Ag News June 2021

www.FloridaAgNews.com

vol 11 | issue 12 | june 2021

Blueberry Roundup edition

REBOUND! 2021 BLUEBERRY HARVEST UP

4.9 MIL. POUNDS FROM 2020

The Voice of Agriculture for Our Region

THE GREENING CHALLENGE HEAD OF CRDF TWEAKS RESEARCH APPROACH

MINOR SCORES MAJOR WIN

LONGWOOD BOY TAKES 2ND IN COOKING COMPETITION

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CONTENTS | j u n e 2 0 2 1

Rick Dantzler, executive director of the Citrus Research and Development Foundation, recently spoke to a group of citrus growers from Highlands County about the future course of Florida citrus. We spoke with Dantzler to get his take on what needs to be done differently to turn the tide against greening.

14 BLUEBERRY REBOUND

In 2020, the Florida Blueberry Growers Association reported a season yield of only 17 million pounds of blueberries. But multiple factors offered an invigorating boost this year as Florida blueberry growers took in 21.89 million pounds, close to the 22.7 million pounds harvested in 2019 and before the pandemic. Find out how growers feel about the 2021 season.

Longwood 9-year-old Nathaniel Forkin earned a second-place finish in the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ 2021 Lunchroom Wars. The inaugural cooking competition was open to any Florida resident ages 7 to 13 and was designed “to uplift culinary aspirations and highlight Florida commodities,” according to the Department of Agriculture.

Gardening Roses are Tips Here! for June Blueberry Plants Available

Ask About

12 | june

On the Cover

ews.com

2021

The Vo ice of Ag ricul

edition

ture fo r Our Re gion

THE GRE CHALLENENING GE

HEAD OF RESEARC CRDF TWEAKS H APPR OACH

Berries sit ripe for the picking MINOR REBOUN MAJOR SCORES D! WIN at Florida Blue Farms during AGRISH this harvest season. Although OPPER exact harvest numbers don’t come out until about a year and a half after a season, the economic impact of the Florida blueberry harvest for 2021 is predicted to be up to $200 million, says Brittany Lee, executive director of the Florida Blueberry Growers Association. photo by BRITTANY LEE 2021 BL UE 4.9 MIL. BERRY HARVES POUNDS T UP FROM 20 20

LONGWO 2ND IN OD BOY TAKES COOKING COMPETI TIO

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PERFECT GIFTS FO FATHER’S DAY R DADS IN AG

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EXCLU LEGISLATI SIVE PHOTOS FRO VE WRAP M & INDUS TRIAL HE -UP LUNCHEON MP CONF ERENCE

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18 MINOR SCORES MAJOR WIN

| issue

Blueberr y Roundup

PRES PRSR ORT T STD STD U.S. US POST Posta ge AGE PAI PAIDD Perm TAMP it No. A, FL 335 PERM Lake IT #2118 land , Fl.

12 THE GREENING CHALLENGE

vol 11

1

Departments 5 Publisher’s Letter 7 President’s Letter 9 Signs of the Season 10 Calendar 16 Angle’s Letter 20 AgriShopper 22 Ag-Rec

24 Agri-News 26 Recipe Spotlight 28 In The Heartland 31 Classifieds 34 Ag Community 36 FFA Corner 37 From the Editor’s Desk

GIVE AZALEAS, Camellias, Ixoras & Gardenias important second fertilizer feeding & complete pruning of azaleas.

MOLE CRICKETS are one of the worst lawn pests.

The young hatch in May, making June the perfect time to treat your Bahia lawn. Also watch for chinch bugs & caterpillars.

PLANT new lawns & patch up old ones with Palmetto plugs during the rainy season.

FEED annuals & vegetables.

FOR FATHER’S DAY what about a gift certificate, plant, trimmer, sprayer or bird feeder?

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Plants • Pottery • Pets & Supplies • Purina Chows 299 6th Street SW • Winter Haven, FL • 293-9730

BLADE SHARPENING SERVICE • Knives, Scissors, Chain Saws, Lawn Mowers and more!

4 | CFAN

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PUBLISHER LETTER

Florida Citrus Far From Forgotten ONCE UPON A TIME, you could drive through the citrus groves that blanketed Florida and temporarily forget about civilization.

Visitors got a taste of the state’s liquid gold at visitor centers, and students were taught about Florida’s prowess in the citrus industry. While most of us are still sweet on citrus, it’s been a rough road.

From recurrent bouts of canker to the ever-intensifying fight against greening, we’ve watched the Florida citrus growers take more than their share of hits. As many of us in agriculture know, funding is pivotal to getting the industry back on its feet. Thankfully, our governor came through in a way we hope will mark a turning point for the state.

In early June, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed off on a $101.5 billion state budget. As usual, there were winners and losers in the small print. While the $1.5 billion in items

• New greening-tolerant rootstocks and varieties now available • Largest screened commercial citrus nursery in the US • DNA tested true-to-type citrus varieties and rootstocks available • Now contracting for 2021-2022

PEACHES • Licensed grower of low chill peaches on Flordaguard and MP-29 rootstocks • Low chill varieties ideal for central and south Florida climates

• Now contracting for 2021-2022

and, in particular, combat citrus greening.

(You can learn more about the work CRDF does in our feature on page 12.)

• $500,000 for new varieties Paired with the passage of the Right to Farm legislation, I’d say things are looking up for our Florida farmers and growers. Thanks for reading Central Florida Ag News! ag

Australian finger limes have a natural resistance to citrus present in the trees, after just a few months of treatment greening, or HLB. Previous work by scientists at the with this peptide. The citrus-derived peptides effectively prevented HLB infection in young citrus trees and University of California Riverside (UCR) led to the was also active in treating young HLB-infected discovery of a peptide in these finger limes that trees. Furthermore, it is stable and not as will effectively kill the citrus greening bacterisensitive to high heat as antimicrobials, um when introduced to other trees as a making the treatment stronger and more treatment option. effective in comparison to other current The UCR research team also collaborates applications. with USDA and universities in Texas, Florida, Now the team is working on breeding new and Washington. Their work collectively is citrus using their genetic knowledge of this bringing the big citrus growing communities natural resistance to HLB. They hope to together in their research to solve every citrus

by Phillip Rucks provide a more sustainable solution to this grower’s biggest disease problem. deadly disease by incorporating the resistance into Once the innate immunity to HLB was discovered in the Australian finger lime, UCR researchers isolated the the trees’ DNA through breeding methods. genes contributing to this natural defense. One gene UCR researchers will be generating a lot of resistant produces a crucial peptide that works in this HLB hybrids in this project, many of which won’t have the defense. Today, common antimicrobial sprays used to ideal fruit traits needed for marketable produce. Austrahold the citrus greening infection back can be costly and lian finger limes have a sharp, bitter taste compared to need to be applied often. This peptide was applied marketable citrus fruits like oranges. Extensive trials and similarly in early-stage trials in the laboratory and green- selections will be done to find the best mix of HLB house, which demonstrated great results in overcoming resistance and sweet marketable fruit. the pathogen systemically in young citrus trees.

Many challenges are sure to arise during the breeding Applying this natural peptide by foliar spray and injection process and trialing for the best marketable varieties will both allow for systemic uptake and movement through- take time. Planting naturally HLB-resistant trees will out the trees. The early trial results showed significant provide a better economical and sustainable look to the citrus industry’s future overall. improvement in the health of the young citrus trees and an extreme reduction in HLB bacteria

PHILLIP RUCKS CITRUS NURSERY, INC. Phillip Rucks, Owner

FloridaAgNews.com

NELSON KIRKLAND , Publishe nelson@ce r ntralflorida mediagrou p.com

New Citrus Is on the Front Burner for a Team of Scientists

CITRUS

• Licensed for new released varieties

halted at the chopping block garnered plenty of attention, it’s important to note that DeSantis gave the green light to more than $32 million in citrus-related funding in the budget. Florida Citrus Mutual Executive Vice President and CEO Mike Sparks broke down the winners: • $17 million for the Florida Department of Citrus marketing • $7 million for the Federal Citrus Health Response Program funding pass through • $5 million for the Citrus Research and Field Trial program • $3 million for Citrus Research and Development Foundation CRDF is a nonprofit corporation committed to advancing research on disease research and product development. Led by those in the industry, academia and government, its goal is to ensure the survival of state growers

EUCALYPTUS WINDBREAKS

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BAMBOO

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863-635-1948 •info@rucksnursery.com P.O. Box 1318 Frostproof, FL 33843 • www.ruckscitrusnursery.com www.floridagrownspecialties.com

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Columns

12 HELP KNOCK OUT THE ‘TO DO’ LIST THIS MONTH

25 WHAT VACCINES DOES MY HORSE NEED?

16 WHEN ‘NORMAL’ EVOKES AWE

34 ANTIMICROBIAL PEPTIDE CAN COMBAT CITRUS GREENING

June is an excellent month to plant new lawns and repair existing ones. Palmetto plugs are an excellent choice to fill those empty spots during the start of our rainy season. Mole crickets are one of our worst pests. They hatch in May, which makes June a critical month of the year to treat your bahia lawn. Remember to help your dad out this month for Father’s Day. It’s summer. Those two words are packed with the promise that there are new days ahead. In many ways, we’re approaching this summer exactly like we did last summer. If we’re honest, though, this summer feels a bit different, like there is something bright just over the horizon. With more than 40 percent of the U.S. population vaccinated against COVID-19, life almost seems to be returning to normal. Yet, there’s a sense of awe and wonder just under the surface.

20 RHODESGRASS A RESILIENT OPTION FOR GRAZING

The days of Florida ranchers grazing their cattle on solely bahia are drawing to a close. Through agriculture research such as that done by UF/IFAS, multiple cultivars have been making their way into the rancher’s toolkit. Over the next few months in this space, we will take a look at several alternatives to bahiagrass for pasture grazing stock, beginning with rhodesgrass..

After the year we have had, you’re probably sick of hearing about vaccines, but our equine friends need protection from some of the nasty viruses they may encounter. Vaccines are designed to optimize your horse’s immune system so that they’re primed for a rapid response to an infectious agent. Learn which vaccines your horse needs.

Florida citrus growers have been waiting a long time for a method to combat citrus greening, and they just may have it in the antimicrobial peptide discovered by UC Riverside geneticist Hailing Jin and her team. The peptide was discussed at the 2021 Florida Citrus Show.

35 WHEN WILL THE BUBBLE BURST?

As an auctioneer, I’m frequently asked, “What’s going on in the economy? When are we going to see a turndown?

When is the bubble going to burst?” We are looking at a real estate market that is on fire. It is obvious what is causing it — the Feds are giving away money. When interest is 3.2 percent and inflation is 4 percent, you’re making 0.8 percent on your own mortgage. You have to be crazy not to buy real estate with that kind of leverage.

SAVE THE DATE!

Polk County Farm Bureau Youth Speech Contest August 24th at 4:00 p.m.

W.H. STUART CENTER, BARTOW

This year’s topic is “Agriculture impacts everyone’s daily life.

What are three effective ways to educate young people about agriculture?”

Contact Carole McKenzie at carolem@pcfb.org to receive a copy of the speech packet.

863-533-0561 • www.PCFB.org • Facebook.com/PolkCountyFarm Bureau 6 | CFAN

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Polk County Farm Bureau Protecting & Promoting Polk Agriculture since 1942

p r e s i d e n t ’s c o l u m n

www.pcfb.org

Phone: 863.533.0561

Member Services Carole McKenzie Executive Director

Lori Kuehl Program Coordinator

2020-2021 Board of Directors Dean Evans President Leigh Ann Wynn Vice-President Kevin M. Updike Past President Corby Myers Treasurer Michael Matteson Secretary Daniel Lanier YF&R Chair

Larry Black Barrett Chandley Charles Counter Kenny DeVane Leslie W. Dunson, III Ellis Hunt, Jr. Scarlett Jackson Jack James, Jr. Nelson Kirkland Ed Lassiter David Lawson, Jr. Christian P. Spinosa Kyle Story Vic Story John W. Strang Keith Walter

Location

1715 U.S. Hwy 17 South Bartow, FL 33830

Office Hours

Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Jimmy Williams Agency Manager

It is extremely important that we have a strong and consistent voice for agriculture. The Farm Bureau’s grassroots membership is essential to our mission to protect and promote our agriculture community and our communities as a whole. We recently held our Legislative Wrap-Up Luncheon, where we heard from Florida Farm Bureau and our Polk Legislative Delegation on the 2021 Legislative session about the Right to Farm Law (now reportedly the strongest in the U.S.), relief from burdens on real property rights, and work on wildlife corridors and conservation easements, as well as other priority topics. A special thanks to our delegation members and their wonderful staff!

