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November 2023 VOL. 19 • ISSUE 1
CONTENTS GLENN WILLIAMSON A “Berry” Sweet Life Hillsborough County Farm Bureau 305 S. Wheeler St. Plant City, FL.
40 PAGE 10 Endangered Species
PAGE 28 Farm Bureau Meetings
PAGE 14 Fall Cattle Report
PAGE 30 News Briefs
PAGE 44
John Dicks
PAGE 48 Forbes Road PAGE 52
PAGE 16 Gifts For Gardeners
PAGE 32 Wish Farms
PAGE 18 Fishing
PAGE 35
PAGE 22 Rocking Chair Chatter
PAGE 38 Business Up Front
Kiwi
Save Water
PAGE 58 4-H Officers
PAGE 60 Recipes
PAGE 42 Hurricane Damages
PAGE 24 Bat Facts
Office Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Insurance Services: 813-685-5673 Member Services: 813-685-9121
OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Dennis Carlton, Jr.....................President Carl Bauman................Vice President Tony Lopez..............Treasurer Madison Astin Salter..................Secretary DIRECTORS FOR 2021 - 2022 Dennis Carlton Jr, Carl Bauman, Madison A. Salter, Tony Lopez, Tiffany D. Randall, Jake Cremer, Brittany Coleman, Travis Council, Drew Futch, Rep. Lawrence McClure, Sammi Wilcox, Michelle Williamson, Casey Runkles, Gayle Yanes
Kaylee Poppell, Executive Director 813-685-9121 Farm Bureau Insurance Special Agents
Valrico Office 813-685-5673
100 S. Mulrennan Rd., Valrico, FL. 33594 Tommy Hale, CLU, ChFC, CASL, CPCU Agency Mgr. Julie Carlson, Jacob Jones
Plant City Office 813.752.5577
Hey Readers!
Hidden somewhere in the magazine is a No Farmers, No Food logo. Hunt for the logo and once you find the hidden logo you will be eligible for a drawing to win a FREE No Farmers No Food Sticker. Send us your business card or an index card with your name and telephone number, the number of the page which you found the logo and where on the page you located the logo to the address below
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InTheField® Magazine P.O. Box 5377 • Plant City, Fl. 33566-0042 *Winners will be notified by phone. You Too Can Be A Winner!
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305 S. Wheeler St., Plant City, FL 33563 Jeff Summer
Apollo Beach Office 813.933.5440
6510 N. US Hwy 41, Apollo Beach, FL.33572 Greg Harrell, Erin Campbell
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STAFF
Letter from the Editor
Publisher/Photography Karen Berry Senior Managing Editor/ Associate Publisher Sarah Holt Editor Patsy Berry Sales Karen Berry Sarah Holt Melissa Nichols
Happy Thanksgiving! I know I’ve written about this before, but as it is “that time of year” I feel the need to write about it again. Growing up, holidays, both Thanksgiving and Christmas (and probably every other holiday) were spent at my maternal grandparent’s house. My grandmother would cook most of the night and the spread she would deliver could feed an army. And for many years, there was an army of family. Their house wasn’t that big, but no one cared. We would fill it to the rim with the joy of being with family and friends. The noon meal was served somewhere around 10:30 because my grandfather couldn’t wait to dig into the turkey and ham. Yes, we had both. But as time wore on, things changed. Family members passed away and the army dwindled until my grandmother passed away in 2002. Since moving to Florida, I’ve made new traditions with friends that have become family. But that army is also dwindling. There’s no stopping time. So, make the most of every day you have with those you love. As you gather together for a day of Thanksgiving with family and friends, take time to thank the farmers and ranchers who made the meal possible. Until Next Month
Creative Director/Illustrator Juan Alvarez Photography Karen Berry Staff Writers Al Berry Sandy Kaster James Frankowiak Sean Green
Contributing Writers Woody Gore John Dicks Tiffany Dale Social Media Victoria Saunders
In The Field Magazine is published monthly and is available through local Hillsborough County businesses, restaurants, and many local venues. It is also distributed by U.S. mail to a target market, which includes all of the Greenbelt Property owners, members of the Hillsborough County Farm Bureau and Strawberry Grower’s Association. Letters, comments and questions can be sent to P.O. Box 5377, Plant City, Florida 33563-0042 or you are welcome to email them to: info@inthefieldmagazine.com or call 813-759-6909
Sarah Holt
Advertisers warrant & represent the descriptions of their products advertised are true in all respects. In The Field Magazine assumes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers. All views expressed in all articles are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Berry Publications, Inc. Any use or duplication of material used in In the Field magazine is prohibited without written consent from Berry Publications, Inc.
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The LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. - Numbers 6:25
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A Very Busy Time for Farm Bureau -Dennis Carlton Jr. - President
Greetings, This is a very busy time for Farm Bureau and its members at both the county and state levels. Last month we had our 81st annual county meeting followed by our state session in Orlando. At our county annual meeting, we were given the opportunity to thank “retiring” board members Tony Lopez, Lawrence McClure, and Gayle Yanes for their service, and we welcomed new board member Clay Joyner, a loan officer with Farm Credit of Central Florida. I am particularly pleased with the recognition Hillsborough County Farm Bureau received at the state meeting. Thanks to the ongoing commitment from Kaylee Poppell, our executive director, our board, and the many volunteers, we were recognized with the Florida Farm Bureau President’s Award as a result of our “balanced achievement in all critical program areas of Farm Bureau.” Those county Farm Bureaus earning Awards of Excellence in all six categories earned the coveted President’s Award. Additionally, we were given the APEX Award. That honor is bestowed upon those county Farm Bureaus exhibiting the highest level of innovation, program efficiency, effective use of resources, including volunteers and finances, as well as goal achievement in each membership group size.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY
In addition to those gatherings, last month also marked the fall session of Ag Venture, which is designed to teach Hillsborough County 3rd graders about the importance of agriculture, where their food comes from, and how our industry impacts the economy. More than 2,000 students participated. Our efforts continued this month, most notably through our involvement with Farm City Week, another way we help to educate community members about our industry and its importance to all. If you are not a Farm Bureau member, please consider joining so that you can help us with our role as the “Voice of Agriculture” whether it is locally, statewide, or nationally. And, if you are a member, please consider volunteering at whatever level is practical for you. We need your help and would be pleased to have you actively involved. Please visit www.hcfarmbureau.org for more information about member benefits and opportunities for engagement. Dennis Carlton, Jr.
Dennis Carlton Jr. Dennis Carlton Jr. - President
305 SOUTH WHEELER STREET • PLANT CITY, FL 33566 • 813-685-9121 Board of Directors
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Dennis Carlton Jr, President; Carl Bauman, Vice-President; Tony Lopez, Treasurer; Madison Astin Salter, Secretary; Tiffany D. Randall, Jake Cremer, Brittany Coleman, Travis Council, Drew Futch, Rep. Lawrence McClure, Sammi Wilcox, Michelle Williamson, Casey Runkles, Gayle Yanes
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Land Brokerage | Development | Consulting
SALE PENDING Serene Recreation and Game Retreat, Ona, FL
Gentlemans Blueberry Farm and Retreat, Aradia, FL
Majestic 100± acres blended of well-maintained Bahia pastures and flatwoods with a flowing creek meandering through the middle. This property features an established road spanning the full length of the property and the perimeter is fully fenced. Sale Price: $1,400,000
Beautiful and diverse 90± acres of open pasture, planted blueberries, and a wooded haven; providing a unique opportunity for a multitude of uses and a serene retreat. 16-Inch well permitted for 5,083,000 max GPD onsite. Sale Price: $1,100,000 Reed Fischbach, Broker
Fischbach Land Company 917 S Parsons Avenue Brandon, FL 33511
Reed Fischbach, Broker Blaise Lelaulu, CCIM, Agent Melissa Raburn, Agent
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FischbachLandCompany.com 813-540-1000
E n d a n g e r e d S p e c i es
WHITE BIRDS-IN-A-NEST By Libby Hopkins
White birds-in-a-nest or Macbridea alba as it’s known by its scientific name, is a rare and unique wildflower endemic to only four counties in Florida’s Panhandle. White birds-in-anest is a species of flowering plant in the mint family. Its flowers bloom from May through July and attract mostly bees. The plant occurs naturally in coastal pinelands, seeps, bogs, and wet savannas primarily within the Apalachicola National Forest, and is fire-dependent. White birds-in-anest’s flowers each have a double-lipped white corolla and a hood-like upper lip. Bracts are bright green to greenishyellow. Leaves are lanceolate to spatulate and succulent with toothed margins. They are oppositely arranged. The leaf surface may be rough or sticky. Stems are square, erect, and may be covered in tiny hairs. Although it is in the mint family, the plant is typically without fragrance.
