INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
April 2018
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Western & Outdoor Wear, Farm, Ranch & Pet Supplies
3014 S. Jim Redman Pkwy. (Hwy. 39 S) Plant City, FL • southsidewesternwear.com
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Business Up Front
By Breanne Williams
The Wedgworth Way Wedgworth Inc. prides itself on going above and beyond when it comes to providing innovative techniques and unique services for its clients. Wedgworth Inc. has been paving the path toward innovative agriculture since its inception in 1932. The Florida based fertilizer company has initiated countless growing methodologies and crafted new technology to help farmers be more efficient and productive. Now, the company has a retail location in Plant City, bringing high quality service to the local farmers. Though the company has been serving the area for years, the branch located at 2607 Sammonds Road opened its doors in January. “What sets us apart is not just our portfolio,” Jason Garcia, agriculture advisor and head of janitorial, said. “We specialize in research. If you need a specific blend we can make it customized just for you and your crop. You’re not getting a mass produced product, you’re getting exactly what you need.” Originally, Wedgworth was born “out of necessity.” Wedgworth Farms grows sugarcane on approximately 10,000 acres in Palm Beach County and operates 10,000 acres of ranch lands in Osceola, Okeechobee and Indian River counties. At the sugar cane farm the family didn’t have the fertilizer they needed to successfully aid growth in the temperamental Florida environment. So they began to make their own. Now, the company’s Moore Haven plant alone produces approximately 200,000 tons of custom blended fertilizer products throughout Florida each year. The company offers both dry and liquid fertilizers as well as crop protection. Wedgworth doesn’t offer “sales people” for its customers. Instead, a team of highly qualified ag advisors assess each crop and make recommendations to the farmer to ensure the most efficient product will be used to get the highest yield. Wedgworth is all about partnerships and establishing trust. Garcia is out before the sun comes up and often doesn’t return until after it has gone down. He walks the fields he supplies fertilizer to and ensures the product is achieving the results it is designed to. “It doesn’t stop when the crop is in the ground,” Barney Cherry, director of agriculture sales and liquid specialists, said. “Jason is out there every day checking the crops and making adjustments if needed. If he notices there is something we could do a little bit better he offers to make that change.” Cherry said Florida’s unique soil, changing water levels and more make the unpredictable environment non-conducive to broad brushed treatment plans. The great thing about having the local facility is any fertilizer can be made immediately if needed. Deliveries are made fresh each day and Cherry said whatever is ordered can normally be ready to go within an hour. The dedication each team member at Wedgworth holds for the agriculture community is evident in their passion for their customers. Cherry said this job is not an 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. po-
During the past freeze Garcia was out each night side by side with the farmers making sure their crops were going to survive the uncharacteristically frigid weather. When he gets a call in the middle of the night from a farmer who fears he will lose his crop he immediately drives to the field, ready to assist in any way he can. That genuine love for the industry is something Wedgworth demands of all of its employees. “They have to be willing to work together as a team and really care about agriculture and providing the best service to our clients,” Joey Miller, vice president of operations and crop protection, said. “Because of our great service we have returning customers, loyal to who we are. We want to offer more than just a product.” Wedgworth is able to offer such advanced techniques because it believes in the value of research. Staying “ahead of change” is the goal of all of its trials. Cherry said the reality is crops are changing in Florida. Strawberries are facing tough competition, the citrus industry is slowly diminishing and farmers are turning to more unconventional crops to get by. Relying on “historical treatments” is no longer a viable option, hence the immense dedication to research at Wedgworth. The company has a PhD on staff and a team of crop advisors ready to find the perfect product for each unique case. There are trials currently underway all over the state as the company weeds out products that fail to give remarkable results. Last year, the company researched blends and realized different blends worked differently on different varieties. Finding the most effective product helps farmers be able to have a prosperous year and lays the groundwork for a successful tomorrow. After all, Cherry said growers want to learn too and the progressive, but trustworthy practices of Wedgworth has earned it a reputation of being a pioneer in fertilizing throughout the state. “If I see something I think the grower needs to know I don’t leave the field until I get them on the phone,” Garcia said. “I’ll take care of somebody even if they don’t spend a dime with us.” Wedgworth’s office hours are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you need to contact them after hours call Garcia at 407-773-2489. “The best thing that happens to us is when a grower says ‘We’ve had a really good year and you’ve helped us do it,’” Cherry said. “We’re just excited to be here and excited the community has accepted us the way that they have.” INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
April 2018
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sition. If farmers don’t get the weekend off, neither do they. Their clients know if they need them, they simply have to pick up the phone and call.
CONTENTS
APRIL 2018 | VOL. 13 • ISSUE 6
STINES BROTHERS Make Strawberry Fesival History
64 PAGE 3 Wedgeworth
PAGE 33 Festival Exhibits
PAGE 60
PAGE 12 Highland Packing
PAGE35 Rhubarb
PAGE 68
PAGE 14 Artichokes
PAGE 36 Jack Payne
PAGE 70
PAGE 40 Ray Clark
PAGE 71
PAGE 16 This Farm CARES PAGE 18 Fishing Hot Spots
PAGE 44 Festival Results PAGE 46 John Dicks
PAGE 22 Rocking Chair Chatter PAGE28 Hershell Cannon PAGE 32 Strawberry Crest FFA
PAGE 48 Endangered Species
Doug Phillips
MAACO
Activity
PAGE 56 Water Wise
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Kenneth Parker....................President
Dennis Carlton Jr................Vice President
Michelle Williamson..............Treasurer Buddy Coleman..................Secretary DIRECTORS FOR 2017 - 2018
Judi Whitson, Executive Director 813-685-9121
Grand Champion Swine
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PAGE 82 RCMA PAGE 84 Beast Feast
InTheField® Magazine P.O. Box 5377 • Plant City, Fl. 33566-0042 *Winners will be notified by phone. You Too Can Be A Winner! April 2018
OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
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Hey Readers!
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Insurance Services: 813-685-5673 Member Services: 813-685-9121
PAGE 74 News Briefs
Hidden somewhere in the magazine is a No Farmers, No Food logo. Hunt for the logo and once you find the hidden logo you will be eligible for a drawing to win a FREE No Farmers No Food Sticker and a FREE In The Field T-Shirt. Send us your business card or an index card with your name and telephone number, the number of the page which you found the logo and where on the page you located the logo to the address below
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Office Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Jake Cremer, Tiffany Dale, Carson Futch, Jim Frankowiak, Chip Hinton, John Joyner, Tony Lopez, Rep. Jake Raburn, Emeritus, Sambahv, Marty Tanner, Vincent Tort, Carl Bauman, Will Womack , Melissa Grimes.
A Closer look
EDIS PAGE 54 Literary Time Machine
Hillsborough County Farm Bureau 305 S. Wheeler St. Plant City, FL.
Farm Bureau Insurance Special Agents
Valrico Office 813-685-5673
100 S. Mulrennan Rd., Valrico, FL. 33594 Tommy Hale, CLU, ChFC, CASL, CPCU Agency Mgr. Juile Carlson, John McGuire
Plant City Office 813.752.5577
305 S. Wheeler St., Plant City, FL 33563 Jeff Summer Bill Williams
Tampa Office 813.933.5440
6535 Gunn Highway, Tampa, FL.33625 Greg Harrell, Sonia Valladares
AGENCY MANAGER Tommy Hale WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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STAFF Publisher/Photography Karen Berry Senior Managing Editor/ Associate Publisher Sarah Holt Editor-In-Chief Al Berry Editor Patsy Berry Sales Al Berry Melissa Nichols Taeler Dupre Chandler Workman
Letter from the Editor Congratulations to the Stines brothers! Jake and Jace Stines took the Overall Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion honors, respectively, at the 2018 Florida Strawberry Festival’s Mosaic Youth Steer Show. You will find an article about them in this issue along with more Festival coverage and a list of the winners of the different agriculture competitions. The youth that participated are to be commended for their hard work. Many have already started on their 2019 projects so mark your calendars to attend next year’s Florida Strawberry Festival and support our youth. Why should someone work in the agriculture industry? By 2050 the world’s population is projected to hit 9 billion people. New technology and creativity will have to be in place in the agriculture industry to ensure that our population will have food and clothing. Because of this, agriculture is a growing industry in all aspects. You don’t have to work on the farm to be in the agriculture industry. There are an incredible variety of options. You can rest assured that there is something for everyone. According to the AgCareers.com Enrollment and Employment Outlook Survey, less than 1% of college students are in an agricultural major. In 2013 there were 56,000+ career opportunities in the industry but only 29,000 graduates were trained to fill them. Whether you are just graduating high school and heading to college, or looking to make a career change, check out what the agriculture industry has to offer.
Until Next Month
Sarah Holt
The LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. - Numbers 6:25
Creative Director/Illustrator Juan Alvarez Photography Karen Berry Al Berry Staff Writers Al Berry Sandy Kaster James Frankowiak Sean Green Ginny Mink Breanne Williams Contributing Writers Woody Gore John Dicks
In The Field Magazine is published monthly and is available through local Hillsborough County businesses, restaurants, and many local venues. It is also distributed by U.S. mail to a target market, which includes all of the Greenbelt Property owners, members of the Hillsborough County Farm Bureau and Strawberry Grower’s Association. Letters, comments and questions can be sent to P.O. Box 5377, Plant City, Florida 33563-0042 or you are welcome to email them to: info@inthefieldmagazine.com or call 813-759-6909 Advertisers warrant & represent the descriptions of their products advertised are true in all respects. In The Field Magazine assumes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers. All views expressed in all articles are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Berry Publications, Inc. Any use or duplication of material used in In the Field magazine is prohibited without written consent from Berry Publications, Inc.
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Published by Berry Publications, Inc.
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A TIME FOR SPECIAL APPRECIATION HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY
- Kenneth Parker - President
Dear Readers: As I write this letter to you, our 2018 Florida Legislative session has come to an end and the 83rd Annual Florida Strawberry Festival is now part of history. While each of us has reason each day to be thankful, I ask that you join with me in expressing thanks for what recently transpired in Tallahassee and Plant City. The just-ended Legislative session once again recognized the importance of Florida agriculture and the hard work of farmers and ranchers, as well as the ways in which our industry benefits all Floridians. While not every item on Farm Bureau’s agenda was successfully addressed, many were, and for that we must be thankful. Please express your appreciation to Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, Sen. Kelli Stargel, Rep. Paul Renner. Rep. Jayer Williamson, Sen. Denise Grimsely and our own Rep. Jake Raburn for their hard work and support throughout the session. There’s more information on the actions of the Florida Legislature this session, as well as those of Governor Rick Scott in an article in this edition of In The Field. There are some items that await approval.
advocate with their elected officials locally and while in Tallahassee. That type of personal engagement has very high impact with elected officials. The Annual Florida Strawberry Festival was again an enjoyable time for families and a great opportunity to showcase our industry. Festival officials report more than 526,000 visitors participated in concerts, livestock shows, free entertainment, rides, food, arts and crafts and more. Please keep in mind that both the Legislative session and Festival are opportunities for your family’s involvement in these important aspects of agriculture. If you’re not a Farm Bureau member, please consider joining. That’s a great first step, and remember, you don’t have to be a farmer or rancher to join. For more information, visit: hcfarmbureau.org, call us at 813685-9121 or send us an email at: info@hcfarmbureau. org. Thank you,
Kenneth Parker Kenneth Parker - President
Let’s also not forget to thank those Farm Bureau members who took it upon themselves to personally
305 SOUTH WHEELER STREET • PLANT CITY, FL 33566 • 813-685-9121 Board of Directors
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Kenneth Parker, President; Dennis Carlton, Jr. , Vice-President; Michelle WIlliamson Treasurer; Buddy Coleman, Secretary; Will Womack Member-at-large, Carl Bauman, Jake Cremer, Tiffany Dale, Carson Futch, Melissa Grimes, Jim Frankowiak, Chip Hinton, John Joyner, Tony Lopez, Lawrence McClure, Jake Raburn, Member Emeritus, Sambahv, Marty Tanner, Vincent Tort Judi Whitson, Executive Director
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is proud to congratulate
Jordan Blount Jordan Blount, a senior at Durant High School, has been involved in FFA since he was in 7th grade. His passion for agriculture was sparked all those years ago when he became involved in the Citrus Career Development Event where he realized he wanted to pursue a future in the industry. In high school, his dedication to FFA remained and he joined the Citrus, Nursery & Landscape and Ornamental Horticulture CDE’s. He threw himself into the work and during his junior year he was the 2nd high individual on the state winning Citrus CDE. Blount said he was excited over the win and “looked forward to the next.” His senior year continued his successful streak as he placed 8th high individual on the state winning Nursery & Land-
scape CDE. “To say I was ecstatic was an understatement,” Blount said. His team will be traveling to the national contest in October. He also submitted a proficiency award and will be judged during State FFA Convention in June. He is already taking steps to pursue his dream of working in the agriculture industry. He currently works at Tampa Nursery and Garden and plans to attend HCC before transferring to UF to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Horticulture. Students awarded a free pair of Justin boots from Russell’s due to their exemplary performance. If you have a deserving student, submit your recommendation to sarah@inthefieldmagazine.com.
Hillsborough’s Agriculture Magazine INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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HIGHLAND PACKAGING SOLUTIONS TO BE ACQUIRED BY SONOCO An Opportunity for Both to Reach Full Potential
Plant City-based Highland Packaging Solutions, a privately held global manufacturer of quality agricultural and dairy packaging, has agreed to be purchased by Sonoco, one of the largest diversified packaging companies in the world with annual sales in excess of $6 billion. The approximately $150 million cash transaction is expected to be completed during the second quarter of this year. Owned by Chief Executive Officer Steve Maxwell and John Durham along with key members of the Highland management team, the company has grown dramatically since it was acquired by Maxwell and Durham in 2005. Once a regional supplier of agricultural packaging, Highland has become a prominent and respected packaging company, serving a growing domestic and international customer base. The company, which has some 425 employees, posted sales in excess of $100 million in 2017.
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The transaction includes Highland’s Plant City manufacturing plant and five warehouse facilities located throughout the U.S. Founded in 1899, Sonoco is a worldwide provider of a variety of consumer packaging, industrial products, protective packaging and displays and packaging supply chain services. The company has 21,000 employees and operations in 33 countries.
