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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
FARM BUREAU OFFICE RELOCATING TO PLANT CITY By Jim Frankowiak
Hillsborough County Farm Bureau has sold its long time office in Valrico and will soon be moving to a newly acquired, free-standing office adjacent to the downtown area of Plant City. The move was precipitated by the need to downsize. “We are leaving a 10,000-square foot office for one of approximately 2,300-square feet,” said Farm Bureau Executive Director Judi Whitson. “When we initially moved into our offices in Valrico the number of agents and staff members was far greater than it is now. Much of that reduction was due to advances in technology. Consequently, we had to devote an inordinate amount of time to renting and maintaining office space that was vacant and this detracted from our primary focus as serving as the voice of agriculture,” she said. The decision to move and the process involved in selling the current location and finding a new one took place over the past year and involved a team comprised of Hillsborough County Farm Bureau directors Jake Cremer, Carson Futch, Lawrence McClure, Kenneth Parker, Tony Lopez, Will Womack and Dennis Carlton -- senior and junior. “In addition to representing our board, the team included the expertise of an attorney (Cremer), banker (Lopez), realtor (Futch) and investors (the Carlton’s), and we are most appreciative of the time that each devoted to this process,” said Board President Parker. “Lawrence was responsible for taking on the majority of tasks associated with this process. Suffice it to say that there was no stone left unturned by this team. There was heavy due diligence throughout the process and we did not seek full board involvement until our team reached a unanimous decision on all aspects of the two transactions,” he added.
The new office, which is located at 305 South Wheeler, was formerly a branch of Hillsborough Bank and most recently Center State Bank. Center State has been acquired by Platinum Bank and the former branch has moved to an existing Platinum Bank location on James Redman Parkway, further south in Plant City. In addition to three offices and a board room, the new facility will also have room for three to four workstations. “At some point, we may enclose the drive-through area for additional, enclosed space,” noted Whitson, who will relocate to the new office along with several Farm Bureau insurance agents and staff associates currently based at another location in Plant City. It is currently anticipated that the move to Plant City will take place in August or September and “we hope to have our annual meeting in October on site,” said Whitson. “We have adequate room for erecting a tent on site for our annual meeting attendees adjacent to our new office.” Farm Bureau members and other interested parties will be provided with updated information regarding the new Plant City office as the move is finalized. For additional information, visit the website: hcfarmbureau.org or call 813/685-9121.
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Hillsborough County Farm Bureau insurance agents and staff will remain at the Valrico location, renting space from the new owner. “The actual sale of the Valrico facility is to Chuck Jennings and his wife, Miss Jane,” said Whitson. “Chuck was the Farm Bureau agency manager at the time that building was constructed so the building is staying within the Farm Bureau family.”
CONTENTS
JUNE 2017 | VOL. 12 • ISSUE 8
Cover Photo by: Stephanie Humphrey
64 Hillsborough County Farm Bureau 100 S. Mulrennan Rd. Valrico, Fl. Office Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
SOUTHWESTERN PRODUCE COMPANY Only the Best Quality Produce
PAGE 3 Farm Bureau Office PAGE 12 Redheaded Gardener
PAGE 28 Endangered Species PAGE 32 LaVoy Exceptional Center
PAGE 13 Crop Efficiency
PAGE 35 Cardoon
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PAGE 38 Guide to Plant Selection
AG Abilities PAGE 18 Fishing Hot Spots
PAGE 42 Jack Payne
PAGE 22 Rocking Chair Chatter
PAGE 46 Rainy Season PAGE 48 Soil and Water
PAGE 26 4-H Foundation
PAGE 52 Recipes PAGE 54 Literary Time Machine PAGE 58 Goat Yoga PAGE 60 Portico Café PAGE 70 Activity
A Closer Look
PAGE 74 FNGLA
Hey Readers!
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InTheField® Magazine P.O. Box 5377 • Plant City, Fl. 33566-0042 *Winners will be notified by phone. You Too Can Be A Winner! INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
June 2017
OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Kenneth Parker....................President Will Womack................Vice President Michelle Williamson..............Treasurer Buddy Coleman..................Secretary DIRECTORS FOR 2016 - 2017 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
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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
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Insurance Services: 813-685-5673 Member Services: 813-685-9121
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
AGENCY MANAGER Tommy Hale WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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STAFF Publisher/Photography Karen Berry Senior Managing Editor/ Associate Publisher Sarah Holt Editor-In-Chief Al Berry Editor Patsy Berry Sales Manager Danny Crampton
Letter from the Editor
Happy Independence Day!! I realize for many people this day is another day off work. A day set aside for a picnic, parades, carnivals, concerts, baseball games and fireworks. Please remember this day is a holiday to commemorate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 by the Continental Congress. On this day, the thirteen colonies claimed independence from England, which led to the formation of the United States. For this holiday, and many other days of the year, Floridians will be celebrating outside. Warm, or rather hot weather events present opportunities for foodborne bacteria. As food heats up, bacteria multiply. Here are some tips to ensure your food stays fresh and safe. • Keep cold food cold. Place cold food in a cooler with ice or frozen gel packs. • Organize cooler contents. Consider packing beverages in one cooler and perishable foods in another. • Once at the picnic site, limit the number of times the cooler is opened as much as you can. • Don’t cross-contaminate. Be sure to keep raw meat, poultry, and seafood securely wrapped. • Clean your produce. Rinse fresh fruits and vegetables under running tap water before packing them in the cooler — including those with skins and rinds that are not eaten. Enjoy spending time with your family and friends and create memories. Spending time with those closest to us is always a good investment. Until Next month
Sarah Holt
The LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. - Numbers 6:25
Sales Al Berry Tina Richmond Danny Crampton Melissa Nichols Taeler Dupre
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 Taeler Dupre Contributing Writers Woody Gore John Dicks
In The Field Magazine is published monthly and is available through local Hillsborough County businesses, restaurants, and many local venues. It is also distributed by U.S. mail to a target market, which includes all of the Greenbelt Property owners, members of the Hillsborough County Farm Bureau and Strawberry Grower’s Association. Letters, comments and questions can be sent to P.O. Box 5377, Plant City, Florida 33563-0042 or you are welcome to email them to: info@inthefieldmagazine.com or call 813-759-6909 Advertisers warrant & represent the descriptions of their products advertised are true in all respects. In The Field Magazine assumes no responsibility for claims made by 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.
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Published by Berry Publications, Inc.
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A VERY BUSY MONTH HERE AND IN D.C. HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY
- Kenneth Parker - President
Dear Readers: Representatives of Florida’s agriculture industry, including several from Hillsborough County Farm Bureau, recently returned from Washington D.C. after meetings with our congressman, senators and members of the departments of Agriculture and Commerce. Those were very important sessions which gave all of us who participated the chance to personally discuss a range of considerations that are of critical importance to our industry. The July edition of IN THE FIELD will include an article on these meetings and information about what was shared with these important lawmakers and regulators. My thanks to all who traveled to Washington. As I write this letter Florida Governor Rick Scott is reviewing the proposed budget for Florida. This legislative session was bogged down from the very onset because of new House rules requiring every appropriation to be filed as a bill and heard in committee. However, at the end of the session Florida Farm Bureau and agriculture in the Sunshine State achieved several legislative victories. Among them: • Agricultural Sales Tax Exemptions totaling $2.3 million • A Reduction of Supplemental Pesticide Fees equaling $2.0 million • A Pollution Notification Measure requiring the Department of Environmental Protection to notify the public less than 24 hours after a pollution event has taken place
Among those items considered “unfinished” and tentatively planned to be on Florida Farm Bureau’s 2018 Legislative Agenda are added sales tax exemptions and an agricultural truck tag exemption. While budget cuts were a high priority for the Legislature, it was good to see that support continued for the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – although at reduced levels – while the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences won a $1 million increase for workload funding that goes directly to their base budget for added researchers and scientists and funding for Best Management Practice research, improvements to the Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead and for the Lake Watch Program. There were other Legislative items that also impacted agriculture such as the Everglades Reservoir, Homestead Tax Exemption and Workers’ Compensation bills. I suggest you visit the Florida Farm Bureau website for more information on this past legislative session, and follow Governor Scott’s actions on the budget he has before him. If you 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 yourself and our industry.
Kenneth Parker Kenneth Parker - President
100 SOUTH MULRENNAN ROAD • VALRICO, FL 33594 • 813-685-9121 Board of Directors
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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
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Creating a Desert/Danger Garden here in Florida
I’m back after a very long hiatus. Did you miss me? Well now I’m embarking on a new experiment in my front yard from a “right plant, right place” perspective. With our spring here in Florida being so dry and my front right-of-way-area literally gasping for attention during our hot drought period, I decided to try an idea I’ve had for a while. A desert or “danger” garden. I’ve learned a lot in my horticulture education about the right plants being able to survive the right micro-climates in yards. “Micro-climates” in basic terms are those areas around your yard and house that may have different temperature, nutrient or weather exposure factors including water availability, wind, sun or shade. It could also include different pH or pest situations in your soil environments. Therefore, your growing conditions, survivability and suitability for certain plants may increase or decrease depending on these factors. If you can plant to those specific conditions around your yard with the “right” plants that are suitable you may experience more gardening success. This is why some plants may also do better in containers where weather, soil, water, pest exposure and nutrients are controlled. With containers you’ve created your own microclimate where factors can be more precise.
phorbias, sansevieria, succulents of many By Shannon P. Mitchell, types, stapliads, cacThe Redheaded Gardener tus and yucca. Could they be the right drought tolerant, sun-loving plants for my water-deficient right of way? Could I create a lovely desert/ danger garden that had texture, color and form? Well we’ll see. It’s in progress now. A few varieties I’m trying are Starfish Cactus or “Stapelia gigantean,” columnar night blooming “Cereus” cactus, the edible prickly pear(nopales) or “Opuntia ficus-indica” cactus, “Agave Americana,” “Agave lophanta quadricolor,” “Agave desmettiana,” “Agave horrida,” “Aloe vera Christmas Carol,” “Aloe Blue Elf,” “Euphorbia stenoclada Silver Thicket,” “Euphorbia tirucalli Fire Sticks,” “Yucca filamentosa,” “Yucca linearifolia” and “Bulbine frutescens.” There are many more, but this is enough to get your started. Google them and find out what a wonderful world of “drought tolerant” desert/ danger plants are out there if you are daring enough. I’ll keep you apprised as they grow and fill in. Make sure you take into consideration their space requirements. More on this in next month’s article (Part 2).
Over the years, I’ve tried using my micro-climates to my advantage. And yes I’ve tried some plants in my yard that failed to make it over the years and some that succeeded before I even knew about “right plant, right place.” As I’ve attended many plant sales over the years and lusted after some of the more exotic looking plants that I thought would not take our occasional below 30° freeze here in central Florida, I’ve thought about how I could use my micro-climates to elicit more success. Back to my dusty, dry and hot right of way area. It’s on the north side of our house and gets the full Florida sun from morning to dusk. It’s been a lost cause for me for a long time. Even our grass would not grow there. (Don’t get me started on the subject of grass – it’s overrated for lawns.) Granted, access to water in that area was also scarce. So I decided finally to research some of the lovely desert type plants I’ve seen during my many shopping forays. I looked around Tampa, and in Florida in general, and found that many plants you might consider desert plants actually do survive our few but deadly freezes – as long as I put them in the right locales in my garden.