The flatwoods habitat depends on a regime of periodic wildfires for its maintenance. Fire prevents the ecological succession of the flatwoods, keeping large woody vegetation from building up and shading out the herb layer of the understory. Now fire suppression is practiced, preventing the normal fire regime and leading to the degradation of the habitat, making it less hospitable to this and other herbs. Tracts that have not burned in many years have less of the mint, but it tends to become quite abundant in the years after fire sweeps through. Good management practices will involve the maintenance of a proper fire regime. If done properly, White birds-in-a-nest will continue to grow and thrive.
White birds-in-a-nest gets its common name from the way its white mature flowers resemble birds encircling a green “nest” formed by bracts. The unopened white flower buds appear egg-like, nestled within the nest. They are glandular and may be sticky in texture. The inflorescence is a thyrse, which is a raceme that is divided into cymes. The inflorescence is filled with tightly packed pointed bracts between which blooms the flowers. Each flower has a double-lipped white corolla around 2.5 to 3 centimeters long. There may be pale purple markings in the flower’s throat. This plant grows in the counties of Gulf, Liberty, Franklin, and Bay in Florida. There are just under 10,000 individuals in total divided amongst several scattered populations. White birds-in-a-nest grows in pine flatwoods, seeps, wet savannas, and the ecotones next to swamps and sand hills. It prefers grassy areas with wet, infertile soils, often sandy soils rich in peat.
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This region, located in the Apalachicola River Basin, has been altered by human activity. Historically, part of the area was devoted to the pulp industry, but much less today. Urban development threatens the local habitat as residential areas are constructed and associated utilities such as roads are built and maintained; many occurrences of the plant are on roadsides and are vulnerable during this process. It is federally listed as a threatened species in the United States.
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THE 2023 FALL SEASON WILL INVOLVE FEEDING HAY BUT WILL NOT INVOLVE HERD EXPANSION.
By Hannah Baker
Cattle Market
Hay Market
There was a hint of speculation that producers may have started rebuilding this fall, but after looking at the quarterly USDA Cattle on Feed report, there is no indication of expansion happening in 2023. During the last expansion in 2015-2016, heifers only accounted for 31-34 percent of cattle in feed lots. As of October 1, 40 percent of cattle in feedlots (capacity >1000) are heifers. This is the largest percentage of heifers on feed since 2001, 41 percent, and 2 percent higher than the number of heifers on feed in 2012 during the last nationwide drought and heavy liquidation period. This indicates that 1) liquidation is still occurring as producers are taking advantage of high prices for feeder cattle and drought is still impacting parts of the country and 2) expansion is not expected to be seen anytime soon. Expansion happens after stabilization, and the beef cow herd is currently still shrinking, not stabilizing. The year 2024 will be a year of regrouping and planning. The high percentage of heifers on feed creates a trickle effect in the market. More heifers on feed means less breeding stock in the herd which results in a smaller calf crop, indicating that prices will remain high as cattle supplies will be lower in 2024. With cattle supplies expected to be lower in the future, beef production will continue decreasing. Beef production has declined by 10 percent year-over-year, and 5 percent since January 2023. A decrease in beef supply can be expected to result in higher beef prices, but so far consumer demand and consumption of beef have remained fairly steady. However, there is a threshold where consumers draw the line at what they are willing to pay. The rate at which expansion of the beef cow herd occurs will affect future beef prices and consumer consumption. So, it is important that cattle producers continue producing highquality cattle with high-quality carcasses that feedlot buyers and consumers are willing to pay more for through economical management practices.
Fall is finally starting to make an appearance, bringing cooler temperatures. As we all know, with cooler temperatures comes dormancy for perennial warm-season grasses, meaning hayfeeding season is about to be in full swing, if not already. From the fall of 2022 through the fall and winter months into 2023, hay supply (excluding alfalfa) was estimated to be 74.7 million tons, down 8 percent from the 2021-2022 fall/winter period as a result of decreased production due to drought impacts. This was the lowest supply of hay since 1993, according to the available data, with an average yield of 1.87 tons per acre. Going into this fall and winter period (2023-2024) hay supply is projected to total 78.4 million tons, 5 percent higher than last year, with an average yield of 1.93 tons per acre. Hay prices are still high as residual effects from drought and high operating costs are still affecting production, but they have declined and are expected to decline on average by 7 percent throughout the fall and winter months.
Thinking Economically in the Everyday Tasks
In the midst of high cattle prices, some producers may be benefiting from an increase in net income and the opportunity to pay off debt and start preparing for expansion. However, feed and hay prices may still be only allowing for other producers to break even. As the fall season approaches and the nutritional requirements of cattle can no longer be met by predominantly grazing forage, it is important to calculate how much hay and supplement is needed to keep a cattle herd healthy. No matter the stage of cattle, understanding their nutritional requirements through each stage and meeting those requirements economically is crucial to being able to profitably sell healthy calves year after year. Cattle prices are rising, but they eventually will trend down. Using this time in the cattle cycle to really evaluate current supplementation plans is a great way to make sure an operation will remain sustainable when cattle prices are not supplying an extra cushion of support.
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Questions, contact Hannah at h.baker@ufl.edu See this update and other helpful resources online at https://rcrec-ona.ifas.ufl.edu/about/directory/staff/hannah-baker/
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HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS FOR THE GARDENERS IN YOUR LIFE By Lynn Barber, Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ agent, UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County Photos courtesy UF/IFAS
With Christmas and the New Year right around the corner, it’s time to ponder what to gift your gardening friends. The classic holiday plant gift is a poinsettia. However, this article will focus on two other great holiday plants, such as Christmas/holiday cactus and Rosemary.
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Many grow holiday cactus (Thanksgiving/Christmas) inside the home. It provides colorful blooms, red, white, pink, purple, and more during the holiday season. During fall and winter, days shorten and flower buds form. During the day, this plant should be in an area with bright, indirect light. If you allow artificial light after dark near your holiday cactus starting in October, it may not produce holiday blooms. Repotting every year works well and be sure to use a well-drained potting medium. Bud growth is encouraged by pruning this plant
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throughout the year. Pruning in early fall encourages branch growth for holiday flowering. See: https://ffl.ifas. ufl.edu/resources/ffl-minute-radio/2020-archive/december-2020/christmas-cactus/ Rosemary is a fragrant herb that is easy to grow and works well in your landscape and kitchen. You can use it fresh or dried in dishes containing meats, breads, and vegetables. It adds great flavor as a skewer for the barbeque. Not only is it attractive in the landscape, but it is also drought tolerant and produces small pink, lavender, or blue flowers in the winter and spring depending on the cultivar. Rosemary thrives on well-drained soil and at least six hours of sun. Don’t water it too often. https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/rosemary.html
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The gardeners in your life may want non-plant gardening-related gifts. Consider giving items such as knee pads, a garden cart, a saw or pruner, gloves, seeds, bulbs, pots, mulch, potting soil, perlite, compost, plant hangers, composting bin, composting worms, microirrigation kit, garden sculpture, garbage cans (I only have eight and could use more) and dozens of other items gardeners want or need. The University of Florida IFAS Extension Bookstore, http://ifasbooks. ifas.ufl.edu/, has an amazing selection of gardening, health and nutrition, home maintenance, health and nutrition, natural resources and wildlife and so much more. Logo items include clothing, umbrellas, key chains, hats, children’s books, toys and more. What a place! Offer your labor for a specific number of hours or tasks to perform for your friends who may not want or are not able to do them. Tasks could
For information about upcoming horticultural programs and to find your county’s calendar of events, go to: https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/findyour-local-office. For the UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County, visit our website: http://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/ hillsborough/ and check out our calendar of events: https://www. eventbrite.com/o/ufifas-hillsborough-extension-8606873308 by scrolling down the page. If you don’t live in Hillsborough County, check out your County’s website for upcoming events. Wishing all of you safe and wonderful holidays. Contact Barber at labarber@ufl.edu.
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include weeding, planting, pruning, watering, propagating, fertilizing, mulching, relocating plants and more. Get outside and garden so you can check things off your list, enjoy the outdoors and frolic with nature.
