Central Florida Ag News November 2021

www.FloridaAgNews.com

vol 12 | issue 5 | november 2021

Ag inedition Art THE BEAUTY OF BOK TOWER

INTRICATE DETAILS MAKE THE CARILLON TOWER ONE OF A KIND

FLEETING SCENE ARTIST PAINTS TO PRESERVE FLORIDA’S NATURAL BEAUTY

The Voice of Agriculture for Our Region

PLANT THIS, NOT THAT

UF/IFAS EXTENSION’S GUIDE IDENTIFIES INVASIVE PLANTS

A LEARNING PROCESS

HEMP FARMERS USE LESSONS OF PAST TO FORGE AHEAD

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CONTENTS | n o v e m b e r 2 0 2 1

Lakeland artist Daniel Butler has spent time in ditches, standing in the muck in bemired shoes, among strands of trees during humid summer days and out in open pastures amid hovering flies just to picture it right. Learn more about the Okeechobee native and noted landscape artist who has spent the past 40 years preserving Florida’s natural beauty plant by plant, lake by lake, animal by animal.

12 A LEARNING PROCESS

When then-Governor Rick Scott opened the door in 2017 for universities to cultivate hemp for research projects, he introduced a possible new avenue for Florida growers. Now, years later, growers throughout the state are testing the waters to see just how well the crop can thrive here. Fortunately for Florida farmers, the Sunshine State is well-suited to the production of hemp.

20 ‘BITTER IS BETTER’ FOR CRAFT BEER ENTHUSIASTS

If you hopped over to the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center and tasted the craft beer made from hops grown by scientists at the University of Florida, you’d notice it’s a little bitter, but researchers and brewers say that’s just what they want. UF scientists recently showed the latest research results from their hops studies. Craft beer lovers want to know about taste and aroma, and UF/IFAS researchers see an increase in alpha acid in the hops they grow. That acid indicates bitterness.

24 THE BEAUTY OF BOK TOWER

Even the drive into Bok Tower Gardens is a work of art. As the road twists and winds, the trees and landscape alternately reveal and hide the 205-foot tower in a playful, hide-and-seek fashion. The drive into the gardens creates an air of mystery, and its design was very intentional. We take a look at the intricate details that make Bok Tower such a unique piece of Florida heritage.

34 PLANT THIS, NOT THAT

Florida’s climate makes a cozy environment for a variety of plant species. The downside is that invasive and potentially destructive species often try to call Florida home, too. A new guide developed by UF/IFAS Extension Seminole County outlines which plants to avoid and which plants to embrace in a Florida landscape.

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vol 12

| issue

On the Cover

The Vo ice of Ag ricul

ture fo r Our Re gion

The Great Brass Door on THE BEA BOK TO UTY OF WER Bok Tower is divided into panels that depict the Book of FLEETING SCEN E Genesis, from the creation of light to the ousting of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. The door is just one of many intricate details that make Bok Tower such a beautiful and unique piece of Florida heritage. Read more on page 24 photo by JOE LEDUC INTRICATE CARILLO DETAILS MAKE N TOWE TH R ONE OF E A KIN

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ARTIST PA FLORIDA’ INTS TO PRESER VE S NATU RAL BEAU TY

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10 CAPTURING A FLEETING SCENE

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Departments 5 Publisher’s Letter 5 Ag Community 7 President’s Letter 9 Signs of the Season 14 Calendar 16 Angle’s Letter 22 AgriShopper

23 Ag-Rec 26 Recipe Spotlight 28 In The Heartland 29 Agri-News 31 Classifieds 36 FFA Corner 38 Editor’s Last Word

Sign up

for a FREE On-Farm Readiness Review The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR) inspections have begun. Sign up now to request a free On-Farm Readiness Review (OFRR), offered in partnership by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and University of Florida IFAS. The OFRR is an educational opportunity to help individual farms align practices with the PSR regulatory requirements in preparation for inspections.

For more information on FSMA and to sign up for an OFRR, visit FDACS.gov/FSMA or call (863) 578-1900.

To take full advantage of the OFRR and for PSR compliance, one farm representative should first attend a Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training. Upcoming trainings can be found at: crec.ifas. ufl.edu/extension/events

This publication is supported by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award U2FFD007446 totaling $1,179,719 with 100 percent funded by FDA/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by FDA/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

4 | CFAN

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PUBLISHER LETTER

Honored and Humbled A FUNNY THING HAPPENED a few weeks ago. The Florida Farm Bureau named me as Newsperson of the Year, which came as quite a surprise to me as I enter my 37th year in this business.

You see, although I did receive my degree in Journalism from UCF way (way, way) back in the day and finished nearly last in my class, I’ve never really considered myself a journalist.

I guess the reason for that is I’ve had the opportunity to work with so many incredibly gifted professionals and journalists and admired so many along the way. My favorite writers among these would be guys like the late Bill Bair of The Ledger or the late Lewis Grizzard, who wrote for the Atlanta JournalConstitution for many years.

I’ve been incredibly blessed to work with some great ones right here at Central Florida Media Group, not the least of which is our managing editor, Jessica McDonald — a

complete perfectionist especially when it comes to things like grammar and pesky little details like deadlines. I’m also fortunate to work with truly talented graphic designers, including Dawn Lewandowski and Laurie Kornilow, as well as a team of devoted contributing writers, including Teresa Schiffer, Erika Aldrich, Tim Craig, Pamela Palongue, Paul Catala, Grace Hirdes and Carol Corley. I’m sure I’ve forgotten someone, but simply put: My team is amazing.

I’m humbled to receive such an honor from the Florida Farm Bureau and thank the board of directors at the Polk County Farm Bureau for the nomination, all of our readers, the advertisers who fund Central Florida Ag News, our very talented team here at CFMG, my family and most of all the good Lord above, whom I thank all the time for my many blessings. Thanks again, and thanks for reading Ag News. ag

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

community Zooming in on agriculture in your community.

2021 Florida Farm Bureau Annual Meeting

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Polk County Farm Bureau leaders enjoyed the Florida Farm Bureau Annual Meeting.

Nelson Kirkland was named Florida Farm Bureau Newsperson of the Year.

Scarlett Jackson earned the Excellence in Agriculture award.

CFAN | 5

Columns 13 THE RIGHTS AND RITES OF PASSAGE

November is a magical time for thousands of hunters across our nation who are heading for the woods.

This is a tradition passed down from father to son for many generations. This month, be thankful for these life lessons, the memories you make with your young hunters and the Second Amendment, which provides so many blessings beyond protection.

16 SOMETHING TO BE THANKFUL FOR

Here’s a little cold storage trivia for you: It’s the lead-up to the Thanksgiving holiday: What meaty food item is occupying a lot of space in our Auburndale facility?

Turkey? No. Brisket for smoking? Still no. Ham? You’re in the right species. It’s hot dogs and hot dog buns.

20 COMBATING PREHARVEST FRUIT DROP RELATED TO CITRUS GREENING

Preharvest citrus fruit drop has been a concern for Florida citrus growers for the past few harvest years, and it’s no surprise that there is a connection to citrus greening, also known as HLB, exacerbating the problem. Griffin Fertilizer’s Mike Roberts talks about current research on how to combat it.

29 FARM TO TABLE: WHAT DOES IT REALLY MEAN?

As consumers grow more agriculturally conscious, a number of terms have sprung up to entice these wouldbe customers. One such term is “farm to table,” which is meant to imply the highest freshness in the ingredients.

Unfortunately, because such terms are unregulated, there can be some confusion, or even misuse, surrounding it. Luckily, with a bit of clarification, we can make a bit more sense of what “farm to table” is and what it isn’t.

34 EASTERN EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS CASES HIGH THIS YEAR As of November 3, the state of Florida has had 18 confirmed cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis. We discussed this topic back in January, but due to the high case numbers this year, it is worth revisiting the topic.

Usually rare, 2021 has had a relatively large number of equine cases which is concerning as this disease is often fatal. Most of the affected horses this year were either under-vaccinated or hadn’t received any vaccine against EEE.

Purchase your tickets now to win a

NEW JOHN DEERE 560E GATOR!

Proceeds from this fundraiser will benefit PCFB Ag Education and Youth activities. Tickets are $20.00 each, or 6 tickets for $100.00. The drawing will be held May 13, 2022 and you will not need to be present to win. To purchase tickets, visit the Polk County Farm Bureau website or Facebook page, or scan the QR code at right with your smartphone to go directly to the ticket purchase site. You may also call the Bartow office at 863-533-0561.

