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Harvest Holler Corn Maze Business Up Front
This month’s business up front isn’t a business that is open all year long, rather one that is open for a season, the fall season. Harvest Holler Corn Maze takes the term “family business” to a whole new level. Not only are they a family business, but they are a third generation family business built on family farm land, run by the family, and the family is what it is all about. Bringing back the family time, the old fashioned way, far away from video games and technology that is what the corn maze is all about. They have a way of life that makes them unique and special. But their story goes a lot further than just a corn maze.
store, making jam, pies, cobbler, decorating and painting signs. Katie helps feed the animals, works the concession stand and maintains the foliage on the property. As a family, the Roberts plow, plant, maintain and fertilize the crop. When it is about a foot tall the design is cut in the field of corn with a tractor and a mower with all of them helping. This year the maze’s theme is “Old Fashioned Family Fun.” When visiting the maze you will run or walk thru the maze that will be 6 -8 feet tall by the end of September from one end to the other end. They topped out at 13 feet last year toward the end of October. It isn’t as simple as it sounds, but loads of fun for the family.
Jerry and Karen Roberts were living between their home in Ocala and their home in Polk City, because of the Roberts family business of 32 years. Jerry was doing construction as well. Karen who had battled cancer already once became ill and found out that she had developed congestive heart failure and could no longer be the primary care giver to their children who were 12 and 4 at the time. Jerry quickly made a decision to stay at their farm in Polk City where they could be close to more specialized medical care facilities. Jerry and Karen homeschool their children Ricky and Katie, whom are part of Calvary Baptist Church Academy homeschool group, where they are have been members since 1982.
This crop maze is not the only things to see when visiting Harvest Holler, they also offer a hay ride where you can feed the cattle and horses, cow train ride for the youngsters, corn cribs, corn hole, pasture putt-putt with antique farm implements, picture props, such as their antique farm equipment, tire swings, farm animals, and the country store. Karen and Katie make all kinds of good tasting treats such as the fruit cobblers and homemade jams which come in a variety from strawberry, blackberry, to mixed berry and pineapplemango, each one is delicious and yes I have had them all. They have a concession stand that will offer hot dogs, hamburgers, brats, sodas, sweet tea and lemonade. In addition to the maze the family opens their farm up for special events, corporate parties and weddings.
The next few years were much like a roller coaster of events, some good, some not so good, but in all of them, they gave God the Glory. In this time Karen continued to tell Jerry that she felt they should open a maze on their Polk City ranch. The family had been involved with a corn maze in Ocala that their friends started. Karen felt that they could live off their land all while being together as a family, so they expanded their herd of cattle they have had since 1993 and the planning and hard work for the maze began. It took the Roberts Family three years to get the funds together to start Harvest Holler. This is their second year doing the maze. Jerry and Ricky have built all the buildings, hay trailers, and barns. Karen takes care of the country WWW. WWW.IIN NTTHE HEFFIELD IELDM MAGAZINE.COM AGAZINE.COM
If you are looking for something to do with your family this fall, head on out to 950 Tavares Road, Polk City and visit the Roberts family. It is a real family farm and fun for everyone and brings back the value of family time in your life. They will be open from September 26 until November 2, Fridays 4pm-8pm, Saturdays 12pm-8pm , and Sundays 1pm-5pm (additional times and prices for field trips and special events). You can also follow them on Facebook to stay up to date on the latest specials and events they will be offering. You can also visit them online at www.harvestholler.com.
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POLK COU NTY
®
Contents
CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION
V O L . 7 • IS S U E 7
Contents
VOL. 8 • ISSUE 1
F eature S tory
Rob Krieger The Meadows
Wild P aGame g e 3Food 4 Bank
Page
24
cover photo by Melissa Nichols
Business Up Front
Page 3
Warner Symposium Septmeber 2014
Page 33
Master Gardner
Page 10
Recipe
Page 40
Fishing Hot Spots
Page 14
Florida Spanish Limes
Page 41
Citrus Greening
Page 18
Naturally Amazing: Fungi Carving
Page 44
Rocking Chair Chatter
Page 22
Up Close: Zombie Ants
Hurricane Preparedness Sheriff Grady Judd
Page 45
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Yikes Snake!
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P.O. Box 9005 • Drawer HS0 3 Bartow, FL 33831 -9005 President – J. B. Wynn OFFICERSDave Tomkow (863) 665-5088 (863) 581-3255 & B OARD OF DIRECTORS cattlemenslivestock@ jbwynn29@gmail.com P resident - C harlesearthlink.net C lark ( 863) 528-8537 Vice President – David Mike Facente McCullerscclark@ expoco.com 697-9419 (863) 635-2821crookedlaV ice P resident - Dave(863) Tomkow keranch@verizon.net ( 863) 6 6 5-50 88 cattlemanslivetock@ earthlink.net Standing Committee Chairs: Secretary/Treasurer - Justin S ecretary/ Treasurer - J ustin B unch Membership- J.B. Wynn Bunch ( 863) 4 25-1121 jbunch@ agriumretail.com (863) 425-1121 A l B ellotto - ( 863) 581-5515Events- Kevin Fussell jbunch@agriumretail.com R ay C lark - ( 863) 6 83-819 6 (863) 412-5876 rclark@ tampabay.rr.com State Director – Ray Clark L .B .(863) F landers, DV M - ( 863) 6 4 Trade 4 -5974 Show640-0719 rclark@tampabay.rr.com Dewey F ussell - ( 863) 9 84 -3782 Rodeo- Fred Waters Mike F ussell - ( 863) 69 8-8314 Al Bellotto fussell.flafarm@ verizon.net (863) 559-7808 (863) 581-5515 David McC ullers - ( 863) 528-1195 Website – Chris Nelson MobyCharles Persing (863) 533-1020 Clark- ( 863) 528-4 379 Ned W aters - ( 863) 69 8-1597 RChrisnelson@gmail.com watersn@ doacs.state.fl.us (863) 528-8537 J .B . W ynn - ( 863) 581-3255 cclarkc4@yahoo.com Cattlewomen – Vice Presijbwynn29 @ gmail.com dent, Laura Slocumb L.B. Flanders, DVMFacente - ( 863) (863)697-9419 660-7000 A lternate - Mike (863) 644-5974 laura@higgenbotham.com S tanding C ommittee C hairs:
Membership - J .B . W ynnExtension – Bridget Carlisle Dewey Fussell
(863)- 984-3782 PO Box4 12-5876 9005, Drawer HS03 E vents K evin F ussell ( 863) Bartow, FL 33831
R odeo - F red W aters ( 863) 559 -780 8 Mike Fussell (863) 519-1048 watersf@ doacs.state.fl.us (863) 698-8314 bccarlis@ufl.edu Website - Chris Nelson
fussell.flafarm@verizon.net C attlewomen - P resident Sheriff’s Dept. – Sgt. Marjorie W ood ( 863) 6 6 0 -4 137 Moby Persing Tommy Dixon onnie397@ aol.com 863-528-4567 (863) 534-7205 E xtension - B ridget C arlisle ( 863) 519 -8677 tdixon@polksheriff.org bccarlis@ ufl.edu
S heriff’s Dept. - S gt. Tommy Dixon
National 4-H Forestry Invitational
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Publisher/Photography Karen Berry Senior Managing Editor/ Associate Publisher Sarah Holt This year, 2014, marks the 100th year of the signing of the Smith Lever Act. This established the Cooperative Extension Service, a unique educational partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the nation’s land grant universities that extends research-based knowledge through a state-by-state network of extension educators. When the Cooperative Extension was officially established by the U.S. Congress in 1914, 4-H became an official part of the organization. By the mid 1920s, 4-H was well on its way to becoming a significant program for youth. For those of you who don’t know me, I grew up in rural Kentucky. I went to an elementary school, one room per grade, no changing rooms for classes, eight classrooms for eight grades. My high school was a “county” school, which simply meant that those of us lucky enough to live where we couldn’t see the lights of a town, rode the bus for at least an hour to get to the school. The 4-H program in that area wasn’t as extensive as it is now, but I did speeches and demonstrations for years. And although I was lucky enough to live on a farm, 4-H isn’t just for farm/ranch kids, it is for all youth, including those in suburbs and cities! The variety of projects to participate in is staggering! The 4-H pledge is as follows:
I pledge my head to clearer thinking,
Editor Patsy Berry Office Manager Bob Hughens Sales Manager Danny Crampton Sales Al Berry Tina Richmond Danny Crampton Melissa Nichols Creative Director/Illustrator
Juan Alvarez Photography Karen Berry Al Berry Stephanie Humphrey Melissa Nichols
My heart to greater loyalty, My hands to larger service, and My health to better living, For my club, my community, my country and my world.