Tampa Bay Fishing Report December 2023 Capt. Woody Gore
Tampa Bay is Florida's largest openwater estuary, covering 400 square miles with a watershed more than five times that large, encompassing a massive 2,200 square miles. With an average depth of 12 feet, Tampa Bay is considered one of Florida's most exclusive estuaries and prolific fisheries, with a wide diversity of sea life. For those unfamiliar with an estuary, it's a semi-enclosed body of water where freshwater from rivers and creeks meets and mixes with the saltwater from the ocean or, in the case of Tampa Bay, the Gulf of Mexico. Estuaries are considered one of the most productive environments. They are often called a nursery for fish and shellfish, where young marine animals can hide from predators. If angling is your recreational pleasure and something you enjoy, then Tampa Bay and the inter-coastal waters of the Gulf Coast certainly offer some excellent fishing opportunities. www.captainwoodygore.com (813-477-3814). Fish Florida in comfortable weather yearround. Florida offers some excellent opportunities for a variety of species. Some species you'll likely catch on fishing excursions include Snook, redfish, cobia, tarpon, trout, grouper, kingfish, and mackerel. As we approach the cool water temperatures of winter, shallow-water fishing improves. The fish start feeding fairly aggressively for winter and become more active as they search for food. They'll take an assortment of baits from live to dead. And since they will have large appetites, anglers will have tremendous success using a more comprehensive range of artificial lures. Snook: Snook usually tops the list as the Fall transition has started, and we are catching Snook on almost every shoreline. They are still on the protected list but are fun to catch and release. The best bite has been at the beginning and end of either incoming or outgoing tides. Snook usually respond to live baits, top water lures, jerk baits, and shallow diving lures. However, we've been having success with dead baits on the bottom.
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Capt. Woody Gore (www.captainwoodygore.com)
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Spotted Sea Trout: Sea trout are found inshore and near shore in and around seagrass flats, mangrove shorelines, deep holes and channels, and above oyster bars. Free-line live shrimp or small pinfish near the bottom to entice trout out of grass-bed holes. Attaching a float will allow these baits to drift over
November 2023
the grass beds. Casting with soft-bodied jigs and top-water poppers can also be effective. Trout are delicate, so promptly returning unwanted or illegal fish to the water is necessary to maintain a healthy population. Spotted sea trout are a good eating fish. Otherwise, winter's a great time for the big gator trout, primarily as they work their way into the back-country and deeper grass flats. Redfish: The reds are still biting, and some are schooled up, chewing everything tossed in their direction. They should continue to be consistent on the flats and around the mangroves. Various artificial lures and live shrimp, sardines, and pinfish are catching their share. The key to finding redfish is fishing dark, patchy bottoms, especially around schools of giant mullet. Although chumming with live bait works, tossing dead-cut bait around the mangroves on flooding tides usually brings them out to investigate. Most are holding close to the shoreline, around grass beds and oyster bars, it is also found near docks, pilings, deeper holes, and channels during the warmest and coolest months. Use live shrimp fished on the bottom, free-lined, soft-bodied jigs bounced slowly on the bottom or use small gold spoons. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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813-477-3814
Flounder : Found near channel edges on sandy bottoms, near tidal passes and docks. Use live shrimp, small sardines/greenbacks, sand fleas, sardines, pinfish, or jigs that bounce along the bottom as you drift. Inshore Gag Grouper: The inshore grouper bite will pick up incredibly as the water temperatures cool. However, you cannot keep any fish caught after October 31. Recreational Gag Grouper season is only open from July 1 through October 31 each year. It seems ridiculous, but we let them do it to us, so it's hard to complain about it. Fishing should
Kingfish, Spanish Mackerel, Bonito, Bluefish: Cold fronts and the traditionally high winds that follow are here. The near beach kingfish bite should improve as the water temps fall with each passing show. Tons of bait should bring the kings, Spanish mackerel, bluefish, and bonito within a mile of the beach or inside the bay. We've been having great success on huge Spanish mackerel inside Tampa Bay.
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be good when avoiding the northern cold fronts and high winds. Many fish are near shore, and Tampa Bay anglers are coming up with a few nice ones.
Captain Woody Gore owns and operates the area’s Number One OutdoorFishing and Environmental Guide Service. Capt. Woody’s associate captains have guided and fished the Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and Tarpon Springs areas for over fifty years. He offers world-class fishing and adventures with a lifetime of memories. Single or Group Charters are all the same. Just tell him what you need, and he will make it happen. Visit his website at www.captainwoodygore. com, send an email to fishing@captainwoodygore.com, or give him a call at 813-477-3814. Professional Fishing Guide and Environmentalist, Outdoor Writer, Speaker, and Photo, Journalist. Capt. Woody Gore
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The state with highest percentage of people who walk to work is Alaska. The city with most Rolls Royce’s per capita is Hong Kong. The Hawaiian alphabet has 13 letters. Jean Harlow was the first actress to appear on the cover of Life magazine. Every time you lick a stamp, you’re consuming 1/10 of a calorie. A rhinoceros’s horn is made of hair. Money is made of woven linen, not paper. Cleopatra used pomegranate seeds for lipstick. Armadillos are the only animals besides humans that can get leprosy. The seven rays on the crown of the Statue of Liberty represent the seven continents; each measures up to 9 feet in length and weighs as much as 150 pounds. The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum is the mostvisited museum in the U.S. There are 182 places in the U.S. that have the word “Christmas” in their names.
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Old Sayings I remember while growing up my mother would use all sorts of sayings like, Dirt Poor, Saved by the Bell and He’s a Dead Ringer and many others. Remembering those days I decided to do some checking and find out how those sayings started. In the good old days they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that always hung over the fire. Every day they lit the fire and added things to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much meat. People would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes the stew had food that had been there for quite a while. Hence the rhyme: “Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days old.” Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special. When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could, “bring home the bacon.” They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and chew the fat.
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Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous.
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Editor’s Note: This Rocking Chair Chatter was originally printed in the November 2017 issue
Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or the upper crust. Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination would sometimes knock the drinkers out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial. They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up. Hence the custom “of holding a wake.” England is old and small and the local folks started running out of places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins, take the bones to a bone-house and reuse the grave. When reopening these coffins, one out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realized they had been burying people alive. So they would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night (the graveyard shift) to listen for the bell, thus someone could be “saved by the bell” or was considered a “dead ringer.” Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May and they still smelled pretty WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
good by June. However, since they were starting to smell, brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor. Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married. Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children, last of all were the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it. Hence the saying, “Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water!” Houses had thatched roofs, thick straw-piled high, with no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof. Hence the saying, “It’s raining cats and dogs.” There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could mess up your nice clean bed. So, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That’s how canopy beds came into existence. Back in the 1500s and maybe even before then, some people could afford to sleep on wooden framed beds so they were off of the floor. These frames had heavy ropes tied from side to side that supported the mattress. Over time the ropes would stretch so they’d have to tighten them. Hence the saying, “Sleep tight.” Later added to that was: “Sleep tight and don’t let the bed bugs bite.” The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt. Hence the saying, “Dirt poor.” The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until, when you opened the door, It would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entrance. Hence: a thresh hold. There is an old Hotel/Pub in Marble Arch, London that used to have gallows adjacent to it. Prisoners were taken to the gallows (after a fair trial of course) to be hung. The horse drawn dray, carting the prisoner, was accompanied by an armed guard, who would stop the dray outside the pub and ask the prisoner if he would like “one last drink.” If he said YES it was referred to as “One for the Road.” If he declined, that prisoner was On the Wagon.
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BAT FACTS YOU MAY WANT TO KNOW By Lynn Barber, UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County
One of my favorite times of the year is Fall because it involves Halloween. What better creature than a bat to help us celebrate trick-or-treating by children decked out in scary outfits? And, attracting wildlife is the seventh principle of the FloridaFriendly LandscapingTM, so bats are also important from that perspective. Poor bats, they’re so misunderstood. Unfortunately, this lack of bat facts is leading to their decline. Florida has 13 bat species that reside here year-round. Habitat destruction, harmful pesticides and nesting colony disturbances have led to the endangerment of three Florida bat species: the gray, Indiana, and Mastiff. Bats naturally control pests. They consume rootworms, cutworms, corn borer moths, potato beetles and grasshoppers. They play an important role in scientific research regarding hibernation and sonar. Additionally, their excrement provides nutrient-rich fertilizer for ground-dwelling cave life. MORE BAT FACTS:
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• By day, bats take shelter in foliage, under tree bark, in caves, mines, buildings and rock crevices. Many assemble in nursery colonies in the spring, leaving in July and August to begin their trek to hibernation sites. Up to 300 bats per square foot can cluster to hibernate. If hibernation is interrupted too many times, a bat may not be able to survive the winter due to the decrease in fat reserves.
