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Warner University Names Leigh Ann Lightsey Wynn Assistant VP of Advancement Warner University announced that Leigh Ann Lightsey Wynn has been named Assistant Vice President of Advancement. Wynn, who began her new role on February 9, joined the Christian university working alongside Doris Gukich, Vice President of Advancement. She will be building integrated development, marketing and public relations strategies that will assist the university in increasing constituent involvement and fund raising outcomes. President Gregory Hall said, “Leigh Ann’s excellent communication skills are ideal in her new role of sharing the mission of Warner University with advisory boards and community/business leaders. Her experiences in planning and financial management, program development and implementation will assist her in fulfilling fund-raising goals and strategies, both annual and long-term. We are very pleased to have Leigh Ann Lightsey Wynn join the Advancement team at Warner University.” Wynn is a seventh generation Floridian born and raised in Lake Wales on her family’s cattle and citrus ranch, with her roots planted firmly in agriculture in central Florida. She graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and a minor in Agricultural Communications in 2002. While in college, Leigh Ann served as the PR Director for UF’s Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America and honed her not-for-profit skills while traveling the country during her internship with the Cris Collingsworth Foundation. Wynn enjoyed ten years at Everglades Foods, Inc. in Sebring, creator of Everglades Seasonings, beginning as the Director of Sales & Marketing and leaving as Corporate Manager. She helped to grow the Everglades brand from a regional name to a product well known across the US, and more than doubling the product line. Most recently, Wynn has held the position of Senior VP of Business Development at Land South Group in Lakeland, working across the multiple companies under that umbrella. While there, she handled the strategic long-term relationships for their Ag lending company AgAmerica Lending, their ag land brokerage firm Land South Realty, their hedge fund Bankers South, as well as multiple other niche com-
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panies. Leigh Ann started her own company while at Land South, titled Conservation South, where she helped landowners to obtain conservation easements on their property. Leigh Ann is a current member of Class IX of the Wedgworth Leadership Institute of Agricultural and Natural Resources, a prestigious two-year leadership program based out of the University of Florida. She is the co-chair of the Polk Extension Advisory Leadership Committee, on the board of the Polk County Public Relations Association, sits on the Northern Everglades Alliance, and is the Polk Agricultural Liaison for the Central Florida Water Initiative. “I am extremely excited about coming on board in the Advancement department at such a distinguished and respected school like Warner University. Combine their new agricultural endeavors with the great Christian proclamation of the university, and I knew it was the place for me,” says Wynn. Warner University, located in Lake Wales, Florida on 300 acres is a liberal arts co-educational, Christian university founded in 1968. Bachelor and Master Degrees are available to the 1338 on-campus and on-line students. The student body comes from 29 states and 22 Foreign Countries with 88% from Florida. The mission of Warner University is to graduate individuals who exemplify academic excellence and Christian character, who are prepared to lead and committed to serve.
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February 2015
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POLK COU NTY
®
Contents
CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION
V O L . 7 • IS S U E 7
Contents
VOL. 8 • ISSUE 6
F eature S tory
Rob Krieger Page 34
Jim Thompson Page
24
Warner University
Page 3
Ivory-Billed Woodpecker
Page 31
Master Gardner
Fountain Farms
Fishing Hot Spots
Recipes
Page 10
Page 32
Page 14
Page 38
PC Youth Fair Results
Spaghetti Squash
Page 16
Page 39
Rocking Chair Chatter
Putnum
Page 22
Page 41
Sheriff Grady Judd
Page 28
P.O. Box 9005 • Drawer HS0 3 Bartow, FL 33831 -9005 President – J. B. Wynn OFFICERS 581-3255 OF DIRECTORS Dave Tomkow &(863) B OARD jbwynn29@gmail.com (863) 665-5088 cattlemenslivestock@ P resident - C harles C lark ( 863) 528-8537earthlink.net Vice President – David McCullerscclark@ expoco.com (863) 635-2821crookedlaMike Facente V ice P resident - Dave Tomkow keranch@verizon.net (863) 697-9419 ( 863) 6 6 5-50 88 cattlemanslivetock@ earthlink.net
Secretary/Treasurer - Justin Standing Committee Chairs: S ecretary/ Treasurer - J ustin B unch Bunch ( 863) 4 25-1121 (863) 425-1121jbunch@ agriumretail.com Membership- J.B. Wynn A l B ellotto - ( 863) 581-5515 jbunch@agriumretail.com R ay C lark - ( 863) 6 83-819 6Events- Kevin Fussell State Director – Ray Clark (863) 412-5876 rclark@ tampabay.rr.com 640-0719 L .B .(863) F landers, DV M - ( 863) 6 4 4 -5974 Trade Showrclark@tampabay.rr.com Dewey F ussell - ( 863) 9 84 -3782
MikeCarlton F ussell - ( 863) 69 8-8314 Rodeo- Fred Waters Taylor fussell.flafarm@ verizon.net
(863) 559-7808 863-781-1146 David McC ullers - ( 863) 528-1195 Carlton.Taylor@boehringeringelheim.com Website Moby Persing - ( 863) 528-4 379 – Adam Norman Ned W aters - ( 863) 69 8-1597863-944-9293 Adam.norman@gmfind. Charlesdoacs.state.fl.us Clark watersn@ com J .B . W ynn - ( 863) 581-3255 (863) 528-8537 jbwynn29 @ gmail.com cclarkc4@yahoo.com Cattlewomen – Vice PresiA lternate - Mike Facente - ( 863) 697-9419 dent, Laura Slocumb 660-7000 L.B. Flanders, DVM C ommittee(863) S tanding C hairs: laura@higgenbotham.com (863) 644-5974 Membership - J .B . W ynn E vents - KFussell evin F ussell ( 863) 4 12-5876 Extension – Bridget Carlisle Dewey R odeo F red W aters ( 863) 559 -780Drawer 8 PO Box 9005, HS03 (863)- 984-3782 watersf@ doacs.state.fl.us Bartow, FL 33831 Website (863) 519-1048 Mike- Chris FussellNelson C attlewomen - P resident bccarlis@ufl.edu (863) 698-8314 fussell.flafarm@verizon.net Marjorie W ood ( 863) 6 6 0 -4 137 Sheriff’s Dept. – Sgt. onnie397@ aol.com Tommy519 Dixon Moby Persing E xtension - B ridget C arlisle ( 863) -8677 863-528-4567 (863) 534-7205 bccarlis@ ufl.edu tdixon@polksheriff.org S heriff’s Dept. - S gt. Tommy Dixon
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Stop by our produce stand and pick up some delicious strawberries. We’re sure they’ll make any occasion. berry special!
Our produce stand is now open.
Located at the corner of Rice and County Line Road | 813.478.3486 or 813.754.4852 | FancyFarms.com
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February 2015
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Letter from the Editor Publisher/Photography Karen Berry
The Florida State Fair kicked off in fine fashion with the Fresh From Florida Breakfast held in the Ag Hall of Fame building. Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture was on hand to greet attendees, as was the Governor, Rick Scott, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and Attorney General Pam Bondi. Local farmers and ranchers and representatives from Florida’s agriculture community joined the Governor and his Cabinet for this annual breakfast featuring Fresh From Florida products. When you mention a fair to most people today, their first thoughts are of stomach churning rides and equally stomach churning food (okay, that last part could be my sentiment alone). In actuality, fairs have deep ties to farming, ranching and our country’s agriculture background. Fairs began as an opportunity for families to share livestock, crops, agricultural techniques and equipment. While fairs have grown to include all kinds of entertainment, you will still find the youth of our great nation, showing the hard work they have put in on numerous projects, as they learn, through 4-H and FFA, about responsibility and leadership to prepare them for their future, the future of our country. If you were in attendance at the Florida State Fair, good for you! I hope you had the opportunity to stop by the livestock area and watch our youth and the fruits of their endeavors. If not, mark it down for next year. It’s always a great time! Until Next Mont
Senior Managing Editor/ Associate Publisher Sarah Holt Editor-In-Chief Al Berry
The LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. - Numbers 6:25
Arcadia Rodeo................................29 Broke & Poor..................................27 Cattleman’s Livestock Auction.....45 Cecil Breeding Farm.......................13 Country Village..............................42 Crescent Jewelers.........................28 Ellison RBM Inc...............................37 Everglades Farm Equipment........48 Exo Creative...................................45
Office Manager Bob Hughens
Fancy Farms......................................5 Farm Credit.....................................44 Florida Farm & Ranch...................43
Sales Manager Danny Crampton Sales Al Berry Tina Richmond Danny Crampton Melissa Nichols
Florida Fence Post..........................15 Fl Mineral, Salt & AG.....................23 Fl Strawberry Festival..................26 Floor & Decor...................................2 Florida Dept of Ag.........................35 Fountain Farm Services................37 Fran Haasch.......................................7 Fred’s Market Restaurant..............23
Creative Director/Illustrator
Gentry Morrison..............................12
Juan Alvarez
Grove Equipment Service.............44 Gulf Coast Tractor.........................30
Photography Karen Berry Al Berry Stephanie Humphrey Melissa Nichols
Sarah
Alan’s Air Conditioning..................47
Staff Writers Al Berry Sandy Kaster James Frankowiak Sean Green Ginny Mink Libby Hopkins Melissa Nichols
International Market World.........27 Jason Grimes Contracting............5 Key Plex............................................41 Lightsey Cattle Co.........................37 MST Sod..........................................43 Mosaic................................................9 Parkesdale.......................................36 Pathway Biologic.............................11 Polk County Cattlemen’s Association...................4 Savich & Lee..................................45 Seedway.............................................9 Southeastern Septic......................42 Stephanie Humphrey.....................46
Contributing Writers Woody Gore
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The Bug Man..................................37 The Southern Barn.......................33
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The month of January was a busy one with many events for the cattlemen to attend, as well as cook steaks for. The cattlemen started by cooking at the Taste of Agriculture Country Dinner and Barn Dance held at Marty Higginbotham’s Rocking H Ranch in Lakeland on Jan 10th. This is a great fundraiser for the Polk County Youth Fair and since it was so well attended, hopefully it raised a lot of money for the youth fair. The following Tuesday the Polk County Farm Bureau and the Polk County Cattlemen hosted the Legislative Appreciation Luncheon in Bartow. This is always a good event and a great time to visit with some of our county’s elected officials, getting to know them on a more personal level. Also for the second time, the cattlemen and the Greenwood family hosted the Florida Humanities Council’s Teacher Workshop, a group which consists of teachers of all levels of education from many different parts of the state. Bud Greenwood gave them a little history of their family’s operation before taking the teachers on a tour of his beautiful ranch while we grilled them all a tasty steak supper. I would like to thank Bud and his family for their hospitality and opening their ranch up to us. This has been
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an important event to me because it gives us the opportunity to teach those who may not know much about agriculture. This is especially true for teachers who will carry what they learn back to their students. The end of the month was wrapped up with the youth fair, which I got the chance to attend several nights this year. It is always good to see our local youth taking an interest in agriculture and working so hard on their projects. Congratulations to all the winners but also to all exhibitors for all of their hard work and effort they put into getting there. My wife and I are headed out to the National Cattlemen’s Convention in San Antonio this week. We’re looking forward to catching up with cattlemen from other states. By the time you are reading this, we will have just finished up with the PCCA Ranch Rodeo and Trade Show on the 14th. What a way to spend your Valentines Day! I will have all the details in next month’s issue.
JB Wynn
JB Wynn Polk County Cattlemen’s Association President
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The flavor of a strawberry is influenced by weather, the variety and stage of ripeness when harvested. Lean cuts of beef have 4.5 grams or less of saturated fat and less than 95 milligrams of cholesterol (per 3-ounce serving). Americans eat 3.4 pounds of fresh strawberries each year plus another 1.8 pounds frozen per capita. 20 of the 29 lean beef cuts have, on average, only 1 more gram of saturated fat than a skinless chicken breast per 3-ounce serving. Over 53 percent of seven to nine year olds picked strawberries as their favorite fruit. Beef has 8 times more vitamin B12, 6 times more zinc and 2.5 times more iron than a skinless chicken breast. Current research suggests that eating just 8 strawberries a day can improve heart health, lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, reduce the risk of cancers and even improve cognitive function. A 3-ounce serving of lean beef contributes less than 10% of the calories in a 2,000-calorie-a-day diet. Strawberries score in the fruit group with the highest antioxidant values, which can help to prevent cataracts and other eye degeneration. A substantial body of evidence shows protein can help in maintaining a healthy weight, building muscle and fueling physical activity — all of which play an important role in a healthful lifestyle and disease prevention.
The work we do at Mosaic is critical to helping feed the world. We provide farmers with phosphate crop nutrients that enable them to produce more food on less land.
IMAGINE A WORLD WITH HALF AS MUCH FOOD. Without crop nutrients, that would be our reality.
Essential crop nutrients — like phosphate mined and manufactured in Florida — are responsible for 40-60 percent of the crop yields farmers produce worldwide.* That translates into more abundant and affordable food here at home. As our world keeps growing, Mosaic keeps working to help put food on the table, for all of us.
We help the world grow the food it needs. ®
mosaicco.com/florida *
Source: Agronomy Journal
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February 2015
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M ASTER G A R D EN ER
By Debra Howell In this world of beautiful bloomers and lush garden vegetation, appears popular plant materials with a poisonous nature. Many of us do not realize it, but our yards may contain at least one of these plants. One notable example is the lovely angel’s trumpet. This plant is not only a show-stopping bloomer, but imparts a heady lemon scent to the evening landscape. Due to the bloom size of the angel’s trumpet (Brugmansia), it is readily visible in the home garden. Perhaps if you choose to grace your yard with the angel’s trumpet, you might plant it in an area in the back or side yard where it is less accessible from the street as the seeds and leaves of Brugmansia are especially dangerous. This plant is rich in scopolamine, hyoscyamine and other tropane alkaloids. Effects from consumption include confusion, paralysis of smooth muscles, dry mouth, diarrhea, tachycardia, migraines, hallucinations and death. Medically important alkaloids found in members of the Solanaceae family have value for their anesthetic properties, though many alkaloids are synthesized artificially. Brugmansia is a genus with seven species of plants in the family Solanaceae. The Solanaceae family includes potatoes, tomatoes and petunias. The angel’s trumpet was named for Sebald Justin Brugmans, who was a Dutch natural history professor. Angel’s trumpets are native to 10
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the tropical regions of South America, along the Andes from Venezuela to northern Chile and in southeastern Brazil. They have also become naturalized within North America, Asia, Africa and Australia. Angel’s trumpets are strangely fragrant in the evenings to attract moths for the purpose of pollination. The red-flowered sanguinea is pollinated by long-billed hummingbirds. They occur in shades of white, yellow, orange, pink, green or red. The angel’s trumpet is drought sensitive and loves moist fertile, well-drained soil. They benefit from soil augmentation probably in the form of compost, black cow or horse manure. If planted in a container, these plants require daily watering. Remember, container-grown plants require more frequent hydration than those planted in the ground. As angel’s trumpets are heavy feeders, so they perform best with a blossom-boosting fertilizer. Brugmansea likes the climate better in zone 10 and 11, but may do well in our zone 9 if protected from winter frost. When grown in containers, you may want to move them inside when frost threatens. Propagation may be done by seeds or cuttings, whichever method you use should be accomplished while wearing gloves as all plant parts are poisonous, including the juice which can be absorbed through your skin. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
Some pests you may encounter are whiteflies, spider mites, cabbage worms, aphids, snails and slugs. You will want to leave some space between angel’s trumpet and other plants as it may achieve a size of 20 feet tall and 15 feet wide. Plant them in full morning sun where they will receive partial shade during the heat of our Florida afternoons. The angel’s trumpet is listed on the University of Florida’s list of “Poisonous Plants Around the Home,” Bulletin 175D. Other plants that are on this list and commonly appear in the home landscape are croton, yellow allamanda, oleander, pothos, holly, poinsettia, gloriosa, hydrangea, dieffenbachia, crown-of-thorns, elephant’s ear and cycads such as coontie and cardboard plant. The yellow allamanda, which is a Brazillian native, is a popular landscape plant that is a vigorous vine with stems that can reach 15 feet in length. They bear large yellow flowers at the branch ends and have fruits that resemble spiny pods. The seeds, bark, leaves and juice are known to have been used for their cathartic effect. The plant is said to be “dangerously poisonous.” Poinsettia and crown-of-thorns are members of the Euphorbia family and are planted throughout Florida. The milky sap shared by these plants can be very irritating to the skin of susceptible persons. The crown-of-thorns has been used as a purgative and poinsettia has been used as a depilatory. The stems and leaves of poinsettia are reported to be poisonous if eaten, but who would want to sample such a thing. The diffenbachia was used as a greenhouse plant for 100 years and regularly appears today in dish gardens. If you chew and swallow this plant, you may experience swelling of the throat, accompanied by a temporary loss of speech. This is where it acquired the name “dumb cane.” It may also result in temporary sterility. Gloriosa, also called “clasping hands,” are yellow and red in color. The highest concentration of toxics in this plant are in the tubers, with death being reported within four hours of ingesting these plant parts. One old-time garden plant that plays a paramount landscape role is the hydrangea. They are used as a base plant around the home and also as a specimen. The hydrangea contains hydrangin, which is a cyanogenetic glycoside. Only one case of hydrangea poisoning is known in Florida.
having toxic qualities. All plant parts are extremely poisonous. They have large orange seeds resembling corn kernels and may be attractive to children. They are used frequently in municipal landscapes and highway medians. Elephant’s ear taro has giant leaves reminiscent of an elephant’s ear. It has sap that may irritate the skin. As a child, my mother Mrs. Velma, had heard about the toxicity of elephant’s ear and ate a small amount out of curiosity. She stated that no one could receive too much damage from the plant due to the horrible insipid taste. The golden pothos is a popular vine often seen in offices and restaurants. It is quite toxic to animals. The oleander is a lovely landscape plant if you spray it to alleviate the damage caused by the larvae of the oleander moth. All parts of the oleander are poisonous if ingested, but are unpalatable like the elephant’s ear. The bulletin states that adults have been poisoned by eating the seeds out of curiosity (stupidity). It is said that the seed is carried as a “good luck” piece, thereby saving the wear and tear on some poor rabbit. There is a companion publication to the bulletin “Poisonous Plants Around the Home,” Bulletin 510A also from the University of Florida called “Plants that Poison Farm Animals.” This bulletin contains quite a few examples of plants which are harmful to pets and farm animals. Many plants appearing in home landscapes or in hanging baskets are deemed toxic or poisonous to some extent. But, by doing your due diligent homework and using some good old-fashioned common sense, you can strike a happy medium and cultivate these beauties safely in your yard.
• Increase Fertilizer Efficiency • Improve Turf Density and Vigor • Reduce Re-treats
The cycad family, which includes the coontie and cardboard plant and was once munched by the dinosaurs, has long been recognized as
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SPOTTED SEA TROUT EVERYONE’S WINTERTIME FAVORITE You can almost mark your calendar, because as the water temperatures begin dropping the bite picks up on the large sea trout as they begin showing up. We usually see them around the Ft Desoto/Mullet Key area first, before they move northward into the bay. If you’re a trout enthusiast like me, here are a few tips for catching these wintertime favorites as they begin showing up on the inshore flats arena. Trout have a tendency to be territorial, or at least semi-territorial, usually staying or returning to the same areas, provided there is food. A good rule when targeting them is locating good grass flats with a sandy or rocky bottom and a visible presence of food. Next look for shallow bars and/or potholes, specifically those adjacent to deep water drop offs or ledges. Trout love chasing bait into shallow water and attacking it from below. This works in their favor since these shallow areas and potholes act like bait pens where they push the bait up or down trapping it against the surface or bottom. When approaching an area, continually scan the water keeping an eye open for feeding fish. If you find them watch closely to determine if they’re randomly feeding on bait schools, attacking anything that moves, or causally picking off strays. All this helps you decide how you’re going to proceed and formulate your plan of attack. Fishing topwater lures on tightly grouped feeding fish can be awfully exciting. When working a tight group of actively feeding fish present your lure faster than normal, the key being quick, erratic action and quick retrieves, because you’re looking for an impulse strike. You want them to continue striking without getting a good look. On the other hand, scattered fish feeding over a wide area represents a normal feeding time pattern, making it a bit tougher, but the results can still be spectacular once you find the key. This condition normally has a number of associated situations and is usually distinguished by cloud cover or high winds resulting in reduced light and visibility, large amounts of food scattered throughout the area, and rising surface temperatures. As is always the case, these fish have been feeding for some time and are likely gorged by the time you find them. Although they’ve have had their fill they may still want some desert. That being the case, now is the time to rethink your presentation. Instead of fast and erratic it’s time to slow down. This can be extremely difficult for some anglers, often resulting in frustration. But, keep reminding yourself they are highly selective because they are not hungry. Therefore, making the lure look as inviting as possible is the key. For this reason strikes often come when the lure moves slightly, after sitting idle, or wobbles slowly across the surface. Another method is using subsurface suspending lures, or soft plastics 14 14
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rigged to gradually drop. Remember, when using soft plastics almost every strike happens on the fall and is often extremely delicate so unless you’re paying close attention you can miss it. When pressured by boats, anglers or predators, trout, like other species, slow their feeding or move and if badly spooked can be gone for the day. With the numbers of boats and anglers racing around our waters, you might think fish would become accustomed to the sound of big engines. However depending on the location, water clarity and depth, a main engine still startles them, so try approaching the area using your trolling motor or drifting. Try stopping well before your target, stop on top of the fish and they’re gone. The most common mistake happens when someone carelessly roars into a good fishing area, shuts down and throws out that 15 lb. anchor. Then they sit there wondering why the fish don’t bite. Regardless of the conditions just because the bite is slow don’t assume the party’s over. The fish could still be there, but just recovering from their last big feed. Similar to us after a large meal… just can’t get out of the recliner. Enjoy the fact you’re on the water, slow down, relax, pay attention to what you’re doing and fish until the bite resumes. It’s called fishing…not catching.
Tampa Bay Fishing Report January 2015 January usually means cool weather, windy days and low, tides. Low tides are a good indicator of where you’re going to fish. Just remember, when the tides are negative and you’re looking around and seeing nothing but sand, at least you know where you’re not going to fish. One of the most asked questions I get is probably, “when is the best time to go fishing?” There is no perfect answer to this question, but it has always been good idea to go anytime you get the chance. There are always better days, but if you wait on the great days, you will miss many good ones. Over the years, I have discovered that moving water means moving bait and moving bait means eating fish. Therefore tides play an important role in whether you’re going to catch fish or just fish. This is why I prefer the first of the incoming or outgoing tides, because that’s when the water seems to move the most bait. Winter months normally produce some low, but strong tide movement and fishing is good during those times.
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“Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing” – 813-477-3814 Captain Woody Gore has been guiding and fishing the Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, Bradenton, and Sarasota areas for over fifty years; his level of customer service, experience and attention to detail allows him to offer world class fishing adventures Snook fishing in January means cool mornings and warmer afternoons. and a lifetime of memories. Low tides around new or full moons means fish should concentrate in potholes and the outside of bars. The season remains closed during Single or Multi-boat Group Charters are all the same. With years January, however, as long as we do not get any long, hard freezes, catch of organizational experience and access to the areas most experiand release should be okay. Search out deep-water canals, rivers, and enced captains, Woody can arrange and coordinate any outing or tournament. Just tell him what you need and it’s done. creeks with heat holding muddy bottoms. Bridges, pilings and deepwater docks are good places to look. Try using baits like finger mullet, Visit his website at: small ladyfish, pinfish and jumbo shrimp. And don’t forget about divWWW.CAPTAINWOODYGORE.COM ing lures fished slowly along or near structure. Later in the day look for sandy shoals and sunning snook. Often soft plastics worked slowly send an email to wgore@ix.netcom.com along the bottom should result in some nice fish. Do not forget docks or give him a call at 813-477-3814 especially those with lights at night.
Snook
Redfish
Winter weather normally does not bother redfish. However, reds, like other fish subjected to extreme low water temperatures, can get lockjaw. There are usually plenty of good fish hanging around a variety of areas like shallower grass flats, oyster bars, docks and jetties. Reds are not fussy about eating artificial lures, especially soft plastic on a jig head. Try tipping each jig with a small piece of shrimp. It does wonders around docks.
Spotted Sea Trout
Incoming or outgoing tides, live shrimp, artificial shrimp, Popper Corks and any good grass flat will produce nice trout. Seek out and target pothole on broken bottom flats, trout like lying in and around potholes. Broken bottoms mean grass flats dotted with sandy potholes or rocky bottoms. Drifting flats and tossing artificial lures will produce plenty of fun and often larger fish. Remember, potholes hold large trout.
Cobia
If we get some good cold fronts dropping the water temperatures, it should send the cobia looking for warmer water. The beaches and near shore waters should start showing fish sunning themselves near the surface. Whenever fishing sandy flats keep an eye open for large rays since cobia often cruise with them looking for a quick meal. Big shrimp, small crabs, large greenbacks or pinfish will work.
Other
Sheepshead will be everywhere this time of year especially around docks, bridges, rock piles and oyster bars. Try using green mussels, shrimp or oysters. Small jigs tipped with shrimp work good around dock and oysters. Ladyfish, jack crevalle, blue fish are always a fun way to bend a rod. WWW.IIN NT THE HEF FIELD IELDM MAGAZINE.COM AGAZINE.COM WWW.
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2015 Polk County Youth Fair Champions
Jordan Adams George Jenkins FFA Market Hog Class Winner Erista Albritton Ft. Meade Community 4-H Chili Cook-Off Team-People’s Choice Award 1st Place Riley Albritton Southern Variety 4-H Purebred Beef-Hereford Bull Grand Champion Purebred Beef-English Breed Male Grand Champion Vera Alderman Boot Scootin’ 4-H Rabbit Show Best of Breed Cobie Allred George Jenkins FFA Sr. Team Rabbit Judging 1st Place Johnny Almallah Road Ends 4-H Foods-Duck Basket Tri-Color Award Home Furnishings-Survival Basket
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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
Tri-Color Award “Silent Auction Gift Basket”-”Man Basket” Winner Cake Auction-Chocolate Cake Winner
Mackenzie Barber All Stars 4-H Int. Dog Show Quiz 1st Place Int. Dog Sub Novice Agility 1st Place
Austin Armstrong Crystal Lake Middle FFA Dog Show Team Obedience Jr. Team Poultry and Egg Judging 1st Place 1st Place Dog Show Brace Team 1st Place Rabbit Show Best of Breed Brooklyn Barefoot Horticulture Judging Jr. Team Kathleen High FFA 1st Place Horticulture-Ornamental DivisionCroton Samantha Ashwill Reserve Grand Champion Auburndale High FFA Horticulture-Blueberry Elise Barfield Tri-Color Award All Stars 4-H Photography-Special Effects Tevin Ashwood Tri-Color Award Lake Wales High FFA Int. Dog Beginner Novice ObediCommercial Steer Class Winner ence 1st Place 1st Place Commercial Market Steer Int. Dog Novice B Rally Grand Champion 1st Place Bailey Barber Sada Barfield All Stars 4-H All Stars 4-H Foods-Grandma’s Peanut Brittle Sr. Dog Basic Obedience Tri-Color Award 1st Place Dog Show Team Obedience Sr. Dog Novice A Rally 1st Place 1st Place
February 2015
Kady Batson Be a Champ 4-H Horticulture-Peach Tree Tri-Color Award Jessie Bennett Hog Wild 4-H Commercial Heifer-Brahman Influence-Yearling Grand Champion Commercial Heifer-Brahman Influence Overall Grand Champion Trenton Bennett Ft. Meade Community 4-H Chili Cook-Off Team-People’s Choice Award 1st Place Keith Bennett Hog Wild 4-H Ranch Hand Contest 1st Place Purebred Beef-Brahman Bull Grand Champion Tina Bentley Dundee Ridge Middle FFA Jr. Team Rabbit Judging 1st Place Trinity Bessinger Auburndale High FFA Rabbit Show
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1st Runner Up Rabbit Show Best of Breed Clare Bibby Lake Gibson High FFA Horticulture-Ornamental DivisionCroton Tri-Color Award Jesse Bibby Hoof n’ Horn 4-H Int. Goat Tying Contest 1st Purebred Beef-Angus Bull Grand Champion Purebred Beef-English Breed Male Reserve Grand Champion Purebred Beef-Charolais Bull Grand Champion Purebred Beef-Continental Breed Male Grand Champion Destiny Blackmon Stambaugh Middle FFA Rabbit Show Best of Breed Evie Bodiford Lake Gibson High FFA Horticulture-Ornamental DivisionCaroline Jasmine Tri-Color Award Macy Bozeman Amigos 4-H Jr. Breeding Goats-Showmanship 1st Place Donovan Brady Bartow High FFA Commercial Heifer Sr. Showmanship 1st Place Horticulture-Ornamental DivisionPhilodendron Tri-Color Award Market Steer Sr. Showmanship 1st Place Lauren Branam Southern Variety 4-H Archery-Sr. Instinctive Compound 1st Place Marissa Briggs George Jenkins FFA Market Hog Class Winner Rebecca Briggs Frostproof FFA Sr. Scrap-Off 1st Place Allison Briggs Frostproof Middle/Sr. FFA Commercial Steer Class Winner 1st Place Joshua Brown Ft. Meade Community 4-H Archery-Jr. Sighted Compound 1st Place Emma Brown New Horizons 4-H Int. Table Setting-Judges’ Choice 1st Place Leah Brown Frostproof Middle/Sr. FFA Jr. Team Livestock Judging 1st Place
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Rachel Bryson Mulberry High FFA Rabbit Show Best of Breed Bailey Buchanon Lake Gibson High FFA Purebred Beef-Maine Anjou Female Reserve Grand Champion Lake Gibson High FFA Beef Breeding Sr. Showmanship 1st Place Blair Buchanon Kathleen High FFA Horticulture Judging Sr. Team 1st Place Kiley Buck DARN 4-H Horse Show-Jr. Walk/Trot Western Pleasure 1st Place Katherine Byrd Lake Wales High FFA Chili Cook-Off Team-Best Decorated Booth 1st Place Harley Byrd Lake Wales High FFA Commercial Steer Class Winner 1st Place McKenna Carlson Tenoroc High FFA Horse Show-Sr. Walk/Trot English Pleasure 1st Place Madison Carlton Hoof n’ Horn 4-H Market Hog Class Winner Shelby Carlton Kathleen High FFA Market Hog Class Winner Madison Carlton Hoof n’ Horn 4-H Market Hog Jr. Showmanship 1st Place Reyna Castro George Jenkins FFA Sr. Team Rabbit Judging 1st Place Josie Chandler Tenoroc High FFA Purebred Beef-Angus Female Grand Champion Purebred Beef-Angus Female Reserve Grand Champion Purebred Beef-English Breed Female Reserve Grand Champion Gabe Chandley Lucky A’s 4-H Horticulture-Peach Tree Reserve Grand Champion Purebred Beef-Simmental Female Reserve Grand Champion Peyton Chandley Lucky A’s 4-H Commercial Steer Class Winner 1st Place Commercial Market Steer Reserve Grand Champion
Gabriel Chandley Lucky A’s 4-H Market Steer Jr. Showmanship 1st Place Michael Chanthausin Crystal Lake Middle FFA Jr. Team Poultry and Egg Judging 1st Place Timothy Chauncey Mulberry High FFA Commercial Heifer Herdsman-Individual Winner Ariel Chenowith Home Grown 4-H Int. Team Pillow Sew-Off 1st Place Abigail Chestnutt Lake Gibson Middle FFA Rabbit Show Best of Breed Austin Chism Auburndale High FFA Chili Cook-Off Team-Judges’ Choice Award 1st Place Josalynne Christian Home Grown 4-H Clothing-Reversible Dress Wrap Tri-Color Award Clothing-Floral Purse Tri-Color Award Food Preservation-Habanero Gold Jelly Tri-Color Award Sr. Table Setting-Most Creative 1st Place Josalynne Christian All Stars 4-H Sr. Dog Sub Novice Agility 1st Place
1st Place Racheal Colon Winter Haven High FCCLA Sr. Team Pillow Sew-Off 1st Place Laura Colston Home Grown 4-H Food Preservation-Muscadine Jelly Tri-Color Award Foods-Fudge Brownie Steam Train Tri-Color Award Int. Table Setting-Most Creative 1st Place Gracie Colston Home Grown 4-H Sr. Table Setting-Informal Outdoor 1st Place Bethany Combee Amigos 4-H Food Preservation-Dilly Beans Tri-Color Award Rebekah Combee Amigos 4-H Photography-Single Enlargement Tri-Color Award Rebekah Combee Tenoroc High FFA Commercial Heifer-Brahman Influence-2 yr old Grand Champion Commercial Heifer-Brahman Influence-2 yr old Reserve Grand Champion Commercial Heifer-Brahman Influence Overall Reserve Grand Champion Chris Congdon Haines City High FFA Horticulture-Blueberry Tri-Color Award
Taylor Connell Boots n’ Spurs 4-H McKenzie Christian Horse Show-Sr. English ShowmanFarm Fresh 4-H ship Cake Auction-Chocolate 1st Place Velvet Cake Horse Show-Sr. English Pleasure Winner 1st Place Horse Show-Sr. Western Pleasure Maggie Clark 1st Place Farm Life 4-H Commercial HeiferHorse Show-Sr. Western HorseEuropean Influence-3 yr old manship Grand Champion 1st Place Horse Show-Sr. Hollow Log 1st Place Kaydee Clark Farm Life 4-H Amber Cooper Int. Individual Rabbit Judging Bartow High FFA 1st Place Horse Show-Geldings 7 and Older 1st Place Jessica Clark Horse Show-Sr. Barrels Bartow High FFA 1st Place Horticulture-Citrus Tri-Color Award Abby Crawford Haines City High FFA Zachary Clements Commercial Heifer Club Herdsman Auburndale High FFA Award Poultry Show-Turkey Winner Champion AllysoncCrosby Ean Clemons Highlander 4-H New Horizons 4-H Int. Table Setting-Holiday or CelCake Auction-Cuban Espresso ebration Dark Chocolate 1st Place Winner Erica Curtis Kaitlyn Coatney Clovers on the Ridge 4-H Lake Region FFA Horse Show-Sr. Record Book Sr. Dog Basic Showmanship 1st Place
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February 2015
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Horse Show-Sr. Quiz 1st Place Sr. Dog Show Quiz 1st Place Sr. Dog Open Showmanship 1st Place Sr. Dog Sub Novice A Obedience 1st Place Summer Davis Country Ridge 4-H Market Hog Class Winner Horticulture-Ornamental DivisionSedum Tri-Color Award Paige Davis New Horizons 4-H Jr. Table Setting-Information Indoor 1st Place Summer Davis Country Ridge 4-H Horticulture-Ornamental DivisionSedum Tri-Color Award Marissa Dawes New Horizons 4-H Commercial Heifer Int. Showmanship 1st Place Marissa Dawes Frostproof Middle/Sr. FFA Jr. Team Livestock Judging 1st Place Chase Deboard Ft. Meade FFA Commercial Heifer-European Influence-2 yr old Grand Champion Commercial Heifer-European Influence Overall Reserve Grand Champion Mya DeWitt Crystal Lake Middle FFA Horticulture Judging Jr. Team 1st Place Cameron Dicks Lucky A’s 4-H Foods-Gingerbread House Tri-Color Award Home Furnishings-Blue Pillow w/ Vintage Handkerchief Tri-Color Award Home Furnishings-Christmas Table Runner Tri-Color Award “Silent Auction Gift Basket””Easter Basket” Winner Market Hog Class Winner Bryanna Dierker Country Ridge 4-H Foods-Flax Seed Bread Tri-Color Award Home Furnishings-Fishing w/ Paddle Tri-Color Award “Silent Auction Gift Basket”-”Grandma’s Fried Corn” Winner McKenzie DiPace Frostproof FFA Rabbit Show Best of Show Rabbit Show Best of Breed 18
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
Emma Dobratz Polk County Sea Stars 4-H Clothing-Hand Knit Short Shirt Tri-Color Award Anna Dodd Bartow High FFA Foods-Hummingbird Cake Tri-Color Award Michael DuPont Haines City High FFA Horticulture-Citrus Tri-Color Award Payge Dupre Farm Life 4-H Market Hog Class Winner Hunter Dupre Kathleen Middle FFA Commercial Heifer-European Influence-2 yr old Reserve Grand Champion Taeler Dupre Kathleen High FFA Horticulture Judging Sr. Team 1st Place Katherine Durrance Highlander 4-H Rabbit Show Best of Breed Madison Dvorak Lake Gibson Middle FFA Horse Show-Int. Record Book 1st Place Horse Show-Int. Western Pleasure 1st Place Market Hog Class Winner Breanna Eaton-Carlson George Jenkins FCCLA Home Furnishings-Play Kitchen Tri-Color Award Alyssa Eldridge Ft. Meade Community 4-H Chili Cook-Off Team-People’s Choice Award 1st Place Ansleigh Evans Dream Catchers 4-H Market Steer Gain In Weight 1st Place Steven Farmer George Jenkins FFA Market Hog Sr. Herdsman Award Winner David Finch Haines City High FFA Commercial Heifer Club Herdsman Award Winner Olivia Foreman Polk Centennial 4-H Jr. Table Setting-Holiday or Celebration 1st Place Jr. Demonstration 1st Place Jamarcus Fowler Dundee Ridge Middle FFA Purebred Beef Herdsman Chapter Award Winner Courtney Fox Southern Variety 4-H Commercial Steer Class Winner 1st Place February 2015
Reed Fussell Bartow High FFA Horticulture-Citrus Grand Champion Purebred Beef-Brahman Female Grand Champion Purebred Beef-Brahman Breed Female Reserve Grand Champion Dustina Garcia Country Ridge 4-H Jr. Goat Tying Contest 1st Place Elizabeth Garcia Haines City High FFA Poultry Show-Female Large Fowl Champion Paige Gebhardt Boot Scootin’ 4-H Educational Exhibit-Florida Environment Tri-Color Award Ali Gerard Lucky A’s 4-H Cake Auction-Hummingbird Cake Winner Wyatt Good Haines City High FFA Sr. Team Livestock Judging 1st Place David Gracia Lake Gibson FFA Market Hog Class Winner Dalton Grainger Bartow High FFA Horticulture-Ornamental DivisionDracaena Tri-Color Award Gracie Gregory Hog Wild 4-H Rabbit Show Best of Breed Robert Grode Home Grown 4-H Archery-Int. Instinctive Bow 1st Place Hunter Hall Auburndale High FFA Chili Cook-Off Team-Judges’ Choice Award 1st Place Ben Hamm Bullseye 4-H Archery-Sr. Instinctive Bow 1st Place
Int. Dog Sub Novice B Obedience 1st Place Dog Show Team Obedience 1st Place Casey Harper Haines City High FFA Purebred Beef-Brangus Bull Grand Champion Purebred Beef-Brangus Bull Reserve Grand Champion Purebred Beef-Brahman Breed Male Grand Champion Purebred Beef-Brahman Breed Male Reserve Grand Champion Team Livestock Judging 1st Place Taylor Harris Mulberry High FFA Commercial Heifer-Brahman Influence-3 yr old Grand Champion Robert Harrison Lake Wales High FFA Market Hog Class Winner Kimberly Harwell Hoof n’ Horn 4-H Commercial Heifer-European Influence-Yearling Grand Champion Commercial Heifer-European Influence Overall Grand Champion Katie Harwell Kathleen FFA Poultry Show-Male Bantam Champion Open Steer Show Class Winner 1st Place Cole Hathcock Lake Gibson High FFA Sr. Team Poultry and Egg Judging 1st Place McKenzie Hayes Frostproof FFA Int. Table Setting-Informal Outdoor 1st Place Brianna Heath DARN 4-H Horse Show-Int. Quiz 1st Place Horse Show-Int. English Showmanship 1st Place Horse Show-Int. English Pleasure 1st Place Horse Show-Int. English Equitation 1st Place Horse Show-Int. Western Horsemanship 1st Place Horse Show-Int. Egg & Spoon 1st Place Horse Show-Int. Musical Flags 1st Place Horse Show-Int. Keyhole 1st Place
Megan Handley Polk Centennial 4-H Foods Dessert in a Jar Tri-Color Award Foods-Citrus Gift Box Tri-Color Award “Silent Auction Gift Basket”-”You Can ‘Can’ Basket” Winner Kally Henson Polk County Sea Stars 4-H Jr. Individual Rabbit Judging Chelsea Hanger Frostproof Middle/ 1st Place Sr. FFA Open Steer Show Class Winner Haley Henson 1st Place Polk County Sea Stars 4-H Market Steer Carcass Contest Rabbit Show Grand Champion Best of Breed Rabbit Show Mikayla Harper Best of Breed All Stars 4-H
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Robby Hester Camo Country 4-H Archery-Jr. Instinctive Compound 1st Place Michael Hickman Crystal Lake Middle FFA Jr. Team Poultry and Egg Judging 1st Place
High Point Winner Int. Dog Open Showmanship 1st Place Int. Dog Basic Agility 1st Place Dog Show Trial High Point Winner Dog Show Overall Best in Show
Alyssa Hieronymus Hog Wild 4-H Archery-Int. Instinctive Compound 1st Place
Cody Krantz Bullseye 4-H Archery-Int. Sighted Compound 1st Place
Laura Hill Haines City High FFA Commercial Heifer Club Herdsman Award Winner Horticulture-Peach Tree Grand Champion
Ashlyn Krumm DARN 4-H Horse Show-Jr. Musical Flags 1st Place Horse Show-Jr. Keyhole 1st Place
Anya Hockenberry Home Grown 4-H Sr. Table Setting-Formal 1st Place Corin Hockenberry Home Grown 4-H Int. Storytelling 1st Place Karleigh Holbert Winter Haven High FCCLA Sr. Team Pillow Sew-Off 1st Place Kylie Hollis Crystal Lake Middle FFA Horticulture Judging Jr. Team 1st Place Justin Holmes Auburndale High FFA Chili Cook-Off Team-Judges’ Choice Award 1st Place Wilvontaye Jefferson Karen Siegal FFA Foods-Fried Chicken Tri-Color Award Abbegail Jernigan Home Grown 4-H Jr. Team Pillow Sew-Off 1st Place Stephanie Keeble Hog Wild 4-H Horse Show-Sr. Western Showmanship 1st Place Horse Show-Sr. Poles 1st Place Brana Keene McLaughlin Middle FFA Eagle Award-Goat Division Winner Lilly Kinard Hog Wild 4-H Market Hog Class Winner Alexis King Top Notch 4-H Horticulture-Blueberry Tri-Color Award Ellie Kingham Clovers on the Ridge 4-H Horse Show-Int. Costume 1st Place Jadyn Knox Dream Catchers 4-H Int. Dog Show WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
Katherine Krzyzanski George Jenkins FFA Sr. Team Rabbit Judging 1st Place Kandace Ladd Auburndale High FFA Purebred Beef-Brahman Female Reserve Grand Champion Courtney Lamoureux Bartow High FFA Horticulture-Ornamental DivisionPurple Anthorium Tri-Color Award Chelsea Lancaster George Jenkins FFA Market Hog Class Winner Elijah Lasseter Home Grown 4-H Commercial Heifer Jr. Showmanship 1st Place Beef Breeding Jr. Showmanship 1st Place Kyle Lay George Jenkins FFA Sr. Dog Advance Showmanship 1st Place Sr. Dog Novice B Rally 1st Place Sr. Dog Novice Agility 1st Place Emmet Lee Kathleen High FFA Horticulture Judging Sr. Team 1st Place Katy Locke Bartow High FFA Purebred Beef-Zebu Bull Grand Champion
Open Market Steer Show Grand Champion Jennifer Maguire George Jenkins FFA Market Hog Class Winner Cody Martinez Lake Wales High FFA Market Steer Carcass Contest Reserve Grand Champion Michaela Mathis Home Grown 4-H Jr. Team Pillow Sew-Off 1st Place Cidney McCall Crop and Carrot 4-H Horse Show-Sr. Costume 1st Place Poultry Show-Commercial Hen Champion Moriah McCullers Frostproof Sr. FFA Home Furnishings-Quilt of Many Memories Tri-Color Award Home Furnishings-Duffle Bag Tri-Color Award Sr. Table Setting-Judges’ Choice 1st Place Katelyn Mccullough DARN 4-H Horse Show-Jr. Quiz 1st Place Horse Show-Jr. Horse Judging 1st Place Horse Show-Jr. English Equitation 1st Place Horse Show-Jr. Hollow Log 1st Place Horse Show-Jr. Poles 1st Place Leanna McDuffie Hoof n’ Horn 4-H Breeding Goats-Boer Reserve Grand Champion Katrina McIntire Lake Gibson High FFA Sr. Team Poultry and Egg Judging 1st Place Maegan Meredith Tenoroc High FFA Purebred Beef-Maine Anjou Female Grand Champion Purebred Beef-Continental Breed Female Grand Champion Katlynn Mesmer Green Swamp 4-H Sr. Dog Novice Showmanship 1st Place
Margaret Long Polk Centennial 4-H Foods-Italian Cream Cake Tri-Color Award
Vanessa Miller Lucky A’s 4-H Home Furnishings-Paris Café Mirror Mosaic Tri-Color Award
Giselle Macedo Dundee Ridge Middle FFA Jr. Team Rabbit Judging 1st Place
Savannah Miller Lucky A’s 4-H Home Furnishings-Tire Ottoman Tri-Color Award
Nathan Maddox Road Ends 4-H Market Steer Int. Showmanship 1st Place Open Steer Show Class Winner 1st Place
McClain Moore Kathleen High FFA Horticulture-Ornamental DivisionSpathiphyllum Tri-Color Award
Crystal Lake Middle FFA Horticulture Judging Jr. Team 1st Place Justin Motley Lake Gibson Middle FFA Rabbit Show Best of Breed Autumn Myers Ft. Meade Community 4-H Archery-Jr. Instinctive Bow 1st Place Julian Nelson Frostproof FFA Egg Show-Best Dozen White Eggs Winner Cole Newman Frostproof Middle/Sr. FFA Purebred Beef-Brahman Bull Reserve Grand Champion Kristianna Nicolai Winter Haven High FCCLA Sr. Team Pajama Pant Sew-Off 1st Place Julia Norman Be a Champ 4-H Commercial Heifer-Brahman Influence-Yearling Reserve Grand Champion Vanessa Norris Auburndale High FFA Horticulture-Peach Tree Tri-Color Award Alyssa North Clovers on the Ridge 4-H Jr. Dog Show High Point Winner Jr. Dog Show Quiz 1st Place Jr. Dog Novice Showmanship 1st Place Jr. Dog Sub Novice A Obedience 1st Place Jr. Dog Novice A Rally 1st Place Jr. Dog Sub Novice Agility 1st Place Noah Ogburn Lucky A’s 4-H Poultry Show-Int. Showmanship 1st Place Egg Show-Best Dozen Brown Eggs Winner Savannah Oglesby Be a Champ 4-H Purebred Beef-Hereford Female Grand Champion Purebred Beef-English Breed Female Grand Champion Megan O’Leary Lakeland High FFA Purebred Beef-Hereford Female Reserve Grand Champion Graham Oliver Polk City 4-H Int. Horticulture Judging 1st Place Kelsey Orlando Hoof n’ Horn 4-H Poultry Show-Female Bantam Champion Zuriel Orlando Hoof n’ Horn 4-H Poultry Show-Sr. Showmanship 1st Place
Andrea Moreno INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
February 2015
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Ericka Pace Ridge Community High FFA Breeding Goats-Pygmy Grand Champion Breeding Goats-Pygmy Reserve Grand Champion Abigail Parmer Top Notch 4-H Horticulture-Blueberry Tri-Color Award Katherine Patrick Ft. Meade Community 4-H Horse Show-Mares 7 and Older 1st Place Horse Show-Sr. English Equitation 1st Place Hope Peavey Clovers on the Ridge 4-H Int. Dog Novice A Obedience 1st Place Int. Dog Excellent Rally 1st Place Int. Dog Novice Agility 1st Place Katrina Perkins Haines City High FFA Horticulture-Citrus Reserve Grand Champion Sr. Team Livestock Judging 1st Place MaKenzie Peters Country Ridge 4-H Home Furnishings-Floral Arrangement Tri-Color Award Cake Auction-German Chocolate Cake Winner Marissa Peters Winter Haven Adventurers 4-H Commercial Heifer Division Eagle Award Winner Sarah Peters Country Ridge 4-H Market Hog Eagle Award Winner Shelby Peterson Haines City High FFA Purebred Beef-Zebu Female Reserve Grand Champion Riley Phillips Top Notch 4-H Horse Show-Jr. Speed Showmanship 1st Place Riley Phillips Top Notch 4-H Horse Show-Jr. Western Pleasure 1st Place Horse Show-Jr. Western Horsemanship 1st Place Horse Show-Jr. Costume 1st Place Horse Show-Jr. Stakes 1st Place Horse Show-Jr. Barrels 1st Place Alexis Phillips Lake Gibson High FFA Sr. Team Poultry and Egg Judging 1st Place Darby Pittman Bartow Middle FFA Horse Show-Sr. Grooming and Conditioning 1st Place 20
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
Cassidy Polston Polk City 4-H Purebred Beef-Brangus Female Grand Champion Purebred Beef-Brangus Female Reserve Grand Champion Purebred Beef-Brahman Breed Female Grand Champion Livestock Judging 1st Place Elliot Potteiger All Paws In Jr. Dog Basic Showmanship 1st Place Jr. Dog Basic Obedience 1st Place Jr. Dog Basic Rally 1st Place Jr. Dog Basic Agility 1st Place Amy Powell Bartow High FFA Sr. Illustrated Talk 1st Place Madison Price Lake Wales High FFA Market Steer Herdsman Award Winner Olivia Pruitt DARN 4-H Horse Show-Int. Speed Showmanship 1st Place Horse Show-Int. Hollow Log 1st Place Horse Show-Int. Stakes 1st Place Horse Show-Int. Poles 1st Place Horse Show-Int. Barrels 1st Place Brianne Pueschell Southern Variety 4-H Commercial Heifer-European Influence-Yearling Reserve Grand Champion Open Steer Show Class Winner 1st Place Open Market Steer Show Reserve Grand Champion Gavin Purvis Kathleen High FFA Horticulture-Ornamental DivisionPhilodendron Tri-Color Award Hughes Putnam Polk Centennial 4-H Foods-Texas Sheet Brownie Tri-Color Award Emma Putnam Polk Centennial 4-H Jr. Table Setting-Formal 1st Place Elizabeth Putnam Polk Centennial 4-H Int. Demonstration 1st Place Amareli Raymundo Dundee Ridge Middle FFA Purebred Beef Herdsman Chapter Award Winner Hannah Reeder All Stars 4-H February 2015
Int. Dog Novice A Rally 1st Place Rylee Remor Southern Variety 4-H Int. Table Setting-Informal Indoor 1st Place Kasey Renshaw Crop and Carrot 4-H Sr. Storytelling 1st Place Julieta Resendiz Dundee Ridge Middle FFA Purebred Beef-Zebu Female Grand Champion Purebred Beef Herdsman Chapter Award Winner Sarina Richardson Tenoroc High FFA Rabbit Show Best of Breed Shelby Ritchie Lake Gibson High FFA Premiere Horticulture Award Winner Horticulture-Ornamental DivisionBougainvillea Grand Champion Horticulture-Ornamental DivisionPothos Tri-Color Award Horticulture-Ornamental DivisionDish Garden Tri-Color Award Horticulture-Ornamental DivisionFicus Tri-Color Award Horticulture-Ornamental DivisionSchefflera Tri-Color Award Horticulture-Ornamental DivisionViburnum Tri-Color Award Kari Roberts Lake Gibson High FFA Rabbit Show Best of Breed Katelyn Roberts Amigos 4-H Jr. Illustrated Talk 1st Place C.J. Robert Westwood Middle FFA Egg Show-Reserve Dozen Brown Eggs Winner Maegan Rodden Polk County Sea Stars 4-H Sr. Individual Rabbit Judging 1st Place Miranda Rodden Polk County Sea Stars 4-H Sr. Rabbit Showmanship 1st Place Brianna Rowell Ft. Meade FFA Cake Auction-Sour Cream Pound Cake Winner Stephany Ruff Dundee Ridge Middle FFA Purebred Beef Herdsman Chapter Award Winner
Harley Ruskin New Horizons 4-H Foods-Red Velvet Cake Tri-Color Award Jr. Scrap-Off 1st Place Yoali Sanchez-Jiminez Dundee Ridge Middle FFA Purebred Beef-Zebu Bull Reserve Grand Champion Purebred Beef Herdsman Chapter Award Winner Erika SanMartin Dundee Ridge Middle FFA Jr. Team Rabbit Judging 1st Place Hannah Scionti Kathleen High FFA Horticulture Judging Sr. Team 1st Place Kaylee Scott Dream Catchers 4-H Horse Show-Sr. Keyhole 1st Place Cassidy Sharp Southern Variety 4-H Purebred Beef-Hereford Bull Reserve Grand Champion Purebred Beef Herdsman Award Winner Phillip Shaske Polk City 4-H Jr. Individual Poultry and Egg Judging 1st Place Poultry Show-Jr. Showmanship 1st Place Jr. Horticulture Judging 1st Place Cody Sherrouse Top Notch 4-H Cake Auction-Zucchini Cake Winner Rebekah Sikes New Horizons 4-H Home Furnishings-Expresso Yourself Tri-Color Award “Home Furnishings-Burlap ‘Happy New Year’ Wreath” Tri-Color Award “Silent Auction Gift Basket”-”Love Without Borders” Winner Sr. Table Setting-Informal Indoor 1st Place Ashley Sikora George Jenkins FFA Market Hog Class Winner Market Hog Reserve Grand Champion Allison Smeal Frostproof Middle/Sr. FFA Jr. Team Livestock Judging 1st Place Erin Smith Bartow High FFA Horse Show-Sr. Horse Judging 1st Place Katelin Smith McLaughlin Middle FFA Cake Auction-Italian Cream Cake Winner WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
Int. Decorative Food Centerpiece 1st Place Market Hog Int. Herdsman Award Winner Lynsy Snap Lake Gibson High FFA Horticulture-Blueberry Grand Champion Nathaniel Snow George Jenkins FFA Sr. Team Rabbit Judging 1st Place Rabbit Show Best of Breed Logan Soria Home Grown 4-H Photography-Photo Series Tri-Color Award Madalyne Souther Dream Catchers 4-H Jr. Table Setting-Informal Outdoor 1st Place Kyndal Sowell Top Notch 4-H Market Hog Class Winner Market Hog Grand Champion Kathryn Springfield Frostproof Middle/Sr. FFA Purebred Beef-Angus Bull Reserve Grand Champion Purebred Beef-Charolais Bull Reserve Grand Champion Purebred Beef-Continental Breed Male Reserve Grand Champion Austin Spurlock Frostproof Middle/Sr. FFA Archery-Sr. Sighted Compound 1st Place Megan Stafford Dundee Ridge Middle FFA Jr. Team Rabbit Judging 1st Place Katherine Stokes Ft. Meade FFA Market Hog Class Winner Hunter Sullivan Bartow High FFA Horticulture-Ornamental DivisionAnthorium Tri-Color Award Alyssa Sweat Farm Fresh 4-H Horse Show-Jr. Western Showmanship 1st Place Marissa Tarango Ft. Meade Community 4-H Horse Show-Int. Horse Judging 1st Place Horse Show-Int. Western Showmanship 1st Place Horse Show-Int. Trail 1st Place Int. Individual Poultry and Egg Judging 1st PlaceInt. Breeding Goats-Showmanship 1st Place Poultry Show-Male Large Fowl Champion Poultry Show Grand Champion Int. Livestock Judging WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
1st Place Marisol Tarango Ft. Meade Community 4-H Horse Show-Sr. Trail 1st Place Horse Show-Sr. Egg & Spoon 1st Place Sr. Individual Poultry and Egg Judging 1st Place
Ryan Waldman Bullseye 4-H Archery-Sr. Sighted Bow 1st Place
Leslie White Bartow High FFA Sr. Table Setting-Holiday or Celebration 1st Place
Chelsea Waldman Bullseye 4-H Cake Auction-Red Velvet Cake WinnerSr. Horticulture Judging 1st Place
Leslie White Bartow High FFA Cake Auction-Brazilian Cake Winner
Maribel Tarango Ft. Meade Community 4-H Jr. Livestock Judging 1st Place
Mariah Waldman Bullseye 4-H Jr. Whip Popping Contest 1st Place
Robert Tate Pure Country 4-H Horse Show Overall Highpoint Winner Horse Show-Jr. Record Book 1st Place Horse Show-Jr. Grooming and Conditioning 1st Place Horse Show-Jr. English Showmanship 1st Place Horse Show-Jr. English Pleasure 1st Place Horse Show-Jr. Trail 1st Place Horse Show-Jr. Egg & Spoon 1st Place Jr. Storytelling 1st Place
Grayson Waldman Bullseye 4-H Int. Whip Popping Contest 1st Place
Alexis Whitehead Boot Scootin’ 4-H Market Hog Jr. Herdsman Award Winner Margaret Whorton Lake Gibson High FFA Breeding Goats-Dairy Reserve Grand Champion
Rebecca Taylor Bartow High FFA Commercial Heifer-Brahman Influence-3 yr old Reserve Grand Champion Dylan Tomlinson Haines City High FFA Market Hog Gain-in-Weight 1st Place Elena Tovias Kathleen Middle FFA Horse Show-Sr. Stakes 1st Place Emily Tregler George Jenkins FFA Rabbit Show Best of Breed Emily Tregler All Paws In Sr. Dog Show High Point Winner Sr. Dog Novice A Obedience 1st Place Sr. Dog Advanced Rally 1st Place Sarah True Frostproof Middle/Sr. FFA Jr. Team Livestock Judging 1st Place Elizabeth Tucker Polk Centennial 4-H Jr. Table Setting-Judges’ Choice 1st Place Emily Turner Lake Wales High FFA Chili Cook-Off Team-Best Decorated Booth 1st Place Josiah Waldman Bullseye 4-H Archery-Int. Sighted Bow 1st Place
Ryan Waldman Bullseye 4-H Sr. Whip Popping Contest 1st Place Theresa Walker Lake Gibson High FFA Sr. Team Poultry and Egg Judging 1st Place Tristen Walling Be a Champ 4-H Market Hog Int. Showmanship 1st Place Purebred Beef-Simmental Female Grand Champion Purebred Beef-Continental Breed Female Reserve Grand Champion Beef Breeding Int. Showmanship 1st Place Trevor Waltz Bartow High FFA Rabbit Show Best of Breed Kathleen Wann All Stars 4-H Int. Table Setting-Formal 1st Place Int. Dog Novice Showmanship 1st Place Int. Dog Sub Novice A Obedience 1st Place Dog Show Team Obedience 1st Place Kaylee Watson Top Notch 4-H Breeding Goats-Boer Grand Champion Sr. Breeding Goats-Showmanship 1st Place Lily Weaver Lucky A’s 4-H Jr. Table Setting-Most Creative 1st Place Dylan Webb Top Notch 4-H Market Hog Sr. Showmanship 1st Place Shelby Weihmeir Lake Wales High FFA Chili Cook-Off Team-Best Decorated Booth 1st Place
Cream
Kendyl Williams Farm Fresh 4-H Market Hog Class Winner Meghan Williams Lake Gibson High FFA Horticulture-Blueberry Reserve Grand Champion Breeding Goats-Dairy Grand Champion Isabella Williams All Paws In Int. Dog Basic Showmanship 1st Place Int. Dog Basic Obedience 1st Place Int. Dog Basic Rally 1st Place Caleb Williams Haines City High FFA Sr. Team Livestock Judging 1st Place Riley Williamson Crop and Carrot 4-H Horse Show-Int. Grooming and Conditioning 1st Place Horse Show-Mares 6 and Under 1st Place Horse Show-Int. Walk/Trot English Pleasure 1st Place Horse Show-Int. Walk/Trot Western Pleasure 1st Place Alexis Wilt Home Grown 4-H Int. Team Pillow Sew-Off 1st Place Rachel Wise Lucky A’s 4-H Market Hog Class Winner Maya Woodard-Dewitt Crystal Lake Middle FFA Jr. Team Poultry and Egg Judging 1st Place Sadie Yoshioka Kathleen High FFA Horse Show-Sr. Walk/Trot Western Pleasure 1st Place
Delana Wheeler Clovers on the Ridge 4-H Horse Show-Sr. Musical Flags 1st Place INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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As a child one of my greatest fears was going to the doctor and getting those shots at school. I remember being somewhat terrified sitting in the doctor’s waiting room. I tried running out the front door when they called my name. I’ll never forget the time I stuck a button up my nose. Dad took me to Dr. Middlebrooks’ office on the second floor above White’s Central Pharmacy in Plant City. He put me flat on my back on a table. Then he grabbed a pair of needle-nose pliers. I know were a foot long. I still recall shivering like a dog trying to pass a peach seed as he approached me like a kamikaze pilot during World War II on his last run with those gigantic pliers. When it was all over I realized I had over reacted. No pain what so ever. Dr. Middlebrooks took the button and pinned it on my shirt, telling me I was a good boy during the ordeal. Over the years I have learned a lot about the human body. For instances, during our lifetime we produce enough saliva to fill two swimming pools. Actually, saliva is more important than you might realize. If your saliva cannot dissolve something, you cannot taste it. They say your nose can remember 50,000 different scents. But if you’re a woman, you are a better smeller than men, and will remain a better smeller throughout life. By 60 years of age, 60% of men and 40% of women will snore. I recall a few years back while waiting for my wife, who was in for a regular checkup, an elderly lady sitting next to me started talking. She said, “Are you sick?” “No”, I replied. “Just waiting for my wife.” “Well, I’m waiting for my husband. Seems like we come in here every month. He’s really having some problems!” A few minutes later her husband comes out, and they leave. That left me as the only person in the waiting room. The nurse came over laughing. She said, “That couple is hilarious. We really enjoy them. Last month when they came for a check up, the doctor looked him over, and said Fred you look fine!” “That’s what I keep telling Gertrude. God takes care of me,” Fred replied. The doctor said, “What do you mean”? “Well,” Fred responded, “When I go to the bathroom he turns the light on and off.” The nurse continued, “The doctor decided he had better talk to both Fred and his wife, so he called Gertrude into his office and begins to explain, “Fred says God turns the light on and off for him when he goes to the bathroom. Is that true?” 22
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“DOG GONE IT, Fred!” Gertrude burst out, “How many times do I have tell you not to tinkle in the refrigerator?” Before my wife’s father passed away I asked the lady who was doing his home health care if anything humorous ever happens between she and her patients. She thought for a moment, started to laugh, and said, “I had a patient who was very demanding and always complaining. I remember the time she had a real bad stomach virus that required me to make daily visits for about a week. One morning I went in and she was sitting at the kitchen table looking green around the gills. I said, “You don’t look like you feel well.” She looked me dead in the eyes and said, “No, I am not alright. That doctor is going to have to do something about those dad blame pills he gave me. They are too big to swallow. I have to cut them in half, and to top it all off, they are slimy and make me gag when I try to get them down.” She continued, “I nearly died laughing when I realized that the “pills” were glycerin suppositories.” I love the story of George, the mechanic, who was removing a cylinder head from a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, when he spotted a noted world-famous heart surgeon in his garage. The surgeon was waiting for the service manager to come and take a look at his bike. George shouted across the garage, “Hey Doc may I ask you a question?” The surgeon, a bit surprised, walk over to George. George straightened up, wiped his hands on a rag and asked, “Look at this engine. I also can open hearts, take valves out, fix’um, put in new parts and when I finish this will work just like a new one. So how come I work for a pittance and you get the big bucks when we both are doing basically the same work?” The surgeon paused, smiled and leaned over and whispered in George’s ear, “Try doing it with the engine running.” Did you hear the story of Gene, an elderly man, who was seated in the doctor’s waiting room? When he was called in to see the doctor, Gene slowly got up, grasping his cane and hunching over, slowly made his way into the examining room. After only a few minutes, Gene emerged from the room, walking completely upright. Paul, another patient who had watched him hobble into the room all hunched over, stared in amazement. “That must be a miracle doctor in there,” he exclaimed. “What treatment did he give you? What’s his secret?” Gene stared at Paul and said, ‘Well, the doctor looked me up and down, analyzed the situation, and gave me a cane that was four inches longer than the one I had been using.” In closing, a famous surgeon went on a safari in Africa. When he came back, his colleagues asked him how it had been. “Oh, it was very disappointing,’ he said. ‘I didn’t kill a thing. I’d have been better off staying here in the hospital.” WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
February 2015
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Jim Thompson
A Florida Strawberry Festival Beef Breed Show Treasure By Melissa Nichols
This month’s feature story goes back to the mid 1980s to a family who lives very close to the Hillsborough-Polk County line. A family that has been involved with the dairy industry, growing up with H&C Dairy in their back yard, spending many late nights helping care for the dairy and assisting with all aspects of life on the dairy. With their involvement in the dairy, the Thompson boys developed an interest in cattle at a young age. They started showing dairy cattle when they were old enough to show through 4-H. This involvement and interest in dairy cattle continued to grow and eventually grew into an interest in all aspects of cattle, in particular they became fond of the beef cattle industry. The boys, Timmy, Jason and Brian convinced their parents, Jim and Pat Thompson, that they wanted to raise and exhibit steers in the Polk County Youth Fair. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson knew that their boys were passionate about this and gave it a try. The Thompson family quickly found their niche with beef cattle, and became the “Thompson Brothers Santa Gertrudis.” But this story is far from over, their involvement has just begun. In 1987 Mr. Thompson and his sons, still actively showing dairy cattle, were at the Florida Strawberry Festival. Mr. Thompson met up with Jim Jeffries, Bill McClelland and Patsy Brooks and they approached the then director of livestock Harry Carlton and asked him if they could put together a beef breed show at the festival. Mr. Thompson explained how his boys were getting very involved in the beef industry and he wanted more shows for the them to participate in. You see a commitment to raising beef breed cattle is a long term commitment. Jim and Pat Thompson wanted their boys to show locally more than a few times a year. After several meetings, the Florida Strawberry Festival became the host of the festival Beef Breed show in the spring of 1988, with Jim Thompson as the Chairman of the committee. This year the Beef breed show is in its 27th year of existence. Even though many things have changed, much of the original show is still the same. With the humble beginnings of just a small rental tent and 23 exhibitors, the festival has grown to nearly 130 head of cattle and a state of the art air conditioned show arena and brand new perma24
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nent barn, the Festival beef breed show is going strong. Many of that original founding board are still actively involved in the planning and orchestrating of the show each year. I asked Mr. Jeffries about the Jim Thompson he responded, “It has always been evident that, though interested in cattle shows, his primary interest was in helping youth involved in agriculture. He had a plan to open the show to Polk and Hillsborough County youth and felt confident that much support would come from Polk County. He also felt that the community would support the show, he was correct. The show now attracts substantial numbers of youth from both Hillsborough and Polk County. Jim Thompson and those he selected to help him organize and manage the show are the reason the Youth Beef Breed and Commercial Heifer Show became so successful. Jim and the committee members are volunteers that spend many, many hours planning and conducting an activity that the community and youth involved can be proud of. Though he has retired as chairman of the committee, he still can be found at the Florida Strawberry Festival each day of the Beef Show working and supporting the current chairman, Tom Lay.” It takes a year of planning, a wide array of sponsors and a community dedicated to supporting youth involved in agriculture to put on the show. For over 15 years the Thompson family gathered the donations from around central Florida for the Festival. Mrs. Pat Thompson spent many long hours helping organize the donations for the event. Many of the spectators who come out and watch are unaware of the show’s history or what Beef Breed essentially is. The Beef Breed division of showing cattle is made up of several different divisions. You have the purebred-registered cattle such as Angus and Brahma. The Commercial division, which is cattle that are not registered cattle, is broken down to two different sub divisions, European influenced and Brahma influenced. The newest of the divisions of cattle is “Bred and Owned.” This is a division Mr. Thompson was very passionate about, because the exhibitor owned the dam (cow) and bred her by WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
either artificial insemination or by bull and is showing the offspring, therefore the calf was bred and owned by the exhibitors herd of cattle. Beef breed is open to cattle ages 3 (age 3 must have a calf by its side) and younger. It is also open to registered purebred bulls ages 3 and younger. The Festival also hosts showmanship for the exhibitors and pee wee showmanship for exhibitors ages 3-7 (too young to show within the 4H-FFA requirements.) One thing that sets the Festival apart from other cattle shows is that they do not charge exhibitors for registration to show or to compete in showmanship.
and dedication the exhibitor put into preparing themselves and their cattle. It was a time for the youth to shine.”
Mr. Thompson always planned on this show being fun, not something to cause a financial strain on families. All money donated to the Festival Beef Breed show goes directly back to the show, to paying for a judge, trophy and awards, premiums, buying equipment such as wheel barrows, pitch forks, brooms and grooming chutes, all things the Festival provides to exhibitors for no cost. For many years the show hosted an event on Saturday where they had a get together and entered each exhibitors name into a drawing where they could win anything from show supplies, to gift certificates to a heifer, all of which was donated by the community. The exhibitors from Polk and Hillsborough County have always considered the Festival their favorite show to compete in because it has always been “fun” and a learning experience. Part of the learning experience is linked directly to Mr. Jim Thompson. He and other long term committee members Herb Granneman and Gene Dorman, are known to walk around the barn and talk to the kids and to give them words of advice from years of experience in the industry. The committee members give their time each year with the kids, giving them pointers and ensuring their safety above all. Mr. Tom Lay, current chairman of the Beef Breed Committee, said, “Anyone who knows anything about the Beef Bred Show knows Mr. Thompson. He is always strolling the barn with a smile on his face and a kind, encouraging word for each person, adult and child alike. His passion for agriculture is evident. He is constantly talking with the kids and giving them advice about their animals. He also is takes an interest in their lives. It is special to see the interactions between the kids and Mr. Thompson. He still gets excited for the show each year. He cannot wait to catch up with every returning family, meet each new family, and immerse himself in the sights and sounds of a barn full of people and animals for the three days of the show. Mr. Thompson is a true treasure that we love.”
Jim Thompson stepped down as the chairman of the committee in 2006 and handed the reins over to Tom Lay. He still helps with the show and serves on the committee. The committee has named and award in honor of Jim Thompson, they also give out the Bill McClellan Memorial Scholarship to help a graduating senior and the Mr. Lacey Green hand award, all of which are established to remember the founding members of the Festival. The fact is, the Beef show at the Festival has changed many lives, much of which is linked directly back to Mr. Jim Thompson. He is a man of few words, but when he talks, if you listen, he will give you words of encouragement and knowledge. Mr. Thompson has led by example and continues to do so.
For the Thompson family, the Festival has become a family affair. After all three of the boys graduated and finished their days of showing at the Festival, the middle son Jason stayed involved with his daughter Jenna carrying on the family tradition of showing beef cattle. Jenna began showing when she was 8 years old and currently has a herd of commercial cattle that, as Mr. Thompson says, are “stem-winders” (competitive show cattle). Jenna has won her class several times at the youth fair and the Festival, but the Thompson’s have always focused more on it being a learning experience and doing well in showmanship, which is definitely Jenna’s strength. Timmy Thompson said, “In our family showmanship was always more important than the judging of the cattle because it was the results of how much work
This years Festival Beef show starts March 6, with showmanship starting at 6 pm, Saturday is a day the barn is open all day and Sunday the show starts at 11 am. I invite you to come out and see what Mr. Jim Thompson, Mr. Jim Jeffries and the late Mr. Bill McClellan helped build. See the smiles on the faces and the youth working hard in the barn sweeping isles, cleaning up and watering plants, all trying to demonstrate how hard they like to work. See the future ambassadors of agriculture, invest time in the youth, drop off a donation if you are able to and come witness the tireless efforts of the entire Beef Breed Committee to put on the show of the year, our own, our beloved Florida Strawberry Festival Beef Breed Show.
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Mr. Thompson works with Jenna daily helping her care for, feed and prepare her cattle for the show season. Brian, the youngest son, has served on the committee since graduating high school and become the ringman the last few years helping exhibitors in the show ring by assisting the judge, telling the exhibitors what the judge would like them to do, and keep the animals moving.
Timmy Thompson said, “Much of the way I am today has come from not only being raised in a wonderful and loving family but from making the most of the opportunities given to me through my involvement in agriculture (4-H & FFA). Raising and showing livestock in a nurturing environment like the Strawberry Festival Beef Breeds Show has helped to instill respectable character traits that more youth need today, I am a better person for having had these opportunities. “ The Beef Breed show is always the last weekend of the Festival and runs Friday thru Sunday. Friday night is showmanship and pee wee showmanship, Saturday the barn is open all day for visitors to come in and see the cattle and meet exhibitors and Sunday morning is the big day, show day. During the show cattle are judged based on quality, build and breed characteristics. In the end there are several division Grand Champions, many class winners and one Supreme Grand Champion and Reserve Champion, and youth that have gone home learning new skills and building friendships.
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FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL
®
Save $2.00 on Adult & $1.00 on Youth General Admission Tickets at Publix
FEB. 26 - MAR. 8, 2015 • PLANT CITY, FLORIDA Artists Appearing on the
Bobby Vinton
Thu. Feb. 26, 3:30 $15 & $20
Soundstage:
Alabama
Thu. Feb. 26, 7:30 $40
Mel Tillis
Fri. Feb. 27, 3:30 $15 & $20
Sat. Feb. 28, 3:30 $20
Kevin Costner & Modern West
Brett Eldredge
Sat. Feb. 28, 7:30 $35
Sun. Mar. 1, 3:30 $20 & $25
Sawyer Brown
Happy Together Tour
Ronnie Milsap
MercyMe
Mon. Mar. 2, 3:30 $15 & $20
Mon. Mar. 2, 7:30 $25 & $30
Tue. Mar. 3, 3:30 $15 & $20
Scotty McCreery Fri. Feb. 27, 7:30 $25 & $30
Hunter Hayes
Sun. Mar. 1, 7:30 $40
Sara Evans
Tue. Mar. 3, 7:30 $20 & $25
Ricky Skaggs
Wed. Mar. 4, 3:30 $15 & $20
Craig Morgan
Wed. Mar. 4, 7:30 $20 & $25
Visit www.flstrawberryfestival.com or call 813-754-1996 and get your tickets for the best seats available!
Oak Ridge Boys
Newsboys
Thur. Mar. 5, 3:30 $15 & $20
Thur. Mar. 5, 7:30 $20
Loretta Lynn
Fri. Mar. 6, 3:30 $20 & $25
Boyz II Men
Fri. Mar. 6, 7:30 $20 & $25
While online, check out the Free Entertainment, Midway Specials, Discounted Days, and Full Schedule of Festival Events.
Free Grandstand Dan + Shay
Sat. Mar. 7, 3:30 $15 & $20
John Legend
Sat. Mar. 7, 7:30 $50
Parmalee
Sun. Mar. 8, 3:30 $15 & $20
REBA
Sun. Mar. 8, 7:30 $50
3:30 & 7:30pm Seating is on a first come, first seated basis. Concert dates and times are subject to change
Candyland Warehouse•Stingray Chevrolet•Mosaic•Alessi Bakery•AMSCOT•Carolina Carports•Astin Farms•DIRECTV•Verizon Wireless Netterfield’s Concessions•Florida Blue•Southern Ford Dealers•Outcast Watersports•Florida’s Best•Bionic Band•Images Everywhere! TECO•Good Health Saunas•CHOBANI•Florida Dairy Farmers•Nathan’s•Diamond Resorts Int’l•Bright House Networks•Hershey’s ® 26
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February 2015
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Scams and Scam Artists by Sheriff Grady Judd
From time to time, we hear about scams and scam artists, and we pass that information along to our citizens so that they can be aware of how to avoid being victimized. We have recently become aware of a new scam involving animal sales. The number one rule of scams is: if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Advertisements about livestock or animals for sale at extremely low prices, long distance where you cannot see or inspect the animal yourself, are red flags of a possible scam. If you enjoy shopping online, we encourage you to do as much research as possible before you buy. For private sales, the first manual check you can easily do is to do an Internet search of the phone number listed as a contact number for the seller. Does the area code match the area where the animal is listed? Do you see any other advertisements with that same number listed? While you are doing a search, include the word ‘scam’ or ‘fraud’ along with the sale items. For example, if it’s the sale of a certain breed of horse, include the breed and the phone numbers and words like ‘scam’ or ‘fraud.’ The Internet can be a very valuable tool. You should be able to quickly verify whether or not the seller is legitimate, or if he or she has scammed others. The animal sale scams consist of a few things in common: low prices, no opportunity for you to inspect or see the animal, and upfront payment via wire transfer such as Western Union. These scams are most often found on social media buyer-seller websites, such as Craigslist. Always insist on meeting with the seller and looking at the animal yourself, before you agree to buy. We recommend meeting in a public place, during daylight hours, in familiar territory. A recent scam involving a fraudulent horse sale was discovered on www.horseclicks.com. A palomino was listed for sale for $900 – too good to be true, right? The photo on the ad was of a palomino horse jumping a fence. Misspelled words and poor grammar in ads are also red flags. And remember, never, ever agree to wire someone money who you don’t know personally. Once you wire money to someone, it cannot be recovered. Report scams to your local law enforcement agency, in addition to filing a complaint at www.Ic3.gov and www.FTC.gov. As always, we will continue to monitor and keep you apprised of ways to avoid becoming a victim of a crime. Thank you for all that you do to support us.
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The Lord God Bird:
Ivory-billed Woodpecker By Ginny Mink
Referred to as one of the world’s most endangered birds, the Ivorybilled woodpecker is a sight bird enthusiasts would pay for! In fact, these birds are so elusive there have been moments in history in which they’ve been thought wholly extinct.¹ There are research papers debating their continued existence, videos being dissected and argued over. So, what’s the story? We wanted to know that too and therefore, we began our own research endeavor. Perhaps what we’ve uncovered will spur you to reconsider shrugging off those pileated woodpeckers we see all the time. The truth is, you never know which animal, or plant, is next in line! The Ivory-billed woodpecker is one of the largest woodpeckers in the world and the largest to have inhabited the continental United States.² Reaching a height of 20 inches, with a wingspan 30 inches wide,¹ it earned the nickname, “Lord God bird,” after the most frequently exclaimed verbiage whenever someone had the joy of encountering it.³ This is, of course, mostly due to its size; though its’ red crest and white underwing markings are certainly breathtaking. The elusiveness of this species has earned it another nickname, “the Holy Grail of Ornithology.”¹ Most up to date texts mark 2011 as the last claimed sighting and 2004 as the last documented one. Though in truth, it’s all up for debate. Without debate however, James Tanner has been regarded as the main source for information about the bird, its’ habitat, nesting, mating and young-rearing behaviors. In 1937, he began a three year study on the bird as he completed his doctoral degree from Cornell University.¹ His studies produced the first audio recordings and the first video footage of this previously considered extinct bird. Yes, it was thought extinct as early as the 1920s!³ In fact, by the time Tanner was completing his study, he estimated that only 22 birds were still surviving within the United States.¹ The Ivory-billed woodpecker’s primary habitat is mature forestland². Unfortunately, much of that land was excavated and cleared by the 1940s due to mining and lumber mills in addition to expansive agricultural needs.⁴ This left the Ivory-bill seeking swampy bottomlands that were as of yet still untouched. However, according to Tanner, each pair requires six square miles to feed which limited population increases significantly.¹ In addition, the Ivory-bill feeds mostly on beetle larvae within dead (though still standing) trees.⁴ If forests are limited, so are the bugs needed to sustain this rare, “great chieftain of the woodpecker tribe.”² Ivory-bills have been seen, historically, from southern Illinois to Florida (and Cuba) and from east Texas to North Carolina.² However, the last three sightings in the United States have been reserved for Arkansas (in the Big Woods), Louisiana (near the Pearl River)⁵ and Florida (in the Panhandle). The Big Woods sighting was made by Gene Sparling in 2004 and was later corroborated by a number of professional ornithologists.¹ This led to an immediate uprising in WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
study and conservation efforts as the bird had previously been considered gone. Even James Tanner, when he died in 1991, believed the bird had met the fate of the Dodo.³ Then in 2005 and 2006 researchers from Auburn University claimed to have had 13 sightings in the Panhandle, along the Choctawhatchee River.³ Sadly, all the coverage (to include the video from the Arkansas and Louisiana sightings) has failed to be universally accepted.³ Therefore, without incontrovertible evidence, we are uncertain that the Ivory-billed woodpecker still graces our planet! Yet, recovery plans and research monies are still being invested for the sake of unquenched hope in a species that has intrigued many through the years.² For those who might be in that hopeful bunch, there are some things that you’ll need to take note of in your search for this elusive, though majestic bird. First, there’s a distinct double knock they make prior to rooting into a tree.⁴ And, their call is said to sound like, “kent, kent” or a tin horn toot.⁴ In addition, they don’t lumber through the air, bumbling about like other woodpeckers, they are direct and pointed in their flight, comparable to an arrow.¹ They fly over the trees rather than weave in and out of branches. Moreover, they nest in dead (though still standing) trees about 55 feet off the ground.³ They mate for life, lay three eggs and take turns incubating them. In fact, they share parental duties with the male being the sole one responsible for night watches. Finally, they’ve no known predators.¹ To the untrained eye, it’s easy to mistake the Ivory-billed woodpecker for the far more common pileated woodpecker. However, there are some key differences. Namely, as mentioned previously, the white on the wing feathers which are notable when they fly overhead. Also, the fact that males are the only ones with red crests; females’ crests are black.¹ Finally, when the wings are folded there appears to be a white triangle (sometimes noted as a saddle) shape on the back. Of course, the ivory bill should go without saying; though many don’t realize this is a bone (not ivory) that grows into the skull throughout the life of the bird which some think is 20-30 years!⁴ On a side note, rewards ranging between $10,000 and $50,000 have been offered for those able to provide information leading to a confirmed nest, roost, feeding spot or living Ivory-billed woodpecker.¹ That’s worth keeping an eye out for! Research Sources: http://www.ivorybill.org/history-of-the-ivorybill/ http://www.fws.gov/ivorybill/ http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/a-close-encounterwith-the-rarest-bird-54437868/?all http://www.birds.cornell.edu/ivory/aboutibwo/ http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110428132236.htm INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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A New Beginning for a Trusted Business The back doors of the lift trailer are propped open, the hydraulic cylinders tilt up and an avalanche of wood shavings cascade into the holding bin. The aroma of fresh cut wood fills the air, and the barn help knows the next round of fresh bedding is ready for the stalls. Fountain Farms Service has been delivering quality bulk shavings to local farms for over 25 years. Charlie Fountain has run the business for most of that time, but has recently begun handing the reins over to Jeff Jones. “Charlie built the business with a good reputation,” said Jones. “I will do the same, keeping the reputation going strong and making sure the customers are serviced and happy.” Jones works as a Polk County Deputy Sherriff, but is drawing near to possible retirement and was looking for an occupation to transition in to to keep him busy. Fountain Farms provides loads of 15 cubic yards of dry, clean shavings directly from the sawmill to your barn or facility. Jones noted bulk shavings were a cost efficient alternative for barns that use a lot of bedding. “It’s less expensive in the long run, and you don’t have to deal with the plastic wrapping of bagged shavings.” He stresses it also saves the farm owner gas and trips to the store loading and unloading bagged shavings. Current demand has them delivering six to eight loads a week. Jones hopes to build upon that and expand to other farms in the area. The types of shavings range from pine, cypress, cedar and spruce, depending on what the mill is cutting at the time. Delivery times can range from a few days to two weeks, depending on the sawmill output and demand for the product. They try to always take customer preferences into consideration. “We always try to get to the customers as fast as we can, and strive to be fair always. Like any other business, sometimes we get caught between the supplier and the end user.” Due to the possible lag time, Jones suggested reordering before a customer completely runs out.
By Nick Chapman
Jones is not new to the shavings business though. From 2000 to 2006, he reduced his role in the Sheriff’s office to part time and was a full-time bulk shaving driver and delivery man. Business was good until the sawmill that supplied the shavings changed operations and started producing a by-product that was too dusty for most of his clients. He decided to sell the business and go back to the Sheriff’s office full-time. But in May 2014, Jones started back delivering shavings with Fountain Farms preparing to operate the business full-time in the future. “Go slow, take your time and take care of your people,” Jones said is his mantra when delivering shavings. “It’s a green business where everyone gets a use of the raw product.” He described the process where the sawmill cuts the lumber order for its customers and the obvious by-product is the wood shavings. Fountain Farms provides a service to the sawmill by removing those shavings and giving them an additional use. “We take it and recycle it as animal bedding, then our customers use it and their by-product is the shavings mixed with manure which causes it to degrade and decay. The result is composted fertilizer returning the nutrients to the ground.” Jones admitted that was an appealing part of the business because it’s a win-win for the sawmill, the customer and for Fountain Farms. And so far their clients have been happy, because their business has grown through word of mouth. “If your customers like you and you provide a good service for them, they’re going to share it when people ask.”
If you think bulk shavings would work for your farm, give Jeff Jones at Fountain Farms Service a call at (863) 258-7774 or email him at: FountainFarms@aol.com. They deliver primarily to Polk and Hillsborough but they will also deliver to the neighboring counties. Call anytime, Jeff will be happy to accommodate your needs. 32 32
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Sandy Wilson New Chair for UF Department of Environmental Horticulture By Jack Payne
Dr. Wilson is known for her work on the invasive potential of ornamental species. Because I’m the senior vice president of agriculture and natural resources at UF, that’s exactly the kind of work I believe is so crucial for Florida. We must help industry identify opportunities for profit while protecting natural resources that help make Florida such a great place to live – and to visit. She’s also an expert ornamental propaGator (our UF computers automatically capitalize Gator in any context!), an active participant in industry events, and what I call a Friend of Ben – someone who has built a strong relationship with Ben Bolusky, CEO of the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association. Her dedication to the land-grant mission of research, Extension and teaching make her a valuable asset to IFAS and to stakeholders. I always say you can expect great things from IFAS, and here’s what you can expect from Sandy: • More attention to garnering national awards for our students and faculty. • Efforts to increase undergraduate and graduate student enrollment. • Advocacy for more resources so the department can do more for the industry. She began talking about the need for more faculty to complement the 30-member department before she even moved to Gainesville! • A continued commitment to solid science. • Leadership involvement in the industry. She was the most recent guest speaker at the FNGLA Frontrunner Chapter meeting, introduced herself to a number of the industry vendors at the recent FNGLA Landscape show in Orlando, and is looking forward to attending the Tropical Plant Industry Exhibition in January. She’ll continue to serve on the board of the American Society for Horticultural Science as vice president of education and is an active member of the International Plant Propagation Society, in addition to a number of other plant organizations. It’s important for us to have someone like Sandy who has cultivated strong ties with FNGLA. Industry input helps keep our research relevant. Her hire also demonstrates our gratitude for industry support in the form of research funding, scholarships, letters of support for grant applications and use of nursery lands for demonstration projects. Although Sandy is more noted for building a large teaching botanical garden at the Indian River Research and Education Center, her yard in her former home in Ft. Pierce contains a diverse mixture of leftovers from student projects: firebush, Simpson’s stopper and wild coffee.
UF/IFAS has 14 academic departments and two schools, so I spend a lot of time finding the right people to lead them. Finding a new chair for the Department of Environmental Horticulture was easy, because I already employed an ideal candidate in Ft. Pierce.
Please welcome Sandy. She can be reached on her mobile phone at 772-834-7619 or by email at sbwilson@ufl.edu . The department website is http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/
Sandy Wilson has done outstanding research and teaching, she has boundless enthusiasm, and she has what it takes to lead. Her promotion is great news for Polk County, which records $42 million a year in nursery, greenhouse, floriculture and sod sales, according to the most recent agricultural census. That ranks ninth among Florida counties. Hillsborough County ranks even higher but did not disclose a sales total in that census to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. Jack Payne is the senior vice president of agriculture and natural resources at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. jackpayne@ufl.edu 34
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s e p i c e R These recipes come from WWW.STRAWBERRYSUE.COM
Florida Strawberry Dutch Oven Cobbler Filling Topping 3 cups frozen Florida strawberries 2 1/4 cups baking mix 1 can of sliced peaches 1/3 cup sugar 1/2 cup biscuit baking mix
1/4 cup sugar, plus 1/4 cup 4 tablespoons butter, room temperature 1/2 cup milk 1 tsp vanilla 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
DIRECTIONS Lightly grease the Dutch oven and preheat oven to 350°F.
dough and drop onto the the fruit in the Dutch oven. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup sugar and cinnamon.
Combine the frozen Florida strawberries and peaches into a large mixing bowl. Bake for 45 minutes or until the bisToss fruit with sugar and baking mix cuits have risen to a golden brown with until well coated, then pour Dutch oven. fruit bubbling through the cracks in the dough. Next mix baking mix, 1/4 cup sugar, softened butter, milk and vanilla just until Remove from the oven and let cool a combined. It’s ok if this is lumpy. Using bit before serving with vanilla bean ice your hands or a spoon, scoop out balls of cream or your favorite whipped topping!
Sweet Florida Strawberry Honey Butter INGREDIENTS
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature 1/3 cup honey 1/8 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup hulled and coarsely chopped fresh Florida strawberries 2 tsp of orange zest 38
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DIRECTIONS Using an electric mixer set to high, beat butter, honey, and salt until light and fluffy. This should take about one minute. Add strawberries and orange zest, and with the mixer turned off, gently crush the strawberries into the butter. Mix on medium just until combined, about 30 seconds. The acidity in the orange zest balances the richness of the butter. With a spatula, transfer the Sweet Florida Strawberry Honey Butter to a ramekin and let it rest for about 15 minutes for flavors to meld. Serve atop warm biscuits and enjoy! February 2015
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Florida
Spaghetti Squash By Sandy Kaster, M.S. Clinical Medicines, B.S. Nutrition Science
Fresh Florida spaghetti squash is delicious, fun, and healthy to eat. Unique to spaghetti squash is the texture of its flesh, which flakes off into long noodle-like strands when cooked. In fact, this type of squash makes an easy, nutritious pasta substitute when tossed with marinara sauce or fresh vegetables. Spaghetti squash is a type of winter squash, also called “vegetable squash” or “noodle squash.” Though available year-round in most grocery stores, this squash is in its peak season now in the cool winter months. The outer shell can be ivory, pale or bright yellow, or even orange, while the inner flesh is yellow with seeds in the middle. The seeds, like pumpkin seeds, can be roasted in the oven for a delicious snack. NUTRITIONAL PROFILE Spaghetti squash contains a lot of vitamins and minerals for very few calories. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, one cup of cooked spaghetti squash (155 g) contains 42 calories, 1 g protein, 0.4 g fat, 10 g carbohydrate, and 2.2 g of dietary fiber. It also provides 9% of the Daily Recommended Value (%DV) for vitamin C, 8% for vitamin B6 and manganese, 6% for niacin, 5% for potassium, and significant amounts of magnesium, thiamin, vitamins A, E, and K, folate, zinc, and copper. HEART-HEALTHY NUTRIENTS Many of the nutrients in squash work together to make it a hearthealthy food. The magnesium in squash reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke, while both magnesium and potassium help to reduce high blood pressure. The vitamin C and beta-carotene found in squash prevent cholesterol buildup in the arteries, which can lead to atherosclerosis and heart disease. Additionally, the fiber found in squash has been shown to lower high cholesterol levels and regulate blood sugar levels, which reduces the risk of heart disease and diabetes. VITAMIN C: FOR A STRONG IMMUNE SYSTEM With only 40 calories per cup, one serving of spaghetti squash can meet almost 10% of your daily vitamin C requirement. This vitamin is important for a healthy immune system, cancer prevention, healthy blood circulation and wound healing. Vitamin C acts as a potent antioxidant in the body, neutralizing harmful free radicals and preventing its damaging effects in cells. By fighting cell and tissue damage, Vitamin C protects against cancer and other diseases, such as the common cold. This vitamin also enhances iron absorption from WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
other foods, which reduces the risk of anemia. Additionally it aids in the development and maintenance of healthy capillaries, gums, and skin, as well as strong bones and teeth. MANGANESE: FOR NUTRIENT METABOLISM Spaghetti squash is a fantastic source of manganese. This mineral is necessary for the utilization and balanced metabolism of many other nutrients. Manganese is involved in the synthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol and is essential for the production of sex and thyroid hormones. Manganese is also important in skeletal and connective tissue development, and is involved in hundreds of biochemical reactions in the body. HOW TO SELECT AND STORE When shopping, choose spaghetti squash that feels heavy for its size. Look for firm skin that is free of nicks, bruises, and soft spots. Whole spaghetti squash can be stored for up to three months at room temperature when kept in a cool, dry location. Cut squash should be wrapped in plastic and refrigerated. Wash squash immediately before using. HOW TO ENJOY Because of its mild flavor and pleasant texture, spaghetti squash is very versatile and can be eaten in almost any way imaginable! It can be eaten roasted, grilled, baked, boiled, steamed, or microwaved. It can be substituted for pasta in any dish. The large inner seeds can also be roasted and eaten, and is high in protein, fiber, and zinc. Other ways to enjoy spaghetti squash include: • Steam and season with fresh herbs or tomato sauce • Bake with other vegetables in a casserole • Scoop out seeds and stuff inner cavity with vegetables, meat, or cheese, and bake • Top with spicy peanut sauce • Season with salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese Enjoy delicious Florida spaghetti squash today and every day. With its mild flavor and beautiful color, spaghetti squash is a nutritious treat all year long. SELECTED REFERENCES http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mv141 http://www.whfoods.com http://www.florida-agriculture.comz INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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By Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam
W.O.T.U.S The EPA has once again made an attempt to expand federal jurisdiction on Florida’s waterways with its proposed changes to the rules guiding the implementation of the Clean Water Act. Earlier this month, I testified before a joint hearing of U.S. House and Senate Committees regarding the devastating impact of the EPA’s proposed changes. The EPA claims that the purpose of this rule is to clarify which bodies of water are and are not subject to the Clean Water Act. The EPA claims that the proposed regulations will not significantly change what currently is considered Waters of the U.S. And the EPA claims the proposed regulations will not substantially affect Florida’s agriculture industry. I believe this is simply another attempt by the EPA to regulate areas outside their authority, and in contradiction to guidance given by the U.S. Supreme Court. Contrary to what the EPA claims, the proposed rule will in fact lack clarity, significantly expand federal jurisdiction, impose burdensome requirements on agriculture, and impede efforts to protect and restore the environment. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
For starters, the EPA’s proposed rule does not clarify how to implement the Clean Water Act, but it does create more ambiguity as to what areas are subject to the requirements, and red tape, of federal jurisdiction. The proposed rule will increase federal jurisdiction of isolated wetland areas of Central Florida and South Florida by as much as 20 percent. Under increased federal jurisdiction, Florida landowners will be required to invest more in permits and mitigation efforts that, in many cases, will have no positive, measurable impact on the health of our waters. In addition, the EPA’s proposed rule will impede and, in some cases, dismantle existing restoration efforts for critically impaired and truly important natural water resources. Rather than supporting environmental restoration projects around Lake Okeechobee, the Everglades and other lakes, rivers and springs, we’ll be forced to divert funding to meet the requirements of this new rule. For the sake of Florida’s farmers and ranchers, and our efforts to protect Florida’s environment, I urged the U.S. Congress to stop the EPA from advancing this disastrous policy. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
ebruary 2015 2015 FFebruary
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deed restrictions dealing with landscape issues; pruning practices; problem plants such as invasive, non-native plants; pesticide and fertilization practices; plant nutritional deficiencies; mulch application; and irrigation system issues including frequency and timing of applications. Other frequent areas of interest cited by communities participating in the FFL Community Association Outreach Program have included stormwater pond best management practices, dealing with erosion caused by stormwater runoff and questions involving reclaimed water. Evaluations and recommendations are based on science-based research from UF/IFAS. In addition to site evaluations, the Community Association Outreach Program offers onsite presentations about the FFL principles. The FFL Community Association Outreach Program is a free resource for HOAs and other community associations to provide for guidance in instituting sustainable landscape practices, reviewing landscaperelated covenants and working with landscape maintenance contractors. FFL has had several success stories with communities that adopted FFL practices from which they were able to see reduced water consumption and water utility and maintenance costs. Contact me at the Hillsborough County Extension Service, 813-744-5519 x 54142, if these services would benefit your homeowner or condominium association. For more information on environmental horticulture topics, contact your local County Extension Service. Additional information on Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ can be accessed at http:/ /floridayards.org, http://fyn.ifas.ufl.edu and WaterMatters.org. The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Community Association Outreach Program is sponsored by the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, the Hillsborough and Polk Boards of County Commissioners and the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
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