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

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Polk Polk County County Farm Farm Bureau Bureau Protecting & Promoting Protecting & Promoting Polk Agriculture since 1942 Polk Agriculture since 1942 www.pcfb.org www.pcfb.org

Phone: Phone: 863.533.0561 863.533.0561

Member Member Services Services

p r e s i d e n t ’s c o l u m n

Carole McKenzie Carole McKenzie Executive Director Executive Director

Lori Kuehl Lori Kuehl Program Coordinator Program Coordinator

2021-2022 2021-2022 Board Board of of Directors Directors

Leigh Ann Wynn Larry Black Leigh Ann Wynn Larry Black President Charles Counter President Charles Counter DeVane Michael Matteson Kenny DeVane Michael Matteson Kenny Leslie W. Dunson, III Vice-President Leslie W. Dunson, III Vice-President Dean T. Evans Dean Evans Dean T. Evans Dean Evans Ellis Hunt, Jr. Past President Ellis Hunt, Jr. Past President Scarlett Jackson Scarlett Jackson Corby Myers Jack James, Jr. Corby Myers Jack James, Jr. Treasurer Nelson Kirkland Treasurer Nelson Kirkland Lanier Christian P. Spinosa Daniel Christian P. Spinosa Daniel Lanier Ed Lassiter Secretary Ed Lassiter Secretary David Lawson, Jr. Brett Costine David Lawson, Jr. Brett Costine Kyle R. Story YF&R Chair Kyle R. Story YF&R Chair Matt Story Matt Story Scarlett Jackson John W. Strang Scarlett Jackson John W. Strang Women’s Kevin M. Updike Women’s Kevin M. Updike Committee Chair Committee Chair Keith Walter Keith Walter

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

Offi Office ce Hours Hours

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

Jimmy Jimmy Williams Williams Agency Agency Manager Manager

Bartow Bartow Offi Office ce Agents Agents Phone: 863.533.0561 Phone: 863.533.0561 James James L. L. Moser, Moser, Jr. Jr. Jimmy Jimmy Williams Williams

Haines Haines City City Offi Office ce Agent Agent 203 203 S S Dixie Dixie Drive Drive Phone: Phone: 863.421.4545 863.421.4545 Rhonda Rhonda Ambrose Ambrose Winter Winter Haven Haven Offi Office ce Agents Agents 3039 Cypress Gardens 3039 Cypress Gardens Road Road Phone: Phone: 863.299.3892 863.299.3892 Barry Barry Walker Walker Jason Jason Yates Yates

Hi! I am Leigh Ann Wynn — your new Polk County Farm Bureau president. I would like to thank past President Dean Evans for his time of service to our organization throughout the past two years. I would say you got off easy due to the pandemic, Dean, but I am sure it was actually harder to navigate! I am a lifelong Lake Wales resident, operate a cattle ranch with my husband JB, and work as Assistant Vice President of Advancement at Warner University. I look forward to meeting all of you soon.

Polk County Farm Bureau would like to congratulate Jeb Smith of St. Johns County on his election as President of Florida Farm Bureau at the recent Florida Farm Bureau Annual Meeting. Smith has served on the state board continuously since 2012 and also serves on the Putnam/St. Johns County Farm Bureau board of directors.

Six Polk County delegates attended the FFBF Annual Meeting to represent our members at the “Cultivating Tomorrow” themed event. We thank our delegates (Christian Spinosa, Scarlett Jackson, Dean Evans, Daniel Lanier, Michael Matteson, and Leigh Ann Wynn) for their participation, and we thank all of our members who make our county farm bureau such a strong organization.

Congratulations to members Scarlett Jackson and Nelson Kirkland for recognitions received at the FFBF Annual Meeting. Scarlett Jackson earned the Excellence in Agriculture award and Nelson Kirkland was recognized as the Florida Farm Bureau Newsperson of the Year.

In addition, Polk County Farm Bureau has received the following Florida Farm Bureau recognitions:

• Excellence in Legislative/Policy Implementation • Excellence in Public Relations • Excellence in Organization & Management • Excellence in Education/Agriculture Promotion • Excellence in Leadership Development

We would like to recognize your 2021-2022 Polk County Farm Bureau board officers and thank them for their service. They are: Leigh Ann Wynn, President • Michael Matteson, Vice-President Corby Myers, Treasurer • Christian Spinosa, Secretary Finally, don’t forget to celebrate Farm-City Week November 17–24. This week is designated to celebrate and recognize the beneficial partnerships between rural and urban communities that make our food supply safe and plentiful. The Polk Young Farmer and Rancher Committee is once again sponsoring a Farm-City Week Essay contest for 4-H and FFA students in grades 9–12. The winner will receive recognition in our publications and a $100 Visa gift card! Applications are due by December 17 at 5 p.m. to carolem@pcfb.org. Get the application on the Polk County Farm Bureau or Polk Young Farmer and Rancher Facebook pages, or at pcfb.org/farm-cityweek-essay-contest/ .

On behalf of the PCFB board of directors and staff, we wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Sincerely,

Calling Calling from from Lake Lake Wales Wales 863.676.3187 863.676.3187

FloridaAgNews.com

LEIGH ANN WYNN President, Polk County Farm Bureau CFAN | 7

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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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8 | CFAN

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of the SIGNS SEASON Florida Is Second-Largest Producer of Bell Peppers in U.S.

by TERESA SCHIFFER Sponsored by Farm Credit of Central Florida

IF PETER PIPER LIVED IN FLORIDA, he would love this time of year – it’s a great time to pick a peck of peppers! In fact, Florida is the second-largest producer of bell peppers in the United States. In the 2018–19 growing season alone, Florida growers harvested 11,800 acres of bell peppers. Although bell peppers can be grown throughout the year in the Sunshine State, they are a warm-season crop, and October through June is their period of peak production.

Packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber that fills you up fast, bell peppers are mostly water, so they are very low in calories. Think you know which Florida crop is highest in vitamin C? Here’s a hint – it’s not oranges! Green bell peppers have roughly twice as much vitamin C as an orange, and red bell peppers up to three times the amount.

Bell peppers are a member of the Solanaceae family and come in a variety of colors – green, yellow, orange, red, even purple, brown and white. Green peppers are by far the most common, and while some bell peppers will remain green once they are completely mature, many of the green peppers that we see are simply immature bell peppers that were harvested before they could fully ripen into their true, bold, color.

When harvested while still green, bell peppers have a slightly bitter, some say grassy, flavor profile. If allowed to ripen into a yellow or orange hue, the pepper becomes sweeter and somewhat fruity. Red bell peppers are the sweetest and most flavorful form of the peppers. Because the red pepper fruit is allowed to remain on the vine longer, it will have higher levels of various nutrients than green peppers. Red peppers contain 11 times more beta-carotene than green bell peppers, for example.

Due to their vitamin C and fiber content, bell peppers can help regulate

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blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes. The carotenoids zeaxanthin and lutein contained in bell peppers can improve eye health, and their phenolic compounds may protect against a variety of ailments, such as heart disease, fatty liver, and mental decline. These are just a few of the potential health benefits of bell peppers, as they contain an array of nutrients that can positively impact many systems within the body.

Bell peppers are originally native to Mexico, Central America and South America. They grow best in moderate temperatures and loamy soil with full sun and enough moisture. Certain areas of Florida are particularly wellsuited for growing peppers, such as Alachua, Hardee, Hillsborough, Collier, Lee, Putnam and Suwannee counties.

When growing bell peppers in home gardens, it’s a good idea to start the seeds indoors to avoid accidentally washing them away while watering the garden. Late winter and midsummer are the best times to start seeds indoors. Once they are ready to go in the ground, peppers prefer to grow in full sun and well-drained, fertile soil with a pH around 6.5. Bell peppers can be harvested about 80 to 100 days after planting the seeds, and you can choose to pick the peppers when they are green or leave them to ripen on the vine until they achieve their mature state.

Some of the varieties that grow best here in Florida are “Big Bertha,” “Red Knight,” and “California Wonder.” Bell peppers can be enjoyed raw, roasted, pickled, stewed, or frozen for future use. Any way you slice it, a bell pepper serves up plenty of tasty health benefits. ag

CFAN | 9

FEATURE | e d i t i o n

Capturing a Fleeting Scene

Lakeland Artist Daniel Butler Works to Preserve Florida’s Disappearing Natural Landscape story by PAUL CATALA photos by MICHAEL WILSON

Lakeland artist Daniel Butler works recently on a painting titled “A Cattleman’s Reminiscence.”

D

DANIEL BUTLER has spent time in ditches, standing in the muck in bemired shoes, among strands of trees during humid summer days and out in open pastures amid hovering flies just to picture it right.

Butler is an Okeechobee native and noted acrylic nature and landscape artist who has spent the past 40 years preserving Florida’s natural beauty plant by plant, lake by lake, animal by animal, stroke by stroke.

Now 56 and living in Lakeland, he has made a lifetime of nature and portrait art – Florida landscapes, forests, farmland, hunting and fishing trips and old homesteads, among others – his full-time job. He often spends up to 10 hours, seven days a week, documenting through dabs of paint a Florida rapidly disappearing underneath the bulldozers of housing subdivisions, shopping centers and golf courses.

The self-taught artist says although he often finds it disheartening to see what the state’s ex-

10 | CFAN

ploding population is doing to its natural beauty, he enjoys seeking out Florida’s diverse environments to remind people there is still much more to the state than homes, stores and theme parks.

“There’s really no such thing as seclusion anymore, but I find opportunities. I can be going down the road and see a ditch and look and there could be lilies or ducks or a waterbird and I have to pull over and take a look at that,” says Butler.

“To me, a photograph is a guide, but when you put your painting scene in your mind into the nuances, like shadows in a certain area, extreme purples, yellows, all that’s locked in the mind and it becomes alive.”

During a recent lunchtime painting session in his studio gallery in the lobby of Levy’s Im-

perial Tire & Auto Service Center in Lakeland, Butler puts touches on a current piece, an 18by-24-inch portrait of Florida palm trees. When completed, he hopes for it to become one of his commissioned works, which can sell from $1,200 to $8,000 to private collectors.

