In The Field magazine Polk edition

Cover More Ground with CKP

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THURSDAY

Check-in

7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.

Learning Expo

8:00 a.m. - 9:55 a.m.

Class Rotations & lunch

10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Location:

3401 Experiment Station Ona, FL

2024 CLASS TOPICS

Ultrasound Technology to Assess Carcass Quality

Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Pest Control

Invasive Reptiles in Florida

Fetal Development of the Beef Calf & Cow Nutrition: Is Supplementation Profitable?

From Sand to Clay: Evaluating Soil Textures

Students, ages 8 and up, parents, & youth leaders, are invited to attend! The goal of this event is to excite students about agriculture and science, reveal future opportunities in those fields, and foster a love of learning which will promote agriculture and good stewardship in this and future generations. Register by 6/6 to pre-order a t-shirt!

Questions? Call 863-735-1001 or ona@ifas.ufl.edu

For more information & to register visit:

https://rcrec-2024yfd.eventbrite.com

LEGENDS IN THE MAKING

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President – Dr. Lujean Waters 8750 Shreck Rd Bartow, FL 33830 (863) 537-1495 Lujean.waters@gmail.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 33846-0849 (863) 425-112 Justin.bunch@nutrien.com

State Director – Orrin Webb PO Box 202 Bartow, FL 33831 (863) 634-6029 owebb@wandwsupply.com

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

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

Kevin Fussell 5125 Fussell Rd Polk City, FL 33868 (863) 412-5876 drfussellranch@gmail.com

Wes Fussell 5010 Barush Rd Bartow, FL 33830 (863) 838-1594 g.wesfussell@gmail.com

Det. Jay Scarborough 1575 Mountt Pisgah Rd Fort Meade, FL 33841 (863) 860-7731 Jayscarborough5581@outlook. com

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

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

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

Alternate Standing Committee Chairs: Membership Events- Scott Shoupe

Trade Show- Bridget Stice

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

Website – Blair Buchanon

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

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

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

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

Warner University –

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

Cover Photos Courtesy of Images By Blair

Letter from the Editor

Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall. Many people have a favorite season. Here in Florida, we don’t have much change in seasons. Sure, it gets cooler in the winter. It pollens everywhere in the “Spring,” and I’m sure many of you have other ways of marking the season. But one season everyone should be prepared for here is Hurricane Season!

The University of Florida offers great tips for this lovely season. Before the Storm:

• Check that generators and chainsaws are working properly.

• Stock up on fuel for tractors, generators, and other equipment.

• Scout for potential debris and secure it before the storm.

• Secure buildings like greenhouses, shops, and barns.

• Create a plan. Determine if you will evacuate – if you do so, leave with enough time to get to safety before the storm. Make sure all animals have current immunizations and Coggins tests to take with you if you evacuate them.

• Locate and protect important paperwork.

• Create a list of emergency contacts including your veterinarian, Farm Service Agency, your employees and their emergency contacts, and utility company.

• Become aware of the FSA Disaster Assistance Programs In addition, protect your livestock.

• Be sure to check fences and stock up on basic fence repair materials.

• The safest place for livestock is in open pastures with secure fences. It should have high areas to get out of flooding and be away from potential debris and possible downed powerlines.

• Poultry facilities should have adequate ventilation. Provide animals with food and clean water.

• Add identification to livestock in case of downed fences. A registered brand is your best bet, but luggage tags braided into tails or manes, ear tags with contact information, or even a paint stick/non-toxic spray paint can be used to mark the animals with your contact information.

• Have an emergency supply box accessible with halters, leads, tape, rope, tarps, fly spray, and animal medical supplies.

• Stock up on extra feed and water. This includes livestock feed as well as your farm dog/cat food. Wandering animals may be deprived of food and water for extended periods. Water is essential.

After the storm:

• Document any losses or damages. Save receipts for repairs and clean-up services. These will be needed for insurance claims and federal disaster programs.

• Be cautious of downed powerlines. Do not exit your vehicle if you are near a downed powerline. Contact your utility company or emergency personnel.

• Report damage and losses to your Farm Service Agency. If you don’t have damage, check with your neighbors. Just because you fared well doesn’t mean they did!

Until next month

STAFF

Publisher/Photography

Karen Berry

Senior Managing Editor/

Associate Publisher

Sarah Holt

Sales

Karen Berry

Sarah Holt

De De Floyd

Melissa Nichols

Creative Director/Illustrator

Juan Alvarez

Photography

Karen Berry

Melissa Nichols

Images By Blair

Staff Writers

Al Berry

Sandy Kaster

James Frankowiak

Sean Green

Intern

Autum Miller

Contributing

Writers

Wade Osborne

John Dicks

Social Media

Victoria Saunders

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

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

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

Published by Berry Publications, Inc.

Sarah Holt

Pray for Rain!

Many of our cattlemen and women are struggling with this heat and our pastures are in desperate need of rain! This is a great time to take note of your yearly and seasonal rainfall levels and be prepared for upcoming years by proactively looking into drought insurance programs. Our local FSA office (who is amazing by the way) as well as many private entities do a fantastic job at tracking rainfall and offering programs that fit our needs and our budget.

On a positive note, calf prices remain high and are trending upwards and cull cow prices remain steady. We have had a phenomenal year despite the drought and hope it continues through the fall as predictions are mixed.

As we continue to ship calves and deal with dry pastures, we hope to see everyone at the Florida Cattlemen’s State Convention this month in Marco Island. This is a wonderful time to fellowship with other cattlemen, meet industry leaders and representatives, and simply enjoy some family time!

Looking forward to seeing ya’ll at the Belly Flop Contest!

Dr. LuJean Waters

Dr.

Heartland Large Animal Services

LuJean Waters

FROM THE SCIENTIFIC FIELD

By Rob Gilbert ragilber@ufl.edu @IFAS_VP

Caring for and showing animals and other traditional agriculture activities remain a staple of the 4-H experience. At the same time, 4-H is growing and developing – like 4-Hers themselves – to help youth hone tech skills.

Hillsborough County is home to the hub of Florida 4-H technology. The 4-H Maker Lab, run by UF/IFAS Extension state specialist Brent Broaddus, is a room full of 3-D printers and other technology that visiting youth groups can use, and they leave with things they’ve made.

It’s also the only place I know of where a Florida 4-Her can land a plane. The flight simulator isn’t cutting edge—it’s about a decade old now—but it does offer the experience of maneuvering multiple controls while monitoring altitude, speed, direction, and angle.

Broaddus put me in the pilot’s seat. Takeoff went smoothly. Landing was more of a challenge. I needed to work the controls much more under Broaddus’s tutelage and had to make a few passes to find the proper approach for landing. I touched down on grass and crossed runways as I drifted to a stop. But I was on the ground safely.

The experience deepened my appreciation for 4-H in several ways. First, it was simply fun. Second, it gave me an opportunity to try a new skill. Third, it put me in a new environment and had me focused on learning in a safe space. 4-H’s learning-by-doing philosophy perfectly aligns with my priority to introduce more experiential learning at the university level.

I also reflected on how we need both agricultural programming and technology-based programming to develop future leaders for Florida. In the best-case scenarios, we can combine agriculture and technology. For example, Clay County 4-Hers developed an experiment on growing spirulina in microgravity that won a competition to have a youth project flown to the International Space Station.

You don’t need to visit Broaddus’s lab or be awarded space on a rocket to benefit from 4-H. Hillsborough and Polk counties have numerous clubs with a broad range of interests. To find 4-H opportunities in your area, visit Clubs - Hillsborough County - University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences - UF/IFAS (ufl.edu) (https://sfyl.ifas.ufl. edu/hillsborough/4-h-youth-development/clubs/) or How to Join 4-H - Polk County - University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences - UF/IFAS (ufl.edu) (https:// sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/polk/4-h-youth-development/4-h-youth/ how-to-join-4-h/).

Please encourage your daughters, sons, nieces, nephews, and neighbors to participate. Consider volunteering with a club. Order a 4-H specialty license plate for your vehicle. Join the many farmers across the state who loan their animals to youth to show in county fairs.

And help me carry the message that the 4-H summer camp experience is an invaluable part of childhood. One of my highest priorities since becoming the leader of UF/IFAS has been to renovate and rebuild our residential 4-H camps.

It is a steep challenge to raise the millions of dollars this will take, from the Legislature, private donors, and any other sources interested in investing in Florida youth. But we owe it to our youth to give them facilities where they can learn new skills and make memories for a lifetime.

It’s all about increasing opportunities to develop our youth, whether singing camp songs, showing animals, or bringing a plane safely in for a landing.

Rob Gilbert is the University of Florida’s interim senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources and leader of the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).

Pictured: Interim Senior Vice President Rob Gilbert with Brent Broaddus.

THOUGHTS FROM THE HEIFER PEN

Children and young people who were raised in agriculture are often labeled as old souls. From the way they act and the expressions they use to the way they dress and the trucks they drive (or desire to). This is often meant in an endearing and almost spiritual way because of the maturity and insight exhibited early in life by people raised in agriculture.

Being raised in agriculture will make you older than your years. You learn from a young age that the animals depend on you for survival, and you must put their needs before your own. You learn the beauty and joy of watching something be born into the world and take its first wobbly steps. But you also learn the wretched helplessness of doing everything in your power to help an animal and you still have to watch it die. You learn the worry of a drought and the dread of too much rain. You learn to rejoice when things are growing strong and all the animals are healthy, but even when all is well there is a little shadow in the back of your mind reminding you that it will probably not last long. Being raised in agriculture is like a father taking his son out to the field, grabbing his hand, and bringing it down to feel the pulse of the earth, once you feel it, you can’t stop.

But that’s not the real reason we are old souls.

The real reason is because we were raised around a bunch of old geezers.

Every ranch or farm kid has stories of the old men at the feed store, the old men at the at cattle markets, and the old men that worked with our dads. Those old men taught us how to do cool tricks, taught us the easy way or a faster way to do something, and they always had good stories to tell about the old days (that were always true of course).

