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CONTENTS
JUNE 2019 VOL. 12 • ISSUE 10 Polk County Cattlemen’s Association
Michele “Missy” McLaughlin-Raney President of the Polk County Cattlewomen’s Association
28 PAGE 33 Recipes
PAGE 10 Micro-Irrigation
PAGE 34 Blue Heaven
PAGE 12 Jack Payne
PAGE 36 John Dicks
PAGE 14 Fishing Hot Spots
PAGE 38 Endangered Species
PAGE 16 Confession Of A Ranchers Daughter
PAGE 39 Fuel System Treatment
PAGE 22 Rocking Chair Chatter
PAGE 40 Activity
PAGE 24 Invasive Plants
PAGE 41 A Closer Look
PAGE 26 Literary Time Machine
PAGE 42 Heat Wave Experts
PAGE 30 Moringa
PAGE 43 Deer Vaccine
PAGE 31 News Briefs
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PCCW
PAGE 32 PCSO
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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P.O. Box 9005 • Drawer HS03 Bartow, FL. 33831-9005 President – Carlton Taylor 9875 Hancock Road Lakeland, FL 33810 (863) 858-1771 L2brangus@aol.com Vice President – Ray Clark 4484 Swindell Road Lakeland, FL 33810 (863) 640-0719 rclark@tampabay.rr.com Secretary/Treasurer - Justin Bunch PO Box 849 Highland City, FL 338460849 (863) 425-1121 justin.bunch@cpsagu.com State Director – David McCullers 1000 Hwy 630 W Frostproof, FL 33843 (863) 635-3821 crookedlakeranch57@ gmail.com Donald Conroy 3882 Wolfolk Rd Fort Meade, FL 33841 (863) 412-0790 Kevin Fussell 4523 Fussell Rd Polk City, FL 33868-9676 (863) 412-5876 Mike Fussell 4520 Barush Rd Bartow, FL 33830-2629 (863) 698-8314 fussell.flafarm@gmail.com Moby Persing 3380 Sam Keen Rd Lake Wales, FL 338989327 (863) 528-4567 Ken Sherrouse 13475 Moore Rd Lakeland, FL 33809-9755 (863) 698-1834 kensherrouse@yahoo.com
Dave Tomkow 3305 US Highway 92 E Lakeland, FL 33801-9623 (863) 665-5088 Dr. Lujean Waters 8750 Shreck Rd Bartow, FL 33830 (863) 537-1495 Lujean.waters@gmail.com Alternate – 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. – Sgt. Paul Wright 1891 Jim Keen Blvd. Winter Haven, FL 33880 (863) 557-1741 pw5281@polksheriff.org Warner University –
Scott Shoupe 6130 Allen Lane Lakeland, FL 33811 (863) 581-7593 Scott_shoupe@hotmail. com WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Letter from the Editor
STAFF Publisher/Photography Karen Berry Senior Managing Editor/ Associate Publisher Sarah Holt Sales Karen Berry Sarah Holt Melissa Nichols
We were just treated to the hottest May since records have been kept. For those of you wondering how long that is, it’s a whopping 125 years. We didn’t just break it a little bit, either. It was broken by almost 4 degrees. Heat affects us all, whether you have crops in the ground, a nursery, or livestock; each of us had different things to deal with thanks to this heat wave.
Creative Director/Illustrator Juan Alvarez
But think about this. In the Panhandle, where Hurricane Michael made landfall, there was substantial destruction to agriculture production areas. This monster storm hit October 10, 2018. Eight months later, producers are struggling.
Photography Karen Berry Melissa Nichols
I recently read an article written by Adam N. Rabinowitz, agriculture economist at the University of Georgia College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, and Crista Court, economist at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Science in the Food and Resource Economics Department. The picture they paint is bleak. According to the article, “Many farmers in the region are unable to fully, or even partially, begin their usual production activities for the 2019 season because of the losses or damages sustained from Hurricane Michael. The lingering problems are more pronounced in field crops including cotton, peanuts, corn and soybeans, as well as fruits and vegetables, pecans and beef cattle. The most common reasons for the recovery delay: the lack of adequate financing and incomplete cleanup and repairs.” On an even more distressing note, “Some farmers have simply gone out of business or permanently stopped farming.”
Staff Writers Al Berry Sandy Kaster James Frankowiak Sean Green Ginny Mink Breanne Williams Anita Todd Contributing Writers Woody Gore John Dicks
That’s not all. Mexico Beach, where the hurricane first made landfall, is basically gone. It was small before the hurricane hit. Now there is no gas station or grocery store in operation. Yes, it’s hot here, but the rainy season is upon is, as is hurricane season. Be prepared. Until next month,
Sarah Holt The LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. - Numbers 6:25
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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Hopefully everyone is starting to get a little moisture since it has very been dry in Polk County and around the state. June is a busy month with the upcoming Florida Cattlemen’s Convention, held June 18-21st in Marco Island.
We also have several juniors giving speeches, which include Payge Dupre, Macie Shenefield, Carlie Shenefield, Raelan Sherouse and Carlee Taylor. Several others are participating in the Stockman’s Challenge and Photo Contest.
We are excited to let everyone know that the Polk County Jr. Cattlemen’s Association is being started up again. Joe Bennett reached out to the more than 40 JFCA members from Polk. The group met on Monday evening May 13th in Bartow for an informational meeting regarding the upcoming state contests held during the FCA Convention.
These young Cattlemen reached out to Cattlemen’s Livestock Auction Market about selling cakes to bake their way to Marco. They raised more than $2000 from their cakes and another $1000 from the generous donation by Mr. Larry Locke with a bred cow sale.
There was 14 JFCA members in attendance and the group formed the following teams to go to the state contest:
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Team Marketing Jessie Bennett Payge Dupre Carlee Taylor
The PCJCA is thankful to the Cattlemen’s Auction for allowing them the opportunity to sell cakes and to their customers and order buyers for their generous support. They would also like to thank Sherouse Well Drilling for graciously sponsoring their contest shirts. Stay tuned for a lot more activities coming from the Junior Cattlemen. As a reminder our summer steak dinner will be held on Thursday, July 11th in Bartow at the Stuart Center.
Senior Beef Quiz Bowl Team Jesse Bibby Peyton Chandley Taylor Guttman Charleigh Wood
Next time, enjoy more BEEF!
Junior Quiz Bowl Team Jessie Bennett Payge Dupre Carlie Shenefield Raelan Sherouse
Polk County Cattlemen’s Association President
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Carlton Taylor
2019
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Family owned and operated by Floridians just like you.
If the market has left you without a supplier, give us a call and let us earn your business. - Greg Clark and Gary Peeples, Sales
Join us at this years 2019 Florida Cattlemen’s Convention June 17-20, 2019 We’ll be hanging out at booths 100 and 101. Get a look at all we can offer your livestock and meet some of the family behind the mineral. Greg, Steve and Stephanie Clark, as well as Dorothy Love and Gary Peeples. For more information, visit https://www.floridacattlemen.org/events/annual-convention/
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MICRO-IRRIGATION; A WATER-SAVING ALTERNATIVE
By Anne Yasalonis, Residential Horticulture Agent, Master Gardener Coordinator, UF/IFAS Extension Polk County There are so many options when choosing an irrigation system it can be confusing. Micro-irrigation is a great choice for many reasons. Not only is it easy to install, but it is also inexpensive and versatile. Micro-irrigation is also referred to as “low-volume� irrigation. It can be used for landscape plants, vegetable gardens and potted plants, but is not recommended for lawn irrigation. The advantages of micro-irrigation are numerous. Water-use savings are the most important. With micro-irrigation you decrease evaporation by watering a smaller portion of the soil and soaking the soil and roots of the plant. Another advantage is the lower flow rates. This means that micro-irrigation requires less energy to run than high-pressure systems and much less water is applied with each irrigation event. While a traditional sprinkler system uses as much as 400 gallons per hour (gph), micro-irrigation emitters have a maximum flow rate of 30 gph.
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Micro-irrigation is also easily adaptable to changing topography. If your system is well managed, hilly terrain will not cre-
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ate runoff. Just like any irrigation system, if you follow proper maintenance practices your micro-irrigation system can help you save money on costly water bills. Different types of systems are available including, in-line drip tubing. This is a tube installed below the mulch where plants are placed close together and on a grid pattern (for example, when you use bedding plants and you install them every six inches throughout the landscape bed). Another type of system that can be used is drip emitters. Drip emitters are used for precise applications, such as potted plants or individual landscape plants. You can even use them to keep your birdbaths full! Finally, micro-sprayers will cover the most area out of any of the systems and come in a variety of spray sizes and patterns. The type of system you choose depends on your needs, the design of your landscape and the type of plants installed. Micro-sprayers are ideal for mixed perennial beds or areas where you have plants growing that are not evenly spaced.
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Whatever type of micro-irrigation system you choose, it is important to install a timer. Battery-operated timers are available from most manufacturers and are installed directly on the hose bib for easy use. You can also install micro-irrigation to run with your automatic sprinkler system. It must be installed in a separate zone because of differing run times and application rates. It is also possible to use a small pump and use harvested rainwater and a micro-irrigation system. With so many options and versatility, micro-irrigation is a great option for all types of landscapes. Micro-irrigation can improve plant health and reduce pests, disease, and weeds in landscape beds and edible gardens. For more information on micro-irrigation refer to UF/IFAS Fact Sheet AE524, http:// edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/AE/AE52400.pdf.
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. The Florida Master Gardener 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.
For more information, contact UF/IFAS Extension Polk County at (863) 519-1041 or visit us online at http://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/
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By Jack Payne The low prices led to suspicions. It had to be more than just cheap labor that allowed imported tomatoes to sell for less than it cost to grow them here. Zhengfei Guan, an agricultural economist at the University of Florida, found the evidence in plain sight on the Internet – sort of. It was buried in government websites. Mexican government websites. In Spanish. With the help of Spanish-speaking research assistants, Guan produced a report documenting Mexican government subsidies to its nation’s tomato growers. Government funding helped cover the costs of irrigation, greenhouses, postharvest management, marketing, and more.
Wade is researching what it costs to reduce use of nitrogen and phosphorus that feed algae blooms. What she learns could contribute to a public policy discussion about who should pay those costs. Later this year we’ll bring another economist to Immokalee to provide agrobusiness education to growers in the region. SWFREC will be the only UF/IFAS off-campus research station statewide with more than one economist. A UF/IFAS economist at the Range Cattle Research and Education Center in Ona runs the numbers on whether ranchers from Polk, Hillsborough and surrounding counties can afford to run cattle on their land. Still others have examined whether a “Fresh From Florida” label influences decisions to buy locally grown fruit.
