In The Field magazine Hillsborough edition

3012 S. Jim Redman Pkwy. (Hwy. 39 S) Plant City, FL • southsidestores.com 813-752-2379Mon. - Sat.: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

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WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COMINTHEFIELD MAGAZINE September 20224PAGE Hillsborough County Farm Bureau 305 S. Wheeler St. Plant City, FL. Office Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Insurance Services: 813-685-5673 Member Services: 813-685-9121 OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Dennis Carlton, Jr.....................President Jake Raburn................Vice President Tony Lopez..............Treasurer Buddy Coleman..................Secretary FORDIRECTORS2021-2022 Carl Bauman, Member at large, Christina Andrlik, Jake Cremer, Travis Council Tiffany Dale, Drew Futch, Rep. Lawrence McClure, Madison Astin Salter, Michelle Williamson, Gayle Yanes AGENCYThomasMANAGERO.Hale Farm Bureau Insurance Special Agents Valrico Office 813-685-5673 100 S. Mulrennan Rd., Valrico, FL. 33594 Tommy Hale, CLU, ChFC, CASL, CPCU Agency Mgr. Julie Carlson, Amy Engle Plant City Office 813.752.5577 305 S. Wheeler St., Plant City, FL 33563 Jeff Summer Tampa Office 813.933.5440 6535 Gunn Highway, Tampa, FL.33625 Greg Harrell, Jared Bean Kaylee Poppell, Executive Director 813-685-9121 40 CONTENTS Hey Readers! Hidden somewhere in the magazine is a No Farmers, No Food logo. Hunt for the logo and once you find the hidden logo you will be eligible for a drawing to win a FREE No Farmers No Food Sticker. Send us your business card or an index card with your name and telephone number, the number of the page which you found the logo and where on the page you located the logo to the address below InTheField® Magazine P.O. Box 5377 • Plant City, Fl. 33566-0042 *Winners will be notified by phone. You Too Can Be A Winner! PAGE 10 SpeciesEndangered PAGE 12 USDA Grants PAGE 14 New USDA Programs PAGE 16 Grove Equipment PAGE 18 Fishing Hot Spots PAGE 22 Rocking Chair Chatter PAGE 26 HCFB MemberBoard PAGE 30 News Briefs PAGE 32 Wingspread Farm PAGE 35 Garlic Scapes PAGE 36 UF/IFAS Cals PAGE 38 Unwanted Wildlife PAGE 44 John Dicks PAGE 48 Gov. DeSantis PAGE 52 Extension Education PAGE 56 Scott Angle PAGE 60 Recipes PAGE 61 Bruised Berries STRAWBERRYGETTINGREADYFORSEASON SEPTEMBER 2022 VOL. 19 • ISSUE 12

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From mowing and loading to tilling and digging, these compact tractors are built to make a long day of chores feel simple. When you turn the key of a John Deere 1 Series, you’ll quickly see why these tractors are the one.

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This is an interesting one for sure. Did you know that you can tell the temperature by counting the chirps of a cricket? A scientist by the name of Amos Dolbear published an article in 1897 that noted the correlation between the ambient temperature and the rate of cricket chirps. Accord ing to Dolbear’s Law the conversion is to count the number of chirps in 14 seconds and add the number 40 to get the temperature. By this formula, the crickets in our neck of the woods must be exhausted from chirping so many times in 14 seconds.

by

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

That’s just a small sampling from the latest Old Farmer’s Almanac. Hope you enjoyed it!

Letter from the Editor

Until Next Month

In The Field Magazine is published monthly and is avail able through local Hillsborough County businesses, res taurants, 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 Hillsborough County Farm Bureau and Strawberry Grower’s Associa Letters,tion.

As always, check out our advertisers. They allow us to continue to cover what is growing.

STAFF

First up, can cows predict the weather? If a cow stands with its tail to the west, the weather is said to be fair. If a cow grazes with its tail to the east, the weather is likely to turn sour. If a bull leads the cows to pasture, expect rain; if the cows precede the bull, the weather will be uncertain. Interesting. I’m going to need some of you ranchers to check this out for me.

I’m sure everyone knows about the woolly bear caterpillars as weather predictors. You know, the caterpillars that are brownish in the middle and black on both ends? The more brown they have on their bodies the milder winter will be!

CreativeSeniorPublisher/PhotographyKarenBerryManagingEditor/AssociatePublisherSarahHoltEditorPatsyBerrySalesKarenBerrySarahHoltMelissaNicholsGeorgeDomedionDirector/IllustratorJuanAlvarezPhotographyKarenBerryStaffWritersAlBerrySandyKasterJamesFrankowiakSeanGreenGinnyMinkContributingWritersWoodyGoreJohnDicksSocialMediaVictoriaSaunders

Published Berry Publications, Inc.

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

In the Folklore, Fun Facts & Traditions section of the 2022 Old Farmer’s Almanac, the question is asked, “Can Animals Predict The Weather.” Let’s see what they have to say.

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& 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 Publica tions, Inc. Any use or duplication of material used in In the Field magazine is prohibited without written consent from Berry Publications, Inc.

Once again I’ve been checking out The Old Farmer’s Almanac. Do you ever read it? I find it fascinating!

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE September 2022 7 PAGE (800) 495-6603 • www.regenrevolution.ag • Plant City, FL Listen to our podcast! I learn so much from this podcast. [...] John guides the conversations brilliantly. His guests are excellent experts. - onekanmar (Apple Podcasts). “ ” “I used to depressedbeby the lack of production, but AEA helped me increase my yield by 70% on less input! agricultureRegenerativehelped me save 5th-generationmy farm.”

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Members, please RSVP to 813-685-9121 and we look forward to seeing you next month. If you are not a member, please consider joining Hillsborough County Farm Bureau and help strengthen our “Voice of Agriculture.” Visit www.hcfarmbureau.org for more information on membership benefits and volunteer Thankopportunities.you,

-Dennis Carlton Jr. - President

On Tuesday October 11th beginning at 6:30pm, we will be hosting our Annual Membership Meeting in the TECO Building located on the Florida Strawberry Festival grounds. We urge all of our members to mark their calendars and join us for an evening full of fun and fellowship with great food, awards and exciting prizes. During this event, we not only celebrate the accomplishments of our member’s advocacy ef forts throughout the year, our members also have a chance to meet and speak to our local politicians and see folks that we normally don’t see that often. Hillsborough County Farm Bureau has great support throughout our community and we are thankful for our Annual Meeting Sponsors!

•

in“RootedResilience”

305 SOUTH WHEELER STREET PLANT CITY, FL 33566 813-685-9121

Greetings,

Dennis Carlton Jr, President; Carl Bauman, Vice-President; Tony Lopez, Treasurer; Madison Astin Salter, Secretary; Tiffany Dale, Christina Andrlik, Jake Cremer, Brittany Coleman, Travis Council, Drew Futch, Rep. Lawrence McClure, Casey Runkles, Michelle Williamson. Gayles Yanes, Kaylee Poppell, Executive Director

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY

The Annual Meeting is not the only thing we are plan ning. Ag-Venture is quickly approaching and we have over 50 classrooms of 3rd graders lined up to learn about all things agriculture during our fall field trips. The Hillsborough County Fair is coming up as well, be sure to visit and see all that our Youth have to showcase. From livestock to plants and even crafts, our kids are always ready to help share the story of agriculture. Our 4-H and FFA students are the future of our industry and we are so proud of the hard work they put in to help educate our community.

Dennis Carlton Jr.

Board of Directors

Dennis Carlton Jr. - President

•

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I hope this letter finds each of you doing well. It is an exciting time of the year as summer is slowly com ing to an end, kids are back in school and strawberry farmers are preparing the ground for the upcoming season. This time of the year is also exciting for Hill sborough County Farm Bureau as we are busy plan ning our 80th Annual Meeting! We are excited to celebrate the resilience of our members during this great milestone.

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The Blue-Tailed Mole Skink is endemic to central Florida and was probably fairly widespread before the large-scale con version of its habitat for agriculture.

The Blue-Tailed Mole Skink or Eumeces egregius lividus, has short, stubby legs and a thin, cylindrical body measuring from 3.6-5.2 inches. The tail, blue in juveniles and pinkish with age, is a little more than half the body length. Breeding males may develop orange sides in late winter.

The larger habitat of the Blue-Tailed Mole Skink is sand pine scrub communities. Dominant vegetation includes sand pine and rosemary, or longleaf pine and turkey oak associations. Loose sand, vital for burrowing, is the primary habitat require ment. This species is more common in early successional for est stages and may not persist in mature sand pine scrub due to this requirement.

The main recovery need for the Blue-Tailed Mole Skink is the protection and management of habitat to ensure its contin ued survival. This would entail not only preserving sufficient habitat from development, but ensuring that required habi tat adaptations are maintained. The Blue-Tailed Mole Skink is found at a few protected sites such as Archibald Biological Station, Lake Kissimmee State Park, Lake Arbuckle, Saddle Blanket Lakes and Tiger Creek. The State of Florida through the Florida Natural Areas Inventory and private organizations such as the Nature Conservancy are engaged in aggressive campaigns to acquire pine scrub habitat in the central portion of the state.

The Blue-Tailed Mole Skink is found in suitable habitat in Polk and Highlands counties. North of Polk County, the Blue-Tailed Skink is replaced by the peninsula mole skink or by hybrids of the two subspecies.

Much of the Blue-Tailed Skink’s habitat is privately owned

Moisture retained by litter is important for internal heat reg ulation in this species. Unlike the endangered sand skink, which forages underneath the sandy soil, the mole skink for ages mostly on the surface. Therefore, the two skinks occupy different niches and do not compete for food, even though they are occasionally seen together.

