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3014 S. Jim Redman Pkwy. (Hwy. 39 S) Plant City, FL • southsidewesternwear.com
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NOVEMBER 2019 VOL. 15 • ISSUE 1
CONTENTS THE BILLY SIMMONS FAMILY: FAITH, FAMILY & FARMING
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Cover Photo by Karen Berry PAGE 12 Plant Jewelry
PAGE 38 Harvest Awards
PAGE 58 Ross Spano
PAGE 16 Tip Top Canning
PAGE 40 Tomato Virus
PAGE 60
PAGE 18 Fishing Hot Spots
PAGE 46
Activity
PAGE 61 A Closer Look
Extension Award
PAGE 22 Rocking Chair Chatter
PAGE 48 John Dicks
PAGE 24 Ag Teachers
PAGE 50 Endangered Species
PAGE 28 Highland Ag Solutions
PAGE 64 Recycled Yard Art PAGE 66
News Briefs
PAGE 52 HCFB Volunteers
PAGE 32 Prescribed Burning PAGE35 Prickly Pear Cactus
PAGE 54 Business Up Front
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PAGE 56 Literary Time
Jack Payne
Machine
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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Hillsborough County Farm Bureau 305 S. Wheeler St. Plant City, FL. 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 Jake Raburn................Vice President Tony Lopez..............Treasurer Buddy Coleman..................Secretary DIRECTORS FOR 2018 - 2019 Christina Andrlik, Carl Bauman, Jake Cremer, Tiffany Dale, Carson Futch, Jim Frankowiak, Chip Hinton, John Joyner, Lawrence McClure, Sambahv, Vincent Tort, Will Womack, Gayle Yanes
Judi Whitson, Executive Director 813-685-9121 Farm Bureau Insurance Special Agents
Valrico Office 813-685-5673
100 S. Mulrennan Rd., Valrico, FL. 33594 Tommy Hale, CLU, ChFC, CASL, CPCU Agency Mgr. Julie Carlson, Amy Engle
Plant City Office 813.752.5577
305 S. Wheeler St., Plant City, FL 33563 Jeff Summer Artis Griffin
Tampa Office 813.933.5440
6535 Gunn Highway, Tampa, FL.33625 Greg Harrell, Jared Bean
AGENCY MANAGER Thomas O. Hale WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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STAFF
Letter from the Editor
Publisher/Photography Karen Berry Senior Managing Editor/ Associate Publisher Sarah Holt Patsy Berry Editor
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” John Fitzgerald Kennedy Happy Thanksgiving! We are entering that most wonderful time of year when we gather with family and friends, eating and sharing stories of the past year.
Sales Melissa Nichols Karen Berry Sarah Holt George Domedion
When shopping to prepare for your Thanksgiving meal, watch those labels! Check for the Fresh From Florida logo to ensure you have the freshest food available.
Creative Director/Illustrator Juan Alvarez
It is important to follow safe food preparation all year, but especially during the holiday season when larger meals are prepared. Often buffets are set out for guests and leftovers are used for later meals.
Distribution Bob Hughens
A few tips to follow include: • Thaw turkey in the refrigerator, not on the counter top • Cook the stuffing separate from the turkey • Don’t interrupt the cooking process • Carve the turkey into serving slices before refrigerating
Photography Karen Berry Stephanie Humphry
It’s a time of Thanksgiving. Do you count your blessings every day? Or just one time each year when we are reminded to “give thanks?”
Staff Writers Al Berry Sandy Kaster James Frankowiak Sean Green Ginny Mink
I am thankful for many things in my life. I am thankful for the freedom I experience every day and for those who sacrificed to make that freedom real. I am thankful to live in a country that has an abundant, safe food supply and for the farmers and ranches that work so hard to feed this nation. I am thankful for each day I am given. I try to remember to count my blessings every day.
Contributing Writers Woody Gore John Dicks
• Make sure cooking temperatures are high enough to kill bacteria • Careful storage of leftovers minimizes food poisoning • Wrap food properly to prevent freezer burn
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.
Until Next Month
Sarah Holt The LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. - Numbers 6:25
Letters, comments and questions can be sent to P.O. Box 5377, Plant City, Florida 33563-0042 or you are welcome to email them to: info@inthefieldmagazine.com or call 813-759-6909 Advertisers warrant & represent the descriptions of their products advertised are true in all respects. In The Field Magazine assumes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers. All views expressed in all articles are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Berry Publications, Inc. Any use or duplication of material used in In the Field magazine is prohibited without written consent from Berry Publications, Inc.
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Published by Berry Publications, Inc.
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A Time to Express Our Thanks HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY
-Dennis Carlton Jr. - President
Greetings, We all have so much to be thankful for, and this is a wonderful time to express our appreciation. So, while you plan and participate in Thanksgiving with your family and friends, please remember the men and women who are integral to those gatherings and to the daily opportunity we have to break bread. I am speaking of our farmers and ranchers without whom life would be most challenging. The story of agriculture here in Hillsborough County, as anywhere our industry is active, means sustenance and more. The overall economic impact of agriculture and related businesses as compiled just a few years ago by the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences in our county includes:
payments, etc.) to local government then they require in government services, effectively subsidizing government services for the urban residential population. So, while the food we eat each day is very important, please recognize that there are added and important benefits to the community thanks to the ongoing hard work of our farmers, ranchers and those entities that help the agriculture industry. Most definitely, No Farmers means No Food, but there’s more that also benefits us all. And, there’s no better time than Thanksgiving to express our appreciation to the men and women engaged in agriculture here in Hillsborough County.
•$11.76 Billion in gross regional product. Note, that is Billion and not million, and that is more than 13 percent of our area’s annual gross product
Lastly, I personally am thankful for many things in my life. As I reflect back on the blessings of life and all that the Lord has done for each of us, I can’t help but recognize and have gratitude unto the Lord for all He has bestowed on our families and community. I challenge each of you to take some time this season to reflect on all of the blessings in our lives and be sure to give thanks. 1 Chronicles 16:34 “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.” Dennis Carlton, Jr.
•Strawberries grown in the county account for the most annual sales at more than $477 million followed by vegetables at over $150 million and $125 million in ornamental plants
Dennis Carlton Jr.
•More than 170,000 jobs and that is nearly 19 percent of all jobs in Hillsborough County
•Every $1 invested in agricultural research and Extension returns $20 to the community
Dennis Carlton Jr. - President
Previous studies have also calculated that agriculturists, who operate on nearly 240,000 acres in the county, contribute four times more in revenue (taxes, fees, transfer
305 SOUTH WHEELER STREET • PLANT CITY, FL 33566 • 813-685-9121 Board of Directors
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Dennis Carlton, Jr. , President; Jake Raburn, Vice-President; Tony Lopez Treasurer; Buddy Coleman, Secretary; Christina Andrlik, Carl Bauman, Jake Cremer, Tiffany Dale, Carson Futch, Jim Frankowiak, Chip Hinton, John Joyner, Lawrence McClure, Sambahv,Jay Marty Tanner, Vincent Tort, Will Womack, Gayle Yanes Judi Whitson, Executive Director
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JEWELRY FOR PLANT PEOPLE
By Libby Hopkins There is a Sudanese proverb that says, “Patience is the key which solves all problems.” Casey Lee Petrauskas would agree but she would also say that, “Gardening in general requires a lot of patience, and so does working with resin.” Petrauskas is the owner of the company With Love, KC Lee, which is her jewelry company, and her jewelry incorporates local pants in the designs. “I’ve always loved plants and gardening,” Petrauskas said. “Growing up my family always had an incredible flower and vegetable garden. I remember my mom having the most gorgeous gladiolus plants and picking tomatoes and strawberries every season.” In college, Petrauskas and her roommate had a garden. “My roommate and I in college grew tons of vegetables and always had a pretty decent herb garden,” Petrauskas said. “We loved to cook, so having a vegetable and herb garden only made sense. I currently have more of a flower and greenery potted garden as I live in an apartment, but having plants around me has always truly made me happy.”
Petrauskas’ favorite part about making plant pieces is that every piece has their own story. “I can tell you the name of the plant, where it came from, and there is always a back story to it.” Petrauskas said. “It makes each piece unique and personal.” Everything about her process revolves around patience. “I use an epoxy based resin, so mixing the two parts together takes time and if you don’t measure the ratios properly or if you don’t stir it diligently, you’re not going to get the results you are looking for,” Petrauskas said. “Taking your time is imperative, but also, the resin I work with will start to cure in about 45 minutes, so working with intent and having proper planning is very important as well. I start with pouring a small amount of resin into either a silicon mold or into a bezel. I then place the plants and flowers into the resin, arrange them in an attractive manner, then use a blow torch to pop any air bubbles inside of the resin. By popping the air bubbles you are left with a crystal clear pendant. I let the piece sit for about four hours so it will begin to cure. I then pour a second layer of resin on top of the first and let it cure fully for 18 hours. I break the pouring process into two parts so that the flower does not float to the top of the mold during the curing process. After the pendant is fully cured, I pop it out of the mold, then sand and polish the piece before adding hardware to finish off the piece of jewelry.”
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With Love, KC Lee started about a year ago when Petrauskas was trying to figure out what to make her friends and family as gifts for the holiday season. “Plants have always made me happy, so in my head I was thought, how can I keep them on me all the time,” Petrauskas said. “I started playing around with resin during that time and knew that my mom would love a flower necklace, and it grew from there. Everyone who received a gift from me last year got some form of botanical resin piece. Seeing their reactions to the pieces gave me the Petrauskas got involved with the local artisan/famers’ market scene confidence and support I needed to start a business and share what I in February of last year. The feedback she got from her friends and family she gifted her jewelry pieces to, gave her the confidence to call ‘jewelry for plant people’ with the community.”
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start selling her jewelry at the local markets. “My first market was the Heights Night Market that happens at Armature Works in Tampa every month,” Petrauskas said. “It went so well that I immediately started applying to more markets in the area. I started getting accepted into multiple markets a month, including The Vinyl and Vintage Markets and The Indie Fleas. I was honestly stunned on how many markets accepted my application as I was just getting started, and my calendar really started to fill up. I’m still so honored to be a part of these markets that I used to go to as a customer.” Her favorite part about vending at markets is the authentic connections she makes with her customers and other vendors. “I love telling customers the story behind each piece and watching their reaction when you tell them that it’s a real plant inside that tiny pendant,” Petrauskas said. “My favorite kinds of markets to participate in are plant markets, as there are plant people everywhere. Some of my favorite customers are actually plant vendors, and we trade jewelry for plants so it’s a win-win for everyone. I’ve fallen into making quite a few memorial pieces for friends and even strangers this past year. I’ll take flowers from funerals and place them into resin creating memorial pieces that will last a lifetime. The reactions when the customers receive special pieces like that is truly magical and can leave me at a loss for words. It’s a beautiful thing to help a family find peace during their grieving period.”
If you would like to learn more about With Love, KC Lee or to see what markets she will be selling her jewelry at, you can visit her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/withloveKCLee or her Instagram page at www.instagram.com/withlovekclee. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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THE FAMILY BUSINESS
By Libby Hopkins As the old saying goes, “Food tastes better when you eat it with family.” John Barbie would agree with this because his livelihood is rooted in it. Barbie is the owner of Tip Top Canning Company in Tampa and he took the food he was raised on and turned it into his business. “I’m an executive chef and have been in the restaurant business for more than 29 years,” Barbie said. “I’ve done everything in the restaurant business from wash dishes to running a restaurant. Since I’m a chef, I liked to be very creative.” Barbie combined his creative juices and his family’s businesses to create Tip Top Canning Company. “I named my business after my grandfather, Joe Tambuzzo,” Barbie said. “He used to own the Tip Top Grocery Store in Ybor City and he was known for making homemade sausage. Even after his store closed, my family was still making sausage and my cousin Andrew owns our sister business, Tambuzzo Sausage Company.”