Zhengfei Guan Agricultural leaders delivered the information to Washington, D.C., to back their pitch for fair trade. Last month, the U.S. restarted an investigation into Mexico dumping tomatoes on the U.S. market.
UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences has long helped Hillsborough and Polk County producers with the plant science to grow crops. But UF/IFAS also has a strong team of scientists who help local producers grow crops profitably. I’ve invested in agricultural economists because farmers’ livelihoods depend as much on markets as they do on sunshine and water. Guan works in the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Balm, but our ag economists don’t need to have a Hillsborough address to work on local growers’ needs. For example, last month economist Ariel Singerman, from the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center, is hosting his fourth annual gathering to investigate the cost of growing the fruit in Southwest and South Central Florida for Floridians’ morning glass of orange juice.
Ariel Singerman Singerman’s data can tell a grower whether he or she is spending more than average on fuel, planting new trees, irrigation, and many other costs. Two years ago, UF/IFAS hired a natural resource economist to be stationed at the UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center (SWFREC) in Immokalee. Our timing was prescient. Tara Wade attempts to put prices on things that markets don’t, such as clean water. The relevance of such expertise has become evident as algae blooms and red tides have risen to the top of the state’s environmental agenda.
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Economists in Gainesville specialize in producing reports on the economic impact of agriculture in Hillsborough, Polk, Hardee, and every other county in the state. They are a powerful demonstration to urban residents, policy makers, and others not connected to farming, what an important economic role agriculture plays in their communities. When hurricanes ravage farms, forests, and ranches, these same economists document the economic losses. This information is crucial to efforts to get relief funding for producers. UF/IFAS is the only organization with the capacity to answer so many questions about the economics of local food, feed, fiber, and fuel production. There simply isn’t a better place to invest public money in the science of consumers’ choices and farmers’ choices. Because economists look at both ends of the field-to-fork chain, they can help bridge the divide between people who work some of the state’s most productive agricultural land and the food shoppers in some of Florida’s most densely populated coastal communities. No matter where these economists operate, they’re working on things relevant to Hillsborough and Polk County. The Food and Resource Economics Department’s reach exemplifies how UF/IFAS is the entire state’s local agriculture and natural resources university.
Tara Wade
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Hayk Khachatryan
Up at the Mid-Florida Research and Education Center in Orange County, an economist uses hightech tools to inform Hillsborough-area nurserymen about what catches a shopper’s eye in looking over a landscape. Hayk Khachatryan puts virtual reality goggles on subjects, shows them virtual home landscapes or nursery displays and decodes what they’re thinking based on where their eyes wander.
2019
Jack Payne is the University of Florida’s senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources and leader of the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Western & Outdoor Wear, Farm, Ranch & Pet Supplies
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Catching Summertime Sheepshead Capt. Woody Gore
Sheepshead fishing in the summer can be incredibly fun and they are great to eat, especially now that snook, redfish, and trout are off the menu.
What about Bait: Finding natural sheepshead
bait is not difficult; practically any marine-dwelling crustacean or bivalve living in saltwater will work. Of course, some work better than others and can be found in the wild or purchased at your local bait shop. However, I am going to give you a few clues on what to use when it comes to these bait stealers. Fiddler crabs, in my opinion, are one of the top sheepshead baits. I use a lightweight Carolina Rig or Knocker Rig in deeper water, like around bridges, and for anything shallower, I free-line them on a snelled Diachii circle hook. A close second to fiddlers that most folks never think about is the mud crab. This little guy lives under oysters and rocks and requires a little effort; so, yes, you have to get out of the boat and turn over some rocks and oyster clusters. So, before you head out sheepshead fishing, find some near shore oysters or rocks and capture a few dozen, or just purchase some fiddlers from your local bait store. My third favorite bait is a ¾ to 1-inch piece of fresh or fresh frozen shrimp. But stay away from old freezer burned shrimp because you are wasting your money. Shrimp are good sheepshead bait and are nearly as effective as fiddlers or mud crabs. And best of all they are easily acquired from your local bait supplier. So what kind of tackle do you need to catch sheepshead? Below are some suggestions. • Spinning Reel nothing larger than 2500 – 4000 series • Medium to medium/heavy 6 to 6½ foot spinning rod • 15lb. Seaguar Smackdown braided line tied • To 15 to 30 lb. Seaguar Fluoro Premier leader (https://www.netknots.com/fishing_knots/double-uni-knot) • #1 or 1/0 Snelled Diachii circle hook (https://www.netknots.com/fishing_knots/easy-snell-knot) • Weight 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 1 oz. the amount depends on current. • Free-line in shallow water15 to 20 lb. Seaguar Fluoro Premier leader • Carolina Rig 12”-18” inch 15 to 20 lb. Seaguar Fluoro Premier leader Now that you’ve gotten your gear where are you going to fish? Keep reading for some suggestions.
Where to Fish: Summertime sheepsheads are in the same places as in the winter. So if you are looking for some early morning summertime action, begin your search by checking submerged rock piles, jetties, and piers; as well as tidal creeks. Or if you prefer some grass flats action, sheepshead can be found milling around inshore broken-bottom seagrass flats searching for small tidal crabs, clams and other ecosystem tidbits. But the key to finding sheepshead in the summertime is looking for structures and habitats they associate with food. As like other species, the fish seem to be most active during the early morning hours. Of course, tides play a large role in their feeding habits as well. Fiddler crabs are, in my opinion, the number one sheepshead bait. There are three species of fiddler crab in Florida, and all can be found within the estuarine shorelines where the sand or mud substrate meets the water. Look for hundreds of small penny-sized holes, and hundreds more crabs to locate a colony. These small crabs can be captured by hand (quite exciting), or more skillfully directed into a bucket on its side using two 2’x4’s to guide the crabs into the bucket. Fiddler crabs are easy to capture in all seasons, but will not be active in the winter until mid-day, and will otherwise be deep in their burrows. A close second, shrimp are nearly as effective – on some days even more effective – as fiddler crabs, but are easier to find, fresh or frozen. Buy live shrimp, or very freshly frozen, and cut into small ½ to 1-inch pieces.
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Capt. Woody Gore (www.captainwoodygore.com)
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Mussels are part of the sheepshead’s natural diet, naturally found attached to substrates such as dock pilings, seawalls, piers or oyster reefs. The meat of a mussel gives off an attractive odor to sheepshead and is effective whether freshly collected and shucked, or purchased frozen. Clams are a major part of the natural diet of sheepshead. Taking the meat out of the shell saves the sheepshead time and energy, and gives off a strong scent. Clams can be found by searching for their trails in soft sediments in shallow estuarine waters or can be purchased frozen. Clam meat tends to stay on a hook better than that of other bivalves such as mussels and oysters. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
Small oysters are also part of the natural sheepshead diet. Oysters can be found in brackish waters across the state, but are much easier to purchase frozen as bait. The reason for this is that oyster reefs can be extremely dangerous, as each shell is as sharp as a knife – one misstep and you are going to need a trip to the emergency room. Most commonly used for pompano, sand fleas aka “mole crabs,” are an excellent choice for sheepshead. Sand fleas live in the surf zone along most Florida beaches. They can be seen swimming back to the water after each wave, leaving a fast trail behind them. Many sand flea rakes are sold in tackle shops to capture these small crabs, or simply use your hands to filter the sand as the water and sand
retreat after a large wave. You can also usually find frozen sand fleas wherever bait is sold. Essentially, any marine-dwelling crustacean or bivalve you can get your hands on will attract the bite of a sheepshead. There are several species of crab that work well – blue crabs, mud crabs, and mangrove tree crabs just to name a few – and using any at a small size will produce bites. Every species has a “preferred” diet, but most of them are opportunistic predators. So if you happen to spot a sheepshead below the pier, and you only have a few mullet in your live well, cut the fish into small pieces, throw it on a small hook, and if the fish is hungry, you may get the bite.
ASK QUESTIONS WHEN HIRING CHARTER CAPTAINS When hiring a charter captain you are about to make a serious investment in not only money, but in your safety and the safety of your family, friends, and possible business associates. So before you pull the trigger and make that decision, be sure you investigate prospective captains. There are literally thousands of part-time charter captains operating throughout Florida to generate supplemental income for their primary jobs. However, only a handful of true full-time professionals operate true fishing businesses as their sole means of income. Both part-time and a few full-time have tried to circumvent the law and operate without the proper credentials. It is for this reason, the United States Coast Guard is making a concerted effort to identify and stop them. So, do not be anxious when interviewing a prospective captain. Ask to see their charter credentials and information. Any professional should be proud to produce his or her information and here are the top six items you should be interested in seeing: 1. Current United States Coast Guard Captains License, current licenses look like a passport and must be originals not a copy 2. Copy of their current liability and personal injury insurance. I would suggest they carry at least $500 thousand. 3. Copy of their Drug Consortium Certificate showing they participate in the Drug and Alcohol Testing Program. 4. Possess State fishing license to cover up to four (4) or up to ten (10) anglers 5. Possess First Aid Certificate valid within the last three (3) years 6. Possess the United States Coast Guard approved Type I Life Preservers w/reflective tape. One for each passenger including those under 90 pounds and children. Here are a few other questions you might consider when interviewing prospective captains. Ask how long have they been a captain and are they a full-time business supporting their families or a parttime hobby with another job paying their bills? In recent years, parttime captains have flooded the market and a few may be nearly as competent as their full-time counterparts. Still, the fact remains captains operating a daily fishing business are considerably more experienced and profusely better informed than those running part-time and weekends. It is also important to remember what full-time professionals bring to the world of fishing and boating. The number one being safety, professional captains are excellent seamen, with years of experience. They have the knowledge and experience to provide safe passage in all situations and weather conditions.
