In The Field Magazine Polk edition

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December 2023 VOL. 17 • ISSUE 5

CONTENTS

JASON WATTS FLORIDA FARMER OF THE YEAR

28 PAGE 10 From The Scientific Field

PAGE 32 Cultivating the Future

PAGE 12 Thoughts from the Heifer Pen

PAGE 34 Christmas

PAGE 14 Fishing Hot Spots

PAGE 35 News Briefs PAGE 36 John Dicks

PAGE 16 Endangered Species

PAGE 38 Mulch

PAGE 18 Safari Wilderness

PAGE 40

PAGE 22 Rocking Chair Chatter

Recipes

PAGE 42

PAGE 24 Sprout Up

Activity

PAGE 27 Cranberries

PAGE 43 A Closer Look

PAGE 30 Johne’s Disease

PAGE 44 PCSO

Hey Readers!

Hidden somewhere in the magazine is a No Farmers, No Food logo. Hunt for the logo and once you find the hidde 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

Polk County Cattlemen’ s Associa tion P.O. Box 9005 • Dr awer HS03 Bar t ow, FL. 33831-9005 President – Kevin Fussell 4523 Fussell Rd Polk City, FL 33868-9676 (863) 412-5876 Vice President – Dr. Lujean Waters 8750 Shreck Rd Bartow, FL 33830 (863) 537-1495 Lujean.waters@gmail.com

James Stice PO Box 460 Highland City, FL 33846 (813) 714-2333 jstice@verizon.net Dave Tomkow 3305 US Highway 92 E Lakeland, FL 33801-9623 (863) 665-5088 dave@cattlemens1.com

Secretary/Treasurer - Justin Bunch Alternate PO Box 849 Highland City, FL 33846-0849 Standing Committee Chairs: Membership (863) 425-1121 justin.bunch@cpsagu.com Events Trade Show- Bridget Stice State Director – David Hunt 9699 Alt Bab Pk Cut-Off R Rodeo- Fred Waters Bartow, FL 33830 PO Box 463 (863) 287-1835 Alturas, FL 33820-0463 Dhunt285@aol.com (863) 559-7808 Alternate SD – Orrin Webb Website PO Box 202 Cattlewomen – President, Leslie Bartow, FL 33831 Buchanon (941) 916-5093 8444 Tom Costine Rd cwebbowebb@aol.com Lakeland, FL 33809 (863) 581-2711 Ray Clark Buckld96@gmail.com 4484 Swindell Road Lakeland, FL 33810 Extension – Bridget Stice (863) 640-0719 PO Box 9005, Drawer HS03 rclark@tampabay.rr.com Bartow, FL 33831 (863) 519-1048 Donald Conroy bccarlis@ufl.edu 3882 Wolfolk Rd Fort Meade, FL 33841 Sheri ’s Dept. – Lt. Paul Wright (863) 412-0790 1891 Jim Keen Blvd.

Winter Haven, FL 33880 Stuart Fitzgerald (863) 557-1741 PO Box 1437 pw5281@polksheriff.o g Lake Wales, FL 33859 (863) 206-5021 Sgt. Tim Sanders stuartcattlellc@yahoo.com 1891 Jim Keen Blvd.

Winter Haven, FL 33880 Ken Sherrouse (863) 656-6119 13475 Moore Rd brusso@polksheriff.o g Lakeland, FL 33809-9755 (863) 698-1834 Warner University – kensherrouse@yahoo.com Scott Shoupe 6130 Allen Lane Lakeland, FL 33811 (863) 581-7593 Scott_shoupe@hotmail.com

Abby Crawford 13895 Highway 27 Lake Wales, FL 33859 (863) 638-7248 Abby.crawford@warner.edu

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InTheField® Magazine P.O. Box 5377 • Plant City, Fl. 33566-0042 *Winners will be notified y phone. You Too Can Be A Winner!

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STAFF

Letter from the Editor

Publisher/Photography Karen Berry Senior Managing Editor/ Associate Publisher Sarah Holt Editor Patsy Berry

Merry Christmas everyone! It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The holidays seem to lift the burdens from our shoulders for some reason, even though we all know how hectic it can be preparing for the gatherings of friends and family.

Gift buying? Am I the only one that struggles to come up with good gift ideas?

I feel I’m probably the worst at planning and am usually running around at the last-minute making preparations. I think I need the entire time between Christmas and the New Year just to recover!

Speaking of the New Year, it’s also the time that many reflect on the goals or resolutions that were set way back on January 1. Did you reach your goal? If so, good job! If not, forgive yourself, reset and find new goals. You don’t really have to wait until the new year. Set small, attainable goals. That way, reaching each goal is a milestone you can be proud of!

If you are feeling overwhelmed, sit down with your thoughts and reflect on the past year. Write down the things that you are thankful for. And whatever you do to celebrate, remember the true reason for the Christmas season.

Luke 2:8-12 (NIV) And there were shepherds living out in the fie ds nearby, keeping watch over their floc s at night.

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you. You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

And that, my friends, should bring you peace.

Are you ready for the new year? I am looking forward to the blessings waiting for me. I hope you are, too.

Sarah Holt PAGE

The LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. - Numbers 6:25 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

Creative Director/Illustrator Juan Alvarez Photography Karen Berry Melissa Nichols Staff Writers Al Berry Sandy Kaster James Frankowiak Sean Green

Contributing Writers Woody Gore John Dicks Social Media Victoria Saunders

In The Field Magazine is published monthly and is available through local Polk County businesses, restaurants, and many local venues. It is also distributed by U.S. mail to a target market, which includes all of the Greenbelt Property owners, members of the Polk County Catllemen’s Association.

Letters, comments and questions can be sent to P.O. Box 5377, Plant City, Florida 33563-0042 or you are welcome to email them to: info@inthefie dmagazine.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.

Until Next Month

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Sales Karen Berry Sarah Holt Melissa Nichols

December 2023

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Mon. - Sat.: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

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INTHEINFTIELD AGAZINE 2013 12023 HEFM IELD MAGAZINE MarchDecember

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Hello to all of you. Hard to believe it’s December already. Hope all of you had a good Thanksgiving and are looking forward to a good Christmas and New Year.

The cattle market is still pretty good although it’s a bit softer than most expected after the run we saw through the summer. Here at the fi st of December, the board is a mile off from where it was a month ago, but hopefully, that can get straightened out after the holidays and that board can come back up and not bring the cash market down to it. We sure don’t want to see the tail wagging the dog there. The fundamentals are still there for us to have a good market for a year or two and hopefully, that’ll hold out.

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The Polk County Cattlemen had a good year, and we had a good time at the dinner in November. Thanks to Quality Liquid Feeds for helping to sponsor the meal. Also, thanks to Sheriff Grady Judd for coming out to visit with us. We are fortunate to be in a county where the official look out for us and care about the agriculture community.

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This year winds up my term serving as president. I am thankful for the time I spent doing that and glad to have had the opportunity. I’d like to thank everyone on the board who helped make things happen when we needed to do so.

This time we all spend is volunteered and we all stay busy enough as it is so thanks for taking the time to advocate for the beef industry in our unfortunately ever-growing county.

As we get ready for the Christmas season, remember the real reason for the season, and make sure those little ones know it too!

Merry Christmas, Kevin Fussell

Kevin Fusse

Polk County Cattlemen’s Association

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®

FROM THE SCIENTIFIC FIELD

I did a recent check on the future of an important crop: Central Florida agriculture leaders.

I convened agriculturalists from cattle, citrus, sugar, fruits and vegetables, turf, precision ag, and government in what I call a young ag leaders roundtable at the UF/IFAS MidFlorida Research and Education Center (MREC).

We talked about what we can do together to provide for the future of Florida agriculture. It came down to a couple of things.

First, we’ve got to make technology affo dable and accessible. That’s the job of UF/IFAS. For example, Gracelyn Byrd, a budding scientist at U.S. Sugar, made the case for UF/IFAS to devise a system to provide affo dable satellite imagery to producers.

Second, we’ve got to pay attention to politics, not just production. As a public university leader, I can’t endorse political candidates or causes. But I can encourage people to engage, and I asked every young leader there to consider running for public office some y.

I believe this call to enter the political arena meant more, though, coming from a peer. Tripp Hunter, lobbyist for the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association, highlighted how young agricultural leaders need to advocate and educate to ensure policy makers don’t lose sight of how critical Florida agriculture is.

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While we have a few leaders in Tallahassee with an agricultural background, Hunter said, we need more of them. And we need to develop a pipeline to ensure we have them in the future.

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December 2023

By Dr. Scott Angle

I’m convinced that I met a future state representative, commodity association leader, corporate offic and maybe even an agriculture commissioner during our discussion at MREC. While you’re busy producing, someone’s got to be your voice. Hunter has already answered the call – he came off a timber plantation and into the world of advocacy two years ago.

UF/IFAS is also investing in young leaders. I invited our new assistant director of government affai s, Nicolette Hoffman, to participate. Part of her job is to create opportunities for you to tell the story of Florida agriculture in Tallahassee.

I also recently appointed Dr. Kirsten Pelz-Stelinski as director of MREC. In her fi st months on the job she has revitalized outreach to stakeholders by traveling the region to visit with them. I asked her to host the young leaders as a demonstration that we, too, in UF/IFAS have a new generation of leaders emerging.

