In The Field magazine Polk edition

Polk County Cattlemen’s Association

P.O. Box 9005 • Drawer HS03 Bartow, FL. 33831-9005

President – Kevin Fussell 4523 Fussell Rd Polk City, FL 33868-9676 (863) 412-5876

Vice President – Dr. Lujean Waters 8750 Shreck Rd Bartow, FL 33830 (863) 537-1495 Lujean.waters@gmail.com

Secretary/Treasurer - Justin Bunch PO Box 849 Highland City, FL 33846-0849 (863) 425-1121 justin.bunch@cpsagu.com

State Director – David Hunt 9699 Alt Bab Pk Cut-Off Rd Bartow, FL 33830 (863) 287-1835 Dhunt285@aol.com

Alternate SD – Orrin Webb PO Box 202 Bartow, FL 33831 (941) 916-5093 cwebbowebb@aol.com

Ray Clark 4484 Swindell Road Lakeland, FL 33810 (863) 640-0719 rclark@tampabay.rr.com

Donald Conroy 3882 Wolfolk Rd Fort Meade, FL 33841 (863) 412-0790

Stuart Fitzgerald PO Box 1437 Lake Wales, FL 33859 (863) 206-5021 stuartcattlellc@yahoo.com

Ken Sherrouse 13475 Moore Rd Lakeland, FL 33809-9755 (863) 698-1834 kensherrouse@yahoo.com

Scott Shoupe 6130 Allen Lane Lakeland, FL 33811 (863) 581-7593 Scott_shoupe@hotmail.com

James Stice

PO Box 460 Highland City, FL 33846 (813) 714-2333 jstice@verizon.net

Dave Tomkow

3305 US Highway 92 E Lakeland, FL 33801-9623 (863) 665-5088 dave@cattlemens1.com

Alternate Standing Committee Chairs: Membership Events

Trade Show- Bridget Stice

Rodeo- Fred Waters PO Box 463 Alturas, FL 33820-0463 (863) 559-7808

Website Cattlewomen – President, Leslie Buchanon 8444 Tom Costine Rd Lakeland, FL 33809 (863) 581-2711 Buckld96@gmail.com

Extension – Bridget Stice PO Box 9005, Drawer HS03 Bartow, FL 33831 (863) 519-1048 bccarlis@ufl.edu

Sheriff’s Dept. – Lt. Paul Wright 1891 Jim Keen Blvd. Winter Haven, FL 33880 (863) 557-1741 pw5281@polksheriff.org

Sgt. Tim Sanders 1891 Jim Keen Blvd. Winter Haven, FL 33880 (863) 656-6119 brusso@polksheriff.org

Warner University –

Abby Crawford

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

Letter from the Editor

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Yes, that’s right, it’s fair season!! The season kicks off with the Polk County Youth Fair, for Polk County youth, held January 21 – 27. Quickly following is the Florida State Fair, held February 9 - 20. On the heels of the State Fair is the Florida Strawberry Festival, starting on March 2 and ending on March 12. And while not technically a fair, Polk County youth will once again have the spotlight at the Central Florida Youth in Agriculture show held March 22 – 25.

I encourage you to attend one, or all of these events. They showcase the hard work the youth put into a variety of projects, and they will definitely welcome the support.

We are in the middle of the first month of a new year. How are those resolutions going? I chose to make the same ones as 2022. None. It keeps me from being disappointed when I break them. I tend to lean toward things like, no more sweets. How in the world I think that is attainable is just beyond me. Eat healthier? More vegetables? Try as I might, I fail. If you made a resolution, I wish you great success.

My wish for each of you is that you have a happy, healthy 2023.

Until Next Month

Sarah Holt

Sarah Holt

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

STAFF

Publisher/Photography

Karen Berry

Senior Managing Editor/ Associate Publisher

Sarah Holt

Editor

Patsy Berry

Sales

Karen Berry

Sarah Holt

Melissa Nichols

George Domedion

Creative Director/Illustrator

Juan Alvarez

Photography Karen Berry

Melissa Nichols

Staff Writers

Al Berry Sandy Kaster

James Frankowiak

Sean Green

Contributing Writers

Woody Gore John Dicks

Social Media Victoria Saunders

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

Letters, comments and questions can be sent to P.O. Box 5377, Plant City, Florida 33563-0042 or you are welcome to email them to: info@inthefieldmagazine.com or call 813-759-6909

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

Published by Berry Publications, Inc.

Happy New Year! Nothing like a fresh start to a new year. A new calf crop, and another cycle of doing what keeps us going. Hope everyone had a good Christmas. Though we have had some bitter cold and freezing temperatures,  at the time of me writing this, thankfully we still have green grass. I hope by the time you are reading this it is still green. Even though we still have the green grass, dont forget supplementing your cows however it works best for you. Here’s to wishing you a prosperous year ahead and as always if there’s anything we can do for you,  let me know.

Until then, Polk County Cattlemen’s Association

Kevin Fussell

FROM THE SCIENTIFIC FIELD

By J. Scott Angle

They challenged me to do more. For example, they urged me to push Extension to provide guidance for the software purchasing decisions farmers will have to make, similar to how those agents currently provide advice on pesticides.

They also asked that UF/IFAS step up the integration of AI and ES by using technology to capture more nutrients before they leave the farm—and to show a public skeptical of agriculture’s environmental stewardship that farmers and scientists are hard at work on this.

Highlands County YF&R Vice Chair Mikayla Allison asked me how I was going to address incentivizing increased carbon sequestration on land where the soil has already reached a carbon saturation point. I have to confess, even as a soil scientist, that it had not been on my mind.

Allison is a current student in the UF/IFAS College of Agricultural and Life Sciences pursuing a master’s degree online in the evenings while she works during the day for an agricultural software company.

MIKAYLA ALLISON

The future of Florida farming depends on turning data into decisions and getting you credit for environmental stewardship.

UF/IFAS will help you achieve the first part through developing agricultural applications for artificial intelligence (AI)—think smart sprayers, counting tree canopies through aerial imaging, and phone apps that detect disease invisible to the human eye.

The second is incentivizing you to continue or even increase the amount of public goods you deliver but for which you do not presently get paid—think wildlife habitat, water storage, and carbon sequestration. We call these ecosystems services (ES).

Neither you in the field nor us in the lab can get there alone. So, I recently reached out to those with the highest stake in that future—the young.

I gathered a dozen of them in Polk County recently, at the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center, at a meeting I called the Young Ag Leaders Roundtable. Actually, our own young ag leader, Christopher Hodge, UF/IFAS assistant director of governmental affairs, found and gathered them.

We spent a day together in which these leaders not only embraced increased use of AI and ES, they wanted to know how to integrate them into Florida farming faster.

Roy Petteway of Petteway Citrus and Cattle in Hardee County suggested that UF/IFAS make greater use of soil and water conservation districts, including the one for which he has served as a board member, to fund the science needed to advance AI applications and ecosystems services quantification. He also offered to speak on behalf of ag at any forum where he was needed to tell the story of producers’ environmental stewardship.

These young ag leaders urged UF/IFAS to get Florida farming to its future faster and to do it in discussion with them. I can’t guarantee how fast the transformation of Florida agriculture will occur, but UF/IFAS will continue to rely on the insights of these young ag leaders to get there.

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

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

Scott

By Marisol Tarango

THOUGHTS FROM THE HEIFER PEN

The New Year is here, and per usual I am not sure how I feel about it. Of course I enjoy New Year celebrations and the exciting plans that are in the future, but if we could get two years in one (just like how you buy planners) that would be amazing. Being a creature of habit, I don’t like new things or changes unless they have been long planned for. (You would think I would plan for the new year.) Changes in seasons don’t bother me because the change is gradual. But there is no easing into the New Year, it literally changes overnight. It feels like going to work with wet hair and dry skin because you didn’t have time to put the proper amount of lotion on.

Not all change bothers me, some change I do actually like. Growing up, doing new things in life, changing hair styles are all things that I enjoy (probably because I am in control of a lot of that change). But I don’t like it when others change. I would be happy if my siblings stayed the same age and my parents never moved. I would be happy to travel the world and come back to a home that was frozen in time. But that is not the case and everyone in my family has a life of their own.

