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3012 S. Jim Redman Pkwy. (Hwy. 39 S) Plant City, •AGAZINE southsidestores.com INTHEINFFL 2013 2021 1 TIELD HEFM IELD MAGAZINE Marchjune
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CONTENTS
June 2021 VOL. 14 • ISSUE 10
28 MICHELE PARMER
FFA MVP
Farm Credit
PAGE 10 Scott Angle
PAGE 35 News Briefs
PAGE 11 Agvocating for youth
PAGE 36 John Dicks
PAGE 12 Ranchers Daughter
PAGE 37 State Officers
PAGE 14 Fishing Hot Spots
PAGE 38 Endangered Species
PAGE 16 The Stories I Heard
PAGE 40
PAGE 18 Cows Help The Planet
Activity
PAGE 41 A Closer Look
PAGE 22 Rocking Chair Chatter
PAGE 42 Tropical Fruit
PAGE 24 Plant App
PAGE 43 Prepare For Hurricanes
PAGE 25 Frisee
PAGE 44 Dairy Bone Health
PAGE 26 AG Literacy PAGE 30 Recipes
PAGE 47 PCCW
PAGE 32 PCSO PAGE 34
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 No Farmers No Food Sticker. Send us your business card or an index card with your name and telephone number, the number of the page which you found the logo and where on the page you located the logo to the address below
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InTheField® Magazine P.O. Box 5377 • Plant City, Fl. 33566-0042 *Winners will be notified by phone. You Too Can Be A Winner! INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
P.O. Box 9005 • Drawer HS03 Bartow, FL. 33831-9005 President – Dave Tomkow 3305 US Highway 92 E Lakeland, FL 33801-9623 (863) 665-5088 dave@cattlemens1.com Vice President – Ken Sherrouse 13475 Moore Rd Lakeland, FL 33809-9755 (863) 698-1834 kensherrouse@yahoo.com Secretary/Treasurer - Justin Bunch PO Box 849 Highland City, FL 33846 (863) 425-1121 justin.bunch@cpsagu.com
Cover Image by Blair
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State Director - David Hunt 9699 Alt Bab Pk Cut-Off Rd Bartow, FL 33830 (863) 287-1835 Dhunt285@aol.com Alternate SD – Orrin Webb PO Box 202 Bartow, FL 33831 (941) 916-5093 cwebbowebb@aol.com Ray Clark 4484 Swindell Road Lakeland, FL 33810 (863) 640-0719 rclark@tampabay.rr.com Donald Conroy 3882 Wolfolk Rd Fort Meade, FL 33841 (863) 412-0790 Stuart Fitzgerald PO Box 1437 Lake Wales, FL 33859 (813) 478-8141 stuartcattlellc@yahoo.com Kevin Fussell 4523 Fussell Rd Polk City, FL 33868-9676 (863) 412-5876 Scott Shoupe 6130 Allen Lane Lakeland, FL 33811 (863) 581-7593 Scott_shoupe@hotmail.com Carlton Taylor 9875 Hancock Road Lakeland, FL 33810 (863) 858-1771 L2brangus@aol.com
Dr. Lujean Waters 8750 Shreck Rd Bartow, FL 33830 (863) 537-1495 Lujean.waters@gmail.com Standing Committee Chairs: Membership Events- Kevin Fussell Trade Show- Bridget Stice Rodeo- Fred Waters PO Box 463 Alturas, FL 33820-0463 (863) 559-7808 Website – Adam Norman 2115 West Pipkin Rd Lakeland, FL 33811 (863) 944-9293 Adamnorman1977@gmail. com Cattlewomen – President, Missy Raney PO Box 453 Homeland, FL 33847 (863) 205-3977 Raney747@gmail.com Extension – Bridget Stice PO Box 9005, Drawer HS03 Bartow, FL 33831 (863) 519-1048 bccarlis@ufl.edu Sheriff’s Dept. – Lt. Paul Wright 1891 Jim Keen Blvd. Winter Haven, FL 33880 (863) 557-1741 pw5281@polksheriff.org Sgt. Tim Sanders 1891 Jim Keen Blvd. Winter Haven, FL 33880 (863) 656-6119 brusso@polksheriff.org Warner University – Casey Wingate 7155 Wauchula Rd Myakka City, FL 34251 (941) 600-5772 Casey.wingate@warner.edu
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STAFF
Letter from the Editor
Publisher/Photography Karen Berry Senior Managing Editor/ Associate Publisher Sarah Holt Sales Karen Berry Sarah Holt Melissa Nichols
Happy June everyone! Summer will officially be here on June 20, but our summer temps have arrived with a vengeance. You can’t escape it! The shade offers a modicum of relief but not much. So please be vigilant when working outdoors. The Florida Department of Agriculture encourages the following to prevent heat illness: • Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids with electrolytes. • Choose work attire wisely. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing and protect your face by wearing a hat and sunglasses • Wear sunscreen. Sunburns make it harder to cool down and can cause dehydration. • Use a buddy system. Heat illness can cause confusion and even loss of consciousness, so work near a buddy to check on each other and stay safe. • Rest and cool down. Make sure to rest and cool down during the workday.
Creative Director/Illustrator Juan Alvarez Photography Karen Berry Melissa Nichols Blair Buchanon Staff Writers Al Berry Sandy Kaster James Frankowiak Sean Green Ginny Mink
• Stay alert, know the signs. Stay alert for signs of heat illness like headache, dizziness, fatigue or weakness. If suffering any of these symptoms, cool down immediately and call for medical assistance.
Contributing Writers Woody Gore John Dicks
It’s National Dairy Month! In 1937 National Milk Month was established as a way to promote drinking milk. It has developed into an annual tradition to celebrate the contributions the dairy industry has made after the National Dairy Council stepped in and changed the name to “Dairy Month.”
Social Media Victoria Saunders
Rather than waiting until National Dairy Month, you should celebrate dairy all year long! The benefits are numerous! Dairy products contain essential nutrients which may help manage your weight, reduce your risk for high blook pressure, osteoporosis and certain cancers. Dairy products are basically a natural nutrient powerhouse. We hope you are having a great start to summer. When you are out shopping for your family, looking for a new tractor, or a variety of other things, be sure to check out our advertisers. They help us to continue to cover what is growing, just like we have been doing since 2004.
In The Field Magazine is published monthly and is available through local Polk County businesses, restaurants, and many local venues. It is also distributed by U.S. mail to a target market, which includes all of the Greenbelt Property owners, members of the Polk County Catllemen’s Association. Letters, comments and questions can be sent to P.O. Box 5377, Plant City, Florida 33563-0042 or you are welcome to email them to: info@inthefieldmagazine.com or call 813-759-6909
Until Next Month
Sarah Holt The LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. - Numbers 6:25
Advertisers warrant & represent the descriptions of their products advertised are true in all respects. In The Field Magazine assumes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers. All views expressed in all articles are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Berry Publications, Inc. Any use or duplication of material used in In the Field magazine is prohibited without written consent from Berry Publications, Inc.
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Published by Berry Publications, Inc.
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Here we are in June already. The year is halfway gone and we all could use some badly needed rain. The cow market has been good for the past few weeks with high dressing cows in the low 70s and bulls in the low 90s. The calf market has been pretty much steady the end of May and first few weeks of June, with a little uptick this past week. Remember, if you are planning on selling cattle and want a Market Report, just call the market.
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Just a reminder, the Polk County Cattlemen’s Association will be having their Fall dinner on November 11. We will be celebrating our 75th year and plan on having a special dinner.
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June is Convention month and we wish all the Junior Cattlemen and women good luck and also our Sweetheart, Blair Buchanon. Good luck to you all. And don’t forget herd management. Do what you can to upgrade your herd health without hurting your wallet.
Dave Tomkow Polk County Cattlemen’s Association President
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FROM THE SCIENTIFIC FIELD By J. Scott Angle
Charles Barrett
Shawn Steed
Zachary Medon
With the trees in pots at 1D Tree Farm in Plant City, it wasn’t soil moisture probe is a state-certified agricultural best mancomplicated for Zachary Medon to gauge how much water agement practice aimed at protecting the quality and quantity of agricultural water. they were getting. In fact, Medon says, the trees talk to him. When 1D expanded to a second site off of Highway 60 and Mud Lake Road, though, Medon inherited the care of inground trees. They talked, too, and told him they could do better, but they wouldn’t tell him how. The secret was hidden underground. Medon called Shawn Steed, a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension agent based in Hillsborough County. Steed speaks tree language, too, but he couldn’t translate what the trees were saying either. So, he told Medon about some technology that he thought could.
I have prioritized the updating of UF/IFAS fertilization rate guidelines, and I believe use of the probes will help growers who fertilize through irrigation to adhere to BMP guidelines both old and revised. Please consider contacting Steed (ststeed@ufl.edu; 813-7445519) to inquire about getting a probe. If you’re enrolled in the BMP program, you can qualify for cost-sharing.