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To my delight I discovered a passion for agaves, aloes, eu-
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IMPROVING INTER- OR RELAY CROPPING EFFICIENCY Reducing Costs, Improving Productivity By Jim Frankowiak
There was a time when one of the primary goals of researchers at the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) was improving crop yields for area growers. “However, factors such as foreign competition, growing labor costs, the availability of labor, volatile market prices and other considerations have prompted a growing number of strawberry growers and researchers who support them to change focus to approaches that will enable them to reduce production costs,” said Dr. Nathan Boyd, Associate Professor of Horticultural Sciences at the GCREC. “When you consider the average hourly rate for labor in Mexico can be as much as 60 percent lower, compared to the U.S., that of itself is a significant challenge for our growers,” said Boyd. “That enables Mexican growers to accept and survive when market prices drop, while our growers simply cannot afford to do so.” Meeting that challenge has different considerations from revised trade agreements to non-traditional approaches strawberry growers are now embracing, along with the development of advances in technology such as mechanical harvesting. “We estimate that approximately 30 percent of our strawberry growers are now engaged in relay cropping,” noted Boyd. What that means is that while their principal crop is strawberries, which are planted in the September-October timeframe and harvested during the following December through March period, relay cropping growers plant another crop amid the berries during the January-February period. These crops include peppers, eggplant, cantaloupe, as well as squash and watermelon. Some growers wait until the strawberries have been harvested and removed and then plant another crop in those same beds. That is called intercropping and some larger growers do both, relay cropping and intercropping. “There are significant benefits to this approach,” said Boyd. “The diversity of crops lowers risk to the grower, while the
Boyd and his team have devoted the last two years to a series of trials designed to make this overall system more efficient. One area of study involved the development of a system that permitted killing of the strawberry plants as opposed to removing them by hand. Boyd and his team designed a piece of equipment made of aluminum that shielded the vegetable crops while nozzles on the outside of the shield applied an herbicide to terminate the berries. The fabrication was done at the GCREC by Todd Test. Cost for the shield materials was approximately $300 and preliminary costs for the herbicide range from $20-$30 per acre. “That represents a substantial savings over costs for plant removal by manual labor with no significant decrease in yield,” said Boyd. Upcoming trials will include fabrication of a multi-bed shield/herbicide applicator, which would have greater viability for commercial application. Added trials are evaluating the effects of different planting dates for various crops. “We have noted higher eggplant yields with earlier transplant dates,” said Boyd. Studies are also being conducted on weed control and pest management in beds with multiple crops. Trials have also shown as many as four crops on the same plastic with no reduction in yields, while substantially reducing crop production costs. “We are cautiously optimistic over the results we have achieved thus far in looking for ways to improve the efficiencies of these various systems and thereby reducing costs,” said Boyd. “This is vital if our growers are to continue to compete effectively in the global marketplace for our fruits and vegetables.”
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cost of production per crop is reduced substantially.” These crops are planted within the same raised beds where strawberries are planted, eliminating the need for bed set up, fumigation, drip tape installation and new plastic mulch. “This reduces initial crop set up costs by one half.”
SMILES AND HIGH-FIVES ONCE AGAIN ABOUND AT AG-ABILITIES By Jim Frankowiak
Thanks to the ongoing support of Hillsborough County Farm Bureau, the Florida State Fair and a number of volunteers, more than 100 special needs students had the opportunity to participate in a series of agriculture-related events at the annual Ag-Abilities competition.
“We are also most appreciative to the Florida State Fair for donating the use of its facilities for Ag-Abilities,” said Hillsborough County Farm Bureau Executive Director Judi Whitson. “We would be hard-pressed to find another location that’s as convenient and well-suited for our program.”
This annual event, which began in 2001, provides Exceptional Student Education (ESE) students from several Hillsborough County schools with the opportunity to learn about agriculture through a variety of interactive program components, including the highly popular chance to drive a motorized lawn tractor under supervision.
Many of this year’s volunteers have done so in the past and look forward to the opportunity to continue their service annually. Lawson, who owns and operates Hydro Harvest Farms with his wife Terrie, has been helping serve lunch for more than a decade. For him, it’s a way of saying “thanks” to the program, which benefitted his son. Other volunteers appreciate the chance to help young men and women learn about agriculture and more.
This year’s students came from ESE programs at Middleton and Plant City High Schools, Turkey Creek Middle School, Caminiti and LaVoy Exceptional Centers. In addition to tractor driving, the half-day event included Plant Identification, Food We Eat and Animal Breed Identification competitions. The program concluded with lunch and the presentation of ribbons to successful participants.
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The more than 40 volunteers for this year’s Ag-Abilities Event included members of the Hillsborough County Farm Bureau board of directors, a three-member team from Mosaic, two FFA students from Middleton High School, luncheon “chefs” John Lawson and Reed Lienhart and 6 ½-year-old Amelia, designated the “Volunteer of the Day” for her tireless and multi-faceted assistance to just about every aspect of the day’s activities.
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“This program is absolutely wonderful,” said Mosaic employee and Farm Bureau board member John Joyner. “This gives kids who normally don’t have the opportunity to learn about agriculture to do so while also showcasing their skills and learning new ones. I am impressed by the knowledge of agriculture they bring to the competition.” “The looks and smiles of these children plus their comments all make this day just incredible,” said long-time volunteer Jemy Hinton. “It’s not unusual to hear participants refer to this day as the one of the best of their lives and that is very special to me.” “Our participation in this program is part of our ongoing commitment to agricultural education and raising the awareness WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
of the critical role farmers and ranchers play in the production of food and fiber all of us consume every day,” said Hillsborough County Farm Bureau President and AgAbilities volunteer Kenneth Parker. “Judi Whitson was instrumental in introducing this program and helping to carry it forward. This is just one of the many ways she works tirelessly to foster agricultural awareness among all of the residents of Hillsborough County. It’s especially noteworthy to see how happy these youngsters are to learn more about agriculture through their participation in Ag-Abilities.” For more information about Hillsborough County Farm Bureau and its diverse programs, visit: www.hcfarmbureau.org.
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Fresh from Florida Mineral for your Spring Livestock Needs: FMS Super-Min 4 Big Red Blocks and Minerals and FMS Super-Pro Fly Blocks
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TAMPA BAY FISHING REPORT JUNE 2017 by Capt. Woody Gore
Flipper, Friend or Fishing Foe: Several years ago people began tossing fish to passing dolphins, thinking it was entertaining to see them eat the unwanted fish. Well this quickly become a growing concern and now we’ve created packs of highly intelligent marauding saltwater mammals consuming or killing every living fish leaving a boat. This by the way is a Federal Crime since the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 prohibits feeding or harassing wild marine mammals. Because of peoples irrational foresight we’ve created another problem for ourselves. Think back to school when you learned about Ivan Pavlov’s theory of behavioral conditioning. He discovered the progression of conditioning; which is the progress of changing the behavior of a person or animal by reward or punishment each time an action is performed. Well that same conditioning holds true with the highly intelligent dolphins living and breeding in Tampa Bay. People must understand that every time they offer food they’re conditioning them to associate a food source with boats. Many Dolphin tours/excursions are out to experience dolphins in their natural habit without using the enticement of a food source. I see nothing wrong with these businesses. On the other hand, it’s my opinion that using fish or food to feed or entice dolphins close to the boat is wrong and if they are caught they can be fined under the Mammal Protection Act. If you don’t think a problem exists, ask any fishing guide or recreational angler and they’ll tell you the horrors of seeing their “catch and release” efforts being consumed or killed by dolphins. I see it every time I pull into an area to fish. The minute I stop one, two, three and sometimes four or five dolphins show up waiting for us to release fish. Now here’s an interesting side note; they’re only interested in game and sport fish. Drop a catfish back in the water right in front of them and they completely ignore it. I don’t understand it, but it happens every time. So, in closing this mind rambling, let me leave you with this final thought… STOP FEEDING THE DOLPHINS!
The Bait… especially sardines has finally showed up on the flats and around the markers. However, one day they’re easy to get on the flats, the next day it takes a couple of hours of net throwing. Also we’ve not seen the small fry yet; unless it’s going to be a late spawn. But, when the small ones show up it’s going to be gangbusters on the snapper.
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Capt. Woody Gore (www.captainwoodygore.com)
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The only consistent location seems to be the Skyway Bridge and particularly the south fishing pier. You also have to contend with those strong tide days where it takes at least an 18 pound net to get down to the bait before it collapses with the current. Then there are the dolphins that are now grabbing your net when they are full of bait. Not only does it destroy the net, but it can pull you overboard; so be very careful if dolphins are in the area. Really makes using shrimp much more appealing. WWW. INITNHE FIELD MM AGAZINE.COM WWW. THE FIELD AGAZINE.COM
“Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing”
813-477-3814
Snook: (Closed Catch & Release) According to reports
and my own experience the snook are definitely making a showing around the bay area and the bait of choice is live sardines. Any decent mangrove shoreline or grass flat is holding snook. They are also on the beach, but bring your medium tackle as some are reaching 20 lbs. or better.
Spotted Sea Trout: We are catching some really beautiful trout throughout the bay. Many are in the upper teens and some low twenties. Apparently they are eating well because they are fat and healthy with some weighing 3 to 4 lbs. Key points to remember are quick hook sets, light leader, moving water, and free-lined sardines or popping corks. Greenbacks, shrimp and artificial lures are doing the trick for me on broken bottom grass flats. I’m either free lining them or fishing them under a popping cork. The artificial’s seemed to work best using a twitch and retrieve method especially through and around open pot holes on grass flats.
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.
Visit his website at: WWW.CAPTAINWOODYGORE.COM send an email to wgore@ix.netcom.com or give me a call at 813-477-3814
Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish & King Mackerel: Spanish mackerel are still plentiful around the bay and near shore in the Gulf. With plenty of threadfins schooling throughout the bay there is plenty of food and the mackerel seem to be on an endless feeding frenzy. Sky rocketing fish and diving birds are a sure indicator of feeding fish. Threadfins, sardines, shrimp or any shiny artificial lure will catch plenty. Don’t forget the sharp teeth on these big bruisers so, tackle up with at least 50/60 lb. Seaguar fluorocarbon and shiny longshank Daiichi hooks and it’s off to the races. Redfish: We’re beginning to see some decent action us-
ing greenbacks, shrimp, cut bait and artificial lures. The dead sticking method is not my favorite way to fish, because there’s not enough action for me. It’s a matter of fishing quietly, slowly and of course being in the right spot. It often takes an intensive game plan that involves several moves before you find a productive area. And hopefully they’re eating when you get there. When all else fails check the docks on high water but, you’ve got to be quiet.
Cobia, Gray Snapper, and Flounder: Cobias are showing up on markers, flats and buoys especially those holding bait. Snapper fishing is picking up on the artificial reefs and should continue as the water stays warm. I’m anticipating a good snapper bite all summer. We’re also catching some nice southern flounder on the same rocky bottom artificial reefs. Tarpon fishing has been thriving at the Skyway Bridge, Egmont, and Bean Point and along the beach and passes. They are also starting to migrate up the bay; I already saw some showing up around the Gandy Bridge. IINNTTHE HEF FIELD IELD M MAGAZINE AGAZINE
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• Avocado’s contains more potassium than bananas. • Florida is the 2nd largest avocado-producing state in the U.S. • November 14th is National Guacamole Day. • Over 45 Million pounds of Avocado will be consumed on Super Bowl Sunday. • The Haas avocado does not begin to ripen until it is harvested (off the tree). • The Apollo 11 astronauts brought guacamole to space with them! However, they did not eat it, since, according to Command Module Pilot Michael Collins, “that pig Buzz Aldrin ate all the chips before we even left earth.” • Avocado competes with buffalo wings and pizza as The Super Bowl Food, thanks to a successful marketing campaign by avocado growers over the past 2 decades. • Avocados are unique fruit. They have a high fat content, but this is a “good” fat – monounsaturated fat. • A whole avocado contains 200-300 calories and is a good source of vitamin A, C, E and the B vitamins, as well as fiber and potassium. • Guacamole is Aztec for “Avocado Sauce”, the original recipe calling for crushed avocado, tomatoes and salt. • The avocado has more protein than any other fruit.
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We Are What We Eat
There are a lot of things I just don’t understand. For instance, my parents ate lots of fried foods, and plenty of desserts with lots of sugar. Today I hear all these foods are bad for you, yet my father lived to be 88 and my mother 93! They say to eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants. And another thing I don’t understand! Why did God make humans the only living mammal to use toilet paper?
