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CONTENTS
OCTOBER 2017 | VOL. 12 • ISSUE 12 AGRICULTURE AND COMMUNITY RESPOND TO HURRICANE NEEDS OF RCMA Taking Care of Farmworker Children and More
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PAGE 12 Photo Archives
PAGE 40 Hurricane Damage
PAGE 60 Florida Ag Expo
PAGE 14 Ditch Cleaning
PAGE 42 Jack Payne
PAGE 61 Meet the Minks
PAGE 46 John Dicks
PAGE 68 Meet the Minks
PAGE 48 Endangered Species
PAGE 70
PAGE 50 Fertilization BMPs
A Closer look
PAGE 18 Fishing Hot Spots PAGE 22 Rocking Chair Chatter PAGE 28 Watershed Protection
PAGE 52 Recipes
PAGE 32 Photo Contest
Activity
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PAGE 74 News Briefs
PAGE 54 Literary Time Machine
PAGE 35 Mabolo
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
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InTheField® Magazine P.O. Box 5377 • Plant City, Fl. 33566-0042 *Winners will be notified by phone. You Too Can Be A Winner!
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Hillsborough County Farm Bureau 100 S. Mulrennan Rd. Valrico, Fl. Office Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 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 DIRECTORS FOR 2016 - 2017 Jake Cremer, Tiffany Dale, Carson Futch, Jim Frankowiak, Chip Hinton, John Joyner, Tony Lopez, Rep. Jake Raburn, Emeritus, Sambahv, Marty Tanner, Vincent Tort, Carl Bauman, Dennis Carlton Jr, Melissa Grimes.
Judi Whitson, Executive Director 813-685-9121 Farm Bureau Insurance Special Agents
Valrico Office 813-685-5673
100 S. Mulrennan Rd., Valrico, FL. 33594 Tommy Hale, CLU, ChFC, CASL, CPCU Agency Mgr. Juile Carlson, John McGuire
Plant City Office 813.752.5577
1302 S. Collins St., Plant City, FL 33563 Jeff Summer Bill Williams
Tampa Office 813.933.5440
13103 W. Linebaugh Ave. Tampa, FL.33626 Greg Harrell, Sonia Valladares
AGENCY MANAGER Tommy Hale WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
ININTTHE FFIELD HE IELDM MAGAZINE AGAZINE
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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 Florida residents waited with anticipation for days, closely following the track of Hurricane Irma. Where would she make landfall? Then what? Where would it go? Would it weaken? When the hurricane hit Florida it was about 420 miles wide, wider than every state except Alaska, Montana and Texas. A month later recovery is in full swing and agriculture losses are staggering. The Florida Department of Agriculture estimates that preliminary agriculture damages total more than $2.5 billion, a large portion of that is in the already beleaguered citrus industry. The Commissioner warned that this is only an initial assessment. Greater economic losses are expected in future production as well as the cost of rebuilding. What can we do? Now, more than ever, we need to look for foods that are labeled Fresh From Florida. Support your local farmers and ranchers. They really took it on the chin this year and they need the support of local buyers. In addition to helping our neighbors, locally grown food is picked at its peak, with shorter time between the farm and your table, so you are getting the freshest, most nutritious food available. By supporting local farmers and ranchers today, you will ensure these farms will stay in your community. Until next month
Sarah Holt The LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. - Numbers 6:25
Sales Al Berry Tina Richmond Danny Crampton Melissa Nichols Taeler Dupre 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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IT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY
- Kenneth Parker - President
Dear Readers: Hurricane Irma has come and gone. She left her mark all across our state, as well as here in Hillsborough County. Damage and destruction was broad-based, regardless of where you live. I know many of you have significant losses and work to do to repair and replace what has been impacted. However, Hurricane Irma’s wrath could have been worse, much worse.
Florida Farm Bureau Federation President John Hoblick wasted no time in seeking state recognition and assistance for our producers, and he has been successful. Also, many of our local, state and national elected officials and regulators have also been responsive in recognizing our situation and offering diverse assistance. Many of those resources are listed in this edition, as well.
Consider the plight of the people of the islands. More than three million in Puerto Rico alone without power and officials are talking weeks, even months before full restoration takes place. Let’s also not forget the loss of life that has occurred.
Going forward, I would ask each of you to consider assistance at whatever level is possible for you to help those in need at this time. There are options for your support, and any level of help that you can provide is appreciated.
Yes, the damage and destruction of Hurricane Irma is evident throughout our area, but it could have been much worse.
I am also pleased to report that Hillsborough County Farm Bureau is now in its new home adjacent to downtown Plant City. Our annual meeting is set for that location so you will have an opportunity to visit our new offices.
We all owe our thanks to the many first responders who cared for us during and after the hurricane. Let’s not forget the utility workers from out of state – even some from out of the country -- who left their families to help restore our services. This edition of IN THE FIELD has a story about industry and community response to the critical needs of the Redlands Christian Migrant Association. I am proud to be part of an industry that recognized and responded to those needs immediately after Hurricane Irma and long term. My thanks, as well, to the members of the community who have, and continue, to support RCMA.
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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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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LEW PROSSER, PLANT CITY’S QUIET ENTREPRENEUR, PAVED THE WAY FOR AGRICULTURAL EXPANSION By Plant City Photo Archives and History Center
Plant City State Farmers Market circa 1939 Many Plant City area individuals involved in the agriculture industry know the story of Lew Prosser and the many and varied businesses he delved into. Most, however, either do not know or do not remember some of the long-lasting effects of his enterprises. Reviewing an article Prosser wrote for The Courier and published March 3, 1975, some of his accomplishments stand out – although he does not take credit for them. In the early years following the turn of the century Plant City’s agricultural community consisted mainly of hundreds of small farms. Strawberry farms were small family operations of up to ten acres. By 1920 Plant City had gained the reputation of the “World’s Winter Strawberry Capital,” and by the 1930s was reaching its peak production with about 6,000 acres in production. By 1928, at the age of 29, Prosser had become owner of the R.W. Burch Co., a Plant City fruit and produce shipping and packing company, and later became the third largest independent shipper of citrus fruit in Florida. In his earlier years, he worked for the S.A.L. Railroad and gained valuable experience in freight shipping and the express business.
Lew Prosser, 1968 pany to enable mixed lots of produce to be loaded on one rail car soley dedicated to the shipment of produce. He dealt with the strawberry pony reefer problem in the 1930s. This is what he wrote. “Although the steady growth of the [strawberry] industry outgrew this time-consuming, expensive method of preparing the berries for shipment, the express companies were not yet willing to provide refrigerated carlot express service. One of the enterprising shippers with traffic experience [Prosser] underwrote the expense of a proceeding before the Interstate Commerce Commission in Washington. The case lasted three years and eventually, in the early ‘30s, resulted in the express companies’ being required by law to provide full refrigerated car service by express at reduced rates. “This landmark ruling encouraged growers and shippers to expand the industry, resulting in whole trainloads of strawberries being moved out of Plant City by special express trains. Eventually this increased volume led to formation of the Strawberry Auction Company for the sale of carlot shipments of strawberries. This in turn was the forerunner of a state operated farmers’ market here for handling of fruits and vegetables, the state’s largest.” Plant City’s State Farmers’ Market was dedicated March 3, 1939, during the Florida Strawberry Festival.
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Prosser wrote about the transit problem. “Because of their highly fragile and perishable nature, strawberries required special hand packing and couldn’t be transported on reglar freight trains. The grower was com- Strawberry packing in the 1920s pelled to rely on express shipments on passenger trains. For this reason, despite Plant City’s fame for her Other of Prosser’s accomplishments include two patents strawberry crop, the actual shipping volume was relatively which proved very valuable to the citrus industry. One was small.” use of the trisodium phosphate bath, which retarded decay and eliminated the necessity of individually wrapping each At that time, strawberries for shipping were packed in conpiece of fruit. Another was the “Color added” process of dyetainers known as “pony reefers” which came in three sizes: 80 ing certain varieties of oranges. quarts, an intermediate unit of 64 quarts, and a small unit of 32 quarts. “Each unit was individually and carefully refrigerAgain, not taking credit, Lew Prosser wrote of another accomated by placing chipped ice in trays which lined the reefer. plishment. The painstaking process required many hours of labor, often extending far into the night, in order to meet passenger train “Another first which benefitted growers in the area was fortimetables. mation of the Plant City Production Credit Company, administered by the city’s largest shipping company [Prosser] and “The containers were loaded in railway express cars which sponsored by an agricultural branch of the U. S. Government. were joined to the train as it came through, providing swift This form of credit was a precursor of the now universally acmovement of the exotic cargo to waiting markets. Often durclaimed Production Credit Association, an arm of government ing the heavy shipping season these express cars were so nu[USDA], extensively known and used through Florida.” merous that the train was obliged to operate in two sections, causing scheduling difficulties for the railroad.” Plant City’s quiet entrepreneur, Lew Prosser, has an even longer list of accomplishments, from which the community benIn the mid 1920s, Prosser formed the Florida Mixed Car Comefitted, but he seldom talked about them.
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Y U THE DIFFERENCE IS...
The County Alliance for Responsible Environmental Stewardship, or CARES program, recognizes farmers and ranchers who have voluntarily implemented Best Management Practices (BMPs). Recipients are recognized with a CARES sign for their property, which shows they are actively involved in protecting our natural resources.
Call FDACS today to enroll: (850) 617-1727 • THISFARMCARES.org S P O N S O R E D BY
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EMERGENCY DITCH CLEANING RULES The path of Hurricane Irma through the State of Florida is marked by destruction and large amounts of rainwater on the landscape leading to questions from agricultural producers as to what they can legally do to help alleviate excess water on their property. At the request of Florida Farm Bureau Federation President John Hoblick, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Office of Ag Water Policy (OAWP) provided some clarification on the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Emergency Order OGC No. 17-0989 relative to ditch cleaning. The following criteria was FDACS’ interpretation of the Emergency Order, but was not interpreted by legal counsel, and each individual operating under this Order should consult with their attorney before modifying any water control structure without the proper permit. “Cleaning out a ditch that is full of mud and debris from the storm is authorized to be done without a permit or any notification to the Water Management Districts or FDEP as long as the following conditions are met: 1. The ditch is within the farmer’s property and has not been completely destroyed by the storm.
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2. The ditch is not expanded, relocated or deepened beyond the configuration that existed before the storm or the configuration authorized by an existing permit, if applicable. (Use of different construction materials or minor deviations to allow upgrades to current structural and design standards is allowed.)
