FloridAgriculture Vol. 79 No. 2

The Voice of Agriculture in Florida

FloridAgriculture VOLUME 79, NO. 2 • MARCH 2019

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OFFICERS

President Vice President Secretary Treasurer

John 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.

Videographer/ Graphic Designer

G.B. Crawford Rachael Smith Alex Lucas Amanda Overstreet Corey Darnell

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 7

CLEAN WATER

8

LEARNING ABOUT AG

10 WOODLAND SUCCESS

7

12 FAMILY TRADITION 16 THE NEW COMMISSIONER 28 CLASSIFIED ADS 29 CROSSWORD PUZZLE

23

CALENDAR OF EVENTS March 5-6 Florida Farm Bureau Legislative Days, Tallahassee.

To register, visit https://floridafarmbureau.formstack.com/forms/16cca.

March 14

National Ag Day. For more information, visit https://www.agday.org/.

March 28-30 Florida Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Conference, Lake Mary.

To register, visit www.floridafarmbureau.org/wlc2019/.

Cover: Florida citrus growers expect to harvest larger volumes of fruit this year as they begin to recover from losses due to greening disease.

Non-member subscriptions are not available.

FLORIDAGRICULTURE | MARCH 2019

3

FROM THE PRESIDENT

A STEP TO END TOMATO DUMPING implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1994, Florida vegetable farmers have faced a steady onslaught from Mexican producers.

Sunshine State farmers have lost substantial portions of the U.S. winter vegetable market under the agreement.

Tomatoes are key examples.

From 2001 to 2015 imports of Mexican tomatoes more than doubled, while Florida’s market share declined by nearly half.

A large number of our tomato growers have abandoned the crop and their farm careers. This tragedy is beginning to spread beyond our state into Georgia, Alabama and North Carolina.

The Mexican practice of shipping tomatoes into the United States at prices below the cost of production to gain market share (dumping) is destroying a major part of our agricultural infrastructure.

In February U.S. Department of Commerce officials announced that the agency would soon launch an investigation into the dumping issue.

SINCE THE

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FLORIDAGRICULTURE | MARCH 2019

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) has endorsed the investigation and agreed with Florida Farm Bureau’s position that the practice must end. AFBF President Zippy Duvall recently said, “Mexican producers have found ways to exploit the agreement and increase their market share.”

Duvall explained that “North American agricultural trade has been an enormous boon for the United States, Mexico and Canada, but the United States must take action when that trade ceases to be fair.”

I am very pleased to report our national organization’s support on this problem. Florida Farm Bureau members and our staff have devoted much time and work over the years to gain AFBF’s support. I have repeatedly expressed our state’s perspective as a member of the AFBF’s Trade Advisory Committee and the AFBF’s Board of Directors.

Florida Farm Bureau members have also called for action by our national government. Most members of Florida’s Congressional delegation have offered

John L. Hoblick, Florida Farm Bureau President

their help in achieving a resolution.

The investigation may lead to a result that will eliminate the unfair advantage Mexican producers have enjoyed in the U.S. tomato market for 25 years.

On behalf of all of the fruit and vegetable farmers in the Southeast, I want to thank our federal officials for listening to us as well as for their positive response.

I sincerely appreciate the AFBF for standing by us at this crucial time.

There is still much to do.

But we have now opened a window of opportunity to construct solutions that will make sure Florida farmers and their peers across the country will not suffer from product dumping by foreign nations.

I look forward to a positive resolution of this longstanding crisis.

COMMODITY CORNER

Potatoes

Florida potatoes grow all year. They are planted in South Florida in October and continue to be planted through early March in North Florida.

ENJOY TASTY TATERS WITH ANY MEAL!

The English word “potato” is derived from the Spanish word patata.

The potato was the first vegetable to be grown in space.

One medium skin-on potato provides about half the daily adult dose of vitamin C.

Cooking a potato in its skin will retain most of its nutrients.

https://www.freshfromflorida.com

Connect With FFB’s Newsline Florida Farm Bureau’s Newsline podcasts offer news and opinion on a variety of topics.

Posted at www.floridafarmbureau.org/ newsline/, the podcasts are audio segments that feature interviews with farm leaders, university researchers and other notable sources.

In recent months our interviewees have discussed water quality issues in Florida, the Farm Bill, the North American Free Trade Agreement and major Farm Bureau events, among other matters.

Newsline, produced by Florida Farm Bureau, presents information you will want to hear.

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FLORIDAGRICULTURE | MARCH 2019

5

TOWARD A GOOD RULE FOR

Water Quality

By Charles Shinn, Director of Government and Community Affairs

O

ur beautiful state is famous for its water in many forms.

The surf along our coastlines, the lakes teeming with bass and our clear iconic springs are just some of the natural water features for which we are known.

It is little wonder that visitors flock to our waters when they come to Florida. The health of our waters are critical to our future.

In 1969, the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, Ohio caught on fire due to floating pollutants. This was one example among many that the health of our nation’s waters were rapidly declining.

For this reason, in 1972 the Congress took a bold step by passing the Clean Water Act. This act specified the federal jurisdiction of certain waters to control water pollution. It also spelled out the responsibilities of the states to address pollution in non-federal water bodies.

Since that time, numerous court cases have attempted to define the separation between federal and state authority as noted in the act. These definitions have offered conflicting interpretations of “navigable waters” and “waters of the United States” under the provisions of the act.

State agencies look to the federal government for clarity and due to confusion in rulings from the federal court over the years, it has been unclear until now.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released a new rule called Waters of the United States or Clean Water Rule. It is good for water quality because it clearly demarcates what agency is responsible for a water body.

It directs resources to projects and programs that will improve water quality instead of paying for endless litigation in the court system.

You can tell EPA officials that you want clean water and clear rules by writing to them at http://www. regulations.gov/ and saying that you support the new Waters of the United States Rule by referring to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2018-0149.

There are a lot of false claims that the new rule will weaken the Clean Water Act, but it actually does just the opposite, making transparent the authority to create and enforce regulations that address water quality.

Florida property owners, including our farmers and ranchers, need clarity to do what is right to improve our water quality. That water may fill our estuaries that are teeming with aquatic life, it may wet our toothbrush or irrigate the delicious lettuce that we will eat next week.

We want and need clean water, and this rule will help us spend our limited resources wisely for our generation and the next. This rule is good for water quality.

FLORIDAGRICULTURE | MARCH 2019

7

A New Vintage

T

By Alex Lucas, Communications Coordinator

he College of Central Florida in Ocala offers a unique and specialized program for students looking to pursue a career in agriculture. The program offers two bachelor’s degree options, two associate’s levels and three certificate options.

A place of hands-on learning.

Students completing the bachelor’s program will receive a degree in Applied Science in Business and Organizational Management and can choose either an agribusiness management or equine studies specialization.

As a college in “Horse Capital of the World,” the school offers a degree program at three levels for equine studies, one of only 8

FLORIDAGRICULTURE | MARCH 2019

two colleges that offer such a curriculum in the state.

“This program was started after conversations with the local thoroughbred industry, who felt like that they needed people with a business and sciencebased equine degree,” said Judy Downer, professor of Equine Studies.

Students at both the associate’s and bachelor’s degree levels must take internships that align with their career goals. The hands-on focus of the program is unique.

Another unique feature is Vintage Farm, a new campus that offers students experiential learning. The farm’s purpose is to provide agricultural education utilizing practical, hands-on training.

Located in the heart of Ocala, surrounded by subdivisions and only five miles away from the school’s main campus, Vintage Farm includes a diverse crosssection of Florida agriculture, growing a variety of crops.

The 103-acre farm is home to a large barn facility, which was recently outfitted to host classes and overlooks the pasture home of two horses, Dollie and Ellie.

The animals are projects and subjects for the equine students enrolled in the equine program.

The facility has been designed for teaching and production.

The commodities raised on

the property are a mix of specialty crops and a range of products grown in the area.

They demonstrate the diversity and complexity of Florida agriculture.

“The gentleman that donated the farm to us had a vision to use the farm as an educational tool, which is what we have tried to do. We have transitioned the farm to a campus and have tried to make it something that is practical for academia,” commented Rob Wolf, Dean of Business, Technology and Career and Technical Education.

The Vintage Farm campus serves as a teaching laboratory and classroom for students enrolled in the agriculture-based programs. However, the college has additional plans to enhance the campus and program by building a covered arena and moving and enlarging the greenhouse.

