In The Field magazine Hillsborough edition

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

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• Food Plot Mix • Attractants • Feeders • and much more!

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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

Reg. $19.99

APRIL 2012

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From the Editor Contents

I

t’s here once again!

April is National Gardening Month!

So get out and get your hands dirty. It’s good for your health, nutrition and helps make our country a little “greener.”

VOL. 8 • ISSUE 6

Cover Story Page 54

Mark your calendars!

The ninth annual Florida Agriculture Literacy Day is Tuesday, May 1. Those involved in the agriculture industry are encouraged to read Florida Agriculture in the Classroom’s newest book to elementary students. For more information on the event visit www.agtag.org.

Another important date to note is Mother’s Day! No gift to your mother can ever equal her gift to you – life.

(Anonymous) On this day we honor our mothers with breakfast in bed and crayon scribbled I love you’s. Not to mention great dinners! We should celebrate our mothers every day, but especially on Mother’s Day, May 13.

It seems that we always involve food in celebrations.

Remember when shopping for your table to buy Fresh From Florida. You will be buying fresh, wholesome, delicious food from local people that you can trust.

As always, a big thank you to our advertisers. You allow us to continue to cover what is growing. When you are out shopping for Mother’s Day, or any day, let our advertisers know you appreciate them!

Until Next Month,

Sarah

The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you.

Letter from HCFB President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 6 Business Up Front / Southern Water & Soil . . . . . . Page 10 Tampa Bay Fishing Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14 Grub Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 18 Rocking Chair Chatter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 22 Morphed Dreams: Woody Summerlin . . . . . . . . . . . Page 28 2 Girls, One Crown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 34 A Big Extended Family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 40 Recipes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 50 Homemade Is Better . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 67 Soil andWater Conservation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 70 Tampa Bay Watershed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 76 2012 Florida Strawberry Festival Winners . . . . . . . Page 82

PUBLISHER/PHOTOGRAPHY Karen Berry EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Al Berry SENIOR MANAGING EDITOR/ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Sarah Holt EDITOR Patsy Berry OFFICE MANAGER Bob Hughens

SALES MANAGER Danny Crampton SALES Al Berry Tina Richmond Danny Crampton CREATIVE DIRECTOR Mona Jackson PHOTOGRAPHY Karen Berry Al Berry Stephanie Humphrey

STAFF WRITERS Al Berry Sandy Kaster James Frankwoiak Sean Green Ginny Mink Libby Hopkins CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Woody Gore Les McDowell STAFF - INTERN Amanda Furmage

In The Field Magazine is published monthly and is available through local Hillsborough County businesses, restaurants, and many local venues. It is also distributed by U.S. mail to a target market, which includes all of the Greenbelt Property owners, members of the Hillsborough County Farm Bureau and Strawberry Grower’s Association.

Letters, comments and questions can be sent to P.O. Box 5377, Plant City, Florida 33563-0042 or you are welcome to email them to: info@inthefieldmagazine.com, or call 813-759-6909

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Advertisers warrant & represent the descriptions of their products advertised are true in all respects. In The Field Magazine assumes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers. All views expressed in all articles are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Berry Publications, Inc. Any use or duplication of material used in In The Field magazine is prohibited without written consent from Berry Publications, Inc. Published by Berry Publications, Inc. W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M

100 South Mulrennan Road • Valrico, FL 33594 • 813-685-9121

You Don’t Have To Be A Farmer To Belong To Farm Bureau Dear Reader: The headline says it all. You really do not have to be a farmer or cattle rancher to belong to Florida Farm Bureau. Yes, Farm Bureau is Florida’s largest general interest, grassroots agricultural organization representing more than 144,000 member families, but we are much more.

Since Farm Bureau’s inception in 1941, we have been strong advocates for the American family farm and its heritage plus: • • • • • • • • • • • • •

The right to freely practice one’s religious beliefs Support of our nation’s Constitution and laws A just and fair system of taxation An abundant and healthy domestic food supply Limited governmental intrusion and regulation Private property rights Preservation of the rural lifestyle Environmental practices based on sound science A competitive free market system A level playing field for world trade Freedom of opportunity Respect for our fellow man Programs that help to develop our nation’s young people

I submit that the majority of what Farm Bureau advocates is important to us all and valid reasons for you to consider membership in our organization. Beyond these important advocacy positions, Farm Bureau member families enjoy a host of benefits such as a $500 GM Private Offer towards the next purchase of a GM vehicle, child safety seats from COSCO at substantially reduced prices, reduced pricing for tickets to theme parks and attractions, different ways to save money on lodging while traveling and much more. You should also know those annual dues will pay for two adults and two children to enjoy a steak dinner at our annual meeting.

All of this is available to your family for an annual membership of $54 per family. If what Farm Bureau stands for is important to you and your family, please call, stop in our visit our website today. I am confident you will be glad you did. Our Hillsborough County Farm Bureau office is located on the southwest corner of State Road 60 and Mulrennan Road in Valrico, the telephone is 813-685-9121 and our website is www.hcfb.org.

Farm Bureau is a strong and valuable organization. Having your family join would help make us even stronger and enhance our support of agriculture and the family values we represent and strive to protect.

Thank you.

Ray Ray Wood Membership Chairman

Board of Directors

President: Danny Aprile, Vice-President: Jerry Hinton, Treasurer: George Coleman, Secretary: Glenn Harrell, Member-At-Large: Bill Burnette, Jake Raburn, Patrick Thomas, Amanda Collins, Roy Davis, David Drawdy, Jim Dyer, Alvin Futch, Stefan Katzaras, Greg Lehman, Carl Little, Lance Ham, Michelle Williamson and John Stickles, Executive Director: Judi Whitson 6

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• Blueberry juice will boost your memory.

• If Antarcticaʼs ice sheets melted, the

• Japan is the largest exporter of

• The percentage of Africa that is wilder

• The first breakfast cereal produced

• One cubic mile of seawater contains

• White wine gets darker as it ages while red wine gets lighter. frog legs.

• Ice cream is Chinese food. was Shredded Wheat.

• The number one selling snack in the US is potato chips.

• Watermelons can cost up to $100 in Japan.

• To burn off one plain M&M candy,

you will have to walk the full length of a football field.

• There is more real lemon juice in

Lemon Pledge furniture polish than in Country Time Lemonade.

• There are no hog lips or snouts in Spam.

• The water of the Antarctica is so cold that nothing can rot there.

• The earthquake of December 16, 1811 caused parts of the Mississippi river to flow backwards.

worldʼs oceans would rise by 200 to 210 feet all over the world.

ness is 28%. The percentage of North America that is wilderness is 38%. about 50 pounds of gold.

• Israelʼs Dead Sea is 1,312 feet below sea level.

• Even Antarctica has an area code.

Itʼs 672.

• Europe is the only continent without a desert.

• The ʻKing Ranchʼ in Texas is bigger than the state of Rhode Island.

• Dirty snow melts faster than clean snow.

• Oak trees are struck by lightning more than any other tree.

• Scientists have calculated that the

Earth sees about 760 thunderstorms every hour.

• The average speed of a raindrop is

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17 miles per hour.

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Licensed Propagators Serving Farmers & Retail Customers 1 gal. Blueberry Starting a Farm Plant h

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Index of Advertisers Ag Technologies.....................................65 Agro-Culture Liquid Fertilizers..............24 Alvin Futch............................................69 Antioch Feed .........................................17 Aquarius Water Refining .......................66 Astin Strawberry Exchange....................19 Berry Blue Farm & Nursery, LLC............8 Bill’s Transmissions................................69 Bingham ................................................89 Brandon Auto Services, Inc....................91 Broke & Poor ........................................72 Byrd & Barnhill, P.L. .............................93 C&C Services of Tampa ........................27 Cecil Breeding Farm ..............................95 CF Industries, Inc ..................................80 Chemical Containers .............................47 Chuck’s Tire & Automotive .................87 Circle “R” .............................................13 Clem’s Meats .........................................66 Cowboys Steakhouse & Saloon.............20 Cowboys Western World .......................20 Crescent Jewelers...................................85 Dad’s Towing.........................................81 Day Dreams Spa. ...................................35 Discount Metals ....................................81 Driscoll’s................................................56 Fancy Farms ..........................................92 Farm Bureau Insurance..........................12 Farm Bureau Insurance/Jeff Sumner ......91

Farm Credit ...........................................51 Felton’s ..................................................51 Fischbach Land Company .....................71 Florida Strawberry Festival....................30 Florida Strawberry Growers Assoc. .......36 Forbes Road Produce.............................13 Fred’s Market ........................................87 Gator Ford ............................................44 Gladstone Land .....................................59 Grove Equipment Service.......................90 Guthrie’s. ...............................................42 Harold’s Feed & Pet Supply ....................3 Harrell’s Nursery, Inc.............................23 Haught Funeral Home...........................38 Helena Chemical-Tampa........................73 Hillsboro State Bank..............................91 Hillsborough County Farm Bureau .........7 Hinton Farms Produce, Inc....................61 Home Protection Pest Control...............35 I-4 Power Equipment.............................52 Johnson’s Barbeque ...............................87 Jon & Rosie’s Tree Farm .........................8 Keel & Curley Winery ...........................43 Key Plex ................................................25 Land’s Feed & Farm Supply ..................44 Loetscher Auto Parts .............................79 Malissa Crawford..................................59 Mark Smith Excavating .........................19 Meryman Environmental.......................68 Mosaic...................................................85 Parkesdale Farms.....................................5

Parrish Threads. ....................................53 Pathway BioLogic..................................63 Plant City Garden Club .........................79 Plant City Tire & Auto..........................23 Red Rose Inn & Suites ..........................48 Rick’s Custom Meats.............................69 Ring Power Corporation .......................41 Roadrunner Veterinary Clinic................96 S & O Greenworks................................39 Savich & Lee Wholesale ........................78 Seedway. ................................................35 Sister’s & Company...............................75 Sky Powersports of Lakeland ..................9 Southern Water & Soil ..........................93 Southside Farm & Pet Supply................11 Southwestern Produce ...........................45 Stingray Chevrolet .................................21 Super Service Tire & Auto.......................2 Sweetgum Environmental ......................74 The Catering Company & Cafe.............47 The Hay Depot......................................26 Timberlane Pet Hospital & Resort ........26 Trinkle, Redman, Swanson, Coton, Davis & Smith.......................................75 Walden Lake Car Wash .........................29 Wells Memorial .....................................79 Wert’s Welding & Tank Services, Inc. ....53 Willie’s...................................................93 Wishnatzki Farms ..................................23 Zaxbys...................................................16

You Too, Can Be A Winner

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 8

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

APRIL 2012

number of the page which you found the logo and where on that page you located the logo to:

InTheField® Magazine P.O. Box 5377 Plant City, FL 33566-0042

Winners will be notified by phone.

You Too Can Be A Winner!

Search for the logo below and enter now!

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Best Flat Contests

2012

SWINE SALE RESULTS 1ST PLACE 2ND PLACE 3RD PLACE

FANCY FARMS BUYER - WISH FARMS $1,000 EW SIMMONS FARM BUYER - WISH FARMS $500 MIKE LOTT FARMS BUYER - ESI $800

PLANT SALE RESULTS 1ST PLACE 2ND PLACE 3RD PLACE

FANCY FARMS BUYER - WISH FARMS $700 EW SIMMONS FARM BUYER - WISH FARMS $800 CASTILLO FARMS BUYER - GULF COAST PRODUCE $900

STEER SALE RESULTS 1ST PLACE

2ND PLACE 3RD PLACE

MIKE LOTT FARM BUYER - C&D FRUIT AND VEGETABLE $2,000 FANCY FARMS BUYER - WISH FARMS $700 EW SIMMONS FARM BUYER - WISH FARMS $500

Total money raised: $7,900.00 !

Thank you to the growers that participated and the buyers for their continued support of our future Ag leaders.

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Business Up-Front Installation of a community collection system.

Southern Water and Soil works on an installation of a drain field in Brandon, FL

Installation of a 9,000 GPD mobile home park septic system in Tampa, FL

Southern Water and Soil WATER EXPERTS

By Libby Hopkins

W

ater is the driving force for all nature and we need it to survive.

Since water is extremely important, you would want a water expert taking care of your septic system, right? Of course you would! Southern Water and Soil of Lutz has over 30 years of combined experience specializing in engineering, designing, permitting, installation and maintenance support for septic systems.

There are over two million septic systems in Florida and Greg and Tanya Mayfield are ready to service all of them. Greg is the President of SWS, while Tanya is in charge of human resources, marketing and customer services. Bob Dasta is Vice President of the company and he is instrumental in designing many of the onsite decentralized wastewater treatment systems.

Greg Mayfield is originally from Arcadia.

While attending Desoto County High School, he was active in FFA. During his senior year, he was the FFA chapter’s president.

“When I was in FFA, I was on the Land Judging Team and placed seventh in the state for soils judging,” Mayfield said.

“This is where I fell in love with soil and learned about the many uses involving soil.”

He attended the University of South Florida where he received his bachelor’s degree in geography, specializing in environmental studies. While attending USF, he interned with the Florida Department of Health. He also received his graduate certificate in hydrogeology, where he focused on concerns for water quality and

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quantity. “Once I graduated from USF, I worked for the FDOH as a septic tank inspector for over four years,” Mayfield said. “While with FDOH, I gained expert knowledge of the septic industry and how septic systems worked.”

Mayfield continued to gain more knowledge about septic systems when he took a position as staff hydrologist with Southwest Florida Water Management District. He reviewed and consulted with the agribusinesses concerning their water use permits. He also worked on a project created by SWFWMD called FARMS. “I worked as a project manager funding agricultural projects that benefitted the district’s water resources,” Mayfield said.

He had a life long dream of owning his own company, so in November 2004 he left SWFWMD and started working on his dream.

“I started out by designing septic systems, completing septic system surveys, septic inspections and soil analysis,” Mayfield said. He obtained his septic tank contractor’s license in 2010 and began installing septic systems. Southern Water and Soil was born. They are a licensed septic and engineering company. The company has branches in Lutz, Plant City, Tampa, Brandon and Odessa.

“As an inspector for the Florida Department of Health, I was able to work in all areas of the Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal System program,” Mayfield said. “As an OSTDS inspector, I worked all the areas of Hillsborough County.” He saw the need for these areas to have a septic system company close by to offer service. SWS also has a very informative website. Mayfield has a blog

“Greg and Tanya Mayfield of Southern Water and Soil are proud to be a part of the communities they serve.”

on the site that helps to answer many questions about septic systems. He explains the different septic systems, installations and products. SWS is now a Florida dealer and distributor for the Norweco Singular Green. It’s a technology that allows the treatment of wastewater to cleaner effluent and it can be used for drip irrigation systems. The company is also an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) distributor for their own line of septic system controls. This allows them the flexibility of providing their customers with quality septic system products at affordable prices.

Another important part of the website and blog is that it offers septic education and maintenance information. Maintenance plays an important role in septic care.

“The typical septic system with typical use should be serviced every three to five years,” Mayfield said. “If the system is not pumped out, it would be prudent to have a septic inspection done by a licensed septic professional.”

SWS has developed their business model on serving the communities that they are involved in and they give back to the communities as well.

They have donated materials and labor to several facilities requiring septic systems.

“We’ve donated to Knayana Catholic Church in Valrico and Hope’s Children’s Home in Tampa,” Mayfield said. “We have also donated to several other faith based entities.”

If you are interested in the services or products offered by Southern Water and Soil, you can contact them at 813-785-0500, or you can visit them on the web at

w w w. s w- s o i l . c o m

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Tampa Bay’s Fishing Report

Boat Trailer Lighting & Fishing

by Captain Woody Gore light source with advantages over traditional lighting. Some of these advantages include longer life, improved brightness, smaller size, lower amperage draw, and instant-on capability.

BOAT TRAILER LIGHTING

B

oat trailer lights are critical and underdiscussed components that seem to fail at the most inconvenient times. Don't risk getting a ticket or in an accident because you neglected your boat trailer's lighting.

LED TRAILER LIGHTS Better, Brighter and Longer Lasting

W Most light fittings are vehicle types with incandescent lamps. They are easily flooded and waterlogged, which results in burnouts and failure. Moisture is the enemy of all electrical systems and connections. Water, especially saltwater, quickly and easily corrodes electrical connectors, which wreaks havoc on lighting systems.

Recently, improvements to lighting components have resulted in waterproof fixtures that virtually eliminate water intrusion. Most of these new components utilize the innovative LED lights instead of incandescent bulbs.

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hat is an LED? As lighting technology improves, almost everyone has seen or will see this small bright light. Actually they are an electronic light source created from a light-emitting-diode, and so the name LED. Invented in the early 20th century and introduced as a practical electronic component in 1962 these early devices emitted a lowintensity red light, but modern LED’s are now available across the color spectrum and capable of producing a very high brilliance.

Applications of LED’s are widely diverse often used as new equipment or as lowenergy replacements for traditional lighting.

Without getting into how they’re actually manufactured, let’s say it’s simple but complex. Although small, they produce a bright

To work properly in the marine environment, LED’s are hermetically sealed for protection against the environment and other corrosive elements. To ensure long life, the most reliable sealing method is encapsulating the circuit board and LED diodes in a material that is impervious to outside industrial, road and marine environments.

The most common application for LEDs in the boating industry is trailer lighting.

However, boat manufacturers around the world are quickly jumping on the LED band wagon. Primarily because of improved intensity, color combinations and low operating amperage draws.

Boat and utility trailers for example, take a tremendous amount of abuse. They are continually exposed to elements including fresh and salt water, rough roads and rougher boat ramps. Therefore, to produce a long-life light source like LEDs, means that greater care must be taken during their design and manu-

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facture. While this translates to a higher principal cost, it also means lower replacement costs over the life of the trailer. With some research you can find an excellent LED trailer lighting kit priced somewhere between $50 and $75 dollars.

On a personal note, and because I trailer my rig over 200 days each year, at night and in heavy stop and go traffic, I need a dependable trailer, so last year I replaced my old trailer with one made in Plant City. Rolls Axle has been around for years and in my opinion builds one of the premier trailers on the market. So if you are looking at purchasing a new boat and trailer or replacing an old trailer give Dan Gallagher a call at 1-888ROLLS-52. Because of the new LED waterproof lighting they installed on my new trailer, I have a new comfort level that the added brightness, especially in stop and go traffic, makes it easier for the vehicles behind me to see the brighter lights.

I’ve had an awesome last three months catching nice spotted sea trout using shrimp and artificial lures. It’s always nice not having to throw the net for awhile. We had some really great days with trout measuring in the low to mid 20” range along with a few nice redfish, pompano and large breeder sheepshead.

Coming in April, snook can be found around docks, bridges, mangrove islands, oyster bars or any other ambush spot. You often hear me talk about topwater action. Well this is a great month to get a topwater lure punched out of the water by a big snook. It’s also a great time to fish docks and bridge fenders at night. Any good-lipped lure tossed at a lighted structure and ripped through the light line will produce everything from snook, redfish, trout to the occasional grouper.

“Let’s Go Fishing”

I

’ ve had a tremendous winter catching fish, quality fish the whole time. Now that spring is around the corner the fish are eating like there’s no tomorrow. Even the live bait is showing up quicker this year than last.

Overall, things are shaping up nicely for April.

Expect the trout fishing on any grass flat to be strong through the rest of the summer. Jigs with a plastic tails or shrimp, free-lined or under a popping cork, will do the trick. And don’t be surprised if you pull up a nice pom-

pano off some of the sandy flats edges or in the beach surf.

Redfish are a staple of the area and you can expect to catch plenty from now right through the summer. Live baits or artificial, it’s all fun tussling with these fighting dynamos. Targeting areas along the flats, edges of breaks and oyster bars should produce some nice fish.

Snapper, sharks, mackerel, and bluefish should begin showing during the month of April, especially when the large schools of threadfins show up.

Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing 813-477-3817 If you want to catch fish, have a memorable adventure or perhaps learning some new fishing tips give me a call. I also specialize in group or multi-boat charters. Tell me what you need and leave the rest to me. Fishing Florida for over 50 years I offer professionally guided fishing and teaching charters around Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Bradenton, Sarasota, and Tarpon Springs. If you’re interested in booking a trip, please visit www.CaptainWoodyGore.com send me an email at wgore@ix.netcom.com or call me at: 813-477-3814.

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

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Teen Chef is Youngest Baking Judge in Strawberry Festival History

by Cheryl Kuck

Devin Davis demonstrates his pie crust baking skills at the Neighborhood Village to Youth Day attendees. he Grub Station is always on the lookout for new restaurants, cooking innovations and great chefs.

This month we are featuring an amazing chef we discovered at the Florida Strawberry Festival.

T

Championship, teen chef Devin Davis (who celebrated his 16th birthday during the festival) was also asked to show-off his pie crust making skills during Youth Day, held on March 3, the first Saturday of the festival.

Betty Lucas, the long-time Neighborhood Village chairwoman, told me she had a young local cooking prodigy she wanted me to meet and that she was making plans to make him a featured demonstrator and a baking judge. Based on years of experience reporting on the perishable food competitions at the festival, when a baking expert like Lucas recommends anything, I know enough to sharpen my pencil, grab my camera and go!

The Neighborhood Village set up a display area that showed-off his many cooking and baking trophies and where Davis could demonstrate what he calls, “surefire quick and easy flavored pie crusts.”

A recipient of countless top awards in youth and adult divisions in all manner of cooking contests, including the title of four-time Lakeland Barbeque Champion and the 2010 Grand-Champion winner of the Plant City Pig Jam, Devin Davis of Plant City made Strawberry Festival history as the youngest judge of a festival contest on February 15 when he judged the Neighborhood Village baking competition.

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All manner of baked goods were brought in for judging from cookies, candies, fudge – to a variety of cakes and pies. Davis ultimately selected the LemBerry Ooey-Gooey cake baked by Jayme Deagan as the Grand Champion baking award winner because, “It is very moist and bursting with flavor.”

As a two-time best of show winner of the American Pie Council Crisco National Pie INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

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Amazing audiences of all ages with his knowledge and skill, Davis showed some of his secrets for making the perfect pie crust.

“I love Devin. He has done very well and it’s looking like he could go a long way with his focus and talent. I really enjoyed his demonstration and learned some new things myself,” said Deedee Grooms, a strawberry grower and owner of Fancy Farms in Plant City.

Using the heirloom pastry cloth given to him by his grandmother, he told the audience, “Always use a cloth for creating pastry dough and rolling it out. It should only be washed once, then put in a freezer until the next time you use it. It’s similar to what you would do with an iron skillet.

You only wash that the first time with soap and water, then all the cooking just continues to lend seasoning to the pan.”

Another trick was to put parchment paper filled with pinto or kidney beans onto the uncooked, but fork-pricked crust, using the beans as a weight to prevent the crust from rising or bubbling Then bake for approximately eight minutes and remove beans and parchment from the crust that has become set or settled and continue baking the crust (with pie filling or unfilled) until it becomes golden in color.

“I’ve reused the same beans for five years and it doesn’t hurt them or add any flavor to the crust,” he said.

The previous evening he had baked some Guava pies (for which he won the best of show at the 2011 Crisco National Pie Championship) and gave those viewing his demonstration the opportunity of sampling the award-winning pie. While a long line of autograph-seekers received signed copies of his Guava pie recipe, a voice from the crowd was heard to say, “As far as I’m concerned he is better than a rock star.”

This year Davis is going for his third Crisco National Pie Championship. His next competition is the American Pie Council Championships by Crisco in Celebration, FL the last weekend of April.

“If I win, they told me they might consider some sort of sponsorship. That could help with the cookbook I am writing and maybe even help with my dream of becoming a television chef like Emeril Lagasse,” he said.

If I were a betting person, I would say it’s likely that he will see that dream come to

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fruition since he already has New York producer Todd Wiseman interested in is culinary skills and Next Iron Chef winner and Chopped (television show) judge and restaurateur Geoffrey Zakarian looking at his biography.

Otherwise, Davis is a normal teen who plays the trombone (in his church and school band), and loves fishing and hunting. He has grown up in rural Plant City where he goes to Seffner Christian Academy and is an honor student maintaining a 4.25 grade-pointaverage.

What really distinguishes him is his passion for the culinary arts, learning under the tutelage of his mother Tina who says, “Devin has loved to cook since he was able to reach the counter tops. The first competition he was old enough to compete in was at 13 yearsold. Since then he has made more than a dozen television appearances and even cooked a Christmas dinner at home with three-time Emmy award-winning feature reporter, Charley Belcher, whose stories air on Good Day Tampa Bay in a segment called "Charley’s World."

Next year, the Strawberry Festival is coming out with a new Neighborhood Village cookbook that will contain some of Davis’ baking recipes and, according to Village Chairwoman Lucas, “He has promised to come back and autograph cookbooks for us next year.”

“Right now my parents hope I will attend the Tampa Culinary Arts and Design School – The Art Institute of Tampa because they would like to keep me in the area since we are a very close-knit family,” the young chef. “But you don’t know what the future might bring in the way of opportunity. My real goal is just to be the best I can be.” •

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GM IS PROUD TO PARTNER WITH FARM BUREAU速 TO BRING YOU THIS VALUABLE OFFER1.

Farm Bureau members can get a $5001 private offer toward the purchase or lease of most new GM vehicles, including the Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD lineup. Visit fbverify.com for more details. They get tough jobs done with a maximum payload of up to 6,635 lbs.2 and a conventional towing capacity of up to 17,000 lbs.3 And through the GM Business Choice Program4, business owners receive even more when purchasing or leasing an eligible Chevrolet or GMC truck or van for business use. Visit gmbusinesschoice.com for details.

1Offer valid toward the purchase of new 2011 and 2012 Buick, Chevrolet and GMC models, excluding Chevrolet Volt.

2Requires Regular Cab model and gas engine. Maximum payload capacity includes weight of driver, passengers, optional equipment and cargo.

3Requires available 6.6L Duramax速 diesel engine. Maximum trailer ratings assume a properly-equipped base vehicle plus drive. See dealer for details.

4To qualify, vehicles must be used in the day-to-day operation of the business and not solely for transportation purposes. Must provide proof of business. This program may not be compatible with other offers or incentive programs. Consult your local Chevrolet or GMC dealer or visit gmbusinesschoice.com for program compatibility and other restrictions. Take delivery by 9/30/2012.

Farm Bureau and the American Farm Bureau Federation速 are registered service marks owned by the American Farm Bureau Federation, and are used herein (or by GM) under license. 息2011 General Motors LLC

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“Nope, they had lockjaw, but on the way home I stopped by old Bull Browns roadside vegetable stand just off of Owl Town road and bought a mess of collards for supper.”

It reminded me of my mother who would come up with some of the best southern slang ever. Two of her favorites were have’n’ a “hissie fit” and a “conniption.” For the life of me till this day I haven’t been able to determine the difference between the two.

You have to love the Southerners. They can show or point out to you the general direction of “over yonder.” Only a Southerner knows exactly how long “directly” is, like, “Going to town, be back directly.”

Even at two years old a baby knows that “Gimme some sugar” is not asking for that granular sweet stuff that you put in tea. Every Southerner knows when “by and by” is!

You’ll find Southerners are the most gracious people in the world!

They love their neighbors, and think nothing of taking over a plate of fried chicken and a bowl of potato salad when there’s a crisis in their family.

Southerners know the difference between “right near,” and “a fer piece down the road.” But you must remember when they say “jus’ down the’ road” it can be one to five miles.

We Southerners know grits come from corn, and you don’t pour milk over them. We love tomatoes with eggs, bacon, grits and coffee.

It is the next best thing to gourmet dining. We also know fried green tomatoes are not something you eat for breakfast.

A

number of months back I ended this column stating that I would write about the Hole-in-the Wall restaurant located on the square across from the historic courthouse in Blairsville, Georgia. This restaurant opened back in the early 1930s, and has had several names and owners since then. In addition to housing the Trailways Bus Station, it also served as a dentist office twice a year when Doc McDonald made his rounds.

You could eat lunch, and get a tooth pulled all in one sitting.

In 2006 Chef Mark Cox and Loretta Durden took over the restaurant. Mark told me the first priority was to remodel because the foundation was sinking on one side, and the building was leaning.

Rather than put money in a new fancy restaurant sign he and the boys painted one at home and put the money saved into the remodeling. Some say this is the most photographed sign in north Georgia.

If you are really a true Southerner you’ll say “sweet milk” and “sweet tea.” Sweet milk means you don’t want buttermilk.

A true southern gentleman is a man that will never scream obscenities at little old ladies who drive 25 mph on the interstate. You just say, “Bless her heart,” and smile when you pass her.

If any of you Southerners are embarrassed by being from the south, don’t leave. Just take in two tent revivals, have some biscuits, homemade sausage and gravy for breakfast, sit on your front porch in your rocking chair and wave at the neighbors as they pass by. Bless your heart!

To those of you who are still having a hard time understanding all this southern stuff, bless your heart darlin’. I hear they are fixin‘ to My wife and I had lunch there a few months back. Patsy had liver have classes on southern as a second language. and onions and will tell you today it was the best she has ever had.

I tried their hamburger steak, mashed potatoes, gravy and home Relax, and buy a sign and hang it on your front porch that reads: made biscuits. Mighty good! It reminded me of what my mother “I ain’t from the South, but I got here as fast as I could.” would cook on a Saturday night before “Your Hit Parade” came on the radio.

Some say that Southerners are smarter than northerners. For example, one morning three Georgia boys and three Yankees were in a We sat across from some locals who were talking about fishing at ticket line in Macon heading to Athens for a big football game. The Lake Chatuge. What caught my ear was not about their trip, but three Northerners each bought a ticket and watched as the three the language they used. There was no doubt they were pure Southerners bought only one ticket. “How are the three of you going Georgia, and die-hard Southerners. to travel on one ticket?’ asked one of the Yankees. “Watch and learn” answered one of the boys from the South.

“Well Lawd have mercy, I do declare,” said the old fella with overalls and a worn out Georgia Bulldog cap. “I ain’t never had a bet- When the six travelers boarded the train, the three Yankees sat ter time sit’n’ on the bank with a cane pole and a can of worms down, but the three Southerners crammed into a bathroom together fish’n for catfish.” and closed the door.

“Did you catch any?” asked his buddy.

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Shortly after the train departed, the conductor came around to collect tickets. He knocked on the bathroom door and said, “Ticket please.” The door opened just a crack and a single arm emerged with a ticket in hand. The Conductor took it and moved on.

The Yankees saw this happen and agreed it was quite a clever idea. They decided to do the same thing on the return trip and save some money.

That evening after the game when they got to the train station, they bought one ticket for the return trip while to their astonishment the three Southerners did not buy a ticket. “How do you plan to travel without a ticket?” asked one of the Yankees.

“Watch and learn,” answered on of the Southern boys.

When they boarded the train the three Northerners crammed themselves into a bathroom and the three Southerners crammed themselves into the bathroom across the aisle.

Shortly after the train began to move, one of the Southerners left their bathroom and walked quietly over to the Yankee’s bathroom. He knocked on the door and said, “Ticket please.”

Sometimes I wonder how the Yankee’s won the war.

In closing all I can say is, “Bless your heart, ya’ll have a blessed day. I’m over-yonder now, a rite fer piece from here, but I’m a-fixin’ to be there directly, and I’ll bring a mess of greens and chitlins….so, all-ya’ll behave and have a good day, ya’ hear.

Well, I do declare! And do stop in some time at the “Hole in the Wall’ restaurant in Blairsville, Georgia for the best food north of “Miss Pitty Pat’s Porch” restaurant in Atlanta. •

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3308 ENGLISH RD., PLANT CITY, FL 33567 • WINFRED M. HARRELL - OWNER

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ELTON HINTON Does It Again!

By Kelsey Bozeman, Haley Smith & Alexa Schelb

O

n, Tuesday January 24, at the John R. Trinkle Center, Adrian Dyer of the Elton Hinton FFA Chapter won the first place award for the Creed Speaking Contest.

The Creed Speaking Contest consists of reciting the FFA Creed and answering questions about the creed. Sixth to ninth graders are eligible to compete in the Creed Contest.

After winning the Sub-District contest Adrian, also the Parliamentarian of the Elton Hinton FFA Chapter, moved on to compete at the District level.

After winning the First Place title at Districts, Adrian will have the opportunity to compete at the State Competition in June.

At the State Competition, Adrian will face 11 other tough individuals who will compete for the first place title.

The Strawberry Crest FFA Chapter and the Elton Hinton FFA Chapter wish Adrian good luck at states in June.

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HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY COMMISSIONER AL HIGGINBOTHAM APPOINTS

Michelle Williamson TO THE CITIZENS ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

H

illsborough County Commissioner Al Higginbotham, District 4, appointed local strawberry grower Michelle Williamson to serve as one of two District 4 representatives on the Environmental Protection Commission’s Citizens Environmental Advisory Committee.

she has served on the Hillsborough County Farm Bureau Board of Directors since 1994 and the Florida Farm Bureau Board of Directors since 2007. With the Florida Farm Bureau, Ms. Williamson represented Hillsborough County as the County, District and State Women’s Leadership Committee Chair.

Ms. Williamson is a recognized state leader in agriculture, with a vast knowledge base in issues affecting the farming community. She grew up visiting her mother at the IFAS Research Lab, and has worked at G & F Farms in Dover for 28 years.

Farm Bureau Executive Director Judi Whitson said, “Michelle is a definite asset to the Hillsborough County Farm Bureau board and any committee she serves on. Her knowledge of the issues and insightful views will make her a welcome addition to the Citizens Environmental Advisory Committee.”

“Michelle is steeped in tradition of family, knowledge and experience,” Commissioner Higginbotham said.

“She will add great depth to the Citizens Environmental Advisory Committee.”

Ms. Williamson is a member of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association Board of Directors and the Hillsborough County Agriculture Economic Development Council. Additionally,

The Citizens Environmental Advisory Committee is comprised of citizens appointed individually by each member of the Board of County Commissioners.

The committee meets regularly to review and evaluate county environmental issues as requested by the Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County. •

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14th Annual

NWTF Hunting Heritage Banquet

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he Hillsboro Limbhangers will hold their 14th Annual NWTF Hunting Heritage Banquet on May 5 in the Trinkle Building on the Plant City campus of Hillsborough Community College. The festivities will start at 4:00 PM with a dinner of baby back ribs, chicken quarters, pulled port, baked beans, macaroni & cheese, potato salad, banana pudding and cookies being served at 6:00 PM. Unlimited tea, lemonade, coffee and water will be available.

The event will be held on Saturday this year and will begin with games and a silent auction. The silent auction will include collectable NWTF items and games will include archery target shooting and corn hole. Raffle tickets will be available for NWTF collector guns and a $1,000 cash giveaway. A live auction will start at 7:00 PM and will include collectable paintings, furniture, guns, and hunting items. A Marine Veteran, who served in Iraq, will be painting a portrait live at the event. The painting will be auctioned off after it is complete.

Every admission ticket will be put in to a raffle for a chance to win one of the 125 items that will be given away, including eight guns.

To increase ones odds additional raffle tickets can be purchased for adults and kids.

Ticket prices are $65 for adults and $25 for kids (15 and under).

Sponsor tickets are $275 and includes a collectable NWTF knife and a ticket for a special raffle for two guns.

Corporate tables are $700 and includes seven tickets and one sponsor ticket with a gift from NWTF. All tickets come with a one year magazine subscription. The state of Florida will receive 60 percent of all money raised for wildlife preservation. All tickets can be purchased from ARROWHEAD Archery, Baileys Outdoors, and Farm Bureau in Plant City. •

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MORPHED DREAMS

Woody

Summerlin

By Ginny Mink

L

ife plans don’t always turn out the way we envision them when we are younger. All those childhood dreams of becoming a brain surgeon get morphed into a career as a CPA, or a secretary even. Children dreaming of being famous WWE wrestlers or NFL players wind up programming computers, or driving garbage trucks. Certainly life can throw some curveballs, and probably everyone reading this knows at least one person who ended up in a career he/she never even considered.

Such is the case with Woody Summerlin, an Ag teacher at Newsome High School.

Woody says, honestly, “I guess the deal is I started out wanting to be a veterinarian. I went up to the University of Florida, took a lot of animal science classes, but I didn’t have the grade point average to get into vet school. So, I was trying to figure out what to do with that animal science degree and I had a friend that was taking some classes to get certified. She told me that I could get certified. At the time they were screaming for teachers not only in Florida but throughout the United States.” Thanks to Woody’s friend’s advice he says, “I went ahead and took the Ag courses and got certified in Ag education. I did my internship in Winter Haven. I really enjoyed it but initially I said it was something I’d do for three years and then I’d think about doing some other things. I started out at Crystal Lake but the longer I did it the more I enjoyed it and three years has turned into 33.”

Woody has had the opportunity to teach in several different schools and he expounds on those experi-

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ences, “I was at East Bay High and that’s really where I found out it’s what I wanted to do. I worked with Phil Steele and he motivated me to continue in education. I could see the worth of it all, it meant something to him and it meant something to his kids. There were some kids there that I learned a lot from. They taught me stuff about raising cattle and working fence and things of that nature. Working down at East Bay was probably the truest Ag job I ever had because a lot of them lived on farms and were actually doing the things we were teaching in class.”

After six years he chose to leave East Bay and take on the wild world of junior high. “I was the first Ag teacher over at Burns Junior High School. Those kids at Burns were suburban kids, they had no Ag aspirations whatsoever and the stuff I did in class interested them and they were able to take it further with Mr. Albertson. When I’d go see him I’d see some of my old kids and that made me feel like I was accomplishing something. What little fire I put in ‘em inspired them to go further. I don’t think any of them are farmers but there’s a lot more to Ag than becoming a farmer or a rancher.”

Inspiring suburban kids is never easy when you’re an Ag teacher. So, Woody says, “To pique their interest, we purchased a steer and a couple of pigs to show at the state fair.

That was the first time I was ever involved in showing animals and I loved it and have been doing it ever since, at Brandon and Newsome as well. From Burns I had the opportunity to go back to my Alma Mater, Brandon, and stayed there for about 13 years. Brandon is one of the oldest chapters in the state of Florida.

There’s a lot of tradition there.”

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Woody has been fortunate enough to work with some great principals. In fact, he followed Brandon’s principal to Newsome. He explains, “I have this thing where you can stay some place too long, get set in your ways.

So the principal at Brandon had gotten the job at Newsome. I decided to go there and start the Ag program.

I’ve been at Newsome for the past nine years. It’s been a unique experience because my wife works there, she’s a math teacher.”

When Woody started at Newsome he was the only Ag teacher and then Kenneth Hiscock came. “He’s very knowledgeable in Ag mechanics and showing steer,” Woody explains. The two of them ran the program for a year together and then they got Kelly Ware. “She is, without a doubt, one of the top Ag teachers in the state of Florida. She’s very animal sciences oriented. She raises Angus cattle and shows on her own and is helping the kids too.” Overall, Woody seems to have truly enjoyed his peers, “I have been real lucky with all the people I’ve worked with. They’ve been very

good people, put the kids first, and I think that’s very important.”

Modestly, Woody says, “My area of expertise is soil judging in the county, won it about four or five times, never did really well in the state. We’re generally a blue ribbon chapter. My main accomplishment is that I’ve given something to these kids. There is no student organization in the country that’s better than the FFA because there’s a wide variety of things they allow these kids to accomplish.” In summing up his unexpected career, Woody says, “There wouldn’t be a thing I would change about it. I know I’ve done the right thing. I have made an impact on people’s lives and that’s what’s important to me. There’s a lot of good Ag teachers out there.”•

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AND

THE

STINGRAY WINNER IS...

C

ongratulations to DONNA MINATEE of Temple Terrace. She purchased one $5 ticket and won a new 2011 convertible Camaro SS. The drawing was held on March 11 at the Florida Strawberry Festival. The raffle was proudly sponsored by Stingray Chevrolet for Unity in the Community.

Stingray Chevrolet owner, Steve Hurley, presented Unity in the Community with a check representing the $100,000 brought in by the fundraiser.

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THANKS

FOR

SUPPORTING

THE

EDUCATION

OF

YOUTH

IN

AGRICULTURE

2012 F LORIDA STRAWBERRY F ESTIVAL 速

2012 Plant Grand Champion Clayton Shiver

2012 Steer Grand Champion

Tomlin FFA

Cameron Salter Durant FFA

2012 Swine Grand Champion Clayton Brock 4-H LS Club

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Make Plans to Attend next year’s Florida Strawberry Festival® INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

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31

“Seeds of Love is one of the local farms that comes to the USF Farmer’s Market to sell fresh citrus.”

Fresh Students

By Libby Hopkins

C

ollege students have a lot on their plates that may cause them to worry. Most students are concerned with getting good grades, getting in to the right sorority or fraternity, as well as finding a job after they graduate. Some students on the Tampa campus actually worry about what goes on their plates, meaning the food they eat and how it’s produced.

Food sustainability is very important to the students of FARM, Food Activists Revolutionizing Meals. FARM is a studentled group of students, staff and community members who are working to reconnect people with the food they eat. They seek to promote eating lifestyles that are more ecologically sound, locally/community-based and nutritionally balanced. They want to educate the USF and Tampa community about food production, natural food certifications and the positive environmental, economic and health impact of such diets.

In 2010, a group of students organized an event on campus called, “Local-Motive.”

The event was designed to support locally owned independent businesses. It was a huge success on campus, but students realized that local and sustainable food was really important to them. They started to do interviews around the campus to see what students wanted on campus. They wanted a farmer’s market. Ryan Iacovacci was one of the organizers of the “LocalMotive” event, so he was instrumental in setting up the first USF Farmer’s Market in 2010.

“We had hoped to start a trend at the university that made local food more appeal-

ing and affordable to not only the student community but also to show the administrators that the demand for local sustainable food is there,” Iacavacci said. He feels that the point of being a student is not just about taking classes, but being proactive and using the resources USF has to offer to not only better the university, but the Tampa Bay area as well as gain some real world experience while attending college.

Alyse Griffin, along with other members of FARM, has kept the USF Farmer’s Market alive on campus. “We want people to be able to talk and connect with the people who grow their food,” Griffin said, “The farmers are very excited to come and connect with the students on campus.”

ness, educate and empower students to grow their own food and to beware of the their food consumption,” Griffin said.

The market is held the last Tuesday of the month from 11a.m.- 3 p.m. at Sessums Mall on the Tampa campus. The market is only available during the fall and spring semesters. They sell various seasonal fruits and vegetables, as well as fresh eggs. The eggs seem to sell out the quickest at the market. They only take cash and shoppers must bring their own grocery bags. The farmers that come to the market are charged a $15 fee to have a booth. From the $15 fee, $5 goes to cover the parking pass, since the farmers need to park on campus. The other $10 goes towards marketing for the market and funding for FARM to take educational farming trips.

The farmer’s market gets no funding from the university.

“We decided to not only move into the community but also make local fresh food more available and affordable for families in the community,” Iacovacci said. He is also working on program to help change the lives in his Sulphur Springs neighborhood in Tampa. Sulphur Springs has a reputation for drugs and crime. He is working on “Harvest in the Hood” program in which he hopes to employ neighborhood teens to pick fruit from the trees and bushes in the area and then sell the harvest to local Sulphur Springs restaurants and to The Birdhouse Buying Club. •

Griffin hopes the market continues to grow and that FARM will be able to offer workshops at the market. “That is the true function of FARM, to be able to create aware-

Iacovacci still has ties to the farmer’s market and lends a hand at the market from time to time. He has since founded The Birdhouse Buying Club, where members pool their money to buy organic or local produce. The club currently has over 40 members. He gets the produce from the Suncoast Food Alliance. He lets his customers know what’s available each week on the club’s website and how much it will cost. They place their order and then come to the Mermaid Tavern in Tampa, were Iacovacci bartends, to pick up their food.

If you are a local farmer and would like to be a part of the USF Farmer’s Market, you can email the market at farmatusf@gmail.com.

If you would like more information on The Birdhouse Buying Club, you can contact Iacovacci at 727-424-0279 or visit them on the web at

www.birdhousebuyingclub.blogspot.com

Fresh eggs are a popular item and sell out quickly.

The USF Farmer’s Market is the last Tuesday of the month during the Spring and Fall semesters.

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Congratulations to

The Florida Strawberry Festival® 1st Place

Booth Winners!

Excerpt from

Saw Mill The Sequel to Wild and Wooley

By Alvin C. Futch

B 2nd Place

3rd Place

Tomlin Middle School

Plant City High School 4th Place

Turkey Creek Middle School

Marshall Middle School

Armwood High School

Durant High School

AWARDS OF DISTINCTION

Brandon High School

East Bay High School

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uck has always been an avid turkey hunter, coming up under the tutelage of his Dad, Mr. Henry Carlton, Sr., and you remember from my first book, cousin Albert Alderman and Cliff Keene. Later in life, Buck began raising Osceola wild turkeys, and turned many loose on various ranches to begin new flocks.

One evening Buck was hunting on Miss Ruby’s land, a neighbor whose property joined the 12,000 acre Cone Ranch. Miss Ruby was a friend who had helped raise wild turkeys and had quite a number of them on her property.

Buck had put his blind close to the Cone Ranch fence and could see out across several hundred acres of improved pasture, with an oak hammock in the near distance.

On his side of the fence was a big weeping oak. He spotted some gobblers and hens out on the edge of the oak hammock. Buck is a master with turkey calls, so he began calling to lure them in, which he and all seasoned turkey hunters know, is impossible when there are hens around.

He called for a while to no avail. So not to be outdone, he developed a plan.

The next morning before daylight, Buck and his hunting buddy, Billy, walked the short distance into the blind, which was made of palmetto fronds. It was getting light in the east as they were getting settled in the blind. They heard gobblers calling a quarter mile north of them, still on the roost. They looked at each other and smiled, thinking the Cone Ranch gobblers had roosted on Ruby’s side of the fence. Rather than calling the gobblers to them, since they probably had some hens with them and would be hard to move, they decided to try getting closer. They started creeping along, and then stopped, thinking they might be getting close and were about to hunker down.

Suddenly Billy looked and saw a turkey out about 30 years distance. He whispered to Buck, “There his is, shoot!” Buck said, “No, it’s a hen!” About that time ol’ Tom dropped his wings, blowed up and gobbled, at which time he was history. While he was flopping around on the ground, Buck looked to see two more gobblers walking off through the palmettos, clucking and looking at what had happened to their buddy. Buck and Billy looked at each other, kind of strange like, when Billy said, “I wonder why those two birds didn’t fly back to Cone Ranch?”

Buck slowly said, “Billy, these birds are Ruby’s tame gobblers. I have just killed Ruby’s prized Osceola gobbler.”

Buck didn’t tell me the rest of the story about when he took ol’ Tom back to Ruby, but I can imagine, he had the old bird clean and ready for the oven. • (See page 69 to see where you can pick up or order your copy of Saw Mill by Alvin Futch) INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

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NEWSOME FFA SWEETHEART

12 GIRLS, ONE CROWN

n Saturday, Feb. 25, 12 Newsome FFA girls participated in the Sweetheart Scholarship Pageant.

They competed in three categories, casual dress, public speaking, and evening gown.

For their impromptu question the girls were asked how they would convince a school board member to keep agricultural classes in school. Then the girls came back to the stage in their official FFA attire to give a one to two minute speech on How FFA benefits today’s youth. After that, the girls stepped onto the stage for one last time, this time in formal evening gowns and escorted by an FFA member. Though all the contestants were both talented and

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beautiful the judges made their decision.

Melissa Stone was crowned Newsome’s Sweetheart this year. She will receive a $500 dollar scholarship. The 1st Runner up was Shelby St. Amant and she will receive $75. The 2nd Runner up was Lindsey White and she will receive $25.

Each of the girls walked away with prizes and recognition. Melissa and her court will serve as ambassadors for Newsome FFA. A special thank you to Susan Harrell for making the sweetheart leather sash, Teresa-Lott Deboben for designing the program and printing, and our three

judges Emilie Dubois-Plants, Melissa Raburn, and Greg Lehman. We couldn't have done it without you! • FFA Advisors: Kelley Ware, Woody Summerlin, and Kenneth Hiscock Thanks to all the sponsors who helped make the sweetheart pageant a success.

Please add a special thanks to Susan Harrell for making sweetheart leather sash, Teresa-Lott Deboben for program design and printing, and our three judges Emilie Dubois-Plants, Melissa Raburn, and Greg Lehman.

By Elizabeth Surface and Pria Lambrix

Contestants: 1. TAYLOR NICHOLSON 2. HAYLEE COOK 3. EMILEE ALBERTS 34

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4. SAMANTHA PREBICH 5. JESSICA ANDRLIK 6. SHELBY ST. AMANT

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7. SAVANNAH PRIESTAP 8. MARY COLDING 9. ERIN CREIGHTON

10. PRIA LAMBRIX 11. LINDSEY WHITE 12. MELISSA STONE

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2012 Florida Strawberry Festival The Festival is a great opportunity for us to tell our story to thousands of people from all over the country.

FSGA wants to thank all of the volunteers who helped make this year’s exhibit a huge success.

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Florida Strawberry Growers Association Tel: 813.752.6822 W W W .I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M

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REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION

FDA HOLDS FOOD SAFETY/DEFENSE TRAINING SESSION IN ANTICIPATION

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By Jim Frankowiak

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he upcoming Republican National Convention in Tampa will focus the eyes of the nation and world on Tampa. You have no doubt already read about the various initiatives the organizing committee is taking with respect to just about everything from lodging and volunteers to enhanced safety and security. But, there’s more.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently organized a one-day session at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center to provide state and FDA participants training on how to perform – in a coordinated approach – food safety and defense activities during the coming Republican National Convention.

The session attracted 101 attendees from the FDA’s Florida District Offices, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Department of Health and Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

“The largest group of attendees,” according to Commander. C. Stewart Watson of

the U.S. Public Health Service, “represented the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation with 40 in attendance. Next was FDA’s Florida District Offices with 29 attendees, followed by the Florida Department of Agriculture with 21 and 11 from the Florida Department of Health.”

Instructors for the one-day session were Lieutenant Commander Leslie A. Cartmill, a Registered Environmental Health Specialist who serves as an Environmental Health Office in the U.S. Public Health Service; Registered Sanitarian Dan Redditt and Commander Diane Kelsch.

As a food specialist for the FDA Florida District, LCDR Cartmill’s current investigational responsibilities are primarily related to foods, including areas such as Good Manufacturing Practices, Produce Safety and Juice/Seafood HACCP. HACCP is a management system in which food safety is addressed through the analysis and control of biological, chemical and physical hazards from raw

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material production, procurement and handling to manufacturing, distribution and consumption of the finished product.

Redditt, a Regional Food Specialist for the FDA, has worked at two Olympics, two prior Republication National Conventions, the G-8 Summit and the 2009 presidential inauguration.

Kelsch is a U.S. Public Health Service Officer who has been assigned to the FDA since 2002. She is a Regional Retail Food Specialist who maintains two national certifications: Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) and Certified Professional – Food Safety (FP-FS).

“The session covered sample collections, food defense (the intentional adulteration of food) initiatives, product traceback, risk-based retail inspections and manufactured food inspections,” said Watson.

Traceback is the method used to determine and document the distribution and production chain and the source or sources of a product, he added. •

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Our tussock moths belong to the genus Orgyia. Overwintering eggs began hatching last month with the spring flushing of the trees. You may have already seen the caterpillars in their feeding stage and by next month adults will begin to emerge for mating.

One of the characteristics of this genus is that the females do not have wings and may not be recognized as a moth at first glance.

Male moths have wings and are usually found resting during the day. At night the male moths take flight, honing in on a pheromone the stationary female releases to attract a mate. After mating, the female lays her eggs marking the end of her life cycle no more than a few days after emerging from the cocoon.

A Closer Look

TUSSOCK MOTH

(Lymantriidae)

By Sean Green Photo Courtesy of April Wietrecki

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pringtime has come again with a colorful explosion of flowers proclaiming a new season of growth. It’s not only our flora that flaunts spectacular colors, but also the parade of insects that accompany it. One of the early arrivers on the spring scene is the tussock moth. This little critter duds itself up in an impressive assortment of colorful hair, properly called setae in the scientific world. In Florida we have three species of tussock moth, a small representation of the Lymantriidae family of moths that consists of some 2,500 known species throughout the world.

This family of moths is well known for its ability to defoliate trees. In fact, the Lymantriidae family includes some of the most destructive pests of forest trees such as the Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar) that was introduced to the United States in the late 1800s. Fortunately, the Gypsy Moth has not yet established a population in Florida and the three species we have do not present a significant danger to the oaks they feed on.

Although the caterpillars of the tussock moth are beautiful and look soft and cuddly, they have an effective means of protecting themselves from curious children and predators. Tussock caterpillars are covered with setae, which are a hollow hairlike structure that produce the same effect as the urticating hairs of a stinging nettle (Urtica dioica). When touched, the spines break off into the skin, releasing irritating compounds or cause a physical irritation similar to what you might experience with fiberglass.

The caterpillar does not have to be alive for the setae to cause a reaction and some species even coat the outside of their cocoon with setae to protect them during the pupal stage. There are a few characteristics of each of our three tussock moth species that can help in their identification The Live Oak Tussock Moth (Orgyia detrita) is the most common of our three species of tussock moth and is readily identified by the dark bodies and red head and bright orange tufts along the top and sides. Eggs are deposited in late April and covered with setae for protection. It will be late February or March before the next generation hatches. After hatching, the caterpillars begin chewing the outsides of the leaf. When they get bigger this species characteristically chews holes in the middle of the leaf rather than the edges.

The Whitemarked Tussock Moth (Orgyia leucostigma) looks similar to the Live Oak Tussock Moth but has a lighter body color with a black stripe centered along its top and a yellow stripe on each side. Additionally, it has pale yellow tufts rather than orange. The life cycle of the Whitemark Tussock parallels that of the Live Oak Tussock, however, the eggs are laid on top of her setae covered cocoon and plastered with a white frothy substance that eventually hardens.

The Definite Tussock Moth (Orgyia definite) is a rare find in Florida and more common in the New England states, but is distinguished by its cream colored body and yellow or tan head.

It does not have long pencil like hairs on the tail end or the bright colors that the Live Oak or Whitemarked species display. The cocoon of the Definite Tussock Moth is the biggest giveaway to its identity. Nearly devoid of protective setae, the pupa is easily seen through the cocoon.

These caterpillars can be fun to watch, but can be a nuisance.

I write outdoors frequently and can attest to the challenge of finding a clear spot to settle into when these caterpillars are out in masses. Although they do not harm their preferred forest host trees, they can be windblown and devastate ornamentals or worse harm someone. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a soil-dwelling bacterium occurring in the gut of many moths and butterflies.

In many strains, its spores produce crystal proteins that have insecticidal qualities under the right conditions. Bt can be a successful biologic pesticide in the uncommon event that this moth becomes a pest. •

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*** All Items Are 8 lbs. Unless Otherwise Noted.*** BEANS & PEAS Fordhooks .........................................$22 Baby Butter Beans..........................$14 Green Beans ......................................$14 Pole Beans .........................................$14 Speckled Butter Beans .................$14 Blackeye Peas ...................................$14 Butter Peas ........................................$14 Conk Peas ........................................$22 Crowder Peas....................................$14 Mixed Peas .........................................$14 Pinkeye Peas .....................................$14 Sugar Snap Peas..............................$15 White Acre Peas ..............................$14 Zipper Peas........................................$14 CORN & GREENS Cream White Corn 4#.....................$6 Cream Yellow Corn 4#....................$6 White Corn.........................................$13 Yellow Corn........................................$13

Collard Greens ..................................$13 Mustard Greens ................................$13 Turnip Greens....................................$13 Spinach................................................$13 OTHER VEGETABLES Breaded Okra....................................$13 Cut Okra..............................................$13 Whole Okra........................................$13 Sliced Yellow Squash .....................$13 Sliced Zucchini .................................$13 Mixed Vegetables ............................$13 Soup Blend.........................................$13 Cauliflower .........................................$13 Broccoli................................................$13 Chopped Broccoli 5# ......................$5 Baby Carrots .....................................$13 Brussel Sprouts ................................$13

Blackberries 5# ................................$15 Cranberries 5# ..................................$15 Mango Chunks 5# ...........................$15 Pineapple Chunks 5# .....................$15 Green Peanuts ..................................$15 PECANS HALVES or PIECES 1 lb bag................................................$10 2.5 lbs bag.........................................$25 5 lbs bag............................................$49 10 lbs bag ..........................................$97

WALK-INS WELCOME Come see us during the sale or Call – or go on-line to place your order today

FRUITS & NUTS Blueberries 5# ..................................$15

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and we’ll have it ready for you to pick up!

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A good meal starts with fresh ingredients and our detailed Chefs’ prepare only the best for our guests when dining.

They cater to their guests in giving them choices, like our Tuesday night Seafood & Prime Rib Buffet, or our 2-for-$25 Menu on Wednesday nights, or for those you want to save and dine early they offer the Early Bird Special on Wednesday and Thursday nights. For many of our guests... it’s more than the food they enjoy – it’s the atmosphere, the music and being with friends and now you can do it all on Friday and Saturday nights in The Red Rose Dining Room!

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Mrs. Evelyn Madonia - Owner

GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE

1-4 Exit 21 • N. Wheeler St, Plant City, FL 33563 • 813.752.3141

RECIPES

Florida Blueberry Cobbler

Recipes Courtesy of the Florida Department of Agricluture

INGREDIENTS Filling 1 stick butter 1 teaspoon lemon juice 4 cups fresh blueberries, rinsed and drain 1 cup sugar Topping 1 cup self-rising flour 1 cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring 1/2 cup milk

PREPARATION Filling: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Place the butter in an 8x8-inch square glass baking dish (no substitutes), and melt the butter in the microwave.

In a mixing bowl, combine lemon juice and blueberries. Add the sugar and mix well.

Add the blueberry mixture to the baking dish with the melted butter. Do not stir.

Topping: Combine all of the topping ingredients in a small bowl. Pour this mixture over the blueberries and bake 45 minutes, or until brown.

Serve with fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

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Blueberry-Lemon Corn Muffins INGREDIENTS paper muffin cup liners 1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar 1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest 1/2 cup whole milk 2 large egg yolks 1/2 cup blueberries

PREPARATION Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and line six 1/3-cup muffin cups with paper liners.

Melt butter and cool. Into a large bowl sift together flour and baking powder and whisk in cornmeal, 1/2 cup sugar, lemon zest, and a generous pinch salt. In a bowl whisk together melted butter, milk, and yolks and add to flour mixture with half of blueberries, gently stirring until just combined.

Divide batter evenly among cups (batter will fill cups) and press remaining blueberries into tops of muffins. Sprinkle tops of muffins evenly with remaining tablespoon sugar. Bake muffins in middle of oven about 15 minutes, or until tops are golden and a tester comes out clean.

Remove muffins from cups and cool on a rack.

Muffins keep in an airtight container at room temperature 2 days.

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Community Responds to Opportunity, as Usual

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he greater Plant City community has a reputation for “going the extra mile” to support youth activities associated with 4-H and FFA. This is especially true during the annual Florida Strawberry Festival, and 2012 was no different. In fact, it was pretty special thanks to the efforts of Dennis Der and Kenneth Parker.

Der felt it was especially important to be certain the Grand Champion Steer was sold for $12 a pound. But he also recognized that could be a tall order in this economy for one person to write a check in that amount.

“There were a lot of reasons,” he said.

“This was the 40th anniversary of the competition. I won reserve champion honors

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at the 4th annual show 36 years ago as a Turkey Creek Middle School student when Rick Lott was Grand Champion. My daughters Erica and Lauren were each Grand Champion winners, but most of all that top honor leads to a nice check and a great start on a college education,” he said.

So he came up with the idea to create a syndicate to buy the grand champion steer.

After discussing the idea with Parker, the two began a personal contact campaign that led to a syndicate comprised of 60 individuals, families, companies and groups.

Grand Champion Steer honors went to Durant High School student Cameron Salter. The syndicate paid Salter $15,240 for his steer.

By Jim Frankowiak

Surprisingly, there was another syndicate formed and this group purchased the reserve champion steer. “That’s the first time I can recall that both the grand and reserve champion steers were each purchased by syndicates,” said Der. He also noted that being able to elevate the grand champion price per pound has an effect on the other prices paid. “Raising the top prize price per pound raises all of the other prices paid.”

“Not one person that I contacted to participate in the syndicate said no,” said Der, a lifelong resident of the area and owner of Southside Farm and Pet Supply. “That tells you something about this community and its regard for our youth. Some people would consider buying into a syndicate an

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expense, but we each look at it as an investment in our youth and the future of our community.” Each year, community support of Strawberry Festival competition through purchased animals and plants totals in excess of $750,000. “Besides, it’s not very often that people have the opportunity to buy the grand champion steer.

That’s another benefit to the syndicate approach.”

“The same can be said of parents and grandparents who support their children as they participate in 4-H and FFA and various competitions. The cost to compete, to buy and raise cattle and swine and other things could be considered an expense, but to many like my wife and I, this is an investment in the future of our children and our future as a community and country.”

Der speaks from experience. “My wife and I got our daughters involved in public speaking competitions while they were in the sixth grade. We figured learning how to speak before groups would be beneficial throughout their lives and position them well when competing in just about anything.” He was right. Both girls followed their dad in the show ring as each won Grand Champion Steer honors. Erica went on to become a national FFA officer, serving as Southern Regional Vice President. An alumna of the University of Florida, she is now on the staff of Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Adam Putnam, who by the way is also an FFA product. Lauren is completing her undergraduate coursework at the University of Florida. She and her sister were also Strawberry Festival queens.

“I believe it’s important for parents and grandparents to see that their children get involved in an organization that helps prepare them for the real world and how to succeed. FFA and 4-H do that. Youngsters learn about honor, responsibility, the value of work, public speaking, leadership and much more,” said Der. “These are fine young men and women. They are our future.” • Following is a list of Grand Champion Syndicate Members: BUDDY BI-RITE ASTIN FARMS MATHIS FARMS MIDWAY FARMS LEE GILLMAN FARMS JOE NEWSOME FAMILY CHEMICAL DYNAMICS DR. DENNIS NEWSOME FAMILY SOUTHSIDE FARM AND PET SUPPLY ERICA AND LAUREN DER W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M

TERESA AND MARK DEBOBEN RICK LOTT FAMILY ANTIOCH FEED ESI HAROLD’S FARM SUPPLY POPPELL INSURANCE ROCKING S FARM WESTCOAST ENTERPRISES HILLSBORO BANK AMS SHORTHORNS ARROWHEAD ARCHERY JEREMY BURRIS FAMILY BEE BOY HONEY CHANSE AND HANNAH HUGGINS HICKS MEATS HILLSBOROUGH SURVEYING CONTROLS AND WEIGHING RAY CLARK FAMILY CB CLUB CALVES FRED’S MARKET BRANDON LAND CLEARING CARNEY WALDEN FAMILY GARY FORD WELL AND PUMP SEWELL FARMS WOODY SIMMONS FAMILY

WETHERINGTON TRACTOR SERVICE MORROW STEEL BRANDON FARMS CROWN HARVEST SOUTHWEST PRODUCE BBI PRODUCE BORCHARD FARMS MOSAIC CF INDUSTRIES SUNSHINE STATE FEDERAL SAVINGS HOME PROTECTION PEST CONTROL TOMMY WARNOCK FAMILY WISH FARMS BARTOW CHEVROLET PATTERSON COMPANY HOOF AND HORN SLAUGHTER JEFF MAYO FAMILY GREG WOODWARD FAMILY KENNETH PARKER FAMILY CROP PROTECTION SERVICE JESSE CARR FAMILY GROUND LEVEL DUKES CHIROPRACTIC CLINIC HOLLOW CREEK FARM FARM CREDIT OF CENTRAL FLORIDA

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By Keitha Hall Photos by Amie Facente

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lorida’s FFA Foundation held the 9th annual Beast Feast fundraiser on Saturday, March 31 at the Florida FFA Leadership training center. The event offered numerous food items, including venison, pork, gator, shrimp, fried grouper, turkey, conch fritters, swamp cabbage, low country boil, peanuts, homemade ice cream, key lime pie and many other foods, all prepared and donated by FFA chapters from across the state. While supporters mingled along the lakefront of beautiful Lake Pierce they enjoyed live entertainment and a silent auction. FFA members had the opportunity to visit with corporate sponsors to personally express their gratitude for supporting Florida FFA. Kathleen FFA member Morgan Carlton knows the importance of the support of the Florida FFA Foundation and its sponsors. “Last year I had the opportunity to represent Florida in the National Forestry CDE in Indianapolis. The financial support of the FFA Foundation for the trip allowed us to worry about the Forestry contest itself, instead of stressing over fundraising. It was really great to know that there were so many people rooting for our success.” The Kathleen FFA team finished ninth overall and Morgan Carlton was the third highest student in the nation at the event.

Many Polk FFA chapters were at the Beast Feast, demonstrating their support by providing food items and auction items. The FFA chapters at Kathleen, Bartow and Frostproof

teamed up to make homemade ice cream for the event. They made flavors ranging from mango and key lime pie to more traditional flavors like vanilla and strawberry. Lake Gibson FFA chapter served fried gator meat while the Lake Gibson Middle, Stambaugh and Westwood FFA chapters provided boiled peanuts. Nothing was left off the menu and that was proven when guests had a taste of Cajun cuisine— jambalaya provided by Roosevelt FFA. Haines City FFA provided homemade mac-n-cheese, while Dundee Ridge FFA entertained the crowd with a friendly game of cow bingo. The day proved to be a smashing success — great food, great entertainment, amazing weather, all on the beautiful FFA Leadership Training Center grounds.

Part of fundraising activities were a silent and live auction with numerous items up for grabs. Auction items included a guided hog hunting trip, fishing poles, handmade quilts, fishing trips, autographed memorabilia and much, much more. Some things that were being auctioned off were many different vacation trips, hunting, fishing, air boating trips, grills, livestock feed, gift cards to nearby stores and restaurants. The FFA Leadership Training center, located at 5000 Fire Tower Road, off Highway 542 - Hatchineha Road, hosts numerous leadership events for Florida FFA members.

The training center is available to businesses to host unforgettable conferences and events. •

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Preserve Collaborative Project Nears Completion

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Technical Phase To Be Completed Later This Year The Knights preserve has also benefited from community support. Here volunteers Kenneth Parker, Keith DeShong and Lee Gillman help with new signage.

hat began in 2005 through the efforts of former Knights Elementary School Principal Linda Bailey and ongoing support of CF Industries and others will come to fruition later this year with completion of the final phase of the Knights Elementary School P.R.E.S.E.R.V.E. (Protecting and Rescuing Environmentally Sensitive Resources in a Varied Ecosystem) Project.

The wetlands restoration phase of the project began in June 2005. The project involved restoring the approximately three-acre site on the 20-acre school parcel that had deteriorated into a dumping ground for trash, old tires and scrap metal. Bailey, who had been a teacher at Knights before becoming principal, had used the wetlands area even in its troubled state as a teaching site for her students. Bailey decided to approach CF Industries, a long term supporter of various school initiatives, about assisting with restoration of the wetlands area in 2005.

“CF Industries joined the effort, contributing financially, with their knowledge, and with the help of a number of their consultants in environmental and wetlands restoration,” said current Knights Principal Janine Hall.

“Throughout the four year project, the Knights Elementary staff and student body worked side-by-side with CF personnel to remove the trash and non-native vegetation and to prepare the area for environmental repair.” After the restoration and replanting process, the wetlands were returned to their natural functioning state.

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Hall noted that student parents, community volunteers, the Hillsborough County School Board, Hillsborough Education Foundation, Hillsborough County Pollution Recovery Fund, Southwest Florida Water Management District and Biddinger Family Foundation have all played important parts in the project.

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In addition to the wetlands restoration, the project also included the design and construction of an elevated walkway by CF Industries. The walkway is used by students and teachers for field trips to observe and study the wetland ecosystem, and to learn about the importance of wetlands. “Though science is the primary focus of the project, all curricula benefit from it,” noted Knights Science Resource staff member Michele Simcox, who has been the school’s primary manager for the final phase of the project. “Students working on English assignments find inspiration by sitting quietly on the walkway and listening to the sounds of nature which they can then describe,” she said. “This is real and not theoretical and the students get excited anytime they have the opportunity to visit the wetlands area.”

Enrollment at Knights Elementary currently numbers 750 for pre-K through fifth grade “and we are a very diverse school,” noted Principal Hall. “Our student body represents all socio-economic levels and we do have a number of special needs students.”

A full range of PRESERVE-focused lesson plans have been developed and include creative ways for teachers and students to enhance their understanding of the wetlands preserve. “Scientific processing skills, such as observation, prediction, daily recording and sharing, as well as measurement can all take place in the preserve,” said Simcox.

The final phase involves the installation of solar panels, wind generators, cameras, batteries, inverters and wiring. “We are installing three assemblies, two solar and one wind generator-equipped for collecting power where it is converted to alternating current (AC) for battery storage and power for each assembly’s camera,” said Simcox.

The cameras are activated by movement with

filmed segments transferred to our classroom computers. “This will enable us to conduct 24-hour wildlife observance in addition to surveillance of the preserve.”

Completion of the final phase “adds enhancement to a project that has already benefited our school and students and is consistent with the statewide emphasis on strengthening the science, technology, engineering and math skills of students,” said Hall. Knights’ students will be able to learn to trace the flow of energy in a system, recognize various forms of energy, transform energy from one type to another, measure energy, transfer energy from one object to another and much more with the new technology in place at the preserve. “Sharing our information with other schools, both within and outside of Hillsborough County, are options we are exploring for the future,” said Hall.

“We are very fortunate as an elementary school to have such a high level array of technology available to enhance the teaching options for our faculty and realistic learning opportunities for out students. We are indebted to CF Industries, for without their ongoing support this would have never taken place,” she said.

“CF Industries is pleased to help Knights Elementary with this project and the many ways it has and will continue to benefit teachers, students and the community,” said Vice President of Phosphate Operations Herschel Morris. “We seek to support the communities where we live, work and play.

It’s the right thing for us to do.” •

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The 7th of 9 Steps to a Florida-Friendly Landscape Lynn Barber, Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM Agent - Hillsborough County and UF/IFAS Extension

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ne method of recycling is composting yard and kitchen waste. Composting is the controlled decomposition of organic matter. You can compost using the holding or turning methods, also known as the passive (cold) or aggressive (hot) methods.

The holding method uses simple containers or open piles, small volumes, minimal maintenance, but slow composting - 12 to 24 months for finished compost. The turning method produces quicker composting results but has the following requirements: particle size of 2 - 3" (the size of your thumb), compost pile size of 3' x 3' x 3', proper mix of carbon and nitrogen (approximately 50 - 50), appropriate moisture content (like a wrung out sponge) and turning several times per week to aerate the pile. If you really work the pile, you can have finished compost in four to eight weeks by utilizing the aggressive (hot) turning method.

The proper mixture of carbon and nitrogen involves brown and green materials. Brown materials (carbon) include leaves, twigs, sawdust, newspaper and cardboard. Green materials (nitrogen) include herbivore manures, coffee grounds and kitchen scraps.

Anything that once was a plant and egg shells can be composted. Do not compost meat, meat by-products, animal fat or dairy products.

Bury food scraps to discourage pests and prevent odor from decomposing fruit and vegetables. In the cooler stages of the composting process, there will be cockroaches, spiders, centipedes and earthworms present. All of these help speed the decomposition process.

Finished compost can be used as a soil amendment, mulch, potting mix or compost tea (finished or unfinished compost). You can turn your leaves, twigs, prunings, vegetable and fruit peelings, egg shells, newspapers and coffee grounds into mulch. Mulch is a resource which retains moisture in the soil by reducing evaporation and runoff, suppresses weeds naturally, releases nutrients into the soil and supports beneficial soil organisms, protects plant materials from damage by weed eaters and mowers, increases root growth while decreasing competition from weeds and turfgrass and insulates soil temperature while beautifying your landscape. You can create

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potting soil from your finished compost using this recipe: mix 1/4 part compost, 1/4 part perlite, 1/4 part peat and 1/4 part builder's sand. To create compost tea, place finished or unfinished compost in a burlap bag or pantyhose leg. Tie off at the top. Put the burlap bag or pantyhose into a bucket of water. Leave overnight. In the morning you will have compost tea with which you can water your plants.

If you have more yard waste than you can recycle on-site, you can reduce the amount of lawn and landscaping clippings by using slow growing plants, considering the mature size of your plant selections, planting only purposeful grass for pets and recreation areas and creating self-mulching areas under your deciduous trees.

Maintaining a lawn can require a lot of manual labor, water, fertilizer, pesticides and generates a lot of debris. Grass clippings? Love 'em and leave 'em‌on your lawn. This will save you time in raking and bagging the clippings and save money on soil amendments.

When you do fertilize your lawn two to three times per year, use slow or controlled release nitrogen. When you or your lawn service mow, the grass should be dry and the mower blade sharp. Only cut off 1/3 of the grass blade per cutting.

If you’d like more information on composting yard and kitchen waste, how to troubleshoot your compost pile or how to use a compost thermometer, you may attend a composting workshop by pre-registering at: http://hillsborough.extension.ufl.edu/HomeGardening/event-calendar.html

Information in this article was taken from Yard Waste to Garden Treasure by Dr. Sydney Park Brown.

Visit our compost and mulch demonstration areas at the Hillsborough County Extension Service, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner. For assistance with horticultural questions, call: 813-744-5519. More gardening information is available at: http://hillsborough.extension.ufl.edu and http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

REMEMBER

TO REUSE, REDUCE AND RECYCLE. W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M

STRAWBERRY CREST DOES

IT

AGAIN!

By Ashton Houston, Aly Joyner & Clayton Ashmore

T

he Strawberry Crest FFA Parliamentary Procedure team is excited to compete at the state competion again.

Amanda Furmage is from Ohio and currently a student at Southeastern University in Lakeland, where she is a senior majoring in Journalism/Public Relations.

She serves as the layout editor of the SEU Times, the university’s news magazine. After graduation, she hopes to work as a writer/copyeditor while improving her graphic design skills... plus, she’s getting married this June.

Congratulations to Amanda!

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The Parliamentary Procedure team won the sub-district and the district contest and are eager to be going to the 87th State FFA Convention.

In January, the team competed in the districts contest. The team consisted of Aly Joyner, Kelsey Bozeman, Alli Thomas, Courtney Newcomb, Levi Mayo, Ashton Houston, Ashley Modrow, and Jamee Townsend.

Parliamentary Procedures is one of the most distinguished FFA contest.

The teams must use the proper parliamentary law when conducting a mock chapter meeting. Parliamentary Procedure protects the right of the minority and rules of the majority and is used by most governmental organizations.

We are very proud of the achievement of the Strawberry Crest FFA Parliamentary Procedure team, and know they will represent the Districts well at the state contest. They are now in the top 11 in the state of Florida. •

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GETS STUDENTS MOTIVATED

By Diego Zevallos, Chance Akers and Zach Koch

O

n January 25, Barrett Keene visited Strawberry Crest High School’s auditorium to inform students about the Global Orphan Organization (GO Project) and Barrett’s walk across the country.

Barrett Keene talked about the orphaned children in Haiti, and many other countries, including children with no education, no medical care, and many malnourished children that are abandoned. The Strawberry Crest FFA decided to take on the GO Project as one of their community service projects. Speaking with Mr. Brown, Principal of SCHS, and the FFA members had permission and blessing to involve the entire school body in the GOProject. FFA members of Strawberry Crest and the school body will help raise money for these helpless children and young adults in need of an education. The donation will also give jobs by helping them make school uniforms as the law states no uniforms, no school. The value of the dollar has a lot more value in poorer countries such as those in Haiti, that even a just dollar donation means a lot.

On Saturday January 29, Barrett (a Plant City native) started walking out of Miami on a nine and a half month trek. The 3,475 mile journey to San Francisco is raising money for awareness about Go Walk America and invites individuals and organizations to sponsor school uniforms ($20) for orphans and other children living in rags. Each uniform helps create local jobs, sends children to school, and sustains orphan care.

If you would like to donate to the Global Orphanage Project or GO Walk America visit GoWalkAmerica.org or the Globalorphanproject.org You can also follow Barrett Keene on Twitter and on Facebook.

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FAA and NAA to Offer Aquaculture Business Management and Marketing Workshop

T

o help the U.S. aquaculture industry to survive difficult economic times and challenges, the National Aquaculture Association (NAA) has partnered with the Florida Aquaculture Association (FAA) to offer a half-day grower workshop on May 18, at the Marine Science Lab at the USF St. Petersburg campus.

The aquaculture industry has an unprecedented opportunity for growth, but that growth will require that producers be armed with business development skills that can lead to sound management and the development of viable long-term growth strategies.

The National Aquaculture Association is providing expert speakers including Dr. Carole Engle, Professor, Aquaculture Economics and Management, UAPB; Dr. Madan Dey, Professor, Aquaculture Marketing, UAPB, and Linda Odierno, NAA Outreach Specialist.

Dr. Engle will present a simplified system to conduct an annual checkup of financial health. Take home materials, such as a workbook and flash drive with electronic materials, will also be provided. Dr. Engle has worked with more than 100 fish farmers to develop comprehensive financial analyses and business plans. The workshop will also discuss what steps were taken by the catfish farmers who survived these difficult financial times and what the early warning signs were for farms that did not survive.

Dr. Dey will share summaries of trends in prices and quantities sold for the most

important regional aquaculture products. The trend analysis was developed using retail scanner data from 52 cities across the United States during a seven year period (2005-2011). Individual producers will have the opportunity to request customized reports. Similar customized market intelligence reports can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Competing products will also be discussed.

Linda ODierno will present information on developing new, innovative marketing strategies that can help reduce costs and increase profits for small growers.

E-marketing, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), niche marketing, product branding, exporting, and farmers markets will be discussed.

Organizational structures that include vertical and horizontal integration (producer organizations), contract growing, and multi-level marketing will also be covered. Adding value to Florida aquaculture products, product placement, pricing, and cost-effective distribution schemes will be emphasized.

There is no cost to attend the workshop, but seating is limited.

A pre-registration form is available at www.flaa.org/2012Conference The FAA-NAA workshop is being held in conjunction with the Florida Marine Science Educators Association’s “Going Coastal” 2012 Conference on May 18-20 at the Marine Science Lab at the USF/St. Petersburg Campus.

To register for the FEMSEA Conference go to www.femsea.org

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“Pick Them, Drink Them, and Eat Them at the Tampa Bay Blueberry Festival”

F

lorida currently ranks as the fifth largest wine producing state in the U.S. and one of the largest wineries in Florida is located right here in Plant City.

Keel and Curley Winery, and their source of delicious blueberries, Keel Farms, will celebrate the end of the blueberry harvest and the beginning of the U-pick and wine season with their 5th annual Tampa Bay Blueberry Festival on May 5 and 6.

The last two years attendance at the festival has topped 5,000 over the two days. The shear numbers of blueberry and blueberry wine seekers have even forced the Winery to lease a lot nearby for parking this year.

Located on Thonotosassa Road, off I-4 exit 17, Keel and Curley Winery will host over 45 vendors, three restaurants, a free large kid’s area, live music, and even an antique tractor display. Best of all, admission is free.

Live music will feature local bands like Charlie O and the House Rockers and Faces South Band.

There will be blueberry shortcake, blueberry sauces, wine freezes, and lots of blueberry wine available. Patrons can U-pick blueberries while they last on the farms 20+ acres for $3 a pound.

Since the 1990s, Florida’s Blueberry industry has exploded to nearly 4000 acres statewide and tens of millions of pounds of blueberries picked each year. Keel and Curley Winery, which makes award-winning wine with surplus berries, has become one of the largest producers of blueberry wine in the nation.

They also produce a line of other fruit wines such as strawberry, mango, key lime, and tangerine.

“We are now carried in over 1,000 stores throughout the state and produce about 400,000 bottles of wine annually,” says the farm and winery owner Joe Keel. Keel and Curley wine can be found year round in Publix, Albertson’s, ABC Wine and Spirits, Total Wine and More, as well as many

One of the largest crowds ever attending the Farm Credit/Florida Strawberry Festival Breakfast held Monday, March 5.

Attendees included Commissioner of Agriculture, Adam Putnam and Congressman Dennis Ross.

Approximately 255 people attended the event this year.

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smaller stores and some Costco and WalMart locations.

The winery also hosts concerts throughout the year including a spring concert series going on now, sponsored by Stingray Chevrolet, that includes such large acts as Jazz group Spyro Gyra on April 21 and Bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys on May 19. You can also find live local music at the winery every Friday night and the first Saturday night of every month.

The Tampa Bay Blueberry Festival is a great family event for low cost entertainment and memories. The festival will take place May 5 and 6 with gates open 8 am-6 pm Saturday and 10 am to 6 pm on Sunday. Admission is free but there is a $5 charge for parking.

Many attractions including the kid’s area and live music are also free with plenty of crafts, activities, drinks, and food for sale. •

Photos courtesy of Ron O’Connor, Farm Credit W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M

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Homemade is Better Comparisons Between Florida State Fair & The Florida Strawberry Festival® What’s New, What’s Old & What’s Different

By Cheryl Kuck Florida State Fair - Florida Living Center, Feb. 9 -20

N

ow that all the excitement of the Florida State Fair and Strawberry Festival are over for another year, it’s time to reflect on some of their similarities and differences.

Lois Duffy 20 Years with the State Fair

The history of the Florida State Fair began back in 1904. The Florida State Fair Authority was created by the Florida Legislature in 1975. The fair is ranked among the top 20 fairs in the country with approximately 440,000 visitors this year, considerably under last year's 480,000 attendee’s.

Woodcrafts

Miniature Doll House

Toys/Dolls/ Wearing Apparel

Now in its 77th year with 550,000 attendees, the festival’s growth accelerated 2011’s numbers by 550 but still fell short of its record of 930,000 set 10 years ago.

The festival is ranked among the Top 40 Fairs in North America.

Horticulture

Wine Tasting

Fine Arts Aquarium Displays

After 20 years of trying to promote the growing strawberry market in the Greater Plant City area, the local Lions Club conceived the idea of a festival in 1930.

However, with the advent of WWII, the attention went to the war effort so the festival was temporarily put on hold until 1948 when American Legion Post #26 helped to reactivate the festival dream, making the Florida Strawberry Festival and it’s ode to strawberry shortcake a reality.

Wine Judging

Since we locals are treated to two months of frenzied fair and festival activities along with all the drama concerned with high profile entertainment, thrilling rides, and Elvis impersonators, we sometimes forget the core roots of these two major events.

Here, it’s all about the heartland. It’s about the values and labors attributed to our rural heritage. It’s about almost every facet of farming from vegetation to animal husbandry. It’s about the old-fashioned idea of the tender-loving-care that makes things home-made the best, the most loved and revered.

The differences between the State Fair and Strawberry Festival may not be in the competitions and blue ribbons awarded, but in how the general imagery of each is perceived.

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The vast reaches of the huge State Fair Living Center may house all the best that is home-created throughout the state

but the homey feeling generated by the ancient stone Armory Building housing the Strawberry Festival’s Neighborhood Village also received entrants from the far reaches of Florida, but lends itself to the feeling that the items are created by family members and folks you might know…and probably do.

In the primary locations of the State Fair Florida Living Center and the Strawberry Festival’s Neighborhood Village, all things home-made are exhibited from apple pie to appliqués, crochet to cake decorating, furnishings to ferns, beef jerky to jewelry, quilts to quince jam, wine to wearing apparel…oh my!

More and more of the State Fair displays have been put under glass. Perishables only have a few top winners on exhibit, although Living Center Director Duffy says, “There are as many entrants in all categories as in previous years that are not shown because of a lack of space. We are trying to limit the size on some things because that way, we can fit them into glass cases.”

A great deal of exhibit space is taken up with a seemingly endless array of wine bottles from vintners as well as home wine enthusiasts who want their wine tasted, certified and rated.

Woodcraft is represented in both fair and festival venues. However, the fair allocates major space to competition from small woodworking to Master Craftsmen, the creation of large fine furnishings and their individual craft organizations. They also have an area for judging with woodcarving and finishing demonstrations.

The State Fair also gives 10, $1000 scholarships to high school students whose teachers enter their art portfolios. This year 163 were judged. Of other professional and amateur artists, 939 were sent for juried selection with 536 works accepted for final judging and displayed together with 24 Hillsborough County individual schools showcasing this year’s theme, “Schools Connecting to Kids.”

At the Strawberry Festival, buildings are generally more intimate, appearing less like airplane hangars or convention

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centers, as a result (unlike the fair), horticulture, photography, student, amateur and professional artists are displayed in separate buildings and do not come under the aegis of the Neighborhood Village. Top winners are awarded ribbons and prize money.

This year the festival has cut into the historical flavor that has exclusively been 51 State Fair years of depicting history through the Pioneer Village and Historical Museum by having a series of small demonstration exhibits depicting the pioneer era within the festival grounds.

Generally, the forest of Midway rides and truck food aromas are much the same in either Betty Lucas 20 Years with Strawberry Festival

venue with the Strawberry Festival seemingly more manageable (or agreeable) since you can duck into a tent or building and find the best strawberry shortcake and milkshakes in the world.

With more than 40 years of experience between the two department heads, the Living Center, with Lois Duffy at the helm, and Neighborhood Village, with Betty Lucas as chairwoman, all entries are treated with care by them and their armies of dedicated volunteers.

of blue ribbons, coupled with fried snickers bars, competing with perfect natural fruit, racing pigs, marketable vintages and just plain fun… You might prefer one to the other but both showcase the best home-made craft, home-grown, and personally crafted or cultivated things we are proud to say are created in Florida by Floridians.

Enhancing and illuminating who we, as Floridians, really are and the values we hold dear, The Florida State Fair and Florida Strawberry Festival define us and we are proud of it…and these events. •

Say what you will, when facing an endless list Florida Strawberry Festival – Neighborhood Village and Roy & Helen Parke Building, Mar. 1 – 11

Quilting

Knitting, Crochet and Tatting

Paper Art

Woodcrafts Fine Arts

Carlos Anglere of Lakeland Cake Decorating Grand Champion

Baked Goods

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Photography

Horticulture

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Strawberry Festival, state fair, Kissimmee Valley Show and Georgia National, West Palm Beach. I’ve shown a lot of different places and I did pretty well with it over the years.” His beginnings in 4H generated a desire to become active in FFA. He says, “I got involved in FFA in middle school and I followed it through to my senior year, which I’m in now.”

STARTING YOUNG: CAMERON SALTER

Cameron explains, “My dad was raised on a hog and cattle farm, so my dad has a pretty good history with cattle.” In fact, his dad is a third generation farmer. Their family has eight acres and they keep their four show cows on the property. They use these cows for breeding purposes. “We breed our own animals here, starting with dairy cows. The past three steers have been our own calves, raised at my house, we artificially inseminate, my dad does that. I pick from their offspring.”

In discussing the steer he showed this year he explains, “He was a Mane and Angus cross. He was born here in October, sometime, I can’t remember, two years ago. He was a little ole thing.

We raised him up, worked with him every day. He got big pretty quick. I was working a lot with him for showmanship. I won third place in showmanship while I was there, too. There’s a lot

By Ginny Mink of people there and if the judge wants to touch him he’s got to not freak out, so you have to have a lot of people around him. aising cattle can be challenging, particularly if the breed is not It was a lot of hard work in the process of doing it.” one that is genetically designed to do well in your part of the country. Such is the case with the steer that Cameron Salter While the showmanship preparations might seem intense, that’s raised for competition at the Strawberry Festival. Yet, he managed to nothing in comparison to the main issue. Cameron expounded walk away with the Grand Champion Steer title this year. on the challenges of raising Mane and Angus cross breeds.

“They have so much hair that you have to keep them cool. It’s Cameron explains his beginnings in Ag, “I started out showing dairy a really big issue. His genetics are supposed to be up North cows at about four years old. My brother was about six years old and where it’s cool. So, they get too hot here and then they won’t eat I saw how he was doin’ it and I wanted to do it too and I enjoyed so you have to make sure he’s cool. It was a daily job keeping doin’ it. I got involved in 4H showing dairy cows, showed at the him cool. We’d have to wet him every night, keep him out of the

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sun.” No doubt that’s a huge obstacle given the fact we’re in the “Sunshine State.”

While maintaining body temperature was difficult, Cameron managed to keep it under control. Ultimately, his steer, Pete, weighed in at 1270 pounds. Cameron says he made $12 a pound. Then he adds, “I never expected to make that much. Normally my boss buys my steer every year for $4-5 a pound. Fifty-six different people actually purchased my steer. They’d never done that in the history of the Festival. I want to thank everyone for what they did for me, for partnering to purchase my calf!”

NICE GUYS DON’T ALWAYS FINISH LAST!

CLAYTON BROCK

When asked what he intends to do with the money he said, “I plan to save it and pay for books and tuition for college. I’m going to HCC for two years and then hopefully transfer to UF or USF. I’m going into agriculture. I’m not sure what; there’s a lot of stuff to do and there’s a lot of stuff I know how to do. I just can’t figure out which I want to do between farming and veterinary, but one of the two.”

Cameron says he’s had a lot of fun showing cows and that he’s learned a lot in the process. His focus, though, returned to a spirit of thankfulness. “I want to thank everyone who was involved in putting up the new Evelyn & Batista Madonia, Sr. Agricultural Show Center. I’d like to thank my parents too, for everything they’ve done. It wouldn’t have been possible for everything to be done without them to help me do it.” No doubt that’s the truth, especially since Cameron is a senior at Durant High School and spends his free time working for Mathis Strawberry Farms. We hope that his hard work will continue to pay off both academically and agriculturally! •

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By Ginny Mink

C

layton Brock is a well spoken, well mannered 12 year old.

Apparently these characteristics are typical in children raised in the agricultural arena, as every child or teen involved in 4H or FFA I’ve had the joy of speaking with has demonstrated such qualities.

When asked how he got involved in Ag, Clayton responds, “It all started when I was eight, we had tried sports and pretty much anything you can think of. Then my mom had an idea because she did it when she was younger and her brother did it when he was younger. We started with one cow and I took her to the Strawberry Festival and I just loved it!” The enthusiasm in that statement is refreshing. ...continued on next page

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Clayton Brock continued...

Certainly this excitement led him to continue in that field. He explains, “Then we got another one and we started to get more competitive and that second year I went to about 180 shows that season. After that we kept showing like that for a couple of years and then two years ago, at the county fair, I showed a pig and that really helped us because we didn’t have to pay so much and then we started getting more competitive with the pigs and we got the one I won with this year.”

Clayton won the title of Grand Champion in the swine category at the Strawberry Festival. He shared his methodology, “We pretty much had it on straight feed, which is just one type of feed, until two months before the festival and then we put some nutritional stuff in there to make him look fresher. It’s like when you go to the doctor and they give you natural supplements. The straight feed and adding some of the natural additives just made him look better and improved his performance. Like when you eat good for awhile and you feel really good.” His comparison to holistic medicine was quite amusing.

Clayton explained that they were aiming at having the pig weigh in at around 270 pounds. Ultimately he weighed 272 pounds.

Then, he modestly describes his win by saying, “I just guess the judge liked him the best.” The pig was a Hampshire and Clayton says his friend chose to name the pig, Bacon. That’s some pretty expensive bacon since Clayton got nearly $15 a pound for him.

When asked what he did with the money, he answered, “Once I got everything out to pay for my next pig, I put the rest in my savings.”

I told him he was a smart young man, and he chuckled, but when asked about school he said, “I’m actually doing very well in school.

Right now I’m really trying to get one of my B’s up to an A because if I do that, I’ll have straight A’s for the second time this year.”

Clayton attends Tomlin Middle School and is in the sixth grade.

He adds, “I’m doing, and have done, a couple of contests for FFA. I did the forestry and did pretty good with that. I did state level cow judging, our team got eleventh. For me, individually, I got fifth out of 208 kids. Right now I’m starting veggie judging and so far it seems pretty easy, hoping I can get on the team for that.” While he seems interested in some of the other contests, cow judging is his big focus. He says, “When I get older I want to be a cattle judge and a cattle producer for my area. I’m gonna try and use Ag as much as I can. I just really want to go to school to be a cattle judge.”

He’s still not sure what college he wants to go to, but he’s moving in the right direction. He says, “We have about ten acres. We have a company and it’s called CB Club Calves and we’ve got about 50 head. We’re just trying to get started as a company. So far we’ve had a pretty good year.” In closing, I asked him what the greatest thing about agriculture was. He said, “Pretty much everything about it is great. It’s just that everything’s so great that you can’t even name one (thing) because you’d feel bad that the one you didn’t pick would feel bad. Ag is pretty much my big thing. The greatest thing is that the hard work paid off!” It certainly did, and the award couldn’t have gone to a nicer kid. •

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APRIL 2012

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By Jim Frankwoiak

The initial step in the watershed The initial step in the via watershed study was establishing Global study was established via Global Positioning System (GPS) 201 perPositioning System (GPS) manent plots inside the 201 Cityperof manent “a plots insideway theofCity of Tampa, statistical looking Tampa, “a statistical of looking at the total forest of way the area under at the total of the under study,” said forest Northrop.

Byarea the end of study,” said Northrop. thepermaend of this year, there will beBy 800 this year, will bein800 nent plots there established the permaTampa nentwatershed. plots established in the Tampa Bay Bay watershed.

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physical attributes of forest vegetation to determine urban forest structure. Such attributes include tree and shrub diameter, height, crown area and condition, leaf area, total biomass and their spatial distribution.

Quantifying the structure of the urban forest enables researchers to relate forest structure to specific forest functions such as energy conservation for residential homes, carbon sequestration and storage by trees and air pollution reduction.

As to the makeup of the urban forest in the study, the researchers estimate that there are over 11.2 million trees in the area with a tree defined “as a woody stem with a diameter of one-inch or greater at 4.5 feet in height.” The 10 most common tree species are laurel oak, bald cypress, cabbage palm, sweet gum, American elm, Darlington oak, American hornbeam, red maple, live oak and slash pine.

Most would agree that trees help to save money by reducing the energy needs to heat and cool buildings. The study determined that the total amount of energy conserved in cooling residential buildings was estimated to be 35,589 megawatt hours, equaling a value saved of $4.1 million. The amount of energy conserved by reducing the need to heat residential buildings was 27,842 million British thermal units, saving an added $934,000. “It was further estimated that without its urban forest, the study area would have emitted 6,591 more tons of carbon into the atmosphere and would have burned $144,000 worth of fossil fuels at power plants in order to heat and cool residential buildings,” said Northrop. He noted all of the values expressed are on an annual basis.

climate changes leading to long term ecological, economic, social and political effects for us and future generations. Healthy urban forests sequester and store carbon, offsetting emissions from human activities, increase energy efficiency of homes and buildings by reducing cooling and heating needs, and can act as a feedstock for alternative fuel production. The amount of carbon sequestered by the trees in the study area’s urban forest is estimated to be over 1.5 million tons with a value of $31.4 million if sold at $21 per ton.

Carbon credits are a commodity and their price varies as with any commodity.

There’s an old adage that talks about “not being able to see the forest for the trees.”

This study details how the forest is much more than just the trees, but the many different ways the trees of the forest benefit residents and the environment. • For additional information on the study, visit: http://tampabayforest.org/TampaUEA2011.htm “Currently, this site contains information about the City of Tampa. It will be updated this fall with the Tampa Bay watershed information,” Northrop noted.

As trees grow they remove and sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to use during photosynthetic processes. Trees store carbon and release oxygen into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas, which means that its accumulation in the atmosphere is raising average global temperatures and contributing to worldwide W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M

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Find us in your neighborhood...

Southside Farm & Pet Supply 3014 Jim Redman Pkwy.

Plant City, FL Phone: 813.752.2379

Cresent Jewelers 1514 S. Alexander St. Plant City, FL Phone: 813.752.2413

Johnson’s BBQ 1407 MLK Blvd.

Plant City, FL Phone: 813.759.0009

Sisters & Company 104 E. Reynolds St. Plant City, FL Phone: 813.754.0990

Red Rose Inn & Suites 2011 N. Wheeler St. Plant City, FL Phone: 813.752.3141

The Catering Company 115. E. Reynolds St. Plant City, FL Phone: 813.707.1447

Cowboys Western World 120 S.R. 60 E. Plant City, FL Phone: 813.650.3888

Rick’s Meats 10252 S.R. 39 South Lithia, FL Phone: 813.737.6776 Note: This is just a sample of our distribution points.

We’ll list different locations each month.

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Ph: (813) 620-3006 • 6902 Causeway Blvd, Tampa • www.Fencing-Farm-Ranch.com DELIVERY & INSTALLATION AVAILABLE 1”x 6”x 16’ Rough Cut $6.95 Q: How can you sell wire at your

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CHAIN LINK FENCE PARTS

1 5/8” Loop Caps ................................................$.95 1” Loop Caps .....................................................$1.35 2½” Loop Caps ..................................................$1.95 1 3/8” Rail Ends ..................................................$.95 1 5/8” Rail Ends ................................................$1.35 2½” 1-way & 2-way Caps.................................$1.95 1 3/8”, 1 5/8”, 2”, 2½” Tension Bands...............$.60 1 3/8”, 1 5/8”, 2”, 2½” Brace Bands..................$.60 4’ Tension Bars ..................................................$2.50 5’ Tension Bars ..................................................$2.95 6’ Tension Bars ..................................................$3.25 6½” Bag Ties 100ct............................................$4.95 8½”Bag Ties 100ct.............................................$8.95 50’ Razor Wire ................................................$39.00 78 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE APRIL 2012

1x12x150’ 1x18x150’ 1x24x150’ 1x36x150’ 1x48x150’ 1x60x150’

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WELDED WIRE FENCING

½” x 1” x 18” 16ga 100’ CL1..................$99.00 ½” x 1” x 24” 16ga 100’ CL1................$121.00 ½” x 1” x 30” 16ga 100’ CL1................$150.00 ½” x 1” x 36” 16ga 100’ CL1................$180.00 ½” x 1” x 48” 16ga 100’ CL1................$225.00 ½” x 1” x 60” 16ga 100’ CL1................$271.00 1” x 1” x 24” 16ga 100’ CL1...................$81.00 1” x 1” x 36” 16ga 100’ CL1.................$120.00 1” x 1” x 48” 16ga 100’ CL1.................$158.00 1” x 1” x 60” 16ga 100’ CL1.................$207.00 1” x 1” x 24” 14ga 100’ CL1.................$111.00 1” x 1” x 36” 14ga 100’ CL1.................$165.00 1” x 1” x 48” 14ga 100’ CL1.................$210.00 1” x 1” x 60” 14ga 100’ CL1.................$257.00 1” x 2” x 18” 14ga 100’ CL1...................$66.00 1” x 2” x 24” 14ga 100’ CL1...................$77.00 1” x 2” x 36” 14ga 100’ CL1.................$122.00 1” x 2” x 48” 14ga 100’ CL1.................$159.00 1” x 2” x 60” 14ga 100’ CL1.................$197.00 1” x 2” x 72” 14ga 100’ CL1.................$228.00 2” x 4” x 24” 14ga 100’ CL1...................$41.00 2” x 4” x 36” 14ga 100’ CL1...................$56.00 2” x 4” x 48” 14ga 100’ CL1...................$65.00 2” x 4” x 60” 14ga 100’ CL1...................$92.00 2” x 4” x 72” 14ga 100’ CL1.................$110.00 2” x 4” x 36” 12.5ga 100’ CL1................$79.00 2” x 4” x 48” 12.5ga 100’ CL1..............$100.00 2” x 4” x 60” 12.5ga 100’ CL1..............$125.00 2” x 4” x 72” 12.5ga 100’ CL1..............$153.00

1x72x150’ 2x24x150’ 2x36x150’ 2x48x150’ 2x60x150’ 2x72x150’

20ga ...........$11600 20ga .............$2150 20ga .............$3100 20ga .............$4100 20ga .............$5100 20ga .............$6100

WIRE FENCE

1047-330’ Field Fence 14ga CL3.............$115.00 1047-330’ Field Fence 12½ga CL1............139.00 1047-330’ Field Fence 12½ga CL3 LOW CARBON ............$139.00 1047-330’ Field Fence 12½ga CL3 HIGH TENSILE ............$155.00 Barb Wire 15½ CL3 Gauge .......................$35.00 Barb Wire 12½ GA CL3 ............................$65.00 Barb Wire 15½ GA 3” spacing .................$49.00 100’x4’ CL3 no climb horse wire ............$125.00 100’x5’ CL3 no climb horse wire ............$149.00 200’x4’ CL1 no climb horse wire ............$199.00 200’x4’ CL3 no climb horse wire ............$229.00 100’x4’ CL1 4 X 4 goat wire ....................$75.00 330’x4’ CL1 4 X 4 goat wire ..................$239.00 5’x16’ Horse Panel 6GA 2x4....................$59.00 50”x16’ 10 Line Panel 4GA .....................$22.00 39” Field Fence 12½ga 330’...................$112.00 Barbless Wire 12½ga 1320’.....................$54.00 Barbless Wire 14ga 1320’ ........................$35.00 Smooth Wire 9ga 140’ .............................$11.95 Smooth Wire 12½ga 210’ ........................$12.50 Fence Stays 100 pair 42” ........................$46.00 Staples 1¼-1½-1¾ 50# ............................$49.00

BLACK POWDER COATED GATES

IDEAL FOR HORSES & SMALL ANIMALS 4’ Black Powder Coated 2x4 Mesh ...........$75.00 6’ Black Powder Coated 2x4 Mesh ...........$89.00 8’ Black Powder Coated 2x4 Mesh .........$114.00 10’ Black Powder Coated 2x4 Mesh .......$129.00 POTABLE WATER TANKS 275 Gallon w/ Metal Cage ......$75.00 - $125.00 12’ Black Powder Coated 2x4 Mesh .......$143.00 14’ Black Powder Coated 2x4 Mesh .......$169.00 ROLL GATE PARTS 5” Steel Rear Track Wheel ........................$12.50 16’ Black Powder Coated 2x4 Mesh .......$179.00 Universal Line track Bracket .......................$8.50 PIPE GATES 2” DIAMETER Clamp-On Roller Bracket.............................$5.95 12’ Galvanized Hvy Duty/16 ga.............$119.00 Double Trolley Wheels 6”x6” ...................$34.95 16’ Galvanized Hvy Duty/16 ga.............$148.00 Double Trolley Wheels 6”x12” .................$39.95 100’ HARDWARE CLOTH Air Type Trolley Wheels 10”x12”..............$59.00 24” 36” 48” No Flat Trolley Wheels 10”x12” ...............$79.00 ¼ x ¼ 23ga .....$57.00.......$85.00 .......$112.00 Swing Gate Wheels ..................................$19.95 ½ x ½ 19ga .....$55.00.......$83.00 .......$110.00 GALVANIZED FARM GATES W/HARDWARE COUPON 4’ ...............Pipe $49.00 ................ Mesh $60.00 Horse Fence 200’x4’, Sheep & Goat Fence 6’ ...............Pipe $59.00 ................ Mesh $71.00 330’x4’ 1 to 3 rolls - $2.50 off, 8’ ...............Pipe $69.00 ................ Mesh $76.00 10’ .............Pipe $76.00 ................ Mesh $89.00 4 or more - $5 off, 10 piece limit.

12’ .............Pipe $86.00 ............... Mesh $97.00 Field fence 47” 1-8 - $2.50 off, 14’ .............Pipe $95.00 .............. Mesh $111.00 9 or more - $5 off, 10 piece limit.

16’ ...........Pipe $105.00 .............. Mesh $120.00 Barbed Wire - 5 or more - $1 off 10 piece limit.

18’ ...........Pipe $136.00 .............. Mesh $156.00 Pick up ONLY while supplies last.

20’ ...........Pipe $147.00 .............. Mesh $168.00 W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M

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Cheap!

Thousands of 8 ft & 10 ft sheets in stock. Prices from $6 and up.

Custom lengths available.

Metal Roofing we both lose.

Florida’s Best Prices

If you buy elsewhere...

Discount Metal Mart Ferris Waller “I’ve got a bad at titude and a rot ten personalit y, so our prices must be good or people wouldn’t buy from me!”

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Monday thru Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Saturday 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Located at Plant City Farm & Flea Market One mile north of I-4, corner of SR 39 and Sam Allen , easy access to I-4

813-752-7088 Website: www.metalsystemsinc.com email: atfabcutting@hotmail.com INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

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Livestock Contestant Judging Winners

2012 Beef Show Winners AWARDS

j All Breeds Grand Champion Heifer j Reserve All Breeds Grand Champion Heifer j All Breeds Grand Champion Bull j Reserve All Breeds Grand Champion Bull j Breeder’s Cup Grand Champion Heifer j Breeder’s Cup Reserve Grand Champion Heifer j Breeder’s Cup Grand Champion Bull j Breeder’s Cup Reserve Grand Champion Bull j Angus Heifer Grand Champion j Angus Heifer Reserve Grand Champion j Angus Grand Champion Bull j Angus Reserve Grand Champion Bull j Brangus Grand Champion Heifer j Brangus Reserve Grand Champion Heifer j Brangus Grand Champion Bull j Brangus Reserve Grand Champion Bull j Other Breeds Grand Champion Heifer j Other Breeds Reserve Grand Champion Heifer j Other Breeds Grand Champion Bull j Shorthorn Heifer Grand Champion j Shorthorn Heifer Reserve Grand Champion j Simmental Heifer Grand Champion j Simmental Heifer Reserve Grand Champion j Commercial Heifer (English) Grand Champion j Commercial Heifer (English) Reserve Grand Champion

j Commercial Heifer (Brahman) Grand Champion j Commercial Heifer (Brahman) 82

Reserve Grand Champion Heifer INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE APRIL 2012

WINNERS Kallee Cook Wyatt Hinton Quinn Carter Brandon Buckholt Kendall Locke Justin Barthle Kelsey Pirkle Cassidy Polston Kallee Cook Kendall Locke Brandon Buckholt Justin Hagin Justin Barthle Allyson Polston Quinn Carter Quinn Carter Kendall Locke Cassidy Hasting Kelsey Pirkle Anna Conrad Madi Conrad

AWARD & WINNERS

TEAMS & WINNERS

4-H

Herdsman Juniors

j 1st Jenna Thompson j 2nd Macie Ray j 3rd Brooke Ashmore Intermediates j 1st Gregory Berrios j 2nd Bayli Johns j 3rd Cassidy Hasting Seniors j 1st Allyson Polston j 2nd Kallee Cook j 3rd Darby Hasting Showmanship Juniors j 1st Kendall Locke j 2nd Madi Conrad j 3rd Kaylee Stallard Intermediate j 1st TJ Hutchinson j 2nd Anna Conrad j 3rd Gregory Berrios Seniors j 1st Kallee Cook j 2nd Yancey Ray j 3rd Alli Thomas Greenhand Award j Layton Pharis

j 1st Manatee 4-H j 2nd Putnam County 4-H j 3rd Antioch Critters 4-H Sr. FFA Teams j 1st Haines City FFA j 2nd Braden River FFA j 3rd South Lake FFA Middle School FFA j 1st Dundee Ridge FFA j 2nd Mulrennan FFA j 3rd Barrington FFA Individual j Rhonda Burnette j Mary Beth Stewart j Sarah Massengale

Jim Thompson Senior Award

j Haley Howerin

Dusty Cook Edward Maute Wyatt Hinton TJ Hutchinson David Morrison Sarah Matthews

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

2012 Dairy Show Contests AWARD & WINNERS

Showmanship – Novice

j 1st j 2nd j 3rd j 4th j 5th

Samantha Schulz Katie Shemwell Arista Georgiou Megan Snyder Jalyn Thompson

Junior Showmanship (exhibitors 10 years old and younger) j 1st Siera C. Linton j 2nd Daniel Paul j 3rd Jalyn Thompson j 4th Blane Rogers j 5th Karen Kotlarczyk

Intermediate Showmanship (11-13 year old exhibitors) j 1st Chas Waller j 2nd Michael Fioretto j 3rd Michaela E. Gray j 4th Brandon Carey j 5th Keegan Lee

Senior Showmanship

(14+ year old exhibitors) j 1st Nathan Cox j 2nd Trent A. Johnson j 3rd Helena Polansky j 4th Courtney Ogle j 5th Kaley Brooks

Premier Showmanship Award

j 1st j 2nd j 3rd

Nathan Cox Chas Waller Siera C. Linton

Dairy Show CLASS WINNERS Ayrshire

j Class 1 AidenThomas Heidt j Class 2 Trent A. Johnson j Class 4 Trent A. Johnson j Class 5 Trent A. Johnson j Class 10 Savannah Busciglio j Class 11 Kaley Brooks Brown Swiss j Class 1 Sarah Rogers j Class 2 Aaron Dunn j Class 3 Lauren Poley j Class 6 Blane Rogers j Class 9 Courtney Ogle j Class 10 Keegan Lee j Class 11 Courtney Ogle Guernsey

j Class 1 j Class 3 j Class 6 j Class 9 j Class 10 j Class 11 Holstein j Class 1 j Class 2 j Class 3 j Class 4 j Class 5 j Class 6 j Class 9 j Class 10 j Class 11 Jersey j Class 1 j Class 2 j Class 3 j Class 4

Aaron Dunn Austin Holcomb Austin Holcomb Siera C. Linton Trent A. Johnson Austin Holcomb Connor Sutton David LeClair Chas Waller Brandon Carey Daniel Paul Avery Kotlarczyk Courtney Ogle Avery Kotlarczyk Brandon Carey Chas Waller Nicholas Hammer Alyssa Uptegraff Karen Kotlarczyk

j Class 5 j Class 6 j Class 9 j Class 10 j Class 11

Nathan Cox Avery Kotlarczyk Chas Waller Kaley Brooks Gracie Lee

JUNIOR CHAMPIONS Ayrshire

j Class 1 Aiden Thomas Heid Brown Swiss j Class 6 Blane Rogers Guernsey j Class 6 Austin Holcomb Holstein j Class 1 Connor Sutton Jersey j Class 5 Nathan Cox RESERVE JUNIOR CHAMPIONS Ayrshire

j Class 5

Trent A. Johnson

j Class 2 Guernsey j Class 1 Holstein j Class 4 Jersey j Class 1

Aaron Dunn

Brown Swiss Aaron Dunn Brandon Carey Chas Waller

SENIOR CHAMPIONS Ayrshire

j Class 11 Kaley Brooks Brown Swiss j Class 10 Keegan Lee Guernsey j Class 11 Austin Holcomb Holstein j Class 11 Brandon Carey Jersey j Class 9 Chas Waller RESERVE SENIOR CHAMPIONS Ayrshire

j Class 10 Savannah Busciglio Brown Swiss j Class 11 Courtney Ogle Guernsey j Class 9 Siera C. Linton Holstein j Class 9 Courtney Ogle Jersey j Class 11 Gracie Lee Grand Champion Ayrshire

j Class 11 Kaley Brooks Brown Swiss j Class 6 Blane Rogers Guernsey j Class 11 Austin Holcomb Holstein j Class 11 Brandon Carey Jersey j Class 9 Chas Waller RESERVE GRAND CHAMPIONS Ayrshire

j Class 10 Savannah Busciglio Brown Swiss j Class 10 Keegan Lee Guernsey j Class 9 Siera C. Linton

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j 1st James Thompson j 2nd Kyleight Glenn j 3rd Libby Sutton j 4th Rebecca Holcomb j 5th Aidan Heidt j 6th Brooklyn Walker Adult Showmanship j 1st Megan Carey j 2nd Brianna Smith j 3rd Ann Hammer

Holstein

j Class 9 Jersey j Class 11

Courtney Ogle Gracie Lee

ALL BREEDS CHAMPION Holstein

j Class 11

Brandon Carey

Premiere Exhibitor Brandon Carey

Junior Bred by Exhibitor

j Jersey Class 1 Chas Waller Senior Bred by Exhibitor j Jersey Class 11 Trent A. Johnson Junior Herdsman j 1st Daniel Paul j 2nd David LeClair j 3rd Siera Linton Senior Herdsman j 1st Dakota Smith j 2nd Nathan Cox j 3rd Savannah Busciglio Susie Kemp Memorial Sportsmanship Award Caleb Allen

4-H Dairy Judging Contest 4-H Junior Division Team Placings

j 1st j 2nd j 3rd

Southside Cracker (Connor Sutton, Chas Waller, Keegan Lee, Gracie Lee) First Timers (Peyton Rey, Kyleigh Glenn, Emily Linton, Nic Hammer) Gators (Michael Fioretto, Hunter Fioretto, Austin Holcomb, Shay Cason)

4-H Junior Division Individual Placings

j 1st j 2nd j 3rd

Michael Fioretto Chas Waller Hunter Fioretto

4-H Senior Division Individual Placings

j 1st

Caleb Allen

FFA Dairy Contestant Judging Contest FFA Junior Division Team Placings

j 1st

Mann Middle FFA (Corey Newcomb, SarahAnn Sweeney, Chris Rez, Gavin Carrah)

FFA Junior Division Individual Placings

j 1st j 2nd j 3rd

Corey Newcomb Aaron Dunn SarahAnn Sweeney

FFA Senior Division Team Placings

j 1st j 2nd j 3rd

Hudson FFA (Dana Stewart, Helena Polansky, Sam Shultz and Molly Beck) Riverview FFA #1 (Nathan Cox, Ty Hamilton and Maraha Hange) Middleton FFA (Lisa McCarthy, Stacia Andrews, Ursula Cardona and Ruth Valverde)

FFA Senior Division Individual Placings

j 1st j 2nd j 3rd

Molly Beck Nathan Cox Ty Hamilton & Bryan LaCruz (Tie)

Adult/Pee Wee Showmanship 84

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PeeWee Showmanship

Costume Ball Funniest Category

j 1st j 2nd j 3rd

Caleb Allen – Plants vs. Zombies Kyleigh Glenn – Dukes of Hazzard Rebecca Holcomb – Raggedy Ann & Andy

Prettiest Category

j 1st j 2nd j 3rd

Sarah Rogers – Future Strawberry Queen & Her Strawberry Leah Dakin – Dorothy & Tin-Man Emma Carbaugh – Jessie & Bulls-Eye

Most Original Category

j 1st j 2nd j 3rd

Siera Linton – Bovine “Moosturizing Soap” Victoria Harris – “Cow-culator & Nerd” Katie Shemwell – “Moo-clay” Medal Grand Champion

Most Colorful Category

j 1st Aiden Heidt – Aiden The Strawberry King j 2nd Zoe Wallace – “Cow-ola” Crayons j 3rd Helena Polansky – “Moodi” Gras Overall Winner j Tytan Watson – Hill Billy Fishing Buddies 2012 Lamb Show and Costume Contest SHOWMANSHIP Junior Division

j 1st Emily Linton j 2nd Brenna Mae Sturgis j 3rd Donovan Danley Intermediate Division j 1st Gresham Stephens j 2nd Cole Hanson j 3rd Siera Linton Senior Division j 1st Cassidy Hasting j 2nd Kendall Reed j 3rd Brandi Hines LAMB SHOW Black Face Division Late Spring Ewes

j 1st Blue Brandi Hines j 2nd Blue Ethan Sistrunk j 3rd Blue Morgan Sistrunk 2-Year-Old Ewes j 1st Blue Morgan Sistrunk j 2nd Blue Jesse Coleman Aged Ewes j 1st Blue Brandi Hines j 2nd Blue Brandi Hines j 3rd Blue Brooke Bluhm j 4th Blue Jesse Coleman Aged Rams j 1st Blue Jesse Coleman

Grand Champion Black Face Ewe Morgan Sistrunk Reserve Champion Black Face Ewe Brandi Hines Grand Champion Black Face Ram Jesse Coleman W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M

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LAMB SHOW White Face Division

Spring Rams

j 1st j 2nd Aged Rams j 1st j 2nd j 3rd j 4th j 5th

Late Spring Ewes

j 1st Abby Davis j 2nd Aubrey Davis j 3rd Jessica Squitieri j 4th Darby Hasting j 5th Brenna Mae Sturgis j 6th Emma Stephens Early Spring Ewes j 1st Blue Kendall Reed 2-Year-Old Ewes j 1st Kendall Reed j 2nd Bailey Brock j 3rd Ethan Sistrunk j 4th Macayla Phillips j 5th Brenna Mae Sturgis j 6th Gresham Stephens j 7th Jesse Coleman Aged Ewes j 1st Cole Hanson j 2nd Darby Hasting j 3rd Cassidy Hasting j 4th Jerri Rowell j 5th David Squitieri j 6th Jessica Squitieri j 7th Cole Hanson j 8th Jessica Squitieri j 9th Jerri Rowell j 10th Taylor Mingle j 11th Cassidy Hasting j 12th Kayleen Sweeny

Siera Linton Jesse Coleman Brittany Ritter Ambria Llauger Rachel Rosenfeld Grand Champion Speckled Face Ram Siera Linton Reserve Champion Speckled Face Ram David Squitieri

Overall Grand Champion Cole Hanson

Money of Progressive Insurance

Most Funny

j 1st j 2nd j 3rd

Spring Rams Cole Hanson Jerri Rowell Kendall Reed Kayleen Sweeney Jerri Rowell Brandi Hines

j 1st j 2nd j 3rd

Dalton Phillips – Lamburgler & Grimace Brittany Ritter – St. Patricks Day Theme David Squitieri – Calvin & Hobbes Ambria Llauger – Tourist Rachel Rosenfeld – Rams Football Player & Cheerleader Amber Maxwell – Counting Sheep

Most Elegant

j 1st Lindsay Short – The Movie Black Swan j 2nd Ava Hasting – Rhinestone Sheep Girl j 3rd Bailey Brock – Charlotte’s Web Best Overall j 1st Bailey Brock – Charlotte’s Web j 2nd Taylor Mingle – Gypsy Flower Girl & Flower j 3rd Kayleen Sweeney – Rub a Dub Dub, Sheeps in the Tub

2012 Poultry & Rabbit Show Results RABBIT Grand Champion Blake Frier Reserve Grand Champion Ronald Paul

POULTRY Grand Champion Michael Nading, Jr. Reserve Grand Champion Ambria Llauger

2012 Plant Show Results Clayton Shiver, Tomlin FFA, Four 15 Gal. Australian Tree Fern Reserve Champion Camryn Wineinger, Antioch Critters 4-H, Four 7 Gal. Loropetalum APRIL 2012

Grand Champion Speckled Face Ewe Jennifer Wayman Reserve Champion Speckled Face Ewe Emily Linton INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

Macy Gay Riley Brown Cameron Salter

Most Colorful

j 1st j 2nd j 3rd

SPECKLED FACE DIVISION Late Spring Ewes

86

Jesse Coleman – Blues Brothers Eric Zimmerman III – Eric the Dragon Slayer and the Dragon Grace Park – Cupid’s Messenger & Victim

Division 1 Champion Division 2 Champion Division 3 Champion

Most Creative

Darby Hasting Jessica Squitieri Grand Champion White Face Ewe Cole Hanson Reserve Champion White Face Ewe Darby Hasting

j 1st Taylor Mingle j 2nd Ava Hasting j 3rd Donovan Danley j 4th Macayla Phillips Aged Ewes j 1st Jennifer Wayman j 2nd Jerri Rowwell j 3rd David Squitieri j 4th Siera Linton j 5th Emily White j 6th Taylor Mingle j 7th Joshua Dadabbo j 8th Amber Maxwell j 9th Dalton Phillips j 10th Lindsay Short Early Spring Ewes j 1st Emily Linton j 2nd Grace Park 2-Year-Old j 1st Jesse Coleman j 2nd Dalton Phillips

Champion Woody Ornamentals Taylor Harrell, Tomlin FFA, Four 7 Gal. Carolina Jasmine Champion Foilage Plants Morgan Gaudens, Strawberry Crest FFA, Ten 3 Gal. Crotons Champion Hanging Planters Kayla Gaines, Lennard FFA, 5 12” Cheniles Champion Miscellaneous Cassidy Bennett, Strawberry Crest FFA, 2 Dish Gardens Champion Liners Camryn Wineinger, Antioch Critters 4H, 2 Dish Gardens Awards of Distinction Kelsey Fry, Plant City FFA Five 15 Gal. Hibiscus Trees Taylor Harrell, Tomlin FFA Five 7 Gal. Tibochina Mercedes Meyer, Lennard FFA Five 7 Gal. Weeping Podocarpus Hunter Croslin, Cork Crackers 4H Ten 7 Gal Coontie Reagan Brown, Antioch Critters 4H Five 12” Kimberly Queen Fern

Costume Contest Most Original 2012 Steer Show Winners j 1st Macayla Phillips – Dorothy and the Tin Man Grand Champion Cameron Salter, Durant j 2nd Donovan Danley – Fishing & FFA, weight 1270lbs Hunting Buddies Reserve Grand Champion Jarrett Gillman, j 3rd Jessica Squitieri – Flo & Big J.G. Smith FFA, weight 1258lbs

Grand Champion White Face Ewe Cole Hanson Reserve Champion White Face Ewe Darby Hasting

j 1st j 2nd j 3rd j 4th j 5th j 6th Aged Rams j 1st j 2nd

David Squitieri Shane Painter

Grand Champion

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...2012 Steer Show Winners continued Class 1

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j 1st Alexus Williams j 2nd Faith Gude j 3rd Emily Heidel j 4th Alyssa Shepherd j 5th Savannah Busciglio j 6th Jessica Andrlik j 7th Gabrielle Aten j 8th Haley B. Smith j 9th Sarah Donnell Class 2 j 1st Jordan Pugh j 2nd Cody Summerlin j 3rd Landon Lofley j 4th Levi Mayo j 5th Dustin McMath j 6th Haley Burleson j 7th Morgan Boykin j 9th Dusty Cook Class 3 j 1st Dalton Dry j 2nd Caleb Smith j 3rd Shelby St. Amant j 4th Preston Ray j 5th Kelsey Newsome j 6th Shelby Landers j 7th Alexandra Jett j 8th Ashley Gallops Class 4 j 1st Macy Gay j 2nd Andrea Butts j 3rd Tyler Griffin j 4th Jonathan Upthegrove j 5th Yancey Ray j 6th Heather Ross j 7th Michael Garrison j 8th Letty Burgin Class 5 j 1st Kelsey Bozeman j 2nd Kade Greene j 3rd Kaleb Tew j 4th Kallee Cook j 5th Tyler Belderes j 6th Clayton Todd j 7th Justin Stallard j 8th Celesste Lewis j 9th Sarah Spack Class 6 j 1st Nicholas Andrlik j 2nd Miranda Mayo j 3rd Kody Glausier j 4th Brittany Smothers j 5th Brittney Mullins j 6th Lane Turner j 7th Tucker Hawkins j 8th Abigail Jett j 9th Kyle Moore Class 7 j 1st David Walden j 2nd Jake Maxwell j 3rd Jordan Karlson j 4th Justin Gajewski j 5th Cole Ebdrup j 6th Mariah Edwards j 7th Zack Vaughn j 8th John Edwards j 9th Jacob Belisle Class 8 j 1st Riley Brown j 2nd Kyle Lee j 3rd Mariah Kunze j 4th Andrew Gmytruk j 5th Stanley Witchoskey j 6th Lane Harrell j 7th Justin Jordan j 8th Haley Ours APRIL 2012

Class 9

j 1st Jarrett Gillman j 2nd Darby Hastsing j 3rd Kennedy Dean j 4th Dylan Johnson j 5th Raelynn Nichols j 6th Jesse Coleman j 7th Miranda Lane j 8th Jared Martin j 9th Courtney Key Class 10 j 1st Cameron Salter j 2nd Clinton Walden j 3rd Morgan Gmytruk j 4th Jerri Rowell j 5th Jordan Williams j 6th Nicholas Fernandez j 7th Christopher Aten j 8th Jacob Coggins j 9th Michaela Dry Class 11 j 1st Aly Joyner j 2nd Sara Snapp j 3rd Jessi Varnum j 4th Mylie Feaster j 5th Linda Sanchez j 6th Brooke Freeman j 7th Montana Gay j 8th Haley Smith Class 12 j 1st Alexander Fernandez j 2nd Jacob Thornton j 3rd Jamee Townsend j 4th Taylor Eitman j 5th Morgan Belsley j 6th Jana Watkins j 7th McKenzie Greene j 8th Hunter Hampton j 9th Allison Thomas Senior Showmanship j 1st Allison Thomas j 2nd Mirando Mayo j 3rd Cameron Salter Intermediate Showmanship j 1st Alexander Fernandez j 2nd Jerri Rowell j 3rd Jessica Andrlik Junior Showmanship j 1st Darby Hasting j 2nd Justin Stallard j 3rd Kaleb Tew

2012 Swine Show Winners Grand Champion Clayton Brock, Southside 4-H Reserve Grand Champion Daniel Paul, Antioch Critters 4-H

Class 1

j 1st Madilyn Conrad j 2nd Kenneth Hattaway j 3rd Jenna Keely j 4th Ben Luchka j 5th Alissa Baker j 6th Samantha Schulte j 7th Tori Griffin j 8th Skyler Underwood j 9th Taylor Tyson Class 2 j 1st Daniel Paul j 2nd Haylee Thompson j 3rd Ashley Sanchez

Showmanship Results j 4th Tyler Glenn Senior j 5th T.J. Hutchinson j 1st Jennifer Ramey j 6th Deran Baker j 2nd Whitney Alvarado j 7th Cassidy Shields j 3rd Johathan Rowell j 8th Jared Upthegrovve Intermediate j 9th Emily Matthews j 1st Cassidy Hasting Class 3 j 2nd Kasey Lewis j 1st Jennifer Ramye j 3rd Jake Helmer j 2nd Charles Heidel Junior j 3rd Mavric Griffin j 1st Tyler Tylisz j 4th Megan Sodders j 2nd Ashley Sanchez j 5th Savannah Lingo j 3rd Jenna Keely j 6th Cullen Telfer j 7th Chloe Brocksmith j 8th Gracie Lee j 9th Shawn Connell Class 4 j 1st Tate Whatley j 2nd Garrett Heidel j 3rd Jonathan Rowell j 4th Cassidy Hasting j 5th Emily Roberts j 6th Jacob Garrison j 7th Evan Ratliff j 8th Jonathan Dygert j 9th Tristan Simmons Class 5 j 1st Luke Williams j 2nd Dakota Allen j 3rd Lacey Hicks j 4th Lindsey Graves j 5th Chelsea Baker j 6th Garrett Connell j 7th Ashley Denslow j 8th Landon Mack j 9th Whitney Alvarado Class 6 j 1st Clayton Brock j 2nd Amber Marie Bass j 3rd Cory COtnoir j 4th Megan Todd j 5th Morgan Sodders j 6th Matthew Delcastillo j 7th Savannah Trapnell j 8th John Banks Class 7 j 1st Hannah Futch j 2nd Kasey Lewis j 3rd Chloe Tew j 4th Janna Royal j 5th Brendan Barnes j 6th Jake Helmer j 7th Chase Campbell j 8th Savannah Kummelman j 9th Reagan Messick Class 9 j 1st Jacob Gainer j 2nd Richelle Sapp j 3rd Colten Drawdy j 4th James Oddo j 5th Tyler Tylisz j 6th Dylan Smothers j 7th Rachel Carter Class 10 j 1st Courtney Bendorf-Grimes j 2nd Corbett Wyatt j 3rd Jacob Ross j 4th Cattelynn Gregory j 5th Rachael Sale j 6th Caleb Krout j 7th Brooke Conyers j 8th Brien Johnson

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Auto Services Inc. “We Are A FULL SERVICE Garage” • Body Shop • Used /Reman Transmission • Engine Diagnostic/Tune Up • Brakes • Maintenance/Repairs • AC Repair GUARANTEED USED PARTS • Large selection of Used Tires • New and Used Glass Installed

(813) 689-8131 2 Year Part Replacement & Labor Guarantee!

3159 Hwy. 60 East

3 miles east of Brandon Serving Brandon Since 1971

www.brandonauto.com

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WORKING

TOGETHER

“Keep on trucking.”

That is the motto I am living by during this stage of my life. I find myself being stretched to the limits between FFA, my two jobs, and my family and friends. I have my calendar organized to the point that a person could know where I am every second of the day. Now, more often than not, I find myself running into someone intrigued about my blue and gold jacket, which leads me to being an advocate for agriculture. It is very important to be an advocate no matter where we find ourselves. The blue and gold jacket is much more than leadership and Agrelated topics as most people think. We have to work together to be a supporter of agriculture and kick the stereotype of “ag-stuff.”

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There are many ways to be an advocate for agriculture. We can start with Facebook, the largest social media network in the world. We are connected to many of our friends, family, and those who are related to the Ag world. We can write posts about Ag news to spread the word of how important agriculture is in our society. Doing industry visits is another effective way to learn more about agriculture. Spending a day with a farmer can teach you about their particular field of work. Never forget to share your information and experiences with friends, family and others that you run into through everyday life. Do not forget the memories you are making through agriculture classes, FFA activities, events, and conferences.

These stories are great tools to help inform the public on what FFA is about. Using these examples, we can and will be able to advocate our brand of premiere leadership, personal growth and career success and nip the stereotype in the bud.

This past March, my fellow state officers and I got the chance to be advocates for agriculture while at Ag on the Hill in Tallahassee. We were able to meet with legislation and had the opportunity to talk with Adam Putnam about his ideas he would like to implement into our everyday lives as well as meet with many of the Senate and House Representatives. It was an amazing day, not only to meet with those individuals helping shape our future but to also see blue and gold jackets swarming the capital advocating for our great field of agriculture.

Until next month, I leave you with this quote from an unknown author, “The future frightens only those who prefer living in the past.”

Much love,

John John Modrow, Jr. Area 5 State Vice President

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Classifieds ANIMALS ANIMAL & BIRD CAGES Add living microbes to improve your soil, Equipment serving the fur-bearing and exotic bird industry. Cages built to order.

Wire by roll or foot. 813-752-2230 www.ammermans.com Swap July 15, 2012 and Nov. 25, 2012

BUILDING SUPPLIES DECKING BRDS. & TILL SIDING Call Ted 813-752-3378 DOUBLE INSULATED THERMO PANE Starting at $55. Call Ted 813-752-3378 SURPLUS WINDOWS DOUBLE INSULATED Starting at $55. Call Ted 813-752-3378 MOBILE HOME-SIZED WINDOW SCREENS We make window screens of all sizes available in different frame colors.

Call Ted 813-752-3378 TILL 4 X 8 SHEET B-grade $17.95. Call Ted 813-752-3378 NEW DOORS CLOSEOUT SPECIAL!!! $75 to $295. Call Ted today 813-752-3378 MOBILE HOME TUBS Metal brand new in box 54” Mobile Home Tubs. Call Ted 813-752-3378

COUPONS SAVICH & LEE/STALNAKER Horse Fence 200’x4’, Sheep & Goat Fence 330’x4’ 1 to 3 rolls - $2.50 off, 4 or more $5 off, 10 piece limit. Field fence 47” 1-8 $2.50 off, 9 or more - $5 off, 10 piece limit.

Barbed Wire - 5 or more - $1 off 10 piece limit. Pick up ONLY while supplies last.

See our ad on page 81 for pricing.

EQUINE SERVICES HORSE BOARDING Stalls and individual turnout, lighted arena and round pen. Owners on property. $300 full care. Call 813-610-4416

FARM EQUIPMENT 2008 MASSEY FERGUSON 1533LC, 33hp with loader, cab, ac, 1367hrs. $16,950 Call Alive 813-759-8722 MASSEY FERGUSON 245 Diesel tractor. Good condition. $5,500 Call Alvie 813-759-8722 KUBOTA L345 TRACTOR 34hp, 2wd. $4,250 Call Alvie (813)759-8722 94

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Tel: 813.759.6909

info@inthefieldmagazine.com ACCOUNT MANAGER Sales, account management.

Immediate openings in Hillsborough and Polk Counties. Email your resume to: info@inthefieldmagazine.com

MASSEY FERGUSON TRACTOR 1980 Massey Ferguson 230. 34pto hp, power steering. $4,500 Call Alvie 813-759-8722 HEAVY DUTY TRAILER 14’ Shop built, heavy duty trailer, 2 axel with ramps. $750 Call Alvie 813-759-8722 MASSEY FERGUSON 255 Grove Tractor with 6’ mower $7,500.

Call Alvie 813-759-8722.

LAWN EQUIPMENT/SUPPLIES RUBBER MULCH All colors, buy 10 bags, get 1 FREE! $8.99 a bag. Call Ted 813-752-3378 NEW HUSTLER SPORT ZERO TURN 48" cut, 16hp. Honda engine. Special Price! $3,500 with 3yr. warranty. Call Alvie 813-759-8722

KUBOTA L275 With shuttle shift. Ready to work! $3,500.

Call 813-759-8722

TSG50 WOODS 3pt. stump grinder. Clearance Sale! $3,381. Call Alvie 813-759-8722

NEW HOLLAND TC29 TRACTOR/LOADER 29 pto hp, 268 hrs, $13,000 (UT6406).

Ask for David 813-623-3673

REAL ESTATE

MASSEY FERGUSON 2003 GC2300 4 X 4 hydro stat transmission, 2702 hrs. $5,350 Call Alvie 813-759-8722

LAKE FRONT PROPERTY Wimauma close to Sun City. 8 acres mol. wooded area, pasture, water, horses welcome.

200k obo. Call 813-251-3193

1984 MASSEY FERGUSON 240 tractor, 42 pto hp, 2wd, works great! $5,950. Call Alvie 813-759-8722

BEAUTIFUL PLANT CITY 1 ACRE LOT With well. Private one street subdivision frontage 290 x 145 depth. 4521 Highland Creek Drive. $45,900. Call Today! 813-655-6769

GRAVELY 1740 Zero turn mower 40” cut. $1,650 Call Alvie (813)759-8722 KIOTI DK45S 2007, 234 hrs. like new. 12 forward-12 reverse. Push button 4 wheel drive, power steering, tilt steering wheel, differentia lock, front & rear pto, joystick valve, hand & foot throttle, swing drawbar, adjustable 3-pt hitch, safety lights, flip-up pto guard, telescopic hitch ends & stabilizer, single remote hydraulic valve, rear working lights, safe auto pto switch, safety start switch. Includes bucket, custom built grapple, 3-way box blade, 3pt. boom pole & rotary mower. Always garaged. $25,000. Call soon & take a look.

Ask for Denny 813-503-4592

FOR SALE WESTERN SADDLE FOR SALE Barely used. Saddle, bridle and blanket. $600 or b/o. Call 813-363-5967 TRAILER FOR SALE 44X12 single wide trailer in Winters Mobile Home Park. Zephyrhills 5k or best offer. Call (813)967-4515

JOBS CONTRIBUTING WRITER Write about events in your community.

Immediate openings in Hillsborough and Polk Counties. Paid per article. Responsibilities include covering community events and taking pictures. Email your resume to sarah@inthefieldmagazine.com

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

Zoning: AR (Agricultural-Rural) Please call Heidi Cecil for more information 863-899-9620 2.66 ACRE NURSERY FOR SALE OR LEASE N. Lakeland with 1,000 sq ft frame house, 2 sheds, irrigation throughout.

Call Bruce 863-698-0019 BLAIRSVILLE, GEORGIA MLS#212769 Private home with 3BR, 2.5 baths, unfinished basement, nice kitchen, Sunroom, back deck for cooking out, nestled in the trees, cool enough that there is no AC. Lots of outbuildings. A must see! 2.47 acres wooded, low maintenance. $180,000. Call Jane Baer w/ Jane Baer Realty 1-800-820-7829 BLAIRSVILLE, GEORGIA MLS#190298 Beautiful RV lot with cement pad, decking includes the 5th wheel. Less than 2 years old!

River’s Edge RV Park offers a large clubhouse, stocked lake for fishing, heated and cooled laundry and shower facilities. $69,000 Call Jane Baer w/ Jane Baer Realty 1-800-820-7829 A SLICE OF HEAVEN 2.03 acres lot on Hare Mtn. Estates in Franklin NC. Breath-taking views. Purchased 10/08 for $73,400. Yours today for $32,900 GREAT INVESTMENT! Call 813-655-6769

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