In The Field magazine Polk edition

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CONTENTS

Polk County Cattlemen’s Association

PEYTON CHANDLEY POLK COUNTY CATTLEMEN’S SWEETHEART

28 Photos Courtesy of Peyton Chandley PAGE 10 Scott Angle

PAGE 31 Invasive Pests

PAGE 11 State Officer

PAGE 32 PCSO

PAGE 12 Thoughts from the Heifer Pen PAGE 14 Fishing Hot Spots

PAGE 33 AgVocating PAGE 35 News Briefs PAGE 36 John Dicks

PAGE 16 Endangered Species

PAGE 40

PAGE 18 Florida State Fair Results PAGE 22 Rocking Chair Chatter

Ranch Rodeo PAGE 41 A Closer Look PAGE 42 Composting

PAGE 27 Sugar Snap Peas PAGE 30 USDA Investment

Hey Readers!

Hidden somewhere in the magazine is a No Farmers, No Food logo. Hunt for the logo and once you find the hidden logo you will be eligible for a drawing to win a FREE No Farmers No Food Sticker. Send us your business card or an index card with your name and telephone number, the number of the page which you found the logo and where on the page you located the logo to the address below

P.O. Box 9005 • Drawer HS03 Bartow, FL. 33831-9005 President – Kevin Fussell 4523 Fussell Rd Polk City, FL 33868-9676 (863) 412-5876 Vice President – Dr. Lujean Waters 8750 Shreck Rd Bartow, FL 33830 (863) 537-1495 Lujean.waters@gmail.com

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

Secretary/Treasurer - Justin Bunch Alternate PO Box 849 Highland City, FL 33846-0849 Standing Committee Chairs: Membership (863) 425-1121 justin.bunch@cpsagu.com Events Trade Show- Bridget Stice State Director – David Hunt 9699 Alt Bab Pk Cut-Off Rd Rodeo- Fred Waters Bartow, FL 33830 PO Box 463 (863) 287-1835 Alturas, FL 33820-0463 Dhunt285@aol.com (863) 559-7808 Alternate SD – Orrin Webb Website PO Box 202 Cattlewomen – President, Leslie Bartow, FL 33831 Buchanon (941) 916-5093 8444 Tom Costine Rd cwebbowebb@aol.com Lakeland, FL 33809 (863) 581-2711 Ray Clark Buckld96@gmail.com 4484 Swindell Road Lakeland, FL 33810 Extension – Bridget Stice (863) 640-0719 PO Box 9005, Drawer HS03 rclark@tampabay.rr.com Bartow, FL 33831 (863) 519-1048 Donald Conroy bccarlis@ufl.edu 3882 Wolfolk Rd Fort Meade, FL 33841 Sheriff’s Dept. – Lt. Paul Wright (863) 412-0790 1891 Jim Keen Blvd. Winter Haven, FL 33880 Stuart Fitzgerald (863) 557-1741 PO Box 1437 pw5281@polksheriff.org Lake Wales, FL 33859 (863) 206-5021 Sgt. Tim Sanders stuartcattlellc@yahoo.com 1891 Jim Keen Blvd. Winter Haven, FL 33880 Ken Sherrouse (863) 656-6119 13475 Moore Rd brusso@polksheriff.org Lakeland, FL 33809-9755 (863) 698-1834 Warner University – kensherrouse@yahoo.com Scott Shoupe 6130 Allen Lane Lakeland, FL 33811 (863) 581-7593 Scott_shoupe@hotmail.com

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

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STAFF

Letter from the Editor

Publisher/Photography Karen Berry Senior Managing Editor/ Associate Publisher Sarah Holt Sales Karen Berry Sarah Holt Melissa Nichols

Another fair season is in the history books. The beginning of the year is a busy time for youth in agriculture in the state of Florida. All their hard work is on display at these shows. Congratulations to each of you! Those participating next year have already turned the page and are preparing for their next year’s projects. When fair season starts again, plan on visiting the agriculture area of any local fair. Let exhibitors know you recognize the hard work they have done. The purpose of these projects is twofold. They expose youth to the industry, but also develop important life skills. Caring for an animal or plant, or other agriculture responsibility, helps make them more accountable and have a better understanding of life than a young person who has not had the opportunity to have these experiences. FFA and 4-H are incredible organizations. They help develop life skills and leadership for members. March is National Nutrition Monday, a campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. This is a perfect time to spread the word that making informed choices about where your food comes from and developing good eating habits starts right here in Florida. Look for the Fresh From Florida label when you are shopping for your family. Your food is guaranteed fresh, and you are supporting your local economy. Also, as always, please support our advertisers. They allow us to continue to cover what is growing.

Sarah Holt

Creative Director/Illustrator Juan Alvarez Photography Karen Berry Melissa Nichols Blair Buchanon Staff Writers Al Berry Sandy Kaster James Frankowiak Sean Green Ginny Mink Contributing Writers Woody Gore John Dicks Social Media Victoria Saunders

In The Field Magazine is published monthly and is available through local Polk County businesses, restaurants, and many local venues. It is also distributed by U.S. mail to a target market, which includes all of the Greenbelt Property owners, members of the Polk County Catllemen’s Association. Letters, comments and questions can be sent to P.O. Box 5377, Plant City, Florida 33563-0042 or you are welcome to email them to: info@inthefieldmagazine.com or call 813-759-6909 Advertisers warrant & represent the descriptions of their products advertised are true in all respects. In The Field Magazine assumes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers. All views expressed in all articles are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Berry Publications, Inc. Any use or duplication of material used in In the Field magazine is prohibited without written consent from Berry Publications, Inc.

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

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Hello to everyone out there. Hope everyone is staying healthy and getting done what needs to be. Many of you have probably got your calves worked or starting to think about it anyway. The warm weather has brought us some green grass, and at the time of me writing this, we just got a nice shower of rain. Hopefully the cold is over for the year. More rain would be a welcome sight as the cypress are budding out and we will surely see some extremely dry days ahead without more rain.

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Just as we were beginning to see some better cattle prices, the war in Ukraine has put a damper on that for us. The first week of March saw the fat cattle prices drop $6 cwt, while grains had some big gains. The price of diesel isn’t helping matters either, as demand for feeder cattle has dropped off due to higher freight costs to go along with the higher feed costs. Probably won’t see any correc-

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tions there for a while. We can only hope the market finds the bottom soon enough. Agrifest is coming up this month, and many volunteers are getting ready to help out with that. Its good for the fourth graders to get to learn about where their food comes from. So many people out there today do not have a clue about where it’s from and the amount of work that goes into it before they pick it up off the grocery store shelf. Take Care,

Kevin Fussell Polk County Cattlemen’s Association

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FROM THE SCIENTIFIC FIELD

By J. Scott Angle

UF’s universitywide $80 million artificial intelligence initiative is giving our breeders a powerful new tool for sorting through tens of thousands of candidates in search of the high-yield, Last summer’s historic heat in the West scorched our food planet-friendly, delicious foods you crave. We are investing in supply. It threatened workers’ health, shriveled crops and faculty and have launched a new Ph.D. program, the first of its stressed water resources. kind in the state and one of just a few in the nation. FLORIDA’S AGRICULTURAL INNOVATIONS ENSURE MORE FOOD CHOICES AND AN ECONOMIC BOOST

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More frequent extreme weather events like the heat wave The nation’s land-grant universities like UF are essential to cremean we must change the future of farming if we want to be a ating a viable future for agriculture. Their public funding gives nation that feeds itself. them a public focus. The close relationships that the landgrant university in every state has with local farmers ensures Florida offers a window on that future. Scientists working to- that faculty members fogether with farmers have placed a big bet on plant breeding cus on addressing farmto innovate our way to agriculture that’s both more resilient ers’ needs, not academic against intensifying weather and that delivers more climate esoterica. These relationsolutions, such as carbon sequestration. ships also give our plant breeders access to comFor consumers, this will mean more food choices. University mercial farm acreage to of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, or UF/ grow new varieties under IFAS, plant breeders are working on new versions of old favor- real-world conditions ites. They’re also working on planting the seeds of potential once they identify promnew industries—with the jobs, businesses and tax revenue that ising candidates in the come with that—by developing varieties of foods that Florida lab. currently can’t produce commercially. That is, more made-inthe-USA choices in the produce aisle. Federal agriculture policy includes recogniWe did it with blueberries. Through the development of variet- tion of America’s farmies that thrive in Florida’s soil and weather, it grew an $80-mil- ers, ranchers and forest lion-a-year enterprise from scratch. We did it with clams, too, landowners as important teaching out-of-work fishermen whose livelihood was out- players in combating the lawed by a gillnet fishing ban to become clam farmers. Visitors climate crisis and reducto the fishing village where this work was centered pass a sign ing greenhouse gas emisboasting that it’s a leading producer of U.S. farm-raised clams. sions. Florida’s farmers, in partnership with UF/IFAS We’re trying to write another “Clamelot” story with many land- and the non-profit Solutions from the Land, are leading a statebased crops, such as artichokes and pomegranates. We even wide conversation on how to incentivize more climate-smart have high hopes for Florida-grown hops being developed at production of food, fiber, feed and fuel. the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center to support a burgeoning craft beer industry. In short, Florida’s staking a big bet on farming’s future. The beauty of plant breeding is that it can be trained on virtually If our plant breeders can perfect a papaya variety that grows any threat to the food supply. Triple-digit temperatures cerin Florida, it could convert the continental U.S. from being the tainly represent a major one. world’s leading importer of papayas to a major producer of them. Florida-produced vanilla could also be a game changer, We don’t believe last summer was a one-off. We’re working on as 80% of the world crop comes from a single country—Mada- what will be on your fork a decade from gascar—and we are its biggest customer. now, no matter how challenging the conditions on the farm that produces it. Why is Florida the future? Because in a state with 300 commodities, we have long been a leader in plant breeding to produce food that tastes better, needs less water, resists pests Scott Angle is the University of Florida’s and disease so that we can use fewer chemicals, and can be Vice President for Agriculture and Natuharvested before global competitors flood the market with ral Resources and leader of the UF Instifood produced with labor paid a fraction of what we pay. tute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).

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STATE OFFICER Tyler Brannan Florida FFA Area IV State Vice President

Florida Traditions Florida is immersed in diverse amounts of culture and tradition. Anywhere from our freshly squeezed orange juice to our love for college football, Florida is well known for its southern culture and friendly charm. However, what is Florida known better for than our favorite time of the year? The Florida State Fair! Fair season is a time enjoyed by countless students, parents, and members of the community. From the never-ending fun of riding rollercoasters to the entertaining moments at the petting zoo, the State Fair is an unforgettable delight of our Florida traditions. Over these 12 days, the Florida FFA State Officer Team dedicated ourselves towards upkeeping and assisting the high standards of our traditions at the Florida State Fair. Now, as we all know there are only so many rides and festivities to enjoy at the State Fair; fortunately, the fair has much more to offer and a new experience for thousands of people across the state. Once we’ve traveled the fairgrounds, it is easy to find ourselves heading towards the animals, and I’m not just talking about the petting zoo. With over 500,000 attendees at the Florida State Fair, many of these individuals are exhibitors and competitors of the well-known fair season. Thousands of individuals, from both the Florida FFA Association and Florida 4-H programs, have an investment at the Florida State Fair in their animal projects and state-level competitive events. They can be found across the fairgrounds wearing their blue corduroy jackets and 4-H attire with pride. Some of them spend their time in the exhibitor barn caring for their animals, in a space to study for their upcoming competitions, or simply enjoying the fair with others. The opportunity the fair provides is unparallel to any other gathering throughout the year. As I spent time helping these students in the ring or hosting competitions, I cannot fully express how Impactful these moments will be on their future. It was humbling and hopeful to see so many students express interest in the agriculture field with a willing passion. Moreover, the members who compete in the exhibitor shows with their animal projects are given the chance to partake in the Champions of Champions program. The Champions of Champions is an opportunity for the best of the best from all eight species divisions to compete head-to-head for the prestigious title. The process is scored with a points system that is awarded throughout the weeks as students show their animals and present their knowledge of the said species division in the skillathon events. The top four individuals from each division will be brought to the final event for a chance to compete for the top of their division. The final event entails

However, the opportunity does not end there. The fair hosts a plethora of events and ceremonies for adults involved in the agriculture industry. Events such as Women of the Year in Agriculture or Ag Hall of Fame celebrate the individuals who have devoted their lives towards the future of agriculture and the next generation of leaders amongst the youth. These are honorable titles to be awarded and are only presented to the most influential people in the agriculture industry. The State Officer Team is offered the opportunity to assist with the events and interact with many of these outstanding individuals. While our team may spend a lot of our time helping with these events and ensuring everything runs smoothly, we spend the rest of our time tending to one of the most anticipated traditions of the fair, the FFA pork trailer. Every year the Florida FFA Association partners with our Iowa connection, Dennis Gienger, to put together some of the most delicious and affordable fair food around. I was fortunate enough to be given the position of working outside with Mr. Denny and helping with the cooking and preparing of the freshly cooked pork meals. We spend countless hours cooking, serving, and cleaning the pork trailer to provide a healthy option of food on the fairgrounds to you. It then provides FFA the opportunity to earn funds for the organization and all of our members. All proceeds have profited the organization and our efforts to educate the youth about the agriculture industry. It was an intriguing opportunity, to say the least, and a great way to learn how we should appreciate the fruits of agriculture. As the State Fair came to an end, I looked back at the weeks of work we invested in and came to appreciate the tradition that many of us may take for granted. These moments that we share with each other may come around each year, but we have to remember to take each time with gratitude to the opportunity that we’ve been presented. May the opportunity to be an exhibitor, compete, or simply spend time with our loved ones at the fair, we must remember to take one step at a time and embrace the moment. Until next year, signing off with the Florida State Fair. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

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eight stations with questions and challenges from each division for the students to complete. Once the scores have been tallied, all the students and countless individuals from the agriculture industry will attend the Champions of Champions ceremony that evening. The evening is hosted with a dinner and celebration of the weeks of hard work the students have endured. The night is ended with the top individuals from each division being awarded scholarship monies and the title Champions of Champions, in which they will serve as ambassadors of the Florida State Fair over the next year.


By Marisol Tarango

THOUGHTS FROM THE HEIFER PEN care of animals. Even though it’s not my favorite thing to do, one of the most satisfied feelings comes from standing in the barnyard hearing all the animals crunching their feed or watching a herd of cows gather around a roll of hay that you just dumped. It’s the feeling that you took care of something’s needs and are being a good shepherd. But to me it isn’t the same as feeding pets in an apartment, or even a suburb. There is the satisfaction of taking care of your pet, but you didn’t labor to come up with This thought just popped in my head the other day, and hon- a feeding plan for your little pal, you didn’t make your weekly estly, if someone were to actually ask me this question, I don’t trip to the feedstore to load down your truck with supplies for even think I would know how to answer. It’s almost like asking the next week… somehow, it’s just not the same. what your favorite part of being alive is…breathing? When you have lived something your whole life it’s hard to pinpoint what Maybe it’s nature, being out in God’s creation, that is my favoryour favorite aspect is. I mean, what is a fish’s favorite part of ite part. To feel the dirt and the grass underneath my feet as I being in the ocean? Even when I have been a fish out of water walk across the yard. To watch the sunset in glorious splenand just wanted to get back home to the ranch, or at least be dor with colors that are never as vibrant in your memories. To around ranching people, there wasn’t one specific thing that I stumble out the back door and to feel your grogginess fade away as you wake up with the world. Those are the moments wanted. I just wanted to be in my natural environment. that seem to ground me when I am lost with my thoughts. And If I really thought about it, I guess I could say the horses. They even though everyone needs to get lost in nature once in a really are my favorite animal on the ranch, and they just seem while, I don’t know if that is my favorite thing about ranching to speak to my soul. Cows are for food, dogs are for protec- either. I love walking in the woods without a care in the world. tion, and cats are to keep down the mice, but horses are for I would love to go hiking in the mountains or to own a house companionship and partnership. The times I have felt the most where the beach was just feet from my doorstep, but all of that alive and as if God had plucked me up and set me in that exact would not give me a purpose to be outside. Of course, I enjoy spot was when I was on a horse. I really cannot describe the going outside just to enjoy nature, but what if my pleasures feeling of the perfect partnership of horse and rider when they shift to other fancies? Walking aimlessly in the woods can get both decide to go after a cow. Without telling each other each old, and there would be not much of a reason to manage my partner knows where to be and what to do. But if you took my pastures or worry about the rain if I did not have a ranch. Plus, horse and me off the ranch, I wouldn’t have much to do with my what would decorate my pastures if I didn’t have any cows? horse. I wouldn’t have cows to take care of while on my horse, I wouldn’t have a dog to follow my horse, and there would be So, what would I answer if someone asked me what my favorite part of ranching was? The horses, the cows, being outside…? no cat to pet when I got back to the barn. I guess I would just have to say that my favorite part of ranching Maybe it is raising the animals? Even though I have been feed- is ranching. ing and taking care of animals since I was able to hold a bucket and still dread feeding time every day, I really do enjoy taking PAGE

I’m used to people asking me questions about living on the ranch. I am actually happy that people are interested in what the ranching life entails, though sometimes I think that people are a little disappointed that it is not as exciting as on TV. Over the years I have been asked just about any question there is about ranching, but one question that I have never been asked is what my favorite part of ranching is.

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Tampa Bay Fishing Report March 2022 Capt. Woody Gore

Hot…Cold…Cold…Hot…Blowing… Calm…Calm…Blowing

It will be nice when the weather settles down. March typically brings the start of good fishing. Hopefully, this year will be the same. Having the severe bouts of Red Tide in recent years did not help but lets keep our fingers crossed; perhaps, we can skate by without a repeat performance. Overall, fishing in the bay area slows a bit during cold spells. But you can still catch fish. Although, not the numbers we get in the spring and summer. Once a haven for trout, reds, and snook, the Fort Desoto area is making a comeback. Deep grass flats hold some nice fish around potholes and mangroves. Water temperatures affect the morning bite, but late afternoons and warmer temperatures seem to produce better.

pushing inside to markers and back onto the grass flats. You are assured that things are about to go gangbusters when this happens.

Snook:

Snook are just coming out of their winter haunts. However, many are pushing back into shallow water flats, mangrove islands, and shorelines. Warm days following a week of high temperatures usu-

Rock piles, docks, oyster bars, and bridge fenders still hold sheepshead. Some nice fish reported in the 2 to 5 lb. range. If you fancy yourself a sight angler, you owe it to yourself to match wits with a grass-flat sheepshead. It is loads of fun and taking odds, bet on the sheepshead. Good inshore Mangrove snapper action around markers, deep rock structure, and deepwater docks prove productive. Try chumming to get them going in deeper water, then sit back and have fun.

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Capt. Woody Gore (www.captainwoodygore.com)

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Should start to see some greenbacks around the Skyway Bridge reasonably soon, if they are not there already. Then 2022

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ally causes a stir in some adventurous linesiders with afternoon bites fair to good. They should begin moving from deepwater canals, rivers, creeks as the water temperatures continue rising. Good Snook action typically starts on deeper flats with moves to shallow warmer waters.

Redfish:

March Redfish should prove exciting. Schooling fish show up around flats following bait and larger schools of mullet. Mangrove shorelines with cuts into the backcountry often produce good fish. Working artificial topwater lures like MirrOLure Top Dog slowing over grass flats or around Mangroves prove worthy of the effort. Later as the suns get up, try fishing soft plastic lures on lightweight jigheads for reactionary strikes. Live baiters can expect equal success using greenbacks or dollar-size pinfish. Areas like those for Snook work for Redfish, especially outside grass flats.

Spotted Sea Trout:

Trout, oh fantastic trout, where are you? So many favorite spots do not produce like last year. Usually, the deeper water grass flats on moving tides will do the trick.

“Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing”

813-477-3814

Captain Woody Gore owns and operates the area’s number one outdoor fishing guide service. Guiding and fishing the Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg areas for over sixty years, his service offers world-class fishing and a lifetime of memories. Single or Multi-boat Group Charters are all the same. With years of organizational experience and access to the area’s most experienced captains, Capt. Woody can arrange and coordinate any outing or tournament. Website at: WWW.CAPTAINWOODYGORE.COM, email wgore@ix.netcom.com, or call at 813-477-3814. Member: ​FOWA-Florida Outdoor Writers Assoc., MemberSEOPA Southeastern Outdoor Press Assoc. CEO/Pres. Sport-Fishing Unlimited & Outdoor Communications, Outdoor Writer & Speaker

Plenty of others to catch:

Sheephead are everywhere, probably until April, especially bridges, oyster bars, deepwater docks, rock piles, and fish attractors. Grouper, and Snapper, are doing well and should continue. Fishing around the structure or one of the many fish attractors is an excellent place to start.

Good luck on the water this month and, “LET’S GO FISHING.”

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E n d a n g e r e d S p e c i es

Enduring Florida: Gopher Tortoise

By Libby Hopkins

Gopher tortoises have been around for millions of years, but today they are a threatened species in Florida and several other states. Their imperiled status means that these tortoises are protected by state law and must be left alone. The major issue facing these gentle and important creatures is that human development keeps encroaching on their native habitats. Many are found in North Central Florida, but they can be found throughout the state except in the southern tip. The gopher tortoise prefers dry habitats such as longleaf pine scrub, oak sand hills, oak hammocks, sand pine scrub, wiregrass flat woods, dry prairies and coastal dunes. One of the reason gopher tortoises are so heavily protected is that they play an important role in many Florida ecosystems. They are a keystone species, meaning that many other species in the ecosystem rely on gopher tortoises to survive. The gopher tortoise creates burrows in the ground which are more like an underground community. They provide homes to a variety of other creatures in addition to the tortoise. In fact, hundreds of different species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects and even birds have been known to use gopher tortoise burrows. Different animals use the burrows in different ways, sometimes to provide quick shelter from predators, or as a temporary refuge from the fires which are a natural part of the landscape in upland ecosystem. Gopher tortoises have stumpy elephant-like back legs which are not webbed. Their front feet are shaped like shovels for digging burrows. Gopher tortoises also have a special bony plate on the front of their shells directly behind the head. This plate is called a nuchal scute. Gopher Tortoises go through four stages during their life cycles: Hatchling, Juvenile, Sub-adult, and Adult. Determining what stage they are in is done by measuring how long the top of their shell is, which is called the carapace length. Their appearance also changes as they age. Gopher tortoises can live 40 to 60 years in the wild, though captive tortoises may live more than 90 years. Males reach adulthood at approximately nine to 12 years of age, whereas a female may take 10 to 21 years to reach maturity depending on local resource abundance and latitude.

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The breeding season occurs between March and October. Females typically lay one clutch of five to nine ping pong ball-sized eggs per year. Eggs are deposited between May and July. Gopher tortoises’ nest in open, sunny locations, frequently within the soft mound of sand at the entrance of their burrow, called the burrow apron. Egg incubation lasts 80 to 110 days, and hatchlings typically emerge from their nests between August and November. Tortoises exhibit no maternal care of their eggs or young.

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Gopher tortoises are herbivorous. They feed on low-growing plants like wiregrass, broadleaf grasses, gopher apple, and legumes. Tortoises are resourceful grazers, so the core plants within their environment likely make up the bulk of their diet. Tortoises may alter their diet seasonally depending on forage availability. They typically forage within 160 feet of their burrow but will travel farther if forage is unavailable. Gopher tortoises may drink water that has pooled following a rainstorm, but generally consume an adequate amount of water from forage plants. The primary threat to the gopher tortoise is habitat loss through habitat destruction, fragmentation, and degradation, particularly from urbanization and development. Land development for residential homes generally occurs in the same high, dry habitats that the tortoise prefers. Lack of appropriate land management, especially prescribed burning, has also contributed to population declines in areas where natural habitat remains. Additional threats include increased risk of road mortality due to fragmentation, particularly of females searching for suitable nest sites. Upper respiratory tract disease (URTD) also poses a potential threat to gopher tortoise populations as evidence suggests URTD may be partially responsible for declines in some populations. Human harvest and habitat degradation from fire suppression has also significantly depleted gopher tortoise populations in the Florida panhandle. The gopher tortoise was listed as a Species of Special Concern in Florida in 1979 and was reclassified as a State-designated Threatened species in 2007. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) created its first Gopher Tortoise Management Plan following this reclassification. The goal of the management plan is to “restore and maintain secure, viable populations of gopher tortoises throughout Florida so the species no longer warrants listing.” This goal can be attained by achieving the following conservation objectives, which are to minimize loss of gopher tortoises, increase and improve habitat, enhance and restore populations and to maintain the gopher tortoise’s function as a keystone species. Because gopher tortoises are protected in Florida, handling and relocation of gopher tortoises is an illegal activity unless conducted under a valid permit issued by FWC. If you see a tortoise crossing a busy road, FWC grants permission to move the gopher tortoise across the road in the same direction it was headed if it is safe for you to do so. Do not move the tortoise to another location or put the tortoise in a car as this constitutes illegal possession.

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2022 RESULTS 2022 CHAMPIONS OF CHAMPIONS “The Best of the Best” 1st Place THE CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS – Payton Davis from Ocala 2nd Place Champion of Champions – Nathanael Monroe from Floral City 3rd Place Champion of Champions – Adrianna Loper from Gotha 4th Place Champion of Champions – Danielle Miller from Plant City 5th Place tie Champion of Champions – Samantha Harper from Palatka and India Wilson from Orlando 6th Place Champion of Champions – Rebecca Lyons from Wesley Chapel 2022 CHAMPION YOUTH WINNERS RESULTS YOUTH DOG Junior Champion – Gideon Miller, Plant City Intermediate Champion – Anna Radajcsics, Bradenton 4th place Senior Champion – Leilani Hammel, Sarasota 3rd place Senior Champion – Tailyn Mullet, Sarasota 2nd place Senior Champion – Danielle Miller, Plant City Champion Youth for Dog Show – Hailey Jones, Sarasota YOUTH LLAMA

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Junior Champion –Leonard Greeley, McAlpin Intermediate Champion – Raina Ishak, Lutz

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4th place Senior Champion – Jayden Benson, Riverview 3rd place Senior Champion – Maddison Young, McAlpin 2nd place Senior Champion – Alicia Jenkins, Tampa Champion Youth for Llama Show – Maya Miller, Dunnellon YOUTH RABBIT Junior Champion – Jason Peoski, Riverview Intermediate Champion – Audrey Brogan, Land O’ Lakes 4th place Senior Champion – Archer Konow, Dade City 3rd place Senior Champion – Nathanael Monroe, Floral City 2nd place Senior Champion – Hannah Rudolph, Palmetto Champion Youth for Rabbit Show – Carissa Johnson, Myakka City YOUTH STEER Intermediate Champion –Reagan Hancock, Morriston 4th place Senior Champion – India Wilson, Orlando 3rd place Senior Champion – Gabe Mitchell, Trenton 2nd place Senior Champion – Madison Lefler, Dover Champion Youth for Steer Show – Payton Davis, Ocala

YOUTH DAIRY Junior Champion – Kenslee Heinke, Wimauma Intermediate Champion – Lindsey Hartwig, Dade City 4th place Senior Champion – Rebecca Holcomb, Litha 3rd place Senior Champion – Rebecca Lyons, Wesley Chapel 2nd place Senior Champion – Jenna Larson, Okeechobee Champion Youth for Dairy Show – Logan Shoop, Wimauma YOUTH POULTRY Junior Champion – Amelia Zeleznock, Wesley Chapel Intermediate Champion – Micah Evans, Brooksville 4th place Senior Champion – Imogen Lanzetta, Litha 3rd place Senior Champion – Caroline Evans, Brooksville 2nd place Senior Champion – Hunter Fraccica, Spring Hill Champion Youth for Poultry Show – Samantha Harper, Palatka YOUTH GOAT Junior Champion – Hunter Roof, Oak Hill Intermediate Champion –Malia Sabatini, Deland 4th place Senior Champion – Ashlyn Miller, New Smyrna Beach 3rd place Senior Champion – Danielle Miller, Plant City 2nd place Senior Champion – Adrianna Loper, Gotha Champion Youth for Goat Show – Kalina Deans, Venice WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM


YOUTH SWINE Junior Champion – Ellie Smith, Riverview Intermediate Champion – Walker Scott, Brooksville 4th place Senior Champion – Payton Davis, Ocala 3rd place Senior Champion – David Austin, Deland 2nd place Senior Champion – Charleigh Wood, Lakeland Champion Youth for Swine Show – Nathanael Monroe, Floral City YOUTH BEEF Junior Champion – Julie Portillo, Deltona Intermediate Champion – Reagan Hancock, Morriston 4th place Senior Champion – Chloe Davis, Ocala 3rd place Senior Champion – Judson Hancock, Morriston 2nd place Senior Champion – Madi Lefler, Dover Champion Youth for Beef Show – Spencer Baylor, Plant City YOUTH SHEEP Junior Champion –Julie Portillo, Deltona Intermediate Champion – Mia Portillo, Deltona 4th place Senior Champion – Madison Braun, Deltona 3rd place Senior Champion – Ashlyn Miller, New Smyrna Beach 2nd place Senior Champion – Abbaigaelle Millard, Enterprise Champion Youth for Sheep Show – Hayley Luznar, New Smyrna Beach

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• In 2016, $135.5 billion worth of American agricultural products were exported around the world. The United States sells more food and fiber to world markets than we import, creating a positive agricultural trade balance. • The millennial generation (people aged 34 and under) includes 257,454 farmers. More than 20 percent of all farmers are beginning farmers (in business less than 10 years). • One U.S. farm feeds 165 people annually in the U.S. and abroad. The global population is expected to increase to 9.7 billion by 2050, which means the world’s farmers will have to grow about 70 percent more food than what is now produced. • Americans enjoy a food supply that is abundant, affordable overall and among the world’s safest, thanks in large part to the efficiency and productivity of America’s farm and ranch families. • Women make up 30 percent (969,672) of the total number of U.S. farmer operators.

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April Fools Jokes Ever wonder who started April Fools’ Day? There are many theories how the tradition began, but none of them have ever been accepted. The origin of the “custom of making April Fools” remains as much a mystery to us now as it was back in the 1700s. Although not a national holiday in any country, it started becoming popular in the 19th century when people started playing practical jokes on one another. On April 1, 1957 a BBC News show announced that thanks to a very mild winter and the virtual elimination of the dreaded spaghetti weevil, Swiss farmers were enjoying a bumper spaghetti crop. They even went so far as to tell their viewers how they could grow their own spaghetti tree by placing a spring of spaghetti in a can of tomato sauce and hope for the best. Hundreds were taken in. I recall on our radio show “This’n That” with Ercelle Smith in the mid-nineties, we told our audience that Crea Beauchamp and Coleman Davis were looking for spaghetti pickers, and would pay $10.00 an hour. Crea and Coleman went along with our April Fools joke. We told our audience that their spaghetti farm was a side venture from their Badcock store, and their crop came in early. We gave out the stores phone number a couple of times, and in about ten minutes Coleman called back and said their lines were overflowing and they had all the pickers they needed.

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We pulled a prank on Doris McDonald one day when she stopped by during “This’n That” to bring us home homemade cookies. We took a quarter and ran a pencil around the edge of the quarter a few times leaving black carbon on it. Ercelle said, “Doris, Al wants to check your stability. Take this quarter and with your left index finger on one side, and your right index finger on the other side, see if you can roll the quarter from the top of your forehead down across your nose to you chin

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

with dropping it.” She did it perfectly and left the radio station with a black line from the top of her forehead to her chin. Then she went shopping downtown, and finally after about three stores the clerk inquired about the line on her face. She was a good sport, but not to be outdone, the next week she turned a polecat loose on me in the radio station control room. I didn’t realize I could move so fast. We all got a laugh when she told us it had been de-skunked. In 1962 there was only one TV station in Sweden, and it broadcast in black and white. But on April 1, 1962, the station’s news anchor announced on the evening news that thank to new technology, viewers could convert their existing sets to display color reception. All they had to do was pull a nylon stocking over their TV screen. Thousands of people gave it a try, and many caught on to the joke. Color broadcast actually started in Sweden on April 1, 1970. Taco Bell Corporation took out a full-page ad that appeared in six major newspapers on April 1, 1996, announcing it had bought the Liberty Bell and was renaming it the Taco Libery Bell. Hundreds of outraged citizens called the National Historic Park in Philadelphia where the bell was located to express their anger. Everything settled down a few hours later when Taco Bell revealed that it was just a practical joke. The best line of the day was when White House Press Secretary Mike McCurry was asked about the sale. Thinking on his feet, he responded that the Lincoln Memorial had also been sold. It would now be known, he said, as the Ford Lincoln Mercury Memorial. A barber in Columbus, Ohio, on April Fools’ Day, 1980, went to work without a shirt on — wearing only a bow tie and pants. He put up a sign in front of his one-man shop that read: “Topless Stylist on Duty Today.” Police said his ad caused traffic to back up and a mucketyWWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM


muck from the state’s licensing board stopped by to check on the shenanigans after receiving a call from the vice squad.

informed their audiences that the Loch Ness Monster had been found, but was dead. Reporters rushed to the loch to get more details.

On the morning of Friday March 31, 1972, an eightmember team of scientists from Yorkshire’s Flamingo Park Zoo was having breakfast in the dining room of the Foyers House hotel, on the shore of Loch Ness. They were there on a joint mission with the Loch Ness Phenomena Bureau to prove the existence of a monster in the loch. They had developed a new form of “hormone sex bait” that they hoped would lure Nessie out of the depths.

Local residents confirmed that something weird had been dragged out of the water. A 23-year-old area resident, said, “I touched it and put my hand in its mouth. It’s real, all right. I thought it looked half-bear and halfseal... green in color... with a horrific head like a bear with flat ears. I was shocked.”

As they dug into their bacon and eggs, the manager of the hotel approached them. Someone had just called, she said, to report seeing a “large hump” floating in the loch near the hotel. Intrigued, the team put down their knives and forks and walked outside. Sure enough, a large, dark object was bobbing up and down in the waves about 300-yards offshore. One of the leaders of the team immediately swung into action. He directed the team into their boat, and they headed out to investigate. Twenty minutes later, at around 9 a.m., they returned, dragging behind them a bizarre object. It appeared to be the dead body of the Loch Ness Monster.

Other witnesses told reporters the creature had been between 12 and 18 feet in length and must have weighed up to 1½ tons. They said it had a green body without scales and was like a cross between a walrus and a seal. Eventually reporters contacted the Director of the Flamingo Park Zoo, who said, “I’ve always been skeptical about the Loch Ness Monster, but this is definitely a monster, no doubt about that. From the reports I’ve had, no one has ever seen anything like it before... a fishy, scaly body with a massive head and big protruding teeth.” The next morning, April 1, the discovery made frontpage headlines around the world. The British press dubbed the creature “Son of Nessie.”

Within hours, news of the discovery had reached the rest of the world. Television news anchors solemnly

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THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 2022 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM W.H. Stuart Center UF/IFAS Extension Polk 1710 US Hwy 17 S Bartow, FL 33830

Pre-Registration is Required

$25 includes dinner & print material

Register online at https://herdhealth2022.eventbrite.com For more information, contact your local County Extension Agent or Bridget Stice at (863) 588-2697 or bccarlis@ufl.edu

HERD HEALTH SEMINAR: CALF MANAGEMENT PRACTICES THAT PAY

The calf crop yields the greatest, and in some years only, source of income on the ranch. Join us as we explore old and new health management practices that expand your marketing opportunities with a healthier calf crop. Superior Livestock Auction representative, Charles Robert Stevens, will review the 2020 national and regional calf sales data. This will be followed by a panel discussion that explores value-added programs, and calf management and marketing decisions for a healthier calf crop and stronger bottom line. The University of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Institution

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Sponsored by:

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FLORIDA SUGAR SNAP PEAS By Sandy Sun, M.S. Clinical Medicines, B.S. Nutrition Science Fresh Florida sugar snap peas are at their peak now in the spring months, March through April. A member of the legume family, sugar snap peas are a cross between snow peas and garden peas. Sugar snap peas are eaten whole, pods, peas, and all and delicious either raw or cooked. Their pods are round, differing from the flat pods of snow peas. Each pod contains three to five peas. In edible pea pods, such as in sugar snap peas or snow peas, the fibers run in only one direction, which makes them easy to chew and not tough. Sugar snap peas were developed in 1979, and only 5 percent of all the peas grown are sold fresh. The fresher the peas, the better the taste, as the sugar content of peas converts to starch shortly after harvesting.

Nutrition Sugar snap peas are considered an excellent source of the antioxidant vitamins C, K, and A. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, one ¾ cup serving of fresh sugar snap peas contains 40 calories, 2 g protein, 0.2 g fat, 9 g carbohydrate, and 2 g of dietary fiber. It also provides 42% of the Daily Recommended Value (%DV) for vitamin C, 21% for vitamin A, 13% for vitamin K, and significant amounts of thiamine, folate, iron, manganese, copper, magnesium, and potassium.

Antioxidant vitamins Fresh sugar snap peas are high in a variety of nutrients, including antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins that work together to promote a healthy heart. This legume boasts high levels of the antioxidants vitamin C and vitamin A, which work to reduce the amount of free radicals in the body and prevent its damaging effects in cells. By fighting cell and tissue damage, vitamin C protects against cancer and other diseases, such as the common cold. Vitamin C is important for a healthy immune system, cancer prevention, healthy blood circulation and wound healing. This vitamin also helps the body absorb more iron, and aids in the development of strong bones and teeth.

intakes of vitamin K were correlated to a higher risk of hip fracture in both men and women.

How to Select and Store CChoose firm, green pods that are free of blemishes, wrinkles, or yellowing. Fresh sugar snap peas will snap crisply when bent. Sugar snap peas are best eaten as soon as possible, but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three or four days. They can also be blanched and frozen to enjoy for later use.

How to Enjoy Fresh sugar snap peas are delicious eaten out-of-hand. They can also be enjoyed raw in salads or on a crudite platter with dip. They are also delicious when lightly stir-fried, grilled, roasted, or steamed. Older, larger snap pea pods may have a tough string that runs from top to bottom of the pod; remove before eating. Sugar snap peas are fairly delicate and are cooked for a very short time to maintain their crisp texture. Here are some more ideas on how to enjoy: • Boil in salted water until crisp-tender, about 1-2 minutes • Stir-fry sugar snap peas with teriyaki sauce and sesame seeds • Toss raw or steamed snap peas into salads • Sauté with butter and sliced almonds for an easy side dish • Toss into soups and stews Enjoy fresh Florida sugar snap peas in their peak season today. You can boost your health and lower your risk of cancer by eating more of these crisp, sweet vegetables.

SELECTED REFERENCES http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ http://www.wikipedia.org

Minerals for a healthy heart Sugar snap peas are also high in other important nutrients, including potassium, magnesium, and folate. Potassium and magnesium work together to promote healthy heart functioning and lower high blood pressure. A healthy heart rhythm is influenced by these minerals. Potassium helps regulate fluids and mineral balance, aids in muscle contraction, and helps transmit nerve impulses.

Bone up on Vitamin K Florida sugar snap peas provides 13 percent of your daily vitamin K requirements. This vitamin is crucial in the blood clotting process and plays an extremely important role in bone health. Several large research studies, including the Nurses’ Health Study and the Framingham Heart Study have found that lower INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

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HER ROOTS RUN DEEP CARRYING ON THE Peyton Chandley:

Polk County Cattlemen’s Sweetheart FUSSELL HERITAGE

By Melissa Nichols

Photos Courtey of Peyton Chandley

From the day I met Peyton Chandley of Lake Wales when she was an exhibitor at the Polk County Youth Fair, I knew that she was going places. She always greeted me with a smile, hug, and a willingness to help. She had a passion for the cattle industry that I had never seen in a young child before. Her knowledge of the industry was truly an inspiration to me to educate my own children more and get them more involved. She lived and breathed every aspect of the ranch as she helped her parents Barrett and Lori Chandley at Grape Hammock Fish camp and Grape Hammock Ranch. Peyton and her brother Gabe are proud to be 8th generation Florida Cattle Ranchers. Lori is the daughter of Cary and Marcia Lightsey with Lightsey Cattle Company. Part of her life plan was that she would one day be the Polk County Cattlemen’s Sweetheart and run for the Florida Cattlemen’s Sweetheart. In February the board announced that Peyton received the title of Polk County Cattlemen’s Sweetheart so she will go Marco Island and compete to represent not only Polk County but also her family as she runs for the coveted title of Florida Cattlemen’s Sweetheart.

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Along with being sweetheart one day, Peyton also dreamed of graduating with honors from Lake Wales High School, where she was also dual enrolled and pursued her International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma along with being heavily involved in sports as well as academic achievements. Peyton was on the weightlifting team where she proved herself to be an asset to the team and a serious competitor. Peyton represented LWHS in the prestigious Silver Garland Awards in 2021 for Vocational Education. Silver Garland is awarded to students who excel in all areas, volunteer, leadership as well as academics. Peyton graduated with the class of 2021 with a 4.613 GPA and is proudly attending the University of Florida. She is actively pursuing her degree in Food and Resource Economics with a specialization in Food & Agribusiness Marketing and Man-

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agement. Peyton is carrying on the family tradition of being a Gator. She is actively a member of the Alpha Chi Omega Sorority at UF and a member of Block & Bridle Club and the Gator Collegiate Cattlewomen. She is part of the UF show team where she recently got the opportunity to show on behalf of the University of Florida with their Registered Brahman cattle at the Florida State Fair in the Open Beef show. Peyton was excited to be back in the ring doing something that had been a huge part of her success in the past. Peyton spent years helping her father select breeding and genetics to improve their herd and to produce show quality steers for the Polk County Youth Fair commercial steer show. She had great success at the youth fair with her Simmental and commercial beef breed heifers and her commercial steers. Peyton showed with a passion that few have ever displayed, her love for the industry beamed through her every move. Over the years she won Reserve Grand Champion two times with steers produced by Grape Hammock. Peyton always worked hard with her projects and when she achieved a title she did so with grace and humbleness. Hard work pays off and it showed with her achievements in the show ring and in her education. When not attending classes at UF Peyton can be found at the Beef teaching unit where boss Jesse Savell, Beef Program Coordinator said, “Peyton truly enjoys being involved in agriculture, she is always there to lend a hand and does it with a smile.” Peyton is one of few that understand all aspects of cattle ranching from the production standpoint to the show circuit. She has done it all. Peyton’s grandfather, Cary Lightsey, is extremely proud of all of her accomplishments and says this has been her goal for a long time. “Peyton loved attending the convention and she loved the whole sweetheart part of the convention. She wanted to attend all the contests to watch the contestants throughout the week,” Cary said. “We hoped one day she WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM


would be a part of the contest herself and are proud of her.” “Ever since she was little, she loved being around the cattle at both families ranches. Our family and the Chandley family are multi-generation cattle ranchers. She doesn’t shy away from working the cattle, from riding a horse, to bringing the cattle to the pens, to sitting in the “hot seat” parting the cattle for me, Peyton is there,” Cary continued. “She loves to assist the veterinarian with vaccinations and will do anything to assist in keeping the cattle healthy.” Peyton not only lives on the ranch but she respects the land for future and generations to come. She stepped up at an event as spokesperson for Conservation Florida when Cary was unable to attend. She told a heartfelt story of what conservation on the ranch means to the future of Florida. “Our family business was so proud of her stepping into such a position at a young age and speaking on behalf of the future” Cary said. “We know she will continue her efforts with conserving land, something our family has done for many years.” Peyton feels the younger generation needs to see the need to continue to protect the land and sees the need to continue to feed the world. She is wise beyond her years and has always been a voice not only on her family’s behalf but also on agriculture’s behalf. She is truly the perfect representative for Polk County Cattlemen and someone that the younger generation can look up to and learn from. In her year as sweetheart Peyton hopes to continue to promote the Beef industry and educate those around her of its importance. She hopes to inspire the younger generation to get involved in 4-H or FFA and learn all they can about agriculture. Peyton has a long list of accolades both academically and vocationally but knowing her like I do I must say the most important thing to her above everything else is making sure that everyone knows she is proud to have a strong faith in God. In her success she has been very public with giving all credit to him. Peyton is a humble, kind and sincere young lady and truly one that every young person can look up to. We are proud to have her representing Polk County and look forward to seeing her at the upcoming Polk County Cattlemen’s Association Ranch Rodeo.

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USDA to Invest $1 Billion in Climate Smart Commodities, Expanding Markets, Strengthening Rural America By Jim Frankowiak

education) • Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) (other than institutions of higher education) • Private institutions of higher education, or • Public and State-controlled institutions of higher education. The primary applicant must be an entity, not an individual. Funding will be provided in two funding pools, and applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on: • April 8, 2022, for the first funding pool (proposals from $5 For the purposes of this funding opportunity, a climate-smart million to $100 million), and commodity is defined as an agricultural commodity that is • May 27, 2022, for the second funding pool (proposals from produced using agricultural (farming, ranching or forestry) $250,000 to $4,999,999). practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions or seques- Proposals must provide plans to: • Pilot implementation of climate-smart agriculture and/or ter carbon. forestry practices on a large-scale, including meaningful inFunding will be provided to partners through the US- volvement of small and/or historically underserved producDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation for pilot projects to pro- ers; • Quantify, monitor, report and verify climate results; and vide incentives to producers and landowners to: • implement climate-smart production practices, activities, • Develop markets and promote climate-smart commodities generated as a result of project activities and systems on working lands, • measure/quantify, monitor and verify the carbon and greenhouse gas (GHG) benefits associated with those prac- USDA is committed to equity in program delivery and is specifically seeking proposals from entities serving all types of tices, and • develop markets and promote the resulting climate-smart producers, including small or historically underserved producers. Providing sufficient incentives to encourage producer commodities. participation and generating both verifiable greenhouse gas A range of public and private entities may apply, including: reduction and carbon sequestration benefits are critical to • County, city or township governments project success and will be considered in the evaluation cri• Special district governments teria. • State governments • Small businesses Visit usda.gov for additional information, including details on • For profit organizations other than small businesses • Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities and resources • Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally to support applications recognized tribal governments) • Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) (other than institutions of higher

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing $1 billion in partnerships to support America’s climate-smart farmers, ranchers and forest landowners. The new Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities opportunity will finance pilot projects that create market opportunities for U.S. agricultural and forestry products that use climate-smart practices and include innovative, cost-effective ways to measure and verify greenhouse gas benefits. USDA is now accepting project applications for fiscal year 2022.

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USDA FUNDING PROJECTS TO PROTECT AGAINST INVASIVE PESTS AND DISEASES By Jim Frankowiak Lisa Meredith and Lynn Barber

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is allocating more than $70 million to support 372 projects under the Plant Protection Act’s Section 7721 program to strengthen the nation’s infrastructure for pest detection and surveillance, identification, and threat mitigation; to safeguard the nursery production system; and to respond to plant pest emergencies. Universities, states, federal agencies, nongovernmental organizations, nonprofits, and Tribal organizations will carry out selected projects in 49 states, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Of the projects selected in fiscal year 2022, 28 are funded through the National Clean Plant Network (NCPN). The NCPN helps the U.S. maintain the infrastructure necessary to ensure that pathogen, disease and pest-free-certified planting materials are available for U.S. specialty crop producers who grow fruit trees, grapes, berries, hops, sweet potatoes, and roses. Since 2009, USDA has supported more than 4,800 projects and provided nearly $740 million in funding through the Plant Pest and Disease Management and Disaster Preven-

tion Program. Collectively, these projects allow USDA and its partners to quickly detect and rapidly respond to invasive plant pests and diseases. Some of the projects funded include: Exotic fruit fly survey and detection: $5,742,671 in Florida and California; Agriculture plant pest detector dog teams: $5,887,418 to programs in California, Florida; Pennsylvania, New York and nationally to support detector dog team training and maintenance for domestic pest detection; Honey bee and pollinator health: $1,549,122 to protect honey bees, bumble bees and other important pollinators from harmful pests. USDA will use $15.5 million to rapidly respond to invasive pest emergencies should a pest of high economic consequence be found in the United States. In the past, USDA has used these funds to respond to pests such as the Asian giant hornet, spotted lanternfly, coconut rhinoceros beetle, exotic fruit flies and the box tree moth.

Learn More,

Learn more on the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) website: aphis.usda.gov. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

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By Grady Judd, Polk County Sheriff

JEEPIN’ WITH JUDD WAS A SUCCESS; NOW CHECK OUT THESE OTHER EVENTS

Members of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office don’t just provide public safety services to Polk County, they’re also always looking for ways to help citizens in need. One of the ways they accomplish this is through several special fundraisers sponsored each year, which raise money for various charities. We just held the Jeepin’ with Judd event near Bartow at the end of February. It was the eighth time we’ve put together the Jeep-only event and it just keeps getting better. If you’re new to the area, and you wondered why you saw so many Jeeps in Polk County recently, this is why. We had about 2,200 Jeeps taking part in the family-friendly three-day event, and we’re already working on the plans for next year’s version. All of the proceeds from Jeepin’ with Judd go to Polk Sheriff’s Charities, Inc. which is a not-for-profit organization that supports activities and organizations which benefit the community, and the families of fallen law enforcement officers. The part about aiding the families of fallen law enforcement officers is pretty self-explanatory, but the part about benefiting the community might leave you wondering what that means. In a nutshell, it means that Polk Sheriff’s Charities, Inc. gives back to Polk’s citizens. For instance, it has supported needs in our community that our deputies have identified, such as purchasing Christmas gifts for children in Polk County’s most economically challenged neighborhoods, providing sports jerseys for youth teams, and supporting organizations dedicated to assisting victims of crime.

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Now that we’re into March, we find ourselves focused on two more PCSO events in April, both of which are also annual events.

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The first of the two events is the 14th Annual Bustin’ Clays with Sheriff Grady Judd, which will be held at Tenoroc Sporting Clays in Lakeland on April 2. Last year, we had 350 shooters and 450 attendees. The proceeds from this event also go to Polk Sheriff’s Charities, Inc. There are no more availabilities for shooters or sponsorships at this year’s event, but if you’d like to get more information so that you can take part next year, you can get that from the website at www.BustinClays.org. The second event in April is the 8th Annual Judd Jog, which occurs on the 30th at the PCSO Sheriff’s Operation Center near Winter Haven. It’s a 5k charity event that starts in front of our offices, meanders around a lake, runs down a roadway, and finishes under the oak hammock behind the Polk State Kenneth C. Thompson Institute of Public Safety. Registrants will be eligible for raffle prizes, and medals will be awarded to those who finish. Place medals will be awarded to those who place 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in their respective age groups. Judd Jog t-shirts will also be guaranteed to all who register by March 18th. All of the proceeds from Judd Jog go to the United Way of Central Florida. For more information, or to register, go to www.JuddJog.org. Thank you to everyone who made it out to Jeepin’ with Judd, and I hope to see you out at one of these other upcoming events. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM


Agvocating for Youth

by Payge Dupre

This year has been very busy for the youth in agriculture so far, but they don’t slow down from representing us amazingly! Recently, we had multiple youth exhibitors from Polk County travel all the way to the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo to show their cattle in the open cattle shows. Congratulations to Madilyn Nichols, Madison Stokes, Carlee Taylor, and Chasey McCrimmon for having the opportunity to participate at this level and represent us to the best of their abilities. Madilyn Nichols received Reserve Senior Heifer Calf with her Ultrablack Female. Carlee Taylor received Grand Champion Ultrablack Cow/Calf Pair. I also was able to receive Grand Champion Angus bull! It was fun to see the growth of people traveling from Florida to show their livestock on the National and International levels. Our County FFA Contests are always a blast for everyone. Rounding out the year we will have our Federation Banquet on May 3, at 6 PM at the Polk County Youth Fair Stuart Center. At the Federation Banquet, one of the things we will announce is our Spirit Award winner. Chapters across the county have participated in several different spirit contests and our winners will finally be announced and awarded at this banquet. We will also install our new officer team and retire our previous one. The Central Florida Youth in Agriculture Livestock Showcase & Sale is quickly approaching and will be held March 23-26. This year there are over 239 exhibitors with more than 515 entries total. Last year there

The schedule for the CFYIA Showcase & Sale begins on Wednesday, March 23 from 7-11 am with Beef arrival, check-in and weigh-in, followed by Swine arrival, check-in and weigh-in from 1-6 pm. They will then hold a Beef Exhibitor Meeting at 3 pm with the Zebu show starting at 6:30 pm, followed by the Bull show. Thursday, March 24 at 9 am will begin the Beef show in the following order: Showmanship – Novice, Junior, Intermediate, Senior; Registered Females – Brahman, Brangus, Ultrablack, Angus, AOB, Simmental; Commercial Heifers – Brahman Influenced, European; Bred & Owned Heifers – Brahman Influence, European; Supreme Champion Heifer Drive, Steer Shows – Prospect, Brahman Influence, Bred & Owned, Market; Supreme Steer Champion Drive. Friday, March 25 at 8:30 am will be a Swine Exhibitor Meeting following by showmanship at 9 am and the Swine Show at 1 pm. Saturday, March 26 will begin with a Buyers Breakfast from 8-10 am with the Steer & Swine Sale starting at 10 am. Good luck to everyone preparing for upcoming shows, we look forward to the results!

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was only 180 exhibitors with 420 entries, this is a great increase! With that being said, exhibitors with market projects will need to work extra hard to secure a buyer in advance as the show is growing in numbers, make sure to start marketing your projects.


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NEWS BRIEFS

Compiled by Jim Frankowiak

Farm Bureau Member Benefit at WorkBoots.com Florida Farm Bureau members receive a special 10% discount on equipment, apparel and footwear at WorkBoots. com. Enter the Florida Farm Bureau promo code at checkout to receive discounts on popular brands like Ariat, Durango, Justin, Wolverine and more! WorkBoots.com is devoted to outfitting American workers with shoes, boots, clothing and equipment that can handle the toughest tasks and job sites. If you don’t know the Florida Farm Bureau promo code, contact your county Farm Bureau office or click here to log in and access your digital Member Benefit Guide.

Military Ag Tour March 18

FSU & UF Basketball Tickets

The 7th Hillsborough County Military Agriculture Tour is set for March 18 to introduce active duty, transitioning, veterans anmd their spouses to the diversity and opportunities in Hillsborough County agriculture. The all-day tour will include stops at G & F Farms, Woods Nursery, Oak Ridge Fish Hatchery the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulfcoast Research and Education Center (GCREC).

Florida Farm Bureau members can receive up to two (2) free tickets to UF and/or FSU basketball games this season. Tickets are offered on a first come, first served basis and are subject to availability, weather cancellations and other unforeseen events. Not all home games are eligible for this promotion. To access free tickets, visit: Apps.FloridaFarmBureau. com/promo/.

Reservations are limited. Register at HCFLGov.net/Vets2Ag net/Vets2Ag or by calling Simon Bollin 813/853-1086.

Protecting Florida Wetlands The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida is reminding across the state how wetlands work hard for us, cleaning pollutants out of our water, storing water and controlling flooding. Through the NRCS Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) preserve and restore wetlands. A landowner can sell a conservation easement to limit land uses, restore wetlands, protect wildlife habitat and prevent property development. Agricultural producers also conserve and protect water quality, reduce soil erosion and create wildlife habitat with financial and technical assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentive Program ((EQIP). Contact the USDA Plant City Service Center for more information at 813/4734882.

Conservation Reminder The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida is reminding conservation partners that up to $225 million in funding is being made available through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). The partner-driven program leverages collective resources to find solutions to address natural resource challenges on agricultural land. This year’s funding announcement includes opportunities for projects that address climate change, benefit historically underserved producers and support urban agriculture. More information is available at the USDA Plant City Service Center, 201 South Collins Street, Suite 201, and Telephone: 813/473-4882.

National 4-H Council Receives $50 Million Gift The National 4-H Council has received a $50 million gift from writer and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. The gift from Scott, former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, is the largest gift ever received by the Council, which will seek input from stakeholders for the best utilization of these significant funds.

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A Date To Remember

by John Dicks There are certain dates in history that seem to standout, forever etched in our minds.

clared? Where and with whom did you spend your time? Who did you call? What did you do?

To our generation, certainly September 11, 2001, marking the date of the attack on the World Trade Center, is one we will always remember.

All of us have stories painted in our minds from the pandemic; and they will be shared with family and friends, perhaps for generations. Some suffered personal pain, sickness, and even death. Many lived through loneliness, detachment, and despair.

Vivid memories are also attached to July 20, 1969, the date on which Apollo 11 Astronaut Neil Armstrong took what he grandly referred to as his “one giant leap for mankind” and made the first in forever bootprints on the face of the moon. Another notable date is November 22, 1963. To this day, nearly 60 years later, conversation still turns to the question of “where were you, and what were you doing,” when you heard that President John Kennedy had been assassinated. There are also other significant dates. Many people reflect on June 6, 1944 (D-Day), December 7, 1941 (Pearl Harbor), and, of course, we annually celebrate on July 4th, our Declaration of Independence, stated and signed in 1776. What’s interesting, though really not all that surprising, is it seems now that a new memorable date is seeping into that list marked on our Timeline of Life. The date is March 11, 2020, barely two years ago, yet in many respects a marker of time that changed our lives in so many ways.

We mastered new skills, such as zoom calls and virtual document signing. We sanitized everything within our reach and coped with wearing uncomfortable masks. Fist bumps replaced hugs and even handshakes. We dined outdoors rather than risk the closed confines offered inside. We ordered our groceries for home delivery, and even had medical exams done through FaceTime. Many of us scrambled and endured long lines seeking the security and liberation brought through vaccination. We adapted and worked hard to overcome the frustration, limitations and constantly changing situations thrown at us by the ever threatening, and mutating, coronavirus. Recently, though, news, and new developments, have become most encouraging; and finally it appears that the tide may be turning on the power of the pandemic.

Where were you? What were you doing? What were you thinking? March 11, 2020 kicked off a season of time fraught with confusion, fright, disappointment, inconvenience, and more than a tad bit of paranoia.

Barely a month has passed since the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) relaxed its mask guidelines and seemed to concur with the suggestion that the pandemic phase of the virus may soon shift to that of endemic. It is the term used to imply that the sheer number of global vaccinations, along with an otherwise large infection rate, will result in the virus eventually fading in severity and allow us to return to some semblance of a regular, everyday life.

Yes, it’s been a long two years; and regardless of whether the date will be carved into the stone of our memories, the experience, no doubt, will always linger, if only in our subconscious.

While it would be nice to have someone ring a bell, sound a horn, or otherwise announce an “all clear” signal, none will likely be heard. Thus prudence would encourage us to be on guard, but at least to breathe a deep, sweet, sigh of relief.

As institutions and government agencies starting gearing up to fight the unknown, recall your own personal experience. What were you doing, for example, when the lockdown was de-

Turn now, our attention to, and conversation of “what are your plans, and what will you be doing, post-pandemic?”

It was then, and on that day, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak to be a global pandemic.

I’m smiling at the very thought of it!

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

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Annual Termite & Pest Control

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FDACS Announces Appointment to Florida State Fair Authority Board By Jim Frankowiak The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has announced the appointment of Thaddeus Bullard, aka WWE Global Ambassador Titus O’Neil, to the Board of Directors of the Florida State Fair Authority. Bullard’s term began January 6, 2022 and ends May 29, 2025. Bullard is a philanthropist, author, athlete, and global entertainer. He graduated from the University of Florida and has since made it his mission to create change for those in need. Through his Bullard Family Foundation, in partnership with Hillsborough County Public Schools, he continues to transform Thaddeus M. Bullard Academy at Sligh Middle Magnet School and the surrounding area into an innovative education and community hub to create lasting generational change. He was named a finalist for the ESPN Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award in 2020 and 2021.

Thaddeus Bullard, aka WWE Global Ambassador Titus O’Neil,

“As a Florida native, it is a tremendous honor for me to be able to help

shape, cultivate, and educate, those throughout the state in both affluent and underserved communities on the importance of agriculture,” said Bullard. “I’m honored to be serving alongside an esteemed group of advocates for Florida to continue making our great state one of the best places to live, work, and play in the world.” The mission of the Florida State Fair Authority and its Board of Directors is to create positive entertainment experiences through the annual Florida State Fair; a variety of year-round events; quality competitive programs; a commitment to agriculture, education and community service, and a focus on new opportunities. For more information about the Florida State Fair Authority, go to www. floridastatefair.com. The 2022 Florida State Fair will take place February 1021, 2022. For more information, about the Florida State Fair, visit www.floridastatefair.com

Sign up

for a FREE On-Farm Readiness Review The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR) inspections have begun. Sign up now to request a free On-Farm Readiness Review (OFRR), offered in partnership by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and University of Florida IFAS. The OFRR is an educational opportunity to help individual farms align practices with the PSR regulatory requirements in preparation for inspections.

For more information on FSMA and to sign up for an OFRR, visit FDACS.gov/FSMA or call (863) 578-1900. To take full advantage of the OFRR and for PSR compliance, one farm representative should first attend a Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training. Upcoming trainings can be found at: crec.ifas.ufl.edu/extension/events

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This publication is supported by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award U2FFD007446 totaling $1,179,719 with 100 percent funded by FDA/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by FDA/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

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USDA Announces Lakeisha Hood as Rural Development State Director Lakeisha Hood has been appointed State Director for USDA Rural Development in Florida and U.S. Virgin Islands along with seven USDA regional leadership positions. Hood most recently worked as Director of the Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness in the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). In that role, she managed the implementation of the state’s food and nutrition programs, including oversight of a $12 million operational budget and more

than $1 billion of federal pass-through funds. Prior to joining FDACS, Hood served as a legislative assistant in the Florida Senate. A graduate of Alabama State University, Hood obtained her Master of Education degree from Auburn University at Montgomery and has earned law degrees from North Carolina Central University School of Law and the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law. Hood currently resides in Tallahassee, Fla. and is a licensed member of the State Bar of Georgia. RD State Directors serve as the chief executive officer of Rural Development in the states and territories and are tasked with carrying out the mission of Rural Development to the benefit of everyone in rural America. In conjunction with the guidance and support of the National Office, State Directors are responsible for promoting the mission and strategic goals of Rural Development and provide key leadership to develop and support a productive, diverse and inclusive state workforce. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.

With every generation,

we get better at protecting our environment. Reclamation ecologists like Ashlee work to return mined lands to productive use as wildlife habitats, public parks and more—so future generations can enjoy these lands for years to come.

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®


Polk County Allied Trade Show & Ranch Rodeo Scheduled for May 7th Photos courtesy Lacey Waters Photography

The Polk County Cattlemen’s Association and UF/IFAS Extension Service will host their 16th annual Allied Trade Show and 14th annual Ranch Rodeo on Saturday, May 7th in the Bartow Horse Arena at the Agri-Civic Center on Highway 17 South in Bartow. The Trade Show begins at 12:00 pm followed by the Ranch Rodeo at 3:00 pm. As in past years, the Trade Show will feature a host of exhibitors showcasing the “latest and greatest” in the livestock industry. Both cattle producers as well as the general public will benefit by participating in this event. To find out more about exhibiting a product or service, contact Livestock Agent Bridget Stice by calling (863) 588-2697 or sending an e-mail to bccarlis@ufl.edu.

double mugging, team sorting, boot scramble and “Senior Sorting” for participants 55 and up. The first place team wins individual saddles and entry into the Florida Ranch Rodeo Finals scheduled for September in Kissimmee. “We invite everyone with an interest in agriculture and livestock to join us for this year’s trade show and ranch rodeo on May 7th. This promises to be an informative and entertaining event that the entire family will enjoy,” said Hailey Tomkow, spokesperson for the event, noting that admission is free for Polk County Cattlemen’s Association members and children under the age of eight. Tickets are $10 for non-members and only $8 for veterans. Tickets may be purchased at the event.

Our 2020 First Place Saddle sponsors include Cattlemen’s Livestock Market, Everglades Equipment Group., KH Cattle Co, Organic Matters, Inc. and Saunders Real Estate. The Second Place Team Award Sponsor was Florida Farm & Ranch Supply and Third Place Team Award Sponsor was Mosaic. Event sponsors included KH Cattle Co, Merck Animal Health, Nutrena, Putnam Groves, Inc., Quality Liquid Feeds, Stein Cattle Company and Zoetis. Trade Show sponsors included Anipro/Xtraformance Feeds, BioZyme Inc., Boehringer Ingelheim, Brenda's Western Bling, Central States Enterprises, Crosby & Associates, Inc., Farm Credit of Central Florida, Grove Equipment Services, Merck Animal Health, Merrell Bros., Inc., Multimin USA, Inc., Ridley Block Operations, The Market Boutique and W & W Supply Co. of Florida, Inc. “We thank our sponsors for their past support and look forward to their involvement again in 2022,” said Stice.

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This year’s Ranch Rodeo will feature a wide range of exciting activities including wild cow milking, colt riding, calf branding,

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A Closer Look A Closer Look

by Sean Green Photo Credit: April Green

Peacock (Pavo)

Although not a native species, the peacock is well known in Florida and one of the most recognizable birds in the world. Distinguished by colorful tail feathers that can reach over a yard in length, there is no mistaken identity if one is seen in Florida. I am always fascinated when I see these large birds along a hiking trail or in one of the many beautiful parks we have in central Florida. They are great subjects for photography because they don’t fly around as much as smaller birds. This month we are taking a closer look at one of the most colorful introduced species in North America, commonly known as peafowl. The term “peacock” refers to the adult male member of the (pavo) genus. The adult female is known as a “peahen.” The term peacock is often used as a general reference to birds in the (pavo) genus regardless of sex or species and more accurately should be referenced as “peafowl.” Peafowl were introduced to Kauai, Hawaii in 1860 when Kauai was part of the Hawaiian Kingdom in the reign of King Kamehameha the Great. Eventually, breeding populations spread and became established on the larger Hawaiian Islands. In 1879, Elias J. “Lucky” Baldwin is thought to have brought three breeding pairs of peafowl to his newly purchased California ranch Rancho Santa Anita, a portion of which would later become Arcadia, California with a growing population of hundreds of peafowl by the time of his death in the early 20th century. This is thought to be the first introduction of peafowl to mainland North America. Peafowl have been revered throughout history as a spiritual symbol in India where they are indigenous. Because they are part of the pheasant family (Phasianidae), they were a popular game bird in Medieval Europe through the 16th century until larger North American turkeys (Meleagris) were imported from Mexico and the peafowl was disregarded as an inferior to the Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). Though peafowl are rarely sought for their meat today, their value has not diminished among bird enthusiasts. Peafowl are counted in the most beautiful birds in the world and are a popular commodity among breeders. New color morphs are created by mixing species and the hybrids tend to be not only a tougher stock, but also more colorful with variations of purple, red, bronze, black, jade and even pure white. This has resulted in peafowl being distributed throughout North America as a livestock species that sometimes make their way into the environment as a feral species. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, feral populations of Indian peafowl were first record-

Though beautiful, feral peafowl populations can become problematic. They are omnivores and will eat whatever they can find including snakes, mice, rats’, frogs, lizards, and a variety of insects. This sounds like great news until we add the seeds, grains, berries and produce to the menu. Thus begins the downhill slide towards pest status. In addition to their voracious eating habits, they are very loud birds. Their call sounds a bit like a cat fight through a megaphone. Granted, having these birds in your yard might be better security that a barking dog in the middle of the night, but you will also be startled awake with every false alarm and mating call. These birds are not very smart and have been known to attack their reflections in a well cleaned and waxed car. Their tough beak and spurs can easily damage the car finish. I have read about homeowners complaining about the bathroom manners of guest peafowl in the yard. Apparently, when they go, they go big, like the size of a dog mess and the smell seems to be just as big and on par with that of a vulture. Peafowl are classified as domestic livestock in Florida and therefore are not protected by state laws that protect other wildlife. This means the state has no authority to regulate the bird regardless of its nuisance behavior. It is the local laws of the community that come in to play when questioning what actions constitute a legal response to remove or eliminate of the peafowl when it becomes a nuisance. If you would like suggestions for discouraging peafowl from your yard, please email me at green. sean.d@gmail.com. There are two naturally occurring species of peafowl in North America, the Blue Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus) of India and the Green peafowl (Pavo muticus) indigenous to Burma, Thailand, Indo China, Malaya and Java. Both can be seen all year long in Florida. Peafowl walk on the ground often but are quite capable if flight. Even mature males with tail feathers approaching four feet long can take to flight nearly vertically. Though they are capable of flight, they tend to remain in the same territory through their life and build a ground nest by lining a shallow hole with branches. For this reason, they have become popular captive birds for collectors and tend to remain in parks and zoos that want the benefits of a domesticated bird. They begin breeding at about two years, reach full maturity at four years to live and breed for as long as 20 years. These are fascinating birds to run into when you are active on the hiking trails or in our parks, especially if you can grab a telephoto lens and take a closer look. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

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ed in Orange County, near Orlando in the 1950s and are now known in at least 20 Florida counties. Florida and California are the two states that are most likely to have feral populations of peafowl.


Composting: Putting waste to work! Anne Yasalonis UF/IFAS Extension Polk County

Composting is a great way to practice recycling in your yard. You can reduce the volume of waste that goes to the landfill as well as create a beneficial soil amendment for your landscape. Most people have all the elements they need to create a successful compost pile without purchasing a bunch of equipment. Kitchen waste, along with yard waste make a great mix for your compost pile. There are many methods of composting so there is sure to be one that will fit your needs. Whether you have a small yard, a large yard, or live in a deed-restricted community; there is a method for you. Basic knowledge of how the process works will ensure your success in creating usable compost. Your compost pile requires five basic elements to work. 1. Moisture Add water with a hose or bucket to your pile—a nearby rain barrel also works. The goal is to keep your compost “as moist as a wrung-out sponge”. 2. Aeration & Oxygen This happens when you turn the pile. The more you mix and aerate, the more quickly the waste will break down into usable compost. 3. Temperature The temperature of your pile is important if you are using a “fast” composting method. It’s not so important if you are not concerned about getting compost quickly. 4. Particle size Ideally less than two inches so that the material can break down quickly. Cut up thick, tough leaves and fruits. 5. Carbon to nitrogen ratio The carbon to nitrogen ratio often seems like the most confusing part to get right, but if you know you are adding a “brown” (high carbon material like leaves, branches, or paper) add a “green” (high nitrogen material like grass clippings, fruit waste or coffee grounds) as well. The methods of composting to choose from include cold composting, sheet composting, trench composting, fast composting, and vermicomposting. With cold composting it can be as simple as layering “browns” (leaves, soil etc) and “greens” (kitchen scraps) in a bin and mixing and adding water as needed. Use this method if you don’t need the compost quickly and don’t add any diseased plants or weeds. This method requires very little effort.

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Sheet composting is simply taking your pruning waste, leaves, grass, or other material and using it as mulch in your landscape beds. As these elements break down, they add

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valuable organic matter to your soil. If you use fallen leaves as mulch, you are sheet composting! Trench composting is a great method if you have a lot of kitchen scraps but not much else. You simply dig a trench or hole and bury the scraps. Make sure the scraps are adequately covered with 4-6 inches of soil. This can be done at the base of plants or in mulched landscape beds. Fast composting requires a bit more effort than other methods. With fast composting the pile temperature can grow to over 100 degrees and then rapidly cool down. As the pile cools, it will shrink in size and then more materials are added. This is the only method where you can add weeds and diseased plant material. To help the pile heat up you must make sure it is adequately moist and aerated by mixing it frequently. An optimum mix of brown and green material is also essential. Finally, vermicomposting is the method where your scraps are composted by worms. There are many worm bins available for the homeowner to purchase but you can also make your own. The worms mix and add their castings to your compost and break it down very quickly. No yard waste is composted using this method. Composting benefits both the environment and the landscape. Compost can increase water-holding capacity, availability of nutrients, and supports living organisms in the soil. Find out more about composting here: https://edis.ifas.ufl. edu/publication/EP323, or contact the Plant Clinic if you have questions on how to start a compost pile. 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. Visit us in person, give us a call, or email us at polkmg@ifas. ufl.edu. The Florida Master Gardener 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. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM


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Mobile Produce Stand By Libby Hopkins

Who hasn’t made a U-turn at the sight of bubbly pot of boiled peanuts or baskets of fresh peaches or jars of jams? Around every highway turn, scribbled homemade signs of “Best Tomatoes” or “Homemade Jams” signal quality advice to the traveler, tempting a stop. It is said that farmers’ markets originated in Egypt more than 5,000 years ago with trade rather than cash sales. In North America, they began around the 1700s, and with the improvement of transportation and roads in the mid-1900s, markets and roadside stands began to become a common sight. These make-shift shelters and small buildings have become a vital source of fresh, local and quality produced food. (www. northgeorgialiving.com/farm-fresh-fun-a-rambling-tour-ofroadside-farm-stands-in-north-georgia/) Locals know big box store produce can’t hold a candle to what is locally grown or created. From roadside stands with only boiled peanuts to weekly farmers’ markets to those that have grown into larger operations, offering everything from baked goods to artisan furniture, it’s the community connection that drives the success of produce stands and farmers’ markets.

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Jason Rogers is the owner of Red Rooster's Produce and he has taken the concept of a roadside produce stand and made it mobile. “Red Rooster Produce was established in 2016, however we have been in business since 2013,” Rod-

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gers said. “The name came from a title given to me in my younger years in middle/high school as Red Rooster, it may have had something to do with my red hair. It's a small locally owned family business. Like most small businesses we started out with an idea. This idea that we could offer fresh produce and homemade goods directly to the customer without them ever leaving their community. When you think of a produce stand you often think of a roadside stand. Red Rooster is completely mobile.” Even though Red Rooster Produce is a mobile operation, you still have the feeling you are at a roadside produce stand. “When you visit us, it's not your typical produce stand,” Rogers said. “Often referred to as ‘The Coop,’ it’s a homemade enclosed trailer that was built from the ground up and trust us when we say, nothing about it is perfect. We believe that’s what gives it character.” The Coop is a 16-foot trailer, three refrigerators and five carts offering an array of fresh fruits and vegetables, homemade jams, seasonings, farm fresh cage free brown eggs, local raw honey, fresh Georgia pecans, pickles, salsa and boiled peanuts. “As a kid growing up, we would always stop at the corner produce stand and buy fresh tomatoes. You know, the ones that actually smell like tomatoes,” Rogers said. “As I got older, my father started a produce business where he offered just seasoning fruit such as Plant City strawberries, cantaloupe, and watermelon. Dad would fill his truck up and WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM


park on the side of the road and sit for hours just selling and meeting people. That’s what we enjoy the most at Red Rooster Produce, selling fresh produce, homemade goods and meeting people.” Rogers and his family are currently in the process of opening a storefront to offer curbside pickup and work toward home delivery. Obliviously keeping thing local is extremely important to Rogers. “We strive to keep everything as local as possible,” Rogers said. “We understand that farmers pour their heart and soul into the soil they grow in and we want to support that as much as possible.” The Coop is growing too. “My brother Jesse Rogers, owns Tennessee Pure Growers and specializes in microgreens,” Rogers said. “He has recently relocated here in Polk County and we will begin offering this highly nutritious product to our line of produce in late March. We are super excited where we are heading and know we would not be here if it wasn't for farmers and their love and dedication to feeding America. To them, we owe it all.” If you would like to learn more about Red Rooster Produce or where the mobile produce stand will be next, you can visit their Facebook page at www. facebook.com/Red-Roosters-Produce or call Rogers at (863) 521-9143.

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Classifieds BUILDING SUPPLIES

Tel: 813.759.6909

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FARM EQUIPMENT I4 POWER EQUIPMENT Trade-Ins Welcomed, Service Department Available. Exit 22 • S. Frontage Rd. Plant City 813-752-4459 TAYLOR WAY TILLER DISC Plow - good condition. $1750.00 Call Alvie 813-759-8722 JOHN DEERE Looking for your new tractor? Come see us at Everglades Farm Equipment. evergladesfarmequipment.com 2805 SR 60 West, Plant City 813-737-1660 OVERSTOCK SPECIAL Barn doors starting at $80.00 Call Ted 813-752-3378 FARM EQUIPMENT Massey Ferguson 261 60hp 2wd tractor, $6500.00. IH Farmall 140 tractor complete with cultivating and fertilize equipment, $5500.00. 2006 Bush Hog TH440C UTV, 4x4, Honda engine, $6000.00. All are in very good condition. Call JR at 813-997-6769 LUCAS METAL WORKS DRAG Ground hog arena drag. $1,500 Call Alvie 813-759-8722

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SOLD

FORD 4610 TRACTOR 2wd, 60hp. Very good condition $6,500. Call Alvie 813-759-8722

FOR SALE MARDEN CHOPPERS Tapered grove chopper $1250.00. Call Alvie 813-759-8722 OLD ANTIQUE BLUE STOVE Bread warmer, chrome trim. You have got to see it to believe it! Call Ted for more details. 813-752-3378

CALL FOR A WINDOW QUOTE. We are a MI Windows dealer. Our windows are energy star, lifetime warranty. Call Broke & Poor 813-752-3378

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Info@inthefieldmagazine.com PRODUCE FRESH PRODUCE Forbes Road Produce. Open everyday from 7:30am - 8pm. Forbes Rd. & I-4 @ exit 17. Come out and see us!

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LAWN EQUIPMENT/ SUPPLIES END OF SEASON SPECIAL $500 cash discount on all BOBCAT (in stock) Zero Turn Mowers. Call Grove Equipment Plant City 813-759-8722 Bartow 863-537-1345

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USED SCAG ZTR 52” Liberty zero turn with Kaw engine. $3,500. Call Jeff 813-752-1066

2022

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Polk County Cattle Women

S

pring is just around the corner y’all! We’ve had some beautiful spring weather here lately which has the grass getting green and growing. I’ve even heard a few whippoorwills singing their loud, repetitive songs. Fair season is coming to an end. The Polk County CattleWomen had an amazing time volunteering at not only the Polk County Youth Fair, but the Florida State Fair, as well. A few of our members handed out beef samples on February 12 and February 16 in the Ag Hall of Fame building. Thank you to Marcia Lightsey, Blair Buchanon, Donna Smith, Wanda Middlebrook, and Ginger Adelstone for representing us so well. This month we are looking forward to being a part of the Central Florida Youth in Ag show. You can find us serving up some of our great concessions on Thursday, March 24 and Friday, March 25. PCCW members can also be spotted at Ag-Fest this month helping educate 4th graders about all the agricultural commodities that can be found right here in Polk County. Our annual academic scholarship application is now available on the Polk County Youth Fair website at www. pcyf.net. Please encourage all high school seniors you know to apply!

We have been blessed to have many new members recently join PCCW. If you’d like to come be a part of all that we do, you can meet us in Bartow at the UF/IFAS Extension Office Valencia Room on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Be sure and find us on Facebook and Instagram for all the info. We welcome all ladies from all walks of life to join us. Please reach out to me at BuckLD96@gmail if you have questions. Till next month,

Leslie Buchanon Polk County Cattlewomen President

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We would like to congratulate Peyton Chandley for being selected as the new Polk County Cattlemen’s Sweetheart! We look forward to supporting Peyton as she competes for the state Sweetheart title in June at the FCA Convention & Allied Trade Show and we wish her the best of luck.


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