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Barbie loved the Sicilian Mojo his grandmother would make to go along with the sausage his grandfather, Joe made. “My grandmother’s Sicilian Mojo had a red wine vinegar base and my grandfather would put the mojo and mustard on his sausage,” Barbie said. “Since our sausage business was thriving, I told my cousin we needed to have condiments that went along with the sausage. I took my grandmother’s Sicilian Mojo
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recipe and infused it with whole grain mustard.” Barbie’s Sicilian Mustard was born. “It kind of started to snowball from there,” Barbie said. “The Sicilian Mustard lead to Cuban mustard, then to jams and then I started pickling vegetables and so on.” Canning has a pretty interesting history. According to the website, Food Reference (www.foodreference.com), “The canning process dates back to the late 18th century in France when the Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, concerned about keeping his armies fed, offered a cash prize to whoever could develop a reliable method of food preservation. Nicholas Appert conceived the idea of preserving food in bottles, like wine. After 15 years of experimentation, he realized if food is sufficiently heated and sealed in an airtight container, it will not spoil. An Englishman, Peter Durand, took the process one step farther and developed a method of sealing food into unbreakable tin containers, which was perfected by Bryan Dorkin and John Hall, who set up the first commercial canning factory in England in 1813. As more and more of the world was explored, and as provisioning armies took on greater importance, the demand for canned foods grew. Thomas Kensett, who emigrated to the United States, established the first U.S. canning facility for oysters, meats, fruits and vegetables in New York in 1812. More than 50 years later, Louis Pasteur provided the WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
explanation for canning’s effectiveness when he was able to demonstrate that the growth of microorganisms is the cause of food spoilage.” The website also says that “The basic principles of canning have not changed dramatically since Nicholas Appert and Peter Durand developed the process. Heat sufficient to destroy microorganisms is applied to foods packed into sealed, or ‘airtight’ containers. The canned foods are then heated under steam pressure at temperatures of 240-250°F (116-121°C). The amount of time needed for processing is different for each food, depending on the food’s acidity, density and ability to transfer heat. For example, tomatoes require less time than green beans, while corn and pumpkin require far more time.”
sell food super cheap and local small businesses and farmers are suffering because of it. Buying local also helps you know where your food is coming from and who’s growing it. It all goes back to building relationships which also strengthen the community.”
Barbie’s tasty canned goods have been very popular at the local artisan and farmers’ markets he attends. “I currently attend five markets a week and some of those markets are outside of the Tampa Bay area,” Barbie said. He loves the relationships he has formed with other venders and his clients from the markets. “I wouldn’t trade these relationships for the world,” Barbie said. “They have helped me and my passion for my business grow.” Barbie is also a strong supporter of keeping things local. “Seventy-five percent of my ingredients are sourced locally,” Barbie said. “I wish 100 percent could be, but some items like cranberries aren’t available locally.” He also sources his protein from an all-natural pig farmer in Dade City. “I feel it’s very important for me to buy my ingredients locally because it helps support local farmers,” Barbie said. “Big corporations If you would like to learn more about Tip Top Canning Company or to see which local artisan or famers’ market Barbie will be attending, you can visit it Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Tip-Top-Canning-Company or you can contact Barbie at 813-453-1509.
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Tampa Bay Fishing Report December 2019 Capt. Woody Gore
Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, Cobia, and can’t get greenies, buy shrimp and Sharks – Schooling fish action from your local bait house. They cerwill continue until the water temperatures cool, then you can expect them to move toward the power plants. Last year, the mackerel stayed into January. So, as you travel the bay, watch for diving birds and you’ve most likely found large bait pods and feeding fish. You can set up a drift near the activity, or if you prefer to anchor, then hang a couple of chum bags over the side. If you’re using live sardines, you can scatter some around the area and cut some up in the current around the boat. Watch the water, and when they start striking, toss a live greenie in that direction and it’s an instant hook up. Rig up by tying on some 60 lb. Seaguar leaders and long shank Diachii 2/0 or 3/0 hooks and get ready for some drag screaming fast and furious action.
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Capt. Woody Gore (www.captainwoodygore.com)
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tainly need some business.
Cobia and sharks–(Believe It Or Not,
You Can Keep cobia and sharks) also show up around an anchored boat with chum bags over the side, so be prepared. Have a larger rig ready to toss a small pinfish or more substantial greenback to any passing cobia or shark.
Mangrove Snapper, Grunts, Sheepshead–(Believe It Or Not, You
Can Keep snapper, sheepshead, and grunts) The snapper bite continues, and sheepshead should start picking up as the waters begin cooling. Sheepshead and mangrove snappers will start pushing onto the grass flats. You can also look for them in the deepwater creeks, canals, and the many rivers opening into the Tampa Bay area. Tampa Bay has plenty of Sea Trout–(Still Catch & Release) will deep and shallow water rock piles show up in good numbers as we get and artificial reefs, all of which tend to some cooler weather. The cooler wa- hold plenty of sheepshead, snapper, ter temps should start attracting the and grunts this time of year. Fish with bigger “gator” trout to the shallower pieces of shrimp or small crabs and grass flats during the warmer parts of remember, once hooked, they are a the day. Target them on sandy “pot- spirited fish, having terrific power for holes” on broken bottom grass flats their size. throughout Tampa Bay. The beautiful thing about seatrout is, they like artifi- Snook–(Still Catch & Release) – The cial lures, sometimes as much as live Snook bite has been okay through bait. Try a topwater lure early in the November, however as the water morning, especially as the sun breaks temperatures start dropping, the bite the horizon, then try switching to soft might tend to slow down. You can still plastics later in the morning. Remem- catch this wily, sometimes unpredictber, live shrimp hooked in the cara- able fish, just start looking in differpace under a cork or popping cork ent places depending on the water always catch seatrout. The trout bite temperatures. Not very cold hearty, should be excellent, especially on snook will migrate to areas with more deeper water grass flats, and contin- tolerable water temperatures. As ue through the winter months. Here the water temperatures drop, their again, artificial lures work well, espe- metabolisms slow considerably, cially on those cold mornings when and they tend to exert only enough you can’t bring yourself to throw the energy to catch food. When using net, but if you’re a die-hard live baiter greenbacks during cold water temWWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
peratures, remember jumbo shrimp, bridges, docks, and deepwater structure results in a decent snook bite especially during cold water times.
Redfish–(Still Catch & Release) Live greenbacks, dollar-
“Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing”
size pinfish, shrimp, and cut baits also catch plenty of reds. The redfish action should continue into the colder months, and artificial lures are always productive and loads of fun Captain Woody Gore’s Guide Service: The area’s top-notch outdoor when fished around mangroves, oyster bars, and open wa- fishing guide service. He’s guided and fished the Tampa, Clearwater, ter grass flats. Topwater or soft plastics on light jigheads are St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, Bradenton, and Sarasota areas for over fifty years and offers first-class customer service, outstanding your best bet. fishing adventures and a lifetime of memories. Flounder–(Believe It Or Not, You Can Keep A Flounder) Single Boat, Multi-Boat and Group Charters: Flounder is another Tampa Bay winter species and unWith years of organizational experience and access to the areas doubtedly one of the best-tasting fish we have! Larger most experienced captains, Captain Woody can arrange and coorgroups of flounder will move onto sandy areas and broken dinate any size group, outing, or tournament. bottom potholes throughout Tampa Bay this time of year. Target them in potholes and creek mouths with substantial Website www.captainwoodygore.com tidal flows. Use the same rigs for flounder that you use for Email fishing@captainwoodygore.com sheepshead.
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If you eat a polar bear’s liver, you will die of a vitamin A overdose. In 1977, researchers detected a strong radio signal from space that lasted 72 seconds. It has hasn’t been detected since. Pluto hasn’t completed a full orbit since its discovery, and won’t until March 23, 2178. Snoopy has made the most appearances in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The first Thanksgiving was held in the autumn of 1621 and included 50 Pilgrims and 90 Wampanoag Indians and lasted three days. Sarah Josepha Hale, the woman who actually wrote the classic song “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” convinced President Lincoln in 1863 to make Thanksgiving a national holiday, after writing letters for 17 years campaigning for this to happen. Campbell’s soup created green bean casserole for an annual cookbook 50 years ago. It now sells $20 million worth of cream of mushroom soup. In 1953, Swanson had so much extra turkey (260 tons) that a salesman told them they should package it onto aluminum trays with other sides like sweet potatoes — and the first TV dinner was born!
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Elderly People A few months back I was having breakfast at the Hole-In-The-Wall restaurant on the square in downtown Blairsville, Georgia. Now eating at the Hole-In-The-Wall is an experience all in itself, but to visit with the hometown folks is something else. I was eating some of their famous thick country fried ham, eggs and grits and overheard the old folks next to me talking about why it takes older folks longer to answer a question. Gafford, as he is known to his friends, hit the nail on the head when he said, “Us old folks have so much information in our brain that it takes longer for us to access it. Older peoples brains don’t get weak, the problem is, they simply know more, and it takes more time to figure out what to say.” From there the conversation went on to what they did last week. Fred spoke up with a brilliant thought, “Last week I got to thinking about when I grew up. I drank my bottled water out of a garden hose. And that’s not all. I think this recession is just dragging on. I don’t give a rip what they say on TV, it’s still rough as a cob out there. I always ask if they have a senior discount.” Zeke jumped in with full agreement. He said, “As a rule, I try to avoid all the fast-food restaurants because I’m not a real big fan of explosive diarrhea or clogged arteries, but I have to admit some of them kick out a good breakfast real cheap.” “Did you hear Clovis’ wife left him?” Zeke said. “He told me the other day he asked his wife what she would do if he won the lottery!” She said, “I’d take half, then leave you.” “That’s good,” he replied. “I won $20.00, here’s $10.00…I’ll see ya.” If you’re ever passing through Blairsville, stop in at the “Hole-InThe-Wall” for breakfast downtown at the square around the historic courthouse. These guys are usually there for a couple of hours.
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Have you heard the story of the man that could never find the time to fix his lawnmower? His wife kept hinting to him that he should have it fixed. But, somehow he always had something else to do first, the boat, working in the shed, playing golf…he always had more important things to do. Finally, she thought of a clever way to make her point. When he arrived home one day from playing golf with his buddies, he found her seated in the tall grass busily snipping away with a tiny pair of scissors. He watched for a minute, and then went into the house, and came back and handed her a toothbrush. He said, “When you finish cutting the grass, you might as well sweep the driveway.” The last I heard the doctors say he will walk again, but most likely will have a limp.
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I enjoy those clean and simple jokes, like George, the farmer, that had so many children he ran out of names. To solve the problem he started calling his kids after something around his farm. It was the first day of school and the teacher asked each child their name. When he got to farmer Georges’ son, the boy replied, “Wagon Wheel.” The teacher said, “I need your real name boy.” The boy replied, “Sir, my name is Wagon Wheel.” The teacher, rather annoyed replied, “Okay young man, take yourself right down to the Principal’s office this minute.” The young man pushed himself out of his chair, turned to his sister and said, “C’mon ‘Chicken Feed’, he ain’t gonna believe you either!” Have you ever wondered why men are seldom depressed? Think about it. Men are happier people. Your last name stays put. You can never be pregnant. You can wear a white T-shirt to the water park. The world is your urinal. People never stare at your chest when you’re talking to them. Phone conversations are over in 30-seconds flat. A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase. Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack. The same hairstyle lasts for years. You only have to shave your face and neck. You can do your nails with a pocketknife. You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24th in 25 minutes. If Laura, Kate and Sarah go out for lunch, they will call each other Laura, Kate and Sarah. If Mike, Dave and Chuck go out, they will refer to each other as Fatboy, Bubba and Wildman. A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn’t. A man marries a woman expecting that she won’t change, but she does. I remember my mother telling me she was taught in a very small school, where several grades were often in the same classroom. There was no indoor plumbing in the building and the bathroom was an outhouse behind the school. There was one thing she said she could not figure out. She said, “We had to raise our hand and speak when called upon. But the funny part was when we wanted to go to the out-house, we raised our hand with one finger up for #1, and two for #2. For the life of me I never could figure out why the teacher wanted to know which bodily function was necessary, but that was the way it was!” In closing remember you don’t stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing.