Another value experienced professionals bring to the table is an affirmative social approach to their full-time fishing business. So if you need a little fishing refresher or want to introduce the family to this world of fishing; why not extend an invitation to your spouse and children. Then again, if you only want to teach the kids to fish; it is vital you select a patient and child-friendly captain. Making the right choice in a captain can make or break the experience. The children will come away feeling satisfied and successful or never wanting to go fishing again. Overall, finding a reputable captain is not difficult, just pull up the Internet and you will find plenty of charter captains. Captains specialize in all facets and species of fish from freshwater to saltwater, inshore to offshore, and they are waiting to share their fishing world with you. BUT WAIT! A WORD OF CAUTION WHEN PRICE SHOPPING FOR A CAPTAIN! With all the available captains; I would be remiss without a word of caution when hiring a discount charter captain. Discount captains often will offer cut-rates to get your business. Why cut their rates? It is simply because they could be improperly licensed or credentialed, thereby allowing them to charter at price-cutting rates. So when price shopping, remember there are reasons a competitive captain is willing to negotiate and devalue their charter business. Although it may seem that a discount of $50 to $100 may be to your advantage, you must remember, cut-rate captains must still recover their business operating expenses, which always results in substandard and poor service somewhere in the charter. So does the old adage, “you always get what you pay,” for ring a bell? For over 45 years in the business world it has been my experience that a good customer will always remember “quality customer service” much longer than they remember the price. During my business career, I have pushed to surpass and live by the principles of excellent “Customer Service.” Primarily because I believe every discrepancy should be flexible, nothing is written in concrete, and everything negotiated to a related and mutual agreement.
“Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing” 813-477-3814
Captain Woody Gore is the area’s top outdoor fishing guide. Guiding and fishing the west central Florida areas for over fifty years; he offers world class fishing adventures and a lifetime of memories. Multi-boat Group Charters With years of organizational experience and access to the areas most experienced captains, Captain Woody can arrange and coordinate any outing or tournament. Just tell him what you need and it’s done.
Visit his website at: WWW.CAPTAINWOODYGORE.COM send an email to wgore@ix.netcom.com or give me a call at 813-477-3814 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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CONFESSION OF A RANCHER’S DAUGHTER By Marisol Tarango Most people envision a rancher’s daughter doing her chores as a young child, peacefully feeding an orphaned calf. In the background, horses more than twice her height are patiently nickering while their feed is brought. Later, after her barn chores are done, she goes out with her loyal steed carrying her through the pasture in search of cows, with the birds singing in the trees. While these images are true, they are not what happens every time a rancher’s daughter steps out the door. Orphaned calves have a tendency to headbutt when they get a little older (which can be a setback when you only weigh 80 pounds). Horses do not always patiently wait for their feed, often they knock their feed buckets away from the fence, so you have to crawl through the wire and fend them off while you rearrange the buckets (a buggy whip is helpful in these situations). And idly riding through the pasture in search of cows almost always turns into a chase where you are either the chaser or the chasee. A rancher’s daughter is not just thrown into these situations as soon as she can walk, though, she grows into them like anything else.
CONFESSION # 2: Growing up rancher’s daughter can be scary.
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The first five years or so of my life were pretty uneventful (except if my pony ran off); and helping out usually consisted of holding hammers and nails, sitting quietly in the truck bed when the bull was in the squeeze chute, and playing with hay while Daddy fed the horses. As I grew a little older, though, things started to get a little serious, between six and eight I acquired new responsibilities. My horse was no longer led by Daddy, I had to keep up by myself when gathering cattle. And I was actually big enough to help hold things down. When I was around seven, there was a blind heifer calf that got left behind when we moved the herd, so my dad loaded her up on his truck bed, and me and my sister sat on top of the calf. I remember her kicking and Daddy showing us how to hold
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her right, but his instructions didn’t eliminate the fear of the moment. Yet, even though we were scared, we came off the truck as proven cowgirls with something to tell Mama about. Ages nine through eleven saw more daring and courageous acts, such as helping Daddy with the colts, learning to drive the truck, and actually helping work cows. One of my first jobs working cows was “poling.” This meant that as the cows lined up in a chute to walk into the squeeze chute, I put a fence post (the pole) through the railing behind the last cow, so the cows couldn’t back up. I hardly ever missed my window of opportunity to shove the pole through; but sometimes the pole wouldn’t make it quite far enough to the other side, or one cow would decide she was done and would knock it down herself. When this would happen, all the cows would back out of the chute and the cowpens would start shaking; while I just watched with big eyes thinking of where I needed to run if they got loose. After I turned twelve and started reaching my full height, things started progressing quickly in what I was asked to do. As a middle schooler, we had an Appaloosa stallion that my dad was training. This stallion, Patron, was so tall that his shoulders and my shoulders were almost even, but he was gentle enough that I could handle him by myself. One day, I was moving Patron from his stall to his pasture when a puppy came out and started barking. For a moment I just stood there amazed at how high his feet would go while rearing, but then realized the danger and scooped up the puppy so she would stop barking. These stories may sound like ranch kids are thrown into danger by their parents just to get the job done, but I know that in every one of these situations one of my parents was watching me, ready to do anything to keep me safe. Living on the ranch, I learned how to face fears and handle situations, even when danger was present; but I’ll always remember when my dad told me, “I can always get another truck, but I can’t get another you.” WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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OPTIMIZING SOIL PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS PAYS OFF IN SANDY SOILS Healthy soil is alive, a living ecosystem, and serves as the foundation for agriculture. Sometimes, it doesn’t get the respect it deserves. When treated like dirt, soil is less productive, and the fertility of the land may be diminished. One new technology, called Cool Terra®, provides growers a way to enhance soil vitality for greater yield in strawberry fields like yours. In fact, Cool Terra has shown some of the greatest results in the type of high sand, low organic matter soil common in Florida’s strawberry fields. Just like a coral reef supports sea life by providing structure, resources, and habitat in an otherwise barren ocean floor, Cool Terra can support plant life by: •Optimizing water retention in the root zone •Enhancing nutrient exchange and availability •Building lasting soil structure •Providing an environment for microbes A 2018, 32 acre commercial trial in Polk County Florida using Cool Terra demonstrated improved strawberry yields by over 500 flats per acre. The increased strawberry yield provided a revenue impact of over $4K and a grower return on investment of 15.5x!
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The top selling cereal in the United States is Cheerios, followed by Frosted Flakes. First Lady Julia Tyler used the title “Mrs. Presidentress” when her husband, John, was the POTUS. William Wrigley was in the baking powder business and gave a free pack of his gum with each box of his product. When he discovered that people were buying it just to get the gum, he decided to switch businesses. If you take your age and multiply is by 7, then multiply it by 1,443 the answer repeats your age 3 times. The nickname “john” for a toilet is in honor of Englishman John Harrington, who devised the first flush mechanism near the end of the 16th century. The highest scoring word in Scrabble is oxyphenbutazone, with a potential total of 1,178 points. The opening line to Jerome K. Jerome’s “Three Men in A Boat” starts: ‘There were four of us…’” Most bees buzz in the key of A, but when tired they buzz in the key of E.
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My Grandmother had a lot of wise sayings. One day I was in the kitchen with her and she said, “I’ll just give this a lick and a promise,” as she quickly mopped up a spill on the floor without moving the kitchen table and chairs.
Below is a list that I have put together over the years: • I have a bone to pick with you (a grievance to talk out) • Bee in your bonnet. (focus on one thing) • Cattywampus (Something that sits crooked such as a of piece furniture sitting at an angle. • Been through the mill (had a rough time of it) • Dicker (To barter or trade) • Hold your horses (Be patient) • Madder than an old wet hen (Really angry) • No spring chicken (Not young anymore) • Persnickety (Overly particular or snobbish) • Straight from the horse’s mouth (privileged information from the one concerned) • Kit and caboodle (the whole lot)
“What is that supposed to mean,” I asked, envisioning someone licking the floor. “It means that I’m in a hurry and I’m busy canning tomatoes so I am going to just give it a lick with the mop and promise to come back and do the job right later.”
As Grandma said, “Hold your horses I reckon I’ll get this whole kit and caboodle done. Please don’t be too persnickety and get a bee in your bonnet because I am tuckered out. You know I ain’t no spring chicken!
“A lick and a promise” was just one of the many old phrases that I remember my mother, grandmother, and others, using, that they most likely heard from generations before them. Many old phrases have become obsolete or even totally forgotten.
And as for me as I write this column, I am going to give it more than just a lick and a promise.
As I child I often wondered why Grandma smiled all the time. In my later years I figured out why she smiled, because I have the same problem. She couldn’t hear a word they were saying.
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Grandma and Grandpa went to church. Halfway through the service, Grandpa leaned over to Grandma and said, “I just let out a silent fart. What do you think I should do?” Grandma leans over and replies, “Put a new battery in your hearing aid.”
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One late afternoon a police car pulled up in front of Grandma’s house, and Grandpa got out. The polite policeman explained that this elderly gentleman said that he was lost in the WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
neighborhood park and could not find his way home. “Pop,” Grandma said, “You’ve been to that park for over thirty years! How could you get lost?” Leaning close to his wife’s ear so that the policeman could not hear, Grandpa whispered, “I wasn’t lost, I was just to tired to walk home.” Grandma had a missed to a few Sunday sermons so the preacher stopped by her house to visit. As he sat on the couch he noticed a large bowl of peanuts on the coffee table. “Mind if I have few”” he asked. “No, not at all.” Grandma said. They talked for a while and as the preacher stood to leave, he realized that instead of eating just a few peanuts, he almost emptied the bowl. “I’m terribly sorry for eating all of your peanuts. I really just meant to eat a few.” The preacher said. “Oh that’s alright,” Grandma said. “Ever since I lost my teeth, all I can do is suck the chocolate off them.” A concerned grandpa went to a doctor to talk about his wife. He said to the doctor, “I think my wife is almost deaf because she never hears me the first time and always asks me to repeat things.” “Well,” the doctor replied, “go home and tonight stand about 15 feet from her and say something. If she doesn’t reply, move about five feet closer and say it again. Keep doing this so that we’ll get an idea of her hearing loss.”
kitchen as she was chopping some vegetables and said, “Honey, what’s for dinner?” He heard no response. He moved about five feet closer and asked again. No reply. He moved five feet closer, and still no reply. He got fed up and moved right behind her, and spoke into her ear, and asked again, “Honey, what’s for dinner?” She replied, “For the fourth time, vegetable stew!” I’ll leave you with Grandma’s nine important facts as you get older. • Death is the number 1 killer in the world. • Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die. • Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day. Teach a person to use the Internet and they won’t bother you for weeks, months, maybe years. • Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in the hospital, dying of nothing. • All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism. • the 60’s people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world is weird, and people take Prozac to make it normal. • Life is like a jar of jalapeno peppers. What you do today may be a burning issue tomorrow. And Grandma’s favorite saying: “As you go through life one learns that if you don’t paddle your own canoe, you don’t go anywhere.
