FloridAgriculture Magazine July 2019

The Voice of Agriculture in Florida

FloridAgriculture VOLUME 79, NO. 5 • JULY 2019

A FOOD BANK PROJECT SWEET DEVELOPMENT BLOCKING INVASIVE SPECIES

FARM BUREAU TEACHER AID

www.floridagriculture.org | www.FloridaFarmBureau.org

OFFICERS

President Vice President Secretary Treasurer

John L. Hoblick Brantley Schirard Jr. Steve Johnson Rod Land DIRECTORS

District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5 District 6 District 7 District 8 District 9 District 10 District 11 District 12 District 13 District 14 District 15 District 16 District 17 District 18 District 19

Jerry Davis Jeff Pittman Henry McCrone Michael Dooner Rod Land Jon Deas Thomas Ford Ed Shadd Brad Etheridge Jeb Smith Kelly Rice J. Daniel Peterson Mark Byrd Steve Johnson Dan West Ken Harrison Mark Sodders Jacob Larson Mark Wilson

STATE WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE

Chair Vice Chair

Sarah Carte Danielle Daum

STATE YF&R LEADERSHIP GROUP

President Immed. Past Pres.

Adam Cook Andrew Taylor STAFF

Editor Communications Mgr. Communications Coord.

Communications Coord.

G.B. Crawford Rachael Smith Alex Lucas Amanda Overstreet

FLORIDAGRICULTURE (ISSN 0015-3869) is published Jan.-Feb., March, April-May, June, July, Aug.-Sept., Oct. and Nov.-Dec. for $3 per year in member dues by the Florida Farm Bureau Federation, 5700 S.W. 34th Street. Periodical postage paid at Gainesville, FL and additional mailing offices. It was established in 1943.

Copyright 2019 by the Florida Farm Bureau Federation.

Main telephone number: (352) 378-8100.

Printed by Panaprint - Macon, GA. POSTMASTER Send address changes to: FloridAgriculture, P.O. Box 147030 Gainesville, FL 32614-7030 For advertising questions, contact our Communications Coordinator by telephone at (352) 374-1535, by e-mail at amanda.overstreet@ffbf.org or by hard copy: FloridAgriculture Amanda Overstreet P.O. Box 147030 Gainesville, FL 32614-7030

CONTENTS 6

COMMUNITY CARE

8

FROM FIBER TO TABLE

10 FIGHTING THE INVASION 13 TOP GROWER

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16 CLASSROOM SUPPORT 28 CLASSIFIED ADS 29 CROSSWORD PUZZLE

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS July 8-10 UF/IFAS Applied Soil Microbiology Training, Gainesville.

For more information, visit https://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/soilmicro/.

July 12-14 FFBF Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership Conference, Daytona Beach.

To register, visit www.floridafarmbureau.org/readysetgrow/.

July 25

Sunbelt Ag Expo Field Day, Moultrie, Ga. For more information, visit https://sunbeltexpo.com/field-day/.

Cover: Florida Farm Bureau supports youth education in many ways, including a mini-grant program for classroom teachers. The grants help teachers use agricultural projects in daily instruction.

Non-member subscriptions are not available.

FLORIDAGRICULTURE | JULY 2019

3

FROM THE PRESIDENT

VOLUNTEER COMMITTEES SERVE FARM BUREAU WELL FLORIDA FARM BUREAU IS A LARGE, DYNAMIC ORGANIZATION with many

dimensions. One of those dimensions is provided by more than 200 volunteers who serve on our advisory committees.

We have a full roster of committees that offer guidance on a comprehensive range of policies and issues.

The committee titles include apiculture, aquaculture, beef, citrus, dairy, environmental horticulture, labor, equine, forestry, fruits and vegetables, peanuts and cotton and sugar.

Other committees address topics that more immediately affect all Floridians, not just farm families: taxes, natural resources and trade. Members of these committees tackle matters that involve the responsible use of public money, the improvement of communities, the economy of our state and the quality of life we all enjoy in Florida.

Committee members are nominated by local Farm Bureau leaders based upon their individual knowledge of the subject and their willingness to serve. They meet at scheduled times to

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review policies proposed by individuals and county Farm Bureaus and, after due evaluation, make their recommendations to the voting delegates at the Florida Farm Bureau Annual Meeting.

The committee system reflects our grassroots structure. Our members weigh the merits of proposals and their likely impact upon Farm Bureau families throughout the state as well as the feasibility of implementing them.

Over the years we have developed a process for refining the various proposals that emerge from grassroots committee discussions each year. The proposals are evaluated by an oversight committee of volunteers who examine them and formulate policy statements.

Voting delegates at the Florida Farm Bureau Annual Meeting decide whether to adopt each one of them or refer a topic for further consideration.

Farm Bureau policies devised in this way offer practical language with clear goals. They are the foundation of our work plan for each year.

John L. Hoblick, Florida Farm Bureau President

Policies direct everything we do. They are the marching orders for our state staff as well as our volunteers. I frequently refer to them as the 264 most important issues agriculture faces.

Of course, we cannot all agree on every one of the policies adopted. But, overall, they represent the positions most all of our members endorse.

I encourage you to take a close look at our policy book. The book is posted under Publications at www. floridafarmbureau.org.

There is something else you can do. Take time to become involved in your local county Farm Bureau.

I urge you to join your neighbors and other fellow residents in our grassroots tradition. You will be very proud of what Farm Bureau members can accomplish by working together.

COMMODITY CORNER

Florida’s Forestlands

64% of Florida’s forestlands are privately owned.

RENEWABLE RESOURCES FOR LIFE

More than 124,000 jobs depend upon forest production and related enterprise.

Florida’s forestlands support an annual economic impact of nearly $25 billion.

There are 74 wood-using mills in Florida.

Forestlands cover nearly half of Florida’s land area – more than 17 million acres.

Source: http://floridaforest.org/resources/2017-economic-impact-study/

Looking for Agricultural News?

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• Research News • Legislative and Policy Updates • Farmer Profiles • Latest Ag Apps

Sign up for a FREE SUBSCRIPTION at http://www.floridafarmbureau.org/ floridagriculture_enewsletter/

Farm Credit is the only agricultural lender that gives you money back for becoming a member. We are a cooperative, which means our borrowers are our owners and they serve on our Board of Directors.

This year, Farm Credit returned $21.7 Million in cash back to our borrower through dividend payments.

FarmCreditFlorida.com I 866.824.5626

FLORIDAGRICULTURE | JULY 2019

5

Together We Can HELP STOP HUNGER

By Amanda Overstreet, Communications Coordinator

HUNGER IS EVERYWHERE. It’s the face of your neighbor, the person behind you in church and the stranger at the bus stop. According to the United Way, more than 50,000 people are food insecure in Alachua County alone.

The Bread of the Mighty Food Bank in Gainesville strives to fight that statistic. The food bank is the only one of its kind in North Central Florida.

FFB President John L. Hoblick, left, and FFB Insurance President Steve Murray pictured with Karen Woolfstead during the first FFB milk delivery.

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Bread of the Mighty has been instrumental in providing nutrition to a five-county service area for more than 30 years. The organization is housed in a 20,000 square foot warehouse with 2,600 square feet of cooler space, a fleet of 11 trucks and vans and a one-of-a-kind showroom.

Last year the organization, with the help of volunteers, distributed more than seven million pounds of food to those in need in Alachua, Gilchrist, Levy, Dixie and Lafayette counties.

Karen Woolfstead is the director of communications and development at Bread of the Mighty

and she brings with her 30 plus years’ experience in public relations.