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By Jim Frankowiak
3. Any material removed from the ditch is placed in uplands that are diked, sloped or designed so that the material will not discharge into wetlands or surface waters. If material is placed in the drainage structure to restore its previous condition, the material must be clean (free of debris and pollutants) and sourced from uplands that existed prior to Hurricane Irma. The type and slope of the shoreline must be restored to the preexisting condition. 4. Any ditch plugs that existed prior to the storm that separated the ditch from other water bodies may not be removed or deepened. 5. Best management practices and devices such as hay bales, mulch and turbidity screens should be used to prevent erosion and water quality problems during repairs made to the system. Additionally, any water control structures such as culverts, weirs, dikes and dams that are associated with a drainage system may also be repaired without notifying anyone as long as the structures have not been completely destroyed and are replaced in the same location and configuration that existed before the storm.” Field authorizations by FDEP or the Water Management Districts are available to replace structures that were completely destroyed by Hurricane Irma. Florida Farm Bureau staff is available to assist with any questions or identifying contacts with representatives of the appropriate authority. Contact Curt Williams at 352-316-2685 or by email: curt.williams@ffbf.org. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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RED FISHING TAMPA BAY
by Capt. Woody Gore
MYSTICAL EARLY MORNING TAMPA BAY GRASS FLAT
As you approach the no motor zone you quietly ease your trolling motor into the water thinking, man this is perfect, no one else is around. A slight witch’s brew fog slowly lifts from glass flat water and you make your way back to your favorite redfish area. Silently moving through the light fog; you’re thinking what a morning to work topwater lures across a shallow broken bottom grass flat. Arriving at your spot you reach down, pick up your rod and make the first of many casts. Watching and waiting intently as the ripples disappear, you finally begin slowly dog walking the lure from side to side. That peaceful backdrop of Mother Nature demands you work the lure over every pot hole, because you know one of them has a redfish looking for food. You’ve done it a thousand times, but the expectation and adrenaline rush of a redfish swirling and exploding on your lure, always catches you off guard. And as usual that thought barely clears your mind and it happens, busting from beneath the water; a giant red consumes your lure. Folks the battle begins; it’s fish-on! Ok let’s talk about this built to brawl fish, that’s always ready to battle, and has disciplined some of today’s top inshore anglers. Over the last decade redfish have become a major target species, both recreationally and in tournaments. Primarily fished inshore, it began its popularity as blackened Redfish in New Orleans restaurants and is now a target of numerous professional redfish tournaments and thousands of recreational anglers. Also, Florida’s steadily increasing population affords increased fishing pressure, which is again threatening the survival of redfish populations. They are being threatened to the point that regulatory measures are often discussed to preserve this marvelous angling adversary. On shallow water tidal flats keep your eyes open for the enticing black dotted tails sticking out of the water; it’s a sure sign redfish are actively feeding. Although feeding redfish offer seemingly easy targets, don’t be fooled, they have excellent eyesight and even better hearing. It’s often joked that a redfish can hear you change your mind and that’s not far off the mark. Always be prepared for a battle, redfish are never bashful about attacking live baits, dead bait and artificial lures. As the sun rises over the mangrove shoreline, try twitching soft plastic jerk baits rigged on a lightweight jig head or weedless with a 2/0 Daiichi Bleeding Bait worm hook. When rigged weedless, I sometimes like using a screw-in or pegged 1/8 oz. bullet weight. Cut pinfish, mullet or ladyfish dead sticked on the bottom can be successful, but often boring just sitting and waiting. Success in red fishing depends on two important factors, tidal movements and time on the water.
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Capt. Woody Gore (www.captainwoodygore.com)
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Overall when it comes to fishing in general, I shudder to think with our ever exploding population, quest for the all mighty dollar, and our ability to continually destroy our natural resources, that someday it could be lost forever. Remember, it’s our responsibility to protect these precious environmentally sensitive resources. If we do not accept the task who will? WWW. INITNHE FIELD MM AGAZINE.COM WWW. THE FIELD AGAZINE.COM
TAMPA BAY FISHING REPORT OCTOBER 2017 by Capt. Woody Gore
Snook Cooling water temperatures have the snook bite going strong. They should become even more active as they get accumulated and comfortable to the lower water temps. Having maintained decent snook action most of the summer, October and November should continue nicely with plenty of action. Redfish were active in last month and should continue into November. Good red fishing should continue with catches around oyster bars, mangroves and broken bottom grass flats. We’re using mostly cut pinfish and cut ladyfish. The Sea Trout bite continues getting stronger right into and through the winter months, so be prepared for some decent winter trout action. Always try to fish strong incoming and outgoing tides using artificial lures, live greenbacks and shrimp. Free line your baits sometimes with a small split shot or a popping cork and a small split shot to keep it away from the birds. Mackerel, Blue Fish Ladyfish should still be hanging around feeding on bait schools. If you’re interested in some extra excitement check out the mackerel bite. Live greenbacks or a silver spoon and if you’re really looking for some exciting action try a topwater. Don’t turn your nose up at ladyfish because they can be loads of fun. The one thing to remember is always use a Dehooker at the side of the boat. If you bring them in the boat they have a tendency to poop everywhere including on you.
Mangrove Snapper are found on every rock pile or structure
around Tampa Bay and are fairly easy to catch, but you’ve got to be quick. A small (knocker or Carolina rig) with a #1 or 1/0 hook should produce a nice meal. They’re really partial to the small greenbacks and shrimp.
Pompano are showing up around the bridges. I’m seeing some nice catches coming to the boat dock. Bridge pilings are a great place for pompano, because the barnacles have grown up over the years and now attract small crabs, shrimp and other sources of food. Other places to fish are around the mouths of passes, mainly those with a drop off near the mouth of the pass. These are ideal spots to fish an incoming tide as pompano will be in the deeper water waiting for the tide to flush sand fleas, and crabs over the drop. Cobia Often found around range markers, channel markers
and bridges during November. Toss them a pinfish, greenback or artificial eel, wait for the rod to bend, then hold on and crank.
“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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Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief. Dark green vegetables include more vitamin C than light green color vegetables. Eating more fruits and vegetables could significantly reduce the risk of many chronic diseases, high B.P, obesity, heart disease and some cancers. Lime oil is useful to cool fevers. It can also stimulate and refresh a tired mind and helps with depression. Sapodilla is a uniquely tasting fruit. It had a soft brown flesh with flavors like a sweet mix of brown sugar and root beer. An orange’s vitamin C content helps fight back assaults from viruses and germs, cold and fatigue.
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Sponsored by:
HOPEWELL FUNERAL HOME • MEMORIAL GARDENS
www.HopewellFuneraI.com FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1971
Outhouse
Most of you people reading this column have never used an “outhouse.” For years before indoor plumbing this was all that was available in town or on the farm.
I did a little research and found some interesting stories on the use of these marvelous legends of America. Outhouses With Two Holes: No, these old vintage structures weren’t usually doing double duty. Rather, most contained two holes of different sizes - one for adults and one for children. Don’t think those kids wanted to sit on the bigger hole and risk the consequences. However, that being said, some large families would have multiple holes for use at the same time. In Montana, there was once a hotel that had an outhouse with 12 seats. The crescent moon cutout and the star cutout on the door of many outhouses goes back to Colonial times. In a time when few people could read, the crescent moon was the symbol for women while the star cutout was for men. It is thought that the men, in general, let their outhouses fall into such bad shape that it was the women’s outhouses that survived the test of time. The cutout also let in light, as there were usually no windows. Outhouse Builders: During Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration - the WPA - there were teams of outhouse builders who built most of the outhouses in rural areas. Toilet Paper: Considered a luxury by most rural families, newspaper or pages from old catalogs were more often used. The average outhouse was usually three to four feet square by seven feet high with no window, heat, or electric light. Due to the odor, most were built between 50 and 150 feet from the main house, often facing away from the house. So that they didn’t have to smell the unpleasant odor, many people left the door open while they were using it. Old-timers will admit that they had trouble breaking this habit with the invention of indoor bathrooms. Most interesting were the two story outhouse. The upstairs facilities were situated a little further back so that the “materials” released from the second floor would fall behind the wall of the first floor. There are a few of these old relics still around.
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The outhouse had always seemed a fitting memorial to the ingenuity and practicality of their founders, those restless,
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imaginative spirits who first caught the scent of opportunity in the Western breeze. There was once a country boy who hated using the outhouse because it was hot in the summer and freezing in the winter, plus it stank all the time. The outhouse was situated on the bank of a creek and the boy determined that one day he would push that outhouse into the creek. So one day after a spring rain the creek was swollen so the little boy decided today was the day to push the outhouse into the creek. He got a large stick and started pushing. Finally, the outhouse toppled into the creek and floated away. That night his dad told him they were going to the woodshed after supper. Knowing this meant a spanking, the little boy asked why. The dad replied, “Someone pushed the outhouse into the creek today. It was you, wasn’t it, son?” The boy answered yes. Then he thought a moment and said, “Dad, I read in school today that George Washington chopped down a cherry tree and didn’t get into trouble because he told the truth.” The dad replied, “Well, son, George Washington’s father wasn’t in that cherry tree.” I love the story of the kid that comes home from college. His father is a farmer, and he’s shoveling all the manure onto the hay crop to fertilize it. The kid says, “Hey Pop, I learned in college that there is an easier way to everything.” They go in to town, and buy some dynamite. The plan was to rig it up under the outhouse and blow the manure into the hay field. They got it all rigged up, but they don’t see Grandma coming to the outhouse. Ka-Boom! The manure goes flying, and so does Grandma. Plop! She lands in the hay field. They run to her, “Grandma, Grandma, are you all right?” She said, “Yes I’m fine. Phew! I’m glad I didn’t let that one out in the kitchen.” Then there’s the story of Ma who was in the kitchen fiddling around when she hollers out, “Pa! You need to go out and fix the outhouse!” Pa replies, “There ain’t nuthin wrong with the outhouse.” Ma yells back, “Yes there is, now git out there and fix it.” WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
So, Pa moseyed out to the outhouse, looks around and yells back, “Ma! There ain’t nuthin wrong with the outhouse!” Ma replies, “Stick yur head in the hole!” Pa yells back, “I ain’t stickin my head in that hole!” Ma says, “Ya have to stick yur head in the hole to see what to fix.” So with that, Pa sticks his head in the hole, looks around and yells back, “Ma! There ain’t nuthin wrong with this outhouse!” Ma hollers back, “Now take your head out of the hole!” Pa proceeds to pull his head out of the hole, then starts yelling, “Ma! Help! My beard is stuck in the cracks in the toilet seat!” To which Ma replies, “Hurt’s, don’t it?”
