In The Field magazine Hillsborough edition

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

1

Year End Closeout During The

2014 FORD FuSiON S

199 $ 16,963

LEASE FOR BuY FOR uP TO

$

PER MONTH*

**

5,500 OFF MSRP

$

2014 FORD EScAPE S

222 $ 18,987

LEASE FOR BuY FOR uP TO

$

PER MONTH*

**

4,500 OFF MSRP

$

**2014 Fusion S MSRP $22,735 or 2014 Ford Escape S MSRP $23,505. Discounts in the form of dealer and manufacturer rebates. All rebates and incentives applied. *Lease a 2014 Fusion S for $199 per month or 2014 Ford Escape S for $222 per month. 36 month lease with $2,000 due at signing. No security deposit with approved credit. Excludes tax, tag, title and dealer fee. 10,500 miles per year. Extra charges may apply at lease termination. Offer expires 1/1/15. See dealer for details.

2010 ford

2012 ford

focus se

STK# 27439A

STK# 27333A

9,995

$

2010 ford

f-150 lairat supercrew

13,495 2011 ford

f-150 2Wd supercrew Xlt

STK# 27064A

25,695

$

$

2014 ford

2012 ford

STK# P12557

STK# 27511A

f-150 2Wd supercrew Xlt f-150 lariat super crew

STK# 27461A

$

16,995

15,595

$

$

26,595

2011 ford

expedition el ltd

$

$

29,995

STK# 27535A

STK# A12583

$

22,995 2013 ford

expedition Xlt

21,995

$

2010 ford

f-250 lariat crewcab

STK# A12577

STK# 27559A

29,695

25,795

$

19,595

2010 ford

mustang Gt Premium

e-350

STK# 27348A

STK# P12529

STK# T12514

$

mustang

fusion se

taurus limited

2014 ford

2014 ford

2013 ford

2010 ford

focus sel

$

STK# 27516A

33,595

$

37,995

service sPecials the WorKs fuel saver PacKaGe

29 95

$

PLUS TAX

• Motorcraft Premium Synthetic blend oil and filter change • Rotate and inspect four tires • Check air and cabin air filters

• Inspect brake system • Test battery • Check blet and hoses • Top off all fluids

Most vehicles up to 7 quarts of Motorcraft Synthetic oil and motorcraft filter. Taxes and other restrictions may apply. Offer expires 12/31/14. See dealer for details.

oil chanGe sPecial

Wild card couPon

tire sPecial

lube, oil & filter rePlacement

save uP to $100

Get an additional rebate by usinG the ford service credit card

FOR MOST cARS AND LiGHT TRucKS.

20

$

EXCLUDES DIESELS AND FULL SYNTHETIC OILS

Expires 12/31/14

WHEN YOU SPEND THIS:

YOU WILL SAVE THIS:

$10 $59-$99 $15 $100-$199 $25 $200-$299 $35 $300-$399 $40 $400-$499 $50 $500-$699 $75 $700-$899 $100 $900 or more May not be combined with other offers or discounts

140

$

GET UP TO

MAIL-IN REBATES wHEN YOu BuY FOuR SELEcT TiRES.

Jarrettscottford.com 800-545-2018

2000 east baker st. Plant city • se habla español

2

IN NTHE HEFIELD IELD MAGAZINE AGAZINE

December ecember 2014

WWW. WWW.IN NTHE HEFIELD IELDMAGAZINE.COM AGAZINE.COM

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

3

Contents

VOL. 11 • ISSUE 2

Paradise Fruits Page

66

Cover Photo by Al Berry

Keeping Things Simple

Sugarcane Mosaic Virus

More R & D

Tax Strategies

Fishing Hot Spots

Locks of Love

Page 10 Page 16 Page 18

Rocking Chair Chatter

Page 46 Page 47 Recipes

Page 22

Page 50

Range Cattle REC

Bingham

Page 28

Page 52

Literary Time Machine

Florida Panther

Page 33

Page 54

Farm Bureau Board Member

Page 75

Unmanned Aircraft systems

Page 78

Meet the Minks

Page 88

Market Watch

Page 89

Bull Frog Creek

Page 98 Anesthesia

Cumcumber

Garden Goodies

Page 100

New Extension Staff

Farm Bureau Award

Page 106

Page 35 Page 42

4

Page 43

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

Page 58

Page 70

December 2014

Ag-Expo

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

5

Letter from the Editor Publisher/Photography Karen Berry Senior Managing Editor/ Associate Publisher Sarah Holt Editor-In-Chief Al Berry Editor Patsy Berry Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! The trees are trimmed, stockings are hung and multi-colored lights are flashing both inside and out!

You also know it is the Christmas season when you go shopping. Just finding a parking spot can test the most patient of people. So as you are dealing with the holiday crowds, keep this in mind, shop local.

Locally owned businesses are the foundation of our community. They also tend to give special attention to each person they serve. Locally owned businesses provide jobs for residents in our neighborhoods. Even better, product selection is based on what the community wants, not on a national sales plan. You are also helping to strengthen the economic base of your community.

When shopping for your holiday parties and meals, or your daily bread, remember to buy Fresh From Florida. And as you bow your head to give thanks, add the farmer and rancher, they allow us to have the safest most abundant food supply in the world.

Each year I like to remind the reader to please remember the reason for the celebration and this year is no different.

And there were shepherds living out in the field nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Sarah The LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you.

- Numbers 6:25

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

Sales Manager Danny Crampton Sales Al Berry Tina Richmond Danny Crampton Melissa Nichols Creative Director/Illustrator Juan Alvarez Photography Karen Berry Al Berry Stephanie Humphrey Staff Writers Al Berry Sandy Kaster James Frankowiak Sean Green Ginny Mink Libby Hopkins Contributing Writers Woody Gore Les McDowell

ABC Pizza...................................................91 Agro-Culture Liquid Fertilizers.............77 Alan’s Air Conditioning Service............37 All World Lift Truck Co. LLC...............105 Aquarius Water Refining.......................101 Arrowhead Archery................................94 Astin Strawberry Exchange...................91 Bankers South Group.............................23 Bill’s Transmissions..................................81 Bingham....................................................76 Brandon Auto Services, Inc....................19 Brandon Farms........................................57 Brandon Regional Hospital.....................41 Brewington’s Towing & Recovery........69 Broke & Poor..........................................80 Cameron Financial Service...................27 Cecil Breeding Farm...............................49 Chuck’s Auto.............................................34 Country Village......................................40 Cresecent Jewelers...............................57 Cycle Sports Concepts..........................64 Dad’s Towing...........................................45 Dean’s Ride..............................................61

Until Next Month

6

Office Manager Bob Hughens

December 2014

Dr. Barry Gaffney, O.D. PA............................29 Dr. Pat Almerico..................................................11 Driscol’s...............................................................12 East Coast Ag Products, Inc...........................83 Everglades Farm Equipment..........................112 Exo Creative......................................................39 Fancy Farms.......................................................23 Farm Bureau Insurance-Valrico....................90 Farm Bureau Insurance/Jeff Sumner............53 Farm Credit........................................................77 Felton’s.................................................................31 Fischbach Land Co............................................15 Florida Ag in the Classroom........................109 Florida Dept of Ag...........................................96 Florida Mineral, Salt & Ag Products..............13 Florida Strawberry Festival...........................36 Florida Strawberry Growers Asso................44 Forbes Road Produce........................................13 Fran Haasch.......................................................80 Fred’s Market Restaurant................................23 Gator Ford.........................................................44 Grove Equipment Service...............................48 Grove Equipment Service...............................95 Gulf Coast Tractor............................................73 Harold’s Feed & Pet Supply...........3, 30 & 109 Harrell’s Nursery, Inc........................................91 Haught Funeral Home......................................72 Helena Chemical-Tampa.................................68 Highland Corporation......................................30 Hillsboro Bank..................................................26 Home Protection Pest Control........................21 Huff Muffler..........................................................25 I-4 Power Equip.................................................65 Jarrett-Scott Ford..............................................2 Johnson’s Barbeque.........................................21 Jon & Rosie’s Tree Farm.................................91 Ken’s Well Drilling............................................27 Key Plex..............................................................97 Loetscher Auto Parts........................................39 Malissa Crawford..............................................27 Meryman Environmental.................................83 Mosaic..................................................................12 Pathway BioLogic..............................................17 Patterson Companies.......................................87 Plant City Chamber of Commerce................83 Plant City Homestyle Buffet.............................5 Plant City Tire & Auto.....................................91 Platinum Bank...................................................55 Polk County Youth Fair...........................................................59 Quality Pumping Inc..........................................15 R&O Pest Control............................................24 Railroad & Industrial Fed Credit..................40 RCS Company....................................................61 Savich & Lee Wholesale.....................20 & 21 Seedway.............................................................23 South Fl Baptist Hospital..................................7 Southside Stores LLC...........................14 & 63 Stephanie Humphrey........................................84 StingRay Chevy.................................................62 Strawberry Distance Challenge....................79 Sweet Life Farms.............................................87 Sun Country Services......................................55 Syngenta.............................................................111 The Southern Barn..........................................86 Timberlane Pet Hospital & Resort...............68 Trinkle,Redman,Swanson,Coton,...................69 Tutering by Lisa.................................................91 Verti-Gro, Inc.....................................................45 Walden Lake Car Wash & Service..............33 Wasabi Japanese Steak House.......................9 Wells Memorial..................................................82 Willie’s.................................................................83 Xaxby’s................................................................32 WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

ER Needed?

Hospital Included.

Just in Case In case it’s more serious than you thought, our full-service Emergency Center is connected to South Florida Baptist Hospital and features the services you may need on-site: n Operating rooms n Team of physician specialists n Heart Center

n Intensive Care Unit n Lab and imaging

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

301 N. Alexander St. | Plant City

For a physician referral or more information:

(813) 443-2037 or PlantCityEmergency.org

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

7

BC1403144-0614

FARM BUREAU Dear Readers:

100toSouth MulrennantheRoad • Valrico, 33594 • 813-685-9121 I am both humbled and honored have been challenges our localFL industry partners face as elected president of YOUR Hillsborough County they strive to produce the high quality products Farm Bureau. All of us owe a debt of gratitude to our markets demand. Those tours are hard work outgoing president Danny Aprile for his years of and represent many hours of support from our service to our organization. I promise to do my A BUSY industry colleagues.

We YOUR thank them and those TIME FOR best to continue the momentum he carried forth. legislators and regulators who take the time to FARM BUREAU learn first hand about agriculture in our area and As a sixth generation Florida farmer, I know the how and why we need their ongoing awareness, Dear many Readers: Immigration and sufficient labor to support our industry challenges and opportunities all of us have help and support. are ongoing issues that we face. I want to assure you that in the agriculture industry and that is an industry Dear Readers: My very wishesOur to you andchallenge your family this your board willAg-Venture, work diligently meet those challenges There’s more. our to program for bringing thatbest is global. major is toduring continue wonderful time ofthe thefood year.our I sincerely this willmust be a in anstory honorable and forthright manner that is approprithe of agriculture to children through school to produce growinghope population wonderful holiday for all of to you, 2015 is ate for all. If anylocal time youwe wish toagain your be feelings Ihave am both humbled and honored to and havethat been the challenges our industry face as known activities, is at going on and willpartners particiwhile theseason lands devoted farming continue a year of blessings. to us, please do not hesitate to contact us.

As key stakeelected president YOUR County they strive to produce the high quality products pating in Farm City Days through which we bring to diminish.

Theof good thingHillsborough is that the market holders, we want to hear from you and appreciate your Farm Bureau. All continues of us owe a debt of gratitude our are living hard work the markets story of demand. agricultureThose to ourtours friends in for our expand.

Our taskto In this issue products of IN THE FIELDtoMagazine, there is an ongoing interest and support. outgoing president Danny Aprilechallenges for his years of and represent many hours of support from our Tampa. to effectively meet those articleis on a new member of ourdual Hillsborough while County service to our organization.

I promise to do my industry colleagues. them and those protecting our precious environment.

I am confident Farm Bureau Board of Directors, Vincent Tort. We are The opportunity forWe youthank to have your voice heard is anbest to continue the momentum he carried forth. legislators and regulators who take the time Lastly, if you are not a member of our Farm Bureau we are up to that task and I look forward to helping pleased to have Vincent with us. He joins Bradley Ferguother benefit of Farm Bureau membership. If to you haven’t learn first hand about agriculture in our area and family, please join us.

It isn’t necessary that you us all do our part to assure that we do so. be aThe son, who was profiled last month, and Buddy Coleman. checked out the benefits of belonging, please do.

Asadditions a sixth generation Florida farmer, I know the how andfee we need theirPlease ongoing awareness, in Farm Those and the re-election of several others have modest associated with family membership farmer orwhy rancher to join. visit many challenges and17-member opportunities allnew of us have help and brought board to you the level.

Each of these Bureau is support. a great deal. To learn please visit: http:// hcfarmbureau.org Letour me also tell about the other officers or callmore, 813/685-9121 forhttp:// boardinelected members brings important fresh hcfarmbureau.org the agriculture industry that They isperspectives an are: industryto by your board lastand month. more information.or call 813/685-9121 for more inforour board, important considerations as we work toWood, meet mation.

There’s more. Ag-Venture, our program for bringing that global. Our major challenge is to continue ViceisPresident Will Womack, Treasurer Ray the challenges of here in Hillsborthe story of agriculture to children through school to produceand theneeds foodWilliamson ouragriculture growingand population must Secretary Michelle Member-AtOnce again, I am honored to be your president and oughhave County. the lands devoted to farming continue Lastly andis perhaps greatest importance, join me in onof and we will again be particiLargewhile Bill Burnette. My thanks to each of them and activities, my very bestgoing to you and your family. giving thanks our Days Creator for Hiswhich manywe gifts to us not pating in FarmtoCity through bring to diminish.

The good thing is that the market board for their to serve.

Early our in November your willingness board of directors elected new only during this holiday season but throughout the year. the story of agriculture to our friends living in for our products continues to expand. Our task officers, also comprising our Executive Committee. I am A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!

Tampa. is to effectively meet those dual challenges while As I am sure all of you have come to realize pleased to have been re-elected as your president. Joining ourPresident precious environment.

I president ambusy confident vacation time is over. We areWomack, particularly atof Thank you, with protecting me are Vice Will Sincerely, Lastly, if you are not a member of our Farm Bureau we are up to that task and I look forward to helping Farm Bureau.

This month we are completing the Tampa Bay Landscaping; Secretary Michelle Williamson, family, please join us. It isn’t necessary that you be a us all do our legislative part to assure do so.and Human Resources Supervisor of that Gduring &we F Farms third of our tours which weTreatake farmer or rancher to join. Please visit surer elected James Tew, cattle rancher.

BilltoBurnette, owner and aappointed officials several of our of Harold’s Farm Supply, serves asthis member-at-large. http:// hcfarmbureau.org Let me also tell you about the other new officers or call 813/685-9121 for agricultural businesses in areas so they can see Kenneth Parker - President elected by your boardsome last month.

Theymanagement are: more information. agriculture at work, of the best I am Vice honored to have been re-elected and I sincerely apPresident Will Womack, Treasurer Ray Wood, practices that have been put into place and learn of preciate the commitment to serve from my fellow ExecuSecretary Michelle Williamson and Member-AtOnce again, I am honored to be your president and tive Committee colleagues. members of of thethem agriculLarge Bill Burnette.

MyAs thanks to each and my very best to you and your family. ture industry, we have a complex and challenging future our board for their willingness to serve.

Board of Directors

THE BEST OF THE SEASON

Kenneth

before us. It is evident that the economy has improved Parker, President; Will housing Womack, industry.

Vice-President; Ray Wood, Treasure; Michelle Williamson, Secretary; sufficiently toKenneth give renewed vigor to the Member-at-large; Bill Burnette; Board members: As I am sure all of you have come to realize This no doubt means there will be further conversion of Roy Davis, David Drawdy, Jim Dyer, Jim Frankowiak, Glenn Harrell, Chip Hinton, John Joyner,busy Gregat Lehman, Erin Nesmith, vacation time is over.

We are particularly Thank you, Jake Raburn, Marty Tanner, James Tew, farm lands to residential properties and expansion into Ron Wetherington, and Ray Wood, Bureau.

This for month we are completing the areasFarm formerly reserved agriculture.

Judi Whitson, Executive Director 8

third of our legislative tours during which we take elected and appointed officials to several of our INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2013 agricultural businesses in this areas so they can see agriculture at work, some of the best management practices that have been put into place and learn of

Kenneth

Kenneth Parker - President

W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M

Board of Directors

Kenneth Parker, President; Will Womack, Vice-President; Ray Wood, Treasure; Michelle Williamson, Secretary; Member-at-large; Bill Burnette; Board members: Roy Davis, David Drawdy, Jim Dyer, Jim Frankowiak, Glenn Harrell, Chip Hinton, John Joyner, Greg Lehman, Erin Nesmith, Jake Raburn, Marty Tanner, James Tew, Ron Wetherington, and Ray Wood, Judi Whitson, Executive Director 8 88

THE FIELD M AGAZINE December 2014 INTIINN HE FIELD AGAZINE 2013 2014 THE FIELDMM AGAZINE NOVEMBER December

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM W W W. I N T H EIF IE MA AZINE.COM WWW. NT HELFDIELD MGAGAZINE.COM

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

9

Keeping Things Simple By: Libby Hopkins

Did you ever just want to hit the open road and leave all your troubles and cares behind? Sure you have, everyone thinks about it when they get stressed, especially in today’s society. Wendy and Reid Stains of Tampa felt the same way, so one day they got in the car and headed down the highway.

“I just thought, ‘let’s get out of here’,” Reid Stains said. “We love peace, quiet and tranquility. Life sometimes doesn’t always lend that to you so you have to go out and find it.”

That ride took them to central Florida and gave them a mental vacation. While on that ride, the Stains’ realized that the open road and all the beauty it had to offer were going to be their way of life.

Reid Stains is a professional photographer and he loves taking photos of nature and anything the piques his interest. Wendy’s parents have a cabin in North Carolina and they spend a lot of time there relaxing and taking pictures. They love the small town feel of the area. “You are able to hike in the mountains and 10

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

Reid and Wendy Stains of Tampa want to inspire others to live a simple live. They plan on doing that through their business, Splendidly Simple.

connect with all the beauty around you and we love that feeling,” Wendy Stains said. The couple wanted to combine all the things they love and make it into a business.

“We love that small town feel we get when we go to North Carolina and we wanted to give people that same feeling,” Wendy said. Splendidly Simple was born and it’s a mix of a photography business, a blog and a future mobile shop because Wendy always wanted to have a small boutique. Their motto is “Nature, Happiness and Simplicity on Wheels.”

They wanted people to be able to experience nature and the simple things that make life wonderful. The couple thought that through their photography they could bring the beauty of nature to the masses. They could also bring the small town feel they loved so much to others through cinnamon rolls and any other locally produced goods they could find along the way. Reid loves to bake cinnamon rolls from scratch and thinks they are a great comfort food as well.

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

“We started brainstorming and we decided we needed a camper,” Reid said. The couple started searching for a camper that would fit them and the simple life they were creating. Their camper of choice was a 1970 vintage Shasta camper they found on Craig’s List but it was in Georgia and it was in need of some repair. “We had to get some new tires on the way home because we weren’t sure we’d make it,” Reid said. “Once we got home we noticed half of the wall was hanging off.”

The couple started a Kickstarter campaign to raise $16,550 to restore and renovate the camper. They pushed the campaign through social media and they met their goal on November 13 of this year. They plan on doing the renovations on the camper themselves along with the help of family and friends.

