In The Field Magazine - Polk County, FL February 2012

February 15-March 15, 2012 ®

164 Years of Cattle Ranching Covering What’s Growing

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February 2012

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Table of Contents

From the Editor

Sarah Holt

February

®

VOL. 6 • ISSUE 6

®

I just got back to my office after attending the Fresh From Florida Agriculture Breakfast at the Florida State Fair. Held at the Ag Hall of Fame Building, the breakfast brings together the agriculture community, along with city, county and state officials, to enjoy Fresh From Florida food.

Many look forward to the Florida State Fair, and the reasons are varied. Some attendees like the Fair because of the food (and I use this term loosely). You can get any type of food “fried” at the Fair. And for some reason, even those who eat somewhat healthy meals the rest of the year will try “fried cookie dough” when it is offered. Other attendees look forward to the rides. They spend hours on the midway riding every spinning, tilting, climbing, whirling ride they can get on.

Yep, goes great with fried Pepsi. I am always careful about standing too close to these rides. You never know what will come flying off.

My favorite part of the Fair? Really? Can’t you guess? It’s the 4-H and FFA shows! You better believe it! That’s our future right there in front of us. They are showing pride in the hard work they have put into preparing their project for competition. And boy are there competitions! What would you like to see? Beef? Dairy?

Horses? Swine? Rabbits, chickens, llamas and goats, oh my! You can see it all at the Fair. Did I mention Jack Russell Terrier races?

There is nothing like the Florida State Fair. If you missed it this year, please make plans to attend in 2013. And if you are one of those who attend for fried food, or rides, take a minute to visit the livestock area and pat an FFA or 4H student on the back for a job well done. It takes hard work and dedication to get ready for these shows, but our students take it all in stride.

Look for results from the Florida State Fair agriculture events in our next issue and on our website at www.inthefieldmagazine.com.

Be blessed,

Sarah

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

Numbers 6:25

Cover Story

Polk County Celebrates 150 Years The History of the Cattle Industry

164 Years of Cattle Ranching Covering What’s Growing

7 8 10 12 14 18 26 34 44 50

Did You Know?

Advertisers Index Grub Station

Puerto Rico/Hispanic Chamber

Fishing Hot Spots Captain Woody Gore

Master Gardener Container Grown

Rocking Chair Chatter Al Berry

2012 Tractor Review JCB, CAT, John Deere

Animal Cruelty FAQs Polk County Sheriff ’s Office

One of Ag’s Greats Jimmy Sweeney

Youth Fair Results 2012 Polk County Youth Fair

Publisher/Owner Karen Berry

Sales Manager Danny Crampton

Editor-In-Chief Al Berry

Sales Al Berry Tina Richmond Danny Crampton

Senior Managing Editor/Associate Publisher Sarah Holt Editor Patsy Berry Office Manager Bob Hughens In The Field® Magazine is published monthly and is available through local Polk County businesses, restaurants and other local venues. It is also distributed by U.S. mail to a target market, which includes members of Polk County Farm Bureau, Florida Citrus Mutual and Polk County Cattlemen’s Association. Letters, comments and questions can be sent to P.O. Box 5377, Plant City, Florida 335630042 or you are welcome to email them to: info@inthefieldmagazine.com or call 813-759-6909.

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February 15-March 15, 2012

Creative Director Amey Celoria Designers Mona Jackson Juan Carlos Alvarez

Photography Karen Berry Al Berry Staff Writers Al Berry Sandy Kaster James Frankowiak Sean Green Mark Cook Ginny Mink Cheryl Lewis Contributing Writer Woody Gore

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.

www.InTheFieldMagazine.com

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Febuary 2012

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 5

Polk County Cattlemen’s Association

As I write this, January is nearly over and it was a productive month. The Taste of Ag fund raiser was a big success, with one of the largest number of attendees since its revival. It was a little nerve racking this year as the large turnout had us making a last minute run to get more steaks as the final attendance numbers came in. After everyone was served there was one steak left. That’s cutting it too close.

Some of the volunteers did double duty, as a work day was also scheduled for construction on the cow camp at Circle B Bar Reserve. Friday was a day of gathering materials, hauling in equipment and laying out the foundation of the cabin by a small group. Saturday brought a larger number of volunteers and much was accomplished on the cabin and pens. Late in the day some of the workers from the cow camp project came to the fundraiser to help with final preparations of the meal.

Sunday, we had a good number of workers present. The pens were nearly completed and the cabin was ready for the metal roofing. This weekend the finish work will be started. As with a regular house this will be time consuming but the project is well ahead of schedule. Thanks to all the workers who have supplied time, materials and equipment for the construction process.

The Polk County Youth Fair has come and gone and support was extended to help with the events and providing awards to participants in the beef cattle contests.

All the contestants have put forth a lot of effort in caring for and working with their show cattle. Congratulations for a job well done.

Charles Clark

Charles Clark Polk County Cattlemen’s Association President

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Did You Know?

POLK COUNTY

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

• • • •

One million dollars’ worth of one-cent coins weighs 246 tons.

The US and Europe spends 17 billion dollars per year on pet food.

Tobacco is a 200 billion industry, producing six trillion cigarettes a year.

A third of the world’s people live on less than $2.00 a day.

If Los Angeles County was a country, it would be the 19th largest economy in the world.

The “$” sign was designed in 1788 by Oliver Pollock.

In 1998, the US states spend $30 billion in funds on correctional services.

If you stack one million US dollar bills, it would be 361 feet high and weigh exactly one ton.

TIP is the acronym for “To Insure Promptness.”

The term “Blue Chip” comes from the color of the poker chip with the highest value, blue.

Nessie, the Loch Ness monster, is protected by the 1912 Protection of Animals Act in Scotland.

The hippo is the third largest land animal.

Adult frogs are carnivorous and will eat just about anything smaller than themselves.

Heron of Greece invented steam power in 50 BC. While Thomas Crapper is commonly given credit for inventing the first flushing toilet in the late 1800s, the first version can actually be traced back to 1596. At this time, a British nobleman, Sir John Harrington, first engineered and invented a valve that could release water from the water closet (WC) when pulled. Sir Harrington, who was also the godson of Queen Elizabeth I, recommended pulling the valve (“flushing” the toilet) once a day for sanitary purposes.

The escalator was invented by Charles Seeberger.

The loudspeaker was invented by Horace Short.

Briton Henry Brearly invented stainless steel.

Thomas Edison invented the telephone recorder.

OFFICERS & BOARD OF DIRECTORS President – Charles Clark (863) 412-8349 cclark@expoco.com Vice President – Dave Tomkow (863) 665-5088 cattlemanslivestock@earthlink.net Secretary/Treasurer - Justin Bunch (863) 425-1121 jbunch@agriumretail.com 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 J. B. Wynn (863) 581-3255 jbwynn29@gmail.com Alternate - Howard Yates, 2501 Arbuckle Lane, Frostproof, FL 33843-9647 Standing Committee Chairs: 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 Extension – Bridget Carlisle (863) 519-8677 bccarlis@ufl.edu Sheriff’s Dept. – Sgt. Howard Martin

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February 2012

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 7

Index of Advertisers

Visit us at the Strawberry Festival March 1st-11th Main Entrance & Main Exhibit Hall

Index of Advertisers

Strawberry Milkshakes

Agro-Culture Liquid Fertilizers..................15 Arcadia Rodeo...........................................23 Arrington Body Shop.................................53 B&L Pool Resurfacing...............................45 Beast Feast.................................................53 Brandon Farms Market................................8 Buckeye Storage Facility.............................31 C&J Equipment Sales................................49 Carlton & Carlton, PA...............................37 Cattleman’s Feed & Ranch Supply..............47 Cecil Breeding Farm...................................56 Chemical Containers.................................21 Circle Bar J Feed & Tack............................17 Classifieds..................................................54 Crescent Jewelers.......................................49 Discount Metal Mart.................................47 Ellison RBM..............................................52 Fancy Farms..............................................17

Fresh Produce, Citrus, Jams, Vegetables, Jellies & Honey Plus more...

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Farm Credit...............................................35 Fields Equipment Co..................................33 Florida Farm & Ranch Supply....................44 Florida Strawberry Festival...........................9 Florida’s Natural Growers..........................45 Fred’s Market.............................................49 Groover Exterminating..............................46 Grove Equipment Service...........................15 Helena Chemical.......................................41 Hinton Farms Produce...............................27 International Market World.......................39 KeyPlex Nutritionals....................................2 L.I.T. Security Cages..................................52 Lay’s Western Wear & Feed........................45 Lewis Insulation Technologies....................52 Lightsey Cattle Co.....................................44 Mosaic......................................................40 Parkesdale Farms.......................................13

Pathway BioLogic........................................5 Peachee Construction.................................11 Polk County Cattlemen’s Association...........7 Polk Equine...............................................53 Precision Safe & Lock................................49 Red Rose Inn & Suites........................... 28-29 Rhino Linings............................................45 Rhizogen...................................................33 Ring Power................................................25 Roadrunner Veterinary Clinic.....................23 Southeastern Septic....................................39 Sparkman Chevrolet....................................3 Spurlow’s Outdoor Outfitters.....................53 Stephanie Humphrey Photography.............44 Stingray Chevrolet.....................................55 The Bug Man.............................................53 The Crestfallen Rose by Mike Martin.........35 Wishnatzki Farms......................................19

You, Too, Can Be A Winner 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: 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.

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February 2012

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 9

Grub Station

Tiffany’s Restaurant Holds Fundraiser for Slain Lakeland Officer

by Cheryl Kuck

The quintessential tough guy with a heart of gold is retired New York City Detective Juan Sonera. After surviving 25 years in a city whose latest crime statistics (from Jan. 1 to Jan. 29, 2012) show 7,930 crimes including murder, rape and miscellaneous sex crimes, robbery, felony assault, grand and petty larceny, it’s no wonder he decided to take his retirement and open a quiet neighborhood restaurant on a side street off Highway 98 in Lakeland.

When he and his wife Unela, a retired NYC Fire Chief, heard about the shooting death of Lakeland Police Officer Arnulfo Crispin, they decided to hold a fundraiser in their restaurant to help the slain officer’s family.

“This is a place you would never expect violent crimes like the one that took the life of the young officer. Crispin was only 25 years old, a kid really, who lived with his parents and had a bright future ahead of him. He was a role model for young people. This really touched my heart,” said Sonera.

“We wanted to honor him and combined our fundraiser with the annual Hispanic traditional celebration of Three King’s Day or El Dia De Los Tres Magos. In the Catholic Tradition, the 7th of January is set aside to celebrate the coming of the three magi to offer gifts to the newly born Christ child. We thought it was an ideal time to also celebrate the life of Officer Crispin who loved kids and so we also gave gifts of toys to needy area children.”

Sonera named his restaurant after his daughter Tiffany, now an honors senior at Lake Gibson High School. “She raised hundred’s for Officer Crispin through her school friends and by standing outside our restaurant daily holding a sheriff’s hat for donations. We’re very proud of her,” he said.

Although the family roots are in Puerto Rican/ Hispanic cuisine, he decided to name his restaurant after his daughter in the belief that people would congregate at Tiffany’s for the variety of cultural foods he serves daily. Although his number one seller still remains Puerto Rican pork loin

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he says, “Since we are open every day, in order to be successful, I’ve discovered that you can’t market yourself to just one group.”

Sonera’s version of pork loin is roasted for four hours in a mixture of spices, including cilantro and oregano. While Cubans use cumin spice for flavoring and Dominicans prefer lots of garlic, here the side orders, like arroz Amarillo con gandules (named pigeon peas for their tiny round pellets), have sufficient seasonings of saffron, garlic, and peppers to meld with the aromatic flavors of the pork.

The mom and pop restaurant may be small in size but it is big in flavor and boasts the “Best Mofongo in Polk County.” Mofongo is the signature dish of Puerto Rico with plantains as the basic ingredient.

Plantains are from the same family as the bananas we slice on our cereal. The difference is that plantains need cooking while banana are usually eaten in their natural form. Plantains are the tenth most important world staple food product, and are used in a similar way as potatoes in cooking.

Mofongo consists of twice mashed plantains, to which garlic, plus any variety of seafood or meat, deep-fried chicharrones (crisp pork rinds) and vegetables, may be added. An elegant stew with all the fresh additives cooked al dente in a garlicy sauce that may be stacked or the plantains can be used to form a basket for the other ingredients.

Although simple sandwiches can be ordered, take my advice and go with the Latino heritage dishes and savor the rich flavors we have been fortunate to incorporate into our American melting pot.

Tiffany’s Restaurant Location: 1310 West Daughtery Road, off of Hwy.98 N. Phone: (863) 859-0350 Hours: Mon. – Fri. from 11:00 AM to 7:00PM and Sat. from 11:00AM to 5:00PM. Closed Sun. Prices: Moderate – from $4.50 - $12.00

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BUILDING ON ...

A STRONG FOUNDATION

When Peachee Construction began in 1997, its two employees worked out of a small rented office. Now, Peachee’s 9,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility and well-deserved reputation as one of Central Florida’s premier General Contracting Firms are a testament to the company’s steady growth. This growth is a direct result of the founder’s set of sound business ethics coupled with his commitment to providing the highest quality products and services at competitive prices.

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Peachee’s commitment to following through on its promise to provide quality without compromise sets a strong foundation for success. By always having the client’s needs and vision at heart, and effectively managing expectations, Peachee’s construction management team will consistently complete your projects on time and within budget.

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February 2012

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 11

Fishing

TAMPA BAY’S FISHING REPORT

tow it right– Arrive Safely

by Captain Woody Gore

Choosing the right size tow vehicle is critical to safe towing.

If you’re planning on towing something it’s a good idea to match the tow vehicle to the object being towed. For example, choosing a tow vehicle to match your boat and trailer requires some evaluation, not only for the best price, but also to find a vehicle with the capable of doing the job and doing it safely.

Automobiles are great for fuel economy and comfortable transportation, however towing a trailer isn’t a typical car’s strong suit. Today’s cars are made with a unibody frame, or actually no frame, like the older cars of years ago. So, if for no other reason than their frameless construction this usually takes cars out of the equation.

Ok what’s left? Well it leaves us with pickup trucks, larger vans, and SUVs. All have enough power to safely pull a boat and trailer.

Just because a pickup truck looks big and powerful, doesn’t mean it’s the right alternative or is equipped for towing. Almost all towing applications are determined by the weight being towed.

To figure the weight towed ratios it is recommend that you load the truck and boat just as you would to go boating or fishing, then take it to a certified public scale located at most truck stops.

Next, accurately determine how much the rig weighs. Once you have this information you can determine the best tow vehicle for your situation.

More Precise Information:

When you actually start looking for the ideal tow vehicle, keep in mind that vehicle manufacturers determine the Gross Vehicle Weight and Tow Rating based upon a single person, usually the driver, without gear or passengers. However, by the time you add your crew, and necessities, you can easily add another 1,000 pounds

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to the truck’s weight, which reduces the vehicle’s towing capacity.

The Gross Combined Weight Rating is the most important rating criteria for towing. GCWR is the maximum permissible weight of the tow vehicle including passengers, gear, and tank full of fuel plus a fully loaded trailer consisting of things in your boat like gear and tank full of fuel.

The Trailer Weight Allowance is another critical statistic that determines the vehicle’s maximum trailer rating. This information tells how much trailer a given vehicle can pull, and varies significantly depending whether the vehicle is equipped with a manual transmission, automatic transmission, 2WD, 4WD, engine size, etc.

