In The Field magazine Polk edition

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813-752-2379

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CONTENTS

November 2021 VOL. 15 • ISSUE 3

28 POLK COUNTY CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION CELEBRATES ITS 75TH YEAR PAGE 10 Scott Angle

PAGE 31 Plant This

PAGE 11 Agvocating for youth

PAGE 32 PCSO

PAGE 12 Thoughts from the Heifer Pen PAGE 14 Fishing Hot Spots PAGE 16 Florida Cracker Horse

PAGE 36 John Dicks PAGE 37 TAL 25th PAGE 38 Busy Bees

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PAGE 18 State FFA Officer

Activity

PAGE 20 Produce Safety Inspections

PAGE 41 A Closer Look

PAGE 22 Rocking Chair Chatter

PAGE 42 Heat Stress Cattle

PAGE 25 Sugar Pumpkin

PAGE 44 Water Conservation

PAGE 26 Longleaf Pine

PAGE 47 PCCW

PAGE 30 Food Waste Habits

Hey Readers!

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

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InTheField® Magazine P.O. Box 5377 • Plant City, Fl. 33566-0042 *Winners will be notified by phone. You Too Can Be A Winner!

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Polk County Cattlemen’s Association P.O. Box 9005 • Drawer HS03 Bartow, FL. 33831-9005 President – Dave Tomkow 3305 US Highway 92 E Lakeland, FL 33801-9623 (863) 665-5088 dave@cattlemens1.com Vice President – Ken Sherrouse 13475 Moore Rd Lakeland, FL 33809-9755 (863) 698-1834 kensherrouse@yahoo.com Secretary/Treasurer - Justin Bunch PO Box 849 Highland City, FL 33846 (863) 425-1121 justin.bunch@cpsagu.com State Director - David Hunt 9699 Alt Bab Pk Cut-Off Rd Bartow, FL 33830 (863) 287-1835 Dhunt285@aol.com Alternate SD – Orrin Webb PO Box 202 Bartow, FL 33831 (941) 916-5093 cwebbowebb@aol.com Ray Clark 4484 Swindell Road Lakeland, FL 33810 (863) 640-0719 rclark@tampabay.rr.com Donald Conroy 3882 Wolfolk Rd Fort Meade, FL 33841 (863) 412-0790 Stuart Fitzgerald PO Box 1437 Lake Wales, FL 33859 (813) 478-8141 stuartcattlellc@yahoo.com Kevin Fussell 4523 Fussell Rd Polk City, FL 33868-9676 (863) 412-5876 Scott Shoupe 6130 Allen Lane Lakeland, FL 33811 (863) 581-7593 Scott_shoupe@hotmail.com Carlton Taylor 9875 Hancock Road Lakeland, FL 33810 (863) 858-1771 L2brangus@aol.com

Dr. Lujean Waters 8750 Shreck Rd Bartow, FL 33830 (863) 537-1495 Lujean.waters@gmail.com Standing Committee Chairs: Membership Events- Kevin Fussell Trade Show- Bridget Stice Rodeo- Fred Waters PO Box 463 Alturas, FL 33820-0463 (863) 559-7808 Website – Adam Norman 2115 West Pipkin Rd Lakeland, FL 33811 (863) 944-9293 Adamnorman1977@gmail. com Leslie Buchanon P.O. Box 1212 Bartow, FL 33831 863-581-2711 Buckld96@gmail.com Extension – Bridget Stice PO Box 9005, Drawer HS03 Bartow, FL 33831 (863) 519-1048 bccarlis@ufl.edu Sheriff’s Dept. – Lt. Paul Wright 1891 Jim Keen Blvd. Winter Haven, FL 33880 (863) 557-1741 pw5281@polksheriff.org Sgt. Tim Sanders 1891 Jim Keen Blvd. Winter Haven, FL 33880 (863) 656-6119 brusso@polksheriff.org Warner University – Casey Wingate 7155 Wauchula Rd Myakka City, FL 34251 (941) 600-5772 Casey.wingate@warner.edu

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STAFF

Letter from the Editor The thankful heart opens our eyes to a multitude of blessings that continually surround us. – James E. Faust It’s a time of Thanksgiving. Do you count your blessing every day? Or just one time each year when we are reminded to give thanks? We are entering that most wonderful time of year when we gather with family and friends, eating and sharing stories of the past year, all while making new memories. When shopping to prepare for your Thanksgiving meal, watch those labels! Look for the Fresh From Florida logo to ensure you have the freshest food available. As always, it is important to follow safe food preparation all year, but especially during the holiday season when larger meals are prepared. Often buffets are set out for guests and leftovers are used for later meals. I mean, who hasn’t had a turkey sandwich on Friday, maybe even Saturday. A few tips to follow include: • Thaw turkey in the refrigerator, not on the countertop • Cook the stuffing separate from the turkey • Don’t interrupt the cooking process

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

• Carve the turkey into serving slices before refrigerating • Make sure cooking temperatures are high enough to kill bacteria • Wrap food properly to prevent freezer burn

I am thankful for many things in my life. I am thankful for the freedom I experience every day and for those we sacrificed to make that freedom real. I am thankful to live in country that has an abundant, safe food supply and for the farmers and ranchers that work so hard to feed this nation. I am thankful for each day I am given. I try to remember to count my blessings every day.

Sarah Holt PAGE

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

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.

Until Next Month

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

November

2021

Published by Berry Publications, Inc. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM


Sign up

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

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

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

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It’s November again, I would like to thank everyone for allowing me to be President of the Polk County Cattlemen’s Association for the past two years. It was an interesting time to serve as President and I wish we would have had more of our normal events and more community related activities. I am confident that the new President and Vice President can continue to benefit both county cattlemen and cattlewomen. Again, I thank you for your support over my two years serving as President. I hope I have in some way been of assistance to you during this time.

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Over the past month the market has lost several dollars but over the past week or so things seem to be on the rise. The better quality calves didn’t take much of a loss and have stayed steady. The

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market has stayed steady the last couple of weeks. November is bringing temps of the 60s lows and highs in the upper 70s. Again, I would like to remind everybody to support your local Cattlemen’s Association, Florida Cattlemen’s Association and U.S. Cattlemen’s Association. As always, do your homework, also remember do what you can without hurting yourself, healthy wormed calves bring more money every time. Thank you and I look forward to seeing everyone around.

Dave Tomkow Polk County Cattlemen’s Association President

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FROM THE SCIENTIFIC FIELD

By J. Scott Angle

berry industry leader and former Hillsborough County Farm Bureau board member Kenneth Parker as well as UF/IFAS Extension Polk County Director Nicole Walker. Their endorsements were important factors in my decision to hire Dr. Johnson. Other local Farm Bureau leaders participated in the virtual town halls we held to evaluate the candidates. Gulf Coast Research and Education Center Director Jack Rechcigl also visited with Johnson via Zoom and concluded he’d be good for local agriculture. He wants your agent to stay your agent. We have long had too much agent turnover. Dr. Johnson has a vision for removing the university-based drivers of attrition. He plans to beef up support so agents are not bogged down in administrative duties instead of the programming they’d rather be doing. He’ll advocate for higher salaries to retain high-performing agents. And he’ll work to improve the promotion process that ultimately gives an agent freedom to determine in concert with stakeholders how best to serve the local community as well as job security to build years-long relationships.

Dr. Andra Johnson Two words come up repeatedly in Dr. Andra Johnson’s vision for how he’ll lead University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension: “serve” and “partner.” Johnson, who started as dean of Extension on Nov. 1, will continue to instill in our 650 agents and specialists statewide that our job is serve growers and the wider agricultural community. We’ll also continue to do it with you as our partners, fully participating in the search for solutions to your challenges.

He’s a triple threat. In addition to Extension administration experience, he has taught extensively, and he has a record securing funding for research. His skillful integration of the three major land-grant mission areas bodes well for HillsboroughPolk, which not only have two county Extension offices but three research centers (Gulf Coast REC, Citrus REC and the Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory) and an academic program in Plant City. One of my few directives to the dean will be to get out of the office and visit you. As of this writing, I’ve visited 52 of our 67 Extension offices. I want Johnson to get to them all before I do, and to visit with stakeholders like you while he’s at it. Please invite him to your farms as well.

Johnson has been emerging as a national leader who represents the future of Extension. At UF/IFAS, He’s an aggie. Dr. Johnson pledges to keep a focus on pro- we’re in the business of getting you duction agriculture. The vision he presented for modernizing to the future first, ahead of your naExtension includes an expansion of service to production ag- tional and global competitors. riculture. Here’s why the new dean is good news for you:

Dr. Johnson grew up in rural Louisiana in a family that raised cattle, cotton, corn and wheat. His aunt has served for more than 30 years at USDA. He has previously worked at three land-grant universities and earned three academic degrees from land-grants.