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By Jim Frankowiak
While acquisitions such as this are by no means unusual, the Highland-Sonoco transaction was particularly challenging for Maxwell and Durham and the culture they have fostered since purchasing the company in 2005 at which time annual sales were approximately $7 million. The Highland co-owners first met in 1985 when Steve was a member of the U.S Navy stationed in Texas and his neighbors were the Durham family. Maxwell is from Florida and Durham is a Texan. Both are true men of God and developed a friendship that has grown over the years. The values they share are manifest in the Highland family of companies. After serving in the Navy, Maxwell returned to Florida and became involved in the agricultural industry, continuing his relationship with Durham who started his first business in Texas and built a substantial refinerymaintenance company that grew to more than 4,000 employees. Their dream to co-own a company came to fruition in 2005 when they purchased Highland Distribution Services, a regional distributor of agricultural packaging products formed in 1997. They introduced a manufacturing capability at Highland in 2008. “The Highland culture has a strong family orientation,” said Maxwell. “Our customers are primary, followed by WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
our people and the community. We strive to develop personal relationships that enable us to truly connect with our customers, learn of their challenges and work to help meet those challenges today and tomorrow. It’s boots on the ground with our customers. “This culture of people and purpose leads to prosperity,” said Maxwell. “Our growth has come through the embodiment of our culture throughout our organization. We have been blessed with strong customer support and a team that continually meets and exceeds customer expectations in terms of both service and product development. Too many companies emphasize profitability, failing to recognize the value and success with the approach we have fostered.” While the Highland culture proved valuable in terms of growth, it also attracted an ever-growing list of suitors, people and companies interested in purchasing such a growing concern. “Frankly, I stopped counting after the 24th inquiry,” said Maxwell. “The sale of the company was never part of our plan,” he said. “This is family and together we will go forth.” But plans change. Highland’s ability to develop packaging that successfully addressed environmental concerns of one of its rapidly growing customers created a need for manufacturing expansion at a very substantial cost. “Initially, we had a way to address that need, but circumstances changed, and we began to explore other ways to address this wonderful opportunity before us, including the possibility of a sale,” said Maxwell, who reached out to Sonoco, one of a number of entities that had expressed prior interest in Highland. “That was a seven month process that included personal meetings and countless communications with Rob Tiede, Sonoco’s CEO and others within the organization. As time passed, we came to realize that we shared the same values. Sonoco understood and appreciated the Highland brand and wanted us to bring our approach to those companies that comprise Sonoco’s global plastics operations. For Highland, this agreement will enable us to further enhance our speed to service and our ability to offer customers the most diverse consumer packaging formats and solutions in the industry.”
To understand the challenge Maxwell faced, the best insight comes from the words of his wife Beverly that she shared with Highland employees when the sale was announced last month. “Over the past several months, a strange new wind began to blow,” she said. “There was a problem Steve could not solve. There was a customer who needed something and he was searching for a way to deliver. All the usual fixes were just not happening. This state of the process was agonizing, even painful. Just as he coached his Highland team, he did the same for himself, asking ‘what is best for the customer? These farmers of whom many are his dear friends. What is best for the Highland family? Those that have worked so hard and given so much. What is the best way for them to reach their full potential? He asked himself, am I willing to do this difficult thing to ensure the success of Highland?” This was not a business decision to Steve. This was personal. He asked for prayers and a sign, a visible sign or word that he was on the right path. And without fail, every single time that it seemed fear and doubt were swallowing him up something would happen that made it clear that he was on the right path. “Over time, the tide began to turn and a peace that passes all understanding began to fall like a cloud on both of us. Steve made the decision to move forward with the acquisition. Steve began to feel it would be a selfish act to not give Highland the opportunity to grow to her full potential. It is what is best for our farmers. It is what is best for our people. It is the right thing to do.”
Yes, Highland Packaging Solutions will be acquired by Sonoco, but the Highland brand will live on. And the multi-faceted Highland brand will be introduced to its sister companies within Sonoco “significantly strengthening our Perimeter of the Store strategy, serving the consumers’ growing demand for fresh and natural foods,” said Sonoco’s Tiede. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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“John ultimately left the final decision to me,” said Maxwell. “I was troubled and sought Divine guidance. I wanted signs from the Lord to guide me and the decision I had to make.”
Artichoke:
A Viable and Profitable Florida Crop Alternative By Jim Frankowiak Florida growers interested in profitable crop alternatives have a new option, artichokes. Specifically, that new crop is the Globe Artichoke, which is cultivated for its flower buds, and sometimes confused with the Jerusalem artichoke, which is cultivated for its tuber. Most would associate artichokes as a key ingredient with spinach in a delicious appetizer, but they can also be grilled, steamed, tossed in pasta, used as a pizza topping and more. “Additionally, they are rich in cancer-fighting antioxidants,” said Shinsuke Agehara, a Plant Physiologist at the University of Florida (UF) Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. “It has been reported that the antioxidant content of artichokes ranks fourth out of more than 1,000 food products, with more antioxidants than widely known antioxidant-rich foods, such as dark chocolate, blueberries and red wine.” Dr. Agehara and his colleagues at the GCREC have been studying the potential of artichokes as a viable alternative crop in Florida since 2015. Last month, they hosted an Artichoke Field Day at the GCREC to update interested growers on latest research findings and what they need to know about growing artichokes in Florida.
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“The main reason we are interested in this crop is its high profit potential,” he said. One artichoke plant can produce several buds, which range in retail price from $1 to $5 per bud. “The production value is higher than many major vegetables crops in Florida, including watermelon, squash, cantaloupe and snap beans,” said Agehara. Currently, California grows nearly 100 percent of the nation’s artichokes, but there is a market opportunity every January-February when artichoke harvests are at their lowest.
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The production value per acre of artichokes grown in California was $11,583 in 2015, more than double the value of Florida grown crops referenced previously. The main limiting factor for growing artichokes in Florida is the state’s warm, subtropical climate. Among the cultivars tested by the GCREC team were those with the lowest chilling requirements, particularly ‘Imperial Star’. “However, natural chill hours in our area are not sufficient even for those cultivars,” said Agehara. “To overcome this genetic limitation, we are using a natural plant hormone called gibberellic acid (GA). This plant hormone can induce the expression of the same genes activated by cold weather to induce flowering in many plant species. “Our results show that the yield of ‘Imperial Star’ artichokes can increase more than three-fold and the first harvest date can be advanced by up to two weeks,” he said. “Using ‘Imperial Star’ and GA, we have achieved as high as 6,000 pounds of artichokes per acre with high potential to further raise yields in Florida. We are currently conducting field trials at the GCREC to test different application rates and times of GA, as well as cultivars, planting dates, planting densities and nitrogen fertilization rates. “Our goal is to achieve 13,500 pounds of artichokes per acre, which is California’s average commercial yield. Artichokes could provide new market opportunities for Florida growers, both large and small, to cultivate a niche, profitable crop, offering consumers a locally grown, tasty fresh vegetable loaded with nutrients and antioxidants.” Agehara anticipates GCREC artichoke field trials can provide promising results within the next two years. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
The recent Artichoke Field Day included a review of opportunities growing artichokes in Florida, a tour of cultivar trials; management practices: planting date, plant spacing, fertilization; pest management; vernalization techniques to overcome chilling requirements and how to cook artichokes. Agehara also noted that a 25-pound quantity of artichokes
Additional information on growing artichokes in Florida is available by visiting: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1289.
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grown at the GCREC was provided to the 2018 Flavors of Florida event held earlier this month at the Evans Champions Club at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium to “taste recipes, brews and spirits showcasing signature and emerging flavors of Florida.� He was told the artichokes would be used to make a puree.
Johnson Harvesting, Inc., and Treeair Cattle Co.
A Florida Farmer Who CARES Many farmers and ranchers will agree that the heart of the operation is their family. According to fourth generation citrus grower and cattle rancher, Steve Johnson, this could not be more true. “My involvement in agriculture started as soon as I could walk. Growing up working with my dad and granddad meant putting in long hours, but it also meant spending a lot of time with my family,” said Johnson. Johnson owns and operates Johnson Harvesting, Inc., and Treeair Cattle Co., in both Hardee and Manatee counties. He grows several varieties of citrus spanning more than 600 acres. Treeair Cattle Co. started out as a hobby business for Johnson and his father and together they have grown their herd to more than 800 beef cattle. Johnson’s children and his wife, Andrea, play an integral role in the family business helping manage the office and spending time with Dad at work. “I love that I have the opportunity to take my children to work with me on any given day. I also feel confident that I can pass down to my children, which will be the fifth generation of Johnson’s in agriculture, a set of thriving businesses that complement each other and that I know my children are excited about,” stated Johnson.
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In 2016, Johnson was awarded a This Farm CARES designation by Florida Farm Bureau Federation for his longterm commitment to protecting natural resources. It is evident that, as soon as you set foot on his property, taking care of the land and resources it offers is a major priority for Johnson. By implementing Best Management Practic-
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es (BMPs), he is able to improve water quality and water conservation throughout each of his properties. BMPs are practical, cost- effective actions that agricultural producers take to conserve water and reduce the amount of pesticides, fertilizers, animal waste and other impurities that impact our water resources. “Environmental stewardship is very important to what I do every single day. My land will not return anything to me if I do not take care of it. I use BMPs to improve water quality and reduce water use just as my dad and his father did before me,” said Johnson. Some of the BMPs he has implemented in his citrus groves include surface water withdrawals and soil moisture monitoring so that irrigation devices can deliver water only where and when it is needed. The on-site weather station also assists with delivering real- time data in relation to soil moisture. Soil and leaf analyses are two BMPs that help Johnson understand nutrient requirements so that he can apply the right type and amount of fertilizers lessening the risk of leaching or over- fertilization. For his beef cattle operation, Johnson utilizes rotational grazing and re-planting with native species to provide optimum re-growth on areas where cattle are raised. “What I do affects not just my family and I, but millions of people. To know that my citrus and beef products have positively impacted multiple lives and families and that I do my part to protect our environment is an amazing feeling,” said Johnson. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
Through the successful implementation of BMPs, Florida’s farmers and ranchers, such as Johnson, show a sincere commitment to the protection and preservation of natural resources for generations to come. Since 2001, nearly 800 farm families have been awarded a This Farm CARES designation. CARES is an acronym which stands for County Alliance for Responsible Environmental Stewardship and is a Florida Farm Bureau Federation program that publicly recognizes farmers and ranchers who voluntarily implement BMPs on their farms. To learn more about Johnson’s environmental stewardship story check out the highlight video made about his operation featured on www.thisfarmcares.org and also on the This Farm CARES Facebook page.
OUR PROFITS ARE YOUR PAYDAY When you do business with Farm Credit, you are a member of a cooperative. When we do well, you do well. And we’ve been doing well for over 100 years. LOANS FOR: • • • •
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TAMPA BAY FISHING REPORT APRIL 2018 Capt. Woody Gore
Expect good things this month, especially as the winds lighten up. Fishing will keep getting better and better. Looks like the best days will be the first and third weeks of May, so make sure to check your tide charts for moving water.
Snook seem to be everywhere and should continue to bite. Good tidal grass flats, passes or cuts from upper Tampa Bay all the way to Sarasota will prove productive. Live baiter’s remember to use caution when chumming with greenbacks, too much and they get full. If you fill them up with chummer’s, they stop eating. Nose-hooked, free lined greenbacks always do the trick along with a few dead baits on the bottom. And of course artificial lures are always fun for the true fishing enthusiast. Spotted Sea Trout should continue improving especially as bait moves onto the flats. Look for green flats grass with plenty of sandy potholes. Remember, those potholes are usually holding plenty of trout and often produce the good sized ones. Frequently, schools of trout will gather around the large sandy area and if you’re lucky enough not to spook them you can catch plenty using small popping corks, shrimp, or free lined greenbacks. Occasionally, you can find some really nice trout in deeper rocky bottom water. Redfish should start settling in for the summer. Check your favorite oyster bars, mangrove cuts and broken bottom grass flats on the last of an outgoing tide and the first of an incoming. Don’t forget those large schools of mullet as redfish feed inside and often follow large mullet schools. Live greenbacks and crabs, and cut bait works well as live bait. Cobia should start cruising the grass flats and markers looking to eat just about anything tossed in their direction. You’ll find them following rays and manatees, and often traveling in groups of two or more. Be prepared with enough tackle and bait for multiple hookups.
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Capt. Woody Gore (www.captainwoodygore.com)
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Spanish mackerel Threadfin Herring throughout Tampa Bay usually means the Spanish and blues are here and they should be in full swing this month. Good catches have already been reported, some weighWWW. INITNHE FIELD MM AGAZINE.COM WWW. THE FIELD AGAZINE.COM
ing in at 3 to 5 lbs. Chum them up with some live cut threadfins or greenbacks, send one up current on a free-line with at least 50# Seaguar leader and a Daiichi long shank silver 2/0 hook and hold on to the rod and reel.
Tarpon are showing around the Skyway with a few on the beach. They should move inside during the summer around deeper flats. Expect plenty of activity by months end and on through the summer. Try free-lining threadfins, greenbacks or small crabs.
“Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing”
813-477-3814
Captain Woody Gore is the area’s top outdoor fishing guide. Guiding and fishing the west central Florida areas for over fifty years; he offers world class fishing adventures and a lifetime of memories. Multi-boat Group Charters With years of organizational experience and access to the areas most experienced captains, Captain Woody can arrange and coordinate any outing or tournament. Just tell him what you need and it’s done.
Visit his website at: WWW.CAPTAINWOODYGORE.COM send an email to wgore@ix.netcom.com or give me a call at 813-477-3814 ININ TT HE FF IELD AGAZINE HE IELDMM AGAZINE
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Smokin’ WE’RE
• Ten states grow 98 percent of U.S. blueberries: California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon and Washington. • One cup of blueberries contains 80 calories, 3.6 grams of fiber and 25 percent of the recommended daily amount of vitamin C.
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• Blueberries have high levels of antioxidants, such as anthocyanins – the compounds that color blueberries blue. • A 2012 study suggested that eating at least one serving of blueberries a week slowed cognitive decline by several years. • April 28th is National Blueberry Pie Day. • Native Americans once called blueberries “star berries” because the blossoms make a star shape.
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Getting Older It seems the older I get the less I can remember. I have to keep a pad and pencil in my shirt pocket with my meeting dates and things to do for the day. Checking around I notice I am not alone with this problem.
