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“Paladin® gave me about a 20% yield increase over last year.” Cecil Howell, H&R Farms, Immokalee, FL
Cecil had heard about Paladin® soil fumigant’s higher yields and its effectiveness on weeds and soilborne diseases. So he made the switch, treating 110 acres of peppers with a tank mix of 79:21 Paladin® soil fumigant and chloropicrin with a pre-emergent herbicide. “I was tickled to death with the yield. Especially going through all the cold weather and rain,” said Cecil. “And it was definitely cheaper than previous treatments.” He got the quick nutsedge control he was looking for, too. “Within a week, it was already brown. It was the quickest thing I had ever seen.” Plant size also lived up to his expectations. “They were bigger and looked great. I was really pleased,” says Cecil. Cecil’s 20% higher yield translated to 1,800 boxes of peppers per acre. He smiled when asked if he plans on using Paladin® again. “It worked so good.” Paladin® soil fumigant is a restricted-use pesticide. Always refer to and follow the federal label requirements for crops, specific use rates and application directions. Paladin is a registered trademark of Arkema
Cecil Howell
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Christmas Lane
Strawberry Festival Grounds Now - Jan 3rd
VOL. 11 • ISSUE 2
Hillsborough County Farm Bureau 100 S. Mulrennan Rd. Valrico, Fl. Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Insurance Services: 813.685.5673 Member Services: 813.685.9121 OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Contents DECEMBER 2015
Business Up Front
Page 10
Page 42
Jack Payne
Meet the Minks
Florida AG Expo
Drones
Garden Tools
CARES
Recipes
HCFB Board Members
Fishing Hot Spots
Community Bread
Rocking Chair Chatter
Literary Time Machine
Page 14 Page 16 Page 18 Page 22
Endangered Species
Page 28
Foundation Coffee
Page 32
Florida Persimmons
Page 35
Page 46 Page 48 Page 52 Page 54
Popular Holiday Plants
Page 56 AG Tour
Page 58 A Simpler Place
Page 64
Open Burning
Page 70
Page 74 Page 75
Page 78-79 AG Pesticide
Page 84 Activity
Page 80 A Closer Look
Page 85
National FFA
Page 92
Kenneth Parker....................President Will Womack................Vice President James Tew..........................Treasurer Buddy Coleman..................Secretary DIRECTORS FOR 2015 - 2016 Jake Cremer, Tiffany Dale, Bradley Ferguson, Carson Futch, Jim Frankowiak, Chip Hinton, John Joyner, Tony Lopez, Lawrence McClure, Rep. Jake Raburn, Emeritus, Sambahv Sambahv, Marty Tanner, Vincent Tort, Ron Wetherington
Judi Whitson, Executive Director 813.685.9121 Farm Bureau Insurance Special Agents Valrico Office 813.685.5673
100 S. Mulrennan Rd., Valrico, FL. 33594 Tommy Hale, CLU, ChFC, CASL, CPCU Agency Mgr. Juile Carlson, John McGuire
Plant City Office 813.752.5577
1302 S. Collins St., Plant City, FL 33563 Jeff Summer Bill Williams
Tampa Office 813.933.5440
13103 W. Linebaugh Ave. Tampa, FL.33626 Greg Harrell, William Clarke
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AGENCY MANAGER Tommy Hale INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
December 2015
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Letter from the Editor
STAFF
Publisher/Photography Karen Berry Senior Managing Editor/ Associate Publisher Sarah Holt Editor-In-Chief Al Berry Editor Patsy Berry
Merry Christmas! It is a wonderful time of the year and this morning I even felt an ever so slight chill in the air. Even without the cold weather and snowy feel to the air, its evident that the Christmas season is upon us full force. Christmas lights have been strung since, well, it seems since before Halloween! Many homes have dedicated a space for the Christmas tree and kids are trying so hard to be good in hopes that Santa Claus will keep them on the “nice” list. Is this the real meaning of Christmas? The lights, gifts, cards in the mail, food and stockings and shouts of Merry Christmas? Perhaps for some it has come to this. So please remember, Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. A brilliant star lit the skies over Bethlehem as a guide to those seeking His birthplace. Luke 2 8-12 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” As for the so-called politically correct “Happy Holidays,” sorry, around here we say Merry Christmas. You can respond with Happy Holidays if you like. I won’t be offended. After all, it is a free country. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Sarah The LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. - Numbers 6:25
Office Manager Bob Hughens Sales Manager Danny Crampton Sales Al Berry Tina Richmond Danny Crampton Melissa Nichols Nolan Lewis 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 Nick Chapman Vanessa Caceres Contributing Writers Woody Gore Les McDowell John Dicks In The Field Magazine is published monthly and is available through local Hillsborough County businesses, restaurants, and many local venues. It is also distributed by U.S. mail to a target market, which includes all of the Greenbelt Property owners, members of the Hillsborough County Farm Bureau and Strawberry Grower’s Association. Letters, comments and questions can be sent to P.O. Box 5377, Plant City, Florida 335630042 or you are welcome to email them to: info@inthefieldmagazine.com or call 813759-6909 Advertisers warrant & represent the descriptions of their products advertised are true in all respects. In The Field Magazine assumes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers. All views expressed in all articles are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Berry Publications, Inc. Any use or duplication of material used in In the Field magazine is prohibited without written consent from Berry Publications, Inc. Published by Berry Publications, Inc.
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100 South Mulrennan Road • Valrico, FL 33594 • 813-685-9121
Happy Holidays Dear Readers: My very best wishes to each of you and your families for a blessed and joyous Christmas and a Happy New Year. This is an especially wonderful time of the year for family and friends. Each of us has much to be thankful for and I hope that we all take the time to remember what this season is all about. It is more than gifts and gatherings, it is a time for us to reflect upon our good fortune and express our thanks to our Lord and Savior. Your Farm Bureau will be back to work shortly after the beginning of the New Year. The American Farm Bureau convention takes place in Orlando January 8 – 13. That is an important gathering for our national organization as it provides the opportunity for members from around the country to share their thoughts and ideas on the successful ways they have advanced the multi-faceted mission of our organization. Much of what is emphasized at that gathering finds its way into state activities and actions taken at the local level. I am pleased to tell you that our own county organization has had an active educational role in that gathering on several occasions. I am sure you realize that as the world’s population continues to grow, the onus upon agriculture to meet the needs of that growing global population amid many challenges increases in difficulty every day. That is not to suggest that our industry is not up to that challenge, but is vital for Farm Bureau at the national, state and local levels to continue to foster and protect the many facets of our industry as we strive to feed the world.
cials. This can be as simple as reaching out to your elected officials by email, seeking their support for pending legislation. There are other actions, as well, such as personal visits to their local offices and even participation in our annual visit to Tallahassee during the legislative session. There are other opportunities for you to help our industry, and I ask that you please consider getting involved. If your family does not belong to Farm Bureau, please join. The fee associated with family membership in Farm Bureau is modest and your active involvement will be beneficial to your family and our industry. If your family is already part of our Farm Bureau family, please consider suggesting membership to your friends and don’t hesitate to get involved in our policy-making process. To learn more, please visit: http://hcfarmbureau.org or call 813/6859121 for more information. My sincere best wishes for a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Kenneth Parker Kenneth Parker - President
Here in Florida your state organization is hard at work developing its 2016 legislative agenda. Our state legislators will be considering many important legislative actions and it is imperative for our industry to have its voice not only heard, but truly understood by our lawmakers. I encourage you to stay abreast of the Florida Farm Bureau legislative agenda as it is finalized. There are ways for you to become involved and that involvement is critical to our success in achieving support for your agenda by our elected offi-
Board of Directors
Kenneth Parker, President; Will Womack, Vice-President; James Tew, Treasurer; Buddy Coleman, Secretary; Member-at-large; Glenn Harrell; Board members: Jake Cremer, Tiffany Dale, Bradley Ferguson, Carson Futch, Jim Frankowiak, Chip Hinton, John Joyner, Tony Lopez, Lawrence McClure, Rep. Jake Raburn, Emeritus, Sambahv, Marty Tanner, Vincent Tort, Ron Wetherington Judi Whitson, Executive Director 8 8
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Discover Freedom from Incontinence
Mark B. Baker, MD, FACS Urologist
Matt Sheldon, MD Urologist
Urinary incontinence is a term that describes any accidental or involuntary loss of urine from the bladder. Women are most likely to develop incontinence during pregnancy, after childbirth or after hormonal changes of menopause due to weakened pelvic muscles. Symptoms of urinary incontinence include: ■ Inability to urinate ■ Pain related to filling the bladder ■ Increased rate of urination without a proven bladder infection ■ Rushing to the restroom and/or losing urine if you do not get there in time ■ Frequent instances of urine leakage
For a physician referral: 1-800-BayCare (1-800-229-2273)
Robotic-assisted surgery is a minimally invasive treatment option for patients who have been unable to find relief using medication and other nonsurgical therapies. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms referenced above, contact your doctor to find out if you are a candidate for minimally invasive robotic bladder repair. Watch Dr. Baker and Dr. Sheldon talk about robotic surgery and incontinence: SouthFloridaBaptistUrology.org WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM BC1507862_1115
301 N. Alexander St., Plant City
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Business Up Front By Vanessa Caceres
A Land of Delight Natural Farm Harvests Healthy Living Eric Gonyon and his wife Jennifer fell into farming by accident—but ultimately, it seems to be God’s fruitful plan for them. The Gonyons, who are both ministers, bought their Plant City home two years ago and wanted to show their kids a healthier, more natural way of life beyond the electronic devices. “We wanted to teach the kids that milk comes from a cow and eggs from chickens,” says Eric Gonyon. The Gonyons have traveled to 29 countries through their ministry work, and they have seen a good deal of poverty. They also were committed to healthy eating after their hectic travel schedule had led them to one too many meals on the go—with not always the best food choices available. Gonyon decided to attend aquaponics school to learn how to raise certain fruits and vegetables in his backyard. Aquaponics refers to what is essentially a recirculating aquaculture system that involves the growth of both fish and plants, according to The Aquaponics Association. “The fish waste feeds the growing plants using organic hydroponic techniques. The plants, in turn, clean and filter the water that returns to the fish environment,” the association website reports. The system uses more than 90% less water than traditional farming, Gonyon says. On the family’s six acres, Gonyon and family installed a small aqua10
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ponics unit and built a greenhouse. They also started to grow certain produce items traditionally, but they avoid pesticides and instead use pepper sprays and other natural methods. Their traditional garden is cared for using the Back to Eden method, developed by Paul Gautschi and profiled in his documentary of the same name. The Back to Eden method involves no tilling and a number of other techniques similar to the way that things might grow in a forest, Gonyon says. Their goal with use of this method is to build a nutritionally rich soil for the items that are growing. The family also purchased 12 free-range chickens as well as rabbits and ducks. Their commitment to more natural farming was so strong that Gonyon had to become a distributor for Countryside Organics chicken feed, which is non-soy and free of genetically modified organisms. They started bee hives for fresh honey. If all that isn’t enough, the family decided to plant 300 moringa trees. Better known outside the U.S. as a “miracle tree” because of the high nutritional power in its leaves, the Gonyons create 6-foot hedges with their moringas, because they otherwise could grow as tall as 30 feet. Reaping What They Sow Word of their fledgling farming efforts got around among friends and family as well as at the church where they work as associate pastors, WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
tables for families to sit together and enjoy their time. Gonyon wants to encourage everyone to get growing at home, even if it’s something small. “Everyone can grow something. We’re living proof that you don’t need experience to grow,” he says. By growing your own food, you’re also making a commitment to healthier eating, he said. “Your food is your medicine,” he said. He also sees a real connection with farming and the family’s faith. “We see God in a seed and in a harvest,” he said. The family is living healthy, and the kids, Elliot, 10, and Emily, 7, are actively involved with farming chores and the farm market, Gonyon said.
The River at Tampa Bay Church.
With their first calling being in the ministry, it’s natural to wonder how the Gonyons manage to keep up with farm chores. In addition to their own efforts, they also have eager volunteers and people in their international Bible college program who want to help the farm grow.
The family decided to open the farm every other Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (and every Saturday through Christmas) for a farmers market. Visitors buy fresh in-season produce from A Land of Delight, which also partners with other local farmers. (Some recent produce items include broccoli, kale, tomatoes, herbs, and zucchini.) They cut moringa leaves so they can use them for juice at home. They buy fresh eggs from the free-range chickens, which now number about 100 (and more are expected in early 2016). They take free training classes on topics such as aquaponics and gardening. They learn about and buy solar energy systems and water filtration and purification systems. Kids visiting have a playground to use and games to play, and they can help feed the fish. The farm has small
To find out more about A Land of Delight, check out their website at http://alandofdelight.com or visit their Facebook page at A Land of Delight Natural Farm. Or, give them a call at 813-359-9120. You can visit the farm on Saturdays at 2514 Leaning Pine Lane in Plant City.
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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.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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KEEPS GETTING BETTER WITH AGE Florida Ag Expo celebrated its 10th anniversary with a full day of activities running the gamut from the very popular State of the Florida Ag Industry Panel to presentations and field tours highlighting the latest research endeavors of faculty at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) – plus more. The event also marked 90 years of GCREC service to area growers. GCREC Center Director, Dr. Jack Rechcigl, welcomed the more than 1,000 attendees to the GCREC, site of Ag Expo since its inception a decade ago. Representatives from both Hillsborough and Manatee counties shared proclamations from the respective counties’ commissioners. Dr. Jack Payne, University of Florida (UF) Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources, who has led the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), highlighted the impressive growth in faculty and staff at the GCREC over the last 10 years and noted planned additions. He also expressed his gratitude to the many partners that have been instrumental in the growth in programs and initiatives the GCREC has been able to take since its relocation to Hillsborough County from Manatee County. Among those groups are the Florida Tomato Committee, Florida Strawberry Growers Association, Meister Media and others. “These partnerships have been vital and we are most appreciative for the support we receive from these agvocates,” he said. Mike Stuart of the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association moderated the popular grower panel which included res McQuag of Astin Farms, Elvie Engle of Del Monte, Jay Sizemore of Jaymar Produce and Leonard Batti of Taylor Farms. The panelists began proceedings with their individual answers to Stuart’s question: What keeps you up a night? The availability of reliable labor able to get the job done was the unanimous sleep depriver. “It is an unmet need,” said Sizemore, “and the guest worker program is not what we need, ” referring to the current H2-A program administered by the U.S. Department of La bor. Safety was another concern for the group, and that’s food safety and the safety of employees. 14
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By Jim Frankowiak But it was labor that received the majority of attention with high concern over the potential problems that arise from the lack of a dependable workforce when it is needed to harvest crops, absence of a practical program for utilizing temporary help from outside the U.S. and the potential of running afoul of government officials for failure to comply with regulations that relate to the current guest worker program. It was noted that domestic workers have become less reliable and that coupled with the challenges of the current guest worker program have made labor a serious challenge for growers. One suggestion that seemed to draw approval was having the guest worker program’s oversight moved from the labor department to the Department of Agriculture. The panel session was followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the just-completed 5,000-square-foot office addition to the GCREC. The Center recently completed an addition to its student housing which can now accommodate 27 residents, a definite plus in attracting graduate and post-doctoral students. Chef David Bearl offered growers a range of suggestions for ways in which they could market their crops to chefs and the growing buy local movement. He suggested growers strive to get to know chefs in their areas, especially those who prefer to buy local. “Chefs are busy and you need to engage them professionally though participation in the local chapters of the American Culinary Federation, National Restaurant Association and local chambers of commerce,” he said, noting that attendance at such meetings offers excellent opportunities for growers to learn of chefs’ needs and chefs to learn of local produce availability. Bearl also suggested hosting local meetings of chef groups for a first hand opportunity to see what is available at your farm and to meet the producer.” Bearl noted research has shown growing consumer preference for local foods that are fresh, safe and nutritional. “There is also a preferWWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
ence among consumers to develop relationships with producers and this can often begin with a farm visit,” he said. Relationships with both chefs and consumers interested in buying local produce do require initiation of efforts that will make both aware of a farm and its products. “Often, restaurants that buy locally grown goods will use that in their marketing” since the locally grown movement among consumers has been shown to include restaurants offering menu items that feature locally grown menu items. Another viable option for family and small farms include school boards, Bearl said. He noted that help is available to growers interested in developing these markets relative to food safety regulation compliance through UF and the creation and implementation of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points plans with help from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Attendees were also given the opportunity to attend educational sessions: • Considerations for Commercial Blueberry Production in Central and Southwest Florida –Jeff Williams, UF/IFAS • Pomegranate, Blackberry and Hops, Oh My – Zhanao Deng, UF/IFAS • Managing Insecticide Resistance in Florida Tomatoes – Hugh Smith, UF/IFAS • Developing a Mechanically Harvested Tomato – Shinsuke Agehara, Sam Hutton and Steve Sargent • New Strategies to Improve Nematode Fumigate Penetration and Distribution – Joe Noling, UF/IFAS • Fumigation Strategies to Improve Soilborne Disease Control in the Post-methyl Bromide Era – Gary Vallad, UF/IFAS Fumigation-herbicide Combinations to Improve Weed Control in the Absence of Methyl Bromide – Nathan Boyd, UF/IFAS • The Economic Impact of Methyl Bromide Phase-out on the Florida Tomato Industry – Zhengfei Guan, UF/IFAS Plant Health and Horticulture field tours were also offered as were sessions on the effective cooling of fruits and vegetables and hands-on training in the identification of key pests of horticulture crops. Ag Expo also included a trade show component with more than 75 vendors displaying the latest farm equipment and products.