Editor’s Note: This Rocking Chair Chatter was originally printed in the November 2014 issue WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
We have toys for ALL ages this Holiday season! INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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AG TEACHERS IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SCHOOLS;
SOME INTERESTING FACTS
By Jim Frankowiak
“In addition, there was a change in Ag teacher contracts a number of years ago. What was a 12-month contract became a 10-month contract, making the position more practical for teachers with children in school. They could become Ag teachers and also take care of their children during summer vacation,” said Pam. Hillsborough County Farm Bureau Executive Director Judi Winston echoes some of these thoughts. “I think FFA has exposed more girls to careers in Ag over the past few years, and this is a natural fit for them,” said Whitson. “They can build a family and a second income and still be at home with the kids during summer and off days. Also, the College of Agriculture at the University of Florida has had more women than men in the program for several years, so it stands to reason that there would be more women teachers now.”
Kelsey Humphrey with Students Agriculture teachers in Hillsborough County middle and senior high schools total 68. Of that number, 45 are female as are all nine first year agriculture teachers. Those are interesting facts when you consider most Ag teachers were men, at least that was what many thought. Lauren Walden, Supervisor, Career, Technical and Adult Education, who has just begun her second year in that position, wanted to share this information and some insights from others as to how and why this transition has taken place.
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Coincidentally, Walden replaced her aunt, Pam Walden, who oversaw this group of teachers, as well as others, until she retired last year from Hillsborough County Schools. “I think this shift traces it’s beginning to the late 1960s when FFA (then known as Future Farmers of America) invited young women to join,” she said. Prior to that time, only young men could join FFA.
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Brittany Coleman, now an Ag Advisor/Teacher at Durant High School having recently left a similar post at an area middle school, was born and raised in the Plant City area. “I have been involved in Agriculture my entire life,” she said. “I grew up beside a strawberry farm and around livestock animals. I was a member of Antioch Critter 4-H from the time I was 5 until I was 18. I, additionally, was a member of FFA at Turkey Creek Middle School and Durant High School. I was a chapter officer in organizations and showed sheep, swine and cattle. My senior year in high school my dad (Buddy Coleman) became an agriculture teacher (at Turkey Creek Middle School). “Once I decided I did not want to go to school long enough to be a vet and that I had too big of a heart for it, I decided that I wanted to be a teacher. I thought while in college that I would teach Special Education, however once I started my degree program, I realized how much I missed Ag classes and decided that is what I wanted to do. Once I started my internship, I knew I made the correct choice. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
to consumer in the Ag industry.
Brittany Coleman
“As a young Ag teacher, I have already had some major success; however, I always strive to do better. One goal I have is to have the same success I did as a middle school advisor now as a high school advisor. This career path is very rewarding. Watching students grow and become successful is the thing that makes me continue to pursue to do my best every day,” said Coleman. “This job is a lot of hard work; however, it is fun and enjoyable. The hard work is worth watching the students succeed.” Kelsey Humphrey, the third Ag teacher at Strawberry Crest High School since 2018, has “always admired the Ag teachers in Hillsborough County, and many of them I consider to be mentors and friends,” she said. Humphrey was Florida Strawberry Festival Queen in 2013 and showed plants at the Festival while a high school student. An alumna of Plant City High School, Class of 2013, Humphrey was given an athletic scholarship to swim for the University of West Florida, transferring to the University of Florida in 2016 where “I fell in love with a program they offered, Agriculture Communications. Once I was accepted into the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), I got involved with the CALS Ambassadors Program and became an advocate for agriculture amongst the student body at UF. I enjoyed that I could still be involved in the public relations and media aspect of an industry, while being specific to agriculture. I recognized that I had a passion for increasing agriculture literacy, understanding the process from producer
“In 2018, my husband and I moved back to Florida so my husband could work for my father’s (Glenn Harrell) tree farm business,” she said. “Butler Tree Farm has been in our family for several years and we were honored that my father asked Kent to work for him as his general manager. “When I saw there was an opening at Strawberry Crest upon our move back, I was overjoyed. Since working at Strawberry Crest, I have successfully established a Horticulture Course and have placed 3rd in the state for a Nursery and Landscaping career development event. I hope to build the Horticulture program to allow students the opportunity to become certified in the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association (FNGLA) courses, learn industry techniques, make professional connections and show them what careers are available for them locally and nationally in the horticulture industry.” The comments from Coleman and Humphrey reflect the sentiments of their Ag education colleagues in Hillsborough Schools, all striving to advance the industry that is so important to the wellbeing of all of us.
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After graduating from UF in 2017, Humphrey and her husband Kent, moved to North Carolina where she worked as a Marketing Director for Jackson Farming Company, enabling her to see first-hand how farmto-table worked. “I learned a lot from that position, including harvesting, packaging and storing, food safety procedures, transporting produce and labeling,” she said. Humphrey then joined Topsail High School as their first Ag teacher for a new program. “It was an excellent start to my teaching career because I was able to accomplish a lot in my first two years as a teacher. This included chartering an FFA chapter, electing the first ever FFA officers and establishing new courses. That job also allowed me to build professional relationships with industry professionals. I was reminded through that journey how incredible the Ag industry truly is. The nearby Ag employers were always supportive of our program and the community members with Ag experience were just a phone call away if I needed to ask them anything.
HIGHLAND AG SOLUTIONS: YOUR AG DATA IS YOUR NEW CURRENCY BY Jim Frankowiak
a continuous basis. While many physiological conditions, diseases and insects can be identified in the field, we take samples as further verification of our field observations and in cases where field identification is not reliable or possible. ITF: What kind of sampling do you do? CC: Our scouts collect environmental and biological data according to industry standard protocols for each individual crop. This includes pulling leaf tissue samples, soil samples, water samples for irrigation suitability and food safety, and pest or disease samples.
Digital data, ag data, big data – these are phrases that growers are hearing more often. But what does it mean to a grower in respect to his operation? In the world of farming, data is what drives decisions. If you are growing anything as a business, you know that your soil samples, your scouting results, and your food safety records are all clusters of information that are collected digitally, aggregated, and pushed back to you and other applications to perform analytics and run reports. It provides results that helps you and the software you use save time and money by operating more efficiently. Chris Crockett, Senior Business Systems Analyst and Technical Advisor at Highland Ag Solutions, sat down with In the Field to chat about what they are doing to make sure the data collected for growers is as good as gold. ITF: How do you define digital data to your customers and why you must collect them? CC: Data is the means in which we describe and classify the observable world in a systematic fashion. The primary means of data collection at Highland Ag Solutions is done through the HighlandHUB, the nexus point for all available data we collect and analyze for a grower. This can be data that is entered by the grower directly into our system, data that we enter into the system for growers through scouting, data that we pull from other entities that work with the grower and our system. That could be lab data, sensor data, public data, and data from other sources. ITF: When you say through “scouting” does that mean when you are pulling samples? Can you explain? CC: Data and sampling are two very large concepts that encompass of lot of what we do for our grower clients. Data encompasses all information that describe a customer or something that occurs on a customer’s operation. This can include anything from the location of a farm to the type of plants grown there, the types of fertilizer applied on farm crops, the information collected through scouting or sampling such as leaf tissue, soil, plant disease, water, insects, as well as food safety information and so on.
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ITF: Is it beneficial to be consistent with scouting and sampling? CC: Highland Ag Solutions offers growers the systems, staff, and tools needed to gather this important information on
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ITF: Why is it so important for the grower to see this data? CC: For any person, it is hard to be in all places at all times. For growers and their complex operations this is even truer. With all of those moving pieces on their operations, growers need compact and digestible information to make decisions quickly and effectively. Effective and accurate data from the field and digital records of farming operations, coupled with a strong analytics and reporting platform, can help a grower put their eyes on more aspects of the farm at once. ITF: How does the HighlandHub platform help with this? CC: Highland believes that a comprehensive data story is important to be able to make sound decisions. These decision points that are built into our system, and determined by the data that we collect, are all grower selected. The products Highland has, and continues to build, always have grower input as to what’s important and what ways make sense to enter data. Our team is highly adaptable and sensitive to grower needs and we create new updates to our software early and often to meet these needs. We take pride in resolving software issues brought to our attention by our growers within a day or two, a turnaround time that is uncommon in our industry. ITF: What other important points can be told to us about a grower’s data? CC: We believe that a growing operation’s system needs to incorporate data from all major segments of the operation, throughout the growing timeline. Highland believes in maintaining a grower’s data independence and security. Simply put, a grower’s data doesn’t move unless that grower wants them to. We do not sell, trade or give grower data away. Grower data is only used for purposes they authorize. ITF: How is data like currency to some operations? CC: Digital data is the new currency of the modern world. Growers have not always had the opportunity to use it to the fullest. The value is two-fold. First, they provide intrinsic information about a grower’s operation that is inherently useful in making day-to-day decisions. Second, farmers who own their own data can better leverage their data with outside partners to their operations. ITF: Highland stresses that growers should own their own data, why is that important? CC: Large agricultural corporations have made it no secret that they use the same aggregated data analytics that every other major industry utilizes to better position them in the market. While this is inherently understandable in a free enterprise system, it has created a disparity in the amount of large WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
data outside companies have to make decisions compared to the data that a grower has to make their own decisions in the marketplace. Grower’s owning their data and knowing how to leverage it allows them to make the best decisions about who to buy from, what products work, when market prices are fair, according to the industry as a whole. It levels the playing field for the grower in the greater Ag industrial complex.
ITF: What kind of outcomes? CC: One of the main things that is commonly promised in the Ag industry, but rarely justified or verified, is the notion of increasing yields. If there was ever a way to accomplish this, it would be collecting every piece of relevant information to determine the significant contributors to yield gain and how we can quantify their relative contribution to this goal.
ITF: What is on the horizon for growers as their data becomes more accumulated? CC: Overall, this is an important aspect of Highland’s commitment to help farmers and growers reach their full potential but, ultimately, our work doesn’t end here. At this stage we are building a foundation for a large-scale analytical platform that spans the entire farming operation for specialty crop growers across the nation. As this repository of data increases and diversifies, we will be able to mine and harvest more and more useful information with the ability to predict likelihood of outcomes.
ITF: Then there’s the issue of regulations, data must be a key factor in saving time there? CC: Highland believes the future holds the potential to help growers reduce their regulatory burden by making the farm a virtual entity that is transparent and accessible. The growers in this nation do an amazing job providing a bountiful and safe supply of food. By providing tools that instill daily disciplines in record keeping, showcase the high standard of grower practices, and reduce the amount of audit time going through pieces of paper in a binder, we can make the job of satisfying regulations easier as the regulations become increasingly more stringent.
For more information on the ways Highland Ag Solutions can help you reach your operation’s full potential, visit: www.highlandagsolutions.com
With every generation, we get better at protecting our environment. 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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CROP INSURANCE: IT PAYS TO MANAGE YOUR RISK When you purchase risk management coverage with Farm Credit of Central Florida, we return a portion of our commission as patronage dividends to eligible stockholders. Patronage dividends could help lower the cost of insurance premiums, saving you money as you manage your risk. Farm Credit of Central Florida is glad to discuss how we can save you money on your crop insurance with patronage dividends. Feel free to contact our crop insurance specialist, Regina Thomas, at 407.721.4687 or rthomas@farmcreditcfl.com. Patronage dividend distribution is subject to eligibility. Certain limitations, conditions, and exclusions apply for crop insurance. Please refer to the policy for more details.
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10-05 10-19 11-09 11-30
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Mo Brangus/Hines Bull Sale ZWT Angus Bull Sale Meadows Creek Black & White Bull Sale Jorgensen Angus/Weink Charolais Sale
November 2019
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UF & FNGLA HOSTING PLANT HEALTH ON THE GO WORKSHOP DECEMBER 3
By Jim Frankowiak The University of Florida and the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association (FNGLA) will hold a “Plant Health on the Go” workshop December 3 where growers can learn plant health management techniques from horticulture experts. The workshop, which will be held at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Mid-Florida Research and Education Center (MREC) in Apopka, will include lectures and hands-on demonstrations of biological control of
pests, heat tolerance, disease management, weed management, LED lighting and root health from experts at the MREC, 2725 S. Binion Road, Apopka, FL 32703 The event is part of the FNGLA’s “Education on the Go” series to bring educational sessions to growers’ backyards. To register for the event, visit: https:// secure.fngla,org/events/PHOG/. Registration is $70 for FNGLA members and $90 for non-members.
