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CONTENTS
OCTOBER 2019 VOL. 13 • ISSUE 2
KJ SMITH: UNTIL OUR TRAILS CROSS AGAIN
28 Cover Photo courtesy of the Smith Family PAGE 7 Business Up Front
PAGE 31 SWFWMD Hog Hunt
PAGE 10 Fall/Winter Garden
PAGE 32 PCSO
PAGE 12 Endangered Species Act
PAGE 33 Recipes PAGE 35 Jack Payne
PAGE 14 Fishing Hot Spots
PAGE 36 John Dicks
PAGE 16 Highland Ag Solutions PAGE 18 Rancher’s Daughter
PAGE 38 Endangered Species
PAGE 22
PAGE 40 Activity
Rocking Chair Chatter PAGE 24 Dill
PAGE 41 A Closer Look
PAGE 25 News Briefs
PAGE 42 Happy’s Place
PAGE 26 Literary Time Machine
PAGE 45 Farmer Will
Hey Readers!
Hidden somewhere in the magazine is a No Farmers, No Food logo. Hunt for the logo and once you find the hidden logo you will be eligible for a drawing to win a FREE No Farmers No Food Sticker. Send us your business card or an index card with your name and telephone number, the number of the page which you found the logo and where on the page you located the logo to the address below
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InTheField® Magazine P.O. Box 5377 • Plant City, Fl. 33566-0042 *Winners will be notified by phone. You Too Can Be A Winner!
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Polk County Cattlemen’s Association P.O. Box 9005 • Drawer HS03 Bartow, FL. 33831-9005 President – 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 Growing up, this time of year meant cooler temperatures and changing leaves. The days were frequently warm, but the nights were noticeably cooler with the shortening of daylight hours. The smell of burning wood permeated the air and wispy clouds of smoke from chimneys painted the sky. Fields lay dormant, waiting for spring and new signs of life. Now, the temperatures may have dropped a degree or two, but it’s still hot and humid, the nights are getting longer, but the fields are being prepped and planted for a new growing season, not the dormancy of the fields in my old Kentucky home. I’ve been here for more than 15 years, so it’s normal for me now. But that first year, there was a definite learning curve. Who knew when I was told a cold front was coming, that it meant it was going to be 70 degrees? When I heard “cold front” I panicked. My winter clothes are packed away! I’ll freeze! Wait, this is a cold front? Bring it on! After all these years of being a resident of the Sunshine State, 70 and below and I’m grabbing my jacket. Growing up in Kentucky was an experience I cherish. Romping through the hills and playing in creeks, riding my horse, all over the countryside without a care in the world, these are the memories I hold dear. I will absolutely go back to visit, but Florida is my home now, and not just because of the beach and Disney World (don’t get me wrong, I enjoy those, too). Seeing a farmer gazing over his fields, the rancher watching his herd, both concerned with protecting what they have, that’s what I love. A top priority is preserving the environment for the next generation. It’s not just a job for them; it’s a way of life.
STAFF Publisher/Photography Karen Berry Senior Managing Editor/ Associate Publisher Sarah Holt Sales Karen Berry Sarah Holt Melissa Nichols
Creative Director/Illustrator Juan Alvarez Photography Karen Berry Melissa Nichols Staff Writers Al Berry Sandy Kaster James Frankowiak Sean Green Ginny Mink Breanne Williams Anita Todd Contributing Writers Woody Gore John Dicks
Until Next Month
Sarah Holt
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.
The LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. - Numbers 6:25
Letters, comments and questions can be sent to P.O. Box 5377, Plant City, Florida 33563-0042 or you are welcome to email them to: info@inthefieldmagazine.com or call 813-759-6909 Advertisers warrant & represent the descriptions of their products advertised are true in all respects. In The Field Magazine assumes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers. All views expressed in all articles are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Berry Publications, Inc. Any use or duplication of material used in In the Field magazine is prohibited without written consent from Berry Publications, Inc.
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Published by Berry Publications, Inc.
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PROMISE
Business Up Front By Anita Todd His love of the land has been passed down through the generations, learning the importance of caring for what God has provided from his father and grandfather. With those qualities in mind it looks like Brannen Willis’ recently purchased company was just meant to be. Promise Habitat Services is an ecofriendly habitat management company based in Plant City. “We provide a broad spectrum of land and habitat management for private sector and government agencies at all levels,” he said. “Whether it be on farms, ranches, or state parks, we can provide custom ag services to meet the customers’ needs.” Willis and his Promise Habitat Services team are different because they work the land with conservation and all things native to it in mind. “We take into consideration everything about the land and figure out how to complete the project without destroying it in the process,” Willis said. For example, after Hurricane Michael devastated much of the Florida Panhandle last year, Promise Habitat was contracted by the state. For two months after the storm, Willis’ company cleared downed trees and other debris at Torreya State Park. Their goal was to get the job done as quickly as possible so that the park could be reopened to the public. The land, already traumatized by the hurricane, was worked with respect by the heavy equipment operators of the company. “Our guys are outdoorsmen who care about the land,” he said. “That’s the difference between us and other companies.” The results of the job reinforced an already stellar reputation and the path to many more contracts with local, state and federal government agencies. “We are conservationists who labor toward sustainability,” he said. “Working the land – in any capacity – can cause a lot of damage and that’s what we try to avoid.” Fresh out of Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College in Tifton, Georgia, Willis was offered a job in Umatilla. After moving to Florida in 2005, Willis and his new boss realized a need for a company like Promise Habitat.
“Fast forward to 2018 and the business had grown to include all levels of government agencies,” he said. He was given the unique opportunity by his boss to purchase Promise Habitat and carry on with what was started. “Between what I learned growing up, what I learned from my boss and the work ethic set the stage for now,” he said. “I definitely wouldn’t be where I am now if it wasn’t for Mr. Panuska.” Willis just moved the business to Plant City be closer to family and have the business more centralized while being closer to the I-4 corridor. Eventually, he would like to open a second location in north Florida. In addition to ecofriendly land management, Promise Habitat provides Wildlife Habitat Management; Forest Management Planning; Habitat Restoration; and numerous other services. Consulting in these areas is also available. Willis is passionate about the company and what it stands for as is his wife of 11-years, Megan. They have three daughters: Natalie, Madelyn and Kendall. The company just finished a project in the Ocala National Forest, removing brush and dense oak to better improve the longleaf and sandhill ecosystems. As the landscape of Polk County continues to change from citrus groves converting to blueberry fields or other more sustainable crops, he brings experience in those parameters, as well. “We started a blueberry farm from the ground up in Eustis,” he said. “We cleared 30 acres and had a mix of commercial and u-pick/agritourism activities.” At the end of the day, Willis said that success to him means having satisfied customers, and happy employees who love their jobs and take pride in caring for the environment. “I want to exceed my clients’ expectations, have my guys love their jobs and be able to take care of their families and take care of mine,” he said. For more information about the company, visit promisehabitatservices.com. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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Willis was put in charge and tasked with caring for 1,500 acres used as a hunting ranch that was careful to conserve the land. Eventually, Willis began to perform small, similar projects for other companies and entities.
Dear Cattlemen, We hope some of you had the opportunity to participate and attend the 2019 Florida Ranch Rodeo Finals and Cowboy Heritage Festival. Our Polk County Team, Raney Cattle, placed Reserve Champion overall in the Ranch Rodeo and won the Colt Riding event. Team members included: Kenny Raney, Keith Walter, Andy Morgan, Caleb Sanderson and Moriah McCullers. Congratulations to Raney Cattle for representing Polk County. Cattlemen’s Livestock Auction Team placed Reserve Champion in the Silver Sorting Competition and Jessie Bennett placed Reserve Grand Champion in the Ranch Horse Competition Youth Division. We appreciate all these Polk County members representing us so well at the State Finals.
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Our Polk County Junior Cattlemen’s Association is starting to become active again. They will have their next member meeting on Monday, November 4 in Bartow at the Stuart Center at 6:30 p.m.
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Please reach out to Joe Bennett (863-581-6506), Christie Shenefield (863-860-2043) and Trista Sherouse (863-698-0221) to learn more about the Junior Cattlemen activities in Polk County or check out their Facebook at Polk Jr. Cattlemens. Our fall dinner will take place on Thursday, November 14 at 6 p.m. at the Stuart Center in Bartow. We hope that you and your family will come out and join us for a wonderful steak dinner and a time of fellowship. Until next time, EAT MORE BEEF!
Carlton Taylor Polk County Cattlemen’s Association President
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WHAT TO GROW IN THE FALL/WINTER VEGGIE GARDEN By Julie Schelb Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Coordinator UF/IFAS Extension Polk County
As a Florida resident, you know that we have more than one growing season, and that the seasons aren’t the same as anywhere else. It can be tricky to navigate if you are new to central Florida, and UF/IFAS is here to help you learn what you can plant, and when!
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We’re just about to move into the fall/winter season, and for the vegetable garden, that means crops that would be grown in the summer in northern climates. There are some crops that grow well in both seasons, and that is just an added bonus! So what’s good to grow in the fall and winter? Almost all of the cabbage relatives will do fine in our winter: cabbage, bok choy, kale, mustard, broccoli, and so on. Most winters, sweet peas will bear, also. These plants will all shrug off any cold weather.
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However, large-fruited tomatoes, Japanese-style eggplants, summer squashes, green beans, and wax beans will need protection if we get one of our rare frosts. Remember, if you use plastic to cover them, don’t allow the plastic to touch the plant. For information on proper cold protection, read the UF/IFAS Fact Sheet on Cold Protection of Landscape Plants (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ mg025). Herbs like parsley, cilantro, garlic, sage and chives thrive in the fall and winter months. Start them now from either seed or plant. Cool season greens such as spinach and lettuce can be grown during the cool season. Lettuce can be sown thickly, and then picked very young as
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baby lettuce, or the seeds can be spaced out and allowed to form heads. Nothing is more delicious than a freshly-picked salad with your own herb dressing.
Celia has been a Florida Master Gardener Volunteer since 2008.