Once the camper is renovated the couple plan on taking it cross-country and documenting their adventures in their blog. “We are excited to document the camper renovations, our nature shoots, the small business we are trying to start and all the cool people we meet along the way,” Reid said. “We also want to take locally made products or things like local honey and sell it through our little mobile shop. That way, we are still helping the people from our area.” They also hope to find people who are living a sustainable lifestyle and document their efforts through the Splendidly Simple blog. “We want to go out and find people who are using reclaimed materials to make things or work with sustainable foods and blog about them,” Wendy said.

Their goal is to be on the road by April 2015. “Through our blog we strive to visually share the things that constantly inspire us to live simply in the hopes it will inspire you too, and also challenge you to live a fulfilled life of happiness,” Reid said. “We truly believe less is more.” If you would like to learn more about Splendidly Simple, you can visit their website at www.splendidlysimple.com or their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/splendidlysimple. You can also order some of Reid Stains’ homemade cinnamon buns through the Splendidly Simple website or call 813-380-3966.

SS-Magie WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

11

Sharing a Decade of Success The Mosaic Company is celebrating a future full of promise and our first decade of providing farmers across the globe with essential crop nutrients.

We are thankful for our 4,000 talented Florida employees, and our dedicated vendors and contract partners, whose outstanding performance and commitment were essential to accomplishing this milestone.

Recently, employees from Mosaic’s six Hillsborough County facilities partnered with local non-profit service organizations, like Feeding America Tampa Bay and The Children’s Home, to help celebrate our first 10 years and show their appreciation for the important services they provide in the local community.

As we look ahead to our second decade, Mosaic’s employees draw inspiration from our mission to help the world grow the food it needs.

More than ever, we look forward to continued partnerships in the communities where we all live, work and play.

At Mosaic, we believe in strengthening

®

communities through giving. mosaicco.com/florida

12

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

13

813-752-2379

Mon. - Sat.: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

3014 S. Jim Redman Pkwy. (Hwy. 39 S) Plant City, FL • www.southsidestores.com

14

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

15

Agriculture needs more R&D

By Jack Payne

IFAS is asking for your help to make sure the Legislature knows it needs to invest in the future of Florida agriculture. We’ll be requesting a $5.5 million funding increase to our budget in the upcoming session.

We need more people to meet your growing needs – and to move faster on the things for which you’ve been awaiting solutions.

We’ll prioritize the new funding, sending it to the areas of greatest need. It’ll be spent on expertise – bringing in more researchers to tackle agriculture’s most serious challenges and extension agents who take those discoveries to your fields, pastures and groves.

Threats to the water supply, pest invasions, the spread of disease, fertilizer restrictions, volatile markets, the list of challenges to your ability to earn a livelihood from the land is growing.

But your R&D shop is not growing. In fact, IFAS is coming off of six years of declining or flat funding. We’re down

nearly 30 faculty and 300 staff from what the state provided for in 2008.

Agriculture’s innovation deficit is even larger when you think about what could have been, given that respected academics now estimate a 20-fold return on investments in agriculture research.

We can’t wait another six years for a solution for citrus greening. We have to continue creating popular sellers like the Tasti-Lee tomato. We need to diversify Florida’s agriculture by helping create new industries like we did with blueberries.

There are a lot of new faces in Tallahassee and it is a real challenge and a continuous mission to bring our message to the state’s policy makers.

Please contact the leaders of your commodity groups or Mary Ann GosaHooks (mgosa@ufl.edu), who leads our government relations efforts, to find out what you can do to make sure your lawmakers make adequate investments in the future of agriculture.

Jack Payne is the senior vice president of agriculture and natural resources at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

16

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

K now s C it rus Beyond Microbes …

Changing Outcomes in Citrus o More & more robust feeder root development o Significantly reduced fruit drop o Mineralization of nitrogen from residual soil fertility – organic & chemical o Renewed leaf flush and restored tree vigor

BioCharged Fertility Contact your local Pathway distributor or representative for MERGE

TM

.

w w w.Pat hw ayBioLogic.com

813 . 719 . 7284

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

17

Winter Artificial Lures As a promoter and artificial lure angler since a small boy, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed fishing some of my favorite lures during the fall and winter months. In early fall, as waters begin cooling, you’ll often find me tossing an early morning Top Dog Jr. As the sun gets up I’ll switch to an artificial swim or jerkbait. While you might not get as many strikes with larger lures, depending on the feeding cycle, it’s not uncommon to attract larger fish. Larger lures are similar to using other artificials.

The principal factor is making a proper presentation, the patience to fish it correctly and having the confidence it will catch fish.

As a youngster, with the desire master the art of artificial lures fishing, I would take two rods on each trip. One rigged with a topwater Dalton Special or MirrOlure, the other with a soft plastic worm, jerk or swim bait. Making the decision to become skilled at artificial lures early in my youth, I would constantly quiz dad, Uncle Bill and others who seemed adept at using artificial lures. I quickly realized this journey was something that would not happen overnight. Everyone seemed to emphasize the first basic theme was for me to gain my own level of confidence. This meant believing that I could actually catch fish using a piece of plastic or wood.

So, began my journey into the world of artificial lure fishing.

I spent hours learning to cast an old wooden lure (hooks removed) into a Hula Hoop (remember those.) Then I would head to the Hillsborough River, get into my eight foot plywood boat, with an eight horse Elgin air cooled outboard and travel up and down the river between Hillsborough Ave. and Nebraska Ave. tossing lures at the banks. It must have worked, because today I still enjoy fishing artificial’s and often reflect at the enjoyment I get from my level of confidence in using them.

What Tackle? Since artificial lures require endless casting, my recommended choice includes a medium to medium/heavy 7 to 7½ foot spinning rod w/extra fast tip and a 3000 to 4000 Penn sized reel spooled with 8 to 15 pound braid, which is ideally suited for its casting distance. I also use 12 to 18 inches of 30 pound Seaguar Fluorocarbon leader, because it’s virtually invisible with incredible knot and tensile strength. I tie it to the braid using a Yucatan or Double Uni-knot. Finally, I always make the final connection of lure to leader using a loop knot.

What Lure, Hard or Soft? One of the most asked questions is what is the best lure? In my opinion and regardless of the manufacturer, the type and construction makes little difference on whether you have chosen a hard or soft lure. What might make a difference in the manufacturer, type and construction is the lures ability to perform correctly under the various water, 18

NTHE HEFIELD IELD MAGAZINE AGAZINE IN

ecember 2014 December

depth and light conditions.

Over the years I’ve discovered the one thing that really does make a difference is the angler’s ability, skill and acquired level at presentation. It’s simply a matter of presenting the lure in such a manner that makes the fish become interested in eating it. This means your lure should emulate a fast, slow, erratic, and sometimes wounded baitfish.

If you are going to catch fish with an artificial lure, it’s to your advantage to skillfully present it within the strike zone.

What Color? What colors should you carry? This decision is hard to make. I usually carry a small variety of color patterns so I can fish in any water clarity or sunny or cloudy day. However, if I had to decide on only a few colors it would be root beer or new penny for stained water and white or white/light green for clear water.

The primary things to consider for color choices are clarity of water, time and type of day. Remember contrasting colors can make a difference.

1: Use natural, light-colored lures for clear water/sunny days.

2: Use very bright or very dark lures for dirty water/cloudy days.

3: Local baitfish and native forage patterns are go-to colors.

4: Don’t be afraid to try something completely different.

Learn to Fish Artificial: Fishing artificial can be both exciting and adrenaline-charged. The idea of consistently enticing a fish into striking a non-natural lure is the true measure of an artificial angler. Once proficiency and a level of personal confidence have increased you’ll find yourself on the water relaxing with a peace and solitude, anxiously anticipating the thunderous strike of that next trophy on your next cast.

WWW.IIN NTTHE HEFFIELD IELDM MAGAZINE.COM AGAZINE.COM WWW.

Tampa Bay Fishing Report December 2014 “Let’s Go Fishing in December”

Tampa Bay is one of, if not the largest, open-water estuary in Florida, and it’s also home to innumerable sea grass flats and marine life. As we approach the cool water temperatures of winter, shallow water fishing definitely improves. The fish start feeding fairly aggressively for winter and become more active as they search for food. They’ll take an assortment of baits from live to dead. And since they will have large appetites anglers will have greater success using a wider range of artificial lures.

Snook:

Snook are usually tops on the list as the fall transition has started and we are catching Snook on just about every shoreline. They are still on the protected list but are still fun to catch and release. The best bite has been at the beginning and end of either incoming or outgoing tides. Snook normally respond to live baits as well as top water lures, jerk baits and shallow diving lures. However, we’ve been having good success on dead baits on the bottom.

“Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing” – 813-477-3814 Captain Woody Gore has been guiding and fishing the Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, Bradenton, and Sarasota areas for over fifty years; his level of customer service, experience and attention to detail allows him to offer world class fishing adventures and a lifetime of memories.

Single or Multi-boat Group Charters are all the same. With years of organizational experience and access to the areas most experienced captains, 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 him a call at 813-477-3814

Spotted Sea Trout: Sea trout are found inshore and near shore in and around sea grass flats, mangrove shorelines, deep holes and channels and above oyster bars. Free-line live shrimp or small pinfish near the bottom to entice trout out of grass-bed holes. Attaching a float will allow these baits to drift over the grass beds. Casting with soft-bodied jigs and top-water poppers can also be effective. Trout are very delicate, so returning unwanted or illegal fish promptly to the water is necessary to maintain a healthy population. Spotted sea trout are a good eating fish. Otherwise winter’s a great time for the big gator trout especially as they start working their way into the backcountry and deeper grass flats.

Redfish: The reds are still biting and some are still schooled up biting everything tossed in their direction. They should continue to be consistent on the flats and around the mangroves. A variety of artificial lures are catching their share along with live shrimp, sardines, and pinfish. The key to finding redfish is fishing dark patchy bottoms, especially around schools of larger mullet. Although chumming with live bait works, tossing dead cut bait around the mangroves on flooding tides usually brings them out to investigate. Most are holding close to the shoreline.

Kingfish, Spanish Mackerel, Bonito, Bluefish:

December cold fronts are here and so are the traditionally high winds that follow. As the water temps fall with each passing front, the near beach kingfish bite should improve. Tons of bait should bring the kings, Spanish mackerel, bluefish and bonito within a mile or so of the beach or inside the bay. We’ve been having great success on huge Spanish mackerel inside Tampa Bay. WWW.IIN NTTHE HEFFIELD IELDM MAGAZINE.COM AGAZINE.COM WWW.

NTHE HEFIELD IELD MAGAZINE AGAZINE IN

ecember 2014 December

19

20

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

Smokin’ WE’RE

WWW.johnsonbarbeque.COM winter haven • plant city

small ads 3.56x4.8.indd 1

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

A wild turkey’s gobble can be heard a mile away.

An acre of trees can remove about 13 tons of dust and gases every year from the surrounding environment.

Agriculture land provides food and habitat for 75% of the nation’s wildlife.

Americans today consume 17.3 billion quarts of popped popcorn each year! The average American eats about 68 quarts!

The same chemicals that give tart cherries their color may relieve pain better than aspirin and ibuprofen in humans.

The eggshell may have as many as 17,000 tiny pores over its surface. Through them, the egg can absorb flavors and odors. Storing them in their cartons helps keep them fresh.

Bananas are a great source of potassium. Potassium helps build muscle power and keeps your body fluids in balance.

In 1970, consumption of broccoli was only a half a pound per person. Today, the average person in the United States eats four and one half pounds a year.

Dried chile pepper wreaths are called “Ristras” - a symbol of plenty and hope.

On Pancake Day in Newfoundland (the day before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of lent), items are placed in the pancake batter before it is cooked to foretell the future for family members. If a boy received an item for a trade, it meant he would enter that trade. If a girl received an item for a trade, it meant she would marry a person from that trade.

3/28/14 10:15 AM

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

21

Figures of Speech At a recent Plant City Chamber of Commerce Contact Breakfast I sat at a table with three local funeral home managers, Edwena Haney, Verna McKelvin and David Wolf. Edwena used a phrase I had not heard for years. She ended a sentence with “As a figure of speech.”

“Figure of Speech,” now just what does that mean?

I went to Google on my computer and looked it up, and this is what I found:

Figures of speech

An expression that uses language in a nonliteral way, such as a metaphor or synecdoche, or in a structured or unusual way, such as anaphora or chiasmus, or that employs sounds, such as alliteration or assonance, to achieve a rhetorical effect.

Huh? No kidding. I do declare. I asked around to see if I could get an answer. Nobody seemed to know. I’ll bet if my English teacher, Mrs. Smith, Mac Smith’s mother, was alive she would have an answer I could understand.

As a last resort I went back to Google for the answer. I did not get an answer I could understand, but I found some examples of “Figure of Speech.”

You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice. The evening news is where they begin with “Good Evening,” and then proceed to tell you why it isn’t. Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak. Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad. If I agreed with you, we’d both be wrong.

The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it’s still on my list. Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine. Where there’s a will, there are relatives. And lastly the one most everyone can understand.

Well, his goose is cooked! There you have it. Now you know a figure of speech when you hear it or read it.

As a kid I remember we would have fun seeing who could come up with the most tongue twisters. The most familiar most people remember is: Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked. If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers how many pickled peppers did Peter Piper pick?

See if you can read this one without making a mistake. How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck would chuck wood?

A woodchuck would chuck all the wood he could chuck if a woodchuck would chuck wood.

Try these two: But the thought I thought wasn’t the thought I thought I thought. If the thought I thought I thought had been the thought I thought, I wouldn’t have thought so much.

22

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

A skunk sat on a stump. The stump thought the skunk stunk. The skunk thought the stump stunk. What stunk the skunk or the stump?

I have always thought the dictionary is filled with words that are seldom used. Open any page and you’re likely to find a word you have never heard, whether it’s gongoozle, which means to stare idly at a watercourse and do nothing, or zwodder, a feeling of drowsiness. We see it, and think to ourselves that we absolutely must use it in conversation.

Sometimes people never understand what you’re saying. They hear what they want to hear. Point in case! About a week before this last Christmas I was at the checkout stand at a local grocery store. The lady in front of me wanted to buy some postage stamps to mail some Christmas cards. Here’s the way the conversation went.

“Ma’am, I got these Christmas cards I need to mail today. I need 14 stamps, please.”

The clerk said, “O.K., I have books of 6 first class or 12 second-class stamps.” “OK”, she said. “I’ll take 14 second-class stamps.”

“I’m sorry,” the clerk said, “We only sell the stamps in books of 12.”

“Yes. I need 14 stamps, please.”

The clerk replied, “Okay. So two books will be $11.04.”

The customer replies, “What! That seems like a lot of money for 14 stamps.” Clerk: “No, madam. That is for 24 stamps. We only sell them in books of 12.” Customer: “But I only want 14.”

The clerk remained calm and said. “Lady, we are not a post-office, we only sell stamps in books of 12. In order to get 14 stamps you will have to buy two books. I am sure you can use the rest of the stamps later. Now, if it’s a real problem there’s a post office just around the corner past the fire station, which will be open in the morning.”

Very loudly she says, “Don’t you understand I only need 14 stamps?”

The clerk at the cash register politely said, “Sorry, I cannot help you.”

With that the lady said, “ Well give me one book!”

She turned and looked at me and said, “I’ll hand deliver the other two cards tomorrow.”

People not only hear what they want to hear, but have trouble writing what they want to say. As an example, here are some notes a teacher friend of mine collected over the years.

“My son is under a doctor’s care and should not take P.E. today.

Please execute him.”

“Please excuse Lisa for being absent. She was sick, and I had her shot.”

“Please excuse Jennifer for missing school yesterday. We forgot to get the Sunday paper off the porch, and when we found it Monday, we thought it was Sunday.” “Please excuse Jason for being absent yesterday. He had a cold and could not breed well.”

And I leave you with this, which has nothing to do with anything written in this column. “If you can’t have a midnight snack why do we have a light in the fridge?

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

We Now Have a Lender in Your Area

Contact AgAmerica Lending today for a low interest, long term land loan, refinance or line of credit.

(855) 898-2265 | info@AgAmerica.com www.AgAmerica.com

Work For Your Farm, Not For Your Lender AgAmerica lending understands the needs of farmers and ranchers, because we are farmers and ranchers.

AgAmerica Lending, LLC - 4030 S. Pipkin Road Lakeland, FL 33811 | Please call for current rates.

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

23

24

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

Stop by our produce stand and pick up some delicious strawberries.

We’re sure they’ll make your holidays berry special!

Our produce stand is now open.

Located at the corner of Rice and County Line Road | 813.478.3486 or 813.754.4852 | FancyFarms.com

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

25

26

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

27

John Arthington, director of the University of Florida’s Range Cattle Research and Education Center, shakes hands with Cliff Coddington, of Bradenton, at last week’s opening of the Grazinglands Education Building at the research center in Ona. Coddington is also the Manatee County Cattlemen’s state director and the chairman of the Florida Beef Council. To Arthingon’s right is Steve John, a longtime Manatee County and Florida Cattlemen’s Association member from Myakka City.

Credit: Jim Handley, Florida Beef Council

Range Cattle Research and Education Center dedicates new education building

By Brad Buck

Cattlemen, Extension agents and other stakeholders soon can attend educational events at a new University of Florida facility dedicated to teaching how to manage the state’s grazing lands.

Officials dedicated and opened the Grazinglands Education Building November 20 at UF’s Range Cattle Research and Education Center in Ona. At the same time, they recognized major donors and highlighted their “Campaign for Ona.” About 6 million acres in Florida are used for grazing, said Range Cattle REC Director John Arthington.

The Grazinglands Education Building was made possible by more than $380,000 in private donations, state and federal money, Arthington said. The 28

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

initial gift, a $150,000 grant awarded by the Mosaic Company Foundation, started the building’s construction. Most of the remaining funds came from the Florida Cattlemen’s Foundation, said Arthington, an Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences faculty member.

The ceremony capped facility improvements that began in July that include bathroom and office renovations so they comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. “We very much appreciate the charity shown by the Mosaic Company Foundation and the Florida Cattlemen’s Foundation,” Arthington said. “These gifts will have a significant and positive impact on our center’s Extension and outreach efforts.”

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

Grazinglands Education Building during construction

Arthington added that the new 2,100-square-foot building, which includes the Mosaic Grazinglands Classroom, will let his faculty and staff conduct education events year-round. Until now, the facility was limited to conference rooms that seat 15 to 20 people, and any teaching and learning activity with more than 20 had to be held outdoors.

The new building can accommodate 90.

“Mosaic recognizes how important the Range Cattle Research and Education Center is to cattlemen across the state,” said Mark Kaplan, board president, The Mosaic Company Foundation. “We are pleased to be part of a project that will expand their outreach to producers and youth in Central Florida.”

Faculty and staff at the Range Cattle REC started a fundraising drive in 2006 to update the facility, which opened in 1941, Arthington said.

Beginning with graduate student housing - paid for by the Florida Cattlemen’s Foundation - and continuing with the building and with remodeling labs, offices and faculty support space, the center’s revitalization was nearly completed.

The next step was to construct the Grazinglands Education Building, Arthington said. A capital campaign, called the Final Drive, raised $225,000 in private donations toward the $380,000 needed for the education building and remaining remodeling projects.

The Range Cattle REC is also raising money through its “Campaign for Ona,” Arthington said. With this effort, the center hopes to generate funding to increase present endowments and create new ones. The two major endowments are the Excellence Endowment, established

by Herb and Muncy Chapman in 2007, and the Florida Cattlemen’s Endowment, established by Don Plagge this year. Support from these two endowments helps research and Extension programs.