Sure enough, the husband went home and did exactly as instructed. He started off about 15 feet from his wife in the
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BATTLING
Invasive Plants
GOOD INVESTMENT, BUT MORE FUNDING NEEDED, STUDY FINDS By Samantha Grenrock
For decades, Florida communities have battled invasive plants on land and water. These plants disrupt native ecosystems and livelihoods, and more arrive each year. Now a new study from the University of Florida and The Nature Conservancy shows that nearly $45 million in state and
federal funding per year is spent in Florida to gain the upper hand on invasive plants in natural areas and waters, and that success depends on how well control efforts are funded. Florida consistently ranks among the top three states most affected by invasive plants, said S. Luke Flory, associate professor of ecology with the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and one of the study’s authors. “Most plants have what we call ‘natural enemies,’ which are pests, diseases or predators that keep plant population at stable levels. When a plant is introduced into a new area, the natural enemies that used to keep them in check in their native habitat may not be present in that new area. Without any natural enemies to stop them, these new plants may dominate, negatively impacting existing plants, wildlife and the people who use those areas,” Flory said. For instance, aquatic plants such as hydrilla and water hyacinth clog waterways and drainage canals. Cogongrass increases fire risk and decreases pasture for cattle. Air potato can engulf natural areas with its fast-growing vines, and Brazilian peppertree can alter habitat and diminish recreational value. Nearly 1,500 non-native plant species have established in Florida. Only a small fraction of these species become invasive, but those that do present a significant threat to the state’s $50 billion natural resource-based sectors, the study’s authors say. However, the study shows that funding initiatives to counter plant invasions have been an effective and efficient investment. “Our findings demonstrate the need for continued and sustained funding to efficiently address and manage the growing problem of invasions,” said Kristina Serbesoff-King, a scientist with The Nature Conservancy and one of the study’s coauthors.
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“Florida has a relatively high level of commitment to invasive management – but it is unclear if current spending is sufficient to prevent the establishment of new non-native species
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or dampen the spread of current invaders,” Serbesoff-King said. “Consistent management with sufficient and sustained funding is more effective than only increasing spending when invasive plant populations become highly problematic.” The study draws from six years (2009 to 2014) of state and federal expenditures on control of invasive plant species in Florida conservation areas. Researchers looked at where money was spent across the state with respect to known plant invasions.
Their results suggest that in Florida, funding has gone toward controlling the most problematic invasive plant species where they are most abundant and of greatest concern. The study also found that greater management expenditures led to less area invaded for the costliest invasive species, hydrilla. Florida has many examples of successful control of invasive plants, including melaleuca and others. But, as with nearly all invasive plants, the extent of control is directly determined by the amount of resources dedicated to it, Flory said. In the long term, invasive species decrease biodiversity—the variety of plants and animals in an area. A recent UN global biodiversity assessment identified invasive species as a key driver of the decline of biodiversity and ecosystem services globally. Future research on invasive plants in Florida will need to identify emerging problem species, locate them when they are small, test control methods and determine when and where management is most effective, the study’s authors said. In addition to Flory and Serbesoff-King, the study’s authors include lead author and UF /IFAS biological scientist Drew Hiatt; Deah Lieurance, assistant Extension scientist and coordinator for the UF/IFAS Assessment of Non-native Plants in Florida’s Natural Areas; and UF biology professor and Environmental Defense Fund lead senior scientist Doria Gordon. The study was published in the journal Conservation Science and Practice. Available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS works to bring science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. Visit the UF/IFAS web site at ifas.ufl.edu and follow us on social media at @UF_IFAS. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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By Ginny Mink
Ornamental Gardening in Florida Last month’s literary time machine adventure was focused solely on the night blooming cactus. We hope, that since it was the right time of year to experience these extraordinary blooms, you took the time to locate some and view them for yourselves. But, as all travels are, it is time to keep moving and see what new things we can learn and what additional plants are recommended by Mr. Torrey-Simpson. Keeping in mind that we are in the exotic vines and creepers section of the book, we’d like to discuss Clerodendron thomsonae. According to Mr. Torrey-Simpson, “Every one in South Florida has seen and admired this delicately beautiful vine with its white, baggy calyxes and crimson corrollas. It is of easy culture, growing almost anywhere, but perhaps does better with shade part of the day.”¹ He informs readers that it is originally from West Africa. Some of us are originally from South Florida, so we wondered if this was a vine we’d ever seen. This was particularly important to us since he said everyone there had seen them. Upon further research we discovered that they are commonly known as the Bleeding Heart Vine and are now called the clerodendrum thomsoniae. Though minimally familiar looking to us, we do think they are quite striking and might be worth researching to see if they will grow here. Having arrived at the University of Wisconsin’s Master Gardener Program site, we realized that there is some controversy, though minute, over this plant. Mahr, the author of the piece we discovered, writes that this plant, according to the International Plant Names Index, has been labeled part of the mint family, but the USDA Plants Database says it’s a verbena. She adds that, “It was traditionally placed in that family, but despite being reassigned to Lamiaceae (mint), not everyone has adopted that change.” It always amuses us when Mr. Torrey-Simpson suggests plants whose classifications people can’t seem to agree upon.² Anyway, will it grow here? That’s what we really want to know. The website, Hunker.com, informs us that, yes, these will grow in central Florida as perennials. It instructs us to plant in welldrained soil in partial shade and be careful about what herbicides are used. Because Florida soil is sandy, it is necessary to add compost, manure, or peat. These plants come as root balls, so dig the hole as deep as it is presently, but twice as wide. Trellises are recommended, but keep in mind that it twines around things instead of holding on with tendrils. You can prune them to control their shape and they can even be grown in containers.³ More information about all that can be found on the site we referenced below.
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Continuing on, we arrive at Clitorea ternatea, or Butterfly Pea. That name grabbed our attention, and Mr. Torrey-Simpson describes it this way, “This too is well known and a favorite, its large, pea-shaped flowers being intensely blue. Said to be hardy halfway up the state though it comes from Ternate, one of the Molucca Islands.”¹ A couple of things grabbed our attention here, the intense blue color, and the fact that we have never heard of the Molucca Islands.
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Part 57
If you read regularly, you know we are fans of the Dave’s Garden website. So, we used it to take a look at what he says is also called the bluebell and blue pea vine. He’s got some gorgeous pictures on the site and they definitely make us wish we had some trellises covered in these “intensely blue” flowers. He advises that they can take full sun to partial shade, have average watering needs, and are considered evergreen. They grow year-round but can be planted as annuals. Birds, butterflies, and bees find the plant attractive.⁴ So, if that sounds appealing to you, this is definitely one you should consider adding to your yard. But what about the Molucca Islands? Well, first of all, they are usually spelled Maluku. Secondly, they were historically considered the Spice Islands and in fact were invaded and enslaved by the Dutch as a means of controlling the spice trade. They are located on the Australian-New Guinea continental shelf. Some of the islands have volcanoes on them, but they also contain rainforests, mangroves, and savannas. They got their spice name because mace, nutmeg, clove and several other spices grow there. If you care to do more research on them you will find that they are a gorgeous tourist destination as well.⁵ This voyage we learned about both exotic vines and exotic places. Maybe you will consider adding these uniquely beautiful flowering vines to your landscaping plans. Or, perhaps, the Maluku Islands have intrigued you enough that you will put vacationing there on your bucket list. Either way, we hope that you learned something new, and that you will join us on our next adventure. Until then, 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. 183). ²Mahr, S. (2007). Bleeding Heart Vine, Clerodendrum thomsoniae. University of Wisconsin-Madison Master Gardener Program. https://wimastergardener.org/article/bleeding-heart-vineclerodendrum-thomsoniae/ ³Starr, J. (?). How to Grow Bleeding Hearts in Florida. Hunker. https://www.hunker.com/12425859/how-to-grow-bleedinghearts-in-florida ⁴Dave’s Garden. Clitoria Species, Bluebell, Blue Pea Vine, Butterfly Pea. Clitoria ternatea. https://davesgarden.com/guides/ pf/go/528/#b ⁵Maluku Islands. New World Encyclopedia. http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Maluku_Islands Photo Credits: PINKE. (2013). Bleeding Heart vine with (f)lowers in my garden. Needs bigger pot. June 2013. Flickr (https://flic.kr/p/ePAzCy). Rulkens, T. (2013). Clitoria ternatea-blue. Flickr (https://flic. kr/p/eeME5q). Achilli, F. (2014). Pulau Maitara and Pulau Tidore from the Floridas Restaurant in Pulau Ternate (Ternate Island), The Moluccas (Maluku). Flickr (https://flic.kr/p/paCi5B). WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Michele “Missy” McLaughlin-Raney PCCW PRESIDENT DRAWN BY LOVE OF CATTLE AND INDUSTRY
By Jim Frankowiak Michele “Missy” McLaughlin-Raney, President of the Polk County Cattlewomen’s Association, has always loved cattle and enjoys her involvement within the industry. “I feel comfortable and at ease around cattle and cow folks, whether at an event or at home; these are my people,” she said.
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Born and raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Missy moved to central Florida just before the beginning of her senior year in high school. She graduated from Winter Park High School and went on to attend Valencia College in Orlando, studying marketing, management, and merchandising. Missy was in banking for many years before opening her own business.