The farm currently boasts test tracks of various crops such as blueberries, grapes, persimmons, olives and sugarcane. It also includes working cow pens, as well as a veterinary clinic and a diagnostic lab.

In addition to the crops grown on the property, 60 acres of Vintage Farm is cattle pasture land. The program is partnering with allied professionals to add a cattle management certificate to its curriculum.

Students prepare for a variety of agriculture-related careers.

At the entrance to Vintage Farm.

“We want to teach students the proper way to do things and bring students in that are interested in a career in ag, but may not have the background and give them the tools to be successful in their career,” said Matt Albritton, Program Manager.

“The goal is to partner with those in the agricultural community and provide a curriculum to the students to have the tools and skills that fit with what these farms need,” Albritton added.

Both Albritton and Wolf commented on the need for this community to have an option for students to get an agricultural education. They see the program as something

beneficial for their community.

Students who live in the area or even in nearby counties can receive a specialized and practical education while remaining close to the family farm. All Florida residents avoid the expense of going out of state for a similar degree.

“What is unique about the program is a student can get an AS degree or get the BAS degree while also staying local. We are hoping to attract students who want to stay local and pursue an agricultural business degree,” noted Wolf.

“The farm is great because it gives you a better understanding and appreciation of agriculture.

It’s something that you can’t get from a textbook. It makes the connection that agriculture is a livelihood,” said Madison McClain, a student in the BAS program.

In both size and monetary value, Vintage Farm is the largest donation ever made to the College of Central Florida in its 60-year history.

CCF PROGRAM

BAS in Business and Organizational Management Specializations: • Agribusiness Management & Equine Studies Associate’s Degrees • AS in Agribusiness Management • AS in Equine Studies, Exercise Physiology Specialization Certificates: • Horticulture • Equine Technician • Equine Assistant Management The College of Central Florida is one of two institutions of higher learning in the state certified as a Non-Land-Grant College of Agriculture. The title, conferred by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, makes a school eligible for the agency’s grant programs. For more information, visit www.cf.edu.

FLORIDAGRICULTURE | MARCH 2019

9

Family Forestry PANHANDLE FARM IS A MODEL

P

By G.B. Crawford, Director of Public Relations

hysicians and educators counsel that early childhood experiences can profoundly influence an individual’s future life. Jon Gould carries a dominant memory from days on his family’s farm near Cape Canaveral.

There, his father, Harvey, introduced him to the labor routines associated with agriculture. “He started carrying me on his shoulders to plant trees in the citrus grove when I was eighteen months old,” Gould recalled.

The memory has given him a permanent calling. “I love everything I do in the outdoors,” he said. “Just going out in the woods and planting pine trees, trimming limbs off of trees or

10

FLORIDAGRICULTURE | MARCH 2019

conducting a prescribed burn – all of that is interesting to me.”

A career as an engineer interrupted his farm work for many years. Gould and his wife, Carol, eventually purchased a 160-acre timber tract located in Washington County from his father in 1994.

Harvey moved there in the 1960s after the federal government exercised its eminent domain power to purchase the original family property while expanding the NASA spaceflight launch facility.

Twenty-five years ago the couple hoped the Panhandle property would provide a supplemental income. Over time, as they have purchased more acreage, it has become a significant part of their livelihood.

Perhaps their most remarkable accomplishment is that they assumed the task of continually honing their skills as tree farmers.

To learn the craft, they made a commitment to join several state and national forestry associations.

They have adopted superior management practices developed by university researchers and other experts. Jon even became a Certified Prescribed Burner so that he could control undergrowth and protect against wildfire.

As small farmers, they have performed many manual tasks associated with nurturing and managing timberland.

They have planted thousands of seedlings – including longleaf pine – by hand. “I have always worked all day with Jon,” Carol said. “We leave after breakfast and stay out until dark-thirty.”

The work is constant, she recounted. “Jon opens the hole with the dibble bar. I carry the trees in a bucket and count them.

I stick the plug in the hole, Jon tamps it down and then we go to the next one.”

Like most tree farmers, they look beyond the present moment in managing their property. They always replant after harvests, conserving natural resources and safeguarding wildlife habitat as basic duties.

“You manage it for sustainable forestry,” Jon explained. “You consider the water and the wildlife as you work. You want to plant trees that are appropriate for the soil conditions and the moisture conditions. You want to improve your property where you can. If it is in great condition, you want to keep it that way.”

In addition to timber production, the farm also generates income through hunting

Jon and Carol Gould have performed much of the manual labor on their farm.

The farm provides habitat for abundant wildlife.

(PHOTOS COURTESY OF JON GOULD)

leases, which are specified for designated areas.

Visitors at the Goulds’ farm can easily view the results of skilled management. Spectacular natural areas have been preserved with care.

An impressive expanse of the farm around the old homestead is perched on a bluff above the Choctawhatchee River. It features a verdant terrain, dotted with impressive mixtures of trees and foliage, including six different varieties of pines, a spring that disappears underground and re-emerges as a stream, a rich diversity of wildlife and the flowing river below.

The Goulds host a frequent round of tours at their farm for groups ranging from schoolchildren to Boy Scout troops to public officials.

“We have tried to open up our land to other people so they can learn about the outdoors and help them become more educated on what goes on at a well-managed tree farm,” Carol said.

The couple has earned multiple awards for their successes. In 2006, for example, the Goulds were selected as the Florida Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year. Last year officials with the American Tree Farm System (ATFS), an organization of private landowners across the nation, presented them with the South Regional Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year award.

These honors are bestowed upon recipients who have made exceptional achievements in both managing timber acreage and promoting sustainable forestry practices.

The 2018 award marked the first time a Floridian has won

the prestigious regional title since 1976.

Mike Branch, director of operations and regulatory affairs at the Florida Forestry Association, described the Goulds’ property as “a great tree farm.”

“They have done an outstanding job,” Branch said. “It is well managed for wildlife habitat.”

ATFS director Chris Erwin noted that they “are not only good stewards of the land, but they also go over and above in their work to promote stewardship.”

“The Goulds are really passionate about good forest management,” Erwin added.

Prescribed burning protects against wildfire.

“They give back to the community. They are just great people.”

Although much appreciated, national recognition is not the couple’s goal. A memory from Jon’s childhood has inspired them to cultivate a natural resource jewel. The couple intends for their children to maintain that living family heritage as well as its contributions toward the sustainability of the region surrounding it.

“We have already set up the structure for a transfer,” Jon said.

“We want this farm to stay in the family.”

FLORIDAGRICULTURE | MARCH 2019

11

Christian Spinosa and his wife, Sarah, among citrus that was picked at Putnam Groves.

Good management has raised harvest expectations.

A CITRUS GROWER’S

Perspective

C

By Corey Darnell, Videographer and Graphic Designer

hristian Spinosa, a south Florida native, is a fifth generation farmer in Polk County.

His family’s farm, Putnam Groves, includes pastures for beef cattle and citrus groves and he is the vice president of the operation.

The citrus operation boxes thousands of oranges every year from the combined 1,000 acres of citrus in Bartow and Lake Wales and they are sold to Florida’s Natural to be processed into orange juice.“We are fortunate to have a contract with Florida’s Natural where all of our acreage is contracted and sold every year.” Spinosa said.

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FLORIDAGRICULTURE | MARCH 2019

This family farm operation began when Spinosa’s great-greatgrandfather purchased property in the area during the 1920s.

After the U.S. economy crashed with the Great Depression, the family decided to use the land for agriculture purposes and the first citrus tree was planted.

Spinosa has been a Florida Farm Bureau member throughout his entire life. His parents have been members for as long as he can remember. The day he turned 18, he signed up for his own membership and became active in the Young Farmers and Ranchers program at the county level.

He was selected to serve on the State Young Farmers and

Ranchers Leadership Group for a two-year term in 2014 and was elected by his classmates as the president. This opportunity also gave Spinosa the chance to hold a seat on Florida Farm Bureau State Board of Directors.

“Florida Farm Bureau provides unique opportunities for those involved” said Spinosa. He also mentioned that Florida Farm Bureau is truly the voice of agriculture and one of the ways they recognize members is through the County Alliance for Responsible Environmental Stewardship (CARES) program.

In 2014, Putnam Groves was honored with a CARES award.

The CARES award designates

Citrus is loaded for processing at the Florida’s Natural plant.

A moisture meter monitors water levels in the soil.

the successful implementation of best management practices (BMPs). BMPs are actions that farmers and ranchers take to protect the environment and manage their land to ensure they are conserving the land.

The award comes with a “This Farm CARES” sign that the family proudly displays by their citrus groves in Bartow.

