FRNEWS V40 Issue 2

VOLUME 40 NUMBER 2 • PH. 813-737-NEWS (6397) • E -MAIL : FARMR ANCHNEWS@AOL.COM • W W W.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 Harvest Queen to Attend Florida College

The 2010 Hillsborough County Fair’s Harvest Queen, Laura-Lorenza Perez of Brandon, has elected to use her “Roland and Olive Lewis Scholarship” to attend Florida College in Temple Terrace.

Laura had planned on attending a larger school in Florida but found she was getting “lost in the shuffle. The more I spoke to the administration at Florida College the more I realized I enjoyed the smaller school atmosphere.” Laura begins the Spring Semester at the college as a Liberal Arts major.

Florida College is a private liberal arts college, offering Associate In Arts and Bachelor degrees. It is the second oldest institution of higher education in Hillsborough County, opening to students in 1946. Florida College seeks to enrich the spiritual, social, physical, and mental character of students. All students are instructed in the Bible for academic credit and attend chapel devotions every weekday. Currently there are 500+ students enrolled from across the nation and several foreign countries.

Laura began the term the second week in January. She says, “My most important impression has been with the student body. Every student I have met so far has gone out of their way to connect with me. Everyone is extremely kind. Everyone was so welcoming, and went out of their way to help me.” Laura says she is “excited by the academic atmosphere it provides. Everyone (students, professors, administration) truly believes in the programs at FC.”

Dr. and Mrs. Roland Lewis were

By Myke Morris/ Contributing Editor

chosen as the namesakes for Laura’s scholarship, awarded annually to the senior division winner of the pageant competition at the Hillsborough County Fair, due to Dr. Lewis’ tenure and leadership on the Hillsborough County School Board from 1968 to 1988, including serving as its Chairman for 3 separate oneyear terms. Lewis Elementary School in Temple Terrace was named to honor this servant 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.

The 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. It may be used at any post-secondary school in Florida. The Harvest Queen is chosen by a panel of judges based on personality, appearance, and poise as well as an interview. Should the Queen choose to attend Florida College, where Dr. Lewis was Registrar and a professor from its beginning in 1946 until he retired in 1981, that institution doubles the scholarship award.

The annual Harvest Queen competition, held in conjunction with the Fair, is open to 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.

When asked if being Harvest Queen had changed her life, Laura responded, “Yes, I absolutely believe it has changed my life. Without the Harvest Queen pageant I would not have had the financial opportunity to attend a private college, and I believe the friends and connections I make at FC will be life changing as well.”

Asked for her most memorable impression of her reign as Hillsborough Harvest Queen, Laura said, “My most memorable experience was attending the Agricultural Hall Of Fame Banquet. I got to meet wonderful people that my mom grew up with, and heard some funny stories from the Swamp Cabbage Festival and trips to Immokalee and the Everglades. I also met friends and co-workers of my late grandfather, Ken Hall, who owned Ken Hall Inc. Corrugated Box Sales.”

Dr. H.E. “Buddy” Payne, President of Florida College (and a Harvard graduate who grew up in Temple Terrace) said, “We are very pleased that the 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.”

Florida FFA to Host Beast Feast and Auction

The Florida FFA is serving up a variety of wild game and seafood at the 10th Annual Beast Feast & Auction on Saturday, March 23, 2013 to benefit the Florida FFA Foundation.

Along with feasting on veni son, pork, gator, shrimp, turkey, swamp cabbage, fried dill pickles, Jambalaya, chicken fingers, boiled corn, peanuts, homemade ice cream, strawberry shortcake, and many other foods, guests can enjoy raffles, silent and live auctions, exhibits and entertainment.

Items to be auctioned include vacation trips, airboat tours, fishing trips,

hunting trips, park admissions, framed prints, grills, gift baskets, livestock feed, fishing and hunting equipment, gift certificates to local stores and restaurants and a wide variety of other exciting items.

As a special addition to this year’s event there will be drawings from the admission ticket stubs worth $2,500.