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In 2000, Missy opened a farm antique store in downtown Bartow called Mr. & Mrs. Mac’s Farm Antiques. “We sold everything from sorghum molasses and Hoosier cabinets, to horse drawn wagons and wagon wheels. This is where I met and formed friendships with a lot of the cattlemen and cattlewomen I serve today.” Missy was also an active member of the Downtown Bartow Merchants Association, where she was devoted to the growth of downtown Bartow, and was instrumental in implementing the Downtown Antique Fair, which is still in effect today. Missy’s creative touches and years as a floral designer were very helpful, adding a feminine touch to the farm store. While open, Mr. & Mrs. Mac’s services also included interior decorating, and conducting estate sales, until the store closed in late 2006. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
County Cattlewomen’s Association in 2008 and has steadily moved up through the ranks, serving as vice president for the last two years. The association strives to “educate the public about the Beef Industry and promote its products,” she said. “We do this through different projects throughout the year.” The association is made up of all types of women. Some were born ranchers, while others have acquired the “Cowgirl Status.” The more than 70-member association consists of secretaries, teachers, homemakers, mothers, bookkeepers and other career women. Some members, like Missy, wear multiple “hats.” “Overall, we add the important women’s touch to the cattle industry,” said Missy. “We work hand in hand with the state and national cattlemen’s and cattlewomen’s associations and assist our county cattlemen in various projects and dinners all through the year.” The Polk County Cattlewomen’s Association has established a scholarship fund consisting of a $2,000 Academic scholarship and $2,000 Agriculture scholarship that are awarded annually to Polk County graduating seniors. “In addition, we supply awards and shirts to local youth fairs, as well as volunteer at Polk County agriculture festivals, trade shows, state fair beef booths and Farm Bureau coordinated Agri-Fest that runs for two weeks. “Overall, we strive to educate school age children and the public on the importance of ranching and farming in their daily lives. We also like to emphasize the importance of being stewards of the land.” Her elder son Coy, who is 22, recently graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University where he majored in Criminal Justice and Legal Studies. “He has accepted a scholarship to Ave Maria Law School,” she noted. Coy has most recently gotten his Merchant Mariners License and is a private captain in Naples, FL. Her younger son Winston, 20, is studying engineering at Polk State College, and works full time in industrial sales as she does. Both Coy and Winston were exhibitors at the Polk County Youth Fair, showing Commercial heifers and Market steers. Missy has also worked in the aviation industry, as a dispatcher and social network coordinator. She has volunteered for the last nine years at Sun N Fun in Lakeland. She stated, “It is Spring Break for pilots. Pilots from all across the United States come for this weeklong event. It is a blast! Such a great group of individuals.” Missy currently works in industrial sales, and yet still dabbles with her cattle. Missy first became involved with the Polk
In addition to beef industry-related activities, the association supports the community. One in particular is the provision of Christmas gifts to residents of the Hope Children’s Home in Tampa. “This is a foster home whose child-age residents are remembered during the holidays through our efforts,” she said. “Our association is comprised of a humble group of great ladies,” said Missy. “I want to continue the work of those who served before me and hopefully expand the number of members so our commitment to serving as the voice of our industry will have even greater impact.” When not either working or involved in association activities, Missy enjoys spending time tending to her cattle at her home in the Homeland area of Polk County. For more information about the Polk County Cattlewomen’s Association or how to become involved, visit: https://www. facebok.com/polkcounty.cattlewomen/
Polk County Cattle Women INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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Florida
Moringa
By Sandy Sun, M.S. Clinical Medicines, B.S. Nutrition Science Fresh moringa is a very nutritious green vegetable that grows very fast and easily in Florida. It can be grown almost yearround in Florida’s warm climate. It is named “the tree of life” because it is an important food source in developing countries. Other names for this tree are drumstick tree, horseradish tree, and benzoil tree. The leaves, seed pods, and seeds are edible, but not the flowers, root, or bark. Most of its nutrients are concentrated in the leaves. Moringa is very high in the antioxidant vitamins A and C, the B vitamins, and many minerals. High in calcium, iron, and protein, moringa is also a great choice for plant-based protein. The leaves are a complete protein source. Some research shows that moringa may help with blood sugar and blood pressure control.
Nutrition According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, a 100g portion (roughly five cups) of fresh raw moringa leaves contains 64 calories, 8.3 g of carbohydrate, 2 g of dietary fiber, 1.4 g of fat and 9.4 g of protein. It also contains 92% of the daily reference intake for vitamins K and B6, 60.2% for vitamin C, 55% for riboflavin, 47% for vitamin A, 41% for magnesium, 31% for iron, 22% for thiamin, and significant amounts of many other vitamins and minerals including niacin, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and folate. That’s an amazing amount of concentrated nutrients in only one cup and a great way to get more vegetable-based protein!
Vitamin K
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Moringa is bursting with vitamin K. This vitamin is an essential component for clotting of blood in the body. This vitamin also helps maintain bone health by transporting calcium and metabolizes the mineral into your skeleton. Several research studies have found that vitamin K boosts bone mineral density and reduces fracture rates in people with osteoporosis. As a result, the Institute of Medicine increased its daily recommendation of vitamin K. Moringa is a very rich source of vitamin K and also contains other bone boosting nutrients such as calcium and magnesium.
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Manganese Moringa is considered a great source of manganese, an important mineral that plays a role in a variety of physiological functions throughout the body. Manganese is needed for glucose, protein, lipid, and cholesterol metabolism from the foods we consume, as well as for pancreatic function and development. The mineral is important in normal skeletal growth and development, prevention of sterility, and synthesis of thyroid hormone.
How to Select and Store Choose moringa 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 moringa, pat leaves 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
The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked, much as you would eat spinach. Rinse well under running water and discard the stems. The “drumsticks,” or immature seedpods are also eaten after boiling, cooking, or roasting, and used in soups and curries. The seedpods are extremely nutritious as well, high in vitamin C, fiber, potassium, magnesium, and manganese. Young leaves can be chopped and enjoyed in salads and vegetable dishes or used as a garnish. More mature leaves are better when cooked. Other ways to enjoy moringa leaves include: • Sautee with curry leaves and spices • Add leaves to clear broth or stews • Steep leaves in hot water and drink as a tea • Chop and add to scrambled eggs Enjoy fresh Florida moringa today. It’s full of vitamins and nutrients and flourishes during the summer months in Florida.
References https://www.echonet.org/moringa http://ediblenortheastflorida.ediblecommunities.com/moringa-tree-uses WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
NEWS BRIEFS
Compiled by Jim Frankowiak
USDA SEEKING FEEDBACK FROM SOUTHEAST GROWERS The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is seeking feedback from growers about 2019 crops, stocks, livestock inventories and values. NASS will be contacting growers via the Internet, mail, phone or in person. The results will be released June 28.
Federal Funds Available for Organic Certification Costs Federal funds are available to help farmers applying for organic certification through the Organic Certification Cost Share Program of the USDA. The program provides costshare assistance up to 75 percent of certification costs annually to producers and handlers of agricultural products for the costs of obtaining or maintaining organic certification. Maximum funding is $750 per certification scope. More information is available by contacting the USDA Farm Service Agency, 201 South Collins Street, Plant City, FL 33563. Telephone: 813/752-1474.
Beef Quality Assurance Program Manual Available An official manual for the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Program is now available. The 124-page manual, managed by the producer education team at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, covers topics such as food safety, animal well-being, worker safety and environmental stewardship. To view the new BQA manual or to become BQA certified, visit: BQA.org.
UF/IFAS Offers Hurricane Preparedness Assistance The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is offering Floridians practical tips and information to help them weather a potential storm. This information is available at: disaster.ifas.ufl.edu.
Grainger Offers Farm Bureau Members Exclusive Pricing, Free Shipping Florida Farm Bureau (FFB) members receive exclusive pricing on select categories and brands from Grainger, plus free standard ground shipping on all standard Grainger products. Use the FFB Account Number 856485677 at your local Grainger branch, create an online account at Grainger.com/ FarmBureau or call Grainger at 1-800-472-4643 to create a new account or update an existing account. In all cases, reference the FFB Account Number 856485677. Visit https://www.floridafarmbureau.org/grainger/ for full details.
New Water Policy Director Named Florida Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried has appointed Christopher Pettit as Director of Agricultural Water Policy, working with agricultural producers, industry groups, state agencies, universities and water management districts throughout the state to
Pettit previously served in the Office of Counsel for both the South Florida Water Management District and the Southwest Florida Water Management District, and most recently served as the Policy Legislation Manager for Palm Beach County Utilities. He has also served as a Law and Policy Fellow at the University of Florida Water Institute, a Law and Policy Fellow at the Mote Marine Laboratories Marine Policy Institute and co-authored a U.S. Agency for International Development toolkit for climate resilient water utility operations being used internationally.
NRCS CHANGING TO STRENGTHEN TECHNICAL INPUT; COMMENTS WELCOMED USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is expanding the technical input in program development and technical services in program delivery. There are changes expanding the membership on the State Technical Committee and expanded avenues through which technical service providers can be certified. Other changes include the administration of the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevent Act Program, Healthy Forests Reserve Program and the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program. You may submit comments on the proposed changes by visiting: www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for comment on Docket ID USDA-2019-0005.
FLORIDA AG HALL OF FAME NOMINEES SOUGHT Nominations are being sought for the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame. Help recognize distinguished contributors to Florida agriculture. Begin the nomination process by visiting: http:// floridaaghalloffame.org/nominate/. The deadline for nominations is September 1.
USDA ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM The USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is accepting applications for certain practices under the continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), both new and existing contracts. This year’s signup will include such practices as grassed waterways, filter strips, riparian buffers, wetland restoration and others. The FSA is also reopening signup for existing Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) agreements. More information is available at www.fsa.usda.gov/crp. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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develop and implement agricultural best management practices that address both water quality and water conservation. These best practices are practical, cost-effective actions to conserve water and reduce pesticides, fertilizers and pollutants entering Florida’s water systems.
By Grady Judd, Polk County Sheriff
Fishin’ With Judd hooks up kids with law enforcement
In June 2019, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office presented the fifth annual “Fishin’ With Sheriff Judd” event at the PCSO main operations center in Winter Haven, with support from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Polk Sheriff’s Charities. There’s a large pond behind the operations building dubbed “Lake Grady” (mainly because Sheriff Judd’s office overlooks it) that’s been stocked by FWC with bass, blue gills, and catfish solely for the purpose of bringing kids from all over the county to fish with deputies and FWC officers during the summer months.
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“It’s always our goal to interact with youth in a positive setting, so that the only time they see law enforcement isn’t on TV or the Internet, during a crisis, or when someone is being arrested. This is a fun event that serves that purpose quite well, not to mention it helps give kids an appreciation for nature and outdoor activities,” said Grady Judd, Sheriff.
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Each year, we host between 30-50 kids that are hand-picked by deputies throughout the year – and each year, those kids all catch and release at least one but usually two or three fish. The boys and girls come from areas and families who might not otherwise have the means to go fishing or even go on a summer vacation. Some of the kids admitted they had never even seen a worm in real life - much less touched one or baited a hook with one! Our plainclothes detectives serve up burgers and dogs for the fishing teams once they’re done for the day, and for the past two years we’ve handed out toys from an anonymous donor as an extra special surprise. While the smiles on the kids’ faces make it seem like they’re the ones having a good time, it’s our agency members who really benefit from seeing how much joy something simple like fishing can bring to a kid’s life. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
s e p i c e R
Courtesy of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Chef Justin Timineri
Florida Citrus and Yogurt Cake q Ingredients q 2 Florida oranges, 1 zested and 1 sliced thin 2 Florida grapefruit, 1 zested and 1 sliced thin 4 Florida Key limes, 2 zested and 2 sliced thin 2 ½ cups Florida sugar 1 cup plain (whole fat) Greek yogurt 1 stick unsalted butter, softened 6 eggs, room temperature 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract 3 cups all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon baking soda Pinch of sea salt
PREPARATION Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Zest 1 orange, 1 grapefruit and 2 Key limes into a small bowl and set aside. Slice the other half of the citrus into thin rounds and set aside. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light, fluffy, and pale yellow in color. Add vanilla and eggs one at a time, blending thoroughly after each egg. In a separate bowl combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, alternating
with the yogurt. Mix until combined, being careful not to over-work the batter. Gently fold in the citrus zest. Pour into a well-oiled bundt pan or two loaf pans. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 30 minutes. Using a plate or cake stand, place the sliced citrus around the outer edges, overlapping as you go. Gently unmold the cake and place on top of the sliced citrus. Serve warm or room temperature.