Some change is uncomfortable, but necessary like new shoes, new clothes, or even a new car. These are the changes I dislike the most. If I could have one pair of shoes that lasted forever, that would be a dream come true. I have had to tell myself so many times “These shoes fit at the store; you just have to break them in.” The same goes for clothes. There comes a point when you just have to buy a new pair of Wranglers, but it’s going to take a couple of washes and wears before they start to feel like your own. My dislike for change goes beyond things even in my own life. When my boss sold his own car and bought a new one, I had to tell myself that I should not be so annoyed that I had to relearn what car to associate with him and that this should not be bothering me.

The worst changes are the ones that sneak up on you. The changes that you don’t realize happened until you just happen to notice them because they were hidden in plain sight. Changes that happen on the fringe of life

until the whole tapestry is almost completely different. We still have the same barn, but all the saddles are bigger, the saddle pads are newer, and feed bins have been rearranged multiple times. We still have the same pastures and round pen, but the horses in them are not the same as when I was a little girl. We even have the same squeeze chute, but the cattle that were once the young replacement heifers going through are now the old cull cows. The other night I was running through the yard to open a gate for the cows to be put back in, but I had to run with a flashlight because my feet didn’t remember the shape of the ground. On another day I was back in a part of the pasture I had not been to in years trying to find a hole in the fence but could not find the same trails and trees I once knew by heart. Even the trees that my brother climbs now are not the same ones I climbed at his age. When I think about these things sometimes it makes my heart sigh for a moment.

But unnoticed changes aren’t all bad either, sometimes they can be rather pleasant. Like when you realize that’s your little brother driving your dad’s truck in the yard and not your dad (though that might make you hold your breath for a slight second.) Or more pleasantly when you realize your dad sends your younger siblings on missions instead of you. It’s also nice to realize that you can do things without asking permission because you are, in fact, an adult. Things like going to McDonald’s just because you want to or buying hard back books because you have a job and the time to actually read. Or the euphoric feeling of realizing you don’t have to worry about going back to college after Christmas because you graduated two years ago.

Whether good or bad, pleasant or unpleasant, wanted or unwanted change is always constant. It can be disturbing as you get older to discover that things that you thought immune to the corrosion of change can be slowly chipped away, leaving you without something firm to stand on. But in all of the instability and uncomfortableness of change, you can find courage and even excitement to face the new when you stand on the Giver of the New Year.

Paul DiMare

Tomato Industry Leader – Passes Away

Paul J. DiMare, Sr., the longtime leader of DiMare Fresh, has passed away. He was. 81.

Considered an icon of the tomato industry, DiMare died December 20 after leading his family company to become the largest freshmarket tomato grower in the U.S. since moving to Florida in 1964, DiMare earned the nickname of “Mr. Tomato.”

He is survived by his wife, Swanee; sons Anthony, Paul Jr., Scott, Gino and stepson Jim Husk.

Our condolences to the DiMare family.

Paul DiMare in 2013 Photo: Doug Ohlemeier

Tampa Bay Fishing Report

Capt. Woody Gore

Tampa Bay is arguably one of the best saltwater fishing spots in the west-central Florida area. It's a great place to fish for snook, sheepshead, gray snapper, or some nice reds, especially in the early winter. With its many fishing piers and boat ramps, it's convenient and easy to access excellent fishing throughout the Tampa Bay area.

This dynamic fishing area is greatly influenced by the tides, affecting what you'll catch and when. Fish are nearly everywhere, but if you know and use the tides to your advantage, you'll maximize your success. Depending on your species preferences, local anglers usually work the outside mangrove edges behind the mangrove islands during high tide and work inside and outside flats during low tides. There are lots of tackle dealers located around the bay area. So if you prefer, you can pack relatively light and just buy what you need once you're in the area. More and more Kayak enthusiasts have also begun frequenting the area, as there is plenty of shoreline areas to launch.

Overall, Tampa Bay is an exciting spot that anglers will enjoy year-round. With the amount of fishing in the area, you're bound to catch something.

February usually means cool weather, windy days and low, tides. Low tides are a good indicator of where you're going to fish. Just remember, when the tides are negative, and you're looking around and seeing nothing but sand; at least you know where you're not going to fish.

Snook: Snook fishing in January means chilly mornings and warmer afternoons. Low tides around new or full moons mean fish should concentrate on potholes and the outside of bars. The season remains closed during January; however, as long as we do not get any extended, hard freezes catch and release should be ok. Search out deep-water canals, rivers, creeks with heat holding muddy bottoms. Bridges, pilings, and deep-water docks are good places to look. Try using baits like finger mullet, small ladyfish, pinfish, and jumbo shrimp. And don't forget about diving lures fished slowly along or near structure. Later in the day, look for sandy shoals and sunning snook. Often soft plastics worked slowly along the bottom should result in some nice fish. Do not forget docks, especially those with lights at night.

Redfish: Winter weather does typically not bother redfish. However, reds, like other fish subjected to shallow water temperatures, can get lockjaw. There are usually plenty of good fish hanging around various areas like shallower grass flats, oyster bars, docks, and jetties. Reds are not fussy about eating artificial lures, especially soft plastic on a jig head. Try tipping each jig with a small piece of shrimp; it does wonders around docks. You will find reds around the flats near.

Spotted Sea Trout: Incoming or outgoing tides, live shrimp, artificial shrimp, Popper Corks, and any good grass flat will produce nice trout. Seek out and

target potholes on broken bottom flats because trout like to lay in and around potholes. Broken-bottoms mean grass flats dotted with sandy potholes or rocky bottoms. Try drifting flats, and tossing artificial lures should produce plenty of fun and often larger fish. Remember, potholes hold large trout.

Cobia: If we get some good cold fronts dropping the water temperatures, it should send the cobia looking for warmer water. The beaches and nearshore waters should start showing fish sunning themselves near the surface. Whenever fishing sandy flats, keep an eye open for large rays since cobia often cruise with them, looking for a quick meal. Big shrimp, small crabs, large greenbacks, or pinfish will work.

Other: Sheepshead will be everywhere this time of year, especially around docks, bridges, rock piles, and oyster bars. Try using green mussels, shrimp, or oysters. Small jigs tipped with shrimp work well around docks and oysters. Spanish mackerel, ladyfish, jack crevalle, and bluefish are always fun to bend a rod.

GIVE ME A CALL & LET'S GO FISHING

813-477-3814

Capt. Woody Gore operates Tampa Bay's #1 Outdoor Fishing Guide Services. Guiding and fishing in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater areas for over fifty years, he offers first-class customer service, family-oriented charters, and a lifetime of memories. Visit his website, www.captainwoodygore.com Email: fishing@captainwoodygore.com

ci ES The Florida Bonneted Bat

By Libby Hopkins

S

E ndang

The Florida Bonneted Bat or Eumops Floridanus as it’s known by its scientific name, is Florida’s largest bat and thought to be the rarest bat in the world.

Florida bonneted bat weighs between 34 and 47 grams and can be distinguished from other bats by its large size, tail that extends past the uropatagium (tail membrane) and ears that join at the base.

Female Florida bonneted bats will give birth to at least one pup per year, but evidence suggests that they may give birth multiple times each year.

The Florida bonneted bat was recognized as a distinct species in 2004, and listed as “Endangered” under the USFWS Endangered Species Act in 2013.

Until recently, it was classified as a subspecies of Wagner’s bonneted bat (Eumops glaucinus). It is endemic to southern Florida in the United States. It occurs in several counties, including Charlotte, Collier, Lee, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okeechobee, and Polk. Florida bonneted bats are more likely to be detected in agricultural areas, as well as areas that have a high mean annual rainfall.

This species has one of the smallest geographical distributions of any New World bat. It has been called “one of the most critically endangered mammal species in North America”

The earliest bonneted bat fossil was discovered in 1922 in Melbourne, Florida. The fossil consisted of a preserved jawbone that dated back to the Pleistocene; its similarity to genera Eumops and Molossus was noted, but it was initially placed into a new genus, Molossides, due to what appeared to be a unique dental formula. The fossil was reclassified into the genus Eumops in 1963 on the belief that the original fossil did not show a bat with a single lower incisor, but rather the fossil jaw was missing an incisor and the species actually had two lower incisors.