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FARM BUREAU RECOGNIZES 2015 CARES RECIPIENTS
By Jim Frankowiak Photos Courtesy of UF student Kassy Mendenall
Four farms were recognized at the 2015 Hillsborough County Farm Bureau annual meeting for their voluntary participation in the statewide Farm Bureau County Alliance for Responsible Environmental Stewardship (CARES) program. They join the nearly 800 farmers and ranchers in Florida who have become program participants since it was instituted in 2001.
2015 CARES recipients in Hillsborough County are: Lyna Knight – Lyna Berry Farms, Inc. Patrick Borchard – Borchard Farms Marvin and Linda Brown – Favorite Farms Billy Simmons – E.W. Simmons Farm, Inc. Each was given a personalized “This Farm CARES” sign for posting on their respective properties in recognition of their program participation. The program was established by Florida Farm Bureau and a coalition of farmers, commodity groups, agricultural associations and state and federal agencies to provide public recognition to farmers and ranchers who have voluntarily implemented nutrient stewardship practices on their farm or ranch. Each participant has signed a Notice of Intent with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Office of Agricultural Water Policy (OAWP), and implemented FDACS’s Best Management Practices (BMPs) on their operations. BMPs are based on University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) research and are practical measures that producers can take to reduce the amount of fertilizers, pesticides, animal waste and other pollutants entering our water resources. BMPs are industry-approved practices that are designed to improve water quality while maintaining or increasing agricultural production. FDACS has adopted BMPs for most commodities in Florida and they periodically review these practices for updates and new additions. Participating producers also have FDACS OAWP staff representatives confirm adherence to BMPs and do so on a continuing basis. Each must also remain in good standing with the FDACS’ Implementation Assurance program. 16
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Lyna Berry Farms produce cattle and blueberries in Hillsborough and Manatee counties. The BMPs in use include: automated irrigation, installation of run-off ponds, berms for irrigation run-off control, installation of drip irrigation, calibrated fertilizer spreaders and the use of weather stations. Borchard Farms is a family-owned operation that includes several farms and a packing house. The farms are considered to be outstanding representatives of the BMP program, going above and beyond with their practices using drip irrigation under plastic and tailwater recovery on some of their farms. The Borchard’s have a dedicated specialist to address food safety on their farms and at their packing house. Borchard Farms strives to produce quality strawberries and vegetables as environmentally friendly as possible. The Brown’s family farm produces strawberries, cantaloupes, watermelons, squash and cucumbers. They have blended new technology with BMPs to protect and preserve natural resources. BMPs include drip irrigation, ground cover, irrigation ponds and the newest Global Positioning Systems guidance capabilities. The farm also uses satellite and overhead photography to monitor hotspots that could signal the beginning of pest or fertilizer issues. The E.W. Simmons Farm, which traces its beginnings to 1925, produces strawberries and blueberries and has always believed in safeguarding natural resources for future generations. BMPs in use at the farm include rye grass water ways and ground cover to prevent soil erosion, drip irrigation for fertilization to control delivery, tensiometers to measure soil moisture and GPS guided equipment for increased efficiency and effectiveness. Thanks to these four new CARES program participants for their voluntary participation and commitment to environmental stewardship. For more information about the CARES program, visit: www. thisfarmcares.org.
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Tampa Bay Fishing Report December 2015 Capt. Woody Gore (www.captainwoodygore.com)
“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. These marine creatures attract many species of fish, birds, manatees and other wildlife, which come to feast on the rich food sources of Tampa Bay. If angling is your recreational pleasure and something you enjoy, then Tampa Bay and the inter-coastal waters of the gulf coast certainly offer some splendid fishing opportunities especially with www.captainwoodygore.com.
Spotted Sea Trout:
While fishing in Florida can be done comfortably year round, fall offers excellent opportunities on a variety of species. When fishing in December some species you’re likely catch include snook, redfish, cobia, tarpon, trout, grouper, kingfish, mackerel, snapper, sheepshead, and some 200 other species.
are one of our most delicate species, so returning unwanted or illegal fish promptly is necessary to maintain a healthy population. Sea Trout have a slim coat designed to help protect it, so always try to use a Dehooker or if you must handle the fish, do it with wet hands.
As we approach the cool water temperatures of winter, shallow water fishing improves. The fish are feeding more aggressively in their search for food and they’ll take an assortment of baits, from live to dead, including soft to hard plastic artificial’s. And since they will have large appetites anglers will have greater success using a wider range of baits.
Fresh (not frozen) spotted sea trout make an excellent meal especially fried or prepared “Pescado a la Rusa” look up the recipe on the web. Otherwise winter’s a great time for the big gator trout, especially as they start working their way into the back-country and deeper grass flats.
Snook:
Redfish:
Snook are usually tops on the list as the fall transition begins and we are catching them on practically every shoreline. Occasionally, we’ll keep a slot fish, however, I personally encourage catch and release of all snook, primarily because they are such great inshore sportfish. If we continually keep slot limit fish soon there will be no trophy size snook to catch. If we do not protect our resources who will? Remember, snook do not taste any better than any other fish. A good mess of fried mangrove snapper, redfish or sea trout and a bowl of grits w/butter are just as tasty. The best bite has been at the beginning and end of incoming or outgoing tides and they respond exceptionally well to live white baits, top water lures, jerk baits and shallow diving lures. However, we’ve also had good success using dead baits on the bottom. 18
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Sea trout are found inshore and near shore in and around sea grass flats, mangrove shorelines, deep holes and channels and above oyster bars. Freeline live shrimp, small dollar-sized pinfish or whitebait near the bottom to entice trout out of grass-bed holes. Attaching a float will allow these baits to drift over the grass beds and into sandy pot holes. Casting soft-bodied jigs or top-water poppers can also be effective.
Trout
The reds are still biting and some are still schooled eating anything tossed in their direction. This should continue on the flats and around the mangroves. A variety of artificial lures are catching their share along with live shrimp, whitebait, and pinfish. The key to finding redfish is fishing dark patchy bottoms, especially around schools of larger mullet. On flooding tides most are holding close to or pushing back into mangrove shoreline. While chumming with live bait often works, tossing dead threadfins or cut bait around the mangroves on flooding tides usually brings them out to investigate.
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 WWW.IN NTHE HEFIELD IELDMAGAZINE.COM AGAZINE.COM WWW.
of bait brings 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 along the beaches and inside Tampa Bay.
“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 WWW.IN NTHE HEFIELD IELDMAGAZINE.COM AGAZINE.COM WWW.
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Smokin’ WE’RE
WWW.johnsonbarbeque.COM winter haven • plant city
small ads 3.56x4.8.indd 1
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Growing Christmas trees provides a habitat for wildlife. Recycled trees have been used to make sand and soil erosion barriers and been placed in ponds for fish shelter. Christmas trees remove dust and pollen from the air. Artificial trees will last for six years in your home, but for centuries in a landfill. 59 percent of real Christmas trees harvested are recycled in community programs. An acre of Christmas trees provides for the daily oxygen requirements of 18 people. Christmas trees are grown in all 50 states including Hawaii and Alaska. Thomas Edison’s assistant, Edward Johnson, came up with the idea of electric lights for Christmas trees in 1882. Christmas tree lights were first mass produced in 1890. 3/28/14 10:15 AM
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MOON PIES
Someone asked me what my favorite TV show was when I was growing up. I don’t remember, but I do remember my favorite radio program was “The Lone Ranger.” There were a number of things we didn’t have in my early years. We didn’t have fast food. We ate at home. My mother cooked three meals a day, and we sat down as a family, without cell phones, at the dining room table to eat. If I didn’t like what she put on my plate I was allowed to sit there until I did like it. Pizzas were not delivered to our house, but milk was! There was no such thing as a credit card. I never had a phone in my room. We were on a party line, and had to wait till the neighbor hung up to make a call. There were no movie ratings because all movies were clean and responsible for all ages. If you don’t believe me watch the re-runs of Gunsmoke, Wyatt Earp, and The Jackie Gleason shows. I remember when the headlight dimmer switch was on the floor of the car, and we used hand signals out the window when making a turn. I had a pant leg clip for my bicycle without a chain guard. No tenspeed bikes. Just one speed, and we had to pedal hard to get up hill. My mother used a Royal Crown bottle with holes in the stopper to shake water on the clothes as she was ironing. It always sat on the end of the ironing board. RC Colas were our favorite drink. We used it to wash down a Moon pie. Moon pies are still popular today. You can buy them at any Cracker Barrel store. I read where Bell Buckle, Tennessee has an annual “RCMoon Pie Festival” in the middle of June each year. This past year they featured, by popular demand, the return of synchronized wading, a 10K run and a Moon Pie eating contest. Men even compete for King Moon Pie, and the winner receives a cardboard crown. The Moon Pie parade features hundreds of locals all dressed up in their Moon Pie attire. For an “All-American” treat, there’s nothing like a Moon Pie and R.C. cola. Salley, South Carolina has a big event each year. Since 1966 they have put on a one-day event they call, “Salley Chitlin Strut Festival.” The Saturday after Thanksgiving the town is filled with the aroma of fried hog intestines (chittlerlings). It’s non-stop all day long with a beauty pageant. (Can you imagine being crowned “Miss Chitlin?”). There’s a dance, hog calling contest and a chittlin’ eating contest. You’ll en22
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joy the line up of country music, arts and crafts, a parade and carnival rides that rounds out the festivities. If you plan to attend the “Chittlin’ Strut Festival,” be sure to stand upwind from the cooker. For something different you might want to attend the Tuna Tossing Festival in Port Lincoln, South Australia. In recent years, with the world tuna stocks collapsing, they use a fake fish made of polyurethane. The contest is much like the hammer toss in track and field. Each year, contestants in four categories hurl fish weighing up to 22 pounds as far as they can. The “Fiesta of the Near Death Experience” is really a strange one that is held every year on July 29th in Neves, a small town in Spain. The town’s population nearly doubles to 4,000 each year as people come to pay their respects to the ‘Saint of Death.’ The idea of this festival is to give thanks to those who have had a near death experience, and say thanks to the Saint after surviving a close brush with death during the past twelve months. A procession of family and friends of the ‘celebrants’ makes its way through the streets of the town, all appropriately dressed for the funeral. The idea is crazy enough, for the most part, but they also have to carry their ‘escapee’ in his or her own coffin. Pallbearers are made up of family members. This unconventional pilgrimage is led by the effigy of Santa Marta, which in biblical terms is the name of Martha, the sister of Lazarus who was brought back from the dead by Jesus. The Fiesta of Near Death Experiences is one that fits right into the mold of Spain’s eccentric celebrations – up there with goat throwing in Zamora or jumping over babies near Burgos, Spain. No one knows exactly when or how the unusual goat throwing Festival started, but it has been going on for generations. The story is told that one day a goat ended up in the local church bell tower, and when the bells went off the extremely startled goat leapt out the window of the bell tower. Today some town folks get under the tower holding a blanket to catch the goat. If you would like to partake in the festivities, make your way over to Northern Spain to watch a bound goat be tossed out of a church and caught in a tarp. It’ll make an interesting story at your next cocktail party. In closing lets make plans now to attend the “Road Kill Cook Off Festival” in Marlingon, West Virginia. Enjoy a pleasant day of tasting strange cuisine, shopping for local crafts, tasting home made wines and enjoying live entertainment. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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JOIN THE “FRESH
FROM FLORIDA”
PROGRAM “Fresh From Florida” is a program administered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. It is designed to connect distributors and retail buyers with Florida growers to increase sales of Florida products. To learn more about the program benefits, visit FreshFromFlorida.com/Join or call 850-617-7399.
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You Sneaky Snake:
Not Really, Meet the Atlantic Salt Marsh Snake This month’s endangered species article is actually about a threatened species instead. Why? Well, I had a friend walk out in her garage only to be surprised by the presence of a snake. She killed it, of course, and then sent me a picture. When I looked at it I thought it was a cottonmouth. However, she informed me that it was simply a “water snake.” To which I responded, “Designed to look like a cottonmouth,” because it did indeed have similar markings though the head wasn’t quite wide enough. I laughed out loud when she replied, “Designed to give me a heart attack!” Snakes are quite common in Florida but the Atlantic salt marsh snake is not nearly as common as it used to be. This is especially concerning since it can only be found in Florida. When the Florida Environmental Protection Agency says that Tampa Bay has lost 44% of its wetlands acreage (including salt marshes) this is an issue worthy of further investigation. If we continue to destroy the habitats of these creatures (not just snakes) we will eventually create a planet devoid of God’s intended beauty. Yes, I understand that people don’t necessarily look at snakes and think, “Beautiful!” However, we sure do like the fact they have a tendency to keep the rat population down. We like that they eat those non-native bufo toads. So even if their grayish tan, striped bodies with reddish brown, centrally spotted, bellies isn’t the most awe inspiring of God’s great creation, we do need to recognize that they are here for a purpose. Far be it from us to eradicate something that is supposed to be sustained. Preaching aside, let us now take a deeper look at the Atlantic salt marsh snake! It’s a slender snake that makes its home in mangrove swamps and along coastal salt marshes. Supposedly the fact that it hasn’t developed salt glands, yet lives in brackish to full strength sea water, makes it a unique reptile. It has been listed as threatened because there has been concern about cross-breeding, habitat alteration and loss. Because of the minimal differences in appearances among the other salt marsh snakes, there has been a lot of debate surrounding the taxonomical distinction. At the time that the Atlantic salt marsh snake was designated threatened, it was being considered a subspecies of the southern water snake. However, further investigation determined that there really wasn’t a connection between fresh and salt water versions of the water snake. So, for the time being it will retain a separate species distinction. Therefore, for the purpose of this article we’ll just adhere to the: Nerodia clarkii designation. 28
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By Ginny Mink Photos courtesy of Jake Scott
These snakes appear to only be found along the Atlantic coast of the state in Brevard, Volusia and Indian River counties. They prefer to live in salt marsh tidal flats that have been overgrown with glasswort which is a salt tolerant plant related to cacti and often called pickleweed. The Atlantic salt marsh snake also likes mangrove swamps. Unfortunately, humans seem to like that waterfront property and their desire to own it all has destroyed the snake’s habitat. As a water snake, its meal preferences are attached to those invertebrates that get trapped in tidal pools. Therefore it feasts on shrimp, small fish, crabs and the like. Amazingly, and unlike a good multitude of snakes, it bears live young. From the months of August to October expectant females will birth three to nine wee baby snakes. If they are being stalked or if they’re simply resting, they can be found in fiddler crab dens. They drink fresh water found in rain or dew to protect against dehydration which can certainly occur when you don’t have the means to excrete excess salt through the typical use of salt glands. They are readily observed at night but can be active at any time as their feeding opportunities are based on the tides. Rising sea levels, while not immediately life threatening, may lead to increased salinity in the snakes’ habitat which could drastically affect the other species there as well. Most problematic though is humanities desire to ever encroach on coastal lands, to “develop” them in ways that pretty well destroys everything in its path. Sadly, there’s not much else known about these snakes. This is typical when a species is only considered threatened rather than endangered. We don’t generally invest money in a species until we see them almost wholly annihilated and sometimes then we’re too late. Ultimately, the US Fish and Wildlife Services, in a paper on the snake itself, has written, “the Atlantic salt marsh snake is a relict of historical and/or ecological processes unique to Florida and should be preserved (Kochman 1992).” We would have to agree with that sentiment. There really aren’t that many totally Florida based species out there. Why would we want to let anything happen to a creature that was given to our state alone? Seriously, think about it. Resources: https://www.fws.gov/verobeach/MSRPPDFs/ASMSnake.pdf https://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/herpetology/fl-snakes/list/nerodiaclarkii-taeniata/ http://www.edc.uri.edu/restoration/html/gallery/plants/glass.htm WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Cool Beans By Libby Hopkins It has been said that over second and third cups flow matters of high finance, high state, common gossip and low comedy. Coffee is a social binder, a warmer of tongues, a soberer of minds, a stimulant of wit, a foiler of sleep if you want it to be. From roadside mugs to the classic demitasse, it is the perfect moderator. Jason and Emily Smith of Foundation Coffee in Riverview, feel that coffee is the foundation of a community. “Every system, every culture, every individual has a starting point, a premise, a beginning. In the same way, every cup of coffee has a unique and significant heritage,” Jason Smith said. “Our fundamental values are coffee, community, and outdoors, and we take that to heart. We firmly believe there is no better beginning to valuable conversation and friendship than enjoying it over a couple of delicious caffeinated beverages.”