Sarah
Editor-In-Chief Al Berry
The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. _ Numbers 6:25
Staff Writers Al Berry Sandy Kaster James Frankowiak Sean Green Ginny Mink Libby Hopkins Melissa Nichols Contributing Writers Woody Gore
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Acadian Seaplants Limited..........29 Agro-Culture Liquid Fertilizers..............................16 Alan’s Air Conditioning....................5 Ball Clover/Fairlie Seed Co.........29 Bankers South.................................31 Broke & Poor..................................37 Cattleman’s Livestock Auction.....16 Cecil Breeding Farm.......................17 Choo Choo’s Lawn Care...............42 Chop-N-Block..................................43 CornFusion.......................................36 Country Village...............................21 Ellison RBM Inc...............................39 Everglades Farm Equipment........48 Exo Creative...................................26 Farm Credit.....................................35 Florida Farm & Ranch...................43 Florida Fence & Post......................15 Fountain Farm Services.................12 Fran Haasch.......................................2 Fred’s Market Restaurant..............23 Grove Equipment Service............19 Grove Equipment Service............38 Gulf Coast Tractor..........................34 Harvest Holler Corn Maze..............9 Harvest Meat Market....................20 Helena Chemical-Tampa..............20 International Market World..........21 Jason Grimes Contracting............12 JMI Flooring....................................27 Key Plex............................................47 Lightsey Cattle Co.........................39 Long Cattle Company.....................7 Mosaic.................................................7 Oglesby............................................27 Organic Matter, Inc.........................13 Pathway Biologic...........................30 Polk County Cattlemen’s Association...................4 Prevatte Enterprises.....................26 S Bar S............................................23 Seedway............................................9 Southwestern Produce..................35 Southeastern Septic......................27 Stephanie Humphrey.....................44 The Bug Man..................................39
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The work we do at Mosaic is critical to helping feed the world. We provide farmers with phosphate crop nutrients that enable them to produce more food on less land.
IMAGINE A WORLD WITH HALF AS MUCH FOOD. Without crop nutrients, that would be our reality.
Essential crop nutrients — like phosphate mined and manufactured in Florida — are responsible for 40-60 percent of the crop yields farmers produce worldwide.* That translates into more abundant and affordable food here at home. As our world keeps growing, Mosaic keeps working to help put food on the table, for all of us.
We help the world grow the food it needs. ®
mosaicco.com/florida *
Source: Agronomy Journal
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Well, it looks like we made it through another Florida “Winter.” We welcome thethis Spring on I’m March 20 with green As I’m writing letter sitting at the cowgrasses pens and highoncattle prices. I’m time writing this for letter, I am waiting a truck. ThisAs is the of year many of reflecting on how good it is to be in the cattle business the ranches to be shipping their calves, and today is no and how thankful I am continue to get totowork withatsuch a good exception. The prices remain an all-time group of people. high. Who would have ever thought a 300 pound calf would sell at the market for over $1,000? We’re in an Speaking of good people, the Polk County Cattlemen’s extraordinary time that Show most are hoping last. Itonce has Ranch Rodeo & Trade was a bigwill success definitely been a long time coming! again. Held on February 15 at the Agricultural Center in Bartow, approximately 1,500 attendees came out to I, as many others,and am thankful to be a in rancher andevents make watch cowboys girls compete various an honestWild livingCow in the cattleand business. From the Race. man including Milking the Wild Horse T welve teams competed and tried their to win or woman building the fence, selling thehardest vet medicine, aorcoveted buckle the firstcooking place prize haulingevent the feed, to or theespecially man or woman the of a trophy saddle. First place title and saddles went lunch for the cowboys, we all have an important role in to Cattle Company. Congrats and that Cliff thisLightsey industry. We owe a big thanks to to all Clint of those Lightsey, andcattlemen Charity Crosby and Michael Grimalmake ourDusty roles as a lot easier! di. This team will represent Polk County well in the 2014 Ranch Rodeo State Finals in Kissimmee this Fall. I have also been thinking about how important it is to educate the public about where theirtofood The committee would never be able pullcomes off thisfrom rodeo event without the help of volunteers who provide their time, trucks, trailers, stock and equipment. A big thank you as well to all of the sponsors! These companies and individuals donate their money, so make sure to remember these companies when it comes time to doing business. The CattleWomen provide the food at
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the stand - andIt they never disappoint! (notconcession the grocery store). is still a shock to meFred the Waters every year - so thank numberhas of chaired people this whocommittee don’t understand a thing about him when youfood seecomes him. Without people, where their from orthese who is behindthis theevent prowould never happen. cess. As farmers and ranchers, we need to be open to the idea of talking to the public and promoting our Ag March is theSometimes month forwe thecatch Polk some County products. badAgri-Fest publicitywhich from takes place in Bartow at the Agricultural Center. Running certain groups. If we don’t get out and educate them, from March 10-14 and 17-21, this program teaches Polk people 4th maygraders never understand howofhard we work and County the importance agriculture in our our love and animals. state and for it’s the hugeland impact on our economy. Volunteers are always needed. Also, the Florida Cattlemen’s LegislaFor Quarterly all who came to the Summer Cattlemen’s Dintive takesout place in Tallahassee on March 11-13. This gives theit cattlemen women to ner in July, was goodand to see you. an Weopportunity look forward meet regarding facing our to thewith Fall state dinnerlegislators in November! Don’t issues forget the Florida industry. If you have aSeptember chance to 10-12 attendinthe FFA’s 11th Cattlemen’s Quarterly Okeechobee Annual Beast Feast & Auction on March 22 it’s a including a steak dinner on Thursday night atalways the Sygreat time (especially to try new wild food). frett’s Ranch. Hope to see you at any of these well-organized events!
JB Wynn JB Wynn JB Wynn Polk County Catlemen’s Association President Polk County Cattlemen’s Association President
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In eastern Africa you can buy beer brewed from bananas. A giraffe can clean its ears with its 21-inch tongue. Australia was originally called New Holland. The sentence “the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog” uses every letter in the English alphabet. The Grand Canyon can hold around 900 trillion footballs. All the blinking in one day equates to having your eyes closed for 30 minutes. The average human brain contains around 78% water. Your brain uses between 20 - 25% of the oxygen you breath. 1 nautical knot equates to 1.852 KPH (1.150 mph). If you add up all the numbers from 1 to 100 consecutively (1 + 2 + 3...) it totals 5050. A sponge holds more cold water than hot. Lightning strikes the earth 6,000 times every minute. Fire usually moves faster uphill than downhill. Cats have over 100 vocal chords. Camel’s milk doesn’t curdle. Elephants sleep between 4 - 5 hours in 24 hour period.
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MA ST ER G A R D EN ER
Succulents in Hypertufa By Debra Howell The group of plants commonly known as succulents offer many species and genus and provide for a vast range of sizes, shapes, textures and flower colors. Although one big asset of this group is the adaptation to require less water, they are easy to cultivate and possess beautiful leaves and interesting, diverse structure.
