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FIRST PARTICIPANT FOR VETERAN AGRICULTURE PROGRAM ANNOUNCED By Jim Frankowiak
Retired U.S. Air Force Major Michael Burrell has been selected as the first participant in the just-announced Veteran Agriculture Selection Program (VASP), based at the University of Florida (UF) Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) in Wimauma, Florida. Burrell, who was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, enlisted in the Air Force after completing his high school education. “My only exposure to agriculture growing up was a job I had in high school at a farmers market in Mobile,” he said. Initially an aircraft mechanic, Burrell was assigned to a base in Suffolk County, England for six years and, coincidentally, lived on a farm off base. He next moved to Luke Air Force Base near Phoenix, Arizona where he became a surgical technician after six years there, he transferred to Scott Air Force Base at Belleville, Illinois, where he became an ear, nose and throat surgical technician. He also earned an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from McKendree University. “I was given the opportunity to enter Officer Training School and did so at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama,” Burrell said. His initial assignment as an officer was at Eglin Air Force Base, in the Panhandle, where he functioned as a finance manager, overseeing budgets in excess of $1 billion and interacting with civilian members of the Air Force workforce. Burrell earned an MBA in general business from Trident University in 2005. His next posts were at Whiteman Air Force Base in western Missouri, and then a deployment to Iraq working as a Finance Operations Manager, overseeing budgets in excess of $70 million. While on deployment in Iraq, Burrell had a three-part goal: to not win a Purple Heart, come back alive and have a closer walk with God. “I’m thankful to have achieved all three,” he said. He moved on to the National Guard Bureau in Arlington, Virginia as an executive officer, where he served until early fall of 2010, when he was assigned to Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, Africa as Special Forces Director of Financial Operations. His final post was with the Air Force Cost Analysis Agency at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, where he served as an aircraft and weapons cost analyst and was promoted to the rank of Major in early 2012 he separated from the Air Force in late 2013. Burrell, who is single, has an interesting “Bucket List” that included a stint at culinary school. “After retiring from the Air Force, I enrolled at Johnson and Wales University in North Miami where I earned an associate’s degree in baking and pastry, hoping to possibly open a pastry shop some day,” he said. He next wanted to select a permanent residence between Orlando and Tampa. “I selected Riverview because it was near a big city and the VA, two important criteria that I had,” he said. VASP had strong WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
appeal since it closely related to several other important aspirations of Burrell’s. “I want to leave an inheritance for my children and grandchildren,” he said. “Ideally that would be my land and my crops. A farm of 12 acres or more with, possibly, a restaurant and produce stand for local customers and city dwellers, plus some recreational options, too. “Currently, Burrell is looking at ways to realize something his barber turned him on to: “That’s edible landscapes. Plum trees, mangos and other items I can plant in my landscape that I can enjoy as both landscape and produce.” The VASP mission is to “expose veterans to various modern crop production practices, while enrolled in a University of Florida Certificate Program and developing positive relationships and career opportunities within the Florida agriculture industry,” Hillsborough County Agribusiness Development Manager Simon Bollin. said He has been closely associated with the development and implementation of VASP, a joint initiative of Hillsborough County Economic Development and UF. “Our overall purpose for this program is to help veterans transition into viable and rewarding careers in agriculture,” Bollin said. Interested veterans must follow terms of the application process, including interviews with GCREC faculty and Bollin. Currently, the program will have two participants annually, working 40 hours per week on rotation with GCREC farm staff and faculty programs, assisting with activities that will expose them to basic plant production and related industry challenges. “While participating in the paid VASP internship veterans could be involved in trail planning, field or site preparations, preparing plant materials, trial maintenance, data collection, harvesting and various cropping activities depending on season, crop and individual faculty research program needs,” Dr. Jack Rechcigl, GCREC Director said. “In conjunction with work at our Center, each applicant will be encouraged to enroll in a UF certificate program germane to agriculture here in Florida,” Rechcigl added. Once the intern completes the initial phase of the VASP, he or she will “transition into a three-month paid internship with a local agribusiness or farm to use skills learned at the GCREC, develop new industry skills and relationships within the industry,” Bollin said. “Overall this is a great way to blend the talents of veterans and elements of agriculture to help meet the increasing needs of the industry.” “This internship at the GCREC will enable me to learn what I need to know to achieve my vision as I work to be happy and make a difference with my life.” Burrell said. For more information about VASP, contact: Simon Bollin, Hillsborough County Agribusiness Development Manager at bollns@hillsboroughcounty.org. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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VOL. 12 • ISSUE 3
Tiffany Dale Page 70
Hillsborough County Farm Bureau 100 S. Mulrennan Rd. Valrico, Fl. Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Insurance Services: 813.685.5673 Member Services: 813.685.9121 OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Contents JANUARY 2017 Veteran Ag Program
Page 3
Music Feeding Florida
Page 14
Fishing Hot Spots
Page 18
Rocking Chair Chatter
Page 22
Natural Beauty
Page 24
Endangered Species
Page 28
Florida Buttercup Squash
Page 35
Eco Clean Solutions
Page 39
Jack Payne
Page 42
Shadowing
Page 44
John Dicks
Page 46
The Bridge
Page 48
Literary Time Machine
Page 54
Strawberries
Page 58 Garden
Page 62 Meet the Minks
Page 74 Activity
Page 78 A Closer Look
Page 79
Military Tour
Page 82
Kenneth Parker....................President Will Womack................Vice President Michelle Williamson..............Treasurer Buddy Coleman..................Secretary DIRECTORS FOR 2015 - 2016 Jake Cremer, Tiffany Dale, Carson Futch, Jim Frankowiak, Chip Hinton, John Joyner, Tony Lopez, Rep. Jake Raburn, Emeritus, Sambahv, Marty Tanner, Vincent Tort, Carl Bauman, Dennis Carlton Jr, Melissa Grimes.
Judi Whitson, Executive Director 813.685.9121 Farm Bureau Insurance Special Agents Valrico Office 813.685.5673
100 S. Mulrennan Rd., Valrico, FL. 33594 Tommy Hale, CLU, ChFC, CASL, CPCU Agency Mgr. Juile Carlson, John McGuire
Plant City Office 813.752.5577
1302 S. Collins St., Plant City, FL 33563 Jeff Summer Bill Williams
Tampa Office 813.933.5440
13103 W. Linebaugh Ave. Tampa, FL.33626 Greg Harrell, Sonia Valladares
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AGENCY MANAGER Tommy Hale INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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IN NTHEFIELD IELD MAGAZINE
January anuary 2017
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Letter from the Editor
STAFF
Publisher/Photography Karen Berry Senior Managing Editor/ Associate Publisher Sarah Holt Editor-In-Chief Al Berry Editor Patsy Berry
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! It is Florida State Fair time! The 12-day event highlights agriculture from across the state, bringing together the best of the best to vie for a variety of awards. This year the Fair will be held February 9 – 20 and promises to be action packed. Every year people make their way to Tampa for the sights and sounds of the Florida State Fair. It’s a great place to try out the latest in deep fried food, see great sights, new inventions and make great memories. It is also a place to learn about agriculture in Florida. The Florida State Fair allows those far removed from the farm to reconnect with their agricultural surroundings. So while you are enjoying the rides, food, exhibits and other things the fair has to offer, be sure to take the time to visit the agriculture areas. Take in a showmanship competition and tell the students you see that you are proud of the job they are doing and the hard work they are putting in to their project. Check out Ag Venture and learn about where your food really comes from and the impact agriculture has on every day life. Don’t forget to walk through Florida’s past at Cracker Country. I love that fairs showcase the hardworking folks who raise livestock and grow crops to help feed our nation. Visit the In The Field magazine booth in the Agriculture Hall of Fame building. We would love to meet you!
Sales Manager Danny Crampton Sales Al Berry Tina Richmond Danny Crampton Melissa Nichols Lisa Donini Creative Director/Illustrator Juan Alvarez Photography Karen Berry Al Berry Stephanie Humphrey Staff Writers Al Berry Sandy Kaster James Frankowiak Sean Green Ginny Mink Libby Hopkins Nick Chapman Vanessa Caceres Contributing Writers Woody Gore Les McDowell John Dicks
Until Next Month
Sarah
The LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. - Numbers 6:25
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 No Farmers No Food Sticker and a FREE In The Field T-Shirt. Send us your business card or an index card with your name and telephone number, the number of the page which you found the logo and where on the page you located the logo to the address below
InTheField® Magazine P.O. Box 5377 • Plant City, Fl. 33566-0042 *Winners will be notified by phone. You Too Can Be A Winner! 6
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In The Field Magazine is published monthly and is available through local Hillsborough County businesses, restaurants, and many local venues. It is also distributed by U.S. mail to a target market, which includes all of the Greenbelt Property owners, members of the Hillsborough County Farm Bureau and Strawberry Grower’s Association. Letters, comments and questions can be sent to P.O. Box 5377, Plant City, Florida 335630042 or you are welcome to email them to: info@inthefieldmagazine.com or call 813759-6909 Advertisers warrant & represent the descriptions of their products advertised are true in all respects. In The Field Magazine assumes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers. All views expressed in all articles are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Berry Publications, Inc. Any use or duplication of material used in In the Field magazine is prohibited without written consent from Berry Publications, Inc. Published by Berry Publications, Inc. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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100 South Mulrennan Road • Valrico, FL 33594 • 813-685-9121
A SPECIAL NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION Dear Readers: I hope 2017 has begun well for you. Many of us start a new year with resolutions of one type or another. Your Hillsborough County Farm Bureau board has a special resolution for 2017 and that is to do a better job as “The Voice of Agriculture” Even though our past efforts have been strong, we realize more must be done. Agriculture is changing dramatically as Florida’s population grows, more farming and cattle raising land is giving way to housing for new Floridians. But at the same time, the pressure on agriculture to provide for “three squares a day” increases, and projections for future population growth worldwide is very substantial. Agriculture has stepped up to the plate and is responding to increases in population and the heightened demand for food. Dr. Jack Payne, senior vice president at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) shed some very important information on this through a recent column published across the state. I would like to share some of his facts. Yes, agriculture is not the same as it was a few decades ago, but there are 2.2 million jobs linked to agriculture in Florida. We have a strong commissioner of agriculture; IFAS supports Ag through teaching, research and outreach, while our industry enjoys broad support from commodity and stakeholder groups. Young people aspire to feed the world through careers in biology, genetics, engineering, computer science and other scientific and technological fields. Dr. Payne notes UF’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences has an all-time high enrollment. In case you don’t know, producers today have fully accepted advances that enhance their productivity. Yes, they still wear jeans, boots and cowboy hats, but are also digitally-savvy and use countless high tech tools for production from iPads to drones and a lot more to meet increasing demands. Florida agriculture, natural resources and food indus-
tries drive $59 billion in exports with a total economic impact of $127 billion. Those numbers consider the Ag and food system as a whole. A tomato in the field is nothing without a distributor and grocer. A plant in a greenhouse has no value without a landscaper or garden center. The meat from a healthy cow is wasted without a place to sell or serve meat. Dr. Payne wants you to remember all of the industries that support agriculture, from tractor manufacturers to producers of seeds, fertilizers and other items that Ag must have to thrive. How about trucks for moving those items that are critical to agriculture before that first seed is planted or when those crops are harvested and the packaging that’s needed for fruit and vegetables you buy at the supermarket or your local produce stand? Sure, economic downturns have an impact on us all, but people don’t stop eating. A healthy agriculture industry is a basic need. As the “Voice of Agriculture in Hillsborough County” we are committed to doing as much as we can to support our industry and its members in the county. If you are not a Farm Bureau family member and would like to join us and become part of the Voice of Agriculture, please visit: http://hcfarmbureau.org or call 813/685-9121 for more information about the ways in which you can help as we look to the future. There was an automotive advertising campaign years ago that stated, “It’s not your father’s Oldsmobile” and why. We know the same to be true of agriculture and we will be working hard to tell all county residents exactly what those changes are and why they are important. Happy New Year! Thank you.