Florida Guacamole q Ingredients q 2 Florida avocados, pit removed and mashed 1 Florida tomato, diced small 2 Florida Key limes, juiced ¼ red onion, diced small 2 tablespoon fresh cilantro, roughly chopped ½ teaspoon cumin Several dashes hot sauce (optional) Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
PREPARATION Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl and stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
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BLUE
HEAVEN
Davenport Couple Uses Blueberry Crop to Supply Polk County’s Only Winery By Anita Todd
The ideas to plant blueberries where their orange grove had been and open a complimentary winery complete with a critically acclaimed restaurant and blueberry-themed gift area can be credited to two unknowing friends. Howard and Fatima Gill are the owners of True Blue Winery and the five-acre blueberry farm that supplies the fruit for it. Getting into the business of farming wasn’t new to the couple since the family had been citrus growers for years. But, as they watched their grove disappear from disease, they wanted to replace it with another crop. One day, visiting a friend in Polk City, Howard paid attention as his host regaled the merits of blueberries, sparking an interest in him that he went home and discussed with his wife. Already small business owners - Howard owns Gill Manufacturing, a long time local fabrication company - they both knew the time it would take to start a new endeavor. But, eventually, they decided they were up for the challenge and about 20 years ago, planted their five acres with baby blueberry plants. Soon, they were enjoying - literally - the fruits of their labor. They had been growing the good-for-you fruit for about 11 years when a co-worker mentioned to Fatima that he was making peach wine. “My friend I worked with was making peach wine and left a book on the subject on my desk one day,” Fatima said. She shared the book with her husband, complete with the items circled by her co-worker needed to start the process and said, “The next thing I knew I was smelling the fermenting.” At first, the couple supplied their friends and family with the sweet blueberry wine. Everyone loved it, drinking it as fast as they could make it, making them realize they may be on to something.
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It took two years to get things in order to sell the wine and then convert the existing huge storage buildings into a restaurant, processing area and refrigerated storage area for the blueberries. Already happily spending most of her days in the blueberry
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fields, Fatima set about creating a menu for their future customers. Today, diners may find a variety of sweets made with their crop when Fatima has time to create the yummy treats. Desserts like blueberry pound cake, blueberry muffins, blueberry pie, blueberry coconut cake, and blueberry cheesecake are all favorites. “I know when I have a glass of wine, I like to have something to eat.” Viola. A wood fire pizza oven was raised in the covered seating area with the assistance of Mark Whisler, a longtime friend who built one at his house. Then, realizing some folks may not like pizza; the next addition to the outdoor kitchen was a large gas grill for steaks. “There’s no plan to this. Opening a winery and restaurant was not on our bucket list, trust me,” Howard said. Planned or not, True Blue Winery’s success has come thanks to a lot of hard work. During season, Fatima rises early to prepare the menu items for the day, is the cook during restaurant hours and serves the food sometimes, too. During the off-season, she cans her popular blueberry and pineapple jams. (She grows the pineapples too - arranged around the perimeter of the buildings.)
“And, I like the winery and restaurant more than fooling with the blueberries,” Howard said. On location, he takes care of the administrative side of the business and the wine bottling process. He said they don’t have a secret recipe but admits they add more fruit than what most recipes call for to make the wine richer. They sell sweet, semi-sweet and semi-dry versions of their wine whose bottles are adorned by a label designed by Fatima. A variety of other wine is available from their sister winery in Louisiana. The winery has become so popular that their field doesn’t produce enough blueberries making it necessary to purchase extra from other local growers. The couple loves spending time together and have hiked the Grand Canyon nine times rim to rim and take fishing trips to the Florida Keys every chance they get. When asked about their success, Fatima quickly responded, “We aren’t fancy people. We’re just farmers.” True Blue Winery is located at 604 Pink Apartment Road in Davenport or visit them at www.truebluewinery.com. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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“I would rather tend to the blueberries out in the field. I enjoy pulling weeds and taking care of the plants,” she said.
HURRICANES
Time To Get Serious! by John Dicks
There are some old sayings in life that have been said so often you’d swear they were true. It seems that’s particularly so when spoken about the weather.
out the water from Hillsborough Bay in Tampa, generating surreal pictures of a flooded street along Bayshore bordered by a dry, muddy bay bottom before the water rushed back in to fill its empty seabed.
There’s the one that says “if you want to make certain that it rains tomorrow, make certain that you wash your car this afternoon!” Now that makes absolutely no sense at all, but for some reason it always seems to work, at least for me.
Even now, some eight months after last year’s devastating Hurricane Michael slammed into Florida’s panhandle; much of that area is still in its own cleanup mode. The city manager of Panama City said recently that 90% of homes and buildings were damaged.
The opposite is true, too. No doubt you have often heard the admonition that “if you want to make certain that there’s no rain tomorrow, just be certain to carry with you an umbrella.” Neither one of those things can possibly be true. There is absolutely no scientific evidence behind either of them, but chances are you’ll hear one or the other a zillion times before the end of summer.
Probably the worst hit, in Mexico Beach, there is still no gas station, no grocery store, nor any bank operating in town. Buildings still look like the hurricane hit last week. Collapsed walls, shattered and shuttered windows, downed trees alongside roads, and the ubiquitous blue tarps covering rooftops appear everywhere.
All of that being said, I’ve chosen to write this month about hurricanes. After all, what better way to ward off the nightmarish seasonal monsters than to talk straight up about them. Mind you, this is not meant to be your generic article on hurricane preparedness. Yes, you need a plan; and it is really wise that you prepare one for your entire family on what it is you are going to do and where you are going to go before the TV reporters are seen leaning into the wind down at the beach with the waves crashing behind them. You also need water, and nonperishable food; and you need batteries. Always, you need batteries. Chargers for your cellphone are essential, too. You know all, or at least most, of this stuff already. Surely, too, there will be plenty of articles written about getting prepared, particularly now that we’re heading straight into the season. Hurricanes are, though, a very serious matter. While I may have started this article with a bit of levity, when the subject turns to hurricanes, it is indeed, a matter about which I am very serious. If you have lived here for any moderate length of time, you’ve certainly had a taste of the bitterness hurricanes bring. Fifteen years ago Florida was battered with four, hitting us in all directions. Plant City sustained such flying debris and damage that we were forced to dip into reserves to pay for the cleanup (of which was fortunately later reimbursed by the Federal Government). Two years ago brought us Hurricane Irma, with winds so powerful it sucked
Yet relying upon help from the Federal Government appears next to impossible. Even with the start of a new Hurricane Season, the members of Congress want to battle each other over the passage of a disaster relief funding bill. That normally happens within weeks following a major storm. Unfortunately not so, it seems, with this grid-locked Congress. The bottom line is simply this. Don’t take lightly the subject of hurricanes. It seems that some people sort of imagine that a hurricane, knocking out power for a while, is like an external weather force making us all go camping for a few days. We will all get to commune with nature! Well, understand, I love camping. I’ve camped in wonderful and crazy places all over the world, like Antarctica, Africa, South America, Europe, New Zealand, Australia, and all over America. Yet every one of those nights I was camping was because I wanted to. It has never been because the weather forced me to (except for that one scary night, climbing way up on Mt. Rainier, when we got caught off guard in a blizzard, but that’s another story!). Camping can be wonderful, but I’d rather not endure it when there’s no end in sight. Resetting the microwave clock following a minor power outage pales to having no power for days or weeks. Seriously. Make a plan. Pack an emergency kit of food, water, and essentials. Then let’s hope and pray that we never, ever have to use it!
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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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We’re Growing the Population of Florida Scrub Jays Our efforts to protect native wildlife species have helped the endangered Florida Scrub Jay population not only survive, but grow. As part of the Mosaic mining process, we designated 850 acres of habitat, and then worked with local environmental experts to relocate Scrub Jays. Now the Scrub Jay population, which had only a five percent survival chance 15 years ago, is once again growing and thriving.
To learn more visit www.MosaicCo.com/Florida
CROP INSURANCE: IT PAYS TO MANAGE YOUR RISK When you purchase risk management coverage with Farm Credit of Central Florida, we return a portion of our commission as patronage dividends to eligible stockholders. Patronage dividends could help lower the cost of insurance premiums, saving you money as you manage your risk. Farm Credit of Central Florida is glad to discuss how we can save you money on your crop insurance with patronage dividends. Feel free to contact our crop insurance specialist, Regina Thomas, at 407.721.4687 or rthomas@farmcreditcfl.com. Patronage dividend distribution is subject to eligibility. Certain limitations, conditions, and exclusions apply for crop insurance. Please refer to the policy for more details.
