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November 2023 VOL. 17 • ISSUE 4
CONTENTS
JUSTIN SHARPLESS POLK COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD
28 PAGE 10 From The Scientific Field
PAGE 32 Fall Cattle Report
PAGE 12 Thoughts from the Heifer Pen
PAGE 34 Thanksgiving
PAGE 14 Fishing Hot Spots
PAGE 35 News Briefs PAGE 36 John Dicks
PAGE 16 Endangered Species
PAGE 38 Hurricane Damage
PAGE 18 Bat Facts
PAGE 40
PAGE 22 Rocking Chair Chatter
Recipes
PAGE 42
PAGE 24 Wish Farms
Activity
PAGE 43
PAGE 27 Kiwi
A Closer Look
PAGE 30 Business Up Front
PAGE 44 PCSO
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
Polk County Cattlemen’s Association P.O. Box 9005 • Drawer HS03 Bartow, FL. 33831-9005 President – Kevin Fussell 4523 Fussell Rd Polk City, FL 33868-9676 (863) 412-5876 Vice President – Dr. Lujean Waters 8750 Shreck Rd Bartow, FL 33830 (863) 537-1495 Lujean.waters@gmail.com
James Stice PO Box 460 Highland City, FL 33846 (813) 714-2333 jstice@verizon.net Dave Tomkow 3305 US Highway 92 E Lakeland, FL 33801-9623 (863) 665-5088 dave@cattlemens1.com
Secretary/Treasurer - Justin Bunch Alternate PO Box 849 Highland City, FL 33846-0849 Standing Committee Chairs: Membership (863) 425-1121 justin.bunch@cpsagu.com Events Trade Show- Bridget Stice State Director – David Hunt 9699 Alt Bab Pk Cut-Off Rd Rodeo- Fred Waters Bartow, FL 33830 PO Box 463 (863) 287-1835 Alturas, FL 33820-0463 Dhunt285@aol.com (863) 559-7808 Alternate SD – Orrin Webb Website PO Box 202 Cattlewomen – President, Leslie Bartow, FL 33831 Buchanon (941) 916-5093 8444 Tom Costine Rd cwebbowebb@aol.com Lakeland, FL 33809 (863) 581-2711 Ray Clark Buckld96@gmail.com 4484 Swindell Road Lakeland, FL 33810 Extension – Bridget Stice (863) 640-0719 PO Box 9005, Drawer HS03 rclark@tampabay.rr.com Bartow, FL 33831 (863) 519-1048 Donald Conroy bccarlis@ufl.edu 3882 Wolfolk Rd Fort Meade, FL 33841 Sheriff’s Dept. – Lt. Paul Wright (863) 412-0790 1891 Jim Keen Blvd. Winter Haven, FL 33880 Stuart Fitzgerald (863) 557-1741 PO Box 1437 pw5281@polksheriff.org Lake Wales, FL 33859 (863) 206-5021 Sgt. Tim Sanders stuartcattlellc@yahoo.com 1891 Jim Keen Blvd. Winter Haven, FL 33880 Ken Sherrouse (863) 656-6119 13475 Moore Rd brusso@polksheriff.org Lakeland, FL 33809-9755 (863) 698-1834 Warner University – kensherrouse@yahoo.com Scott Shoupe 6130 Allen Lane Lakeland, FL 33811 (863) 581-7593 Scott_shoupe@hotmail.com
Abby Crawford 13895 Highway 27 Lake Wales, FL 33859 (863) 638-7248 Abby.crawford@warner.edu
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STAFF
Letter from the Editor
Publisher/Photography Karen Berry Senior Managing Editor/ Associate Publisher Sarah Holt Editor Patsy Berry Sales Karen Berry Sarah Holt Melissa Nichols
Happy Thanksgiving! I know I’ve written about this before, but as it is “that time of year” I feel the need to write about it again. Growing up, holidays, both Thanksgiving and Christmas (and probably every other holiday) were spent at my maternal grandparent’s house. My grandmother would cook most of the night and the spread she would deliver could feed an army. And for many years, there was an army of family. Their house wasn’t that big, but no one cared. We would fill it to the rim with the joy of being with family and friends. The noon meal was served somewhere around 10:30 because my grandfather couldn’t wait to dig into the turkey and ham. Yes, we had both.
Creative Director/Illustrator Juan Alvarez Photography Karen Berry Melissa Nichols Staff Writers Al Berry Sandy Kaster James Frankowiak Sean Green
But as time wore on, things changed. Family members passed away and the army dwindled until my grandmother passed away in 2002. Since moving to Florida, I’ve made new traditions with friends that have become family. But that army is also dwindling. There’s no stopping time. So, make the most of every day you have with those you love. As you gather together for a day of Thanksgiving with family and friends, take time to thank the farmers and ranchers who made the meal possible.
Contributing Writers Woody Gore John Dicks Social Media Victoria Saunders
Until Next Month 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.
Sarah Holt
Letters, comments and questions can be sent to P.O. Box 5377, Plant City, Florida 33563-0042 or you are welcome to email them to: info@inthefieldmagazine.com or call 813-759-6909 Advertisers warrant & represent the descriptions of their products advertised are true in all respects. In The Field Magazine assumes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers. All views expressed in all articles are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Berry Publications, Inc. Any use or duplication of material used in In the Field magazine is prohibited without written consent from Berry Publications, Inc.
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The LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. - Numbers 6:25
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Dry, dry, dry. That pretty much sums up the weather for the month of October and so far into November. Unless it changes a lot soon, I don’t expect to see much ryegrass being planted this year, although the ones who predict the weather are calling for a wet winter to come. The calf market was softer around midOctober, but here at the first of November, seems to be getting better again. Bull and replacement heifer sales have been stronger as well.
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November 9 was the date of the annual fall meeting for the PCCA. It was good to see everyone who was able to make it. Thank you to Quality Liquid Feeds for helping sponsor that event.
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Hope you all have a great Thanksgiving and remember how thankful we are to be in the greatest country on earth, living the life we live. And hopefully, by the time you are reading this, we’ll be thankful for the rain, cause I’m getting tired of the dust. Happy Thanksgiving, Kevin Fussell
Kevin Fussell
Polk County Cattlemen’s Association
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FROM THE SCIENTIFIC FIELD
By Brad Buck
UF AWARDED $5 MILLION IN NIFA GRANTS TO BATTLE CITRUS GREENING DISEASE
University of Florida scientists will elevate their efforts to control citrus greening with about $5 million in grants from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). NIFA, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, split funding into five grants. UF/IFAS researchers are looking for ways to manage greening, known scientifically as Huanglongbing or HLB. Greening is caused by the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, or CLas. The Asian citrus psyllid can transmit (“vector,” in scientific terms) CLas into a citrus tree, and CLas can eventually become HLB.
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“These five funded projects illustrate the breadth and depth of our world-class citrus research program,” said Robert Gilbert, UF interim senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources, dean for UF/IFAS Research and director of the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station. “We need every tool in our toolbox to combat HLB in an integrated manner, and this USDA-NIFA funding will be extremely helpful to UF/IFAS and our stakeholders.” The grants aim to accomplish numerous goals, including gene editing to develop HLB-resistant citrus varieties and integrated pest management (IPM) to help keep psyllids away from citrus trees.