The person drawn for the winning tickets must be present to win. Food will be served 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The Beast Feast and Auction will be held at the Florida FFA Leadership Training Center at 5000 Firetower

Road, off Highway 542 (Hatchineha Road) near Haines City from 11:00 to 2:00 p.m. Annually the LTC hosts a variety of meetings, conferences and workshops for FFA and other organizations.

Many “friends” of FFA and Florida Agriculture are stepping forward with efforts to help out the organization that benefited them as students. The foundation provides the resources necessary to recognize the leaders which our organization is known for, while the FFA Association provides the paths for students to succeed. As an avid supporter of FFA, “we take great pride in being a part

of this fundraiser” states Fred Williams, Southern Coast Manager, Purina Animal Nutrition, LLC.

Anyone wishing to help Florida FFA can do so by becoming an event sponsor, donating items for the silent or live auction and by purchasing or selling tickets.

For tickets or more information about this event, contact Gary Bartley at (863) 439-7332 ext 6321. You may also visit the website at www.floridaffafoundation.org and click on Special Events/ Beast Feast.

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Volume 40 • Number 2 • 2013 • Farm & Ranch News

Hillsborough County 4-H Dog Camp – “What An Amazing Camp!”

By Stephanie Farmer-Associate Publisher

Emma and Nicole Kordek had such a great time. They enjoyed the whole experience of camp, including the fun zone of canoeing and archery. But they wanted to say a special thank you to the “agility helpers” on Sunday. They had never done agility before and appreciated all the special help. Also they really appreciated the Obedience and Showmanship on Monday. They said Mr. Kincaid and Mr. Chamberlain were especially helpful with tips and answering all their many questions.

“As a parent of campers, I would like to thank you all the people that volunteered their time for these kids. As we are new to 4H, we really were impressed and truly appreciate how dedicated you all are to the kids and for giving them the best possible experience. Thank you.” The Kordek Family “ “Thanks to everyone who made this camp run so smoothly. To see the joy on

my daughter’s face when we picked her up made both my husband and I so happy. She couldn’t stop talking about every aspect of camp. And to tire out our puppy was a pleasant surprise! We are so excited that the summer dog camp will be at this beautiful facility.”- The Brandt’s (Tom, Cynthia and Audrey)

“Thanks to all! What a well coordinated, organized learning experience for kids and dogs alike! Emily and Spencer were exhausted, but eager to share all they learned! Thanks to everyone!”Debbie Tregler

Over 65 youth attended the Hillsborough County 4-H Dog Camp at Camp Rotary in Brandon, FL. This twoday camp was designed to teach youth showmanship, rally, agility and other skills they will need for the upcoming Florida State Fair Dog Show. But, this camp wasn’t all to the dogs, youth also had opportunities to experience canoeing, archery and of course, build upon old and develop new friendships. The above thank you letters say it all!

Volume 40 • Number 2 • 2013 • Farm & Ranch News

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Texas Cow Numbers Fall 22 Percent Past Three Years by Blair Fannin

U.S. cattle numbers continue to shrink and Texas is no exception as the Lone Star State has experienced a 22 percent decline over the past three years, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service livestock specialist.

“Continued drought in 2012 took another year’s toll on the nation’s cowherd, according to the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture inventory report,” said Dr. David Anderson. “USDA reported that the U.S. had the smallest cattle herd since 1952. The 89.3 million cattle in the U.S. on Jan. 1 was 1.4 million fewer than last year.”

Drought caused the Texas herd to shrink again, Anderson said, as the state has the fewest cattle since the 1950s.

“Just over 4 million beef cows were reported in Texas on Jan. 1,” he said. “Texas has lost over 1 million beef cows in the last three years, representing a 22 percent decline in cow numbers. Ranchers across the U.S. and Texas reported that they held more young females, or heifers, to begin to replace the cows lost. Nationwide, 2 percent more heifers were kept compared to the year before.”

In Texas, heifer retention was up approximately 9 percent, he said. Calf prices have been at levels to encourage keeping more heifers, yet those expansion efforts have been difficult due to dry or drought conditions both nationally and in Texas, Anderson said.