And we’re helping you by developing those leaders. We are helping Byrd prepare for a major scientific ole at U.S. Sugar in Clewiston. She is currently one of ours—a Ph.D. agronomy student in our College of Agricultural and Life Sciences in Gainesville. When she’s finished, sh ’ll be more effective as one of yours.

Scott Angle is the University of Florida’s Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources and leader of the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).

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THOUGHTS FROM THE HEIFER PEN The Christmas season looks a little differe t to the American ranchers than it does for their urban counterparts. Of course, there is the Christmas tree, decorations, cookies, and parties, but there are also, cows that need to be hayed, horses that need to be fed, and various other ranch chores to be done in inclement weather. Christmas to the ranch kid can mean going to the mall with mom to get Christmas shopping done, or it can mean bouncing along the road in dad’s truck listening to country Christmas songs while taking the last load of calves to the market before it closes for Christmas. With these differences, it can be hard sometimes to explain to people why you have to rush home from the Christmas parade because you have animals to tend to, or why you can only be away for one night for Christmas at the grandparents.

By Marisol Tarango

that night about how being a shepherd was boring before the angels arrived.

After the angels went back to Heaven, the shepherds naturally went to seek the child. This leads us to two things that the shepherds did, that we almost never do on the ranch. First, they left the herd. These shepherds were so certain and amazed about what the angels said that they just left their sheep. They left their charges that they could lose their livelihoods over if something happened to them. And mind you, they left their sheep in the middle of the night when they were the most vulnerable to predators or thieves. Secondly, after the shepherds went and found baby Jesus for themselves, they went and told everyone in town about what happened. If shepherds are anything like ranchers today, they were probably not keen about going into a town and talking to everyone. Considering it was during the night, they probably caused a ruckus they would not typically start. But the news of the long-awaited Messiah was enough to lay down their long-ingrained habits to let others hear the news about Him. Sometimes I wonder what the town people thought when a bunch of shepherds came into town claiming that angels had appeared to them in the fie d saying that the Son of God had been born, and they knew exactly where to find Him.

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That is probably why ranchers relate so much to the shepherds in the Christmas Story. In reality, they are not that much different. Both of their livelihoods depend on the welfare of their livestock, and they will go to great lengths to protect and feed them. Their animals’ lives come before their comfort, and often before their own food and sleep. They are not glorified members of society, sometimes they are looked down upon as know-nothing nobodies, and yet if they decided not to do their jobs, society would be missing them pretty hard. Being in the same profession as that of the shepherds myself, it offe s some unique observations on the Christmas Story that a city Just like how many young girls identify with Mary the mother of Jesus in the Bible, because it makes them feel special that dweller may not see.

God chose a young girl just like them to help bring about His Being out in the fie d with your floc s at night is a picture that plan to rescue us. I always felt a kinship with the shepherds in most ranchers can attest to. Though these shepherds probably the Christmas Story. It made me feel special that God chose had a camp set up and a fire, they were still sleeping outside people who do the same thing that I do to be the fi st to hear when everyone else was nice and comfortable in their own the news of His Son’s birth. It makes the Christmas Story seem beds (minus Mary and Joseph). It can be hard not to hold a more real because those shepherds went through the same grudge against society when you feel like you are the only per- things I do. They got stressed out because of their animals, son roughing it out for the sake of the animals, even if you re- maybe reminded their sheep that eating them was an option, and probably questioned their occupation as they were out ally are in the same boat as others. searching for that one sheep. But where I relate to the shepThen in a surprising change of events, the shepherds were the herds the most is when they had finished telling everyone that fi st to hear the news of the Savior being born. Usually, who- Jesus was born, they returned to their sheep, because even if ever is out in the fie d is the last to hear any news, regardless the Son of God had just been born, the sheep still had to be of whether it is national news or that lunch is ready. Sometimes taken care of. At least that is what I tell myself when I still have I wonder if any of the younger shepherds were complaining to feed on Christmas morning.

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Tampa Bay Fishing Report December 2023

December means pleasant fishing days with lower humidity. It also means that winter is just around the corner, as are those wretched north and northeast winds, negative low tides, and cooler water.

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Capt. Woody Gore (www.captainwoodygore.com)

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Since winters are on the way, perhaps we should understand how cooler temperatures can affect fishing. Temperatures affect almost every living creature, including fish. Low temperatures have inconsistent sensitivity levels on most fish when it comes to hot or cold. Consequently, everything has a comfort zone when it comes to temperature. As a result, the key to a good day of catching is looking for water temperatures that support these zones. When you find them, you’ll typically find fish. Typically during the winter, you might find areas like rocks and deep bars, dark creeks, rivers, canal bottoms, and deeper protected waters around jetties holding feeding fish. So, what comfort zones are we looking for when trying to catch fis ? Three of the most targeted fish by Tampa Bay inshore anglers are Snook, Redfish, and Trout.

Their respective comfort ranges average overall around 70-86 degrees. Individually, Snook appreciate 56-84 water temperatures, Redfish 65-75, and Spotted Sea Trout feed readily when the water temperatures are approximately 65 degrees up to about 80 degrees. It doesn’t mean you can’t catch them with varying degrees of water temperature, but your

December 2023

chances improve when water temps make them happy.

Snook Canals, rivers, creeks, and deeper muddy-bottom fl ts are winter Snook tickets. As the water cools, Snook look to these areas for protection, and you’ll frequently find them sunning on shallow bars near deeper water. Deep-water bridges, pilings, and docks along the Hillsborough, Alafia, Little Manatee, and Manatee Rivers are good starting places.

Try baits like small finge -size mullets, cut ladyfish, pinfish, and jumbo shrimp.

You’ll find them all over Tampa Bay from the southeast shore, including the Alafia River, Picnic Island, Simmons Park, Bishop Harbor, Cockroach Bay, Joe Island, all the way down into Bradenton and Sarasota. Fishing is also good around Weedon Island, 4th Street, Cypress Flats, Rocky Point, and the Double Branch area.

Tampa Bay offe s good Snook fishing, especially at night around lighted docks and bridges.

Redfis action during the winter months is usually hot. Schooling fish are common around the fl ts near Weedon Island, Double Branch, Rocky Creek, Simmons Park, Bishops Harbor, Tarpon Key, Indian Key, and Joe Island. It’s not uncommon for large Bulls to work the outer edges and channels on low-tide days. Redfish are notorious for working schools of large mullet. For that reason, if you’re serious about catching this awesome WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

pugilist, learn to distinguish their wakes, typically more extensive and higher, from those of mullet. As you fish an area, be perceptive of any changes in water movement left, right, and ahead as this almost always indicates the presence of fish. Look for Redfish around many of the same areas as Snook.

Spotted Sea Trout Incoming or outgoing tides, live shrimp, artificia shrimp, Corks, and any good grass fl t, and you’ll almost certainly catch Trout this month. Look for broken bottom areas (grass fl ts with plenty of potholes) around Pinellas Point, Tarpon Key, Fort Desoto, Picnic Island, Simmons Park, Bishop Harbor, and Joe Island down into Bradenton and Sarasota. Upper Tampa Bay sports good Trout fishing around Weedon Island, 4th Street, Cypress Flats, Rocky Point, and the Double Branch area. Fishing potholes for Trout can also produce the occasional tasty Flounder.

Cobia should begin showing up as the water temperatures drop in the panhandle. They show up fi st along the beaches during their migration and occasionally frequent our hot water runoffs around local power plants. Large shrimp, small crabs, and pinfish will do the trick. If you are interested in artificia lures, try a large worm bait about 8 to 10 inches rigged on a Jighead. Cobia cannot resist anything resembling an eel.

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Other ✓ Sheepshead around the bridges, oyster bars, rocky areas, and deep water docks should improve this month. Try using green mussels, shrimp, or oysters. Scrape the pilings to get them going. ✓ Inshore Kingfis action should pick up along the beaches and Egmont Channel, particularly as the water temperatures drop. ✓Grouper action is always good during the cooler months. Try trolling large jigs on down riggers or planners, or use a MirrOlure 25+ diving lure.

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E n d a n g e r e d S p e c i es

THE FLORIDA GRASSHOPPER SPARROW

By Libby Hopkins

The Florida Grasshopper Sparrow or the Ammodramus Savannarum Floridanus, as it’s known by its scientific name, is a small bird that can reach a length of five inches with a wingspan of eight inches. This species is drab colored with a pale median stripe on top of its fl ttened head and a light brown breast.

Florida Grasshopper Sparrows inhabit dry open prairies that contain bunch grasses, low shrubs, and saw palmetto. They can be found in south-central Florida in the counties of Polk, Osceola, Highlands, and Okeechobee.

The song of the Florida grasshopper sparrow sounds much like that of a grasshopper, from which it gets its name. Males only sing a few hours a day during the breeding season, and they often perch on twigs or dead palmetto leaves to sing when available. Singing most frequently occurs during the early morning and early evening hours, around sunrise and sunset.

The diet of the grasshopper sparrow primarily consists of grasshoppers and seeds.

From late March to July, males sing from perches on shrubs and grasses to maintain their breeding territories.

The primary song consists of two or three weak introductory notes followed by an insect-like “buzz.” A less frequent secondary song is a sustained rambling warble. Adults are sedentary, using the same territory during successive years.