Have you ever wondered if there’s anyone else in the world that looks like you? They say there are at least six people that resemble you. There’s a 9% chance you will meet one of them in your lifetime. I have been told that our brain uses the same amount of power as a 10-watt light bulb. Did you know the easiest way to “wake up” the part of your body that falls asleep is to shake your head? I think the reason my back hurts in the morning is because I sleep with a pillow. According to the specialist you should sleep without a pillow to reduce the back pain. Enough of the foolishness, let’s get on with the serious stuff. I just discovered my age group. I am a Seenager. (Senior Teenager) I have everything that I wanted as a teenager, only 50-60 years later. I don’t have to go to school or work. I get an allowance every month from Social Security. I don’t have a curfew. I have a driver’s license and I own my own car. I don’t have acne. Brains of older people are slow because they know so much. We Seenager’s do not decline mentally with age it just takes longer to recall facts because we have more information in our brains. Scientists say this also makes us hard of hearing as it puts pressure on your inner ear. Also, older people often go to another room to get something and when they get there, they stand there wondering what they came for. It is NOT a memory problem; it is nature’s way of making older people get more exercise. We older folks have a lot of questions that have never been answered. They say that money will not make you happy. I would like the opportunity to find out for myself. As for me I believe that experience is the thing you have left when everything else is gone. I truly think that if the world were a logical place, men would be the ones who ride horses sidesaddle.
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Without a doubt Ronald Regan was one of the best Presidents to ever serve this country. He said so many interesting things:
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1- The most terrifying words in the English language are: I am from the government and I’m here to help.” 2- Of the four wars in my lifetime, none came about because the U.S. was too strong. 3- I have wondered at times what the Ten Commandments would have looked like if Moses had run them through U.S. Congress. 4- Our government is like a baby: An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other. 5- Government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a short phrase: If it moves, tax it. There’s the story of a man that worked at a meat packing plant. One day as he was finishing his work schedule, he went to inspect a walk in refrigerator. He stepped inside and the door shut. He tried to get out, but the door would not open. He found himself locked in. The man knocked hard on the door and screamed for someone to let him out. The door was thick and no one heard him. Most of the workers had left to go home. He was in the cooler for nearly four hours and on the verge of freezing to death when the door suddenly opened. The security guard found him and gave him some hot coffee to warm him up. The thankful man asked the guard why he came and opened the door when this was not part of his work routine. The guard replied, “ I’ve been in this business for 30 years, with hundreds of workers coming and going each day, but you are the only one who ever greeted me in the morning and said good bye in the evening. The other workers treated me as if I were invisible. This morning you greeted me and said hello but later I never heard you say goodbye, therefore I started to search for you.” This story brings to mind, Matthew 5:47 which Jesus said, “And if you greet your brothers only, what extraordinary thing are you doing? Are not the people of the nations doing the same thing?” This should be a good example for us all! Russell J. Larson should be awarded the “Coolest Headstone” winner in the United States. Engraved on his Tombstone are four rules for men to follow for a happy life. 1- It’s important to have a woman who helps at home, cooks from time to time, cleans up, and has a good job. 2- It’s important to have a woman who can make you laugh. 3- It’s important to have a woman who you can trust, and doesn’t lie to you. 4- It is very, very important that these three women do not know each other or you could end up dead like me. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
© 2017 The Mosaic Company
WE’RE PUTTING SCIENCE TO WORK TO NURTURE NATIVE WILDLIFE.
Every day, Mosaic puts science to work right here in our community. Our team of biologists and ecologists is dedicated to ensuring the protection and stewardship of Florida’s native wildlife through the most advanced relocation techniques and prime habitat development. By working with local environmental groups, Mosaic has preserved and created thousands of acres of natural habitats throughout our region for nearly 300 types of native wildlife. Grant, Mosaic ecologist and authorized agent, works to ensure wildlife like the Florida gopher tortoise thrives in reclaimed xeric upland habitat. To learn more about Mosaic’s leadership in reclamation ecology, visit Science.MosaicCo.com.
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4-H FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES TEKI HINTON ERICSON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP By Jim Frankowiak
The Hillsborough County 4-H Foundation has announced the creation of the Teki Hinton Ericson memorial academic and trades scholarship. Teki was a 4-H alumna and daughter of Chip and Jemy Hinton. “Teki was a terrific person that I knew for many years,” said 4-H Foundation President Betty Jo Tompkins. “She was the consummate professional and a member of our 4-H Exchange Club that traveled to several states across the country. We sincerely appreciate the many friends of the Hinton family and to the Nate and Alice Storms family for making this scholarship possible.”
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The scholarship is in keeping with the Foundation’s vision “to build partnerships to secure
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financial support, advocacy and promotion of Hillsborough County 4-H Youth Development.” Those interested in applying for the scholarship should contact the Hillsborough County 4-H office, telephone: 813-744-5519. The application deadline for the 2017 scholarship is 4:30 p.m. Monday, July 10. The scholarship will be awarded at the 2017 4-H Awards Banquet Saturday, August 12. The banquet will be held at the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds.
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Endangered Species
It’s Wise to Save the Burrowing Owl
The burrowing owl is on Florida’s threatened list. As owl lovers, we felt that providing information about this super cool species, prior to its inclusion on the endangered list, might offer it more hope for survival. Of course the book HOOT (by Carl Hiaasen) and subsequent movie, brought these birds into the limelight far better than we can. But, that’s not going to stop us from trying. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission approved the recommendations made by its staff to move the burrowing owls from the species of special concern position into the threatened level on November 16, 2016. That means that the Imperiled Species Management Plan also got approved. It addresses the needs of 57 different species and their conservation requirements. The burrowing owl is on that list.¹ The burrowing owl is actually a federally protected species according to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. And, they are listed as endangered in Canada and Minnesota. In Mexico, they are on the threatened list like they are here in Florida. This makes it apparent that these cute little owls are in serious danger.² When we say little, we mean it. They don’t get any taller than 10 inches and generally weigh less than 9 ounces (that’s not even as much as a can of soup). Their wingspans are slightly more impressive, reaching up to 24 inches. And, unlike many other owls, the males are the bigger ones with longer wing spans and heavier weight.² Burrowing owls are especially fond of areas with low vegetation that are dry and open. They will generally congregate in deserts, grasslands, rangelands, golf courses, vacant lots, and farmlands. Prior to the downward spiral, this species was common throughout western North America.² Insects and small mammals make up the majority of the burrowing owl’s diet. However, they are known to also eat reptiles and amphibians. Unlike many other animals, they hunt while running or walking across the terrain, though they do swoop down from perches when available. They can hover too, catching insects in the air.² Early spring begins their mating season and they nest in open areas where they inhabit burrows that other animals have dug. They are not picky about nesting, as they can do it alone or in groups. It takes a little less than a month to incubate the 6-12 eggs that are laid. By six weeks, the baby owls fledge, though they stick around the parental territory to forage. They are capable of reproduction once they reach a year old.²
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The identified threats affecting the livelihood and longevity of this species include the loss of their native habit and lack
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By Ginny Mink
of protection for those still in existence. Even rural owls are threatened by disregard for their homes. Sadly, many cleared sites will mimic the native habitats and they prove to be hazardous for the owls that make that mistake. Of course, there’s also predation by domestic animals, vehicle collisions, and the destruction of burrows by equipment and mowers.¹ The conservation goal, to get them off the threatened list, as specified by the Imperiled Species Management Plan, comes with a conservation approach. The idea is to protect and manage current populations and their habitats, and to accommodate the growth we all hope to see. It also seeks to minimize the impact of land development through permitting, technical assistance, and outreach. Education and enforcement will be utilized to protect known burrows and to determine where populations exist.¹ These birds are incredible. They’re the only raptors in North America that use underground nests exclusively. We’re sure their plight has tugged at your heart strings because these aren’t just unique birds, they are also very cute ones (just look at those pictures). There’s no reason we can’t help these weeentities remain on the planet. As we tell you all the time in these segments, God put these animals here for a reason and we are supposed to ensure that they are well-cared for. If you are interested in learning more about how you can help protect the burrowing owl, there’s a link for more information here: http://burrowingowlconservation.org/. You can report a sighting or find out how to care for an injured owl should you find one on your land. There are also videos about burrowing owls at the site. Owls have long been the symbols for wisdom and that means it is probably wise for us to invest some effort in keeping them alive and well. Besides, they eat small mammals, which includes mice and rats. Those are things you’d probably like to see less of on your farms and in your fields, right? Be on a mission to save the owls and they’ll be on a mission to help you out too. Resources: ¹Urban Bird Foundation. Burrow Bites. Florida Burrowing Owl Becomes a State Listed Threatened Species (Nov. 17, 2016). http://urbanbird.org/florida-burrowing-owl-becomes-a-statelisted-threatened-species/ ²Burrowing Owl Conservation Network. Burrowing Owl Facts. http://burrowingowlconservation.org/burrowing_owl_facts/ Photos by: Ray Hennessey (Unsplash) WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
OUR PROFITS ARE YOUR PAYDAY When you do business with Farm Credit, you are a member of a cooperative. When we do well, you do well. And we’ve been doing well for over 100 years. LOANS FOR: • • • •
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Learning to Grow
By Libby Hopkins
There is an old saying about gardening that says, “Learn to be an observer in all seasons. Every single day, your garden has something new and wonderful to show you.” Before Allen Boatman was hired at the LaVoy Exceptional Center as their agriculture instructor, the garden and greenhouse were both neglected. The school’s garden had nothing new or wonderful to show its students. “I was hired on at LaVoy in July of 2012 and at that time the greenhouse was overgrown and there were about 1800 Aloe Vera plants, as well as five unfriendly goats,” Boatman said. “Today there is a 180-gallon aquarium in the classroom, the greenhouse is full to the brim, the shade bench and nursery are also crowded. There are five raisedbed vegetable gardens. We have three Nubian does and one LaMancha doe, and they are very friendly, approachable, and lovable. We also have five Russian Speckled Orloff Hens and four Ameraucana Hens. Our children are taught about growing and eating vegetables, caring for livestock and maintaining aquaria. They are also taught about plant production and many other facets of agriculture.” The LaVoy Exceptional Center is part of the Hillsborough County Public School System and provides educational programs and support for students with a wide range of disabilities ranging in age from 3 to 22. The school opened in 1972 and is named after deForrest LaVoy, a former supervisor of Exceptional Student Education programs for the School District of Hillsborough County. Included at LaVoy are programs for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Visual Impairments, Physical Handicaps, Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities, and Significant Cognitive Disabilities. “I have many different types of students, Trainably Mentally Handicapped, Severely and Profoundly Mentally Handicapped, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Downs Syndrome, as well as those with both mental and physical disabilities combined,” Boatman said. “With the exception of those with Emotional and Behavioral Disorder, most students here have a maximum IQ of 50.” The agriculture program at LaVoy is very well rounded according to Boatman and the program has even taught him a thing or two as well. “I am a horticulturist by education/trade, and aquarist by hobby, but I have learned much about livestock in the past five years,” Boatman said.