Polk County Farm Bureau recently received the Member Benefit Incentive Program Award. We would like to recognize our CSRs who work to share member benefit information with their customers and make our success in these programs possible. Marilyn Francisco, Verna Moyer, Sonja Munson, Debra Lucas and Laurena White. Thank you, ladies, for your hard work and dedication to our members!

SAVE THE DATE! We will hold our Youth Speech Contest on August 24 at 4 p.m. at the Stuart Center in Bartow. This year’s topic is “Agriculture impacts everyone’s daily life. What are three effective ways to educate young people about agriculture?” Contact Carole McKenzie at carolem@pcfb.org to receive a copy of the speech packet.

Surfacing future industry leaders remains a priority at Polk County Farm Bureau. We are blessed in Polk to have many talented young people who are committed to the future of our ag community. Our Young Farmer and Rancher committee has selected three very well-deserving students to receive a 2021 Will Putnam Young Farmer & Rancher Scholarship. Congratulations to Peyton Chandley of Lake Wales, Taylor Gutmann of Lakeland, and Sarah True of Frostproof!

Our Congratulations to all Polk Graduating Seniors!

Bartow Office Agents Phone: 863.533.0561 James L. Moser, Jr. Blake Nicholson Jimmy Williams

Also, a special congratulations to our own Larry Black, PCFB board member and VP/General Manager of Peace River Packing, on his selection as the recipient of the 2021 Florida Grower Citrus Achievement Award.

Congratulations Larry and thank you for all you do to support the Florida citrus industry!

Haines City Office Agent 203 S Dixie Drive Phone: 863.421.4545 Rhonda Ambrose

Nominate your Farm Fido! Nominations are open for the American Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year Contest. Enter in this year’s Farm Dog of the Year contest for your chance to win $5,000 and a year’s worth of Purina dog food. In celebration of farm dogs everywhere and the many ways they support farmers and ranchers in producing nutritious food for families and their pets across America, AFBF is teaming up with Purina to bring you the fourth annual Farm Dog of the Year competition. Nominations close July 2, 2021. Visit https://www. fb.org/land/fdoty to submit your entry.

Winter Haven Office Agents 3039 Cypress Gardens Road Phone: 863.299.3892 Barry Walker Jason Yates

Farm Bureau Member Benefit Highlight: Farm Bureau members can enjoy up to 20% off the best available rate at approximately 8,000 participating Wyndham Hotels & Resorts worldwide. To find out more about this and other travel discounts, visit www.floridafarmbureau.org/benefits/save/.

Sincerely,

Calling from Lake Wales 863.676.3187

FloridaAgNews.com

DEAN T. EVANS President, Polk County Farm Bureau CFAN | 7

™

The Voice of Agriculture for Our Region

www.Fl o ridaAgNews.co m PUBLISHER Nelson Kirkland MANAGING EDITOR Jessica McDonald

™ UTV

MARKETING DIRECTOR & DIGITAL SPECIALIST Morgan Driggers PROJECT MANAGER David Kiessling

• Electronic switch for instant 4WD engagement • New dash display including fuel gauge • 16.4 cu ft cargo box with a 1,000 lb capacity • Real dumping cargo box with pickup-style tailgate

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Juanita Halter CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Paul Catala, Erika Aldrich, Grace Boggess Hirdes, Teresa Schiffer, Carol Corley, Heather Machovina, Brad Buck, J. Scott Angle CONTRIBUTING COLUMNISTS Baxter Troutman, Mike Roberts, William “Bill” Doty, Dr. Katie Hennessy, Ben Adams Jr., Marty Higgenbotham CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Carole McKenzie, Brittany Lee, Morgan Driggers CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS Dawn Lewandowski DELIVERY DLS Distribution

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17215 HIGHWAY 27 NORTH MINNEOLA, FL 34715-9273 352-394-7181

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56 Fourth Street Northwest, Suite 100 Winter Haven, Florida PHONE (863) 248-7537 Copyright © 2021 Central Florida Media Group. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This issue of Florida AgNews is a trademark of Central Florida Media Group. Reproduction or use in whole or in part of the contents of this magazine without written permission is prohibited. Florida AgNews makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of content published. In the event of an error found herein, however, neither the publishers nor advertisers will be held responsible, nor do the publishers accept any liability for the accuracy of statements made by advertisers in advertising and promotional materials.

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SIGNS of the SEASON Cantaloupe Thrive in Florida’s Warm Climate

by ERIKA ALDRICH Sponsored by Farm Credit of Central Florida

IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR when sweet cantaloupe is fresh from the Florida field, ready to add flavor and a generous serving of vitamins and minerals to your smoothies, fruit salads, and other dishes. While the Sunshine State is not the largest producer of cantaloupe, these watermelon relatives are available from March to July from Florida.

The Origins of Cantaloupe Cantaloupe is a muskmelon in the Cucurbitaceae or gourd family, making it a relative of watermelon, squash, pumpkin and zucchini. Its origins are murky, and it’s believed cantaloupe could have originated anywhere between Africa and South Asia. The North American cantaloupe, C. melo var. reticulatus, is different from the European variety, featuring a “netlike” rind that is not palatable.

It’s believed that cantaloupe came to North America in the late 1800s as a commercial crop. Cantaloupe prefers a warm growing climate and is typically grown in the southern half of the country, with California, Arizona, Texas, Georgia and Florida producing the most cantaloupe.

Cantaloupe in Florida In Florida, cantaloupe is grown in all parts of the state, but production is highest in Central Florida and Northern Florida. Cantaloupe requires fertile, well-drained slightly acidic sandy or silt soil and ample heat and irrigation, according to the National IPM Database (IPM Data) citing the USDA. Since cantaloupe can be prone to rotting and humidity-loving pests and diseases, it’s largely grown in Florida before the wet season gets fully underway.

Cantaloupe can be grown by direct seeding or by transplants. Many growers utilize a full-bed plastic mulch system and irrigation to grow cantaloupe, following the melon’s harvest with another crop like tomato, pepper, or strawberry, according to IPM Data information from Extension

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sources. Such growing systems help to control irrigation and reduce weeds, pests and diseases.

According to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service’s 2020 State Agriculture Overview for Florida, our state planted 2,000 acres of cantaloupe in 2020 and harvested 1,900 acres. The yield was 240 CWT an acre for a total production of 456,000 CWT. Growers earned $30.2 per CWT for a total production value of $13,756,000.

Comparatively, Florida planted 2,300 acres of cantaloupe in 2017 and harvested 2,200 acres. Yield was 260 CWT an acre, and the total production for the year was 572,000 CWT. With prices at only $18 per CWT, the 2017 cantaloupe harvest was worth $10,296,000 in total production value.

The Nutritional Value of Cantaloupe According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, cantaloupe is a smart, healthy addition to any meal. Whether eaten alone alongside breakfast or as a snack, or added to smoothies, salads, or other dishes, cantaloupe is packed with vitamins and minerals. Cantaloupes are high in both vitamin C and potassium, with the latter helping to lower blood pressure, ease muscle cramps, and assist the body in maintaining an optimal fluid balance.

Enjoying Cantaloupe While cantaloupe can be enjoyed fresh off the rind, its mildly sweet flavor pairs well with other fruits, lime, yogurt, cottage cheese and mint.

FDACS maintains that to choose the perfect cantaloupe, make sure it’s free of cracks, mold and soft spots. A ripe cantaloupe should have a sweet scent at room temperature. Lastly, the netlike rind of a cantaloupe can harbor bacteria, so make sure to wash and scrub it thoroughly before cutting. ag

CFAN | 9

JUNE - JULY 2021 CALENDAR JUNE 26 PLANT CITY BLUES, BBQ & BERRIES Celebrate the culture and history of Plant City at this festival on the Evers Street Boardwalk. Live music, delicious BBQ, fantastic desserts and refreshments, and unique activities to take part in. There is no fee for admission. The party takes place from 6 – 10 p.m. Look for more information on Facebook by searching for “Plantcitybluesbbqberries.”

JUNE 5 AND 19, JULY 10 AND 24 DOWNTOWN FARMER’S MARKET IN LAKE WALES The Lake Wales Downtown Farmer’s Market is sponsored

by Lake Wales Main Street and takes place every other Saturday from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at 20 N Market St in Lake Wales. This producer-only market specializes in locally grown, pesticide-free produce and plants, baked goods, local honey, Florida grove pepper sauces, cheeses, award-winning BBQ sauces and rubs, homemade jams and jellies, natural pet treats, plus a ton of crafts, clothing, and jewelry. For more information, you can contact Lynn Greenfield at (863) 676-8782 or visit lwmainstreet.com/ farmers-market.

JULY 3 RED, WHITE, & KABOOM INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION The T. Mims Corporation is sponsoring this year’s annual Independence Day celebration at Lake Mirror in Lakeland. The festivities begin at 6 p.m. with fireworks illuminating the sky at 9 p.m.

Attendees are kindly requested to bring at least one non-perishable food item to donate to VISTE (Volunteers in Service to the Elderly). Live music will be provided by the 60 West Band from Tampa.

Food trucks will be available. Bring a blanket and the family for this fun event! For more information, please visit lakelandgov.net.

JULY 4 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS This family-friendly, alcohol-free event is being held at the Plant City Stadium, 1810 E Park Rd in Plant City. The fun is free, but parking is $5 (cash only). The stadium gates will open at 6 p.m. and at approximately 9:15 p.m. the fireworks spectacle will begin. There will be live entertainment, concessions, field activities, and a military salute. Please bring cash as there will be no ATM on site and no credit/ debit card use. For more information, please visit plantcitygov.com.

JULY 4 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION The City of Davenport will be hosting the largest fireworks display in Polk County at Lewis Mathews Sports Complex, located at 400 W Palm St in Davenport. The fun and excitement starts at 3 p.m. with live bands, food, and craft vendors.

The breathtaking fireworks display will take place at 9:15 p.m. For more details, please go to mydavenport.org.

JUNE 19 2021 MISS UNITED STATES AGRICULTURE NATIONAL PAGEANT The 2021 Miss United States Agriculture National Pageant will take place from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. in Orlando. Young ladies will gather from throughout the country to compete for scholarships in this delightful event. Learn more at missunitedstatesagriculture. com.

JULY 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 SATURDAY NIGHT RODEO This fun, family-friendly rodeo takes place every Saturday from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. at Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo, located at 3200 River Ranch Blvd in River Ranch.

Enjoy the antics of cowpokes and bronco busters as they show off their skills trick riding, bull riding, calf roping, barrel racing, and more. Kids are invited into the rodeo arena toward the end of the night to participate in a real “calf scramble.” Tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for children ages 5 – 12, and children ages 4 and under are free. For more information, please visitwestgateresorts. com.

JULY 10 THE FLORIDA GARDENER: NATIVE PLANTS IN YOUR HOME GARDEN This presentation from Bok Tower Gardens will be offered via Zoom from 2 – 3 p.m. It is free for members of the Gardens and $10 for non-members.

Learn how to revitalize your landscape with native plants. Class is limited to 99 participants. Sign up today at boktowergardens.org/calendar/nativeplants-in-your-home-garden.

compiled by TERESA SCHIFFER

10 | CFAN

FloridaAgNews.com

FEDERAL CROWDSOURCING AND CITIZEN SCIENCE CATALOG Get involved with major scientific studies and data collection by participating in one or more of these projects! There are hundreds of ongoing projects throughout the U.S. that need the public’s help to gather information. For example, WeDigFLPlants is seeking to fully document the amazing array of plant diversity and distribution in Florida, and you can contribute to this undertaking any time you go on a nature walk. For this and more research projects to help with, visit citizenscience.gov.