In the following years, there was evidence of a breeding population in Florida, which refuted ideas that they were only occasionally transported in from Cuba. In 1971, the bonneted bat was reclassified as a well-marked subspecies of Eumops glaucinus, identified as Eumops glaucinus floridanus. This classification was maintained until 2004, when morphological analyses showed that the bonneted bat was distinct from other subpopulations of Eumops glaucinus in its skull, body mass, and forearm length. The new classification elevated the bonneted bat to its own species, Eumops floridanus.

The bat roosts single or colonially and may form harems. Many observed roosts have a strong female bias, with one harem containing 20 adult females and only one adult male. Roosts usually have one dominant male that can be identified from an open gular gland, the largest body mass, and the greatest testes length. Harems are maintained throughout the year, which are in contrast to other bats of the eastern US where social groupings are seasonally variable.

The Florida bonneted bat was once believed to be common along Florida’s eastern coast. Observations of it declined in the 1960s and 1970s, and in 1980, it was believed to be extinct. Threats to this species include the present and future degradation of its habitat, its small population size, restricted range and small number of colonies, low fecundity, and relative isolation.

Climate change and resulting sea-level rise is expected to result in further loss of its roosting and foraging habitat. Since its population is very small, predicted changes in weather however, will possibly affect the endangered species even more.

A live-bonneted bat was first recorded in Florida in 1936, from an individual collected from a high school in North Miami. At the time, it was identified as a Eumops glaucinus specimen, and it was hypothesized that a fruit steamer had introduced it accidentally from Cuba.

“GROUND” YOURSELF BY PLANTING FLORIDA NATIVE PLANTS

By Molly Griner UF/IFAS Extension Polk County Master Gardener Volunteer

Most gardeners everywhere enjoy the rewarding experience of being “grounded,” so to speak, by planting and maintaining beautiful garden spaces. And what better way to become grounded in our local environment than by including Florida’s native plants in our landscapes? The benefits of native plants are tremendous!

Beauty: Our area continues to experience tremendous population growth, and with the land-clearing loss of natural habitats, many newcomers have not witnessed the beauty found in our native plants. In fact, many longtime residents may be unfamiliar with our own native plants. Can you picture the following scenes?

.... early foggy winter mornings as the rising sun creates a show of sparkling dew on the fronds of a saw palmetto, or clinging to foliage tips of a native cedar tree.....

.... abundant clusters of deep purple berries on a beautyberry shrub...

.... Bright red berries on a native holly tree, enjoyed by visiting birds...

.... cheerful blossoms of Florida native wildflowers...

Function: Native plants designated for our Zone 9 climate are adapted to our growing conditions. When placed in the right spot (following the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ principle of Right Plant, Right Place), they tend to grow and flourish with very little extra care. Less care means minimal to no supplemental fertilizers and pesticides. Because they are adapted to our climate, there is no fear of random winter freezes; established native plants in our landscapes are hardy and laugh in the face of dropping temperatures! It is important to remember though, that some native plants die back naturally in the cooler months, but never fear— they will return in the spring!

Versatility: There are native plants for every landscape! From very large landscapes to smaller urban yards; to foundation plantings of businesses, there is a native plant variety that can supply the look of a “true” central Florida landscape! There are native plants for sun or shade, and soils that are dry or wet. Even residents of apartments and townhouses can enjoy native plants, as many thrive in containers!

Improving our Planet! There is a growing awareness of the strains upon our environment that can be

improved by even the smallest introduction of native plants. The beginning act of reducing a high-maintenance area and creating a bed of native plants provides cooling shade and production of oxygen. Landscapes with native plants filter rainfall and reduce pollution from stormwater runoff. Finally, native trees, shrubs and wildflowers provide year-round shelter and nourishment for birds, pollinators, and other small wildlife.

Native plants create a “living” landscape or garden. The joys of seeing the first hummingbird, bee, or butterfly in your own landscape can bring a thrill as you witness nature first-hand, and know your plants are supplying a natural haven for these little creatures!

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

Resources in this article:

Florida Native Plant Society, fnps.org

Florida Wildflower Foundation, flawildflowers.org

Florida Friendly Landscaping, ffl.Ifas.ufl.edu

For more information, contact UF/IFAS Extension Polk County at (863) 519-1041 or visit us online at http://sfyl. ifas.ufl.edu/polk. The Plant Clinic is open Monday-

Friday, 9:00 am-4:00 pm to answer your gardening and landscaping questions. Give us a call or email us at polkmg@ifas.ufl.edu.

If you are not in Polk County, Contact your local UF/ IFAS Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Plant Clinic. The Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program is a volunteer-driven program that benefits UF/IFAS Extension and the citizens of Florida. The program extends the vision of the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, all the while protecting and sustaining natural resources and environmental systems, enhancing the development of human resources, and improving the quality of human life through the development of knowledge in agricultural, human and natural resources and making that knowledge accessible.

An Equal Opportunity Institution.

In the 1890s Henry B. Plant originally held what was to become the Florida State Fair to promote his Tampa Bay Hotel.

In 1904, Tampa Bay Hotel manager T.J. Laud-Brown revived the fair concept when he, city founders, and railroad officials put on what is considered the first-ever Florida State Fair.

The event—called the South Florida Fair—was held on 27 acres next to the Tampa Bay Hotel, at a site that is now home to the University of Tampa.

The event included five races for betting and a building housing agricultural exhibits.

In 1915 the Florida State Mid-Winter Festival officially became known as The Florida State Fair.

In 1975, Florida State Legislature created the Florida State Fair Authority and designated the Tampa event as the official Florida State Fair.

In 1977, the fair was held at its current location at Interstate 4 and U.S Highway 301 in eastern Hillsborough County for the first time.

When you take your marriage vows it is supposed to be until “Death Do Us Part,” however many marriages end up in divorce. There’s nothing like divorce to bring out the worst in people. Attorneys who specialize in family law share the craziest antics they’ve had the pleasure of witnessing over the years. (Out of respect for their clients, they’ve requested to remain anonymous.)

“One of my clients had a chemical peel before her deposition so she could look good in front of her husband. Instead, her skin turned bright red and began falling off of her face during the meeting!”

After a lengthy and harshly contested divorce case, the wife looked out her window on the day after the trial ended and saw a moving van at the house next door. It was her ex moving in. He had purchased their neighbor’s house secretly during the trial.

One attorney said, “The only thing my client wanted from the house were her son’s bar mitzvah pictures. We agreed that her husband would keep the album and she would get all the prints. When the prints were delivered to her, she realized that her image had been cut out of all the photos. When she confronted her ex about this he claimed, ‘Oops, your sister must have done it to make me look bad.’”

One Attorney in Texas said, “I find it funny when a client is ordered to provide a hair follicle drug test,

then shows up for the test having shaved their head, not realizing hair follicle tests can be achieved with leg hair, hair from the armpit or pubic hair; it’s even better when the client realizes that any hair can be used, so waxes their whole body and calls it a ‘lifestyle choice.’”

The story is told, “One night my client was leaning on the kitchen counter, shooting the breeze with his wife and she said to him, ‘Do you want chicken or fish tonight for dinner? I need to know what to take out of the freezer. Oh, and by the way, I’m having an affair with the next door neighbor so I want a divorce.’ Her nonchalance really threw him into a tailspin; if she could break that kind of news to him as easily as ‘chicken or fish,’ what else did she have up her sleeve? He became convinced she was trying to kill him to expedite her love plans with the neighbor and that she’d accomplish this by poisoning his food. He installed a deadbolt on his bedroom, bought himself a mini-fridge and a hotplate and he didn’t leave his room until the mandatory waiting period to finalize the divorce expired.”

This is a good one! “This was a hotly contested divorce. The husband (who had been having an affair) agreed to buy out the wife’s interest in their home for more money than the wife would have received if she had kept the home and sold it herself. When the couple appeared in court to finalize the divorce, the wife, who had previously agreed to everything,

Editor’s Note: This Rocking Chair Chatter was originally printed in the January 2019 issue

refused to sign the papers unless the husband gave her every last landscaping rock surrounding the house. She didn’t want to be paid for the value of the rocks. She wanted the husband to agree to rip out those exact rocks from the front yard and give them back to her because she claimed they were a gift from her father. At the time, she lived in an apartment.”