Nests are made of grass, dome-shaped, and are usually located in a slight depression in the ground, well-concealed by clumps of dwarf live oak, wire grass, or saw palmetto. Grasshopper sparrows are bimodal breeders – they breed throughout the year. Three to five eggs are laid and then incubated for 11-12 days by both parents. Grasshopper sparrow eggs are creamy-white with reddish-brown spots on the large end.

Young grasshopper sparrows are nurtured upon hatching for about eight days. A second or third nesting attempt may be made within the breeding season.

The sparrow is highly endangered as a result of its exclusive dependence upon Florida’s dry prairie habitat, more than 85 percent of which has been destroyed. Most prairie loss has resulted from conversion to domestic pasture grasses, which support more cattle per acre and can support many species of prairie wildlife, but not Florida Grasshopper Sparrows. This “improved pasture” lacks the structure that these birds need.

Research indicates the sparrows need native prairie in prime condition—it should burn every two years and as a result, have virtually no brush or trees. Burns at the end of the dry season (April-June) are considered better than other times of the year.

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Despite our detailed understanding of their habitat requirements, sparrow populations have declined on all three con-

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December 2023

servation lands where they remain, with 2019 reporting the lowest counts in history.

Unfortunately, the reasons for the decline are unknown but suspects include suboptimal habitat management, fire ants and other predators destroying nests, diseases, and genetic problems.

In recent years only a few singing males and a handful of successful nests have been detected. Similarly, the counts of singing males at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park declined from 150 a decade ago to only a few found on the entire 50,000-acre property and at Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area, where as many as 140 singing males were counted in 2008, recent counts have been as low as the mid30s and sliding downward.

Another subpopulation has been found on a private ranch and that landowner has graciously allowed researchers to study those birds, but even with them, in 2019, the total population may have been less than 100 birds. At these population levels, genetic problems become a major concern.

The good news is that in 2014, a captive breeding program was initiated from scratch. No one had ever bred Florida Grasshopper Sparrows before. After many hurdles and lessons learned, by 2019, breeding techniques had become so successful that the Florida Grasshopper Sparrow team released more than 100 sparrows into Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area. About 50 more were released in the spring of 2020 and to everyone’s joy, not only did many of the released birds survive but they also successfully nested in 2020, adding to the wild population.

The Florida Grasshopper Sparrow Working Group is composed of managers of properties the sparrows occupy, researchers, federal and state wildlife agencies, and Audubon.

The group’s short-term emphasis, manage the sparrows’ habitat to the best standard possible. The essential longerterm need is to maintain an intensive research effort examining threats like disease, genetics, and fire ants, as well as nest success and population change. This effort is being funded principally by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, FWC, and others are funding several captive breeding efforts, and other partners, including Audubon, are contributing funds and manpower to cooperative efforts The breeding program has been expanded to several facilities and they now have confidence that they can raise many sparrows to release. So many in fact, that decisions on how to repopulate more properties need to be made. This remains a work in progress and many hurdles lie ahead, but Audubon is very proud and impressed with the dedication and hard work of so many entities and professionals.

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A LOCAL SAFARI

By Libby Hopkins

Lex Salisbury has worked at zoos all over the world and for most of his life. He is currently the owner of Safari Wilderness Ranch in Lakeland, Fla. “We have two locations, Safari Wilderness Ranch and Giraffe Ranch,” Salisbury said. “The reason we did this is because we wanted to set an example for the future of zoos. Instead of animals in little tiny areas, they get huge amounts of space to run and play and live like they would in the wild. No fatigue or hiding from being on display.

Our animals love to come out of cypress domes to people watch, so it’s like the roles are reversed.”

guinea pigs,” Salisbury said. “We are a family-owned, licensed working game ranch. We specialize in wetland exotic species, African Watusi, and Irish Dexter cattle (heritage breeds).

Our dramatic landscape is surrounded by an 870 square mile pristine watershed (The Green Swamp) that is the source of four of Florida’s fine t rivers. Our visitors are strictly limited in number, reflecting the sensitivity of our area. Our guests learn about Florida’s natural and human history, our conservation programs, and encounter amazing animals that are endangered or extinct in the wild.”

Safari Wilderness Ranch is a world away from the hustle and bustle of city life. At Safari Wilderness Ranch, guests feel the silence, shrouded by an open vista of grazing animals surrounded by cypress domes and bay trees. Guests enjoy the fresh safari air year-round as enormous birds soar overhead.

Safari Wilderness Ranch is a Florida agritourism project licensed by the USDA. Agritourism is critical to Florida’s economy. The University of Florida has published research that Florida agriculture, natural resources, and related industries provide 1,609,139 jobs and $76.5 billion in value-added impacts annually. When it comes to green acres, the State of Florida has nearly 24 million in forests, croplands, and ranches – two-thirds of Florida’s total land area.

Safari Wilderness Ranch is not a zoo or theme park. It is an exotic animal farm. There are no crowds and no lines. Guests can enjoy a natural adventure from the comfort of their own vehicles with a drive-thru safari tour or with the ranch’s knowledgeable and experienced driver guides will tour you through large herds of exotic game over 260 acres of pristine wilderness in customized, canopied safari vehicles.

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If you prefer a more adventurous mode of transport, you can explore with a guide by camelback, ATV, or kayak. “We also offe exclusive animal encounters with lemurs, cheetahs, and

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The Florida Agritourism Association (FATA) is the state-wide organization that supports the growing agritourism market in Florida, which includes destinations such as working farms and ranches, u-pick fruit and vegetable operations, vineyards and wineries, specialty crops and products, and numerous other types of farms. FATA gives visitors a place to play and helps farmers add value to every acre.

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Safari Wilderness Ranch also offe s Safari Glamping (camping). “One of the most amazing things about an African Safari is sleeping in the bush,” Salisbury said. “Watching the sun go down after a day of game viewing, gathering with your friends for a great evening meal, recalling the highlights of the day around a roaring campfire, then falling into a comfortable bed and having a great night’s sleep are memories that last a lifetime.”

Safari Wilderness now hosts guests per night in 10 beautifully appointed safari tents on the property. Continental breakfast is included. Base pricing is based on adult double occupancy. Additional guests may be added for an additional cost.

“Our property is within the Green Swamp, the second largest wilderness area in Florida after The Everglades,” Salisbury said. “This 850 square mile wilderness that surrounds us is the critical watershed for west central Florida. It is the headwaters for five Florida rivers. Within our boundaries are hundreds of wild birds. On most days we see herons, ibis, spoonbills, wood storks, wood ducks, and sandhill cranes, to name a few. For years guests have asked us if they could spend the night at Safari Wilderness to extend their adventure and now, they final y can.”

If you’d like to learn more about Safari Wilderness Ranch, you can visit their website at www.safariwilderness.com or call (813) 382-2120. Safari Wilderness Ranch is located at 10850 Moore Rd. in Lakeland, Fla.

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HERE

YOU GROW. 9 out of 10 consumers prefer a product labeled Fresh From Florida.

Scan to sell more!

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FreshFromFlorida.com/Join IndustryMKT@FDACS.gov

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Washington Irving is credited with creating Santa’s flying sleigh in 1819 and cartoonist Thomas Nast began illustrating our current image of Santa in Harper’s Weekly in 1863.

“Jingle Bells” was written for Thanksgiving, not Christmas. The song was written in 1857 by James Lord Pierpont and published under the title “One Horse Open Sleigh.” It was supposed to be played in the composer’s Sunday school class during Thanksgiving as a way to commemorate the famed Medford sleigh races.

In the Netherlands, Sinterklaas (the Dutch version of Santa Claus) arrives from Spain, not from the North Pole.

Hallmark introduced their first Ch istmas cards in 1915.

Ever wonder about the string on a box of animal crackers? Introduced around Christmas in 1902, the string was intended to be used to hang the cracker boxes on your Christmas tree.

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Figures of Speech At a recent Plant City Chamber of Commerce Contact Breakfast I sat at a table with three local funeral home managers, Edwena Haney, Verna McKelvin and David Wolf. Edwena used a phrase I had not heard for years.

She ended a sentence with “As a figure f speech.”

“Figure of Speech,” now just what does that mean?

I went to Google on my computer and looked it up, and this is what I found: Figures of speech An expression that uses language in a nonliteral way, such as a metaphor or synecdoche, or in a structured or unusual way, such as anaphora or chiasmus, or that employs sounds, such as alliteration or assonance, to achieve a rhetorical e ect.

Huh? No kidding. I do declare. I asked around to see if I could get an answer. Nobody seemed to know. I’ll bet if my English teacher, Mrs. Smith, Mac Smith’s mother, was alive she would have an answer I could understand.

As a last resort I went back to Google for the answer. I did not get an answer I could understand, but I found some examples of “Figure of Speech.”

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You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice. The evening news is where they begin with “Good Evening,” and then proceed to tell you why it isn’t. Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak. Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a

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Editor’s Note: This Rocking Chair Chatter was originally printed in the December 2015 issue

fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad. If I agreed with you, we’d both be wrong. The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it’s still on my list. Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine. Where there’s a will, there are relatives. And lastly the one most everyone can understand. Well, his goose is cooked! There you have it. Now you know a figure of speech when you hear it or read it.

As a kid I remember we would have fun seeing who could come up with the most tongue twisters. The most familiar most people remember is: Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked. If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers how many pickled peppers did Peter Piper pick?