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• Bats are the only mammals capable of true flight. By night, bats are uniquely equipped to catch flying insects, using their wings, skin around their tails, and mouths. Bats find their food sources and travel by making ultrasonic sounds that echo off solid objects. This same technique is used by dolphins. • Most Eastern bat species produce one bat baby per year, while other species produce two to four. Female colony bats create a nursery prior to giving birth. When the mothers all crowd together, the nursery temperature is higher than 100 degrees. Baby bats are furless and need a warm and humid place to survive. Colony-roosting bats have less colorful and thinner fur than solitary or foliage-roosting bats. Baby bats, like other mammals, feed on milk until they’re able to secure food on their own. BAT HOUSES SITE SELECTION: Bat houses keep bats warm, dry, and safe while sleeping during the day. Bats prefer temperatures between 80 and 100 degrees. If the temperature is not comfortable, bats will not inhabit the house. If no bats inhabit the bat house after three or more years, you should either change the exterior color of the bat house or its location. Don’t move the house near bright lights or an area with much human activity. You can install a bat house any time of year but bats generally take up residency in early spring. If you install your bat house in the winter, it will be available when bats are seeking a new home. Bats are more attracted to houses mounted on the sides of buildings or poles than if tree-mounted because WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
building-mounted bat houses provide more sun and fewer predator perch sites. Predators include owls, hawks, and falcons. Select the roost site near food and fresh water sources and a location where the sight or odor of the guano (excrement) won’t be an issue. Shovel guano periodically and use it as a landscape soil amendment. Locate the bat house at least 20 feet from potential predator perch sites and at least 12 feet off the ground. Provide a wildlife bat habitat (bat-i-tat) in your backyard which will give you and your family hours of educational entertainment and significantly fewer insects. Bats … they’re not limited to our Halloween imaginations and experiences. The University of Florida has several bat houses on campus in Gainesville. It is quite an experience to see their massive exit. For additional information on the identification of Florida bats and how to build your own bat house, please access: Bats of Florida: UW20300.pdf
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/UW/
Effective Bat Houses of Florida: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/UW/UW29000.pdf Contact Lynn Barber at labarber@ufl.edu.
Christmas Sale
Farmland $4.95/pound
Packed by Farmland
Farmland Spiral Sliced Honey Brown Sugar Ham - Bone-in -
Yoakum
1 skinless, 1 honey krunch peanut, 1 brittle bite
Makes an Attractive Gift! (ADD BOW)
Cashews & almonds roasted to perfection &
$41.95 Andouille - 10/16 oz. pkgs $29.95 Mild Mini Links - 12/8 oz. pkgs
(style of tin may vary)
to perfection and glazed with honey.
Caramel Corn w/Nuts - 1/30 oz. tin
Ohio App pplles
for a bit of sweetness mixed with salty crunchiness of almonds and pecan halves.
$10.45 Cashews - Whole 16 oz. $7.95
Packed by Ohio Apple Growers
$26.45 Red Delicious - Half Bushel (40-44 apples) $26.45 Golden Delicious - Half Bushel (40-44 apples) $25.95 Fuji - Half Bushel (40-44 apples) $47.45 Red Delicious - Full Bushel (80-88 apples) $47.45 Golden Delicious - Full Bushel (80-88 apples) $46.45 Fuji - Full Bushel (80-88 apples)
Mixed Nuts - Peanuts, Cashews, Almonds, Brazils, Filberts, & Pecans 16 oz.
$7.45
Milk Chocolate Pecans - 12 oz.
$3.95 $4.45
Southern Fried Skinless - 16 oz. Brittle Bites - Peanut Brittle Squares 12 oz.
$7.95
Honey Roasted Pecans - 8.5 oz.
$4.95 $4.95
Butter Toffee Peanuts - 12 oz. Chocolate Peanuts - 12 oz.
$3.95
Honey Krunch Peanuts - 12 oz.
$4.95
Almonds - Roasted & Salted 9 oz.
$22.95 Mandarin Oranges - Clementines 1/5 Bushel
$34.45 Florida Navel Oranges - 4/5 Bushel $44.45 California Navel Oranges - 4/5 Bushel $34.95 Florida Grapefruit - 4/5 Bushel $32.45 Holiday Gift Box - 2/5 Bushel 18-20 Navels, 10 Red Apples, 4 Red Grapefruit
$32.45 Grand Slam Gift Box - 2/5 Bushel 18-20 Navels, 6 Red Apples, 6 D’Anjou Pears, 3 Golden Apples
Great
Holiday Gift Ideas!
Orders will be delivered between December 4 - December 22.
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Harvest Blend Mixed Nuts - 16 oz.
W
NE
2/5 Bushel
(style of tin may vary)
$6.95
$23.45 Pepper Jack Cheese - 6/8 oz.
$34.95 Florida Autumn Honey Tangerines -
Fluffy popcorn covered in buttery caramel
$12.00 Orange Blossom Honey 2 lb. squeeze bottle $12.00 Wildflower Honey 2 lb. squeeze bottle $10.00 Datil Sting Hot Honey 12 oz. squeeze bottle
$24.45 Colby Cheese - 6/8 oz.
Fresh Citrus
pecan halves and peanuts roasted
Packed by World Honey Market of Sanderson, Florida
$24.95 Sharp Cheddar - 6/8 oz. $24.95 Variety Pack Cheese - 6/8 oz. includes 2 of
$24.45 Summer Sausage - 4/12 oz. Sticks
A combination of cashews, almonds,
$9.95
$24.95 Mild Cheddar - 6/8 oz.
$16.95 American Cheese Slices - 120 Slices $22.95 Baby Swiss - 6/7.5 oz.
$13.45 Honey Roasted Mixed Nuts - 1/30 oz. tin
$41.95 Jalapeno w/ Cheese - 12/12 oz. pkgs
Packed by Troyer Cheese from Millersburg, Ohio
$26.95 Hickory Smoked Cheddar - 6/8 oz.
1 choc. Almond, 1 choc. Cashew
double dipped in pure milk chocolate. Packed by Nettles Sausage of Lake City, Florida
Cheese
each: Sharp Cheddar, Mild Cheddar, Colby
$12.45 Chocolate Nut Gift Pack - 2/10 oz. cans
$41.95 Mild - 4/2.5 lb.pkgs $41.95 Hot - 4/2.5 lb.pkgs
Honey
November 20!
$10.95 Fresh New Crop Pecan Halves - 1 lb. bag $11.95 Peanut Gift Pack - 3/12 oz. cans
$55.45 Smoked Turkey - 10 lb avg.
Sausage
Scan to stay updated!
Nuts
7 - 10 lb avg. Packed by Yoakum packing in Yoakum, Texas
Call your local county Farm Bureau to order by
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IMPORTANT FARM BUREAU MEETINGS; STATE RECOGNITION AND OUTREACH By Jim Frankowiak
Hillsborough County Farm Bureau was engaged in two important meetings last month: the 81st Annual Hillsborough Co. Membership Meeting and the Florida Farm Bureau Annual Meeting, along with the fall Ag Venture program. The annual county meeting took place at the Florida Strawberry Festival grounds, drawing more than 400 attendees who, in addition to fun and fellowship, had the opportunity to hear from Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson. That annual gathering included recognition for outgoing board members Tony Lopez, Lawrence McClure, and Gayle Yanes, as well as the introduction of new board member Clay Joyner, a Loan Officer with Farm Credit of Central Florida.
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The meeting also included a presentation by Ashlyn Demanovich, winner of this year’s Hillsborough County Farm Bureau Speech Contest. The contest topic this year was “How have supply chain issues impacted Florida Agriculture?” Ashlyn went on to represent Hillsborough County at the FFBF Annual Meeting and did a fantastic job!
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In addition, the county’s Young Farmers and Ranchers raised more than $2,200 through a cake auction at the meeting. Those funds will be used to support future YF&R programs. The Florida Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in Orlando included important recognition for Hillsborough County Farm Bureau and its varied programs in support of Farm Bureau. The first honor was the Florida Farm Bureau’s President’s Award, recognizing “balanced achievement in all critical program areas of Farm Bureau.” The second was the APEX award which is given to county Farm Bureaus that exhibit “the highest level of innovation, program efficiency, effective use of resources, including volunteers and finances, as well as goal achievement in each membership group size.” October activities also included the fall session of Ag Venture, an educational initiative designed to teach Hillsborough County 3rd graders about agriculture, its importance as the source of the food they consume each day, where that food comes from, and how the industry impacts the economy. The multi-day session at the Florida State Fairgrounds had more than 2,000 student participants from Hillsborough County schools and those being home-schooled.
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NEWS BRIEFS
Compiled by Jim Frankowiak
District Scheduling Prescribed Fires for Hillsborough County The Southwest Florid Water Management District (District) is conducting prescribed burns on the Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve in Hillsborough County through the end of the year to reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control. Setting prescribed fires in controlled settings can reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control. The Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve is located south of Cross Creek Boulevard between U.S. Highway 301 and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard near Thonotosassa. Approximately 300 acres will be burned in small, manageable units. Some major benefits of prescribed fire include: • Reducing overgrown plants, which decreases the risk of catastrophic wildfires • Promoting the growth of new, diverse plants • Maintaining the character and condition of wildlife habitat • Maintaining access for public recreation The District conducts prescribed fires on approximately 30,000 acres each year. Former FFBF President John Hoblick Named to Florida Ag Hall of Fame John Hoblick, former Florida Farm Bureau Federation (FFBF) President, has been named to the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame. He will be inducted at the Florida State Fair in February of next year. UF Ag Ranked #2 in the U.S. The University of Florida College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (UF/CALS) was ranked #2 among “2024 Best College for Agricultural Sciences in America” agricultural sciences by Niche, a data science company in Pittsburgh that serves as a review and research platform for education.