Vehicle Equipped Properly:

Vehicles designed for towing usually come with, or have installed, the extra equipment to enable the truck to handle the additional load and stress on the drivetrain. The engine is typically larger and the cooling system is improved with a larger radiator.

The transmission has an auxiliary oil cooler and is probably programmed to maximize the engine’s torque. The differential will likely have a lower gear ratio for increased pulling power. On some tow vehicles, the instrument panel may have gauges instead of warning lights to allow you to monitor the engine/transmission’s health during your travels. In addition, the truck will probably be pre-wired for trailer lights, and may even have a factory-installed trailer hitch.

Two or Four Wheel Drive, Never Front Wheel Drive:

If you’re towing anything heavy always avoid front wheel drive tow vehicles, because all the weight is in the back of the vehicle, which tends to lift the front of the vehicle off the ground.

Two-wheel rear-wheel drive trucks are okay for most

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applications, however, trying to pull a heavy boat up a slippery boat ramp is next to impossible.

Those who have pulled trailers for some time, especially in and out of boat ramps, prefer four-wheel drive tow vehicles.

With four wheel drive you have no problem getting in and out of unimproved or slimy boat ramps.

Use Your Head: The information provided is really important, so make the salesperson work to get the tow vehicle that’s right for you. Don’t simply walk into the car dealership and pick a vehicle with a great paint job and plenty of accessories. Instead, take a deep breath, and use your head.

Tampa Bay Fishing Report

Snook: The last cold front that came through in early January has dropped the water temperatures into the high 50s. If we continue getting these cold fronts it should push the snook into their wintertime haunts. If you’re targeting snook you should remember when their metabolism slows, so does their bite. For this reason, why not target something else other than snook? If you just can’t stand it and must go after linesiders, remember they go deeper, seeking warmer water. Top baits still include live greenbacks, shrimp, small and pinfish dead-sticking cut baits.

Artificial lures do well during the winter, but plan on covering lots of water.

Redfish: There are plenty of rat redfish running around practically any canal or channel. A tail hooked shrimp, 1/0 circle hooks, #5 split shot and you’re set. You can catch slot fish on low tides, using a shallow water boat or wading and fishing the pot holes. Grass flats with broken bottom, submerged oyster bars and mangrove shorelines hold hungry Redfish. Artificials fished slow still work during the winter. Greenbacks, shrimp, dollar size pins, cut bait and patience usually catch some nice redfish.

Spotted Sea Trout: “IT’S OPEN” and with the new

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regulations, all year on the Gulf coast north and south. Trout action will increase with the cooler waters. However, on those windy days, when the mud stirs up, they tend to head for deeper cleaner water. So if you don’t find them shallow, look a little deeper. Good moving water and a popping float prove deadly in catching spotted sea trout, using either live shrimp or artificial lures. Soft plastics on a jighead, bounced off the bottom around potholes, can produce some surprisingly large trout.

Cobia As the water temperatures cool even more in February, you and others will have opportunities if you fish the hot water discharges of power plants. Large shrimp on a ¼ oz. jighead normally does the trick. But small or chunk crab will also work.

Sheepshead should be in by mid to late February, so try fishing markers, bridges, docks, seawalls, rock piles, oyster bars or practically any type of barnacle encrusted structure. Shrimp and fiddler crabs seem to be the bait of choice.

“Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing” Captain Woody Gore is the area’s top outdoor fishing guide. Guiding and fishing the Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, Bradenton, and Sarasota areas for over fifty years; he offers world class fishing adventures and a lifetime of memories.

Single or Multi-boat Group Charters are all the same.

With years of organizational experience and access to the areas most experienced captains, Woody can arrange and coordinate any outing or tournament. Just tell him what you need and it’s done.

Visit his website at: WWW.CAPTAINWOODYGORE.COM send an email to wgore@ix.netcom.com or give him a call at 813-477-3814.

February 2012

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 13

Gardening

Debra Howell:

State Winners

The Master Gardener

F

lorida Master Gardeners based at the Polk County Extension Office in Bartow have recently had a reason to celebrate. Directly on the coattails of our International win (that’s right -- I said “International”) for our Market Basket approach to introducing fourth graders to the relationship between horticulture and their everyday lives, I received a call from Master Gardener Ralone Green. She said, “Debra, you won!” I said, “Oh goody! What did I win?” Her response was a real stunner. The Little Gem Magnolia Project won the state award for Best Beautification and Enhancement project. In addition, Molly Griner won Best Demonstration Garden for her project at the Polk Training Center in Lake Alfred.

For my part, the Little Gem Magnolia Project began as a volunteer effort to assist the Fort Meade Chamber of Commerce Director Priscilla Perry and the City of Fort Meade in the removal of leafless, potbound Drake elms from large brick street planters in the downtown area. This is part of an overall renovation effort, and encompasses a “five year plan” for re-doing Patterson Park and the medians on Highway 17. We also desire to place community sponsored Little Gems along Martin Luther King Boulevard in Fort Meade and obtain sponsors for city corners along the highway. The Little Gems were selected for their glossy evergreen foliage and large creamy-white, fragrant blooms. Their slow growth habit ensures we won’t have to replace them any time soon, as we don’t want them rapidly outgrowing their

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containers. These magnolias are diminutive in stature and will never reach the heights of a mature Southern magnolia.

Fort Meade Garden Club supplied the understory Periwinkle plants, and Knockout roses for a rectangular brick planter on West Broadway. The Little Gems were sponsored by people in the community desiring to honor family members.

These planters will receive plaques honoring these families soon.

In addition, Patterson Park is receiving a total re-landscaping with Florida-friendly plants, and will be appointed with several butterfly gardens in the sunny locations around the property. The bridge crossing to the causeway will get a facelift with a coat of paint in barn red.

One really interesting aspect of this project was the

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Gardening introduction last year of the “Community Curb Appeal Recognition of the Month” award. This award is given to entities in Fort Meade who have shown a commitment to enhance their properties. This diverse, non-residential award has been given to Chinoiserie Antiques, Fort Meade Middle Senior High School, House of Israel women’s center, Hancock Funeral Home, Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, Fort Meade Historical Museum, Dr. Lori Shank, DVM, Peaceful Believers Church, Walter Graves Construction, Boost Mobile, Hammock Lake Garden Club and the Fort Meade Community Center, Maria Carillo-Gardener.

Additionally, the Fort Meade Garden Club, in cooperation with the Fort Meade PRIDE Curb Appeal Committee, gives a monthly award of “Yard of the Month” to a deserving residence.

Master Gardeners involved in the Little Gem project are Debra Howell, Maria Carillo and Pat Farris.

The Little Gem Magnolia Project was a volunteer effort combining my role as Chairman of the Curb Appeal Committee with my status as an active Polk County Master Gardener.

Around a year ago, Molly Griner undertook a Demonstration Garden of Florida-friendly plants utilizing the nine principles of Florida-friendly landscaping. It is one of 15 gardens of this type in Polk County, and is sponsored by Ann Yasalonis and Florida Yards & Neighborhoods. Located at the Polk Training Center in Lake Alfred, this garden provides the public with education and the ability to see what you may accomplish using plants that are mostly drought tolerant, mulching and micro-irrigation. This worthwhile center gives citizens with developmental disabilities skills and basic adult and vocational education. The Garden Center grows plants that they sell on-site. During my visit, I selected a unique plant called “Panama Rose,” which I’d admired in my neighbor’s yard but knew neither the name nor anything

else about the plants. The pretty tubular shaped pink blooms bode well for butterfly watching, perhaps hummingbirds, too. I figured the name “Panama” denoted a cold-sensitive plant, and was vindicated when an employee advised me to cover it at 34 degrees. Thirteen volunteers donated their time to the Demonstration Garden project. Located on the corner of County Road 557 and Creek Road, the Garden Center at 111 Creek Road is open to the public Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Now I’d like to engage in some shameless self-promotion. Last year began an educational series on garden-related topics at the historic estate at MacKay Gardens in Lake Alfred. This project was started by Mayor Nancy Daley and Master Gardener Cathy Butcher, and was scheduled monthly

by Master Gardener Pat Farris. These monthly programs are given by the Master Gardener Speaker’s Bureau Co-Chairman Pat Farris and Debra Howell, and other Master Gardeners who were willing to share their gardening knowledge.

We are embarking on our second year at MacKay and are gratified to have built a following of loyal listeners. We have an hour of videos or powerpoints on various gardening subjects such as Florida-friendly Landscaping, Landscaping for Wildlife, Gardening in Paradise, Friendly Florida Parks, and much more. We also host Question and Answer time, give IFAS and other bulletins and handouts, and have refreshments for those who feel peckish, all in an antique Craftsman-style mansion with a lakeside view.

These are free programs. We’d love to attract an even larger audience, and are promoting our new season now. We meet the first Thursday of each month at 10:00 a.m. at Lake Alfred’s MacKay House and Preserve located at the terminus of MacKay Boulevard in Lake Alfred. We look forward to seeing you there!

Bio: Debra Howell • Master Gardener since 2005 • 1998 graduate - University of South • 2012 Master Gardener of the Year Florida - Tampa campus (Polk County) • Amateur archaeologist • “Commitment to the Environment” • Chairman, Ft. Meade PRIDE Curb Polk Volunteer winner 2010 Appeal Committee 16 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2012

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February 2012

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 17

Al Berry’s Rocking Chair Chatter

A few weeks back I was having lunch at the weekly Lions Club meeting in the Twelve Oaks room at the Red Rose Inn and Suites in Plant City. The foursome at the table included myself, Davey Miles, a Real Estate agent, Gail Lyons from Regions Bank and Tim Haught, who owns Haught Funeral Home in Plant City.

Davey said he read years back where they plan to freeze the body of baseball great Ted Williams and asked Tim what he knew about this process. He said there is a company that specializes in this in Scottsdale, Arizona called “The Alcor Life Extension Foundation.” He said they have been in the business of freezing bodies since 1972, and nobody has come back to life.

The conversation about funerals continued, and I asked, “Why do they call it a Funeral Home since nobody lives there?” Tim replied, “I don’t know, but at one time they called the funeral home a funeral parlor.”

That night, in front of my computer at home, I decided to study up on funerals, first, that Alcor place in Arizona. Their mission is to preserve the human body in a state that will be viable and treatable by future medicine. They call it Cryonics. I know as a kid, one time I froze a minnow for a week, and when it thawed out it swam around in a saucer once and went belly up. I wonder if Ted Williams will come out swinging when they thaw him out?

18 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2012

One of the more unusual funerals I have ever heard of was a motorcycle funeral. A biker at the Plant City Chamber of Commerce’s monthly bike fest in downtown Plant City related the story of a biker friend we’ll call Fred. He said this guy was a preacher and loved to ride a motorcycle. The editor of Bike magazine nicknamed him “Faster Pastor.” A few years back he left his church and opened a funeral home. The story goes that he uses a motorcycle with a specially built sidecar to carry a coffin. He claims his business has been very good since the first day he opened his funeral home.

I found the story of Cliff Berkley, a young stock car driver, very interesting. According to police records, he wrecked his car on a winding mountain road, landing right in the midst of the funeral of an elderly NASCAR fan. As punishment for his spectacular car wreck, the local authorities of the small Tennessee town of Judas Grove gave him a choice, serve three months in jail for reckless driving, or spend two weeks teaching the local ministers to drive stock cars, so that they can compete in a race with a prize that is the $2 million legacy left by that deceased NASCAR fan.

Have you ever read the article of “Things Not to Do at a Funeral?” Don’t laugh, there is one. There are three main things listed. Never climb into the casket. People understand the serious emotional turmoil of the grieving process, but climbing on top

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Al Berry’s Rocking Chair Chatter

s errie. b f o a etern Florid k r a i r m es emieegetabl r p A v

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Come Grow With Us 100 Stearn Ave. Plant City, FL 33563 Tel: 813.752.5111 www.wishfarms.com of your dead friend or relative will not make you feel better. Two, never get drunk at the graveside ceremony and get all of your inebriated friends to climb into the back of the hearse and crank up the radio and drive the hearse around the cemetery while the gravediggers finish burying your friend. Third, never wear all black. Only the widow really does that, and it’s an old tradition anyway.

I recall many years ago I was at a funeral in Plant City. The preacher made one profound statement about the deceased, and over the public address system came a loud voice, “Ten Four Good Buddy.” Everybody laughed of course, and it was determined it came from an 18-wheeler with an over powered CB radio just outside the church at the stoplight.

Police in Alabama cracked the case of “body jewelry snatcher.” It was reported that jewelry was missing from the deceased before interment.

A careful eye noticed one woman that appeared regularly to area funerals. She was caught slipping jewelry off the deceased as she would bend down to kiss them goodbye!

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I read where a funeral director in north Georgia was the guest speaker at the local Rotary Club. He was asked what was the most interesting thing about his job as owner of a funeral home. He answered, “Excuses people give for not attending a funeral.” He said one man called to tell him he could not attend his father’s funeral because he had an appointment with his doctor. One lady called and asked him to tell the family of the deceased that she would be unable to attend the funeral because her cat had diarrhea. One thing you can always count on is the size of your funeral will be determined by the weather.

Let me close with a way to know if you have Inner Peace. I have no idea who wrote this, but it gets to the point. If you can start the day without caffeine, if you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains, if you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles, if you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it, if you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time, if you can take criticism and blame without resentment, if you can conquer tension without medical help, if you can relax without liquor, if you can sleep without the aid of drugs, then you are probably the family dog.

February 2012

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 19

Florida Citrus

Florida Citrus Hall of Fame Announces 2012 Inductees for 50Th Anniversary Celebration Submitted by the Florida Department of Citrus The Selection Committee for The Florida Citrus Hall of Fame has announced three distinguished leaders will be inducted into the Hall during the 50th Anniversary Citrus Celebration Luncheon on Friday, March 2, 2012 at Florida Southern College in Lakeland. In honor of the 50th Anniversary, a Golden Jubilee Gala will also be held the following evening highlighting the Florida citrus industry and recognizing all members of the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame, with several other events scheduled over the weekend to help celebrate the occasion.

Robert J. Barben, of Avon Park, Frank M. Hunt, II, of Lake Wales and Dr. W. Bernard Lester, of Lakeland, 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 on Friday, March 2, 2012.

Robert J. Barben

An Avon Park citrus and cattle producer, Barben is the President of Robert J. Barben, Inc. and was a founding member of both the Highlands County Citrus Growers Association and the Florida Agricultural Tax Council, which he also

20 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

chaired. He served on the Florida Department of Citrus Marketing Advisory Council since its inception in 1969, chairing it for over 20 years during a lengthy legal battle that involved numerous trips to Tallahassee. A big research proponent of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), Barben has been active with the SHARE Council since 1973, serving on the executive board and as its chair, during which time he helped raise almost $2 million for a new building at the Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred. He was a longtime board member for Florida Citrus Mutual, Adams Packing Company, and the Growers’ Administrative Committee, and has been on the board of Growers Fertilizer Company since 1953. He was a member and former chairman of the Florida Citrus Production Manager’s Association since the early ‘50s and served on the Highlands County Soil & Water Conservation District Board for over 30 years, chairing for over 20, served two terms as mayor of Avon Park, and was President of Florida Agricultural Services and Technology (FAST), Highlands Independent Bank Board of Directors and the Florida Hospital Foundation. Hall of Fame member Hugh English commented, “His wonderful public service and longtime dedication to the industry makes him truly worthy of the honor.”