JULY 10 GREAT FLORIDA BIGFOOT CONFERENCE

JULY 23 – 25 OPEN SEASON SPORTSMAN’S EXPO

The first annual conference dedicated to unlocking the mysteries of the “Florida Skunk Ape” will be held at the RP Funding Center, located at 701 W Lime St in Lakeland. Tickets are $20 - $50 and available online at gatherupevents.com/floridabigfoot-conference. In addition to numerous expert speakers and surprises, there will also be a Meet & Greet Dinner on Friday, July 9. Seating is limited, so get your tickets today!

Hunting seminars, one-on-one talks with industry experts, Trophy Deer Contest, and hundreds of vendors offering hunting products and services will be on hand at this fun-filled, family experience.

Everyone must have a ticket to enter, and there will be door prizes. Adult tickets start at $10 for one day, and children under 12 are free (but still need a ticket to enter). Get yours today at openseasonsportsmansexpo.com. Hours are 2 – 8 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Saturday, and 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Sunday.

FEEDING MINDS PRESS If you are looking for some excellent books to introduce children to the wonderful world of agriculture, look no further than Feeding Minds Press. This organization is a project of the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture and is dedicated to publishing accurate and engaging children’s books about agriculture that help readers understand where their food comes from and who grows it. These outstanding, educational books can be purchased at feedingmindspress.com.

The following activities and resources are still available online for those choosing to avoid public spaces for safety reasons.

AMERICAN FARM BUREAU FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURE JULY 10 DOWNTOWN LAKELAND FARMERS CURB MARKET This vibrant, eclectic market brings the community together every Saturday in Downtown Lakeland with fresh, local produce, live plants, and a variety of hot foods and handcrafted wares. It is located on the 200 block of N Kentucky Ave in Lakeland from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. every Saturday (except in August) and is a production of the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority (LDDA). Learn more at downtownfarmerscurbmarket.org.

FloridaAgNews.com

The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture’s website is an excellent resource for fun ways to engage children in various aspects of agriculture. They have posted several ideas for educational activities that can be done at home with kids. You can find their website at agfoundation. org.

ORLANDO MAKERS ONLINE This online farmer’s market is showcasing over 50 Central Florida vendors selling a variety of handmade goods. Join them on their Facebook page every Saturday morning starting at 9 a.m. and ending at 8 p.m. on Sunday.

VIRTUAL TOURS OF NATIONAL PARKS OF THE UNITED STATES Take a virtual tour of many of these fascinating areas from the comfort of your own home. All you have to do to get started on your explorations is go to earth.google.com and search for “National Parks of the United States.”

VIRTUAL FARM TOURS The American Dairy Association invites you and your family to learn what life is really like on a modern, working farm. Their website is chock full of wholesome material for kids and adults to virtually experience all the excitement of raising dairy cows.

Simply visit americandairy.com and check out the Dairy Diary blog for lots of great content.

CFAN | 11

FEATURE | c i t r u s

The Greening Challenge Executive Director of CRDF Tweaks Approach to Research

by HEATHER MACHOVINA

R

RICK DANTZLER, executive director of the Citrus Research and Development Foundation, recently spoke to a group of citrus growers from Highlands County about the future course of Florida citrus. Since 2009, CRDF has funded 462 projects and spent $165 million in an effort to keep the Florida citrus industry thriving and competitive through innovation.

RICK DANTZLER

12 | CFAN

“While we now know more about HLB than ever and several good things are in the works, we can’t act as though the research has been more successful than it has,” says Dantzler.

“The truth is that the most important metrics – production, the number of citrus acres, and the number of growers – are still going the wrong way, so we must do things differently, and we are.”

Some of the changes happening around CRDF may not seem grand, but they are big changes in the world of research funding. Other revisions underway are more substantive than procedural, like CRDF taking on the responsibility of conducting all last-stage field trials of the plant breeding programs they help fund.

“The point is we are going to get there even

if that means breaking the mold,” Dantzler emphasizes.

Some promising work is being done with peptides to help control citrus greening and other plant pathogens. Every peptide does something different and provides different modes of action within the plants. So far, two peptides have shown hope in fighting citrus greening and increasing yields in HLB-infected trees.

The peptide by Elemental Enzymes, called Vismax peptide, is a foliar spray that causes the tree to attack the bacterial infection (HLB) as well as induces the tree to actually grow out of the disease. Vismax peptide only needs to be applied once every year in the spring as the trees flush, and it lasts through harvest. It has been proven FloridaAgNews.com

We don’t have the time or money to simply contribute to the library of knowledge.

We must focus on deliverables for growers that help them bridge the period to when we have eradicated HLB or made it functionally irrelevant. …

We are nearly out of time, so we need to be willing to take some chances.

— RICK DANTZLER

positive in groves across Florida over four years of replicated grower trials in heavy HLB infected fields and has worked in generating more grower yield the same year over year.

Elemental Enzymes has recently been funded

by CRDF for an expansion of its label study for other common citrus diseases. The Vismax peptide product should become registered with EPA in May 2022. It will be available through their partner, Nutrien, the largest ag retailer in the U.S., once it’s approved.

“We know we have a positive impact on other major diseases plaguing citrus growers besides HLB,” says Brian Thompson, CEO and co-founder of Elemental Enzymes. The company has also replicated trials in Brazil, Australia and South Africa on HLB and other citrus diseases.

Another promising peptide to help combat HLB in citrus is the finger lime peptide, but it is a more complicated story. Thus far, the only data we have seen from Dr. Hailing Jin, the researcher who discovered it, was derived from testing only greenhouse trees, at a low scale and in a very controlled environment in California.

Furthermore, the company that owns the proprietary rights to the finger lime peptide, Invaio, is currently conducting a dozen or so field trials in Florida, but they are all by injection only.

“I have been in touch with Dr. Jin since the story of this first broke,” Dantzler says, “and we are considering funding additional research to see if the peptide can work by spraying.” As of now, the peptide would most likely be too expensive to spray, so it would have to be injected, making it a less ideal option for many growers.

FloridaAgNews.com

Even though citrus numbers aren’t improving despite years of research, CRDF is making changes and creating new approaches to research.

It has become much more discerning in what it funds. CRDF has gone from funding 34 percent of proposals received three years ago to 9 percent to 11 percent in the past two years.

CRDF works with the industry and the grower members on their committees and board to identify specific research topics. That information gets boiled down to a Request for Proposals (RFP), a formal document that is approved by the board. It is published and preproposals are solicited. The pre-proposals CRDF receives are sent to their Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), distinguished scientists from across the country who advise on scientific merit, and feedback from these scientists is shared with the members of their Research Management Committee (RMC). The RMC members then decide which pre-proposals they would like to receive a full proposal on, which are then sent to approximately 40 scientific advisors from across the country for confidential comment. These comments are sent to the SAB and shared with CRDF members to recommend to the board which proposals get funded.

“We don’t have the time or money to simply contribute to the library of knowledge,” Dantzler says.

“We must focus on deliverables for growers that help them bridge the period to when we have eradicated HLB or made it functionally irrelevant. … We are nearly out of time, so we need to be willing to take some chances.” ag

HELP KNOCK OUT THE ‘TO DO’ LIST THIS MONTH JUNE IS AN EXCELLENT MONTH to plant new lawns and repair existing ones. Palmetto plugs are an excellent choice to fill those empty spots during the start of our rainy season.

Mole crickets are one of our worst pests.

They hatch in May, which makes June a critical month of the year to treat your bahia lawn. To help your lawn, you can use sprays, baits and granular controls. Remember to water before you apply these, and watch for chinch bugs, caterpillars and other insects.

It is time for that important second feeding to azaleas, camellias, ixoras and gardenias. Acid-forming fertilizer heavy in essential minor elements is a good choice.

It’s good for crape myrtle, crotons, dogwood, blue hydrangeas, magnolias, American holly and podocarpus. Also, don’t forget to prune those azaleas!

You can treat scale insects, spider mites and white flies— which peak during the summer— with Malathion or Acephate. You also will need to continue feeding annuals and vegetables.

Lastly, as you honor Dad for Father’s Day this month, why not help him with his lawn and garden needs? Help him knock out the to-do list this month, and if you have any questions, you can stop by Doty’s Farm and Garden Supply in Winter Haven.

by WILLIAM "BILL" DOTY This column is sponsored by Doty Farm and Garden Supply, Inc., and the opinions expressed herein may not reflect those of CFAN or of its advertisers.

BIO: William R. “Bill” Doty is the owner of Doty’s Farm and Garden Supply Inc. Founded in 1954, Doty Farm and Garden Supply, Inc. has been there for every one of their loyal customer’s budding needs.

Bill Graduated from Winter Haven H.S. and then Florida State University, where he learned invaluable lessons in listening, asking questions, and reading anything related to the family business. Bill shares his knowledge with his customers daily and our readers each month.

CFAN | 13

FEATURE | e d i t i o n

Blueberry Rebound

2021 Harvest Up 4.9 Million Pounds From Last Year

B

by PAUL CATALA

BLUEBERRY GROWER KYLE HILL credits man and machine for helping to overcome the blueberry blues.

In 2020, the Florida Blueberry Growers Association reported a season yield of only 17 million pounds of blueberries on about 5,500 acres, harvested statewide from mid-April through May. But through technological innovations and upgrades in mechanized harvesters, the waning of the coronavirus pandemic and freezes that hit blueberry competitors such as Texas, Florida blueberry growers took in 21.89 million pounds for 2021, close to the 22.7 million pounds harvested in 2019 and before the pandemic.

Hill — who works for Southern Hill Farm in Clermont – owns a mechanical harvesting company, H&C Harvesting, based in Mount Dora. He says 2021 was better not only because of the loosening of coronavirus restrictions, but also better labor-saving equipment such as back loaders and top loaders.

“As your prices go down with the market dropping, the hand labor stays the same, never goes down. With machines, you’re increasing your market, sometimes by 100 percent – it makes a big difference,” he adds.

Although exact harvest numbers don’t come

14 | CFAN

out until about a year and a half after a season, the economic impact of the Florida blueberry harvest for 2021 is predicted to be up to $200 million, says Brittany Lee, executive director of the Florida Blueberry Growers Association.

Lee says in 2020 and the beginning of the pandemic there was a 70 percent sales loss compared to that same week in the first week of April 2019.

She says consumers weren’t shopping in stores and that made

a significant impact. But she says 2021 sales have been strong.

Lee – FBGA executive director since 2019 and vice president and manager of the 112-acre Florida Blue Farms in Waldo – says she also sees more use of machine harvesting as one of the best ways to continue building successful farming operations and increasing harvest numbers. She says in the wake of the pandemic, relying less on manual labor has helped blueberry farmers be more productive.

“Five years ago, machine harvesting for Flor-

Five years ago, machine harvesting for Florida blueberries was still in a trial phase for most growers. But now, it is a significant part for medium to large growers.

Machine harvesting helps harvest costs, which allows us to remain competitive as production pressures from Mexico have been increasing.

— BRITTANY LEE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FLORIDA BLUEBERRY GROWERS ASSOCIATION

FloridaAgNews.com

ida blueberries was still in a trial phase for most growers,” says Lee, who lives in Gainesville. “But now, it is a significant part for medium to large growers. Machine harvesting helps harvest costs, which allows us to remain competitive as production pressures from Mexico have been increasing.”

Michael Hill, owner of H&A Farms in Mount Dora – the largest blueberry packer in Florida – says the use of harvesting technology has allowed more Florida blueberries to reach more U.S. markets.

Hill says as more technology is added to the growing and harvesting process, it’s easier to more efficiently and broadly ship product.

“A big problem we are facing is with inflation,” he says. “The cost of everything else around us is going up, including our cost to grow and pack our product, but the sales price is not rising with inflation. Since this is a national inflation issue and not a global one, our competitors can keep shipping product at the same price or lower because their costs haven’t inflated like ours. This will be our challenge going forward.”

As part of the blueberry harvest rebound, Florida blueberries began the season with higher prices than reported in the past two years. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, blueberry volumes since the beginning of March were considerably higher than the volumes in 2020 during the same time period or any year since.