Foundation Coffee has only been open for a little more than a month, but it has quickly become the place to meet and experience craft coffees at their finest. “We wanted to show the Riverview community that they could have a cool coffee spot similar to other places in Tampa,” Smith said. With its outdoor patio, fire pit and couches, it’s the perfect place to meet for coffee and socialize with friends and family. Not to mention, their coffee is amazing and they have a drive through, too! I have to admit, I am a Starbucks junkie and I honestly thought there was no better coffee in the world than my beloved Starbucks. I admit, I was wrong. I am a “fancy” coffee drinker and never would I drink just plain, black coffee. I told Jason this during our interview for this story. He told me he would make me a V60, which is off of the 32
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Slow Bar menu. He took me behind the counter and showed me step by step how they brew the V60. He handed me a cup of dark, steamy coffee and said that if I didn’t like it, he would make it fancy for me and wouldn’t judge me. Let me tell you, it was the absolute best cup of coffee I ever had in my entire life. “We are really trying to promote the education of coffee more than anything,” Smith said. “Our slow bar coffees are the main way we educate our customers on coffee. Everything on the slow bar menu is manually brewed and it is done in front of the customer.” They take every important detail of the brewing process very seriously. From the weight of the coffee bean to the temperature of the cup the coffee is served in, all of it is taken into consideration when brewing craft coffee. “We do all of this not to show off but to give our customers the opportunity to describe what we are doing and to give them a back story to what they are drinking,” Smith said. Supporting local is extremely important to Jason and Emily and Emily’s brother Kurt, who is their lead manger. They buy their coffee beans from Buddy Brew Coffee (www.buddybrew.com) in Tampa and King State Coffee (www.kingstatecoffee.com), which is a micro brewer in Carrollwood. They get their pastries from Moreno’s Bakery in Brandon (www.morenobakery.com). They have partnered with Alex Flannery who is local chef to create gourmet desserts for some WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
of their special events. “We are working with Alex on some of our dessert and coffee parings,” Smith said. “Folks can go out and have a nice dinner at their favorite local restaurant and then stop by Foundation Coffee to enjoy some great coffee and a gourmet dessert by our fire pit.” Foundation Coffee has also partnered with A Simpler Place In Time Farm and Market to host a weekly evening farmers’ market. “Emily and I felt that the same people who go and support farmers’ markets and farm to table are the same people who appreciate organic and locally sourced coffee,” Smith said. “They go hand-in-hand, so we thought, let’s team up with them and let them utilize the space we have. We really got behind what A Simpler Place In Time Farm and Market is trying to do and if we can’t support local businesses that aren’t our businesses, then that’s really not supporting local.” The market is open every Thursday, rain or shine, from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. in the lot adjacent to Foundation Coffee.
Jeff and his family hope that more people from the Riverview community and beyond come to Foundation Coffee to learn more about the art of craft coffee. “We want to see people in the community have a place to come that is enjoyable and can give them some great coffee,” Smith said. “That alone will bring me and my family happiness.” If you would like to learn more about the different coffees available at Foundation Coffee, you can visit them on the web at www.foundationcoffeeco.com. If you would like to know about the upcoming events Foundation Coffee will be having, you can visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/foundationcoffeeco. Foundation Coffee is located at 10022 Carr Rd. in Riverview.
813-767-4703 301 South Collins Street, Suite 101, Plant City, Florida 33563
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P ortrait Ph o tograp h er Spe c ializ ing in H igh Sc hool Se niors
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Florida
Persimmons By Sandy Kaster, M.S. Clinical Medicines, B.S. Nutrition Science
Brightly colored, sweet, Florida persimmons are at their peak during the holiday season, from late fall to winter. The Latin word for persimmons translates to “food of the gods.” The persimmon is the national fruit of Japan. It was brought from Japan to the United States in the 1850s, where it grows in the Southern portions of the country, mainly in California and Florida. The two main types of persimmons are astringent and non-astringent, and many varieties exist in both categories. The Hachiya is the most common type of astringent persimmon, which contains high levels of tannins that must be fully softened and ripe before eating, yielding a sweet, delicate flavor. The Fuyu is the best known type of non-astringent persimmon, which has fewer tannins, making it less astringent before ripening. As a result, the non-astringent types can be consumed while still firm, as well as eaten when very soft. Fuyu persimmons resemble a bright orange tomato, while Hachiyas are a deeper orange color and more oblong shaped, like an acorn. Ripe persimmons can be eaten sliced or scooped out with a spoon, depending on its texture. Its taste is unique and can be described as pleasantly sweet, with a hint of cinnamon and dates.
NUTRITIONAL PROFILE
This sweet, orange fruit is a fantastic source of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, dietary fiber, the B vitamins, and potassium. The outer peel is entirely edible and contains most of the fiber in the fruit. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, one medium persimmon (168 g) contains 118 calories, 1 g of protein, 0.3 g of fat, 31.2 g of carbohydrate, and 6 g of fiber. It also provides 55% of the Daily Recommended Value (% DV) for vitamin A, 21% for vitamin C, 9% for copper, 8% for potassium and vitamin B6, and plentiful amounts of vitamin E, vitamin K, omega 3 fatty acids, thiamin, phosphorus, magnesium, iron and calcium.
FIBER: KEEP THE PEEL!
Research has shown that dietary fiber has a protective effect against cardiovascular diseases, by lowering blood cholesterol levels and slowing the progression of heart disease in high-risk individuals. Fiber binds to the cholesterol-containing bile salts, which helps excrete them out of the body. It also promotes bowel regularity, stabilizes blood glucose levels, and keeps you feeling full longer, all of which can help with weight control. A single persimmon provides almost 25% of your daily fiber needs!
ANTIOXIDANTS: EAT YOUR VITAMINS!
Fresh Florida persimmons are full of disease-fighting antioxidants, which neutralize destructive free radicals in the body. Persimmon contain large amounts of vitamins A, C, and K, which all have antioxidant properties in the body. When healthy cells are damaged, WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
they are more susceptible to disease and certain types of cancer, and antioxidants may help slow the progression of conditions like asthma, arthritis, and colon cancer. Diets that contain foods high in antioxidants, including persimmons and other fruits and vegetables, are linked to a reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, and multiple types of cancer.
VITAMIN A: KEEP YOUR EYES HEALTHY!
A single persimmon contains over half of your daily vitamin A requirement. Persimmons are also rich in beta carotene and lutein which helps to protect your eyes from damage caused by UV rays. Vitamin A appears to play a role in decreasing the risk of macular degeneration, a condition that leads to vision loss. In the landmark Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) sponsored by the National Eye Institute, people at high risk for the disease who took a daily multiple vitamin that included vitamin A (in the form of beta carotene), vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc and copper had a 25% reduced risk of advanced AMD during a six-year period.
HOW TO SELECT AND STORE
Choose deeply colored fruit that feels firm and heavy for its size. Hachiyas may have some black streaks on the skin when ripe, and is a sign of superior sweetness. Persimmons can be purchased when firm, since they will continue to ripen and soften at room temperature. Rinse under cool running water before eating or preparing.
HOW TO ENJOY
Persimmons are delicious when ripe and simply eaten out-of-hand. The fruit can also be dried or cooked. Persimmons are commonly used in desserts, such as pies, puddings, cakes, cookies, and ice cream. Other ways to enjoy fresh persimmons include; • Slice firm Fuyu persimmons and add to salads. • Puree persimmon flesh and add it to drinks, smoothies, or fresh fruit sauces. • Slice and spread with lime juice, salt, and chili powder. • Cube and mix with grapes, pomegranate seeds, and diced apple, for a colorful winter salad. • Top hot or cold cereal with sliced persimmon. • Dice or puree and add to pancakes, waffles, and French toast. • Cut in half, freeze the fruit, and scoop out of the shell for an instant sorbet. Enjoy this beautiful, juicy fruit during Florida’s peak persimmon season today. It’s a delicious way to get plenty of fiber and other nutrients.
SELECTED REFERENCES
http://polk.ifas.ufl.edu https://hort.purdue.edu
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from Dry Creek
A Baby Boomers Path to America’s First Frontier
By Les McDowell Photo by Linda Constant
I love this time of the year here in Florida. Dry Creek the TV show is pretty much shut down during these months because folks are away visiting and traveling. The streets of our1880’s Dry Creek set has turned into a ghost town as the cold breezes blow dust down Main Street. This is the time of year I seem to reflect a lot about earlier Christmases and the different places I’ve been during the holidays. There was a time when I first moved here I wondered, how will the Christmas Holidays be in the land of palm trees and beaches? It didn’t take long to see that the holidays and Florida made the perfect match. Seems up north the cold and snow hung on forever, long after the Christmas tree had been put out. Winter turns depressing. My family and I have so many special memories of Christmas here in Florida and, yes, Santa can land his sleigh in the sand!
Dad yelling to slow down if we didn’t want a lickin. 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 footees. Looking back that really meant a lot. Home made footees and a G.O Pet from Sav-O-Lot.
I wrote a poem about some of my earlier Christmases. I bet you can identify with some of my memories.
Many of the seasons have come and gone. If only I could go back to another of grandma’s dinners where my heart longs. My sisters if once more I could tease. At least I’m warm sitting here in grandma’s Footees.
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. 38
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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 tin that had dripped on his white shirt.
We hope you’re reminded of great past memories during this time and also make a lot more. Merry Christmas from Dry Creek. Everybody knows where Dry Creek is... cause “It’s inside each and everyone of us”. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL
®
Advance Tickets on Sale NOW • www.flstrawberryfestival.com
Royal Fun for Everyone! March 3 –13, 2016 • Plant City, FL Artists Appearing on the
Charley Pride
Thu. Mar. 3, 3:30 $15 & $20
Josh Turner
Thu. Mar. 3, 7:30 $20 & $25
Soundstage:
BIG & RICH
Mickey Gilley
Fri. Mar. 4, 7:30 $25 & $30
Fri. Mar. 4, 3:30 $15 & $20
©
Lecrae
Sat. Mar. 5, 3:30 $25
Gene Watson
Mon. Mar. 7, 3:30 $15 & $20
Cheap Trick
LONESTAR
Mon. Mar. 7, 7:30 $15 & $20
Donny & Marie
Shenandoah
Sun. Mar. 6, 3:30 $15 & $20
Sat. Mar. 5, 7:30 $20 & $25
Sun. Mar. 6, 7:30 $55
Dick Fox’s Golden Boys
Frankie Avalon, Fabian & Bobby Rydell Tue. Mar. 8, 3:30 $20 & $25
Trace Adkins
Tue. Mar. 8, 7:30 $20 & $25
Ray Stevens
Wed. Mar. 9, 3:30 $15 & $20
Martina McBride Wed. Mar. 9, 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
Casting Crowns
Thur. Mar. 10, 3:30 $15 & $20
Thur. Mar. 10, 7:30 $20 & $25
Tanya Tucker
Fri. Mar. 11, 3:30 $15 & $20
Free Grandstand 3:30 & 7:30pm Seating is on a first come, first seated basis. COLE SWINDELL Fri. Mar. 11, 7:30 $35 & $40
Merle Haggard Sat. Mar. 12, 3:30 $35
Charlie Wilson
Sat. Mar. 12, 7:30 $35 & $40
echosmith
Sun. Mar. 13, 3:30 $20 & $25
The Band Perry Sun. Mar. 13, 7:30 $40
Concert dates and times are subject to change
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Jim Dorman at Charlie’s Plant Farm, Inc | (813) 601-2540 librate Kaalibrate
TM
Early Season
Kalibrate applied at planting time or side-dress is taken up from the soil along the length of young roots, particularly by root hairs. Potassium moves to leaves and fruit via the phloem and xylem, and is transported in all directions between plant organs in response to metabolic demand.
Mid-Late Season
Sure-K as a foliar application or fertigation enables the flexibility to provide available potassium, which is actively taken up by plant tissues. Sure-K enters the plant more effectively than conventional potassium fertilizers and has excellent crop safety. Once in the plant, Sure-K is rapidly transported and redistributed to areas of greatest metabolic demand. Sure-K can also be mixed with crop protection products, reducing the number of passes on the field.
Learn more: agroliquid.com/kchallenge
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Building Boom
Jack Payne, senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources at the University of Florida, cuts the ribbon on a 5,000-square-foot addition to the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center that will provide more research and office space for UF/IFAS scientists. Left to right: Mike Stuart, president, Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association; Kenneth Parker, executive director, Florida Strawberry By Jack Payne UF/IFAS photo by Tyler Jones UF/IFAS is as close as it’s ever likely to get to a building boom. It’s just in time, because we’re hiring dozens of new faculty to expand our research and Extension for the state’s growers. Hillsborough and Polk county legislators and growers helped us make the case for increased funding for expertise this year. We won’t touch a penny of it for construction. We cobble together money from donors, from royalties on the fruit and vegetable varieties we invent, and state facility money to finance the facilities for great research and Extension. We’ve got $5 million in projects under construction or in planning. That should boost productivity, retention, and recruitment of people who spend their days figuring out how to make Florida agriculture more prosperous and sustainable. It’s not enough to put out a help wanted sign and pay a competitive salary. Great minds can only achieve their potential with great tools. That means labs, offices, equipment, and, things like air conditioning. In November we cut the ribbon on a 5,000-square-foot expansion of our Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. The addition will make GCREC big enough to hold 150 people – double the number from a decade ago. In Lake Alfred, the urgency with which our researchers are attacking citrus greening has to be matched by our facilities. For example, we’ve recruited an exciting young flavor chemist to preserve the taste of OJ in the age of greening, and she needs a state-of-the-art
Growers Association; Reggie Brown, manager, Florida Tomato Committee; Tony DiMare, vice president of the DiMare Company; Jack Payne, administrative head of the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences; Jack Rechcigl, director of the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center; Jackie Burns, dean of research, UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
lab to do it. She’s getting one, and we’re currently installing a fume hood. We even have to upgrade the air conditioning to handle the heat generated by her equipment. Not sexy stuff maybe, but it’s all part of building and maintaining a cradle of innovation. It’s not just researchers at the Citrus Research and Education Center that deserve safe, clean facilities. The next time you attend a conference or Extension workshop at the Ben Hill Griffin conference center at CREC, you’ll see new furniture, carpeting, paint, and hear (or, hopefully, not hear) a quieter A/C system. The world’s largest citrus-related research library at CREC is now getting a makeover, as are the classrooms that I hope you’ll continue to make use of. In January we expect to finish expansion of our Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee. It creates lab space for the new faculty and their graduate students to get to work on solutions to agricultural challenges. Immokalee may not be your neighborhood, but the expansion there means they’ll be nonetheless working on addressing more of your challenges and sharing what they learn.
forts to take a big-picture look at feeding the world, from production to post-harvest to transport to marketing to consumers’ plates. Further afield but of interest to the state’s entire agricultural community, we’re planning a 4-H camp in the Welaka State Forest to give our 200,000-plus 4-Hers a shot at life-changing experiences and develop them as leaders. Facilities matter. Modern UF/IFAS facilities mean Florida agriculture is more likely to get all it deserves from its land-grant university. We need to keep pace with Florida farmers’ growing needs. We can always use your help making the case for funding for facilities. The Florida Cattlemen’s Association, for example, has been invaluable in helping inform legislators how important the beef teaching unit is to the beef cattle industry. Ask your research center director or Extension office director about their facilities needs and how you can help. We hope we’ll see you at a celebration of a completed project. We hope even more that we’ll see you using the buildings to learn and let us know how we can help you.
