In The Field Magazine Polk County June 2011

June 15 - July 15, 2011 ®

Morrison Ranch

Betty & Bill Morrison

Covering What’s Growing www.InTheFieldMagazine.com

June 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 1

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From the Editor

Sarah Holt

June

Polk’s AGRICULTURE Magazine

VOL. 5 • ISSUE 10

Cover Story

Buying Fresh From Florida is a way to insure that you have the freshest food possible for your family. But that isn’t the only reason to buy Fresh From Florida food. When you purchase food grown in your state, you are boosting your local economy, helping local businesses and local farmers and ranchers. Every one of us has the capability to stimulate our local economy.

On a larger note, what can we do to stimulate the economy of the entire country? This is a bit more difficult but it isn’t a new idea. It takes some searching and maybe even higher prices. BUY AMERICAN MADE! This way we keep money in our economy, supporting American companies. It helps keep you and your neighbors working, helps companies stay in business and it helps our country.

We hope you enjoy this month’s feature on the Morrison Ranch, home of The Boogerman. The Boogerman was only ridden 11 times in his career with the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) and is now retired and living the good life in Haines City on the Morrison Ranch. The ranch has now expanded to include a division raising PBR certified bucking bulls.

As always, thank you to our advertisers. You allow us to continue to cover what is growing in Polk County.

Publisher/Owner

June 15 - July 15, 2011

Karen Berry

®

Editor-In-Chief Al Berry

MORRISON RANCH

Senior Managing Editor/Associate Publisher

Betty & Bill Morrison

Covering What’s Growing www.InTheFieldMagazine.com

June 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

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Morrison Ranch Cover Photo by Sarah Holt 30

7 Did You Know?

10 Grub Station Abuelo’s 12 Florida Lime Recipes 16 Fishing Hot Spots

Until next month,

Sarah

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

®

Sarah Holt

Editor

Patsy Berry

Office Manager Bob Hughens

Sales Manager

Danny Crampton

Sales

Tina Richmond Danny Crampton Kay Mullis Donna Orr

Creative Director

18 Master Gardener

Amey Celoria

24 Rocking Chair Chatter

Mona Jackson

34 Janell Brennar 46 Florida Limes 47 Woman in Agriculture Heather Erskine 53 Advertiser’s Index

Eat Better. Love Life. Live Longer.

Designer

Staff Writers

Sandy Kaster James Frankowiak Kayla Lewis Sean Green Mark Cook Ginny Mink

Contributing Writers Dick Loupe Bridget Carlisle

Photography Sarah Holt Karen Berry

facebook.com/FredsSouthernKitchen

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 33563-0042 or you are welcome to email them to: info@ inthefieldmagazine.com or call 813-759-6909.

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

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POLK COUNTY

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

Beef, It’s What’s for Dinner. These well known words have been the backbone in promoting the consumption of beef to consumers for years. Here are some little known facts about the Florida Beef Council, which uses these well recognized words. Originally formed in 1956, as a wholly owned corporation of The Florida Cattlemens Association, it functions as the promotion and educational arm of the beef industry in the state of Florida. Its program’s are funded by producers through a federally mandated checkoff program, passed by Congress in 1985. The checkoff became mandatory in 1988 through a nationwide vote. It provided for the $1.00 per head fee that is assessed each and every time that a beef animal is sold. Half of the funds collected in Florida are designated for national promotion, research, consumer information and industry information to the media, food service and retail industries, school educators, health professionals, consumers and producers. The other half of the funds collected are retained by the state beef council to implement similar programs within the state.

Much of the state work is done through many hours of hard work by volunteers to the beef board and The Florida Cattlewomens Association. Coordinating these varied programs is the Executive Director of the Florida Beef Council, Mrs. Polly Golden. She has worked tirelessly for the past 30 years to make sure that these funds have been used to the best advantage possible to promote our product. In the early days of the program, when the per head assessment was only ten cents per head, she got more mileage out of those funds than anyone thought possible. She got members of the National Beef Board in Chicago to come to Florida to advise how to initiate and expand our program. Mrs. Golden is retiring after serving our industry for so many years. Over her career, she has dedicated her time and efforts to promote our product. Her services will be greatly missed and we would like to thank her for the efforts she has put forth. We hope you enjoy a much deserved retirement.

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Snake’s scales are made up of something called keratin, which is the same thing that our fingernails are made from.

OFFICERS & BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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A mother pythons will coil themselves around their eggs and make their bodies shiver in order to heat herself up and keep the eggs warm until they hatch

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

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The longest snake is the reticulated python. It can grow up to 10.05 meters or 33 feet long!

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The thickest snake is the anaconda. The biggest one found measured 111 centimeters or 44 inches around. That’s huge!

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The thread snake is the smallest snake. It is only about 10 centimeters (4 inches long) and the size of a toothpick.

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Vine snakes are remarkable because they appear to have binocular vision.

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Many zookeepers believe that cobras are faster learners than other snakes.

They are able to tell the difference between their trainer and strangers.

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The ancient Greek god, Asklepios, was thought to be a healer of the sick and injured. People would take an offering to the temple and wait for Asklepios to either come to them in their dreams or send his servants, the snakes, to help them. One touch of the forked tongue was all they thought they needed to heal them. The healing snake was the Aesculapian snake. The Romans would bring this snake into their temples rather than the Greek healers. To this day the Aesculapian snake forms part of the symbols representing physicians and veterinarians.

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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

A reticulated python, named Colossus, was the largest snake that ever lived in a zoo. She lived at the Pittsburgh Zoo in Pennsylvania. Clifford Pope, the author of a book entitled “The Giant Snakes” reported that she was 22 feet long when she was captured in what is now Thailand in 1949. Eight years later she grew to 28 ½ feet long. Her body was 37 ½ inches around and her weight was around 320 pounds.

Membership- J.B. Wynn

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Vampire bats prey mainly on cows, horses and other large mammals.

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Benjamin Franklin wanted to make the wild turkey, not the bald eagle, the national bird of the United States!

Sherry Kitchen (863) 221-0230 skitchen@bcieng.com

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Domestic or tame turkeys weigh twice what a wild turkey does and are raised on farms for profit.

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Most domestic turkeys are so heavy they are unable to fly.

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When a bear ‘hibernates’ it is really in a deep sleep. It’s body temperature drops but not drastically and it does not wake up... not even to go to the bathroom or get food.

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Some snakes can smell with their noses but ALL snakes smell with their tongues. When a snake sticks out its tongue it smells its surroundings.

Charles Clark Polk County Cattlemen’s Association President

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

This would be funny to watch! The hognose, grass snake and the spitting cobra will fake death when feeling threatened. They flip onto their backs, open their mouths, and let their tongue flop out. And they will let out some smelly stuff from their anal gland. Nobody would want to eat it after that!

•

Charles Clark

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

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June 2011

Standing Committee Chairs: Events- Kevin Fussell (863) 412-5876 Rodeo- Fred Waters (863) 559-7808 watersf@doacs.state.fl.us Cattlewomen - President

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

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 7

ffa Highlight Jessie Glenn Jessie Glenn is the daughter of Matt and Amy, born and raised in Polk City. Jessie entered high school a shy, quiet freshman but now, as a junior, she’s an active member of Tenoroc FFA. Jessie is a charter member of the Tenoroc FFA chapter and will become one of the first students to attend Tenoroc High School for 9th through 12th grade. Jessie has been the treasurer of Tenoroc FFA, but is currently serving as vice president.

In her short three years as an FFA member, Jessie has participated in many Career Development Events including Ornamental Horticulture Demonstrations, Livestock Judging, Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Poultry Judging, and Dairy Judging. Jessie received her Greenhand and Chapter Degrees, including the Star Chapter Farmer Degree for Tenoroc FFA in 2010. She will receive her State FFA Degree at the State FFA Convention in June, the highest degree achieved at the state level.

Jessie has attended the Chapter President’s Conference, Chapter Officer Leadership Training, University of Florida’s Livestock Judging Clinic, FFA Day, Tenoroc FFA’s Swine Showmanship Clinic, Florida FFA State Convention, National FFA Convention, and Tenoroc FFA’s Officer Retreat. Jessie uses information from lead-

ership workshops to teach other FFA members in her chapter as well as those from Berkley Middle FFA, where her mother is the FFA Advisor. She helped coordinate a Leadership Day at the chapter level to encourage members to become active and teach them leadership skills. Jessie is a Banquet Committee Member, heavily involved with Tenoroc FFA’s Farm Fair, and helped to design the FFA float in the 2010 Lakeland Christmas Parade.

At the Polk County Youth Fair, Jessie showed a blue ribbon market hog and a rabbit, in addition to competing in photography, judging contests, and the Chili Cook-Off. Jessie also raises meat rabbits at her home.

Somehow, Jessie finds time to volunteer at the local SPCA, Berkley Middle School, and FFA events such as Farm Fair, AgriFest, Wreaths Across America, and building fence at Tenoroc’s Agriculture Department.

Jessie enjoys hunting, fishing, and scalloping with her family in her spare time and plans to attend college to become a veterinarian. She intends to stay involved with FFA through the Tenoroc FFA Alumni and Collegiate FFA. Tenoroc FFA is very proud of Jessie Glenn and her many accomplishments and can’t wait to see what’s in store for her senior year!

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

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

Winner will be notified by phone.

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“Everything for the Florida Farmer”

Abuelo’s

by Cheryl Kuck Yours truly has an abiding passion for all things creative. Naturally, cooking falls into that category. I just love looking at, as well as, tasting good, beautiful, colorful, fresh quality food. In addition to being a dedicated “freshonista,” my other passion, (in addition to my Christian beliefs and my family) is the arts.

When I find a restaurant that includes a web site: Abuelo’s.com /Art Gallery, showing the fabulous interpretations of three of history’s greatest muralist’s adorning all the walls of its establishment, an immediate need wells up inside of me to feast my eyes on their works. Since the restaurant is only 20 minutes from my Plant City home, it’s easy to succumb to the urge for art.

From the 97 degree heat it is a relief to enter the artfully designed oasis that is Abuelo’s Mexican restaurant.

Showing a combination of old world splendor with a workable, spacious floor plan, a recessed, lighted ceiling painted as the sky, gives the feeling of sitting in a Spanish courtyard.

There are columns rising to form an archway and frame the entrance with a welcoming bronze statue of Fr. Agustin De La Rosa, a Catholic priest and author known as “The protector of the children of Guadalajara” who was revered for his wisdom and compassion.

Through the archways you get your first glimpse of the impressive artworks surrounding the courtyard.

Begun in 1910, Mexico was the birthplace of an artistic movement that is now known as muralism. Abuelo’s showcases a painted interpretation of the epic mural “A Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in Alameda Park” and “Night of the Poor” by Diego Rivera, Mexico’s most famous artist. The Mexican revolution inspired David Alfaro Siqueiros and Jose Clemente Orozco whose interpreted works are also on display. The works of all three artists were painted in the 20-year period from 1920 to 1940 known as the start of the country’s era of artistic freedom.

Proprietor and General Manager Dean Andrews tells me, “I think it may be a unusual for a restaurant to give tours but we get a lot of requests from history and art teachers who want their students to have the experience of seeing these amazing artworks.”

It takes a while to let the surroundings become enough of a part of you to actually start thinking. The first thought is that this feels like a one-of-a-kind, unique place and not part of a successful chain of restaurants (which it is). The second thought pertains to wondering if the food can live up to the auspicious atmosphere.

Having spent considerable time in Mexico, the food influence of Spain is more prevalent than the Tex-Mex variances we Norte Americana’s may be used to. That type of a more haute or fine Mexican cuisine is Abuleo’s true signature.