Additional information is available by contacting FNGLA’s Linda Reindl toll free at 800-375-3642, 407-295-7994 or via email: Lreindl@fngla.org.
CHANGES/ENHANCEMENTS ADDED TO STATE’S PRESCRIBED BURNING PROGRAM By Jim Frankowiak Florida’s prescribed burning program, which is used to reduce the threat of wildfires and manage agricultural lands for cattle grazing, sugarcane and timber, has undergone changes and enhancements. The program, which is authorized by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Florida Forest Service, manages statewide forests and lands through safe, controlled and carefully managed prescribed fires. Program changes, which are now effective, include; • Air Quality Index: Burn authorizations now factor in Air Quality Index, a measure of environmental air quality, using 185 ambient monitors at 95 monitoring sites statewide • fiResponse: A state-of-the-art software system that provides improved real-time information for wildfire emergency responders and more user-friendly fire maps for the public • Smoke Plume Prediction Tool: Major updates to the Forest Service’s smoke plume prediction tool are being implemented to include the latest weather models
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The announcement also included changes related to sugarcane burning, which are also now effective. Additional program changes are anticipated in the near future.
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FLorida
Prickly Pear
Cactus By Sandy Sun, M.S. Clinical Medicines, B.S. Nutrition Science
Did you know that some types of cactus grow in Florida? The most common native cactus to Florida is the prickly pear, in the Opuntia genus. The prickly pear is also called cactus pear, Barbary fig, and spineless cactus. The prickly pear cactus is native to the southern United States and Florida has nine native prickly pear species. This plant grows up to 20 feet tall with flattened stems and branches. Once established, the cactus is very hardy and requires little care. The cacti thrive in hot, dry conditions and is tolerant to both drought and heat. It has yellow blossoms in spring and red or purple fruit, called berries, in the autumn. The berries may grow to two to three inches. The cactus pear is high in water content and vitamin C, and is consumed as food around the world. Before consuming, the spines of the prickly pear are removed. The leaves are also eaten. They are sliced into strips and fried, usually with eggs. The texture and flavor is similar to that of string beans. The berry is usually eaten raw, but can also be boiled or made into jams and jellies. The flavor is both sweet and tart and resembles strawberries and watermelon. The outer berry is usually a gorgeous deep red to purple color, as is the flesh of the fruit, which contains seeds.
Nutrition Profile This super-juicy fruit is a fantastic source of vitamin C, dietary fiber, and potassium. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, one medium cactus pear (103 g) contains 42 calories, 0.8 g of protein, 0.5 g of fat, 10 g of carbohydrate, and 3.7 g of fiber. It also provides 24% of the Daily Recommended Value (% DV) for Vitamin C, 22% for magnesium, 14% for fiber, 6% for potassium and 5% for vitamin B6.
Fiber Prickly pear cactus contains a surprisingly high amount of fiber. 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 binds to the cholesterol-containing bile salts, excreting them out of the body. It also promotes bowel regularity and increases satiety levels, which can aid in weight control.
Antioxidants Florida cactus pears are bursting with disease-fighting antioxidants, which neutralize destructive free radicals in the body.
Vitamin C Cactus pears are a good source of vitamin C, which has many important functions in the body. Eating foods high in vitamin C significantly raises the amount of iron your body absorbs, which is a good way to prevent anemia. Vitamin C also supports the body’s immune system in its ability to fight infections and viruses, and may possibly shorten the duration and intensity of a cold. Additionally, this vitamin is involved in keeping capillaries, gums, and skin healthy and supple.
How to select and store When ripe, the color of the cactus pear becomes a very vibrant, deep shade of red or purple. Before eating, remove the small spikes from the outer fruit, slice into it with a knife, and slip the peel off. The fruit inside can be sliced and eaten. The seeds can be swallowed or spit out. How to enjoy Prickly pear juice is often used to make jam or candy, as well as mixed in cocktails or used in salad dressing. Other ways to enjoy the cactus pear include: • Slice and add to fruit salad • Use the juice to flavor frosting, quick breads, or yogurt • Boil down the juice to make a sauce to top cake or yogurt • Blend into a smoothie or sorbet Enjoy beautiful, juicy cactus pear fruit during Florida’s peak season today. It’s a delicious way to get plenty of fiber and other nutrients.
Selected References https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fp448 https://arboretum.ucf.edu/virtual/prickly-pear-cactus/
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The vitamin C and vitamin A in prickly pear, as well as other compounds, have antioxidant qualities. Copper also supports the function of antioxidants, sweeping up free radicals. 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 high in antioxidants, including Asian pears and other fruits and vegetables, are linked to a reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, and multiple types of cancer.
Hemp By Jack Payne Because hemp presentations have drawn standing-roomonly crowds around the state, the Florida Ag Expo will feature hemp front and center on Nov. 21. It’s on the agenda by popular demand. It aligns with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences’ interest in identifying economically viable alternative crops for Florida farmers. In our judgment, it’s what you want to know. Maybe you’ll grow it some day. The agenda for the Ag Expo at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center also emphasizes our much larger Institute-wide commitment to traditional fruit and vegetable crops, such as tomatoes. In our judgment, it’s what you have to know. It’s what’s paying the bills now. Hemp gets outsized attention. It’s new. It’s headline- grabbing. It played a prominent role in the campaign platform of our commissioner of agriculture. In a decade leading Florida agricultural research and development, I’ve never seen such interest in an alternative crop.
We’re approaching hemp as a potential addition to a diversified rotation of crops – not as the next green gold rush. In the meantime, there’s a whole lot more on the Ag Expo agenda -tomatoes, artichokes, hops, cucurbits, pesticides, pathogens, and more. One of the advantages of having one of the nation’s leading land-grant universities at your service is that we can address so many needs. Attention to the new kid on the block – hemp – doesn’t detract from the crops that have been produced here for more than a century. The Ag Expo agenda reflects the state of the industry. There’s a great deal of interest in trying something new. But there’s also widespread interest in taking what you already do and making it better. The Ag Expo offers you both. I hope you’ll be there on Nov. 21.
And we have been mandated – though I prefer to see it as privileged – by the state Legislature to carry out hemp research. We’re happy to comply with the Legislature’s wishes and yours. That does not translate into vast acreage nor wholesale redirection of research. The hemp plots scattered across the state are dwarfed by the 582 acres of Citrus Research and Education Center groves, for example. We have another entire research center devoted to range cattle. Still another, in Suwannee Valley, focuses on crops important in that region – peanuts, watermelon, field corn, carrots, and peppers. It doesn’t have a single hemp plant. It may be that hemp some day becomes a profitable Florida crop. So, too, could peaches, olives, pomegranates, tea, or vanilla. UF/IFAS researches them all. We’re at an early stage with hemp. We need to identify varieties suitable for Florida, develop the practices most likely to produce a profit, and to assess its risk as an invasive plant.
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You can hear about those efforts at the Ag Expo. You can also hear Florida Director of Cannabis Holly Bell give you an overview of the hemp industry. Then you can hear her as part of a panel that includes leading agriculture department officials from other states as well as the UF/IFAS faculty member leading our hemp efforts, Zack Brym.
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What You Need to Know About Florida Ag Expo What: A day of presentations on pest management, soil fumigation, alternative crops, and hemp. When: Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Where: UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, 14625 County Road 672, Wimauma Admission: Free. Attendees receive free breakfast and lunch if they register by Nov. 18. Information/registration: http://floridaagexpo.net/
Jack Payne is the University of Florida’s senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources and leader of the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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HARVEST AWARDS PRESERVE AND CELEBRATE AGRICULTURE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY By Jim Frankowiak | Photos courtesy of Ron O’Connor The Hillsborough County Fair awarded four individuals, a garden ministry and a farm family with Harvest Awards at a luncheon event that also marked the start of the 2019 Hillsborough County Fair with this year’s theme: “Let the Good Times Grow.” This was the 19th year for the event. The Harvest Awards were established by the Cooperative Extension Service to preserve the agriculture heritage of Hillsborough County and to celebrate outstanding pioneers in the farming community. The Hillsborough County Fair took over the awards several years ago.
The Billy Simmons family was honored as the 19th farm family to be honored with the distinction of Farm Family of the Year. Farming for the Billy Simmons family can be traced back to the 1800s when the great grandparents of Billy and Carol Simmons grew strawberries. Billy and Carol have been farming in the county since 1977 and their operation includes 135-acres of strawberries and 21-acres of blueberries. Their award was presented by Nikki Foster of The Mosaic Company, a key sponsor of the Harvest Awards event.
of Central Florida. Wetherington is also a past president of both the Florida Strawberry Growers Association and Hillsborough County Farm Bureau Board. He is also recipient of the Plant City Agriculturalist of the Year award and Florida Farm Bureau’s Distinguished Service Award and Citizens Award from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Department. The day of the event also marked his 82nd birthday. Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister presented the 2019 Outstanding Woman in Agriculture award to Pam Walden, the retired Career Technical Education Supervisor of Agriculture, Automotive and Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) with Hillsborough County Schools where her career spanned 40 years and included heavy involvement with FFA in the county. She continues her volunteerism, sitting on livestock committees at the Florida Strawberry Festival, Florida State Fair and Hillsborough County Fair. At the national level, Pam serves as proficiencies and prepared public speaking judge. She has been Teacher of the Year at both elementary and middle school levels, recipient of state and national honorary FFA degrees, as well as FFA’s Blue and Gold Award. Pam has also been recognized by Farm Credit as its Educator of the Year. Seventh generation cattleman and farmer Dennis Carlton, Jr., was honored as Outstanding Young Farmer/Rancher/ Nurseryman of 2019. Award presenter Alan Brock, Southwest Florida Regional Director in the Office of Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried, noted Dennis is a partner of Carlton and Carlton Ranch, a cow-calf operating spanning six Florida counties. An alumnus of the University of South Florida, Carlton is current president of Hillsborough County Farm Bureau and strong supporter of 4-H and FFA programs. He also serves on the Advisory Board for Farm Credit of Central Florida. Hillsborough County Property Appraiser Bob Henriquez jointly awarded the Outstanding Public & Community Service award to the late Cindy Paulhus and the Seeds of Faith Community Garden. A graduate of the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Master Gardener Program, Cindy worked for Hillsborough County Extension, helping residents with gardening problems and questions. Prior to her passing, she was the garden director for the Seeds of Faith Community Garden at the Bay Life Church in Brandon, providing space for congregants and resident of the community to grow fresh vegetables to help those in need by way of donations to local food banks. Seeds of Faith has donated more than 18,000 pounds of fresh produce to food banks since it was established on a site adjacent to the church in 2011.
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Event Master of Ceremonies Jake Raburn, a former state legislator and director of marketing for Hinton Farms, presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Ronald (Ron) Wetherington for his lifetime commitment to agriculture. A native of Sydney, Florida, Ron worked on his family farm growing berries and vegetables. He is an alumnus of Turkey Creek High School and recipient of his America FFA Degree in 1958, based on his livestock projects, raising crops and service to the community. He has served on the boards of the Florid Farm Bureau Federation, the Florida FFA Foundation and Farm Credit
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The 2019 Harvest Awards Host Committee included Kathy Curry, Richard Joyner, Earl Lennard, Micelle Williamson, Mike McKinney, Betty Jo Tompkins, Ron O’Connor, Wesley Joyner, Tom Umiker, Stephen Gran, Kenneth Parker and Yvette Lewis. Khristin Finley, Sue Harrell and the Florida Strawberry Growers Association contributed framed awards given to Harvest Award recipients. A special thanks to the Durant High School Army JROTC Color Guard for presentation of the colors at the event, Charlotte Byrnes of the Hillsborough County 4-H County Council for leading the Pledge of Allegiance and Taryn Storter, Hillsborough County FFA Federation, for her invocation. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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THE FIRST FLAT OF THE 2019/2020 SEASON was picked on October 22 by Buddy Grimes of G&G Farms. Pictured with the first flat are sons Clayton (left) and Preston (right) Grimes.