HAPPY GARDENING!
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.
*** This article was written by Celia Beamish, Florida Master Gardener Volunteer under supervision of the Master Gardener Coordinator and Residential Horticulture Agent Anne Yasalonis.
This month’s Florida-Friendly™ reminder: Rather than just exterminate every insect you see, it’s better to identify the little rascal and be sure it’s actually harmful. Many insects are unexpected pollinators.
Enjoy your cool season vegetable garden, and for more information on veggies or herbs, or about specific plants, call the UF/IFAS Extension Polk County Plant Clinic at 863-519-1041, or drop us a note at polkmg@ifas.ufl.edu. You can also log on to our website, http://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/polk and dowload the Crops by Planting Date and Vegetable Garden Crop Rotation fact sheets.
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NEW FEDERAL RULES CREATE DRAMATIC ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT CHANGES By Jim Frankowiak
The Trump Administration recently approved changes to rules governing the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Following those changes, fewer lands will be encumbered by ESA regulations, which will lower the threat of liability towards private entities, said the Stearns Weaver Miller Law Firm in the fall 2019 edition of its What’s Developing newsletter. In response, certain environmental groups have filed suit against the administration. However, such efforts are unlikely to bring about any reversal of the current course, the firm said. The Department of the Interior’s change to Section 4(d) of the ESA, concerning the classification of threatened species, is one of the most controversial. This change gives the Department the ability to make a case-by-case determination regarding the level of protection afforded to a threatened species instead of automatically extending threatened species the full protection afforded to endangered species as was previously the case. (For reference, an “endangered species” is one that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range, whereas a “threatened species” is one that is likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future.) For example, strict prohibitions on taking or harming the species or its environment will no longer automatically extend to every threatened species. This change will reduce the threat of liability to entities that develop or operate on or near lands inhabited by certain threatened species. Another change will reserve a rule developed by the Obama Administration allowing the Secretary of the Inte-
rior to set aside certain geographic areas as critical habitats that were not currently occupied by species listed as either endangered or threatened (listed species). Under the new rule, the Secretary can only set aside an area uninhabited by a listed species if limiting the protection to areas actually occupied by that listed species would be inadequate or less efficient in ensuring that species’ conservation. The Secretary will make the determination whether to set aside unoccupied areas based on two criteria: 1) there must be a reasonable certainty that the area will contribute to the conservation of the species; and 2) the area must contain one or more of those physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the species. This change will heighten the standard under which the Secretary can set aside unoccupied land, which means land currently unoccupied by a listed species bears less of a threat of being subject to future federal regulation under ESA. Lastly, the recent changes to the ESA will heighten the threshold for designating unoccupied areas as critical habitat, which formerly received additional protections under the ESA. The proposed changes only allow Fish and Wildlife Services (WFS) to designate unoccupied areas as critical habitat if that habitat faces a threat in the foreseeable future. What constitutes a threat in the “foreseeable future” will now be determined on a case-by-case basis. This will mean the FWS will have to make determinations for each area based on the potential threat to the species living on or near those areas. Many believe this will result in fewer are as that will be designated as critical habitation. Again, this change will mean property bears less of a threat of being subject to federal regulation under the ESA going forward.
More information regarding ESA changes is available by contacting the firm at: PAGE
www.stearnsweaver.com.
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BRONSON ANIMAL DISEASE DIAGNOSTICS LAB OPENED AT KISSIMMEE The $11 million Bronson Animal Disease Diagnostics Laboratory (BADDL) is now open. ocated in Kissimmee and named in honor of former Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Charles Bronson, the Bronson Lab is the only animal disease diagnostic laboratory in the state fully accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Diagnosticians. The 22,000-square-foot facility houses a fullservice veterinary laboratory with the latest technology, dedicated to keeping Florida’s animals and citizens healthy.
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Bronson served as Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture from 2001 – 2011. More information is available at www.fdacs.gov.
Teaching Folks To Fish Fishing is bursting with the expectation of SIGHT, BITE, AND FIGHT!
Let's start by getting rid of a mistaken belief that just because you are out fishing on the water, it's going to be just as much fun even if you do not catch a single fish. Many folks, and often fishing captains, will use the expression, “oh it’s just as much fun being on the water even if you do not catch a fish.” Well, let me clue you in folks. From 60 years of experience and conversations with thousands of anglers and clients, I can tell you it’s a bunch of bunk. No one gets pleasure from a fishless day on the water and especially a charter captain. It makes no difference whether you’re a weekend warrior or a 20-year seasoned captain; people like to catch fish! Especially if they’re paying for the opportunity to catch fish and learn how to do it. When taking anglers fishing for the first time be sure to organize wisely. Be careful, and do everything possible to turn their early fishing involvement into a catching one. When the opportunity to educate or offer tips presents itself we should assume responsibility and take the lead. Some contend the virtues of working hard for that first fish are an essential part of any fish-catching experience. I certainly agree the first fish is always crucial, but that first, it’s the first footstep forward on the road to becoming a forever angler. Here are a few mindset principles to digest before taking to the water: 1. Leave the drill sergeant approach at the dock; never take it on the boat. Youngsters, new anglers, or basically anyone likes a short, entertaining, practical, and fun approach to learning much better.
Capt. Woody Gore
2. Choose waters and locations that will boost the most overall fun experiences with the highest likelihood of catching fish. 3. Don't concern yourself with the fish size or fish species. Keep the focus on activity and excitement. 4. Choose easy to handle tackle making sure it is functioning correctly before handing it to the anglers. 5. Recognize that younger and even older anglers may not have the attention span, stamina, or be as loyal to the sport as we are, so keep your outing moderate. It’s good to limit experiences to a minimum of 4-5 hours/half-day, especially during the summer heat; doing everything possible to catch fish early.
FILL EACH TRIP WITH ORIGINALITY AND ACHIEVEMENT END EACH FISHING TRIP ON A HIGH NOTE OF ENCOURAGEMENT SIGHT, BITE, AND FIGHT will always
improve the anticipation of fishing. See the fish, learn the signs of bait activity, watch how bobbers move and disappear underwater, learn how rods flex, see and enjoy jumping fish, feel the rush of confidence from a spot-on cast, enjoy the sound of a screaming drag, and always ending every fishing trip on a high note. Fishing is an intriguing banquet and sport of abundance. Much of its beauty originates from the fact you can keep it simple, take it to higher levels or even push it to the extremes while still finding new levels of acceptance.
Tampa Bay Fishing Report In late September, we entered the fall season and began noticing cooler temperatures. With less humid mornings, it makes for a great time to get up and go fishing. As the water temperatures continue cooling, the bite should keep improving. What this means for November is escaping the chill of the north or the heat of our Florida summers and scheduling a fishing charter with Captain Woody Gore’s guide service. Fishing Tampa’s West Coast waters for over 50 years, Captain Woody offers a dependable professional full-
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Capt. Woody Gore (www.captainwoodygore.com)
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Capt. Woody Gore time charter fishing service. Targeting some of our most sought after inshore game fish, i.e., snook, redfish, spotted sea trout, Spanish mackerel, snapper, flounder, sheepshead, and tarpon. As the days become less humid and grow more delightful, you will be able to experience some of the best fishing in the “Fishing Capital of the World”…Florida. Let’s Go Fishing This Month – Capt. Woody Gore WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
Snook still closed. However, greenbacks seem the bait
of choice for those wanting to catch and release. We have also been catching them on cut bait lying on the bottom. Anglers using live bait should have no problem finding plenty of greenbacks, threadfins, or pinfish. A simple technique I have been using to slow down my live bait is to cut off the tail fins. Redfish still closed: While everything is release, they seem to be on every grass flat and eating both live and dead baits. We are catching plenty of nice size fish with many in the 30-plus range. Grass flats with broken bottom, submerged oyster bars and mangrove shorelines throughout the bay hold hungry Redfish. Greenbacks, dollar size pins, shrimp, cut bait, and patience do the trick. Spotted Sea Trout still closed: But they seem to be on every grass flat and eating both live and artificial lures with a definite upswing in action. Useful reports when fishing big incoming tide days around deepwater broken-bottom grass flats. They are eating shrimp, pinfish, and greenbacks. Deeper flats, with good moving water, and a popper cork or a free lined greenback or shrimp prove deadly in catching “Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing” nice trout. Spanish Mackerel action should remain stable as long as we have bait. Try using 50# SeaGuar Fluorocarbon Leader with long shank Daiichi #2 or #3 hooks. Free Captain Woody Gore’s Guide Service: The area’s top-notch outdoor line the baits in the current with a #3 split-shot weight fishing guide service. He’s guided and fished the Tampa, Clearwater, about 6” from the hook. Mangrove Snapper has flooded St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, Bradenton, and Sarasota areas for Tampa Bay grass flats, bridges, markers, and docks fishing over fifty years and offers first-class customer service, outstanding fishing adventures and a lifetime of memories. with small greenies, and shrimp should produce some nice sized fish often tipping the scales around the 1 to 3 pounds. Single Boat, Multi-Boat and Group Charters: Use lighter Seaguar fluorocarbon leader, a small slip sinker, With years of organizational experience and access to the areas a # 1 circle hook, and you’re in business. Remember, don’t most experienced captains, Captain Woody can arrange and coorset the hook. Keep a tight line and when you feel somedinate any size group, outing, or tournament. thing lift lightly on the rod and reel.