“But, even though more heifers were kept, they were not enough to offset the number of cows lost,” Anderson said. “Most of Texas continues to be in drought and the current drought stretches from South Texas to North Dakota. When we start thinking about rebuilding we have to have our pastures and range in recovery.”

Overall, it’s the smallest cattle herd in the U.S.

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in 60 years, Anderson said.

“Where are we headed in 2013? I t“hink again we will contend with tighter supplies of cattle, high feed costs, but hopefully, drought recovery to go with it.”

Anderson said to expect tight supplies of calves and for prices to remain high for 2013.

“I think that will be due to tighter supplies of cattle and the potential is there for a possible record high corn crop if we get the rain in the Midwest.”

Meanwhile, consumer demand for beef will be an area of interest, Anderson said. Per capita beef consumption is declining, mostly due to declining beef production and strong beef exports. But even though consumers are eating less beef, on average, they have been paying record high retail beef prices.

As a consequence, demand has the potential to grow slowly as a result of high beef prices and overall slow growth with regards to the general economy.

“We’ll see slow demand growth as we slowly grow incomes,” he said. “In the meantime, beef will face tough competition from pork and poultry supplies.”

Volume 40 • Number 2 • 2013 • Farm & Ranch News

Parents and Youth Read Carefully!

Florida Youth and Gun Laws You Might Not Know

By Stephanie Farmer-Associate Publisher

In Florida it is illegal for youth to operate a gun or firearm without adult supervision. This is a good law designed to help teach our youth gun responsibility that many may not realize exists.

Sergeant Jeff Massaro with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office provided us with the following information.

F.S.790.22: Use of BB guns, air or gasoperated guns, or electric weapons or devices by minor under 16; limitation; possession of firearms by minor under 18 prohibited; penalties.— (1) The use for any purpose whatsoever of BB guns, air or gas-operated guns, or electric weapons or devices, by any minor under the age of 16 years is prohibited unless such use is under the supervision and in the presence of an adult who is acting with the consent of the minor’s parent.

(2) Any adult responsible for the wel-

fare of any child under the age of 16 years who knowingly permits such child to use or have in his or her possession any BB gun, air or gas-operated gun, electric weapon or device, or firearm in violation of the provisions of subsection (1) of this section commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

the consent of the minor’s parent or guardian. (c) The firearm is unloaded and is being transported by the minor directly to or from an event authorized in paragraph (a) or paragraph (b).

nor, or other adult responsible for the welfare of a minor, who knowingly and willfully permits the minor to possess a firearm in violation of subsection (3) commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s.

775.083, or s. 775.084.”

(4)(a) Any parent or guardian of a min-

(3) A minor under 18 years of age may not possess a firearm, other than an unloaded firearm at his or her home, unless: (a) The minor is engaged in a lawful hunting activity and is: 1. At least 16 years of age; or 2. Under 16 years of age and supervised by an adult. (b) The minor is engaged in a lawful marksmanship competition or practice or other lawful recreational shooting activity and is: 1. At least 16 years of age; or 2. Under 16 years of age and supervised by an adult who is acting with

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“Presidential Power: From Teddy Bear to Billy Possum”

by Myke Morris - Contributing Editor

Theodore Roosevelt has been a much admired man and President and the more you learn about him, the more admirable he becomes.

He is remembered as a vigorous, manly man both adventurous and powerful but he was born with serious asthma and nearsightedness that, together with his family wealth, might have made him a slothful shirker. The nearsightedness, making it difficult to read, could have given him excuse for ignorance. The wealth could have enabled an easy, quiet life of sloth. The asthma nearly killed him!

It is told that, at the age of 12, his father said to him, “Theodore you have the mind but you have not the body, and without the help of the body the mind cannot go as far as it should. I am giving you the tools, but it is up to you to make your body.”

Young Roosevelt determined to respond to “the only man I ever feared” by “making his body.” He began building his strength through weightlifting, horseback riding, boxing, wrestling, and hunting. By sheer force of his will, he overcame his natural bodily weakness and made vigor and fearlessness a constant goal.