Through your purchase of the Florida Agriculture License Plate, Florida Agriculture In The Classroom is able to provide: • Funds for school gardens • PreK–12 agriculture curriculum • Teacher and volunteer grants • Workshops and farm tours • Florida Agriculture Literacy Day • And much more!
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FDACS ISSUES ALERT REGARDING VIRUS IN MEXICAN TOMATOES; NO KNOWN HUMAN HEALTH IMPACTS By Jim Frankowiak FDACS officials stated that there are no known human health impacts from ToBRFV, but the virus can cause 30 - 70 percent loss of tomato yield on plans. The virus may also make infected fruit less desirable to consumers.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has issued an alert regarding the tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) found in Mexican tomatoes imported into Florida and potentially other states in the U.S. ToBRFV is a highly virulent virus that can cause severe fruit loss in tomatoes and peppers, FDACS inspectors found the virus in packaged Mexican tomatoes in Naples and Gainesville. The department said those tomatoes have been destroyed. Tomatoes and peppers are the two, major hosts for this virus, which causes yellowing of leaf veins and yellow spots, brown rugose (wrinkled) patches and necrotic (dead) lesions on tomato fruit. Symptoms develop within 12 to 18 days of infection. The ToBRFV can be easily transmitted by contaminated tools, hands, clothing, soil and directly plant-to-plant. The virus may also be spread by pollinators such as honeybees and bumblebees, which commonly pollinate tomatoes.
Once the virus is introduced into an area, control measures are very limited with prevention relying mainly on destroying infected plants, followed by strict decontamination measures for workers such as sanitizing tools, frequent hand washing and cleaning boots before entering greenhouses. The Florida Tomato Exchange (FTE) has encouraged the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to act “swiftly to prevent this disease from spreading to American farms and greenhouses. The USDA should follow the lead of the European Commission, which voted in July to implement a quarantine status on ToBRFV in all European Union (EU) member counties to help prevent the spread of the disease. A similar approach should be adopted by the USDA to ensure that infected tomatoes are not being imported into the United States. “The USDA should immediately suspend the importation of tomatoes from any operation that is confirmed to have shipped infected tomatoes to the United States. Such suspension should only be lifted after the USDA can confirm that the disease has been 100 percent eradicated from the operation in questions. The USDA should also significantly increase inspections for the virus on all imported tomatoes and peppers,” according to the FTE.
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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
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Funding for this statement was made possible, in part, by the Food and Drug Administration through grant PAR-16-137. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services.
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Holiday Gift Baskets Available Add a subheading
We Ship Gift Fruit Boxes. Gift Certificates Available.
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3702 W Baker St Plant City FL www.parkesdale.com
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The Billy Simmons Family 2019 HARVEST AWARDS FARM FAMILY OF THE YEAR By Jim Frankowiak Three words reflect the legacy of the Billy and Carol Simmons Family and they are Faith, Family and Farming. The family’s legacy can be traced back to the early 1800s when both Billy and Carol’s great grandparents grew strawberries in the Plant City area. They began Simmons Farms in 1977 and now grow strawberries on 135-acres and blueberries on additional 21-acres. The family was recently honored as the 19th Farm Family of the Year during the Harvest Awards luncheon that signified the beginning of the annual Hillsborough County Fair. The first farm family was the Roy Parke Family of Plant City. The Harvest Awards were established by the Cooperative Extension Service to preserve the agricultural heritage of Hillsborough County and to celebrate those outstanding pioneers of the farming community. The Fair took over the awards program several years ago.
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Though known as “Billy,” he is formally Earl W. Simmons, III and Carol’s maiden name is Causey. Billy and Carol first “crossed paths” at the First Baptist Church of Plant City. She
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attended Plant City High School, while Billy was a student at the then Turkey Creek High School, a rivalry that pitted the “Planters” against the “Gobblers” throughout the school year. Upon graduation from high school, Carol enrolled and graduated from the University of South Florida, teaching special education at Plant City High School for six years before becoming a full-time mom. Billy is an alumnus of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Georgia. Though raised on a farm, he made the decision to work in equipment maintenance for the phosphate industry after receiving his college degree. “That was a decision I regretted after two years and begged my dad to let me return to working on the family farm with the promise that I would never leave again,” he said. That promise has never been broken. Billy and Carol were married in 1974 and now have six children: Casey, Shad, Evie, Chaun, Brea and Philip. Casey is married to Tampa Police Office Jason Runkles and they have three children: Roby, Lancy and Bryce. In addition to being the mother of three children, Casey manages the office at Simmons Farms, including payroll, accounts receivable and WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
mandatory record-keeping. Additionally, she consults with a range of farm operations locally and as distant as Arkansas on food safety matters involving strawberries, blackberries, blueberries and watermelon. Casey was recently accepted into the Wedgworth Leadership Institute, sponsored by the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, to develop and refine the leadership capabilities of leaders in Florida agriculture and natural resources. She is also a current board member of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association (FSGA). Son Shad is farm manager of Simmons Farms, responsible for day-to-day operations. He and his wife Leslie, a nurse at South Florida Baptist Hospital, have two sons: Shaz and Slade. Billy and Shad have both served as president of the FSGA, each for two year terms, helping to preserve and promote the growth of the industry. Billy has also been the FSGA treasurer and secretary over the years. He has also served on the board of Hillsborough County Farm Bureau. Shad’s brother Chaun also works at the family farm where he and Shad do “whatever needs to be done on a daily basis to help keep things moving forward.” Daughter Evie, who is married to Frank D’Amico, is a Professor of Communications at Hillsborough Community College. She and Frank, who owns Jesse’s Steak and Seafood in Brandon, have a son, Simmy. Daughter Brea is a junior at Plant City High School and “she is an athlete involved in basketball, softball and volleyball,” according to her mother. The youngest Simmons is Philip, a sophomore at Plant City High School where he plays basketball.
“I love farming and have learned a lot over the years,” said Billy. “It isn’t easy, especially when you consider the increasing paperwork and other challenges we face, especially related to food safety.” He has met the labor challenge by “picking the right contractor for the H2-A program and building proper housing for our workers. We also participate in field studies conducted by the University of Florida Gulf Coast Research and Education Center on field trials and various other approaches that will help us compete in what is now a global marketplace.” As a Wish Farms grower, Simmons Farms has the ability to trace back its produce to the day, time and person who picked the fruit, using the Wish traceability method. “It’s not uncommon for Billy to work 16-hour days on the farm,” noted Carol. “We have to watch him and make him take time off.” Given the Simmons family farming history, Billy has some interesting historical records, including a document executed in November of 1929, involving the sale of 40-acres of land to his family “for $294.94 in cash” as the document stipulated. As regards the future, “We want to continue Simmons Farms just as long as we can,” said Billy. While Carol agrees, she has an added item on her list and that’s to purchase “an easy going trail gelding so Billy and I can keep trail riding together when we can.” INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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“We have raised our children to know our Lord Jesus and to respect our country and to take care of our natural resources,” said Carol. “When you think of our family and our involvement in our church, the schools our children have attended and the sports and other activities with which they have been involved, it’s probably easier to ask us what we haven’t done, than what we have,” she said.
EXTENSION COLLABORATIVE TEAM GARNERS NATIONAL RECOGNITION
By Jim Frankowiak Childhood obesity is a serious public health problem in the U.S. Today, nearly one-third of American children are overweight or obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), A contributing factor to childhood obesity is general dependency on prepared food, which is somewhat fueled by our society’s dwindling cooking abilities. Many parents do not have the time, or they do not know how to cook, so they have not passed the skill of cooking on to the younger generation. Additionally, the average American knows little about the safe preparation of highly palatable animal protein entrees, which is beneficial to adolescent development. To help address these shortcomings, the Florida 4-H Tailgate Contest program was introduced in 2016. This program strives to promote enjoyable outdoor cooking experiences, encourage the incorporation of animal protein in the diet in order to combat child obesity, improve youth nutritional knowledge and cooking skills and impart knowledge about safe handling and proper degree doneness to produce safe and delicious meat dishes. The overall 4-H program is carried out by the Cooperative Extension Service in more than 100 universities in the U. S. and its territories. 4-H has a network of 500,000 volunteers and 3,500 professionals providing care and supportive mentoring to 6 million 4-H’ers, helping them grow into true leaders and in life.
“Our From Pasture to Plate Program was held at the UF/IFAS Extension facilities in Seffner and served as the foundation for future day camp programs,” said Rivera. The program had three primary objectives: • To help participants understand the beef production system and provide agricultural awareness of the food chain • Introduce participants to Florida’s Tailgate Grilling Contest with a purpose to promote the use of animal protein in their diet by teaching the art and science of safely preparing animal protein in an outdoor setting • Help participants identify various grazing patters, assign proper body condition scores (beef), demonstrate food, location and fire safety, identify wholesale beef cuts, gain knowledge of healthy beef recipes and name by-products from beef cattle. Program collaborators then entered a ”From Pasture to Plate” program poster in the Extension Education Category in the 2019 County Agricultural Agents Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference this past September. “A total of 100 posters were presented at the convention,” said Rivera. “We were awarded second place nationwide for our entry.” In addition to photos of the day camp, the team’s poster detailed objectives, materials and methods, results, as well as an overall conclusion
The “From Pasture to Plate” 4-H Day Camp program was developed and implemented by a collaborative group of area Extension professionals with added assistance from Jason Conrad of the Hillsborough County Cattlemen’s Association. The Extension professionals included Hillsborough County Small Farms Agent Francisco Rivera, Hardee County Extension Director Jonael Bosques, Hillsborough County Extension Director Stephen Gran, Hillsborough County 4-H Agents Brandi Yancy and Charlie Poliseno, Polk County 4-H Agent Shremoyee Gosh, Hillsborough County Food and Consumer Science Agent Allison Grooms, Multi-County Livestock Agent Laura Bennet, Hardee County 4-H Agent Jose Zayas and University of Florida Intern Maraha Hange.
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More information about Extension programs and resources, visit: sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/hillsborough, telephone: 813-744-5519 or visit 5339 South County Road 579, Seffner, FL 33584.
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A PERFECT TIME FOR
Stargazing by John Dicks If you like being in the outdoors of Florida, there may be no more perfect time than this! Whether it’s hiking, camping, paddling, or just a slow simple drive through some scenic sights of the real Florida, the magic time to “get out there and go” can be marked on the calendar starting early November and running through early December. It’s that time when the weather finally breaks and summer simply gives up the ghost with October’s Halloween. Mosquitos magically seem to disappear (or at least become less annoying), while the sun traces a less harsh and more southern track in the sky. Along, too, comes the mysterious disappearance of the humid laden air as it begins to dry out making you imagine it’s just plain easier to breathe. Every part of America has a time like this. That’s why I spent much of this past summer exploring our nation’s western National Parks. With solid summer temps in Florida hovering in the 90’s, it’s simply amazing to sense the chill of an evening, snug in a jacket, staring at the stars in a “dark sky” park. Exploring the night in an official Dark Sky Park has become quite a popular attraction. There’s plenty of them scattered across America, which have been so designated by the International Dark Sky Association. The Grand Canyon is one, and so are Arches National Park and Bryce National Park (among many more). Spend an evening in any of them, along with the cooperation of others to keep their flashlights turned off, and you’ll see things in the sky which are only imagined by most people. Constellations and the Milky Way just seem to pop right out of the inky black canopy above. It all gives you a smidgen of understanding when the scientists and astronomers declare that there are billions of these heavenly bits bouncing and flying around up there.