See if you can read this one without making a mistake.

How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck would chuck wood? A woodchuck would chuck all the wood he could chuck if a woodchuck would chuck wood.

Try these two: But the thought I thought wasn’t the thought I thought I thought. If the thought I thought I thought had been the thought I thought, I wouldn’t have thought so much.

A skunk sat on a stump. The stump thought the skunk stunk. The skunk thought the stump stunk. What stunk the skunk or the stump?

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I have always thought the dictionary is filled with words that are seldom used. Open any page and you’re likely to find a word you have never heard, whether it’s gongoozle, which means to stare idly at a watercourse and do nothing, or zwodder, a feeling of drowsiness. We see it, and think to ourselves that we absolutely must use it in conversation.

Sometimes people never understand what you’re saying. They hear what they want to hear. Point in case! About a week before this last Christmas I was at the checkout stand at a local grocery store. The lady in front of me wanted to buy some postage stamps to mail some Christmas cards. Here’s the way the conversation went.

“Ma’am, I got these Christmas cards I need to mail today. I need 14 stamps, please.”

The clerk said, “O.K., I have books of 6 fi st class or 12 second-class stamps.” “OK”, she said. “I’ll take 14 second-class stamps.”

“I’m sorry,” the clerk said, “We only sell the stamps in books of 12.”

“Yes. I need 14 stamps, please.”

The clerk replied, “Okay. So two books will be $11.04.”

The customer replies, “What! That seems like a lot of money for 14 stamps.” Clerk: “No, madam. That is for 24 stamps. We only sell them in books of 12.” Customer: “But I only want 14.”

The clerk remained calm and said. “Lady, we are not a post-office we only sell stamps in books of 12. In order to get 14 stamps you will have to buy two books.

I am sure you can use the rest of the stamps later.

Now, if it’s a real problem there’s a post offic just around the corner past the fire station, which will be open in the morning.”

Very loudly she says, “Don’t you understand I only need 14 stamps?”

The clerk at the cash register politely said, “Sorry, I cannot help you.”

With that the lady said, “ Well give me one book!”

She turned and looked at me and said, “I’ll hand deliver the other two cards tomorrow.”

People not only hear what they want to hear, but have trouble writing what they want to say. As an example, here are some notes a teacher friend of mine collected over the years.

“My son is under a doctor’s care and should not take P.E. today. Please execute him.”

“Please excuse Lisa for being absent. She was sick, and I had her shot.”

“Please excuse Jennifer for missing school yesterday.

We forgot to get the Sunday paper off the porch, and when we found it Monday, we thought it was Sunday.”

“Please excuse Jason for being absent yesterday. He had a cold and could not breed well.”

And I leave you with this, which has nothing to do with anything written in this column. “If you can’t have a midnight snack why do we have a light in the fridge?

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Sprouting Healthy Food

Nikki Hopkins is originally from New Mexico where she was raised on a farm. “I was raised on my grandparents farm and I spent a lot of time there as a child,” Hopkins said. “I never once thought I would end up as a farmer because I have a sales and finance background. After my dad passed away, we became very conscious of our health and at the same time I realized I couldn’t do sales anymore, I just didn’t have the emotional strength to do it. I took a pause in my career and that’s when I learned about microgreens. My grandmother who raised me was going through colon cancer at that time, so I moved back home to help her. She was going through chemo and having a rough time of it. That is when I found out about wheatgrass, barley grass, and broccoli sprouts.”

This is what started her career as an urban farmer.

Hopkins is the owner of Sprout Up Urban Farm.

“My hobby farm became a real company,” Hopkins said. “We are family owned and operated and we can be found online at www.sproutupurbanfarm.com or in various farmers’ markets and artisan markets in Central Florida.” Sprout Up Urban Farm is also a part of the Lakeland Downtown Farmers’ Curb Market.

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There are many helpful benefits to eating microgreens. They are high in nutrients because microgreens contain 4-40 times more nutrients by

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By Libby Hopkins

weight than their fully grown counterparts. This includes higher amounts of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, antioxidants, fiber, and p otein.

They contain polyphenols which prevent the buildup of harmful free radicals associated with a reduced risk of heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease. They also contain a wider variety of polyphenols than their mature vegetable counterparts.

They reduce chronic disease risk. Vegetable consumption is associated with a lower risk of certain cancers, inflamm tion, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.

They also taste great. You can mix them into your salad or top off your sandwich instead of traditional greens, or blend them into your smoothie for a burst of fl vor and nutrients. Flavors vary between sweet, fresh, spicy, nutty, tangy, and peppery.

“Microgreens are much more than just a trendy food,” Hopkins said. “The amount of nutrients you can find in these tiny greens will blow your mind!

If you’re looking for a natural and easy-to-digest way to get your vitamins, minerals, protein, and other nutrients, look no further. Please keep in mind that all microgreens have differe t nutritional value, just like any other vegetable.”

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Hopkins and her market manager love being a part of the Lakeland Downtown Farmer’s Curb Market.

“We love being able to educate as many people as we can about the health benefits of microgreens,” Hopkins said. “We’ve made it our mission statement to educate as many people as possible about easy ways to nourish your body and also to prevent cancer. If I can help someone learn what I didn’t know, that is life-changing to me. We talk a lot with our customers about the differe t kinds of microgreens we have to offe and the health benefit f them.”

Keeping things local is extremely important to Hopkins and her team. “Keeping things local is so important to us,” Hopkins said. “If you don’t support local farmers, there’s not going to be any food. It’s also important to keep putting money back into your local economy. Going to your local farmers’ markets, artisan markets or local farms is one way to keep a rich and diverse, local economy. You get to learn who grows your food and where your food is coming from or who is making the locally made products you are buying at the markets.”

If you would like to learn more about Sprout Up Urban Farm or if you’d like to see which market they are at, you can visit their website or you can follow them on their Instagram page at www.instagram. com/sproutupurbanfarm.

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CRANBERRIES: FESTIVE AND NUTRITIOUS

By Sandy Sun, M.S. Clinical Medicines, B.S. Nutrition Science Cranberries are common during holiday meals, but did you know that they are also highly nutritious? Here are some more fun facts about this famous tart berry. Some historians believe that cranberries were part of the fi st Thanksgiving feast.

Cranberries can flo t, and they used to be eaten by sailors to help prevent scurvy. This brilliant, dark red berry is native to North America and mainly produced in Wisconsin, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Washington, and Oregon.

Cranberries are also grown in Florida, although they are different from the traditional cranberry. The Florida cranberry is also called Indian sorrel, Jamaica sorrel, red sorrel, or roselle, and is easy to grow. Many parts of the plant, including the fruit, leaves, and seeds are edible. The leaves can be consumed raw or cooked, or used in tea.

Nutritional Profile Fresh cranberries are considered to be a superfood because they are high in antioxidants and nutrients. They are famously known to help lower the risk of urinary tract infections and may aid in improving immune function and blood pressure.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, one cup of fresh cranberries (145 g) contains 46 calories, 0.5 g of protein, 0.5 g of fat, 12 g of carbohydrate, and 3.6 g of fibe .

Cranberries are also a great source of vitamin C, potassium, iron, vitamin E and fibe . They are high in disease-fig ting antioxidants and fl vonoids.

Cranberries are ranked very high in antioxidant activity when compared to 40 other fresh fruits and vegetables by researchers at the USDA Human Nutrition Center. Antioxidants are compounds with the ability to neutralize free radicals, harmful by-products of metabolism that can lead to disease.

Antioxidants may reduce the risk of some diseases, including several forms of cancer.

How to get the Most Nutrients Fully ripened berries contain the most antioxidants. Research suggests that the antioxidant levels actually increase as a fruit fully ripens. Ripe berries are freshest if kept in the refrigerator and consumed within a few days. They can also be frozen and can last up to a year in the freezer. Fewer nutrients are found in cranberries that have been processed into crackers,

Anti-Cancer Effects: Prevent or Slow the Growth Other disease-fig ting compounds in cranberries that have been shown to inhibit the growth of colon cancer cells include phenolic acids, tannins, and fl vonols. Cranberries are particularly rich in fl vonoids, which have been shown to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer in women, compared to those who ate the least. Tannins act as astringents in the digestive system and help to reduce inflamm tion.

How to Select and Store Choose ripe cranberries that are deeply red in color, firm, and give slightly when squeezed between your thumb and finge .

A ripe cranberry makes a hollow sound when you drop it back into the container.

Cranberries have a long shelf life and can stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to two months. Once cooked, cranberries can be refrigerated for up to a month. Cranberries can also be frozen for up to one year.

How to Enjoy Wash immediately before use. Aside from cranberry juice and cranberry sauce on our holiday table, here are some more ways to enjoy this super food: • Toss with apples and bake • Put cranberries in the bottom of an ice cube tray, fil with water, and freeze for festive, flo ting ice cubes • Add dried cranberries to oatmeal, or to your favorite cookie or bread recipe • Add to other fruits and blend for a smoothie • Combine dried cranberries with nuts, seeds, and other dried fruit for your own trail mix • Mix cranberry juice with seltzer water for a refreshing festive drink Enjoy more cranberries this holiday and throughout the year!

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snacks, or granola bars. Therefore, fresh or frozen cranberries contain the most nutritional value.