813-477-3814
Website www.captainwoodygore.com Email fishing@captainwoodygore.com
Try CitroBio & RGA: The Best Tools for Farming! CitroBio is a Food Processing Aid with proven effectiveness against E.coli, Salmonella, and Listeria. CitroBio extends the shelf life of produce! Use in all phases of meat and produce processing. Benefits: • • • •
Adds superior freshness • Controls bacteria • Extends shelf life • Kosher certified
GRAS/FDA Ingredients No rinsing is necessary Does not change color or flavor
RGA is the key to recovering productivity and re-establishing nutrition to soil, for all types of crops. RGA is specially designed to enhance agricultural production naturally. Probiotic technology - for crops! • • • • •
Better yields Better profit Reduce pesticide and fertilizer use Proven field trials Increase in fibrous root mass with excellent results
www.citrobio.com | 800-332-1647 | RGA is a Patented Product | Made in the U.S.A. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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HIGHLAND AG SOLUTIONS: FOR REGULATORY, CUSTOMER AND THIRD PARTY FOOD SAFETY COMPLIANCE
To be a successful produce grower or packing house operator today, you must not only be in full compliance with government regulations at all times, you must also meet the requirements set forth by your customers. The why and wherefore of this aspect of contemporary farming is pretty straightforward. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated in 2011 that each year 48 million people, that’s one in every six Americans, get sick from foodborne illnesses. Of that number, 128,000 are hospitalized and 3,000 die of foodborne diseases. Those difficult facts were the genesis for the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), which was signed into law in January of 2011. The FSMA has given the U.S. Food and Drug Administration new authorities to regulate the way foods are grown, harvested and processed. It also places a significant burden on growers with respect to up-to-date record keeping on all facets of their operations so that they can successfully meet the passing requirements of both announced and unannounced regulatory visits.
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Additionally, today’s commodity growers are also subject to third party audits initiated by the companies that purchase
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BY Jim Frankowiak
the products they grow. They must not only pass those audits, but pass by a score at the high end of the “A” range. If they don’t they will lose that customer. Record-keeping the old fashioned way typically required the services of a full-time, qualified employee and the “creation” of a small library of three-ring binders that must be updated continually in the event of a regulatory visit or third party audit. Those federal regulations and customer requirements are not cast in stone, they are constantly changing. Highland Ag recognized these challenges early on and created the Highland Hub, a web-based application that helps manage farm operations and all of their data in a user-friendly dashboard format. Food safety records, along with imagery, lab sample results, irrigation monitoring, labor records and crop protection application records, are just some of what the Hub handles. And, the best part is, it’s all accessible from the farmer’s office, typically a truck and handheld cellphone. Highland Ag’s FS 365 has enabled growers to “stick a fork” in the old ways of collecting, saving, maintaining and accessing the information needed for compliance with food safety requirements. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
They can now monitor their food safety programs, from any device, anywhere. Producers and packers can complete records, conduct internal audits and track corrective actions, helping maintain compliance with 3rd party, FDA and customer requirements and more: • Create, manage customized documentation, including records and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) • Receive notifications when a record is due or when a document needs approval • Receive real-time notifications of Critical Control Point (CCP) monitoring and activities occurring on the farm or in the packing house • Create custom permissions for each user, restricting access throughout the system • Complete internal audits and see real-time scores for your operation • Manage all 3rd party, regulatory and customer requirements in one, user-friendly system • Link spray records and lab results to a virtual food safety manual
• Add a custom checklist for quality sustainability or customer requirements • Manage supplier information and documentation, receiving notifications when new information is needed. Another important tool that Highland Ag Solutions has created is Crop IQ, a simple, web-based farm management application that enables producers to easily create and store crop protection work orders and records via the Highland Hub. Crop IQ contains a chemical database, complete with Re-entry Intervals (REIs), Post-Harvest Intervals (PHIs), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration numbers, active ingredients, labels, and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) documents to help operational management. This Highland application has new tools that permit custom reporting such as Restricted Use and Cost Analysis reports. One important Highland consideration is that this growing level of data on the Highland Hub is owned and fully-controlled by the farmer or packing house from which it originates. No one else has access to it and the data is never sold.
For more information about Highland Ag Solutions, visit: www.highlandagsolutions.com
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CONFESSION OF A RANCHER’S DAUGHTER By Marisol Tarango Since a very young age the rancher’s daughter has been around smells that she will forever carry with her. The smell of baby animals that are still wet from birth, how hay smells like fading summer in the middle of winter, how the air was so humid in the summer it smelled like water, the way dad’s little jar of chap stick smelled when it got mixed with the dust of a dry spring day, and the fresh smell of the first autumn breeze. There are many smells that summon childhood images, but some smells may not be what people expect to bring up the strongest memories.
CONFESSION #5: There are some pretty weird smells that I liked as a child…and still do. As a child on the ranch I was exposed to smells that were not the norm for most people. Sometimes I didn’t notice these smells until someone who was visiting pointed them out, or I was aware of them but didn’t think they smelled bad. And then, there were times where I would say, “Don’t you just love that smell!” and would only receive a perplexed stare in return.
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One smell that I find very comforting is the smell of sweaty saddle pads. Of course, they smell strongly of horses, but that smell can carry so many memories. Memories of long adventurous days working cows that established me as a bona fide member of the crew (even if it was just in my head). Memories of getting to ride Daddy’s horse when he got home, and how each time I couldn’t wait until I grew tall enough to reach the stirrups on his saddle. Sweaty saddle pads also remind me of the first ride on a colt. How I would start out with butterflies in my stomach, and how I would trot and trot circles, praying that he wouldn’t buck me off. And how afterwards, the butterflies gave way to a calm contentment as I brushed down my new best buddy. Sweaty saddle pads can also bring back the memory of those long, life conversations with Daddy, as we waited in the dusk for the horses to finish eating, enjoying the one hour of the day where the world seems to be as it should. Then there is the smell of sulfur water. Because we live in
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the country, we have our own well, and the area we live in is known for having a high presence of sulfur in the water. Since I grew up drinking it, I never thought it smelled or tasted funny, in fact, I preferred it. Other people were not so fond of it, I later realized. The smell of boiled eggs was not what they liked their water to smell like, and for some people, the smell was so bad to them that they would bring their own drinks to the house, or only drink sweet tea when offered a drink. One time, a friend even asked me when we were going to get our water fixed. I found this all funny as a kid, but there’s still nothing like water from home, water that actually has a smell, instead of no smell at all. There are many living smells on a ranch, but there are also smells that come from machinery, and even these smells find their way into fond memories. When I’m pumping fuel at the gas station, the smell of diesel reminds me of baling hay, and how everyone smelled like dried grass and tractor by the end of the day, and of that comforting feeling of having a barn full of hay ready for winter. When I walk into an auto parts store and breath in motor oil and brake fluid, I remember all those nights that I came in smelling like grease and brake fluid because I had been helping Daddy change the brakes before work the next morning. And no matter where I’m at, smell of a tractor running always give me a measure of assurance, because tractor fumes were the sign that after hours and hours (and prayers and prayers) Daddy finally got the tractor running again. All of these smells that bring back fond memories to me may be a little unusual, but we all have unusual comfort smells (whether we admit it or not). The common scent about these smells though, is that a lot of times, I like them for what they remind me of, not for what they are. I cherish them for the brief smile they give me as I remember home, even if I am far away. And they remind me that if I ever get lost from home all I have to do is follow my nose. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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A dog’s nose print is as unique as a person’s fingerprints. The Mona Lisa was purchased in 1517 by King Francis I of France to hang in the bathroom. Chop Suey means odds and ends. Charles Osborne owns the Guinness world record for having a case of the hiccups for the longest time – 68 years, from 1922 – 1990. Ants do not sleep. Sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia is better known as “brain freeze,” that headache you get when you’ve swallowed too much ice cream. The humuhumunukunukuapua’a is the state fish of Hawaii. It translates roughly to “the fish with a pig-like nose.”
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Collection of Stories From time to time I come a cross interesting stories, and save them back for use in this column if they fit in with what I am writing about. This month I decided to use a number of retirement stories I thought you might enjoy. There’s the story of a priest that was being honored at his retirement dinner after 25 years in the parish. A leading local politician, who was also a member of the congregation, was chosen to make the presentation and give a little leaving speech at the dinner. He was delayed so the priest decided to say his own few words while they waited. “I got my first impression of the parish from the first confession I heard here. I thought I had been assigned to a terrible place. The very first person that entered my confessional told me he had stolen a television set and, when stopped by the police, had almost murdered the officer. He had stolen money from his parents, embezzled from his place of business, had an affair with his boss’s wife and taken illegal drugs. I was appalled. But as the days went on I knew that my people were not all like that, and I had, indeed, come to a fine parish full of good and loving people.” Just as the priest finished his talk the politician arrived full of apologies at being late. He immediately began to make the presentation and give his speech. “I’ll never forget,” he began, “The first day our parish priest arrived, I, in fact, had the honor of being the first one to go to him in confession.” Two elderly gentlemen who had just retired met for a game of chess at the retirement center recreation hall. “Jimmy, you know I am 87 years old now and I’m just full of aches and pains. I know you’re about my age, how do you feel?” Jimmy replied with glint in his eye, “I feel just like a newborn baby.” “Really?” George replied. “At 87 you feel like a newborn baby?” “Yeah,” laughs Jimmy. “No hair, no teeth, and I think I just wet my pants.” Melody worked many years past 62, and decided to take a much deserved retirement cruise. One evening she was standing at the rail of the cruise ship holding her hat so that it wouldn’t blow away in the wind. Fredrick, a gentleman approached her and says, “Pardon me, madam, I do not intend to be forward but did you know your dress is blowing up in this wind?” “Yes, I know,” she replied firmly. “But I need my hands to hold onto my hat.”
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“But madam,” remarks the gentleman, “You must know your derriere is exposed.”