All 16 counties throughout the District’s boundaries are on year-round water conservation measures, with lawn watering limited to twice per week unless your city or county has a different schedule or stricter hours. Local governments maintaining once-per-week watering by local ordinance include Citrus, Hernando, Pasco and Sarasota counties and the cities of Dunedin and Venice. Know and follow your local watering restrictions, but don’t water just because it’s your day. Irrigate your lawn when it shows signs of stress from lack of water. Pay attention to signs of stressed grass: • Grass blades are folded in half lengthwise on at least onethird of your yard • Grass blades appear blue-gray • Grass blades do not spring back, leaving footprints on the lawn for several minutes after walking on it For more irrigation and water-saving tips, please visit the District’s website at WaterMatters.org/Water101. NCBA Accepting Environmental Stewardship Award Nominations The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is accepting Environmental Stewardship Award nominations. The award annually recognizes outstanding stewardship practices and conservation achievements of cattle producers across the U.S. Award winners are selected by a committee of representatives from universities, cattle production, conservation organizations and both federal and state governmental agencies. For more information and to download the nomination packet, visit: https://www.ncba.org/producers/programs-awards/ environmental-stewardship-award. Protecting Florida Agricultural Land Florida agricultural landowners interested in protecting the integrity of their property are encouraged to consider safeguarding their land with a conservation easement offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Resources Conservation Service in Florida (NRCS-FL). The deadline for applications for fiscal year 2024 funding is December 31, 2023. To learn more about conservation easements, contact the NRCS at the USDA Service Center in Plant City at 201 South Collins Street, Suite 201. Telephone: 813/752-1474.
Check Your Irrigation Timer When You ‘Fall Back’ to Standard Time
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The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is reminding residents to check the timers on their irrigation system controllers with the end of daylight saving time.
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Wish Farms Investing in Renewable Energy
Plant City based, international grower and yearround marketer of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and pineberries, Wish Farms, is pleased to announce the completion of a large solar project at its Plant City headquarters. “In many ways, farmers were the first environmentalists. They had to take care of the land, so it would take care of them,” said PR Manager Nick Wishnatzki. “We are proud to continue that tradition by utilizing 21st-century technology to make a difference for future generations.”
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The entire project, which adds to an existing solar array, consists of over 2,100 panels covering 80,000 square feet of warehouse roof space and parking lot covers. Producing 1.6 Gigawatts (1,600,000 kilowatt hours) of energy per year, it generates enough power for 117 Florida homes per year.
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“Our warehouse facility has a significant footprint with around 100,000 square feet of refrigerated space, so moving to solar is the right thing to do from an environmental perspective. Not only will it save 36,000 tons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere, but there will also be significant cost savings over the life of the system.” It is anticipated to cover 75% of the yearly electrical use in the warehouse. The system also feeds nine electric car charging stations at their headquarters, as well as fourteen electric forklifts and pallet jacks. “It feels good to think of how our process will come full circle. Berries are grown by the help of the sun at our farms, and then they are cooled by using power generated from the sun.” WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
About Wish Farms: Feel Good. Eat Berries. Make A Difference. It isn’t just a catchy phrase, giving back is engrained in the company culture. Through the Wish Farms Family Foundation, a portion of profits are dedicated to their three pillars of giving: Food Insecurity, Youth Education and Community. With a defined mission, they hope to make the world a better place. Founded in 1922, Wish Farms is a fourth-generation, family operated company. As a year-round supplier of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and now Pink-A-Boo® Pineberries, it grows both conventional and organic varieties. Nationally recognized for innovation, Wish Farms utilizes patented traceability technology to ensure quality and safety by tying consumer feedback to specific information from each day’s harvest. For more information, please visit www.wishfarms.com. Founded in 1922, Wish Farms is a fourth-generation, family operated company. As a year-round supplier of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and now Pink-A-Boo® Pineberries, it grows both conventional and organic varieties. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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TAKE BACK
CONTROL O F YO U R ST R AW B E R R I E S A N D TA K E C O N T R O L O F M I T E S W I T H
From early season through post-harvest, take back control of your strawberries. Onager Optek ® miticide provides world class control of mites in your fields!
G OWA N C O . C O M PAGE
Onager Optek® and the donkey logo are registered trademarks of Gowan Company, L.L.C. Always read and follow label directions.
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FLORIDA KIWI By Sandy Sun, M.S. Clinical Medicines, B.S. Nutrition Science The cooler fall months are peak season for fresh kiwi. Kiwi fruit is a sweet, distinctive fruit with a lot of flavor and a great source of nutrients. This fruit has brown fuzzy skin surrounding brilliant green flesh and tiny black edible seeds. Other names for this fruit are Chinese gooseberry or yang tao. It originated in China and spread to New Zealand. A member of the Actinidiaceae family, kiwi is produced in some states in the United States, including California and Florida. The flavor is sweet and slightly tart with a soft texture and can be eaten raw or cooked. There are many types of kiwi and they vary in color, size, and taste. The juice can also be used as a meat tenderizer.
Fiber
Nutritional Profile
For optimal taste, choose a ripe kiwi that yields slightly to gentle pressure and has a fragrant smell. Look for fuzzy skin that is free of cuts and blemishes. You can also pick firm fruits since kiwi continue to ripen at room temperature even after picking. The ripening process can be accelerated by placing the fruit in a paper bag overnight. Once ripe, refrigerate for up to one week if kept away from other fruits. Rinse under cool running water before eating or preparing. Kiwi can also be peeled and frozen for later use, although their taste and texture is superior when fresh.
Kiwi are high in vitamins C, K, and E, and in dietary fiber. These nutrients are important for a strong immune system, a healthy digestive system, and lowering cholesterol levels. The darker-pigmented varieties also provide a rich source of antioxidants. The outer peel is edible and concentrated in fiber but can be thick and is often peeled before eating. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, one medium fresh kiwi (70g) contains 42 calories, 1 g of protein, 0.4 g of fat, 10 g of carbohydrate, and 2.1 g of fiber. It also provides 106% of the Daily Recommended Value (% DV) for vitamin C, 25% for vitamin K, 7% for vitamin E, 6% for potassium, 5% for folate, 3% for magnesium, and 2% for calcium.
Vitamin C Kiwi is high in disease-fighting antioxidants, which work to neutralize destructive free radicals in the body. When healthy cells are damaged, they are more susceptible to disease and certain types of cancer, and antioxidants may help slow the progression of conditions like asthma, arthritis, and colon cancer. Diets that contain fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C are linked to a reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer. Vitamin C also has other important functions in the body. Eating kiwi and other foods high in vitamin C can significantly raise the amount of iron your body absorbs. Adequate intake and absorption of iron is necessary to prevent anemia. Vitamin C also supports the body’s immune system in its ability to fight infections and viruses. Additionally, this vitamin is involved in keeping capillaries, gums, and skin healthy and supple.
How to select and store
How to enjoy Fresh kiwi fruit are delicious enjoyed out-of-hand at their peak of ripeness. They can also be baked, roasted, sauteed, pureed, or made into jams, compotes, ice creams, and syrup. The flavor is delicious when combined with vanilla or chocolate, lemon, and other fruit flavors. They can be chopped and added to cereal, oatmeal, fruit salad, or yogurt. Poached kiwi can make a light dessert. Mix with other fruit into a delicious smoothie. Kiwi can also be sliced into cross-sections and used as a garnish for any dessert. Enjoy this beautiful, fragrant fruit during Florida’s peak season, knowing you will get loads of nutrition with every sweet, juicy bite.
Selected References http://www.uga.edu http://www.whfoods.com http://aic.ucdavis.edu/profiles/
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Research has shown that dietary fiber has a protective effect against cardiovascular diseases, by lowering blood cholesterol levels and slowing the progression of heart disease in high-risk individuals. Fiber also promotes bowel regularity and increases satiety levels, which can aid in weight control. In addition to the effects of fiber on regularity, other compounds in kiwi make this fruit especially effective in promoting healthy digestive functioning. Eating kiwi can be an effective treatment for constipation without the side effects or risks of medication.
With every generation,
we get better at protecting our environment.
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Reclamation ecologists like Ashlee work to return mined lands to productive use as wildlife habitats, public parks and more—so future generations can enjoy these lands for years to come.