The week of May 4, the USDA Market News via Agronometrics reported that after a streak of high prices in the U.S. market, the price of blueberries dropped sharply the following week. The USDA reported a delayed season in Florida and Georgia because weather conditions left a window between the “production of the southern hemisphere and the entry of the northern hemisphere.”

The prices of blueberries in the North American market remained high, hitting their highest point in weeks 15 and 16 of 2021, when average prices per kilogram reached $11.70 per kilogram, a 73 percent increase year-on-year.

At Island Grove Wine Company in Kissimmee, General Manager Sarah Aschliman found blueberry prices were consistent while fruit quality and length of the harvest were optimal. The FloridaAgNews.com

company’s blueberry Moscato wine – produced year-round -- is one of its most popular.

Aschliman, who’s been with Island Grove for about 10 years, says the company uses about 200,000 pounds of blueberries per year for wine production.

“We got a good amount of fruit from our fields for wine as well as fresh production,” she says.

And as Georgia entered the market and Florida reached its peak in week 16, prices fell sharply though they are still higher year-on-year, the USDA reported. Lee says that shows the Florida market was and still is stable.

“Overall, we had a good year, which we needed after a year like 2020,” says Lee. And that’s the sentiment of Kyle Straughn, who runs the largest blueberry farm in Florida,

photo by BRITTANY LEE

the 750-acre Straughn Farms in Waldo. Now in his 16th year as a blueberry farmer, he calls the 2021 season a success and is looking forward to continued growth for 2022.

Straughn also says blueberry growers will need to continue to become more mechanized as they continue to develop better varieties of blueberries.

“We’re forced into developing more varieties and methods of machine harvesting for more of our crop to be competitive with cheaper foreign prices,” he says. “We had a stable (2021) market.

From a psychological standpoint, we didn’t feel like it was the end of the world; people could start going back to the grocery store and buying their fruit.” ag

CFAN | 15

WHEN ‘NORMAL’ EVOKES AWE IT’S SUMMER. Those two words are packed with the promise that there are new days ahead while recognizing a continuation of the things we have always done. Especially this year.

Here at Adams Cold Storage, summer means continuing the work we have done for the past decade: safely storing food supplies from across the supply chain, making sure it receives the top-graded industry standard care while it’s in our secure facility, and helping our customer partners get their goods to all of the right places around the country and around the world.

In many ways, we’re approaching this summer exactly like we did last summer. As a key component of the food storage, transportation and logistics essential industries identified by the Department of Homeland Security, ACS worked on site last summer.

While many families adapted to working from home — from carving out a place for work to navigating pants-optional Zoom meetings — our family adapted to being safe while traveling to work and adhering to increased health safety measures on site. Pants, it should be noted, were always required here.

If we’re honest, though, this summer feels a bit different, like there is something bright just over the horizon. Entering into June, just over 40 percent of the U.S. population, including 38 percent of Floridians, have been fully vaccinated from the COVID-19 flu that put a cloud over last summer. Mask restrictions have become recommendations. Nursing homes are allowing visitors. Families are getting together.

Beaches are becoming populated. Arenas are starting to fill up with fans. Bands are going out on tour.

It almost seems normal – or what we thought of as normal. Yet, there’s a sense of awe and wonder just under the surface. Maybe that sense of awe and wonder is how we should have approached “normal” all along. There is something inspiring in the normal, everyday thing we call life.

And so, this month, let’s all celebrate summer and the jobs we have always done, while at the same time, recognize that in doing our “normal” jobs every day, everything will feel as though it has changed.

FROM THE DESK OF

Dr. Angle

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

J. Scott Angle jangle@ufl.edu @IFAS_VP

Building Premier Blueberry Breeding Headquarters TO BUILD A BETTER BLUEBERRY, the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is building a better blueberry lab. By mid-2022, we expect to complete U.S. higher education’s premier blueberry breeding headquarters.

It will allow us to expand the team dedicated to delivering Central Florida blueberry growers the cultivars to keep them profitable and globally competitive for decades to come.

We’ve long had the best minds in blueberry breeding. Now, we’ll have a place to put even more of them.

Patricio Muñoz has doubled the size of his lab team in his four years as the university’s lead blueberry breeder, and he projects that in the next two to three years it will be triple what he started with in 2017.

I went to visit Muñoz here on campus in Gainesville last Patricio Muñoz month and was delighted to see that dirt was moving on the construction site.

Muñoz and I talked about how the new facility will be the hub for breeding the cultivars that keep you in business and a step ahead of your international competitors.

A world-class facility will bring us world-class status. We’re going to build the blueberry equivalent of the UF/IFAS Honey Bee Research and Extension Lab, which immediately distinguished us as among the nation’s best in the science of pollinators and the support center for a burgeoning backyard beekeeping movement.

Before we even moved a shovel full of dirt, the vision of the blueberry building began attracting more minds. Muñoz recruited two top graduate students to join his team by showing them blueprints as well as blueberries, the plans to provide the tools to go from conception to creation.

The $4 million, 9,500-square-foot structure will build in collaboration and efficiency that’s been challenged by work from home or in staggered shifts imposed by the current cramped quarters.

continued on page 30

by BEN ADAMS, JR. This column is sponsored by Adams Cold Storage, LLC, and the opinions expressed herein may not reflect those of CFAN or of its advertisers.

BIO: Ben Adams, Jr. is an owner and president of Adams Cold Storage, LLC, in Auburndale. He has been directly involved in citrus production, warehousing and distribution, as well as state and community support, since 1980. His facility incorporates some 250,000 square feet of multitemperature warehousing, and is AA rated by BRCGS.

16 | CFAN

FloridaAgNews.com

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888.748.7464 | Se Habla Español: 863.600.6247 bcpoffer.ringpower.com *Offer valid from February 1, 2021 through July 31, 2021 on new small and compact Cat® machines sold or leased by participating Cat dealers to customers in the USA or Canada. Purchase or lease must occur during offer period.

Offer subject to machine availability and credit approval by Cat Financial. Not all customers will qualify. Payments based on 60-month lease or loan. The offered Cat Customer Value Agreement (CVA) includes 3 maintenance parts kits (exception: small wheel loader includes 6 kits); TA1 equipment inspection; Product LinkTM; and a 3-year/3,000-hour Powertrain, Hydraulics and Technology Equipment Protection Plan (EPP); and fi nal drive oil only for compact track loaders and mini excavators. The maintenance parts cover the fi rst 1,500 hours^ (estimated 3 years, ^3,000 hours for small wheel loader) of machine utilization. The kit contains one set of parts for regular planned maintenance under normal operating conditions. In some severe applications where maintenance parts need to be replaced more frequently, additional parts will be at customer’s expense. Offer excludes additional maintenance FloridaAgNews.com CFAN | 17 parts, dealer labor, wear parts, S·O·SSM and fl uids. Payments do not include taxes, freight, set-up, delivery, document fees, inspections, additional options or attachments. Offer may change without prior notice and cannot be combined with any other offers. Additional terms and conditions may apply. Contact your Cat dealer for details.

FEATURE | e d u c a t i o n

Minor Scores Major Win Longwood Boy Places Second in Inaugural Cooking Competition

by PAUL CATALA photos provided by CATALINA BOHORQUEZ

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NATHANIEL FORKIN could’ve made the recipe easier by simply going to the supermarket and buying a box of pre-made lasagna noodles.

But instead, the 9-year-old Longwood boy chose to meticulously make the noodles from scratch using flour, eggs, water, parchment paper and a roller.

It was partly due to his determination to get cookin’ his own way that helped Nathaniel earn a second-place finish in the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ 2021 Lunchroom Wars.

The inaugural cooking competition was open to any Florida resident ages 7 to 13 and was designed “to uplift culinary aspirations and 18 | CFAN

highlight Florida commodities,” according to the Department of Agriculture.

Nathaniel’s qualifying round entry in March was strawberry shortcake with edible flowers, with judges basing that entry on appearance, presentation, creativity and use of Florida produce.

For the first competition, Nathaniel submitted a video, and the top three recipes were chosen in April. For the second round, he submitted another five videos showing him going through all the steps of buying and FloridaAgNews.com

preparing ingredients before cooking his recipe.

Cooking under the moniker “Chef Nano,” he then had two weeks to put together his recipe for the online final round, a cheesy lasagna dish he called “Layers for Champions.”

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lunchroom Wars finale took place virtually, and each of the finalists submitted videos of their recipes that showcased Fresh from Florida produce.

From his home in Longwood where he lives with his mother, Catalina Bohorquez, and stepfather, Bas Nijmeijer, the Altamonte native says he found out May 27 that he took second place out of about 300 entries in the Lunchroom Wars and received a $3,000 Florida 529 Savings Plan from Humana, an investment account to save money for college.

He credits his stepdad for inspiring his interest in the culinary arts.

“It was Bas. He was the one who inspired me to cook. He was the cook in the kitchen, now I’m the cook in the kitchen,” said Nathaniel, who will start fourth grade in the fall.

Nathaniel says he decided to enter the competition after he saw an online advertisement for Lunchroom Wars while looking up recipes.

After his selection to go onto the final round, he says he visited Bekemeyer Family Farm in Winter Garden to get ingredients broccoli, tomatoes, basil, green peppers and cherry tomatoes for the lasagna.

Along with homemade parmesan cheeselaced tomato sauce and ground beef, Nathaniel — who attends Saba Point Elementary School in Longwood — spooned the ingredients onto his homemade noodles.

“It is fun to make the noodles when you put them through the smoother. You get to get a workout by spinning it over and over and over again,” he notes about the noodle-making process.

Nathaniel says he likes cooking so much he regularly cooks for fun, citing pasta carbonara and fettuccini from scratch as two of his favorite recipes.

Paula Kendrick, the Lunchroom Wars host and

chef for the Food, Nutrition & Wellness Division – says she was impressed with the variety in Nathaniel’s recipes, using fresh vegetables from a local farmer’s market, the homemade pasta and sauce.

“It’s so refreshing to see such young talent finding a passion for cooking and learning about Florida’s commodities,” she says.

Nathaniel is also finding cooking success in front of a camera. He co-stars in a YouTube series “Cook and Learn with Baba and Nano,” in which he encourages children to learn to cook.

He’s also in a show produced through Seminole County government in which he highlights local restaurants. Filming for the series began June 8.

As for her son sauteing in the limelight, Bohorquez calls Nathaniel “inventive” in his pastimes.

“He’s very creative, he loves color. He’s been doing a lot of tie-dye baking, experimenting with different things and combining different flavors,” she says.

In addition to cooking, Nathaniel says he enjoys drawing, playing soccer and swimming. But it’s

continued on page 30

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www.GarrisonLand.com CFAN | 19

RHODESGRASS A RESILIENT OPTION FOR GRAZING SUCCESS THE DAYS OF FLORIDA RANCHERS grazing their cattle on solely bahia are drawing to a close. Through agriculture research such as that done by UF/IFAS, multiple cultivars have been making their way into the rancher’s toolkit. Over the next few months in this space, we will take a look at several alternatives to bahiagrass for pasture grazing stock, beginning with rhodesgrass.

Callide rhodesgrass (Chloris gayana) originated in Africa but has been growing in Floridian soil for more than 100 years. Rhodes is a resilient grass, withstanding conditions of drought, frost, and even periodic flooding, given adequate time to rebound. Rhodes will also give better cool weather production than bahia, making it better fall and winter grazing in peninsular Florida.

(Although rhodesgrass can tolerate brief periods of frost, prolonged stretches of cold weather will kill the plant mass.)

Rhodesgrass is typically cultivated from seed and reaches heights varying between two feet in the cooler season and up to six feet in the warmer months. Best practice for new plantings is to allow the grass to grow to at least 1.5 to 3 feet before allowing it to be grazed for the first time, grazing to an 8- to 10-inch stubble, and then allowing it to regrow back to at least 2 feet before grazing again.

This cultivar is also a good candidate for hay production. Given adequate seasonal rainfall, and appropriate nitrogen levels, Rhodes can give two hay crops in late spring and an additional two crops before winter begins. Two things to keep in mind regarding rhodesgrass hay: first, potassium and phosphorus fertilizers should be applied after cutting the hay crop, and second, be on the lookout for grass loopers and armyworms, two pests commonly found in improved grasses.