Kenneth Parker Kenneth Parker - President
Board of Directors
Kenneth Parker, President; Will Womack, Vice-President; James Tew, Treasurer; Buddy Coleman, Secretary; Member-at-large; Glenn Harrell; Board members: Jake Cremer, Tiffany Dale, Bradley Ferguson, Carson Futch, Jim Frankowiak, Chip Hinton, John Joyner, Tony Lopez, Lawrence McClure, Rep. Jake Raburn, Emeritus, Sambahv, Marty Tanner, Vincent Tort, Ron Wetherington Judi Whitson, Executive Director 8 8
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New Year, New Season By Allyson Polston
I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! It is January and we know what that means… Everyone is getting ready for show season. Putting those last minute pounds on those market animals, making sure buyer letters are done, and getting ready to show off what you have worked so hard on. I know from personal experience how exciting, stressful, nerve-racking and scary it can be to have a market animal. Oh how I miss those days so much! I always love walking through the steer barn and plant room at the fair, reminiscing about when I was showing. One day I hope to be able to work for a business that helps and supports county fair projects and help kids that have put blood, sweat and tears into their projects. It is sad to say my family will be showing for the last time at the Polk County Youth Fair this year, as my little sister will be walking into the arena for the last time. For me it brings back memories from being in her shoes just three years ago. This will be our thirteenth year showing and competing at the Polk County Youth Fair and wishing we had more years to go! I remember as if it was yesterday when I bought my first market steer project, Goober, for the Polk County Youth Fair. I bought my first steer back in July of 2008 from Mr. Dale Locke. I was clueless and at the time I really had no interest in showing or even to be a part of the industry. When I think about that animal I remember being scared, not knowing what I was doing and wondering what the point of it was. As I continued with my project I began to understand financial responsibility, how to correctly feed and hay an animal, bathe/pamper my steer, how to grow his hair to make him fluffy for the show and how to write steer letters to keep future buyers updated on my project. For six months I wrote a steer letter along with an updated picture every month to keep potential supporters and buyers up to date on his 12
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progress. At the end of my project Goober weighed in at 1,140 pounds and he placed third in his class. I was able to sell him for $1.50 a pound. With that money I bought another steer for the next year. I continued this until I graduated from high school. I showed market steers at the Polk County Youth Fair for six years. I also did market plants, showed my registered Brangus, along with cooking, baking, crafts and photography at the fair. The county fair made such an impact on my life and paved the roads for my future. I love getting to watch other kids get the same opportunity. I know from experience how important the support is for the kids that show at our local county fairs. As I sit and think about the six years I had the opportunity to show steers, I remember how hard and stressful it is not knowing if you’re going to have a buyer to buy your steer or if he is going to make weight. Raising market steers that will be competitive in the show in the state of Florida is a very hard thing to do. I may have never walked out of the arena with the Grand or Reserve steer, but I did walk out of the ring knowing I did the best I could raising and working with my project. Having that knowledge I know it is not about winning but for how much you learn and the people to meet. The amount of people you meet, the friends you make will be there for a lifetime, along with all the great memories that have been made. Take everything in and enjoy it! If you are interested in supporting a FFA member or 4-H member showing market animals at the Polk County Youth Fair be sure to check into doing an add-on with the fair or even bidding on their project. You can make an influence with your support that could help them purchase their next project! I want to wish everyone GOOD LUCK at the fair and I can’t wait to see everyone there! WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Music Feeding a Community Libby Hopkins
There is an old saying that says, “Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something.” It’s up to us to figure out that “something.” ?nowledge (knowledge) is a local Tampa Bay Hip Hop artist whose main goal is to educate people with his music about real world issues that threaten our society and inspire them to take action. His “something” is helping the homeless of Tampa Bay. Back in 2010 he started the Hip Hop Against Hunger organization. “I started Hip Hop Against Hunger as a way to accomplish something bigger than fame or worldly possessions,” ?nowledge said. “Tampa Bay in particular has a lot of people who need help and after seeing and interacting with these people for years on end, I decided to do something about it.”
as a platform, they aim to raise awareness as well as resources that will impact the lives of those less fortunate in the Tampa Bay community. “Throughout the years, I’ve worked with Feeding America Tampa Bay, Metropolitan Ministries, Homeless Empowerment Program, and Homeless Helping Homeless,” ?nowledge said. “Every one of those organizations are all non-profit and they do fantastic work in our community with ending hunger and homelessness. When I decided to start putting together these food drives, I researched local companies on the internet committed to helping the homeless and simply reached out to them via email and phone calls.”
He had been organizing his own shows for quite some time and figured he could mix music with charity and make it both fun and set an example for our community. “Since its inception, it has seemed to catch on rapidly,” he said. “I’ve gotten a lot of love from 88.5 WMNF and Creative Loafing along with support from local businesses and leaders which has helped turn Hip Hop Against Hunger into a Tampa staple. Another great outcome of the show is that I’ve noticed more and more shows and events aside from mine taking similar steps towards helping people which benefits the ones we’re looking to help and that’s a beautiful thing to see.”
According to the 2016 Homeless Count in Hillsborough County (www.thhi.org), on any given night there are at least 1,817 homeless men, women, and children in Hillsborough County. These are individuals sleeping on the streets, behind buildings, in encampments, in cars, emergency shelters and transitional housing. The homeless statics of Tampa Bay are startling. Thirty-eight percent are female. Nineteen percent are under the age of 18, while 10 percent have served in the U.S. Military. Thirteen percent are Hispanic. Twenty-nine percent have some sort of disability (physical or mental). Fifty-six percent are experiencing homelessness for the first time and 76 percent lived in Hillsborough County for at least one year before becoming homeless.
Hip Hop Against Hunger is a grassroots charity movement featuring local rappers, DJ’s, artists, and community leaders who strive to end hunger and homelessness. By using Hip Hop
Eileen Chambers has been best friends with ?nowledge for more than 10 years and she helps him organize the Hip Hop Against Hunger event each year. “We met through a mutual
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friend and just really hit it off,” Chambers said. “He and I share a passion for the Hip-Hop culture and what it can do to service the community and world. Six years ago, he had this phenomenal idea, and as a friend I asked if I could help him spread the word. I volunteer at various nonprofits throughout the year so I was happy to volunteer to help, especially since he is one of my best friends and hip-hop was involved.” Hip Hop Against Hunger held their event this past December at New World Brewery in Ybor City. At the event, they collected 2,700 pounds of food, 800 bags of clothing, 100 bags of toiletries/supplies, and $750 in monetary donations. ?nowledge believes in the benefits of eating healthy so he asked that healthier food options such as brown rice, low-sodium canned vegetables, dried beans and fruits, whole-grain pastas and low-sugar cereals be donated at the event. “Personally, I take what I put into my own body very seriously and try to live a healthy lifestyle therefore, I believe we should not deprive those in need of that simply because of their position,” he said. “These people need our help and many of them lack access to good nutritious food which is why I ask for natural and organic when possible.” The event continues to grow each year. ?nowledge and Eileen are just two people and they are looking to the Tampa Bay community to help them make a difference for the homeless in our city. “I still need more help to expand,” ?nowledge said. “Everything I do is initiated by me and it’s simply too much to handle for one person. I need help financially, socially, and logistically. We’re in desperate need of volunteers, community leaders, organizations, businesses, and venues who want to get involved. Without the support of the community, none of what we’re trying to do is possible.” If you would like to learn more about Hip Hop Against Hunger you can visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HipHopAgainstHunger or if you would like to get involved with the organization you can email ?nowledge at hiphopagainsthunger@gmail.com. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Tampa Bay Fishing Report January 2017 Capt. Woody Gore (www.captainwoodygore.com)
Well, it’s finally January 2017 and in Florida we’re probably going to get some of our coldest temperatures this month and next. So, as the water temperatures drop believe me when I say fishing’s most likely gotten or is about to get tough. What to do? Well, part of the reason fewer fish are caught is because the fishermen are too cold to fish effectively, or the winds make it more difficult. Sort of the same reasons cold fronts seem to slow things down; it’s more a matter of the how tough is the angler rather than can they get the fish to bite.
Defensive Tactics for Winter Angling:
Dress to be as comfortable and safe as possible. Try to stay out of the winds by fishing sheltered locations, because it makes boat control and lure presentation much easier. Here are a few points about winter fishing and patterning where you’re going to fish. Remember fish tend to school together as water temperatures drop, it also tends to pull them out of the shallow water and send them looking for deeper water, usually in creeks and canals with muddy bottoms and docks. Their metabolism slows so they eat less food and are willing to take smaller lures and baits. And finally, because of their sluggish and slow metabolism, fish slow down; so make your presentation unhurried and accurate. I’ve found with smaller greenbacks (sardines) a very slow deliberate reel seems to trigger more strikes. There are plenty of fish to catch during the winter months, all you have to do is go fishing. This time of the year we get the big jack crevalle, blue fish, mackerel, sheepshead, snapper, orange mouth grunts and the list goes on. Just put on your jacket, get your rod and reel and head out for a fun day on Tampa Bay.
What’s Biting? Let’s Go Fishing Snook: Fishing is one of those on then off again things in
the cooler months, which also depends on the sardine situation if you’re using live bait. The average size being caught seems to be around 22 to 27 inches, but once in a while one of the bigger ones will slip up and chase down a fleeing greenback or gobble up cut bait off the bottom. However, if you can get live baits you’re ahead of the game. Greenbacks off the flats usually run smaller during the cooler months, so down-
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size your hooks and leader. And keep in mind, as the temperatures drop, look for deep water canals, rivers, and creeks with deep muddy-bottoms.
Spotted Sea Trout: Incoming or outgoing tides and a
top water lure produce awesome strikes on a calm early morning flat. And of course the old standby, a live shrimp under a popping cork always results in fish. The trout population is strong and we have been landing some large trout. The 20 plus inch fish seem to be more plentiful than in the past few years. So, if you’re looking for some nice trout action don’t forget to check out grass and rock bottoms with some artificial jerk baits. Many times you’d be surprised at the results.
Redfish: As cooler weather approaches the algae dies and
the waters begin clearing. This triggers some fairly decent site fishing for Florida’s much sought after redfish. Low tides and clear water make site fishing reds a shallow water anglers dream. And as usual we’re catching reds in mullet schools using cut, live bait and also artificial lures. So, you can also expect some exciting strikes when pitching soft plastics or top water’s around the mangroves on high in coming tides. Winter patterns also include pitching shrimp and artificial lures around deep water residential docks.
Grouper and Snapper: Even with the tighter regulations, grouper and snapper fishing are very good. Going out and getting a lot of bottom fish action never seems to be a problem, and even the nearshore bite is doing well. However, keeping up with all the rules and regulations is unbelievable. It does not seem reasonable to spend the money on gas to run too far offshore for grouper and snapper fishing with all the new limits and closures. Recreational Gag Grouper season is closed from January 1 through May 31. Red Grouper season is closed from February 1 through May 31. Other Shallowwater Groupers include black grouper, yellow-mouth grouper, scamp, and yellowfin grouper are closed from February 1 to May 31. And Red Snapper are closed from Jan 1 - May 31. When Quota is Met Through December 31 (whatever that means to the average recreational angler). Cobia: The cooler temps should push fish into warm water
runoffs of local power plants. Be certain to adhere to the reWWW.IN NTHE HEFIELD IELDMAGAZINE.COM AGAZINE.COM WWW.
“Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing”
813-477-3814
Captain Woody Gore is the area’s top outdoor fishing guide. Guiding and fishing the west central Florida areas for over fifty years; he offers world class fishing adventures and a lifetime of memories. Multi-boat Group Charters With years of organizational experience and access to the areas most experienced captains, Captain Woody can arrange and coordinate any outing or tournament. Just tell him what you need and it’s done.
stricted areas. Don’t forget to check the shallow water beach edges adjacent to the runoffs, because cobias like migrating to and from the warm water along the shore lines.
Sheepshead:
If you’re looking for Sheepshead check around bridges, oyster bars and deep water docks. Try using mussels, fiddlers (if you can find them), small black rock crabs, shrimp or oysters and scrape the pilings to get them going.