Important Sales Closing Dates Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) . . . . . . .Feb. 28 Citrus Fruit & Citrus Trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .April 15 Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May 1 Pasture, Rangeland, Forage (PRF) . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov. 15
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Apiary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov. 15 Blueberries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov. 20
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E n d a n g e r e d S p e c i es
An Endangered Species of Potentially Biblical Proportion:
Torreya taxifolia
By Ginny Mink
When we set out to choose the endangered species to write about this month, we had no idea that the potential history of this particular species would be so intriguing. In fact, when we discovered that the Torreya taxifolia was one of the most endangered trees on the planet that was enough of an eye catcher for us. But, as we continued our research, interesting aspects of the story began to unfold. Given the fact that there is less than one percent of the Florida torreya’s population remaining, it is considered the most endangered conifer in North America. According to a number of pathologists and biologists, this species has reached a now or never need for help. In fact, Edward O. Wilson, now 88 years old, first examined the gopherwood trees located in Torreya State Park, back in 1957. When he returned in 2018, he planted a seedling.¹ If you are even remotely familiar with Biblical scripture, you might have heard that the ark, built by Noah, was constructed of gopher wood. There has been a long debate over what tree this gopher wood came from. Some people living in Florida’s Panhandle believe that this endangered conifer was the source of that wood. Known as gopher wood, which of course has some Biblical significance, it’s also commonly called stinking cedar, though it is not a cedar. This name is derived from the intense smell that comes when you roll the stems and needles between your fingers.² Though the concept may seem farfetched, there is reason to believe the theory is possible given the name of the tree itself. Of course, this tree grows between Chattahoochee and Flint along the Apalachicola River.³ So, the distance between that and Mount Ararat is significant. But, if you believe Scripture, then you know nothing is impossible with God. Then, what if this really is the tree Noah used to build the ark and we are letting it die off? That seems pretty significant to us! Unfortunately, some people wonder, “Does it make sense to save a tree like the torreya that has a tiny historical range and no commercial value?”¹ In the past, it is possible that 650,000 torreyas lived in the Panhandle alongside fan-leafed palmettos and gigantic southern magnolias. They were part of a giant veil over this historic habitat. And, in the 1800s, the trees were used to make shingles and fence posts as well as fuel for the steamboats that trudged up and down the Apalachicola River. Sadly, a fungal blight began attacking these trees somewhere around the time of World War II.¹ Apparently, this fungus, which the tree cannot seem to defend itself against, works to strangle the trees. Add to that, recently, Hurricane Michael. This category 4 storm spent an extraordinary amount of its energy in the Panhandle while the Apalachicola River area experienced its strongest winds. Canopy trees, a source of protection for the gopherwood, were toppled, leaving these sensitive trees exposed to a deadly amount of intense sunlight. In fact, there are now only a few hundred trees left in their native wild habitats.² As we know from research, this species was thriving until the 1950s. That fungal disease decimated them so intensely, that by 1962, their natural habitats only held “nonreproductive stump sprouts”³ It took another 22 years before this species got placed on the endangered list via the US Endangered Species Act. Though there is a recovery plan in effect, the 1,000 trees alive in 1996 have been reduced to a mere few hundred in 2018. In the 90s, scientists didn’t know what was causing the demise.³
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Now that they do, they are considering some very controversial recovery methods. Things like gene-editing and other biotechnologies. Of course, the old-fashioned method of crossbreeding has also been considered, but this method
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can take decades. And, it is quite probable that the Florida torreya doesn’t have that much time left. There is, however, some hope coming out of the Atlanta Botanical Garden where more than 800 trees are being propagated, grown in pots, and planted in various locations in northern Georgia. Their hope is to eventually restore this species to the wild.¹ The bottom line here, is that if something is not done to help these trees, they will very definitely go extinct and in a rather short period of time. In August of 2017, working with the Fish and Wildlife Service, those at the Atlanta Botanical Garden created a five-year conservation plan. Determining how to battle the fusarium fungus, a non-native invader, is also a big part of protecting and preserving these trees. Thankfully, there are small groups, like Torreya Keepers and Torreya Guardians, who are also working to conserve the gopherwoods in their native locales and on private property. If you think this tree is an interesting topic, we definitely suggest reading the more in-depth articles found in our resources’ section. And, as always, we want you to remember that we are supposed to be stewards of this planet and all that lives upon it. That means we need to take care of those things God put here from the beginning, and maybe even used in His storyline, like the gopherwood tree! Resources: ¹Marinelli, J. (2018). For Endangered Florida Tree, How Far to Go to Save a Species? YaleEnvironment360. https://e360.yale. edu/features/for-endangered-florida-tree-how-far-to-go-tosave-a-species-torreya ²Kahn, B. (2019). The Race to Save the Most Endangered Conifer in America. Earther. https://earther.gizmodo.com/ the-race-to-save-the-most-endangered-conifer-in-america-1833785742 ³Torreya taxifolia. The Gymnosperm Database. Conifers. https://www.conifers.org/ta/Torreya_taxifolia.php Photo Credits: Manners, M. (2013). Stinking Cedar. Flickr (https://flic.kr/p/ivaCUs). Zona, S. (2007). Torreya taxifolia 1a. Flickr (https://flic.kr/p/ eQgHDw). Rare Plants of Georgia Photo Gallery’s photostream. Knight, G. (2006). Georgia DNR- Wildlife Resources. Torreya taxifoliaphoto-closeup of cones- Gary R. Knight. Flickr (https://flic. kr/p/ZLBNWX). Organizations that You Might be Able to Help: http://torreyakeepers.org/ http://www.torreyaguardians.org/guardians.html https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/torreyastate-park https://atlantabg.org/
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Fuel System Treatment Basics
Internal combustion engines rely on maintenance. Since we rely on internal engines for so many things; recreation, our jobs and on a daily basis, transportation, it is on us to maintain those engines so that we can make our daily lives better. Maintenance can usually be summed up with these common things: • Oil changes • Cleaning air filters • Changing spark plugs • Maintaining air pressure in the tires One of the most overlooked areas of maintenance is our fuel system. Now that pump gas contains up to 10% Ethanol the rules have changed. Ethanol seems rather innocuous and in many ways it is. Without going into the politics of the reason Ethanol is in our fuel, we can look into the damage that Ethanol can do, especially when ignored. For starters, Ethanol is “hygro-scopic,” meaning that it absorbs water, whereas gasoline is “Hydro-phobic,” meaning that is repels water. The closest analogy that one can make is to compare pump gas to a bottle of Italian dressing (oil and vinegar). I’m certain all of us have been to a local Italian restaurant and seen that when the dressing bottle sits, the oil and vinegar separate in the bottle. This is called “phase-separation” and when there is Ethanol present in gasoline [fuel] it can create an environment conducive to water absorption and wreak havoc in an otherwise perfect fuel system. Our fuel systems are vented to the atmosphere, which means that once phase-separation occurs the process of water absorption is accelerated and within weeks, untreated fuel starts to deteriorate fuel lines, rust forms (even on stainless parts) and can lead to costly repairs. Even when treated with traditional fuel treatment products, fuel still gets contaminated because traditional fuel system treatment products are petroleum-distillate based. While these products are fantastic at providing an extra measure of cleaning a combustion chamber, lubricating fuel system components and even raising octane levels…none of the petroleum-based products prevent phase-separation. Unless you address the Ethanol problem correctly, you are only treating the symptoms. Until we can prevent phase-separation we aren’t preventing anything and this is why I believe that treating your fuel system needs to be part of your regular scheduled maintenance regimen. Unless you treat your fuel with a non-petroleum distillate-based product, you are mask-
In the last eight years or so, we have seen incredible damage to fuel systems due to humidity in motorcycles, ATVs and UTVs that have either been neglected or simply put in storage for an extended period of time. It can cost upwards of $1,000 to completely replace all of the components in a motorcycle’s fuel system with labor. In this scenario “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of the cure” holds true. So, let’s say that you do not want to use Ethanol-free fuel, or you cannot find Ethanol-free fuel. What can you do? Instead of treating the fuel simply for octane or additives, we need a product that solves more than one problem. Sentry Fuel treatment systems, based in St Petersburg, offers a fantastic product that not only treats your fuel, produces a clean lubricant through the process of combustion, but it also does two things most other products simply cannot. When added to your fuel, Sentry prevents phase separation, but it also does something else. Since Sentry is not a petroleum distillate-based product, it is not hydro-phobic, meaning it does not repel moisture. In fact, Sentry is such an advanced product that in addition to doing all of the awesome things we use fuel treatment products for, Sentry also emulsifies water into a combustible liquid and [essentially] makes water burn! We sell Sentry in 8 ounce and 32 ounce bottles. We also put it in the fuel systems in all of our Annual scheduled maintenance services. The bottom line here is that without some type of treatment, your fuel may contain up to 10% Ethanol and even though one bad apple shouldn’t spoil the whole bunch, your fuel system will last longer and perform much better when a non-petroleum based fuel treatment is used consistently. Ride Safe -Jason Hallman Cyclestop USA
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ing the problem and chasing your tail. The only other course of action is to eliminate the Ethanol in the fuel completely. Ethanol-free fuel is not always available, it costs more money and is [generally] available in a lower octane rating. I’ll get to octane and its effects at another time, but lower octane ratings can lead to detonation.
A Closer LookAmazing Activities Naturally
by Sean Green
Leather Strop
Father’s Day is almost here so this month we’re doing a project that might work as a quick Father’s Day gift. A leather strop is a traditional means of keeping his favorite knife or straight razor sharp. There are different styles of straps made; some have canvas or denim glued to the rough side of the leather, leaving the smooth side for a fine finish. In the interest of simplicity, our project will only use three pieces of leather. We are using a thick leather strap two and a half inches wide, but if you have an old belt lying around that is fairly wide, this is a great project for repurposing that old belt. The tools used for this activity are suggested to make things easier, but this project can certainly be done without special tools. In its simplest form, a leather strop can be little more then a strip of leather glued to a piece of wood or fashioned with a hole with which to hang it from a nail.
Supplies:
10 oz Leather Strap 2 ½ inches wide about 25 inches long Leather scraps for a handle and ring Fabric Glue (for leather) C-Clamps Scrap Wood (for clamping leather)
Leather Knife or utility razor Edge Beveller or skive tool Stitching Groover or Border tool Steel Leather Stamp Burnishing tool or wooden dowel Sandpaper
groover or use a stamp tool to stamp designs and edges into the leather. Glue and clamp the handle and key ring holder to the ends of the leather strap, allow at least an hour to dry.
Production:
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Create a paper pattern for the handle and cut two matching pieces of leather (to be glued together) Create a paper pattern for the ring holder and cut one piece of leather to be folded (to be glued together) Spread glue on both the handle and the key ring, clamp leather between wood, let dry for at least an hour. ** (Leave about an inch unglued, it will later be glued to the leather strap) ** Dampen the sides of the leather, one item at a time (Handle, Key Ring holder, strap) and bevel the edge of the leather
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with either an edge beveller, skive tool, or razor. Dampen the sides of the leather and burnish with wood until the leather is smooth and shiny. Heat (more than pressure) is what we are after when burnishing. Wet and work in small sections. When burnishing is complete, decorate the ends (not the main strap) by carving a grooved border with the stitching
Expensive leather conditioners are not necessary to maintain the leather strop, inexpensive shoe cream (not polish) will keep the strop in good shape for decades if used regularly (once or twice per year).