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I decide to wash my car. As I start toward to the garage, I notice that there is mail on the hall table. I decide to go through the mail before I wash the car. I lay my car keys down on the table, put the junk mail in the trash can under the table, and notice that the trashcan is full. So, I decide to put the bills back on the table and take out the trash first, but then I think that since I’m going to be near the mailbox when I take out the trash anyway, I may as well pay the bills first. I take my checkbook off the table and see that there is only one check left. My extra checks are in my desk in the study, so I go to my desk where I find the can of Coke that I had been drinking. I’m going to look for my checks, but first I need to push the Coke aside so that I don’t accidentally knock it over. I see that the Coke is getting warm, and I decide I should put it in the refrigerator to keep it cold. As I head toward the kitchen with the Coke, a vase of flowers
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on the counter catches my eye – they need to be watered. So I set the Coke down on the counter and I discover my reading glasses that I’ve been searching for all morning. I decide I’d better put them back on my desk, but first I’m going to water the flowers. I set the glasses back down on the counter, fill a container with water, and suddenly I spot the TV remote. Someone left it on the kitchen table. I realize that tonight when we go to watch TV, we will be looking for the remote but nobody will remember that it’s on the kitchen table, so I decide to put it back in the den where it belongs, but first I’ll water the flowers. I splash some water on the flowers, but most of it spills on the floor, I set the remote back down on the table, get some towels and wipe up the spill. Then I head down the hall trying to remember what I was planning to do. At the end of the day; the car isn’t washed, the bills aren’t paid, there is a warm can of Coke sitting on the counter, the flowers aren’t watered, and there is still only one check in my checkbook. I can’t find the remote, I can’t find my glasses, and I don’t remember what I did with the car keys. Then, when I try to figure out why nothing got done today, I’m really baffled because I know I was busy all day long and I’m really tired. I realize this is a serious problem, and I’ll try to get some help for WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
it, but first I’ll check my e-mail. Don’t laugh – if this isn’t you yet, your day is coming! And if I have sent this to you before….well, now you know why you’re getting it again. Have you heard the story about the elderly woman that goes to the bar on a cruise ship and orders a Scotch with two drops of water? As the bartender gives her the drink she says, “I’m on this cruise to celebrate my 80th birthday today.” The bartender says, ‘Well, since it’s your birthday, I’ll buy you a drink. In fact, this one is on me.” As the woman finishes her drink, the woman to her right says, “I would like to buy you a drink, too.” The old woman says, “Thank you bartender, I want a Scotch with two drops of water.” “Coming up,” says the bartender. As she finishes that drink, the man to her left says, “I would like to buy you one, too.” The old woman says, “Thank you. Bartender, I want another Scotch with two drops of water.” ‘’Coming right up,” the bartender says. As he gives her the drink, he says, “Ma’am, I’m dying of curiosity. Why the Scotch with only two drops of water?” The old woman replies, “Sonny, when you’re my age, you’ve learned how to hold your liquor. Holding your water, however, is a whole other issue.” A young man saw an elderly couple sitting down to lunch at McDonald’s. He noticed that they had ordered one meal, and an extra drink cup. As he watched, the gentleman carefully divided the hamburger in half, then counted out the fries, one for him, one for her, until each had half of them. Then he poured half of the soft drink into the extra cup and set that in front of his wife. The old man then began to eat, and his wife sat watching, with her hands folded in her lap. The young man decided to ask if they would allow him to purchase another meal for them so that they didn’t have to split theirs. The old gentleman said, “Oh no. We’ve been married 50 years, and everything has always been and will always be shared, 50/50.” The young man then asked the wife if she was going to eat, and she replied, “Not yet. It’s his turn with the teeth.” Lastly, a police car pulls up in front of grandma Bessie’s house, and grandpa Morris gets out. The polite policeman explained that this elderly gentleman said that he was lost in the park and couldn’t find his way home. “Oh Morris,” said grandma, “You’ve been going to that park for over 30 years! How could you get lost?” Leaning close to grandma, so that the policeman couldn’t hear, Morris whispered, “I wasn’t lost. I was just too tired to walk home.”
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SMARTER NOURISHMENT.
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Hershell Cannon and His Berry Picking Machine By Plant City Photo Archives and History Center
Hershell Cannon, and his berry picking machines in rural Plant City, Florida, 1966. Sources: Vernon Miller, The Progressive Farmer, March 1966. dtnpf-digital.com Polk City Directory, Polk Publishing Company, 1957, 1964
With the emphasis increasingly on dealing with a labor shortage and increasing productivity and efficiency on the farm, we want to share this story, which came to the Photo Archives through the compliments of Arthur Joseph Hunzeker of Plant City, whose mother was riding one of these machines. The story was published in The Progressive Farmer, which at that time was headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, was written by Vernon Miller, and appeared in its March 1966 edition. Most of this story is a direct quote, but we had to edit a little along the way. Those delicious strawberries shown in the photo probably look as good to Hershell Cannon, shown overseeing the operations, as they do to you—maybe better. He is the grower, and those Florida 90s—that’s the variety of berry—are on their way to New York. It was a bright winter day when The Progressive Farmer’s John McKinney shot the photo in Hillsborough County, Florida. He wanted to show the ingenuity of farmers in getting around the labor shortage problem. (Don’t forget, this is March 1966).
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Some engineers have gone one step further in reducing manual labor and have developed mechanical harvesters for some crops. Harvest aids, such as these shown in the photo, make the job easier for field workers. And this makes it easier for the grower to get help. Cannon built these machines in his farm shop for about $500
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each. It has been five years since he built his first one. These picking machines are powered by a 6-hp aircooled engine and travel down the row at almost any speed required. A large wedge-shaped runner on the front of the tongue runs in the furrow and guides the machine through the field. Cannon is more pleased with his machine than with others he has checked out because each picker is directly above his work and can easily handle one side of a double row. Each machine can carry eight pickers and two other workers who keep pickers supplied with flats and finish the pack. One of these workers also regulates the speed of the machine and turns the picking machine around at the end of each row. Each machine can handle 5 acres at 15,000 to 18,000 pints per acre. Without them, Cannon would need about 50 laborers to hand pick the berries. As it is, he does the job with 24 pickers—one of them Mrs. Cannon. Pickers cannot work any faster that they could if they weren’t riding, but they can stay on the job longer without getting overly tired. As a result, they make more money each day they work, and the farm prospers, too. Ten cents a quart is fairly standard pay in the area. (Again, this is March 1966). Cannon pays 75 to 80 cents a flat (12 pints), which is slightly higher. In 1966 Hershell Cannon was working to solve the problem that farmers are still trying to find the best solution for today. Hats off to you, Hershell. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Spreading the love By Alexandra Harrell, Agriculture Communication 3 student
On February 14, 2018 Strawberry Crest High School FFA Chapter presented a club day as “Spreading the Love.” The FFA members made 548 sandwiches for the homeless population in the area. They also passed along some more information about the importance of strawberries and peanuts to the Florida economy. Every month Strawberry Crest High School has multiple clubs to choose from. The FFA club teaches life skills, public speaking, and much more. To make the “Spreading the Love” a success everything had to be well planned. The Strawberry Crest FFA President, Syndey Swartman, called St. Francis of Assisi Church in Seffner to find out if they would like some help with their weekly feeding. The officers were assigned various positions in the sandwich making stations, supplies were purchased, peanut butter was donated from the culinary department, and tags were made for each baggie. Advisors walked around to make sure the officer is in their position and doing their job.
announcement that we were doing this event,” said the senior officer Madison Fernandez. “It felt really good to give back to the less fortunate, something that we sometimes overlook, such as PB and J’s. Also participating in this event will better me in life because I will always have that memory of giving back to the community which is essential in life,” said junior officer, Natalie Patton. “FFA teaches me life skills such as communicating with the public about agriculture, owning and raising livestock and business management. When participating in this event I feel like different people really love what we did for the community, we made 548 sandwiches that would be 548 empty stomachs that where filled and I think people are very appreciative of what the organization is doing to spread the love,” junior officer Mariah Austin said.
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“The Strawberry Crest FFA Chapter made this event happened…. we all, as an officer team, came together and came up with the idea. We all took parts within the project. St. Francis Church told us about the daily homeless feed and we were told we could make sandwiches. Some of us went out the day before the event and got all the supplies needed. And others made the
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Festival’s FFA exhibit winners The winners of the annual FFA exhibit competition at the Florida Strawberry Festival have been announced. In this year’s contest, Mulrennan FFA won first place, Turkey Creek FFA won second place, Durant FFA won third place and Marshall FFA won fourth place. Plant City FFA, Tomlin FFA and Brandon FFA all won awards of distinction. Each year, seven FFA chapters from the local area design and construct a booth that is agriculturally educational and related to the festival’s
“Our FFA chapters are full of some hard-working, creative and talented young people,” said Florida Strawberry Festival president Paul Davis. “Their educational displays contribute greatly to our agricultural event.”
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current theme. The theme for the 2018 festival was “Building New Memories!”
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Florida
By Sandy Sun, M.S. Clinical Medicines, B.S. Nutrition Science Known for it’s starring role in pie, rhubarb is a perennial plant with beautiful red edible stalks. The stalks look similar to celery, but pink-red in color. Fresh stalks are crisp with a strong, tart taste. Rhubarb is often cooked with sugar and used in pie, fruit crisps, cakes, and other desserts. It can also be enjoyed in savory dishes or pickled. This unique vegetable can be grown in Florida and other southern states if enough water and chill hours are present, but tends to prefer cooler climates. Most of the rhubarb production in the United States is grown in Washington, Oregon and Michigan. The large leaves have a high content of oxalic acid, making it inedible and even toxic in very high quantities. Its peak season is in the spring. Its tart flavor makes it a great substitute for cranberries!
promotes healthy heart functioning in addition to protecting against high blood pressure. Potassium helps regulate fluids and mineral balance, aids in muscle contraction, and helps transmit nerve impulses. People with low potassium levels are more prone to muscle cramps. Fortunately vegetables and fruits, such as rhubarb, are a rich source of potassium.
NUTRITIONAL PROFILE
As with many other vegetables, rhubarb contains a significant amount of dietary fiber, which can help with weight loss by helping you stay full with very few calories. According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, a diet high in fiber may decrease the risk of several types of cancer including colon, rectum, breast, and pancreas.
Rhubarb is low in calories and a great source of vitamins C and K, calcium, and many other vitamins and minerals. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, one cup of raw, diced rhubarb (12 g) contains 26 calories, 1 g protein, 0.2 g fat, 6 g carbohydrate, and 2.2 g of dietary fiber. It also provides 45% of the Daily Recommended Value (%DV) for vitamin K, 16% for vitamin C, 12% for manganese, 10% for potassium, calcium, and dietary fiber, and plentiful amounts of other valuable nutrients.
Vitamin C Rhubarb is an excellent source of vitamin C, a vitamin that helps to support the immune system. This vitamin is important for a healthy immune system, cancer prevention, healthy blood circulation and wound healing. Rhubarb and other foods high in vitamin C may help reduce the severity and duration of cold symptoms. This vitamin also acts as a potent antioxidant in the body, neutralizing harmful free radicals and preventing its damaging effects in cells. As a result, vitamin C has been associated with reduced severity of inflammatory conditions, such as asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Several large scientific studies have shown that a high consumption of vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin C is associated with a reduced risk of death from all causes including heart disease, stroke and cancer.
Potassium Rhubarb is high in potassium, which can help relax the muscles around arteries and allow those vessels to dilate. Without as much resistance, blood can flow at a lower pressure through these dilated vessels. Potassium is a mineral which
Research has shown that dietary fiber has a protective effect against cardiovascular diseases, by lowering blood cholesterol levels and slowing the progression of heart disease in high-risk individuals. Fiber also assists with digestion and prevents constipation.
How to Select and Store When shopping, choose deeply colored red stalks that feel firm and snap easily when pulled apart. Look for leaves that are deep green in color and free from brown patches. To store, place stalks in a sealed container or wrap it in a plastic bag and store it in the refrigerator. Whole stalks can be stored for up to a week in the refrigerator. Rhubarb cut into sticks or small pieces will not stay fresh as long; therefore, wash and cut just prior to use. This vegetable can also be readily found in the freezer section of many grocery stores.
How to Enjoy Although famously called “pie-plant,” rhubarb can be enjoyed in many different ways. It can be pickled, stewed in savory dishes, or made into jams and jellies. Other ways to enjoy include: • Diced and stewed with water and sugar, and eaten much like applesauce • Sweetened and stewed and added to oatmeal or cereal, or used to top yogurt or ice cream • Try it raw! Dip a stalk in sugar or honey for a quick treat • Use it like you would cranberries to add a little zing to your tea or smoothie Enjoy fresh Florida rhubarb in its peak season today!
SELECTED REFERENCES http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mv124 http://en.wikipedia.org/ INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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Fiber
By Jack Payne On the face of it, it’s not a fair fight. Farming in Florida is hard enough, but then the rules of that fight constantly change. New bugs and diseases raid crops. Volatile markets say plant now while the weather says plant later. Consumers keep changing their minds about what to eat. New plant varieties, including the blueberries and strawberries grown in the Hillsborough County area, give farmers a fighting chance. The idea is to develop fruit that stands up to the latest disease, that survives harsh weather, and that catches the eye of shoppers in the produce aisle. Those plants are intellectual property – public scientists’ inventions in the greenhouse and grove. The taxpayers, growers, and universities pay for innovation that makes Florida one of the world’s major agriculture successes. Here again, something isn’t fair. Floridians pay for the development of these new plants at the University of Florida’s Institute of Agricultural and Life Sciences. International producers -- sometimes competitors -- potentially get them for free. The problem is, once UF/IFAS sells the right to use a new variety, a clock starts ticking. After that clock has run for four to six years, no one in Mexico, Brazil, or Europe has to pay for that right if we don’t have legal protections in those territories. The only way to keep new plant varieties developed by the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences from being free in another country is to license them. The license establishes who gets to use varieties, how they get to do it, and at what cost. International licensing gives Florida growers some other advantages. We license to Florida first. You always have a head start on the newest and best varieties, often years ahead of any producer abroad. And those varieties are created for Florida conditions. You’re whom we have in mind when we’re crossing, hybridizing, germinating, and field testing. We’re trying to come up with a variety that takes to Florida’s soil, not Mexico’s. The second thing is international producers pay more than you do for the right to use our varieties. This allows us to keep our licensing fees for Florida producers lower, which is only fair since Florida growers invest up front in plant innovation.
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These are rules of the fight that we have some control over.
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In fact, we asked agricultural leaders to talk with us as we refined these rules five years ago, and major commodity associations signed off on the licensing policies of Florida Foundation Seed Producers, Inc., an affiliate of UF/IFAS. The question isn’t whether international producers are going to use UF/IFAS-developed varieties. They are, whether we license or not. Licensing is the tool we (and by extension, you) use to have them use those plants on our terms. It allows us to influence how much international producers will pay, how widely the plants are made available, and how fast they get access to Florida-developed innovation. In short, licensing is how we say we’re not going to just sit back and let things happen. Do we get royalties from this licensing to help assist our plant breeding programs? Sure we do. Most of the money, however, goes right back into inventing the next batch of new varieties – an endless loop designed to always keep you ahead. So much of it, in fact, that a national survey conducted in 2012 showed that our reinvestment is the most aggressive of all land-grant and peer institutions included. Our inventors get a small cut, too. While they chose serviceoriented careers in public science, we believe that rewards can motivate anyone to do a better job, whether that’s raising crops or coming up with a new vegetable variety. We can’t contain an idea within Florida’s borders. Inventions and ideas cross the globe in a flash while your fruit inches up out of the ground. The only choice when a popular, profitable new plant variety comes on the scene is whether it gets licensed or given away. We protect our investments through licensing. Licensing provides steady rules. It’s how we codify fairness. That’s so important because Florida growers don’t fear international competition, but they reasonably ask for it to be a fair fight. Jack Payne is the University of Florida’s senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources and leader of the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Longtime Emcee
Highlighted in Festival Roast The Florida Strawberry Festival hosted a roast for Ray Clark, who has been with the festival for more than 45 years. By Breanne Williams
The tables were turned on Ray Clark, longtime emcee for the Florida Strawberry Festival swine and steer shows and sales and youth livestock banquets, during a roast and appreciation celebration on Feb. 18.