The good news for us Floridians is that we have two such places that have been certified for enjoying and exploring the stars in the dark sky above. One is down south at the Big Cypress National Preserve. The other, though, is a Florida State park less than two hours away. It’s the Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park, and some suggest that it is one of the best anywhere. Of course some of that favoritism may come from the fact that it’s not so blasted cold doing your stargazing in Florida. At least that’s the case as compared to most of the other Dark Sky places, which generally have you shivering at night, feeling frigid since they are situated at altitudes much, much higher than we find here in the Sunshine State. To really soak in the starlight, you’ll want to pick a moonless night to do it. For first timers, starting at about two hours after the sun has set and twilight is drifting away, that first look upwards can be startling. It really does look like a zillion twinkling lights have suddenly been switched on. There’s a galore of stars to make a wish upon, and plenty of planets and streaking comets zipping overhead. Sometimes you can even spot the International Space Station making its orbit around our Earth. At the Kissimmee site you can even see the lighted arc of rocket launches taking off from Cape Canaveral. Of course such world class stargazing will require some planning, and granted, camping is part of the equation. It’s an adventure, though, and if done as a family it is all but guaranteed to be talked about and long remembered for years to come. Sometimes, such outings even turn into family traditions, which makes the experience just that much better. It’s simply one more reason this is a time for Thanksgiving. Take back the night and soak in the light. Whether its a dark sky that draws you in or simply a walk in the woods of a park nearby, let’s get out there and enjoy and by thankful for this very special time of year.
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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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E n d a n g e r e d S p e c i es
No Longer Booming Monogamy: Whooping Cranes By Ginny Mink
Given the state of the world today, it is particularly interesting to find creatures in the animal kingdom that embrace the idea of monogamy. Sadly, one such devoted animal falls into the endangered category. Maybe you aren’t that interested in monogamy but caring for the population of animals this world was designed to hold is high on your list. If that’s the case, the Whooping Crane is in need of our assistance. Whooping Cranes are the tallest birds found in North America. The males can reach heights of nearly five feet tall! Females are shorter, but no less impressive. These birds have distinctly white coloring with black primary feathers found on their wings. Their faces are red, and they sport crowns with dark olive-gray bills. Their yellow eyes are piercing and their babies are often reddish or cinnamon colored.¹ We mentioned how tall these birds can be, but you should probably know that their wingspan is all the more incredible. In fact, it ranges between seven and eight feet. Males can weigh around 16 pounds with females only slightly smaller at 14. And, don’t miss the signature long ‘S’ shaped neck.² Historically, Whooping Cranes were spread through the eastern United States until about the mid-twentieth century. Records show that there were migratory Whooping Cranes in Florida up until the 1930s. There are now multiple agencies attempting to restore these gorgeous birds to their natural range. And, there’s specific focus on returning them to Florida.³ In fact, there was some exciting news in May of 2018. A North Florida wildlife refuge, the White Oak refuge found in Yulee, saw some success when two rare Whooping Cranes were hatched. Their parents, Grasshopper and Hemlock, were brought to the refuge in 2016. Workers there were hoping they would become a future couple and were surprised when the matchmaking was a success.⁴ As we pointed out previously, Whooping Cranes are monogamous and form lifelong bonds. However, they do find a new mate when their first one dies. They always return to one breeding territory in Canada, usually in April, and pretty much nest in the same area each year. They will lay one to three eggs, though it’s usually two, and babies arrive in 29-31 days. Parents share the duties of incubation and rearing. Sadly, even when they lay two eggs only one chick reaches fledgling status.¹ Whooping Cranes perform an elaborate mating ritual that involves a sort of dance. Males will jump around, flap their wings, and throw things in the air in hopes of winning their life-long ladies. Florida based cranes generally breed between January and May, but the fact that very few of their babies survive is particularly disheartening given their serious plight.²
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There was an attempt, from 1993-2004, to introduce the nonmigratory Whooping Cranes into central Florida. Biologists releases 289 captive-raised birds, but there were major prob-
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lems. They witnessed survival issues, problems with reproduction, and other challenges. Those that did survive are still being studied in hopes that more information can be gathered. In 2001, they tried teaching the migratory cranes to come to Florida. They have been using an ultra-light aircraft to lead them here in hopes that they will establish this pattern.³ As we stated, historically, large flocks of these booming voiced birds used to travel from Canada to Florida. Unfortunately, the population that returned here each year dwindled off to just over a dozen birds as of 1950. Since then, North America has seen some increase in populations both in captive and wild birds. Numbers are now about 700, but their slow reproduction rates, and high mortality levels, continue to be a significant problem.⁴ The wild population is heavily protected on public lands and in their nesting areas at Wood Buffalo National Park located in Canada. They spend their winters in Texas at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge where they are also protected. And, between the two, they make a stopover at another protected site in Oklahoma, Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge. Florida is home to one experimental population of non-migratory birds in Rocky Mountain. These birds are also fully protected though they are considered threatened instead of endangered at that locale.¹ Whooping Cranes are really cool birds. They eat aquatic invertebrates like crustaceans, mollusks, and insects. They will also chow on fish, reptiles, mammals, and other birds as long as they are small enough. When all else fails, they will eat berries, roots, and acorns as well.² So, food is not their biggest problem, people are. And, if we are devoted to this planet as God’s stewards, then we need to work towards their conservation whole-heartedly! Resources: ¹U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Species Status and Fact SheetWhooping Crane. https://www.fws.gov/northflorida/WhoopingCrane/whoopingcrane-fact-2001.htm ²Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Whooping Cranes- Grus americana. https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/birds/cranes/whooping-cranes/ ³Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Florida’s Whooping Cranes. https://myfwc.com/research/wildlife/ birds/whooping-crane/information/ ⁴Staletovich, J. (2018). Rare Whooping Cranes Hatch at Florida Wildlife Refuge. Miami Herald. https://www.miamiherald. com/news/state/florida/article210719714.html Photo Credits: Evangelio Gonzalez. (2013). Whooping Crane. (Flickr). https:// flic.kr/p/nsa1d2 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (2011). Young Whooping Crane in Flight. (Flickr). https://flic.kr/p/9N2VQd U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (2012). Whooping Crane Chick. (Flickr). https://flic.kr/p/bxPhoc WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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HCFB ACCOMPLISHMENTS REFLECT STRONG VOLUNTEERISM
Simply put, the primary focus of Hillsborough County Farm Bureau (HCFB) is to have the “Voice of Agriculture” heard by those who benefit daily from the industry, as well as those charged with regulating producers. That is a dynamic task that must be undertaken throughout the year. Responsibility for making that happen rests with the HCFB Board of Directors, Executive Director Judi Whitson and an ever growing volunteer constituency. “Without the help of our volunteers, we could simply not accomplish the things that we do each year through a variety of outreach initiatives,” said HCFB Board President Dennis Carlton, Jr. “Those accomplishments for our last program year were detailed in our report to our members held in early October and they include:” •Ag-Venture at the State Fair was a huge hit again with over 35,000 visitors to the Farm Bureau/State Fair Ag-Venture hands-on exhibit. Fair goes are given the opportunity to participate in such activities as learning about NPK and the importance of fertilizer, milk our milk-able cow and make butter, plant a radish seed, visit our “germ City” and see just how good you wash (or don’t wash) your hands. Associated volunteer time – 3,000-plus hours. • FFA project assistance. Farm Bureau volunteers have judged numerous FFA competitions throughout Hillsborough County from Parliamentary Procedure to Tractor Driving. Volunteers also traveled to Orlando to judge a range of State FFA competitions. • Ag Literacy Day, a day set aside by Florida Ag in the Classroom (FAITC) to have volunteers in schools reading a pre-selected book about agriculture and talking to students about the source of the food they eat each day. Eleven volunteers devoted 28 hours. •Farm Bureau Day in Tallahassee is an opportunity for Farm Bureau volunteers to visit legislators from our area. HCFB member volunteers held meetings with State House and Senate members, as well as then Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam. Six volunteers in Tallahassee for two days – 144 hours. • Ag-Venture is also held in April and our volunteers led 1,200 3rd graders through the program over a two-week period. Volunteer contributed 1,200 hours.
By Jim Frankowiak
unteers tested 125 students and committed 130 volunteer hours. This program, which originated here, was featured at the National Ag in the Classroom Conference in Little Rock, Arkansas. • October is the second time each year the Ag-Venture program is held. It includes 20, hands-on stations all representing different aspects in Hillsborough County. This eight-day program involved 4,200 third graders from throughout Hillsborough County. Volunteer time totaled 1,600 hours. • Last year was an election year and many of our board and county members served on numerous election campaigns, while our board met with and interviewed a host of candidates to ascertain their “Ag IQ’s”.
• The HCFB Women’s Leadership Committee was active in a variety of initiatives, including four membership mornings at the Glazer Children’s Museum in Tampa where they participated in hands-on agricultural activities for children. They contributed 31 volunteer hours. • Monthly board meetings represent more than 290 hours of volunteer hours. “Overall, our directors and volunteers contributed more than 5,400 recorded hours,” noted Carlton. “We must maintain and hopefully grow this volunteer commitment, and that is why I continually encourage our Farm Bureau families to consider different ways they can help make our voice even louder. And as always, you don’t have to be a farmer or rancher to lend a hand.” More information about HCFB membership is available by visiting: www.hcfarmbureau.org
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• Ag-Abilities is a program designed to test ESE students on various aspects of horticulture and nutrition curricula. Vol-
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PROMISE
Business Up Front By Anita Todd His love of the land has been passed down through the generations, learning the importance of caring for what God has provided from his father and grandfather. With those qualities in mind it looks like Brannen Willis’ recently purchased company was just meant to be. Promise Habitat Services is an ecofriendly habitat management company based in Plant City. “We provide a broad spectrum of land and habitat management for private sector and government agencies at all levels,” he said. “Whether it be on farms, ranches, or state parks, we can provide custom ag services to meet the customers’ needs.” Willis and his Promise Habitat Services team are different because they work the land with conservation and all things native to it in mind. “We take into consideration everything about the land and figure out how to complete the project without destroying it in the process,” Willis said. For example, after Hurricane Michael devastated much of the Florida Panhandle last year, Promise Habitat was contracted by the state. For two months after the storm, Willis’ company cleared downed trees and other debris at Torreya State Park. Their goal was to get the job done as quickly as possible so that the park could be reopened to the public. The land, already traumatized by the hurricane, was worked with respect by the heavy equipment operators of the company. “Our guys are outdoorsmen who care about the land,” he said. “That’s the difference between us and other companies.” The results of the job reinforced an already stellar reputation and the path to many more contracts with local, state and federal government agencies. “We are conservationists who labor toward sustainability,” he said. “Working the land – in any capacity – can cause a lot of damage and that’s what we try to avoid.”
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Fresh out of Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College in Tifton, Georgia, Willis was offered a job in Umatilla. After moving to Florida in 2005, Willis and his new boss realized a need for a company like Promise Habitat.
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Willis was put in charge and tasked with caring for 1,500 acres used as a hunting ranch that was careful to conserve the land. Eventually, Willis began to perform small, similar projects for other companies and entities. “Fast forward to 2018 and the business had grown to include all levels of government agencies,” he said. He was given the unique opportunity by his boss to purchase Promise Habitat and carry on with what was started. “Between what I learned growing up, what I learned from my boss and the work ethic set the stage for now,” he said. “I definitely wouldn’t be where I am now if it wasn’t for Mr. Panuska.” Willis just moved the business to Plant City be closer to family and have the business more centralized while being closer to the I-4 corridor. Eventually, he would like to open a second location in north Florida. In addition to ecofriendly land management, Promise Habitat provides Wildlife Habitat Management; Forest Management Planning; Habitat Restoration; and numerous other services. Consulting in these areas is also available. Willis is passionate about the company and what it stands for as is his wife of 11-years, Megan. They have three daughters: Natalie, Madelyn and Kendall. The company just finished a project in the Ocala National Forest, removing brush and dense oak to better improve the longleaf and sandhill ecosystems. As the landscape of Polk County continues to change from citrus groves converting to blueberry fields or other more sustainable crops, he brings experience in those parameters, as well. “We started a blueberry farm from the ground up in Eustis,” he said. “We cleared 30 acres and had a mix of commercial and u-pick/agritourism activities.” At the end of the day, Willis said that success to him means having satisfied customers, and happy employees who love their jobs and take pride in caring for the environment. “I want to exceed my clients’ expectations, have my guys love their jobs and be able to take care of their families and take care of mine,” he said. For more information about the company, visit promisehabitatservices.com. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
Durant FFA
Photo ID from left : Avery Surrency, Chloe Murphy, Alysa Branch, Brynne Murphy, advisor Thomas Sturgis
The Durant FFA Chapter had a very successful National FFA Convention. Emma Poole was named the National Champion in the area of Extemporaneous Public Speaking, winning a $1,000.00 scholarship. The Food Science team placed second in the nation. Team members were Will Haxton, Carter Howell, Kayla Swantek and David Ferrell. Will Haxton was the third high individual in the nation winning a $900.00 scholarship. The Forestry Team placed 14th in nation with team members Cole Hanson, Kenneth Hattaway, Ashylnn Dempsey and Daeton Chesser. Austin Holcomb received a Bronze Medal in the Agriscience fair with his research in the area of Animal Reproduction. The chapter also had eight members receive American Farmer degrees, which is the highest degree that a student can be award by the National FFA Association. Congratulations to the Durant Floriculture team who competed out in Indianapolis, Indiana on October 30 - November
2. The team placed 18th out of 45 teams, each member was a Silver award winner making the entire team a Silver Team! While in Indianapolis, these young ladies had to take a written test on the Floral industry, participate in a group activity, problem solving activity, handling a hazardous situation, complete a mixed planter, media selling activity, plant identification, tool identification and complete a job resume. Friday morning the team took the flower arrangements that they made took them to an Assisted Living Facility and presented them to the residents. Special thanks goes out to Mr. Todd Hodd from Central Maintenance Welding, Creative Flowers by Glenn and our very own Clay Varnum!