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Business Up Front
KNIGHT LAND MANAGEMENT:
By Jim Frankowiak
A PASSION TO HELP PROPERTY OWNERS The Knight Family has a long history in agriculture in Polk County that traces its beginnings back more than a century. Multiple generations of the family have and continue in the cattle industry. “That cultivated a passion to help property owners and that is how Knight Land Management came to be,” said Keith Knight, who with his wife Kara, owns and operates the Polk County-based company that “proudly serves the greater Central Florida area!” They have two daughters, Kendall, 5, and Kimber, 7. Knight, who was raised on the family property by his father, the late Homer B. Knight, and mother, Christina Knight, has always had a love “for machinery and working with my hands,” he said. “And, after working all of my life on the property, it was a natural progression from tractors to skid steers and excavators.” Knight Land Management is a full-service property and land management provider that is fully licensed and insured. “We are passionate about helping landowners maintain, appreciate, enjoy, and utilize their land to its fullest potential,” said Knight. “Our clients range from homeowners living on small lots to large commercial businesses, and, of course, ranchers and farmers who need us to come in and do some heavy lifting for them.”
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Knight Land Management Services include: • Stump Removal • Land Clearing • Ditch Clean Out • Brush Clearing and Cutting • Driveway Installation • Cattle Pond Excavation • Pond Bank Mowing • Steep Incline Mowing • Grading and Site Preparation Dirt Work
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• Demolition, Debris Removal and Hauling • Rainwater and Drainage Solutions • Trenching and Culvert Installations • Property and Pasture Mowing • Pool Excavation “We specialize in mowing and cleaning hard-to-reach areas such as steep inclines next to a pond, creek, or ditch,” said Knight. “With over 20 feet of reach, we also specialize in quickly eliminating pesky branches that need to be trimmed back,” noted Knight. The company can also assist with on-property projects from sloping off dirt from a newly built patio, leveling out dirt, scraping grass for a house pad, and building a pad for a shop or barn. Stump removal, another Knight Land Management service, “isn’t only important for aesthetics, it also helps keep yards and surrounding trees and plants healthy and thriving,” said Knight. “Our team removes unwanted stumps, hauls them away, and properly disposes of them. “Here, in Florida, maintaining on-property ditches is important - and the benefits are especially evident during the rainy season,” said Knight. “Properly maintained ditches that are cleaned out regularly help landowners keep and divert water into areas where it is needed. Without clean ditches, build-up of debris, leaves, and branches can block the flow of water causing poor drainage and water backups on property. In addition to maintaining ditches, we can also install small ponds and, when necessary, culverts and drainage ditches in strategic locations. This is especially important to growers and ranchers,” said Knight. The company can also source crushed aggregate and have it delivered for property projects. Knight Land Management also offers driveway installation, ranging from the creation of new driveways to the renovaWWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
tion of existing ones. The company can scrape away existing grass and dirt, disperse crushed concrete or lime base, and spread crushed asphalt to install a driveway. In addition, the company offers demolition services and debris hauling. “Whether a customer has an old barn or outbuilding that needs to be torn down, removed, and hauled away or limbs to be removed, we can provide the service,” said Knight. “That is also true for concrete pads that need to be broken up and removed.” As multi-generational cattle ranchers, the Knight family is very familiar with the need for pasture maintenance and grooming. “We are well-equipped to provide land clearing and mowing services for pastures and acreage,” said Knight. “Overall, we are passionate about helping people maintain, appreciate, enjoy, and utilize their land to its fullest potential,” said Knight. “We are family-owned and operated, fully insured, and we love God, country, and family!” For more information about Knight Land Management or a copy of the company’s certificate of insurance, email info@ knightLM.com or call 863/500-0209.
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IT WAS A “BERRY” SWEET LIFE FOR
GLENN WILLIAMSON,
WHO LEFT A MARK ON PLANT CITY BERRY PRODUCTION By Michelle Caceres
Farming, coupled with a strong work ethic, was in Glenn Williamson’s blood. Indeed, his family started growing strawberries in Dover in the late 1880s, a period when settlers were first beginning to populate the newly incorporated city.
sought out a grower who had the same commitment to quality that their customers expected from the brand.
He married Sarah Frances Brown on Feb. 23, 1952, while a junior at Turkey Creek High School, then a “strawberry school.” They were a perfect high school power couple, he was a football player and she was a cheerleader. Frances recalled thinking at the time she never wanted to marry a farmer. “I grew up on a farm and didn’t want to marry a farmer but we farmed and worked together all our married life,” she said. The couple were married 71 3/4 years before his passing in September. After they married, his father gave him 13 acres to start his farm. “He would get up and do chores, we’d go to school, go pick our crop, and take them to the drive-thru open market,” she said. “Gary’s (Wishnatzki) dad and uncle usually bought whatever produce we had, squash, pole beans, strawberries, okra.”
“At Walden-Sparkman buyers would come in and say we want the strawberries grown by those Williamson boys,” said G&F Farms Operations Manager Michelle Williamson. She remembers, while working in the packing shed checking quality, asking him if one was okay to put in a flat. “Glenn’s motto was always ‘if in doubt, throw it out’,” she said. “That’s what got him noticed by Driscoll’s.”
Then they’d go home, go to bed, wake up, and do the same thing all over again. “It was a fun time,” said Frances. As their family grew, so did their farm. The couple had three children, Doris Genie, James Marcus, and Samuel Dean, at the same time growing their farming operation, G&F Farms and Franbery Farms.
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When Garland and Miles Reiter of Driscoll’s entered the Florida market in the 1980s, hoping to expand operations, they
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They didn’t have to look further than Glenn Williamson.
The Reiters and Williamson formed R & W Farms. It later became known as Florida Pacific Farms. Michelle Williamson tells a particularly amusing story about the Driscoll’s deal. “The guys from California wanted to know why we planted onions around the edge of the field,” she said. “My father-in-law had such a dry sense of humor and told them it was to keep the elephants out. When they looked at him funny, he asked them if they saw any elephants in the field, they said no and he said well, it’s working.” For his 50th birthday, they held a small gathering of family and friends at one of their farms on Moores Lake Road where onions hadn’t been planted yet. The Reiters rented an elephant from a carnie in Gibsonton. “It couldn’t have worked any better, the guys with the elephant were on the other side of the field and the neighbors called the sheriff,” said Michelle. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
“Here we are celebrating his birthday and the sheriff comes up saying there’s a report that there’s an elephant in his field. Glenn was in disbelief but when he walked to the back of the field sure enough the elephant was there. The Reiters said happy birthday and Glenn rode that elephant up through the strawberry field. Along the way, he said ‘guys, I guess you’re right, elephants will get in the field if you don’t plant onions.’” The lessons her father-in-law taught her are still ingrained in Michelle today. “Probably the biggest thing I learned from him is you can’t farm or raise a crop if you’re not out in the field, you have to be out there every single day taking care of the crop,” she said. “He led by example and he never expected his employees to do anything we weren’t willing to do ourselves.” Florida Strawberry Growers Association Executive Director Kenneth Parker, who knew Williamson for nearly 30 years, said his quest for a better berry was his life’s passion. “Outside of his faith and family, I can’t think of a more passionate man about strawberries,” said Parker.
Williamson was always intent on farming the best berries. He pursued trials of Driscoll’s plant varieties, worked with universities on local studies, and continued the pursuit of the best cultural growing practices. “We were instrumental in evaluating which strawberry plants will work,” said Michelle. That tradition continues today. “We have a test plot and every year plant thousands of different seedlings that haven’t been released and we evaluate them to tell Driscoll’s if they’ll work well in Florida’s soil,” she said. Glenn Williamson definitely left a legacy in the strawberry community. “He wasn’t one to toot his horn but there are a lot of people who got their start because of my father-in-law,” she said.