Several in the audience nodded their agreement and other speakers mimicked the sentiment, sharing stories of hiding during large gatherings in an attempt to keep Clark from spilling embarrassing stories of their youth.
Clark has been involved with the festival for more than 45 years and is a retired agriculture teacher from Plant City High School. He spent decades molding his students with his sharp wit and dedicated personality. Now it was their turn to spend a moment roasting him.
Though he may have highlighted several of Keel’s embarrassing stories throughout her life, she said she ultimately had “a lot of love” for Clark and everything he has done in both her life and for Plant City.
After a short introduction Clark was escorted to his beloved jeep, which was parked to the left of the stage, where he sat and observed the speeches being made by former students, coworkers and loved ones. Though many had humorous tales of his jovial nature, the roasts all ended with one united theme: Through it all Clark is a genuinely great man.
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“I’ve definitely been victim of a lot of roasting,” Donna Keel, a former student of Clark said. “If I walk into a room and see him with a microphone I’m definitely ducking and hiding and making sure he doesn’t find me in a crowd.”
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“It’s really hard to roast a man that has done so many wonderful things for the youth of Plant City,” Keel said. Mayor Rick Lott was chairman of the event and though he had quite an arsenal of jokes prepared, he too spent a majority of time reflecting on all of the good Clark has done for the community. Without his assistance, he said many of the leaders of Plant City and the agricultural community today would never have learned the skills needed to pursue their dreams. Former student after former student walked the stage, many mocking his hair or his weight, but ultimately they all came to the same conclusion. Clark may have made many a joke on WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
their behalf, but without him they never would have had the experiences and grown into the adults they are today.
would be joining and competing with. Soon she found herself soaking up everything she could about the FFA.
Several of his coworkers and friends had secretly gotten together to share their fondest and most memorable moments with Clark. Oscar Lastinger, Jim Jeffries and Pam Walden were among the many featured in a video. Many joked that they only felt safe tossing jabs his way from behind the protection of a screen.
“Mr. Clark was a mentor, a guiding force, a cheerleader and most of all friend,” Walden said. “Beyond all the shenanigans, and there was a lot of those, he was a great listener and leader for us. He definitely made a positive impact on my life, my FFA career and whatever I would come to be in the future.”
Tim Cribbs was said he was the only person who could say they had Clark as a teacher, worked with him and then went to another school where he went head-to-head with him in FFA contests. “You laid the foundation of something that has been pretty great for Plant City,” Cribbs said. “I continue to say we’ve had some great times, you have been an asset to the community… you dedicated your life to 4-H and FFA members, to the community and the festival and I really appreciate that and what you did.” Terry Porter Walden was a former student of Clark who said he was “king of the combover” and a “trusted advisor.” She joked whatever she said on stage would determine her fate in the highly anticipated and dreaded FFA week flashback photos he posts every year on Facebook. She said Clark seemed to know her potential far before she ever knew it herself. He didn’t ask, he told her what teams she
Without missing a beat, Walden said as the years have gone on his wife is still kind and pretty and he was “just old.” So Walden brought a bone for him to wear around his neck so he would have someone to play with in his advanced age. After all the jokes had been had, Clark climbed down from his jeep, sauntered over to the stage, grabbed the microphone and slid back into the role he’d occupied for decades: the sarcastic but joking emcee.
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Before she finished her speech she had a present for Clark. She joked that his students were “flabbergasted” that he was able to get such a kind and pretty wife. She said they often would ask him how he got her and he would laugh and say she was lucky to have him. He said when she was a kid her parents would “tie a bone around her neck so the dog would play with her.”
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2018 Florida Strawberry Festival Results Mosaic Youth Swine Show Held in the Patterson Companies Livestock Arena, Grimes Family Agricultural Center Grand Champion – Tytan Gill Reserve Grand Champion – Case Braglin
Matthew Greenaker 11th Place – Meagan Borg Class 5 1st Place – Chase Braglin 2nd Place – Brystal Cunningham 3rd Place – Elise Griffin 4th Place – Drew Blanton 5th Place – Dallas Edwards 6th Place – Jacob Ogden 7th Place – Gabby Maxwell 8th Place – Russell Butler 9th Place – Walton (Trace) Thompson
Class 1 1st Place – Tyler Doyen 2nd Place – Casey Lane 3rd Place – Rhet Conyers 4th Place – Abigail Steward 5th Place – Gavin Goodyear 6th Place – Caleb Waters 7th Place – Charles Watson 8th Place – Jonah Spivey 9th Place – Austin White 10th Place – Krissie ErinLeigh Farris Class 2 1st Place – Jordan McKenzie 2nd Place – Addison Raburn 3rd Place – Coley Riley 4th Place – Avery Surrency 5th Place – Jessica Tamboe 6th Place – Ethan Baird 7th Place – Cassidy Eramo 8th Place – Kaylee Hudson 9th Place – Alexis Swantek Class 3 1st Place – Jon Farnsworth 2nd Place – Ty Merkle 3rd Place – Ella Connell 4th Place – Ava Hasting 5th Place – Krysten Thomas 6th Place – Hannah Rice 7th Place – Alexander Munkelt 8th Place – Chance Christie 9th Place – Tanner Ashley 10th Place – Macey Riley
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Class 4 1st Place – Cody Rice 2nd Place – Daniel Paul 3rd Place – Chelsea Woodard 4th Place – Cooper Sollars 5th Place – Destiny Cox 6th Place – Ryan Cobb 7th Place – Adrianna Lane 8th Place – Jayden Mathena 9th Place – Wyatt Brown 10th Place –
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Class 6 1st Place – Fallon Lantieigne 2nd Place – Jackie Marvin 3rd Place – Haley Bell 4th Place – Brooklynn Brewer 5th Place – Zachary Stenovitch 6th Place – Ava Rose Futch 7th Place – Michaela Carmichael 8th Place – Lindsey Robins 9th Place Alana Kicklighter Class 7 1st Place – Tytan Gill 2nd Place – Emily Jordan 3rd Place – Raegan Tucker 4th Place – Weston Sanchez 5th Place – Callie Smith 6th Place – Justin (Wyatt) Zinke 7th Place – Kendall Long 8th Place – Tyler Hewett 9th Place – Nicholas Retter Class 8 1st Place – Addison Griffin 2nd Place – Wyatt Drawdy 3rd Place – Logan Scott 4th Place – William Letner 5th Place – Joleigh Hinton 6th Place – Tiffany Wilson 7th Place – Taryn Storter 8th Place – Michael Jones Jr 9th Place – Breanne Mc-
April 2018
Cubbin Swine Showmanship Senior Division 1st Place – Tanner Ashley 2nd Place – Cassidy Eramo 3rd Place – Jon Farnsworth Intermediate Division 1st Place – Jackie Marvin 2nd Place – Ava Hasting 3rd Place – Michaela Carmichael Junior Division 1st Place – Addison Griffin 2nd Place Tytan Gill 3rd Place – Chase Braglin Mosaic Youth Poultry and Rabbit Show Poultry Grand Champion – Randy Vazquez Reserve Grand Champion – Donavan Doyle Best Opposite Sex exhibition – Samantha Williams Best Opposite Sex production – Hailey Vazquez Rabbit Grand Champion – Addison Coleman Reserve Grand Champion – Gabriella Resto Best Opposite Sex commercial – Caleb Benitez Best Opposite Sex fancy – Caleb Benitez Dairy Show In the Patterson Companies Livestock Arena, Grimes Family Agricultural Center Ayrshire Grand Champion – Sarah Carter Reserve Grand Champion – Cheyenne Sommer Junior Champion – Sarah Carter Reserve Junior Champion – Sarah Carter Senior Champion – Sarah
Carter Reserve Senior Champion - Cheyenne Sommer Brown Swiss Grand Champion - Noah Bouchard Reserve Grand Champion – Cheyenne Sommer Junior Champion – Taylor Boyd Reserve Junior Champion – Blane Rogers Senior Champion – Noah Bouchard Reserve Senior Champion – Cheyenne Sommer Guernsey Grand Champion– Austin Holcomb Reserve Grand Champion – Guernsey Junior Champion – Austin Holcomb Reserve Junior Champion – Rebecca Holcomb Senior Champion – Austin Holcomb Reserve Senior Champion – Austin Holcomb Holstein Grand Champion – Gracie Lee Reserve Grand Champion – Gracie Lee Junior Champion – Kenslee Heinke Reserve Junior Champion – Gracie Lee Senior Champion – Gracie Lee Reserve Senior Champion – Gracie Lee Jersey Grand Champion - Austin Holcomb Reserve Grand Champion – Kyleigh Glenn Junior Champion – Aubrey Cook Reserve Junior Champion – Aaden Griffin Senior Champion – Austin Holcomb Reserve Senior Champion – Kyleigh Glenn WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
Richard Kahelin AllBreeds Champion Award Austin Holcomb Premier Exhibitor Award Austin Holcomb Junior All Breeds Bred-By Exhibitor Award Sarah Carter Senior All Breeds Bred-By Exhibitor Ward Gracie Lee Junior Herdsman Sarah Rogers Senior Herdsman Ashleigh Denney Charlie Hunter Memorial Sportsmanship Award Taylor Boyd Florida Strawberry Festival Dairy Scholarship – Ashleigh Denney SHOWMANSHIP Pee Wee Division – Morgan Cook Novice Division – Andrew Crouch Junior Division – Aubrey Cook Intermediate Division – Austin Holcomb Senior Division – Ashleigh Denney Adult Division – Michael Fioretto Premier Showmanship Award Ashleigh Denney Costume Ball Funniest – Jackson Raburn, Han Solo and Moobacca Prettiest – Zoe Borg and Hailey March, Mermaid, Ocean and Jelly fish Most Original – Kenslee Heinke, Chocolate Dipped Strawberry
Lamb Show, sponsored by Traeger Grills Patterson Companies Livestock Arena, Grimes Family Agricultural Center Showmanship Beginner 1st Place - Jayde McConnell 2nd Place – Brock Sampson 3rd Place – Mackenzie Paul Junior 1st Place – Emma Leiss 2nd Place – Taylor Steward 3rd Place Julia Jones Intermediate First Place – Jay Stewart 2nd Place – Carlie Braglin 3rd Place – Eric Zimmerman Senior 1st Place – Sarahann Sweeney 2nd Place – Ally Black 3rd Place – Michaela Rogers Supreme Grand Champion Emma Leiss, white face ram Grand Champion black face ewe Jazmin Rodriguez Reserve Grand Champion black face ewe Mackenzie Paul Grand Champion black face ram Delaney Tucker
Reserve Grand Champion black face ram Kaylee Carr Grand Champion white face ewe Jayde McConnell Reserve Grand Champion white face ewe Jay Stewart Grand Champion white face ram Emma Leiss Reserve Grand Champion white face ram Jay Stewart Grand Champion crossbred ewe Jay Stewart Reserve Grand Champion crossbred ewe Taylor Stewart Grand Champion crossbred ram Sarah Rogers Grand Champion rare breed ewe Savannah Jenkins Reserve Grand Champion rare breed ewe Everett DelValle Grand Champion rare breed ram Bella Ballard Reserve Grand Champion rare breed ram Case Watson Costume contest Best Overall Brenna Sturgis, Heard It Through the Grapevine Funniest Chance and Krissie Farris, A House Divided
Most Original Brenna Sturgis, Heard It Through the Grapevine Most Elegant Taylor Stewart, Baker’s Signature Strawberry Shortcake Most Creative Everett DelValle, Willy Wonka and Oompa Loompas Most Colorful T.J. Haner, Under the Sea Jumping Long legged division 1st Place Bryann Murray, T.J. Haner, Krissie Farris and Sarah Rogers Short legged division 1st Place Khali Booth 2nd Place – Jahbari Newton 2nd Place – Maria Colon Mosaic Youth Steer Show Patterson Co. Livestock Arena in the Grimes Family Agricultural Center Overall Grand Champion Jake Stines Reserve Grand Champion Jace Stines Lightweight Division Grand Champion – Cole Hanson Reserve Grand Champion – Amanda Clark Middleweight Division Grand Champion – Jake Stines Reserve Grand Champion – Jace Stines
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Most Colorful – Aubrey Cook, Beach Buddies Overall Winner – Michaela Rogers, Cow Through Construction
Daylight Saving Time All Year Long … Not So Fast! by John Dicks In this day of hyper partisan politics, when Legislators look like they’re staking claims against each other just for the point of it, it seems strange whenever a proposal gets nearly 90% agreement among lawmakers. Granted, you can get unanimous consent for a bill honoring someone’s achievement or recognition for job well done, but rare it is for such consensus when the issue can have truly widespread consequences. This year, though, Florida Legislators were almost giddy with excitement over the prospect of making Daylight Saving Time (DST) a permanent and year round phenomenon here in the Sunshine State. So much so was the exuberant glad-handing that the bill (HB 1013) passed 103-11 in the House and 33-2 in the Senate! It’s called the “Sunshine Protection Act” and as gung-ho as our Legislators and Governor seem to be, it will actually require the proverbial “act of Congress” for it to happen. While some may want eternal sunshine, it’s the federal government that establishes our country’s time zones. That’s why we have four standard zones running across our mainland rather than allowing every state, or even city, to adopt an official time based on when the sun is high overhead marking the hour of noon. Daylight Saving Time was conjured up years ago as another way to tinker with the heavenly clock to give people more sunlight at the end of the day, after work, regardless that it meant they’d have to trudge off to the office in the darkness before daybreak. The notably wise Benjamin Franklin observed that we could all save some candles by not burning as many if only we just moved our timepieces ahead one hour. I suppose that the notion failed to garner much support since back then timepieces generally involved sundials, which were a bit difficult to tinker with. The idea of Daylight Saving Time in America really caught on during World War I. It was an energy-saving initiative,
suggesting that people would use one less hour of electricity per night. We used it again in World War II. In 1966, Congress passed the Uniform Time Act, which made it official U.S. policy. Interesting is that Congress allows states to opt out of the annual switching from Standard to DST (and back). That’s what happens in Hawaii and most of Arizona. Residents there simply don’t change their clocks back and forth. What Florida wants to do, though, is different. Rather than ignore DST like Hawaii, Florida Legislators want us to embrace it full-time. In effect, we’d be creating for much of the year a fifth mainland time zone. Let’s call it Florida Time (though actually it would sync with Atlantic time, but that’s off our mainland). More afternoon sunshine certainly sounds great, but there are some unwitting implications to consider with year round DST when from the middle of November through the middle of March we’d still be “ahead” one hour while most of America was “falling back.” Here’s a few to consider: * In January, the sun won’t rise until after 8 am. Our local elementary schools are planning to start this fall at 7:40 am, which means that it will be nearly 2nd period before the “day” really begins. Bad as that is, even worse is that it will make for some very cold and dark mornings waiting for the bus! * Kids will also have it tough with bedtime. Even in December the sun won’t set until 7 pm, meaning that the young ones will be going to bed when it’s still daylight outside, the very thing we want them to enjoy! * Got a prime time TV show you like to watch as a family? Plan on keeping the kids up until 10 pm since the 8 pm shows won’t be starting in Florida Time until 9 pm. * And then there’s sports. When the Bucs play the Falcons at 4 pm in Atlanta, the game will be starting on our TV’s at 5 pm. No problem there, perhaps, but how about those prime time college football games starting Saturday night at 8 pm and running to nearly midnight. Here we won’t even see them start until 9 pm and we’ll probably be sound asleep before the game is won!
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John Dicks is both a Lawyer and Businessman, including an interest in farming. He and his family have owned a blueberry farm and have agricultural lands which they lease for cattle operations, as John says, “to someone who knows and handles cattle much better than I do!” John is both a Gator, having received his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida, and a Seminole, with his law degree from Florida State University. He and his wife, Sharon, live in Plant City, where he served nine years as City Commissioner, including three terms as Mayor.
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E n d a n g e r e d S p e c i es
Sustainable Living is for the Birds:
Eskimo Curlew By: Ginny Mink
Perhaps there is hope yet for a bird that many believe to be extinct. Maybe ornithologists are just reluctant to release it from existence. Regardless, it is probable that the Eskimo curlew no longer walks, or flies over, the face of this earth. Yet, it remains on the critically endangered list where it was placed in 1994.
This is particularly interesting as IUCN reports that “this species has not been recorded with certainty since 1963.”¹ It further suggests that there have been no confirmed sightings of these birds on their wintering grounds since 1939.¹ This seems like a long time to wait to recognize that a species in danger. The Numenius borealis, or Eskimo curlew as it’s commonly known, was (is) a tremendous traveler. It bred in Canada, in the Northwest Territories (maybe even in Alaska as well) and then migrated through the US, Caribbean, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and perhaps even Paraguay and Uruguay. Presumably, it then returned through Central America, Texas, and the prairies.¹ Obviously, it passed through/ over Florida on its after-breeding migration. That’s some serious distance for a bird that doesn’t get over 14 inches long.² In fact, the Eskimo curlew is considered the smallest curlew within North America. Its wingspan doesn’t extend past 27 inches. And, if you happen to be looking to find one of these elusive (if not all together eradicated) birds, look for a downward curving bill, a pale stripe on its dark crown, a yellow belly, brown back and “V” shaped marks on it flank and chest. There’s also the signature bluish to gray colored legs.² Birds of North America (1998) writes, that it “…has commanded the attention of ornithologists and historians for more than a century…As this millennium closes, occasional reports of the species renew hope that a small, but viable, population exists and that human intervention may help rescue the species from its precarious existence.”³ Yet, IUCN reveals, “…there have been no confirmed records…only several unconfirmed reports during 1981-2006…with the latest unconfirmed sighting from Barbados in September 2012.”¹ It is this uncertainty that breeds hope within the hearts of those who desire that all God’s creations remain. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (2018) admits that there is not a lot of information on the breeding/ reproductive aspects of the Eskimo curlew’s life. Though, apparently, May through August is the most active breeding time frame. Arctic tundra devoid of trees where depressions in bare ground can be made for nests is ideal and females generally lay four eggs a year. Researchers believe that incubation responsibilities are shared between the male and female and babies fledge shortly after they hatch.²
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Winter migration locations are believed to be in Argentina, Brazil, and perhaps Uruguay where the birds feed amid the grasslands. However, their diets can also consist of crustaceans, not just the insects and berries they find in the grassland areas.² The return migrations revealed their preference for areas of burnt grass located within sections of very tall grass, or prairies of mixed-grass. This is presumably because
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the Rocky Mountain grasshopper was its key source of food. Unfortunately, this grasshopper is extinct.¹ Further reading in Birds of North America (1998) reveals that the berries that the Eskimo curlew adored and ate voraciously, are located on the coast of Labrador. They would binge on these berries which ultimately became the fat necessary to fuel their non-stop migration from Canada all the way into South America. The burned prairies that they loved provided them a vast array of exposed insects. Full migration lasted from late August or early September until the following May.³ As we said previously, that’s a long distance for relatively small birds to travel. Not surprisingly, but no less sad, humans are directly related to the demise of these birds. In fact, some writers deem it an “assault on the species” that began in the 1850s. Notably, excessive hunting was a primary factor in the serious decline and near eradication by the end of the nineteenth century.³ In fact, between the years of 1850-1900 hunting Eskimo curlews was allowed for 11 months out of each year. Tens of thousands of them perished during this process.² Hunting Eskimo curlews was banned in 1916, but no recovery was noted for these birds after that time.¹ Of course, suppressing wildfires, converting prairies to agricultural usage, and the extinction of their primary food source, the Rocky Mountain grasshopper, are also high up on the causality scale.³ It seems apparent that the additional conversions of their natural habitats, which began after the initial decline, has hindered the potential for recovery.¹ It is believed that the Eskimo curlew populations were depleted beyond their capacity to be socially sustainable. They are often compared to the plight of the Passenger Pigeon, who was also on its way toward extinction at that time.³ With no actual birds in captivity or clear certainty that any still exist, all hopes for recovery and reintegration are relegated to “paper exercises.” And, if there are individual birds located, it is hard to decipher what steps will be best to ensure the species’ longevity. Should they be propagated in captivity for future release back into the wild or studied to better understand their biology?³ Thankfully, we don’t have to answer these questions. But, we can be on the lookout for a bird that no one is sure even still exists. Knowledge is almost always power. Resources: ¹The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017-3. Numenius borealis. http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22693170/0 ²Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. 2018. Eskimo curlew: Numenius borealis. http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/imperiled/profiles/birds/eskimo-curlew/ ³Birds of North America. (1998). Eskimo Curlew: Numenius borealis. https://birdsna.org/Species-Account/bna/species/eskcur/introduction Photo Credits: James St. John (2010). Numenius borealis (Eskimo curlew) 2. Flickr- https://flic.kr/p/oMQSUr Jim the Photographer (2013). Eskimo Curlew (Numenius borealis). Flickr- https://flic.kr/p/f6oxBo WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Continued from pg. 45 door Held in the Patterson Companies Livestock Arena, Grimes Family Agricultural Center All Breeds Grand Champion Heifer Tucker Conrad
Heavyweight Division Grand Champion – Dakota Allen Reserve Grand Champion – Angelic Alex Class 1 1st Place – Bailey Vogt 2nd Place – James Cooper 3rd Place – Spencer Baylor 4th Place – James Gray 5th Place – Noah Rebman 6th Place – Cheyenne Hancock 7th Place – Sophie Aten 8th Place – Savannah Rice 9th Place – Karissa Atenza Class 2 1st Place – Amanda Clark 2nd Place – Selena Berrios 3rd Place – Owen Baylor 4th Place – Jack Gardner 5th Place – Easton Kicklighter 6th Place – Gracie Lee 7th Place – Clayton Lingo 8th Place – Autumn Durando 9th Place – Raelyn Hudson 10th Place – Michael Kelly Class 3 1st Place – Cole Hanson 2nd Place – Gerald Williams 3rd Place – Reagan Messick 4th Place – Shad Stevens 5th Place – Tanner Jurnigan 6th Place – Ashlynn Flack 7th Place – Katlynn Van Dame 8th Place – Chase Lingo 9th Place – Jacey Dixon 10th Place Jose Campos Class 4 1st Place – Madilyn Conrad 2nd Place – Noel Walls 3rd Place – Bailey Brock 4th Place – Noah Hamrick 5th Place – Jayce Ware 6th Place – Alyssa Johnson 7th Place – Hannah Wears 8th Place – Aidan Vaughan 9th Place – Alex Preiss
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Class 5 1st Place – Clayton Brock 2nd Place – Blake Zajac 3rd Place – Shelby Allen 4th Place – Kendall Gaudens 5th Place – Morgan Chancey 6th Place – Zach Stahl 7th Place – Jessica Tillis 8th Place – Ethan Fernandez 9th Place – Luke Williams
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Class 6 1st Place – Jace Stines 2nd Place – Ramsey Bowers 3rd Place – Brooke Rasmussen 4th Place – Kenley Connell 5th Place – Alysa Branch 6th Place – Brooke Callis 7th Place – Ashley Sanchez 8th Place – Kyle Holland 9th Place – Samuel Shiver Class 7 1st Place – Jake Stines 2nd Place – Amber Boykin 3rd Place – Braden Raburn 4th Place – Dylan Smothers 5th Place – Paige Schelb 6th Place – Marissa Zolna 7th Place – Haley Fletcher 8th Place – Zachery Salter 9th Place – Tyler Wright Class 8 1st Place – Angelic Alex 2nd Place – Matthew DelCastillo 3rd Place – Cheyenne Lopez 4th Place – Reagan Brown 5th Place – Shylen Denmark 6th Place Claire Gill 7th Place – Matthew Diem 8th Place – Jenna Thompson 9th Place – Chase Campbell 10th Place – Julie Rossborough Class 9 1st Place – Kyla O’Neal 2nd Place – Zoe Vogt 3rd Place – Mariah Austin 4th Place – Kiersten Struth 5th Place – Cole Harrell 6th Place – Cecily Llauger 7th Place – Abigale Devane 9th Place – Ethan Rebman 9th Place – Charles Cooper Showmanship Senior Division 1st Place – Noel Walls 2nd Place – Jake Stines 3rd Place – Cecily Llaugher Intermediate Division 1st Place – Amanda Clark 2nd Place – Kendall Gaudens 3rd Place – Cole Hanson Junior Division 1st Place – Bailey Vogt 2nd Place – Matthew Diem 3rd Place – Blake Zajac BEEF BREED SHOW Sponsored by G Five Feed & Out-
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Grand Champion Other Breeds Heifer Maggie Clark Reserve Grand Champion Other Breeds Heifer Britney Smith
Intermediate 1st Place – Shalee Conrad 2nd Place – Harlie Rayborn 3rd Place – Rileigh Rayborn
Reserve Grand Champion Samuel Shiver Woody Ornamental Logan Goodyear Foliage Plant Haley Bell
Grand Champion Other Breeds Bull Timothy Chauncey
Junior 1st Place – Tucker Conrad 2nd Place – Jazmin Rodriguez 3rd Place – Kyleigh Crisswell
Grand Champion Commercial English Heifer Madi Conrad
Junior Herdsman 1st Place – Tucker Conrad 2nd Place – Joleigh Hinton
Reserve Grand Champion Commercial English Heifer Brooke Varn
Intermediate Herdsman 1st Place – Payge Dupre
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Bill McClelland Scholarship, sponsored by Jenkins Ford Blair Buchanon
Size No. 3 Natalie Harrell
Grand Champion Commercial Brahman Heifer Elizabeth Bazemore Reserve Grand Champion Commercial Brahman Heifer Leah Duncan SHOWMANSHIP Senior 1st Place – Kendall Lock 2nd Place – Blair Buchanon 3rd Place Julia Norman
Grand Champion Reagan Brown
Miscellaneous Plant Aliyah Taylor
Size No. 7 Reagan Brown Awards of Distinction Cole Harrell Haley Bell Emily Cowie
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By Ginny Mink
Ornamental Gardening in Florida Welcome back to the Literary Time Machine where we endeavor to voyage to 1926 each month and discover what ornamental gardening looked like nearly 100 years ago. Our trips take us through Charles Torrey Simpson’s book and often reveal new knowledge about old plants. Hopefully there will be something of interest for you on this trip. So, buckle up and see what’s in store. Simpson seems to have come to a revelation about ornamental gardening this month due to his experience with one tree in particular. He writes, “M. azedarach has become naturalized and forms forests from southern Virginia southward and the variety umbraculiformis is widely grown as a yard tree in the lower part of the south. Here in Dade County they grow but do no good. I have a large specimen that has never had a flower and is now dying. It simply proves that most plants will not flourish in a climate much different from that in which they are developed. A tropical plant will perish in a warm temperate climate from frost and a native of the cold north will do no good in the middle south.”¹ While this seems like a blatantly obvious conclusion, we have to wonder if it is only obvious because people like Mr. Simpson figured it out first. That said, we were intrigued by the umbraculiformis that brought this revelation to Mr. Simpson’s mind. Via the site, Dave’s Garden, we discovered that it’s more commonly known as the Texas Umbrella Tree, grows to about 30 feet in height, and has fragrant flowers, which, Mr. Simpson ultimately did not get to enjoy as his tree never flowered. On a side note, the seeds from the tree are poisonous if ingested, so maybe it’s a good thing we don’t have it in southern Florida.² He moves on to suggest that Mesua ferrea, “…a handsome tree of the Oriental tropics…ought to be introduced here.”¹ We have seen, on previous voyages, that some of the plants he suggests end up being invasive throughout our state. So, we wondered what the story was on the Mesua ferrea. Useful Tropical Plants’ website had an array of interesting knowledge. The tree is sacred in India and used in Vietnam for its hard wood, which will apparently sink in water, thusly why some call it the ironwood tree.³
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Additionally, there are a host of medicinal qualities attached to the flower, seed, and aromatic resin. Seeds can be eaten and supposedly taste like chestnuts. Oil from the seeds (which compose 76% of their makeup) is used for treating scabies and dandruff among other things. However, rats that were treated with extracts from the flowers had miscarriages or were unable to get pregnant.³ We are always intrigued when a plant he suggests offers multiple benefits beyond those of the ornamental variety. Such is the case with the previous and this next one as well. He shares, “Moringa pterygosperma. Horseradish tree. A tree
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with delicate leaves which almost constantly bear clusters of peculiar white flowers. The great soft roots as large as a man’s arm, have a flavor like horseradish and take its place in Lower Florida. Will grow almost anywhere in not too wet land.” Of course, that last statement rules us out, but this tree might be good for you because according to Himalaya Wellness, it is an “exceptionally nutritious vegetable tree with a variety of potential uses.”⁴ The site claims that the leaves are full of calcium, iron, and vitamins A and C. They believe it to be an antiinflammatory with the ability to increase the body’s immunity, strengthen bones, promote good digestion and lots of other things.⁴ Certainly we wouldn’t take their word for it, but if it sounds like something potentially useful to you, feel free to actively pursue your own research on the topic. We have decided to leave you with Mr. Simpson’s description of yet another interesting species. He writes of the seed pods of Oroxylon indicum, “An ornamental tree from South Asia…I remember hearing a lecturer in Washington who had recently returned from a trip to the Oriental Tropics and he told of this tree saying that when the pods opened and let the seeds out in the forest the whole atmosphere seemed to be filled with enormous snowflakes—a veritable snowstorm. And as he talked he ran up a stepladder and swung his arm out over the audience, at the same time releasing a handful of these wonderful seeds. They floated all over the room even to the ceiling and his hearers went fairly wild.”¹ We hope you chuckled at his own admission of plant geekiness. Yet, that didn’t stop him from boasting, “The tree is growing in my grounds and it has bloomed and perfected its wonderful seeds here.”¹ Did he catch a seed in Washington or buy some himself? We’ll never know, but maybe we can grab up a little bit of his enthusiasm for plant life as we head into our own gardens this spring. Until next time! Resources: ¹ Simpson, Charles T. (1926). Ornamental Gardening in Florida. Published by the Author; Little River, FL. Printed by J.J. Little and Ives Company, New York. (p. 156-157). ²Dave’s Garden. Texas Umbrella Tree ‘Umbraculiformis’. Melia azedarach. https://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/ go/98787/#b ³Useful Tropical Plants. Mesua ferrea. http://tropical.theferns. info/viewtropical.php?id=Mesua+ferrea ⁴Himalaya Wellness. Drumstick, Horseradish. http://www.himalayawellness.com/herbfinder/moringa-pterygosperma.htm Photo Credits: TreeWorld Wholesale. (2016). Mesua Ferrea (Ironwood Tree). Flickr- https://flic.kr/p/L6ejWb Dinesh Valke. (2008). Oroxylum indicum. Flickr- https://flic.kr/ p/5bULai WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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2018 Community Water Wise Awards Program
Lynn Barber and Lisa Meredith, UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County
The 2018 Community Water Wise Awards, sponsored by Tampa Bay Water, recognize individuals and businesses committed to conserving our water resources and protecting the environment by using FloridaFriendly Landscaping™ (FFL) principles. There are nine FFL principles which include: right plant right place, water efficiently, fertilize appropriately, mulch, attract wildlife, manage yard pests responsibly, recycle, reduce stormwater runoff and protect the waterfront. Many of these principles are used as part of the landscape evaluation process for this award program. The retention of existing trees and vegetation is evaluated, as are landscape design, utilization of mulch and plant selection. Stormwater runoff prevention and efficient irrigation techniques are reviewed, including rain gardens, rainwater harvesting and functioning rain sensor devices. Winning landscapes balance attractive designs with plants, landscape elements and water efficient irrigation techniques that have a positive impact on our environment.
