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3014 S. Jim Redman Pkwy. (Hwy. 39 S) Plant City, FL • southsidewesternwear.com INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE July 2020
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CONTENTS
July 2020 VOL. 13 • ISSUE 9
28 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE OFFICIAL NAMED TO LEAD UF/IFAS
Scott Angle Cover Photo for UF/IFAS by Edwin Remsberg PAGE 10 Oponay Farms
PAGE 32 PCSO
PAGE 12 Ranchers Daughter
PAGE 35 News Briefs
PAGE 14 Fishing Hot Spots
PAGE 36 John Dicks
PAGE 16 Garden Tasks
PAGE 38 Endangered Species
PAGE 18 The Show Will Go On
PAGE 39 Bell Peppers
PAGE 19 Agvocating For Youth
PAGE 40 A Closer look
PAGE 22 Rocking Chair Chatter
PAGE 41 Activity
PAGE 25 Katuk
PAGE 42 Backyard Chickens
PAGE 26 Literary Time Machine
PAGE 44 Bats Benefits
PAGE 30 Recipe
PAGE 47 Pomegranate
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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Polk County Cattlemen’s Association P.O. Box 9005 • Drawer HS03 Bartow, FL. 33831-9005 President – Dave Tomkow 3305 US Highway 92 E Lakeland, FL 33801-9623 (863) 665-5088 dave@cattlemens1.com Vice President – Ken Sherrouse 13475 Moore Rd Lakeland, FL 33809-9755 (863) 698-1834 kensherrouse@yahoo.com Secretary/Treasurer - Justin Bunch PO Box 849 Highland City, FL 33846 (863) 425-1121 justin.bunch@cpsagu.com State Director – David McCullers 1000 Hwy 630 W Frostproof, FL 33843 (863) 635-3821 crookedlakeranch57@gmail. com Ray Clark 4484 Swindell Road Lakeland, FL 33810 (863) 640-0719 rclark@tampabay.rr.com Donald Conroy 3882 Wolfolk Rd Fort Meade, FL 33841 (863) 412-0790 Stuart Fitzgerald PO Box 1437 Lake Wales, FL 33859 (813) 478-8141 stuartcattlellc@yahoo.com Kevin Fussell 4523 Fussell Rd Polk City, FL 33868-9676 (863) 412-5876 David Hunt 9699 Alt Bab Pk Cut-Off Rd Bartow, FL 33830 (863) 287-1835 Dhunt285@aol.com Scott Shoupe 6130 Allen Lane Lakeland, FL 33811 (863) 581-7593 Scott_shoupe@hotmail.com Carlton Taylor 9875 Hancock Road Lakeland, FL 33810
(863) 858-1771 L2brangus@aol.com Dr. Lujean Waters 8750 Shreck Rd Bartow, FL 33830 (863) 537-1495 Lujean.waters@gmail.com Standing Committee Chairs: Membership Events- Kevin Fussell Trade Show- Bridget Stice Rodeo- Fred Waters PO Box 463 Alturas, FL 33820-0463 (863) 559-7808 Website – Adam Norman 2115 West Pipkin Rd Lakeland, FL 33811 (863) 944-9293 Adamnorman1977@gmail. com Cattlewomen – President, Missy Raney PO Box 453 Homeland, FL 33847 (863) 205-3977 Raney747@gmail.com Extension – Bridget Stice PO Box 9005, Drawer HS03 Bartow, FL 33831 (863) 519-1048 bccarlis@ufl.edu Sheriff’s Dept. – Lt. Paul Wright 1891 Jim Keen Blvd. Winter Haven, FL 33880 (863) 557-1741 pw5281@polksheriff.org Sgt. Tim Sanders 1891 Jim Keen Blvd. Winter Haven, FL 33880 (863) 656-6119 brusso@polksheriff.org Warner University – Casey Wingate 7155 Wauchula Rd Myakka City, FL 34251 (941) 600-5772 Casey.wingate@warner.edu
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STAFF
Letter from the Editor
Publisher/Photography Karen Berry Senior Managing Editor/ Associate Publisher Sarah Holt Sales Karen Berry Sarah Holt Melissa Nichols
Mosquitos love me. It’s an unrequited love for sure. This has plagued me my entire life! I certainly don’t want to have to wear long sleeved shirts and long pants to keep them at bay. I was checking out The Old Farmer’s Almanac the other day (don’t judge me, I enjoy reading it and I bet many of you do as well) and found some interesting information. Not all mosquitos feed on blood. Some of them are just annoying because they fly directly by your ears and make you think you are going to get bitten. Okay, that wasn’t part of the information listed, just my take on it. Female mosquitos nourish their eggs with blood so they prefer ankles and wrists where blood vessels are closer to the surface. Interesting. I don’t know about you, but my mosquito bites aren’t limited to my wrists and ankles. My arms, legs, and even my elbows, are frequent targets as well. The male mosquito feeds on nectar. That seems much more pleasant and less painful to us doesn’t it? When you get bitten, the pesky little critter injects a small amount of saliva to keep the blood from clotting. This is what makes us itch. Our bodies react to the foreign substance by producing a protein called histamine, which can trigger inflammation and itching. There are several home remedies listed, including swallowing slivered garlic to ward of the pests and probably a good many of your friends. Although in this day and age of social distancing maybe garlic is a good one to try! If you want to check out the home remedies they suggest, you can check it out at Almanac.com. If you find one that works, please share it with me. Until next month
Sarah Holt The LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. - Numbers 6:25
Creative Director/Illustrator Juan Alvarez Photography Karen Berry Melissa Nichols Staff Writers Al Berry Sandy Kaster James Frankowiak Sean Green Ginny Mink Breanne Williams Anita Todd Contributing Writers Woody Gore John Dicks Social Media Victoria Saunders
In The Field Magazine is published monthly and is available through local Polk 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 Polk County Catllemen’s Association. Letters, comments and questions can be sent to P.O. Box 5377, Plant City, Florida 33563-0042 or you are welcome to email them to: info@inthefieldmagazine.com or call 813-759-6909 Advertisers warrant & represent the descriptions of their products advertised are true in all respects. In The Field Magazine assumes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers. All views expressed in all articles are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Berry Publications, Inc. Any use or duplication of material used in In the Field magazine is prohibited without written consent from Berry Publications, Inc.
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Published by Berry Publications, Inc.
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It is with great sadness that I announce the 2020 Florida Cattlemen’s Association Annual Convention and Allied Trade Show has been canceled due to the Covid-19 virus and social distancing concerns. The health of the members is at the utmost importance to the FCA board. Next year the convention will be in Marco Island on June 15-17, 2021. The last month the cattle industry has begun to look upward as the projected future looks good for producers. Calf prices have been steady and on the rise. Cattle prices have also held good. The number of cattle is below the average at the markets, but the buyers are still showing up and the demand for cattle and calves is still high. We have seen some more new coverage regarding COOL labeling, and we hope that the organizations will come together and propose some solutions to help market US Beef separate from imported beef. Marketing US Beef is our goal. As many different movements and initiatives to help the cattlemen are taking place, I encourage you to research the guys that are out there advocating for our industry and see what their plans are.
April and into the beginning of May we saw some rain that has pastures looking green and alive. June and July have been pretty much on target for rainfall. Now is also the time to have a plan to fertilize and utilize the rain to get the most you can from grass. This will put less demand on the need for continued feed and hay to keep cattle looking good and healthy. Again, we ask that you remember to have a health program in place and deworm calves before bringing them to the market. The cost is minimal compared to the gains. I am always available to answer any questions that you may have. Special thanks to Payge Dupre for writing last months letter. I look forward to talking to you,
Dave Tomkow
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Polk County Cattlemen’s Association President
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Farming Generations By Libby Hopkins It has been said that “Family farms and small businesses are the backbone of our communities.” No truer words have ever been spoken, especially in current times. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, many communities came together to help one another and so did the farming community.
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Oponay Farms is a family owed and operated farm nestled on the edge of Lake Hancock in Lakeland, 40 miles east of downtown Tampa. When the pandemic hit, Oponay Farms was faced with the challenge of how to keep the farm going and still provide its customers with farm fresh food. “Initially, both the customers and our staff were disappointed in the fact we were unable to operate our u-pick season as we have in the past due to the pandemic,” said Ryan King, son of Lewis King, owner of Oponay Farms. “After brainstorming about how we could market our crops, we decided to organize a drive through system which still allowed us to maintain social distancing. This method has allowed us to not only sell at our farm location but also expand to other nearby destinations.” Ryan King is a fourth generation farmer from Lakeland. He and the rest of the Lewis Family have been farming their whole lives. “We currently are producers of vegetables, blueberries, peaches, citrus and cattle,” Ryan said. “We farm from DeSoto County to north Polk County.
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Oponay Farms was started in 2014 as a blueberry, strawberry and peach u-pick farm. “It is located on a piece of property that has been in our family for three generations,” Ryan said. As years went on, the farm started to offer produce boxes in addition to the u-pick produce. “We offer several different packaged selections that include both our locally grown crops, as well as other American grown products,” Ryan said. “When in season, we utilize crops from our farm in addition to other American farms. Contents of the boxes change based on seasonality. We assemble our packages in our facility where we can maintain the cold chain insuring the freshest product possible.” If you ask Ryan what makes Oponay Farms different from other farms in the Lakeland area, he’ll tell you it’s a variety of things, just like the variety of produce that is grown on his farm. “There are several things that set us apart from many other u-pick farms,” Ryan said. “One is our scenic landscape on the shores of Lake Hancock nestled underneath grandfather oaks, another difference is we offer multiple commodities to pick at the same time. We also pride ourselves on maintaining one of the friendliest staffs in the area.” WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
Keeping things local is something that is sacred to the Lewis Family. “Buying American is key for all American farmers,” Ryan said. “We must look out for one another and try to slow down the influx of imported produce during our peak seasons. This is important for the American family farms to be able to pass down their legacy for the next generations to come. Our customers have shown an enormous amount of community support towards their local farmers and I am pleased to see most people truly want to develop a relationship with those of us that are growing their food. This has been a breath of fresh air. It gives us the opportunity to explain the hardships which foreign competition continues to impose on the American Farmer. Let’s face it, without community support demanding American grown products, farming, as we have known it will become obsolete in the very near future. Becoming dependent on foreign countries to produce our food source is not a healthy option.” Ryan has some high hopes for the future of Oponay Farms. “We would like to expand into home and business deliveries within our area, along with educating our customers on the importance to the American consumer to eat seasonal produce grown only in our country,” Ryan said.