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Visit his website at: WWW.CAPTAINWOODYGORE.COM send an email to wgore@ix.netcom.com or give me a call at 813-477-3814
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In Tokyo, a bicycle is faster than a car for most trips of less than 50 minutes. There are 18 different animal shapes in the Animal Crackers cookie zoo. Your body is creating and killing 15 million red blood cells per second. The king of hearts is the only king without a moustache on a standard playing card. There are no clocks in Las Vegas gambling casinos. There is one slot machine in Las Vegas for every eight inhabitants. The names of Popeye’s four nephews are Pipeye, Peepeye, Pupeye, and Poopeye
WISHING YOU A F R O M
O U R
Berry HAPPY NEW YEAR F A M I L Y
T O
Y O U R S
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Grandma Said As I child I often wondered why Grandma smiled all the time. Now in my later years of life I know why she smiled, because I have the same problem. She couldn’t hear a word people were saying. Grandma and Grandpa went to church. Halfway through the service, Grandpa leaned over to Grandma and said, “I just let out a silent fart. What do you think I should do?” Grandma leans over and replies, “Put a new battery in your hearing aid.” My Grandmother had a lot of wise sayings. One day I was in the kitchen with her, she said, “I’ll just give this a lick and a promise,” as she quickly mopped up a spill on the floor without moving the kitchen table and chairs. “What is that supposed to mean?” I asked, as in my young mind I envisioned someone licking the floor with her tongue. “It means that I’m in a hurry and I’m busy canning tomatoes so I am going to just give it a lick with the mop and promise to come back and do the job right later.” “A lick and a promise” was just one of the many old phrases that I remember my mother, grandmother and others using that they most likely heard from generations before them. Many old phrases have become obsolete or even totally forgotten. Below is a list that I have put together over the years: 1 – I have a bone to pick with you! 2 – Bee in your bonnet. (To have an idea that won’t let go) 3 – Cattywampus (Something that sits crooked such as a of piece furniture sitting at an angle. 4 - Been through the mill (had a rough time of it) 5 – Dicker (To barter or trade) 6 – Hold your horses (Be patient) 7 – Madder than an old wet hen (Really angry) 8 - No spring chicken (Not young anymore) 9 – Persnickety (Overly particular or snobbish) 10 – Straight from the horse’s mouth (privileged information from the one concerned) As Grandma said, “Hold your horses I reckon I’ll get this whole kit and caboodle done. Please don’t be too persnickety and get a bee in your bonnet because I am tuckered out. You know I ain’t no spring chicken!” And as for me as I write this column, I promise to give it more than just a lick and a promise. One late afternoon a police car pulled up in front of Grandma’s house, and Grandpa got out. The polite policeman explained that this elderly gentleman said that he was lost in the neighborhood park and could not find his way home. “Pop,” Grandma said, “You’ve been to that park for over thirty years! How could you get lost?” Leaning close to his wife’s ear so that the policeman could not hear, Grandpa whispered, “I wasn’t lost, I was just to tired to walk home.” 22
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Grandma had a missed to a few Sunday sermons so the preacher stopped by her house to visit. As he sat on the couch he noticed a large bowl of peanuts on the coffee table. “Mind if I have few”” he asked. “No, not at all.” Grandma said. They talked for a while and as the preacher stood to leave, he realized that instead of eating just a few peanuts, he almost emptied the bowl. “I’m terribly sorry for eating all of your peanuts. I really just meant to eat a few.” The preacher said. “Oh that’s alright,” Grandma said. “Ever since I lost my teeth, all I can do is suck the chocolate off them.” A concerned grandpa went to a doctor to talk about his wife. He said to the doctor, “I think my wife is almost deaf because she never hears me the first time and always asks me to repeat things.” “Well,” the doctor replied, “go home and tonight stand about 15 feet from her and say something. If she doesn’t reply, move about five feet closer and say it again. Keep doing this so that we’ll get an idea of her hearing loss.” Sure enough, the husband went home and did exactly as instructed. He started off about 15 feet from his wife in the kitchen as she was chopping some vegetables and said, “Honey, what’s for dinner?” He heard no response. He moved about five feet closer and asked again. No reply. He moved five feet closer, and still no reply. He got fed up and moved right behind her, and spoke into her ear, and asked again, “Honey, what’s for dinner?” She replied, “For the fourth time, vegetable stew!” I’ll leave you with Grandma’s nine important facts as you get older. 1 – Death is the number one killer in the world. 2 – Life is sexually transmitted. 3 – Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die. 4 – Men have two motivations; hunger and hanky-panky, and they can’t tell them apart. If you see a gleam in his eyes, make him a sandwich. 5 – Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day. Teach a person to use the Internet and they won’t bother you for weeks, months, maybe years. 6 – Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in the hospital, dying of nothing. 7 – All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism. 8 – In the 60s people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world is weird, and people take Prozac to make it normal. 9 – Life is like a jar of jalapeno peppers. What you do today may be a burning issue tomorrow. And Grandma’s favorite saying: “As you go through life one learns that if you don’t paddle your own canoe, you don’t go anywhere. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
Reclaiming the land for future generations is
Ashlee Harrison, Reclamation Ecologist South Pasture Mine, Hardee County
As an ecologist, I am part of a dedicated team that oversees the reclamation of Mosaic’s mined lands. Before phosphate operations begin, I work with scientists, engineers and environmental specialists to carefully plan for reclaimed land uses. Last year, those plans included planting more than 2 million trees — and reclaiming land for wildlife habitats, parks, agriculture and other productive uses. There’s a reason Mosaic is so passionate about reclamation: we know our kids and grandkids will enjoy these lands for generations to come.
®
We help the world grow the food it needs.
mosaicco.com/florida
© 2017 The Mosaic Company
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Natural Beauty
Beauty and health are the chief sources of happiness. I truly believe this statement wholeheartedly! Many women will use the latest and greatest beauty product to make them feel and look better, but are all those chemicals something we women need to be adding to our bodies? I think not. In my never-ending quest to take better care of my aging body, I’ve started looking into all-natural health and beauty products. At a recent event, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Monica DeChaine, the owner of the all-natural personal care business, DeChaine Delights. DeChaine is native Floridian who lives in St. Pete and graduated from USF St. Pete with a BA in cultural anthropology. “My main research project, which I went on to present at a national anthropology conference, was about the societal implications of hair maintenance among African American women,” DeChaine said. “My interest in hair and the beauty industry started about a decade ago, but not necessarily to promote beauty products, more so just to understand women's beautifying routines and what exactly helps give them confidence.” 24
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Even though she lives in St. Pete, DeChaine has had the opportunity to travel many places all over the world. Her travels have influenced some of her personal care products. “I've started to use my findings from other countries, especially India, in my daily life and into my products,” she said. “I’m also a certified yoga teacher. I completed my 200-hour training last year in Rishikesh, India. Yoga has become a big part of my life and part of that is simply honoring my body. I'm proud to use my own products as part of ritual baths and meditations.” DeChaine didn't expect to start a business making all-natural personal care products, it happened by popular demand. “Two years ago, I made a batch of body scrubs and bath salts to give as Christmas gifts to my girlfriends,” DeChaine said. “They all raved about the products, insisting I make more to sell at a local market, so I did just that. Being in the market circuit, I've met so many people, especially with skin issues, so I started doing more research on natural body care. I feel the need to help people heal in any way I can. I also have skin issues; acne specifically. I knew I couldn't get rid of scarring completely, but with the right oil combinations, I've watched my skin clear up a significant amount.” WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
According to Total Beauty (www.totalbeauty.com),“There are many benefits associated with using all natural skincare products on your skin, from improving the health of your skin to contributing to a safer environment. Even though the FDA has a set of regulations and standards regarding these products, many harmful and toxic chemicals still manage to slip through the cracks. Some of the more harmful ingredients not found in all natural skincare products include Mercury, alcohol and ammonium Lauretha sulfate to name a few. These toxins are easily absorbed into your skin but are not easily rid of, which means that they spread through the body and can cause potential damage. Therefore, it is important to switch to all natural skincare products to protect yourself from these harmful ingredients. By avoiding these harmful ingredients found in regular skincare products you will help decrease your chances of redness, irritation and breakouts, along with severe allergic reactions. In addition, you are putting fewer toxic chemicals into the environment and water, contributing to a safer and cleaner environment.” DeChaine’s products are made chemically free, with natural/raw materials, and top quality oils. “I make all of the products in small batches with my own hands and lots of love,” she said. “I create oil combinations that best suit certain skin needs and that smell delightful.” WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
DeChaine has gotten a lot of positive feedback from her customers. “I've received texts, emails, and even a handwritten card from women and men of various ages and skin types praising me for helping their skin,” DeChaine said “It's really quite amazing. I feel so connected to these people because I know that I'm, if even in a small way, helping them.” DeChaine is a strong believer in keeping things local. That is why she has her products in small local business like Lash Crave Beauty Salon and Art of Nail Salon in Pinellas Park. “My products are made with my own two hands, top quality ethically sourced ingredients, and lots of love- right here in St. Pete,” DeChaine said. “There's a connection to be made here. As the crafter, I put my good intentions and healing energies into everything I make. As the consumer, you know exactly what you're buying, who made it, how it was made, and that it was recent. I think it's beyond important to help build up your community by supporting local small businesses. I think we all need to remember that the best price doesn't necessarily mean the best deal.” If you would like to learn more about the products offered at DeChaine Delights, you can visit their Facebook page at www.facebook. com/DechaineDelights. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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They’re in Trouble: Eastern Indigo Snakes When we were kids, it is no doubt that there appeared to be a plethora of “black racers.” At least, that’s what we always called them. They’d be hiding in the bushes near your front door, or up under your house steps. Maybe you encountered them behind the barn or shed. But, they appeared to be everywhere, at least from a kids point of view. Yet, these incredible snakes have been on the threatened list since January 31, 1978!¹ That, we hope, is a shocking eye opener to you. These shimmery, black-blue snakes are protected entities in Florida. So, if you have been tempted to take one out simply because it got the best of you one day, please, think again. While it’s true that these bad boys can exceed eight feet in length², that doesn’t make them target practice, either The truth is that, in the sunlight, they are actually quite beautiful. Their scales take on an iridescence, unlike most other snake species. When they are fully matured, they are fairly thick in circumference. But, rest assured, these snakes are considered harmless. They are nonvenomous and, though their sheer size and speed might make you a little anxious they are here for a reason, too. You will find them throughout central and south Florida, though they do appreciate the sandhill habitats in north Florida and southern Georgia. Obviously, you won’t be surprised to note that these are the longest snakes in the United States. If you have trouble identifying one, then pay attention to the 17 scale rows located at midbody.¹ If you intend to get that close, that is. Georgia and Florida are the only states supporting the endemic population of this species, of which there are a total of eight subspecies. But only two of them are found in the US. Research shows that the population in the Panhandle was on a downward spiral even in 1982. And, though it would seem they are still pretty regularly occurring in some of our yards, the scientists say that they are “not commonly seen.”¹ Unless, of course, you live in south Florida where the population “is thought to be widely distributed.”¹ These snakes are actually cool with several different habitat types. They like flatwoods (both scrubby and pine), dry prairies, hardwood hammocks, the edges of freshwater marshes, agricultural fields, high pine, coastal dunes, and even those areas where humans have drastically altered the terrain. Believe it or not, these snakes are closely tied to the gopher tortoise, because they utilize their burrows in the winter.¹ These are diurnal snakes, which may seem a little odd. But, day time is when they are the most active. They will stick around the edges of wetlands to have access to their prey. But, in the winter time, they move to drier areas to breed. Another oddity here is that these snakes are more active in winter than most other snakes.³ If you do run up on one, don’t be surprised if it hisses at you. It might even flatten its head and vibrate its tail. They have mastered the rattle imitation and, though this will certainly prove to be an intimidating experience, these snakes rarely ever bite anyone.³ But, they will eat 28
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real rattlesnakes and cottonmouths. That’s a good thing for those of us who live in the boonies and regularly find young rattlers squished on the road in front of our homes and there’s always the concern of facing those aggressively evil cottonmouths. Perhaps you can join with us in the joy that these nonvenomous snakes like to have those that can kill us for dinner. If that’s not good enough, Eastern Indigos also eat mammals (like rats), birds, frogs and, sometimes young gopher tortoises.³ Don’t feel too bad for the gophers, though as our Pappaws liked to say, “Everything’s got to eat!” Another source we found suggested that these snakes can eat small alligators!⁴ That one blows us away. What about you? You might be surprised to discover that the catalyst for their decline revolved around the pet industry. They were being over-collected for the domestic and international pet trades. On top of that, people who liked to collect rattlesnakes started gassing the gopher tortoise burrows.¹ The Eastern Indigos became part of the collateral damage for those individuals. Of course, once that was recognized, rules were put into place to rectify the problem. Unfortunately, that didn’t stop people from choosing to destroy their natural habitats for residential and commercial developments, and, in some cases, agricultural expansion. These have now become the most significant threats to the Eastern Indigos’ existence.¹ We understand that snakes are probably not on the top of your, “Save the Planet,” lists, but these guys need your protection just like any of God’s creations. We also understand that, Biblically, the snake is to have his head crushed beneath our heels. But, they must have still been let onto the Ark. So, there’s a reason that they are here. And, in truth, these guys rarely bite. Don’t cause them harm if you can help it. Resources:
¹U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services. Eastern Indigo Snake Drymarchon corais couperi. https://www.fws.gov/verobeach/MSRPPDFs/EasternIndigoSnake. pdf ²Florida Museum of Natural History. Eastern Indigo Snake, Indigo Snake, Racer. https://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/herpetology/fl-snakes/list/drymarchoncouperi/ ³Savannah River Ecology Laboratory Herpetology Program. Eastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon couperi). http://srelherp.uga.edu/snakes/drycou.htm ⁴National Park Service. Eastern Indigo Snake Species Profile. https://www. nps.gov/ever/learn/nature/easternindigosnake.htm Photo Credits: Full Facial View Snake Looking at You- Courtesy of Florida Fish and Wildlife – Female Eastern Indigo Snake- https://flic.kr/p/dQJJgw Coiled Snake Against Tree- Courtesy of Florida Fish and Wildlife- Eastern Indigo Snake- https://flic.kr/p/dyxdkJ Lindsay Nester (an FWC biologist) Holding Snake Prior to Release- Courtesy of Florida Fish and Wildlife- Preparing for Release- https://flic.kr/p/ dQJJsY WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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How to Care for Your Holiday Plants LYNN BARBER, FLORIDA-FRIENDLY LANDSCAPINGTM AGENT
The holidays are over. Now what do you need to do to take care of your living presents - holiday plants? The care required differs based on the plant. The classic holiday plant selection is the Poinsettia. This is a beautiful landscape, container or houseplant that was introduced in the United States in 1825 by Joel Poinsett, the ambassador to Mexico. The traditional Poinsettia is bright red, which is more easily established for outdoor use than other colors. After much breeding, several other colors are available, which include pink, peach, white, burgundy, yellow and marbled variations. What some think of as the flower is really the leaves, bracts. The actual flowers are the tiny clusters in the middle of the bracts. This is a “short day” plant, meaning it blooms when days are short and nights are long. Blooming requires an extended period of darkness. If planted near artificial light, such as a street light or exterior house lighting, after October 1, there will be a delay in flowering. This tropical plant likes temperatures in the area of 75-80 degrees during the day and 65 degrees at night. Indoors, don’t fertilize or overwater. Give it a drink only when the soil is dry. You can plant Poinsettia outside after the last chance of frost has passed. In central Florida, that usually means after mid-February. Outdoors, it should be located in the sun and away from artificial light. Prune to 4-6 inches of stem on each branch and then fertilize monthly with a balanced fertilizer from March to October. This plant has received a bad reputation as being poisonous, but it’s not. There is white, milky sap in the stem. However, if you are allergic to latex, you are probably better off not handling this plant. Amaryllis, another holiday favorite gift to give and/or receive, is a bulb that produces large, trumpet-shaped flowers, which add a pop of color when planted in groups. It is also a good container plant and can reach a height and spread of 1-3 feet. This bulb needs welldrained soil and soil pH that is slightly acid to slightly alkaline, 6.0-7.2. Any soil texture works well, from clay loam to sandy loam, from sand to sandy clay. Amaryllis has medium drought and low to no salt tolerance. It makes a great impact when planted in terraces, at gate entrances or as a border plant in groups of 10 or more. Plant this bulb between September and January. Amaryllis performs best in partial shade and well in sun. Propagation is from seeds, cuttings and smaller bulbs that are attached to the “mother” bulbs. You can leave bulbs in the ground for years or dig them up and replant them during September and October. If you dig up the bulbs instead of leaving them in the ground, remove the foliage and store them in an area that is dry and shaded for a period of 6-8 weeks before replanting. I prefer to leave them where I have planted them, but I am a lazy gardener! Gardenia produces fragrant white flowers and sports glossy dark 32 32
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green leaves. This plant can reach a height and spread of 4–8 feet. Full sun to partial shade provides the best flowering. Well-drained soil that has been amended with organic matter is preferred. Soil pH for Gardenias needs to be acid to slightly acid, 4.5-6.5. Any soil texture will work. This large shrub has medium drought and low to no salt tolerance. It should be fertilized 2-3 times each year. After flowering has been completed, it can be pruned, which is generally mid-summer. However, if you prune after October 1, that activity will decrease the blooming the following year. Bud drop, caused by insects, root injury and weather conditions, can be an issue. Propagation is by grafting or cuttings. Many cultivars are available with varying flower size and flowering times. Gardenia can be used as a hedge, groundcover, in mass plantings or as a specimen plant. Mine is near the front porch so I can smell the blooms while sitting on the swing and enjoying nature. Christmas (and Easter and Thanksgiving) cactus are each distinct with variations in their leaves and flowers. Christmas cactus, like Poinsettia, is a short-day plant. For this plant to bloom during the holidays, move it to a dark area from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. daily for six weeks. After blooming has ended, place your Christmas cactus in bright light where it will thrive. If indoors, place the plant within six feet of a window. Light exposure in a north window is not effective, so use south, east and west windows. It prefers well drained soil. Propagation is from cuttings. Flowers vary in color from white to pink to red and more! This plant is great in containers on a front porch, lanai or as a houseplant. For more information about these holiday gems, please see the University of Florida publications, “Poinsettias at a Glance” by Sydney Park Brown, http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep349, “Amaryllis” by Sydney Park Brown and Robert J. Black, http:// edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/EP/EP06000.pdf, “Gardenias at a Glance” by Sydney Park Brown and Joan Bradshaw, http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ pdffiles/EP/EP33800.pdf, and “Colorful Christmas Cactus Care” by Dan Culbert at: http://okeechobee.ifas.ufl.edu/News%20columns/ Christmas%20Cactus.htm from which information contained in this article was adapted. For more information about the nine principles of the FloridaFriendly LandscapingTM Program or for assistance with gardening-related questions, contact the UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County at 813-744-5519, visit our website at: http://hillsborough. ifas.ufl.edu and visit the University of Florida website: http:// solutionsforyourlife.com or http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu. Upcoming workshops are posted in our website. Our office is located at 5339 County Road 579, Seffner 33584. You can walk through our four demonstration gardens, ask a question at our Master Gardener help desk and pick up brochures on water and environmental conservation and much more. We hope to see you soon. WWW.IIN NTTHE HEFFIELD IELDM MAGAZINE.COM AGAZINE.COM WWW.
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Florida
Buttercup Squash
By Sandy Kaster, M.S. Clinical Medicines, B.S. Nutrition Science
Colorful and delicious, buttercup squash is a member of the gourd family, along with other types of winter squash. Buttercup squash is named for its flat, squat shape which some describe as an upsidedown acorn. It has a dark green rind with silvery gray lines. The flesh is dark yellow-orange in color with seeds in the middle. Very creamy in consistency, this type of squash has a sweet, nutty flavor. On average, butternut squash weight approximately three pounds and are about seven inches in diameter.
Florida is the second largest producer of squash in the United States. Many types of squash are grown in the state including summer squash (zucchini, crookneck, straightneck squash), winter squash (acorn, butternut, spaghetti, buttercup), and tropical squash (Calabaza, pumpkin, banana squash). Peak season for winter squash in Florida is November through January. Winter squash is characterized by its hard thick shell, which allows it to have a long storage life of up to several months in a cold, dark area. Turban squash is a large variety of buttercup squash with a distinctive turban-like shape on its blossom end and bright orange-red rind.
NUTRITION
In general, winter squash is higher in calories than summer squash but is also higher in vitamins A, C and niacin. According to the USDA database, one cup of baked buttercup squash (205g) contains 76 calories, 1.8 grams of protein, 0.7 grams of fat, 18 grams of carbohydrate, and 5.7 grams of dietary fiber. Additionally, one cup contains 59% of your daily requirements for vitamin A, 26% for vitamin C, 23% for fiber, 19% for manganese, copper, and vitamin B6, 14% for potassium, and plentiful amounts of folate, vitamin K, omega 3 fatty acids, magnesium, and the B vitamins.
VITAMIN A
Vitamin A acts as both a fat-soluble vitamin and an antioxidant in the body. It is necessary for normal cell reproduction, healthy bone and teeth formation, and for good vision. This vitamin may be best known for its role in prescription skin care creams and medicines, where it is present as retinoids a synthetic form of vitamin A. It is used to treat acne, psoriasis, and other skin disorders. Research has shown that people who eat more foods high in vitamin A are less likely to develop age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and had a lower risk of developing cataracts.
OMEGA 3 FATTY ACIDS
Buttercup squash is a surprisingly good source of this healthy fat. Omega 3 fatty acids are usually associated with nuts like walnuts or fatty fish like salmon, but winter squash offers another source of this WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
anti-inflammatory nutrient. This type of fat is considered essential, in that the body doesn’t make them, so we have to get them from our diet. Omega 3 fatty acids are best known for their role in heart health but they play an essential role in brain function, memory, and cognitive development and in reducing inflammation. For cardiovascular health, these fatty acids can help lower blood pressure and triglycerides, while raising HDL, the “good” form of cholesterol that protects the heart. By reducing inflammation, omega 3 fatty acids may help lower risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and arthritis.
HOW TO SELECT AND STORE
Choose squash that are heavy for their size and have a hard, deeply green and dull-colored rind. Avoid squash with cuts, punctures, or soft spots on the rind. Buttercup squash can be stored for up to three months in a cold, dark area. It can also be frozen for up to six months, either raw (cubed) or cooked.
HOW TO ENJOY
Peeling winter squash is no easy task. An easier way to prepare buttercup and other winter squash is to rinse the peel with water, pierce it a few times with a knife or slice in half, and then bake. Baking or microwaving the whole squash will soften the flesh and make easy to simply scoop the flesh from the hard shell. In addition to baking, buttercup squash can also be steamed, simmered, or mashed. The seeds are edible, nutritious, and delicious, much like pumpkin seeds. Remove the seeds from the gourd, rinse, pat dry, and season with salt and pepper before baking in the oven until crunchy and fragrant. Other ways to enjoy buttercup squash are: • Mix pureed squash with broth to make an easy soup • Cut into chunks, mix with olive oil and spices and roast in the oven • Top puréed cooked winter squash with cinnamon and maple syrup. • Steam cubes of winter squash and then dress with olive oil, ginger, soy sauce, and pumpkin seeds. • Add cubes to your favorite vegetable soup recipe. • Cut off the top quarter of the squash, remove the seeds, then bake and stuff with rice, cheese and other vegetables • Cook, mash, and combine with other mashed root vegetables such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, or rutabaga
REFERENCES
http://www.whfoods.com http://www.ifas.ufl.edu http://www.harvesttotable.com INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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Growing the Future with Precision Ag
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Since 1963 Everglades Farm Equipment has been serving the agriculture and commercial equipment business. We invite you to put us to the test and look forward to doing business together. EFE1963.com 36
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by Nick Chapman
ECOCLEAN SOLUTIONS The recent wave of organic and all-natural products has caused all of us to look at the labels on our products to see what’s in them. There is a growing concern that too many harsh chemicals have contributed to health problems and ultimately damage to our environment. One company has dedicated itself to developing reliable cleaning products that are non-toxic and meet or exceed all the US, biodegradability standards. That company is Eco Clean Solutions. Eco Clean Solutions is a small start-up company that has impacted the “green” cleaning products market in a big way. Many of products are sold under the trade names of Eco Works and “Green Gobbler,” and are available locally at Home Depot, Ace Hardware and Bed Bath & Beyond stores. They offer a popular line of eco-friendly drain cleaners that can clear most of the clogged pipes in your home. Most other products are notorious for their harsh chemicals, but the Green Gobbler Drain Opener and Toilet Bowl Clog Remover follow all the principles of Green Chemistry as described by the EPA. “It’s all natural, so it is safe.” A new product line that has shown great promise and versatility is the Green Gobbler Ultimate Vinegar. The vinegar is made completely from corn so it is all natural, OMRI Approved and sold in 20% (200 grain) and 30% (300 grain) concentrations.
If you are interested in learning more about Ecoclean Solutions and line of Green Gobbler products, visit www.greengobbler.com and view some of the remarkable videos they have on their products. All of their products are phosphate-free and do not contain volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), petroleum solvents or other harmful chemicals. If you would like to order product directly from the company, you can do so online or through it’s toll-free number (877) 4166880.
Smokin’
Uses for the Ultimate Vinegar are virtually endless from a weed deterrent to removing calcium buildup on docks and boats. The Green Gobbler website includes a list of other uses, such as: removing ink marks, cleaning carpet stains, shining silver, even as an ant deterrent. The average vinegar a consumer buys in a store is between 2-5% acetic acid concentrations, whereas the Ultimate Vinegar comes in 20% and 30% strengths. This allows the farmer or homeowner the opportunity to dilute their own vinegar to stretch their dollars, but still have a stronger solution than one can commonly get in their local market. The strength can be adjusted depending on the application which it is being used with.
WE’RE
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Many of the Green Gobbler products are available at Home Depot Stores, or can be purchased on Amazon as well. The Ultimate Vinegar though is only available for purchase online at our GreenGobbler.com website. We do have local sales representatives in Florida that can visit farms to promote the use of our product, and they can answer any questions you might have. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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January 2017 Ag Policy Conference By Jack Payne
There’s science that guides your choices – when to water, how to fight pests, and what to give your soil. Then there’s the science of consumers’ choices. The study of those pocketbook choices is economics. You can see it in action at a social science field day on Feb. 9 at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma. Attendees will be a who’s who of policy makers, but it’s for anyone who can benefit from knowing more about how your customers make decisions. The second annual Florida Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference sponsored by the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences comes to Hillsborough County this year. The UF/ IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department was held last year in Apopka, so it’s a bit of a road show coming to your area. Many of us in agriculture are familiar with the benefits of a farmto-school program – fresher, more nutritious food for kids, public spending staying local, and fewer food miles burning fuel and putting wear and tear on our infrastructure. None of that is on a kid’s mind, though, when he’s choosing between pizza and the salad bar in his school cafeteria.
Dr. Brandon McFadden, also of the Food and Resource Economics Department, focuses on adults. We know that people get spooked by the letters “GMO,” even though there’s scientific consensus that such foods are as safe to eat as conventionally produced food. McFadden won’t relitigate that at the conference. He’s more interested in using science to bridge the disconnect. McFadden has drilled deeper and found different levels of acceptance of agricultural biotechnology depending on how it’s presented. Telling folks that genetic engineering creates plants that tolerate weed killer gets you a whole other response from what you get when you lead with a message that genetic engineering can help keep food production in the United States. To see McFadden present his conclusions, you can register for the conference here: http://fred.ifas.ufl.edu/flagpolicyoutlookconference/. The Florida Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference is an example of UF/IFAS as your go-to source for solutions, no matter what the scientific challenge.
Dr. Jaclyn Kropp of our Food and Resource Economics Department is trying to figure out through economics what every parent tries to figure out through kitchen table negotiations: How to get kids to eat veggies. She’s been researching whether kids will make different lunch choices if they pre-order their meals, for example. Or if seeing on a computer screen that their meal misses a wedge on the ChooseMyPlate.gov diagram prompts them to remedy that. She has also looked at the influence of peers’ lunch choices. Kropp will share at the conference what she’s seen when she peers inside kids’ brains.
Mostly you know UF/IFAS for solutions to growers’ production problems. There are, of course, consumer challenges, too. And those challenges have their own sciences focused on solutions. That’s why UF/ IFAS deploys such a variety of expertise in biological, physical, and social sciences. We know you’ve got a lot of other choices to make on Feb. 9. So we’ve put together a dynamic lineup of cutting-edge science. It’s not just for wonks. What we hope to do is give you a day of science that nourishes you like broccoli but tastes like pizza.
Jack Payne is the senior vice president of agriculture and natural resources at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. jackpayne@ufl.edu • @JackPayneIFAS 42
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“SHADOWING” EXPERIENCE GIVES UF STUDENT INVALUABLE OPPORTUNITY By Jim Frankowiak Andrea “Andi” Butts, a senior at the University of Florida’s campus in Plant City, has been given an opportunity she regards to be “invaluable” as she plans for the next steps in her career after receiving her undergraduate degree. That opportunity is the chance to “shadow” Hillsborough County Farm Bureau Executive Director Judi Whitson for the next six months as Judi executes myriad daily activities, advancing the “Voice of Agriculture” in Hillsborough County. Whitson is a special shadow subject as she was recently recognized by Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam as the 2016 Woman of the Year in Agriculture Putnam “an immeasurable asset to our industry” highly regarded and respected within and outside the industry. She will be presented her award during the 2017 Florida State Fair in Tampa. Butts is a fifth generation Floridian whose family has been engaged in farming and cattle ranching. She hails from Wimauma and is the daughter of John and Carol Butts she has two older sisters, Lauren and Jordan. She attended Durant High School, where she was an FFA officer, participated in forestry, parliamentary procedure and showed steer, swine and commercial beef heifers. After receiving her associate’s degree at Hillsborough Community College, she moved on to UF, where she is about to complete her undergraduate degree in Agricultural Education and Communication with a specialization in Communication and Leadership Development. “My agricultural and rural background and FFA activities made that major a natural choice,” Butts, whose college career has included a Collegiate FFA President position said. As a student, she has been selected to serve as a College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Ambassador part of a select group of students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and student leadership. The Ambassadors are engaged in a range of activities designed to create awareness of the academic programs and career opportunities in food, agriculture and natural resources among students, teachers, advisers and the general public. When not in class, studying, serving in either of her two ambassador roles or shadowing, Andi enjoys spending time with her family, going to the beach, saltwater fishing or deer hunting. She is a member of Balm Baptist Church and she participates in a number of community service programs. The connection between Butts and Whitson was facilitated by UF Plant City faculty member Kati Lawson. Whitson has had prior Plant City Gator “shadows,” but those had been students majoring in Ag Education without plans for teaching careers,” she said. One former shadow is UF alumna Rebecca Mickler who is now working for former Florida Representative Seth Mc Keel in Lakeland. While Andi is not fully certain of the precise career path she wants 44
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to follow, it could involve agricultural advocacy, helping farmers and ranchers utilize best management practices, or working in a corporate agricultural setting as a marketer or communicator. In addition to her full time campus studies and CALS Ambassador role, Andi is also an event ambassador at Top Golf in Brandon where she works about 30 hours a week. As a shadow, Andi will accompany Whitson on the different activities she undertakes each week. Those include helping elementary and secondary level students learn about and appreciate agriculture helping to educate adults, including diverse industry stakeholders. Andi’s career path may also include pursuit of an advanced degree but right now, she wants to fully experience the real world activities Judi is involved with each day. “The shadow opportunity with Miss Judi will help me decide, as I will be exposed to so many different things in a real world setting, and that is why I place so much value on the chance to work with her.” Butts said WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Medical Marijuana Passed … Now What? by John Dicks
Winning with a margin of victory even greater than the one by Donald Trump was the constitutional amendment to expand the use of medical marijuana in Florida. More than 70% of our state’s voters approved of the change.
the rule making task, which pushes things to June of this year. This is, though, the same bureaucracy that took more than two years to establish a separate limited medical cannabis program passed by the Florida Legislature in 2014.
It was the second time in two years that Florida voters considered the issue. A majority approved of it in 2014, but unlike then, last fall’s election had more than the necessary 60% approval needed to change our state’s constitution.
As you might imagine, there’s already much interest being expressed by growers and suppliers who want to participate in the new expanded program. Lobbyists are being hired by those wanting to be involved with the business as well as those seeking sound regulations for the public’s safety.
The total tally counted more than 6.5 million Floridians saying yes (versus 2.6 million voting No) to allowing patients with listed conditions like cancer use marijuana. By comparison, it was nearly two million more than the votes received by Donald Trump in his statewide win. With the passage of medical marijuana, the question is, now what? First and foremost is to recognize that this change in our state’s constitution does not allow for recreational or other non-medical uses of marijuana. The language of the law specifically permits its use only by individuals with debilitating medical conditions as determined by a licensed Florida physician. To be certain, this has been further defined to allow for treatment of the following: Cancer Epilepsy Glaucoma HIV AIDS PTSD ALS Crohn’s disease Parkinson’s disease Multiple Sclerosis The amendment also includes some catch-all language permitting the use of medical marijuana for individuals suffering “other debilitating medical conditions of the same kind or class as or comparable to those enumerated, and for which a physician believes that the medical use of marijuana would likely outweigh the potential health risks for a patient.” According to the News-Press, one state estimate suggests about 450,000 Floridians would qualify to use medical marijuana under these rules. Worth noting is that unlike the proposed amendment in 2014, this new law now clarifies requirements for parental consent for the use of medical marijuana by minors.
It is expected that the new rules from the Florida Department of Health will be similar to its current ones for the limited program enacted in 2014. For example, it is presumed that patients will not be allowed to simply grow their own medical marijuana. Instead, it appears that the rules will develop a process such that to receive medical marijuana patients will need a physician certification from a doctor licensed in Florida. It can only be provided after a physical exam and a full assessment of the patient’s medical history. Patients would then visit a Medical Marijuana Treatment Center. It all sounds similar to a normal doctor / patient process except for picking up the prescription which will entail more than just stopping by the pharmacy at CVS or WalMart. Currently there are six dispensing organizations authorized by the Florida Department of Health to cultivate, process, and dispense low THC and medical cannabis. They include the following: CHT Medical in Alachua County The Green Solution in Alachua County Trulieve in Gadsden County Surterra Therapeutics in Hillsborough County Modern Health Concepts in Miami-Dade County Knox Medical in Orange County Florida, of course, is not the only state testing the waters of medical marijuana. Our state joined 27 others, including three (Arkansas, Montana and North Dakota) which passed similar measures this past fall.
The effective date for the permitted use of the drug was technically January 3, 2017. However, the Florida Department of Health, which is charged with overseeing the implementation of medical marijuana, has apparently only begun writing rules and regulations. The agency has six months to complete John Dicks is both a lawyer and a farmer. He and his family own a blueberry farm and have agricultural lands which they lease for cattle operations, as John says, “to someone who knows and handles cattle much better than I do!” John is both a Gator, having received his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida, and a Seminole, with his Law Degree from Florida State University. He and his wife, Sharon, live in Plant City, where he served nine years as City Commissioner, including three years as Mayor. 46
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The Bridge By Libby Hopkins
The Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger (TBNEH) has an amazing vision to build a hunger-free community in which there is access to nutritious food for all. One of the projects the organization is working on for the new year is a transportation program, The Bridge, which will help those who are food insecure and have a difficult time getting food. “It is being developed by TBNEH and its partners,” TBNEH’s Network Manager Caitlyn Peacock said. “It came about as transportation issues continued to come up as a big issue for the food insecure population for those that cannot get around. We want to use the transportation to deliver food to them, or to get to a grocery store, to a food pantry, to work, etc.” TBNEH partnered with Metropolitan Ministries’ church partners to get an initial feel of how the churches felt about the idea of the program. “The idea is to use church vans and their volunteer drivers to provide transportation needs for those in the community,” Peacock said. “We hope to partner a church or a few churches with a local food pantry and have the food pantry volunteers sign up food pantry clients for The Bridge program as they indicate a need. We also had an idea to help with the population that doesn’t have the ability to leave their homes. The number of homebound individuals needing food services has gone up 300 percent from January 2015 to January 2016, so we wanted to create a system where we could deliver food to those individuals while they waited to be moved off the waiting list to the regular program.” The senior community is rapidly becoming food insecure. According to Feeding America (www.feedingamerica.org), 48
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“The number of older adults is projected to increase over the next decade and continue to rise in the following decade. In 2040 there will be 79.7 million older adults, more than twice as many as in 2000. Additionally, the senior population is becoming increasingly diverse. Between 2012 and 2030, the white population of 65 and older is projected to increase by 54 percent compared with 125 percent for older minorities. These changing demographics will have profound impacts on the demand for social services, especially the need for adequate and culturally appropriate nutrition services. Seniors may have unique nutritional needs and challenges that separate them from the rest of the population and must be considered.” The community partners that are involved with the Bridge program are Metropolitan Ministries Outreach, Seniors in Service, Hillsborough County Family and Aging Services, Meals on Wheels Tampa, and CUTR (Center for Urban Transportation Research) at USF. “TBNEH has been working on developing this program for two years and couldn’t have gotten this far without the support of our amazing community partners,” Peacock said. “The goal is to work with organizations that already service the elderly and make them aware that, if they do not have capacity to serve the elderly, they can call us to put that person in the bridge program. It is not a solution, as the client may only get a bag of shelf stable food or a few frozen entrees, which is why we call it the “bridge” program; it is just to give them something while they are waiting.” WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
TBNEH and all its community partners have high hopes for the Bridge program. They know the program will have profound impact on the lives of the elderly in the Tampa Bay community. “Our hopes are that we develop a program to help meet the needs of food insecure seniors with transportation needs and provide a safety net for our growing baby boomer population, so they have some means to get food while waiting on the regular home delivery services provided by Meals on Wheels and Hillsborough County services,� Peacock said. If you would like to learn more about the Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger and the services they provide,v or if you would like to be a community partner for the Bridge program, you can visit their website at www.networktoendhunger.org.
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s e p i c e R Courtesy of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Chef Justin Timineri
F l o r i d a S t r aw b e r r y C h e e s e c a ke D i p
DIRECTIONS Set aside 1 tablespoon each of the strawberries and pecans for garnish. In a small bowl, lightly mix the strawberries, honey and orange juice. In a separate bowl, blend the cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. Add the strawberry mixture and fold together.
INGREDIENTS
Fold in the pecans.
1/2 cup fresh Florida strawberries, rinsed, dried and chopped fine 1/4 cup Florida pecans, toasted and chopped fine 1/4 cup Florida honey 1/3 cup freshly squeezed Florida orange juice 1 cup low-fat cream cheese, softened 1 cup low-fat sour cream Assorted cookies, graham crackers and fresh Florida fruit for dipping and spreading
Strawberry Brie
Cover and chill. Garnish the top of the dip with the reserved strawberries and pecans. Serve with cookies and fruit for dipping.
Ingredients 1 (6-inch) wheel brie cheese 3 tablespoons strawberry jam or preserves 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar 1 cup strawberries, chopped 1/2 cup pecans, chopped 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 275 degrees. In a small sauce pot, cook jam and vinegar over medium heat until bubbly. Place brie on an oven-safe serving platter or dish. Place chopped strawberries and pecans on top of brie wheel. Cover with jam mixture. Bake brie wheel until it is warm and soft, about 15 minutes. Garnish with chopped mint leaves. Serve immediately with crackers or crusty bread.
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Ornamental Gardening in Florida By Ginny Mink When last we voyaged on our nearly 100 year old literary trek, we discussed aquatic plants. But, we scarcely got through Mr. Simpson’s first page on the subject. There was just so much amazingly interesting information it was hard to forge through the chapter without missing a great deal. So, we will set the Literary Time Machine to return to that chapter and see what other gems about ornamental gardening we can uncover.
He continues his list with the inclusion of the Iris, which he notes is also called the blue flag. He writes, “Several species of these fine plants grow in our swamps and contribute not a little to the beauty of the lowlands as they sometimes closely cover large areas with their showy bloom.” He adds that a few of their subspecies are all hardy and attractive. Since irises remind us of orchids, we can’t blame him for his opinion on the matter. He moves then to something he calls a floating heart. The scientific name is recorded for us as the limmanthemum. Try saying that three times fast. He says it’s, “A beautiful aquatic native of our ponds and lakes with nearly round, thick, mottled leaves that are dark purple below and pretty white flowers that are often accompanied by a cluster of bulblets.” This made us a little confused, after all, we expected red flowers to represent the heart part of the common name. Then we looked the plant up and discovered that the leafy part is what looks like a heart. You learn something new every day! See for yourself in the pictures included in the article. So, we continued on, seeking out that diamond in the rough, the “Wow!” of today’s travels. And, we thought, maybe we’ve found it here in the “Nuphar, Spatter dock, Bonnets.” Which were next on his list. He admits, “The generic name of our water lilies have been so juggled by the systematists that it is almost impossible to tell what they mean. I use those which have long been known and generally recognized.” We love it when he gets a little cranky about plant names. Of course, that word, systematists didn’t sit well with us, especially when the word processor underlined it in red. What did he mean? Could it have been an insult to people he felt were sticking too strongly to a system? After all, that’s what the word meant, a maker or follower of a system.² He always comes across as a by the book guy, but we suppose sometimes he gets tired of the system just like the rest of us! But we digress. 54
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Part 28
He continued on the aquatic plant vein, discussing the water lily and water hyacinth. But, when he mentioned water lettuce, he had our attention. He writes that it’s, “A tropical plant with a wide distribution and common in the waters of Florida and Texas. It has the habit of the water hyacinths of floating free and multiplying by sending out runners. The strongly veined leaves are light green and the whole plant is odd and attractive.” We like odd, so we chose to look this plant up. Perhaps you won’t be as surprised as we were. But, one quick glimpse at this plant and well, it looks like a head of iceberg lettuce. Yet, it’s floating on the water. It is also called water cabbage, shellflower, and Nile cabbage. Texas researchers refer to it as a “non-native with the possible exception of Florida.” They add that it’s an aggressive invader and can potentially kill fish. It is actually illegal to own or transport these plants in Texas!³ We bet Mr. Simpson didn’t know he’d be writing about such a controversial plant! Yet, on he goes without a blink. He adds, the pickerel weed, which he says has, “fine spikes of blue flowers.” And then he’s on to the Meadow Beauty. He admits that there are more than a dozen of this species, and that they, “generally have vividly colored, handsome flowers.” These plants sounded beautiful. Curiosity got the best of us, and we looked them up too. In truth, we were less than impressed, but you can take a look at the pictures we’ve included and decide for yourself. Here we had to smile because we had arrived at what Mr. Simpson described as, “A small genus of striking and exceedingly odd plants…” He was referring to Sarracenia, better known as the pitcher plant. He tells his readers that, “All grow in swamps or low, wet land and all have curious leaves which are hollow and usually trumpet shaped, having a wing down one side.” His continuance makes us chuckle, “The hollow part of the leaf answers to the petiole and a sort of hood above is the blade both of which are usually colored. The purpose of the whole is to allure and capture insects which are absorbed as food for the plant.” His proclivity towards giving human traits to the plants he appears to adore is always amusing. The leaf “answers” to another part of the plant quite well, apparently. He adds, still obviously mesmerized by these entities, “The very strange flower is large and generally very beautiful probably helping WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
to attract insects. There are often natural hybrids that are very interesting. They grow in black, sandy humus and there are many places in Florida where the conditions should be perfect for their cultivation.” Perhaps you would like to add some pitcher plants to your landscaping endeavors? He ends this chapter discussing Thalia, “handsome swamp plants,” and cattails. He adds that with cattails, “…very fine effects can be had by planting them in masses at the edge of ponds or lakes.” What he failed to inform readers here, Greene Dean will gladly reveal. He writes that, “no green plant produces more edible starch per acre than the Cat O’ Nine Tails; not potatoes, rice, taros or yams. Plans were underway to feed American soldiers with that starch when WWII stopped…One acre of cattails can produce 6,475 pounds of flour per year on average.”⁴ Eat up! Ornamental plants can be a survival dinner. If Mr. Simpson only knew! We’ll find out what else he knows next month when we learn all about native ferns. Until then, we’ll look forward to our future excursions on the Literary Time Machine. Hope you have a marvelous start to the New Year! Resources: ¹ Simpson, Charles T. (1926). Ornamental Gardening in Florida. Published by the Author; Little River, FL. Printed by J.J. Little and Ives Company, New York. (p. 123-125). ²Merriam-Webster: www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/systematist ³Texas A&M Agrilife Extension: www.aquaplant.tamu.edu/plantidentification/alphabetical-index/water-lettuce/ ⁴Eat the Weeds: www.eattheweeds.com/cattails-a-survival-dinner/ Photo Credits: Floating Heart- Quinn Dombrowski- https://flic.kr/p/6LpdK4 Meadow Beauty- Peganum- https://flic.kr/p/fy3Dy6 Water Lettuce- Scot Nelson- https://flic.kr/p/qHDw3f Cattails- Sharon Mollerus- https://flic.kr/p/2dRwbM WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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CELEBRATING FARMERS WHO CARE
18
Recognition events were hosted in 2016,
honoring
60 farmers from
14 different counties, bringing the total 900 to more than recipients in
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counties since 2001.
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Florida Propane Gas Safety Education & Research Council For more information, visit www.floridapropane.org/peff-incentives/irrigation/ or email info@FloridaGas.org
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UF/IFAS file: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researchers get this question a lot: Are your strawberries genetically modified? The emphatic answer is “no.” In fact, they’ve written an Extension document that explains to the public how UF/IFAS scientists breed strawberries for commercial production. Indeed, commercially grown strawberries worldwide do not use such techniques in new variety production at this time.
UF/IFAS scientists: Commercially grown strawberries are not genetically engineered By Brad Buck
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researchers want the public to know that they do not use genetic engineering to breed commercial strawberries; in fact, commercially grown strawberries worldwide do not use such techniques in new variety production at this time. A UF/IFAS strawberry breeder says he’s often asked whether the fruit is genetically engineered, or as some put it, “genetically modified.” “In recent years I have been frequently contacted by the public with questions about genetic engineering, and Florida strawberry growers have frequently reached out to me to help answer questions they have received from the public as well,” said Vance Whitaker, a UF/IFAS associate professor of horticultural sciences and a strawberry breeder. Whitaker co-authored a new UF/IFAS Extension document, http://bit.ly/2gZQzhq, in which he and UF/IFAS assistant professor Seonghee Lee describe how UF/IFAS scientists breed commercially grown strawberries for Florida growers and other markets. Strawberries are a $300 million-a-year industry in Florida, and most are grown in Central Florida, more specifically, in Hillsborough County. The UF/IFAS strawberry breeding program has been developing strawberry varieties for nearly 70 years, Whitaker said. The strawberries are developed using a conventional breeding process of selecting seedlings, which later become new parents for the next cycle of crossing, said Lee, a UF/IFAS assistant professor of strawberry molecular genetics and ge58 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE January 2017
nomics. UF/IFAS breeders do not use genetic engineering technologies to improve strawberries. UF/IFAS scientists breed varieties to adapt to the weather, soils and growing practices in Central Florida and other strawberry production regions around the world. These varieties, such as ‘Florida Radiance’ and Sweet Sensation® ‘Florida127’ combine high yield and disease resistance with excellent flavor and shelf life, Whitaker said. “As we continue to find more precise and creative ways to breed strawberries, we hope to develop strawberry varieties that perform better for the farmer, taste better for the consumer and have increased disease resistance, making them healthier overall,” said Lee, who works with Whitaker at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Balm, Florida. The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS works to bring science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. Visit the UF/IFAS web site at ifas.ufl.edu and follow us on social media at @UF_IFAS. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
FLORIDA’S STRAWBERRY SEASON OFF TO A SWEET START All-new campaign focuses on flavor and the consumer eating experience
Wish Farms, national produce grower, shipper and year-round supplier of strawberries, announced that Florida’s strawberry season is off to a sweet start. This season, Wish Farms is focusing on flavor and the consumer eating experience, expanding their acreage and offering delicious strawberry varieties. “This year’s patches of cooler weather during our planting windows conditioned the plants for more consistent blooms than we experienced last season,” said Gary Wishnatzki, owner of Wish Farms. The Florida strawberry season is approximately November through April, with peak production slated for early January and again in late February. This season, Wish Farms introduced an increase in sweeter varieties, including Sweet Sensation®, a University of Florida variety known to hold its size and maintain high sugar content throughout the Florida season. Responding directly to retailer interest, as well as consumer feedback gathered through the patented traceability program How’s My Picking?™, Wish Farms is emphasizing its focus on unforgettable flavor and a memorable consumer eating experience. “We want to consistently provide delicious strawberries every time you grocery shop,” said Amber Maloney, Director of Marketing at Wish Farms. “Our new campaign launch will connect our audience to the sweetness of our strawberries and tie that experience directly to our brand.” Life Is Sweet, a two-year campaign that encourages Wish Farms fans
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and followers to engage in contests and share photos, will officially debut in 2017. Each month of the campaign will feature its own subcampaign. In January, Wish Farms is celebrating a #SweetStart to the New Year, featuring healthy berry recipes, quick-and-easy nutrition tips, and a consumer contest with a chance to win an exclusive Wish Farms infused water bottle and a fitness Fitbit. Wish Farms will also introduce the #LifeIsSweetBecause sub-campaign in March, encouraging followers to share what makes their life sweet. “Quality and responsiveness are at the heart of our mission,” said Wishnatzki. “With a focus on flavorful berries and engaging our consumers, we have a sweet season in store. After all, we’re growing food, and food is supposed to taste good.” To learn more about Wish Farms, visit www.wishfarms.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest to stay up-to-date, participate and discover why Life Is Sweet. About Wish Farms: Wish Farms, founded in 1922 and third-generation owned, is a yearround supplier of strawberries, blueberries and blackberries growing both conventional and organic varieties. Nationally recognized for innovation, Wish Farms utilizes How’s My Picking?™, a patented tool for traceability to ensure quality by tying consumer feedback to specific information from each day’s harvest. For more information about Wish Farms, please visit www.wishfarms.com.
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How the Garden Has Grown
It was Christmas of 2013 when I first met Father Berhanu Bekele of St. Mary’s Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Riverview, or “Father B” as I like to call him. I wrote a story for the magazine about the Burmese refugees who attend his church and started a garden on the church’s property. It’s been three years since I’ve seen Father B. As coincidence would have it, he called me to come and see how much the garden has grown in the last three years and it just so happened it was few days before Christmas when I had the chance to go to the garden for a visit. Coincidence? God working in mysterious ways? Whatever the reason, I loved spending time with Father B, his refugees and my how his garden has grown. “The garden has changed because the people’s lives have change,” Father B said. “The garden has made them selfsufficient. They gather here together to learn, work and produce their own food.” Back in 2013 Father B received a grant from the Allegany Franciscan Ministries in St. Petersburg and $300 from the Operation Santa Cause Program to start the garden. “The grant money not only paid for the seeds to plant the first garden, it also helped pay for lunches to feed the refugees while they worked and it gave them gas money to get to the garden,” Father B said. He still receives the grant from the Allegany Franciscan Ministries, but the grant is in its final year. “The grant has helped to pay for the dock we have built at the pond on the church’s property,” he said. The garden has grown by leaps and bounds since my last visit. Before the refuges only farmed a small part of 62
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the land and only had a few different kinds of produce. Now they farm on almost the entire church property and the garden has a variety of fruits and vegetables, honey and chickens. Lots of chickens. A local doctor has also donated chickens to Father B for the garden. “When we first got the chickens, we only had 150, now we have 600 chickens that lay a lot of eggs for us,” Father B said. The garden currently gets donations from the community and has raised money from egg and honey sales at the garden. The USF Department of Anthropology, College of Engineering and the USF Botanical Gardens are now community partners of the garden as well. They have helped to set up vertical growing pods all over the garden and installed bee hives for honey production. Students from the university volunteer at the garden, in addition to teaching the refugees English and the importance of eating healthy diet. “The community partners from USF helped the refugees to realize how important it is for their health and wellbeing to produce and eat their own food,” Father B said. “When many of the refugees first came to the garden, they had heart problems or were diabetic. Now, their heart problems are gone and their diabetes is under control from healthy eating.” The garden has become quite the “refugee headquarters” of the Tampa Bay area. When Father B first started the garden, he had only Burmese refugees. He still has many refugees from Burma but now, he has refugees coming to work in the garden from the Sudan and Congo, too. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
“This is the only place they can come to relax and be with their families,” Father B said. According to the Florida Department of Children and Family (www.myflfamilies.com), “The State of Florida’s refugee program is the largest in the nation, receiving more than 27,000 refugees, asylees, and Cuban/Haitian entrants each year. However, the number of arrivals has been steadily increasing in recent years.” In a September 2016 census, Florida currently has 62,223 refugees living in our state and more than 5,000 of them are living in Hillsborough County. Eh Mwe is a Burmese refugee who lives on the church’s property with his family and they help to maintain the garden. “I like living here and being able to take care of the garden,” Mwe said. “I like growing plants and flowers for Father B because he is my best friend.”
would make the garden fail,” he said. “I think the garden teaches them the value of being American by working hard and creating a life for themselves. When we are united, no problems can break us, but if we are divided, then problems arise.” If you like to learn more about the garden or if you would like to become involved with the garden you can visit the church’s website at How the Garden Has Grown or you can contact Father B at 813-679-4982. The church is located at 2418 S. 86th Street in Tampa. The garden sells produce to the public every Friday from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Father B likes that the garden has become a community for refugees and that they have all formed friendships with him and other refugees. “I like that we all have a friendship between us because I feel that individualism
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UF/IFAS’s Folta named Pro Farmer Ag Person of the Year By Beverly James Renowned University of Florida genomics and photobiology researcher Kevin Folta has been named 2016 Pro Farmer Ag Person of the Year. Folta is professor and chair of the horticulture sciences department at the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. “Dr. Folta has been a leader in the fight against the anti-GMO movement for years,” said Chip Flory, Pro Farmer editorial director. “He was a natural choice for his leadership and many years of education on biotechnology, and for being committed to sharing that knowledge with the general public.” Folta publishes a website and podcast titled “Talking Biotech” (www. talkingbiotechpodcast.com). Its purpose is to “help connect the public to current science and technology and let scientists tell the stories of how science can help our farmers, industrialized world consumers, the environment and the developing world,” Folta said. “The hope is this resource can explain how new tools can improve food security, reduce poverty and improve agricultural and medical practices.”
Also this year, Folta was recognized with the prestigious CAST Borlaug Agricultural Communications Award, one of many professional awards over the years. “To be recognized by a national farm organization shows the universal importance of the communication message concerning food, farming and technology,” Folta said. “Rethinking the way we approach the public as scientists and ag producers is critical in a world where farming is so misunderstood and even maligned.” Pro Farmer is the largest subscription based farm business and market information newsletter in the country, Flory said. “Everything we do here is to help farmers and growers make smarter business decisions,” he said. “This award is just a show of appreciation from all 8,000 members of Pro Farmer.” Previous winners of the award include former USDA Secretary Michael Johanns, USDA’s National Ag Statistics Service Director Joe Prusacki and Sen. Chuck Grassley.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SETS AGRICULTURE PESTICIDE COLLECTION DAY JANUARY 27 By Jim Frankowiak
Hillsborough County farmers with “off label,” out of spec or unusable agricultural chemicals have an opportunity to properly dispose of them at an Agriculture Pesticide Collection Day Friday, January 27, 2017. The collection will take place at US Ecology, 7202 East 8th Avenue in Tampa, and begins at 8 a.m., concluding no later than 3:30 p.m. and possibly earlier, depending upon the quantity of pesticides received. “The funding for the collection is being provided by a Pollution Recovery Fund Grant from Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission in partnership with Hillsborough County Economic Development and Extension,” said Simon Bollin, CCA, Agribusiness Development Manager with Hillsborough County Economic Development. “Fumigants will not be accepted, but any other type or quantity of products will be,” said Bollin. “It is important to note that funding is limited, and the collection will end when funds are exhausted. Farmers seeking proper disposal are encouraged to come early to the Collection Day. For additional information or questions about Collection Day, contact Bollin via email: bollins@hillsboroughcounty.org. 66
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Tiffany Dale:
An Emerging Voice for Agriculture By Jim Frankowiak
Tiffany Dale did not grow up on a farm or ranch, but she has a love for all things agriculture. That has led to a career path and commitment to related volunteer activities that have clearly marked her as an emerging voice for all aspects of the industry. She is currently Director of Member Services and Community Relations for the Florida Strawberry Growers Association (FSGA). A sixth-generation Floridian, Dale grew up in Valrico on land hergrandfather purchased during the great Depression a portion of which he sold to Hillsborough County Farm Bureau in 1973. “My mom (Merry) grew up with horses on the property and my grandfather had cattle and always kept a garden. Dale Said My dad (Roger) had livestock on our property when I was young. He was always interested in horses and I can remember feeding the horse we had.” 70
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Tiffany Dale has an older sister, Sarah, who is a chemical engineer with International Paper and was recently promoted to a position with global responsibilities. “Most of my father’s family lives in northeast Georgia and Tennessee and, every year, sometimes multiple times during the year, we would visit them,” Dale said. “One aunt in particular (the late Marilyn Seabolt), always kept a garden and would always have a bushel or mess of something that needed to be shucked, shelled or fixed in some way. Those experiences have been invaluable to my appreciation for agriculture and sustaining life off of the land. She taught me how to make sauerkraut, canned vegetable soup, green beans, canned tomatoes and just about anything we had an excess of that was not about to go to waste. We would stand on her concrete basement floor for hours WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
until we got everything in a jar. She would out-work me every year. I treasure the memories and knowledge that she influenced my life.” “When we first began canning, I had no idea I would pursue a career in the produce industry. I was young and had affection for large animals, but did not know all of the career options in agriculture so I was certain I would eventually become a large animal vet. “Both of my parents worked full time, and I attended schools that did not have agriculture programs. I was always active in student government, clubs and sports, and even tried to start up an FFA and agriculture program at my high school, Tampa Preparatory School. I was familiar with the famous blue jackets through events such as the Florida Strawberry Festival and State Fair. I knew there was an opportunity out there; I just did not know how to attain it. Even though I was not familiar with the-three circle model of agricultural education, but nevertheless, the interest was there and I was definitely intrinsically motivated. I can remember as a high school student that very few, if any, of my classmates, knew what FFA was or even agriculture. That lack of knowledge fueled my interest even further and motivated me to pursue my goals in an area that seemed foreign to my classmates, yet essential to our everyday lives. I was determined to pursue a career in agriculture not even knowing what options were available.” Though Dale’s attempt at starting an FFA Chapter and agriculture program at Tampa Prep was unsuccesful, she continued to pursue her plans to become a large animal veterinarian, earning her AA Degree at Santa Fe Community College in Gainesville before enrolling at the University of Florida with the College of Agriculture and Life Science (CALS). “When I moved to Gainesville, I hit the ground running, becoming involved in any way that I could find, because I knew I had a great deal of learning to catch up on, and I now had access to one of the nation’s leading agricultural institutions,” Dale said. “I was an active member in the UF Collegiate Cattlewomen’s club and Block and Bridle in Gainesville. I soon discovered animal science was not for me and learned of the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication. “My adviser, Dr. Ricky Telg, helped me navigate degree options based on my interests, not knowing what all you could do with all of the degree options within CALS. In 2012, I successfully completed a bachelor’s degree with a specialization in agricultural communication and leadership development and a Master of Agribusiness degree.” Prior to completing her undergraduate degree, Dale served a s a student assistant at the UF-affiliated Natural Areas Training Academy, a student intern at Southwest Georgia Farm Credit Association and volunteer assistant with the FSGA, working on programs such as Agritech, the Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit, Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference, FFA State Convention and Ag in the Classroom. “The agriculture community has welcomed me with open arms,” Dale said. “I enjoy volunteering and continue to learn from folks who have been in all aspects of agriculture for generations. I have learned that in agriculture farmers truly believe in and love what they do. Everyone seems to love food; praise the beauty of products, but consumer perception and opinions can truly make or break someone’s livelihood. This is one reason I feel fortunate for my position at FSGA. Communication, credible resources and experiences are essential to the future of the industry. I get to work with legislators, regulators, the community and students every day. I feel as if I get to do my part in hopefully sparking the interest and appreciation in agriculture just as interest and opportunity were provided to me.” Hillsborough County Farm Bureau Executive Director Judi Whitson first met Tiffany while she was volunteering with the FSGA. “Tiffany is most definitely emerging as a next generation ag leader,” said Whitson. “She is finding her voice in the industry and is learning to speak WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
very loud. Tiff is a smart young lady, and her people skills are incredible. I see her being an active authoritative voice for all of agriculture. Since I, too, did not come from an ag background, I understand the challenges she faced, but she has done a great job of breaking-in and people have been very accepting of her and her ideas. I love just watching her in a meeting, and see the direction her thought process goes.” Dale considers Whitson both a mentor and friend. “Judi has given me the opportunity to travel throughout Florida and other states, communicating the importance of agriculture. I have learned so much and have had so many great opportunities,” Dale said. Dale is also appreciative of Sue and Mark Harrell and their educational help. Sue, who is also a member of the FSGA staff and well -known as “Strawberry Sue,” included Dale “in as many conferences, travels and experiences as she was able to while I was a student. Mark was one of the first strawberry growers I had the opportunity to interview. He helped me with a project and they both treated me as if I had been in the industry forever. There ae truly so many leaders and great mentors, such as Dr. Chip and Jemy Hinton, in the industry who continue to support me in my endeavors and goals. It truly is a community in agriculture.” Shortly after completing her undergraduate studies, Dale served as a mobile marketing association with the Farm Journal Foundation, traveling to seven universities and the National FFA Convention educating and engaging consumers on the subject of the world hunger crisis and the role of advanced agriculture in addressing that global challenge. Following a short term as a substitute teacher with the School District of Hillsborough County, she became an Academic Program Coordinator at the Plant City Campus of the University of Florida, introducing prospective students with the varied degree programs available and helping them chart a degree path much in the same manner as Dr. Telg helped her. The path to her current position began at the time her predecessor Glenda Sloan McNary announced her retirement from the FSGA after 33 years of service. “When Glenda made the decision to retire from the FSGA, the second thing she told me after announcing her plan to retire was to suggest Tiffany as her replacement,” recalls FSGA Executive Director Kenneth Parker. “I shared that suggestion with our staff and they all knew Tiffany and felt she would be an asset to the association.” “We certainly valued Glenda’s opinion, but honestly even if we conducted a very broad search, I truly doubt that we could have found anyone as well-qualified as Tiffany,” Parker said. That has been borne out by Tiffany’s performance since joining the FSGA staff. “Tiffany has exceeded expectations,” said Parker. In addition to member services, she has been asked to foster strong relations with elected officials and their aides at the state and national levels on behalf of growers. “She has done that and worked hard to keep our lawmakers abreast of grower challenges through ongoing educational outreach.” Of equal importance is the need for growers to become aware of and comply with new and changing regulations. “Tiffany has developed relationships with the regulatory agencies and staff members who enforce those regulations,” Parker said. “She has also involved staff members from those agencies in educational activities that help keep our members up-to-date regarding regulations. I am pleased to note that our current record of compliance is strong and I have to attribute a good bit of that to Tiffany’s hard work with our growers and the regulators from various agencies,” Parker said. “We owe a debt of thanks to Glendie for her recommendation and to Tiffany for her hard work,” Parker said. “She is capable, committed and has the special talent of a quick smile that often helps bridge even the most tense moments. “ INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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By Ginny Mink
One thing you might not know about the Minks, is that we have been gifted by God with access to some absolutely amazing friends. One such friend, Denise, offered to take us to North Carolina the week after Christmas. She has a cabin in the mountains there and was excited to take the kids and me for their first out of state jaunt. Actually, J and I have had other adventures but this was Hazel and Zeke’s first big vacation. She picked us up at our home in Lakeland and we were off. From Lakeland to Ocala it was kind of rough. The kids are not used to being in a car that long and they were a little antsy. Denise, and I were both concerned that this trip was going to be regrettable. However, after a good time at a Chick-fil-A playground, things seemed to settle down. And, by the time we waved bye to the Florida state line, the kids got into the groove of traveling. We praised God (inwardly). I pointed out the cotton fields in Georgia. Hazel was slightly interested. I shared with her that my Pappaw had run away from home and had ended up working in the fields picking cotton. I told her that he only made $0.25 a day and her eyes grew wide. When I explained to her that those white tufts were put into machines and eventually made her clothes, she squealed, with absolute wonder, “AMAZING!” Denise added, “What’s more amazing is that someone figured out how to do that.” We discussed how incredible it was that a plant was responsible for the thread that makes our attire. I think we all had a moment of silence in sheer awe. It wasn’t until we were about half an hour from the North Carolina line that we started being inundated with the, “Are 74
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we there yet?” questions. Zeke was the worst offender. He had been adamant that he was not going to bed when we got to North Carolina and Denise told him, “Good. I need you to stay up all night with me and help me drive.” I figured he would lose that sleep battle somewhere around 9 o’clock. But in truth, he stayed awake the ENTIRE trip and was even hard to get to bed once we got there. He was by far the most enthusiastic about this grand adventure. J took Zeke and Hazel for their first mountain climbing trek. They came back pretty quickly because, as Hazel revealed, “They wanted me to walk through sticks and stuff!” She said they were mean, and they said she had to stay home. So, the boys left again and Hazel stayed inside watching Paw Patrol. When the boys returned, they spoke of the rocks they found and what J referred to as a “homeless camp” on the side of the mountain. Zeke was all red cheeked and sparkly eyed. You could tell he felt like he’d truly been on an adventure. I love when he gets really excited about something. Three year olds are still so full of wonder and thrill that it makes you envious of their innocence. On Friday of our trip, we went into Bryson City. There’s a place in town that used to be a Tampa based restaurant, Jimmy Mac’s. Denise wanted me to try the buffalo burger. J and I both ordered one. He got his with three different kinds of cheese and I got mine with bleu cheese and bacon. The kids were too chicken to branch out and settled for grilled cheese instead. I can tell you, with complete and utter honesty, I have never had a more scrumptious burger in all my life! I ate nearly the entire thing. J polished off what I couldn’t. If you ever WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
happen into this neck of the woods, I would recommend that eating establishment. Friday evening, Denise looked at me with some sorrow and announced that Saturday and Sunday were going to be sunny and warm. I didn’t let that hinder my faith. The kids and I have been praying fervently for the last month that it would snow enough for us to play in it. Today, at about 1 pm the flurries started. I was ecstatic. My kids can now say they have seen REAL snow! They have caught it on their hands and felt its icy kiss on their cheeks and noses. We are still praying for more. J just announced, “It’s snowing again, you have to look really close, but it is.” I’m so glad he’s excited about it too! What a gift this trip has turned out to be. I’ve gotten to share a bit with them about an agricultural product that we don’t grow in Florida. They’ve had the opportunity to see snow, and run up mountains. We cannot thank Denise enough for her generosity. Hazel is telling me, “My hands are so cold they’re hurting,” but she says it with a wide smile. An amazing end to a rather heinous year, and a wonderful beginning for a better one to come! We look forward to the excitement that 2017 is sure to bring. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Naturally A Closer Look Amazing Activities
Etched Tankard
by Sean Green
Small hip tankards are a common accessory for those who go to events such as the Gasparilla and Renaissance festivals in garb. If you don’t have a tankard or stainless steel drinking vessel for the upcoming festivities you’ll need one for this project. Small tankards are usually $10 to $15 at common retail stores. This project is an amazingly simple way to etch an image onto stainless steel. You may need to buy a few things, but most of the materials for this project may already be laying around the house somewhere.
Materials:
White Distilled Vinegar Salt Container 9 volt battery low voltage wires (speaker wires) Electrical Tape
Cotton Swabs Peel and Stick Stencils (or cut your own using electrical tape) Stainless Steel Drinking Vessel (Tankard or Tumbler)
Prepare the Tankard:
Adhere the stencil to your tankard.
Prepare the etching solution:
Stir 1 Tablespoon of salt into ½ cup of white distilled vinegar
Prepare your tools:
Strip about 1” of each end off two low voltage wires. Coil one end of the negative wire around a cotton swab, tape the other end to the negative terminal of a 9 volt battery Tape one end of the positive wire to the tankard, tape the other end to the positive terminal of the 9 volt battery. To begin etching, soak the cotton swab in the vinegar solution Dab the solution into the stencil cavities,...... the longer the cotton swab remains, the deeper the etch will be. The cotton swab will eventually turn brown from the oxidation, simply use a new swab and continue. Blot the stencil dry and remove the stencil from the tankard. Wash and dry your finished tankard.
Caution:
This project involves an acid (Vinegar) and Electricity. Although this method of etching is much safer than etching creams, there remains the small potential for harm and should not be done by young children without the guidance and supervision of a responsible adult.
813-767-4703 301 South Collins Street, Suite 101, Plant City, Florida 33563
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A Closer Look
by Sean Green Photos Courtesy, Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System
Pirate Spiders (Mimetidae)
January is often associated with pirate invasions in Tampa, Florida. For the past 63 years, elite krewe members clambered the ratlines of the infamous Jose Gasparilla pirate ship barge. Mock assaults are executed with swords, mini-cannons, stale Cuban bread and water hoses in an attempt to persuade the mayor to surrender the key to the city. The theatrical pirate events of the Tampa Bay area are seasonal but a certain genus of spiders engage in real acts of piracy all year long. Pirate Spiders are notorious for ambushing and plundering the nests of other spiders, a closer look at these stealthy marauders will reveal the attributes and tactics that make this pirate truly renowned. Mimetidae are a family of spiders known as “Pirate” spiders, and for good reason. These spiders are cunning and have perfected their raiding techniques over millions of years. Pirate spiders(Mimetidae) raid the webs of other spiders by sneaking onto their web and tricking the spider into leaving the safety of the center of its web and venturing towards its outer parameter. Pirate spiders(Mimetidae) will sneak up to a web building spider to slowly and methodically stalk it. When the pirate spider reaches its prey’s web, it will tap, pull and sometimes break specific sections of the web to mimic an insect that has become tangled in it or a potential mate. This cunning behavior gives rise to the spiders scientific name, Mimetidae, which is rooted in the ancient words for imitator or mimic; Latin: mimus and Greek: mimos. The prey spider responds to the pirate spiders trickery by approaching the source of vibration and is then ambushed by the lurking pirate spider. The pirate spider lunges at its swindled prey striking it with a single bite to the leg, injecting paralyzing venom and quickly retreats to wait for the venom to take effect. Once the prey spider is completely immobilized, the pirate spider invades the web to collect its bounty, a nutritious meal. One of the distinguishing characteristics of Mimetidae is their fang structure. These spiders have fangs that slope towards each other like orb weavers, jumping spiders, and wolf spiders rather than fangs that are parallel and vertical such as tarantulas, trapdoor spiders and WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
funnel-web spiders. The advantage of having fangs that are opposing and sloped towards each other is that these spiders can bite from nearly any angle whereas spiders such as tarantulas must bite from the top down. Another characteristic of this spider is that it has two rows of spines along the middle of its front leg that are connected to nerves that enable the spider to detect the slightest movement in the web. Mimetidae are Obligate araneophages (spider eaters) and typically prey on Araneidae (orb-weavers) and Theridiidae (cobweb weavers). Many web building spiders do not have very good vision and rely on vibrations to find prey and mates, however, some species do recognize the pirate spider as a danger and will abandon its web if the pirate spider gets too close. Identification of the Mimetidae family is not always easy. Mimetidae look a lot like other small orb weavers and cob web spiders, but there are a few characteristics that can help distinguish Mimetidae from other families of spiders in the field. The two front legs are longer than the other legs and have the distinction of two rows of spines along the front legs that are unique to the Mimetidae family. Egg sacks are often used to identify spider families and even species. Members of the Mimetidae family do not remain with the egg sack to protect it from predators and consequently, have evolved to create an egg sack that is not only protective, but easily distinguished from other spiders. The egg sac is suspended from a long thin silken stalk and depending on the species may also have a fluffy coating of silk around it. Short of these two characteristics, these spiders are not easily identified in the field. Experts consider eye structure, legs, spinneret’s, palps, color patterns, and location when identifying the specific species of a spider family. Of course, now that you know a little more about the Mimetidae family of spiders, the behavior of the spider itself would be a great way to identify a pirate spider. If you are fortunate enough to find one feeding in the wild, grab your camera and take a closer look. Even the smallest of skirmishes with a pirate can be an exciting misfortune to witness, and one that will not soon be forgotten. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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Celebrating a most fruitful relationship between Florida Strawberry Growers and International Paper.
1979
Together we’re sure to enjoy many more years of sweet success.
711 E. Lancaster Rd Orlando, FL 32809 (407) 855-2121
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2402 Police Center Dr Plant City, FL 33566 (813) 717-9100 6706 N. 53rd St Tampa, FL 33610 (813) 744-2220 Sales: Ray Reteneller (813) 230-4216 or Mike Sanders (813) 240-7316
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AG TOUR
MILITARY AG TOUR SET FOR FEBRUARY 3 By Jim Frankowiak
Military veterans, reservists, transitioning active duty personnel and their spouses are invited to participate in a free bus tour of Hillsborough County agribusinesses February 3 to explore career options available in the agriculture industry. Contemporary agriculture industries increasingly focus on the use of technology and management systems for the production of food, medicine, consumer products and energy. “During the Military Ag Tour, participants will be introduced to career paths and job opportunities within modern production agriculture operations and supporting industries,” said Simon Bollin, Agribusiness Development Manager with Hillsborough County Economic Development. The tour will begin at Hillsborough County Extension, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, Florida 33584, departing at 8 a.m. Tour stops will include Fancy Farms, Highland Precision Agriculture and the University of Florida (UF) Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) where lunch will be provided to attendees. Following lunch, the group will tour the DiMare 84 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE January 2017
packing facility and return to Extension. It is anticipated that the tour will end at 3 p.m. The tour has been organized through a partnership among Hillsborough County Economic Development, Hillsborough County Farm Bureau, Hillsborough County Extension, the UF/IFAS GCREC, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Farm Credit Central Florida and The Mosaic Company. “Hillsborough County and its partners are committed to assisting transitioning veterans by providing meaningful connections to quality civilian career opportunities and training,” said Bollin. Tour reservations are available through Eventbrite RSVP: https://www.evenbrite.com/e/hillsborough-county-militaryagriculture-tour-¬feb-2017-tickets-30339872375?aff=eac2. Seating is limited and reservations are on a first come, first served basis. Bollin may be reached via email: bollins@hillsboroughcounty.org. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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ANIMALS & NEEDS ANIMAL & BIRDCAGES
Equipment serving the fur bearing animal & exotic bird industry! Cages built to order. Wire by roll or foot. (813) 752-2230. Call Don Ammerman. www.ammermans.com July 17, 2017, Nov. 26, 2017
CHICKEN MANURE FOR SALE
Dry and available IMMEDIATELY! SPREADER TRUCK RUNNING AGAIN! Call Tim Ford (863) 439-3232
CATTLE FOR SALE
26 producing Angus/SimAngus cows / exposed to bulls. 2 Angus bulls / SS Objective sire. 16 ft WW Gooseneck stock trailer. Losing lease / Must Move. Make offer on group. 863-667-4828
ROUND BALES
1739EHL Tractor w/ loader. 138 hours, 4x4, 39hp, hst. Warranty!! $18,250 Call Alvie 813-759-8722
NEW HOLLAND TC40D
2004 4X4 40hp. HST Transmission. $8,750 Call Alvie 813-759-8722
FMC 352
Air Blast Sprayer. Good condition. $3,500.00 Call Alvie 813-759-8722
METAL ROOFING
Zero Turn Mower 52” cut, 23hp. Kohler engine, 3 year warranty. $2,999 Call Alvie 813-759-8722
BRAND NEW HUSTLER X1
60” cut price was $10,356 buy now for $8,800. Call Alvie 813-759-8722
PRODUCE
Used Lawn Trailer with aluminum plate tool FRESH PRODUCE box. 5ft tongue & heavy duty gate. $1,650 Call Forbes Road Produce. Open everyday from 7:30am - 8pm. Forbes Rd. & I-4 @ exit 17. Alvie 813-759-8722 Come out and see us!
2015 MAHINDRA EMAX TRACTOR 4wd with 60” mid mount mower. 39 hours, warranty. $9,950 Call Alvie 813-759-8722
Millcreek Pine Bark Row Mullcher. For blueberry farms, six yard, PTO drive need at least a 30hp tractor. Call 863-604-2526 for rental details.
BUILDING SUPPLIES
BRAND NEW HUSTLER RAPTOR
7X15 LAWN TRAILER
FOR RENT
Pangola Hay Call Dale 863-229-9876 or John 407-448-5608
LAWN EQUIPMENT/ SUPPLIES
REAL ESTATE METAL WAREHOUSE
3200 sq. ft. Metal warehouse for lease. Located in E. Bartow off of highway 60. For more information call 863-221-0986
Thousands of 8ft. & 10ft. sheets. In Stock. Prices from $6 and up. Custom lengths available. 813-752-7088 ask for Ferris.
ALUMINUM
FOR SALE
We have all your aluminum needs! Screen Room, carports & awnings. Call Blake (813) 752-3378
WINDOW SCREENS
We make window screens of all sizes available HESSTON 3710 TEDDER Priced to sale. Call Alvie 813-759-8722 in different frame colors. Call Ted(813) 752-3378 ROSSI CADDY 8 HAY RAKE Call Alvie 813-759-8722 CABINETS All wood kitchen cabinets. All wood vanities. Granite counter tops. Custom made to your size. FOR SALE Call Blake 813-752-3378
FOR SALE BY OWNER
2 beautiful adjoining farms. 26 acres, all muck land. Lovely 4 bedroom home. Includes small beef heard & calves. $777,000 www.floridabeulah.com 813-541-3490
KITCHEN CABINETS & VANITIES
T-111
4X8 sheets 4” on center. $26.95 Call Blake 813-752-3378
MOBILE HOME TUBS
Metal brand new in bo 54” Mobile Home Tubs Call Ted (813) 752-3378 $199.00
CALL FOR A WINDOW QUOTE. We are a Simonton/MI Windows dealer. Our windows are energy star, lifetime warranty. Call Broke & Poor 813-752-3378
FARM EQUIPMENT TAYLOR WAY TILLER DISC Plow - good condition. $1750.00 Call Alvie 813-759-8722
SOLD
MITSUBISHI MT3501D
Tractor w/ loader, 4x4, 35hp. $3,750 Call Alvie 813-759-8722
MAHINDRA 2015
Tractor w/ Loader, 4' rotary cutter, 4x4, 20hp. $8,750 Call Alvie 813-759-8722
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17 acre blueberry farm, turn-key operation. Located near hwy 98 & 54. Polk & Pasco line. Over 24,000 plants, 12” well. equipment, everything you need. $285,000 Call 863-604-2526 or 863-689-5458
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SERVICES
Get quality all wood cabinets for less than the BIG Box STORES! Call Today! Ask for Blake. (813) 752-3378
CALLER ON HOLD
Many standard sizes in stock. Ask for Blake. (813) 752-3378
on hold. No monthly payments or annual payments. Call today and ask for Al (813) 763-2220
A low cost service that enables you to
important information about DOORS & WINDOWS SPECIAL ORDER communicate your business to customers while they are No upcharge. House & Mobile Home.
JOBS
MISC.
Now Hiring Experienced Barn Builders” 813-754-1766
FREE
HIRING
RUBBER MULCH
Agriculture / Grove Equipment tractor parts sales person. Experience a plus, Computer skills a must! Call 813-759-8722 or 863-537-1345
HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL?
Call us today! 813-759-6909 or email us: info@inthefieldmagazine.com Let us help you get rid of it!
January 2017
Wooden Shipping Pallets All sizes! Call Alvie 813-759-8722 All Colors, buy 10 bags, get 1 FREE! $8.99 a bag. Call Ted (813) 752-3378
PLANT CITY U-PICK CITRUS
Sugarbells + Tangelo Oranges Fri & Sat. After 4pm 210 Knights Griffin Rd. 33565 (813)967-3170
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EFFECTIVE PEST CONTROL
STARTS WITH PAL ADIN® Start the strawberry season with Paladin ® soil fumigant for broad-spectrum control of weeds, nematodes, and soil-borne diseases. Since 2012, growers in Hillsborough County have relied on Paladin® fumigant to effectively control sting nematodes, purple and yellow nutsedge, and charcoal rot. And Paladin® has proven cost-effective while delivering high yields.
We are committed to providing our growers and distributors up-to-date information on proper product stewardship for successful use. To learn more, visit our website or contact your local distributor.
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Paladin® soil fumigant is a restricted-use pesticide. Always refer to and follow the federal label requirements for crops, specific use rates and application directions.
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