The Outhouse Poem Author Unknown The service station trade was slow The owner sat around, With sharpened knife and cedar stick Piled shavings on the ground. No modern facilities had they, The log across the rill Led to a shack, marked His and Hers That sat against the hill. “Where is the ladies restroom, sir?” The owner leaning back, Said not a word but whittled on, And nodded toward the shack. With quickened step she entered there But only stayed a minute, Until she screamed, just like a snake Or spider might be in it. With startled look and beet red face She bounded through the door, And headed quickly for the car Just like three gals before. She missed the foot log - jumped the stream The owner gave a shout, As her silk stockings, down at her knees Caught on a sassafras sprout. She tripped and fell - got up, and then In obvious disgust, Ran to the car, stepped on the gas, And faded in the dust. Of course we all desired to know What made the gals all do The things they did, and then we found The whittling owner knew. A speaking system he’d devised To make the thing complete, He tied a speaker on the wall Beneath the toilet seat. He’d wait until the gals got set And then the devilish tike, Would stop his whittling long enough, To speak into the mike. And as she sat, a voice below Struck terror, fright and fear, “Will you please use the other hole, We’re painting under here!” INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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Specializing in Foreign and Domestic Trucks and Cars
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BILL’S TRANSMISSIONS Tel: 813.707.9865 13350 Hwy. 92E WE NOW OFFER TOWING Dover, FL 33527 Come See Porky!
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USDA OFFERS EMERGENCY WATERSHED PROTECTION HELP By Jim Frankowiak
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has an Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) that assists in recovery efforts to relieve imminent hazards to life and property from natural disasters such as Hurricane Irma. The program is administered by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Assistance must be requested by an eligible sponsor, which includes state government agencies, cities, counties, Soil and Water Conservation Districts and American Tribes or organizations. NRCS provides technical assistance and may reimburse up to 75 percent of the construction.
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Local sources contribute the remaining portion in the form of cash, in-kind services or a combination of both. Sponsors are responsible for: • Providing land rights to do repair work • Securing necessary permits • Accomplishing the installation of work • Performing operation and maintenance Authorize work under the EWP includes:
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• Debris-=clogged stream channels or drainage canals • Undermined and unstable stream banks or drainage canal banks • Jeopardized water control structures and public infrastructures • Wind-borne debris removal • Damaged upland sites stripped of protective vegetation by fire or drought Floodplain easements for restoring, protecting and enhancing the functions and values of floodplains, including associated wetlands and riparian areas are available through the EWP. More information on the EWP is available in the guide on the Florida NRCS website: http://tinyurl.com/yd4wkevd. You may also contact the Florida NRCS state office at 352-338-9500 or NRCS District Conservationist Lisa Harper, who is based in the USDA-NRCS Plant City office 813-473-4882. Her cell number is 813-431-0016. Her email address is: lisa.harper@fl.usda.gov. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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WE’RE PUTTING SCIENCE TO WORK FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.
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© 2017 The Mosaic Company
At Mosaic, we’re putting science to work right here in the community. From serving as docents at the Coastal Education Center to volunteering in robotics labs, our scientists and engineers work closely with Tampa Bay area schools to provide students with innovative learning opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Mosaic ecologist Michelle helps students explore the plants and wildlife found at the Coastal Education Center, located at the mouth of the Alafia River.
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To learn more about Mosaic’s support of STEM education, visit Science.MosaicCo.com.
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Winning Photo By: Paul Kelly
HILLSBOROUGH FARM BUREAU MEMBER TAKES TOP HONORS IN ONLINE PHOTO CONTEST
By Jim Frankowiak
Hillsborough County Farm Bureau Member Paul Kelly took top state honors in the 2017 Florida Farm Bureau Federation Online Photo Contest for his “Looking at the Bay” photo in the Natural Florida and Wildlife Category of the competition. Other categories included “On the Farm” and “Farm Bureau Members in Their Communities.” The contest attracted more than 165 photos from across Florida. A Brandon native, Kelly went to Durant High School and the University of South Florida. He is married and he and his wife Lisa have two children, a four-year-old son Bryce and twoyear-old daughter Charlotte.
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“We live in Riverview and enjoy being outdoors and especially going to state parks and other local parks, hiking and, of course, taking pictures,” said Kelly, who is a third grade math and science teacher at Reddick Elementary School in Wimauma. “I have no formal photographic training, but became interested in photography in November of 2015, think-
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ing that I would be taking lots of pics of my children.
“I soon developed a passion for it and began going out weekly to different parks in the state to take pictures. I mostly shoot landscapes, flowers, nature and architectural photography. I would like to improve in portrait photography,” Kelly added. “The winning photo was taken January 15 of this year at Picnic Island Park in Tampa. It was taken before I got my full frame camera. It was shot with a Pentax K-3 with a 16—50 mm f2.8 lens at 16mm and f8. “The Farm Bureau Online Photo Contest was the first competition that I have entered,” said Kelly. Judi Whitson, Hillsborough County Farm Bureau Executive Director recently presented Kelly with a $150 First Prize check on behalf of Florida Farm Bureau Federation. In addition to his winning photo, this article includes other samples of Kelly’s photographic skills within and outside of Florida.
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Fall Heifer & Cow Sale October 27th 1 pm. Expecting 300+/- HD Quality Replacement Cattle
Cross Bred Cows & Heifers (Bred, Open, Pairs) For More Information Please Contact Office: 863-665-5088 Dave: 863-559-3266 Mike: 863-559-5091
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Celebrating a most fruitful relationship between Florida Strawberry Growers and International Paper.
1979
Together we’re sure to enjoy many more years of sweet success.
711 E. Lancaster Rd Orlando, FL 32809 (407) 855-2121
1996
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
2001
2003
Present
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©2017 International Paper Company. All rights reserved.
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Florida
Mabolo: Velvet Apple By Sandy Kaster, M.S. Clinical Medicines, B.S. Nutrition Science Native to the Phillipines, mabolo, also called velvet apple, is a relative of the persimmon. The velvet apple is not actually a type of apple, but a tropical fruit that is grown in south Florida, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and the Carribean. Florida’s peak season for the velvet apple is in the autumn months. The velvet apple gets its name from the fine reddish-brown hair that covers the outside of the fruit, giving it the appearance and feel of soft velvet---similar to that of a peach. The mabolo resembles a small, flattened regular apple two to four inches in size. The flesh is creamy-white with several large flat seeds, with a mild, slightly sweet taste similar to that of a banana. Some varieties have a very aromatic fragrance that resembles cheese when ripe. Fresh velvet apples are usually eaten fresh out-of-hand, but can also be used for ice cream and other desserts.
Nutritional Profile According to Purdue University, 100g of fresh edible velvet apple contains 110 calories, 27 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of protein, and less than 1 gram of fat. This fruit also provides plenty of calcium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, the B vitamins, and vitamins A and C.
Vitamin A Vitamin A is well known for its contribution to good vision and healthy eyes. In a study of more than 50,000 women, those who consumed the most vitamin A in their diet reduced their risk of developing cataracts by 39 percent. Cataracts are a common problem plaguing the vision of many older adults, but a diet rich in vitamin A can be protective. Additionally, data from a large study of over 100,000 men and women indicated that eating three or more servings of fruit per day lowered the risk of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) by 36 percent compared with people who ate less than one serving of fruit per day. ARMD is the primary cause of vision loss in older adults. Researchers concluded that the vitamins and carotenoids in fruit were responsible for the protective effect on the development of ARMD. Mabolo, and other foods rich in vitamin A, may also be beneficial to lung health. Researchers at Kansas State University discovered that carcinogens in cigarette smoke may deplete
Vitamin C Vitamin C is often touted for its ability to fight colds and viruses and maintain healthy skin and gums. This important antioxidant fights off free radicals, compounds that cause cell damage and widespread inflammation in the body. Vitamin C lowers cancer risk and helps regenerate vitamin E levels. Additionally, this vitamin increases iron absorption. Consuming a food high in vitamin C, such as velvet apple, alongside a food rich in iron, such as spinach, will increase the amount of iron absorbed by the body. Vitamin C plays a strong protective role in the body, providing protection from cardiovascular disease, cancer, joint disease, and cataracts.
How to Select & Store Velvet apples grow as green fruits on the tree and turn gold upon ripening. Ripe fruits have a deep orange-red hue, velvety skin, and a pungent smell. Refrigerate unwashed, ripe fruit for up to three to five days. For longer storage, the pulp may be frozen after peeling the fruit and removing the large seeds.
How to Enjoy Velvet apples are sweet and delicious eaten out-of-hand. Since the skin can be tough, peel the fruit before eating and refrigerate for a few hours before serving. The flesh can be sliced and seasoned with lime juice and syrup. It can also be diced and added to any fruit or vegetable salad, or incorporated into ice cream, cake, or dessert. The fruit can also be chopped and sautĂŠed in butter and served alongside any meat. Try fresh Florida velvet apple today! This fun tropical fruit is at its peak now during the autumn months.
Selected References http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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the body’s stores of vitamin A, and increase the likelihood of developing emphysema and lung cancer. They also discovered that a diet rich in vitamin A can reduce the risk of emphysema in smokers.
PARTS & EQUIPMENT IN STOCK AT KENNCO YEAR ROUND!!!! You know what works... and we’ve listened to you.
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Call for details!
KENNCO MANUFACTURING, INC. P.O. Box 1158 | Ruskin, FL 33575 | 800-645-2591 | Fax 813-645-7801 Sales@KenncoMfg.com | www.KenncoMfg.com
Hear about specials and deliveries in your area. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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Hurricane Irma DAMAGE Commissioner Putnam Announces Preliminary Florida Agricultural Damages Due to Hurricane Irma Total $2.5 Billion Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam announced that the preliminary agricultural damages caused by Hurricane Irma in Florida total more than $2.5 billion. In an initial report released in early October, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services estimated losses for each segment of agriculture. The preliminary economic assessments account for: current crop losses and ancillary losses, such as debris cleanup, damaged infrastructure, and animals’ long-term welfare affected by Hurricane Irma. This preliminary assessment will change as new information becomes available, and it is not representative of any specific funding request. “Florida agriculture took it on the chin as Hurricane Irma pummeled the state, and the $2.5 billion in agricultural damages is only an initial assessment. We’re likely to see even greater economic losses as we account for loss of future production and the cost to rebuild infrastructure. We’re going to do everything within our power to support Florida agriculture as it recovers from Hurricane Irma’s devastation,” stated Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. The estimated economic agricultural damages according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ preliminary report are as follows:
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Total Florida agriculture: Citrus: Beef Cattle: Dairy: Aquaculture: Fruits and Vegetables (excluding citrus): Greenhouse, Nursery, and Floriculture: Sugar: Field crops: Forestry:
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$2,558,598,303 $760,816,600 $237,476,562 $11,811,695 $36,850,000 $180,193,096 $624,819,895 $382,603,397 $62,747,058 $261,280,000
The estimates included in the preliminary report are based on data obtained from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, the UF-IFAS “Impacts of Hurricane Irma on Florida Agriculture: Update #4 Report,” UF-IFAS crops budgets, Timber Damage Estimates prepared by the Florida Forest Service, and early surveys the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services conducted with industry leaders and individual producers.
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Annual Florida Ag Expo By Jack Payne Imagine a gadget smart enough to spray herbicide only where you need it -- in holes in plastic sheeting, not the entire crop bed.
clustering them all here in Gainesville. It familiarizes them with local conditions. It also puts them in touch with local people – you.