The secret to using rhodesgrass for grazing stock, if there is a secret, is that it cannot be grazed like bahia. A field of Rhodes will need to be rotated more frequently than a similarly sized field of bahia, to keep from overgrazing. However, this may prove beneficial, as ranchers can have several pastures of higher nutritive value stocks, supplemented with a field of heartier bahia, which will bounce back more quickly. Rotational grazing is beneficial for both the animals and the field, and these factors may serve as motivating factors to be more diligent about pasture management.

For these reasons, ranchers may wish to consider adding rhodesgrass to their pasture grazing plan.

AGRISHOPPER SHOPPER Father’s Day Gifts Dad Can Actually Use

THERE ARE A LOT OF HARDWORKING MEN in the agriculture sector, and the run-ofthe-mill tie may miss the mark on Father’s Day. Instead, we’ve got some ideas for gifts your dad will find both practical and fun.

1. STRAW HAT. This is a gift that will be used and loved, as it will help shade his face from the summer sun and keep him cooler during those hot Florida days. Try getting one that has a neck strap to prevent it from blowing away when our summer storms roll in. For a wide variety of hats, check out Doty Farm and Garden Supply at 299 Sixth Street SW in Winter Haven.

2. FARMER’S GLOVES. Farmers’ hands take a beating year-round. Help protect his hands by giving him a new pair of work gloves that are both comfortable and safe. Find ones with a snug wrist to keep them from slipping off while fixing fences, rounding up cattle, or working on a tractor. This is a gift that would be practical and thoughtful. Florida Farm and Ranch Supply located at 2975 State Road 60 in Bartow is a great place to look for that perfect pair of gloves.

3. MAGNETIC WRISTBAND. If you have a father who loves to fix things and work on different machines, a magnetic wristband is a perfect gift for him as it provides a handy place for loose screws and bolts when his hands are full. It will help save time and frustration as he is mending fences, building a cabinet, or doing odd jobs around the house.

Harbor Freight Tools located at 5115 US Hwy 98 N in Lakeland is a great place to shop for a wristband for your dad.

by BAXTER TROUTMAN

This column is sponsored by Labor Solutions, and the opinions expressed herein may not reflect those of CFAN or of its advertisers.

BIO: Baxter Troutman is founder and chief executive officer of Labor Solutions, a staffing company with offices in Bartow, Winter Haven, Lake Wales, Arcadia, and Plant City. You also can visit his Dark Hammock Legacy Ranch online at www.DH-LR.com. A cattle rancher and citrus grower who served in the Florida House of Representatives, Troutman understands the challenges and concerns of today’s farmer.

20 | CFAN

4. HAMMOCK. A good hammock is the perfect way to relax after a hard day’s work. Treat dad to something special this Father’s Day with a

hammock from The Red Geranium in Winter Haven.

5. COOL CLOTHING. Short-sleeved shirts can help your dad stay cool and are perfect for dad’s day off. Pockets, ventilation and bug protection make them ideal gifts. Check out the options at Andy Thornhill located at 336 Magnolia Avenue SW in Winter Haven.

6. ALL-PURPOSE KNIFE. An easy-open, allpurpose knife is sure to be useful. Visit Andy Thornhill at 336 Magnolia Avenue SW in Winter Haven to see what is available.

7.

FARMER’S MARKET FARE. Every farmer loves eating fresh local produce, and we’re willing to be he’d love a special Father’s Day dinner with all of his favorite foods from your local farmer’s market.

8. QUIRKY YARD DECORATIONS. Doty Farm and Garden Supply located at 299 Sixth Street SW in Winter Haven sells a wide variety of creative and quirky yard decorations you could purchase for that farmer in your life.

9. TUMBLER. Get your farmer dad a tumbler to keep his drink cold on those brutal Florida summer days and customize it with his favorite saying or an encouraging message he’ll be able to see all day long. Marine Supply located at 717 6th St SW in Winter Haven sells tumblers perfect for every occasion. You can even take it somewhere or ask a friend to create a design to stick on it.

10. WOOL SOCKS. Wool socks help to keep feet cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

They’re perfect for that dad who works outside all year long. You can find some at Andy Thornhill located at 336 Magnolia Avenue SW in Winter Haven.

No matter what gift you decide on, be sure to remind your hardworking dad just how important he is and show him the appreciation he deserves. Happy Father’s Day to all of our agricultural dads out there. You are appreciated beyond measure. ag

by GRACE BOGGESS HIRDES

FloridaAgNews.com

Get Geared Up for Polk County AgRally Polk County is home to more than 2,000 farmers, ranchers and growers who make their living full-time in the agriculture business. From rough terrain to high-capacity hauling, the ag sector has specific auto needs that demand an understanding of the industry.

Longtime ag industry supporter and partner Mahalak Auto Group is hosting a Polk County AgPack AgRally, a one-of-a-kind, live event in Lake Wales on June 23. This will be a great chance for farmers, ranchers, FFA members, agriculture manufacturers, and rural lifestylists to network and learn about what’s new in the world of agricultural equipment and services.

This exciting afternoon is brought about with the support of AgPack and the Mahalak Auto Group. The group has three Certified Ag Dealerships throughout Central Florida and is an enthusiastic ally of the ag community. Mahalak Auto Group is proud to offer AgPack farm and ranch management tools absolutely free with the purchase of a qualified new Ram truck, Jeep Gladiator, Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Wagoneer and many used vehicles with 48,000 miles or less. This fantastic offer includes more than $15,000 worth of incredible rebates, discounts, gift cards, and even a subscription to AgriEdge from Syngenta for easy, secure data management and analysis.

“Our three Central Florida Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealerships are excited to host the AgPack AgRally event at Warner University on June 23,” says Mike Mahalak, president of Mahalak Auto Group, which has Certified Ag Dealerships in Posner Park, Winter Haven, and Lake Wales.

“They are all Certified Agriculture Dealers that offer Polk County farmers and ranchers over $15,000 in farm and ranch AgPack tools free with the purchase of a new or select used vehicle.”

For those unable to attend the event in person at the Ed and Myrtle Lou Swindle Agricultural Complex on the campus of Warner University in Lake Wales, Ag Rally will be broadcast for free live on RFDTV and the Cowboy Channel. Participating Certified Ag Dealerships, such as the Mahalak Auto Group, will also be hosting events that day to promote AgRally, providing even more opportunities for the ag community to come together in support of each other and to share valuable information.

Working in the agricultural industry is rarely a 9-to-5 job, so all the Mahalak Auto Group dealerships offer BusinessLink to help farmers and ranchers stay mobile. The no-cost program includes benefits such as courtesy vehicles, 24-hour towing assistance, upfitter connections, and more. If this sounds like something that could be an asset to your operation, be sure to inquire at any of the Mahalak Auto Group dealerships.

Mike Mahalak is excited to welcome the local farmers and ranchers to the AgRally.

“We look forward to seeing our local farmers and ranchers at this special event to learn about current, new, and emerging agricultural equipment and services,” he says.

There are going to be special guest speakers presenting the latest innovations and trends in farming, plus amazing hors d’oeuvres provided by Terrie Lobb. In addition, Mahalak Auto Group will donate $20 to a local FFA for every test drive that takes place at the event.

Demonstrations of new products and equipment will provide all the details necessary for farmers and ranchers, and experts will be available to answer any questions attendees may have.

Join the Mahalak Auto Group on June 23 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Ed and Myrtle Lou Swindle Agricultural Complex on the campus of Warner University in Lake Wales.

CFAN | 21 Register by calling 863-588-6981 or visiting tinyurl.com/4xtcdn59.

FloridaAgNews.com

a d i r o l F ag-rec flpythonchallenge.org/participate/competition/

ag-rec e t a d Up

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Florida Python Challenge Begins July 9 THE FLORIDA PYTHON CHALLENGE® features a Burmese python removal competition, with the goal of empowering people to take an active role in conserving the Florida Everglades through invasive species removal.

The Florida Python Challenge® will begin at 8 a.m. on Friday, July 9, 2021, and continue through 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 18, 2021. Competitors will be able to remove Burmese pythons from participating areas.

Only Burmese pythons removed from these areas will be considered as valid entries in the competition.

For the Florida Python Challenge® participants can register as a Novice or Professional. Professionals include experienced people paid by the host agencies to remove pythons from the Everglades. Anyone not fitting this description can register for the Novice category. For both categories, there will be prizes awarded for the most and longest pythons. Additional awards will be provided for veterans and active members of our armed services!

Humane Methods for Killing Pythons

There is an ethical obligation to ensure a wild caught Burmese python is killed in a humane manner that results in immediate loss of consciousness and destruction of the brain. There are several ways to accomplish this task, including using a captive bolt or an air gun to destroy the python’s brain quickly and completely. You will be disqualified from the competition if you are found to have inhumanely killed a python or any native snake.

Use the following image to ensure proper location for brain destruction when using captive bolt guns, air guns or decapitation followed by pithing.

SHOWTIMES: Sat and&Sun Sat Sun Noon and 1 pm

the American Veterinary Medical Association if immediately followed by brain destruction. Use a machete or other appropriately sharp tool. The tool selected should be capable of decapitating the python as quickly and efficiently as possible. Keep in mind if you choose this method, you must quickly follow up by destroying the brain with the use of an air gun, captive bolt or other effective method such as pithing.

To target the correct area, draw an imaginary line from the rear left of the head to the right eye, and then draw another line from the rear right of the head to the left eye (Farris et al. in press). While one person is holding the python in place, position the captive bolt where those lines intersect. The bolt must enter at a slight angle, not flush to the skull.

A second way is to shoot the captured python in the head with an air gun, being sure to use a safe but effective caliber and making sure that you destroy the python’s brain. The bullet must be placed in the same area as the captive bolt. To target the correct area, draw an imaginary line from the rear left of the head to the right eye, and then draw another line from the rear right of the head to the left eye. The intersection of these lines is your target. Note: Firearms are not an allowable method to kill a python during this timeframe because there are not established hunting seasons on any of the Competition Locations.

Although not the recommended method of killing pythons, cranial concussion (stunning) by skilled personnel followed by decapitation is considered an acceptable method of killing large snakes by

Regardless of the technique you choose, make sure your technique results in immediate loss of consciousness and destruction of the Burmese python’s brain.

Prizes

Register and compete to win thousands of dollars in cash prizes! Get the most pythons in your competition category and win $2,500!

Both Professional and Novice competitors have an opportunity to win. Prizes will be awarded by the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida. Prize winners will be announced at the awards ceremony.

Prize amounts for the Florida Python Challenge® Pro Most Pythons Grand Prize

$2,500 $2,500

Most Pythons Second Place Prize

$750

Longest Python Grand Prize

$750

$1,500 $1,500

Longest Python $750 $750 Second Place Prize Active duty military personnel and veterans who register for the competition will be eligible for additional prizes. ag

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FloridaAgNews.com

An emergency is still an emergency. Even during this emergency.

Don’t let COVID-19 stop you from getting emergency treatment.

Even during a pandemic, you still need to be treated immediately if you have an emergency. Debating whether or not to risk going to an emergency room during a heart attack, stroke or other health emergency—waiting even a few extra minutes— could be harmful. That’s why in all BayCare hospital emergency rooms, patients who have symptoms of COVID-19 are screened and treated in a separate area. This helps keep emergency room patients and our team members safe. So if it’s an emergency, don’t wait.

For more information: BayCareEmergencyCare.org FloridaAgNews.com 21-1504608-0521

CFAN | 23

AgriNEWS

UF/IFAS Professor Leads Effort to Establish Pomegranates in Florida

by BRAD BUCK, UF/IFAS correspondent courtesy, DR. ALI SARKHOSH, UF/IFAS

G

GROWING UP IN IRAN, Ali Sarkhosh worked on the family’s pomegranate farm, which has thrived for four generations.

Later, at the University of Tehran, Sarkhosh wrote both his master’s thesis and doctoral dissertation on pomegranate genetic diversity and breeding. He then worked as a pomegranate expert in Australia for four years. Down Under, he was responsible for managing aspects of 600 acres of pomegranate production.

So, it seems like a crown jewel that he would serve as lead editor of a new book on pomegranates. Sarhhosh, now a UF/IFAS assistant professor of horticultural sciences, leads the UF/IFAS effort to make pomegranates an economically viable crop in Florida. The fruit’s bold, sweet – sometimes tart – flavor makes it a consumer favorite.

