Heartland October 09 Magazine

OCTOBER 2009

Heartland’s AGRICULTURE Magazine

®

JLC FARMS

Brothers in Business

HARDEE • HIGHLANDS • DESOTO OKEECHOBEE • CHARLOTTE INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

OCTOBER

2009

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La Casita

863-531-0032

Mexican Family Restaurant Authentic Fresh Food Made to Order

**SPECIALS**

2 For 1 Lunches: 11-3 p.m.

Happy Hour: 3-5 p.m.

20 oz. $1 Drafts Room Available for Banquets, Weddings and Parties For 100+ Guests; Beer & Wine

Open

10 a.m. - 10 p.m.

7 Days A Week

We’ve been meeting the financial needs of your community for 80 years.

Personalized Service Quick, Local Decisions Competitive Rates

131 S. Sun ’N Lakes Blvd.

Lake Placid, FL Best Authentic Mexican Food Around!

1929

Ann iversary

2009

Power Up Your Productivity. $15,950 2650 Ba

lebuster

Increase feed efficiency and save 20 to 30 percent when you process hay and silage bales with this machine. This self-loading, 2-bale carrying balebuster processes bales in any condition, and places straw where you need it. It’s ideal for erosion control, and the right side discharge makes operating easy.

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

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FFA Student of the Month

SAU

THIS ARTWORK CANNOT BE ALTERED, REVISED, RESIZED OR REBUILT BEYOND CHANGING THE AGENT PASS PHOTO OR CONTACT INFO. CONTACT MADGENIUS WITH ANY QUESTIONS AT COOP@MADGENIUSINC.COM Julianne Ferguson

SAU

Shouldn’t personal service mean you get to talk to a person?

By James Sharpe

The Okeechobee Brahman

Highlands County Farm Bureau Chad D. McWaters CASL Agency Manager Joseph Bullington Agent CASL Seth Roger Agency Manager Agent

Chad D. Mcwaters chad.mcwaters@ffbic.com

863-385-5141 FLMLNP40064

FFA has a member who works hard at everything, is always reliable, and keeps a grin on everyone’s face. Evan Mattson has been an FFA member for five years and is currently enrolled in the 11th grade. Evan comes from a family of cattle ranchers and construction workers, who have been in Okeechobee for several generations. Many of his family members have been in FFA before him. Evans father is a general contractor, and his mother is an LPN at the Health Department. He has three brothers, one of which is an FFA member in middle school, and one little sister. Evan is related to R.C. Mattson, a former FFA member and football player in Okeechobee who died in a vehicle accident. Evan helps his family with every fundraiser that his family does to supports the R.C. Mattson memorial fund that funds a scholarship and benefits the FFA. As a member, Evan competes in two state FFA contests every year, Citrus Judging and Ag Mechanics. He is enrolled in horticulture class and was enrolled this past year in the Ag Mechanics class. Evan uses what he learns in these programs to help him do well in the contests he competes in.

Even though he only competes in two contests a year, Evan stays busy involving himself in chapter activities. The Okeechobee chapter has about three parties a year and Evan is the life of each one. He also helps our chapter with several community service projects like Ag Literacy Day. Evan, along with seven other members, traveled to elementary schools to read to students about agriculture. He also assisted the officer team by serving as an activity tour guide at the county leadership workshop that the chapter hosted.

When Evan isn’t helping the FFA he is doing school work or working on his truck. Evan enjoys hunting and fishing but has a hard time fitting it into his schedule. The special thing about him is that he is the only person who can make you laugh at a joke three or four times.

Also, if an FFA member made you laugh with a joke, they probably heard it from Evan. The Okeechobee FFA chapter is proud to claim Evan Mattson as one of our members. Thank you for all the time and work you put into our chapter and we wish you the best of luck throughout the rest of this year.

PASS

www.floridafarmbureau.com

Florida Farm Bureau General Insurance Co. Florida Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Co. Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Co., Jackson, MS

Broker Associate • Notary Public Rental Manager

Advanced All Service Realty, Inc. Rental Property Management

5, 10 & 20 acre parcels in Venus for sale at greatly reduced prices. Office space, duplexes, homes and mobiles for rent in Highlands county.

Serving all of Highlands County

1843 Us 27 North Sebring, Florida 33870 Cell (863) 414-5027 Fax (863) 385-1895 • quaillake@htn.net Each Office is Independently Owned & Operated

YOU TOO CAN BE A WINNER No Food HEY READERS, hidden somewhere in the magazine is a No Farmers, No Food logo. Hunt for the logo and once you find the hidden logo you will be eligible for a drawing to win a FREE InTheField® T-Shirt. Send us your business card or an index card with your name and telephone number, the page on which you found the logo and where on that page you located the logo to: No Farmers

InTheField® Magazine P.O. Box 5377, Plant City, FL 33563-0042 All Entries must be received by Oct. 12, 2009.

Winner will be notified by phone.

You Too Can Be A Winner - Enter Now! 4

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

OCTOBER 2009

From the Editor OCTOBER

Publisher/Owner

VOL. 2 • ISSUE 1

Karen Berry

Dear Readers:

I am proud to say

this issue begins our second year of spreading agricultural news throughout Florida’s Heartland.

It has been a really enjoyable process, as I’ve had a great time meeting people at events around the area and hearing their stories. My family goes places and people we don’t even know treat us like their old friends because they know us from the magazine.

October rolls us right into fall. Fall means school activities are in full swing, football games, hunting, Farm Bureau annual meetings, trick or treating….but we’re still hunting for that elusive cooler weather. I’m still thankful that the hurricanes have spared us this year.

Right around press time for this month’s issue, we’ll be concluding the “Biggest Loser” contest. My buddies and I have really put forth a lot of effort to lose the pounds, most losing more than twenty percent of our body weight. I can fit into my old state FFA officer jacket now, something I haven’t been able to do since the early 90’s. We’ll let you know the winner in next month’s issue.

Desoto/Charlotte County Farm Bureau members have their annual meeting on October 8, and the Hardee County meeting is on the 19th. Call your county office for more information.

Highlands County 4-H Foundation will host their annual fundraising dinner on October 15 (Contact April Butler 863402-6540). Try to make it to the Farm Bureau state meeting in Daytona if you can, October 28-30. Don’t mix up your dates and go to Daytona earlier in the month unless you want to enjoy Bike Week instead. Okeechobee Farm Bureau will be hosting a corn maze from the 23rd to the 31st of the month. Hope to see you all at many of these events, maybe including Bike Week.

Grim facts in the recent news: The United Nations World Food Program says over one billion people on this planet suffer from hunger. This fact alone makes it all the more important to keep our safe, affordable food supply growing in the U.S. We must continue to tell our story of agriculture.

If you have information to share in our quest to promote the story of agriculture, please email or call me.

Covering What’s Growing.

~Matt

mattkelliott@yahoo.com • 863-441-1263

Cover Story: JLC Farms Page 32

Senior Managing Editor and Writer Sarah Holt

Manager/Editor Matt K. Elliott 6 Letter from DeSoto County Farm Bureau President

Office Manager

8 Farm Bureau Highlight The Daniels

Sales

Bob Hughens

Matt K. Elliott Lacy Carlton Karen Berry Ron Brown Marc Stockwell

12 Grub Station La Casita Mexian Restaurant 16 Business Upfront Layes Tires

Art Director

15 FFA Journal

Staff Writers

Julie Bedford

Sharla Elliott Anne Reynolds Forrest Steele Kyla Shiver Blake Farrer Matt Sherwood Al Berry

20 Fishing Hot Spots 24 Forests are Being Murdered 27 Field Agent Report

Contributing Writers

31 Ag Real Estate Tip of the Month

Fred Lieb David Summers James Sharpe

54 BBQ Column

Photography Matt K. Elliott

In The Field® Magazine is published monthly and is available through local businesses, restaurants and other local venues within Hardee, Highlands, Charlotte, DeSoto and Okeechobee counties. It is also distributed by U.S. mail to a target market, which includes members of Farm Bureau and those with ag classifications on their land. Letters, comments and questions can be sent to P.O. Box 5377, Plant City, Florida 33563-0042 or you are welcome to email them to: info@inthefieldmagazine.com or call 813-759-6909.

Advertisers warrant & represent the descriptions of their products advertised are true in all respects. In The Field® Magazine assumes no responsibility for claims made by their 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.

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

OCTOBER

2009

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HARDEE COUNTY FARM BUREAU 1017 US Hwy. 17 N • Wauchula, FL 33873 863.773.3117

1017 US Highway 17 N Wauchula, FL 33873

Greetings: We have all been blessed with the much needed rain. As our industry continues to move forward, we must all try to stay active and, most of all, involved in all the political aspects that face our industry. I was in a meeting this past week about Hometown Democracy. I am inserting five points from the organization: Floridians for Smarter Growth.

1) Amendment 4 will leave Florida in a permanent recession.

Our argument: Designed to bring economic growth to a halt, Amendment 4 will solidify the loss of nearly 500,000 Florida jobs. Due to the expense, red tape and uncertainty imposed by Amendment 4, new businesses will find it virtually impossible to move to Florida. Existing businesses will find it nearly impossible to grow and Florida’s working families will suffer the most.

They say: “This canned message is from the same people who crashed our economy with overbuilding. In fact, comprehensive plans already have lots of growth built in to them--enough housing is already factored into the plans for over 100 million people.

These plans are designed to allow for growth and protect our communities from unplanned growth. Why can’t we follow our plans?”

2) Amendment 4 has already failed miserably in one small, Florida town.

Our argument: In 2006, the small Pinellas county town of St. Pete Beach adopted a local version of Amendment 4. The result has been economic collapse, an impossible growth-management process, and endless litigation at taxpayer expense. When St. Pete Beach voters approved four pro-growth changes to their comprehensive plan, Amendment 4 lawyers sued to overturn the election. More than a year after voting to change their comprehensive plan, the people of St. Pete Beach are still defending their vote in court. St. Pete Beach is a town

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Phone: 863. 773.3117 Fax: 863.773.2369 of only 10,000 voters and Amendment 4 has already cost its taxpayers over half-amillion dollars in legal fees. Imagine the extraordinary costs and litigation that would result if Amendment 4 is taken statewide.

They say: “The lawsuits are flying because the Hometown Democracy process was not followed. Under Hometown Democracy, there will be a referendum only after the growth plan change is reviewed and voted on by the county commission. In St. Pete Beach developers held the referendum before the proposed plan change went through review and public hearing. That violates state law, which requires that no land use change can be made without following the public hearing process.”

3) Amendment 4 will turn our planning process into a political process, boosting the influence of special interest groups and sidelining ordinary citizens.