By Libby Hopkins

E ndang E r E d S p E ci ES The Blue-Tailed Mole Skink

The Florida Natural Areas Inventory lists 20 population sites for the Blue-Tailed Skink. In 1965, there were an estimated 50,000 acres of available habitat. Within 20 years, roughly 65 percent of the skink’s habitat had been lost.

land that is being rapidly converted to citrus groves or rezoned for housing tracts. In remaining sand pine and longleaf pine areas, naturally occurring fires, necessary for the habitat’s maintenance, have been suppressed. When sand pine scrub is unable to renew itself through fire, encroaching vegetation eventually replaces the scrub. Within protected areas, managed fires may be used to remove much of the successional growth, benefitting the skink and other flora and fauna threatened by fire suppression.

Within scrub areas, skinks occupy only localized pockets of sufficient leaf litter and moisture to provide abundant food and nesting sites.

Little is known of the biology of the Blue-Tailed Mole Skink, but it is presumed to be similar to the peninsular mole skink. The mole skink forages on the surface or digs into the soil to find insects, feeding mostly on cockroaches, spiders and crickets. It mates during the winter, and females lay under ground clutches of three to seven eggs in the spring. Skinks become sexually mature during the first year.

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ties for state producers and increase the amount of product distributed to underserved populations outside the normal food distribution network. By empowering local producers, the program will connect food banks, food pantries and other hunger-based organizations with new food sources to ad dress the unique food insecurity issues in their communities.

The LFPA program, authorized by the American Rescue Plan and administered by the USDA, is awarding funding through non-competitive cooperative agreements with state and trib al governments to support local, regional, and underserved producers through the purchase of food produced within the state or within 400 miles of delivery destination.

By Jim Florida’sFrankowiakDepartment

FDACS Signs Local Food Cooperative Agreement with USDA to Support Underserved Florida

of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has signed a $24.8 million cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the Lo cal Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Pro gram (LFPA). The program provides grant funds to the FDACS Division of Food, Nutrition, and Wellness (FNW) to purchase and distribute locally grown, produced and processed food from underserved producers.

FDACS will use the $24.8 million grant to maintain and im prove Florida’s food and agricultural supply chain resiliency. The new program will focus on fostering long-term and instate relationships with an emphasis on small and under served producers to create sustainable market opportuni

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The announcement includes up to $300 million for “Increasing Land, Capital and Market Access” Projects aimed at helping underserved producers. This Notice of Funding Opportunity is seeking partner organizations for projects that increase access to land, capital and markets. Projects should be innovative and help move underserved producers from surviving to thriving. Projects must focus on strengthening land access with at least one of the following related areas of concern: capital access concerns that affect the ability to access land; market access concerns that affect the ability to access land; or a combination of one or more of land, capital and market access concerns. The deadline for applications is October 28, 2022. More infor mation is available at: grants.gov.

Also, $250 million has been designated for the “From Learn ing to Leading Cultivating the Next Generation of Diverse Food and Agriculture Professionals” program to create career devel opment opportunities for next gen scholars at minority-serving Institutions. USDA is committed to not only hiring, developing and advancing a workforce that truly reflects America’s rich and diverse characteristics, but also to creating a workplace environment that is inclusive so that everyone can rise to their highest potential and flourish in supporting our mission. The need for growing the next generation of professionals is timely and important. This competitive funding opportunity is aimed at attracting, inspiring, and retaining diverse and talented stu dents at eligible minority-serving institutions for careers in food, agriculture and related disciplines, with an emphasis on federal government sector employment. Eligible applicants are 1890 land-grant institutions, 1994 land-grant institutions, Alaska Native-serving institutions, Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, certified Hispanic-serving institutions and Insular Area institutions of higher education located in the U.S. terri tories. The deadline for applications is October 25, 2022. Visit: grants.gov for full details.

USDA Announces New Program forUnderserved, Minority Farmers

By Jim Frankowiak

U.S. DEPARTMENT of AGRICULTURE

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced up to $550 million in funding to support projects that enable un derserved producers to access land, capital and markets and train the next, diverse generation of agricultural professionals.

In the late 1980s, the McKeeman family began Grove Equip ment Manufacturing for the production of specialized citrus equipment used for the application of herbicides, fertilizer, topping and hedging. Grove Equipment began its presence in Plant City in 1992. “A dealership was closing and I visited the location to see about purchasing assets for our Polk County store,” said David. “That led to the opening of our Plant City store as I saw the potential beyond the purchase of assets from the closing dealership.”

David and his wife Patty’s son Robby graduated from Flagler College with a business degree in 2010.  He agreed to join the family business and has been instrumental in its growth. Mar ried to Morgan, Robby and his wife have two children, Layla, 12; and Rowan, 5. “They, hopefully, represent the fourth gen eration of the McKeeman family to be involved in the busi ness,” said Robby.

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By Jim Frankowiak

over 80 percent market share of the sprayers in the citrus industry at that time and Grove Equipment quickly had 80 percent of that 80 percent,” noted David. While the citrus industry represented the majority of Grove Equipment’s busi ness initially, it has gradually evolved and now includes road side mowing contractors, cattle ranchers, strawberry grow ers, land management companies and entities involved in site preparation, as well as citrus growers. The Grove Equipment mix of products now includes tractors, Bobcat utility vehicles, Bad Boy and Bobcat zero turn lawn mowers, Durand Way land and John Bean Sprayers, Ansung/Terra Force, Athens, Bush Hog, Mahindra, Trail Blazer, Titan, Lane Shark and Bob cat implements and Triple Crown and Bigfoot trailers. The mix of tractors includes the brands Mahindra, Massey Fergusson, Bobcat and Antonio Carraro.  The company also offers rental equipment such as tractors, material handling equipment, mowers and various attachments/implements.

Throughout the history of Grove Equipment, the constant fo cus of the company has been its simple mission statement “to make a fair profit by providing high quality products and ser vice in an ethical, friendly, honest and helpful manner.” That

GROVE EQUPMENT SERVICE CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

“Robby has been primarily responsible for the exponential growth of our company since he joined us,” said David. “He bought the company in January of this year and that has en abled me to reduce my involvement and bring my retirement so much closer.”

Old Alturas Facilities from 1972-2002

Plant City 908 E. Baker St.

McKeeman family moved to Florida from Ft. Wayne, In diana. “My dad worked various auto mechanic jobs until the late 1960s when he took a job as field after sales support for FMC/John Bean based out of the Orlando/Winter Park area,” said David. FMC had been factory direct with sales and ser vice, but in 1972 they started a dealer network. Dad had es tablished a good relationship with most citrus growers and leveraged that as he formed and began Grove Equipment

Theing.”

Grove Equipment Service Inc. is celebrating its 50th year of “superior service and selection” with a strong outlook for the future. Founded in Alturas, Florida in 1972, the company was established by Robert “Bob” McKeeman, his wife Erma, their son David and a mechanic. “Dad started dabbling in FMC/ John Bean sprayer parts sales and service about the time I graduated from high school in 1971,” said David. “He officially started Grove Equipment Service in 1972 as he saw the po tential in becoming part of a dealer network FMC was start

Bartow 5905 State Rd. 60 East

Two years later, the fabrication skills present at Grove Equip ment Manufacturing led to the formation of 4D, a company which created artistic signage for shopping malls. “We were fortunate to sell our signs to malls as far away as Hawaii and Vermont, as well as other locations,” said David. In 2002, the McKeeman’s sold their holdings in Alturas and moved to their current location on State Road 60 east of Bartow. They pur chased that location in 2005.

“FMCService.”had

September 2022 17 PAGE

coupled with loyal customers and employees have been keys to our success,” said David.  While each Grove Equipment em ployee is valued by David and Robby, they are particularly ap preciative of the service of Plant City Manager Alvie Still and his wife, Ann.

As a token of its appreciation, Grove Equipment is a strong supporter of various community initiatives such as youth sports teams, FFA chapters, the Orange Blossom Revue, youth fairs, “Jeepin with Judd” (the Polk County Sheriff’s Of fice event) and judging various tractor driving competitions to name a few.

In 2021, investedMosaicover $3.56MinNorthAmericatoaddressfoodinsecurityandhunger.MONTHHUNGERSEPTEMBERwww.mosaicfloridaphosphate.comISACTION

Both David and Robby feel good about the future.  “We be lieve the market will stay strong, especially in the rural lifestyle segment,” they said. “We will continue to invest in providing top quality service. eCommerce is a major threat to any re tail dealership/storefront. The thing they will never be able to provide is service. We feel this is where we can separate ourselves from the competition.  New school ideas with old school Congratulationsvalues.”

Grove Equipment!

“The Still’s are a wonderful couple that is very important to us,” noted David. “Ann is not an employee, but she devotes so much of her time to us both during and outside of business hours, we can’t thank her enough.”

Three Generations of Ownership David, Bob and Robby McKeeman

• Thunderstorms build over the water in the summertime when the humidity and temperature on land are high. Hot air radiates upward from the sun-heated ground and absorbs moisture from the nearby water, ultimately rising to begin forming a thunderhead. The telltale sign of these storms is fast-moving black clouds, often approaching from the southwest, south, or west.

Here are some thoughts for keeping your eye on the weather:

• How long do you have before a storm arrives? Try this trick. When you first see a flash of lightning, count how many seconds pass before you hear the ac companying thunder, then divide by five. The result is the number of miles you are away from the storm.

Tampa Bay Fishing Report August 2022

• Even if a storm is still several miles away, the lightning it generates can reach you with ease. Lighting can strike well be fore and after the storm has seemingly passed. Watch for the “coppery” haze and building cumulonimbus clouds that indicate a thunderstorm. Seek shelter well in advance.

Capt. Woody Gore (www.captainwoodygore.com)

Capt. Woody Gore

Fortunately, for those brave enough to get out on the water catching fish has been a plus. Everything seems to coop erate and eat just about anything on a line and hook. Live, greenbacks, thread fins, small pinfish, Spanish sardines, and the old standby, shrimp, work well. Fished under a cork or free-lined, they’re sure bets to catching fish.