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She looked directly at him and said, “Sir, anything you see down there is 85 years old, but I just bought this hat yesterday.” A retiring German public employee thought it’d be a good idea to email his 500 coworkers and let them all know he had been paid to do nothing for the last 14 years. “Since 1998, I was only present but not really there. So I’m well prepared to retire,” the former public employee wrote in his farewell letter. He also made sure to mention that during all those years he did nothing, the city of Mendon (in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia) paid him about $975,000. The retiree says that because of constant reshuffling at his job, he managed to get away with never having to work. Of course he never mentioned any of this to his supervisors while he was being paid. Naturally, many people, most especially the mayor of Mendon, are furious (or in a “considerable pinch of rage,” as the mayor puts it) over the letter. “This kind of behavior is not good,” the mayor said. The retiree wasn’t expecting the farewell letter to get the type of attention it has received from the German press. So instead of it being a satisfying moment, he has managed to tick off an entire county. The 65-year-old thought he had had the last word before heading out of the office door for the last time -- except his email was leaked to the regional media and he is now the focus of some attention. “I do not wish to say anything else,” he told his local paper. “That email was not intended for public view. Now I am officially retired.” If you’re thinking about retirement you might want to check out the largest gated community for over-55 in the world. It’s the Villages, right here in Florida. It holds more that 100,00 residents, and is larger in size that Manhattan. Everybody gets around in a golf cart. Some of the golf carts cost over $25,000 and are jazzed up to look like Mercedes sedans, hot rods and Hummers. The Villages made it into the Guinness Book of World Records for the world’s longest golf-cart parade by lining up 3,321 carts. They hold a couple of other records too! They have the highest consumption of draft beer in the state of Florida. The community has its own microbrewery that pipes beer beneath the streets to its town square restaurants. A local police officer said, “You see two 70-year-olds with canes fighting over a woman and you think, and this place calls itself “America’s Friendliest Hometown.” Remember, the trouble with retirement is that you never get a day off.
Editor’s Note: This Rocking Chair Chatter was originally printed in the October 2014 issue WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Florida
Dill
By Sandy Sun, M.S. Clinical Medicines, B.S. Nutrition Science
Dill is an herb in the Umbelliferae family, which also includes fennel, celery, parsley, cumin and bay leaves. More than just a garnish, fresh dill is quite nutritious and full of vibrant flavor. Both its leaves and seeds are edible. Dill leaves are light and wispy with a soft, sweet taste. The seeds are light brown in color and taste aromatic, sweet and slightly bitter. It is an annual that grows up to four feet in height. The name dill originates from the Norse word “dilla” which means “to calm or lull.” Dill has been used traditionally to relieve insomnia as well as indigestion.
Dill is famously known for flavoring pickles. This herb can also be used to flavor broiled fish or meat, sauces, or as a sandwich topper. Fresh dill grows easily in Florida and is produced commercially to a small extent. Late fall is a good time to plant and harvest dill.
How to Select and Store
NUTRITIONAL PROFILE Dill is not only delicious, but also full of vitamins and minerals. It is a great source of calcium, dietary fiber, iron, and manganese, and magnesium. One half cup of fresh dill leaves (4.45 grams) has 1.9 calories, 0.05 g fat, 0.3 g carbohydrate, 0.09 g fiber, and 0.15 g protein. Dill is high in beneficial flavonoids and volatile oils which function like antioxidants in preventing diseases. It also contains notable amounts of vitamins A and C.
Calcium: Strong bones and more Fresh Florida dill is an excellent non-dairy source of calcium. Calcium is important in maintaining strength and density of your bones. Additionally, this mineral has been shown to prevent bone loss that can occur as a result of menopause and reduce symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome. Adequate calcium intake is needed to prevent calcium stores being leached out of bones. Calcium also plays an important role in muscle contraction, nerve conduction, and cell membrane function.
Manganese: Normal physiological functions
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Dill is considered a good 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.
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Fiber: Digestion and heart health Research has shown that dietary fiber has a protective effect against cardiovascular diseases, by lowering blood cholesterol levels and slowing the progression of heart disease in high-risk individuals. Fiber binds to the cholesterol-containing bile salts, which helps excrete them out of the body. It also promotes bowel regularity, stabilizes blood glucose levels, and keeps you feeling full longer, all of which can help with weight control. Fresh dill is more fragrant and delicious than the dried version. Look for bunches that are green, feathery and perky with upright stems. Avoid bunches that look brown, wet, or wilted. If choosing dried dill, pick dill that smells potent and aromatic. Fresh dill can be stored for up to a week in the refrigerator. Trim the stem ends and place in a glass of water. Cover the leaves loosely with a plastic bag. Store dried dill or seeds in an airtight container in a cool, dry, and dark spot for up to three months. Dill can also be frozen. Fill ice cube trays with chopped dill and cover with water and put into freezer. You can use the dill ice cubes when preparing soups or stews.
How to Enjoy Dill is best known for its starring role in dill pickles, but fresh or dried dill is delicious when stirred into soups, sauces, eggs, or salads. Fresh dill leaves can be added to butter or soft cheese or tossed into salads or on top of a sandwich. Other serving ideas include: • Combine dill weed with plain yogurt and chopped cucumber for a delicious Greek-inspired dip. • Top fish with fresh dill. • Use dill weed as a garnish for sandwiches. • Add dill to your favorite egg salad, tuna salad, or chicken salad recipe. • Mix together chopped potatoes, green beans, and plain yogurt, then season with both dill seeds and chopped dill weed. • Mince and add to coleslaw or salad dressing. Enjoy fresh Florida dill today. With its fresh, vibrant flavor and exceptionally low calories, dill makes a nutritious addition to any dish.
SELECTED REFERENCES http://www.whfoods.com http://www.ipmcenters.org/cropprofiles/ WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
NEWS BRIEFS
Compiled by Jim Frankowiak
Blueberry Crop Losses Due to Hurricane Irma Eligible for WHIP Thanks to the efforts of the Florida Blueberry Growers Associations (FBGA), U.S. Rep Yoho and U.S. Senator Rubio, blueberry crops losses due to Hurricane Irma are now eligible for assistance through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+). Impacted growers are urged to contact their local USDA Farm Service Agency office for additional information and/or to begin the process. Hurricane Dorian Economic Loss Reporting While there were no physical damages from Hurricane Dorian, there may have been some economic losses due to suspension of work, sales, etc. or damage on properties outside of Hillsborough County. If you experienced any impacts, Florida Disaster (a partnership between the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and Florida Department of Emergency Management) has an online survey they would like you to complete and submit. The survey can be accessed at: https://floridadisaster.biz/ BusinessDamaageAssessments. Added USDA Disaster Recovery Assistance The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program provides payments to producers of these commodities to help compensate for losses because of diseases and other conditions that are not covered by other disaster programs. The NRCS also provides financial resources through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for immediate needs and long-term support to help recover from natural disasters and conserve water resources. The Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) helps local communities begin relieving imminent hazards to life and property caused by floods. More information on these programs and others is available at the local USDA Service Center, 201 South Collins Street, Suite 201, Plant City, FL 33563. Telephone: 813/752-1474, Extension #2. FDACS Launches New Website The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has launched a new website: FDACS.gov. “From supporting Florida’s farmers and ranchers, to protecting consumers from credit card fraud, fake charities, telemarketers and travel scams, the responsibilities of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services are broad, and out new website reflects all the ways we’re proud to serve Floridians,” said FDACS Commissioner Nikki Fried. “ This new mobile-optimized, user-friendly site makes it easier to renew a license, file consumer complaints, and find more ways to work, play and eat in Florida.” Applications Welcome for Regional Conservation Partnership Program The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting proposals for the updated Regional Conserva-
RCPP eligible partners include private industry, non-governmental organizations, Indian tribes, state and local governments, water districts and universities. Potential partners may request between $250,000 and $10 million in RCPP funding. Leveraging of this funding is a key RCPP principle, anticipating partners to make value-added contributions to amplify the impact of RCPP funding. Proposals will be accepted until December 3. Updated Perishable Food Transportation Guidelines Now Available A team led by University of Florida researchers has developed a revised version of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s division of Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA-AMS) Handbook No.669, “Protecting Perishable Foods during Transport by Truck and Rail.” The new handbook was created under contract to USDA-AMS. The revised document, which awaits the USDA’s extensive review process for official acceptance, is now available at no charge through the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension’s online collection, EDIS (edis.ifas.ufl.edu). Florida Ag Expo Includes Fundraiser for GCREC Grad Student Scholarships AgNet Media, the new manager of Florida Ag Expo, has announced inclusion of a fundraiser in the 2019 program. All proceeds raised will go toward scholarships for graduate students at the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC). AgNet Media will be raising money through sponsored donations. Potential donors are encouraged to contact AgNet Media at 352/671-1909. Travel Benefits for Farm Bureau Member Families Farm Bureau members making travel plans are reminded to take advantage of savings at Choice Hotels (Special Rate ID: 00209540), Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (Corporate ID: 8000001562), Intercontinental Hotels Group (Code: 100334603 and Red Roof Inn (Code: 504740). Savings of up to 20 percent are available at these hotel groups. Check Out the Plant City Community Garden Calendar The Plant City Community Garden, 2001 East Cherry Street, is reminding all to check out its events calendar for a wide range of activities taking place throughout the year. These include workshops, new member orientations and various other opportunities. Visit: www.plantcitycommunitygarden.com for more information.
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tion Partnership Program (RCPP). Proposals are to focus on improving the nation’s water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat and protect agricultural viability.
By Ginny Mink
Ornamental Gardening in Florida Part 61 Ornamental gardening has been a struggle for this author. However, recently there has been some success in the front flower bed with azaleas, pentas, dwarf allamanda, and some type of jasmine. Hope is high for the additional gardenia planted in the front yard. It is true that where you live will determine how well your gardening goes. Thank goodness the author has finally moved out of the swamp and back into wonderful Plant City!