Some specialties venturing into Mexican gourmet territory were tasted including what G.M. Andrews refers to as “Abuelo’s signature dish, Los Mejores De la Casa.” This is the south of the border answer to surf and turf and is a truly superb version with a succulent combination of wood-grilled-to-perfection bacon-wrapped, beef tenderloin medallions and bacon-wrapped shrimp. The prepared shrimp are stuffed with fresh jalapeno and blended cheeses, not too spicy but with a little satisfying “kick.” The dish comes with two dipping sauces: subtle creamy white queso’s (cheeses) blended with a hint of jalapeño and roasted Poblano peppers and Madera gravy. The gravy is so fabulous you could put it on anything and make it taste good! Both sauces were perfect additions to this “best of the house” memorable dinner entrée.

Andrews addressed the freshness quotient by telling me that local produce is brought to the restaurant three times a week and he operates a 98 percent made-from-scratch kitchen. He also selected three specialty entrees so the quality and how the restaurant prepares meat, fish and chicken could be judged.

For the fish dish, he chose a tender sautéed Tilapia Veracruz with fresh shrimp, scallops, tomatoes, roasted Poblano strips and olive garnish which was served with fluffy cilantro rice that turned a delicate shade of green from being cooked with the herb. The mixed vegetables were very fresh and retained their natural bright colors – a signal that the nutrients were not cooked out of them.

The Stuffed Chicken Medallions were another wonderful culinary surprise. Stuffed with chorizo (Mexican sausage), Poblano and cheese, the chicken was dusted with panko (flour-like breadcrumbs used in Japanese cuisine) and lightly fried until crispy on the outside. The chicken remained juicy but not fatty from the moisture in the sausage.

Both the fish and chicken are also on the lunch menu at $9.99 and at $13.99 as dinner entrées.

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• • • • • • •

We carry large compressed alfalfa blocks.

Fence posts and all fencing supplies Culvert pipes (driveway culverts) Bulk feed by the drum or ton Round bales of coastal hay Quantity discounts on feed Monthly feed specials

121 N. Commonwealth Ave. P.O. Box 297 • Polk City, FL 33868 (863) 984-2560

Monday - Saturday 7:30am - 5:30pm

In addition to the signature items, there are 10 varieties of fajitas on the menu (11 if you count the fajita salad) exemplifying what is good about the ever-popular Tex-Mex genre. Other familiar crowdpleasing staples like nachos, tacos and an extensive selection of 16 enchilada combinations are generously portioned and bursting with flavor.

After sampling the dinners, I was just too full to taste the gorgeous-looking desserts. Fortunately my husband has a sweet tooth and volunteered to give me his opinion. After living in South America and with numerous trips to Mexico, he became an expert on the traditional dessert that cools the palate after eating spicy food, as well as, an avowed flan-aholic.

Andrews and I waited expectantly for the pronouncement of this deceptively simple-looking seven-egg dessert that is far from easy to execute. “Delicious,” my flan fan sighed as he placed his fork on the empty plate. “The caramelization of the sugar was perfect and the custard is melt-in-your-mouth creamy.”

As our final presentation, a triple-layered Tres Leche (three milks) Cake topped with a plump strawberry and meringue nestled in a leche glaze with strawberry fruit gelee’ hearts (made with a technique called plate painting) was served. A drop of coloring (fruit gelee’ or preserves in this case) placed on a plate or glaze is cut with the tip of a knife or toothpick to form a heart. As beautiful as it was neither of us could eat another bite, but I am certain it compares with all the other excellent food we tasted.

It is not often I can honestly say that every entrée was delicious and flawlessly prepared. I should have realized what a treat was in store when a chef whose reputation is impeccable and opinion trusted, suggested I would enjoy going to the restaurant. From start to finish…

From art for the soul to art for the palate…He was right.

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109 North Lake Avenue Groveland, FL 34736 (352) 429-2944

Abuelo’s

Flavor of Mexico Traditional haute Mexican cuisine and atmosphere with the added variety of familiar Tex-Mex influences Location: 3700 Lakeside Village Blvd. The restaurant is a free-standing building on the periphery of Lakeside Village, an open-air shopping mall off the Polk Parkway at Harden Blvd.

Phone: 863-686-7500 Hours: Sunday – Thursday 11:00am-10:00pm Friday and Saturday from 11:00am-11:00pm Happy Hour: Drinks and tapas daily from 3:00– 7:00pm and 9:00pm to closing.

Price Range: From $5.99 to $19.99 for the house specialty entrée. Desserts are approximately $5.

Catering Services: Private party and meeting facilities accommodating 20 to 120 people with custom-designed menus and tableside or buffet options Web site: www.Abueleos.com June 2011

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Perfectly Fresh. Perfectly Priced.

VEGETABLE SALE Fri. & Sat. June 17th & 18th • 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Fri. & Sat. July 15th & 16th • 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Recipes Courtesy of The Florida Department of Agriculture

Call in your order today or just drop by and see us!

Watermelon Granita-Filled Lime Cups Ingredients 12 limes, reserve 2 tablespoons juice 1 cup sugar 2 cups water 4 cups watermelon, cubed 1/2 cup currants or raisins

crushed ice, optional Preparation Cut limes in half lengthwise; cut around pulp of each half with a sharp knife, leaving peel intact. Scoop out pulp, using spoon to loosen pulp from peel, and reserve 2 tablespoons of lime juice for Granita. Set lime cups aside. Stir together sugar and water in small saucepan; heat to boiling. Cool slightly. Place watermelon in container of food processor; pulse to puree watermelon. Place colander over bowl and pour puree into colander to strain out the seeds; forcing watermelon through with back of spoon, if needed. Stir reserved lime juice and cooled sugar mixture into pureed watermelon. Pour into 13x9x2-inch pan; freeze until firm, about 4 hours. To serve, scrape frozen watermelon mixture with spoon to make Granita. Stir in currants for “seeds.” Mound Granita in lime cups; serve on bed of crushed ice.

Southwestern Produce Company 1510 Sydney Rd. • Plant City, FL

(813) 754-1500 or (813) 757-0096

Yield 12 servings

***All items are 8 pounds unless otherwise noted.***

Baked Florida Grouper with Lime Cilantro Butter

Fresh from the Farm to your

Ingredients 4 - 6-ounce grouper fillets ½ cup unsalted butter 3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped 1/4 cup lime juice 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 pinch freshly ground pepper 2 tablespoons grated lime or lemon zest

Freezer!

Eating at Home More?

Come See Us!

Preparation Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Put the fillets in a greased baking dish. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat; add next 7 ingredients. Stir to blend and pour lime butter over fillets. Sprinkle grated rinds evenly over the top. Bake for 15 minutes until cooked through and meat flakes easily with a fork.

Yield

White Corn .......................... $12 Yellow Corn ........................ $12 Cream White Corn 4# ...........$ 6 Cream Yellow Corn 4# .........$ 6 Collard Greens.................... $12 Mustard Greens .................. $12 Turnip Greens ..................... $12

Spinach ............................... $12 Cut Okra ............................. $12 Breaded Okra ..................... $12 Whole Okra......................... $12 Sliced Yellow Squash .......... $12 Sliced Zucchini .................... $12 Brussel Sprouts ................... $12 Chopped Broccoli 5# ............$ 5 Baby Carrots ....................... $12 Broccoli ............................... $13.

Cauliflower ......................... $13.

Mixed Vegetables ............... $12 Soup Blend.......................... $12 Blueberries 5# .................... $15 Blackberries 5#................... $15 Cranberries 5# ................... $15 Mango Chunks 5# .............. $15 Pineapple Chunks 5# ......... $15 Dark Sweet Cherries 5#...... $14 Rhubarb 5# ........................ $10 Fresh Peaches 25# box ...... $20

WALK-INS WELCOME

4 servings

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Baby Butter Beans ............... $13.

Green Beans ....................... $13.

Pole Beans .......................... $13.

Speckled Butter Beans ......... $13.

Blackeye Peas ..................... $13.

Butter Peas .......................... $13.

Conk Peas ........................... $22 Crowder Peas...................... $13.

Green Peas ......................... $13.

Mixed Peas ........................ $13.

Pinkeye Peas....................... $13.

Sugar Snap Peas ................. $15 White Acre Peas .................. $13.

Zipper Peas ......................... $13.

June 2011

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purpose of this is two-fold, by using a swivel, it helps to eliminate line twist that so often occurs when using twitching bait, and the minimal weight added using the barrel swivel will help bring the bait slightly deeper and create a slow fall during each pause between twitches.

FRESHWATER FISHING IN POLK COUNTY

By Captain Dick Loupe

Fun Fishin’

Trophy Bass Generally, a bass weighing in at 10 pounds or better is considered a “trophy.” Many, including my wife’s father, have set that bar for whether or not to have a bass mounted. Her father fished all of his life in waters from Canada to Florida and never boated that 10 pound plus bass. He caught a lot of bass, both largemouth and smallmouth, walleye, muskie, and northern pike throughout his lifetime, and generally caught more than anyone he was with, but never the trophy largemouth bass that he sought. His wife (my mother-in-law) caught two in her lifetime and he made her mount them both! Now, thanks to fiberglass replicas, we are able to “have our cake and eat it too” so to speak.

We are able to have a “copy” trophy mount on our wall or table, but we are also able to release these trophies back into their habitat to continue producing more bass that are genetically prone to growing up to trophy size … like the one below pictured with Gail and I:

This is a picture of the biggest bass landed this year. On or about March the 10 we got a call from Tom Keady and Gail Klusek from New York. Tom and Gail have a place at Lily Lake in Frostproof. They were out at a restaurant and Tom picked up a copy of IN THE FIELD Magazine. They came across the article that I had written back in January for the February issue about schooling bass, and what Joyce (my wife) and I do every Christmas morning, which is to go fishing and spend a little spiritual time with our deceased Dads, who showed us the great outdoors that God has provided for us. Anyway, Tom read this and was

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inspired by it to the point that they called to book a trip, and this is what became of that trip. This is Gail with her 12 lb 12 oz largemouth bass. That same morning they had one that weighed 6 lb 12 oz. Both were released back into the lake to give these fish a chance to lay their eggs, so we can have the opportunity to catch more like them.

For me there are three types of fishing: guiding, exploratory, and fun fishin’. As you know, I am a fishing guide and I take people fishing for hire. To always be prepared for those guide trips, I periodically go exploratory fishing where I look for different places that are holding good quantities of fish. Then there is fun fishin’ when I usually take my wife, Joyce, or friends out for a fun day of fishing.

Well, my wife and I were fun fishin’ the other day when two fish and game officers came up to the side of the bassboat to check us out. Of course, Joyce had her current fishing license and I had my driver’s license. Since I am over the age of 65, I am no longer required to buy a fishing license, but must have either a Resident Senior Citizen Hunting and Fishing certificate or an ID with proof of age and residency.

must be worn at all times to be approved. Needless to say, we both put on our life jackets and kept them on the rest of the day, as instructed by the officers. Remember to check your supply of PFDs each time you go out to make sure you have one approved Type I, II, or III for each person on board (Type V hybrid may substituted, but it must actually be worn whenever the vessel is underway) and, in addition, one throwable Type IV device, all of which must be USCG approved and in serviceable condition.

Spider Fishing

It recently came to my attention that there may be some of you who haven’t heard this term before. No, we are not fishing for spiders, although I guess you could if using crickets for bait!

Spider fishing is a term to describe a type of fishing for crappie and bluegill. Anglers mount fishing rod holders all around the railing of a pontoon boat, or up and down both sides of a fishing boat by various means and types of rod holders. Then they put a cane pole, extension pole, or crappie pole, rigged and baited, into several, if not all, of the holders around the boat.

Summer School

As the kids are getting ready to get out of school, the bass are starting to get into schools. For the last couple of weeks I have been catching schooling bass in Lake Kissimmee using both live bait with medium sized shiners and with artificial baits, such as lipless crankbaits and plastic swimbaits. They have ranged anywhere from dinks too small to measure all the way up to around 6 lbs. I’ve heard of bass schooling up in Lake Toho, also, but it is that time of the year. With all the new hatchlings of a multitude of panfish, shad, and minnows, the bass are feeding on a virtual smorgasbord. They have been known to gorge to the point of regurgitation and then feed some more. It’s kind of like going out to eat to a buffet and, since you can’t make up your mind what to eat, you have some of everything. At least we know when to stop … or most of us do, anyway!