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Gardening and horticulture therapy have many benefits, both mental and physical. According to the website, HorticultureTherapy (www.horticultural-therapy.org), “The benefits of gardening and horticulture therapy include, improving mental
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health by increased independence, increased self-esteem, improved observation skills, improved problem-solving skills, encourages creativity, releases stress, anger, and other emotions. They also improve social skills by giving individuals the opportunity to interact with others and work in a team, cooperation and team working skills, as well as the opportunity to learn from others and develop social skills. There are also physical benefits, such as increased flexibility and range of motion, improvement of fine motor skills, improvement in coordination and balance, as well as increase muscular strength, which can play a part in rehabilitating weakened muscles.” The website also states, “Horticulture therapy and gardening can enhance self-esteem, alleviating depression, encourage work adjustment and teach marketable horticultural and business skills.” Boatman has seen many improvement in his student from being a part of the agriculture program at LaVoy. “There are many facets to the benefit of the program,” Boatman said. “The children learn caregiving, conflict resolution, personal value, setting and attaining goals, as well as how to work with others.” There is also a therapeutic aspect of the agriculture program at LaVoy, which includes not only working with plants but also petting and caring for the animals. “Every class is started with ‘social skills’ to prepare them for the work force, whether it is a reasonable expectation or not,” Boatman said. “My hope is that I can impart skills needed for the students to work at social norm levels, or that the student will do their best to try to use the skills gained in class. I also hope they will continue to attempt to live up to high expectations both here and after they graduate.” Boatman never wants anyone to feel sorry for his students or anyone with special needs. “Never feel sorry for ESE students,” Boatman said. “Compassion can be demonstrated by being near them, helping them to celebrate every small miracle and accomplishment. Act toward ESE students as if they can understand what you are saying and doing, because most of the time they can, whether they can verbalize it or not. What you say and do always has an effect, be it positive or negative.” Boatman also said he loves his job at LaVoy Exceptional Center and he looks forward to coming to work each day and working with his amazing students. The LaVoy Exceptional Center is located at 4410 W. Main Street in Tampa. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
SOME IMPORTANT NEWS FROM FLORIDA FARM BUREAU By Jim Frankowiak There’s a continuous flow of information from the Gainesville office of the Florida Farm Bureau Federation on a wide range of subjects important to agriculture in Florida. Here are just a few recent announcements: • The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Office of Agricultural Water Policy is in the process of gathering email addresses from producers enrolled in the Best Management Practices (BMP) Program. This is part of an ongoing commitment to improve data management and communications. If you are or were a BMP Program participant, please respond to the communications you have received from FDACS on this updating process. Additional information is available by contacting Charles Shinn at 352/374-1522 or by email: Charles.shinn@ffbf.org. • The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s annual Ag Census is an important program for all producers. It is the only source of uniform, comprehensive and impartial agriculture data for every county in the U.S. Forms won’t be mailed until December, but in order to receive a census form, you must be signed up by June 30. For information on the census, contact Jaime Jerrels via email: Jaime.jerrels@ffbf.org. • The U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated a number
FREE IES IVIT ACT Y ITAR MIL UTE SAL
of counties in Florida, including Polk, as natural disaster areas due to losses and damage caused by the recent drought. Farmers and ranchers in Polk County may qualify for natural disaster assistance, including emergency loans. Applications for assistance must be received by the middle of January in 2018. Additional information is available at your local USDA Farm Service Agency service center. • Eligible Florida farmers have several opportunities available through the Farm Renewable and Efficiency Demonstration (FRED) Program, including free energy evaluations valued at up to $4,500 and grant reimbursement for 80 percent of the cost to implement the recommendations from the evaluation up to $25,000. Examples of eligible projects include energy efficient lighting and water pumps, fuel efficient tractors and generators and small scale renewable energy generation such as biomass or solar. Funding for grants is determined upon evaluation completion with applications for participation reviewed and approved on a first-come, first-served basis. More information and applications are available at http:// www,freshfromflorida.com/business-services/energy/incentives-for-farmers. IN THE FIELD Magazine will continue to publish these information updates as they become available.
JULY 4TH CELEBRATION Tuesday, July 4, 2017
(Rainout date Wednesday, July 5 - 9:00 pm Fireworks only, no games or vendors, gates open 8:00 pm)
6:00 to 9:30 pm - Plant City Stadium 1810 East Park Road, Plant City FL 33563
50 RAF /50 FLE F VEN OOD DO RS
(No street parking on Park Road, Jim Johnson Road or GFS Drive) FREE ADMISSION - $5 PER CAR PARKING - PARKING OPENS 5:45 PM - FIREWORKS FINALE 9:15 Climbing wall, bungee jumps, airbrushing, balloon art, bounce houses and more! Scheduled to appear on stage: Daniel Sprouse Band - Double Barrel Band
W.K. McClendon Oil Rossiter & Associates, LLC
For more information: www.plantcitygov.com (search July 4 Celebration) INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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Florida
Cardoon By Sandy Kaster, M.S. Clinical Medicines, B.S. Nutrition Science
If you’re a fan of artichokes, you’ll like fresh Florida cardoon. Also called artichoke thistle, cardone, or cardoni, the cardoon is a member of the same family as the artichoke. Originating from the Mediterranean region, where it is still widely eaten, this thistle-like vegetable is lesser known in the United States. With artichokes, the flower buds are eaten, while with cardoon, the undeveloped flower stalks and leaves are eaten.
It is involved in numerous roles in the body. Magnesium is needed for the development of strong bones and teeth, and it is involved in the regulation of vitamin D, calcium, potassium, and copper in the body. Adequate amounts of magnesium are also necessary to maintain a regular heart rhythm. Cardoon, like many other vegetables, is a great source of magnesium.
Cardoon stalks look like large celery stalks and taste like a combination of artichoke heart and celery. The innermost stalks are white and tender and are considered the edible portion. This vegetable is usually cooked before eating and is frequently boiled, braised, baked, or fried. Interestingly, the flower bud of the cardoon is a vegetable source of rennet, an enzyme used in cheese production. Much like artichoke hearts, which are available canned in brine, cardoon is also available packaged in water or brine. In Florida, fresh cardoon can be found in its peak season from May through July.
Potassium is another important mineral involved in the maintenance of a normal heart rhythm. This mineral and electrolyte plays an important role in skeletal and smooth muscle contraction, which is needed for proper muscular function and digestive function. Potassium also helps to lower blood pressure and contributes to heart health.
Nutrition Cardoon is a very nutritious vegetable that is high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, one cup of shredded cardoon (178grams) contains 30 calories, 7.2 grams of carbohydrate, 2.8 grams of fiber, 1.2 grams of protein, and 0.2 grams of fat. A single cup serving also contains 30% of your daily requirements for folate, 23% for manganese, 21% for copper, 20% for potassium, 19% for magnesium, 12% for calcium, 11% for fiber, and plentiful amounts of the other B vitamins, zinc, phosphorus, vitamin C, and iron.
Folate Folate, also known as folic acid or vitamin B9, plays numerous important roles in cardiovascular health, emotional health, and maintaining blood cells. Folate works closely with vitamin B12 to help make red blood cells as well as to help iron work properly in the body. Without adequate intake of vitamin B12 from the diet, you could develop a type of anemia. Folate also helps to protect the heart by controlling levels of homocysteine, an amino acid that is associated with heart disease at high levels. Additionally, this B vitamin may play a role in slowing the progression of age-related hearing loss.
Magnesium Magnesium is an essential mineral to every organ in the body.
How to Select and Store Choose cardoon stalks that are a silvery-green color. The leaves should be soft and pale, grey-green in color. They should feel moist and heavy for their size. Cardoon can be wrapped in plastic and stored in the refrigerator for up to seven days. Before use, rinse cardoon stalks well and trim off the ends and leaves, and discard the tougher, outer stalks. Peel the stalks to remove any tough fibers. Chop into smaller pieces and soak in salted water for about an hour before cooking to prevent any bitterness.
How to Enjoy Cardoons are only edible when cooked. Used in traditional Spanish, French, and Italian dishes, cardoons can be braised, sautéed, boiled in soups and stews, or dipped in batter and deep fried. Ways to enjoy cardoon include: • Simmer the cardoon stalks in stock with other vegetables for a hearty soup • Microwave in a small amount of water until tender • Slice into small pieces and bake with olive oil and cheese • Boil until soft, then slice and serve cold in a salad • Braise pieces of cardoon with any meat dish Enjoy fresh Florida cardoon in its peak season today. Its mild flavor and excellent nutrition makes this vegetable a great addition to any meal.
Selected References http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mv041 http://www.fao.org/traditional-crops/cardoon/en/ INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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The Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM Guide to Plant Selection & Landscape Design
By Lynn Barber, Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Agent UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Guide to Plant Selection & Landscape Design is available for on line viewing at: http://fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/pdf/FYN_Plant_Selection_ Guide_2015.pdf. You can also order a copy, which will be sent to you from the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Go to their website: http://watermatters.org, view free publications under Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ to order your personal copy. This Guide is intended for homeowners who want to design their own FloridaFriendly Landscapes. The beauty and functionality of a Florida-Friendly Landscape depends on a mix of trees, plants and turfgrass chosen for their specific location and maintained according to the University of Florida/IFAS recommendations. Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ principles encourage the use of both native and non-native species of plants. Invasive exotics should be removed, where possible, and never planted. The Guide provides a number of landscape design scenarios, including front entry, along walls, sidewalks and fences, under windows and trees, etc. Information is included on how to convert your yard to a Florida-Friendly Landscape, ecological considerations, five common gardening mistakes and the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Plant List of trees, shrubs, vines, groundcovers, grasses, perennials, annuals and turfgrass. Plant information covers the Florida Region and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Cold Hardiness Zones, growth rate, height and spread, native status, soil pH range tolerated by the plant, soil texture, drought tolerance, light range and optimum light, salt tolerance and wildlife attracted. This guide is one of my favorite resources. I use it at home, work and many times when on site visits. It is easy to use, understand and makes finding the right plant for the right place a simple process.
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This Guide to Plant Selection and Landscape Design is intended as a companion to The Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Handbook which is available for viewing at: http://
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fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/materials/FYN_Handbook_2015_web.pdf. This handbook thoroughly covers each of the nine FloridaFriendly LandscapingTM principles. These principles are: • Right Plant, Right Place – Select plants that are well-suited to your site and require minimal amounts of water, fertilizer and pesticides. • Water Efficiently – Irrigate only when your lawn and landscape need water and apply ½ to ¾ inch per irrigation/water (rain) event. • Fertilize Appropriately – Use time release fertilizer, and do not fertilize before a heavy rainfall. • Mulch – Maintain a 2-3 inch layer of mulch after it settles to retain soil moisture, prevent erosion, improve soil structure and aeration and suppress weeds. • Attract Wildlife – Plants that provide food, water and shelter are beneficial to Florida’s diverse wildlife. Many consume pest insects and pollinate your landscape. • Manage Yard Pests Responsibly – Minimize negative environmental impacts by using natural or low-toxicity controls. Unwise use of pesticides can harm people, pets, beneficial organisms and the environment. • Recycle – Convert kitchen scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich organic matter as a soil amendment. • Manage Stormwater Runoff – Harvest rainwater, sweep or blow fertilizer, pesticides and grass clippings into your landscape and off your sidewalk and driveway to prevent nonpoint source pollution. • Protect the Waterfront – Eliminate sources of pollution and protect our natural treasure, Florida’s water bodies. If you live on a water body, leave a 10-foot maintenance-free zone between the water and your landscape. For assistance with horticultural questions, contact the UF/ IFAS Extension Hillsborough County, 744-5519, sign up to attend one of our upcoming workshops on Composting, Microirrigation and Rainwater Harvesting at: http://hillsborough.ifas.ufl.edu/calendar.shtml, and/or stop by to view our demonstration gardens at 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL 33584. We hope you will get outside and garden! WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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NEMATODE DISEASE RETURNS TO STRAWBERRY FIELDS First Documented in 1931, But Not Since
There’s a library of sorts in one of the conference rooms at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) at Balm. Among the books that line one of the walls is the 45th Annual Report of UF’s Agricultural Experiment Station. While undoubtedly gathering dust on the shelf for a number of years, one of its articles, “Crimp – A Nematode Disease of Strawberry” by A. M. Brooks, proved to be a valuable resource last year for Dr. Johan Desaeger, an Assistant Professor of Nematology at the GCREC. Dr. Desaeger received a call last October from Josh Young of Crop Protection Services who had seen something happening to select plants at a strawberry farm near Plant City. “There were sections of plants that were distinctive from others on the farm,” said Dr. Desaeger. “The plants had small, compact crowns and their leaves were curled or folded up.” He took samples of the leaves from the affected plants for analysis at the GCREC, and continues to monitor several farms where the same plant issues were noted. “What I saw was uncommon, it resembled somewhat thrips or mite damage, but there were no insects or mites on the plants,” said Dr. Desaeger. Lab analysis determined the plants were being impacted by foliar nematodes. That is unusual since nematodes typically attack strawberry plant roots and not the leaves of the plant. Among the questions Dr. Desaeger had to answer: the species of the foliar nematode, its source, how best to treat it and when, along with its life cycle – was it seasonal or was it able to survive Florida’s summers, feeding on dead plants and fungi enabling it to impact strawberry plants from season-toseason.