A fifth-generation Floridian, Hunt is Chairman of the Board of Hunt Bros., Inc., an 83-year old citrus company which was founded by his father, Deeley Hunt, also in the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame.

He has played a key role in the development of the successful cooperative of Citrus World, Inc. – now known as Florida’s Natural, as well as in the fields of citrus processing, fresh fruit marketing, operating supplies and banking. He was a board member of Citrus World for over 50 years, serving as President and Chairman of the board from 1973 to 2003, during which time he led the shift from producing product to marketing it, resulting in the introduction of the Florida’s Natural brand. Under his quiet, resourceful leader-

February 2012

Frank M. Hunt, II

ship, the cooperative has grown to the largest citrus co-op in Florida, along the way also creating a supplies cooperative that is now known today as Highland Exchange Services Cooperative, or HESCO. In addition, he helped shape the future of the U.S. farm credit system as a member of the committee that formed what is now CoBank, and served on its board of directors during the pivotal formative years. He was President and on the board of both Seald Sweet Growers and HESCO, and on the board of the Florida Citrus Packers and Florida Fresh Citrus Shippers Association, to name just a few. A Bull Gator and a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow, he is the recipient of the prestigious John T. Lesley award from the Florida Citrus Packers and a member of the Cooperative Hall of Fame. “He was always doing his job and serving the industry, and was very much admired in many different arenas,” said Hall of Fame member Ben Hill Griffin, III. Dr. Lester worked for the Florida Department of Citrus from 1967 to 1986, beginning as a research economist and working his way up to Executive Director

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in 1979. During his tenure, he dealt with challenges ranging from marketing some of the largest crops in Florida history to working through devastating freezes, trade and tariff challenges, increased imports, diseases, as well as sending orange juice adulterators to jail to maintain the quality of Florida juice products. He went on

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to join Alico, Inc., where he was on the board of directors for almost 20 years, and also served on the board of directors for Orange-Co, Inc., Gulf Citrus Growers Association, the Florida Land Council, and the Board of Trustees for Florida Gulf Coast University. A member of the Florida Blue Key since 1960, he received the Florida Citrus Processor’s Award for dedicated services, as well as awards from the Florida Department of Citrus, Florida Association of County Agents, American Business Women’s Association, Boy Scouts of America, and a number of awards from Alpha Gamma Rho for his outstanding service and guidance. He has served in numerous capacities for a variety of educational and service organizations, including the IFAS Leadership Development Program, Hendry County Extension Advisory Committee, Southwest Florida Research and Education Foundation, South Florida Agricultural Council, Future Farmers of America, 4-H, Farm Bureau and Future Business Leaders of America, to name just a few. Hall of Fame member George Austin noted, “He knew how to make things work in less than favorable conditions and he always wanted what was best for the industry.”

The Florida Citrus Hall of Fame honors distinguished leaders who have made significant contributions to the Florida citrus industry. The Citrus Hall of Fame dis-

play and Archive Center is located within the McKay Archive Building at Florida Southern College in Lakeland. For more information on the Citrus Hall of Fame or the Golden Jubilee activities, visit the web site at www.FloridaCitrusHallofFame. com or contact Brenda Eubanks Burnette at (561) 351-4314.

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 8, table signage, two tickets to the Gala 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. An historic Citrus Exhibit will be featured, along with Oral History Presentations of industry pioneers, 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. Ticket prices for the Golden Jubilee Gala the following evening are the same, with table sponsors receiving two tickets to the luncheon.

February 2012

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 21

Florida Citrus

Citrus Greening

Costs $3.63 Billion in Lost Revenues and 6,611 Jobs, New UF Study Shows

by Tom Nordlie

Since 2006, the bacterial disease citrus greening has cost Florida’s economy an estimated $3.63 billion in lost revenues and 6,611 jobs by reducing orange juice production, according to a new study from the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

The study is the first complete assessment of greening’s economic impact on Florida, said Jack Payne, UF senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources. He called the study an important step in the fight against greening because it quantifies damages and could show legislators and funding agencies why the invasive disease is one of the state’s biggest challenges.

“This study shows plainly just how imperative it is that we find a cure for citrus greening,” Payne said. “We have dedicated a huge amount of IFAS resources toward that end, and we are very appreciative of the significant support our research is receiving from the citrus industry. Growers are the people most obviously impacted, but the study demonstrates that many other Floridians are hurt as well, when fewer oranges are harvested, there are fewer dollars circulating in our state’s economy.”

First detected in Florida in 2005, greening causes citrus trees to drop fruit prematurely and eventually kills the trees. The disease is caused by a bacterium, and was first described in 1919 in China. The bacterium is transmitted by an invasive insect, the Asian citrus psyllid.

The study compares actual harvests of oranges used to make juice with projected harvests that would have taken place if greening had never struck Florida groves, it covers the growing

22 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2012

seasons from 2006-2007 through 2010-2011. During those five years, the disease caused substantial crop losses, said citrus economist Tom Spreen, a professor with the UF/IFAS food and resource economics department.

The state’s juice-orange harvest for the period was 734 million boxes, and would have been an estimated 951 million boxes without greening, Spreen said. To develop economic impact figures, Spreen and colleague Alan Hodges, an extension scientist with the department, analyzed both scenarios using statistical models and data on the citrus industry and Florida’s economy.

To estimate lost revenues and jobs, the economists took into account direct losses to growers, indirect losses to industries affiliated with citrus production and the resulting cuts in spending by employee households and government.

When focusing strictly on juice-orange production during that five-year period, Florida growers lost $1.36 billion in revenues, and 2,125 permanent jobs were lost.

Florida Citrus Mutual, the state’s largest citrus grower organization, funded the study. The study did not address production of other citrus varieties, such as grapefruit, or oranges sold fresh to consumers, Spreen said.

Florida is the nation’s largest citrus producer and the world’s second-largest orange juice producer, after Brazil. Florida’s citrus industry generates about $8.9 billion a year, mainly from orange juice production. The study is available at http://edis.ifas.ufl. edu/fe903

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February 2012

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 23

Citrus: Richard Ruis

The B-36

and Citrus Growing: Richard Ruis

by Ginny Mink

Most school-aged kids detest the study of history. They don’t like having to learn about things that are “ancient” and “old school.” It’s not until they reach adulthood that they begin, some of them at least, to appreciate the things that the aged have to teach them. In fact, maybe it’s not until today’s kids start looking at them as “old” that they look to their own elders for the stories of yesteryear. However, it’s imperative that people listen to those who lived different lives if only for the sake of recognizing the possibilities of history repeating itself.

Richard Ruis grew up in Plant City, he was born there in 1931 and graduated from the 1913 Plant City High School building in 1950. He said, “My grandfather had a strawberry farm and a citrus grove. I worked quite a bit with him, especially picking strawberries. I used to pick those strawberries for my granddaddy, pick about 20 quarts and make a dollar a day. The cost of gas was about 20 cents a gallon and I wish it were there today. You might spend 15 to 20 dollars a week for groceries and the Capitol Theatre was 25 cents to get in.” Imagine what life would be like if we lived with those prices today!

Even with an economy that required less money to survive, Mr. Ruis admits, “I didn’t have the money to go to college so I elected to go into the Air Force, studied electronics and radar in Denver, Colorado for about a year and then I was transferred to Fort Worth, Texas to an Air Force base there.” This is where his story gets extra interesting! “They decided that they wanted the radar operators to work on the B-36 Bomber, it was popular right after World War II up until 1956. I operated the radar set for a couple of months. In 1952, we received notice that we’d be working with atomic weapons. We got the word that we’d be working with H bombs and atomic bombs.” That’s some truly scary stuff.

For those not familiar with the B-36, here’s some interesting bits of trivia, hopefully enough to whet the appetite and thereby instigate further investigation into the topic. According to Daniel Ford in his article entitled: B-36: Bomber at the Crossroads (April 1996, Air & Space Magazine), “It was the biggest warplane ever to wear an American star.” However, there were some not so nice descriptions as well. The B-36 bore the labels, “lumbering cow,” “billion-dollar blunder,” and was deemed, “an obsolete and

24 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2012

unsuccessful aircraft.”

The B-36 was called the Peacemaker, and according to Ford’s article, “Perhaps the best thing that can be said about the Peacemaker is that it lived up to its name. The B-36 never went to war, never dropped a bomb in anger, nor (so far as we know) even fired its cannon at an enemy airplane. Created at a time when the atomic bomb redefined strategic air power and the turbojet redefined performance, its career spanned the crossroads that divided two eras.” It seems an oxymoron that a “bomber” would be called the Peacemaker!

Perhaps Mr. Ruis’ experience on the B-36 will better illuminate its purpose. “We did not drop an H bomb, we simulated it, went through all the motions. When you drop it, you have to make a 180 degree turn or you’re gonna end up right on top of it. In November of 1952, we were right on top of it to simulate the drop. We were at 48,000 feet altitude, the bomb went past us like a rocket-ship. The mushroom cloud went up 120,000 feet.

We turned and went away from it so we could watch. Two weeks later we were in an atomic bomb (simulated) drop and this was all out in the South Pacific. The bombs were at Eniwetok, that’s where all the atomic testing was done. Kwajalein is where the Air Force base was. We were there three months, we did one H bomb and one large A bomb.” Though simulated, the concept is still frightening, after all, something had to blow up in order to create a mushroom cloud.

Mr. Ruis returned to Fort Worth and was discharged in the fall of 1953. He said, “I enrolled at the University of Florida with the G.I. Bill. I enrolled in the College of Agriculture and majored in soils. I finished my degree and I worked in the fertilizer business for ten years and then I worked in phosphate for another ten years. Then I received a job as the Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Winter Haven Citrus Growers Association.” While in that position he added, “I taught school at Polk Community College. I taught classes in agriculture. I taught there 12 years, a night course, one night a week. I taught a course in soils.”

His involvement in citrus includes having owned his own groves and managing others. He explained, “I owned two groves,

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Citrus: Richard Ruis

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one in Polk County and one down south near Immokalee, but I’ve since sold them. I managed 800 acres of orange groves for Hedrick Properties in Thonotosassa for a couple of years.” When asked what he liked most about his job with the Winter Haven Citrus Growers Association, he replied, “I think the scientific part, to me, is the most interesting part. You have to keep up with that or you lose ground in a hurry. There’s a lot of science involved in agriculture. We were very careful about the fruit we’d bring into the house, maintained cleanliness in the plant, had our own hauling and harvesting equipment, took care of the groves, right down town in Winter Haven.”

Near the end of the interview he was asked about his thoughts on the bombs he simulated dropping. “I would hope and pray that we will never get into war using Hydrogen bombs, those things are enormous!” In fact, according to Ford’s article, they weigh 43,000 lbs and are 30 feet long! Mr. Ruis continued, “I enjoyed doing it. We took pictures, that’s what I did, I took pictures. We had scientists on board. We used the greatest precautions ‘cause we were the only ones up there. I’m glad that I went into the Air Force before I went to college. I just feel like it helped me a lot in college. I learned a lot and I’d do the same thing if I had it to do over.”

Still reminiscing he describes the B-36. “It was quite unique.

It had three engines on each wing and two jets on each wing so we had a total of ten engines. It never saw any combat.” Apparently it was frequently referred to as the plane with “six turning and four burning,” (Ford, 1996). The B-36 article quoted in this piece is a great read and is highly recommended if one’s interested in getting to know more about the plane Mr. Ruis spent some time on. One extra bit of trivia is the fact that it had the “world’s

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smallest urinal.”

As time passed, Mr. Ruis was asked what he was doing these days. He replied, “I retired, been retired now for about 15 years.

I’m at home much of the time now. I’m 80 years old. My wife, Loretta, is here with me, we’ll be married 54 years on January 26.

I met her in Plant City. She worked in the Hillsboro Bank, which was right downtown and we started dating and got married a few months later. Her name was Loretta Hill. We have three children and two grandchildren.” Mr. Ruis appears to have lived an eventful and satisfying life.

As an aside, we asked Mr. Ruis if he had any of the pictures he took while on the B-36 but he told us, “I do, but I can’t let you see ‘em, they’re top secret.” Ah well, old magazine articles and history books will have to suffice on that end. Who would have thought B-36 bombers had anything in common with citrus growing? Well, they do, and his name is Richard Ruis.

February 2012

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 25

Tractor Review

2012 In The Field

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February 2012

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d Tractors in Review The 5E Limited Series The 5E Limited Series: More power.

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The 5E Limited Series comes with features you’ll appreciate, like the four-wheel drive and plush closed-cab operator station. The convenient left-hand PowrReverser transmission allows easy, noclutch forward and reverse shuttle-shifting, making the 5E Limited Series perfect for dairies, municipalities, equine or beef operations or larger acreage, orchard and hobby farm property owners.

And for PTO-intensive operations like rotary cutting, the 5E Limited Series tractors offer an economy setting, which allows the PTO to turn at a full 540 RPM, even at lower engine speeds. You save fuel while reducing noise and emissions levels.

The best value in utility tractors: The 5E Limited Series

You’ll be amazed at what your tractor dollar can buy. Start with the heart – the 4-cylinder wet-sleeve John Deere PowerTech turbocharged diesel engine. Add the 12F/12R PowrReverser transmission with electro hydraulic shuttle-shift capability. The wet clutch gives you oil-cooled, no adjust reliability. Standard MFWD pulls you through mud, ruts, and slop…all while you sit in enclosed, climatecontrolled comfort.

At the rear, the telescoping draft links combined with 3,213 pds of hitch lift capacity make for an easy attach with lift-hitch mounted implements. Meanwhile, the hydraulic system can pump up to 22.5 gallons per minute. With up to size available hydraulic remotes, you can attach just about any hydraulic equipment.

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Stare down tough jobs and long days

and rear attachments designed specifically for the 5E Limited Series.

In this business, it’s nice to know you can rely on John Deere Financial. Our roots in agriculture are deep, and we’re proud of the long-standing relationships we have with our producers, based on loyalty and trust.

The MT500D Series

where you have already been and saves you time and money.

• AGCOMMAND a smart, money saving device that collects real time tractor performance data and analyzes it to help producers monitor and further increase your performance, productivity and efficiency.

• Customizable multi-function joystick.

• Multipad control so you can format operations to increase your overall productivity and time.

Agribusiness Professionals know that an efficient day in the field is money well earned. If you are a worker that is looking to streamline your productivity so you can concentrate on other tasks at hand, consider looking at the Challenger MT500D series. Ring Power is a leading provider of new and used AG equipment backed by our state-of –the-art service shops. Please contact Mike Jones for more information at 813-478-0723. Visit us online at: ringpowerag.com

From farm to worksite, in any condition and with any attachment you can imagine, the 5E Limited Series can do the job. From posthole diggers to food plot seeders to rotary cutters to land levels, John Deere can and Frontier Equipment offer a wide variety of front

Ring Power is excited to offer our agricultural customers a machine that can handle your most demanding needs throughout the day and night. The MT500D series offers a remarkable amount of productivity, style and ease of control. The tractor is equipped with e3 clean air technology using the TechStarTM CVT transmission and the Tier 4i-compliant Agco PowerTM engine resulting in clean power, performance and efficiency. Challenger offers the wheeled row crop tractor in four models; MT555D, MT565D, MT575D, and MT585D. The horsepower ranges from 170 through 225. What’s new that sets the MT500D series apart from other MT serious and the competitors?

