In The Field Magazine - Polk

Feb. 15 - Mar. 15, 2011 ®

FX Bar Ranch An Exotic Location

Covering What’s Growing www.InTheFieldMagazine.com

February 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 1

FEBRUARY 18 –RICHIE

MERRITT

Richie Merritt, formally of the Marcels, will be performing in the Red Rose Dining Room.

FEBRUARY 19 – THE

VAN DELLS

50s & 60s Rock and Roll – The Van Dells are a unique blend of comedy, choreography and tight harmonies... the group is nonstop action from start to finish! Plus, PJ Leary & The Las Vegas Sounds will also perform before and after the show in the Red Rose Ballroom.

FEBRUARY 25

JOHNNY ALSTON’S MOTOWN ROCK & ROLL REVUE

A dynamite crowd pleaser! P.J. Leary & The Las Vegas Sounds perform before and after the show.

FEBRUARY 26 – THE LEGACY OF

THE

TEMPTATIONS

Back by popular demand. This group will thrill you with the hits that we have loved for so long... including: “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg and “Papa Was A Rolling Stone!” Plus, Richie Merrit and PJ Leary & The Las Vegas Sounds.

MARCH 4

RALPH ALLOCCO & SECOND WIND

Performing in the Red Rose Dining Room

MARCH 5

LOLA & THE SAINTS

Doo Wop At Its Best! Relive the 50s & 60s as though it was yesterday. “Forever in Love,” “Just Over the Brooklyn Bridge.” Plus, PJ Leary & The Las Vegas Sounds.

MARCH 11 & 12

DOOWOP WEEKEND - VOL. 5

The annual event is underway for another spectacular extravaganza! This year’s line up will include The DelPrados, George Galfo’s Mystics, Terry Johnson’s Flamingos, The Edsels, Bob Feldman and P.J. Leary and the Las Vegas Sounds.

MARCH 18

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

JOHNNY ALSTON’S

RALPH ALLOCCO & SECOND WIND

MOTOWN ROCK & ROLL REVUE

A dynamite crowd pleaser! P.J. Leary & The Las Vegas Sounds perform before and after the show.

Performing in the Red Rose Dining Room

MARCH 19 & 25

APRIL 15

JOHNNY ALSTON’S

RICHIE MERRITT

MOTOWN ROCK & ROLL REVUE

A dynamite crowd pleaser! P.J. Leary & The Las Vegas Sounds perform before and after the show.

MARCH 26

BUDDY HOLLY & THE BEATLES TRIBUTE SHOW

Richie Merritt, formerly of The Marcels, formerly sang with The Clovers when they were inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2002 and also sang on PBS DOO WOP 51 with The Clovers. Plus, Destiny will play before and after the show.

APRIL 16

A tribute to two of music’s historical cutting age acts - Buddy Holly & The Beatles. BeatleBeat previously performed at Disney’s Epcot and was a big crowd pleaser. If you loved Holly and the Beatles, this is an act not to miss! Dinner served in a supper club atmosphere in the Red Rose Ballroom.

RALPH ALLOCCO & SECOND WIND

Performing in the Red Rose Dining Room

APRIL22

JOHNNY ALSTON’S MOTOWN ROCK & ROLL REVUE

APRIL 2 & 8

A dynamite crowd pleaser! P.J. Leary & The Las Vegas Sounds perform before and after the show.

RALPH ALLOCCO & SECOND WIND

APRIL 23

Performing in the Red Rose Dining Room

RALPH ALLOCCO & SECOND WIND

APRIL 2

BOB RYMAN “THE FIDDLER”

Performing in the Red Rose Dining Room

Bob Ryman “The Fiddler” was a legend in the area for many years when The Red Rose was Lanny Purcell’s Holiday Inn and was also a favorite at Florida The Strawberry Festival®.

Because of his fans’ request, The Red Rose Inn is bringing “The Fiddler” back. P.J.Leary & The Las Vegas Sounds will open & close the show in the Red Rose Ballroom.

APRIL 29

RICHIE MERRITT

Richie Merritt, formally of the Marcels, will be performing in the Red Rose Dining Room.

SHOW RESERVATIONS Please call for ticket prices. Shows in the Red Rose Ballroom are in a supper club atmosphere with a four course meal (seats also available for the show only – for a lower price!)

NO COVER CHARGE for shows in the 5-Star Red Rose Dining Room with the purchase of dinner.

Show Guests - inquire about our special room rates when staying overnight after a show!

The Premier Showplace for Talent in Florida 2

APRIL 9

February 2011

TEL: 813.752.3141

I-4 Exit 21• 2011 N. Wheeler St. Plant City, FL 33563

WWW.REDROSEINNANDSUITES.COM www.InTheFieldMagazine.com

Mrs. Evelyn Madonia Owner

www.InTheFieldMagazine.com

February 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 3

From the Editor

February

Sarah Holt

Heartland’s AGRICULTURE Magazine

VOL. 5 • ISSUE 5

Cover Story

I struggle with my bad eating habits on a daily basis. I tend to want foods that aren’t so good for me, sweets that I shouldn’t have, while striving to make the right decisions to be as healthy as I can be.

If you are a parent, instill healthy eating habits in your children at an early age. “Give your child a healthy and wholesome start” and visit the Fresh From Florida Kids page at www.freshfromfloridakids.com. Research suggests that taste preferences and eating habits are fully developed by the time a child is three years old, so start early.

Tips from the Fresh From Florida Kids web site to help get your kids on track to healthy eating include: • Children are more likely to eat a nutritious meal if they’ve had a hand in making it. Let your child help you select ingredients, prepare the meal and even clean up afterwards.

• Some fruits and vegetables are not supposed to be chilled. How you find them in the market is probably the best way to store them once you get them home.

• Cook with less fat – try baking, roasting, or poaching foods instead of frying.

• Visit a local farmers market to teach your kids about where their food comes from. You can find a local farmers market by visiting www.florida-agriculture.com/ consumers/farmers_markets.htm • Avoid letting your child snack all day long. If they aren’t very hungry at mealtime, they are less likely to try new foods.

There are many more tips for keeping on the path to healthy eating, along with recipes and how to videos. Help your children develop healthy eating habits early on. They will thank you for it.

As always, thank you to our advertisers. You allow us to continue to cover what is growing. We appreciate each of you. I also want to say thank you to our readers. I sincerely hope you enjoy the stories you find in the pages of In The Field. We continue to look for interesting people with exciting stories and welcome any suggestions from our readers. If you know of someone special, please let us know.

Publisher/Owner Karen Berry

Feb. 15 - Mar. 15, 2011 ®

Editor-In-Chief Al Berry

FX BAR RANCH Not Just Another Beef Cattle Operation

Sarah

www.InTheFieldMagazine.com

February 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

1

FX Bar Ranch 34 7 Did You Know?

10 Grub Station Harry’s Old Place 12 Recipes 16 Woman in Ag Hope Clark Bibby 18 Fishing Hot Spots 24 Rocking Chair Chatter

44 Citrus Hall of Fame 48 Polk County Junior Cattlemen 54 Citrus Research and Education Center 56 Polk County Youth Fair Results

The LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you.

Numbers 6:25 In The Field® Magazine is published monthly and is available through local Hillsborough County businesses, restaurants and other local venues.

It is also distributed by U.S. mail to a target market, which includes members of Hillsborough County Farm Bureau and Strawberry Growers Association. Letters, comments and questions can be sent to P.O. Box 5377, Plant City, Florida 33563-0042 or you are welcome to email them to: info@inthefieldmagazine.com or call 813-759-6909.

Advertisers warrant & represent the descriptions of their products advertised are true in all respects. In The Field® Magazine assumes no responsibility for claims made by their advertisers. All views expressed in all articles are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Berry Publications, Inc. Any use or duplication of material used in In The Field® magazine is prohibited without written consent from Berry Publications, Inc. Published by Berry Publications, Inc.

4

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2011

Senior Managing Editor/Associate Publisher Sarah Holt

Covering What’s Growing

28 Adam Putnam’s Dream Team

Until next month,

®

Editor

Patsy Berry

Office Manager Bob Hughens

Sales Manager

Danny Crampton

Sales

Nick Massey Tina Richmond Danny Crampton W. Russell Hancock

Creative Director Amey Celoria

Designer

Juan Carlos Alvarez

Staff Writers

Sandy Kaster James Frankowiak Kayla Lewis Tracy Cox Sean Green Nick Chapman Mark Cook Rhonda Walker Ginny Mink

Contributing Writers Dick Loupe Bridget Carlisle Shelby Freeman

Photography

Karen Berry Jim Davis W. Russell Hancock www.InTheFieldMagazine.com

www.InTheFieldMagazine.com

February 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 5

POLK COUNTY

CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION PO Box 9005 • Drawer HS03 Bartow, FL 33831-9005

By the time this article comes out, we, as Directors will have completed a very busy first six weeks of the year. January 6 we co-hosted, with Farm Bureau, the Annual Legislative Appreciation function. In past years it was an evening event, but has evolved into a luncheon to allow our governmental representatives to squeeze more planning time into a crowded schedule. Everyone always enjoys the corn boil as an appetizer, followed by a steak just off the grill.

On the 14th we prepared the meal for the Taste of Ag, the major fund raiser for the Polk County Youth Fair, again in conjunction with Polk County Farm Bureau, along with the Polk County Cattlewomen’s Association. Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Higgenbotham for hosting the event. Their place provides the perfect atmosphere for such an event. A lot of fun was had by all. Especially those making the mashed potatoes for three hundred people.

Agri-Fest will be coming in the middle of February. The 7th through the 11th and the 22nd to the 25th with the final day on the 28th. It had to be split this year to work around testing and a school holiday. This event allows all fourth graders in Polk County to attend a field trip that helps them understand and gain an appreciation of the importance of agriculture to the county and in their lives. The cattle portion is supported by local cattlemen, who bring their livestock for exhibit. While the lecture portion is conducted a local cattlemen is in the arena on his horse. This is always a hit with the children. A special thanks to Bridget Carlisle, Beef Extension Agent, for putting together the lecture portion of the program.

Between the two sections of Agri-Fest, the annual Trade Show and Ranch Rodeo was held on the 12th.

Hopefully a large number of you attended the event and enjoyed the friendly competition between the teams, all representing Polk County ranches.

Not to leave out the Polk County Youth Fair, which is going on as I write this. We support the Fair with time and premiums, as do many organizations throughout Polk County. Thank you to all who support this local fair whether you are a Cattlemen member or not. It would amaze most people as to how many students have competed in this Fair over the years.

Thanks to all the members who helped with these functions to make them a success.

In closing, the following web site contains a history of the Florida cattle industry, from the early explorers to modern day. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. www.floridamemory.com/photographiccollection/photo_exhibits/ranching/index.cfm

Charles Clark

•

Lamborgini makes Tractors.

•

This October has 5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays and 5 Sundays, all in one month. It happens once in 823 years.

•

Most refurbished tractors are between 15 to 30 years old.

•

Almost all oil production on Alaska’s North Slope remains shut down after workers on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline system discovered a leak over the second weekend of January 2011.

Over 36 years specializing in Development and Agricultural land.

Secretary/Treasurer - Justin Bunch (863) 425-1121 jbunch@agriumretail.com

Bank of America started as Bank of Italy.

•

Thanksgiving was held twice in 1815.

•

A fresh egg will sink in water, a stale one won’t.

•

The aspirin was discovered during an experiment.

• 24 A/C w/570’ FRONTAGE LAKE ANNIE. Modern home, 2 apartments, Tree Inventory. $735,000 Terms.

•

Dinosaurs did not eat grass.

•

Nobody knows who invented eyeglasses.

• 26 A/C MODERN HOME/POOL 8000 sq ft barn $450,000.

•

On an average 1 hour and six minutes is spent on traveling each day.

The Sargasso Sea does not have a coast line.

•

There is a major earthquake every year.

•

The human head contains 22 bones.

•

They speak 365 different languages in Indonesia.

• 1.5 A/C MODERN HOME W/ AMENITIES. 160’ lakefront w/ dock. Adjoins 13,500 acre Arbuckle Wildlife Mgmt. Fishing, Hunting, Horseback Riding, etc. Asking $575,000. Possible conservative. Owner finance.

• WATERFRONT RANCH PACKAGE Call for details.

Al Bellotto (863) 581-5515 Ray Clark, (863) 683-8196 rclark@tampabay.rr.com L.B. Flanders, DVM (863) 644-5974 Dewey Fussell (863) 984-3782 Mike Fussell (863) 698-8314 fussell.flafarm@verizon.net David McCullers )863) 528-1195 Moby Persing (863) 528-4379 Ned Waters (863) 698-1597 watersn@doacs.state.fl.us

• PASTURE ACREAGE $6,000. a/c packages

J. B. Wynn (863) 581-3255 jbwynn29@gmail.com

• CITRUS GROVES & HWY 60 Lake Wales commercial. See web site.

Alternate - Howard Yates, 2501 Arbuckle Lane, Frostproof, FL 33843-9647

MLA

Standing Committee Chairs:

Tel: 863.285.7118

Mary L. Adsit, Realtor

“The Landlady” 5757 Trask Rd. • Ft. Meade • 33841 Visit my Web site for complete brochure

www.maryadsit.com

Membership- J.B. Wynn Events- Kevin Fussell (863) 412-5876 Rodeo- Fred Waters (863) 559-7808 watersf@doacs.state.fl.us Cattlewomen - President Sherry Kitchen (863) 221-0230 skitchen@bcieng.com

• • • • • •

www.InTheFieldMagazine.com

From 2 PuntLaocations ord , DadG e Cita y

HAY FOR SQUARE SALE

ROUND

February 2011

Vice President – Dave Tomkow (863) 665-5088 cattlemanslivestock@earthlink.net

•

le vaila, b A y r e s v Deliemi Load in S tewide Sta

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

ADSIT CO., INC.

Mercedes car was named after an Austrian girl

Charles Clark Polk County Cattlemen’s Association President

6

President – Charles Clark (863) 412-8349 cclark@expoco.com

•

•

OFFICERS & BOARD OF DIRECTORS

TIFTON 44 BERMUDA JIGGS BERMUDA STARGRASS FLORALTA BAHIA HEMARTHRIA

Extension – Bridget Carlisle (863) 519-8677 bccarlis@ufl.edu Sheriff’s Dept. – Sgt. Howard Martin

• TIFTON 44 BERMUDA • JIGGS BERMUDA

ContaCt: Julian l. Wright 941-628-9167 Cell 941-639-3926 office 941-637-0749 Fax

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February 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 7

Four Florida Teachers Win 2011 Excellence in Teaching About Agriculture Award Four Florida teachers have been honored for bringing science to life for their students by using agriculture lessons such as raising chicken hatchlings in the classroom to operating a fully functioning school farm.

For their efforts, the teachers, who come from all over Florida, were chosen by Florida Agriculture in the Classroom as winners of the 2011 Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture Award.

The award is given to teachers who strive to use agricultural concepts to bring science and technical lessons into their everyday classrooms. The teachers chosen went above and beyond by incorporating hands-on lessons that reiterate the importance of agriculture, while showing that science is approachable and enjoyable.