Butler says he averages six to seven works per month, and that’s a comfortable pace for his artistic output of acrylic paint works.

“I’m an impatient artist so that causes me to have the need to have something that dries rather quickly; you can get the same depth with acrylic that you can get with oil,” he says.

The skills and talents to make a living as a landscape artist, Butler credits to his father, Robert Butler, a Florida Artists Hall of Fame inductee. Robert Butler, who died in 2014, was noted as one of Florida’s premiere Highwaymen selftaught artists of the mid-1950s to the 1970s who sold their artwork on the side of the road, focusing on Florida’s natural environments.

FloridaAgNews.com

A Cattleman’s Reminiscence

Literally getting into the scene, Daniel Butler says, is what makes a painting flourish.

“If you’re going to be an artist, involve yourself in what you’re portraying on canvas. It’s okay to learn some formally, but it’s best to use your own instinct. What you’re trying to do is put a footprint down — this is me and this is what I believe in,” says Butler, who comes from a family of 11.

Although he has no formal art training, Butler says he paints through “instinctive training,” using colors to express feelings, which his father taught him. He uses that “training” outdoors, in the woods where he goes “quite a bit.” He says there are two ranches – one in Dade City in Pasco County and one in Polk City in Polk County – on which the owners have given him access to peruse the property on subject safaris.

Near Dade City, the landowner, John Taylor, makes Butler’s painting frames. On his property, he has swamps, hardwoods, palmettos, pines, hammocks and scrub sitting ready for the paintbrushes. Butler estimates he’s made at least 300 CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

Spring Dance-Osceola Turkeys FloridaAgNews.com

CFAN | 11

FEATURE | n e w f r o n t i e r

A W Learning Process

WHEN THEN-GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT opened the door in 2017 for universities to cultivate hemp for research projects, he introduced a possible new avenue for Florida growers. Now, just five years later, growers throughout the state are testing the waters to see just how well the crop can thrive here.

Florida Hemp Farmers Use Lessons of Previous Years to Forge Ahead

by TERESA SCHIFFER

Fountain of Youth CBG (cannabigerol) hemp plant 12 | CFAN

This is great news for Florida farmers because our state is well-suited to the production of hemp. In the 2018 farm bill, hemp was removed from the federal Controlled Substances Act, opening the door for legal production of the versatile crop. Florida authorized the cultivation of hemp in 2019, in accordance with federal guidelines. Throughout the state, farmers began planting hemp with various levels of success.

Since this was a new crop for Florida farmers, there were a lot of unknown factors to contend with, and a lot of trial and error to go through. The major challenges hemp growers were affected by in their debut season were primarily unseasonably wet weather and army worms. Currently, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, there are 802 approved hemp cultivation permits and

Green Point Research CEO David Hasenauer looks over plants with Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Director of Cannabis Holly Bell.

300,000 acres approved for that cultivation. Not every farmer who invested in the first wave of hemp cultivation came out of it with a profit, and many simply cut their losses and walked away.

“Farmers across the Southeast have been interested in hemp,” says Robin Pate, Chief Marketing Officer of Green Point Research. “In 2019, a lot of people grew. They didn’t necessarily have best practices because best practices weren’t established. Some of them lost a lot of money. And so in 2020, there were a lot of farmers who weren’t necessarily interested anymore. They just didn’t want to take the risk. For 2021 and 2022, we do see people continue to have an interest in farming, they’re just taking a little bit more of a cautious approach to it.”

Green Point Research is headquartered in Jasper, located in North Florida. They are vertically integrated to produce and market their hemp products all the way from the seed to the consumer’s hand. Among their various facilities throughout the area dedicated to their process is a nursery in Fort Meade that produces seed starts and clones in order to provide other Florida farmers with the best chance of success growing hemp.

Since COVID-19 has had a major impact on supply chains across industries, the ability to produce, process and market a commodity locally greatly increases the economic viability of a crop.

Green Point Research isn’t the only Florida grower taking advantage of vertical integration.

The Treadwell family has been farming in Florida for more than a century, so it is deeply familiar with the climate, growing conditions and other relevant factors when it comes to local agriculture. They have had a successful hemp harvest this year and are excited about FloridaAgNews.com

Fountain of Youth CBG (cannabigerol) hemp plant the future of hemp production in Florida.

Glen Treadwell and his daughter Jammie are thoroughly committed to the success of not just their farm, but all of the family farms and small businesses throughout the state.

Treadwell Farms worked with Sunshine Hemp as soon as legislation was passed clearing the way for hemp cultivation. Sunshine Hemp partnered with Florida A&M University to research and develop hemp strains best suited to Florida’s growing conditions.

Their pilot program has been instrumental in producing and distributing the seeds and cultivars for Florida farmers to begin successfully raising hemp.

Jammie Treadwell says of their early hemp production, “We’ve been growing hemp under our own cultivation license since May of 2020, but we also supported the pilot program in the latter part of 2019 and the spring of 2020, before the licenses were in place.”

Treadwell Farms grew hemp for Sunshine Hemp as a test crop so that it could be tested and certified for cultivation throughout the state.

Treadwell said they were pleased with this year’s most recent harvest.

“Florida farmers learned a lot last year. It led us to continue streamlining our harvesting and post-harvest activities,” she says.

“Treadwell Farms just completed our eighth harvest since we received our license in May 2020. This equates to 1,500 plants – or 750 pounds of plants. Because of being located in Florida, we can accomplish this four times per year. Our other farm partners took varying approaches to rotating hemp back into their crop schedule, as well. Overall it FloridaAgNews.com

was a better season weatherwise, and with more experience, we’re really honing in on which genetics work during each particular season. We’re able to tailor our planting schedule and timing to have the right timing for harvest and post-harvest activities.”

One thing that makes growing hemp in Florida particularly lucrative is that we have more grow time available, thanks to our subtropical climate and bountiful sunshine.

Hemp matures in just three to four months, so farmers can grow several crops each year, or they can easily rotate a hemp crop in between other plantings of seasonal fruits and vegetables for more diversity.

Another major advantage of growing hemp is found in its effects on soil. Hemp is an incredibly effective biological tool for phytoremediation. This means the plant is excellent at extracting toxic heavy metals from soil, such as selenium, lead, cadmium, and nickel, while still thriving and being practical and safe for industrial usage.

There is currently a relatively high demand for hemp products, especially CBD derivatives, so vertical integration can be a very profitable strategy for hemp growers to utilize. Like Green Point Research, Treadwell Farms also is involved in every stage of hemp production, from the certification of strains with Sunshine Hemp all the way through to marketing their own line of CBD products.

Treadwell describes their operation, “With our cultivation license, we grow multiple varieties of hemp. We grow them for ingestion, inhalation, and for topical use. Our farm is in Eustis, so we purchased a citrus processing plant in Umatilla that we’ve converted to be a hemp processing plant.”

The hemp is hand-harvested at Treadwell Farms and transported to their Umatilla facility for drying and curing. Then they manufacture their CBD products in space that was formerly used for producing orange juice. The Umatilla plant had been an underutilized resource due to citrus greening that caused a decline in orange juice production.

For years, hemp has been touted as a sort of miracle crop by a range of special-interest groups. Now that the cultivation has been legally sanctioned, Florida growers are realizing the many real benefits of this crop. ag

THE RIGHTS AND RITES OF PASSAGE NOVEMBER IS A MAGICAL TIME for thousands of hunters across our nation who are heading for the woods. They are hard to see in camouflage, as they silently climb up into their tree stands or slip into their blinds and wait for daylight. All the while praying for the “big trophy buck” to come close by for a clean shot.

This is a tradition passed down from father to son for many generations. Most families count on the venison meat to fill their freezers for meals in the coming year.

We do.

My handsome great-grandson is 9 years old. He spent two days with his father in a blind waiting for the chance to take his first buck. That was a challenge because waiting does not come easy to our family. As the last day and the last opportunity was fading away with the sunlight, suddenly a 7-point buck came into view 80 yards out. My grandson’s first shot hit the perfect spot, and the buck went down! The only problem now is his head may get too big for his hat! (Just kidding!)

Anyone who has ever experienced the thrill of a successful hunt knows the feeling. Buck Fever — not fatal, but it is catching — sweaty palms, hyperventilating, visions of grandeur! It is expensive to treat; “Buck Fever” never goes away!

This experience will be with him for the rest of his life. Skinning the deer for meals to come can, in itself, be a rite of passage. Young men mature into providers during these times, as God intended.

Justin and Easton were hunting on the same ground I hunted on as a 6-year-old with a 22 caliber rifle. The tradition continues, and we pray Easton brings his son hunting one day, too!

A skilled marksman came to my high school, with a 22 caliber rifle and wax bullets for a demonstration of his shooting expertise. He threw wooden blocks in the air and hit each one. He made a statement that never left me, “If you hunt with your children, you will never hunt for them.”

I am thankful for many things: my savior Jesus Christ, my family, being an American, and our Second Amendment. Remember our Second Amendment provides so many blessings beyond our protection.

We pray you have a blessed Thanksgiving.

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.

CFAN | 13

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2021

OCTOBER 1 – DECEMBER 12 SCOTT’S MAZE ADVENTURES 2021 Can you find your way through the amazing, giant 6.5 acre corn maze? If that’s a bit much, try the half-acre mini corn maze! There are also night mazes, a mist maze, a labyrinth, zip lining for the kids, fishing, and so much more. General admission is $15, children age 3 and under are free. Scott’s Maze Adventures is located at 26216 County Road 448A in Mount Dora. Look for us online at www. longandscottfarms.com, or call (352) 383-6900 if you have any questions.