New features and benefits include: • Auto steering is available with the touch of a button providing superior accuracy. No more going over ground you already covered, the auto steering reads

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February 2012

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 27

The Premier Showplace for Talent in Florida

FEBRUARY 17 JOHNNY ALSTON’S - MOTOWN ROCK & ROLL REVUE A dynamite crowd pleaser! Plus, Destiny performs before and after the show.

FEBRUARY 25 RALPH ALLOCCO & SECOND WIND

MARCH 9 RALPH ALLOCCO & SECOND WIND

FEBRUARY 25

MARCH 10 BEAUTIFUL BOBBY BLACKMON & THE B3 BLUES BAND

Performing in the Red Rose Dining Room.

FEBRUARY 18 TROY “SATCHMO” ANDERSON - TRIBUTE TO LOUIS ARMSTRONG

THE FABULOUS HUBCAPS

Troy Anderson on trumpet as “Satchmo,” a tribute to Louis Armstrong. Plus, a 3 hour set from The Wonderful World Band with the same instrumentation as Armstrong's bands.

Destiny opens and closes.

Come and hear one of the nation’s most sought after oldies’ bands. Their music spans generations of some of the top hits of our time. The Las Vegas Sounds also perform in the Red Rose Ballroom. Dinner served in a supperclub atmosphere.

MARCH 2 BOBBY PALERMO

Performing in the Red Rose Dining Room, plus Destiny.

Performing in the Red Rose Dining Room.

Bobby Blackmon's career began in a small town not far from the Dallas, Texas area.

His Texas blues influence is heard loud ‘n’ proud in his soulful guitar playing. He's worked with the likes of Barbara Lynn, Jimmy Reed, ZZ Hill, Johnny Taylor, Lavelle White and Lou Rawls. Destiny opens and closes in the Red Rose Dining Room.

MARCH 16

BRIAN ROMAN One of Canada’s finest entertainers! Roman performs the classics – spanning the Golden Era, ranging from Sinatra to Tom Jones.

Destiny also performs.

MARCH 17 RALPH ALLOCCO & SECOND WIND

FEBRUARY 24

Performing in the Red Rose Dining Room.

BRIAN ROMAN One of Canada’s finest entertainers! Roman performs the classics – spanning the Golden Era, ranging from Sinatra to Tom Jones.

Destiny also performs.

MARCH 3 JOHNNY ALSTON’S MOTOWN ROCK & ROLL REVUE Performing in the Red Rose Dining Room, plus Destiny.

GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE

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28 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2012

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

Mrs. Evelyn Madonia -Owner Show Guests stay overnight at special rate!

The Toys and The Las Vegas Sounds.

Saturday night performances include: The Mystics, Jimmy Gallagher, The Legendary Teenagers and The Las Vegas Sounds Band will perform in the Ballroom. Bob Ryman will perform in the Dining Room.

APRIL 13 JOHNNY ALSTON’S MOTOWN ROCK & ROLL REVUE

Performing in the Red Rose Dining Room, plus Destiny.

MARCH 30 JOHNNY ALSTON’S MOTOWN ROCK & ROLL REVUE MARCH 17 “THE FIDDLER” BOB RYMAN A ST. PATRICK’S DAY BALLROOM DINNER SHOW

Come celebrate the event! Ryman is a master of the violin and takes you through a magical journey of the classics to country favorites.

The Las Vegas Sounds will also perform.

Car show in the afternoon and deck party with a St. Patty’s tradition of green beer before the show. Pre-show at 7–Main-show at 8.

Performing in the Red Rose Dining Room, plus Destiny.

MARCH 31 BOB RYMAN

Bob Ryman is a master of the violin. Ryman plays favorites from Bluegrass to Broadway, from Country to Classics. Destiny before and after the show in the Red Rose Dining Room.

APRIL 14 THE JARMELS

The Jarmels are a Doo Wop/R&B group.

Their single, “A Little Bit of Soap,” reached number 12 in America on the Billboard chart.

Destiny opens and closes the show in the Red Rose Dining Room.

APRIL 20 JOHNNY ALSTON’S MOTOWN ROCK & ROLL REVUE Performing in the Red Rose Dining Room, plus Destiny.

APRIL 6 BOBBY PALERMO

MARCH 23 thru 24 DOO WOP WEEKEND EXTRAVAGANZA VI STARRING - BARBARA HARRIS & THE TOYS THE MYSTICS • THE LEGENDARY TEENAGERS JIMMY GALLAGHER OF THE PASSIONS • DESTINY THE LAS VEGAS SOUNDS • BOB RYMAN The annual event is taking on its sixth year of fun, food, contest and great music from a bygone era. Friday night performances include: The Mystics, Jimmy Gallagher (lead singer of the Passions), Barbara Harris &

Bobby Bobby Palermo has been voted Tampa Bay Entertainer of the Year two years in a row. Enjoy a night of humour, impersonations and fabulously listenable and danceable music. Destiny opens and closes.

APRIL 7 RALPH ALLOCCO & SECOND WIND

Performing in the Red Rose Dining Room.

APRIL 8 EASTER

BUFFET

Our chefs are preparing a fabulous feast for you!

Call for seating times and reservations.

APRIL 21 RALPH ALLOCCO & SECOND WIND

Performing in the Red Rose Dining Room.

Call 813.752.3141 for Reservations Today!

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February 2012

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 29

Polk County’s Cattle History

POLK COUnTY CATTLEMEN WORK TO PRESERVE THE PAST Cow Camp at Circle B Bar Reserve

by Jim Frankowiak

In

a most fitting fashion Polk County’s Sesquicentennial closing event included a cattle drive and unveiling of a replica cow camp at the Circle B Bar Reserve. The cattle drive of about 20 head of horned steers was organized and undertaken by members of the Polk County Cattlemen’s Association (PCCA), the group responsible for building the cow camp and adjacent cow pen.

30 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2012

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Polk County’s Cattle History

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1610 Jim Johnson Rd. • Plant City “Cattle ranching in Polk County has a rich and very deep history,” said Ned Waters, a member of the association’s county board and Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) officer and member of its foundation. The idea for construction of a camp that replicates one built in 1905 and still standing in a northeastern location of the county evolved with Waters and Polk County Historic Preservation Manager Myrtice Young. County staffers also instrumental in the project included Parks and Natural Resources Division, Director Jeff Spence and Gay Sharp, Natural Areas Manager.

As the team’s ideas crystallized, Waters presented the project to the PCCA board where it was approved. Polk County provided funding as did the FCA Foundation. “The FCA Foundation is committed to supporting and preserving the industry’s history and this project was a natural fit,” said Waters.

Construction of the camp and pen was accomplished by volunteers from the PCCA, working in a series of 10 – 12 hour workdays. “The camp is true to its model and in the manner it was constructed,” noted Waters. It is a 14 x 16-foot shelter built of wood with three moss beds, wooden window shutters and doors. “The beds are similar in size to a trough with moss serving as the mattress,” explained Waters. The camp also includes an outdoor table with many brands of historical significance burned into the top. The site’s 50 x 50foot cow pen will be used during events.

“It is our hope to preserve this important aspect of Polk County history by providing a location where visitors can tru-

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813-719-1970

ly experience what it was like for cattlemen hundreds of years ago,” said Waters. “We believe a hands on experience such as that now possible at the cow camp, is a far better teacher than a story told by word of mouth or read,” said Young.

To understand the impact of cattle on the county, it is important to look at its origin. Historians believe that the domestication of cattle followed sheep, goats, pigs and dogs as early as 10,000 years ago. Remains of domesticated cattle from 6,500 B.C. have been found in Turkey and other sites in the Near East. Modern domestic cattle evolved from a single early ancestor, the Auroch, which are depicted in prehistoric paintings.

Ponce de Leon introduced cattle and horses to the continental United States in 1521 when he made landing on the West Coast during an expedition where Caloosa warriors mortally wounded him. The fate of those cattle and horses is unknown. In the 1600s ranches surrounding Spanish Missions in north Florida contained some 20,000 head of cattle.

Native Americans learned to raise cattle from the Spanish and acquired their own herds.

By the early 1700s British solders and their Indian allies destroyed most of the early Spanish missions. When Spain ceded Florida to England in 1763, the British introduced the English Longhorn. Escaped Spanish Andalusian cattle and English cattle mixed in the wilderness and became known as “piney-woods” or “cracker cows.” Weighing about 600-pounds, the cracker cow was tough enough to survive Florida’s swamps and woodlands.

February 2012

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 31

Polk County’s Cattle History

The first ranchers in the county were members of the Seminole Tribe and one reason for the Seminole Wars in Florida was control of grazing lands and livestock. During the wars the U.S. military captured and killed more Indian cattle in an effort to starve the tribe from the state. The first ranchers of European descent moved into Polk County from Hillsborough County in 1848.

Early Florida cowmen should not be confused with the cowboys seen in western roundups and cattle drives depicted on Hollywood movie sets. In the nineteenth century the cattle drives began in March and lasted until August.

Cow camps were scattered over the woodlands about one day apart. They consisted of crude shelters and log pens to gather wild cattle. The animals had to be flushed from the Florida palmetto scrub and swamps with whips, dogs and horses. The men who accomplished that difficult and dangerous task were known as cow hunters. Wolves, bears and panthers frequently spooked the cattle and killed strays. It was a tough job keeping the skittish, wild cattle together. When noted artist Frederick Remington visited the state in the late 19th century, he produced several illustrations, including a Florida cowman or cow hunter with his horse and dog. Remington described a rough and ragged lot that, in his opinion, did not compare with the dashing, romanticized cowboys of the West. In an article in the August 1895 edition of Harper’s New Monthly Magazine he wrote: “…they are picturesque in their unkempt, almost unearthly wilderness.”

During the Civil War Florida supplied an estimated 50,000 head of cattle to the Confederacy. The beef was described as stringy and unappetizing, but the only source of protein available to soldiers. A tax roll from 1862 notes the size and number of herds in the county ranging from 2,700 to 590 head. Drovers pushed their range cattle northward following old military roads. They moved toward Gainesville, then to rail lines at Baldwin, Atlanta and Savannah. Cattle were driven north from central Florida prairies at the rate of 600 head a week from April to August. Each drive took about 45 days and a typical 700-pound animal lost about 150-pounds in the process.

In the decade after the Civil War an estimated 1.6 million head of cattle were sold to the Spanish in Cuba. Spanish

32 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2012

gold boosted the state’s economy at a time when paper currency was virtually useless. With the coming of the railroads the tradition of the cattle drive began to fade away. The cattle trade with Cuba began to die out in the early 1900s with competition from Texas and South America. Cattle were then moved north by rail to yards in St. Louis and Chicago.

For almost 500 years, the cattle industry has contributed significantly to Florida’s economy and natural resources. Today, nearly a quarter of the state’s acreage is grazing land for an estimated 1.7 million cattle. Nearly one-half of all Florida agricultural land is involved in beef and dairy production.

However, few examples of historic cracker cattle remain. The vast majority of cattle in Florida are either Brahman or some sort of Brahman composite.

At present, Polk County ranks as the third largest cattle county in the state with some 100,000 head. PCCA is the largest county cattlemen’s association in the state, however.

Most ranches in the state are cow-calf operations, where ranchers breed and raise calves for six to 12 months. When calves reach about 500 pounds, they are auctioned and shipped out west, closer to the Corn Belt, where they grow to a finished size of around 1,100-pounds. Florida cattle producers take pride in being good “stewards of the land” as owners and caretakers of thousands of acres of pristine native range and pasture land. Multi-generational family ranches have cared for the land, provided employment for residents and contributed greatly to the local economy and tax base.

“For these reasons, we are pleased that our association partnered with Polk County and the Florida Cattlemen’s Foundation to create a fitting memorial to our industry here in Polk County on its 150th birthday,” said Waters.

For additional information about the new cow camp at Circle B Bar Reserve, visit www.polk-county.net or call: 863668-4673.

(Special thanks to the Polk County Historical Museum for its assistance with information and photos used in the preparation of this article.)

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 33

Polk County Sheriff’s Office

Livestock Animal Cruelty Investigation FAQs

by Sheriff Grady Judd for In The Field Magazine When you hear the phrase “animal cruelty,” what is the first thought that comes to mind? Most people think of the images they see portrayed in the media of dog-fighting, or of severely neglected house pets.

Here in rural Polk County, PCSO Agricultural Crimes deputies investigate animal cruelty calls, and you’d probably be surprised to learn that the majority of these calls are not about cats and dogs – they concern livestock.

As you know, the cattle industry is thriving in Polk County.

People here depend on their cattle for food and income. When citizens drive by a pasture filled with cows and become concerned that, to the untrained eye, the cows are “emaciated” or “neglected,” they often call PCSO to report suspected animal cruelty.

PCSO Ag. Crimes deputies are highly trained to detect if and when livestock, such as horses and cows, are malnourished or neglected, and responding to these calls is a timely, but necessary, service they provide. They routinely attend training classes to hone their skills in the area of animal cruelty and neglect.

In 2011, the PCSO Agricultural Crimes Unit received 1,909 calls for service – of those, Ag. Crimes deputies conducted 318 livestock cruelty/neglect investigations. If you’re doing the math, that’s nearly one a day. The deputies spent a total of 780 hours last year working these cases. These investigations are in addition to all of the other types of calls for service Ag. Crimes deputies respond to, such as illegal dumping, trespassing, agriculture-related thefts, etc.

You may be wondering, “How can I tell the difference between a horse or a cow that has been truly neglected or mistreated, and a horse or cow that is just skinny and grazing?” Here, according to Florida State Statute 828, are some telltale signs of animal cruelty and neglect: The animal is confined in an area without ample food and water; the animal suffers from an injury or malnutrition and has

been abandoned by the owner in a street, road, or public place; the animal has been maimed, mutilated, or killed for other than a humane reason; the animal has been unnecessarily overloaded, overdriven, tormented, or deprived of food and shelter; the animal has been subjected to cruel death or repeated infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering.

Due to the recent downturn in the economy, PCSO has seen a rise in the neglect of horses. Although horses are considered livestock, they are often treated as pets or companion animals. Feeding and caring for horses can be expensive. Tragically, some horse owners who cannot afford to continue to care for their horses simply leave them out in the pasture and hope for the best. That’s when we rely on calls from the public to alert us – and we respond to the scene, confiscate the horse, and begin the process of improving its health.

Please keep in mind, however, that an animal whose ribs are visible is not necessarily “starving” or “emaciated.” Livestock animal weight and appearance fluctuates throughout the year, depending on the weather and the availability of grass and forage.

For example, in general, a large cow or horse may lose weight during the winter months when there is less nutritious grass available for grazing. Owners often provide supplemental food during the winter months.

We rely on the public every day to be our eyes and ears out in the communities, and in the fields. If you have any information about suspected livestock animal cruelty or neglect, we urge you to contact us with detailed information. Call the PCSO Agriculture Unit at 863.534.7205, or to remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward, call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1.800.226.TIPS (8477).

Sgt. Howard Martin and Deputy Sheriff Robert Keen of the PCSO Ag Crimes Unit inspect horses that were seized by deputies for neglect that are now being rehabilitated at the PCSO Stockade.

34 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2012

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The Crestfallen Rose merges the journey of a child born blind with that of two women whose lives are devastated in pre-World War II Germany—yielding an exciting tale of love and death.

Samantha Talbot is born blind. Her mother Ally, searches for the cause. She finds a mysterious link to a pesticide and Worldwide Chemical. No lawyer will touch her case until a former District Attorney, David King, agrees to fight for her and Sam. Decades before Samantha’s birth, Amalia Hecht and her uncle Karl perfect a miracle pesticide that is sought by the Gestapo. They pass it secretly to an American agent. Hunted by the police they flee Germany. Amalia befriends Rachel Wisemann, a young girl, at the Swiss Border.

Ally, Samantha and David face Worldwide Chemical in Federal Court in Miami, their quest frustrated by an ambitious judge, unscrupulous lawyers, and a callous opponent. Deftly drawn protagonists, Ally, David, Amalia and Rachel, become one with the reader in a thrilling tale.

You can purchase a paperback, hardback copy, or download the E-Book format of The Crestfallen Rose from these online bookstores: Amazon Barnes and Noble www.thecrestfallenrose.com February 2012

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 35

Livestock

Word of Mouth

by Libby Hopkins

When you pull into the drive of John and Lisa Sanders’ home, put on the door of his truck and business cards. All of their busiit looks like an ordinary house. However, their backyard is not so ness is advertised by word of mouth. ordinary. There you will see goats, and lots of them. They come “Friends would tell friends and then their friends would tell in all shapes and sizes. Some are young and lively, while others are other friends and now we can’t keep up with the demand,” Sanders mature and move at their own pace. John said. and Lisa are the owners of J&L Goats and Goats as pets are in high demand from they have been in the goat business for 10 the Sanders’ as well. years.

“I have at least six babies sold before “We originally got our first goat as a pet they even hit the ground,” Lisa said. She also for our daughter,” Sanders said. “Then we said it takes about 8 months for a goat to be got two more goats and we were hooked.” ready to sell as a pet and up to a year if the The couple realized they needed to find more goat is being sold for meat. Lisa said she tries income to feed their pets, so Sanders started not to get attached to the goats once they are looking at ways he could market his goats. born. “If I know I’m going to sell the goat, I He knew that in different cultures, goat is try not to handle it that much,” Lisa said. the meat of choice and their milk is used in They have Kiko, Spanish and Boervarious dairy products. So he decided to turn mixed goats. They try to have 20-40 goats his goats into a business. Goat farming is on hand at all times, but during the holiday not a new endeavor. This industry has been season they try to increase their numbers to around for centuries and there are a lot of meet the demand. The cost for one of their people from other parts of the world who are goats is $2 a pound on the hoof.

John Sanders of J&L Goats in Lakeland making this their chief form of livelihood.

“We don’t dress them out here, they holds one of the many goats he and his These days, more people are seeing the benhave to take them alive,” Sanders said. They wife, Lisa, raise as pets or for meat. efits and potential profits to be gained from also do not raise their goats for dairy, just raising goats. Since our nation is so culturally strictly for pets or food. In addition to the diverse, goat meat is no longer considered goats, they also have lambs and chickens. an exotic specialty item. Goat meat is healthier to eat then beef.

Sanders said that he is considering renting out his goats for land According to an article from the University of Florida News, “A management because people have inquired using his goats to clean 3-ounce cut of roasted goat meat contains 122 calories, providing up their properties.

23 grams of protein and 2.6 grams of fat. In comparison, the U.S. Goats will eat up to 3 percent of their body weight a day in Department of Agriculture reports a 3-ounce cut of roasted beef weeds, bushes, grass and trees. bottom round contains 160 calories, 24 grams of protein and 6.2 “They would rather eat the weeds then grass, “ Lisa said. grams of fat.”

“They start off high and the grass is last.”

Lisa started to compile a list of local farmers who raised goats In today’s economy, it’s hard for any business to turn a profit that they could buy and sell to, as well as people within their comwithout the help of a website or social media, but the Sanders’ are munity who wanted goats for pets. doing well without them.

“We strictly believe in buying local and supporting our local “It’s hard to make a profit sometimes, but we enjoy what we farmers and businesses,” Sanders said. Business started to pick do,” Sanders said. “It keeps are taxes low and we get to meet some up for the couple. They didn’t have a fancy website or a Facebook really nice people.” J&L Goats is located at 3117 Knights Station page to advertise their goats when they started and they still don’t Rd in Lakeland. For more information about their goats, call 863have either today. All they have is the little magnetic sign that John 859-0796 and please leave a message.

36 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2012

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I help the land yield its best.

I am Mosaic.

It’s no surprise to find an orange grove here in Florida. But most people don’t realize that, along with providing crop nutrients to farmers across America, Mosaic farms its own citrus groves. We have about 6,000 acres of citrus in production, and 500 of those acres are on reclaimed land. As grove superintendent, I see things through, from planning to harvest.

It makes sense that I keep Florida’s land growing.

®

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February 2012

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 37

Community Supported Agriculture

Farmer Jon and Family Ties Farm

by Ginny Mink

Contrary to some people’s beliefs, the CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) movement isn’t all that new. In fact, according to Steven McFadden’s article, The History of Community Supported Agriculture, Part I -Community Farms in the 21st Century: Poised for Another Wave of Growth?, the idea began in the 1920s. Here’s what he has to say on the subject, “The ideas that informed the first two American CSAs were articulated in the 1920s by Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925), and then actively cultivated in post- WW II Europe in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. The ideas crossed the Atlantic and came to life in a new form, CSA, simultaneously but independently in 1986 at both Indian Line Farm in Massachusetts and Temple-Wilton Community Farm in New Hampshire.”

Many farmers are embracing this idea as it benefits both the farmer and the consumer. Jon Bilbrey, everyone calls him Farmer Jon, is one such farmer. He runs Family Ties Farm. He provided a brief history. “The property that I’m on is family property. It started with my grandmother. Before she bought it, it was vegetables and then they turned it into beef cattle. I’ve always been around cows, chickens, turkeys, my grandmother had a little bit of this and a little bit of that. I’ve always been around farms. I don’t really have a higher education, like college or anything, but I’ve just always been around it. I’ve always had a vegetable garden and maybe not consistently every year, but a backyard garden.”

Though Jon was no stranger to the growing of vegetables, the CSA wasn’t his idea. He explained, “About three years ago I moved out to the family property and my dad and I decided we’d do a larger garden for the whole family. We did a lot of canning that year,” he paused to laugh, “and giving away vegetables to friends. Then one day my dad said, ‘You know, up North they have something called community supported agriculture,’ and I did not know anything about it. So, I started Googling all I could find out about it, and I fell in love with the concept that people could eat locally. There wouldn’t be pesticides on the foods and it wouldn’t have traveled all the way across the country to get to their tables.”

The excitement Jon experienced led him to move forward in the endeavor. “I then put a mini-webpage on a local company called, localharvest.org and pretty much that is a database. If you wanna buy honey or eggs locally you type in your zip code and it tells you who has it locally. I started in 2010, it was a spring harvest and I got my first five people who wanted to buy into the harvest. Those five people, just like my members today, commit to a fee before I even put a seed in the ground. I have two fees, one is a veggie lovers and that one is you get a bushel basket full of whatever harvested that week and it’s $520, and then I have a family share which is a half bushel and that is $260. This is per season and I do two seasons right now. The seasons will last a minimum of ten weeks and can go to twelve depending on how long the harvest is.”

That may seem a little steep, but there’s a reason, ac-

38 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2012

cording to Jon. “The agreement we go into is that they pay the money up front. That helps me prep the ground, repair the tractor and any labor costs that I have to put in. Once the harvest starts that’s when their weeks begin.” This is a win/win for all involved, Jon explained, “The thing that’s beneficial to a farmer is not only that they pay the fee up front but that they know if one season we have a particular crop that doesn’t do well they won’t get any. On the other hand if my tomatoes do really well then they’re going to get an overabundance of tomatoes that they can do stuff with. The CSA members also get a premium.

They get the first of the harvest. Since I started (the five who started with me are still with me and that’s a kudos to them) we’ve grown to 35. So, if I have 35 eggplants, they get them.

Anything above that we sell at the Farmer’s Market or wholesale. They (the members) get taken care of first.”

While everyone benefits from the share of produce there are other great things about utilizing a CSA. Jon said, “We use 90 percent all organic or heirloom seeds instead of hybrids. We do not use a pesticide. What we use is a preventative pesticide so we use compost tea. We use companion planting, we’ll plant carrots next to tomatoes to keep the bad bugs off the tomatoes, or we’ll plant peas next to corn because peas actually put nitrogen into the ground which is the number one fertilizer you need for corn to get it to grow.”

Organic, pesticide free, locally grown produce is infinitely better than having to buy imported and chemical laced veggies.

Jon’s farm grows, “a variety of squashes: crooked neck, patty pan, zucchini; a variety of peppers: bell peppers (yellow, orange and red), banana peppers, jalapeno; cucumbers, eggplants, green beans, pole beans, a yellow bean, sweet corn, all the greens: mustard, collard, cabbage.” He says the “number one favorite,” for his members is kale. But the list doesn’t end there, he continued, “We grow okra, Swiss chard, parsnip, a variety of lettuces from leaf to romaine, peas: black-eye peas, purple hull, and zipper; tomatoes: heirloom, and the traditional Big Boy, and cherry.”

Jon’s wife, son and father all help with the two acres dedicated solely to the CSA. Members get a newsletter in their baskets every other week and the newsletter includes recipes for the veggies they find inside. Anyone interested in participating in Jon’s CSA can find information on Google by typing in the farm’s name: Family Ties Farm. Or, they can contact Jon via email at: familytiesfarm@gmail.com or via phone: 863 662 5239. Also, if you’d like to learn more about the history of CSA’s check this link out: http://newfarm.rodaleinstitute.org/features/0104/csa-history/part1.shtml.

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 39

Local Growth

Four Corners Public Market

by Jim Frankowiak

Public markets – places like Boston’s Faneuil Hall, Pike’s Place Market in Seattle or the Charleston Public Market – have been around for 6,000 years. The main focus of a Public Market is locally grown, raised and produced agriculture products. They consist of owner-operated businesses that reflect and celebrate what is unique about their region while serving their community’s everyday shopping needs and there’s one proposed for the Four Corners area of Polk County, on a 17 acre site at US Highway 27 and Ronald Reagan Blvd. near I-4.

Public markets are not festival venues, malls, or flea markets but farmer’s markets are a component. They are indoor space conditioned and outdoor retail facilities where locally-owned and operated independent businesses flourish year-round from stalls, carts and stores. They typically include outdoor “daytables” for local ‘producers’ – farmers and craftspeople. Chain stores and franchises are barred.

South Carolina-based developer David Bloom wants to begin this project in the fall of this year and has been reaching out to the community, particularly the agriculture community, to gauge the level of interest in his proposed $21 million project. At a recent gathering at the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex, Bloom and one of his project consultants, Aaron Zaretsky of Public Marketing Consulting, Weaverville, North Carolina met with a group of public and private parties, including several market area growers to discuss the project.

“The Central Florida Public Market would be an indoor/ outdoor market,” said Zaretsky, whose background includes a 15-year stint at Pike’s Place in Seattle and he recounted the tale of an entrepreneur who introduced a mix of ground coffers at that public market with a name Zaretsky thought would never work.

“That was Starbucks,” he said. Other businesses that grew out of public markets include Wax Orchards cider, jams from Casca-

40 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2012

dian Farms and Sur La Table kitchen supplies.

“Successful public markets appeal to all,” said Bloom.

“They are safe, secure and diverse in their customer appeal.” According to a survey of random visitors to malls and public markets, people go to malls to shop, but that’s not the case at public markets. Visitors are there for the social experience. “However, the money spent by public market visitors far surpasses their counterparts at malls.”

Bloom and Zaretsky said the proposed Central Florida Public Market, which is to be open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. year round, is expected to have the following features: • An indoor Market Hall area with 107,000 square feet of leasable area for vendors and on-site food production • A Market Hall interior public/common space of 46,000 square feet • 15,000 square feet of exterior leasable space for Daystall farmers and craft producers with preference to farmers.

Daystalls are projected to rent for under $25/day for a 10 x 12 foot space.

• An additional 6,000 square feet for indoor, on-site hydroponic produce production • A “kids” market • A commercial kitchen where local farmers can created value-added products and where local chefs can demonstrate their cooking skills • The opportunity to meet and talk with the “producers” – the people who grow and/or make the products they sell Bloom has done extensive research about the public market concept and market area to be served by the proposed Polk County market. That research determined projected vendor sales of $700 per square foot annually, a primary and second trade

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area of about 2 million potential customers, a regional trade area of more than 5.25 million potential customers and an annual regional tourist/visitor based of 44 million potential customers.

“We are looking at serving a market area within 60 miles of our location,” said Bloom.

“Unlike many public markets in other parts of the U.S., we anticipate 80 percent of our project cost will be privately funded and the balance coming from to be determined public sources,” he said. “We have also recognized that critical to public market success is a skilled multi-member management team and aggressive advertising and promotion. Those elements have been incorporated into our plans.” The proposed management team would consist of an overall market director, a marketing director, day table coordinator and director of operations and maintenance. The initial advertising/promotion budget for the market has been tentatively set at $600,000 Meeting attendees were asked for their comments at the end of the session and each was given a draft of Day Table Policies for their individual review and comment.

Plant City Strawberry Farmer Gary Parkes, who was present at the meeting, felt he and his agricultural counterparts consider the proposed public market “a vi-

able option for many, who at this time have no option other than sales to wholesalers.”

The next steps in the process include seeking continued support from the agricultural community and specific sources of bank and public funding.

Site Plan

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February 2012

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 41

Recipe from the PCCW

Blue Cheese Crusted Filet Mignon

with Port Wine Sauce

Submitted by Shelly Kitchen, Polk County CattleWomen

Lean beef is a naturally nutrient-rich source of several essential vitamins and minerals we need to live well and prevent chronic disease.

A three-ounce serving of lean beef is an excellent source of protein, zinc, vitamin B12, selenium and phosphorus; and a good source of niacin, vitamin B6, iron and riboflavin.

ingredients 1 tablespoon butter ½ cup onion, minced 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 4 filet mignon steaks (1 ½ inches thick) ¾ cup crumbled blue cheese ¾ cup beef broth, low sodium ¼ cup panko bread crumbs ½ Port wine

Protein A three-ounce serving of lean beef is an excellent source of protein, supplying more than half the protein most people need each day. In addition, the protein in beef is a complete, high-quality protein, which means it supplies all of the essential amino acids, or building blocks of protein, the body needs to build, maintain and repair body tissue. Muscles also form hormones and enzymes, and increase resistance to infection and disease. A growing body of scientific evidence suggests that eating more protein can benefit weight loss, muscle mass maintenance, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and satiety Makes four servings.

DIREcTIONS Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic and thyme. Cook, stirring constantly, until onion is tender. Stir in the beef broth, scraping any onion bits from the bottom of the pan, then stir in the port wine. Bring to a boil, cook until the mixture has reduced to about ½ cup. Set aside.

This may also be made ahead of time and reheated.

Preheat oven at 350°. Heat oil in a cast iron or oven safe skillet over high heat. Sear steaks quickly on both sides until brown, then place the whole skillet in the oven. Roast steaks in the oven for about 15 minutes for medium rare – with an internal thermometer of 145 degrees. You may adjust this time to allow the steaks to finish just below your desired degree of doneness if medium is not what 42 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2012

you prefer. Remove from the oven, and place on a baking sheet. Stir together the panko bread crumbs and blue cheese. Top each steak with a layer of this mixture. Preheat the oven’s broiler. Place steaks under the preheated broiler until the cheese topping is browned and bubbly. 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the oven, and let stand for at least 15 minutes before serving. Serve with warm port wine sauce.

