In The Field magazine Polk edition

CONTENTS

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

Secretary/Treasurer - Justin Bunch PO Box 849 Highland City, FL 33846-0849 (863) 425-1121 justin.bunch@cpsagu.com

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

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

Alternate Standing Committee Chairs: Membership

PAGE 10

From The Scientific Field

PAGE 12

Thoughts from the Heifer Pen

PAGE 14

Fishing Hot Spots

PAGE 16

Endangered Species

PAGE 18 Citrus Breeding

PAGE 19

Disease Risk

PAGE 22

Rocking Chair Chatter

PAGE 24

Pumpkin Time

PAGE 27 Dill

PAGE 30

Clay Soil

PAGE 31

Business Up Front

Hey Readers!

PAGE 32

Recipes

PAGE 33

Home Repairs

PAGE 34

Florida Fall

PAGE 35

News Briefs

PAGE 36 John Dicks

PAGE 38

PCSO

PAGE 40

Custom Files

PAGE 41 A Closer Look

PAGE 42 Hog Hunts

PAGE 43

Momma Mimi’s

PAGE 44

Proper Planting

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

InTheField® Magazine

P.O. Box 5377 • Plant City, Fl. 33566-0042

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 (863) 206-5021 stuartcattlellc@yahoo.com

Ken Sherrouse 13475 Moore Rd Lakeland, FL 33809-9755 (863) 698-1834 kensherrouse@yahoo.com

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

Events Trade Show- Bridget Stice Rodeo- Fred Waters PO Box 463 Alturas, FL 33820-0463 (863) 559-7808

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

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

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

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

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

Publisher/Photography

Karen Berry

Letter

from the Editor

Fall is officially here! Growing up in rural Kentucky, Fall meant changing leaves and cooler temperatures. The days were still warm, but the nights were noticeably cooler with the shortening of daylight hours. The air was full of the smell of burning wood and wispy clouds of smoke from chimneys painted the sky. Fields lay dormant, waiting for spring and new signs of life.

Now the temperatures may have dropped a degree or two, but it’s still hot and humid, the nights are getting longer, but the fields are being prepped and planted for a new growing season, not the dormancy of the fields in my old Kentucky home.

Fall, specifically the month of October, brings us to Breast Cancer Awareness Month. A breast cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. It can be hard to know what to say to someone facing this challenge. But checking in on a cancer patient will mean more than you know.

Each year in the United States, about 240,00o women get breast cancer and 42,000 women die from the disease. Men aren’t immune, they can also get breast cancer but only about 1 out of every 100 breast cancers diagnosed in the United States is found in a man. Most breast cancers are found in women who are 50 years old or older, but it can also affect younger women.

Be vigilant. Women between 40-44 have the option to start screening yearly. Those in the 45-54 range should have a mammogram yearly and 55 and over can switch to every other year or stick with the yearly. No matter your age, if something doesn’t seem right, get checked. Early detection can save your life.

Sarah Holt

Senior Managing Editor/ Associate Publisher

Sarah Holt

Editor

Patsy Berry

Sales

Karen Berry

Sarah Holt

Melissa Nichols

George Domedion

Creative Director/Illustrator

Juan Alvarez

Photography

Karen Berry

Melissa Nichols

Staff Writers

Al Berry

Sandy Kaster

James Frankowiak

Sean Green

Contributing Writers

Woody Gore

John Dicks

Social Media

Victoria Saunders

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

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

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

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

Published by Berry Publications, Inc.

Hello to everyone. The days are getting shorter and we’re starting to feel a small bit of fall in the air. So far, the calf market is holding up and we are going into the fall run with a strong market. Another plus is that feed prices seem to be softening up a bit. Maybe this winter’s supplements will be a little more economical than last year’s.

We look forward to seeing all of you members soon at our fall meeting November 9 at the Stuart Center. Come and enjoy a steak, hear from our state presi-

dent, and hear about the importance of supplementing your cows through the winter. Also, go ahead and mark your calendar for April 25 for our spring gathering.  As always, if there’s anything we can do for you, let us know.

Until next time,

Polk County Cattlemen’s Association

Kevin Fussell

FROM THE SCIENTIFIC FIELD

By J. Scott Angle

Gary Vallad wants you to spend less and earn more.

He advises against putting something on your crop just to make it look better, so you spend less. Instead, ask yourself if it improves yield, so you earn more.

Vallad has been helping area growers prevent, detect and manage crop diseases for 16 years. He has come to visit many of you to diagnose what’s going on in your fields.

I hope you’ll visit him at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) on November 9 at the Florida Ag Expo when he presents the latest on local plant disease.

Unfortunately, Vallad laments, you’re just might be seeing more of him this year due to El Niño. The predicted weather pattern, he explains, typically brings us cooler and wetter weather. Plants stay wet longer, which gives disease a better chance to take hold.

He’s a star researcher in the UF/IFAS Department of Plant Pathology—in fact, the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association has in the past honored him as its researcher of the year. But he identifies as a “house doctor,” the guy who comes out to your farm to diagnose disease or help you figure out whether it’s even a disease that’s making your plants look sick.

While Vallad sees a future of increased disease pressure, he also sees science keeping pace with that pressure.

He’s a consummate team player in the GCREC scientific corps. Vallad works with plant breeders to help them incorporate disease resistance into new tomato varieties. He has talked with weed scientist Nathan Boyd (who’s also in charge of Expo seminar programming this year) about whether the machine Boyd is teaching to target only weeds might also learn how to apply fungicides only to diseased plants.

Vallad doesn’t yet know how artificial intelligence will influence his work. He just knows that it will.

For now, Vallad leans more on traditional tools as he makes his rounds in Hillsborough, Manatee, and Polk counties. He carries a pocketknife, zip lock bags, and a hand lens. The most important tool, though, is the F150 he’s put 80,000 miles on to get from the lab to your field.

Vallad’s one of many reasons to attend the Florida Ag Expo. It’s one of our biggest Extension events, with seminars, giveaways, a trade show and plenty of opportunities to mingle with Vallad, other scientists, friends, and colleagues.

As much as Vallad knows about plant disease, there’s one thing you know better than he does: your own farm. Vallad believes that when you share what you’re seeing, you make him better at his job. That’s important, because his job is to help you become better at yours.

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).

THOUGHTS FROM THE HEIFER PEN

Any female with long hair has learned that in life, no matter what her lifestyle, long hair just gets in the way. For most women, the hair goes up while she is working out or cleaning the kitchen, but it comes down for office work or just everyday wear. On a ranch, however, long hair not only “just” gets in the way, if it gets caught in certain things, a catastrophe is bound to happen. The ranch woman usually puts her hair up in a tight braid, under a hat, or in a bun, and it stays there all day. (There are too many activities to be changing hairstyles throughout the day).

If it is not possible to have your hair up, for instance if you are drying it or just came home from an occasion that you could wear it down, I suggest having a rubber band on hand. Too many times I have had to make a mad dash with my hair down, and it ended up getting in the way or in the barbwire. If you happen to find yourself at the barn and the rubber band that you swore was in your pocket is not in your pocket or your rubber band decided to bust under the load of your hair, you can always use a piece of hay string. The most efficient hay string hair style is a ponytail or braid, just wrap the string a couple of times around the end and tie in a knot. Buns work with hay string too, but only if you have thick hair, and even then, if you don’t do it just right the bun will fall out.

This brings us to another subject; your hair isn’t always going to look like the movies or western style advertisements. No one, NO ONE, in their right mind deals with hay while their hair is down, no matter how many horse movies show this. (Nothing is more embarrassing than sitting in class and realizing you have a piece of hay embedded in your hair, probably from yesterday, even though you checked and checked your hair.) There is also the side braid or half ponytail that is portrayed in the media. Yes, this is very cute and attractive, and may work for a photo shoot or rodeo, but it is not a good idea for working on the ranch (especially if you have curly hair). There have been many

By Marisol Tarango

times my younger self imagined myself as an elvish princess caring tenderly for her creatures with this hair style, only to get a rude awakening from my fantasy by getting my hair yanked from my scalp by barbwire. Sometimes though, there are days where my hair just decides to pretend like it’s in a movie as I sweep it up effortlessly into a braid, and I know I somehow managed to get a rustic ranch woman look as I go out to the barn. On those days it seems that the horses are even pleasantly surprised by what I have accomplished with my hair.

As ranch women, my sisters and I are always asked how we keep up with our hair, to which we answer, “We just put it up.” (No, not in unison.) Our hair had to either be short or long enough to pull back when we were little. We learned how to start our braids low at the base of our necks to be able to wear our cowboy hats, and we debunked the myth that a girl can put her hair up in a hat and be disguised as a boy. (Seriously, we tried every possible way, and it does not work with thick hair, even with our dad’s hats.) Long hair was never a problem if it was up and out of the way. When I was younger, my morning routine was not complete until my mom had wrestled my hair into two tight braids that would contain my hair until the end of the day when a good bit had escaped. My dutiful mother never denied me when I would wake her up at ungodly hours to braid my hair so I could go to work with my dad. It was sort of a rite of passage in our house for us girls when you could go to work with our dad without having to have someone else braid your hair for you, even if you just kinda shoved it under a cap and braided whatever was hanging out.

A ranch woman spends a lot of time with her hair up, but on those days, when the sunset is just beautiful and you happen to find yourself on your horse with the wind in your face, it is a wonderful feeling to take your hair down and lope off into the sunset. (And yes, it feels just like it looks in the movies.)

O C T O B E R

1 9

R E G I S T R A T I O N

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L u n c h & R o u n d T a b l e D i s c u s s i o n

P a s t u r e M e a s u r e m e n t

W a l k & T a l k i n t h e W e e d G a r d e n

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h t t p s : / / 2 3 f o r a g e w o r k s h o p . e v e n t b r i t e . c o m A n E q u a l O p p o r t u n i t y I n s t i t u t i o n U F / I F A S E x t e n s i o n U n i v e r s i t y o f F l o r i d a I n s t i t u t e o f F o o d a n d A g r i c u l t u r a l S c i e n c e s A n d r a J o h n s o n D e a n S i n g l e c o p e s o f U F / I F A S E x t e n s i o n p u b l i c a t i o n s ( e x c l u d i n g 4 - H a n d y o u t h p u b l i c a t i o n s ) a r e a v a i l a b l e f r e e t o F l o r i d a r e s i d e n t s f r o m c o u n t y U F / I F A S E x t e n s i o n o f f i c e s

Ever Been Sea Sick? You’re Not Alone?

Capt. Woody Gore

What is Motion Sickness? Almost everyone is susceptible at one time or another, except when fishing with Captain Woody. That’s the nice thing about fishing with Captain Woody Gore; you don’t have to worry about this problem. Why? Because he has suffered from motion sickness since childhood and does not fish areas that might subject his clients to sea sickness.

If you’ve ever been sick to your stomach on a rocking boat or a bumpy airplane ride, you know the discomfort of motion sickness. Although it doesn’t cause longterm problems, motion sickness can make your life miserable.

Whether you call it motion, air, or sea sickness, people often experience this terrible feeling from cars, airplanes, trains, amusement park rides, boats, or when cruising on ships.

What are the symptoms of motion sickness? Motion sickness may cause one or all the following:

• Headache

• Pale appearance.

• Nausea or vomiting, or both.

• A general feeling of being unwell (malaise).

• Cold sweats, which means you sweat even though you’re not overheated.

• Symptoms usually go away soon after the motion stops. However, in severe cases can take a few days for symptoms to go away completely. People may become used to the movement on extended trips, such as a cruise. When that happens, your symptoms often subside. But when you are back on land, the lack of motion sometimes causes the symptoms to return.

Causes of motion sickness?

When the inner ear, the eyes, and other areas of the body detect unexpected or conflicting motion messages, it sends them to the brain, and motion sickness occurs. Parts of your balance-sensing system (the inner ear, vision, and sensory nerves help you keep your balance) may sense that your body is moving, while the other parts do not feel motion. For example, if you are in the cabin of a moving ship, your inner ear may feel the motion of big waves, but your eyes don’t see any movement. Often, this leads to a conflict between the senses and results in motion sickness.

The best way to treat motion sickness is to try and stop the movement. If you can’t prevent the action, sit or lie in an area with the slightest indication. In an airplane, try to sit near the wings. On a ship, stay on the deck and look at the horizon. Or, if you are inside, move to the ship’s center. You can also take prescription and nonprescription medication to prevent or reduce symptoms of nausea and vomiting. Most medicines work best if taken before travel. The drugs or pills work in different ways; some work like sedatives that minimize the effect of motion, while others reduce nausea and vomiting.

Motion Sickness Treatments:

The following medicines may help prevent symptoms of motion sickness:

• Scopolamine (Transderm Scop)

• Promethazine (Promethegan)

• Antihistamines, including dimenhydrinate, otherwise known as (Dramamine)

•  Warning: do not give your child antihistamines unless recommended by your child’s physician. Be sure to follow the doctor’s advice on how to share it.

People often try alternative methods of

preventing motion sickness, such as taking ginger or wearing acupressure bands. There is little scientific evidence that these methods work, but there is no harm in giving them a try.

Folks sometimes wonder why I chose charter fishing when I have a problem with motion sickness. Occasionally, I travel near shore, but only on calm days.

Having tried all the medicinal products with no positive results, I recently heard about a few non-medicinal remedies and tried them. Here’s what’s worked for me in recent years. Both have worked for me without any drowsy side effects. Now, whenever I’m fortunate or perhaps unfortunate enough to get outside to fish near-shore waters, I have a couple of products that seem to help keep my motion sickness in check, and I would recommend them both.

Quease Ease Inhaler

Essential oils helpful for relieving nausea include Peppermint, Ginger, and Spearmint. The four essential oils used Quease Ease are Peppermint, Ginger, Spearmint, and Lavender. Ginger, spearmint, and peppermint are essential oils that reduce nausea and vomiting. Lavender was added as an anxiolytic and antispasmodic. Although there is no evidence for the effectiveness of the collective combination of these essential oils, individual studies demonstrate efficacy for both inhalant and botanical forms of the essential oils.

Pirates’ Gold Cinnamon-Ginger Candy

Some further investigations revealed that cinnamon and ginger, used for centuries as

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

A FULL-SPECTRUM APPROACH TO CROP PROTECTION

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Experience the benefits of full-spectrum protection at agbiome.com/theia

AgBiome Rep:

David Gilliam: (863) 956-7479, dgilliam@agbiome.com

Triangle Reps:

Dwayne Kent: (813) 730-3093, cdkent@trianglecc.com

Brian Sheperd: (813) 523-5952, bdshepherd@trianglecc.com

The Ochlockonee Moccasinshell

By Libby Hopkins

The Ochlockonee moccasinshell or the Medionidus Simpsonianus as it’s known by its scientific name, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae or a river mussels.

The Ochlockonee moccasinshell is a small freshwater mussel that can reach a length of 2.2 inches. This species is ovalshaped with an outer shell color that is light brown with dark green rays carved into the shell, and a bluish-white inner shell. Its valves are thin with two teeth in the left valve and one in the right.

The Ochlockonee moccasinshell is a filter feeder (filters food out of water) that primarily eats plankton and dead organic matter. Due to its extreme rarity, the life history of the Ochlockonee moccasinshell is not known. It is believed that males release sperm in the water and the females receive the sperm through a siphon. Eggs are fertilized in the female’s shell and the glochidia (larvae) release into the water. The larvae attach to the gills or fins of a host fish to develop. When the larvae metamorphose into juvenile mussels they release from the fish and settle in their primary habitat.

The Ochlockonee moccasinshell inhabits large creeks and mid-sized rivers of moderate current that contain a sandy, gravel floor. Distribution is very limited as it is only found in the Ochlockonee River system in Georgia and Florida.

Freshwater mussels face a host of threats due to an increased human population and development. The main threat to freshwater mussels is the impoundment of waterways. Waterways are impounded for fresh water supply, flood control and hydropower.

Impounding waterways causes the water current’s velocity to decrease, causing sediment to build up in the river and covers the mussels located in the substrate. Impoundments also cause habitat fragmentation, separating mussel populations and also individual mussels from algae and host fish. River dredging also threatens to destroy freshwater mussel populations on the river floors. The Asian clam, an invasive species, can out-compete the Ochlockonee moccasinshell for resources in its habitat. Pesticide and chemical pollution poses a significant threat to mussels since they are filter feeders and may ingest chemicals directly from their habitat.

The Ochlockonee moccasinshell is protected as an endangered species by the Federal Endangered Species Act and as a Federally-designated endangered species by Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species Rule. It is one of the target species in a seven-species Federal Recovery Plan.

Specific actions needed to recover the species include secure extant subpopulations and currently occupied habitats and ensure subpopulation viability. Searches for additional subpopulations of the species and suitable habitat, that is determined through research and propagation technology the feasibility of augmenting extant subpopulations and reintroducing or reestablishing the species into historical habitat. Develop and implement a program to evaluate efforts and monitor subpopulation levels and habitat conditions of existing subpopulations, as well as newly discovered, reintroduced, or expanding subpopulations. Develop and utilize a public outreach and environmental education program. Assess the overall success of the recovery program and recommend actions.

UF/IFAS APPOINTS RESEARCHER AS EMINENT SCHOLAR CHAIR

TO ACCELERATE BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH IN CITRUS BREEDING

By Ruth Borger, UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center, rborger@ufl.edu

Working at the cell level to develop a disease- resistant citrus tree holds great promise and potential for the Florida citrus industry. Nian Wang, professor of microbiology and cell science, is one of the world’s most accomplished researchers working in this area to develop a tree that is resistant to the citrus greening disease. Because of his accomplishments in this specific field, Wang has been appointed the Graves Eminent Scholar Chair in Biotechnology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

The endowed chair was established in 1987 in honor of citrus growers Mr. and Mrs. J.R. (Rip) Graves, leaders in Florida’s citrus community, and was previously held by Professor William Dawson until his retirement. Wang is a preeminent leader in citrus biotech research. He has perfected the use of the gene-editing CRISPR technology to edit the citrus genome in a non-transgenic way. This means his technology can support the development of new citrus varieties using a type of gene-based scientific process that is increasingly being used in agricultural research and known to the general public.

Wang and his team have already developed a citrus variety that is considered resistant to citrus canker disease and is making key advancements to developing varieties that are resistant to Huanglongbing (HLB) disease, commonly referred to as citrus greening. Citrus greening is a global citrus disease that is responsible for negatively impacting nearly 100 percent of Florida’s commercial citrus groves and dramatically decreasing annual citrus production and fruit quality.

“This appointment is a worthy recognition for Dr. Wang’s many contributions and accomplishments to progressive citrus plant improvement,” said Michael Rogers, professor and director of the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center. “It also complements the university’s renewed commitment of additional resources to support the potential of CRISPR and biotechnology to accelerate discovering solutions to citrus greening.”

Developing an HLB-resistant citrus tree is the top priority of the citrus industry. Additional UF/IFAS strategic investments to support this initiative are infrastructure improvements including more research staff, more laboratory space, and constructing a dedicated greenhouse and screenhouses to support CRISPR research projects.

UF/IFAS will also continue to support traditional plant breeding efforts for citrus and advancing solutions in integrated pest management, nutrition and irrigation, plant pathology, and soil and water sciences and more. Key information critical to growers will continue to be shared through UF/IFAS Extension in person and on-line events, newsletters, on its many websites and at commodity group trade shows.

For more information, please visit citrusresearch.ifas.ufl.edu.

FOREIGN ANIMAL DISEASE OUTBREAK RISKS: WHAT DO WE KNOW AND WHAT CAN WE DO?

By Bridget Stice, UF/IFAS Extension Polk

A Foreign Animal Disease (FAD) outbreak in the U.S., similar to those witnessed in Europe, for example, by the UK's 2001 Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak and Sweden's 1986 Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) crisis, could have catastrophic consequences on the cattle industry, including mass livestock culling, substantial economic losses, and heightened concerns for the cattle industry and public health. While the U.S. has previously encountered FAD outbreaks, such as the 2003 BSE case and the 2016 New World Screwworm outbreak in Florida, their impacts were less severe due to swift containment measures and effective response protocols, including animal disease traceability. However, it's imperative to acknowledge that existing response protocols and containment measures may prove insufficient in the face of a more threatening FAD like FMD, a highly contagious airborne disease that is present in over two-thirds of the world today, easily transmitted between animals, via contaminated clothing or shoes, and through the air.

Florida, with its numerous ports of entry, heavy tourism, and international trade activities, is at the greatest risk, emphasizing the critical importance of rapid FAD detection and immediate response to safeguard the state's beef cattle industry. Recognizing this heightened risk, the Florida Cattlemen’s Association established the Animal Disease Traceability (ADT)

Taskforce, comprising representatives from all industry sectors. Among its initial findings, four key points emerged: the necessity of ADT, the requirement for electronic traceability encompassing both tags and data transfer, the inclusion of all cattle entering commerce, and the preference for a voluntary approach, albeit acknowledging the potential for mandatory measures in response to disease events until necessary improvements are in place. Building on these findings, the ADT taskforce initiated a pilot project at three livestock markets to evaluate the efficiency and efficacy of Low Frequency (LF) RFID tags (official 840 tags). The project's success, with tags being read over 98% of the time and at the speed of commerce, demonstrates the compatibility of Electronic Identification (EID) technology with livestock market operations. Furthermore, the project has extended its assessment to compare the effectiveness of Ultra High Frequency (UHF) backtags and LF tags, both in terms of readability and retention, throughout the harvest process.

The continuing efforts of the ADT Taskforce are steps in the right direction to further enhance traceability and ensure the resilience of the industry in the face of potential FAD challenges.

Photo Courtesy UF/IFAS

October 27, 2023 at 1 PM

October 27, 2023 at 1 PM

(CONSIGNMENTS ONLY, FOR CONSIGNMENT INFO PLEASE CALL) (CONSIGNMENTS ONLY, FOR CONSIGNMENT INFO PLEASE CALL)

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Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Dark green vegetables include more vitamin C than light green color vegetables.

Eating more fruits and vegetables could significantly reduce the risk of many chronic diseases, high B.P, obesity, heart disease and some cancers.

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Sapodilla is a uniquely tasting fruit. It had a soft brown flesh with flavors like a sweet mix of brown sugar and root beer.

An orange’s vitamin C content helps fight back assaults from viruses and germs, cold and fatigue.

Outhouse

Most of you people reading this column have never used an “outhouse.” For years before indoor plumbing this was all that was available in town or on the farm.

I did a little research and found some interesting stories on the use of these marvelous legends of America.

Outhouses With Two Holes: No, these old vintage structures weren’t usually doing double duty. Rather, most contained two holes of different sizes - one for adults and one for children. Don’t think those kids wanted to sit on the bigger hole and risk the consequences. However, that being said, some large families would have multiple holes for use at the same time. In Montana, there was once a hotel that had an outhouse with 12 seats.

The crescent moon cutout and the star cutout on the door of many outhouses goes back to Colonial times. In a time when few people could read, the crescent moon was the symbol for women while the star cutout was for men.

It is thought that the men, in general, let their outhouses fall into such bad shape that it was the women’s outhouses that survived the test of time. The cutout also let in light, as there were usually no windows.

Outhouse Builders: During Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration - the WPA - there were teams of outhouse builders who built most of the outhouses in rural areas.

Toilet Paper: Considered a luxury by most rural families, newspaper or pages from old catalogs were more often used. The average outhouse was usually three to four feet square by seven feet high with no window, heat, or electric light. Due to the odor, most were built between 50 and 150 feet from the main house, often facing away from the house. So that they didn’t have to smell the unpleasant odor, many people left the door open while they were using it. Old-timers will admit that they had trouble breaking this habit with the invention of indoor bathrooms.

Most interesting were the two story outhouse. The upstairs facilities were situated a little further back so that the “materials” released from the second floor would fall behind the wall of the first floor. There are a few of these old relics still around.

The outhouse had always seemed a fitting memorial to the ingenuity and practicality of their founders, those restless,

imaginative spirits who first caught the scent of opportunity in the Western breeze.

There was once a country boy who hated using the outhouse because it was hot in the summer and freezing in the winter, plus it stank all the time. The outhouse was situated on the bank of a creek and the boy determined that one day he would push that outhouse into the creek.

So one day after a spring rain the creek was swollen so the little boy decided today was the day to push the outhouse into the creek. He got a large stick and started pushing. Finally, the outhouse toppled into the creek and floated away. That night his dad told him they were going to the woodshed after supper. Knowing this meant a spanking, the little boy asked why. The dad replied, “Someone pushed the outhouse into the creek today. It was you, wasn’t it, son?”

The boy answered yes. Then he thought a moment and said, “Dad, I read in school today that George Washington chopped down a cherry tree and didn’t get into trouble because he told the truth.”

The dad replied, “Well, son, George Washington’s father wasn’t in that cherry tree.”

I love the story of the kid that comes home from college. His father is a farmer, and he’s shoveling all the manure onto the hay crop to fertilize it. The kid says, “Hey Pop, I learned in college that there is an easier way to everything.” They go in to town, and buy some dynamite. The plan was to rig it up under the outhouse and blow the manure into the hay field. They got it all rigged up, but they don’t see Grandma coming to the outhouse. Ka-Boom!

The manure goes flying, and so does Grandma. Plop! She lands in the hay field. They run to her, “Grandma, Grandma, are you all right?”

She said, “Yes I’m fine. Phew! I’m glad I didn’t let that one out in the kitchen.”

Then there’s the story of Ma who was in the kitchen fiddling around when she hollers out, “Pa! You need to go out and fix the outhouse!”

Pa replies, “There ain’t nuthin wrong with the outhouse.”

Ma yells back, “Yes there is, now git out there and fix it.”

Editor’s Note: This Rocking Chair Chatter was originally printed in the October 2017 issue

So, Pa moseyed out to the outhouse, looks around and yells back, “Ma! There ain’t nuthin wrong with the outhouse!”

Ma replies, “Stick yur head in the hole!”

Pa yells back, “I ain’t stickin my head in that hole!”

Ma says, “Ya have to stick yur head in the hole to see what to fix.”

So with that, Pa sticks his head in the hole, looks around and yells back, “Ma! There ain’t nuthin wrong with this outhouse!”

Ma hollers back, “Now take your head out of the hole!”

Pa proceeds to pull his head out of the hole, then starts yelling, “Ma! Help! My beard is stuck in the cracks in the toilet seat!”

To which Ma replies, “Hurt’s, don’t it?”

The Outhouse Poem

Author Unknown

The service station trade was slow The owner sat around, With sharpened knife and cedar stick Piled shavings on the ground.

No modern facilities had they, The log across the rill Led to a shack, marked His and Hers That sat against the hill.

“Where is the ladies restroom, sir?”

The owner leaning back, Said not a word but whittled on, And nodded toward the shack.

With quickened step she entered there But only stayed a minute, Until she screamed, just like a snake Or spider might be in it.

With startled look and beet red face She bounded through the door, And headed quickly for the car Just like three gals before.

She missed the foot log - jumped the stream The owner gave a shout, As her silk stockings, down at her knees Caught on a sassafras sprout.

She tripped and fell - got up, and then In obvious disgust, Ran to the car, stepped on the gas, And faded in the dust.

Of course we all desired to know What made the gals all do The things they did, and then we found The whittling owner knew.

A speaking system he’d devised To make the thing complete, He tied a speaker on the wall Beneath the toilet seat.

He’d wait until the gals got set And then the devilish tike, Would stop his whittling long enough, To speak into the mike.

And as she sat, a voice below Struck terror, fright and fear, “Will you please use the other hole, We’re painting under here!”

IF IT’S HALLOWEEN, IT’S TIME FOR A PUMPKIN TIPS ON PURCHASING, CARVING OR EATING

By Brad Buck

parchment at 350 to 375 degrees. Keep a close eye on them; stir them a few times. They should be done in 10 to 15 minutes.

• Seeds from a pie pumpkin are likely to be more tender and flavorful than a large carving pumpkin since pie pumpkins are selected for their flavor, and carving pumpkins are not.

Now that you’ve removed what’s inside the gourd, you’re ready to carve it.

It’s almost Halloween, so you might be in the market for a pumpkin to greet your trick-or-treaters. But not just any pumpkin – a jack-o’-lantern. If you are, now is the time to buy one.

“A lot of people want a jack-o’-lantern,” said Bob Hochmuth, assistant director of the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center-Suwannee Valley. “Demand is very high.”

With a couple of exceptions, few pumpkins grow in the Sunshine State, because of heat, humidity and white flies, Hochmuth said. Most jack o-'lantern pumpkins Floridians buy are shipped from states in the Northeast and the Carolinas.

A good jack-o’-lantern has a strong stem and does not show signs of mold, said Danielle Treadwell, a UF/IFAS associate professor of horticultural sciences.

“The best -- biggest, most unique -- decorative pumpkins usually sell out early,” Treadwell said.

If you invest in one of these, keep it cool and dry, out of direct sunlight, preferably in the house, in the air-conditioning, and place it on a sheet of wax paper or parchment to protect your furniture and countertops from damage, she said.

ADDITIONAL TREADWELL TIPS ON BUYING AND PREPARING YOUR PUMPKIN

FOR CARVING:

• Avoid pumpkins with fruit or stems that have a cotton-like or powdery coating on them. It may cause the pumpkin to soften more quickly, and it may be difficult to carve.

• You can wash stems and fruit with room temperature water and a soft brush. Make sure the fruit and stem dry quickly, and don't let moisture remain on the fruit.

• Limit the number of days the pumpkin is outside in Florida. If the weather is dry and warm, and your display location is out of direct sun, you can put the pumpkin out a few days before Halloween – as long as you’re not carving it. If you are carving it, you can put it out on Halloween.

HOW DO YOU GET THE SEEDS OUT AND WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH THEM?

• Scoop out the seeds with a large metal spoon and put them into a bowl. The seeds can be separated by hand, or by sieving in a colander or over a narrow-gauge wire rack -- similar to the kind you use to cool cookies.

• Wash and dry the seeds with a paper towel. Roast the seeds with a little olive and salt (or garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, etc.), spread on a cookie sheet lined with

“If you seek a pumpkin to carve, select ones that have enough surface area to create the face or other image,” Treadwell said. “Some people prefer wide and short ones -- which are best for wide grins -- while others seek tall narrow ones, which are great if you want to include eyes, a nose and a mouth.”

There are two types of pumpkins: Those you carve (Cucurbita pepo) and pie pumpkins (Cucurbita moschata).

MAKING PUMPKIN PANCAKES

In addition to carving the pumpkin and eating seeds, you can make traditional pumpkin pancakes, said Andrea Nikolai, family and consumer sciences agent and a registered dietitian for UF/IFAS Extension Polk County.

Here’s Nikolai’s recipe:

You need --

• 2 cups of flour

• 1 tablespoon of baking powder

• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon

• ½ teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice

• 2 eggs

• 2 tablespoons of oil

• 1 ½ cups of low-fat milk

• ¾ of a cup of canned pumpkin or pumpkin puree

• 2 tablespoons of brown sugar.

Then:

Mix 2 cups of flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (mix of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice) in one bowl.

In another bowl, mix together 2 eggs, 2 tablespoons oil, 1 ½ cups low-fat milk, ¾ cup canned pumpkin or pumpkin puree (from your pumpkin) and 2 tablespoons brown sugar.

Add the bowl with the eggs to the other bowl and mix just until the dry ingredients are moistened.

Pour about ¼ cup of pancake batter onto a lightly oiled preheated pan.

Pancakes are ready to flip when the edges start to look a little dry and you can see small bubbles forming on the pancake surface. Flip and cook about another two minutes (or until golden brown).

District Offers Free Recreation Guide

By Jim Frankowiak

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) has published a new, free recreational guide highlighting nearly 70 properties within its multi-county jurisdiction. With its new design, users can scan QR codes to discover specific up-to-date details about each property.

There are thousands of acres of recreational lands throughout the District and access to most of them is free to visitors. The new recreation guides also allow users to take notes, learn about various volunteering opportunities and discover more about the District’s different conservation lands.

With 30 unique campgrounds across the District, including back country, primitive and equestrian-styled sites, making a reservation is also free and simple through the District’s recreation website. In addition, the recreation website features georeferenced maps, which visitors can download to be used with map apps that require no cell service.

Outdoor lovers also can check out the new Water Matters Podcast found on the District’s recreation webpage or major podcast platforms. The podcast features Felicia Nudo, land manager, who discusses what it’s like to experience the recreational side of the great outdoors on District lands.

To download or order the free recreation guide, make a free camping reservation, listen to the podcast, or learn more about the District’s recreational opportunities, visit WaterMatters.org/Recreation.

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.

environment. ®

With every generation, we get better at protecting our

FLORIDA DILL

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

Fresh Florida dill is used for both its leaves and seeds. Dill pickles may come to mind when you hear the word “dill,” and dill seed is what flavors the pickles. Dill is best planted in the fall between September and December, and fresh dill is most readily available in the spring and early summer. Dill weed (or leaves) are generally referred to as an herb, while dill seed is considered a spice. Dill seeds taste a little like mild caraway, while dill leaves have a distinct mild licorice flavor.

The scientific name for dill is Anethum graveolens. The word dill derives from the Saxon word “dilla,” meaning to soothe. This herb has medicinal properties and is known to help with digestion. While dill is well-known for flavoring pickles and potatoes, it is often used as a garnish and in ranch dressing. Fresh dill can be consumed raw or very lightly cooked to retain its distinctive flavor.

NUTRITIONAL PROFILE

High in nutrients, dill leaves are a nutritious addition to any dish. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, one cup of raw dill sprigs (9 g) contains 4 calories, 0.3 g protein, 0.1 g fat, 0.6 g carbohydrate, and 0.2 g of dietary fiber. One cup of dill sprigs also contains substantial amounts of iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and vitamins C and K.

Calcium: Strong bones and more

Dill leaves are an excellent non-dairy source of calcium. Calcium is important in maintaining the strength and density of bones. Additionally, this mineral has been shown to prevent bone loss that can occur as a result of menopause and reduce symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome. Adequate calcium intake is needed to prevent calcium stores being leached out of bones. Calcium also plays an important role in muscle contraction, nerve conduction, and cell membrane function.

Vitamin K: For blood and bone health

Dill leaves are a rich source of vitamin K. This vitamin is an essential component for proper blood clotting in the body. It also helps your body transport calcium and metabolizes the mineral into your skeleton. Several research studies have found that vitamin K boosts bone mineral density and reduces fracture rates in people with osteoporosis. As a result, the Institute of Medicine increased its daily recommendation of vitamin K.

How to Select and Store

Harvest fresh dill leaves as soon as they are sprouting. You can trim how much you want to use. Extra dill can be frozen or dried for later use. Look for leaves that are bright green and feathery.

How to Enjoy

Rinse under running water immediately before use. Dill leaves can be added to cheese, salads, sandwiches, or used as a garnish. Dill seeds are often used in soups and sauces, pickles, salads, fish, and eggs. Several ways to enjoy this herb include:

• Use sprigs to top sandwiches

• Mix into egg salad or tuna salad

• Use tender young leaves raw in a salad

• Mix with Greek yogurt for a healthy dip

• Sprinkle dill leaves over bread with butter

• Use to flavor soups or veggie dishes

• Sprinkle over fresh popcorn

Enjoy fresh Florida dill. Eat more of these leafy sprigs and reap all of the health benefits.

SELECTED REFERENCES

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ http://www.whfoods.com http://www.florida-agriculture.com

MATTHEW WARREN PROTECTING A PRECIOUS AND VITAL NATURAL RESOURCE

Water is a critical natural resource for all Floridians. It is especially important to agricultural landowners and producers.

To help protect Florida water, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Office of Agricultural Water Policy (OAWP) is involved in the development and implementation of best management practices (BMPs); agricultural water quality and water supply policy and planning; administration of cost-share programs; BMP research and demonstration; providing mobile irrigation laboratory services; and providing data and technical assistance to producers, shareholders and state agencies.

This is by no means a “one size fits all” initiative, but a diverse program tailored to varied operations and continually updated to reflect the most current and appropriate scientific findings. An FDACS BMP is “a means, a practice or combination of practices, based on research, field-testing and expert review to be the most effective and practicable on-location means, including economic and technological considerations, for improving water in agricultural and urban discharges. BMPs for agricultural discharges must reflect a balance between water quality improvements and agricultural productivity.”

By Jim Frankowiak

Categories of BMP practices include:

• Nutrient Management to determine nutrient needs and sources and manage nutrient applications, including manure, to minimize impacts to water resources

• Irrigation management to address the method and scheduling of irrigation to reduce water and nutrient losses to the environment

•Water resource protection using buffers, setbacks, and swales to reduce or prevent the transport of sediments and nutrients from production areas to water bodies

Landowners and producers must implement all applicable, adopted BMPs on agricultural land uses. A BMAP is a framework for water quality restoration that contains local and state commitments to reduce pollutant loading through current and future projects and strategies. BMAPs contain a comprehensive set of solutions, such as permit limits on wastewater facilities, urban and agricultural BMPs and conservation programs designed to achieve pollutant reductions established by a total maximum daily load (TMDL).

These broad-based plans are developed with local stakeholders and rely on local input, commitment development and successful implemen-

tation. They are legally enforceable. Currently, there are 24 BMAP areas within the state.

FDACS has adopted BMPs for citrus, vegetable/ row crop, container nursery, sod, cow/calf, silviculture, equine, specialty fruit and nut and aquaculture operations. Each BMP has its own manual, covering aspects of water quality and water conservation.

Matthew Warren, an OAWP Environmental Manager based in Wauchula, and his staff of 10 have responsibility for BMP implementation and oversight in Polk, Hillsborough, Highlands, Hardee Desoto, Charlotte, Manatee, Sarasota and Lee counties.

One of the BMP operation categories, Cow/Calf operations, has more than 4,600 participants at present within the counties Warren and his staff serve. A cow/calf operation is a method of raising beef cattle in which a permanent herd of cows is kept by a rancher to produce calves for later sale once they reach about 500 pounds. Florida ranchers typically transport calves to feedlots in the Midwest where grain is prevalent. It is a key aspect of the beef industry within the U.S. with significant representation in Warren’s service area. Annually, nearly 900,000 calves are produced, and that creates a total breeding herd value of nearly $900 million. Florida is ranked 12th in cow/ calf production in the U.S. Okeechobee County ranks #1 in cow/calf production in the state, while Polk is #4 and Hillsborough County is #14.

Landowners and producers within a BMAP choosing to implement BMPS must file a formal notice to implement (NOI) to implement all BMPs identified by FDACS-adopted BMP manuals that are applicable to their operations. Producers who submit a NOI and implement BMPs according to rule receive a presumption of compliance with Florida’s water quality standards. Further, for an agricultural landowner or producer to be eligible to receive BMP cost-share funds, a producer must have an approved and active NOI.

The NOI also details the owner of the property, where the agricultural operation exists, a contact person for the property, the size of the BMP-enrolled property, the specific BMPs to be implemented on the property and schedule of implementation.

“We work in collaboration with producers to help them understand and implement BMPs on their operations,” noted Warren. “This includes helping to identify state and federal cost-share funds that may be available for them to assist with BMP implementation, as well as other aspects of their operations.”

Overall, OAWP works cooperatively with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and water management districts to implement the requirements of BMAPs and reduce impacts of agricultural nonpoint source issues while helping sustain the viability of Florida agriculture. “In addition, we work with scientists as they conduct research leading to updated information that relates to BMPs and other aspects of sustainability,” said Warren.

The most recent report of the FDACS BMP program indicates 82 per cent of Florida’s irrigated agricultural acreage is enrolled in the BMP program. This reflects the prioritization of agricultural operations with more intensive land uses and irrigation systems that result in greater impacts to the water resources of Florida.

More information on the FDACS BMP program is available at Agricultural Water Policy/Divisions & Offices/Home – Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (fdacs.gov).

New public-private partnership allows UF/IFAS scientist to work on growing plants, storing carbon in clay soil

In a new, public-private partnership, University of Florida scientist Zachary Brym wants to see if he can utilize plants to store carbon in clay soil in Polk County. Eventually, he’d like to see how collections of crops and other plants can help improve the health of local soils and contribute to environmental benefits beyond the Sunshine State.

A complementary investigation to a larger research initiative in agricultural conservation, Brym will work with Carbek, Inc. on the five-year project. Carbek is providing $1.25 million for the research.

The site selected in Polk County is high in phosphorous, offering a few extreme features around which to develop the science of agricultural plant communities and land restoration. Along with the research support, Carbek has also committed to deploy best available practices for restoration of adjacent sites.

“By working together, UF/IFAS and Carbek combine a rigorous scientific approach with real-time application to measure and verify carbon reduction efforts. The goal is to develop a plant-based system to deploy locally and an adaptive framework benefiting lands in Florida and beyond,” said Brym, a UF/IFAS assistant professor of agronomy at the Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead.

Carbek specializes in regenerative agriculture and agricultural applications for carbon sequestration. Regenerative agriculture means using plants to build ecosystem services like soil organic matter and wildlife habitat.

Carbon sequestration is the process of removing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from the air and locking it up in plants and soils long term. Plants may be an important tool for carbon sequestration by absorbing carbon dioxide from the air during photosynthesis and redistributing that carbon to stable forms in soil.

Brym and his research team will plant collections of crops such as sunn hemp, sorghum sudangrass, sunflower, sweet potatoes, hemp, banana, palm and others to see how they might help contribute to soil carbon. Target plants may also contribute to biomass or fiber production.

In a one-year pilot project at the 80-acre site, Brym and his team found that the cover crops such as sunn hemp and sorghum sudangrass can grow well in the clay soil and have estimated for how they capture carbon.

This year, researchers will work to improve management and measurement on the 80 acres. By the fifth year, UF/IFAS scientists intend to be planting and studying 2,500 acres, while Carbek wants to manage 30,000 acres.

“Our partnership with Carbek aims to add tools for environmental stewardship and direct the world toward a more sustainable future through comprehensive regenerative agriculture practices and cutting-edge monitoring, reporting and verification systems,” Brym said. “It’s not just about productivity. It’s about better soil health and soil carbon I’m grateful for this partnership and the opportunity to move the science forward.”

The UF/IFAS agroecologist will work closely with Carbek CEO Ryan Shore, to ensure what Shore calls “the highest standards of environmental impact measurement.”

“By combining UF/IFAS expertise in agroecology and data validation with Carbek’s industry leadership and strategy, this collaboration seeks to revolutionize regenerative agriculture practices and drive tangible carbon reduction efforts,” Shore said. “The knowledge and research outputs generated will not only benefit both organizations but also contribute to global sustainability initiatives.”

By Brad Buck

Business Up Front Premium Power Bull Sale November 3

By Jim Frankowiak

The once-a-year Beefmaster bull sale is set for November 3 at the Hardee County Cattlemen’s Arena in Wauchula. This annual event is slated to begin at 1 p.m.

“This is the only Beefmaster bull sale in Florida where the bulls are raised and developed in the State of Florida,” noted Colson Cannon, a founder and event partner. “Our priority is to raise bulls for the commercial cattlemen with an emphasis on longevity, fertility, structural integrity and natural muscling ability.”

The Beefmaster breed was developed in 1933 by Tom Lasater from a systematic crossing of Hereford cows and Shorthorn cows with Brahman bulls. While the exact mixture of the foundation cattle is unknown, it is thought to be 25 percent each of Hereford and Milking Shorthorn with 50 percent Brahman. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) first recognized the new breed in 1954.

The original intention was to produce cattle that could produce economically in the difficult environment of South Texas. The cattle were selected by using the Six Essentials – weight, conformation, milking ability, fertility, hardiness and disposition. While brownish-red is the most common color, the breed has no color standards. Over the past decade, the Beefmaster breed has become very popular among herd managers using the breed in their heterosis programs for hybrid vigor. These cattle are a versatile breed and adapt to many climates.

Post weaning, bulls are raised at Etheridge Cattle Company in Williston, Florida. Bulls are then tested for feed efficiency by the C-Lock Smart Feeders through the Southern Beef Perfor-

mance Center. After the 30 day warm up period there is a 75+ day test period for RFI, FCR, and ADG bulls are fed ad libitum a roughage based ration to target 3.5# ADG. After the test period is over bulls are then carcass ultrasound for REA, IMF and Rib Fat measurements. At that time, they get their yearling weight and scrotal circumferences recorded. Bulls are then turned into large grass traps to continue their development process until sale day. The large grass traps allow the bulls to acclimate to native forages as well as build natural muscling to be able to maintain their body condition in the harsh Gulf coast environments.

“Our bulls are born and raised by cattlemen for cattlemen along the Gulf Coast and ready to work in any environment,” said Cannon of Cannon Cattle with operations in Brooksville, Florida and Attapulgus, Georgia. He and Lauren Lyssy of Lyssy Beefmasters, Stockdale, Texas founded the Premium Power Bull Sale. Their partners include G4 Ranch, Bigfoot, Texas; S3 Beefmasters, Poteet, Texas; Hidden Spring Ranch, Attapulgus, Georgia; Goodwin Beefmasters, Brooksville, Florida and C & M Ranches in Kershaw, South Carolina.

“We will be selling approximately 80 ready-to-work Beefmaster bulls developed in Florida for commercial cattlemen,” Cannon said. “All bulls will be sold with all of their weights and measures, including efficiency and carcass data.”

Interested parties can learn more about and register for the sale event at: www.premiumpowerbullsale.com. They may also call either Colson Cannon at 352/345-3716 or Lauren Lyssy at 210/414-2119.

Recipes

These recipesipes come from WWW.STRAWBERRYSUE.COM

Candy Corn Strawberries

qPreparation

1. Wash and dry fresh Florida Strawberries.

q2. Place a toothpick through the green top leaving it long enough to hold for dipping.

What’s white, orange, and yellow on the outside and red on the inside? Strawberries decorated to look like Candy Corn. Fun and easy to make, Candy Corn Strawberries are one of my favorite ways to serve strawberries in the fall.

INGREDIENTS

• Fresh Florida Strawberries washed and dried leaving the green tops on them ( make sure they are dry or the chocolate will not stick)

• Three glass bowls to microwave candy melts

• Toothpicks

• Parchment paper

• White, orange, and yellow candy melting chips available at your local baking supply and craft store.

Florida Strawberry Pop Tarts

3. Melt each color of chips in separate glass bowls stirring every 30 seconds being careful not to burn it. The chips will not loose there shape while melting that’s why you need to stir it to see if it’s melted. Watch it carefully so you don’t burn it.

4. Hold the berry by the toothpick dip in white first all the way to the green top, place on parchment paper to set.

5. After the white hardens dip in orange repeat steps above then finish in the yellow.

6. Place in cupcake papers for easy serving.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 pack of Pillsbury

Refrigerated Pie Crust

• Strawberry jam (recipe here)

• 1 egg white

• 1¼ cups sifted powdered sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• Sprinkles

For over three decades the sale of Pop Tarts has increased year over year. According to Kellogg, they sell over 2 billion, yes, billion with a “b,” Pop Tarts every year. It seems people can’t get enough of this fast breakfast treat! Of course, not many breakfast foods can claim to be ready faster than a bagel and still fill you up.

And while Pop Tarts are selling like delicious hot cakes, there’s one easy way to make them even better… Make them yourself! You’d be amazed at how easy homemade Pop Tarts are to make and how much more delicious they are than the store bought stuff.

Plus you can control what goes into them so they aren’t overly sweet or have added preservatives you don’t care for. It is a little curious how long Pop Tarts can stay refrigerated without going bad…

Two ways you can make this. Either make your own pie crust or buy the pre-made stuff. I prefer to just buy the pre-made dough. It’s super easy to work with and will save you some valuable family time. Either way these will be flakier than regular Pop Tarts and won’t suffer all the crumby messes they are known for.

DIRECTIONS

q q

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Unroll the pie crusts onto a floured surface. If you have a rolling pin, feel free to thin them out a bit. A little crust goes a long way here. Use a cookie cutter in whatever fun shape to cut out your crust, or go for the classic 3 inch by 5 inch Pop Tart rectangle. You will need each piece to be the same size and an even number, half for bottom and half for top.

Spoon a small amount of strawberry jam into the middle of the bottom pieces. Spread evenly but leave around 1/4 of an inch on the sides. Carefully lay the top layer on top of the dough and use a fork to smush the edges together so nothing leaks out.

Poke a series of holes with a thin knife blade across the tops so they can vent, then bake for 20-25 minutes on parchment paper, just until they start to turn golden brown.

Meanwhile we’ll make the frosting by whisking the egg whites until peaks form. Add in the powdered sugar and vanilla, whisking until smooth.

Spread a thin layer of frosting on the tarts once they are finished baking and have had time to cool. Top off with sprinkles and you’re ready to go!

USDA EXPANDS PILOT PROGRAM TO HELP PEOPLE IN RURAL FLORIDA REPAIR HOMES DAMAGED

BY SEVERE WEATHER AND NATURAL DISASTERS

By Jim Frankowiak

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced it is expanding its Single Family Housing Home Repair Loans and Grants in Presidentially Declared Disaster Areas Pilot Program to make it easier for people in rural areas across the U.S., including Florida, to access loans and grants to repair homes damaged by a presidentially declared disasters in calendar year 2022 through the conclusion of the pilot on July 18, 2025.

This USDA pilot program significantly expands eligibility for people seeking Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants to repair and rebuild their homes damaged in areas of presidentially declared disasters from twenty-four (24) States and U.S. Territories to include all homes damaged by a presidentially declared disaster. As a part of this pilot, USDA is making a number of changes, including:

• Lowering the minimum age from 62 to 18 for eligible homeowners

• Refinancing debt and reimbursing repair costs incurred as a result of the natural disaster and prior to the date of the application

• Financing costs to relocate mobile and manufactured homes.

Funds may be used in presidentially declared disaster areas that occurred since July 18, 2022, as well as Tropical Storms Nicole and Ian, and Hurricanes Nicole, Ian and Idalia. Funds may also be used in areas subject to future natural disasters in the next two years.

The homes must be located in eligible rural areas and presidentially declared disaster areas.

Applications must be submitted directly to the Rural Development State Office. For more information on how to apply, contact the appropriate Area Office found here, https://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-page/florida-and-virgin-islands-contacts, or visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/single-family-housing-programs/single-family-housing-rural-disaster-home-repair-grants.

A FLORIDA FALL

By Maggie Fussell

Fall is here, but the only way I knew it was the reminder on the calendar. In other states the leaves will change colors and the weather will cool down. Warm weather, humid mornings, rainy afternoons and sunshine is a Florida fall.

We may not have the cool weather or changing leaves, but we can still enjoy a Florida fall. We can drink a pumpkin spice latte, eat some pumpkin pie and pretend it is sweater weather. With your family you can watch Charlie Brown movies, attend fall festivals, carve some pumpkins and walk through a corn maze. In Polk County it will be hot, but there are many activities that will help you get in the seasonal spirit.

CORN MAZES:

- Harvest Holler Corn Maze: Open Friday through Sunday until November 12, 2023. This family farm has fun activities such as: a corn maze, pumpkin patch, hayride and games.

- Springtime Farms: Open on weekends until October 29, 2023. This farm has a pumpkin patch, haunted trail, petting farm and games. They provide one free pumpkin per child.

PUMPKIN PATCHES:

- First United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch: Open Monday through Friday from 4pm to 6pm. Open Saturday through Sunday from 10am to 7pm. Located on Lake Morton Dr. in Lakeland.

- Presbyterian Church in the Highlands Pumpkin Patch: Open daily from 9am to 7pm. Located on Lake Miriam Dr. in Lakeland.

- Shepherd’s Community United Methodist Church: Open Monday through Friday from 12pm to 6pm. Open Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 7pm.

- First United Methodist Church Auburndale: This youth ministry pumpkin patch is open daily from 11am to 7pm. Located on Lake Ariana Blvd.

As October progresses there will be events happening in your community and at local churches. Be on the lookout to discover what is happening near you. Corn mazes, pumpkin patches, fall festivals and trunk or treats are ways that your family can celebrate this Florida fall. Happy Fall Y’all!

NEWS BRIEFS

Compiled by Jim Frankowiak

Four Florida Colleges Ranked Among the Top 100 in the U.S.

U.S News & World Report ranked four Florida colleges among the nation’s top colleges and universities. The four schools are: University of Florida, No. 28; Florida State University, No. 53; University of Miami, No. 67, and University of South Florida, No. 89. The study evaluated 1,500 colleges and universities using up to 19 measures of academic quality.

Strawberry Festival Announces 2024 Theme

The theme for the 89th annual Florida Strawberry Festival is “Out of this World.” In announcing the theme, Festival President Kyle Robinson, noted “The sky’s the limit. Our board of directors, staff and maintenance crew have been hard at work this summer planning and preparing an ‘out of this world experience for all of our guests.”

The 2024 Florida Strawberry Festival takes place February 29 – March 10 in Plant City. For more information, visit: www. flstrawberryfestival.com, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (#berryfest24).

Homegrown Hillsborough Seeking Volunteers

Homegrown Hillsborough, a community development initiative seeking to create a stronger food system, is seeking volunteers. Led by Hillsborough County Extension, the program is recruiting volunteers for its Data Collection and Community Engagement phase during which they will attend a variety of community events this fall and winter. The goal of this phase is to engage residents and organizations, inviting them into the network.

Volunteers must have a personal vehicle able to accommodate a six-foot long canopy and be available on weekends and some evenings. Individuals under 18 must have parental approval. High school students are welcomed to apply. For more information and/or to volunteer, email Hillsborough County Extension Food System Program Coordinator Monica Petrella via email at: PetrellaML@hillsboroughcounty.org.

Farm Bureau

Activates Hurricane Relief Fund

Florida Farm Bureau Federation (FFBF) has activated its Hurricane Relief Fund to support farmers and ranchers who have suffered agricultural losses due to Hurricane Idalia. Anyone wishing to make a tax deductible donation may do so online or by mail:

Florida Farm Bureau Women’s Fund

Hurricane Idalia Relief Fund

P.O. Box 147030

Gainesville, FL 32614

Farmers and ranchers affected by Hurricane Idalia should visit the FFBF Hurricane Relief Page for more information at hurricanerelief@ffbf.org.

Florida Ag Expo November 9

Florida Ag Expo is set for November 9 at the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) at Balm in southern Hillsborough County. The day-long event will include a trade show, educational sessions and field tours. For more information and registration, visit: FloridaAgExpo. net.

Extension Ag Tour – November 30

The University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Hillsborough County Extension Ag Tour is set for Thursday, November 30. The all-day event begins at 8 a.m. following a light breakfast as the charter bus departs from the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) located at 14625 County Road 672 in Balm.

The group will visit a plant nursery, aquaculture production facility, cattle ranch, strawberry farm and two UF/IFAS research campuses. In addition to a light breakfast, the tour will include refreshments and lunch.

Registrations, which are $69 per tour group member and open to the public, must be made by October 31. For reservations and more information, visit: Ag Tour - UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough Co. 2023 Tickets, Wimauma | Eventbrite or contact Extension at 813/744-5519.

Florida Ag Landowners Encouraged to Apply for USDA Conservation Stewardship Programs

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida (NRCS in FL) is accepting applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), climate-smart practices through EQIP and CSP funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).

While NRCS accepts applications for these programs yearround, Florida producers and landowners should apply by November 17, 2023 to be considered for funding in the FY2024 current cycle.

Through EQIP, NRCS provides agricultural producers with one-on-one help and financial assistance to plan and implement conservation practices to address a variety of issues such as water quality degradation, soil erosion, soil quality degradation, and inadequate habitat for fish and wildlife.

Using new conservation practices or activities, agricultural producers can adopt practices and activities that expand on the benefits of cleaner water and air, healthier soil, and better wildlife habitat, all based on management objectives specific to their farming operation.

Through RCPP, NRCS seeks to co-invest with partners to implement projects that demonstrate innovative solutions to conservation challenges and provide measurable improvements and outcomes tied to the resource concerns they seek to address.

Contact NRCS at the USDA Service Center for more information. The Plant City office is located at 201 South Collins Street. Telephone: 813/752-1474.

The End Of Cash?!

by John Dicks

We certainly have some sweet traditions in this country. Can anything be more steeped in Americana than walking past Publix and getting greeted by a smiling young face offering to sell you some Girl Scout cookies?!

Granted that cookie season doesn’t kick off until the first part of the new year. Now, though, we’re full swing into the Fall Product Program that the Girl Scouts currently have going, and I find myself wanting to buy all that they have to sell of magazine subscriptions, nuts and candies.

There’s really no good way to say, “No thank you.” Unless, of course, you don’t have any cash in your pocket!

Admittedly, it’s a bit of an awkward situation; but one in which I’m frequently finding myself.

Fortunately, the smiling young lady, who was, I’m guessing, about nine or 10, offered that she could also accept credit cards, Apple Pay, Square, or Zelle. Well, now, what do I do?!

For a brief moment, I wondered whether she might also have one those tablet devices that she would swing around like all the cashiers seem to do suggesting that I leave a tip for the transaction!

It did make me ponder a bit, though. Is anyone really using much cash these days?

Sure, there is still that underground economy out there where cash is exchanged with the hope of skipping any taxes due on the deal. It’s also a lot easier (and more discreet) to slip a dollar, or five-spot, or even a Benjamin ($100) into a Birthday card than it is to do a direct to direct iPhone transfer.

The real question, though, is whether the exchange and use of spending with greenbacks now so low that Bureau of Engraving & Printing (BEP) is at all worried about going out of business?

Well I may be clinging to tradition, but the good news is that demand is actually still quite strong for good old fashioned “folding money!”

Probably it’s because American currency is considered to be the world’s defacto universal, or even “world” currency. I mean, really, if you want to keep some cash under the mattress for those times of “just in case”, would you rather lift the sheets and see dollars, or euros?

Silly question it is. Likely even the folks in Europe who actually use euros would rather see and save dollars!

So the printing presses at the BEP are still running night and day, churning out the pretty paper to meet the needs of Girl Scouts and global exchanges the world over.

Of course calling our cash “paper” is a bit more than a misnomer. The bills today are produced on a “paper” composed of 25% linen and 75% cotton.

The “paper” is made specifically for the Bureau of Engraving and Printing by a company in Massachusetts and it’s actually illegal for anyone other than BEP to possess it. It has red and blue fibers distributed randomly throughout to make counterfeit more difficult, and everything from the $5 bill and above is made with specific watermarks and security threads.

Each bill is still unique and printed with a specific serial number for tracking. There’s so many bills coming off the presses, that the serial “numbers” include letters to allow for a higher count with less printed digits.

The number of $100 bills far exceeds the printing of anything else. Last year the BEP printed more than two BILLION of them; to be exact, it was 2,125,536,000! By comparison, the lowly dollar, or buck, had less than a billion spitting off the presses (918,560,000 of them).

The lonely $2 Jefferson bill had more than 100 million printed (108,352,000), which frankly seems like a lot considering that few people pass them around. So little use of them is made that the two years prior the BEP didn’t even bother to print any!

All in all, the the BEP is as busy as ever. It makes me proud and happy to say that at least for now, in so far as circulation of the American currency, there’s no truth to “The Buck Stops Here.”

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.

• Truck Farming • Citrus • Game Hunting

By Grady Judd, Polk County Sheriff

WEATHERING STORMS TOGETHER ACROSS THE STATE

In 2004, land-locked Polk County had the dubious honor of being struck by three different major hurricanes: Charley on August 13, Frances on September 5, and Jeanne on September 26. The eyes of all three storms crossed over Polk County, wreaking havoc with their heavy rain and extraordinary winds. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office was well-prepared to continue to deliver law enforcement services to our citizens and continue our 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week public safety mission, even as we made repairs to our own facilities. It was during the aftermath of those storms that we realized we might be able to help other areas of the state if they ever suffered hurricane damage, due to our ability to run law enforcement services from our mobile command centers (which were purchased with drug forfeiture funds). Since that time, we have added more tools to our toolbelts and have been able to help agencies all over the state. Our Special Operations Division is comprised of deputies, support staff, and supervisors with decades’ worth of experience and the tools necessary to respond to any kind of emergency.

Hurricane Idalia struck the “big bend” area of Florida on Wednesday, August 30, 2023. Our self-sustained mobile deployment team geared up and headed north that same day, with our eyes on Cedar Key in Levy County, which became Ground Zero for our mission.

When we arrive to assist law enforcement agencies and the citizens they serve, our first priority is to be selfsufficient and house and feed our deployed personnel – we are there to help, not to be a burden. All we need is some land for parking. In Cedar Key, we were able to set up our equipment on a large athletic field. Our emergency deployment equipment consists of bunk trailers, shower and toilet trailers, a cook trailer and cooks, mobile command centers with computers and internet, mobile radio system, tents, tables, chairs, fuel, boats, a swamp buggy, all-terrain vehicles, four-wheel drive trucks, helicopter, food and the means to purchase more food if needed, and highly-skilled deputies and civilians who are ready to get to work.

The agency members formed into two 12-hour shifts, working from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. If our host agencies request for us to answer calls for service so they can focus on hurricane recovery, we are happy to do so. We bring radios and dispatchers capable of handling calls for service. We are also there to help with debris removal, and search and recovery missions. The first contingent to deploy consisted of 38 PCSO agency members and Polk Fire Rescue personnel. After a little over a week, they came back to Polk and were replaced by 38 fresh new faces. We agreed to stay in Levy County

until we were no longer needed, and we did, for about three weeks (we packed up and headed back to Polk on September 18, 2023).

Our deputies maintained a law enforcement presence and helped reduce and fight crime during the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia. They made several arrests for trespassing, drug possession, possession of firearms by convicted felons, warrants, and probation violations. Our Marine Unit assisted on the water too, searching for a woman who was missing and left her car behind at the end of a boat ramp, and recovering a damaged channel marker that boats were unable to avoid striking when heading out to sea. What makes me most proud of the men and women who went to help people they don’t even know, is that each and every one of them volunteered to leave their families and head north, working 12-hour shifts in the hot sun, and sleeping in bunk trailers.

Floridians are a unique blend of natives who were born here, and those who came here from the north and west of us to find tranquility and warm weather. Geographically speaking, we receive more than our fair share of dangerous weather, but we know that together, we can weather any storm. We are blessed to help our fellow Floridians in their times of need.

Custom Flies

By Libby Hopkins

William Trimble was born and raised in Lakeland, and he is a fly fishing addict. “I love being out on the water and I love to golf,” Trimble said. “I started fly fishing nine years ago in my early high school days. I grew up fishing, but my buddy and I discovered fly fishing through his older brother’s friend and we haven’t stopped ever since! It’s such a beautiful process, from tying the fly, to making the perfect cast, to presenting the fly to the fish. It’s harmony when everything works together to get the bite.”

There are a lot of benefits to fly fishing. It is a good hobby to get into if you want an easy way to stay active. Fly fishing exercises various muscle groups in different ways than the average gym workout. The motions of climbing, waddling and casting let you exercise your body in a different way than it’s used to.

One of the main differences between fly fishing and bait fishing is the fly fishing requires lures that are made of synthetic, inedible materials. Each fly is meant to imitate the appearance of a specific insect, grub or small fish. The main benefit of using flies instead of edible bait is that you won’t need to buy new lures every time you go fishing.

Trimble liked the sport so much that he started making his own custom flies, which then lead to him starting his own business, Bote Bum. “I think the thought of catching fish on something that I created was a pretty cool concept,” Trimble said. “It’s an art form and the best part about it is, you’re always learning and bettering your craft. You can take any idea and make a fly that could be the difference between a dream fish and not catching

anything at all. I’m honestly addicted to tying as much as I am fishing.”

If you ask Trimble what makes his custom flies better than a store-bought fly, he will tell you it’s his knowledge of fly fishing and being a true Floridian. “Being raised here and knowing the water is a huge advantage, I have been doing trial and error with bait ever since I could remember,” Trimble said. “I only tie and sell the flies that I believe in and would throw myself. I think home field advantage is a big part of it. Also being able to talk to the person I’m selling the fly to and finding out what kind of water they are fishing, and what species, what time of day or the tide, makes all the difference in what fly to throw. That knowledge I think sets me apart, also my friendly and welcoming attitude helps me be approachable.”

Bote Bum can be found at the Lakeland Downtown Farmers’ Curb Market during regular market season and Trimble loves being a vendor at the market. “My biggest goal on joining the farmers market was just being able to share my passions with others that have never heard of fly fishing,” Trimble said. “Or being the guy to come to for advice or answers about the fisheries around here, also helping local anglers with any questions they have. Bringing people to the sport that have that passion is also a huge motivator. I do like how every vendor is so welcoming and curious. The conversations are pretty awesome, and the environment is super laid back.”

Keeping things local is very important to Trimble. “It’s honestly everything to me, that’s another reason I started this business,” Trimble said. “It’s been

so tough to see Lakeland industrialize over the years, taking so much natural land and resources, a lot of our fishing spots and places we go to find peace destroyed to build distribution centers and apartment complexes. Lakeland eight to nine years ago was amazing, and I think starting something local can bring hope to younger anglers or even older anglers that have had those spots taken away like myself.”

If you’d like to learn more about Bote Bum you can visit Trimble’s website at www.botebumflyco.com or email Trimble at williamtrimble083@gmail.com.

DISTRICT TO HOLD SERIES OF HOG HUNTS IN 2023-2024, PERMITS WILL BE AVAILABLE ONLINE

By Jim Frankowiak

District land managers plan to hold a series of hog hunts on District lands throughout the year to help reduce the feral hog population.

Prospective hunters can purchase permits for Phase I hunts beginning at 9 a.m. Oct. 3, on the District’s WaterMatters.org/ HogHunts. Permits will be available on a first come, first serve basis until they are sold out. The cost is $75 for each permit. A complete list of hunts with locations and dates is also available online.

The District has a three-phased hunting system. The first two phases of hunts will have separate registration processes. The single top producer from each Phase 1 and Phase 2 hunt will be asked to participate in hog management activities for Phase 3.

All hunts will adhere to the hog-dog format. No still hunts will be available. The program works like this:

PHASE 1 HUNTS

• Registration will occur Oct. 3, 2023, at 9 a.m.

• Includes five hunts that occur October through November 2023.

• A $75 nonrefundable fee must be paid for each permit.

• Permits are transferable.

• The top producer on each Phase 1 hunt will be placed on the District’s ‘top producer’ list and will be awarded participation in our Phase 3 hunts, free of charge. We no longer award free admission into Phase 2 for our top two producers of the Phase 1 hunt.

• Failure to follow regulations or poor behavior issues will disqualify registrants for incentive consideration at the sole discretion of District staff. Participants will be provided the opportunity to refute the decision.

PHASE 2 HUNTS

• Registration will occur Dec. 5, 2023, at 9 a.m.

• Includes five hunts that occur January through February 2024.

• A $75 nonrefundable fee must be paid for each permit.

• Permits are transferable.

• The top producer on each Phase 2 hunt will be placed on the District’s ‘top producer’ list and will be awarded participation in our Phase 3 hunts, free of charge. We no longer award free admission into Phase 2 for our top two producers of the Phase 1 hunt.

• Failure to follow regulations or poor behavior issues will disqualify registrants for incentive consideration at the sole discretion of District staff. Participants will be provided the opportunity to refute the decision.

PHASE 3 “AS-NEEDED” MANAGEMENT HUNTS

• Includes management hunts that can occur between March through October 2024.

• Only those registrants that qualify as top producers following the Phase 1 and 2 hunts will be contacted to take part in management hunts during this period.

• Management hunts offered to top producers will be free of charge and non-transferable.

• Phase 1 and Phase 2 top producers, without rule violations, will be offered participation on a minimum of four management hunts occurring March through October 2024.

The District-managed properties will be temporarily closed to the public during the hog hunts. Only permitted hunters will be allowed access.

Feral hogs, which are not native to Florida, can cause damage with their broad snouts and can leave an area looking like a plowed field. They also prey on native wildlife, compete with native species for food and transmit diseases to other wildlife, livestock and humans. Additionally, hogs may facilitate the spread of exotic plant species by transporting seeds and/ or providing germination sites through rooting.

This is the 15th consecutive year for the hunts. Last year’s hunts removed 523 hogs on nine different tracts of land throughout the District.

MommaMimi’s Sweet Treats

By Libby Hopkins

She is known as Aimee DeBaca, but her grandbabies call her MamaMimi. She was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. “I am a retired teacher and my husband, Chris, is a retired firefighter,” DeBaca said. “We have four children and six grandchildren. My whole family, husband, kids, daughters-in-law and grandkids all relocated to Florida in 2021. Our middle son and his family are on the east coast and the rest of us settled in Central Florida.”

She doesn’t have any formal training in the culinary arts, but she comes from a long line of talented bakers and cooks. “I am one of ten kids, and we are all passionate about food,” DeBaca said. “Several of my brothers own restaurants and my only sister is also an accomplished gluten free baker in Denver.”

DeBaca’s youngest child was diagnosed with Celiac Disease at the beginning of 2023. “We knew there was a possibility since several of my family members had also been diagnosed,” DeBaca said. “Instead of resigning ourselves to a lifetime of tasteless dry baked goods, I went on a mission to discover and adapt recipes that were just as delicious as anything with gluten, if not more so. Finding I had a knack for it and that there was a need for delicious gluten free options, MamaMimi’s was born. I continue to research, discover and adapt recipes to create new and tempting baked goods.”

MamaMimi’s is different from other local bakers in the Lakeland area mainly because they are completely gluten free. “It is a family enterprise, and everyone pitches in,” DeBaca said. “Our youngest has a signature cookie, a gluten free peanut butter chocolate chip that is divine. The money she makes from selling them, she is putting towards restoring her 1973 Volkswagen Beetle. Our oldest son is my financial guy, doing cost analysis and my husband is the all-around ‘do what needs to be done’ guy, helping with packaging, labeling, loading and most importantly, taste testing!”

DeBaca can be found at the Lakeland Downtown Farmers’ Curb market every Saturday during market season. “We started going to the market as soon as we moved here,” DeBaca said. “It is conveniently located; we want to support small local businesses and we enjoy buying local produce and local

made items. When MamaMimi’s was conceived, it seemed like the logical place to introduce our products. We like the atmosphere of the market. It has a small town feel to it with people coming out to support their friends and neighbors.”

MommaMimi’s has a strong following at the market as well. “The feedback has been phenomenal,” DeBaca said. “Most people can’t believe the products are gluten free. Even people who don’t have a gluten sensitivity like it. One regular customer, who is a pastry chef, called our baguettes ‘magical.’”

Keeping things local to DeBaca and her family is extremely important. “I think keeping things local is highly important,” DeBaca said. “It supports the local economy, builds strong connections with the community and creates loyal customers. It helps keep the small town feel in a not-so-small town. We buy our produce used in our products at the farmer’s market or at the fruits and vegetable stands in Plant City. We also get most of our gluten free flours that we use in our blends at small local grocers.”

If you’d like to learn more about MommaMimi’s or if you’d like to take a look at her weekly baked goods menu, you can visit her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/findyournostalgia. The Lakeland Downtown Farmers’ Curb Market is located at 117 N. Kentucky Ave. in Lakeland, Fla.

PROPER PLANTING

Griner,

Fall is a good time to plant ornamentals in your landscape and proper planting ensures a good start to a healthy landscape. The following guidelines for installing plants apply for sandy, well-drained soils.

ANNUALS AND PERENNIALS

Annuals and perennials are typically small (4”) to one-gallon sized pots and last at least one season. Follow the ten tips below from purchase to planting.

1. Examine plants prior to purchasing. Check for signs of disease or insects. Check for roots that emerge from bottom of pot, which can indicate a root-bound plant.

2. If desired, amend sandy soils with organic materials (such as compost). Work into soil 10-12 inches. It is best to amend the entire planting area, rather than just a single planting hole.

3. Gently remove the plant from the container. A well-rooted plant will show roots that extend just to the interior of the pot. If there are circling roots, cut with a sharp knife.

4. Dig hole so the height of the root ball is at – or slightly higher - than ground level when plant is installed. This allows for settling.

5. Dig hole slightly wider than the root ball. The loosened soil will enhance lateral root development.

6. The planting hole should have flat-shaped bottom; (avoids air pocket at bottom). Leave soil at bottom as undisturbed as possible (to discourage settling).

7. Make sure root balls are well watered in; never plant a dry root ball.

8. Place plant in the hole. Return the soil around root ball using a trowel or your hand. Do not press down or stomp on plants. Compacting the soil reduces oxygen that is necessary for root development. Water gently to remove air pockets.

9. Avoid piling up soil around the center of the plant. If the plant seems unstable after installing, it was probably installed too high; best to remove and replant at proper height.

10. Rake surrounding soil smooth and level, to allow for good drainage.

TREES AND SHRUBS

Trees and shrubs can be purchased in many sizes, most are

no smaller than a one-gallon size, and many go up to 7 gallon (or larger). Because of both size at planting and maturity, cost of plants, and large root spread, planning for proper placement before planning is important.

1. Always call before you dig: Call Sunshine811 (800-432-4770) for free visit from local utilities to mark locations of underground wires, particularly if installing large trees. In addition to marking underground utilities, look up and make sure that at maturity, the tree will not impact powerlines, other trees, or structures.

2. Dig hole slightly less deep than the height of the root ball. The height of the root ball in the planting hole should be slightly higher than surrounding soil. This allows for settling, as the soil breaks down.

3. Dig hole 1 ½ - 2 times wider than root ball. The loosened soil on all sides of the root ball will encourage lateral root development.

4. Keep the bottom of hole flat, leaving soil at the bottom of the hole undisturbed as much as possible. This helps prevent air pockets and supports the root ball.

5. Shave off an outer inch or so of the sides and bottom of root ball with knife or sharp shovel. Any remaining circling roots should be pulled away from the root ball prior to planting. This enhances lateral root development.

6. Make sure root ball is well watered – never plant a dry root ball.

7. Do not add amendment to soil in the hole unless the surrounding soil is of extremely poor quality. This can create too rich of an environment, discouraging roots from extending into native soil. Native soil is defined as soil that already exists

Molly

UF/IFAS Extension Master Gardener Volunteer

at planting site. If amendments are desired, it is best to apply to the entire bed.

8. Place tree or shrub in the hole; examine from all sides to make sure plant is vertical. Backfill with native soil, gently tamping backfill soil in. Use a shovel blade or stick to help settle backfill into space and apply water gently to remove air pockets.

9. Do not add soil to the top of the root ball. Do not ever stomp on root ball. Compacting the soil reduces oxygen necessary for root growth.

10. Rake surrounding soil level and smooth for good drainage. 11. If desired, add a 3”-high ring of soil. This should be removed at the end of the first growing season. Removing this ring will keep roots from developing into this area.

When installing any size of plant, there are some general guidelines to follow.

1. Add mulch to 3” depth in the area surrounding the plant. If you would like to add mulch on top of the root ball, only apply to 1 inch depth.

2. Water the new plant well, making sure adequate water is applied during the plant’s establishment. This is determined by plant species, size of plant, and season.

3. No need to fertilize. Most plants have just come from the nursery and already have been recently fertilized. Additionally, adding fertilizer at planting has no impact on improved survival. In fact, if fertilizer is not applied correctly, roots may burn and injure the plant. Wait at least a few months before fertilizing trees and shrubs.

WHERE CAN I FIND MORE INFORMATION?

Planting Shrubs in Florida Landscapes: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP390

Planting and Establishing Trees: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/planting/planting-and-establishing-trees.html

Planting Palms: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/planting/planting-palms.html

Establishing Shrubs in Florida Landscapes: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP391

For more information, contact UF/IFAS Extension Polk County at (863) 519-1041 or visit us online at http://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/ polk. The Plant Clinic is open Monday-Friday, 9:00 am-4:00 pm to answer your gardening and landscaping questions. Give us a call or email us at polkmg@ifas.ufl.edu.

If you are not in Polk County, Contact your local UF/IFAS Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Plant Clinic.

The Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program is a volunteer-driven program that benefits UF/IFAS Extension and the citizens of Florida. The program extends the vision of the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, all the while protecting and sustaining natural resources and environmental systems, enhancing the development of human resources, and improving the quality of human life through the development of knowledge in agricultural, human and natural resources and making that knowledge accessible.

An Equal Opportunity Institution.

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No upcharge. House & Mobile Home. Many standard sizes in stock. Ask for Blake. (813) 752-3378

KITCHEN CABINETS & VANITIES

Get quality all wood cabinets for less than the BIG Box STORES! Call Today! Ask for Blake. (813) 752-3378

JOBS

MECHANIC NEEDED

Agricultural equipment. Pay with benefits 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

2023 HORSE TRAILER

Express Bumper Pull Slant load

2 Horse with front tack room. Exiss-Model 01700020

G.V.W.R. 7000 Shipping Weight 2600 Transferable Warranty

$17,000.00 Call or text 813-446-4864 for more information

PRODUCE

FRESH PRODUCE

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

CITRUS PACKING HOUSE

10 Box bin dumper, 500-gal Stainless steel soak tank, Roller bed washer, Pre-dryer roller bed, Waxer machine, Gas headed dryer, Roller bed for grading, and Parker sizer with 7 stations, 2 industrial wind mills. Located in Winter Haven Call or text (813) 220-7186

FREE Wooden Shipping Pallets

All sizes! Call Alvie 813-759-8722

24 HOUR SERVICE

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

FARM BUREAU INSURANCE

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

ALAN’S AIR CONDITIONING

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

SHOWER STALLS - FIBERGLASS

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

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Polk County Cattle Women

Fall is officially here! I was going to make a joke about the traffic getting bad for the holidays, but it just hasn’t let up in months. We live in a popular area for the state of Florida.

This month we have the Polk County Cattlemen’s Dinner and Meeting for all paid PCCA members, we will be providing desserts for this event. We will also be attending the Junior League of Tampa’s Annual Holiday Market held at the Florida State Fairgrounds. At this event we have the opportunity to provide beef samples for many consumers around the state and teach them of the importance of the cattle industry here in Florida. Many of them do not know anything about the cattle industry, so it is interesting to share stories with these folks and learn more about their backgrounds.

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions, and I look forward to seeing you at our next meeting. If you would like to be added to our email list to hear about our upcoming meetings, please feel free to email blairbuchanon@gmail. com.

Blair Buchanon

Polk County Cattlewomen President

blairbuchanon@gmail.com