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The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Southwest Florida Water Management District cooperate on reimbursing growers for part of the cost for soil Steed called on regional specialized water Extension agent moisture probe purchase. Contact agbmphelp@fdacs.gov or Charles Barrett, the university’s foremost expert in soil mois- SWFWMD at carole.estes@watermatters.org or matt.vinzant@ ture probes. He came down from his office in Live Oak to de- watermatter.org. liver and install it next to a row of Little Gem magnolias. Barrett has had great success with its adoption among Suwannee Val- Our Extension team helps Florida agriculture in many ways, but ley farmers who use them to tell if their crops are getting too one increasingly important one is in encouraging your adoption of agricultural technology such as probes. UF/IFAS agents much water, too little, or just the right amount. like Steed and Barrett work hard to make it as easy as possible 1D was the first Hillsborough County site. Medon was a bit wary for you. Part of that is the credibility they build as champions of the instrument at first. How accurate would it be? Was it go- for innovation through unbiased information on other aspects ing to cost a lot? How clearly would the data speak where the of farming. trees would not? Invite Steed or other agents from Medon trusted Steed because the agent had helped before. the UF/IFAS Extension HillsborDuring the first few years of running 1D, Medon and owner Joe ough County or Extension Polk Diaz had questions about fertilization, irrigation, variety selec- County offices to your farm. You tion, pests and weed control. Steed’s information proved reli- know your global competitors have able and helped maximize production. So, they regarded him cheap labor, a lot less regulation as credible when he and Barrett showed up with a three-foot- and even subsidies from their government. Innovation will keep you long staff to be inserted into the ground. making a living from farming. UF/ The data it yielded spoke clearly: the Little Gems would do IFAS is where you get it. better by reducing irrigation by 25 percent. Medon adjusted accordingly, and the trees instantly thrived. For about a year now he has relied on the probe to consider soil moisture, air temperature and rainfall in guiding his irrigation decisions. Scott Angle is the University of Florida’s Vice President for Since then, Steed has delivered probes to a Hillsborough Agriculture and Natural Resources and leader of the UF InCounty sod producer. He and Barrett would like to see more stitute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). widespread adoption of the technology statewide. Use of a
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Agvocating for Youth
by Payge Dupre
We have made it to summer which means we have made it to the Florida FFA State Convention & Expo and Cattlemen’s Convention. This month is definitely one of the busiest for all of us! Although it will have already passed by the time this is read, we are all very excited to be meeting in person for State Convention. This year at convention, we will have multiple members and chapters there to represent Polk County as they either compete or walk the stage for recognition of their accomplishments. There will be numerous leadership workshops and opportunities for members to learn new things about all aspects of FFA and the agriculture industry. We will even have our own Tyler Brannen from Auburndale SR. FFA to represent us as he runs for the Area 4 State Vice President. Good luck to everyone competing, we know you will make us proud! Not much different for Cattlemen’s Convention either – members from Polk County will be representing us to compete and hopefully be recognized for their accomplishments within those contests. Polk County Junior Cattlemen’s Association members that will be representing us are Raelan Sherouse, Carlie Shenefield, Macie Shenefield, Lily Harwell, Carlee Taylor, Rilee Bennett, McKenzie Hollie, Jessie Bennett, Caitlynn Robertson, Graysie Sherouse, Bellamy Howell, Weslee Howell, Emmalee Robertson, Peyton Chandley, and Gabe Chandley. They will be competing in various competitions including Quiz Bowl, Speech and Photography. Our Polk County Cattlemen’s Sweetheart, Blair Buchanon, will also represent us as she runs for the Florida Cattlemen’s Sweetheart. Good luck to everyone and enjoy your week in Marco Island! As we head into the summer months, many deadlines for the Polk County Youth Fair will begin to approach us. July 30 all Open Market Steer entries are due, then accepted July 31-August 6 with a late fee. August 14 is the mandatory Open Market Steer initial weigh in and tagging day from 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM. August 16 is the Market Lamb entry deadline along with the one-time lamb purchase fee. Market Lamb entries are by paper only this year. Lamb Lottery Selection and Tagging Day is September 4 at 10:00 AM. Market Hog entries are
As you head off for summer vacations, make sure you have read the rule updates and gone through deadlines, so you do not miss anything. I hope everyone has a great summer! INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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due September 13 but accepted September 14-17 with a late fee. Market Hog mandatory meetings will be either September 16 at 7:00 PM or September 18 at 9:00 AM. Blueberry, Citrus, Ornamental Plants, and Plants for Display entries are due October 1 but accepted October 2-7 with a late fee. Horses must be owned/leased or cared for by October 1. The mandatory horse exhibitor meetings will be either October 2 at 10:00 AM or October 14 at 7:00 PM. There will be a mandatory horticulture workshop for Ornamental Plants on October 2 at 10:00 AM. Market Hog Tagging day will be October 2 from 6:30-10:00 AM. Archery Competition entries are due October 8 but accepted October 9-15 with a late fee. There will be two archery safety and training sessions with a date to be determined and attendance mandatory to one of the two sessions. Beef breeding, commercial heifer, breeding goat, horse, poultry & eggs, and rabbit entries are due November 1, but accepted November 2-30 with a late fee (excluding horses which are accepted November 2-8 with a late fee). Mandatory market goat tagging, and goat and lamb clinic will be held November 13. December 1, all Chili Cook Off entries are due, as well as vegetable ownership deadline and entries, bedding plants, hanging baskets ownership deadline, and dog entry deadline. Vegetable and dog late entries will be accepted December 2-6 with a late fee. December 10 copies of buyer letters to two potential buyers are due to the PCYF office for cake auction, blueberry, citrus, peach, ornamental plants, market hogs, market steers and commercial heifers. If you are showing blueberries, citrus, peach, or ornamental plants and miss the December 10 deadline, you can still send in your letters from December 11 - January 1 with a late fee. Whip Popping entries are due January 3. Scrap off entries are due January 7. January 17 is the final date for online entries to Family & Consumer Sciences with no paper entries allowed and January 23 is the registration deadline for the Top Ranch Hand contest. We hope that this coming year can make up for the struggles we had this past year and that it is fun for everyone!
By Marisol Tarango
CONFESSION OF A RANCHER’S DAUGHTER Ranchers are known for always knowing what to do; they always seem to have a plan or solution for just about any situation that may arise. From a young age the rancher’s daughter has been coached on what to do in different situations. Whether it be an emergency or just the routine maintenance of the herd and ranch, no detail is too small to be taught. Like so many generations before her, the rancher’s daughter has literally followed her father around, being taught the trade of ranching, and like recent generations before her, she has even gone to college to learn the deeper science of raising cattle.
CONFESSION #24: I’m making this up as I go. Since I was old enough to have a conversation, my dad took every opportunity to prepare me for just about any situation. If we were playing with my toy horses and barn, he was secretly teaching me how to have a breeding rotation and the ideal way to set up my pastures. If I was driving my little toy jeep with the wagon hitched to the back, it became a lesson on how to haul a trailer. When I was older, a walk through a pasture turned into a lesson on how to read cow tracks or find your way if you got lost in the woods. Even while working cows there would be mini lectures on how we would have handled the herd if they had decided to go around these trees instead of where we wanted them to, or what we should do if the bull decided not to come peacefully. Half the time I didn’t even know my dad was trying to teach me something, I just knew that I was out doing cool stuff with him. I always knew that if I could ask my parents for advice on how to handle something, because parents know everything. Sure, my dad might not have known what exactly was wrong with the tractor, but he always got it started. My mom might not have known what was for dinner when we asked in the afternoon, but she always had dinner when we got in from feeding.
knew how to keep a house, how to help run a ranch, and how to teach the three R’s, literally, the only thing I needed was a cowboy … with a ranch. Even when my plans did change and I decided to go to school before starting a family, I still knew what I was going to do. I was going to get my pilot’s license and work for ranches scouting for cattle. But before I knew what happened, I was switching my major to animal science, and then to ag studies. Soon it seemed that all my carefully crafted plans began to crumble one after another. Somehow, I ended up writing for a local magazine and interning in places I never imagined. When people asked what my plans were, I usually just said to have a ranch. Which was true; I just didn’t have much else figured out. After a while, even what little I had figured out began to run dry. Experiencing things at college and through internships that I had never gone through left me just keeping up appearances. There were times where I was just hoping that I appeared as a professional woman and not as the little girl playing dress up that I felt like inside. I’ve lost count of the things that I learned to do on the job with an odd combination of asking, observing, and a lot of videos. Even at home I was facing situations where I didn’t know exactly what to do and was having to make things up on the fly. It’s amazing how much information and training you can forget when your dad isn’t there. But you know what? I did manage to remember how to do some things and used my imagination to fill in the rest. The job may not have been the best, but everything held together until it could be properly addressed.
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So, am I kind of a fraud if I tell people what I do or what my plans are when I am still trying to get my bearings? Am I pretending to be someone that I am not when I pretend to be confident when I am totally not? When I say that I am a writer or a rancher’s daughter with utmost confidence, am I lying because When I began to start making plans for my life, I had no worries I am making up a lot of things as I go? I think not, I am still a because I knew exactly what I wanted and how I was going to writer and the rancher’s daughter regardless of my knowledge achieve it. I was going to get married to a cowboy, have six kids, or experience. Maybe I should say “I’m figuring things out” inand we were going to homeschool them on a ranch. I already stead of “making things up,” because honestly, I didn’t make up this ranching thing, I think I was just born with it.
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Summer Tampa Bay Storms
Summer is here, and with it, plenty of daylight hours to spend on the water fishing or boating. But while summer brings with it visions of sunshine and warm temperatures, it can also bring some chaotic weather that often puts a swift end to our water time activities. Thunderstorms, especially those with lightning, are all bad news if you’re caught unprepared on the water.
ing black clouds, often approaching from the southwest, south, or west.
Seasoned boaters and anglers have learned to watch to the skies for impending storms and if things don’t look promising, head for safety. Here are a few tips for keeping your eye on the sky:
• Even if a storm is still several miles away, the lightning it generates can easily reach you. Remember, lighting often strikes well before a storm. As well as after it has seemingly passed. Be observant, watching for the “coppery” haze and building cumulonimbus clouds that indicate a thunderstorm, and seek shelter well in advance.
• Bad weather is often forecast before you ever leave the shore, so make sure you check your local weather stations or local marine forecast paying careful attention to all marine warnings posted for your area or the area you may be heading. • Look for the telltale signs of a forming thunderstorm. Such as clumps of thick cumulus clouds (the puffy, cotton-ball type.) darkening into a towering, cumulonimbus cloud (think cumulous growing vertically, with an anvil-like shape at the top). Begin heading for safety whenever you see clouds in this formation. Severe winds, lightning, rain, or worse can occur in as little as 15 to 30 minutes. • The severity of a storm can often be predicted by the shape and color of the leading edge. The darker, sharper, and lower the edge, the more severe the storm. • During the summer, thunderstorms will often build over the water when the humidity and temperature over land are high. As hot air radiates upward, it absorbs moisture from nearby water, ultimately rising to form a thunderhead. The telltale sign of these storms is fast-mov-
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Capt. Woody Gore (www.captainwoodygore.com)
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Capt. Woody Gore
• How long do you have before a storm arrives? Try this trick. When you first see a lightning flash, count how many seconds pass before hearing the accompanying thunder, then divide by five. The result is the number of miles you are away from the storm.
• If you can’t outrun a storm or find some shelter, point your craft into the wind, and try to take approaching waves at a 90-degree angle. This will keep your pump in the water and lessen the chance of your craft getting rolled over. It’s also best to stay as low as possible so that your body is not the tallest target on the water. • Remember, whenever you’re venturing farther than just your local bay or shore, a handheld VHF radio can be a lifesaver. Many include a weather alert feature to warn of approaching storms.