JASON WATTS: FLORIDA BEST FARMS

By Melissa Nichols

Florida Farmer of the Year

This year a local farmer and rancher was honored to be named the “Florida Farmer of the Year” by Florida Farm Bureau. Jason Watts of Florida Best Farms is honored to be the recipient of this award and title. This honor comes after years of work and dedication to the agriculture industry by Jason and the entire Watts family. “He does nothing with less than 110% effort, growing blueberries and grapes, running multiple businesses, being a husband, and being a dad, Jason is all in with all he does,” Jason’s longtime friend Matt Railey said.

From all sides of agriculture, Jason is respected and admired.

“Jason is a leader, a mentor, and someone we can all look up to because he started with just 10 acres and had a vision he has never once given up on,” Cary Lightsey said.

started a company specializing in the eradication of exotic weeds that were overtaking the natural beauty of State and Federal lands. This business was successful, but he quickly discovered that he would sometimes go weeks or a month without work for his growing staff because of the lapse of the fisca year. He considered the citrus industry because he had a vast knowledge of the industry, however, canker was just beginning to put a hurt on the industry. After careful thought and a tough decision, Jason decided that he would not carry on the citrus tradition his family had started. He then thought long and hard about peach trees. He felt that they could be the next big crop of Central Florida. He remembers thinking “Anything can grow here.”

Jason grew up in a family that had ties to agriculture. Both his mother Debbie and father Jim came from families that had commercial dairies. Jim Watts family had Watts Dairy, which was located in Haines City, and Debbie’s family had Bluefie d Dairy in Okeechobee.

In his business model, he truly needed crops that were in high demand when the spraying year was at a low. Blueberries seemed to fit the time frame he needed crops to harvest and the time frame he needed to keep his crews busy.

In 2010 Florida Best Farms planted 10 acres of blueberries and the plan worked out great. The farm has since grown the blueberry operation to 450 acres and includes every variety of blueberry that you can grow. The farm is also a test location for experimental blueberries in cooperation with the University of Florida/IFAS. Jason has three and sometimes four fie ds that are experimental berries to see exactly how they will grow and the production they will yield. He works in cooperation with UF/IFAS to improve the yields of blueberries here in Florida.

Jason was no stranger to the citrus industry either, his greatgrandfather was a citrus caretaker in Dundee while Jason was growing up and he remembers the trials and success that his great-grandfather had. One moment that he fondly recalls is the Reader’s Digest article about him being the fi st to ship Florida Citrus to the Netherlands in the 1940s he believes. Jason’s father also had some citrus groves and grew watermelon for quite a few years. From a young age, Jason was involved in the family’s agricultural operations helping in some way, shape, or form.

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After college Jason was facing the task of deciding what direction to go in his career. He fi st began a commercial Brangus operation, which has since grown to over 200 head. In 2006 he decided that the need to control invasive exotic weeds in the state of Florida was in high demand and he

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In 2011 Jason and his wife decided to go out on a limb and build a packing house. The idea behind a locally owned packing house was kind of like a “co-op” where local blueberry growers had a way to sell their crops and not let the big grower completely wipe the little grower out of the business. They started with a group of 12 original growers in Polk County and he still does business with all of the original growers who are WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

growing blueberries today. Jason not only packs for these growers but he also makes sure he has a place to send the berries. Encroachment is a problem with fresh market fruit and vegetables, so he must stay on top of the cost of harvesting and packing and the price he is getting for the finished product.

He has since found another niche market, muscadine grapes.

Jason was one of the fi st to grow and sell muscadine grapes to retail stores here in Florida. Muscadine season is in July and only here in Polk County.

Jason is a huge supporter of Fresh from Florida and has watched fi sthand the importance of agriculture taking a back seat to development. “I remember when we were the cattle and citrus county, that is all you saw in Polk County, now you see houses popping up everywhere and I am just doing my part to keep agriculture, farming, and ranching as part of our legacy here,” Jason said.

What truly sets the Watts and Florida Best Farms apart is their dedication to the industry. Every year at harvest time the entire family gives their time. Jason’s mom, Debbie, has been known to feed the entire crew lunch with tables of food for the staff to enjoy, she will have another hot meal at supper on late nights. His dad, Jim, oversees a lot of the fie d activities allowing Jason to be the one negotiating places to ship berries. Jason’s wife, Amanda, is the backbone of the entire crew. She is the bookkeeper, offic manager, and food safety specialist. She is on the floo doing every duty that needs to be done. Amanda is also a hands-on mother, involved in all her children do academically and extracurricular. Rusty and Cole, his sons, have worked on the farm since they were old enough to help during harvest time and learned all of the sides of the business that they could help with from loading and unloading to running the machines. Savannah and Morgan, their daughters, handle the offic when Amanda is on the packing floo . They answer phones and do a variety of offic work. Jason’s sister, Lora, and her husband, David Donley, not only have Jason pack and sell their blueberries but also come and help when the days get long and extra labor is needed. At Florida Best Farms it is truly a family affai . Jason is a humble man who takes very little credit himself for his success. He attributes it to his family, his supervising staff, and his farm manager Gary Smith, who spent over 30 years working for Sunny Ridge and is truly Jason’s right hand in all the farming operations. “Behind every successful business is a team, my

Jason enjoys giving back to the community in multiple ways, one way is to be involved in events such as the Great American Teach In where he teaches students where the food they eat comes from. He knows the importance of educating the youth and helping them as well. Jason also gives his time by coaching football, he himself is a former college football player at the University of Kentucky who went pro playing in the NFL for a few years for the Raiders and the Broncos. Jason is the offensive line coach for Lake Wales High School. Both of Jason’s boys have played football, Cole has graduated but Rusty continues to play. He is proud of his team for winning the State Championship last year. Jason truly believes in giving back and helping just like he was helped.

Jason Watts was nominated for the 2024 Florida Farmer of the Year by Cary Lightsey. “I have a tremendous amount of respect for Jason. Out of all the industries he could have invested his time and money in, he chose agriculture. He is always there to help others in any way he can,” Cary said.

Jason was awarded the honor of being named Farmer of the Year at the Farm Bureau annual meeting in late October. He represents Florida in an outstanding manner with his dedication and leadership.

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team, my staff, my family, and Gary are the reason Florida Best Farms has become what it is today,” Jason said.

JOHNE’S DISEASE: A THIEF OF PROFITABILITY

By Bridget Stice, UF/IFAS Extension Polk

Adapted from Johne’s Disease in Beef Cattle publication #VM256 edis.ifas.ufl.edu/public tion/vm256 Paratuberculosis, commonly known as Johne’s disease, poses a significa t threat to cattle and other ruminants, causing chronic and often fatal consequences. Unfortunately, the disease often goes unnoticed and unchecked as it spreads throughout the herd and silently steals profitabili y and welfare on the ranch. The disease affects nutrient absorption in the intestines, leading to weight loss, diarrhea, and eventual death. This article aims to educate ranchers, cattle owners, and others about crucial facts related to Johne’s disease.

Prevalence and Awareness: According to data from the Johne’s Testing Center, in 2017, 18% of samples submitted from beef cattle herds tested positive for Johne’s Disease. However, according to a USDA survey, 92% of beef producers either lack awareness or have limited knowledge about Johne’s disease. The disease’s prevalence is potentially higher than perceived, with outdated surveys hindering an accurate assessment of its current impact.

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Causes and Transmission: Johne’s disease is caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), closely related to bacteria causing tuberculosis. Calves are typically infected early in life through exposure to contaminated colostrum, milk, or manure. However, clinical signs may not appear until years later. Subclinically (infected but showing no symptoms) infected cattle shed bacteria, increasing the risk of transmission to other livestock. MAP primarily resides in the small intestine but can spread to other areas, such as the uterus, lymph nodes, udder, and reproductive organs, and may be shed via milk or semen.

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photo credit: UF/IFAS Photo by Cat Woffo d

Clinical Signs and Diagnosis: Clinical signs manifest between 2 and 12 years of age, with diarrhea, weight loss, and lethargy being prominent. The thickening of the intestinal wall, due to the disease, reduces nutrient absorption. This initially results in diarrhea and, ultimately, starvation. Unfortunately, infected cattle do not respond to treatment. Reduced calving rates and unthrifty animals can be a sign of infection within the herd. Diagnosis involves culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests to identify MAP or its DNA. Direct and pooled PCR tests are preferred for their sensitivity and rapid results. Additionally, antibody tests like ELISA and AGID can be used for herd testing, but false positives may occur. Talk to your veterinarian about testing for Johne’s Disease if you suspect a possible infection within your herd.

Treatment and Prevention: There is no cure for Johne’s disease, and treatment is costprohibitive. Prevention strategies involve a combination of management practices to avoid introducing infected cattle, colostrum, or manure into operations. Closed herds, testingnegative replacement animals, and minimizing MAP transmission through proper sanitation are crucial preventive measures.

Conclusion: Johne’s disease poses significa t economic risks to beef cattle herds, necessitating preventive measures. Producers should collaborate with veterinarians to assess infection risks, implement management strategies, and, importantly, cull positive cattle to prevent disease spread. Preventing Johne’s disease not only safeguards herd health but also enhances overall efficie y and performance. By understanding the disease and adopting proactive measures, beef cattle producers can mitigate its impact and promote a healthier, more resilient herd.