A Florida attorney said “My client hated his wife so much that the mere idea of her having his toolbox was special to him. He asked for temporary use and possession in a $3,000 hearing (actual cost of attorney’s fees) for tools that were worth $500. By the time we drafted the motion for his use and possession of tools, I advised him that I could have bought him a top-of-the-line new set at my hourly rate — and without looking so petty in front of the judge. Opposing counsel was in the same boat, arguing over the same, silly tools. The judge called us into her office mid-hearing, and literally laughed out loud for a solid minute before she told us to get out of her courtroom and make our clients behave.”

During a very heated divorce, it came as somewhat of a surprise when the wife, who had been fighting for the contents of the house, quickly agreed to give up the living room furniture set to her husband, who had moved to a new place. When the movers de-

livered the furniture, the husband started wheezing and sneezing within minutes. He was allergic to cats, something his former wife knew. Turns out that right after he moved out, she bought three longhaired Persian kitties. Their favorite place to sleep and shed? You guessed it...all over the velvety, soft living room furniture.

“I represented a woman in a divorce. When I told her that she would receive over $300,000 per month in support she said to me, ‘How am I going to live on that?’ I guess the husband couldn’t live with that, either; he died of a heart attack before the divorce was finalized.”

A dietitian was addressing a large audience in Chicago: “The material we put into our stomachs is enough to have killed most of us sitting here, years ago. Red meat is awful. Soft drinks erode your stomach lining. Chinese food is loaded with MSG. Vegetables can be disastrous to some and none of us realize the long-term harm caused by the germs in our drinking water. But there is one thing that is the most dangerous of all and we all have eaten or will eat it. Can anyone here tell me what food it is that causes the most grief and suffering for years after eating it?” A 75-year-old man in the front row stood up and said, “Wedding cake.”

Recipes

Florida Shrimp Boil with Sweet Corn and New Potatoes

DIRECTIONS

Preheat a large pot over medium-high heat. Fill with water until about 2/3 full and add 3/4 cup seafood seasoning. Add sausage and potatoes, bring to a slight boil and cook for 8-10 minutes. Next add corn and simmer for 5 minutes. Lastly add shrimp and simmer for 3-4 minutes, or until cooked through. Drain the liquid and pour shrimp boil onto a large platter. Lightly season with the remaining seafood seasoning and drizzle with olive oil. Garnish the shrimp boil platter with the diced tomato and parsley. Serve with lemon wedges, melted butter and hot sauce, if desired. Ingredients q q

1 ½ pounds large Florida shrimp (peeled and deveined, if desired)

5 ears Florida sweet corn, husked and cut in half

1 large Florida tomato, diced small

1 pound Florida potatoes (peeled, if desired)

1 pound cooked smoked sausage, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 cup seafood boil seasoning mix

3 lemons, cut into wedges

1/4 cup olive oil

1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped fine Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

Florida Strawberry Smoothie

Ingredients q q

2 cups fresh Florida strawberries

1 cup low-fat milk

DIRECTIONS

2 cups vanilla frozen low-fat yogurt 8 ice cubes

Wash and hull strawberries. Place strawberries in a blender with half of milk. Make sure lid is on tight. Blend on high speed until smooth. Add frozen yogurt, remaining milk and ice cubes and continue to blend until smooth and creamy. Serve immediately. Pour any leftovers into an ice cube tray and freeze for later use.

Courtesy of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Chef Justin Timineri

The Polk County Cattlemen’s Association and UF/IFAS Extension Service will host their 17th annual Allied Trade Show and 15th annual Ranch Rodeo on Saturday, February 18 in the Bartow Horse Arena at the Agri-Civic Center on Highway 17 South in Bartow. The Trade Show begins at 10:00 am followed by the Ranch Rodeo at 1:00 pm.

As in past years, the Trade Show will feature a host of exhibitors showcasing the “latest and greatest” in the livestock industry. Both cattle producers as well as the general public will benefit by participating in this event. To find out more about exhibiting a product or service, contact Livestock Agent Bridget Stice by calling (863) 588-2697 or sending an e-mail to bccarlis@ufl.edu.

Our 2022 First Place Saddle sponsors included Cattlemen’s Livestock Market, Everglades Equipment Group., KH Cattle Co, Organic Matters, Inc. and Saunders Real Estate. The Second Place Team Award Sponsor was Other Side Sod Co, LLC and Third Place Team Award Sponsor was Mosaic. Event sponsors included KH Cattle Co, Merck Animal Health, Putnam Groves, Inc., Florida Coast Equipment, Greenwood Chevrolet, M&D Overtstreet Ranch and Zoetis.

Trade Show sponsors included BioZyme Inc., Brenda's Western Bling, Crosby & Associates, Inc., Merck Animal Health, Florida Coast Equipment, Richies Automotive Repairs, Inc., Multimin USA, Inc., Ridley Block Operations, Weikert Ford and W & W Supply Co. of Florida, Inc.

“We thank our sponsors for their past support and look forward to their involvement again in 2023,” said Stice.

This year’s Ranch Rodeo will feature a wide range of exciting activities including wild cow milking, colt riding, calf branding, double mugging, team sorting, boot scramble and “Senior Sorting” for participants 55 and up. The first place team wins individual saddles and entry into the Florida Ranch Rodeo Finals scheduled for September in Kissimmee.

“We invite everyone with an interest in agriculture and livestock to join us for this year’s trade show and ranch rodeo on February 18. This promises to be an informative and entertaining event that the entire family will enjoy,” said Hailey Tomkow, spokesperson for the event, noting that admission is free for Polk County Cattlemen’s Association members and children under the age of eight. Tickets are $10 for non-members and only $8 for veterans. Tickets may be purchased at the event.

FLORIDA CRANBERRIES

By Sandy Sun, M.S. Clinical Medicines, B.S. Nutrition Science

Cranberries get the spotlight during the holiday season and winter months and are often seen on holiday tables as cranberry sauce or as a decoration. These tart little berries are considered a superfood, a food that is very high in nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants. Cranberries are also well known for their health benefits, including their role in reducing the recurrence of urinary tract infections.

Over 95 percent of fresh cranberries are processed to make cranberry sauce or juice, and a smaller percentage is sold as dried fruit. Fresh cranberries are sour and bitter, so the majority is processed with sugar into a more palatable form. Fresh cranberries can also be frozen for longer storage.

Did you know Florida also produces fresh cranberries? These are a different type than the traditional cranberry. Florida cranberries are also called roselle hibiscus, sorrel, and cranberry hibiscus. In addition to being an edible fruit, Florida cranberries are also used as a natural red food coloring. Its most popular uses are for tea, jams and preserves, and in cocktails.

The deep, rich color of cranberries is due to anthocyanins, a type of flavonoid that is full of antioxidants. This nutrient protects the body and brain from oxidative stress and can even reduce the risk of some cancers. Cranberries contain high antioxidant levels and regularly eating cranberries contributes to good health and disease protection.

Nutritional Profile

In addition to its antioxidants, cranberries are high in both soluble and insoluble fiber and a host of other vitamins and minerals. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, one cup of fresh cranberries contains 45 calories, 1 g of protein, 0.5 g of fat, 12 g of carbohydrate, and 4 g of fiber. It also provides 25% of the Daily Reference Intake for vitamin C, 16% for manganese, 9% for vitamin A, 6% for vitamin K, and significant amounts of calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, copper, and zinc.

Fully ripened cranberries contain the most antioxidants. Research suggests that the antioxidant levels actually increase as a fruit fully ripens. Ripe berries are freshest if kept in the refrigerator and consumed within a few days. They can also be frozen and can last up to nine months in the freezer. Both fresh and frozen cranberries contain high levels of anthocyanins.

Healthy Brain

Regularly eating cranberries may alleviate some of the effects of age-related cognitive decline which occurs in Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. When older animals were fed berries, they showed improvements in short-term memory, coordi-

nation, balance, muscle strength and stamina. Polyphenols, another type of antioxidant occurring in high levels in berries, were thought to be responsible for this improvement. Regular intake of polyphenols, found in berries and red wine, is associated with a reduced risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Healthy Heart

Cranberries are also great for heart health. In animal studies, berry consumption was associated with a lower risk of heart disease and stroke by lowering cholesterol and total blood lipid levels. Other research showed a correlation between berry consumption in rats and altered vascular cell components that can influence blood pressure levels.