She followed her heart to help the hungry after nearly a fourdecade career in television. “I met Marcia Conwell, CEO and president of Bread of the Mighty, through my work at the news station,” she said.

“She opened my eyes to hunger. I had no idea the need for food is as big as it is.”

Woolfstead explained that the food is distributed through 190 agencies, 80 percent being churches and ministries, who then disperse the food to people in their communities.

“Catholic Charities, Girls Place, Grace Marketplace and Field and Fork at UF are some of our larger agencies,” she said.

Sherry Coffill is the president of Heart of a Servant Outreach Ministry in Old Town and is a non-profit agency partner of Bread of the Mighty.

Her distributions range from Taylor County all the way south into Levy County in addition to a food pantry she operates out of her home.

She provides an independent ministry with a heart of gold.

“Everybody needs to eat,” Coffill said. “That’s my drive.”

Coffill experienced a life-altering experience when she lost her daughter to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS, in 2010. The emotional and financial distraught she endured was unbearable and she found herself standing in line for food.

The memory stands idle in her mind as she lives to make sure members of her community don’t have to brave the same experience.

“I want to feed everybody,” she said.

Coffill worked closely with Bread of the Mighty in disaster relief operations during Hurricane Michael in 2018. “I delivered MREs (meals ready to eat) and pallets of water in preparation of the storm,” she said.

She also spreads her love in packing backpacks of food and water for children who are food insecure in Dixie County.

Throughout the year, Bread of the Mighty hosts’ food drives, mobile pantries and after-school feedings and provides meals to senior citizens through a partnership with the USDA known as the Commodity Supplemental Food Program.

Hunger Action Month is observed in September and Bread of the Mighty joins other food banks nationwide to

The food bank offers a one-of-a-kind showroom where foods are displayed.

Karen Woolfstead, left, and Sherry Coffill pictured at the 2019 Empty Bowls fundraising event on May 22.

spread the word about hunger and fight for a solution.

Through a program called Hunger Hero, individuals can make monetary donations and food donations towards the cause. One dollar amounts to 10 meals and 1.2 pounds of food is equal to one meal.

In its eighth year, the annual Empty Bowls fundraiser is the organization’s biggest event. Held in May at Trinity United Methodist Church, the fundraiser promotes hunger awareness and raises money to feed those in need.

“This year we raised $94,000, $28,000 more than last year,” Woolfstead said. Participants dine on a bowl of soup, fruit and bread provided by Chick-Fil-A, listen to inspirational speakers and participate in a live and a silent auction.

“We had over 450 people in attendance this year,” Woolfstead said. “Students from local schools make clay bowls for the event which guests are invited to take home as a keepsake.”

Last fall Florida Farm Bureau participated in the “Ten Gallon Challenge” which derived from a

Bread of the Mighty also offers fresh produce, dairy items, eggs and meat for those in need.

social media initiative to purchase gallons of milk for local food banks.

The FFB state office raised enough money to purchase 10 gallons of milk each week for Bread of the Mighty Food Bank for an entire year. In addition, more than 13 county Farm Bureaus participated in the challenge.

If it wasn’t for the hard work of volunteers and generous donors, Bread of the Mighty Food Bank would not be what it is today.

Mike Walsh, president of Parrish-McCall Constructors, Inc. in Gainesville, stated that his company has volunteered building services for the food bank to help out. “We provided the coordination and installation of the cooler free of charge,” he said. “It’s an important mission and I do the best I can to help them along the way.”

To learn more about Bread of the Mighty Food Bank and how you can become a Hunger Hero, visit https://www.breadofthemighty.org/ hunger-hero.html.

FLORIDAGRICULTURE | JULY 2019

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Sweet Growth JOBS AND GOODS FROM SUGARCANE FIBER

By G.B. Crawford, Director of Public Relations

Sugarcane fiber

VISITORS entering the initial processing facility at Tellus Products, LLC encounter a faint scent of damp, chipped wood.

To Matthew Hoffman, president of the company, it is the fragrance of community opportunity.

The firm has hired more than 80 employees and applied an investment of $80 million in its first 16 months of operation while holding much promise for future expansion.

Tellus (a Latin word for earth) utilizes an annually renewable material – sugarcane fiber – to produce biodegradable plates,

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bowls and takeout containers.

“We have a mission to look at food packaging, given our understanding and interest in the sugar side of the business but also, the environmental challenges surrounding plastics,” Hoffman said. “Food packaging is of great interest to us to help combat the challenge of plastics in our waterways and elsewhere.”

That mission is inscribed in the Tellus motto: “Plant, Product, Planet.” As Hoffman noted, “Farmers are at the root of it with the sugarcane plant. We innovate and create this phenomenal product that is compostable and supportive of our planet.”

Located adjacent to the mill operated by the Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida in Belle Glade, the new enterprise has access to abundant

raw fiber for making products.

Like the cooperative’s plant, the firm relies upon the same material as fuel, along with solar energy, for co-generation of electric power. This combined system substantially reduces its demand on the power grid.

To build a consumer product line, Tellus has pioneered a unique manufacturing technique.

Facilities in other countries have been transforming sugarcane pulp into various items for years.

But Hoffman and his team devised a proprietary system that avoids using a chemical and energy-intensive treatment to separate components of the fiber.

“The process that we are using is very environmentally friendly,” he said. “That was the first hurdle that we had to clear. We wanted to find an environmentally friendly The Tellus product line may expand in the future.

(PHOTO COURTESY OF TELLUS)

and responsible way to remove the lignin and hemicellulose.”

An expansive, advanced machine tool shop allows Tellus employees to design and build product-specific dies and molds.

This capability reduces costs and eliminates delays but most significantly, it gives the flexibility to make specific products designed according to customer requests.

Founded as a joint venture between the cooperative and Florida Crystals Corporation, Tellus has received enthusiastic endorsements from community leaders.

The Palm Beach County Commission has provided the company with a property tax exemption of $850,000 over the course of 10 years.

Palm Beach County Commissioner Melissa McKinlay noted that Tellus has assumed a key economic development role in the local area. “What we have been trying to do is diversify the economy of the ‘Glades community and move in manufacturing facilities,”

McKinlay said. “It builds upon what we are good at in the ‘Glades community and that’s agriculture.”

“It’s tremendously important to have that manufacturing plant,” she added. “We wish them much success and hope that we can do our part to make them successful.”

With a beginning wage of at least $15 an hour for all jobs, the company has no trouble with employee recruitment.

Mary Lou Bedford, CEO of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce, said, “Tellus is the type of success story that we are all really excited about.

It provides an economic impact for the community, jobs and an innovative product that is good for the environment, all created right here in Palm Beach County.”

Hoffman emphasized the shared opportunity the company has provided for area residents.

“We wanted to invest in this community,” he said. “Over 90% of the jobs we created are for right here in the ‘Glades.

We’re very proud of that. We will continue to grow and invest in this community.”

ABOVE LEFT TO RIGHT: Garrett Scheffer, left, product development manager, machinist Jonathan Fortin and President Matthew Hoffman pause in the machine toolmaking area; The manufacturing facility employs more than 80 workers at a minimum wage of $15 an hour.

The Tellus directors expect to add additional items in the future, including packaging for cosmetics, electronics, pharmaceuticals and the firm’s own sugarcane fiber. Each item will be a derivative of the crop grown in the surrounding area.

As the portfolio increases, so will the number of employees.

In Hoffman’s view, other rural communities have the capacity to establish manufacturing facilities that transform local farm harvests into innovative consumer items.