Our argument: Amendment 4 advocates do not want to empower voters, they want to stop growth at any cost. Under their proposal, special interests on both sides of the development debate will gain influence at the expense of ordinary citizens. Rather than being compelled to compromise, Farm Bureau Letter-Continued on page 22

HARDEE COUNTY BOARD OF DIRECTORS

David B. Royal, President; Greg L. Shackelford, Vice President; Bo Rich, Sec./Treasurer; Joseph B. Cherry; John Platt; Gary C. Shiver; Daniel H. Smith; Steve A. Johnson; Bill Hodge 6

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

HARDEE COUNTY FARM BUREAU

OCTOBER 2009

OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President............... David B. Royal Vice President ..... Greg L. Shackelford Sec./Treasurer ..... Bo Rich

DIRECTORS FOR 2008

Joseph B. Cherry • John Platt Gary C. Shiver • Daniel H. Smith Steve A. Johnson • Bill Hodge David B. Royal • Greg L. Shackelford Bo Rich Susan Chapman County Secretary

FARM BUREAU INSURANCE SPECIAL AGENTS Agency Manager N. Jay Bryan Agent George L. Wadsworth, Jr. 1017 US Hwy 17 N. Wauchula, FL 33873 (863) 773-3117

OKEECHOBEE

HIGHLANDS COUNTY COUNTY FARM BUREAU FARM BUREAU 401 NW 4th St. Okeechobee, FL 34972

6419 US Highway 27 S. Sebring, FL 33876

Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Phone: 863.763.3101 Fax: 863.763.1624

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Phone: 863. 385.5141 Fax: 863.385.5356 Web site: www.highlandsfarmbureau.com

OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President............... Trey Whitehurst Vice President ..... Travis Larson Secretary .........David Hazellief Treasurer .........Jacob Larson

DIRECTORS FOR 2008

Wayne Buchanan • Ben Butler James C. Daniel • Jared Figley Melissa MontesDeOca David Raulerson, Jr. Donald Sellers, Sr. • Randy Burnham Donald Sellers, Jr. • Hank Rucks

County Secretary Charlene Dewey

FARM BUREAU INSURANCE SPECIAL AGENTS Agency Manager Blair H. Harris Insurance Secretary Lisa Marie Wisener Agents James L McInnes Timothy M. Craig 401 NW 4th St. Okeechobee, FL 34972 863.763.3101

CHARLOTTE/DESOTO COUNTY FARM BUREAU

1278 SE US Highway 31 Arcadia, FL 34266 Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Phone: 863.494.3636 Charlotte Line: 941.624.3981 Fax: 863.494.4332

OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

President............... Matt K. Elliott Vice President ..... Marty Wohl Secretary .........Drew Phypers Treasurer .........Scott Kirouac

President............... Ken Harrison Vice President ..... Jeffrey Adams Sec./Treasurer ..... Jim Selph

DIRECTORS FOR 2008

DIRECTORS FOR 2008

County Secretary Janet Menges

County Secretary Summer Chavarria

FARM BUREAU INSURANCE SPECIAL AGENTS

FARM BUREAU INSURANCE SPECIAL AGENTS

Agency Manager Chad D. McWaters

Agency Manager Cameron N. Jolly

Sam Bronson • Carey Howerton Donna Howerton • April Butler Curt Matthews • Tom Andrews Andy Tuck • Mike Waldron Jim Wood • Doug Miller

Jim Brewer • John Burtscher Mike Carter • Steve Fussell Richard E. Harvin • Matt Sullivan John Pfeil • Ann H. Ryals Mac Turner • Bryan K. Beswick

Agents Dawn A. Hines Matt Sacilowski

Agents Joseph W. Bullington Seth Rogers

1278 SE US Highway 31 Arcadia, FL 34266 (863) 494-3636

6419 US Highway 27 S. Sebring, FL 33876 (863) 385-5141 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

OCTOBER

Charlotte/DeSotoCounty.indd 1

2009

7 11/11/08 11:21:16 AM

Farm Bureau

HIGHLIGHT

By Blake Farrer

For this month’s Farm Bureau Highlight,

Carey and Amy Daniel, a young couple from Okeechobee, are spotlighted. Carey and Amy are actively involved in the Okeechobee County Farm Bureau, where their work and dedication is paying off in many ways throughout their community. From their love of agriculture, that has been passed down through their roots for generations, to their desire to make a difference in the lives others, Carey and Amy are proud to be advocates and workers for the Okeechobee County Farm Bureau.

Carey has been active in the world of agriculture for as long as he can remember. His family owned a commercial cattle ranch, which they still operate today. He has been involved with the ranch since he was old enough to ride.

“Helping out on the ranch and learning about the cattle business taught me a lot of responsibility when I was growing up. The meaning of honest, hard work and the lessons I learned from it, helped shape me into the person I am today. It was, and still is a family run business, and I think that is an important factor as well,” Carey says.

Carey and Amy both attended Okeechobee County High School, were they met in 1999. Throughout high school, Carey was an active member of 4H and showed dairy cattle in the Okeechobee County Fair. He later joined the Future Farmers of America. Carey and Amy were married December 6, 2003.

Amy is currently attending Indian River State College and is employed at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union. Carey has worked with his family’s commercial cattle ranch for approximately ten years and owns a small portion himself. The couple also owns

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their own herd of cattle.

The roots of Farm Bureau have been passed down for generations in Carey’s family. His grandfather, JC Bass, was on the board for Okeechobee. The couple says he has always been a part of Farm Bureau for as long as they can remember.

“His involvement with Farm Bureau showed us how important it is for our voice to be heard for agriculture. Since we became members, we have grown in so many ways. Not only have we met so many new people and learned about the many issues today’s farmers are pressed with, we have had the opportunity to reach out to others and inform them on the importance of agriculture as well,” Amy explains.

Carey and Amy have been members of the Okeechobee County Farm Bureau for the past three years.

They are also committed members of the Young Farmer and Rancher Leadership Committee.

“Being involved with Farm Bureau has benefited our lives in so many ways. We have been given the opportunity to be involved in many different activities that allow us to voice how important agriculture is. For instance, we went to Tallahassee in March and spoke with our representatives. We were able to explain to them that certain laws that are trying to be passed would have a huge impact on agriculture and our farmers. We also spoke to them about how these laws could possibly shut down many of the small businesses we have today. We also were able to go to California and meet with other Young Farmer and Ranchers from all over the United States. Aside from the fact that we were able to meet so many new people and friends, we were also able to learn from their experiences and how they farm,” the couple says.

Carolyn Wyatt, Extension Agent III - Family & Consumer Science/4-H UF IFAS Hardee County Extension Service, and Calli Skipper of CF Industries visit a thriving community garden in Hardee County.

Join in supporting these upcoming community events:

Hardee Senior High School Homecoming Parade

Main Street Wauchula October 9th - 2:00 p.m.

CF Industries proudly supports Hardee County, our Phosphate Operations home for more than 30 years!

Friday Night Live! Harvest Festival Main Street Wauchula October 16th - 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Friday Night Live! Bluegrass & BBQ Main Street Wauchula November 20th - 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

CF Industries Peace River Cleanup and Canoe Trip

November 7th - 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

For more info, contact CF Industries @ 863-375-4321

Phosphate Operations “Help Farmers Feed a Hungry World” 6209 N. County Road 663 • Bowling Green, Florida 33834 • 863-375-4321 • www.cfindustries.com INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

OCTOBER

2009

9

Jerry Huter Memorial Scholarship Barbecue Teresa Ware, Sebring FFA

The Sebring FFA Alumni helps to support the FFA programs at Hill-Gustat Middle School, Sebring High School, and Sebring Middle School. For the last 18 years we were guided by Mr. Jerry Huter, who was our alumni president during that time. We suffered a great loss with the passing of his life so unexpectedly.

Jerry was a graduate of Sebring High School and was an agriculture student and FFA member. Jerry’s two sons, Erik and Chris, were both FFA members and it was during the time they were in school that he became involved in what was the FFA Booster Club at that time. He was a charter member when Sebring decided to charter a local FFA Alumni affiliate with the state and national organizations in 1987.

In honor of our past president, the Sebring FFA Alumni has established the Jerry Huter Memorial Scholarship. To help raise funds for this scholarship, the Sebring FFA Alumni will be hosting the Jerry Huter Memorial Scholarship Barbecue. The barbecue is on November 14 at Sebring High School from 11:00 AM till 2:00 PM. There will be both dine in and carry out service. The cost is $6.00 per meal, which includes a pulled pork sandwich, baked beans, potato salad, cole slaw, cookie, and iced tea. Tickets are available from any HGMS, SHS, or SMS FFA member and/or Sebring FFA Alumni member. By phone you can contact Teresa Ware at 664-9511 or Scott Crutchfield at 402-5650. There will be prize drawings held during the barbecue including, golf course packages, gift certificates to local restaurants, two 12 Hours of Sebring race tickets, a shot gun (restrictions apply), and other great items.

In conjunction with the barbecue the Sebring High School FFA chapter will be hosting their annual showmanship clinic on cattle, poultry, rabbit, and swine. The showmanship clinic is open to any FFA or 4-H member interested and will be held at their animal barn located at the rear of the school (3514 Kenilworth Blvd).

The cost of the showmanship clinic is $5.00 per FFA/4-H member, which includes lunch. There will be prize drawings held for those attending. The clinic begins at 10:30AM and runs until 12:00PM. Those interested in attending should call Mr. Hallie Webb, SHS FFA Advisor at 863-471-5500 or 863-640-7230 or email webbh@ highlands.k12.fl.us. Reservations should be made preferably by November 4.

863-471-1166

2520 US Highway 27 N. | Sebring, FL 33870 FX. 863-471-6738

www.SignsNowSebring.com 10

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Did you know that agriculture

remains the number 1 industry in Highlands County? Yes, even though we are gaining more residents, more homes, more public buildings, more restaurants and more traffic, the work of cultivating the land, caring for animals and protecting lakes and woods is still the heart of our local economy.

We believe it is essential for our children (in public, private and home schools) to understand the importance of the many agricultural enterprises located in their home communities. Ten years ago that belief gave rise to a giant event for third graders, known as AGVENTURE. Preparations for this year’s Ag-Venture have already begun.

On November 3-5, 2009, the teachers and their students will be bussed to the Highlands County Fairgrounds for a tour of “stations” to learn about 14 agricultural businesses. An “army” of volunteers will help them enjoy a free, hands-on experience such as planting a vegetable garden, making butter, pressing grapes, making strawberry milkshakes, or squeezing fresh orange juice. Each year this outing has received broad praise from children and adults alike.

Ag-Venture is possible because generous sponsors and volunteers furnish the money and the manpower to introduce approximately 400 children per day to local industries including production of citrus, beef cattle, vegetable, ornamental horticulture, poultry, forestry, strawberries, soil and water conservation, grapes, dairy foods, alligators, caladiums, bees and farm animals.

Adults will also have the opportunity to survey the role of agriculture in our area. The stations will be open to the public on Tuesday evening, November 3rd.

We will have guided tours of the stations at 5:00 and 6:00 P.M. A delicious steak dinner will served between 4:30 and 6:30 P.M. at a cost of $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children. The dinner will include steak, baked potato, green beans, fresh corn on the cob, roll, iced tea, and homemade ice cream. You may dine in or carry out. There will also be great local entertainment for your enjoyment. It is sure to be an enjoyable evening of delicious food and fellowship.

The tremendous success of Ag-Venture is a result of outstanding support from the community.

The cost of the program is 100 percent funded thru tax deductible donations from generous individuals, organizations, and businesses here in Highlands County.

Over 125 volunteers are needed to put on the program each day. The volunteers are treated to coffee, donuts, and fresh squeezed orange juice each morning, a delicious lunch and door prizes. In return they get

KRAUSE

GROVE SERVICE, INC.

Celebrating 18 years of dedicated service to the citrus industry Call Darin Hughes

863-781-0349 www.krausegroveservice.com

to enjoy their morning helping the children make butter, plant plants, roll candles and much more.

In June, 2008, Highlands County Ag-Venture, Inc. was awarded the Volunteer Program of the Year Award

by Florida Ag in the Classroom a division of Florida Farm Bureau. It also won the Commissioner’s Business Recognition Award for Outstanding Support for Education in April of 2009. Thank you volunteers for making Highlands County Ag-Venture so great! If you would like to get involved in Ag-Venture, please give us a call. We love meeting new people and making new friends. You can call Darlene Phypers or Danielle Daum at 863-465-2313 for more information about the program, volunteering, donations, and steak dinner tickets.

2821 Old State Road 8 • Venus, Florida 33960 P.O. Box 2615 • Lake Placid, Florida 33862

Office (863) 699-5680 Toll Free (866) 893-7848 Fax (863) 699-9561

CHEMICAL • NUTRITIONAL • FERTILIZER Triangle Chemical is Highlands County’s locally based Ag chemical supply company.

We strive to provide our customers with the best options and quality on pesticides, herbicides, nutritionals and fertilizers while placing customer service as our top priority.

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

OCTOBER

2009

11

Grub St ation

No Farmers No Food

La Casita Mexican Restaurant

131 Sun N Lakes Blvd. • Lake Placid, FL 33852 • (863) 531-0032 Open 7 days, 11 til 9 • For group reservations: Call Vidal at 863 214 6874 Major Credit Cards Accepted

By Forrest Steele

“We’re here to serve authentic freshmade Mexican food,” says Vidal Sanchez of La Casita Mexican Restaurant in Lake Placid. Located four miles south of town, off US 27 on Sun N Lakes Blvd., this restaurant does exactly that. Personable and hardworking, Vidal comes out of the kitchen to greet diners and make sure they are satisfied. But, as with other good restaurateurs, you can tell that he likes to be in the kitchen making sure everything goes right.