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Surprisingly the web was of little assistance to Dr. Desaeger, but the advice of a colleague from Gainesville helped answer many of the unknowns. “Thanks to the advice of Dr. Renato Inserra, a regulatory nematologist/taxonomist who has been on staff since 1985, I was able to answer many of my questions on this foliar nematode,” said Dr. Desaeger. “He encouraged me to review historical records, including the annual reports of the Agricultural Experiment Station, and that proved invaluable as I read the article by Dr. Brooks.” That article, published in 1932, clearly showed that foliar nematodes had been experienced previously in Florida, specifically in the late 1920s and early 1930s, and that they were also manifest in other southern states. At the time of Dr. Brooks, nematode
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By Jim Frankowiak
species identification was still in its infancy, so we can’t be sure if we have the same nematode species now and in the early 1900s. The foliar nematodes that were found recently are of the besseyi species, which is very common on rice, thriving within humid conditions. “This species is aquatic and needs moisture to move about found primarily inside plant crowns,” said Desaeger. “Unfortunately, our habitat is perfect for besseyi and it is not confined to strawberry plants, but ornamentals, as well.” To help meet the re-emergence of this foliar nematode among a handful of strawberry farms in Hillsborough County, the Florida Strawberry Growers Association has provided funding to support Dr. Desaeger’s work “and the growers that have had some of these nematodes on their plants have been very cooperative with access and use of various approaches to help control them.” In addition to the folding or crimping of strawberry plant leaves, “the impacted plants have minimal marketable fruit and no flowers,” said Dr.Desaeger. “And although they were smaller early in the season, towards the end of the season the plants became noticeably taller than adjacent plants that had no foliar nematodes.” He also said that unlike mites and thrips, plant pests, which are easy to see, foliar nematodes cannot be detected by the human eye and must be identified by microscope. Foliar nematode control is a multi-step process for Dr. Desaeger and his team, and it includes growth of impacted plants within the GCREC greenhouse and labs. “It may be that the source of foliar nematodes is the nursery where our strawberry growers purchase their plants and control would be required at that level.” Field level treatments requiring substantial water “help to spread the nematode given its aquatic nature, which also suggests that growers with incidence of the nematode within their fields delay harvesting to the end of the day not early morning when moisture within the plants is at its highest.” Based upon historical evidence, “it appears that the primary source of foliar nematodes is the nursery or nurseries where some of our growers purchase their plants,” said Dr. Desaeger. “Confirmation will come from our studies and that includes nursery visits,” he said. Additionally, Dr. Desaeger is collaborating with researchers at Louisiana State University (LSU) who face similar challenges for crops grown in their areas. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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You’re Invited To a 100th Birthday Party
By Jack Payne First, the fun part: you’re invited to a 100th birthday party. The Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred was established in 1917, and in November we’ll celebrate its century of science with a special event. Turning 100 is cause enough for celebration, but it will be more than a social event, because what may be the world’s single largest research center dedicated to a single commodity still has opportunities to share its story. The industry changes, and so do we. For example, not everyone realizes that it’s run by the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. That means the center taps into a network of statewide academic expertise on citrus. And while there’s recognition that almost all of our faculty have a hand in the fight against HLB, what sometimes isn’t fully appreciated is their wide variety of expertise: horticultural sciences, entomology, agricultural and biological engineering, food science, plant pathology, soil and water science, microbiology and cell science, and food and resource economics. So we’re determined to get the word out, even after a century. The more folks know us, the more we can help people with science-based solutions. Getting that word out through a 100th anniversary celebration also tells you something else that’s important to know: That the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center is in business for the long haul. We’ve been here through canker, freezes, spreading decline, and a decade of HLB.
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Many in the industry may know the people of CREC much better than they know the center itself. Indeed, Jackie Burns, Harold Browning, Walt Kender, Bob Koo, and Ivan Stewart
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were industry leaders, as well as respected scientists. They’ve passed the baton to Michael Rogers and others working today’s greenhouses and experimental groves. In decades to come you’ll be hearing about the breakthroughs of a new generation of scientists that includes Nian Wang, Yu Wang (no relation), and Christopher Vincent. So please save the date of Nov. 29 on your calendars and plan to be in Lake Alfred. We’ll hold it in the Ben Hill Griffin, Jr. Citrus Hall at CREC. We expect we’ll see old friends, longtime supporters, VIPs, and collaborators. But we also hope we’ll see people who aren’t as familiar with what goes on in Lake Alfred and maybe had no idea that it’s been going on since 1917. It’s important to mark this milestone in the history of CREC, a history filled with instances of growers, processors, and other industry players working together to overcome challenges. Coming together, whether it’s in a grove or a conference center, gives us hope for the future of the industry. If for some reason you can’t make it in November, tell your grandsons and granddaughters who go into the citrus business that we hope we’ll see them at our 150th!
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 WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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The Rainy Season - Will It Bring Relief? by John Dicks
More than just a few people have been practicing their rain dance. Between our state’s recent and unprecedented drought and the increasing demand for water from the ongoing gains in Florida’s population, we’ve been in an almost desperate need for rain.
Even the time of day for allowable water use was noted when SwiftMud detailed that the restrictions permitted the limited watering (other than hand watering) to be done only before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. Obviously it hopes to avoid what would be considered wasteful evaporation during the heat of the day.
Traditionally, June is the month when rain really blesses Florida. Sometimes we get so soaked we pray for relief and worry about flooding.
As if to really make the point about wasteful watering, SwiftMud also put an end to fundraising events like car washes. All are prohibited during the effective date of the restrictions (unless previously scheduled).
Of course no one really knows nor can predict what the summer may bring us; but we know that the last few months have been bad, very bad.
To get its point across, SwiftMud even setup a special hotline number for people to report a water use violation. For the record, it’s 800-848-0499, ext. 2298.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District (and let’s just call it SwiftMud, like everyone already does) has said that the drought drying out Florida over the last several months has been the worst on record of the 103 years it’s been recorded.
Of course the hope is that the month of June will still come through with her traditional water, raining down from the sky. It is, though, a bit of a dilemma when we are forced to wish for just enough to give us a solid soaking but not more than we wish to handle.
So bad has it been that SwiftMud declared new, tougher restrictions which went into effect June 5th and have been set to run at least until August 1st. They are referred to as Modified Phase III water shortage restrictions and apply to the District’s counties surrounding the Tampa Bay region.
The problem is compounded by noting the drought has been so severe that the ground is unusually dry and a hard rain would cause the tendency of water running off rather than soaking in. Naturally, that leads to flooding.
Lawn watering was cut back by the restrictions to only once a week. Car washing has been likewise limited to the same allowable one day per week. And just to let everyone know who really is boss on these matters, SwiftMud declared that homeowners’ associations would not be allowed to enforce deed restrictions requiring residents to keep their lawns green when doing so could cause an increase in water use. To emphasize the seriousness of the matter, SwiftMud specifically noted that these watering restrictions applied not just to municipal or utility supplied sources of water, but also were mandated to those who use private wells or surface sources such as ponds, rivers, lakes and canals.
Our hoped for rain needs to be soaker rather than a downpour. To really quench our thirst, it needs to percolate down and into to the aquifer so that there’s plenty to be pumped back up and better yet, seep back to the surface naturally via the more than 600 springs throughout Florida. Nonetheless, we’ll take what we can get and I doubt that really anyone will be complaining when the sky releases a downpour. That’s especially so for the folks at the Florida Forest Service who have for months been battling blazes. More than 2,000 wildfires have erupted in Florida since January, several of which triggered evacuations and ultimately destroyed homes and businesses. Relief is really needed. Let the rain dances commence in earnest!
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John Dicks is both a lawyer and a farmer. He and his family own a blueberry farm and have agricultural lands which they lease for cattle operations, as John says, “to someone who knows and handles cattle much better than I do!” John is both a Gator, having received his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida, and a Seminole, with his Law Degree from Florida State University. He and his wife, Sharon, live in Plant City, where he served nine years as City Commissioner, including three years as Mayor.
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NEWS FROM THE SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT Credit: Linda Chion Kenney / Hillsborough Soil, Water and Conservation District
By Jim Frankowiak
Hillsborough County Commissioner Stacy White, third from right, with, from left, Mark Proctor, chairman of the Hillsborough Soil, Water and Conservation District; Nicolette Pappas and Megan Nixon, White’s intern and legislative aide, respectively; Betty Jo Tompkins, HSWCD executive director; Susan Dumke, of Blues Berry Farm in Plant City; and her son, Kris. Farmer. Susan Sumke is an elected HSWCD board member.
Hillsborough County’s Soil and Water Conservation District recently hosted the Area 3 Meeting of the Association of Florida Conservation Districts at the Florida Strawberry Growers Association facility in Dover. District Chair Mark Proctor was elected Vice President of Area 3, the highest district office in the multi-county area, at the meeting. According to Proctor, “Our goal for the next two years will be to bring a greater awareness to conservation at area, state and national levels. We want the entire public consciousness to be elevated.” The District also recently announced top schools in the Lipman Planting Challenge of the Hillsborough 100 Conservation Challenge, which has as its goal “to bring together the entire community, urban, suburban and rural, to emphasize the importantance of conservation in everyone’s life.” This is accomplished through the undertaking and showcasing of more than 100 conservation-related projects in the county by groups of all ages. It culminated during a nine-day period from Earth Day through the Arbor Day weekend when the various projects were available for community attention. East Hillsborough County schools honored in the challenge, sponsored by Lipman Family Farms, included Rodgers Middle School (2nd) and Marshall Middle School (3rd) in the middle school category and Armwood (2nd) and Newsome (3rd) in the high school competition. Twelve schools participated in the contest with identical earth boxes and tomato, pepper, cantaloupe and watermelon transplants, with gardens judged for their success in growing all four plant types.
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Also announced by the District is a new project set to run through the 2018 Hillsborough 100 Conservation Challenge. The project, “Bee a Honey, Buy a Hive” has as its goal to secure 100 organizations and businesses to sponsor a beehive within the county during the next year. The District selected this project to bring greater awareness to the importance of a healthy bee population. Approximately one-third of the food
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Americans eat is directly or indirectly derived from honeybee pollination. “Among those crops pollinated by bees are almonds, apples, apricots, avocados, blueberries, cantaloupes, cherries, cranberries, cucumbers, kiwi, pears, plums, strawberries and a host of others,” said District Executive Director Betty Jo Tompkins. “Members of the Greater Brandon Republican Club were the first participants in this project,” she noted. The hives are being built by Hillsborough high school students at the Tampa Residential Facility this summer, and will be placed in community gardens, parks and other public locations throughout Hillsborough County once purchased by sponsoring groups. The District, one of some 3,000 in the U.S., traces its roots to the Dust Bowl of the 1930s when severe dust storms greatly damaged the ecology and agriculture of the American and Canadian prairies. The Hillsborough District was founded in 1946 and is charged with serving as a liaison between government-funding entities and local landowners. The District works with people of all ages to educate and raise awareness of the necessity to become good stewards of natural resources, including soil, water and air, as well as product use, reuse and recycling. “While there are many beneficial dimensions to this effort, one of high importance to us all is agriculture,” said Tompkins. “One key result is that here in the U.S. a lower percentage of our income -- 6.4 percent -- is spent on food purchases, and it is of the highest quality and largest variety possible. And the future will be challenging as our farmers continue to embrace modern technology and other assistance from land grant universities to enable them to meet agricultural needs today and into the future. We should realize food’s a bargain for us and we might just want to hug a farmer.” For more information about the Hillsborough Soil and Water Conservation District and its varied initiatives, call: (813) 7521474, Extension # 3 or (813) 477-8332. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
Alex Salcedo, 14, holding jars of grasshoppers, at the Plant City Community Gardens, on Hillsborough Community College’s Plant City campus, during this year’s Earth Day Fest. Salcedo’s mother, Andrea, is a board member of the Suncoast Native Plant Society, a chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society.
Youngsters at the Go Green Fest in Plant City take their turn at making soil babies at the booth manned by Hillsborough Soil, Water and Conservation District representatives.
Hillsborough County Commissioner Stacy White picks a blueberry to eat, at Blue Berry Farm in Plant City. The farm is owned by Susan Dumke, a board member with the Hillsborough Soil and Water Conservation District, and her husband. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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s e p i c e R
Courtesy of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Chicken, Avocado and Swiss Wrap Chef Justin Timineri
DIRECTIONS • In a small bowl combine the yogurt, Dijon, and lemon juice; season with sea salt and pepper, to taste.