You can see one at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma on Nov. 8. Two scientists smart enough to come up with the idea will demonstrate their prototype in an experimental field at the Florida Ag Expo.
Second, they’re both driven by what Nathan describes as a nagging conviction that “There’s got to be a better way.” In this case, a better way to spray.
Neither is an engineer and they didn’t invent the sensors that can tell a plastic sheet from a hole. But Nathan Boyd and Arnold Schumann of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences believe they can harness that technology to cut your herbicide bill way down. In so doing, they can also reduce the environmental impact of your operation. There’s a high gee-whiz factor at this year’s Expo. Gary Wishnatzki, owner of Wish Farms, will be there in another role – cofounder of Harvest CROO Robotics. He’ll be trotting out his strawberry harvesting robot. UF/IFAS tomato breeder Sam Hutton will give you an update on his quest to create a tomato that can stand up to mechanical harvesting. I often describe UF/IFAS as the discovery and innovation arm of the state’s $160-billion-a-year agriculture and natural resource industries. The Expo is one of our premier events for delivering that innovation to you. That’s why I’m there every year. In one sense, Boyd and Schumann are an unlikely story – that a weed scientist in Canada would team up with a soil scientist at the Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred to come up with a possible game changer for Southwest Florida producers of tomatoes, strawberries, peppers, and cucumbers. A new Ph.D. conducting research under Schumann’s direction got a job at the university in Canada where Boyd was on the faculty. When Schumann visited the early-career researcher in Nova Scotia, he met Boyd. Boyd and Schumann both worked on blueberries at the time, so they had much to talk about. When Boyd later got a job at the Gulf Coast REC, he remembered Schumann and looked him up. Though they come from different scientific specialties, they have two important things in common as agricultural scientists.
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First, they know what your challenges are. That’s why we deploy them to research centers all over the state instead of
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They’re still improving the tool they’ll show you in November, and yet they’re already racing ahead. Early next year they hope to start testing a device that can tell a weed from a tomato and zap it with an herbicide. Even the preventive spraying in the holes may never be 100 percent effective in the war on weeds. Boyd and Schumann are already working on the technology to target the weeds that evade the first round of herbicide. That would be another payoff of the power of the UF/IFAS network. Gulf Coast REC is your local innovation factory, but the collaboration between Boyd and Schumann demonstrates how UF/IFAS scientists in other parts of the state work for you, too. Innovation can come from anywhere. The beauty of our network of research centers is that we can deliver that innovation almost anywhere in Florida. The network also makes it more likely for you to visit and let us know what problems you need solved. So I hope I’ll see you on Nov. 8 in Wimauma, so you can illuminate problems and we can share solutions.
What You Need to Know WHAT: Annual Florida Ag Expo WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 8, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. WHERE: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, 14625 Co Rd 672, Wimauma, FL 33598
MEALS: Complimentary lunch for registered participants REGISTRATION: Complimentary for
growers, association staff, government, Extension -- www.floridaagexpo.com Jack Payne is the senior vice president of agriculture and natural resources at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. jackpayne@ufl.edu • @JackPayneIFAS WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Autumn Arrives At Florida’s Fall Festivals by John Dicks
Everybody loves a fun fall festival. Fortunately, Florida has plenty in store over the next few weeks. It seems like just a few years ago that this time of year meant two things: football, of course, and, if you were fortunate enough, it meant a family trip up north to Georgia or North Carolina for catching a change of color with a glimpse of fall foliage. Of course with the red and gold leaves of autumn, cool weather punched the air and everyone enjoyed the brisk outside with harvests, arts and crafts. Think about it for a moment and you can almost taste the sweet cider and smell what seemed like pure and crisp mountain oxygen. Maybe it was the trend of traditions drifting south or simply that people just got tired of traveling so many hours away. Whatever the cause, people now are celebrating Autumn ever closer to home such that Florida, too, is becoming a magnet for a focus on fall and festivals, even if we celebrate the season with temperatures sometimes bumping up near 90º! The Internet and social media are all abuzz with activities and happenings close by. Funny though it is that Florida shapes things into its own unique way of celebrating fall. Where else, for example, would you ever even think about having fun this time of year by giving recognition to rattlesnakes? Probably nowhere; yet here it is, the annual Rattlesnake and Music Festival rattling away in San Antonio, FL, less than 30 miles north of Hillsborough County. You can enjoy two full days of fun, filled with rattlesnake encounters and gopher tortoise races against a backdrop display of local arts and crafts. It’s not a new, attention grabbing gimmick either. This Florida festival is a tradition that got started 50 years ago! Go there this year, October 21-22. Running about the same time as are the rattlesnakes slithering in San Antonio, Hillsborough County will be hosting its own county fair. Realizing that long weekends make the most popular time for such things, the good folks running the fair, run
the Fair over two consecutive weekends. The fun begins at the Fair Grounds on Highway 60, just east of Brandon, Thursday through Sunday, October 1922, and starts back up again the next Thursday - Sunday, October 26-29. There, you’ll experience everything from a swine show and sale to a dairy milking contest. Florida’s fall fancies are not limited to small town affairs. Tampa likes getting in on the action with its own festival called Oktoberfest Tampa Bay. It’s scheduled for the three day weekend of October 20-22. This big time event happens at Tampa Bay Downs, and, like its name suggests, promotes a distinctive German flair to the occasion with authentic sausages and brats and “Oompah” style music and bands. They even have on the schedule some competition activities such as stein holding contests and log-sawing events. A bit further away, though easily done on a tankful of gas, is the 9th annual Manasota Pumpkin Festival in Bradenton. It too, promotes a three day weekend, holding its festivities Friday through Sunday, October 27-29. Since it is, after all, promoted as a pumpkin festival, the folks in charge go all in, emphasizing that it is the “quintessential fall festival,” and features hay rides, pumpkin patches, pie eating contests, a petting zoo, pony rides, and craft vendors. With a twist on celebrating the season, there is the now infamous Biketoberfest cranking things up on the east coast of Florida in Daytona Beach. By far the largest of Florida’s fall affairs, this year’s four day event runs Thursday through Sunday, October 19-22. It’s the 25th year of this unique gathering of “Bikers, motorcycle enthusiasts and curious travel seekers.” The sponsors expect (and generally get) a crowd in excess of 100,000 people who cruise through with a scenic ride and gather to witness both professional motorcycle racing and, generally, nonstop partying. Technically, the races are professional while the partying is not, though some participants have sworn otherwise! From arts and crafts to snakes and cycles, there’s lots to enjoy this time of year, and Florida’s fall festivals are fast becoming a popular family tradition.
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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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wednesday’s sale bring your cattle tuesday 7am -9 pm or sale day
monday’s sale bring your cattle sunday 10am -7 pm or sale day
z Upcoming Special Sales z 7th Annual Black & White Bull Sale November 10th 1PM Collins Farms & Bar Crescent D Ranch
45 Charolais 45 Angus 2 Brahman
Jorgensen Land & Cattle & Wienk Charolais Bull Sale
December 1st
1PM
863-494-3737 or 863-494-1808 Located on Hwy 17 (8 miles north of Arcadia)
www.arcadiastockyard.com
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Camouflaged and Resilient: Florida Grasshopper Sparrow
By: Ginny Mink
where there are slight depressions and are often concealed by saw palmettos, clusters of dwarf live oak, and wire grass.²
We love it when we find out about an animal, or other endangered species, solely known in Florida. Now, of course, we don’t love the fact that we are this animal’s last chance, but we do love the fact that we have animals that are special to us. Which should make us all the more enthusiastic about helping to ensure that these creatures don’t become extinct. Such is the case of the Florida Grasshopper Sparrow. The sad truth about the situation with this bird is that no matter what’s been done to recover it, there is still a very steep decline occurring in an area in which it should thrive, mainly, its habitat, the Florida prairies. Immediate intervention is absolutely necessary. But, before we can take steps to make a difference, we should probably know a little more about the Florida Grasshopper Sparrow.¹ First of all, this bird sticks to its native habitat, central and southern Florida’s dry prairies. It doesn’t migrate and some would say it’s the most endangered bird in the entire country. In fact, very few people have ever even heard of it, let alone seen it. This bird is restricted to our state and yet, most of us would never even know it existed. And, if we don’t work towards conservation, it may not exist for long.¹ Due to our obvious unfamiliarity with these birds, it’s important to note what the Florida Grasshopper Sparrow looks like. They are small birds with short tails and flattened heads that display a white stripe in the middle. You will usually hear them before you see them because they end their three quiet introduction notes with a buzz that sounds an awful lot like an insect’s. Males who have found their mates during mating seasons will also sing a warble song.² Before you get too excited about seeing or hearing one, make sure you realize that the Eastern Grasshopper Sparrow also makes its way into the state during the colder months. The Florida version of this species has darker plumage than its Eastern counterpart and tends to incorporate more grey into its coloration. The best way to tell them apart is while they are in your hand, but even scientists admit that is still challenging.² Nesting happens in the spring and the females will lay three to five eggs. It only takes their young 9-10 days to fledge (meaning their wing feathers are big enough to fly). Interestingly enough, the males will help raise their wee ones. And, they will even defend their territories from low perches where they sing. This is the best chance you will have of seeing them. Surprisingly, over the course of their lives, most Florida Grasshopper Sparrows never venture farther that a few miles from where they were born.¹
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If you are full of curiosity about these tiny birds, and plan on looking for them during breeding seasons, you will need to know what to look for. The females construct dome-like structures out of grass, which makes them particularly challenging to locate. Generally, they place these nests in areas
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Once the camouflaged nest is constructed, the female will incubate her eggs for a little less than two weeks. The eggs have reddish brown flecks on their larger ends and are mostly a creamy white color. Even after the babies leave they come back for several weeks to be fed by their parents. Unfortunately, there are a number of threats to these well-hidden nesting areas. These include: box turtles, rodents, skunks, crows, snakes, coyotes, fire ants, and other frequently-foundin-Florida predators. And, flooding can be devastating. But, the birds are resilient; attempting to nest several more times after they have had a failure.² Of course, natural predation and disaster are not the only things drastically impacting the survival of the Florida Grasshopper Sparrow. The loss of prairies due to their conversions into domestic pasture, which changes the grasses grown there, has been particularly detrimental. Improved pastures don’t provide the birds with the things they need to build and hide their nests. They rely on prairie lands with nearly no trees or brush. And, burns that happen every couple of years are most advantageous to them.¹ Sadly, even though it would appear a good deal is known about the birds and their habitats, their populations are still in significant decline. In fact, last year researchers say, provided “the lowest counts in history.” The sites best known for the populations are reporting drastic drops in numbers. These spots include the Avon Park Bombing Range, Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park, and Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area. Since the numbers are so small (possibly only 150 in the wild), this means that genetic problems may be coming into play.¹ On the bright side of all these issues, habitat restoration appears to be a successful endeavor for conservationists. One year after a prairie burn they are seeing increased nesting success and larger densities of bird populations. The removal of encroaching trees has also proven useful for sustainability of this species.² Plus, there are populations of the Florida Grasshopper Sparrow located on private lands that give researchers hope.¹ And, in May (of 2016) the first captive bred sparrow chicks hatched in Loxahatchee at the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation (RSCF).³ Surely at this point you understand that we believe every creature was put here by God for a purpose. These birds are no different. If there’s a way for you to help them, we ask you to do so! Perhaps you can consider supporting the RSCF? Their website is listed in the resources section. Resources:
¹Audobon Florida. Florida Grasshopper Sparrow. http://fl.audubon. org/birds/florida-grasshopper-sparrow ²Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Florida’s Resident Grasshopper Sparrow. http://myfwc.com/research/wildlife/birds/ florida-grasshopper-sparrow/information/ ³U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services. Florida grasshopper sparrow and chicks (write-up beneath picture). https://flic.kr/p/GE6idu Rare Species Conservatory Foundation- http://www.rarespecies.org/ Photo Credits: FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. 2017 Florida grasshopper sparrow update: Three Lakes WMA population. https://flic.kr/p/WYRb3v U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Florida grasshopper sparrow and chicks. https://flic.kr/p/GE6idu WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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EMERGING MONITORING TECHNIQUES ASSIST STRAWBERRY RESEARCHERS AND GROWERS
Leading to Fertilization BMPs
If you’re a resident of the greater Plant City area, you undoubtedly know the importance of strawberries to the area’s economy as evidenced by the more than 11,000-aces of berries grown annually. You are most likely aware of the varied challenges currently facing strawberry growers from Mother Nature and labor to increasing competition from growers in Mexico. You also know that local strawberry growers and their supporters are working hard to maintain the industry’s viability that currently exceeds a more than $700 million economic impact annually. These efforts include initiatives as diverse as meetings with elected officials in the nation’s capital on the unfair local impact of the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and need for reform, development of new strawberry breeds with traits favorable to local growers and more. Among the “more” is an ongoing program from the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, University of Florida (UF) entitled: “Identifying and Applying Fertilizer Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Central West Florida Strawberries Using High Spatial Resolution Imagery.” Principal Investigator for the ongoing study, which has been funded by both UF and a BMP Mini-Grant from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, is Katie Britt, the Geomatics Program Specialist with the GCREC at its Plant City location. These efforts have recently received funding from the Florida Strawberry Research and Education Foundation, an affiliated organization of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association, which will permit the program to advance.
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Co-Principal investigators are Amr Abd-Elrahman, a GCREC faculty member who leads the Geomatics Program at the Plant City Campus, GCREC Plant Physiologist Shinsuke Agehara and UF Extension staff member Jemy Hinton. Geomatics refers to the integrated approach of measurement, analysis and management of the descriptions and locations of geospatial data. These data come from many sources, including earth-orbiting satellites, air and sea-borne sensors and
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By Jim Frankowiak
ground-based instruments. It is processed and manipulated with state-of-the-art information technology. Geomatics has applications in all disciplines which depend on spatial data, including forestry, environmental studies, planning, engineering, navigation, geology and geophysics. It is, thus, fundamental to all areas of study which use spatiallyrelated data, such as Surveying, Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry, Cartography, Geographic Information Systems, Property or Cadastral Studies and Global Positioning. “Efficient production of strawberries is of critical importance for a crop that already is among the more costly in terms of planting and packaging,” said Britt. “Additionally, international competition for the prime winter commodity months is increasing, leading to a need for maximizing yield while predicting season-long yield for this crop for which continually harvesting occurs for individual strawberry plants throughout the season. Managing fertilizer application to maximize yield while also maximizing harvest potential and timing will provide the benefits of maximizing yield while reducing fertilizer application costs, minimizing fertilizer runoff load and minimizing irrigation needs.” Finalized study results will be of value to both growers and researchers engaged in the development of new breeds of strawberries. The project utilizes ground-based imagery acquisition to monitor the particular variety selected for the trial with a battery of fertilization application levels. The camera-mount carries both a true color and a near infrared sensor and utilizes stereo photography while mounted behind a tractor that transports the entire rig throughout the strawberry field. The platform, of which the mechanical system was built by Todd Test at the GCREC, is also equipped with a timing device and global positioning system (GPS) unit to build an orthophoto mosaic and also three-dimensional (3D) models of individual plants WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
Bi-weekly imagery acquisition, coupled with harvest analysis and in-field sampling is a promising technology for assessing the plants’ need for fertilization and predict yield. “Mosaics of imagery from each acquisition date provide the model with plant canopy reflectance, health metrics and canopy geometry,” said Britt. “Coupling yield metrics with imagery-based analytics and fertilization regime data can provide models to optimize fertilizer use – useful data in the formulation of fertilization BMPs.” The research team anticipates study findings and resulting fertilization BMPs that will be varietal-specific and applicable not only locally, but wherever a specific Florida strawberry variety is grown domestically and internationally. “Additionally, despite different fertilizer needs for various varieties, the methodology of monitoring and modeling strawberry yield using high spatial resolution imagery for both predicted yield and optimal fertilizer use may be relevant across all ranges of strawberries, if the methods are applied to modeling for specific varieties. “This technology will be helpful to researchers engaged in the development of new varieties of strawberries,” said Abd-Elrahman. “It offers a non-destructive technique for breeders to use during the extensive trials they must utilize to develop new varieties of strawberry with attributes beneficial to the grower, shipper, retailer and consumer.” For information about various research initiatives taking place at the GCREC, visit: gcrec.ifas.ufl.edu. Information about Florida strawberries may be located at: floridastrawberry.org.
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Recipes
These recipesipes come from WWW.STRAWBERRYSUE.COM
Candy Corn Strawberries
q Preparation q
1. Wash and dry fresh Florida Strawberries.
2. Place a toothpick through the green top leaving it long enough to hold for dipping. What’s white, orange, and yellow on the outside and red on the inside? Strawberries decorated to look like Candy Corn. Fun and easy to make, Candy Corn Strawberries are one of my favorite ways to serve strawberries in the fall.
INGREDIENTS • Fresh Florida Strawberries washed and dried leaving the green tops on them ( make sure they are dry or the chocolate will not stick) • Three glass bowls to microwave candy melts
3. Melt each color of chips in separate glass bowls stirring every 30 seconds being careful not to burn it. The chips will not loose there shape while melting that’s why you need to stir it to see if it’s melted. Watch it carefully so you don’t burn it. 4. Hold the berry by the toothpick dip in white first all the way to the green top, place on parchment paper to set. 5. After the white hardens dip in orange repeat steps above then finish in the yellow. 6. Place in cupcake papers for easy serving.
• Toothpicks • Parchment paper • White, orange, and yellow candy melting chips available at your local baking supply and craft store.
Florida Strawberry Pop Tarts INGREDIENTS • 2 pack of Pillsbury Refrigerated Pie Crust • Strawberry jam (recipe here) • 1 egg white • 1¼ cups sifted powdered sugar • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • Sprinkles For over three decades the sale of Pop Tarts has increased year over year. According to Kellogg, they sell over 2 billion, yes, billion with a “b,” Pop Tarts every year. It seems people can’t get enough of this fast breakfast treat! Of course, not many breakfast foods can claim to be ready faster than a bagel and still fill you up.
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And while Pop Tarts are selling like delicious hot cakes, there’s one easy way to make them even better… Make them yourself! You’d be amazed at how easy homemade Pop Tarts are to make and how much more delicious they are than the store bought stuff.
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Plus you can control what goes into them so they aren’t overly sweet or have added preservatives you don’t care for. It is a little curious how long Pop Tarts can stay refrigerated without going bad… Two ways you can make this. Either make your own pie crust or buy the pre-made stuff. I prefer to just buy the pre-made dough. It’s super easy to work with and will save you some valuable family time. Either way these will be flakier than regular Pop Tarts and won’t suffer all the crumby messes they are known for.
October 2017
q DIRECTIONS q
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Unroll the pie crusts onto a floured surface. If you have a rolling pin, feel free to thin them out a bit. A little crust goes a long way here. Use a cookie cutter in whatever fun shape to cut out your crust, or go for the classic 3 inch by 5 inch Pop Tart rectangle. You will need each piece to be the same size and an even number, half for bottom and half for top. Spoon a small amount of strawberry jam into the middle of the bottom pieces. Spread evenly but leave around 1/4 of an inch on the sides. Carefully lay the top layer on top of the dough and use a fork to smush the edges together so nothing leaks out. Poke a series of holes with a thin knife blade across the tops so they can vent, then bake for 20-25 minutes on parchment paper, just until they start to turn golden brown. Meanwhile we’ll make the frosting by whisking the egg whites until peaks form. Add in the powdered sugar and vanilla, whisking until smooth. Spread a thin layer of frosting on the tarts once they are finished baking and have had time to cool. Top off with sprinkles and you’re ready to go! WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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By Ginny Mink
Ornamental Gardening in Florida When last we traveled on the Literary Time Machine we were knee deep, or taller than roof high, in palm trees. And though we could continue to follow Mr. Torrey-Simpson’s exposition on the fan-leaved palms, we found ourselves more drawn to his next chapter: Exotic Ornamental Trees. Any time the word exotic is used it gets our attention (so long as it’s in an appropriate sense of the word). So, let’s land our time machine in this chapter and see what new knowledge we can discover. The acacia is the first tree listed in here. He shares that these are “a genus of four hundred and fifty species.”¹ However, according to his text, “most of them do not do well in Florida.” But, that doesn’t mean he has given up on the tree as potentially ornamental in the state. In fact, he says, “A. neriifolia, a small tree with willowy leaves and whitish heads of flowers does fairly in Dade County.”¹ And, “A. decurrens? is a small to medium sized tree with beautiful foliage that is seen occasionally in gardens in the middle of the state.”¹ That question mark gave us pause. Was it an editorial error? Did he mean to go back and look up the spelling of the tree? Of course, it’s not like we can call him up or send him a text message to get an answer. Unfortunately, that means we will never know why he left the question mark in the middle of the text. But since this tree supposedly grows in the middle of the state that would suggest it may very well grow in our own Tampa Bay and Polk County locale. You know we love a little research, so it should be no surprise that we had to know the answer. Needless to say, we were intrigued to find that this is an Australian tree most commonly referred to as the Green Wattle. Seeds have to be boiled to initiate germination, and then they are allowed to cool and left in a bucket of water for 24 hours. If the seeds float, they are no good. If they swell and sink, then they can be planted.²
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Additionally, due to the trees heavy
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Part 37
seed production, it can sometimes become a weed. South Africa refers to this tree as an invader species. They are even using weevils that feed on its seeds to help limit its infiltration of their country. On the bright side though, it makes excellent wood for fuel, even when it’s green. And, it can be used for building purposes too: India thinks of it as a valuable species of timber. But the most interesting aspect is the gum it produces. This can be utilized to make jelly-like confections and has even been employed in the place of gum Arabic.²
that grows in the Northern part of the state and then he mentions the Baobab tree. He says, “Monkey’s bread, is one of the largest trees in the world though not by any means the loftiest, the height rarely being over sixty feet while its trunk diameter may be more than half that. It is a native of tropical Africa and bears showy white flowers which are followed by large, acid fruits. I had a specimen which was doing finely but it died after I moved it. It has bloomed in Miami.”