If you would like to learn more about Oponay Farms, you can visit their website at www.oponayfarmsllc.com or contact Ryan Lewis by phone at 863-698-7994 or email at lewis@floridafreshgroup.com. Oponay Farms is located at 5129 Hancock Lake Rd in Lakeland. If you are interested in going to the farm for u-pick produce, please check the farm’s website for their new u-pick times and procedures due to COVID-19. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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CONFESSION OF A RANCHER’S DAUGHTER By Marisol Tarango A rancher’s daughter is perfectly content to stay on the ranch without a thought of going to town or socializing with others besides her family and her horse (humans are complicated to socialize with anyways). As the world rolls on, she is happily oblivious to the outside world unless the news she sees online or on T.V. directly affects her, until then she is happy to go back to her animals and her books. It is easy to get lost in her perfect world where there are just her animals and her family and it feels like she could stay there and never leave.
CONFESSION # 13: I suffer from chronic cabin fever. The biggest misconception about ranchers, especially their daughters, is that they are perfectly content staying at home on the ranch and not going out. For some this may be true, but it is definitely not true for me. Of course, I love to be home at the ranch, I don’t feel suffocated by people, and I can truly be alone. I don’t have to worry about people watching me while I read in my front yard, I don’t have to worry about people seeing me eat messy from other cars at a stop light, and I definitely don’t have to worry how my hair looks (well I do worry, but the cows and horses don’t really care). Despite enjoying my privacy and not worrying how other people view me, I do like to get out… often. While I do not like being in throngs of human beings, I enjoy human interaction and touching base with civilization. I enjoy the movies, coffeeshops, and bookstores like most women my age do, but going out to enjoy these things with friends is not always easy. Usually, these involve intricate plans two weeks ahead, provided no truck breaks down or cows get out (it’s all part of being a permanent on call ranch first responder) and because of this you learn to enjoy and get the most you can even from quick trips to town.
younger, I quickly learned that an almost guaranteed way to get out of the house was to help mama with the grocery shopping. She was always ready for an extra pair of hands to help hold babies and load groceries, and there was usually a coke involved after everything was done. Another way to get off the ranch when I was younger was to offer to help my dad. It was not uncommon for us to go to work with him, but sometimes we were so desperate to get out of the house that we would ask to go with him, even if he was just going to the hardware store in town (being a gate opener was a huge selling point). These ways of getting off the ranch were pretty fool proof until I was old enough to be left at home with a to-do list. After that I had to get more creative in how I presented my case for going on the excursion to town. I switched from saying, “I can help you get things in the store” to “You can just drop me off at the front and wait in the car.” After I got my driver’s license, getting off the ranch got a little easier. One way is to offer to do the feed store run. This offers an hour round trip, more than likely by yourself, where you can decompress and listen to what ever you want on the radio without someone asking to change it. Times out alone like this are an opportune time to get some snacks or coffee that you don’t feel like sharing with everyone back at the house. Another trick is to tack more time onto the feed store run by offering to pick up some groceries while you are out. Stopping to pick up some groceries gives you a little bit more time out of the house and maybe a chance to buy some things that your mom wouldn’t normally buy (like chocolate milk). But all of this comes back full circle. Sooner or later your younger siblings catch onto the same things that you did when you were their age. They discover that they can bribe you with gate opening, offering to buy their own snacks, and being a personal DJ in the truck, as long as they can pick song or two (or the whole soundtrack for the ride).
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Since it can be hard to get off the ranch and I am rather prone to cabin fever, I have highly developed skills in finding ways to get off the ranch. In most cases it helps to have a driver’s PSA: The best selling point when trying to get a ride off the license, but there are ways to work around that. When I was ranch is offering to get the gates.
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August Tampa Bay Fishing Report 2020 Capt. Woody Gore
Snook season is still closed, but the action should be superb with plenty of big fish around bridges and passes, especially at night using free-lined baits. Fishing broken bottom potholes on the grass flats and mangroves shorelines should prove productive. For some exhilarating experiences, try tossing a topwater walkthe-dog type lure. MirrOlure, and High Roller, are excellent choices. If you’re not into artificial lures, livebait always works. Trout are still close, but fishing is usually
productive around lush grass flats. It usually takes moving water to get them eating, but when they start its fish-on. Popping corks with artificial plastic tails or live shrimp will produce.
Snappers are open and excellent table fare. If you’re looking for some late-summer fun go snapper fishing. Not only are they fun to catch, but they are also excellent eating. Small free-lined greenbacks
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Capt. Woody Gore (www.captainwoodygore.com)
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or pieces of fresh shrimp around markers, bridges, or rock piles usually result in fish. Don’t forget a chum bag.
Mackerel and Bluefish are open Tampa
Bay should still be loaded with threadfins, and the mackerel and bluefish will be all over them. If you’re looking for amazing, light tackle action, these are the target species.
Redfish are still closed, but the action
will be steady with schooling fish moving around the bay area. Always pole or slow troll to within casting distance, and put your Power-Poles down. Try to pick off fish at the outer edges, never casting into the middle of the school. Reds favor eating shrimp, greenbacks, worms, crabs, and pinfish. If live bait doesn’t seem to be working, you might try using some cut baits.
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“Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing”
813-477-3814
Captain Woody Gore’s Guide Service: The area’s top-notch outdoor fishing guide service. He’s guided and fished the Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, Bradenton, and Sarasota areas for over fifty years and offers first-class customer service, outstanding fishing adventures and a lifetime of memories. Single Boat, Multi-Boat and Group Charters: With years of organizational experience and access to the areas most experienced captains, Captain Woody can arrange and coordinate any size group, outing, or tournament.
Visit his website at www.captainwoodygore.com or send an email to fishing@captainwoodygore.com or give him a call at 813-477-3814.
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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Gardening tasks during a time of social distancing By Anne Yasalonis UF/IFAS Extension Polk County
It can be hard to think of things to do when social distancing, but remember, you can still be alone (or with your family) while outside! There are plenty of things you can do in your own yard that can be calming, satisfying, and leave you with a sense of accomplishment. This time in the garden can also give you a chance to listen to nature, clear your head and make observations about the natural world—birdwatching, butterfly watching, and getting inspired by colorful floral combinations!
when fronds are totally brown and not beyond the 3 and 9 o’clock position (https://gardeningsolutions.ifas. ufl.edu/care/pruning/pruning-palms.html).
Here are some things you can do: 1. Rake up leaves and use them for mulch or in your compost bin.
5. While you’re at it...consider installing a microirrigation system in your vegetable garden. There are some very easy-to-use systems that can be connected to your outdoor spigot. You can use microirrigation in your vegetable garden, landscape beds, and in container plantings.
2. Weed your landscape beds. Clean up landscape beds by hand-weeding. This is a relaxing job with very satisfying results!
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3. Prune as needed. Most plants growing in central Florida yards can be pruned during the summer months. You can prune trees, but follow UF/IFAS guidelines-particularly with crapemyrtles (https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/pruning/pruning-and-maintaining-trees.html), and palms should only be pruned
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4. It is a great time to plan a fall vegetable garden. It may seem strange to think about in hot and humid July, but now is the time to do it. Utilize the Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vh021) and attend a vegetable gardening workshop.
6. Watch for pests and learn to identify them. While you are out in the yard, look for insects and “funny looking things on leaves”. Can you figure out what they are? Use Featured Creatures (http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/ creatures/) to identify insects. If you see things that you are not sure of, you can contact the Plant Clinic. Email us photos and let us know some information--what WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
plant is affected, how do you care for it, have you recently watered/fertilized/apply pesticides? For more information, contact UF/IFAS Extension Polk County at (863) 519-1041 or visit us online at http://sfyl. ifas.ufl.edu/polk. The Plant Clinic is open Monday-Friday, 9:00 am-4:00 pm to answer your gardening and landscaping questions. Visit us in person, give us a call, or email us at polkmg@ifas.ufl.edu. If you are not in Polk County, Contact your local UF/IFAS Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Plant Clinic. The Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program is a volunteer-driven program that benefits UF/IFAS Extension and the citizens of Florida. The program extends the vision of the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, all the while protecting and sustaining natural resources and environmental systems, enhancing the development of human resources, and improving the quality of human life through the development of knowledge in agricultural, human and natural resources and making that knowledge accessible. An Equal Opportunity Institution. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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THE SHOW WILL GO ON
By Melissa Nichols The show must go on! When Covid-19 struck our nation many of us had no idea the gravity of what was getting ready to occur and how it would directly affect our children. We witnessed the closing of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo mid-way through the event and a snowball effect followed with the county and state fairs around the nation following and canceling their events. With kids scrambling to figure out what to do with their project animals came an uncertainty about the future of the show industry. Now that we have had time to prepare and digest what has happened, I can confidently speak on behalf of the Polk County Youth Fair and tell you that “the show will go on.� Paul Webb, PCYF President, said in a telephone interview that the University of Florida Extension Services has granted permission to use the facility in Bartow and that the show will go on. He also said that the fair board members and committee members have plans in place to host the shows virtually and sales online in the event we are still dealing with Covid-19 and are forced to not host the fair as normal.