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Genome editing for better tolerance to citrus greening ($1,042,257) Principal Investigator: Nian Wang Researchers plan to use cutting-edge precision genomeediting technology to help plant breeders develop more varieties that are tolerant and/or resistant to citrus greening disease. The central hypothesis for this research is that HLB can be controlled by mitigating reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS, such as hydrogen peroxide, are chemicals that cause damage to citrus plants. Scientists plan to prevent ROS damage caused by HLB disease by increasing the levels of antioxidant enzymes in citrus plants, which in turn will reduce ROS damage. “Transgene-free HLB-resistant/tolerant citrus varieties with suitable horticultural traits have the potential to provide the most effective, environmentally friendly, and economic approach for HLB control,” said Nian Wang, a professor of microbiology and cell science at the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC). IPM approach that delivers economic viability to citrus production with HLB ($1,128,392) Principal Investigator: Lukasz Stelinski The long-term goal of this project is to render HLB functionally irrelevant by developing an IPM system that yields WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
economic return from citrus. The research will address three aspects of HLB: • Suppress psyllids to the point where management decisions are based on vector density and seasonal biological events. This way, management costs do not exceed yield losses. • Evaluate the viability of trunk injections as a therapy to reduce bacterial populations. • Integrate the use of gibberellic acid to mitigate disease symptoms. “The most effective and economical combination of vector, pathogen and disease symptom management treatments will be implemented on a farm-scale level with growers in Florida and Texas,” said Lukasz Stelinski, professor of entomology at CREC. Enhancing the delivery of therapeutics into citrus phloem by linking sugar molecules ($974,182) Principal Investigator: Amit Levy While tree-trunk injections reduce CLas, they do not specifically target the phloem, the part of the vascular system in a citrus tree through which HLB travels. Most of the injected antibiotic is introduced in the xylem, where there are no bacteria. Thus, the antibiotics don’t efficiently reach the phloem. Amit Levy, an assistant professor of plant pathology at CREC, plans to lead a team that will add a glucose molecule to antimicrobial compounds. This should dramatically improve their delivery into the phloem and reduce the dose needed for efficient HLB control.
Rapid generation and evaluation of eremocitrus-derived populations for HLB tolerance and fruit quality ($928,000) Principal Investigator: José Chaparro Scientists have found HLB resistance in the citrus-related species known as Eremocitrus glauca (Australian desert lime). But transferring the resistance into commercial varieties typically takes decades because citrus remains in its juvenile stage so long. UF/IFAS has found an Eremocitrus variety with early flowering. Scientists propose to breed varieties of commercial quality with HLB-resistance, by speeding up the breeding process using early flowering varieties. Multiomic dissection of HLB tolerance in B9-65 Valencia, N13-32 Hamlin, OLL-8 sweet orange and other cultivars ($1,364,478) Principal Investigator: John Chater In this project, scientists will study scions with demonstrated HLB tolerance and the potential to produce commercialgrade fruit, despite testing positive for CLas. Researchers will examine plants infected in established groves and uninfected in facilities known as Citrus Under Protective Screens (CUPS). From there, they’ll make a comparative genetic and horticultural analysis of uninfected material vs. tolerant and susceptible-to-infection material. Ultimately, researchers want to distribute HLB-tolerant scions to stakeholders and to understand the biological mechanisms behind HLB tolerance for breeding HLB-tolerant and -resistant scions and for gene editing purposes.
With every generation,
we get better at protecting our environment. Reclamation ecologists like Ashlee work to return mined lands to productive use as wildlife habitats, public parks and more—so future generations can enjoy these lands for years to come.
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®
THOUGHTS FROM THE HEIFER PEN
By Marisol Tarango
Once younger siblings are fully capable of having interesting conversations, they can watch movies without you having to read the subtitles when there is a different language being spoken. Board games and yard games are now an equal playing field, but now it’s time for the oldest sibling to start college and their adult life. This takes them away from the home, whether they go to a local college or move across the country. If they go to a local college, they are still gone for most hours of the day either at work, in class, or at their internship. And when they are home in the evenings, usually while everyone is watching a family movie, the oldest sibling is in their bedroom trying to get a paper done before it’s due the next day. As the oldest sibling, It can be odd how your relationships with your younger siblings it was hard to have a younger brother not understand why all I change over the years. When they are little, you make sure that wanted to do was sleep on a Saturday morning instead of gothey don’t hurt themselves while you are playing outside, you ing to ride bikes. Sometimes younger siblings feel left out of fix them snacks when they say they are hungry, and you make what they perceive as your exciting life, even though it’s just a them use their words when you are tired of them whining for whole lot of homework, and sometimes you feel left out of the something unintelligibly. Not that you are the parent, but in a lot cozy family unit, even if they are just in the other room. of ways you are more of a parent figure than a sibling. Except they just don’t listen to you when you tell them not to do things The awkward stage in the older to younger sibling relationship that you know specifically your parents would not approve of. is when your younger siblings start to be the ones you ask if When younger siblings get a little older, they start to get they will do things with you, and they suddenly don’t feel like more interesting. They want to go ride horses with you which it or have their own homework to do. Instead of asking your makes you feel special that they want to be with you, even if younger sister if she brushed her hair this morning, you are askthat means you have to take extra time to catch their horse ing her if your necklace clashes with your dress. And suddenly and saddle it while they wait impatiently on the front porch. At you feel underdressed when you both get in the car just to go this stage younger siblings also want to play the same games to the grocery store. You still get onto your brother for doing that you do, so suddenly, there are enough people to kind of things, like reminding him to ask to use your truck to do things have two teams when playing kickball or soccer in the yard. around the ranch, even if you don’t really care if he uses it. It is This stage also means that sometimes younger siblings want hard to feel like you are setting a firm boundary though when to spend all of their time with you when you really just want you have to scooch the driver’s seat all the way back up after to be left alone with your book or you really, really don’t want he drove it and took the last drink of the Dr Pepper you left in to play Barbies working cows or rodeo again that day. Around the truck and were looking forward to finishing. this time younger siblings start to be able to help with chores instead of just playing at the barn while the older siblings do Even as adults and teenagers, siblings really aren’t that much the chores because Mama sent everyone down to the barn so different than when everyone is under the age of ten. We still know how to perfectly push each others buttons and are not she could get dinner done. afraid to pull the “Mama said” card. PAGE
If you have been reading this column for a while you have probably caught on, whether by my personality or by my reference to younger siblings, that I am an oldest daughter. The oldest daughter of five to be exact. Of course, my siblings and I get along generally well. We have had good fights over the years, and we know exactly how to push each other’s buttons just so, as to get the desired reaction. But we will also be the first to take someone out if they are picking on one of us and maybe, when we are feeling extra loving, we will help them do the chores they were supposed to do while mama was out, and she is currently 20 minutes from the house.
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Tampa Bay Fishing Report December 2023 Capt. Woody Gore
Tampa Bay is Florida's largest openwater estuary, covering 400 square miles with a watershed more than five times that large, encompassing a massive 2,200 square miles. With an average depth of 12 feet, Tampa Bay is considered one of Florida's most exclusive estuaries and prolific fisheries, with a wide diversity of sea life. For those unfamiliar with an estuary, it's a semi-enclosed body of water where freshwater from rivers and creeks meets and mixes with the saltwater from the ocean or, in the case of Tampa Bay, the Gulf of Mexico. Estuaries are considered one of the most productive environments. They are often called a nursery for fish and shellfish, where young marine animals can hide from predators. If angling is your recreational pleasure and something you enjoy, then Tampa Bay and the inter-coastal waters of the Gulf Coast certainly offer some excellent fishing opportunities. www.captainwoodygore.com (813-477-3814). Fish Florida in comfortable weather yearround. Florida offers some excellent opportunities for a variety of species. Some species you'll likely catch on fishing excursions include Snook, redfish, cobia, tarpon, trout, grouper, kingfish, and mackerel. As we approach the cool water temperatures of winter, shallow-water fishing improves. The fish start feeding fairly aggressively for winter and become more active as they search for food. They'll take an assortment of baits from live to dead. And since they will have large appetites, anglers will have tremendous success using a more comprehensive range of artificial lures. Snook: Snook usually tops the list as the Fall transition has started, and we are catching Snook on almost every shoreline. They are still on the protected list but are fun to catch and release. The best bite has been at the beginning and end of either incoming or outgoing tides. Snook usually respond to live baits, top water lures, jerk baits, and shallow diving lures. However, we've been having success with dead baits on the bottom.
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Capt. Woody Gore (www.captainwoodygore.com)
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Spotted Sea Trout: Sea trout are found inshore and near shore in and around seagrass flats, mangrove shorelines, deep holes and channels, and above oyster bars. Free-line live shrimp or small pinfish near the bottom to entice trout out of grass-bed holes. Attaching a float will allow these baits to drift over 2023
the grass beds. Casting with soft-bodied jigs and top-water poppers can also be effective. Trout are delicate, so promptly returning unwanted or illegal fish to the water is necessary to maintain a healthy population. Spotted sea trout are a good eating fish. Otherwise, winter's a great time for the big gator trout, primarily as they work their way into the back-country and deeper grass flats. Redfish: The reds are still biting, and some are schooled up, chewing everything tossed in their direction. They should continue to be consistent on the flats and around the mangroves. Various artificial lures and live shrimp, sardines, and pinfish are catching their share. The key to finding redfish is fishing dark, patchy bottoms, especially around schools of giant mullet. Although chumming with live bait works, tossing dead-cut bait around the mangroves on flooding tides usually brings them out to investigate. Most are holding close to the shoreline, around grass beds and oyster bars, it is also found near docks, pilings, deeper holes, and channels during the warmest and coolest months. Use live shrimp fished on the bottom, free-lined, soft-bodied jigs bounced slowly on the bottom or use small gold spoons. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
“Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing”
813-477-3814
Flounder : Found near channel edges on sandy bottoms, near tidal passes and docks. Use live shrimp, small sardines/greenbacks, sand fleas, sardines, pinfish, or jigs that bounce along the bottom as you drift. Inshore Gag Grouper: The inshore grouper bite will pick up incredibly as the water temperatures cool. However, you cannot keep any fish caught after October 31. Recreational Gag Grouper season is only open from July 1 through October 31 each year. It seems ridiculous, but we let them do it to us, so it's hard to complain about it. Fishing should
Kingfish, Spanish Mackerel, Bonito, Bluefish: Cold fronts and the traditionally high winds that follow are here. The near beach kingfish bite should improve as the water temps fall with each passing show. Tons of bait should bring the kings, Spanish mackerel, bluefish, and bonito within a mile of the beach or inside the bay. We've been having great success on huge Spanish mackerel inside Tampa Bay.
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be good when avoiding the northern cold fronts and high winds. Many fish are near shore, and Tampa Bay anglers are coming up with a few nice ones.
Captain Woody Gore owns and operates the area’s Number One OutdoorFishing and Environmental Guide Service. Capt. Woody’s associate captains have guided and fished the Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and Tarpon Springs areas for over fifty years. He offers world-class fishing and adventures with a lifetime of memories. Single or Group Charters are all the same. Just tell him what you need, and he will make it happen. Visit his website at www.captainwoodygore. com, send an email to fishing@captainwoodygore.com, or give him a call at 813-477-3814. Professional Fishing Guide and Environmentalist, Outdoor Writer, Speaker, and Photo, Journalist. Capt. Woody Gore
E n d a n g e r e d S p e c i es
WHITE BIRDS-IN-A-NEST By Libby Hopkins
White birds-in-a-nest or Macbridea alba as it’s known by its scientific name, is a rare and unique wildflower endemic to only four counties in Florida’s Panhandle. White birds-in-anest is a species of flowering plant in the mint family. Its flowers bloom from May through July and attract mostly bees. The plant occurs naturally in coastal pinelands, seeps, bogs, and wet savannas primarily within the Apalachicola National Forest, and is fire-dependent. White birds-in-anest’s flowers each have a double-lipped white corolla and a hood-like upper lip. Bracts are bright green to greenishyellow. Leaves are lanceolate to spatulate and succulent with toothed margins. They are oppositely arranged. The leaf surface may be rough or sticky. Stems are square, erect, and may be covered in tiny hairs. Although it is in the mint family, the plant is typically without fragrance.
The flatwoods habitat depends on a regime of periodic wildfires for its maintenance. Fire prevents the ecological succession of the flatwoods, keeping large woody vegetation from building up and shading out the herb layer of the understory. Now fire suppression is practiced, preventing the normal fire regime and leading to the degradation of the habitat, making it less hospitable to this and other herbs. Tracts that have not burned in many years have less of the mint, but it tends to become quite abundant in the years after fire sweeps through. Good management practices will involve the maintenance of a proper fire regime. If done properly, White birds-in-a-nest will continue to grow and thrive.
White birds-in-a-nest gets its common name from the way its white mature flowers resemble birds encircling a green “nest” formed by bracts. The unopened white flower buds appear egg-like, nestled within the nest. They are glandular and may be sticky in texture. The inflorescence is a thyrse, which is a raceme that is divided into cymes. The inflorescence is filled with tightly packed pointed bracts between which blooms the flowers. Each flower has a double-lipped white corolla around 2.5 to 3 centimeters long. There may be pale purple markings in the flower’s throat. This plant grows in the counties of Gulf, Liberty, Franklin, and Bay in Florida. There are just under 10,000 individuals in total divided amongst several scattered populations. White birds-in-a-nest grows in pine flatwoods, seeps, wet savannas, and the ecotones next to swamps and sand hills. It prefers grassy areas with wet, infertile soils, often sandy soils rich in peat.
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This region, located in the Apalachicola River Basin, has been altered by human activity. Historically, part of the area was devoted to the pulp industry, but much less today. Urban development threatens the local habitat as residential areas are constructed and associated utilities such as roads are built and maintained; many occurrences of the plant are on roadsides and are vulnerable during this process. It is federally listed as a threatened species in the United States.
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YOU GROW. 9 out of 10 consumers prefer a product labeled Fresh From Florida.
Scan to sell more!
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BAT FACTS YOU MAY WANT TO KNOW By Lynn Barber, UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County
One of my favorite times of the year is Fall because it involves Halloween. What better creature than a bat to help us celebrate trick-or-treating by children decked out in scary outfits? And, attracting wildlife is the seventh principle of the FloridaFriendly LandscapingTM, so bats are also important from that perspective.
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Poor bats, they’re so misunderstood. Unfortunately, this lack of bat facts is leading to their decline. Florida has 13 bat species that reside here year-round. Habitat destruction, harmful pesticides and nesting colony disturbances have led to the endangerment of three Florida bat species: the gray, Indiana, and Mastiff.
times, a bat may not be able to survive the winter due to the decrease in fat reserves. • Bats are the only mammals capable of true flight. By night, bats are uniquely equipped to catch flying insects, using their wings, skin around their tails, and mouths. Bats find their food sources and travel by making ultrasonic sounds that echo off solid objects. This same technique is used by dolphins.
Bats naturally control pests. They consume rootworms, cutworms, corn borer moths, potato beetles and grasshoppers. They play an important role in scientific research regarding hibernation and sonar. Additionally, their excrement provides nutrient-rich fertilizer for ground-dwelling cave life.
• Most Eastern bat species produce one bat baby per year, while other species produce two to four. Female colony bats create a nursery prior to giving birth. When the mothers all crowd together, the nursery temperature is higher than 100 degrees. Baby bats are furless and need a warm and humid place to survive. Colony-roosting bats have less colorful and thinner fur than solitary or foliage-roosting bats. Baby bats, like other mammals, feed on milk until they’re able to secure food on their own.
MORE BAT FACTS:
BAT HOUSES SITE SELECTION:
• By day, bats take shelter in foliage, under tree bark, in caves, mines, buildings and rock crevices. Many assemble in nursery colonies in the spring, leaving in July and August to begin their trek to hibernation sites. Up to 300 bats per square foot can cluster to hibernate. If hibernation is interrupted too many
Bat houses keep bats warm, dry, and safe while sleeping during the day. Bats prefer temperatures between 80 and 100 degrees. If the temperature is not comfortable, bats will not inhabit the house. If no bats inhabit the bat house after three or more years, you should either change the exterior color of
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the bat house or its location. Don’t move the house near bright lights or an area with much human activity. You can install a bat house any time of year but bats generally take up residency in early spring. If you install your bat house in the winter, it will be available when bats are seeking a new home. Bats are more attracted to houses mounted on the sides of buildings or poles than if tree-mounted because building-mounted bat houses provide more sun and fewer predator perch sites. Predators include owls, hawks, and falcons. Select the roost site near food and fresh water sources and a location where the sight or odor of the guano (excrement) won’t be an issue. Shovel guano periodically and use it as a landscape soil amendment. Locate the bat house at least 20 feet from potential predator perch sites and at least 12 feet off the ground. Provide a wildlife bat habitat (bat-i-tat) in your backyard which will give you and your family hours of educational entertainment and significantly fewer insects. Bats … they’re not limited to our Halloween imaginations and experiences. The University of Florida has several bat houses on campus in Gainesville. It is quite an experience to see their massive exit. For additional information on the identification of Florida bats and how to build your own bat house, please access: Bats of Florida: UW20300.pdf
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/UW/
Effective Bat Houses of Florida: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/UW/UW29000.pdf Contact Lynn Barber at labarber@ufl.edu. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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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.
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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.
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Editor’s Note: This Rocking Chair Chatter was originally printed in the November 2017 issue
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.” Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May and they still smelled pretty WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
good by June. 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
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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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.”
Wish Farms Investing in Renewable Energy
Plant City based, international grower and yearround marketer of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and pineberries, Wish Farms, is pleased to announce the completion of a large solar project at its Plant City headquarters. “In many ways, farmers were the first environmentalists. They had to take care of the land, so it would take care of them,” said PR Manager Nick Wishnatzki. “We are proud to continue that tradition by utilizing 21st-century technology to make a difference for future generations.”
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The entire project, which adds to an existing solar array, consists of over 2,100 panels covering 80,000 square feet of warehouse roof space and parking lot covers. Producing 1.6 Gigawatts (1,600,000 kilowatt hours) of energy per year, it generates enough power for 117 Florida homes per year.
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“Our warehouse facility has a significant footprint with around 100,000 square feet of refrigerated space, so moving to solar is the right thing to do from an environmental perspective. Not only will it save 36,000 tons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere, but there will also be significant cost savings over the life of the system.” It is anticipated to cover 75% of the yearly electrical use in the warehouse. The system also feeds nine electric car charging stations at their headquarters, as well as fourteen electric forklifts and pallet jacks. “It feels good to think of how our process will come full circle. Berries are grown by the help of the sun at our farms, and then they are cooled by using power generated from the sun.” WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
About Wish Farms: Feel Good. Eat Berries. Make A Difference. It isn’t just a catchy phrase, giving back is engrained in the company culture. Through the Wish Farms Family Foundation, a portion of profits are dedicated to their three pillars of giving: Food Insecurity, Youth Education and Community. With a defined mission, they hope to make the world a better place. Founded in 1922, Wish Farms is a fourth-generation, family operated company. As a year-round supplier of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and now Pink-A-Boo® Pineberries, it grows both conventional and organic varieties. Nationally recognized for innovation, Wish Farms utilizes patented traceability technology to ensure quality and safety by tying consumer feedback to specific information from each day’s harvest. For more information, please visit www.wishfarms.com. Founded in 1922, Wish Farms is a fourth-generation, family operated company. As a year-round supplier of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and now Pink-A-Boo® Pineberries, it grows both conventional and organic varieties. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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FLORIDA KIWI By Sandy Sun, M.S. Clinical Medicines, B.S. Nutrition Science The cooler fall months are peak season for fresh kiwi. Kiwi fruit is a sweet, distinctive fruit with a lot of flavor and a great source of nutrients. This fruit has brown fuzzy skin surrounding brilliant green flesh and tiny black edible seeds. Other names for this fruit are Chinese gooseberry or yang tao. It originated in China and spread to New Zealand. A member of the Actinidiaceae family, kiwi is produced in some states in the United States, including California and Florida. The flavor is sweet and slightly tart with a soft texture and can be eaten raw or cooked. There are many types of kiwi and they vary in color, size, and taste. The juice can also be used as a meat tenderizer.
Fiber
Nutritional Profile
For optimal taste, choose a ripe kiwi that yields slightly to gentle pressure and has a fragrant smell. Look for fuzzy skin that is free of cuts and blemishes. You can also pick firm fruits since kiwi continue to ripen at room temperature even after picking. The ripening process can be accelerated by placing the fruit in a paper bag overnight. Once ripe, refrigerate for up to one week if kept away from other fruits. Rinse under cool running water before eating or preparing. Kiwi can also be peeled and frozen for later use, although their taste and texture is superior when fresh.
Kiwi are high in vitamins C, K, and E, and in dietary fiber. These nutrients are important for a strong immune system, a healthy digestive system, and lowering cholesterol levels. The darker-pigmented varieties also provide a rich source of antioxidants. The outer peel is edible and concentrated in fiber but can be thick and is often peeled before eating. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, one medium fresh kiwi (70g) contains 42 calories, 1 g of protein, 0.4 g of fat, 10 g of carbohydrate, and 2.1 g of fiber. It also provides 106% of the Daily Recommended Value (% DV) for vitamin C, 25% for vitamin K, 7% for vitamin E, 6% for potassium, 5% for folate, 3% for magnesium, and 2% for calcium.
Vitamin C Kiwi is high in disease-fighting antioxidants, which work to neutralize destructive free radicals in the body. When healthy cells are damaged, they are more susceptible to disease and certain types of cancer, and antioxidants may help slow the progression of conditions like asthma, arthritis, and colon cancer. Diets that contain fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C are linked to a reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer. Vitamin C also has other important functions in the body. Eating kiwi and other foods high in vitamin C can significantly raise the amount of iron your body absorbs. Adequate intake and absorption of iron is necessary to prevent anemia. Vitamin C also supports the body’s immune system in its ability to fight infections and viruses. Additionally, this vitamin is involved in keeping capillaries, gums, and skin healthy and supple.
How to select and store
How to enjoy Fresh kiwi fruit are delicious enjoyed out-of-hand at their peak of ripeness. They can also be baked, roasted, sauteed, pureed, or made into jams, compotes, ice creams, and syrup. The flavor is delicious when combined with vanilla or chocolate, lemon, and other fruit flavors. They can be chopped and added to cereal, oatmeal, fruit salad, or yogurt. Poached kiwi can make a light dessert. Mix with other fruit into a delicious smoothie. Kiwi can also be sliced into cross-sections and used as a garnish for any dessert. Enjoy this beautiful, fragrant fruit during Florida’s peak season, knowing you will get loads of nutrition with every sweet, juicy bite.
Selected References http://www.uga.edu http://www.whfoods.com http://aic.ucdavis.edu/profiles/
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Research has shown that dietary fiber has a protective effect against cardiovascular diseases, by lowering blood cholesterol levels and slowing the progression of heart disease in high-risk individuals. Fiber also promotes bowel regularity and increases satiety levels, which can aid in weight control. In addition to the effects of fiber on regularity, other compounds in kiwi make this fruit especially effective in promoting healthy digestive functioning. Eating kiwi can be an effective treatment for constipation without the side effects or risks of medication.
A “REPORT CARD” FOR POLK SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER JUSTIN SHARPLESS
By Jim Frankowiak
Polk County School Board, District 6 Member, Justin Sharpless recently completed his first year in office. Born and raised in Lake Wales, he has deep roots in both agriculture and education. His passion for the agriculture industry came from his involvement with FFA. After graduating from Lake Wales High School, Sharpless served as a statewide officer, visiting FFA school chapters throughout the state and promoting the organization’s initiatives to student members. Following his year as a state FFA officer, Sharpless enrolled at the University of Florida, earning a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education and a master’s degree in agribusiness. He then returned to Polk County to teach agriculture at Ft. Meade Middle-Senior High School. Sharpless went on to teach at McLaughlin Middle School and Lake Wales High School, his alma mater, before returning to graduate school at the University of Missouri, where he earned a master’s degree and is currently completing his doctoral dissertation as a Ph. D. candidate in Agricultural Education and Leadership. He is also a member of the faculty at Warner University, serving as an Assistant Professor of Agricultural Studies. Coincidentally, Sharpless’ grandfather was a member of the first graduating class of Warner Southern College (now known as Warner University) in 1972.
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Justin and his wife, Emilyn, have three boys: Wyatt, 6; Rhett, 2 and their newly born son Garrett. They reside in Lake Wales and are members of High Point Church. Their parents also teach at the Lake Wales Charter Schools and Polk County Public Schools as does Justin’s brother, Austin Sharpless. Sharpless decided to pursue membership on the Polk County School Board as a way to give back to the education system that has benefitted his family and prepared him and his wife for success. “I also wanted my boys to have access to the best education possible,” he added.
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DURING HIS CAMPAIGN, SHARPLESS’ PRIORITIES WERE FOUR-FOLD: • Meaningful Diplomas, resulting from increased academic performance • Access for All through increased access of PCPS academic programs • Recruit and Retain staff • Keep Students Safe Those priorities comprised the MARK in his campaign website entitled – Sharpie for Students – “Sharpie” being a nickname he was given while in college. Sharpless was successful and will serve as a school board member until 2026, continuously representing District 6. As his first year in office ended, he opted to provide a summary of achievements that have been attained for the 7th largest school district in Florida with more than 115,000 students which is also the 30th largest in the United States. His “report card” following the MARK priorities includes the following: MEANINGFUL DIPLOMAS: • Implemented Varsity Tutors in 42 schools • Increased District Ranking in the following categories: Algebra I (+2), US History (+1), and Biology (+3) • Increased number of students earning industry certifications from 3,161 in 2021-2022 to 4,096 in 2022-2023, an increase of nearly 30% • Implemented new graduation program to target first time college attendees. • Increased the number of Dual Enrollment courses by almost 10% from the prior year. ACCESS FOR ALL: • The Hearth program identified 4,808 students as experiencing homelessness and provided over 11,000 services for these students. • The Migrant education program identified 1,092 migrant students and provided over 4,800 support services and over 6,000 hours of instructional services. • Created Gifted Curriculum for K-5 gifted pull-out classes • Hosted five regional School Showcases to educate approximately 3,200 parents about our magnet, Career and Technical Education, and choice programs during school choice open enrollment • Launched the elementary agriculture program at Willow Oak School • Completed first year of Central Florida Aerospace Academy Winter Haven now with over 250 students attending • Created a new Digital Media Academy at
RECRUIT AND RETAIN STAFF: • Revised school staffing allocation model to allow for annual adjustments over the next four to five years to ensure adequate staffing ratios in critical areas, including student services. • Provided over $1.4M in UniSIG grant funding toward stipends for highly effective and effective teachers and administrators at our most fragile schools. • Held 21 job fairs and attended 20 other recruitment events • Partnered with Polk State College to initiate the Para Academy • Initiated Destination Education for degree holders to transition into teaching • Implemented a signing day, offering 17 high school Education Academy students a conditional offer of employment • Partnered with Grand Canyon University on the Instructional Coaching Pathway Initiative • Created three unique career/certification pathways for school counselors. • Modified the existing program to accelerate opportunities for existing para educators to become teachers. • Expanded and revised existing stipends for additional duties for staff. KEEPING STUDENTS SAFE: • Established a new PURE approval and implementation process to ensure PCPS is in compliance with current state laws with student privacy and instructional applications • Implemented comprehensive K12 student curriculum, Flight Academy, to support student online safety • Implemented random searches at all 6-12 sites • Initiated the transition to one uniform police agency (Polk County Sheriff’s Office) across the district • Partnered with sheriffs’ office to produce and share PSA’s on social media threats and pedestrian safety “I am pleased with the progress our board has made,” said Sharpless. “However, more is to be done as we move forward on behalf of the students of Polk County and their families.” Sharpless would welcome your thoughts, questions and comments. He can be reached via email at: justin.sharpless@polk-fl.net.
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Southwest Elementary School • Launched the first Junior Achievement 3DE program in the district at Tenoroc High School
Business Up Front
KNIGHT LAND MANAGEMENT:
By Jim Frankowiak
A PASSION TO HELP PROPERTY OWNERS The Knight Family has a long history in agriculture in Polk County that traces its beginnings back more than a century. Multiple generations of the family have and continue in the cattle industry. “That cultivated a passion to help property owners and that is how Knight Land Management came to be,” said Keith Knight, who with his wife Kara, owns and operates the Polk County-based company that “proudly serves the greater Central Florida area!” They have two daughters, Kendall, 5, and Kimber, 7. Knight, who was raised on the family property by his father, the late Homer B. Knight, and mother, Christina Knight, has always had a love “for machinery and working with my hands,” he said. “And, after working all of my life on the property, it was a natural progression from tractors to skid steers and excavators.” Knight Land Management is a full-service property and land management provider that is fully licensed and insured. “We are passionate about helping landowners maintain, appreciate, enjoy, and utilize their land to its fullest potential,” said Knight. “Our clients range from homeowners living on small lots to large commercial businesses, and, of course, ranchers and farmers who need us to come in and do some heavy lifting for them.”
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Knight Land Management Services include: • Stump Removal • Land Clearing • Ditch Clean Out • Brush Clearing and Cutting • Driveway Installation • Cattle Pond Excavation • Pond Bank Mowing • Steep Incline Mowing • Grading and Site Preparation Dirt Work
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• Demolition, Debris Removal and Hauling • Rainwater and Drainage Solutions • Trenching and Culvert Installations • Property and Pasture Mowing • Pool Excavation “We specialize in mowing and cleaning hard-to-reach areas such as steep inclines next to a pond, creek, or ditch,” said Knight. “With over 20 feet of reach, we also specialize in quickly eliminating pesky branches that need to be trimmed back,” noted Knight. The company can also assist with onproperty projects from sloping off dirt from a newly built patio, leveling out dirt, scraping grass for a house pad, and building a pad for a shop or barn. Stump removal, another Knight Land Management service, “isn’t only important for aesthetics, it also helps keep yards and surrounding trees and plants healthy and thriving,” said Knight. “Our team removes unwanted stumps, hauls them away, and properly disposes of them. “Here, in Florida, maintaining on-property ditches is important - and the benefits are especially evident during the rainy season,” said Knight. “Properly maintained ditches that are cleaned out regularly help landowners keep and divert water into areas where it is needed. Without clean ditches, build-up of debris, leaves, and branches can block the flow of water causing poor drainage and water backups on property. In addition to maintaining ditches, we can also install small ponds and, when necessary, culverts and drainage ditches in strategic locations. This is especially important to growers and ranchers,” said Knight. The company can also source crushed aggregate and have it delivered for property projects. Knight Land Management also offers driveway installation, ranging from the creation of new driveways to the renovaWWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
tion of existing ones. The company can scrape away existing grass and dirt, disperse crushed concrete or lime base, and spread crushed asphalt to install a driveway. In addition, the company offers demolition services and debris hauling. “Whether a customer has an old barn or outbuilding that needs to be torn down, removed, and hauled away or limbs to be removed, we can provide the service,” said Knight. “That is also true for concrete pads that need to be broken up and removed.” As multi-generational cattle ranchers, the Knight family is very familiar with the need for pasture maintenance and grooming. “We are well-equipped to provide land clearing and mowing services for pastures and acreage,” said Knight. “Overall, we are passionate about helping people maintain, appreciate, enjoy, and utilize their land to its fullest potential,” said Knight. “We are family-owned and operated, fully insured, and we love God, country, and family!” For more information about Knight Land Management or a copy of the company’s certificate of insurance, email info@ knightLM.com or call 863/500-0209.
Is your farm FSMA ready? Sign up today for a free On-Farm Readiness Review
www.FDACS.gov/FSMA 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 $1,166,732 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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THE 2023 FALL SEASON WILL INVOLVE FEEDING HAY BUT WILL NOT INVOLVE HERD EXPANSION.
By Hannah Baker
Cattle Market
Hay Market
There was a hint of speculation that producers may have started rebuilding this fall, but after looking at the quarterly USDA Cattle on Feed report, there is no indication of expansion happening in 2023. During the last expansion in 2015-2016, heifers only accounted for 31-34 percent of cattle in feed lots. As of October 1, 40 percent of cattle in feedlots (capacity >1000) are heifers. This is the largest percentage of heifers on feed since 2001, 41 percent, and 2 percent higher than the number of heifers on feed in 2012 during the last nationwide drought and heavy liquidation period. This indicates that 1) liquidation is still occurring as producers are taking advantage of high prices for feeder cattle and drought is still impacting parts of the country and 2) expansion is not expected to be seen anytime soon. Expansion happens after stabilization, and the beef cow herd is currently still shrinking, not stabilizing. The year 2024 will be a year of regrouping and planning. The high percentage of heifers on feed creates a trickle effect in the market. More heifers on feed means less breeding stock in the herd which results in a smaller calf crop, indicating that prices will remain high as cattle supplies will be lower in 2024. With cattle supplies expected to be lower in the future, beef production will continue decreasing. Beef production has declined by 10 percent year-over-year, and 5 percent since January 2023. A decrease in beef supply can be expected to result in higher beef prices, but so far consumer demand and consumption of beef have remained fairly steady. However, there is a threshold where consumers draw the line at what they are willing to pay. The rate at which expansion of the beef cow herd occurs will affect future beef prices and consumer consumption. So, it is important that cattle producers continue producing highquality cattle with high-quality carcasses that feedlot buyers and consumers are willing to pay more for through economical management practices.
Fall is finally starting to make an appearance, bringing cooler temperatures. As we all know, with cooler temperatures comes dormancy for perennial warm-season grasses, meaning hayfeeding season is about to be in full swing, if not already. From the fall of 2022 through the fall and winter months into 2023, hay supply (excluding alfalfa) was estimated to be 74.7 million tons, down 8 percent from the 2021-2022 fall/winter period as a result of decreased production due to drought impacts. This was the lowest supply of hay since 1993, according to the available data, with an average yield of 1.87 tons per acre. Going into this fall and winter period (2023-2024) hay supply is projected to total 78.4 million tons, 5 percent higher than last year, with an average yield of 1.93 tons per acre. Hay prices are still high as residual effects from drought and high operating costs are still affecting production, but they have declined and are expected to decline on average by 7 percent throughout the fall and winter months.
Thinking Economically in the Everyday Tasks
In the midst of high cattle prices, some producers may be benefiting from an increase in net income and the opportunity to pay off debt and start preparing for expansion. However, feed and hay prices may still be only allowing for other producers to break even. As the fall season approaches and the nutritional requirements of cattle can no longer be met by predominantly grazing forage, it is important to calculate how much hay and supplement is needed to keep a cattle herd healthy. No matter the stage of cattle, understanding their nutritional requirements through each stage and meeting those requirements economically is crucial to being able to profitably sell healthy calves year after year. Cattle prices are rising, but they eventually will trend down. Using this time in the cattle cycle to really evaluate current supplementation plans is a great way to make sure an operation will remain sustainable when cattle prices are not supplying an extra cushion of support.
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Questions, contact Hannah at h.baker@ufl.edu See this update and other helpful resources online at https://rcrec-ona.ifas.ufl.edu/about/directory/staff/hannah-baker/
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A THANKFUL THANKSGIVING By Maggie Fussell
What is your favorite thing to do on Thanksgiving Day? Cook, eat, socialize, or take a nap after stuffing yourself? It is easy to get caught up in the preparation and clean-up of the day that we forget what Thanksgiving is really about. Thanksgiving is not just a day full of food and football, but a day to give thanks for a year of blessings. A prayer of gratitude, a simple thank you, and an expression of kindness are ways to give thanks. Every day, I challenge myself to think of three things I am thankful for. After a few days of doing this, I realized how much I have to be thankful for. The list went far beyond three. Through this practice, I have learned that striving for a spirit of gratitude has helped me become more aware of the blessings in my life.
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It is easy to think about everything that is going wrong in life. The cons outweigh the pros. Living in this mindset is frustrating because everything is viewed in a negative light. However, searching for the good turns the tables. It is easier to see the blessings, to give thanks, to let go of concerns, and to live life fully with what I have
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rather than worrying over what I do not have. Instead of living in FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) I live in THANKS (Thank Him Abundantly Now to Know Satisfaction). A new day, good health, family, food, shelter, or the strength to make it through the day are things to say thank you for. This Thanksgiving I will eat a good meal, talk with family, and wash a lot of dishes. I will thank the Lord for a new day, for a good year, for the farmers who harvested the food, for the family to enjoy the day with, for the shelter to eat in, and for a spirit of gratitude that makes the day better. This Thanksgiving I challenge you in the bustle of work to pause and think of three things that you are thankful for. It does not have to be elaborate, but it needs to be genuine. A genuine thank you for the rolls not burning counts too. I wonder if you will be able to stop after naming three blessings. From my family to yours Happy Thanksgiving! I hope it will be a beautiful day for a thankful Thanksgiving. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
NEWS BRIEFS
Compiled by Jim Frankowiak
District Scheduling Prescribed Fires for Hillsborough County The Southwest Florid Water Management District (District) is conducting prescribed burns on the Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve in Hillsborough County through the end of the year to reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control. Setting prescribed fires in controlled settings can reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control. The Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve is located south of Cross Creek Boulevard between U.S. Highway 301 and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard near Thonotosassa. Approximately 300 acres will be burned in small, manageable units. Some major benefits of prescribed fire include: • Reducing overgrown plants, which decreases the risk of catastrophic wildfires • Promoting the growth of new, diverse plants • Maintaining the character and condition of wildlife habitat • Maintaining access for public recreation The District conducts prescribed fires on approximately 30,000 acres each year. Former FFBF President John Hoblick Named to Florida Ag Hall of Fame John Hoblick, former Florida Farm Bureau Federation (FFBF) President, has been named to the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame. He will be inducted at the Florida State Fair in February of next year. UF Ag Ranked #2 in the U.S. The University of Florida College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (UF/CALS) was ranked #2 among “2024 Best College for Agricultural Sciences in America” agricultural sciences by Niche, a data science company in Pittsburgh that serves as a review and research platform for education.
All 16 counties throughout the District’s boundaries are on year-round water conservation measures, with lawn watering limited to twice per week unless your city or county has a different schedule or stricter hours. Local governments maintaining once-per-week watering by local ordinance include Citrus, Hernando, Pasco and Sarasota counties and the cities of Dunedin and Venice. Know and follow your local watering restrictions, but don’t water just because it’s your day. Irrigate your lawn when it shows signs of stress from lack of water. Pay attention to signs of stressed grass: • Grass blades are folded in half lengthwise on at least onethird of your yard • Grass blades appear blue-gray • Grass blades do not spring back, leaving footprints on the lawn for several minutes after walking on it For more irrigation and water-saving tips, please visit the District’s website at WaterMatters.org/Water101. NCBA Accepting Environmental Stewardship Award Nominations The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is accepting Environmental Stewardship Award nominations. The award annually recognizes outstanding stewardship practices and conservation achievements of cattle producers across the U.S. Award winners are selected by a committee of representatives from universities, cattle production, conservation organizations and both federal and state governmental agencies. For more information and to download the nomination packet, visit: https://www.ncba.org/producers/programs-awards/ environmental-stewardship-award. Protecting Florida Agricultural Land Florida agricultural landowners interested in protecting the integrity of their property are encouraged to consider safeguarding their land with a conservation easement offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Resources Conservation Service in Florida (NRCS-FL). The deadline for applications for fiscal year 2024 funding is December 31, 2023. To learn more about conservation easements, contact the NRCS at the USDA Service Center in Plant City at 201 South Collins Street, Suite 201. Telephone: 813/752-1474.
Check Your Irrigation Timer When You ‘Fall Back’ to Standard Time The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is reminding residents to check the timers on their irrigation system controllers with the end of daylight saving time. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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Holidays Are Here!
by John Dicks
Well, this year’s really been flying by! It started out with what seems like only a minute ago and it’s cool chill of a Florida winter (for all of about three days) and the next thing you know everybody was grumbling about the oppressive summer heat! Soon enough though, and all of a sudden, the seven months of summer just stopped, and the Holidays are here! The temperature has chilled back down, Florida style, but the seasons’ traditions are spinning in too. Probably it has something to do with that pesky time change that still happens every year in November. It sneaks up on us in the wee early hours of the month’s first Sunday morning. When everyone’s still asleep, it hits square on, and the days no longer linger with sunshine interfering with suppertime. Now there’s less daylight in the daytime, or so it seems. Regardless, it triggers a change in what we do, and how we think about things. Go to bed earlier. Sleep in longer. Notice Holiday inflatable yard decorations popping up all around the neighborhood. Of course, it could also have something to do with football season, too. You know, that time on the calendar when we realize that our beloved Gators are going to end up, yet again, with another less-than-wonderful year. Time for a new football coach (again)? Let’s not debate that here, but only recognize that just the conversation is yet another marker that our calendar is pointing to this time for the traditional happenings of our Holidays. After all, can Thanksgiving really be celebrated without an annual argument or two over the rivalry and big game of Florida vs. Florida State?! Well, not so much this year. The good news about the game this year is that it comes, like every year, on the Saturday following Thanksgiving. That means that this year, 2023, we’ll be getting it out of the way early, minimizing its “bummer” effect on Gator fans so as not to spoil the celebrations of Christmas.
We have, of course, the calendar, and Congress, to thank for that. Woe it would have been had Congress, years ago, simply declared that Thanksgiving would be recognized on some arbitrary date. You know, like Veterans Day, which is always November 11. Well, except for years like this year when it shows up on a Saturday, which would mean no day off during the work week! Naturally, we can’t have that, so Veterans Day this year was officially celebrated one day early, on Friday the 10th, so workers would get that free day off for the Holiday! With Thanksgiving, though, as every school-age youngster knows (hopefully), it was officially declared to be recognized and celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. Just using simple math suggests that can force a Thanksgiving feast as early as November 22 and as late as November 28. Thus it is the calendar that dictates and rules, making Thanksgiving fall upon November 23 for 2023, yet declaring it, for 2024, to be held on the 28th. Noticeably that gives us five extra days next year for the big debates between rabid fans of the Gators vs. Seminoles. That’s a good thing for the Gators, since, unfortunately, they’ll likely need the extra time to recruit, regroup, practice, and prepare. Of course, if you care not about such shenanigans as Seminole and Gator football, it is also worth noting that the Holiday (and shopping) season is extended this year, much longer than next. From Thanksgiving until Christmas this year, it runs nearly five weeks, whereas next year it’s not even four full weeks! That leaves lots of time this year for Holiday cheer. Will it mean brisk business to boost robust shopping sprees? Or will fatigue set in, morphing into a Scrooge-like feeling of let’s “just get it over with!”? Only time will tell; and for this year, time has really been flying by!
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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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USDA EXTENDS DEADLINE FOR EMERGENCY CONSERVATION PROGRAM APPLICATIONS FROM FLORIDA PRODUCERS IN 28 COUNTIES, INCLUDING HILLSBOROUGH AND POLK By Jim Frankowiak
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has extended the deadline for applications from agricultural producers for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) to address damages from Hurricane Idalia. The application deadline has been extended to November 27, 2023. ECP provides financial assistance to producers to help them restore their farmland to pre-disaster conditions. Approved ECP applicants may receive up to 75 percent of the cost of an approved restoration activity. Limited resource producers, socially disadvantaged participants, and beginning farmers and ranchers may receive up to 90 percent cost-share. The payment limitation for ECP is $500,000 per disaster event. The approved counties for ECP signup are Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Clay, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Martin, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, and Volusia. The approved ECP practices under this authorization for Hurricane Idalia recovery include:
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• Removing debris from farmland; • Grading, shaping, re-leveling, or similar measures: • Replacing or repairing permanent fences; and • Restoring conservation structures and other installations
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Hurricane-impacted producers must apply for assistance and receive written approval prior to beginning restoration work. Restoration work initiated prior to written approval may not qualify for ECP assistance. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees will evaluate applications based on an applicant’s estimates or measurements of the damaged land, taking into consideration the type and extent of the damage. On-site visits will only be required for conservation structures. Submitting an application does not guarantee that cost-share funding will be provided. The use of ECP funds is limited to activities to return the land to the relative pre-disaster condition. Conservation concerns that were present on the land prior to the disaster are not eligible for ECP assistance. More information is available on farmers.gov, the Hurricane resources webpage, Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster Assistance-at-a-Glance fact sheet, and Loan Assistance Tool can help producers and landowners determine program or loan options. For assistance with a crop insurance claim, producers and landowners should contact their crop insurance agent. For FSA and NRCS programs, they should contact their local USDA Service Center. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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s e p i c e R
Courtesy of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Herb and Butter Roasted Florida Spiny Lobster with Citrus and Olives
Chef Justin Timineri
DIRECTIONS
INGREDIENTS
2 (6-8 ounce) Florida spiny lobster tails, removed from the shell 1 Florida orange or grapefruit, peeled and segmented 4 bamboo skewers (6 inches) 1 tablespoon fresh herb mix, chopped fine (thyme, rosemary, parsley) Olive oil for cooking 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 1 cup microgreens or arugula 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 12 Spanish Queen and/or Kalamata olives, pitted Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
Cut the lobster tails in half, lengthwise. Preheat a medium-sized sauté pan over medium-high heat. Season the lobster tail meat with salt, pepper, and fresh chopped herbs. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and butter to the preheated pan. Carefully add the seasoned lobster to the hot pan. Cook the lobster tails for 2 to 4 minutes while turning them until just cooked. Make sure not to overcook the lobster. Remove the lobster skewers from the pan and let them cool slightly. Insert the bamboo skewers into the middle of each of the halved lobster tails. In a small bowl, combine the microgreens or arugula with the lemon juice. Season the greens lightly with salt and pepper and toss to coat. To plate the dish, put a bed of the greens on a small platter. Arrange the lobster skewers, citrus segments, and olives. Serve immediately.
q Florida Strawberry Cheesecake Dip q Ingredients 1/2 cup fresh Florida strawberries, rinsed, dried and chopped fine 1/4 cup Florida pecans, toasted and chopped fine 1/4 cup Florida honey 1/3 cup freshly squeezed Florida orange juice
1 cup low-fat cream cheese, softened 1 cup low-fat sour cream Assorted cookies, graham crackers and fresh Florida fruit for dipping and spreading
DIRECTIONS
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Set aside 1 tablespoon each of the strawberries and pecans for garnish. In a small bowl lightly mix the strawberries, honey, and orange juice. In a separate bowl blend the cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. Add the strawberry mixture and fold together. Fold in the pecans then cover and chill. Garnish the top of the dip with the reserved strawberries and pecans. Serve with cookies and fruit for dipping.
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2023
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A Closer LookAmazing Activities by Sean Green Naturally
Buddy Burner
Camping season is ramping up with the upcoming cool weather and it’s good to have camping supplies ready for those spur of the moment camping trips. Some of us may remember making buddy burners in scouts or summer camps and that is what we will feature this month. Buddy burners are easy to make and efficient for providing a quick way to warm a meal without having to build a big camp fire. The beauty of the buddy burner is that it can be used for cooking and easily extinguished so you can get on with other camp activities such as hiking or fishing. Though our hurricane season will be over this month, buddy burners are a handy item to keep in stock for the loss of electricity, each buddy burner can burn for hours depending on how tightly the cardboard is rolled into the tin can
Materials:
• 5 oz. tuna or cat food can (tin is best) * Save the top to extinguish the fire * • Corrugated cardboard • Wax (paraffin, old candles, tealights, old crayons) • Scissors • Two pots (to make a double boiler)
DIRECTIONS: Wash any residue out of the tin can, remove any paper labels, and allow it to dry. Measure the height of the tin can, (typically about 1 ¼ “) Cut corrugated cardboard (across the corrugation) to a width that is equal to the height of the tin can (1 ¼ “) * you should be able to see the corrugation holes along the edge of the cardboard * Tightly roll the cardboard into the tin can to fill the entire can Wedge a small scrap piece of cardboard into the center of the can, (this will be a wick and make it easy to light) • Melt the wax with a double boiler • Fill a large pot with water • Fill a small pot with wax • Place the small pot of wax into the large pot of water (this is a double boiler) • Boil the water to melt the wax, make sure water does not get inside the small pot of wax When the wax has melted, carefully pour the wax over the cardboard into the tin can until all the cardboard is covered.
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Light the buddy burner wick to produce flame. Extinguish the fire with the lid from the tin can to starve it of oxygen.
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A Closer Look A Closer Look
by Sean Green
Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci)
Many homeowners and gardening enthusiasts are increasingly opting for all-natural gardening techniques such as organic or biologic pest control. I am one of those and I prefer to watch the drama of nature play out then resort to chasing the dragons tail with pesticides that offer a questionable longterm benefit. This year, and specifically these last few months, I have had a tough time with a tiny insect that has become a monster problem throughout Florida. The insect that has given me the biggest headache is the whitefly population that is devastating my assortment of hot peppers. I have watched the populace grow and, typically with other pests, when the pest population grows to the point of panic I notice that the population attracts natural predators and I watch nature perform its tremendous balancing act. Usually, like magic, the problem self corrects if I’m patient enough to let nature take its course. This month I will share with you my experience with the whitefly as we take a closer look at how this insect is becoming a growing concern in central Florida. Whiteflies are true bugs, meaning they feed on sap and phloem in the same manner as other bugs such as aphids, cicada, plant hoppers, and mealybugs. The whitefly is a formidable pest because it is known to feed on over 900 species of host plants, 300 of which were recorded in Florida. Worldwide there are over 1,500 species of whitefly, most of which never reach populations high enough to cause economic concern, however, when populations do become unmanageable, the results are devastating. Like other sap sucking insects, the whitefly can cause the host plant to become very weak as it’s sap is drained. The leaves will turn yellow and often wilt, fruit may be malformed and yields reduced. The process of digesting the plants sap produces large amounts of honeydew deposits that can become colonized by fungi such as sooty mold reducing the plants efficient photosynthesis in severe cases. Once in a weakened state, the plants ability to fight off disease is greatly reduced and the plant becomes more susceptible to other diseases. To make matters worse, whiteflies are vectors of several viruses that can limit production of crops or kill the plant. Because the whitefly has a large variety of host plants, they can become a vector to many more diseases than insects that feed on only a handful of host plants. Whiteflies are not indigenous to North America, they were introduced through trade with foreign countries. Bemisia tabaci is a species of whitefly that was first discovered in the U.S. in 1897 and is believed to be native to India or the Middle East. It was first recorded infesting sweet potatoes in Florida and became the type specimen for future occurrences of whitefly. Throughout the 20th century ornamental growers and landscapers struggled with managing whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) infestations that became increasingly harder to control. By the 1980s, reoccurring infestations became common but could still be managed with a reasonable integrated pest manage-
The past 25 years of research on the whitefly revealed some surprising information, most significantly a hypothesis that the species Bemisia tabaciis is not a single species, but rather many biotypes or races within the species, each biotype has a slightly different genetic makeup and geographic distribution. There remains disagreement on how to classify the large variety of biotype, but it is clear in most publications that there are at least two biotypes that are of concern in Florida, these are the B biotype, (MEAM1), thought to originate in the Middle East Asia Minor and the Q biotype (MED) from the Mediterranean South America. The Q biotype (MED) is said to be the most resistant to chemical control. The greatest challenge to managing these whiteflies is the biodiversity within the species. Pest Management approaches must be tailored to the specific species because each biotype has a slightly different genetic makeup and therefore responds differently to various pest control methods. To further complicate matters, adult whiteflies cannot be accurately identified in the field and positive identification requires laboratory work by professional entomologists. As for me and my humble garden of peppers, I have already observed that despite having a devastating population of whiteflies on my peppers, I notice that they like some species of pepper more than others and do not like my passionfruit at all, even though it is within a foot of my peppers. I am doing more research on plants that may repel the whitefly and experiment with planting some near my peppers to see if the claims are accurate. Some potential whitefly guard plants I will try include: sagebrush (Artemisia), Basil (Ocimum basilicum), or French marigold (Tagetes patula). If any of you try it, please contact us to let us know how well it worked for your plants. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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ment program. In 1986 infestations became much more predominate and crops that had never been a host, such as poinsettia, suddenly became a target for the whitefly. Attempts to control the infestations were futile, the new infestations were resistant to all previously successful methods and pesticides. New diseases began to spread to some of Florida’s vegetable crops and the whitefly earned its way to becoming a major economic pest. This new wave of infestations lead researchers to believe a new, more aggressive subspecies was to blame and designated the new more aggressive whitefly as Bemisia tabaci (biotype B) otherwise known as the Florida biotype. This new invader was so aggressive, it displaced the original whitefly type specimen Bemisia tabaci (biotype A), which can no longer be found in the United States according to a University of Florida IFAS publication. By 1994 the biotype B that was becoming so problematic was described as a new species and has since been known as the silverleaf whitefly Bemisia argentifolii (Bellows & Perring) for its tendency to cause silverleaf disorder in squash.
By Grady Judd, Polk County Sheriff
LIVESTOCK ANIMAL CRUELTY INVESTIGATION FAQS or mistreated, and a horse or cow that is just skinny and grazing?” Here, according to Florida State Statute 828, are some telltale signs of animal cruelty and neglect: The animal is confined in an area without ample food and water; the animal suffers from an injury or malnutrition and has been abandoned by the owner in a street, road, or public place; the animal has been maimed, mutilated, or killed for other than a humane reason; the animal has been unnecessarily overloaded, overdriven, tormented, or deprived of food and shelter; the animal has been subjected to cruel death or repeated infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering.
When you hear the phrase “animal cruelty,” what is the first thought that comes to mind? Most people think of the images they see portrayed in the media of dogfighting, or of severely neglected house pets. Here in rural Polk County, PCSO Agricultural Crimes deputies investigate animal cruelty calls, and you’d probably be surprised to learn that the majority of these calls are not about cats and dogs – they concern livestock. As you know, the cattle industry is thriving in Polk County. People here depend on their cattle for food and income. When citizens drive by a pasture filled with cows and become concerned that, to the untrained eye, the cows are “emaciated” or “neglected,” they often call PCSO to report suspected animal cruelty. PCSO Ag. Crimes deputies are highly trained to detect if and when livestock such as horses and cows are malnourished or neglected, and responding to these calls is a timely, but necessary, service they provide. They routinely attend training classes to hone their skills in the area of animal cruelty and neglect.
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You may be wondering, “How can I tell the difference between a horse or a cow that has been truly neglected
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Due to the recent downturn in the economy, PCSO has seen a rise in the neglect of horses. Although horses are considered livestock, they are often treated as pets or companion animals. Feeding and caring for horses can be expensive. Tragically, some horse owners who cannot afford to continue to care for their horses simply leave them out in the pasture and hope for the best. That’s when we rely on calls from the public to alert us – and we respond to the scene, confiscate the horse, and begin the process of improving its health. Please keep in mind, however, that an animal whose ribs are visible is not necessarily “starving” or “emaciated.” Livestock animal weight and appearance fluctuates throughout the year, depending on the weather and the availability of grass and forage. For example, in general, a large cow or horse may lose weight during the winter months when there is less nutritious grass available for grazing. Owners often provide supplemental food during the winter months. We rely on the public every day to be our eyes and ears out in the communities and in the fields. If you have any information about suspected livestock animal cruelty or neglect, we urge you to contact us with detailed information. Call the PCSO Agriculture Unit at 863.534.7205, or to remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward, call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1.800.226.TIP (8477).
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Polk County Cattle Women
I
t is definitely that time of the year again. Everyone is busy, the roads are crowded, and it seems like there isn’t enough time in the day to get all the jobs done. Don’t fear, Polk County CattleWomen are here! This month we have attended the Polk County Cattlemen’s Fall Membership Dinner where we served desserts and collected toys for a toy drive. We also attended the Tampa Junior League Holiday Market with Florida CattleWomen to pass out beef samples to patrons shopping for Christmas gifts. Last year we were awarded the “Tastiest Booth”, so we are striving for that again this year! PCCW are also currently hosting a t-shirt design contest for the Polk County Youth Fair beef exhibitors. All designs are due on December 1st and must be emailed to poco.cattlewomen@yahoo.com. More
Our next meeting will be at our Christmas Party in December, we have not set a time or date, so if you do not receive my emails and would like to attend or join, please reach out to me at blairbuchanon@gmail.com to be added to our email list. Blair Buchano
Blair Buchanon blairbuchanon@gmail.com
Polk County Cattlewomen President
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information for this can be found on our social media, or please reach out to me.
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