He said Williamson prided himself on doing things the right way. “He’d say you have to control everything you can control beforehand because during the season there were going to be things out of your control and those things would be compounded if you didn’t do your job upfront, he always tried to lay the foundation to make that perfect crop,” he said. Parker said he’d spend hours going over soil samples so he put the right nutrient management to give his crop the chance to be its best. “His quest for improved quality was incredible,” he said. “I can think of a few men and women that could probably be put on the ‘top shelf’ and he’s definitely one of them.” INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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USDA EXTENDS DEADLINE FOR EMERGENCY CONSERVATION PROGRAM APPLICATIONS FROM FLORIDA PRODUCERS IN 28 COUNTIES, INCLUDING HILLSBOROUGH AND POLK By Jim Frankowiak
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has extended the deadline for applications from agricultural producers for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) to address damages from Hurricane Idalia. The application deadline has been extended to November 27, 2023. ECP provides financial assistance to producers to help them restore their farmland to pre-disaster conditions. Approved ECP applicants may receive up to 75 percent of the cost of an approved restoration activity. Limited resource producers, socially disadvantaged participants, and beginning farmers and ranchers may receive up to 90 percent cost-share. The payment limitation for ECP is $500,000 per disaster event. The approved counties for ECP signup are Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Clay, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Martin, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, and Volusia. The approved ECP practices under this authorization for Hurricane Idalia recovery include:
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• Removing debris from farmland; • Grading, shaping, re-leveling, or similar measures: • Replacing or repairing permanent fences; and • Restoring conservation structures and other installations
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Hurricane-impacted producers must apply for assistance and receive written approval prior to beginning restoration work. Restoration work initiated prior to written approval may not qualify for ECP assistance. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees will evaluate applications based on an applicant’s estimates or measurements of the damaged land, taking into consideration the type and extent of the damage. On-site visits will only be required for conservation structures. Submitting an application does not guarantee that cost-share funding will be provided. The use of ECP funds is limited to activities to return the land to the relative pre-disaster condition. Conservation concerns that were present on the land prior to the disaster are not eligible for ECP assistance. More information is available on farmers.gov, the Hurricane resources webpage, Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster Assistance-at-a-Glance fact sheet, and Loan Assistance Tool can help producers and landowners determine program or loan options. For assistance with a crop insurance claim, producers and landowners should contact their crop insurance agent. For FSA and NRCS programs, they should contact their local USDA Service Center. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Holidays Are Here!
by John Dicks
Well, this year’s really been flying by! It started out with what seems like only a minute ago and it’s cool chill of a Florida winter (for all of about three days) and the next thing you know everybody was grumbling about the oppressive summer heat! Soon enough though, and all of a sudden, the seven months of summer just stopped, and the Holidays are here! The temperature has chilled back down, Florida style, but the seasons’ traditions are spinning in too. Probably it has something to do with that pesky time change that still happens every year in November. It sneaks up on us in the wee early hours of the month’s first Sunday morning. When everyone’s still asleep, it hits square on, and the days no longer linger with sunshine interfering with suppertime. Now there’s less daylight in the daytime, or so it seems. Regardless, it triggers a change in what we do, and how we think about things. Go to bed earlier. Sleep in longer. Notice Holiday inflatable yard decorations popping up all around the neighborhood. Of course, it could also have something to do with football season, too. You know, that time on the calendar when we realize that our beloved Gators are going to end up, yet again, with another less-than-wonderful year. Time for a new football coach (again)? Let’s not debate that here, but only recognize that just the conversation is yet another marker that our calendar is pointing to this time for the traditional happenings of our Holidays. After all, can Thanksgiving really be celebrated without an annual argument or two over the rivalry and big game of Florida vs. Florida State?! Well, not so much this year. The good news about the game this year is that it comes, like every year, on the Saturday following Thanksgiving. That means that this year, 2023, we’ll be getting it out of the way early, minimizing its “bummer” effect on Gator fans so as not to spoil the celebrations of Christmas.
We have, of course, the calendar, and Congress, to thank for that. Woe it would have been had Congress, years ago, simply declared that Thanksgiving would be recognized on some arbitrary date. You know, like Veterans Day, which is always November 11. Well, except for years like this year when it shows up on a Saturday, which would mean no day off during the work week! Naturally, we can’t have that, so Veterans Day this year was officially celebrated one day early, on Friday the 10th, so workers would get that free day off for the Holiday! With Thanksgiving, though, as every school-age youngster knows (hopefully), it was officially declared to be recognized and celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. Just using simple math suggests that can force a Thanksgiving feast as early as November 22 and as late as November 28. Thus it is the calendar that dictates and rules, making Thanksgiving fall upon November 23 for 2023, yet declaring it, for 2024, to be held on the 28th. Noticeably that gives us five extra days next year for the big debates between rabid fans of the Gators vs. Seminoles. That’s a good thing for the Gators, since, unfortunately, they’ll likely need the extra time to recruit, regroup, practice, and prepare. Of course, if you care not about such shenanigans as Seminole and Gator football, it is also worth noting that the Holiday (and shopping) season is extended this year, much longer than next. From Thanksgiving until Christmas this year, it runs nearly five weeks, whereas next year it’s not even four full weeks! That leaves lots of time this year for Holiday cheer. Will it mean brisk business to boost robust shopping sprees? Or will fatigue set in, morphing into a Scrooge-like feeling of let’s “just get it over with!”? Only time will tell; and for this year, time has really been flying by!
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John Dicks is both a Lawyer and Businessman, including an interest in farming. He and his family have owned a Blueberry Farm and have Agricultural lands which they lease for cattle operations, as John says, “to someone who knows and handles cattle much better than I do!”. John is both a Gator, having received his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida, and a Seminole, with his Law Degree from Florida State University. John serves as Of Counsel to Trinkle Redman, a law firm in Plant City where he also served nine years as City Commissioner, including three terms as Mayor.
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PLANT CITY BIDS FAREWELL TO THE FORBES ROAD PRODUCE STAND The long-standing produce stand will be missed by those near and far. by Libby Hopkins
The Forbes Road Produce Stand has been a part of the Plant City community for more than 30 years. Its colorful road signs can be seen by motorist traveling on I-4 and many of them would stop by to pick up some delicious, local produce. “It has been a Plant City institution for more than 30 years,” said employee Beki Bullard. “When I retired from Publix my best friend was the manager of the produce stand and she asked me if I wanted to come and work a couple of days a week at the stand with her, so I started working at the stand in 2004.” Sadly, the property that housed the beloved produce stand has been sold and the stand closed on Oct. 26.
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Lamar Porter was the owner of the produce stand and you could say selling produce was in his blood. Porter used to sell strawberries when he was a little boy with his family. As a teenager he joined the Navy and served our country. Years later, he started the produce stand. “The thing we all loved about working at the stand and with Lamar was that we were all like one big family,” Bullard said. “You got to know your customers by name and you knew their families as well. That is what I’m going to miss the most about working at the produce stand.”
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Bullard promised Porter that she would stay working for him until the very end and she kept per promise. “I’m going to finally retire now too,” Bullard said. “I have my family and grandkids I want to enjoy and spend time with them.” The staff at the produce stand broke the news to the Plant City community via a recent Facebook post that said, “We have always valued your business and the friendships that were forged at Forbes Road Produce. We will miss all of our customers and we will always hold a special place in our hearts for our regular customers who we saw on a daily and weekly basis. We enjoyed watching your children grow and your families change. We hope that when you think of us that you smile and that we made a positive impact in our community. We are so proud of all the agricultural students we connected with as high school students who went on to make lasting contributions in agriculture or whose agriculture project helped them achieve their dreams.
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You, our dear valued customers made it possible for us to provide and raise our families and for that we will be forever grateful to you. We hope our paths cross somewhere else in the future, but for now we will just say Thank you and God bless!”
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A DOZEN-PLUS WAYS TO SAVE POTABLE WATER IN YOUR LANDSCAPE Lynn Barber, UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County
Rain gauge photo credit Jackie Rivas Mulch photo credit Lynn Barber • Mulch landscape beds (2-3 inches deep after settling). We should care about saving potable water in our landscapes Mulch is beneficial because it retains moisture in the soil. because it is drinking water. About 1,000 people move to Florida daily which increases demand for water, a non-renewable • Microirrigation is great for landscape beds. Compared to resource. To make sure there is enough to go around, each of traditional inground irrigation systems, microirrigation prous needs to consider ways we can save this resource. vides gallons of water per hour versus gallons per minute. Below are examples of Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM principles and related practices that conserve water. All the sug• Apply ½ - ¾ inch of water (irrigation or rainfall) per watering gestions below will save water and money at no to minimal event. Use a rain gauge to determine the amount of rainfall cost to you. received, view, then empty it. You can also do a ‘catch can test’ to determine the amount of water your inground irriga• Now that the rainy season is behind us, and it’s much drition system is providing in each zone. er, homeowners need to know that their irrigation system is working properly. All of us have a stake in and impact the future. Conserving water in our landscapes is easy and important. Call our office • At least once a month, turn on your irrigation system and at 813-744-5519 for more information about these water-savwalk the zones to be sure heads are not broken or misdirecting tips. If you are not a Hillsborough County, resident, please ed. contact your local UF/IFAS Extension office. • If you are a high-water user, 15,000 gallons per month or Contact: labarber@ufl.edu more, you may qualify for a free irrigation evaluation. Call the number below and ask for Will or Heather for more information. • Your rain-shut off device may not be working if your irrigation system is operating when it is raining. • Grow drought tolerant plants which require minimal-to-no supplemental water after establishment. • Hydrozone your plants by grouping them according to their watering needs. • Plant groundcovers instead of turfgrass where turf is not purposeful. Turfgrass purposes can include play areas for children or a pet area for dogs. If you live in a deed- restricted community, check the restrictions before making changes.