NOV. 6 & 20, DEC. 4 & 18 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, awardwinning 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 www.lwmainstreet.com/farmers-market.

NOVEMBER 16 UF/IFAS CITRUS RESEARCH AND EDUCATION CENTER OPEN HOUSE/FIELD DAY Join us for panel discussions on tree health, interactive educational exhibits, fruit displays, field tours, and more from 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. at 700 Experiment Station Rd in Lake Alfred. You can register until November 9 online at www.crecfieldday21. eventbrite.com. For more information, please contact Jamie Burrow at (863) 956-8648 or email jdyates@ufl.edu.

NOVEMBER 13 SILVER PAWS SPCA FLORIDA AUCTION FOR ANIMALS

OCTOBER 21, 2021 – MAY 5, 2022 POLK COUNTY VISITOR CENTER FLEA AND FARMERS MARKET Every Thursday, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., the Central Florida Visitor Information Center (CFVIC) in Davenport hosts a Flea and Farmers Market.

Lots of vendors will be on hand offering fresh, local produce, beautiful arts and crafts, unique jewelry, home goods, and more. This is a great way for visitors to get a taste of genuine Florida fare while picking up discounted attraction tickets and souvenirs. CFVIC is located at 101 Adventure Court in Davenport. If you need more information or would like to become a vendor, please contact Dennis Budde at (863) 420-2586 or email Dennis@ visitcentralflorida.org.

Help raise funds to support the homeless animals of Polk County at this lovely plated dinner event.

A Silent Auction will include over 500 items to bid on, plus there will be lively music, an exciting raffle, a live auction with Marty Higgenbotham, recognition of local heroes, and plenty of surprises. Event tickets are $125 each. The good times will go from 6 – 10 p.m. at The Hilton Garden Inn, located at 3839 Don Emerson Dr in Lakeland.

To purchase tickets or a sponsorship, please go to www.spcaflorida.org/auction.

NOVEMBER 19 – 20 PLANT CITY PIG JAM You don’t want to miss this awesome Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS) sanctioned BBQ competition! Professionals and amateurs flock from all around the country to compete for $18,000 in prizes and bragging rights. There will also be live music, vendors, moon walks, and a rock climbing wall for the adventurous. Admission is free, parking is $10. Hours are 5 – 10 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday. This event will be held at Randy Larson Softball Fourplex, located at 1401 Gordon Food Service Dr in Plant City. You can find more information online at www.plantcitypigjam. com.

compiled by TERESA SCHIFFER

14 | CFAN

FloridaAgNews.com

CALENDAR

NOVEMBER 27 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 www. downtownfarmerscurbmarket.org.

DECEMBER 4 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.

FloridaAgNews.com

DECEMBER 7 HUMANE SOCIETY’S SANTA PAWS Support the Humane Society of Polk County at this festive cocktail party! One $50 admission ticket allows you entry to the event, one complimentary holiday cocktail, appetizers, five entries to the premium raffles, and enjoyment of the live band, KeySoundSoul. Kick up your heels from 6 – 9:30 p.m. at Jensen’s Corner Bar, located at 100 3rd St SW in Winter Haven. For tickets or more information, please visit www.PolkNoKill. org.

DECEMBER 11 2ND ANNUAL CLAY SHOOT BENEFITING JUNIOR LEAGUE OF GREATER WINTER HAVEN Help build better communities with the Junior League of Greater Winter Haven (JLGWH) as they serve the women, children, and families of the Greater Winter Haven area. Bust some clays along Polk Sporting Clay’s course on gorgeous Lake Pierce, at 5000 Firetower Rd in Haines City, from 9 a.m.

– 2 p.m. It’s $150 for an individual shooter, and $50 for the gun rental. For more details and registration, please visit www.jlgwh.org/clayshooting, or contact Event Chair Kaelynn Mahalak at (407) 432-6878 or email Kaelynn.Willis@gmail. com.

DECEMBER 11 FUN WITH FLOWERS Learn from the best as National Flower Show Judge, KC Jeronimo, instructs on how to create a breathtaking floral centerpiece for Christmas at this fun presentation of the Plant City Garden Club.

The $25 fee includes supplies (please bring your own clippers and scissors) plus a light lunch. This workshop will take place from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Plant City 1914 Building, 605 N Collins St in Plant City. Onsite parking is available. To reserve your spot, please send $25 to Plant City Garden Club, C/O D.D. Severson, 2889 Hammock Dr, Plant City, FL 33566. For more information, please text or call (206) 406-3034, or visit www. plantcitygardenclub.com.

CFAN | 15

SOMETHING TO BE THANKFUL FOR

HERE’S A LITTLE cold storage trivia for you: It’s the lead-up to the Thanksgiving holiday: What meaty food item is occupying a lot of space in our Auburndale facility?

Turkey? (No … I mean, let’s be honest, that wouldn’t be very “trivial,” would it?)

Brisket for smoking? That smells yummy, but no.

Ham? Well … you’re in the right species.

It’s hot dogs and hot dog buns.

Honest.

Every year, in the lead-up to the holiday season, we get large shipments of hot dogs and buns.

Many of the buns come from a local bakery and they all line the walls of the building. It’s a pretty interesting sight.

So why hot dogs at Thanksgiving? As near as I can figure, after the huge production of a Thanksgiving meal, Momma ain’t cooking anymore. At least for a few meals, the family can live off of cold leftover turkey sandwiches, or warm hot dogs on toasty buns. Toppings are up to you.

Hot dogs in November may be a little unexpected, but rolling with the unexpected is something we’ve all become experts at over the last year or so.

Supply chain problems? There are so many hiccups in the supply chain these days, it’s scary.

Yet we learn to adapt to longer wait times. We plan accordingly.

Worker recruitment and retention problems?

I believe we are getting used to seeing the “shortstaffed” signs at our favorite restaurants and other haunts. We adapt accordingly. The staffing problem has hit us as well, but our loyal, longer-term employees have adapted to keep us on schedule while maintaining the quality service our customers have come to expect. We, and our customers, plan accordingly.

So while the hot dogs signal the beginning of all the goods we will store during the holiday season and beyond, we are ready. If, because of supply chain issues, our holiday storage load is a little smaller than in years past, we are ready.

Either way, these past 18 months or so have taught us how to adapt and survive whatever comes our way.

For that, we are thankful. And we hope you can be thankful, too.

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

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

New IFAS Dean Plans to Modernize Extension DR. ANDRA JOHNSON, who started as dean of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension on Nov. 1, emphasizes that one of his chief duties is to continue to instill in our 650 agents and specialists statewide that one of their chief duties is to serve growers.

His vision for Extension also includes you, as our partners, fully participating in the search for solutions to your challenges.

Here’s why the new dean is good news for you: He’s an aggie. Dr. Johnson grew up in rural Louisiana in a family that raised black angus and Brahman cattle as well as row crops.

He knows how to repair a fence, corral cows into a catch pen and even, at least in an academic setting, artificially inseminate a heifer. He understands what happens on a ranch.

His aunt has served for more than 30 years at USDA. He has previously worked at three land-grant universities and earned three land-grant academic degrees.

Florida ag leaders supported his candidacy, including two key members of the search committee: strawberry industry leader and former Hillsborough County Farm Bureau board member Kenneth Parker as well as UF/ IFAS Extension Polk County Director Nicole Walker. Their endorsements were important factors in my decision to hire Dr. Johnson.

Other local Farm Bureau leaders participated in the virtual town halls we held to evaluate the candidates. Gulf Coast Research and Education Center Director Jack Rechcigl also visited with Johnson via Zoom and concluded he’d be good for local

Dr. Andra Johnson

agriculture.

Johnson will be thinking of you as he drinks OJ after workouts or carves into his favorite cut of beef, the T-bone. He takes his berries in smoothies. He always has lemons in his home, a sentimental homage to his grandmother who believed them to cure headaches and lower blood pressure.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 30 FloridaAgNews.com

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FloridaAgNews.com

CFAN | 17

Capturing a Fleeting Scene continued from page 11

paintings on the 2-square-mile area of that property hoping to inspire respect for Florida’s vanishing foliage and fauna.

“It’s amazing. I find kids now who were born here who have never seen an orange grove or know what an armadillo is,” he says with a chuckle.

In addition to watching his dad, Butler cites Iowa wildlife artist Maynard Reece (1920-2020) and Canadian naturalist painter Robert Bateman, born in 1930, as two sources of inspiration. He says Reece’s paintings of ducks in a flooded timber made a big impression on him as a youth; Reece won the Federal Duck Stamp competition a record five times.

“I just saw the movement that he had in his paintings. He took his time to put those large amounts of waterfowl coming into that area with such motion and detail and I began to focus on ducks,” Butler says. He was my first outside influence.”

Growing up in South Florida, Butler says he and his siblings spent time hunting, fishing, camping and hiking after school. He says the sensations of an early fog-filled walk in the woods, “listening” to the silence and “smelling the rich earthiness,” have inspired him since he was a child. Those sensations continue to influence his works and desire to artistically document the ever-dwindling natural Florida.