Succulents claim over 10,000 plant types, most of which hail from such arid regions as Madagascar, South Africa and the Caribbean. One thing these various types share in common is they do not like “wet feet.” While some types can tolerate more water than others, too much water will definitely cause fungal and bacterial issues and decline of the plant. So, for best results, don’t allow the plant to stand in soggy soil. The very fact that succulents require less water means that they can better endure periods of drought. Plants in containers will need watering more regularly than those introduced into the landscape. The adaptation of succulent leaves to retain water also means the plants are not frost tolerant and will die in a freeze. Now the disclaimer to that is my aloes, which have been in my yard a long time and have survived some cold nights under the protection of oak trees. Perhaps the easiest to cultivate, aloe should be a part of everyone’s landscape. These plants may be used as a mass planting, border or to outline a planting bed. Many people have used the aloe to soothe all kinds of skin irritations. During the summer months, aloes send up a slender flower stalk which is much beloved by hummingbirds who find the trumpet-shaped flowers appealing. Aloes are producers of prolific offsets, which appear at the base of a mature plant. You may carefully remove the offset and either replant outdoors or plant in a mixture of 50 percent sand and 50 percent compost. This is a long trusted plant currently being pressed into ser10 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE September 2014
vice as a medicinal ingredient in many current products. A succulent known as sedum, stonecrop is a valuable addition to a rock garden and bears lovely white or pink flowers. It is hardy from zone 3 to zone 10, and as with all succulents, benefits from a well drained soil medium. The Crassulaceae family is home to the jade plant, a well know succulent also called jade tree or baby jade. This is a popular patio container plant that is widely available for purchase in the specialty section of your local nursery or big box store. They are extremely easy to cultivate and will re-set themselves with the thick leaves and heavy limbs that will occasionally drop and commence to grow. In fact, roots will begin to emerge on the limbs of jade long before the limb drops. One particularly impressive group of Crassulaceae is Echeveria. They are rosette in form and certain cultivars are spectacular in color. Stonecrops are quite cute and when in flower, are topped with five-petaled star-shaped flowers. As with many succulents, stonecrops are perfect for mass plantings, borders or as a ground cover for hard-to-maintain areas or slopes. These plants are very slow growers, so you may want to purchase a greater number to achieve instant gratification. Kalanchoe (pronounced kahl-an-ko-ay) is another succulent that many gardeners incorporate into their gardens. They are best known for their colorful leaves ranging in color from blue-green to bronze and red. Their leaves may occur monochromatic, variegated, smooth or hairy. The flowers of kalanchoe appear in late spring through fall and are yellow, red or white. I have a running fence consisting of Caribbean agave plants that are way too easy to grow. They key to success for using these agaves in your yard is to replace them before they get too large. While they provide a linear variegated look, when fully WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
mature their sword-like leaves are dangerous and the plant tends to lean over from the weight. Bok Tower Gardens uses a Caribbean agave as a focal specimen in their Bocce ball court area at Pinewood Estates. On the east side of the court is an installation of several beautiful types of succulents in a mass planting. Now remember that your succulents have the capacity to store large quantities of water in their chubby leaves and thick stems and as a result are very drought tolerant. This capability requires that your planting medium be readily drained. You will want to water your plants thoroughly and allow them to dry between waterings. You may actually purchase potting soil especially for succulents. They like a soil pH range of 5.5 – 6.5. In addition to cacti, which will be covered in a later article, some popular succulents are aeonium, agave, crassula, echeveria, euphorbia, kalanchoe, ice plant, stonecrop, sempervivum and senecio. Succulent plants present a fine display when placed in hypertufa containers. In Master Gardener training, we experimented with the manufacture of hypertufa. The definition of hypertufa is anthropic rock made from aggregates bonded together using Portland cement. This concoction is a man-made substitute for natural tufa, a precipitated limestone rock. Hypertufa is excellent for constructing land forms, containers and garden-oriented ornaments. Invented to utilize in Alpine-type garden settings, you may mold this stuff into many shapes and functions. This container medium is so natural that, in time, you may find your hypertufas has acquired a quaint patina of lichen and moss. Succulents take to hypertufa like squirrels to a bird feeder, so here are the instructions for making your own containers for the unique succulents that you are going to run out and buy. The recipe for your concoction is very simple: 1 part Portland cement 1 ½ parts sphagnum peat moss 1 ½ parts perlite. You will also need the following: dust mask, rubber gloves, mixing tub or wheelbarrow, measuring container, Portland cement, peat moss, perlite, plastic drop cloth, trowel, wire brush and the container of your choice for a mold. This project is not just for adults – get some kids involved in this nitty gritty stuff. Five easy steps: Step 1 – Measure and mix the peat moss, perlite and cement in your tub. (Be sure to wear your dust mask.) WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
Add the water while stirring with your trowel. Test the consistency frequently as it is much easier to add water than it is to readjust the dry ingredients. When a squeezed handful retains its shape and does not release more than a few drops of water, the mix is ready. Step 2 – Mold the mixture around the chosen object that has been placed upside down on the plastic drop cloth. (Avoid objects with a pronounced lip since it would make the object difficult to remove from the finished container.) Pack the mixture up around the sides of the object, tamping it down firmly to bond the hypertufa to itself and to avoid a crumbly texture. A 1- to 2- inch layer on all sides will create strong walls. Flatten the intended bottom of the completely covered object for stability, and shape the sides to a desired form. Then poke your finger through the bottom to create a drainage hole. Step 3 – Wrap the container in the plastic sheeting, and place it in a shady spot for about a day to let it harden. Step 4 – Remove the wrapping after the hypertufa has had a day to harden. The mixture will be firm but still soft enough to work with. Turn the container over and remove the mold. Brush the sharp edges and the smooth top, if desired, to give a rougher, more natural look to the container. Step 5 – Rewrap your container and place it in a shady place for another two days. Then unwrap it, and soak it with a hose periodically over the period of a few weeks to leach out the residual lime from the cement, which would harm plants. Design Tip: to dress up your container, place evergreen sprigs or thick leaves around the rim of the mold before you start to build the sides of your container. Lift them gently from the rim when you remove the mold. (If you feel you need further instructions you may Google hypertufa containers and find more information.) You will be surprised at how much you will enjoy your hypertufa creations. One interesting idea is to use the mixture to cover a Styrofoam cooler lid to make a trough-like form in which to grow succulents. Once your hypertufa has cured and you have carefully selected the most eye-catching of the available succulents, you will discover that these specialized plants will blend perfectly with your architecture and existing garden plan. You will find yourself so drawn to these unique containers with their complement of special plants that they will become almost like pets. They are so easy to care for and cultivate that you will wonder why you waited so long to discover the succulent group. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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Are You Legally Responsible As Master of your vessel what does it mean to say, “Welcome, Come on Aboard” Any boat owner, either recreational or commercial, assumes the duties of Captain or Master as soon as they take command of a vessel. Therefore, whenever a person accepts control they also assume and have a duty to think about the degree of liability associated with operating a safe vessel. They also have an obligation to warn passengers about items that might cause them injury along with other risk factors unrelated to the vessel that may be encountered while underway, at anchor or while conducting business, i.e. a charter for example.
tion on your vessel. Further, you have a responsibility to warn guests about possible risks that are unrelated to your boat, but which are all around you, passing boat wakes, severe weather, tidal changes, etc. And, even if you are unaware of a loose railing, wobbly step, etc. or you don’t see an approaching boat wake, you may still be liable for any injuries that result. So remember, the next time you welcome someone aboard, an injury could result in a lawsuit that, win or lose, could cost you your livelihood. “SAFETY IS AN ECONOMI-
CAL AND EFFECTIVE INSURANCE POLICY.”
When a visitor boards the vessel you’re probably thinking more about having a great fishing trip or enjoyable boat ride than worrying about the legal accountabilities you’re assuming as “Captain.” However, if someone were to trip, stumble or fall and become injured boarding or while onboard, you can bet you would quickly consider what, if anything, could have been done to prevent the injury or whether you might be liable. The question of liability is immersed in maritime legal principles dating back to the Maritime insurance with origins in the Greek and Roman Mediterranean shipping days. Admiralty law starts with the premise that the captain owes his guest a duty to exercise ordinary or reasonable care for their safety. What constitutes reasonable care can be complicated, especially on a boat. It has a lot to do with the experience of the captain and the boating experience of the passengers, or whether the boat captain had or should have known of some dangerous condition. Additionally, it may depend on whether the captain knew or should have known whether his guest was unaware of or unfamiliar with the conditions. The obligation to exercise reasonable care is rooted in the duties of the captain to provide a reasonably safe vessel for the guest. On the other hand, this does not require that the boat be accident proof. Under the regulations, the standard of care requires the captain to provide a boat that is reasonably safe, not one that is absolutely safe. A guest also has self-responsibility, which means they have an obligation to exercise care for their own safety. A guest simply cannot walk blindly around the boat. Then again, reasonable care does mean that a captain, knowing of an unstable condition, may be held accountable for failure to warn his guest of that condition. As the captain you should always remember, as soon as you identify a problem and do not find a solution and make the necessary repairs, it immediately becomes your problem. Therefore, as captain, you have the responsibility to warn an unsuspecting guest when you are aware of a hazardous situa14
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September Fishing Report 2014 Tampa Bay Area Promote Catch & Release SNOOK: Snook season opens again September 1st, and for some reason it seems like anglers feel compelled to keep snook as soon as they reach 28 inches. I’m not sure whether it’s a “closed season thing” or what, but it’s certainly not because they taste any better than other fish caught throughout the area. I’ve been eating fish from Tampa Bay and the Gulf for over 65 years and there are other great tasting fish besides snook. Since the 2010 freeze closure, we’ve finally gotten some nice trophy sized fish showing up around the bay area. However, now that the WANTED POSTERS are going up again and this incredible sport fish is back on the take list, everything in the slot is sure to disappear quickly and once again we’ll have nothing worthy of a decent fight. WWW. THE FIELD AGAZINE.COM WWW. ININ THE FIELD MM AGAZINE.COM
Certainly everyone loves to catch a few snook and that’s a great thing, but given the tremendous fishing pressure we’re experiencing, we should spread our fishing experience to the rest of Tampa Bay. Which, by the way, is Florida’s largest openwater estuary. It has 400 square miles of water and is home to over 200 different species of fish, with many being excellent table fare, not to mention loads of fun on hook and line. LET’S GO SNOOK FISHING: We can expect some decent action, especially as the water cools a bit. The bait should be plentiful around the grass flats and markers and if you like to toss artificial’s, they can be loads of fun, particularly on early calm mornings. A little searching on your part and you’ll find plenty of larger fish. If you’re so inclined, some well-timed night fishing with free-lined baits like pinfish, greenbacks and jumbo shrimp around docks, bridges, and pilings usually produce. Fish the broken bottom grass flats and mangroves for some exciting action. Again, live bait or artificial lures should do the trick. MANGROVE SNAPPER: If you’re looking for some late summer fun, particularly for the youngsters, take them snapper fishing. Not only are these fish fun to catch, but they are great eating. Small free-lined greenbacks or pieces of fresh shrimp around markers, bridges or rock piles will usually result in a limit of fresh snapper. If the tides are strong add enough weight (1/4 – 3/8 oz.) to your knocker rig to keep the bait down. Here’s a tip: Put them in a cooler on a slushy ice mixture immediately, this make them much easier to clean, because it gels the fat in their stomach, keeping it from sticking to your knife.