Sarkhosh worked with two co-editors to

24 | CFAN

publish the book, “The Pomegranate: Botany, Production and Uses.” The book is available for purchase through the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International. Hundreds of authors contributed to its contents, which are gleaned from several major scientific journal databases.

Though aimed at researchers and pomegranate producers, the book is also a good read for gardeners and anyone interested in fruit, he says.

Publishing the new book was no easy task.

Sarkhosh worked on the volume for four years, but he says he’s glad he stuck with it.

“The book, authored by an international team of experts who have been at the forefront of developments in this crop, provides insights and experiences on pomegranate research,” he

says. “This textbook provides a comprehensive survey of pomegranate growing from a scientific and horticultural perspective, covering different issues. Those include botany, production, processing, health and industrial uses.”

For farmers, the book helps them use sciencebased horticultural practices that will mitigate stresses on production, such as disease. It will also help farmers cope with nutrient management, which will increase yield and improve short- and mid-term profitability and sustainability, he says.

“One of our missions at UF/IFAS is to help growers and farmers at the international level, and indeed this book is a good example of this mission,” he says. “However, the research team at UF/IFAS — including horticulturists, plant pathologists, crop physiologists and breeders — works closely with scientists at the national and international levels to accelerate their research.

FloridaAgNews.com

One of our missions at UF/IFAS is to help growers and farmers at the international level, and indeed this book is a good example of this mission. However, the research team at UF/IFAS — including horticulturists, plant pathologists, crop physiologists and breeders — works closely with scientists at the national and international levels to accelerate their research.

That way, we learn how to help pomegranates grow in Florida.

— ALI SARKHOSH, UF/IFAS

That way, we learn how to help pomegranates grow in Florida.”

The pomegranate shrub is native to the Mediterranean. In the United States, about 90 percent of pomegranates grow in California.

Florida’s wet season and its hot weather pose challenges to growing pomegranates, but UF/ IFAS researchers are trying to boost Florida production.

Among other research projects, UF/IFAS scientists are working on managing diseases and

are trying to breed a suitable cultivar to produce fruit in July and August. Such a variety would avoid marketing competition with California pomegranates.

“At UF/IFAS, we are working together to overcome these issues by evaluating varieties and by applying genetic and breeding approaches and testing fungicides,” Sarkhosh says. “We need varieties that perform well in the Florida climate and cope with diseases that are problematic in Florida.” ag

WHAT VACCINES DOES MY HORSE NEED? AFTER THE YEAR WE HAVE HAD, you’re probably sick of hearing about vaccines, but our equine friends need protection from some of the nasty viruses they may encounter.

Vaccines are designed to optimize your horse’s immune system so that they’re primed for a rapid response to an infectious agent. While a vaccine isn’t guaranteed to stop your horse from contracting the infection, it will minimize the effects if your horse is infected. There are numerous vaccines available for horses including Encephalomyelitis, Tetanus, Influenza, Equine Herpes Virus, Rabies, Botulism, Potomac Horse Fever and West Nile Virus to name a few.

The American Association of Equine Practitioners defines a set of core vaccines that all horses should receive. Core vaccine programs include: Equine Encephalomyelitis (Eastern and Western), Rabies, Tetanus and West Nile Virus. These viruses have high mortality and morbidity with no specific cures/treatments available to infected animals. Most infected horses that show clinical signs are euthanized.

Your horse should be vaccinated against these core diseases regardless of their travel schedule and use. Additional respiratory or reproductive vaccines may be advised if you are breeding, showing or travelling. It is recommended that all horses in your yard be vaccinated for the same illnesses and on similar schedules to help maximize the protection offered to your horses.

by DR. KATIE HENNESSY This column is sponsored by Polk Equine, and the opinions expressed herein may not reflect those of CFAN or of its advertisers.

BIO: Dr. Katie Hennessy graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2008 with a degree in large animal health and equine medicine. She completed an advanced internship at The Equine Medical Center of Ocala and is currently the owner and practicing veterinarian at Polk Equine. Her expertise ranges from small and exotic creatures to large animals, specializing in equine medicine.

FloridaAgNews.com

CFAN | 25

Recipe Spotlight

It’s the Perfect Time for Cantaloupe Creations

by CAROL CORLEY

C

CANTALOUPE WAS A REGULAR at my house growing up. It was served as a wedge, chilled and with ground black pepper sprinkled over it. Boring, but I still love it that way best — sweet, juicy and with a bit of a kick.

Cantaloupes are a powerhouse as a source of vitamin C and potassium. They also contain beta-carotene. They grow well in Florida, especially the varieties Athena, Ambrosia, Honey Rock and Minnesota Midget. They thrive in early summer, although heavy rains can be a problem. If you want to grow your own cantaloupe, you would have needed to plant in about February, once the risk of cold weather has passed. The plants will need full sun for 6 to 8 hours.

But before it was grown in Florida, it was grown in Egypt, likely originating from the Middle East or India. It arrived in Europe in the 15th century and became very popular due to its sweetness. Italians were especially fond of the melon, and the name is thought to have come from the village of Cantalupo, just outside of Rome.

Cantaloupe belongs to the same family that includes cucumber, squash, gourds and pumpkins. It grows on a vine on the ground.

When choosing the right cantaloupe in the store, you want one that is heavy for its size, smells fresh, and has no watery sound when shaken. Once home, refrigerate if ripe and use within three days.

There are a lot of things you can do with cantaloupe other than slice it in wedges as I had when growing up. ag

26 | CFAN

PORK CUTLETS WITH CANTALOUPE SALAD (Adapted from epicurious.com)

Ingredients Pork cutlets, 4, desired thickness Cantaloupe, 1 cup coarsely grated Cantaloupe, 2 cups thinly sliced Olive oil, 2 tablespoons Lime juice, 3 tablespoons, fresh preferred Scallions, 3 thinly sliced Cilantro, 1/4 cup Fish sauce, 2 tablespoons Salt to taste Red chile, if desired Peanuts, crushed, salted, roasted Directions Place pork cutlets in a resealable plastic bag, meat pricked all over with a fork.

Add salt, coarsely grated cantaloupe, half the lime juice, and olive oil. Toss to coat and chill for at least one hour.

When ready, remove pork from marinade and place on a grill preheated to medium-high. Grill, turning occasionally until browned and cooked through.

Place on a platter.

Toss remaining ingredients together — scallions, thin cantaloupe slices, cilantro, fish sauce, remaining lime juice, and chile if desired. Arrange over pork and top with peanuts.

FloridaAgNews.com

Then boil the reserved poaching liquid over high heat until it decreases to about 2 tablespoons. Place in large bowl and whisk in oil, vinegar, salt, spicy pepper if desired. At this time add the shrimp, cantaloupe, honeydew, endive, tarragon, remaining raw fennel. Season with salt, pepper, red pepper to taste.

Toss and serve..

POACHED SHRIMP, MELON AND FRISÉE SALAD (Adapted from foodandwine.com)

Ingredients Large shrimp, 1-1/2 pounds shelled and deveined Fennel bulbs, 2, sliced thin Fennel seeds, 1 teaspoon Leek, 1, green part only, sliced thin Garlic, 2 cloves Coriander seeds, 1 teaspoon Black peppercorns, 1 teaspoon Orange, 1, juice and finely grated zest Sauvignon Blanc wine, 1 cup (good wine is important) Water, 3 cups Balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon Olive oil, 3 tablespoons, extra-virgin preferred Cantaloupe, 3 cups finely diced, or may use half Honeydew melon for interest Endive, 1 head chopped, inner leaves only Tarragon, 1 tablespoon chopped Salt to taste May add spicy ground red pepper (Piment d’Espelette), if desired Directions Place half of fennel, with fennel seeds, leek, garlic, coriander seeds, peppercorns, orange juice and zest, wine, water, salt to a large pot, bring to boil and simmer 20 minutes. Cool 15 minutes before adding shrimp and cook about 5 minutes over low heat. Remove from heat but let shrimp sit in the warm liquid for about 15 minutes. Remove shrimp to a plate, cut in half lengthwise and refrigerate. Strain poaching liquid, reserving 1 cup.

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CRÊPES DE LA CANTALOUPE

Open seasonally: October - May

(Adapted from californiacantaloupes. com)

20160 Highway 27, Lake Wales, FL 33853 1-800-237-7805 ext 4110 www.FloridasNaturalGroveHouse.com

Ingredients Flour, 1 cup all-purpose Sugar, 1 tablespoon Salt, 1/4 teaspoon Whole milk, 1-1/2 cups Eggs, 4 large Unsalted butter, 3 tablespoons melted Cantaloupe, 1 washed, peeled, seeded, and cut into chunks Sweet syrup such as agave, 1 tablespoon Mint, 1 tablespoon cut into thin strips Powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon Whipping cream, 2 cups fresh, or commercial Directions

Agriculture Is Our Passion The Story Companies are comprised of Florida agriculture management entities. Since 1945, these family owned and operated corporations have provided services to Florida agriculture including land holdings; citrus, peach and blueberry caretaking; and marketing of various commodities on over 7,000 acres. For over 70 years the Story’s have been providing superior service with outstanding returns. Please contact us to see how we may be of service to you.

Place first 6 ingredients in blender and blend until smooth. Using a 12-inch nonstick frying pan, lightly coat with butter and heat over medium heat. Place 1/3 cup batter into pan, swirl to coat, and cook about 2 minutes until dry on top and slightly brown on bottom. Flip crêpe and cook another 30 seconds. Once all batter is cooked and crêpes are stacked, toss melon with syrup and mint, fill each crêpe with 1/2 cup melon mixture, roll to close, top with whipped cream and more of the melon mix, and dust top with powdered sugar.

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CFAN | 27

In The Heartland New UF/IFAS Extension Director Takes Lifetime Work in Ag, 4-H to the Next Level

by LOURDES MEDEROS, UF/IFAS correspondent

A

ASHLEY HOUPE-KING GILL grew up in agriculture in Highlands County not knowing she also had a passion for Extension work because she had an abundance of skill sets that ranged from wanting to work with youth and families to working in agriculture.

What set the foundation for her new position as director of UF/IFAS Extension Highlands County.

“I come from a family deeply rooted in agriculture and I carry that passion with me in everything I do,” says Gill. “I spent many hours gaining hands-on experience working for my father’s (Robert King) farm equipment business and managing the family cattle ranch.

Her late grandfather, Horace King, was a grove and nursery owner who shared his love for citrus with Gill, teaching her how to care for and graft citrus trees.

Her first order of business is to do what she has done successfully throughout her career as a 4-H Agent — build the Extension presence in the community.

“My goal is to develop stronger working relationships with our county government, stakeholders such as the Highlands

28 | CFAN

FloridaAgNews.com

Highlands County County Citrus Growers Association, Highlands County Soil and Water Conservation District, Farm Bureau, Cattleman’s, Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association, and our advisory boards to better meet the needs of our clients,” says Gill. “I would like to bring back agricultural tours, expand program offerings and seek out ways to support local agritourism efforts.”

Gill’s Extension work dates back from her college days.

When it came time for Gill to graduate from Sebring High School, her passion led her to pursue a bachelor’s degree in family, youth and community sciences from UF. While in college, she took on a paid internship from UF/IFAS, an experience that connected her with Extension work.

“It became very clear to me that my heart was in Extension and I decided to return to school to pursue the dream of becoming a 4-H Agent.”

She chose to remain in Gainesville, working for both the UF/IFAS Extension Levy County office as a 4-H Youth Counselor and as a family liaison specialist for the School Board of Alachua County.

Gill accepted a 4-H Agent position in Marion County and graduated with a master’s in human services: marriage and family counseling. In 2017, she returned home and accepted the position as the UF/IFAS Extension Highlands County 4-H agent.

She has dedicated 14 years to 4-H, working with the state Department of Juvenile Justice to work with at-risk youth in underserved communities, serving as a safety and shooting sports instructor for shotgun, rifle and archery programs.

She has worked with key stakeholders to increase funding in support of 4-H programs establishing partnerships with the public school system, the Community Redevelopment Agency and community centers such as the City Life Teen Center and the Tutoring Center to expand program offerings.

In her role, she submitted several grants to generate program funding that was previously nonexistent. To date, she has brought in $4.4 million in monetary donations, grant funding and in-kind contributions to support programmatic efforts for 4-H. Her accomplishments and programs have been recognized nationally. Meanwhile, she makes FloridaAgNews.com

My goal is to develop stronger working relationships with our county government, stakeholders such as the Highlands County Citrus Growers Association, Highlands County Soil and Water Conservation District, Farm Bureau, Cattleman’s, Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association, and our advisory boards to better meet the needs of our clients.

— ASHLEY HOUPE-KING GILL

time to serve on several boards, committees and organizations including the National Association of County Agricultural Agents, Epsilon Sigma Phi and the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals (NAE4-HYDP).

Last year, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Gill was able to host online summer day camp programs that reached youth all around the United States including Puerto Rico. Gill has also conducted other state, national and international work including conducting workshops at 4-H

University, taking youth to National 4-H Congress, and participating in a food systems study in Italy.

She serves as the co-chair of the NAE4-HYDP Geospatial Working Group, as well as serve as a member on various state and regional 4-H advisory committees including, dairy, healthy living, STEM, horse, and Co-chair the State 4-H Environmental Science committee.

“We have a great team of faculty members and staff that are ready to take our programming efforts to the next level.” ❤

CFAN | 29

MINOR SCORES MAJOR WIN continued from page 19

BUILDING PREMIER BLUEBERRY BREEDING HEADQUARTERS continued from page 16

food that really gets Nathaniel’s creativity boiling. He says he hopes to someday host his own cooking TV or online show, visiting foreign countries and delving into their cooking styles and recipes.

“I have fun, and I tell people, ‘If a 9-yearold can do it, anyone can do it,’ ” he says.

Special guest judges for Lunchroom Wars were Shacafrica Simmons “Chef Shac,” the Food Network’s “Chopped Champion”; Gianna Rivera, 2017-18 “Fresh from Florida Student Chef Cook-Off” champion; and Daniel Thompson III, a chef and runner-up in the 2021 Lunchroom Wars competition.

The other winners of the 2021 Lunchroom Wars were • First Place/$5,000 scholarship — Isaiah Romeo, 13, Glades Middle School, Miramar • Third Place/$2,000 scholarship — Amina Khan, 10, Beacon Cove Intermediate Elementary, Jupiter Nathaniel’s cooking videos can be found at “Cook and Learn with Baba and Nano” on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. ag

The expanded space will allow Muñoz’s expanded team to test fruit from more sites in Central Florida and beyond.

It gives us space to pick up the pace for micropropagation. That will get new cultivars into your fields faster.

It won’t be the first UF/IFAS facility that blueberries built. Alto Straughn’s generosity made possible the construction a decade ago of the Extension professional development center that bears his name. The new building will not only house breakthroughs in breeding, but also a large lecture hall and laboratory classrooms to continue preparing College of Agricultural and Life Sciences students to become top professionals.

We have a national crisis in agricultural science infrastructure. A study done for the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities last year estimates the national need for upgrades at $11.5 billion.

Government assistance is unlikely to meet that need. The blueberry building will be funded largely by royalties. We can do that because we have one of the nation’s most aggressive royalty reinvestment rates.

It’s a case of innovation begetting more innovation.

The more successful we are, the more we can invest in your future success, and we look forward to it. ag

Congratulations, Graduates!

We are proud to celebrate the accomplishments of the 2021 Senior Class.

Now that you’ve harvested seeds of success, Mosaic and the community wish you a bright and bountiful future!

www.mosaicfloridaphosphate.com

30 | CFAN

FloridaAgNews.com

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Florida’s Natural Grove House Visitor Center Open October - May, M-F 10am - 5pm 20180 Hwy 27, Lake Wales 1-800-237-7805, ext 4110 _______________________________________ Garrison Land Management Certified and Licensed Pest Control Firm 863-439-6550 GarrisonLand.com _______________________________________ Ring Power Corporation Special Financing Rate - 0% for 60 months, $0 down.

(888) 748-7464 • CatRentalStore.com _______________________________________ • Irrigation Services of Central Florida Ag irrigation is our specialty, Jimmy Durden, Irrigation Specialist - (863) 875-5722. _______________________________________ Farm Bureau Insurance Offices Throughout Central Florida!

24/7 Claims Reporting Toll Free (866) 275-7322 floridafarmbureau.com _______________________________________ Garrison Property Services We’re the Key to Making Life Easy for You! Real Estate, Lawn Care, Pest Control, and more! 863-439-6550 GarrisonPropertyServices.com _______________________________________ AQUATIC WEED MANAGEMENT - Lake & Pond Maintenance - Permitting - Re-Vegetation Manual & Mechanical Removal (863) 412-1919 • waterweed1@aol.com _______________________________________ ADVANTAGE HEDGING & TOPPING We care for citrus, peach avocado, mango trees and more. Hedging, mowing, topping, trimming right of ways, heavy equipment transport. 863-557-0424

for farms ranches and home. With the accessories.

Email tripsonmt@aol.com Call/text 772-473-1714 Ask for Mark Tripson

Stromberg’s Chicks & Game Birds Order Early! Chick Days 800-720-1134 ChickDaysFlorida.com _______________________________________ WE BUY GUNS Collections of Multiple Firearms, All makes & Calibers.

Top Dollar, CASH | 863-655-1010

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ______________________________________________________________ My Payroll Solutions LLC has over 20 years of experience in matching small businesses, Agriculture Companies and harvesters to staffing services and employee leasing companies, which provide payroll services with workers comp coverage and assistance with H2A applications for our clients. For more information contact Jeff H Futch at 863-835-1130.

Larry’s Camellias OVER 130 VARIETIES

All Container Grown • 3 Gal. to 65 Gal. Also Available: Airlayers, Species Wood, Buds

863-557-3727

Call for Appt. & Delivery Larry White, BS Horticulture Member ACS & ICS PO Box 447, Waverly, FL 33877

larryscamellias@gmail.com

CONCEALED CARRY GUN SAFETY COURSES -starting at just $40.00 per person. Call (863) 655-1010 to register for the next class. Tell ‘em AgNews sent ya.

SprayAndPrayReloading.com _______________________________________

Build Your Own Classified

info@centralfloridamediagroup.com

FloridaAgNews.com

5 V Crimp Metal

LEGAL SERVICES

EMPLOYMENT

Attention Citrus Grove Owners: INTERESTED IN PRESERVING YOUR FAMILY LEGACY? Lease us your grove and we will invest the money necessary to accomplish that.

PLEASE CALL 863-280-5424 Grove Rehab LLC

CFAN | 31

VEHICLES FOR SALE

BOATS FOR SALE

2008 Toyota Tundra Base Call 863-299-1243 • Ask for Ag News Deal.

2017 Ford F-150 XL Call 863-676-0733 • Ask for Ag News Deal.

2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT Call 863-438-3333 • Ask for Ag News Deal.

2011 Q5I SF - Tahoe Call 863-293-1156

2012 205 SPORT - Sea Ray Call 863-293-1156

2017 Ram ProMaster City Tradesman Call 863-299-1243 • Ask for Ag News Deal.

2019 Chevrolet Colorado LT Call 863-676-0733 • Ask for Ag News Deal.

2015 Ford F-150 Platinum Call 863-438-3333 • Ask for Ag News Deal.

2021 1886 CX CRUISE - Sweetwater Call 863-293-1156

2005 OUTBACK - Moomba Call 863-293-1156

2015 Ram 1500 Express Call 863-299-1243 • Ask for Ag News Deal.

2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT Call 863-676-0733 • Ask for Ag News Deal.

2020 Ford F-150 Raptor Call 863-438-3333 • Ask for Ag News Deal.

2016 JV 17 - Carolina Skiff Call 863-293-1156

1999 180 - Sea Ray Call 863-293-1156

2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ Call 863-299-1243 • Ask for Ag News Deal.

2016 Ram 2500 Big Horn Call 863-676-0733 • Ask for Ag News Deal.

2018 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT Call 863-438-3333 • Ask for Ag News Deal.

2018 GMC Sierra 1500 Base Call 863-299-1243 • Ask for Ag News Deal.

2019 Nissan Titan SV Call 863-676-0733 • Ask for Ag News Deal.

2019 Ram 1500 Big Horn/Lone Star Call 863-438-3333 • Ask for Ag News Deal.

2017 Ram 2500 Tradesman Call 863-299-1243 • Ask for Ag News Deal.

2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport Call 863-676-0733 • Ask for Ag News Deal.

2020 Ram 1500 Laramie Call 863-438-3333 • Ask for Ag News Deal.

32 | CFAN

Build Your Own Classified

info@centralfloridamediagroup.com FloridaAgNews.com

EQUIPMENT _______________________________________

Build Your Own Classified ALL-NEW Kubota RTV-XG850 SIDEKICK, 48 H.P. Gas Engine, Up to 40 M.P.H., 2 Year / 1000 Hour Warranty.

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1968 John Deere® 4020 Call Abilene Machine: (800) 315-4089 __ KUBOTA SUB-COMPACT TRACTOR , BX2380 w/LA344 Front Loader. Improved operator comfort, professionally built yet easy for any novice. Call 863.967.0651 details & delivery.

1983 International® 3688 Call Abilene Machine: (800) 315-4089 __

1969 John Deere® 4020 Call Abilene Machine: (800) 315-4089 __

FloridaAgNews.com

1966 John Deere® 2510 Call Abilene Machine: (800) 315-4089 __

1966 John Deere® 4020 Call Abilene Machine: (800) 315-4089 __

BUILD YOUR OWN CLASSIFIED

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Call __ 863-604-2526 for rental details.

3440 US HWY 17 SOUTH • ZOLFO SPRINGS (863) 735-1122 3203 HAVENDALE BLVD • WINTER HAVEN (863) 967-0602 17215 HWY 27 N • MINNEOLA (352) 394-7181

FIELDSEQUIP.COM

CFAN | 33

ANTIMICROBIAL PEPTIDE CAN COMBAT CITRUS GREENING FLORIDA CITRUS GROWERS have been waiting a long time for a method to combat citrus greening, and they just may have it in the antimicrobial peptide discovered by UC Riverside geneticist Hailing Jin and her team. Jin discussed the ongoing research into the peptide at the 2021 Florida Citrus Show, and she maintained that the research so far has shown that the peptide can both inhibit Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) growth in trees already infected with citrus greening and activate immunity in noninfected citrus trees to keep them from becoming infected. The antimicrobial peptide has many other benefits as well.

Benefits of the Antimicrobial Peptide The peptide was discovered in citrus finger limes, a wild Australian citrus relative that is tolerant to citrus greening. The peptide has many advantages in addition to combating citrus greening both in infected trees and noninfected trees, an uncommon attribute of such treatments. According to Jin, the peptide features a “corkscrew-like helix structure” that punctures the bacteria that cause citrus greening—Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas)—and cause the bacteria to die much faster than any antibiotics currently in use.

The research also showed that the peptide could be applied using an injection or through a spray application, that it was stable up to 130-degree heat, and that it was safer than synthetic treatments because it comes from a natural source. In testing the peptide’s efficacy in a spray application, researchers introduced citrus greening to 10 noninfected citrus trees via Asian citrus psyllids that were positive for the CLas bacterium. After several interval sprays with the peptide, only three of the trees tested positive for citrus greening. In the test group, nine citrus trees tested positive for citrus greening, and four of the trees died.

Field testing of the antimicrobial peptide is currently underway in Florida, and hopefully it’s only a matter of time until it becomes a treatment that Florida citrus growers can utilize in the fight against citrus greening.

community Zooming in on agriculture in your community.

Adam Basford, Florida Farm Bureau Director of Legislative Affairs

Legislative Wrap-Up Luncheon June 3, 2021 • W.H. Stuart Center, Bartow

Polk County Farm Bureau President Dean Evans

by MIKE ROBERTS This column is sponsored by Griffin Fertilizer Co., and the opinions expressed herein may not reflect those of CFAN or of its advertisers.

BIO: Mike Roberts is the Vice President of the Frostproof, Florida-based Griffin Fertilizer Co. Roberts joined the company in November 2011. He has spent the majority of his career in the fertilizer/agchem industry. Roberts earned a Bachelor of Science degree in citrus production from Florida Southern College in Lakeland. For more information, visit griffinfertilizer.com.

34 | CFAN

FloridaAgNews.com

community Zooming in on agriculture in your community.

Florida Industrial Hemp Conference May 19-21, Orlando photos by MORGAN DRIGGERS

WHEN WILL THE BUBBLE BURST? AS AN AUCTIONEER, I’m frequently asked, “What’s going on in the economy? When are we going to see a turndown? When is the bubble going to burst?”

We are looking at a real estate market that is on fire.

It is obvious what is causing it — the Feds are giving away money. When interest is 3.2 percent and inflation is 4 percent, you’re making 0.8 percent on your own mortgage. You have to be crazy not to buy real estate with that kind of leverage.

Many of you reading this column remember paying 8 percent to 12 percent on your mortgage. At one time, I was paying 18.5% on my mortgage.

We are seeing inflation, regardless of what the government says. And it is running out of control.

In the past 120 days, gas is up $1 per gallon. This means $35 more per tank of gas in my truck. What does that mean to those paying the bills? Many grocery items are 60 percent to 100 percent more than they were 120 days ago. Currently, 24 percent of tenants are not paying rent. That means the landlord is not paying his mortgage.

I have been through five economic cycles in my career!

I have seen this movie before!

To answer the question from the beginning of the column: When the government stops pumping your money out, the merry-go-round stops.

The banks call the notes, the real estate market drops 35 percent and we have another cycle. Of the five cycles I have been through, every one of them was created at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The key is to buy real estate on the bottom and be smart enough to sell at the top.

Unfortunately, most owners will wait, thinking they are going to get more next month.

In 2007, we saw a market fall 35 percent in three months.

Two weeks ago in Arizona, we sold a property for 105 percent more than the owner wanted.

Auctions sell! You be the judge. It’s your money and your future.

Don’t be a hog. Take your profit and move on.

by MARTY HIGGENBOTHAM This column is sponsored by Higgenbotham Auctioneers International, Ltd., and the opinions expressed herein may not reflect those of CFAN or of its advertisers.

BIO: Marty Higgenbotham, founder and president of Higgenbotham Auctioneers International, Ltd., has conducted approximately 12,000 auctions, selling everything from cemetery lots to shopping centers and everything in between. He graduated from Reisch Auction College in 1959. Since then, he has sold in 49 states and five foreign countries. Clients include Wal-Mart, Albertson, Sinclair, AutoZone, HUD, and the states of Kansas, Missouri, Texas and Florida, to name a few. He lives with his wife in Lakeland.

FloridaAgNews.com

CFAN | 35

R E N

A F F

R O C

D

Proud to Announce State Championship Winner, Polk’s 2021-2022 Officers

by JESSICA ANDERSON

DID YOU HEAR THE GREAT NEWS about Auburndale High School? Jacob Lawson, an Auburndale High School FFA member, recently competed in the Safe Tractor Operations Career Development Event at the state level. Jacob stole the show by winning the state championship!

His advisor, Mrs. Kimberly Shaske, shared a few words in regards to Jacob’s hard work and accomplishments.

“We are very proud to announce the State FFA Tractor Driving Winner is our own Jacob Lawson! After passing the preliminary safety test he then competed in the District FFA tractor driving contest where he won, qualifying for the state contest. Jacob went on to take the State FFA Tractor safety test. He passed this and then competed in the State FFA Tractor Driving test held May 15 in Plant City. This is a very tight and difficult course requiring backing up a trailer, pulling the trailer through a course, and backing the trailer into a very tight “barn” represented with posts. He had to be within inches of each post. Jacob had a nearly perfect score for his driving test and received many compliments from the other competitors, FFA advisors and judges.

He will be attending the State FFA Convention in June to be recognized for his accomplishment and receive his award. Great job, Jacob!”

The State FFA is the highest degree that the State FFA Association can bestow upon a member. This degree is awarded annually at the State FFA Convention to those members who have met the minimum qualifications set forth by the National FFA Organization. Each recipient will be recognized during the fifth session of the 93rd Florida FFA State Convention & Expo. The following students are the FFA members in Polk County who will be earning their Florida FFA State FFA Degree: • Tyler Brannen-Auburndale • Adrith Himmel-Auburndale • Allison Jackson-Auburndale • Hannah Reteneller-Auburndale 36 | CFAN

• Taylor King-Bartow • Macey Merritt-Bartow • Tyler Stinson-Bartow • Cassie Jo Waters-Bartow • Leah Brown-Frostproof • Marissa Dawes-Frostproof • Shelby Garrett-Frostproof • Noah Ogburn-Frostproof • Sarah True-Frostproof • Tyson True-Frostproof • Timothy Bearden-Fort Meade • Brooke Hunter-Fort Meade • Reanna Brown-Haines City • Dustina Garcia-Haines City • Chloe Oakes-Haines City • Ashlin Oakes-Haines City • Isabella Rodriguez-Haines City • Crystal Carlson-Kathleen • Kaydee Clark-Kathleen • James Cross-Kathleen • Alburney Taylor-Kathleen • Peyton Creel-Lake Gibson • Brooke Dykes-Lake Wales • Juan Martinez-Lake Wales • Leah Ormond-Lake Wales • Bailey Wetherington-Lake Wales • Lita Lamb-Tenoroc

The 2020-2021 school year is winding down, but the Polk County FFA Federation is gearing back up! In the past few weeks, we had the pleasure of interviewing some of Polk County’s finest FFA leaders. After interviewing, giving a three-minute elevator speech on the National FFA Organization, and completing a knowledge competency exam on the organization, we feel we have the cream of the crop representing Polk County Federation for the 2021-2022 school year with the following FFA officers.

PresidentReanna Brown, Haines City High School SecretaryPayge Dupre, Lake Gibson High School Dustina Garcia, Haines City High School Kylee Urbina, Mulberry High School Mykaela Billingsley, Auburndale High School We look forward to providing countywide career development events for our FFA chapters in Polk County as well as developing ways to lend a hand in our community through servicelearning projects. 2021-2022 is sure to be a great year with these students leading the way! ag

FloridaAgNews.com

From the Editor’s Desk

Prepare for the Worst, Hope for the Best JESSICA McDONALD, Editor jessica@centralfloridamediagroup.com

AS ANY TRUE FLORIDIAN WILL TELL YOU, June marks the beginning of the hurricane season. And while Floridians pride themselves on their unflappable nature when it comes to crisis prep, it would be reckless to think a hurricane couldn’t bring this state to its knees. The agriculture industry, in particular, has a lot to lose if a storm targets our state. And unlike the cone of certainty, one thing is certain: Hurricanes can, and have historically, taken a toll on the agriculture sector. The damage can be catastrophic.

For instance, consider Hurricane Irma, which made landfall in Florida in September 2017. Between the excessive winds and floodwaters, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services estimated total crop losses at $2 billion, and total losses to production agriculture at $2.5 billion. A UF/ IFAS survey showed that Irma damaged more than half of the agricultural and horticultural crops in seven counties and 40 percent in 19 counties.

One year later, Hurricane Michael made landfall near Florida’s Mexico Beach as a Category 5 hurricane. It was the strongest hurricane to make landfall in the Panhandle. Agricultural losses from Michael were estimated at $1.5 billion.

The storm hit Florida timber particularly hard, resulting in damage to at least 3 million acres.

Two years after Michael, the Panhandle suffered as the outside bands — not a direct landfall — of Hurricane Sally lashed the area. Sally caused severe flooding that had an effect on crops like peanuts, cotton, corn, timber, livestock and seafood. The agricultural losses were estimated to be between $55 million and $100 million.

Are you seeing a pattern? Big storms do hit, and agriculture pays dearly.

Prepare, stay vigilant and stay safe this hurricane season. ag

Irrigation Services

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CFAN | 37

— AUCTION —

TURN YOUR GUNS INTO CASH! Estate of Ben Hill Griffin, III • Personal Property 10 AM • SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27 Rocking H Ranch 2200 Ewell Rd, Lakeland, FL 33811

Seeking Consignments for Our Firearms Auction – September 18th

Preview: 2 Hours Prior To The Auction

Do you have a gun that you just don’t use & you would like to sell it?

Seeking Quality Consignment Now taking consignments for all styles of firearms.

Perfect Way to Settle an Estate Long Guns • Hand Guns Antique Firearms Huge Collection of Oriental Rugs, Firearms, Liberty Gun Safe, Tiger Oak Davenport Ammunition • Knives Desk, Signed Norman Rockwell Prints, Full Bedroom Suites, Extensive Amount of Hunting Equipment • etc.

14K Jewelry, Florida Gator Memorabilia, Leather Sofa and Chairs, Beautiful Walnut and Oak Dining Table, Bronze Bull, Bronze Remington The Bronco Buster, Bronze Eagle, Tiffany Candlestick with Appraisal, Faberge Presentation Box with Appraisal, Gator Yeti Cooler, Oil Paintings and Much Much More!

To Consign, Call Us At:

863-644-6681

THE REAL ESTATE IS UNDER CONTRACT

Toll Free 1-877-758-5035

For more information M.E. Higgenbotham, CAI,863-644-6681 CES, AARE, FL• higgenbotham.com Lic. #AU305 AB158

Blueprint for an Amazing Agriculture Website Have a User-Friendly, Mobile Reponsive Website

Make Sure Your Services, Location & Contact Info are Easy to Find

Your Site Should Load in 3 Seconds or Less

38 | CFAN

Make Your “Contact Us” Option Clearly Visible on Your Website

FloridaAgNews.com

There When You Need Us!

Polk Equine provides large animal veterinary services within parts of Polk, Highlands and Hardee Counties in Florida. Polk Equine works with horses, cattle, goats and sheep. Our primary task is to solve our client’s animal medical problems by maintaining the highest standards in veterinary medicine.

Polk Equine is a mobile unit that provides services in:

General Medicine & After Hours Care Lameness • Reproduction Digital X-Rays Dr. Katie Hennessy, DVM Dr.Hennessy@polkequine.com Ophthalmology Dentistry

Call Us Today! We Come to You! Polk Equine services 24 hour emergency calls for clients. Normal business hours are: Mon-Fri 8am to 5pm. We look forward to hearing from you!

www.polkequine.com

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FloridaAgNews.com

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(863) 299-3892

CFAN | 39

THE LOW PAYMENT KINGS!

JOIN THE LOW PAYMENT KINGS AT THE POLK COUNTY AGPACK AGRALLY EVENT AT WARNER UNIVERSITY, JUNE 23 • 2-5 PM!

LEARN ABOUT CURRENT, NEW & EMERGING AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES & FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN SAVE OVER $15,000 WITH AGPACK! CALL 863-588-6981 IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND OR REGISTER AT TINYURL.COM/4XTCDN59.

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Only $2980 due at lease signing. In stock units only.

10k miles per year. 25¢ thereafter. Includes rebates, lease loyalty or conquest lease. Residency restrictions may apply. State fees, tax, tag, title, doc and dealer fee additional. With approved credit through preferred lenders (Ally, Chrysler Capital, US Bank, CULA). $0 security deposit for those who qualify. 2021 Jeep GLADIATOR SPORT MSRP $37,740. 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport 4X4 4DR MSRP $34,970. 2021 RAM 1500 Big Horn Quad Cab 4X4 4DR MSRP $42,085. Offer ends 6/30/21.

GET THE RAM AGPACK! FARMERS! SAVE AN EXTRA $15,000 WITH THE RAM AG PACK. ASK US ABOUT IRS TAX DEDUCTION

Now all 3 of our RAM dealerships are AG Certified!

40 | CFAN

LW

LAKE WALES Lake Wales, One Mile South of Eagle Ridge Mall

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POSNER PARK Davenport, One Mile South of I-4 on HWY 27

863-438-3333

LakeWalesChrysler.com WHDodge.com PosnerParkChrysler.com Sale Hours: Mon-Thurs 9am-8pm, Fri-Sat 9am-6pm • Service Hours: Mon-Thurs 7am-7pm, Fri 7am-6pm, Sat 8am-4pm

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