The Belle Glade project is a model for such a venture.

He admits that “We have a long way to go. We are pioneering a company and a culture. We have to have a relentless pursuit of excellence.

“In 10 years I hope that we can look to make an impact in other sugarcane-growing regions of the world and make things that we never dreamed about today.”

FLORIDAGRICULTURE | JULY 2019

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A giant African land snail.

INVASIVE SPECIES

Protection

By Alex Lucas, Communications Coordinator

FLORIDA’S CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENT create a diverse array of wildlife. Many species flourish here but can also become a nuisance or worse.

The scale of global trade and transportation can sometimes ferry unwanted passengers to Florida’s communities. When they arrive, the state’s quality of life and ecological systems can be placed at risk.

These invasive plants, animals and microbes can destroy food production, as well as edge out native plants and wildlife.

Trevor Smith, director of Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Division of Plant Industry (DPI), said, “On average a new invasive pest or disease is introduced in to the state twice a month.”

An example of this risk is the giant African land snail, introduced into Miami-Dade County in 2011 and considered to be one of the most damaging snails in the world.

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These pests attack more than 500 different crops, including fruits, vegetables, peanuts, avocados and ornamental plants.

The snail not only harms our state but also poses a serious health threat to humans. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these creatures can carry parasites, salmonella or encephalitis. Homeowners are victims of this pest as well, as it has a proclivity for eating stucco siding on houses.

Since 2011, Florida has spent millions of dollars on the giant African land snail eradication program. Rapid breeding makes the snails difficult to eliminate.

A single snail can deposit more than 1,000 eggs a year. However, because of diligent efforts of DPI, the end of the snail’s residency in

the Sunshine State is in sight.

“We’re on the verge of eradicating this pest for the second time since 1966,” said Smith.

DPI, as the plant-safeguarding authority of the state, has the task of identifying, tracking and eradicating invasive species once they enter the state. The agency’s staff inspects and certifies all of the state’s 15,000 plant nurseries and garden centers for pest and disease compliance.

“There are many pests and diseases in this state along with thousands of interceptions at the ports and interdiction stations. We constantly look at pathways and are pro-active in surveilling areas that are high risk,” added Smith.

The Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey or CAPS program identifies these pathways for pests and diseases and helps determine the risk for entry into the state.

This is a joint effort between DPI and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and

(PHOTOS COURTESY OF USDA/APHIS)

Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

APHIS, working with the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has primary responsibility for intercepting these many pests at Florida’s ports of entry.

“We work very closely with APHIS, unlike any other state,” said Smith, “An example of that is our collaborative work through the CAPS program. The major advantage of this federal and state partnership is the USDA is able to receive the data from the ports and we have the data from Florida, including nursery and interdiction station inspections, along with data from various surveys conducted statewide to identify what is high risk and then to inform personnel.

“They can look at interceptions at the ports to see what they need to be on the lookout for. We really cover the state and they can cover the ports to see what high risk is.

The early detection program is a great example of collaborative work.”

The APHIS inspection station at the Port of Miami is the largest of 16 processing stations in the nation.

With more than one billion plant

APHIS hosts a large taxonomic catalog of pests for identification.

units processed in the facility, it has a major responsibility to protect the state from unwanted pests and diseases.

Because of the high volume of plant material passing through the facility, it serves as a sentinel for the rest of the APHIS stations, hosting a large staff of inspectors and taxonomists for identification.

Over the last year they intercepted and identified more than 23,000 pests coming into the state.

“We have upwards of 80 to 90 percent of identifications that are completed in-house,” said Louis Volpe, APHIS Field Operations South Florida Area Director, “This applies for all Customs and Border Protection, ag produce and other traded material. It makes this a 24/7/365 day-a-year job.”

“Seaports are just one facet in a layered screening process for a variety of cargo products.

Federal agencies such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture and CBP are involved in screening cargo before it is even loaded on a container bound for the United States,” explained Doug Wheeler, President and CEO of the Florida Ports Council.

“We have a small window of opportunity for identification of

TO IDENTIFY OR REPORT AN INVASIVE ANIMAL OR PLANT, DOWNLOAD THE IVEGOT1 APP ON GOOGLE PLAY OR THE APP STORE.

pests and mitigative measures before they become a problem.

Therefore, we need the help of all of these agencies and our stakeholders for surveillance, early detection and rapid response,” said Smith.

DPI has worked on many campaigns in collaboration with other agencies, including “Don’t Pack A Pest,” to warn about the risk associated with bringing plants, freshly harvested food and other items into Florida from foreign locations.

Inspectors at APHIS investigate flagged cargo for pest and disease identification.

FLORIDAGRICULTURE | JULY 2019

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TA L L A H A S S E E R E P O R T

Effective Advocacy Begins with Connection

By Adam Basford, Director of State Legislative Affairs

W

henever I get a chance to speak in front of a group of Farm Bureau members, I try to express just how proud I am to work on their behalf in Tallahassee.

Our organization has always been an effective and respected part of the legislative process and it is a real honor to play a role in helping Florida Farm Bureau be the “Voice of Agriculture.”

Yet, as successful as Florida Farm Bureau has been through the years, future success is not guaranteed.

Florida is a rapidly changing state, and looking at the raw numbers, the voice of agriculture is shrinking. The state’s population increased by three million in the last decade and is up to 21 million. During the same period, the number of farms in the state has held steady between 47,000 and 48,000.

After each census and each redistricting process, more legislative districts are clumped into highly urban areas, leaving rural areas to be represented by fewer and fewer legislators.

As a result, we need to be more deliberate about

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“

The knowledge and relationships built at events like this are sure to benefit Farm Bureau’s ability to impact the legislative process.

”

making real connections with lawmakers.

Many county Farm Bureaus put a focus on building relationships with their local legislative delegations. In June, I attended a luncheon hosted

by Polk County Farm Bureau where most of their legislative delegation joined local elected officials and Farm Bureau members to socialize and discuss the results of the 2019 session.

Our members in Brevard, Osceola, Columbia and Orange counties all hold events where legislators come to either preview or review the session.

Several North Florida counties come together for an annual event in Mayo.

These events are fantastic opportunities for our grassroots members to connect with their elected officials, thank them

for their service and have open discussions about issues that affect agriculture and their districts.

Other counties (Hillsborough, Marion and a group of Panhandle counties come to mind) host legislative farm tours that allow legislators and staff to experience agriculture operations firsthand. The knowledge and relationships built at events like this are sure to benefit Farm Bureau’s ability to impact the legislative process.

Both of these types of events build critical connections with legislators. If you are interested in starting or improving an event in your county, please let me know, we would love to help.

The success of our organization depends on the direct involvement of our grassroots members. As the Legislature continues to turn over because of term limits and the state continues to urbanize, we must find innovative ways to make more and better connections with legislators in urban and rural areas alike.

We will continue to work with counties and members to do that.

FLORIDA FARMER OF THE YEAR IS AN INNOVATOR

By G.B. Crawford, Director of Public Relations

C

harles Obern has always been enchanted by the idea of being a farmer.

A summer job experience persuaded him to make it his career choice.

While studying at American University in Washington, D.C. he took a job at a plant nursery.

His experience there convinced him to follow his dream.

“I started to learn about plants and started growing them myself,” Obern recalled.

“My employer allowed me the opportunity to grow my own plants in the company’s second greenhouse.

“I enjoyed it so much that I worked there for minimum wage for one year before I decided to return to school to study agriculture.”