Let’s Go Fishing - Tampa Bay Fishing Report July 2021 Snook: (Snook Closed until September)
So, you might want to think about giving them a rest during the closed season and try one of the other 200 plus species throughout Tampa Bay. Seems like snook are the number one target to catch, and while there are plenty around, perhaps when you catch one, take a moment to take a look at its WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
mouth. You’ll see why I’m suggesting targeting something different. So if you’re tired of the same old scenery and crowded fishing pressure, why not venture away from your favorite spots and find some new areas. There are still good reports coming in from the north end down past the Skyway.
Redfish: We’re seeing plenty of singles and doubles around the usual haunts. If you come across a large school of mullet, before the mullet skiffs bust them up, you’ll usually find a redfish nosing around inside. Live or dead bait works, but I’m finding dead bait, and a rod holder is working very well. You can expect some great action on incoming tides for those who like pitching soft plastics and topwater around the mangroves.
Spotted Sea Trout: You might
try suspending a shrimp under a popping cork with a medium split-shot about 8” ahead of a 1/0 circle hook. And work the cork by popping it, letting it set a moment, then popping it again. If that’s not working, re-
813-477-3814
Tarpon: Plenty of Tarpon at the
Skyway and on the beaches. Large Greenbacks, Threadfins, or a crab should do the trick. If you’re casting to them, use a rod and reel combo that allows for a long-distance cast.
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move the cork and free-line a greenback or shrimp over some “Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing” deep grass. Topwater popping plugs or soft plastic jerk baits over any broken bottom grass flat can offer artificial anglers Capt. Woody Gore operates Tampa Bay’s #1 Outdoor Fishsome excellent action. ing Guide Services. Guiding and fishing Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater areas for over fifty years, he offers Mackerel & Sharks: I can’t say first-class customer service, family-oriented charters, and enough about the big Macka lifetime of memories. erel showing up all over the bay. They’re feeding on Ancho- Visit his website at www.captainwoodygore.com vies, Threadfins, and greenor send an email to fishing@captainwoodygore. backs. Hang a chum block over com or give him a call at 813-477-3814. the side and throw some cut chunks of Threadfins or Green- Member: FOWA-Florida Outdoor Writers Assoc., Memberbacks up-current and get ready. SEOPA Southeastern Outdoor Press Assoc. CEO/Pres. Sport-Fishing Unlimited & Outdoor Communications, Cobia: Reports of a few CoOutdoor Writer & Speaker bias being spotted and caught around the bay. Most are cruising markers or following big rays or manatees around the flats. If you net your bait, keep a few smaller pinfish and use them for the Cobia.
The Stories I Heard
By Marisol Tarango
I met George O’cain during my senior year of high school when my family started attending the same church that he did. He was always the man who understood us when we talked about cattle and agriculture, but also as the man who could explain the Bible in such a way that both ranch and city kids understood the depths of the simple truth being spoken. During my interview with George O’cain I came to realize that his time working in forestry affected his time teaching the Bible; seeing the deep but simple beaty of nature can open your mind to see the deep but simple truth of God.
Growing up:
I was raised in of Mulberry Florida and was there until I was drafted into the service in 1966. Mulberry was a phosphate town; everything was based around phosphate. Which [when] converted [is made] into fertilizer, [and is used as] agricultural fertilization for crops. My uncle was a superintendent of the fertilizer plant in Mulberry and my dad worked there as a truck driver. He hauled fertilizer all over Florida, but mostly from Central Florida to the big farms in South Florida, they’d go back and forth every day. [When] I was in school I worked there part time on the weekends and in the afternoons, in the maintenance shop where the payloaders had to be maintained.
Pangola Grass:
Pangola grass was new on the scene back when I was a child; it was the new grass that had come in and everybody was planting it. It was considered to be hay grass, but it had one downfall, whenever cooler or cold weather came in it was done as far as growing. [When] we were sprigging the grass ([Pangola grass] has to be sprigged) it was cut down with a sickle mower, and then you loaded it up on a trailer and spread it out on the ground. [Then] it was disked in and when those joints of grass got below the dirt they would sprout and make a good grass field. I remember, we had no shoes (well, maybe we had some, but we didn’t wear them much) [and] the ground was so hot that you couldn’t walk through the field, you had to run through it and get in a shady place somewhere.
Forest Ranger school:
Before I went in the service, I went to the University of Florida Forest Ranger School, which was a branch school in Lake City, it was a technical forestry school. There was about 60 or 70 students in that school, and [there] were old army barracks where we went to school. Then I was drafted into the Army and spent two years in the service [as] a military policeman. When I came back from the service, I went back [to my] former job [as] a forest technician working for a phosphate company who had thousands of acres of timberland. I did anything to do with forest management, including planting and managing pine trees, controlled burning pine trees, and harvesting pine trees. Back in those days the woods were full of rattlesnakes and it’s just a wonder that I haven’t been bitten [in] the number of years that I’ve been working in forestry. Since time has moved on the hogs have come in and changed the amount of rattlesnakes that you see in the woods, you hardly ever see a rattle snake anymore because the hogs have gotten rid of them, they will actually eat them. Now you might go two years without seeing a rattlesnake, but back in those days we’d kill ‘em weekly.
Phosphate Mining:
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The company that I worked for had over a hundred thousand acres, Desoto, Hardee, Polk, and Hillsborough County. [Ranchers] would lease the land until they [the phosphate
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George O’cain company] got ready to mine it. The land changed [after being mined] and sometimes for the better. Whenever they would dig the land up, they would dig the topsoil off with the dragline and bulldozers and set it aside, and [then] they would scoop up the phosphate rock. They had three things that they had to separate: phosphate, sand, and clay. When they got the phosphate separated, they would make a slurry (like a soup) out of the phosphate rock and pump it through the pipelines to the fertilizer plant. The sand was pumped back out into the holes that they dug to fill them back up and the clays were put inside of a dike to keep it from running into the river. These clay settling areas are used today for good cattle pastures, it’s very rich soil.
What I was taught:
I did learn [from experience] that if you got something that you’d really rather not do, that you actually hate to do, the best thing to do is just get started and do that first, and then you work towards your easier jobs. I always was taught to do more than you’re expected to do, and if you’ll do that on any job that you do, things will usually work out. Don’t just do what you’re expected to do up to a certain point, do more and people will reward you for that. I don’t claim to know a lot about most things, but I have learned a few things along the way. God has blessed me more than I deserve. He has given me a fine family, a good wife, three children, six grandchildren. God has blessed me, and I just give Him all the credit for anything that I have accomplished.
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With every generation,
we get better at protecting our environment. Reclamation ecologists like Ashlee work to return mined lands to productive use as wildlife habitats, public parks and more—so future generations can enjoy these lands for years to come.
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®
3 WAYS COWS HELP THE PLANET Courtesy of Florida Dairy Farmers floridamilk.com
In Florida, dairy farmers and 125,000+ dairy cows produce more than 300 million gallons of milk every year. While producing this delicious and nutritious food, they’re also helping the environment and providing us with sustainable nutrition. HELP WITH FOOD WASTE Agricultural byproducts that are inedible to humans, such as orange peels, cottonseed hulls and expired baked goods, can make up around 30% of a dairy cow’s diet. Thanks to a unique digestive system, cows can process and convert these byproducts into nutritious milk and keep them out of landfills. Florida dairy farmers upcycle around 170,000 tons of these byproducts as cow feed each year! PROVIDE BENEFICIAL COMPOST Cow manure, a byproduct of dairy farming, acts as a natural fertilizer and renewable energy source. It is rich in nutrients, reduces the need for artificial chemicals, and fertilizes farmland to improve crop production in a natural, sustainable way. One cow produces enough fertilizer to grow 56 pounds of corn or 84 pounds of tomatoes.
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By properly recycling cow manure, farmers protect nearby lakes, rivers, and streams. Farmers store manure and spread it on their fields according to a nutrient management plan
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based on the types of soil found on the farm, the terrain of the fields, and the amount of nutrients the farmers’ crops need. YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT IS SMALLER THAN EVER Thanks to dairy farmers’ unwavering commitment, the environmental impact of producing a gallon of milk today is significantly less than in previous years. For example, compared to 2007, producing a gallon of milk required 30% less water, 21% less land, and had a 19% smaller carbon footprint in 2017. Dairy farmers have always looked for more sustainable practices. If you look even further back and compare today’s practices to 70 years ago, each gallon of milk uses 65% less water, 90% less land and has a 63% lower carbon footprint. The future is bright also, by 2050, dairy farmers across the nation have committed to carbon neutrality or better. Our commitment is to continue producing nutritious milk, while keeping cows happy and healthy and staying environmentally responsible so that you and your family can have access to fresh local milk. Learn more about Florida dairy cows and farm practices. And remember, when you drink milk, you’re also contributing to Florida’s sustainable nutrition.
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Courtesy of Florida Dairy Farmers floridamilk.com • Most of the dairy cows living in Florida are Holsteins. • Lafayette and Okeechobee are Florida’s leading dairy counties. • Most Florida dairy herds range in size from 150 cows to 5,000 cows. • Florida’s dairy farms are primarily owned and operated by second and third-generation farmers. • Florida dairy farmers recycle about 170,000 tons of byproducts such as citrus pulp, brewers’ grain and whole cottonseed that are consumed by the cows instead of ending up in landfills. • There are about 125,000 dairy cows in Florida that collectively produce about 300 million gallons of milk a year. • Each Florida dairy cow produces about 6-8 gallons of milk each day and is milked 2-3 times per day. • The average dairy cow weighs 1,400 pounds, which is about the same size of a mature male polar bear. • Cows chew their cud at least 50 times per minute. • According to ancient records passed down through the centuries, the making of cheese dates back more than 4,000 years. • One gallon of milk is approximately 345 squirts of a cow’s udder.
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Dumb Questions Recently I have had some rather dumb questions asked of me when ordering food at the local fast-food restaurants. Sometimes I think the clerk is on auto mode, and really doesn’t hear what I am saying.
not to each other. So sad! You wait, one of these days a popular food chain will get tons of publicity when they announce cell phones are illegal when dining.
For instance, I went into a local fast food restaurant on Jim Redman Parkway to treat myself to an afternoon ice cream cone. I said, “I would like a small cone of chocolate ice cream.” She replied, “Do you want to eat here or do you want it to go?” “Well,” I said, “I’ll take a bite or two of it as I walk out the door and finish it in my car!”