Perhaps now, after more than five years, all the knowledge gained from Mr. Torrey-Simpson can be put to adequate use in this new yard. Which, of course, makes this month’s travels on the Literary Time Machine all the more valuable. There is an expectation that some new plant will be revealed that will prosper in her yard. By chance, you might find one, too, as we delve into a new chapter, Exotic Herbaceous Plants, in this nearly one hundred year old book. We’ll begin with Alpinia, a plant we have never heard of. He writes, there are, “Two fine species of this genus in cultivation here. A. nutans, Shell flower, and A. mutica. The former is well known, having long, leafy stems and drooping heads of waxy white and variegated flowers. Jacksonville to Miami. The latter has curiously veined blossoms in rather dense heads.”¹ “Curiously veined,” made us wonder about its appearance and upon location of the flower we were all the more intrigued, especially when an article titled, Herbal Healer: What is shell flower? popped up in the research feed. According to the author, the plant is quite aromatic and is renowned as an effective sedative. Apparently, people have been known to grind the leaves and use them for anti-hypertension and antistress medicines. It’s used frequently by herbalists in Brazil for diuretic purposes as well. So, the shell flower is both attractive, almost orchid like in it’s coloring, and also beneficial to your health. We can see why Mr. Torrey-Simpson found it necessary to include these plants in his book. Which lead us to the next plant we’d like to discuss, the Anthurium. Mr. Torrey-Simpson writes, “A genus of beautiful Aroids with handsome leaves and in a few cases very ornamental spathes. A. magnificum and A. crystallinum have large, cordate leaves, velvety green with silvery markings on the veins. A. warocqueanum has very long, wonderfully variegated leaves, while A. scherzerianum has plain leaves and showy spathes. They need perfect drainage and do well in a light soil such as leaf mold, with partial shade and dampness. They are fine for fern pools but are quite tender.”¹
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Maybe the word spathe stood out to you too? Sadly, looking up the definition didn’t help us much. From what we could surmise, the spathe is the area around a flower or a cluster of flowers. The best example we got was that of a poinsettia in which the outer leaves are more brightly colored than the actual flowers. So basically, they are kind of leaves, but they are different than the typical green ones on most plants and
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are specifically designed to sheath a flower or cluster of them. Oddly enough, he didn’t mention any flowers on these particular plants, so that made us all the more curious. What we discovered was really quite intriguing to look at. The latter of those he listed is actually known as the Flamingo flower. This plant “displays great looking waxed effect flowers which bloom with an orange curly spadix.”³ This spadix is where the actual flowers are located, but the spathe, the waxy looking, brightly colored part, is what most people consider the flower.³ Once you see the pictures you will recognize this plant. It’s pretty cool. We will end our journey with his section on begonias. He pens, “Everybody knows and likes Begonias and they give a sufficient variety in growth, foliage and color of flowers to almost make a garden. Here in Florida they are much grown as pot plants for rooms and windows and they do well close to houses, either in pots or planted out…There are some five hundred species from warm countries around the world and an almost infinite number of hybrids has been produced. In a general way they like a light, rich soil, such as leaf mold, well rotted manure and loam with sand and partial shade. The leaves of the rex begonias may be cut up and by laying them on damp earth in the shade roots and young plants will grow from the cut places.”¹ Better Homes & Gardens recommends this plant, saying that it’s been around for ages, it’s easy to grow, can handle a variety of conditions, and needs very little to thrive. In fact, they claim that the flowers and foliage are stunning namely because they come in all shapes, colors, and sizes.⁴ So, you don’t have to take Mr. Torrey-Simpson’s word on begonias, there’s a big magazine touting their value as well. And, now that you have three more potential plants to add to your own landscape, we will disembark from this month’s travels and wish you happy gardening until we meet again! 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. 189-191). ²Zagar, T. (2012). Herbal Healer: What is shell flower? NWI Times. https://www.nwitimes.com/niche/get-healthy/healthy-living/ herbal-healer-what-is-shell-flower/article_0e685930-5a0a5d23-a264-2dd6fc9f84f9.html ³House Plants Expert. Flamingo Flower Plant. https://www. houseplantsexpert.com/flamingo-flower.html ⁴Better Homes & Gardens. Begonia. https://www.bhg.com/gardening/plant-dictionary/annual/begonia/ Photo Credits Jypsygen. (2013). Shell ginger. (Flickr). https://flic.kr/p/e1PJ7b Peganum. (2015). Anthurium scherzerianum. (Flickr). https://flic. kr/p/B4DWXP Grellmann, L. M. (2011). Begonia Rex. (Flickr). https://flic.kr/p/ axhyVu
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UNTIL OUR TRAILS CROSS AGAIN KJ Smith December 16, 1948 - September 4, 2019 By Melissa Nichols | Photos courtesy of the Smith family
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“If you want to be successful, its just this simple. Know what you are doing, love what you are doing and believe in what you are doing.” Will Rodgers.
were blessed with two sons, Nevada and Will, along with a daughter Amanda.
The legacy that KJ Smith left behind reflects this famous Will Rodgers quote, not because of KJ’s success, but rather the love he showed others throughout his life. KJ leaves a legacy that will live on through many generations of cattlemen and cattlewomen, one where people will continue to share stories and have laughter through many years to come. Shannon Adler said “Carve your name on hearts, not on tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they will share about you.” This quote matches the legacy of KJ Smith, although his time on earth is done and his journey in heaven is just beginning, we will tell his story through the eyes of those who grew up with KJ, through the family and all of the lives that he touched.
During his early adulthood, KJ worked for the city of Lakeland. He also bought a fertilizer truck and worked spreading fertilizer. He later bought the dairy from his father and ran the dairy for 13 years. His youngest brother said that KJ was tough, “every job he ever had was hard.” Ted said that KJ was handy and “he learned how to fix things and put two pieces that weren’t supposed to be together, together and make them work.” He said, “When you run a dairy you have to learn how to make things go.” KJ and his brother later had a logging business where they harvested timber from the Moore Road area. Ray Clark recalls KJ being someone who did what no one else could do. “KJ was not afraid of a new venture or of hard work, from the dairy industry to logging to spreading fertilizer.”
KJ Smith is the oldest of four boys, KJ, Monte, Rex and Ted, born to the late Lawrence (LM) and Carlene Smith. KJ grew up deeply involved in the agriculture industry. From a very young age he worked on the family dairy. It is said that throughout his childhood KJ could be found riding ponies for his Grandpa Doc Gay or packing up pull carts with his friends to take camping. KJ grew up very involved in FFA at Kathleen Junior High and Senior High School. One of his closest friends from the early years is Ray Clark. Ray fondly recalls the many things that he and KJ did together. At the age of 16, KJ saved money from working at the family dairy and bought his first horse, Sadie, who he rode while working on several ranches around Polk and Lake County. At the age of 18 he met his soul mate Marie Costine, daughter of Roscoe and Celia. Marie was no stranger to KJ’s cowboy way of life as she herself came from a long line of Florida Cracker Cattle ranchers. KJ and Marie married in 1968 and began their life together. They
KJ loved hunting, it was a favorite past time of KJ and his brothers. Ted fondly recalls when KJ started the Georgia Mule Farm Hunting Club. “Wwe loved hunting and, in Georgia, KJ found the slower pace lifestyle he was longing for. In 1987 he and his wife Marie, along with their kids, made the move to Wrightsville, Ga, a town with one caution light. KJ went to work for the Georgia Department of Corrections as a prison guard, moving his way up to running the prison ranch where the prisoners work raising cattle and vegetables to supply the prison system. KJ and Marie proudly finished raising their family in Georgia where they would also become grandparents to Montana and Prairie (children of Nevada), Alana and Caroline (daughters of Will), and Hunter (son of Amanda). KJ enjoyed his grandchildren growing up with agriculture. Montana and Prairie both participated in rodeo associations just as their father Nevada did and just as KJ did. .Hunter’s prize possessions are whips his grandpa made for him. KJ raised
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his kids telling them, “It ain’t the easy way, it’s the cowboy way.” These words ring loud and clear in the legacy he leaves behind. In 2019 KJ was inducted into the Florida Cracker Trail Association Hall of Fame, an honor that meant a lot to him. KJ believed in a firm handshake and always being there for his friends or “Pards” as he called them. KJ was a genuine man, his heart was bigger than he was. He would often encourage people by saying, “It ain’t nothing but a hill to a mountain climber,” giving them words of advice and inspiration. KJ enjoyed trail riding and camping. After retirement, he went on a cattle drive with son Nevada in 1995. He had a deep passion for agriculture and loved sharing his passion with the youth and fellow cattlemen and horsemen. KJ’s brother in law, Earlow Costine, said, “KJ was a story teller, he had a story for everything and kept everyone entertained.” One of the tools he used to do this was another love of his, making custom whips. Whip making was a hobby he picked up after attending a Florida Cracker Cattle Drive. He was selftaught and through a lot of trial and error his whips became a huge success. Whip making turned into more than a hobby when orders began coming in and he created “Cow Hunter Whips,” where he made “Custom whips one at a time.” This became his number one pride and joy. KJ’s “pards,” family members, and even those who didn’t know him, proudly use Cow Hunter Whips as a part of their daily life working cows.
KJ Smith loved the cracker way of life. He loved hunting, rodeoing with the kids and grandkids, trail riding and camping. He instilled in the next generation that whip popping, rodeoing and riding horses will always be around and with hard work and lots of practice this generation can achieve big things. “KJ was amazing with children, he just had a way about him” said Ted Smith. As much as KJ loved his wife, kids, grandkids and family, he loved his Florida cur dog and horses, they were never far from reach and he treated them like they were his kids. KJ loved sharing stories about the Florida Cracker, not only to inspire the youth but also to share a heritage that he had and was proud of. KJ Smith was born to be a cowboy, but he will be remembered for much more than being a cowboy. “It took him a lifetime to get to where he really always wanted to be, being a cowboy, riding trails, and sharing his stories with people around a campfire, KJ achieved what he hoped to achieve,” said Earlow. KJ changed lives of those around him with his compassion and love. He will live on in the hearts and in the stories of those who knew him and those he inspired; his legacy will be passed down from generation to generation with Cow Hunter Whips. Until our trails cross again.
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With every order that was placed you also received a handwritten card and note from KJ, usually with a bit of cowboy advice, often saying, “I hope our trails meet again.”
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SWFWMD HOG HUNT
PERMITS AVAILABLE ONLINE By Jim Frankowiak The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) plans to hold a series of hog hunts on District lands throughout the year to help reduce the feral hog population. Feral hogs, which are not native to Florida, can cause damage with their broad snouts and can leave an area looking like a plowed field. They also prey on native wildlife, compete with native species for food and transmit diseases to other wildlife, livestock and humans. Additionally, hogs may facilitate the spread of exotic plant species by transporting seeds and/or providing germination sites through rooting.