“Seeing a ‘This Farm CARES’ sign on the side of the road is great for both producers and consumers,” he says. “CARES has an enormous impact on Florida agriculture and it is an honor to be recognized as a steward.”

Spinosa says his role is to continue protecting the land so that it can continue to give back for generations to come.

“Farm Bureau advocates in support of its members and fights issues affecting agriculture all across the state.”

Spinosa is passionate about marketing Florida citrus.

Growers and processors are

Sliced citrus fresh from the groves to be tested.

recovering and returning to a “new normal” after citrus greening overwhelmed many groves around Central and South Florida.

In his view, citrus greening is not as big of problem as it was a few years ago because of management techniques now available. The real upcoming problem is the marketing. After

“Farm Bureau advocates in support of its members and fights issues affecting agriculture all across the state.”

all the citrus is grown and picked in Florida, where is it going to go?

Spinosa says that in the near future growers will be producing a steady volume of citrus in the state, but not everyone is contracted to processing plants like Florida’s Natural. Those without contracts are dependent on marketing programs to continue moving Florida citrus on the cash market.

One thing Spinosa says helps the marketing of Florida Citrus is continuing to increase awareness of the health benefits increasing the awareness of the health benefits related to drinking a glass of orange juice.

After all, nothing beats starting the day with a fresh glass of Florida orange juice.

TRUE FLORIDA Agriculture FLORIDAGRICULTURE | MARCH 2019

13

MAKING HOLIDAY MAGIC IN THE

The Panhandle

A

By Cindy Sanders and Marilyn Shaw, Alachua County Farm Bureau

fter Hurricane Michael struck the Panhandle, the Alachua County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee participated in raising funds for families in the area.

With special help from committee member Marilyn Shaw, the group partnered with Cross Roads Baptist Church in Cottondale (located in Jackson County) for the project.

The Women collected over $2,100 for families. They purchased toys, books, clothing,

A project by Alachua County Farm Bureau Women and their partners provided Christmas joy to Panhandle families still recovering from Hurricane Michael.

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FLORIDAGRICULTURE FLORIDAGRICULTURE || MARCH MARCH 2019 2019

blankets and more, using the funds and donations that materialized once the project was launched.

On the Saturday before Christmas, when the recipients arrived at the church to pick up their “angel gifts,” they were overwhelmed to find huge bags and boxes filled with a range of presents for each child in the family, along with enough food to prepare a full Christmas dinner and then some.

Coordinating the project were the pastor of Cross Roads, Rev. David Taylor, and his wife, Sheila, an Alachua County native and former student of Shaw’s.

“We thought we were only going to be able to meet a few kids’ needs,” Shelia Taylor said. “But God knew better. If you had told me we could send gifts to over 100 kids, I would never have believed you. But it happened.

“The Farm Bureau Women’s group was the source of the seed money and publicizing their efforts and support drew others to donate and multiply the resources.”

In addition to the Women’s efforts, the generosity of local Girl Scout Troop 76, the Central Florida Jeep Response Team, Archer Automotive, First Baptist Church of Youngsville, Louisiana, and anonymous donors helped transform a holiday that was destined to be a continuation of “life after Michael.”

Many families were still without electricity, a few still lived in tents and all were struggling mightily. A common theme on distribution day was that these families celebrated Christmas with unexpected hope and at least temporary relief.

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

LEGISLATIVE AGENDA INCLUDES MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

F

By Adam Basford, Director of State Legislative Affairs

lorida Farm Bureau’s legislative team is looking forward to working with newlyelected Gov. Ron DeSantis, Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried, new leaders in the House and Senate and several new faces in the Legislature.

As we begin the 2019 legislative session with hundreds of Farm Bureau members from across the state at the Capitol for Legislative Days, we aim to keep the “Voice of Agriculture” strong in Tallahassee.

Florida Farm Bureau will offer solutions to many of the state’s most pressing and important issues, including everything from the environment to Hurricane Michael recovery and a few things in between.

Gov. DeSantis, Commissioner Fried and the Legislature have made it clear that water and environmental concerns will be a focus of the 2019 legislative session.

Florida’s environmental and water issues are no secret, with debates over blue-green algae and red tide taking center stage during campaign season in the summer and fall of 2018.

Florida Farm Bureau is committed to ensuring that funding and environmental policy solutions are directed to science-based measures that directly have a positive impact on water quality and quantity.

Specifically, Farm Bureau will look to support adequate funding for the Office of Agricultural Water Policy in the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), appropriate funding for water storage and treatment on public lands north of Lake Okeechobee and research funding and implementable solutions to mitigate blue-green algae and red tide, as well as costshare programs for septic-tosewer conversions in strategic locations.

Another legislative priority will be to help our family farms that were impacted

by Hurricane Michael. The storm devastated the Florida Panhandle, causing more than $1.5 billion in damage to agriculture in the region.

Florida Farm Bureau will promote policies and support funding that will help producers and growers in the area recover, rebuild and replant, including possible sales tax exemptions,

reforestation funding, debris removal and cost-share funding for Best Management Practices to help replace damaged irrigation systems.

We will support legislation aimed at strengthening and protecting the state’s Constitution. Farm Bureau will support revisions that include increasing the threshold to pass an amendment from 60 percent to 66 percent, eliminating the Constitution Revision Commission and limiting all constitutional amendments to a single-subject requirement.

Legislation already filed would require all businesses to use the flawed federal E-Verify employment system for new hires. Florida Farm Bureau will work with a coalition of agricultural, business, hospitality and tourism groups to defeat this proposal.

Our organization remains committed to working with Congress to find a federal solution to our country’s immigration challenges.

Finally, as this organization does each year, Farm Bureau will also work to support the budget requests of FDACS and the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

FLORIDAGRICULTURE | MARCH 2019

15

A PASSION FOR

M

By Rachael Smith, Communications Manager

eet Nicole “Nikki” Fried— Florida’s first elected woman Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services. She was born and raised in Miami, removed from the farm. But she is fully prepared to take on the challenge of heading one of the state’s highest ranking government agencies.

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FLORIDAGRICULTURE | MARCH 2019

Fried is one of 13 women who head state agriculture departments across the United States, with seven women newlyelected this year.

She is motivated by the amount of young women in farming communities across Florida and hopes to use her position to inspire them to step into agriculturerelated leadership roles.

“I have a real opportunity to break glass ceilings,” said Fried.

“Showing young women that you can do whatever you want in this world is something that I take very seriously.”

The Commissioner heads the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACs), a cluster of divisions and/or agencies that establishes rules for the state’s animal, aquaculture, forestry and produce businesses. It provides marketing support for the state’s

agribusiness and oversees emergency preparedness and law enforcement efforts.

In addition to serving agriculture, the Commissioner provides resources on everything from consumer fraud to energy-efficient living tips and concealed weapon licensing to identity theft.

Fried got the taste for politics at an early age when she was student body president at the University of Florida. “I knew then that I wanted to step up and make a difference,” she said.

Fried says that her various past experiences working as a public defender, government consultant and advocating for public education more than prepared her for the Commissioner of Agriculture position.

“With all the issues that are going on in food and security in our state, we have to make sure we prepare our agricultural communities for the changing economy and changing environment,” said Fried. “This means preparing agriculture on how to remain competitive and successful.”

Agriculture and related enterprises contribute $137 billion to the state’s economy and provide more than two million jobs. Fried wants to make sure that the 2nd largest economic driver in the state remains strong and innovative.

Fried is creating an agricultural innovation committee to address new and changing technologies in agriculture. She says that young farmers and ranchers need a forward-thinking

approach to ensure that they can remain competitive now and in the future. “Being able to hold onto their land so that they can pass it on to the next generation is critical to the livelihood of agriculture,” stressed Fried.

Keeping up with changing technologies and offering alternative crops such as industrial hemp are priorities for Fried. She wants Florida to be the gold standard and national leader on hemp.

A newly appointed Director of Cannabis, Holly Bell, will specifically address the rulemaking process for growing hemp in the Sunshine State. Bell will coordinate a series of workshops statewide to include both the business and farming community.

Fried wants to be part of the conversation on educating consumers on where their food comes from. “So much of Florida is urban and residents don’t understand that we have such a vibrant farming and ranching community in our state,” said Fried.

“People want to know where their fresh produce comes from. It’s about connecting those dots and helping people understand that it’s our local farmers who grow the food.”

The Commissioner will use her position to amplify the message that farmers and ranchers are excellent stewards of the land and waterways.

“Food and food safety is such a huge priority,” she said. “We need to promote that and look at ways to incorporate more of our “Fresh From Florida” produce into our communities.”

The FDAC’s “Fresh From Florida” agricultural marketing program promotes an array of fresh products produced by Florida

President Hoblick welcomes Commissioner Fried.

farmers and ranchers. With Florida agriculture exporting more than $4 billion in agriculture products to 164 countries, Fried wants families worldwide to appreciate the bounty of fresh produce offered year-round in the Sunshine State.

She will work towards bridging the gap between the farming and business communities. She wants to see more “Fresh From Florida” products offered at area restaurants and grocery stores, and Florida popcorn sold at ballpark concession stands and movie theaters.

“We are in this together,” said Fried. “Ag is the livelihood of our state and I am your champion to help educate Floridians on the story of agriculture.”

TOP AGRICULTURAL PRIORITIES:

• • • • • • • •

Cleaner Waters Accountability on Weapons Licensing Expanding Patient Access to Medical Marijuana Consumer Services Hemp Production Agricultural Innovation Expanded Availability of Healthy Foods Renewable Energy and Climate Change

FLORIDAGRICULTURE | MARCH 2019

17

A SHRINKING

Farm Labor Supply

M

any U.S. growers of laborintensive crops have long relied upon immigrant workers from Mexico.

New data and analyses by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service (ERS) suggest that the numbers of unauthorized Mexican immigrants in the United States declined significantly after 2007.

The ERS study also suggests there has been a long-term decline in the number of people from rural Mexico who want to work in either U.S. or Mexican agriculture.

Meanwhile, demand for farm labor both here and in Mexico is and in Mexico is increasing.

Several indications suggest that the farm labor market is tightening in the United States: • Reports of labor shortages from farmers, growers and ranchers A shortage of farm workers could drive up the cost of fruits and vegetables for U.S. consumers.

18 FLORIDAGRICULTURE FLORIDAGRICULTURE | |MARCH MARCH2019 2019

• Rising farm wages • Greater employment of nonimmigrant, foreign-born farmworkers through the H-2A Temporary Agricultural Program, as indicated in the program’s certification and visa statistics • A decline in the number of unauthorized immigrants from Mexico living in the United States, as estimated by researchers studying Mexican immigration to the United States Decreasing unauthorized immigration from Mexico stems from a variety of causes, according to the ERS report, suggesting that rural Mexico is not likely to generate a steady supply of farmworkers for U.S. agriculture in the future.

Mexican agricultural employment has expanded since 2008, serving businesses whose fruit, vegetables and tree nuts are partly exported to the United

States. There has also been growth in non-agricultural employment opportunities in the Mexican economy, particularly in the service sector.

Rising educational levels in rural Mexico have enabled workers to take advantage of the new employment opportunities outside of agriculture. In addition, the Mexican fertility rate has been declining.

U.S. agricultural employers may find it difficult to offset the decreased supply of farm labor from Mexico with more farmworkers from other countries. The United States will have to compete with Mexico and other nations in the Americas that are also expanding agricultural production and recruiting farmworkers.

Recruiting from countries more distant than Mexico may be costlier and many of the factors that pull Mexicans out of farm work – such as rising education levels and a growing service economy – are at play in other developing countries.

In responding to these longterm challenges, U.S. agricultural employers are likely to continue selecting crops and improving technologies to reduce labor requirements.

They will also adopt management strategies that increase productivity and encourage employee retention.

View the report at https://bit. ly/2X4iPEQ

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

HEMP IS FLORIDA’S LATEST HOT COMMODITY (MAYBE)

I

n my January/February column, the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill and the key achievements for Farm Bureau were briefly highlighted.

However, one provision was not mentioned, and it is the subject of much conversational buzz within Florida agriculture – the legalization of industrial hemp.

There is a story, though paraphrased, that captures the impetus behind hemp’s inclusion.

As Farm Bureaus around the country pled for a Farm Bill last year, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts approached Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on the floor.

“What can we do to get this Farm Bill done on time, Mitch?”

“Pat, we’re not passing a bill without legalized hemp.”

Roberts responded without a flinch: “You know, I was just about to ask you where you wanted that language…”

And thus, a Farm Bill was set in motion, and hemp became a necessary component for passage.

Hemp (Cannabis sativa) is defined as the plant, or parts of the plant, with a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) level of no more than 0.3 percent.

Its removal from the Controlled Substances Act by Congress effectively paves the way for exploration and consideration of whether hemp can be a worthy

(PHOTO COURTESY OF UF/IFAS)

By JohnWalt Boatright, National Affairs Coordinator

Florida farmers will be considering the feasibility of growing industrial hemp under the provisions of the new Farm Bill.

agricultural commodity for producers.

Many questions remain unanswered. What plant varieties are conducive for Florida’s climate?

Can this be a profitable crop for producers? What emerging markets could support hemp production in Florida? How will a permitting process work?

Florida Farm Bureau supports new and emerging alternative crops that can provide a viable and profitable avenue for our producers.

Florida’s highly diversified industry could accommodate such a crop if it proves to be a good economic and agronomic fit.

That is what University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researchers have been working on for the past few years under an industrial hemp pilot project.

The 2014 Farm Bill authorized

this and other pilot projects for hemp research, which has led to 78,000 acres of planted production throughout the United States.

States must now submit their regulatory plans to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried has made this a top priority of her administration.

If one thing is certain, it is that Florida growers will give serious study into hemp’s sustainability.

The state’s climate and soils already support more than 300 different agricultural commodities.

However, no state seems to match the growers of Kentucky for their commitment and determination to commercialize hemp. They were the first state to submit their application to USDA. Guess who has represented Kentucky in the U.S. Senate since 1984? Mitch McConnell.

FLORIDAGRICULTURE | MARCH 2019

19

LEADING THE

Peanut Butter CHALLENGE

Julianne Shoup, Jefferson County Family and Consumer Science Agent, poses with Ken Barton of the Florida Peanut Producers Association with 1,125 jars (1,575 lbs.) of peanut butter.

S

By Libbie Johnson, Escambia County Extension Agent

ince 2012, UF/IFAS Extension agents in the Panhandle have been involved in the Peanut Butter Challenge.

From Oct. 1 to the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, agents from Escambia to Jefferson counties hold a peanut butter drive and compete to see which county can collect the most peanut butter.

There is no loser in this friendly contest because every county office is able to share the collection with local food pantries.

Through donations from individuals, businesses and groups like county 4-H clubs, Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts,

20

FLORIDAGRICULTURE | MARCH 2019

Extension volunteers, churches and other community-minded organizations, counties have collected 26,795 jars (weighing 38,009 pounds) since 2012.

UF/IFAS Extension has been blessed to have the support of peanut growers. The Florida Peanut Producers Association has provided pallets of peanut butter since the Peanut Butter Challenge began, and more recently, the Florida Peanut Federation has joined the effort to combat hunger across the Panhandle.

These groups are able to purchase peanut butter through Peanut Proud, a non-profit organization with the goal of “uniting the peanut community by celebrating its pride through

humanitarian efforts and the recognition of excellence.�

One of their main objectives is to partner with state grower organizations to supply peanut butter to Food Banks in peanutproducing states. With peanut butter donated by our peanut commodity organizations, Extension has been able to match the peanut butter collected for each participating county, doubling the amount of peanut butter that each county can provide to food pantries.

In fall of 2018, the central Panhandle suffered the devastating effects of Hurricane Michael. Agents immediately provided the peanut butter they had already collected to needy agencies, but the need was great.

Again, commodity organizations worked with Peanut Proud and provided 35 pallets of peanut butter to be distributed in stricken counties. The peanut butter was provided to food pantries in parts of the Panhandle thanks to these donations.

In a number of counties, the donated peanut butter is used for school backpack programs.

Volunteer organizations provide food-filled “backpacks” on Fridays for students who may go without meals on the weekends, and a jar of peanut butter is a welcomed addition to any of these care packages.

In Escambia County, Perdido Bay United Methodist Church participates in the Peanut Butter Challenge and is allowed to keep their peanut butter to use for their backpack program. In 2017, through their collection and the match, the church had close to 2,000 jars of peanut butter to provide to needy youth in the southwest portion of the county.

Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. David R. Saliba shared this message at the end of this year’s Peanut Butter Challenge: “I read to two different children presently at Helen Caro Elementary, and one of them said the other day unsolicited, ‘I love it when y’all put peanut butter in my backpack!’”

Love comes in many forms, but it sometimes comes in the form of a jar of healthy peanut butter.

No story about the Peanut Butter Challenge would be

complete without sharing the generosity of one Escambia County farm family.

Rodney and Mike Helton have been a part of the challenge since 2013.

Annually, they purchase additional peanut butter (along with Tri-County Peanut Buying Point) to help with Peanut Butter Challenge.

Not only do they provide between two and three pallets to Escambia County Extension, the family helps with distribution. Escambia County is able to provide peanut butter to more than 20 food pantries from Century to Perdido Key because of this family’s generosity.

In 2015, Rodney decided to purchase and distribute cotton socks in addition to the peanut butter. He says, “I grow cotton and peanuts, so I want to share the crops I grow with the people in my community.”

The cotton socks have been a welcome addition, especially for one of the men’s shelters.

The benevolence of the Heltons is repeated with every single jar of peanut butter donated to any Extension office. This is a project of public service, but it is also meant to bring awareness of the peanut industry in Florida.

For many people who live in this state, there is a huge disconnect between the farming communities and urban residents. The Peanut Butter Challenge is a true Farm-City Week event.

Although the Peanut Butter

Challenge currently only takes place in northwest Florida, please consider starting your own peanut butter drive to support your local food banks.

(Editor’s Note: Libbie Johnson was selected as Florida Farm Bureau’s 2018 Extension Professional of the Year.)

TOP PHOTO: Mike Helton, left, Bo Giddeons, Rodney Helton and Adam Respress pose beside a pallet of Peanut Proud peanut butter destined for food pantries throughout Escambia County.

MIDDLE PHOTO: The Santa Rosa Extension office is always one of the top-collecting counties for the Peanut Butter Challenge.

BOTTOM PHOTO: Boy Scouts collected donations for the challenge.

FLORIDAGRICULTURE | MARCH 2019

21

22

FLORIDAGRICULTURE | MARCH 2019

HONEY BEE COLONY NUMBERS HAVE STABILIZED

I

By Peyton Ferrier, USDA/ERS

which is approximately double the loss rate of 15 percent previously thought to be normal.

Although average loss rates fell to 24 percent between 2014 and 2017 and CCD symptoms are less frequently associated with colony losses, colony health remains a concern.

High loss rates understandably raised fears that yields for crops that depend on honey bees might fall if pollination services become unavailable.

Elevated winter colony losses, however, have not resulted in enduring declines in colony numbers. Instead, the number of honey bee colonies in the U.S. is either stable or growing, depending on the data set being considered.

(PHOTO COURTESY OF STEPHEN AUSMUS, USDA/ERS)

n 2006, large and mysterious losses of honey bee colonies led entomologists to classify a set of diagnostic symptoms as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD).

The discovery spurred major efforts to measure, quantify and understand pollinator loss.

New data show that between 2007 and 2013, winter colony loss rates in the U.S. averaged 30 percent,

POLLINATION SERVICES

For Office Use p/m

Information is required by (7 CFR 1260.201). Failure to report can result in a fine.

Information is held in confidential (7 CFR 1260.203).

$

The Beef Checkoff is a program set up under federal law designed to increase demand for beef products through industry sponsored activities of beef advertising, promotion, research, education, consumer and industry information on the state and national levels. $1.00 is required to be deducted from the seller on each head of cattle each time they change ownership. Both the seller and the buyer are responsible for ensuring that the $1 per head assessment is collected and remitted to the qualified state beef council.

Report for the Month(s) of

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control numbers for this information collection is 0681-00293. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 2 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.

20

Total Number of Cattle Sold

x $1.00/Head = $

Person remitting the checkoff is (check one):

Buyer

Seller

Cattle’s State of Origin if not from Florida

Other Date

Name (please print) Farm Name Address City

State

Signature (X)

Phone No.

Zipcode

Send copy of report and your remittance made payable to the: FLORIDA BEEF COUNCIL, P.O. BOX 421929, KISSIMMEE, FL 34742-1929

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its program and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Although beekeepers sometimes purchase colonies, their primary means of replacing losses is by regularly splitting their colonies in the spring. In this process, the beekeeper divides a parent colony into two or three colonies that each becomes functional for pollination services within six weeks.

At the state level, loss rates are statistically uncorrelated with year-to-year changes in the number of colonies, suggesting that beekeepers are able to replace lost colonies within the course of a calendar year.

FLORIDAGRICULTURE | MARCH 2019

23

E

CELEBRATING FOOD CHECK-OUT WEEK ach year Farm Bureau volunteers across the state make food bank donations, hold public events for charitable organizations and participate in other community activities to celebrate Food Check-Out Week.

The event, held during third week of February, highlights the nutritious, affordable food supply available for consumers. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the week is also the time of the year when the average household in this nation has earned enough money to pay for the annual grocery bill.

Members of the Duval County Farm Bureau paid the grocery bill for four families at the Duval Station Publix in Jacksonville and donated food valued at $6,000 to the Jacksonville Ronald McDonald House on Feb. 21.

Alachua County Farm Bureau Women welcomed visitors and talked with them about local agriculture at the Alachua County Farmers Market as part of Food Check-Out Week.

Lake County Farm Bureau members provided a Food Check-Out Week gift of 700 pounds of food to the Lake Cares Food Pantry.

24

FLORIDAGRICULTURE | MARCH 2019

Brenda Gayle Land, left, District 2 representative on the FFB State Women’s Committee, presented food and gift cards valued at $1,000 to the Tallahassee Ronald McDonald House, Feb. 19, on behalf of Farm Bureau members in the surrounding counties.

Members of the Putnam/St. Johns County Farm Bureau joined the St. Johns County Commission during the reading of a proclamation in support of Food Check-Out Week.

FARM BUREAU MEMBERS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES

Hardee County Farm Bureau members provided “Farm Raised, Farm Proud” t-shirts for young people who exhibit livestock and citrus trees at the Hardee County Fair.

Marion County Farm Bureau volunteers and partners from farm commodity groups, the Extension office and other public agencies recently hosted AgVentures, a presentation of hands-on exhibits and demonstrations for 1,000 2nd graders at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion in Ocala.

(PHOTO COURTESY OF ALLEN ADAMS)

These young people enjoyed Florida orange juice at the South Florida Fair.

A brief pause in the day’s work on the Fulford farm.

On Feb. 8 the Dade County Farm Bureau honored Marilyn Carpenter, center, as the local organization’s 2019 Farm Bureau Woman of the Year.

FLORIDAGRICULTURE | MARCH 2019

25

FLORIDA CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP INGREDIENTS

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

2-3 Florida chicken breasts (cooked and diced into bite-size chunks) 2 ear’s fresh Florida sweet corn, cut off the cob 2 Florida bell peppers (your favorite color), diced 2 Florida tomatoes, diced small 1 small onion, diced small 1 jalapeno (remove seeds to lessen the heat), finely chopped 1 poblano pepper, diced small 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 small can green chiles 2 cans black beans, rinsed 2 tablespoons chili powder 1 tablespoon cumin 1 tablespoon oregano 6 cups low sodium chicken broth 2 cups water 1 lime, juiced Hot sauce (your favorite, amount is up to you) 5 small corn tortillas, cut into long thin strips Olive oil for cooking Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

PREPARATION

1. Pre-heat a large skillet; carefully add the oil.

2. Sauté the onions, bell peppers, jalapeno, poblano and corn until soft; about eight minutes.

3. Add the minced garlic, tomatoes, and green chilis and cook for additional five minutes.

4. Add the rinsed black beans, chili powder, cumin and oregano. Stir all the ingredients to combine.

5. Pour in the chicken broth and water; add the diced chicken and tortilla strips now. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Finish with fresh lime juice.

6. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve with fresh avocado, sour cream and crushed tortilla chips if desired.

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FLORIDAGRICULTURE | MARCH 2019

COOKING UP DIFFERENT PORK CHOPS

O

ne of the easiest ways to shake things up in the kitchen any night of the week is to re-imagine a classic dish by replacing one of the main ingredients. Fresh pork is a versatile, convenient and flavorful protein that can easily transform a predictable meal into something new and delicious. Try this recipe for pork chops and taste a different dish with an old favorite. For more creative yet easy ways to re-imagine mealtime, visit Smithfield.com/ShakeItUp.

Pork Chops in Creamy Roasted Garlic Florentine Sauce COOK TIME: 20 MINUTES | SERVINGS: 4

INGREDIENTS

• • • • • •

4 Smithfield Boneless Pork Chops salt, to taste pepper, to taste 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided 8 cloves garlic, minced 1/4 cup bacon pieces, half-cooked

• • • • • •

1/2 cup chicken stock 2 cups heavy cream 1 1/2 cups chopped fresh baby spinach 1/2 cup chopped fresh tomato 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

PREPARATION

1. Season the pork chops on both sides with salt and pepper, to taste.

2. In a large skillet, heat two tablespoons of oil over medium heat. Cook the pork chops from four to five minutes per side until the internal temperature reaches 145 F. 3. Remove the pork chops from the pan and keep warm.

4. In the same skillet, heat the remaining oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and partially cooked bacon to the skillet; cook until tender, about three minutes.

5. Add chicken stock and bring it to a simmer.

6. Reduce the heat to low and add heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

7. Add spinach and tomatoes to the sauce; allow the spinach to wilt.

8. Stir in Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning; simmer about three minutes.

9. Return the pork chops to pan along with the juices.

10. Spoon the Florentine sauce over the chops and simmer from three to five minutes.

*Annual Percentage Yield (APY). The advertised APYs are accurate as of 12/21/18 and subject to change without notice. Minimum initial deposit of $1,000. Federal withdrawal restrictions apply. Fees could reduce earnings on the account and a penalty will be imposed for early withdrawal. The Bank reserves the right to limit deposits taken under this program. See complete terms and conditions at www.farmbureaubank.com. Banking services provided by Farm Bureau Bank, FSB. Farm Bureau Bank, FSB. Farm Bureau, FB, and the FB National Logo are registered service marks owned by, and used by Farm Bureau Bank FSB under license from, the American Farm Bureau Federation. 12.2018

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FLORIDAGRICULTURE | MARCH 2019

27

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FINISH MOWER new holland 72’’ spare blades, Been serviced & sharpened nice unit, looks good 321-567-5060

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Horse-quality square bales (limited rolls), fertilized & irrigated fields. Feed stores welcome. Clean digging stock.

Call Haystack Farms at 386-963-3505 or 855-326-8873. www.haystackfarms.com.

FISHERIES SERVING SOUTH FLORIDA Native Fish Stocking - Grass Carp - Tilapia Fountain & Aeration Systems Complete Lake Management ALLSTATE FISH & WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT 1-800-270-6558 www.allstatemanagement.com FLORIDA FISH FARMS Bass, Bluegill, Catfish, Grass Carp (Permit Req.) & Koi (Ornamental Carp) Contact: Florida Fish Farms, 9684 CR 705, Center Hill, FL 33514. 352-793-4224. Visit our website: www.floridafishfarms.com.

SHONGALOO FISHERIES Channel catfish, certified Florida bass, bluegill, grass carp, shellcrackers, warmouth, koi, and gambusia for stocking. See complete list at www.shongaloofisheriesinc.com.

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FLORIDAGRICULTURE | MARCH 2019

GOOD THINGS TO EAT Check out the FAMA Buyer’s Club Easter Sale on the back of the magazine! We’re offering sweet satsuma Juice, hams for Easter and a new product grown right here in Florida, sweet corn!

Contact your local County Farm Bureau for more information today!

LEGAL SERVICES Charles F. Woodhouse, Esq. MBA, JD, MS Food Safety Graduate Certificates in Food Law and Packaging Attorney Specializing in Agriculture and Food Law Food Safety Modernization Act Compliance PACA and Florida Broker/ Dealer Complaints Crop Insurance and Risk Management Programs Representation before County Committees, State Committee, and National Appeals Division Matters Woodhouse Shanahan PA Agribusiness Industry Regulatory Compliance Washington, DC & Cedar Key, FL E-mail: cfw@regulatory-food-science.com Website: www.seafood-and-produce-law.com Blog: www.food-label-compliance.com Tel Cedar Key, FL 352-278-1110 Tel Washington, DC 202-293-0033 FAX 202-478-0851 Michael Martin Martin Law Office Agricultural & Environmental litigation Defective products and seeds Crop insurance All litigation issues state or federal 863-686-6700 Lakeland, FL Representing four generations of farm and ranch families.

Email: Mike@martinpa.com Website: www.martinpa.com

LIVESTOCK REGISTERED BLACK ANGUS BULLS for sale 3 bull calves 8 + months - $1,000.00 each 1 bull calf 11 months Solid Performance Bloodlines 813-713-6345 9.19 ac.; five, modern and updated, cage-free layer houses capable of conversion to breeder hen houses; generators; a 40’ x 100’ equipment building; and a four-bedroom, two-bath manufactured home.

The farm is certified organic, Egg-Land’s Best, Publix, and numerous other certifications. Contact Larry Saucer @ 386-365-1794. Saucer Realty & Capital.

Registered Angus Cattle For Sale Ohana Farms Bull Calfs, Cows, Heifers, Pairs 386-212-1006

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March 2019

PLANTS & SEEDS

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REAL ESTATE Longleaf Land Company L.L.C. Alabama & Northwest Florida www.longleafland.com 9 tracts.. 5 to 101 ac. tracts on US 84 and US 331 bypass in Opp Alabama .Major beach route.

Call for prices.

202 acres, loaded with timber, great hunting, awesome duck pond, home and barn only 45 minutes from beaches of south Walton. Located east of Florala Alabama. $575,000 20 acres with 2300 h&c, 4/2 home.

Beautiful home with pond hayfield and timber..$360,000.

JAN/FEB. Solution toSOLUTION Crossword:

A C T S

T H E E

M A N N

S A R A B A N D S

F A T S O

A L I E N

C O R A L

E N E M Y

S M A L L A L N G E O N U O S C T H E D O T

H O T E L S S U R E F I R E

A N O R A K S S A M O V A R

D E M O N I A C M U R A L S

S T S

S T A A P D C H E R B O T U B I G A M T E S I C E C A N R S D E S

Great weekend retreat for fishermen or hunters, or beautiful home site. $19,900.

Call Don 513-630-0405.

484 Acres, Lafayette Co, The area is well known for its fantastic hunting and fishing, Pave Road, Pines and Hardwoods. $1,350/acre.

Longleaf Land Company L.L.C. Jody J. Jones Broker/Owner 28583 County Road 30, Opp, AL 36467 Phone: 334-493-0123 www.longleafland.com

S C A B

PRICE REDUCED 4.86 wooded acres in Dixie County, Deer Trace Sub. lot 81.

About 1 mile from the Suwannee River boat ramp and park.

Southern Pine Plantations 377 Acres, Jackson Co, 148 acres Cultivated farm land, Irrigated, 15,400 sq. ft. packing shed, 2,400 Sq. ft. Cooler. $2,950/acre

180 AC stocked with mature timber. Highway frontage on two sides and adjacent to the city of Florala Alabama. Great hunting or development potential.

45 MINUTES TO BEACHES OF SOUTH Walton. $425,000.

A N O A

ALACHUA COUNTY Family farm 30 acres and 2 homes with 2900 sq. ft. utility building, large well capacity for irrigation.

Continuously used for agriculture. Near Gainesville, FL visit www.gainesvilleflblueberriefarm.com Where will you be next spring?

Bristol Park Realty 352-367-2669

NORTH FLORIDA LAND

34 AC - Cultivation and woodland.

U. S. Hwy 84 frontage. $90,000.

M I S C

FAUST REALTY GROUP 239.298.6473

1,152 acres in Lafayette Co. Managed Timberland, Planted Pine, mixed with Hardwood Bottoms, Excellent Hunting. $1,500/acre.

MARCH 2019 CROSSWORD Crossword

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

CATCH OUR FACEBOOK BUZZ

7,588 acres of high quality timberland, Planted Pine, Hardwood Bottoms, Excellent Hunting. $1,450/acre.

T A M P A

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LAND WANTED Southern Pine Plantations is seeking to buy productive timberland and farm lands of 1,000 acres or larger.

S O U L

T U N E

S T E W

Call Pat Duane at 352-867-8018 Southern Pine Plantations of Fla. Owns the property it sells.

by Margie E. Burke

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 ACROSS 1 Ballroom move 13 14 15 16 5 Skirt feature, 17 18 19 sometimes 9 M, to Einstein 20 21 22 13 Study aide 15 Garden 23 24 walkway 25 26 27 28 16 Death notice, briefly 29 30 31 32 33 34 17 Addams Family's 35 36 37 38 39 Fester, e.g.

18 Law firm newbie 40 42 43 44 41 20 Something huge 45 46 47 22 Seller of Alaska in 1867 51 48 49 50 23 UPC part 52 53 54 55 56 24 Foreshadow 25 In the direction 57 58 59 of 60 61 62 28 Big bully 29 SNL segments 63 64 65 30 Refinery residue 31 Scruff of the Copyright 2019 by The Puzzle Syndicate neck 35 Biblical boat 60 Big cat 9 Wet 38 Christmas 36 Understanding 61 Palindromic term 10 Put down crackler 39 Greyhound, e.g. of address 11 Peaceful protest 41 Area prone to 40 Commuter line 62 Xbox enthusiast 12 Place of another flooding 42 Right on the 63 Repair, as 14 Penitent's 44 Marine hazard map? clothing emotion 46 ___ Piper 43 Seize illegally 64 Nose out 19 Rudely terse 47 Attorney's 45 Abstract style 65 Tear apart 21 Simon's couple charge of the '60s 24 Chris of 48 Bailiwick 47 In a monotonous "Jurassic World" 49 Eagle's home way DOWN 25 Ivan the Terrible, (var.)

48 Merlot, for one 1 Concert e.g.

50 Exorcist's target 51 "___ here long?" memento 26 Creole veggie 51 Ecological 52 Embroidered 2 It can be hard to 27 Online prefix community hole carry, for some with -pedia 53 Stars and 53 Success at the 3 Cut into glass 28 Great time Stripes, e.g. expense of 4 Skunk 30 Flat replacement 54 British title others 5 Sudden gush 32 Go up against 55 Word said 57 Anteater's 6 Whip's blow 33 Knitting stitch before opening cousin 7 "___ a deal!"

34 Perceive the eyes 59 "The Audacity 8 Leaving no 37 In the _____...

56 Fabric quantity of Hope" author stone unturned (for now) 58 Little fella

www.facebook.com/ FlaFarmBureau

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.

FLORIDAGRICULTURE | MARCH 2019

29

REAL ESTATE

REAL ESTATE

REAL ESTATE

REAL ESTATE

Oakwood Realty Group Real Estate Brokerage - Advisory and Consulting Services Hunter Brant, 904.813.4508 OR Toby Anastasio, 386.965.6452 www.oakwoodrealtygroup.com hunter@theoakwoodcompanies.com

135 Acres / East Leon Co FL Great property suitable for horses / homesite 181 acre hunting / recreational tract in Gadsden Co., FL

55 acres, freshly cleared land, great for planting crops or development. Madison, FL. $154,000

THREE LAKES RANCH-UNDER CONTRACT-Volusia County -758± Acres - Have you been searching for that perfect property for relaxation and recreation in pristine nature, abundant lakefront, with medium- to longterm development potential?

You’ve just found it! This property consists of ò91% uplands and is covered with majestic oak hammocks, long leaf pine (including one of the finest stands in the state), and pasture. Three Lakes Ranch is covered in Florida wildlife. This land is a work of art for any outdoor enthusiast. Three Lakes Ranch has been divided into and approved for 62 buildable -10+ acre lots. This protects vested interests and provides for an eventual exit plan by making the individual parcels ready for sale or development. Subdivision design provides for forestry corridor, miles of trails, and access to lakes Dias, Winona, and Clifton.

Asking Price: $5,500,000.

DR Ranch Beautiful cattle ranch with 300 acres of fully-fenced pasture and over 400 acres of uplands with 1.5 miles of frontage on Alligator Creek. Property was formerly part of a large dairy operation, additional acreage available. Although this property is currently being used for cattle, Alligator Creek and other woodlands provide ideal habitat for turkeys and any of the numerous fenced pastures could be used as a dove field.

Development potential of this property is bright and will continue to add value to the property Located in Callahan in Nassau County, FL just 13 miles from the Jax Int’l Airport. $3,250/AC. $1,712,750 UNDER CONTRACT! Hidden Creek Farm NEW PRICE! Hidden Creek Farm is a well-managed, productive, turnkey blueberry farm and packing operation that includes all equipment and facilities to continue growing, packing and selling fruit. Located on two sites, the fields and facility are near major travel corridors US 98 and US 27. Five 16” irrigation wells between the two farms with between 15 and 20 years remaining on their permits providing ample water for irrigation.

220 total acres of high bush blueberries with irrigation and freeze protection, an additional 145 acres are cleared and ready to plant. $3,500,000.

NEW PRICE! Miller Blueberry Farm The Miller Farm represents the very best in a family owned farm, it is the oldest commercial blueberry farm in Florida. The farm is turn-key and includes everything needed to produce, pack and sell blueberries and its north central Florida location is ideal for its thriving U-pick operation as well as the perfect climate for timing the early Florida market. The farm totals 333 acres with 143 acres of irrigated blueberries. Improvements include a 10,000SF Packing Facility with Office, Tissue Culture Lab and Nursery for growing new plants. Seven 12” wells provide drip and overhead irrigation as well as freeze protection to the entire farm. $5,850,000

25 Acres / Grady Co, Beachton, GA close to Tallahassee & Thomasville 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 850.510.3309 DE@debillingsley.com • www.debillingsley.com Lake County - Eustis, Fl 73 +/- Acres Active blueberry Farm with residential 3/2 home, farm office, mobile home, storage building, pole barn, two 12î irrigation wells. Ideal land for multiple farming use or prime residential developments. Asking Price: $1,900,000.

Glenn Tyre, Broker Tyre & Taylor Commercial Realty, Inc. 352-636-0937 Five acres in Interlachen. One block off S.R.20.

Beautiful, high and dry. Must see. $25,000.

Contact Danny at 386-867-3478.

FREE Mountain, Lakefront, Rural Property Guide, TN-GA-AL homes, farms, acreage 423-462-2700 www.mountainland.us All Realty Services www.myallrealty.com 250 acres, multipurpose farm with pecan orchard and cattle grazing. McAlpin, FL. $975,000 0.34 acre, lakefront cottage on Cherry Lake, fully furnished. 1br/1ba. Madison, FL. $120,000 95.93 acres, gorgeous land with pond and solid home. 3br/2 ba. Madison, FL. $490,000 60.25 acres, 2 homes and bunkhouse on beautiful pasture land. Madison, FL. $475,000 150 acres, gorgeous home & barn on rolling land with planted pines. Greenville, FL. $549,000 98 acres, perfect hunting/farming land with open cypress ponds. Greenville, FL. $425,000 33.26 acres, wooded area for hunting or clearing for homesite. Jennings, FL. $92,900 (Continued on next column)

305 acres, cattle ranch with 3br/2ba home.

Madison, FL. $1,500,000 440 + acres, working cattle farm with well-built cattle coral and 4 br mobile home.

Greenville, FL. $995,000 345 acres, cattle ranch with 1250 square ft. home and out-buildings. Madison, FL. $1,150,000 Gary Silvernell, Realtor Associate 334-355-2124 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 POLK COUNTY- FROSTPROOF, FL 12 acres Recreational Property with ATV Trail Access… $549,000 Gorgeous home on 12 acres connected privately to Indian Lake Estates and River Ranch ATV/Bike trails. 3,600 sf insulated metal utility/shop with 3 garage bay doors (one for an RV), 2,452 sf, 4 bedroom, 3 bath home. http://properties.crosbydirt. com/409925-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-irrigated-acresmultiple-uses MADISON COUNTY, MADISON, FL 835 Acres of Pasture & Timber w/Lakefront $2,495,000 The pasture is divided by multiple well-maintained fences and gates, providing ease of cattle rotation. The property boats almost a mile of shoreline and the large lake is accessed from a small inlet pier.

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

Asking Price: $5,880,000 or $4,900/acre.

(Continued on next column)

30

FLORIDAGRICULTURE | MARCH 2019

INDIAN RIVER CITRUS GROVE, PRICE REDUCED - Indian River County, 491± acres. Active citrus grove and engineered agricultural land perfect for all types of farming operations. This property is fully engineered and currently operated as a fresh fruit citrus operation. Potential uses include continued farming for citrus or conversion into other agricultural ventures. Grove was set and has been reset through the early 80s through the 90s. NOW: $2,251,350 WAS: $2,405,900 BRING OFFERS! OSTEEN PINES PLANTATION, PRICE REDUCED-Volusia County, 152± Acres - Are you looking for a weekend getaway/retreat or permanent homestead? Look no further. We get hundreds of calls per year from people in Central Florida looking for small recreational and home site acreage properties that are close to all of the amenities of a big city, but secluded enough to make one feel like they have left civilization behind. This 152± acres is secluded, wooded and filled with large amounts of game: deer, turkey, hogs, song birds, etc. Make this property a recreational paradise. Hunt and enjoy the great outdoors.

It’s your way to get off the grid, yet still be close enough for a weekend or daily trips to enjoy your property. The property consists of gorgeous pine flatwoods with oak trees intermittently located throughout.

NOW: $399,000 or $2,625/acre WAS: $499,000 or $3,282/acre.

LAKE HARNEY PINES-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. ASKING PRICE: $367,770 or $2,990/acre.

HIGHLANDS COUNTY ENGINEERED GROVE LAND-40+/- acres-Located in Highlands County, this property is fully engineered grove land perfect for various agricultural ventures, best suited for citrus replanting. There is a 10íí well located on the site. Grove is engineered, ditched and bedded. Bring offers. ASKING PRICE: $192,375 or $4,750/acre.

Like other ranchers across the state, South Florida beef cattle producers maintain greenspace, conserve water resources and provide wildlife habitat, in addition to producing food.

FLORIDAGRICULTURE | MARCH 2019

31

Florida Sweet Corn

Packed by Twin H Farms - Belle Glade, FL

40-50 ears of Bi-color corn per crate. 1 crate avg. weight 45 lbs .................... $19.95

FEATURING PICTSWEET FROZEN VEGETABLES! CONVENIENT-SIZED PACKAGING! PACKED BY PICTSWEET OF BELLS, TN.

Speckled Butterbeans 6/28 oz. pkgs ...Was $15.45 NOW.... $13.45 Baby Lima Beans ....................... 6/24 oz. pkgs .............................. $18.95 Butter Beans - Whole ................ 6/28 oz. pkgs .............................. $15.45 Butter Peas ................................. 6/24 oz. pkgs .............................. $18.95 Butternut Squash .......... 6/24 oz. pkgs .............................. $18.95 Blackeye Peas ............................. 6/28 oz. pkgs .............................. $15.45 Brussel Sprouts .......................... 6/24 oz. pkgs .............................. $15.45 Breaded Green Tomatoes ...... 6/12 oz. pkgs ............................. $14.95 Corn - cut ...................................... 6/28 oz. pkgs .............................. $13.95 Collard Greens - chopped .......... 6/28 oz. pkgs .............................. $16.95 Field Peas w/ Snaps ................... 6/28 oz. pkgs .............................. $15.45 Fordhook Lima Beans ............... 9/10 oz. pkgs .............................. $18.95 Green Beans - cut ........................ 6/28 oz. pkgs .............................. $13.95 Italian Green Beans - cut .......... 6/28 oz. pkgs .............................. $15.45 Kale - Cut leaf ................................ 5/14 oz. pkgs .............................. $9.95 Mixed Vegetables (carrots, corn, green beans and peas) 6/28 oz. pkgs ........................ $13.95

Straight from Amish Country!

Packed by Troyer Cheese from Millersburg, OH

Troyers Whole Honey Cured Ham - Boneless. Tender & mildly flavored-boneless and ready to eat ...... 10 lbs. - $3.95 per pound Sharp Cheddar Cheese .............. 3 lbs. (6/8 oz. pkgs) .................... $20.95 Mild Cheddar Cheese ................. 3 lbs. (6/8 oz. pkgs) .................... $17.95 Variety Cheese Pack Contains 2 Mild, 2 Colby and 2 Sharp Cheeses 3 lbs. (6/8 oz. pkgs) .................... $20.95 Green Onion .................................. 3.5 lbs. (6/9.5 oz. pkgs) ............. $17.95 Cheddar Garlic ............................... 3 lbs. (6/8 oz. pkgs) .................... $25.95 Hickory Smoked Cheddar ......... 3 lbs. (6/8 oz. pkgs) .................... $15.95 Farmers Block Semi Soft, smooth, creamy white, mild to mellow flavor 3 lbs. (6/8 oz. pkgs) .................... $22.95 Marble Cheese ............................. 3 lbs. (6/8 oz. pkgs) .................... $17.95 Colby Cheese ................................ 3 lbs. (6/8 oz. pkgs) .................... $17.95 Pepperjack Cheese ..................... 3 lbs. (6/8 oz. pkgs) .................... $21.45 American Cheese Slices .............5 lbs. (120 slices) ........................ $16.95 Baby Swiss Cheese ...................... 2.8 lbs. (6/7.5 oz. pkgs) ............. $20.95 Summer Sausage -beef ................ (4/12 oz. pkgs) ............................ $19.45

Sweet Satsuma Orange Juice

Bottled by Florida Georgia Citrus – Monticello, FL Quick frozen to capture the amazing sweet/crisp flavor of the unique satsuma orange. Now with less pulp!

58 oz. bottle ........................... $8.00

Peas & Carrots - Diced ....6/28 oz. pkgs .............................. $15.45 Purple Hull Peas .............................. 6/28 oz. pkgs .............................. $15.45 Soup Mix w/Tomatoes (potatoes, carrots , tomatoes, corn, green beans, onions, peas & celery) .................................... 6/28 oz. pkgs .............................. $16.95 Spinach-chopped ........................ 6/24 oz. pkgs .............................. $16.95 Stew Vegetables (potatoes, carrots , onion & celery) 6/24 oz. pkgs .............................. $15.45 Skillet Potatoes (potatoes, onions w/ red and green peppers) 6/16 oz. pkgs .............................. $14.95 Turnip Greens w/ Diced Turnips 6/28 oz. pkgs .............................. $16.95 White Acre Peas ......................... 6/24 oz. pkgs .............................. $15.45 White Sweet Cream Corn ........ 12/16 oz. pkgs ............................ $18.95 Yam Patties ................................. 6/2 lb. pkgs ................................. $26.95 Zucchini, Yellow Squash & Onions - Sliced 6/28 oz. pkgs .............................. $19.45 (Other varieties available upon request i.e. squash, okra, white corn, etc.)

TEXAS Smoked Meats Packed by Yoakum Meats

Whole Smoked Turkeys Hickory smoked the old-fashioned way. Ready to eat hot or cold. ................. Average weight 10 lbs. ........................... $28.95 Hickory Smoked Turkey Legs 10 lbs. (5/Avg. 2 lb. legs) ............... $29.95 Sliced Bacon Blast Perfectly seasoned smoked breakfast sausage stuffed and wrapped with bacon! ......... Avg. weight 2 lbs. (1 loaf per case) ...... $18.45 Smoked Pork Ribs Succulent, meaty, smoked and slow cooked, lightly seasoned (dry rub). No sauce. Avg. weight 2.5 lbs. (1 slab per case) ........ $22.95 Smoked Pork Loins Smoked to the perfect degree until the flavor pours from every single bite. ......... 5 lbs. (2/2.5 lb. loins per case) .......................... $26.45 Smoked Beef Brisket Smoked with hickory, seasoned and slow cooked to perfection. ................. Avg. weight 2.5 lbs. .................... $12.00 per pound

Country Smoked Sausage Packed by Nettles Sausage

Mild ........................................................ 4/2.5 lb. pkgs. .......................

Hot ......................................................... 4/2.5 lb. pkgs. .......................

Jalapeno ............................................... 4/2.5 lb. pkgs. .......................

Andouille .............................................. 4/2.5 lb. pkgs. .......................

Variety Pack (includes 1 pack of each variety) 4/2.5 lb. pkgs. .......................

NUTS .... Stock Up!

$37.95 $37.95 $37.95 $37.95 $37.95

Peanut Brittle Bites .......................................12 oz. can ................... $4.00 Cashews -whole................................................ 16 oz. can ................... $9.95 Mixed Nuts ...................................................... 16 oz. can ................... $6.95 Milk Chocolate Pecans .................................... 12 oz. can ................... $6.95 Chocolate Peanuts ........................................ 12 oz. can ................... $3.50 Honey Roasted Pecans ................................... 8.5 oz. can .................. $6.95 Butter Toffee Peanut .................................... 12 oz. can .................. $3.50 Honey Krunch Peanut ...................................12 oz. can .................. $3.50 Almonds -roasted and salted.......................... 9 oz. can ..................... $3.95 Skinless Peanuts ............................................ 16 oz. can ................... $3.50 Florida Orange Blossom Honey ................. 2 lb. Squeeze Bottle .... $11.00 Florida Wildflower Honey .......................... 2 lb. Squeeze Bottle .... $11.00

TO ORDER: Contact your local Farm Bureau office by March 14th!

“IT DOESN’T COST. IT PAYS TO BE A FARM BUREAU MEMBER.”