Being around old men, a lot of the time tends to affect the way you act and talk. When you are the kid on cow crew, oftentimes when there is a wild bunch to gather or a stray to chase after, you get left with the old man to make the easy round.

By Marisol Tarango

Who is being left in the care of who is often kind of blurry, but you get to know his opinion of how things should be done and possibly the genealogical history of every cow in the herd for the last 50 years. If the old man can state his opinions freely, why can’t you? This may lead to some laughs in the cowpens later, though you aren’t really sure why because you truly gave serious thought to what you said. But in between the somewhat long-winded opinions and the histories of how that one bull’s mother was a good milker, you will get some offhanded instructions like when to ride up on the herd or to watch how that cow is about to run off.

Not only do you tend to pick up on an old man’s ways of sharing his honest opinion, but you also tend to pick up the words he uses. My siblings and I always got some laughs for our oldfashioned expressions, but sometimes there’s no other way to put it. How else are you going to say, “even a blind hog finds an acorn every once in a while?” Sometimes as a little girl, I was instructed never to repeat some of the expressions I heard even if they were accurate.

You also tend to acquire the same taste in things as old men. They have some really good snack options, like Vienna sausages and moon pies. And they almost always have some sort of candy in their truck that you’re not really sure how long it’s lived in there, but it never goes bad. But it’s not only their food, it just feels like their trucks and clothing they had when they were your age were cooler than it is now. Even their old songs tend to sneak onto your playlists.

The old men that we grew up around may be old geezers. They may be a little rough around the edges and get onto you a lot. They might talk more than you want to hear them, and you may have to ask a million questions before they give you the answer to the question you asked in the first place, but for all that talking they are keeping one secret. Deep, deep down, they really do have a heart and are actually pretty fond of you.

Fishing Bridges and Bushes

Capt. Wade Osborne

If you’re hot, the fish are hot!

Fishing during the summer can be brutal, but there are ways to combat the heat. Obviously, the water temperature is cooler in the mornings, so getting an early start is always a plus. I’m catching bait just as it’s getting light out so I can start fishing by 7:00 a.m. Some people like to fish at night when it’s cooler. Not me, I prefer to sleep at night!

Bridges:

Fish gravitate towards bridges for a multitude of reasons, but primarily for food. The shadow lines of all the bridges throughout Tampa Bay are loaded with baitfish. So, naturally, fish are going to hang around the bridges to feed, but also to stay cool. During major tide cycles the current flows fast under bridges and this tends to cool the water.

tarpon, and black drum if you’re using crab for bait. If you’re fishing the bridge adjacent to where it meets the shoreline, you can also expect to catch snook.

One tip for landing big fish on light tackle while fishing around bridges is to hook an anchor ball to your anchor line. Cobia and tarpon can be landed on relatively light tackle if you have the ability to quickly disconnect the anchor to go pursue the fish. Once you work the fish away from the bridge into the open bay, it’s just a matter of time before it is along the gunwale.

Another plus to fishing around bridges is that they provide shade. People with towers, or T-tops on their boats have somewhat limited access, but boats without them have free rein. They’re also a good place to dodge a passing shower, and still catch fish while doing so.

Bushes:

When fishing at the bay bridges, let the tidal flow do the work for you. If I’m fishing the center span or adjacent to the shoreline, I will spot lock my vessel and cast up current and let my bait drift through with the tide. If I’m anchored somewhere up current of the bridge, I will cast my bait parallel to the bridge and let it sit in the current until I get a bite. When using these methods, it’s important to nose hook your baits, so they make a natural presentation.

The one thing that I always do that most don’t is chum. Whether it is with live bait or fresh-cut bait, I am always chumming. If you don’t have a cutting board on your boat, get one. It will make a huge difference in the number of fish that you catch. Some species of fish you can expect to catch under the bridges are mangrove snapper, spotted seatrout, Spanish mackerel, jack crevalle, ladyfish, cobia,

If you’re strictly a snook and redfish angler and only like fishing the mangroves, you’ve got to start early. Besides that, you also need to be an accurate caster. Snook and redfish are under the mangroves, so you have to get your bait within a foot of the overhanging branches to even have a shot at catching one.

I like putting the bait under a cork and keeping the bail open after the cast while letting a little line off the spool at a time, so it tracks adjacent to the mangrove shoreline as the tide carries it by. As soon as a fish takes the cork under, I close the bail and reel up the slack for a solid hook set. It also helps to do some live bait chumming to get the action started. If after 10-15 minutes you’re not seeing fish chasing or eating the chum bait, it’s time to move on.

26-Year Veteran Fishing Guide, Captain Wade Osborne.

When choosing another spot, make sure there’s a good tidal flow at that location. If the tide isn’t moving, the fish most likely won’t be biting. Mangrove points and mangroves adjacent to passes usually have the fastest moving water and provide the most action.

Lately, I’ve found that by the time 11:00 a.m. rolls around the fishing around the mangroves slows way down. Now you have to ask yourself, do I call it a day, or do I head to one of the bridges and continue to fish?

In the summer when thunderstorms pop up about every afternoon, it’s important to start fishing early regardless of the tide and keep an eye on the sky.

Afishionado, “Always an Adventure.”

Tampa Bay fishing guide Wade Osborne of “Afishionado Guide Services” has been plying the waters of Tampa Bay as a professional full-time captain, since 1997. Osborne has been featured on numerous TV and radio shows and writes for multiple publications. Osborne offers inshore fishing charters on light tackle spin, fly or plug. He also offers eco-tours with an emphasis on photography. For more info visit Afishionado.com or find Afishionado Guide Services on Facebook and Instagram. Email: wade@afishionado.com Call/Text 813-286-3474

BARBOUR’S MAP TURTLE

By Libby Hopkins

Barbour’s Map Turtles, or Graptemys Barbouri, as they are known by their scientific name, are found in the southeastern United States, specifically in the Apalachicola and the Chipola Rivers and their tributaries in Alabama, Georgia and the Florida panhandle.

The Barbour’s Map Turtle is the largest species of map turtle. They have dark brown or black skin with light yellow to green markings. The head is broad, with patterns specific to the species. The top of the head has a large interorbital blotch connected by a branch to the postorbital blotches and to a point just under the eye.

A y-shaped pattern is found behind the orbits. There is also a light bar on the chin that follows the curve of the jaw. The top part of the neck has relatively wide stripes that are mostly of equal size. The hind limbs and tail are striped as well.

The carapace, or dorsal part of the shell, is not smooth and rounded but highly domed. It has a prominent vertebral keel, with laterally compressed dark spines on each vertebral scute. The second and third spines are most pronounced and wear down as the turtle ages. A lower longitudinal keel is seen on the scutes beside the vertebral keel. These scutes also have C-shaped yellow markings.

The overall color of the carapace is green to olive green. The plastron, or ventral part of the shell, is yellow and without markings other than a black border on the edge of each scute. A distinguishing feature of the plastron is the ridge on the abdominal and pectoral plates where they connect to the bridge.

Sexual dimorphism is present in Barbour’s Map Turtles. Females are much larger than males. Females have a carapace that is 15 to 33 cm long at sexual maturity, whereas mature males have a nine to 14 cm carapace. Therefore, females can be up to three times the size of males. Females also have much wider heads than males, along with a lower jaw that extends past the upper jaw.

The nesting season for Barbour’s Map Turtles is from June to August. The only reports of mating have been during the winter months from captive turtles. Nests are laid on sandbars or riverbanks as far as 656 feet away from the water. They typically contain four to 11 eggs that hatch in late August and September. The temperature during incubation determines the sex ratio of hatchlings as with many turtle species; warmer temperatures result in a higher number of

females. Males become sexually mature at four years, while females reach maturity at 15-20 years.

Basking is a common occurrence in this species of map turtle and usually takes place on rocks, tree branches, or tree stumps at a safe distance from shore. They have been recorded to bask at temperatures as low as 10 degrees Celsius, but in general, there is not much activity in colder months. Wary Barbour’s Map Turtles will dive into the water at the slightest disturbance. Due to their powerful jaws, females maintain a diet of primarily aquatic snails and freshwater mussels. Females have also been known to scrape freshwater sponges off hard substratum. Males and juveniles tend to ingest softer-bodied invertebrates such as caddisflies and dragonfly nymphs. Raccoons and other mammals cause the most harm to eggs and hatchlings, but introduced fire ants have also become a major problem. Fire ants are likely to pose a problem for many egg-laying reptiles, but we have few data quantifying those impacts.

The Barbour’s Map Turtle is listed as a vulnerable species by the IUCN. A number of conservation issues have contributed to their decline. First, free-flowing rivers that comprise the natural habitat of these turtles are slowly but surely being replaced by deep reservoirs with silt bottoms. Siltation destroys native mussel populations. Non-native Asian clams have invaded some streams within the Barbour’s Map Turtle’s range, providing a replacement food source. Various cases of unexplained shell rot is likely due to river pollution, and collection for the pet trade has also impacted populations of map turtles. Invasive plants have taken their toll on suitable nesting locations by colonizing sandbars, especially those that no longer flood.

UF SCIENTISTS FINDING NEW WAYS TO KEEP BROCCOLI AND PERHAPS OTHER VEGETABLES -- FRESHER, LONGER

By Brad Buck

When consumers go to the grocery store, they want their produce, including broccoli, to look, feel and taste fresh. This desire compels University of Florida scientist Tie Liu to study ways to keep vegetables fresh.

In newly published research, Liu and his colleagues studied the physiological and molecular mechanisms of two treatments: 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and controlled atmosphere (CA) storage. They found that these treatments delay the aging process in broccoli in different ways.

“Studying the molecular mechanisms of these treatments offers valuable insights into how we can improve vegetable preservation techniques, enhance food safety, and promote sustainability in the food industry,” said Liu, a UF/IFAS assistant professor of horticultural sciences and corresponding author of the study. “Those technologies are like superpowers for keeping vegetables and fruits fresh.”

Controlled atmosphere and 1-MCP both slow broccoli deterioration beyond what can be accomplished by low temperatures. While CA slows broccoli metabolism, 1-MCP makes it insensitive to ethylene, the plant hormone that controls stress responses and ripening.