Butler’s paintings have made the magazine and online pages of organizations such as Ducks Unlimited, the Wild Turkey Federation, The Wounded Warrior Project and others. Besides nature, he adds that his art has given him the chance to travel and meet “the people who made Florida what it is — their customs and traditions — and preserve those on easels.”

As for his artistic future, Butler says he’ll keep painting as long as he’s able and the love is still there. He says art is more than a profession, it has become part of him.

“I say, ‘Whoever you are, it’s okay to bring that out on your canvas.’ You shouldn’t care who likes it and who doesn’t,” he says. “And if you’re going to make money at this, forget about everything around you and concentrate on what you love because sooner or later, everything has its reward.

It’s hard work but enjoy it.” ag 18 | CFAN

Florida Oranges and Osceola Turkeys

Brahman Bulls — The Beginning of Royalty FloridaAgNews.com

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For a physician referral: BayCareJointRepair.org or (844) 260-7155

FloridaAgNews.com 21-1772241-0921

CFAN | 19

FEATURE | F l o r i d a

COMBATING PREHARVEST FRUIT DROP RELATED TO CITRUS GREENING PREHARVEST CITRUS FRUIT DROP has been a concern for Florida citrus growers for the past few harvest years, and it’s no surprise that there is a connection to citrus greening, also known as HLB, exacerbating the problem. A recent article by UF/IFAS researchers shared all of the current knowledge concerning preharvest fruit drop based on recent studies, and it maintained that citrus greening-connected fruit drop can claim up to 60 percent of a crop, depending upon the severity of the disease, the tree cultivar, and other environmental factors. Unfortunately, researchers do not yet know why citrus greening increases fruit drop, but they did share all of the current knowledge to date on combating it.

‘ Bitter Is Better’ for Craft Beer Enthusiasts

Preharvest Fruit Drop Related to Citrus Greening

The bottom line of the research shows that citrus greening makes summer fruit drop worse due to limiting carbohydrate, nutrient, and water supply to the fruit, and through hormonal imbalances. Recommendations for reducing preharvest fruit drop include: Maintain a constant water supply through irrigation.

Watering once with a high volume allows water to leach away from the HLB-affected root system. Citrus growers should be watering frequently with small amounts of water so the trees get all they need.

Reduce transpiration. In hot weather, citrus trees lose water through their leaves’ pores during transpiration.

In one study, citrus greening-free trees were treated with materials such as kaolin and calcium carbonate.

The resulting improvement in water relations and photosynthesis resulted in an increase of 80 pounds or more of fruit per tree and a reduction in preharvest fruit drop.

Use plant growth regulators. Researchers maintained that tests of foliar applications of gibberellic acid on Valencia in the fall and early winter showed promising results for fruit drop in trees infected with citrus greening.

In short, researchers recommended that citrus growers pay close attention to the care of their trees and utilize an intensive nutrition and irrigation management plan during the growing season. Similarly, research into gibberellic acid is ongoing and may provide additional options for combating preharvest citrus fruit drop.

While researchers are still focused on finding a cure or treatment for citrus greening, they are also working on mitigating the effects of the disease—such as exacerbating fruit drop—to aid Florida

by MIKE ROBERTS citrus growers.

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.

20 | CFAN

UF/IFAS Researchers Try Their Hand at 22 Hops Varieties

I

by BRAD BUCK, UF/IFAS correspondent

IF YOU HOPPED OVER to the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center and tasted the craft beer made from hops grown by scientists at the University of Florida, you’d notice it’s a little bitter, but researchers and brewers say that’s just what they want.

UF scientists recently showed the latest research results from their hops studies. Craft beer lovers want to know about taste and aroma, and UF/IFAS researchers see an increase in alpha acid in the hops they grow. That acid indicates bitterness.

“Brewers need to know the alpha acid content of hops to determine how much hops to use, according to the bitterness level they like to achieve,” says Shinsuke Agehara, an assistant professor of horticultural sciences.

“Brewers also need to know the essential oil content and profile to create desirable aroma intensity and profile in the beer. Hop quality data are important for brewers to formulate a recipe, including how much hops to use, blending with other varieties of hops, boiling time and when to add hops during the brewing process.”

Zhanao Deng, a UF/IFAS professor of environmental horticulture, also tries to grow hops at the center. He has been testing 22 hops varieties in hopes they can grow in Florida.

Deng has identified new types of “Cascade” that can produce larger, heavier cones with a stronger aroma than common “Cascade,” one of the hop varieties often used by

brewers.

Brewers in the Tampa Bay region like what they taste in beer made from “Cascade” hops.

“The pale ale brewed with “Cascade” hops harvested from our hopyard has unique flavors,” says Agehara. “Typically, ‘Cascade’ is known to have a classic citrus aroma, but the beer brewed with our ‘Cascade’ had notes of cantaloupe and honeydew with a hint of ripe citrus.”

Three other varieties, “Comet,” “Nugget” and “Zeus,” have produced hop cones with higher alpha acids, higher essential oil contents, and stronger aroma. These varieties may be good candidates for further larger-scale testing, Deng says.

Florida has 368 craft breweries, and many are in the Tampa Bay region. Growing interest in craft beer spurred the Hillsborough County Economic Council to seek a partnership with the Gulf Coast REC about six years ago.

“Craft beers are well-known for their diverse styles and flavors, which is also one of the main attaributes that attract consumers,” Deng says. “Brewers commonly use multiple hop varieties to create unique beer flavors.” ag FloridaAgNews.com

Gala The

PRESENTED BY: ANONYMOUS

On behalf of the Winter Haven Hospital Foundation Board of Trustees, we would like to express our gratitude to the 2021 Gala sponsors.

Proceeds raised from the 2021 Gala will be utilized locally to establish an American Psychological Association accredited training program for Doctoral-level clinical Psychologists in Winter Haven.

Thank you again for your continued leadership and investment in this important community initiative which is of such value to Winter Haven Hospital and the patients we serve.

Platinum Sponsors

Auction Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

97 Country WPCV and Max98.3 Atlantic Payroll Partners – John & Beth Dial Central Florida Media Group Fidelity Investments Publix Super Markets Charities The Scheck/Lewis Group at Morgan Stanley Tucker Paving, Inc.

Silver Sponsors

A&E Auto Body, Inc. – Michael & Vicki Arrington Haven Magazine Cindy & Charles Henry Radiology & Imaging Specialists Today & Tonight Magazine

Bronze Sponsors

Adamson + Co., P.A. Lance & Sherry Anastasio Wesley & Ashley Barnett BayCare Health System Central Florida Development Council Don & Christine Ingram Pediatrix Medical Group SouthState Bank

Special Thanks Cindy Alexander, Vicki Arrington, Beth Dial, Christine Ingram, International Diamond Center, Obsessive Geek - Clyde Bielss, Marie Mixon, Lynn Oakley and Carylene Walker

For more information on how you can help take health care in Polk County to the next level of excellence, please call the Winter Haven Hospital Foundation at (863) 291-6732.

AGRISHOPPER SHOPPER

Create a Butterfly Oasis in Your Own Back Yard

by GRACE HIRDES

HAVE YOU EVER WANTED to create your own backyard butterfly paradise? According to University of Florida Gardening Solutions, attractive and productive as long as possible and provide food for the butterflies Florida has more than 200 species of butterflies, some of which cannot be during periods of low natural availability. found anywhere else on the planet. Creating a butterfly garden requires providing food for both the adult butterfly and the caterpillar. While 6. F LOWERS WITH DIFFERENT SHAPES The feeding behavior and proboscis length of a butterfly dictate which flowers will providing nectar for the butterfly may be easy, the caterpillars are more be visited. The University of Florida tells us that long-tubed flowers are typically difficult to provide for as they are limited to which plants they can feed more accessible to species with long proboscis, and daisy-like flowers provide a on. In order to design the perfect garden, be sure to include the following feeding platform and easy nectar accessibility for smaller species. items in your backyard.

1. A COMBINATION OF ADULT NECTAR AND LARVAL HOST PLANTS By providing this combination of plants, you’ll be able to attract a wide variety of butterfly species as well as be more likely to see all life stages of the butterfly from caterpillar to butterfly as they will remain in your garden to reproduce and build populations instead of just passing through.

2. NATIVE PLANTS Native plants are great larval host plants. You can find plants such as Milkweed at Peterson Nursery and Garden Center located at 2184 E. County Road 540A in Lakeland.

3. VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL HETEROGENEITY By incorporating plants with varying heights and growth habits you’ll create different climates that will attract a greater diversity of butterfly species, provide different shelters and create levels of feeding opportunities. You can find plants such as honeysuckle at Gonzalez Plants Nursery, located at 7031 Leisure Rd. in Haines City.

4. A WIDE VARIETY OF COLORFUL PLANTS Be sure to include plants that will bloom in a mix of yellow, orange, white and blue flowers. You can also include flowers that are red, pink and purple that you can find at K&K Nursery, located at 4005 Palow Rd. in Lakeland.

5. FLOWERS THAT BLOOM IN DIFFERENT SEASONS You can find a wide variety of flowers that will bloom at different times in the year at Bulow Nursery and Land Solutions, located at 10042 Thompson Nursery Rd. in Winter Haven. By providing these flowers, you’ll ensure that your garden remains

22 | CFAN

7. S UN-LOVING AND SHADE-LOVING PLANTS

Different varieties prefer different locations around the yard, so be sure to plant sunloving plants as well as shade-loving plants such as the cassia flowers. You can find different types of plants at Nursery Landscape & Garden Center, located at 5955 S. Florida Avenue in Lakeland.