Chapman is a retired beef cattle professor at the Range Cattle REC. Plagge serves on the Florida Cattlemen’s Foundation Board of Directors.

Gifts for the “Campaign for Ona” may be given to either fund, or they may be designated by the donor to establish an individually named fund. The minimum gift for a named endowment is $30,000. You can donate by contacting Arthington at jarth@ufl.edu.

Range Cattle REC faculty focus their research on livestock, forages and natural resources associated with Florida’s grazing lands. The facility is in the heart of the state’s cattle industry, situated near 80 percent of the state’s 1 million beef cows. The center has 700 head of cattle on 2,840 acres.

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

29

30

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

31

It’s Fried Pickles season. Lightly breaded, fried to perfection and served with creamy Ranch dressing. Try them before the crop is gone!

2901 1/2 James Redman Pkwy. • Plant City 813.752.1971 #IndescribablyGood Limited time only. Prices may vary by location. © 2014 Zaxby’s Franchising, Inc. “Zaxby’s” is a registered trademark of Zaxby’s Franchising, Inc.

32

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

By Ginny Mink

cies include: the saw palmetto, a dwarf cabbage palm (Sabal adansoni), the needle palm (Rhapidophyllum) and a low growing palm (Coccothrinax). Though he was certainly enthralled by the palms, he wrote the following that for us just summed up the awe and splendor that is Florida, “No word picture can give the faintest idea of the bewildering beauty of many of our hammocks. The live oaks and some other trees are draped with wonderful festoons of Spanish moss, the strange and startling cabbage palmettos are everywhere in evidence, wild coffee and other handsome, shining leaved plants carpet the floor of the forest and an orgy of vines and Upper, An ornamental slathouse at the auther.

Lower, Small Place one hundred feet wide, properly planted. creepers sprawls and clambers over all.”¹

Mark the open lawn, the foundation planting and spaces at the sides of the house for a circulation of air. The borders of the lot are densely planted

Previously we discussed how incredible it was that Charles Torrey Simpson, back in 1926, had a wonderful concept of natural preservation and conservation. This month we’d like to continue our voyage through this classic piece of literature. While we are still in the first chapter, there are some quite relevant, and probably even wholly useful things to consider herein.

The first thing that stood out to us in this reading is how different the Florida of the 1920s must have been compared to the obnoxiously bustling metropolis it has become. In fact, one of the references to its natural habitat, found on page 2, took us quite by surprise. So much so, we’d like to present this historic piece of truth to you. Mr. Simpson revealed, “Most of the homes in Florida must be located in pineland for there is but little hammock in the state and it is not advisable to build in the lowland if it can be avoided. It is getting to be the fashion in some places – and a good fashion it is – to allow most of the clean, healthy pine tree to stand when preparing land for a home.”¹ Pinelands? Really? Did we sacrifice them all to Christmas and door wreaths (as is quite the fashion)? On top of that, how many of us are living on property replete with Cypress knees? We love his continued thoughts about preserving the pinelands, “They furnish some shade and shelter and blend well with the planted vegetation. They do not rob the ground to any great extent and they relieve the place of the dreadful appearance of bleakness and nakedness it would have if everything was cleared away.”¹ We wonder what he’d have to say about the fields of today. We wondered also what cattle ranches were like in his time.

In fact, we wondered enough to look it up. Apparently, the first barbed wire fence for a cattle ranch didn’t happen until 1910 and that was in Osceola County. An even more amazing historic fact is that in the 1920s Texas tick fever had entered the state and therefore the Livestock Board of the time ordered all ranchers to dip their cattle every two weeks in an arsenic solution for the purpose of eradicating the infestation. This led to an increase in fencing on ranches to separate the infected from the healthy cattle*. Pictures that we looked at from that time show a lot of trees compared to what we’re used to today. Though we didn’t note that they were pines!

Simpson continues his recommendations to preserve the natural flora and fauna by describing, specifically, some native species he says, “… should be left standing wherever possible.”¹ These indigenous spe-

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

We wonder how many today are so busy in their fast-paced worlds that their views of Florida’s regal magnificence has been obscured.

We are so saddened by the change in times, the depreciation of appreciation. Seriously, how many people would ever think to describe Spanish moss as wonderful festoons? Instead we’d rather pull it down!

Simpson wasn’t a stranger to such attitudes. He reveals a time he had a visitor, whom he says claimed to be an artist. Yet, he records the man’s comments about his property with great irritation. According to Simpson, the man announced after spending a good time in his hammocks, “If this timber were mine I would take my ax and cut out all the underbrush, the crooked and small trees and I would pull off and burn all that long moss and clean up all the rubbish you have lying around then it would look as though somebody had been here and done something.”¹ These comments deeply affected Simpson who adds, “That is just what the average person wants to do, he wants to clear up and improve, he wants to do something, he is sure nature hasn’t properly finished up her work.”¹ Surely he was right in his assessment, how many of us want to leave our marks and in so doing we are scarring the very land that provides for us daily? Why have we this overwhelming pride that convinces us we can somehow make God’s creation better than He did?

Thusly, we shall conclude this segment of the literary time machine with yet another consideration for us all. Simpson admits, “I wish it were in my power to persuade my readers who come into possession of such land to leave this glorious vegetation essentially as nature made it. The small remnant of this untouched beauty is fast disappearing before the settler’s fire and ax and especially the onslaughts of the real estate developer. Mankind everywhere has an insane desire to waste the good and beautiful things nature has lavished on him.”¹ Indeed.

Notes: *http://www.floridamemory.com/ photographiccollection/photo_exhibits/ranching/ranching2.php 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. 2-4).

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

33

34

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

Florida

Cucmbers

By Sandy Kaster, M.S. Clinical Medicines, B.S. Nutrition Science

Also known as “cukes,” cucumbers are a crisp, juicy, refreshing fruit that is delicious eaten raw or in pickle form. Though eaten as a vegetable, the cucumber is technically a fruit and belongs to the same botanical family as melon, summer squash, and winter squash. While most people think of cucumbers as dark green and long, they are also available in white, yellow, or orange colors and can be short, oval, or round. There are hundreds of different kinds of cucumbers! The entire cucumber is edible, and the skin and seeds are rich in vitamins and minerals.

Cucumbers grow easily in Florida and are available from fall through spring. Considered a warm weather crop across the country, cucumbers do not thrive in the state’s hot, humid summers or in conditions below 30 degrees. According to the University of Florida, Florida ranks second nationally in cucumber production, and first in value of fresh-market cucumbers. In 2002, fresh cucumbers accounted for 28% of national value and 25% of national production of cucumbers in the state. Peak sales for Florida cucumbers are in April, with a smaller peak in December.

NUTRITIONAL PROFILE According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, one cup of raw, sliced cucumber (104 g) contains 15.6 calories, 0.68 g protein, 0.11 g fat, 3.78 g carbohydrate, and 0.52 g of dietary fiber. It also provides 19% of the Daily Recommended Value (%DV) for vitamin K, 12% for molybdenum, 5% for pantothenic acid, 4% for potassium, phosphorus, copper, manganese, and vitamin C, as well as significant amounts of vitamin B1, biotin, and magnesium.

ANTIOXIDANTS Fresh Florida cucumbers contain a high amount of antioxidant nutrients. These include vitamin C, beta-carotene, and manganese. Antioxidants work to neutralize the effects of harmful free radicals and preventing its damaging effects on cells. By fighting cell and tissue damage, vitamin C protects against cancer and other diseases, such as the common cold. Vitamin C also enhances iron absorption from other foods, which reduces the risk of anemia and aids in the maintenance of healthy skin, and strong bones and teeth. Beta-carotene is essential for optimal eye health and can help prevent night-blindness, as well as supports white blood cells in fighting infections. Betacarotene is also involved in hearing, taste, and normal fetal development. Manganese is associated with strong bones, skin integrity, and blood sugar control, in addition to its antioxidant properties.

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

Additionally, cucumbers contain a variety of flavonoid antioxidants, which also works to decrease free radicals and reduce unwanted inflammation in the body.

WEIGHT CONTROL A one cup serving of fresh cucumbers has less than 16 calories. Cucumber is comprised of 95% water, which adds volume and hydration to your meal with very few calories. Eating more cucumber and other fresh vegetables is linked with lower body weight, increased energy, and lower risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

HOW TO SELECT AND STORE Choose cucumbers that are firm, with smooth rounded edges and a deep green color. Avoid any that are yellow, have soft spots, or wrinkled tips. Cucumbers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to several days.

HOW TO ENJOY Cucumbers are delicious eaten out-of-hand or as pickles. Their mild flavor and crunchy texture make them a welcome addition to any salad or dish. Other ways to enjoy cucumbers include:

• Use cucumber slices in place of crackers for toppings like hummus or salsa • Dice and mix with other vegetables and herbs in a salad • Puree fresh cucumbers with tomatoes and onions for an easy cold gazpacho soup • Use thinly sliced cucumbers as a salad topper • Dice and add to salsa or fruit salads • Peel into ribbons for a garnish and side dish • Stir fry with soy sauce and other vegetables • Shred and add to yogurt for a Greek dip • Add cucumber slices and mint leaves to water for a refreshing beverage • Dice and mix with tomatoes and feta cheese Enjoy delicious Florida cucumbers today and every day. With their mild flavor and crisp crunch, cucumbers are a nutritious treat for your palate and your body.

SELECTED REFERENCES http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vh031 http://www.whfoods.com

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

35

FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

®

ADVANCE TICKETS ON SALE DEC 4th! • www.flstrawberryfestival.com

FEB. 26 - MAR. 8, 2015 • PLANT CITY, FLORIDA Artists Appearing on the

Bobby Vinton

Thu. Feb. 26, 3:30 $15 & $20

Soundstage:

Alabama

Thu. Feb. 26, 7:30 $40

Mel Tillis

Fri. Feb. 27, 3:30 $15 & $20

Sat. Feb. 28, 3:30 $20

Kevin Costner & Modern West

“Brett Eldredge”

Sat. Feb. 28, 7:30 $35

Sun. Mar. 1, 3:30 $20 & $25

Sawyer Brown

Happy Together Tour

Ronnie Milsap

MercyMe

Mon. Mar. 2, 3:30 $15 & $20

Mon. Mar. 2, 7:30 $25 & $30

Tue. Mar. 3, 3:30 $15 & $20

Scotty McCreery Fri. Feb. 27, 7:30 $25 & $30

Hunter Hayes

Sun. Mar. 1, 7:30 $40

Sara Evans

Tue. Mar. 3, 7:30 $20 & $25

Ricky Skaggs

Wed. Mar. 4, 3:30 $15 & $20

Craig Morgan

Wed. Mar. 4, 7:30 $20 & $25

Visit www.flstrawberryfestival.com or call 813-754-1996 and get your tickets for the best seats available!

Oak Ridge Boys

Newsboys

Thur. Mar. 5, 3:30 $15 & $20

Thur. Mar. 5, 7:30 $20

Loretta Lynn

Fri. Mar. 6, 3:30 $20 & $25

Boyz II Men

Fri. Mar. 6, 7:30 $20 & $25

Free Grandstand 3:30 & 7:30pm Seating is on a first come, first seated basis.

Dan + Shay

Sat. Mar. 7, 3:30 $15 & $20

John Legend

Sat. Mar. 7, 7:30 $50

Parmalee

Sun. Mar. 8, 3:30 $15 & $20

REBA

Sun. Mar. 8, 7:30 $50

Concert dates and times are subject to change

Candyland Warehouse • Stingray Chevrolet • Mosaic • Alessi Bakery • AMSCOT • Carolina Carports • Astin Farms • DIRECTV TECO • Verizon Wireless • Netterfield’s Concessions • Florida Blue • VOSKOS® Greek Yogurt • Southern Ford Dealers Outcast Watersports • Florida’s Best • Bionic Band • Images Everywhere! • Good Health Saunas • bluegreen vacations 44

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

37

Favorite Time of the Year

America’s First Frontier

By Les McDowell

Photos by Linda Constant

I love this time of the year at Dry Creek. We are in Preproduction to film another Dry Creek episode called The Awakening. As I work on our little town set of 1880 I can’t help but see what Christmas was back in that day. Money wasn’t the object and focus for Christmas. It was the simple things, love, friendship and just getting by. I thought I’d write in verse to bring you back to this time with a couple of my poems. After all isn’t Christmas from your heart?

My Favorite Time The snow is glistening on the top of the barn.

A load of wood I carry in on top my arm.

Steam rises out of nostrils that flare.

Horses snort with wide open stares.

Leathers hard and cold.

Christmas’s of past are told.

Embers from the chimney sparkle and die floating 38

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

from the sky.

Pretty bows of ribbon are carefully tied.

The smell of home made candy is carried on the breeze.

Through the window the lights reflect off the snow from the trees.

Smoke circles up into the heavens and disappears.

So let me breathe and smell it and live it, this is my favorite time of the year.

Pot Bellied Stove At the cabin this time of year is cold.

But I cozy with something that is very old.

She sure is pretty sitting there.

And into her flaming eyes I stare.

It’s my potbellied stove.

Around her many stories have been told.

In the summer she sits quietly in the way.

But she’s the main focus on winter nights and days.

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

She sure smells good.

She warms your heart and soul like a woman should.

She keeps my coffee warm.

I sit up close to her during a storm.

I have to get up with her to keep her belly full in the middle of the night.

The wind whips her smoke thru the trees making a ghostly sight.

I better go cause I need to keep her fire for me a going strong.

Because she can turn to cold before to long.

We Help Your Business

GROW.

Another Season Well here it is again that time of the year.

In my mind and heart I think of family that to me were so dear.

Grandma and grandpa having family over for dinner.

Grandpa blessing the food and thanking the Lord for saving us sinners.

Grandma was always a little nervous as us kids ran through her kitchen.

Dad yelling to slow down if we didn’t want a licking.

When Grandma would call me she’d fumble names till she got to me.

I was called Jane, Debbie Chucky then I mean Lesie.

When I’d open her package it was usually something I couldn’t use or need.

Something she had knitted like footies.

Looking back that really meant a lot.

Home made footies and a G.O Pet from Sav-O-Lot. Grandpa catching me and saying bring that squirt gun over here so I can explain to you how it works.

While I daydreamed about how grandma was going to be mad about that tobacco stain that had dripped on his white shirt.

Many of the seasons have come and gone.

If only I could go back to another of grandma’s dinners my heart longs.

My sisters if once more I could tease.

At least I’m warm sitting here in grandmas home made Footies.

Web Design Graphic Design Lead Generation Online Marketing Content Development Branding exocreative.com 929.500.1396 301 S. Collins Street, Plant City

Merry Christmas from Dry Creek. We hope your Christmas brings back memories and you also make many more for the years to come. Everybody knows where Dry Creek is......cause it’s inside each and everyone of us.

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

39

40

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

40

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER 2013

December 2014

W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

41

NEW EXTENSION STAFF ADDITIONS FOCUS ON COMPOSTING AND IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

By Jim Frankowiak

Lisa Meredith and Paula Staples are new members of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension Service staff and each is focused on individual areas of engagement by residents of the county designed to protect Florida’s environment and natural resources.

Compost, School & Community Garden Coordinator, Meredith is involved in composting workshops and school and community garden initiatives. Compost workshops show participants how to turn yard and kitchen waste into fertile, organic matter that can be used as a soil amendment, mulch, potting soil and/or compost tea. Meredith, who has received certification by the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association, also conducts educational sessions for county residents on vermi-composting, the process of breaking down organic matter into nutrient-rich compost through the use of worms.

She assists both existing and planned community and school garden projects, crediting her love for gardening to her grandmother Phoebee Ferree and the time spent with her at her garden in the Evansville area of Indiana. “My grandmother could grow anything and spending time with her was a great way for me to learn and appreciate the many benefits of gardening,” Meredith said. “That learning process continues, and I find that I learn something new every day. I enjoy the opportunity to share what I learn with others and I am most grateful for the wonderful support the Extension staff gives to me.”

Staples, Public Education Program Coordinator, reaches out to the community, offering free, in-yard irrigation system evaluations.

“The purpose of my visit is to help high water users benefit by learning more about their in ground irrigation systems settings, seasonal adjustments and potential economic savings,” she said. Her evalu42

IN NTHE HEFIELD IELD MAGAZINE AGAZINE

December ecember 2014

ation is available on any irrigation system that uses potable water resources. In addition to homeowners in the county, Staples offers her no-charge evaluatory services to churches, schools, commercial entities, homeowner associations and property management firms.

“Once I complete the evaluation of the system, I make recommendations to enhance performance and landscape beauty, while maintaining plant health and conserving water for future use,” she said.

Should there be need for system service, Staples provides a listing of companies holding certification from the Florida Irrigation Society.

Married and the mother of two grown sons, Staples holds an undergraduate degree in Environmental Management in Agriculture and Natural Resources and she blended her love for biological systems with a Civil Engineering Technology degree that enables her to effectively calculate the best solutions for protecting the environment.

She is a Long Island, New York native.

Prior to joining Extension, Staples served as Watershed Volunteer Coordinator in Nassau County with the St. John’s River Water Management District. She was also an environmental laboratory Quality Assurance Officer with the city of Fernandina Beach, Florida.

For additional information on the program areas and services available from Meredith and Staples, each can be reached by email or phone. Their contact information is: MeredithL@hillsoroughcounty.org, telephone: 813-744-5519, Ext. 54146; Staplesp@hillsboroughcounty.org, telephone: 813-744-5519, Ext. 54142. The offices for both are at Extension, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL 33584-3334. The Extension website is: http://hillsborough.ifas.ufl.edu.

WWW. WWW.IN NTHE HEFIELD IELDMAGAZINE.COM AGAZINE.COM

St. Augustinegrass Lawns Affected

by Sugarcane Mosaic Virus Susan Haddock, Commercial Horticulture/IPM/Small Farms Agent II, UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County Photos by Phil Harmon, Ph.D., UF/IFAS Plant Diagnostic Laboratory

Sugar Cane Mosaic Virus (SCMV) was named for the first host where it was found, Sugarcane. The virus can cause disease in other grass species as well, including corn, sorghum, and cultivated grasses. The virus is primarily found in sugarcane-producing areas of the state. Currently it is not a problem for sugarcane producers as resistant sugarcane varieties are produced. However, viruses can change and overcome resistance.

SCMV of St. Augustine was recorded in the 1960s. The virus was not recorded in central or north central Florida in the 1970s. A few cases with mild symptoms were recorded in the 10 years prior to 2013. In 2013 and 2014 severe cases, resulting in complete lawn dieback, have been recorded in Pinellas and Palm Beach Counties.

Signs, Symptoms and Occurrence According to Phil Harmon, UF/IFAS Plant Diagnostic Center, symptoms present as blotchy or streaky patterns of yellow and green color. Turfgrasses tend to have broken yellow streaks running between the veins on an otherwise green blade. Symptoms of recently reported cases include mosaic, but then turn necrotic. Infected lawns may dieback completely.

Necrosis and dieback begins in the fall and progresses through spring. Some lawns may show signs of recovery in the spring, but may also subsequently die. Proper diagnosis is important as there are other diseases, such as Large Patch, that typically occur in the fall through spring time frame. Large Patch may be successfully managed through improving cultural practices and fungicide applications. There is no cure for SCMV.

How SCMV Spreads and Prevention SCMV is transmitted by a number of means. The most efficient means of spreading the disease is mechanical. Lawn equipment such as lawn mowers and string trimmers can transfer sap and sap containing clippings from lawn to lawn. Good sanitation practices are very important to prevent this disease from becoming more widespread. Cleaning, or at a minimum blowing off equipment before leaving one site to travel to another site, will help prevent disease spread. Potentially contaminated equipment parts should be cleaned and sprayed down using dilute bleach, quaternary ammonia, alcoWWW. WWW.IN NTHE HEFIELD IELDMAGAZINE.COM AGAZINE.COM

hol or other appropriate cleaning agent in areas where the disease is known to occur. Properties can be infected by contaminated sod.