So motivated, Obern pursued and earned a degree in vegetable crop production at the University of Florida.

After graduation in 1979, he worked at various Southwest Florida farms, learning the craft of growing vegetables for commercial markets and fired with determination.

Soon he began producing vegetables on a small parcel outside of Immokalee. By 1992

he had acquired enough acreage to strike out on his own and never looked back.

Now based in Hendry County, Obern grows an impressive array of vegetables and herbs, including organic green beans, bok choy, radishes and cabbage.

Along with his sons, Charles (“Boots”) and Michael, he supplies crops and packs them according to requests from customers located along the nation’s Atlantic coast.

Retail buyers, wholesalers, re-packers and processors are among a large base of loyal customers.

Growing food with attention to conserving resources is a hallmark of the family operation.

“I have a passion for the environment and for working with many researchers,” Obern noted.

He was one of the first farmers in the region to adopt drip irrigation, slashing withdrawals from the Floridan aquifer by 80%. He also constructed a large retention area to enhance aquatic plant growth and remove nutrients from water flowing from his property.

His capable management skills are apparent in many other property improvements.

Charles Obern

“When I first purchased the farm, I planted Eucalyptus trees and sugar cane wind breaks and kept many of the natural areas around the farm fields to help shelter beneficial insects,” Obern explained.

He pioneered a composting program that utilizes yard waste and stable manure to fertilize soils, thereby reducing municipal waste.

These achievements, not to mention his business success, merit special commendation.

Charles Obern has been named the 2019 Florida Farmer of the Year.

He will compete against nine top agriculturists from other states for the title of Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year Award. An announcement of the winner will be made at the Sunbelt Ag Expo in October.

FLORIDAGRICULTURE | JULY 2019

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WA S H I N G TO N R E P O RT

Farm Bureau Fly-In Fuels Discussion

By JohnWalt Boatright, Director of National Affairs

H

istorically and overwhelmingly, research shows face-toface meetings are the most effective ways to connect with lawmakers.

Of course, engaging with lawmakers within their districts facilitates valuable interaction.

And, ideally, on-the-farm visits provide a good setting for honest and direct conversations.

Occasionally, those same voices should echo within the offices of Washington as a helpful reminder to those who work there. It is why we invest significant time and resources in our annual tradition of Field to the Hill.

So when American Farm Bureau announced an advocacy fly-in for June 10-11, 2019, our members jumped at the chance to place their priorities in front of Congressional offices once again.

The brief program spanned a day and a half. A welcome reception underscored the importance of agricultural research with speakers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Congressman Ted Yoho also addressed the group of roughly 150 participants. Congressman Yoho’s district includes one of Florida’s land-grant institutions – the University of Florida.

The next day’s agenda included issue briefings on trade,

labor and rural broadband, along with helpful advocacy tips, before marching to the Hill for meetings.

A topic foremost on the minds of our growers is the agricultural labor shortage. For several years, many Florida producers have turned to the H-2A program, an agricultural guest worker program that allows producers to utilize legal foreign labor “of a temporary or seasonal nature,” as the statute describes.

In fact, Florida growers were the leading users of the H-2A program nationwide in 2016 and 2017. Georgia producers have since overtaken our position.

The program’s rapid growth is not reflective of its ease of use, however. Using H-2A labor brings a host of mandates and bureaucratic red tape with it. The employer is obligated to assume responsibility for an artificially high wage rate, worker housing and transportation requirements and often-unpredictable delays in

processing requests for workers.

H-2A rules also do not allow year-round work through the program, which prohibits dairies, livestock operations and other farm groups from access to the program.

There were other conversations, of course, that merited lawmakers’ attention, including lingering dissatisfaction with the lack of a trade remedy for Southeastern fruit and vegetable producers.

Our Florida delegation remains committed to finding an effective and durable solution.

Expressions of gratitude were genially delivered to those policymakers who supported disaster relief for their Panhandle brethren.

We are thankful for active producer-members willing to step into their role as policy advocates, as well as members of Congress who seek to better understand Florida’s diverse and resilient agriculture.

FLORIDAGRICULTURE | JULY 2019

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A MINI-GRANT LEADS TO

Lifelong Skills

By Rachael Smith, Communications Manager

TEACHING AGRICULTURE to young students opens their minds to understanding how things grow. It gives them a look into farming and how one germinating seed turns into a vegetable served at the dinner table.

Students enjoy the outdoor benches funded by the mini-grant

School gardens are one way to deepen students’ learning. Florida Farm Bureau provides multiple $250 grants to teachers who creatively emphasize the importance of agriculture. Projects range from school gardens to a monarch butterfly life cycle to chickhatching.

Jocelyn Marabell is a fourth grade science teacher at Freedom Crossing Academy in St. Johns County. She is one of 44 recipients who was awarded an FFB $250 mini-grant.

She has a passion for teaching agriculture through hands16

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on learning. Starting a school garden gave her the opportunity to teach her students about nutrition and healthy eating.

Before receiving the mini-grant, Marabell would fund much of her own classroom projects. The grant gave her the ability to purchase garden tools and soil for raised garden beds.

She and her students grew potatoes, green beans, watermelons and sunflowers.

She says that to see the joy on the students’ faces when they started digging up white potatoes is unforgettable.

“Students took potatoes home and got to cook them with their parents and then shared their recipe with the garden club,” said Marabell.

As a science teacher, Marabell integrates the garden project into the regular curriculum by teaching about the different types of soil that plants grow in and how soil is formed.

“I teach them about plant adaptations and tropisms and tie in math skills by measuring and collecting data on the crops we grow,” added Marabell.

Second grade teacher Tracy Johnston of Thunderbolt Elementary School in Fleming Island also received a $250 minigrant. Coined the “garden lady” due to her passion for growing food, she regularly incorporates math into her school garden lesson plan.

“We hosted a Eureka Math Night in our school garden to involve parents,” said Johnston.

“They worked on measuring the perimeter of our garden beds, the height of a banana tree and

Freedom Crossing Academy students grew a healthy crop of sunflowers, tomatoes and watermelon.

lengths of our benches. It was such a fun experience for the families.”

Johnston applied her minigrant scholarship towards purchasing wooden benches and creating a botanical outdoor classroom. The classroom serves as a learning environment for other classes and clubs in the community.

Johnston says the school garden teaches students patience and that things take hard work and just don’t happen overnight. “Gardening is a great hands-on activity for all students,” she said. “It teaches lifelong skills.”

She believes that working in the garden can help change a struggling student’s attitude towards school and can build stronger relationships between teachers and students.

Johnston and her students grow as many Florida commodities as they can, arranging her lessons around what is in season by month. Her garden is home to tomatoes, peppers, green beans, pineapple,

spinach, celery, mint, radishes and an array of spices.

Students were able to taste their own school-grown oregano in the spaghetti served up by the cafeteria. “It was the best tasting spaghetti that we’ve ever had,” remarked Johnston.

In May, her students treated their moms to a special Mother’s Day oregano plant.

Johnston said that the Florida Farm Bureau mini-grant was easy to apply for and it is exciting to receive a check to help absorb the financial cost of a project that has a lifelong impact.

BELOW LEFT TO RIGHT: Thunderbolt Elementary School students couldn’t wait to eat freshly-harvested vegetables; Students practice measuring skills.

“We are creating memories and learning experiences that our students will never forget,” said Marabell. “The lessons we teach will last a lifetime.”

HOW TO APPLY In 2019, the Florida Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee distributed more than $10,000 dollars to certified Florida educators at the pre-K to 12th grade levels.