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You can view photographs of past winners at http:// tampabaywaterwise.org and watch a short video which
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includes several of them. The deadline for entries is June 30, so you can complete an application now, submit it and get a head start on the 2018 contest! It takes approximately ten minutes to complete the application and submit on-line to tampabaywaterwise.org. Attaching a photo or two is helpful. On-site landscape evaluations will be scheduled and conducted in May, June and July with homeowners and business owners present. Winning entries will receive a handmade mosaic stepping stone for homeowners or a plaque option for businesses. If you have questions regarding the Community Water Wise Award program, please contact me at 744-5519 x 54105. For more information about the nine principles of the Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM Program or for assistance with gardening-related questions, contact the UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County at 813-7445519, visit our website at: http://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/hillsborough/ and click on Local Events Calendar or stop by Monday through Friday, 8 am – 5 pm to walk through our demonstration gardens. We hope to be walking through your landscapes soon as part of the Community Water Wise Awards Program!
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Lynn Barber, Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Agent
Spring is the driest season in Central Florida. Having your irrigation system serviced can save you money and conserve water. In Hillsborough County, a licensed irrigation contractor or plumber is necessary to perform most types of work on your irrigation system. Permits are required for the alteration, replacement or relocation of any standpipe or water supply. If you pull a permit, you will receive a final inspection by the County. Call Development Services at (813) 272-5600 for permit or licensing questions. If you are a high water user and would like to see if you qualify for a free irrigation evaluation, call me, Paula, at 813-744-5519 Ext. 54142.
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FLORIDA BLUEBERRY GROWERS HAVE A NEW UF ALLY By Jim Frankowiak
Doug Phillips UF blueberry extension coordinator
The link between the University of Florida (UF) and blueberry growers in the Sunshine State just got stronger through the appointment of Doug Phillips as the new UF blueberry extension coordinator, based at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) at Balm. “I recently graduated with a master’s degree in horticultural science from UF in the blueberry breeding program, working under Dr. Patricio Munoz,” said Phillips. “Prior to that, I received a bachelor’s degree in horticultural science, with a minor in soil science, from North Carolina State University. This is Phillips’ second career, “following a career in accounting which provided me with a strong business background.” “My initial career was focused primarily in corporate tax planning,” said Phillips. “My first job was with one of the ‘big four’ accounting firms. I then worked for a public utility holding company, and finally for a global Fortune 500 electronics manufacturer. All of these positions were based in the Tampa Bay area. “Although my work in accounting was challenging and rewarding, I wanted to spend the rest of my career doing something that I have a passion for, and where I could see more of a direct benefit from my work. I have always had a love for the natural sciences, and plants in particular, and decided to pursue a career in horticulture.”
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“During my undergraduate work at NC State, I worked as a greenhouse assistant for a professor who is a plant breeder, and became very interested in that field,” he said. “My graduate work at UF was in the blueberry breeding program, involving both breeding and pathology with a focus on susceptibility to a stem lesion form of anthracnose in southern highbush blueberry. This gave me knowledge and practical experience working with blueberry disease, as well as breeding for specific traits.
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“Following graduation this opportunity to work in blueberry extension was a great fit for my desire to work in an area where I can see the direct benefits of my work, continue to be involved in breeding research and work with a crop that I came to know well during my graduate studies and research.” “My current position came about through a need for UF to have a strong presence with blueberry growers in central and south-central Florida,” said Phillips. “I am based out of the GCREC in Balm to best serve growers in these regions. My primary responsibility is to function as a liaison between the commercial growers and the UF blueberry researchers in Gainesville (breeding, pathology, entomology, horticulture, weed science, etc.), to communicate new developments, issues, recommendations and more to growers, and to provide feedback from the growers to the UF researchers regarding what is working well, what is not working well, current issues and challenges so that the UF research efforts can be focused where they are most needed.” “I am also a point of contact for growers that need assistance with issues from UF,” he said. “In addition, I assist the UF blueberry breeding program by collecting data at trial sites throughout central and south-central Florida.” Phillips and his wife Donna have two children: David, 26 and 24-year-old Anna. When not involved in the varied aspects of his second career, Phillips enjoys “growing vegetables in my home garden and traveling with my wife to the mountains to hike and enjoy the outdoors.” “I look forward to meeting and working with blueberry growers throughout the area,” said Phillips. “If you have any questions or concerns I can assist with, please call or email me.” Phillips’ email address is: dal64372@ufl.edu and his phone is 813/300-7220. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
Fresh from Florida Mineral for your Spring Livestock Needs: FMS Super-Min 4 Big Red Blocks and Minerals, FMS Super-Pro Fly Blocks, and FMS Super-Min Minerals with Fly Control
For dealer information in your area contact us at 800-741-5450 or info@fmsap.com Ask your dealer for, Super-Min poured molasses blocks and Super-Pro pressed protein blocks, the Only blocks manufactured in Florida, by Floridians.Thank you for your business the last 26 Years! We look forward to serving you for many years to come, providing Fresh from Florida products for all your livestock needs. Family Owned and Operated Since 1992.
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Florida Mineral Salt and Agricultural Products
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STINES BROTHERS TAKE TOP YOUTH STEER SHOW HONORS; SET STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL HISTORY
Left to Right Jake and Jace Stines
By Jim Frankowiak
Brothers Jake and Jace Stines took overall grand champion and reserve grand champion honors, respectively, at the 2018 Florida Strawberry Festival’s Mosaic Youth Steer Show and also made Festival history as the first brothers to ever win such honors. There were 91 exhibitors in the competition. Jake is a junior at Plant City High School and a Plant City FFA Chapter member, while Jace is in the 8th grade at Tomlin Middle School. Their 9-year-old cousin Tytan Gill continued the family’s winning ways with Grand Champion Hog honors at the Festival The brothers are children of Jami and Jake Stines. Their mother “grew up showing steers, swine and horses from the young age of 8, along with my sister, Cori Gill,” she said. “I was a member of FFA and 4-H, while my husband was born and raised in Dover and never had any agricultural background, but I molded him,” said Jami jokingly.
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While the brothers’ can trace their steer showing success back to their mom and her activities as a young lady growing up in Plant City, their father’s student-athlete path was not overlooked, but more on that later. He has been a CSX locomotive engineer for 22 years, while Jami is a full-time and very proud mom who has worked as the billing manager for Nadal Pediatrics. A part-time position she has held for the past 22-years. The family resides on five-acres in the Knights/
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Cork area. “We have a few head of cattle, two steers and two horses,” said Jami. “We’re still in a state of shock on the achievements of our sons,” noted Jami. “Jake’s current Ag activities also include livestock and meat judging,” noted Jami. “His livestock judging team was the only one that qualified for state honors from Hillsborough County. Jake finished 16th overall individually. “Both boys started showing steers in middle school, which is a Festival rule,” said Jami. “I have always had a love and passion for showing and I wanted to pass that along to my boys.” And that’s more than just the animal. “It’s about teaching and learning about responsibility, patience, confidence, respect and having passion for something you work hard for,” said Jami. “And our approach includes all members of the family, whether we are home or at a show, we all participate and help.” “Some people look at those of us who show livestock and think we are crazy,” said Jami. “Some ask, why would you put all of that time and money into a hobby? We do it for family time, keeping the family tradition, passion, friendships, life lessons, making awesome memories and great stories that we can share. This is our way of life that is deeply loved and something that we are very passionate about.”
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That help and support doesn’t end with the family. “While their biggest supporters are mom, dad, family and friends, mentoring has included mom and dad, as well as, steer producer and long time family friend Allen Newsome and his daughter, Ashley Newsome-Smith. They have been a tremendous help, providing guidance, knowledge, time and support over the years.” Jake and Jace purchased their Festival-winning steers from Newsome and his partner Jason Clark. Festival rules require steers shown in the competition be born and bred in Hillsborough County and there is a $1,500 ceiling on the purchase price of steers. The steers Jake and Jace plan to show at the 2019 Festival were recently purchased from Newsome and Clark and are in the process of getting used to their new surroundings and owners. That year-long process includes care and feeding, as well as, working with the animals to prepare them for the show. “We’re up early every day to feed them and we spend time caring for them and working to make them comfortable in the show ring,” said Jake. Those ongoing duties also include combing, bathing, daily hair care and assisting with hoof trimming, a process that’s required every six months with the assistance of a blacksmith. There are ongoing costs such as feed and other items needed to assure the health and well being of the animal. That’s in addition to the initial price of the steer. That brings up a very important aspect of the show and that is community support. In this case, it is manifested through the purchase price paid by individuals and organizations in the community, plus other individuals and/or groups who “add on” to the purchase price paid for the steers. Sam Astin of Astin Farm and Steve Maxwell of Highland Packaging Solutions purchased Jake’s Grand Champion Steer for $15 per pound, totaling $18,825. Jonathan and Lori Swindle of Arrowhead Archery, Larry and Debbie Swindle of Rocking S Farms and Weeping Creek Ranches’ Stephanie and Jason Conrad purchased the Reserve Grand Champion for $11 per pound, totaling $13,299. “We would like to express our appreciation to these generous
Jake and Jace also expressed their appreciation to the Festival and Steer Committee for the opportunity to compete. “We can’t forget G5 Feed and Outdoor for supplying fresh feed and hay,” they said. Add-ons to Jake and Jace totaled an additional $500 to each. Those came from Jarrett-Scott Ford, Mosaic, Raok, Conyers Pluming and Diane Swindle. The purchase price of the steers and the add-ons make great additions to the college funds of Jake and Jace. Plus, Jake has a new buckle that reflects his Overall Grand Champion achievement. Getting back to the boy’s father, Jake, and his impact on his sons and their athletic activities. “Jake is the president of the Plant City High School Fishing Club and is a regular competitor in bass fishing tournaments across the state,” said his mother. “Jace is a member of 5 Star National Travel Baseball Team, playing short stop. He also played on the Tomlin Middle School basketball, soccer and flag football teams. Jake plans to attend the University of Central Florida (UCF) where he is leaning towards a business degree or pharmacy, but he will definitely be part of the UCF Bass Fishing Team. By the way, intercollegiate athletics now includes fishing. Jace will follow his brother at Plant City High School and then plans to go on to Texas Christian University on a baseball scholarship, no doubt followed by a stint in the major leagues. But let’s not forget that the 2019 Florida Strawberry Festival is less than a year away and Jake and Jace Stines already have and are working with their steers. Who knows, maybe there’s more Festival history to be made? Congratulations to 2018 Florida Strawberry Festival Mosaic Youth Steer Show Overall Grand Champion Jake and Overall Reserve Grand Champion Jace Stines.
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buyers because without them these projects would not be possible,” said Jami. “Each of these buyers is at the Festival every year supporting our youth. They give so graciously from their hearts.”
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As our favorite season ends, we would like to thank those who have supported our industry.
Our stand is now closed, but will reopen this summer when our vegetable crops are ready for harvest. Check back between late May and early June and order your black eyes, conks, zippers and okra. Thank you! Carl, Dee Dee and Dustin Grooms NEW STAND LOCATION: 5212 Drane Field Rd. | 813.478.3486 or 813.754.4852 | FancyFarms.com INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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Business Up Front
Vehicular Passion
Brian Chumbler, owner of the Plant City MAACO, has a passion for auto body repair in his blood. By Breanne Williams When customers walk through the door of Plant City’s MAACO Collision Repair & Auto Painting they will walk away with the knowledge they can get quality work done at an affordable price. Brian Chumbler, owner of the Plant City MAACO, said business has steadily been growing since they first opened on July 3, 2017. Originally he looked at multiple areas including Sarasota and Hudson, but upon arriving in Plant City he knew where he had to set up shop. “When I first drove into Plant City and started visiting, I knew that this was going to be the place for us,” Chumbler said. “It has that small town feel, which is important to me.” Chumbler grew up surrounded by the industry. His father had a paint shop set up in the back of his office and Chumbler said he was painting refrigerators by the age of 14 and had moved on to cars by the time he was legally old enough to drive them. His father was a mechanic who specialized in body work and paint jobs and he said he quickly fell in love with the craft. “I grew up with this in my blood,” Chumbler said. “I’ll tell you I had no idea what I was in for though.” After graduation Chumbler enlisted in the Marines Corp at 17 years old. At one point he was stationed in Jacksonville, Florida and fell in love with the state. After retiring from the service he pursued a career far from his childhood passion. He works with neurosurgeons, bringing in the instruments and implants needed for each surgery. “From the time I left at 17 for the Marines until last year I hadn’t picked up a spray can,” Chumbler said. Though he loved his job he couldn’t shake that longing to go back to the industry that he grew up in. When he decided to open MAACO he was able to do both. Keep his current job while still exploring his passion for cars. The company specializes in everything from repairing minor collisions to auto painting, touchups and overalls. Depending on what is being done, Chumbler said there is an average turn around of three to four days for each vehicle. MAACO is known for its cost effective paint jobs. Chumbler said customers will always receive quality at a fair price. His ability to wow his customers lies in the staff he meticulously selects to work in his show. He said experience is key when someone joins the team.