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So now that we know for sure that our fair will happen, the time has arrived to get your children enrolled in FFA chapter or a 4-H club. You can find a local club by going on www.
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florida4h.org. This website will help you navigate to a club near you and join online, the deadline is September 30, but do not delay as 4-H groups fill up fast. Your child may also be an active member of their FFA Chapter if it is offered at their middle or high school and show through FFA, but they must be a 4-H or FFA member to show. The 2021 Polk County Youth Fair rules are available online at www.PCYF.net. Entry forms for open steers are available online and due on July 31 and open steer tagging is August 15. As we continue with the trend of not being sure what will resume and what will not, the fair is encouraging kids to proceed with project animals and is confident they will be there to help with any hurdles they may face in the next six months. With protective measures taken, the fair was able to host the commercial steer selection in June where 36 exhibitors selected their 2021 youth fair commercial steer. As a additional means of communication, the fair is utilizing social media to communicate with parents and exhibitors. They encourage everyone to follow their pages on Facebook for the steer show, goat, swine, horse, heifer/purebred beef. So, the show will go on and now is the time to start preparing. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
Agvocating for Youth
by Payge Dupre
July has become a month of hope as we all wanted things to go back to normal. While everything is not looking the same for a while, we have been able to fight through and make it through these tough times. Recently, the Florida FFA Virtual Celebration took place. Much like other events to take place this year, it was very different. However, that does not take away from the fact that our own youth represented us well! Bok Academy, Frostproof, Frostproof Middle, Kathleen Middle, and Westwood Middle were all recognized as premier chapters. Bartow Middle and Westwood Middle were recognized as Florida’s Finest FFA Chapter and received the National Chapter Award! Olivia Centanni from the George Jenkins Sr FFA Chapter was recognized as this year’s Nursery Operations Proficiency Winner. Bailey Swanson from Auburndale Sr was the 2020 Farm Bureau Scholarship Winner. In the Leadership Development Events, Madyson Keim from George Jenkins Sr placed 4th in High School Extemporaneous Speaking, Aaron Ellis from Frostproof Middle placed 1st in Middle School Extemporaneous Speaking, and Jayden Bolin from Frostproof Middle was a top 4 state finalist for Middle School Prepared Public Speaking. Cassidy Edwards from Frostproof Sr placed 3rd in Social Systems at the High School Agriscience Fair, Sarah True and Leah Brown from Frostproof were the Division 6 winners for Social Systems, and Hannah Ogburn & Lindsey True placed 1st in the Middle School Agriscience Fair for Social Systems. Madyson Keim from George Jenkins Sr was the High Individual for the High School Citrus CDE with her team placing 4th overall. Kyle Adrian from George Jenkins Sr placed 4th overall in the Tractor Driving CDE. Bartow Middle placed 2nd in the Middle School Forestry CDE and 5th in the Middle School Nursery & Landscape CDE. Frostproof Middle placed 3rd in the Middle School Poultry CDE and 3rd in the Middle School Tool Identification CDE. I, Payge Dupre from Lake Gibson Sr, was one of the finalists for the Alumni Essay Contest winning a scholarship to an FFA event. Allison Jackson from Auburndale Senior was elected the 2020-2021 District 8 Secretary with Peyton Creel from Lake Gibson Sr being elected President. A reminder to all Youth Fair participants, youth fair open steer entries are due July 31 without a late entry fee. Tagging is still
Each year around this same time, we are greatly represented by many of our Polk juniors as they head off to National shows and contests. While things may be looking a lot different this year, I would like to wish luck to those juniors headed off to represent us. They not only show their livestock, but they also compete in many contests in the areas of public speaking, quiz bowl, photography, leadership roles and so much more. Personally, I am attending the National Junior Brangus Show as the Reporter and running for another position on the board for the upcoming year. The past few months have been a struggle preparing for the show, but I hope the week will bring lots of fun and our hard work pay off. As of right now, the JFCA kickoff show is set to happen for July 30 – August 1. They have stated that they will make more decisions as far as guidelines and safety protocol as they get closer to check in and base it off the current situation. Reminder that this is where the junior board interviews and elections will take place as well as awards from the point series last year. If you are interested in the junior board or think you may be receiving an award, make sure you don’t miss this event. Good luck to all of our juniors there as well. Needless to say, we have some pretty amazing juniors in Polk County, regardless of the circumstances or the way they are involved. Please wish all of us luck in this upcoming month and be sure to stay safe! INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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set to take place August 15 at the Polk County Youth Fair. Very soon, Youth Fair rules will be out so make sure you keep an eye out for any deadlines that may apply to you.
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85% of plant life is found in the ocean. Armadillos have 4 babies at a time and are all the same sex. Goldfish can see both infrared and ultraviolet light. A bear has 42 teeth. A cat has 32 muscles in each ear. The only continent with no active volcanoes is Australia. Camel’s milk doesn’t curdle. An elephants ears are used to regulate body temperature. The Amazon rainforest produces half the world’s oxygen supply. Only female mosquitoves bite. The Atlantic Ocean is saltier than the Pacific. The cheetah is the only cat that can’t retract its claws. Japan is the largest exporter of frog legs. Your foot is the most common body part bitten by insects. A blue whale can weigh as much as 30 elephants and as long as 3 large tour buses.
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Colonoscopy Editor’s Note: This Rocking Chair Chatter was originally printed in the July 2014 issue
I was having dinner in the Directors Lounge during the Florida Strawberry Festival and Dr. Michael Salvato sat down with me. As we ate he mentioned that at my age I needed to have a colonoscopy. He said a colonoscopy is the best available test for detecting and preventing colon cancer. He suggested I stop by his office after the Festival and he would set it up. Although I get squeamish just passing a doctors office in my car, I followed his advice and went in to his office. From what I had heard from other’s that had the exam, a colonoscopy is slightly worse than being buried alive, or walking over hot coals, or taking your kids to Wal-Mart. Mike showed me a color diagram of the colon, a lengthy organ that appears to go all over the place, at one point passing briefly through Turkey Creek, Brandon and back to Plant City. When he started to describe my procedure I didn’t hear anything after he said the physician would stick a tube six feet long up my behind and look for such things as polyps, cancer and hemorrhoids the size of a regulation soccer ball. I spent the next few days nervously awaiting a call from the gastroenterologists. They called and gave me instructions of what I had to do the day before the exam. As per their guideline I didn’t eat any solid food the day before the exam, all I had was some chicken broth, which was nothing but flavored water. That evening I took their prescribed MoviPrep. I took a oneliter jug, filled it with lukewarm water. (For those of you that are not familiar with metric system, a liter is about 14 gallons of water) I put in a couple of packets of the MoviPrep and stirred it up until it dissolved. I had to drink the whole jug within an hour. It tasted like horse slobber and toilet cleanser mixed together, with a hint of rotten grapefruit juice. I wondered if Patsy, my wife, would be scarred for life if she finds me lying in a pool of MoviPrep “effects” on the bathroom floor. Let me tell you I had an action packed evening. Finally dozed off on the commode about midnight.
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Who ever wrote the instructions on the MoviPrep label thought they were being cute. It said, “After you drink it, you will notice ‘a loose, watery bowel movement will occur.” That’s sorta like saying jump out of an airplane without a parachute, and you will hit the ground hard.
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NASA must have invented that stuff. I’ll bet it could be used to launch the space shuttle. There were times when I wished the commode had a seat belt. That stuff was so powerful my bowels started singing ballads. One song I recognized was, “The Wind beneath Your Cheeks.” I spent several hours in the bathroom. Boy this stuff worked to epic proportions. It cleaned me out good and proper. But that wasn’t the end of it. I had to drink another liter of MoviPrep and go through it again. When it was over I was weak as pond water, staggering around as if I was on a six-week drunk. The next morning, early, they wheeled me into the examining room, where the doctor and a nurse, along with an anesthesiologist, were waiting. I didn’t see that six-foot tube, but I am sure it was there somewhere. Here they go! They rolled me over on my side, and the anesthesiologist hooked something up on my hand and stuck a needle in it. Pretty soon I got drowsy, and I could faintly hear the radio they had playing a song entitled, “Looking Up Your Back Door’! The next thing I remember was waking up in my room. A nurse was looking down at me. She said, “How do you feel?” I replied, “Fine, but my rear end feels like someone stuck the flag the Marines raised on Iwo Jima in it.” She said, “Mr. Berry, the doctor will be by shortly, but I can tell you, you passed the exam with flying colors. I asked her if I was a good patient, and she said, “Yes, you were. And quite talkative I might add.” What did I say?” I asked. Well the first thing you said was, “Careful Doc, you’re going where no man has gone before”! Then you started singing, “You put your left hand in, you take your left hand out,” but the one that we all cracked up about was when you said, “Now I know how a Muppet feels!” I know a lot of you folks reading this column need to have this exam. I am so eager for you to do this that I am offering a special to the first 50 that take the exam. When you have your exam, let me know by sending me a self-addressed stamped envelope addressed: Colonoscopy Limited Offer, In the Field Magazine, 110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100B, Plant City, Fl. 33563. I will send you back a special 8 x 10, color certificate, suitable for framing recognizing you as a Charter Member, of the Al Berry Colonoscopy Club. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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FLorida
Katuk
By Sandy Sun, M.S. Clinical Medicines, B.S. Nutrition Science
Even as the heat goes up in the Florida summer, you can still enjoy fresh, nutritious leafy green vegetables. Fresh Florida katuk, also known as sweetleaf or star gooseberry, is one of the most popular leafy vegetables in South Asia and Southeast Asia. With a nutty taste and high protein content, katuk is notable for growing prolifically and for its delicious pea-like flavor. The flowers, fruit, and stems are edible as well and can be eaten raw or cooked. Katuk thrives in the heat and humidity that characterizes Florida summers.