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• Consider creating a rain garden in a low area of your landscape to decrease some of the stormwater runoff from your yard.
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Rain sensor photo credit UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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FROM THE SCIENTIFIC FIELD
By Brad Buck
UF AWARDED $5 MILLION IN NIFA GRANTS TO BATTLE CITRUS GREENING DISEASE
University of Florida scientists will elevate their efforts to control citrus greening with about $5 million in grants from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). NIFA, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, split funding into five grants. UF/IFAS researchers are looking for ways to manage greening, known scientifically as Huanglongbing or HLB. Greening is caused by the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, or CLas. The Asian citrus psyllid can transmit (“vector,” in scientific terms) CLas into a citrus tree, and CLas can eventually become HLB.
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“These five funded projects illustrate the breadth and depth of our world-class citrus research program,” said Robert Gilbert, UF interim senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources, dean for UF/IFAS Research and director of the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station. “We need every tool in our toolbox to combat HLB in an integrated manner, and this USDA-NIFA funding will be extremely helpful to UF/IFAS and our stakeholders.” The grants aim to accomplish numerous goals, including gene editing to develop HLB-resistant citrus varieties and integrated pest management (IPM) to help keep psyllids away from citrus trees.
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Genome editing for better tolerance to citrus greening ($1,042,257) Principal Investigator: Nian Wang Researchers plan to use cutting-edge precision genomeediting technology to help plant breeders develop more varieties that are tolerant and/or resistant to citrus greening disease. The central hypothesis for this research is that HLB can be controlled by mitigating reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS, such as hydrogen peroxide, are chemicals that cause damage to citrus plants. Scientists plan to prevent ROS damage caused by HLB disease by increasing the levels of antioxidant enzymes in citrus plants, which in turn will reduce ROS damage. “Transgene-free HLB-resistant/tolerant citrus varieties with suitable horticultural traits have the potential to provide the most effective, environmentally friendly, and economic approach for HLB control,” said Nian Wang, a professor of microbiology and cell science at the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC). IPM approach that delivers economic viability to citrus production with HLB ($1,128,392) Principal Investigator: Lukasz Stelinski The long-term goal of this project is to render HLB functionally irrelevant by developing an IPM system that yields WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
economic return from citrus. The research will address three aspects of HLB: • Suppress psyllids to the point where management decisions are based on vector density and seasonal biological events. This way, management costs do not exceed yield losses. • Evaluate the viability of trunk injections as a therapy to reduce bacterial populations. • Integrate the use of gibberellic acid to mitigate disease symptoms. “The most effective and economical combination of vector, pathogen and disease symptom management treatments will be implemented on a farm-scale level with growers in Florida and Texas,” said Lukasz Stelinski, professor of entomology at CREC. Enhancing the delivery of therapeutics into citrus phloem by linking sugar molecules ($974,182) Principal Investigator: Amit Levy While tree-trunk injections reduce CLas, they do not specifically target the phloem, the part of the vascular system in a citrus tree through which HLB travels. Most of the injected antibiotic is introduced in the xylem, where there are no bacteria. Thus, the antibiotics don’t efficiently reach the phloem. Amit Levy, an assistant professor of plant pathology at CREC, plans to lead a team that will add a glucose molecule to antimicrobial compounds. This should dramatically improve their delivery into the phloem and reduce the dose needed for efficient HLB control.
Rapid generation and evaluation of eremocitrus-derived populations for HLB tolerance and fruit quality ($928,000) Principal Investigator: José Chaparro Scientists have found HLB resistance in the citrus-related species known as Eremocitrus glauca (Australian desert lime). But transferring the resistance into commercial varieties typically takes decades because citrus remains in its juvenile stage so long. UF/IFAS has found an Eremocitrus variety with early flowering. Scientists propose to breed varieties of commercial quality with HLB-resistance, by speeding up the breeding process using early flowering varieties. Multiomic dissection of HLB tolerance in B9-65 Valencia, N13-32 Hamlin, OLL-8 sweet orange and other cultivars ($1,364,478) Principal Investigator: John Chater In this project, scientists will study scions with demonstrated HLB tolerance and the potential to produce commercialgrade fruit, despite testing positive for CLas. Researchers will examine plants infected in established groves and uninfected in facilities known as Citrus Under Protective Screens (CUPS). From there, they’ll make a comparative genetic and horticultural analysis of uninfected material vs. tolerant and susceptible-to-infection material. Ultimately, researchers want to distribute HLB-tolerant scions to stakeholders and to understand the biological mechanisms behind HLB tolerance for breeding HLB-tolerant and -resistant scions and for gene editing purposes.
Sign up
for a FREE On-Farm Readiness Review The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR) inspections have begun. Sign up now to request a free On-Farm Readiness Review (OFRR), offered in partnership by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and University of Florida IFAS. The OFRR is an educational opportunity to help individual farms align practices with the PSR regulatory requirements in preparation for inspections.
For more information on FSMA and to sign up for an OFRR, visit FDACS.gov/FSMA or call (863) 578-1900. To take full advantage of the OFRR and for PSR compliance, one farm representative should first attend a Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training. Upcoming trainings can be found at: crec.ifas.ufl.edu/extension/events This publication is supported by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award U2FFD007446 totaling $1,166,732 with 100 percent funded by FDA/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by FDA/ HHS, or the U.S. Government.
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HILLSBOROUGH 4-H ELECTS NEW COUNTY COUNCIL By Jim Frankowiak
4-H members throughout Hillsborough County have elected new County Council members for the current 4-H year. The 4-H county officers, working together under the supervision of Extension Agent Amber Norris, perform a range of duties during their year in office. “They plan the 4-H program for the year based on the needs and wants of youth in Hillsborough County,” said Norris. “Council members conduct and participate in all county-wide youth meetings and events; keep county records; create and maintain a good spirit and interest in the county 4-H programs as a whole; help members find a place in the county program; attend officer training and train club officers about their respective roles.” The six-member Hillsborough County Council includes: • President - Sean Falvey, a member of Chautauqua 4-H Club and a student at Riverview High School. Falvey is also Chautauqua’s president and president of 4-H District IX, as well as a member of the state 4-H executive board. In addition, he is Riverview High School’s FFA secretary. Falvey enjoys meats and poultry judging. His 4-H meats team will compete at the Nationals in January and he will be showing poultry and beef at the Hillsborough County Fair, Florida Strawberry Festival, and Florida State Fair.
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• Vice President – Shelby Lawrence, an Udderly Legendary 4-H member and student at Strawberry Crest High School.
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Lawrence also serves as 4-H District Council Treasurer. She is president of the junior FFA Chapter at Strawberry Crest High School. • Secretary – Benjamin Privett, a member of Udderly Legendary 4-H. He is a senior in high school and in his second year of 4-H. Benjamin is also his club secretary and enjoys singing, photography, involvement with his church, and spending time with others. • Treasurer – Braden Falvey, a Chautauqua 4-H Club member and student at Rodgers Middle School. Braden is also Chautauqua’s treasurer, and he enjoys showing poultry at the Florida State Fair and Hillsborough County Fair. He has been a member of the National Honor Society since the 4th grade and appreciates the opportunity to serve his community. Braden is a volunteer with the Best Buddy program, as well. His spare time interest is playing Fortnite with his friends. • Reporter – Nicolas Summer, a Chautauqua 4-H Club member and student at Riverview High School. Nico loves being in 4-H and teaching others about all of the opportunities membership affords. He has a passion for his dairy cow project enabling him to carry on a family tradition. Nico would one day like to lead a 4-H club of his own. • Historian – Nicholas Privett is a member of Udderly Legendary 4-H Club. He presented a blue ribbon illustrated talk WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
at county and district 4-H events, which led him to the state competition where took home first-place honors at 4HU. Nicholas is also a District IX officer. There are 20, 4-H Clubs in Hillsborough County with total membership approaching 300, ranging in age from 5 – 18 and supported by more than 70 volunteers. 4-H is a youth organization whose mission is “engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development.” Its name is a reference to the occurrence of the initial letter “H” four times in the organization’s original motto - head, heart, hands and health. Today, the 4-H motto is “To make the best better,” while its slogan is “Learn by doing.” 4-H has affiliated organizations in more than 50 countries. In the U.S., there are 6.5 million 4-H members and the program is administered through the Land-grant university system under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Though sometimes thought of as an agriculturally focused organization, 4-H today embraces and promotes citizenship, healthy living, science, engineering and technology programs. Norris’ colleague, Agent Shelby Mauch, heads the Extension School Enrichment Program. For more information about Hillsborough County 4-H, visit sfl. ifas.ufl.edu. You may also contact Amber Norris via phone at 813/744-5519, Extension 54116, or by email: amber.norris@ufl. edu.
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November 2023
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