Although other family members have been in business in the area for 18 years, Vidal just relocated here and opened the restaurant in 2007, with his sister, Nora Fonseca. The two of them operate the kitchen along with their mother. The recipes have been gathered by the family over many years, and the dishes are made from scratch. For example, all the sauces are homemade using fresh vegetables (the only exception being tomato base, which they have learned gives better consistency). Only quality cuts of meats are used.

As an example of this attention to detail is the

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chicken chimichanga I had, which was filled with tender shredded chicken breast steeped in chicken broth and seasoning. No fat, nothing but flavorful white meat.

Vidal comes by his restaurant experience the hard way, working for sixteen years learning the food preparation and cooking art on the line at prominent Mexican restaurants in Seattle, Washington. (He also worked for a period at Tony Roma’s, but it is hard to see how that could hurt.)

There are far too many items on this menu to try to list them here. Some of the customer favorites are the crab enchiladas (real crab meat, of course), fajitas and chiles rellenos. Vidal enjoys making arroz con pollo (chicken and rice) and camarones en crema (prawns and sautéed onions and bell peppers in a sour cream cheese sauce. I’ve always been a sucker for molè enchiladas myself. I have heard the “Cocktail de Camarones” mentioned favorably and I know from experience it could easily be your entrée, with lots of shrimp, avocado, cilantro and pico de galllo salsa in a Continued on next page

Grub Station-Continued from previous page warm spicy tomato broth. Unusual and good.

If all this sounds exotic and you really prefer the basics, I assure you that the tacos, enchiladas, and burritos are all there, with a variety of fresh, homemade fillings. Of course, lighter fare is available for lunch.

If you must, ask for fried ice cream or flan for dessert. They are not on the menu, but they are good.

In addition to the spacious dining room and bar area, there is an additional banquet room that can accommodate 100 or more for special events. Prices are quite reasonable, and the variety is impressive.

Square Bales and Large Round Rolls • Tifton 85 Donald J. Elliott, P.A. Broker Associate Donald@lpfl.net

Advanced All Service Realty, Inc.

1843 US 27 North • Sebring, Florida 33870 Office (863) 385-1181• Mobile (863) 441-9367 Fax (863) 385-1895 • Toll Free (800) 741-3509 www.lpfl.net Each Office is Independently Owned & Operated

New Listings:

• 5 acres in a gated community $129,000 • Deep water access to Lake Istokpoga $100,000 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

OCTOBER

2009

13

Business UpFront

By Blake Farrer

Need new tires on your vehicle? Or how about an

oil change? Laye’s Tire Service is the place to go for all of your automotive needs. From the friendly service, to the quality of work and products, customer satisfaction is a promise. Laye’s Tire Service is a family run, three-generation business, located on US Hwy 27 North in Avon Park. From tires, auto repairs, tool boxes, to lift kits, Laye’s offers a wide variety of services and products.

Business hours are Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM, Saturday from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM, and they are closed on Sunday. Owned and operated by Ron and Don Laye, Laye’s Tire Service is a business that has been passed down over the years throughout their family.

In 1958, Bill Laye opened Laye’s Standard Oil at the corner of US 27 and Main Street in Avon Park. Known as Laye’s Chevron Service Station, the business offered a full service auto center that included services from pumping gas to maintaining automobiles.

In the mid 1960’s, the company was integrated into a full line business that offered tires, wheels, and accessories.

In the late 1970’s, Bill Laye retired and passed the torch on to his sons, Ron and Don. In 1991, Ron and Don Laye purchased what was then the Green’s Surplus Building. They moved their tire/automotive service there as an extension of Laye’s Chevron Station. As time progressed and changes were made, so did Laye’s Chevron. In 1996, the Chevron Station was upgraded to a modern convenience store. However, it was sold in 2003, which left Laye’s Tire Service as the main family business.

Ron’s son, Matt began working with his Dad at Laye’s Chevron Station when he was only fourteen years old. He began by pumping gas, and eventually went on to changing oil and tires, doing service work and minor auto repair as he grew older and time progressed. In 2000, he became the Sales and Service Advisor.

Continued on page 30

My Journal Nathan Candler

All Around

FFA Area VI Vice President

Septic & Sewer, Inc. Emergency Service SEPTIC TANKS CLEANED GREASE TRAPS SEWER & DRAIN LINES CLEANED DRAIN FIELD INSTALLATION & REPAIR SYSTEM INSPECTIONS

Call

863-655-4700

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his has been a really fun month for me and my teammates as we start one of the busiest parts of our year as a state officer.

We had a very successful time in Daytona for the Chapter President’s Conference and even had a little free time to try our hand at surfing. Trevor and I had a blast putting on our session at CPC, discussing team communication and having fun with a few other activities to show what we learned. We couldn’t have picked a better theme for our first conference: Full Throttle! We had everything outfitted with racing gear and checkered flags, in addition to our room being decorated with everyone’s favorite racer, Ricky Bobby! Now we’re getting ready for our next conference, the Chapter Officer Leadership Training, or COLT. If you enjoyed CPC, you’ll definitely have a great time here. We’ve taken on another awesome theme, Xtreme Leadership, coming soon to an area near you. In addition to all of these conferences, all of the state officers have been busy running all over their area, presenting chapter programs and getting to interact with FFA members all over the state. I’ve already had a lot of fun with my chapter visits, first to Clewiston’s first meeting, then to Okeechobee High School’s Chapter program, and finally to Lake Placid Middle’s chapter retreat. It’s great getting to meet all of these new FFA members. Until next time, live long and prosper!

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OCTOBER

2009

15

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

OCTOBER 2009

FARMER’S Wife

By Sharla Elliott

Although she grew up as a city girl, Anne Reynolds

knew early on that she would one day marry a farmer. A surgeon’s daughter from Philadelphia, Anne spent time on her grandmother’s farm in North Carolina each summer. She remembers some of her best times there and knows those visits instilled her love of the farming lifestyle and its values.

While obtaining a degree in Sociology from Florida Southern College, Anne met her prince charming, Charles Reynolds. A self-described creative dreamer, Anne says her prince charming arrived not by white horse, but by white pickup truck. While Anne was a dreamer, Charles was a “do-er.”

Nonetheless, their relationship grew into a romantic fairy tale that has celebrated forty-three years. Charles is a partner in his family’s citrus business, Reynolds Farms, and also owns Reynolds Fruit Company, a harvesting company.

The first years of a city girl’s farm life are tough, explained Anne, as the non-farming half of the marriage is often extremely unprepared. She shares that she told Charles early in the relationship that she couldn’t cook, so they existed on Hamburger Helper for a couple of years.

Charles’ mother, Eloise, eventually taught Anne about cooking.

She remembers learning how to cook biscuits, and how much weight the newlyweds gained from the love of daily homemade biscuits.

Although times were challenging at first, Anne states she “wouldn’t want to be anything other than a farmer’s wife.”

Anne has impacted many young lives in Lake Placid as a

teacher. She taught high school in 1967, after being recruited by the superintendent, then took years off to raise her children. When son Greg entered fifth grade, the Reynolds and other parents filled a need in the community and started a Christian middle school. It began with seventeen students as Interlake Academy, and still continues today as Lake Placid Christian School. Anne taught Geography, English, Spelling, and Creative Writing over a course of fourteen years of service to the school.

A successful marriage depends on support from both sides. Anne shares how grateful she is that Charles has fully supported her passions and work in the community throughout the years. Anne currently serves on the District Board of Trustees for South Florida Community College, a position that is composed of many responsibilities and travel to promote the college. Anne has a great appreciation for natural resources and history, and serves on the MOFAC advisory board at SFCC, is chair of the Highlands County Historic Preservation Commission, is on the state board of the Trail of Florida’s Indian Heritage, and is a member of the Kissimmee Valley Archaeological and Historical Conservancy.

Anne has a great interest in the arts, culture, and archaeology, a passion that she shares with many. She credits her father for laying a foundation for her interests, as he was quite the history buff. Her archaeology passion flourished when she stumbled upon a site in the lake behind her home, which was determined to be a village site from 3000-5000 BC. Aside from serving on related boards and organizations, Anne speaks to organizations and classes about archaeology and historic Florida. She stresses to

Continued on page 38

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863-990-0071 • 863-990-1944 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

OCTOBER

2009

17

LAKE PLACID NOON ROTARY

Saturday, December 5, 2009 Parker Island, Lake Placid

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Visit: www.lpnr.com

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

OCTOBER 2009

Highlands County FFA’ers to Attend National FFA Convention

By Gary Lee

The 82nd annual FFA Convention will be held in Indianapolis, Indiana, October 21-24. The sessions will feature keynote addresses, individual members and chapter recognition in the many Career Development Events (CDE’s), National Chapter Award, Proficiency Awards and American FFA degree ceremonies. The huge crowds will be entertained by laser shows and the ever popular National FFA Chorus and National FFA Band.

The Avon Park Sr. Food Science team will represent Florida after being declared the state winner last winter. The team consists of Ariel Starling, Kadie Dick, Charlie Brown and Calego Hipps. Jerry Lee Wright was the leader on that team but will not be competing in October.

Two members won their respective Proficiency Award area last spring, however none were judged as finalist in the national competition. They are Buddy Duke of Avon Park in Diversified Agricultural Production and Angelique Hammonds of Lake Placid in Outdoor Recreation.

Five members will receive the prestigious American degree and are among 46 from Florida receiving the highest degree conferred by the national organization. Annually less than one-half percent of more than 500,000 members receives this award nationally. Those are: • Timothy Bunton- Lake Placid Senior • Mitchell Blackman- Sebring Senior • Heather Brownell-Sebring Senior • Jordan Fairfield-Sebring Senior • Sara Sebring-Sebring Senior Two of Highlands County chapters will be among 29 Florida Chapters receiving the National Chapter Award. They are Lake Placid Middle and Sebring Senior.

Two members from Sebring Senior will serve on the National FFA Courtesy Corps. They are Tia Goss and Jennifer Swain. Both members served on Courtesy Corps at the State Convention in Orlando and are looking forward to the opportunity to serve in Indianapolis.

The Sebring FFA Alumni will receive recognition in the Outstanding Alumni Relations Award category. Additionally, Gary Lee will receive the Legion of Merit citation for his outstanding effort in building/maintaining alumni membership.

He serves as an officer in the Sebring Alumni and also as secretary/treasurer of the Florida FFA Alumni.

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The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based soley on advertisements. Before you decide, ask the lawyer to send you free written information about his/her qualifications and experience.

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

OCTOBER

2009

19

CHARLOTTE HARBOR-PINE ISLAND FISHING REPORT OCTOBER 2009

By Captain Fred Lieb

OCTOBER FORECAST

It’s been a year since the forecast made its debut along with this magazine. I hope it’s been instructive and enjoyable. Because the nature of a forecast is to predict, and the nature of fishing is seasonal and tends to be the same year after year, I’ll try to give the information without sounding too repetitive. That having been said, here’s a rundown of what you can expect to encounter in area waters this October.

SNOOK

To target slot-sized snook this month, consider their migration patterns. The fish will be moving to the back country in preparation for a push to their over-wintering areas as the weather gets colder.

Some fish will hang out near the Gulf all winter, but the bulk of the population will move inland. This month is a good month to target snook under docks along migration routes, and on mangrove points where they may stop to feed on their trip inland.

Artificials, whitebait, and pinfish all score well in October, with

Tarpon taken sight casting artificials in the upper harbor perhaps the nod going to live chumming with whitebait to locate fish and turn on the bite. You really can’t go wrong this month by fishing the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River, which can include the mangrove islands, Shell Creek, Punta Rassa docks, and the St. James Creek area. Farther north, many of the snook, which spent

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

OCTOBER 2009

the summer in Boca Grande Pass, will eventually end up in the Myakka River. These fish will have to pass by Bull and Turtle bays where some of them will spend the winter. Most of them will continue up Charlotte Harbor along the western wall. There are many points and creek mouths along the west wall, and there will be many keeper snook taken from these areas. Throw chum, then fish around the boils and pops. Surface lures can be very effective during low-light conditions such as at dawn and dusk. Give it a try if you like fishing artificial baits.

REDFISH

Redfishing in October boils down to two methods, locating schools along the bars, and poling the shallows looking for tailers.

There will be opportunities for scattered singles and pairs under the bushes, but the other methods will account for far more fish.

Fishing along the harbor-lining bars gives you the opportunity to spot schooling redfish which are more frequently oversized than not. These are fish that are preparing to push into the Gulf and become part of the spawning stock. They can be held in one area with chum, and multiple landings are common when a school is pegged. They will hit almost anything under these circumstances, and the opportunity for a career redfish on fly is definitely there.

There is also the chance of encountering a school of breeder redfish in the near shore waters of the Gulf. These fish can weigh upwards of thirty pounds, and can actually make the water seem red when they are spotted. On the flats, stealth and the ability to float in very shallow water, along with the ability to make pinpoint casts will up your odds of success with tailing redfish. For some, the challenge of sight fishing outweighs the opportunity for sheer numbers.

TROUT

Trout fishing gets good again this month, and if late summer has been an indicator, the month of October will be very good.

Trout will be caught over grass flats with soft plastics or shrimp under floats. The shrimp can be live or plastic. Whitebait will also account for many nice trout. Surface lures on the flats early and late will probably produce the larger fish and can elicit some spectacular strikes. Remember that this month is the last of the fall open season for trout, and if you plan to keep any, get busy.

Late summer cobia from Charlotte Harbor

TARPON

If you haven’t satisfied your big tarpon urges yet, you’d better try to do so early this month. After the first couple of strong cold fronts, our tarpon fishing is usually over until spring. There are places to target tarpon in the winter months, but this fishing is sporadic, and not as reliable as our summer fishery. Look for southbound tarpon off the beaches. When located, these fish can often be tempted to strike threadfin herring and large scaled sardines or pinfish. These same baits can be drifted through Boca Grande Pass with pretty good odds of a hookup or two provided the fish are present. It is fitting that the end of our tarpon season should come with some of the most exciting action of the year. When tarpon are flying into the air in pursuit of ladyfish, hookups are automatic with live ladyfish, and almost so with soft plastics and shallow running plugs.

These can be cast into active feeding frenzies or trolled in the upper harbor around bait schools. As a bonus, these late season tarpon are very acrobatic, and six to ten jumps or more are common during the fight.

SNAPPER

Snapper have been large and numerous this summer, both in the passes and around inshore structure. In addition, there have been times when anglers chumming the flats for trout have caught twenty or more keeper snapper. October should see this action continue, although it will shift closer to the passes as the water cools. The neat thing about this fishing is that it provides eating fish and a fun day for those whose angling skills may not be top notch. Take the kids and enjoy.

NEARSHORE

It’s the time of year to let the birds lead you to action on ladyfish, trout, bluefish, and Spanish mackerel. Inside the major passes, just offshore, and along the drop offs to the intracoastal are likely areas. Shiny spoons, soft plastics, hard plugs, and live shiners will all be effective. As the bait schools migrate south, these predators will never be far. King mackerel to thirty pounds or more will also shadow the bait. Troll lipped plugs, drift live threadfins, or slow troll blue runners for chances at these fish. Starting points include Boca Grande Pass, the shipping channel, and any of the near shore artificial reefs.

Cobia will also be a target on the near shore structure.

That’s it for this month. Go get ‘em.

Captain Fred Lieb can be contacted at 239-462-9311.

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

OCTOBER

2009

21

Farm Bureau Letter-Continued from page 6 interest groups will be encouraged to draft the most extreme proposals and hire political consultants to sell them. Under Amendment 4, sound bites will have more influence than sound planning.

approves five ordinances approving growth plan changes, there will be five referenda. If our politicians respect our plans, which have lots of growth built in already, we won’t need to vote very often.

They say: “1) there is lots of growth already built in to comprehensive plans. So even if plans don’t get changed much there will still be plenty of construction. 2) Developers are they key special interest in Florida. They are the ones who stand to make the money. You can’t say the same of residents who just want to protect their community and quality of life. 3) No compromise campaigns?

The entire process will stay the same and the referendum will only come at the very end. There’s plenty of room for “compromise.”

4) When we allow promiscuous developer-driven plan changes, the plans simply don’t mean anything and can’t protect the community from over-development.”

5) Amendment 4 is opposed by a broad and diverse coalition.

Our argument: Over 135 organizations are opposing Amendment 4 for a variety of reasons. These organizations include: the Florida Chamber of Commerce, 1000 Friends of Florida, the Florida American Planning Association, the Florida League of Cities, the Florida State Council of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, and the Florida Health Care Association.

4) Amendment 4 will lead to extraordinary costs, disruption and disorder at the ballot box.

Our argument: Under Amendment 4, the taxpayers will be forced to fund expensive elections for every technical change to their local comprehensive plan. It would not be uncommon for voters to face 200 or 300 minor land use issues on a single ballot. If Amendment 4 had been law in 2006, the residents of Carrabelle--a small Franklin County town--would have voted 617 times!

They say: “In Carrabelle the city council voted on one ordinance to overhaul the city comprehensive plan. Hometown Democracy referenda will track commission votes. So if your commission

They say: “A who’s who of the corporate construction industry is funding Floridians for Smarter Growth: The National Association of Home Builders, the Florida Association of Realtors, and Waste Management to name but three.”

We need to be very careful and read how they have it worded, let’s not forget just a few years back we passed the bill to do away with crates for pigs!!!! I encourage you to attend any meeting to get better informed on the issues.

My philosophy in life is “If you wake up and your feet hit the ground, it’s going to be a great day” May God Bless You

David Royal

Hardee County Farm Bureau President

We preserve the best of nature, to produce the best from nature.

Enriching farmland is our labor and our love. We provide American farmers with nutrients to grow the food we need. But our work doesn’t stop there. After mining the natural phosphate needed to make our products, we reclaim the land for recreational and environmental uses. We bring more to your table, all while feeding the world responsibly.

A better Florida and a better world www.mosaicfla.com

22

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

OCTOBER 2009

R E C I P E S Spicy Snap Beans Ingredients • • • • • • • •

1 teaspoon sesame oil 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 sweet onion, julienne 1 pound snap beans, washed and snapped 1/4 cup sodium-free soy sauce 1 jalapeno, minced 2 tablespoons garlic, minced 1 tablespoon chili powder

RECIPES WANTED

Submit your favorite recipe with a photo for a chance to be published in an upcoming issue of InTheField®! matt@inthefieldmagazine.com -orP.O. Box 3131, Lake Placid, FL 33862

Preparation

Place a large sauté pan on medium/high heat. Add sesame oil, olive oil and onion, jalapeno. Cook for 2 minutes. Then add beans, chili powder, garlic, and soy sauce. Cover and cook for 5 minutes. Serve immediately. Yield: 6 Servings

Florida Snap Beans with Red Bell Pepper Ingredients • • • • • •

1 pound butter 2 teaspoons onion, chopped 1 clove garlic, minced 1/2 teaspoon yellow squash, diced 1 clove zucchini squash, diced 1 teaspoon green onions, thinly sliced

Preparation

Cut the snap beans into bite size pieces. Bring a medium-sized stock pot that is half full of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the snap beans and cook (about one to three minutes) until they turn bright green and are tender yet still crispy, because they will be cooked again.

Drain the beans completely, and then dunk them into a bowl of ice water to completely stop the cooking process. After they have cooled off all the way drain them again and set aside for later use.

In a large saute pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Carefully add the bell pepper, cook for about one minute. Add the beans and cook for about one minute longer. Add the pepper flakes and garlic and continue cooking for another minute or until desired tenderness. Turn off the heat and then drizzle with the sesame oil and season to taste with the salt and pepper. Serve family style. Yield: 6 Servings

Recipes courtesy of Florida Department of Agriculture.

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

OCTOBER

2009

23

Some of our most pristine forests have been turned into open palmetto flats that will never recover in our lifetime.

Thoughts from David Norwood

We are a group

of voting sportsman and sportswomen who wish to express our outrage at the abuse of our public lands by our own government agencies, often at the behest of environmental groups pressing their own agenda.

Our native forests and habitats are being destroyed by the cutting down and excessive burning of oak hammocks, sand pine forests and scrub tracts of land.

Some of our most pristine forests have been turned into open palmetto flats that will never recover in our lifetime. All of this destruction is being perpetrated by tunnel visioned land managers, using taxpayer money and land, to conduct single species management for the scrub jay and the grasshopper sparrow for example.

No consideration is being given for other native species nor is any input from other user groups, such as hunters, being taken into account. Many of us have lived in Florida and hunted these forests our entire lives, as have our families before us, and we feel we have an innate knowledge of the land that should be solicited and have weight beyond that of those who are basing their decisions on theory.

There are government employees, in supervisory positions with the agencies who are responsible for these public lands, who are also on the boards of environmental groups, such as the Sierra Club, Classic, and Audubon Society, who have an anti-hunting agenda. These employees are using their position to hinder or even ban other user groups, such as hunters, from using public lands to which we have equal right of access. This is a conflict of interest! These employees are paid

forests Continued on page 26

murdered are being 24

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OCTOBER 2009

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2009

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Forests-Continued from page 24 by taxpayers, and should be responsive to all citizens, not just these special interest groups.

They say that they want to return these lands to the way they were before the European settlers arrived in Florida, but the European settlers did not plant the oak hammocks, sand pines or native scrub that is being destroyed so that justification makes no sense at all.

Most of these tracts of land were acquired under the C.A.R.L Act, which specified that these areas are to be protected as they were when acquired due to their unique habitats. These lands were never meant to be an environmental experiment.

The state claims that they are running out of money to pay for managed check stations on management areas but the state can pay a biologist $35,000 a year to count frogs, or $50,000 to count scrub jays. Without manned check stations on these areas there is no means to collect data on the game species to ensure proper population management. Also, the lack of manned check stations limits the control that law enforcement has on poachers and limits how officers can enforce the rules and regulations.

We have attended meetings on the proposed boundary and time changes but our opposition to these changes has fallen on deaf, or perhaps prejudice, ears. These changes are being made without thorough research, such as that which was previously collected by biologists at manned check stations. The data being used in some areas is outdated, from as much as 40 years ago and other areas are being subjected to change without having ever been researched at all.

Youth hunter participation has declined ten percent over the past ten years and efforts are being made by the government to encourage private landowners to donate land to establish areas on which we can teach and train our youth to be safe and ethical hunters. But there is no need for the state to solicit such land when there are already public lands available, which could be used for this purpose if the special interest groups were not blocking such action. We are told that changing to allow such use would involve too much “red tape,” but the reality is that these groups hope to eliminate recreational hunting altogether, if not by destroying the habitat then by attrition.

The tax money used to destroy the unique habitats of Florida should be spent eliminating all of the invasive plants and animals that have been dumped onto our lands and that are murdering our native forests. We have played God with nature too many times with negative results to continue to make the same mistakes over and over again. Nature should be natural, not manufactured, based on someone’s theory of how things should be.

Sportsmen pay more tax dollars than any other user groups on these lands. Sportsmen have a vested interest in maintaining the health of the environment so they can continue to enjoy the land in the future. Sportsmen spend time in these habitats and know what

needs to be done to care for them, if only someone will listen. If you want to stop the destruction of these public lands, speak with a native born Floridian who can tell you what places such as Arbuckle Tract, Walk-in-Water, Three Lakes, and Avon Park Bombing Range have been in the past and should be in the future, not what certain biased officials of the Division of Forestry and the Florida Wildlife Commission tell you.

We are a growing organization and we are going to make a change by voice and by vote. If you are willing to help us with our cause or would like to speak with us please contact us as noted below.

Save our Forests! Save our Hardwoods! Save our Children! Save the Hunter!

Thank you for your time. Contact: Saveourhardwoods@ hotmail.com www.saveourhardwoods.org

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

OCTOBER 2009

11/11/08 3:54:26 PM

Farm Bureau Field Agent Report...

T

he County Farm Bureaus have finished their County Recognition Program applications. They have been judged by volunteer members who took their time to travel to Gainesville to review and score the voluminous work completed across the state.

As a reminder, the five categories are Legislative/ Policy Implementation, Public Relations/Information, Organization and Management, Education/Agricultural Promotion and Leadership Development.

It is now time to plan for the coming year. I will be working with the Boards of Directors in my field district to plan the things that are necessary to make a strong County Farm Bureau. Membership will be a focus within the framework.

I am asking Farm Bureau members to decide what contributions each one of you can make in order to strengthen County Farm Bureaus. Your time, expertise and efforts within the policy and organizational structure will be a key to future success just as those qualities have helped Farm Bureau in the past.

Florida Farm Bureau was founded in 1941 because farmers needed a unified voice to do the things that an individual cannot do alone. The need for a unified voice continues today. With the help of current volunteer members and new members, Farm Bureau will be here for the benefit of the agricultural industry for many future decades.

Andy Neuhofer, Field Representative District 6 Florida Farm Bureau Andy.neuhofer@ffbf.org

Lisa Sherman, C.P.A., P.A. Certified Public Accountant

Summer Khan, M.D. Board Certified OB/GYN

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111 East Park Street • Lake Placid, FL 33852 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

OCTOBER

2009

27

Proudly Serving Since 1963 ABOUT US

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e are a family-owned business that started in 1963 serving the agricultural industry around Lake Okeechobee and have grown to 6 locations covering South and Central Florida. We serve a wide range of customers from some of the largest agricultural producers of sugar, citrus and vegetables to individual farmers, nurseries and commercial landscape management companies as well as large and small property owners. We have become one of the largest John Deere dealers in the world by focusing on customer service and satisfaction. That philosophy continues today and is evidenced by our commitments below:

PRODUCT INVENTORY

We carry the full line of John Deere products with over $40 million in inventory at any one time. We also carry many other manufacturers’ products as well. We have what you want when you want it.

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We believe our investments in product availability, quality parts, outstanding service and our focus on meeting our customers’ needs as efficiently and effectively as possible is the only way to keep you coming back. Our family initially began and continues to operate a farming operation, so we understand what it takes to make businesses, no matter what industry, a success! We invite you to put us to the test and look forward to doing business together.

EVERGLADES FARM EQUIPMENT CO., INC. 820 US Highway 98 North • Okeechobee, FL 34972 Tel: 863-763-1921 • www.evergladesfarmequipment.com

28

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

OCTOBER 2009

Okeechobee

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Fort Myers

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Immokalee

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www.evergladesfarmequipment.com FOR QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS PLEASE CONTACT: Mike Schlechter, VP • mschlechter@evergladesfarmequipment.com Tom Schlechter, VP • taschlechter@evergladesfarmequipment.com INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

OCTOBER

2009

29

Layes-Continued from page 14

AVON PARK

800 West Main St. 863.453.6000

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Since then, the business has grown from a three-bay, gasoline service station with two employees, to an eight-bay full service auto center that employs eleven people. Today, Matt runs the day to day operations, and his cousin, Lori Wolfe, has been the office manager for the past four years.

Although Matt’s grandfather, Bill Laye, passed away in 2004, the business that he founded has continued to grow and flourish. Matt’s father, Ron, and his Uncle, Don, are still very active in Laye’s Tire Service and are there helping out where it is needed each day. Customers are welcomed in the showroom by one of the family members to help and assist with their automotive needs.

“Since we have been operating Laye’s Tire Service at our current location, I think we have grown a lot as a company. We have been able to focus more on the automotive repair and tire service, and expanded with more products. We have become affiliated with Bridgestone and Firestone, and we are associated dealers with Michelin, BF Goodrich, and Uniroyal. We are an independent company so we are able to purchase and carry many brands of tires,” Matt says.

Along with these items, Laye’s Tire Service is proud to provide their customers with many other quality products. They offer a full line of Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton, Michelin and BF Goodrich tires. They are also able to order any tire that is desired by the customer. Laye’s also carries a full line of tool boxes, dog boxes, fuel tanks, truck/car accessories, spray in bed liners, wheels, lift kits, and nitrogen. The team at Laye’s Tire Service can handle all of your auto care needs which include alignments, brakes, batteries, oil changes, transmission service, a/c service, shocks, and much more.

Whether your vehicle needs a new set of tires, an oil change, or a lift, Laye’s Tire Service is an exceptional company that will not only get the job done quickly, but will perform quality work.

The history that Laye’s Tire Service has in the community of Avon Park has proven that they are a trusted and well known company that is valued in the eyes of their customers. Matt Laye and his family will continue to operate and satisfy the needs of customers with a company that runs deep in their roots, Laye’s Tire Service.

Palmdale Oil Company is a fuel wholesale distribution company dedicated to customer service, strategic growth and innovative technologies.

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Landscaping Marinas Marine Vessels Fleet Agricultural Government Sectors

GREEN INNOVATION Palmdale Oil Company is taking a proactive approach to green innovation by incorporating different blends of bio diesel and ethanol into its product offerings. The strategic approach to meeting the needs of its customer base while working to protect the environment help to position us a premier distributor of renewable energy-based products.

30

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

OCTOBER 2009

Distribution of petroleum products from the company’s bulk terminals in Fort Pierce, Okeechobee, Boynton Beach and Fort Myers, Florida, ensure quick delivery to meet even unpredictable needs.

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HOW TO DETERMINE THE PRICE OF YOUR HOME

By Ag Specialist Donald Elliott • Century 21 Advanced All Service Realty,.Inc.

Why is it

that some homes sit on the market for a year, while others sell like hot cakes? Frustrated sellers will blame a bad market, while a good real estate professional will tell you that many times, a slow sale is often attributed to the listing price.

If a home is overpriced, buyers will stay away. But, if the price is competitive with similar homes in the area and “shows” better than the competition, it will have a better chance of being sold quickly.

The secret is perfecting a technique that’s as American as apple pie - comparative shopping.

Although comparing houses with different styles, square-footages and locations is challenging, real estate professionals still feel it’s one of the best methods to use when determining a home’s market value.

A responsible real estate agent will effectively evaluate a home’s worth through a process known as Comparative Marketing Analysis (CMA). Taking a look at assets, such as a swimming pool, bigger than normal living spaces, a fantastic view, adjacent city parks and other attractions, the agent will begin to compare your home with similar properties, called “comparables,” that have sold in the area within the last six months. Typically, the agent is able to recommend a realistic price range that will ensure you top dollar. However, factors such as the amount of time needed to sell your home can alter the agent’s price recommendation dramatically.

Typically, people should check with real estate offices in

Thank You...

To Highlands County Farm Bureau’s Heritage Sponsors.

the community to determine the typical duration that listings are on the market. Sales associates will explain that the marketing “norms” vary with prices and properties. Based on this criteria, the agent feels confident that he or she will be able to sell it for a price that both you and the buyer will be happy with. However, if you’re under time constraints because of unexpected job changes or moving agreements you’ve made on another property, this will narrow your chances of selling the home for top dollar in the market.

Assuming you have sufficient time to market the home, here are a few small steps you and your agent can take to finding the right price for your property.

The best comparisons can be made with similar homes that have been sold within the last 45 days as opposed to the standard six months. Any longer and other factors, such as the economy, could cloud your view of how much your home is really worth.

Another good benchmark is to review the selling prices of homes that have just been sold and are pending closes.

Most MLS services provide information on deals pending that most real estate agents should be able to share with you.

A good rule of thumb before setting a price is to make 20 comparisons of comparable properties within a onemile radius of your house. Once completed you can feel comfortable that the price you’ve picked is a good gauge of the home’s worth and won’t discourage qualified buyers.

Being open and honest about what you see as the home’s greatest strengths and biggest weaknesses will also help an agent get a better feel for how to best evaluate (or assess) and market your home. Think of your home as if you were the buyer. If your home is listed at the right price, you’re well on your way to a quick sale.

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Please support these businesses!

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

OCTOBER

2009

31

JLC Farms

Most partnerships are tested as businesses grow, but the Carltons have a special strength in their business union.

By John Bedell

Jason and Jake Carlton laugh about how little they had

when they started JLC Farms just outside of Wachula in Hardee County. “Seventeen years ago, we bought a truck and six trailers,” Jason said. “We didn’t know what we were going to do. We were young and dumb.”

Yet the two brothers had a strong work ethic and a partnership with true staying power. Together they have built a hauling and harvesting operation along with 150 acres of their own citrus groves.

At peak season, the business has 350 employees. Fifty of those workers are busy in the hauling business and three hundred are harvesting fruit. JLC Farms harvests from Polk County to Hillsborough and DeSoto to Charlotte and Hendry counties.

The brothers grew up in agriculture. Their father, James Carlton, worked as a watermelon farmer and broker. He was also in the citrus business for years. Their late grandfather, Percy, was a citrus buyer for Ben Hill Griffin.

“We both grew up with watermelons,” Jake Carlton said.

“We travelled a lot through Georgia, the Carolinas, and up into Delaware.

“We were doing field work with vegetables. It was more difficult than oranges. We were sizing, grading, checking quality and ripeness.”

In spite of lots of long hours during their teen years, Jason and Jake found time for some of the usual high school pursuits. Both wore orange and blue for the Hardee High School Wildcats on the football and baseball fields.

Jason was an offensive tackle and a third baseman. He graduated in 1985. Jake was an offensive guard and a defensive end. He played shortstop for the baseball team and graduated in 1990.

After that initial purchase of a truck and trailers, one of the first jobs was hauling fruit from LaBelle to Umatilla. In a few years, the brothers were ready to take on bigger projects.

“We bought out a local guy in the harvesting business in Hardee County about thirteen years ago. About six or seven years ago, we bought a hauling operation in Arcadia,” Jason said. “It’s

been a step-by-step process. We’ve picked up a few growers. We’ve bought a couple operations. It’s a slow gradual climb.”

Most partnerships are tested as businesses grow, but the Carltons have a special strength in their business union.

“Jason and I have always had the common goal to succeed,” Jake said. “Neither one worried about what the other one was doing. We don’t worry about who is working harder.”

Both also mentioned the work ethic that was taught from their father and grandfather.

“That was instilled in us from a long time ago,” Jason said.

When asked about other keys to success, Jake thought for a bit before giving his answer.

“We have a reputation based on our word,” he said. “If we give a price on a day, we are very particular with that. It may mean profit or loss, pain or pleasure.

We’ve lost money on our word and we’ve made money on our word.”

The reputation for fair dealing has been the basis for keeping customers.

“We have a lot of long term relationships with growers,” Jason said. “That is the way we like to do business.”

“Once we have a customer, we like to keep him,” Jake added.

The brothers also made it plain that good employees are part of a successful business.

They believe that JLC Farms has benefited from hard-working employees and good relations between labor and management.

“We get a lot out of our employees,” Jake said. “We’ve been where they are. We’ve done everything in the business but picking. We’re both fairly bilingual. “Any time an employer is more hands on, the employees feel more part of the business. Every employee can talk to someone in charge.”

“We don’t ask them to do anything we wouldn’t do,” Jason added.

As growers, the brothers also see both ends of the business.

They relate well to the growers that they serve. “When we have problems with a fruit grower, we don’t send someone,” Jake said.

Continued from previous page

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

OCTOBER 2009

Continued from previous page “We deal with it.”

JLC Farms also have benefitted from the support and trust of family. A key contributor has been Jason and Jake’s mother, Sandy.

“She works as our office manager,” Jake said. “She handles payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable and everything in between.

She handles it really well. She has been very instrumental in our growth.”

Jason and Jake also credit supportive spouses for helping their business grow and thrive.

Jason and Kim Carlton have three girls and a boy. Tiffany, 26, Katelyn, 17, Taylor, 11, and Joshua, 9 are their pride and joy. Jake and Missy Carlton are proud parents to Hannah, 11 and Sarah, 8. Missy teaches kindergarten at Wachula Elementary.

In a challenging economy, JLC Farms and the citrus industry have their hurdles to face. Greening and labor issues are two that Jason mentioned.

“Labor is always an issue because this industry is so labor intensive,” he said. “Greening is not as bad in Central Florida as it is in East Florida. It causes misshapen fruit and makes it unmarketable. It is a lot worse than canker.”

“Fuel costs were a big issue a year ago,” Jason said. “It hasn’t gotten reasonable but it has gotten a lot better than in the past.

We just implemented a fuel surcharge. We fought doing it as long as we could. With us being growers, we know in this market it is tough on them (growers).”

The brothers also see reasons to be positive despite the economic turndown.

“We are fortunate to be where we are physically,” Jason said.

“The citrus industry is much better off here in Central Florida than in South Florida or East Florida. Once the economy turns

around and the orange juice movement gets better, growers will be happy and then all of us are happy.”

Busy times are just ahead for those growers and JLC farms.

According to Jason, life gets really hectic right about Thanksgiving time.

“Then around Christmas, we get our first cold snap and then everybody wants their fruit picked at once,” he said with a grin. “It slows down around the middle of June.”

Back in 1991 when Jason and Jake bought that first truck, they had hopes of busy days ahead.

One of the earliest decisions was the name for the business.

“It is both of our initials,” Jake said. “It came to us when we needed a checking account and needed something to put on the checks.”

Years later JLC Farms has grown to be an important part of the citrus business in the area. Thanks to two hard-working brothers, dedicated employees and supportive families, it still has the simple values of an oldfashioned family farm.

“We’ve been blessed,” Jake said gratefully. “We’ve done better than we deserved.”

“We have a reputation based on our word,” he said. “If we give a price on a day, we are very particular with that. It may mean profit or loss, pain or pleasure. We’ve lost money on our word and we’ve made money on our word.”

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

OCTOBER

2009

33

A New Verse to an Old Song

By David Summers

Recently, I was at a tradeshow and got into a conversation with a few people about cell phones, connections speeds, and networks. My knowledge was quickly exhausted within the first few minutes of the conversation and I was ready to move on to talking about fishing.

That conversation got me thinking of the topic for this month’s article: “Cellular Network Technology” but I thought that would be a boring title.

While this probably is a rather boring topic for most folks, knowing some of the basics might just help us better understand how our phones work (or don’t work).

What is a “G”?

You can hardly turn on the television without hearing about a cellular provider’s “3G Network” and how they claim to be the biggest and the fastest.

But one question that some folks (including myself) may be wondering is, “just what in the heck is a “G” in the fist place?”

Fortunately, there is a pretty easy answer. “G” simply stands for “Generation.” The 3G network that the major cellular companies are boasting about is simply the third generation of cellular network technology. This third generation of network technologies allows for faster data transfer speeds and allows more people to use the system at the same time without slowing down or dropping connectivity. Ideally! While 3G technology provides for some really impressive performance, it is limited by its coverage. So most farmers, ranchers, growers, (and at least one guy that helps these folks with their technology needs) won’t get the benefits of 3G unless we happen to be accompanying our wives on a shopping trip to the “big city” or at least passing through on the way to go fishing. 3G technology requires infrastructure that is different from the previous generations, which means significant investments must be made by the cellular carriers. As you probably figured, that means they are only going to invest in areas where there are enough users (people…not cows or trees) to justify the investments.

I don’t wear shiny shoes to work

So if the 3G networks are limited to more metropolitan areas,

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

OCTOBER 2009

then what about the rest of us who don’t wear shiny shoes to work? You probably figured it out by now - 2G. Yes, the second generation of cellular technology. 2G is when we hung up those old first generation three watt brick phones, or the phone that was bolted into the floorboard of the truck that would reach just about anywhere. With 2G, we traded the static of 1G for digital clarity and if you have a bad signal, well, it just goes silent or “digitizes,” which is what explains the “cutting out” and/or “garbled” effect. We traded the antenna mounted on the roof of our truck and now stand on our toolboxes with our pocket sized phone in an effort to get a signal. Considering the current coverage of 3G networks, 2G is what the majority of people operate on today. 2G networks are based on the Global System for Mobile (GSM) protocol standards. This technology is what lets your phone jump from one cellular provider to the next without having to subscribe to or “roam” on another carrier’s infrastructure like back in the old 1G days. In short, you can use it just about anywhere. Also, within this second generation technology is Integrated Digital Enhanced Network or iDEN… you know…beep beep? As many of you are already aware, this is a proprietary technology from Motorola that uses 2G cellular technology that lets you carry on a two-way radio conversation without the limitation of being within range of the other radio.

Because it’s very much a proprietary system, you can only communicate with users that are on the same system.

2G is the most common and widespread technology to date and has become a very solid system. As far as data transfer is concerned, 2G works well, albeit a little slower than we’d like.

The “Gs” will keep coming Getting back to the point of this months article, we all now know what a “G” is in regards to mobile phone technology and you now know what to expect from different “G’s.” And as you probably guessed, 4G is already in the works and of course it will be bigger, better, and faster and eventually followed by even more “G’s.”

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

OCTOBER

2009

35

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OCTOBER 2009

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

OCTOBER

2009

37

MAKIN EVERY SMILE COUNT

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

OCTOBER 2009

Farmer’s Wife-Continued from page 17 these groups the importance of preserving significant sites for future generations. Her other passions include travel, painting, and reading.

She often combines these passions, as she spent a month on a dig in Caesarea, Israel, and has taken painting trips with a group of area women to Italy and Colorado in the past few years. Anne is also a member of the Highlands Art League, the Caladium Co-Op, and the Lake Placid Art League. Anne and Charles are also faithfully involved in activities at the Memorial United Methodist Church.

Anne and Charles share a love for their growing family. They have two children, Greg and Leigh Anne. Leigh Anne and her husband, Ian, have four children and live just around the corner from the homestead.

She shares how she feels farm lives have changes. Anne remembers being home in the early days, cooking and caring for the children, with no cell phones or ways to communicate with Charles during the day while he was out “making things happen.” Someone would call the house because a cow was out, or a pump was broken, and he wouldn’t find out until he made it home. As a farmer’s wife, she also sees the current problems in the citrus business, but fully supports Charles in his endeavours. A farmer’s wife must have patience, and Anne explains she prayed for patience for many years. Anne also says the farmer’s wife must educate the public about farming and agriculture “to let them know we’re good stewards of the land. Faith is necessary to the farmer,” explains Anne. “He has to have faith because it’s a risky business, with weather, pests, and disease. Sometimes you lose and have to start over, with faith to replant, rebuild, and keep going.”

Anne and Charles have been involved in countless activities throughout the years to build the community into what it is today.

“You need to give back,” stresses Anne. “It’s your responsibility, whoever you are, farming or any other business.” The Reynolds certainly have given back, and have felt privileged to do so.

SN

M O R F S T APSHO

e e b o h c Okee t o o h S y r Arche

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

OCTOBER

2009

39

CITRUS SECTION

A D V E R T O R I A L

The Word Is Good On CS 2005 Word of mouth spreads fast when products perform at the level of Magna-Bon’s CS 2005 liquid formulation of copper.

Growers, consultants, and applicators agree that Magna-Bon’s CS 2005

is the right formula for canker and other citrus diseases traditionally targeted with copper applications. CS 2005 is completely water soluble, thereby eliminating nozzle wear and improper calibration. Many copper products are in a powder form, bulky, dusty, and must be under constant agitation. Others are coppers in suspension, also needing constant agitation. Magna-Bon CS 2005 is copper in solution, and no agitation is needed.

“Being completely water soluble, CS 2005 seems like it gets in the leaf quicker than a powder copper,” he says. “If we get a rain, the powdered formulations of copper are more likely to wash off.”

Other benefits that Cheshire likes about CS 2005 is the product has less metal content than the powder products, but as he says, “does as good or even better job.” According to Magna-Bon, currently available copper bactericides and fungicides have up to 22.7 bioactive units of copper per unit volume, while CS 2005 has 50,000 bioactive units of copper per gallon. This makes CS 2005 do more with less copper applied per unit.

In addition to canker, Cheshire says in the summer he advises split applications of CS 2005 for greasy spot with good results. Best of all, he adds that CS 2005 “is very cost effective” for his orangegrowing customers.

Good Results In The Grove

Since receiving EPA registration for use as a bacterial fungicide on citrus, word has spread on the attributes of this unique product.

Clewiston grower Bobby McDaniel has had success with CS 2005 on his 1,000acre citrus operation.

“We’ve had canker issues for several years now,” says McDaniel. “But we’ve seen very good canker suppression with CS 2005. We’ll apply it three to four times a year, maybe more if we get conditions right for canker spread.”

McDaniel adds the product is convenient to use because it piggybacks well with other applications being made on the farm including nutritional and insecticidal applications. His consultant, J.T. Cheshire, agrees on the strong performance of CS 2005 against canker on McDaniel’s groves and others he looks after.

“CS 2005 does an excellent job suppressing canker in oranges,” says Cheshire. “We’ve used it religiously on Bobby’s farm, and I’ve seen good results in a few groves around Arcadia that I work.”

Coming Soon...Special Sections S EXPO WRAP

2009 CITRU

UP

I A L R T O R A D V E

on the Web can be found information ics.com or by calling Complete hemicalDynam site at www.C 2009 CITRUS EXPO WRAP UP 813-752-4950.

namics Chemical Dy First s Chemical Dynamics Puts Grower Puts Growers First ics offers a variety

Chemical Dynam just chemicals,

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Complete information can be found on the Web site at www.ChemicalDynamics.com or by calling 813-752-4950.

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and W.B. “Hap” are demicronutrients t formulations States. Dynamics g Chemical of foliar appliedstern United differen was founded includin in 1973 by long-time Plant City resident of crops and over 70 t lines and the southea W.B. “Hap” Carson wide range produc major, independent producer needs on aand has grown to become a tion nalapplied Their branded of foliar nutritio crops. micronutrients and liquidproduc foliar fertilizer products in Florida meet specific ntals, field, and row reach their and signed growers States. ® to les, ornameand the southeastern ment, testing, leaf d to help United citrus, vegetab they do is designe Their branded s for develop and product lines andtesting over 70 different formulations are deory facilitie Everything cture. Soilneeds on a wide te laborat signed to meet specific nutritional range of crops including have comple produc ts they manufa cies. goals. They citrus, vegetables, nal deficien ornamentals, field, and row crops. of all the pinpoint nutritio quality control available toEverything they do is designed to help growers reach their production also analysis are goals. They have complete laboratory facilities forfield development, testing, and Two of the any of all theis their people. quality control Comp products they ing manufacture. regions of Soil testing and leaf Make the Dynamics le produc analysis Chemic are al also available ng up a few The Peoplestory behind to pinpoint vegetab Cain. nutritional citrus and ® is roundi and Justin deficiencies.

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MAGAZINE• Great training too. Efficienproper you levels INTHEFIELD nutritional When for optimum health, growth ever. place.”

• A worthwhile goal more than and yields.

But I always keep the bottom line in mind just falls into erything else too. Efficient and cost-effective products are needed Call today (813) 759-6909 Ask for Brent more than ever. When you put the grower first, everything else just falls into place.”

WE DRIVE

WE DRIVE BUSINESS.

InTheField

InTheField

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

40

SEPTEMBER 2009

Be on the lookout for InTheField® magazine’s new Special Sections in future issues. These Special Sections will highlight citrus, horticulture, equine and cattle. Each section will feature news, advertorials and updates with regard to each commodity.

For advertising information on this section, call (863) 441-1263.

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

OCTOBER 2009

Applicator’s Dream

Growers and crop applicators report that CS 2005 is much easier to handle than powder copper alternatives. Barry Keller, with Ag Sales Associates, says there are several benefits CS 2005 offers that makes his job as an applicator easier.

“It is a lot easier to handle than the powder,” he says. “In its liquid form, you don’t have to worry with agitating because it mixes instantly. The CS 2005 doesn’t settle out like the powder copper. With the powder, if it settles, you’ve got to really agitate it to get it mixed back up.

“Being a liquid formulation, it won’t clog up nozzles and is less corrosive. Our low-volume Curtec sprayer doesn’t have nozzles, but with CS 2005, we don’t have problems with residue buildup like we can with the powder formulations. With the liquid formulation, the spray coverage is a lot more even, because of how well it mixes with the water. It grabs right on to the leaf.”

Keller reports very positive results using CS 2005 for canker and now other citrus challenges.

“We started out applying CS 2005 more for canker, but what we’ve found out is that it will do a lot of the things that powder coppers will do, like control greasy spot,” he says. “All of that in a much easier to handle product.”

CITRUS SECTION

Greening Associated Nutrient Deficiency Syndrome By Timothy M. Spann and Arnold W. Schumann By now everyone is well aware of the confusion that can exist

This article’s authors have been working to answer these and other questions and have been funded by the box tax to continue these investigations. To date we have accumulated a substantial amount of data to answer the first question posed above, are these deficiencies real.

Traditional leaf nutrient analysis reports nutrient levels on a dry weight basis; however, this may not provide accurate data when analyzing leaves from greening infected trees. Because greening leaves accumulate large amounts of starch their dry weight per unit of leaf area is naturally higher than a healthy leaf. Why does this matter? Starch is a carbohydrate and contains only C, H and O. Thus, when nutrient levels are examined on a dry weight basis the high starch content dilutes the nutrient levels. For example, let’s say a healthy leaf has a dry weight of 1 gram. If that leaf has a normal level of Ca (3.5%) it would contain 0.035 grams of Ca. Now let’s add starch to the same leaf and increase its dry weight to 1.25 grams.

We haven’t added any Ca, only C, H, and O, so the leaf still has only 0.035 grams of calcium but 2.8% by dry weight which is in the low range.

One way to correct for this anomaly is to express nutrient levels on a leaf area basis. Going back to the above example it is easy to see how simply adding weight to the leaf does not increase its area. The leaf thick® ness and weight per unit area may increase, but the total area does not.

However, measuring leaf area prior to submitting samples to a lab for nutrient analysis is not practical for most growers.

Another option for correcting for the dry weight change is to use DRIS analysis. DRIS, or Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System, was introduced in an article in last month’s issue of Citrus Industry.

in trying to distinguish citrus greening disease (Huanglongbing) symptoms from nutrient deficiency symptoms. In fact, many papers describing the leaf symptoms of greening will often describe them as nutrient deficiency-like. In their respective reviews on greening, Jose Bové and John da Graça both indicate that as the disease progresses in a tree, symptoms of Zn deficiency will develop. However, Zn deficiency alone is not a good indicator of greening infection since it commonly occurs in uninfected trees and is quite distinguishable from the typical blotchy mottle of greening.

Other micronutrient deficiencies, particularly B, cause symptoms that are frequently found on greening infected trees. In a paper from 1930, Haas described citrus trees with corking and splitting of leaf veins, abscission of leaves, and accumulation of excessive amounts of carbohydrates in affected leaves. One could easily believe he was describing greening symptoms, but he was actually describing B deficiency.

The apparent connection between nutrient deficiency and greening is not new. During the 1970s two separate papers were published which showed that greening symptomatic leaves had lower levels of Ca, Mg and Zn compared to asymptomatic leaves. Over the past couple of years a number of IFAS researchers have confirmed these findings in greening infected trees in Florida. However, many questions surrounding the nutrient deficiency / greening connection remain, among them: Are these deficiencies real (i.e. do they limit plant growth and yield)? Does greening infection restrict or limit nutrient uptake and or transport? Can remedial applications of nutrients reduce yield loss and/or prolong tree life?

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CITRUS SECTION DRIS uses the ratio of one nutrient to another (e.g. N/P) to develop nutrient indices. How does this help? Let’s go back to the earlier example again and add in a second nutrient, say Mg. If we assume our leaf started with a normal Mg level of 0.4% or 0.004 grams, then after the starch addition Mg drops to 0.32%. You can see that if we look at the ratio of Ca to Mg it remains the same (8.75) before and after the addition of the starch, because the additional dry weight is only affecting the percentage of the nutrients, not the actual contents in grams.

So, are the nutrient deficiencies that have been reported based on dry weight real when examined by DRIS or on a leaf area basis? It depends on the nutrient. For example, in a recent analysis comparing symptomatic (blotchy mottle) and asymptomatic leaves from greening infected trees (PCR +) to healthy leaves from healthy trees (PCR −) changes in K, Mg, Ca and B were found to be consistent across analyses. Of these, K increased and the others decreased. Additionally, K and Ca showed intermediate changes in asymptomatic leaves, having levels midway between symptomatic and healthy leaves. Mg and B did not show this trend and were reduced by similar levels in both symptomatic and asymptomatic greening leaves compared to healthy leaves. Mn, Zn, Cu and Fe which were all significantly lower in greening infected leaves on a dry weight basis were not significantly different when analyzed on a leaf area basis or

by DRIS. Research that is just getting underway at the CREC will look at these changes in more detail and try to separate out the nutrient deficiencies from greening symptoms by growing trees in hydroponics where nutrient levels can be easily monitored and altered. Additionally, post-doctoral research entomologist Antonios Tsagkarakis, working under the direction of Michael Rogers, will be studying how plant nutrient status affects psyllid feeding and reproduction.

To the final question posed earlier, can remedial applications of nutrients reduce yield loss or prolong tree life, we still don’t have a clear answer. Maury Boyd, who has been making multiple foliar applications of micronutrients for some time now has been very cooperative in sharing data with IFAS researchers and allowing us to monitor yields in his grove.

Overall, the yields in Mr. Boyd’s block in Felda have increased, despite significant greening infection. When we compared the yield on infected (PCR +) and healthy (PCR −) Hamlin trees this past December we found that the infected trees had significantly lower yield. However, the infected trees also had a much smaller canopy than the healthy trees and when yield was corrected for canopy size, there was no difference. Several things may be happening in this situation. The micronutrient applications may be improving the yield of the healthy trees, which is counteracting the yield decline of the infected trees, so overall the grove yields are being maintained. Also, the applications may be maintaining the yield of the infected trees, although they are not growing as well as the healthy trees so their canopy size (and yield potential) may not be increasing. The bottom line is that it will take several years of data, tracking the same trees, to know what is really happening.

Several nutrient decreases (Mg, Ca, B) associated with greening infection are real when analyses are corrected for the increased starch content of infected leaves. It is likely that these changes are arising from nutrient uptake and/or transport restrictions caused by greening infection. However, it is unclear whether foliar remedial applications of these nutrients can reduce the affects of the disease. The ongoing research will give us these answers, but it will take time.

Originally published in Citrus Industry magazine, May 2009

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2009

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CITRUS SECTION

A D V E R T O R I A L

Chemical Dynamics Puts Growers First

Complete information can be found on the Web site at www.ChemicalDynamics.com or by calling 813-752-4950.

More than just chemicals, Chemical Dynamics offers a variety of services to their growers.

Chemical Dynamics was founded in 1973 by long-time Plant City resident W.B. “Hap” Carson and has grown to become a major, independent producer of foliar applied micronutrients and liquid foliar fertilizer products in Florida and the southeastern United States.

Their branded product lines and over 70 different formulations are designed to meet specific nutritional needs on a wide range of crops including citrus, vegetables, ornamentals, field, and row crops.

Everything they do is designed to help growers reach their production goals. They have complete laboratory facilities for development, testing, and quality control of all the products they manufacture. Soil testing and leaf analysis are also available to pinpoint nutritional deficiencies.

S.

WE DRIVE BUSINES

The People Make the Company

The real story behind Chemical Dynamics is their people. Two of the field reps for the citrus and vegetable producing regions of central Florida are Kenneth Parker and Justin Cain.

Kenneth Parker is a life-long Hillsborough County resident, a Florida Southern graduate and has been with Chemical Dynamics since 1994. He is a Certified Crop Advisor (Florida certification) and has an extensive background in Florida agriculture.

“Working with growers and solving their problems is what I love doing,” Parker said. “I pull a lot of soil and leaf samples for my customers. It’s all part of the service. You can avoid problems by identifying deficiencies early and correcting them. That means healthier crops and better yields.”

Parker’s territory is highlighted in blue on the map.

Justin Cain is a field rep for the counties highlighted in yellow. He graduated from the University of Florida and his main emphasis is citrus production. Cain is also state-accredited as a Certified Crop Advisor. He makes his home in Polk County near Lake Wales.

“I own groves myself so I really identify with my customers,” Cain said. “It’s important to have proper nutritional levels for optimum health, growth and yields. But I always keep the bottom line in mind too. Efficient and cost-effective products are needed more than ever. When you put the grower first, everything else just falls into place.”

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

OCTOBER 2009

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Lakeport Chapter WITO Fisheating Creek Adventure Saturday, October 17, 2009 • Fisheating Creek Campground Palmdale, FL The Women in the Outdoors program is a great way for women to learn outdoor skills from expert instructors, meet new people and spend time with friends and family. The program features daylong events held throughout the United States and Canada, where women receive expert instruction and a chance to try a variety of outdoor activities.

Activities to include: Canoe/kayak trip down Fisheating Creek, Archery, Basic Chain Saw Operation, Self Defense, Dutch Oven Cooking, Fly Fishing 101, Geo Caching/GPS, Nature Hike, and Nature Photography.

Event Underwriters: Lykes Bros. Inc., Gatorama, Martin Realty Fla. Inc., Randy’s Garage, Lake Placid Jaycees, Clarke Pest Control, In the Field Magazine, and Beef O’Brady’s Lake Placid.

Door prize donors: Happiness Farms, Friends of Highlands Hammock, Lake Placid Marine, Outback Steakhouse Sebring, Hog Heaven Preserve, ThermaCell, Cabela’s, Bell & Carlson, Bass Pro, Don’t Bite Me!, Gander Mountain, Columbia Sportswear, Adidas Sportswear, Buck Knives, and Dick’s Sporting Goods.

For more information or a registration form: Visit www.nwtf.org Women in the Outdoor page Cheryl Henderson, Event Coordinator • Email witoflanwtf@gmail.com • Phone 239-280-7156 About the NWTF: The National Wild Turkey Federation is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation and education organization with a mission dedicated to conserving wild turkeys and preserving hunting traditions.

When the NWTF was founded in 1973, there were only 1.3 million wild turkeys. Today that number stands at more than seven million birds throughout North America, thanks to the efforts of state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies, the NWTF and its members and partners.

Growth and progress define the NWTF as it has expanded from 1,300 members in 1973 to more than 400,000 today. With that growth has come impressive strides in wildlife management as the NWTF has forged dynamic partnerships across the country to further its conservation mission. Together, the NWTF’s partners, sponsors and grassroots members have raised and spent more than $286 million upholding hunting traditions and conserving nearly 14 million acres of wildlife habitat.

While wild turkey restoration is nearing completion, the NWTF still has much work to do. Across North America, supporters are working to enhance habitat for wild turkeys and other wildlife while providing hunters with more opportunities and access to public and private land. In addition, NWTF volunteers and partners are introducing youth, women and people with disabilities to the outdoors through special educational events.

The NWTF’s national headquarters, located in Edgefield, S.C., features the Wild Turkey Center and Winchester Museum and 100-acre Outdoor Education Center.

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If you would like to become a member of Team NWTF, join a committee or start a chapter, please visit our Web site at www.nwtf.org or call us at 800-THE-NWTF. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

OCTOBER 2009

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

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Jimmy Frazier Jr. CITRUS REMOVAL

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W

By Matt Sherwood

America has become the least healthy first world country, dietetically speaking. What went wrong?

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

OCTOBER 2009

hen we were young, they used to say “Finish your dinner, people are starving in Europe.”

We knew better than to make a smart remark.

Now the Mediterranean diet is recommended.

It was not long ago that the problem was getting enough to eat. Ask people who lived through the great depression. They will tell you many people were going hungry right in this country. Now it’s the opposite. Americans are eating themselves to death. How could things have changed so much? Let’s take a look.

Before cooking was established humans ate their food raw. All animals that man doesn’t cook for eat their food raw. So you could say cooking separates man from animals. Some humans today claim they eat totally of uncooked food. They are a very small minority.

They purchase their food in stores that have a wide range of choices so they can eat all kinds of foods to keep up their strength. They think uncooked food is healthier. Normal people consider these culinary extremists to be “NUTS.” There is no documented case of a person living in the wild “accessing food only from their natural environment” for an extended period of time without cooking.

All human cultures cook food.

It takes time and energy to digest food. It takes more time and energy to digest raw food than cooked food. Cooking predigests food.

Using less time and energy to chew and digest food gives us more time and energy for locomotion and brain power. Thus cooking makes us smarter.

Gelatinization is the scientific term for the process by which heating transforms raw food into cooked. Plant cells store glucose in granules. Heat causes these glandules to swell because it breaks down the hydrogen molecules that bond them together. This fragments the glucose, leaving it unprotected, or gelatinized. Look at it like throwing a log on a fire. If you chop the log up first, it will burn faster and more entirely. The enzymes in your stomach can more completely and more quickly digest this gelatinized food. This results in an energy savings for the human.

Before primitive man could cook he had to control fire. We know of no human societies that do not have fire, no matter how isolated.

Did each culture discover fire on its own or was fire some how passed transculturaly until it became ubiquitous? Who discovered cooking?

Did some food fall into a campfire? Did someone find an animal cooked in a forest fire? Did somebody just think it up and throw some food onto a fire as an experiment? Was an upside down turtle on the fire the first pot? Who thought of wrapping the food in leaves and burying it surrounded by a charcoal fire? Was that the first stove?

The sexual division of labor is a universal result of the adoption of cooking by mankind. In all societies the women cook and the man hunts. There are exceptions, of course, on an individual basis but generally speaking this is a truism. This may have started because the man, being bigger and stronger, was the more effective hunter, designating the women to the job of fire tending and cooking. The word “lady” is derived from the old English word “hlaefdige” meaning “bread kneader.” The word “lord” is derived from the word “hlaefweard” meaning “bread keeper.” This denotes the women as the cook and the man the protector of the cook from our earliest English.

This relationship is the progenitor of long term romantic attachment.

Cooking is why marriage works.

Today man is hunting money and more women are joining him in the workplace. Even so, most of the domestic work is preformed by women, and that includes most of the cooking. So gender roles in America today have their basis in cooking.

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Continued from previous page depression. Industrialization can now produce more food so we do not have to go hungry. The result is the opposite. Food is everywhere. It is prepackaged, prefrozen and prepreserved.

Pop it in the microwave and nuke that dude. No time for such hassle? The highway is nothing but fast food franchises feeding us cheaply and quickly. What a wonderful world.

But now America has become the least healthy first world country, dietetically speaking. What went wrong?

Our food is now cooked by mega corporations in mega factories. They lack nutrients and are packed with fat, salt, and sugar. They have additives you don’t want to know about. This food is so easy to eat that now more people die in the U. S. from eating too much food instead of to little. The heavy caloric density of our modern highly processed diet is killing us.

The technology of cooking that once made us smarter and healthier has reversed itself. Micowaving kills the good bacteria in food that aids in digestion. If you were to microwave and kill all the bacteria in your stomach you could not digest your food at all and you would die. Buy locally grown food from people you know. Who is going to take better care of their customers, your neighbors or the mega corporations?

And guys and kids help out for once. Moms been working incessantly and if she ever heard a “Thank you” or a “Can I help” it would be the first time. Many hands make light work. So let’s all pitch in on the cooking and clean up. Let’s have a good old American dinner with just good old plain natural food. You’ll make mom happy, and when the cook is happy, everybody’s happy.

Information for this article comes from the book “Catching Fire” by Richard Wrangham. Read it.

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2009

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Big Daddy

Bar-B-Que

HEARTLAND BBQ NEWS The Perfect Slab of Ribs...

By Jim McCoin, Cowboys BBQ and Steak Co.

There is a fella over in Sebring named Jimmy

Brod. He is an aircraft mechanic and a professional BBQ cook.

When I first started cooking professionally in 2005, this guy was already a legend. He has won and is still winning BBQ competitions everywhere he goes. I can remember seeing this giant of a man for the first time, he was tall, I am tall, he was a good looking fella, I am a good looking fella, he has been eating good, I always eat good, his name is Jimmy my name is Jimmy, he likes to cook, I like to cook. I remember thinking to myself, that guy and I would get along great! I was right.

We have cooked all over together and against each other and have had a wonderful time doing it. We have become the best of friends. But now may be a time he gives me a nasty phone call, as I am going to give you a rib recipe that he taught me - sorry Jimmy!

We are cooking baby back ribs today. I start by choosing a perfect slab of ribs. These ribs will not have any shiners, (bones sticking through the outside meat) they will have plenty of loin meat included, (the white meat on top of baby back ribs) and they will have marbling throughout the meat. The first thing we need to do is remove the membrane from the inside of the ribs.

This is easily done by taking a butter knife and lightly scraping one rib towards the end until it come loose from the slab, then peel it all the way off just like plastic wrapping. Next we are going to season the ribs. I like to start out by rubbing olive oil all over. Don’t miss a spot. What this is going to do is hold and melt our seasoning when applied, and also give a texture to the ribs you probably never had before. The seasoning of choice for ribs is a rib rub made by champion cook team Home bbq.com.

This seasoning is called simply, Rib Rub. That makes it easy to know what to use on your ribs if you drink while cookin!

After the olive oil I apply the Rib Rub to the ribs on both sides – heavy. After the first application I press - yes press not rub the seasoning into the ribs. Remember what I am saying here, we are pressing, hard. We do this three times over a 15-minute period. These ribs should be looking like a snickers bar.

I always cook at 225 and I love to cook on a Spicewine Smoker. Jimmy Brod sells these and Mr. Matt Elliott cooked on one, too, at a recent contest. We are going to place the ribs on our smoker with indirect heat, meat side up at 225 degrees.

Now, close the lid and get a drink.

What we are trying to accomplish with a perfect slab of ribs is to have them be easily removed from the bone when

bitten, but not to fall off the bone. The flavor we are going to look for will include a light smoke, a light burn, and a big sweet taste.

How we are going to get this is mostly due to the Rib Rub, but also we are going to use, “Sugar in the Raw.” This is a raw sugar that won’t burn like regular sugar. You can get this at Walmart.

After two hours I like to take a look and see what’s going on.

When I take my first look I always apply a nice layer of sugar. After the sugar is on, I will spray the sugar down with Pam, this helps melt the granules so they don’t just fall off after you close the lid. I repeat the sugar and Pam process every hour until the ribs have cooked four and a half hours.

Now we start a whole new thing, figuring out perfect tenderness!

A toothpick is the best tool for this. At this point tenderness can be determined by sticking the ribs with a toothpick. If the toothpick goes in and easily comes out of the ribs without picking them up, we are close. At this point we sauce the ribs for the first time - both sides, and I know it is hard to believe, but we add sugar again heavy! Repeat the sauce and sugar three times every 15 minutes.

Removing and cutting is going to be hard, these might be the most tender ribs you have ever had. I like to take a long knife and run end to end down the slab, not touching the top. We don’t want to mess up our snicker bar! Slicing is best done with an electric knife, and be careful not to mess up this pretty slab.

Remember, if the meat comes off the bone with ease, no tugging and not anymore meat than you have bitten, you have a winning rib.

If the meat pulls hard you have under cooked it. If it just falls off it is over cooked. If you have sauce sticking to your top lip, all over your fingers and face, its real sticky, and your smiling like a kid with a piece of candy, you have won!!

Good luck! Big Daddy Q

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863-699-9234 TIRES AND RIMS Brand new factory take-offs. Fits 2005 and later F-250 FX4. Contitrac 275/70R18 on 18” polished aluminum rims. $1200 OBO 863-699-5442.

DISCOUNTED STEEL BUILDINGS, Big & Small Get the Deal of Deals! Placement to Site. www.scg-grp.com.

Source #0RJ. Phone: 813-774-6584 250 ACRES in BUTLER GEORGIA Flowing creek 4 bedroom, 4 bath house built in 2007. Food plots, feeders with cameras, 20 stands. $950,000. Call Rhonda Wetherington at 813-763-0986 1952 JOHN DEERE TRACTOR-M MODEL Runs Good! $1,985 O.B.O. Jim 863-858-2226 POLLINATION SERVICES Strong bees when you want them.We also have honey and skin care products made with honey and ingredients from the hive. Cantu Apiaries, 863-735-1679

FARM EQUIPMENT-Marking Bar & Hole Punchers.

Call 813-759-8079

SURPLUS WINDOWS-Starting at $55.00 • Call Ted 813-752-3378

ANTIQUE CLAW FOOT TUB-Only $350.00 • Ask for Ted 813-752-3378

•2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON•-Dyna Glide Streetbob,

cobalt blue, only 368 miles, EXCELLENT condition.

Extras added!!! Ready to ride. 15,100 Serious Inquiries Only! (813)659-3402

2000 LULL 644B-42’-Reach forklift 3,952 hours. $29,469 Call 863-698-4114 GOOSENECK BRAND-24X6, Canvas Top, 3 Compartments. Call 863-528-4356 or 863-692-1082

2005 JOHN DEERE-Front blade tractor blade 54” or series 300, 400, F900 series mowers. 1 year old with hitch & quick connect. Hydraulic hitch $1,200 obo.

Call 863-537-2905 (Ft. Meade) 06 FREIGHTLINER FL60 M2 CLASS

Chassis 300 Cat engine, Allison 6sp, auto transmission, Nav. System, sound system, back up & trailer camera system, CD, DVD, all leather, wood trim, air ride, 4 door.

Only 16,000 miles. $85,000 Call 813-478-9193

1984 KUBOTA B6200-2 wd, w/4 ft. Finish Mower

$3,000 • 863-698-2967

RIVERVIEW-2.5 Acres 3/2 ranch w/pool, fenced pas-

ture, barn and tack room. Reduced to $299,900. Call John at Kilgore Real Estate 813-689-5881

WOODS ZERO TURN MOWER F27-demo unit

$8500.00 • 813-623-3673

TRACTORS FOR SALE-Antique 8N Ford 1952, like

new tires, engine $4250; Almost new 06 Kioti 120 tractor, bucket and box, only 70 hrs $8900; Neil 863-465-8144 Lake Placid

HOMOSASSA LOT-One acre lot, high & dry, approx.

100 yds. From the Mason Creek River. Fishing & Boating Heaven! 813-503-9033 HUSQVARNA LZ 6127-Zero turn mower. 61” cut, 27 hp Kohler engine, 5 yr. warranty $7,499 (MSRP $9,699) C&J Equip. Lake Wales, 863-638-0671

FOR SALE-10 acres with 4 BR – 3 bath.

Call 813-716-2808

NEW HOLLAND TN 60A-2 wd, w/loader, 45-hp Late Model $16,500. Call: 813-623-3673 TOP BRAHMAN COWS-4-6 Years Old. Bred to pure-

bred Brahman Bulls. Available NOW. Contact our ranch at (305) 218-1238

Call to place your classified ad:

**Lake Placid Christian School Students: Have Your Parent(s) Sign Here:_________________ and please return to Mr. G.

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

863-441-1263 OCTOBER

2009

55

COWBOYS OKEECHOBEE’S OWN

BARBQ & STEAK COMPANY

I

have two daughters Jamie, sixteen and Carley, twelve and on the way home tonite turkeys and ducks, we love to hunt both and it got me thinking...Have you ever a wild turkeys breast is dark meat and not white like the ones in the store? When to kill our yard birds and they didnt have white meat either? My dad butchered time and it was not like the meat from the store. Wild hogs and domestic hogs same.

It is said that wild meats are much better for you than domestic, this try some meats I have never tried before, this month at Cowboys BBQ will be trying Ostrich, Bison, Antelope, Elk, and for Holloween...Gobblin. sauteed Gobblin Gizzard! This of course will be served Holloween night.

Here is your chance to try some of the stuff we dont have around here and is hard to find anywhere. It seems today it is easy for northeners to get Gator Tail, Swamp Cabbage, and my favorite Florida treat Raw oysters, but I cant recall ever seeing elk when I was in Montana, I didnt see Antelope when I was in Wyoming, and to tell you the truth I didnt even know folks ate Ostrich!

Come on over to Cowboys any Saturday this October and try an Exotic meat.

we were discussing wild just thought about why I was little we used one of our cows one isn’t even close to the made me think to and Steak co. we Y e p

Thank You, ~Jim McCoin, Owner, Cowboys BarBQ and Steak Company, Okeechobee

Exotic Meat Menu FOR OCTOBER

Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009 • Ostrich Kabobs Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009 • Bison Burgers Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009 • Antelope Stir Fry Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009 • Elk Meat Loaf Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009 • Sauteed Gobblin Gizzard

Don’t miss your chance to try these unique and delicious treats!

102 SW 14th St. • Okeechobee, FL 34974 • 863-467-0321 56

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

OCTOBER 2009