NUTRITIONAL PROFILE Fresh Florida katuk is bursting with nutrition and is exceptionally high in protein. Like most other dark green leafy vegetables, katuk is high in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, a diet rich in dark green leafy vegetables lowers the risk for developing a variety of cancers. According to the USDA, a 100g (3.5 oz) serving of fresh katuk leaves contains 59 calories, 11 g of carbohydrate, 1.5 g of fiber, 1 g of fat, and 4.8 g of protein. It also contains 288% of your daily requirement for vitamin C, 23% for iron, 20% for calcium, 14% for phosphorus, 10% for zinc and high amounts of vitamin A.
Vitamin C A single serving of katuk leaves contains almost three times your daily needs for vitamin C! This vitamin is needed for growth and repair of all tissues in your body, including skin, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels. It helps your body maintain healthy cartilage, bones, and teeth, as well as promotes wound healing. Vitamin C also helps you absorb iron better. There is some research to support that vitamin C may also reduce the duration and severity of the common cold.
Iron Katuk is a great vegetarian source of iron. Iron is essential for blood production and many other important functions in the body. It is involved in carrying oxygen from the lungs to all the tissues in the body. Insufficient iron from the diet can lead to anemia, which is a reduction of hemoglobin in the blood. Iron is also required as a cofactor for a number of enzymes that converts the nutrients we eat into energy.
Antioxidants Fresh Florida katuk and other leafy green vegetables are full
These antioxidants are particularly beneficial in protecting blood vessels from oxidative stress, which results in atherosclerosis and high blood pressure. Vitamin A and the carotenoids are especially important for good eye health, offering protection to the retina and macula.
How to Select and Store Choose fresh leaves that have a deep, vibrant green color with no signs of wilting or yellowing. The leaves and stems should look fresh and tender, and be dry to the touch. To store raw katuk leaves, pat dry with a paper towel, place in a tightly wrapped plastic bag and squeeze out as much air as possible. Keep refrigerated for up to five days. Do not wash until immediately before use.
How to Enjoy Fresh katuk can be eaten raw or cooked. The smaller, young leaves are more tender while the larger leaves may be better cooked. Katuk can be used in salads, stir fries, or mixed into any dish. Other ways to enjoy this nutritious vegetable include: • Lightly steamed with garlic • Sauté with olive oil and herbs • Stir-fried with soy sauce, mushrooms, and baby corn • Tossed as a salad instead of lettuce • Added to pasta sauce or lasagna • Tossed into a stew or soup • Use as a sandwich topper Fresh Florida katuk is a nutritious green vegetable that is readily available during the summer season. Eat more of these leafy greens and reap all of the health benefits they offer in one delicious package.
SELECTED REFERENCES http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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of antioxidants in many forms, including flavonoids and carotenoids. These compounds help provide anti-inflammatory effects, which is beneficial in warding off many major diseases. Other antioxidant nutrients high in katuk include vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin A.
Part 70 By Ginny Mink
Ornamental Gardening in Florida Last month we questioned what Mr. Simpson would think about the things going on today, but historically he would have had to have lived through the 1918 pandemic. So maybe we didn’t give him enough credit. Or, maybe, we were right, he just stayed home and worked in his garden. So, let’s take another voyage on the Literary Time Machine and see what he can teach us about ornamental gardening this month! When last we were with him, we discussed some exotic air plants, a chapter that we are still in. So, let’s see what he has to say about the next cool species. “Epiphyllum truncatum, Crab’s claw cactus, Christmas cactus. A native of Brazil where it grows on trees and it can be grown here in damp woods the same way. This is now Zygocactus. E. latifrons. A rampant epiphyte from Mexico and seen by the writer in Honduras; perfectly at home on trees in our hammocks. I have a large specimen whose roots are loosely attached to a decayed limb that has sprawled twenty feet over the scrub and which opens its long white nocturnal flowers every summer…”¹ Of course, his description is not the same as what we think of as Christmas cactus, so we read on.
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“E. ackermanni grows here on my trees but some kind of nocturnal insect injures it. These last three were placed in the genus Epiphyllum when I was a young man, then they were changed to Phyllocactus, now they are put back into Epiphyllum. Where next? What will be the next foolish move with these harmless cacti?”¹ As we have learned over the years, Mr. Simpson gets pretty upset over the changing of plant names,
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so we had to see what was next. Where have these cacti been placed in our day and age? According to succulent city, this cactus “belongs to the Cactaceae family, Schlumbergera genus, and Truncata plant species.”² It’s got quite a few nicknames, too, including: Linkleaf plant, Yoke cactus, Crab cactus, and Claw cactus. The pictures we recovered do remind us of what we consider the typical Christmas cactus, but like all the other one’s we’ve seen the flowers are a pinkish color unlike the white bloom Mr. Simpson described. And Dave’s Garden reveals that the E. ackermanni that was being attacked by some nocturnal insect also has a plethora of name changes. Currently it is considered Disocactus ackermannii but has also been known as Epiphyllum ackermannii, Nopalxochia ackermannii, and Pseudonopalxochia conzattiana.³ When you start seeing these things it is no wonder that Mr. Simpson got a little frustrated over the frequent name changes! “Hohenbergia penduliflora. I have a magnificent plant of what may be this which I brought from western Cuba where it grows on trees in great masses. The somewhat scurfy leaves are four feet long and as many inches wide, the bloom stems are long and pendulous, bearing short spikes of inconspicuous flowers followed by capsules containing seed in a sweet pulp. It is a most striking plant and is readily grown from seed or suckers.”¹ WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
So, what is this plant he describes since he’s obviously not sure himself? Once again, we find a plant with a slew of additional names. The most common addition we see to the name he provided is adding (A. Rich) Mez to the scientific name and that seems to be the most widely accepted variety. But the other thing that stood out to us was him saying the pulp was sweet. Does this mean you can eat it? You know how we like plants with additional purposes. However, our research revealed something more interesting than we had been expecting. We located a copy of The Bromeliad Society Bulletin, published for July-August 1956, which mentions Mr. Simpson! Mulford B. Foster writes in that bulletin, “The first species to come to the Florida gardens was also H. penduliflora for it was brought here by Charles Torrey Simpson from Cuba. Mr. Simpson, one of the earliest plant collectors in Florida, came here in 1882… After Mr. Simpson’s introduction of the plant, it became known locally, as Aechmea Simpsonii as well as Hohenbergia Simpsonii; to this day it is often found in gardens of South Florida.”⁴
We will have to assume that people shouldn’t eat the pulp, but we are in awe of Mr. Simpson’s humility. He could have quite readily given himself props for the plant being named after him once he brought it here from Cuba, but he does not mention that in 1923 or 1926. What an impressive example he has set for those of us on the Literary Time Machine! Until our next journey, happy gardening! 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. 207-208). ²Succulent City. (2020). Thanksgiving Cactus- Schlumbergera Truncata/ Everything You Need to Know. https://succulentcity.com/thanksgiving-cactus-schlumbergera-truncata/ ³Dave’s Garden. Disocactus Species, Orchid Cactus, Strap Cactus. https://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/60332/#b ⁴Foster, Mulford B. (1956). Hohenbergia in Horticulture. The Bromeliad Society Bulletin (Vol. VI July-August 1956 No. 4). http://journal.bsi.org/V06/4/ Photo Credits: HQ. (2004). Disocactus ackermannii (Epiphyllum ackermannii) Jiangdu, China. (Flickr). https://flic.kr/p/f2p7nt Valerie. (2007). Hohenbergia bromeliad. (Flickr). https://flic. kr/p/H137w
THE
Even cooler, he quotes from another book Mr. Simpson wrote in 1923 entitled Out of the Doors of Florida. Apparently, Mr. Simpson described the plant this way, “It’s hard, indigestible seeds, surrounded by a sweet, very sticky mass, are contained in dry capsules and the pulp is much relished by birds in the island. In getting it, a part of the contents is daubed on their beaks, feathers and claws and when they alight on other
trees it sticks to their bark. They also swallow the whole capsules and pass the seeds out undigested, so this crafty plant has two perfectly good means of distributing and planting itself on the barks of trunks and branches.”⁴
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Photo by Edwin Remsberg
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE OFFICIAL NAMED TO LEAD UF/IFAS The University of Florida has named J. Scott Angle, director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, to lead the university’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) into the next decade. He is expected to assume the role as vice president for agriculture and natural resources on July 13. Angle will oversee UF’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences with more than 6,000 students, the Florida Cooperative Extension Service, and the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station’s network of research centers. The announcement ends a 10-month national search to lead one of the nation’s largest and most accomplished organizations of its kind. “Dr. Angle is a nationally recognized leader in agricultural science and administration. His passion for science, natural resources and service to the community will advance our work toward feeding a growing world population while reducing our use of resources needed to do it,” UF President Kent Fuchs said. “During this critical time in Florida agriculture, he is the proven leader we need to adapt our traditional landgrant mission of teaching, research, and outreach to a 21st century context, contributing significantly to UF’s drive to be a top-five university.” “Dr. Angle has a demonstrated record of innovative leadership,” said Michael Perri, dean of the UF College of Public Health and Health Professions and chair of the search committee. “His work has also driven scientific advances that underpin our state’s second-largest industry and customized Extension to the needs of each local community it serves.” Angle spent more than 35 years in agricultural science and administration, including 25 years as a professor of soil science and administrator (Director of the Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station and Maryland Cooperative Extension) at the University of Maryland. His early work focused on the study of losses of nutrients from agro-ecosystems, and their impact on the Chesapeake Bay. He also studied the impact of heavy metals on the food chain with the goal of protecting our food supply from these harmful elements. From 2005 to 2015, Angle served as dean and director of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University of Georgia. He is a fellow in the American Society of Agronomy and the Soil Science Society of America and a Fulbright Fellow having worked at the Rothamsted (Research) Experimental Station, in the United Kingdom. He subsequently served as president and CEO of the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), an international public organization (IPO) dedicated to helping the poorest farmers of the world produce more food. “My experience at NIFA gave me the opportunity to see university agriculture operations across the nation, and UF/IFAS is simply one of, if not the, best. Agriculture is changing faster than I have ever