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Florida ag leaders supported his candidacy, including straw-

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Scott Angle is the University of Florida’s Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources and leader of the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM


Agvocating for Youth

by Payge Dupre

November has already been a very busy month in the agriculture community, especially within our youth. As we head into the busy fall months of the year, lots of our FFA members will be competing and preparing for several different CDE’s or Career Development Events. In these contests, they learn the material and have the chance to gain experience for a career they might have interest in. The Tool Identification and Citrus Judging Contest has been moved from the original date of November 18 to December 2 at Frostproof Middle/High School due to scheduling conflicts. The Livestock Judging Contest will be January 6 at Bartow High starting at 3 PM. The Nursery and Landscape Contest will be at Hollis Gardens on February 28 at 3 PM. The Land Judging Contest will be March 3 at 3 PM with the location to be announced at a later date. March 10 will be the Ornamental Horticulture Demonstration and Greenhand Contests at Haines City High School. Rounding out the year we will have our Federation Banquet on May 3, at 6 PM at the Polk County Youth Fair Stuart Center. At the Federation Banquet, one of the things we will announce is our Spirit Award winner! If you like to plan ahead beyond the Creed Speaking contest, our schedule for the Spirit Contest will be as follows: At Citrus and Tool Identification, we will be using our Advisors to compete with the most school spirit. At Livestock Judging chapters will have to design a noise maker, and the loudest one will win. At the Nursery and Landscape Contest, chapters should design a “silly” photoshop photo with their chapter to showcase their spirit. The Land Judging contest will hold an FFA Spirit Shirt contest. Lastly, at the Ornamental Horticulture and Greenhand Contests, we will have an FFA Rap Battle. Make sure to coordinate with your chapters to help make sure your school can win the Spirit Stick at the end!

office for cake auction, blueberry, citrus, peach, ornamental plants, market hogs, market steers and commercial heifers. If you are showing blueberries, citrus, peach, or ornamental plants and miss the December 10 deadline, you can still send in your letters from December 11 - January 1 with a late fee. Whip Popping entries are due January 3. Scrap off entries are due January 7. January 17 is the final date for online entries to Family & Consumer Sciences with no paper entries allowed and January 23 is the registration deadline for the Top Ranch Hand contest.

Most of the entry deadlines for the Polk County Youth Fair have passed, however, December 1 all Chili Cook Off entries are due as well as vegetable ownership deadline and entries, bedding plants, hanging baskets ownership deadline, and dog entry deadline. Vegetable and dog late entries will be accepted December 2-6 with a late fee. December 10 copies of buyer letters to two potential buyers are due to the PCYF

Be sure to watch your entry deadline dates and read through rules to make sure you are aware of any changes that may have been made! Also, be watching withdrawal periods on medication for your terminal livestock as we get closer to fair season!

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The Central Florida Youth in Agriculture show is a newly added event for any of our youth enrolled in a Polk County School or with a Polk County address. The Swine show requires an entry by December 10 with the $25 entry fee as well as a picture of the exhibitor with their project, including the tag in hog’s ear, side profile of animal with exhibitor in photo and the hog’s ear notches by January 7, 2022, at midnight. The swine show will be held Friday, March 25 and limited to the first 150 entries. Exhibitors may enter two animals but may only show one at the fair. Each exhibitor will have the right to sell one animal (heifer, bull, steer, or hog) but is not required to sell any if they do not wish to at the time of entry. This is considered a non-terminal show. The breeding cattle show will have a commercial heifer division, registered heifer division, bull division, prospect/open steer show (steers not going to sale), and a bred and owned division. These entries are due January 17, 2022. This is another great opportunity to showcase your livestock and even market another project, separate from the Polk County Youth Fair.


By Marisol Tarango

THOUGHTS FROM THE HEIFER PEN I am the queen of losing things. The empress herself. On any given day I can be found wandering around the house in search of my phone, my book, my purse, my comb, or any other random thing that I use every day, but obviously can’t put back in the same place twice. Sometimes I just buy multiples of certain things so that I can always find one laying around, (pens, notebooks, blankets, hair accessories). I have even gotten to the point where I just leave my sweater in the truck so there is no chance of me losing it before I go to work. (I am also the queen of easily getting cold.) If the four-wheeler keys are missing, I am most likely the culprit. If anything goes missing in our house, I am the first one questioned on the whereabouts of the missing article, regardless if I use said article on a regular basis or not. But then again, I am the queen of losing things.

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One of the earliest losses in my reign was the pocketknife that I lost at ballet class. This was shortly after I had turned eight and received my first pocketknife, the size of an adult’s middle finger. I was so proud of that knife and so afraid of losing it. I kept it in my jewelry box at night and throughout the day I would constantly pat my jeans’ pocket to make sure it was still there. On that fateful day, I was at ballet class that was held at a friend’s house in their large Florida room, along with other homeschool girls. I was in the bathroom hurrying to change from my ballet clothes into my regular attire because there was a long line of other little girls with mother ready to get lunch who needed to do the same. In this hurried process of changing from pink leotard to blue jeans, I somehow forgot to put my knife in my pocket and left it on the back of the toilet. Later, on the way home, I realized that my knife was not in my pocket. When I told my dad about it at home, I started crying and he assured me that we would find it or could get another one. On the other hand, his friend that was over to help ride colts was snickering, and it took me a while not to hold that against him. (Looking back, I can see the laughing potential of a little girl crying because she lost her prized pocketknife at ballet class.) Later that afternoon the lost knife was located. It seems that one of

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the little brothers had found it and it was later confiscated by his mom. There are other things that I have regretted losing over the years, I only have one surviving pair of earrings from my childhood (I can lose those like nobody’s business). There was the ring from my grandma that I cried for two days about. There was also a pair of canvas ballet flats that only lasted me from Easter to June. They were my favorite shoes and probably the fastest shoe shopping stop I have ever made. I think of them every time I have to buy a new pair of dress shoes… sigh. The years of our lives can be marked with the losses of certain items. Sometimes you just wonder what ever happened to them. That’s what I think about when I recall my lost driver’s license. Somehow between school and the DMV I lost my driver’s license with no explanation. I emptied my purse, my backpack, tore up my truck looking for it, and still could not find it. There’s nothing like being a junior in college at the DMV on the day after New Year, and people keep asking if you are excited to finally be getting your driver’s license. “No, I am here to replace my driver’s license that I realized that I lost while trying to be a responsible adult and pay my tags before New Year.” Have you ever noticed that when we lose these little things, it seems that we have lost a little part of our identity? When we lose our I.D. we feel incomplete because that was proof that we are us and now somebody might be using our identity for themselves. When we lose that favorite pocketknife, it feels like we lost a little handy part of our brains that was always there to help us out of a bind. And when we lose that favorite piece of jewelry it sometimes feels like we lost a feature of our face. Sometimes maybe it is good that we lose things, things that give us a false sense of identity. Sometimes when we lose these little things that seem to be a part of ourselves, it allows for a bigger thing to grow in its place.

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9 out of 10 consumers are more likely to purchase products labeled “Fresh From Florida”

Go with The Logo They Know

Join the “Fresh From Florida” Program Membership Fee is $50/year For more information, contact the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services IndustryMKT@FDACS.gov | 850-617-7399 | FDACS.gov INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

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Nighttime Capt. Woody Gore

NOT JUST FOR GHOULS, GREMLINS & VAMPIRES, BUT DIE HARD ANGLERS PROWLING THE NIGHT SHADOWS FISHING DOCKS AND BRIDGES FOR SNOOK, REDFISH, AND TROUT. portant to know structures also create current eddies. And all provide a feeding direction for fish. So why not take advantage of this “fish in a barrel” scenario Get into your boat and do some daylight scouting. Hopefully, if you plan on doing some night fishing, you don’t go about it haphazardly. Take time and learn the areas you intend to fish. During the day, you can plan an attack by identifying the necessary things you should know, like shallow areas and unlighted obstructions.

Growing up in the Seminole Heights area of Tampa, I lived only a few blocks from the Sligh Avenue Bridge crossing the Hillsborough River. I recall spending endless hours fishing from the river banks, the bridges, and my homemade plywood boat. I’m sure our style of bridge fishing had other names, but us old Tampa boys remember it as “swishing.” Regardless of the name, it was an effective method for catching large snook at night. It was a simple technique rarely used today. Just bend over the top bridge railing and point the pole, and lure down toward the water. Then working the lure around the bridge pilings and fenders in a figure-eight pattern. It usually didn’t take long before a large snook would blow up, grab the lure and nearly pull the pole from your hands. Then depending on its size, we’d often just lift and swing the fish onto the bridge; but, for the huge ones. We work it over to the shore. I do not remember the last time I saw anyone on a bridge at night with a long cane pole “swishing.” Nevertheless, many anglers still enjoy night fishing, especially during summer when the heat makes it almost unbearable during the day. This all leads to fishing around structures and, most importantly, structures with lights. Why lights? That’s simple light draws bait, and bait draws fish; not only snook, reds, trout, and sheepshead, but just about anything swimming. Not to say that structure without lights isn’t essential because everything in nature feels safe when it’s not exposed. And realistically, the structure offers protection, and lights on structures attract food.

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Capt. Woody Gore (www.captainwoodygore.com)

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Like many coastline bays, our canals and inter-coastal waterways offer hundreds of bridges and many more docks. Most bridges and docks have lights that residents have provided for security; however, anglers think they want to help us catch fish. Our waterway has thousands of docks and bridges with lights. It’s im2021

What kind of tackle is recommended for nighttime structure fishing? Targeting snook at night is not for the faint of heart. They strike hard and run long. I use a medium to heavy spinning rig, Seaguar, 30 to 40 lb braided line on spinning reels with approximately 12 to 14 inches of 40 to 50 lb. Seaguar leader. I also change to 3X Daiichi treble hooks on my lures. And for live bait, 3X Daiichi circle hook. You need every advantage with the power to turn a fish when it heads toward the structure. Plan your trip carefully and be Quiet! Nighttime is usually the new and quiet part of the day. Everything is resting or sleeping except the fish. The wind has calmed. And the fish around docks and bridges acclimate to this, and any sudden noise or commotion will send them running. Try making your approach using a trolling motor, drifting, or push poling into position. Stay a least 100 feet away or just within casting distance. Sometimes you may need to anchor up or down current when using live bait. Fish, especially snook, face the current, so any bait or lure presentation should always come in that direction. Examine and study the water as you approach a bridge or dock. Study the layout and lighted areas looking for shadows. Often you’ll see fish darting in and out of the light lines. Here’s where patience pays off. Watching and waiting for a few moments gives you time to identify the feeding patterns. This also allows you to decide on the best bait or lure presentation. When using artificial lures or soft plastics, make sure you present them from WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM


the same direction as natural bait. Actively feeding fish requires little coaching to bite. The fish usually strike the moment bait or lure hits the water. But for those requiring a little more encouragement, toss the bait or lure up current into the shadows, let it sink for a moment, then twitch it into the light. Here’s a final thought about night fishing, especially around residential docks. Not everyone is nocturnal. Remember, many folks are sleeping and probably could care less that you caught a 20-pound snook, so keep the hooray’s down to a dull roar. Take your photos and quietly return them to the water. Making loud noises, especially late, might discourage the property owners and force them to turn off the lights. Just a little common sense are all it takes to keep a good thing going.

“Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing”

813-477-3814

Guiding and fishing Florida waters for over 50 years, Capt. Woody offers charters in Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater. For more information: see his ad, call 813-477-3814 or visit his website at

WWW.CAPTAINWOODYGORE.COM

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ENDURING FLORIDA: THE FLORIDA CRACKER HORSE By Libby Hopkins

The Florida Cracker Horse is a breed of horse from Florida. It is genetically and physically similar to many other Spanishstyle horses, especially those from the Spanish Colonial horse group. The Florida Cracker is a gaited breed known for its agility and speed. The Spanish first brought horses to Florida with their expeditions in the early 16th century; as colonial settlement progressed, they used the horses for herding cattle. These horses developed into the Florida Cracker type seen today. Horses first arrived on the southeast North American mainland in 1521, brought by Ponce de León on his second trip to the region, where they were used by officers, scouts and livestock herders. Later expeditions brought more horses and cattle to Spanish Florida. The breed’s survival during the 20th century is owed to a few families who continued to breed the Cracker horse and kept distinct bloodlines alive. Another reason the breed is still thriving is because of The Florida Cracker Horse Association (FCHA). The FCHA was organized and chartered in 1989 as a non-profit Florida corporation, with the purpose of searching for the remnant herds of Florida Cracker Horses. Its purpose is the preservation and perpetuation of the Florida Cracker Horse as a distinct and unique Colonial Spanish breed of horse. Since then, a registry and blood type have been established, and the stringent application process has resulted in a very consistent breed. Today, the Florida Cracker Horse is promoted as a valuable and vital part of Florida’s heritage. While still rare, there are now over 1,000 registered horses and the number continues to grow each year. “I was first exposed to the Cracker Horses out at the Doyle Connor Ag Center here in Tallahassee in the early 90’s and then again at the Great Cattle Drive of 95,” said FCHA’s Executive Director James Levy. “After that, I was determined to own one.”

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The mission of FCHA is to preserve and promote the breed. “We have a website (www.floridacrackerhorseassociation. com) that provides information concerning the Cracker Horse to the public along with a list of breeders and upcoming

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events,” Levy said. “We haven’t done much overt advertising, instead depending on word of mouth. You can only do two things with horses and that is try to make money with them or simply enjoy the ownership and riding of them. The horse market seems to be improving some, but anytime the economy takes a down turn, so does the expendable cash for luxuries. The FCHA is trying to promote the ownership and breeding of Cracker Horses and presently we are doing that by providing a place for FCHA members and guests to ride and enjoy their Cracker Horses.” The Cracker Horse suffered a reversal of fortune in the 1930s. The Great Depression led to the creation of a number of relief programs, one of which encouraged the movement of cattle from the Dust Bowl into Florida. With the cattle came the screwworm, which, in turn, led to changes in the practices followed in raising cattle. The breed’s survival over the last 50 years resulted from the work of a few families who continued to breed Cracker Horses for their own use. It was these ranching families and individuals whose perseverance and distinct bloodlines that kept the Cracker Horses from becoming extinct. The family names include the Ayers, Harvey, Bronson, Matchett, Partin and Whaley. “We’ve been members for a long time and for my wife and me and the association are like an extended family that we enjoy visiting. We no longer ride, but we enjoy watching others having the same kind of fun that we did. Not to mention that the four annual gatherings on the property offer up some mighty good food. I also like seeing the new horses and meeting the new members, too. We have members from all over the state and some out of state. Most Cracker Horses are located in Florida, but a few are out West and in the North East. The number of Cracker Horses is slowly growing, which is probably better than explosive growth.” If you would like to learn more about the FCHA or if you’d like to become a member, you can visit their website at www.floridacrackerhorseassociation.com. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM


Big or small, we have toys for all this holiday season!

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EXPANDING OUR HORIZONS Tyler Brannan Florida FFA Area IV State Vice President

Every year the National FFA Organization gathers tens of thousands of members to Indianapolis, Indiana for the grand National FFA Convention and Expo. This tradition was hindered by the unfortunate worldwide events over the past year, and it was held online at the 93rd National FFA Convention and Expo. This format hosted thousands of members across the nation to view the first entirely virtual national convention. However, at the 94th National FFA Convention and Expo, our numbers surpassed 50,000 members and guests attending this monumental return of an in-person convention. This event will be written down in history as a milestone representing the perseverance and persistence that members and supporters of this organization have shown.

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The National FFA Convention and Expos share a rich history in our humble organization. The first national convention was held in 1928 in Kansas City, Missouri, with 33 farm boys from 18 states across this nation in attendance. This monumental date would mark the establishment of the Future Farmers of America, led by the first National FFA President, Leslie Applegate. This moment was the first of many to change the agriculture industry and vocational agriculture education in the American school system. Delegate sessions held throughout future conventions made remarkably unique decisions that define the organization. Such as the adoption of the blue corduroy jacket in 1930, to the merger of New Farmers of America in 1965, to the inclusion of females in 1969, and even changing the name of Future Farmers of America to the National FFA Organization for the inclusion of all students, not just farmers, in the organization in 1988. These moments have defined our history and the direction of this organization. Today, the National FFA Convention and Expo hosts 475 delegates from across the nation to continue the decisions of progress for agriculture and the organization. The current Florida FFA State Officer Team and six of the 2020-2021 Florida FFA State Officer Team attended the convention as delegates to represent the members of the Florida FFA Association. We were voting members on six committees ranging anywhere from “Post Pandemic Response” to an “American Degree” committee. These topics were selected by the leadership delegates from each state at the State Officer Summit that was held this July in Washington D.C. Once these committees were approved with the designated questions of debate, the placed delegates were assigned to each one. This process would be over the course of four month, consisting of committee meetings with the chairs and regular delegates, prior research and testimonies from each state and our congregation at the National FFA Convention and Expo.

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The convention would consist of small business delegate meetings to review the approved questions and supply recommendations for the at-large delegate business meetings to finalize. Once we met with the at-large delegate session with all the delegate members, we would approve items of business or otherwise amend the recommendations through parliamentary procedure. Now I know this sounds tiring, but it truly is an exhilarating process that is worth the struggles to make progress in our organization. Other than the delegate process, the rest of our time was spent attending the spectacular sessions hosted by the 2020-2021 National FFA Officer Team. These sessions were eye opening, with the chance to see the highest level of accomplishments and recognition on nationwide competitions, production agriculture work, and so much more. After the recognition of our outstanding members, one of the National Officers would deliver their retiring address at the end of each session. The retiring addresses were a moment that the officers could tell their story and leave the audience with a powerful message. We were blessed with the amazing performances and retiring addresses from inspiring individuals, some including Miriam Hoffman, David Lopez, and our very own Artha Jonassaint. They shared their story and inspiring messages including the importance of tradition, being someone to somebody, and the perseverance needed in these trying times. With these impactful messages leaving our members in awe and inspired, we closed out the week with the installment of the 2021-2022 National FFA Officer Team. This tradition takes place at the final session of the convention and is quite the show. We saw our individuals, such as our beloved Artha Jonassaint take off her blue jacket for the final time, and in came the newly installed Southern Region Vice President from the state of Georgia, Erik Robinson Jr. With this newly installed team, our adventure of the 2021 National FFA Convention and Expo came to wrap. This experience is truly a once in a lifetime moment that I encourage any member, parent, or supporter of the FFA to attend. I cannot thank the individuals that made this convention so unique enough. I felt a real connection to the sessions and our amazing National FFA Officer Team. I wish the best of luck to our newly elected 2021-2022 National FFA Officer Team. I know they will represent the agriculture industry and this organization competently and to the best of their ability. Just like these spectacular individuals, I want you to ask yourself how you plan to represent our industry and make a change in this world. Until next time! WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM


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PRODUCE SAFETY INSPECTIONS ARE HERE By Kirby Quan

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is currently conducting produce safety inspections in partnership with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Farms that grow, harvest, pack or hold produce should expect to be contacted by FDACS for the scheduling of an inspection. The goal of FDACS is to work collaboratively with growers to promote a culture of food safety within their operations. FDACS Produce Safety Inspectors are responsible for enforcement of farm compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). This act was signed into law on January 4, 2011 and is the most sweeping reform to United States food safety regulations in over 70 years. The law includes seven rules related to food safety and public health, all intended to create a culture of prevention, as opposed to reaction to foodborne illnesses and outbreaks. Among those seven rules is the Produce Safety Rule (PSR). This rule was created in an effort to assist the produce industry in developing a proactive approach to food safety. The focus of the rule is to ensure safe produce in the marketplace. The PSR establishes, for the first time, science-based minimum standards for the production of fresh fruit and vegetables. To determine if their farm operation is ready for a PSR inspection, growers are encouraged to take advantage of the educational opportunities FDACS offers in partnership with University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). Together, FDACS and UF/IFAS provide produce safety training for growers and industry professionals as well as on-site farm reviews to help farms align their practices with the regulatory requirements. The PSR requires at least one representative from a farm to attend the Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training. This training helps growers to understand each part of the regulation and how to comply. An On-Farm Readiness Review allows growers to walk through their operation with produce safety experts and discuss how to meet FSMA requirements.

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To sign-up for these offerings or to find additional resources for Florida farms and growers, visit www.FDACS.gov/ FSMA.

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The state with highest percentage of people who walk to work is Alaska. The city with most Rolls Royce’s per capita is Hong Kong. The Hawaiian alphabet has 13 letters. Jean Harlow was the first actress to appear on the cover of Life magazine. Every time you lick a stamp, you’re consuming 1/10 of a calorie. A rhinoceros’s horn is made of hair. Money is made of woven linen, not paper. Cleopatra used pomegranate seeds for lipstick. Armadillos are the only animals besides humans that can get leprosy. The seven rays on the crown of the Statue of Liberty represent the seven continents; each measures up to 9 feet in length and weighs as much as 150 pounds. The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum is the mostvisited museum in the U.S. There are 182 places in the U.S. that have the word “Christmas” in their names.

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Old Sayings I remember while growing up my mother would use all sorts of sayings like, Dirt Poor, Saved by the Bell and He’s a Dead Ringer and many others.Remembering those days I decided to do some checking and find out how those sayings started. In the good old days they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that always hung over the fire. Every day they lit the fire and added things to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much meat. People would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes the stew had food that had been there for quite a while. Hence the rhyme: “Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days old.” Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special. When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could, “bring home the bacon.” They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and chew the fat. Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous. Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or the upper crust. Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination would sometimes knock the drinkers out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial. They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up. Hence the custom “of holding a wake.” England is old and small and the local folks started running out of places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins, take the bones to a bone-house and reuse the grave. When reopening these coffins, one out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realized they had been burying people alive. So they would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night (the graveyard shift) to listen for the bell, thus someone could be “saved by the bell” or was considered a “dead ringer.”

Editor’s Note: This Rocking Chair Chatter was originally printed in the November 2017 issue However, since they were starting to smell, brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor. Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married. Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children, last of all were the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it. Hence the saying, “Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water!” Houses had thatched roofs, thick straw-piled high, with no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof. Hence the saying, “It’s raining cats and dogs.” There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could mess up your nice clean bed. So, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That’s how canopy beds came into existence. Back in the 1500s and maybe even before then, some people could afford to sleep on wooden framed beds so they were off of the floor. These frames had heavy ropes tied from side to side that supported the mattress. Over time the ropes would stretch so they’d have to tighten them. Hence the saying, “Sleep tight.” Later added to that was: “Sleep tight and don’t let the bed bugs bite.” The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt. Hence the saying, “Dirt poor.” The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until, when you opened the door, It would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entrance. Hence: a thresh hold. There is an old Hotel/Pub in Marble Arch, London that used to have gallows adjacent to it. Prisoners were taken to the gallows (after a fair trial of course) to be hung. The horse drawn dray, carting the prisoner, was accompanied by an armed guard, who would stop the dray outside the pub and ask the prisoner if he would like “one last drink.” If he said YES it was referred to as “One for the Road.” If he declined, that prisoner was On the Wagon.

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Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May and they still smelled pretty good by June.

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FLORIDA SUGAR PUMPKIN By Sandy Sun, M.S. Clinical Medicines, B.S. Nutrition Science Pumpkin season is now, during the cooler autumn months surrounding the holidays. This fruit is not only famous for its yearly holiday appearance as decoration and dessert but is also astoundingly nutritious. Pumpkin has been made into pie, soup, bread, cookies, and smoothies. Eighty percent of the pumpkin supply in the United States is available in October. Pumpkins grown domestically are used primarily for processing, with a small percentage grown for ornamental sales through farms and retail. Pumpkins are grown in some parts of Florida. Researchers at the University of Florida have been experimenting with different Florida-friendly varieties.

tains over 250% of your daily needs for vitamin A! In a study of over 50,000 women, those who consumed the highest dietary amount of vitamin A had a 39% reduced risk of developing cataracts. In another study that looked at the incidence of cataract surgery and diet, researchers found that those people who ate diets that included carrots had half the risk of cataract surgery. Beta-carotene also provides protection against macular degeneration and protects night vision. Vitamin A plays an important role especially in night vision and being able to see black and white. Additionally, this nutrient helps to maintain skin health, both when ingested and when used topically.

In particular, sugar pumpkins are delicious eaten when cooked, either as a side dish or entrée, as well as in dessert. Sugar pumpkins, also called pie pumpkins, are smaller, sweeter, and have less fibrous strands. They grow to about six to eight inches in diameter. A single pumpkin will yield about the same amount of flesh as a 15 oz can of pumpkin. They are a member of the winter squash family which includes butternut squash, kabocha squash, and acorn squash. They are much smaller than the larger pumpkins typically used to carve jacko-lanterns, which tend to be more watery, fibrous, and bland. Pumpkins are almost entirely edible, including their flesh, seeds, and flowers. Pumpkins are full of nutrients, including beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, dietary fiber, potassium, and many other minerals. Sugar pumpkins have a bright orange flesh surrounded by an orange rind, and their solid texture becomes creamy once cooked. The flavor is mildly sweet and is delicious served as either a savory or sweet dish.

Antioxidants

Nutrition Information

How to Enjoy

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, one half cup of fresh boiled, drained pumpkin (245 g) contains 49 calories, 1.7 g of protein, 0.17 g of fat, 12 g of carbohydrate, and 2.7 g of fiber. It provides 245% of the recommended daily requirement for vitamin A, 19% for vitamin C, 8% for iron, and 4% for calcium. Pumpkins are also a good source of magnesium, folate, phosphorus, and dietary fiber.

Pumpkin can be enjoyed in many ways. Try roasting it with spices like cinnamon or nutmeg, or as a savory dish with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Or try one of these ideas: • Blend pumpkin puree with apple cider for a delicious autumn drink • Mix chunks or puree into yogurt, oatmeal, soups, stews • Use puree in pancakes, breads, cookies, or pie • Roast pumpkin seeds for a healthy snack high in amino acids and zinc • Cut out the top, scoop out the seeds, and roast the entire pumpkin. Then use it as a serving bowl for soup, stew, or chili • Toss pumpkin seeds in salads, casseroles, and baked goods • Roast pumpkin, then toss chunks into a salad with balsamic dressing • Stir small cubes into wild rice or cornbread dressing Enjoy fresh sugar pumpkins today!

Lung Health Pumpkin and other foods rich in vitamin A may be beneficial to lung health. Researchers at Kansas State University discovered that carcinogens in cigarette smoke may deplete the body’s stores of vitamin A and increase the likelihood of developing emphysema and lung cancer. They also discovered that a diet rich in vitamin A can reduce the risk of emphysema in animals exposed to smoke.

Eye Health With very high levels of beta carotene and vitamins A and C, pumpkin is great food for your eyes. One cup of pumpkin con-

Choose heavy pumpkins for their size and look for one that is free of blemishes or soft spots. Look for one that’s smaller, rounder, and smoother on the exterior than jack-o-lantern pumpkins. Pumpkins can usually be stored for up to four months in a dry and cool place, although this may be more challenging in Florida. Keep individual pumpkins spread out to avoid spread of decay.

Selected References http://www.whfoods.com http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ http://urbanext.illinois.edu/pumpkins/facts.cfm INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

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Antioxidants are compounds with the ability to neutralize free radicals, which are harmful by-products of metabolism that can lead to disease. Antioxidants may reduce the risk of some diseases, including several forms of cancer. Pumpkin are bursting with vitamins A and C. High levels of these vitamins in the body have been linked to a decrease in cancers of the breast, bladder, cervix, prostrate, colon, and esophagus. How to Select and Store


LONGLEAF PINE SEEDLINGS

ARE HIGHLY RESISTANT AND RESILIENT TO FIRE

by Sarah Tobing Longleaf pine forests once dominated the southeastern Coastal Plain, but only 3% of this forest type remains today. Restoring longleaf pine forests is an important regional management goal. Two ways land managers restore the ecology of this forest type are by planting longleaf pine seedlings and prescribed burning to simulate natural fire regimes. A new University of Florida study found that longleaf pine seedlings are highly resistant and resilient to fire. This study used a prescribed burn simulator to create fires of varying fire intensity (temperature) during each of the four seasons. For winter, fall, and spring burns, fire intensity did not affect longleaf pine seedling survival or growth. For summer burns, seedling survival was low after high intensity burns.

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“The management implications are that longleaf pine seedlings can be burned anytime of the year as long as summertime burns occur on lands that are burned at a two-to-three-year interval,” said

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Daniel Brethauer, the study’s lead author. The study was completed as part of Brethauer’s research for his Master of Science degree in forest resources and conservation from the UF/IFAS School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences (SFFGS). Brethauer completed both his master’s and undergraduate studies at the UF/IFAS West Florida Research and Education Center in Milton, Florida. Brethauer co-authored the study with his advisor, Ajay Sharma and Jason Vogel, both SFFGS faculty and members of ProForest, a multi-institutional collaboration based at UF that has research, extension, and education programs focused on forest health and resilience; as well as Deborah Miller, a professor in the Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Department, and Edzard van Santen, a professor in the Agronomy Department. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM


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POLK COUNTY CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION

CELEBRATES ITS 75TH YEAR Polk County Cattlemen’s Association (PCCA) has much to celebrate as they recognize their 75th year of existence. Not only is it the state of Florida’s largest cattlemen’s county association with over 300 members, but also represents a longstanding association that is built on heritage, legacy, hard work, family, community, a wholesome product, and the future, among so many other factors. While much has changed since PCCA began in 1946, one thing is still the same, this group of cattle ranchers is deeply involved and invested in the history of the industry, and what’s on the horizon for cattle ranchers in Polk County and across America. In 1946 Polk County Cattlemen’s Association was formed, not long after the Florida Cattlemen’s Association was established in 1934. This was a critical time in history related to the cattle industry as the state legislature was addressing cattle health concerns and the University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service was already in place to serve the cattle industry as a leading state across the nation. Many families involved during this time are still very active today, as generations have continued on. The organizational structure through National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, to Florida Cattlemen’s Association, to PCCA, and the partnership with the University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service is critical in the viability of the cattle industry.

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As years have passed, the organizational structure, and resources it provides continue to be essential to the cattle industry and association efforts. As a member of the larger National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Florida Cattlemen’s Association, and then the PCCA, leadership and involvement can really go a long way when you have dedicated members who go the extra mile, like those in Polk County. Throughout generations, it is evident that ranchers possess great pride, dedication, and hope to pass this lifestyle to the next generation. There is a place for everyone in the family and cattle

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By Tiffany Dale

industry at PCCA. Whether you are a youth, woman, man, advocate, allied member, large or small rancher, you can be involved. Membership options include, Florida Cattlemen’s Association, Florida Cattlewomen’s Association (formerly known as CowBelles), Junior Florida Cattlemen’s Association, and Allied Membership. This has attributed to the longevity and large membership numbers in Polk County as the collaboration and work across all memberships are truly working towards a common goal. “I can remember my grandmother being involved with the CowBelle’s cookbook when I was a child. Seeing my grandparents involved and earlier generations motivates me to carry on their legacy”, said PCCA Board Member Dr. LuJean Waters. Waters is involved, not only as a cattle owner, but as a large animal veterinarian who has a vast perspective as a generational member, a producer, and an industry resource. Membership types also provide a dynamic relationship among small ranchers, large ranchers, allied members, industry experts, and livestock market members. While various member types are represented on committees at all levels of the county, state, and national cattlemen’s associations, this provides greater collaboration and strength in order to have all parties considered as issues arise and legislation is addressed. Polk County has established a great tie to the local community through events and giving back. The Polk County Ranch Rodeo is one of the many great accomplishments PCCA has achieved throughout the years. It allows working cowboys to fellowship with their peers, in celebrating the hard work that life on the ranch demands, as well as a great connection to the community. “When I am on my horse in the arena, and the National Anthem plays and I see the American flag flying, there is something magical about that moment,” said Dr. Waters. While cowboys and cowgirls come together to compete WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM


and fellowship, the community really connects to those who are involved in the ranching community. In addition to the ranch rodeo, PCCA has a very active Cattlewomen’s Association, a longstanding Sweetheart program, Junior Cattlemen’s Association, and other committees on the local, state and national levels. Polk County is truly special as there is power in numbers. The active membership on local, state, and national levels, allows for issues to trickle up and be heard across the country in order to reach resolution. Being located in the heart of Florida, located between Tampa and Orlando, there is a great concern of development and the loss of ranchland and the cattle industry in Polk County. Luckily, Dr. Waters is hopeful for what is on the horizon for PCCA. While membership has shifted throughout the years as more smaller cattle owners become involved, motivation and drive are propelling the association forward. Through awareness efforts of health benefits, education, advocacy, and research, PCCA is an integral component to consumer education and consumption. PCCA Cattlewomen’s and the Sweetheart work tirelessly with programs and resources such as a PCCA cookbook, tradeshows, education, and promotion to increase the consumption of beef in Polk County and beyond. Polk County also has a livestock agent through the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences who publishes livestock news and keeps the members up to date as industry information and resources become relevant and available. Board Member, Dr. LuJean Waters is a native of Polk County, who moved away to complete her schooling, and now practices as a large animal veterinarian in her hometown. Members like Dr. Waters just goes to show the pride in Polk County’s cattle industry. Other members of the Waters family include Fred Waters, who is the ranch rodeo chairman on the local and state levels, Ned Waters, who has served as the county and state cattlemen’s president, Rhonda Waters, a past Florida Cattlewomen’s President, and many other examples within just one family of true grassroots leadership. The Waters Family is just one of many families in Polk County who are involved and are committed to the heritage and legacy in Polk County Cattlemen’s Association and the ranching industry across America. While the industry boots are often big boots to fill as the next generation is up and coming, the end goal is the same, even after 75 years: to leave the land even better for the next generation, and provide a safe, wholesome, and nutritious product to the tables of consumers across America.

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AS HOLIDAYS NEAR, RESEARCH NOTES DIFFERENCES IN COUNTRIES’ FOOD-WASTE HABITS, PERCEPTIONS

By Brad Buck With the holidays approaching, many people will buy a lot of food, and some will throw much of it out, particularly uneaten fruits and vegetables. New University of Florida research shows a common refrain among grocery shoppers in four countries: “I bought more than I needed.” UF researchers say that’s one reason so much food goes to waste. The new UF study shows how perceptions of food waste compare and contrast among more than 4,000 female grocery shoppers in the United States, Canada, Great Britain and France. Researchers with the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences found some common responses among the respondents. Two of those were: “I forgot to eat it before it spoiled.” “I bought more than I needed.” “Buying more food than needed during the holidays will definitely be a major reason for food waste,” said Yan Heng, an assistant research scientist in food and resource economics, who led the study along with UF/IFAS professor Lisa House. “Several factors also lead to food waste at the household level, particularly for U.S. respondents.”

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For example, Americans eat away from home regularly. They also use the expiration date or the food’s appearance to determine whether the food is still edible. Food labels can come with multiple labels, any of which could have dates on them that indicate when you should consume them — expiration dates, “best before” and “sell-by,” among others. In this study, UF/IFAS researchers used the expiration date.

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Researchers found some similarities among the four countries: Most consumers think they rarely throw away fruits or vegetables. Older people report wasting less than younger people. People use expiration dates to determine whether food is edible. Here are some notable differences in food waste perceptions and actions: Less than half of American respondents believe food waste causes an environmental burden; while over 70% of respondents in the other countries believe so. A higher awareness of the environmental impact of food waste reduced fruit and vegetable waste significantly for respondents from the UK. Making shopping lists works well in reducing fresh fruit and vegetable waste in the United States and Canada but failed to make a difference in the UK and France. In Canada and France, those who were willing to eat leftovers reduced fruit and vegetable waste. The same could not be said for respondents in the UK and the United States. People reduce their food waste through many means: Making a shopping list, preserving and freezing food and eating leftovers – all of which work, Heng said. “However, when we compared across several nations, these actions appear to work in only certain countries,” she said. “When we consider actions to reduce food waste, we need to be careful, because some strategies found effective in some countries are not necessarily useful in the United States.”

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PLANT THIS NOT THAT: A NEW GUIDE TO PROTECT FLORIDA Florida’s climate makes a cozy environment for a variety of plant species. The downside is that invasive and potentially destructive species often try to call Florida home, too. A new guide developed by UF/IFAS Extension Seminole County outlines which plants to avoid and which plants to embrace in a Florida landscape. The annual impact of invasive plants, animals and disease to Florida’s agriculture industry is estimated at $179 million. To prevent contributing to the greater problem, homeowners, landscapers, small-scale nurseries and plant lovers should carefully select plants they purchase and install. “Invasive plants are never the right plants,” said Tina McIntyre, UF/IFAS Extension Seminole County Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ agent. “Ornamental plants sometimes become invasive species in our natural lands and waterways. I spent the first ten years of my career in the field as a biologist and frequently saw this happen. Now, I educate homeowners, landscape professionals and the public about ways they can make a difference. This guide is one of those tools.” The small, portable guide is designed for on-the-go use in the field for professionals and homeowners. “We receive so many questions from homeowners and landscapers about invasive species terminology, why they matter and how they could help,” said McIntyre. “I needed a comprehensive resource for them so they could better understand that plant selection is really an issue of right plant, right place.”

Some plants are invasive and their sale in Florida is prohibited. However, many plants in Florida are invasive and still permitted for sale. “We want people to think more critically about the plants they select for their landscapes,” said Morgan Pinkerton, UF/IFAS Extension Seminole County agent in sustainable agriculture and food systems. “It is up to all of us to make more sustainable choices in the landscape, especially our professionals. Their choices can make impacts on an even larger scale. Avoiding invasive species, even those often still for sale, is an important step when we talk about long term sustainability of our environment.” The guide is available for purchase at the UF/IFAS Extension Bookstore. For more information on purchasing native plants, visit the Florida Association of Native Nurseries website (www.fann.org) A list of native and Florida-Friendly plants can be found on Ask IFAS. “We want consumers to avoid plants that can be costly burdens to our economy, environment and society,” said McIntyre. “This book is a great tool for educators and others to be sure they pick plants for their landscape that are beneficial to the world around them.” Partners of this project include funding from Seminole County Leisure Services, contributions from Rachel Gutner and Sandy Wilson and review by Central Florida CISMA and Deah Lieurance.

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By Tory Moore


By Grady Judd, Polk County Sheriff

HUNTING SEASON IS UPON US

Now that we’re feeling a little cooler weather, more people are gearing up for hunting season. If you aren’t already aware, there are several private hunting areas as well as wildlife management areas within Polk County. So, I want to share some information to help you enjoy a safe hunting season. First and foremost, be prepared. Check the weather reports and become familiar with the area you are planning to hunt. While heat exhaustion is more prevalent in Florida, hypothermia is possible if the temperature is below 50 degrees. Be alert – non-hunters may be enjoying a hike in the same area you are hunting. In order to avoid what could be a deadly accident, it’s a good idea to wear an orange hunting vest – during certain seasons it’s even required. Also, check your hunting equipment before and after each use. And while I’m on this topic, let’s talk gun safety.

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Here are a few tips: • Always treat every firearm as if it is loaded. • Never rely on your gun’s safety mechanism. • Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction and away from people. • Be sure of your target, as well as what/who is in front and behind it. • Keep your finger OFF the trigger until you are ready to shoot. • Always use the correct ammunition for your firearm. • Never run, jump, or climb with a firearm.

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You should also be sure you have the proper license. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission requires that anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, and 16-year-old or older, pass a hunter safety course. You can find information on obtaining your hunting license, as well as hunting zones, dates and other safety information on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website at www.myfwc.com Due to the significant amount of agricultural properties in Polk County, I encourage land owners to participate in the Agriculture Watch Program. This program registers property owners and managers in a database through the assignment of a unique code on “no trespassing” signs that allow deputies to easily identify property owners, property boundaries, obtain contact information, and look up other information, such as livestock locations across Polk County. Those who are interested in joining the Agricultural Watch Program can register and purchase a “No Trespassing By Order of Sheriff” sign by calling the PCSO Agriculture Crimes Unit at 863.534.7205. Happy Hunting everyone and stay safe!

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Happy Thanksgiving FMS Super-Mol Blocks, Tubs, and Super-Pro Blocks providing the protein, energy and vital nutrition that your cattle need to stay in tip top shape during the fall and winter changes to your forages. Proper nutrition matters for pregnancy rates, healthy calves, and high performing cattle throughout the year.

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With every generation,

we get better at protecting our environment.

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

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NEWS BRIEFS

Compiled by Jim Frankowiak

and priorities for their county. Florida State Conservationist Juan Hernandez said access to these meetings is available via Zoom for those unable to attend in person. More information is available at: nrcs.usda.gov.

USDA RAISES LIMIT ON GUARANTEED FARM LOANS

NOAA PREDICTS ABOVE-AVERAGE TEMPERATURES THIS WINTER THE National Weather Service’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center is forecasting higher winter temperatures across the South and most of the eastern U.S. this winter. Drier-than-average conditions are also anticipated for the Southeast.

UF RESEARCHERS USE AI TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF MEAT AND DAIRY For a century, researchers have tracked genetic traits to find out which cattle produce more and better milk and meat. Now, two University of Florida scientists will use artificial intelligence to analyze millions of bits of genetic data to try to keep cattle cooler and thus, more productive. Raluca Mateescu, a UF/IFAS professor, and Fernanda Rezende, a UF/IFAS assistant professor – both in animal sciences -- gather hundreds of thousands of pieces of information about cattle genetic traits. They plan to use UF’s supercomputer, the HiPerGator, to analyze that data. With the information Mateescu and her team get from the HiPerGator, they can give ranchers better recommendations on which animals to keep and breed for improved quantity of beef and dairy.

DUNGAREES SAVINGS FOR FARM BUREAU MEMBERS Florida Farm Bureau members can save on orders for Dungarees brands such as Carhartt, Timberland, Ariat, CAT and Yeti. Ten percent discount on orders under $200, 15% on orders over $200 and free shipping on orders over $55. Visit dungarees.com and use the member customer code: FLFRB.

The USDA has announced higher loan limits will be available for borrowers seeking a guaranteed farm loan. The limit is now $1,825 million. Guaranteed farm loans offer access to funding for a range of producer needs, from securing land to financing the purchase of equipment. More information can be accessed at fsa.usda.gov.

DISTRICT SCHEDULES PRESCRIBED FIRES FOR HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will be conducting prescribed burns through December on the Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve in Hillsborough County. The Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve is located south of Cross Creek Boulevard between U.S. Highway 301 and Morris Bridge Road near Thonotosassa. Approximately 150 acres will be burned in small, manageable units.

UF/IFAS EXTENSION OFFERS NEW GUIDE TO PLANT SELECTION A new guide developed by UF/IFAS Extension Seminole County outlines which plants to avoid and which plants to embrace in a Florida landscape, providing protection from invasive and potentially destructive species. The $14.99 guide can be purchased through the UF/IFAS Extension Bookstore.

EPA, ARMY SEEKING COMMUNITY INPUT ON “WOTUS” The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army are asking communities to propose roundtables to provide input on implications of the new “WOTUS” rule. These regional roundtables will engage shareholders in important conversations designed to help the agency work to develop an enduring definition of the “Waters of the U.S. Rule” that supports public health, protects the environment, agricultural activity and economic growth. For more information on the guidelines, visit: www.epa.gov/wotus.

NRCS LOCAL WORKING GROUP MEETINGS AVAILABLE VIA ZOOM

EVERY FARM BUREAU MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES A FREE, ACCIDENTAL DEATH BENEFIT

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida is reminding landowners about access to Local Working Group Meetings. At these meetings, farmers, ranchers, forest landowners, conservation partners and the public can discuss natural resource needs

Each Florida Farm Bureau membership comes with a free, limited Accidental Death Benefit that starts at $1,000 and increases annually by $100 to a maximum of $3.000. For more information, visit: https://www.floridafarmbureau.org/.../accidental-death.../. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

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Thanksgiving A 400 Year Old Tradition! by John Dicks Thanksgiving is, for many people, their very favorite holiday of the year. It’s a special one, enjoyed with a feast of food, family, and friends. This year, though, Thanksgiving really is a special one, and should be noted as such since it marks the 400th anniversary of this most remarkable celebration. Frankly, it seems most appropriate, too, that this year is so notable since we have much to be thankful for, having suffered through these many months of the COVID pandemic. That alone is enough to cause us to pause a moment to count our many blessings. Of course, from the time we were school children we have always celebrated Thanksgiving. Fortunately, it’s one of those holidays we all can celebrate, just as Americans, reminiscing over a piece of history from our country’s founding days. Granted there are some who seem annoyed or frustrated over the sight of youngsters dressed as Pilgrims and Indians. On that particular point, I’ll just pass over, and focus instead on the celebration of that first feast of Thanksgiving, which scholars actually agree did take place 400 years ago, in the fall of 1621 near a spot named by the settlers as Plymouth, Massachusetts. Historians are a bit blurry on the exact date of the gathering, as well as many other specifics concerning the occasion, but most seem to concur that it happened sometime between September and November of 1621. It was autumn in New England, which accounted for celebration and thanks for the bountiful harvest that the Pilgrims had enjoyed. They had arrived in the “New World” nearly a year before when their ship, the Mayflower, landed many miles off course and north of their hoped for destination which they had planned for the mouth of the Hudson River. The spot upon which they stepped ashore was instead near the tip of Cape Cod, Settling not far from there, they established a village and named it Plymouth, which was in honor of and named after the port on the southern coast of England from which they had set sail. They

survived what was, by all accounts, a very dangerous voyage of some 66 days across the rough and windy Atlantic. Exhausted from their trip, they now faced a particularly cold and harsh winter, which ultimately took the lives of nearly half those who had set off to find both religious freedom and economic prosperity and opportunities which had escaped them from where they came. You’ll recall, of course, that their very survival in this new land was with thanks to the skills of fishing and crop cultivation learned from the friendship and alliance made with the indigenous people. Yes, the Pilgrims referred to them as Indians; and they did so with no disrespect, as they became particularly close with the local Wampanoag tribe. Together they celebrated the successful first harvest of the settlers in the new land. No doubt it was an amazing first Thanksgiving, precisely 400 years ago, making it, indeed, one for the record books. The legend of the “Pilgrims and Indians” has grown over the years, and some of the details have certainly been debated if not argued over. It is true, too, that the holiday has been recognized at different times throughout the year by the various states of our union. George Washington, in 1789, issued the first national Thanksgiving proclamation. However, it was Abraham Lincoln, during the midst of the Civil War, who actually pronounced a national day of Thanksgiving to be held every November. Now officially recognized annually on the 4th Thursday in November, it has morphed a bit to include other activities scattered over a long weekend Football has become a focus and, of course, for many others, it’s the now the kickoff to Black Friday shopping. Nonetheless, and however you celebrate, I hope you’ll pause a moment to reflect upon this very uniquely American holiday. Regardless of all the woes, trials and tribulations we are witness to, still we have lots to be thankful for. Cheers to a very Happy Thanksgiving!

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

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UF/IFAS TROPICAL AQUACULTURE LAB CELEBRATES 25TH ANNIVERSARY

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Tropical Aquaculture Lab (TAL) located at Ruskin is celebrating 25 years of providing support to the unique tropical fish farming industry in Florida. Initially, some research was conducted at the Gainesville campus, where most of the effort was focused on extension programs in fish health, pesticide usage, and general production management. Within a few years the industry and IFAS started exploring opportunities together to create a research and extension facility in the heart of the industry, which is the Tampa Bay region. In 1996, using a surplus building from the National Weather Service, an adjacent fish farm that was for sale, and seed funding from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), the University of Florida Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory in Ruskin was created. Hillsborough County provided clerical help, the Florida Tropical Fish Farms Association (FTFFA) funded a veterinarian and disease lab, and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services stationed a regional manager at the lab. From these beginnings, the program and facilities have grown into today’s internationally recognized powerhouse. Today’s TAL comprises a 5,000 square foot office and disease lab, where faculty, staff, and students can work, and a meeting/conference room that can seat up to 100 people. Immediately adjacent is a 6.5 acre fish farm with 48 ponds, 5 greenhouses, and a fish quarantine space, and a building which houses tanks and lab space for a wide range of projects. Hillsborough Community College utilizes one of the greenhouses for their hands-on aquaculture production facility. Aerated well water, seawater, and reverse osmosis water is plumbed throughout the facility to allow for research in fresh, brackish, or seawater with an unlimited variation available to serve each project’s needs. As part of the Land Grant mission, the programs at TAL have always focused on research and extension to solve problems or create opportunities and have provided millions of dollars each year in savings or new profits to farms. Working closely with industry and other partners, the faculty, staff, and facilities development have all been strategically planned and implemented. Today there are over 20 UF employees, including faculty, staff, and graduate students at TAL. USDA continues to maintain their Wildlife Services regional programs office at TAL. Additionally, USDA has added veterinarians from USDA APHIS Veterinary Services, including the Aquaculture Program Leader and the Aquaculture Import/Export Coordinator. Industry-driven applied research, extension outreach programs, and teaching of future aquaculture leaders are key avenues to achieve our mission of supporting the tropical ornamental aquaculture industry in Florida. More information about the TAL is available at: tal.ifas.ufl.edu. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

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BUSY BEES By Libby Hopkins

When Luis O. Rodriguez Rosado joined the UF/IFAS Extension Polk County a few months ago as their Extension Agent for Small Farms and Pesticide Education, he wanted to bring new and educational programs to the Polk Community. “I love educating our clients on best practices and how to grow or produce the best products,” Luis said. “My favorite part of my job is getting to work with our farmers. I love to go into the field and work with our farmers. I like to see their farm and what they have on their farm. It gets me out of the office. I love nature and being outside. I can see how their crops are growing. I also like learning from our farmers. They have a lot of knowledge to offer, which I can use to help other farmers. Even though I’ve only been with the extension service for a little over five months, I’ve learned a lot from our farmers during my visits.”

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One of the programs Luis wanted to offer the Polk Community was beekeeping. “I’m thrilled that the UF/IFAS Extension Polk County is going to offer a Beginning Beekeeper Workshop,” Luis said. “This one-day workshop will be held at the UF/IFAS Extension Polk County facility in Bartow. It takes place on Dec. 8 from 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. The workshop will be hosted by myself and Jonael Bosques, UF/IFAS Extension Polk County Director and Extension Agent.” The cost of the workshop is $20 and lunch will be provided.

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The workshop will offer its attendees the basics of beekeeping. “We will focus the workshop on the laws and regulations of beekeeping,” Luis said. “We will also discuss bee biology, common disease and pests, beekeeping tools, working with bees as well as having live bee demonstrations.” The UF/IFAS Extension Polk County is a partnership between the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), and the Polk County Board of County Commissioners. They provide educational programs to residents in Agriculture, Natural Resources, Horticulture, Family & Consumer Sciences, and 4-H. The UF/IFAS Extension Polk County is also working with Ridge Beekeeper Association. The association is a beekeepers club for current, wannabee and used-to-bee beekeepers, in the central Florida area. Their members have a wealth of knowledge about beekeeping. Members include hobbyist, sideline and commercial beekeepers, honey producers and queen producers. Their members come from Polk County and surrounding counties such as Lake, Highlands, and Hardee Counties. “They are the local beekeeping association in Polk County and I have a great relationship with them,” Luis said. “They host their meetings at our office, so it was only fitting that they be a part of the workshop.” WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM


Keeping things local is another important part of Luis’ job. “Keeping things local is very important because I work a lot with people who are just beginning to dive into agriculture,” Luis said. “They are small local growers who want to grow to sell locally or out of the county. I recommend they grow their products for local use. This keeps products local and gives their customers the opportunity to get to know who is growing their food and where their food is grown. A lot of consumers now are looking for locally produced or grown food. They want fresh, good quality products. It also helps to increase the local economy.” If you would like to attend the Beginning Beekeeper Workshop, you can register for the workshop through this link www.eventbrite.com/e/beginner-beekeeping-workshoptickets-203093858197. If you’d like to learn more about the Ridge Beekeeper Association, you can visit their website at https://sites.google. com/site/ridgebeekeepersassociation/home. The UF/IFAS Extension Polk County office is located at 1702 S. Holland Parkway in Bartow, Fla. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

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A Closer LookAmazing Activities Naturally

by Sean Green

Christmas Sock Craft

If you ever end up with mismatched socks, or socks with holes in them that are destined for the garbage, hold off and do something creative with them. This month we are making holiday decorations with socks and cat toys that have fulfilled their usefulness.

Materials:

Natural methods italicized

Old socks Old Cat toys Fabric Glue Scissors Pipe Cleaner Stuffing (sand is best, but use what you have)

Directions: • Stuff a sock with whatever stuffing you have available. Sand is best because it stands up well and has weight. I used packing confetti for this demonstration. • Cut the tip of a decorative sock off to use as the cap, use the length of the sock for a scarf. • Tie a long strip of decorative sock around the stuffed white sock to create a scarf that separates the head from the base of the snowman. • Using pipe cleaner, tie the open end of the sock closed to create a tight round head. • Using Fabric glue, glue a cat toy nose onto the sock and a cap from the folded toe of the sock.

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There are many other things you can do to decorate your holiday craft such as stuff lights into the sock, add glitter, create a broom out of bits of straw or twigs. There is no end to the creative options. Have fun!

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ANaturally Closer Look Amazing

by Sean Green

Joro Spider (Trichonephila clavata) There have been “scare” articles posted in popular social media recently that deserve attention and clarification. Though not “breaking news” there has been a sudden resurge in the publication of articles about the Jorō spider in Georgia. Some of the headlines are calling these spiders “Invasive” and portray them as horrifying villains that should be killed on site. This slant persists despite nearly a decade of published observation from the science community that contradicts such interpretation. This month, we will take a closer look at the Jorō spider (Trichonephila clavata) and shed light on the dark reputation imposed on it. The Jorō Spider (T. clavata) is an Asian relative of our native golden silk orb-weaver (Trichonephila clavipes), both species are also commonly called a banana spider. This spider is native to East Asia (Japan, China, Korea, and Taiwan) and is thought to have been introduced to North America by way of Georgia. Reports from the University of Georgia suggest the first sightings may have occurred as early as 2013 but the first official discovery is credited to Wesley Huffmaster of Colbert Georgia in Madison County, September of 2014. Huffmaster collected the spider from his own back yard, snapped a picture of it with his cell phone and proceeded to try to identify it himself over the internet. When he thought he had identified the spider, he sent his pictures to the Department of Entomology at the University of Georgia which later confirmed that he had found (T. clavata), aka a Jorō spider. A press release was published “Madison county man captures spider never seen north America” at onlineathens.com on Oct 30, 2014 to solicit the reporting of other specimens. Within 10 days of publishing the press release, researchers had confirmed sightings and specimens from three counties. The data revealed that the population was most abundant along the I-85 corridor around Hoschton and Braselton and is thought to be the core of the introduced population. Specimens were gathered and used for genetic analysis; The results further confirmed the species was the Jorō Spider (T. clavata). The population of spiders has been closely monitored and studied since it was first discovered. According to Richard Hoebeke, an entomologist and curator at the Georgia Museum of Natural History at the University of Georgia, reports of the Jorō Spider (T. clavata) have increased in the northern part of Georgia this year (2021). Despite reports of increasing populations, Hoebeke affirms that “there has not been any data to suggest the Jorō is taking food away from native spiders or otherwise upsetting the balance of the state’s ecosystems”. The Jorō Spider (T.clavata), like its native counterpart is an effective predator of pest insects. Unfortunately, the trouble with invasive pests is that it sometimes takes a long time for a native predator to evolve to feed on an invasive species. The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Halyomorpha halys) is one such example; very few native spiders will actively prey on this species. The Jorō Spider (T.clavata) however, seems to prefer this species over our native species of food insects and will eagerly feed on H. halys as a home town meal in a strange new land. In dire situations the introduction of an exotic species as a biologic control method is a calculated risk. Scientists use data to determine the potential for an introduced species to become “invasive” before the intentional introduction of a non-native species is implemented as a solution. Presidential Executive Order 13751- Safeguarding the Nation from the Impacts of Invasive Species, published 8 Dec

From Section 2 Executive Order 13751 of December 5, 2016 (d) ‘Introduction’ means, as a result of human activity, the intentional or unintentional escape, release, dissemination, or placement of an organism into an ecosystem to which it is not native. (e) ‘Invasive species’ means, with regard to a particular ecosystem, a non-native organism whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm, or harm to human, animal, or plant health. (f) ‘Non-native species’ or ‘alien species’ means, with respect to a particular ecosystem, an organism, including its seeds, eggs, spores, or other biological material capable of propagating that species, that occurs outside of its natural range. Sometimes, such species are introduced by accident, without the benefit of calculating the risk and if we are lucky, we end up winning the hand. This seems to be the case with the Jorō Spider (T.clavata). We do not yet have any confirmed populations of Jorō Spider in Florida; I suspect we will soon. I can promise that I will be eagerly looking for this beautiful new species, not to kill them, but to admire and learn more about them. The Jorō spider can be distinguished from our native species by coloration. The abdomen of the Jorō Spider is bright yellow with blue stripes on the top and red blotches on the bottom. It has black legs with yellow bands. Our native Golden Silk Orbweaver has a tan cylindrical abdomen, brown legs with orange bands and distinctive tufts of hair on the legs. If you share my sentiment for science and you’re up for a hiking trip, contact me and let’s take a closer look together.

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2016 clearly defines the term “invasive” for the National Park Service and USDA. In short, the species must demonstrate evidence of harm or the potential for harm to be considered “invasive.” By this definition (see below) the Jorō Spider (T. clavata) is an introduced, non-native species and based on scientific observation is not an “invasive species” because in nearly a decade of observation “there has not been any data to suggest the Jorō is taking food away from native spiders or otherwise upsetting the balance of the state’s ecosystems”.


HEAT STRESS CATTLE UF SCIENTIST TRIES TO REDUCE HEAT STRESS, IMPROVE BEEF PRODUCTION IN CATTLE

By Brad Buck

ATTACHED PHOTO SHOWS CATTLE AT THE UF/IFAS RANGE CATTLE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION CENTER IN ONA, FLORIDA. CREDIT: UF/IFAS PHOTOGRAPHY.

Heat stress impairs animal performance and health, leading to annual losses of $1.2 billion for the dairy, beef and swine industries in the United States. That’s why Philipe Moriel and other University of Florida scientists are working to reduce the damage to cattle brought on by Florida’s often-oppressive heat. Heat can reduce beef and dairy production in cattle. It can also impact their ability to reproduce. Moriel, an associate professor of beef cattle management at the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, gave an update on heat-stress research on October 7 at the 80th anniversary celebration of the Range Cattle Research and Education Center (REC).

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“We have a dilemma,” said Moriel, a faculty member at the Range Cattle REC, where they study beef cattle. “Modifications to management during pregnancy sometimes either help or impair long-term performance of their offspring. In dairy cattle, heat stress dur-

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ing pregnancy negatively affects dairy cattle offspring in multiple ways. So far, we do not know if the same happens in beef cattle. So, our studies are unique.” “This novel information will provide the foundation to develop management practices that will improve the productivity of beef cattle grazing forages in hot and humid conditions,” he said. “These challenging conditions are not seen just in the southeastern United States but in other regions of the world. Therefore, our data will address a fundamental step to meet the rising global demand for beef.” Moriel and his team started studying the issue in the summer of 2021. They’re examining how pregnant beef cattle react to shade and food additives. “Imagine yourself under the sun during the hottest hours of the day in two scenarios: one without shade and one with shade,” Moriel said. “Imagine how hot it would be without shade. To cope with heat stress, aniWWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM


mals will change their behavior. They’ll drink more water, seek shade, decrease feed intake, etc. If that does not work, then you will see changes to their physiology that will partition nutrients away from growth and reproduction to be used to cope with the heat stress. That’s why they don’t perform as well when under heat stress.” Early data from this study suggest providing access to shade increases the ability of pregnant cattle to maintain their body condition score. The score is an indicator of their energy reserves, and it’s crucial to maintain optimal reproductive performance.

They’re looking for impacts on the growth of female cattle and their offspring, including their immune responses. With nutrition, researchers are using a feed additive containing multiple minerals and vitamins that were previously found to be successful in decreasing body temperatures in cows. In his new research, Moriel wants to eventually identify genetic markers in the blood and in the muscle that could be used to predict how beef cattle will respond to heat stress.

Researchers are also evaluating the effects of nutrition on young, pregnant beef cattle during heat stress.

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WATER CONSERVATION RESOURCES IN POLK COUNTY Beth Robertson Water Conservation Program UF/IFAS Extension Polk County

UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones

Our water resources are stretched today providing us with water for our homes, our crops, industries, businesses, and natural ecosystems. Unfortunately, the problems of today will only continue as the population of Central Florida grows. As we look for alternative water sources, efficiently using what we have is essential. To that end, the utilities of Polk County in conjunction with the South and Southwest Water Management Districts are offering education and financial incentives to assist their residents’ water conservation efforts.

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Although it varies dramatically from home to home, roughly half of household water usage is outdoors, so sensible yard irrigation is imperative. Grass should only be watered between one half and three quarters of an inch per application, twice a week. Follow your water restrictions and irrigate only on your designated days between the hours of 4 PM and 10 AM to avoid evaporation during the hottest part of the day. During the winter when plants are not actively growing, you

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can switch to watering once per week, and sometimes even skip a week. Most of your established trees and shrubs won’t need supplemental water except under drought conditions, and other beds can be switched to drip irrigation to drastically reduce water usage while keeping thirsty plants healthy. Noticeable water savings can be accomplished indoors too by changing appliances, fixtures, and behaviors. Starting in the kitchen, because modern dishwashers are so efficient, a full load will use less water than washing by hand. Machines on the market today do not require pre-rinsing your dishes, so scrape any remaining food into the garbage instead of rinsing or using the garbage disposal. If you do not have a dishwasher, soak your dishes in one basin of the sink and rinse in the other, rather than washing each item under running water. Water waste can also be substantial in the bathroom. Showers use less water than baths when people are consciously brief but can be just as water WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM


intensive for slow individuals. To counter, change out your shower head to a low-flow model that will save several gallons with each use. Exchanging older toilets installed before the 1994 national standard for new, less wasteful fixtures can save between two and four gallons per flush, adding up over the course of a day. The utilities of Polk County are offering rebates and incentives on water-saving devices to help their customers conserve without financial burden. For instance, old toilets that use at least 3.5 gallons per flush can be replaced with new 1.28 gallon per flush toilets for a rebate. They are also offering free conservation kits that include low-flow faucet aerators for the kitchen and bathrooms, a low-flow shower head, and toilet leak detection tablets. In addition, those with automatic irrigation systems may qualify for a replacement rain sensor if theirs is inoperable. Customers with extremely high water bills might be offered a free professionally administered landscape and irrigation evaluations or a rebate on smart irrigation controllers, which use weather data or onsite sensors to determine when and how much to water. To find out what your water utility is offering, visit their website or the Polk Regional Water Cooperative site at savepolkwater.org.

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METAL ROOFING Thousands of 8ft. & 10ft. sheets. In Stock. Prices from $6 and up. Custom lengths available. 813-752-7088 ask for Ferris.

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FARM EQUIPMENT Massey Ferguson 261 60hp 2wd tractor, $6500.00. IH Farmall 140 tractor complete with cultivating and fertilize equipment, $5500.00. 2006 Bush Hog TH440C UTV, 4x4, Honda engine, $6000.00. All are in very good condition. Call JR at 813-997-6769 LUCAS METAL WORKS DRAG Ground hog arena drag. $1,500 Call Alvie 813-759-8722

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

FOR SALE MARDEN CHOPPERS 1-8' Pasture chopper $2500.00, 1-double section 8' pasture chopper $2000.00 and 1-6' tapered grove chopper $1250.00. Call Alvie 813-759-8722

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

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FREE Wooden Shipping Pallets All sizes! Call Alvie 813-759-8722 24 HOUR SERVICE Coggins Plumbing licensed • bonded • Insured. www.cogginsplumbing.com 813-643-7173 OLD ANTIQUE BLUE STOVE Bread warmer, chrome trim. FARM BUREAU INSURANCE You have got to see it to believe it! We have you covered! Call us today. Call Ted for more details. 813-752-3378 813-752-5577 DOORS & WINDOWS SPECIAL ORDER LOOKING TO BUY OR SELL? Call Rhonda Wetherington, P.A. No upcharge. House & Mobile Home. Realtor, GRI. 813-933-1761 Many standard sizes in stock. Ask for Blake. (813) 752-3378 ALAN’S AIR CONDITIONING Residential, Commercial Sales SVS & ReKITCHEN CABINETS & VANITIES Get quality all wood cabinets for less than the pair. Legendary service for over 20 years! 813-752-0821 BIG Box STORES! Call Today! Ask for Blake. (813) 752-3378 FOR RENT Millcreek Pine Bark Row Mulcher. JOBS For blueberry farms, six yard, PTO drive need at least a 30hp MECHANIC NEEDED Agricultural equipment. Pay with benefits tractor. Call 863-604-2526 for rental details. based on experience. Call David 863-537-1345 or Alvie 813-759-8722 PARTS COUNTER HELP Wanted for parts look up and sales. Experience in the agriculture equipment service. Speak with Alvie. 813-759-8722

JOHN DEERE Looking for your new tractor? Come see us at Everglades Farm Equipment. evergladesfarmequipment.com 2805 SR 60 West, Plant City 813-737-1660 OVERSTOCK SPECIAL Barn doors starting at $80.00 Call Ted 813-752-3378

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SALES REPRESENTATIVE In The Field Magazine is looking for a team player who enjoys building relationships. Commission based position part-time or full-time! Email us info@inthefieldmagazine.com

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

2021

TRADE • BUY • SELL? Since 2004 In The Field has been Hillsborough and Polk Countys #1 Agriculture Magazine. Call Us at 813-759-6909 to place your Ad Today!

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Polk County Cattle Women

A

s we’re knee deep in fall, preparing for winter supplementation, and as the cooler weather moves in, the Polk County Cattlewomen are busy preparing for a busy end of the year. First, we would like to congratulate the Polk County Cattlemen’s Association on the 75th anniversary of the formation of their association. It’s an honor to be associated with a group of like-minded gentlemen while promoting Polk County’s beef cattle industry. We would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation for the tremendous support we received during our cake auction during the PCCA 75th Anniversary dinner celebration. The money we collect during our annual fundraisers goes to fund college scholarships, donations to Polk County’s youth agricultural associations, PCYF awards, and much, much more. Your support is truly making an impact in the lives of young people in our community. We would also like to thank the attendees of the PCCA 75th Anniversary dinner and the Polk County Sheriff’s Department for the overwhelming assistance we received in collecting toys in our annual toy drive. Toys collected this year will be donated to the Florida Baptist Children’s Home to help brighten the holidays of our local children in need.

cattlewomen from all over the state to share our knowledge of cattle ranching in Florida, the benefits of consuming beef as part of a heart healthy diet, and beef by-products. We were also able to share samples from award-winning beef recipes with event attendees. Our monthly meetings are held the first Tuesday of the month with the option to attend either in person or virtually. Be sure and check us out on Facebook and Instagram for more updates! If you’d like information about meetings, membership, or upcoming events don’t hesitate to reach out to me at BuckLD96@gmail.com. As you sit around the table this Thanksgiving and join hands with your family, friends, and neighbors, I pray you are ever mindful of your many blessings. Let us always give thanks for those who came before us, the ones who stand beside us, and The One who goes before us. Happy Thanksgiving! Till next month,

Leslie Buchanon Polk County Cattlewomen President

PCCW members recently attended the Jr. League of Tampa’s Holiday Gift Market at the Florida State Expo Hall. We collaborated with

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2021

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

November

2021

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