“By controlling things like temperature, humidity and the levels of gases like oxygen, carbon dioxide, and ethylene, we can slow down the natural processes that cause food to spoil,” Liu said. “It’s like giving the vegetables a safe home, where they can stay fresh.”

The new UF/IFAS research will help scientists around the world preserve broccoli and other vegetables. It will also help plant breeders find the right genetics for fresher produce.

“The better we understand the genes that are turned on and off within the context of postharvest quality deterioration and loss of shelf life, the better we can target genes to either be turned on or off by gene-editing techniques,” Liu said. “Knowing this, vegetables such as broccoli will stand a better chance of being purchased and eaten rather than wasted.” As soon as broccoli comes off the plant, the clock starts ticking on its freshness.

Typically, broccoli is harvested when floral bunches reach full size but with the florets (immature flowers) still tightly closed, said Jeff Brecht, a UF/IFAS professor of horticultural sciences and co-author of the study. In previous research, Liu and Brecht showed harvesting prematurely triggers the onset of aging and deterioration.

“So, since the broccoli quickly switches from growing to deteriorating when it’s harvested, it’s very quickly taken from the field to a cooling facility and cooled to as close to 32 degrees as possible,” Liu said. “The low temperature slows the decline of the broccoli tissue.”

Everyone involved in getting the broccoli to the store tries to keep it chilled, a process produce handlers call the “cold chain.”

Usually, chilled broccoli lasts about 30 days, but if the cold chain is broken, the broccoli can yellow in just a few days. “The reality is that once the cold chain is broken, even if the broccoli is returned to a low temperature, there’s no way to cool the product again,” Liu said.

Fresh Produce Harvest and Handling Practices Related to Maintaining the Cold Chain

CAMPFIRES BANNED ON DISTRICT CONSERVATION LANDS DUE TO DRY CONDITIONS

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is prohibiting campfires and other sources of open flames on District conservation lands in conjunction with numerous county burn bans and dry conditions.

The lack of rainfall this spring has made grasses and other light vegetation extremely dry and volatile, increasing the potential for wildfires. Burning is thereby prohibited on these District properties with camping until sufficient rains occur and county burn bans are lifted:

Cypress Creek Preserve

Deep Creek Preserve

Flying Eagle Preserve

Green Swamp East – Hampton Tract

Green Swamp East Tract

Green Swamp West Tract

Lake Panasoffkee

Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve

Potts Preserve

Serenova Tract

Upper Hillsborough Preserve

In addition, the district is asking campers and other outdoor enthusiasts to take the following precautions when on District lands:

Be careful with gas lanterns, gas stoves, and anything that can be a source of ignition for a wildfire.

All vehicles must stay on designated roadways or trails. Avoid driving vehicles on roads with tall, dead grass.

Vehicle catalytic converters get very hot and can quickly ignite dry brush or other vegetation like pine needles or dead leaves. Avoid parking vehicles in areas of dead grass, brush, or other vegetation. Park in areas with little or no vegetation or over low “green” vegetation.

Dispose of smoking materials properly; do not toss them on the ground.

Carry a shovel and fire extinguisher in your vehicle.

The District also asks that if people see a fire while on a District land, please call 911. For updates on District land restrictions, visit WaterMatters.org/Recreation.

The District owns and manages approximately 460,000 acres of environmentally sensitive lands for water resource and natural systems protection.

MICHELLE WILLIAMSON NAMED SWFWMD CHAIR; ASHLEY BELL BARNETT ELECTED TREASURER

By Jim Frankowiak

erning Board in August 2016 and reappointed in December 2020.

John Mitten was elected vice chair of the Governing Board. Mitten represents Hernando and Marion counties and is the franchise owner of Chick-fil-A in Spring Hill. Mitten was ap pointed to the Governing Board in October 2020.

UPCOMING FOOD SAFETY EVENTS

Food

Safety Event Calendar

Summer/Fall 2024

Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training A one-day course for produce growers and packers

Jack Bispham was elected secretary of the Governing Board. Bispham represents Manatee County and is the owner and operator of Red Bluff Plantation. Bispham was appointed to the Governing Board in November 2019 and was reappointed in May 2021.

Ashley Bell Barnett was elected treasurer of the Governing Board. Bell Barnett represents Polk County and is a former educator and community advocate. Bell Barnett was appointed to the Governing Board in December 2020 and was reappointed in August 2023.

The officers will assume their positions for the 2024-2025 term 24 hours before the June Governing Board meeting.

Governing Board members are unpaid, citizen volunteers who are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Florida Senate. The Governing Board sets policy for the District, whose mission is to protect water resources, minimize flood risks, and ensure the public’s water needs are met.

• December 12th – Wauchula https://psa121224.eventbrite.com

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension, are offering a range of Food Safety events, both live and online, in the coming months.

A one-day course for growers and packers who fall under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is available at various Florida locations, including Homestead, Jacksonville, Lake Alfred, and Wauchula in the months ahead.

Those unable to attend any of the above, eight-hour, in person training sessions may register for online courses taking place August 20-22, October 15-17 and November 19-21.

A one-day Cleaning and Sanitation Workshop is scheduled December 4 at Lake Alfred and will cover best practices of cleaning and sanitization and development of proper Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Food Safety Supervisor Training is a one-day course delivered with the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) that will focus on food safety supervisor duties, regulatory audit requirements, the “why” behind these requirements, and learning for adults. The course will take place October 30 at Fort Pierce.

More information about these course and registration is available at: https://ccmedia.fdacs.gov/content/download/99658/file/2024-Summer-Fall-Food-Safety-Flyer.pdf.

• Sheep have very good memories. They can remember at least 50 individual sheep and humans for years. They do this by using a similar neural process and part of the brain that humans use to remember.

• Sheep are known to self-medicate when they have some illnesses. They will eat specific plants when ill that can cure them.

• Sheep have a field of vision of around 300 degrees, allowing them to see behind themselves without having to turn their head.

• Their milk is used to produce gourmet cheeses.

• Wild sheep tend to be larger than domesticated species, the largest (Argali) being 1.2m tall. They also have longer horns which they use to defend themselves from predators.

• Cattle and sheep have what is known as a ‘ruminant’ stomach, consisting of four different chambers, each with a specified function.

• Like various other species including humans, sheep make different vocalizations to communicate different emotions. They also display and recognize emotion by facial expres-

I have written several times in this column about how confusing the English language can be. The following thesis describes it perfectly.

We will begin with a box. The plural is boxes; but the plural of ox became oxen not oxes. One fowl is a goose, but two are called geese, yet the plural of moose should never be meese.

If the plural of man is always called men, why shouldn’t the plural of pan be called pen? If I spoke of my foot and show you my feet, and I give you a boot, would a pair be called beet? If one is a tooth and whole set are teeth, why shouldn’t the plural of booth be called beeth? We speak of a brother and also of brethren, but though we say mother, we never say methren.

To continue, I point out that a bandage was wound around the wound, and the farm was used to produce produce. The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse. In my home we had Polish furniture, and my mother asked me to polish the Polish furniture. Huh? While dove hunting I

one and the dove

into the

And a buck does funny things when the does are present. Confusing, eh?

In closing the thesis the student surmised that we have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which our house can burn up as it burns down and an alarm goes off by going on.

We take English for granted. But if we explore its paradoxes, we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.

I heard a story of a parish priest being honored on the 25th anniversary of his arrival to the church he was serving. A leading local politician, who was a member of the congregation, was chosen to make the presentation and give a little speech at the dinner, but was delayed in traffic, so the priest decided to say his own few words while they waited. “You will understand,” he said, “the seal of the confessional can never be broken. However, I got my first impressions of the parish from the first con-

shot

dove

bushes.

Editor’s Note: This Rocking Chair Chatter was originally printed in the June 2018 issue

fession I heard here. I can only hint vaguely about this, but when I came here 25 years ago I thought I had been assigned to a terrible place. The very first man who entered my confessional told me how he had stolen a television set and when stopped by the police, had almost murdered the officer. Further, he told me he had stolen money from his parents, embezzled money from his place of business, fooled around on his wife and took illegal drugs.”

“I must say,” He said, “I was appalled. But as the days went on I knew that my people were not all like that, and I had, indeed come to a fine parish full of understanding and loving people.”

Just as the priest finished his talk, the politician arrived full of apologies for being late. He immediately began to make the presentation and give his talk. “I’ll never forget the first day our parish priest arrived,” said the politician. “In fact, I had the honor of being the first one to him in confession.”

Moral: DON’T EVER BE LATE

When George Bush was president he went to Heathrow Airport in England. A red carpet was rolled out to Air Force One and the President strode to a warm but dignified handshake from the Queen. They rode in a 1934 Bentley to the edge of central London where they climbed in to an open 17th century coach hitched to six magnificent white horses. As they rode toward Buckingham Palace, each waving to the thousands of cheering people lining the streets, all was going well. This was indeed a glorious display of pageantry and dignity. Suddenly the scene was shattered when the right rear horse let rip the most horrendous, earth-shattering, eye-smarting blast of flatulence and the coach immediately filled with noxious fumes.

Uncomfortable, yet maintaining control, the two dignitaries did their best to ignore the whole incident, but then the Queen decided that was a ridiculous manner with which to handle a most embarrassing situation.

She turned to President Bush and explained, “Mr. President, please accept my regrets. I am sure you understand that there are some things even a Queen cannot control.” The President, ever the gentleman, replied, “Your Majesty, please don’t give the matter another thought. You know, if you hadn’t said something I would have assumed it was one of the horses.”

Celebrating Father’s Day

By Maggie Fussell

Happy June! This year is flying by bringing heat, hurricane season, and dry weather. Even though Florida has crazy weather, June is still a wonderful month. One great thing about June is Father’s Day.

Father’s Day became a national holiday in 1972. Mother’s Day became a national holiday long before Father’s Day did. Why is that? Men did not want a national holiday. Men in the 1900s did not want a day to be celebrated with flowers, candy, and cards. They did not have the same sentimental value that mothers have. Also, fathers did not want to receive a gift from their children that they would eventually pay for. Now that sounds like my dad.