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HIS HOLIDAY SEASO T L A C O L P N SHO

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CULTIVATING THE FUTURE, ONE BOOK AT A TIME Written by Seaira Hernandez Edward W. Bok Academy North FFA Reporter Assisted by Madison O’Neal Edward W. Bok Academy North FFA Historian

Seaira Hernandez

A couple of years ago if you had asked me about agriculture, I would have said that it helps pay the bills for my family but not much more. However, today I know that agriculture employs over 750,000 Floridians, consists of over 300 differe t commodities, and contributes more than $100 billion annually to our economy. Over the past couple of years, I was introduced to these and so much more through my agriculture class and the FFA at Edward. W. Bok Academy North. After working with a fourth-grade class last year on the water cycle, I realized that younger kids had no idea about the countless opportunities and impact that agriculture has on each of us every day.

As I questioned how we could have a positive influence on these younger students, I wanted to be sure and correctly define agriculture literacy.

According to the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture, being agriculturally literate is defined as a person who understands how the agricultural industry works – not just where food comes from, but who grows it, agriculture’s effect on the economy, environment, technology, lifestyle and its relationship to livestock.

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After mentioning this to my fellow FFA offic s, a plan was formed…with the help of our advisor, Ms. Williams, we contacted several local elementary schools, and history was made. We were now partnered with Garden Grove, Polk Avenue, Baboon Park, and Spook Hill elementary schools to introduce agriculture to their students. As our calen-

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Madison O’Neal Edward

dar filled up with monthly and bimonthly visits, the planning really began and the Ag Literacy materials from Florida Ag in the Classroom started arriving.

Not only did regular classes begin in August, but we also launched our Ag Literacy initiative. While at our partner schools, myself and the other offic s read to classes, introduce the students to the importance of agriculture, and complete a hands-on experiment or activity based on the same topic of the agricultural based book that has been gifted by the Department of Agriculture and Florida Ag in the Classroom.

Over the past several months, these visits have become something that everyone looks forward to, including the students, teachers, and administration. Our offic team has formed a much stronger bond by working together to plan lessons, complete labs, and create lifelong learners each week.

Riley Grogan, our secretary sums up our main reason for pursuing this initiative when she said, “We are introducing the kids to experiences and ideas that most would not have encountered otherwise.”

From corralling balloon cattle, creating personal greenhouses, and dissecting fl wers to making butter, comparing differe t leaves, and exploring new produce like rainbow carrots and mini-cucumbers; over 846 students now have a better understanding of just how much our world is impacted by agriculture…and I can’t wait to see how many more we can reach over the next few months!

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CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE

By Maggie Fussell

It’s hard to believe that Christmas is here. I am decorating trees, baking cookies, wrapping presents, and paying the extra shipping costs to get the gifts on time.

Time is so important at Christmas. Just think about it.

There are 365 days in a year. The last 65 days of the year are spent preparing for and enjoying the holidays.

During these last few weeks of the year American’s scramble to get turkeys and pumpkin pies. We shop at busy stores and increase our screen time browsing on Amazon. For what exactly? I say it is to participate in the season and bring joy to those around me. But am I truly living that? To be honest, I am not. I dread looking for Christmas decorations in the attic. Finding the right gift rather than a dust collector is a little stressful. The latenight baking on Christmas Eve is not much fun either. I do not feel the spirit of Christmas because I do not take the time to actually enjoy Christmas. Rather than focusing on the conversations and memories that are made through these chaotic traditions I am adding things to my to-do list.

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This year I am participating in Christmas differe tly. I am stepping away from the computer and getting out of the crowded stores. I will look at Christmas lights with

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my family. Laugh at our gingerbread house failures. Enjoy a Christmas movie. Sing the carols that make me smile. Feel the love from a warm hug. Be content in my home finding joy and comfort. I will be thankful for another year instead of anxiously adding another task to the list. To enjoy Christmas, I have to invest my time in a present task and not think of the future ones. Taking the time to experience joy will help me spread joy.

This December I challenge you to make time to enjoy Christmas. Do not breeze through it and then wonder why it went by so fast. Replace your checklist with time.

When you perform a task or start another tradition, place all your thoughts on it. Focus on your family and the memories you are making. Refresh your mind and relax your thoughts by completing one task at a time instead of stressing over a list. I hope that you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I pray that the Lord will bless you and your family with the time to enjoy this Christmas with a thankful spirit rather than a worried spirit.

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NEWS BRIEFS

Compiled by Jim Frankowiak

erations in Hillsborough County and 13 in Polk County among the 258 projects. RFLPP partners with farmers and ranchers through agricultural easements and works to safeguard agricultural operations that contribute Florida’s economy and the production of food and fibe . The list must now be approved the Governor and Cabinet and then funded by the Legislature.

RCMA Opens New Mulberry Academy

USDA Seeks Feedback from Specialty Crops Industry The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) wants to hear from specialty crops growers as part of the agency’s Specialty Crops Competitiveness Initiative that aims to increase the competitiveness of specialty crops products in foreign markets, enhance domestic marketing and improve production and processing practices. Comments are due by March 8, 2024, and may be submitted via email at: SCCIPPartners@ usda.gov. More information is available at: https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID AMS-SC-23-0073.

A Reminder from the Florida Beef Council If you owned cattle in 2023, chances are you will soon receive a letter from the Florida Beef Council (FBC) that beef checkoff assessments are due by the end of the year for any cattle you sold this year. For more information, contact the FBC in Kissimmee at 407-846-4557.

Hillsborough County Farm Bureau Announces New Officers Hillsborough County Farm Bureau (HCFB) has announced its slate of offic s for the coming year. They include: President – Dennis Carlton, Jr.; Vice President – Casey Runkles; Secretary – Madison A. Slater and Treasurer – Clay Joyner. In addition to the offic s, the HCFB Board of Directors includes Carl Bauman, Brittany Coleman, Travis Council, Jake Cremer, Tiffa y Dale, Drew Futch, Brian Shoop and Michelle Williamson.

USDA and SBA Strengthens Partnership to Aid Ag Producers The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) have announced strengthening of their partnership to create jobs and expand access to new and better market opportunities for agricultural producers both domestically and internationally, as well as rural communities and small businesses. More information is detailed in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two agencies at: https://www.rd.usda.gov//media/20264/download.

FDACS Family Lands Protection Program Final List Includes Hillsborough and Polk Operations The fina project acquisition list for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program (RFLPP) of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) includes three op-

District Opens Phase 2 Hog Hunt Registration The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) has opened Phase 2 hog hunt registration. The District holds a series of hog hunts on District lands throughout the year to help reduce the feral hog population.

What you need to know about Phase 2 hunts: • Phase 2 will include five hunts that occur January through February 2024.

• Permits are transferable.

• The single top producer on each hunt of Phase 2 will be placed on the District’s “top producer” list and will be contacted between March and October 2024 to take part in feral hog management hunts on an as-needed basis, free of charge.

Feral hogs, which are not native to Florida, can cause damage with their broad snouts and can leave an area looking like a plowed fie d. 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.

The District has a three-phased hunting system. The fi st two phases of hunts 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.

For more information, please visit: WaterMatters.org/HogHunts.

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The Redlands Christian Migrant Association (RCMC) recently held its grand opening celebration for the Mulberry Community Academy, the third RCMA charter school in Florida. “The education we provide and the support services we offe the families we serve increase the opportunities for the entire community,” said RCMA Executive Director Isabel Garcia at the ceremony. “With a specialized learning approach that holistically helps migrant working families; we are able to educate the leaders of tomorrow.”

A Job To Go Places And Do Things!

by John Dicks When I expressed an interest in cameras, he taught me the art of photography: how to frame the subject, illuminate the shot, and blur the background.

It truly was the start that I needed, and for that, I have always been and forever will be very grateful.

Somehow, Keith seemed to sense that it was not so much a job that I was seeking, but rather, simply a chance; an opportunity to learn both a craft and some life lessons that would help me in my quest to “go places and do things.”

I got my fi st real job many years ago when at 16 I went to work for the Plant City Courier.

The Courier was, at the time, our local newspaper and had been so for many years. It was a venerable institution, highly regarded by most everyone in town as a trusted source for news and information. It was what everyone turned to on Thursday, the one day each week that it was published.

I imagined that to work at The Courier, where it seemed was stored all the knowledge of the world, would be nothing short of amazing. With a real job there, I could write and tell stories about all the things I was learning.

A real job also got you a real paycheck; a fancy piece of paper you could take to the Hillsboro Bank and trade it in for an even prettier piece of paper called cash! With cash, you could buy gas and “go places and do things!”

Just the thought of it all was the motivation giving me the gumption to walk in, unannounced and without any appointment, asking to speak to the Editor about a job that they neither had available, nor frankly, even offered Still, the charm of Plant City meant that I was not booted out the door. Instead, I was led to meet a bright young man with a quick wit, wry smile, and infectious laugh named Keith Stickley.

Barely in his 30s, Keith was the Managing Editor, and he took the time to talk with me for seemingly hours about school, things I liked to do, and what I hoped for in life.

Of course, I’d like to think that he recognized a spark inside of me, but just as likely was that the Christmas spirit was causing him to be a bit charitable. Regardless, before I left that afternoon, I somehow had convinced him to give me a part-time, “we’ll see how it goes” job paying me $1.60 an hour!

