2
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER 2012
W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER 2012
3
®
Contents
VOL. 7 • ISSUE 3
Cover Story Cowboyin’ is the Way of Life
Page 34 Cover photos by Lacey Waters
POLK COUNTY
CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION P.O. Box 9005 • Drawer HS03 Bartow, FL 33831-9005 OFFICERS & BOARD OF DIRECTORS President - Charles Clark (863) 528-8537 cclark@expoco.com Vice President - Dave Tomkow (863) 665-5088 cattlemanslivetock@earthlink.net Secretary/Treasurer - Justin Bunch (863) 425-1121 jbunch@agriumretail.com
Master Gardener
Al Bellotto - (863) 581-5515
Page 10
Ray Clark - (863) 683-8196 rclark@tampabay.rr.com L.B. Flanders, DVM - (863) 644-5974
Andrea Adair
Page 12 Tampa Bay’s Fishing Report
Page 14 Truly Touching Lives
Page 16 Polk County Sheriff’s Office
Dewey Fussell - (863) 984-3782 Mike Fussell - (863) 698-8314 fussell.flafarm@verizon.net David McCullers - (863) 528-1195 Moby Persing - (863) 528-4379 Ned Waters - (863) 698-1597 watersn@doacs.state.fl.us J.B. Wynn - (863) 581-3255 jbwynn29@gmail.com Alternate - Mike Facente - (863) 697-9419 Standing Committee Chairs: Membership - J.B. Wynn
Page 18
Events - Kevin Fussell (863) 412-5876
Rocking Chair Chatter
Rodeo - Fred Waters (863) 559-7808 watersf@doacs.state.fl.us
Page 22 Grub Station
Page 28
Cattlewomen - President Marjorie Wood (863) 660-4137 onnie397@aol.com Extension - Bridget Carlisle (863) 519-8677 bccarlis@ufl.edu Sheriff’s Dept. - Sgt. Howard Martin
Recipes
Page 42
4
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2012
W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E .C O M
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER 2012
5
From the Editor
ITFM Staff PUBLISHER/PHOTOGRAPHY Karen Berry EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Al Berry SENIOR MANAGING EDITOR/ ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Sarah Holt
Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow. ~Edward Sandford Martin In 1621 the colonists shared an autumn feast with the Wampanoag Indians. This day is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations. It wasn’t until 1863 that the day was proclaimed a national holiday by President Abraham Lincoln. This Thanksgiving Day, take the time to consider all that you have to be thankful for. This is a time to focus on what we have, not what we don’t. Slow down and take time to appreciate things that are often overlooked. The Thanksgiving season isn’t about giving gifts. It is about enjoying food and fellowship. Include the farmer and rancher as they made it possible for you to gather your family and friends together around the Thanksgiving table by producing the safest most abundant food supply in the world. When shopping for your holiday fare, as every day, be sure to select Fresh From Florida products. It will help boost your local economy and ensure your food is fresh! Among my many blessings, I am thankful that In The Field magazine has been covering what is growing for a full eight years, starting with our Hillsborough edition! The magazines bring you stories of farmers and ranchers who work tirelessly to feed our country, state and nation. We look forward to many more years in the agriculture industry. Happy Thanksgiving!
Until Next Month,
Sarah
The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. –Numbers 6:25
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 Cattlemen’s Association & Florida Citrus Mutual. Letters, comments and questions can be sent to P.O. Box 5377, Plant City, Florida 33563-0042 or you are welcome to email them to: info@inthefieldmagazine.com, or call 813-759-6909 Advertisers warrant & represent the descriptions of their products advertised are true in all respects. In The Field Magazine assumes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers. All views expressed in all articles are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Berry Publications, Inc. Any use or duplication of material used in In The Field magazine is prohibited without written consent from Berry Publications, Inc. Published by Berry Publications, Inc.
6
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER 2012
EDITOR Patsy Berry OFFICE MANAGER Bob Hughens SALES MANAGER Danny Crampton SALES Al Berry Tina Richmond Danny Crampton Calli Jo Parker CREATIVE DIRECTOR Mona Jackson PHOTOGRAPHY Karen Berry Al Berry Stephanie Humphrey Lacey Waters STAFF WRITERS Al Berry Sandy Kaster James Frankwoiak Sean Green Ginny Mink Libby Hopkins Callie Jo Parker Lindsey English CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Woody Gore Les McDowell
Index of Advertisers Agro-Culture Liquid Fertilizers ........................24 Andy Thornal Company ............17 Arrington Body Shop, Inc ..........41 Art’s Golf Cars, Inc....................30 Ballclover .....................................7 Carlton & Carlton, PA ..............21 Cecil Breeding Farms .................20 Chemical Containers..................31 Discount Metals.........................39 Eli’s Western Wear, Inc...............44 Ellison RBM Inc. .......................41 Erwin Technical Center..............33 Fancy Farms, Inc........................24 Farm Credit ...............................30 Florida Farm & Ranch Supply.............................41 Florida Dept. of Agriculture.........2 Florida Mineral & Salt ..............21 Fred’s Market.............................15 Grove Equipment.......................19 Gulf Coast Turf & Tractor ........48 Harold’s Feed & Pet Supply.......23 Helena Chemical-Tampa............31 Hinton Farms Produce, Inc. .......26 International Market World.........9 Key Plex.......................................3 Kinkaid Auction.........................44 Lake Miriam Pawn ....................29 Lightsey Cattle Co. ....................41 Mary Adsit.................................37 Mosaic .......................................26 Parkesdale....................................5 Pathway .....................................47 Polk County Cattlemen’s Association ...............4 Polk Equine, PL .........................23 Polk Land Surveying, Inc ...........44 Repair Solutions.........................23 Ring Power Corporation............39 Seedway .......................................9 Southeastern Septic, LLC .............7 Southwestern Produce................27 Stephanie Humphrey..................15 Stingray Chevrolet .....................43 The Bug Man.............................41 Walt Bethel ................................41
W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
You Too, Can Be A Winner
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 that page you located the logo to:
InTheField速 Magazine P.O. Box 5377 Plant City, FL 33566-0042
Winners will be notified by phone. You Too Can Be A Winner! Search for the logo below and enter now!
W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2012
7
November 15 is the date for the Polk County Cattlemen’s Association Annual Dinner Meeting. The current President of The Florida Cattlemen’s Association, Woody Larson, will be in attendance to give us an update on issues currently facing the industry and answer questions you may have. Local problems can be addressed by working with the State Association. Just as your local association works to promote the beef industry through education and service to the industry, the State Association works at the local, state and national level to promote your industry. Educating the public to the benefits of consuming beef increases demand for our cattle. Sponsoring educational seminars and field days helps producers increase production to meet that increased demand and do it in a profitable
manner. Working with government and regulatory officials gives input into problems we face and how some of these regulations add an unnecessary burden on the industry. The list is long of the many ways that the organization helps the cattle industry. Officers and committee members are all volunteers, serving the industry because it is something that they believe in and are willing to work to support. The many committees at the state level are always in need of dedicated people to serve on these committees. While it does take time and effort it is worth what it takes to support an industry that gives us our livelihood.
Charles Clark Charles Clark Polk County Cattlemen’s Association President
8
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2012
W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
• Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November in the USA. • Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the second Monday in October in Canada. • The Plymouth Pilgrims were the first to celebrate Thanksgiving. They celebrated the first Thanksgiving Day in the fall of 1621. • The Wampanoag Indians were the people who taught the Pilgrims how to cultivate the land. • The Pilgrim leader, Governor William Bradford, organized the first Thanksgiving feast in the year 1621 and invited the neighboring Wampanoag Indians to the 3 day feast. • The state of New York officially made Thanksgiving Day an annual custom in 1817. • The annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade began in the 1920s. • Thanksgiving did not become an official national holiday until more than 200 years later, when in 1863 President Lincoln proclaimed the event. • It is tradition for US Presidents to issue a pardon to the White House Thanksgiving Turkeys. Since about 1947 the National Turkey Federation has presented the President of the United States with one (and in recent years - two) live turkey(s) in a ceremony known as the National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation.
W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER 2012
9
By Debra Howell
M
y love/hate relationship with vines is profound and sincere. Now, don’t misunderstand me—I love all of God’s creations in the proper place. But Rangoon Creeper belongs in Rangoon. Although the beautiful scarlet blooms can’t be beat, the mature woody canes of the Creeper are very weighty on a limb and are equipped with four-inch talons which would make a Bald Eagle envious. It’s for this reason that you need to be judicious in your vine selection process, because you don’t want to end up hating your Pandora vine like you detest your volunteer Air Potato vines. Vines, in the right landscape and trained to behave, are a great way to soften and transform difficult areas such as walls and chain-link or privacy fencing. You may also use them in a narrow spot for a vertical presentation using a trellis. In order to select the proper scaffolding on which your vine will climb, you need some knowledge of how the vine will grow. Vines are either sprawling (like a Bougainvillea), twining or clinging in nature.
10
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER
Adhesive rootlets are specialized organs by which clinging vines attach themselves to surfaces such as masonry. Unfortunately, the roots of clinging vines can actually loosen the mortar between blocks and bricks. Passion vine is an example of a clinging vine that could be used as over on walls, trees, posts and fences. Remember its popularity with butterflies and the edible fruit thereon. I have passion vines that have now covered a Crape myrtle, a water oak and a field fence pen and doghouse that no dog has ever slept in because my mother said, “Oh poor Buster, poor Dudley! Bring the beagles in the house!” A sprawling vine would be characterized as one which puts off long runners that have no way to attach themselves. These runners would have to be wound around a support and anchored in some way. In the case of the Bougainvillea, old-growth plants will become self-supporting and densely woody, with impressive thorn-like modifications. The Bougainvillea, available in several colors, really needs lots of sun to produce the lovely bracts which make the plant a desirable focal point addition to your yard. In fact, most vining plants flower best in full sun partial shade. And please remember to locate your trellis at least several inches from walls, thereby providing for air flow to reduce humidity and prevent proliferation of mildew and mold.
Vines considered as twining climb by encircling their supports. Twining vines include Allamanda and Mandevilla. Twining vines normally only circle or spiral in one direction. If you attempt to circumvent this behavior, the vine will display a non-cooperative attitude. You may use them on lattice and vertical structures. You may plant vines year ‘round in the Sunshine State, being careful not to plant when frost threatens. Water regularly following installment. And I may have mentioned (harped-on) the fact that a soil pH test is advisable before you attempt to grow any plant material on your property. Vines prefer well-drained soils with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. When planting, excavate the hole two or three times the diameter of the plants root ball. Make sure that the plant is well hydrated while it is still in the pot, then place the vine straight in the hole, being sure that the root ball is at the same level as the soil surface. Then you simply backfill the hole with the excavated soil. Do not tamp this down with your foot! Should you need to trim or prune, you may do this after the flowering season. Normally, I recommend only trimming back a third of the plant at a time.
W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
Mulching with environmentally friendly materials like pine bark, pine needles, wood chips, oak leaves or melaleuca mulch will inhibit weed growth and retain moisture. You’re also amending your soil when you mulch, but you need to keep it at a depth of two or three inches. Keep the mulch pulled back from the plant stems about three inches to abate stem rot. You’ll also want to keep it pulled away from your house a few inches, as well. You will only need to fertilize two or three times during the first year. Use half-doses in the winter. If you choose a Bougainvillea, do your homework. They have different requirements than most other vining plants. After the initial year, you may choose to only fertilize if the plants show nutrient deficiencies. After all, if it’s not broke, don’t fix it.
less aggressive. Its purple blooms create a path-framing arbor. And don’t forget the Grape vines for a shady, edible arbor vine to grace your garden.
If you perform your “due diligence” in advance of planting, you will find that the vine on your new trellis or arbor will create the perfect focal point or shady nook and introduce a splash of color and southern charm to your landscape. •
Now, among the vines that proliferate unabated in my yard, there are a few that I tolerate. One climbing vine is the Garlic vine. This vine has exuberant purple blooms reminiscent of giant bubbles in a grape soda. One drawback to this low maintenance beauty is it’s pronounced odor of garlic. The evergreen perennial blooms spring and fall and thrives in sun and part shade with very little water. You will need a trellis, arbor or lattice for the Garlic vine, and although new stems are brittle, the vine is easily trained. My Thunbergia, also called Sky vine or Bengal Clock vine, was very aggressive in scaling an old Camphor in the yard. This was my fault, as I didn’t supervise the plant and it was more committed than I. Earlier this year, the limb on which the Thunbergia rested came tumbling down. The bundle was expansive and heavy, so I wasn’t overly compelled to attempt its removal. Time passed, and the mound began to resemble habitat and so there it still lays, home to who knows what. Other good vines in my yard are Mandevilla, Allamanda, Butterfly Pea, Calico Flower, Trumpet Honeysuckle, Passionvine, English Ivy. There are also Glorioso Lilies, Brazilian Firecracker and Chinese Hat plants, which I didn’t even realize were vines. I would also include Morning Glories, Blanket Asters and Sweet Potato vines on my short-list of what I consider “good” vines. My least favorite vines include, but are not limited to, Cat’s Claw, Air Potato, Smilax and the dreaded Rangoon Creeper. One vine which I do not have but would consider buying is the gorgeous Queen’s Wreath, which resembles the Wisteria, but is W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2012
11
W
hen Andrea Adair of Lakeland, got a subscription to “Ranger Rick” magazine from her mother at age 7, it changed her life forever. The magazine was issued by the National Wildlife Federation and not only did it have articles about wildlife, it also gave instruction on how to turn your property into a backyard habitat. This magazine brought out Adair’s inner green thumb and she realized that gardening was in her blood. She grew up in Chicago and her family was fortunate enough to own a vacant lot next door to their home. Her mother planted trees, raspberry bushes, asparagus and various other plants. Her grandmother also had an elaborate garden at her summer cottage in Germany.
By Libby Hopkins
Years later when Adair moved to Lakeland, she read an article in the newspaper about the Polk County Extension Office’s Florida Yards and Neighborhood Program and wanted to learn more about it. “I already had a Backyard Habitat certification from the National Wildlife Federation so I thought I wouldn’t have too much trouble meeting the requirements,” Adair said. She wanted to learn more about xeriscaping, native plants and how to embrace the challenges of Florida’s environment and meet people with similar interest. She contacted Anne Yasalonis, who is the Florida-Friendly Landscaping (FFL) Program Coordinator at the UF/IFAS Polk County Extension Service, to learn more about the program. “People who participate in our program are interested in reducing their water use, not only to save money, but to do their part in protecting our valuable natural resources,” Yasalonis said. “They are also interested in providing habitat for wildlife through our butterfly gardening and wildlife programs.” According to the program’s website, “The Florida-Friendly Landscapes Program protects Florida’s unique natural resources by conserving water, reducing waste and pollution, creating wildlife habitat, and preventing erosion. Any landscape can be Florida-Friendly if it is designed and cared for according to the nine Florida-Friendly Landscaping principles, which encourage individual expression of landscape beauty.” In 2009, Florida Legislature found that the use of FFL and other pollution prevention measures to conserve or protect the state’s water resources, serves a compelling public interest. The participation of homeowners’ associations and local governments is vital to the state’s efforts in water conservation and water quality protection as well as restoration. “In Polk County there are hundreds of people participating in our free workshops and events,” Yasalonis said. “ We also work with youth to educate over 3,000 fourth grade students about water conservation each year at Agri-Fest.” The program encourages their clientele to use the principles they are taught at the workshops to tackle any landscaping project from installing a landscape in a newly built home to renovating an existing landscape. It is important to follow the principles during the installation of a landscape and during the maintenance of it. Adair’s yard was the first yard to get certified in the program and the program also helped her receive her Florida Wildlife certification.
12
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER 2012
W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
“What I like most about these programs is seeing all the activity that goes on in my yard because it has a balanced healthy system that allows dragonflies, cicadas, Carolina wrens, gopher tortoises, hummingbirds, and owls to get something to eat, drink, find a place to rest and raise a family,” Adair said. What she learned about plants has kept her yard low maintenance so she can spend time enjoying it. Yasolonis and Adair both feel that the FFL program is becoming more and more popular because people are concerned about the water quality and preserving Florida’s natural resources and wildlife. “I think as we become more distracted with technology, our souls cry out for the peacefulness it needs to restore balance to our own consciousness,” Adair said. “When we take time to sit back, watch birds or catch a mag-
W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
nificent sunset, we realize we are the stewards who need to protect the planet so others can enjoy the outdoors.” Adair would recommend this program and the others the Extension office offers because they are a great way to get your family involved with gardening and wildlife. “My home is my sanctuary and through this program, you can make your home one, too.”
For more information on the FloridaFriendly Landscaping Program, you can visit them on the web at www.fyn.ifas.ufl.edu or call them at 352-392-1831, ext. 330. The Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program will be at the Lake Alfred Farmer’s Market on Saturday, December 29 from 8 a.m.– 4 p.m.
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2012
13
To Much Fishing Pressure by Captain Woody Gore
O
ver the years I’ve written many articles about fishing how’s and where to catch fish. Personally, I’m a dock, oyster bar and mangrove person. I love tossing artificial lures around docks, oysters and mangrove point with eddies. The dilemma comes when everyone else is fishing these same locations. Does that mean I stop fishing these locations? I don’t think so! I just need to make sure I fish them at the right time. That means I need to be there before others have run all the fish off! If you’ve spent any time on the water you know there are days when the fish get stubborn and decide not to eat. It might be due to weather conditions, or it could be fishing pressure has them shut down. There are still some things you can do to catch fish regardless of the weather or fishing pressure. One of the worst to overcome is fishing pressure, because the fish tend to get highly selective, but you still have a couple of options. Probably the best option is to get away from the pressure. If the area you're fishing has a lot of anglers, get away and go somewhere else. Simply move to the edge of the existing activity, or take off and find another spot all to yourself. While the secondary areas may not be quite as appealing with the numbers of fish, the fish in the new area just might be more willing to bite. Check out places that just look fishy. The apparent places might be where a current comes around a point forming an eddy, a few scattered oyster beds, an old barnacle
14
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
covered dock that doesn’t appear to be used often, or a creek mouth. I teach folks to fish the right places, but these are the same places I fish and look for when I’m searching for new locations. Everyone is always looking for that magic fishing report. But once those fishing reports get out, the word spreads like a wildfire and everyone goes to that area. I’ve seen this fishing pressure happen time after time in Tampa Bay. A school of redfish will move onto a flat and in less than a week they are so beat up from being fished every day, the school splits into singles and doubles and seems to disappear. I realize everyone wants to catch fish, but having 15 to 25 or more boats sitting on a school of redfish every day is ridiculous. Weather has its effects on fishing, hot days warm the shallow flats and backcountry depleting the oxygen levels. Windy days muddy the water, rainy days cause a tannin stain runoff, and calm sunny days make the water crystal clear. All of these conditions might call for a different presentation, muddy and stained you might slow down and clear you might speed up. Smaller might be better so either way it’s always good to remember to match the hatch. And always remember to keep track of what they are feeding on because there are times when fish get selective as to which baits they want to eat. If you keep the above ideas in mind, you'll know what to do when those finicky feeding times occur.
LET’S GO FISHING! SNOOK bite is going strong and with
NOVEMBER 2012
cooling water temperatures they should become even more active. Cooler water means snook become more comfortable and not as lethargic, which should brighten up the bite. Although we’ve maintained some decent snook action all summer, November usually turns out nicely. We’ve been catching exciting amounts of fish on both half and three-quarter day trips with most averaging in the 25-29 inch range and several over 30 inches. Our big fish for October was a 36 incher. REDFISH action was active in the last month and should continue into November. Good redfish action should continue with catches around oyster bars, mangroves and grass flats. We’re catching plenty of slot sized reds with our big fish tipping the measuring stick at 34 inches. SEA TROUT bites will continue getting stronger right into and through the winter months, so be prepared for some decent winter trout action on strong incoming and outgoing tides. Try fishing the grass flats with both artificial, live greenbacks and shrimp. MACKEREL should still be hanging around the Bay area feeding on bait schools throughout the Bay and near the beaches. If you’re interested in some extra excitement, and possibly a nice kingfish or two, check out the mackerel bite. MANGROVE SNAPPER are found on every rock pile or structure around Tampa Bay and are fairly easy to catch. A small knocker rig with a #1 or 1/0 hook should produce a nice meal. They’re really partial to the small greenbacks and shrimp. When W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
Amy with Snook
you find them and get a good bite going it seems like they wise up shortly after you start catching them using one bait or the other. I always take both with me and when that happens I’ll switch around. COBIA are often found around range markers, channel markers and bridges during November. Toss them a pinfish, greenback or artificial eel bait and hold on.
Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing 813-477-3817 Captain Woody Gore is the areas top outdoor fishing guide. Guiding and fishing the Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, and Bradenton for over fifty years; he offers world class fishing adventures and a lifetime of memories. Single or Multi-boat Group Charters are all the same. With years of organizational experience and access to the areas most experienced captains, Woody can arrange and coordinate any outing or tournament. Just tell him what you need and it’s done. Visit his website at: WW W. CAP TAIN W OOD YGO RE.CO M or send an email to wgore@ix.netcom.com or give him a call at 813-477-3814.
Flounder
W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER 2012
15
Truly Touching Lives: Fort Meade Community 4H BY GINNY MINK
S
ometimes you meet people, or talk to them over the phone in this case, and you think, “Man, this is a really cool individual. I could totally be friends with her.” Other times, of course, you are all too happy to move on to the next person or the next interview. Stephanie Young, the woman who heads up Fort Meade Community 4H, is one of those people you could chat with for hours, she’s just that cool. We suspect that the size of her club is a testimony to that as well. Stephanie shared a little history with us, she said, “I wasn’t really raised on a farm. I grew up in the country. Of course, we had cats and dogs and pigs every now and then. We had a pig there for awhile that had piglets every now and then. I wasn’t really involved in 4H or FFA. I became involved in 4H when my daughters were old enough to join. We were part of a group, my husband’s aunt, actually, was the leader. When her daughter graduated I became the leader. That was probably about 12 years ago.” It’s pretty amazing, the things our children can get us involved in, especially when we have no prior experience therein. Obviously Stephanie learned a good deal
16
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
from being an active parent in her children’s club. When she took it over though, she says, “It was a fairly small club, maybe 20 members and this year we are up to 41. My son Alex couldn’t wait to get involved. He’s been a member since before he was born, of course I was pregnant with him when I was the leader, and he loves it! My husband is also involved in the group.” Stephanie has turned this into a family affair, and the newest addition to their club’s activities has really reeled her husband in. She explains, “This year he became even more involved because we started archery in the club. We became archery certified in February. We had our first archery meeting, where the kids could actually shoot the bows, behind the horse arena at the youth fairgrounds. We had 17 members show up. We’re now meeting at Peace River Park in Fort Meade. We had 18 members show up Monday the 22nd, because we’re trying to get the kids ready for the Youth Fair or just to become more familiar with shooting a bow, building their skills. Some of them may not want to compete, they just want to learn archery.” It’s obvious that Stephanie
NOVEMBER 2012
is thrilled about the archery addition, but that’s not all there is to do in her club. She continues, “We also have other projects that the members do in the club. We have hogs, rabbits, poultry, horses, horticulture. We participate in the working booths at the Youth Fair (it’s when you show the public how to do something, make something, or put something together). We participate in the chili cook-off. We also do family and consumer sciences where they bake, can, sew and craft. They also do table-setting and menu planning (that’s always fun to watch them do) and whip popping.” Certainly all the competitive stuff these kids are involved in is great, and no doubt it teaches them a good deal, the thing that we found most impressive though, was the service activities Stephanie’s club is involved in. She elaborates, “We participate in community service projects. We always sell strawberry shortcake at Relay for Life. We participate in Project Fill a Bag. We fill up Ziploc bags full of personal hygiene items for the homeless kids in Polk County schools. There were over 100 last year! I W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
was overwhelmed with the number of items that came in last year. I was just awed.” The number of homeless children in the Polk County school district is astounding and begs further investigation and perhaps assistance from this readership. That’s not the only arena that Fort Meade Community 4H extends a helping hand to though. Stephanie continues, “We collect food for the Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets that are given out by HELP of Fort Meade.” These kids are truly learning the importance of making a difference in the lives of those less fortunate and that’s admirable! Stephanie makes a point of bragging about her parents, she says, “I have really great parents in my group. I couldn’t do it with-
W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
out the parents. Whenever I need anything I’ve got a parent that will do it. Without the parents we couldn’t do a lot of things.” Of course, the parents aren’t the only things that she is proud of. She adds, “The kids are just awesome. It’s a lot of work but it’s rewarding to see the kids learn and grow, learn new things, watch ‘em grow up. The kids always do well with whatever they enter.” In closing, Stephanie elaborates on her opinions about agriculture in general. “It’s a field that most people overlook. It’s not a field that they think they can do something in job-wise. Once they’re exposed to it, like the kids who raise horses or work with plants, they might see that there’s jobs in those things. So many of our kids are
brought up in homes with TVs and they’re not taken out to the woods or to pick strawberries. It amazes me how much the kids aren’t exposed to and by doing this, hopefully we can expose them to more outdoor stuff rather than seeing it on TV or the computer.” While technology has its place, it is definitely important that we teach our children about agriculture because its position in life is infinitely more important than that tablet or iPod. Stephanie Young and other 4H leaders understand this and thusly they strive to educate the future. May they continue doing the work they do with enthusiasm! •
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2012
17
Just The Bear Facts By Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd
I
t should come as no surprise that as humans continue to encroach into natural bear habitats, encounters between bears and humans are more likely. The Florida black bear is frequently sighted in the Ocala and Osceola National Forest regions, St. Johns River area, Big Cypress National Preserve, Apalachicola National Forest region, and Eglin Air Force Base. Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission keeps statistics on bear sightings, however, we also receive calls at the Sheriff’s Office about bear sightings. On Sunday, October 7, 2012, Polk County Sheriff’s deputies responded to several locations in the Poinciana area after receiving two calls of black bear sightings during the evening and pre-dawn hours. The bear (or bears) was described as being approximately 250 pounds and was seen rummaging through garbage cans. It is unknown if there was only one bear or several bears. One of the residents had noticed that his trash can had been turned over and opened occasionally within the previous two weeks. This was his first bear sighting since living in the area for eight years.
During the investigation, deputies conducted more patrols and encountered a single bear – they used air horns and sirens to drive off the animal. Deputies and residents reported the bear was not aggressive and ran off when encountered. Ultimately, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission was contacted and advised of the encounters.
Support Services Bureau Welcomes Lieutenant
Steve Horstman
We’d like to take this opportunity to remind you that wildlife are attracted to food sources and it is important to ensure garbage cans containing kitchen waste are secured indoors until the waste can be properly disposed of. Seeing a bear can be rather enjoyable, but remember – they are wild animals, and can injure you if you are not careful. If you see a bear, here are three tips to remember: • Do not approach the bear • Do not attempt to attract it with food • Make some noise so that it knows you are there The FWC provides additional tips about bear encounters online at http:/ / myfwc.com/ wildlifehabitats/ manag ed/ bear/ encounter/ . If you have observed a bear or bears in your neighborhood, please contact the FWC Southwest Region Office at 863-648-3200, or call the Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
D
ue to retirements and promotions, the Polk County Sheriff’s Support Services Bureau, which houses the Aviation Unit, Marine Unit, and Agricultural Crimes Unit, has recently undergone a change in command. Last month we told you that Captain Rob Oakman replaced Captain Andy Ray, who recently retired, as commander of the Bureau. This month we introduce Lieutenant Steve Horstman, who directly oversees the Aviation, Marine, and Ag deputies. Steve Horstman was hired as a deputy sheriff at PCSO in 1996 after serving 1.5 years as an officer with the Dundee Police Department. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2003, and then to Lieutenant in 2008. He is excited about this new opportunity to supervise the deputies who work in the groves, in the air, and on the water. Lt. Horstman brings with him a wealth of knowledge, including patrol, undercover vice and narcotics investigations, Meth lab investigations, Animal Control (animal cruelty and neglect) investigations, and Traffic investigations. Lt. Horstman is a native Floridian. He has a Bachelor’s degree from Warner Southern University, and a Master’s degree from Troy University. If you need to reach Lieutenant Horstman for any agriculture, marine, or aviation concerns, please contact him at 863-514-9153.
18
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER 2012
W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
19
20
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER 2012
W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E .C O M
OUR SERVICES • Social Security Disability • Supplemental Security Income: Children and Adults • Initial Applications Reconsideration • Hearing with Judge
• Wills • Power of Attorney • Estate Planning • Trusts • Guardianships • Adoptions Charles L. Carlton
Florida Native B.A. University of South Florida J.D. Florida State University Law School
Geraldyne H. Carlton
Florida Native B.A. Georgia State University J.D. Florida State University Law School
2310 Lakeland Hills Blvd. Lakeland, FL 33805 (1 mile south of I-4, Exit 33 Lakeland - across from Detroit Tigers Baseball Spring Training Stadium)
TOLL FREE 1. 800. 315.4590 863. 688. 5700 *The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisments. Before you decide, ask the lawyer to send you free written information about their qualifications and experience. W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER 2012
21
“No,” the man replied. “The seat is empty, however it does belong to me. My wife was supposed to come with me to the game, but she passed away. This will be the first pre-season game we haven’t been together since we have been married.” “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. That’s terrible,” I said. “But couldn’t you find someone else… maybe a friend or relative, or even a neighbor to take the seat?” The old man shook his head. “No, they’re all at her funeral.” My father, Albert Berry, as a senior citizen had a pretty sharp mind right up to his death at age 88. He spent a lot of time fishing after retirement, and I went along on many of his trips. One day he overslept and hurriedly put his fishing tackle in the car, dropped by and picked me up, and we headed for Trails End on the Withlacoochee River. He let me drive after he realized that he had left his billfold (which contained his fishing license) at home on the dresser. We had a great day, and caught a lot of bluegills. As we were pulling into the boat landing I noticed a game warden on the dock. He saw the bluegills swimming in the live well, and said, “May I see your fishing license?” Dad spoke up and said, “Well I got in a hurry and left my billfold at the house. Actually officer, these are my pet fish.” “What do you mean, pet fish?” the officer said.
As a senior citizen I have a lot to be thankful for. First, I survived the 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s. And now I am fighting to keep up with 2012. There are so many new electronic gadgets that will do just about every thing but flush the toilet. Plus, there is the belief that a cataclysmic or transformative event will occur on December 21 of this year. Not to mention the New Age interpretation of this transition is that this date will be the time in which our planet earth and all inhabitants may undergo a positive physical or spiritual transformation. Also, one of the scenarios suggests the end of the world, when the earth will collide with a black hole or a passing asteroid. Frankly I am not worried about any of that. As Jay Leno said on one of his late night TV shows, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and drank while they were pregnant. As infants and children, we road in cars with no car seat, no booster seat, no seat belt, no air bags, bald tires and sometimes no brakes. I remember drinking water from the garden hose, sharing an RC Cola with my friends, and no one actually died from this. I loved Mama’s cupcakes, ate lots of white bread with real butter and bacon. Drank Kool-Aid made with real white sugar, and I was never overweight ‘cause I was always outside playing. There was a time when I would get with the boys and we would talk about hunting and fishing. Now as a senior citizen we talk about the medicine we are taking and the aches and pains we have. Being a senior citizen isn’t bad at all. We are more valuable than any of the younger generation. We have silver in our hair, gold on our teeth, stones in our kidneys, and lead in our feet. Not to mention we are loaded with natural gas. I went to the first pre-season Bucs games this year. On my left was a vacant seat. I asked the man on the other side of the seat, who looked to be in his 80s, if anyone was going to sit there. 22
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER 2012
“I take these bluegills out about every week and let them swim around for a few minutes. Then I whistle and they jump right back into the live well.” “You don’t expect me to fall for that, do you?” he replied. “It’s the truth,” dad replied. “Okay, I’ve got to see this,” the officer said. So dad pitched all the fish back into the lake. “Well?” said the game warden. “Well what?” said dad. “When are you going to whistle to call them back?” “Call who back?” “The Fish!” “What fish?” The game warden laughed and said, “Well that’s a first. You boys load your boat and get out of here.” Thinking back over the years. I remember my mother would threaten me with a dose of Castor Oil if I didn’t do the dishes or sweep off the walkway to the house. For you youngsters who do not know what Castor Oil is, I suggest you take a dose some time. How many remember Lydia Pinkhams pills, thought to be a fertility pill that would make your newcomer a girl. W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
Then there was the wonder medicine, Hadacol, a patent medicine marketed as a vitamin supplement. Its principal attraction, however, was that it contained 12 percent alcohol (listed on the tonic bottle's label as a "preservative"), which made it quite popular in the dry counties of the southern United States. I remember White’s Central Pharmacy in Plant City, now the location of the Camellia Rose Tea room. Over the years the pharmacy became know as “Where Paul White Stays,” namely because they were open from 7 a.m. till 11p.m. six days a week. They had a soda fountain where they served a cherry smash with a pretzel hung over the straw for a nickel. Around the block was Barwick’s Drug Store. They had a soda fountain too, and made the best chocolate malt in town for a quarter. My sister, Nettie Mae, once told me the soda fountain was invented to introduce the customer with an upset stomach to bicarbonate of soda. They would drink a glass of the bubbly mineral water, burp, and feel as good as new.
I have been thinking about all the big changes we seniors have seen in our lifetimes. Men on the moon, landing on Mars, the iPad and iPod! As a senior citizen we are faced with the fact that we’re 17 around the neck, 42 around the waist, and 109 around the golf course. The little old gray haired lady you help across the street is your wife. We have too much room in the house and not enough in the medicine cabinet. Our pacemaker makes the garage door go up when you see a pretty girl walk by the house. Yes, life was different when I was growing up. We got married first, and then slept together. Back then a meaningful relationship was when your uncle would take you to the movies. All and all, I take today’s life. It’s hard to beat indoor plumbing and life-saving pharmaceuticals. To be honest, if I’d been my current age back in those good old days, I’d be dead right now. •
Back then life was simple, the top six discipline problems in school were talking, chewing gum, making noise, running the halls, getting out of turn in line and not putting paper in the wastebasket. Today it’s drug and alcohol abuse, pregnancy, suicide, rape, robbery and guns in the school.
W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER 2012
23
24
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER 2012
W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
Community Farmers Markets
Information courtesy of www.hillsboroughcounty.org • HILLSB OU ROU GH FARMERS MARKET S • SWEET WAT ER SU NDAY ORGANIC MARKET Sweetwater Community Farm, 6942 W. Comanche Avenue Tampa, Florida • Open-air / seasonal • November through May Sundays, Noon to 4:00 p.m. Contact Information: Andrea Harms, Market Manager 6942 Comanche Avenue Tampa, FL 33634 Telephone: (813) 887-4066 • www.sweetwater-organic.org TAMPA DOWNT OWN MARKET Lykes Gaslight Square Park 400 and 500 Block Franklin Street and 200 and 300 Madison Street, Tampa, Florida 33602 Open: Mid-October through Mid-May Fridays, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Contact Information: Ms. Tiffany Ferrecchia 601 North Ashley Drive, Suite 1100 Tampa, Florida 33602 • Telephone: (813) 649-8747 Email: marketmanager@tampadowntown.com www.tampadowntownmarket.com TAMPA WHOLESALE PRODU CE MARKET 2801 East Hillsborough Avenue Tampa, Florida Open year-round: Monday through Saturday from 3:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Contact Information: Peter Filippello 2801 East Hillsborough Avenue Tampa, Florida 33610 Telephone: (813) 237-3314 YB OR CIT Y SAT U RDAY MARKET Centennial Park at the corner of Eighth Avenue and 19th Street, Ybor City Tampa, Florida Year-round, Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Contact Information: Lynn Schultz P.O. Box 5294, Tampa, Florida 33675-5294 Telephone: (813) 241-2442 Email: ybormarket@yahoo.com Web: www.ybormarket.com • MANAT EE FARMERS MARKET S • DOWNT OWN B RADENT ON FARMERS’ MARKET Old Main Street (12th Street West) Bradenton, Florida October through May • Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Contact Information: Susan Blake, Market Manager 101 Old Main St. - City Hall Bradenton, Florida 34205 Telephone: (941) 544-8077 Fax: (941) 932-9552 Email: susanblake@earthlink.net www.bradentonfarmersmarket.com LAKEWOOD RANCH FARMERS’ MARKET Main Street, Lakewood Ranch, Florida Street-side Market Open November through May Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Contact Information: Bob Fernandez, Market Manager 301 North Hillcrest Drive Clearwater, Florida 33755 Telephone: (727) 461-7674 Email: pbjfernandez@ij.net • PASCO FARMERS MARKET S • DOWNT OWN NORT H PORT RICHEY MARKET Historic District, Railroad Square Nebraska Avenue, one block east of Grand New Port Richey, Florida Open: Year-Round, Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Contact Information: Carlene Hanlon 6231 Grand Boulevard, New Port Richey, FL 34652 Telephone: (727) 842-8066 • Fax: (727) 264-0460 Emails: judy@nprmainstreet.com carlene@nprmainstreet.com • www.nprmainstreet.com
FLORIDA ESTAT ES WINERY MARKET 25241 State Road 52, Land O’ Lakes, FL 34639 Second and fourth Saturday of each month 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. • Contact Information: Ron Hunt 25241 State Road 52, Land O’ Lakes, FL 34639-7172 Telephone: (813)996-2113 Email: corp@flewn.com • www.floridaestateswines.com • PINELLAS FARMERS MARKET S • DOWNT OWN CLEARWAT ER FARMERS’ MARKET Downtown on Cleveland Street (500 block) Clearwater, FL • Mid-October through May-Wednesdays, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Contact Information: Bob or Pat Fernandez, P.O. Box 1017, Clearwater, FL 33757 Telephone: (727) 461-7674 • Email: pbjfernandez@ij.net www.clearwaterfarmersmarket.com DU NEDIN GREEN MARKET Pioneer Park, corner of Main Street and Douglas Avenue Dunedin, Florida Mid-October through April • Fridays, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Contact Information: Richard Kendler, Market Manager 200 Woodette Drive, No. 803, Dunedin, FL 34698 Telephone: (727) 733-4215 Email: greenmarketmanager@verizon.net  GU LFPORT T U ESDAY FRESH MARKET Beach Boulevard, near 29th Avenue South Gulfport, FL Open year round • Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Contact Information: Daniel Hodge 4920 29th Avenue South, Gulfport, FL 33707 Telephone: (727) 366-4086 • Email: dan@igc.org Web: www.gulfportma.com/Freshmarket.html
• POLK FARMERS MARKET S • AU B U RNDALE FARMERS’ MARKET Downtown - 119 West Park Street Auburndale, FL November through April • Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Contact Information: Larry Helms 119 West Park Street Auburndale, FL 33823 Telephone: (863) 965-5545 • Fax: (863) 965-6319 Email: lhelms@auburndalefl.com www.auburndalefl.com HAINES CIT Y FARMERS’ MARKET Railroad Park - Downtown (Sixth Street and Jones Avenue) Haines City, FL Year-round, Wednesdays, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Contact Information: Tommy Cassel, Market Manager P.O. Box 1507, Haines City, FL 33845 Telephone: (863) 421-3700 • Fax: (863) 421-3701 Email: tacassel@ci.haines-city.fl.us http://www.ci.haines-city.fl.us LAKELAND DOWNT OWN FARMERS’ CURB MARKET 200 North Kentucky Avenue, Lakeland, FL Open September to July • Wednesdays 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. • Saturdays 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Contact Information: Mr. Jim Luna 228 South Massachusetts Avenue Lakeland, FL 33801 Telephone: (863) 687-8910 • Fax: (863) 683-2783 Email: becky.abel@lakelandgov.net www.LDDA.org/curbmarket  • SARASOTA FARMERS MARKET • PHILLIPPI ESTAT E FARMERS’ MARKET S Phillippi Estate Park 5500 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL Open November - April, Wednesday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Contact Information: Tim Brown, c/o Phillippi Estate Park, 5500 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Florida 34231 Telephone: (941) 266-6691 • Fax: (941) 373-7080 Email: thtttbrown@aol.com
LARGO’S DOWNT OWN MARKET Ulmer Park • 301 West Bay Drive, Largo, FL 33771 Open November through April Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Contact Information: Kinsit Cooley P.O. Box 296, Largo, FL 33779 Telephone: (727) 587-6740 • Fax: (727) 586-7406 Email: kcooley@largo.com • Web: www.largoevents.com  MARKET IN T HE PARK Heritage Village, 11909 - 125th Street Largo, FL 33774 November through mid-April Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Contact Information: Richard Kendler, Market Manager 200 Woodette Drive, No. 803, Dunedin, FL 34698 Telephone: (727) 733-4215 Email: greenmarketmanager@verizon.net
SARASOTA DOWNT OWN FARMERS’ MARKET Downtown Sarasota - Corner of Lemon Avenue and Main Street Sarasota, Florida Year-round • Saturdays, 7:00 a.m. to noon Contact Information: Leann Aldridge, Market Manager 1365 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL 34236 Telephone: (941) 951-2656 Email: leann@downtownsarasota.com www.downtownsarasota.com 
OLDSMAR DOWNT OWN FRESH MARKET 100 State Street West next to City Hall November through April Wednesdays, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Contact Information: Richard Kendler 200 Woodette Drive, No. 803, Dunedin, FL 34698 Telephone: (727) 733-4215 Email: GreenMarketManager@verizon.net
COMMU NIT Y FARMERS MARKET S For More Information Contact: Agriculture Industry Development Program Hillsborough County Economic Development Department P.O. Box 1110, Tampa, Florida 33601-1110 Phone: (813) 272-5909 Fax: (813) 276-2638 http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/econdev/agriculture/
SAFET Y HARB OR FARMERS’ MARKET 400 Main Street - Downtown Safety John Wilson Park Safety Harbor, Florida • Mid-October through May Thursdays, 8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Contact Information: Bob Fernandez 301 N. Hillcrest Drive Clearwater, FL 33755 Telephone: (727) 461-7674 • Email: pbjfernandez@ij.net www.safetyharborchamber.com
Listings in this directory are not paid advertisements and are provided as a free service. A listing in this directory does not imply an endorsement by Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners, the Economic Development Department, or the Agriculture Economic Development Council.
ST. PET ERSB U RG SAT U RDAY MORNING MARKET First Avenue South and First Street St. Petersburg, FL October through May • Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Contact Information: Gail Eggman 104 Fareham Place, North • St. Petersburg, Florida 33701 Telephone: (727) 455-4921 Email: saturdaymkt@yahoo.com www.saturdaymorningmarket.com
Sources: Hillsborough County Agriculture Industry Development Program and the FL Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services.
 W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER 2012
25
26
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER 2012
W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
*** All Items Are 8 lbs. Unless Otherwise Noted.***
GEORGIA PECANS HALVES & PIECES 1 lb bag . . . . . . . . . . . $9 2.5 lbs bag . . . . . $22.25 5 lbs bag . . . . . . . . . $44 10 lbs bag . . . . . . . . $87
WALK-INS WELCOME
Foodhooks.........................................$22 Baby Butter Beans ............................$14 Green Beans.......................................$14 Pole Beans .........................................$14 Speckled Butter Beans.....................$14 Blackeye Peas....................................$14 Butter Peas ........................................$14 Conk Peas .........................................$22 Crowder Peas ....................................$14 Pinkeye Peas......................................$14 White Acre Peas................................$14 Sugar Snap Peas ...............................$15 Zipper Peas........................................$14 Green Peas .........................................$14 White Corn .........................................$13 Yellow Corn ........................................$13 Cream White Corn 4#........................$6 Cream Yellow Corn 4#.......................$6 Collard Greens ...................................$13 Mustard Greens..................................$13 Turnip Greens ....................................$13 Spinach ...............................................$13
Cut Okra .............................................$13 Breaded Okra.....................................$13 Whole Okra ........................................$13 Sliced Yellow Squash........................$13 Sliced Zucchini ..................................$13 Brussel Sprouts..................................$13 Baby Carrots ......................................$13 Broccoli...............................................$13 Cauliflower .........................................$13 Mixed Vegetables..............................$13 Soup Blend.........................................$13 Blueberries 5# ...................................$15 Blackberries 5# .................................$15 Dark Sweet Cherries 5# ...................$18 Mango Chunks 5# .............................$15 Pineapple Chunks 5#........................$15 Whole Strawberries 5# ....................$15 Cranberries 5#...................................$15 Rhubarb 5# ........................................$13 Peaches...............................................$15 Green Peanuts ...................................$15
Call – or go on-line to place your order today and we’ll have it ready for you to pick up!
www.SouthwesternProduce.com W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2012
27
County Celebrates the 15th Annual Hispanic Festival By Cheryl Kuck
M
ore than 20,000 attendees braved high winds and unexpected low temperatures at the 15th Annual Hispanic Festival of Polk County on Oct. 27 held at Lake Mirror Promenade and Barnett Family Park in Lakeland. Since inception the event has been sponsored by the Club Hispano de Lakeland, est. in 1987, to foster unity among families from various Latin American countries. Although a private organization, the club is a not-for-profit 501(C) 3 organization that seeks to help Hispanics in need and preserve the Hispanic heritage, as well as, provide educational scholarships. The family-oriented event annually features all manner of diverse Latin music and dance, and, of course, food varieties. One of the food vendors, El Coqui, a mother-daughter family affair, has been selling their Puerto Rican specialties and participating every year of the festival. A fledgling start-up business 15 years ago, they now have a mobile restaurant making a circuit the length of the state from Winter Haven to Miami and back to Polk County.
28
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
Since living in Argentina during the late 1970s, my Spanish occasionally needs a little dusting off. So not having any idea of what a Coqui may be, I had to resort to some investigative research via the internet. Apparently it is an unusual Puerto Rican, very tiny (one-inch-long), translucent tree frog. The male of the species make a noise that sounds like, ''co-quí'' and that is how the frog got its name. However that does not explain how a Florida restaurant, named for a frog doesn’t serve frogs legs but does serve pig tripe. Now tripe is stomach lining of cow or sheep, not pig or pork. Confusing, isn’t it? Well, I did take some photos of the pig tripe but, honestly, did not have the temerity to actually try it. What I did taste was something more familiar and common to almost every country with a Spanish heritage, an empanada. Empanadas are baked or fried, spicy or sweet turnovers and cousins to the Cornish pasty and Indian samosa. The ones served at El Coqui are verging on the gigantic and filled with shrimp or con queso (with cheddar cheese).
NOVEMBER 2012
It was interesting to note that a Hispanic staple (in addition to black beans and rice) seems to be versions of what is also recognized as staple fare of the Middle Eastern diet and known as shish-kabob, a marinated beef or lamb (never pork) served on wooden skewers. Whether Spanish-style or from the east, wood skewers are soaked in water (so they won’t burn) then meat is marinated in sauce and spices for one or more days, placed on the skewers, served alone or with added vegetables such as onion, mushrooms, tomatoes, etc. and char-grilled over hot coals. Spanish-style kabobs primarily use chicken or pork. Volunteers from St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Lemon Street were cooking traditional Puerto Rican alcapurrias, considered “beach food," meaning casual food you can hold in one hand, and is, more-orless, a complete meal. The stuffed fritters consist of a batter called taro (yautía) and green bananas (guineos verdes). They are filled with either a meat (pino) filling or with crab, shrimp or lobster.
W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
Mexico was also represented with traditional guacamole dip made with mortar and a pestle in a vessel called a Molcatete, served with fried tortilla chips, fresh salsa and lettuce. The demonstrations were equal to the best mainstream restaurant presentation. Another Mexican favorite is "Migas," also called "migas al pastor." Pastor refers to the simple or pastoral shepherd’s way of life of that inspired the dish of leftover meat in tomato sauce and became one of the ways Spanish people made use of their stale bread. Now the pastor (filling) is placed in a corn tortilla after frying in olive oil and garlic. One of the most influential factors with regard to the differences between Mexican food and American food is the longer period in which Mexico was under Spanish rule. In any case, much of the Spanish influence in American food can be seen in the areas bordering Mexico, which were predominantly under Spanish rule prior to becoming American states. Both Mexican and American food are the sum total of various other cultural influences cultivated through years of traditional culinary methods and the abundant use of locally available ingredients. Both countries have varied climates but with similar growing patterns, as well as, an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. The Hispanic Festival is an excellent way to learn about different customs and foods. I love this kind of experimenting. It is inexpensive as opposed to eating in a regular restaurant, affording the opportunity of testing just how adventurous your palate may be.
15th Annual Hispanic Festival A celebration of Latino heritage with diverse cuisine Sponsor: Club Hispano de Lakeland, est. in 1987 Contact: HispanicClubofLakeland@yahoo.com www.facebook.com/ pages/ Club-Hispano-deLakeland/ 122747594413214 Web site: www.clubhispano delakeland.com Phone: 863- 644-5362. Annual Festival Location: Mirror Lake & Barnett Family Park Festival Purpose: Acquaint public with Hispanic food and culture; funding for scholarship program for county Latino students
W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2012
29
30
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER 2012
W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER 2012
31
Naturally Amazing Activities
Edible Cornucopia
Photo by Mandy Heaston (Gormetmom) Photo is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
By Sean Green The cornucopia, or horn of plenty, is an ancient symbol of abundance and nourishment. In Greek and Roman mythology it is associated with the harvest, prosperity and spiritual abundance. The cornucopia is typically a large horn shaped container overflowing with various kinds of fruits and vegetables, flowers, nuts, or any harvest bounty. This month we will celebrate the harvest and abundance (in whatever abundance you are gifted with). An edible cornucopia, like our gifts of abundance, is not necessarily something that is manifest with a formula, but rather a gift that results from the spirit of abundance.
Materials Needed: Large Sugar Cones – This is the horn of the project, everything else is what you fill the horn with • • • • • • • • 32
Nuts (suggestion) Dehydrated Fruits (suggestion) Baby Corn (Suggestion) Candy Corn (suggestion) Berries (suggestion) Grapes (suggestion) Raisins (suggestion) Popcorn (suggestion) INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER 2012
• Mini Marshmallows (suggestion) • Mint Leaves (suggestion) The idea here is to be creative, use what you have, anything you have. It does not take much to make this project a grand success, great stuff can be found in the bottom of what would otherwise be considered “empty” boxes of cereal or other snacks. I have provided suggestions above and tend to encourage raw or natural foods over processed foods and sugary treats, but I have to admit, some sugary foods are fun and I have included some in my suggestions. Fill your sugar cone with an abundance of treats. Be creative with it, there is no harm in going crazy with decorating the outside of the horn with chocolate, and sprinkles or chopped nuts. There are also many small leafy foods that make this both attractive and tasty, consider mint leaves, parsley, licorice leaves or any number of other herbs. Baby corn is fantastic for an authentic looking miniature cornucopia. Whatever you decide to fill your horn with, the most important step is the acknowledgement and gratitude for the abundance you have been given and sharing it with others. Have Fun! •
W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER 2012
33
34
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER 2012
Photos by Lacey Waters
W
esterns have lost their appeal to today’s generation. Rarely do you see young boys (or girls for that matter) running around playing cowboys and Indians. While we may live in an area that still has an affinity for Wranglers and Ropers, it would appear that the beloved cowboy imagery has all but escaped our future career plans. How many kids grow up saying they want to be cowboys versus football players? This decline in the understanding of agricultural and ranching importance will undoubtedly have negative effects on the condition of this country. Yet, there is still hope! Yes, there are still men out there who dream of the cowboy life and are willing to sacrifice for the freedom that life provides them. They are ranch day workers and we had the opportunity to talk to two fine examples: JB Wynn and Donald Conroy.
W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
JB tells us, “When I was growing up my father always had cattle. He had a full time job with Publix but he did cattle part time and he always loved it. He would take my brother and I with him to work cows with people and work his cows with him and my brother and I always wanted to be cowboys. That’s kinda how we got started in it.” Donald has a similar story, though his experience centers around horses. He says, “Our family always messed with horses a little bit. My dad did a little farrier work, blacksmith work, when he was younger. He dabbled in it and liked to mess with horses.” One thing is certain here, it would be impossible to be a ranch day worker without horse and cattle expertise. Returning to JB’s story, he says, “When I was in high school I was in FFA. I showed a few steers. I was chapter president my junior and senior years and a Federation Officer those two years. After high school I went to Santa Fe Community College in Gainesville. I went to school a little while up there. I met my wife while I was in Gainesville. She was from Lake Wales and I was from Lakeland. She graduated and I finished up at Santa Fe, came back home and I’ve been cowboyin’ ever since.”
So, JB went off to college after high school thinking he might do something else, and Donald got a job right after, thinking the same thing. He explains, “I went to work with Robert Jukich at his vet office because I thought I wanted to be a veterinarian. Then being around that, I just got to helping ranchers. I’d rather be a cowboy than a veterinarian.” Though neither of these gentleman had extensive family ties to ranching, they both discovered that being a cowboy was fun. JB says, “I was around cattle growin’ up and I’ve always been interested in it. I worked full time on a ranch and then after a few years I went off day workin’.” Donald’s story is comparable. He says, “When I was in high school, my brother, Bobby, went to work for Buck Mann on Buck Mann Ranch in Dundee and I went with him and helped around there. We liked to rodeo and we liked the horses so that branched into, at Buck Mann’s, tractor driving, fence work and general ranch work. That’s kind of how we got started.” So, now that we know what brought these cowboys into the ranch day work career field, perhaps we would do well to understand what exactly it is that they do.
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2012
35
JB explains, “As far as day workin’, other ranchers, certain times of the year, are doing things with their cattle like marking and branding in the spring and then in the fall everybody’s shipping and in the summer time people are bull gathering and pickin’ their bulls up. Basically, other ranchers need help penning their cows and I’ve got a couple of horses and some dogs and they hire us for the day, or a couple weeks, and we help them with their cow work.” He further illustrates the specifics of the job, “When we’re marking and branding in the spring, we’re worming the cows and vaccinating the cows. And we do everything from giving shots to castrating calves.”
36
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
Here Donald adds, “You saddle up your horse. We gather the cattle up, once they get in the pen we take turns cutting the calves, vaccinating, deworming, running the chute (sometimes when there’s not a chute and you have to catch them – two or three men have to get a hold of the calf and wrestle it to the ground and hold its legs so the man doing the cutting doesn’t get kicked). It’s like a team, if the ball flows to you, you run with it, you do what you gotta do.” JB continues his explanation, “In the fall, the late summer and fall, people are shipping. A lot of people contract their calves to go out West to a feed lot, Texas or Kansas
NOVEMBER 2012
or somewhere and that’s what we’re doing when we’re shipping, we’re loading the yearlings on semis, getting’ ‘em up on the trucks. A lot of time people will be pregnancy testing their cows. Basically, when we’re day working we’re helping the ranchers with everything they do with their cows. Most of the time when someone hires you, they’re hiring you to be a grunt, do some tough work for them. They’re usually not hiring us to run their ranch for them. It’s a lot of work in the cow pens, sorting, sometimes we catch the calves to work the calves, it’s a lot of physical labor.’ Perhaps you are thinking, ‘that doesn’t really sound like a lot of fun, manual labor
W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
bites.’ Well, there are benefits and perks to leading the cowboy life. When questioned about what’s so great in the day working field, Donald says, “I think it’s going different places, you get to see different things. It’s not the same old thing, it’s not a rut. You get out on your horse. I like old-timey things so it gives you a chance to do that.” JB agrees, “I just enjoy the freedom of being able to basically work for myself. Everybody gets to know each other and you make some friends. I’ve got a lot of freedom. I couldn’t go to the same office every day and do the same thing every day.” At this point the enthusiasm for their career paths kicks in. JB says, “above anything else, I love cowboyin’. I love my horses and dogs; I’m willin’ to do anything else to supplement just to be able to do what I love during those times of the year.” Donald concurs saying, “There might be a better way to make money, or more money, but I don’t think there’s a more fun way. Sometimes it’s hard work, but we try to make our work fun.” JB’s comment about supplementing is probably something
that most ranch day workers understand. In fact, both he and Donald thought that it was highly unlikely, or at least very difficult, to solely day work unless you were located in South Florida where there are some larger ranches. The truth is, both JB and Donald have their own cattle and thusly spend time working their own herds, especially when it’s down-time in the day working season. In addition, JB says he builds fences and barns. Donald admits that he’s done the same thing, but currently he’s up in Maine working on a natural gas pipeline (this is the first time he’s done anything like that). It would appear that JB’s statement about being willing to do anything else just to make sure he could continue his cowboy dreams was no exaggeration for either of them. Given all the hard work attached to this field, and the seemingly endless hours in season, one would wonder what these guys might do to unwind. Interestingly enough they are both actively involved in rodeoing. Donald explains, “My whole family rodeoed. Bobby and I rode bareback horses a lit-
W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
tle bit, but mostly bulls. Jimmy Stokes was the one that kind of got us into that. It was a dare. He dared one of my older brothers to get on a bull and he liked it.” JB makes the connection between ranch day work and rodeo. He says, “Everybody out there pretty much does the same thing for a livin’ so it’s pretty fun to get out there and compete with one another.” Then he boasts, “We won the Polk County rodeo a few years ago and been to the state finals three times.” You could probably talk to tons of people in a slew of different careers but it seems doubtful that you’d find two people as enthusiastic about their employment choices as these two men are. It seems that if you are given the opportunity to gain the necessary experience to work with horses and cattle, and if its something you find enjoyable, then it’d be a smart choice to look into day working at a ranch near you. •
ADSIT CO., INC Over 37 Years Selling Agricultural Land. For listings below, Text to: 85377 and subject is T number beside listing. • Waterfront Ranch including cattle, hunting, large home, etc. T427152 • 100 a/c Ranch with 5 BR home, fish ponds and hunting $ 895,000. T461457 • Several large pasture parcels T534755, T461441, T427190 All close to each other 30+- a/c former citrus. 8” Well $252,025. T427372 • 45 a/c Lake Wales Grove & pasture. Industrial Zoning $ 1,250,000. T461363 • 7 +- a/c fenced, large storage building $ 275,000. Or will lease. T511407 • 20 a/c Lake Marion. Wooded, pasture, water, electric. $ 165,000. T751788 • 7 a/c Hwy 60 East, Lake Wales. Popular intersection. $150,000. T507707 • Citrus Groves. Check my web site 5.4 Secured Industrial Lake Wales with 9 buildings. Reduced to only $ 795,000. T427207
Tel: 863.285.7118
Mary L. Adsit, Realtor “The Landlady” 5757 Trask Rd. • Ft. Meade • 333841 Extensive details & pictures on
www.maryadsit.com
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2012
37
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, one cup of boiled cooked kale (130 g) contains 36 calories, 4.01 g protein, 0.68 g fat, 9.33 g carbohydrate, and 5.3 g of dietary fiber. One cup of kale also provides a whopping 1328 percent of the Daily Recommended Value (%DV) for vitamin K, 354% for vitamin A, 89% for vitamin C, 27% for manganese, 10.4% for dietary fiber, 10% for copper, 9.3% for calcium, 5.4% for omega-3 fatty acids, and plentiful amounts of the B vitamins and important minerals including potassium, iron, and magnesium. All of this sums up to an incredible amount of vitamins and minerals for very few calories.
PHYTONUTRIENTS By Sandy Kaster, M.S. Clinical Medicine, B.S. Nutrition Science
F
lorida kale is one of the most nutritious foods that exists. Its dark green leaves are exploding with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and important anti-cancer compounds. This low calorie leafy vegetable is a member of the Brassica family, which also includes cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, collard greens, and cauliflower. Fresh Florida kale is a cool-weather crop and at its peak between November and April. Kale is also available frozen year round. According to the University of Florida Extension Office, kale is grown in one out of ten Florida gardens.
NUTRITIONAL PROFILE With plenty of antioxidant and anticancer compounds, kale is as much medicine as food. Kale contains health promoting compounds that prevent carcinogen formation, inhibit tumor growth, and enhance detoxification of free radicals in the body. According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, a diet rich in dark green leafy vegetables lowers risk for cancers of the lung, colon, breast, ovaries and bladder. Current research studies show that people who eat the most cruciferous vegetables have a much lower risk of prostate, colorectal and lung cancers, even when compared to those who regularly eat other vegetables. Kale is extremely nutrient-dense. In addition to its cancer-fighting properties, kale is considered an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and K and manganese, and a very good source of fiber, calcium, copper, tryptophan, potassium, and vitamin B6 and a good source of iron, magnesium, protein, phosphorus, and omega 3 fatty acids. 38
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER 2012
Beneficial compounds found in kale and other vegetables, phytonutrients are potent promoters of good health. Some of these such as glucosinolates and sulforaphane, boost the liver’s detoxifying enzymes and help neutralize harmful substances. In animal studies, these compounds seem to slow or halt the growth of cancer cells in the breast and colon. Other compounds such as carotenoids and flavonoids act as powerful antioxidants. They protect the body from oxidative stress, which can lead to chronic health problems such as cancer, lung disease, and atherosclerosis (the building of plaque on artery walls).
VITAMIN K Kale is one of the richest sources of vitamin K that exists, containing over 1300% of your daily requirement in just a single serving. Just a few bites of this powerful vegetable would meet your daily requirements for this vitamin! Vitamin K is an essential component for proper blood clotting in the body. This vitamin also helps your body transport calcium and metabolizes the mineral into your skeleton. Several research studies have found that vitamin K boosts bone mineral density and reduces fracture rates in people with osteoporosis.
MANGANESE Florida kale is considered an excellent source of manganese, an important mineral that plays a role in a variety of physiological functions throughout the body. Manganese is needed for glucose, protein, lipid, and cholesterol metabolism from the foods we consume, as well as for pancreatic function and development. The mineral is important in normal skeletal growth and development, prevention of sterility, and synthesis of thyroid hormone. One cup of boiled kale provides over a quarter of your daily requirement for manganese.
CALCIUM Great news for the lactose-intolerant and those who don’t like milk or dairy--- you can meet all of your daily calcium needs through kale, other vegetables, and calcium-fortified foods. Kale is an excellent non-dairy source of calcium, providing 22.6% of your daily requirements in one cup of cooked vegetable. Calcium is important in the maintaining the strength and density of bones. Additionally, this mineral has been shown to prevent bone loss and reduce symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome. Adequate calcium intake is needed to prevent calcium stores being leached out of bones. Calcium also plays an important role in muscle contraction, nerve conduction, and cell membrane function. HOW TO SELECT AND STORE Choose kale that has fresh, deeply colored leaves free of wilting, yellowing, or holes. Smaller leaves are more tender and mild than larger leaves. The stems should look hardy and moist. Store kale in a ventilated plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to five days. Cooked greens also freeze well for up to six months in an airtight container or freezer bag.
HOW TO ENJOY Wash well to remove all sand and grit immediately before use. Kale can be eaten raw, steamed, or sauteed. To preserve kale’s many nutrients, cook the vegetable quickly and lightly. It can easily be added to salad, soup, vegetable stir-fries, or eggs. More ways to enjoy this delicious vegetable include: • Braise with collards, apples and onions, then drizzle with balsamic vinegar • Lightly steam with garlic and herbs • Sautee lightly with olive oil and herbs • Boil with smoked or salted meat, such as smoked turkey wings or ham hocks • Combine with feta cheese and pasta • Toss with olive oil, spread into a single layer on a baking sheet for a healthier substitute for potato chips • Stir-fry with chicken and soy sauce • Juice in a juicer with apples and ginger Fresh Florida kale is at their peak today. Enjoy more of these leafy greens in all of their nutritious glory! SELECTED REFERENCES http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ http:// www.floridata.com http://www.whfoods.com http://www.florida-agriculture.com
W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
Cheap!
Thousands of 8 ft & 10 ft sheets in stock. Prices from $6 and up. Custom lengths available.
Metal Roofing Florida’s Best Prices
If you buy elsewhere... we both lose.
Discount Metal Mart Monday thru Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Ferris Waller
“I’ve got a bad attitude and a rotten personality, so our prices must be good or people wouldn’t buy from me!” W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
Located at Plant City Farm & Flea Market One mile north of I-4, corner of SR 39 and Sam Allen , easy access to I-4
813-752-7088 Website: www.metalsystemsinc.com email: atfabcutting@hotmail.com INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER 2012
39
Florida FFA Hall of Fame honors individuals who have rendered outstanding service to Agriscience Education and FFA in Florida. Florida FFA Hall of Fame began in 2007, and was created in order to pay tribute to those individuals who have helped make the Florida FFA Association the premier youth leadership organization in our state. As a result of the contributions of these individuals, Florida FFA has grown to more than 16,000 members strong. Since 2007, each year a few distinguished people are inducted into this elite group and are recognized at a dinner hosted by the Florida FFA Leadership Training Center in Haines City. This year the following gentlemen were inducted and honored: Harold "Ray" Clark (taught agriculture for 36 years at Plant City High School before retiring in 2008), Gary Doyle Lee (taught agriculture at Fort Meade High School, serving 38 years in education and still works as a part-time resource teacher for FFA programs) Alfred R. Cox Jr., Donald C. Hurst, and Winton "W.O." Whittle. Our Florida Commissioner of Agriculture, Adam Putnam attended this dinner. It was a great honor for your State Officer Team to be allowed to participate in this Event. Florida FFA owes an immense debt of gratitude to these outstanding leaders.
Greetings Area IV, Here we grow again!! October did not disappoint. This month brought so many amazing adventures and chances to spend time with you working to develop competent and assertive Agricultural Leadership.
Toward the end of the month the Florida FFA State Officer Team traveled to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. There we served as National Delegates. This year Florida FFA had a National Officer Candidate, Clay Sapp. Clay served as President of the Florida State Officer Team for the 2010 -2011 Term. The Florida FFA 2012–2013 State Officer Team send our very best wishes to Clay as he pursues the next level of leadership within the National FFA Organization. Clay has devoted much time to study, gone to great lengths to prepare for National Office and has done an exemplary job. We are pleased to announce that Clay Daniel Sapp was elected on October 27,2012 as the National FFA President for 2012-2013. Congratulations to Clay on a job well done. In the coming month I will continue to make my way around Area 4 facilitating Chapter Programs and spending time with each of you one on one. These Chapter Programs are among my favorite things to do. Seeing the impact that happens as a result of just one day through a Chapter visit is incredible.
D
uring the month of October, your Florida FFA State Officer Team had the opportunity to facilitate the COLT Conferences around the State of Florida. What an incredible time for us as an Officer Team to work with you, hands on learning Chapter Officer Leadership Techniques! These Conferences were a huge success this year. We focused in on Teamwork, dressing to impress and Leadership. Our theme was “Game On.” Students left with real and tangible skills empowering them to be ready for the game as they went back to their Chapters prepared to share what they learned with their Teams. As I think back on my High School career, COLT was always a highlight for me and I am so happy that I had the opportunity to give back some of what has been provided to me over the years. Following COLT, we were able to participate in District Forestry. Wow, this stuff was so much fun!! I would like to say a HUGE congratulations to the winning Teams that will be going on to Perry to compete in the State Forestry Competition.
40
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER 2012
Always remember that whenever the times get tough, the tough get going and never, never, ever give up. Because the secret is, you can achieve your goals if you are willing to work for them. I believe in each Chapter and I am proud of all of you. Until the next time. Sincerely,
Katie
KATIE HUTCHINSON AREA 4 STATE VICE PRESIDENT
W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER 2012
41
RECIPES Recipes Courtesy of the Florida Department of Agricluture
Skillet Beef
with Red Potatoes and Greens INGREDIENTS 3⁄4 lb Round beef steak Non-stick cooking spray 4 red-skinned potatoes, halved 1 cup finely chopped onion 2 cups (16-oz. can) beef broth, low-sodium 2 cloves, minced or 1⁄4 teaspoon garlic powder 1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper 1 teaspoon chili powder 2 large carrots, peeled and cut into thin strips 2 bunches (1 lb total) mustard greens, kale, or turnip greens, stems removed, chopped
Florida Salad INGREDIENTS 1 cup romaine lettuce, torn 1/2 cup escarole, roughly chopped 1/2 cup endive, roughly chopped 1 bunch cilantro, chopped
PREPARATION Thinly slice beef across the grain. Spray skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Preheat pan. Add meat; cook, stirring for 5 minutes to brown. Add potatoes, onion, broth, and spices. Cook covered, over medium heat for 20 minutes. Stir in carrots, lay greens over top, cover, and cook until carrots are tender, about 15 minutes.
1 avocado, peeled and sliced 1 cucumber, peeled and sliced 4 radishes, sliced 2 carrots, peeled and sliced 1 green bell pepper, seeded and sliced 1 tangelo, peeled and sectioned 1/2 cup kale, roughly chopped 1/2 cup strawberries, sliced 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, whole
PREPARATION Toss all ingredients together in a large salad bowl. Serve with the dressing of your choice.
42
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER 2012
W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2012
43
44
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER 2012
W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
A Closer Look
By Sean Green
Photo by April Wietrecki
Florida Blues (Polyommatinae) Hopefully some of you were able to make it out to St Marks National Wildlife Refuge for the Monarch migration. If not, there is no need to sing the blues when you can watch them. It’s no secret that the blues have always been associated with the Deep South, not just in music, but there is a pretty amazing subfamily of butterflies that they call The Blues. Polyommatinae is a subfamily of Lycaenidae, or gossamer-winged butterflies. Lycaenidae is the second largest family of butterflies, second only to the Brush-footed butterflies. Gossamer is a very delicate sheer fabric or light cobweb, from which these butterflies derive their name. These true butterflies are distinguished for their feathery wings; a closer look will reveal some of this butterflies extraordinary characteristics. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have insect friends that would stick by you, cover your back, and divert your enemies from bringing you harm? Well, the Lycaenidae do just that, with one of the most effective group of insects known to man, the ant. About half of the gossamer winged butterfly species worldwide have an association with ants in one way or another. Some have a hostile relationship in which the caterpillar will prey on ant brood. Most of the Blues (Polyommatinae) are opportunistically carnivorous but have a mutualistic relationship with ants. Caterpillars of the Blues have a special organ that produces a sugary protein rich solution that attracts and feeds the ants, in return the ants protect the caterpillar from predators and parasitoids. Some caterpillars are even capable of producing low pitched sounds by stridulating a scraper and file similar to the way a cricket chirps. The sounds made by the caterpillar are thought to be a defense mechanism but some researchers suggest it’s a means of communicating with ants.
mimics a head. This deception tricks predators into attacking from the front. With the element of surprise removed from the predator’s strategy, the butterfly has a greater chance of escape.
are not dependent on ants. Species such as the Blues require not only the correct host plants, but also particular ant species many of which are considered pest ants in urban environments and controlled with toxins.
The Blues are a delicate indicator species and populations are easily diminished with environmental changes, in fact one species, the Miami Blue (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri) is the only subspecies of Cyclargus thomasi found in the United States and is found only in Florida. Needless to say, it is one of Florida’s most endangered insects. Some sources suggest it may even be the rarest insect in the United States. As of September 2012, a single extant population supporting less than 100 individuals remains in an isolated colony site within Bahia Honda State Park in the lower Florida Keys.
In general the Blues can be found all year in Florida flying low in open woodland. The Cassius Blue (Leptotes cassius) has the greatest populations in the southern peninsular of Florida. Its intolerance of cold weather prevents it from surviving winters in northern Florida but is abundant here in central Florida. The Ceraunus Blue (Hemiargus ceraunus) can be found in all 67 counties in Florida all year long
Before urbanization and the loss of coastal habitat jeopardized this species it ranged from Hillsborough, Volusia and Monroe counties south through the Florida Keys and the Dry Tortugas. Some scientist suggest that butterfly species that are associated with ants, such as the Blues, are more susceptible to environmental changes and are predisposed to extinction more so than species that
The Miami Blue (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri) produces multiple generations (February through November) and adults are found all year long in the Florida Keys. The McGuire Center for Lepidoptera Research at the University of Florida has implemented a highly successful captive rearing program to attempt recovery of this species. In 2003 the program began with less than 100 eggs collected from the wild and since then has reared thousands of pupae for release at select sites. The successful release was thwarted by the 2005 hurricanes but persistence has resulted in the recovery of the Bahia Honda colony. More colonies were discovered on other islands in the Florida Keys, more surveys and conservation be needed to prevent a Miami Blue extinction.
Adults have equally interesting characteristics. We think of adult butterflies as being important pollinators, and they are. Most adults visit flowers for nectar but some members of the Lycaenidae subfamily, such as the harvester butterfly, feed on wooly aphid honeydew, the hairstreaks feed on both honeydew and bird droppings. Adults do not rely on the ants for protection so much as their markings. Many adults have antenna shaped tails and a spot on the base of the tail that W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER 2012
45
Classifieds
Tel: 813.759.6909
info@inthefieldmagazine.com
ANIMALS & NEEDS ANIMAL & BIRDCAGES Add living microbes to improve your soil, equipment serving the fur-bearing and exotic bird industry. Cages built to order. Wire by roll or foot. 813-752-2230 • www.ammermans.com Swap July 15, 2012 and Nov. 25, 2012 CHICKEN MANURE FOR SALE Dry and available immediately! Call Tim Ford or Danny Thibodeau 863-439-3232 DOVE HUNTS Lithia area limited number of memberships still available. Call Fish Hawk Sporting Clays. 813-689-0490.
BUILDING SUPPLIES DECKING BRDS. & TILL SIDING Call Ted 813-752-3378 DOUBLE INSULATED THERMO PANE Starting at $55. Call Ted 813-752-3378 WINDOW SCREENS We make window screens of all sizes available in different frame colors. Call Ted 813-752-3378 TILL 4 X 8 SHEET B-grade $17.95. Call Ted 813-752-3378 NEW DOORS CLOSEOUT SPECIAL!!! $75 to $295. Call Ted today 813-752-3378 MOBILE HOME TUBS Metal brand new in box 54” Mobile Home Tubs. Call Ted 813-752-3378 $135.00
FARM EQUIPMENT 2008 MT 465B 4 wd, cab, economy pro. 16 hrs. Call Mike 813-478-0723
HEAVY DUTY SHOP BUILT 14 FT TRAILER New tires & wheels $750 Call Alvie 813-759-8722 MASSSEY HARRIS FERGUSON NO. 16 PACER With belly mower $1950 Call Alvie 813-759-8722 KUBOTA L345 TRACTOR 34hp, 2wd. $4,250 Call Alvie (813)759-8722
MASSEY FERGUSON 255 Grove Tractor with 6’ mower $7,500. Call Alvie 813-759-8722.
46
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
KUBOTA M7500 72hp on 48 inch centers $5950 Call Alvie 813-759-8722 MASSEY FERGUSON GC2300 4 X 4 hydro stat transmission, 2702 hrs. $4,750 Call Alvie 813-759-8722 2009 AGCO CHALLENGER MT 465B MWR Tractor. Cab, a/c, 2 remotes, 3 pt. hitch. Call Mike 813-478-0723
TSG50 WOODS 3pt. stump grinder. Clearance Sale! $3,381. Call Alvie 813-759-8722
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE – 45 ACRES VACANT LAND (Pasco County) 45 acres are comprised of gently rolling hills with big trees & solid ground. A great setting for residential development. To the east of the property is a 60 acre parcel (Lake Gilbert) that adds significant aesthetic value to the 45 acres. Zoning: AR (Agricultural-Rural) Call Heidi Cecil for more information 863-899-9620
NEW HOLLAND TC18 2001, 525 actual hours, 4X4. $4,950 Call Alvie 813-759-8722
FARM LAND FOR LEASE 85 acres, South County on Gulf City Road. Long term lease possible. Contact Dennis Carlton at (813) 620-8312
USED EQUIPMENT Mowers, disk, box blades & disk plows. Call Alvie TODAY! 813-759-8722
2.66 ACRE NURSERY FOR SALE OR LEASE N. Lakeland with 1,000 sq ft frame house, 2 sheds, irrigation throughout. Call Bruce 863-698-0019
SNAPPER PRO 50 Zero turn mower, 36" cut, kawasaki engine, 43 hrs. $3,250 Call Alvie 813-759-8722
BEAUTIFUL LAKEFRONT HOME Tsala Apopka Chain (Citrus Co.) 3 bed / 2.5 bath / 2 car garage, 1,966sf living / 2,923sf under roof, Brick Home w/100ft waterfront, Boathouse w/lift, Perfect for vacationing or make it your forever home! $335,000 obo Call for more details 352-637-3758
FOR SALE TOP GRADE TANZANITE RING 18KT GOLD Beautiful piece of jewelry. 1.05kt round nice blue gem with channel side diamonds. Would make nice Christmas gift - never been worn. Size 7-1/2 $1,100 Call 863-370-8891 Fabulous Price!
LAKELAND 20+ACRES Illness forces sale. Was 900K now 325K. Potential income 54K annually. Call for details. Estate Brokers USA. Lee 813-986-9141
14KT GOLD AMMOLITE RING Unique Multi-colored fossil gem with unique mounting. Great for gifting. Size 8 $250 or best offer. Call 863-370-8891
FOR LEASE Established fish camp, mobile home, RV park with full hookups in eastern Polk County. Located on a renowned bass fishing lake within the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. 14 acres of beautiful oak hammocks with canal and recreation hall. Call 863-692-1013
JOBS
FERGUSON T020 TRACTOR Gas model, Good condition. $2,750 Call Alvie 813-759-8722
2011 MASSEY FERGUSON 2635 4 wd, 62 pto hp. $26,500 Call Mike 813-478-0723
KUBOTA L275 With shuttle shift. Ready to work! $3,500. Call 813-759-8722
CONTRIBUTING WRITER Write about events in your community. Immediate openings in Hillsborough and Polk Counties. Paid per article. Responsibilities include covering community events and taking pictures. Email your resume to sarah@inthefieldmagazine.com INDEPENDENT ACCOUNT MANAGER In The Field Magazine is looking for independent account managers to join our team! Please contact Danny@inthefieldmagazazine.com or call 813-759-6909.
MOUNTAIN HOME Located in Blairsville Georgia! Private home with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, unfurnished basement, nice kitchen, sunroom, back deck for cooking out. Nestled in the trees, cool enough that there is no AC. Lots of outbuildings. A must see! MLS#212679, $180,000. 2.47 acres wooded, low maintenance. Call Jane Baer with Jane Baer Realty 1-800-820-7829
LAWN EQUIPMENT/SUPPLIES RUBBER MULCH All colors, buy 10 bags, get 1 FREE! $8.99 a bag. Call Ted 813-752-3378
NOVEMBER 2012
Merry Chri stmas W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER 2012
47