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By Ginny Mink
Ornamental Gardening in Florida Part 62 Welcome back to our travels on the Literary Time Machine! We’re excited to step back into the pages of Mr. Simpson’s book to see what new and unchartered ornamental gardening advice he might have for us this month. Hopefully, we will discover some interesting and unique plants that have hitherto been unknown to us. We’ll look first at Daedalocanthus nervosus. Mr. Simpson says it’s “A rank plant with opposite leaves sending up many stems that in winter form panicles of flowers of intense violet color.”¹ He adds that, “It does equally well in pine or hammock land and will care for itself anywhere.”¹ Given our propensity towards being brown-thumbed, and our love of the color purple, the flowers and this plant’s ability to care for itself are intriguing. However, his description of it being “rank” is what really caught our attention. Rank, as we know the meaning of the word, insinuates that the fragrance emitted is heinous. But is that what he really meant? Over time, words have changed meanings and so it behooves us to see if this is one such case. As with many plants we are introduced to in his book, this one has also had a name change. It is better known as Eranthemum pulchellum, or more commonly known as blue sage. Unfortunately, nothing that we read about the plant indicated that it had any specific odor. The archaic meanings of the word “rank” were so far left that we decided it was best not to include them here, but feel free to look it up for yourself. So, with little success on the “rank” definition, we moved on to find that it blooms in late winter and early spring and that it attracts birds, butterflies, and bees. The flowers are sterile, so you can’t grow it from seed, it must come from cuttings. But it is known to grow in Central Florida.² Moving on, we were stopped in our reading by the Dioon. Yet another plant we’d never heard of. Mr. Simpson continued, “A slow growing Cycad which sends out immense, long leaves that are very ornamental. I have a plant fifteen years old which is not five feet high, but the leaves are six feet long and have more than a hundred pairs of pinnae.”¹ Leaves longer than the plant was tall grabbed us, but then we were also forced to wonder about pinnae.
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Apparently, pinnae are just parts of a pinnate leaf. Imagine a feather and the stalk from which each hair that forms the feather comes from. It’s basically the same concept except a pinnate leaf is really composed of leaflets that protrude from each side of the stalk. Ferns are a great example. And, when you see the pictures of these plants, you’ll understand what we mean. There’s also a great article about them, by Geoff Stein (2009)³, on the Dave’s Garden website in case you’d like to learn more.
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And, since we are typing this article right before Halloween, the name of this next one could not be omitted, Dracaena. We hope you get the reference. But even if you don’t it was the word, liliaceous, that stopped us in our tracks. We are huge lily fans and assumed that the plant had to have some connection therein. Mr. Simpson writes, “A genus of liliaceous plants most of the species having very ornamental foliage…”¹ He goes on to list all the different varieties but suggests that many of them don’t do well here. Which, of course is very disheartening since we were hoping for a chance at a lily-like plant for the new yard! Unfortunately, a look at the pictures didn’t show us anything lily-ish at all. And, we will close this month’s voyage with some of Mr. Simpson’s signature sarcasm and wit. According to him, “Eulalia is now called Miscanthus, but it is a fine grass with long, arched leaves which in one variety are cross banded with white. The old specific name japonica has been changed to sinensis, the systematists probably thinking that while they were about it they might as well change the whole thing.”¹ Obviously, the propensity for plants to undergo name changes was a sore spot for him. We can’t really blame him though, especially as we have been voyaging back to his time for the past five years, and regularly discover that the plants he brings to our attention have since had their names changed. It makes it really hard to get the history of some of them. You’d think people would name it and that’d be it. Obviously, he wished they’d do that as well. Regardless, we always have a good time learning new things from his old book. We hope you’ll join us next month for even more ornamental gardening education! Resources: 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. 191-192). ²Dave’s Garden. Eranthemum Species, Blue Sage. https:// davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/60373/#b ³Stein, G. (2009). Dioons: The hardy Mexican cycads. Dave’s Garden. https://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/ view/1981 Photo Credits: Strawbryb. (2018). Eranthemum pulchellum. Blue sage. (Flickr). https://flic.kr/p/2a9Fjus Gregoriuz. (2014). Dioon. (Flickr). https://flic.kr/p/nfwMfc Bri Weldon. (2011). Dracaena draco. (Flickr). https://flic.kr/ p/9yJ15u WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
Celebrating a most fruitful relationship
between Florida Strawberry Growers and International Paper.
1979
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2001
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REP. ROSS SPANO SEEKS CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT FOR FLORIDA STRAWBERRY GROWERS By Jim Frankowiak U. S. Representative Ross Spano, whose Congressional District includes all of the strawberry fields in the greater Plant City area, recently addressed his House colleagues, seeking support for Florida strawberry growers who, he said, “are under attack.” Rep. Spano went on to explain “For years Mexico has spent millions subsidizing their strawberry production. This has allowed them to export strawberries at a cost our local growers cannot compete with.
Growers Association (FSGA). “The playing field must be leveled for our growers, and we extend our thanks to all of our elected officials, growers and affiliates who have helped us document and share information regarding these injustices with key international trade officials and the White House,” said Parker. “This is an ongoing effort that we will support and foster until our industry receives fair treatment,” Parker concluded.
“Consequently, imports of Mexican strawberries have increased by approximately 80 percent since 2010. Furthermore, current trade agreements don’t allow seasonal growers to bring antidumping claims. This means our growers are left with a right against unlawful dumping, but no means of enforcing it,” Spano said. “Plant City, Florida is known as the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World and produces more than 85 percent of all the winter strawberries grown here in our Nation. It is imperative for Congress to correct the situation and pass legislation that gives our growers the protections that they need and deserve.”
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“We appreciate Representative Spano’s efforts to bring these inequities to the attention of his fellow Congressman,” said Kenneth Parker, Executive Director of the Florida
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From our family to yours, wishing you a
Happy Thanksgiving
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21st Annual Lights of Love
Give the Gift of Love Give the gift of love this holiday season by donating a tree light in memory or in honor of someone special. All donations are tax deductible and will benefit the many community services provided by South Florida Baptist Hospital.
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Thursday, December 5 | 5:30–8pm McCall Park Buy a tree light in honor or memory of a special person Take pictures with Santa and enjoy yummy treats from Mrs. Claus’ kitchen
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A Closer LookAmazing Activities Naturally
by Sean Green
Orange Pomander
A pomander, from French pomme d’ambre, (apple of amber), is a ball made for perfumes that were common in the 16th century, such as ambergris (the origin of the name), which is a substance produced in the digestive system of sperm whales, or glandular secretions from animals such as the musk deer (Moschidae) or civet (Viverridae). If you attend any of the Renaissance Festivals this year, you may see a variety of pomanders, some larger designs are hung from a lady’s belt; smaller varieties can be hung on a necklace or attached to the finger and carried in the hand. Throughout the 15th and 16th century, pomanders were worn as a status symbol and were often made from precious metals such as gold and silver. However, even the common peasant may have crafted a pomander from whatever was available because the poman-
der was also thought to provide protection against infection in an era that cleanliness and hygiene had religious implications. The ingredients that were used to make such fragrant adornments are not so easily obtained these days, however, we can easily create a version of pomander with oranges or other citrus, cloves, oils, and other spices that may been common for yeomen, craftsmen and farmers. I will be at the Renaissance Festivals, as it is one of my passions to dress in period clothing and celebrate history. I will be looking for those of you that are proudly wearing your peasant model pomander that we are featuring in this month’s activity page.
Supplies: Dehydrator (Optional) Ribbon (Optional) Rubber Bands (Optional) Permanent Marker (Optional) Craft knife (optional) Whole Cloves Ground Cinnamon
Ground Nutmeg Citrus Fruit (Orange, Lemon, Lime.) * Note, sour stock citrus such as the Bitter Orange (Citrus × aurantium) Blood Orange (Citrus × sinensis) are more fragrant than other oranges but the common Mandarin Orange (Citrus reticulata) blends well with other spices.
Production: SKETCH Sketch a design on the skin of the orange with a permanent marker. Rubber bands can be used to guide straight lines. CARVE Carve shapes or designs from the rind, this will help the orange dehydrate faster. It is not necessary to carve parts of the rind out, but the orange is more likely to develop mold if it is not dehydrated. CLOVES Push whole cloves into the rind of the orange, these will wick the moisture and oils out of the orange as it dries. SPICE Mix ground spices such as Cinnamon and Nutmeg (or anything else that smells good) Coat the open areas of the orange (where the rind was cut away) This will help dehydration and discourage mold as well as provide color for your design.