But he did that without arrogance.

He went to the west on a hunting trip in 1883 and bought a ranch that would both build and show his character and impact American life. He said, “I never would have been President if it had not been for my experiences in North Dakota.”

He returned home and 5 months later his beloved wife, Alice, and beloved mother both died within hours of each other and in the same house.

Roosevelt went back west. There, the cowboys had little use for this somewhat funny looking eastern dude with the thick glasses. He knew next to nothing about working cattle and they didn’t want to take the time to teach him. But they found that whenever they had a dirty job that no one else wanted, Teddy was al-

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ways ready and gradually he earned their respect.

While President in 1902, Roosevelt went on a bear hunting trip in Mississippi. Days went by without the dogs finding a bear but finally, an old bear was cornered and seriously injured. Roosevelt’s guides tied the bear to a tree and brought him to shoot his bear.

Just as you would expect, Roosevelt refused saying he would not do something so unsporting as to shoot a tied up bear.

A political cartoonist named Clifford Berryman heard the story and drew a cartoon showing Roosevelt refusing to shoot the bear. As the story grew, the bear came to be depicted as a young cub. A shopkeeper named Morris Michtom took two stuffed bears his wife had made and put them in his store window labeled “Teddy Bear” and every child for the next 100+ years has had to have one. (Yeah, I still have mine.)

So, where is your “Billy Possum?”

By 1907 President Roosevelt had anointed William Howard Taft as his successor. Taft, surely the biggest man to ever inhabit the White House weighing over 300 pounds, was elected in 1908.

Taft’s girth didn’t escape his own notice. He once joked that he was the ultimate gentleman because he had given up his seat on a streetcar to three ladies!

He became stuck in the White House bathtub and had to be pried out. A bigger tub was installed to prevent future difficulties. After leaving office, he awarded a cup in a fat-baby contest to one year old Lloyd Bridges (who evidently slimmed down for “Sea Hunt”).

In January, 1909, just before his inauguration in March, a grand dinner was given for Taft in Atlanta.

It was determined that the meal would be the great old southern delicacy of baked possum (opossum to my Yankee friends) and sweet potatoes. (If I’m lyin’ I’m dyin’.) Like Granny Clampett used to say, “Nothin’ friendlier than a baked possum grinnin’ up at you from a big ol’ plate o’ sweet taters!”

The New York Times reported that “the broad Taft smile came into play and a look of unutterable con-

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tent came over the face of the President elect.” The Victoria, Texas Daily Advocate said, “when the Taft smile met the possum grin the apex of the banquet was reached.”

Let me not hear another complaint about rubber chicken on the banquet circuit!

The result was the ingenious attempt by the toy companies to hype the next big trend, “Billy Possums” for every American child. You know how far that went.

Whether it was Taft’s failure to continue all the policies Roosevelt held dear, his size, or his penchant for possum, Teddy was disappointed in Billy and railed against him in the 1912 Presidential campaign, eventually bolting the Republican party to run as the “Bull Moose” candidate. That rancor led to the election of Democrat Woodrow Wilson. But Taft came back when Warren Harding appointed him Chief Justice, a position that was much more to his liking than President.

Considering it his greatest honor; he wrote: “I don’t remember that I ever was President.”

1 Peter 2:13-17 (ASV)

Be subject to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise to them that do well. For so is the will of God, that by well-doing ye should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: as free, and not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God. Honor all men.

Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

Volume 40 • Number 2 • 2013 • Farm & Ranch News

Volume 40 • Number 2 • 2013 • Farm & Ranch News

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Having Financial Conversations with Aging Parents: Important Topics

Listen in on a conversation among retirees, and you might overhear some light-hearted quips like this intermingled with laughter: “My secrets are safe with my friends because they can’t remember them either.”

The jokes are universal because so are the signs of aging – gradual loss of vision, health and memory. That gives adult children cause for concern: Two out of five children of parents age 65 or older are worried about their parents’ ability to handle their personal finances either now or in the future.

Adult children are often stepping in to help parents with financial matters.