This is a time that can be a lot of fun, but also very frustrating. If you are lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time when the bass run bait to the surface which lets you know where they are feeding, then you can cast almost any small bait just past the school and then run it back through it, almost guaranteeing a strike. But if you are not lucky, you will run your trolling motor batteries down to nothing trying to chase after the schools that are just out of casting distance. Your best bet is to determine what areas are holding the bait, and why. Once you figure that out, concentrate on keeping your boat near those areas and sooner or later the water will appear to boil as the bass run the bait to the surface sometime during the chase. It’s kind of like “feast or famine” or “hurry up and wait.” Once you are in the right areas, continue to fan cast even if you don’t see them on the surface, because the bass and the bait are still in the general vicinity.

Another thing to keep in mind during these feeding frenzies is that generally it is the smaller bass that do the chasing, gorging, and regurgitating. The larger bass have wised up (or have become basically lazy) and will cruise a little deeper beneath the school, scarfing up the injured, falling bait and regurgitation. If you have had your fun already with the smaller bass, try twitching a fluke or anything that mimics an injured baitfish, a little deeper using a #3 barrel swivel with about 18” of leader. The

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They checked our fire extinguisher, which must be USCG approved and be in serviceable condition, for a sound producing device (we had a whistle), if we had any fish, which we did and measured all to show they were legal, for our PFDs (personal floatation devices) which were stowed in a front compartment.

We had a Type IV throwable cushion, two automatically inflatable life jackets, and one standard life jacket.

Visually it creates the appearance of a huge spider with the poles becoming the legs of the spider and the boat as the body.

Since there is no limit as to the number of rods you may use and you may keep up to 25 crappies or 50 panfish per person, per day (with a two day possession limit), this has become a very common way to panfish.

May you always catch and release trophies, stay in schools, have fun, practice safety, and have plenty of crickets for when you go ‘spider’ fishing.

Best Fishes and God Bless,

Capt. Dick Loupe Captain Dick Loupe

Officers Paul Menendez (originally from Texas) and Ken Trusley (originally from Tennessee) kindly informed us that the inflatable-type life jackets are not considered approved life jackets unless they are being worn. We were wrongly under the assumption that this applied when the boat was moving … not so. They

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Southern Outdoorsman Guide Service Katydid Fishing Products, LLC More Tackle PO Box 7870 Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855 888-692-2208 www.bassfishingguide.com www.katydidfishingproducts.com www.moretackle.com June 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 17

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Florida-Friendly Debra Howell: n The Master Gardener by Desig

When

you think of the color green, what springs to mind?

Plants? Turf? Money?! All of the aforementioned, but not necessarily in that order. Lately much emphasis is being placed on being “green,” or environmentally friendly.

Though it may appear to be a newfangled notion, it has long been an agrarian ethic combining past experiences, common sense and good stewardship.

I will now introduce you to some Florida-Friendly plant choices, some native, some not, for the environmentconscious gardener that you are.

Simpson’s Stopper: This small tree may reach 30 feet in height and may be used as a screen, or, if kept trimmed, you may use it as a hedge plant. It has small white fragrant flowers, which produce red berries. It attracts butterflies, and the birds just love the berries! The photo I have supplied does not do this plant justice. As a mature specimen this tree has absolutely gorgeous bark. One such specimen may be seen outside the Cafe at Bok Sanctuary Gardens.

This plant is good for full sun or full shade, taking acid to alkaline soil. It is drought tolerant, and

also tolerates poor drainage conditions. What’s not to love about this versatile choice?

Chaste Tree: Though not a native, this plant does well in Zones 7B-11. That’s a wide range indeed. It also grows in acid to alkaline soil, full sun to part shade. It is a small tree or shrub of 10-15 feet in height and is drought tolerant. It bears beautiful purple and lavender flowers, but there is a white cultivar available, too.

Beach Sunflower: This Florida native ground-cover prefers dry, sandy soils and blooms year-round with a sunflower bloom.

Once established, it really doesn’t need much water at all, and is very drought tolerant. The thing is actually a dune sunflower, and will grow near the coast in salt conditions, as well. It will readily re-seed in the garden, achieving a height of two feet tall, and running about six feet long. It doesn’t need fertilizer. After all, if it’s not broke, don’t fix it!

Bald Cypress: Usually seen at the waterfront, Bald Cypress grows to 70 feet tall and tolerates wet areas, but may be trained to dry areas, as well. I’ve seen these trees high and dry in yards, and they seem to be flourishing there. This low-maintenance tree was an ideal roosting spot for my little Cochin fowl, but I have to provide them with a chair to use as a booster step, due to their small, cute stature.

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18 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

June 2011

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 19

Oakleaf Hydrangea: Another versatile plant, this beauty occurs in Zones 5B-9B. My mother says they grew wild when she lived in Alabama. This native is deciduous and bears very showy white flowers in the Spring. It tolerates moderate drought conditions and occasional poor drainage. It may be somewhat difficult to get started in the landscape, but persevere for one of the most beautiful plants you’ve ever seen.

Crape Myrtle: This has been the worst year for “Crape Murder” that I’ve witnessed since becoming a Master Gardener in 2005. I’m sure this practice existed prior to that time, but it was a phenomenon of which I was literally ignorant. I’m referring to the heinous practice of pruning Crape Myrtles so severely that they grow large, unsightly “knuckles”.

The underlying problem is that people are unaware of the mature height their cultivar may achieve. Example: Natchez (white) = 30 feet tall, as opposed to Acoma (white) = 5 to 7 feet tall. Crape Myrtles occur in pink, red, lavender and white, and are showy in Spring and Summer. They are drought tolerant and like full sun. Mature Crape Myrtles have lovely bark and should only need deadheading if you’ve chosen the proper size cultivar. This plant may be subject to the problems of sooty mold and powdery mildew.

Texas Sage: Also called Silverleaf or Barometer Bush, this evergreen shrub has lovely silvery foliage, performs well in full sun (plants decline in shady locations) and is drought tolerant. It bears showy lavender flowers in the Spring and Summer, and doesn’t like compost or fertilizer (remember, if it’s not broke...).

Sabal Palm or Cabbage Palm: This is our state tree, however, bear in mind that palms are more closely related to grasses than trees. It has “Palmate” fronds, which are shaped like the human hand or palm. There are two types of palm fronds: Palmate and feather shaped. The flowers are a butterfly nectar source and fruits are relished by wildlife. This is a low-maintenance palm, which will hopefully be able to weather the onslaught of Texas Phoenix Decline disease. This deadly disease affects the “apical meristem” where cell growth takes place. It is a menace to palms and may only be treated with doses of tetracycline injected into the plant. It is now illegal to harvest this palm for “swamp cabbage,” but it still occurs.

Now that you’ve sought out some FloridaFriendly plant choices, how do you incorporate them into your landscape? Well, by adhering to the nine FloridaFriendly practices. They are: 1. Right plant-right place: By choosing the right plant and putting it in the right place, it will require minimal amounts of fertilizers, pesticides and water, thereby saving you money.

2. Water efficiently: Efficient watering is important for the conservation of limited resources and for a healthy Florida yard.

3. Fertilize appropriately: Overuse of fertilizers can damage your landscape, the waterfront and the environment, in general.

High levels of nitrogen can cause algae bloom, fish kills and proliferation of invasive aquatics.

4. Mulch: By maintaining a three inch layer of mulch, you may prevent erosion, retain moisture and, hopefully, suppress weeds. There are many choices, some of which are produced from replenishable sources. I use lots of free mulch in the form of oak leaves. I even collect them from my neighbors. I utilize oak leaves to delineate the paths throughout my yard.

5. Attract wildlife: You will easily succeed in attracting wildlife to your yard by supplying food, water and shelter.

Birds are especially attracted to the sound of running or dripping water. Maybe a small burbling fountain is in your future. Hummingbird feeders are a fine option. I saw a male Rubythroated hummingbird in my yard today (really). Upon inheriting a bag of critter food from my Michigan-bound neighbors, I began to consider the implication of what the term “critter” might include. My imagination ran through a gamut of possible participants at my animal smorgasbord, at least one of which was deemed to be a carrier of rabies. So I refined my offerings to wild bird seed, thistle seed, hummingbird nectar and plenty of water and shelter.

6. Manage yard pests responsibly: I treat pests on a plant by plant basis. I have actually hurt myself tap-dancing on Georgia Lubber Grasshoppers this season. They are particularly fond of Crinum lilies (and everything else). Remember, the little black grasshoppers with the yellow pinstripes are an “instar” stage of the big yellow guy. Unwisely using pesticides can hurt pets, people, good bugs and the environment.

7. Recycle. Well, I just told you about using oak leaves for mulch. Recycled grass clippings and leaves may provide nutrients to the soil and reduce waste disposal.

8. Reduce storm-water runoff: Reduction of runoff helps prevent non-point source pollution which may run out of your yard carrying pesticides, fertilizers, debris and gasoline into the nearest stormdrain, then into a freshwater body and eventually into an estuary system.

9. Protect the waterfront: As community educators for the Master Gardener’s Speaker’s Bureau, we preach waterfront protection to audiences on a monthly basis. As we avail ourselves of the touristy nature of our wonderful state, the subject of waterfront protection should be near and dear to the hearts of every Floridian. The mere existence of our many springs should bring a tear to your eye.

I promise that when you begin to implement these practices and make proper plant selections, you will get the satisfaction of being “green” and the warm, fuzzy feeling that accompanies this.

Also, you will begin to see butterflies, moths, hummingbirds, all types of birds, in fact, that you’ve never had before in your yard.

You just can’t resist the need to “add to” this type of landscape and the nurturing feeling that will be yours to savor.

Bio: Debra Howell • Master Gardener since 2005 • 1998 graduate - University of South • Master Gardener of the year (Polk Florida - Tampa campus Co.) 2010 • Amateur archaeologist • “Commitment to the Environment” • Chairman, Ft. Meade PRIDE Curb Polk Volunteer winner 2012 Appeal Committee 20 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

June 2011

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 21

2011

Horticulture Tour

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by Lindsey Myers, Lake Gibson Sr. FFA The Polk County Horticultural Industry Spring Field Trip was 2 days filled with learning about several areas of the horticulture industry. Bartow Sr., Lake Gibson Sr., and Kathleen Sr. High Schools had 33 students and teachers participate in this fun learning adventure.

From the time we got off the bus at our first stop in Orlando with Ameriscapes on Wednesday, April 28 till we got off the bus on Thursday, April 29 we worked on plant identification. Identifying plants was a way to “jokingly” earn our meals and stops through-out the two days.

At the first stop in the balmy morning sun we met with Mr. Butterfield, the owner of Ameriscapes and Steve Brown and Jay, area managers for the company Ameriscape. We started with plant identification as we toured the work site. It was a nice review and preparation for those of us who would be taking the FNGLA exam the end of May 2011. Mr. Brown and Jay took us on a walking tour of a business complex that is about 200 acres and we were able to see several crews at work. We went over job safety, pay range and how the company has the different levels of employment and what education and experience is required for each.

After our first exploration, we went on to the Orange County Extension and Community Center.

Mr. Butterfield had set up a meeting and delicious lunch with the Extension

22 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

June 2011

service Horticulturalist for Orange County, Liz Felter. There we continued with our plant identification and learned more about what the horticulturist extension agents do and what is required to become one. We even got to observe their butterfly garden that was in full operation-from caterpillars to crystalis to newly hatched butterflies.

From the extension facility we went on to Leu Gardens there in Orlando and met with Mr. Robert Bowden, the elective director of the gardens. We learned that Leu Gardens has the nation’s third largest camellia garden and several other notable gardens as well. We continued our plant identification as we broke up into groups and toured the gardens for a couple of hours. Unfortunately we did not have enough time to tour the whole garden facility and hope to plan another trip there. It was very beautiful!

After a filling dinner and time to shop at the Altamonte Mall we turned in and spent the night in Lake Mary at a very comfortable hotel.

Thursday morning the students and their advisors were up bright and early once again ready to embark on a new adventure in the industry of horticulture.

Our first stop for the day was at Tropical Earth Nursery, where we were able to tour their facility with the owners Nathan and his wife, Cindy. During the tour we learned about Tropical Earth’s plant production.

They specialize in bromeli-

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ads and bonsai. As a special treat we were able to create our very own bonsai trees to take home with us.

The next stop on the map was Jon’s Nursery. Mr. Wayne Bowron showed us around the huge wholesale nursery which includes over an additional 100 acres of land. Jon’s Nursery has been in operation since 1972 and all the people there were very friendly and helpful as we asked questions and toured the facilities. We learned a lot about how they set up the nursery. One side of Jon’s is laid aside for cuttings and the production of new plants. While they also have a soil mixing and potting area along with other areas set aside for the production of the wholesale nursery. Jon’s nursery is also environmentally friendly. There is a huge retention pond, which is set up so that if any excess water escapes from the plants or if it rains the water will flow down into the pond, never wasting any water for irrigation. At the end of the wholesale nursery tour the students had a new view on how a wholesale nursery is run.

Our last stop was AgriStarts. Randy Strode, owner of AgriStarts, and his son, Ty, gave us a special look at the family owned business. Agristarts is a fascinating facility where they are able to “clone” a wide variety of plants; they are also working to help reestablish endangered plant species. Agristarts also has a very interesting collection of ‘musa’ or Banana trees-- some tasting like ice-cream others like peanut butter. When cloning or propagating plants the process on how they are able to reproduce them is very fascinating. The number one rule is that everything must be sterile and clean for the process to work. All workers must wear disinfected crocks and clean clothing; they must also always wipe down their working station with bleach for maximum cleanliness. They place the plant material which is cut from a mother

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NOW STOCKING ALL COLORS

BUT BLACK & WHITE

plant in a jar which is filled with nutrient fill gel that provides the plant with everything needed to survive. When performed correctly then you should end up with many exact copies that are healthy and strong –duplicates of the mother plant. Along with working with endangered plants Agristarts is also working with the University of Florida to produce bigger, stronger, and better tasting blueberry and pomegranate plants that will thrive in Florida. Agristarts was a very unique and informational stop on our 2011 Horticulture Industry Tour.

All in all, the Horticulture Industry Tour was a great learning experience that students and teachers were able to gain from.

Thanks to all the hard work from our advisors, Mr. David Byrd, TRST/Agricultural supervisor, and business owners who helped make this tour a reality. The new knowledge that students gained through the industry tour will in fact help them in their own experiences throughout their own Horticulture career.

June 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 23

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

and

Come Grow With Us 100 Stearn Ave. Plant City, FL 33563 Tel: 813.752.5111 www.wishfarms.com Have you ever wondered why Fred’s Market in Plant City is so popular? I’ll tell you why! It’s because he serves the best grits in the south, that’s why! None of that instant stuff, only honest-to-goodness southern grits, regular and cheese grits.

Cooked the way the Lord intended them to be cooked.

For you folks that don’t like grits, then don’t eat corn, ‘cause it’s one in the same. I was raised on grits and ate it for breakfast, noon and supper. There’s nothing better than grits with tomato gravy, fried catfish and hushpuppies.

I’ll bet Fred’s sells more grits than all the restaurants within a 20 mile radius of Plant City. He is running a close second to St. George, South Carolina, “The Grits Capital of the World.”

I discovered that grits lovers by the thousands gather in St. George, South Carolina each April to enjoy three days of ‘true grits’ fun at the World Grits Festival.

They have a blast with festival events that includes a parade, special grits meals, arts and crafts, street dancing, clogging, a carnival, and you guessed it, a grits eating contest, plus a rolling-in the-grits contest.

This blow out came about in 1985 when it was discovered that the town of St. George consumed more grits per capita than any other place in the world. This 25-year-old event now attracts as many as 50,000 people in three days. I think I might get a bus load of local grits eaters and join their celebration 24 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE June 2011

next year. Who knows, we might bring home the “Grits Eat’n Championship” trophy next year.

If you think the Grits Festival is unusual, then think again.

There’s the “RC and Moon Pie Festival” in Bell Buckle, Tennessee every June. This one-day event is centered around eating moon pies and drinking RC Cola. You’ll find vendors selling different variations of moon pie dishes, including deep fried moon pies. The festivities conclude when the world’s largest moon pie is cut and served by the Festival King and Queen with the assistance of the Knights of the Moon Pie Round.

Each September over in Marlinton, West Virginia there is the annual “West Virginia Road Kill Cook-Off.” They have such culinary creations as squirrel gravy over biscuits or teriyaki marinated bear. There’s one dish that everybody craves, it’s called “The Buck Stops Here.” For more information contact the Pocahontas County Chamber of Commerce-Road Kill Cook-Off. Maybe the Plant City Chamber should send a couple of their winners from Pig Jam this year. I am sure Mark Poppell could find something to cook on the way up there.

Irmo, South Carolina holds the title of the nation’s “Original Okra Celebration.” This is a two-day event complete with a parade and an okra man! The highlight of the celebration is a street dance where every one does the “Okra Strut.” www.InTheFieldMagazine.com

When planning your winter vacation you may want to stop in for the November “Chitlin’Strut” in Salley, South Carolina.

This event is big enough to be held at the Salley Civic Center and the Fairgrounds. They say the event attracts more than 50,000 hungry chitlin fans, who consume more than 10,000 pounds of chitlins. You’ll enjoy such fun events as a hawgcalling, the chiltin strut, and the chitlin eating contest. If you think I am making this up then go to the U.U. Library of Congress and look it up. They are listed as one of the entries to represent South Carolina in the “Funny Food Festivals of the Southeastern United States.”

In August I had the pleasure of attending the world’s first “Green Bean Festival” in Blairsville, Georgia. The center of the activity was held in the downtown square around the historic old courthouse. It started on a Friday night with a good old fashion square dance in front of the now famous “Hole In The Wall” restaurant. There were green bean dishes of all kinds.

Linda Connell and Martha Wright of Plant City were there and even made green bean cookies that were served along with green bean tea and a special concoction green bean shake at the information booth. This event was a big hit, and they’ll do it again next year.

Well it was a slow day in a small northwest Florida town.

The sun was so hot you could cook an egg on the sidewalk.

The streets are deserted, times are tough, everybody is in debt, www.InTheFieldMagazine.com

and everybody is living on credit.

On one particular day a rich tourist from the north was driving through town. He stopped at the one and only motel, laid a $100 bill on the desk, and told the clerk he wanted to inspect the rooms upstairs in order to pick one where he would spend the night.

As soon as the man walks upstairs, the owner grabs the bill and runs next door to pay his debt to the butcher.

The butcher takes the $100 and runs down the street to pay his debt to the hog farmer. The hog farmer takes the $100 and takes off to pay his bill at the supplier of feed and fuel.

The man at the Farmer’s Co-Op took the $100 over to pay his back debt at the gas station.

The owner of the gas station rushed to the hotel and paid the $100 bill for some of his relatives that came to visit during a family reunion.

The hotel proprietor then places the $100 back on the counter so the rich traveler will not suspect anything. At that moment the traveler comes down the stairs, picks up the $100 bill, and told the clerk that the rooms were not satisfactory, pockets the money, and leaves town.

Notice that no one produced anything. No one earned anything. However the whole town is now out of debt, and now looks to the future with a lot more optimism.

And that, in my opinion, is how the United States Government is conducting business these days!

June 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 25

Florida Citrus Packers

Precision Citrus Hedging & Topping, Inc. “A Cut Above”

26 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

June 2011

hurt the industry and the association makes sure lawmakers and agencies are educated with the facts.

For example, the association, along with Indian River Citrus League, recently sent a document to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on steps the industry takes to assure that the fruit they pack is safe. The association joined with other citrus businesses to compile all the safety practices growers follow to ensure that citrus is not contaminated. This will help the agency in making policies to ensure food safety.

“Research” is a watchword. An association committee establishes a list of research priorities and offers it to the Florida Citrus Industry Research Coordinating Council. These are the areas where the association believes resources should be directed.

The number one concern is greening, a disease that could cripple the industry. Other diseases that affect fresh citrus include canker, black spot and a newly detected scab. “It’s a constant challenge,” Kinney said.

Florida Citrus Packers also supports research into new citrus varieties to compete in the market place.

The biggest market for fresh grapefruit is in the U.S., but internationally Japan buys the most, at about five million cartons annually, followed by three million to Europe, then smaller amounts to Taiwan, Korea and other countries.

The association has established relationships with people in Japan, and wanted to help when an earthquake and tsunami devastated that country. It collected contributions from members who exported fruit and sent $66,000 for the recovery effort.

About 30 million cartons of fresh citrus are shipped from Florida each year, between seven and 10 percent of the crop.

A carton, that weighs 40 to 45 pounds depending on the variety, is about $12, F.O.B. packing house.

Fresh fruit packers employ a lot of people, it’s a labor-intensive business. It is an important part of the citrus industry and an important part of Florida’s economy.

Commenting on the New York sidewalk displays of fresh citrus, Kinney said, “That’s called merchandising. It s a wonderful way to sell. If you show that pretty fruit, it’s hard to pass by without buying some.”

“We have an absolutely wonderful product, a virtuous product.

The people I work for love this business. They have a passion for it beyond the business of just making money. They love to grow this wonderful product. It’s good for you. I’m in the best of all possible worlds. We meet on a regular basis to determine what policies we might want to pursue. You do it for a great industry. It doesn’t get any better than that.”

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A Division of Precision Citrus Hedging & Topping, Inc.

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by Cheryl Lewis A tourist from Florida is walking back to her New York hotel after a day of sightseeing in December. It’s around four in the afternoon, not quite cold enough to snow and already starting to get dark. The morning rain has ended, but streets and sidewalks are still wet. Sky, streets, sidewalks and buildings are varying shades of gray, and the people, of course, are all dressed in black. The misplaced Cracker turns a corner, and there, in front of a market, is a glowing mound of Florida citrus. The orange pyramid draws all eyes and the tourist in particular. She picks up a fruit and reads on the box the name of a packing house she has driven by many times. Seems the ambient temperature goes up at least 10 degrees.

New Yorkers and people around the world enjoy these sweet, compact pieces of Florida sunshine, thanks to the work of many people and companies. One of the organizations that smoothes the path from grove to Broadway is Florida Citrus Packers.

Florida Citrus Packers is a trade association representing packing houses that ship fresh fruit. The cooperative association’s member companies account for approximately 90 percent of the volume of all fresh shipments from Florida.

Chartered in 1960, Florida Citrus Packers was formed to address issues of the fresh citrus industry. Some of the interests of producers and packers of fresh citrus are different than those of processors. The association operates on a per-box assessment on all fresh citrus shipments from member companies.

Executive Vice President Richard Kinney is in charge of the Florida Citrus Packers office, located in the Florida Citrus Mutual Building in Lakeland. Three people are employed in the office.

Kinney, 61, lives in Pasco County, where he has a farm with groves and cattle. He is married with a 14-year-old son. Kinney graduated from the University of West Florida with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science and has worked for Florida Citrus Packers since 1983.

Florida Citrus Packers has an executive committee and a board.

Committees meet as needed to galvanize positions on issues that affect the fresh citrus industry.

There are marketing committees for oranges, tangerines and grapefruit. They consider programs suggested by the Department of Citrus and offer input into public relations, merchandising information and marketing programs.

“We have the product,” said Kinney. “You want to marry the marketing and product. You want the people offering the product having input or say so into the final marketing so they are on the same page. That’s what we try to do.”

Florida Citrus Packers also advises government agencies and elected officials on issues that pertain to citrus. Policies can help or

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 27

The Premier Showplace for Talent in Florida

JUNE 17 & 25 RALPH ALLOCCO & SECOND WIND

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28 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

June 2011

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

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June 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 29

Betty and Bill Morrison and the Evolution of “Boogerman”

by Jim Frankowiak

It

took Bill Morrison five years to convince his mother, Betty, that getting involved with the Professional Bull Riders would be a good thing for their family, but once there was agreement to do so in 2006, it has been a heckuva a ride and there’s a lot more to come.

Owners and operators of Morrison Ranch, a cow calf operation south of Haines City, the family bought the land, some 480 acres, in 1958. Betty’s husband and Bill’s father, William F. Morrison, who passed in 1987 saw the potential in the land and spent the first two years of ownership clearing the land and building the family’s home. Betty recalls that clearing work included finding 28 rattlesnakes. “I graduated from high school in 1986 and the next year my dad passed and I took over managing the ranch with my mother.”

While he successfully took over the duties of his late father at the working cattle ranch, Bill, who considers himself an “out of the box” thinker, saw an opportunity for his family when the Professional Bull Riders group was formed in 1992.

“I felt PBR was going to take off and we could be involved by raising bulls.” PBR has done just as NASCAR did years ago, but there was a problem. “My mother just wouldn’t have it

30 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

June 2011

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even though I turned nearly blue trying to win her over.”

Headquartered in Colorado, the Professional Bull Riders, Inc., was created in 1992 when a group of 20 bull riders broke away from the traditional rodeo scene to seek mainstream attention for the sport of professional bull riding. They felt that, as the most popular event at a rodeo, bull riding deserved to be in the limelight and could easily stand alone.

Each of the 20 PBR founders invested $1,000 to bring the idea into reality.

In early 2007, Spire Capital Partners finalized a deal with the PBR Board of Directors to acquire the interests of many of the retired founding riders and invest in the growth of PBR. Those first 20 bull riders had turned their initial investment into millions. Owned today by 44 cowboys, management and Spire Capital, the PBR continues to establish milestones in revenue, bull rider earnings, recording breaking performances and media attention. It has become the fastest growing sport in the country.

Getting back to Bill Morrison and his quest to convince his mother that buying into the PBR through the purchase of a bull would be a good thing for the family. “I finally watched

June 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 31

a couple of PBR events on television,” said Betty, an admitted country gal who loves the outdoors and various activities one can pursue like hunting. “I liked what I saw,” she said. “In fact, I got and still get goose bumps whenever I see bull riding whether on TV or in person.”

Once Betty agreed with the understanding that her son would not ride any bulls purchased, Bill placed a call to a man in Oklahoma, Jirl Buck, and began the process of securing part ownership through Buck and his partners, D&H Cattle in Ardmore, Oklahoma. “They didn’t know us and we didn’t know them, but the deal went through quickly and smoothly and my mother and I went to Baltimore to attend a PBR event that was in progress to see our bull.”

“When the event began, our bull was called Leroy, but once our deal was finalized we were able to have his name changed to Boogerman and that’s how he was referred to at the end of that Baltimore rodeo.” The name Boogerman needs a bit of explanation. “That was my nickname for as long as I can remember,” said Bill. “We think it’s a lot better than Leroy.” No argument there, in fact Bill reports that well known comedian, Larry the Cable Guy, named his bull Boogerbutt when he got involved in PBR. “That upset me at first, but then I realized it was something special to have someone famous like that recognize our bull and his name and to use part of it to name his own bull.”

A certified PBR bull, Boogerman traces his rich lineage back to and including Bodacious and Houdini, the number one sire in the world. Beyond his bloodlines, Boogerman had an enviable record during his PBR career. “Of the 101 times he was out, Boogerman was ridden for 8 seconds just 11 times,” said Bill.

“He put the T in tough,” notes Bill.

It’s important to note that bulls gain points for bucking off riders and riders win points for rides of at least 8 seconds. The top point bulls and riders get to the PBR finals and stock contractors, like the Morrisons, shares in the purses if their bulls win or place.

Unfortunately, at the 2008 PBR finals at Las Vegas (the Superbowl equivalent for professional bull riders and bulls) Boogerman hurt his foot and had to be retired. “Our partners offered us the opportunity to have Boogerman retire at Morrison Ranch and we took advantage of that opportunity,” said Betty who enjoys the opportunity to see Boogerman in retirement from her pool area. He continues to enjoy his time at Morrison Ranch where he contributes to the line of PBR certified bulls being raise at the ranch through artificial insemination and naturally. Among other noteworthy members of that bloodline are Ricky Bobby, Checkout, Commotion and Mossy Oak Mud Slinger and Boogerman Boogie, to name a few.

Since getting involved with PBR, Morrison Ranch has

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undergone some changes. The cow-calf operation continues on one side, and the other is devoted to raising PBR certified bulls. The initial, partial ownership of Boogerman, which ultimately led to sole ownership, has been enhanced through the acquisition of 19 cows with calves. “Through AI and natural means we now over 30 PBR certified bulls getting ready for the circuit,” said Bill.

But there’s more than just buying and breeding bulls for the Morrison’s. “Part of our operation now has an arena and we often host training events for youngsters and even adults,” said Betty. “We want to teach others how to riding bucking bulls and that also helps us evaluate the bulls growing up on our ranch,” said Bill.

Bill and his Team Boogerman also put on teaching events throughout Florida. “We don’t charge for this since it’s in our hearts to teach bull riding and how to raise bulls,” said Bill.

His sons, 11-year-old Trace and Little B, 12, compete at youth events throughout Florida even though their grandmother cries and worries about them every time they buck. “We have boys and girls from age 8 on up as well as adults ride our bulls,” said Bill.

The family also sponsors a competitive team of four men and one girl under the Morrison Ranch/Boogerman Bucking Bulls name. The men are part of the cowboy crew at the ranch and the young lady is the daughter of one of the cowboys.

“I enjoy having my sons compete,” said Bill. “It’s not just riding, but helping to care for the bulls and other jobs at the ranch and help for my mother. Kids today need good outlets and interests for their time and energy.”

In addition to ranching and PBR the Morrison family enjoys hunting.

Bill and his sons were added to the Boone and Crockett Record Book last year for the white tailed deer trophies each took at the Harris Ranch in Texas. Bill’s was a 17 pointer measuring 170 ½, while Trace’s was 153 ¾ and 11 points and Little B’s 11-pointer measured 150 7/8.

Later this year, Bill and Betty plan to return to the Texas ranch for hunting in advance of and right after the PBR finals.

That’s no mean feat for Betty since she’s been temporarily confined to a wheel chair after a fall at home “but I’m coming back and I don’t let that get in the way of attending rodeos or enjoying the outdoors,” she said.

Though it took a while for Bill to convince his mother getting involved with bull breeding for PBR would be a good thing for the family, they made the move and have enjoyed every bit of it and the opportunity to share with others.

Thank you Boogerman, it’s been a great ride and it’s getting even better.

www.InTheFieldMagazine.com

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www.InTheFieldMagazine.com

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June 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 33

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Janell Brenner Many

people are reluctant to buy horses from a horse auction.

A lot of people believe the horses at auctions are sickly, have temperamental or behavior problems, or have other health issues such as being lame. But Janell Brenner, a senior at Ridge Community High School and two year FFA member, looked past all of that when she found Diablo on October 15th, 2005. Janell was only 12 years old when two of her mother’s friends invited her to go to a horse auction where they had previously bought two horses. She walked up and down aisles of horses amazed at how many there

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were when finally she saw one horse that she couldn’t take her eyes off of, that horse was Diablo. Diablo was standing in the middle of the aisle being examined by another girl not much older than Janell.

The girl was dissatisfied that the horse would not pick up his feet for her to look at, so she told the owner to put him away because she already had a horse that wouldn’t pick up his feet. As the owner put the horse back in the stall and walked away, Janell walked up to Diablo and instantly fell in love. Finally, after several minutes of petting and smiling, Janell turned to her mother’s friends and said “I’m not going home without him.” So Diablo was purchased at auction for $892.50.

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 35

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Janell and Diablo compete in a sport called eventing. When she first brought Diablo home, no one believed that an auction horse could ever be trained into a championship sport horse. But Janell didn’t care about what people said, she knew he had lots of potential.

Janell and her horse began showing after about a year of working together. At their first show, which was held at Rocking Horse Stables, they came home with a first place ribbon and a sixth place ribbon. After that, the pair began competing more and more over the years, always placing in the ribbons. The two have showed in dressage, stadium show jumping, equitation, and eventing which is dressage, stadium jumping and cross country combined.

Janell and Diablo competed in the 2010 Southern Gold Cup series 2. It was a series of three different schooling shows held at different places, each show about a month apart. Diablo and his rider competed in the Beginner Novice level, where all the jumps were set at 2’6”. The first show was held at Rocking Horse Stables, in Altoona, FL. They finished first with clear rounds and no time penalty deductions. The second schooling show was held at Canterbury Showplace, in Newberry, FL. There, they finished second, but still leaving them in first for the Gold Cup. The last show of the series was held at Florida Horse Park, in Ocala, FL. At this show, Janell and Diablo finished in sixth place. “I was so worried about remembering the dressage test that I forgot it while I was doing it. We would have placed higher if it wasn’t for that,” Janell said. The “team” finished first overall and won the Gold Cup for their division. All in all, it was a great experience for Janell and Diablo. “I got to compete at two places I’ve never been before, and it was really fun. I think Diablo had fun too, getting to meet new horses and having new jumps to go over,” Janell concludes.

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Despite all the success Janell and her horse have had in the show ring, they haven’t been to a professional trainer in over two years. Janell has done all of Diablos training since late 2008. “When I first got Diablo, I had a wonderful trainer that taught me just about everything I know. I boarded Diablo at her barn for a few years and took lessons on him so we were learning together.” After Diablo was moved to a new barn, only western riders were there and nobody was giving lessons. Soon after moving to the new barn, Janell and Diablo went to a dressage trainer in Bartow and took lessons for several months. When the lessons stopped, Janell realized that if she still wanted to compete in shows and win, she’d have to start training Diablo herself without the help of an instructor. So, she turned to the internet, magazines and advice from other “horse people”. Diablo and Janell can now clear four-foot jumps, and do higher level dressage. Diablo knows tricks, such as smiling on command, and even knows a little bit of western.

Diablo has also turned out to be a great trail horse. He has been to Wal-Mart, Wendy’s drive thru, Jack’s Diner, Webber International University and around the campus of Janell’s high school. “He’s an all around good horse that you can do anything with and he doesn’t care.”

After Janell graduates from high school, she will continue to compete with Diablo in shows. She hopes to someday compete in a western show, and maybe even train Diablo to pull a cart. She says she plans on training Diablo to do more tricks such as lay down and bow.

College will not interfere with being able to train Diablo or the cost of keeping him. She will make sure that he’s always her number one priority. Janell says she will always keep him no matter what. “I may buy horses in the future that will come and go, but Diablo will always be there. Where ever I go, he goes, and wherever he goes, I go.”

www.InTheFieldMagazine.com

Cultivating America’s

crops and community values Community values are like crops: Their roots run deep. They must be cultivated, protected and, most of all, grown responsibly. At Mosaic, we know quite a bit about all three.

We provide American farmers with nutrients to grow the food we need. But our work doesn’t stop there. After mining the natural phosphate needed to make our products, we reclaim the land for recreational and environmental uses.

The same deep-rooted traditions shared by our community are values we champion every day.

A better Florida and a better world

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www.InTheFieldMagazine.com

June 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 37

Teresa Balser Appointed Dean of UF’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

by Robert H. Wells A University of WisconsinMadison administrator has been selected as dean of the University of Florida’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF officials announced.

Teresa Balser, director of the UW-Madison Institute for Biology Education, was named to lead the college by Jack Payne, UF senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources. She begins July 1. Balser will also be a professor with the soil and water science department.

“Dr. Balser has great vision for the revitalization of the land grant ideals,” Payne said. “She also brings a great passion for teaching and a wonderful enthusiasm for positioning higher education to be leaders in the coming age by leveraging our capacity for creativity and growing diversity.”

Balser said she looks forward to the opportunities and challenges the position provides, and plans to place special emphasis on critical issues such as food and energy security.

“I’m thrilled and honored to be selected,” Balser said.

“CALS has so many strengths to build upon. I am excited about the possibilities for the future and I look forward to joining the Gator Nation and working with all of our students, staff and faculty.”

Balser said as the new CALS dean, she will continue the exceptional and personalized learning experience the college offers as well as expand upon the opportunities for students to discover the ways agricultural and life sciences are critical to improving the quality of life for everyone.

Balser will oversee all aspects of the college’s undergraduate and graduate education programs, which involve about 5,100 students and 760 faculty members on the UF main campus in

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June 2011

Gainesville as well as 13 research and education centers throughout the state.

The college includes 24 undergraduate majors, more than 50 areas of specialization and 23 graduate majors.

Since 2008, Balser has directed the UW-Madison Institute for Crosscollege Biology Education, a campus wide institute focused on undergraduate education and public outreach.

She has been a faculty member in UW-Madison’s department of soil science since 2001.

Her other recent positions at UW-Madison include faculty associate with the Office of Human Resource Development and faculty affiliate with several academic programs. She is currently a leadership development coordinator with the American Society of Agronomy.

In 2010, Balser was named U.S. Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in the Outstanding Doctoral and Research Universities Professor category. She is also the recipient of the National Excellence in College and University Teaching Award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences in 2009.

She was awarded a doctorate in soil microbiology from the University of California at Berkeley in 2000 and bachelor’s degrees in biology and earth sciences from Dartmouth College in 1992.

Balser is the first woman appointed to lead the UF college.

She succeeds Mark Rieger, CALS interim dean since September 2010.

www.InTheFieldMagazine.com

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June 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 39

Dispelling the Myths of Biosolids

eek!

W a s y a Open 7 Days A Week D 7 Open

by Bridget Carlisle, UF/IFAS Extension Livestock Agent Biosolids are nutrient-rich, predominantly organic materials.

Although classified as a waste material, biosolids can be a beneficial agricultural or horticultural resource because they contain many essential plant nutrients and organic matter. Following proper treatment and processing, biosolids can be recycled as fertilizers or soil amendments to improve and maintain productive soils and stimulate plant growth, with negligible human health or environmental impacts.

Land applications of biosolids on agricultural land are a safe, cost-effective, and environmentally sound alternative to managing waste residuals, which were previously landfilled. Land applications of biosolids are a “green” practice. However, there are many myths surrounding bio-solid land applications. Hopefully I can help dispel some of these myths in this article.

Myth #1: Biosolids are sewage sludge, just re-branded.

False. Biosolids are sewage sludge that has undergone pathogen control treatment that meets federal and state sewage sludge regulatory requirements. Biosolids are generated when solids accumulated during domestic sewage processing are treated further to meet regulatory requirements. Wastewater residuals are produced wherever the population is concentrated enough to require a centralized domestic wastewater treatment facility. These treatment plants continuously generate sewage sludge that must be disposed of by one of several means, including the production of biosolids that are land applied to beneficially recycle it. Sewage sludge that is disposed of by landfilling or incineration is not biosolids.

Myth #2: Biosolids contain dangerous pathogens and metals at toxic levels for human and animal health.

False. Decades of worldwide research have demonstrated that biosolids can be safely used on food crops. In 1996, the National Academy of Sciences (NRC 1996) reviewed current practices, public health concerns, and regulatory standards, and concluded that the use of these materials in the production of crops for human consumption when practiced in accordance with existing federal guidelines and regulations, present negligible risk to the consumer, to crop production, and to the environment.

In addition, an epidemiological study of the health of farm families using biosolids showed that the use of biosolids was safe. A report issued by the National Academy of Sciences (NRC 2002) in 2002 found that there is no documented scientific evidence that the Part 503 rule has failed to protect public health. However, additional scientific work is needed to reduce persistent uncertainty about the potential for adverse human health effects form exposure to biosolids.

The Academy report also recommend-

40 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

June 2011

ed that the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) conduct another national sewage sludge survey to confirm the continuing reduction in biosolids metal concentrations, the negligible concentration of toxic organics previously identified as problematic, and to expand biosolids analysis to include compounds recently suggested as potentially troublesome (e.g., antibiotics, flame retardants, and endocrine-disruptors). Such a survey is welcomed by most people familiar with biosolids, as it will replace unbridled speculation with fact.

Myth #3: Use of biosolids is just a cheap form of ferilizer.

Partially True. Biosolid land applications do reduce farmer’s production costs. The fertilizer value of biosolids is estimated to be $60 to $160 per acre at normal application rates. However, the benefits of biosolid land applications reach much farther than the economic advantages. The controlled land application of biosolids completes a natural cycle in the environment. The use of biosolids replenishes soil organic matter that is depleted with time. The organic matter in biosolids improves the capacity of the soil to store nutrients and water. Crops use nutrients from biosolids efficiently because they are released slowly throughout the growing season as the biosolids break down. The slow-release nature of biosolids nutrients also decreases the likelihood of water quality impairment by the leaching and/or runoff of nitrogen and phosphorus.

Myth #4: Biosolids have a foul odor that attracts birds and other animals.

False. Depending on how the sewage sludge was treated, biosolids will have a distinct odor. Some biosolids may have a slight musty, ammonia odor. Others have a stronger odor that may be offensive to some people. Much of the odor is caused by compounds containing sulfur and ammonia, both of which are plant nutrients. Vectors (such as flies, mosquitos or other insects, birds, rats and other vermin) are of concern. Therefore, biosolids meet Federal and state regulations to reduce the attraction of flies, mosquitos or other insects, birds, rats and other vermin.

There are many benefits to biosolid applications that include supplying essential nutrients to plants, increasing crop yields, increasing organic matter, improving soil structure, and freeing up much needed landfill space…..the alternative of which, a very wise woman stated, “would be to let it back up into your living room!”

For more information about biosolid land use applications, visit the UF/IFAS publication #SL 205 (http://edis.ifas.ufl. edu/ss424) or visit the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s site at www. dep.state.fl.us/water/wastewater or the Environmental Protection Agency’s site at http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/wastewater/ treatment/biosolids/index.cfm.

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June 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 41

Polk County Fifth-Grade Students Wow the Crowd at Annual Contest

George Jenkins

High School

by Nicole Walker, Extension Director and 4-H Agent

State Champions— FFA Vet Assisting Saturday, May 7 was an ordinary day for most FFA members in Florida, but not for the 37 teams that competed in the FFA Vet Assisting competition. The teams competed from 11:30 in the morning until 5 pm in the afternoon at Hillsborough Community College in Plant City.

The competition included three skills: breed identification, tool identification and a written test. Students had a list of 93 veterinary equipment and instruments to identify. The teams then moved on to breed identification of cats, horses, goats, sheep and rabbits.

Next on the agenda for the FFA members was the skills competition. The students were challenged to properly wrap a gauze muzzle on an animal, wrap a surgical gown and drapes for sterilization and finally, take a preliminary history of a patient.

After all of this came the grueling written test on anatomy and

physiology along with medical terminology. Finally, the teams were free.

After two grueling days, results were posted to the Florida FFA website. George Jenkins FFA was at the top of the charts.

The George Jenkins team scored a near perfect 661 points out of 687 possible. They had the high individual of the contest, KT Spencer, at 228 points. The second high individual, Sarah Moffitt at 223 points and Abbie Salvador placed fifth overall, followed closely by Lauren Stevens in eighth. After more than three months of studying, their hard work had come to fruition.

Congratulations to the George Jenkins FFA vet assisting team for winning the state FFA championship and representing Polk County!

Eighteen finalists delivered rousing, humorous, and tear-jerking speeches at the 2011 4-H/Tropicana Public Speaking Contest on Friday night, May 27, at the W.H. Stuart Center in Bartow.

Gabrielle Figueroa of Lake Alfred Elementary won first place with her speech, “Sleeping Beauty,” a tribute to her family’s deceased dog, Princess. Janell White, a North Lakeland Elementary student, won second place with the controversial topic, “Should Some People Be Subjected to a Curfew as a Way to Reduce Crime?” Caldwell Elementary fifth-grader Jordan Boyd delivered a mature talk on “Divorce: Before and After,” placing third overall. Jessica Neumon of Babson Park Elementary received an Honorable Mention for her stirring presentation of “Inspirational Women,” in honor of her aunt and maternal grandmother.

More than 1,900 students wrote and gave speeches as part of Polk’s annual 4-H/Tropicana Public Speaking Program, which is open to 5th grade students in all elementary schools in Polk County. In the first stage of the contest, a classroom winner is determined, and then a school wide contest winner is selected to represent their school at the county-level event. Walter Caldwell Elementary principal Deron Williams expresses, “We love The Tropicana Speech Competition. It’s great to see the students speak so brilliantly. What a fantastic way to end the school year.”

As part of the first-place prize, Gabrielle also won a scholarship to attend 4-H Camp Ocala this summer. The scholarship and the contests are sponsored by Tropicana, Inc. (PepsiCo), in partnership

with the Florida 4-H Youth Development Program. The contest was judged by Georgiann Sumner, Polk County school teacher and 4-H volunteer for more than 40 years, and Marji Vetter, Senior Director for Huntington Learning Center in Lakeland.

Additional school winners and county contest speakers include: Aurora Walker, Boswell Elementary Bracken Hagman, Chain of Lakes Elementary Bradley Martin, South McKeel Academy Caitlyn Wizda, Carlton Palmore Elementary Chanz Rodgers, Elbert Elementary Elisa Ferrer, Ridgeview Global Studies Academy Hamilton Johnson, Ben Hill Griffin, Jr. Elementary Ildika Fox, Pinewood Elementary Jocelyn Castro, Laurel Elementary Joshua Post, Dr. N.E. Roberts Elementary Laney Blair, McKeel Elementary Academy Mckenzie Campbell, Lena Vista Elementary Shelby Pierce, Lewis Anna Woodbury Elementary Zachary Tallent, R. Bruce Wagner Elementary Tropicana has sponsored the annual contest throughout Florida since 1969. With the collaborative efforts of Florida 4-H’s countybased programs, more than 2 million students have participated. To learn more about the contest or the 4-H program, contact the UF/ IFAS Polk County Extension Office at 863-519-8677, or visit www. polkextension.com

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June 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 43

July 15-17, 2001 The University of Florida’s (UF) Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) and Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises Focus Team are pleased to announce that the third annual Florida Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises Conference will be held in Kissimmee, Florida July 15 – 17, 2011.

The goal of the annual Florida Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises Conference is to provide farmers with up-to-date, researchbased, in-depth educational information. As well, the conference aims to facilitate solutions-based collaboration by encouraging networking and an open dialog among members of Florida’s small farms community. Additionally, the conference is an excellent vehicle for increasing awareness of Florida’s small farms industry, which organizers accomplish by actively marketing to decision makers, supporting institutions and agencies, and other agricultural professionals.

The annual Florida Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises Conference has been successful from its inaugural year and is attended by a wide range of interested parties: small family, transitional, beginning, and experienced farmers; allied-industry representatives; educators; researchers; policy makers; small farm commodity associations; foundations; and others interested in continuing to strengthen Florida’s small farm community. The majority of attendees and exhibitors return to subsequent conferences.

The conference is an outstanding opportunity for Florida’s small farmers to hear noted experts speak about the latest science

and research relevant to their industry while networking with other small farmers in a relaxed atmosphere and sampling locally grown foods. Florida’s small farmers find that, in this forum, their diverse experiences, coupled with their universal challenges (economics, regulatory pressures, marketing, and so forth), create a unique opportunity for collaborative problem solving and resource sharing.

It is also an excellent chance for exhibitors to demonstrate their products and services to some of the most forward-thinking small farmers, educators, and researchers in Florida.

Through concurrent educational sessions led by industry experts and noted researchers, the annual Florida Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises Conference provides opportunities for attendees to learn about groundbreaking research and access educational support about topics such as operating sustainable and profitable enterprises, integrating cost-effective methods to meet state regulations, and applying the latest research to real-world problems. Attendees also participate in workshops, hands-on demonstrations, and organized networking activities, enabling them to share their knowledge while interacting with peers from all over the state.

For more information on attending, exhibiting at, or sponsoring this year’s Florida Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises Conference, please visit us online and sign up for our email updates at http://www.conference.ifas.ufl.edu/smallfarms/index.html. For specific questions, please contact Mandy Stage, Conference Coordinator.

4th Annual Youth Field Day JUNE 30, 2011 ONA RANGE CATTLE RESEARCH & EDUCATION CENTER 2011 Youth Field Day The Range Cattle Research & Education Center and UF IFAS Cooperative Extension Service are pleased to offer a youth educational program that highlights the biology of beef cattle, chemistry for cowboys, and every day earth science.

Fun Youth Activities

Enjoy each hands-on, live-cattle, & future-focused activity.

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Take a peek and reach inside a live cow’s stomach! Sort through ‘what goes in’ and see how it becomes ‘what comes out’!

Beef Breed Learning Lab

How many breeds can one cow be?!? Take your best guess and learn why each breed is selected & construct halters for your own livestock.

Agriculture Academia

Representatives from University of Florida and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural Collage will lead you through an exploration of agricultural college and career opportunities.

Register to Attend

Cost is $5 per person; lunch & materials included. Handling and processing fees apply. Please register on-line at http://yfd063011. eventbrite.com. Those without Internet access can reserve a space by calling Reyna at the Range Cattle Station at (863) 735-1314.

Payment can be made online or at the door with a check, payable to University of Florida.

Space is limited; Please register by June 16.

8:30-5:30 M-F 8:30-1:00 Sat

44 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

June 2011

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June 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 45

By Sandy Kaster, M.S. Clinical Medicine, B.S. Nutrition Science

Limes

Summertime in Florida means a bountiful supply of juicy, delicious limes in their peak season. The two main types of limes are the Key lime and Tahiti (also called Persian) lime. The Key lime is small and round, and becomes yellow in color when ripe. The flesh is yellowish-green with seeds and is more acidic than Tahiti limes.

Tahiti limes are oval-shaped and larger than Key limes. They are dark green in color when mature, and the flesh is usually seedless.

The Tahiti lime is also hardier to the cold than the Key lime. According to statistics, in 2001-2001, Florida produced 13 million pounds of ‘Tahiti’ lime. Consumption of limes increased from one pound per person in 1989 to three pounds per person in 2007.

Potassium

Nutritional Profile

How to Select and Store

Florida limes are full of health-promoting nutrients. They contain vitamins A and C, as well as minerals such as potassium and phosphorus. In addition to these nutrients, limes contain a wealth of other disease-fighting compounds, such as phytonutrients and antioxidants. These potent chemicals fight cancer, lower cholesterol, and control blood sugar levels.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, one medium lime (67 g) contains 20 calories, 7 g carbohydrate, 2 g of dietary fiber, and has no fat or sodium. It also provides 35 percent of the Daily Recommended Value (%DV) for vitamin C, 1 percent for vitamin A, 2 percent for potassium, 2percent for calcium, 2 percent for iron, and other nutrients including B vitamins and magnesium.

Antioxidants in Limes

Limes, as well as lemons, contain unique disease-busting compounds called flavonoids, a type of phytonutrient. Possessing both antioxidant and anti-cancer properties, some of these flavonoids have been shown to stop cell division in cancer, as well as fight infection.

Florida limes, along with other citrus fruits, are an excellent source of the antioxidant vitamin C. This vitamin is one of the main antioxidants found in food and the primary water-soluble antioxidant in the body. The vitamin C in limes neutralizes harmful free radicals in the body. Free radicals can damage the healthy cells of the body, causing inflammation and contributing to conditions such as arthritis and heart disease. When free radicals damage the cells in the blood vessel, cholesterol accumulates on the artery walls, leading to atherosclerosis.

Vitamin C is perhaps best known for its supportive role in a strong immune system. Foods high in vitamin C, including limes, may help protect against colds or shorten the duration of an existing cold. Research has shown that consumption of vegetables and fruits high in vitamin C is associated with a reduced risk of death from heart disease, stroke and cancer.

Other research studies have found that people who consume a high intake of vitamin C were more than three times less likely to develop arthritis than those who consumed the lowest amounts.

46 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

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n a m Wo

Florida limes are a good source of potassium, which can help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of stroke and cardiac arrhythmias. One lime, which has only 20 calories, contains more than 35 percent of the Daily Value for potassium, which is needed for proper electrolyte and fluid balance. Potassium plays an important role in muscle contraction and nerve transmission, and people with low levels may experience muscle cramping. This important mineral may also help prevent or slow down bone loss from high-sodium diets.

Look for limes that have smooth, glossy skins and are deep green (Tahiti lime) or yellow (Key lime) in color. Choose limes that feel firm to the touch and free of broken or soft spots. They can be stored at room temperature for up to one week or in the refrigerator for up to six weeks, although they begin to lose flavor with time.

Lime juice freezes well, squeeze and freeze in ice cube trays. When frozen, pop out of ice cube trays and store in an airtight plastic bag.

Cubes of frozen lime juice can be added to drinks to boost flavor and nutrition.

Enjoy Limes Florida limes can be used as a garnish for drinks, desserts, and entrees. Enjoy limes fresh or frozen. Fresh limes frequently garnish desserts, meats, and drinks. Lime juice is often used in marinades, desserts, and drinks.

Other ways to enjoy limes: • Squeeze the juice over fresh raw fish for ceviche • Toss apples and bananas in lime juice mixed with water to preserve the color of the fruits • Use lime juice to make limeade, sorbet, or slushies.

• Add lime juice to hot or iced tea • Place thinly sliced limes underneath fish before baking or steaming.

• Combine lime juice with olive oil and spices for a dressing.

• Squeeze some lime juice onto an avocado quarter and eat as is.

• Flavor your favorite barbecue sauce with lime juice.

• Combine with cilantro and garlic for a marinade • Use lime zest or juice in desserts such as cake, cheesecake, or cookies.

Enjoy juicy, refreshing Florida limes in their peak season today!

Selected References http://www.whfoods.com http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ http://www.ipmcenters.org

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E R U T L U C I IN AGR

Heather Erskine

by Ginny Mink

Heather Erskine is not your typical woman in agriculture, but she’s definitely someone to keep an eye on. She’s just 19 years old, yet her experience in the field is substantial. Her older sister, Julie Johnson, was her inspiration at the tender age of five when Julie was in high school and extremely active in the FFA. Heather recalls, “Julie had a white steer, Bojangles, that she kept at the golf course. When it was time for her to zip up that blue jacket and go to the Polk County Youth Fair, I remember watching her walk around the ring. It seemed like a very proud moment for her and I wanted that experience, too. Julie was also the FFA President and watching her speak at FFA Banquets was my inspiration to be President, even though I was always a shy kid. I liked the way she spoke in front of all those kids.” While Heather grew up admiring Julie’s agricultural accomplishments, she didn’t just dream of attaining the same degree of success, she pushed herself until she realized those goals.

The Erskine family has owned the Reservation Golf Course in Mulberry for 60 years. That’s where Heather got her first tastes of the agricultural lifestyle. Although a golf course may not sound much like farming, it can be similar when there are goats, chickens and cows on the land, too.

Heather used her 8 years of experience working on the golf course (hand pulling weeds, spraying, mowing and trimming trees) to attain the prestigious honor of being, “the most proficient person in the whole state at maintaining turf grass.” She was the state winner in the Turf Grass Proficiency Competition and then went on to receive the Silver Award at Nationals.

Of course, grass isn’t the only thing Heather has worked with. She started off in 4H raising rabbits. Her first rabbit was a Holland Lop named Thumper. Her rabbit breeding experience led her to join the Central Florida Rabbit Breeders Association. Then she moved on to raising hogs until she was finally able to purchase her first steer while in high school. Ultimately, she raised two steers, went to the National Convention, Colt Leadership Convention at the LTC in Haines City and participated in Forestry Camp and State Convention (for four years). During that time she, “was on the state winning team of the Citrus CDE.” In addition to those accomplishments, she judged Livestock CDE and Forestry CDE and was elected, “Sentinel, then Secretary and then President,” during her time in FFA. www.InTheFieldMagazine.com

Heather is no stranger to hard work, “Eight years collectively I’ve had my hands dirty with Ag but I’ve wanted to do it since I was five.” Currently a college student, Heather says she’s “dibble-dabbled in collegiate FFA with Dr. Dyer in Plant City. He’s the ag education professor at the UF, Plant City campus.” She believes she should be more involved in collegiate FFA but “it’s hard between work and school to drive out to Plant City. No excuses though, I should do it because it would allow me to network with students who have the same interests as well as professors and advisors, to stay connected to people who are involved in the field I’m going into.”

But, Ag education isn’t really what Heather wants to do. Her sister, Julie, was an Ag teacher for Hillsborough County and although Heather assisted in the greenhouse at Julie’s school, she says she doesn’t, “want to be an Ag teacher because of all the issues with educators and budget cuts and everyone’s doing education.” So, even though she’s completed her A.A. at HCC, she’s still taking classes there in order to move into her new career objective. Heather hopes to be accepted to UF to get a degree in entomology. This is quite the change of direction.

Once again, Julie’s experiences have spurred Heather’s decisions. After hearing how much Julie enjoyed her entomology classes at UF Heather chose to switch gears. When asked why? She says, “I still enjoy watching ants carry away caterpillars,” and then she smiles as if preparing to reveal a secret, and continues, “There’s a spider in the ladies room (at the golf course) that I purposely catch white flies for and put in its web.” Perhaps the most amusing sentiment spurring her into the field of entomology, is the fact that she admits, “bugs are cool, I like bugs,” even though she’s “not sure what jobs are out there.” On that subject Julie reassures her, “You can work with the state tracking things like Mediterranean flies and pine beetles, bugs that are damaging to Florida crops and livestock.” One thing’s for certain, wherever this road may take her, you can rest assured that she will actively strive to attain her goals and for now, those pesky bugs better watch out, unless of course they’re spiders.

June 2011 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 47

by Kayla Lewis

48 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

Leigh Ann Barthle

June 2011

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Leigh Ann Barthle, a senior at Haines City High School, is graduating third in her class, is President of her school’s FFA chapter, and has been awarded the State Fair Foundation Scholarship. When she graduates she is on track to attend Hillsborough Community College, and after two years will transfer to the University of Florida’s Plant City campus where she will continue her studies to become an Ag teacher.

She has accomplished much at seventeen not only with her school activities but also with her involvement in successfully showing steers. Through it all Leigh Ann credits her grandfather and her family’s long tradition of farming. “My biggest thing was my Grandpa,” Leigh Ann said, “he was my inspiration. He started this farm fifty-years ago with mainly swine. He passed away two-years ago. Since I was little I’ve been outside picking citrus, hauling hay, and when I was eight I started showing pigs and then I used the money from those shows to get into showing cattle.” Leigh Ann’s close relationship with her grandfather, Charles Congdon who founded Congdon Farms, inspired her to devote herself to agriculture, “My grandpa deserves the most thanks because he was the reason why I am so passionate about agriculture.” Leigh Ann explained that she and her younger brother are continuing down the path that he started on when he began Congdon Farms. He had eight children and as Leigh Ann said, “Out of all those kids me and my brother are the only ones who followed in his footsteps.”

Leigh Ann enjoys being involved with agriculture and showing steers. “I’ve shown Brangus cattle for eight years.

That’s my favorite thing to do. I started with one and now I’ve worked my way up to eight and was able to fund it myself,” and she added with a smile, “it’s been my own little entrewww.InTheFieldMagazine.com

preneurship.” But Leigh Ann’s graduation is not stopping her from being involved in the industry that she loves. “I want to have my own brangus herd and continue producing high quality, high functional beef for the beef industry.”

Her involvement with the FFA is also a unique part of her family’s tradition. “I’m president this year and it’s neat because my mom was president her senior year. I’ve been a member since I was in the 9th grade, my middle school didn’t offer FFA, and on my first day of high school I was ready for it. I’ve served as an officer every year since 9th grade, and I’ve waited till this year to become president.” But Leigh Ann’s involvement of the FFA also involves a lot of work. As president of the FFA she is in charge of all of their meetings and organizing events such as their Farm Day, Cake and Pie Auction, and fishing tournament. “I do most of it,” she said, “but I have a very dedicated officer team. They really helped me out this year and I wouldn’t trade them for the world.”

Leigh Ann is the daughter of Patrick Barthle and Julie Congdon Barthle, and she has a younger brother, Justin Barthle who is in the 9th grade. She is also looking forward to beginning a new chapter in her life, “I’m so excited. I went over to HCC and talked to Dr. Dyer and every single time I’ve visited I get so excited.”

Continuing her family’s farming legacy, and particularly that of her grandfather, is what Leigh Ann is most looking forward to. She will graduate on the fourth of June and when she does she will take with her all the memories of the last four years as well as the love and inspiration that her grandfather left her. As Leigh Ann said of her grandfather, “He was my best friend and still is my best friend; it all stared with him.”

June 2011

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 49

Naturally Amazing Activities

A Closer Look: Hover Fly (Syrphidae)

Build an Anemometer

By Sean Green

Photo Credit April Wietrecki

by Sean Green

I present to you, another bee mimic. Syrphidae are a large family of flies commonly called hover flies. With about 6000 described species worldwide this family of fly can be found in nearly every habitat in the world. We tend to think of flies as pests, however, this fly has earned a reputation as one of the most versatile and beneficial insects we could hope to attract to our garden or crop. The larvae of many species of Syrphidae are aphid eaters (aphidophagous), and for many, provide the primary natural control for aphids, plant lice, scale insects, thrips and other insects that feed on phloem sap. In its larval stage it is a voracious predator, consuming up to 20 aphids per day rivaling ladybugs and lacewings. According to reports published by Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), syrphidae have the potential to provide 70-100 percent control of aphid populations. In addition, syrphidae are an important pollinator, outperforming native bees in some agroecosystems such as orchards.

As their common name suggests, syrphidae have a unique ability among insects to hover and even fly backward. Adults frequent flowers, feeding on nectar and are particularly attracted to thriving colonies of aphids, a fond source of honeydew.

Syrphid life cycle and behavior varies with the species but begins as solitary eggs are laid on the surface of aphid plagued twigs or leaves. Developing in as little as two or three days, the larvae emerge to feed on the aphid population in which they hatched. Larvae grow for about 20 days before pupating and remain in pupal stage an additional 10 days in the summertime. The adult emerges to feed on nectar and honeydew and mate, pollinating flowering plants in the process. Syrphidae, like other insect, have behavior patterns that distinguish them from other species. Some species are only found in distinctive habitats such as grassy fields, bogs or streams while others are more prevalent in swamps or even in the nests of other insects. Environmental determinants such as temperature, habitat and food sources are factors that determine the successful attraction and maintenance of a population of these flies.

The Oblique Syrphid (Allograpta oblique) is a species that is common all year long in central and southern Florida but most prevalent in the summer months. The larvae are important predators of aphids and a valuable asset for many of our Florida crops such as citrus and other 50 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

June 2011

fruit trees, grains, corn, alfalfa, cotton, grapes, lettuce and other vegetables. In addition to their appetite for a large list of aphid species, the larva of Allograpta oblique is known to feed on whiteflies (Aleyrodidae), a family of flies that is a known vector for viral diseases such as Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (TYLCV). These insects should be recognized as allies but are often misidentified as a fruit fly and consequently killed off with toxins intended for a crop pest.

The European Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax) is an introduced species that is well established in America. Its common name is descriptive of the physical characteristics it shares with a drone European Honey Bee (Apis mellifera). The European Drone Fly larvae are called Rat Tailed Maggot because their long respiratory tube resembled a rat tail. The larvae of this species is aquatic and large, averaging 4-14mm but can be as large as 70mm when stretched out. Known to the fishing community as mousies, commercially raised larva are sometimes used as fishing bait. This species is a detrivore in their larval stage and will be found in bodies of water that offer decaying organic matter to feed on such as sewer ditches, manure pits, and retention ponds. This behavior can present problems for the human population.

Although Eristalis tenax is not usually a serious pest, it has the potential to inhabit a human host (myiasis) if ingested through contaminated foods. The larvae of this species can survive human gastric fluids Microdontinae are ant loving (myrmecophile) members of the Syrphidae family. They live and feed inside ant nests rather than flowering plants. It is known that this species shares a mutualistic relationship with the ants but the roles are not clear. Some microdontinae are known to feed on ant larvae, while others consume waste material, fungal growth, or dead ants. Microdon larvae produce pseudopheromones that mimic those of the host ant species. This chemical camouflage allows the microdon to enter the nest without aggression from the ants but also limits their opportunities to a specific indigenous ant species. Biologic information for many species is limited to studies that were funded for specific species. We can invest in our knowledge economy by taking a closer look at the insects in our own ecosystem and profit from our understanding of their role. www.InTheFieldMagazine.com

Hurricane season is here once again and with it comes tropical storms and sometimes pretty high winds even without a hurricane. An anemometer is an instrument used to measure the speed of the wind. There are many types of anemometers, for example, windmill anemometers that look like rockets with a propeller, sonic anemometers that look like an antenna, the classic weather vane with the rooster and the arrow measures wind direction, but is mostly ornamental.

Some scientific weather vanes have a cup anemometer attached to the weather vane to measure wind speed. This month we will construct our own cup anemometer. Though not as accurate as those that are used by weather forecasters, this project will illustrate the concept of approximating wind speed.

Materials: • • • • • • • •

5 Styrofoam cups 2 Straight plastic straws (any color) 1 push pin 1 Pencil with eraser (larger the eraser, the better) Paper Hole Punch A stapler A pad of paper (to record wind “speeds”) A marker (to write on a cup)

Using your anemometer:

Mark one of the cups with a marker so it is easy to see, when the wind spins the cups around, count how many times your marked cup goes around in one minute to estimate the wind speed in miles per hour. For example, if the marked cup spins 10 times in one minute, the wind speed is approximately ten miles per hour.

Step 1: Punch a hole in each of four cups (about a half inch below the rim)

Step 2: Punch a hole in the bottom of the fifth cup (base cup), and four holes evenly spaced around the top edge (about ¼ inch from the rim)

Step 5: Push the eraser end of the pencil through the bottom hole in the center cup.

Step 6: Push the pin into the end of the pencil eraser as far as it will go. Your anemometer is ready to use.

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June 2011

Step 3: Connect one cup to each of the two straws, securing the cup to the inside of the straw with hot glue or a staple.

Step 4: Slide one of the straw / cup assembly through the top holes in the base cup making sure the cups face opposite directions. Repeat the process for the second straw / cup assembly.

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE 51

Index of

School Lunch Program

by Dr. Chip Hinton Many of Florida’s agricultural gurus were watching Tallahassee with eager anticipation this spring to see if Adam Putnam’s return to the Sunshine State as Commissioner of Agriculture would bring new excitement for Ag politics in Florida. They didn’t have to wait long to get their answer. The masterful project he orchestrated to wrest the Florida School Lunch program from the Department of Education to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services umbrella was beautiful to watch.

If you only were privy to the final outcome, at 115-1 vote in the House and a 37-0 vote in the Senate, you would assume the transfer of power was a slam-dunk. Not so. Though the ultimate vote was a foregone conclusion, major shifts in programs are rare, and often bloody. The fact that Commissioner Putnam accomplished this coup with barely a whisper of dissent is a testament to his leadership, credibility, and political savvy amid the backdrop of one of the most convoluted and frustrating sessions in recent memory.

While the verdict is still out as to whether the move will be successful, the reasons for the project are obvious. This will mean a huge shift in priorities for the Department, and hopefully, how and what children are fed in school. Adam himself said the Healthy Schools for Healthy Lives Act was “a transformational move for the Department.” The vote effectively moves all school food and nutrition programs from the Department of Education (DOE) to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). But why would virtually every member of the state’s legislature be willing to risk the status quo for the unknown? What drove a notoriously conservative body to step out on the shaky limb of change in these uncertain times?

Most likely, legislators wanted change because the current system was in dire need of an overhaul.

Since the National School Lunch Program was initiated in the late 1940s, over 219 billion lunches have been served, enough to provide lunches for every man, woman and child living in the world today for a month. Currently 31.3 million children nationwide participate in the program. The program contains dietary guidelines to ensure one third of the Daily Recommended Allowances for half a dozen criteria, but decisions about specific foods and how they are prepared are left to local school food authorities.

Building on existing partnerships with Florida farmers and exploring new ones, the department hopes they will be able bring more locally grown wholesome produce into schools. If successful, this could mean a great future for grower and children alike since improving school nutrition can establish a foundation for a lifetime of healthy eating habits.

Commissioner Putnam’s experience and contacts at the Federal level will be tested if he is to succeed in this objective.

Historically, fruit and vegetables have been the ugly step-sister in

52 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

June 2011

USDA’s commodity programs. Some old-timers remember how hard it was to even get reference about produce in the Farm Bill some 30 years ago. They remember the war our grower representatives fought to open the door for research and education in later versions of the bill. They point to the fact that less than one percent of the food purchased in the National School Lunch Program is currently fruit and vegetables (largely apples). They note that the inertia of government has been slow to respond to market conditions in the volatile world of perishable commodities.

It is also important to note that this isn’t the first attempt to improve diets for our youngsters through the school lunch program. Remember the Reagan era and the flap over the attempt to consider ketchup a vegetable? It will take an aggressive effort to educate the state’s school districts about both availability and preparation of locally grown fruits and vegetables if this program is to succeed. There must be a transition from the “open a can” mentality to preparing fresh produce. That will require linkages beyond the Department’s current staff.

The Commissioner’s goal of improving the nutritional plane of our state’s youngsters is much more than commendable, much more than the right thing to do. Success of this program is critical to the future economic success of our agricultural community in the state of Florida.

Educating food service about fruits and vegetables provides access to quality nutrition for our children. That access improves health for our next generation. Exposure to good nutrition improves the dietary choices that generation makes throughout their lives … increasing the number of consumers supporting the lifeblood of commodities produced in the Sunshine State.

While the cynics may point to failed efforts over the years to improve diets, to buy locally, to bring small farmers into the product mix, one factor has changed that may make a difference in the potential for success this time … Commissioner Adam Putnam.

While we have been blessed with talent in our Commissioner’s office over the years, never have we had a Commissioner that has demonstrated the passion for this particular issue. Never have we had a Commissioner willing to expend the political capital necessary to totally shift the mission of the Department.

Never have we had a Commissioner with the Federal experience and contacts to budge the inertia in Washington.

Moving the responsibility for the School Lunch Program to FDACS was only the first step in a long road to improve the health of our children and allow our growers better access at the School Lunch table, but with proper diligence and talent, that road is passable. With each success for the Commissioner, more and more Florida growers are becoming believers!

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