Sod with SCMV should not be installed, however, during some times of the year the symptoms may be mild and unnoticed. Aphids also transmit the virus, but may not be an important vector in the lawn industry.

Management of SCMV St. Augustine ‘Floratam’ turfgrass has exhibited the most severe symptoms. ‘Floratam’ lawns that have died due to SCMV are susceptible to subsequent death if replaced with ‘Floratam’. The current recommendation is to replace lawns that have died as a result of SCMV with a more resistant turfgrass. ‘Palmetto’ and ‘Bitterblue’ are more resistant, but may still get the disease. Zoysiagrass is not known to be a host of SCMV. Although other grasses such as bermudagrass, seashore paspalum and bahiagrass have been reported with SCMV infections, St. Augustine is the only turfgrass of concern in Florida at this time.

There are no known pesticides or other products that homeowners or landscape professionals can apply to lawns to prevent the development, spread or cure the disease. The severity varies from lawn to lawn and may be minor yellowing to death. Sod replacement, plugging with resistant varieties, or replacing lawn areas with alternative plant material or landscape elements are the only landscape options available.

Reporting and Diagnosis off SCMV Other diseases may be causing problems in the lawn. Managing other disease problems has not been shown to impact SCMV. Therefore, it is important to correctly identify the disease causing the problem.

Tracking the spread of SCMV in Florida is very important to determine the means of transmission and any changes in resistance. If you suspect that your lawn is affected by SCMV submit a sample to your local UF/IFAS Extension office or to the UF/IFAS Plant Diagnostic Center. For information on how to collect and submit a sample go to: http://plantpath.ifas.ufl.edu/Clinic/index.shtml. Check the Rapid Turfgrass Diagnostic Service Facebook page at https:// www.facebook.com/RapidTurfgrassDiagnosticService for up-todate information on the spread of this disease.

IN NTHE HEFIELD IELD MAGAZINE AGAZINE

December ecember 2014

43

44

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

68WWW.IIN NTHEFIELD MAGAZINE THEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM NOVEMBER 2013

W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

45

Enjoy the Holidays with some Year End Tax Strategies

by John Dicks This festive time of year may bring visions of sugar plums dancing in the head of our children and grandchildren, but for savvy taxpayers it’s also the time to consider some year end tax strategies.

Many of the maneuvers that you might want to make frankly depend on whether your income this year made it a good one … or not so much. Let’s take a quick look at both scenarios, and do note, of course, that there are always exceptions to any rule. That means you are always best advised to check with your tax advisor regarding any particular strategy.

If 2014 was very prosperous and your income is high, you’re likely in a cheerful mood and ready to generously reach out to others with contributions and donations to your Church and charities.

Sometimes, though, in very good years when your income is high, the amount that you can afford to give exceeds what you think might be prudent to do in any one given year. That’s especially so if this year produced a windfall of some sort and what you’d really like to do is spread out your largess over the years when things aren’t so plentiful.

Fortunately there’s a strategy that will help accomplish this goal. It’s done through the use of Donor Advised Funds.

A Donor Advised Fund is a program that allows you to make tax deductible contributions this year while deciding in future years on what charities to distribute them to. In essence, they allow you to get a tax deduction in your high earning years yet still have funds to donate in future years when your income doesn’t pan out like you hoped for.

There are a number of investment companies with great reputations that run Donor Advised Funds and will set up an account for you without charge. Two that come to mind include one through Fidelity Investments and the other is with the Vanguard Group.

While considering charitable contributions, it is worth noting that the Holidays produce a great time of year for cleaning out the closets and garage for things that you can give away and share with those in need. Contributing these items to a legitimate charity do, of course, offer you a nice tax deduction to help save some of that which you otherwise have to pay to the IRS. For those other items that you donate before year end (such as clothes and personal items) to your Church’s Clothes Closet or organizations like Goodwill, make certain to keep an itemized list of what you give.

It’s simple, too, and makes for good record keeping, to take a quick photo or two with your smartphone to save as a receipt with your tax records.

Another strategy to use in the good years involves what is referred to as “bunching deductions.” Deductible expenses such as your home’s real estate taxes and mortgage interest and those charitable contributions discussed above are valuable to you only when they exceed the standard deduction that you could claim whether you had any deductions at all.

For the year 2014, the standard deduction is, generally, $6,200 for individuals and twice that for married couples filing jointly. Thus, for the married couple, unless you are paying a total of more than $12,400 in property taxes and charitable contributions, those “deductions” aren’t really deductible at all.

A simple example of the strategy would center around property tax46

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

es. If you are someone who typically likes to postpone paying them as long as possible and just paid your 2013 taxes early this spring, consider changing things up this year and paying the 2014 taxes before year end. Not only will you get a discount for paying the taxes “early,” but it will get you a deduction now for having paid both tax bills this year.

In essence you will be cramming into this year as many deductible expenses as possible. The goal is to surpass the standard deduction amount and get a bigger tax savings.

Then, next year, you might skimp on deductible expenses in order to keep them below the standard deduction amount since you get that regardless of how much you actually spend. This alternating years strategy allows to you make the most use of your deductible expenses.

No discussion of tax strategies would be complete without a word or two on IRA’s (and their similar alternative accounts such as 401K’s).

In short, if you don’t have one, get one. If you do, contribute to it as much as you possible can.

The sooner that you start maxing out your IRA contributions, the sweeter your retirement is going to be. It might sound silly to some, but I encourage parents to set up IRA’s for their kids as soon as their youngsters start earning money. The longer the IRA has to grow and compound its investments the bigger the nest egg it can build.

While there’s not enough room here for a thorough discussion on whether to choose a ROTH IRA versus a traditional one, there is adequate space to emphasize simply one thing. Just do it. One or the other of the IRA’s … just do it now!

Provided that you already have an IRA and it, along with the stock market over the last few years, has grown substantially, you might want to consider a year end tax strategy involved with an IRA conversion. This might work well if 2014 turned out to be one that was not what you hoped for and your income was down this year but you fully expect it to go up next year and beyond, First, know that this generally applies for folks 59 1/2 and older, since they can tap into their traditional IRA without penalty.

At some point (generally when you turn 70) you’re going to have to start withdrawing those dollars that you wisely set aside into the IRA. Those withdrawals will be subject to income taxes at your ordinary tax rate. Ideally, of course, the lower the rate you have to pay, the better it is.

That’s when the IRA conversion strategy comes into play. If, as was mentioned above, this year didn’t quite produce what you hoped it would and you’re thinking that your income might rise in the future, now might be a good time to convert some of the funds in your traditional IRA into a ROTH IRA. While withdrawals from the traditional IRA are taxable now, when you later withdraw from the ROTHs, those funds (including any gains you may have made) will be tax free and penalty free (as long as you’re at least 59 1/2).

Thus the strategy allows you to pay taxes now, presumably at a lower rate, and in the future enjoy the funds plus and any gains that were made, all tax free.

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

Love is Sacrificial: Locks of Love in Mawmaw’s Memory

By Ginny Mink

As sad as this truth is, we’ve all been affected by cancer’s cruel attack on some level. We’ve all known, or been, those suffering from its devastation. Yet, even though it is such a wide spread phenomenon, very few of us have actually taken steps to do something about it. That’s why it’s so encouraging to hear about an 8 year old so moved by her Mawmaw’s experience that she chose to act. She asked her grandmother, Dee Dee Grooms, to act with her and the two of them set out to make Locks of Love donations.

Skyler Grooms, the 8 year old previously mentioned, tells us, “Well, we wanted to do it because recently, my great grandmother, Dee Dee’s mom, had cancer and she lost all her hair and my hair was already pretty long then. Then I heard about something called Locks of Love where you donate your hair for people who have cancer and so I thought it would be good because my Mawmaw had cancer and I’m donating it for her because we know how terrible cancer is. We really did it for memory of my great grandmother. I feel good about it because I helped other people.”

We asked her how she felt about her new haircut, “Well, I think… I love it! Really, because now I don’t have to brush, and take like 15 or 20 minutes to brush my hair now!” We were glad to hear that as Dee Dee mentioned a little bit of concern with regards to another Locks of Love participant’s experience dealing with some bullying after cutWWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

ting off all her hair. This, in our opinion, by the way, is absolutely heinous! How could anyone be so insensitive, and ignorant, as to make fun of a kid who gave away such an important part of her own appearance for the sake of relieving another person’s sorrow? That’s all we have to say about that!

To continue, we spoke with Dee Dee too and she explained, “It was all about Skyler wanting me to do it with her for my mother. My mother had breast cancer over ten years ago and five years after she had breast cancer she came down with lung cancer. I have four sisters, so two of my sisters had done the Locks of Love. During the time that my mom was sick it was kind of like, I just didn’t have the time to get my hair done and so it just kept getting longer and longer and then my granddaughter really, really wanted to do this because we had a little girl that came to our field last year who had cancer. We told her about her and she said, ‘Then I can do this for her and for Mawmaw.’

She is what really made me do it. It took about two years. Her hair’s always been long but she decided that she wanted to do it. We got it cut about two weeks ago, on Veteran’s day.” They’ll be sending their pony tails out this week and someone’s life will be forever changed!

If you are moved by this story, or have had thoughts about looking into Locks of Love, you can get more information at: http://locksoflove.org/.

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

47

48 48

IIN NTTHE HEF FIELD IELD M MAGAZINE AGAZINE

D December ecember 2014 2014

WWW. WWW.IIN NTTHE HEF FIELD IELDM MAGAZINE.COM AGAZINE.COM

WWW. WWW.IIN NTTHE HEFFIELD IELDM MAGAZINE.COM AGAZINE.COM

IINNTTHE HEFFIELD IELD M MAGAZINE AGAZINE

D December ecember 2014 2014

49 49

s e p i c e R These recipesipes come from WWW.STRAWBERRYSUE.COM

Florida Strawberry Midnight Shortcake INGREDIENTS 1 lb Florida strawberries 2 tablespoons sugar 4 jumbo chocolate cupcakes Whipped cream

DIRECTIONS Rinse the fresh strawberries then remove tops and slice the berries.

Place the sliced berries in a bowl and sprinkle with sugar.

Slice jumbo chocolate cupcakes in half and stack sweetened strawberries. Next put a dollop of whipped cream on top of the strawberries and finish off by placing the chocolate cupcake top on the shortcake.

Garnish with more strawberries, serve and enjoy! Makes 4 servings.

Florida Strawberry Muffins INGREDIENTS 1 1/2 cups fresh Florida strawberries, chopped 3/4 cup sugar 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg 1/4 tsp salt 2 eggs, beaten 1/4 cup butter, melted 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 425°F. Combine flour, baking soda, nutmeg and salt. Set aside. Mix the eggs, butter, vanilla, remaining 1/4 cup of sugar and liquid from strawberries in a medium bowl.

Add flour mixture and stir until combined.

Fold in reserved strawberries. Spoon into 12 greased muffin pans. Bake for approximately twenty minutes or until golden brown.

Makes 12 muffins.

Serve warm dusted with powdered sugar or with Sweet Strawberry Butter.

Method Combine the strawberries and 1/2 cup sugar in a small bowl. Set aside for one hour. Drain; reserve liquid and strawberries separately.

50

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

Note: Pure vanilla extract may be acquired from several sources. Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, Kirkland Signature Pure Vanilla Extract, and Tone’s 100% Pure Vanilla Extract are some outlets.

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

51

Bingham On Site

50 Years of Quality Service

By Nick Chapman In 1964, the first Ford Mustang was produced, President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act into law, the Beatles made their first U.S. appearance and Bingham On Site (BOS) opened its doors for business in Dover. It all began when Dewain Bingham, Sr. purchased a 1953 Chevy pump truck from his father-in-law, Herbert Gay. That set in motion the company that now has three separate divisions, including sewer, precast and portable toilets.

Dewain Bingham, Sr. started life on a farm in the small town of Milledgeville, Tennessee. He grew up picking and chopping cotton and harvesting corn. He held many jobs through the years, and his first one in Florida was working in a shrimp packing plant close to the port in Tampa. He learned how to drive a large truck through on-thejob training. He recounts the story where his boss told him to take a load of shrimp down to Tampa cold storage driving a B61 Mack truck. “ I told him, ‘What are you talking about? I haven’t ever been in a truck like that, much less drove one!’ He told me I’d be alright, so I got in the truck. I finally found a gear that would make it go and I left it there.”

After leaving the shrimp job, he had an uncle that got him into the asbestos union doing work. “I worked in every power house in central Florida.” He also did a lot of mine work, and even worked on the construction of Disney World in the underground tunnels, the Castle and the Contemporary hotel. The job eventually ended up in taking him up to Michigan, and it was so cold he told his wife Linda that they were going back to Florida, even if he had to pick oranges. He came back to work with a power company in Sebring.

Then his father-in-law was getting out of the sewer business, and he bought the truck that kicked off the current business. “It went from a one horse wagon to a multi-million dollar operation,” said Bingham. Of course that didn’t happen overnight. Now in their 50th year 52

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

of business, Bingham looks back at their humble beginnings. They started with a small office on their current location. He and Dewey Griffin built the forms they used in the business. He hired two of his uncles and the work started to grow. “It took lots and lots of hard work, and I kept my nose to the grindstone. I knew I had lots of people depending on me.”

As the business continued to grow, and Dewain and Linda’s three children grew up, the next generation started to take an active role in operations. Now their two sons Dewain, Jr. and Andy handle the day-to-day operations, along with their daughter-in-law, Heather.

With the recent addition of Dewain, Jr’s son Jacob, they now have the fourth generation working for the family owned business. And with seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild, a fifth generation could be just around the corner.

With the increasing demand for custom precast sewer and septic systems, Bingham On Site purchased land in Mulberry where they carry out their casting operations. Their steel reinforced concrete tanks are available in various sizes, and their in-house engineers can comply with the specifications of most job needs. This includes grease trap and lift station fabrication.

The sewer division that started it all is still the mainstay of the business. Offering both commercial and residential applications, they provide 24/7 emergency call service, not provided by many of their competitors. They can design and install new systems, repair existing tanks and drain fields, and they offer maintenance programs to keep systems operating efficiently. Bingham On Site also services restaurant grease traps and private lift stations. Dewain, Sr. and Dewain, Jr. have been active in the Florida Onsite Wastewater Association (FOWA).

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

Possibly the fastest growing segment is also the newest to Bingham On Site, which is the portable toilet division. They started with two units that Dewain, Sr. purchased at an auction after a convention. Now with about 800 units for rental, they have become a major player in Hillsborough County. They provide short or long time rental for business, events and agricultural use. One unique aspect is they can fabricate custom trailers for the portable toilet and sink unit to suit local farmers’ needs.

Bingham On Site and the Bingham family has been active in the community, sponsoring local events and providing support to youth agriculture at both the Hillsborough County Fair and the Strawberry Festival. Heather Bingham is the leader of the Farm Fresh Clovers 4-H chapter that meets in a dedicated activities room provided by the business.

Linda Bingham sums up the success of the business, “God has been behind it. We could never be where we’re at without Him.” With Dewain,

Sr.’s hard work, Linda’s guiding and supporting hand, and a strong faith in God, Bingham On Site has been blessed with fifty years of providing superior service to the people of Central Florida.

For more information on the services Bingham On Site provides, you can call them at (813) 659-0003, or visit them on the web at www. binghamonsite.com.

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

53

Planetary Misuse Endangers Many:

The Florida Panther’s Story

By Ginny Mink

Photo Credit: Larry Richardson, USFWS

Cat lovers listen up! Florida panthers are among the most endangered animals in the world! If you were unaware of that truth, don’t feel bad. We knew they were seriously threatened but to see the scale of devastation as revealed on the floridapanthernet.org site is mind blowing. According to the site, back in the 1500s, the panther was making its home throughout most of the southeastern states, including Louisiana and Tennessee. Now, they live solely in the very bottom corner of Florida and even then there’s only between 100 and 180 adults! This is not acceptable.

Panther enthusiasts, and those wishing to aid in their restoration and revival, will find the signs of panther activity highly useful information. The first thing to note are scratch marks. Panthers utilize downed cabbage palms to sharpen their claws. There’s no evidence that this is a territorial marker, rather it just signifies the presence of a panther. There have been sightings throughout the state of wandering males. Unfortunately, the only breeding panthers known to be in existence still reside in the southern most parts of the state. Male panthers wandering around without hope of procreation is a sad situation for sure! Female panthers are induced ovulators, so if a male happens upon one… (You get the idea) to ensure the propagation of the species, she will ovulate. Sadly, since the females are in the south, these males are a lost cause.

Another sign specific to panthers is that they have unique kill behaviors. In fact, the state that a carcass is in might very well reveal whether or not it’s a direct result of a panther kill. Panthers have a tendency to eat through the chest cavity to secure the liver and heart as the first delicacies. They have been known to chew through ribcages all the way to the backbone. If that meal doesn’t suffice at the time, they will next move onto the thigh muscle. In true cat fashion, they will then “cover” their prey. This behavior helps preserve the remains of the carcass so that the panther can return at a later time to eat more. Usually, the panther will uncover and move the carcass before dining again. This is another panther oddity as they will drag the carcass by the neck as they straddle it. So, if you see a large drag mark in between paw prints (four clawless toes around a three lobed pad) you’re probably looking at proof positive of panther activity.

The floridapanthernet.org site adds, “Panthers are solitary, elusive animals and are rarely observed in the wild. Since 1981 scientists have 54

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

fitted many Florida panthers with radio collars to help keep track of their movements. Still, much of what we know about panthers comes from what they leave behind.” Which is of course problematic because there’s no certainty about what happens to the panther after leaving his mark. In fact, the most common cause of death in these creatures is “intraspecific aggression,” which simply means: they kill each other. However, there are other causes: “bacterial infections, rabies, pseudorabies, and congenital heart defects. One dead female panther was found to have high levels of mercury in her tissues. Between 1978 and 1994, 20 panther deaths (12 males and 8 females) and six injuries were documented from collisions with cars and trucks.”

So, what can we do to help? Well, the first step is reporting sightings.

If you happen upon tracks or other conclusive proof that a panther has been in your area, photograph the evidence and send it to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: https://public. myfwc.com/hsc/panthersightings/getlatlong.aspx . Better yet, if you can get a picture of the animal itself, make sure to send copies to them!

The site adds, “The growing population of this endangered species, and its need to roam over large areas, means panthers are spreading beyond their well-documented south Florida range. Reporting your observations can help FWC biologists address panther conservation needs by identifying the areas used by these large cats. FWC is interested in photos of panthers or their tracks taken either by remote trail cameras or by a very lucky person! We are especially interested in such pictures north of the Caloosahatchee River, which runs from Lake Okeechobee to Ft. Myers.” Keep those eyes open!

For those of us who are not so likely to come across a traveling panther, we can add our support to conservation efforts by purchasing the panther license plate available through the Florida DMV. The site informs readers that all panther tag purchases help fund the research and management of Florida panthers. While we started off calling cat lovers to attention, the truth is, we should all be deeply concerned by the prolific number of species our misuse of the planet is endangering. We’ve been entrusted with a great responsibility and sadly, as in most other respects, we are not doing the job we should.

If you have land and have seen panther activity, please let the FWC know and if you are like so many of us, living in the subdivisions that destroy habitats, at least support them via a license plate purchase!