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Youth: Lightsey Intern

Your Heritage Holds Your Future

by Libby Hopkins

“I was once told that if you have a strong passion for something, you should look at your heritage because more than likely, that’s where it came from,” said Rebecca Weeks, a senior at the University of Florida completing a spring internship at the Lightsey Cattle Company in Lake Wales. Weeks is majoring in Animal Science with an emphasis on beef cattle. She will be graduating in May. If you ask her where she’s from, she’ll tell you “Florida.”

Weeks was born in Tallahassee, raised in Woodville, and lived in Deltona from the age of 8 until she moved to Gainesville to attend college. None of her upbringing involved living or working on a farm. Her mom is a schoolteacher and her dad a small business entrepreneur. So, where did she get her passion for cows?

“I sat down one day with my grandpa and asked him if anyone in our family ever worked with cattle. He said that my great-grandfather used to run a dairy,” Weeks said. “I didn’t know that about my family and it made me realize where I get my need to work with cattle.” She said it made total sense to her after the talk she had with her grandfather.

Weeks picked UF because she felt it had the best veterinary program, but her mother had other hopes for her college choice.

“I picked UF because of the vet program, but my mom graduated from FSU, so we have a little family feud between us, but deep down she knew UF was where I needed to be,” Weeks said.

She started working on her career by joining Future Farmers of America while in high school. She said that’s where her love for agriculture and livestock began. The first animal she showed was a lamb when she was a sophomore, but she decided to move on to bigger and better things. She showed hogs her junior and senior years and won the Showmanship Division at the Central Florida Fair.

When she was a sophomore at Santa Fe Community College, she joined the Gator Collegiate Cattlewomen Association (GCCW). She later became president of the organization when she transferred to UF. The organization assists the Florida Cattlewomen (FCW) and the Florida Cattlemen’s Associations (FCA) in their efforts to promote the welfare of the livestock industry and to foster the well being of the beef industry through education and promotion. The organization also provides opportunities for

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student leadership, growth, and career success. It was through GCCW that Weeks met the Lightseys.

“GCCW started bringing a group to Brahma Island to do work where I talked to Cary Lightsey and I asked him if he needed any summer interns,” Weeks said. Lightsey asked her if she would be interested in doing an internship during the spring instead of the summer.

Weeks agreed and re-worked her school schedule so she could do the two month long internship. Cary Lightsey’s wife, Marcia, said Weeks has been working out great on the ranch. “She is very knowledgeable and she has not backed down from any job we have given her since she started with us,” Marcia said.

Weeks’ average day on the ranch starts around 4:45 a.m., depending upon how close the cattle are to the section of the Lightsey’s property they are working that the day. She pushes the cattle on horseback to the nearest cow pen and then she will “work them up,” which means she will be vaccinating, sorting, ear marking, castrating, implanting, ear tagging and helping the cowboys gather cattle from the fields. All of which can be very challenging at times.

“They were a little easy on me the first day, but then they realized I am a hands on learner and I don’t like being pushed aside,” Weeks said.

The curriculum at UF prepared Weeks for what she would be doing at her internship, but she admits there is only so much you can learn from textbooks and PowerPoint slides. “In class there are 15 students and 20 cows, so you only get one chance to do everything,” Weeks said. “Out here you get 300 chances a day.”

The Lightsey family is also teaching Weeks how to preserve and protect the agricultural community. They are dedicated to keeping the ranching culture alive and they take their responsibility as stewards of the land seriously.

“This internship has giving me a real world perspective on what it’s like to be a rancher and a steward of the land,” Weeks said. “It’s not just about creating the steak that goes on your plate at dinner time.”

The Lightsey Cattle Company is located at 1401 Sam Keen Rd. in Lake Wales. For more information about internship opportunities, you can contact them at 863-692-1013.

February 2012

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 43

Youth: FFA

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44 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2012

I would first like to say thank you to all those who helped me achieve my goal of going to China.

Our team, along with 60 other state officers and past state officers from all over the nation, met in Los Angeles, California on January 4 for orientation. While in L.A. we learned some facts and customs of the Chinese that would really help us while in the foreign country. We then headed to China for ten days, where we learned all about their agriculture and, ultimately, became tourists. Besides going to see the Great Wall of China and the Terra Cotta Warriors, we visited a dairy, a tea farm, a beef cattle farm, and so much more. Our group packed in at least three tours per day. We toured Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, and Suzhou, where we were completely immersed in the Chinese culture. This experience is one I will never forget and am most grateful for. I had the most amazing time and learned so much and feel blessed to live in the United States of America.

Next on my agenda was the Polk County Youth Fair, where 4-H and FFA members from all over the county come together and have the opportunity to show off all the hard work they have done on their supervised agricultural experience programs (SAEs). From showing pure bred cattle to steers to show swine to plants and crafts, these kids have done a great job at showing off their skills. One of the most popular attractions of the PCYF is the Whip Popping contest where students have one minute to show off their whip popping skills in front several judges as well as an arena full of people. Throughout the week some students participate in contests that help them learn more about agriculture, such as livestock judging, rabbit judging, the horticulture contest, and poultry judging. These students represent their chapters and schools well by using their hard earned knowledge to win medals, contests, and the pride of participation.

I know I am not the only one who is proud of the members who participated this year.

“A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work,” Colin Powell. Motivation to accomplish our goals comes from family, previous accomplishments, and something inside us that wants to be the best. Whether it is winning grand champion at the county fair or even graduating high school, no goal is too big or too small. In order to achieve our goals we must work hard and never lose sight of what we want and the true goal we have set for ourselves. While we may have small successes along the way, it is important to remember to keep our main goal in full view and work hard to accomplish it.

Thank you and God bless.

Shelby Oesterreicher Area IV Vice President Florida FFA Association

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 45

Youth: FFA Student

Tiffany Schneider Tiffany Schneider was born at the Heart of Florida Hospital in Haines City, FL. She was born in to a small town farm family, which dates back to the early 1950s from her great grandfather, Elmer Ernest Scott. Tiffany currently lives with her mother on a 71 acre ranch that is known as RWS Ranch located in Davenport.

Many of Tiffany’s family members live on the ranch as well, including her grandfather and uncle. Tiffany is currently in the seventh grade at Stambaugh Middle School.

Tiffany’s family background includes the raising and producing of Simmental cattle, York Cross pigs, and New Zealand White rabbits, along with other farm animals. She is involved in showing Simmental cattle through the Road Ends 4-H club and RWS Ranch. She shows at the local, county, state and national levels, and is aware of their habitat, diet, grooming, and the best ways of caring for the animals.

The Road Ends 4-H Club was originated by Tiffany’s grandfather in 1999. She has been involved with 4-H since she could walk and talk, progressing through the years with a main focus on agriculture and science. The 4-H club gives her the opportunity and chance to learn everyday life skills, set individual goals, build her self-confidence and learn to take on responsibility.

Tiffany is also very involved in the FFA at Stambaugh Middle School. She currently serves as treasurer of the organization.

Tiffany attended FOA (Florida Outdoor Adventures) this past summer at the LTC in Haines City, and this school year alone,

she has participated in citrus judging and opening and closing ceremonies. She is also showing both rabbits and chickens at the Polk County Youth Fair.

Her varied involvement in the community, school, county, state and national levels represents her enthusiasm to do anything that she is asked. Tiffany has helped with the Davenport Lions Club Farm Fest, Easter Egg Hunt and Thanksgiving Luncheon, Davenport Heritage Days, Davenport Quilt & Tea Show, Davenport Road Ends 4-H Halloween Haunted House, and the unloading of Christmas trees for the Winter Haven Optimist Club’s annual Christmas tree sale. Tiffany’s recent involvement includes chasing softballs for a senior adult softball tournament in Winter Haven.

Tiffany’s love for her county extends to participating with the Road Ends 4-H Club in the “Keep Polk County Beautiful Road Clean Up” project by walking CR547 and picking up trash to keep her town beautiful. She is also involved in the live nativity scene located at the Sunshine Foundation Village. Tiffany helps her grandfather and other members of the Road Ends 4-H Club with the live animals at the event.

In her spare time, Tiffany likes to go fishing, ride 4-wheelers, and hang out with her family. Although this fun loving girl is only in 7th grade, she has a bright future ahead of her. Tiffany hopes to attend the University of Florida to become a veterinarian. And with a resume like hers, anything is possible.

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February 2012

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February 2012

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 47

Youth: FFA Teacher

One of Ag’s Great People: Jimmy Sweeney

by Ginny Mink

As independent as people would like to consider themselves, the fact of the matter is, no one can exist alone. Even the farmer who raises his own food must get his seed and animals from someone. We all need each other to survive. Life on this planet is indeed a team effort, although we’d much rather view it as an individual sport. Jimmy Sweeney understands the necessity for teamwork and does his very best to instill that concept in the kids he teaches at George Jenkins High School.

Jimmy didn’t grow up on a farm or have lots of agricultural experience prior to his days in college. “My personal history with agriculture is mainly with citrus with my father-in-law, his name was Paul Thornhill. We worked about 15 acres of citrus groves.”

Although he does add, “I was a member of FFA, obviously, at Kathleen and Lake Gibson High School.”

Jimmy shares a bit of his educational background, “I graduated from Lake Gibson High School, went on to college in Georgia, Berry College, played baseball there.” Ultimately he earned a BS degree in physical education and animal science. “I was playing ball. I went into the animal science field, at first, to become a vet but I decided it wasn’t the field for me. But, I continued on in the classes and got the degree instead of a pre-vet one. I still had a love for animals.”

It was after college that he began working in the groves.

While employed there he said, “When I first started my teaching career I was coaching football and baseball and then moved in to Ag as far as the teaching component of it. Two of my friends were teaching Ag at Kathleen High School and they had an opening and I was always down there in the Ag department with them and they asked me if I’d like the position and I said, ‘yeah, sure.’

It was a great opportunity that I took advantage of. I transferred to George Jenkins back in 2004.”

In case you hadn’t noticed, Jimmy’s explanations of his personal life are short and sweet. He says, “I don’t do well talking about myself, if it was one of my students, I’d probably ramble and ramble,” then he chuckles and begins to expound on his FFA program at George Jenkins. “Our FFA focuses on many facets of agriculture from growing row crops to the animal science end.

We have llamas, swine, poultry, steer and heifers, and rabbits. In our curriculum we offer Ag mechanics, animal science classes, along with, this year, we opened up a vet academy where we’re offering vet sciences as well.”

The veterinary science academy they have started is certainly something he’s proud of. “That is a big push in Polk County right

48 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2012

now, career academies. George Jenkins has six. Our veterinary sciences academy is in its infancy but we’ve assembled an advisory board made up of local vets and people within the industry, vet technicians, a gentleman who works with a pharmaceutical company. We’re trying to expose the students to all the possibilities, trying to get them into internships to make them more marketable, more employable, when they graduate from George Jenkins. By their senior year they will have the opportunity to sit for the certified vet assistant exam if they follow all four years in the program,” he said.

Then, just as he promised, he begins to brag on his students.

“I’m extremely proud of our current FFA members, and former FFA members that have gone on to get Ag education degrees. I have some former students that are Ag teachers. I’m particularly proud that some of our students are pursuing secondary degrees and going on to work in some agricultural capacity. My students have won several state titles in the CDE’s, the citrus event, the nursery and landscape event, the vet assisting contest, and we’ve been in the top five of many other CDE’s as well.”

Given those achievements, it’s easy to see why he’s proud of the students he teaches. He adds, “I think my students have been successful because of the coaching and athletic background I have because it drives me, it motivates me, to get them to try their hardest. If it’s something worth doing, it’s worth doing right. We do our CDE’s as a team.” Then in true teacher pride he interjects, “Currently one of my students is a champion for showing dogs.

She’s qualified for Eukanuba dog showing events and she’s qualified to attend the Westminster Kennel Club event!”

Jimmy is a teacher who’s happy to be one and that’s a refreshing change. He says his favorite part of his job is, “seeing the students develop a love and appreciation for agriculture, especially those who’ve not had much experience with it. And I should add, the opportunity to meet such wonderful people in the industry, to those who operate the feed stores, grow the crops and produce the beef, it’s a tight knit family. If you don’t know something, they’ll do everything in their power to help you.”

Jimmy closes the conversation stating, “Agriculture is important because of the opportunity it provides. It allows one personal growth, career success, and leadership opportunities. It’s also important because it is truly a way of life, a labor of love. The greatest thing about agriculture is the people, the people involved in it.” If Jimmy is an example of the kind of people involved in Ag, he’s absolutely right!

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February 2012

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 49

Polk County Youth Fair Results

2012 Polk County Youth Fair Parade of Champions Name Shadiya Almallah T.J. Babb Emily Bacon Caitlin Bailey Mackenzie Barber Bailey Barber Justin Barthle

Tyler Bazemore Caitlyn Benton

Clare Bibby Jesse ibby Steven Boles Tyler Bond Emily Boudreau Charity Bowe Baeleigh Bradley Marshall Bradley Lauren Branam Allison Briggs Rebecca Briggs Alexis Brown Emma Brown Terra Caldwell Megan Campbell

Morgan Carlton Shelby Carlton Quinn Carter Maria Catello Josie Chandler Keatley Chandler Josalynne Christian Justin Christian Kaydee Clark Maggie Clark Hannah Cline Rebekah Cline Wyatt Cobb Aaron Cole Cassidy Collins Lanson Collins Grace Colston Karen Colston Laura Colston Ivy Comparato Amber Cooper Elizabeth Cornelius Alexis Cornell Erica Curtis Courtney Deal