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witnessed in my career,” Angle said. Many challenges lie ahead, not the least of which is Covid-19, and its long-term implications for agriculture. UF/IFAS, however, is up to the
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challenge and I am honored to be at the helm during such an important time for agriculture.” Not one to shy away from challenges, Angle recently oversaw the successful transition of NIFA operations from Washington, D.C., to Kansas City, Missouri, while ensuring mission continuity and service. UF/IFAS has been in transition mode during the coronavirus pandemic as well, pivoting quickly to remote learning and working, budgetary challenges and an industry in crisis. “During my interview I noted that I thought UF/IFAS combines both applied science, teaching and extension with the basic sciences better than any other land-grant university in the world. It’s the intersection of these functions where impact is made, and few institutions can compare with UF/IFAS in local, state, national and global impact,” Angle added. “This why I am so pleased to have been selected for this position. My wife, Kay, and I look forward to moving to Gainesville and becoming a part of the community.” Scott Angle succeeds Jack Payne, who is retiring after 10 years in that position. During Payne’s tenure, CALS enrollment rose to record levels and faculty achieved a single-year record for grants and contracts. UF/IFAS built a honey bee lab, a professional development center, a biological station in Cedar Key, a teaching forest learning center, and a beef teaching unit headquarters among other advancements under Payne’s leadership. MEET SCOTT ANGLE • Director, United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture, 2018-2020 • President and CEO, International Fertilizer Development Center, 2015-2018 • Dean, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, 2005-2015 • Ag bona fides: Angle had a farm in Maryland that has been used to grow vegetables for his brother’s restaurant as well as wine grapes and hay • Innovator with seven agriculture-related patents • Academic background in soil science • Personal: Married, two grown children, two grandchildren and one on the way; currently using his wife’s CR-V while shopping for a car • Hobbies: None claimed, unless you count reading agricultural academic journals on vacation WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
FROM THE SCIENTIFIC FIELD The growing of niche products in urban environments can expand the Florida farming sector, give city dwellers more choices in the produce aisle, and make agriculture more visible in urban communities. You can count on support from the top of UF/IFAS for traditional production agriculture, which must stay viable As the new leader of UF/IFAS, it’s my and thriving if we’re going to feed a job to help guide Florida agriculture world of 10 billion by mid-century. to the future. I am looking forward to visiting Hillsborough and Polk County It’s essential that we innovate to stay regularly, because that’s where I see competitive globally. Artificial intellithe future of Florida farming happen- gence can give Florida farmers a cruing today. cial edge. You are going to continue to lead the way to a Florida that accommodates the growth of its urban centers without sacrificing the agricultural production vital to its economy, culture and heritage. UF/IFAS will continue to help through its Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Balm, the UF/IFAS College of Agricultural and Life Sciences program in Plant City, the Tropical Aquaculture Lab in Ruskin, and, of course, the UF/IFAS Hillsborough County Extension Office in Seffner as well as the Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred.
You have more data than ever on weather, soil moisture, plant stress, and more. It’s not of much use if you can’t make sense of it all. That’s where AI can come in, and UF/IFAS is already making great strides in translating data into advice on how to manage citrus, berries, and vegetables.
UF/IFAS is already a national leader in agricultural applications of AI, and it aspires to expand and deepen that expertise. The Gulf Coast REC and the Citrus Research and Education Center in Polk County have faculty making great use of AI in the lab that they want I will listen and learn much from you to make simple, accurate, and affordabout issues particular to the Tampa able enough to use on your farm. Bay area, but I start with an understanding of how city residents are UF/IFAS is a powerful resource both often disconnected from farm folks. in terms of intellectual capacity and Some call it the urban-rural divide. I infrastructure. Call upon us anytime don’t subscribe to that paradigm. and anywhere. Our job, and the reason we wake and work each day, is to I’m very much a city kid on one hand, support you and others leading one and on the other I’m a farmer. I don’t of the state’s largest and most signifisee things as farm versus city. cant industries, agriculture. Whether that means tropical fish, urban trees, Before moving to Gainesville, my or tomatoes, we want to keep Florida morning commute was on foot, just a growing. few city blocks from home to the United States Department of Agriculture headquarters. I walked to the grocery store where I enjoyed everything from (sometimes Florida) berries grown on large farms to greens grown in city warehouses. But I’ve also owned a farm. So I understand the frustration of getting rain when you’re trying to dry hay, finding grape root borers in the soil of a vineyard, or battling bacterial spot on tomatoes I’d hoped would be worthy of making it onto the menu of my brother’s restaurant. I have a foot in both worlds, city and farm, and hope to act Scott Angle is the University of Florida’s Vice President for Agriculture and Natuas a bridge. ral Resources and leader of the UF InstiOne promising way I see to build that tute of Food and Agricultural Sciences bridge is through urban agriculture. (UF/IFAS).
5 THINGS YOU CAN EXPECT FROM UF/IFAS UNDER SCOTT ANGLE 1. New foods! Angle fully supports UF/IFAS breeding programs that create new varieties of berries, corn, lettuce, squash, and so much more. 2. Technology applied to agriculture. Angle will advocate for UF/IFAS to be a big part of UF’s campus-wide artificial intelligence initiative to assure that applications of AI benefit the state’s growers – and their customers. 3. More experiential learning. The UF/IFAS College of Agricultural and Life Sciences already offers a wide array of learning-bydoing–study abroad, undergraduate work in research labs, internships, volunteer work. Angle plans to launch a Vice President’s Promise to expand access to these opportunities for every student with a fundraising campaign to help defray costs associated with outside-the-classroom learning not covered by tuition. 4. Continued focus on a response to HLB. Angle is committed to the development of science that keeps citrus profitable in an age of HLB. 5. Open door, open ears. Angle pledges to make himself available to hear from stakeholders by email, phone, Zoom, and, as the pandemic permits, in person. Barring travel restrictions, Angle aspires to visit every Florida county and is eager to meet stakeholders in Hillsborough and Polk counties.
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Dr. Angle and his wife Dr. Kay Angle Photo by Edwin Remsberg
s e p i c e R
Courtesy of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Chef Justin Timineri
Florida Mango Ice Cream
q Ingredients q 2 Florida mangoes, diced small 2 ½ cups Florida sugar 6 cups whole milk 2 cups heavy cream 16 egg yolks 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise ½ stick unsalted butter ⅓ cup dark brown sugar ½ teaspoon cinnamon
DIRECTIONS Preheat a small pot over medium heat. Add mangoes, butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cook until butter and sugar are melted, and mangoes have softened. Remove from heat and cool completely. Combine milk, heavy cream, and vanilla bean in a large pot and bring to a boil, then remove from heat. Meanwhile, in a separate mixing bowl, whisk together egg yolks and sugar until completely combined. Temper egg mixture with a third of the hot milk, then slowly pour back into large pot with milk and cream, whisking constantly. Cook over medium heat until custard reaches 180-185 degrees (stir constantly) and is slightly thickened. Strain
through mesh strainer into a clean bowl and chill completely (over ice bath or in refrigerator). Pour into ice cream machine and follow manufacturer’s instructions. Approximately 5-10 minutes before ice cream is set, add mango mixture. Place in freezer-safe container and allow to set for at least 2 hours before serving. Fresh tip: If you don’t have vanilla bean, substitute 3 tablespoons pure vanilla extract; add to mixture at the end of the cooking process before straining.
Blackened Florida Alligator with Coconut Rum Sauce and Mango Relish q Ingredients q 1 pound Florida alligator tail, sliced thin 2 large Florida mangoes, peeled and sliced thin ½ cup Florida sweet peppers, sliced thin 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped fine 1 lime, juiced
1 cup dark rum 1 tablespoon blackened spice mix 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 cup coconut milk 1 cup heavy cream Sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS In a medium bowl combine mango, sweet pepper, cilantro, and lime juice and season with salt and pepper.
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Preheat a medium sauté pan over medium heat. Remove pan from heat and carefully add rum to hot pan, then place back on heat (be extremely careful when adding rum to the hot pan). Cook until rum has reduced by half. Add vanilla, coco-
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nut milk, and heavy cream and stir to combine. Cook on low until thick and coats the back of a spoon. Transfer to bowl and set aside. Wipe out pan and reheat over medium-high heat; add one tablespoon oil. Lightly season both sides of the sliced alligator tail with blackening season. Pan sear both sides for 30 seconds
to 1 minute; do not overcrowd. Remove from the pan and repeat the process until all the alligator is cooked. Serve warm with rum sauce and mango relish. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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By Grady Judd, Polk County Sheriff
CRIMES AGAINST AGRICULTURE The Polk County Sheriff’s Office acts in a proactive way to prevent the crimes from occurring to begin with, but nothing will be able to stop all of the crimes, especially with crimes of opportunity. These are the crimes that aren’t planned, but the criminal just happens to be at the right place at the right time, and can’t resist the urge to act. The PCSO’s Agriculture Crimes Unit works closely with the ag-community.