grass flats. It takes moving water to get them eating, but when they start… its fish-on. Popping corks with live shrimp and greenbacks will produce a mess of trout. Deeper water rocky bottoms and some markers are producing some really nice catches of larger silver trout. Remember if you run out of live bait artificial’s work just as well, try a DOA or Gulp Shrimp. COBIA, Tripletail are still hanging around the markers, grass flats and cans throughout the Bay if you’re interested in using a lot of fuel chasing around and checking things out. These are a species you’ve got to target and look for and many times you’ll wind up doing more fishing than catching. But when you find them they are a hoot to hook and catch. Not to mention great table fare. “Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing” – 813-477-3814 Captain Woody Gore is the area’s top outdoor fishing guide. Guiding and fishing the Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, Bradenton, and Sarasota areas for over fifty years, he offers world class fishing adventures and a lifetime of memories. Single or Multi-boat Group Charters are all the same. With years of organizational experience and access to the areas most experienced captains, Woody can arrange and coordinate any outing or tournament. Just tell him what you need and it’s done.
Visit his website at: WWW.CAPTAINWOODYGORE.COM send an email to wgore@ix.netcom.com
or give him a call at 813-477-3814
MACKEREL AND BLUE FISH: Tampa Bay is still loaded with plenty of threadfins, so if you’re looking for awesome, light tackle action, Mac’s and Blues are excellent targets this month. With baits scattered everywhere, concentrate your efforts around marker cans, range markers or shallow reefs. On a mid-tide current, anchor your boat up current, toss out chum block and a few live chum baits. When the fish start striking cast in that direction and hold onto your rod and reel. Don’t be surprised if you catch some really large ladyfish and yellow tail jacks in the same area. REDFISH: The redfish action should start picking up again this month simply because the water temps will start getting more comfortable for them on the flats. This means they will be steadily moving around the area looking for an easy meal. When they start grouping up always approach carefully, you don’t want to split the school. If you do it’s often difficult to get them back together. Try picking off the fish at the outer edges, never cast into the middle of a school. Reds eat live shrimp, greenbacks, pinfish and crabs, but remember if they’re not looking for something live, cut bait always works. SPOTTED TROUT fishing is always productive around lush WWW.IN NTHE HEFIELD IELDMAGAZINE.COM AGAZINE.COM WWW.
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Citrus Greening
By Jack Payne
Science is the solution, hope is the bridge
Hope is a most unscientific phenomenon. It’s based largely on a desire for what could be, not on what evidence has already proven. Yet there was Dr. Jude Grosser, plant geneticist based in Lake Alfred, in a hotel ballroom this summer pitching hope. Yes, he had the data, the charts, the photos and the bullet points projected on a screen to give his presentation all the trappings of an academic treatise on oranges. The underlying message, though, was not to give up hope on saving Florida’s iconic orange industry from citrus greening. I would argue that the citrus greening epidemic has imposed a natural selection not just on our groves but on our growers as well. The disease may be culling our herd of farmers, leaving the species fortified with the presence of only those with the greatest capacity for hope. But even the stalwarts need to have hope stoked to offset the continuing bad news about the shrinking crop. Citrus growers’ meetings these days have the potential to become survivors’ gatherings, a slog through the litany of challenges instead of a celebration of a way of life and an update on the science that supports it.
Dr. Jude Grosser Grosser’s work for the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is one of the most promising bodies of research among the studies funded by tens of millions of dollars from the federal and state governments and the growers themselves. Others have focused their work on fighting the fungus that attacks the trees. Entomologists attempt to control the Asian psyllid that carries that bacterium with it from plant to plant. Grosser sees a possible solution in breeding. By creating new hybrids at the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center, Grosser believes he is getting closer to producing an orange tree that is tolerant or even resistant to greening. He and his colleagues Fred Gmitter and Bill Castle have through breeding experiments identified new 17 rootstock cultivars that show 18
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a lower rate of citrus greening infection and fewer symptoms once infected than in existing trees. In some cases they see their experimental trees with a 10 to 20 percent infection rate growing right alongside commercial varieties that have a 70 percent rate or higher. The growers saw hope on the screen in the form of Grosser trees that are the lone healthy plants on a plot where the other trees are sickened by greening. The contrast documents the devastation, of course, but the growers are already living that. More importantly it delivers a picture of what could be. That is, hope. Grosser is the first to say his results aren’t yet conclusive. The research of Grosser and the cadre of public-spirited scientists dedicating their professional lives to combatting greening will continue to rely on funding beyond their university paychecks to do this important work. We must keep the public and the policy makers aware of the continuing need for resources to save an industry. Greening is pressuring stewards of the land to abandon the utopian vision represented on orange crates and surrender their groves to those who depict their utopian vision on billboards with the smiling families they hope to attract to their subdivisions. The thing is, those families’ smiles are put there by a strong economy, healthy food and a sense that where they live is some place special. All those things grow on disease-free trees in Florida. Grosser staked out science as the source of renewed hope that we can save something that symbolizes Florida as vividly as a rocket or a fantasy kingdom. Jack Payne is the senior vice president of agriculture and natural resources at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. WWW.IN INTTHE HEFFIELD IELDM MAGAZINE.COM AGAZINE.COM WWW.
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Some things I don’t understand The other day while in the local pharmacy to pick up a prescription, I passed by the area where they sold thermometers. There was one rectal thermometer that caught my eye. In bold print it stated, “PreTested, 99% Accurate.” Now tell me, who in their right mind would buy a pre-tested rectal thermometer? Or better yet, who would take the job to pre-test them?
daughter who then became my stepdaughter. My dad came to visit us, fell in love with my lovely stepdaughter, and then married her. And so my stepdaughter was now my stepmother. Soon, my wife had a son who was, of course, my daddy’s brother-in-law since he is the half-brother of my stepdaughter, who is now, of course, my daddy’s wife.
I was always taught that customer service is first and foremost to make a business successful. If that’s the case then a number of Plant City food chains need to shape up. The other day I stopped in for a bowl of chili and a drink. It was raining and I had to park far from the entrance, as all the parking spaces close to the door were full. When I got inside I noticed I was the only customer in the store. I asked the young lady taking my order whose cars were parked at the entrance. She replied cheerfully, “Oh, those belong to our employees.”
So, as I told you, when my stepdaughter married my daddy, she was at once my stepmother! Now, since my new son is brother to my stepmother, he also became my uncle. As you know, my wife is my stepgrandmother since she is my stepmother’s mother. Don’t forget that my stepmother is my stepdaughter. Remember, too, that I am my wife’s grandson.”