Every year my brother or I ask my dad what he wants for Father’s Day. He responds with “nothing.” That should make things easier for my brother and me because our dad does not want anything. Instead, it makes things harder because we know that we have to get something, but we have no idea what to get. When we were little, it was easy. Whatever craft we made at church or school that week was our gift to Dad. He still has our finger paintings and poorly folded cards. As we got older it became harder. The expectations are set a little higher, especially if we have a regular paycheck. We know Dad doesn’t want our finger painting anymore, but what does he want? We got mugs which ended

up on the shelf. We bought ties that have not left the closet. Then we got a little more creative. We bought tools that could be used at work. However, I quickly realized I did not know what I was doing and often got the wrong thing.

Through my years of buying Father’s Day gifts, I have learned that physical gifts are temporary. They only hold value so long. They are admired for a short time. They become dust collectors on a shelf. So, what are the best gifts to give? Help, obedience, love, and prayer. One of the Ten Commandments is to honor your father and your mother. I have learned that the best way to honor my dad is to love him, to help him, to obey him and to pray for him.

These gifts last much longer than the cards, candy, and dust collectors. These gifts are valued and appreciated. When I help him and follow his directions, I know he is grateful. Helping my dad through prayer, work, and obedience is more satisfying because these are ways to honor my dad every day.

This Father’s Day for all of those dads that are hard to buy for, try cooking a good meal and helping them more. It will be a good gift and a lasting one. Happy Father’s Day!

Only one (1) entry per person, open to all ages. All entries must include "UF/IFAS Range Cattle REC Youth Field Day", "Ona, Florida" and the year "2025" in the design. Designs must be in black ink or pencil.

Approximate dimensions: 12" wide x 14" high. Submit a high-resolution scan or photo of your design as a jpg file with your t-shirt design release form to ona@ifas.ufl.edu by June 25.

This year’s Youth Field Day attendees will get to view all the entries and vote for their favorite during the morning check-in time and the winner will be announced at the end of the day. The Field Day Committee will choose the best t-shirt and imprint color for the winning design. Imprint will be in one color, either black, white, orange, or blue dependent upon the t-shirt color. Prizes: 1st place- Design will be featured on the 2025 Youth Field Day shirt and booklet, receive a free t-shirt in 2025, and a UF Block & Bridle Club cap. 2nd and 3rd place winners will also receive prizes.

The University of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Institution Click here to register for the June 27th Youth Field Day: https://rcrec-2024-yfd.eventbrite.com Enter the t-shirt design contest! Scan the QR code below for the contest entry form.

This year’s t-shirt was designed by Mandolin Turner!

FLORIDA MANDARINQUATS

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

Florida is well known for its citrus---oranges, grapefruit, and tangerines, lesser known are mandarinquats, a unique citrus fruit that is a combination of mandarins and kumquats. This small, orange-colored, teardrop-shaped fruit is roughly twice the size of a kumquat. The entire fruit, including the peel, is edible. The flesh is slightly tart while the peel is sweet, lending a balanced, unique sweet-tart flavor. They can be enjoyed whole, sliced, mixed into desserts, candied, or pureed. Mandarinquats are grown around the world, including in the United States, China, Japan, and South Africa. In the U.S., mandarinquats are grown mainly in Florida and Alabama.

NUTRITIONAL PROFILE

Like oranges and other citrus, Florida mandarinquats are very nutritious and high in vitamin C and fiber and low in calories. One serving of mandarinquat (100 g) contains 71 calories, 2 g protein, 1 g fat, 16 g carbohydrate, and 6.5 g of dietary fiber. It also provides 73% of the Daily Recommended Value (%DV) for vitamin C, 26% for dietary fiber, 7% for manganese, 6% for vitamin A and calcium, and 5% for potassium, magnesium, riboflavin, iron, and copper. Mandarinquats also contain other nutrients including vitamin B6, folate, thiamin, omega 3 fatty acids, and phosphorus.

Vitamin C

Fresh mandarinquats are a fantastic way to get your vitamin C for the day. One serving provides most of your daily needs. Vitamin C is important for a healthy immune system, cancer prevention, healthy blood circulation and wound healing. This vitamin acts as a potent antioxidant in the body, neutralizing harmful free radicals and preventing its damaging effects in cells. By fighting cell and tissue damage, vitamin C protects against cancer and other diseases, such as the common cold. This vitamin also helps the body absorb more iron and aids in the development of strong bones and teeth.

Current research findings support that vitamin C’s benefits come from the consumption of whole fruits and vegetables. A high intake of produce is associated with a reduced risk of death from all causes, including heart disease, stroke, and cancer. Taking supplements does not seem to provide the same protective benefits as eating the actual kumquat or consuming the juice.

Fiber

Mandarinquats and other citrus fruits contain a significant amount of dietary fiber, with one 100-gram serving meeting

over a quarter of your daily fiber requirement. Fiber can help lower cholesterol, which helps to prevent atherosclerosis. It also assists with digestion and is well-known for preventing and treating constipation. According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, a diet high in fiber may decrease the risk of several types of cancer including colon, rectum, breast, and pancreas.

Fiber can also help maintain steady blood sugar levels, as can fructose, the naturally occurring type of fruit sugar found in kumquats and other citrus fruits. Mandarinquats also contain pectin, a water-soluble fiber that helps reduce blood cholesterol levels and aids in satiety.

How to Select and Store

Look for fresh mandarinquats that are brightly, uniformly colored, and free of wrinkles or discolored spots. Lightly squeeze to feel the firmness and pick those that are firm, bouncy, and heavy for their size. Avoid those that are soft or mushy. They can be stored at room temperature for several days or refrigerated in a plastic bag for up to two weeks.

How to Enjoy

Mandarinquats are delicious eaten out of hand---peel, flesh, seeds, and all! The peel can also be zested and used to season vegetables and meat. Use it as an edible garnish for drinks, appetizers, and platters.

Other ways to enjoy this fruit include:

• Toss sliced mandarinquats into a fruit or veggie salad.

• Squeeze the juice into a pan, allow it to thicken over heat, and use it as a sauce for fish or chicken.

• Add mandarinquat juice to baked goods or icing for a bright refreshing twist.

• Slip a few slices of mandarinquat into a pitcher of water for a refreshing low-calorie beverage.

• Add slices to your hot tea.

• Dice mandarinquats and used in salsa and chutney.

• Juice and make into jam.

Enjoy sweet, juicy Florida mandarinquats today and get plenty of vitamins and minerals in these unique citrus fruits.

SELECTED REFERENCES

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

LEGENDS IN THE MAKING

By Blair Buchanon | Photo Courtesy of Images By Blair

“It’s boots and chaps, it’s cowboy hats, it’s spurs and latigo, It’s the ropes and the reins, and the joy and the pain, and they call the thing rodeo,” said Garth Brooks in his song “Rodeo.” The words “kids and rain” can be included in these lyrics once a month between April and September in Lakeland. Four years ago, three bright minds, BJ Myers, Kimber Courson, and Cristy Abbott, came together to form Legends in the Making (LITM), which is a rodeo open to cowboys and cowgirls of all ages to compete in barrel racing, mutton bustin’, and bull riding. You can find this rodeo being held on the fourth Saturday of the month from April to September at the Aldine Combee Arena in Lakeland. “We started this rodeo to give local kids a chance to ride and compete who can’t afford to own the animals but want to get started in the industry,” said BJ Myers, one of the founders. LITM is associated with the World Champion Mini Bullriding Association and kids who wish to go can compete at their National Championship in Mesquite, Texas in the fall.

LITM starts at 6:00 p.m. with the gates opening at 4:00 p.m. for barrel racing slack. The rodeo normally starts with barrel racing first, which, according to silverspursrodeo.com, “The barrels are placed in a triangle shape with the base closest to the alleyway (where the horses and riders enter). Barrel racers enter the arena at a full run, speeding towards the first barrel,

choosing to go either right or left. After making a tight and complete circle around the first barrel, the rider must race onto the second and third barrels to complete the cloverleaf pattern. Finally, the crowd cheers as the rider and horse bolt toward the finish line in hopes of stopping the clock with the fastest time!” In LITM, they have different levels of barrel racing so everyone can compete in the fun, pee-wee/walk-trot/ leadline, which is ages 8 and under who need someone to lead their horse or don’t go over a walk/trot. Then pee-wee loping, for ages 8 and under who can lope their horses alone, but don’t go faster than that. Then there is youth 1D to 3D, which is kids younger than 18, and open 1D to 3D which is open to any age. The next event is mutton bustin’, which is kids under five years old and no more than 40 pounds. These kids jump on the back of a sheep and try to hold on for as long as they can. The final event of the evening is bull riding for boys and girls, which starts with walk-trot bulls. These bulls do not have a flank rope and do not buck as this division is for kids 5 and younger. A flank rope is a small rope that is lightly tied around the bull’s flank, so it focuses on bucking with its back legs. This rope does not hurt or injure the animal at all. Then we move onto pee-wee, for kids ages 6 to 8, with flank ropes on the bulls so they buck a little. Junior mini is for ages 9-11, senior mini for ages 12-14, junior for 15-16-year-olds, nov-

ice for 17–19-year-olds, and then open for 19-year-olds and up. These kids hop on the back of the bull and try to hold on for 8 seconds.

This may sound like a dangerous sport for such young kids, but rest assured they are in good hands. LITM has two to three bullfighters come out for each rodeo to make sure these kids are not getting trampled or seriously injured. These boys come from all parts of the state and not only provide a helping hand but also some helpful words. You can hear them from the stands screaming and shouting for these kids to “HOLD ON!” for as long as they can. Parents are also allowed back in the bucking chutes to help their kiddos and keep the momentum and energy going.

Something new this year, Karey Lipham with R.W. Blake Academy in Lakeland has provided some bucking bulls that were raised in their schools agriculture department. Along with learning about raising cattle in their classroom, these students are earning volunteer hours while helping during the rodeo.