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For example, cumulus clouds often re semble puffy pieces of floating cotton. And they also have a flat base, usu ally reaching only 3300 feet above the ground, with rounded towers in the shape of a cauliflower. They also grow upward, developing into a giant cumulo nimbus or thunderstorm cloud. And with that, mariners should have some basic maritime-weather knowledge. Should you be unprepared and aboard a sailing vessel, motorboat, or kayak? The good news is you can predict storms and get to safety.

• Look for telltale signs of a forming thun derstorm. Such as clumps of thick cumu lous clouds (the puffy cotton-ball type) darkening into a towering, cumulonim bus cloud (think of cumulous as growing vertically, with an anvil-like shape at the top.) when you see this formation start ing, head for shore. Wind, lighting, and rain often occur within 30 minutes of de veloping clouds.

• Inclement weather is often forecast be fore you ever leave the shore. Check the television, newspaper, Internet, or cell phone for marine forecasts. Pay careful attention to any posted marine weather warnings for areas you intend to boat.

Summer Thunderstorms

Summer is here, and so are the daily thunderstorms plaguing our summer outings. But while summer brings visual izations of warm temperature and water fun, it also brings those windy weather conditions that can end all our summer fun. Thunderstorms, lightning, and higher winds are indications of an approaching thunderstorm. Inclement weather is fore cast before you ever leave the shore.

• Storm severity can often be predicted by the shape and color of a cloud’s front edge. The darker, sharper, and lower the edge, the more severe. The anvil-shaped top of storm clouds will typically point in the direction of travel.

• If you can’t outrun a storm or find pro tection, navigate your craft into the wind taking approaching waves at a 90-de gree angle. If you’re on a PWC (personal watercraft), keep your pump in the wa ter, lessening the chance of a rollover. It’s also best to stay as low as possible so your body is not the tallest target on the water. Once on shore, take shelter near lower buildings or trees and away from the trunk.

• A handheld VHF radio can be a lifesav er, with many radios featuring a weather alert to warn of approaching storms. In addition, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) broadcasts continual weather bulletins on designated “WX’ channels, which are updated every six hours. Here are some NOAA Weather Radio stations: MHz 162.400, MHz, 162.425  MHz, 162.450,  MHz 162.475,  MHz 162.500, MHz 162.525,  MHz 162.550; you can find others on the Internet under the N.O.A.A listing)(https://www.weather.gov/nwr/station_Website

Well, guess what? It’s still hot, and we probably can’t expect any relief for an other couple of months. Mid-mornings show water temperatures in the eighties, and I wonder if the heat will ever ease up.

Redfish

Captain Woody Gore owns and oper ates the area’s Number One OutdoorFishing and Environmental Guide Ser vice. 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 adven tures 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@cap tainwoodygore.com, or give him a call at 813-477-3814. Professional Fishing Guide and Environmentalist, Outdoor Writer, Speaker, and Photo, Journalist. Capt. Woody Gore

“Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing”

We should see more redfish ac tion around the flats and back country mangroves. Reds should push into the Mangroves and around oyster bars on incoming tides. Live bait should produce good catches.

813-477-3814

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Spotted Sea Trout

Trout fishing continues but is not as strong as the cooler temps. Look for fairsized trout on the deeper edges of grass flats all over Tampa Bay. Live shrimp and greenbacks under popping corks should fit the bill nicely. But free-lined shrimp in sandy potholes might produce larger fish, not to mention the occasional flounder.

Markers and sandy flats often equal Cobia, and they also cruise the flats following rays looking for a quick snack. When marker fishing, keep a chum bag out; you never know what might show up following the scent.

Snook

Cobia

Tarpon

Tarpon fishing should continue this month and many will move into the upper parts of Tampa Bay. Threadfin Hearing are abundant throughout Tampa Bay and works very well for tarpon. If fishing around the Skyway, set up so your baits drift back with the current. Also, be prepared to release your anchor onto a buoy. Fish ing around the Skyway is an added attraction; you might catch Grouper, Snapper, or large Mackerel.

Snook fishing will continue strong this month, with larger fish on the beaches. Expect to see snook bunching up near passes and deeper holes. Sometimes they seem to have lockjaw, but patience pays off. Anglers report catching good fish using dead bait left on the bottom. But remember, dead bait on the bottom is often a tempting morsel for mister stingray. Night fishing around bridges can pro duce some good catches.

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• Lt. Thomas Selfridge, 26, was the first person killed in a plane crash (1908). Orville Wright was the pilot.

• The “real” name of The Riddler in “Batman” is Edward Nigma (E. Nigma, get it?).

•A trip around the bases on a baseball diamond is the exact same distance as running the length of a football field, includ ing the end zones - 360 feet.

• Willard Scott was the first Ronald McDonald, in 1963.

• In 1881, the United States had three different presidents: Rutherford B. Hayes, James Garfield and Chester A. Arthur.

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• President Rutherford B. Hayes had the first telephone put in the White House in 1877. It was installed by Alexander Graham Bell.

Fischbach Land Company917 S Parsons Avenue Brandon, FL 3351 Information provided on properties is as accurate as possible. Fischbach Land Company does not guarantee the accuracy thereof. All parties shall conduct their own due diligence, research, inspection, and records to come to their own conclusions. Commercial,Agriculture,FloridaFischbachLandCompany.com813-540-1000LandDevelopment,Industrial,CountryEstatesReal BrokerageEstateServicesSince2008ReedFischbach,LicensedReal Estate Broker Blaise Lelaulu, Licensed Real Estate Associate Melissa Raburn, Licensed Real Estate Associate Limestone Grove 1,780± Acres, Arcadia, FL Limestone Grove, located in Arcadia, DeSoto County, includes pasture, and both Valencia and Hamlin Citrus Varieties. Property is suitable for Citrus, Vegetables, and Sod, featuring 19 wells on property. Improvements: 2 Mobile Homes and a 5,376± SF Metal Building. Sale Price: “ Accepting Offers” Turkey Creek Home and Additional Vacant Homesite 3BR/2BA 1,978± SF Manufactured Home on 3± Acres INCLUDES adjoining vacant parcel for a second home. Clean and updated look featuring farm-house finishes, a bright and open living and kitchen area, and wood burning fireplace. Site Improvements: 26’x26’ enclosed workshop with power including 50amp service. Sale Price: $475,000 Ad-InTheField SEPT2022.indd 1 9/9/22 10:01 AM

HOPEWELLFUNERALHOME•MEMORIALGARDENS

Ten years later, the same girls, now 65-year-olds, discussed where to meet for dinner. Finally they agreed to meet at the Sea Side Restaurant because they had an Early Bird Special and the lighting was good.

I love the story of three elderly sisters, ages 92, 94 and 96, who shared a house together. One evening, the 96-year old sister went upstairs to take a bath. As she put her foot into the tub, she paused. Then she yelled down to the other two sisters and asked, “Was I getting in the tub or out?”

Editor’s Note: This Rocking Chair Chatter was originally printed in the September 2018 issue

Sponsored by:

Age 65

The 92-year old sister was sitting at the kitchen table drinking a cup of tea and thought, “I hope I never get that forgetful, knock on wood.” She shook her head and called out, “I’ll be up to help you both as soon as I see who’s at the door.”

“You dern fool,” said the 94 year old. “I’ll come up and see.” When she got half way up the stairs she paused. “Was I going up the stairs or down?”

Ten years later, the same girls, now 55-year-olds, discussed where to meet for dinner. Finally they agreed to meet at the Sea Side Restaurant because the prices were reasonable, it had windows which opened (in case of hot flashes), the wine list was good and fish was good for their cholesterol.

Ten years later, the same girls, now 35, discussed where to meet for dinner. Finally they agreed to meet at the Sea Side Restaurant because the combos were good, it was near the gym and if they went late enough, there wouldn’t be many whiny little kids.

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There are signs that appear once you reach age 65. It takes longer to rest than it did to get tired. Your night out is sitting on the patio. Your back goes out more than you do.

Ten years later, the same girls, now 75-year-olds, discussed where to meet for dinner. Finally they agreed to meet at the Sea Side Restaurant because the food wasn’t too spicy and it was handicapped accessible.

Some 15-year old girls decided to meet for dinner. They dis cussed where to eat and finally agreed on McDonald’s next to the Sea Side Restaurant because they only had $6.50 between them and Bobby Bruce, the cute boy in science class, lived on that street.Ten years later, the same girls, now 25-year-olds, discussed where to meet for dinner. Finally they agreed to meet at the Sea Side Restaurant because it had free snacks, there was no cover charge, the beer was cheap, the band was good and there were lots of cute guys.

Ten years later, the same girls, now 45, discussed where to meet for dinner. Finally they agreed to meet at the Sea Side Restaurant because the martinis were big and the waiters wore tight pants and had nice buns.

Ten years later, the same girlfriends, now 85, discussed where to meet for dinner. Finally they agreed to meet at the

FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1971

some expressions that have become obsolete be cause of the fast march of technology. These phrases include: “Don’t touch that dial” “Carbon copy” “You sound like a broken record” “Hung out to dry”

We were in like Flynn and living the life of Riley, and even a regular guy couldn’t accuse us of being a knucklehead, a nincompoop or a pill. Not for all the tea in China!

It turns out there are more of these lost words and expres sions than Carter has liver pills. To me this can be disturbing

Oh, my aching back. Kilroy was here, but he isn’t anymore.

Westuff!of a certain age have been blessed to live in changing times. For a child each new word is like a shiny toy, a toy that has no age. We are at the other end of the page and have the advantage of remembering words that once did not exist and there were words that once were part of our vocabulary, and now are heard no more except in our memory. It’s one of the greatest advantages of aging.