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People often fail to realize just how intricate car repairs, even paint jobs, can be. The preparation process alone includes steps like sanding and taping to prepare the section of the car for a new coat of paint. Chumbler said he often has people
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assume they can simply roll a car in and slap a “new coat on it.” “It’s a full process to do a car right so I’m always looking for people with experience,” Chumbler said. “That’s really important to me. Our painter alone has 35 years of experience. We’ve got a great team here.” There are approximately 10 team members currently on Chumbler’s staff. Though they are up for any repair, he said his favorites without a doubt involve cars that need a little love to be returned to their former glory. Often he said people will come in with a vehicle that has minor dents and a shoddy paint job in hopes of fixing it up so they can sell it. He and his team will painstakingly comb over every inch of the vehicle, sanding, buffering and eventually repainting to make the car look like new. Some of his favorite moments on the job have been when the customer takes one look at their refurbished vehicle and decides they don’t want to part with it after all. “I had one woman and her husband come in with a car that was sun beaten, peeling and had some dings,” Chumbler said. “We called her when it was done and she walked straight into the office wanting to know where her car was. She walked right by it in the parking lot on the way in and didn’t even recognize it.” As MAACO continues to make its impact on Plant City, Chumbler said he is beginning to see the results of his team’s work all over town. Whenever he does he said he always stops to chat and see how they like the work. “My customers know that they’re going to be treated fairly,” Chumbler said. “I’ve got people with a lot of experience. They’ll get what they paid for, probably more.” Customers are beginning to refer their friends and one family has even put three different vehicles through Chumbler’s doors. Several of his handiworks can now be found each month at the Plant City Strawberry Classic Cruise-In car show, including one of his favorite repairs, a ’71 Chevy. He said it was “just completely full of rust.” It wasn’t a rushed job and the team took it on for six months, repairing every inch of the old vehicle. The end result was one Chumbler said he will remember for years to come. As business grows, Chumbler said they may soon start offering powder coating and bed liners for their customers. Anyone interested in an estimate should bring the car to the shop at 907 S Alexander St. on Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. More information can be found via the shop’s Instagram, Facebook page or website. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
Prepare Now. Sign up for an On-Farm Readiness Review.
Are you FSMA compliant? The ďŹ rst Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule (PSR) compliance dates have arrived. Very large farms with average annual sales exceeding $500,000 in the last three years were required to be compliant with the PSR as of Jan. 26, 2018, with the exception of the water requirements. Sign up now to request a Free On-Farm Readiness Review, offered in partnership by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and University of Florida IFAS. The OFRR is an opportunity to receive on-farm education and technical assistance to help farms align practices with the PSR regulatory requirements.
For more information on FSMA and to sign up for an OFRR, visit FreshFromFlorida.com/FSMA or call (863) 578-1900.
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A Closer LookAmazing Activities Naturally
by Sean Green
Leather Mushrooms
This month our activity is a mushroom based craft that can help you get rid of small scraps of leather, or if your new to leather work, this is a great opportunity to get creative with inexpensive scrap leather pieces. Leather foliage can be a great addition to your home décor and last for a long time. Mushrooms are perfect for such a craft because the natural color of leather is very similar to that of wild mushrooms and is easy to distress for texture and color variation.
Materials: 2 oz – 4 oz Leather Scraps (Veggie Tan) Scissors Fabric glue Hot Glue Sewing machine (or needle & thread) Felt Rubber bands Plastic Easter Eggs (optional for molding leather)
Process: Soak Leather;
5 to 10 min to soften it for forming and distressing
Distress Leather:
Twist, Bruise, Scratch, Scorch (Bake 100 °f to get blotchy darkening) I kept mine in the oven until they started to burn.
Mold Leather Tops:
make the leather concave by forming with your hands or stretching into a mold. I used both halves of plastic Easter eggs for small mushrooms.
Mold Leather Stems: Trim Leather Tops:
Roll strips of damp leather into a tube shape. (inside out for texture) Glue the edges with fabric glue, Tighten rubber bands around the stem until the glue dries.
Glue Felt:
Glue felt onto the bottom of the mushroom top
Glue Stems;
Remove rubber bands from the stems. Hot Glue the stems to the inside of the mushroom top
Finish;
Glue your mushrooms into a setting of wood, or a picture frame, a diorama. Etc. Decorate the setting with moss, rocks, dead leaves, etc…
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Trim the molded leather to create a round(ish) top. Imperfections look more realistic.
Mold Leather April 2018
Trim Leather
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A Closer Look A Closer Look
by Sean Green
Zombie Ants (Ophiocordyceps unilateralis) Do you believe that the spores of a mushroom can infiltrate the body to create a zombie? A zombie is a creature that’s mind and body are characteristically controlled by an infection that forces it to wander among the masses that are doomed to become zombies themselves before dying and infecting the rest of the population. Books, movies, and video games often explore concepts that foreshadow future possibilities. Although zombification is popular science fiction for human beings, it is a bizarre reality for many insects. This month we will take a closer look at the fungi responsible for creating zombie ants, they are closer than you think. On a recent hike through Dead River Park in Thonotosassa, I noticed a carpenter ant (Camponotus) clinging to a patch of Spanish moss. When I looked closer, I realized this was no ordinary ant, at least not anymore. This was what is known as a zombie ant, easily distinguished by its death grip on foliage and a fungal stalk growing out of its neck. Chris Kiddy, the program coordinator for Hillsborough County’s Conservation and Environmental Lands Management Department was at the park setting up one of the camping events offered to the public. I showed Chris the zombie ant and explained what happened to it before suggesting his campers might enjoy seeing it and he could have fun with the zombie reference. Chris did share the zombie ant with the campers and later told me they were fascinated with the sighting, especially the teenagers; furthermore, campers soon discovered that it was not the only zombie ant to be found. The zombie apocalypse genre dates to at least 1954 when Richard Matheson created the zombie-vampire novel I am Legend. Since then, there has been an increasing interest in the zombies in the Science Fiction and Fantasy genres of literature, film, and video games. While some of these books and movies include the premise of a viral infection, the actual cause of zombification is still a mystery with hunches ranging from NASA radiation to divine intervention. There is however a game plot based on real science. The Last of Us, a third person survival horror action adventure game released in 2013, features a plot in which 60 percent of humanity is wiped out by a mutant parasitic fungi Cordyceps, which happens to be a real-world organism. This organism was a featured segment of the BBC nature documentary Planet Earth (2006) and was the inspiration for the core game concept developed by Bruce Straley and Neil Druckman of Nauty Dog for the Sony’s Playstation 3 and Playstation 4. The game explores
Cordyceps is a generic term that describes a genus of ascomycete (sac fungi) that spew spores from a sac like fruiting body. Recently renamed Ophiocordyceps, fungi in this genus include hundreds of species that parasitize various insects, not human beings, however, human beings have been consuming Cordyceps for thousands of years. The caterpillar fungus (Ophiocordyceps sinensis) for example, parasitizes the larvae of various Asian ghost moths (Hepialus) in Asia and is revered as an Asian herbal medicine traditionally selling for the equivalent of $500 to $1,300 an ounce. Caterpillar fungus typically has high levels of heavy metals such as arsenic that are potentially toxic and as such, have been heavily regulated since 2016. A variety of products are now marketed and sold as Cordyceps in North America. The fungi responsible for the ant zombies is Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, a fungus that parasitizes carpenter ants (Camponotus) and closely related species. The fungi depend on the ant host to survive and need specific conditions for optimal growth and propagation. Humidity must be 94-95 percent with temperatures between 68°F and 86°F. Spores attach to the outside of the ant’s exoskeleton and begin germination to grow long branching structures that secrete compounds that dissolve their way through the insect’s outer shell (cuticle). Once the cuticle is breeched, the fungi continues to grow on the inside of the insect’s body producing new compounds that change the insect’s circulatory system, behavioral characteristics and even replaces ant tissue with its own tissue as it grows. The infected ant first suffers severe convulsions that make it fall to the ground away from its peers and the infection takes complete control of the ant’s body, keeping the brain intact, but controlling the ant’s limbs. The infection drives the ant back up the stem to a precise height of 25.20 cm (± 2.46 cm) above the ground, always on the northern side of the plant, and always just above a busy foraging path of the colony. The infected ants last exertion will be its “death grip” on the underside of a leaf or Spanish moss with its mandibles as it dies, the fungi makes a meal of what is left of the ant’s body, replacing the ant’s innards with it’s own and eventually sprouting a fruiting body from just behind the ants head. The fruiting body matures and erupts to release spores onto the rest of the colony foraging below to begin a new cycle of infection. A successful infection can lead to as many as 30 dead ants per square meter, each of them with a death grip at precisely the right height and conditions for the fungi to grow and propagate.
I contacted the only zombie expert I know, my 9-year-old niece Avril Simon Collazo of Chalmette, Louisiana. According to her, she knows “every single thing about zombies” and she described what she knew of zombie ants. Her initial comment was simple and to the point, “The fungus goes into the ant’s brain and makes the ant go onto a leaf until one day the fungus bursts out of the brain;” She continued, “It cannot happen to human beings though.”
Avril Simon Collazo When we talked about “cordyceps,” the fungal assailant in the video game The Last of Us, and I told her they are sold as herbal remedies, my little expert warned “DO NOT EAT THAT!” I suggested that it may reverse the infection in zombies, she disagreed, explaining “they probably wouldn’t swallow it since it wouldn’t be human flesh, they would probably spit it out like it’s a kid eating broccoli.” “Humans turn to zombies by a virus,” she explained “The virus is pretty close to bone cancer and rabies” and clarified “If cancer and rabies were people and they had a child, that’s what the zombie virus would be, the infection transfers when you get bitten or scratched by a zombie. When you die, your brain dies, and that’s when the virus turns your brain back on and makes you into a zombie, and you have no control, you don’t remember anything and all you know is to feed.” I sent Avril my picture of the zombie ant to get her opinion and she said she would look at it and reference her zombie book because it had a section for zombie ants. After reading to me several pages of zombie history, she confirmed that her book mentions examples of “zombies” in nature, specifically with the fungus of the genus Ophiocordyceps. So, there we have it, the spores of a mushroom can indeed infiltrate the body to create a zombie, although for the time being, it’s only the body of insects. The conditions are right for you all to witness this amazing natural phenomenon, remember, if you find one zombie ant, you are likely to find an entire horde, if you take a closer look. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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the notion of a real-world fungus evolving to infect human beings.
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NEWS BRIEFS
Compiled by Jim Frankowiak
RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND AT FLORIDA STATE FORESTS If you’re planning a vacation or getaway, don’t forget about Florida’s state forests. There are 37 state forests comprising more than one-million acres. State forest programs offer a range of recreational activities on foot and horseback, plus opportunities to enjoy the Florida portion of the National Scenic Trail. Information about locations, programs, fees and more is available by visiting: https://www.freshfromflorida.com. UF/IFAS PIE CENTER WELCOMES FOLLOWERS The UF/IFAS Center for Public Issues Education (PIE Center) conducts ad disseminates objective interdisciplinary research and educational programs to increase public understanding of and engagement in agricultural and natural resources issues. Learn more about the PIE Center and its varied educational programs, including announcements, newsletters, weekly Trends and Topics emails and monthly webinars by visiting: http://www.piecenter.com. USDA SEEKS TO ENGAGE PRIVATE LANDOWNERS IN RESTORATION/PROTECTION OF LONGLEAF PINE FORESTS The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is offering technical and financial assistance to landowners to help plan and implement voluntary forestry practices that support forests and productive forestry operations with overall focus on longleaf pine forests in the Southeast. The initiative’s four main conservation actions include: managing the over-growth of vegetation competing with longleaf pine; using prescribed fire to mimic natural processes that help longleaf pine thrive; planting new forests; and protecting existing forests through easements. For more information, contact District Conservationist Lisa Harper at the USDA Service Center, 201 South Collins Street, Suite 201, Plant City, FL 33563. Telephone: 813-473-4882 or email: Lisa.Harper@fl.usda.gov. WEBSITE OFFERS FREE FARM AND RANCH JOB LISTINGS FOR EMPLOYERS AND JOB SEEKERS NATIONWIDE The Farm and Ranch Jobs website was launched in 2011 to provide two services to the agricultural community: to help job seekers discover the latest employment opportunities in farming, ranching, agribusiness, horticulture and related fields, and to help employers recruit highly qualified agricultural professionals to meet their employment needs. There is no charge for either service and both are national in scope.
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Visit the site, www.farmandranchjobs.com to view current listings and to determine how to post employment opportunities.
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USDA ENCOURAGES RENEWAL OF CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM CONTRACTS The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) – Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) is encouraging agricultural producers with existing Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) contracts that expire at year end to consider contract renewal and the new benefits available. More information is available by visiting: https://www. nrcs.usda.gov or by contacting District Conservationist Lisa Harper via email: lisa.harper@fl.usda.gov or by calling 813-473-4882. She is based at the USDA/NRCS Plant City Service Center. STATE FORESTRY OFFICIALS ENCOURAGE WILDFIRE PREPARATION We are in the midst of Florida’s wildfire season, which is expected to be bad this year, partly because of all of the debris left behind by Hurricane Irma. Forestry officials want residents to be aware and properly prepare their homes in the event of a wildfire. Experts advise a “lean, clean and green” landscape within 30-feet of a structure. That means small amounts of flammable vegetation, no accumulations of dead vegetation, adjacent plants that are healthy and green and a well-irrigated lawn. More information is available at https://www.freshfromflorida.com. NRCS FLORIDA SEEKING EASEMENT RESTORATION PARTNERS USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida is seeking assistance to complete restoration work of degraded wetlands, floodplains and forestlands. NRCS has a May 18 deadline for proposals from qualified individuals and organizations to implement restoration activities on eligible easement properties. Additional information on wetland, floodplain and forestland easements can be accessed at: https://www. nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/easements/ USDA OFFERS $8.4 MILLION FOR SUPPORT OF VETERANS AND SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMERS AND RANCHERS The USDA’s Office of Partnerships & Public Engagement (OPPE) has announced up to $8.4 million in available funding for training and technical assistance for socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers. Grants under this initiative, also known as the 2501 Program, focus on conferences, training sessions, educational materials or new programs to help these farmers and ranchers thrive and succeed. Qualified applicants must apply for funding by May 15 of this year. Added information is available via teleconference April 25 at 2 p.m. EST. Access to the call is via 1-888-455-1685 and use passcode 7087935. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
WE’RE PUTTING SCIENCE TO WORK TO PRESERVE NATURE
Every day, Mosaic puts science to work right here in our community. Our team of engineers and other specialists work with regulatory agencies to identify areas of environmental sensitivity that should be preserved and protected. Through its land conservation and reclamation efforts, Mosaic has helped provide over 46,000 acres of natural lands that offer functioning habitats for plant and animal life. Shelley, a senior permitting engineer for Mosaic, works to ensure these preservation areas support a sustainable post-mining landscape that includes wildlife corridors and habitat diversity. To learn more about Mosaic’s preservation techniques, visit Science.MosaicCo.com.