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A Closer Look
by Sean Green
Household casebearer (Phereoeca uterella)
Last month one of our readers sent us a letter and package asking us to “identify the enclosed critters.” Which we love doing by the way. She estimated the critter was about 1/8” long, and described it as having a “dark protrusion at one end when its moving,” and continued to say, “it scoots along in a jerky way.” Upon inspecting the specimens that were sent in, we suspect these Critters were an insect commonly known as the household casebearer (Phereoeca uterella). These strange insects are the larvae of one of Florida’s smaller moths and related to the common clothes moth. They cloak themselves in a protective cocoon that looks like a sandy pumpkin seed. This month we will take a closer look at this harmless critter that is likely to become a house guest during the balmy days of Florida’s summertime. The household casebearer (Phereoeca uterella) is a member of the Tineidae family, which includes many species of case bearing moths. Some moths in this family may be considered household pests while others might be viewed as beneficial. The most common name for this critter is the plaster bagworm, for its vaguely similar behavior to true bagworm moths (Psychidae). The household casebearer (Phereoeca uterella) creates a cocoon and plasters tiny bits of sand, rust, insect droppings, fibers, and bug parts to the outside of its cocoon in much the same way a true bagworm will attach twigs and other items from its environment to its cocoon. However similar, this critter is not a true bagworm, but rather a different caterpillar that has become particularly well adapted to the household biome in which its empty casings are often a common adornment in the homes and garages of the Deep South. Most of us associate caterpillars with the destruction of crops and plants, this caterpillar, however, is happier cleaning house than eating salad. In 1957, Dr. Lawrence A. Hetrick, former professor of entomology at University of Florida, found that the most common food source for the household casebearer was old spider webs, of which they apparently consumed in large quantities. If cobwebs and spider webs in your house freak you out, this is the perfect guest to invite home. In addition, this little critter will readily eat the webs of booklice (Psocoptera) and webspinners (Embioptera). Other than old casings perhaps being a bit unsightly, the household casebearer (Phereoeca uterella) is not considered a crop or household pest. In the pioneer days of Florida these insects would proliferate within the humid wooden homes of the South. Insects
The household casebearer is only one species of case bearing moths that you may find in your home during the hot humid summer months. Other species that may be more problematic are the common clothes moth (Tineola bisselliella), that can devastate your wardrobe, and the Indian meal moth (Plodia interpunctella) that will get into any grains that are left unprotected in your pantry. All case bearing moths are difficult to control with spray on pesticides because the cocoon is somewhat resistant to moisture. Mechanical removal with a broom and vacuum is probably the easiest solution. Keep in mind however, that these critters like humidity, so a dehumidifier or good working AC will usually prevent these larvae from reaching adulthood. Bay leaves contain essential oils such as eucalyptol and terpenes that are said to repel insects and I have verified that on many hiking trips to repel mosquitoes, but I have not tested the effect on moths. Studies have proven that peppermint oil and chestnut oil repel spiders, which would in turn help eliminate the primary food source (spider webs) of the household casebearer. It may be fun to try some of the natural repellents that our Southern ancestors once relied on. Take a closer look at these little critters, If you are anything like me, they will amuse you for hours.
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could easily enter a drafty home to maintain the food supply of household spider populations. The household casebearer (Phereoeca uterella) had a niche in consuming the pure protein of abandoned spider webs, bug parts, animal dander, and even human hair that would collect in the corners of the house. One of the factors that limit this insect’s potential as a pest today is that the larvae of this species require high humidity to complete its pupation into adulthood. Although you may occasionally find these insects in your household, modern air conditioning creates an inhospitable environment for populations to persist the way they did long ago. Outside of the household, this caterpillar is exposed to more potential threats then can be found in a home. When threatened, the household casebearer will retreat into its cocoon and sometimes seal itself in with silk. The cocoon itself is very difficult to tear open and would discourage many potential predators. There are, however, at least two natural predators that can overcome the caterpillar’s fortified cocoon. Both the braconid wasp, (Apanteles carpatus) and an Ichneumonid wasp, (Lymeon orbum) are known to have parasitized the household casebearer as a suitable breeding host and therefore have potential as a biologic control agent.
FLORIDA HEAT WAVE EXPERTS BEWARE OF HEAT RELATED STRESS ON THE FARM AND RANCH. BELOW IS A LIST OF HEAT WAVE EXPERTS. DON’T HESITATE TO CONTACT THEM FOR INFORMATION IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING HEAT STRESS ON YOUR FARM OR RANCH. PLANTS/FLORIDA-FRIENDLY LANDSCAPING
HEAT STRESS AND CATTLE
Larry Williams Residential horticulture agent – UF/IFAS Okaloosa County Extension 850-689-5850 llw5479@ufl.edu
Raluca Mateescu Associate professor of animal sciences (352) 392-2367 raluca@ufl.edu
Edmund Thralls Residential horticulture agent UF/IFAS Orange County Extension (407) 254-9200 ethralls@ufl.edu Lynn Barber Florida-Friendly Landscaping Agent – UF/IFAS Hillsborough County Extension 813-744-5519 x 54105 labarber@ufl.edu Nicole Pinson Urban horticulture agent – UF/IFAS Hillsborough County Extension (813) 744-5519 X 54145 nicolepinson@ufl.edu
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Susan Haddock Commercial horticulture agent– UF/IFAS Hillsborough County Extension (813) 744-5519 ext. 54103 szcrmchz@ufl.edu
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Jonael Bosque Agriculture agent – UF/IFAS Extension Hardee County (863) 773-2164 jonael@ufl.edu
AGRICULTURAL WORKERS AND HEAT STRESS Tracy Irani Professor and chair of family, youth and community sciences (352) 273-3446 irani@ufl.edu HEAT AND HUMAN HEALTH Jeanette Andrade Assistant professor of food science and human nutrition (352) 294-3735 jandrade1@ufl.edu
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UF SCIENTISTS TEST VACCINE FOR DISEASE THAT AFFECTS DEER
University of Florida scientists are working with deer farmers to test a new vaccine that could help prevent a deadly disease in deer. The disease, called epizootic hemorrhagic diseases, or EHD, does not affect humans, but is the number one cause of herd loss on deer farms, said Samantha Wisely, associate professor of wildlife ecology and conservation with the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Wisely directs the UF/IFAS Cervidae Health Research Initiative (CHeRI), which already provides diagnostic services to deer farmers and will now work with farms to test the vaccine’s effectiveness. “To test if this vaccine works, we need deer farmers to participate in the study,” Wisely said. “When deer farmers vaccinate their animals, my lab will compare data from vaccinated and non-vaccinated animals and measure the effectiveness of the treatment.” An independent manufacturer developed the vaccine, and CHeRI has partnered with them to test it in Florida, where it could make a positive impact on the deer farming industry. “There is sound science behind this vaccine, and CHeRI has the resources to coordinate testing with farmers and analyze the results,” Wisely said.
The deer farmers in the study are raising white tailed deer that will be released in hunting preserves, not harvested for venison, which typically comes from another deer species, Wisely said. Deer trophy hunting is an economically important industry in the U.S., she said. “Deer farming for trophy hunting is one of the fastest growing rural industries in the U.S., and Florida is ranked fourth in deer farm production. We have about 300 deer farms, located in 60 of our 67 counties, so the industry is widespread,” Wisely said. “Nationally, deer trophy hunting is an $8 billion industry, so keeping deer healthy is economically important for farmers, and it helps improve the health of wild deer populations.” EHD is spread through the bites of no-see-’ums, a type of midge. Infected deer decline quickly and usually die within a few days. There is no cure, but a successful vaccine could help prevent many of these deaths, Wisely said. The vaccine is free to Florida deer farmers, who are also encouraged to use CHeRI diagnostic services, regardless of their participation in the study, Wisely said. For more information, contact the CHeRI Vaccine Research Team at 352-562-DEER or email wiselylabuf@gmail.com. For more information about CHeRI visit www.wec.ifas.edu/cheri.
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By Samantha Grenrock
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Polk County Cattle Women
Polk County Cattlewomen participate in community events that are beef or cattle related in an effort to educate the public about the benefits of eating beef and its many by products. Recently, we sponsored a lunch at the Lightsey Ranch for 30 youth and volunteers participating in the 4-H Tailgating Day Grilling Camp Series. Grilling campers toured local ranches and Publix supermarkets. They also had several speakers and demonstrations on safe handling, cuts of beef, and different kinds of rubs. 4-H Tailgating is a Series of outdoor cooking experiences promoting the inclusion of animal protein in the diet, improving and encouraging cooking and nutritional knowledge and disseminating information on food, fire and location safety. Learning activities in this series target developing life skills such as decision-making and healthy lifestyle choices. Additionally, the campers participated in a tailgating contest where they were eligible to win monetary prizes. Way to go Campers! Thanks to all that participated in making this a successful event. We are looking forward to seeing you all at the Florida Cattlemen’s Association Annual Convention and Trade Show at the Marco Island Marriott, June 18 -20, 2019. We wish Hanna Cline our Polk County Sweetheart lots of luck on her presentation. Marcia Lightsey has invited the PCCW to her home, for a Summer social, where she and her family will show us
Polk County Cattlemen’s annual meeting, Summer Dinner and Cake Auction, will be held July 11, 2019 at 6 pm. If you are a current member, please plan on attending and enjoy a delicious steak dinner prepared by the Cattlemen. After the meeting and dinner, the Cattlewomen will auction their homemade treats to help fund next year’s scholarships. The PCCW will award the recipients of our scholarships at the dinner. If you are not a Cattleman’s member, this would be a great time to join and network with fellow ranchers and business men and women in the agriculture industry. As always, PCCW welcome new members. If you are interested in joining, our next meeting will be at the Ag Complex in Bartow, Wednesday, July 10, 2019 at 6:30PM. We would love to see new faces. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me, #863205-3977.
Missy McLaughlin-Raney Polk County Cattlewomen President
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how they make homemade garlic pickles from scratch. This is tentatively scheduled for June 29, 2019. Time TBD.
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USED MACRO HARVEST BINS
ID 44”X44”X16”, qty. approx. 750. Green “Intercrate” harvest RPC’s, qty. approx. 4,000. H.D. Budd Farms, Inc. 813-716-7670
MASSEY FERGUSON 360 Grading Tractor. $6,000 Call Alvie 813-759-8722
2013 MAHINDRA 3616L TRACTOR
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36hp, 4x4, tractor with cab and loader. 408 hours. $15,000 Call Alvie 813-759-8722
I4 POWER EQUIPMENT
Spring is here, and the grass is growing again! Trade-Ins Welcomed, Service Department Available. Exit 22 • S. Frontage Rd. Plant City 813-752-4459
FINISHING MOWER
3pt hitch, category 1, made by BEFCO. 50” Good for 20-50hp. ONE owner. Good shape. $500 - 813-365-0245
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Plow - good condition. $1750.00 Call Alvie 813-759-8722
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