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

PLATINUM BANK IS PLEASED TO HOST PLANT CITY’S

THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015 REGISTRATION – 11:30 AM / FORUM & LUNCH – 12:00 PM LIMITED SEATING

1804 JAMES L. REDMAN PKWY. PLANT CITY, FL 33563 PLATINUMBANK.COM

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

The Business Forum will feature Andrew W. McLaughlin and Janet Goldberg McEnery of Macfarlane Ferguson & McMullen, P.A., located in Tampa, Florida, who will speak about the potential effects of the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) on your business.

All business owners and business executives are welcome to join us at this free event that includes a complimentary lunch.

RSVP by January 19th to Barbara Cadiz, Office Manager. Location information will be provided. bcadiz@platinumbank.com 813-423-7500

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

55

A Blind Tiger

by: Libby Hopkins

Robert Torres of Tampa was not alive during the prohibition area but he loved how that era created speakeasies, which was a secret place for people to come and have a good time and a drink. Torres also loved that they used a password or phase to get inside. “The doorman would say we ‘have blind tiger or a blind pig inside’,” Torres said.

“The customer would say, ‘how much to see it,’ and the doorman would charge them a fee to enter. Once inside, they would be served alcohol in a coffee cup.”

this building and then the opportunity came to expand into a store.

Instead of doing a little boutique, we wanted to do something bigger.” He tied Black and Denim to his speakeasy café concept. He also wanted to include other local business in the café because Torres is huge supporter of keeping things local and shopping local. “We have to support each other if we are going to succeed in this business,’ Torres said.

Torres wanted to keep the spirit of the speakeasies alive, so he named his new retail/coffee shop The Blind Tiger Café. The café is located in Ybor City and instead of alcohol being served in a coffee cup, you are served some of the finest coffees and teas the Tampa Bay area has to offer. “The concept is a 1920s speakeasy café with a different type of customer experience,” Torres said. “It was part madness and part selfishness because we couldn’t find a place that had all the elements we wanted.”

The coffee served in at The Blind Tiger Café is from Buddy Brew Coffee, which is a local coffee brewer. Coffee enthusiasts Dave and Susan Ward of Tampa own the company. They believed the best coffee is made from freshly roasted bean. So, they bought a Diedrich IR-7 commercial roaster and started roasting coffee beans in their garage. They started Buddy Brew as an online business and then eventually they opened their store on Kennedy Boulevard in Tampa.

“They believe in fair-trade coffee and that’s why we partnered with them,” Torres said.

The element Torres was talking about is a coffee/tea shop, retail shop and pastry shop. He started a denim and t-shirt line called Black and Denim about five years ago. The clothing line is made and sourced with 100 percent American raw materials. The line conserves the essence of the history of American craftsmanship. “It was a passion for crafting denim the way it was 60-80 years ago,” Torres said. “We started a little concept showroom last year across the street from

The tea served in the café is also local and it comes from Tebella.

The company is a family owned and operated boutique tea retailer specializing in loose-leaf tea and accessories located in the heart of South Tampa. “They have the best loose-leaf tea around and they bring in the most amazing flavors for our customers,” Torres said.

Torres wanted the most unique and delicious pastries served in his café, but they also had to be local so he connected with Piquant Bak-

56

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

ery in South Tampa. “They are absolutely amazing,” Torres said.

The word piquant translates quite literally as “having a pleasantly sharp taste or appetizing flavor” and “pleasantly stimulating or exciting to the mind.” The bakery’s highest priority is quality, and all of their scrumptious desserts are made daily using fresh, local ingredients such as hand picked berries. All of their recipes are based on traditional French baking techniques.

The Blind Tiger Café has been gaining popularity since it opened in November. Torres is planning many events for the upcoming holi-

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

days. “We are planning on hosting daily coffee and tea tasting twice a day during the month of December,” Torres said. “You can come in and pay a small fee to sample each day at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.” The café is also going to be hosting coffee brewing classes in the near future.

“We want people to realize that coffee isn’t just something you can make easily, you need to really take your time at crafting and brewing it,” Torres said, “True coffee brewing is an art.” If you would like to learn more about The Blind Tiger Café, you can visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/blindtigerybor. The café is located at 1901 East 7th Avenue in Ybor City.

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

57

GARDEN GOODIES PROGAM

EXPANDED TO TAMPA HEADSTART CENTER

Collaboration Effort Involving Extension & Economic Development

By Jim Frankowiak

Hillsborough County Extension and Economic Development have expanded the successful “Garden Goodies” program to the North Tampa Community Head Start Center. The effort is part of Hillsborough County’s Extension Service 4-H Garden Goodies servicelearning project which is designed to bring an edible gardening experience to young residents of the county and their families.

“This is the first time Garden Goodies has been held away from our offices,” said Extension Agent Lynn Barber. The nine-week session is targeting families with children enrolled at the North Tampa Head Start Center, aiming to educate pre-school children about environmental gardening and teamwork.

The Center is located on the University Area Community Center campus.

The original versions of the Garden Goodies program were all held at Extension’s office in Seffner and targeted older children and their family members. Those programs are sixteen weeks in duration and included garden planting, maintenance, harvesting and meal preparation using the produce grown by participants and in the Extension teaching kitchen.

58 58

IIN NTTHE HEF FIELD IELD M MAGAZINE AGAZINE

D December ecember 2014 2014

WWW. WWW.IIN NTTHE HEF FIELD IELDM MAGAZINE.COM AGAZINE.COM

With the assistance of Extension staff, family members, volunteers and County Commissioner Lesley “Les” Miller the children planted squash, tomatoes, basil and bell peppers in several newly recreated raised garden beds. During each of the sessions following the Garden Goodies kickoff event in early October, students are being taught how to maintain an edible garden, how to identify bugs that are beneficial and proper gardening maintenance techniques. “In addition, these youngsters will also learn about the importance of micro irrigation and the use of rainwater as a viable source of water for plant irrigation,” said Barber. “At each step along the way from planting and maintaining the garden on to harvesting, our young gardeners are having true hands on experiences.”

and sharing it with the community,” said Extension Director Stephen Gran. “These kids are our future and we need to teach them at an early age how to make healthy choices,” said Hillsborough County Commissioner Miller. Assistant County Administrator Carl Harness, who served as master of ceremonies for the Garden Goodies kickoff event at the Center, noted the importance of this collaborative partnership. “That’s where the rubber meets the road,” he said.

Home Depot on North Florida Avenue in Tampa donated all compost and plant materials for the Head Start Center garden.

A program such as this represents the essence of the Extension mission. “We are taking the results of our research plus our knowledge

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

59

Wearable Nature

By Libby Hopkins

Deirdre Powell is originally from Ireland, but currently lives in Riverview, Fla. She is a graphic designer, writer, photographer and she recently started her own business called Design and Fleurs. She creates jewelry and home décor out of dried flowers and plants.

Artist Claude Monet once said, “More than anything, I must have flowers, always, always.” Deirdre Powell is originally from Ireland, but currently lives in Riverview. She can relate to Monet because she is a graphic designer, photographer and writer who incorporates flowers and art into everything she creates. Flowers are her passion and they have been a part of her life for as long as she can remember. Her mother Mary is a floral designer and she taught her daughter all there is to know about gardening and flower arrangements. “I absolutely love flowers, gardening and anything that deals with nature,” Powell said. “I’m drawn to these elements.”

Powell wanted to create something that combined all of her passions, so she started making jewelry with dried flowers and plants. “I wanted to create something I was connected to myself,” Powell said.

“I couldn’t find anything out there that combined my love for gardening and things in their natural element, so I decided to create my own pieces.” Design and Fleurs was born. Fleurs is the French word for “flower” and Powell is quite fond of the word, so she named her business after it. “It describes me, it fits everything I do and it’s me,” Powell said.

The mission of Design and Fleurs is to create one of a kind, handmade crafts and jewelry that reflect the aesthetic beauty of nature. “I create whimsical design adornments for fashion and home décor,” Powell said. She has taken the age-old art of pressing flowers and plants to a whole new level.

Pressing flowers dates back to ancient civilizations. According to the website, Garden Guides (www.gardenguides.com), “Flowers 60

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

appeared in the burial grounds and artistic renderings of various cultures. Egyptians often used petals for everything from scenting a house to perfume. Flowers also appeared in religious ritual, particularly for preparing the dead for the afterlife. Archaeologist unearthed pressed laurels and garlands in the 3,000-year-old coffin of Tutankhamun’s mother.”

In the 1500s Japanese artists created an art form called “Oshibana,” which the art of pressing flowers to create a whole picture. They used pressed plants or flowers to create an image. When trading began between Japan and Europe in the late 1500s, these art pieces became very fashionable in England and then later in America. By the 1900s, Victorian ladies created pictures out of dried pressed flower parts combined with ribbons. The art of pressing flowers became increasingly popular during this time period. Slipping petals or a whole flower into a book became a way of preserving a special gift or moment from someone special.

Powell grows and presses her own flowers and plants. “If it’s not growing in my garden, then I find it in the woods behind my house,” Powell said. “My neighbors and the homeowner’s association have gotten used to me hunting for plants and wild flowers near our neighborhood.” She also sketches out each piece before she creates it. “I have the design in my head, so I draw it out, and then go and find the flowers or plants for it,” Powell said. “I then sort of Frankenstein the flowers and plants by cutting them with an X-Acto Knife and then I dry them out by pressing them.” Once the flowers and plants are dried she will set them in resin or press them in a glass locket. She even wire wraps and designs the chains she uses for her necklaces. “The whole process from start to finWWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

ish can take a few weeks and it’s a very patient process,” Powell said. “I find it to be very relaxing and cathartic.”

For the holidays, Powell is also creating wreaths, ornaments, serving trays and other holiday décor from her dried flowers and plants. “I love using everything that is ready available because nature is all around us,” Powell said. “I create wearable nature.”

She recently created a website and blog (www.shopdesignandfleurs.com) where you can purchase her jewelry pieces and her other creations. Her blog will offer home décor tips for every occasion and offer help with graphic designing and branding projects. “Design and Fleurs is a beautiful way to bring nature into our everyday lives,” Powell. If you would like to learn more about Design and Fleurs, you can visit Powell’s website or you can check out her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/shopdesignandfleurs.

Saturday, January 17, 2015 Plant City Family YMCA Proudly Presents

THE THIRD ANNUAL

DEAN’S RIDE: STRENGTH & HONOR

Opening Remarks: 7:45am Race Starts: 8:00am Start/End at HCC Plant City Campus Register: online at www. tampaymca.org, www.active. com, or in person at the Plant City Family YMCA

PLANT CITY FAMILY YMCA | 1507 YMCA Place Plant City, FL 33563 | 813.757.6677 | tampaymca.org

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

61

62 62

NT THE HEF FIELD IELD M MAGAZINE AGAZINE IIN

December ecember 2014 2014 D

WWW.IIN NT THE HEF FIELD IELDM MAGAZINE.COM AGAZINE.COM WWW.

813-752-2379

Mon. - Sat.: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Western & Outdoor Wear, Farm, Ranch & Pet Supplies 3014 S. Jim Redman Pkwy. (Hwy. 39 S) Plant City, FL • www.southsidestores.com WWW. WWW.IIN NTTHE HEFFIELD IELDM MAGAZINE.COM AGAZINE.COM

IINNTTHE HEFFIELD IELD M MAGAZINE AGAZINE

D December ecember 2014 2014

63 63

64

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

WWW. WWW.IIN NTTHE HEFFIELD IELDM MAGAZINE.COM AGAZINE.COM

WWW. WWW.IIN NTTHE HEFFIELD IELDM MAGAZINE.COM AGAZINE.COM

INTTHE HEFFIELD IELD M MAGAZINE AGAZINE IN

ecember 2014 2014 DDecember

65 65

PARADISE IN PLANT CITY: More Than Five Decades of Delectable Confections By Jim Frankowiak America’s favorite brand of candied fruit products has been produced in Plant City since 1961. That is when Frank Weaner purchased the company and adopted the name Paradise Fruit Co., which was incorporated four years later and became Paradise Fruit Co., Inc. The Weaner legacy has continued since that time and now management and ownership of the company is under the aegis of the family’s third generation.

Weaner, a banker and entrepreneur, was succeeded by Melvin Gordon, who moved to the Tampa Bay area from Chicago in the mid 60’s. His son, Randy, is now company president and his team includes his brother Mark, executive vice president, and brother-in-law, Tracy Schulis, senior vice president with responsibility for fruit sales.

“This is truly a team effort,” said Randy Gordon, who noted the fourth generation of the family is now involved in the company through Tracy’s son Bryan.

Plant City was selected as the company’s home since it was close to Polk County citrus. “Orange peel, a by-product of the orange juice processing business, is an important raw ingredient,” said Randy.

Paradise purchases its cherries from the western U.S., Michigan or France, depending upon market conditions and the exchange rate.

“All of our pineapple is purchased from Thailand,” said Gordon.

When the company first began operations locally, orange peel was easily obtained from orange juice processors as a by-product of their business, “but that changed as other uses were found for the peel.

Today, in addition to selling to us, a good portion of the by-product is dried and pelletized for cattle feed.”

66

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

Most Paradise raw materials are processed in the same manner. Upon receipt at the 225,000-square-foot, multi-building facility in Plant City, the fruit is sorted, washed and cut into various sizes. Brine, a preservative, is added and then the mixture is stored in 55-gallon drums waiting processing. “Our products are seasonal,” said Gordon. “Consumers and commercial bakeries use the vast majority of our candied fruit as they bake for the holidays,” he said. Paradise has approximately 175 full time employees and that number jumps to 225 during peak production periods.

The Paradise Brands of candied fruit include Paradise™, Pennant™, Sunripe™, Mor-Fruit™, Dixie Brand and White Swan™. “In addition, some of America’s leading grocery retailers; The Kroger Companies, Safeway Stores, Inc., Food Lion, LLC and Bi-Lo, LLC offer our products for sale under their own labels,” said Gordon. “Overall, our brands make Paradise the largest manufacturer and supplier of consumer packaged candied fruit in the world.”

The Paradise candied fruit line includes green and red cherries, natural pineapple, green and red pineapple, assorted pineapple, citron, orange peel, lemon peel, crystallized ginger, cherry pineapple mix, as well as other candied fruit mixes. In addition to being available at most supermarkets, Paradise products are available online via the company’s website: http://www.paradisefruitco.com. Local outlets include Publix, Wal-Mart, Winn-Dixie and Felton’s. The Paradise website also includes a range of baking tips and recipes, membership in its recipe club and special coupons.

The initial processing step is the debrining or washing of the fruit or peel. They are then processed with corn sweeteners, colored syrups – at varying times and amounts depending upon the fruit being canWWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

died. Once the mix has achieved the desired brix, the syrup is drained and the fruit is packaged. “We take care and filter our corn sweeteners so they are kept clean while being recycled,” said Gordon. Packing includes clear plastic containers for retail sales and bulk packaging for institutional bakers such as the Claxton Company in Georgia, one of the best known producers of fruit cakes.

Although globally dominant as a candied fruit producer, “we regard that segment of our business as mature,” said Gordon. “That is because fewer people bake today and more women are in the workforce.” However, the company’s legacy has been marked by diversity and acquisitions over the years and those hallmarks continue today.

Thinkfruit dried fruit snacks are case in point. A healthy, natural and delicious dried fruit snack, Thinkfruit is fat free, gluten free, low sodium and comes in the following varieties: cinnamon apple slices, peach slices, pineapple tidbits, whole blueberries, whole cherries, whole cranberries and a combination of flavors called Mix-it-up.

These premium snacks are available at convenience stores, airports, hotels and through the Home Shopping Network. “Thinkfruit gained notoriety a few years ago when it was picked to be the Snack of the Day on the Rachel Ray show,” said Gordon. Over the years Paradise has developed and marketed Paradise liquors, a de-alcoholized wine cooler and jellies and jams.

“We have acquired many of our competitors and we have looked at many different opportunities for expanding our business,” said Gordon. “Despite the fact that my grandfather was an idea guy and he was never afraid to try most anything, it was my father’s idea for the company to become involved in the plastics business more than 30 years ago.” Paradise purchased injection molding equipment enabling it to produce its own retail packaging. That was the birth of Paradise Plastics, which was further enhanced “as we brought the thermoforming process into our manufacturing capability,” said Gordon. “Clear plastic packaging is vital since that enables us to sell the colors of Christmas visually with our mix of products and packaging.” Paradise also prints its own lids.

The Paradise Plastics Division manufactures packaging for other industries such as horticulture, aviation, pool & spa, cookies, candy, WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

bakeries, optical and various other applications. “Our Plastics’ facility has more than 100,000-square-feet of warehouse space allowing for storage of a wide range of customers products, enabling on-time deliveries,” said Gordon. “Our computerized inventory system enables us to track customer’s products from single cartons to multiple truckload quantities. We also have a fleet of tractor trailers for local area deliveries and our location offers complete parcel package, trucking line and rail access.” The thermoforming division is AS9100C and ISO9001:2008 certified. More information is available at www.parasidesplastics.com.

Prior to the introduction of clam-shell-type packaging currently used in the retail pack for fresh strawberries, Paradise had been a major supplier of green injection molded baskets used to contain freshpicked strawberries. “At that time, we produced anywhere from 60 to 100 million baskets each season,” said Gordon. The company continues its relationship with the local strawberry industry, but in a different way. “As the fresh-picked season draws to a close and west coast berries begin to become available, we provide processing services through which strawberries are pureed or sliced, with or without sugar, and stored in buckets or drums which are then frozen and shipped for varied uses,” said Gordon. Among those uses are as flavorings for ice cream, candy, drinks and drink mixes, as well as many others. “We supply our stainless plant and labor for berry processing and partner with Gary Wishnatzki of Wish Farms.” Coincidentally, Wishnatzki and Gordon are lifelong friends having grown up together in Tampa.

“Processed strawberries are very popular, but the majority of processing takes place in California,” said Gordon.

Throughout its history in Plant City, Paradise has been involved with the community in a variety of ways. Gordon is a past president of the Plant City Rotary Club and the company is a significant supporter of the Diabetes Foundation, Veterans Memorial Park and YMCA, as well as other community organizations. “We also support the Paradise Inc. /Frank A. Weaner Scholarship at the University of South Florida College of Business,” noted Gordon. “In fact, that is the oldest scholarship at the Business College.”

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

67

W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M 68

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE December 2014

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE OVEMBER 2013 69 WWW.INN THE FIELDMAGAZINE.COM

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

69

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FARM BUREAU RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR OUTREACH PROGRAM

By Jim Frankowiak

Farm Bureau officials in Hillsborough County have received national recognition for an outreach program designed to reach and engage elected officials and regulators. Entitled the Legislative Ag Tour, the program is a co-operative effort involving Farm Bureau, University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Extension Service and Florida Department of Citrus and Consumer Services.

The Ag Tour program was honored by the American Farm Bureau Federation through its County Activities of Excellence Program. Hillsborough County Farm Bureau was similarly honored in 1997 for the design and implementation of its AgVenture program, an educational activity for third-graders in the county.

In addition, the local group received an Honorable Mention in 2006 for the Agricultural Economic Development Program it fostered. That initiative is designed to foster understanding and enhance the agricultural industry in the county where it is a significant economic contributor with various commodities responsible for annual sales in excess of $800 million.

“We are genuinely honored with this recognition,” said Farm 70

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

Bureau President Kenneth Parker. “And we are deeply indebted to our partners, participating producers and industry members who all help make this program a reality. Our thanks, too, to the elected and regulatory officials who take the time to participate and learn about our industry, its challenges and benefits agriculture brings to the local economy.”