© 2018 The Mosaic Company
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First-timer sweeps at Mosaic Youth Swine Show By Breanne Williams
Though this was Tytan Gill’s first time showing at the Florida Strawberry Festival he wowed the judges and walked away Grand Champion. Tytan Gill, a member of Alafia Kids 4H, apparently has exhibiting in his blood after presenting a grand champion swine during his first show at the Florida Strawberry Festival. Tytan, age 9, had never shown a swine prior to this season and walked away from the Festival as Junior Premier Exhibitor, first in his class, Grand Champion, second in Junior Showmanship and second in Junior Herdsman. When they left the Florida Strawberry Festival Livestock Banquet he joked he “couldn’t even carry it out of there.” Luckily, his parents were there to grab the multiple awards while he walked out proudly holding a trophy almost as tall as he is. “I learned a lot, like how they grow so quickly and how smart they are,” Tytan said. “I’d wake up early and feed him and feed him again at night. I worked with him for hours every day. It’s a big responsibility.” He has been in 4-H for two years and said he was simply ready to dive into the agriculture side of the group. He named his swine Stone and quickly threw himself into being the best exhibitor he could. He learned how to weigh food and give Stone the proper medicine. He admitted it was “tricky” at times keeping him on track and training him for exhibition. Luckily, talent runs in his family. His mother, Cori Gill, was the first person to win Grand Champion Steer twice at the Florida Strawberry Festival. With her guidance and the support of the entire family, Tytan quickly learned how best to care for the animal and how to ensure he was “the best possible pig” when the festival came around. “Pigs are really finicky, they’re almost like infants,” Cori said. “You have to be extremely careful not to get water in their ear because they’ll definitely get an ear infection. We were trying to acclimate them like you would yourself. Raising a pig is a big responsibility but Tytan really handled all of it well.”
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Tytan showed for the very first time in October at the county fair where he was far from victorious. He said his results at the
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Florida Strawberry Festival were “such a shock” and that he was ecstatic to learn he had improved his showmanship. “All I did was play sports and I wanted to try something new,” Tytan said. “I was kind of nervous. There were so many people, you never know what’s gonna happen. I had to stop my pig from running in the arena. When they called my name for Grand Champion I was nervous but really happy. It was definitely a surprise.” The experience has sparked a deep love for agriculture in Tytan and he said he’s going to spend the next few years exhibiting and learning how to raise animals. Though he said he is definitely nervous he won’t be drawn for a pig next year he is looking forward to becoming a regular face at the Florida Strawberry Festival. All the money he wins from both this and all future endeavors he plans to put in a college fund, which he will use to pursue his dream of becoming a veterinarian. He said he loves all animals — except frogs — and can’t wait to be able to have a career where he can help them. His love for animals is evident by not only the way he tearfully said goodbye to Stone, but also in how he treats and is loved by the animals he sees everyday. He is constantly followed around by his pit bull and incessantly talks about the new animals he hopes to one day own. His family is even in search of a larger property so they can be prepared if he decides to one day show a steer. Though he is only nine years old he said he definitely plans on joining FFA as soon as he gets to middle school to start getting involved with all of those programs. For now, he’s happy to be a part of 4-H and continue to learn and excel in all of his new feats. “Even though I won I don’t think I’m a pro,” Tytan said. “I thought I was a rookie. Nobody’s perfect and I just like learning and getting better. I hope I win in the future but I know anything can happen.” WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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EDIS Electronic Data Information Source EDIS is really the acronym for Electronic Data Information Source, and it is one of the Extension services, programs and resources available through the University of Florida (UF). First, a bit about Extension, but please don’t think Extension is just something for farmers and/or folks living in rural areas. It is much more! Extension is a partnership among state, federal and county governments to provide scientific knowledge and expertise to the public. UF, together with Florida A&M University (FAMU), administers the Florida Cooperative Extension Service. At UF, Extension is located in the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), along with the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) and the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, and is called UF/IFAS Extension. This entity encompasses thousands of Extension faculty members, scientists, educators, administrative staff and volunteers, all working to provide solutions for life for us all. Nick T. Place, Ph.D. is the Dean and Director of UF/IFAS Extension and he is based at UF in Gainesville. The partnership Dr. Place heads is dedicated to developing knowledge in agriculture, human and natural resources and the life sciences, and to making that knowledge accessible to sustain and enhance the quality of human life here in Florida. That knowledge is available through services, programs and resources typically available to Floridians through county Extension offices with those offices offering added programs based on local needs. Extension services include classes, computer networking, consultations, demonstrations, educational materials, field days, meetings and workshops. UF/IFAS Extension programs cover a range of subjects from the Distance Diagnostic and Identification System (DDIS) for sharing information on plant insects and diseases , FloridaFriendly Landscaping™ to help create beautiful yards and public areas utilizing low-maintenance and environmentally sustainable plants; to 4-H, Green Communities and much, much more, including initiatives keyed to local community needs. Those needs are continually assessed and addressed through Extension initiatives. Getting back to EDIS, it is one of a series of resources available at no charge through Extension. DDIS, mentioned earlier, is another. UF/IFAS Extension services, programs and resources embrace agriculture, natural resources, 4-H youth development, lawn & garden, family resources and learning opportunities.
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The EDIS website is a comprehensive, single-source repository of all current UF/IFAS numbered, peer-reviewed publications. Academic departments develop and maintain a col-
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By Jim Frankowiak
lection of publications available for universal, free distribution on the web and through county offices and UF Research and Education Centers across Florida. Visitors to the EDIS website access one of more than 7,000 publication titles in excess of 26-milllion times annually. UF/IFAS began providing electronic access to publications in the early 1990s when it began producing handbooks of documents on CD ROMS. The Florida Agricultural Information Retrieval System (FAIRS) website first went online in May 1995 and continued until 1998 when the name was changed to EDIS and became the single source for all Extension publications and was also adapted to permit extension units and others to print documents on an as-needed basis. The UF/IFAS Solutions for Life web initiative has brought EDIS publications together with other valuable web resources within the overall framework in a single web-user friendly theme and structure. These publications share four essential qualities: 1. They support or contribute to Extension programs. 2. They communicate information pertinent to targ4et audiences and their issues, including ways to foster healthy lifestyles, environment or economy. 3. The provide production and management recommendations by UF/IFAS. 4. They are topical and written in a manner relevant to Extension partners and target audiences. Major topic areas of the EDIS site include: • Agriculture and Horticulture • Community Development • Environment • Families and Consumers • 4-H Youth Development • Lawn and Garden • Natural Resources It’s important to note that in order to be on EDIS as part of this collection of official UF/IFAS publications, a published item must have been peer-reviewed by internal and external reviewers, and be approved for publication by a Department Chair, Center Director, if applicable, and Extension Program Leader. In addition, the publication must be supported by a current member of the faculty of one of the departments in UF/IFAS. Also, the publication must be reviewed or revised at least once every three years and it must be entered into the EDIS publication data base using the EDIS Authoring Tool. That’s EDIS, which is also familiarly referred to as your Every Day Information Source. If you would like to know more or want to explore the broad range of subject areas, visit: http:// edis.ifas.ufl.edu. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
Community rallies to support Youth Livestock shows At the annual Florida Strawberry Festival Youth Livestock Awards Banquet members of the community filled the hall in support of the young swine and steer exhibitors at the festival.
By Breanne Williams Photos courtesy of Florida Strawberry Festival Hundreds of students, families and community members gathered at the Florida Strawberry Festival Youth Livestock Awards Banquet on April 3. Approximately $37,000 in scholarships and more than 100 awards were given to exhibitors at the Charlie Grimes Family Agricultural Center. Each year, the 4-H and FFA students are honored for their hard work showing steer and swine during the Florida Strawberry Festival. Many of the buyers and scholarship donors were in attendance as well. Festival president Paul Davis thanked the buyers for their continued support of the agriculture programs; which many in attendance repeatedly agreed was a key element that set the festival apart from other fairs. Throughout the evening several stated how “refreshing” it was to see the festival continue its commitment to the livestock shows, which were the events that originated many fairs across the nation. Kenneth Parker, superintendent of the steer committee, said the Florida Strawberry Festival has one of the greatest agriculture shows in the country. He said after the steer show he was taking a judge back to the airport in Tampa when he turned to Parker and told him he had judged shows all over the country and that the Strawberry Festival could only com-
Parker said the exhibitors were the epitome of professional in the ring, though they could still work on their showmanship and encouraged students to take part in classes and shows throughout the year to improve their schools. Each scholarship was $2,200 and the students had the opportunity to meet the family donating the money and get their picture taken with their awards. The dinner, catered by Sonny’s BBQ, aimed at uniting the students with the community members that come out to support them every year. Several students walked away with arms full of trophies, plaques, belt buckles and checks. The agricultural roots in Plant City run deep as families from across the town opened their pocketbooks to support the young exhibitors. Several were participants themselves years ago and mentioned the event helped them come “full circle” in support of the programs. “We will do our best to have as successful, or a better show next year as we did this past year, Brian Shepherd, chairman of the swine show,” said. “That’s what our goal is, to make sure that you all enjoy yourselves, have a good time and enjoy your projects.” INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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pare to one or two other shows in the nation.
RCMA ALUMNI ‘PAY IT FORWARD’ IN A VARIETY OF WAYS By Jim Frankowiak Redlands Christian Migrant Association (RCMA) was founded in South Florida in 1965. Initially, RCMA’s concern was the health and safety of farmworkers’ young children, challenges that were quickly and successfully addressed through good nutrition and health screenings. While that initial focus has and continues to be addressed, another has emerged and continues to be primary for RCMA and that is early childhood education. From two childcare centers in Homestead, RCMA has grown to 66 centers in 21 Florida counties, all serving the rural poor, and the majority serving the children of Hispanic immigrants. Those centers currently have 5,000 children enrolled. RCMA programs have grown, as well. Early Head Start center accept infants as young as six weeks and after school programs serve children ages six to 16. RCMA now operates elementary-level charter schools in Immokalee, south Florida and Wimauma, south of Tampa. The Wimauma campus also includes a charter middle school. Parents can also benefit from expanded RCMA programming through assistance with English, completion of their schooling through school systems in Florida and Mexico and their literacy. While success can be measured in a variety of ways, RCMA alumni offer countless examples, many willingly “paying it forward” in the communities where they reside and others continuing to “give back” to the organization.
borough County, along with husband Rogelio. With a small budget and a bus provided by the Hillsborough County Migrant Program, both had to do whatever it took to make the program successful. The responsibilities of family support worker, bus driver and cook were just a few of the duties they carried out daily. With encouragement from Barbara Mainster, Executive Director, Villanueva earned her GED and eventually an undergraduate degree in social work. She is now RCMA’s Director of Farmworker Advocacy, residing with her family in east Hillsborough County. Ansberto Vallejo, another RCMA alumnus, was enrolled as a preschooler at the Wimauma Child Development Center. “I remember riding my tricycle under the shade of the trees,” he said. “I remember the faces of the ladies that took care of us.” As he grew older, Vallejo’s RCMA influences broadened. While in college he tutored elementary school children in an RCMA after-school program. “That really opened my eyes and played a critical role as to what I wanted to study and major in,” he said. Vallejo has since devoted his career to helping children. After earning a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of South Florida (USF), he returned to his alma mater, East Bay High School, as a drop-out prevention specialist. A few years later, he began a mentoring program to acquaint Latin and migrant students with USF students, hoping to heighten Hispanic/Latino interest in college. Three-fourths of the first class went on to college. In 2004, Vallejo’s fellow teachers nominated him for minority educator of the year. He became a guidance counselor, then head of East Bay’s guidance department and Supervisor of Academic Programs in the Hillsborough County School District’s Tampa headquarters where he headed a program designed to identify middle and high school students in the system with the potential to do better. His program encourages them to take on more rigorous work. “There are a lot of programs for struggling kids, and then there are the gifted programs at the other end,” he said. “This is for the academic middle students.”
Lourdes Villanueva
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Lourdes Villanueva migrated with her parents as a teenager, learning to pick everything. Her favorite was oranges she would pick from the top of the ladder, where she could see the farthest. When Villanueva had children, she discovered RCMA and a new life. She joined RCMA as CoDirector for the first “Drop Out Prevention Program” in Hills-
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Vallejo is now Supervisor for Career and Postsecondary Planning for the district where high school students are provided with guidance and information for college and other options available to them after graduation. “We look at the military, trade and technical career paths, not just college,” he said. Vallejo and his wife Alma, a migrant educator at Strawberry Crest High School, have three daughters: Vanessa and twins Victoria and Vivian. Early life experiences prompted Jesus Elizarraras, another RCMA alumnus, to choose a career path different from that WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
of his family, but one that enables him to “pay it forward.”
teachers that helped us always told us to push ourselves and to try to do better than our parents were doing from an employment standpoint. Additionally, without RCMA we would not have had a place to be safe and learn while our parents worked long hours.” Elizarraras chose a career in law because “I knew from my experience and those of my family that many times the wages were not fair in agricultural work, and growing up I wanted to be involved in helping make a positive impact on this issue,” he said. “Also my father came to the U.S. undocumented and was caught many times and even spent time in jail. He shared many stories with me of his attempts coming to the U.S. that made me want to someday practice immigration law.”
Jesus Elizarraras The youngest of 12 children, Elizarraras watched his siblings follow his parents into farm work while he attended RCMA. “I actually decided to pursue work outside of agriculture after picking tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers and oranges,” he said. “Even though I was not forced to do it by my parents and only did it on the weekends, I knew right away that it was not something that I wanted to do because of the extremely physical nature of the job and the pay below minimum wage. My family inspired me to purse my education as I knew how hard they had to work to provide for us every single, day after day, year after year. “RCMA definitely played a role in this as the tutors and
RCMA not only cares and educates the children of the families they serve, but also helps motivate them to consider varied career options, especially those that benefit the communities where they reside.
For more information about RCMA,
visit: www.rcma.org
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After attending Hillsborough Community College, Elizarraras received his undergraduate degree in history from USF and eventually attended Stetson University College of Law. He and his wife and three children share their home with his parents, both now in their 80s. He opened his own law firm two years ago where his practice focuses on immigration law, personal injury and workers’ compensation law.
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The Florida FFA Leadership Training Center in Haines City played host to the 15th Annual Florida FFA Beast Feast and auction. Saturday, March 24, FFA members from across the state gathered for a fun filled day to sample food prepared by FFA chapters and to bid on items in a silent auction and the always exciting live auction.
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