• A $75 nonrefundable fee must be paid for each permit. • Permits are transferable. • The single top producer of each hunt of Phase 2 will be placed on the District’s “top producer” list and will be contacted between March and October 2020 to take part in feral hog management hunts on an as-needed basis, free of charge.
The District has a three-phased hunting system. The first two phases of hunts will have separate registration processes. The single top producer from each Phase 1 and Phase 2 hunt will be asked to participate in hog management activities for Phase 3.
Phase 3 “As-Needed” Management Hunts • Includes management hunts that may occur March through October 2020. • Only those registrants that qualify as “top producers” following the Phase 1 and 2 hunts will be contacted to take part in management hunts during this period. • Management hunts offered to “top producers” will be free of charge and non-transferable. • All 12 Phase 2 top producers will be offered participation in a minimum of two management hunts throughout the non-hunting season.
All hunts will adhere to the hog-dog format. No still hunts will be available. The program works like this:
The District-managed properties will be temporarily closed to the public during the hog hunts. Only permitted hunters will be allowed access.
Registration for Phase 1 Hunts took place October 1.
Prospective hunters can purchase permits on the District’s WaterMatters.org/HogHunts. Permits will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis until they are sold out. The cost is $75 for each permit. A complete list of hunts with locations and dates is also available online.
Phase 2 Hunts • Registration will occur 9 a.m. Dec. 17, 2019. • Includes six hunts that occur January and February 2020.
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By Grady Judd, Polk County Sheriff
WORKING TOGETHER TO PREVENT CRIME
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has many valuable partnerships in the community, and without these partnerships, we wouldn’t have the historically low crime rate that we do. Not only do we have great working relationships with other law enforcement agencies, but also the people of Polk County whom we proudly serve. Whether you live or work in the city or way out in the most rural parts of the county, fighting crime starts with prevention. Deputies do a lot of proactive work with the goal to prevent crime. But ultimately it starts with you, your family, friends, neighbors, or even strangers.
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Take steps to protect yourself and your property. Make sure you secure property with locks, and permanently mark your property with something you can use to identify should it be stolen. Keep a record of serial numbers as well. I can’t stress that enough. We have had many cases where serial numbers have been crucial toward solving cases as well as being able to return recovered stolen property to the owners.
sure they are easy to read and highly visible. You don’t want someone telling a judge or jury that they didn’t know they weren’t allowed on a piece of property because they didn’t see any No Trespassing signs. Something that doesn’t happen these days as much as it used to happen is people getting to know their neighbors. Some neighbors can become great friends, and eventually trusted eyes to watch over your property. Even if you don’t get to know your neighbor that well, consider introducing yourself and exchanging phone numbers for emergencies. Neighbors get used to seeing adjacent properties over time, and tend to notice when something doesn’t look right, or they see a person hanging around that has never been there before.
Let’s turn our attention to bigger property: land and structures. If you have some, try to make a presence there as often as possible. If a bad guy knows that someone visits the location often, they are going to be a little hesitant to trespass there. But don’t just visit…make sure things look different from day-to-day. Some burglars and thieves are smart, and some are not so smart…but none of them want to get caught.
What I’m about to say is something that I have said so many times that I think I say it in my sleep: “If you see something, or hear something, say something.” Never, ever feel like something suspicious is probably nothing, and you don’t want to bother deputies about it. I’m begging you…bother us (it really isn’t a bother). That is what we are here for. Let us know what’s going on and we will send someone to check it out. Maybe it’s nothing. But maybe it’s something bad about to go down. Make the call, and give us as many specific details as possible to help our deputies. We can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 911 in an emergency, or 863-2986200 for non-emergency calls.
No Trespassing signs are important. Get plenty, and make
Together, we can make a positive difference.
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s e p i c e R
Courtesy of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Chef Justin Timineri
Florida Grouper with Citrus Salad
q Ingredients q 4 (6 ounce) Florida grouper fillets 3 Florida oranges, peeled, seeded and segmented 2 Florida grapefruit, peeled, seeded and segmented 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar ¼ cup fresh flat leaf parsley, chopped 1 bulb fennel, thinly sliced ½ cup jicama, peeled and julienned Olive oil for cooking Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
PREPARATION Combine the fennel, jicama, citrus segments, olive oil, vinegar and parsley in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper and mix thoroughly. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly season grouper fillets with salt and pepper. Carefully place the fillets into preheated pan. Sear for two to three minutes on each side or until completely done. Serve over chilled citrus salad.
Florida Boiled Peanut Hummus q Ingredients q 2 cups Florida Boiled Peanuts 2 cups chickpeas 1 tablespoon tahini ⅔ cup olive oil (or more as needed) 1 lemon, juiced 3 tablespoons barbecue sauce (your favorite) 1 tablespoon all-pur-
pose seasoning (such as Everglades) ½ teaspoon liquid smoke 3 tablespoons cold water Fresh herbs for garnish (fresh chives)
PREPARATION Drain and rinse chickpeas. Place all ingredients, except the oil, into a food processor or blender. Turn on and slowly drizzle in oil. Scrape down sides as needed until mixture is smooth. Serve with fresh Florida vegetables and crackers. Store in refrigerator for up to 7 days. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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Give us a Call and Let us EARN your business! Greg Clark and Gary Peeples, Sales at 813-623-5449
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UF/IFAS Legislative Leader Award is presented to: Lawrence McClure
By Jack Payne Jack Payne and Lawrence McClure One of the challenges of term limits is that every few years we have to educate a new crop of lawmakers about agriculture. It’s refreshing when a legislator takes office already fluent in farming. Florida Rep. Lawrence McClure, who represents Hillsborough County, is among those who didn’t have to be schooled in agriculture when he arrived in Tallahassee. He showed up prepared when he was sworn into office last year. McClure has distinguished himself in his two years in the House with his own efforts to educate Floridians about agriculture. He has focused on two groups who need to know more about Florida farming – children, and his fellow legislators. He attempted to reach the next-generation audience in the past session by sponsoring a budget request to increase Florida 4-H funding. It passed in the House and Senate and would have enabled University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension, which runs Florida 4-H, to expand its reach beyond the 200,000 youth it already serves. McClure demonstrated a clear understanding of and appreciation for agriculture in carrying the bill. He has also been a source of valuable insight as a member of the Gulf Coast Council, an advisory board for the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Balm. For his support for UF/IFAS, we honored McClure with our 2019 Legislative Leader Award at a dinner in Gainesville on Sept. 27. We also honored state Sen. Kelli Stargel, whom I’ll feature in an upcoming In The Field column. McClure married into agriculture. His wife works in the strawberry industry, and her upbringing in FFA meant she had lots of 4-H friends from fairs and other youth development activities. McClure credits her with his interest in supporting 4-H. Since 2015, McClure has served on the board of the Hillsborough County Farm Bureau. Kenneth Parker, executive director of Florida Strawberry Growers and former president of the Hillsborough County Farm Bureau, counts McClure as a best
Parker praises McClure for publicly highlighting the return on investment that UF/IFAS delivers to taxpayers. He says he’s confident that McClure will continue to support UF/IFAS in its efforts to remain a world leader in providing solutions for farmers and ranchers. Recently, McClure helped organize a lesson in agriculture for his legislative colleagues. About 20 legislators and staffers spent the day at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast center familiarizing themselves with UF/IFAS teaching, research, and Extension. In a way, McClure is paying it forward. He cites former Rep. Jake Raburn, who also represented Hillsborough County, as someone who inspired him to work on behalf of 4-H. Raburn is a previous UF/IFAS Legislative Leader Award recipient. While McClure doesn’t yet have a legislative agenda for 2020, he sees 4-H as preparation for the next generation to be productive members of society. “That’s worth fighting for,” he said. To both McClure and me, the UF/IFAS Legislative Leader Award represents a partnership. McClure’s mission is to be the best advocate he can for District 58. The mission of UF/ IFAS is to develop knowledge in agricultural, human, and natural resources and to make that knowledge accessible to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. We at UF/IFAS are pleased with McClure’s efforts to “make that knowledge accessible” to his colleagues in Tallahassee. We believe that the more familiar legislators are with our work, the more likely they’ll be to support programs like 4-H.
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. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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friend and even a distant relative of sorts (they married cousins).
AG COMMISSIONER
NIKKI FRIED
HER FIRST YEAR by John Dicks Early November of this year marks the one year anniversary of the election of Nikki Fried as Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture. By most accounts, she has been energetic, enthusiastic and determined to be a good steward in supporting Florida’s $120 billion agriculture industry and vigilant in protecting the public through the Department’s Consumer Services responsibilities. Born and raised in Florida, Fried is an attorney, having earned her law degree at the University of Florida. She also got her undergraduate and a Masters degree at UF, making her a die-hard Gator. While at UF, Fried served as student body president, but running for Commissioner of Agriculture was her first real run at elected office. It was certainly ambitious for someone to leap into the fray of politics by running statewide right out of the chute. Her success appears to have come partly because she ran a mostly nonpartisan campaign. A smart move that was since everyone who likes to eat has a natural affinity for the Department of Agriculture, thus making party politics not particularly appealing to voters when deciding upon who should be Commissioner. Fried also emphasized a non-ag appeal to suburbanites and urban voters by highlighting the Consumer Services responsibilities of the Ag Commissioner. Hers is the statewide office that regulates and lets you check on charities, maintains the “Do Not Call” registry, monitors and alerts Floridians to fraudulent schemes and scams, and even inspects the gas pumps for proper metering and charging. Certainly, too, Florida’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is the one which issues licenses to carry concealed weapons. That process, as you may recall, became a big issue last year because glitches in the Ag Department system had resulted in delays for permit requests and concerns over proper checks. Fried vowed to fix the system, and make it more “more accountable, efficient, and responsible.” Once in office, she was steadfast and worked on it quickly and diligently.