“Our most recent Ag Tour consisted of three separate tours on different days during the year,” said Hillsborough County Farm Bureau Executive Director Judi Whitson. “Each took place in different parts of the county and stops also involved producers in three neighboring counties. We had nearly 40 participants in each of the tours.” Among those in attendance were state legislators or their aides, U.S. Representatives, members of the Southwest Florida Water Management District, county government, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Soil and Water Conservation District. Buses were donated by Mosaic, and various commodity groups donated funds to offset costs associated with the three, day long tours.

“We believe it is incumbent upon us to educate new lawmakers at the national, state and local levels as to what agriculture WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

brings to the local economy,” said Parker.

“Hopefully, that type of orientation will lead to well-informed decision-making as it relates to farmers, ranchers and agritourism related industries.

“The results of those tours have been most gratifying,” said Parker. “We showcased nine different commodities on our tours and the involved farmers and ranchers have received subsequent calls from participants seeking additional information.

They each feel that they can now pick up the phone and contact those who were on tours. Also, we enjoyed favorable votes on all of our issues during the last state legislative session.”

The American Farm Bureau Federation has invited Hillsborough County Farm Bureau representatives to its annual meeting next month at San Diego, California to share information about the Ag Tour program with attendees so that similar initiatives can be undertaken across the U.S. “We consider our county Farm Bureau to be the voice of agriculture locally,” noted Parker. “This honor confirms that we are indeed doing our job and achieving the type of results that will benefit our industry today and into the future.”

For more information about Hillsborough County Farm Bureau, including membership, visit: http://hcfarmbureau.org.

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

71

72

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

WWW. WWW.IIN NTTHE HEFFIELD IELDM MAGAZINE.COM AGAZINE.COM

IINNTTHE HEFFIELD IELD M MAGAZINE AGAZINE

DDecember ecember 2014 2014

73 73

UF/IFAS panel approves three new tomato breeding lines

By Brad Buck

University of Florida scientists hope three new breeding lines approved for release will eventually improve the virus resistance and quality of future tomato varieties.

The UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Cultivar Release Committee, in partnership with the Florida Foundation Seed Producers Inc., approved Fla. 8638B, Fla. 8624 and Fla. 8923 on Oct. 22.

Fla. 8923 shows promise for resistance to tomato yellow leaf curl virus while 8624 and 8638B provide resistance to yellow leaf curl virus and tomato mottle virus, according to Professor Jay Scott and Assistant Professor Sam Hutton, tomato breeders at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Balm.

Committee members agreed to release the breeding lines hoping seed companies can use them to develop improved cultivars for Florida and globally. The resistance genes these improved lines provide originated from a wild tomato species that Scott transferred into tomatoes nearly 25 years ago.

The committee also agreed to release two caladium cultivars: UF 432 and UF 4015.

74

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

Caladiums are potted plants valued for their colorful and variableshaped leaves, according to data from associate professor Zhanao Deng, who also conducts research at the Gulf Coast REC and is one of the cultivars’ breeders.

Caladium UF 432 performs very well in containers and gardens and shows excellent sun tolerance. UF 4015 produces many bright pink leaves well-suited for containers and shady landscape sites, UF/IFAS scientists said.

Also approved was a new oat cultivar, FL0720, a full-season winter cultivar for use as a forage, grain, cover and wildlife food crop. In addition to its multiple uses, FL0720 shows excellent resistance to crown rust, a major problem for oats in the South, said Ali Babar, UF/IFAS assistant professor in agronomy and one of the cultivar’s breeders.

Florida Foundation Seed Producers Inc. will be seeking non-exclusive licensees for the tomato breeding lines and caladium cultivars. An exclusive licensee will be sought for the new oat cultivar through FFSP’s invitation.

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

SUN CITY TREE FARMER JOINS FARM BUREAU BOARD

By Jim Frankowiak

Vincent Tort, general manager of Sun City Tree Farm, brings an interesting heritage to his post as one of Hillsborough County Farm Bureau’s Board of Directors. Born in France, Tort and his family moved to the U.S. in 1979. It was the Tort family’s second move as a result of dissatisfaction with government policies. The first was by Tort’s grandparents in the 1950s when they relocated to France from French Morocco where they had raised sheep and citrus.

“Both moves were instigated by a desire to find a better life for our family and in response to growing government control which my parents and grandparents found to be oppressive,” said Tort. His grandfather, Henri, father, J.C. and an uncle, Eric, became involved in the citrus industry in the 1970s. When that industry fell on hard economic times, the family decided to grow different species of trees for landscape contractors and Sun City Tree Farm was established in 1988. The Ruskin-based family farm, which grows European Olive Trees along with many Florida native trees, focuses on serving the landscape needs associated with new construction. Tort has an older and a younger brother.

“The last few years have been challenging for our industry, but we are now enjoying the rebound of new construction growth,” said Tort. The Tort’s tree farm has expanded over the years from 20to 140-acres, growing quality containers trees, ranging from 15- to 200-gallons. “We serve customers within Florida and out of state in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi,” noted Tort. Noteworthy among the high end landscapes to which Sun City Tree Farm has provided quality material are Walt Disney World and The Dali Museum in St. Petersburg.

After graduation from East Bay High School, Tort went on to the University of South Florida, earning an undergraduate degree in Speech Communications. Though he worked on the family farm while in high school, he took a position in the retail clothing industry WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

after college. Tort left that position when family friends in Orlando offered him a position on their tree farm. He then returned to the family farm where he now serves as general manager, overseeing a staff of 24 full time employees. “I have found that I really enjoy and prefer the opportunity to work outside,” he said.

His prior industry involvement has included service as a board member of the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association and Tampa Bay Wholesale Growers Association. It was through those associations that he became involved with and a participant in AgVenture, a Farm Bureau initiative designed to introduce Hillsborough County third-graders to the many aspects of agriculture that take place in the county. He has also participated in the annual horticulture sales activities associated with the Tampa Bay group.

Tort took a break from those affiliations when he and his wife Carrie welcomed daughter Lilah into the family. Lilah recently celebrated her first birthday. The recent encouragement from a “friendly” tree farming competitor, Ray Wood, to consider a board slot with Hillsborough County Farm Bureau prompted Tort to return to volunteer work on behalf of agriculture.

“I appreciate the need to support our industry,” said Tort. “It is essential for us to educate those not involved in agriculture and we have the opportunity to do that through various outreach programs and engagement with our elected officials. We have to do what it takes to protect our interests. At the same time I enjoy the camaraderie and productive relationships that come about through this type of activity.”

Weekends find Tort spending time with his family, mountain biking, boating and fishing. Welcome to the Farm Bureau Board Vincent and thank you for your willingness to serve!

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

75

88

76 76

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2013 IINNTTHE D HEFFIELD IELD M MAGAZINE AGAZINE December ecember 2014 2014

W W W . I N TWWW. H E F I ET LDM A G AAGAZINE.COM Z I N E .C O M WWW.IIN NTHE HEFFIELD IELDM MAGAZINE.COM

It Pays to Borrow from Farm Credit!

“Farm Credit makes it simple to borrow money”

Strawberry and vegetable growers, Elias (L) and Lorena Gutierrez, have been Farm Credit Members since 2007.

Loans made for farmers by farmers, since 1916.

Farm Credit is the nation’s leading provider of credit to agriculture and rural America.

866.245.3637 FarmCreditCFL.com Loans for land, homes & country living

Can I apply all the P, K and micronutrients my crop needs at planting time?

agroliquid.com/yes-you-can WWW. INfield_December.indd THEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM In the 1

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

11/20/14 December 2014

9:22 AM 77

UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS DEBUT AT AG-EXPO Next Steps Depend Upon FAA Actions

By Jim Frankowiak

The recent Florida Ag-Expo at the University of Florida (UF) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center marked the debut of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) at the eighth annual gathering where new products and services for agriculture are showcased. Ag-Expo attendees were given the opportunity to observe a UAS flight over tomato fields and to learn of the many applications of this new technology under study as part of the UF/UAS Research Program.

The program, which was begun at UF in 2000, is a multi-disciplinary initiative involving Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Agriculture, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Geomatics and Statistics researchers exploring a wide range of applications of this emerging technology. The program was founded and is directed by H. Franklin Percival, Ph. D. The UAS Research Group has worked to pioneer the development of UAS technology as a tool for aerial imagery collection for natural resource applications that is both affordable and user-friendly.

Safety was the initial motivation for the program, which includes a partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Challenging terrains, low altitudes characteristic of aerial surveys and light aircraft crashes are the leading cause of workplace mortality among wildlife biologists. Systems developed since the program was begun offer rapid deployment, simplified transportation to remote locations without runways and reduced logistics. These systems feature custom-designed airframes with a customized commercial autopilot/ GPS avionics suite and image-collection systems, georeferenced imagery from small unmanned aerial vehicles providing the ability to rapidly locate and assess a variety of ground targets and locations.

These systems, which fill the gap between satellite and manned aircraft imagery and ground-based operations, efficiently cover large areas of land without the risk of putting a human life in the air. They include both fixed wing and rotocraft, multi-engine aircraft with the ability to hover over specific locations for periods of time.

78

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

UF-developed systems have included infra-red and thermal cameras used to provide vegetation indices, stress/unstressed crops, spector indices, water leak detection, yield estimation. Crops that may benefit from this technology include various fruits and vegetables grown in Florida, among them tomato, cucumber, cantaloupe, okra, strawberries, papaya, etc. Other applications have included bird counts and the spread of invasive species, particularly on those areas of the state that are difficult to scout.

Potential applications of this technology in citrus production, according to Dr. Reza Ehsani, associate professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, include disease scouting, pest distribution management, irrigation and drainage planning, yield estimation and monitoring, inventory management, diagnostics of herbicide injury in crops, selection of plants for further breeding, evaluating the efficiency of herbicides and pesticides and safety and security.

“Among potential applications, scouting for disease and pests are probably the most immediate uses of this technology,” said Ehsani.

“The spread of disease and pests is one of the disadvantageous consequences of globalization. Currently, many commodities are suffering from the sudden increase spread of pests and disease.”

Citrus greening disease or Huanglongbing (HLB), which has become a significant challenge to the citrus industry, “could be managed at a much lower costs to growers if aerial detection of infected trees could be accomplished,” said Ehsani. “Human scouting is the only current option for monitoring and detection of the overall health status of most crops. Scouting is time-consuming, costly and is prone to human error. Many if not most aspects of scouting will someday be done more efficiently using this technology.”

“The technology has proven its value,” said Amr Abd-Elrahman, associate professor of Geomatics and the research team’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) lead. “The next step is for the private sec-

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

tor to take this technology and further develop it for commercial applications. However, it will be important for the Federal Aviation Administration to carefully consider the regulations that currently apply to these systems with actions that will make commercial utilization viable. Further research is still needed to test the feasibility of using different sensors in a variety of applications and to develop sensor calibration algorithms.”

tial to have the proper configuration for the applications you have in mind,” noted Abd-Elraham. “Also, it is very important that they become familiar with the FAA regulations that apply.”

UF researchers anticipate private sector development of UAS service providers offering specific assistance on an as-needed basis as has been the case with many other agricultural needs not required on a continuing basis.

UF researchers have advice for those interested in UAS. “It is essen-

For more information, visit, http://uav.ifas.ufl.edu/.

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

79

80

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

81

82 82

IINNTTHE HEFFIELD IELD M MAGAZINE AGAZINE

D December ecember 2014 2014

WWW. WWW.IIN NTTHE HEFFIELD IELDM MAGAZINE.COM AGAZINE.COM

“Development in Harmony with Nature”

82

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER 2013

W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M

Brooksville Nature Coast 629 South Broad Street Brooksville, FL 34601 (352) 544-5551 - Phone (352) 544-5529 - Fax

Riverview Corporate Office 10408 Bloomingdale Ave Riverview, FL 33578 (813) 626-9551 - Phone (813) 623-6613 - Fax

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

83

Naturally Amazing Activities

By Sean Green Photo by Jennifer Pohlhaus

Ribbon Tree If you happen to have some scraps of ribbon laying around the house this month and would like to do something constructive with them, this is the project for you. With a few household items and some creativity, you and your children can have a grand time making a tree out of the scrap ribbon, and anything else that could serve as decoration

Suggested Material: Empty Toilet Paper Roll Ribbon Scraps Stapler

for the tree. In this project, we have not done anything special to the ribbon, but you can try things like curling your ribbon, braiding it, putting beads on them, or anything that suits your fancy. The point is to have fun with it. This activity is intended as a beginning, the real magic will come from your own imagination.

Hot Glue Gun (optional) Beads (optional)

Directions:

Step 1 Find an empty toilet paper roll and cut several strips of ribbon to about 2” each.

1

5

Step 3 Make a loop of the ribbon strips by folding them in half. Beginning at the bottom of the cone, attach the folded ribbon to the empty roll.

3

Step 2 Cut the empty roll lengthwise and staple it into a cone shape.

2

Step 4 Continue attaching ribbon until the top is reached. If you have beads, thread the ribbon through the bead before attaching it to the cone, this will be the trees ornaments.

4 Step 5 Top the tree off with an interesting object.

It could be a cluster of battery powered lights, an old ornament, a paper star or angel, or any cool object you find around the yard or house.

813-767-4703 301 South Collins Street, Suite 101, Plant City, Florida 33563

• 84

P ortrait P h o tograp h er Spe c ializ ing in H igh Sc hool Se niors

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

•

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

A Closer Look

by Sean Green

Ribbon Snakes (Thamnophis sauritus )

Picture credits: Peninsula Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis sauritus sackeni) by Sean Green When I was a young boy I often came home with pet animals that I had found during hiking or camping trips, one of the most common being any species of garter snake (Thamnophis) that I could find.

At first, the harmless snake was not welcome and I had to convince Mom that it would not get loose and even if it did, it was perfectly harmless. I cannot claim that my arguments ever set her mind at ease, but she did eventually develop a tolerance to my odd passions. These childhood memories arose again on a recent hiking trip through Circle B Bar Reserve off Lake Hancock in Polk County.

The end of November was cool, I did not expect to see any snakes on my hiking trip, but was graced with seeing a Peninsula Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis sauritus sackeni) feeding on a frog. A closer look at this species will reveal why it may be one of the few snakes still active in Florida’s sparse bouts of cooler weather.

What we commonly call “Garter Snakes” are small snakes in the (Thamnophis) genus. These harmless snakes are native to North America and are very common throughout the continent, including parts of Canada and Central America. Within the Thamnophis genus (basic garter snakes) is a species described as “Ribbon Snakes” (Thamnophis sauritus ). There are four recognized varieties called “subspecies” by scientists. The subspecies we are most likely to find in Hillsborough, Polk, and Heartland regions of Florida are the Eastern Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis sauritus sauritus ) and the Peninsula Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis sauritus sackenii).

Members of the Thamnophis genus are among the most abundant snakes in North America. Averaging 30 inches in length, they can easily be housed and are a common first snake for budding naturalists that have a passion for reptiles. Although they are not venomous and rarely bite when handled, they do produce a foul musk from their anal gland when threatened and usually release their digestive track if danger persists. Ribbon snakes can be found in a variety of habitats including pinelands, hardwood hammocks prairies, marshes, streams, and ponds. Their main diet of frogs, fish and salamanders will direct their activity to water sources. Ribbon snakes are born in late summer and grow to maturity within a couple years. They typically remain active all year long, but do hibernate in ant mounds, or crawfish burrows when colder months make it necessary. The relationship between weather and Thamnophis birthing strategies has WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

been of particular interest to scientist and researchers Most reptiles are oviporous, they lay eggs that have a shell similar to that of a bird or platypus and from this external shell, the offspring emerges. Reptile shells however, are typically soft and leathery rather than hard and brittle like a bird egg but include a similar yolk that provides nutrition to the embryo while it develops. Most mammals are viviparous, they truly bear live young. There is no internal egg structure at any time during the development of the offspring.

More importantly, a placental connection (rather than egg yolk) provides the embryo with nutrition during its development. There is a middle ground in birthing strategies, and the correct term for it is ovoviviparous, it describes animals that produce a shell and carry the eggs internally. The embryo is nourished with a yolk rather than a placental connection and completes its development while inside the mothers body. By the time the embryo has finished developing, the shell has worn to little more than a thin mucus membrane (like the inside membrane of a chicken egg). By the time the embryo is ready to emerge and the mother delivers the eggs, the shell is very thin, or already broken, making the delivery appear viviparous (live birth) when it is actually ovoviviporous, (an egg that was hatched within the body).

Snakes can be either oviparous or ovoviviparous. Learning the snakes scientific name, such as (Thamnophis sauritus )will help identify the family the snake belongs to, in the case of our Ribbon Snakes (Thamnophis sauritus) a Google search will reveal it belongs in the colubridae family. Colubrids are generally egg laying (oviparous) snakes, in this case however, the garter snake genus (Thamnophis) is a fascinating exception. Scientist claim ancient reptiles switched back and forth between these two strategies around 175 million years ago to finally settle on egg-laying strategies (oviparous). The general consensus is that temperature was the dominant factor in the evolutionary strategy. Colder conditions increased the incubation time, requiring the female to retain the eggs longer and eventually triggered the switch to an ovoviviporous strategy. Should you happen upon a ribbon snake, or a garter in the cooler months when snakes should not be out, take notice, you’re witnessing an intelligent design that still astonishes scientists.

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

85

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

◆

ELEGANT

◆

UNIQUE WEDDINGS

TheSouthernBarn.com 813.316.5774

i

December 2014

VINTAGE

Southern Charm, Rustic Elegance 86

AT LONESOME G RANCH

Florida’s All-Inclusive, Unforgettable Wedding Venue WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

FOR ALL OF YOUR FTL OR LTL NEEDS

(813) 359-1200 OFFICES NATIONWIDE

2 4 0 0 R O B E R T S R A N C H R O A D , P L A N T C I T Y, F L O R I D A 3 3 5 6 6

W W W. PAT T E R S O N C O S . C O M

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2013 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE December 2014

49 87

On Vacation!

By Ginny Mink

The Minks went on vacation! Yep! So this month’s piece is a little more involved than some of our previous experiences. Namely, we were given the opportunity, for free, to enjoy a weekend at Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo! We’d only been hoping for access to the weekend rodeo but they gave us two nights onsite too! Thusly, the Minks went on vacation and to the rodeo!

When I told Hazel we were going to stay, “in a hotel,” she got excessively excited. She’s had one other hotel experience and that involved a pool. Therefore, she was none too happy to discover that this adventure would be pool-less. However, the excitement that overcame her about staying the night somewhere else was enough to keep her walking on cloud nine all the way to Lake Wales (I wish I could say the same about Zeke).

I checked us in and got the tickets to the rodeo that Kacie Boniberger, the Public Relations Coordinator, had reserved for us. Imagine my surprise when I discovered we’d also be given the use of a private gas-powered golf cart for the weekend. This is a big deal as there were people constantly coming into the lodge hoping to rent one and here we were getting one free. George, the guy in charge of golf carts, gave me a rundown on night driving, transmission positions and the governor. This was helpful since I’d never driven a golf cart (although I wasn’t concerned) until this weekend.

Paperwork signed, golf cart driven to the room, I went back to get the gang. Hazel started crying when I got in the van because she thought we were leaving. I had to explain that I had to take us to the room. This changed her tune immediately. The room had two double beds and attractive furnishings. It also had a mini-fridge, microwave, toaster and dishes/silverware. That was a definite bonus, though we’d brought our own because I was feeding everyone from the room (a la crock-pot, sandwiches and pop-tarts). Hazel claimed her bed immediately and we laid down to watch the 40 inch TV (this might not be a big deal for some, but it’s at least 10 inches bigger than our box).

Since check-in was at 4 there wasn’t much we could do at 5:30 when we got there (we had to stop once in the hour and half drive because Zeke was losing his mind in his car seat). So, we ate our leftover turkey (thanks Mom) sandwiches and chips and settled in for the night.