And Polk County ranchers should be glad to know that this fall we had a groundbreaking for renovations on our beef teaching unit in Gainesville. Our vision is to provide housing for students, a center where we can put on workshops, and better facilities for the management of animals. Also on campus, we’re building a food security lab that will serve as the hub for ef-
Jack Payne is the senior vice president of agriculture and natural resources at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. jackpayne@ufl.edu • @JackPayneIFAS 42
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Drones … Valuable Farm Tool … or Expensive Christmas Toy?! by John Dicks
Like a lot of people these days, I’ve been researching and considering buying a Drone.
ishing (some suggest annoying) speeds, purportedly recorded on a YouTube video at upwards of 50 mph!
I figured that I could more easily justify the not inconsiderable expense by using it at the farm. Surely others are already doing so and I could mask the adult male glee of flying one of the UAV’s (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) by confidently proclaiming its usefulness and utility to the Ag industry.
No doubt there will also be a whole new set of regulations promulgated for commercial drones. These are the ones that companies such as Amazon and Google are experimenting with to provide less than an hour home delivery of your purchases. Already there is a company in Australia making drone delivery of its textbooks to students in the Outback.
Unfortunately, at least for now, it seems that drones for farmers share the moniker of the original cast members of Saturday Night Live. You’ll recall they were referred to as the “Not Ready For Prime Time Players.” That’s not suggest that there will be any pause to the buying frenzy people will be making for their loved ones this Christmas season by snapping up the flying gizmos. In fact, the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) has estimated that upwards to one million drones will fly with Santa to be delivered under the Christmas tree as presents to both kids and kids at heart. Visualizing one million flying machines as an actually number … 1,000,000 drones … has been giving the folks at the FAA a bit of a case of anxiety and heartburn. It has been reported that this year alone, the FAA has received reports of nearly 700 close calls between drones and airplanes. So concerned is the FAA about the prospects of UAV’s zipping around uncontrollably that it has released what it calls a “Pre-Flight Checklist” which advises enthusiast drone pilots to NEVER do things such as “fly over stadiums and sports events,” nor “fly near other aircraft,” nor “fly under the influence.”
This all brings us back to how drones might eventually become a valuable tool for farmers. Currently the most productive use appears to be surveying or monitoring crops by aerial video to target sections of the field that might need some irrigation attention or an increase or decrease of fertilizers, herbicides and fungicides. What would make them really productive would be to deliver and spread the fertilizer. But hoisting such weight is impossible, at least for now. Some had hoped that drones could be used to drive away birds, which like to prey on crops. Strangely though, animals seem to be more attracted to the UAV’s than they are repelled by them. In fact success has been reported for using them to herd sheep. The limitation here is in battery life, which at most runs only about 20 minutes. It seems that for now (and for Christmas) drones may be cool … but not yet a very valuable farm tool!
The FAA even ventured into the world of Twitter during the Pope’s recent visit to the USA. Its tweet encouraged drone owners to “Enjoy the Papal Visit and Leave Your Drone at Home.” Just the thought of such things gives nightmares to security personnel, and frankly, to the public too, when we start thinking about it. We can take some solace in knowing, and it is worth noting, that when the FAA refers to the estimated one million UAV’s likely to be flown down the chimney as presents this Christmas, it is including in that list everything from the $20 flying toy sold at Wal-Mart and Amazon to the multi-thousand dollar drones which are starting to be used in commercial applications. To be sure, the FAA did earlier this year set up its Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Task Force. It was given the responsibility to review matters and make recommendations for a registration process of the flying machines. It is expected that all drones weighing more than 250 grams (about 1/2 pound) will be subject to registration. That would make them apply to nearly all but the least expensive ones. But technology is an amazing thing and already there are advances in miniaturization which have made remarkably capable drones that fit in the palm of your hand and weigh less than 15 grams. Some, a bit heavier but still falling below the 250 gram FAA subject weight classification can record video while flying at aston46
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John Dicks is both a lawyer and a farmer. He and his family own a blueberry farm and have agricultural lands which they lease for cattle operations, as John says, “to someone who knows and handles cattle much better than I do!” John is both a Gator, having received his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida, and a Seminole, with his Law Degree from Florida State University. He and his wife, Sharon, live in Plant City, where he served nine years as City Commissioner, including three years as Mayor. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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s e p i c e R Courtesy of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Chef Justin Timineri
Stuffed Florida Zucchini and Yellow Squash Parmesan
DIRECTIONS Cut off the stem side of the zucchini or yellow squash. Cut zucchini or yellow squash evenly in half lengthwise. Using a small spoon, scoop out the seeds from each half to create room to hold other ingredients. Preheat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat.
INGREDIENTS 2 medium-sized Florida zucchini or large yellow squash 1/2 cup ricotta cheese 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese, shredded 1 cup marinara sauce (your favorite)
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs Olive oil for cooking 2 tablespoons fresh basil or 1 teaspoon dried Sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
Season the zucchini or yellow squash with salt and pepper.
Evenly sprinkle the breadcrumb topping mixture on top of the zucchini or yellow squash.
Place the zucchini or yellow squash skin side up in the sauté pan and cook for about 2 minutes on both sides. Remove from pan and place on a cookie sheet skin side down. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a small mixing bowl, com-
Preheat a medium-sized sauté pan over medium heat. Add 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil to the preheated pan. Add the corn kernels and diced peppers to the pan, and lightly season to taste with salt and pepper. Cook the corn mixture until the peppers and corn start to get slightly golden brown. Add the black beans and cumin to the corn mixture, stir ingredients to combine, and remove from heat. Place the corn mixture into a bowl. Let cool to room temperature or in a refrigerator until next step. To assemble quesadilla, lay out 4 tortillas on a flat, clean surface. Evenly distribute 1/4 cup of the shredded cheese on each tortilla. Next, evenly distribute the corn mixture on top of the
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Evenly distribute the ricotta cheese and marinara sauce on top of the zucchini or yellow squash. Top the yellow squash and zucchini with the shredded mozzarella cheese.
Ingredients
DIRECTIONS
Season ingredients to taste with salt and pepper, and stir to combine.
Add 1 teaspoon of olive oil to the preheated pan.
2 ears fresh Florida sweet corn, kernels cut off the cob 1 cup cooked black beans, drained and rinsed 1 cup Florida bell peppers (assorted colors), diced small
Florida Sweet Corn and Jack Cheese Quesadilla
bine panko bread crumbs, 1 tablespoon olive oil, chopped basil and Parmesan cheese.
Bake the stuffed zucchini or yellow squash for 10 minutes or until topping is golden brown and cheese is bubbly. Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Serve warm.
8 soft corn tortillas (6 inch) 2 cups jack cheese, shredded 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped 1 teaspoon cumin Sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste Vegetable oil for cooking cheese, and add even amounts of the fresh cilantro. Add the last 1/4 cup of cheese on top of the cilantro, and top each one with a tortilla. Lightly press each stuffed tortilla to make it flat. Preheat a medium-sized sauté pan over medium heat. Add 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil to the preheated pan. Cook each quesadilla for 2 to 4 minutes on each side or until golden brown and the cheese has melted. Remove the cooked quesadilla from the pan and repeat cooking process. Hold cooked quesadillas in a 300-degree oven until all are cooked. Slice the quesadillas like a pie and serve warm with fresh Florida salsa and guacamole. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Community Bread To many, happiness is the smell of fresh baked bread. That smell triggers thoughts of comfort and home for many of us. Not to mention, making bread can be very cathartic. Kneading bread is a great stress reliever according to Brett Wiewiora of Gulf Coast Sourdough & Wild Yeast Breads. He has been baking for more than 16 years. “I first started in high school and continued for years baking occasionally for fun,” Wiewiora said. Baking for Wiewiora went from a hobby to an obsession for him when he was in grad school in 2011. He was getting his master’s degree in public policy and management from Carnegie Mellon University. “It was a very stressful time and I turned to baking, in particular kneading dough, as a way to relieve stress,” Wiewiora said. “Soon we ended up with a freezer full of bread, so we started providing breads to friends and neighbors.” His wife, Christina began helping him to keep up with the demand.
By Libby Hopkins
There are some good health benefits to eating leavened breads. The limited growth of friendly lactic bacteria and the presence of other microorganisms will add little to the acidity, yet it will create a good swelling of the gluten as evidence by small but regular air cells in the crumb. As it ages, natural leavened bread will retain its moisture and keep well without refrigeration, quite the opposite from the yeasted bread that gets stale and dries out within hours after it’s baked. With natural leaven, no dried out bread need ever be thrown out.
The couple moved from Pittsburgh to Tampa this past April to be closer to their family. Because family is so important to Brett and Christina and they loved making bread, they decided to start their own bread company. Gulf Coast Sourdough & Wild Yeast Breads was born. “Gulf Coast Sourdough & Wild Yeast Breads is a small-batch, artisan bakery,” Wiewiora said. “Family is actually the most important thing to both of us. One of our main goals is to build a business that we can all participate in together.”
So what is wild yeast and where can it be found? Practically everywhere. If wild yeast spores happen to land where there’s moisture, sugar and warm temperatures it will begin to grow and multiply. The airborne microfora are especially attracted to the sweet skin of berries or grapes. It first appears as whitish powder, but when the membrane of the ripened fruit becomes injured, the yeast begins to ferment with the fruit’s juices. “Every part of the country has a unique blend of local wild yeasts and that blend gives loaves different characteristics,” Wiewiora said. “So, since our sourdough starter is made up of Tampa Bay yeasts, our breads are quite literally a local flavor.”
What makes their breads different from other artisan breads is that they are made with wild yeast. “All of our breads are leavened with wild yeast, which in itself provides a unique flavor compared to commercial yeast, but the real secret is that we use very long fermentation process to develop our dough,” Wiewiora said. “From mix to bake, our breads take at least 24 hours, but often more like 48 hours, and this extra time helps develop the flavor to its fullest potential.”
The couple feels that baking bread is a community experience and that is the main reason they started selling their breads at different farmers’ markets in Tampa and sharing their recipes on their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/GulfCoastSourdough). “Recipes are only a small part of the baking craft, so even with the exact recipe of a bakery, it wouldn’t allow someone to perfectly recreate a loaf,” Wiewiora said. “More importantly, baking bread is a community building exercise
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and the bigger the community, the better it’ll be for everyone. Many people ask us at the markets if they can buy some of our sourdough starter, but we’re actually happy to give it away for that reason.” Keeping things local is extremely important to Wiewiora and his wife. “The Tampa area has an amazing farmer’s market culture that other parts of the country simply don’t have,” Wiewiora said. “I think it’s more importantly due to customers. Folks love coming to markets and supporting local businesses. It’s been one of the most wonderful things we’ve noticed since moving here. People are open and inviting, love to try new things and are genuinely excited when they find the things they like.” If you would like to learn more about the different breads offered at Gulf Coast Sourdough & Wild Yeast Breads or if you would like to know which farmers’ markets they will be at each week, you can visit their website at www.gulfcoastsourdough.com.
Our produce stand is now open.
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Part 15 Ornamental Gardening in Florida This month we considered covering two chapters in Mr. Simpson’s book: Ornamental Gardening in Florida. This is mostly because when we started reading the chapter entitled: Climatic Plant Zones we got a little bored. But when we saw the next chapter’s title: Plant Enemies, that all changed, and we wanted to just skip right through to it. However, we will stick to previous procedure. That determined, we’ll take a trip back to 1926 and see what the climate zoning looked like in Mr. Simpson’s day. He starts out by explaining Florida’s latitude which we thought was a wee bit funny. Namely because we were forced to wonder if people of his day naturally understood those directional depths or if it were still just language common for the seafarer or pilot. In truth we have no idea if his statements are correct, but we will share them with you nonetheless, and then maybe we’ll look them up to see if Florida has floated anywhere in 89 years. He states, “From north to south Florida is a long state as it reaches from Latitude a little above 31˚ to about three miles below 24 ½˚ at Sand Key…This covers a little more than six and a half degrees or about four hundred and fifty-five miles…”¹ After looking at a map it would appear that we’re still in the same place. We wonder if that is a blow to the theory of plate tectonics. Wouldn’t that be something? Anyhow, he continues the chapter by telling readers that the northern part of the state welcomes plants that are seen, “…north of the fortieth parallel of latitude, while at the southern end the flora is entirely tropical and subtropical.”¹ He says that there are at least 60 tree species, “…whose metropolis is north of the Ohio and James rivers…”¹ and yet are found in Florida’s northern parts. In fact, he says, “…more than half are distributed well into the peninsula, some of them nearly to Lake Okeechobee and the northern part of the Everglades.”¹ However, he does admit, “Few of these trees grow close to the Gulf of Mexico or the Atlantic Ocean because of the fact that the 54
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By Ginny Mink
proximity of the sea considerably modifies the temperature.”¹ Then he describes part of the Tampa Bay area saying, “…it is the land of the crape myrtle, the China tree, the Carolina jessamine, the Camellia, the Azalea and the confederate jessamine. It is above all things a region where what may be called in Florida ‘hardy plants’ will flourish and give the greatest satisfaction to the grower but for climatic reasons…it is not and never can be a place for successfully growing the vegetation of the tropics….it will live and even flourish for quite a while but sooner or later severe frost must come and destroy it.”¹ Yep, we’d say that sounds about right. Especially since he’s incorporating the Tampa Bay Area in his description of northern Florida climate zones. Notably, he continues, “At the other end of the state conditions, so far as climate goes, are very different…It is true that the common and black mangroves as well as the buttonwood, all littoral trees, extend their range as far north as Cedar Keys but this is only at such times as there is a succession of mild winters for they are always destroyed at the extreme northern range during the time of hard freezing.”¹ Two things struck us here, what in the world is littoral? And, what’s the story on the mangroves in Florida? Because we have developed a strange affinity for antique books we chose to bust out the Webster’s Brief Imperial Dictionary (©1907). Here we found that littoral means, “belonging to the sea-shore…”² Which makes sense given the fact that mangroves grow by bodies of water. According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, “…Tampa Bay has lost over 44 percent of its coastal wetlands acreage; this includes both mangroves and salt marshes.”³ So obviously, Mr. Simpson was right about the mangroves reach although we doubt he had any idea how radically we would devastate the state. He switches sides and says, “On the East coast…The same littoral WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Give the gi of vision with an Eye Express Gi certificate Eye exams available today, walk-ins welcome Virtually all medical and vision insurances accepted e latest diagnostic testing trees found so far north on the west coast here range to Mosquito Inlet or even Saint Augustine but are destroyed during extreme cold.”¹ Basically he sums up the state by saying, “It is not tropical in any true sense for all over it the cold northers blow, bringing down not only occasional frosts but freezes throughout every part of it.”¹ And he adds, “This is par excellence the home of the Caribbean pine, here are growing wild in great luxuriance the royal palm, the coconut, mahogany, the lignumvitae…Here the mangrove becomes a great forest tree and the other littoral forms which are mere shrubs farther north assume arboreal dimensions.”¹
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As he comes to the close of this chapter it becomes readily apparent that he has a great affinity for the East coast. He describes it with considerably more flare and passion than its West coast counterparts. He states, “It is distinctively the region of air plants; here every hammock is filled with a profusion of orchids of which we have perhaps twenty-five epiphytic species; Bromeliads, a matter of a dozen and a half, and fully fifty tropical ferns of which at least twenty live on trees, stumps or rotting logs.”¹ As if that isn’t enough he adds, “This is the land of the…glorious royal Poinciana which is the queen of the flowering trees…and a vast number of splendid plants…”¹ We would be remiss if we did not include this chapter’s closing statements. His love of Florida is apparent and refreshing. Mr. Simpson concludes, “Whenever I go over the State of Florida I can only think of it as a land favored of heaven, a land with beauty on every hand, one whose resources and possibilities are only just being touched upon, a land in which each section has certain peculiar charms but it seems to me that no one part has any great advantage over any other.”¹ Maybe we were wrong about his East coast leanings. Regardless, this level of appreciation for God’s great creation would do us all some good. Resources: ¹ Simpson, Charles T. (1926). Ornamental Gardening in Florida. Published by the Author; Little River, FL. Printed by J.J. Little and Ives Company, New York. (p. 75-79). ²Russell, Thomas H. (Eds). (1907). Webster’s Brief Imperial Dictionary. The Saalfield Publishing Co.; Chicaco. (p. 269). ³http://www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/habitats/mangroves.htm WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Other Popular Holiday Plants By Lynn Barber, Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Agent Poinsettia is the, or one of the, traditional holiday plant selections. Other holiday favorites include Amaryllis, Christmas cactus and Gardenia. There are several other wonderful plants for the holidays, such as Paperwhites, African violet, Rosemary topiary and Norfolk Island Pines.
Paperwhite narcissus can be purchased already potted in a nice gift box at many garden centers and nurseries. Place the container in a cool and dark room until you see shoot growth. You can then relocate the plant to an area with bright light. This plant produces small flowers that are very scented. Paperwhites bloom for several weeks, and it is best to move them away from direct sunlight to prolong the blooming cycle. You can plant these bulbs outdoors in USDA zones 8 to 11.
is made specifically for African violets. Flower color, leaf style and texture are available in many varieties. You can water this plant from the top or through the bottom using room temperature water. Rosemary topiary is available at many garden centers and nurseries during the holidays. If you have Rosemary at home, you can trim your plant into the shape of a holiday tree, too. This makes a great smelling gift for gardeners, cooks and apartment dwelling plant lovers. This plant produces small, light blue flowers in the winter and spring. It can reach a height and spread of up to 5 feet. When planted in your landscape bed, it needs full sun and well-drained soil. Rosemary is a great addition to any herb garden. Norfolk Island pine is a pyramid shaped evergreen tree that sports dark green, needlelike leaves. This plant prefers full sun or bright indoor light. Norfolk Island pine can be purchased this time of year fully decorated for the season. This tree works well as a houseplant for several years, on the patio or lanai. It can reach a height of 80 feet when mature. Don’t overwater or over-fertilize. Plants make a great gift for the holidays. I hope you give and receive some this year. For more information about these holiday gems, please see the following publications from which this article was adapted and excerpted: ‘Some Holiday Plants to Give and Receive,’ by Ralph E. Mitchell, at: http://charlotte.ifas.ufl.edu/horticulture/newsarticles/HolidayPlants.pdf, ‘Fragrant Paperwhites,‘ by Dr. Leonard Perry, Extension Professor, University of Vermont, at: http://perrysperennials.info/ articles/paperwhites.html, and ‘Plants for the Holiday,’ at: http:// solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/hot_topics/families_and_consumers/ plants_for_the_holidays.shtml.
African violet is a great houseplant and can be placed on your lanai or front porch when temperatures range from 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit. This plant prefers indirect light. If the leaves are a yellow-green and there is minimal flowering, improper lighting is likely the cause. You can purchase potting soil and fertilizer that 56 56
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For more information about the nine principles of the FloridaFriendly LandscapingTM Program or for assistance with gardening-related questions, contact the UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County at 813-744-5519 or visit our website at: http://hillsborough. ifas.ufl.edu. WWW. WWW.IIN NTTHE HEF FIELD IELDM MAGAZINE.COM AGAZINE.COM
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HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PARTNERS HOST MILITRY AG TOUR Ag Options for Military to Civilian Careers
By Jim Frankowiak | Photos Courtesy of Ron O’Connor – Farm Credit
Military veterans, reservists, transitioning active duty personnel and their spouses were recently given the opportunity to participate in a tour of Hillsborough County farms and to explore career options available in the agriculture industry. Many of the skills such as a good work ethic, management, and technical skills such as UAV operation and mechanics, that our service members develop in the military are transferable to agriculture operations. “Today’s agriculture increasingly utilizes technology and management systems for the production of food, medicine, consumer products and energy,” noted Hillsborough County’s Agribusiness Development Manager Simon Bollin. “During the tour participants were introduced to varied career paths and job opportunities within modern production agriculture operations through visits at a variety of farming operations in southern Hillsborough County.” The tour also included the University of Florida (UF) Gulf Coast Research (GCREC) and Education Center at Balm. The tour, which is offered periodically, is organized through a partnership involving Hillsborough County Economic Development, Hillsborough County Farm Bureau, Hillsborough County Extension, the UF GCREC, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Farm Credit of Central Florida and The Mosaic Company. There is no charge to participants for provided transportation and lunch. The tour’s initial stop was at Artesian Farms, Inc. in Ruskin where Farm Operations Manager Joe Mobley, a former Hillsborough County Farm Bureau board member, discussed both the challenges and opportunities available in contemporary agriculture from his experiences at his farm, which comprises 300-acres primarily devoted to tomato production “We are very fortunate to have the resources of the GCREC available to us,” Mobley stressed to the group. “Their assistance is invaluable to agriculture since it is keyed to our crops in this area and ways in which increase our yields and reduce costs in an increasingly competitive marketplace.” Council Growers Sod, south of Wimauma, was the next ag operation the group visited. Council has 100-acres each of citrus and 14 varieties of grass and ground cover. The Council family has been farming locally for four generations and in the sod business since the early 58
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1980s and prides itself on being one of the few farms that sells direct. The group then visited the GCREC, which has as its mission to develop and share new science-based information and technology that will help the area’s agricultural industry compete in the global marketplace. The center’s researchers and scientists work to maintain and enhance the quality of Florida’s natural resources and agriculture working on a variety of projects from breeding new disease-tolerant fruit and vegetable varieties to developing new treatments to control weeds. It is located on 475-acres of research fields and state-of-theart clean housing and laboratory facilities. Following lunch the group toured strawberry and tomato breeding plots, and learned about new pomegranate and hops research being conducted at GCREC. The group’s final tour stop was at JayMar Farms who grow 750 acres of strawberries, 900 acres of single and double crop melons, and 240 acres of citrus. Tour participants learned of the different types of jobs present in a modern farming operation, and any positions that are currently available at the locations visited. Tour participant David Bushnell, an active member of the U.S. Air Force and Riverview resident, plans to retire from the military in five years and found the tour “awesome and informational.” Born and raised in Louisiana, Bushnell is married and the father of two children. “I am seriously considering agriculture as what I want to do after my career in the Air Force,” he said. “I’m thinking about livestock and maybe a cow-calf operation with 50 head or so.” The Knuth family – Army veteran Dale and his wife Evelyn and their son, Kevin, and his wife, Stephanie, both Army veterans, also participated in the tour. Originally from Michigan where their family grew peaches, the Knuth’s all found the tour interesting and helpful. Currently an analyst with the U.S. Central Command (CentCom) at MacDill Air Force Base, Kevin has been “taking a very close look at blueberries and other crops that would offer the opportunity for year round marketing. Whatever crops we decide on we will begin slowly. Learning more about the industry and resources that are available will help guide us as we finalize our plans.” For more information about agriculture opportunities in Hillsborough County, visit: http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/index. aspx?NID=3854 . Information about local Ag education programs visit http://gcrec.ifas.ufl.edu/uf-degree-programs/ . WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Help Us Teach Them About Agriculture Through your purchase of the Florida Agriculture License Plate, Florida Agriculture in the Classroom is able to provide: Funds for school gardens PreK-12 agriculture curriculum Agriculture field trips Volunteer and teacher grants Teacher workshops Florida Agriculture Literacy Day And much more.
Buy The Ag Tag $20 of your purchase helps educate our kids!
Florida Agriculture in the Classroom, Inc.
“Agriculture Keeps Florida Green”
Visit www.AgTag.org to learn more.
Giving back to our communities is
Mike Bennett, Supply Chain Operator, Florida phosphate operations
As a DeSoto County resident and operator in Mosaic’s supply chain team, I help ensure our phosphate crop nutrients get to farmers in America and all over the world. At Mosaic, we share our passion for agriculture and environmental stewardship with the next generation of local farmers and ranchers. In fact, I’m one of hundreds of Mosaic employees who volunteer annually with youth agriculture organizations and at county fairs. For me, giving back is more than a job. It’s about nourishing the communities where we all live, work and play.
®
We help the world grow the food it needs.
mosaicco.com/florida
© 2015 The Mosaic Company
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Market Watch:
By Libby Hopkins Author Laura Ingalls Wilder once said, “It is the sweet simple things of life which are the real ones after all.” That is how Renee Raley of A Simpler Place In Time Farm and Market felt about growing produce. “It was just a general idea about eating real food with simple ingredients like it was before the industrialization of food,” Raley said. This concept is what inspired Raley and her business partner Susan Bishop to name their farm A Simpler Place In Time. “Our mission is to produce nourishing food that respects the land, honors animals and serves the community as an educational source for sustainable agriculture,” Raley said. The farm began in 2012 as a distributor for local farms and organic food. Through associations with local growers, they become inspired to farm themselves. “We began planning in early 2015 for market garden and by the spring we were underway with our first CSA season,” Raley said. “Our small CSA farm is operated on farm land in Wimauma and we strive to be stewards of sustainable agriculture in all that we do; from the land and cultivation to labor and harvest.” They use organic, heirloom and non-GMO seeds. Their food is free of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. “We hope to create a community that is passionate about locally grown, clean food as we are,” Raley said. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is becoming more and more popular because they are a way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from farmers. They are win-wins for all involved. The farmers receive payments early in the season, which helps the farm’s cash flow. Farmers also have an opportunity to get to know the people who eat the food they grow, just like the consumers get to know the farmers who grow their food. Consumers who belong to CSA’s get a chance to eat ultra-fresh food
while getting exposed to new vegetables and new ways of cooking them. They also get a chance to visit the farm at least once a season. Children reap the most benefit from CSA’s because they typically favor food from the farms they visit with their parents and they get to learn where their food is grown. Raley and Bishop’s passion for local food and the USDA’s Farmers Market Promotion Program are what lead them to open A Simpler Place Farmers’ Market this past October. “I didn’t think for the life of me that we would get the grant, but we did,” Raley said. “We found out on September 30 that we got the grant. I had committed in our application to start a market on October 15, so it was a mad rush to get the first market going in two weeks, but we did it.” It’s been doing great ever since. According to the USDA’s website (www.ams.usda. gov), “The purpose of the Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) is to increase domestic consumption of, and access to, locally and regionally produced agriculture products and to develop new market opportunities for farm and ranch operations serving local markets. This is done by developing, improving expanding and providing outreach, training and technical assistance.” The website also says, “All applicants under FMPP must be domestic entities owned, operated and located within the 50 United States and territories.” The mission of their market is to expand direct relationships with farmers and consumers in addition to creating a community activity that fosters social gathering, interaction and healthful food choices. “The market is made up of farmers, growers, small batch artisans, handmade craftsmen and women, and food makers,” Raley said.
Sponsored by:
Meet Tyson!
Tyson is a six-year old handsome boxer in need of a loving home. He was saved from a high-kill shelter in Tampa, FL and became extremely sick shortly after going into his foster home. Tyson was very touch and go for a little while, but he has since made a full recovery and is way past due in finding his forever family.He prefers a fenced yard where he can run and play, and would do best with older children. Tyson also wants to be your one and only man and should therefore live in a single-pet household. He promises that he will be all you should ever need though!
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“You can find locally grown produce, certified organic fruits, vegetables, honey, local and pastured proteins and so much more.” Raley has gotten some amazing feedback and support from the customers who frequent the market. “We have a lot of regular customers who keep coming back each week,” Raley said. “We are creating a little community here and that is wonderful to me.” She is looking for more vendors to join the market and to possibly partner with local chefs to host farm to table events. “I would also like to incorporate an educational component to the market because we have children who come here and they may not know where their food comes from or how produce is grown. We want to help educate our community on where their food is grown.” If you would like to learn more about A Simpler Place in Time Farm and Market or if you would like to become a vendor, you can visit their website at www.asimplerplaceintime.com. The market is held every Thursday, rain or shine, from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. The market is located at 10022 Carr Rd. in Riverview.
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provides a full line of
Organic Products and Systemic Nutritionals for the Strawberry Industry.
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EPC REVISES OPEN BURNING REGULATIIONS By Jim Frankowiak
The Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County recently approved revisions regarding open burning rules in the county. “The majority of the revisions were designed to help clarify various aspects of the rule,” said Marvin Blount, Chief, Field Investigations and Asbestos for the Air Management Division of the Environmental Protection Commission (EPC). “One noteworthy addition is the restriction of burning within 2,500-feet of an airport runway. Overall, the revisions were to ensure consistency with Florida Forest Service (FFS) and Florida Department of Environmental Protection,” Blount added. Open burning is any outdoor fire or open combustion of materials which produces visible emissions resulting in air pollution. “All open burning is prohibited within the county unless an authorization has been obtained or the burn is exempt from regulation,” said Blount. Those authorizations may be obtained only for agricultural burning or burning associated with initial commercial land clearing. “Open burning of residential garbage and yard waste is prohibited,” said Blount. It is permissible for county residents to open burn for the purpose of outdoor, non-commercial food preparation, provided it is conducted in a non-flammable container. It is also permitted to conduct open burning that allows residents to have a small fire to provide warmth for themselves during cooler weather. “Again, the container must be non-flammable, minimal smoke should be produced and the fire must not be left unattended,” said Blount. County fire department regulations also stipulate that only natural logs, clean wood (no treated, coated, stained or glued wood), charcoal or other accepted wood substitutes such as manufactured logs may be burned. All other material is prohibited. Also, the size of the burning 70
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container should not exceed 36-inches. Agricultural burning authorizations are under the control of the FFS and include the maintenance and continuous clearing of agricultural land. Those actively involved in the commercial operation of a ranch, farm or grove may obtain a permit from FFS by calling 863-940-6701. The EPC issues authorizations for the initial uprooting or clearing of vegetation in connection with construction for buildings, rights-ofway, residential, commercial or industrial development mineral operations, roads, flood control and water drainage channels. “Those intending to burn for an initial land clearing must file an application with the EPC along with the appropriate fee for review and inspection prior to the issuance of an authorization to burn,” said Blount. More information on the requirements for obtaining an EPC open burn authorization may be obtained by contacting the EPC’s Air Management Division, telephone: 813-627-2600. Open burning for bon fires, ceremonial or religious-type events requires authorization from the jurisdictional fire marshall. Those seeking such authorization must contact the fire department in the municipality where the event will be held. For events in the unincorporated area of Hillsborough county, call Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, 813-744-5541; City of Tampa Fire Rescue at 813-274-7000 is the appropriate contact for events within Tampa and Temple Terrace residents should call Temple Terrace Fire Rescue: 813-506-6700. Those planning events in Plant City should call Plant City Fire Rescue at 813-757-9131. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
Open burning permits and other authorizations may be suspended by the issuing entity when adverse conditions such as high winds or low humidity or pollutant levels. “It is important to note that any open burning in the county authorized by either FFS or EPC is limited to the hours of 9:00 A.M. and one hour before sunset,� said Blount. All open burning complaints are investigated by the EPC. Complaints may be filed by calling the EPC at 813-627-2600 and speaking to an Air Management Division staff member. Complaints may also be filed online at http://www.epchc.org/ and select Report A Concern and complete the form provided. When filing a complaint you may choose to remain anonymous. Recycling is an option to burning and information is available to residents by calling the municipalities in which they reside. Residents living in unincorporated areas of the county may call Hillsborough County Solid Waste at 813-272-5680. For Tampa residents, call: 813348-1111; those residing in Plant City may call 913-659-4200 and Temple Terrace residents can call 813-506-6570. Yard waste can be picked up by local waste haulers provided such waste does not exceed two cubic yards per week. Tree limbs must be cut in three-foot sections, tied and bundled, not to exceed 50-pounds. Grass, leaves, shrubbery, etc. should be bagged not to exceed 50-pounds with a 13- bag limit. Residents with yard waste amounts that exceed these limits are directed to contact their local waste haulers for information and pricing for special ick-up services. For additional information regarding open burning, call the EPC, Air Management Division: 813-627-2600.
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By Ginny Mink
Dead Things, Mikey- Tandy Leather Factory
As we near the holidays (literally, as tomorrow is Thanksgiving at the time of this writing) I wonder how much we have lost in the hustle and bustle, the technological age. I wonder if, given the state of affairs, we might not do better to learn those old ways, return to the old paths and walk in them. If electricity suddenly disappeared, some terrorist hit the power grid, would we know how to provide for our families? Would we know how to make our own soap? How to hunt and can and hand sew things? Would we know how to preserve meat without the fridge? Maybe some of our readers have all those areas covered, but the vast majority of Americans would be at a loss. I don’t want my kids to depend so heavily on modern niceties that they can’t survive without them. That’s kind of why I started doing the Meet the Minks series. This month I took them to Tandy Leather Factory. They had no idea what leather was, where it came from or why it was valuable. Before we walked into the shop I explained to them that we were going into a leather factory and that leather was made from the skins of dead animals. Zeke’s first question was, “Why did they die?” I didn’t really have an answer to that one so we just went inside. We were greeted by Rebecca, and I explained our purpose there. She set up a little station for the kids to try leather stamping and then she directed us to the various leather pieces. The kids were instantly enamored by the goat skin with fur. “It’s so soft!” They all declared, almost in unison. A little further down the row we encountered sheep skin (fur attached). Again, “It’s so soft!” was heard all around.
ted a red dyed piece and declared, as she rubbed her hands on it, “I LOVE this one! It’s my favorite color!” Down another aisle Jaidyn encountered something he apparently found repulsive. He stated, “I’m not even going to ask what this is.” The feel had apparently grossed him out because his tone was full of disgust. I laughed and informed him that it was rawhide. He still kept that look of disdain and only reluctantly touched it again for the picture. Having traversed the whole of the establishment, we returned to the leather working station where Rebecca had set out some leather tools and scraps. She showed Zeke (who demanded to go first) how to wet the leather and then with Jaidyn’s help he began hammering his stamp. He was thrilled at the opportunity to use a hammer and a squirt bottle in one activity. Hazel and Jaidyn took their turns and I tried not to get my fingers smashed when I held the tool for Hazel and Zeke on his next go round. Then, when Hazel and Jaidyn were completely engrossed in choosing stamps and hammering, Zeke made a discovery. There was a little box of rabbit pelts totally within his reach. Of course, he chose to stroke the fur and his face lit up. He declared, “It’s dead, but it’s soooo soft!” If you’d heard him you would have cracked up. The concept of something having to die, was a problem for him, but the fact that it was still so soft was impressive to his 2 year old mind.
They touched everything they came near declaring that they liked, or didn’t like, the feel of it. Rebecca called out to us saying that she had alligator hide. Zeke and Hazel went running over to her. She handed each of them Caiman skins and she was impressed with Zeke’s instinctive hold-it-by-the-tail approach. He seemed enthralled. Again he asked me, “Why did it die?”
Hazel announced that the leather place was, “Fantastic!” So I asked her, “Why?” She took a moment and answered, “I loved the stamps. I loved the goat hair the most.” She was thrilled when I purchased some bracelets and stamps for them to make later. Jaidyn was so enthusiastic about the leather stamping that he chose to spend his own money on two wolves and a dragon. I was more impressed with his practice piece because he utilized multiple stamps to create a pretty cool flower.
We then came across a giant snake skin and Jaidyn said, “This feels weird! On one side it feels all flakey and the other side is smooth.” Hazel and Zeke touched it then and informed me that they didn’t like that one “at all.” Which was kind of funny because it really was a pretty skin but I guess that texture wasn’t desirable. Hazel spot-
We got home and all the kids wanted to do was hammer leather! Imagine how loud the house was then! Zeke keeps telling me, “It was good,” whenever I ask him about his experience. Then he gets distracted by Monster, Inc. or a bottle of water in the fridge and wanders off before I can get a deeper answer out of him. Ugh!
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Garden Tools: Taking Care of the Right Tool for the Job by Susan Haddock, Commercial Landscape/IPM/Small/ Farms Agent, UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County
I have a saying that I borrowed from lyrics by Marcia Ball, the saucy Louisiana blues singer: “The Right Tool for the Job.” It is important to have the right tool for the job when gardening. But many of us, myself included, don’t always take care of these tools so they work well when we need them. Gardening tools may be the most neglected tools. After using or perhaps abusing them, we casually rinse them and store them dirty and wet. As you know, wet plus metal equals rust, which renders tools less effective over time. A little maintenance goes a long way toward promoting tools to last for many years. You can even revive old tools with a little effort. When it’s too dark to garden outside, it’s a great time to take a look at all your tools to see how much they have been abused. For those of us who are extreme gardeners, it’s also a good excuse to do some gardening related tasks in the garage or workshop. So, let’s get started. When you are finished gardening, cleaning and drying is the first step. This step will go a long way in preventing rust. Wash off the dirt with a hose and remove any dried dirt with a stiff brush. Keep an old towel handy to dry tools after washing. Be sure to wipe off smaller tools, like pruners and trowels. A good solvent, like Turpentine, can be used to remove sap residue. After cleaning and drying, applying a protective coating will help prevent rust. Several products that work well are Boeshield T-9 or Rust-Oleum Rust Reformer, easy to use aerosols, and Bull Frog Rust Blocker, a biodegradable spray. The best advice regarding garden tools is to put them away and not leave them outside. Our rainy seasons and high humidity subject tools to a lot of moisture that results in rust. The best practice is to store large tools off the ground or garage floor, on hanging racks or in a large plastic garbage can. This reduces exposure to moisture and helps prevent damage to sharp edges. Smaller tools can be hung on the edge of the garbage can, or on a wall or pegboard. Having a place for every tool will help you identify any missing tools that may have been left outside. Now that you’ve cleaned your tools and identified the abused tools, you can perform additional general tool maintenance. This maintenance can also revive tools that you thought were a lost cause. • Remove rust with rust removal products. There are many products available at hardware stores. Evapo-Rust is advertised to be non-toxic and can be used on items that may need soaking to remove rust in hard to get to areas. Bull Frog Rust Remover is advertised to be an organic, non-toxic gel that will also protect tools from future rust formation. •Metal tools can be cleaned and conditioned by plunging in a bucket of oiled sand. Pour ¾ quart of mineral oil or boiled linseed oil into a 5 gallon bucket of sand (enough oil to make sand damp; do not use motor oil). Push blades of tools into sand
• Lubricate tools with boiled linseed oil. There’s no need to purchase a specialized product to keep moving parts operating smoothly. Be sure to let tools dry, about 24 hours, prior to use. Keeping tools sharp reduces a lot of frustration when gardening. Sharpening garden tools requires a few simple supplies: a wire brush, mill files for large tools such as shovels, a small handheld sharper or whet stone for pruners, medium-grit sandpaper, steel wool, vise, and boiled linseed oil (you do not have to boil the product; it is already formulated for use). Files are available in course, second and smooth cuts. Course cut files are good to start the sharpening process while smooth cut files will provide a sharp, smooth edge. For larger tools like shovels, axes and hoes use the following process: 1. Clean the metal parts of tools using the wire brush, steel wool or sand paper. 2. Using the vise to steady the tool, file along the edge of the blade, in one direction (do not file back and forth) until the edge is shiny metal. 3. Remove burrs on the back side of the blade. 4. Coat the blade lightly with boiled linseed oil. Apply light coats of linseed oil to wooden handles. For smaller tools like pruners, loppers and scissors, a small handheld sharpener or whet stone will produce a fine edge for precision pruning. Most whet stones have both coarse and fine grit sides, to quickly sharpen tools with the coarse side, or provide a sharp, fine edge with the fine side. High quality pruners may be sold with a mini-hone, a two sided sharping sharpening tool that can be used after each use. As with larger tools, always file in one direction. It does take a little time and effort to keep The Right Tool for the Job in good working order. It is worth it in the long run as clean, splinter free and sharp tools are easier to use. Clean cuts also protect plants by reducing entry areas that can allow disease and pests to enter plants. If you prefer not to sharpen tools yourself there are several tool sharpening services in the Tampa Bay area.
• Sand rough areas of wood-handled tools and apply a light coating of boiled linseed oil. The oil will prevent drying and cracking of the wood. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
• Increase Fertilizer Efficiency • Improve Turf Density and Vigor • Reduce Re-treats
PathwayBioLogic.com 813.719.7284
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BACK WHERE HE BEGAN By Jim Frankowiak
Jacob T. “Jake” Cremer is one of the new directors of
Hillsborough County Farm Bureau, and while he may be new to the board, he is not new to Farm Bureau or to agriculture. A fifth-generation Floridian, Jake grew up in Palatka in Putnam County where his family is in the forestry and timber brokerage business. “My grandfather began the timber brokerage business and my dad has continued,” said Cremer. “I remember many of my grandfather’s and father’s friends were Farm Bureau leaders and our family has always been members. I grew up seeing what the organization did and how it advocated for the agricultural community.” Cremer did a variety of things while growing up and they included grading roads, building fences and checking on crews working for the family timber brokerage. After high school, Jake went to Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee and became interested in international business. He found a part time position with FedEx, which is headquartered in Memphis, in the company’s international marketing department. “I spent 20 to 25 hours a week working in new market development; those were foreign countries that were new markets for FedEx. Typically, FedEx would identify an existing shipping organization in a new country and develop a multi-year relationship with the company’s owner through which the owner would have to fully embrace the FedEx brand and all that means and after a period of 5-7 years his company would gradually become part of FedEx. The reward for the owner was substantial, but it was up to the team I worked with to monitor and assist those emerging FedEx companies transition successfully.” The summer before Cremer’s senior year at Rhodes, his father’s attorney invited him to work for him at his Palatka law office. It was that summer job that sparked an interest in the law for Jake. His attorney/employer was involved in a case in which a shipbuilding firm on the St. John’s River wanted to expand. “I was shocked by the number of outsiders who got involved trying to exert influence and control the outcome of that company’s efforts to expand. That case and experience told me a career in law would enable me to make a difference.” 78
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Cremer graduated cum laude from Rhodes College with an undergraduate emphasis in economics and business. After touring several law schools in the southeast, he decided on the environmental law program at Florida State University where he completed studies for both a Master of Science in urban planning and a law degree. While at FSU, he was a Gubernatorial Fellow at the Department of Community Affairs (Now the Department of Economic Opportunity) for one year and then worked part time for the Hopping, Green and Sams law firm. That led to a special opportunity his last year of law school. “The firm represented a group of property owners in Walton County that were impacted by dramatic changes in the law regarding beach renourishment and property rights issues for landowners. They appealed to have the U.S. Supreme Court take the case and they did,” said Cremer. However, the case was taken on pro bono by the Hopping firm and as a consequence the offer to Jake was for fulltime work. “Working fulltime and completing law school was a tough challenge, but it also provided me with some very special experiences that would never occur in the classroom.” Jake did graduate magna cum laude from the FSU Law School and he was also a member of the Order of the Coif. The summer before his senior year at FSU, Jake became engaged to classmate Terin Babas of Tampa with the “understanding” they would relocate to Tampa within five years. Both Jake and Terin were recruited to positions in the Tampa Bay area. Jake to the Bricklemeyer, Smolker and Bolves law firm, while Terin to Bankers Financial in St. Petersburg where she is employment counsel and the head human resource officer. This past May, Jake joined the Stearns, Weaver, Miller, Alhadeff & Sitterson law firm in Tampa where his practice areas are environmental, governmental affairs, land development, zoning & environmental litigation. Jake and Terin are anxiously awaiting the birth of their first child, a daughter. Jake enjoys hunting and fishing in Putnam County and he and Terin like to travel internationally. “I hope I am able to help Farm Bureau as it continues its advocacy on behalf of agriculture,” said Cremer. “The pressures of development and impact of Amendment 1 are both areas where I feel I can offer guidance.” WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
The Next Step in a Lifetime of Ag Involvement By Jim Frankowiak
He goes by one name, “Sambhav,” and he is one of the new members of the Hillsborough County Farm Bureau board of directors. Born in India into an agricultural family that produces mango, guava, rice and wheat, Sambhav came to the U.S. in 2008 “to attend one of the best agricultural university in the world, the University of Florida, where I wanted to continue my higher education in citrus.” Sambhav has a sister who is a chemical engineer working in France. He received his Master of Science degree in Horticulture in 2010, completing his thesis, “An Integrated Approach to Reduce Peel breakdown in Fresh Citrus,” under Dr. Mark Ritenour. His graduate studies included a year in the classroom at Gainesville and a year at the UF Research and Education Center at Ft. Pierce. While at Gainesville, he was a teaching assistant for the course, “Fruits for Profit,” business models of horticulture in Florida. After completing his graduate studies, Sambhav joined Monsanto and its sweet pepper breeding program at Felda, Florida. There he provided technological assistance in breeding data management and the development of computer programs to assist in streamlining data management input and output. Sambhav was also involved in marker-assisted selection projects. A year later, he became the Applied Research Manager for the Eastern Region of Driscoll’s where he works with berry growers (blackberry, blueberry and strawberry) in Florida, Georgia, WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
North Carolina and New Jersey, developing new and innovative solutions to the production challenges they face. Sambhav’s responsibilities also include budget management for regional cost centers, the establishment of research priorities, the design of test plot and on-farm trials, as well as the organization of district end-of-season meetings, test plot and field tours to extend and share knowledge. Additionally, he works cross-functionally with production management, breeding, growers and the Driscoll’s nursery. Driscoll’s is a more than 100-year-old family business that grows blackberries, blueberries, raspberries and organic berries throughout the U.S. and Mexico. Sambhav was attracted to the Farm Bureau board membership opportunity for several reasons. “Hillsborough County is a dynamic place for vegetable and fruit growing,” he said. “The chance to join the board would allow me to learn more about my peer group and perhaps there may be ways that I could contribute to the industry. Farmers are the most real people you will ever meet and the chance to learn more about them and the challenges they face are important to me.” Sambhav’s leisure pursuits include biking, travel and reading non-fiction. “I particularly enjoy traveling to national parks and trips to India with the opportunity to visit my family. Following Gator football is a given,” he also noted. For more information about the Hillsborough County Farm Bureau, visit: www.hcfarmbureau.org. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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AG PESTICIDE COLLECTION DAY SET FOR JANUARY 14 Hillsborough County will be conducting an Agriculture Pesticide Collection and Education Day Thursday, January 14, at U.S. Ecology located at 7202 East 8th Avenue on the east side of Tampa. The collection effort is part of an initiative to provide farmers a safe and economical way to dispose of unusable pesticides, to avoid the potential public health and environmental risks associated with long term storage of these pesticides. In addition to pesticide collection, the day’s activities include an educational component to advise agricultural pesticide users on proper handling, storage and management practices. “The Ag Pesticide Collection Day is funded by a grant from the Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County Pollution Recovery Fund,” said Ag Economic Development Manager Simon Bollin. “Any Hillsborough County farmer with off label or out of specification agricultural chemicals may dispose of those materials free of charge. However, funding is limited and the collection will end when funding has been exhausted.” 80
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Pesticide manufacturers and distributors, homeowners, universities and government institutions, including state, county and local government pesticide users, are NOT eligible to participate in the collection day. The Agricultural Pesticide Collection and Education Day is hosted by a partnership among the Hillsborough County Economic Development Agriculture Industry Program, the Hillsborough County Extension Service and the Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County. The five previous county pesticide events held since 2003 have resulted in the safe disposal of 84,584 pounds of agricultural pesticides. The hours of the free collection day are 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. Questions may be directed to Bollin at 813-276-2735 or via email: bollins@hillsboroughcounty.org.
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Warmest wishes
from our family to yours.
DURING THE HOLIDAYS , we know that memories and time spent with
family and friends are what make the season special. Wishing you hope and joy as you celebrate traditions and remember your loved ones. Happy holidays from your local Dignity Memorial速 professionals.
WELLS
Memorial & Event Center PLANT CITY
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Naturally Amazing Activities
By Sean Green Photo by Jennifer Pohlhaus
Rustic Wine Rack If you’re looking
for a fairly simple craft to accommodate the holiday spirits, why not make use of the abundance of shipping pallets that will be tossed in the trash this time of year. Used pallets, crates, wooden boxes and the like make terrific stock to repurpose into useful items, especially if you like the rustic look. This month’s project involves a shipping pallet that was actually in pretty good shape but destined for the county dump nonetheless. With very few tools and a little bit of time, a discarded pallet became a rustic wine rack that could be a nice addition to country decor. For this project, blemishes and imperfections in both the wood and the craftsmanship add character to the finished wine rack. Because the wood was in fairly good shape, I needed a means to distress the wood for an aged look. A friend of mine suggested that the Vinegaroon mixture I use to blacken my leather work will also give new wood an aged look, depending on the type of wood and the abundance of tannins in the wood. I tried it and the suggestion worked very well. There are many ways to create the glass holder portion of the wine rack, I do not have a shop to work in or a large variety of tools, the method I am sharing in this tutorial is not sophisticated and can be done with very few hardware resources.
Tools: Hammer & Nails
9
Vinegaroon Dye
Glass Jar with lid Vinegar Steel Wool, cheapest you can find,.... (not stainless steel) Filter (cheese cloth, coffee filter, old shirt) Fluff the steel wool by pulling it apart a little Fill the glass jar ¾ with steel wool Pour Vinegar into the jar to cover the steel wool Place the lid on the jar, allow to sit until the steel wool is dissolved. (3 to 14 days) Filter the solids out of the mixture by straining through cheese cloth or any other appropriate filter.
Saw Paint Brush or Sponge Wood Glue
1
Cut the pallet in half, just beyond the side indentions and remove extra boards leaving only one on each side.
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Stain the wood with Vinegaroon Dye.
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Nail one of the extra boards to the end of the pallet to create the bottom of the rack.
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Trace the circumference of the wine glass in the center of the bottom of the rack.
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Repeat the wine glass pattern (for reference) leaving about 1 inch between circles.
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Cut ¾” strips out of another board to use as riser set in between each wine glass.
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Cut squares the same width as the bottom of the wine rack. • These will be centered on the risers to create slots for the wine glasses and may not necessarily be square. • The actual dimensions will depend on the size of your wine glass..*
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Test fit the wine glasses before securing the riser assembly, once correct, glue and nail to the bottom of the rack.
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Mount to studs with heavy lag bolts
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A Closer Look
by Sean Green
A Brief History of Florida Citrus - Part 2 Government archives confirm the existence of early commercial orange groves in St. Augustine, such as the 10,000 acre plantation known as El Vergel (The Garden) that belonged to Jesse Fish, on what is now known as Fish Island. Jesse Fish moved from New York to St. Augustine with his father Captain Thomas Fish in 1718. His father worked for William Walton Exporting Company of New York furnishing supplies to the Spaniards at St Augustine. The British attacks on Florida during the Seven Years’ War, included the expulsion of all English from St. Augustine. Jesse Fish was relieved of such expulsion by virtue of his family ties to the mariners of Long Island, Walton merchants, and Lawrence family of sea captains that constituted a vital link between British New York and Spanish St. Augustine. By 1763, the British gained control over Florida and began settling in New Smyrna, just 75 miles south of St Augustine. Governor James Grant issued a proclamation to all the existing colonies advertising land grants in East Florida for workers to build the new colony, this effort led to the increasing colonial dependence on slave labor for agricultural plantations. Andrew Turnbill, one of the early settlers, was a Scottish physician and personal friend of James Grant. From Turnbills letters to the governor, we know that small groves of sweet oranges were planted in New Smyrna shortly after its founding in 1768. In a letter to Governor Grant, dated March 19, 1770, Turnbill writes: “La Jardiniere du Vilage presents her respects to your Excellency. She has hundreds of young sweet orange trees just come out from the seed of the oranges you sent her.” In 1765, Two Quaker naturalists, John and William Bartram visited St Augustine and the surrounding area with high recommendations from British officials and even King George III himself. Having perfect confidence that these two American naturalists would produce discoveries that would improve trade and manufacture in the two new colonies of Florida, the King encouraged governor Grant to assure these gentlemen were shown perfect hospitality and were accompanied by two Native Americans. Nearly echoing the findings José de Acosta described 200 years earlier, Bartram confirmed extensive stands of wild orange groves among magnolia, oak, hickory and bay trees along the St Johns River. Unlike José de Acosta, Bartram noted that the wild patches of orange trees seemed to correspond to shell mounds, roadways, and Indian campgrounds, one such grove stretching a half mile wide and 40 miles along a ridge that Turnbill would eventually clear to plant Indigo. By the turn of the 19th century, St Augustine and the surrounding area became known for its sweet oranges and exported upwards of 2,500,00 to the northern states. The Dummett family, originally from Barbados, were among the first settlers. In 1825, Colonel Thomas Dummett purchased the 2,000 acre John Bunch sugar mill plantation near the mouth of the Tomoka River. He had a sugar mill and rum distillery built using the first steam-powered cane crushing mill in the area. His son Douglas Dummett operated the plantation from 1828 to 1835 and served as the first postmaster at Tomoka between 1833 and 1836.
proved successful when his citrus survived a severe freeze in 1835 that nearly wiped out the entire citrus industry in the area. During the Second Seminole War (1835 to 1842), the young Captain Douglas Dummett of Barbados, was wounded at the battle of Dunlawton (1836) plantation. In 1843 Dummitt filed for a new homestead under the Armed Occupation Act. After returning to Mosquito Lagoon he settled on property that was tucked between two lagoons in what is now the North end of Merritt Island. Dummett returned to the coast to acquire and transplant some trees to his property that would later become the first known citrus grove in what is now known as the “Indian River Citrus District.” Dummett continued to develop his grafting technique and began selling budwood to other growers to help develop new groves in the region. In 1809, a Spanish nobleman by the name of Don Phillipe migrated from the West Indies to what is now known as Safety Harbor in Pinellas County. Phillipe brought with him the seeds of “The Forbidden Fruit,” a hybrid of the Jamaican Sweet Orange (Citrus × sinensis) and the Indonesian Pomelo (Citrus maxima) that was first created on the island of Barbados in the early 18th century. Because the fruit grew in clusters, it became commonly known as “grapefruit.” In 1823 the French Count Odet Philippe also settled in Safety Harbor and is largely responsible for not only the citrus industry but also the cigar making industry in Tampa. Odet Philippe homesteaded property that was characterized by a large Indian mound; on his property, he established St. Helena, the first post-colonial plantation on Florida’s west coast. St. Helena’s 160 acre plot was populated with crops that he had brought from the Caribbean; avocado, pear, and banana, as well as a variety of orange and lime crops but grapefruit was the most significant crop and his was the first in Florida. The Indian mound on his plantation sheltered his crops from a hurricane in 1848 that would have otherwise devastated his crops. Count Philippe was able to rebuild and by 1885, regularly shipped grapefruit to New York and Philadelphia, incubating the Florida grapefruit industry. Count Philippe had a reputation of generosity and frequently shared not only his budwood, but also his knowledge of grafting wild sour orange trees into producers of sweet oranges but grapefruit was his primary passion and crop. The renowned “Duncan” variety of Grapefruit is genetically the oldest grapefruit cultivar, and widely believed to have originated from a seedling Count Philippe grew from his original Cuban stock and generously gave to A.L. Duncan of Dunedin, whom later introduced the variety as the “Duncan” grapefruit.
Dummett discovered some sweet orange trees on the old Turnbull lands and began experimenting with a new grafting technique that involved grafting buds from the hybrid Sweet Orange (Citrus × sinensis) onto the base of the hardier root stock of the hybrid sour orange (Citrus × aurantium). This method became known as “top working” because the bud was worked at the top of the sour root stock and began a few feet off the ground. His method WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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PLANT CITY IMPROVEMENT LEAGUE BUSINESS INCUBATOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTER GROWING Hopeful Entrepreneurs and Mentors Wanted By Jim Frankowiak
It’s not even two-years-old but the Plant City Improvement League Business Incubator is experiencing growth and wants to offer its services to more area entrepreneurs and those who think they might want to start a company that offers an innovative product, process or service. It is also seeking volunteer support from established businesses to mentor hopeful entrepreneurs and start-up business owners. There are 10 participants currently in the program. The interests and focus of participants is varied. Roderick Henderson, who is leading the incubator participants as project manager, is building his Uggh clothing line. Photographer Leslie Hargrett seeks to grow his photographic business while George Williams of Bealsville Community Outreach, is focusing on mentoring youth and young adults through his non-profit. The current group also includes Kendall Houston, a barber, and Joshua Harris of TREAP Entertainment, a talent agency that just set up a recording studio to build on his entertainment development and management, promotions and marketing expertise. A 501c3 public, charitable organization, the Improvement League is committed to identifying gaps in services in the east Hillsborough County area, assisting with locating funding and securing the means to address identified community needs. The areas of Lincoln and Madison parks in Plant City are targeted for programs and services by the volunteers and members of this grassroots organization. William Thomas, Jr. is currently the volunteer president of the Improvement League and instrumental in the development and creation of the Incubator. “It was the result of conversations with Dan Raulerson (a Florida State Representative and owner of a public accounting firm in Plant City), Lee Williams of Felton’s Market and my father, William Thomas, Sr. during the past four years. We talked about the neighborhoods, issues confronting young generations and lack of involved young adults.” “We’ve talked about how the opportunities for young people to be employed or have a decent wage job that allows them to raise a family and live in Plant City were minimal. The environment here dictates that young people grow up, leave town and never come back due to a lack of opportunities. I visited an incubator model in Jacksonville years ago where a minority owner competed and won the contract for printing shirts and attire for the NFL Super Bowl that year.” Begun in July of 2014, the Incubator has its goals “to increase the number of business owners in Plant City and ultimately bring thriving businesses back to Laura Street with its connectivity to MidTown,” said Thomas. The Incubator has three levels: • Entry – for individuals who have start-up business ideas and the desire to explore. The program at this level offers classes in the areas of accounting, marketing, properly incorporating and creating business plans. 88
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• Phase II (also called the Nesting Phase) - is for start-up business owners who are incorporated and have a business plan. This phase gives them the opportunity to nest or set up an office in workspace the program provides for up to two years at below market rates. They are coached and helped to develop their business model to the point that the business can be self-standing in Plant City. • Phase III – is the follow-up phase with businesses that are self-standing and offers assistance with expansion, patents and strives to have them re-invest back into the incubator to assist others. They are also guided to membership in the Plant City Chamber of Commerce. Partners in the Incubator program include individuals such as Raulerson, Thomas, Plant City CDC and Andrea White, Senior Manager of Public Affairs for Bright House plus faculty at the Plant City Campus of Hillsborough Community College and others. “We are in the processing of finalizing an agreement with HCC for access to space and greenhouses at the campus adjacent to HCC on the east side of Plant City,” said Thomas. “That is very important for the ag component of our Incubator program.” “We are particularly pleased to have Rep. Raulerson involved and supporting our pogrom,” said Thomas. “As a legislator, he understands economic development and state resources that promote jobs and the impact that small businesses have on the economy. As a former commissioner and mayor of Plant City he is able to help young business owners successfully navigate in the local environment.” “His career as a CPA gives him a wealth of knowledge that he can share with emerging business owners on how to improve their operating models, examine financial structures and understand the importance of reinvesting back into their businesses for smart growth. He has been instrumental in the growth of the Incubator program.” “Perhaps of greatest importance is his support of the theory that young generations that not only live here, but work here, earning a decent wage (above $40,000) are more likely to become stakeholders in their neighborhoods,” said Thomas. Thomas also noted that the newly formed Plant City Economic Development Corp. has already reached out to the Incubator Program. “That tells us they recognize the validity of our program and want to be part of our overall effort, just as we want to be part of theirs.” For those who believe they have an idea that could lead to the formation of their own company, as well as new company owners looking for guidance, Thomas encourages them both to contact the Improvement League Screening Committee lead by volunteer Project Manager Roderick Henderson for admission to the program. Business owners interested in helping to provide guidance to start-ups are also encouraged to contact the League. Those seeking admission and those interested in mentoring may email Thomas at ilpc@tampabay.rr.com. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Amplifying the Awards: The 2015 National FFA Convention and Expo By: Ginny Mink
Debbie and Larry Swindle
The 2015 National FFA Convention and Expo has come and gone. With it, many great memories were created and some amazing accomplishments and accolades were achieved. All who participated should have walked away with a great sense of achievement and success regardless of the end results. It is indeed an honor to attend, let alone be recognized at the National FFA Convention. Teachers, students, alumni and every other attendee are undoubtedly filled with “amplified” recollections. Especially since the theme this year was: Amplify. One of this year’s Keynote Speakers, Brad Montague, who is the creator of Kid President, gave a lecture on how to amplify good. He told listeners, “It’s everybody’s duty to give the world a reason to dance. You are an amazing person who’s making a difference right where you are.” He wanted FFA members to understand that their voice matters. He told interviewers that FFA members are, “…people who look to see a problem. And they don’t just say, somebody should do that…” Instead, as we all know, they do it. These students amplify good, they raise the standard on active participation in making the world a better place.
blem. Additionally, Clay Joyner and John Banks both received gold emblems and Meredith Delcastillo received a silver emblem. These students were competing against 99 other participants. John Banks achieved recognition as 10th place high individual beating out 89 others. While the Agricultural Communications CDE event was held in Indianapolis, the Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems CDE occurred at the Kentucky Exposition Center. This event tests student’s knowledge in environmental and natural resource systems, structural systems, energy and electrical systems, as well as machinery and equipment systems. We are thrilled to tell you that Durant’s FFA team took home the bronze emblem. Three individuals achieved silver emblem status: David Whatley, Michael Whatley and Tyler Trussell, while Brent Delones earned the bronze.
Obviously, based on the areas of service, this year’s National FFA Convention and Expo was held in Louisville, Kentucky. However, this will be the last time at this location until at least 2024. Future National Conventions will be celebrated in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Additionally, a rather large number of Durant and Strawberry Crest FFA Chapter members received the coveted American Degree. This degree is only awarded to FFA members who have represented the highest level of commitment to the FFA and its creed. This year the FFA celebrated its 85th anniversary of that creed and these students are the epitome of what the FFA stands for: • Durant FFA American Degree Recipients • Jacob Belisle • Dalton Dry • Cole Ebdrup • Mylie Feaster • Alex Fernandez • Tori Griffith • Miranda Lane • Konnore Long • Alyssa Shepherd • Strawberry Crest FFA American Degree Recipients • Victoria Harris • Abigail Lindsey Jett • Levi J. Mayo • Megan Nicole Snyder • Emily Ann Williams
In fact, this year’s National FFA Agricultural Communications CDE event took place at the Mid-America Science Park in Scottsburg, Ind. This is relevant information as members of Strawberry Crest’s FFA Chapter, led by Susan Mayo, competed in this event. They received a 5th place ranking among 34 other teams earning them a gold em-
As we come to an end of our student awards, we cannot forget to include a couple of middle school participants who achieved great accolades for themselves and their school. Taryn Storter achieved a gold emblem at 4th place in the Food Products and Processing Division 1. Benji Padgett also received a gold emblem in the talent divi-
Nowhere was this better exemplified than during the National Days of Service. At this year’s convention there were over 1200 participants volunteering in areas that included: • Kids Against Hunger • Louisville Grows • Youth Build • Volunteers of America of Kentucky • Americana Community Center •Preservation Louisville • Parklands of Floyds Fork • Louisville Nature Center • Louisville Rescue Mission • Riverside, the Farnsley-Moremen Landing
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sion. These were events included in the Agriscience Fair section of the convention. Kids weren’t the only ones receiving awards and recognition. In fact, thanks to the advent of the Honorary American FFA Degree, Debbie and Larry Swindle were honored at the National Convention as well. According to the official FFA website, the Honorary American FFA Degree is for, “Individuals who have provided exceptional service to agriculture, agricultural education, or (the) FFA…” These recipients must be nominated and then selected by their State FFA Association. Thanks to Wally Martin and Ronnie Simmons, the Swindles were nominated and selected for this honor. We spoke with Debbie Swindle and she told us, “The award itself, is the highest award that you can get through the National FFA Association. Our children received theirs after they graduated from high school because that’s normally when you can get it. My husband did not receive his. He received his State Farmer degree when he graduated but of course I was not in FFA so I was not able to get either one. Now, I received my Honorary State FFA Degree at our state convention several years ago. This year our Florida FFA Association nominated us. Then it has to go before a board and all through the National FFA organization and either you get it or you don’t get it. We were chosen this year, ‘In recognition of our outstanding contribution to school based agricultural education and the National FFA Organization.’ That was actually on the letter that they sent out to us.” She continued, “We were very, very honored and humbled by it. My husband and I, our heart bleeds blue and gold. We’re very much into the FFA because it just develops such wonderful leaders. We just feel like this is a very important organization because our youth are the ones that are going to be feeding us in years to come. It’s a shame that so many of them are not getting into the agricultural aspect. You think about all the billions of people that’s going to have to be fed in years to come. Like my husband always says, we’re supporting our youth because they’re the ones that are going take care of us when we get older.” That’s a pretty good motto.
Taryn Storter
We Help Your Business
GROW.
The Swindles had already intended to attend the National Convention to support the Florida State National FFA Officer Candidate, Wally Martin. They wanted to thank him for his part in helping get them nominated, having filled out the necessary paperwork on their behalf. When they received their award notification letter it was all the more exciting for them to be in attendance. Debbie Swindle summed up the experience stating, “It was a gratifying and humbling experience for both my husband and I. We have helped students at the chapter, state and national level. This is something that we feel like is very, very important.” We think they’re right. Congrats to all award recipients and participants state wide.
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WOOD • CORRUGATED • PLASTIC & OTHER PACKING MATERIALS STRAWBERRY FLATS • PACKAGING FOR ALL YOUR FARMING NEEDS
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2015 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FAIR Results
JUSTIN GILL MEMORIAL BEEF BREED SHOW RESULTS Showmanship Placings: Juniors (Age 8-12): 1st place: Shalee Conrad 2nd place: Sophie Aten 3rd place: Kaylee Hudson Intermediates (Age 13-15) 1st place: Madi Conrad 2nd place: Amber Boykin 3rd place: Megan Todd Seniors (16-18) 1st place: Anna Conrad 2nd place: Jacob Burnette 3rd place: Destiney Harrison (Simmons FFA)
Beef Breed Show
Steers: Class 1 1st place: Alexa Diaz 2nd place: Jayson Bolnick Class 2 1st place: Anna Conrad 2nd place: Brooke Varn Class 3 1st place: Jacob Burnette 2nd place: Seth O’Neal 3rd place: Haley Flack 4th place: Tyler Tylisz Class 4 1st place: Clay Joyner 2nd place: Ashlynn Flack Class 5 1st place: Cheyenne Lopez 2nd place: Jacob Bessey 3rd place: Raelyn Hudson Class 6 1st place: Megan Todd Grand Champion Steer: Cheyenne Lopez Reserve Grand Champion Steer: Megan Todd American-Influence Heifers: Class 1 1st place: Joleigh Hinton Class 2 1st place: Owen Skinner Class 3 1st place: Raelyn Hudson Grand Champion American-Influence Heifer: Owen Skinner Reserve Grand Champion American-Influence Heifer: Joleigh Hinton All Other Breed (AOB) Heifers: Class 1 1st place: Madi Conrad
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Class 2 1st place: Anna Conrad 2nd place: Shalee Conrad Grand Champion AOB Heifer: Madi Conrad Reserve Grand Champion AOB Heifer: Anna Conrad Commercial Heifers: Class 1 1st place: Amber Boykin Class 2 1st place: Skylar Keen 2nd place: Jessica Tillis 3rd place: Owen Skinner Class 3 1st place: Shalee Conrad 2nd place: Jonathon Vaughn 3rd place: Jessica Tillis 4th place: Wyatt Hinton Class 4 1st place: Destiney Harrison 2nd place: Trevor Hinton 3rd place: Owen Skinner Class 5 1st place: Clay Joyner 2nd place: Emma Poole 3rd place: Riley Buttorff 4th place: Morgan Higgins Class 6 1st place: Jayce Ware 2nd place: Sophie Aten 3rd place: Amber Boykin Class 7 1st place: Jacob Burnette Grand Champion Commercial Heifer: Jayce Ware Reserve Grand Champion Commercial Heifer: Shalee Conrad Grand Champion Bull: Kaylee Hudson Reserve Grand Champion Bull: Raelyn Hudson Herdsmen Awards: Juniors: Sophie Aten; Jonathon Vaughn Intermediates: Jayson Bolnick; Owens Skinner Seniors: Tyler Tylisz, Destiney Harrison HC Cattlewomen’s – Kelly Nobles Memorial Scholarship Recipient: Jacob Burnette THANK YOU to our Sponsors: The Gill Family - Lonesome G Ranch Harold’s Feed & Pet Supply Southside Western Wear, Farm & Pet Lacy Brown Specialty Advertising (Stephanie Farmer)
December 2015 December 2014
Hillsborough County Cattlemen Hillsborough County Cattlewomen Plant City HS, Durant HS, Strawberry Crest HS FFA Alumni Mrs. Linda Sosa
YOUTH DAIRY SHOW RESULTS CLIPPING CONTEST Junior Division 1st place – Carlie Braglin 2nd place - Logan Shoop 3rd place – Rebecca Holcomb Intermediate Division 1st place – Nicholas Hammer 2nd place – Austin Holcomb Senior Division 1st place - Taylor Boyd 2nd place - Sierra Linton 3rd place – Aaron Dunn Judging Contest Junior Individuals 1st place - Lisee Griffin 2nd place – Tyson Griffin 3rd place – Jake Braglin Junior Teams 1st place – Turkey Creek FFA – Austin Holcomb, Shylen Denmark, Lisee Griffin, Sierra Linton 2nd place – Farm Fresh #2 – Blane Rogers, Aiden Griffin, Tyson Griffin 3rd place – Hillsborough #2 – Jake Braglin, Nick Hammer, Aubrey Cook, Logan Shoop Senior Individuals 1st place – Taylor Boyd 2nd place – Gracie Lee 3rd place – Aaron Dunn Seniors Teams 1st place – Hillsborough #1 – Reagan Messick, Carissa Retter, Aaron Dunn, Taylor Boyd 2nd place – Farm Fresh Clovers #1 – Gracie Lee, Cierra Ellis, Aaron Bingham, Jared Upthegrove 3rd place - Hillsborough #2 – Bliss Bolger, Micaela Osbourne, John Aubrey, Brianna Glover Showmanship
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Junior Division 1st place – Carlie Braglin 2nd place – Libby Sutton 3rd place – Sarah Rogers Intermediate Division 1st place – Jake Braglin 2nd place – Sarah Carter 3rd place – Nicholas Hammer Senior Division 1st place – Cierra Ellis 2nd place - Gracie Lee 3rd place – Aaron Bingham Post Graduates 1st place - Ashley Bingham 2nd place – Zoe Wallace Supreme Champion Cierra Ellis – BRJ Dixie
Grand Champions & Reserve Grand Champions
Aryshire Grand: Sarah Carter – Aprill’s Jeremy Petals Reserve: Cheyenne Sommer – McKeen Masterpiece Patches Brown Swiss Grand: Gracie Lee - Hug M All Coll Buzzin Reserve: Aaron Bingham – FTE Shaner Guernsey Grand: Austin Holcomb – Up River Mtn Man Abyssinia Reserve: Sierra Linton – Skipper April Loredda Holstein Grand: Gracie Lee – Hug M All DundeeFresca Reserve: Nicholas Hammer – NLNH Lollipop Basic Gumdrop Jersey Grand: Cierra Ellis – BRJ Dixie Reserve: Nicholas Hammer – H&N Buttercups Paprika Iatola Junior Champions and Reserve Junior Champions Ayrshire Junior: Cierra Ellis – JSB Acres Shellie Reserve: Austin Holcomb- JSB Acres Suzan Brown Swiss Junior: Emily Linton – Elinton Agenda Lola Reserve: Cheyenne Sommer – McKeen
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Braiden Lulabelle Guernsey Junior: Aaron Dunn – DWS Yogibear Pelelope Reserve: Austin Holcomb – Burgess Farm Levi Faoth Holstein Junior: Libby Sutton – Rocky Mountain Absit Lucena Reserve: Libby Sutton – Hol-Jamin Destry Patty - Red Jersey Junior: Libby Sutton –Lylestanley Tequila Glomira Reserve: Logan Shoop – Perwinkle Costume Contest 1st place – Aubrey Cook 2nd place – Austin Holcomb 3rd place – Carlie Braglin 2015 Hillsborough County Fair Swine Show
Savannah Jenkins Jayde McConnell Jackson Sturgis Abigail Steward Shelby Southerland
Sheep Breed Show Grand Champion Black Face Ewe Olivia Johnson Grand Champion White Face Ewe Cassidy Hasting Reserve Champion White Face Ewe Emma Leiss Swine Show Grand Champion- Plant City FFA chapter Grand Champion White Face Ram hog shown by Keylee Christie Olivia Johnson Sold for $26/ lb- bought by Southside Reserve Champion White Face Ram Stores and Weeping Creek Farms Emma Leiss Reserve Champion - J.G. Smith FFA chap ter hog shown by Jake Stines Sold for $10/ lb- bought by Astin Farms Grand Champion Crossbred Ewe - Samuel Senior Showmanship Winner- Jacob BurSands nett from the Durant Sr. FFA chapter Reserve Champion Crossbred Ewe Intermediate Showmanship WinnerCheyenne Sommer Marissa Zolna from the Marsahll FFA Grand Champion Crossbred Ram chapter Samuel Sands Junior Showmanship Winner- Chance Reserve Champion Crossbred Ram Cristie from the Antioch Critters 4-H Cheyenne Sommer Sheep Show Grand Champion Rare Breed Ewe Morgan Higgins Showmanship Reserve Champion Rare Breed Ewe Seniors Savannah Jenkins 1st place – Cassidy Hasting Grand Champion Rare Breed Ram 2nd place – Morgan Higgins Cheyenne Sommer 3rd place – Jada Citarella Reserve Champion Rare Breed Ram Intermediate Xavier Nazir 1st place – Brenna Sturgis Supreme Champion Ram - Olivia Johnson 2nd place – AllyRae Black showing yearling Southdown ram 3rd place – Brilynn Hailman Juniors Supreme Champion Ewe 1st place – Emma Leiss Cassidy Hasting showing 2 yr old 2nd place – Sara Rogers Southdown ewe 3rd place – Carly Stewart Pee Wee Showmanship (all winners) Bella Garcia
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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 July 19, 2015, Nov. 29, 2015
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BUILDING SUPPLIES METAL ROOFING
Thousands of 8ft. & 10ft. sheets. In Stock. Prices from $6 and up. Custom lengths available. 813-752-7088 ask for Ferris.
7X15 LAWN TRAILER Used Lawn Trailer with aluminum plate tool LAWN EQUIPMENT/ SUPPLIES box. 5ft tongue & heavy duty gate. $1,650 Call BRAND NEW HUSTLER RAPTOR Alvie 813-759-8722 Zero Turn Mower 52” cut, 23hp. Kohler engine, 3 year warranty. $2,999 FORD 600 GAS TRACTOR Call Alvie 813-759-8722 Good Condition. $2,750 RUBBER MULCH 813-759-8722 Ask for Alvie All Colors, buy 10 bags, get 1 FREE! HUSTLER RAPTOR $8.99 a bag. Call Ted (813) 752-3378 42” cut, 21 hp Kohler engine. BRAND NEW BUSH HOG 3 year warranty. $2,799 ES2052 zero turn mower. Price Call Alvie (813) 759-8722 reduced from $5,425 to $5,000 Call Alvie 813-750-8722 FOR RENT Millcreek Pine Bark Row Mullcher. BRAND NEW HUSTLER X1 For blueberry farms, six yard, 60” cut price was $10,356 buy now PTO drive need at least a 30hp for $8,800. Call Alvie 813-759-8722 tractor. Call 863-604-2526 for rental details.
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We have all your aluminum needs! Screen Room, carports & awnings. Call Blake (813) 752-3378
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We make window screens of all sizes available in different frame colors. Call Ted(813) 752-3378
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Ext. Siding 4’X7’ sheets stucco texture & 12” on center. $18.95 Call Blake 813-752-3378
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Metal brand new in bo 54” Mobile Home Tubs Call Ted (813) 752-3378 $185.00
CALL FOR A WINDOW QUOTE. We are a Simonton/Amcraft dealer. Our windows are energy star, lifetime warranty & accidental glass replacement at no extra charge. Call Broke & Poor 813-752-3378 LUMBER
Forrest Lumber & Timber Co. for your T&G and pattern stock. We deliver farm building material metal roofing. Call 863-633-1270
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4X4 Tractor with loader. Runs good. $10,500 Call Alvie 813-759-8722 Brand new, 200 gallon, 9 row hydraulic boom sprayer, never used. Brand new Hypro pump Output is 19 GPM Pressure is 290 PSI Speed is 550 RPM Just needs to have plumbing hooked up, which we have most of too big for our small farm. $3,000 Call Chad 813-508-8128
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FOR SALE - 45 ACRES VACANT 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 signifiFOR SALE cant aesthetic value to the 45 acres. Zoning: AR (Agricultural-Rural) Call Heidi KITCHEN CABINETS & VANITIES Get quality all wood cabinets for less than the Cecil for more information (863) 899-9620 BIG Box STORES! Call Today! HOME FOR SALE Ask for Blake. (813) 752-3378 20 acres mol fenced & crossed fenced w/3-2 DOORS & WINDOWS SPECIAL ORDER brick home. 700 sq ft barn. Located in north Lakeland 5 minutes from shopping. $370,000. No upcharge. House & Mobile Home. Call Leah Brumley 863-512-9563 Many standard sizes in stock. Ask for Blake. (813) 752-3378
TRUCK
1988 F350 7.3 diesel flatbed dually, 5 speed with granny low, will haul whatever you put on it. $3,000 Call Chad 813-508-8128
JOBS GROVE EQUIPMENT SERVICE
SERVICES
CALLER ON HOLD
is looking for agriculture/tractor mechanics at both the Bartow & Plant City locations. Having own tools is a plus. Pay based on skill and experience. Call Bartow at 863-537-1345 or Plant City at 813-759-8722
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
IN THE FIELD MAGAZINE
CONTRACTOR
is looking for independent account managers to join our team. Appointment setting & presenting marketing plans to prospective clients. Develop & Maintain relationships with clients. Ensure proper/ effective input from client for advertising campaign & evaluation. Extreme focus on client service: client retention & growth. Multi-Tasked.
FARM EQUIPMENT
BOOM SPRAYER
REAL ESTATE
email us: info@inthefieldmagazine.com
HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL?
Call us today! 813-759-6909 or email us: info@inthefieldmagazine.com Let us help you get rid of it!
December 2015
Drywall Contractor. Repairs, additions & remodels. Lic#RX0066835 J. Welch Inc. 813-765-6147
MISC. FREE
Wooden Shipping Pallets All sizes! Call Alvie 813-759-8722
POLK FURNITURE
Polk Furniture Consignment Store. Purchase $637.00 worth of furniture & receive two tickets to a 3 day, 2 night cruise. 863-332-3954
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The Real
HALFTIME SHOW.
FEED YOUR TEAM WITH PARTY PLATTERZ™. Choose from our delicious Boneless Wings, Chicken Fingerz™ and Nibblerz Party Platterz. Or mix things up and go for three.
2901 1/2 James Redman Pkwy. Plant City • 813.752.1971 Prices may vary by location. © 2016 Zaxby’s Franchising, Inc. “Zaxby’s,” “Party Platterz” and “Chicken Fingerz” are trademarks of Zaxby’s Franchising, Inc. Each Zaxby’s restaurant is independently owned and operated under a license agreement with Zaxby’s Franchising, Inc.
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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
December 2015
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December 2015
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