Sometimes, it’s because mature investors who are still fully competent just want a

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little help or advice, or perhaps are just ready to turn over the responsibilities.

In other instances, a decline in faculties requires adult children to provide assistance.

Whether you find yourself helping balance checkbooks or managing the entire estate of an aging parent, the first step to being effective is knowledge.

But how to begin? There are several icebreaker options: • Talk about a health or financial emergency experienced by a friend or neighbor.

• Ask parents about how they envision the next years of their lives. What do they wish for when it comes to their living arrangements, healthcare and

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•

finances?

Explain that since your Edward Jones financial advisor helps you plan for the expected and prepare for the unexpected, you feel that they may benefit from this as well.

Here are some topics that adult children may consider discussing with parents early on.

1. Estate Documents An easy place to start is to ask where important documents are located that parents have carefully prepared to protect the integrity of their finances and estate. These may include life insurance contracts or financial statements, as well as legal documents such as a will, trust, mortgage papers, power of attorney or deeds.

2. Contributing Professionals Adult children will save a lot of time if they have immediate access to the professionals with whom parents have carefully selected to work with. The best strategy now is to ask for names and contact information, including those of their financial advisor, attorney, CPA and medical advisors.

3. Wishes for Future Living Arrangements While parents may have a clear

4. picture for medical care and future living or care arrangements, their children may not. Here’s an opportunity to share expectations and preparations, as well as the role adult children may play.

5. Funeral Arrangements or Burial Instructions Family members really should be aware of any prepaid funeral arrangements. If there are specific burial wishes, they need to know that, too. If this topic is too uncomfortable to discuss in person, families can share information on where to find details that will help them manage arrangements more efficiently when this emotional time comes.

You may decide these topics are sufficient. Or you may let them serve as a starting point for additional information that bears discussing. Discussing financial information with aging parents may make a difference when decisions need to be made down the road.

Edward Jones, its financial advisors and employees, does not provide legal or tax advice. You should consult a qualified estate-planning attorney and/ or a qualified tax professional on your specific situation.

Volume 40 • Number 2 • 2013 • Farm & Ranch News

Volume 40 • Number 2 • 2013 • Farm & Ranch News

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Fundraiser for 66th Annual Polk County Youth at Higgenbotham Ranch

By Stephanie Farmer-Associate Publisher

350-pounds of freshly grilled steaks and 150 pounds of potatoes marked the opening of show season for the Polk County Youth Fair at the Higgenbotham Ranch.

Several years ago, due to budget cuts, the Polk County Youth Fair had to raise funds from businesses and individuals to keep the Fair alive. Marty and Angela Higgenbotham opened their barn doors and began hosting a very successful fundraising event to make that happen, as this event is solely run by donations.

The Polk County Cattlemen and Cattlewomen do the cooking, 4-H and FFA members walk around

County Extension Director Nicole Walker with FDAC’s Father Dudley Putnam

with an armload of raffle tickets and businesses donate items for the auction. Sheriff Grady Judd was there this year doing his part. “A Day with Grady” raised $2,200 from two different buyers at $1,100 each.

Fred’s Market Restaurant was not only a sponsor but also brought over some delicious peach cobbler. Mosaic, a proud sponsor of the Fair for many years, was there as well.

One interesting fact that came to light was that Marty himself has donated his time as an auctioneer to the Fair for over 30 years! As a result, he is full of stories about the youth who auction their animals, and praise for businesses and individuals who help these youth by purchasing them

Dreamcatchers 4-H members, Kyra Moss and Brandon Martell, help Rosemary Hayworth sell raffle tickets.

Wes and Reed Fussell, with JB Whynn, helping out with the steaks.

Auctioning “A Day with Sheriff Grady Judd”

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Volume 40 • Number 2 • 2013 • Farm & Ranch News

Volume 40 • Number 2 • 2013 • Farm & Ranch News

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Rice Grown Without Paddies Can Feed Drought-Stricken Communities, UF/IFAS Expert Says

Consumed by 3 billion people, rice is arguably the world’s most important food staple, and one reason for its popularity is that rice can be grown under flooded conditions that suppress weeds, making cultivation easier.

In some parts of the world, water is in short supply, but farmers often devote what they can to rice farming, because the crop is so important. However, research has led to a simple but profound solution that

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requires less water - growing rice in fields, a practice called aerobic rice production.

The practice relies on rainfall plus limited irrigation to meet the plants’ moisture needs. It requires about 40 percent less water than paddy-grown rice, according to a University of Florida study in the current issue of Agronomy Journal.

Aerobic rice production is gaining popularity in India and Southeast Asia, particularly in drought-strick-

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en or upland areas, said Rao Mylavarapu, a professor with UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and one of the study’s authors.

Mylavarapu is working to address a major challenge in aerobic rice production: yield. In the two-year study, conducted in Hyderabad, India, researchers grew rice in irrigated fields and paddies. The first year’s aerobic rice harvest weighed 39 percent less than the paddy harvest; the second year the difference narrowed to 15 percent.

“Right now, there’s no way you can get the same yield under optimal conditions,” he said.

But in a drought there may not be enough water to keep rice paddies flooded. Under those circumstances, aerobic production can ensure that a community has rice to eat, while the paddied plants wither away.

“The real impact of aerobic rice will be shown in a rainfall shortage year,” Mylavarapu said.

“However, in a rainfall shortage year, we have to be able to provide supplemental irrigation to aerobic rice and keep the root zone moist. So if there’s a very bad drought, even aerobic rice will fail.”

So far, aerobic rice production hasn’t caught on with U.S. farmers, but that could be just a matter of time, he said.

“In the U.S., water quality is usually a bigger issue than water quantity,” The United States is the world’s 10th largest producer of paddied rice, with annual production of about 12 million tons, according to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization. Arkansas is the leading U.S. rice producer; Florida ranks seventh.

Volume 40 • Number 2 • 2013 • Farm & Ranch News

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5 Keys To Victory

Pastor Dick Moore

Text: James 1:2-4 (NCV) 2 My brothers and sisters, when you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, 3 because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience.

4 Let your patience show itself perfectly in what you do. Then you will be perfect and complete and will have everything you need.

This month I want to share with you the first of five important principles on how to deal with problems. We all have problems or situations that occur daily and it is vital to know how to handle them.

The following keys to life’s victories may sound very strange, to say the least, if you are reading this article and you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal savior,

I trust that when we have finished our study of all five of these keys to victory, it will be a blessing to you.

THE JEWELER’S WATER TEST 1. The Book of Job reminds us that trouble and trials are inevitable.

Job 5:7 – People produce trouble as surely as sparks fly upward.

Since this is the case, we need to understand how to face the trials that will come our way.

2. There is a test that jewelers will use to determine whether or not a diamond is authentic.

a. It is a very simple test, indeed.

b. It is called The Water Test.

(1) I am told that a fake diamond loses its brilliance when it is submerged in water, but a real diamond does not.

(a) Can I tell you that there is a “water test” for Christians that will determine whether or not we are authentic. (b) True Christians will not lose their luster and brilliance when they are submerged in the page14

trials of life!

There are FIVE KEYS to consistent victory for Christians when we are in the midst of a trial.

KEY #1 – AN ATTITUDE OF JOY The first Key to Victory in the midst of our trials is that we must have an ATTITUDE OF JOY. James 1:2 – My brothers and sisters, when you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy Joy is not a natural human response to troubles and trials.

You must make a conscious commitment to face each trial with an attitude of joy.

Philippians 4:4, 11 – (vs4) Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. (vs11) (NIV) Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

It is important that you understand that Paul made these statements while he was in prison – and prison then was not the comfortable atmosphere of home that it is today!

He said that we should we should consider it a sheer gift of pure joy WHEN we are faced with tests and challenges.

The word “when” conveys the idea of an unplanned, inadvertent occurrence that surrounds you.

Sometimes life sends us a storm that have a way of altering our sense of direction and our sense of security, breaking up what we have come to believe is a place of refuge, and causing us to have to grab on to anything that floats in order to survive!

Sometimes, what we perceive to be a storm, however, is nothing more than God disciplining us.

Hebrews 12:11 (NLT) – No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

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So, if you want to live a life of victory when the storms come, learn to cultivate a right attitude – an Attitude of Joy. Jesus said in John 16:20-22...

20 I tell you the truth, you will cry and be sad, but the world will be happy. You will be sad, but your sadness will become joy.

21 When a woman gives birth to a baby, she has pain, because her time has come. But when her baby is born, she forgets the pain, because she is so happy that a child has been born into the world.

22 It is the same with you. Now you are sad, but I will see you again and you will be happy, and no one will take away your joy.

You’ve got to learn how to look beyond the trial and see the end of it!

In Acts 16:25, we find Paul and Silas in prison, and “at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.”

This is the attitude we need for survival!

If you can learn to pray and sing praises while trying to survive the dungeon of depressing troubles, you will surely know the victory of the Lord!

To do this, you must be able to see be-

yond the moment.

Most of us SAY we believe that God is going to see us through, so...if you know in the end that everything will turn out okay, then why worry in the midst of the storm? Put your trust in the Master of the Storm and know that “THIS TOO SHALL PASS!” We can joyfully endure suffering in the present because of the glorious future that is promised to us!

We need to ask ourselves today..”Do our trials make us bitter or better?”

James 1:3 – Know this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

There are a few things you’ve got to know...

1. You must come to know the reason for the testing.

2. Trials are designed to produce patience.

3. It is important that we understand that the word “patience” in our text means, “patiently waiting on God to remove the trial” – IN HIS TIME!

I’ll resume this study in next month’s column.

Blessings, Pastor Dick Moore Parkway Baptist Church

Volume 40 • Number 2 • 2013 • Farm & Ranch News

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Youth, Horse and Trainer Shot During Riding Lesson

Gun Responsibility Starts in the Home and With Better Gun Legislation

By Stephanie Farmer-Associate Publisher

Geri Lundergan’s heart sank, as the sound of approaching shotgun pellets filled the air and fell upon her student, horse and her.

Geri rushed over, thankful that no one was injured and that Carissa’s horse did not bolt nor rear at the sound of falling pellets. After removing Carissa from the horse and taking them to the safety of her barn, they anxiously waited to see if another shot would be fired. There were no more shots.

Thankfully Carissa, the horse and she were uninjured, but Geri knew this incident could cause Carissa’s ( a special needs youth) asperger to flare; which by nightfall, according to the mom, did occur. Emerging from the pasture next door were four neighborhood boys carrying guns and attempting to slip back home. Geri confronted them, they apologized and rushed home.

According to Geri this was not the first time her farm and neighbors had encountered problems with these boys and guns. The issue of guns and these boys was escalating. It started with paintball, BB and pellet guns and now a shotgun. She called the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office for help.

At first they told Geri and the Mom there is nothing they could do as no one was hurt. But, upon further research they located gun laws that do apply in this matter. (See article on Page 18) It is now in the hands of the State Attorney’s Office.

Since I started investigating this issue, I have had several tell me, “Oh it was just bird shot” or “Oh, it was just pellets.” Please take a moment and ponder this: on the same day the HCSO decided they could charge the father with negligence, a 16 year-old walked into a California high school with a shotgun and shot a student, sending him to the hospital in critical condition. Further injury and possible death was stopped by his teacher and school campus supervisor who confronted the shotgun toting student who had already fired a second shot missing more students. They talked him into surrendering his weapon.

President Obama through Executive Order recently signed new stringent gun rules. Just like the story I quoted in my Pit Bulldog story, it’s not the gun but the person behind it. So, let’s go directly to the root: gun safety and responsibility in our youth boils

Only hunting youth are now required to take a gun safety course. A loop-hole that needs to be filled so that all youth, whether shooting target, trap, etc. are required to learn gun safety and responsibility.

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down to parents.

The Bible says, “Train a child in the way he should go and he will not depart from it.” As parents if we have guns in the home it is our duty to train our children about gun responsibility.