So focused was her resolve, that recently she announced that her department’s streamlining measures had reduced initial review times by 98 percent for applications without prior issues. Instead of taking 50 days, it now takes just one day. Of course Fried also campaigned hard on Ag issues, and she chose to highlight the ones that resonated with the public. Probably the one she emphasized most was regarding medical marijuana. Voters had already approved of it, but state government seemed slow to implement the process. Fried vowed to make its availability as one of her top priorities, making her a champion of voters who wanted it. She also sounded the clarion call about water. Do you remember all of those really gross images last year of the algae blooms in and around Lake Okeechobee and clogging the waters of the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee Rivers? Clean, pure water, really to no one’s surprise, always appeals to Florida voters, and Fried promised to “tackle the problem head on.” Nikki Fried won her very close race for Commissioner against real estate appraiser and former State Rep. Matt Caldwell of North Fort Myers. Like all of the Florida statewide elections last year, it was a contest that lurched through the recount process. At first it appeared she had lost. Then, as the ballots were counted late into the night, the tally pushed her ahead, marking the results with a slight, yet decisive lead for Fried which she maintained throughout the machine and manual recounts. When all was finally concluded, along, too, with recounts in the races for Governor, Attorney General and U.S. Senator, Fried was the victor by a margin of less than 6,800 votes statewide. Fried became the 12th Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and only the first woman to be elected to the position. She is also the first Democrat elected as Commissioner since 2001 and the only one from the party last year to be elected statewide. Many political pundits attuned to Florida politics predict that Nikki Fried has, indeed, a bright future as an elected public servant.
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John Dicks is both a lawyer and businessman, including an interest in farming. He and his family have owned a blueberry farm and have agricultural lands, which they lease for cattle operations, as John says, “to someone who knows and handles cattle much better than I do.” John is both a Gator, having received his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida, and a Seminole, with his Law Degree from Florida State University. John serves as Of Counsel to Trinkle Redman, a law firm in Plant City where he also served nine years as City Commissioner, including three terms as Mayor.
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E n d a n g e r e d S p e c i es
Think Pink: Gentian Pinkroot By Ginny Mink
We all expect to see animals and other mobile creatures on endangered species lists. But if you have been following along each month as we review the species on these lists, you have undoubtedly noticed that plants are included as well. And, having moved into a new home, the author has been a little more focused on plants so, when the gentian pinkroot came to her knowledge, it seemed worthy of discussion. This is especially true since it flowers beautifully. The Spigelia gentianoides, or gentian pinkroot, became federally listed back in 1973. However, it was included in the Florida-specific designation on November 26, 1990. Unfortunately, even knowing its current plight, it is not protected in the State of Alabama.¹ Gentian pinkroot grows in the upland where mixed pine-oak forests are found. If you are hoping to locate some, your best chances occur during May-June when the plant is flowering. Because it only grows to heights of 4-12 inches, you will have to be particularly observant.² This plant is considered a delicate perennial that grows in a single stem format. The leaves are narrow and oval shaped with a dark green top and paler bottom. The flowers are tubular and pink though they tend to remain closed. Unless of course you happen upon the very endangered Alabama variety because those flowers are larger and will fully open when mature.³ Perhaps the greatest problem here is that the gentian pinkroot grows in fire-dependent ecosystems. It is currently restricted to pine-oak hickory woods, as we stated previously, and areas with longleaf-wiregrass. Sadly, these locales are frequently altered or eradicated altogether. And, the disruption of natural fires has made it quite difficult for them to thrive.¹ The Florida Panhandle and one county in southern Alabama are the only places known to still have these plants. When they were first declared endangered in 1973, there were five populations in Florida. That decreased to only two in 2000. And, only one of those was residing on public land.² The Counties that used to be home to these beautiful, but small, plants included: Washington, Calhoun, Jackson, Gadsden, and Liberty. And because there are potentially less than 100 plants still alive today located at Three Rivers State Park and only 150 surviving on private land owned by a paper company in Calhoun County, these plants are at serious risk of extinction.³
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A recovery strategy is essential if we hope to ensure that they do not disappear from this great planet. The US Fish and Wildlife Services advises that stabilizing and protecting the existing populations is the first step. Then, there is hope that further surveys and research will provide the discovery of additional populations elsewhere. Areas that have prescribed fires located between Bibb County, Alabama and northern Florida should be the focal points of this research.¹
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While monitoring and surveying are obviously essential, the research that is attached to them should have very specific focal points. It is important that scientists and environmentalists learn about the gentian pinkroot’s reproductive and seed ecology. They need to know more about the life history and expectancy before any long-term survival goals can be established and reached. This will enable them to understand the minimum viable population size and will hopefully allow them to be grown elsewhere and then reintroduced into their native habitats.¹ In the meantime, it is recommended that areas with potential populations, or the ability to sustain future ones, should not be logged or have any form of mechanical site preparation occur. And, if at all possible, instituting a burn every 2-5 years is highly recommended. Protecting the plants on public lands is important but it is also necessary to protect those on private property by creating conservation easements.² Obviously, we are not going to run into these plants in Hillsborough and Polk Counties, at least as far as anyone knows based on current information. However, those of us who travel into north Florida and Alabama for hunting and fishing purposes, could take that opportunity to be on the look out for these wee plants. As we tell you each month, we are stewards of this great earth. We are not randomly placed here. There is very definitely an intelligent design to the whole thing and that means that our Creator had a reason for wanting the gentian pinkroot to exist in Florida. Therefore, it is our responsibility to help ensure that it remains in the locations in which He established it. So, next time you’re in the woods of north Florida, watch where you step, be keenly aware of the flora where you are. And, if you happen upon the gentian pinkroot, let someone know. Preferably those with the US Fish and Wildlife Services. In case you didn’t know, October is breast cancer awareness month. Now, you have another reason to think pink. References ¹ Negron-Ortiz, V. (2012). Recovery Plan for Spigelia gentianoides (Gentian pinkroot). US Fish and Wildlife Services. https:// www.fws.gov/panamacity/resources/Spigelia%20gentianoides%20Recovery%20Plan.pdf ²Florida Natural Areas Inventory. (2000). Gentian Pinkroot. https://www.fnai.org/FieldGuide/pdf/Spigelia_gentianoides. pdf ³Nature Serve Explorer. Spigelia gentianoides var. gentianoides. http://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?se archName=Spigelia+gentianoides Photo Credits: Eleanor. (2016). Gentian pinkroot. (Flickr). https://flic.kr/p/ HGM5Bt & https://flic.kr/p/2gbfibY WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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A Closer LookAmazing Activities Naturally
by Sean Green
Peppers Ghosts
The techniques used by master artists, scientists, and thinkers of days gone by are no less effective today than they were hundreds of years ago. Do you want to add ghosts to your home this year for Halloween? If you have every seen the ghosts in Disney’s “Haunted Mansion” ride, you have seen a theatrical illusion that dates back more than 400 years. Giambattista della Porta was a 16th-century scientist and scholar from Naples Italy. In his 1584 work Magia Naturalis (Natural Magic), he describes an illusion, titled “How we may see in a Chamber, things that are not.” The illusion is made by using a plate of glass to direct the reflection OF a hidden actor towards the viewing audience. When the glass is strategically placed between the viewers and the stage scene, the effects are a translucent actor that appears to be a ghost
within the stage scene. An inventor named Henry Dircks, utilized the same technique to create real-time translucent ghosts on theater stages in the late 1800s in what was known as the ‘Dircksian Phantasmagoria.’ Despite the techniques much earlier roots, it was John Pepper, the director of the Royal Polytechnic Institution at Westminster that popularized the effect as a science lecturer and showman. Peppers association with the illusion became more enduring than the originators of the effect and today the effect remains known as “Peppers Ghosts.” This effect can be as simple or as elaborate as you have the time to invest. This project was done with materials found around the house with literally no expenditure other than time and brainstorming the setup.
Supplies: Object (to use as a ghost – I used a Styrofoam head) Black cloth (for backdrop – I used a cheap sleeping bag) Lightning source (I used a 3 color LED shop light)
Plate of glass (I used the glass from an old picture frame) Random “Clutter” items Dishwashing soap
Production: The basic idea is to have a plate of glass situated between the scene and the viewer. Light travels in a straight line, until it hits something that redirects it (reflects) a different direction. A glass plate is both reflective and transparent. When viewed at a 90-degree angle, the plate of glass is transparent, and the viewer can see the scene as if the glass was not there. If angled (about 45 degrees), the plate of glass can reflect objects from the side to the viewers eyes. (45 x 2 = 90 degrees)
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The net effect is that an object to the side gets reflected onto the glass and redirected to the viewers eyes to give the appearance of a ghostly image within the 90-degree viewing angle. This is easier to illustrate than explain see the illustration below that I found on cosmol.com (https://www. comsol.com/blogs/explaining-thepeppers-ghost-illusion-with-ray-optics/
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A Closer Look
by Sean Green Photo by April Green
Mantidfly (Dicromantispa interrupta)
The famous Greek philosopher Plato once said, “nothing without understanding would ever be more beauteous then with understanding.” It is this truth that motivates proclamations of beauty in what others fear and consider horrendous. It almost seems human nature to fear that which we do not understand. Consider the group of creatures that are commonly associated with Halloween; spiders, snakes, bats, worms, centipedes, flies (and their larva) and even frogs. We seem predisposed to fear what we do not understand. This month we are featuring an insect that may be startling at first glance, but a closer look and a little understanding might inspire you to let the Mantidfly (Mantispidae) stay a while or perhaps even attempt to attract a persistent population. The insect order Neuroptera is known as the net-winged insects. The scientific names come from the Greek neuron (nerve) and pteron (wing) to describe the nerve like pattern of veins on the wings. We usually associate such patterns with dragon flies and damselflies, two insects that were originally included in the order Neuroptera when the Swedish biologist Carl Linnaeus first described this order in 1758. Insects that remain within this order are known by common names that include lacewings, antlions and of course our featured bug, the mantidflies. They, like other Neuroptera, undergo a complete metamorphosis with the classic four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult, but are more primitive than most. Neuropteran larva are specialized predators, with elongated mandibles adapted for piercing and sucking. The larval form varies between different families according to their prey, but in general, they have three pairs of thoracic legs, each leg ending in two claws. The abdomen of most neuropteran has adhesive discs on the last two segments. They all have compound eyes, and may or may not also have ocelli, a group of simple eyes that function as a light sensor. Our featured neuropteran is in the family Mantispidae and specifically known as Dicromantispa interrupta, the mantid lacewing. This species is found in both Central and North America. If spiders give you the creeps, this is the predator you want to keep around. The larvae of all Florida mantispinae are parasites of spider egg sacs. Each species has their own strategy for finding and invading spider egg sacs. Mantispinae have the most specialized larval development among all mantidflies studied to date. Females do not oviposture, but rather lay stalk like eggs on leaves or ground debris like other
First-instar mantispids use one of two strategies to find spider eggs; they will either burrow directly through the silk of the spider’s egg sacs or board the female and wait for an opportunity to enter the sac as she is constructing it. We don’t yet know if the mantid lacewing are obligate borders, obligate egg sac raiders, or both, but one thing for certain is they are obligate egg sac predators and I suspect that would be comforting to many of our readers. Spider mating activity helps the larvae transfer from spider to spider until they find a suitable host. If the wait turns out to be a long one, the larvae is known to take refuge in the spiders book lungs and use their piercing mouthpiece to sustain themselves by drinking the adult spiders hemolymph (blood, but only until there is an opportunity to inhabit an egg sack and continue development). Once inside the egg sac, the development of the larvae detours greatly from the common stages of other neuropteranin. For the next two stages the larvae become stouter with a body that resembles a maggot or grub with little more than nubs left for legs. This distinction of the first larval stage being more characteristics of its adult form than the second and third is called ‘hypermetamorphosis’ Pupation occurs within the egg sac and once complete, the adult emerges from its own cocoon first, then the spiders egg sac before finally shedding its pupal skin. Adult mantid lacewings are fascinating to look at. They resemble small mantids with their raptorial front legs. Because they are nocturnal. They will likely stay still for pictures or observation during the daytime, when they sleep, so long as they are not disturbed too much. They are often attracted to light after the sun sets and if you are patient, you could be treated to watching them hunt the other small insects that buzz around your porch light. When they do hunt, they are every bit as effective as a true mantis and have lightning fast strikes. These are good critters to have around. Adults are both predacious and pollen feeders; therefore, contribute generously to the ecosystem. The best reason to keep them around (in my opinion) is that there are few insects that look and act as cool as these do. Take a closer look, I hope you will agree. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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lacewings. Clutches can range from 200 to 2000 at a time. The first larval stage is similar to that of other neuropterans; it is a fully mobile, with prominent legs, its mandibles and maxillae form a pair of piercing-sucking mouth parts.
TOP QUALITY PRODUCE FOR ALL
By Libby Hopkins Albert Einstein once said, “Rejoice with your family in beautiful land of life.” Olivia Mines, 23, and Luke Smith, 25, would agree with Mr. Einstein. The couple own Happy’s Place Farm in Lakeland and their farm and the land it’s on is family owned and operated with love. “We have been together for over eight years and growing our own food on Olivia’s grandparents’ property since 2015,” Smith said. “We have three dogs, who are our fur babies, a flock of over 100 chickens, some waterfowl and turkeys in mobile coops with fresh grass and grain daily. We are working on incorporating at least two more species to really bring together our system.”
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Mines’ grandfather, Harold Lehman, owned Jimbo’s Pit Bar BQ and purchased the property that is now Happy’s Place Farm, decades ago. “Happy was Olivia’s grandfather’s nickname and the property was always called Happy’s Place, so the name was natural,” Smith said. “The property has been kept in pristine condition and is a part of the green swamp. The property is less than 40 acres and we currently farm less than two acres of it. Those two acres encompass a young food forest with only 4800 sq. ft. of garden space. We do not use any chemicals and we practice regenerative agriculture by creating systems that mimic nature. These systems provide the nutrients that our plants need to produce nutrient dense food.”
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Smith grew up helping his grandfather in his garden growing corn, broccoli, beans and other seasonal items. “Luke was in FFA in high school, there he developed an intense appreciation of animals and agriculture outside of the garden,” Mines said. Smith and Mines are Millennials and their generation is the next generation to not only keep farming alive, but to also improve it. According to the website, Ag America (www.agamerica.com/millennials-future-farming/) Millennials have a huge effect on farming. “In terms of food, many millennials want to feel a connection with their food, knowing exactly where it came from, how it was grown or raised, and when it was harvested. They also place a greater importance on if the food was produced sustainably and how the environment was cared for in the process. In response, farmers have had to learn how to adapt to these changing attitudes toward food and farming. However, because they often share these attitudes, millennial farmers have an advantage over earlier generations of farmers. Some of the newer technologies in agriculture that millennials have been introduced to and have mastered at an earlier age, include drones and aerial applications, GPS- and GIS- driven machinery, mobile applications and other precision agriculture applications, as well as business programs and digital financial management systems.” Smith and Mines strongly believe in growing top quality produce and having it easily accessible for their local commuWWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
nity. Happy’s Place Farm has become a regular vendor at the Lakeland Downtown Farmers’ Curb Market. “We have been going to the farmers’ market to buy produce from the local vendor for years but this year we finally produced enough food to feed the community,” Smith said. “So, it was a no brainer that it would be the first place we would bring our produce. Producing top quality food for everyone is our number one priority.”
If you would like to learn more about Happy’s Place Farm, you can visit their Instagram page at www.instagram.com/ happysplacefarm/. You can also find Happy’s Place Farm at the Lakeland Downtown Farmers’ Curb Market. For more information about the market, you can visit their website at WWW.DOWNTOWNFARMERSCURBMARKET.ORG.
The couple loves the relationships they made with their customers at the market, too. “We enjoy seeing people in our community come together to buy local and great food,” Mines said. “It’s so fun to see customers enjoy our flowers and tell us that they lasted all week. We also love hearing how our customers cook with our produce and change up their menus to what we have in harvest. Ultimately getting feedback from return customers is the absolute best, we love being able to provide for others.” Keeping things local is very important to this young farming couple. “We think people are wanting to buy local and meet the farmer because meeting the person who grew the food is the best way to determine the quality of the food,” Smith said “We often are questioned by customers demanding healthy, clean, chemical free vegetables and herbs. They want to know if we use any herbicides, insecticides, or synthetic fertilizers. When we confidently tell them that we do not use anything of the sort, some want to come out to the farm to make sure we are not lying. In terms of food local is important because low travel time ensures high quality goods, it also allows for getting to know the person who you are buying from. Buying local boosts, the economy for our area which in turn helps everyone.”
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FARMER WILL
By Libby Hopkins
greens at my dad’s blueberry farm, my brother, Dave encouraged and helped me shape the vision of my company,” Crum said. “He lives in Toronto, Canada. I keep the name Crum Brothers Family Farm as a tribute to that kind of family bond.” There are great benefits in CSA’s. They offer fresh food at better prices. By joining a CSA, you are learning where your food comes from, supporting a local farmer and building a community. You also learn about seasonal eating. “I love connecting with wonderful people who want to buy produce directly from a farmer,” Crum said. “The CSA meet up is extremely important, because not only do people see their farmer every week, they meet each other. It is truly a community experience.”
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There is an old saying that, “The farm is more than just crops and land, it’s a family’s heritage and future.” Will Crum would totally agree with this. “I am a seventh generation Florida farmer,” Crum said. “Being born in Bartow, Florida, I was actually raised in Southern Ontario, Canada most of my childhood, which makes me a dual citizen. At the age of 18, I moved to Los Angeles, California to pursue a career in rock n roll music. At the age of 30, I decided to move back to central Florida and help my dad with his blueberry field. On the side, I grew arugula and micro greens using sustainable farming techniques and sold the crops to local restaurants.” Family farms are America’s backbone. According the Family Farming website (www.familyfarmingahap.weebly.com), “America was built upon agriculture. From the founding of the nation, in which we adapted methods used by the Native Americans, to the present day in which the United States ranks
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as the world's largest agricultural exporter, farming continues to serve as the backbone of American society. A practice continued throughout the nation's history is family farming. The oldest form of managing crops, a family farm is a farm owned by a family, whose operation is passed down to future generations. The family farm is typically viewed as its own culture and is beneficial to the preservation of the American land.” Statistically, the family farm makes up 98 percent of all American farms, while farmers in general comprise two percent of the work force in the United States. Forty percent of the crop market is accounted for by two and a half 2.5 percent of nation's total farms, while family farmers produce approximately 27 percent of the American crop production. Crum runs a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) in Lakeland called Crum Brothers Farm with the produce he grows. “When I started growing leafy
In addition to being a local farmer, Crum recently became a local author. He recently released his own cookbook called Farmer Will. “My girlfriend Robyn and I cook a lot on the farm using the fresh crops we harvest daily,” Crum said. “I liked the idea of doing a cookbook that incorporated using farm crops and also how to grow crops of your own.” He has also gotten some great feedback about his book from customers who have purchased it. “The feedback has been astounding,” Crum said. “We have more pre orders than we imagined. It is an exciting time!” Since Crum is a local farmer and author, he feels keeping things local is the only way for a community to grow. “Anything good local always expands,” Crum said. “My goal is that this does not stay purely local. I want everyone to share the bounty, all communities alike. I believe that small family farmers are underrepresented in Florida. There is a way to grow mass amounts of crops efficiently and protect our environment at the same time. The job of a farmer is to be a steward of the land, to improve the land.” WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
IF YOU’D LIKE TO LEARN MORE about Crum Brothers Farm, you can visit their website at www.crumbrothersfamilyfarm.com. If you’d like to order a copy of Crum’s cookbook, Farmer Will, you can purchase it through Crum’s Instagram account at bit.ly/farmerwillpreorder. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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