The 2019 mini-grant applications will open in August. The deadline to apply will be Oct. 1. For more information on the grants, visit https://floridafarmbureau. formstack.com/forms/grant.

FLORIDAGRICULTURE | JULY 2019

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RECOGNIZING A FARM BUREAU VOLUNTEER COMMUNICATOR

T

he voice of one Farm Bureau member can be a powerful source of inspiration and influence.

A single volunteer can help communicate the value of Florida agriculture for our society or provide hands-on learning experiences for nonfarmers.

As a way of recognizing the superb service of members who communicate with their surrounding communities, Florida Farm Bureau Federation offers a special award each year. The Volunteer Communicator of the Year award is presented to an outstanding Farm Bureau member each year at the state annual meeting.

The recipient is introduced during a general session and receives a plaque, along with a check for $500. Our award winner also receives guest lodging and meals for the day.

Help honor a genuine example of Farm Bureau’s grassroots strength. Nominate a deserving member of your county Farm Bureau for the 2019 Florida Farm Bureau Federation Volunteer Communicator of the Year award.

To submit your nomination, visit http://bit. ly/30Wl2nV. The deadline for submissions is Aug. 30.

For more information, contact G.B. Crawford at gb.crawford@ffbf.org or Rachael Smith at rachael. smith@ffbf.org.

Members of the Duval County Farm Bureau paid for shoppers’ grocery bills during a 2018 Food Check-Out Week event at the Duval Station Publix.

Columbia County Farm Bureau members recognized a young volunteer at a Farm-City Week luncheon.

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FLORIDAGRICULTURE | JULY 2019

Clay County Farm Bureau Director Josh Farley addressed the audience at a Farm-City Week luncheon last year.

District 2 Farm Bureau members gathered to support the Ronald McDonald House in Tallahassee in celebration of Food Check-Out Week.

FARM BUREAU MEMBERS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES

On May 9 Gilchrist County Farm Bureau members dedicated a flagpole and an inscribed monument to honor long-serving, retired directors of the organization. FFB President John L. Hoblick, right, joined in the celebration.

Emma Roland, center, recently won the Alachua County Farm Bureau Youth Speech Contest. She earned a certificate and a check from Winston Rushing, president of the local organization, and Women’s Committee Chair Cindy Sanders.

FFB State Director Rod Land, left, greeted state Rep. Chuck Brannan during a Farm Bureau multi-county legislative meeting in Mayo on May 20.

The Orange County Farm Bureau held its 2019 Elected Officials Luncheon at the Citrus Club in Orlando on May 21. Mayor Jerry L. Demings and members of the Orange County Board of County Commissioners joined constitutional officers and community leaders at the luncheon.

FLORIDAGRICULTURE | JULY 2019

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2019 COUNTY FARM BUREAU ANNUAL MEETINGS

AUGUST WALTON COUNTY FARM BUREAU Aug. 2 @ 6:00 p.m. CT DeFuniak Springs Community Center DeFuniak Springs, FL HOLMES COUNTY FARM BUREAU Aug. 8 @ 6:00 p.m. CT TBD Bonifay, FL WASHINGTON COUNTY FARM BUREAU Aug. 15 @ 6:oo p.m. CT Washington County Ag Center Chipley, FL UNION COUNTY FARM BUREAU Aug. 22 @ 7:00 p.m.

Hal Y. Maines Community Center Lake Butler, FL

SEPTEMBER LIBERTY COUNTY ANNUAL MEETING Sept. 5 @ 6:00 p.m.

Veterans Memorial Civic Center Bristol, FL COLUMBIA COUNTY FARM BUREAU Sept. 10 @ 7:00 p.m.

Columbia County Fairgrounds, Banquet Hall Lake City, FL

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BRADFORD COUNTY FARM BUREAU Sept. 17 @ 6:30 p.m.

Belle Oaks Barn Brooker, FL CALHOUN COUNTY FARM BUREAU Sept. 17 @ 6:00 p.m. CT W.T. Neal Civic Center Blountstown, FL CLAY COUNTY FARM BUREAU Sept. 19 @ 6:00 p.m.

Lake Asbury Jr. High School Green Cove Springs, FL PUTNAM/ST. JOHNS COUNTY FARM BUREAU Sept. 23 @ 6:00 p.m.

Putnam County Fairgrounds, Exhibit Hall Bldg.

East Palatka, FL DESOTO/CHARLOTTE COUNTY FARM BUREAU Sept. 26 @ 6:30 p.m.

Turner Agri-Civic Center Arcadia, FL GULF COUNTY FARM BUREAU Sept. 26 @ 6:00 p.m. CT Honeyville Community Center Wewahitchka, FL

FLORIDAGRICULTURE | JULY 2019

NASSAU COUNTY FARM BUREAU Sept. 26 @ 6:00 p.m.

Northeast Florida Fairgrounds, Multi-Purpose Bldg.

Callahan, FL

PASCO COUNTY FARM BUREAU Oct. 3 @ 6:00 p.m.

Pasco County Fairgrounds, Dan Cannon Auditorium Dade City, FL

PINELLAS COUNTY FARM BUREAU Sept. 26 @ 7:00 p.m.

Pinellas County IFAS Extension Office, Largo, FL

HERNANDO/ CITRUS COUNTY FARM BUREAU Oct. 8 @ 6:30 p.m.

Hernando County Fairgrounds, McKethan Auditorium Brooksville, FL

OCTOBER SUMTER COUNTY FARM BUREAU Oct. 1 @ 6:00 p.m.

West Central FL Ag Ed Center, Sumter County Fairgrounds Bushnell, FL HIGHLANDS COUNTY FARM BUREAU Oct. 3 @ 6:00 p.m.

Sebring International Raceway, Hall of Fame Bldg.

Sebring, FL HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FARM BUREAU Oct. 3 @ 6:00 p.m.

FL Strawberry Festival Fairgrounds, Charlie Grimes Ag Bldg.

Plant City, FL OKEECHOBEE COUNTY FARM BUREAU Oct. 3 @ 6:00 p.m.

Oakview Baptist Church Okeechobee, FL

POLK COUNTY FARM BUREAU Oct. 10 @ 6:00 p.m.

Stuart Center, Bartow Extension Office Bartow, FL WAKULLA COUNTY FARM BUREAU Oct. 10 @ 7:00 p.m.

Wakulla County Extension Office, Livestock Pavilion Crawfordville, FL LAKE COUNTY FARM BUREAU Oct. 21 @ 6:00 p.m.

Lake County Fairgrounds Expo Center, Eustis, FL This schedule was received as of press time. For the most current meeting schedule, visit www. floridafarmbureau.org/calendar/.

REDUCING RESIDENTIAL WATER USE

E

ban Bean and his University of Florida research colleagues are testing compost in new residential landscapes to see if it helps reduce the soil’s water needs.

His preliminary research into 30 years of weather data and soil properties from a model home site near Ocala, Florida, shows that incorporating compost should be able to save up to 25% in irrigation volume on lawns.

Bean, an assistant professor of agricultural and biological engineering at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), said soil in new developments is often from soil dug out to create storm water ponds and gets compacted when homes are built.

With compaction, you essentially squeeze or compress air out of soil, Bean said.

“As a result, it’s usually tough to try to establish a lawn, bushes and other aspects of a nice landscape,” he said. “Additionally, the lawn will likely hold very little water and will be hard for roots to penetrate.”

It can take decades for compaction and poor soil quality to improve.