8. PLANT GROUPINGS When you plant in groups, not only is it aesthetically pleasing, it also provides a burst of color and allows the larvae to locate additional food resources. Try covering a large area with a host plant such as Dutchman’s pipe.

9. W ATER SOURCE Butterflies not only require nectar from various plants but also a good water source such as a fountain. This will allow them easy and consistent access to water for drinking and thermoregulation.

10. NO PESTICIDES

Be sure to avoid pesticide application if possible as butterflies are very sensitive to pesticides. If you discover you have a pest problem, try treating it locally and use insects that are beneficial for your plants while being a natural enemy to your pest.

Ladybugs, birds, lizards and some mammals will help control your garden pests.

Once your garden is complete, you’ll be able to enjoy, observe, study and photograph the wildlife that will call your garden home. You’ll also be able to be a small part of conserving the surrounding habitat and provide a safe haven for butterflies and other wildlife to gather, seek shelter, get food and reproduce. These gardens also have great therapeutic benefits as you’ll be able to sit back and relax as you enjoy your getaway from everyday life. ag

FloridaAgNews.com

a d i r Flo

ag-rec e t a d Up

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

myfwc.com/news/all-news/otw-fall/

Time to Get the Kids Out Hunting NOVEMBER IS NATIONAL GRATITUDE MONTH and for hunters, there’s a lot to be thankful for. Throughout the month and especially over the Thanksgiving holiday, hunters have many choices about how to celebrate the season of plenty. Plus, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) offers special opportunities this month to introduce the next generation to hunting and conservation.

It’s all about the kids!

Make November a time to remember by taking a young person hunting.

Youth Waterfowl Hunting

If your passion is duck hunting, mark your calendar for Nov. 13, which is the FWC’s first of two Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days. The second Youth Hunting Waterfowl Day is Feb. 12, 2022.

These opportunities allow youth 15 years old and younger to hunt ducks, light geese, Canada geese, mergansers, coots and common gallinules (moorhens) while supervised by a nonhunting adult. No license or permit is required of the youth or supervising adult – but only the youth may harvest ducks. During Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days, participants may hunt on private property with landowner permission and on most water bodies that have public access (public boating landing/launch). Some public water bodies might be closed or have restrictions, so check with local law enforcement agencies or

FWC regional offices prior to hunting on public water bodies.

The FWC also has youth hunt events at T.M. Goodwin Public Small Game Hunting Area, STA1W and Guana River - Lake Ponte Vedra PSGHA. These fun, family-oriented events include raffles, free food and great waterfowl hunting. For more information on the Guana River hunt, call 904825-6877. For more information on the T.M. Goodwin and STA-1W hunts, call 321-726-2862.

To promote participation, starting in 20212022 the FWC will no longer require youth waterfowl quota permits for hunts at A-1 FEB, Guana River - Lake Ponte Vedra PSGHA, Ocklawaha Prairie, T.M. Goodwin/Broadmoor Marsh and stormwater treatment areas (STA1W, STA 2, STA 3/4, STA 5/6). Designated hunts in these areas are open to all interested youth 15 years of age and younger. Find details including hunt dates and more by reviewing specific area regulations brochures, which are available at MyFWC.com/WMAbrochures.

harvest one antlered or antlerless deer during the weekend and the deer counts toward the youth’s statewide annual bag limit. Youth are allowed to use any legal method of take for deer.

No license or permit is needed for youth hunters or accompanying adults who only supervise. An adult supervising a youth hunter or anyone 16 years of age or older who wants to hunt during this weekend must have a hunting license, deer permit and muzzleloading gun permit unless exempt. In addition, they must use either a muzzleloader, bow or crossbow and may only take antlered deer that meet the antler point regulations for the deer management unit being hunted.

The FWC hosts four Youth Deer Hunt Weekends each year that coincide with each zone’s muzzleloading gun season. These hunts are not available on WMAs. The FWC has been hosting youth and family deer hunts on WMAs for many years.

Youth Deer Hunting

Hunting small game is a good entry point for youth hunters and it’s easy for mentors because it doesn’t require a ton of preparation or gear.

There are many areas within the FWC’s WMA system where you may take a young person on a hunt for squirrel, rabbit and other small game.

Plus, many areas don’t require a quota permit to hunt small game. ag

Zone B’s Youth Deer Hunt Weekend falls on Thanksgiving holiday weekend (Nov. 27-28) and is a great opportunity for an adult to take someone who is 15 years old and younger. Don’t know where Zone B is? Visit MyFWC.com/Deer and click on “Deer Management Units (DMUs).”

Youth participating in this hunt are allowed to

Small Game Opportunities

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FEATURE | h e r i t a g e

The Beauty of Bok Tower Intricate, Carefully Planned Details Make Carillon Tower One of a Kind

E

by TIM CRAIG

EVEN THE DRIVE into Bok Tower Gardens is a work of art.

As the road twists and winds, the trees and landscape alternately reveal and hide the 205foot tower in a playful, hide-and-seek fashion.

The drive into the gardens creates an air of mystery, says Tricia Martin, director of visitor engagement, and its design was very intentional.

“The way the man-made structure and the sea of agriculture that surround it coexist was very much one of the things that Edward Bok wanted to showcase,” she says. “Together, they create an incredible work of art.”

While the gardens in their entirety showcase art in nature and agriculture — from Pinewood Estates to its diversity of native and exotic flora and fauna — it is the Singing Tower, a registered national landmark, that is the central masterpiece. Yet even this central masterpiece is a mini-gallery of art in its own right, and for guests who take the time to look and ponder, it offers its own delights.

The tower, which opened in 1929 with a ceremony featuring President Calvin Coolidge, is modeled in part after St. Rombold Cathedral of Mechelen in Belgium in a Neo-Gothic style. Architect Milton Medary used pink and gray granite from Georgia and coquina from St. Augustine to construct the tower, which sits at 51-feet square at its base and changes into an octagon just over halfway up.

The Singing Tower houses a world-class

24 | CFAN

carillon, with 60 bells ranging from 16 pounds to nearly 12 tons.

“The tower itself is an amazing and beautiful object, but it is also a very solid structure,” Martin explains. “It was built to house an incredible musical instrument, and it has withstood the test of time.”

Along with Medary, Bok worked with other top artisans of the day to imbue the tower with the artistic flourishes that reflect his philosophy on man’s place in the world.

One popular feature is The Great Brass Door and wrought iron gates on the north side of the tower. Designed by America’s premier metalworker at the time, Samuel Yellin, the bronze door is divided into panels that depict the Book of Genesis, from the creation of light to the ousting of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden.

Yellin hand-wrought the iron gates, which feature zoomorphic figures with various expressions and wings for flight.

The bronze door, with its fine details, is one of the challenges that face Bok Tower workers.

“We are still refining how we take care of the door,” explains Martin. “Some methods we were using, we found that we were polishing too much, which was affecting the details of the artwork. Now we don’t polish it as much.”

Sculptor Lee O. Lawrie, a first-generation immigrant from Germany, designed the marble sculptures that adorn the tower. ContinFloridaAgNews.com

photo by JOE LEDUC uing the theme of the balance of humanity and nature, Lawrie’s sculptures are mostly made up of American birds and plants — including eagles, doves carrying oak branches as symbols of peace, seahorses, pelicans, hares, foxes and baboons. In addition to the plants and animals, there are depictions of the Bible, Aesop’s Fables and a boy who is seen sowing seeds on one side, and feeding animals on another.

“The art of the tower truly reflects a celebration of nature and man’s place within it,” says Martin.

That theme is prevalent in the work of tilemaker J.H. Dulles Allen, who created the intriFloridaAgNews.com

cate tile grilles that decorate the opening of the bell chamber. The grilles help filter the sounds of the carillon as its music cascades through the garden. He also designed the tile floor of the Founder’s Room just inside the tower. Working with metal and tile, Allen transformed plants and animals into a distinctive piece of art. His colorful tiles are found only in the top third of the tower.

“What’s really remarkable about the tower is the coming together of all these artists, each of whom was well-known in the field and were each given incredible license to express their own vision,” Martin explains. “And yet, it comes to-

gether so seamlessly and all fits within the larger vision of what Bok Tower represents.”

Making sure that vision of man in nature stays intact represents a daunting challenge for Bok Tower Gardens, says Martin.

“I have always appreciated the bigger picture of what this place represents, of a majestic tower in the context of an agricultural landscape, which was the intention of Bok when he built it,” she says. “But as the groves shrink and we see more rooftops, we are faced with something very different from what Bok and the others who built this place intended. We need to be very proactive in preserving and protecting this experience.” ag CFAN | 25

Recipe Spotlight Bell Peppers for Dessert?

Yes, Please!

by CAROL CORLEY

W

WAY BACK in the first century, people knew the importance of making a meal attractive as a way to entice diners.

Roman epicure Gourmand Apicius was noted for his theory that “We eat first with our eyes.”

So when we look at a food like bell peppers, which come in beautiful colors from white to green to red to orange to lavender and purple, our tastes are excited.

Not only are bell peppers beautiful, but they are highly nutritious.