Back in the olden days we had a lot of moxie. We’d put on our best bib and tucker to straighten up and fly right. Heavens to Betsy! Gee whillikers! Jumping Jehoshaphat! Holy moly!

Sea Side Restaurant because they’d never been there before.

Back in the olden days, life used to be swell, but when’s the last time anything was swell? Swell has gone the way of pageboys, knickers, fedoras, poodle skirts, saddle shoes and pedal pushers.

See ya’ later, alligator!

At this age we lose words of our youth. How long has it been since you have heard or used the phrase; “Heavens to Murg Wordsatroyd?”are gone as fast as the buggy ship. It’s really sad! The other day an elderly lady said something to her son about driving a Jalopy, and he looked at her and said, “What the heck is a Jalopy?”

We wake up from what surely has been just a short nap, and before we can say, well I’ll be a monkey’s uncle! or, this is a fine kettle of fish! We discover that the words we grew up with have vanished with scarcely a notice from our tongues and our pens and our keyboards.

Poof go the words of our youth, the words we’ve forgotten all left behind. We blink, and they’re gone. Where have all those phrases gone?

Long gone: Pshaw, The milkman did it. Hey! It’s your nickel. Don’t forget to pull the chain. Knee high to a grasshopper. Well, Fiddlesticks! I’ll see you in the funny papers, and don’t take any wooden nickels.

Well, I trust that you will be “Hunky Dory” after you read this Herearticle.are

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A graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor’s de gree in Agriculture Education and Communications, Brittany is currently pursuing her master’s degree at Florida Gulf Coast University where she is in the Accelerated Special Education Program. She is an Agriculture Teacher and FFA Advisor at Du rant High School, her alma mater. Her father previously was an Agriculture Teacher at Turkey Creek Middle School, which Brittany also attended, but is currently teaching agriculture at Suwannee High School.

Brittany Coleman has joined the Hillsborough County Farm Bureau Board of Directors, carrying forward the work of her father Buddy, a multi-term board member and officer. A Plant City native, Brittany is one of two children of Buddy and Debo rah. Their other child is Jesse Coleman.

Brittany has been involved in the agriculture industry since she was very young. “I began raising and showing sheep at the age of 4 and continued through high school,” she said. “As I got older, I also raised beef cattle and market swine for show. I also was an active member of the Turkey Creek and Durant FFA Chapters while in middle and high school. I had the op portunity to serve in numerous leadership positions at the local and district levels. I was also part of many FFA Career

Congratulations Brittany!

Brittany Coleman and Austin Holcomb

“My time and experience in FFA made such an impact on me that I decided to teach agriculture and become an FFA Advi sor myself,” she said.  “I have served the Florida Association of Agriculture Educators (FAAE) as President and on the FFA Board of Directors to help serve my fellow agriculture educa tors. Today, I serve as the Chair of the Hillsborough County Fair Breeding Sheep and Market Lamb Shows. I also serve on sheep show committees for both the Florida State Fair and Florida Strawberry Festival.”

NEW FARM BUREAU BOARD MEMBER

Development Event Teams (CDE’s) including Forestry, Parlia mentary Procedure and Livestock Evaluation.”

By Jim Frankowiak

Former law enforcement officer selected by festival board

BRITTANY COLEMAN

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“I believe in the mission and purpose of the Hillsborough County Farm Bureau Board,” she said.  “As an agriculture edu cator, I feel like I can bring a unique perspective to the board. I look forward to the chance to advocate for the industry that drives our nation. And, I hope my participation will serve to en courage other young agriculturalists so that they get involved in organizations such as Farm Bureau and its Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) program.”

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Event Includes: Two( 2) Steak Dinners per Family

Additional dinners are $15.00 per guest. Children under 12 receive a free hotdog dinner Youth Speech Contest Winner Award Ceremony Board of Directors Election Donation Drawing + 4-H Silent Auction

Please make plans to attend the OCTOBER 11TH AT 6:30PM

Dennis Carlton Jr, President; Carl Bauman, Vice-President; Tony Lopez, Treasurer; Madison Astin Salter, Secretary; Tiffany Dale, Christina Andrlik, Jake Cremer, Brittany Coleman, Travis Council, Drew Futch, Rep. Lawrence McClure, Casey Runkles, Michelle Williamson. Gayles Yanes, Kaylee Poppell, Executive Director

TECO EXPO HALL

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FARM BUREAU ANNUAL MEETING 80th Annual

R S V P T O 8 1 3 . 6 8 5 . 9 1 2 1 O R K A Y L E E . P O P P E L L @ F F B F . O R G THANK YOU TO OUR PRESENTING SPONSORS

FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL GROUNDS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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The ranking compares the top agricultural science degree programs in the U.S. including animal sciences, horticulture, aquaculture, agronomy, crop science and turf management.

The Plant City Garden is launching its Saturday morning su per-fresh, petite market at the garden September 24th from 8 – 11 a.m. and Saturdays thereafter. Initially, the Garden will offer Choose-Your-Own Aquaponic lettuce, freshly snipped herbs, microgreens, longevity spinach, eggplant, smoked salt and possibly papaya and other local vegetables grown using organic methods. The Garden is located at 2001 East Cherry Street in Plant City.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Mar keting Service (AMS) has awarded more than $4 million for administration by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) for 23 projects under the AMS Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). This funding supports farmers growing specialty crops, including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts and nursery crops.

UF Ranked #4Ag Sciences Schoolin America

The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $25 million for the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) On-Farm Conservation Trials program.

The grants will be used to fund projects that support the spe cialty crop industry by enhancing food safety, investing in specialty crop research, including research to focus on con servation and environmental outcomes, developing new and improved seed varieties and specialty crops and improving strategies for pest and disease control. In addition, some proj ects will focus on increasing child and adult nutrition knowl edge and consumption of specialty crops and improving ef ficiency and reducing costs of produce distribution systems.

Niche, a Pittsburgh-based data science company that serves as a review and search platform for education recently up dates its statistics and compiled a list of “2023 Best Colleges for Agricultural Sciences in America.” The University of Florida was ranked No. 4.

USDA Accepting Grant Applications for CIG On-Farm Trials

in most USDA programs, agricultural producers agree to comply with wetland conservation provisions, which means producers will not farm converted wetlands or convert wetlands to enable agricultural production. In situations where avoidance or on-site mitigation is challenging, the Farm Bill al lows for off-site mitigation through the purchase of mitigation banking credits. Proposals are being accepted from eligible entities through Grants.gov by Oct. 10, 2022.

The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing up to $5 million in the Wetland Mitigation Banking Program (WMBP), supporting the development of mitigation banks for use by agricultural producers seeking to maintain eligibility for USDA

FDACS Receives More Than $4 Million for Specialty Crop Block Grants

Hillsborough County Farm Bureau’s Ag-Venture in a Box was featured as one of 18 County Activities of Excellence Award recipients in the American Farm Bureaus “News” distributed nationally. Ag-Venture in a Box was created and implemented due to COVID-19 and the cancellation of in-person field trips to the Florida State Fair, a learning event that had been tak ing place for more than 20 years prior to the pandemic. HCFB filmed eight stations that featured presenters teaching about commodities. Videos featured a tropical aquaculture lab, a tree farm, strawberry field and dairy farm. In addition to the videos, Ag-Venture in a Box provided hands-on classroom ac tivities for each video.

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) im plements the program in which partners work to address wa ter quality, water quantity, air quality, soil health and wildlife challenges, all while improving agricultural operations. The On-Farm Trials initiative supports widespread adoption an evaluation of innovative conservation approaches in partner ship with agricultural producers. More information is available on the NRCS website: nrcs.usda.gov.

NEWS BRIEFS

FFA Sets Record-High Membership

The organization currently has more than 132,700 Latino members, over 47,000 Black members and more than 13,000 American Indian and Alaskan native members.

Compiled by Jim Frankowiak

PLANT CITY GARDEN LAUNCHES WEEKLY PETITE MARKET

The National FFA Organization has an nounced a record-high student mem bership of 850,823, an increase of 15 percent from last year. In addition, the number of chapters has increased by 178, resulting in a total of 8,995 chap ters in the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

USDA Invests $5 Million in Wetland Mitigation Banking Program

Toprograms.participate

AG-VENTURE AWARD RECOGNIZED IN AFBF NEWS

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The couple began their farming venture after a forced retire ment. “I just wanted to plant a good sized garden and man age the production of the most perfect protein, the egg,” Andi said. “I began to bake fresh bread as well when we began selling our eggs to the public.”

The Best Little Farm in Valrico

Today, cinnamon rolls and pastries are in high demand, with new creations added spontaneously. “I have no agricultural background,” Andi said. “I am a Hungarian refugee, my fa ther’s family had a small farm where they had chickens, hors es and pigs. Everyone was pretty self-sufficient. Growing their own vegetables and fruits, the excess sold at the local market where they swapped goods. My father always had a garden and planted fruit trees wherever we lived. We immigrated to New Zealand.”

Wingspread Farm has grown into a beautiful enterprise right in the center of Valrico, surrounded by many neighborhoods. “Most of our customers are within walking distance from many of the neighborhoods, which makes shopping at our farm very convenient,” Andi said. “We especially love the joy shown by kids of all ages when they see the chickens flying about, seeing them in their nests, holding a warm freshly laid egg for the first time.”

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“I(www.ruralsystem.com)thinkstayinglocaliseverything,”

By Libby Hopkins

Another thing that brings customers to Wingspread Farm is the amazing food Andi makes. “Like the old school Europe

minder that human hearts and hands work to make the food you eat, not just a corporate label.

Andi said. “It reduces the carbon footprint, but more importantly you serve your neigh bors and community. You are aware of needs and are able to help out where needed. Staying local builds an extremely strong web of self-reliance based on a strong community support system. We are working on adding local artisans who can sell the things they create as well on our farm grounds, which builds the bonds ever more strongly.”

Ken and Andi Schielka built Wingspread Farm together, trans forming a small repossessed shed into their first coop for 12 pullets, which quickly grew into a beautiful flock. They began baking their simple, crusty baguettes to compliment the sale of rich fresh eggs.

There are many benefits to having a small local farm close to your neighborhood. Small farms renew a link between the food people eat and the land they live on. If your food comes from a farm down the road, you can see the plants as they sprout and look forward to the food of a season. It is also a re

Numerous small and mid-sized farms across America would provide a multitude of food-sources, creating important re dundancy in the American food system. If any farm has a poor season, Americans could still obtain fresh food from other lo cal or regional farms in the area. In this way, economic risk is spread and we all can experience greater food security.

If you ask the couple what makes their small farm different from other small farms in the area, they will tell you the care and upkeep they put into their farm. “What makes us unique is our cleanliness, because we are centrally residential we have no chicken odors due to the way we manage the coops,” Andi said. “We love our customers and are thrilled when we see the joy and appreciation they show us.”

Local and regional farms provide people with seasonal, un processed fruits and vegetables. The availability of fresh, healthy food could serve as an alternative to the average unhealthy American diet, which currently consists mostly of corn and wheat in different forms.

an methods, we stay seasonal, making jams and jellies from the tropical fruits we grow, especially the papaya and passion fruits,” Andi said. “Adding Hungarian prod ucts was a natural step, given Andi’s Hungarian heritage,” Ken said. “Kolbasz, Salami, csalamade, uborka pickles and Hungarian jams. The smoked meats, pickles, sides and cheese round out their uniquely delicious offerings, making our adorable urban farm stand a unique foodie destination. Our mission is to provide beautiful, delicious foods to gift and share. Food is love”

If you would like to learn more about Wingspread Farm, you can visit their website at https://wingspread.farm/.

Auto Services Services “We Are A FULL SERVICE Garage” 3159 Hwy. 60 East 3 miles east of Brandon Serving Brandon Since (www.brandonautoservices.com1971813)689-8255 • Body Shop • Used / Reman Transmission • Engine Diagnostic / Tune Up • Maintenance/Repairs • CV Axles • Drive Shafts • AC Repair • Alternator / Starter • Brakes Inc. GUARANTEED USED PARTS • Large selection of Used Tires • New and Used Glass Installed 2 Year PartGuarantee!Replacement&Labor

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WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COMINTHEFIELD MAGAZINE September 202234PAGE Attachments not shown to scale. Grove Equipment Service 5905 State Road 60 East Bartow, FL 33830 863-537-1345 Grove Equipment Service 908 East Baker Street Plant City, FL 33563 813-759-8722 YEAR END SALES EVENT SAVE UP TO 10% OFF SELECT TRACTORS & ATTACHMENTS. SALE ENDS DEC 31, 2022

How to Select and Store

Garlic is widely known as a popular, nutritious vegetable to add flavor to any dish. Did you know that garlic scapes, the green stems that grow from garlic bulbs, are also edible and delicious? Garlic scapes can be found at farmers markets and some grocery stores. They are thin and curly green stems that look a lot like chives or grass, and young stems are ten der and mild in flavor, resembling the flavor of onions. Some describe the taste as mildly spicy and fresh, a mellow garlic flavor. On top of each scape is a bulging bud that is the un opened flower of the plant, and this is also edible. They can be eaten raw or sautéed in olive oil to add flavor to any dish. Use in salads, soups, dips, stir fries, and entrees. It’s beneficial to harvest garlic scapes if you are growing garlic, because cutting off the stems will allow more nutrition and resources to go towards growing big, flavorful bulbs.

SELECTED REFERENCES

Garlic scapes, much like the garlic bulb, are highly nutritious and can help prevent heart disease, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. They are low in calories and high in di etary fiber and vitamins A and C. They are loaded with vita mins and minerals and also contain antioxidant properties for only 30 calories per 100 gram serving.

NUTRITIONAL PROFILE

Eating garlic scapes and other foods high in fiber can help decrease the risk of coronary heart disease and help prevent atherosclerosis. Additionally, scapes contain both insoluble fiber that adds bulk and decreases constipation, and soluble fiber which lowers cholesterol levels.

How to enjoy

• Sauté in butter or olive oil over low heat

Garlic scapes are very high in vitamin A, which plays a role in vision health and also acts as an antioxidant. Antioxidants are compounds with the ability to neutralize free radicals, which are harmful by-products of metabolism that can lead to dis ease. Antioxidants may reduce the risk of some diseases, in cluding several forms of cancer.

• Add diced scapes to your favorite omelet or frittata recipe Enjoy the mellow, sweet flavor of Florida garlic scapes today.

• Add finely chopped scapes to salads or soups

etables/https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/veghttp://www.whfoods.comhttp://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/

Wash well under running water immediately before use. Gar lic scapes can be cut into two inch pieces and sautéed. They can also be finely chopped and added to cream cheese, but ter, mayonnaise for topping bread or bagels. Raw scapes are also delicious in salads or pureed to make pesto. Scapes can be added to soup or stew and pairs well with eggs, fish, pota toes, and casseroles.

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FLORIDA GARLIC SCAPES

More ways to enjoy garlic scapes:

• Use finely chopped scapes and sea salt to top buttered toast or bagels

Choose fresh garlic scapes that are younger, green, curly, and free of soft spots or yellowing. Older scapes will be less tender with a spicier flavor, and will be tougher and straighter than younger stems. Scapes can be stored in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Wash very well immedi ately before use. Cooked scapes can be refrigerated for up to two days. They may also be blanched and then frozen for later use.

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

Fiber

Vitamin A

By Jim Frankowiak

BECOME A “GATOR” WITHOUT LEAVING PLANT CITY

The Plant City location is a transfer-only location. Students must first earn their associate of arts degree, typically at a community or state college and then they are eligible to transfer to UF/IFAS CALS at Plant City to complete their de

Plant City is one of several statewide locations through the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) College of Agricultural Sciences (CALS) that offers complete degree programs. Students who attend UF/IFAS CALS at Plant City can earn a UF degree by taking online and in-person classes; giving students the flexibility to live at home and eliminating the added expense of moving away for college.

UF/IFAS CALS at Plant City has two bachelor’s degree pro grams and four specializations to choose from. Students can major in Agricultural Education and Communication with ei ther a specialization in agricultural education or communica tion and leadership development. Students can also major in Geomatics and choose between two specializations: profes sional surveying and mapping or geospatial analysis.

“It’sgree.important to note that the academic standards, curricu lum and student privileges are exactly the same as those on the [main] campus,” said Academic Advisor Jason Steward. “Transcripts and diplomas are identical to those earned in Gainesville and graduation is held with all College of Agricul tural and Life Sciences graduates.”

“Communication and leadership development is a versatile degree that teaches students how to use creativity and tech nical skills to succeed in a variety of careers,” said Kati Law son, communication and leadership development lecturer.

The Agricultural Education specialization prepares students to become certified agriscience instructors and educational specialists or to become employed in the agricultural busi ness and industry sector. “There is a huge need for gradu ates to teach agriscience at both the middle and high school level across the state of Florida,” said Debra Barry, Assistant Professor, Agriculture Education. The University of Florida of fers the only state certified agricultural education program in StudentsFlorida.

who complete the agricultural education specializa tion are eligible to earn a certification to teach Agriscience. This degree also prepares students to advise FFA chapters, to gain a broad base of knowledge about agriculture and agri business management and to deliver an educational program of instruction.

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The Geomatics Program offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Geomatics. “This degree program leads to diverse and well-paying professional career opportunities, and we have a number of scholarships and internships available to get you there,” said Steward.

“Classes are scheduled 1-2 days a week to accommodate students’ busy lives,” said Steward. “Each program is a blend of live and online classes to enhance flexibility and minimize travel. Class size is small, and students devel op close working relationships with the faculty, staff, and other students.”

The Communication and Leadership Development special ization within the AEC degree program allows students to develop skills in a wide variety of areas including journalism, digital photography, videography, social media, event plan ning and much more. This specialization prepares students to enter jobs in marketing, human resources, media production, social media management, event management, and sales.

Geomatics encompasses many survey related disciplines in cluding conventional land surveying, GIS, GPS, mapping, ca dastral principles, remote sensing, and photogrammetry.   Both Master of Science (distance education option is avail able) and Doctor of Philosophy degrees are included in the Geomatics graduate program. Certifications are also offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels. There are also op portunities to pursue graduate degrees in AEC that include assistantship and research collaboration with faculty at Plant City in both the Agricultural Education and Communication & Leadership Development specializations.

A major in Agricultural Education and Communication (AEC) prepares students for careers in areas such as teaching; busi ness and industry; sales; working with commodity and gov ernmental agencies; corporate training and development; UF Extension; and other dynamic areas of employment.

For more information, visit: gcrec.ifas. ufl.edu/uf-plant-city, contact Steward at 813/757-2280 or via email: jsteward@ufl.edu. Scan the QR code to schedule an advising appointment to develop a degree plan, obtain in formation about transferring to UF/IFAS CALS at Plant City or UF/IFAS CALS.

“In addition to equipping students with agricultural skills, the coursework also emphasizes expertise across a broad spec trum of agriculture making our students highly marketable,” noted Steward. “Traditionally, 100% of Ag Ed graduates have been employed either as teachers or in the private, govern mental or agricultural business and industry sectors.”

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We can identify these species several ways, as these unwant ed interlopers cause specific problems. The damages can in clude soil disturbances, bark damage, vegetation consump tion, pilfering in vegetable gardens and leaving behind animal tracks and scat.

to determine

deer and beavers can clip vegetation. Rabbits have sharp teeth and make clean cuts at low to ground levels. White-tailed deer rip vegetation (no upper incisors), which

garden pilfering can be challenging. Some critters dig a small hole in the side of a watermelon, then claw out the contents. Others consume the center of the fruit or vegetable.

Starting with soil disturbances, the culprit can be identified by the size, location and shape of the holes. Small holes can be created by small critters, such as chipmunks, voles, rats or snakes. Larger holes are dug by larger animals, like a red fox, skunk or armadillo. Moles make underground tunnels and consume soil insects. Their feeding tunnels are just below the soil surface. You will see raised ridges and soil in small sym metrical, volcano-shaped mounds. Be careful if you are walk ing over them because it’s easy to twist an ankle … yes, I know from experience. Armadillos create underground “homes.” Wild hogs greatly disturb soil and plants.

Rabbits,food.

By Lynn Barber, Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Agent UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County

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leaves a jagged cut at a higher level. Beavers chew shoots, saplings or trees off at the base near water bodies, two feet from the ground. Their cuttings leave a tapered point in the Vegetablemiddle.

You can identify animal tracks and scat by their droppings. The size, shape and color help determine the nuisance. The smaller the critter, the smaller the scat. You can take a photo of the scat if you want to compare it with wildlife manage ment field guides at the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage

what workshops are offered. In Hillsborough County, you can reach us at 813-744-5519 or visit us at 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL 33584. Remember to reduce, reuse, recycle and repeat.

Bark damage can be caused by gray squirrels, deer, black bears, wild hogs and woodpeckers. Gray squirrels remove tree bark. Male deer rub against bark, removing one side of it. Wild hogs rub against the trees, leaving mud and coarse hair on that area. Woodpeckers drill holes in live trees to secure

on wildlife identification, please view the source, “How to Identify the Wildlife Species Responsible for Damage in Your Yard,” by Holly Ober and Arlo Kane, at: http:// Checkedis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/UW/UW36900.pdf.thecalendarofeventsforyourcounty

IDENTIFYING UNWANTED WILDLIFE IN THE LANDSCAPE

ForManagement.moreinformation

Most of us enjoy attracting wildlife to our landscapes. How ever, there are some wildlife species that we would prefer just go elsewhere. Nuisance wildlife can damage turfgrass, landscape beds and vegetable gardens. The first step in man aging the issue is to identify problem species.

Member families with questions may call 813/685-9121 or email: info@hcfarmbureau.org.

By Jim Frankowiak

Hillsborough County Farm Bureau will hold its 80th An nual Meeting and celebration Tuesday, October 11, at the Florida Strawberry Festival TECO Expo Hall, 2301 West Oak Avenue in Plant City, at 6:30 p.m. All Farm Bureau member families are encouraged to attend.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FARM BUREAU SETS

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3

The Annual Meeting, which is an evening full of fun and fellowship, includes two steak dinners for each Farm Bu reau family. Additional dinners are $15 per guest and can be purchased at the event. Children under age 12 receive a free, hot dog dinner. If you plan to attend, please RSVP by emailing Kaylee Poppell at Kaylee.poppell@ffbf.org or calling her at 813/685-9121.

80TH MEETINGANNUALFOR NOVEMBER

“GETTING READY FOR STRAWBERRY SEASON”

By Jim Frankowiak | Photo www.wishfarms.com | floridastrawberry.org

The most popular red strawberry varieties grown by growers are Florida Brilliance®, Florida Sensation® and Florida Medal lion®. The recently introduced white variety, Florida Pearl®, has increased in popularity and more volume is expected this season. The FSGA has two sister organizations: the Florida Strawberry Patent Service Corporation, which licenses the use of new varieties of Florida strawberries developed by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Scienc es (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center at Balm in southern Hillsborough County under the leadership of Vance Whitaker, Ph D., and his team.

In early August, cover crops are cut and strawberry fields are leveled and marked for future rows of strawberries. Beds are raised by a machine called a superbedder, which forms 8- to 10-inch tables on which the plants will grow during the sea son. The beds are then covered with a plastic film and drip irrigation tubes are placed under the plastic. A fumigant is in jected into the ground in the beds to kill any weeds or other organisms that would be detrimental to the growth of straw berry plants.

“Each acre of strawberries requires from 16,000 to 18,000 plants,” said Florida Strawberry Association (FSGA) Executive Director Kenneth Parker. “That translates to about 200 million plants each year, and that is why discussions begin during the first quarter even though the plants are not delivered until the September - October timeframe.”

It’s that time of year once again. That’s right; the Florida Straw berry Season is underway. Actually, the annual strawberry grower initiative that provides consumers “A Taste of Summer All Winter Long” really starts in the first quarter of every year. That’s when Florida growers, primarily family businesses, be gin their discussions with strawberry plant growers in a variety of locations outside of the Sunshine State. Florida strawberry growers buy their plants every year from plant growers locat ed in Nova Scotia, Quebec, southern Ontario, Idaho, northern California and the Carolinas. The annual purchase volume of strawberry plants is substantial.

Funding for grower-related research comes from the Florida Strawberry Research and Education Foundation. Collectively they work together to enable the FSGA to efficiently man age the many elements that comprise the Florida strawberry industry – patenting and licensing new strawberry varieties, channeling royalties to ensure continued research and ongo ing marketing of Florida winter strawberries. Those continu ing research efforts include disease control and prevention, as well as the development of fruit with the best flavor, color, texture and fragrance

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The FSGA, which was officially formed in 1982, is a non-profit, voluntary organization that represents growers in three key areas: research, promotion and community service. In the years since its founding, grower members cultivate and sell the majority of fresh strawberries produced in the United States from Thanksgiving through Easter during which time the Plant City area is the “Winter Strawberry Capital of the ParkerWorld.”estimates more than 11,000 acres of strawberries will be grown this season. Even though strawberry plants are pe rennials, Florida growers treat them as annuals and replant them every year out of deference to Florida’s summers and related weather conditions that are unkind to berries with steamy temperatures and tropical downpours. After harvest ing, strawberry fields are plowed and left unsown to restore fertility. A cover crop is then planted to reduce weeds, in crease organic matter and reduce future plant disease.

The black film retains moisture, works as a barrier to pests such as nematodes, weeds and disease, while retaining bed warmth during cold weather. The irrigation system allows for

are collected at packing sheds in the field, placed on pallets, loaded on trucks and driven to nearby coolers for sale and delivery to market. Because strawber ries are perishable, timing is critical, and berries are cooled to between 32 and 36 degrees, placed into refrigerated storage and shipped later the same day that they are picked. Florida strawberries are shipped east of the Great Plains, throughout the southeast, up the eastern seaboard and into Canada.

Two weeks to 21-days following the injection of fumigants, a tractor returns to punch holes through the plastic with precise spacing of 12- to 16-inches between plants. The actual plant ing is done by hand at the same time holes are punched into the Theplastic.firstflat of strawberries is usually picked by hand at the end of November with harvest in full swing in December. Berries are packed in the field in clamshell containers and sold in cardboard trays. The most common pack consists of 8, 16-ounce clamshells per tray or flat. The number of flats of strawberries has increased significantly over the past few Strawberriesyears.

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If you take into consideration all costs associated with grow ing and harvesting strawberries, Parker conservatively esti mates the grower cost “of approximately $35,000 per acre” and the only way to cover those costs and earn a fair profit is through sales at an equitable price point.

If you have an interest in the many different ways to enjoy Florida strawberries, please visit “Strawberry Sue” at: floridas trawberry.org – you’ll be glad you did!

Another factor strawberry growers must face is the impact of strawberry imports from Mexico and the effect on pricing. “Growers in Mexico enjoy varied government subsidies,” said Parker. “Florida strawberry growers do not, and that enables Mexican growers to sell their berries for lower prices. This is not fair to our growers here in Florida, and it is an issue we continue to discuss with trade officials. Hopefully, those ne gotiations will lead to actions which level the playing field for our growers.”

efficient water usage and also serves to deliver nutrients di rectly to the plant roots.

Producing strawberries is not an easy business, nor an en deavor without risk. Mother Nature is an ongoing consider ation. The weather during the season can’t be too cold, hot or wet, and there’s no way to control that, it is just part of the business of growing strawberries. There are other factors, as Strawberrywell.

Vital farm workers these days – for the most part – are indi viduals hired under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s H-2A Visa Program that allows farmers to bring foreign workers to the U.S. to perform temporary or seasonal agricultural work such as planting, cultivating and harvesting. “While this pro gram fills an important need of our growers, there are cer tain costs associated with it,” noted Parker. Those costs in clude various certification and filing fees, application costs such as the consulate fee, transportation (both to and from the worker’s county to the farm and back and weekly travel to and from a grocery store and other incidentals). There are also costs for housing, which must meet USDA standards, and range from $9,000 to $13,000 per worker. Additionally, the strawberry growing utilizing H-2A workers must guarantee a minimum hourly wage, which is currently $12.41/per hour in Florida and is expected to increase in November. “Overall, the H-2A program is both vital and costly,” said Parker.

growing in the greater Plant City area continues to be primarily a family affair. In the industry’s early days, com munity support was necessary and vital for successful har vests from planting to harvesting. If a freeze threatened the crop, everyone went to the fields to protect the plants with pine straw or cypress boughs. At harvest time, everyone ex cept government employees picked strawberries, and that included children. Up until 1954, eastern Hillsborough Coun ty schools operated in the summer so farm family children could work the farms in the winter months. Those “Strawberry Schools” alumni have reunions during which they continue fellowship as they reminisce about their days in the field on the farm.

Despite these ongoing challenges, Florida strawberry grow ers continue their quest to provide consumers with “A Taste of Summer All Winter Long” from the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World.

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Wherever you go and whatever you do, just get out there and enjoy it. After all, it’s Fall y’all!

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• September 16-25 - As good as even the thought of fall feels to many, some seem to hate parting with the “chill” of sum mer. If you long to stretch out the sizzling season just a bit longer, the annual Island Hopper Songwriter Fest is where you should head.

Still it’s a marked change, and you can just feel it in the air.

For many people around here, those are three of the most welcome words they hear all year. There’s excitement in the air when temperatures start dipping.

The festival scatters from Captiva Island on the first weekend, serenades around downtown Fort My ers during the week, and wraps up with a weekend on Fort Myers Beach. Most of the music is free, but there are some

Okay, so the thermometer screams that it’s sliding only to the low 70’s; but still that’s a dip!

He was kidding (I think), but his temptation was real. Then again, he knows how good things can be around here this time of year; and later in the conversation he admitted as Here’ssuch.

Music lovers of all ages and genres will revel at this popular event. It runs over 10 days so that the musical goodness can spill over into three separate locations.

“When are you coming back?” I asked. “I’m not,” he said!

ticketed experiences as well. You can find the details at •www.island-hopper.fortmyers-sanibel.comOctober1-2

- If you love seafood, and particularly stone crab, tackle your appetite with a special Fall Festival com bined with a seafood feast. There’s likely none better than Cedar Key Seafood Festival. Planned for the start of stone crab season makes it the middle of October, which means it should also have some of that much anticipated chill in the air and otherwise perfect weather.

- For an experience that’s totally unique, head south to the Sarasota Chalk Festival. It promotes itself as featuring the most 3D pavement paintings ever created in one location! These 3D illusions make the road surface ap pear to dip inward and rise upward as the artists paint intri cate, interactive designs. Generally, they range in size from 12 to 100 feet, and take an average 3-8 days to finish.

While it’s called the Sarasota Chalk Festival, it’s actually held at the Venice Airport Fairgrounds. For information and FAQ’s, you’ll find them at www.chalkfestival.org

John Dicks is both a Lawyer and Businessman, including an interest in farming. He and his family have owned a Blue berry 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.

At the end of August, I called a friend just to check on him and he answered his traveling cellphone in Cashiers, North Carolina. There, the weather had already turned to pre-fall, reportedly feeling then just like it does now here in Florida.

It’s expected to attract more than 1,000 cyclists or all ages and abilities who will converge to take part in various rides of all manner and skill sets. Thousands more will congregate in the area just to watch and mingle and enjoy being outdoors in this picturesque town.

It’s Fall Y’all!

by John Dicks | Photo by iStock

When Fall slips in, the calendar counts down to a return of routine; kids back in school, vacations are over, shorter days and longer nights.

Then, too, there’s the fall foliage, painting its pictures filled with vivid reds, orange, and yellows. Even if a trip to the moun tains to the see the autumn colors is out of the cards, an early morning walk feels a bit cooler and makes the air somehow seem a little lighter.

some Fall Festivals you might ponder and plan on. All are relatively close by, too, which means you can get there and back all in the same day.

There’s lots of history to soak in around Cedar Key. It’s rec ognized as Florida’s second oldest town, and President Her bert Hoover created the Cedar Key National Wildlife Refuge, which you generally can’t visit, but are allowed to on the Sat urday of the Festival. There’s a shuttle boat from downtown to take you there, and you can even tour the lighthouse, still standing but not shining since it was turned off in 1915. For information, updates and more details search online a •www.cedarkey.orgOctober28-31

You can check it out for more information at •www.www.cyclemountdora.comOctober16-17

- Cyclists love to spin through the hilly area of central Florida. One of the biggest draws this time of year is found in Mount Dora, where for the 48th year bicycle riders will converge on this quaint Florida community near Orlando for the Cycle Mount Dora Festival.

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WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM Is your farm FSMA www.FDACS.gov/FSMAready?SignuptodayforafreeOn-FarmReadinessReview This publication is supported by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award U2FFD007446 totaling $1,166,732 with 100 percent funded by FDA/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do OUR PROFITS ARE YOUR PAYDAY When you do business with Farm Credit, you are a member of a cooperative. When we do well, you do well. And we’ve been doing well for over 100 BuildingsRefinancingyears.FencesEquipment Loans for land, homes & living.

MANAGEMENT SEMINAR PASTURE & GRAZING management strategies to help utilize pastures more efficiently thursday, September 29, 2022 6 pm 8 pm hillsborough county cattlemen's association building 6404 S County Rd 39 plant city, fl 33567 r$10 egistraton includes educational materials and supper Join us! register Now at https://bit.ly/pastureseminar

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Over 150 Farm Bureau members and agriculture industry sup porters gathered as Governor Ron DeSantis visited Dover to ac cept the endorsement of the Florida Farm Bureau FarmPAC. The event opened with a welcome from Dennis Carlton Jr. who serves as the President of Hillsborough County Farm Bureau. Steve Johnson, Vice President of the Florida Farm Bureau Federation also spoke before Jeb Smith, President of Florida Farm Bureau introduced Governor DeSanitis and shared numerous stories of the Governor’s support for Florida’s agriculture industry.

By Kaylee Poppell

GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS VISITS DOVER

Governor DeSantis spoke to not only what his team has achieved, but their commitment to the state of Florida during his race for a second term. DeSantis also commented on how proud he is of our agriculture industry and the diversity in the crops produced. Governor DeSantis stated that agriculture is a “huge part of the lifeblood of our state and the character of our state.”

For those not familiar, the Florida FarmPAC is Florida Farm Bu reau Federation’s political action committee. Funded exclusively by Farm Bureau members, FarmPAC provides support for proagriculture candidates who value Florida Agriculture and will support Farm Bureau’s legislative agenda. Each FarmPAC contri bution is approved by the Florida Farm Bureau Board.

“Governor DeSanitis recognizes that agriculture is a pillar, a cor nerstone of our state’s economy and we appreciate all he does for our industry” said Carlton Jr. “We are truly appreciative to know that Governor DeSantis stands by Farmers and Ranchers.”

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Learn

Nine in ten farmers cite financial issues, farm business concerns and fear of losing their farms as mental health stressors.

Farming is OrCallHelpstressfulisavailable211Text‘FarmFL’to898-211

Working on a farm can be physically and emotionally demanding. If you are feeling anxious or depressed, you’re not alone.

Call 211 to speak to someone who will listen and provide the resources you need to get through tough times. Calls are confidential and can be anonymous. more at 211.org

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The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension continuously updates its edu cational program and information offerings to the residents of Hillsborough County. Among those offered by Nutrition and Health Agent Kimberly Bragg-Armatrout are educational classes and information regarding food, nutrition and health, including food safety, nutrition for the elderly and other popu lations, as well as food preservation classes. “Seniors Chronic Disease Prevention is one of our initiatives, “said Bragg-Ar matrout. “Partnering with Advent Health in the ‘Food is Health’ program, we cover subjects such as hypertension, diabetes, general nutrition and bone health.  We also work with Tampa General Hospital as we reach out to residents county-wide.”

One of the newest programs is “Grow Your Groceries,” a threepart series that teaches residents how to grow an edible gar den, raise backyard chickens on their private property and use their homegrown ingredients in meals “This series is intended for households that are interested in growing their own pro duce as well as raising backyard chickens,” noted BraggArmatrout. “Additionally, this series of classes educates resi dents on useful cooking, health and nutrition tips relevant to their backyard harvests.” She advised interested residents to be sure backyard gardens and chickens are consistent with local government zoning ordinances and Homeowner Asso ciation (HOA) policies.

By Jim Frankowiak

Career development is another area of Extension focus. “Find ing the right job, getting and keeping that job are among the subjects this programming addresses. “There are many help ful tools that have become available of late that provide as sistance in identifying job opportunities, effectively pursuing them and maintaining and advancing individual careers,” said Courtemanche. “Our updated programming is designed to help residents at each step in the process from getting the right job to maximizing its potential.”

Relationship education is the focus of several new Child Care and Family Life programs being implement by Extension Agent Joanna Ortiz Courtemanche. “These program offerings reach couples planning to get married, married couples and couples who are divorced or separated,” she said. “In addition to fostering relationships, we also focus on parenting and coparenting when a divorce or separation has taken place so that the children are impacted in a continuing positive way.”

Interested residents should syfl.ifas.ufl.edu/hillsboroughvisit for information on these programs and how to participate.

Registrants are required to participate in the entire duration of each of the three classes as each class builds upon the previous one.  Interested parties may check the online events calendar at sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/hillsborough.

EXTENSION EXPANDS EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS FOR RESIDENTS

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Great health care is closer than you think.

South Florida Baptist Hospital is more than just a small community hospital. We’ve got a wide array of specialty care and surgical services that you don’t have to travel far to get. Our surgeons are experts in minimally invasive robotic surgical procedures that provide lots of benefits, including shorter hospital stays, decreased blood loss and smaller incisions that reduce the risk of infection. Plus, faster recovery times that mean you can get back to your normal activities sooner. You’ll find comprehensive orthopedic care—whether you’re an athlete who needs sports medicine services or you’re someone who needs a total joint replacement. Our all-inclusive gynecology program offers high-quality care to the women and mothers in our community with a variety of women’s care services. We’ve even been designated as a Center of Excellence for our weight loss surgery program, meeting nationally recognized standards and providing outstanding care to our patients. And all of this extraordinary care exists right here in Plant City. Learn more: SouthFloridaBaptistSurgery.org

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got what Raymond wanted for her kids. Through years of practice in 4-H, SarahGrace went from fear of say ing her name before an audience to confidently delivering a speech at her high school graduation.

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After two decades, Raymond handed over direction of Home Grown to a parent whose kids had been club members. Ray mond then started a second club, the Clover Buds Club, for the very youngest 4-Hers. She led it for more than a generation, and the oldest club alumni now have college degrees.

Between 4-Hers like SarahGrace, who adopted Raymond as their grandmother, and the children of Raymond’s own chil dren, about 20 youth knew Raymond as “Grandma Judy.”

With Raymond, “my kids” soon became a lot more than the ones under her roof. She started the Polk County Home Grown 4-H Club and it grew to 120 members. She got a 15-passenger Ford Club Wagon.

Judy Raymond remembers, back in the late ‘80s, the way the 14-year-old commanded the room and spoke with such poise. She left the Polk County 4-H Council meeting thinking, “I want that for my kids.”

He’s no longer in office, but he’s still a great speaker. His name is Adam Putnam.

As the Clover Buds in Raymond’s second club grew up, she had to rename the club to reflect the age range. She was told she could not name the club “Grandma’s Kids,” so she settled for All-Stars. They meet in North Lakeland, and Raymond still drives members around in her fourth Ford Club Wagon in 35 SarahGraceyears.

Raymond didn’t answer right away. She took grandmothering seriously. If she was going to be a grandma, she was going to be at the birthday parties, drive to the movies, invite her over for snacks—all the things “real” grandmas do. And in Sarah Grace’s case, it would mean nurturing a child so shy that she’d cry when she had to say her name publicly.

Scott Angle is the University of Florida’s Vice President for Agriculture and Natu ral Resources and leader of the UF Insti tute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).

Home Grown member SarahGrace O’Leary spent so much time with the club that that one day when she was about 12 years old, she asked Raymond, “Will you be my grandma?”

By J. Scott Angle

FROM THE SCIENTIFIC FIELD

That van still brings 4-Hers to nursing homes with companion animals, to county fairs to win archery ribbons, and, of course to public speaking competitions.

For her 35-plus years serving the youth of Polk County, Ray mond was inducted into the Florida 4-H Hall of Fame in July. UF/IFAS Extension Polk County Director Nicole Walker and 4-H agent Shreemoyee Ghosh nominated Raymond, support ed by letters from several 4-H parents, including SarahGrace’s.

So, it was a couple of days before she told SarahGrace yes. Then she encouraged her new granddaughter to participate in Home Grown’s public speaking program. SarahGrace started small, talking about what she knew and loved, her puppy. One of her first presentations was on intestinal parasites in dogs.

Raymond still wants for her kids what she saw in that 14-yearold at the beginning of her 4-H journey. That county council president went to UF’s College of Agricultural and Life Sci ences and into a career in politics.

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Chef Justin Timineri

1 cup

Florida Zucchini-Ricotta Rollups

2 teaspoons olive oil

Florida Snap Beans with Red Bell Pepper

Ingredientsq q

DIRECTIONS

thin layer of the cheese mixture on one side of each vegetable slice. Roll each slice up care fully and place seam side down in a baking dish. Evenly add marinara sauce to the top of the veg etable rollups. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and bake in a 375 degree F oven for about 15 minutes. Top with hand torn basil, serve warm.

1 clove red bell pepper, seeded and julienne

Recipes

1 teaspoon sesame oil

Courtesy of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

1/4 cup fresh basil, hand torn Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (if desired)

1/3 cup parmesan cheese, grated

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

2 large Florida zucchini or yellow squash, sliced thin lengthwise

Lay out all the zucchini and yellow squash slices on paper towels. Lightly sprinkle each side of the sliced zucchini and squash with sea salt. Let the salted slices sit for about 20 minutes. After 20 minutes use another paper towel to soak up any liquid from the vegetables. In a small bowl combine the egg yolk, mozzarella cheese, ricot ta cheese and Italian seasoning. Season cheese mixture lightly with salt and pepper. Spread a

2(your2cheese,mozzarellashreddedcupsmarinarasaucefavorite)eggyolks

1 cup ricotta cheese

Cut the snap beans into bite size pieces. Bring a medium-sized stock pot that is halfway full of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the snap beans and cook (about 1 to 3 min utes) until they turn bright green and are tender yet still crispy (they will be cooked again). Drain the beans completely, and then dunk them into a bowl of ice water to com pletely stop the cooking process. After they have cooled off all the way drain them again and set aside for later use. In a large sau te pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Carefully add the bell pepper, cook for about 1 minute. Add the beans and cook for about 1 minute longer. Add the pepper flakes and garlic and continue cooking for another minute or until desired tenderness. Turn off the heat and then drizzle with the sesame oil and season to taste with the salt and pepper. Serve family style.

1 teaspoon Italian sea soning mix

Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

Ingredientsq q

1 pound snap beans, stems trimmed

DIRECTIONS

Together,ing.

system has been taught to in spect the fruit, so it takes thousands of images and evaluates them.

Bruises make strawberries more vulner able to rot, thus shortening the fruit’s shelf life. Strawberries can get bruised in several ways:

finding is particularly im portant in Florida, where farmers grow strawberries on about 11,000 acres, and the fruit carries a $400 $2.2arewide,year-round.strawberriesCaliforniamesticofFloridaeconomicmillion-a-yearimpact.growsmostthenation’sdowintercrop.producesnearlyNationstrawberriesvaluedataboutbillion.

If you’re perusing the produce section, you generally seek fresh, pleasant-look ing fruit – the kind most consumers want to buy. Usually, that means you see few, if any, blemishes.

The technology tells scientists the ma turity stage of strawberries by distin guishing the physical appearance, color, shape and texture of the fruit by training with thousands of known samples.

AI-ENHANCED SYSTEM DETECTS BRUISED STRAWBERRIES BEFORE THEY GET TO THE GROCERY STORE

builds on a previously published study in which Zhou, Ampat zidis and Lee used AI to find strawber ries at various stages of maturity. The scientists conducted that experiment at a field at the Plant Science Research and Education Unit in Citra, Florida.

the researchers use artificial intelligence technology to make sure the strawberries you buy at the market are Theirhealthy.  system

“This AI-enhanced strawberry bruisedetection system can assist growers and improve the quality of strawberries that are sent to the market and maxi mize the shelf life of fresh strawberries,” said Ampatzidis, a faculty member at the Southwest Florida Research and Educa tion Center in Immokalee.

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Fruit bruising has many causes: com pression, impact or vibration during har vesting, transportation and packaging operations, said Xue Zhou, a doctoral student at the UF/IFAS College of Agri cultural and Life Sciences.

Althoughfruit.

• While they’re being transported on trucks, strawberries might move around and vibrate; therefore, more potential for Thisbruising. research

Results from the Citra study help grow ers predict their crop yields, a particu larly important element of any farmer’s Thisbudget.research

• When they’re packed for shipping, strawberries generally go in clamshell containers. Sometimes, the fruits on top put pressure on the ones at the bottom, creating a compression bruise.

• During harvesting, a strawberry can drop to the ground.

Eventually, growers can use this system in a machine harvester or a strawberry processing line to help inspect straw berries for bruises. It will also save the cost of the labor required to examine the

By Brad Buck

Zhou works with Yiannis Ampatzidis, a UF/IFAS associate professor and with Won Suk “Daniel” Lee, a professor, both in agricultural and biological engineer

finds bruises by detecting differences in color, shape and texture between the bruised and healthy parts of the fruit. At least 15% of each straw berry should show bruising before sci entists put it in that classification. Such strawberries should be discarded, Zhou Thesaid. AI

the research is still prelimi nary, UF/IFAS scientists feel confident the method will work.

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1 older billy. 1 billy less than a year old. 3 breeding females. Selling altogether. Price negotiable. Call John 813-295-1216

24 HOUR SERVICE

2015 MAHINDRA 3016

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

Millcreek Pine Bark Row Mulcher. For blueberry farms, six yard, PTO drive need at least a 30hp tractor. Call 863-604-2526 for rental details.

USED ZERO TURN MOWERS

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

Citrus packing house equipment for sale. Mikey Fertilizer Spreader, two wind machines. Call 863-324-2833

FARM EQUIPMENT

DOORS & WINDOWS SPECIAL ORDER

LAWN EQUIPMENT/ SUPPLIES

All wood kitchen cabinets. All wood vanities. Custom made to your size. Call Chris 813-752-3378

FARM BUREAU INSURANCE

USED BALDOR-RELIANCE

Tractor with loader, 30hp,4x4, HST transmission. 180 hours. $15,500 Call Alvie today! 813-759-8722

BUILDING SUPPLIES

We make window screens of all sizes available in different frame colors. Call Ted(813) 752-3378

No upcharge. House & Mobile Home.

All sizes! Call Alvie 813-759-8722

OVERSTOCK SPECIAL

PARTS COUNTER HELP

Used 7.5 HP pump motor and 119 gal. hold ing-tank. Call LLCA 813-382-8382

MOBILE HOME SUPPLIES

Get quality all wood cabinets for less than the BIG Box STORES! Call Today!

CABINETS

Trade-Ins Welcomed, Service Department Available. Exit 22 • S. Frontage Rd. Plant City 813-752-4459

FOR RENT

1989 JOHN DEERE

PRODUCE

FREE Wooden Shipping Pallets

JOHN DEERE

Looking for your new tractor? Come see us at Everglades Farm Equipment. 813-737-16602805evergladesfarmequipment.comSR60West,PlantCity

ALUMINUM

CALL FOR A WINDOW QUOTE.

Many colors and styles to choose from. Ask for Ted. 813-752-3378

MECHANIC NEEDED

Bread warmer, chrome trim. You have got to see it to believe it! Call Ted for more details. 813-752-3378

CITRUS PACKING HOUSE

Sickle bar mower. Good condition and ready to work. $1,500 Call Alvie 813-759-8722

GC1723EB tractor-loader-backhoe. 22.5hp, 4x4, 83 hours, warranty. Very good condition. $17,500 Call today and ask for Alvie 813-759-8722

OLD ANTIQUE BLUE STOVE

FRESH PRODUCE

I4 POWER EQUIPMENT

Everything you need under ONE roof! Call Blake 813-752-3378

FIVE GOATS FOR SALES

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