In the future, LITM would like to add other events including goat tying, pole bending, breakaway/team roping, and ranch bronc riding. There are two things needed to help sustain and excel this rodeo forward: volunteers and sponsorships. They will accept any form of donation or sponsorship and sponsors get a banner that hangs in the arena, their names announced during the rodeo, and they get free admission. This year they are making and selling t-shirts that have all sponsor names on the back. If you’d like to promote your business and help some cool kiddos get their start in rodeo, feel free to reach out to Legends in the Making on Facebook or email

aslynnm@gmail.com or 3Mbuckingbulls@gmail.com. They are a 501(c)(3) and can sign off on volunteer hours if you have any students who need some hours and want to have a good time while they are earning them!

KNOW YOUR BEEF

HORMONE TREATED BEEF

By

When standing in front of the meat case, consumers are faced with a myriad of marketing claims. One I am often asked about is a label that reads, “raised without added hormones,” or something similar. To an unknowing consumer, these kinds of labels can spike concern and compel them to select the product with that label, and most likely pay a premium. This article explores the benefits and safety of beef from hormone-treated cattle, highlighting its role in environmental sustainability and addressing common misconceptions.

Hormones are naturally occurring molecules that are produced in all multicellular organisms (humans, animals, plants). Humans naturally have hormones circulating in their bodies. These concentrations vary depending on sex and age. See Table 1.

Because hormones are naturally occurring, they are found in the foods we eat. Table 2 lists several common foods, including beef from treated and non-treated cattle to offer a comparison.

As the global population grows, the need for efficient and sustainable food production becomes critical. One way the beef industry meets the demands of a growing global population is by using growth-promoting hormones. Hormone-treated beef cattle are more efficient in converting feed into meat, leading to environmental

Bridget Stice, UF/IFAS Livestock Extension Agent

benefits. Hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone promote growth and reduce time to market, reducing the resources—feed, water, and land—needed to produce the same amount of beef. Hormone treatments can improve feed efficiency by 10-15% and growth rates by 15-20%. Enhanced growth rates mean fewer cattle are required, resulting in lower methane emissions and other greenhouse gases, aiding climate change mitigation.

Safety of Hormone-Treated Beef

Extensive research and regulatory oversight ensure the safety of hormonetreated beef:

Hormone Levels in Beef: Hormone levels in treated beef are minuscule compared to other foods. A 3-ounce serving of treated beef contains about 1.9 nanograms of estrogen, while a glass of milk contains 15 nanograms, and a serving of tofu can have up to 19,000 nanograms.

Regulatory Oversight: The FDA regulates hormone use in beef, ensuring safe hormone levels for consumption. There is no significant difference in hormone levels between treated and untreated beef that poses a health risk.

Everyday Exposures: Compared to other sources like birth control pills, which contain about 35,000 nanograms of estrogen per day, the hormone levels in beef are negligible.

Conclusion

Hormone-treated beef cattle offer significant benefits in efficiency and sustainability, helping us produce more food with fewer resources. The safety of hormone-treated beef is well-established, with hormone levels being far lower than many other foods and medications consumed daily.

Stay tuned for more insights in our “Know Your Beef” series, and if you have any topics you’d like us to cover, please email your suggestions to bccarlis@ ufl.edu.

A FAMILY OF WATERMELONS

By Libby Hopkins

In 1994, the founders of Auburndale Fruit Company (AFC) saw a need in the watermelon industry for a professional company to help farmers get their products to market. Auburndale Fruit Company was created to partner with farmers who need assistance with harvesting, packing, shipping, and sales of watermelons. Jenny Helms and her now husband, Steve Helms, together set about building a company based on their families’ agricultural past, with their minds on the current and future generations of farmers. “We have been in business since 1994, celebrating our 30th anniversary this year, and are a Women’s Business Enterprise, womanowned and family-operated since day one,” said Miles Anderson of the Auburndale Fruit Company. “We are home of the Mr. Melon Man Watermelons, which is our brand and our sticker that adorns each watermelon. My mother-in-law, Jenny Helms, is our president. My fatherin-law, Steve Helms, is our general manager. My wife previously operated a microgreen growing and sales operation for AFC, and now since that division has been closed, she helps with our food safety and accounts receivable among other things. We have a longtime fam-

ily friend, Wayne Dobson, who helps us run our packing sheds each summer and my sister-in-law helps us with some paperwork when we need the backup.”

Originally, Anderson’s father-in-law, Steve, was involved in the citrus industry, running crews, maintaining groves, buying and selling groves and fruit. “After the freezes happened in the 80s, he started to look to watermelons as another opportunity and started working in the industry,” Anderson said. “In 1994, he and his wife Jenny formed AFC and began furthering the company through farming, brokering, and acting as sales agents for watermelon growers across the country.”

Anderson joined AFC in 2014. “I have always been interested in agriculture, having grown up helping my dad tend our family orange groves until greening finally took them out completely around 2015, but until joining AFC that was as far as my involvement in agriculture had gone,” Anderson said. “Unlike many folks who are in our industry, I did not grow up in farming. I attended UCF and USF for a Bachelor’s degree in Business Manage-

ment and a Master’s in Entrepreneurship. I have always been interested and involved in small business and have had a knack for sales, so although I did not have experience in produce at the time, joining my in-laws was a good fit for where I wanted to go in the future.”

If you ask Anderson what makes AFC different from other fruit businesses, he will tell you they care. “I think what sets us apart, and this may sound corny, but it’s the fact that we really do care,” Anderson said. “About our grower partners, about our retail partners, about shipping only the best watermelons, and about the end customer being happy and having a good experience. Two things that Steve taught me that I take with me every day are the way we do business with and treat our partner farmers is not for this year, but so that they want to come back and do it with us again next year. The other is, we grow, harvest, pack, and ship our melons with the idea that every Mr. Melon Man watermelon that gets picked up in a store goes to a family who is going to cut that melon open, enjoy it and want to go back and demand another Mr. Melon Man watermelon.” If you ask Anderson what he likes most about what he does at AFC, he will tell you problem-solving. “I like most about what I do is the problem solving,” Anderson said. “Every year, every season, every month, every week, and every day is different and presents new and different challenges. Each day feels like a puzzle where all the pieces have to be molded and trimmed and rotated into different shapes or positions until it all finally falls into place. Sometimes they have to be broken and jammed into place! Sometimes they are already perfectly aligned. But it’s always new and it’s always different and it’s always challenging.”

Keeping things local is extremely important to AFC. “Supporting local is hugely important for creating and building up our communities and supporting those around us,” Anderson said. “Every farmer I’ve ever met has deep roots in his local community. I’ve never met one who can walk into a restaurant or hardware store without having three to five conversations with friends, relatives, church members, or fellow farmers. I think what makes my job interesting is that ‘local’ moves with me. When we are shipping out of Florida, that’s local to

my home in central Florida. It was really exciting to walk into the local Walmart both in Wimauma, Fla. and then in Lake City, Fla., and see Mr. Melon Man watermelons in a bin. Each store being just 5 miles down the road from the farm that those melons were grown in. I never lose the excitement of seeing our melons in the store and my sons and I take pics with them every time. We get pictures sent to us by friends and family who find them locally in our hometown during May when we are shipping from just an hour away. We love that!”

If you’d like to learn more about Auburndale Fruit Company, you can visit their website at https://www. auburndalefruit.com.

A QUEST TO END CITRUS GREENING STRAWBERRY CREST STUDENT AWARDED SCIENCE PRIZE

In May, Tanishka Aglave, a student at Strawberry Crest High School received the $10,000 H. Robert Horvitz Prize for Fundamental Research at the Society for Science’s 2024 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair. Six other students also received honors.

The Society for Science awarded Tanishka this prize because of her research to attempt to find a natural alternative treatment for citrus greening. She injected diseased trees with an extract from the curry leaf tree. The Plant City Observer asked the young scientist questions about her research.

WHY DID YOU PURSUE THIS RESEARCH?

Since a young age, I have grown up on a citrus farm, firsthand witnessing the citrus greening disease’s devastating impact on farmers’ crop yields. Over the past two decades, this disease has devastated the Florida citrus industry, resulting in a nearly 93% decline in overall production with no viable solution. Observing the struggles of farmers with current treatments, I wanted to develop an eco-friendly and

sustainable strategy for citrus greening disease through the development of a novel, biological bactericide, and threedimensional (3-D) printed modifications to commercial trunk injection syringes to optimize treatment delivery. This could effectively manage the disease, serving as an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic antibiotics, and help farmers achieve long-term sustainability in citrus production.

WHY DID YOU USE CURRY LEAF PLANT?

The Indian curry leaf plant, Murraya koenigii, is a member of the same plant family as Citrus (Rutaceae) and is highly attractive to the insect vector of the disease bacteria. According to scientific literature, upon feeding on the shoot systems of the plant, the vector Asian Citrus Psyllid, (a sapsucking invasive species), becomes non-infective. This novel phenomenon suggests that Murraya koenigii may acquire immunity to the greening bacteria due to its antibacterial properties.

HOW DID YOU DEVELOP THE EXTRACT?

I used the methanol extraction and steam distillation pro-

DAVE HOOVER STAFF WRITER

Tanishka Aglave, a student at Strawberry Crest High School

cess to create the extract, and standardized its dilution ratio in water to develop a novel bactericide formulation.

WHAT IS PROMISING ABOUT THE RESULTS?

In order to validate my findings, I evaluated various parameters, including lab-based data collection through realtime polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), as well as extensive qualitative assessments. In accordance with the qualitative assessments, the treatment was able to serve a dual purpose by managing more than 63% of the disease severity in young trees and yielding an increase in plant vigor. Moreover, both the industry standard treatment and the biological bactericide exhibited equivalent efficacy in increasing the chlorophyll content. The qPCR results indicated that the treatment was effective in managing the disease also on the genomic level. These promising results prove that a biological alternative/solution can emerge for citrus greening that is pivotal for preventative care, and long-term sustainability of the citrus industry.