A single pepper is low in calories and contains 169% of the daily requirement of Vitamin C, also Vitamins B6, K1, E, A, Potassium, and folate. They also are a good source of capsanthin, violaxanthin, lutein, quercetin and luteolin.

But among all that good, there has to be a caution. Bell peppers are in the nightshade family — along with inedible plants such as tobacco and the deadly belladonna. Sometimes used as a medicine for GI issues and Parkinson’s, belladonna also had a big role in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

The bell peppers we know today add color and fun to many dishes.

To start, it is important to choose the best vegetables — I know, correctly a fruit, like tomatoes, but they are treated in cooking like a vegetable.

So what is the first dish you would like to try using this colorful produce? How about starting with dessert? ag

26 | CFAN

RED BELL PEPPER BROWNIE Ingredients Red bell peppers — four (2 pureed, 2 finely diced) Eggs, 4 Brown and white sugar, 1 cup each

(Adapted from naturefresh.ca)

Cocoa, 1-1/2 cups sifted Vanilla, pure extract, 2-1/4 teaspoons All-purpose flour, 1/2 cup sifted Salt to taste, about 1/2 teaspoon

Directions In a food processor, purée until smooth 2 bell peppers and sugars, then add eggs and purée until fluffy. Place all into a mixer, add remaining ingredients and whisk all until well blended.

Bake for 45 minutes in an oven preheated to 300F, using an 8-inch square pan prepped with cooking spray and dusted with flour. Use a toothpick in the center to check if properly cooked, and allow it to cool before cutting and removing it from the pan.

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STUFFED BELL PEPPERS Ingredients Bell peppers, 6, as many colors as you can find Ground beef, 8 ounces lean Olive oil, 5 tablespoons extra virgin Onion, 1 medium finely diced Garlic, 2 cloves chopped Roma tomatoes, 4, seeded and finely diced Zucchini, 1 medium finely chopped Salt and pepper to taste Red pepper flakes to taste, if desired Long-grain rice, 1 cup cooked Cheese of choice, 1-1/2 cups grated

(Adapted from Food Network) Directions Cut the top off peppers, remove stems, scoop out seeds and membrane, and discard. Chop tops. Put peppers upright in a baking dish small enough for them to stand without falling.

Cook beef in 2 tablespoons olive oil until beginning to brown, add salt and pepper, scoop out and place on a plate with paper towels to absorb fat. Wipe out the skillet.

Add the chopped onion and chopped pepper tops to the frying pan with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and cook until softened. Add garlic and zucchini and cook for another minute. Add tomatoes, season with salt and pepper and red pepper flakes, if desired, and cook until heated. Add beef, rice, and heat. Stir in cheese, saving 1/2 cup.

Fill peppers with mixture, top with remaining cheese, add a small amount of water to the bottom of the pan, and drizzle peppers with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.

Bake covered with foil in an oven preheated to 300F for 30 minutes.

Uncover and continue baking another 15-20 minutes until peppers are soft and cheese is slightly browned.

BELL PEPPER SAUTÉ

(Adapted from marthastewart.com)

Ingredients Bell peppers, 4, variety of colors Red onion, 1 small Olive oil 1-1/2 tablespoons extra virgin Salt and pepper to taste Flavors to taste — parsley, basil, dill as desired

Directions Remove seeds and scoop out ribs from peppers and discard. Cut peppers lengthwise into strips.

In a large non-stick skillet, heat oil over medium heat and add bell peppers and onions, season with salt and pepper, and cook stirring for about 10 minutes, or until tender. Sprinkle with flavors of choice, and serve.

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In The Heartland

Highlands County Highlands County Farm Bureau Annual Meeting October 14, 2021, Sebring

photo by KAREN CLOGSTON

photo by JENNIFER SWAIN

Farm-City Week Proclamation

C

COUNTY PRESIDENT TREVOR MURPHY, board member Mike Waldron, and Highlands County Young Farmers & Ranchers past chair Jennifer Swain attended the Highlands County Board of County Commissioners meeting on November 2 for County Commissioner Scott Kirouac’s reading of the Farm-City Week proclamation.

November 17-24 is Farm-City Week, a time to recognize and celebrate the importance of relationships between farmers, consumers, community leaders and everyone in between who contributes to our safe, abundant food supply. Florida agriculture, natural resource and food industries employ more than 2 million individuals and annually contribute $146 billion to Florida’s economy. Highlands County Farm Bureau partnered with the United Way of Central Florida this year to provide a $1,000 donation toward the End Hunger Initiative for Highlands County. Highlands County’s food insecurity rate stands at 16.6% of the current population (17,326). UWCF partners with local donors to secure funding for 72 food drops per year – two per month in Avon Park, Lake Placid and Sebring. The donation from Highlands County Farm Bureau will help to feed approximately 200 families the morning of each distribution.

28 | CFAN

Thanks to MLB pro baseball player, Dee Gordon, for donating one of his Seattle Mariners jerseys to HCFB. Jason Kopta (right) is the proud owner and poses with Don Gordon (left), cousin of Dee Gordon.

President Jeff Williams, Judy Bronson, and Danielle Daum.

Judy received a plaque for her years of service serving as District 6 representative for the women’s committee.

photos by JENNIFER SWAIN

The Mason G. Smoak Award went to Marvin Kahn. His staff accepted on his behalf.

FloridaAgNews.com

FARM TO TABLE: WHAT DOES IT REALLY MEAN?

AgriNEWS UF Study Shows Paper Bags on Peaches Help Keep Pests, Diseases Away

by BRAD BUCK, UF/IFAS correspondent

P

PEACHES ARE POPULAR, with an annual national production of about 806,000 tons. To help keep pests and diseases from damaging the fruit, growers can place bags around individual peaches, University of Florida researchers say.

David Campbell, a UF/IFAS post-doctoral researcher, led new research, funded by a U.S. Department of Agriculture Organic Research and Extension Initiative grant.

In the study, scientists from UF/IFAS put colored paper bags on individual peaches at the Plant Science Research and Education Unit in Citra and at a commercial farm in Lake County.

They found that placing water-resistant bags around peaches, leaving the bags on the fruit throughout the growing season and removing them about seven days before harvest reduced injuries from insects and pathogens for organically grown peaches.

“Our findings demonstrate that bagging can be an effective strategy in conserving quality of specialty fruit,” says Danielle Treadwell, an associate professor of horticultural sciences who supervised Campbell’s study.

Even though Florida farmers plant and

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harvest peaches in the spring, growers who want to bag their fruit should order bags now, Treadwell said. She urges interested growers to contact her at ddtreadwell@ufl.edu to learn how to get their own bags.

In peach-producing states (California, Georgia, South Carolina and Florida, among others), Florida peaches go to the market first each year. That means it’s important that the crop be as free as possible from pests and diseases, so farmers produce more, and so the fruit appeals to consumers, Treadwell says.

Growers harvest peaches as early as March in South-Central Florida, she says. In May, peaches become available from Georgia, South Carolina and California, with peak domestic production running from June through August. That makes March, April and May the peak months for Florida fresh market peaches. ag

AS CONSUMERS GROW more agriculturally conscious, a number of terms have sprung up to entice these would-be customers. One such term is “farm to table,” which is meant to imply the highest freshness in the ingredients. Unfortunately, because such terms are unregulated, there can be some confusion, or even misuse, surrounding it. Luckily, with a bit of clarification, we can make a bit more sense of what “farm to table” is and what it isn’t.

WHAT IT IS The term “farm to table,” in its purest sense, is meant to denote a lack of an intermediary, or “middle-man,” in the supply chain. “Farm to table” food should progress from the grower to the diner in as few steps as possible.

The term “farm to table” can generally be applied to food prepared in one of three settings with a fair degree of accuracy.

Food Prepared at the Farm - This is perhaps the most fitting use of “farm to table,” as the meal is served on the same premises as it was grown.

This typically takes the form of an event such as Outstanding In the Field, where chefs will prepare their dishes on the farm grounds using ingredients mostly sourced from the farm. These events also frequently include tours or other educational experiences as well.

Restaurants Partnered with a Farm - This is the most common type of “farm to table” food. In these cases, a restaurant will source one or more key ingredients for certain dishes from local farms.

This is typically a mutually beneficial relationship: the farmers have a guaranteed buyer for their product, and restaurant owners know they have quality fresh produce, and may serve in an evening something that was in the field that morning.

Farm to (Your) Table - The third form that “farm to table” takes is consumers buying produce from a Farmer”s Market or otherwise direct sourcing from a local farm. In this case, the “table” in question is that of the customer.

WHAT IT ISN’T While browsing through your local supermarket, you may run across “farm to table” products. In this case, the use of the term is inaccurate: here, the market is serving as the middle-man that “farm to table” is meant to cut out. (Note: other, similar terms, like “farm fresh,” “locally sourced,” or the state”s “Fresh from Florida” may still

by BAXTER TROUTMAN apply here.)

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.

CFAN | 29

New IFAS Dean continued from page 16

The vision he presented for modernizing Extension includes an expansion of service to production agriculture.

He wants your agent to stay your agent.

We have long had too much agent turnover.

Dr. Johnson has a vision for removing the university-based drivers of attrition. He plans to beef up support so agents are not bogged down in administrative duties instead of the programming they’d rather be doing. He’ll advocate for higher salaries to retain highperforming agents. And he’ll work to improve the promotion process that ultimately gives an agent freedom to determine in concert with stakeholders how best to serve the local community as well as job security to build years-long relationships.

He’s a triple threat. In addition to Extension

administration experience, he has taught extensively, and he has a record securing funding for research. His skillful integration of the three major land-grant mission areas bodes well for Hillsborough-Polk, which not only have two county Extension offices but three research centers (Gulf Coast REC, Citrus REC and the Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory) and an academic program in Plant City.

He intends, like I do, to visit all 67 Extension offices (I’ve visited 52 as of this writing). Please invite him to your farms as well.

Johnson has been emerging as a national leader who represents the future of Extension.

At UF/IFAS, we’re in the business of getting you to the future first, ahead of your national and global competitors.

5 Things to Know About Dr. Andra Johnson 1. He has extensive experience working with commodity associations such as Farm Bureaus, the nursery industry and cattlemen and cattlewomen.

2. He comes to us from Penn State University.

3. H e’s a Baptist pastor 4. H e’s married and has one son.

5.

He partnered with Lt. General Russel Honoré, commander of military relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina, to establish an air quality monitoring program in Louisiana. ag

With every generation, we get better at protecting our environment.

Reclamation ecologists like Ashlee work to return mined lands to productive use as wildlife habitats, public parks and more—so future generations can enjoy these lands for years to come.

30 | CFAN

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FEATURE | e d u c a t i o n

UF/IFAS Extension’s Guide Identifies Invasive Plants

by TORY MOORE, UF/IFAS correspondent

F

FLORIDA’S CLIMATE makes a cozy environment for a variety of plant species. The downside is that invasive and potentially destructive species often try to call Florida home, too. A new guide developed by UF/IFAS Extension Seminole County outlines which plants to avoid and which plants to embrace in a Florida landscape.

The annual impact of invasive plants, animals and disease to Florida’s agriculture industry is estimated at $179 million. To prevent contributing to the greater problem, homeowners, landscapers, small-scale nurseries and plant lovers should carefully select plants they purchase and install.

“Invasive plants are never the right plants,” says Tina McIntyre, UF/IFAS Extension Seminole County Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ agent.

“Ornamental plants sometimes become invasive

species in our natural lands and waterways. I spent the first ten years of my career in the field as a biologist and frequently saw this happen. Now, I educate homeowners, landscape professionals and the public about ways they can make a difference. This guide is one of those tools.”

The small, portable guide is designed for on-the-go use in the field for professionals and homeowners.

“We receive so many questions from homeowners and landscapers about invasive

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species terminology, why they matter and how they could help,” says McIntyre. “I needed a comprehensive resource for them so they could better understand that plant selection is really an issue of right plant, right place.”

Some plants are invasive and their sale in Florida is prohibited. However, many plants in Florida are invasive and still permitted for sale.

“We want people to think more critically about the plants they select for their landscapes,” says Morgan Pinkerton, UF/ IFAS Extension Seminole County agent in sustainable agriculture and food systems. “It is up to all of us to make more sustainable choices in the landscape, especially our professionals. Their choices can make impacts on an even larger scale. Avoiding invasive species, even those often still for sale, is an important step when we talk about long term FloridaAgNews.com

sustainability of our environment.”

The guide is available for purchase at the UF/IFAS Extension Bookstore. For more information on purchasing native plants, visit the Florida Association of Native Nurseries website. A list of native and Florida-Friendly plants can be found on Ask IFAS. “We want consumers to avoid plants that can be costly burdens to our economy, environment and society,” says McIntyre.

“This book is a great tool for educators and others to be sure they pick plants for their landscape that are beneficial to the world around them.”

Partners of this project include funding from Seminole County Leisure Services, contributions from Rachel Gutner and Sandy Wilson and review by Central Florida CISMA and Deah Lieurance. ag

AS OF NOVEMBER 3, 2021, the state of Florida has had 18 confirmed cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). We discussed this topic back in January, but due to the high case numbers this year, it is worth revisiting the topic. Usually rare, 2021 has had a relatively large number of equine cases which is concerning as this disease is often fatal. Most of the affected horses this year were either undervaccinated or hadn’t received any vaccine against EEE. The virus that causes EEE is transmitted via mosquito bites. All of the cases this year presented to the veterinarian with neurological signs such as depression, difficulty walking, muscle twitches, recumbency or inability to stand. More than 90% of horses with EEE die within just three days of showing signs and those that survive are left with permanent neurological issues that may be severe enough to warrant euthanasia.

If vaccinated with the complete protocol followed by the recommended boosters, your horse has less than 0.2% risk of developing this nasty disease. Appropriately vaccinated horses are also less likely to develop a severe illness than unvaccinated/under-vaccinated animals. In adult horses that have been vaccinated regularly, twice a year is appropriate. For unvaccinated adult horses, they should have 2 doses 3-4 weeks apart and then twice a year after. Foals should be vaccinated between 4-6 months with 2 doses, 4 weeks apart and then boostered at 10-12 months of age.

For more information speak with your veterinarian or check out the AAEP and EDCC factsheets. Suspected and confirmed cases of EEE must be reported to the State Veterinarian’s Office, if you have any concerns about your horse please contact your veterinarian immediately.

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.

CFAN | 35

R E N

A F F

R O C

Polk FFA Members Succeed on Multiple Fronts

O

by JESSICA ANDERSON

ON OCTOBER 14 at Lake Kissimmee State Park, FFA members and advisors gathered to compete in all things forestry. Sponsored by the Florida Forest Service, students were provided with stations that consisted of timber cruising, forest disorders, forest pests, a written exam and dendrology. The top-performing team in the high school and middle school levels advanced to the State finals in Perry. Advancing to the state event is George Jenkins High School with team members Ally Keim, Taija Santos, Madison Carlton and Charleigh Wood. The middle school team advancing to the state finals is Westwood Middle with team members Noah Kaupas, Kyle Sereno, Stefanie Lope-Negrete and Cashida Moise.

Do you believe in the future of agriculture? Polk County FFA members do! On October 19, eighth- and ninth-grade students battled to become the top FFA Creed Speaking champion for our county. Students had to recite the five-paragraph essay written by E.M. Tiffany, known as the FFA Creed, before a panel of judges. Congratulations to the following students!

In first place was Jordis Watson from Frostproof Middle/Senior FFA, and tying for second place was Clayton Keene from Lake Wales Senior FFA and Ella McConchie from George Jenkins Senior FFA. Well done!

On November 2, the first round of state preliminaries for the environmental science, citrus evaluation, vegetable evaluation, tool identification, and agricultural education career development events were held. Florida FFA requires students to compete in a virtual preliminary round to narrow the number of students and teams that will compete inperson at the state event. Many Polk County FFA members participated in these events, but only those with the top scores will move forward.

For the Food Science Career Development Event, only the top 10 middle and high teams statewide have the privilege to move to the state contest.

Bartow High School is advancing to the state contest as well as Westwood Middle! Way to go Jackets! Way to go Warriors!

The Kathleen Red Devils made their way to the state finals in the Environmental Science Career Development Event. They are one of the top 10 teams in the preliminary round, which awarded them the state finals opportunity. We are proud of your work thus far!

In the Citrus Evaluation Career Development Event, the top performing 25 teams at the high school level and the top 20 teams at the middle school level will advance to the state finals. Congratulations to the following teams headed to the state contest: Frostproof Senior, Haines City Senior, Lake Gibson Senior, George Jenkins Senior, Auburndale Senior, Kathleen Senior, Lake Wales Senior, Winter Haven Christian FFA, Mulberry Senior, Frostproof Middle, McLaughlin Middle, and Mulberry Middle. It is obvious Polk County students are well-versed in the citrus industry!!

Keep up the good work, Polk County FFA members! You make us proud!

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CFAN | 37

Editor’s Last Word

$29 Million Budget Approved for Department of Citrus JESSICA McDONALD, Editor jessica@centralfloridamediagroup.com

LATE LAST MONTH, the Florida Citrus Commission approved a revised 2021–22 operating budget of $29 million for the Florida Department of Citrus, which is in charge of marketing, research and regulation of our citrus industry.

Despite the approval, the previous year’s box assessment rates will remain unchanged at $0.12 on processed oranges, $0.05 on fresh oranges and $0.07 on grapefruit and specialty citrus.

The budget is $9.712 million higher than in 2020–21, a jump mostly attributed to an increase in general revenue funding from the state. This year, the department will receive $17.5 million in general revenue as opposed to the $5.3 million it got in 2020–21.

The department says the money will be spent mostly on marketing programs aimed at increasing orange juice consumption through online retail partners. In addition, there will be a continued push to focus on the health benefits of orange juice in “The Original Wellness Drink” campaign.

In the second half of this year alone, the FDOC has spurred $11 million in sales of orange juice, a number it hopes will reach $30 million by the end of the fiscal year.

The budget also includes: • $3.5 million in Foreign Agricultural Service Market Access Program funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to be used on international programs.

• $99,000 in Agricultural Trade Promotion funds rolled over from the previous season to be used on fresh orange programs in Canada.

• $2.5 million that will go to scientific research on the health benefits of Florida citrus as well as market research.

The approval comes in the wake of a disappointing USDA crop estimate in mid-October. That estimate predicted the 2021-2022 season to yield 47 million boxes of oranges — a steep drop from the 53.8 million picked last season. ag

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