A few days later I had an interesting experience buying some food at a popular fast-food chain. The total came to $10.15. Not wanting a lot of change I gave the cashier a twenty-dollar bill, and a quarter. She looked at the money. Then the cash register, scratched her head, and gave me back a dime. I called her attention to the fact that I had given her a $20.00 bill. She smiled and said, “Sir do you think I owe you more”? “Yes,” I said. “According to your cash register you owe me $10.10.” I took my change, and moved over to pickup my order and the man in back of me just rolled his eyes and shook his head, and said, “I’ve seen it all now!” Life goes on and I still wonder why we say “after dark” when it really is “after light.” Why is the third hand on a watch called the second hand? Why do we wash bath towels? Aren’t we clean when we use them? Why do they call it a TV set when you only have one? Why is it called a “building” when it is already built? And why do they advertise toilet paper? Everybody uses it! I stopped in for the Plant City Chamber of Commerce “Business After Hours” at Tim Lopez’s Southside Farm Supply. They really have a lot to offer, and Tim is as happy as if he just caught his limit of speckle perch at Lake Thonotosassa. Tim said, “Al, I ran across something for your Rock’n Chair Chatter.” I love it when my readers offer suggestions, so I said, “Tell me about it, Tim.” Here is his story: A psychiatrist visited a Georgia mental institution and asked a patient, “Tell me sir, how did you get here? What is your problem?” The old fella replied, “Well, it all started when I got married and I guess I should never had done it. I married a widow with a grown 22
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“Wait just a minute,” he said, “You see, since I’m married to my stepgrandmother, I am not only the wife’s grandson and her hubby, but I am also my own grandfather. Now sir, can you understand how I got put in this place?” Tim told me buying Southside Farm & Pet Supply was the best thing his family has ever done. He said in his construction work he never meets as many people as he does at the store. Those farmers and ranchers always have a tall tale to tell. He recalled a farmer from Turkey Creek that came in the store and shared the story of a talking horse. As he tells it a jogger was running down Mud Lake road and was startled when a horse yells at him, “Hey buddy, come over to the fence, I want to talk with you.” Some what stunned the runner jogs over to the fence and says, “Were you talking to me?” The horse replies, “Yes I was, and man I have a problem. I won the Kentucky Derby a few years ago and this farmer bought me, and now all I do is watch joggers like you run up and down Mud Lake road. I am sick and tired of this daily routine. Why don’t you run up to the house and offer him $4000 to buy me? I promise you I can make you some money because I can still run.” The jogger thought to himself, ‘Good grief, a talking horse.’ Dollar signs started appearing in his head. He jogs over to the house and the old farmer is sitting on he porch. He tells the farmer, “If you’re interested in selling that old nag over by the road, I’ll give you $4000 cash her.” “Son, I go through this every day with that old horse. You can’t believe anything the horse says. She has never ever been to Kentucky.” If you have any good farming stories to tell, drop over and talk with Tim Lopez at Southside Farm & Pet Supply! Who knows, they may end up in this column. In closing, remember that the proper use of toiletries can forestall bathing for several days. However, if you live alone, deodorant is a waste of good money. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Visiting a fawn being fostered by Donna Smith at The Smith Family Ranch By Melissa Nichols Hunting, often viewed as a hobby, is a way of life for Chad and Caitlin Meadows of Winter Haven, and that passion for hunting turned the past year into an exciting time in their lives. Chad, an avid hunter and outdoors enthusiast, started taking Caitlin hunting when they began dating in their early 20s. For Chad, a fertilizer representative and beef producer, hunting had been a passion since childhood, so it was only natural for Caitlin to join him. She loved spending time with him in the outdoors, and in the years to come after getting married and starting a family, Caitlin noticed how many fellow hunters were hunting just for the fun of it and didn’t have a need for the meat from the game animals they hunted. The Meadows’ never harvested an animal without processing the meat for themselves or giving it to friends or family. They firmly believe that animals shouldn’t be taken unless you intend to use the meat. For several hunting seasons the Meadows’ would discuss how much meat they knew would go to waste because of trophy hunting, hunting of nuisance hogs, or people just simply not wanting the meat. So, they decided they would try to do something about it. They knew members of their community could benefit from the healthy wild game if they could coordinate getting it to them. When they started this project they didn’t know how many people truly suffer from food insecurity everyday, and that a steady protein source is rare for those who face hunger. They just knew that they needed to try. Lack of protein that comes from meat is something that those who have food insecurities suffer from. Not having adequate protein intake leads to many other health conditions. Together Chad and Caitlin saw a way to help their own community by feeding those who face poverty, homelessness, and food insecurity, with wild game. Caitlin attributes God to providing not only the ability and skills involved with hunt24
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ing, but also the plan, the contributions and the entire community coming together to support their vision. Last Fall the couple started working to form Wild Game Food Bank (WGFB). Their organization coordinates the processing and distribution of wild game meat donations to food pantries and soup kitchens who feed those in need. September marks the one year anniversary of their vision being put into action with much of their work taking place in the last nine months. Caitlin serves as the President of the organization. It was at this time the Meadows’ also knew that they needed a change. As new parents, the couple knew that Caitlin needed flexibility for their son, time to dedicate to WGFB, and she longed to go back to her roots. Caitlin has a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Communications from the University of Florida, and the majority of her nearly 10 years of experience was working in roles that promoted the Ag industry. In January she left her stint in the corporate world as client relations for an engineering firm, and she accepted the position of Marketing Coordinator for Crosby & Associates, Inc., a land brokerage firm that has specialized in agriculture and commercial properties in the Southeast for more than 30 years. “I feel right at home with the Crosby family, “ said Caitlin. “The firm is made up of a great group of people, I work with farmers and ranchers, and I get to capture their beautiful properties. What could be better?” This was just the change that the couple needed, and it gave Caitlin new inspiration to continue her work with WGFB. By this time family and friends had helped spread the word and they were able to raise a few funds for processing and received some meat donations. “WGFB had our first fully processed deer donation on January 20th. I’ll never forget it. It was amazing knowing that we were making a difference, knowing that we would feed almost 100 people with that donation WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
alone,” said Caitlin. WGFB can accept whitetail deer, hogs, exotic deer, fish, and other packaged meat. WGFB not only accepts fully processed meat donations but also accepts pre-processed and quartered meat. WGFB first began operating in Polk County, and when funds are available, Chop N’ Block processes the Polk County meat donations at cost for the organization. All donations are ground (think deer burger and wild hog sausage) to allow for versatility and efficiency. By the end of Spring WGFB had raised enough meat to feed about 5,100 people. The Lightsey Family (Lightsey Cattle) even hosted a hunt at Brahma Island to benefit WGFB that harvested meat from nearly 20 exotic deer. By this time it was evident that the local Ag and hunting community cared about the work they were doing. They also had requests to expand to additional counties. “When we started I didn’t know if we would receive one or 50 deer but I knew we needed to try. If we stopped one harvest from going to waste and were able to feed someone we would have been happy. I never expected to see the numbers that we did,” explained Caitlin. “To know that we’ve had that type of an impact on our community is truly a God thing, and so is the WGFB growth. I thought expanding to other areas might be a good five-year goal, ” she said with a laugh. WGFB now has three outfits, is currently working on a fourth, and has interest from hunters in North Florida to support expansion there as well. Outfit locations include Polk, Hillsborough, and Lake/ Sumter Counties that benefit local ministries and each has a designated meat processor. There is also a drop-off location in DeSoto County. WGFB’s goal is that meat harvests from local hunters will benefit their own local community. Polk County donations are processed at Chop N’ Block and benefit The Mission of Winter Haven and other Polk organizations. The Hillsborough County donations are processed at Al’s Wild Meat Processing and the benefiting organization is Manna on Wheels. The Lake/Sumter County donations are processed at Baker’s Custom Meats, and the benefiting organization is Beyond the Walls Food Pantry. To operate the additional locations successfully, Caitlin envisions that the Polk County Outfit will continue to operate and will serve as the hub for the organization.
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With hunting season upon us, Caitlin is anxious to see what will happen. She hopes hunters will remember to donate their wild game (if they don’t want it or need it for themselves), and she hopes the organization will raise enough funds to process all of the meat donations that they hope to receive. One $75 donation will sponsor the processing of one animal that can feed about 100 people and it also allows for a contribution towards the organization’s operating expenses. You can learn how to donate meat harvests and fund support by visiting www.wildgamefoodbank.com. You can also support WGFB by attending the upcoming BBQ competition in Lake Wales. The Orange Blossom Barbeque Revue will take place December 5 - 6. The BBQ competition is hosted by Lake Wales Rotary and a portion of the proceeds will benefit WGFB. Caitlin serves on the planning committee and is very excited about this unique event that will feature music, BBQ, craft beer, and a Florida Marketplace. Visit www.orangeblossombbq.com to learn more. With involvement in the BBQ competition and other events, Caitlin has worked hard to raise awareness of WGFB to secure harvest donations and for fund support. She has also attended hunting industry events like the Big Buck Expo and has tried to make WGFB visible to the public in the Central Florida community. Caitlin attributes much of WGFB’s success to Trophy Taker Outdoors Radio Show taking interest last Spring when they invited her to participate in the show. She frequently calls in, visits the studio, and her involvement with the show is growing. You can often hear Caitlin on the Saturday morning radio show from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. on 102.5 The Bone. A year ago, when she decided to let her faith lead her where she needed to be, she had no idea what the upcoming year would bring. She never envisioned running a not-for-profit, being engaged in the Ag industry once again, and definitely couldn’t have imagined that she would be joining a radio show. But she said it all seems to make sense now. Her roots shine through on-air and in her daily work. Her love of her family, WGFB, and the Ag industry as a whole is evident.
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Hurricane Preparedness by Sheriff Grady Judd
August 13, 2014 marked the 10 year anniversary of Hurricane Charley. Hurricane Frances struck on September 5, followed by Ivan on September 16 and Jeanne on September 26. According to the Federal Division of Emergency Management, “The four storms in just 44 days caused damages at an estimated $45 billion. Each is still ranked among the top ten costliest hurricanes in the U.S.”
• Keep two 2 liter soda bottles filled with water frozen in the freezer. They can be thawed in the refrigerator when electricity fails and it will keep the refrigerator cold. They can be used as a source of water, as they thaw. • City water becomes contaminated because purification systems are inoperable. To purify water, add 2 drops of chlorine bleach per quart and let it stand for half an hour.
Three of the four storms, Charley, Frances and Jeanne, all crossed through Polk County, resulting in significant damage the likes of which had not been experienced in 44 years. Four hurricanes, in 44 days, worst storm damage in Polk County in 44 years – statistics we’re not likely to forget anytime soon.
• Fill any large, outside vessels (row boats, canoes, feed troughs, dumpsters, etc.) with water. This keeps vessels from becoming debris and provides a source of water for animals, after the storm. Pool water and collected water should be kept chlorinated so it remains usable.
All of Polk County was affected in some way, but our agricultural community was hit exceptionally hard. Crops were destroyed and livestock lost as a result of the devastating winds.
• Shut off main electrical breakers, close gas and water valves, unplug appliances and turn off air conditioning.
So as we look to September and beyond to possible future storm events, below are a few tips to help get prepared. Develop a specific Disaster Plan for your property Start with the farthest point of your property and move toward the house, listing all the things that need to be done. When you write your plan, consider the following guidelines: • Install a hand pump on your well now. You will never make a better investment. Well water will not become contaminated unless your well is submerged by flood waters. • As you landscape your property, use native plants. Nature has evolved these species to weather hurricanes. They will be much less likely to uproot and become debris. • Think debris! Take down and secure everything you can. Turn over and tie down picnic tables and benches or anything else too large to store. • Purchase mobile home tie downs for your livestock trailer and other vehicles. They cost about $6.00 each. Move vehicles, livestock trailers, etc., into the middle of the largest open area away from trees and tie them down. • Have a box filled with halters, leads, tapes, ropes, tarps and plastic, fly spray and animal medical supplies including bandages and medicines. Keep this box stored inside your home. 28
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• Chain your propane tank to the ground with stakes and label it “propane.” Label any hazardous material containers that may be on your property. • Bring chain saw, ladder, axe, shovel, pry bar, come along, metal cable, block and tackle, wire cutters, tool box, grill, charcoal and fluid into your house. • A two week supply of animal feed and medications should be brought into your house and stored in waterproof containers. • Contact out-of-town friends and relatives and keep them informed of your plans. It will be easier for you to contact them instead of them trying to contact you. • Make sure you have insurance that is adequate. Photograph or video tape all property and animals and take these with you, if you must evacuate. • Remember after the storm all transactions will have to be made in cash and banks and gas stations will be closed. • Close barn and/or stall doors. Open all interior pasture gates. Put I.D. on all animals and turn your large animals out!!! They may suffer debris injuries, but at least this way they have a chance. For more information on keeping your farms and livestock protected from storms, please visit www.polksheriff.org.
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Cool (but scary) Find! Colt Smith found what could possibly be an albino Cottonmouth (aka Water Moccasin) in the Green Swamp.
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Polk County-Florida Team Competes at the 2014 National 4-H Forestry Invitational The 35th annual National 4-H Forestry Invitational was held from Sunday, July 27 through Thursday, July 31 in West Virginia University Jackson’s Mill State 4-H Camp and Conference Center near Weston, West Virginia. While at the Invitational, 4-H members competed for overall team and individual awards in several categories. Events included tree identification, tree measurement, compass and pacing, insect and disease identification, topographic map use, forest evaluation, the forestry quiz bowl, and a written forestry exam. Florida was represented by the 4-H Florida Forest Ecology State Champion Senior team from Polk County. Team members were Amber Thomas, Gabriella Thomas, Logan Soria and Miranda Rodden. The team was coached by 4-H Volunteer Tammy Thomas. The Team from Florida earned 5th place out of the 12 state teams that competed. Team member Gabriella Thomas earned 6th place individually out of the 46 contestants. The Florida Team would like to thank their generous sponsors Polk County 4-H Foundation, Southern Pine Timber Products, Briggs Tree Service, UF/IFAS School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Florida Forest Association, Polk County Sea Stars 4-H Club, HomeGrown 4-H Club and Live & Learn 4-H Club, Publix, and Scott Orthodontics Associates for their support. Left to Right: Logan Soria, Amber Thomas, Miranda Rodden, Gabriella Thomas, and Tammy Thomas (Coach). About 4-H: 4-H is a community of seven million young people around the world learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. National 4-H Council is the private sector, non-profit partner of the Cooperative Extension System and 4-H National Headquarters located at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). In the United States, 4-H programs are implemented by the 109 landgrant universities and Cooperative Extension through more than 3,000 local offices serving every county and parish in the country. Outside the United States, 4-H programs operate through independent, country-led organizations in more than 50 countries. Learn more about Polk County 4-H at www.polk4-h.org, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PolkCounty4H and Twitter at https://twitter.com/polk4h. 32
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“SHARK TANK” BENEFICIARY/TREE T-PEE INVENTOR TO LEAD WATER
CONSERVATION SYMPOSIUM AT WARNER UNIVERSITY SEPTEMBER 23 His name is Johnny Georges and he is a Polk County native that’s gained local, national and international recognition through the invention of a device that conserves water, reduces fuel and fertilizer costs and promotes strong root growth for citrus growers. He will lead a Water Conservation Symposium at Warner University in Lake Wales on September 23. “The meeting will provide an opportunity for the central Florida agricultural community to come together to discuss challenges facing water use in agriculture and collaborate on solutions for the future,” said Lauren Cline, Director of Agricultural Development at Warner. Georges has twice been featured in separate editions of IN THE FIELD Magazine. Georges’ invention, the Tree T-PEE®, traces its beginnings to 1986 when Johnny and his father, the late Rick Georges, came up with the idea initially as a frost protection device. It is a cone-like plastic device that is installed around the base of a citrus tree. The younger Georges saw the potential for the Tree T-Pee to save water, as well, and subsequent research by University of Florida scientists found the added benefits of savings in fuel and fertilizer while enhancing root growth. He has been promoting his products to citrus growers, initially here in Florida and then beyond, ever since. An added benefit of the Tree T-Pee is the fact that it is produced from recycled plastics, a boon to the environment even before it gets to the grove. For a farmer to give young citrus trees the equivalent of three inches of rain, he would have to run his pumps for eight hours. With the Tree T-Pee, a grower cuts that pump run time to just one hour to get the same results since all of that water is contained within a two-foot area around the tree with no wind diffusion or water waste thanks to the device. In 2013, Johnny was given the chance to present his product on ABCTV’s Shark Tank program. He got a deal from John Paul DeJoria, co-founder of Paul Mitchell hair products and Patron Spirits, who believed in Johnny and his products and became an investor in his company, GSI Supply in Arcadia. With DeJoria’s backing and support, Georges has broadened his efforts globally, helping growers of not only citrus trees, but apple trees, cherry trees, almonds and others.
By Jim Frankowiak
same principal with the Tree T-Pee.” And the rest, as they say is history as Georges shares information about his product with growers worldwide. Though Georges and his late father invented the Tree T-Pee, he shares credit for its refinement and improvements with others. “I owe a great deal to the growers and farmers that I have worked for throughout my life,” he said. “Each of them instilled in me the need to work hard, be honest and law abiding and not be satisfied with anything less than the best. I’m happy that through Tree T-Pee I am able to pay them back in a small way by helping them save money and thereby keeping them competitive at a time when costs keep rising. They are also able to save the natural resources that are so critical to their future and ours.” The Water Conservation Symposium will begin at 6 p.m. in the Darby Lecture Hall at Warner University. For more information on the symposium or to RSVP, email: ag@warner.edu or call 863/638-7116.
2014 Horse Short Course & Trade Show Presented by: The South Florida Beef Forage Program
Tentative Agenda:
4:30pm - 8:00pm
Equine Nutrition * Dr. Carissa Wickens— University of Florida
Ulcers (Live Gastroscopic Exam) * Dr. Megan Green—Merial Technical Services Vet.
Parasite Control (Bring your horse manure for testing) * Dr. Carissa Wickens—Univeristy of Florida * Lindsey Wiggins—UF/IFAS Regional Livestock Agent
November 18th
South Florida Fairgrounds, West Palm Beach Early Registration Fee: (Posted by Nov. 3) $20 and $15 for 4-H/FFA members Late Registration Fee or @ Gate: (Posted after Nov. 3) $40 and $30 for 4-H/FFA member **Registration includes dinner AND Trade Show admission
CONTACT: Lindsey Wiggins (863) 674-4092 horse1@ufl.edu Courtney Davis (863) 763-6469 cbdavis@ufl.edu
To register go to: http://2014horseshortcourse.eventbrite.com
Tree T-Pee is not the first water-saving device the Georges family has invented. Rick came up with the micro jet irrigation system back in the 1970s and that product has gained universal acceptance by the citrus industry. Initially, the Georges focused on the freeze protection aspects of the Tree T-Pee, but Johnny saw the potential benefits of water conservation early on. His “Ah – Hah” moment came in 2002 while replacing a shower head with a low-flow model. “The replacement unit’s packaging compared its water volume with that of the unit I was replacing,” said Georges. “The water savings with the new low-flow model were significant. That gave me that idea to apply the WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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SEPTEMBER 26TH - NOVEMBER 2ND
Hours: Fridays 3-6, Saturdays 9-6 and Sundays 12-6. Admission: Adults $11, 5-10 yrs. old $9, 4 and under Free
ZombHayieFRidearm
*Extra Charge
INCLUDES: • Live Zombies to shoot at! • Use of Paintball Gun • 200 rounds of Ammo • Narrated hayride through the pasture in the dark.
After Dark Zombies come out for
"ZOMBIE FARM PAINTBALL HAYRIDE” Hunt and Exterminate the Living Dead!
SEPTEMBER 26TH - NOVEMBER 2ND Friday & Saturday Only! • 7:30pm to 10:00pm *Only $30 per person
“ROCK THE RANCH II” Sat., Oct 18th
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www.cornfusionmaze.com
“CornFusion Crop Maze and Family Fall Festival is Polk County’s First and Original Maze with the most to do.”
Christian Rock Concert included with admission
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Cattle • Truck Farming • Citrus • Game Hunting
1401 Sam Keen Road Lake, Wales, FL 33853 863.692.1013 We Support Agriculture.
Now Hiring Experienced Painters
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Recipes
Courtesy of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Zucchini Chips
Chef Justin Timineri
DIRECTIONS • Preheat oven to 425 degrees. • Whisk together first 5 ingredients in a medium bowl. • Pour milk into a shallow bowl. • Place an ovenproof wire rack coated with cooking spray on a baking sheet. • Dip zucchini slices in milk, and dredge in breadcrumb mixture. • Put coated slices directly onto the prepared wire rack. • Bake for 30 minutes or until browned and crisp. • Serve immediately with Feta and Dill Dip.
INGREDIENTS 1/4 cup dry breadcrumbs 1/4 cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese 1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 2 tablespoons fat-free milk 2 ½ cups Florida zucchini, sliced 1/4-inch thick Cooking spray
DIRECTIONS
Florida Tropical Mango Soup Ingredients 1 large mango, peeled and seeded 1/2 small onion, diced 1/2 cup cold water 1-2 small chili peppers, minced (or to taste) 1 lime, juiced
1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger root, peeled and minced 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt 1/2 teaspoon honey kosher salt to taste
• In a blender or food processor, add mango, onion, water, chili pepper, lime juice and ginger. • Blend ingredients until smooth. • Taste and adjust seasoning with salt. • In a small mixing bowl combine yogurt and honey, stir to combine. • Serve soup chilled and garnished with yogurt mixture.
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Florida Spanish Limes:
Neither limes nor Spanish By Sandy Kaster, M.S. Clinical Medicines, B.S. Nutrition Science Fresh Spanish limes are now in their peak season in Florida, and provide a refreshing, nutritious snack. Available from June to September, Spanish limes are neither Spanish nor limes. Spanish limes are actually part of the soapberry family, which also includes lychees, longans, and rambutan. Like the other members of this family, Spanish limes are surrounded by a thin skin, have a juicy flesh, and contain a hard pit in the middle. Other names for this fruit are genip, ackee, ginep, guenepa, limoncillo, macao, mammon, and mamoncillo. Native to Venezuela, Colombia, the West Indies, and the Bahamas, the Spanish lime thrives in southern areas of Florida, especially in the Florida Keys. Spanish limes are encased in a thin, brittle green shell, which contains a pink or peach colored juicy flesh. The sweet-tart flavor is sometimes described as tasting like sweet, citrusy limes. They are delicious eaten out-of-hand, after cracking the shell and sucking the flesh from the pit. The seeds are also edible and can be roasted and eaten like chestnuts. The hardy Spanish lime tree is grown as both a fruit tree and shade tree, with a tall, sturdy trunk, and is resistant to drought, alkaline soil, and salty conditions. NUTRITIONAL PROFILE Spanish limes boast a wide range of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. The fruit is naturally low in calories, fat, cholesterol, and sodium. According to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, a 100g (3.5 ounce) portion of fresh Spanish lime contains approximately 58 calories, 0,5 g protein, 0.1 g fat, 14 g carbohydrate, and 1 g of dietary fiber. It also provides significant amounts of iron, phosphorus, potassium, vitamin C, calcium, riboflavin, thiamine, niacin, and tryptophan. Vitamin C With less than 60 calories per eight fruits, one serving of Spanish limes can help meet your daily vitamin C requirement. This vitamin is important for a strong immune system, cancer prevention, healthy blood circulation and wound healing. Vitamin C acts as a potent antioxidant in the body, neutralizing harmful free radicals and preventing its damaging effects in cells. By fighting cell and tissue damage, Vitamin C protects against cancer and other diseases, such as the common cold. This vitamin also enhances iron absorption from other foods, which reduces the risk of anemia. Additionally it aids in the development and maintenance of healthy capillaries, gums, and skin, as well as strong bones and teeth. Vitamin C also has anti-inflammatory properties that make them helpful for protecting against conditions such as asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis, where inflammation plays a big role. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
Iron Spanish limes are a good non-meat source of iron, an essential mineral in the body. Iron is important in red blood cell production and in transporting oxygen around the body. Iron is a component of hemoglobin in red blood cells (also called erythrocytes) that binds to oxygen and facilitates its transport from the lungs to the cells throughout the body. Iron also plays an important role in converting blood sugar to usable energy, as well as in the production of enzymes and efficient functioning of the immune system. This mineral is particularly important during periods of rapid growth such as in childhood and during pregnancy. Adequate iron intake is also important for menstruating women, athletes, and those who follow a vegan or vegetarian diet. Riboflavin Riboflavin, also known as vitamin B2, is a water-soluble vitamin that is not stored in the body, so it needs to be continually replenished through food sources. This vitamin works synergistically with the other B vitamins and is important for body growth and red blood cell production. It also helps the body utilize energy from the carbohydrates consumed in the diet. In addition to Spanish limes, other foods high in riboflavin are green leafy vegetables, legumes, and dairy products. How to Select and Store Choose Spanish limes that are uniformly green and free of any wet or soft spots. They should be harvested when fully ripe, based on fruit size How to Enjoy Fresh Spanish limes are a refreshing warm weather treat when eaten straight out-of-hand. The rind can be torn or cracked open easily, and the pulp is squeezed into the mouth. The pulp can also be scraped away from the seed and used for juice, beverages, jam, jelly, or pie-filling. The seeds are delicious when eaten after roasting. Peeled and pitted fruit can also be enjoyed in the following ways: • Use the juice in a marinade or sauce • Add to fruit salads • Puree for use in sorbet or ice cream • Cook into jam, jelly, or pie filling Savor fresh Florida Spanish limes at their peak season today. This unique sweet-tart fruit is both refreshing and nutritious. SELECTED REFERENCES http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/
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Naturally Amazing Activities
By Sean Green
Fungi Carving Halloween is right around the corner and there are plenty of really cool crafts to choose from. Our theme this month was zombie making fungi, of which the mushroom is the spore bearing fruit. After careful consideration, I thought it would be appropriate to share a mushroom carving craft with our readers. The original author and photographer for this craft seems to be Zachary Kominar of Ontario Canada (2008) but his picture has been widely distributed throughout the Internet without attribution. Standard white mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) are great for skulls because they bruise easily to provide natural variety and texture to the carved skull. Playing off the same theme, the stem from the mushroom can be removed and a small olive added to the center of the mushroom cap would make for terrific eyeballs to add to a soup dish, especially if the mushroom cap is closed enough to keep the olive secure inside. Edible mushrooms come in a variety of textures, colors and shapes, many of which could pass perfectly for zombie parts. There is plenty of time to shop around and find a good source of mushrooms to play with this Halloween, feel free to send in pictures of your creation to share with the rest of us.
Suggested Material:
White Mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) – Eyeballs, Skulls Common Morel (Morchella) – Brain Material Reishi Mushroom (Ganoderma) – Ears Wood Ear (Auricularia) – Ears
Sculpting tools:
• Sculpting set • Craft knife / Plastic knife • Toothpicks
Carefully carve simple shapes into the mushroom. They are soft, rough shapes can easily be refined without the use of sharp objects. Various mushrooms can be connected together for a more intricate design, for example, white mushrooms for the skull base topped with common morel.
813-767-4703 301 South Collins Street, Suite 101, Plant City, Florida 33563
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A Closer Look
Zombie Ants
by Sean Green
Image via HughesLab/David Hughes
There are ancient foes that lie in wait for the workers of the forest. An unsuspecting carpenter ant forages just outside its nest, perhaps for the last time. If it the worker comes too close, it will endure a mind numbing transformation that will lead to serving its new master even in death. The hostility between these two organisms has persisted for the past 48 million years in a striking example of natural selection. The parasites are neither plant or animal, but rather, fungi that have evolved to control the behavior of their ant host, forcing the ant to help disperse spores and create more servants. This sounds like the makings of a great horror movie or Halloween theme, but taking a closer look may reveal that this scourge happens daily just beneath our sight. Ophiocordyceps is a genus of fungi that include about 140 species known to parasitize ants by altering the ants behavior in ways that allow the fungi to propagate more efficiently. The species was first described by British mycologist (fungi expert) Thomas Petch in 1931. Many subsequent studies included the research of species found in the tropical forests of Thailand (Harmon 2009) and rainforests in Brazil (Hughes 2011). In the beginning of August 2014, a research group published studies of a newly discovered species of Ophiocordyceps unilateralis sensu lato that can be found in North America (de Bekker, et al.2014). The new species is a parasite to at least two species of carpenter ants found in Florida. Ophiocordyceps unilateralis sensu lato is a fungus that is a parasite to specific ants and although the fungus can kill similar ant species, researchers have found that the fungus produces a specific mix of compounds as a reaction to the presence of the species specific host brain it has evolved to manipulate, therefore resulting in each ant species having its own species of fungus. The Reddish Carpenter Ant (Camponotus castaneus ), is one of the host species that can be controlled by the fungi and typically nests in rotting logs and soil under rocks and is common throughout Florida. (Camponotus americanus) does not have a common name but is another Florida species that is a preferred host, contrary to its classification as a carpenter ant, this one typically nests in sandy soils at the base of living trees. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
Foraging ants brush against fungal spores in the wild, which then penetrate the cuticle and begin to colonize inside the ants body. Once the fungus colony becomes established, it takes over the ants central nervous system and consumes the ant from the inside. Ultimately, the ant is reduced to a zombie like puppet that is exploited by the fungi for its own propagation. With the central nervous system firmly under the control of the fungus, the ant is strategically piloted out of the nest to the underside of nearby vegetation but it’s not just random vegetation. The ant is somehow guided to a location that provides not only the proper temperature and humidity for fungus growth, but also a strategic base from which spores can be launched onto other ants. The infected ant clamps down on the vein of a leaf or other vegetation in a “death grip” that will prevent the ant corpse from falling to the ground during the next stages of assault. The ants jaw becomes locked in a “death grip” on the vein of a leaf or other vegetation. The deterioration of the ants mandible muscles prevent the ant from letting go and it soon dies suspended by its own jaws. Following the ants death, branchlike fungal mycelium grow out of the ants corpse from which new spores are dispersed among other foraging ants for the cycle to continue. It might seem that the fungus has the evolutionary upper hand, however, we cannot discount the ants strategy in this ordeal. Ants are social creatures, and behave in ways that assure the survival of the colony over that of the individual. Watch them for a while and you will see them clean each other up, remove sick and dead ants and keep the colony entrance clean and healthy. Interestingly, the fungus cannot grow inside the nest where the ants abound so efforts to remove infected corpses are just a waste of energy. The fungus targets only foraging ants. Because young carpenter ants remain inside the nest until they near the end of their life cycle it is only the oldest and weakest members of the colony that die from the fungal parasite and extra energy need not be wasted in the removal of corpses that might otherwise litter the colony. The fungi has a renewable host source of older but suitable ants to infect so it can continue to propagate. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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Classifieds
Tel: 813.759.6909 2002 EXISS 3H Slant w/Mid Tack and full living quarters, $31,500. Email brie1936@gmail.com for more information.
ANIMALS & NEEDS CECIL BREEDING FARM Full service thoroughbred farm from foaling to the track. Broodmare care. Investment opportunities. 863-899-9620
Manure in Dover
Free Well Composted and Clean Horse
Easy truck access. Dark nutrient rich compost, no dies, additives or chemicals. Pick-up only. Call 813-610-4416.
T1-11 4 X 8 SHEET 5/ 8-INCH THICK B-grade $22.95. Call Ted 813-752-3378 MOBILE HOME TUBS Metal brand new in box 54” Mobile Home Tubs Call Ted 813-752-3378 $175.00
2009 JOHN DEERE 3038E
MASSEY FERGUSON 210 2wd., diesel tractor. $3,750 Call Alvie. 813-759-8722 KUBOTA B7100 4X4 Tractor, Good Condition. $2,950 Call Alvie 813-759-8722
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WINDOW SCREENS We make window screens of all sizes available in different frame colors. Call Ted 813-752-3378
4X4 Hydro Stat Transmission with loader. 313 Hours. $15,000 Call Alvie 813-759-8722
LOOKING TO LEASE 10 Plus acres prefer North Lakeland for cattle. Will maintain fences and mowing. Call Reggie 863-698-2967
MASSEY FERGUSON 1100 Tractor 93 pto hp, 2wd with 6 cylinder. Needs TLC. $3,950 Call Alvie 813-759-8722
ALUMINUM We have all your aluminum needs! Screen Room, carports & awnings. Call Blake 813-752-3378
MAHINDRA 8560 40 actual hrs., 2wd, diesel, 83hp, shuttle shift, warranty. $22,500 Call Alvie 813-759-8722
FOR SALE – 45 ACRES VACANT LAND (Pasco County) 45 acres are comprised of gently rolling hills with big trees & solid ground. A great setting for residential development. To the east of the property is a 60 acre parcel (Lake Gilbert) that adds significant aesthetic value to the 45 acres. Zoning: AR (Agricultural-Rural) Call Heidi Cecil for more information 863-899-9620
GREASE RACK TANDEM TRAILER Good tires perfect condition! $500 Call Jim Hicks 813-545-3461
REPLACE DOOR We have a lll your aluminum needs screen room, carports & awnings. Call Blake 813-752-3378
FARM EQUIP MENT
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HUSTLER RAPTOR 42" cut, 21 hp Kawasaki engine. 3 year warranty. $2,799 Call Alvie 813-759-8722
B UILDING S UP P LIES
PINE STRAW FOR SALE Slash and long leaf available. By the bale or truck loads 45’ 48’ 53’ trailers local pickup or delivery. Questions call Clayton Parrish 813-304-3384 RUBBER MULCH All colors, buy 10 bags, get 1 FREE! $8.99 a bag. Call Ted 813-752-3378
ANIMAL & BIRDCAGES Equipment serving the fur bearing animal & exotic bird industry! Cages built to order. Wire by roll or foot. (813) 752-2230. Call Don Ammerman. www.ammermans.com Swaps July 13, 2014 and November 30, 2014 CHICKEN MANURE FOR SALE Dry and available immediately! Call Tim Ford or Danny Thibodeau 863-439-3232
info @inthe fie ld m a g a z ine .c o m
CALLER ON HOLD A low cost service that enables you to communicate important information about your business to customers while they are on hold. No monthly payments or annual payments. Call today and ask for Al 813-763-2220
KITCHEN CABINETS & VANITIES Get quality all wood cabinets for less than the BIG BOX STORES! Call Today! Ask for Blake. 813-752-3378 DOORS AND WINDOWS SPECIAL ORDER No upcharge. House & mobile home. Many standard sizes in stock. Call 813-752-3378 Ask for Blake
J OB S CONTRIBUTING WRITER Write about events in your community. Immediate openings in Hillsborough and Polk Counties. Paid per article. Responsibilities include covering community events and taking pictures. Email your resume to sarah@inthefieldmagazine.com
LAW N EQUIP MENT/ S UP P LIES 2009 DIXIE CHOPPER Xcaliber, 66 inch zero turn mower with yanmar diesel. $5,500 Call Alvie 813-759-8722 BRAND NEW HUSTLER RAPTOR Zero Turn Mower. 52" cut, 23 hp. Kawasaki engine, 3 year warranty. $2,999 Call Alvie 813-759-8722
P RODUCE FRESH PRODUCE Forbes Road Produce. Open everyday from 7:30am - 8pm. Forbes Rd. & I-4 @ exit 17. Come out and see us!
MIS C. NEW HOLLAND Crop Saver Preservative for hay 2, 50 Gal. Drums. $200 each OBO. 813-620-3006 FOR INFORMATION on the first and only patented organic doctor approved Gentlemen’s Blend coffee contact Al at: 813-763-2220. DOG KENNEL 10x10x6 ft Welded Dog Kennel, 11 1/2 GA Galvanized wire, ALL WELDED, 4 ft door. Heavy Duty Kennel - $295 Savich & Lee/Stalnaker 813-620-3006
HAY Tifton 44. Fertilized and sprayed. Horse quality. $45.00 per roll. Call 863-984-8271
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Toll FREE: 1-877-817-7891 1 46
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#1
Why is the selling brand of chain saw worldwide sold at Everglades Farm Equipment?
Because we know what you expect.
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2805 SR. 60 West Plant City, FL 33567
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820 US Hwy. 98, North Okeechobee, FL 34972
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6150 Orange Ave. Ft. Pierce, FL 34947
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906 US HWY 301 North Palmetto, FL 34221
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At Everglades Farm Equipment we carry the full line of the best hand held equipment on the planet. With the parts and service to keep you up and going, the right choice is STIHL and Everglades Farm Equipment.
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Stop in one of our 12 full service locations. We offer fast and expert on-site service. Are you ready for a STIHL?
September 2014
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