Award FCS/Cake Auction: 1st Place, FCS/Food: Tri-Color VoAg/Market Steer INT Div: 1st Place FCS/Chili Cook Off: 1st Place People’s Choice VoAg/Poultry&Egg Show SR Shwmnship: 1st Place, VoAg/Poultry&Egg Show 4-H JR Ind: 1st Place FCS/Food: Tri-Color, VoAg/DogShow JR Sub-Novice Agility: 1st Place, FCS/Tablesetting JR Div: Best Informal Indoor FCS/Tablesetting JR Div: Judges’ Choice FCS/Cake Auction: 1st Place, FCS/Home Furnishings: Tri-Color, VoAg/ PurebredBeef Brahman: Rsve Chmpn Brangus Bull, VoAg/PurebredBeef Brahman: Grnd Chmpn Brangus Fmle, VoAg/PurebredBeef Brahman: Grnd Chmpn Brahman Breed Fmle, VoAg/Steer Gain in Weight: 1st Place VoAg/Poultry&Egg Show: Champion Turkey FCS/Child Development: Tri-Color, FCS/Chili Cook Off: 1st Place People’s Choice, FCS/Food: Tri-Color, FCS/Home Furnishings: TriColor, FCS/Home Furnishings: Tri-Color, FCS/Tablesetting SR Div: Best Informal Outdoor, FCS/Team Sew Off: 1stPlace SR Div VoAg/Horticulture Ornamentals: Reserve Champion VoAg/Market Steer JR Shwmnship Contest: 1st Place VoAg/Poultry&Egg Show: Champion Male Bantam VoAg/Horticulture Vegetable: Tri-Color , VoAg/Poultry&Egg Show JR Shwmnship: 1st Place VoAg/Rabbit Judging FFA JR Team: 1st place VoAg/Market Steer JR Div: 1st Place VoAg/DogShow Sub-Novice A Obedience: 1st Place, VoAg/DogShow INT Novice A Rally: 1st Place, VoAg/DogShow Team: 1st Place VoAg/DogShow JR Basic Shwmnship: 1st Place VoAg/HorseShowINT Walk/Trot: 1st Place FCS/Tablesetting INT Div: Best Informal Outdoor FCS/Tablesetting INT Div: Most Creative VoAg/DogShow JR Basic Agility: 1st Place FCS/Tablesetting JR Div: Best Informal Outdoor VoAg/HorseShow INT Quiz: 1st Place FCS/Food: Tri-Color, FCS/Food Preservations: Tri-Color, VoAg/Horticulture Vegetable: Tri-Color, VoAg/Poultry&Egg Show: Best Dozen Brown Eggs, VoAg/PurebredBeef Brahman: Grnd Chmpn Beefmaster Fmle, VoAg/CommHeifer Brahman Influence: Resrv Chmpion 3 yr old Div, VoAg/PurebredBeef Brahman: Rsve Chmpn Beefmaster Fmle, VoAg/ PurebredBeef Brahman: Grnd Chmpn Beefmaster Bull, VoAg/Steer Gain in Weight: 1st place VoAg/HogShow: Reserve Champion VoAg/HogShow: 1st in Class VoAg/PurebredBeef Brahman: Grnd Chmpn Brangus Bull, VoAg/ PurebredBeef Breeding SR Shwmnship: 1st Place, VoAg/PurebredBeef Brahman: Grnd Chmpn Brahman Breed Male VoAg/HorseShow SR Trail: 1st Place VoAg/PurebredBeef English: Grnd Chmpn Angus Bull, VoAg/PurebredBeef English: Grnd Chmpn English Breed Male VoAg/HogShow: 1st in Class FCS/Tablesetting SR Div: Most Creative FCS/Cake Auction: 1st Place VoAg/CommHeifer JRShwmshp: 1st Place, VoAg/PurebredBeef Continental: Rsve Chmpn Continental Breed Fmle, VoAg/PurebredBeef Continental: Rsve Chmpn Maine Anjou Fmle VoAg/Market Steer SR Div: 1st Place VoAg/PurebredBeef Continental: Grnd Chmpn Maine Anjou Fmle, VoAg/ PurebredBeef Continental: Grnd Chmpn Continental Breed Fmle FCS/Food: Tri-Color VoAg/Poultry&Egg Show: Champion Male Standard VoAg/Poultry&Egg Show: High Junior Individual, VoAg/Horticulture FFA JR Team: 1st Place, VoAg/Poultry&Egg Show FFA JR Team: 1st Place VoAg/Archery INT Instinctive Compound: 1st Place VoAg/PurebredBeef Continental: Rsve Chmpn Zebu Bull FCS/Demonstrations: 1st Place INT Div FCS/Illustrated Talk: 1st Place JR Div FCS/Individual Sew Off: 1st Place/JR.Div FCS/Illustrated Talk: 1st Place SR Div, FCS/Tablesetting SR Div: Best Formal VoAg/HorseShow INT Flags: 1st Place, VoAg/HorseShow INT Hollow Log: 1st Place, VoAg/HorseShow INT Speed Shwmnship: 1st Place FCS/Tablesetting INT Div: Best Holiday or Celebration VoAg/DogShow SR Basic Agility: 1st Place, VoAg/DogShow SR Basic Rally: 1st Place, VoAg/DogShow SR Sub-Novice B Obedience: 1st Place FCS/Best in Show Photography: Best in Show Photography, VoAg/ DogShow SR Sub-Novice Agility: 1st Place VoAg/Poultry&Egg Show 4-H SR Ind: 1st Place, VoAg/Rabbit Judging 4-H SR Ind: 1st Place

50 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2012

Name Brandon Dement Misty Devane Cameron Dicks Anna Dodd Erin Drury Joshua Duff Leah Dunham Taeler Dupre Devin Dye Kenneth Edwards Marisol Espinoza David Finch Joseph Flood Kathryn Flood Ary Folds Trace Foreman Colby Fussell Reed Fussell Wes Fussell Jordan Futch Jessica Garber Ethan Garrett Shelby Garrett Anthony Gineo Emily Gipson Olivia Glenn David Goodwill Abigail Grant Emily Grant Nicole Green Kathleen Greene Kara Grubbs Andrew Hamm Mary Grace Hamm Sebastian Hathcock Brandi Hess Corin Hockenberry Austin Houck Brinsley Houk Taylor Howell Sierra Hylton Cierra Jackson Joshua Jenkins Amber Johns Abigail Jones Kaylee Jones Stephanie Keeble Jayson Keen Chelsea King Destaney King Kaitlyn King Tanner Kinney Amanda Kunberger Kandice Ladd Brooke Lang Risa Langford

Award VoAg/PurebredBeef Continental: Grnd Chmpn Zebu Bull VoAg/PurebredBeef Continental: Rsve Chmpn Zebu Fmle FCS/Chili Cook Off: 1st Place Best Decorated Booth, FCS/Home Furnishings: Tri-Color, FCS/Home Furnishings: Tri-Color FCS/Storytelling: 1st Place INT Div, FCS/Tablesetting INT Div: Judges’ Choice, VoAg/CommHeifer INT Shwmshp: 1st Place FCS/Cake Auction: 1st Place FCS/Food: Tri-Color VoAg/HorseShowJR Walk/Trot: 1st Place VoAg/CommHeifer European Influence: Overall Grand Chmpion, VoAg/ CommHeifer European Influence: Grand Chmpion-2 yr Div VoAg/Horticulture FFA JR Team: 1st Place, VoAg/Poultry&Egg Show FFA JR Team: 1st Place FCS/Citrus Basket: Tri-Color, FCS/Food: Tri-Color FCS/Citrus Display: Tri-Color VoAg/CommHeifer Brahman Influence: Grand Chmpion-yearling Div, VoAg/CommHeifer Brahman Influence: Overall Grand Chmpion VoAg/PurebredBeef English: Rsve Chmpn Limousin Bull VoAg/PurebredBeef Continental: Rsve Chmpn Continental Breed Male, VoAg/PurebredBeef English: Grnd Chmpn Limousin Bull VoAg/Horticulture FFA JR Team: 1st Place VoAg/Poultry&Egg Show: High Junior Individual, VoAg/Rabbit Judging FFA JR Team: 1st place FCS/Cake Auction: 1st Place VoAg/PurebredBeef English: Rsve Chmpn Angus Fmle VoAg/PurebredBeef English: Grnd Chmpn Angus Fmle, VoAg/PurebredBeef English: Grnd Chmpn English Breed Fmle VoAg/HorseShow SR Eng Pleasure: 1st Place, VoAg/HorseShow SR Wstrn Pleasure: 1st Place, VoAg/HorseShow SR Wstrn Shwmnship: 1st Place, VoAg/HorseShow SR Wstrn Shwmnship: 1st Place VoAg/Horticulture Ornamentals: Tri-Color FCS/Demonstrations: 1st Place JR Div FCS/Chili Cook Off: 1st Place Best Decorated Booth VoAg/Horticulture Ornamentals: Tri-Color VoAg/HorseShow SR Groom&Cond: 1st Place VoAg/HorseShow JR Flags: 1st Place, VoAg/HorseShow JR Poles: 1st Place, VoAg/HorseShow JR Wstrn Shwmnship: 1st Place, VoAg/HorseShow JR Wstrn Shwmnship: 1st Place VoAg/HogShow: 1st in Class VoAg/HorseShow SR Quiz: 1st Place VoAg/Horticulture FFA JR Team: 1st Place, VoAg/Poultry&Egg Show FFA JR Team: 1st Place VoAg/Horticulture FFA JR Team: 1st Place FCS/Food: Tri-Color FCS/Child Development: Tri-Color, FCS/Individual Sew Off: 1st Place/ INT Div VoAg/Archery SR Instinctive Recurve: 1st Place VoAg/Archery Jr. Instinctive Recurve: 1st Place VoAg/Horticulture Ornamentals: Grand Champion VoAg/HogShow: 1st in Class VoAg/DogShow JR Basic Rally: 1st Place VoAg/Rabbit Judging FFA JR Team: 1st place VoAg/Horticulture Blueberry: Grand Champion VoAg/CommHeifer Brahman Influence: Resrv Chmpion-yearling Div, VoAg/CommHeifer Brahman Influence: Overall Resrv Chmpion VoAg/PurebredBeef Continental: Grnd Chmpn Zebu Fmle VoAg/Market Steer JR Div: 1st Place VoAg/HogShow: 1st in Class VoAg/Rabbit Judging FFA JR Team: 1st place FCS/Storytelling: 1st Place JR Div FCS/Clothing: Tri-Color VoAg/HorseShow SR Barrels: 1st Place, VoAg/HorseShow SR Poles: 1st Place VoAg/HogShow: 1st in Class VoAg/CommHeifer European Influence: Resrv Chmpion-2 yr Div VoAg/PurebredBeef English: Grnd Chmpn Hereford Bull, VoAg/CommHeifer Brahman Influence: Grand Chmpion-3 yr old Div VoAg/HogShow: 1st in Class VoAg/Market Steer Carcass Contest: 1st Place FCS/Demonstrations: 1st Place SR Div VoAg/Herdsman Individual: 1st Place VoAg/Swine: 1st place VoAg/Horticulture FFA JR Team: 1st Place, VoAg/Poultry&Egg Show FFA SR Team: 1st Place

www.InTheFieldMagazine.com

Polk County Youth Fair Results

Name Kyle Lay

Cody Lefstead Katie Leonard Jennaveave Lester Michaela Lindley Dusty Locke Jessie Locke Katy Locke Kendall Locke Rachel Locke Helen Long Chance Loyd Payge Lundy Nathan Maddox Cody Malys Joe Mann Jessica Marcial Hunter Massey Mitchel Matson Clayton McCall Bradley McCartnea Dakota McCullers Moriah McCullers

Sam Mixon Kenneth Montague Natalee Moore Leanna Morris Julian Nelson Cole Newman Kaylee Norris Miles O’Neil Katherine Patrick Shania Patterson Taylor Patterson Hope Peavey Mike Perez Shelby Peterson Katelyn Pettypiece Allyson Polston Cassidy Polston Promise Potter Alanah Pruitt Brianne Pueschell Elizabeth Putnam Macie Ray Michael Ray Travis Reese Avery Reid Kayli Reid

Award VoAg/DogShow SR Adv A Rally: 1st Place, VoAg/DogShow SR Novice A Obedience: 1st Place, VoAg/DogShow SR Novice Agility: 1st Place, VoAg/DogShow SR Novice Shwmnship: 1st Place, VoAg/DogShow Team: 1st Place VoAg/PurebredBeef Brahman: Rsve Chmpn Brangus Fmle, VoAg/ PurebredBeef Brahman: Rsve Chmpn Brahman Breed Fmle FCS/Food: Tri-Color, FCS/Individual Sew Off: 1st Place/SR Div, FCS/ Storytelling: 1st Place SR Div FCS/Tablesetting JR Div: Best Holiday or Celebration VoAg/HorseShow SR Hollow Log: 1st Place VoAg/PurebredBeef English: Rsve Chmpn English Breed Male, VoAg/ PurebredBeef English: Rsve Chmpn Angus Bull VoAg/Horticulture Citrus: Grand Champion, VoAg/Poultry&Egg Show: Champion Commercial Hen, VoAg/Poultry&Egg Show: Overall Grand Champion FCS/Tablesetting INT Div: Best Informal Indoor, VoAg/Poultry&Egg Show FFA JR Team: 1st Place VoAg/PurebredBeef Brahman: Rsve Chmpn Brahman Bull, VoAg/ PurebredBeef Breeding SR Shwmnship: 1st Place VoAg/PurebredBeef Brahman: Grnd Chmpn Brahman Fmle FCS/Cake Auction: 1st Place VoAg/Archery JR Sighted Compound: 1st Place VoAg/HorseShowJR Quiz: 1st Place VoAg/CommHeifer European Influence: Overall Resrv Grand Chmpion, VoAg/CommHeifer European Influence: Grand Chmpion-3 yr Div, VoAg/ Market Steer JR Div: 1st Place VoAg/HogShow: 1st in Class VoAg/HogShow: 1st in Class FCS/Chili Cook Off: 1st Place Judge’s Choice VoAg/Poultry&Egg Show: Best Dozen White Eggs FCS/Chili Cook Off: 1st Place Judge’s Choice VoAg/Market Steer: Reserve Champion, VoAg/Market Steer INT Div: 1st Place FCS/Best in Show Educational: Best in Show Educational VoAg/Steer Gain in Weight: 1st place FCS/Chili Cook Off: 1st Place People’s Choice, FCS/Tablesetting SR Div: Best Holiday or Celebration, VoAg/PurebredBeef English: Rsve Chmpn English Breed Fmle, FCS/Child Development: Tri-Color, FCS/ Home Furnishings: Tri-Color, FCS/Team Sew Off: 1stPlace SR Div, VoAg/HogShow: Grand Champion, VoAg/PurebredBeef English: Grnd Chmpn Hereford Fmle VoAg/Steer Gain in Weight: 1st place VoAg/PurebredBeef Continental: Grnd Chmpn Maine Anjou Bull VoAg/Poultry&Egg Show FFA SR Team: 1st Place FCS/Cake Auction: 1st Place, VoAg/Horticulture Citrus: Reserve Champion, VoAg/Horticulture Ornamentals: Tri-Color VoAg/Poultry&Egg Show: Champion Female Standard VoAg/PurebredBeef Brahman: Grnd Chmpn Brahman Bull, VoAg/ PurebredBeef Brahman: Rsve Chmpn Brahman Breed Male FCS/Food Preservations: Tri-Color, VoAg/Steer Gain in Weight: 1st place VoAg/Poultry&Egg Show INT Shwmnship: 1st Place VoAg/HorseShow INT Costume: 1st Place, VoAg/HorseShowINT Groom&Cond: 1st Place VoAg/HogShow: 1st in Class VoAg/PurebredBeef Continental: Grnd Chmpn Simmental Bull, VoAg/ PurebredBeef Continental: Grnd Chmpn Continental Breed Male VoAg/DogShow JR Div Highpoint: 1st Place, VoAg/DogShow JR Novice A Rally: 1st Place, VoAg/DogShow JR Novice Shwmnship: 1st Place, VoAg/DogShow JR Sub-Novice A Obedience: 1st Place FCS/Food: Tri-Color VoAg/HorseShowJR Horse Therapy: 1st Place FCS/Clothing: Tri-Color FCS/Home Furnishings: Tri-Color, VoAg/Market Steer INT Div: 1st Place VoAg/Horticulture Ornamentals: Tri-Color, VoAg/PurebredBeef Breeding SR Shwmnship: 1st Place, VoAg/Market Steer Int. Shwmnship: 1st Place VoAg/HorseShow INT Poles: 1st Place VoAg/HorseShow SR Costume: 1st Place, VoAg/HorseShow SR Speed Shwmnship: 1st Place VoAg/CommHeifer European Influence: Resrv Chmpion-3 yr Div FCS/Tablesetting JR Div: Most Creative VoAg/CommHeifer Brahman Influence: Resrv Chmpion-2 year old Div VoAg/HogShow: 1st in Class VoAg/Archery SR Sighted Compound: 1st Place VoAg/DogShow INT Basic Agility: 1st Place, VoAg/DogShow INT Basic Shwmnship: 1st Place, VoAg/DogShow Team: 1st Place VoAg/DogShow JR Basic Obedience: 1st Place

www.InTheFieldMagazine.com

Name Shelby Ritchie Rebecca Ruffi Veronica Salinsky Lexi Sanchez Alia Scelp Megan Shaffer Cheyenne Sharp Cody Sharp Scott Shepherd Brianna Sherrod Kevin Sherrouse Rebekah Sikes Emily Skipper Erin Smith Skye Smith Kyle Snell Austin Snively Katherine Spencer