“Florida doesn’t have decades to improve its soil to the point that it uses water more efficiently,”

(PHOTO COURTESY OF SCOTT BAUER, USDA/ARS)

By Brad Buck, UF/IFAS

Bean said. “It’s difficult to build all the homes needed to accommodate the influx of new residents without putting soil in peril.”

Bean and his research colleagues are conducting an experiment at On Top of the World, an active adult community near Ocala.

As part of the study, participants apply 25% less irrigation on their lawns than their neighbors, Bean said.

Just before installing landscape plants, UF/IFAS researchers spread about a 1-inch layer of compost across the soil. They then till the compost, essentially kick-starting soil development by incorporating organic matter, nutrients and microbes, while loosening the soil.

Every couple of weeks, Jovana Radovanovic, a graduate student majoring in agricultural and biological engineering, measures

Compost may help reduce water use on residential lawns.

runoff and the soil’s ability to move water in and out. She also collects samples for nutrient analysis.

In addition to the research at On Top of the World, Bean and his team are studying soil amending with composting at developments in Gainesville, Clermont and another Ocala location outside On Top of the World. They hope to expand their study areas to include Manatee and Sarasota counties, in addition to a site in the Panhandle.

When they finish, the team will analyze the benefits and risks of amending with soil compost, then make recommendations for reducing irrigation.

“If incorporating compost can also be shown to reduce runoff and nutrients, it would be a greater incentive for builders to adopt the practice and protect Florida’s water resources,” Bean said.

FLORIDAGRICULTURE | JULY 2019

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Improving Choices USDA OFFERS PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY RULE

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FLORIDAGRICULTURE | JULY 2019

(PHOTO COURTESY OF SCOTT BAUER, USDA/ARS)

T

he U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has proposed a rule titled “Movement of Certain Genetically Engineered Organisms (GE).”

Officials at the agency explained that they used the following principles to prepare the rule: Sustainable, Ecological, Consistent, Uniform, Responsible, Efficient or SECURE for short.

In their explanation they said the SECURE rule will modernize the department’s biotechnology regulations with a balanced approach that continues to protect plant health while allowing agricultural innovation to thrive.

“As the name SECURE implies, this proposed rule incorporates the need for efficient and sustainable agricultural production to help feed and clothe the world combined with responsible and predictable regulatory oversight to safeguard America’s ecology and plant health,” said USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Greg Ibach.

SECURE would mark the first significant revision of the USDA’s biotechnology regulations since they were established in 1987.

For several years, the USDA has worked to engage stakeholders about potential changes to these regulations, with the goal of fostering public confidence while providing industry with an efficient and transparent review process that does not restrict innovation.

The agency’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service oversees the importation, interstate movement and environmental release of genetically engineered organisms to ensure they do not pose a plant pest risk.

SECURE is designed to have sufficient regulatory flexibility for advances in genetic engineering and our understanding of the plant pest risk posed by them.

Tomatoes and other food crops produced with new breeding techniques can benefit both farmers and consumers.

SECURE also incorporates certain provisions of the 2008 Farm Bill and recommendations from the 2015 USDA Office of Inspector General report on GE organisms.

“SECURE would enable APHIS to evaluate GE organisms for plant pest risk with greater precision than the current rule allows, ensuring oversight and risk are based on the best available science,” said Ibach.

“This common sense approach will ultimately give farmers more choices in the field and consumers more choices at the grocery store.”

The USDA’s proposed rule will be available for public review and comments will be accepted through August 5, 2019. After the public comment period closes, officials will decide the next steps based on their evaluation of public comments.

Additionally, the USDA plans to publish a draft programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) soon and will solicit stakeholder input on that document.

The public can submit comments to: http://bit. ly/2FgJPKb.

FLORIDAGRICULTURE | JULY 2019

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A New Vision FOR ANIMAL GENOMICS

A

new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) blueprint, published in Frontiers and Genetics, will serve as a guide for research and funding in animal genomics for 2018-2027.

The blueprint will facilitate genomic solutions to enable producers to meet increasing future demands for animal products by a growing world population.

The USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and Iowa State University teamed up with federal, academic and industry scientists to publish the blueprint titled, “Genome to Phenome: Improving Animal Health, Production and Well-Being.”

The document states what needs to be accomplished over the next 10 years in terms of animal genomics programs that include internal funding at ARS and extramural funding at NIFA and other agencies, ARS National Program Leader Caird Rexroad said.

To develop the blueprint, ARS, NIFA and animal genomics experts

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FLORIDAGRICULTURE | JULY 2019

By Sandra Avant, USDA/ARS

convened a workshop, which was supported by Iowa State University through a grant from NIFA. During the workshop, experts generated new objectives for characterizing the microbiome, enhancing the use of gene editing and other biotechnologies and preserving genetic diversity. Goals in the previous plan were updated within many genome research topics.

“The blueprint identifies priorities for the kinds of research that need to be done,” Rexroad said. It describes the vision, current state of the art, the research needed to advance the field, expected deliverables and partnerships needed for each animal genomics research topic.

“With the new plan, we are able to show the return on investment in the previous decade,” Rexroad said. “We also identify knowledge gaps and account for dramatic new changes in technologies when it comes to obtaining genome and DNA sequence information.”

“In the last 10 years, we have been successful in implementing genomic technology in different

livestock,” said ARS National Program Leader Jeffrey Vallet. "The best example is the U.S. dairy cattle industry, where genomic selection has more or less doubled the rate of genetic progress. That’s our example of the return on our investment.”

The new blueprint addresses precision genomics—matching management to the genetic potential of the animal.

This effort was successful thanks to a collaborative network of scientists from ARS, landgrant universities, genetics companies, breed associations and biotechnology companies, said NIFA National Program Leader Lakshmi Matukumalli.

“This report captures both traditional and transformational technologies to address four main goals for animal production: 1) providing nutritious food for a growing human population, 2) improving sustainability of animal agriculture, 3) increasing animal fitness and improving animal welfare and 4) meeting diverse consumer needs and choices,” Matukumalli said.

LOCAL WOMEN’S COMMITTEE LAUNCHES NEW PROGRAM

T

he Dade County Farm Bureau (DCFB) Women’s Committee recently established a $1,000 “Cultivating Dreams” scholarship to provide elementary students a hands-on view of local agriculture.

Funds from the scholarship helped support a field trip for the young people. They visited Pine Island Nursery, owned by Dade County Farm Bureau President Erik Tietig, and the Robert is Here retail store, owned by DCFB Director Robert Moehling and known for its exotic fruit, local vegetables and fresh fruit milkshakes.

Staff and faculty at the UF/ IFAS Extension and Tropical Research and Education Center

Dade County Farm Bureau Women organized their first field day under the “Cultivating Dreams” program.

also participated, giving the visitors opportunities to learn about current research projects focused on Florida agriculture.

The students’ teacher, Lydia Avila, of Caribbean K-8 Center, School District 13 in Miami,

was the recipient of the newlyestablished scholarship fund.

Dade County Farm Bureau Women organized the scholarship program and the field trip as part their outreach activities.

YOUNG FARMERS AND RANCHERS PROGRAM AWARDS

T

he American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) sponsors three competitive events to provide opportunities to recognize young, outstanding farmers and ranchers.

These events include the Excellence in Agriculture Award, Discussion Meet and Achievement in Agriculture Award.

$2,000 of Stanley Black & Decker merchandise.

Fourth place finalists receive a Case IH 40” Combination Roll Cabinet and Top Chest and a $400 parts card.

To be eligible for the national competitions, Florida young farmers and ranchers must win the Florida Farm Bureau state competition.