A group of 40-year-old buddies discuss where they should go for dinner. Finally it is agreed that they should meet at a popular restaurant because the waitresses there have low cut blouses and nice figures. Ten years later, at 50 years of age, the guys once again discuss where they should dine. Finally it is agreed that they should meet at the same restaurant because the food there is very good and the wine selection is excellent. Ten years later at 60 years of age, the guys once again discuss where they should dine. Finally it is agreed that they should meet at their same popular restaurant because they can eat there in peace and quiet and the restaurant is smoke free. Ten years later, at 70 years of age, the guys once again discuss where they should dine. Finally it is agreed that they should meet at the same restaurant because the restaurant is wheel chair accessible and they even have an elevator. Ten years later, at 80 years of age, the guys once again discuss where they should dine. Finally it is agreed that they should meet at the same restaurant again because they have never been there before.
There’s an Amish store/gas station in Blairsville with a sign out front that reads, “Eat here, and get gas.” While traveling on I-75 Patsy said she was getting hungry, so we pulled into a drive-through. “Is that for here or to go?” She asked. “Well, since I’m in at the drive-thorough I think I’ll have the order to go.” The one time that I still shake my head about is the when I ordered some chicken nuggets. I saw on the menu I could order 6, 9 or 12, so I asked the teenage clerk for a half dozen nuggets. “We don’t have half dozen nuggets,” She answered. “You don’t?” I replied. She said, “We only have six, nine, or twelve.” “So I can’t order a half dozen nuggets, but I can order six?” “That’s right.” “O.K., In that case I’ll order six!” One, time while on the road, I went through a drive-thru and ordered two cups of coffee, one with cream and sugar and the other one black. “Which one do you want the cream and sugar in?” she asked. I thought for a moment, and said, “put the cream and sugar in the one on your right.” Over the years I have remembered numerous restaurant signs. “Hot drinks to take out or sit in.” “Open seven days a week. Closed Sundays.” “Three out of four people make up 75% of our population.” “Things I don’t have: Muffins, 16 ounce cups and a girlfriend.” “Boneless Bananas.” At a Dry cleaners in Tampa, “Drop your trousers here for best results.” Tailor shop in Orlando, “Ladies may have a fit upstairs.” On a loan company window, “Now you can borrow enough money to get completely out of debt.” I have noticed a lot of talking going on at restaurants these days. The next time you go out to eat just look around at all the people talking. Yes, talking on their cell phones and PAGE
Editor’s Note: This Rocking Chair Chatter was originally printed in the June 2014 issue
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Speaking of old timers, three of them were chatting at a restaurant. They sat down at a table while waiting to be served. One of them said, “Hey Jake! Isn’t this your 50th anniversary?” Jake replies, “Yep.” “Well,” the old timer asked, “what are you planning on doing?” Jake replies, “Well, I remember taking my wife to Arizona on our 25th anniversary?” The other old timer asked, “Oh ya, so what are your plans for your 50th anniversary?” Jake replies, “I’m going back to pick her up!” One of my favorite places to eat in Plant City is Johnson’s Bar-B-Que at the Farmers Market. I asked, Owen, son of Fred Johnson, who runs the restaurant, if he remembers anything funny that has happened during his noon rush hour! Owen laughed, and said, “Recently a member of a local business was leaving, and management decided to throw him a farewell luncheon. They made reservations for 30 people. On the day of the event the place was crowded, but we seated them immediately. People who had been lining up for a table seemed unhappy, and we thought we heard some disgruntled comments. Our suspicions were soon confirmed. In a couple of minutes a waitress announced over the speaker: ‘Starving --party of four.’”
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NEW FLORIDA-FRIENDLY PLANT APP GUIDES YOU TO THE RIGHT PLANTS FOR A SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPE By Brad Buck
As you’re finishing your spring planting, you can use a new, free UF/IFAS tool to help them select the right native and ornamental plants and turf for a resilient, sustainable Florida landscape. The UF/IFAS Florida-Friendly Landscaping ™ (FFL) program has just released a new mobile app. It’s called the “FFL Plant Guide,” and it has information on over 450 Florida-friendly plants. The app is available for download at: • Google Play Store (Android): https://play.google.com/ store/apps/details?id=edu.ufl.fflplants • Apple App Store (IOS): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/fflplants/id1565207271 In addition to the IOS and Android phone versions, the plant app is also a mobile web application that can be used with a browser on a computer as well as mobile devices. It is accessible at: • http://fflplantguide.com, or • https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ The new app provides a convenient, comprehensive guide that anyone in Florida can use to match their yard’s conditions to a diverse range of plants around which they can build a robust, aesthetically pleasing landscape, said FFL program director Esen Momol.
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“We are very excited with the finger-tip power the new app provides,” Momol said. “Users can simply type in their zip code and have instant access to a huge variety of plants suited for their area.”
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Plants can be sorted by their full-grown size, shape, flower color, sun and shade needs, drought and water tolerance and more. The app also helps the homeowner quickly zero in on the exact plants they have in mind when they visualize the possibilities in their home landscape. New homeowners or other app users who want some additional guidance on how to arrange their landscape can also turn to the newly updated FFL website, which is full of information and tips on myriad subjects like landscape design, water-saving irrigation methods and plant care, Momol said. “We have whatever information anyone needs about a sustainable Florida landscape,” said Tom Wichman, statewide coordinator for the Florida-Friendly Landscaping ™ Green Industries Best Management Practices Program. “The new website and app pull together a vast trove of science-based landscaping knowledge that UF/IFAS horticultural specialists and landscape architects have developed over the past 30-plus years.” Thanks to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection -- FFL’s program partner since its inception -- the new app is free. FFL reflects UF/IFAS Extension’s mission for public outreach and education. It seeks to put practical landscaping practices into the hands of all current and future Floridians. “Giving Floridians the Florida-Friendly Landscaping ™ tools they need now will help ensure that future Florida landscapes will be Florida-Friendly landscapes,” Momol said.
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FLorida
FRISEE
By Sandy Sun, M.S. Clinical Medicines, B.S. Nutrition Science Fresh Florida frisee is a beautiful leafy green. This frizzy, ruffled, fancy salad green is often used in gourmet salad mixes, providing interesting texture and flavor. Also known as curly endive, frisee has a unique, mildly bitter and nutty, bright flavor. The leaves are serrated and twisted, a dark green color at the base that fades to a lighter cream color near the core. It adds visual appeal, crunch, and flavor to any dish. Technically, frisee is not actually a lettuce, but rather a member of the chicory family, along with endive. Frisee is traditionally served in a salad with poached eggs, but can be mixed into any salad or enjoyed cooked. Fresh Florida frisee is still available for a few more weeks before the summer heat arrives.
NUTRITIONAL PROFILE Fresh Florida frisee is very low in calories and high in nutrients, particularly folic acid, and vitamins A, C, and K. Its high fiber content helps reduce glucose and cholesterol levels, and aids in promoting satiety with very few calories. The darker colored leaves contain more nutrients than the lighter colored ones. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, a two cup serving of fresh frisee (100 g) contains 17 calories, 1 g protein, 0.2 g fat, 3.4 g carbohydrate, and 3 g of dietary fiber. One serving of frisee also provides 192% of the Daily Recommended Value (%DV) for vitamin K, 72% for vitamin A, 36% for folate, 18% for manganese, and plenty of iron, zinc, copper, potassium, vitamin C, and many of the B vitamins. That’s an amazing amount of concentrated nutrients in only one serving and a great way to get filled up on fewer calories!
min! Vitamin K is an essential component for clotting of blood in the body. This vitamin also helps maintain bone health by transporting calcium and metabolizes the mineral into your skeleton. Several research studies have found that vitamin K boosts bone mineral density and reduces fracture rates in people with osteoporosis. As a result, the Institute of Medicine increased its daily recommendation of vitamin K. Frisee, spinach, and other leafy greens are very rich sources of vitamin K, and contain other bone boosting nutrients such as calcium and magnesium.
Manganese Fresh frisee is considered a great source of manganese, an important mineral that plays a role in a variety of physiological functions throughout the body. Manganese is needed for glucose, protein, lipid, and cholesterol metabolism from the foods we consume, as well as for pancreatic function and development. The mineral is important in normal skeletal growth and development, prevention of sterility, and synthesis of thyroid hormone.
How to Select and Store
Choose frisee that has crisp, curly leaves with no signs of wilting or yellowing. The leaves and stems should look fresh and tender, and be dry to the touch. To store, pat leaves dry with a paper towel, place in a tightly wrapped plastic bag and squeeze out as much air as possible. Keep refrigerated for up to two weeks. Rinse well immediately before use.
How to Enjoy
These antioxidants are particularly beneficial in protecting blood vessels from oxidative stress, which results in atherosclerosis and high blood pressure. Several of the carotenoids are especially important for good eye health, offering protection to the retina and macula.
Fresh frisee is most commonly eaten raw in salad either by itself or mixed with other greens. It can also be sautéed, braised, steamed or chopped and added to vegetable or bean soups. Its slightly bitter flavor goes well with fruit, citrus, bacon, and blue cheeses. When sautéed, its flavor becomes more mellow. Although frisee is best known for its starring role in salad, there are many other ways to enjoy this nutritious leafy vegetable, including: • Sauteed lightly with olive oil and herbs • Grill and top with salad dressing • Tossed into a stew or soup • Use as a sandwich topper • Use leaves as an edible garnish under fish or chicken Enjoy fresh Florida frisee today. Eat more of these leafy greens and reap all of the health benefits they offer in one delicious package.
Vitamin K
SELECTED REFERENCES
Frisee is bursting with vitamin K. A two-cup serving of fresh frisee provides more than 100% of your daily needs for this vita-
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ http://www.whfoods.com
Antioxidants Fresh Florida frisee is full of antioxidants in many forms, including flavonoids and carotenoids. These compounds help provide anti-inflammatory effects, which is beneficial in warding off many major diseases. Other antioxidant nutrients high in this leafy green vegetable include vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and manganese, zinc, and selenium.
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UF/IFAS Researchers Develop Outreach Programs to Improve Ag Literacy and Heighten Career Interest among Youth By Jim Frankowiak
Agriculture is the second largest industry in Florida with an estimated market value of more than $7.46 billion, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). However, the uncertainty of the industry’s future labor force continues as the average age of farmers increases annually. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is working to address this shortfall through youth outreach programs that increase Ag literacy and generate awareness of career opportunities in the field. A case in point is the youth outreach program developed by UF/IFAS entomologists to raise awareness of the risk that invasive species bring to Florida and related career opportunities in agriculture to help address this chalAmanda Hodges lenge to growers.
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“From an early age, many students are interested in science,” said Amanda Hodges, UF/IFAS Extension associate scientist and director of the Doctor of Plant Medicine Program. “Students know so much more about human health medicine, but the thought of really considering this whole other side of science related to food production and the environment is really important so that students are aware it is an option. Most students we encountered just have not considered these topics as intensely as they may have considered human or animal health systems.”
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These outreach programs are designed to be adaptable to local curriculum needs and are customizable to cover specific agricultural topics. The biggest challenge in the future will be creating space in curriculum for agriculture education. The program has developed online materials with the hope to return to classrooms in the future once pandemic restrictions lessen. Information on these online materials is available at: dpm.ifas.ufl.edu/youth-outreach/.
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MICHELE PARMER: MVP FFA Advisor
By: Lauren McNair Photos Courtesy Images By Blair
Over 13,000 individuals known as “advisors” lead nearly 9,000 FFA chapters in cities large, small and smaller in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. FFA chapters vary greatly in focus areas and membership, but each is led by one or more advisors who, in addition to teaching, often act as mentor, role model and even second mother or father to their members. One of Polk County’s own FFA advisors at Bartow Middle School, Michele Parmer, is bringing the value of agriculture to her students and the community and even earning recognition from the National FFA Organization and the halls of Congress along the way.
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Surprisingly, Michele Parmer was never an FFA member and was not enrolled in an agriculture class while a student at Deland High School in Volusia County. Her first exposure to an FFA chapter came when she noticed the monetary success of an acquaintance.
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“A friend’s brother made all this money having a pig, and I said, ‘I’m going to get me a pig, too. I’m going to make me some money,’” Parmer said. “I had no clue what it entailed. All I knew was you go to the feed mill and get your feed, your pigs are usually about $50, you build a pen, you write down everything and you take it to the fair. So, I got two pigs, and I put them in the back of my Dodge Dart. The lady down the road asked me if I was in an ag class and told me if I’m not in FFA, I’m going to need to be in 4-H. I liked the math part of it. I liked all the things that everybody hates about record books.” After raising her first pigs and graduating from high school, Parmer attended the University of Florida intending to study microbiology and become a forensic pathologist. But she took notice of the university’s animal science program and later graduated with a bachelor’s degree in animal science and poultry science. Parmer worked in the swine industry for a few years before returning to UF to live and work at the swine research unit and earn another bachelor’s degree in agriculture education. Since that time, Parmer has served as an agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at Bartow Middle School, a program that, thanks in large part to her leadership, was recently recognized during the 2020 National FFA Convention in October as one of the top five middle school chapters in the nation. The National FFA Organization annually recognizes middle school programs throughout the country that “exhibit exemplary qualities in all categories of growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture” in the National Middle School Model of Excellence Award. In the applicaWWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
tion process, chapters are asked to describe nine activities or practices that best represent the heart of the chapter in categories ranging from community service to citizenship. The application must be approved by the Florida FFA Association before it is then judged three times by the National FFA Organization to determine the nation’s top five finalists. “It takes a full calendar year to truly accomplish the activities and multiple months to complete the application itself to perfection,” Parmer said. Parmer’s co-teacher, Lexie Sanchez-Reese, who Parmer says is “amazing,” is instrumental in compiling the chapter’s application. Their application for 2021 has already been submitted for review and (fingers crossed) will result in another finalist position. Of the nine areas of focus included in the chapter’s application, Parmer is perhaps most proud of the chapter’s swine production program and crop production operation. The chapter currently owns three sows in what Parmer describes as a “farrow to finish” operation. Students work hands on with the animals that farrow twice a year – once to produce show pigs and the second to produce meat pigs that are eventually sold to the community. In addition to swine production, the chapter operates a sizeable crop production program that grows produce, transplants and flowers that are sold at a produce stand in front of the school’s administrative office. Of all the produce they offer, Parmer said they are most famous for their collard greens. When schools were closed during the Covid-19 quarantine, produce sales continued. At the time, the chapter still had two full crop fields that were a month into growth. Rather
“I said, ‘I’m just going to take care of this stuff because the kids are going to come back, and I don’t want them to come back and think ‘you let all of our hard work go down the drain,’” Parmer said. In addition to offering their school-grown products to the public, the program also works with the local high school to provide fresh produce and herbs to its culinary arts program and donates produce to the local women’s care center. While the chapter program is always busy, many hands help make the work lighter. The chapter currently boasts 374 members with every student enrolled in an agriculture class on the roster. Every student in the agriculture program is afforded the opportunity to earn their membership dues through student-led fundraisers at the beginning of the year. Many students, Parmer said, even earn above their membership dues to pay for their own FFA jacket and fees to an annual leadership conference. “That’s the biggest thing I really enjoy about teaching and FFA: we get an opportunity to get the leadership to them, the production agriculture, and expose them to cutting edge technology.” It was Parmer’s own leadership and trail-blazing that earned the attention of a congressman in March of this year. She was told U.S. Rep. Gregg Steube would be visiting the agriculture land lab to see the efforts of one of the nation’s top FFA programs. UnbeContinues on page 31 k n ow n s t INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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than allowing her students’ labor to go to waste, Parmer got to work in the field herself and even called in help.
RecipeS Courtesy of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Chef Justin Timineri
Florida Sweet Corn with Southern Barbecue Butter DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven broiler on high. In small saucepan over low heat, combine barbecue sauce and butter until melted and smooth.
2. Place sweet corn in a medium-sized baking dish and pour barbecue mixture over sweet corn. Broil sweet corn, 4 inches from broiler, being sure to watch the whole time.
3. Turn and baste the sweet corn until golden. Serve warm
INGREDIENTS
Ingredients
1/4 cup your favorite barbecue sauce 1/4 stick butter 4 ears fresh Florida sweet corn, shucked kosher salt to taste fresh ground pepper to taste
Sweet Corn & Black Bean Enchiladas 1.
1/2 cup onion, chopped 1 cup fresh corn kernels 2 bell peppers, diced 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 cup salsa, your favorite kind 1 can low-sodium black beans, rinsed and drained 10 (6-inch) corn tortillas
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided 1 can enchilada sauce 1 tablespoon vegetable oil pan-release cooking spray kosher salt to taste freshly ground pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spray an 11x7-inch (2-quart) baking dish with pan-release cooking spray. Add vegetable oil to a medium pan. Cook onion, corn and bell peppers over medium high heat for 3 minutes. Add cumin, salsa and black beans and continue to cook for two awith salt and pepper to taste. Remove pan from heat and let cool slightly.
an even amount of the filling mixture in each of the 10 tortillas. Using 1 cup of shredded cheese, 2. Place evenly distribute it on top of each of the 10 tortillas. Carefully roll up each stuffed tortilla, and place them seam side down in the sprayed baking dish. Pour the enchilada sauce over the rolled enchiladas, spreading to coat all tortillas. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese.
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Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and sauce is bubbly around edges. Remove enchiladas from oven and let cool slightly. Serve enchiladas with diced Florida avocado, salsa and sour cream
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to her, he visited the school to present her with his FL-17 MVP Award for March 2021. Rep. Steube’s comments from the award ceremony are as follows:
With Parmer’s passion and initiative, the future of Bartow Middle FFA looks bright, fresh and sizeable. In the next school year, Parmer and Sanchez have their sights on growing a 1/3acre plot of the crop field using landscape cloth, and they’re planning to grow all of their plants from seeds. Parmer anticipates they will start between 10,000 and 15,000 seeds. “I have so many people who are the wind beneath my wings, and the kids are awesome, and that’s why I still do what I do.”
“I am honored to recognize one of our district’s most outstanding teachers today, Michele, for her leadership and commitment to educating the youth in our community,” Steube said. “She has gone above and beyond her role as an educator through dedicating her time to the FFA program and getting our future generations involved in Florida’s thriving agriculture industry.” While the awards seem to continue for Parmer and the chapter, she is quick to make note of those who have and continue to teach her and collaborate with her. Her husband, Robert, who is an agriculture teacher at Jean O’Dell Learning Center in Bartow, was instrumental early on in helping her learn about FFA. They still work together in their individual FFA chapters, and Michele now has the opportunity to send members from her chapter to her husband’s school to assist his members. Michele and Robert share two daughters, Abigail, 17, and Anna, 14, both of whom are FFA members. She also works closely with Robert Wilder, an agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at Tomlin Middle School in Plant City, whose family is closely connected to Parmer’s. Wilder’s father, Bob Wilder, was Robert Parmer’s agriculture teacher, and Robert Parmer was Robert Wilder’s agriculture teacher. Wilder has helped Parmer expand the chapter’s crop production program by helping them build a second greenhouse and swapping ideas and techniques he has found to be successful in Tomlin’s own crop production. “I think that’s the cool thing about being an ag teacher,” Parmer said. “You really get in there with a group of people that are just so supportive of you. And when one person wins, we all win because we all know we helped each other.”
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By Grady Judd, Polk County Sheriff
POLK COUNTY IS BEAUTIFUL; LET’S KEEP IT THAT WAY Two great things about living in Polk County are that we have the many conveniences that come with cities the size of Lakeland and Winter Haven, while at the same time, we have so many parts of the county which are very rural and still reflect, “old Florida.” When you get down to it, the undeveloped areas are absolutely beautiful. Unfortunately, there are too many people who choose to litter. It’s physically bad for the environment, and looks horrible. It’s absolutely sad to go for a nice country drive and see cigarette butts, empty drink cups, and wrappers. Even worse is when you come up on discarded furniture or a large pile of construction materials. These eyesores really diminish the appearance of an otherwise great view or landscape. This has long been a problem in Polk County…one which our deputies are constantly working to prevent, but the task primarily gets investigated by our Agriculture and Environmental units. There are two main reasons for illegal dumping…money and laziness. Some people don’t want to pay anything to get rid of their garbage, even though most landfills charge little to no fees. Then there are the folks who don’t want to take the time to drive to a legal dump site; they figure it’s far easier to just drop it all on the side of your road.
dump it all the legal way. It’s not fair, and it’s very frustrating for those who are faced with that problem over and over again. For the property owners who have this happen often, I recommend getting a really good security camera or game camera hidden inconspicuously. Providing investigators with video or photos can be a huge help to catching the dumpers and holding them responsible. If you have garbage dumped on your property, contact law enforcement immediately. Perhaps some evidence can be recovered that would lead to the culprits. It’s also important to get the illegal dumps cleaned up quickly, otherwise it may encourage more dumping there. The charge for littering can either be a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the amount of garbage that is being dumped. The Poinciana area has seen more than their share of illegal dumpings over the years. Fortunately, Heartland Crime Stoppers has recently begun offering a $1,000 reward for tips that lead to the arrest of suspects who have committed felony dumping in the Poinciana area. If you have any information regarding littering in Poinciana or anywhere else in the county, please call the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200, or you can give anonymous tips by calling Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). We live in a beautiful county, so let’s all do what we can to keep it that way.
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For many property owners, the garbage becomes their problem. They end up spending time and money to transport then
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86Reed 6 . 245 . 3637was appointed to the Board In October 2020, Fischbach of Directors offarmcreditcfl.com Farm Credit of Central Florida. “I am honored to be appointed to this group of directors. I have respected and admired the organization and the board members my entire career and look forward to contributing.” The organization’s mission is to be the premier partner with farmers and rural communities throughout all Central Florida by providing reliable, consistent credit and financial services. Reed is a Licensed Real Estate Land Broker and the owner of Fischbach Land Company in Brandon, Florida. He is a multi‐generational native Floridian, who was born and raised in Brandon. He specializes in agricultural, commercial, and development land; as well as acreage homesites and transitional land. Reed has a proven reputation of integrity and work ethic that focuses on solutions to cater to the client’s specific land and agricultural needs.
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About Fischbach Land Company Fischbach Land Company started in 2008 with Reed’s desire to support
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property owners in their real estate land decisions. Over the years, he has come to know the landowners of farms, horse communities, agriculture, and commercial community. He has seen the area grow into today’s eclectic mix of properties, such as agriculture, farms, horse and equestrian, along with transitional and development that supports the tremendous growth now in the area. He has always been close to the land and knows the Central Florida region intimately. In private life and through his love for horses, Reed has always been close to the land and knows the Central Florida region intimately. Reed resides in Lithia with his family. For more information go to: Http://fishbachlandcompany.co
Real Brokerag Sinc WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
NEWS BRIEFS
Compiled by Jim Frankowiak
Farm Bureau Members Save on Car Seats and Boosters
Farm Bureau Member Benefits Florida Farm Bureau members can save with Dungarees and its massive inventory of premium men’s and women’s work wear brands, including one of the largest selections of Carhartt items. Members save 10% on orders under $200 and 15% on orders over $200. Shoppers must enter discount code FLFRB on the last page of checkout. Start shopping by visiting: www.Dungarees.com.
IHG Hotels & Resorts Offer Savings to Farm Bureau Members
Farm Bureau members can save on three types of child safety car and booster seats through the Child-Saver Program. More information and the required order form are available by visiting the Member Benefits section at floridafarmbureau. org. There is a co-pay required for the seat selected and there is a three seat limit.
GCREC FACULTY MEMBERS HONORED AT UF AG CEREMONY Two faculty members of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) were honored at the recent, 14th Annual Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations Research Awards ceremony. Farm Bureau members now save 15% at IHG Hotels & Resorts when stays include a Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Reservations must be made in advance through the “Book Now” link at the IHG website: IHG.com. Stays must include one night on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday. If any part of the stay includes one of these nights, the discount will be applied to the entire stay.
John Diaz, Assistant Professor of Ag Education and Communication at the Plant City Campus shared honors with human resources manager Rebecca Decker from the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center “for their enormous contributions to inclusion, diversity, equity and access within UF/IFAS.”
COVID-19 Resources on Florida Farm Bureau Website
Associate Professor Vance Whitaker at the GCREC in Balm was presented “The Plant Breeding Innovation Award for his “trailblazing efforts in strawberry breeding.”
Florida Farm Bureau has developed a COVID-19 resources website page that includes a variety of agricultural and state and federal links related to the pandemic. The site is continually updated and can be accessed at: floridafarmbureau.org/ covid-19-resources/.
The overall theme of the event revolved around the resilience and adaptability of UF/IFS personnel during the 2020 pandemic.
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Summertime! by John Dicks Summertime! Ain’t it grand?! Yes, I’m sure we’d all agree that it’s great; particularly with all that we have been through over the last 12 months since this time last year. I took a look at some pictures from last year. It seems that we spent a lot of time at the beach. Maybe you did, too. Family was there, which was, of course, wonderful. Yet other than the locals, and by that I mean us folks fortunate enough to live in central Florida, the beaches had some room to roam. Tourists were mostly staying home last year, because, of course, the pandemic was raging. That took a bite out of the economy, but let’s admit that it was more than a bit pleasant to stroll along the shore without having to worry about stepping on somebody lying in the sand. There was plenty of room to play catch with a football, or attempt to catch the evening’s supper while fishing, all spread out from similar anglers hoping for the same. We were constantly reminded to socially distance ourselves from people, yet found it relatively easy to do since so few others were even around. Maybe it’s one of the things we can look back upon and smile about; or perhaps it has made a big story that we’ll be able to share with the grandkids. Having plenty of personal space was one of those bright spots in life that we can use to compare against the sheer misery that COVID otherwise brought us. Granted, we’re not yet “out of the woods,” so to speak. You can feel it, though, as we have “turned the corner” and life is renewing. It should make this year’s 4th of July become even more appropriately named Independence Day because it will certainly be one to remember. Just for trivia sake, it is worth noting that summer is officially defined as the minute in time marking the exact halfway point of Earth’s revolution around the sun. Technically, it occurs when our planet arrives at that spot in space where the
North Pole is at its maximum tilt (some 23.5 degrees) toward the sun. This place in our orbit is referred to as the Summer Solstice, and for the record, The Old Farmer’s Almanac (still my very best source for all of life’s important information) lists that the summertime moment this year as officially being marked on the calendar at Sunday, June 20, at 11:32 pm, Eastern Daylight Time. Think about that for a second, because frankly it’s a bit strange. Summer this year sneaks in upon us in the middle of the night, right before midnight! It seems to me that it ought to instead come blazing in right at sunrise. We should see it, not celebrate it in the dark, though I suppose it could be a good excuse for fireworks (if ever an excuse is actually needed). When the sun does finally rear it’s head the next morning, it will already have begun its march back along the horizon towards the south, making the daylight hours shorter each day until December when we reach the winter solstice, and start the process all over again. We might expect all of this to happen with some precision, as in summer starting every year at precisely the same time. There is, though, a bit of wobble in our orbit, and, of course, our revolution around the sun is not precisely 365 days, which is why we have Leap Year and its extra day thrown in every four years. Fortunately, our friends at the The Old Farmer’s Almanac keep up with such things, including what the astrophysicists, or at least, the mathematicians, continue to calculate while keeping track of it all. Having said that, we know already, that we can mark our calendars for next year’s summertime to kick off a few hours later than this year. It’s scheduled for precisely Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at 05:14, am, EDT. In the meantime, let’s celebrate the joys of summer, thankfully with the sights of the pandemic starting to fade in our rear view mirror!
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John Dicks is both a Lawyer and Businessman, including an interest in farming. He and his family have owned a Blueberry Farm and have Agricultural lands which they lease for cattle operations, as John says, “to someone who knows and handles cattle much better than I do!”. John is both a Gator, having received his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida, and a Seminole, with his Law Degree from Florida State University. John serves as Of Counsel to Trinkle Redman, a law firm in Plant City where he also served nine years as City Commissioner, including three terms as Mayor.
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June State Officer Column
By Emma Poole and Christian Bentrovato Our entire team is working very hard to prepare for our upcoming state convention in Orlando. This is our most anticipated event of the year (especially since we didn’t get to hold it in person in 2020). As I have been preparing my retiring address, I have been going back through lots of old photos and reflecting on all the adventures I have been on over the last 8 years. It’s crazy to think of all the places I have gone to in this blue jacket and all the amazing people I have gotten to meet from across the U.S. and the globe. As we move deeper into state convention preparations, I know I will be looking back to many of these fond memories and remembering the good times I have had. I would like to wish all the teams competing at state convention the best of luck! I know this year has been extremely challenging and all our members from Miami to Pensacola have been working very hard to make it to the state contests! As one of our last duties as state officers, our entire team had the opportunity to help in the process of selecting the members that will begin serving our organization in the coming weeks. As Emma and I both know, it takes a lot of time, effort, and dedication to prepare yourself to screen for state office. I know that the individuals that were slated to be candidates are the best and brightest that our organization has to offer. Serving as a state officer entails many things and ultimately one of its most important tasks is carrying the torch forward. Our organization’s legacy spans 93 years and within those 93 years our industry has seen massive changes. As a state officer we are tasked with continuing this legacy and to build upon it. I wish them the best of luck and I know they will do an amazing job! Christian Bentrovato Area V State Vice President As our year begins to wrap up, I’ve seen more and more that there is beauty even in endings. This has never been more evident to me than during this past month. Our entire state officer team had the distinct privilege to travel all around the state to celebrate all of this year’s accomplishments with the
Among all of my banquet travels, I attended two inaugural banquets – Sugg Middle and Taylor County Middle. Both of these schools have relatively new agriculture programs that are in the beginning stages of growing and developing. In both instances, the advisors brought up a point to me that was refreshing and reminded me why state officers do what they do. As new members navigate the world of FFA, they hear about officer teams and state officers, but a lot of them never get to interact with people in higher positions. I never thought of it this way, but for some new members, even just meeting a state officer can be an impactful experience that only compounds their newfound passion for FFA. Of course, as state officers, we know that we’re just another person. But for a new FFA member, state officers can represent something much more – a promise of good things and success to come. This doesn’t just apply to our team; it applies to anyone. No matter your position, there are people watching you and looking up to you. It’s up to you to choose to be that reminder of what’s to come. Another end-of-the-year experience that every team has is State Officer Screening. This year, screening was held on May 23. I am proud of Carter Howell from the Durant Sr. FFA Chapter and Julia Heijkoop from the South Sumter FFA Chapter on being selected as State Presidential Candidates. As our year of service comes to an end, I am proud of the hands that Florida FFA is being left in, and I cannot wait for them to experience what will no doubt be one of the most impactful years of their lives. Emma Lauren Poole Florida FFA State Secretary INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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chapters who have remained determined and resilient in spite of the unforeseen circumstances of this year! I personally had the pleasure of attending many banquets, including Suwannee, Tenoroc, Sugg Middle, Durant, and more. Each banquet and event brought with it a distinct lesson that reinforced my passion for the blue jacket.
E n d a n g e r e d S p e c i es
RED CHESTS: RUFA RED KNOTS
By Ginny Mink
While sitting here in Hebron, Kentucky watching these amazing little red chested and headed birds flying up to the bird feeder hanging on the back porch, I’m thinking about what species to highlight this month. And then, the red chests of the Rufa Red Knot show up on the screen and it became an easy choice. While we introduced these birds to you four years ago, it seems a good time to remind you of their existence again now. Oh, and the little red birds we were enjoying here…house finches (you don’t see that color in Florida though). In December of 2014, the Rufa Red Knot was added to the Endangered Species register under the threatened category. This was due, mostly, to the loss of both nonbreeding and breeding habitats necessary to sustain the livelihood of these birds. At the time that the Rufa Red Knot was added, no proposal for critical habitat designations was made.¹ The Rufa Red Knot makes one of the longest migratory voyages on earth, from South America to the Artic, that’s over 9000 miles to fly (twice) every year. Of course, a flight like that requires some insane stamina and that makes these shorebirds stop in Florida and Atlantic City and other locales to feed. The trip these birds make is in sync with the time that horseshoe crabs spawn. Sadly, the horseshoe crab populations are also declining which is directly impacting these birds.²
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In an attempt to monitor the Rufa Red Knots, who are known to be the “longest-distance migrants in the animal kingdom,”³ one, banded in 1995, earned the name Moonbird. This is because, over the course of his life he had traveled the distance required to visit the moon and make it halfway back. Imagine how exhausting the journey is for these birds! This is why their food sources and habitat requirements are so very essential.³
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These birds, in general, have been called birds of perpetual summer because their migratory processes follow the summer season across the globe. Or, at least, that is how it seems. They will stop, briefly, in April at the Fort George Inlet, which is located just east of Jacksonville. At this time, they will hang around gorging themselves for anywhere between a week and ten days. They eat tiny clams here in Florida and enjoy the horseshoe crab in Atlantic City and other areas up the East Coast.⁴ If you are wondering what these birds look like, they are considered medium sized with a wingspan of 20 inches and bodies that are about 9 to 11 inches in length. During the breeding season, it is far easier to recognize them due to the distinct red coloring that can be seen on the face, breast, and upper belly. The shade of red varies, and the females are duller in coloring, though still red. The other feathers are a dark brown to black.¹ Delaware Bay, one of their other stopping locales, supposedly supports between 50 and 80 percent of their migrating population. So, Florida and South Carolina, among other states, are important contributors to the success of the Rufa Red Knots’ journey, too. Thankfully, the Defenders of Wildlife organization is seeking to help prevent the harvesting of the horseshoe crabs while protecting the coastal habitats these birds require.² It is important to note here, for the sake of understanding just how desperate the situation is for the Rufa Red Knot, that Moonbird was last seen in 2015 and was at least 22 years old. Yet, over the course of his lifetime he witnessed the loss of nearly 80 percent of the Rufa Red Knot population. It is probably time to up their status to endangered, and no doubt this is an area that organizations like Save our Seabirds will be focusing on in the near future.³ WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
on the beaches so that we don’t disturb them. We need, also, to support organizations that are fighting to limit the harvesting of the horseshoe crabs because their eggs are an essential element of the Rufa Red Knots’ diet. Remember, we are stewards here and He entrusted us with His beautiful creation for a reason. Let’s be who He designed and allow His creatures to live the life He intended as well.
The Fort George Inlet isn’t the only place in Florida that you can spot these birds. In fact, they have been known to winter in Florida in Jacksonville, but also in Pinellas and Manatee counties as well as the mouth of Tampa Bay. Yes, dear ones, they are here! And, now is probably the time for you to be able to see them.⁴ The Rufa Red Knots’ range spans over 40 states and 24 countries! These are truly remarkable and resilient birds, but they cannot bring their own populations back without our help. We need to be mindful of our habits
Photo Credits: Breese, Greg. (2010). USFWS Endangered Species. Red Knot (Calidris canutus rufa) at Mispillion Harbor, Delaware, candidate. Flickr. https://flic.kr/p/8FgABc & https://flic.kr/p/8FjM8L
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Resources: ¹US Fish and Wildlife Service. (2015). Status of the Species- Red Knot (Calidris canutus rufa). https://www.fws. gov/verobeach/StatusoftheSpecies/20151104_SOS_ RedKnot.pdf ²Defenders of Wildlife. Rufa Red Knot. https://defenders.org/wildlife/rufa-red-knot ³Hardy, Miri. (2021). Bird of the Week: Rufa Red Knot. Your Observer. https://www.yourobserver.com/article/ bird-of-the-week-rufa-red-knot ⁴Spear, Kevin. (2014). Threatened: Birds of perpetual summer that refuel in Florida. Orlando Sentinel. https:// www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-red-knot-declared-threatened-20141209-story.html
Naturally Amazing Activities
By Sean Green
Independence Day. The Farmers Way As we approach the upcoming Independence Day celebrations, lets pause to celebrate the agricultural history that nurtured our freedom. In Colonial America, local agriculture was the primary livelihood for early immigrants. Settlers had a home garden from which they feed their family and many settlers additionally worked small farms, of which the crops were shared and sold in the community. Agriculture is no less significant today than when we claimed our independence. This month let’s celebrate our independence with colors from the field that can be shared with your neighbors in the same spirit that united the various ethnicities that we proudly call the “land of the free.” The below ingredients are just a suggestion, my own expression. Please be creative with yours and share pictures of your Independence Day platter.
Supplies: Strawberries Blueberries Bananas Wooden skewers Platter
• Plan you flag (or any pattern) • Cut fruit up into thick slices (at least 3/8”) I learned this the hard way when the skewers tore thin sliced fruit. • Gently slide the individual fruit slices onto the skewer to create the flag.
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*Alternatively, slice and arrange the fruit and purchase tiny toothpick flags with which to pierce and eat individual pieces. I did not consider this alternative until I was more than halfway through this project.
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ANaturally Closer Look Amazing
by Sean Green
Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus)
If you have had a chance to fit some hiking into your schedule, I hope you saw wildlife along the way. Though we are always surrounded by wildlife, we rarely get a chance to take a closer look. I was blessed this month with the opportunity to spend time with a few Eastern Cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus) while on an early morning hike. We tend to see more wildlife on early hikes and on this trip we were greeted by three beautiful Eastern Cottontail rabbits. We stood still and to our surprise, their curiosity drew them within feet of us. We got some great shots, camera of course, and a chance to just sit with them while they munched on the ground cover. This experience is the “closer look” I wish for all of our readers and the inspiration from which our series was born more than 10 years ago. As a volunteer at Cracker Country at the Florida State Fairgrounds, we often taught our young patrons about two native species of rabbit that can be found in Florida. The Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) which can be recognized by its white fluffy tail and large ears and the Marsh Rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris). Although similar, the Marsh Rabbit has smaller ears, darker fur, and does not have the characteristic white “cotton” tail. Though our lesson was short and simple, our young students could readily identify each species on site and would occasionally point them out during school tours. We’re going to dig a little deeper into the rabbit hole to highlight some interesting details about these two species, both of which can be readily found in central Florida. The Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) is the most common rabbit species in North America. There are five recognized subspecies in the continental United States. Its natural range includes parts of southern Canada, most of Mexico, Central America, and the northernmost tip of South America. Its historic range has expanded to the north and west through the history of the United States as forest were cleared by early settlers during our westward expansion. The ideal habitat for the Easter Cottontail is characterized by open grasslands and fields that provide a variety of herbs, and grasses to feed on. While the food source is important, the rabbits also need shelter from predators. Thick patches of dense shrubbery provide a means for the rabbit to feed in an open field and dash to safety into nearby brush. This ideal habitat is created when forested land is cleared and replaced by farmland, fields, and pastures. We often see the Eastern Cottontail in urban environments because common landscape design includes both shrubbery and open grassy areas. Eastern Cottontail rabbits do not dig their own underground nest to protect their young, instead, they create a shallow nest of grass and fur above the ground and near bushes, trees, or fallen logs. While it may seem like a bad strategy to build a nest right out in the open, it works because many rabbit predators will not risk spending much time exposing themselves to their own predators in an open field. Occasionally, the Eastern Cottontail will use an underground burrow, however, when it does, it is usually borrowed from another species such as a woodchuck or gopher tortoise. The adult rabbit protects
The Marsh Rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris) is the second species we see in Florida in addition to the three recognized subspecies. Its range is much more limited than the Eastern Cottontail and is restricted to the coastal Southeast. The northernmost part of the range begins in the dismal swamp of Virginia; the range continues south along the east coast of the Carolinas, and Georgia, terminating with the entire state of Florida. The marsh rabbit is found only near bodies of persistent water such as swamps and rivers, as well as transition zones between fresh water and brackish water such as estuaries. These rabbits have evolved to be strong swimmers, one of the physical adaptations is they have less fur on their hind legs than the land-dwelling Eastern Cottontail. The reduction in fur is thought to help reduce drag, enabling the Marsh Rabbit to swim better. Marsh Rabbits make their homes on small islands in mangrove swamps or on high ground within tidal marshes. This adaptation provides effective protection from many predators that will not be very inclined to swim to an island to chance finding a rabbit meal. I am especially fascinated with its strategy for hiding. They submerge themselves like a gator in muddy water with only their nose and eyes sticking up above the water. To make sure their ears do not give them away, they fold them back against their neck, so they do not stick up out of the water like a flag to predators. Their greatest predator is the Great Horned Owl, but alligators, snakes, bobcats, and coyotes also hunt this tiny rabbit. The Marsh Rabbits short legs are an advantage when swimming, but a disadvantage on land and when chased by a predator, it will run, (not hop), in a zig zag pattern, a strategy that is rarely successful. The Marsh Rabbits best defense is to make it to the nearest body of and swim to thick aquatic vegetation, a strategy that is far more effective. Like their cottontail cousins, the Marsh Rabbit creates a nest of grass and fur near thick vegetation but out in the open more often than in a hole. Marsh Rabbits look remarkably similar to the Eastern Cottontail with a few distinctions. Marsh Rabbits have smaller bodies and ears than the Eastern Cottontail and of course, lack the characteristic white cotton tail. The Marsh Rabbits fur and tail are darker than that of the Eastern Cottontail tail and although is sometimes seen during the daytime, they are less likely to be active during the daytime than the Eastern Cottontail. Both species are adorable and fascinating in and of themselves. Florida has a lot of habitats overlap and you can often see both species in the same area. If you have not had the chance, I encourage you to get out on the hiking trails and take a closer look. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I have. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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the young bunnies within the nest by staying away until it is necessary to visit the nest to feed the babies. She will always be nearby watching, but avoids drawing attention to the nest with repeated visits. This is important to remember should you find a nest in your yard. The best way to protect any baby bunnies within the nest is to avoid drawing attention to them. A predator such as a hawk could be watching and will investigate what the attraction was as soon as you leave and make off with an easy meal.
UF/IFAS TROPICAL FRUIT TUESDAYS SOWS WHAT YOU NEED TO GROW, MAINTAIN TROPICAL FRUIT TREES By Lourdes Mederos
HIGHLIGHTS • Tropical Fruit Tuesdays offers homeowners and commercial growers the latest information on what fruit trees to select, grow and manage in the Sunshine State’s tropical regions. • The virtual workshop, launched as a call to action after the onset of COVID-19, is led by tropical fruit experts at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension Miami-Dade County. • Learn in less than an hour the key points, from planting to pruning, on a specific fruit or themed topic each month. For some, the pandemic brought with it an unexpected interest in all things gardening and growing, including cultivating herbs, vegetables and fruit trees.
UPCOMING WEBINARS SCHEDULED INCLUDE:
If you love fruit trees, wish to grow some on your property, and have 45 minutes to spare on a Tuesday at 2 p.m., then make a placeholder on your schedule for Tropical Fruit Tuesdays.
• August 17, 2- 2:45 p.m. : Aftercare. What to do to your tree after it has fruited or after it has been planted.
Jeff Wasielewski, a UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade County commercial tropical fruit agent, leads the virtual workshop series with a mission. His goal is to teach and empower homeowners and commercial growers the key points of selecting, planting, growing and maintaining fruit trees that are perfect for subtropical and tropical counties. Each episode focuses on a specific tree or a growing or maintenance technique. “The information is presented in an easy-to-understand manner, but covers beginning and advanced topics,” he said.
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Over the last 15 workshops, he has covered topics including how to grow a variety of trees including avocado, lychees, sapodillas, mamey, canistels, carambolas, mango and jackfruit. Other topics covered include planting tips and tricks, grafting, propagation by seed, cuttings and division, pruning, air-layering, and fertilizer basics. All previous workshops are available for viewing on the UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade YouTube site.
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• July 13, 2 – 2:45 p.m. : Growing Mangoes in South Florida
• September 14, 2 – 2:45 p.m. : Propagation by cuttings and division. The workshop, which typically draws between 50 and 100 participants, provides benefits to homeowners and commercial growers and is best for those who are in counties that enjoy sub-tropical and tropical climates of southeast and southwest Florida. “For homeowners, the information is presented in an easy to understand manner, addresses typical tropical fruit tree problems, and provides time for questions and answers,” he said. “For growers, new cultivars are discussed, along with instruction on cultural practices, propagation and pest control.” If you want to suggest a topic, get more information about Tropical Fruit Tuesdays, or looking to be added to the email list for upcoming topics and reminders, email Wasielewski at sflhort@ufl.edu.
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PREPARING YOUR LANDSCAPE FOR HURRICANE SEASON Anne Yasalonis UF/IFAS Extension Polk County
Live oak, Photo credit: A. Yasalonis, UF/IFAS Extension Hurricane season started June 1. You are probably aware of preparations you need to make inside the home, but what do you need to do in your landscape? Survey your property now and look for things that may be an issue such as: • Flooding • Erosion • Wind directions • Tree failure (and the potential impacts to your property)
1. PRUNE TREES PROPERLY
To prune or not to prune, that is the question. First and foremost, properly planted and maintained trees are the best defense against any potential hurricane damage. But, if it has been a while since you pruned your trees, make sure that you follow this checklist: • Remove any dead or broken branches • Stake leaning trees and leave newly planted trees staked • Remove limbs that overhang structures • Prune your trees with a healthy central leader in mind Be wary of services willing to “hurricane prune” your trees and palms! Always contact a Certified Arborist and make sure any pruning does NOT include topping, tipping, or lion-tailing. Palms must be pruned properly as well. ONLY remove dead leaves (completely brown) and never prune above the 3:00 and 9:00 hands on a clock. For more information on properly pruning palms go here. This blog post from UF/IFAS Extension Monroe County is really helpful in determining how and when to prune your trees before a hurricane.
2. CLEAN GUTTERS
Really, this is important before the start of the rainy season anyway. Make sure that your gutters are clean and clear so that when large rainfall events occur water can flow freely.
3. MAKE A PLAN FOR POTTED PLANTS
…and other objects around your yard. Where and how will you secure them if needed?
4. ANCHOR AND/OR BRACE OUTDOOR STRUCTURES AND CONSIDER HOW TO DEAL WITH POTENTIAL WIND DAMAGE TO SOLID FENCING. Can you remove any panels from your solid fence so that wind can move through?
5. TAKE PHOTOS AND DOCUMENT YOUR PROPERTY BEFORE THE STORM.
For more information on preparing your landscape for a hurricane, cleaning up your landscape after a hurricane, or selecting wind resistant trees for your landscape, contact us. There is a lot of very helpful information on the UF/IFAS woody landscape plants website. Just select “trees” and you will find information on everything from tree selection to design and pruning. For more information, contact UF/IFAS Extension Polk County at (863) 519-1041 or visit us online at http://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/ polk. The Plant Clinic is open Monday-Friday, 9:00 am-4:00 pm to answer your gardening and landscaping questions. Give us a call, or email us at polkmg@ifas.ufl.edu. The Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program is a volunteer-driven program that benefits UF/IFAS Extension and the citizens of Florida. The program extends the vision of the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, all the while protecting and sustaining natural resources and environmental systems, enhancing the development of human resources, and improving the quality of human life through the development of knowledge in agricultural, human and natural resources and making that knowledge accessible. An Equal Opportunity Institution. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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Cabbage palm. Photo credit: A. Yasalonis, UF/IFAS Extension
ADDING DAIRY FOR BONE HEALTH Courtesy of the Florida Department of Agriculture
Strive to get three servings of low-fat or fat-free, nutrient-rich dairy foods, like milk, yogurt and cheese, every day. According to Florida Dairy Farmers, dairy products contain nine essential nutrients, including calcium and potassium, which may help to better manage your weight, build strong bones and reduce your risk for high blood pressure, osteoporosis and certain cancers. Check out these 10 tips from MyPlate on how you can make wise choices in the dairy group:
3. Top off your meals. Use fat-free or low-fat milk on cereal and oatmeal. Top fruit salads and baked potatoes with low-fat yogurt instead of higher-fat toppings such as sour cream.
1. Skim the fat. Choose fat-free (skim) or low-fat (1%) milk. If you currently drink whole milk, gradually switch to lower-fat versions. Switching to these versions cuts calories but does not reduce the amount of calcium or other nutrients.
5. Swap the cream in your coffee. Get your calcium along with your morning caffeine boost. Make or order coffee, a latte or cappuccino with fat-free or low-fat milk.
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2. Boost potassium and vitamin D and cut sodium. Choose fat-free or low-fat milk or yogurt more often than cheese. Milk and yogurt have more potassium and less sodium than most cheeses. Almost all milk and many yogurts are fortified with vitamin D.
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4. Choose cheeses with less fat. Many cheeses are high in saturated fat. Look for “reduced-fat” or “low-fat” on the label. Try different brands or types of cheese to find the one that you like.
6. Substitute! When recipes such as dips call for sour cream, use fat-free or low-fat plain Greek yogurt instead. Use fat-free evaporated milk instead of cream and try reduced-fat ricotta cheese as a substitute for cream cheese.
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7. Limit sweetened dairy foods. Flavored milks, fruit yogurts, frozen yogurt and puddings can contain a lot of added sugars. These added sugars are empty calories, so it is best to choose sweetened dairy foods less often. 8. What about cream cheese? Regular cream cheese, cream and butter are not part of the dairy food group. They are high in saturated fat and have little to no calcium. 9. Keep it safe. Avoid raw milk or any products made from unpasteurized milk. Store milk and other dairy products in the refrigerator at a temperature below 40 degrees F. If food has been left at temperatures between 40 and 140 degrees F for more than two hours, discard it even though it may look and smell good. 10. For lactose intolerance. Try lactose-free milk, drink smaller amounts of milk at a time or try a milk alternative such as soy milk. Calcium can also be found in foods such as some canned fish, beans, leafy greens and soy products. The amount of calcium that can be absorbed from these foods varies.
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Polk County Cattle Women
W
ith half of 2021 gone, it’s nice to reflect on how far we’ve come in a few short months. I have thoroughly enjoyed the little bit of rain we’ve received in northern Polk County and pray these beneficial, and much needed rains, continue. As we slowly seem to be getting back to a somewhat “normal” way of life, I’m sure many of you are looking forward to this year’s Florida Cattlemen’s Association Annual Convention & Allied Trade Show to be held June 15-17. We would like to wish the best of luck to our Polk Jr. Cattlemen’s Association members as they compete in various events during this year’s Convention. Also, we would like to wish our Polk County Cattlemen’s Association Sweetheart, Blair Buchanon, all the best as she competes in the Florida Cattlemen’s Association Sweetheart contest. I’m positive she will represent our county well! While the summer is generally a slow time for us, we continue to welcome ladies to join us for our monthly meetings. Also, please be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to say up to date on all of our monthly meetings and upcoming events. Please contact me with any questions you may have at buckld96@ gmail.com.
Leslie Buchanon Polk County Cattlewomen President
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