INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
November 2017
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Western & Outdoor Wear, Farm, Ranch & Pet Supplies
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Congratulations to Madison Smith from the Durant FFA chapter. She competed in the National FFA Creed speaking contest on October 26. Madison won the state contest in June and traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana to compete on the national level. The contest required her to memorize the five paragraphs of the FFA Creed written by E.M. Tiffany and answer questions relating to it. Madison advanced on from the preliminary round to the semi-finals. Madison ended up placing in the top 16 out of 46 other competitors.
Congratulations Madison Smith
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CONTENTS
NOVEMBER 2017 | VOL. 13 • ISSUE 1
FANCY FARMS AND THE PROCESS OF SUCCESSION
64 PAGE 12 FSGA at PMA
PAGE 40 Recycled Yard Art
PAGE 14 Conservation Challenge
PAGE 42 Jack Payne
PAGE 18
PAGE 43 Farms
Fishing Hot Spots PAGE 46 John Dicks
PAGE 22 Rocking Chair Chatter
PAGE 48 Endangered Species
PAGE 28 Disaster Assistance Workshop PAGE 33 Shrubs, Vines & Grasses
PAGE 50 FBGA PAGE 52 Recipes
Insurance Services: 813-685-5673 Member Services: 813-685-9121
OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Kenneth Parker....................President Will Womack................Vice President Michelle Williamson..............Treasurer Buddy Coleman..................Secretary
PAGE 60 Greco Middle School
DIRECTORS FOR 2016 - 2017
PAGE 68 Meet the Minks
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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.
Activity
Judi Whitson, Executive Director 813-685-9121
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Farm Bureau Insurance Special Agents
A Closer look
PAGE 74 News Briefs
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
Hey Readers!
Hidden somewhere in the magazine is a No Farmers, No Food logo. Hunt for the logo and once you find the hidden logo you will be eligible for a drawing to win a FREE No Farmers No Food Sticker and a FREE In The Field T-Shirt. Send us your business card or an index card with your name and telephone number, the number of the page which you found the logo and where on the page you located the logo to the address below
InTheField® Magazine P.O. Box 5377 • Plant City, Fl. 33566-0042 *Winners will be notified by phone. You Too Can Be A Winner! PAGE
Office Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
PAGE 54 Literary Time Machine
PAGE 35 Olives
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Hillsborough County Farm Bureau 100 S. Mulrennan Rd. Valrico, Fl.
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305 S. Wheeler 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 Each year a day is set aside as a day of Thanksgiving. We focus on gratitude for one day a year. Why not try focusing on gratitude every day? If you focus on something it manifests more within your life. So when life gets you down, instead of thinking thoughts of gloom, steer your mind toward gratitude. I get it. Sometimes it is difficult to find something to be thankful for. Try to step out of your current situation and find something, no matter how small, and be appreciative. Lighten your load, even if it’s just for a moment. If you can do this every day it will become a habit. Take time for kindness toward those closest to you. Extend a helping hand. Spend time with family, friends, or a neighbor. “It’s a funny thing about life, once you begin to take note of the things you are grateful for, you begin to lose sight of the things that you lack.” ― Germany Kent Fill your day with Thanksgiving one day a year, but don’t stop there. Find time the other 364 days for a little gratitude. You will be happier for it. What are you thankful for?
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 Chandler Workman
Creative Director/Illustrator Juan Alvarez Photography Karen Berry Al Berry Staff Writers Al Berry Sandy Kaster James Frankowiak Sean Green Ginny Mink Libby Hopkins Nick Chapman Taeler Dupre Contributing Writers Woody Gore John Dicks Breanne Williams
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 TIME OF THANKS
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY
- Kenneth Parker - President
Dear Readers: The holidays are upon us. My very best to you and your families as we begin this very special time of the year. We all have so much to be thankful for, not the least of which are the hard working and committed members of our industry. As we gather for Thanksgiving, let’s not forget those who are responsible for the food we eat, not just on Thanksgiving, but every day of the year. We are so fortunate to have such an abundant and broad selection of healthy food choices. It was good to see so many of you at our recent Hillsborough County Farm Bureau annual meeting next to our new location in the heart of Plant City. We are pleased with our new offices and trust that those of you who have had an opportunity to visit agree. Among those in attendance at the meeting were Lawrence McClure and his wife Courtney. Lawrence was victorious in the Republican primary election for Florida House District 58. I ask that you continue your support for Lawrence in the upcoming election in early December. He is without question the right candidate for that position, but must have your votes. At the end of last month we attended the Florida Farm Bureau Annual Meeting at Ponte Vedra. Those gatherings are most enjoyable as we renew old acquaintances and meet new friends. Agriculture is alive and well in Florida, engaging families and individuals of all ages, and that was well attested throughout the meeting. More information about Farm Bureau programs will be forthcoming, including a new incentive from Ford Motor Company.
I am pleased to report that annual meeting attendees re-elected Florida Farm Bureau President John Hoblick to another two-year term. John has held that post since 2006, and he has done an outstanding job as our organization’s chief executive officer. My congratulations to Greg Davis and his colleagues at Speedling Incorporated in Ruskin as one of three recipients of Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam’s Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Awards. This award program, which has been in place since 1994, recognizes innovative farming techniques that protect Florida’s environment and natural resources. At Speedling’s two Florida nurseries, moisture levels are carefully analyzed to improve performance and consistency of transplant operations, reducing water usage and run-off by irrigating to precise levels. Speedling also recycles water into tanks for future use. I’m looking forward to the December edition of IN THE FIELD Magazine and an article about the FFA Club at Barrington Middle School in Lithia, named the 2017 National Premier Chapter at the 90th National FFA Convention and Expo. Lastly, if you’re not a Farm Bureau member, please consider joining. For more information, visit: hcfarmbureau.org, call us at 813-685-9121 or send us an email at: info@hcfarmbureau.org.
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; Michelle WIlliamson Treasurer; Buddy Coleman, Secretary; Dennis Carlton, Jr. Member-at-large, Carl Bauman, Jake Cremer, Tiffany Dale, Carson Futch, Melissa Grimes, Jim Frankowiak, Chip Hinton, John Joyner, Tony Lopez, Lawrence McClure, Jake Raburn, Member Emeritus, Sambahv, Marty Tanner, Vincent Tort Judi Whitson, Executive Director
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V O T E
T H I S
S P E C I A L
E L E C T I O N
LAWRENCE MCCLURE’S Common Sense Principles for our Community
Cut Wasteful Government Spending
Promote Pro-Growth Economic Development Policies
Defend the Second Amendment
Invest in Infrastructure and Roadway Improvements
Lobbying Ban for Politicians
Protect the Constitution
“My wife and I have deep roots in this district and serving the people of District 58 would be an honor of a lifetime.”
- Lawrence Endorsed by
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY
Political advertisement paid for and approved by Lawrence McClure, Republican, for State House, District 58.
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FSGA ON THE GLOBAL STAGE AT NEW ORLEANS PMA SHOW
By Jim Frankowiak
Isabel Laessig, Sue Harrell and Tiffany Dale promote the strawberry industry at the PMA’s Fresh Sumit Hillsborough County has long been recognized as the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World. To help maintain that position and represent the interests of the Florida strawberry industry, the Florida Strawberry Growers Association (FSGA) was formed in early 1982. Among those interests is helping strawberry growers expand business opportunities and increase sales and consumption of the sweetest, reddest and juiciest strawberries around. One way the FSGA has been doing this is through membership and participation in events of the Produce Marketing Association (PMA), a global trade organization that represents all aspects of the fresh produce and floral supply chain. Most recently, the FSGA participated in the PMA’s Fresh Summit, which was held in New Orleans and attracted more than 19,500 attendees and 1,000 exhibitors. PMA was founded in 1949 and its 2,000 members represent the full supply chain of the produce and mass-market floral industry from seed producer to supermarket or foodservice outlet. Its affiliate, the PMA Foundation for Industry Talent, provides programs to attract, develop and retain employees to the produce industry. “FSGA has been exhibiting with PMA for 30 years,” said Marketing Director Sue Harrell. “We partner with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in the Fresh from Florida Pavilion. Each state and even countries from around the world have blocks of exhibits on the trade show floor. This gives us high visibility and all of the Florida commodities exhibit together, making it easy for customers to find Florida suppliers. “The PMA Fresh Summit is a global trade show that top retail buyers attend,” said Harrell. “It is the most important and largest international produce and floral trade show that also keeps us current on new trends in packaging and technology advances in our industry.” “This gives our growers high visibility to buyers of fresh strawberries in the winter months. The FSGA has been the sole representative of the industry at the show up until a few years ago,” she noted. “This year a few of our large shippers had booths and have been very successful meeting with new, potential customers and maintaining relationships with current customers. Being more visible is increasingly important in this highly competitive market, especially as Mexico and southern California now grow strawberries in our market window.” The 2018 PMA Fresh Summit will be held at Orlando where the Fresh from Florida pavilion is larger, enabling the FSGA to double its exhibit size. “The past two years we have been promoting our industry with Winter Strawberry caps,” said Harrell. “Everyone loves those hats and they draw a big crowd.”
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“I have been representing the FSGA at the PMA for 12 years as the association’s marketing director. This year Tiffany Dale, our Member Services and Community Relations Director, attended the show with me and Isabel Laessig from the Sunday Supper joined us to help FSGA Florida strawberries on
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social media channels.” Laessig, who is also known as “family foodie,” is a highly regarded blogger who each week reaches more than eight million with recipes on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram. She is a social media consultant to the FSGA. “We are excited to have the PMA Fresh Summit on the east coast again,” said Harrell. “This will permit our FSGA grow members to briefly break away during critical planting time and walk the trade show floor and talk to retailers that come to our booth.” Harrell, Dale and the FSGA’s Business Manager Sarah Williams are active participants on various PMA committees and the association is recognized as an industry food safety leader. “I participated in the 2017 Center for Growing Talent by the PMA Career Pathways Program as a Career Ambassador,” said Harrell. “This part of the program was held in conjunction with the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association’s annual convention in September. Each year 12 Career Pathways Programs are held that bring university students and faculty members worldwide to industry events to teach young talent about the many career opportunities available in the produce and floral industry.” “Participants are integrated into each event’s overall programming. Customized programming also takes place for enhanced engagement in topics such as career paths, job responsibilities and young professionals discussing their industry experiences. Most importantly, the students are paired with an industry member who will assist them at the event, giving them someone to answer their questions, provide guidance and offer advice, while sharing their own experiences and passion.” “These matchups provide participating students with mentors able to introduce them to other industry members who are of interest to them for potential internships, jobs and guidance,” said Harrell. “I had the opportunity to spend time with Abby Crawford, a student at Warner University with a passion for Florida agriculture. I can’t wait to see what this young woman will accomplish in the future.” WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
New beginnings for widows and widowers.
LIFT ÂŽ is a social support program that helps widows and widowers adjust to the loss of a spouse by providing hope to reinforce a sense of wholeness and purpose in those who may be feeling lost or isolated.
We invite you to join us at our next Dignity Memorial LIFT event. Plant City Dignity Memorial LIFT Program The 3rd Monday of Every Month Wells Memorial and Event Center, The Tranquility Room 1903 West Reynolds Street, Plant City, Florida 33563
Please RSVP to: 813-752-1111 LIFT is Open to All Widows and Widowers
Sponsored by the Dignity Memorial network of funeral, cremation and cemetery providers, the LIFT program is both educational and entertaining. There are no fees or dues to participate. Dignity Memorial LIFT members are only responsible for their own meals or personal expenses. Participation is not restricted to those who have been served by Dignity Memorial providers.