WILL YOU PURSUE THIS PATH OF RESEARCH ANY FARTHER?

Yes. I would like to continue this research in the upcoming two years to develop more strategies for citrus greening disease management, as well as detection. I would like to conduct trials in the grower’s field for the bactericide formulation and trunk injection syringe to make further improvements in my research.

WHAT DID YOU ENJOY ABOUT YOUR RESEARCH?

A portion I truly enjoyed about my research was the abundance of learning involved in taking an interdisciplinary approach to execute my research idea. When I thought of the concept of 3-D printing to modify trunk injection syringes, I was really intrigued by the process of making prototypes and designing and testing each prototype on young trees. Moreover, while literature review can be extensive, it is often my favorite part, as I find it enjoyable to learn about the field.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT SCIENCE?

One of the aspects I like most about science is the inherent uncertainty of exploring ideas. Science is a field that is interconnected in a multitude of ways, and sometimes the exploration of a concept can lead one unexpectedly to an interlinked phenomenon. Initially, the separate components can appear confusing; however, it is a highly fulfilling and astonishing feeling when all the pieces of your work fit in together. Therefore, I deeply resonate with the evolving process of science in which curiosity can advance one’s knowledge and perspective in a transformative manner.

HOW HAVE PROGRAMS AT STRAWBERRY CREST ENCOURAGED YOU AND HELPED YOU IN SCIENCE?

I am actively a part of numerous clubs at Strawberry Crest such as Science Olympiad and Science Competitors, which helped build my scientific knowledge foundation. Aside from them, many of my teachers, including my biology teacher and my inquiry skills teacher, have consistently and substantially supported me in pursuing my research.

WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS?

I would like to continue working on this research project, communicate my findings with farmers and agencies, spread awareness on what farmers can do to manage this disease, and become a plant scientist when I grow up.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS?

I am highly thankful to everyone who has supported me or helped me throughout my project journey including my family, friends, teachers, research mentors, and labs. Without them, this would not have been possible.

FROM BIP TO DIP

by John Dicks

If you’re like me, odds are good that you’re quite happy that summer is upon us!

Hot, muggy, sticky with humidity, with a wind that warms you rather than cools you off; what more could anyone really ask for to put a smile on your face?

Well, that certainly does give credence to the notion, enjoyed by many around here, that when June rolls around, it’s time to start heading to the mountains. Blissfully content to wake up each morning to temperatures still clinging to the 60º mark does bode well for a delightful summer.

Still, for those of us who have lived here all our lives, there’s something special lingering in the brain about long, and sometimes lazy, Florida summers. Strolling the beach early mornings at sunrise just ain’t a bad way to get going!

Florida, the Sunshine State, is most appropriately named and special in that way of its greetings. Doubling the dose of sunloving wonder, it starts with a vivid salutation in the morning, yet also shares much to enjoy with a splendid sunset slipping, and radiating into the water. Still, the real beauty of it all is that for those so determined the entire arc of the sun can be enjoyed all in the very same day.

Probably we take it for granted that Florida is a rather skinny peninsula, hanging south, down from the rest of the country. At its most narrow path, it’s only about 130 miles from allowing you to dip your toes in the Atlantic as the sunrise “bips” upwards from the horizon, yet leaving, at least during the summer months, plenty of time to race across the state, and say goodnight while catching it slipping away into the Gulf.

Years ago, when I was a Gator studying in Gainesville (well, that’s what I called it anyway), my favorite diversion was to meet up with a friend about 4:30 in the morning to leave campus for a 90-minute drive east to Crescent Beach. Time it right and we’d be driving on the

beach (yes, you could do that) just as the inky blue sky was turning into the golden hour of dawn.

The sun put forth a welcoming show, and it almost seemed to recognize that we were set to hang together throughout the day. As it lifted into the sky, we climbed into the car and followed its path. High noon was back in Gainesville, but our journey continued onward towards Cedar Key where we arrived amply early to savor the setting sun and bid it adieu as it dipped with radiance into the glistening Gulf of Mexico.

Such a memorable outing, which I did a bunch of times, deservedly needed a special name. I coined it the, Bip to Dip Trip, and really, where else but in Florida could you have such an amazing day?

There are, I suppose, a few other places you could enjoy a Bip to Dip Trip, but even in Hawaii, surely there are none as special, and warm, as Florida summers can make it.

As for the here and now, the journey is still doable, though admittedly the price of gas is a tad bit higher than the 25¢ per gallon I was paying way back when.

Closer to home, you could repeat the adventure from Daytona Beach to Clearwater Beach. It’s a bit further, and you have all that Disney traffic to deal with, but I guess with good fortune we could make it through all in a day!

Then, too, there’s plenty of other wonderful ways to suffer through the summer, including telling would be visitors just how bad it is here and that they should just really stay up north! Well, yes, I’m only kidding about that (maybe). We do, after all, know how really great Florida summers are, even with the annual influx of vacationers.

In the summertime, there’s always enough to make things splendid for those who love being outdoors. Enjoy every minute of it. I certainly will!

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.

UF STUDY SHOWS ORANGE PEEL EXTRACT MAY IMPROVE HEART HEALTH

By Brad Buck

Orange peels may hold a key to better cardiovascular health, new University of Florida-led research shows.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women and people of most racial and ethnic groups, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Recent research has shown that some gut bacteria help develop cardiovascular disease. When they feed on certain nutrients during digestion, gut bacteria produce trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO). Levels of TMAO can help predict future cardiovascular disease, according to researchers at the Cleveland Clinic.

With help from a $500,000 USDA grant, Yu Wang and her team investigated the potential of orange peel extracts -- rich in beneficial phytochemicals -- to reduce TMAO and trimethylamine (TMA) production. Scientists tested two types of extracts: a polar fraction and a non-polar fraction.

To get the polar fractions, scientists used polar and nonpolar solvents to extract the orange peel, Wang said.

“If you imagine your salad dressing, anything in the water or vinegar part are the polar fraction; anything in the oil away from water is the non-polar fraction,” Wang said. “The solvents we used were not exactly like water and oil, but they possess similar polarity.”

Results from the study showed that the orange peel nonpolar fraction extract effectively inhibited the production of harmful chemicals. Researchers also identified a compound called feruloylputrescine in the orange peel polar fraction extract that also significantly inhibits the enzyme responsible for TMA production.

“This is a novel finding that highlights the previously unrecognized health potential of feruloylputrescine in reducing

the risk of cardiovascular disease,” said Wang, a UF/IFAS associate professor of food science and human nutrition. The orange peel finding is significant because 5 million tons of orange peels are produced each year in orange juice production nationwide. Nearly 95% of Florida oranges are used for juice. About half of the peels go to feed cattle. The rest goes to waste.

But the Food and Drug Administration considers natural orange peel extracts safe for human consumption. So, Wang hope to put the peels to better use.

“These findings suggest that orange peels, often discarded as waste in the citrus industry, can be repurposed into valuable health-promoting ingredients, such as diet supplements or food ingredients,” said Wang, a faculty member at the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center. “Our research paves the way for developing functional foods enriched with these bioactive compounds, providing new therapeutic strategies for heart health.”

KEEPING YOUR LAWN HEALTHY ON LESS WATER

Julie Schelb

UF/IFAS Extension Polk County Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program Coordinator

Have you considered the possibility of keeping a beautiful and healthy lawn that uses less water? Well, it is possible and even necessary. Our population in Polk County is continuing to grow and that means an increasing demand on our water resources. Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) works to help Florida residents maintain beautiful, environmentally beneficial landscapes through nine principles (https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/ about-ffl/9-principles/).

To keep your lawn on less water the Florida-Friendly way, consider following these tips to keep your grass healthy and make it more drought tolerant.

• Mow at the recommended height for your specific turfgrass species. This allows for taller leaf blades that result in deeper roots. Increased leaf blade area also increases photosynthesis and the grass’ ability to survive during drought. Bahiagrass should be kept at 3-4 inches and St. Augustine at 3.5-4 inches (2-2.5 for dwarf cultivars). Never remove more than 1/3 of the blade at a time when mowing. For more on lawn mowing heights check out Mowing Your Florida Lawn (https://gardeningsolutions.ifas. ufl.edu/lawns/lawn-care/mowingyour-florida-lawn.html).

• Irrigate when needed rather than on a schedule. Signs that your turfgrass may need irrigation include folding leaf blades, lingering footprints, and a bluish-gray color. It is better to irrigate less frequently for longer to develop deeper roots. Also, make sure you are only applying ½ to ¾ of an inch per irrigation run. You can perform a “catch can test” (https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=W_wn-hwLNtg) to measure the amount applied.

• Avoid fertilizer applications during drought. If the turfgrass is not actively growing or stressed, fertilizer is not necessary.

• Consider a groundcover as a lawn alternative. For information on groundcovers for both sun and shade, check out these options (https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/ groundcovers.html). If you live in a HOA, be sure to follow your communities landscaping codes and covenants. If your HOA is looking for Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ guidelines to adopt, check out these guides on FloridaFriendly Landscaping™ for your local community (https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/ffland-you/community-management/ florida-friendly-communities/). Additional resources on Florida-Friendly Landscaping™:

• Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Guide to Plant Selection & Landscape Design (https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/media/fflifasufle-

du/docs/FFL-Plant-Guide_v03222022_ web.pdf)

• Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Handbook for Home Landscapes (https://ffl. ifas.ufl.edu/media/fflifasufledu/docs/ FFL-Handbook_03172022_web.pdf)

• Adopting a Florida-Friendly Landscape: Steps for Converting a Traditional Development Landscape to a FloridaFriendly Landscape (https://edis.ifas.ufl. edu/publication/EP396)

• Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Apps (https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/resources/ apps/)

Have you considered the possibility of keeping a beautiful healthy lawn that uses less water? Well, it is possible and even necessary. Our population in Polk County is continuing to grow and that means an increasing demand on our water resources. Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ works to help Florida residents maintain beautiful, environmentally beneficial landscapes through nine principles (https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/aboutffl/9-principles/).

You might also be asking if a FloridaFriendly Landscape can contain turfgrass. The answer is yes, as long is it first follows the FFL principle of right plant, right place, is functional, and is maintained in a way that uses water, fertilizer, and pesticides only as needed. Functional turfgrass in the landscape is a fun place for kids and pets to play and other recreational activities. If you live in a HOA, be sure to follow your communities landscaping codes and covenants. If your HOA is looking for Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ guidelines to adopt, the FFL Program has some excellent guides on Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ for your local community (https://ffl.ifas.ufl. edu/ffl-and-you/community-management/florida-friendly-communities/).

To keep your lawn the Florida-Friendly way, consider following these tips to keep your grass healthy and make it more drought tolerant.

- Mow at the recommended height for your specific turfgrass species. This allows for taller leaf blades that result in deeper roots. Increased leaf blade area also increases photosynthesis and the grass’ ability to survive during drought. Bahiagrass should be kept at 3-4 inches and St. Augustine at 3.5-4 inches (2-2.5 for dwarf cultivars). Never remove more than 1/3 of the blade at a time when mowing. For more on lawn mowing heights check out Mowing Your Florida Lawn (https://gardeningsolutions.ifas. ufl.edu/lawns/lawn-care/mowingyour-florida-lawn.html).

- Irrigate when needed rather than on a schedule. Signs that your turfgrass

may need irrigation include folding leaf blades, lingering footprints, and a bluish-gray color. It is better to irrigate less frequently for longer to develop deeper roots. Also, make sure you are only applying ½ to ¾ of an inch per irrigation run. You can perform a “catch can test” (https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=W_wn-hwLNtg) to measure the amount applied.

- Postpone or reduce fertilizer applications during drought. If the turfgrass is not actively growing, fertilizer is not necessary.

- Consider a groundcover as a lawn alternative. If you are interested in converting unnecessary areas of turfgrass to landscape beds or groundcover you may want to use Perennial Peanut (Arachis glabrata) or Sunshine Mimosa (Mimosa strigillosa). These are groundcovers for full sun areas. For more groundcover options for both sun and shade, check out the these groundcover options (https:// gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ ornamentals/groundcovers.html).

Additional resources on Florida-Friendly Landscaping™:

• Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Guide to Plant Selection & Landscape Design

• Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Handbook for Home Landscapes

• Adopting a Florida-Friendly Landscape: Steps for Converting a Traditional Development Landscape to a FloridaFriendly Landscape

• Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Apps  To learn more about water woes in the landscape, listen to Your Central Florida Yard podcast episode 6 (aired April 29, 2024). You can find the podcast wherever you listen or find out more on our Substack: https://substack.com/@ yourcentralfloridayard.

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.

Recipes

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

Stuffed Florida Zucchini and Yellow Squash

Parmesan Stuffed yellow squash on a baking sheet.

INGREDIENTS

2 medium Florida zucchini or large yellow squash

1/2 cup ricotta cheese

1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

1 cup marinara sauce (your favorite)

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs

2 tablespoons fresh basil or

1 teaspoon dried

Olive oil for cooking

Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

Cook rice according to package directions and set aside. Dice the chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces and store in the refrigerator until ready to cook. Prepare and slice all the vegetables and set aside. Mix soy sauce, sesame oil and garlic and set aside.

Preheat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Beat two eggs and scramble, set aside. Next, season the diced chicken with salt and pepper and sauté for 6 minutes or until cook thoroughly. Remove from pan and set aside. Add another tablespoon of olive oil to the pan and sauté the carrots for one to two minutes. Add the bell pep -

Justin Timineri

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Cut off the stem side of the zucchini or yellow squash. Cut zucchini or yellow squash evenly in half lengthwise. Using a small spoon, scoop out the seeds from each half to create room to hold other ingredients. Preheat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add 1 teaspoon of olive oil to the preheated pan. Season the zucchini or yellow squash with salt and pepper. Place the zucchini or yellow squash skin side up in the sauté pan and cook for about 2 minutes on both sides. Remove from pan and place on a cookie sheet skin side down.

In a small mixing bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, 1 tablespoon olive oil, chopped basil and Parmesan cheese. Season ingredients to taste with salt and pepper, and stir to combine. Evenly distribute the ricotta cheese and marinara sauce on top of the zucchini or yellow squash. Top the yellow squash and zucchini with the shredded mozzarella cheese. Evenly sprinkle the breadcrumb topping mixture on top of the zucchini or yellow squash. Bake the stuffed zucchini or yellow squash for 10 minutes or until topping is golden brown and cheese is bubbly. Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Serve warm.

Florida Chicken and Vegetable Fried Rice

Ingredients

2 (8 ounce) Florida chicken breasts

1 Florida bell pepper (any color)

1 cup Florida cabbage, sliced thin

2 Florida carrots, sliced thin

6 Florida mushrooms, sliced thin

2 cups Florida spinach

2 eggs

3 cups cooked rice (brown or white)

DIRECTIONS

2 green onions, sliced thin

2 garlic cloves, minced

2-3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce or Tamari

1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

3-4 tablespoons olive oil, for cooking

Chili sauce or sriracha (optional)

Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

pers and cabbage, season with salt and pepper and cook for additional two minutes. Remove the vegetables and set aside. Using the same pan, add a small amount of olive oil and sauté the mushrooms and spinach. Add this to the rest of the cooked chicken and vegetables. Lastly, add a 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the hot pan and stir-fry the rice until it is slightly crisp, add the scrambled eggs and combine. Pour the soy sauce mixture and stir to combine.

Serve chicken and vegetables over fried rice in large bowl.

POLK COUNTY OFFICIALS ISSUE BURN BAN

As Polk County continues experiencing dry weather conditions due to a prolonged lack of rainfall, Polk County officials issued a burn ban throughout the county.

Currently, Polk County is averaging over 507 on the KeetchByram Drought Index (KBDI). The KBDI index is a continuous reference scale used by the Florida Forest Service to assess the likelihood and severity of brush fires.

The current increased risk of brush fires and uncontrolled fires are a threat to Polk County’s safety. To prioritize life and property throughout Polk County, officials issued the burn ban, effective May 28, 2024. The burn ban prohibits:

• Campfires;

• Bonfires;

• Unpermitted controlled burns;

• Burning yard and household trash;

• Burning construction debris;

• Burning organic debris;

• Igniting fireworks; and

• Noncommercial burning of materials other than for religious or ceremonial purposes, in which case they must be contained in a barbecue grill or barbecue pit, and the total fuel area cannot exceed three feet in diameter and two feet in height.

“Polk County Fire Rescue has held off as long as we possibly can on issuing this burn ban,” said Polk County Fire Rescue Chief, Hezedean A. Smith, D.M. “The current dry conditions are favorable for the rapid development and spread of brush fires throughout the County. Ensuring the safety of every resi-

dent and visitor throughout Polk County and minimizing the likeliness for loss of property county wide are top priorities for Polk County Fire Rescue.”

The burn ban applies to all unincorporated Polk and the following municipalities: Auburndale, Bartow, Dundee, Fort Meade, Frostproof, Haines City, Lake Alfred, Lakeland and Winter Haven.

Anyone who refuses to comply or violates this burn ban shall be in violation of County Ordinance 08-015 and can be punished by a fine not to exceed $500 or by imprisonment by a term not to exceed 60 days in the county jail or both.

By Grady Judd, Polk County Sheriff

TEN YEARS OF FISHING

Back in 2015, we started something really great at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office—we hosted the very first “Fishin’ with Judd” event at the lake behind the Sheriff’s Operation Center in Winter Haven.

The event was simple, bring in about a hundred or so children from across the county, and have them fish with our deputies. On the surface that might not sound like much, but in reality, there’s so much good that can come from such a common, wholesome activity.

To know what I mean, let me start by describing why we do this.

“Fishin’ with Judd” isn’t an event that is open to the public. The children who participate are hand-picked by the Community Oriented Policing (COP) deputies. The COPs deputies aren’t your standard patrol deputies who answer calls over a large district. Instead, they are assigned to patrol a specific community where they really get to know the people in their community. That creates a tighter bond between the deputies and the residents which helps not only fight crime better but also prevent crime from happening.

These specific communities tend to be lower socioeconomic neighborhoods, and therefore the crime may be higher and the quality of life may be lower. Those are negative elements

that pose a challenge for good families trying to raise good children.

Our COPS deputies interact with these children and their parents, and they see these challenges firsthand.

Through the year, the deputies might get to know these children while investigating a crime, or during a response to an incident in their neighborhood, or at a community event, or even during a medical emergency at the child’s home.

So that’s how they choose which kids to invite, but now let me tell you why.

Most of the kids had never fished before. Maybe their parent or parents both work a lot of hours providing for the family, and they unfortunately don’t have the time to take their child fishing or anything else. Maybe the family doesn’t have enough money to purchase fishing equipment or have the transportation to take the child to a good fishing spot.

We want to give these children a great American experience. We also want to develop a good relationship between law enforcement and the children. It’s unfortunate, but some of these kids have had to watch as a deputy arrested mom or dad.

Some of the children don’t have access to fancy electronic devices, the means to participate in sports, or the opportunity to go to concerts and professional sporting events. What we do with “Fishin’ with Judd” is that we show them that you can have fun with something so simple.

Each year we get things going at 7:00 a.m. as the sun rises, and to get things started, William Dunn from “Take a Kid Fishing, Inc.” donates rods and reels to each of the kids. William’s organization does exactly what its name implies, and they do it all year round.

The deputies and children then find a good spot around the lake, and the deputies show the children how to bait the fishing rods, how to cast them, and how to reel a fish in. We try

to make sure every child catches at least one fish, but it’s not uncommon for some to catch several. We do a catch and release, so it is possible that some fish may get the hook more than once.

After we fish for a couple of hours, it’s time to eat. We say a prayer first and then the kids get some great burgers, hot dogs, cookies, and chips. The food is provided by Polk Sheriff’s Charities, Inc. and prepared by our good friend Mike Wells.

Finally, each child is presented with a pretty nifty toy to take home, along with some great memories that will hopefully last a lifetime.