But does it grow in Florida? The best answer we can offer is that it grows in Volusia County. We had a hard time determining much else about any other place it might grow in Florida. Still in the acacia section of this chapter, he tells about a very interesting tree. This he calls the A. lophantha. He says it’s been in placed in another category, Albizzia, by other writers, and is sometimes grown here. But, the background on the tree is most intriguing. He writes:
A little research into Baobab reveals a significant amount of information. We found an article in Men’s Fitness stating that Baobab is one of Africa’s most treasured secrets and that it’s a superfood. Perhaps it was the malic acid and Vitamin C incorporated in the fruit that made Torrey-Simpson declare it an acid fruit. We could expound on all the benefits of Baobab fruit and its unique powder, but you can also just read the article we mentioned instead. You can find the link in the resources section.
“Certain species from Mexico and adjoining regions bear immense spines in pairs that resemble the horns of a bull, hence they are called “bull-horns.” These are perforated by small ants which clear out the interior of the spine and live in the cavity. The tree bearing these spines evidently is well satisfied to accommodate the intruders for its leaves are furnished with glands which bear food relished by the ants. In return for the food the ants rush out through a small hole in the thorn and fiercely attack any one attempting to disturb or injure the tree. I have had one of these in cultivation for a number of years but none of the ants which attend it in its native country.” So, even though it will grow here, the ants that work with it aren’t here. We’re not sure that’s a bad thing given the plethora of attacking ants we already have in Florida. But, you have to admit the symbiotic relationship between the tree and the ants is quite unique. He continues, then, onto a Maple tree
Acid fruits? What in the world?
Though we didn’t conquer the whole chapter in this adventure, there sure was a lot to learn. We don’t plan on investing in either of the acacias we discussed, but the baobab tree? Now that’s something to look into a lot further. Wonder if it will grow in Lakeland? Plant City? Hmm…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. 143-144). ²Acacia decurrens Willd. (1991). Worldwide Wattle. http://worldwidewattle.com/infogallery/utilisation/acaciasearch/pdf/decurrens.pdf ³Gagnon, T. Food Watch: Baobab. Men’s Fitness. http://www.mensfitness.com/nutrition/ what-to-eat/food-watch-baobab Photo Credits: Franx’. Baobab. https://flic.kr/p/bytHq3 John Tann. Acacia decurrens flowers. https:// flic.kr/p/a6rq8i Rafael Medina. Fruto de baobab (Adansonia grandidieri). https://flic.kr/p/8xMPUY WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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FLORIDA AG EXPO SET FOR NOVEMBER 8
By Jim Frankowiak
Florida’s annual, premier event for small fruit and vegetable growers – Florida Ag Expo – is set for Wednesday, November 8, 2017 at the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center at Balm in southern Hillsborough County. The event is presented by FLORIDA GROWER Magazine in cooperation with UF/IFAS, the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, The Florida Tomato Committee and the Florida Strawberry Growers Association. The event’s mix of activities include educational sessions, field tours and a trade show involving suppliers of the inputs, equipment and tools needed by growers to produce successful crops, as well as the opportunity for networking throughout the day long gathering. Breakout education sessions at this year’s Ag Expo will include pest and disease management and alternative crops. Whitefly management, watermelon vine decline and other viruses will be covered. The other concurrent session will feature farm automation and mechanization. That session will bring the latest information about the Harvest CROO robotic strawberry harvester, automated weed control and breeding stakeless tomato varieties for mechanical harvest. Field tours will be offered with greater schedule flexibility enabling attendees to participate in all tours. Trailers will stop at all tour sites on a regular basis, permitting attendees to spend as much time as they wish at each site. Stops will include vegetable disease management, weed control, nematode management, new varieties and more. The tours will also include alternative crops such as hops, blackberries, pomegranate and artichokes. Once again, Ag Expo will offer hands-on training at the GCREC labs with the opportunity to enhance skills on pest and disease management.
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Registration is free for growers and is available on line at: floridaexpo.com. That website also offers added information about all aspects of Florida Ag Expo.
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GULF COAST RESEARCH CENTER WELCOMES 2ND VETERAN INTERN By Jim Frankowiak Air Force Veteran Adam Webster has begun his internship at the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Gulf Coast Research and Education as part of the Veteran Agriculture Selection Program (VASP). VASP consists of a nine-month internship at the GCREC where Webster will become familiar and involved with the broad range of tasks associated with the various fruits and vegetables grown in the area, as well as selected research activities. Following completion of the nine-month internship at the Balm-based GCREC, Webster will participate in a three-month internship at an area agribusiness. Funding for the research facility internship is provided by the GCREC, while the second portion of the VASP is underwritten by the company or farm where the final portion of the VASP will take place. Both internships include salaries for the participating intern. A Hernando County native, Webster served as an Aerospace Medical Technician while a member of the U. S. Air Force during the period 2011-2015. Following his basic training in San Antonio, Texas, Webster was assigned to Lajes Field in Portugal for two years, followed by a year and a half at Anchorage, Alaska. Webster holds associates degrees in Health Science from Hillsborough Community College and the Community College of the Air Force. He and his wife, Kyrsteen, have two sons: Jack, 4, and Miles, 2. She is also Hernando County native. They currently reside in Tampa. “As my time in the Air Force drew to a close, I knew that I wanted to complete my undergraduate degree,” he said. “I was considering a career as a physician’s assistant, but I wanted to follow a major course of study that offered flexibility
“My interest in agriculture came through some of my courses at USF,” said Webster. “I received an email from Veteran Services at USF about the Military Agriculture Tour (MAT), but was unable to attend due to my class schedule. My wife went on the tour and that’s how we found out about the VASP internship. “I have not yet decided on a specific career path in agriculture, but I am sure the internship at the research center and second phase of the program will help me in that regard,” Webster said. “I know my wife has pretty much decided that she wants to pursue a career in the environmental policy area.” Simon Bollin, Agribusiness Development Manager for Hillsborough County’s Economic Development Department, has been instrumental in the development of the internship and agribusiness tour programs for veterans and their spouses. “We owe a debt of gratitude to Center Director Dr. Jack Rechcigl and Associate Director Dr. Gary Vallad for organizing a thorough schedule of activities for interns, and for providing funding for the Veteran Agriculture Selection Program,” said Bollin. “It is also gratifying to see the strong response agribusiness has given this program,” he added. “Agribusiness is alive and well in this area and it appreciates the qualities brought to the industry by the men and women who have served in the armed forces. This is definitely a win-win.”
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and other career choices.” Webster settled on Environmental Science and Policy at the University of South Florida and he anticipates receiving his Bachelor of Science in December of 2018. Kyrsteen is also pursuing an undergraduate degree at the University of South Florida in Environmental Science and Policy.
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Since 1963 Everglades Farm Equipment has been serving the agriculture and commercial equipment business. We invite you to put us to the test and look forward to doing business together. EFE1963.com WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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AGRICULTURE AND COMMUNITY RESPOND TO HURRICANE NEEDS OF RCMA Taking Care of Farmworker Children and More
The wrath of Hurricane Irma was non-discriminate as she blew across Florida. Few, if any, were not touched. Farm workers were especially vulnerable. Many lost shelter, resulting in immediate need for the basics of life. They turned to the Redlands Christian Migrant Association (RCMA) for help. Though many of its facilities in Florida were impacted by the hurricane, nearly all without power, RCMA was able to help the neediest of the needy thanks to the organization’s flexibility and common sense response approach, as well as immediate support of Florida agriculture and the community at large. “We had a call from Kenneth Parker of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association before the hurricane, asking what the association could do to help,” said RCMA Community Relations Director Kathleen Roehm. “We purchased and delivered all sorts of items ranging from Gatorade, paper goods, Depends, baby food, baby formula, bread, snacks, cookies, candies, canned food items, baby wipes, powdered milk, toilet paper towels and other items,” said the association’s Director of Member Services/Community Relations, Tiffany Dale. Dale McClellan with M & B Products, Inc. donated chocolate milk and yogurt that was delivered to RCMA by Hillsborough County’s Agribusiness Development Manager Simon Bollin, along with a substantial food donation from Manny Guixens of Guixens Food Group in Tampa.
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“We also received donations from Seedway, LLC, Jemy and Chip Hinton and their church, Apostles Lutheran in Brandon,” said Roehm. “Jemy has been instrumental in securing donations from Publix-Riverview employees, UF/UFAS GCREC College of Ag and Life Sciences in Plant City, Diana Williams, Michelle Williamson, Driscoll Berries, Stephanie Farmer, Eileen and Bob Hart, Hillsborough County Extension Service,
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along with 4-H families in both Hillsborough and Pasco counties. Renovation Church in Dade City also contributed to RCMA thanks to her efforts on our behalf.” “The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) launched a fund drive with a goal of $100,000 to help provide immediate basic living essentials and temporary housing needs to farmworker families. Monsanto donated $50,000 to the fund at the recent FFVA annual convention, while Ag First, CoBank and Florida Farm Credit jointly donated $15,000, also during the convention. And I am pleased to note that support continues to grow,” said Roehm. Additionally, FFVA anticipates “a partner soon to provide matching funds.” September 27, a team from World Vision, a global Christian humanitarian organization focused on helping children, visited RCMA locations at Mulberry and Immokalee to provide significant assistance for large families severely affected by Hurricane Irma. Families receiving assistance were chosen by RCMA and World Vision based on need. RCMA is a non-profit, non-sectarian voluntary organization, which focuses on the well-being and care of impoverished immigrant’s children in 21 counties across Florida. The organization provides high-quality childcare and early education for children of migrant farm workers and other rural, low-income families. Programs include Head Start, Migrant Head Start and before and after school activities. “In addition, we work to involve parents by encouraging their civic participation through voting and working for the organization through their own communities and associations,” said Roehm. While RCMA’s focus is on the children of farm workers, the organization’s response in the aftermath of events such as Hurricane Irma reflects broader care and concern. This is reflected in a brief review of RCMA staff actions following Irma’s WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
visit provided by Communications Manager Bill Coats.
came a beacon of compassion.
“On the first safe day after Hurricane Irma struck, RCMA employees visited their centers and assessed damage,” noted Coats. “On the second safe day, RCMA staff members visited the homes of the children we serve to help the families cope with problems caused by the storm, ranging from shelter to food to diapers to tarps. Such family support is a daily duty at RCMA, even in peaceful times. Yet the work intensified after Irma.”
RCMA’s initial concern – children’s health – was quickly allayed through good nutrition and health screenings. Early childhood education became and continues as RCMA’s top priority under the leadership of Barbara Mainster, RCMA’s Education Coordinator.
“RCMA has an unwritten rule about power outages,” said Coats. “If food in a freezer begins to thaw, the staff promptly distributes it to the surrounding community. RCMA’s campus in Mulberry contains a luncheon hall with a kitchen. On September 14, four days after the eye of Hurricane Irma passed over the area, the campus still had no electricity, but the kitchen has a gas-powered stove. In the darkened kitchen, RCMA staff members began emptying the freezer and cooking food. They prepared 400 hot meals, distributing many door-to-door. Word spread and families came to RCMA. For many, it was their first hot meal in days. “In Immokalee, RCMA’s headquarters complex quickly recouped electricity. On the Wednesday after Irma hit, it became Immokalee’s first source of hot meals for the public. The staff cooked 2,200 meals over three days before running out of food,” Coats said. “Then, a group of churches picked up the slack and another 3,500 meals were served at RCMA on Saturday, the 16th. “September 22, RCMA in Collier County hosted a sign-up day for government services, such as assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Since Irma struck, many government officials discovered that immigrants were shunning such opportunities for fear that government employees might use the information to deport them. However, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio visited RCMA the week before, saw the crowds that came seeking help and asked RCMA to host the signups. Some 1,200 applicants showed up.” In Hillsborough County, RCMA operations include a charter elementary school, a charter middle school, 12 child care centers and three after-school programs, while the association’s Polk County presence includes two child-care centers in Mulberry and a third in Wahneta.
Rollason, who passed away in 1997, also determined that RCMA could collaborate with growers without sacrificing the interests of farmworkers. Farmers valued RCMA for the peace of mind that it gave to their workers. Large growers have become leading financial supporters and farm leaders have joined RCMA’s board of directors. RCMA is currently led by Executive Director Gayane Stepanian. From the two centers in Homestead, RCMA has grown to 66 centers in 21 Florida counties. Government grants comprise nearly 90 percent of the association’s $65 million annual budget. RCMA receives most of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Florida Office of Early Learning, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the school districts of Hillsborough and Collier counties. The association also relies heavily on other local government entities, United Way, corporations, religious institutions, foundations and individuals. RCMA expanded from Homestead to Ruskin in 1974, after Sister Maureen Smith, a Roman Catholic nun, badgered the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners into approving the conversion of a small building into a child-care center. That building was previously a dressing room for an outdoor theater. The association expanded into Dover in 1981, a year after a three-year-old boy was severely burned in a car fire at the edge of a strawberry field where his parents were working. That tragedy galvanized farmers and Sister Maureen to create a Dover child-care center. Statewide, RCMA currently serves more than 6,800 children, including over 1,600 in Hillsborough County and 200-plus in Polk County. For more information about RCMA, including ways to provide assistance, visit: RCMA.org.
RCMA was born in 1965 in response to a profound humanitarian need. Impoverished farm workers in South Florida had no alternative but to take their young children with them when they worked. A toddler had drowned in an irrigation pit. Others had died under farm machinery. Most spent long days exposed to broiling sun, pesticides, insects and snakes. So a village of Mennonites near Homestead’s Redlands labor camp opened two child-care centers, but most of the farm workers stayed away. The bewildered Mennonites enlisted Wendell Rollason, a crusader for immigrant rights in the Miami area to assist, but he, too, was initially unsuccessful. A large group of mothers signed up to volunteer on the same day an unusually large number of other mothers left their children at the center. Rollason made the connection that farm workers would entrust their babies only to caregivers from their own culture. He decided to hire child-care staff from among the farm workers. Since then, RCMA’s child-care centers and regional offices have been led by a coordinator from the culture of the community served, always backed up by a child-care expert hired for her professional background. To farm workers, RCMA beINTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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Horsing Around at Horse Tales Farm Irma really messed with the Minks. We were out of our home for two weeks (meaning I was living out of a suitcase and the kids were with their other parental figures). Certainly, I understand that there are PLENTY of people who had worse things happen than I did, but two weeks without my kids was definitely hard. And the house is still not completely what it needs to be, but we’re making it. I tell you that because the requirements for this Meet the Minks really snuck up on me. Unexpected time out of your home and that without your children, can almost seem like an alternate universe. Thankfully, I have known Pamela Swanson Heaslip, owner of Horse Tales Farm, for a few years now. She agreed to let me bring the kids to see her plethora of rescued animals. The ride to the farm, thanks to our move last year, was quite short. When we pulled down the long drive both Hazel and Ezekiel became super excited about the horses in the pasture to our right. “Can we ride them?” they both questioned, almost in unison. I explained that the horses were rescues and that we wouldn’t be riding them. They were sorely disappointed. But, once inside the gate things changed.
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Pam caught me up on the upcoming auction, Horse Tales Farm BBQ and Festival, to help fund her rescue farm. It sounded like it was going to be a great opportunity for crafters and deal-seekers alike. She’s supposed to have quite a few big-name companies there and had already received a good number of corporate donations. We are hoping it will be a grand success. Of course, the kids weren’t interested in the conversation so we had to head to the barn.
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By Ginny Mink
Once inside, Hazel and Zeke were introduced to Sugar, Hannah, and a host of other miniature horses. Zeke admitted that he really liked Sugar, a white one with kind eyes. Pam’s husband, Jim, gave the kids treats to give the horses, and though they tried to do so, they were both a little wimpy about trusting the horses not to bite their hands. Thusly, the treats frequently landed on the ground and I had to get on them about not teasing the horses. Poor things couldn’t reach their muzzles through the stall gates to reach the treats. Outside the barn, we were introduced to George, a male goose. Zeke said, “Why does he have such floppy feet?” Pam and Jim got a kick out of Zeke’s quizzical nature and his ability to converse in language that appears to be older than his 4 ½ years. We explained to him that the feet were webbed to help the goose swim. It didn’t take long before he was on to other topics. Turning from the geese, we had the joy of meeting a giant potbellied pig named Daisy. She was huge and full of grunts and other piggish sounds. In reality, it seemed like she was trying to talk and she was not a fan of Zeke. Which was fine, because he decided he didn’t want anything to do with a “nasty stinkin’ pig.” She didn’t stink, though, as apparently, she was house trained by her previous owner. But Zeke had made up his mind and that was it. Hazel and Zeke did touch Daisy though, so I guess that’s worthy of noting here. The highlight of Hazel’s experience on the farm was being able to spend time with Tiny. Tiny is a 30+ year old miniature horse with an exceptionally sweet spirit. She was so gentle with Hazel and Zeke. Jim let her out of her stall and Hazel immediately began hugging her. When Hazel let go, Tiny would WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
lean her head into Hazel as though she wanted more. It was truly endearing. Seriously, I’m no wussy mom, but it pulled at my heart for sure. Later they were both able to brush Tiny and that seemed to make them incredibly happy. Not to mention the fact that Tiny was quite thrilled to have her mane brushed. It was so cool watching Hazel and Zeke pamper this old horse. Of course, J was off to the side, refusing to be photographed and making comments about the large amounts of bacon that could be derived from Daisy. Not to worry, I informed him that wasn’t an option, he was mostly joking anyway, though we do really like bacon at our house. As we ended our visit, having experienced the sight of a gigantic turkey and having petted a uniquely friendly chicken, Zeke was adamant about driving the Gator. Jim allowed him to sit on his lap and steer. Hazel rode in the passenger seat
and Zeke steered the Gator back to the car so we could leave. Zeke’s sheer joy was a sight to see. Preparing to head out, Pam suggested that I bring the kids back on a Saturday so that they can help brush and feed horses, muck out stalls, and play with the other kids that come out on those days. Hazel was cool with the brushing and feeding of the horses and the playing with other kids. However, she asked, “What’s muck out stalls?” Jim explained and she made her, “that’s disgusting” face and decided she’d rather not. Overall, I’m so glad I took the kids to Horse Tales Farm, even though J was a butthead. Zeke wants to go back, mostly to drive the Gator, and Hazel is only interested if she gets to focus on the fun parts of the horses. We shall see what happens. You can visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/Horse-Tales-Farm-Inc-1510751199203709/.
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A Closer LookAmazing Activities Naturally
by Sean Green
Box Shelf
Making things for the home is always fun for many of us, but sometimes, the supplies needed can be prohibitive. This month we will feature the construction of a simple box shelf made from an old pallet that was destined for the city land fill. If you are not opposed to dumpster diving, there are many great finds that can be had and you are actually helping the community by repurposing items that will ultimately end up in our landfills and cost money to dispose of. The description below is based on the lumber that I found in a trash heap and not necessarily the dimensions you MUST use or will find in your own quest. Adjust these plans to fit your own needs and you will have a simple shelf for pennies on the dollar had you purchased commercial lumber.
Materials:
• Pallet boards (1 ½” x 5 ½” x 40”) • Wood Glue • Saw • Wood Screws (2 ¾ “) * depending on the thickness of your wood • Sand Paper • Stain or Varnish OPTIONAL: • Wood stain, Varnish, Paint ( I used a homemade stain) • Brush, lint-free rag • Teak Oil (suggested) • Sand Paper (suggested) • Saw (if cutting your own slats) • Clamps DIRECTIONS:
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• Measure and cut two boards to the length of your shelf (mine is 30”) This is the top and bottom piece. • Measure and cut two boards to the height of the inside of the shelf (mine is 9 ½ “) * Note, the total height of the shelf will include the thickness of the top and bottom piece. • Sand and stain, paint or varnish all four pieces including the ends of the pieces. • Glue the two end pieces to the bottom piece in place to form a corner • Glue the top piece to the two end pieces to form a complete box • Pre-Drill holes for the wood screws, This will help prevent the wood from splitting when you screw the pieces together. • Screw the box shelf together with long wood screws (I countersank mine) • Hang with appropriate wall anchors. * Mounting can be done by anchoring a strip of wood horizontally onto the wall and setting the inside of the top shelf piece to rest on the horizontal strip.
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A Closer Look A Closer Look
by Sean Green
The Golden Rain Tree Bug (Jadera haematoloma)
Modern commerce is characterized by global trade. We decorate our homes with ornamental plants that are indigenous to foreign countries, we consume produce that is grown in foreign soils, and unfortunately, the consequences are that we subject our environment to the introduction of plant and animal species of which there is no natural defense. When foreign plant species are introduced into North America, they can soon become invasive. The term “invasive” is not restricted to foreign species alone, but rather, characterizes any living organism, foreign or domestic, that is not native to the local ecosystem and causes harm to that system. Unfortunately, global trading of plants often results in an introduced species becoming invasive but sometimes, our own native species can become efficient consumers of introduced species that may have otherwise become a problem, such is the case with an insect a co-worker asked me about last month.
feed exclusively on the seeds of plants in the soapberry family Sapindaceae, which include maples (Acer), balloon vines (Cardiospermum), and soapberry trees (Sapindus). One member of the soapberry family is the golden rain tree Koelreuteria paniculate, a native to eastern Asia that was introduced to the west from China in 1747 and reached America by 1809. Thomas Jefferson received seeds from a French associate and is thought to have been the first to germinate seeds of a species that has become one of the most popular landscape trees in the world. The golden rain tree also seems to be a favorite among the Jadera genus and its appetite for these seeds has earned it the common name of the golden rain tree bug.