Wells Memorial and Event Center 813-752-1111
Plant City
Light refreshments will be served www.wellsmemorial.com
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CONSERVATION DISTRICT KICKS OFF 2ND ANNUAL CONSERVATION CHALLENGE By Jim Frankowiak
Outstanding Cooperating Partner - Lipman Family Farms
Outstanding Project 0f the year - Green Divers Initiative The Hillsborough Soil and Water Conservation District (HSWCD) kicked off its 2nd annual Hillsborough 100 Conservation Challenge with a “Hillsborough Harvested Fresh From Florida” luncheon last month at the Florida Strawberry Growers Association in Dover. The event, which was originally scheduled for September 12, was postponed due to the arrival of Hurricane Irma. Nevertheless, “this was a great chance to recognize the outstanding projects as part of the inaugural Hillsborough 100 and announce plans for the 2018 challenge,” said HSWCD Chair Mark Proctor. Groups participating in the first challenge included associations, businesses, civic clubs, governmental entities, organizations, schools and youth groups. Projects ran the gamut from the Lipman Plant Challenge, a 12 school vegetable growing/ garden competition, to recycling and cleanup campaigns, a “Go Green” Festival and a group dive into Tampa Bay to clean up pollution. “It’s really amazing how many creative projects were undertaken as part of the Challenge,” said HSWCD Executive Director Betty Jo Tompkins. “Thanks to a commitment from our Board of Supervisors and the entire community, we were able to create projects for inner city, urban, suburban and rural residents.” The 2018 Challenge will be held from April 21st (the day before Earth Day) through May 6th (the final day of National Stewardship Week. Aubrey Duncan, a student at Cork Elementary School, was recognized during the luncheon as the Florida Winner of the Soil and Water Conservation Poster Contest, a national competition for students in kindergarten through the 12th grade. Participating students design posters to represented the year’s conservation theme and compete in two-year grade groups. Posters are first judged at the District (county) level, then Area (approximately 15 counties), followed by the State with winners advancing to the National competition. Aubrey will compete at the National level later this year.
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The inaugural event included the Lipman Plant Challenge, a contest with Hillsborough County middle and high schools to determine who could grow the best garden. Lipman Family Farms sponsored the competition, providing each school
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Supporter 0f the year - Odiorne Insurance, Ton Odiorne with two planter boxes and a $100 gift card for soil and fertilizer. Each school also received Lipman-provided, same size and quantities of tomato, pepper, cantaloupe and watermelon transplants. The gardens were judged after three months and the winning gardens won parties. Greco was the winning middle school, followed by Rodgers and Randall middle schools. Top high school honors went to the Tampa Residential Facility program with Armwood second and Newsome at third place among participating high schools in Hillsborough County. Also recognized at the luncheon was Supporter of the Year Odiorne Insurance and Tom Odiorne for the use of their offices for District meetings and printing support, as well as sponsorship of various events. Roy Davis was honored as Volunteer of the Year for his many years of service to the District as a Supervisor and Board Chair. Davis, though no longer a county resident, will continue to serve as chair of the District’s annual plant auction, a fund-raising initiative in support of Hillsborough 100 youth programs, sponsorship of the County Fair’s Youth Plant Show, 4-H and FFA programs and two agricultural scholarships. Outstanding Project of the Year honors went to the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) Green Divers Initiative and their project, “Gasp, Our Beads of Tampa Bay,” an underwater cleanup of many of the beads that find their way into the waters of Tampa Bay during the annual Gasparilla Pirate Festival. Lipman Family Farms was recognized as the Outstanding Cooperating Partner of the Year for sponsorship of the Lipman Plant Challenge and ongoing provision of vegetables for numerous events during the year. The company has agreed to continue its sponsorship of the Plant Challenge again in 2018. The HSWCD is one of 58 Districts in Florida. Each is organized by local constituents for the purpose of promoting and encouraging the wise use, management and general conservation of soil, water and related natural resources. An elected five-member, non-partisan board of supervisors, who volunteer their services, manages each soil and water conservation district. Soil and Water Conservation Districts are non-taxing and are supported by maintaining relationships and partnership with other government agencies. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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FISHING TAMPA BAY NOVEMBER 2017 by Capt. Woody Gore
Snook: A falling tide and a livewell full of whitebait, to chum with, certainly will draw the snook out of the mangroves. But don’t be surprised if you don’t drag a redfish or gator trout out with them. Always be prepared especially if you’re looking to snag that snook of a lifetime because there’s a good chance she might be the next one that grabs your bait. If you’re in for something non-natural, tie on an artificial lure like the world famous MirrOlure Top Dog Jr.) and rattle it across a broken bottom grass flat using some walk-the-dog action. The anticipation of a snook or redfish strike is almost more than a common angler can stand. And when that long expected strike happens, you think your heart is going to stop. Remember this time of year the big snook are females and probably full of eggs so handle with care. Snap a quick photo, get her back in the water and revive her slowly, or better yet don’t even lift them out of the water. Kingfish/Mackerel: For those who love drag screaming hit and run action fishing, this is the time of year. If Spanish mackerel and kingfish are your thing, fishing is sure to pick up as water temps come down. Anchor up and chum, or slow troll live baits or spoons along the beaches and hardbottoms close to shore, for fast hard hitting action. There are some resident fish, but most being pelagic giants are following the baitfish schools north in spring and south in fall. Spanish mackerel: There are some big mackerel around Tampa Bay and these fish are huge. When getting to this size, they have tremendous speed, power and endurance. Mackerel are also good table fare. For those you keep, bleed them and get them on ice quickly. I put mine in a large heavy duty trash bag before putting them in my cooler; it keeps the cooler cleaner. At the cleaning table, fillet them and remove the skin and bloodline for frying or fillet them and leave the skin on for smoking.
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Capt. Woody Gore (www.captainwoodygore.com)
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Redfish: Redfish are everywhere in the bay. But if you’re having difficulty finding them, I’ll mention it once again. Simply locate and fish in the middle of a school of large mullet. The redfish bite has been a good on live, dead and artificial baits. Every part of the Tampa Bay seems to hold a few schools. Daiichi Bleeding Bait Circle Wide Gap Saltwater Circle Hooks seem to be the bait of choice as well as WWW. INITNHE FIELD MM AGAZINE.COM WWW. THE FIELD AGAZINE.COM
threadfin herring, broken large greenbacks, cut pinfish, cut ladyfish, cut mullet. Spotted Sea Trout: The big gator trout have started showing up on Tampa Bay grass flats. Look for a good broken bottom grass flat with plenty of potholes. And start by working the edges of as many potholes as possible. You’re sure to find some worthwhile fish. Trout are a good species to work your artificial skills on because they are not too picky when it comes to food. One good artificial is a Gulp or DOA shrimp under a popping cork. Hook the shrimp just like you would a live one, through the carapace on the head then cast out and pop the cork. The popping sound draws the trout’s attention and you are sure to hook up. Trout no longer have a closed season, so only take what you plan on eating for supper because they do not freeze well. Remember they are a fragile species and have a protective slime coat, so please use a de-hooker and not your hands or a net for the ones you release.
“Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing”
813-477-3814
Captain Woody Gore is the area’s top outdoor fishing guide. Guiding and fishing the west central Florida areas for over fifty years; he offers world class fishing adventures and a lifetime of memories. Multi-boat Group Charters With years of organizational experience and access to the areas most experienced captains, Captain Woody can arrange and coordinate any outing or tournament. Just tell him what you need and it’s done.
Visit his website at: WWW.CAPTAINWOODYGORE.COM send an email to wgore@ix.netcom.com or give me a call at 813-477-3814 ININ TT HE FF IELD AGAZINE HE IELDMM AGAZINE
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The state with highest percentage of people who walk to work is Alaska. The city with most Rolls Royce’s per capita is Hong Kong. The Hawaiian alphabet has 13 letters. Jean Harlow was the first actress to appear on the cover of Life magazine. Every time you lick a stamp, you’re consuming 1/10 of a calorie. A rhinoceros’s horn is made of hair. Money is made of woven linen, not paper. Cleopatra used pomegranate seeds for lipstick. Armadillos are the only animals besides humans that can get leprosy. The seven rays on the crown of the Statue of Liberty represent the seven continents; each measures up to 9 feet in length and weighs as much as 150 pounds. The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum is the mostvisited museum in the U.S. There are 182 places in the U.S. that have the word “Christmas” in their names.
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HOPEWELL
Sponsored by:
FUNERAL HOME • MEMORIAL GARDENS
www.HopewellFuneraI.com FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1971
Old Sayings I remember while growing up my mother would use all sorts of sayings like, Dirt Poor, Saved by the Bell and He’s a Dead Ringer and many others. Remembering those days I decided to do some checking and find out how those sayings started. In the good old days they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that always hung over the fire. Every day they lit the fire and added things to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much meat. People would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes the stew had food that had been there for quite a while. Hence the rhyme: “Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days old.” Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special. When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could, “bring home the bacon.” They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and chew the fat. Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous. Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or the upper crust.
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Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination would sometimes knock the drinkers out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial. They were laid
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out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up. Hence the custom “of holding a wake.” England is old and small and the local folks started running out of places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins, take the bones to a bone-house and reuse the grave. When reopening these coffins, one out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realized they had been burying people alive. So they would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night (the graveyard shift) to listen for the bell, thus someone could be “saved by the bell” or was considered a “dead ringer.” Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May and they still smelled pretty good by June. However, since they were starting to smell, brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor. Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married. Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children, last of all were the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it. Hence the saying, “Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water!” Houses had thatched roofs, thick straw-piled high, with no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip
and fall off the roof. Hence the saying, “It’s raining cats and dogs.” There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could mess up your nice clean bed. So, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That’s how canopy beds came into existence. Back in the 1500s and maybe even before then, some people could afford to sleep on wooden framed beds so they were off of the floor. These frames had heavy ropes tied from side to side that supported the mattress. Over time the ropes would stretch so they’d have to tighten them. Hence the saying, “Sleep tight.” Later added to that was: “Sleep tight and don’t let the bed bugs bite.” The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt. Hence the saying, “Dirt poor.” The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until, when you opened the door, It would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entrance. Hence: a thresh hold. There is an old Hotel/Pub in Marble Arch, London that used to have gallows adjacent to it. Prisoners were taken to the gallows (after a fair trial of course) to be hung. The horse drawn dray, carting the prisoner, was accompanied by an armed guard, who would stop the dray outside the pub and ask the prisoner if he would like “one last drink.” If he said YES it was referred to as “One for the Road.” If he declined, that prisoner was On the Wagon.
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Legal Notice
Current and Former Flue-Cured Tobacco Growers in the Southeast and Their Family Members or Representatives Could Get Money From a $24 Million Settlement A $24 million Settlement has been reached with U.S. Tobacco Cooperative, Inc. (“U.S. Tobacco”), formerly known as FlueCured Tobacco Cooperative Stabilization Corporation, to resolve claims made by current and former U.S. Tobacco members over reserve funds. Tobacco growers across North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Florida, Georgia, and Alabama who were or are members of U.S. Tobacco, as well as their heirs or representatives, are eligible for a payment from the Settlement. The Settlement stems from a lawsuit that claims U.S. Tobacco: (1) accumulated funds over the years through members who may now claim portions of those funds and (2) no longer served its purpose once the Tobacco Price Support Program ended. Although U.S. Tobacco denies these claims and that it is required to distribute any money, it has agreed to do so in this Settlement. You may have seen information about the Lewis/Fisher Lawsuit in the North Carolina Superior Court that was certified as a class action. You can submit a claim even if you are a class member in the Lewis/Fisher Lawsuit. This Settlement will not become effective, and claims will not be paid, until the class claims in the Lewis/Fisher Lawsuit are discontinued or dismissed. Am I Included? You may be included in this Settlement if you are an individual or business that is or was a shareholder or member of U.S. Tobacco from June 1, 1946, through the date the Settlement goes into effect, or an heir or legal representative. An heir in this case is a person who received (or inherited) a share of a former shareholder’s stake or member’s membership in U.S. Tobacco. A legal representative is a person who legally acts for or on behalf of the shareholder or member. How Can I Get a Payment? You must submit a Claim Form online or by mail by May 26, 2018. The payment amount will be based on the total pounds of flue-cured tobacco you marketed and sold and/or the total number of crop years you marketed and sold flue-cured tobacco, relative to all members who submit a claim. Your Other Options If you do not want to be legally bound by the Settlement, you can exclude yourself from the Settlement by December 20, 2017. If you do not exclude yourself, you may object to the Settlement by December 20, 2017. The Court will hold a hearing on January 19, 2018, to consider whether to approve the Settlement. Attorneys representing the Class will request up to $2 million to be paid out of the $24 million Settlement Fund to pay attorneys’ fees and expenses and incentive payments to the individuals (i.e. class representatives) who brought the case and helped negotiate the Settlement. You and your own lawyer can appear and speak at the hearing, but you do not have to.