Cancer Prevention

Other disease-fighting compounds in berries have been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells, and these include phenolic acids, tannins, and flavonols. High intakes of flavonols have been shown to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer in women, compared to those who ate the least.

Ways to Enjoy

The calyx is the most popular part of the Florida cranberry, but the seeds and leaves are also edible and can be added to salads. Separate the calyx from the seeds before cooking, freezing, drying, or preserving. Florida cranberries can be made into jams, preserves, and pickles. A popular use is to steep in hot water for tea and add ginger, honey or lemon as desired. Enjoy fresh Florida cranberries in their peak season today. They’re delicious and they’re good for you!

Selected References

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ http://www.whfoods.com

JAY AND KAMIE SCARBOROUGH LEADING WITH A SERVANT’S HEART

By Jim Frankowiak

Detective Scarborough is a man many look up to and respect, not only for the work he has done in uniform but also for the man he is out of uniform. Jay has a soft spot when it comes to helping elderly people and those in need. He loves to hunt, but this love isn’t for the sport of it, he loves to be able to provide for those less fortunate than himself. Jay can often be found at the Polk County Youth Fair on fair week supporting youth from around the county who are selling their project animals because he remembers growing up and being involved in 4-H & FFA. He knows that the success of children greatly depends on the support of those around them. Jay is a member and supporter of the Polk County Cattlemen’s Association where he helps with all annual dinners and is always found with his hand up at auction time to support the Cattlewomen’s fundraisers, and if Mary Helen Costine has made guava jelly or Ellen Bryan made her pineapple upside-down cake, you can bet he bought both.

Many would think that this love story began at the Sheriff’s Office, that is not the case. Jay has been employed at the Sheriff’s Office since 2002 and Kamie started her employment there in 2010 as a civilian Sheriff’s Service Officer. Kamie went to work for the PCSO to be able to be closer to Jay, and she is now a supervisor for the Animal Control section of the PCSO. Kamie oversees the Bravo patrol units responding to animal complaint calls, everything from sick/injured animals to roaming animals to bite and rabies exposure investigations. Kamie has a deep love for animals and their wellbeing, so much so that she has adopted several dogs. Kamie comes from a family that was involved in agriculture, her dad had a plant nursery (Stateler’s Flower Farm) and raised small farm animals and cattle. Kamie was involved in FFA and showed pigs and steers at the Polk County Youth Fair.

Off the beaten path in a little town named Fort Meade, at the far south end of the county is where this month’s cover story couple calls home, although on any given day you can find either of them in any part of the county answering the call of duty.

Jay Scarborough and his wife Kamie Scarborough are both employed by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Jay is a detective with the Agricultural Crimes unit, where he is known to be a detective who goes above and beyond to do his job to the best of his ability. Jay has recovered trailers out of county that were stolen with no trace. He has recovered a Registered Brangus newborn calf that was stolen in the middle of the night-- the calf was found nearly 40 miles away and a county over. Jay has solved cases including one involving nearly a hundred juice fruit trailers that were stolen and chopped. Jay solved a case involving an organized dog fighting ring where he rescued 69 dogs.

Jay and Kamie did however meet because of the Sheriff’s Office. While investigating a vehicle burglary and obtaining video at a convenience store, the clerk passed out. Jay called for assistance and Kamie was helping at the volunteer fire station in Loughman at the time. She responded and assisted with the situation. After the patient was transported to the hospital, Jay was trying to secure the store and needed another employee to come in. Kamie went to pick up that employee so that Jay could clear the scene. After exchanging phone numbers about the incident, Kamie said, “We just became friends,” and it wasn’t long after that they knew they would be together the rest of their lives. Although their fairy tale isn’t a Cinderella one, Kamie says Jay has always been her “Knight in Shining Armor.”

A few years ago, Jay was approached by Darryl Mayo a ranch/grove owner in Alturas, and he asked him to oversee his property operations. Jay was excited about the opportunity to go back to being involved in ranching. In Hardee County, growing up, Jay’s family had a Brahman influenced cattle operation. Jay and Kamie both have always been involved in agriculture so it’s a passion they share. It takes a lot to manage a ranch and be a detective, as both jobs require a lot of physical work. Jay can balance this because he loves both jobs enough to make it work. On the ranch side Jay researched changing up the direction of the herd. He is a fan of Wagyu beef. He purchased Wagyu bulls and has put them on commercial cattle and registered Angus cattle. His plan is to feed out the Wagyu crossed beef steers and sell them as finished beef. Wagyu beef has more marbling than traditional beef

and has incredible tenderness. Kamie, on the other hand, has a very important job at the ranch. She is the one that cares of orphaned babies (dogie) and sick ones, which we all know happens when we are raising cattle. Kamie not only bottle feeds them but she also provides lots of love to the babies and it’s not uncommon for her to find them when she visits the ranch and even when full grown, she will still give them treats and love on them.

Kamie graduated from Warner University last spring with a degree in Criminal Justice. This was a degree she began working on many years ago, but careers, being a mom, and helping take care of her mother when her health declined made her put her degree on hold for a few years. When walking that stage and receiving her diploma Kamie said she dedicated that to her parents who never gave up on her getting her degree.

Kamie has quite an accomplished volunteer career which started after a neighbor’s house burned to the ground and there were no available firetrucks nearby. Her dad Daniel V. Stateler and mother Evia Loye Stateler, along with Marvin and Josephine Butler, felt the need to start a volunteer fire station to help with the influx of demand. They got land and a truck donated, attended trainings, and got certified. At the age of 18, Kamie got her volunteer standard and continued the family legacy, and at the age of 19 she was named Volunteer Firefighter of the Year from Gov. Lawton Chiles after she worked a major vehicle accident that would have been hard on a veteran public servant. Kamie spent over 20 years in the industry and 8 of those she served as Chief of the Volunteer Fire Department in Loughman. Kamie has always been an allin dedicated person, and this is no different today with Animal Control. Over the last few years, she has been inspired to be more involved with organizations that give back to the youth, in particular the Polk County Cattlewomen’s Association where she volunteers to work at every event that comes up.

Jay and Kamie live their life in a way that many could learn from, and Jay trains his trainees with one simple motto, “Always speak the truth, do what you say you will do, your word is all you’ve truly got in this world.” Kamie is outspoken and stands up for what she believes in. Kamie is an inspiration because she truly is the voice of truth. Jay is a humble man. His humility, even after the accolades he has received, is something that so many could look at and learn from.

One of the most respected cattle ranchers in Polk County, Cary Lightsey, knows Jay from his involvement in the community and the Cattlemen’s Association. He said “I believe Polk County has the best Agricultural Crimes Unit in the state, and deputies from other counties agree with me, that Polk County is on top when it comes to efficiency. It is a big plus to our beef industry when an Ag Deputy has an agricultural background under his badge. Jay knows livestock and understands what it takes to be a rancher, he knows the property that he is investigating, and this helps him be a great detective. That is a huge asset to a rancher when he talks their ranch lingo. Polk County cattle ranchers have a huge strength in their fight against Ag related crimes because of Detective Jay Scarborough and their team of Ag Deputies. On a personal note, Jay does have a soft heart, he provides venison to needy families around Polk County, that otherwise wouldn’t have food.”

“Jay and Kamie Scarborough are both outstanding members of our agency, who embody our core values and inspire others to do the same. The Scarboroughs have made it their life’s mission to serve the people of this great county with integrity, compassion, and professionalism. God surely knew what he was doing when he brought these two together. I am proud to have them as members of my team – I know that when they answer calls for service, proactively investigate crimes, and interact with citizens, that they are going above and beyond, every single day.”

– Grady Judd, Sheriff

UF Southeastern Coastal Center for Agricultural Health and Safety receives over $7M in renewal funding

By Samantha Murray

Workers in agriculture, fisheries and forestry are among those at greatest risk nationally for injury and work-related health problems. Additionally, work-related fatalities are nearly seven times higher in these industries compared to all other industries in the United States.

With the goal of reducing the incidence and severity of chronic and acute health and safety problems in these occupational groups, the University of Florida’s Southeastern Coastal Center for Agricultural Health and Safety, or SCCAHS, has been awarded $7 million in renewed funding from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, which is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

SCCAHS has developed a solid portfolio of innovative research and outreach projects since its establishment in 2016, and the new grant will extend this work for another five-years.

Dr. J. Glenn Morris, Jr., director of the UF Emerging Pathogens Institute and a professor of infectious diseases, is the project director of SCCAHS. Communications and outreach will be overseen by Tracy Irani, professor and chair of the department of family, youth, and community sciences in the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).

SCCAHS is a collaborative effort between UF/IFAS, the UF College of Public Health and Health Professions, and the UF Emerging Pathogens Institute.

“We’re investigating some really complex challenges that are at the intersection of health and agriculture, so it is important we bring together experts from multiple perspectives,” Morris said.

“Agricultural workers are exposed to a variety of hazards, including extreme heat and ergonomic risks, and we are working to improve the health and safety of our workforce,” Irani said. “While our researchers are exploring new solutions and interventions to health and safety challenges, our outreach team is working to ensure these interventions get into the hands of the agricultural workers and stakeholders that need them. For example, during the pandemic, we provided educational resources in Spanish and Haitian Creole to Extension professionals and sponsored free Mental Health First Aid trainings and supplies to agricultural workers and Exten-

sion county faculty affected by recent hurricanes and flooding, and we look forward to providing similar support in the future.”

The renewal funding for SCCAHS will also support new research on the kidney health of agricultural workers in Florida.

Using artificial intelligence tools to analyze electronic health records, the researchers hope to understand what factors may put agricultural workers in the U.S. at risk of developing chronic kidney disease of unknown origin, or CKDu, a condition currently only found among agricultural workers in Asia and Latin America. CKDu is a form of kidney disease that is unrelated to common risk factors that typically contribute to chronic kidney disease among the general public, such as diabetes and high blood pressure

“If our research shows that agricultural workers in Florida are developing CKDu, our next step would be to put in place prevention strategies to minimize the risk of such outcomes,” Morris said.

A companion project will aim to understand how the disease develops and identify new biomarkers that will allow for earlier detection of CKDu. The disease tends to be diagnosed late, when the affected person’s kidneys fail. Earlier detection could lead to earlier intervention and better health outcomes, such as avoiding dialysis.

SCCAHS is part of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) / National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Agricultural Health and Safety Initiative. One of 11 agricultural health and safety centers across the country, SCCAHS explores and addresses the occupational safety and health needs of people working in agriculture, fishing, and forestry in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

The University of Florida is the lead institution of this Center, partnering with the University of South Florida (USF), Florida State University (FSU), Florida A&M University (FAMU), Emory University, Morehouse School of Medicine and the University of the Virgin Islands.

Raspberry on the Ranch

By Maggie Fussell

Living on a cattle ranch there is always work to be done and animals to tend to. It is easy for me to get attached to animals because of their unique personalities. Now, some may argue that animals don’t even have a brain so how could they have a personality. Sometimes I agree with that argument when the yearling will go anywhere except the open gate you’re trying to get them to go through. But if I look past those frustrating moments the animals are actually comical with their changing attitudes.

One of the new additions to the ranch is a young filly named Raspberry. Her mom is named Strawberry so my family figured they might as well stick with berry names for this red roan filly. I have helped care for Raspberry since she was a few weeks old. Within the months that I have watched her grow I have come to realize how much attitude a horse can have and how their personality develops as they grow.

I have watched that little filly be spunky, silly, sedate, and sweet. She is very curious. Raspberry is definitely a mama’s girl, but she is not afraid of strangers. Since she has been weaned from her mom Raspberry has become a little more adventurous. She walks around under the barns, chases the chickens around the yard and always has to see what my family and I are doing. If my brother is working under the barn, she is right there with him. If my dad is feeding the yearlings she is in the way. If I am walking, she is usually right beside me waiting to see what mischief she can get into. If Raspberry spots my mom, then she stays with her and waits for her hair to be brushed.

One day I walked out of the house to find Raspberry in our backyard. She walked around sticking her nose into the flower beds and attempted to eat a poinsettia. Later that day I learned she had gotten into the feed, ate a little of the hay that was supposed to go to the yearlings and kept trying to bite my brother while he oiled the saddles.

Raspberry wants to be the center of attention and have her way. I have heard that many foals share some of these traits that Raspberry has. However, I believe there are unique qualities that each foal possesses that will make them different.

On the ranch we have many animals, but Raspberry seems to have the most entertaining personality of them all.

NEWS BRIEFS

Compiled by Jim Frankowiak

District Feral Hog Hunts Underway

USDA Accepting Rural Energy for America Applications

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is accepting feral hog hunt registrations for Phase 2 hunts on District lands throughout the year to help reduce the feral hog population.

• Phase 2 will include five hunts that occur now through February 2023.

• Permits are transferable.

• The single top producer on each hunt of Phase 2 will be placed on the District’s “top producer” list and will be contacted between March and October 2023 to take part in feral hog management hunts on an as-needed basis, free of charge.

Feral hogs, which are not native to Florida, can cause damage with their broad snouts and can leave an area looking like a plowed field. They also prey on native wildlife, compete with native species for food and transmit diseases to other wildlife, livestock and humans. Additionally, hogs may facilitate the spread of exotic plant species by transporting seeds and/or providing germination sites through rooting.

The District has a three-phased hunting system. The first two phases of hunts have separate registration processes. The single top producer from each Phase 1 and Phase 2 hunt will be asked to participate in hog management activities for Phase 3.

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

Preparing for FSMA Inspections

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is conducting Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR) inspections on behalf of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USDA). In that regard, FDACS is offering growers to ways to prepare for the inspections: PSA Grower Training – the course is offered in partnership by FDACS and the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS; and, an free, On-Farm Readiness Review (OFRR), an on-site educational opportunity also offered by FDAS and UF/IFAS. For more information, visit:www.fdacs.gov/fsma.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to expand renewable energy and support energy-efficiency projects for people living in rural America. USDA has $300 million available for this initiative.

Agricultural producers and rural small businesses are eligible applicants for loan guarantees and grants to develop renewable energy systems and to make energy-efficiency improvements. For more information, interested parties should contact USDA Florida Rural Development State Energy Coordinator Al Burns at 386/269-3526 or by email: al.burns@usda.gov.

USDA and USTR Seek New Trade Advisory Committee Members

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) are seeking applications for new members to serve on agricultural trade advisory committees. Members of the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee advise the administration on implementing and enforcing existing U.S. Trade agreements, negotiation of new agreements and other trade policy matters.

Members of the six Agricultural Technical Advisory Committees (ATACs) provide technical advice and guidance on international trade issues that affect specific agricultural commodity sectors. The ATACs focus on trade in animals and animal products, fruits and vegetables, grains, feeds, oilseeds and planting seeds, processed foods, sweeteners and sweetener products, tobacco, cotton and peanuts. Applicants must have expertise in U. S. agriculture and experience in international trade to be considered for committee membership. Application instructions are available at: fas.usda.gov. The deadline for receipt of applications is 5 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) January 31, 2023.

USDA Offering Conservation Funding Opportunities

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has fiscal year 2023 assistance opportunities for agricultural producers and private landowners for key programs such as the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) that helps build on existing conservation efforts while strengthening operations.

NRCS accepts applications throughout the year for its conservation programs. Interested producers may receive application assistance by contacting the USDA Plant City Service Center at 201 South Collins Street, Suite 201, Plant City, FL 33563. Telephone: 813/752-1474, Ext. 2.

New Laws For The New Year

by John Dicks | Photo by iStock

Well, here we are, with a healthy start to a brand new year!

Probably you’ve noticed that every year, soon after we watch on tv the ball dropping in Time Square, and the singing of Auld Lang Syne rolls through the party (provided we’re still awake!), you can bet on a couple of things to always ring true.

One is a quick resignation to the New Year’s resolutions that were hastily announced during the countless cheers, celebrations and toasts. Oh well, we can save those until next year!

The other is that a new year so often marks the start date of a slew of new laws. It’s as if the date was chosen with the hope by legislators that people might not notice while things otherwise slip by.

First on the list of new “laws” is one that many might enjoy since it could slip some extra dollars into your pocket. It’s a rebate of sorts for drivers who spend lots of money paying tolls.

Of course if your travel keeps you steered clear of toll booths, this won’t mean much, if anything at all.

Nonetheless, Florida legislators decided a few months ago that it would be a great thing to give back some cash to motorists who are what we might call “frequent tollers.” A random number, or so it seems, of 35 or more toll-road trips in a month will generate you some cash, in the form of a rebate, straight from the state treasury of Florida.

It’s not insignificant either. Evidently, legislators loved the idea so much that if you hit the magic number of 35 monthly trips, you get back a credit of 50% of your month’s tolls! Great, I guess, for some people, but if you have less than 35 tolls in a month, even if its 34 tolls, you get zero, nada, none!

What an incentive that must be to check your SunPass account on the last day of each month to see how many tolls you’ve tallied up. If it’s less than 35, it might pay you to take a quick spin on the Polk Parkway just to run-up a few charges in order to get the rebate!

Rather silly, huh?!

It’s estimated that the average commuter is expected to save about $400 per year on this “Toll Relief Program,” as it is referred to on Florida’s SunPass website. Sounds good to the drivers who get the cash, of course, but it also means less money will be going into the coffers for the building and maintenance of our Florida roads.

To make up for the deficit, lawmakers have agreed to spend $500 million, presumably coming from general revenue, to help toll agencies cover lost revenue.

It all seems at odds with the vision of SunPass, which emphasizes on its website that “a toll is a true user fee. It is not a tax! You only pay for a toll when you choose to use a toll road. If you do not drive on the toll road, then you do not have to pay.”

All true, of course, except when your other taxes go to subsidize the lost revenue that frequent toll drivers get credit for.

Wouldn’t it have been a far simpler system, and fairer one too, just to cut the cost of tolls a bit for everybody? Seems like that would have made a lot of sense (and cents) to me.

There are some other state laws which took effect on January 1 that do sound more reasonable.

One has to do with restrictions on certain officials in regard to when they can start lobbying after leaving their government positions. It used to be that legislators and others had to wait two years before they could so. Now they must wait six years.

What’s interesting about the change is that it was mandated to be done so by Florida voters in a constitutional amendment that passed overwhelmingly back in 2018. Apparently, sometimes the will of voters takes time to work through the machinery of government!

I hope you’re already having a Happy New Year!

John Dicks is both a Lawyer and Businessman, including an interest in farming. He and his family have owned a Blueberry Farm and have Agricultural lands which they lease for cattle operations, as John says, “to someone who knows and handles cattle much better than I do!”. John is both a Gator, having received his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida, and a Seminole, with his Law Degree from Florida State University. John serves as Of Counsel to Trinkle Redman, a law firm in Plant City where he also served nine years as City Commissioner, including three terms as Mayor.

By Grady Judd, Polk County Sheriff

CARELESS MOTORISTS ARE THE MAIN CAUSE OF TRAFFIC CRASHES

As we embark on a new year, we often review the year that just ended, reflect on lessons learned, and make resolutions. Here’s a resolution I think we can all get behind – let’s all resolve to drive safer.

In 2022, our Traffic Unit investigated 88 total traffic crashes with fatalities, with 97 total people killed. Tragically, during the month of December alone, 10 people in Polk County were killed in car crashes.

Some people refer to traffic crashes as “accidents,” but most law enforcement officers will tell you that the more accurate word is “crash.” Traffic crashes are rarely caused by some unknown, uncontrollable, or unseen factor, which is how the word “accident” is defined.

Of the 10 fatalities in December, three were motorcyclists and one was a bicyclist. Two of the motorcyclists weren’t wearing helmets. Some of the drivers and passengers who were killed in the vehicle crashes weren’t wearing seatbelts. And in nearly every instance, the crash was caused by erratic or impatient driving, or just plain not paying attention (turning in front of another vehicle, or violating someone’s right-of-way).

As of November 2022, the FLHSMV had documented 11,513 crashes in Polk County – that’s over 1,100 per month. And a 2021 study from AAA found that unsafe driving behaviors increased after three years of declines (declines likely due to COVID, with less people out and about). The study showed

that the increasing unsafe driving behaviors included speeding, red-light running, drowsy driving, and driving impaired due to marijuana or alcohol.

According to AAA, the number one unsafe behavior that increased was drivers admitting to getting behind the wheel after “drinking enough that they felt they were over the legal limit.” Nearly 24 percent of drivers admitted that fact in the AAA study. The other unsafe driving practice that had a double-digit increase from 2020 to 2021 was driving through red lights.

So here’s what I want for the New Year – I want everyone in the county to make 2023 the safest year yet. I want everyone behind the wheel of a car or operating a motorcycle to drive sober, to proceed with caution, and to be patient, alert, and focused on driving without distractions. I want our deputies and police officers and troopers to not have to tell another mother that her son or daughter isn’t coming home.

As you share the road with others, please be kind and courteous. Don’t speed. Put your cellphone away. And for goodness sake, do NOT drink or use drugs before operating a motor vehicle.

Traffic crashes are almost always caused by something a motorist is doing, or not doing responsibly. Be a responsible motorist. Your family and loved ones are counting on you.

A Closer Look Epoxy Casting by Sean Green Naturally Amazing Activities

I found a new hobby and absolutely love the possibilities. This month we will cast trinkets with epoxy. There are different types of epoxy and the stuff you get from an art store that they call “casting resin” is about three times more expensive than it should be. For this project I got some two-part epoxy from the hardware store that is marketed as a floor and table coating. It’s basically the same stuff casting resin is made of (polyurethane). For the mold, I tried different things, such as clay, cookie cutters, and shallow dishes, and discovered quickly that some materials need a good coat of release before pouring the epoxy or you will lose your mold to the epoxy sticking to it.

Materials:

Two-Part polyurethane epoxy resin

Petroleum Jelly

Modeling Clay (option)

Cookie Cutter (option)

Shallow plastic container (option)

DESIGN:

For Clay molds:

Model Objects (to squish into the clay)

Objects to embed into the epoxy (sea shells, foliage, coins, etc.)

Roll the clay out onto a slab twice as thick as you want your finished cast piece to be Press a model object (sea shells, Fancy Key, Bark, Rock, Pendent, etc..) into the clay to make a deep recess.

For Cookie Cutter molds:

Spread wax paper on a flat surface Coat the cookie cutter with petroleum jelly (to prevent the epoxy from sticking)

For Shallow Container molds: Coat the container with petroleum jelly (to prevent the epoxy from sticking)

Production:

Once your set up, it’s time to mix the epoxy resin. Follow the directions from the manufacturer as a starting point.

For soft flexible finished pieces, reduce the amount of hardener / for stiff (but brittle) pieces, add hardener.

Pour the mixed epoxy into the mold

** Note ** if you are embedding objects into the epoxy, pour only half thick and let it dry enough to support a toothpick without sinking. (about 30 minutes)

Carefully lay object on top of the tacky epoxy, gently poke at the objects with a toothpick to get them to stick evenly to the base layer of epoxy.

While drying, food coloring or paint can be added and swilled into the thick epoxy for fun designs.

Add the second layer of epoxy and let it dry overnight. After the casting is dry, it can be sanded, painted, and polished or even drilled to make Christmas ornaments or pendants.

A Closer Look by

Wild Boar (Sus scrofa)

Sean Green

Wild boar are found in every county in Florida. With population estimates exceeding 500,000 wild boar, Florida populations are exceeded only by Texas. Florida’s highest populations are in large forested regions north and west of Lake Okeechobee. These animals are described as Hogs, Boar, Pig, and Swine; they are essentially the same animal with certain characteristics that distinguish the name. The term Hog describes domestic pigs that weighs more than 120 lbs. Boar technically describe uncastrated male domestic pigs, however, the term is also used to describe wild pigs of any gender. Pigs, also known as swine, were among the first animals to be domesticated; earliest records date back 9,000 years in an area of ancient China that is now known as Turkey.

Wild boar belongs to the family Suidae (true wild pigs), and are an old-world species that are not native to the Americas. MtDNA (Mitochondrial DNA) studies indicate that the wild boar originated on islands in Southeast Asia such as Indonesia and the Philippines, and later spread to mainland Eurasia and North Africa. Most authorities suggest the first pigs introduced to North America may have come from domestic stock (Sus scrofa domesticus) brought to North America with Ponce de Leon as early as 1521, but more likely not established until 1539 when Hernando de Soto brought pigs with him to provision the early settlements of Charlotte Harbor in Lee County. During the next few centuries, European settlers brought domestic pigs with them to Florida and ranched them on the open range for food. Native American communities soon expanded this new resource by gift or theft. The pigs roamed freely through the forests and swamps and were hunted only when needed for food.

By the early 20th century, hunting large swine became a popular sport and the larger Eurisian or Russian wild boar (Sus scrofa scrofa) became a popular release on for hunting.

Feral populations grew and expanded through Florida providing food and sport for many early Florida settlers. Senate Bill No. 34 in 1949 made open range ranching illegal in an effort to prevent animals from “running at large or straying upon public roads.” This was the beginning of fence laws that were more effective at keeping cattle at bay than boar. By the time the Bill was enacted, feral pig populations were already well established in Florida and continued to grow with every pig that escaped captivity and gave rise to the commercialization of hunting wild boar on private fenced land. For a time, the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission trapped and relocated feral populations and hybrids from problem areas to appropriate hunting properties as a means of control (although the state no longer does this).

Although technically the term “feral” originally referred to free-ranging decedents of domesticated stock, all wild swine in Florida are considered feral whether descendants of wild boar or domesticated stock. Likewise, all wild swine in Florida are considered the same species, Sus scrofa. These wild boars share common characteristics that are notable. They have four self-sharpening tusks that are continually growing, two in the upper jaw and two in the lower jaw. Males have larger tusks than females, and thus greater trophy value for hunters. Males also have an upper mantle shoulder hide that can be as thick as ¾” that protects them in fights. Boar have an excellent sense of smell with which they find areas to dig up the soil in search of roots, insects or mast such as acorns or nuts. They have good hearing, but relatively poor vision and rely on a variety of vocalizations to communicate to the rest of the group, ironically called a sounder. For example, the first hog to see a threat will sound a warning call causing a flight response in the entire sounder of swine. A more destructive form of communication is a boars “tusking” behavior in which they rub their scent on trees along frequently used paths, territory, or wallows and sometimes damage the tree in the process. Wallows are a critical environmental resource for boar. Although they have both aprocrine (hair) and eccrine (skin) sweat glands, these glands are not used for cooling. Human beings are the only mammals that rely on sweat as a cooling mechanism. Boar, like other hairless mammals such as elephants, rhino, etc., must wallow in water or mud to cool.

In Florida, peak breeding seasons are in the spring and fall, however, wild hogs breed year-round in Florida and begin as early as one year old provided they are healthy. Sows can produce two litters of one to 13 piglets per year. The average lifespan for a wild hog is only four to five years. Although prey animals such as panthers, alligators, crocodiles and bears can take an adult wild boar, human beings are the boars primary predator. Younger piglets frequently fall prey to smaller predators such as bobcat, foxes, coyotes, and several birds of prey. Wild hogs reproduce faster than potential predators in North America can balance populations. “Natural predators” such as the Gray wolf, Leopards, Tigers, and Komodo dragon that keep wild hog populations balanced are across the ocean where this introduced species originated. Hunting wild boar has a rich history seeded by Florida’s earliest European settlers. It has not only become an American pastime but is an important control method for limiting this invasive species impact on our native fauna and flora.

Memories of the 500th Anniversary Great Florida Cattle Drive

By Susan Simcoe Dotson

I’m a Kentucky farm girl, born and raised, who also has an adventurous romantic side in love with a simpler life gone by. Add in horse crazy and you have a girl that couldn’t turn down taking my quarter horse Big Joe on the 2022 Great Florida Cattle Drive.

In the early 90s I moved from Lexington, Kentucky to Stuart, FL. This is where I went from being a hunter/jumper rider to a cowgirl! I boarded my horse at Sweet Bay Stables in Palm City, Florida and met a group of people that went from acquaintances to lifelong friends in a short amount of time. My life changed the day I decided to go with them on an adventure to a ranch in Okeechobee to move cattle from one pasture to another. Running wide open over the palmettos to turn a rogue cow back was the most fun I’d ever had. Then, after we were finished sitting around talking to the cowboys and listening to their philosophy and way of life, I was hooked! Combining my love for horses and the great outdoors with a simpler way of life made one happy girl! Fast forward almost 30 years I have never lost that romantic notion of being able to get up every morning, saddle my horse and head out into God’s amazing creation to gather cattle.

The Great Florida Cattle Drive was created in 1995 to celebrate the 150th birthday of the state of Florida. A thousand head of cattle were driven over some the most pristine and historic ranchland in Osceloa County. It was decided to make

this a reoccurring event. I was unable to attend the drive in 2016 but I was making the one in 2022.

The Florida Cow Culture Preservation Committee organized this year’s event, which was intended to commemorate Florida’s cattle history and Cracker heritage, and boy did it deliver! They opened it up to 500 riders dividing them into five groups to be led by six seasoned horseman that were our circle bosses. I was part of the green group, and our circle bosses were Cindy Stavely, who is a member of the Florida Peacemakers Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association and served as circle boss on previous rides and Marcus Mitchell, who comes from a family who is rich in Florida cowhunter history and rode in the first cattle drive of “95 as a young cow hunter. They did an amazing job of keeping us informed and organized on the drive.

On the first night before the drive started Mr. Doyle Conner, Jr. made all the announcements for upcoming day. His first words were “This drive ain’t for sissies!” A phrase we all said at one time or another during the drive.

Our days consisted of getting up at 5:00 a.m., tending to our horses, breaking down our tents and packing all the gear we were not carrying on our horses to the transportation trailer. Then it was breakfast at 7:00 a.m., saddling our horses to be ready to ride out at 8:00 a.m. The number of miles we rode

each day ranged from 12-23. When we arrived at camp for the night, we watered our horses and located our trailer with our gear. We would then pick a spot for our horses and tents, unload our gear and set it up. Dinner was usually at 7:00 p.m. and boy did they feed us well. Our circle boss Marcus’ brother owns a catering business call Mitchell’s Catering, and they prepared mouthwatering delicious meals, culminating with prime rib on Friday night that you could cut with a plastic fork! After dinner they had varies entertainment and then it was time for bed.

We rode six days and covered some of the most beautiful untouched Florida land on the Deseret Ranch, Kempfer Ranch, Scape Ranch and Diego Medina’s Ranch. It was like walking back in time and really feeling what it was like to work the land and cattle to provide for your family. Florida is an amazing state with so much history and generations of honest, respectful, salt of the earth, hardworking people. So much more than a beach vacation destination. To some this adventure sounds like lots of work and as they told us, definitely not for sissies, but I wouldn’t change one thing about it and if given the opportunity would drop everything and go again! The camaraderie we are had with each other, and the bonds formed with our horses are priceless!

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Polk County Cattle Women

As we are approaching a new year with new opportunities, let us have open minds and open gates, but make sure we close them back when we’re done. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Blair Buchanon, and I will be serving as your Polk County CattleWomen’s President for the next two years, so get used to seeing this smiling face every month.

We want to give a huge thank you to Mr. & Mrs. Starling for hosting the Polk County CattleWomen Christmas party at their beautiful venue in Fort Meade, Starling Barn on the Lake. We had great food, as we all brought our favorite holiday side dish, and had lots of fun unrolling a saran wrap ball that our new Vice President, Tenna Simpson, made for us. We learned that night that some of our ladies can get quite competitive. If you are looking for a venue for an upcoming wedding or corporate event, Starling Barn on the Lake is a perfect location.

The Polk County Cattlemen’s Association hosted their annual membership dinner back in November where we asked all attendees to bring an unwrapped gift to donate to One More Child/Florida Baptist Children’s Home. Thank you to everyone who brought a toy to the dinner, and a huge thank you to the Polk County Sheriff’s Department Agricultural Deputies for assisting us with the delivery of these toys. We were able to make some kids Christmas dreams come true this year.

We are looking forward to watching our county’s youth exhibit their beef animals at this year’s Polk County Youth Fair, Janu-

ary 21-27, 2023. Our CattleWomen will be there throughout that week volunteering their time, whether this be assisting with check-in, judging record books or passing out t-shirts.

If one of your New Year’s resolutions to join PCCW or become more active, now is the perfect time to join. There is no age limit and you do not need to own cattle to join. All you need is a passion for the cattle industry. If you have any questions or need a membership form, please email me at blairbuchanon@gmail.com, I am more than happy to help.

See you next month!

Leslie Buchanon

Polk County Cattlewomen President