Hazel got a little whiny (sadly, she came down with an awful sounding cough the very day we got there) so I decided to take her out on the golf-cart, some mom-daughter time. We cruised around the place for a little while and she was thrilled. She couldn’t wait to go fishing and to play on the playground, but she had absolutely no idea we’d be attending a rodeo!

Saturday morning we got up and went to the catch and release pond.

Hazel fished with my cane pole while I fought with Zeke to sit still and since he wouldn’t, he and I took off on the cart leaving Chris (my husband), J (the eldest) and Hazel to fish in peace. Sadly, that’s all they did, fish, no one caught a thing. Hazel eventually got bored and so I scooped her up and the three of us rode around, visiting the shooting range and the shops. We stopped for pizza at the General Store and then we went back to get Chris and J. Chris wanted Zeke to at least have a go at the pole so Zeke’s great thrill was slapping the water with the poor worm hanging on the end of the cane pole’s hook. Great delight lit his face (which is more than I can say for the worm).

he could whenever Chris would try to get him to pet them. This led us to the playground where Zeke became enthralled by the mechanical bull and the zip line participants. He laughed whenever the bull threw people and he smiled wide at the loud zipping sound whizzing past him. Hazel and J desperately wanted to ride the mechanical bull.

Sadly, Hazel was too short and I was able to dissuade J with some money for the video arcade. Seeing how enthusiastic she was about the bull riding, I felt certain that the culminating event, the whole reason for our being there, was going to blow her mind.

Let’s keep in mind that the rodeo started at 7:30 (half an hour before the kids’ bedtime) and it was a wee-bit chilly out. So, there was some whining about wanting to go to bed (remember also that she was sick) but then…the real bull riders performed, and the trick riders, and the barrel racers and then some more bull riding and eyes were saucers on all three of them. Zeke smiled with utter glee and clapped as loud as he could with the crowd. Hazel squealed incessantly and repetitively, “I wanna ride a bull, I wanna ride one!” This was great especially when her attire was taken into account, a John Deere Tractor Girl shirt, pink cowboy boots and a brand new pink cowboy hat from the Western Wear store onsite. “I’m a cowgirl,” she later informed me. Oh how I wish I could turn her into one!

But I digress, we were all enamored by the seven year old barrel racer and the nine year old trick rider. Hazel cheered on the barrel racers and J moaned whenever a bull rider was, “so close,” to the eight second mark. Chris laughed at the jokes aimed at the bulls, “Your mom’s a cow and your sister’s a heifer!” railed the MC. There was a man who rode two horses at once and did so over a line of flames. I heard J gasp, no doubt imagining where that heat was aimed and what it might do. When it was all over (too fast) all I kept hearing from Hazel was, “That was great!” and “I want to ride bulls and horses,” and, “I loved everything it was so cool!”

J admitted that he too wanted to ride a bull. Chris said it was fun but it would have been better if we’d had a lot of extra money to do all the other things: swamp buggy rides and airboat rides, boat rentals and horseback riding, skeet and trap shooting, etc. The kicker though was the sentence that came out of my Zeke’s mouth, “That’s fun.”

Keep in mind, Zeke is only 1 ½. All I can add is that it was an amazing experience, one that we won’t quickly forget and one that we owe a great debt of gratitude for. So, thank you so much, Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo! We hope to make it back one day! If y’all decide to check it out sometime, send Kacie Boniberger an email to let her know we sent ya!

Contact: https://www.westgatedestinations.com/florida/lake-wales/westgateriver-ranch/ - By the way, they have military, police, firefighter and other service personnel discounts. There are also senior citizen, Florida resident, educator and AAA discounts, as well as package deals!

Trust us, this is definitely worth checking out!

Kacie Boniberger: kacie@tjmcommunications.com

We headed to the petting farm area then and Hazel and J had a good time feeding the goats, sheep, deer and llama. Zeke had fallen asleep in Chris’ lap while riding in the golf cart so they joined us later. Of course Zeke (my goat-traumatized one) kept pulling as far away as 88

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

Market Watch: Sanwa Farmer’s Market

The concept of a farmer’s market is always changing. Gone are the days of the markets being located on actual farms in rural areas. Now they are popping up all over and you are seeing them more in urban settings or neighborhoods. People in the city want fresh and healthy options, but don’t want to travel far to get them. Produce growers realize this and they are making their product more accessible to the urban set.

Sanwa Farmer’s Market in Tampa is becoming the “go-to” farmer’s market for the Tampa Bay area. They offer fresh herbs and seasonal produce, unique ethnic foods, meats and grocery items, in addition to dried and canned goods. I love the eclectic mix of this market and there really is something for everyone at Sanwa. Most of their staff is either bi-lingual or tri-lingual, which is another added bonus to this market. “Our goal is to be a one-stop-shop for the community,” said Sanwa’s human resources manager, Donna Colbourne. “We try to offer a variety of products to our customers and we are always trying to bring in new produce to meet the needs of our customers.”

One of the biggest requests Sanwa gets from its customers is that they want more organic produce and products. “We are trying to offer more organics to meet our customers requests,” Colbourne said. “We are working with different organic growers in the area and beyond to bring in more organic produce and hopefully we should have them in stock very soon.”

Sanwa’s history is just as diverse as the products it offers. According to the market’s website (www.sanwafarmersmarket.com), “Sanwa was founded in 1981 by Tony Leung, a native of Hong Kong and a graduate of Guelp University in Ontario.

After starting to farm and market produce in Canada, Leung came to Florida to find winter growing areas for his specialty Asian produce. He stopped to visit a former professor in Ruskin and stayed 20 years. The company started as an agricultural concern, growing and harvesting Chinese cabbage and melons. By 1992, Sanwa had opened their own nursery to grow starter plants. That product line eventually became a high-volume sales line. Sanwa now represents many other household names to the Tampa, Atlanta and Miami foodservice markets. The Tampa location is a full-service supplier to restaurants from Fort Myers to Gainesville, including the entire Tampa Bay area.”

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

By Libby Hopkins

The market sells wholesale to all its customers, not just restaurants and delis. There is also no club fee to shop at Sanwa. I was impressed by the prices on all the products and produce. Not to mention, I was in awe of all the different fruits and vegetables the market has in stock. Many of them I had never seen before and I was intrigued by the way they looked and wondered how they would taste. My shopping cart started to grow as walked the isles of the market. I could have spent all day looking at all the different spices and sauces.

I had to pull myself away from all the vast curry selections. Curry is a weakness for me!

Another thing that makes Sanwa so amazing is their need to give back to the community that has supported them over the years. They donate to many local charities and they host a charity golf tournament every year. “We want to give back to the community because the community gave to us,” Colbourne said. “We give back to charities specifically dealing with children because we feel they are our future, so we support anything children related.”

One of the charities that will be benefitting from this year’s golf tournament is the Faces of Courage Foundation. The foundation is Tampa based non-profit that hosts free camps and day outings for women and children who have or have had cancer or a rare blood disease. Sanwa recently donated food and produce to their Women’s Cancer Retreat this past September. “Sanwa Farmer’s Market was extremely generous to donate fresh produce, groceries and poultry to our camp,” said Faces of Courage Director, Peggie Sherry. “Being able to serve fresh healthy meals is important to the cancer survivors and essential to maintain their immune systems. We are grateful for their generosity and look forward to being their charity of choice for their golf tournament.” The golf tournament will be held on February 19 at 12:30 p.m. at the Westchase Golf Club in Tampa. Bridging Freedom will also be receiving proceeds from the golf tournament.

Sanwa Farmer’s Market is open 7 days a week and it’s located at 2621 E. Hillsborough Avenue in Tampa. Check it out and be amazed by all it has to offer.

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

89

9090

INTHE IELD MAGAZINE 2013 2014 INTFHE FIELD MAGAZINE NOVEMBER December

W W W. I N T H E FIINETLHE DFM AG ZINE.COM WWW. IELD MAAGAZINE.COM

W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E .C O M

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER 2013

December 2014

93

91

2014 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FAIR Results

Grand Champion Speckled Face Ram Christian Pelfrey Reserve Champion Speckled Sheep Show Face Ram Showmanship, October 31, 2014 Charli Davis Grand Champion Rare Breed

Ewe Seniors Kelly Cribb Jessica Squitieri Reserve Champion Rare Breed Aubrey Davis Ewe Abby Davis Cheyenne Sommer Intermediate Grand Champion Rare Breed Sierra Linton Ram Harlie Katrein Emily Linton Gabriilla Hernandez Reserve Champion Rare Breed Juniors Ram Eric Zimmerman Sierra Linton BrennaMae Sturgis Supreme Champion Ram Sarah Rogers Christian Pelfrey showing his Pee Wee Showmanship (all Hamp/Dorper cross winners) Supreme Champion Ewe Abigail Steward Aubrey Davis showing her Carly Steward Southdown ewe Jackson Sturgis Alayna Glisson Shelby Southerland

Sheep Breed Show November 1, 2014

Grand Champion Black Face Ram Samual Sands Reserve Champion Black Face Ram Michael Norman Grand Champion Black Face Ewe Corynn Richie Reserve Champion Black Face Ewe Charli Davis Grand Champion White Face Ewe Aubrey Davis Reserve Champion White Face Ewe Abby Davis Grand Champion White Face Ram Cassidy Hasting Reserve Champion White Face Ram Aubrey Davis Grand Champion Speckled Face Ewe Sarah Sweeney Reserve Champion Speckled Face Ewe Cheyenne Sommer

92 92

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

2014 JUSTIN GILL MEMORIAL BEEF BREED SHOW Showmanship Junior Division Shalee Conrad Intermediate Division Madi Conrad Senior Division Cassidy Dossin Steer Winners Grand Champion Morgan Lee

Reserve Grand Champion Clay Joyner Commercial Heifer Winners Grand Champion Madi Conrad Reserve Grand Champion Shalee Conrad Registered Breeds Heifer Winners Grand Champion Madi Conrad

December 2014 December 2014

Reserve Grand Champion Shalee Conrad

Reserve Junior Champion Blane Rogers

Herdsmen Winners

Grand Champion Ashley Bingham

Junior Division Owen Skinner Intermediate Division Cody Newman Senior Division Joseph Coleman

Scholarship Recipients Hillsborough County Cattlewomen’s Scholarship Kendall Reed “Big-Gift” Winners Cody Newman & Shalee Conrad

2014 Youth Dairy Show Results Junior Showman Carlie Braglin Intermediate Showman Nicholas Hammer Senior Showman Ashley Bingham Master Showman Ashley Bingham

Breed Champions Ayrshire Junior Champion Aaron Bingham Reserve Junior Champion Zoe Wallace Grand Champion Sierra Linton Reserve Grand Champion Emily Linton Brown Swiss Junior Champion Aaron Bingham

Reserve Grand Champion Emily Linton Guernsey Junior Champion Austin Holcomb Reserve Junior Champion Rebecca Holcomb Grand Champion Aaron Dunn Reserve Grand Champion Austin Holcomb Holstein Junior Champion Connor Sutton Reserve Junior Champion Libby Sutton Grand Champion Reagan Messick Reserve Grand Champion Connor Sutton Jersey: Junior Champion Austin Holcomb Reserve Junior Champion Logan Shoop Grand Champion Gracie Lee Reserve Grand Champion Cierra Linton Supreme Champion Reagan Messick 2014 Poultry Show Results Grand Champion Poultry Hannah Spivey, Plant City High School

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

Grand Champion Swine: Chapter, Swine from Simmons Career Center shown by: Tiffany Henry, with her advisor Melissa Sampson and Producers Bad Co. Show Pigs

Junior Swine Showmanship:

Reserve Champion Steer: Clay Joyner, Strawberry Crest High School FFA; his parents Wesley and Jennifer Joyner; Chrissy Grimmer, Cattlemen’s Sweetheart

Reserve Champion Swine: Judge Josh Whitworth, Tim Cribbs, Ben Gude, Turkey Creek Middle School FFA, dad Steve Gude, and Caleb Gude

Intermediate Swine Showmanship: Marissa Zolna from Marshall Middle School FFA, Parents Mitchell and Patricia Zolna, brother Zach Zolna and Newsome’s FFA Sweetheart Alexandra Aponte

Senior Swine Showmanship: Keylee Christie from Plant City Senior FFA with her parents Wesley and Sandra Christie, and Newsome’s FFA Sweetheart Alexandra Aponte

Reserve Champion Com- Grand Champion Registered Grand Champion Steer Show: Morgan Lee Strawberry Crest mercial Heifer: Shaylee Con- Heifer: Madi Conrad; Chrissy High School FFA: her parGrimmer, Cattlemen’s Sweetrad; mom Stephanie Conrad; ents Melvin and Francis Lee; heart Chrissy Grimmer, Cattlemen’s Chrissy Grimmer, Cattlemen’s Sweetheart Sweetheart Pictures provided by Berry Sweet Memories

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014 December 2014

93 93

94 94

IIN NTTHE HEF FIELD IELD M MAGAZINE AGAZINE

O December ctober 2014 N ovember2014 2014

WWW. WWW.IIN NTTHE HEF FIELD IELDM MAGAZINE.COM AGAZINE.COM

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

95

Fresh From Florida: Nurturing Success.

Growing the Future.

B&W Quality Growers Richard and Steven Burgoon Fresh From Florida Members since 2001.

“For five generations and over 140 years our family has specialized in growing premium quality fresh and flavorful watercress and baby leaf specialties.”

“We are proud members of Fresh From Florida and salute their ongoing efforts to help Florida’s farmers bring fresh and healthy foods to the Americas and beyond.”

96

For more information on member benefits visit FreshFromFlorida.com or call (850) 617-7399.

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

97

BULLFROG CREEK NATURE PRESERVE HOSTS EDUCATIONAL, DEMONSTRATION AND RESTORATION EVENTS

By Jim Frankowiak

Bullfrog Creek Scrub Preserve in south Hillsborough County is a special place with environmental and historical significance. Both were celebrated at two separate events in November along with educational and restorative components.

Those events marked the culmination of a project that demonstrated five different management strategies for improving water quality and wildlife habitat in the riparian buffer zone of the preserve.

The 1,620-acre tract was purchased by Hillsborough County in 1996 through the taxpayer funded Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program (ELAPP), a conservation strategy begun in 1987. The preserve consists of two separately managed parcels, both of which are managed as mitigation areas. The west half is a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Gopher Tortoise Mitigation Park. The eastern half is managed by Hillsborough County, and has been designated as a mitigation bank site. Developers may purchase “credits” in order to obtain permits to clear land designated as “Significant Wildlife Habitat,” in situations where on site preservation is considered to be unfeasible. Those funds generated are used to restore native habitats on the preserve’s uplands, which were formerly used for improved pasture and row crop farming by the previous owners, the Sumner family.

The land in the preserve had been owned by the Sumner family for generations and family history details how the family traveled from central Florida with Cracker Cows pulling their wagons in the mid 1800s as they settled the land now part of the preserve. Sumner family history notes the lineage of those Cracker Cows has continued to present day. In addition to raising cattle, portions of the land also served as a cattle holding area prior to movement to Florida’s west coast for ultimate shipment to Cuba. The late Joe Sumner sold the land to Hill98

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

sborough County while leasing back portions of the property for continued ranching and farming by his family.

Design and construction of two low-flow water crossings across tributaries to Bullfrog Creek was completed this past June using geoweb and stone to allow maintenance vehicles access to the site while minimizing impacts to water quality and streambeds. Prescribed burning was conducted on 180-acres of upland in April 2013 to control invasive exotics and maintain fire-adapted native plant communities. Herbicides were applied to 122-acres north and south of Bullfrog Creek this year and last to control cogon grass and other invasive plants.

Approximately 1,800 Florida-friendly trees and native plants were installed in the riparian buffer in July 2013 to improve water quality and habitat.

The first November event at the preserve focused on stewardship and the economic advantages of Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Florida cow calf operations. BMPs are practices based on research, field-testing and expert review that are determined to be the most effective and practicable means for improving water quality. The implementation of certain BMPs has also been beneficial in terms of water conservation.

They were developed by Florida’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) with the endorsement of the Florida Cattlemen’s Association. Presentations at the preserve included representatives of the Tampa Bay and Nature Conservancy, Florida Farm Bureau, University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Science (UF/IFAS), U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), and BMP participants, both farmers and ranchers.

Topics ranged from the history and current programs being implemented at the preserve to BMP participant experiences WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

and the benefits from engagement in the volunteer program, as well as cost share opportunities for both farm and ranch BMP participants and nutrient stewardship.

The event was followed by a FFA and 4-H Field Day at the preserve with nearly three dozen participants from East Bay High School, Eisenhower Middle School and the Collegiate FFA program at the Plant City campus of the University of Florida. The student groups learned about the FDACS BMP program, effective nutrient stewardship and saw demonstrations of proper plant selection and prescribed burns.

The group then participated in various plantings in the riparian areas along creek banks and other areas of the preserve.

They planted native scrub plants purchased from Sweet Bay Nursery in Parrish thanks to a donation from Mosaic Co. Project partners included National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Tampa Bay Conservancy, Inc., FDACS, University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences; Hillsborough County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation, Tampa Bay Estuary Program and Mosaic Co. AMEC Environment and Infrastructure was contracted to provide engineering and environmental services. Event sponsors also included Hillsborough County Farm Bureau and the Florida Cattlemen’s Association.

For additional information on the Bull Frog Creek Preserve, visit: hillsboroughcounty.org, while BMP information is available at: FreshFromFlorida.com.

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

99

Anesthesia

By Christy Layton, DVM Timberlane Pet Hospital and Resort

Anesthesia is a daily occurrence at any veterinary hospital and in most cases your pet will need to undergo at least one anesthetic event in it’s lifetime.

Many people have concerns when anesthesia is mentioned for their pets. Maybe it is because of a personal or a friend’s bad past experience. There are many reasons that anesthesia can go wrong in our pets just as in humans. Age however, is not a disease. The most common age of animals in our hospital to undergo anesthesia is under 1 year of age (spays/neuters) and over 10 years of age (dental procedures and mass removals). Anesthesia today is actually a very safe procedure regardless of age and as long as it is performed correctly there are rarely any complications. Therefore, to make sure your pet, and you, have the best possible experience next time they have to go under anesthesia, I am offering a few things you should consider.

1) Make sure your pet is healthy enough to undergo the procedure. The way to do this is to have your veterinarian do a thorough examination (feel it’s abdomen for any enlargement of organs, listen carefully to the heart & lungs - any heart murmurs or irregularities?, evaluate it’s body condition and hydration level, etc.). The next step is to have pre surgical lab-work performed. The type of lab-work recommended will depend on the age and type of animal undergoing anesthesia. Also, if any heart 100

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

murmurs or arrhythmias are heard, your veterinarian may recommend chest radiographs or a cardiology workup prior to anesthesia to make sure your pet will not have complications due to heart disease.

2) Make sure you know who is administering the anesthesia and monitoring your pet while under anesthesia. Unfortunately, not all hospitals are created equal. Some have full monitoring equipment (EKG, Pulse Oximeter, Heart Rate, Respiration Rate, Temperature, Blood pressure) with a technician or doctor monitoring and recording those vital signs during the entire procedure. While some hospitals allow the doctor to be the only one in the surgery room with minimal monitoring equipment. Obviously, having a technician monitoring and recording your pet’s vital signs throughout the procedure is more costly to perform but this is essential in keeping your pet alive and well during the procedure. The technician will be able to spot any trends or changes in your pet’s vital signs quickly with the monitoring equipment and be able to change anesthesia level or administer medications before a pet actually has a problem with the procedure. A couple of minutes can mean the difference between life and death for your pet.