Bailie Spivey Kathryn Springfield Dolan Sprout Austin Spurlock Jenna Stanto Anthony Stanton Andrew Stephens Zack Sterling Andrew Stevens Erin Stluka Mackenzie Tackett Kevin Tagalos Brandon Taggart Marisol Tarango

Rebecca Taylor Mollie Tew Amber Thomas Emily Tidey

Morgan Turney Austin Vargas Chelsea Waldman Josiah Waldman Ryan Waldman Taylor Walker Trace Walling Chelsea Walman Kathleen Wann Avalon Warren Dylan Webb Rhyanna Wheeler

Leslie White Kelsey Whitt

Award VoAg/Horticulture Ornamentals: Tri-Color, VoAg/Premier Horticulture Exhibitor: Grand Champion VoAg/Rabbit Judging FFA JR Team: 1st place VoAg/Poultry&Egg Show: High Senior Individual VoAg/Rabbit Judging FFA JR Team: 1st place VoAg/HorseShowSR Horse Therapy: 1st Place VoAg/Horticulture FFA JR Team: 1st Place, VoAg/Rabbit Judging FFA JR Team: 1st place FCS/Cake Auction: 1st Place, VoAg/PurebredBeef English: Rsve Chmpn Hereford Fmle VoAg/Archery JR Instinctive Compound: 1st Place FCS/Best in Show Photography: Best in Show Photography VoAg/Horticulture Blueberry: Reserve Champion VoAg/Market Steer JR Div: 1st Place, VoAg/Market Steer Sr. Shwmnship: 1st Place FCS/Tablesetting INT Div: Best Formal FCS/Food: Tri-Color VoAg/HorseShow INT Barrels: 1st Place VoAg/HorseShow INT Eng Equitation: 1st Place, VoAg/HorseShow INT Eng Pleasure: 1st Place, VoAg/HorseShow INT Eng Shwmnship: 1st Place VoAg/Poultry&Egg Show FFA SR Team: 1st Place VoAg/Archery SR Instinctive Compound: 1st Place VoAg/DogShow SR Adv Shwmnship: 1st Place, VoAg/DogShow SR Open Obedience: 1st Place, VoAg/DogShow SR Adv Agility: 1st Place, VoAg/DogShow SR Div Highpoint: 1st Place, VoAg/DogShow SR Excellent Rally: 1st Place, VoAg/DogShow SR Novice B Obedience: 1st Place, VoAg/DogShow SR Novice B Rally: 1st Place, VoAg/DogShow Team: 1st Place, VoAg/DogShow Top Shwmnship Award: 1st Place FCS/Chili Cook Off: 1st Place Judge’s Choice FCS/Food: Tri-Color VoAg/DogShow Brace: 1st Place, VoAg/DogShow SR Sub-Novice A Obedience: 1st Place VoAg/Archery INT Sighted Compound: 1st Place VoAg/Poultry&Egg Show FFA SR Team: 1st Place VoAg/Whip Popping SR Div: 1st place VoAg/Horticulture 4-H INT Individual: 1st Place FCS/Demonstrations: 1st Place SR Div VoAg/Horticulture Blueberry: Tri- Color, VoAg/Horticulture Vegetable: Tri-Color VoAg/HogShow: 1st in Class VoAg/HorseShow SR Eng Equitation: 1st Place, VoAg/HorseShow SR Eng Shwmnship: 1st Place VoAg/Horticulture Ornamentals: Tri-Color FCS/Food: Tri-Color VoAg/HorseShow INT Trail: 1st Place, VoAg/Poultry&Egg Show 4-H INT Ind: 1st Place, VoAg/Rabbit Judging 4-H INT Ind: 1st place, VoAg/ Rabbit Judging 4-H JR Ind: 1st place, VoAg/HorseShow JR Wstrn Pleasure: 1st Place FCS/Cake Auction: 1st Place VoAg/Horticulture Ornamentals: Tri-Color, VoAg/Poultry&Egg Show: Reserve Dozen Brown Eggs FCS/Tablesetting SR Div: Judges’ Choice VoAg/HorseShow JR Costume: 1st Place, VoAg/HorseShow JR Groom&Cond: 1st Place, VoAg/HorseShow JR Speed Shwmnship: 1st Place, VoAg/DogShow INT Basic Rally: 1st Place, VoAg/DogShow INT Basic Obedience: 1st Place FCS/Scrapbook: 1st Place SR Div, FCS/Tablesetting SR Div: Best Informal Indoor VoAg/CommHeifer European Influence: Resrv Chmpion-yearling Div FCS/Cake Auction: 1st Place VoAg/Whip Popping JR Div: 1st place VoAg/Archery INT Instinctive Compound: 1st Place, VoAg/Whip Popping INT Div: 1st place FCS/Best in Show Woodworking: Best in Show Woodworking VoAg/HogShow: 1st in Class VoAg/Horticulture 4-H SR Individual: 1st Place FCS/Tablesetting JR Div: Best Formal VoAg/Horticulture FFA JR Team: 1st Place VoAg/HogShow: 1st in Class VoAg/HorseShow JR Barrels: 1st Place, VoAg/HorseShow JR Eng Pleasure: 1st Place, VoAg/HorseShow JR Eng Showman: 1st Place, VoAg/HorseShow JR Hollow Log: 1st Place, VoAg/HorseShow JR Quiz: Overall Highpoint Winner, VoAg/HorseShow JR Trail: 1st Place, VoAg/ HorseShowJR Eng Equitation: 1st Place FCS/Illustrated Talk: 1st Place INT Div, FCS/Scrapbook: 1st Place INT Div VoAg/HorseShow SR Flags: 1st Place

February 2012

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 51

Polk County Youth Fair Results

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Award VoAg/DogShow INT Novice B Obedience: 1st Place, VoAg/DogShow INT Novice Agility: 1st Place, VoAg/DogShow INT Novice B Rally: 1st Place, VoAg/DogShow INT Div Highpoint: 1st Place, VoAg/DogShow INT Novice Shwmnship: 1st Place Kaitlyn Williams VoAg/Poultry&Egg Show: Champion Female Bantum Kendyl Williams VoAg/HogShow: 1st in Class Katelyn Willliams VoAg/DogShow SR Novice A Rally: 1st Place Christopher Wingate VoAg/Market Steer: Grand Champion, VoAg/Market Steer INT Div: 1st Place Brooke Winslow VoAg/Horticulture Ornamentals: Tri-Color Rachel Wise FCS/Chili Cook Off: 1st Place Best Decorated Booth William Witt VoAg/CommHeifer European Influence: Grand Chmpion-yearling Div Lauren Zellner VoAg/Poultry&Egg Show: High Senior Individual Harley Zocckier FCS/Home Furnishings: Tri-Color, VoAg/Horticulture Ornamentals: TriColor, VoAg/CommHeifer Brahman Influence: Grand Chmpion-2 year old Div, VoAg/CommHeifer SR Shwmshp: 1st Place Ace Zorr VoAg/HorseShow INT WstrnShwmnship: 1st Place, VoAg/HorseShow INT WstrnShwmnship: 1st Place, VoAg/HorseShow INT WstrnShwmnship: 1st Place

52 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2012

2012 Polk County Youth Fair Parade of Champions Herdsman Awards for Purebred Beef Breeding Name Newman Cole Byrd Katherine Spell Aaliyah Howerin Madeline Lopez Katie Fox Courtney

Award Purebred Beef Breeding: Eagle Group Herdsmen Group Herdsmen Group Herdsmen Group Herdsmen Individual Herdsman

www.InTheFieldMagazine.com

We Tell Your Stories

and the stories of your friends, family and neighbors...

September 15 - October

August 15-September 15, 2011

15, 2011

July 15 - August 15, 2011

June 15 - July 15, 2011

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RESEARCHER EXTRAORDINAIRE

DustinTillet

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CORN MAZES & OLIVE TREES Green Leaf Sod Farms

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Covering What’s Growing

Covering What’s Growing

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MEET CAP CITRUS TAIN

Liz Austin Semon a Ling, Amy Carpe, nter sa Hodak, and CaptaVanes in Citrus.

PRESIDENTLAND ICK JIM STRen’s Association

PRESIDENT CHARLES CLARK

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Florida Cattlem

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Not Just Another Beef Cattle Operation

s Growing

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AGAZINE

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These past issues and more are available online at

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Please patronize these fine businesses in your area. www.InTheFieldMagazine.com

February 2012

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 53

813-759-6909 Animals Animal & Bird Cages Add living microbes to improve your soil, Equipment serving the fur-bearing and exotic bird industry. Cages built to order.

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Coupons SAVICH & LEE/stalnaker Horse Fence 200’x4’, Sheep & Goat Fence 330’x4’ 1 to 3 rolls - $2.50 off, 4 or more - $5 off, 10 piece limit. Field fence 47” 1-8 - $2.50 off, 9 or more - $5 off, 10 piece limit. Barbed Wire - 5 or more - $1 off 10 piece limit. Pick up ONLY while supplies last.

Classifieds

FOR SALE Pasture roller 8’ long x 2’ high $400.00, 3 Blade disc plow 28” blades $300.00, 6’ Landscape rake, 3 point hitch $125.00, Call (863) 899-8471 DEUTZ 6275 TRAILER 4X4, 75hp, $7,500 Call Alvie (813)759-8722 KUBOTA B7100 With Loader. 4X4, hst. $5,950 Call Alive (813)759-8722 KUBOTA L345 TRACTOR 34hp, 2wd. $4,250 Call Alvie (813)759-8722 MASSEY FERGUSON TRACTOR 1980 Massey Ferguson 230. 34pto hp, power steering. $4,500 Call Alvie 813-759-8722 HEAVY DUTY TRAILER 14’ Shop built, heavy duty trailer, 2 axel with ramps. $750 Call Alvie 813-759-8722.

NEW MAHINDRA 6530 2wd, 65hp. Dual remotes, 5 year warranty. $16,919 Call Alvie 813-759-8722.

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.

New Holland TC29 Tractor/Loader 29 pto hp, 268 hrs, $13,000 (UT6406). Ask for David 813-623-3673 MASSEY FERGUSON 2003 GC2300 4 X 4 hydro stat transmission, 2702 hrs. $5,350 Call Alvie 813-759-8722 2010 Bobcat CT445 45hp tractor/loader, 4X4, three point lift, live pto, hydro stat transmission, skid bucket. 171 hrs. Warranty $17,900 Call Alvie 813-759-8722 International 3444 Diesel tractor w/loader, 3 point lift, pto, runs & works. $3.750 Call Alvie 813-759-8722 1984 Massey Ferguson 240 tractor, 42 pto hp, 2wd, works great! $5,950. Call Alvie 813-759-8722

Equine Services Horse Boarding Stalls and individual turnout, lighted arena and round pen. Owners on property. $300 full care. Call 813-610-4416.

Farm Equipment JOHN DEERE 4400 TRACTOR 35 HP under 200 hrs. JD430, JD48 backhoe w/36” & 18” bucket speedco, post digger w/12” auger, 5’ box blade, 3pt hitch arm, turf tires, 16’ skid trailer. $21,500 Call David (863) 581-5727

54 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

Jobs FARM SUPERVISOR For UF research center in Balm/Wimauma.

FT w/benefits. Responsible for operation & supervision of farm-related activities within budget. Maintain field plots/facilities/equip. & spvr field personnel. Must have pest lic. Info call Craig Stanley (813) 633-4117. Apply on line at https://jobs.ufl. edu/applicants/jsp/shared/welcome_css.jsp for job req. #081061. EOE Contributing Writer Write about events in your community.

Immediate openings in Hillsborough and

Febuary ebruary2012 2012

info@inthefieldmagazine.com Polk Counties. Paid per article. Responsibilites 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

Lawn Equipment/Supplies Rubber Mulch All colors, buy 10 bags, get 1 FREE! $8.99 a bag. Call Ted 813-752-3378.

Real Estate For Sale – 45 Acres Vacant Land (Pasco County) 45 acres are comprised of gently rolling hills with big trees & solid ground. A great setting for residential development. To the east of the property is a 60 acre parcel (Lake Gilbert) that adds significant aesthetic value to the 45 acres.

Zoning: AR (Agricultural-Rural) Please call Marne Vorndran for more information 863-899-9784.

2.66 Acre Nursery for sale or lease N. Lakeland with 1,000 sq ft frame house, 2 sheds, irrigation throughout. Call Bruce 863-698-0019.

Estate Sale... buy direct—no real estate commission Large double-wide mobile home, partially furnished, 2 BR/2 ba, large kitchen, huge living room, laundry room, front screenin porch, covered double carport, utility room, Located in Country Meadows Adult Park in Plant City. Asking $17,000. Call Al at 813-763-2220.

BLAIRSVILLE, GEORGIA MLS#212769 Private home with 3BR, 2.5 baths, unfinished basement, nice kitchen, Sunroom, back deck for cooking out, nestled in the trees, cool enough that there is no AC. Lots of outbuildings.

A must see! 2.47 acres wooded, low maintenance. $180,000 Call Jane Baer w/Jane Baer Realty 1-800-820-7829 BLAIRSVILLE, GEORGIA MLS#190298 Beautiful RV lot with cement pad, decking includes the 5th wheel.

Less than 2 years old!

River’s Edge RV Park offers a large clubhouse, stocked lake for fishing, heated and cooled laundry and shower facilities. $69,000 Call Jane Baer w/ Jane Baer Realty 1-800-820-7829

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GM IS PROUD TO PARTNER WITH FARM BUREAU速 TO BRING YOU THIS VALUABLE OFFER1.

Farm Bureau members can get a $5001 private offer toward the purchase or lease of most new GM vehicles, including the Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD lineup. Visit fbverify.com for more details. They get tough jobs done with a maximum payload of up to 6,635 lbs.2 and a conventional towing capacity of up to 17,000 lbs.3 And through the GM Business Choice Program4, business owners receive even more when purchasing or leasing an eligible Chevrolet or GMC truck or van for business use. Visit gmbusinesschoice.com for details.

1Offer valid toward the purchase of new 2011 and 2012 Buick, Chevrolet and GMC models, excluding Chevrolet Volt.

2Requires Regular Cab model and gas engine. Maximum payload capacity includes weight of driver, passengers, optional equipment and cargo.

3Requires available 6.6L Duramax速 diesel engine. Maximum trailer ratings assume a properly-equipped base vehicle plus drive. See dealer for details.

4To qualify, vehicles must be used in the day-to-day operation of the business and not solely for transportation purposes. Must provide proof of business. This program may not be compatible with other offers or incentive programs. Consult your local Chevrolet or GMC dealer or visit gmbusinesschoice.com for program compatibility and other restrictions. Take delivery by 9/30/2012.

Farm Bureau and the American Farm Bureau Federation速 are registered service marks owned by the American Farm Bureau Federation, and are used herein (or by GM) under license. 息2011 General Motors LLC

W W W. S T I N G R AY F L E E T. C O M www.InTheFieldMagazine.com

February 2012

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56 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

February 2012

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