A Closer Look

Naturally Amazing Activities

by Sean Green

Cork Wine Bottle Shadowbox

Wine corks are one of those things many people love to keep whether they have something to do with them or not. They have lots of personality, and if you emptied the bottle yourself, each one has a story. They are naturally waterproof and have an elegant simplicity. I do not typically collect wine corks but had a small stash of them and thought I would do something with them. I saw a cool wine bottle made of cut up corks and took the idea my own direction by making a shadow box to frame the cork bottle. I went into this project with no conceived notions and just let it evolve with the materials I happen to have laying around the house.

Materials:

Wine Corks

Scrap Wood

Scrap Fabric

Wood Glue

Glue for Cork (gorilla glue,2 part epoxy, fabric glue)

Wax Paper

Finishing Nails

Stone Texture Spray Paint

Process:

Prepare the wine corks for cutting:

In a vegetable steamer, bring water to a full boil, steam the wine corks for 10 minutes. Steaming the cork will return them to their original shape and sterilize them Cut the corks with a serrated knife. Let the knife do the work, do not press hard or the cork will crumble.

Create the shadow box:

Cut wood scraps (Back and 4 sides to a desired size, enough to frame your cork bottle.)

Coat the back of the shadow box with wood glue and glue fabric to the top and sides of the wood. It helps to clamp the fabric with a scrap piece of wood and wax paper while the glue dries. The wax paper will prevent the wood glue from sticking to the scrap wood as it penetrates the fabric and dries.

Nail four narrow strips of wood together with finishing nails to construct a rectangular frame, this will be the “shadow” portion of the box so the finished outside diameter should match the back of the shadow box. Paint the shadow box frame with a paint of your choice (I used stone texture paint) * leave the bottom of the rectangular frame unpainted, we will later glue this frame to the cloth covered shadow box back * Glue the rectangular frame to the finished backing (the one covered in fabric).

Create the cork design:

If the cork did not cut clean, lightly sand the flat edge of the cork so there is an even surface to glue to the shadow box. Lay out the cork design for composition making sure it looks good in the frame (leave room for embellishment if desired).

Glue the flat edge of the cork pieces to the fabric within the rectangular frame of the shadowbox. I used 2-part epoxy to glue the cork. Gorilla Glue works, too. Fabric glue works okay, but not as well. Finish by nailing a hanging bracket on to the back side and hang it on the wall.

A Closer Look

A Closer Look

by Sean Green

Hag Moth Caterpillar (Phobetron pithecium)

Part of the fun, well most of the fun of being outdoors and hiking is getting the chance to see the beauty of nature. If you’re lucky you’ll get a chance to see some strange creatures that you never knew existed. This month we will take a closer look at a wildly strange caterpillar. The caterpillar we have in mind is known as the slug caterpillar or the hag moth caterpillar. Often, that of which we know least about strikes the most fear within us. The slug moth is one of our indigenous species that have the misfortune of being misunderstood and typically feared; in fact, it’s genus name (Phobetron) originates from several ancient root words that mean “Fear,” for example; from the French (phobe), the Latin (phobus) and the Greek (Phobos). Whether or not this species should be feared remains unclear as many authoritative sources have published conflicting data on the subject. One thing for sure is that the relatively rare encounter with this caterpillar will not be forgotten and if you take a closer look, may inspire more fascination than fear.

The hag moth is the common name for one of about 1000 described species within the family Limacodidae, often called slug moths for the caterpillar’s resemblance to a slug, or cup moths to describe the shape of their cocoon, this insects caterpillar has put it on the chart of cool bugs. The adult moths are interesting example of Batesian mimicry, which means they mimic, or pretend to be an insect that some predators would avoid, in this case, the moth mimics a bee and even has fur on it’s hind legs that look like balls of pollen. The hag moth (Phobetron pithecium) however, gets its common name from the haggardly appearance of its caterpillar stage. These caterpillars look like no other and it is yet another example of mimicry. The caterpillar grows to less than an inch long and is covered in brownish setae that resembles short hair. Along the side of the caterpillar’s body grow six to nine pairs of fleshy projections that look like long twisted legs, making the caterpillar look like the molting of a hairy spider. The leg like projections can fall off or be plucked off by a predator without much harm resulting to the caterpillar. Like a lizard losing its tail, the distraction of the severed appendage gives an opportunity for the caterpillar to escape. This caterpillar does not even have the legs you would typically find on a caterpillar. Rather than having short stubby prolegs, the hag moth caterpillar (Phobetron pithecium) has tiny suckers that move it along in a rolling motion like that of a slug, in fact, it even produces a type of liquified silk lubricant to help it move.

There are good reasons for this insect to go to such lengths to protect itself. Caterpillars are high in protein, as such, are on the menu for a bunch of predators. They have evolved great forms of protection which include mimicry, but also mechanical and chemical defenses. Some caterpillars, such as the Monarch, are poisonous and make predators sick when they are consumed and such species warn predators of their toxic nature by advertising with bright colors. Other caterpillars, the so called “stinging caterpillars,” have evolved either urticating hairs (setae), or venom spines, there are some species that use both, but no caterpillar has a retracting “stinger” to actually sting like a bee or wasp. Urticating hairs are tiny barbed bristles that are designed to easily dislodge upon contact. When they get stuck into an attacker’s skin and break off, they cause a non-venomous irritation like nettle plants, or fiberglass and

can be dangerous if stuck in the eyes or respiratory tract. It is important to understand the difference between urticating hairs that cause a mechanical irritation, and a chemical defense like venom injected through a stinger, fangs, or spine. There are some caterpillars that have stiff hollow spines that are connected to a venom sac within the caterpillar’s body. The components of the venom are different from species to species, but can include serotonin, histamine, formic acid and various amino acids. When these spines are broken, the insects venom flows through the hollow spine into the attacker’s skin. Both the urticating hair method and venomous spine method produce sharp pain like a bee sting and a burning sensation, from there, the reaction may progress to redness, swelling, blistering, nausea or even allergic reactions, but usually subsides within a few hours to a day or two.

Caterpillars in slug moth family (Limacodidae) are well known for their “sting”

and include notable species such as the Saddle Back Caterpillar (Acharia stimulea), and the Spiny Oak Slug Caterpillar (Euclea delphinii), however, that does not mean every species in the family is dangerous. While many authorities are still debating whether this caterpillar stings, there are some that took the question into their own hands. Dr David L Wagner, an entomologist and professor at University of Connecticut is widely regarded in authoring one of the most authoritative field guides on caterpillars; Caterpillars of Eastern North America. After experimenting on himself (as many entomologists seem to do), he concluded that, contrary to popular belief, the hairs of the hag moth (Phobetron pithecium) do not sting. But did include a responsible disclaimer that reactions can vary from person to person and just because he or other scientist report no reaction does not necessarily guarantee someone else will not be sensitive to the urticating hairs of this or any species. It is wise to keep in mind that any “fuzzy” caterpillar, venomous or not, has the potential to cause a negative reaction such as asthma, allergies, or various levels of dermatitis. There are some very dangerous caterpillars that are fuzzy and inviting. Fortunately, the hag moth caterpillar (Phobetron pithecium) is not considered as dangerous or cute as others. I will encourage our readers to explore, take a closer look, but do so with caution. Should you get stung while taking a closer look, I will share the advice provided from the Florida Poison Information Centers webpage, found at the following URL: http://www.poisoncentertampa.org/poison-topics/venomous-critters/caterpillars/

“Place Scotch tape over the affected area and strip off repeatedly to remove spines. Apply ice packs to reduce the stinging sensation and follow with a paste of baking soda and water. If the victim has a history of hay fever, asthma or allergy, or if allergic reactions develop, contact a physician immediately.”

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OVERSTOCK SPECIAL

Barn doors starting at $80.00 Call Ted 813-752-3378

CULVERT & DRAIN STEEL PIPE NOW AVAILABLE & PRICED TO MOVE FAST!

• 9ft. and 10ft. Diameter used railroad tank car culverts 40 to 50 ft. lengths.

• 20in and 24in Diameter used steel pipe - 45 to 50ft lengths.

ContactGATEWAY PIPE INC. Naples, Florida. Ask for Gary 636-346-3320 Delivered prices available.

MISC.

FREE Wooden Shipping Pallets

All sizes! Call Alvie 813-759-8722

24 HOUR SERVICE

Coggins Plumbing licensed • bonded • Insured. www.cogginsplumbing.com 813-643-7173

FARM BUREAU INSURANCE

We have you covered! Call us today. 813-752-5577

ALAN’S AIR CONDITIONING

Residential, Commercial Sales SVS & Repair. Legendary service for over 20 years! 813-752-0821

SHOWER STALLS - FIBERGLASS

Scratch and dent shower stalls - fiberglass perfect for hunting camps. $150 you pick! Call us! 813-752-3378

Polk County Cattle Women County Cattle Women

Idon’t know about y’all, but the feeling of dry, crunchy grass under my feet is not putting me in the mood to go to the beach or pool this summer. One place that will put me in the mood doesn’t have to worry about grass because they have sand! The JW Marriot in Marco Island, FL has plenty of sun, sand, and beach to make it all worthwhile. Here in a week or two, we will have cowboy hats and cowboy boots for as far as the eye can see at the beach. The biggest meeting of the year for cattlemen and cattlewomen will be taking place, at the 2024 Florida Cattlemen’s Association Convention and Trade Show.

This is Polk County CattleWomen’s slow time of the year and we don’t have much going on other than convention. Our President and Treasurer, Marcia Lightsey, will be attending the FCA convention this

year as well as some other members. We will be rooting for Bailey Lightsey, the Polk County Cattlemen’s Association Sweetheart, as she competes for the title of Florida Cattlemen’s Sweetheart. Say a prayer and wish her good luck! Our next meeting is not until August and we will be hosting a social media class. If you have any questions or would like more information about Polk County CattleWomen’s, feel free to email me.

Blair Buchanon

Blair Buchanon

blairbuchanon@gmail.com

Polk County Cattlewomen President