The insect of concern was identified as the Golden Rain Tree Bug Jadera haematoloma (Herrich-Schäffer, 1847). This insect is found in alarming abundance when they emerge but rarely become more than a nuisance and never a pest. In fact, by many accounts, this insect can be considered beneficial. In the interest of evolutionary biology, this insect is worth a closer look. It’s rapid evolutionary adaptation to changing weather patterns and new food sources is astounding. This month we will look at the Golden Rain Tree Bug Jadera haematoloma, its origins, host plants, and its extraordinary capacity for adaptive evolution.
The Jadera genus is comprised of more than 40 species throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the Old World and 17 species in the New World, two of which range in North America, the golden rain tree bug Jadera haematoloma, by far the most common, and the scentless bug Jadera antica. Both species can be found here in Florida and are common in suburban environments that include the host plants they feed on, which are often the ornamental plants and shrubs that are popular choices for landscaping. Although these insects appear in shocking numbers, they rarely, if ever, bring harm to the host plant, in fact, they could be considered beneficial. The Jadera genus primarily feed on sap from fallen foliage, flowers, buds and seeds, but also feed on sap leaking from a tree and dead insects on or near the host plant.
Jadera haematoloma, is known by many names; as the red-shouldered bug due to its distinctive red marks along the front sides of its thorax. These “true bugs” are also commonly called the soapberry bug because they
Schaefer and Chopra (1982) reported that Jadera have a clear preference for plants of the Sapindales, especially of the Sapindaceae. Furthermore, observations concluded that Jadera haematoloma feeds on a variety of plants but
In a paper published in the scientific journal Genetica (2001), it was shown that the evolution of a colonizing population of Jadera haematoloma on the Taiwanese Flamegold Koelreuteria elegans had taken place in only a few decades. The evolutionary adaptations included a shortening of the insect’s beak length by 20 percent and these bugs evolved to mature 25 percent more rapidly, are 20 percent more likely to survive and lay almost twice as many eggs as their ancestral species that were not reared on the seeds of the Taiwanese Flamegold Koelreuteria elegans. The Golden Rain Tree Bug Jadera haematoloma can be found all year in Florida, as well as other warm climate states and, regardless of the time of year, they are likely to be found in great numbers. Fortunately, these fascinating insects are not harmful to either your plants or your health, so don’t be afraid to take a closer look when you have the chance. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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prefers our southern Florida balloonvine, Cardiospermum spp. Sapindaceae. The first real study of the biology of this insect and its host plants was conducted in 1987. The study included field investigations of five members of the genus to determine the insects host preferences to concluded that Jadera haematoloma, the most common species, preferred plants in the family Sapindaceae (Soapberry), Cardiospermum corundum (Balloon Vine), and the Golden Raintree, Koelreuteria paniculata Laxmann. The Jadera genus and specifically the golden rain tree bug Jadera haematoloma, is noted for its rapid adaptive evolution. In the mid1950s the Taiwanese Flamegold Koelreuteria elegans was introduced to the United States as an ornamental plant and soon naturalized. The Flamegold is structured differently than other members of the soapberry family. The capsules are smaller and the seeds are not as deeply embedded.
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NOVEMBER 2013
NEWS BRIEFS Compiled by Jim Frankowiak
AG TEACHING EXCELLENCE AWARD OPPORTUNITY
Florida teachers who use agriculture to teach their state standards are eligible for Florida Agriculture in the Classroom’s (FAITC) Excellence in Teaching About Agriculture Award. There are four categories: elementary school, middle school, high school and middle school agriscience. Each category winner will win a trip to the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference in Portland, Maine June 26-29, 2018. In addition to the trip to Maine, category winners will each receive a $250 honorarium and the overall competition winner will receive a $500 honorarium. The deadline to apply is November 15, 2017. FAITC is a Gainesville-based non-profit organization that educates K-12 teachers and students about the Importance of Florida agriculture by providing curricula, materials, grant money and elementary school reading program Florida Agriculture Literacy Day, among other programs. It is funded by sales of the agriculture specialty license plate called the “Ag Tag.” To apply for the 2018 Excellence in Teaching About Agriculture Awards, visit: faitc.org/awards/
FDA LAUNCHES FOOD SAFETY PLAN BUILDER The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released a new, no cost software tool to help owners and operators of food facilities create a food safety plan specific to their facilities. This is a requirement of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Final Rule for Preventive Controls for Human Food. The Food Safety Plan Builder (FSPB) can be downloaded by businesses from the FDA website to help guide them, step-by-step, through the creation of a food safety plan, mandated by FSMA.
FLORIDA COTTAGE FOOD LAW CHANGES Florida’s Cottage Food Law was recently amended to include two changes, which took effect this past July 1. These changes increase the annual gross sales of cottage food products allowed under the law from $15,000 to $50,000 and make it possible for the producer to sell, offer for sale and accept payment over the Internet – provided the product is delivered in person directly to the consumer or to a specific event venue.
FOOD SAFETY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM COURSE AVAILABLE
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Representatives of Florida fresh fruit and vegetable packinghouses have an opportunity to learn how to develop and document a food safety management program based on the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACC) principles for their specific operation at a November 20-21 course to be held at Belle Glade. While the course does not fulfill any regu-
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latory training requirement, it is required by some third-party audit schemes. Additional information is available by contacting Florida Farm Bureau’s Jaime Jerrels via email: jaime.jerrels@ffbf.org.
PRODUCE SAFETY ALLIANCE GROWER TRAINING Fruit and vegetable growers and packers also have an opportunity to participate in a one-day course November 13 at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) that provides a foundation for Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and co-management information, Food Safety Management Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule requirements and details on how to develop a farm food safety plan. The Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Grower Training Course is one way to satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule training requirement. Additional information is available by contacting Jaime Jerrels via email: Jaime.jerrels@ffbf.org.
FSMA COMPLIANCE DATES TOOL; RECORDKEEPING REFERENCE AVAILABLE; United Fresh and a host of other associations have collaborated to develop a document that helps sort out the confusion around Food Safety Management Act (FSMA) compliance dates that suppliers and buyers can reference as affirmations of compliance are requested. Additionally, the Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) has developed a reference tool that summarizes recordkeeping requirements under the Produce Safety Rule, including templates and worksheets. Information on both is available by emailing Jaime Jerrels at Jaime.jerrels.@ffbf.org.
USDA NATIONAL ORGANIC FARMING HANDBOOK The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has produced a National Organic Farming Handbook that covers everything from organic farming principles to cross-waling the national organic program with NRCS’s conservation practice standards. More information on the handbook is available from Jaime Jerrels via email: Jaime.jerrels@ffbf.org.
ONLINE PESTICIDE CEU SERIES There is a series of online CEU programs related to pesticides that is now available. Among topics in the series: • Be Aware of Bees When Applying Pesticides • Worker Protection Standard Regulation Update • Avoid Mishaps When Handling Pesticides • Make Sure You Stow Your Pesticides Before You Go • Pesticide Law and License Renewal Jaime Jerrels is the contact for added information on the CEU series and she can be reached at jaime.jerrels@ffbf.org. 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
VINYL SIDDING
Many colors and styles to choose from. Ask for Ted. 813-752-3378
MOBILE HOME SUPPLIES
Everything you need under ONE roof! 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
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
USED MOWERS
Zero turn mowers. Good Condition. Price starts at $1,000. Call Alvie 813-759-8722
JOBS MECHANIC NEEDED
2015 MASSEY FERGUSON
Agricultural equipment. Pay with benefits based on experience. Call Alvie 813-759-8722
1998 MASSEY FURGUSON 4253
Now Hiring Experienced Barn Builders 813-754-1766 HIRING
1739ELL Tractor w/ loader. 243 hours, 4x4, 39hp, hst. Warranty!! $16,500 Call Alvie 813-759-8722 Tractor 95hp, 4x4 open station with loader. $15,000 Call Alvie 813-759-8722
FMC 352
Air Blast Sprayer. Good condition. $3,500.00 Call Alvie 813-759-8722
7X15 LAWN TRAILER
Agriculture / Grove Equipment tractor parts sales person. Experience a plus, Computer skills a must! Call 813-759-8722 or 863-537-1345
LAWN EQUIPMENT/ SUPPLIES
Used Lawn Trailer with aluminum plate tool box. 5ft tongue & heavy duty gate. $1,650 Call BRAND NEW HUSTLER RAPTOR Zero Turn Mower 52� cut, 23hp. Kohler Alvie 813-759-8722 engine, 3 year warranty. $2,999 Call Alvie 813-759-8722 FOR RENT Millcreek Pine Bark Row Mullcher. FOR SALE For blueberry farms, six yard, Semour aluminum scythe snath with 2 PTO drive need at least a 30hp 6 inch scythe blade tractor. Call 863-604-2526 for rental details. Used once $120 new $100 OBO (863) 632-7216
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PRODUCE
We are a Simonton/MI Windows dealer. Our windows are energy star, lifetime warranty. Call Broke & Poor 813-752-3378
FARM EQUIPMENT TAYLOR WAY TILLER DISC Plow - good condition. $1750.00 Call Alvie 813-759-8722
FRESH PRODUCE ROSSI CADDY 8 HAY RAKE Call Alvie 813-759-8722
FOR SALE
MAHINDRA 2015
2005 MAHINDRA 6500 4X4, 65 hp with loader. 1,000 hours. $17,500 Call Alvie 813-759-8722
Tractor with loader. 4X4, 44hp. $15,000 Call Alvie 813-759-8722
**FOR SALE**
2005 MAHINDRA 6500
Tractor with loader. 65hp, 4X4, 1,000 hrs. $17,500 Call Alvie 813-759-8722
KUBOTA G5200-HSAT
Kubota diesel tractor with ground driven manure spreader. $900 Call Bill 813-986-6337
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NORTH GEORGIA MOUNTAINS
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REAL ESTATE 2 beautiful adjoining farms. 26 acres, all muck land. Lovely 4 bedroom home. Includes small beef heard & calves. $737,000 www.floridabeulah.com 813-541-3490
Tractor w/ Loader, 4x4, 20hp. $7,950 Call Alvie 813-759-8722
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Forbes Road Produce. Open everyday from 7:30am - 8pm. Forbes Rd. & I-4 @ exit 17. Come out and see us!
October 2017
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 3,100 Call 813-758-3864
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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