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ARRANGE Arrange various compliments such as cinnamon sticks, nuts, pine cones, dried flowers, ribbon etc
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A Closer Look
by Sean Green
Mantidfly (Pisaurina brevipes) Spiders are not typically considered “Beautiful” by the casual observer. Because we tend, as human beings, to demonize that which we do not understand, we often overlook the inherent beauty of an animal. In Florida, we have some of the largest “True Spiders” in the united states. True spiders are characterized by having fangs (Chelsea) that move sideways like scissors; this is an advanced trait. Some large spiders, such as tarantulas, are more primitive and have fangs that never cross each other but rather function more like spears and are used with a downward thrusting motion. I draw this distinction only because it is a common misconception that any large hairy spider must be some type of tarantula. There are more distinctions, of course, but that can be a topic for another article. For the time being, let’s set the distinctions aside and take a closer look at the beautiful girl we found hiking last month. Pisaurina is a genus of wandering spiders common to eastern North America and Cuba. In North America it ranges from Canada, extending south to the Florida Keys and west to Kansas. The two species, Pisaurina mira and Pisaurina brevipes are widely distributed throughout the eastern United States. Two additional species, Pisaurina undulata and Pisaurina dubia, are restricted to the Coastal Plains and Piedmont regions east of the Appalachian Mountains. The species we are featuring in this article is known as (Pisaurina brevipes) in the scientific community. Though it does not have a common name, the spider family (Pisauridae) of which it belongs, is commonly known as the Nursery Web Spider. French naturalist Eugène Louis Simon (30 April 1848 – 17 Nov 1924) is regarded as the most prolific spider taxonomist in history and was the first to describe this family in his greatest work; Histoire Naturelle des Araignées (1892-1903). In his work, Simon describes these spiders as wandering spiders typically found on vegetation and grasses. The female characteristically totes her egg sack by securing it with a silken thread attached to its spinnerets while carrying the egg sac itself in her chelicerae (fangs). As if wrestling an egg sac from the fangs of a large spider isn’t protection enough; this maternal heroin spins a roomy nursery of silk in which her unborn spiderlings will hatch, and live, through their first molts while mother spider tirelessly guards the entrance to the nursery. This extraordinary characteristic justifies the common family name Nurser At first glance these spiders resemble wolf spiders (Lycosidae) and are often mistaken as such. There are, however, some notable characteristics that can help distinguish the nursery web spider from the wolf for field (or home) identification. Wolf spiders attached their egg sacs to their spinnerets at the back of their body but do not carry them in their fangs like the nursery web spider does. When moving with her egg sack, the wolf spider must raise her abdomen to keep the egg sac from dragging along the ground. The spiderlings hatch within the egg sac and emerge to crawl onto the top of the mother spider. The female wolf spider will keep her egg sac attached until all of the spiderlings have hatched and moved onto her back where they will remain under her protection through their first molt or two and are more capable of fending for themselves. The wolf spider’s maternal characteristic of carrying her young on her back has fueled an urban legend that smashing one of these spiders’ results in an explosion of spiderling spawn. While it is true that smashing a female wolf spider carrying young will result certainly result in hundreds of spiderlings being scattered throughout your home; the spi-
Fishing spiders (Dolomedes) are also mistaken for our spider (Pisaurina), but for good reason; they are both members of the same family, (Pisauridae), which is collectively known as the nursery web family. The fishing spider is a specialized genus of the nursery web family in that it has evolved to adapt to an aquatic habitat. The fishing spider can walk on water and even swim under water to hunt its prey. The hair like structures (sensilla) of the fishing spider are waterproof and trap air bubbles that the spider uses to breath under water as if it were a scuba diver. Like all nursery web spiders, the fishing spider builds a silken preschool for her young and protects them through their tender early molts. This level of maternal devotion is an attractive characteristic even in the spider world. If you ever get to witness the courtship of these animals you may be charmed to find males offering gifts of food to the female, sometimes even wrapped in silk. This is, however, no love story. If you watch to the bittersweet end it will be obvious that the food gift is little more than a distraction to reduce the chance of the small male becoming her next snack. So long as you are not on the menu, and humans are not, I encourage you to take a closer look at these harmless and beautiful spiders. `````I sincerely hope you will find them as fascinating as I do. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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derlings have, in fact, emerged from their egg sac beforehand and would disperse elsewhere if given the chance. Another way to distinguish the wolf spider from the nursery web spider is to get close enough to look at the eyes the wolf spider, nose to nose, if you will. You will find two of the wolf spiders eight eyes are much larger than the others. Those two large eyes are compound eyes, like the eyes of a dragonfly but on a much smaller scale. The compound eyes have a lower resolution than simple eyes and make the spiders world look pixelated, but they give the wolf spider a wider angle of view and an advantage in seeing movement while hunting. These large eyes are also capable of seeing polarized light which is thought to help the spider select prime food sources and find its way around using solar navigation. These characteristics give the wolf spider the best eyesight in the spider world and make it easy to differentiate from other similar spiders such as the family of nursery web spiders. Wolf spiders tend to look slightly larger the nursery web spiders because they have longer spindly legs. Comparing the two, the nursery web spider is thicker than the wolf and has notably shorter legs.
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2019 Hillsborough County Fair - Recycled Yard Art Contest Lisa Meredith and Lynn Barber
THE RESULTS ARE IN!
People’s Choice Award Winner is Jim Dreby, for his Minion Riding a Scooter
Andy Hamilton won the Judge’s Choice Award for Adult Submissions. His creation, the Bedpan Bird
The Judge’s Choice Award and our Elementary School winner was Maximus Clary. His entry, Wind Chime Planter
Andy Hamilton won the Judge’s Choice Award for Adult Submissions. His creation, the Bedpan Bird, included a bedpan, ricer, marbles, rebar and horseshoes. Alexa Weston’s Blue Heron sculpture won the Judge’s Choice Award for High School Submissions
Twice each a year, UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County, sponsors a Recycled Yard Art Contest, one at the Hillsborough County Fair and one at the Florida State Fair. The purpose of the Recycled Yard Art Contest is to increase environmental awareness and encourage reuse/recycling of materials into yard art. The competition involved two and three dimensional artwork creations made from items already used for their original purpose. During the eight days of the 2019 Hillsborough County Fair, attendees voted for the People’s Choice award on one of several entries submitted.
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All 2,372 votes have been tallied and the People’s Choice Award Winner is Jim Dreby, for his Minion Riding a Scooter which was created with a muffler pipe, freon jugs and a broken scooter.
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Unfortunately, there was no Middle School entry this year, but the State Fair is coming soon! The Judge’s Choice Award and our Elementary School winner was Maximus Clary. His entry, Wind Chime Planter, reused a colander, necklace, rope, broken wind chime, welcome sign and a planter. Alexa Weston’s Blue Heron sculpture won the Judge’s Choice Award for High School Submissions. She created environmental artwork statement using plastic bags, boxes, bottle caps, containers, chicken wire and sticks. All of the contest winning entries will be on display at the UF/ IFAS Extension Service, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL 33584, until December 8, 2019. We hope you will stop by to view these creations, stroll through the Bette S. Walker Discovery Garden and see what we have to offer. This year we welcomed yet another group of creative residents! In every contest there are items I would love to have in my landscape. My challenge to you is to put on your creativity hats now. We hope you will consider submitting an entry for the Florida State Fair Recycled Yard Art Contest. Contact Lisa Meredith for more information about this upcoming contest at: meredithL@hcflgov.net or 813-744-5519 x 54146. Hope you will consider participating. Thanks for Reducing, Reusing, Recycling and Repeating! WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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NEWS BRIEFS
Compiled by Jim Frankowiak
UF Receives NIFA Grant Supporting Specialty Crops The University of Florida (UF) is one of four universities sharing $11 million in research grants from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) that will support specialty crop farmers. The investment is made through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Minor Crop Pest Management Program, known as the Interregional Research Project (IR-4), which enables crop protection technology often designed for field crops, but equally safe, effective and economical for growers of minor/specialty crops to be evaluated and registered for use. The UF grant totals just over $2.4 million. Other recipients include the University of California, Davis; Michigan State University and Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. Farm Bureau Members Eligible for Car Rental Savings Farm Bureau members don’t have to pay full price for auto rentals. Five major auto rental companies offer members savings ranging from 20 to 30 percent. They are: Enterprise – Up to 20 percent off with Contract ID: 6020214 or booking via: partners.rentalcar.com/florida-farm-bureau Alamo – Up to 20 percent off with Contract ID: 6020214 or booking via: partners.rentalcar.com/florida-farm-bureau National – Up to 20 percent off with Contract ID: 6020214 or booking via: partners.rentalcar.com/florida-farm-bureau Budget – Up to 30 percent with Contract ID: Y775709 or booking through Budget.com/FLFB Avis – Up to 30 percent with Contract ID: A298809 or booking through AVIS.com/FLFB Health Officials Issue Mosquito-Borne Illness Advisory The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County is advising residents that there has been an increase in mosquito-borne disease activity in the county, including a confirmed human case of locally-acquired dengue fever. Information regarding steps to be taken to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes is available at Hillsborough.floridahealth.gov.
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USDA Program Supports Farmer/Rancher Conservation Efforts The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is implementing programs that offer support for conservation efforts of U.S. farmers and ranchers. Once of the most popular programs is the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) that provides financial and technical assistance to producers.
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The best way to learn if EQIP is apropos for your operation is to contact your local NRCS office: 201 South Collins Street, Suite 202, Plant City, FL 33563. Telephone: 813-752-1474, Extension 3. NRCS Program Helps Build Healthy Forests The Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP) of the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) helps landowners restore, enhance and protect forestland resources on private and tribal lands through easements and financial assistance. Through HFRP landowners promote the recovery of endangered or threatened species, improve plant and animal biodiversity and enhance carbon sequestration. The program provides landowners with 10-year restoration agreements and 30-year or permanent easements for specific conservation actions. More information is available by contacting the NRCS office: 201 South Collins Street, Suite 202, Plant City, FL 33563. Telephone: 813-752-1474, Extension 3. Commissioner Fried Submits Testimony to Senate Committee on Sustainable Offshore Aquaculture Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried recently submitted testimony to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation in advance of the committee’s hearing on sustainable offshore aquaculture. Her testimony, which is available in the “news” section of FDACS.gov, encouraged the development of a clearly outlined federal permitting process and framework to assist and support Florida’s 1,000 aquaculturists producing an estimated 1,500 species or varieties of food and aquarium fish, shellfish, aquatic plants, mollusks, crustaceans and reptiles. Organic Trade Association launches Verification Program The Organic Trade Association (OTA) has started an industrywide program, Organic Fraud Prevention Solutions (OFPS), to address the threat of organic fraud. OFPS complements and reinforces the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program. OFPS is a voluntary, private-industry funded quality assurance program. OTA represents more than 9,500 organic businesses in the U.S. More information about OTA and OFPS is available at: ota.com. Cargill Partners with FFA; 3 Year, $2.1 Million Investment Cargill is investing $2.1 million over three years to help FFA develop future leaders who are prepared to continue advancing sustainable agriculture. The funds will enable the FFA Organization’s efforts to bridge the needs of the agriculture, food and natural resources industries through a variety of initiatives. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Classifieds ANIMALS & NEEDS ANIMAL & BIRDCAGES 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 July 14, 2019, Nov. 24, 2019
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2018 MASSEY FERGUSON 4709 Cab tractor with loader. 95hp, 29 actual hours. 6' rotary cutter & 8' disk harrow. Warranty. $48,500 Call Alvie 813-759-8722 JOHN DEERE Looking for your new tractor? Come see us at Everglades Farm Equipment. evergladesfarmequipment.com 2805 SR 60 West, Plant City 813-737-1660 2014 MAHINDRA 5010 Tractor with loader, 4x4, 49hp. $17,500 Call Alvie 813-759-8722
ALUMINUM We have all your aluminum needs! Screen Room, carports & awnings. Call Blake (813) 752-3378 WINDOW SCREENS We make window screens of all sizes available in different frame colors. Call Ted(813) 752-3378 CABINETS All wood kitchen cabinets. All wood vanities. Granite counter tops. Custom made to your size. Call Blake 813-752-3378 VINYL SIDING Many colors and styles to choose from. Ask for Ted. 813-752-3378 MOBILE HOME SUPPLIES Everything you need under ONE roof! Call Blake 813-752-3378 CALL FOR A WINDOW QUOTE. We are a MI Windows dealer. Our windows are energy star, lifetime warranty. Call Broke & Poor 813-752-3378
FARM EQUIPMENT 2015 MAHINDRA 100S 100hp, 4x4, Cab tractor for $25,000.00 Call Alvie 813-759-8722
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MECHANIC NEEDED Agricultural equipment. Pay with benefits based on experience. Call David 863-537-1345
LAWN EQUIPMENT/ SUPPLIES BRAND NEW HUSTLER RAPTOR Zero Turn Mower 52” cut, 23hp. Kohler engine, 3 year warranty. $2,999 Call Alvie 813-759-8722
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I4 POWER EQUIPMENT Trade-Ins Welcomed, Service Department Available. Exit 22 • S. Frontage Rd. OLD ANTIQUE BLUE STOVE Bread warmer, chrome trim. Plant City 813-752-4459 You have got to see it to believe it! Call Ted for more details. 813-752-3378 TAYLOR WAY TILLER DISC DOORS & WINDOWS SPECIAL ORDER Plow - good condition. $1750.00 No upcharge. House & Mobile Home. Call Alvie 813-759-8722 Many standard sizes in stock. HUSQVARNA LAWN TRACTOR Ask for Blake. (813) 752-3378 20hp, 46", good condition. KITCHEN CABINETS & VANITIES $300 call 863-660-4551 Get quality all wood cabinets for less than the BIG Box STORES! Call Today! HESSON 4550 Ask for Blake. (813) 752-3378 Inline square baler. $7,500 Call Alvie 813-759-8722 CROSSBOW 2018 MMAHINDRA 4540 Barnett Squad 300 w/Rhino 4x32mm 2wd tractor. 88 hours with warranty. Crossbow Scope, Case And Arrows. $8,750 Ask for Alvie 813-759-8722 Great Condition! Call 813-376-9320
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