FORD VEHICLE

STATE FINALISTS

Winners of these events receive a new Ford vehicle.

Runners-up receive a Case IH Farmall 50A tractor.

Third place finalists receive a Case IH 40” Combination Roll Cabinet and Top Chest and a $500 parts card, as well as

Finalists will be announced at the 2019 Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership Conference in Daytona Beach. These finalists will then compete for the winning state title at the Florida Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in October.

Jake and Melissa Raburn of Hillsborough County reap the benefits of winning the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2019 Excellence in Agriculture competition with their brand new Ford Expedition purchased from Jarrett Scott Ford in Plant City.

Top award recipients of each competition will advance and compete at the AFBF national competition in Austin, Texas, Jan. 17-22, 2020.

FLORIDAGRICULTURE | JULY 2019

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Dressing Up Versatile Toast

W

hile many food trends come and go, some food traits seemingly never go out of style.

Dishes that provide nutritional benefits will always be popular, along with types of foods that can be customized to match personalized preferences and tastes.

Toast is a versatile option for nearly anyone seeking a bite for breakfast, especially those eaters looking for both nutrition and flavor. Adding various

toppings to toast is a simple way to include a healthy element to your morning routine.

These recipes, for example, include Sabra Hummus as a base spread, which adds protein and fiber perfect for breakfast, brunch or a mid-morning snack.

Because of the short amounts of time spent on preparation, you can enjoy a nutritious treat even on the busiest of days.

See more recipes at https://sabra.com/.

Hummus Toast with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Parmesan

Hummus Toast with Soft-Boiled Egg and Spinach

SERVINGS: 1

SERVINGS: 1

INGREDIENTS:

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 slice whole-grain bread • 1/4 cup fresh arugula • 2-3 sun-dried tomatoes • 2 tablespoons Sabra Classic Hummus • olive oil • 2 tablespoons pine nuts • fresh Parmesan curls • salt and pepper, to taste DIRECTIONS:

• Toast the bread and set aside. Wash and pat dry arugula and set aside.

• Remove the sun-dried tomatoes from jar and lightly pat with paper towel to remove excess oil.

• Spread hummus over the toast.

• Lightly toss arugula with drizzle of olive oil, then layer it on top of the hummus. Top with sun-dried tomatoes.

Sprinkle with pine nuts and add Parmesan curls.

Add salt and pepper, to taste.

• 1 slice artisan country white bread • 1/4 cup fresh spinach, wilted • water • 1 soft-boiled egg • ice • 1 garlic clove, chopped • 1 teaspoon olive oil • 2 tablespoons Sabra Classic Hummus • red pepper flakes, for garnish • salt and pepper, to taste DIRECTIONS:

• Toast the bread and set aside. Wash the spinach and set aside.

• Fill a small saucepan with enough water to cover the egg.

Bring it to a boil, cover and reduce the heat. Cook the egg six minutes, then remove from heat and plunge into an ice bath to stop the cooking. Peel the egg and set aside.

• In a medium skillet, sauté chopped garlic in olive oil approximately three minutes. Add spinach and stir for two minutes or until the spinach begins to wilt. Remove from heat.

• Spread hummus over the toast. Add the wilted garlicspinach. Cut the egg in half and place on top of the spinach.

Sprinkle with red pepper flakes, salt and pepper.

• incorporated. Transfer the dressing to jar with tight-fitting lid and refrigerate until serving.

(Courtesy of Family Features)

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FLORIDAGRICULTURE | JULY 2019

Sweets for Summer Florida Peanut and Chocolate Cupcakes INGREDIENTS:

• • • •

1 ½ cups Florida peanuts, toasted, salted and coarsely chopped 6 ounces dark chocolate, broken into pieces 1 chocolate cake mix, store bought or homemade Chocolate frosting, store bought or homemade

DIRECTIONS:

• Coarsely chop the peanuts and set aside. Prepare the cupcake batter using the box mix instructions and fold in half of the chopped peanuts.

• Once the batter is prepared, place the cupcake liners in the cupcake pan and fill three-quarters full.

• Bake according to the cupcake batter instructions and set aside to cool completely.

• Place the chocolate pieces in an oven-safe glass bowl. Set the bowl atop a small saucepot with a half cup of simmering water to create a double boiler.

• Stir continuously until the chocolate is melted and smooth.

Carefully remove the bowl from the heat. (Caution: it will be hot).

• Frost the cooled cupcakes and sprinkle the remaining chopped peanuts on top. Drizzle with the melted chocolate and serve.

(Courtesy of Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services)

FLORIDAGRICULTURE | JULY 2019

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Pinetta, FL. $625,000 Gary Silvernell, Realtor Associate 334-355-2124 10 acres Highlands county,Lake Placid Fl. 330 ft road frontage,pole barn, fenced and pond.

120,000.00 Contact Steve Cooper at 863-441-0524 CROSBY & ASSOCIATES, INC. Real Estate Brokerage 863-293-5600 * www.crosbydirt.com FARM LEASE- OKEECHOBEE, FL- 450+/Irrigated Farmland...Total property acres are +/-640 acres. Land is irrigated via wells and a large surface water pond on the south property line. Farmland formerly used for silage corn crops, with the last crop harvested in May of 2018.. http://properties. crosbydirt.com/415655-lease HENDRY COUNTY - LABELLE, FL$525,000 Located in the eastern part of Lehigh Acres, near Labelle, this site represents an investment opportunity that can support agricultural uses as the area matures. Suitable for livestock, farming, hunting, or homesites. http://properties. crosbydirt.com/482702-sale CHARLOTTE COUNTY, PUNTA GORDA, FL- 650 Irrigated Acres $3,390,000 This Charlotte County agricultural tract is a former citrus grove with expensive irrigation infrastructure. Much of the grove has been removed and burned, allowing for quick transition to other crops, if desired. https:// crosbydirt.com/property/650-irrigatedacres-multiple-uses

Suwannee County 1.17 acres 1/1 house on the bend of the Suwannee River. Shelter with power & water hook-up for a camper. Extra shelter for boat & car storage. $139,500 Ronnie Poole, 386-208-3175 MLS#99570 Multiple Dwellings 2 2017 Big Foot Homes on 10 Acres. Steel building/fence across from Twin River Forest. $325,000 David Mincey 386-590-0157 MLS 98572 This 160 acres is great recreational property with hunting and fishing. Has 89 acres with 27-year-old slash pines.

Balance of property in hardwoods and long leaf pines. This property has merchantable timber. Property also has gentle roll with good elevations.

Build your home overlooking Crawford Lake and enjoy the view of the water and the surrounding farmland. Deer and turkey are plentiful on this parcel. $3,602.50 per acre. Ronnie Poole, 386-208-3175 MLS#96691 152 acres located in North Suwannee County. This property is fenced with pasture for the animals. Property is scattered with oaks and would make a nice homesite. $3,750 per acre.

Ronnie Poole, 386-208-3175 MLS#104390

JULY CROSSWORD Crossword ACROSS 1 Fizzy drink 5 Toned down 10 5:1, e.g.

14 Large-scale 15 Join together 16 Medic or legal starter 17 Take it easy 18 Something to recycle 20 Completely surround 22 Back out (on) 23 Rudimentary seed 24 Net-surfer's stop 25 "War of the Worlds" star 27 James Garner title role 31 Like some criticism 32 On the wagon 33 Woman with a habit 34 One who raised Cain 35 "Grab ___!"