For More Information and a Claim Form: 1-866-458-3207 www.FlueCuredTobaccoSettlement.com INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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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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USDA HOLDS DISASTER ASSISTANCE/HURRICANE RECOVERY WORKSHOP By Jim Frankowiak
U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Service Centers in Florida held disaster assistance and hurricane recovery workshops for farmers and ranchers in 48 Florida counties. The Hillsborough County session was recently held at the Extension office in Seffner where representatives of the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Risk Management Agency (RMA) presented information on the various disaster assistance programs and resources available for farmers, ranchers and rural communities. Topics covered during the Hillsborough session included emergency assistance for livestock and crop-related expenses and losses; financial assistance programs to help with farm and farmland damage; deadlines for applying for disaster assistance programs and programs to help with restoration and rehabilitation of farm and ranch land. The FSA was represented by County Executive Director Marcinda Kester and Farm Loan Manager Bronwyn Bethea-Rowland; Lisa Harper, District Conservationist spoke on behalf of the NRCS and the RMA was represented by David Duncan, a Risk Management Specialist. Contact information for each is as follows: • Kester – Email: marcinda.kester@fl.usda.gov, telephone: 863/533-2051, Ext. 2 • Bethea-Rowland – Email: Bronwyn.bethearowland@fl.usda. gov, telephone: 813/752-1474, Ext. 2 • Harper – Email: lisa.harper@fl.usda.gov, telephone: 813/7521474 • Duncan—Email: david.duncan@rma.usda.gov, telephone: 229/242-7235, Ext. 218 “While much of the information about these various programs is available on line, we encourage constituents to call or email us for additional information or questions they may have,” said Kester. “With some of these programs, it is very important to recognize and adhere to filing deadlines,” she added. The USDA agencies may all be accessed on the web by visiting: www.usda.gov and entering the agency’s initials (FSA, NRCS or RMA) in the search box in the upper right hand of the main landing page. Workshop focus included the impact of Hurricane Irma, the extended drought earlier this year and any natural disasters that may have impacted Florida farmers or ranchers. FSA programs include:
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Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) which provides funding for farmers and ranchers to rehabilitate land severely damaged by natural disaster; Tree Assistance Program (TAP) offering assistance to eligible orchardists and nursery tree growers for qualify tree, shrub and vine losses due to natural disaster; Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP)providing emergency relief for losses due to feed or water shortages, disease, adverse weather or other conditions not adequately addressed by other disaster programs; Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) provides financial assistance to producers of non-insurable crops when low yields, loss of inventory
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or prevented planting occur due to natural disasters; Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) offers payments to eligible producers for livestock death losses in excess of normal mortality due to adverse weather; Emergency Forestry Restoration Program (EFRP) for non-industrial private forestlands reforestation and debris removal due to Hurricane Irma; Emergency Loan Program is available to producers with agricultural operations located in a county under primary or contiguous Secretarial Disaster designation such as Hillsborough and adjacent counties; The Disaster Loan Set-Aside Program that provides producers who have existing direct loans with FSA who are unable to make scheduled payments to move up to one full year’s payment to the end of the loan; and HayNet, an online Hay and Grazing Net Ad Service allowing farmers and ranchers to share “Need Hay” ads and “Have Hay” ads online; The Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) assists sponsors, landowners and operators in implementing emergency recovery measures for runoff retardation and erosion prevention to relieve imminent hazards to life and property created by natural disasters, and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) through which agricultural landowners may receive financial and technical assistance to improve soil, water, air, plants, animals and related resources. The EQIP deadline for technical and financial assistance for fiscal 2018 funding is Nov. 17, 2017. Federal crop insurance program policies sold and serviced through approved, private insurance companies must be in place prior to the natural disaster event. The RMA’s Duncan noted the need for prompt reporting of damage. Written confirmation as well as documentation of damages and expenses such as saving receipts, taking photos and making notes was advice suggested by other workshop participants. “If you are devoting time and use of personal equipment to address damage, be sure you include logs of such time as part of your overall record-keeping process,” said Kester. Other assistance resources available include the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program that is intended to provide cash flow to Florida small businesses impact by a disaster. Information is available at FloridaDisasterLoan.org. Small Business Administration (SBA) loans for up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroy real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. Added information on SBA loans and qualifications/limitations may be accessed at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela, which also includes an online application capability. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) also offers assistance and information is available at disasterassistance.gov. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
Ladies Night Out
Meet the Doctors As part of our Ladies Night Out series, attendees will have an exclusive opportunity to interact with physician experts and have their health questions answered in a roundtable setting.
Monday, November 6 | 6pm
17-210155-1017
South Florida Baptist Hospital Administrative Conference Room 301 N. Alexander St., Plant City
Space is limited. Register today: (855) 314-8352 or BayCareEvents.org
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Farm Bureau Dinner 2017
November 2017
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High Color, Low Maintenance and Drought Tolerant Shrubs, Vines and Grasses By Lynn Barber, Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Agent UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County For those of us that enjoy a large amount of color in our landscapes and have a minimum amount of time to maintain what we plant, this topic is timely because the rainy season is nearly over. As always, consider the first principle of the FloridaFriendly Landscaping™ Program, which is Right Plant - Right Place. This means taking into consideration your site conditions: soil type and pH, sun or shade, wet or dry and mature plant size. We are defining high color as both foliage and flowers for several seasons. Low maintenance means the plants require minimal inputs: pruning, fertilizing and pest control, are drought tolerant, insect and disease resistant and cold hardy. A walk around your landscape at least once a week to check on the condition of your plants and proceed as needed is a must and a fun walk at that! All plants in this article are suited for north, central and south Florida. Large Shrubs: Aloysia virgata Sweet almond bush can reach a height and spread of 6-12 feet, tolerates any soil pH from 4.5 to 8.0, any soil texture, prefers medium drained soil moisture and full sun, attracts butterflies and produces white, fragrant flowers from summer through fall. Brunfelsia grandiflora - Yesterday-today-and-tomorrow can reach a height of 7-10 feet and spread of 5-8 feet, prefers soil pH that is slightly acid to slightly alkaline of 6.0-7.2, any soil texture, well drained soil moisture, full sun to shade, and low to no salt tolerance and produces white/lavender/ purple flowers from spring through fall. Fatsia japonica - Japanese aralia, Paperplant can reach a height of 5-8 and spread of 3-10 feet, prefers soil pH that is slightly acid to slightly alkaline of 6.0-7.2, any soil texture, well drained soil moisture, shade to partial shade, low to no salt tolerance and produces creamy, white winter flowers. Note that too much sun will eventually kill this shrub. Small Shrubs: Gamolepis spp. - Bush daisy can reach a height of two to four feet and spread of three to four feet, prefers soil pH that is slightly acid to slightly alkaline of 6.07.2, any soil texture, well drained soil moisture, full sun, low to no salt tolerance, attracts butterflies, has finely-divided leaves that appear fern-like and produces yellow year-round flowers. Lantana depressa - Weeping lantana, Pineland lantana can reach a height and spread of three to six feet, prefers soil pH that is slightly acid to slightly alkaline of 6.0-7.2, sandy/loam soil texture, full sun, has high salt tolerance, attracts butterflies and birds and produces small yellow, yearround flowers and berries are poisonous. Rosselia sarmentosa - Firecracker plant can reach a height of three to four feet and
Vines: Thunbergia alata - Blackeyed Susan Vine can reach a height and spread of five to10 feet, is fast growing, prefers soil pH that is slightly acid to slightly alkaline of 6.0-7.2, sandy/loam soil texture, full sun to partial shade, low to no salt tolerance and is a perennial that produces yellow flowers in the summer. Ipomoea spp. - (natives only) Morning glory can reach a height of 10-20 feet and spread of 10-40 feet, is fast growing, prefers soil pH that is slightly acid to slightly alkaline of 6.0-7.2, any soil texture, full sun to partial shade, medium salt tolerant, flower color varies, spreads easily and provides foot for wildlife. Trachelospermum jasminoides - Confederate jasmine, Star jasmine can reach a height and spread of one to 40 feet, is fast growing, tolerates any soil pH from 4.5 to 8.0, any soil texture, well drained to medium well drained soil, full sun to partial shade, low to no salt tolerance, attracts hummingbirds and has white, fragrant showy spring flowers. Grasses: Muhlenbergia capillaris - Muhly grass can reach a height of two to five feet and spread of two to three feet; prefers soil pH that is slightly acid to alkaline, 6.08,0, sandy soil, well drained to wet soil moisture, full sun, has high salt tolerance and produces pink fall flowers. Eragrostis elliottii – Elliott’s lovegrass can reach a height and spread of one to three feet, is fast growing, prefers acid to slightly alkaline soil pH 4.5-7.2, sandy loam soil texture, well drained to medium drained soil moisture, full sun to partial shade, low to no salt tolerance, bamboo-like appearance and has large linear leaves. This grass produces tan, year-round flowers, especially in the fall. Tripsacum dactyloides and cvs. - Fakahatchee grass, Gamma grass can reach a height and spread of four to six feet, prefers acid to slightly alkaline soil pH 4.5-7.2, any soil texture, well drained to medium drained soil moisture, partial shade to full sun, medium salt tolerance, cream/orange/ red/yellow flowers from spring through summer and is larval food plant for Byssi’s Skipper butterfly. We have many of these plants in our teaching/demonstration gardens at the Extension office. All are a worthwhile addition to your landscapes. Our website which contains our calendar of events is located at: http://hillsborough.ifas.ufl.edu/calendar.shtml. For horticultural assistance, contact the UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County, 813-744-5519, or visit us at 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL 33584. Hope to see you soon! INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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spread of two to four feet, is fast growing, prefers soil pH that is slightly acid to slightly alkaline of 6.0-7.2, sandy/loam soil texture, full sun to partial shade, attracts butterflies and birds and produces red, summer flowers.
Celebrating a most fruitful relationship between Florida Strawberry Growers and International Paper.
1979
Together we’re sure to enjoy many more years of sweet success.
711 E. Lancaster Rd Orlando, FL 32809 (407) 855-2121
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2402 Police Center Dr Plant City, FL 33566 (813) 717-9100 6706 N. 53rd St Tampa, FL 33610 (813) 744-2220 Sales: Ray Reteneller (813) 230-4216 or Dean Fultz (901) 355-5197
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Florida
Olives
By Sandy Kaster, M.S. Clinical Medicines, B.S. Nutrition Science
Olives are native to the Mediterranean, Asia, and Africa, but did you know that Florida is also a producer of olives? According to the American Olive Oil Producers Association, olive oil in the United States is produced in California, Arizona, Texas, Georgia, Florida, Oregon and Hawaii. The U.S. consumes 80 million gallons of olive oil each year, second only to Europe. Over 98% of the olive oil consumed in the U.S. is imported. Olive trees have grown in Florida’s climate for many years, but is being considered as a commercial crop in more recent years. In Florida, olive trees first produce white flowers around April to May, and are ready for harvesting in the fall months. Olives start out as green and turn black as they ripen, although some varieties stay green. Olive trees can live up to thousands of years. Planting more than one olive tree near another may increase fruit production. There are hundreds of different cultivars of olives and some are better for eating while others are better for being pressed into olive oil. Although olives are often thought of as vegetables, since they are eaten on pizza, in salads, and meat dishes, olives are actually a type of fruit called drupes. Drupes, which include mango, cherry, nectarine, peach, plum, and pistachio, are characterized by having a pit at the core, surrounded by the flesh of the fruit, the pericarp. Most olives are bitter when they come straight off the tree, so they are treated first with brine, salt, or lye to make them more palatable.
NUTRITIONAL PROFILE Fresh Florida olives and olive oil are famous for their health benefits and are especially rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. Diets that are high in olives, such as the Mediterranean diet, are linked with better heart health and overall lower risk of death from all causes. Virgin olive oil is produced by crushing fresh olives, then extracting the oil without the use of heat or chemicals. This type has the best flavor and the most antioxidant compounds. According to the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, one cup of sliced canned olives (134 g) contains 155 calories, 1 g protein, 14 g fat, 8 g carbohydrate, and 4 g of dietary fiber. It also provides 38% of the Daily Recommended Value (%DV) for copper, 25% for iron, 17% for fiber, 15% for vitamin E, 12% for calcium, and plentiful amounts of other valuable nutrients.
HEALTH BENEFITS Heart Health Olives are very rich in the type of fat that is good for cardiovascular health, oleic acid, a type of monounsaturated fat. They also contain a small amount of omega-3 fatty acids. Diets high in monounsaturated fats are linked with lower total cholesterol, and lower LDL (“bad” cholesterol), the type of cholesterol linked with heart disease, stroke, and atherosclerosis. Although dietary fat was once shunned as being unhealthy,
Antioxidants Olives are also full of phytonutrients that function as antioxidants, which prevents our cells from oxygen damage. They also contain vitamin E, selenium, and zinc, which also function as antioxidants. Oleuropein is an antioxidant unique to olives and powerful in its ability to fight disease. It decreases LDL cholesterol and helps protect nerve cells from oxidative stress.
Anti-inflammatory benefits Phytonutrients act as antioxidants, as well as natural anti-inflammatories. Lower inflammation levels is linked with better cardiovascular health. Olives have been shown to lower levels of C-reactive protein in the blood, a compound that is used to measure general inflammation in the body. Additionally, lower oxidative stress and lower inflammation levels are linked with lower risk for cancer, particularly breast and stomach cancer.
How to Select and Store Olives are widely available in grocery stores in jars, cans, and sometimes on the salad bar or olive bar. They can be purchased whole, sliced, pitted, or stuffed with peppers or almonds. Different types vary in color and size. Choose olives that are firm, shiny and plump and avoid those that look wilted or mushy.
How to enjoy Many people enjoy olives straight out of the jar or can. They can be placed in an antipasto plate along with cheeses and meats, or used as a pizza topping. Other ways to enjoy olives include: • Place olives in a food processor with olive oil and garlic to make olive tapenade, which you can use as a dip or topping. • Chop whole pitted olives and toss with pasta along with tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil. • Marinate olives in olive oil, lemon zest, coriander seeds and cumin seeds. • Add chopped olives to your favorite tuna or chicken salad recipe, or use as a salad topper. • Chop finely and add to your favorite salsa. • Olive oil can be used in place of butter in baked goods, such as cakes or cookies. Enjoy delicious Florida olives and olive oil today. With its mellow taste and versatility, you’ll be doing your taste buds and your heart a big favor!
SELECTED REFERENCES http://www.whfoods.com/ http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/fruits/ olives.html INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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newer research points to many health benefits of some types of fat, particularly the monounsaturated kind.
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Kennco’s new line of Strawberry Equipment is compatible with your current equipment and proven to form rounded beds on 48” row centers, lay tight plastic and drip, resulting in the
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Hear about specials and deliveries in your area. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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2017 Hillsborough County Fair
Recycled Yard Art Contest
The Results Are In! By Lynn Barber Photos by Lisa Meredith, Hillsborough County Extension
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD
Twice each a year, we, UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County, sponsor a Recycled Yard Art Contest, one at the Hillsborough County Fair and one at the Florida State Fair. The purpose of the Recycled Yard Art Contest is to increase environmental awareness and encourage reuse/recycling of materials into yard art. The competition involved two and three dimensional art created from items already used for their original purpose. During the eight days of the 2017 Hillsborough County Fair, attendees voted for the People’s Choice award on several entries submitted. The votes have been tallied, all 2,782 of them and the People’s Choice Winner is Jim Dreby, for his Yard Minion which was created using scrap muffler tubing, an air tank, kids’ boots and belt, a tank cover and auto engine pulley.
Judge’s Choice award Margaret Thompson’s Dishes Garden won the Judge’s Choice Award for Adult submissions. She created her glass yard art from various dishes and glassware which look like flowers in a garden.
Middle School Award Eliana Holt’s Birdhouse won the Middle School Award. She used coffee cans, pallet wood, a corrugated plastic sheet and a fence post for her work of art. All of the contest winning entries will be on display at the UF/IFAS Extension Service, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL 33584, until December 4, 2017. We hope you will stop by to view these creations, stroll through the Bette S. Walker Discovery Garden and see what we have to offer.
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I’m truly amazed at the creativity of all of the artists. Most of the artwork that was entered into the Recycled Yard Art contest would look fabulous in many landscape, mine included! Each of us would probably be surprised at how creative we can be. This is a
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great time to put on your thinking caps for a Recycled Yard Art project you have been considering creating…and create it. We will have two Recycled Yard Art competitions in 2018; one at the Fair Florida State Fair, and one at the Hillsborough County Fair. Contact Lisa Meredith for more information about the upcoming State Fair contest at: meredithL@hillsboroughcounty.org or 813744-5519 x 54146. Hope you will consider participating. Thanks for Reducing, Reusing, Recycling and Repeating!
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HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FAIR HARVEST AWARDS By Jim Frankowiak
The Hillsborough County Fair once again began with the Harvest Awards luncheon, this year honoring three individuals, a garden ministry and farm family. This annual program was established 17 years ago by the Cooperative Extension Service as a way to preserve the agricultural heritage of Hillsborough County and to celebrate outstanding pioneers in the farming community. The Charles and Betty Grimes family was honored as the Farm Family of the Year. The Grimes grew their farm business from a small enterprise to a major operation that includes eight companies growing strawberries, fruits, vegetables and other row crops on approximately 5,000-acres in eastern Hillsborough County. Their continuing support of the Plant City community is reflected in the Grimes Agricultural Building at the Florida Strawberry Festival grounds and the Charles and Betty Grimes Critical Care Center at South Florida Baptist Hospital. Sandee Parke Sytsma presented the award to the Grimes. Marvin Brown, named recipient of the Lifetime Achievement in Agriculture Award, began his farm with one-acre of strawberries in Lakeland. His passion to farm was supported by the roadside sale of berries and the incorporation of Favorite Farms in 1978 on 26 share cropped acres, which has grown to six farms consisting of more than 600-acres. Following the presentation of his award by Hillsborough County Commissioner Stacy White, Brown reminded attendees, “God is first, family is second and work is third, and never forget your blessings.” Daniel Gutierrez, a young immigrant from Mexico with a passion to farm and to provide for his family, is the 2017 Young Farmer/Rancher/Nurseryman of the year. Born in 1984 in Mexico into a humble family of six boys and six girls, the Gutierrez family moved to Plant City in 1990 to find a better place for the family to live and prosper. After working in the fields of others for 26 years to learn his craft, Daniel became farmerowner of Sunripe Growers, which grows 10 different crops annually. Florida Representative Jake Raburn presented the owner “in absentia” to Gutierrez who was at home with his wife and their five children, two of which are twins and born just days before the event.
The Public and Community Service Award was presented to The Mustard Seed Garden Ministry at Tim’s Presbyterian Church in Lutz. Extension Director Stephen Gran, who presented the award, noted “the garden was started four years ago by four people trying to make a difference in their community with their church’s mission of reaching, teaching and serving.” That mission has grown to include a homeless mission, pre-school, classes in organic farming and an adopta-plot initiative for those community members interested in learning how to grow their own fresh vegetables. The program included the presentation of the first Teki Hinton Ericson 4-H Foundation Memorial Scholarship to Riverview High School Senior Aaron Dunn. The scholarship is to honor the memory of Mrs. Teki Hinton Ericson, a 4-H alumnus and daughter of Chip and Jemy Hinton. Upon graduation in June, Dunn plans to attend Hillsborough Community College Emergency Medical Technician Program and Fire Academy with the goal of becoming a county firefighter. “I also plan to volunteer with the 4-H Dairy Project and continue to breed Guernsey Cattle to be able to offer quality calves to 4-H’ers in our state,” he said. Special guests at the luncheon were Harvest Queen Olivia Frazier, a junior at Seffner Christian Academy, and Junior Harvest Queen, Taryn Storter, a sophomore at Plant City High School. The Tampa New Auto Dealers Association continued its support of the Hillsborough County Fair with the presentation of a $10,000 check to fair officials at the luncheon. The program concluded with recognition of the Harvest Awards Host Committee: Kathy Curry, Stephen Gran, Suzanne Holcomb, Earl Lennard, Yvette Lewis, Mike McKinney, Ron O’Connor, Kenneth Parker, Ronda Storms, Betty Jo Tompkins, Michelle Williamson and Tom Umiker. Attendees then enjoyed a complimentary luncheon from Bubbbaque’s underwritten by the Mosaic Company.
Hillsborough County Administrator Mike Merrill proudly presented the Outstanding Woman in Agriculture Award to Extension Agent Alicia Whidden, a lifelong educator noted for her devotion to serve and to help others. An Extension Agent since 2003, Whidden previously served as a biologist for the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Strawberry Lab in Dover. “Extension is the greatest place ever for me to work,” she said upon receiving her honor. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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Maddie and Dr. M. K. Othman, Professor of Soil & Water Engineering, NAERLS, Ahmadu Bello University in Nigeria, at World Food Prize events in Des Moines, Iowa.
By Jack Payne Maddie Dvorak of Lakeland wants a University of Florida agriculture degree and then a farm job -- on K Street in Washington D.C. At 16, she sees her handshake and her message as the best tools she has to feed the world. We need a lot more like her. The talent pipeline for agriculture isn’t flowing quickly enough to keep pace with the rising challenge to produce more food on less land. It’s estimated that there are only 35,000 qualified graduates to fill nearly 58,000 U.S. jobs in agriculture and natural resources annually. That’s why it’s so important to expose Maddie and her peers to what those jobs are, the educational opportunities to prepare for them, and the professional network to put them on a career path. Maddie just got back from what is perhaps the world’s leading gathering of professionals focused on agriculture as a way to lift billions of people out of poverty. World Food Prize events in Des Moines, Iowa, included the three-day Global Youth Institute for Maddie, three other Florida high school students, and peers from around the world. Maddie earned the trip to Iowa on the strength of her presentation at the Florida Youth Institute (FYI) on the use of biotechnology as a tool to alleviate starvation in Tanzania. The subject matter prompted her to think globally, immerse herself in a complex topic, and to stand in front of an expert panel and defend her analysis. UF’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) runs FYI to encourage high school students to consider a career in feeding the world – and to consider CALS as a great place to prepare for that career. CALS Dean Elaine Turner supports FYI to help the state’s most promising students see how they can shape the future of agriculture in Florida and around the world. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences and CALS hosted Maddie and 18 other students in Gainesville for a week this summer. Maddie, 16-year-old at Kathleen High School and dual enrolled at Polk State College, serves as Polk County Federation vice president and District VIII secretary for FFA. But she didn’t grow up on a farm. FYI gave Maddie her first indepth looks at an invasive plant center, a taste panel, a meat lab, and the springs in a state park.
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She visited a UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences demonstration farm. She was given the chance to eat chipotle chocolate-covered crickets as part of a discussion on
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bugs as food. She also met Florida Farm Bureau President John Hoblick and Farm Bureau general counsel Staci Sims, who are among the state’s most influential agricultural leaders. The chance to learn from people who lead an organization that advocates for farmers reinforced Maddie’s interest in a career as an agriculture lobbyist. It also strengthened her interest in majoring in agricultural education and communication if she’s admitted to CALS in 2019.
Their job is to produce food. My job is to protect their jobs. ~ Maddie Dvorak Our budding leaders benefit from seeing a broad scope of career opportunities in agriculture. For Maddie, that meant deepening her understanding of how helping craft public policy is every bit the agriculture job that driving a tractor is. Every industry needs a talent pipeline for its long-term success. Agriculture is different, though. Feeding the world is sometimes a matter of life and death. It’s a national security issue because of correlations between food scarcity and civil unrest. It’s going to take the best and brightest to keep America feeding a growing global population, even as so many American farms are turning into subdivisions. We need scientists whose discoveries improve farming and policy makers with ideas to overcome obstacles on the path from farm to fork. There’s a compelling public interest for a public land-grant university to reach down into the high school ranks to start developing talent. It supports the future of the state’s second-largest industry after tourism. Agriculture and natural resources keep more than two million Floridians employed. I can’t say it better than Maddie: “Their job is to produce food. My job is to protect their Jack Payne is jobs.” 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
GROWERS ENCOURAGED TO CONSIDER COST-SHARING WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAMS By Jim Frankowiak
Hillsborough County growers, particularly those in the Dover/ Plant City area, are being encouraged by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) to take a close look at and consider participation in its Facilitating Agricultural Resource Management Systems (FARMS) and Mini-FARMS programs. “Both are cost-share reimbursement programs that are designed to reduce groundwater withdrawals from the Upper Florida Aquifer through conservation and alternative water supply best management practices (BMPs),” said FARMS Program Manager Chris Zajac. “Overall, the program has been designed to serve as an incentive to the agricultural community to promote water quantity reductions, water quality and natural systems improvements to conserve groundwater use and promote resource sustainability.” While the FARMS and Mini-Farms programs are District-wide, Zajac is hopeful growers in the Dover/Plant City Water Use Caution Area (DPCWUCA) will look closely at the programs and types of BMPs that are available “and helpful to reduce groundwater pumping for frost/freeze protection in the Water Use Caution Area.” The overall initiative is a public/private partnership developed by the District and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). The Mini-FARMS Program is part of FARMS and is also a costshare initiative for agricultural operations of 100 irrigated acres or less aimed to conserve groundwater and protect water quality through water conservation BMPs. “Mini-FARMS reimburse growers up to 75 percent of their project costs up to $8,000 per project,” said Zajac. Some of the commonly used BMPs include: • Tailwater recovery/surface water pond irrigation pump stations and filtration • Water control structures • Electronic controls, including remote irrigation zone and start/stop controls • Soil moisture and weather station climate sensor telemetry • Cold and frost/freeze protection BMPs, particularly in the Dover/Plant City area BMPs of particular importance in the Dover/Plant City area include Tailwater Recovery Pump Stations, which are reservoirs that collect irrigation runoff that is recycled to irrigate and/or cold-protect crops. This cost-share practice typically includes
Wind Machines are used for cold protection by circulating the air around the crop to prevent freezing. The cost of the wind machines, cold drain and a complete weather station are most often cost-share elements of this BMP. Weather Stations, another popular BMP, help farmers monitor climatic conditions on farms to improve irrigation practices and cold-protection methods. The complete weather station is included in this cost-share practice. Grower benefits from participation in various FARMS BMPs typically include improved crop yields, optimized irrigation scheduling, which leads to decreased pumping, equipment maintenance and energy costs, reduced fertilizer use and improved weed control, free flowmeter calibration testing that satisfies regulatory requirements along with water resource conservation and environmental stewardship. “This makes it a win-win for both the District and participating growers,” said Zajac. “Growers interested in FARMS Program participation decide the most appropriate BMPs for their operation and coordinate with our FARMS staff to obtain funding for eligible projects,” said Zajac. “They each manage, operate and maintain their own projects and are reimbursed for eligible expenses, while FARMS staff assists with implementation of BMPs, regulatory issues and reimbursement.” To qualify for funding, projects must be located in the District and include approved BMP strategies. Approved project reimbursement ranges from 50 to 75 percent. The District and grower enter into a contractual relationship for approved FARMS projects with duration of 5 – 10 years. Growers have responsibility for obtaining all project-related permits and must have District authorization prior to incurring approved reimbursable expenses. For additional information on the FARMS Program and getting started, visit: http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/agriculture/ farms/.
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the pump station, fuel tanks, filtration system, chlorination and mainline pipe connecting the irrigation system.
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Thanksgiving
And The Holidays Ahead by John Dicks
Cool weather finally came our way last month. It was, though, almost Halloween before the temps dipped down into the 50’s.
Thanksgiving holiday tradition traces it’s roots nearly 400 years ago to 1621 when the Pilgrims and Indians feasted at Plymouth, of what is now Massachusetts.
That’s just one of many great things about living in Florida. Yes, sometimes summer seems unbearably hot, but the trade-off of a steamy summer more than makes up for things when you can enjoy the last few days of daylight savings time with afternoons that warm their way into the low 70s.
Our nation’s first President, George Washington, sought to recognize the event when he proclaimed the first nationwide Thanksgiving in our country. He named November 26, 1789, “as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favours of Almighty God.”
Even Thanksgiving, which comes early this year, is better enjoyed in shirtsleeve weather than by bundling up with multiple layers of clothes, too many to be shed before settling down for the feast in celebration of our national holiday.
Such flowing and solemn language contrasts markedly with the tradition of our recent Presidents who, after issuing their own proclamations, engage in the annual silliness of pardoning a couple of turkeys!
Thanksgiving seems like a uniquely American tradition. Many of us have dressed up our kids as Pilgrims or Indians to take part in school plays. Yet we are not the only country in the world to celebrate the holiday.
Following the lead of George Washington, Thanksgiving became an annual tradition, though each state in our Union chose their own date for the recognition of the holiday.
Canada, for example, certainly does; but it’s in October, likely because the traditional harvest is earlier up there. Folks in the Netherlands observe Thanksgiving, too, though it’s not an official public holiday. It is, however, where some of our Pilgrims first boarded ship for their trip to the New World. All in all, it’s one of my favorite times of the season. It’s filled with great food, stories shared with family and reminiscing with longtime friends. There’s always, too, that mental headcount being made. Who’s not here? We miss them. Some have passed from this world. Some are headed to be with the family of spouses. Others are absent with commitments to work. This year an overseas deployment keeps one of us away. Still, I look forward to reflections that are shared. There is the giving of thanks and the prayers for health, wellness and safe travels, which are all spoken and silently murmured. Our national celebration of Thanksgiving is older even than our country itself. Few will forget that our modern
Most were settling upon the date being the last Thursday in November when, in1863, Abraham Lincoln officially proclaimed it as such. His effort toward establishing a date to be shared by all was viewed by many as an attempt by the President to foster a sense of American unity between the northern and southern states. Nearly 80 years later, in 1941, President Franklin Roosevelt and the United States Congress (which seemingly is never content with things) changed the date slightly to the fourth Thursday of November. It was thought that making it a bit earlier would give our country an economic boost. I suspect that even back then the merchants operating on what is now known as “Black Friday” appreciated the subtle change in date resulting in more shopping days until Christmas! It’s what happens this year, too, with Thanksgiving falling upon the nearly earliest possible day to be the fourth Thursday in November. Nonetheless, let’s especially enjoy this special holiday, for despite small disappointments and setbacks that may come our way, just by living in America we really do have much to be thankful for.
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John Dicks is both a Lawyer and Businessman, including an interest in farming. He and his family have owned 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 terms as Mayor.
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No Exception: The Plight of the Amorpha crenulata By: Ginny Mink
Each month we look at species in Florida that are on the endangered or threatened list. In most instances, we invest our time considering animal life, but this month we are going to look at a plant. The reason we chose this one out of the list of others, is the fact that it’s known as the crenulate lead-plant. While that might not sound intriguing to you, we had to wonder if it had anything to do with that dreaded malady: lead poisoning. We ascertained that if indeed it had any connection, or similar qualities, we would be less enthusiastic about encouraging you to contribute to its livelihood in whatever way you could. Such is not the case. This plant, Amorpha crenulata, was added to the federally endangered list on July 18, 1985. At the time of our research, it has only been located in eight areas. Four of those are parks owned by the Miami-Dade County Parks Department. Another area is on a right of way of the Bird Road Railway, and the other three spots are found in the Snapper Creek Rd/Old Cutler Road, 8th Street and Red Road, and Schoolhouse Road areas. All of which are in the Miami-Dade County region.¹ If you’ve followed this series for any length of time, you are aware of our affinity for species that are endemic to Florida and Florida alone.¹ Thusly, when we encountered an article published in 2012 that mentioned that there are only 200 mature correlate lead-plants alive in the state, it’s easy to see why we took an interest. And, though these plants were studied for a period of more than two years, no seedlings were observed and the plants didn’t show much growth or hope.² To take the severity of the issue of their preservation to the next level, their habitat, pine rockland, has been considered “globally imperiled.”³ This declaration is based solely on the rarity and potential for extinction found in the plants and animals that call this habitat home. In fact, only two percent of the historic 185,00 acres of pine rocklands exists at the present time.³ And, since there doesn’t seem to be any correlation between the correlate lead-plant and lead-poisoning, it’s safe to say we should do something for this rare plant.³
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Should you decide to go exploring for the correlate leadplant the next time you’re in the Miami-Dade area, you’ll need to know how to recognize it. These plants can grow to a height of about five feet and have red or purple branches with 25-33 leaflets. The leaflets are green or grey and are dotted on their undersides. There are loosely clustered flowers that are considered a “showy white,” and the fruit is dotted on the upper two-thirds of its laterally compressed shape.¹
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Don’t get too enthusiastic about actually discovering any on a relaxing vacation in that locale though. This is because they are only known to exist within a 20 square mile vicinity between Kendall and Coral Gables. That means they are only in a 5 x 12 mile area going east to west and north to south respectively.¹ Their biggest threats are habitat alteration. Shockingly, over the last 50 years, Florida has seen eight million acres of wetlands and forests cleared to make room for its increasing population needs. Agricultural and urban development in this plant’s native area have aided in the elimination of the correlate lead-plant’s range. It’s quite possible that nearly 99 percent of the pine rocklands in the Miami-Dade sphere have been destroyed. Of course, there’s also the issue of non-native exotic plants invading the area and fire suppression processes.² This plant has been included on the Multi-Species Recovery Plan designed specifically for South Florida. There are seed samples stored in the National Seed Storage Laboratory located in Colorado at Fort Collins and there are numerous programs installed to aid in restoration and reintroduction of rock pineland habitat. Sadly, they are not certain that the success of these concepts will be long-lived due to how restricted these plants are.² Controlling exotic species is a key factor to these endeavors.¹ Bees and other pollinating insects find the correlate-lead plant advantageous to their own survival. And, since most of us realize the value of these creatures, it should be easy to ascertain why preservation of the Amorpha crenulata is a worthy cause. Besides the sheer fact that as stewards of this Earth, granted by the Creator, we should do all that we can to preserve His design. This plant is no exception. Resources: ¹U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services. Crenulate Lead-plant. Amorpha crenulata. https://www.fws.gov/verobeach/MSRPPDFs/ Crenulate.pdf ²Red List. Amorpha crenulata. http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/19893100/0 ³Fairchild Garden. (2016). The Connect to Protect Network: Pine Rockland Fact Sheet. http://www.fairchildgarden.org/portals/0/consteam/pine%20rockland%20factsheet%202016b. pdf?ver=2016-07-19-212801-240 Photo Credits: Scott Zona. Amorpha herbacea var. crenulate 1. Flowering Crenulate Lead-Plant. https://flic.kr/p/9UpPeG WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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MECHANICAL HARVESTING IN THE SPOTLIGHT AT FBGA FALL MEETING By Jim Frankowiak
One cannot dispute the substantial growth of blueberry production over the last few decades. While growth is good, it has brought about some challenges for growers. Labor cost and availability for handpicking berries for the fresh market have become major challenges. As a consequence there has been a great deal of attention on mechanical harvesting as a way to increase yields throughout the season while lowering costs and the issue of labor availability. However, there have been problems associated with mechanical harvesting of blueberries, specifically the bruising of fruit caused by fruit dropping into collecting trays and the ground loss of berries that miss falling into trays. Advances in mechanical harvesting with updates on progress relative to fruit bruising and ground loss of berries were featured at the Florida Blueberry Growers Association Fall Meeting and Trade Show in Plant City on the campus of Hillsborough Community College. University of Florida blueberry breeder Dr. Patricio Munoz began the discussion with comments on the three elements of machine harvesting triangle: Genetics, Management and Technology plus a report on research findings of various cultivars and their performance statewide, as well as information regarding new cultivars soon to be available.
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North Carolina State University’s Bill Cline has watched the evolution of machine harvesting in his state since the 1990s, noting that machines have become gentler with the fruit and cultivars that have been selected and introduced that offer the quality and handling characteristics desired with this harvesting approach. Cline has also seen the machines change from sway or “slapper” style to units that use finger-like rods to comb the berries from the bush.
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He began his comments with his recommendations for year round pruning practices of bushes of varying ages along with other elements included in his overview of Machine for Fresh: soft sorter, dry weather, labor, color sorter, harvester, field setup, pre-cooler and cultivars. Cline reviewed his experiences over the years with machine harvesting and noted growers in his area do not use mulch, but native sandy soils and overhead irrigation. “The start of our season in North Carolina is right after the end of the Florida season,” he said, referring back to his Machine for Fresh considerations along with what he referred to as the “tricks” varieties have as regards machine harvesting. “The key to all of this is local testing and evaluation of all steps process,” he said. “This is critical for Machine for Fresh.” Cline also opined that a 30-acre operation is “a minimum for machine for fresh” in North Carolina. Dr. Fumi Takeda of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, has been heavily involved in research into machines for mechanical harvesting for a number of years at locations across the United States involving different cultivars. These ongoing studies have focused on falling fruit damage and ground loss of berries along with a range of options dealing with both challenges. “We continue to record better results with higher pack-out percentages and good fruit quality,” he said, noting that recent results have shown harvesting of one-quarter mile per hour by machine, compared to 80-feet per hour by hand saving growers labor costs while making more fresh fruit available longer. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
“We are developing machines that can harvest blueberries and have a level of quality so that the fruit can be cold-stored for a least two weeks and still look as good as hand-harvested fruit,” Takeda said. More work will be done going forward as this “is a slow process that requires extensive collaboration,” he said. In addition to mechanical harvesting machine changes, the studies are looking closely at augmenting that approach with hand-held shaking devices. Additional presentations at the meeting included an Update on Bacterial Wilt and Other Diseases in Florid Blueberries, Dr. Phil Harmon, plant pathologist, Plant Pathology Department, University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS); a legislative update by Shawn Foster of the Sunrise Consulting Group; Dr. Natalia Peres, plant pathologist, Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, UF/IFAS, presenting “The Blueberry/Strawberry System to Improve Management of Gray Mold and Ripe Rot;” and the “Effect of Nitrogen Fertilization Rates on Grown and Yield of young ‘Emerald’ and ‘Farthing’ Blueberry Plants” by Dr. Jeff Williamson, Horticultural Sciences Department, UF/ IFAS. A portion of the session was also devoted to an FBGA Business Meeting. For additional information about meeting presentation or the FBGA, visit: www.floridablueberrygrower.com
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By Ginny Mink
Ornamental Gardening in Florida We hope you are as excited as we are to jump aboard the Literary Time Machine this month. As you well know, the thought of new learning is always a catalyst for further investigation each time we travel to the mid-1920s via Mr. Torrey Simpson’s creative explanations of the ornamental plant life that existed during that time. Exotic ornamental trees are the continued focus this month. The first tree on our list includes its own unique way to ornament the body. The Adenanthera pavonina, also known as a Circassian bean, Mr. Torrey Simpson writes, is “A large tree with pinnate leaves from India which bears long, twisted pods filled with lenticular brilliant red seeds. These are used for various purposes in their native land and among others are eaten for food…they may easily be strung by pushing a darning needle through them. They make beautiful necklaces which never fade or shrink.”¹ We imagine that plenty of children have enjoyed that aspect of these exotic trees. Of course, it was a little further into our reading when we noted something he called, “Woman’s tongue.”¹ Assuming that this might have a derogatory meaning, given how much women are derided for their ability to speak at length, this tree (Albizia) caught our attention. Not surprisingly, he tells a story about this tree that can be found from Persia to Japan, a tree that he refers to as “noble.”¹ He writes: A large, beautiful specimen stood near my home in the City of Washington which was badly injured during a severe freeze in 1898 when the mercury went down to seventeen below zero and it eventually died from the effects of it. It is cultivated in northern Florida and Mr. C. E. Pleas has informed me that it is naturalized around Chipley.¹
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Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of this statement is the fact that he said he lived in the “City of Washington.”¹ Does he mean Washington, DC? When did it get that name? And, how bad was the
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freeze of 1898? We suppose it’s time for a history lesson. Apparently, Washington, DC was so named in 1790 and then was almost totally decimated during the War of 1812. And, in 1847, some Virginia residents took back parts of the city they had initially handed over due to a spat about being left out of the development that took place on “the other side of the river.”² We’re not certain when people stopped calling it the City of Washington, or Washington City. Sorry, but you’re more than welcome to see what you can find and let us know! After a little more investigation, we discovered that in Florida, the Freeze of 1898 created a 60-degree temperature plummet. Temperatures went from 78˚ to 18˚.³ In Washington that would have been all the more drastic a drop. There’s no wonder the Woman’s tongue nearby Mr. Torrey Simpson’s home was killed due to that freeze. Oh, and by the way, according to UF, this is an invasive species introduced to Florida in 1883.⁴ Perhaps it’s not so noble after all. The final tree mentioned on our current voyage is Aleurites, also referred to as the Candlenut or wood oil tree. Torrey Simpson explains, “A. moluccana, the Candlenut, is a native of the Moluccas but it has run wild in many parts of the tropics. Although it is quite tender here it grows rapidly and soon becomes a large tree that blooms and bears two or three times a year.”¹ We had to stop and wonder where the Moluccas are? Encyclopedia Britannica gave us the answer. The Moluccas are the Spice Islands, or Indonesia’s Maluku. They are mountainous islands that receive 80-150 inches of rain each year. There are quite a few species that are unique to that region. And, dozens of different languages are spoken there.⁵ They sound like there’s a lot to learn about them and we welcome you to continue your exploration via the link at the bot-
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That explained, Mr. Torrey Simpson continues, “Just before blooming the leaves under the blossom buds begin to be covered with a beautiful silvery scurf and this added to the large heads of small white flowers give the trees at this time a fine appearance…It is believed that with careful selection a fine, edible nut may be raised from this tree in Lower Florida where it seems to be entirely free from any poisonous qualities that have been claimed for it in other places.”¹ We don’t know about you, but if other places that are perhaps more familiar with this tree claim it has poisonous qualities, we’re not too keen on giving that “edible nut”¹ a try. But, just to ensure you don’t try it, we looked it up and discovered that it’s used as a poison in Haiti and Turkey. It’s known to give you diarrhea. However, there seems to be a good deal of benefits from it as well. So, the choice and risk, are up to you!⁶ Thanks for traveling with us this month. Keep your eyes open for exotic and invasive plants, especially those that can serve multiple purposes like some of those we looked at today. Until next time, happy gardening! 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. 144-145). ²Washington DC. The History of Washington, DC. https:// washington.org/DC-information/washington-dc-history ³Bowden, D. (2014). Florida’s Worst Freezes. Volusia HistoryRetracing Florida’s Past. http://www.floridahistorynetwork. com/blog---floridas-worst-freezes.html ⁴UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. Albizia lebbeck. https://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/plant-directory/albizialebbeck/ ⁵Encyclopedia Britannica. Moluccas. Islands, Indonesia. https://www.britannica.com/place/Moluccas ⁶Earth Medicine Institute. Aleurites moluccana. http://earthmedicineinstitute.com/more/library/medicinal-plants/ aleurites-moluccana/ Photo Credits: Forest and Kim Starr. Aleurites moluccana fruit and leaves. (2007). https://flic.kr/p/DmduTv Martin LaBar. Albizia julibrissin. Flower. https://flic.kr/ p/6YDjX7 Ventilago. Adenanthera pavonina. Seed pods and seeds. https://flic.kr/p/nUwPKR
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GRECO MIDDLE SCHOOL UNVEILS ART & AGRICULTURE EXPERIENCE
By Jim Frankowiak
Part of Nutrition/Physical Activity Program Agriculture and Art were officially tied together at Greco Middle Magnet School with a recent ribbon cutting that culminated the dedication ceremony of a new “experience” that offers an array of teachable moments. It all began with Agriculture Teacher Keri Battishill Ladd when she was a member of the Temple Terrace Elementary School faculty before she joined Greco last year. While at Temple Terrace she became involved with Fuel Up to Play 60, an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched by the National Dairy Council (NDC) and National Football League (NFL) in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture(USDA) to help encourage today’s youth to lead healthier lives. In addition to engaging youth, the Fuel Up program offers myriad ways to involve the broadly defined community to help the program and its participants achieve its stated goals. Among those opportunities are financial support, in-kind service and product donations and volunteer assistance. Once Battishill Ladd came to Greco, she requested a grant from Fuel Up to Play 60, seeking to create a learning environment for students, which would encourage them to eat right, exercise, work hard and make a difference. Starting with a core group of ambassadors, the young leaders would be taught the skills needed to champion healthy, positive changes in fellow students. What began as a twofold plan to develop garden space, including hydroponics, and create a walking club, both with lesson plans for activities, evolved into what has since become an experience for participants. This occurred once Battishill Ladd invited local artists Pete & RePete to paint a mural outside of her classroom. Both artists grew up with strong ties to agriculture, one in the Amish country of Pennsylvania and the other in Iowa. “It was supposed to be a wall with a few images of plants and a Fuel Up to Play 60 logo,” she said, “but it grew to become a 3,000 square foot art and agriculture experience offering many teachable moments.” PAGE
Students, teachers, Greco Principal Valerie Newton, Temple
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Terrace Councilwoman Cheri Donohue, several businesses (Winn Dixie, Ace Hardware and PPG), many friends and family, contributed skills, time, paint and tools to transform a dull concrete space into a colorful visual collection of art styles and images. Among them: a life-sized image of Greta the Guernsey Cow you can sit on, painted ponds filled with shimmery koi, American art and imaginary flowers rendered with sponges. Fuel Up to Play 60 partners include the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to help create the expertise, information and tools that people and communities need to protect their health; GENYOUth, which aims to inspire and educate you to improve their nutrition and increase physical activity, believing youth must lead the way; Let’s Move! Active Schools, the national solution to ensure 60-minutes of physical activity a day becomes the new norm in K-12 schools; the NDC on behalf of U.S. dairy farmers provides science-based nutrition information; the NFL, a founding sponsor of the program, that also engages NFL teams and players in the program; National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of parent involvement in schools; the USDA working with the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP)whose mission is to improve the health of Americans by developing and promoting dietary guidance that links scientific research to the nutrition needs of consumers. Additional partners include the Food Nutrition Association (FNS) which administers several programs that provide healthy food to children, including the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, the Summer Food Service Program, the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program and the Special Milk Program and the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. For more information about the Fuel Up to Play 60 Program, visit: https://www.fueluptoplay60.com. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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AND THE PROCESS OF SUCCESSION By Jim Frankowiak
There’s something new this strawberry season at Fancy Farms. The person in charge does not have a beard. No, Carl Grooms did not shave off his beard, but his son Dustin is now in charge at the farm that traces its beginnings to 1974 hence the motto, “Since 1974 and Still Learning.” “Dustin successfully completed his probationary period last season and is now in charge,” said Carl. Dustin was tested big time from the get go. First, he had to deal with Hurricane Irma, then 800,000 diseased strawberry plants. “We had the labor and process in place to take care of what happened due to Hurricane Irma and did that in a week,” said Dustin. “With the plants, once we knew there was a problem, we had to decide how we wanted to proceed in less than two days.” The decision was to remove the diseased plants, which represented one-third of Fancy Farms’ berry acreage, order new plants and start over. “Those diseased berries were from California and had the potential of early market harvesting,” said Dustin, noting the favorable pricing for early market berries. “Once again, we had the labor and wherewithal to remove and replant.” Coincidentally, Fancy Farms grew its own berry plants for a number of years in the 1980s.
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Fancy Farms began in 1974 when Carl Grooms and his 50/50 partner James Crocker began operations on a 15-acre plot with strawberries as the primary crop along with vegetables. Carl’s wife, Dee Dee, ultimately bought out Crocker 15 years ago and the farm grew to 230-acres. At one time Dee Dee
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managed the farm’s office, a position now held by her sister Denise. Dee Dee and Carl both worked at the farm during the early days of Fancy Farms. Dee Dee worked in the plant nursery, and that includes the time when she was pregnant with Dustin. Though currently not actively involved in day-to-day farm operations, Dee Dee is by no means a silent partner, notes Carl. Fancy Farms has been a long- time supporter of various programs that support the community and Carl is a regular “go to” guy for area media anytime the strawberry industry is in the news. At one point, Fancy Farms included 90-acres of citrus groves. Carl and Dee Dee sold 70-acres last year, an important consideration going forward, especially as regards Dustin and the opportunity for him to succeed his father. Dustin and his wife Alison have an 11-year-old daughter Skyler. “Unlike many growers, we do not have a place in the mountains or along the shore where we spend time,” said Carl. “This is our home and will always be even though we could have easily moved away. If we want some time away, we will do that, but always come back.” The Grooms family is very close and that, too, plays an important part in decisions such as the recent land sale. Dustin, who is 36, grew up on the farm and has been a conWWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
tinual member of its work force other than time from 1999 to 2007 when he was a member of the U.S. Army, initially as a motor transport specialist with the last three years as a drill instructor. The timing for Dustin’s elevation to “boss” seemed right for both he and Carl. “Age is creeping on me and my steps are getting shorter,” said Carl, who fully supports Dustin and provides guidance, as appropriate. “Strawberry farming has changed. Technology is important and Dustin relates to that,” said Carl. “I’ve fired him quite a few times,” said Dustin kiddingly, “but we’re OK and the process keeps moving forward.” Continuing the legacy of a family farm with a succession path is not an easy undertaking when you consider the land, infrastructure and equipment that are involved. “Banks and other lending institutions want assets and liquid money as essential items when considering a loan,” said Carl. But the land sale last year provided Carl and Dee Dee with the opportunity and capability to begin the Fancy Farms ownership succession process with Dustin. “We are standing beside Dustin physically and financially and that’s both with the purchase and operational needs as we move forward,” noted Carl. To make the ownership transition in an orderly fashion, the Grooms family has sought professional guidance from an attorney who is also an estate planner and an accountant. “We anticipate preparation and finalization of a written agreement in the future,” said Carl. “Dee Dee and I feel strongly that this is what parents ought to do when you have a son like Dustin who has the experience and is eager to continue what has been realized through hard work.” “The farm’s profitability should be sufficient to sustain the
As to the future, Dustin has no immediate plans for substantial changes at Fancy Farms. He is experimenting with blackberries on a one-acre plot,”but that is just a test at this time for a crop that is very costly.” Carl is quick to admonish any thoughts of expansion. “Getting bigger doesn’t mean more in your pocket, but certainly out of your pocket,” he said. And there are challenges such as labor and the next steps with the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). “Labor represents about half of our cost,” said Carl. “It takes one person per acre to harvest the berry crop.” With regard to NAFTA and current negotiations, “I sure hope they deal us a good set of cards,” he said, noting that agreement is complex and favors one set of producers while hurting others both within and outside the U.S. That is further complicated by U.S. producers who also have international operations. Dustin embraces advances in technology and has been involved in the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) Emerging Leaders Program. Carl, on the other hand, is a “flip phone” guy who recognizes the growth and impact of technology but is not actively engaged. “I’m old school,” he said. “I plowed dirt behind a mule and looked at the ground to see what needed to be done; now they call that soil analysis and it’s done from a computer or drone. When either a computer or drone produces a crop, I make the move to technology.” Yes, Fancy Farms has a new man in charge, but the man with the beard is still around and plans to be so for the foreseeable future, and the motto “Since 1974 and Still Learning” will continue. Best of luck to the Grooms family! INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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needs of parents and children who are continuing its operation,” Carl noted.
From our family to yours, wishing you a
Happy Thanksgiving
Fancy Farms would like to give thanks for all our friends and family who love and support us throughout the year!
NEW LOCATION: Southeast corner of Drane Field and County Line Rd.
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Produce Stand: 5212 Drane Field Rd. | 813.478.3486 or 813.754.4852 | FancyFarms.com
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Shooting-Range-in-the-Backyard
By Ginny Mink
In honor of the hunting season, I figured it was about time to teach my children to shoot what they are aiming at. Now, keep in mind that I have taken my eldest, J (Jaidyn), out to the shooting range with the little .38 that my father gave me. When I did, he assured me that his “guy” was “more dead” than mine simply because he hit his target more frequently. Indeed, he isn’t a bad shot at all. In fact, he’s pretty good. The young ones, on the other hand, have not had the joy of attempting to shoot at a target with a pistol. Of course, I am not so daring as to allow them to take out the .38. Instead, I chose to purchase a little Powerline BB air pistol by Daisy. I ordered a target stand and some targets that “splatter” every time you hit them. I wish I had taken pictures of the little ones’ faces when J opened up the box with the little BB gun in it. Zeke was especially enthusiastic and even Hazel declared, “I’m shooting that pistol!” But before I would allow them to get anywhere near the little gun, I informed them that they would have to get some gun safety lessons from their big brother. Though J would never admit it, I am pretty certain that the fact that I deferred the gun training to him was cause for a sense of pride in him. The reason I feel completely comfortable trusting my 14-year-old to train my 4 and 6 year old how to properly handle a gun, is because my father is the one that trained him. My father has taken J hunting and has undoubtedly chewed him out about any gun safety impropriety. Thusly why he was so adamant that Hazel and Ezekiel followed his instructions to the letter. He was very serious with them about the importance of never pointing a gun at anyone and I added the concept that we should always treat guns as if they are loaded even when “we are certain” that they aren’t.
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Once all the instructions had been drilled into their little heads with intense severity, I sent them out to the target stand to put up their individual targets. Of course, it was at that moment that the fighting ensued. There were arguments over who would get to shoot first. Thankfully, J had his Daisy rifle
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out back with us so I was able to avoid a knock down drag out by telling them that they could shoot the targets at the same time. (And, yes, they will actually come to blows.) Hazel hit her target pretty quickly into her shooting. And, since she got to shoot the pistol first, I suspect she had an advantage. Zeke got really riled up at that point, demanding that he get to shoot the pistol. But that was ok, because Hazel determined that she didn’t want to shoot that one anymore. She decided it was “too scary.” That emotion didn’t last long (trust me). They shot about 100 BBs before Zeke made a mistake. He finished shooting his rounds and then turned around with the gun pointed at J. “That’s it!” J said, “You just killed me!” Zeke was angry, “It’s not loaded. You’re not dead!” Again, we reminded him that guns should always be treated as though they are loaded. But, since he’s a four-year-old, all he could do was get really angry about being in trouble for not adhering to the rules. That intense anger was reason enough to end our shootingrange-in-the-backyard (I love living in the swamp) experience early. Hazel was becoming a handful anyway because she couldn’t pump the rifle herself and since it’s a single shot, J and I were tired of doing it for her. I can tell you that they learned some valuable lessons about gun safety during this adventure. And, they have begged me almost daily, to shoot some more. Hazel is getting better at hitting the target and Zeke has actually landed a few. Whenever the kids aren’t around, J takes his own joy in trying to make the whole black target turn orange. Yes, his aim is actually that good. Unfortunately, we discovered that if you shoot the same spot it changes back to black. So, he can only turn the target a sort of spiderweb of orange. It’s still pretty cool to watch him casually sitting in a chair on my back porch just hitting that target shot after shot. I am impressed with his skill and since Hazel seems a bit of a natural at it too, I suspect with practice she’ll be quite good. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
Zeke, on the other hand, though he wants to hit the target, hasn’t quite grasped the value of taking the time to aim. No matter how completely off-target he is, he always beams and announces, “I hit it! Did you see that?” We’ve tried to explain that it will make a splat sound and change colors, but he’s convinced that his BBs land exactly where they’re supposed to. I guess if the wee ones develop the affinity for target shooting that seems to be the current direction of their enthusiasm, I will take them to Tenoroc and let them try their hands at archery and bigger targets at further distances. Maybe one day a friend will want to take them hunting. I’ll gladly cook the deer they bring back, but I’m not down with gutting and skinning.
And, even if they never have a desire to go hunting, I want to be comfortable with the fact that my children know how to safely respect guns. I also want to rest assured that they will be able to defend themselves should the need ever arise. I’m not worried about zombies, but I have read what happens in the end. It’s quite a revelation.
Its Read Everywhere! Billy Garren was reading In The Field at the 2017 Albuquerque NM International Balloon Fiesta in October.
Garren The Building BlocksBillyOf Success!
SATURDAY, November 4th 10am-3pm
NEW LOCATION! 204 N. Mobley St. Plant City (across from Dairy Queen)
FREE Self-Defense Lessons Karate Demonstration NEW STUDENT SPECIAL! Break Boards $199 FREE Food and Drinks For 3 months and Bounce House a FREE uniform And MORE! www.PlantCityKarate.com
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A Closer LookAmazing Activities Naturally
by Sean Green
Buddy Burner
Camping season is ramping up with the upcoming cool weather and it’s good to have camping supplies ready for those spur of the moment camping trips. Some of us may remember making buddy burners in scouts or summer camps and that is what we will feature this month. Buddy burners are easy to make and efficient for providing a quick way to warm a meal without having to build a big camp fire. The beauty of the buddy burner is that it can be used for cooking and easily extinguished so you can get on with other camp activities such as hiking or fishing. Though our hurricane season will be over this month, buddy burners are a handy item to keep in stock for the loss of electricity, each buddy burner can burn for hours depending on how tightly the cardboard is rolled into the tin can
Materials:
• 5 oz. tuna or cat food can (tin is best) * Save the top to extinguish the fire * • Corrugated cardboard • Wax (paraffin, old candles, tealights, old crayons) • Scissors • Two pots (to make a double boiler)
DIRECTIONS: Wash any residue out of the tin can, remove any paper labels, and allow it to dry. Measure the height of the tin can, (typically about 1 ¼ “) Cut corrugated cardboard (across the corrugation) to a width that is equal to the height of the tin can (1 ¼ “) * you should be able to see the corrugation holes along the edge of the cardboard * Tightly roll the cardboard into the tin can to fill the entire can Wedge a small scrap piece of cardboard into the center of the can, (this will be a wick and make it easy to light) • Melt the wax with a double boiler • Fill a large pot with water • Fill a small pot with wax • Place the small pot of wax into the large pot of water (this is a double boiler) • Boil the water to melt the wax, make sure water does not get inside the small pot of wax When the wax has melted, carefully pour the wax over the cardboard into the tin can until all the cardboard is covered.
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Light the buddy burner wick to produce flame. Extinguish the fire with the lid from the tin can to starve it of oxygen.
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A Closer Look A Closer Look
by Sean Green
Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci)
Many homeowners and gardening enthusiasts are increasingly opting for all-natural gardening techniques such as organic or biologic pest control. I am one of those and I prefer to watch the drama of nature play out then resort to chasing the dragons tail with pesticides that offer a questionable longterm benefit. This year, and specifically these last few months, I have had a tough time with a tiny insect that has become a monster problem throughout Florida. The insect that has given me the biggest headache is the whitefly population that is devastating my assortment of hot peppers. I have watched the populace grow and, typically with other pests, when the pest population grows to the point of panic I notice that the population attracts natural predators and I watch nature perform its tremendous balancing act. Usually, like magic, the problem self corrects if I’m patient enough to let nature take its course. This month I will share with you my experience with the whitefly as we take a closer look at how this insect is becoming a growing concern in central Florida. Whiteflies are true bugs, meaning they feed on sap and phloem in the same manner as other bugs such as aphids, cicada, plant hoppers, and mealybugs. The whitefly is a formidable pest because it is known to feed on over 900 species of host plants, 300 of which were recorded in Florida. Worldwide there are over 1,500 species of whitefly, most of which never reach populations high enough to cause economic concern, however, when populations do become unmanageable, the results are devastating. Like other sap sucking insects, the whitefly can cause the host plant to become very weak as it’s sap is drained. The leaves will turn yellow and often wilt, fruit may be malformed and yields reduced. The process of digesting the plants sap produces large amounts of honeydew deposits that can become colonized by fungi such as sooty mold reducing the plants efficient photosynthesis in severe cases. Once in a weakened state, the plants ability to fight off disease is greatly reduced and the plant becomes more susceptible to other diseases. To make matters worse, whiteflies are vectors of several viruses that can limit production of crops or kill the plant. Because the whitefly has a large variety of host plants, they can become a vector to many more diseases than insects that feed on only a handful of host plants. Whiteflies are not indigenous to North America, they were introduced through trade with foreign countries. Bemisia tabaci is a species of whitefly that was first discovered in the U.S. in 1897 and is believed to be native to India or the Middle East. It was first recorded infesting sweet potatoes in Florida and became the type specimen for future occurrences of whitefly. Throughout the 20th century ornamental growers and landscapers struggled with managing whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) infestations that became increasingly harder to control. By the 1980s, reoccurring infestations became common but could still be managed with a reasonable integrated pest manage-
The past 25 years of research on the whitefly revealed some surprising information, most significantly a hypothesis that the species Bemisia tabaciis is not a single species, but rather many biotypes or races within the species, each biotype has a slightly different genetic makeup and geographic distribution. There remains disagreement on how to classify the large variety of biotype, but it is clear in most publications that there are at least two biotypes that are of concern in Florida, these are the B biotype, (MEAM1), thought to originate in the Middle East Asia Minor and the Q biotype (MED) from the Mediterranean South America. The Q biotype (MED) is said to be the most resistant to chemical control. The greatest challenge to managing these whiteflies is the biodiversity within the species. Pest Management approaches must be tailored to the specific species because each biotype has a slightly different genetic makeup and therefore responds differently to various pest control methods. To further complicate matters, adult whiteflies cannot be accurately identified in the field and positive identification requires laboratory work by professional entomologists. As for me and my humble garden of peppers, I have already observed that despite having a devastating population of whiteflies on my peppers, I notice that they like some species of pepper more than others and do not like my passionfruit at all, even though it is within a foot of my peppers. I am doing more research on plants that may repel the whitefly and experiment with planting some near my peppers to see if the claims are accurate. Some potential whitefly guard plants I will try include: sagebrush (Artemisia), Basil (Ocimum basilicum), or French marigold (Tagetes patula). If any of you try it, please contact us to let us know how well it worked for your plants. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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ment program. In 1986 infestations became much more predominate and crops that had never been a host, such as poinsettia, suddenly became a target for the whitefly. Attempts to control the infestations were futile, the new infestations were resistant to all previously successful methods and pesticides. New diseases began to spread to some of Florida’s vegetable crops and the whitefly earned its way to becoming a major economic pest. This new wave of infestations lead researchers to believe a new, more aggressive subspecies was to blame and designated the new more aggressive whitefly as Bemisia tabaci (biotype B) otherwise known as the Florida biotype. This new invader was so aggressive, it displaced the original whitefly type specimen Bemisia tabaci (biotype A), which can no longer be found in the United States according to a University of Florida IFAS publication. By 1994 the biotype B that was becoming so problematic was described as a new species and has since been known as the silverleaf whitefly Bemisia argentifolii (Bellows & Perring) for its tendency to cause silverleaf disorder in squash.
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Smokin’ WE’RE
WWW.johnsonbarbeque.COM winter haven • plant city
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3/28/14 10:15 AM
NEWS BRIEFS Compiled by Jim Frankowiak
FDACS OPERATION ‘CLEANSWEEP’
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is offering a free, statewide, mobile pesticide collection program that provides a safe way to dispose of cancelled, suspended and unusable pesticides. The program is available to farms, groves, greenhouses, nurseries, golf courses and pest control services. To sign up for this program, call: 877-851-5285
USDA DESIGNATES ALL TAMPA BAY AREACOUNTIES AS PRIMARY NATURAL DISASTER AREAS
The United States Department of Agriculture has designated 44 Florida counties as primary natural disaster areas due to losses and damage caused by Hurricane Irma, making all qualified farm operators in the designated area eligible for USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Emergency (EM) loans provided eligibility requirements are met. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the declaration (September 9 for Hillsborough and Polk counties and October 13 for Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Sarasota counties) to apply for loans to help cover part of their actual losses. FSA will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability. FSA has a variety of programs, in addition to the EM loan program, to help eligible farmers recover from adversity. Interested farmers may contact their local USDA service centers for further information on eligibility requirements and application procedures. Additional information is also available online at: http//disaster.fsa.usda.gov.
REPORT DETAILS UNCERTAINTY HARMING FARMERS
The Global Harvest Initiative’s 2017 Global Productivity Report shows that for the fourth consecutive year, global agricultural productivity is not accelerating fast enough to sustainably feed the world in 2050. Additionally, the report says uncertainty about trade opportunities and regulations complicates planning for U.S. farmers and industry. According to the report, global agricultural productivity must increase by 1.75 percent annually to meet the demands of nearly 10 billion people in 2050. The annual assessment of global productivity growth, termed the GAP Index, shows the current rate of growth is 1.66 percent globally. The full report is available on line at: http://www.globalharvestinitiative.org/.
HURRICANE IRMA RELIEF FUND
Florida Farm Bureau Women’s Fund is accepting tax-deductible donations to aid in relief to Florida agriculture devastated by Hurricane Irma. Donations to this fund will be disbursed via an application process. To apply, Florida farmers and ranchers should complete the application which is accessible online at: https://floridafarmbureau.formstack.com/forms/irmarelieffund.
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Those interested in making donations, should make their check payable to: Florida Farm Bureau Women’s Fund
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Memo: Hurricane Irma Relief for Agriculture P.O. Box 147030 Gainesville, Florida 32614
USDA’S AG RESEARCH SERVICE HAS A NEW, MORE USER FRIENDLY WEBSITE
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) has a newly designed website that improves access to information about ARS research. The new site features mobile responsiveness allowing users to better navigate and view information on both mobile and desktop devices. ARS maintains scientific information from research conducted by nearly 2,000 federal scientists on animal and crop health, human nutrition, food safety and natural resources. The site is located at https://www.ars.usda.gov and has more than 300,000 pages.
UF OFFERS FREE INVASIVE PLANTS TOOLKIT FOR TEACHERS
Researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) are offering science and agriculture teachers nationwide a new tool to teach students about invasive plants. The Florida Invasive Plant Education Initiative at the UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants (CAI:P) has partnered with The Aquatic Plant Management Society (APMS) to produce a 16-minute video presentation, “Silent Invaders,” for teachers to introduce students to the concepts of invasive aquatic plants and their management with examples from across the U.S. In addition, there is a Teacher’s Guide, Teaching Points, Keyword Chart and Definitions and Guiding Questions (plus answer key) suitable for upper elementary, middle and high school students. The video and supporting documents may be accessed at http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/education/silentinvaders.shtml. Lesson plans and activities and other educational resources for teachers and informal educations are available at http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/education/.
USDA OFFERING FARM TO SCHOOL GRANTS The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is offering grants to schools through its Farm to School Program totaling $5 million. This program refers to initiatives that bring locally or regionally produced foods into school cafeterias. The program also includes hands-on learning activities such as school gardening, farm visits and culinary classes and the integration of food-related education into the regular, standards-based classroom curriculum. Schools, Native American tribes, farmers and other organizations may be eligible to apply for grants up to $100,000 for planning, implementing or training on the form to school programs. The application deadline is December 8, 2017 and may be accessed online at: www.fns.usda.gov. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Classifieds
Tel: 813.759.6909
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
BUILDING SUPPLIES METAL ROOFING
Thousands of 8ft. & 10ft. sheets. In Stock. Prices from $6 and up. Custom lengths available. 813-752-7088 ask for Ferris.
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
All wood kitchen cabinets. All wood vanities. Granite counter tops. Custom made to your size. Call Blake 813-752-3378
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ROUND BALES
4X5 round bales of herbicidal and fertilized Pangola Hay. Call Dale 813-229-9876 or John 407-448-5608
2004 KUBOTA M120
Tractor with cab and Loader. $22,500 Call Alvie 813-759-8722
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Zero turn mowers. Good Condition. Price starts at $1,000. Call Alvie 813-759-8722
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Air Blast Sprayer. Good condition. $3,500.00 Call Alvie 813-759-8722
7X15 LAWN TRAILER
DOORS & WINDOWS SPECIAL ORDER No upcharge. House & Mobile Home. Many standard sizes in stock. Ask for Blake. (813) 752-3378
KITCHEN CABINETS & VANITIES
Get quality all wood cabinets for less than the BIG Box STORES! Call Today! Ask for Blake. (813) 752-3378
JOBS MECHANIC NEEDED Agricultural equipment. Pay with benefits based on experience. Call Alvie 813-759-8722
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Agriculture / Grove Equipment tractor Used Lawn Trailer with aluminum plate tool parts sales person. Experience a plus, box. 5ft tongue & heavy duty gate. $1,650 Call Computer skills a must! Call 863-537-1345 Alvie 813-759-8722
MOBILE HOME SUPPLIES
Millcreek Pine Bark Row Mulcher. For blueberry farms, six yard, PTO drive need at least a 30hp tractor. Call 863-604-2526 for rental details.
Many colors and styles to choose from. Ask for Ted. 813-752-3378
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
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ROSSI CADDY 8 HAY RAKE Call Alvie 813-759-8722
FOR SALE
PRODUCE FRESH PRODUCE
Forbes Road Produce. Open everyday from 7:30am - 8pm. Forbes Rd. & I-4 @ exit 17. Come out and see us!
REAL ESTATE NORTH GEORGIA MOUNTAINS
MAHINDRA 4530
Tractor with loader. 4X4, 44hp. $15,000 Call Alvie 813-759-8722
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Schlitter Encore Recumbent I purchased this bike brand new in May 2017. It has less that 75 miles on it. Its a carbon frame 700c wheelbase. 52/39/30 FSA triple crank with carbon crank arms. Vuelta Corsa Lite wheel set. This bike is clean and kept inside. Asking $2,200 Call 813-758-3864
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LAWN EQUIPMENT/ SUPPLIES Zero Turn Mower 52� cut, 23hp. Kohler engine, 3 year warranty. $2,999 Call Alvie 813-759-8722
4X4, 65 hp with loader. 1,000 hours. $16,500 Call Alvie 813-759-8722
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Administrative assistant / Finance Manager. Bilingual a plus. Paid based on skill and experience. Call Alvie 813-759-8722
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ADULT TRICYCLE
Brand New Still in the Box & Never Ridden! Big Seat, Large Basket, Single Speed $275.00 Ask for Jimmy (863)226-3504
November 2017
Have you ever considered moving to beautiful Blairsville, Georgia or just need a getaway home? Blairsville is a desirable community & great location. Call Jane Baer Realty and ask for Jane. 706-745-2261 www.janebaerrealty.com
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Wooden Shipping Pallets All sizes! Call Alvie 813-759-8722
RUBBER MULCH
All Colors, buy 10 bags, get 1 FREE! $8.99 a bag. Call Ted (813) 752-3378
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WE’RE PUTTING SCIENCE TO WORK TO PRESERVE NATURE
© 2017 The Mosaic Company
Every day, Mosaic puts science to work right here in our community. Our team of engineers and other specialists work with regulatory agencies to identify areas of environmental sensitivity that should be preserved and protected. Through its land conservation and reclamation efforts, Mosaic has helped provide over 46,000 acres of natural lands that offer functioning habitats for plant and animal life. Shelley, a senior permitting engineer for Mosaic, works to ensure these preservation areas support a sustainable post-mining landscape that includes wildlife corridors and habitat diversity. To learn more about Mosaic’s preservation techniques, visit Science.MosaicCo.com.
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