From a young age I taught my boys about guns and gun safety. I picked up an excellent seven minute video produced by the National Rifle Association called “Learn Gun Safety with Eddie Eagle” (which is still available). They were taught to be responsible with guns, that they are not toys and can injure or kill.

But, my boys were also taught to be responsible citizens, to respect others and follow the Golden Rule as taught in the Bible. As our nation continues to turns its back on God and Godly principles, it seems that these acts of violence continue as well. Again, it all boils back to better parenting and better legislation to help parents.

A problem I discovered while investigating this shooting issue is that Florida youth can legally shoot any type of gun, anytime they wish without taking a gun safety course, as long as they are not hunting; only hunting youth are sub ject to the safety course. This loophole

has been confirmed with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and needs to be filled.

Florida law needs to be updated, simply stating that every youth, when in operation of a gun, are required to take a gun safety course. I would also like to see this legislation expanded so that parents take the course, too. That way they can learn the same material and engage their child in further discussion after the class, enabling parents to be better instructors of gun safety.

Banning guns is not the answer.

Adults and youth will always find ways to get a gun. Gun responsibility starts at home at a young age with parents teaching their kids. Parents should not assume their children automatically know gun safety. Remember, from the moment of conception, we are a clean slate waiting to be taught. Improved legislation in educating our youth and parents as to guns and gun safety is needed for ALL youth who shoot or handle a gun, not just those that hunt.

Any comments or questions? Email me at farmandranchnews@yahoo.com

Geri Lundergan and her student, Carissa Retter

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Country Cook In Town

(an occasional, anonymous, restaurant review)

Esposito’s Pizza

2803 James Redman Parkway, Plant City

Pizza! How we love a good one.

An authentic Italian pie with that amazing crisp thin crust, homemade tomato sauce, topped American style with loads of your favorite meats and fresh vegetable toppings and luscious hand grated cheeses.....I heard Mike Esposito speaking Italian at the register and that was my first clue we just might be in for something a little special.

I had to find out more about his history and how he does things. Since I have a bit of kitchen expertise myself and a discerning palate, I appreciate careful preparation. Mike and his family brought their cooking traditions with them from Naples, Italy and continue to make the extra effort to bring the best to the table as if it were at home.

We came to try the pizza and were smitten with the first bite but the menu has many tempting choices including salads, classics such as chicken

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Volume 40 • Number 2 • 2013 • Farm & Ranch News

Hillsborough County 4-H Horse Show

By Stephanie Farmer-Associate Publisher

On a beautiful January day, Hillsborough County 4-H hosted a horse show at the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds at Sydney Washer Road and Highway 60. They had about 47 entries with ages ranging from youth to adult. Adults are allowed to show at this event as all entry fees go towards the Hillsborough County 4-H horse project fund to continue to help the youth.

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Prescribed Fire Burns Protect More than Two Million Acres of Florida’s Public and Private Lands from Devastating Wildfire

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam stresses the importance of prescribed fire burns in maintaining the health of Florida’s forest lands and preventing devastating wildfires.

“Prescribed fire is a safe way to reduce hazardous fuels on Florida’s forest lands,” said Commissioner Adam Putnam. “When ignited, hazardous fuels can lead to or exacerbate wildfires. By reducing buildup of hazardous fuels with prescribed burns, we’re decreasing the risk of devastating wildfire and protecting thousands of home and business owners across Florida.”

Prescribed fire burning, also known as controlled burning, not only reduces hazardous fuel buildups, but also ensures a healthy ecosystem.

“Prescribed fire burning provides better forage for wildlife and livestock, returns nutrients to the soil and helps to control certain plant diseases,” said Jim Karels, director of the Florida Forest Service.

Florida is the nation’s leader in prescribed burns. The Florida Forest Service manages the most extensive prescribed burning program in the nation and offers a prescribed burn manager certification process for frequent burners. There are currently more than 1,600 certified prescribed burners in Florida helping to prescribe burn more than 2.3 million acres of agricultural and natural lands annually.

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Volume 40 • Number 2 • 2013 • Farm & Ranch News