Life in the rural parts of Polk County can be far more peaceful than residing in the city - the threat of crime is the same, but the types of crimes may differ. While rural property may not be as easily accessible as property in high population areas like the cities, they are still accessible and don’t offer the deterrent of numerous potential witnesses. The targets of theft from rural businesses and agriculture properties include small and large equipment, fuel, livestock, consumable goods, and chemicals, to name a few. Additional crimes include trespassing and criminal mischief. You can compare the thefts to what we generally see in more populated areas, where the targeted items tend to be electronics, money, and vehicles. Often, a common denominator is the theft of something that can be sold or pawned for some quick cash so that the thief can turn around and purchase illegal drugs. With the electronics (such as cell phones, video game systems, and laptops), the items are taken to pawn shops or sold via social media or apps. Many ag-businesses may become victims of illegal scrappers who might do expensive damages to remove a small amount of recyclable material, with the intent to take it to a scrap yard for a few bucks.
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Being a victim of these crimes is financially costly, very inconvenient, and extremely frustrating.
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One of the ways we do this is through the Ag Watch program. We provide the property owner with “No Trespassing” signs that serves as a warning to would-be criminals, and aids the deputies with immediate access to landowner information in emergencies. These metal signs are available for a small price (sales of which goes toward the PCSO Explorer Post 900) by calling the PCSO Ag Crimes Unit at 863-534-7205. In addition to the crime aspect, the signs are also utilized by deputies when livestock escapes or there is damage done to the property. Deputies have contact information for the landowners at their fingertips, and can save a lot of time getting in contact with the necessary person, and sometimes, saving time can lead to saving lives, property, and money. Security video for your property can occasionally deter people from committing a crime, but the most frequent advantage is that deputies can use the video to identify the perpetrator. The quality and capabilities of security cameras is getting better all the time. One more tip for you. Record serial numbers of your tools and equipment. If something doesn’t have a serial number, make an identifying mark on it, sort of like branding. The more information (make, model, color, etc.) about a stolen item and any identifiable markings (scratches, dents, ID marks) the better. All of that information is added into the report and can help in recovery of the items. Together, we may not be able to stop all crimes from occurring, but we can certainly make it more difficult for the suspect to get away with the crime. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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NEWS BRIEFS
Compiled by Jim Frankowiak
DISTRICT REOPENS CAMPGROUNDS; REDUCED CAPACITY The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) has reopened all campgrounds throughout its 16-county region with the following guidelines: capacity limited to 50 percent, maximum group size limited to 10 campers, minimum of 25-feet between campsites and social distancing and the use of face coverings. Questions may be directed to 1-800-423-1476 or visit: watermatters.org/recreation. STATE REP LAWRENCE MCCLURE NAMED “CHAMPION OF AGRICULTURE” Republican State Representative Lawrence McClure has been named one of 20 Champions for Agriculture by Florida Farm Bureau. These lawmakers go above and beyond to support and promote legislation that positively impacts agriculture. McClure is also a member of the Hillsborough County Farm Bureau Board. Congratulations, Lawrence! CROP ADVISING AWARD NOMINATIONS SOUGHT Nominations are being sought for the Excellence in Crop Advising Award sponsored by Florida Farm Bureau in partnership with the Florida Certified Crop Advisors board of directors. This annual honor recognizes a Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) who has performed outstanding service for farmer clients in nutrient, soil and water and integrated pest management, as well as crop production. The award winner will receive a $500 prize and plaque presented at Florida Farm Bureau’s annual meeting. Nominations for the award are due September 4 and may be made online at: https://floridafarmbureau.formstock.com/forms/2020_ excellece_in_crop_advising_award_nomination_form_copy. Questions may be directed to Jaime Jerrels at: 352/384-2654 or via email: Jaime.Jerrels@ffbf.org
The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is conducting a series of prescribed burns through September on the Lower Hillsborough Flood Detention Area, which is located south of Cross Creek Boulevard between U.S. Highway 301 and Morris Bridge Road near Thonotosassa. Approximately 300 acres will be burned in small, manageable units to help reduce the risk of wildfires. Prescribed burns will also take place at the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve, which includes the Green Swamp East Tract in Polk, Sumer and Lake counties, the Hampton Tact in Polk County and the Green Swamp West Tract in Pasco County. The Preserve is located north of U.S. Highway 98 along Highway 471 and Rockridge Road between Lakeland and Dade City. Approximately 11,800 acres will be burned. NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR FLORIDA AG HALL OF FAME Nominations are being sought for the Florida Ag Hall of Fame, which recognizes an outstanding farmer who has made a lifetime contribution to agriculture in the Sunshine State. The deadline for nominations is September 1 and may be made online at: http://floridaaghalloffame.org/nominate/.
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PRESCRIBED BURNS SET FOR HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY AND GREEN SWAMP THROUGH SEPTEMBER
SOARING POLL NUMBERS FOR FARMERS by John Dicks
Here’s a tough question for you (well, not really). In nationwide polls, who do think gets a higher rating for trust; farmers … or members of Congress? There’s not really much of a difficult decision to that, is it? The most recent polling data that I saw, from June 2020, puts the approval rating of the United States Congress at 25 percent. That’s a rather pitiful number! Perhaps, though, the only thing really surprising was to learn that the poll number was actually about 50 percent higher than it was a year ago when the same polling firm registered Congressional approval at 17 percent. Frankly, that’s almost embarrassing! The interesting thing is to compare that, with a respectful contrast, to farmers and ranchers. As might be expected, they have been really strutting their stuff, sliding in with a trust factor of a whopping 84 percent! Americans, it seems, have come to recognize the seriousness and truth behind the bumper sticker slogan that says, “No Farmers, No Food!” The big poll numbers come from a poll commissioned last month by the American Farm Bureau Federation. Granted that such high numbers seem slanted somewhat since they so greatly benefit the organization paying for the polling. It’s a similar situation and reason why you get dramatically different numbers in political polls, depending upon who paid for them. Nonetheless, at 84 percent, it’s a very big number even if you shave off a few points for any bias in the calculus of the poll. In releasing the poll numbers, the American Farm Bureau noted that “the results of the survey indicate a growing understanding of how important a stable food supply is to the health and wellbeing of our nation.”
Well, that’s stating the obvious, and certainly we can all agree with that assessment. If anything enlightening has come from this coronavirus pandemic it would be the understanding of the “shock and awe” that could wreak havoc upon our nation’s populace when faced with shortages at markets and grocery stores. No doubt it’s been frustrating to find vacant stocks and empty shelves where fresh fruit and vegetables should have been selling. However, it has been equally (if not more so) nauseating to see some of those same crops missing from the stores being left rotting in the fields because of stoppages in our food supply chain. Farmers hate the situation just as much as those who want and need to be fed! Equally as interesting was that the American Farm Bureau poll also revealed that a strong majority, some 59 percent, also believe that the federal government should classify U.S. agriculture as a matter of national security so as to ensure a stable food supply. The American Farm Bureau went on to suggest the poll indicated that “addressing agricultural labor shortages, ensuring farm and food worker safety, and protecting trade partnerships to stabilize agricultural markets are all part of prioritizing U.S. agriculture.” I suppose that this new data arms lobbyists with sound arguments to insure that farmers and ranchers will be included with any new federal stimulus that likely will be winding its way out of Washington. I’m fine with that. The key to effective stimulus is getting money into the hands of people who both need it, and the ones who will use it to help keep our country running and working. Producing food to feed Americans is the foundation on which we get through this thing. Farmers and ranchers are folks who are both proud and humble. They deserve the support and respect reflected in this poll.
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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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Food Safety just got easier. Watch here. Subscribe now.
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24/7 Food Monitoring Solutions Learn more about Highland Ag Solutions 863-844-4263 highlandhasit.com
E n d a n g e r e d S p e c i es
Good News for a Change: Wood Stork By Ginny Mink
Seems like there’s so much bad news in the world today that it might be nice to read about an animal that has been downgraded from the endangered list to the threatened list. In 1984, the Wood Stork was added to the Federal Endangered Species Act list, but in June of 2014, it was reclassified as threatened instead.¹ It took three decades of conservation efforts to get this large American wading bird removed from the endangered list. The efforts have allowed the birds’ population to spread throughout the Southeast, including Florida. The birds were originally listed because their populations were dropping by five percent each year.² If you have never seen one, the Wood Stork (Mycteria americana) stands more than three feet tall with a five foot wingspan and a bald head. Though that sounds rather large, it still only weighs between four and six pounds. It is currently the only stork that breeds in the United States, which makes it a rather important aspect of our ecosystem.³ Not only is its head bald, but so is its neck, which makes for a rather unappealing appearance as you will see in the pictures provided. The featherless areas are gray with rough scaly skin. They have black bills and legs but pink toes. Interestingly enough, they are voiceless, only capable of making hissing noises. Which, in all honesty, sounds a little scary both to look at and to hear.¹
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While the storks have been able to maintain an average of more than 6,000 nesting pairs since 2004, they cannot be completely removed from the threatened category until they surpass the ability to maintain 10,000 nesting pairs for five years. That makes it seems like they still have a long way to go and since they only breed in the United States we are specifically responsible for their continued improvement along those lines.²
interesting hunting technique but apparently it works for them.¹ They call this method tactolocation. Many times, the areas in which they search for prey are muddy and full of plants which makes it particularly difficult for them to see the food in which they seek. They sweep their bills from side to side through the muddy waters and have a 25 millisecond reflex action when they touch their prey. Apparently, this is the fastest reflexive method known for vertebrates. During the breeding season though, each pair of these birds requires 440 pounds of fish.³ Wood Storks breed in social nesting habitats. It is not unusual to find colonies that include up to 500 nests. In South Florida colonies form between November and the beginning of March. Whereas in North and Central Florida they form from February to March. Once mating has occurred, the males begin to gather twigs to build their nests in trees that stand in water. Eggs will be laid from October to June and one clutch will produce two to five eggs each season. Young Wood Storks will be able to fly 10 to12 weeks after they hatch.¹ When initially listed as endangered, the Wood Storks were only found in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina, but thanks to partnerships focused on restoring wetlands, their range has expanded to include parts of Mississippi and North Carolina. This is an area of assistance we are more than capable of providing for them.² Get connected with wetlands conservation groups and support the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission’s efforts to preserve these areas. As we state every month, God put these animals here for a reason and it is our job to be good stewards of the planet and the creatures that He provided. Besides, as indicator species, these birds will help scientists ensure that other creatures and plants in the Everglades are properly protected. We can all do our part!
Scientists view the Wood Stork as an “indicator species” specifically as they relate to the Everglades ecosystem. These species help measure how well the habitat in that area is doing based on its ability to sustain them properly. In the past, these birds were more abundant in the South Florida wetlands than in any other part of the country. This is because they prefer the tropical and subtropical habitats that offer them both wet and dry seasons. ³
Resources: ¹Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Wood Stork Mycteria americana. https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/birds/waterbirds/wood-stork/ ²Beasley, David. (2014). Wood Stork Removed from Endangered Species List. Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/wood-stork-removed-from-endangered-species-list/ ³National Park Services. Wood Stork: Species Profile. https:// www.nps.gov/ever/learn/nature/woodstork.htm
Due to their feeding requirements, the wet and dry seasons provide them with the reptiles, amphibians, crayfish, and medium-sized fish that they subsist on. They use their bills, partially opened, as they wade through the water. When something touches their bills, they snap it up. This seems like an
Photo Credits: Mullhaupt, Jim. (2018). Wood Stork. (Flickr). https://flic.kr/p/ Madg5i Schneider, Kenneth Cole. (2014). Wood Stork 3-20141208. (Flickr). https://flic.kr/p/qiLEeu
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UF/IFAS scientists develop a specialty pepper with better resistance to root-knot nematodes By Brad Buck
Bell peppers make for a delicious snack. Among additional choices, you can add them to sandwiches and pizzas, as they’re tasty and full of vitamin C, making them a popular vegetable. As a $235 million-a-year business in Florida, bell peppers are also an important crop, especially in the southeast and southwest parts of the state. As of 2019, the amount of bell peppers harvested in the United States is equivalent to 38,300 acres, with Florida accounting for 31%, or 11,800 acres, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service. Florida farmers grow far more sweet peppers than the hot ones, said Bala Rathinasabapathi, a UF/IFAS professor of horticultural sciences. But as a rule, farmers are not going to grow as many bell peppers if root-knot nematodes are prevalent in the soil around them. Nematodes are microscopic worms that damage the roots, weaken the plants and reduce the yield. And increasingly, farmers are looking for nonchemical ways to control root-knot nematodes. Scientists know they can help growers if they can find ways to make bell pepper varieties that are genetically resistant to root-knot nematodes. “The variety we developed, although a hot pepper, can be used as a rootstock for bell peppers by using grafting,” Rathinasabapathi said. “Rootknot nematodes do their damage in the plant’s root, and if one uses a rootstock that is resistant to the nematode, the plant will not be affected much by the nematode.” Rathinasabapathi led a recently published study in the journal HortScience, in which he and his colleagues found a type of UF/IFAS-bred chile, or specialty pepper, that shows resistance to the destructive root-knot nematode. Through greenhouse and laboratory tests at the main UF campus in Gainesville, Rathinasabapathi and his team screened a handful of bell pepper varieties. They found that one advanced bell pepper variety, named ‘RJ107(6)A3C,’ was the most resistant to three species of the most common root-knot nematodes – southern, peanut and peach. UF/IFAS scientists developed this pepper variety by cross breeding a hot pepper line and a sweet pepper. Fruit from ‘RJ107(6)A3C’ line is hot and makes for delicious pickles, Rathinasabapathi said. Florida vegetable production has three major soil production limitations. One is plant-parasitic nematodes, the others are weeds and soil-borne fungi, he said. To manage these problems, farmers use soil fumigants (pesticides) to free the soil of these pests before they plant their crops.
Now that scientists found the genetic resistance, what’s next in their research? “We would like to transfer the resistance gene into sweet bell pepper hybrids via conventional breeding,” Rathinasabapathi said. Using grant funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Rathinasabapathi conducted this study with Donald Dickson, a professor emeritus of entomology and nematology and Mary Ann Maquilan, a post-doctoral research associate in entomology and nematology – all with UF/IFAS. Another co-author is Dominick Padilla, an undergraduate student in horticultural science at the UF/IFAS College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.
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“These fumigants, though effective against the root-knot nematodes and soil fungi, are much less so against weeds, are highly toxic and cumbersome to use,” Rathinasabapathi said. “Farmers need specialized equipment to apply them in soil. But if we use bell pepper varieties that are resistant to the root-knot nematodes, we can circumvent these parasitic worms, thereby improving pest management options for the farmer.”
A Closer Look
by Sean Green Photo courtesy of April Green
Harvestmen
(Opilliones)
"They shared the tent with us"
I hope you all had an enjoyable and safe Independence Day. I can tell you I certainly did as restrictions have eased up enough to get back outside and go camping. It’s great to get out and explore the wild in search of fascinating critters, but even better when they come to you. There are certain critters that seem to be universally familiar and often admired by most Americans from an early age. One of these critters is commonly known as Daddy Longlegs and though familiar, is often misunderstood. This month we will take a closer look at this critter, dispel some myths, and highlight some characteristics that we hope you will find fascinating. Most of us recognize daddy long legs on sight. The common name is derived from its unusually long legs. Though it is an arachnid and may look like a spider, it’s not actually a spider. It is a member of the order Opilliones, from the Latin “Opillio” meaning “shepherd.” The name of the order is credited to Martin Lister, a 17th century British naturalist. In Listers time, this critter was known as the “harvest spider” because it resembled the European shepherds of the time period that often walked on stilts for a better view of the flocks of sheep they maintained. To this day, Opilliones are still commonly known as harvestman or shepherd spiders.
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Scientists suggest that the unusually long legs are an adaptation for their leaf litter habitat. Unlike a spider, they do not spin webs; they do not even have silk glands with which to do so. Biologically, Opillionids area closer relative of mites and scorpions than they are of spiders. Like mites, their cephalothorax(back) and abdomen (tail) are fused together rather than having a clear separation like that of a spider. In addition, Opillionids do not have fangs like a spider does. It is a popular misconception that daddy longlegs have potent venom but are unable to deliver it through human skin because they have small fangs. The real reason they cannot deliver venom is because they have no fangs or venom glands at all. Opillionids have palps (tiny front legs) that are modified to resemble crab like claws. They use these claws to eat chunks of food rather than sip food through fangs as a spider does.
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In addition to the myth busting confirmation that daddy longlegs is not at all venomous, you may find other unique characteristics fascinating, or even a little disturbing. Daddy longlegs breathes through a hole in their body called a spiracle that is attached to a trachea, very similar to our human windpipe. Some species even have an extra set of spiracles on the fourth pair of legs from which they can breathe. The long legs of Opiliones are specialized. Unlike other arthropods, the tips of the legs have multiple false segments that function like a finger wrapping around an object for a good grip. Daddy longlegs have only two eyes and poor vision. Their second pair of legs are longer than the others and function as feelers to compensate for their poor eyesight. Some of their legs have a “pacemaker” at the end of the first long segment that sends electric pulses along to the nerves. One of its defense strategies is to chew off a leg. The pacemaker will make the detached leg twitch for up to an hour distracting the predator. If the leg trick does not work, daddy long legs can use chemical warfare to protect itself. At the front of its body are glands from which it releases foul smelling ketones and quinones, which are nasty chemicals often found in things like nail polish remover. Daddy longlegs are omnivorous and will readily hunt soil fauna such as snails, lizards, and a variety of insects, but also scavenge decaying plant and insect matter. In this respect they share the ecologic niche of detritivores such as centipedes, millipedes and mites. Although they are among the largest arachnids, they pose absolutely no danger to humans and can be safely handled. They are very delicate, if you choose to handle it, please be careful. Unlike spiders, they do not regrow limbs and if it loses its two feeler legs, it will surely die. Daddy long legs tend to hunt at night, if you want to observe them in action, and can be found sleeping in leaf litter or under logs during the day. If you have a chance to get outside this month, this critter is an ideal hunt if you want a closer look at a fascinating and safe invertibrate.
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Naturally Amazing Activities
By Sean Green
DIY Portable Air Cooler Summertime has only just begun and it’s HOT! This is the time of year the AC unit is most likely to fail and I can tell you from personal experience that it does not take long for the temperature and humidity to rise to “uncomfortable” in the middle of a summer day. If you have access to ice, a simple and fairly effective portable air cooler can be made for less than $20 and can be used as a back up to cool a small room when the main AC goes out, keep the car cool in the heat of the day, or keep the tent cool for summertime camping. With ordinary ice, the cooler will output air temperatures of around 40°F for several hours. It is well known that adding salt to ice will not only melt the ice, but actually lower the temperature of the resulting slurry to well below freezing (32°F), more salt results in colder temperatures.
Material: Utility Knife Styrofoam Cooler PVC Elbow (2” or 3”) Fan (4 to 6 inch) Water Salt Ice
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Directions: 1) Trace the circumference of the PVC elbow onto the top lid of the cooler. 2) Cut a hole for the PVC elbow (exhaust) in the top lid of the cooler. Cut at 45° angle to create a smaller interior diameter and provide a better seal.
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3) Cut a hole for the fan in the top lid of the cooler Cut at 45° angle to create a smaller interior diameter and provide a better seal. 4) Fill 1/3 of the cooler with tap water 5) Add at least 1 pound of salt to the tap water *more is better* (table salt works better than rock salt)
As an alternative to an AC powered fan, consider looking for fans that can be powered with batteries or solar panels, so it can be used for camping or power outages.
7) Plug the fan in to circulate air through the cooler, cold air should exit the exhaust PVC INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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6) Fill another 1/3 of the cooler with ice * leaving 1/3 air space for circulation *
Feeling cooped up in quarantine? UF releases new guide to raising backyard chickens by Samantha Murray
In the early days of the pandemic, as bare grocery store shelves prompted concerns about the food supply, many became interested in producing more of their food at home. Some flocked to local agricultural feed stores in search of baby chicks that would grow up to produce eggs fresh from the backyard. The manager of one Pensacola store told Aly Schortinghouse, 4-H agent for UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County, that weekly orders of 350 chicks sold out by the end of each week, four weeks in a row.
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Agents like Schortinghouse and many others across Florida are a resource to adult, youth and families interested in raising fowl at home. Now UF/IFAS has published a new guide to raising backyard chickens for eggs, available in hard copy from the UF/IFAS Extension Bookstore, or as a free download.
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“This book is for any individual who is looking for a science-based introduction to keeping backyard chickens as egg layers,” said Alicia Halbritter, one of the book’s authors, and the agriculture and natural resources agent for UF/IFAS Extension Baker County. “This book should be used a resource for new and experienced chicken owners to make sure they are meeting all of their chickens’ needs.” Raising Backyard Chickens for Eggs covers everything from understanding your local ordinances, to building coops and selecting chicken breeds. Fun fact: different breeds of chicken produce different colored eggs and lay at different rates. The guide also debunks some common chicken myths. For example, some assume chickens will lay an egg a day, but that’s not always true, Halbritter said. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
“Chickens have very specific needs for egg laying and if those needs are not met, they simply will not lay an egg,” she said. Another common misconception is that roosters are needed for hens to lay eggs. Hens lay unfertilized eggs—the kind we eat—as a natural part of their reproductive cycle, even when roosters are not around. This is good news, as some local ordinances do not allow residents to keep roosters. “You don’t need a rooster to get eggs to eat, only to fertilize eggs to get baby chicks,” said Jessica Ryals, a sustainable food systems agent with UF/IFAS Extension Collier County and one of the book’s authors. An important note about chicks: chicks purchased when they are only a few weeks old will not start producing eggs right away. Hens usually start producing eggs when they are about five months old, said Nick Simmons, agriculture agent and director of UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County.
“Backyard chickens bring a lot of joy, but they are a commitment, like any other pet or livestock animal,” Ryals said. “Having fresh feed, proper housing and a clean home for them not only ensures their health and safety but also your family’s.” The pandemic has certainly sparked more interest in backyard chickens and other forms of home food production, but this interest has been growing for some time, the authors said. “I believe the food-conscious movement has driven a lot of interest in backyard chickens. Individuals are seeking a connection to their food source and chickens are a great way to do that in a variety of living situations and are relatively easy to manage for all ages,” Halbritter said.
Many first-time chicken owners in Escambia County learned this fact only after purchasing chicks, leading to some disappointment, Simmons said. The guide’s authors say raising backyard chickens requires planning, appropriate supplies and consistent care. At the same time, backyard flocks can be very rewarding and lead some people to start small farms and other agricultural businesses.
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BAT BENEFITS OUTWEIGH THEIR VIRAL RISK IF WE DO OUR PART By Tory Moore From Hollywood movies to Halloween celebrations, bats have a reputation as spooky, vile creatures to be avoided. The novel coronavirus has deepened the disdain and fear some people hold toward bats around the world. Although bats are associated with viruses like Ebola and rabies, and possibly, COVID-19, the nocturnal creatures benefit us in a myriad of ways which include controlling insects that spread diseases and damage crops, UF/IFAS wildlife experts say. When left undisturbed in their wild habitats, bats pose little risk to human health and provide many ecological benefits to humans. Many species of bats are pollinators, dispersing seeds of hundreds of species of fruit including mangos, bananas and guavas. Other bats are insectivores, eating millions of tons of insects in just one night.
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“Recent estimates show bats save farmers, ranchers and gardeners billions of dollars each year by naturally controlling pests of agricultural crops,” Holly Ober, a UF/IFAS associate professor of wildlife ecology and conservation and an Extension specialist.
“For many mammals, including humans, it is not the viral infection that leads to death, but the acute inflammatory response brought on by their immune systems,” said Samantha Wisely, UF/IFAS professor of wildlife ecology and conservation. “Bats can control the inflammatory responses of their immune system. So, while they may be infected, they do not show visible signs of disease.” Scientists are studying bat immune systems to develop techniques to regulate the inflammatory response in humans to viruses like COVID-19. Sometimes, bats carry zoonotic diseases, which can be transmitted between animals and humans. Since humans are not often exposed to wildlife diseases, we are susceptible to infection by those rare diseases, when we are exposed. This transmission is called a “spillover event” because the virus “spills over” from an animal host to a human host. Human-tohuman transmission of such diseases can then lead to pandemics like we are experiencing now.
Bats consume a variety of mosquitoes, further benefiting human health by reducing the ability of mosquitoes to spread mosquito-borne diseases such as Zika, dengue, malaria, and chikungunya.
Scientists have shown that wildlife markets, trade in meat from wildlife, and illegal wildlife hunting cause spillover events. Public health and wildlife conservation organizations have called for tightening of restrictions on the bushmeat trade and the closing of all wildlife markets to prevent future spread of zoonotic diseases into humans.
Bats possess highly specialized immune systems that let them host viruses, including coronaviruses, without showing signs of illness.
Spillover events could become more common as wildlife habitat is destroyed, forcing wildlife into close contact with humans.
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Deforestation and suburban sprawl can displace wildlife, including bats. Purposeful vandalism of caves or harvesting of trees used as bat roosts can force bats into closer proximity to humans, which is the phenomenon we want to avoid, according to Ober. Displaced bats will be stressed due to their immediate need to find alternative sources of shelter. When stressed, animals produce more virus, increasing the chances of disease transmission to humans. These viruses become a threat to humans only when the bats are stressed and in close proximity to humans.
they are unusual and they are active at night,” Ober said. “We have a tendency to distrust things we can’t see and don’t understand well.” Educating others about the benefits bats provide and helping dispel rumors about bats will benefit both bats and humans. Visit UF/IFAS EDIS to more about wildlife diseases, and the connection between bats and coronaviruses. Learn more about how one UF Health scientist’s interest in bats led him to develop a coronavirus test.
“People would be far better served if they acted to protect the natural habitats bats need rather than harming those habitats and thereby forcing bats into poor-quality environments and closer to people,” Ober said. The speculation that COVID-19 originated from bats has caused a persecution of bats worldwide in the name of protecting public health. “This response is damaging and counterproductive,” Ober said. “Culling bats creates far more problems for human health than it solves.” To help bats, provide them with a roosting habitat, a place where bats can sleep during the day. Many bats sleep in groups in chambers within tree trunks. To preserve these habitats, retain or create trees with cavities, avoid trimming dead fronds from palm trees and install bat houses. “Bats have long been subject to human disliking because
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2020
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POMEGRANATES IN FLORIDA’S FUTURE? By Jim Frankowiak
Consumers enjoy pomegranates in a variety of ways – toss them in salads, sprinkle their seeds on yogurt or oatmeal or add them to smoothies. Their sweet and sour flavor has wide appeal as does their nutritional value. Pomegranates contain antioxidants that boost your health. Attesting to the popularity of this fruit is one of the most popular varieties called “Wonderful.” Scientists nationwide, including Zhanao Deng, Ph. D., a professor of environmental horticulture at the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC), are working collaboratively to improve the “Wonderful” pomegranate along with other varieties of the fruit. At present, California farmers produce 90 percent of the nation’s pomegranates, but “Wonderful” pomegranates come from Florida cuttings, and there is interest among some Florida farmers in pomegranates as an alternative crop. “For Florida pomegranate growers to be successful and sustainable, we need new varieties that are better adapted to our climate and more resistant to diseases commonly found here,” said Deng, who is testing some 2,000 plants from sets of parent plants that were grown in Florida several years ago. “We plan to create new breeding populations and screen them for better disease resistance, high crop yield and better fruit quality.” Deng is working with his GCREC colleague Plant Pathology Associate Professor Gary Vallad, Ph.D. Deng and Vallad will
As part of the national pomegranate research team, Deng is working with scientists at the University of California – Riverside, Texas A&M University, California State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). UC – Riverside received an $885,801 grant from the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) through the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Multi-State Program and is leading the effort. Deng started trialing pomegranate plants in 2017 to see if they would grow at his GCREC farm. “Our trials have shown that pomegranate plants can grow really well in Florida,” he said. “The most challenging issue comes from several fungal diseases that can cause severe defoliation, fruit rot and fruit drop.” Despite these issues with fungi and pests, “Farmers have been very supportive of our pomegranate research, and we have been working together for several years,” said Deng. “Florida specialty crop growers have faced a tough situation in recent years due to devastating diseases and international competition, and they have been looking for alternative crops to grow,” said Deng. “Pomegranate seems to make sense to Florida growers as plants can be grown with the same irrigation, fertilization and spray equipment have been used for growing citrus or some other crops.” INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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work with Florida growers to find plants that show the best disease resistance. As promising new cultivars become available, they will be tested in growers’ orchards.
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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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2020
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