36 Bring on board 37 Newton fruit 38 "Humble" dwelling 39 Adorable sort 40 Period of unbridled activity 42 Day spa offering 43 Fail to mention 44 Winter wear 45 Radio noise 48 Guiding light 51 Free-market proponent 53 Scrabble draw 54 Furthermore

by Margie E. Burke 1

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480 ACRES - GILCHRIST County, Motivated Seller/Bring offers.

Graze livestock in one of the many pastures, create your own hunting preserve or subdivide the land and develop your own community. Hay barn, pole barn, 2-bedroom 2-bath home, workshop, and multiple ponds are highlights of this unique Florida Property.

In the country yet within a 20-minute drive to Gainesville. $1,450,000, H. Dale Herring Keller Williams 352-356-1099, hdherring@kw.com

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Copyright 2019 by The Puzzle Syndicate

55 In need of a massage, maybe 56 Divisible by 2 57 "___ there, done that" 58 Like a beaver 59 "It's a Wonderful Life" actress Donna DOWN 1 Like the Sahara 2 Doing business 3 Talk out of 4 Protests, e.g.

5 Bodybuilder's goal 6 Quitter's cry

7 Bad thing to blow 8 Posting at JFK 9 Like the needy 10 First game of the season 11 Social outing 12 Type of race 13 After-Christmas event 19 Coin collector?

21 Football play 24 Fine fur 25 Like the needy 26 Diameter halves 27 Prone to sulking 28 Ambition 29 Vatican tribunal 30 Prepare to be dubbed

32 Young hog 35 Give up the throne 36 Shoddy goods seller 38 Fess up (to) 39 Be concerned 41 Skin soother 42 Hesitate 44 Outlaw chasers 45 Healing sign 46 Saga 47 Cathedral recess 48 Metallic sound 49 On the safe side, at sea 50 Tear 52 Pastoral setting

Solution available online at FloridAgriculture.org or in next issue.

83Acre horse farm. 4/2 home, 7 stall horse barn, pond, RV barn. $625,000 David Mincey 386-590-0157 MLS 99748 POOLE REALTY, INC 127 HOWARD STREET LIVE OAK, FL 32064 Office: 800-557-7478

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PUBLIC NOTICE BY THE FLORIDA PORK IMPROVEMENT GROUP AND THE NATIONAL PORK BOARD The election of pork producer delegate candidates for the 2019 National Pork Producers (Pork Act) Delegate Body will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday July 31, 2019. in conjunction with a Board of Directors’ meeting of the Florida Pork Improvement Group at the Florida FFA Association office, 5600 SW 34th Street, Gainesville, Florida.

All Florida pork producers are invited to attend.

Any producer 18 or older, who is a resident of the state and has paid all assessments due may be considered as a delegate candidate and/or participate in the election.

All eligible producers are encouraged to bring with them a sales receipt proving that hogs were sold in their name and the check off deducted. For more information, contact the Florida Pork Improvement Group at 352-384-2633.

FLORIDAGRICULTURE | JULY 2019

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REAL ESTATE

REAL ESTATE

N. Fla., S. Ga. 1274 acre irrigated farm, Jackson Co FL $4800/acre 200 acre Irrigated Farm/Cattle, Grady Co GA $875,00 448 acre timber, hunting tract, river Frontage $2650/acre Escambia Co FL Call Ted Knight RE Broker SLC 850-545-7243

Maury L. Carter & Associates, Inc. Licensed Real Estate Broker CONTACT Daryl Carter or John Evans 407-422-3144 - www.maurycarter.com

LONGLEAF LAND COMPANY Land for sale in Northwest Florida and South Alabama Contact Jody Jones 334.493.0123 longleaf@longleafland.com www.longleafland.com 145 Acre Sod Farm / Gadsden Co FL Zoned for 40+ houses.

120+,- Acres / Jackson Co FL - Will divide.

51 Acres / Grady Co, GA - Close to Cairo, Thomasville & Tallahassee 607 Acres / Thomas Co, Georgia 35 Acre floodable duckpond 75 Acres / Liberty Co, FL - on the Ochlockonee River. Access by way of the river D. E. BILLINGSLEY Lic Real Estate Broker AL / FL / GA / MT FL - 850.510.3309 MT - 406.203.4191 Fax - 1.866.593.0228 DE@debillingsley.com www.debillingsley.com 10 acres Highlands County, Lake Placid Fl. 330 ft road frontage, pole barn, fenced and pond. 120,000.00 Contact Steve Cooper at 863-441-0524

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HAW CREEK RANCH & TIMBERLAND, PRICE REDUCED Flagler County-1200± Acres - Located in Flagler County, Florida, Middle Haw Creek Ranch and Timberland offers a variety of uses. Whether you are an avid outdoor enthusiast, a hunter, a cattle rancher, or a timber investor, this property offers it all. The property is located near large metropolitan areas and Florida's east coast, making it easily accessible. The land can be described as "Old Florida" Pine Flatwoods with scattered cypress heads, oak hammocks and palmetto stands. This property is teeming with wildlife. Deer, turkey, hogs, and other Florida wildlife species call this property home. Hunting, fishing, camping, and other outdoor activities are readily available and ideal for this site. BRING OFFERS!!!

NOW $4200/acre or $5,040,000 WAS $5,880,000 or $4,900/acre SPRINGWATER RANCH Lake County 1,241± Acres - This property offers the comforts of the country with proximity to major cities. Springwater Ranch is located roughly an hour northwest of Downtown Orlando and is just a short twenty minute drive north of Mount Dora, FL. The ranch is mostly improved pasture and boasts gorgeous elevation changes throughout the Continued on next column...

FLORIDAGRICULTURE | JULY 2019

REAL ESTATE property. This property is a working cattle ranch but would double nicely as a sod operation. THIS WON'T LAST! ASKING PRICE: $6,205,000 or $5,000/acre LAKE HARNEY PINES PRICE REDUCED - 123+/- acresLocated SE of Lake Harney, Volusia County, FL-This 123+/- acres is perfect for timber investment, recreational uses, hunting and other outdoor activities.

Conveniently located 45 minutes from Orlando, make this your own perfect weekend getaway. The property is secluded and offers ultimate privacy. Deer and turkey are abundant. Located minutes away from the St. Johns River, which offers additional recreational boating and other opportunities. Long term timber investment opportunity.

NOW: $245,385 or $1,995/acre WAS: $367,770 or $2,990/acre.

JUNE SolutionSOLUTION to Crossword: M E S S E V I L H I L O D E U W E N C A N C H I C E T E R R E S K I L A I N O F T F A T H T R E A S I N G

C U T E A N O N P O S T M C E T E E H A R D H O R E D I R E M A S T A C E H A L O N G A T E R E V E D I N E M E N U N E R L I K E A N E W T W E N T E

S P A S M L A T H E A S T E R M A R C W I R Y R O N Y E R V E A G O E L A B R M O R E S E E D Y E R V E M E N D A R I A N A A N

LABOR HOUSING ATTENTION GROWERS Labor Housing for H2A and/or Domestic Workers available…

EXCELLENT LOCATION (Western Palm Beach County) Approx. 1 hr. drive to Boynton/Delray, Vero/Ft. Pierce and Devils Garden Full Kitchen and Mess Hall Permitted and ready for immediate occupancy Capacity: Up to 1,000 persons Contact: Chuck Royal (561) 996-6581 Ext. 113 Also additional location in Moore Haven Glades County. Call for details.

Farm families across the state conserve and protect natural resources. According to state officials, farms and ranches conserve more than 11 billion gallons of freshwater each year.

FLORIDAGRICULTURE | JULY 2019

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