Keith became for me both a boss and a teacher. He’d rip up my articles and tell me to start over. He’d admonish me with “don’t bury the lead,” or use “a lovely alliteration” to make things fl w better.

Search for the story, he’d say, and let it write the article.

Perhaps it was a reflection of his own dreams, for having grown up in a small town within the shadow of the Shenandoah Mountains in Woodstock, Virginia, Keith, too, once needed a job.

Straight out of high school with his only experience in writing being with the school newspaper, he convinced the Editor of a local paper to give him a shot. Gifted with natural curiosity and a keen intellect he perfected his skills as a wordsmith.

Soon, his writings wrought recognition and awards both for the paper and for himself.

That early success, and the promise of more opportunities, is what led Keith to The Courier.

Imagine this. Not yet 25, married to his high school sweetheart, and along with their five kids all younger than five (ages 4, 3, 2, and 1-year-old twins!), they packed up their station wagon and headed out for the proverbial greener pastures of Florida!

Maybe it was the innocence of youth, but no doubt it was quite an adventure.

It also took confidence and fortitude. Yes, there were challenges along the way, and twists and turns to take before later in life returning home to start and run his own paper, and expand into a large and successful publishing business still serving the needs of western Virginia and its surrounds.

It’s been well more than 40 years since I last worked with Keith Stickley. So recently, on one of my trips to “go places and do things,” I took a detour to Woodstock just to check up on him, and to say, “Thanks!” once again.

It was a wonderful and long breakfast we shared, and I caught myself interviewing him, just as I had been taught, by him, to do!

When we left, I wanted a picture of the two of us and I chuckled as he directed where we should stand for our selfie and explained the proper angle for lighting to illuminate our faces.

Some things never change in life, and in this case, it was the same ol’ Keith Stickley; teaching and directing, and with me learning and taking it all in.

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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 P ant City where he also served nine years as City Commissioner, including three terms as Mayor.

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Is your farm FSMA ready?

Sign up today for a free On-Farm Readiness Review

www.FDACS.gov/FSMA This publication is supported by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award U2FFD007446 totaling $1,166,732 with 100 percent funded by FDA/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by FDA/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

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ORGANIC MULCHES IN YOUR FLORIDA-FRIENDLY LANDSCAPE™:

HOW DO I KNOW WHICH ONES TO USE?

The answer might be - it depends! Are you mulching a large landscape bed of trees or shrubs, or more delicate annuals or perennials? Are you creating a mulched pathway? Do you have a wildfl wer area? Read on for a few facts, tips and myths about mulch choices. For more complete information, check out the links below.

FACTS: • Mulches come in differe t textures, sizes, and methods of processing, and have differe t effects on your plants and soil. Learn which mulches fit your needs.

• Addressing the elephant in the (garden) room, the use of dyed mulches has been a topic of interest for some time. Research from the University of Florida shows no evidence that the dye used to add color to mulches is harmful to soils. The problem with dyed mulch can come from the wood itself. Many dyed mulches contain recycled wood from pallets and recycled building materials that have been treated or contaminated with CCA (chromated copper arsenate). This substance is toxic to humans and animals. Colored mulch is not recommended unless certified with MSC Certific tion Logo, stating the mulch is free of CCA treated wood.

Look for this label on the front of mulch bags.

• If your goal is to enrich your soil and improve its health, the size of the material (how quickly it breaks down), and the type of wood (nutritional value) are factors to consider.

• Help Florida’s environment by using sustainably produced mulches. See links below for descriptions on choices such as melaleuca, eucalyptus, and more!

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TIPS: • Be realistic in your expectations from the use of mulch.

There probably isn’t a “perfect” mulch. Mulches help manage weeds, not completely eliminate them. Mulches will tend to fade as they age; this is to be expected.

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Some mulches can pack down and need raking up to loosen from time to time.

• Mulches that have been produced by shredding tend to pack tightly together. They are great for paths, and large areas between trees and shrubs. Shredded mulch is also good for erosion control on slopes.

• Mulches that are produced by cutting into chips (e.g., pine bark) tend not to compact as tightly as shredded forms. They are great for beds of smaller plants such as annuals and perennials.

• Add visual interest and have fun “mixing and matching” mulches throughout your landscape.

• Are you planting wildfl wers? Use thin layers of mulch so seeds have access to natural soil. Pine straw, fallen leaves and mini pine bark are good choices. Leave some bare spaces available for ground-nesting bees.

A FEW MYTHS: • If a little mulch is good, more mulch is better. In fact, mulch that is too thick can be quite problematic for your plants by impeding water from reaching plant roots and increasing disease/pest issues. Florida-Friendly Landscaping recommends a mulch depth of 2-3 inches. In all mulched beds, the best practice is to periodically rake and break up old mulch. If aesthetics are desired, you can remove old mulch and add fresh to aim for the recommended depth of 2-3 inches. The old mulch may still be useful, used in another less visible area, or used as compost. Always avoid piling mulch against the center of all plants, including the trunks of trees! This harmful practice can lead to increased diseases and pests, eventually even the death of the plant. You can read about this harmful mulching practice in the link below on “Volcano Mulching.”

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SUCCESSFUL SCIENCE: MESH NOW COVERS ABOUT 1 MILLION CITRUS TREES IN FLORIDA, KEEPING ASIAN CITRUS PSYLLIDS AT BAY

By Brad Buck

• Cypress mulch is a good mulch to choose. The University of Florida does not recommend the use of cypress mulch or any shredded mulch that includes cypress. The origin of cypress mulch is often diffic t to determine, and it could come from Florida’s ecologically sensitive forested wetlands.

Again, read the label on mulch bags.

Organic mulches are an important and beneficia addition to Florida Friendly Landscapes. Which mulch materials are just right for your yard? Read the sources below to further your knowledge and understanding of using organic mulches in your Florida-Friendly Landscape and choose the mulch(es) that work best for you. Happy Gardening!

Sources: “FLORIDA-FRIENDLY MULCHES AND THEIR USES”, ask IFAS ENH1362/EP626 “Beware of Volcano Mulching”, blogs.ifas.ufl polkco/2019/10/15/beware-of-volcano-mulching/ For more information, contact UF/IFAS Extension Polk County at (863) 519-1041 or visit us online at http://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/polk. The Plant Clinic is open Monday-Friday, 9:00 am-4:00 pm to answer your gardening and landscaping questions. Give us a call or email us at polkmg@ifas.ufl.edu If you are not in Polk County, Contact your local UF/IFAS Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Plant Clinic.

The Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program is a volunteer-driven program that benefits UF/IFAS Extension and the citizens of Florida. The program extends the vision of the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, all the while protecting and sustaining natural resources and environmental systems, enhancing the development of human resources, and improving the quality of human life through the development of knowledge in agricultural, human and natural resources and making that knowledge accessible.

This article was written by Master Gardener Volunteer Molly Griner under supervision of the Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator and Residential Horticulture Extension Agent Anne Yasalonis.

An Equal Opportunity Institution.

Individual Protective Covers (IPCs) keep Asian citrus psyllids off trees. Psyllids are pin-sized insects that inject citrus leaves with a bacterium that can cause Huanglongbing (HLB), commonly called citrus greening disease.

"The growth in IPC adoption has been exponential,” said Fernando Alferez, a UF/IFAS assistant professor of horticultural sciences at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center.

“The increase in IPC use is due in part to what we have communicated, but also word-of-mouth among growers who say it works for them. Of course, it’s also a data-driven decision.”

That data came after Alferez started experimenting with IPCs several years ago. In his fi st published study on the benefits of IPC, Alferez found no signs of citrus greening on any of the trees covered by the mesh. Specifically, he found that psyllids cannot penetrate the bags because the diameter of their openings is smaller than the insects.

The research results came as welcome news for growers, whose mesh covers are visible to motorists.

“If you drive up and down U.S. 27 in Central Florida and other highways in Southwest Florida, you can see IPCs on many farms.”

Alferez said.

While it’s advantageous that IPCs keep psyllids off of trees, Alferez recently wanted to know the physiological health of trees covered with the mesh.

He recently finished a new study in which he and his colleagues studied the effects of IPCs and differe t insecticides on young ‘Valencia’ orange trees grafted onto ‘Cleopatra’ rootstocks.

Scientists found that IPCs maintain the health of young trees that are already under heavy pressure from HLB. More specifical y, Alferez and his team discovered that IPCs maintained chlorophyll levels in leaves. The mesh covers also prevented an HLB-induced deficiency of foliar nitrogen and zinc, while maintaining a higher concentration of many other nutrients. In addition, IPCs prevented greening-induced accumulation of starch, sucrose and glucose in the leaves.

All these findings mean healthier and more productive Valencia trees.

“We recommend IPCs as an important component of integrated pest management for this devastating disease,” said Alferez.

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As recently as five years ago, Florida citrus growers did not routinely put protective covers on their trees as part of their grove management. Now, the mesh covers at least one million trees on about 17,000 acres, mostly thanks to successful experimentation by a University of Florida scientist.

Recipes Courtesy of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Chef Justin Timineri

Coconut Snapper with Spinach Endive Sauté

DIRECTIONS 1. Season fillets with salt and pepper.

2. In large sauté pan, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat.

3. Cook fillets 3 to 4 minutes per side until cooked through.

4. Remove fish from skillet and keep warm.

5. For coconut sauce, return pan to heat and cook garlic, ginger and 1/4 cup onion until tender.

6. Add coconut milk, lime juice, soy sauce, hot sauce and bring to a boil.

7. Lower heat and add cilantro; simmer for 5 minutes.

INGREDIENTS 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided 4 (6-ounce) snapper filets 3/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, peeled and grated 1/2 cup diced onion, divided 1 cup canned coconut milk

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 1 teaspoon soy sauce 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped 1 head Belgian endive, thin sliced 1 (10-ounce) bag spinach, washed

8. In a separate, large skillet, heat the remaining oil over medium-high heat.

9. Sauté remaining 1/4 cup onion, endive and spinach until greens are just wilted.

10. Serve fillets with sauce over sautéed vegetables.

Strawberry Pops Ingredients • 12 Florida strawberries • 12 (4-inch) lollipop sticks or popsicle sticks or 6-inch bamboo skewers • 1 cup lightly crushed whole grain cereal • ½ cup low-fat vanilla yogurt

DIRECTIONS

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1. Rinse strawberries and remove leaves.

2. Dip berry in yogurt, then in the cereal.

3. Insert sticks into the narrow end of the strawberry.

4. Serve immediately.

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A Closer LookAmazing Activities by Sean Green Naturally

Pine Scented Cleaner

Many of us remember the original Pine Sol® cleaner.

It was invented in 1929 by chemist Harry A. Cole and reached its height in popularity in the 1950s. Pine oil has long been used as a disinfectant, fungicide, germicide, and even virucide.

Although the clinical effectiveness of pine oil as a catchall cleaner and sanitizer remains controversial, there is little contention that the scent of pine is a pleasant one. This month we are featuring a simple project that can make good use of the pine needles you will have a surplus of at the end of December.

Vinegar is a great cleaner, but most agree that its aromatic quality has a little room for improvement.

We are going to try to improve that by infusing vinegar with pine by soaking pine needles in vinegar.

Supplies: Vinegar

(apple cider vinegar recommended but not critical)

Pine Needles

(spruce is said to be the best)

Production: • Cut small branches of pine needles from the pine tree • Include not only pine needles, but also small twigs • Stuff as many pine needles and pine twigs as you can into an empty mason jar

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• Fill the mason jar with vinegar and let it sit for two months. The longer it sits the better it will smell.

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A Closer Look

by Sean Green

Thread Waisted Wasps (Ammophila)

Cooler months in Florida often mean I don’t see as many insects on my hikes as I would like. However, there are still some insects that are quite busy even in the cooler months. Pollinators are typically busy all year long in Florida. This month we’re featuring a pollinator that’s surprisingly docile despite its striking appearance. We came across this interesting wasp during a recent hike and were thrilled that she didn’t spook while we took pictures. Our wasp is a solitary wasp commonly known as the thread waisted wasp. This term, though descriptive, could refer to any number of wasps as most have a narrow waist. Ammophila is the more accurate taxonomic term that describes a specific genus of hunting wasps. These docile wasps are typically not bothered by human curiosity and go about their business as if we were not even there as long as they are not attacked. Should you see one, it would be worth your time to take a closer look at these spectacular hunters. You may be surprised to discover how entertaining watching insects can be.

The genus Ammophila is found throughout the warmer regions of the world. In North America we have 60 species; most of which are so similar in appearance they are diffic t to distinguish. These are a medium size wasp; typically, black with an alarming patch of red or orange on the stinging end of the abdomen. The thorax and abdomen are connected by a thread like waist justifying the common name “thread waisted” wasp.

Ammophila are solitary wasps that nest and hunt alone. I have encouraged the attraction of solitary bees and wasps to your homes and gardens in previous articles and will emphasize again that solitary wasps do not have a “hive protection” instinct because they have no hive to protect. These wasps, like other solitary wasps, are not aggressive and will not attack you as you are working around your home or garden. For this reason, solitary wasps are an ideal tenant to attract to your home or garden. Ammophila are not common in gardens because they tend to hunt caterpillars that feed on deciduous trees. They seem to especially prefer the larvae of oak pests such as the variable oak leaf caterpillar (Lochmaeus manteo), and rough prominent moth caterpillar (Nadata gibbosa), however, they also prey on the False Unicorn moth (Schizura ipomoeae) which is a common pest of morning glory and roses, both of which are more common in the garden and around the home. Attracting this species to your home will benefit not only your large trees, but also a variety of common ornamental shrubs and even vegetables.

Ammophila will nest in bare sandy soil or leaf litter that is surrounded by fl wering plants which provide nectar for feeding adults. Females dig cylindrical burrows into the soil by rapidly shoveling with their legs and remove pebbles with their mandibles. When the burrow is complete, she provisions it with a single large caterpillar or occasionally several small caterpillars on which she will lay a single egg. After the egg is de-

Female Ammophila build several burrows simultaneously, and this insect has maternal superpowers when it comes to keeping track of her brood. Each of her burrows may be at different stages of completion and she is able to remember the location and progress of each burrow perhaps by using visual markers such as rocks, twigs, or plants, or maybe a chemical trail, it is uncertain how she does it but impressive nonetheless. It is probably a combination of both because despite her excellent craftsmanship in disguising the burrow, parasitism is a common nesting behavior of this and similar species. Other female wasps routinely find such burrows and replace the hosts egg with an egg of their own, discarding the hosts egg and leaving their egg in its place so their brood can feed off the caterpillar that was provisioned by the host wasp. Some wasp species will steal the caterpillar entirely and take it to their own borrow leaving the host with an empty burrow and vulnerable if not destroyed brood.

If you have good ears you may be able to hear chirping sounds from the female as you are watching them. I cannot verify this personally because years of loud rock concerts in my youth have taken a toll on my hearing. My wife however can hear the flapping of a butterfly s wing and could also hear this wasp make, in her words, “cute little noises like a cricket”.

Researchers do not fully understand the function of these chirps, but most suspect it is a function of attracting mates.

Though these wasps are tremendous hunters, they are not without predators, in fact they have more than I can list but include various birds, assassin bugs, and hover flies to name a few. The stark red coloring of this wasp is a method of warning such predators that a sting should be an expected response to an attack. Don’t let that part stop you from enjoying these insects though; so long as you are not mistaken for an attacking predator, this is a safe insect to observe. I hope you get a chance to take a closer look at these fine wasps and perhaps consider encouraging residency in your garden for toxin free pest management.

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posited in the burrow, she collects small pebbles by clamping them with her mouth and carefully packs them into the burrow filling the spaces in between the pebbles with sand.

When the burrow entrance is fully packed, she searches for a suitable pebble to use as a hammer. She grasps the pebble in her mandibles and packs the soil by thrusting the pebble against the loose soil like a bettering ram. Her masterpiece is not complete without camouflage and she is the master of “leave no trace”. She carefully disassembles the pile of small pebbles that she dug up in the process of making her burrow and arranges them to blend into the undisturbed pebbles hiding any evidence of excavation. To finish her masterpiece, she searches for bits of debris to scatter around the area that was previously cleared for the burrow, then she blends it all together by peppering the area with sand she kicks up make any evidence of the sealed burrow nearly impossible to find if you did not watch her create it.

By Grady Judd, Polk County Sheriff

HUMANS AND WILDLIFE MIXING IN POLK COUNTY

According to the US Census Bureau, Polk County, Florida is the fastest-growing county in Florida and one of the fastest-growing areas in the entire country.

I have lived in Polk County my entire life, so I can certainly understand why so many people would want to come here to live.

There are plenty of challenges that come with the amount of growth that Florida has seen in recent years, but I only have this page, and I want to focus on one issue in particular—wildlife.

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New residents may not be familiar with the potentially dangerous animals that roam the state, while others who have been here a long time are more knowledgeable of these animals. However, with the increase in development, there is a decrease in habitat for wildlife, and their behaviors have begun to reflect th t.

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There are neighborhoods where residents have never seen a bear up close outside of a zoo, but now they’re seeing them make their way into their yards, on their porches, and into their garbage cans.

The bears, which would normally try to avoid getting anywhere close to people, are now looking for food in places that put bears and humans much closer than they should be.

In addition to bears, residents are having more close encounters with raccoons, coyote, and bobcats to name a few.

While these encounters can be very exciting for people, they can also be dangerous. If a bear feels threatened, it could attack, and unless you’re a professional bear wrestler, you might not fare well in a bear attack.

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Also, animals like raccoons, coyote, and fox might appear adorable, but believe me, they can be vicious, and if you add rabies to the mix, things can turn very bad.

These encounters can also lead to property damages, increased vehicle crashes, the spread of diseases, and attacks on family pets.

Some actions could help decrease these unexpected visits, such as securing garbage bins so that animals can’t get into them. Those bins may smell awful to you, but they smell like a buff t to hungry animals.

Pet food that you leave outside can also be quite enticing to wildlife. In fact, pets may be quite enticing to some wildlife as well, so a good fence around your property could also be beneficial If you are having an issue with wildlife encroachment, contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922). But if there is an emergency such as an attack or an aggressive animal, call 9-1-1, so we can get deputies to you right away, and emergency medical services as needed.

Polk County is changing, and that means the way of life is changing for these animals. Now we have to change our way of life as well.

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2023

45

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