gone home with their owners. If you weren’t able to stop by to see them, you can enjoy the photos in this article. We have been asked by the Florida State Fair to hold a Recycled Yard Art Contest with them, too. If you are interested in receiving a copy of the rules, please contact Lisa Meredith with our office, meredithL@hillsboroughcounty.org. For assistance with gardening-related questions, contact the UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County at 813-744-5519, visit our website at: http://hillsborough.ifas.ufl.edu. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Market Watch: Ybor Daily Market
by: Libby Hopkins
Cookie Monster once said, “C is for cookie and cookie is for me.” I feel the same way Cookie Monster does when I think of the letter “C,” but the cookies I think of are Cassie’s Cookies (which also begin with the letter “C”). I have said many times that Cassie’s Cookies should be illegal in all 50 states because they are so delicious! You can’t eat just one. My problem is I just don’t eat one, I eat the whole bag! Cassie and Scott Bookamer are the owners of Cassie’s Cookies (www.cassiesperfectcookies.com) and their cookies are quite famous in the local farmer’s market circuit. Their cookies are made from scratch and they use local ingredients as well as ingredients from other venders they share space with at the different Tampa farmer’s markets. They believe in shopping local and supporting local…so much that they are staring their own market in Ybor City. “We are calling it the Ybor Daily Market and it’s part open air market and part traditional market with fresh local produce,” Cassie Bookamer said. The market is located in the building that used to be home to the Ybor nightclub, Frankie’s Patio and it had its soft opening on New Year’s Eve. The Bookamer’s want the market to serve, not only as a market but also a community gathering space. “Back in the day, Frankie’s Patio was ‘the spot’ in Ybor,” Bookamer said. “We want to make this a market/community space and have people think that it has evolved into something great for Ybor City and not remember the place as a nightclub.” 100
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The Ybor community was very supportive of the Ybor Daily Market and the Bookamer’s brought in many local vendors to make the market unique to the area. “We want to make this market very family friendly,” Bookamer said. The Tampa Eden Project (www.facebook.com/TampaEdenProject) joined the market to use the upstairs patio area as an urban garden. They will be installing some raised bed gardens and possibly a greenhouse. Produce grown in the garden and greenhouse will be sold at the market. The Tampa Eden Project helps many of the homeless and low-income families in and around Ybor City. “The Eden Project does a lot for the neighborhoods in the Ybor area and we love what they do for the community, so we wanted them to have a space to show off what they do,” Bookamer said. Another vendor that joined the market is Clementine Chef (www.clementinechef. com). They brought in a 30-foot Air Stream Trailer and parked it in the downstairs patio area to open the Clementine Café that serves fresh local food. “They will be open during daytime market hours,” Bookamer said. Java Planet (www.java-planet.com) is another local vendor that has a space at the market. They provide 100 percent certified organic/fair trade coffee to the customers at the market. “Java Plant is a great addition to our market and they will be open during the day and will have some evening hours as well,” Bookamer said. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
Since the building is so large, there is a lot of bare wall space. Bookamer is looking for local artists who would like to donate pieces of art to hang on the walls or even come in and paint a mural or two on the walls. “We would love to have some local artist come in and spruce things up a bit at the market,” Bookamer said. She is also looking for yoga instructors to come to the market and offer yoga classes on the upstairs patio. There is still vendor space available at the market but it is filling up quickly. “We strive to consist of many different types of vendors, with a strong leaning toward healthy, local supply items such as produce, fresh eggs, milk, jams and sauces, as well as hot food vendors,” Bookamer said. “Space is very limited, so we initially select vendors based on their potential to thrive at this location.” The standard 10x10 outdoor space is $35 a day and an indoor 6 ft. table space is $28 a day. The market does have weekly and monthly rates as well. If you would like to be a vendor at the Ybor Daily Market, you can email the Bookamer’s at info@ybordailymarket.com or call 813-312-7425. You can also check out the market’s Facebook page at (www.facebook.com/ybordailymarket). The market is located at 1920 East 7th Ave. in Ybor City.
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Wood & Laminate at 10AM
New!! Backsplash at 11AM Tile & Stone at 2PM
January 2015
103
Horseshoes Aren’t Just Lucky they’re Cool Too: CJ Bar Ironworks By Ginny Mink Unless you’ve been living under a rock, there’s no doubt you’ve encountered the newest (or perhaps oldest) phenomenon, DIY and crafting. If you’ve spent any time on Pinterest, you’ve undoubtedly pinned quite a few of these décor options. However, you’ve also noted a good deal that you just don’t have the talent (or the tools) to accomplish, yet you desperately desire their acquisition. Well, here’s one to stoke that decorative flame: CJ Bar Ironworks. Yep, Chad and Jen Harris create some beautiful, handmade, horseshoe and railroad spike based signage. We had the opportunity to speak with them both! When asked for the story behind their beginning. Chad, a man of initially few words, succinctly replied, “We can make just about anything there is. We do a lot of names, bathroom stuff, just about any kind of décor that can be done really.” Jen, seeing the need for deeper explanation, took the opportunity to applaud her husband. She added, “Mainly because Chad is very artistic and he’s always fiddling around, doing this, making things and I kept telling him we could sell stuff that he makes. We saw some designs with horseshoes and he’s like, ‘I can do that!’ So, we just started tinkering around making little things and people started buying them. Then people would come to us with designs and say, ‘What can you figure out to do with this?’” From the background an excited Chad inserted, “It just took off!” Jen continued, “He would put something together. He cuts up the shoes and welds them together and I paint them. It’s just a lost art that he had that just kind of flared around the house and now he puts it out there and people love it! We’ve had other states we shipped to…” Chad elaborated, “Oregon, Maryland, Ohio, California...” Jen agreed and then gave us some better idea of what exactly they’re doing. She shared, “A big thing is names. People love to have the names done. They have their kids’ names or their last names. We’ve put them on wood and they’ve put them on the front of their house. His bathroom décor is really neat. He uses horseshoes and turn of the century railroad spikes to make toilet paper holders.” Chad added, “All the railroad spikes came out of here, in Florida, as well. We’re both born and raised here. I was born in South Florida and so was Jenny. We moved up to this part in the last handful of years from Jacksonville, to Oklahoma and everywhere else in between.” We asked him, then, about any agricultural experience he might have. He shared, “In 2000 I really got into the agricultural world. I used to be on the Florida Ranch Rodeo Committee and all that kind of stuff. Worked cows all over Polk County and those kind of places as well...” 104
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Then Jen jumped in, “Life just changed on both ends and this just came about from tinkering around. He started doing it more and more and people started seeing it and liking it and ordering it and it’s everywhere now. We keep coming up with different ideas. He does hitches for trucks. He just came up with the idea one time and people buy them all the time. We see them on trucks all over the place now.” Wanting to return to his craft, Chad revealed, “The horseshoes are all new. Using old ones just doesn’t work out as well when you’re really trying to do something nice and unique. I do have a bunch of old ones if people do want something like that. I do those kinds of things, but for the most part they’re all new. They’re Diamond horseshoes. I use a lot from the feed stores. When you get them from farriers, they’re bent up and it’s hard to really make something unique and nice out of something that’s all beat up. Unless people want it that way, then of course I do use a bunch of the old ones that I have.” Curious, we asked about the fact that he cuts the horseshoes. He explained, “To make certain letters I do have to cut them and manipulate them into the letter they want. I make hearts with them, so I do cut them into the shape of a heart. I’m starting to get into forging and blacksmithing so I can make more things with them where I can manipulate them a lot more and make a lot of different designs with them and stuff like that.” Jen, the apparent marketing manager in the relationship, returned. She said, “Yeah, we did a show at the Antioch Feed Store. That’s where Sarah and Karen saw us. They stopped and talked to us and Antioch Feed Store actually bought stuff from us. So, we have stuff in the Antioch Feed Store and the Hay Exchange and the Family Feed Store all in Plant City. We’re working on Southern Hospitality now.” In closing they shared, “We don’t have our own website yet. We do have a Facebook page which is https://www.facebook.com/cjbar.ironworks. We have put stuff on Etsy and eBay. We started with Etsy, but we didn’t do well on Etsy at all! I don’t know if we posted in the wrong category or that it just didn’t hit well. Then we started posting on Facebook’s online yard sales and it just went from there. We had orders coming in like crazy. That’s actually been our biggest. We’re in Polk County, Brandon, Plant City, Apollo Beach. We’re on all the different yard sales and we post on there usually every Sunday. We post on Florida Day Working Cowboys, too.” If you’re interested in getting some of their highly desirable horseshoe décor, signage or truck hitches, make sure you visit them on Facebook! Let ‘em know we sent you! WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
“Development in Harmony with Nature”
Brooksville Nature Coast 629 South Broad Street Brooksville, FL 34601 (352) 544-5551 - Phone (352) 544-5529 - Fax
Riverview Corporate Office 10408 Bloomingdale Ave Riverview, FL 33578 (813) 626-9551 - Phone (813) 623-6613 - Fax
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GOVERNOR SCOTT RECOGNIZES HIGHLAND PACKAGING SOLUTIONS FOR ONGOING EXPANSION AND GROWTH By Jim Frankowiak
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Florida Governor Rick Scott recently paid a special visit to Highland Packaging Solutions on Plant City’s east side to praise the company, its ownership and employees for “working hard to make dreams come true.” The company, which was founded in Mulberry, relocated its operating headquarters to Plant City in late 2012 in a facility located just off Park Road on Gordon Food Service Drive. Highland was purchased by close friends and partners Steve Maxwell and John Durham in 2005. The company has grown rapidly since that time. The company offers custom packaging, labeling, inventory management and traceability capabilities for customers primarily in the food packaging industry. Highland ships its products throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, South America and Europe. Following a tour of the Highland facility, Scott met with employees. Other officials accompanying Scott included Florida State Representatives Jake Raburn and Dan Raulerson, both of Plant City, Plant City Mayor Rick Lott, City Commissioner Mike Sparkman and City Manager Mike Herr. While Governor Scott was praiseworthy of the Highland team, Maxwell, who serves as Highland’s president, voiced his support of the governor and his policies as they relate to businesses in the Sunshine State. “Governor Scott gets it,” said Maxwell. “He recognizes the effects of government on business – both good and bad -- and knowing that Governor Scott has been in the trenches gives business leaders in the State of Florida a leg up versus their counterparts in other states.”
thing by taking risks.” He noted his pledge in late 2010 to create 700,000 new jobs in Florida in seven years. “I am pleased to tell you that we have exceeded that goal with 715,000 new, private sector jobs three years of ahead of our goal,” he said. “That is helping to make the American dream come true for many.” He recognized Orlando Duran, Highland Maintenance Manager, as an example. “Orlando joined this company in 2009 as an electrician and through his hard work he has become part of the management team. We want to continue to make sure this type of growth for both companies like Highland Packaging Solutions and dedicated workers like Orlando Duran continues to take place in Florida.” Scott said it is his administration’s goal to make Florida the best in several categories. “Overall, our mission to make Florida the best place for job creation, education and an environment where people can live and make their dreams come true.” In addition to cutting edge packaging, Highland prides itself on its commitment to sustainability through an ongoing commitment to reduction of energy consumption, emission and waste during manufacturing and shipment. For more information on Highland Packaging Solutions, visit: www.highcor.com.
Maxwell noted the similarity of his background to Governor Scott’s in his remarks. “We both came from humble beginnings, married our high school sweethearts, are veterans of the United States Navy armed forces, worked hard and were not afraid to take risks,” said Maxwell. “Governor Scott took advantage of the opportunity to continue his education and then invested in the healthcare business. That led to his leadership of a major healthcare business with 340 hospitals in 37 states and 288,000 employees.” “He gets it because he’s done it and appreciates how government can help us in business every day,” said Maxwell. Scott likened Highland to the state, both as champions. “Florida is the champion of states in job creation and Highland is the champion of packaging,” Scott said. “It’s fun to watch people build someWWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Classifieds
Tel: 813.759.6909 Info@inthefieldmagazine.com 2002 EXISS
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Equipment serving the fur bearing animal & exotic bird industry! Cages built to order. Wire by roll or foot. (813) 752-2230. Call Don Ammerman. www.ammermans.com Swaps November 30, 2014.
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BUILDING SUPPLIES Thousands of 8ft. & 10ft. sheets. In Stock. Prices from $6 and up. Custom lengths available. 813-752-7088 ask for Ferris. We have all your aluminum needs! Screen Room, carports & awnings. Call Blake (813) 752-3378
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Metal brand new in bo 54” Mobile Home Tubs All Colors, buy 10 bags, get 1 FREE! Call Ted (813) 752-3378 $175.00 $8.99 a bag. Call Ted (813) 752-3378
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808 W. Risk St. Plant City. 3/2 Bungalow, recently updated and ready for occupancy. $115,000 mlsT2728687Call for showing 813-967-0168.
LOOKING TO LEASE 10 Plus acres prefer North Lakeland for DOORS & WINDOWS SPECIAL ORDER cattle. Will maintain fences and mowing.
We make window screens of all sizes available LAWN EQUIPMENT/ SUPPLIES in different frame colors. Call Ted(813) 752-3378 BRAND NEW HUSTLER RAPTOR Zero Turn Mower 52” cut, 23hp. Kawasaki T1-11 4X8 SHEET 5/8 INCH THICK engine, 3 year warranty. $2,999 B-grade $22.95. Call Ted (813) 752-3378 Call Alvie 813-759-8722
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(Pasco County) 45 acres are comprised of gently rolling hills with big trees & solid ground, A great setting for residential development. To the east of the property is a 60 FOR SALE acre parcel (Lake Gilbert) that adds significant aesthetic value to the 45 acres. KITCHEN CABINETS & VANITIES Get quality all wood cabinets for less than the Zoning: AR (Agricultural-Rural) Call Heidi Cecil for more information (863) 899-9620 BIG Box STORES! Call Today! Ask for Blake. (813) 752-3378
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Serving our customers with 12 Locations At Everglades Farm Equipment we take pride in working with those who work with the land. With superior customer support through leasing, rentals, in-field service support, technology, the best parts availability, and loyalty programs just to name a few, we’re ready to be your equipment partner for the long haul.
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