INGREDIENTS 3 Florida chicken breasts 1 large Florida avocado, peeled and sliced 4 slices Swiss cheese 4 whole-wheat wraps ¼ cup plain yogurt 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 lemon, juiced 1 lime, juiced Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
• Place two slices of cheese on top of each wrap, place on a cookie sheet and broil in the oven until the cheese melts. • Remove from the oven and add chicken slices to each wrap. • Add sliced avocado, sprinkle with lime juice, and top with yogurt sauce. • Fold the wrap to create a sandwich.
Crispy Peppered Bacon q and Avocado Sandwiches q with Herbed Mayo Ingredients 6 peppered bacon slices 5 tablespoons mayonnaise 3 tablespoons fresh garlic chives, chopped 2 tablespoons fresh Florida dill, chopped 1 firm-ripe Florida avocado (8 to 10 ounces) 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice 4 slices whole-grain bread, toasted 1/2 cup Florida sprouts
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• Stir together mayonnaise, garlic chives, dill, and salt and pepper to taste in a small bowl. • Cook peppered bacon in a 12-inch heavy-bottom skillet over medium heat, turning occasionally, until crispy, then transfer to paper towels and allow to drain. • Halve, pit and peel Florida avocado, then slice
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lengthwise onto a plate. • Squeeze lemon juice over avocado slices to prevent browning. • Assemble sandwiches with toast, herb mayonnaise, avocado, peppered bacon and sprouts, seasoning with salt and pepper. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Ornamental Gardening in Florida
Part 33
By Ginny Mink We are closing in on three years of reading this book! That just goes to show you that a good book should be meditated upon and fully considered before being stuck back on the shelf. No doubt this month we will be graced with a considerable depth of knowledge from Mr. Torrey Simpson as we travel on our literary time machine back to 1926 to learn more about palm trees and other interesting plants. He starts this section off by discussing a rather interesting process. He writes, “M. saccifera is a native of tropical South America. It has a short, stout trunk and bears a few enormous, almost or quite entire, leaves which attain a length of 30 feet and a width of four or five. This palm grows in immense numbers along low shores at Marajo Island and other tidal swamps at the mouth of the Amazon and its seeds by millions fall into or are washed into the sea being carried along with the great equatorial current and scattered over the North Atlantic.”
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This created such an awe-inspiring image for us because we often think about invasive species being so-called due to human intervention and introduction. His initial description would suggest something entirely different, a matter of nature, a move of God, per se. But he continues, “Thousands of them are washed up along the Florida Keys and the shores of the southeastern mainland but although the kernel may appear perfectly fresh and even the three seeds which grow together be still contained within their husk I have never been able to get one to germinate among the hundreds I have planted.”
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Though he desperately wants to grow these palms it is obvious that it’s not meant to be. He concludes, “They germinate in great numbers along the coast of Brazil but probably become injured by the long immersion in the sea during a voyage so far north.” He’s obviously disappointed. After all, a palm tree with leaves extending four - five feet wide and 30 feet long sure would offer a good deal of shade here! A quick bit of research will reveal to you just how crazy huge those leaves are. But we’ll leave that research to you! His next inclusion is obviously less exciting for him. He writes, “Martinezia caryotaefolia is an elegant but spiny palm which is said to reach a height of from thirty to fifty feet, with a trunk diameter of six inches but most of the specimens I have seen here are not in a flourishing condition. It has leaves something like that of a carat palm but the veins have spines on them.” Obviously, he was not impressed by the palms of this species. He mentions another palm that he says was “…offered by Reasoner Brothers.” These palms grew on his land but were killed by freezing. He suggests that these Oncosperma be grown in warmer parts of Florida. But, we were more intrigued by the Reasoner Brothers reference as we’ve no clue what he’s talking about. An article out of the Herald-Tribune dubs the Reasoner Brothers’ Florida’s Plant Pioneers. A 17-year-old Pliny Reasoner moved here from Illinois in 1881. Pliny bought 40 acres of pineland for $250, and later purchased another 160 acres. His brother, Egbert Norman, came down four years later to help him. They got free seeds from the United States DepartWWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
ment of Agriculture and from everybody they knew. Thus, the Reasoner Brother’s Nursery began (you should totally read the whole article, there’s a link in the Resource section).² We have to wonder if Mr. Torrey Simpson was just a patron of their nursery, or if he knew the brothers personally. But, we’ll probably never know, so we digress. He moves on and discusses, “Nipa fruticans. A beautiful plant with creeping rootstocks which send up short stems that bear elegant pinnate leaves ten to thirty feet long and heads of large, peculiar fruits. It grows in the tidal swamps of the East Indies and adds greatly to the effect of the scenery there. I have repeatedly planted the seeds here in my brackish swamp but the blue land crabs attack the plants as soon as they germinate and have thwarted all my efforts to save them. I believe if once the plant could be established here it would succeed.” Since he was unsuccessful and he said the fruit was peculiar, this palm intrigued us as well. Apparently, the sap is often fed to pigs on the Roti and Savu islands during the dry months. They say it makes the pork sweeter to the taste. In Singapore, they eat the fruit as a dessert. Elsewhere in the world, the sap is converted to alcoholic beverages and vinegars. It is apparently a versatile palm that also encourages the growth of “mud mussels” near its roots/base.³ These are roasted and then eaten. Of course, we admit that doesn’t sound very appetizing. Join us next month as we face some interesting debates about the Royal Palm. We’ll save you a seat! 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. 132-133). ²Herald-Tribune. (October 6, 2003). The Reasoner brothers were Florida’s plant pioneers. http://www.heraldtribune.com/ news/20031006/the-reasoner-brothers-were-floridas-plantpioneers ³Palmpedia. Nypa Fruticans. http://www.palmpedia.net/wiki/ Nypa_fruticans INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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Goat Yoga By Libby Hopkins
Not everyone is brave enough to leave the comforts of their current life to start a whole new one. Shelley Fehrenbacher and her family took a leap of faith about two years ago to move from their home to a farm in Valrico. “Our family moved from a planned community to a property with seven acres in Valrico to give our three daughters, who are all FFA officers and love animals, the opportunity to experience country living,” Fehrenbacker said. “We were blessed to have found this property, which is a hidden gem less than a mile from modern conveniences like Publix and Starbucks. We truly have the best of both worlds. Our property also has a Karst Aquifer that dates back centuries where you can find banana trees, towering oaks and pineapples growing.” They call their new residence, Fallen Oaks Farms.
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Fehrenbacker was diagnosed with trigeminal neuroglia six years ago, followed by more diagnoses as the neuropathy spread throughout her body. “I managed the pain with prescription medications and the love and support of my family,” she said. “I don’t like to talk about it much because I don’t want to give it anymore of my time and thought than it has already taken. But it’s an important part of the story of why I’m passionate now about eating healthy and changing the way we view our environment and lifestyle. I’m so thankful to have my health back and neither the countless doctors or myself know the answer as to ‘why.’” Fehrenbacker feels her health improved, possibly, from the serene feeling of the land, the organic eggs and vegetables she and her family grow on the farm or maybe it’s the healing waters of their aquifer. It could very well be a combination of all of these factors. “I will admit I never thought I’d ever know this much about raising chickens or caring for goats,” Fehrenbacker said. “Starting a small farm is
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certainly far from glamorous, but it makes us smile and has given me my health, and that is a blessing. Our girls love the farm and I’ve never seen my husband happier using his incredible talent building and designing projects both for our home and our community.” Speaking of goats, I need to mention what Fallen Oaks Farms has become locally known for in the community…goat yoga. Yes, I said, “Goat yoga.” Many people who visited Fallen Oaks Farm told Fehrenbacker how peaceful it is at the farm. “People continually comment about the peacefulness and tranquility of the property,” she said. “It was one of those ‘hmmmm’ moments when a friend shared the idea of doing goat yoga. I’m by no means a yogi but I thought ‘wow maybe that’s a great way to welcome our community to experience our farm and property.’ It has been fun and a great success, classes are always filled.” Channel 10 WTSP news anchors even joined her for a class and talked about the tranquility on air. “We have a wide variety of farm yoga guests; grandparents with their grandchildren, mothers and daughters to male school teachers and bus drivers,” Fehrenbacker said. “Many of them return each week to relax and reconnect. It’s not unusual that guests travel over an hour to join a class. It’s perfect for trying yoga for the first time since there isn’t anything intimidating about dwarf goats, heritage chickens and snowy white Pekin ducks wandering past your mat.” After class guests gather in their garden for complimentary fresh baked scones or oatmeal cookies and to take home their fresh farm eggs that Fehrenbacker’s daughters sell. “It’s been a great learning experience for them,” she said. “They’ve now expanded their fresh egg business and have added additional hens to the flock.” There are many health benefits to goat yoga. AccordWWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
ing to website Goat Yoga (www.goatyoga.net), “Having a therapy animal has many benefits, from lowering blood pressure to fostering connections for a child with autism. Research indicates that interaction with therapy animals can temporarily affect the release of various neurotransmitters in the brain. Oxytocin levels (linked with bonding) and dopamine levels (involved in the reward-motivation system) are increased, while cortisol levels (an immunosuppressant associated with stress) are decreased. All of which are very beneficial to the patients. While we usually relate this type of therapy to dogs and horses, we’re steadily branching out and experimenting with several types of animals of different shapes and sizes. Just about any breed of goat can be trained as a therapy goat. They should be raised from a young age to have as much human contact and affection as possible. They should be well-behaved in public.” Fallen Oak Farms is evolving rapidly and more people are taking the farm’s goat yoga classes. “It’s been our dream to start a business that incorporates our entire family and benefits our community,” Fehrenbacker said. “People are embracing the simplicity of country living. We have experienced firsthand the incredible benefits of this way of life. There is a lot more that lies ahead for Fallen Oak Farms. The seed is just sprouting and we can’t wait to watch it grow.” If you would like to learn more about Fallen Oaks Farms, you can visit their website at www.fallenoakfarms.com or call 813-541-1111. Yoga classes will resume in the fall but private yoga events are available upon request during the summer.
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Tampa’s Front Porch By Libby Hopkins
Mother Teresa once said, “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then just feed one.” The Portico Café in Tampa is a café with a mission, which is to help the homeless in the community. Each purchase from the café goes to support the livelihood of local individuals who are transitioning out of difficult situations and to support the café’s homeless initiatives. “The café is a non-profit and is a part of The Portico, which is Hyde Park United Methodist Church’s down town campus,” said café manager, Gregory Balo. “The original concept was thought of about three years ago, when the property was gifted to the church from the Methodist Conference.” Since the café opened this past May, it has been a huge success in the downtown Tampa community. The café features coffees from local brewers like Buddy Brew Coffee. “I try to keep things local,” Balo said. “My coffee is roasted locally and I rotate my light roast coffee and dark roast coffee to utilize multiple local roasters. I think it’s important to support the local community.” In addition to the coffee being local, the café reached out to a local chef to help create the café’s menu. “The breakfast and lunch menus were developed by local Chef Erin Guggino,” Balo said. “She donated 300 hours of her time to The Portico for menu development and staff training on executing the menu.”
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The word “portico” means “a structure consisting of a roof supported by columns at regular intervals, typically attached as a porch to a building,” which is why it’s considered Tampa’s front porch by many locals, but the word also has ties to the Bible as well. The portico was the scene of Christ’s teaching at the Feast of the Dedication (John 10:23), and was flocked to by the multitude after the healing of the lame man (Acts 3:11). There the apostles preached and wrought other miracles (Acts 5:12).
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The café has become a non-typical gathering place of faith. A number of the café’s baristas have been hired from local programs such as Abe Brown Ministries, Inc. and DACCO. Both of these programs focus on assisting ex-offenders and addicts in establishing relationships with Christ and learning life skills along with the value of gainful employment. Sterling Schulte is a barista at the café and she loves where she works. “I was at DACCO finishing up my treatment and I wanted to improve myself while I was still there,” Schulte said. “I was sent to The Portico Café for an interview, but not only did they interview me, I interviewed them because I was a bit hesitant at first because it was a church. Once they explained the mission behind the café, I was very interested in working here.” Tina Sering is the café’s assistant manager and she is inspired everyday by her staff at the café. “Eighty percent of our staff were in some kind of transition program before they came to us and every day they learn something new while working here,” Sering said. “They help us to complete our mission here at the café.” In addition to their homeless initiatives, The Portico and the café are passionate about art that means something. They have highlighted art that gives a voice to societal issues and fosters creativity and expression. The Portico has partnerships with the Tampa Museum of Art and the Downtown’ Partnership’s 4th Friday events. The Portico houses art installations such as their “Homeless Jesus” sculpture created by Timothy Schmalz and the beautiful mural “For the LOVE of THIS City,” which was a collaborative creation by Illsol– artists Michelle Sawyer and Tony Krol that is showcased on Branscomb Hall at The Portico. The mural features alligators, roosters and othWWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
er symbolic representations of Tampa’s roots. “We commissioned the work to be done and chose the current mural from about three entries,” Balo said. The Portico and the café are committed to enhancing the social, artistic and spiritual fabric of the Tampa Bay community. “We have received nothing but positive feedback about the mission of the cafe and the experiences our patrons have received so far,” Balo said. “My hope is to grow the café’s customer base so I can continue to add more employees from our partnerships with DACCO, Ready 4 Work Hillsborough and Metropolitan Ministries.” If you would like to learn more about The Portico and The Portico Café, you can visit their website at www.theportico.org. The Portico Café is located at 1001 N. Florida Ave. in down-
“For the LOVE of THIS City” mural was a collaborative creation by Illsol– artists Michelle Sawyer and Tony Krol. Photo taken by Darwin “Bobbi Broadway” Dupiton.
town Tampa. The café’s hours of operation are Mon-Thu 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Friday 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. Saturday 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. and closed on Sundays.
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Y U THE DIFFERENCE IS...
Why Should I Implement BMPs? • Comply with state water quality standards. • Operate more efficiently, reduce costs, and protect the environment. • Avoid certain regulations and expensive monitoring by implementing FDACS-adopted BMPs.
Call FDACS today to enroll: (850) 617-1727 • THISFARMCARES.org
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Autumn Smith, Mollie “Nana” Sumner, Rayne Smith
Southwestern Produce Company:
Only the Best Quality Produce By Jim Frankowiak Some call it “niche” marketing, others may refer to it as “sole sourcing,” but for Southwestern Produce Company and the Smith family, providing the highest quality produce for their customers is their razor-like focus and it has been so since 1990. It all began in the late 1980s when the Smith husband-wife team correctly determined there was a growing, but unmet need in the Plant City area for high quality produce. “These are essentially southern specialties that people could not find consistently at any local grocery stores,” said the Smiths. Among those items are different varieties of beans, peas, corn, greens, okra, other vegetables and various fruits. “It was not just a matter of availability, but consistently high quality, as well,” they said. The Smiths incorporated Southwestern Produce Co. in 1988 and its initial location was at the state Farmers’ Market in Plant City where operations began in 1990. Word got around and the company’s customer base grew rapidly leading to a move to its present location at 1510 West Sydney Road, also in Plant City. Sales are held the third weekend of every month except during the months of January through March when fresh produce is not available.
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Southwestern customers order their produce by phone or online and then pick the order up at the Sydney Road location on the third Friday or Saturday of every month. Over the years since Southwestern Produce was established, word has spread throughout Florida and the southeast, and Plant City customers have moved to new locations, but their “appetite” for the company’s high quality produce has remained unchanged. That has led to an expansion of operations, permitting customers living in the vicinity of Chipley, Jacksonville, Marianna, Panama City, Waldo and Webster, Florida to place their orders for pick-up at locations in those towns from refrigerated trucks originating at the Plant City location. But that’s not all.
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Family member Steve Smith, an accountant who relocated to Lawrenceville, Georgia in the Atlanta area, pondered opening a “Georgia” branch of Southwestern and that took place in 1997. “We recognized many retired Plant City residents have relocated to the north Georgia mountains, but they kept their appetites for our produce, so we added a location in Lawrenceville for monthly sales,” said the Smiths. Initially, monthly sales were held under a tent at the new location, but growing demand of location customers led to the erection of a permanent building on the site just two years later. Additionally, the company offers monthly order pick-up at the Georgia towns of Cairo/Reno, Cumming, Canton and Moultrie. Folks living in the area of Dothan, Alabama became aware of Southwestern Produce and they can now place orders for pickup in that city on the third weekend of the nine months the company holds its sales. The Smith’s perception of the unmet need for high quality produce can also be attested by the average number of customers who place orders with Southwestern Produce each monthly sale period. “We have more than 20,000 faithful customers company-wide and that number continues to grow,” said Renee, who oversees all orders placed with the company for its 13 locations right here at their Plant City office. November is traditionally the company’s busiest month as customers prepare for Thanksgiving with significant produce purchases. November and December are the months that bring fresh Georgia Pecans, too. While the company has been in business for nearly three decades, its appeal is not just to older members of their various communities it serves. “We have seen an increase in health consciousness among families of all ages,” said Renee. “And many new moms want to make their own baby food.” That makes Southwestern Produce a natural option for them. Most items sold are in packed in clear eight-pound bags and have been shelled, blanched and frozen. “We believe in ‘What You WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
See is What You Get’ when it comes to our produce and our customers,” noted the Smiths. Baby butter beans are traditionally the biggest seller for the company. The Southwestern commitment to high quality is achieved by sourcing its produce from an array of domestic and international resources. The Smiths have set specifications for their growers as part of their overall operation and commitment to the highest quality produce. You might call that the Southwestern Produce brand commitment to its customers that has been nurtured over the past 27 years and the reason why its customer base continues to expand. There are 10 Smith family members engaged in the operation of Southwestern Produce on a continuing basis with an additional seven friends who regularly assist with produce preparation and sales. “We’re all one big family,” said the Smiths. Among those involved family members are their daughters Rayne and Autumn. Rayne is pursuing a business degree at Hillsborough Community College with an eye on the long term future of the family business, while Autumn shares her dad’s love for flying and wants to pursue a degree in aeronautical engineering.
Clint Walden, Rayne Smith items currently available include: • Baby Butter Beans • Edamame Beans • Green Beans • Pole Beans • Speckled Butter Beans • Blackeye Peas • Butter Peas • Conk Peas • Crowder Peas • Green Peas • Pinkeye Peas • Sugar Snap Peas • White Acre Peas • Zipper Peas • White Corn • Yellow Corn
In addition to its website: http://southwesternproduce.com, the company has a presence on Facebook: facebook.com/ SWPinPlantCity. Website visitors also have access to a range of recipes and “how to” articles. Among recipes are Spiced Pecans, Seedless Blackberry Jam, Chocolate Chip Pecan Pie, Homemade Ice Cream, Baked Sweet Potato Chunks and more. There’s also information such as How to: Can Our Veggies, How to: Season Peas and Bean, How to: Blanch Peas and more. Southwestern Produce encourages the submission of recipes and “how to” articles for listing on its website. Orders may be placed two weeks in advance of Friday-Saturday sale date weekends. Customers can use the Southwestern website or call: 813/574-1500 or 813/757-0096 Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cody Craven
Patrica Varnum, Judy Connell • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Collard Greens Mustard Greens Turnip Greens Spinach Kale Breaded Okra Whole Okra Sliced Yellow Squash Sliced Zucchini Mixed Vegetables Soup Blend Broccoli Chopped Broccoli Cauliflower Baby Carrots Brussel Sprouts Sweet Potato Chunks
• Small White Potatoes • Rhubarb • Blueberries • Blackberries • Raspberries • Whole Strawberries • Cranberries • Mango Chunks • Pineapple Chunks • Fruit Medley • Dark Sweet Cherries • Peaches • Green Peanuts Visit the Southwestern website to signup for sale notifications and pricing.
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The Smiths, who were married in 1991, are both born and raised in Plant City, and enjoy domestic and international vacation travel with their daughters. They also attend Little Union Primitive Baptist Church in Picnic.
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Putnam for Governor
By Taeler Dupre After serving as Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture for the past six years, Commissioner Adam Putnam has announced that he will run for Governor of Florida. On May 10, 2017, Commissioner Putnam kicked off a 10-day tour that spanned the state of Florida. Commissioner Putnam officially made the announcement of his candidacy for governor in front of the old Bartow courthouse. In his speech, Commissioner Putnam paid tribute to the history that he has with the area by pointing out many things that he can remember from his childhood growing up in Bartow. Beginning at 11, Commissioner Putnam spoke to the more than 2,000 people that were gathered. His focus was based around his roots, being from Polk County and his desire to make Florida a better place as a whole. Beyond his own history, Commissioner Putnam spoke about some of the feats that Florida has had in the past, as well as having more of them in the future. “The state that put a man on the moon can develop the next generation of tools for the next giant leap for mankind,” Commissioner Putnam said. The people that came to the event were from all walks of life. Some people, such as Commissioner Putnam’s elementary school teacher, knew him personally. Others came from surrounding counties and may have never met the commissioner before.
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Heritage, as well as family were outlined as things that are important to Commissioner Putnam. During his speech, his wife, Melissa, and their four children joined him on the stage. After its conclusion, he remained near the stage to talk to people one on one. At the same time, food was provided to everyone present. The event was advertised as a home-
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town BBQ tour, where Commissioner Putnam provided food at each of his stops. As people waited in line, volunteers walked around and passed out signs promoting Commissioner Putnam in his candidacy for governor. Also available were hats and t-shirts. Supporters were given the chance to sign the bus that Commissioner Putnam will continue to travel in during his tour around the state. Commissioner Putnam’s wife and children signed the front of the bus. Commissioner Putnam was born and raised in Polk County. He graduated from Bartow High School. He received a bachelor’s degree in food and resource economics from the University of Florida. Commissioner Putnam’s career in politics began in 1996 when he was elected as a member of the Florida House of Representatives. He became a member of the U.S. House of Representatives in the year 2000, representing Florida. He served as a member of the House until 2010, when he was elected as Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture. During his tenure as Commissioner of Agriculture, one of the things he has focused on the most has been battling Citrus Greening. Since the disease broke out, it has devastated the state’s citrus industry. Commissioner Putnam has worked closely with both scientists and growers as a cure has been sought. He has also worked to obtain more funding for both the scientists and the growers as the disease has been fought. At the same time, Commissioner Putnam has pushed the Fresh From Florida initiative and helped promote Florida grown agricultural products through educating consumers. For more information about Commissioner Putnam and his candidacy for governor, or to contact his campaign team, visit adamputnam.com.
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Inaugural Hillsborough County Young Farmers & Ranchers
Saltwater Fishing Tournament! Saturday July, 22 2017
Simmons Park
2401 19th Ave NW, Ruskin, FL 33570
Check-in: 7 AM Weigh-in: 3 PM Pick up your registration at your local Farm Bureau Office *Registration is capped at 15 non-sponsored boats*
$40 for Farm Bureau Members $50 for non-members
FUNDRAISER
CASH PRIZE! Our Sponsors:
For more info call Melissa Grimes - (813) 924-5887
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A Closer LookAmazing Activities Naturally
by Sean Green
Insect Hotel
You can attract a variety of insects to your garden with an insect hotel. Many will be beneficial insects such as various solitary bees and wasps such as the cockroach wasp. This project repurposes materials that may otherwise end up in the trash and is simple and safe enough for young crafters if an adult helps with steps that require sharp objects such as cutting and poking holes. This project can easily become more refined by adding a variety of material to a larger insect hotel made from a one-liter bottle instead of the smaller one illustrated in this activity.
Materials: Empty Soda Bottle Bamboo Dried Grasses (optional) Moss (optional) Rolled Corrugated Cardboard
(optional) Solid Wood with holes (optional) Leather Shoe String Wood Glue (optional)
• Cut the top and bottom off an empty soda bottle (allows air flow to reduce mold and related parasites) • Poke a hole in the top of the soda bottle to thread a leather shoe string through for hanging • Tie a knot in a leather shoe string and thread it through the hole on the top of the soda bottle. • Arrange bamboo pieces to fit snugly into the soda bottle, gluing bamboo if necessary. • Tie a slip not on the loose end of the leather shoe string • Hang the insect hotel in or near your garden plants. A variety of insects will be attracted to your insect motel, (some of which may be invasive). Although the types of insects that are attracted will depend on the material used, it is difficult (if not impossible) to guarantee any specific species will utilize this habitat. If unwelcomed species are attracted to the insect hotel, try a different location or material.
813-767-4703 301 South Collins Street, Suite 101, Plant City, Florida 33563
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A Closer Look A Closer Look
by Sean Green
Ambush Bugs (Phymatinae)
Everybody likes a hero right? What if I were to tell you that heroes can come in the smallest of sizes? In fact, they may be found just under your feet, but please don’t step on them. Once you learn more about this little guy you’ll probably want to keep him around because our featured insect for this month specializes in wrangling roaches away from your home. The parasitic marvel Ampulicidae, also known as the cockroach wasp, is a family of solitary wasps the turn roaches into zombies with mind-numbing stings, then leads them away to their demise. Measuring only a couple centimeters, these tiny wasps are easily overlooked or regarded as an ant. If your gardening strategy includes beneficial insects, we hope you’ll take a closer look at this tiny wasp and welcome it into your garden. Ampulex is a genus of wasps in the Ampulicidae family. The genus has more than 130 species worldwide, most of which occur in the old world tropics. We have only two species of Ampulex in the United States, both of which are found in Florida. (Ampulex canaliculata) is widespread throughout the eastern United States as far west as Kansas and (Ampulex ferruginea) is a species that has only been recorded in Florida and Texas. Both species have physical features supporting ant mimicry and look more like a twig ant (Pseudomyrmex gracilis) than a wasp. In fact, you may have occasionally brushed one of these off a picnic table or your leg thinking it was an ant. Although these wasps have wings, and are quite capable of flight, they specialize in hunting roaches and are more likely to be afoot, patrolling tree trunks and leaf litter where roaches tend to thrive. Once a roach is found the real drama begins and if you ever get a chance to witness the interaction, it will be well worth your time. The attack begins with the wasp hovering over the roach or stalking it for an opportunity to grab the roach with her mandibles. Once captured, the wasp will hold the roach still while she curls her body underneath to deliver a single sting to a nerve center located under the roach between the first pair of legs. The neurotoxins in the wasp venom quickly paralyze the roach so the wasp can deliver another sting for the second stage of the attack with more accuracy. The second sting is more critical and must be delivered to the nerve ganglia (brain center) of the roach. This wasp’s stinger is unusual in that it has evolved to become much more than a simple stinger or egg laying instrument. It is also a sensory organ that helps the wasp feel the position of the stinger inside the roach’s body so the wasp can inject its mind-altering venom into two precise sections of the roach’s ganglia (brain). The
Instead of completely paralyzing the roach, the venom alters the roach’s response to brain signals that tell the roach to flee. The roach still gets the signals from the ganglia (brain), but seems to ignore the command to run. The toxin not only makes the roach ignore the response to flee, but the roach becomes obsessed with hygiene and begins grooming itself for as long as 30 minutes after its front legs recover from the first sting that temporarily paralyzed the roach. The act of grooming itself is actually a result of the dopamine components of the wasp venom. Some scientists speculate that the dopamine in the venom triggers the cleaning response to insure the roach remains clean and microbe free as it will eventually be the food source for the wasp’s young. Other scientists argue that the cleaning response is just a distraction to keep the roach busy as the wasp prepares the chamber in which the roach will be entombed. The wasp leaves her victim to clean while she scouts the area for a suitable location for her young. Ideally, the wasp will find a hollowed stick or build a dark burrow large enough to protect her young and the roach host. When the wasp has finished preparing the brood chamber, she returns to the roach, now under full control of the wasp venom. The roaches motor abilities are functional, however, the roach has lost it’s impulse to flee and will seem to remain in a calm and content state of mind. The wasp, exhausted from the battle and building of the brood chamber, replenishes her energy by biting off the tip of the roach’s antenna and sips some of the nutritious roach blood as if through a straw. Using what is left of the antenna like a leash, the wasp tugs on the antenna leading the roach to the pupal chamber she has prepared for her young. The roach actually cooperates in the effort by walking itself to the chamber at the wasp’s lead. Once the wasp leads the roach inside the burrow, she lays a single egg on the zombified cockroach and seals the chamber. The egg hatches and the wasp larva burrows into the roach to consume it from the inside while developing through pupation to eventually emerge as an adult. Although this species will prey on the introduced common cockroach (Periplaneta) that we typically find in or near our homes, their favorite prey are members of the native wood cockroach genus (Parcoblatta). Regardless of which species this wasp will attack, many will regard this tiny wasp as a local hero. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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venom begins to take effect quickly and essentially turn the roach into a living zombie that can be easily controlled.
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NOVEMBER 2013
FNGLA TOUCHES THE PUBLIC STATEWIDE WITH ‘FLIP MY FLORIDA YARD’ PROGRAM By Jim Frankowiak
The Florida Nursery Grower and Landscape Association (FNGLA), working with Florida’s largest agricultural commodity, does a good job safeguarding its member’s interests in different ways, but its board of directors recognized work needed to be done to “touch” the public. Member interests are continually addressed through political advocacy, benefits, research, trade shows and more. However, maintaining a landscape once it has been installed can be a challenge. “We have that knowledge and expertise and it is our intent to share that knowledge, show the public how to be good overseers of their piece of Florida and demonstrate our growers and landscape contractors collective commitment to stewardship,” said Will Womack, president of Tampa Bay Landscaping and Horticultural Services and state FNGLA Secretary/Treasurer. “It is our plan to touch, teach, demonstrate and enhance in a manner that not only shares our message, but achieves tangible results with respect to elevating the public’s collective knowledge and landscape practices to protect our precious natural resources, while having some fun.” To achieve this multi-faceted goal, the FNGLA state board took advantage of a program presented to it by Emmy Award winning producer Chad Crawford. “Chad’s presentation to our board was perfectly timed. His initial concept was massaged a bit so we could balance stewardship, beauty and commerce,” said Womack.
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The end result is a program called “Flip My Florida Yard” and
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FNGLA’s goal is to have yards “flipped” across the state, addressing the three elements of stewardship, beauty and commerce. “Though we had an approximate formula for show criteria, such as involving flips in each of Florida’s three grow zones so we could highlight our growers’ diversity of materials and contractor techniques for reach, as well as touching select demographics amid the state’s ever-changing and growing population, results were tied to the response of the general public,” added Womack. Crawford Entertainment conducted a statewide Facebook campaign (@FlipMyFLYard) apprising the public of the FNGLA program. Interested homeowners were directed to Crawford’s website (www.crawfordentertainment.tv) where they had to complete a brief survey and request consideration for their yard to be flipped. Winners were selected according to FNGLA criteria. Once notified, FNGLA selected a date for the flip and began design work. “On the flip date, the winner was whisked from their home at 8 a.m. and sent to a local attraction, typically water-related, and spent the next eight hours relaxing,” said Womack. “While they are gone, a team of typically 40-plus industry professionals swarm in and totally transform the winner’s yard.” To date, four shows have been filmed. One featured the home of a Gainesville law enforcement officer; another included a young family with a child with Asperger’s from Orlando, a home near the water in Broward County and a Tampa family of veterans, one of which is paralyzed. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
“Our winner in Tampa was nominated by his mother,” said Womack. “Brandon Walker served his country in the U.S. Air Force and tragically, two years ago, was paralyzed after his service. The lives of all family members have been forever changed. When we heard of Brandon’s story, and the fact that his mom also served in the military, it was a pretty easy decision. They are a loving, close knit group and very much wanted a space where they could fellowship and simply spend quality time outside together.” FNGLA has financed the productions, while Crawford Entertainment has produced and filmed the “flips,” each has been managed by local FNGLA members. In Tampa, Womack was responsible for design and planning, while Autumn Schwab of
“We received in-kind donations from plant and sod growers, irrigation and landscape suppliers, soil suppliers, paver manufacturers and countless FNGLA members,” said Womack. “The list has been huge and each of the flips that have taken place thus far. That support from our industry and association members is particularly gratifying and has allowed us to dramatically flip the involved yards.” Show information can be accessed at: http://www.flipmyfloridayard.com/tv-timesdates.html , and FNGLA information is available by visiting: www.fngla.org.
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Dragonfly Landscape and Water Gardens managed the crews on installation day.
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Try it
CRAVE IT TOMORROW.
The Boneless Wings Meal With Spicy Honey BBQ Sauce. Enjoy the sweet taste of honey with a little bit of kick. It’s two great flavors on one plate of wings. Served with Crinkle Fries and a Small Beverage. Try them today! 2901 1/2 James Redman Pkwy. Plant City • 813.752.1971 1060-1390 cal.
© 2016 Zaxby’s Franchising, Inc. “Zaxby’s” is a registered trademark of Zaxby’s Franchising, Inc. Each Zaxby’s restaurant is independently owned and operated under a license agreement with Zaxby’s Franchising, Inc. DR PEPPER is a registered trademark of Dr Pepper/Seven Up, Inc.
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Classifieds
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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 16, 2017, Nov. 26, 2017
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Dry and available IMMEDIATELY! SPREADER TRUCK RUNNING AGAIN! Call Tim Ford (863) 439-3232
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Tractor with cab and Loader. $22,500 Call Alvie 813-759-8722
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Thousands of 8ft. & 10ft. sheets. In Stock. Prices from $6 and up. Custom lengths available. 813-752-7088 ask for Ferris.
ALUMINUM
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 in different frame colors. Call Ted(813) 752-3378
CABINETS
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.
TAYLOR WAY TILLER DISC Plow - good condition. $1750.00 Call Alvie 813-759-8722
MAHINDRA 2015
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Tractor w/ Loader, 4x4, 20hp. $7,950 Call Alvie 813-759-8722
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Zero Turn Mower 52” cut, 23hp. Kohler engine, 3 year warranty. $2,999 Call Alvie 813-759-8722 60” cut price was $10,356 buy now for $8,800. Call Alvie 813-759-8722
METAL WAREHOUSE
3200 sq. ft. Metal warehouse for lease. Located in E. Bartow off of highway 60. For more information call 863-221-0986
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FARM EQUIPMENT
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2 beautiful adjoining farms. 26 acres, all muck land. Lovely 4 bedroom home. Includes small beef heard & calves. $737,000 www.floridabeulah.com 813-541-3490
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Agriculture / Grove Equipment tractor parts sales person. Experience a plus, Computer skills a must! Call 813-759-8722 or 863-537-1345
Used Lawn Trailer with aluminum plate tool PRODUCE box. 5ft tongue & heavy duty gate. $1,650 Call Alvie 813-759-8722 FRESH PRODUCE Road Produce. Open everyday from 2015 MAHINDRA EMAX TRACTOR Forbes 7:30am - 8pm. Forbes Rd. & I-4 @ exit 17. 4wd with 60” mid mount mower. 39 hours, Come out and see us! warranty. $9,950 Call Alvie 813-759-8722
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DOORS & WINDOWS SPECIAL ORDER FREE Wooden Shipping Pallets No upcharge. House & Mobile Home. Many standard sizes in stock. Ask for Blake. (813) 752-3378
2013 YAMAHA ZUMA
125cc, clean, great condition. Only 130 miles, garaged kept. $2,200 Call 813-758-3864
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All Colors, buy 10 bags, get 1 FREE! $8.99 a bag. Call Ted (813) 752-3378
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“ PALADIN® SOIL FUMIGANT IS AN EXCELLENT CHOICE FOR VEGETABLE PRODUCTION.” DUSTI N B L AN K / B &H F A R M S
Grower Dustin Blank isn’t new to Paladin® soil fumigant. He knows it’s cost effective because he’s already seen three years of success and consistent yields in his vegetable production. “Paladin® fumigant is outstanding for nutsedge control, and it provided long-term nematode control, extending into the second rotational crop, under severe pest pressure,” he says. “It also has shown excellent performance in soil-borne disease control, including suppression of Pythium spp. and Phytophthora spp. in peppers, and Fusarium wilt in tomato and watermelon.”
Dustin invites other growers to come visit his farm to see first -hand the field performance of Paladin® fumigant. “Paladin® is an essential tool for high-quality vegetable production, and I want to do anything that I can to help ensure that it will continue to be available for use on my farm.”
paladin-USA.com paladin.com
DUSTI N BLA N K
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.
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
June 2017
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Paladin is aFregistered trademark of Arkema. WWW. INTHE IELDMAGAZINE.COM
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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
June 2017
WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM