VOLUME 39 NUMBER 7 • PH. 813-737-NEWS (6397) • E-MAIL: FARMRANCHNEWS@AOL.COM • WWW.FARMAND R A N C H N E W S . C O M
Agriculture’s Most Trusted Source For News, Views and Advertising Since 1974 County Fair Announces Doubling of Scholarship Award for Harvest Queen B� M��� M�r�i�
2011-2012 Harvest Queen Morgan Boykin
The selection of the Hillsborough County Fair’s Harvest Queens, both Senior and Junior divisions, will be held October 13 on the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds at the corner of State Road 60 and Sydney Washer Road, Dover. The competition is open to all girls who are residents of Hillsborough County and between the ages of 16-19 for the Senior Division and 13-15 for the Junior Division. Visit the fair website, www.hillsboroughcountyfair.com, for contest rules and entry forms. Deadline to enter is Monday, October 8. “The Roland and Olive Lewis Scholarship,” an annual $1,000 award given by the Hillsborough County Fair to the annual scholarship pageant winner, is made possible by the generous funding of Marvin and Linda Brown of Favorite Farms in Dover. Dr. and Mrs. Roland Lewis were chosen as the namesakes for the scholarship due to Dr. Lewis’ tenure and leadership on the Hillsborough County School Board from 1968 to 1988, including serving as its Chairman for three separate one-year terms. Lewis Elementary School in Temple Terrace was named to honor this servant
Advance Rodeo Ticket Purchase Gets You into the Fair FREE! Advance sale tickets to the Hillsborough County Fair’s Rodeo are now available at the following locations: • Brandon Auto Salvage & Services, 3159 Highway 60 East, Valrico, Ph. 651-2281 •
Harold’s Feed & Pet Supply, corner of Hwy. 574 & McIntosh Rd., Ph. 689-1570
•
Tadpoles of Brandon, 115 E. Brandon Blvd., Brandon, Ph. 662-3764
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Hay Depot, 1001 Alexander St., Plant City, 752-6928
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Jewelry & Pawn by El-Mar, 814 Dr. M. L. King, Jr. Blvd., Plant City, Ph.754-0858
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Loetcher’s Auto Parts, 4306 SR 574 W., Plant City, Ph.752-3770
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Hay Exchange, 4950 U.S. Hwy. 92 W., Plant City Ph. 754-5405
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Coyote’s Western Wear, 7815 Commerce St., Riverview, Ph 671-2995
•
Langston’s Used Auto Parts, 8011 Hwy 301 North, Tampa, 988-7341
Buy your rodeo ticket in advance for $10 per person at any of the above locations and get in the Fair FREE! The rodeo will be held Friday and Saturday night on October 19 and 20. Tickets may be purchased for either event.
of community and education. Dr. Lewis’ labors for Hillsborough County were always made possible by the loving support of his wife, Olive. Both Roland and Olive are now deceased. This scholarship is awarded annually to the senior division winner of the pageant competition at the Hillsborough County Fair. It may be used at any college or university in Florida. The Harvest Queen is chosen by a panel of judges based on personality, appearance, and poise, as well as an interview. Additionally, Dr H.E. “Buddy” Payne, President of Florida College, announced that should the Harvest Queen choose to attend Florida College in Temple Terrace, the scholarship will be doubled. Dr. Lewis was Registrar and a professor at Florida College from its beginning in 1946 until he retired in 1981. Dr. Payne said, “We are very pleased that this contribution by the Browns honors both Dr. and Mrs. Lewis and gives Florida College the opportunity to participate in furthering the education of worthy students in Hillsborough County and promotes Florida College as “A Friend to Youth.”
Annual Plant Auction to be Held at the County Fair on Oct. 20th The Hillsborough County Extension Service, The Florida Nursery Growers and Landscape Association, and the Hillsborough County Fair invite everyone who’s looking for a great deal on great plants for their landscapes to their Annual Plant Auction. The auction will take place at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 20, 2012 at the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds. This is a unique opportunity to purchase quality plants donated by local growers at wholesale or lower prices! Landscape shrubs, trees, ground covers, flowering annuals, perennials, herbs, hanging baskets, and houseplants will be available as well as gardening
supplies and fertilizers. Items will be sold in both live and silent auctions. Proceeds benefit youth ornamental horticulture activities and scholarships for area college students pursuing horticultural careers. After the auction enjoy the rest of the day at the Hillsborough County Fair. Parking is FREE! Admission to Fair: ADULTS - $7.00, STUDENTS - $5 (6 years old through High School) CHILDREN– (5 Years or Younger) FREE! You can enter the Fairgrounds through the Sydney Washer Road entrance, turning north from Highway 60. For more information call Shawn Steed, Hillsborough County Extension Service at 813-744-5519.
Young Sprout’s 4-H Raises Pig to sell at Hillsborough County Fair to help Darby Hastings By Sheri Ray-Young Sprouts 4H Club Young Sprout’s 4-H club is raising a club pig for the Hillsborough County Fair with ALL proceeds from the sale going to Darby Hastings, an active 4-H and FFA member. Darby has been diagnosed with an incurable kidney disease and needs a kidney transplant. The pig is being raised by 8-year old Jonathan Vaughan. He named the pig “Faith”. As a result, Young Sprouts 4-H is helping her and her family prepare for this life-saving surgery. The club met Sept. 20th at the historic 1914 Plant City High School where we then became very busy stuffing and stamping buyers’ letters. We also held a Piggy Bank
Parade with a Pork Theme at our club meeting. The pig auction at the Hillsborough County Fair is Saturday, October 20th at 7:15 p.m. Please drop by and make a donation to Darby, and bid on the pig as well. If you cannot make the Fair and would like to do an add-on (cash donation) contact, Young Sprouts 4-H or call the 4-H office at 813-744-5519. All proceeds go towards helping Darby.
Pictured Right: Darby Hastings with Jonathan Vaughan and the Hillsborough County Fair Harvest Queen, Morgan Boykin of Strawberry Crest High School.
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Volume 39 • Number 7 • 2012 • Farm & Ranch News
Volume 39 • Number 7 • 2012 • Farm & Ranch News
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This Story will Curl Your Hair if You Own Cattle in Hillsborough County!
the davis report By Roy Davis- Associate Editor
I am sure that most of you are aware that there are only a very few “cattle ranchers” in Hillsborough County who make their entire living by raising cows. Actually, Hillsborough County had 25 or thirty substantial dairys only a few years ago, and now there are only three or four left in our County. Raising beef cattle is a little different from managing and maintaining a fully operational dairy. Lots of people who own and live on a few acres of land must put most of that land to some agricultural use. If they do not, they simply cannot afford to pay the “developmental” property tax on that land. That makes many of us cattle farmers who would not otherwise be cattle farmers. The story I am about to relate will curl the hair of many tax-paying citizens who find themselves being “cattle farmers”. Several years ago, a gentleman named Randy McDaniel, who owned a few acres of land on Highway 574 near McIntosh Rd., purchased a few cows to help him keep the grass down on his 20 (or so)- acre plot. Randy’s primary business at the time was dealing in used appliances. He eventually was able to build a large showroom for his appliance business and another building that he has been able to lease. He kept his cows on the rest of the family’s land. Eventually, Randy was able to obtain another parcel of land near Williams Road and I-4, and another small parcel near McIntosh Rd. Over the years his small heard grew a little, and he bought a few cows and sold a few. He had become a small-time cattle rancher. A few years ago Randy passed away and his son Richard (along with wife, Julie) came to be responsible for continuing the appliance business, and the “cattle ranch”. Along about the first part of that Richards cows seemed to be neglected. Agricultural Officer Homer Brown answered the call. In his opinion, the cows were skinny and did not appear healthy. Officer Brown decided that it appeared to be animal abuse, so he confiscated all of Richard’s cows, a total of about 32 head. That is to say he confiscated all of his cows at all three locations. Of course, the department had a vet check all of the cattle and grade them. Most of them graded
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in the medium range (that is 4 and 5), with one cow graded as low as 2 ½. I saw pictures of that cow, And I can tell you that I have had cows that look worse than she did in past years. Richard showed the officer his vet bills, his feed bills and his hay bills. I studied these bills and it demonstrated to me that the bills seem to indicate proper care for the animals. A number of things jump out at me. The resident who complained lived near the McIntosh property and the small 5 acre property, but far from the I-4 property. Why did Officer Brown take it upon himself to confiscate the cattle on the detached property? Richard’s attorney went to court with him, and the Judge ruled against the County and declared that the Cows be returned to the owner. The County asked that Richard pay a charge of $ 18,000 for the cost of confiscating the cows, vet bills while in county possession, and feed bills for the three or four-week period of confinement. The Judge ruled in favor of Richard and declared that he did not owe this to the County. The Judge also ruled that the cows must be returned to Richard in the locations from which they were confiscated. Of course, Richard still has his attorney fees, the mental anquish he and Julie suffered when Officer Brown threatened to arrest them both if they went near the pasture while the officers were chasing his cows down with four-wheelers in order to corral them for transporting. I am sure the attorney will ask the judge to require the County to pay attorney fees, but there is no assurance that the judge will agree to that. You folks probably think the story ends here, but it does not. As soon as Richard got his cows back, he sold about half of them. A few days later, Officer Brown called Julia on the phone and informed her that he had taken out warrants for her arrest and the arrest of Richard. They were charged with some form of animal cruelty. They were booked and fingerprinted. It appears to me that this very same thing could happen to just about any farmer in Hillsborough County who might have a few cows on his or her extra land. If any of you happen to know Sherriff David Gee, you might show him this column and ask him if you might be in danger of this kind of thing happening to you or to your wife. Now, there is no doubt in my mind that Richard’s attorney will prevail and Richard and Julie will be cleared of these charges. I wonder how they will pay all the costs, including attorney fees, knowing how flat the economy of today is? Many of you farmers know Officer Homer Brown. How many of you are willing to ask him if he would feel justified in pursuing you and your family with the same vigor that he pursued Richard McDaniel and Julie. I know there must be more to this story than I am telling here, but I swear to you that I have looked into this situation pretty carefully, and I am not exaggerating the facts. You be the judge.
Volume 39 • Number 7 • 2012 • Farm & Ranch News
Volume 39 • Number 7 • 2012 • Farm & Ranch News
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“Kindness”
by Myke Morris - Contributing Editor
Back in the day when a good ice cream was much cheaper a little boy came in to a busy hotel restaurant and sat down at a table. The waitress came over, a little annoyed at the start of the second part of her double shift, and asked him what she could get him. The little fellow asked, “How much is an ice cream sundae?” “Fifty cents,” the woman replied. The boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the contents, while the waitress stood, saying shortly, “Sonny, you need to make a decision. I have other customers.” The boy looked up and asked, “How much is plain vanilla ice cream?” With a bit of a sigh, the waitress responded, “That’s thirty-five cents.” “I’ll have that, please.” The waitress nearly forgot the lad as a larger party came in, sitting across the room. When she remembered, she scooped some ice cream hurriedly and put it down to hear a polite, “Thank you, ma’am,” even though a bit of the treat had sloshed over the side of the bowl. “Something else I’ll have to clean up,” she thought. She noticed the boy seemed to eat the ice cream slowly, taking up a table that she would really like to see occupied by a larger party. When he finally left, she hurried over to bus the table for the crowd and noticed that the boy had
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taken care to wipe the spilled ice cream from the table. Underneath the neatly folded napkin, she found fifty cents. You see, he could not afford the sundae he would have liked because he wanted to have enough money to leave a tip. On the way home as she was passing the blind beggar on the corner that she always ignored, the waitress put her hand in her pocket and dropped a quarter in his bowl. This is where I turn to Ambrose Bierce to see what The Devil’s Dictionary has to say. “Kindness, A brief preface to ten volumes of exaction.” Sometimes the kettle gives us a burnt cracklin’. Let me offer my own definition, a paraphrase of Mark Twain, Kindness is the fragrance the violet gives to the heel that has crushed it. The Dalai Lama suggests, “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” “Psycho” Steve Lyons retired from baseball in 1993. Now, even a guy like me, who doesn’t really know anything about baseball, knows the names of a lot of baseball players; Babe Ruth, of course, Joe Dimaggio, Lew Gehrig, Mickey Mantle, and Hank Aaron. From now on, I will probably remember Psycho Steve, too. All because of something he did one July night in Detroit. He was playing first base that night for the White Sox and bunted a run sliding head on into first base. Been done before. The pitcher for the Tigers disagreed with the umpire’s “Safe!” call. All been done. You can see what happened next on You-
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Tube. During the argument “Psycho” dropped his pants! Unbuckled them and slid them down to brush away the dirt that had entered during his slide. Just completely forgot where he was, the fans in the stands, and the television cameras running. You can tell from You-Tube. Sports Illustrated says that had never been done before on a baseball field, not by “Wally Moon. Not Blue Moon Odom. Not even Heinie Manush.” So, what does this have to do with kindness? Lyons could have jumped right into the controversy between the Tigers’ pitcher and the umpire. That has been done. Sometimes some pretty vile words get thrown; sometimes some fists. Players have been ejected over such disagreements. But Lyons just let the umpire settle it, ignored the crowd, forgot where he was, and, well, you know. Real kindness is what we do when we forget anybody is watching. And forgetting when everybody is watching may be a unique gift! This has been attributed to Mark Twain, but I cannot find that he said it, “If you eat a live frog first thing in the morning, the day can only get better.” So consider this: A little girl named Elizabeth suffered from a rare disease that was going to take her life. Her five year old brother had recovered from this same disease and his blood had the antibodies that could save his sister’s life. I happened to be present when the doctor ex
plained the situation to the brother and asked if he would be willing to give his blood to save his sister. He hesitated only a minute before replying, “Yes, I will do it if it might save Elizabeth.” I was in the room as they inserted the needles in the arms of the children and watched as the brother lay in the bed smiling. When he reached over to hold his sister’s hand, old softie that I am, I turned my head away and almost missed his question to the doctor, “Will I start to die right away?” It took me a minute to understand that he had not grasped just what the doctor’s explanation had meant. He thought he would have to give all his blood to save his sister’s life. Ephesians 4:32 (ASV)
and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, even as God also in Christ forgave you.
Volume 39 • Number 7 • 2012 • Farm & Ranch News
Volume 39 • Number 7 • 2012 • Farm & Ranch News
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Life From the Seat of a Tractor An old Farmer’s “Words of Wisdom” that we could all live by....... The last quote fits everyone...I don’t care who you are! Your fences need to be horse-high, pigtight and bull-strong. Keep skunks and bankers at a distance. Life is simpler when you plow around the stump. A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor. Words that soak into your ears are whispered¦....not yelled. Meanness don’t just happen overnight. Forgive your enemies; it messes up their heads.
You cannot unsay a cruel word. Every path has a few puddles. When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty. The best sermons are lived, not preached. Most of the stuff people worry about, ain’t never gonna happen anyway.
Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer. Live a good and honorable life, then when you get older and think back, you’ll enjoy it a second time. Don’t interfere with somethin’ that ain’t bothering you none. Timin’ has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance. If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin’. Sometimes you
get, and sometimes you get got. The biggest troublemaker you’ll probably ever have to deal with, watches you from the mirror every mornin’. Always drink upstream from the herd. Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment. Lettin’ the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin’ it back in. If you get to thinkin’ you’re a person of some influence, try orderin’ somebody else’s dog around. Live simply, love generously, care deeply,
Don’t judge folks by their relatives.
Speak kindly, and leave the rest to God.
Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.
And, finally...Don’t pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he’ll just kill you.
It don’t take a very big person to carry a grudge.
Voter’s Guide to the Democratic and Republican Platforms Washington, DC – Liberty Counsel Action has created a voter’s guide to the 2012 Democratic and Republican Party platforms. The guide presents an objective overview and comparison of both platforms and covers a wide variety of issues. “An informed electorate is important for a vibrant political republic. The Voter’s Guide to Democratic and
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Republican Platforms may be distributed by 501(c)(3) organizations and churches,” said Mat Staver, Chairman of Liberty Counsel Action. “The more voters know about the political parties and the people they elect to represent them, the better,” said Staver. The Voter’s Guide to Democratic and Republican Platforms overviews the positions of the two political parties
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on a wide range of issues, including, but not limited to, abortion and human life, the family, the federal Defense of Marriage Act, the military, fiscal reform, Israel, God, religious freedom, sexual orientation and gender identity, public displays of the Ten Commandments, the Fairness Doctrine, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, tort reform, gun rights, taxes, the judiciary, and much more.
The Voter’s Guide to Democratic and Republican Platforms contains links to the full platform of each party. Liberty Counsel Action is a 501(c)(4), nonprofit, grassroots lobbying organization advancing religious and civil liberties, the sanctity of human life, the family, limited and responsible government, national security, and support for Israel.
Volume 39 • Number 7 • 2012 • Farm & Ranch News
Volume 39 • Number 7 • 2012 • Farm & Ranch News
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Volume 39 • Number 7 • 2012 • Farm & Ranch News
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FINANCIAL FOCUS Put these Estate Planning Moves to Work Like everyone else, you want to leave a legacy. To make it happen, though, you need to do some estate planning. For most of us, that sounds like a scary task, but it doesn’t have to be — as long as you break it down into a few key moves. Here, in a nutshell, are some of the broadbased moves you’ll want to consider: • Communicate your wishes. When drawing up your estate plan, you can’t leave anything to chance — so you need to communicate your wishes in writing. This means you need to draw up the appropriate legal documents, such as a will and a living trust. If you die intestate (without a will), your belongings will be distributed to your “heirs” as defined by state laws — and these distributions may not be at all what you had in mind. If you want to avoid probate and possibly draw up more complex instructions —, for instance, leaving different amounts of money to different heirs at different points in their lives — you may also need to create a trust. • Protect your family. When you hear the words “estate planning,” your first thoughts may be of what you can leave behind to grown children, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren. But if you develop your estate plan while your children are young — and you certainly should — you should name a guardian for them in case both you and your spouse were to die prematurely. Of course, you’ll also need to consider having the right type and amount of life insurance for survivor income and loan repayments. • Position your investments to benefit your heirs. You can arrange for some of your investments to provide sig
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nificant benefits to your heirs. For example, you can stretch your IRA to extend the key benefit of IRAs — tax-deferred earnings — over a period of several years. You should also make sure you’ve updated beneficiary designations on various accounts, such as annuities and 401(k) plans, to make sure the assets go to the right people. These designations are very important, as they can supersede even the instructions in your will. • Protect against incapacity. None of us can predict the shape of our physical and mental well-being in the years to come. But to protect your family, you’ll certainly want to be prepared for everything. That’s why you’ll want to make the appropriate arrangements, such as establishing a power of attorney and health care directive, while you’re still healthy. These types of documents will empower family members, or other people close to you, to take the necessary steps to carry out your wishes even if you become incapacitated. As with other aspects of your estate plan, however, you’ll want to review these arrangements periodically to make sure they still reflect your current thinking. To make any of these moves — in fact, to make any moves at all related to estate planning — you’ll need to work with a team of professionals, including your tax, legal and financial advisors. Comprehensive estate planning can be complex and time-consuming — but it’s worth the effort. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor., Tim Shuff, CFP. Edward Jones does not provide tax or legal advice.
Volume 39 • Number 7 • 2012 • Farm & Ranch News
Volume 39 • Number 7 • 2012 • Farm & Ranch News
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Get ready: Hunting Season is upon us! By James Garner/gravelhillboy@aol.com
Team Black Hog down is pleased to announce that the wait is finally over. Hunting season is upon us! Last month, we discussed the importance of proper soil ph and wildlife nutrition. We hope the article was a help to you and that you were able to get your feeders and food plots established. This month we will look at a few other important things to do before you take your trek to the woods. First off, review season dates for which zone you will be hunting. Florida has zones listed A-D. The best place to locate what the regulations and laws are in your hunting zone is through the FWC web site at www.myfwc.com. Take the time to review the regulations to ensure that your hunting practices are within the state laws. Second, take the time to prepare your gear. There is nothing worse than getting up at 4:30 in the morning, heading to your stand or blind, having the buck of a lifetime come into your cross hairs, and only after squeezing off your shot you realize that you should have spent an hour or so at the range. A little time checking your weapon and mentally preparing yourself for the ideal shot is probably the most important thing you can do before heading into the woods. Tenoroc Shooting Sports in Lakeland Florida has a nice range that gives you the opportunity to sight in your rifle, bow or shotgun. The staff is capable and trained to assist you in meeting your optimal shooting potential. We recommend starting off bore sighting your rifle and then practicing at 50 yards. Once you can keep a nice 3-5 shot group of 1 inch or less, move out to 100 yards. Most high powered rifles are capable of taking a much further shot than your own skill will allow. However, if you can keep a 1-inch grouping at 100 yards than you are more than prepared. Should the good Lord only give you one chance at that buck, hog, or turkey, the last thing you want to do is miss or wound the animal. A clean kill must be the ultimate goal of any hunter. Selecting the right ammo for your game is critical. A good ballistics calculator will help you choose the
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best ammo and know what to expect from it. These can be found on the web and through IPhone and Android Smartphones. The September 2012 issue of American Rifleman includes an excellent ballistics review of handgun ammo.. Use quality ammunition and optics to make sure that you will not have any issues in the field. While at the range make sure your scope rings are tight and carefully inspect the weapon to preclude untimely problems. Most importantly, while you are scouting your hunting grounds check your tree stand to make sure it is safe and that you have the proper safety harnesses for every hunt. There’s nothing worse than compromising safety for a hunt. Not following proper safety guidelines can result in injury or death. Safety must be on your mind at all times while hunting. Don’t forget to top off your hunting apparel with the blaze orange vest. This is required by law as it will insure that you are not accidentally mistaken for game. Each year preparations are carefully thought through, and Team Black Hog Down hopes that this article is a good reminder of all the necessary steps to ensure a successful and safe hunting season. Good luck to all of our readers. We hope this year will bring you that special trophy kill. Be sure to brag to us when it happens! And, we always look forward to hearing special tips that you dare to share.
Volume 39 • Number 7 • 2012 • Farm & Ranch News
Volume 39 • Number 7 • 2012 • Farm & Ranch News
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Volume 39 • Number 7 • 2012 • Farm & Ranch News
Florida FFA Hall of Fame to Induct Five in 2012 The Florida FFA will induct five persons into the 2012 FFA Hall of Fame during the sixth annual awards ceremony Monday, October 1, 2012 at the Florida FFA Leadership Training Center in Haines City. The 2012 inductees are Harold Ray Clark, Alfred Rankin Cox, Jr. (deceased), Donald Charles Hurst (deceased), Gary Doyle Lee and Winton Oziel Whittle. “Florida FFA owes an immense debt of grati tude to these outstanding leaders,” said Adam Putnam, Commissioner of Agriculture. “Their dedicated service in agriculture education helped make FFA the outstanding student organization recognized throughout the State.” “These individuals are to be highly commended for their years of service and dedication to the enhancement of agricultural education and FFA,” said Bill Hamm, President of the Florida FFA Foundation Board of Directors. Inductees are: Harold “Ray” Clark of Lakeland spent his entire professional career
as an agriculture teacher at Plant City High School in Hillsborough County before retiring in 2008. Clark received honorary FFA degrees at both the state and national levels. More than 30 of his former students have become agriculture teachers. His FFA members won state competitions in six different career development areas, and 21 of his students served as state or national FFA officers. Clark continues to be an active supporter of agricultural education and FFA. Alfred Rankin “A. R.” Cox, Jr. earned his B.S. degree from the University of Florida in 1937. After teaching agriculture at Summerfield-Weirsdale and Reddick, Cox served as the Florida FFA Executive Secretary from 1949 until he retired in 1965. He passed away in 2005. Donald Charles Hurst graduated from Lafayette County High School in 1944 and received his B.S. degree in agriculture from UF in 1949. Hurst spent most of his teaching career at Bell High School, where he taught agriculture for 18 years. He then served as vocational director for Gilchrist and Levy counties
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until his retirement in 1985. He passed away in July 2012. Gary Doyle Lee was an agriculture teacher and coordinator of career and technical education in Polk and Highlands Counties for 33 years before retiring in 2006. He also served as a consultant for the Florida Department of Education for three years before moving from Polk to Highlands County in 1978. In addition to his direct influence on youth through his teaching, Lee has been provided outstanding leadership to the FFA alumni organization at the local and state levels. He received the National FFA Alumni Achievement Award and Legion of Merit Award. Lee has continued to serve as a part-time teacher and resource for agriculture teachers in Highlands County since his retirement. Winton Oziel “W. O.” Whittle was both an agriculture teacher (6 years) and County Extension agent (6 years) before spending a majority of his professional career as Chief of the Bureau of State Markets for the Florida Department of Agriculture. Whittle’s efforts have had a positive influence on many 4-H and
FFA members and agriculture producers in the state. Whittle retired in 1985 and lives in Quincy. FL. The Florida FFA Hall of Fame began in 2007 to pay tribute to those outstanding individuals who have helped make the Florida FFA Association the premier youth leadership organization in the state. Because of the support of these individuals, Florida FFA has become home to more than 16,000 FFA members in more than 300 FFA chapters across the state. FFA members are engaged in a wide range of agricultural education activities, leading to more than 300 professional career opportunities in the agricultural industry. If you have questions or need further information, contact Gary Bartley at 863439-7332 x 6321 or ggbartley@hotmail. com.
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Volume 39 • Number 7 • 2012 • Farm & Ranch News
NRCS and FWS Reach Historic Agreement to Extend Wildlife Conservation Efforts on Working Agricultural Lands Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Chief Dave White and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Director Dan Ashe have announced an agreement that will provide long-term regulatory predictability for up to 30 years to farmers, ranchers and forest landowners participating in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW) Initiative. Participants voluntarily implement proven conservation practices designed to protect wildlife habitat, including several at risk species and vulnerable game species on private lands. “This agreement will change the way we manage at-risk species on private lands,” White said. “It will provide landowners with a mechanism to keep working lands in production while complying with the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and will facilitate restoration of habitat for at-risk species. It also will help farmers, ranchers and forest landowners rest a little easier knowing their operations are protected for the long term and that they are contributing to conserving vital natural resources.” The agreement builds on a $33 million
investment NRCS announced last spring dedicated toward producers who develop and implement conservation plans to manage and restore high-priority habitats for seven specific wildlife species across the country. The species are greater sagegrouse, New England cottontail, bog turtle, golden-winged warbler, gopher tortoise, lesser prairie-chicken and the Southwestern willow flycatcher. NRCS, FWS and numerous state and local entities are partnering to implement WLFW. “This important partnership underscores the outstanding conservation stewardship provided by America’s farmers and ranchers across the country,” Ashe said. “It is a clear example of the compatibility of working landscapes and species conservation. We are pleased to be able to support this creative partnership that provides predictability to landowners who volunteer to implement conservation practices that benefit wildlife.” Under the agreement, farmers, ranchers and forest landowners who implement and voluntarily agree to maintain the proven conservation practices in WLFW will have addressed the related ESA regulatory responsibilities for up to 30 years.
Volume 39 • Number 7 • 2012 • Farm & Ranch News
These landowners will be able to operate their farms and ranches as agreed upon, providing economic benefits and species conservation simultaneously. Under the WLFW partnership, federal, state and wildlife experts jointly identified at-risk or listed species that would benefit from targeted habitat restoration investments on private lands. Using the best available science, these wildlife experts prioritized restoration actions on a large regional scale to focus assistance most cost effectively.
The federal government will grant farmers, ranchers and forest landowners regulatory predictability in return for voluntarily making wildlife habitat improvements on their private agricultural and forest lands. Participating producers must adhere to the requirements of each conservation practice during the term of their contract, which can last from one to 15 years. If landowners would like to receive regulatory predictability for up to 30 years, they must maintain the conservation practices as outlined in the NRCS and FWS agreement. For more information about Working Lands for Wildlife, please visit http:// go.usa.gov/rsUj.
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Volume 39 • Number 7 • 2012 • Farm & Ranch News