“These teachers have brought complex scientific ideas to everyday general education lessons,” said Vina Jean Banks, chairman and Florida Beef Council representative for Florida Agriculture in the Classroom. “And in doing so, have shown the students that science and agriculture is not only important to everyday life, but is enjoyable and fun as well.”

Lesa Roe, an elementary teacher at Leesburg Elementary in Groveland, was chosen as the elementary school level winner and as the overall Florida winner. Her classroom lessons allowed students throughout the school to have hands-on experiences watching the lifecycle of chickens as well as observing conservation methods by creating a variety of gardens at the school.

At the middle school level, Susan Ferrell, a teacher at Dowdell Magnet School in Plant City, brought aquascience to the classroom with aquariums, hydroponic gardens and fish farming. Emphasis was placed on conserving water and protecting the environment, two important issues in Florida.

Save $2.00 on Adult General Admission at participating Sweetbay Supermarkets!

MAR. 3 - MAR. 13, 2011 - PLANT CITY, FLORIDA

The agriscience middle school level award was given to Lisa Friend, a science teacher at Manatee Academy School in Port St. Lucie. Friend incorporated agriculture lessons into the school’s pre-veterinarian program. Using poultry farming to teach biology and the beef industry to discuss economics, Friend incorporated science and agriculture lessons in a concrete manner, anchoring the concepts in students’ minds.

Students at Roosevelt Academy in Lake Wales can’t miss the lessons that Ray Cruze, a science teacher, has brought to the school. Cruze was honored at the high school level for bringing science to life by starting an entire farming business at the school called “Roosevelt Farms,” a self-sustaining business that teaches students not only agriculture skills but business and employability skills as well. Special needs students run the 10,000-squarefoot farm that produces a variety of vegetables that are sold and donated in the community.

“These teachers not only show that agriculture is relevant in today’s society but that agriculture is at the forefront of many modern-day issues,” Banks said. “Science and agriculture must be taught to the next generation for the sake of our country’s future.

These teachers have taken the time to pursue that worthy goal.”

The four teachers will be honored at the 2011 National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference to be held June 22-25 in Fort Lauderdale.

Florida Agriculture in the Classroom is a non-profit organization based in Gainesville and charged with helping teachers in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade to educate students about the Florida agriculture industry. The group receives funding from sales of the agriculture specialty license plate called the “Ag Tag.” For more information on Florida Agriculture in the Classroom, visit: http://www.flagintheclassroom.com/.

THE JUDDS (The Last Encore)

Artists Appearing on the Wish Farms Soundstage: Thu. Mar. 3 Thu. Mar. 3 Thu. Mar. 3

10:30 am 3:30 pm 7:30 pm

Jimmy Sturr & Orchestra Bobby Vinton Kenny Rogers

FREE $10 & $15 $15 & $20

Fri. Mar. 4 Fri. Mar. 4

3:30 pm 7:30 pm

John Conlee .38 Special

$10 & $15 $20 & $25

Sat. Mar. 5 Sat. Mar. 5 Sat. Mar. 5

1:00 pm 3:30 pm 7:30 pm

Suite Caroline Jeremy Camp Gaither Vocal Band

FREE $20 & $25 $20 & $25

Sun. Mar. 6 Sun. Mar. 6

3:30 pm 7:30 pm

Trace Adkins $25 & $30 The Judds (The Last Encore) $45

Mon. Mar. 7 Mon. Mar. 7

3:30 pm 7:30 pm

Charley Pride Clint Black

$15 & $20 $20 & $25

Tues. Mar. 8 Tues. Mar. 8

3:30 pm 7:30 pm

Chubby Checker Chris Young

$15 & $20 $20 & $25

Wed. Mar. 9 Wed. Mar. 9

3:30 pm 7:30 pm

Tanya Tucker Rick Springfield

$15 & $20 $20 & $25

Thu. Mar. 10 10:30 am Thu. Mar. 10 3:30 pm Thu. Mar. 10 7:30 pm

The Guy Lombardo Band FREE George Jones $15 & $20 The Doobie Brothers $25 & $30

Fri. Mar. 11 Fri. Mar. 11

3:30 pm 7:30 pm

Ray Price Josh Thompson/ Justin Moore

$15 & $20

Sat. Mar. 12

3:30 pm

Sat. Mar. 12

7:30 pm

Allstar Weekend & Jennette McCurdy Billy Ray Cyrus

$10 & $15 $20 & $25

Sun. Mar. 13 Sun. Mar. 13

3:30 pm 7:30 pm

Easton Corbin Lady Antebellum

$15 & $20 $45

.38 SPECIAL

KENNY ROGERS TRACE ADKINS

CHARLEY PRIDE

CLINT BLACK

CHRIS YOUNG

TANYA TUCKER

$10 & $15

Concert dates and times are subject to change

Lesa Roe

Susan Ferrell

Lisa Friend

Ray Cruze

Free Grandstand seating, 3:30 & 7:30 pm are on a first come, first seated basis.

Order: www.flstrawberryfestival.com or 813-754-1996

FESTIVAL FAVORITES

YOU TOO CAN BE A WINNER No Food HEY READERS, hidden somewhere in the magazine is a No Farmers, No Food logo. Hunt for the logo and once you find the hidden logo you will be eligible for a drawing to win a FREE InTheField® T-Shirt. Send us your business card or an index card with your name and telephone number, the page on which you found the logo and where on that page you located the logo to: No Farmers

InTheField® Magazine P.O. Box 5377, Plant City, FL 33563-0042 All Entries must be received by March 3, 2011.

Winner will be notified by phone.

You Too Can Be A Winner - Enter Now! 8

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2011

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Dennis Lee • Jay Taylor Band • Runa Pacha Granpa Cratchet • Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show Rosaire’s Racing Pigs • Bluegrass Parlor Band NEW: Magic of Lance Gifford & Company Rock-It The Robot • The Gothard Sisters Pirates Of The Colombian Caribbean

AMERICAN HEROES DAY, Wed. Mar. 9 All Active, Reserve, Retired Military, Military Veterans , Law Enforcement, First Responders (EMS & Fire Fighters) admitted Free all day with a valid ID

RICK SPRINGFIELD GEORGE JONES

LADY ANTEBELLUM THE DOOBIE BROTHERS

Red Hat Society Day

Tues, Mar, 8th $2 Off Gate Admission

SENIOR CITIZEN’S DAYS

FREE CONCERTS Thurs, Mar 3rd Jimmy Sturr Orchestra Thurs, Mar 10th Guy Lombardo Band Concerts 10:30am

JENNETTE MCCURDY

BILLY RAY CYRUS

Cool Whip • Stingray Chevrolet • TECO • Premium Leisure • Southern Ford Dealers • CF Industries • Patterson Companies Mahaffey Tent Rentals • Verizon Wireless • Candyland Warehouse

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February 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 9

by Cheryl Kuck One of my New Year’s resolutions is to investigate as many eateries within Polk County boundaries as time, rising gas prices and my waistline will allow.

Having been the home of water sports and the famed Cypress Gardens for years, Winter Haven is now heralded as the destination for lovers of all things Lego, with expectations the $150 millionplus transformation into a garden of plastic parts will be completed by October of this year.

My curiosity about what the pending changes may mean to eastern Polk tourism prodded me into putting Winter Haven at the top of my culinary search.

While the area can already boast of almost every variety of fast food and chain restaurants taking up residence, there are some things unchanged with the passage of time, remaining pleasantly removed from all the ongoing hustle and bustle.

Harry’s Old Place started in 1980 with the friendship of Harry Bell and Bruce Johnston more than 30 years ago.

Looking a little worn around the edges, this restaurant (like its owners friendship) has stood the test of time.

For a while they tried to go uptown in order to get the needed extra seats but loyalists liked the original version of Harry’s best so they went back to the Lake Ned location and stayed.

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February 2011

When Johnston married Ginny, she took over the front creative business. Because of the “no reservations” rule, she spends a lot of her time dealing with long lines of customers, as well as, meeting and greeting the hordes of regulars who love the owners almost as much as they love the food.

The first thing regulars do is check out the blackboards listing the latest specials and catch-ofthe day whose items are in addition to the fourpage regular menu.

Harry’s looks like a grouper sandwich place.

Well, they’ve got that and escargot too. The best way to describe it is, a friendly rustic place with a little kitsch and food that is a lot rock and roll.

Places that can serve great chowders and peel-andeat fare while effortlessly making the giant leap to Nova Scotia Mussels with garlic butter at $7.95 and the delicacy of Chilean Bass at $21.95 are hard to find.

Owner and Chef Harry Bell hails from Philadelphia and lays claim to the original Philly onion loaf (the forerunner of the bloomin’ onion), still a featured item for only $4.95.

If its seafood and it’s not on Harry’s menu, you probably can’t find it anywhere. Oysters, scallops, shrimp, catfish, crab, lobster and clams come in almost every conceivable form, from raw to fried, broiled, steamed, grilled, sautéed, and blackened. However, Johnston says he’s also proud

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of their steaks, with their menu recommending not ordering steaks well done.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention that seafood comes in a bag too, with the number-one most frequently ordered item named, “Harry in the Bag.” This mouth-watering pecan-encrusted grouper in a brown bag is the blue-collar answer to “en papillote,” seafood steamed in parchment, originally made famous at Antoine’s in New Orleans before the Civil War. Well, I’ve eaten at Antoine’s (since the Civil War) and I’ll take “Harry in a Bag” (at market price or around $19.95) over its fancier cousin any day.

Top that off with Ginny’s favorite semi-frozen Key Lime pie with just the right amount of tartness and without any cloying sweetness, the pie makes your mouth feel fresh and clean. The perfect finish at only $2.98.

“This is not just our vocation,” said Ginny.

“To us, it’s a lifestyle. We live what we do. If we go on vacation, we’re looking for new food ideas and on the weekends, you’ll find me at the fresh market buying for the restaurant and selling good food from my catering truck. I call the catering side ‘Tallulah’s.’ I guess I just can’t stay away from this business.”

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Harry’s Old Place Casual dining overlooking Lake Ned Features a varied seafood menu plus sandwiches, steaks, chicken and pasta. Beer & Wine served. The intimate bar only seats about five people.

No reservations—Seating for approximately 90 patrons Menu prices: Soups at $3.25 to a mid-range of lighter fare and entrée’s from $8.95 to $21.95 Take-Out available 3751 Cypress Gardens Road in Winter Haven Phone: (863) 324-0301 Hours: Open from Tues.—Sat. with lunch served from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM. The restaurant is closed until open again for dinner Tues., Wed. and Thurs., at 5 until 9 PM and Fri. - Sat. from 5 to 10 PM. Sun. hours are seasonal.

February 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 11

Submitted by Connie Celoria

Carrot Casserole Ingredients

2 cups cooked carrots, mashed while hot (I use a 1lb bag of baby cut carrots, steamed.)

1 stick melted butter 1 cup sugar 3 tbsp all purpose flour 1 tsp baking powder 3 eggs well beaten dash of cinnamon

Preparation

Mix ingredients in the order given. Pour into a greased 2 qt baking dish. Bake 15 minutes at 400° then reduce heat to 350° and bake for another 45 minutes.

Eat Better. Love Life. Live Longer.

Old Fashioned Strawberry Shortcake Ingredients

½ cup soft unsalted butter 1 cup sugar 2 eggs 2 cups sifted all purpose flour ½ tsp salt 1 tsp baking powder

Preparation

Place all ingredients in a large bowl and mix with hands into a smooth dough. (Can use paddle attachment on Kitchen Aid). Butter and line the bottom of a 10” round cake pan with waxed paper and press dough evenly into pan. Bake on 350° for 25 minutes or until lightly golden.

facebook.com/FredsSouthernKitchen

To serve this cake, I cut it into wedges and split them in half horizontally and put sweetened strawberries and sweetened whipped cream on top. I usually make two and when the berries are gone, we just eat the cake plain. It is so yummy!

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February 2011

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February 2011

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February 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 15

n a m Wo

E R U T L U C IN AGRI

ALL IN THE FAMILY

Hope Clark Bibby

By Ginny Mink

Energetic, enthusiastic and endearing are three words that describe Hope Clark Bibby, this month’s woman in agriculture focus. However, it is extraordinarily important to her that people know, “ranching is a family affair.”

Her father farmed strawberries and bell peppers on the property where her house now stands. Her mother, Ethel Clark, 87, is the “glue that holds us all together,” she says when she points out that Mrs. Clark is still the matriarch of the family. When it’s time to do cattle round-ups, “everybody goes.” They still use horses, dogs and whips and they go prepared with a picnic lunch.

Mrs. Bibby shares ownership of their 300 head cattle ranch with her husband, daughter and son. The family is very tight knit with Mrs. Clark living on one side and Mrs. Bibby’s brother living on the other side of their 50 acres.

They have an additional 241 acres on Moore Rd. With faith and family at the forefront of her thoughts, the next thing on her heart is education. “We want to educate people about the cattle industry and every thing that’s associated with ag.” Given this perspective, and the age of her own grandchildren, she felt led to start a 4-H club in their area. What a grand idea that was! Having just started the club in 2009, they were the only 4-H club in Polk County to receive the 2009-2010 Emerald Award based on volunteers, meeting attendance, community service and several other criteria.

This “club is to give back to the community,” and that’s certainly what Mrs. Bibby tries to do. There are 27 members, which makes it one of the larger clubs in the county. “Parents don’t just come and drop kids off, this is a family thing,” she says. Her club has given, “every variety of kid, even those who’ve never been on a farm,” the opportunity to get engaged in agriculture, something she refers to as a “healthy environment.”

She wants kids to know that agriculture isn’t “just cows and plows.” Her club has done a slew of other agriculture related projects from canning to rabbits and poultry. She believes you “don’t have to be on a farm or have property to promote the things the kids can do that will last them their whole lives.”

Which is why next year, she intends to make sure every one of her 4-H kids has a photo in the photography section of the Polk County Youth Fair.

As it stands, her members have done well in the fair’s competitions. Four of them showed hogs on Sunday, January 23, 2011. Three received first prize ribbons and one got second place. What’s even more impressive is the fact that two of them “had never shown animals or been involved in a fair at all.”

The community is very supportive of what Mrs. Bibby does with these kids. There’s a veterinarian who makes house calls to check out the kids’ animals and only charges $25 a visit. There is also a man who raises rabbits and sells them to the kids for $5 instead of his usual $30 rate.

As much as the community gives to Mrs. Bibby and her 4-H club, she tries to return the favor. During her family cattle round-ups she’s invited neighborhood children and women from work to participate. She believes that, “it’s a privilege to live on a farm,” a privilege she feels blessed to share with everyone she can.

As far as the business side of Mrs. Bibby and family goes, they have some purebred Brahman and Angus herds that they use to supplement their mixed breed herds or to show. When a calf is born they decide whether it’s going to be a breeder or a show animal. If it doesn’t fit their criteria they sell it at the Polk County Cattlemen’s Livestock Auction Market. After all, they are a commercial cattle ranch. She says, “Sometimes you make money and sometimes you don’t.

If Oprah gets on TV and says beef’s bad, the market goes down.” (Obviously Oprah has too much power!)

Mrs. Bibby is a member of the Polk County Cattlewomen’s Association.

According to her, “you don’t have to have cows, you just have to love beef and Florida’s beef industry,” to join the organization. Then with her charming smile she adds, “Not all good meat comes out of the West.”

16 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2011

“I Didn’t Want To Dig To China,

I Just Wanted To Tend To My Garden.”

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“Years of kneeling in the garden took a toll on my knee – when I had to have it repaired, I trusted South Florida Baptist. Thanks to them, I’m able to do what I love again!”

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MobilityIsEverything.org Mrs. Bibby has been married to the same man for 41 years. They have two grown children and six grandkids, one of whom started riding bulls when he was four years old. She leads the choir at the church she and her family have attended all their lives. But, she says, “Ag is my every-minuteI-can-get-after-work. Ag is my passion.” Just one encounter with her will verify this is true.

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 17

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BOAT LAUNCH PREPAREDNESS, SAFETY & ETIQUETTE This was this guy’s first boat and he was taking it to the lake, but he wasn’t quite sure of the correct procedure for launching a boat off a ramp. However, he figured it couldn’t be that difficult to do, so he stopped by his Union office for advice, and they just told him, “Don’t let the trailer get too deep in the water when you’re launching your boat.”

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motor, attaching to the trailer. There are a number of different types available at your local marine dealer or at Payes Trailer Parts located south of Lake Wales on Highway 60. Smaller motors have pins to raise the motor, but if you have a large motor, a motortoter is also a good idea because it greatly reduces the stress on the boat’s transom while towing. Put the gear shift in gear so your prop won’t be turning while going down the road, which can damage the bearings. Also, if you are trailering your boat on a long trip you should have a snug cover which will protect the inside of your boat and increase your gas mileage.

Boat Unloading

I’m not so sure that this actually happened that way but, whatever it was, I am sure that something went horribly wrong, which was most likely the result of an oversight.

Many people and organizations discuss boating safety, which generally refers to “on the water” activities. And, as important as that is, I would like to discuss an overlooked issue - proper boat launching procedures. As both a guide and a recreational angler, I frequent a lot of public boat ramps and have seen it done almost every way possible – some good, and some really bad.

First, the boater needs to have their trailer properly attached to their towing vehicle with a properly sized hitch ball to match the trailer tongue. It is a good idea to have a hitch lock to prevent theft. Safety chains should come from both sides of the trailer and attach to the bumper in case the trailer comes off of the hitch. You should have your trailer lights attached to the tow vehicle, whether towing day or night, making sure that everything works – running lights, brake lights, and turn signals. Although your boat is attached to your trailer by the winch strap, on longer hauls it is a good idea to attach the bow eye of the boat to the trailer with an additional mechanism, such as an adjustable double hook, and to have tie-down straps on the back of the boat, on either side of the

18 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2011

Before lining up with the ramp, stop in a “pre-stage” area out of the way of those currently launching and do the following preparations: • Remove all tie-downs or ropes, motor pins or motor

toter, cover, and security mechanism from the bow eye, leaving the winch strap secured.

• Put the drain plug in securely.

• Place whatever items you are taking with you that have not already been put into the boat, such as a cooler, camera, towels, sunscreen, rods and reels, etc.

• Put the boat key into the ignition and make sure that your fuel bulb is taut.

• Check that your engine will start by turning it over till it does and then immediately turn it back off.

• Look at the ramp to assess the condition of the ramp, the length and steepness, and the water level.

• If you are not alone, determine who will back the boat and who will be in the boat, verifying what hand signals to use.

• If you are alone, do one of two things: 1) Have a long enough rope attached to the bow eye to be able to float your boat off and then pull it over to the dock or the bank so you can immediately pull your trailer off of the ramp, or 2) Ask another boater that is waiting to launch if he/she would be so kind as to help you.

Once you feel that you are thoroughly prepared, proceed to the ramp and, if all clear, line your vehicle and trailer up as straight as possible in line with the ramp. Back slowly using your side and rear view mirrors if possible. Remember, when you turn your vehicle’s tires one way, your trailer will aim the opposite way. Make adjustments gradually in small amounts for best results. Back the boat in just far enough for it to float, but where you can get to the

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 19

bow without stepping into the water. Stop there so you can then detach the winch strap. Again, if you are alone and there is no one available to help, holding onto the rope that is tied to the bow eye, push the boat clear of the trailer and secure it either to the launch dock or to the shore. If you have someone in the boat, ask them to start the motor and then continue backing the boat gradually, being careful not to allow the trailer wheels to fall off the ramp, until the boat driver is able to back the boat clear of the trailer.

Usually, this is when the trailer wheels just become submerged in the water. Once the boat is clear, gradually pull forward with the trailer and proceed to the trailer parking area, making sure that you park in the same fashion and alignment as everyone else. Put your vehicle’s keys away securely in a pocket before leaving land so as not to accidently drop them into the water.

Boat Loading Again, making sure that your vehicle keys are secure in a pocket before leaving the boat, pull your boat up to the launch dock or shoreline out of the way of launching boats. If the ramp is busy, get in line somewhere in the “pre-stage” area. When it is your turn, line up with the ramp in the same manner as you did for unloading. Back the trailer into the water slowly until the wheels of the trailer are just barely submerged or, if you are not alone, at whatever degree your boat driver signals to you.

If you do have assistance, get out of the vehicle so you can assist the boat driver to align the boat onto the trailer, approaching it slowly but with enough speed to maintain direction. Once the boat meets up with the trailer’s hull supports the driver should slightly increase the throttle to cozy the bow up to the trailer’s bow stop. Once they meet, hook the winch strap and tighten securely.

If you are loading your boat by yourself, go get it and either drive it on yourself or, if you are not proficient with that procedure, use the bow rope to guide it onto the hull supports and, once aligned properly, pull out and attach the winch strap to the bow eye. Crank the winch until the boat is securely against the bow stop.

Slowly pull the boat out of the water up onto the ramp. If there is no other boat waiting to launch, you can stop once you have completely cleared the water. Otherwise, you should continue to pull out of the way of other launchers. Prepare your boat for towing by reattaching all tie-downs, ropes and security mechanisms, removing all items that may blow out, turning off all electronics, removing the plug, propping the motor up and putting it into gear. Make sure that your lights and safety chains are still attached. Also, check your trailer for any grass that may have become attached during launch to eliminate transfer to another lake.

Boat Safety Everyone should be familiar with both state and local boating laws. Current regulation booklets are usually available wherever fishing licenses are sold or are available online at myfwc.com.

In addition, you will need to pack the right equipment, such as personal flotation devices, fire extinguishers, visual distress signals, marine radios, navigation lights and sound-producing devices. Complete information on regulations and equipment standards can also be found on the U.S. Coast Guard’s boating safety website at www.uscgboating.org.

20 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2011

Here is a list of public ramps in Polk County: Lake Garfield; Surveyor’s Lake; Lake Mariana; Peace River Canoe Launch; Lake Annie; Lake Pierce; Lake Arbuckle Park; Lake Livingston; Lake Reedy Park; Lake Walk-in-Water; Little Crooked Lake; Lake Buffum; Lake Confusion; Lake Hamilton; Lake Marion; Banana Lake; Crystal Lake; Lake Deeson; Lake Gibson; Lake Parker Eastside; Saddle Creek Park; Lake Rosalie Park; Lake Agnes; Lake Tennessee; Mudd Lake; Lake Blue North; Lake Cannon; Lake Conine Park; Lake Daisey; Lake Deer; Lake Elbert; Lake Howard; Lake Jessie; Lake Roy; Lake Sears; Lake Shipp; Lake Summit Help keep and improve public access to Polk County’s waters by participating in or attending the Rampin’ It Up Big Bass Benefit Tournament on Saturday, April 9 at Lake Shipp Park. Info is available at your local tackle shops or at friendsoftheparks.net.

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 21

By Sandy Kaster, M.S. Clinical Medicine, B.S. Nutrition Science An amazing root vegetable that is often carved into a decorative garnish, the radish packs a big nutritional punch, as well as a mild peppery flavor. As a member of the Brassicaceae family, radishes are related to other cruciferous vegetables including broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage.

Florida is the top radish producing state in the United States.

According to the Florida Department of Agriculture, the state harvests over 30 percent of the country’s radish acreage and the value of the state’s radish crop is estimated at $30 million a year.

Florida radishes are available from October through June and are at their peak now. Florida radishes have a crisp texture and an earthy, spicy taste.

Nutritional Profile

Radishes are not only delicious, but also very low in calories and free of fat, cholesterol, and sodium. The entire vegetable is edible, including its green leafy tops, reddish skin, and white flesh. In fact, the leafy green tops of radishes contain six times the amount of vitamin C found in the root, as well as iron, calcium and thiamine.

Along with the other cruciferous vegetables, radishes contain multiple anti-cancer, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial compounds.

Eating more cruciferous vegetables have been associated with a lower incidence of a variety of cancers, including those of the lung, colon, breast, ovaries and bladder. Current research studies have shown that people who eat the most cruciferous vegetables have a much lower risk of prostate, colorectal and lung cancers, even when compared to those who regularly eat other vegetables.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, one half cup of raw sliced radish (58 g) contains 9 calories, 0.39 g protein, 0.06 g fat, 1.97 g carbohydrate, and 0.9 g of dietary fiber.

It also provides 14 percent for vitamin C, 4 percent for potassium, dietary fiber, and folate, 2 percent for vitamin B6 and manganese, and significant amounts of calcium, iron, magnesium, riboflavin, vitamin K, and zinc.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is important for a healthy immune system, cancer prevention, healthy blood circulation and wound healing. It may also offer protection from heart disease. By neutralizing harmful free radicals, antioxidants prevent damage to the artery walls, which could later lead to plaque formation and subsequent narrowing of the vessel. Additionally, its antioxidant properties may decrease the risk of cancer by protecting cells from free radical damage.

This vitamin has many other useful roles. It may aid in preventing cataracts, a leading cause of blindness in older adults.

Also involved in wound healing, vitamin C is important in collagen production. This vitamin also helps the body absorb more iron and aids in the development of strong bones and teeth.

Current research findings support that Vitamin C’s benefits come from consumption of whole fruits and vegetables. A

22 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2011

Radish high intake of produce, including radishes, is associated with a reduced risk of death from all causes, including heart disease, stroke, and cancer. Taking supplements does not seem to provide the same protective benefits as eating raw or cooked produce.

Potassium

Potassium plays an important role in muscle contraction, nerve function and blood pressure regulation. In the heart and other muscles, this electrolyte is essential for the contraction and relaxation of muscles. Potassium is also required for energy metabolism and is involved in protein and carbohydrate metabolism. This mineral is important for normal growth and for building muscle. Along with sodium, potassium regulates the water balance and the acid-base balance in the body. In nerve cells, potassium plays an essential role in the conduction of nerve impulses. It also helps generate muscle contractions and regulates the heartbeat. Radishes and many other fruits and vegetables are rich sources of this important mineral.

Fiber

Radishes and other cruciferous vegetables contain a significant amount of dietary fiber, which can help lower cholesterol, assist with digestion, and prevent constipation. According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, a diet high in fiber may decrease the risk of several types of cancer including colon, rectum, breast, and pancreas.

How to Select and Store

Choose smooth, brightly colored radishes that are free of blemishes or soft spots. If the green leafy tops are still attached, they should look fresh and bright in color. Pick smaller ones, which usually have a better flavor than larger ones. Radishes can be refrigerated in a perforated plastic bag for up to 10-14 days, but remove tops before storing.

How to Enjoy

In addition to using radishes in salads or carving them into swans and roses, try some other exciting ways of eating them: • Shredded and used as a sandwich topper • Pickled • Sliced and tossed in a stir-fry • Sautéed with butter and herbs • Roasted with olive oil in the oven • Baked and mashed as an addition to mashed potatoes • Braised with apple juice • Grated and added to chicken or tuna salad Enjoy fresh Florida radishes today. With their satisfying crunch and peppery flavor, radishes can add flavor to any dish as well as boost its nutrition at the same time.

Selected References

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ http://www.florida-agriculture.com http://www.ipmcenters.org/cropprofiles/docs/FLradish.pdf

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 23

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3702 W. Baker Street • Plant City, FL. How long has it been since you’ve been to a zoo? If you haven’t been to one lately you should load up the kids in the car and take one in. Here in Florida you have a great selection to choose from.

I remember a few years back my wife and I were at Busch Gardens sitting outside on the patio of one of their African styled restaurants. Patsy was about half way through her sandwich when out of blue down comes a seagull and snatches it out of her hand. That got me to thinking. Those guys have a smart marketing department. First they offer a great value and have developed a wonderful family entertainment venue. But many people are not aware that most zoos have a method to help to pay to feed the birds and various animals. Just put a quarter in the re-vamped gum machine, hold your hand at the bottom of the chute, and turn the handle. There you have it. You pay to feed them even after paying your admission to the zoo.

The only person I know that has used this system to make money is Dale Woodruff, my cousin who lives near St. Augustine.

Every year he has a gigantic yard sale. Dale puts George, his bald headed parrot, outside in the middle of all his junk he has priced at 75 percent off his already low price. Right beside the parrot stand he has a small table with a sign that says, “Feed George and he may talk to you.” He sells a very small bag of nuts for fifty cents. Last year he sold $10.00 worth of nuts, and George gained three pounds. As far as George talking to those who fed him, all he has been known to say is, “Sucker.”

Seeing the elephants at Busch Gardens reminded me of a story that Johnny Ryals told me. The story is that a man from Northwestern University went on a hike through the bush and came across a young bull elephant with one leg raised in the air. The elephant seemed distressed so he approached it very

24 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2011

carefully. He got down on one knee, inspected the elephant’s foot, and found a large piece of wood deeply embedded in it. As carefully and as gently as he could, he worked the wood out with his knife. The elephant gingerly put down his foot, turned to face the man, and with a rather curious look on its face, stared at him for several moments. The man stood frozen, thinking of nothing else but being trampled. Soon the elephant trumpeted loudly, turned, and walked away. The man never forgot that elephant or the events of that day.

Twenty years later, the same man was walking through the Chicago Zoo with his teenaged son. As they approached the elephant enclosure, one of the creatures turned and walked over to near where he and his son were standing. The large bull elephant stared at him, lifted its front foot off the ground, then put it down. The elephant did that several times then trumpeted loudly, all the while staring at the man.

Remembering the encounter 20 years earlier, he could not help wondering if this was the same elephant.

With all his courage, he climbed over the railing, and made his way into the enclosure. He walked right up to the elephant and stared back in wonder. The elephant trumpeted again, wrapped its trunk around one of the mans legs and slammed him against the railing, killing him instantly. It probably wasn’t the same elephant.

Then there’s the story of a mother and baby camel that were carrying on a conversation one day when the baby camel asks, “Mom, why have I got these huge three toed feet?” The mother replies, “Well son, when we walk across the desert your toes will help you to stay on top of the soft sand.”

“Okay,” says the son. A few minutes later the son asks, “Mom,

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why have I got these great long eyelashes?”

“They are there to keep the sand out of your eyes on the long trips through the desert.”

“Thanks Mom,” replies the son. After a short while, the son returns and asks, “Mom, why have I got these great big humps on my back?”

His mother replies impatiently, “They are there to help us store water for our long treks across the desert.”

“That’s great Mom. So we have huge feet to stop us from sinking, and long eyelashes to keep the sand from our eyes, and these humps to store water, but Mom…” “Yes, son?”

“Why the heck are we in the Busch Gardens zoo?”

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On the way home from our visit to Busch Gardens we passed a 1953 like-new Chevrolet on I-4. That got me to thinking about the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. Back then we would ride in cars with no seat belts or air bags. Who ever heard of buying water in plastic bottles? We ate cupcakes, bread and butter, and drank sugar soda but were never over weight, because we were always outside playing. There were no such things as Playstations, Nintendo, X-Boxes, or video games. Never heard of cable TV, video taped movies, surround sound, cell phones, personal computers, Internet, Facebook or Twitter. At Little League tryouts not everyone made the team, and those that didn’t learn to deal with it. Boy have we come a long way.

When my Dad was two years old in 1902 only 14 percent of the homes in the US had a bathtub. The average wage was 22 cents an hour. There were only 8,000 cars in the United States and just 144 miles of paved roads. Canada passed a law prohibiting poor people from entering the country for any reason. More than 95 percent of births in the US took place at home. Yes, times have changed in the last 100 years. Now I wear a small cell phone on my belt that has the capability to let me not only talk with anyone anywhere, but access the Internet and send and receive messages and pictures from anywhere in the world. It’s amazing.

Only in America can a pizza get to your home faster than an ambulance. Only in America do banks leave both doors open and chain the pens to the counters. Only in America do we leave cars worth thousands of dollars in the driveway and put our useless junk in the garage. Only in America there are handicapped parking places in front of a skating rink.

And in closing I wonder why I have never seen the headline “Psychic wins Lottery”?

February 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 25

Polk’s Growing Businesses Colt Creek State Park

6901 East 6th Avenue Tampa, Florida 33619 (800) 283-0475 • (813) 621-4738 • Fax (813) 621-6775 “ In everything, do to other what you would have them do to you.” Matthew: 7:12

by Mark Cook Walking the nature trails early in the morning in Colt Creek State Park a person never knows what they will see and hear.

As the fog lifts from the pines and saw palmetto a glimpse of a whitetail deer isn’t uncommon. Listen closer and the cry of a bobcat echoes throughout the oak hammocks. People spend hundreds of dollars to visit man made theme parks but one of central Florida’s best kept secrets is just a short drive north of Lakeland within the Green Swamp region. And with plans on expanding the recreational opportunities in the near future, park manager Scott Spaulding is excited.

“This park is a work in progress,” Spaulding said. “We are looking forward to opening a new screened in 18 table picnic pavilion area with restroom facilities and also the new fishing pier (expected to open March 2011) which will really enhance the experience for folks who visit us.”

Located 16 miles north of Lakeland with three natural creeks running across the 5,067 acres, Colt Creek’s history goes back several decades. Originally one of the largest working cattle ranches in the area the park came about after the Overstreet family sold the land to the state in 2006.

“Being a large cattle ranch presented a few challenges,” Spaulding said. “For one thing the last of the cattle weren’t removed for some time after we opened the park so it limited the access visitors had. But we didn’t mind as the cattle industry has been a huge part of Florida’s heritage and economy since the Spanish brought the first cattle over hundreds of years ago.

But before long we were able to expand our trails and we now offer 12 miles of marked trails for horseback riding hiking, and biking.”

In 2007 the Lake Region Audubon Society spent a year exploring the park for different species and after their survey they recorded over 150 different bird species and 79 different butterfly species that call Colt Creek home. Wildlife that wanders Colt Creek includes deer, turkey, bobcat, raccoons and a number of other species. Located within the Green Swamp region the location really gives Colt Creek a wildlife advantage over many parks in Florida.

“You really never know what you might see,” Spaulding said.

“One species that sometimes surprises visitors, especially those from out of state, are the Sherman Fox Squirrels. Two to three

times as large as a gray squirrel the fox squirrel population here is one of the best I’ve seen.”

Along with nature lovers, Colt Creek welcomes equestrian enthusiasts and has plans to expand that aspect of the park as funding becomes available.

“Our park is a beautiful place for those who want to ride their horses and we have many that do now,” Spaulding said. “It is based on funding, but our Unit Management Plan identifies developing additional facilities including a 60 site RV/tent camping area, 20 equestrian campsites, 8 vacation cabins and park concession including horse rentals.”

One plan that has already set in motion is the fishing/observation pier that will open tentatively in March.

“The pier extends out 50 feet then has 50 feet on either end for those wanting to get closer to the water and fish or just observe nature,” Spaulding said.

“We have three readily accessible lakes now that were a byproduct of limestone mining back in the 90’s and although they aren’t natural lakes they sure fit in and most people wouldn’t know the difference.”

The three lakes ranging from two to 25 acres offer some excellent fishing opportunities with most native Florida fish species available in great abundance. Paul Thomas, a biologist with the FWC Lakeland office, actually fishes Colt Creek himself.

“It’s a very good fishery and the fish population is in good shape,” Thomas said. “I enjoy taking my kayak out and drift fishing the big lake and always do real well. Bass are catch and release and that is important to keeping the populations where they will be best for fishing success, but the catfish, bluegill and shellcracker are all harvestable.”

As Spaulding stated the park is a work in progress but it gets better everyday.

“Compared to where we started from with just a few tables, dirt roads and bathroom, the park has really matured,” Spaulding said. “Accessibility and amenities have really improved since we opened the gate four years ago and I’m excited to see where we will be four more years from now. We are really fortunate in Florida to have such a great balance of nature and wildlife and we hope more residents take time to come out and explore original natural Florida, what we like to call The Real Florida.”

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 27

Adam Putnam’s Dream Team On December 21, 2010, Commissioner-Elect Putnam announced staff appointments for the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Mike Joyner joins Putnam’s team as Assistant Commissioner and Chief of Staff with Marion Aller, Shannon Shepp and Jay Levenstein as Deputy Commissioners.

“Five weeks ago, Commissioner-Elect Putnam asked us to put the best team on the field to serve the people of Florida,” said Transition Team Executive Director, Trey McCarley. “Through the tireless work of the Transition Team I am confident that these individuals provide the necessary proactive, progressive and innovative leadership needed to make the Department second to none.”

“I would like to thank the transition team for the countless hours that have gone into assisting in the selection of the following individuals to join the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services,” said Putnam. “We are fortunate to be handed a strong department by Commissioner Bronson and I want to thank him and his staff for the seamless transition.”

The announced appointments include the following: Mike Joyner, Assistant Commissioner/Chief of Staff: Joyner has more than 25 years experience building partnerships between the private and public sectors to advance common-sense business, natural resource and environmental policies. He joins the Department from the private sector after having previously served as Chief of Staff at the Department of Environmental Protection and stints at the Florida Farm Bureau and Florida Forestry Association.

served as a Cabinet Aide to Governor Jeb Bush and worked as Legislative Director for Congressman Porter Goss.

Cheryl Flood, Director of External Affairs: Flood joins the Department after having served as the Chief of Staff for Congressman Adam Putnam. She previously worked in the Department as Deputy Legislative Affairs Director under Commissioner Bronson.

Marion Aller, Acting Deputy Commissioner: Aller joined the Department in 1986. She has previously served as Director of Food Safety and held several technical positions in the Bureau of Pesticides, rising to Chief in 1992.

Matt Joyner, Director of Federal Affairs: Joyner comes to the Department from the private sector in the financial services arena after having previously served as Chief of Staff and District Director to Congressman Adam Putnam.

Jay Levenstein, Deputy Commissioner: Levenstein joined the Department in November 1993. Prior to his role as Deputy Commissioner under Commissioner Bronson, he served as the Department’s State-Federal Relations Director, Legislative Affairs Director, Chief of the Bureau of Animal Disease Control and Senior Attorney.

Grace Lovett, Director of Legislative Affairs: Lovett comes to the Department from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, where she served as Deputy Director and Acting Director of the Office of Legislative Affairs. She has also previously worked for the Florida Public Service Commission, The Rubin Group and Florida Credit Unions.

Shannon Shepp, Acting Deputy Commissioner: Shepp joined the Department in 2001 as assistant division director and has served as the Fruit and Vegetables Division Director since 2004. Prior to the Department, her career included public affairs management in the citrus and home building industries and service as a legislative assistant in the Florida Legislature.

Lorena Holley, General Counsel: Holley joins the Department after having served as the Senior Attorney in the Office of the General Counsel Division of Economic Regulation and Division of Appeals, Rules and Mediation at the Florida Public Service Commission since January. Prior to this role, she served the PSC as Chief Advisor to the Commissioner.

Jim Boxold, Director of Cabinet Affairs: Boxold joined the Department in 2003 and served as Commissioner Bronson’s Chief Cabinet Aide. Prior to joining the Department, he

Ronald Russo, Inspector General: Russo has more than 20 years of law enforcement leadership experience. He most recently served as the Florida Department of Transportation’s In-

28 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2011

spector General, where he supervised all statewide internal personnel misconduct cases, as well as criminal investigations and internal and external audits.

Sherman Wilhelm, Director of Policy and Budget: Wilhelm joined the Department in 1986 as Staff Counsel to the Commissioner, a position he held for 13 years. In 1999, he was promoted to Director of the Division of Aquaculture and has been serving the Department in this capacity since.

Sterling Ivey, Press Secretary: Ivey joins the Department after having served as the Governor’s Press Secretary since 2008. His previous experience includes Communications Director for the Department of State, Assistant Superintendent of Communications for the Pinellas County School Board, Public Affairs Director for the Department of Corrections and the Polk County Sheriff’s office.

Mike Gresham, Director, Division of Administration: Gresham joined the Department as Director of Administration in January. Prior to working for DACS, he served as Director of Administration at the Department of Insurance and Support Services for the Department of Revenue.

ties within the Office of Agriculture Law Enforcement before being promoted to Director.

Rich Budell, Director, Division of Agriculture Water Policy: Budell joined the Department in 1985 and served as Assistant Director of the Office of Water Policy, Assistant Director of the Division of Agricultural Environmental Services and Chief of the Bureau of Pesticides before being promoted to his current position.

Dr. Thomas Holt, Director, Division of Animal Industry: Holt joined the Department as the State Veterinarian and Director of the Division of Animal Industry in 2004 after retiring from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Leslie Palmer-Boxold, Director, Division of Aquaculture: Palmer-Boxold has served the Department since 2002 as the Director of Federal and State Relations, having previously served at the Department of Environmental Protection.

Tom Steckler, Acting Director, Division of Consumer Services: Steckler joined the Department in 1997 and most recently served as Assistant Director of Standards and Assistant Director of Consumer Services.

Andy Rackley, Director, Division of Agriculture Environmental Services: Rackley was appointed Director of the Division of Agriculture Environmental Services in 2008 after more than 30 years in private business.

John Miller, Director, Division of Dairy Industry: Miller has been with the Department since 1990, previously serving as Chief of Dairy Laboratories, certified as a Milk Laboratory Evaluation Officer, and Chief of Dairy Inspection within the Division.

Jerry Bryan, Director, Division of Agriculture Law Enforcement: Bryan joined the Department in 1994 and served in three other capaci-

Lee Cornman, Acting Director, Division of Food Safety: Cornman joined the Department in 2005 and has almost 40 years of experience

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in food safety and operations.

Jim Karels, Director, Division of Forestry: Karels has been the Director for the Division of Forestry since 2008. In this position, he oversees all wildland fire and management.

Ellen Prince, Acting Director, Division of Fruits and Vegetables: Prince joined the Department in 2003 after having worked for the Processed Products Branch of USDA for 35 years.

Connie Crawford, Director, Division of Licensing: Crawford joined the Division of Licensing in 1985 and was appointed Director in 2008.

Nelson Mongiovi, Director, Division of Marketing and Development: Mongiovi joined the Department in 1987 from Gannett Broadcasting. Throughout his career he has garnered three Emmy Awards, a National Gabriel, and more than two dozen Associated Press and United Press International awards.

Dr. Wayne Dixon, Acting Director, Division of Plant Industry: Dixon joined the Department in 1980 and has served as Assistant Director and Bureau Chief of Entomology, Nematology and Plan Pathology for the Division of Plant Industry before his current position.

Izzy Rommes, Director, Division of Standards: Rommes joined the Department in 1993 and has previously served as the Chief of the Bureau of Fair Rides Inspection and Assistant Director of Standards.

February 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 29

2011 In The Field Tractors in Review NEW 5010 Mahindra Tractor Gear/HST Cab Heavy-Duty Compact Tractor 49 engine hp • 41.5 pto hp gear • 38 pto hp gear Economical and easy to operate cab tractor designed for general purpose farming and ag, livestock operations and grounds maintenance. Tractors key uses: Lawn and ground maintenance, Landscaping, Small Farm and Horse Ranch, Construction and Maintenance, Material Handling • • • • • • • •

TRACTORS

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If your looking for a solid built work horse loaded with standard features that out spec the competition and sells at an economy price look no further! The 4010 has a powerful reliable 49 hp 4 cylinder engine, great serviceability access, hood lifts high, panels come off, no tools required. Has a wide entry with left and right hand access, fully flat platform with a comfortable padded rubber floor mat and the shifters are at operators sides, not on the floor.

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NEW Holland Boomer Compact Tractors—4 models to choose from— economy priced tractors ranging from $13,000 to $21,000.

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Efficiency has never been so easy with the NEW “Boomer” series.

If you are looking for a responsive, hard working, comfortable compact tractor then look no further than the NEW Boomer compact tractor from New Holland. They are the ultimate power tool for homeowners, rural lifestylers, landscapers, farmers, golf courses and municipalities.

Operating Ease The word “easy” defines Boomer tractors. Controls come easily to hand, the seat and steering wheel adjust to match every operator, and the large uncluttered operating platform gives you plenty of legroom to stretch out. Controls are color-coded and clearly marked so you are confident of your every move.

The Power You Need Quiet, fuel-efficient four-cylinder engines give you the power you need for loading, mowing, digging, tilling, and so much more.

You get fast implement response and steering thanks to the high –capacity, dual-pump hydraulic system.

Smooth Speed Changes Choose your Boomer model, then choose your transmission - a smooth, synchronized gear transmission or a hydrostatic transmission. A 12X12 synchronized shuttle shift (SSS) transmission on smaller models or a 16X16 SSS transmission on larger models makes it easy to shift between forward and reverse repeatedly.

Because shuttle shifts are synchronized, there’s no need to come to a complete stop before shuttling or changing gears.

The Best Visibility The slopped hood of Boomer tractors not only looks great, it makes your job easier with phenomenal forward visibility. Your view is enhanced with a lighting package that’s the best in the business, illuminating your work area to both front and side to make you more productive and safe when operating in the early or late hours of the day.

Proven Maneuverability and Traction Your Boomer tractor is designed to get you in and out of tight spots and maneuver easily around obstacles. Four-wheel drive gives you the traction you need to get through rough patches.

When the going gets tough, simply step on the differential lock foot pedal and both rear wheels lock together for added traction to get through snow, mud or rough slippery ground.

Ready For Any Job Whether you need to load mulch, mow the lawn, clear a pasture, dig a trench, till the garden, clean stalls or install a fence, Boomer tractors are for you. These tractors make it easy to change implements so you can move quickly from job to job.

The Mahindra 5010 is a heavy built machine. Heavier three point linkage (higher lift cap), standard rear remote valve. The platform is comfortable for the operator with great visibility, tilt steering, push button independent PTO, adjustable suspension seat, 9x3 transmission.

•Category 1 three-point hitch •Two optional rear hydraulic remotes •Independent, electro-hydraulic 540-rpm rear PTO •Available mid PTO to power mid- and front-mount implements •Dozens of matching accessories, implements and attachments to match your needs Simple Service Boomer tractors are a snap to maintain. Checkpoints are easy to reach and the flip-up hood give you complete access to the engine.

Come in today to find out all the features that come with the 5010 model. Alvie at Grove Equipment is excited about these tractors, especially the cab model, so be sure to call Alvie today!

Make sure to visit us today and find out why Boomer tractors give you big-tractor reliability wrapped in a compact, maneuverable package. They’re loaded with features that keep you comfortable with saving you time and money. Dollar for dollar you’ll find that Boomer tractors are the ultimate value.

30 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 33

Not Just Another Beef Cattle Operation Beef Cattle, Deer and Water Buffalo

by Jim Frankowiak When you drive into the FX Bar Ranch near Frostproof on the far south side of Lake Weohyakapka in an area well known as “The Ridge,” you are not surprised to see cattle, but as you get closer the grazing cattle look different. They are smaller than the cattle you typically see at other ranches in Polk County and almost appear delicate with their fine features.

Different they are. They are Zebu cattle and just one of the exotic species that reside at FX Bar Ranch. Zebu cattle are known to be one of the oldest breeds of cattle, possibly dating back as far as 6000 B.C. This breed traces back to southern India, a principal cattle raising area of that country, and cattle known as “Nadudana” or small cattle. A few of these were imported in the 1920’s for zoological gardens in the U.S. In 1991 Nadudana Zebu owners and others interested in the breed met in Macon, Missouri and formed the International Zebu Association, IMZA, a non-profit corporation that collects, records and preserves the pedigrees of miniature Zebu cattle.

IMZA also publishes a breeding registry, stimulates and regulates all matters that pertain to the history, breeding, exhibition, promotion and improvement of the breed. But there’s more to FX Bar Ranch than Zebu cattle.

This story had its beginnings with some significant land

34 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

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acquisitions by W.R. “Riley” Fewox, Sr. in various locations in central Florida. Riley is the father of W.R. Fewox, Jr., who with his wife Joyce and their four daughters, Deleen (Dawes) Danette (DeVane), Dorinda (Hendry) and Darla (Bell) worked hard to make FX Bar Ranch what it is today.

The four Fewox daughters and their families all reside in the immediate area and spend time with their parents at the ranch.

The whole family continues to worship and be actively involved at Emmanuel Baptist Fellowship where they joined when they first moved to Frostproof.

Deleen has overseen the care of the animals on the ranch since 1990. She and Willie have two children and they raise beef cattle and water buffalo on their ranch in Bereah. Danette has been secretary-bookkeeper for the ranch since 1987. She and Kyle, a retired lineman for Progress Energy, raise beef and Zebu cattle. They have two children. Dorinda and Berry own and manage rental properties. Dorinda home schools their two children and she and one of her daughters volunteer at the Choices Pregnancy Care Center in Avon Park. Darla and Matt have three children. She teaches in Lake Wales at Candlelight Christian Academy and Matt is an owner of the Bell and Van Grondelle CPA firm.

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The nine grandchildren, who represent the family’s fourth generation of Floridians, enjoy roaming at FX Bar Ranch, hunting, viewing the diverse animal population and letting their grandparents spoil them “just a little.” They especially love to play around Grammy’s Koi pond and feed the pet deer.

Riley passed away when W.R. was just 15 and a student at Brandon High School. The family at that time was living on a cattle operation they owned in the Dover area. “My mother Gladys and I partnered and continued to operate our Dover ranch until I married Joyce and we moved to Wauchula and began to oversee and work that 1,860 acre parcel my father owned.”

That was a beef cattle ranch that the old Gardinier Phosphate Company (now Cargill) found attractive and made an offer to Fewox that culminated in an April 1976 sale, leading to the acquisition of the land now known as FX Bar Ranch.

“We did not move to our current location until 1978,” said Fewox. “We continued to live in Wauchula while building a home on the new ranch and making moving plans.”

Initially, FX Bar Ranch was 3,805 acres and the operation included beef cattle and citrus. The cattle operation grew to 600 head and 123-acres were devoted to citrus: Navel, Hamlin and Valencia. A Murcott grove was destroyed during the hurricanes

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of 2004.

Fewox saw the need to diversify in 1980 and that’s when the move to exotics began. “There was an opportunity for us to raise and sell exotics and we took advantage of it,” said Fewox. FX Bar Ranch has five different species of deer: Sika, Fallow, Pere David’s, Axis and Red. The ranch also is also a place where three types of Water Buffalo roam.

At one time, the ranch had 200 head of water buffalo, 600 head of beef cattle and nearly 1,000 domestic deer. A few words about the deer since their presence at the ranch offered an additional opportunity for diversification – hunting.

Sika Deer, also known as the Spotted or Japanese Deer, are native to much of East Asia and are medium-sized about 37-inches at the shoulder, weighing up to 150 pounds. They are regarded as a prized and elusive sportsman’s quarry.

Fallow Deer are a bit taller than Sika and weigh approximately the same. A Eurasian deer, Fallow have been introduced in several areas of the United States where they are often hunted on large game ranches.

Pere David’s Deer, originally from China, is a deer species known only in captivity and the greatest number in Florida reside at FX Bar Ranch. “I also believe our ranch is one of the top five

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 35

Photo by Ron Steffler

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locations for Pere David’s in this country,” said Fewox. Pere David’s deer is larger, standing about 45-inches at the shoulder and weighing up to 440 pounds.

The Chital or Axis Deer commonly inhabits the wooded regions of Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Pakistan. It stands about three-feet at the shoulder and weighs approximately 190-pounds at maturity.

Red Deer are one of the largest deer species and inhabits most of Europe and parts of western and central Asia, as well as northwestern Africa. It is the only deer species to inhabit Africa.

Weighing up to 530-pounds at maturity, the Red Deer measures up to four-feet at the shoulder.

Given the varied and exotic species of deer at FX Bar Ranch it is no surprise that hunting became an attraction early on after deer were introduced to the ranch. “We had a lodge and groups often staying overnight on hunting visits,” said Fewox. Two occurrences changed that as the man who oversaw the hunting operation retired and the economy turned. “We do have occasional interest in hunting, but those are single day visits,” he noted.

Earlier in the business many of the deer were sold to regulated facilities in Missouri and Tennessee, as well as other parts of the country as breeding stock. There’s an especially interesting story about water buffalo, which are also sold as breeding stock.

Few know that true 100 percent Mozzarella Cheese is made from the milk of water buffalo. “That is not the case in this country, but it is in Europe and particularly Italy,” said Fewox. That milk is also used to produce cottage cheese, ice cream and yogurt. “We have sold some of our water buffalo to dairies in Vermont and California where they produce pure Mozzarella Cheese, which sells at a significant premium.” Water buffalo meat is known as a

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tender, healthy red meat. USDA has tested the meat and reported it has 41 percent less cholesterol, 92 percent less fat and 56 percent fewer calories than beef.

While many can appreciate the demands of operating a beef cattle ranch, Fewox and his family have always found time to give back and help pave the way for cattlemen and ranchers of tomorrow. “All of our daughters were active participants in FFA, including the annual Polk County Youth Fair,” said Fewox, who had been involved with the Hardee County Farm Bureau before moving to Polk County where he served for many years as a director of the Cattlemen’s Association.

In 1986 he was a founding member of the Frostproof FFA Alumni Association and its president for two decades. “Our family volunteers at alumni functions, including the annual dinner and auction. FFA is an important organization for our youth and we want to support current members through contributions and scholarships. They represent the future of our industry,” said Fewox.

Six years ago, FX Bar Ranch, Inc., the corporation comprised of W.R., his wife and their daughters, decided to sell the eastern half of the ranch. W.R. has had some health problems and as he approaches retirement, it appears that the remaining acreage will eventually be sold. “God has blessed us with more than three decades of a good life here, but times are changing and our daughters and their families have varied interests,” said Fewox. “Agriculture has been a great part of our lives and we will continue to be involved and raise livestock. In Jeremiah, the 29th chapter, it says that the Lord has plans for you. We feel he has special plans for our family and we have been wonderfully blessed by Him.”

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Nutritional Therapy for Better Plant Health!

QuickShot MAX from Helena will put your crops on the road to improved agronomic health.

QuickShot MAX is a high-quality blend of micronutrients, alpha-keto acids, alkanoates and plant elicitors. It is designed to improve short- and long-term crop health. The plant elicitors promote Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR) to help your crops deal better with stresses.

Its 100% water-soluble formulation pours easily and completely. Plus, it has a low pH that will not cause pesticide degradation problems from alkaline hydrolysis.

The end result: QuickShot MAX gives you an easy-to-use, trouble-free product that improves short- and long-term crop health.

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February 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 37

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On Thursday January 20, Polk County FFA members merged to compete for a spot in the state finals. Numerous FFA events require students to win both the subdistrict and district contests before they have a chance to compete at the state contest.

The events held at the district contest were Prepared Public Speaking, Extemporaneous Speaking, Creed Speaking, Tractor Operations and Parliamentary Procedure.

Middle School FFA members also have a chance to compete in the Opening and Closing Ceremonies contest.

The first contest, Prepared Public Speaking, challenged FFA member’s speaking ability. Students are required to write a six to eight minute speech on any agricultural topic of their choice and recite it to a panel of judges. The students are scored on the manuscript composition, as well as their ability to present the speech. The winners will compete in the state championship contest in Orlando this June. First place in the high school contest went to Shelby Oesterreicher from Bartow FFA, followed by Morgan Carlton from Kathleen FFA. Patrick Noriss from Crystal Lake Middle School won the middle school division, followed by Madeline Howerin from Dundee Ridge in second place.

Extemporaneous Speaking challenges a student’s ability to perform under pressure. Students select a random agricultural topic and then have 30 minutes to prepare and present a four to six minute speech to a panel of judges. The students who compete in this event are definitely required to stay on top of current agricultural issues.

Hannah Terrabonne from Frostproof Sr FFA took first place and will move on to the state contest. Skylar Hamilton from Lake Gibson FFA was the runner up in the event.

Hayley Fletcher from Lake Gibson Middle School FFA won the middle school division.

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February 2011

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 39

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District Middle School Parliamentary Procedure Winners

Shelby Oesterreicher District President and Creed Contest Winner, Loral Miller

Shelby Oesterreicher District President and Waylon Walker, District Tractor Winner

40 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

The FFA Creed is a five paragraph statement of beliefs that all FFA members are required to know. The Creed contest requires students in grades 7-9 to recite the Creed and answer questions relating to its meaning. The winner of this event was Loral Miller from Tenoroc FFA, followed by Maegan Meredith from Berkley Accelerated Middle School FFA in second place and Douglas Batson from Frostproof Sr FFA in third place.

Tractor Operations involves a lot more than just driving a tractor. Students in this event are required to taken a written exam on tractor maintenance, safety and operating procedures. The students are required to navigate a tractor and trailer through a course within a specified time frame. This contest definitely requires knowledge and skill. Waylon Walker from the Haines City FFA chapter won the event and Josh Nettles from Lake Region finished in second.

Parliamentary Procedure requires a team of six students to work together to debate a topic using correct parliamentary procedure. Students are also asked to complete a written exam and answer oral questions on their given motions. Not only does this event require teamwork, it requires lots of studying and practice. This year Kathleen FFA came out on top as District winners. Team members were Morgan Carlton, Nathaniel Lawson, Bonnie Tyer, Charity Bowe, Tyler Wilford and Patience Costine.

Bartow FFA finished in second place. In the middle school division Bartow Middle FFA placed first. Team members were Rachel Locke, Katy Locke, Kristan Langdale, Hunter Westmoreland, Emily Grant and Devin Dye. Kathleen Middle School FFA finished in second place.

All FFA members, conferences and conventions are opened by officers reciting the FFA Opening and Closing Ceremonies. This requires the officer to explain the meaning of their office’s symbol and their duties as a FFA officer. This year the Dundee Ridge Middle School won the district contest and will be competing at the state event in June. Team members are Cheyenne Payne, Madeline Howerin, Katrina Perkins, Spencer Maldonado, Caleb Hallinan, Kaleb Williams and Morgan Goodwill.

Congratulations to all the winners. Good luck as you compete in the state contest this June.

February 2011

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 41

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Attracting beneficial insects to our gardens or crops can be a very rewarding experience, not only for crop yield and garden health, but also for the value of really learning about and understanding the insect. This month, fertile queen bumble bees will begin emerging from their overwintering and begin looking for a suitable nesting site. Avoid disturbing the selection process, if disturbed before she is settled in, she will find a safer place to nest. Queens that are seen carrying pollen on their legs have already found a site nearby. You can try following them to make sure they will have flowers through the season in their nesting area.

There are many designs scattered throughout the internet, some are large projects more suitable for a farm setting such as a “Bee Wall”, while others are small projects perfect for attracting a small colony to your home garden. The project I have illustrated this month is small and simple enough for children to create with parental supervision and is similar to a common site in the wild, (a log with a rodent cavity underneath it).

Materials: • •

•

• •

Trowel Nesting Material (upholsterers cotton, animal hair, soft string, scraps of dry moss) Entrance marker (rock, ornament, standing twig) Chicken wire or small twigs Nest Cover (Log, untreated panel of wood, slab)

42 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

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• •

Things to keep in mind when selecting the site: • Nest must remain dark, dry, and well ventilated • Leave patches of rough grass surrounding the nest site, and markers near the entrance (for navigation) Entrance holes face east or southeast, (for warmth of the morning sun.)

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3. Make the entrance hole obvious by placing an entrance marker near it, bees need this for navigation.

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Cover the nest cavity with a log, thick piece of untreated wood, or slab.

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Studies show Thiram’s unique composition provides strawberries with more nutrients, which ultimately leads to higher yields.

Thiram Granuflo®, a product from Chemtura AgroSolutions, is an affordable, consistent fungicide that protects berries from diseases like Botrytis. With multisites of action, Thiram has low resistance risk and is safe for the plant as well as the pollinators.

“The main advantage of using Thiram is that it does the same job for control of Botrytis as some of the more expensive systemic fungicides,” said Dr. Natalia Peres, assistant professor of plant pathology at the University of Florida. “It’s also an effective resistance management tool because it works on different sites of the disease organism.”

“Thiram Granuflo gives growers a broad-spectrum fungicide that often is used in

place of seed protectants as an inexpensive, broad-spectrum alternative,” noted Glenn Brown, salesman for Crop Production Services in central Florida.

But disease control is only part of Thiram Granuflo’s success story. Studies show the fungicide also provides your berries more nutrients, which ultimately leads to higher yields.

“Our studies have shown that because Thiram has sulfur in its composition, it is also an effective nutrient boost that delivers increased yields in areas where soils are deficient of this nutrient,” said Dr. Peres.

Thiram Granuflo is a contact fungicide with preventative activity, so it should be applied at bloom before Botrytis becomes established. For the best results, use multiple applications of Thiram during the season, from very early bloom through fruiting.

Another product of Chemtura AgroSolutions that delivers successful disease protection is Procure® 480SC. Procure is a unique, locally systemic fungicide proven to have superior powdery mildew activity—providing an excellent rotational or tank-mix partner.

“We’ve also seen positive results with Procure. It’s one of the best products for powdery mildew control,” said Dr. Peres.

“The best way to control powdery mildew would be to use Procure in a rotational program.

In fact, one benefit of using Thiram and Procure would be an effective combination of disease control and increased yields.”

Chemtura AgroSolutions offers a full line of products to keep your berry crop at its best throughout the growing season. For more information about Thiram Granuflo, Procure, Acramite®, Firestorm® and Rimon®, contact me at jay.hallaron@chemtura.com or talk to your local dealer.

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Always read and follow label directions. ©2010 Chemtura Corporation. All rights reserved. Chemtura AgroSolutions, the logo and all brands are the property of Chemtura Corporation. Granuflo is a registered trademark of Taminco, S.A. Rimon is a registered trademark of Makhteshim Chemical Works Ltd. CASMPS12105362

February 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 43

1105362_CASMPS12105362_ITF_3-56x9-75_4C_r2.indd 1

12/8/10 11:09 AM

All Of Ser ving orida Fl Central

Florida Citrus Hall of Fame Announces 2011 Inductees The Selection Committee for The Florida Citrus Hall of Fame has announced four distinguished leaders will be inducted into the Hall during a Citrus Celebration Luncheon on Friday, March 4, 2011.

R. William “Bill” Becker, Edgar S. Beeland (deceased), Dr. Robert C. “Bob” Bullock and Frank W. Savage (deceased) will be honored during the luncheon scheduled to take place at 11:30 a.m. in the Hollis Wellness Center at Florida Southern College in Lakeland.

Becker is the President/Owner of Peace River Citrus Products, Inc. and was a member of the Florida Citrus Commission under both parties: Democratic Governor Bob Graham, 19851988 and Republican Governor Bob Martinez, 1988-1991. He served as Chairman of the FCC for five terms, 1986-1991, during the worst set of freezes the industry had ever experienced. He is a Past President of both the Florida Citrus Processors’ Association and the National Juice Products Association, and is a past member of the Florida Citrus Production Managers Association. He was a tenacious advocate for both the grower and the processor, always fighting to do what was best for the industry as a whole. He contributed generously to the industry, giving his own time, resources and contacts as well as encouraging and allowing his employees to get involved in industry organizations.

Brantley Schirard noted, “Many have attained financial success in the industry, but Bill has given of his success to help others. He is more than deserving of the honor.”

Beeland’s service to the Florida citrus industry spanned over 70 years, serving on numerous boards throughout a distinguished career that helped advance the industry forward as both a packer, processor and grower. He started his career in 1928 with Kissimmee Citrus Growers Association (CGA) before moving to Clearwater Growers Association as General Manager, where he remained for 28 years – with the exception of three years in the Air Force during World War II. He went on to become the Executive Vice President and General Manager of Winter Haven CGA, a position he held for 22 years. During his career, he served on the boards of Citrus World, Seald-Sweet, Highlands-Exchange Service Cooperative (HESCO), Florida Citrus Packers, and was a founding member of Citrus Self-Insurers Fund, which he also chaired for 20 years. He was president of the Florida Citrus Packers and was awarded the coveted John T. Lesley Award of Excellence in 1991 for his leadership and many contributions to the industry.

Bullock, a research entomologist at the IFAS research center in Ft. Pierce for over 35 years, was known as the “growers’ teacher” for his hands-on knowledge of citrus production and development of integrated pest management practices. He pioneered aerial spraying with fixed-winged aircraft for a number of pesticides, as well as the application techniques for Temik

44 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2011

and Admire – while at the same time teaching the industry how to balance the use of those chemicals with natural resources to help protect the environment. Inducted as an Honorary Member of the Florida State Horticultural Society in 2008, Dr. Bullock was always available to help the grower with pest management concerns. “He was always just a phone call away,” noted Buddy Johnson.

Savage is known as Florida’s first grower cooperator. In 1892, he began working with two USDA scientists, Hall of Fame member Walter T. Swingle and Hubert John Webber to establish the first citrus research facility in the world. Savage constructed laboratories in two rooms at his home and participated in all of the field work and citrus research with the scientists, developing citrus varieties that are still in use today, such as the Orlando and Minneola tangelo, and the Swingle rootstock. When the 1894-95 freeze destroyed the citrus industry, the scientists were called back to Washington and Savage voluntarily continued their work through regular correspondence with the scientists. Because of his commitment to continuing the research programs established

by Swingle and Webber, those two laboratory rooms eventually became a plant evaluation facility, the A.H. Whitmore Foundation Farm, where extensive breeding work is still done today to develop new and improved varieties and rootstocks of citrus.

The Florida Citrus Hall of Fame honors distinguished leaders who have made significant contributions to the Florida citrus industry. The Citrus Hall of Fame display and Archive Center is located within the McKay Archive Building at Florida Southern College in Lakeland. For more information on members of the Citrus Hall of Fame, visit the web site at www.FloridaCitrusHallofFame.com, which includes access to biographies and photos on all members, noting their accomplishments and including various industry links.

Tickets to the luncheon, which is sponsored by Florida Citrus Mutual and The Florida Department of Citrus, are $50 for general admission, $100 for reserved Patron Seating or $1,000 for a Sponsor Table, which includes preferred seating for eight, table signage and a listing in the program. The event will be followed by an OJ “Meet & Greet” with the inductees as they unveil their names on the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame Tree, located in the McKay Archives Center. A Hall of Fame Citrus Memorabilia Display will be featured, along with Oral History Presentations of Hall of Fame members, a Citrus Label Show & Sale and tours of the Citrus Archives. Shuttles will provide transportation between the Hollis Wellness Center and the McKay Archives Center, where the main parking lot is located.

To purchase tickets, please call (863) 682-1111. For more information, please contact Brenda Eubanks Burnette at (561) 351-4314 or John Jackson at (352) 267-3227.

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 45

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by Hank Daniels A BRIX measurement is a measurement of the nutritional value of the sugars, proteins and minerals in a given fruit, plant, crop or forage grass. The BRIX test was introduced in the 19th century by Karl Balling and Adolf Brix. The modern day application of the BRIX test is a science perfected by Dr. Kerry Roberts and the test can be performed by a hand held refractometer.

Fruits, plants, crops and forage grasses with a higher BRIX level will taste better, have a more pleasing aroma and will be healthier than foods with lower BRIX levels. Livestock and wildlife will instinctively seek out forage food with a higher BRIX level. Taste tests by consumers have shown that fruits and vegetables with a higher BRIX level simply taste better.

Dr. Allen Williams, who has been on the Board of Directors for the Association of Family Farmers since 2004 and is currently serving as chairman of the board of that association, recently conducted a yearlong survey test with the TallGrass Beef Company, a Kansas based beef company that markets grass fed and grass finished beef to restaurants and high end supermarkets. Dr. Williams found that with the

application of Bio Soil’s Sumagrow, the BRIX level of the forage grass rose from an average of “4” to an average of “14”, a significant increase.

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February 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 47

Polk County Junior Cattlemen’s Association Advisor: Marie Fussell

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by Ginny Mink Mothers have their work cut out for them, good ones are a rare breed, Marie Fussell is a prime example of that breed. “A long time ago the Polk County Junior Cattlemen’s Association faded away,” she said. Then, five or six years ago it started up again. Marie’s two children joined and really liked the advisor, but he was offered a job elsewhere and Marie feared the group would venture back into a state of oblivion.

Marie didn’t want to see that happen and even though she is an extremely busy ag teacher, she chose to take on the advisor role for the sake of her children. Thankfully, she has had the assistance of Rhonda Waters, whose three girls have all been members, two have since graduated and one is a senior. “I couldn’t do it without her,” Marie stated.

The current Polk County Junior Cattlemen’s Association has between 25 and 30 members who pay their $13 dues for both state and county membership. However, only 10-15 of them show up for meetings and other activities. This is due to the fact that Polk County is so large. According to Marie this is both a blessing and “a detriment.” The large county size prevents some members from attending the Bartow meetings because they reside in Frostproof or Haines City. While the large size is also good because, “there’s diversity. When you get them all together it’s like family reunion time.”

The group only meets four or five times a year, but Marie adds that because she’s a teacher, “Our group is a little more on the educational side.” Her educational focus has aided them in preparation for the state Junior Cattlemen’s Quiz Bowls held at the summer Cattlemen’s Convention on Marco Island.

Marie’s members, “always make it to the semi-finals.” This is impressive for several reasons. First, there is the fact that 16 four-man teams compete and then there is the line of questioning the kids must endure. She explains, “there’s no theme or topic other than beef cattle,” and the judges can ask anything on the subject ranging from, “disease, reproduction and nutrition to marketing, management and overall herd health.”

The kids who compete vary in age from 11 to 18. However, the Junior Cattlemen’s Association members can be anywhere

Left to Right: Jenna Waters, Harley Zoeckler, Tanner Ross, Shelby Freeman, Taylor Ross

48 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2011

Spring Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Tour: Members at Jimmie Allen’s Ranch

from 8 to 21. Sometimes younger kids want to compete, or kids whose parents don’t attend the Convention desire to be involved, so the Polk County Junior Cattlemen’s Association sets up its own Quiz Bowl at their Spring meeting just to make sure everyone gets a chance to contribute.

In addition to the Quiz Bowl at the Cattlemen’s Convention, Marie’s members participate in the Team Marketing competition where they, “come up with something to sell and market to a panel of judges.” Last year they decided to market F1 heifers (just for clarification, an F1 heifer is the first calf born to two different breeds of pure bred parents). Her group placed second.

While being actively involved in the state sponsored activities, the Polk County Junior Cattlemen’s Association sets up some of its own as well. Last spring break they were able to tour both the Putnam’s and the Lightsey’s cattle ranches. Ranch tours are always on their spring agenda.

Due to the fact that the younger members can’t participate in the Quiz Bowl, the Cattlemen’s Convention has a photo contest just for them. However, there are times the older kids want to participate so Marie and her group host a “County photo contest.” Submissions are judged by a volunteer panel and are displayed on easels at the fall Polk County Cattlemen’s Dinner.

There are other things the Junior Cattlemen are involved in as well. Their January meeting allows them to pick new officers and design their shirts. Then, in February the Cattlemen’s Association hosts a Ranch Rodeo with a trade show attached.

Marie’s group has a booth and helps out at the Ranch Rodeo.

Sometime in the fall the state Junior Cattlemen’s Association has a ranch tour and a field day, this is also when officers for the sate are elected.

Marie has dedicated 19 years of her life to education and five years to the Polk County Junior Cattlemen’s Association.

As if that weren’t enough for anyone to handle, she also has a commercial cattle ranch to run. Her eldest boy has, “a pure bred Angus herd that he’s raised from the stuff he’s shown.” While her youngest boy likes the look of the Brahmans better. Then there’s the three acres of blueberries, “which is a job in itself if you do it right,” Marie points out. This educating, cattle-ranching, blueberry-growing, Junior Cattlemen-advising mom, is worthy of applause.

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 49

A Closer Look: Common Eastern Bumble Bee (Bombus impatiens)

A Closer Look:

Common Eastern Bumble Bee (Bombus impatiens)

By Sean Green

Photo By April McDonald The role of the bumble bee as a pollinator is common knowledge and rarely disputed. In fact, commercial bumble bees are increasingly becoming a necessity for greenhouse crops due to rapidly changing farming practices. Enlightened farmers recognize the bumble bee as the most efficient pollinator in the bee family and one of our natives, the common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens) has become both the hero and the enemy.

Our native species B. impatiens is shipped to European rearing facilities where colonies are produced and shipped back to the United States for commercial pollination of greenhouse operations. There has been a steady decline in the native population of several North American species of bumble bee since the early to mid 1990’s when this practice began and scientists are suspecting the reliance of imports in the agriculture community are a significant factor in the declining population of our native species. Experts hypothesized that the colonies created from our native population acquired diseases from European species such as the buff tailed bumble bee (Bombus terrestris). Any exotic species, not just Bombus terrestris poses a significant threat to native populations of insects as well as crops. We are exporting our native species to another country, only to have it imported back into the United States with the potential of returning with an exotic disease. With a closer look at our native species, we can understand its needs, preserve native populations, and eliminate the expense of importing what is naturally abundant at home.

Bumble bees are the most important pollinator in our agriculture industry. According to some sources, the estimated value of pollination from wild insects, such as bees, is three billion dollars per year. Of the insects that provide pollination services, the bumble bee is the most effective because of its biological characteristics. The hairs that grow on a bumble bee are structured like a feather rather than a single shaft of hair, this structure enables the bumble bee to hold more pollen that a honey bee. In addition, bumble bees can regulate their body temperature and pollinate in the wintertime when other pollinators are incapable of flight. Honey bees stop flying at 50°, bumble bees can fly in temperatures as low as 41°. Bumble bees have the ability to shiver to regulate body temperature.

Rain and wind that would force wasps and honey bees to their nests do not deter the bumble bee. Crops such as eggplant,

50 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2011

blueberries, and tomatoes are difficult to pollinate without the bumblebee. The bumble bee is one of the few species capable of pollinating such crops because of its Sonication ability, also known as buzz pollination. Sonication is the process of using sound energy to stir or disrupt particles.

Modern technology uses sonication for ultrasonic cleaning, and breaking apart DNA molecules. The bumble bee loosens the pollen with sonication by grabbing the flower with its legs and increasing the rate of its wingbeat.

The common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens) is the local hero for agriculture in Central Florida. The queen creates wax pots for honey and lays her eggs on a ball of pollen then covers it with wax. Positioning the pollen ball near the honey pot, she can feed while brooding.

Like birds, she warms her eggs by laying on them and shivering, generating enough heat to keep the eggs temperature at 86 °.

To maintain her energy she must forage from thousands of flowers per day, each trip causes the eggs to cool, endangering them.

To survive, this species needs a habitat that can offer continuous bloom from April to November. It is critical that flowers are abundant and close enough for short trips from her eggs. At the end of the summer, the only bees that survive are the queens that have mated and find somewhere safe to overwinter.

The seasonal process for this species will begin this month with the surviving mated queens emerging from their overwintering site to collect pollen and nectar and begin nesting. Monoculture farming practices have become a greater threat than the exotic diseases introduced into the United States. Such farming practices have reduced the floral diversity that our most important pollinators need to thrive.

Bordering your crops with native flowering plants will keep bumble bees working your fields all season. The queen will look for a soft, protected site to build a nest, preferably in abandoned rodent burrows, but will also nest in hollow trees, compost piles, or any concealed dry cavity near the ground, boxes can be constructed to suffice. The most important feature is a continuous food source. If there are flowering plants year-long within a short flight to her young, the opportunistic bumble bee will become a yearly companion.

www.InTheFieldMagazine.com

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 53

Helping Hands

by Kathy Snyder, CREC For the second year, the community at The University of Florida/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center opened its heart to help those less fortunate.

With the economy still appearing to be in decline, unemployment still being what it is, and the 99-weekers no longer receiving benefits, the need for help with food and other essentials is greater than ever. The times we live in have increased the number of families and individuals requiring food stamps, cash assistance, utility bill assistance, free limited cell phones for emergencies, and in some cases even housing. Many of these recipients are people that had never worried about paying for these items before. Overall I think many would be surprised to know the scope of people receiving the assistance offered today compared to, let’s say, five years ago.

During 2010, three churches in the City of Lake Alfred combined their efforts, and their food banks, to reach a greater population, sharing in the over abundance of one kind of food or another, enabling a more even selection and distribution for those in need. In 2009, the CREC community was able to collect 500 items for those in need and during the 2010 holiday season, our efforts at the Center lead to the donation of 765 items.

Thank you all for your generosity. A special thank you goes to a retired CREC staff member, Terry Daughita, for helping us by picking up the donations and delivering them to the food bank.

54 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2011

IN BUSINESS NOW FOR OVER 15 YEARS

In a conversation I had with one food bank volunteer, Diamond Basnaw, I expressed concern with some of the candy donations we had received. “Oh no, those are cool!” expressed Diamond. “We take all the candy received and combine them so when we fill bags for the families, we toss in a few pieces of the candy as a surprise treat.” It made me wonder how a child would feel getting that lollipop or peppermint.

As I previously mentioned, these times have brought different needs, not only has there been an increased need for food but the need for personal hygiene items, soap, shampoo, shaving supplies, diapers, baby foods, paper products, etc. These are items that are not covered by food stamps and many people forget this. Often the food stamps received don’t cover the food necessary for families of five or more. Diligence in scoping out the best deals at the grocery stores to make those dollars stretch, as well as the use of coupons, does help and yes these can be used with the food stamps at the register.

Although many apply for cash assistance in addition to food stamp assistance, few qualify. Additionally, there are situations in which families may not qualify for “food stamp assistance” yet still need the help. Persons owning stocks, regardless of the value (and yes, even the ones grandma left you), would have to sell them off and report the income before qualifying for food stamps. Any extra funds brought into the home, regardless if it was a gift to help out with utility payments, affects the benefits received for the following 30-day interval.

Keeping these thoughts in mind, and also realizing that these needs are year round and not just during the holiday season, administration has agreed in allowing the community at CREC to continue their efforts by having short quarterly food/supply drives of no more than two weeks at a time. Many of the people that work at CREC, from faculty and staff, live in this local community. When CREC began it was a combined effort of growers and researchers coming together for a common goal. With this enthusiasm and spirit, the CREC community is coming together to reach out that extra helping hand.

Understand, the need is great all the time, so when you’re out shopping and see those “buy one get one” deals, think of sharing that free “get one” with someone less fortunate. Or, if you have coupons that you aren’t using, bring them in to help another family.

I want to close in saying that I am proud to be a part of the CREC family and community. There are so many that are silent in their generosity and share without effort or thought, not looking for that praise or thank you. I want to thank everyone for their assistance and efforts in helping our community, and in your humble silence, I give you a standing ovation. Thank you all!

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February 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 55

2011 Polk County Youth Fair Parade of Champions Name (alpha)

Club/Chapter

Contest/Division/Show

Award

Emily Arrington

Thunderhooves 4-H

Sr. Horse Show Quiz

First Place

Michaela Aycock

Top Notch 4-H

Market Steer Show Market Steer Show Class 8 Purebred Beef Brangus Female Purebred Beef Brahman Breed Beef Breeding Sr. Showmanship

Grand Champion Steer First Place Grand and Reserve Champion Grand Champion 1st Place

T.J. Babb

Lake Gibson Middle FFA

Market Steer Show Class 7 Market Steer Jr. Showmanship Contest

First Place First Place

Brittany Ball

Top Notch 4-H

Market Hog Show Grand Champion Market Hog Show Class Winner-Class 15

Grand Champion First Place

Hannah Bell

Dundee Ridge FFA

Rabbit Show 3rd Runner Up Rabbit Show

3rd Runner Up Overall Best of Breed Mini Lop

Keith Bennett

Home Grown 4-H

Commercial Heifer Show-Brahman Influence Poultry Show Showmanship Jr. Division

Reserve Champion Yearling Division First Place

Zach Bennett

Home Grown 4-H

Commercial Heifer Show-Brahman Influence

Grand & Reserve Champion Two-Year-Old

Brie Bird

Thunderhooves 4-H

Sr. English Showmanship-Horse Show Sr. Grooming and Conditioning-Horse Show Sr. English Pleasure-Horse Show Sr. English Equitation-Horse Show

First Place First Place First Place First Place

Erin Boccalori

Kathleen Sr. FFA

Market Hog Show Class Winner-Class 9

First Place

Steven Boles

Mulberry Sr. FFA

Poultry Show Poultry and Egg Judging

Champion Male Bantam First Place Team

Amanda Bolin

Bartow Sr. FFA

Horticulture Citrus Dept.

Tri-Color Citrus Plant

Robert Bratton

Lake Gibson Sr. FFA

Horticulture Blueberry Dept.

Horticulture Judging Contest Sr. Team

Tri-Color Blueberry Plant First Place

Christa Brickman

Hog Wild 4-H

Poultry Show Rabbit Show

Champion Male Standard Champion Turkey Best of Breed Chinchilla

Blair Buchanon

Hog Wild 4-H

Commercial Heifer Show Jr. Showmanship Livestock Judging Contest Jr.

First Place First Place

Lauren Butler

Cheval, Etc. 4-H Club

Jr. Western Showmanship-Horse Show

First Place

Lacie Calhoun

Country Ridge 4-H

Market Hog Show Class Winner-Class 17

First Place

Megan Campbell

Kathleen Sr. FFA

Poultry Show Purebred Beef Beefmaster Female Purebred Beef Beefmaster Bull

Best & Reserve Dozen Brown Eggs Grand Champion Grand Champion

Julia Canady

Cheval, Etc. 4-H Club

Jr. Horse Show Quiz

First Place

Morgan Carlton

Kathleen Sr. FFA

Market Hog Show Class Winner-Class 5 Market Hog Senior Showmanship Contest

First Place First Place

Shelby Carlton

Hoof-n-Horn 4-H

Horticulture Ornamentals Dept.

Tri-Color Ornamental Plant

Jenna Carr

Hog Wild 4-H

Rabbit Show

Best of Breed Hanana

Quinn Carter

Haines City Sr. FFA

Purebred Beef Brangus Bull Purebred Beef Brahman Breed Male

Grand Champion Grand Champion

Patrice Carter

Bartow Sr. FFA

Horticulture Blueberry Dept.

Reserve Champion Blueberry

Maria Catello

Lake Gibson Sr. FFA

Sr. Western Showmanship-Horse Show Sr. Western Pleasure-Horse Show Sr. Trail-Horse Show

First Place First Place First Place

Horses • Cows • Dogs • Cats • Rabbits • Birds

Orchard Alfalfa

863-644-0011

Kathleen Middle FFA

Commercial Heifer Show European Influence

Grand Champion Yearling Division

Kaitlynn Coatney

McLaughlin Middle FFA

Commercial Heifer Show Brahman Influence Rabbit Show

Grand Champion Three-Year-Old Division Best of Breed New Zealand

Ryan Coile

Polk City 4-H

Horticulture Ornamentals Dept.

Overall Premier Horticulture Exhibitor Award Reserve Champion Ornamental Tri-Color Ornamental-Begonia Tri-Color Ornamental-Nandina

Aaron Cole

Bartow Middle FFA

Poultry and Egg Judging

First Place Team

Lanson Collins

Hoof n Horn 4-H

Purebred Beef Zebu Female Purebred Beef Zebu Bull

Grand Champion Grand Champion

Taylor Connell

Thunderhooves 4-H

Jr. Walk Trot-Horse Show

First Place

February 2011

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56 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

Please contact our store for Weekly Sale Specials!

Moving to Our New Location in January: 4250 Clubhouse Road #2 | Lakeland, FL 33812 | one mile north, east side US 98

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February 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 57

Club/Chapter

Contest/Division/Show

Award

Christy Connelly

Tenoroc Sr. FFA

Market Hog Show Class Winner-Class Three

First Place

Alexis Conner

Bartow Middle FFA

Market Hog Show Class Winner-Class 8

First Place

Haley Conner

Mulberry Sr. FFA

Rabbit Judging Contest Sr. Individual

Overall High Sr. Individual

Amber Cooper

Ft. Meade FFA

Jr. Speed Showmanship-Horse Show Jr. Flags-Horse Show

First Place First Place

Livestock Judging Individual

Overall High Individual

Brittany Crawn

THE

Name (alpha)

Frank Favuzza Jr.

Kasey Currier

Bartow Sr. FFA

Commercial Heifer Show European Influence Market Steer Show Class 9

Grand Champion Three-Year-Old Division First Place

Erica Curtis

Polk County Sea Stars 4-H

Rabbit Judging Contest- 4-H Sr. Individual

First Place

Baley Davis

Hog Wild 4-H

Purebred Beef Reserve Champion Angus Bull

Sabrina Davis

Country Ridge 4-H

Horticulture Vegetables Department

Tri-Color Vegetables-Cabbage

Sumer Davis

Country Ridge 4-H

Rabbit Show

Best of Breed Satin

Madison DeNardo

Dream Catchers 4-H

Rabbit Show

Best of Breed Lionhead

Devin Die

Bartow Middle FFA

Horticulture Judging Contest Jr. Team

First Place

Joshua Duff

Haines City Sr. FFA

Horticulture Ornamentals Dept.

Tri-Color Ornamental-Dish Garden

Taeler Dupre

Kathleen Middle FFA

Commercial Heifer Show European Influence

Reserve Champion Yearling Division

Keith Edwards III

McLaughlin Middle FFA

Market Hog Show Class Winner-Class 16

First Place

Kristen Ferro

Hog Wild 4-H

Horticulture Ornamentals Dept.

Tri-Color Ornamental-Stromanthe

Kathryn Floyd

Frostproof FFAf

Grand Champion Limousin Female

Shelby Freeman

Lake Gibson Sr. FFA

Market Steer Show Market Steer Show Sr. Showmanship Grand Champion Maine Anjou Female Grand Champion Continental Breed Female

Reserve Grand Champion Steer First Place

George Jenkins Sr. FFA

Sr. Barrels-Horse Show

First Place

Gabrielle Fussell

Bok Academy FFA

Market Hog Show Class Winner-Class 10

First Place

Reed Fussell

Fort Frasier 4-H

Horticulture Ornamentals Dept.

Purebred Beef Brahman Bull Purebred Beef Reserve Champion Angus Female

Tri-Color Ornamental-Grape Ivy Reserve Grand Champion

Wes Fussell

Bartow Sr. FFA

Purebred Beef Grand Champion Angus Female Purebred beef Grand Champion English Breed Female

Jordan Futch

Hog Wild 4-H

Sr. Western Horsemanship

First Place

Jessica Ganey

Mulberry Sr. FFA

Poultry and Egg Judging

High Overall Individual First Place Team

Ricky Garcia

Lake Gibson Sr. FFA

Market Steer Show Class 4

First Place

Oliva Glenn

Thunderhooves 4-H

Jr. Western Pleasure-Horse Show Jr. Western Showmanship-Horse Show

First Place First Place

Makayla Goble

Lake Gibson Sr. FFA

Individual Herdsman Award

Award Winner

Emily Grant

Bartow Middle FFA

Horticulture Judging Contest Jr. Team

First Place

James Griffin

Auburndale Sr. FFA

Rabbit Show

Best of Breed Rex

Wyatt Griner

Frostproof Middle FFA

Livestock Judging Team Middle School

First Place

Leah Hagen

Polk County Sea Stars 4-H

Horticulture Judging Sr. Individual Contest

First Place

Skylar Hamilton

Lake Gibson Sr. FFA

Horticulture Blueberry Dept.

Grand Champion Blueberry

Megan Handley

Dream Catchers 4-H

Poultry Show Showmanship Intermediate Division

First Place

Amanda Harrell

Lake Wales Sr. FFA

Market Hog Show Class Winner-Class 18

First Place

Renee Hart

Dundee Clovers 4-H

Poultry Show

Overall Poultry Grand Champion & Champion Female Bantam

Sebastian Hathcock

Lake Gibson Sr. FFA

Horticulture Blueberry Dept.

Tri-Color Blueberry Plant

Katie Harwell

Hoof n’ Horn 4-H

Jr. Grooming & Conditioning-Horse Show

First Place

Leigha Heverly

Bartow Sr. FFA

Sr. Hollow Log-Horse Show Sr. Poles-Horse Show Horticulture Ornamentals Dept.

F irst Place First Place Tri-Color Ornamental-Croton

Ralinzie Hunter

Bartow Middle FFA

Poultry Show

Champion Commercial Hen

February 2011

Owner Operator

Free Inspections • Free Estimates (863) 968-0292 (863) 298-0666 (863) 422-0881 (863) 802-0550 (813) 752-7775

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58 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

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FEBRUARY 2011

863.421.4793

Cattle • Truck Farming • Citrus • Game Hunting

1401 Sam Keen Road Lake, Wales, FL 33853 863.692.1013 We Support Agriculture.

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611 US Hwy 27 South Sebring, FL 33870 direct 863 451 4035 fax 863 382 2212 toll free 800 962 2548 james.d.webb@mssb.com www.InTheFieldMagazine.com

VARIETY OF BRANDS FARM & CONSTRUCTION

RUNNING OR NOT!

February 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 59

Name (alpha)

Club/Chapter

Contest/Division/Show

Award

Sierra Hylton

Lake Wales Sr. FFA

Purebred Beef Zebu Female

Reserve Champion

Austin Jackson

Kathleen Sr. FFA

Market Hog Show Class Winner-Class One

First Place

Cody Jarvis

George Jenkins Sr. FFA

Market Hog Show Class Winner-Class Two

First Place

Zackary Jenkins

Frostproof FFA

Market Hog Show Class Winner-Class 13

First Place

Destiny King

Frostproof Sr. FFA

Livestock Judging Contest Sr. Team Purebred Beef Reserve Champion Hereford Bull

First Place

Kaitlyn King

Imperial 4-H

Market Hog Show Reserve Champion Market Hog Show Class Winner-Class 14

Reserve Champion First Place

Mattie King

Frostproof Middle FFA

Livestock Judging Middle School Team Purebred Beef Show Brahman Bull

First Place Grand Champion

Kandace Ladd

Road Ends 4-H

Market Steer Show Class 6

First Place

Nathaniel Lawson

Kathleen Sr. FFA

Market Steer Show Class 5

First Place

Kyle Lay

Dream Catchers 4-H

Sr. Walk Trot-Horse Show Commercial Heifer Show European Influence

First Place Reserve Champion Two Year Old Division

Michaela Lindley

Lake Wales Sr. FFA

Sr. Costume-Horse Show Rabbit Show

First Place Best of Breed French Angora

Kendall Locke

Hog Wild 4-H

Resrve Champion Main Anjou Female Reserve Champion Continental Breed Female Beef Breeding Junior Showmanship Contest Beef Breeding Jr. Showmanship First Place

Rachel Locke

Bartow Middle FFA

Poultry and Egg Judging Rabbit Show 1st Runner UP Rabbit Show

Kenny Mantague

Lake Gibson Sr. FFA

Grand Champion Main Anjou Bull Reserve Champion Continental breed male

First Place Team First Runner UP Best of Breed Netherland Dwarf

Eddie Maute

Road Ends 4-H

Grand Champion Simmental Female

Nicholes Maute

Road Ends 4-H

Road Ends 4-H Reserve Champion Simmental Female Grand Champion Semmental Bull Grand Champion Continental Breed Male

Dakota McCullers

Frostproof FFA

Livestock Judging Sr. Team

First Place

Moriah McCullers

Frostproof FFA

Market Hog Show Class Winner-Class 11 Market Hog Intermediate Showmanship Contest Livestock Judging Contest Middle School Purebred Beef Show Brahman Female Purebred beef Brahman breed female Purebred Beef Reserve Champion Hereford Female Beef Breeding Inter. Showmanship 1st place

First Place First Place First Place First Place Team Grand Champion Reserve Champion

Leanna McDuffie

Hoof N Horn 4-Hf

Rabbit Show

Best of Breed Angora

Johnathon McGuire

Bartow Middle FFA

Horticulture Citrus Dept.

Reserve Champion Citrus

Todd McGuire

Bartow Middle FFA

Horticulture Citrus Dept.

Grand Champion Citrus

Shelby McLauchlin

Dream Catchers 4-H

Reserve Champion Limousin Female

Coy McLaughlin

Dream Catchers 4-H

Group Herdsman Award

Award Winner

Winston McLaughlin

Dream Catchers 4-H

Group Herdsman Award

Award Winner

Troy Mosher

Thunderhooves 4-H

Sr. Flags-Horse Show

First Place

Josh Muller

Lake Gibson Sr. FFA

Horticulture Judging Contest Sr. Team

First Place

Lyndsey Myers

Lake Gibson Sr. FFA

Horticulture Judging Contest Sr. Team

First Place

Cole Newman

Frostproof Middle FFA

Livestock Judging Team Middle School

First Place Team

Kaylee Norris

Frostproof FFA

Livestock Judging Contest Sr. Grand Champion Hereford Female Reserve Champion English Breed Female

First Place Team and High Individual

Katherine Patrick

Thunderhooves 4-H

Jr. English Showmanship-Horse Show Jr. English Pleasure-Horse Show Jr. English Equitation-Horse Show Horse Show Overall Highpoint Winner

First Place First Place First Place Horse Show High Point

Jenna Payne

Lakeland Sr. FFA

Rabbit Show

Best of Breed Silver Martin

James Peach

Mulberry Sr. FFA

Poultry and Egg Judging

First Place Team

Nathan Pearson

Auburndale Sr. FFA

Poultry Show

Champion Female Standard

Victoria Peavey

Dundee Clovers 4-H

Rabbit Show

2nd Runner Up Best of Breed Himalayan

60 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2011

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5530 Old Hwy. 37, Lakeland, FL 33811 “Family Owned & Operated for 30 Years, and The Customer is Still Number ONE1”

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Closed Sunday

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February 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 61

C L A S S I F I E D S

Name (alpha)

Club/Chapter

Contest/Division/Show

Award

Tori Perkins

Haines City Sr. FFA

Poultry Show Sr. Showmanship

First Place

Shelby Peterson

Dundee Ridge Middle FFA

Jr. Horse Therapy-Horse Show

First Place

Lilly Pfeiffer

Bartow Sr. FFAs

Rabbit Best of Show

Best of Show

Shelby Phillips

Lake Gibson Sr. FFA

Horticulture Ornamentals Dept.

Grand Champion Ornamental

Danielle Pittard

George Jenkins Sr. FFA

Horticulture Blueberry Dept.

Tri-Color Blueberry Plant

Darby Pittman

Imperial 4-H

Jr. Costume-Horse Show

First Place

Allison Polston

Polk City 4-H

Livestock Judging Sr. Individual

First Place

Trace Porter

Top Notch 4-H

Market Hog Show Class Winner-Class Five

First Place

Berto Rangel

Mulberry Sr. FFA

Poultry and Egg Judging Contest

First Place Team

Hunter Reeves

Ft. Meade Community 4-H

Rabbit Show

Best of Breed Flemish Giant

Kayla Rhoades

Home Grown 4-H

Jr. Barrels-Horse Show

First Place

Maegan Rodden

Polk County Sea Stars

Rabbit Judging Contest Junior

First Place Individual

Alex Rodriguez

Mulberry Sr. FFA

Rabbit Judging Sr. Team

First Place

Tanner Ross

Bartow Sr. FFA

Whip Popping Contest Sr. Division

First Place

Lyssa Rothrock

Bartow Sr. FFA

Horticulture Ornamentals Dept.

Tri-Color Ornamental-Croton

Kirsten Scarborough

Frostproof Sr. FFA

Market Steer Show Class Two

First Place

Robert Scott

Road Ends 4-H

Market Hog Show Class Winner-Class Four

First Place

Cheyenne Sharp

Bartow Sr. FFA

Sr. Speed Showmanship Purebred Beef Grand Champion Hereford Bull Grand Champion English Breed Male

First Place

Brianna Sherrod

Lake Wales Sr. FFA

Purebred Beef Zebu Bull

Reserve Champion

Hannah Sikes

Frostproof FFA

Market Hog Show Class Winner-Class Four Purebred Beef St. Gertudis Bull

First Place Grand Champion

Rabbit Show

Best of Breed Holland Lop Best of Breed American Fuzzy Lop

Harley Skinner

Hog Heaven 4-H

MASSEY FERGUSON 255 Grove Tractor with 6’ mower $7,500 Call Alvie 813-759-8722 KUBOTA L275 With shuttle shift • Ready to work! $3,500.

Call 813-759-8722 DBL INSULATED Thermo Pane. Starting at $55.00 Call Ted 813-752-3378 HUSQVARNA LZ 6127 Zero turn mower. 61” cut, 27 hp Kohler engine, 5 yr. warranty $7,499 (MSRP $9,699) C&J Equip., Lake Wales, 863-638-0671 SURPLUS WINDOWS DOUBLE INSULATED Starting at $55.00 • Call Ted 813-752-3378 MOBILE HOME SIZES

T1LL 4X8 sheet B-grade $14.95. Call Ted 813-752-3378 1984 KUBOTA B6200 2 wd, w/4 ft. Finish Mower. $3,000 • 863-698-2967 STUMP GRINDER Shaver S-25 PTO mount. Less than 3 years old.

Perfect condition, hardly used. Cost new $5,778.

For sale for $2,500.

Lake Wales 863-528-3213

Thunderhooves 4-H

Jr. Hollow Log-Horse Show Jr. Poles-Horse Show

First Place First Place

Skye Smith

Polk Centennial 4-H

Jr. Trail-Horse Show

First Place

Andrew Stevens

FL Crackers 4-H

Horticulture Judging Jr. Contest Individual

First Place

Kelsey Thompson

Mulberry Sr. FFA

Rabbit Judging Sr. Team

First Place

Kevin Togolas

Lake Gibson Sr. FFA

Horticulture Judging Contest Sr. Team

First Place

Nick Trejo

Bartow Middle FFA

Poultry and Egg Judging Horticulture Judging Contest Jr. Team

First Place Team First Place

Austin Vargas

Bartow Sr. FFA

Commercial Heifer Show European Influence Purebred Beef Brangus Bull Purebred Beef Brahman Breed Female Purebred Beef Grand Champion Angus Bull Reserve Champion English Breed Male

Grand Champion Two-Year-Old Division Reserve Champion Reserve Champion

New Holland TN55 Tractor/loader, 2WD, 45 hp, (UUT7084) Call Fred 813-623-3673

Brittany Vaughn

Mulberry Sr. FFA

Rabbit Judging Contest Sr.

First Place Team

Grayson Waldman

FL Crackers 4-H

Whip Popping Contest Jr. Division

First Place

Austin Walker

Frostproof FFA

Market Steer Show Class One Livestock Judging Contest Sr.

First Place First Place

Tristen Walling

Be a Champ 4-H

Market Hog Show Class Winner-Class 12 Rabbit Show

First Place Best of Breed Californian

Trevor Waltz

Imperial 4-H

Rabbit Show

Best of Breed Florida White

Kristin Ward

Mulberry Sr. FFA

Rabbit Judging Contest Sr. Rabbit Show

First Place Team Best of Breed English Lop

Raymond Ward II

Kathleen Sr. FFA

Market Steer Show Class Three

First Place

Brett Wasden

Bartow Sr. FFA

Commercial Heifer Show-Brahman Influence

Grand Champion Yearling Division

Dylan Webb

Top Notch 4-H

Market Hog Junior Showmanship Contest

First Place

Hunter Westmorelan

Bartow Middle FFA

Poultry and Egg Judging Horticulture Judging Contest Jr. Team

High Overall Individual First Place Team First Place

Harley M. Zueckler

Frostproof FFA

Commercial Heifer Show Sr. Showmanship

First Place

February 2011

DECKING BRDS. & T1LL SIDING Call Ted 813-752-3378

WINDOW SCREENS We make window screens all sizes available in different frame colors.

Call Ted 813-752-3378

Erin Smith

62 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

RUBBER MULCH All colors, buy 10 bags, get one FREE! $8.99 a bag. Call Ted 813-752-3378

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$13,000.00

Ford 2000 Gas Tractor Restored, 2WD, 33 hp, PS, 3600 hrs, $4,950.00 (U13360) Call Fred 813-623-3673 Used Post Hole Digger W/6” & 9” augers $500.00 (U13347) Call Fred 813-623-3673 Rear Blade 84” $175.00 (U13350) Call Fred 813-623-3673 Kubota L2600 2wd, 2334 hours, 27hp. $2,750. Call Alvie 813-759-8722 Kubota 1750 4x4 Hydro Stat Trans. 20hp. $3,750. Call Alvie 813-759-8722 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON

Dyna Glide Streetbob with only 368 miles.

Excellent condition, garaged kept, covered.

Extras added and ready to ride! $11,000.

Serious Inquiries Only. Call 813-659-3402 NEW DOORS Closeout special!!!!! $75.00 to $295.00 Call Ted today.

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NORTH GEORGIA MOUNTAINS! Blairsville, Blue Ridge, Young Harris and Hiawassee as well as Murphy and Hayesville, NC, Planning for retirement, or just looking for a great weekend getaway cabin? We can help. Visit us at www.janebaerrealty.com or call 1-800-820-7829 and ask for Jane Baer.

MOUNTAIN TOP #185445 Located in Blairsville Ga. Fantastic mountain views, like new, 2/2 with wood burning fireplace, loft, basement, porch, second home use only from original owners! $299,000 Call and ask For Jane Baer with Jane Baer Realty. 1-800-820-7829.

BEAUTIFUL CABIN #194651 A real tempter in mountain setting on 1.14 acres. A charming air comes with this metalroofed 3BR/3+BA fully furnished cabin in ideal condition with a wonderful view. Marble foyer, large rooms and loft. $385,900. Call and ask For Jane Baer with Jane Baer Realty. 1-800820-7829.

•••FOR SALE••• Fertilized Bahia Hay. 4X5 rolls $25 ea.

800 rolls available. Call for pick up 863-287-3091 or 863-294-1650 NEW HOLLAND TC29 tractor / loader 29 pto hp, 268hrs. $13,000 (UT6406) Ask for David 813-623-3673 1999 Massey ferguson 4270 4x4, cab, 99 pto hp. $22,500. Ask for Alvie 813-759-8722 Mahindra 4530 Tractor Loader 455 hours, 4x4, 42 hp. $14,900. Call Alvie 813759-8722 Contributing writer Write about events in your community. Immediate openings in Hillsborough and Polk Counties. Paid per article. Responsibilities include covering community events and taking pictures.

Email your resume to sarah@inthefieldmagazine.com ACCOUNT manager Sales, account management. Immediate openings in Hillsborough and Polk Counties. Email your resume to info@inthefieldmagazine.com 1974 MASSEY FERGUSON 135 Diesel, Power Steering. $3,750 Call Alvie 813-759-8722

WALLPAPER HANGER Experienced in all types, Insured.

Call Louis Melovich 813-601-4887 JOHN DEERE MOWER Z225 42” Mower Zero Radius Like new condition. $1000.00 dollar discount.

Call Bill 863-318-0117

•••FOR SALE••• High Cal Lime or Dolomite delivered & or spread. No job too large or too small.

Call Tim Ford 863-439-3232 •••FOR SALE••• Chicken Manure. Delivery & spreading available. Call Tim Ford or Danny Thibodeau 863-439-3232 2004 NEW HOLLAND TC40A With loader & forks. 2,346 hrs., 4wd, 4hp, Canopy rops, shuttle shift, 3pt. hitch, PTO, 2 remotes, w/Ag tires. EXCELLENT CONDITION! RUNS GREAT! $13,500. Call Wayne 813-477-8750 for pictures visit www.usedtractors-equipment.com 2006 MASSEY FERGUSON TRACTOR With loader & 4’ mower, MDL GC2300, 615hrs.

4wd, 22hp, hydrolic trans., oRops, 3pt. hitch, PTO, can attaché a belly mower (not included), great tires, great paint, EXCELLENT CONDITION! RUNS GREAT! $7,500 Call Wayne 813477-8750 for pictures visit www.usedtractors-equipment.com ARCADIA-48.6+ACRES SR 72 Frontage and Kings Highway. Pasture, fenced, native trees, oak trees, house circa early 1900’s. Easy drive to Pt. Charlotte or Sarasota. $225,000 call Coldwell Banker Giamiotea Realty at 888-494-4880.

FARM LAND FOR LEASE Farm land for lease in SW Highlands County.

Ample water use permitted for growing strawberries,vFruits and/or vegetables. Packing, cooling & Shipping Facility available in same location. Contact Susie at 863-381-1098 or sbishop@atlanticblue.us for details.

CLAAS ROUND BALER / ROUANT 66 4’X5’ rolls. This baler is in good condition.

All maintenance records available. Kept under roof operator & parts manual included. $8,000 Call 386-658-2013 or 386-209-2213.

MASSEY FERGUSON 245 42hp, recent engine overhaul, with loader. $7,650 Call Alvie 813-759-8722 2 WHEEL STOCK TRAILER 4X7, all metal side, stored in barn. $150.00. Call 813-752-8172 HAY FOR SALE (ROLLS) Horse quality barn stored. Near I-75 & Hwy. 52. San Antonio, Fl. Call 813-431-0939

February 2011

For classified info:

(813) 759-6909

info@inthefieldmagazine.com INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 63

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