3) Along with monitoring, another important component of speedy life saving measures is the WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

ability to have direct access to your pet’s veins in case of emergency. This is easily done by placing an intravenous catheter prior to the anesthesia. The IV catheter then can be used to administer safer drugs to your pet to induce the sedation as well as IV Fluids throughout the procedure to aid in maintaining blood pressure. Low blood pressure is one of the most common complications of anesthesia and can be easily remedied by having an IV catheter with fluids being administered throughout the procedure as well as the technician monitoring for any low readings and treating those appropriately. Also, if any other emergency drugs need to be given due to complications while under anesthesia, these can be easily placed in the IV catheter so that direct and immediate access is available.

4) You should also know how your pet will be recovered. After the procedure is performed, your pet should be closely monitored by a veterinary technician to look for any changes in your pet’s vitals or signs of any pain as your pet is waking up. If those occur, the veterinarian will be available to start treatment for those complications immediately. Some hospitals allow animals to wake up in a cage alone, but I feel that direct monitoring with someone either holding the animal or sitting in a cage along with them to comfort them allows for a much smoother recovery period for your pet. The technician will also remove the endotracheal tube at this time which has been the supplier of oxygen to your pet’s lungs throughout the procedure.

5) Last but certainly not least is pain medication.

Any procedure that can cause pain in a human will cause pain in an animal. Pain can not only affect your animal once it is awake from the anesthesia but also can affect it’s vital signs during anesthesia. Having pain medication in your pet prior to the procedure will help decrease the amount of anesthetic agents needed to keep your pet sedated and thus decrease complications of the anesthesia. Also, it has been scientifically proven that if pain medication is given prior to the painful event occurring, the pain level is dramatically lower than if given after the painful procedure. Therefore, make sure your pet will not only be getting pain medications to go home for a period of time after the procedure but also as an injection prior to the anesthesia being started.

Before having your pet undergo any necessary anesthetic procedure in the future, ask your veterinarian about their policies on the above items to help you feel more comfortable by decreasing the chance of a complication occurring with your pet. Any further questions regarding anesthesia, please feel free to email me at info@timberlanevet.com.

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

101

COUNTY-WIDE MEETINGS HELD TO HELP PLANNING FOR REDUCED NATURAL AND MAN-MADE HAZARDS Updated Information to be Available on County Website in Early 2015

By Jim Frankowiak

Hillsborough County held a series of 13 meetings at various locations throughout the county to provide residents and business owners with the opportunity to participate in the development of the community’s updated risk management strategy. Each of these sessions was led

by Public Works Department, Engineering & Environmental Services, Hazard Mitigation staff members Eugene Henry, Michael Rimoldi and William (Bill) Twaite.

Two of the sessions included bilingual staff to provide information and answer audience questions in Spanish.

The county’s Hazard Mitigation section works with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Florida Division of Emergency Management and various local groups to provide technical assistance to homeowners, businesses, developers and the engineering community.

The majority of the section’s activity focuses on the preparation of background information that is incorporated into work performed by the county departments of Development Services, Public Works and Public Safety.

The section’s direction is guided by three principal objectives: • Unify countywide initiatives that seek to reduce vulnerability to man-made and natural disasters • Ensure county agencies and departments follow guidelines of the National Flood Insurance Program and Community Rating System Program to retain the coun102

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

ty’s favorable insurance rating. Those ratings impact individual flood insurance policies, the better the county’s rating the higher the discount applied to individual flood insurance policies. Hillsborough County is currently in the top 3 % of all communities in the U.S. • Assist public and private entities in the county reduce their vulnerability via the Mitigation Strategy, management of the County’s Post-Disaster Redevelopment Plan and ensuring participation with the Federal and State governments in the federally-designed Citizen Corps Council program.

“The impact of disasters on communities has been an increasing area of focus at the state and local level,” said Henry, who leads the county’s Hazard Mitigation Program. “These natural and sometimes man-made disasters have been devastating to communities, caused billions of dollars in damages and have had unfavorable economic impact on those affected communities for years after the event occurred.

“There are proven techniques available to communities that can reduce or eliminate the long term impact of hazards such as loss of life and property. Here in Florida those techniques are known as hazard mitigation, and if taken before the next incident will lessen the likelihood that those potential hazards will become disasters,” he said. “Local understanding hazard mitigation helps to lessen our vulnerability to various hazards, which better supports economic and social development goals.”

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

Among the forms of hazard mitigation are: • Land-Use Management • Zoning • Construction and Adding Strength Buildings • Regulation and Standard Implementation with High Risk Areas • Working with Industry

and suggest other projects not currently being considered.”

The county has a website designed to keep residents informed on mitigation strategies and to provide them with the opportunity to provide input into the planning and implementation phases of this overall effort.

“As part of this overall updating effort, we anticipate updating our website to make it easier for residents and businesses to access web-based information,” said Henry. “Rather than having it necessary to visit multiple sites, we hope to achieve one-stop access early in 2015.”

• Retrofitting Structures, Public Outreach and Education Henry and his staff are updating Hillsborough County’s Local Mitigation Strategy and Floodplain Management Plan (LMS). The LMS is considered to be the “all hazards” guide developed to provide residents and businesses with information about the risks they could possibly face while living in the county. “Among those risks are floods, wildfires, tornadoes, thunderstorms and hurricanes,” he said. The LMS also details mitigation techniques that can help lessen those risks.

“As we update the LMS, public input is vital,” noted Henry. “Residents and business owners and operators were asked to comment on any project listed in the plan

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

103

FDA HOLDS ‘LISTENING SESSION’ FOR UPDATED FSMA RULES

By Jim Frankowiak

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials recently held a “listening session” on the updated proposed supplemental produce safety and foreign supplier verification rules of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/ IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center at Wimauma. In addition to those in attendance, others were permitted to participate in the session via the worldwide web.

sive research on the safe use of raw manure in growing areas and complete a risk assessment. Pending those actions, FDA is deferring its decision on an appropriate interval between the application of raw manure and the harvesting of a crop, and removing the nine-month interval originally proposed. FDA also proposes eliminating the 45-day minimum application interval for composted manure that meets proposed microbial standards and application requirements.

The meeting included FDA presentations regarding the updated revisions to two proposed FSMA rules: Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption and the Foreign Supplier Verification Programs for Importers of Food for Humans and Animals. The presentations were followed by a question and answer period involving both those personally in attendance and those participating via the web.

• Preventive Controls for Human and Animal Foods: Requirements that human and animal food facilities, when appropriate, test products and the food facility’s environment, as well as implement certain supplier controls when necessary.

FDA Deputy Commissioner for Foods and Veterinary Medicine, Michael Taylor, led the agency’s presentation team. Florida’s major agricultural commodities were represented. Dr. Martha Roberts, UF/IFAS and chair of the External FSMA Working Group established by Commissioner Adam Putnam of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) oversaw the proceedings, which were hosted by FDACS. FSMA is considered the most sweeping reform of food safety laws in over 70 years. It was signed into law by President Barack Obama in January of 2011 and it aims to create a modern, science-based food safety system that focuses on preventing the contamination that causes food borne illnesses.

The FDA team updates included: • Produce Safety: More flexible criteria for determining the safety of agricultural water for certain uses and a tiered approach to water testing • Produce Safety: A commitment to conduct exten104

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

• Foreign Supplier Verification Program: A more comprehensive analysis of potential risks associated with foods and foreign suppliers, and more flexibility for importers in determining appropriate supplier verification measures based on their evaluation of those risks.

Both Taylor and Roberts heavily emphasized the need for interested parties to comment on the rule proposals within the 75-day period during within which such comments would be accepted. That comment period began September 19, 2014 and ended December 15. Comments could have been made by the web on separate sites for each of the four FSMA rules or via written comments mailed to the FDA. “Florida and the other states where we have conducted these listening sessions are very important to us in terms of eliciting comments and fostering a continuing dialogue on FSMA,” said Taylor. “We want this to be a highly participative process that leads to rule-making that is the result of an ongoing dialogue.”

More information is available at http://www.regulations.gov and www.fda.gov/FSMA. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

105

EIGHTH ANNUAL AG-EXPO OFFERS DIVERSE INFORMATION FOR FLORIDA’S FRUIT AND VEGETABLE GROWERS

By Jim Frankowiak

It just keeps getting better with age. The “it” here is the annual Florida Ag-Expo, a one day event “dedicated to Florida’s Fruit and Vegetable Growers.” This year’s Ag-Expo, held -- as always -- at the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, Balm, FL, attracted 700 attendees. In addition to the UF/IFAS, organizers include the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association, Florida Tomato Committee, Florida Strawberry Growers Association and Meister Media.

One of the most popular Ag-Expo elements is the Grower Panel, which brings together producers to discuss a common theme. The theme this year was “Finding Fixes on the Farm” and the panel consisted of Dudley Calfee of Ferris Farms, Danny Johns of Blue Sky Farms, David Hill of Southern Hill Farms and Todd McClure of West Coast Tomatoes. Though engaged in the production of varied crops, the panelists all consider finding fixes on the farm a common challenge.

“Farmers have to be problem solvers,” noted Johns who produces potatoes and vegetables. “Many of the fixes come from the farm,” said Calfee, adding “we encourage the guys in the trenches to offer suggestions and we visit other farms to see how they handle some challenges. Farmers are generous with their knowledge.”

cling of cardboard as two fixes that have helped to save costs and natural resources. His operation includes berries, citrus and cattle. Calfee’s comment on saving natural resources prompted Hill, who grows blueberries, to note “farmers are huge environmentalists.”

With regard to new technology, tomato farmer McClure described how an optical grading system installed at his packing house reduced labor costs by one-half. All of the panelists noted customer demands for traceability and ever-increasing quality also lead to required fixes.

“We have a capability on our farm that permits customers to share their comments about the quality of our berries with us,” said Calfee. “We share that information with our employees as part of the overall culture of care and quality that we instill and encourage with all of our staffers at Ferris Farms.”

“The demands of our customers make us better farmers,” said Hill, who also mentioned his experiences with the U-pick operation at his farm, a development of the recent past. “I wasn’t sure how that would work, but it’s been great. Consumers can put a face on a farmer and appreciate what we do and how we do it. Our U-pick customers are customers for life. It’s been great.”

“We pay attention to emerging technology and we work with the scientists at the University of Florida,” said Calfee, who discussed the automation of pumps on his farm and the recy-

106

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

The panelists all agreed on the positive impact of the trend to purchase locally grown farm goods. “Reaching out to customers, regulators and elected officials helps to make them all aware of how sophisticated our farms have become and what we do to protect what we produce and the environment,” said Johns. “Those visitors leave our farms with a positive attitude that can only help us. We need to do more of that.”

“That outreach plus the growing trend to eat healthy by eating more fruits and vegetables is also helpful,” noted McClure.

The utilization of social media has also been beneficial with both sales and consumer education, the panelists said.

“Schools tours have provided the best response,” said Calfee.

“That helps us tell our story and also plants the seed with these young people to consider agriculture as a possible career path.”

Labor is a common challenge among the panelists and each has taken diverse actions to address this factor. “We have instituted an hourly rate plus incentives, free housing and transportation to and from the field,” said McClure. “Pre-paid debit cards was another thing we did to help our workers. It took a good bit of time to explain how to use the cards, but it was worthwhile and helped to save money and reduce the risk associated with cash.”

“Treating our workers with respect and recognizing that they are our most valuable asset” is the approach that Johns takes and demands from his supervisory staff. Calfee echoed those

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

comments noting, “If we respect our workers, they will respect us.” That type of culture plus a premium picker program, new housing and an understanding and support of quality and safety commitments all contribute. “We do not tolerate troublemakers and neither do the majority of our workers,” said Calfee. “Many of our employees tell prospective workers of our culture and suggest those who do not fit, not to even apply for work at Ferris Farms.”

To help assure his workers would remain until the end of the blueberry season Johns introduced an incentive element through which laborers would receive a bonus based upon an individual worker’s wages during the season. Some of the panelists have tried to meet their labor needs through participation in the H2A program of the Department of Labor, but none consider that program to be a viable option going forward.

The final challenge discussed by the panel focused on documentation necessitated by ever-increasing regulation whether it is tied to employees or food safety. “Anticipation through proper planning and attention to paperwork is our approach,” said Calfee. “If you anticipate regulatory inspections and keep up-to-date on your paperwork, you will not have major issues.”

The balance of the day’s sessions included varied presentations and field tours. Information related to each of the AgExpo presentations can be accessed by visiting the GCREC website: http://gcrec.ifas.ufl.edu.

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

107

108

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

PRINT Ag Tag ad In the Field Mag Glades School.pdf

1

9/25/14

4:33 PM

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

109

Classifieds

Tel: 813.759.6909 Info@inthefieldmagazine.com 2002 EXISS

ANIMALS & NEEDS

3H Slant w/Mid Tack and full living quarters, $31,500. Email brie1936@gmail.com for more information.

CECIL BREEDING FARM

Full service thoroughbred farm from foaling to the track. Broodmare care.

Investment opportunities. (863) 899-9620

ANIMAL & BIRDCAGES

Equipment serving the fur bearing animal & exotic bird industry! Cages built to order. Wire by roll or foot. (813) 752-2230. Call Don Ammerman. www.ammermans.com Swaps November 30, 2014.

CHICKEN MANUIRE FOR SALE

HUSTLER RAPTOR

MASSEY FERGUSON 1100

Registered 13 year old grey Paso Fino gelding in Tractor 93 pto hp, 2wd with 6 cylinder. excellent health. Gorgeous & Fabulous Needs TLC. $3,950 Call Alvie (813) 759-8722 personality. Intermediate plus rider. $2,500 813-892-2469 FOR SALE

BUILDING SUPPLIES

KITCHEN CABINETS & VANITIES

METAL ROOFING

Thousands of 8ft. & 10ft. sheets. In Stock.

Prices from $6 and up. Custom lengths available. 813-752-7088 ask for Ferris.

We have all your aluminum needs!

Screen Room, carports & awnings.

Call Blake (813) 752-3378

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

We have all your aluminum needs!

Screen Room, carports & awnings.

Call Blake (813) 752-3378

808 W. Risk St. Plant City. 3/2 Bungalow, recently updated and ready for occupancy. $115,000 mlsT2728687Call for showing 813-967-0168.

FOR SALE - 45 ACRES VACAT LAND

(Pasco County) 45 acres are comprised of gently rolling hills with big trees & solid ground, A great setting for residential development. To the east of the property is a 60 acre parcel (Lake Gilbert) that adds significant aesthetic value to the 45 acres.

Zoning: AR (Agricultural-Rural) Call Heidi Cecil for more information (863) 899-9620

LOOKING TO LEASE

SERVICES

DOORS & WINDOWS SPECIAL ORDER

JOBS

ALUMINUM

1109 S. Wiggins Rd. Plant City. 3/2.5 Manufactured home with pool situated on 1 acre. $134,900 mlsT2725652 Call for showing 813-967-0168

Get quality all wood cabinets for less than the 10 Plus acres prefer North Lakeland for BIG Box STORES! Call Today! cattle. Will maintain fences and mowing.

Ask for Blake. (813) 752-3378 Call Reggie 863-698-2967 No upcharge. House & Mobile Home.

Many standard sizes in stock.

Ask for Blake. (813) 752-3378

REPLACE DOOR

HOME FOR SALE

HOME FOR SALE

42” cut, 21 hp Kawasaki engine.

Dry and available immediately! Call Tim Ford 3 year warranty. $2,799 or Danny Thibodeau (863) 439-3232 Call Alvie (813) 759-8722

FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE

CALLER ON HOLD

A low cost service that enables you to communicate important information about your business to customers while they are on hold. No monthly payments or annual payments. Call today and ask for Al (813) 763-2220

Write about events in your community. immediate openings in Hillsborough and Polk MISC. Counties. Paid per article. Responsibilities include covering community events and taking WINDOW SCREENS FOR INFORMATION on the first and We make window screens of all sizes available pictures. Email your resume to only patented organic doctor approved sarah@inthefieldmagazine.com in different frame colors.

Gentlemen’s Blend coffee contact Call Ted(813) 752-3378 Al (813) 763-2220

T1-11 4X8 SHEET 5/8 INCH THICK B-grade $22.95. Call Ted (813) 752-3378

LAWN EQUIPMENT/ SUPPLIES

BRAND NEW HUSTLER RAPTOR

Zero Turn Mower 52” cut, 23hp. Kawasaki engine, 3 year warranty. $2,999 MOBILE HOME TUBS Metal brand new in bo 54” Mobile Home Tubs Call Alvie 813-759-8722 Call Ted (813) 752-3378 $175.00

FARM EQUIPMENT KUBOTA L175

Tractor with 60” Woods belly mower. $1,975 Call Alvie 813-759-8722

KUBOTA B7500

4X4 With loader, 21hp.

11045 hours. $7,950 Call Alvie. 813-759-8722

RUBBER MULCH

All Colors, buy 10 bags, get 1 FREE! $8.99 a bag. Call Ted (813) 752-3378

PRODUCE

KING 9’ OFFSET DISK

Off-set Grove Disk. Good condition. $2,000 Call Alvie 813-759-8722

HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL?

Call us today! 813-759-6909 or email us: info@inthefieldmagazine.com Let us help you get rid of it!

FRESH PRODUCE

Forbes Road Produce. Open everyday from 7:30am - 8pm. Forbes Rd. & I-4 @ exit 17.

Come out and see us!

MASSEY FERGUSON 210 2wd, diesel tractor $3,750 Call Alvie. (813) 759-8722

KUBOTA L500 4X4

Tractor w/loader, very good condition, 27hp. $8,950 Call Alvie 813-759-8722

110

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

Merry Christmas

December 2014

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

Switch fungicide - the standard for Botrytis control Switch® fungicide combines two highly effective active ingredients that offer outstanding control of Botrytis, powdery mildew and anthracnose in strawberry production.

To learn how Switch fungicide can help your crop, contact your local Syngenta retailer.

© 2013 Syngenta. Important: Always read and follow label instructions. Some crop protection products may not be registered for sale or use in all states or counties. Please check with your local extension service to ensure registration status. Switch®, the Alliance Frame, the Purpose Icon and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company.

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

111

GET MORE BANG FOR THE BUCK WITH EVERGLADES FARM EQUIPMENT

Serving our customers with 12 Locations Package a fleet of tractors, gators and other equipment together with a 2 or 3 year lease and always have new, worry free equipment with service available from Everglades Farm Equipment’s fleet of road service technicians with Green Fleet.

Plant City

2805 SR. 60 West Plant City, FL 33567

Leesburg

1800 US HWY. 441 Leesburg, FL 34748

813-737-1660

352-315-1016

Odessa

2240 Success Drive Odessa, FL 33556

Okeechobee

727-842-8618

820 US Hwy. 98, North Okeechobee, FL 34972

Clearwater

863-763-1921

5090 Ulmerton Road Clearwater, FL 33760

727-259-7748

Fort Pierce

6150 Orange Ave. Ft. Pierce, FL 34947

Palmetto

772-461-5568

906 US HWY 301 North Palmetto, FL 34221

941-722-3281

Loxahatchee

13295 Southern Blvd.

Loxahatchee, FL 33470

Fort Myers

561-784-4000

9501 State Road 82 Fort Myers, FL 33905

239-332-5045

Belle Glade

Corporate Headquarters

Immokalee

775 E. Main St. Immokalee , FL 34142

239-657-4413

2017 N. W. 16TH Belle Glade, FL 33430

Naples

561-996-6531

1945 Pine Ridge Road Naples , FL 34109

239-260-8800

112

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

December 2014

Since 1963

WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM