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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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CONTENTS
October 2017 VOL. 12 • ISSUE 1
Polk County Cattlemen’s Association
24 Irma Devastates Florida’s Citrus Industry
PAGE 10 Master Gardener
PAGE 34 Meet The Minks
PAGE 12 Maddie Dvorak
PAGE 36 John Dicks
PAGE 14 Fishing Hot Spots
PAGE 38 Recipes
PAGE 19 Jack Payne
PAGE 40 Activity
PAGE 22 Rocking Chair Chatter
PAGE 41 A Closer Look
PAGE 26 Literary Time Machine
PAGE 42 PCSO
PAGE 28 Endangered Species
PAGE 45 PCCW
PAGE 30 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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P.O. Box 9005 • Drawer HS03 Bartow, FL. 33831-9005 President – Ray Clark 4484 Swindell Road Lakeland, FL 33810 (863) 640-0719 rclark@tampabay.rr.com
J. B. Wynn PO Box 197 Alturas, FL 33820 (863) 581-3255 jbwynn29@gmail.com
Vice President – Carlton Taylor 9875 Hancock Road Lakeland, FL 33810 (863) 858-1771 L2brangus@aol.com
Alternate – Scott Shoupe 6130 Allen Lane Lakeland, FL 33811 (863) 581-7593 Scott_shoupe@hotmail. com
Secretary/Treasurer - Justin Standing Committee Bunch Chairs: PO Box 849 Highland City, FL 33846 Membership- J.B. Wynn (863) 425-1121 Events- Kevin Fussell jbunch@agriumretail.com Trade Show- Bridget Stice State Director – David McCullers 1000 Hwy 630 W Frostproof, FL 33843 (863) 635-3821 crookedlakeranch@verizon. net
Rodeo- Fred Waters PO Box 463 Alturas, FL 33820 (863) 559-7808
Website – Adam Norman 2115 West Pipkin Rd Donald Conroy Lakeland, FL 33811 3882 Lake Buffum Rd East (863) 944-9293 Fort Meade, FL 33841 Adamnorman1977@gmail. (863) 412-0790 com risingc@verizon.net Cattlewomen – President, Mike Facente Megan Atkinson 4465 Poyner Oaks Rd N. 3970 Gerber Dairy Rd Polk City, FL 33868 Winter Haven, FL 33880 (863) 697-9419 (863) 559-1228 Megamess007@yahoo. L.B. Flanders, DVM com 944 Wedgewood Lane Lakeland, FL 33813 Extension – Bridget Stice (863) 644-5974 PO Box 9005, Drawer HS03 Kevin Fussell Bartow, FL 33831 4523 Fussell Rd (863) 519-1048 Polk City, FL 33868 bccarlis@ufl.edu (863) 412-5876 Sheriff’s Dept. – Sgt. Paul Mike Fussell Wright 4520 Barush Rd 1891 Jim Keen Blvd. Bartow, FL 33830 Winter Haven, FL 33880 (863) 698-8314 (863) 557-1741 fussell.flafarm@gmail.com pw5281@polksheriff.org Moby Persing 3380 Sam Keen Rd Lake Wales, FL 33853 (863) 528-4567 Dave Tomkow 3305 US Highway 92 E Lakeland, FL 33801 (863) 665-5088 cattlemenslivestock@ earthlink.net
Warner University – Dalton Bush 17 Skidmore Rd. Winter Haven, FL 33880 (863) 585-9530 Dalton.bush@warner.edu
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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 Polk 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 Polk County Catllemen’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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© 2017 The Mosaic Company
WE’RE PUTTING SCIENCE TO WORK FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.
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 local schools to provide students with innovative learning opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). We’re dedicated to preparing the next generation for rewarding careers in a 21st-century economy. Subrata, Mosaic’s Senior Manager of Environmental Health & Safety, discusses sustainability practices with students at Florida Polytechnic University. To learn more about Mosaic’s support of STEM education, visit Science.MosaicCo.com.
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Well here we are in October. Its hard to believe everything that has happened since my September article. Who would have ever thought we would watch a storm off the African coast, move all the way across the Atlantic, turn north and come right up the middle of our State with the eye of Irma moving so close to our county. There has been a lot of destruction and power outages. But thank our Lord for weakening Irma, from a Cat 5 to a weak Cat 2 and a Cat1 as it moved through Polk County. Talking with many cattlemen, there seemed to be very little loss of livestock, mainly damage to fences and barns, with many trees down almost every where across our county. There was a lot of standing water, but it seems to be soaking up fast with no rain to mention many days after storm. I hope all of you came out safe and with little damage. Let me remind you, there are several sources of financial help out there. FEMA and Marcenda Kessler, with the USDA, out of Bartow. Due to Irma, almost everything I listed on our calendar in the September article was cancelled. Our FCA State Quarterly meeting that was to be held in Plant City was cancelled. Our next Quarterly will be in December at the University of Florida. Our FCA heifer replacement sale in Arcadia also had to be cancelled. If you are still looking for replacements contact the FCA office in Kissimmee. Our Farm Bureau luncheon with our politicians was cancelled. All cattle markets across the state were closed for the week, with little damage to most and no damage to some. Hopefully we are back on schedule and keep praying for no more storms. A lot of hay needs to be cut and rolled. I hope everyone got a chance to make it to our State Final Ranch Rodeo, held in Kissimmee. Also let me remind you of
our Fall Dinner and Meeting to be held at the Stuart Center, Nov.9 at 6:30pm. We will have many door prizes, mineral boxes, medicines, feeds and many other items you can use on your ranch. Also we will introduce your new President and State Director and your County Directors. We also will have Ashley Moody at our meeting. She is running for our State Attorney position. She is a former student of mine with a great background in the FFA and Agriculture. I Hope to see you there for a good steak and there are always great desserts from our cattlewomen. Wonderful fun, food and fellowship. The Cattlemen’s Market in Lakeland Fall Heifer & Cow Sale is Oct.27 at 1:00pm. Also the Ag.Expo. will be held in Moultrie, Ga., Oct.17,18 and 19. The National FFA Convention will be Oct 25, 26, 27 and the 28 in Indianapolis, IN. I would also like to extend congratulations to one of our own, Dr. Robert Gukich, DVM, was awarded the Excellence in Preventive Medicine-Beef from Boehringer Ingelheim, Co. In closing lets remember all the others who have been affected by these storms and pray they can get their lives back on track and move toward a better life style than what they have right now. I know we had some destruction and some damages but nothing like some of our island neighbors. God Bless our Farmers and Ranchers and their families and keep America Strong. May Our Trails Cross Soon,
Ray Clark
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Polk County Cattlemen’s Association President
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Master Gardeners
How to Avoid Crape Murder By Debra Howell, Florida Master Gardener UF/IFAS Extension Polk County
Crapemyrtle has long been a popular staple landscape plant in central Florida yards and neighborhoods. These plants are of the Lagerstroemia genus, having origins in Japan and China. In Southeast Asia they have even been used for timber. After being introduced to America around 1867, crapemyrtles began to gain favor as container plants and small and medium sized trees. The varieties of plants that are grown for specific and desirable characteristics are categorized according to height, with dwarf being less than four feet in five years, semidwarf being less than 12 feet after 10 years, intermediate being less than 20 feet after 10 years and trees which achieve a height of greater than 20 feet after 10 years. You need to know this information when selecting the cultivar which will be appropriate to the site you plant to use. Crapemyrtle is a perfect example of the importance of right plant/right place. This attractive plant is not only drought tolerant, but also heat and cold hardy, as well. It is a sun lover and is drought-tolerant. Crapemyrtle does not do well in wet soils, and prefers a soil pH in the range of 5.0 to 6.5. The Florida climate is favorable to the crapemyrtle, and the plants are widely used in municipal landscapes from Miami to the panhandle. They translate well into the urban environment, being appropriate for medians, parking lots, along fences, as specimens and even in large containers. Crapemyrtles come in a ridiculously wide range of impressive colors such as watermelon red, blush lavender, “bubble-gum” pink, fuchsia red, magenta purple and white, with United States National Arboretum cultivars having Native American names. Many cultivars have outstanding bark that peels off to offer new bark in shades of sandalwood, pinkish cream, chestnut brown, cinnamon orange and mahogany red, to name a few. These barks are attractive for furniture construction. Their growth habits vary with cultivar and occur in such shapes as upright, stiffly upright, broad, spreading, rounded, compact, elliptical and vase-shaped.
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Leaves of the crapemyrtle are either rounded, lance or spoon
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shaped, and from three to five inches in length. When they drop in the winter, you will have the opportunity to truly appreciate the interesting bark. Some more recent cultivars sport burgundy foliage in summer; others have foliage of red and bronze. Foliage may change colors in the winter months, as well. Pertaining to foliage, from time-to-time you may notice that the foliage of your plants begins to look like soot. That is “sooty mold” and is an indication of aphid infestation by the crapemyrtle aphid, also known as Tinocallis kahawaluokalani. That is quite a mouthful and kind of Hawaiian, right? The sooty mold results from aphids secreting a sugary substance known as “honeydew.” The honeydew secretion is responsible for the fungi called sooty mold. This aphid is plant-specific and does not occur on any other plant. Crapemyrtle aphids have sucking mouthparts which function to remove the sap from crapemyrtle leaves. The aphid activity may result in distorted leaves. Although the sooty mold does not injure the plant, the same cannot be said for the growthstunting damage incurred from the aphid itself. Many predatory insects feed on crapemyrtle aphids, but they usually are unable to control them. Therefore, the most environmentally safe way for controlling these aphids is to spray the plant with insecticidal soaps or horticultural oils. Once the aphids are controlled, the sooty mold on the leaves will wear off the leaves through the actions of the sun, rain and wind. The insecticidal soaps and horticultural oils will also help loosen and remove the sooty mold. Another crapemyrtle problem, but one which I have not noticed on my plants, is powdery mildew. This is a fungal issue called Erisiphe lagerstroemia and presents itself as a white powder on stems, blooms and leaves causing them to become distorted and stunted. In severe cases, it may also cause premature leaf drop and flower buds to not open. Florida’s rainfall and humidity, along with frequent wetting of the foliage by irrigation, encourages the growth and proliferation of this fungus. To try to help avoid powdery mildew, plant your crapemyrtle in a sunny location which allows free air movement so that the WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
wet leaves dry quickly. Another good way is when selecting a cultivar to plant, choose one which claims to be powdery mildew resistant. Crapemyrtle are hardy and easy to propagate with the use of rooting hormone. You may take cuttings from semi-hardwood or softwood; or use cuttings from dormant plants. The seed capsules sprout easily in the landscape, as is evidenced by the appearance of baby plants. Now comes the part of crapemyrtle education which I deem to be the most informative: pruning! There is a pervasive phenomenon which is addressed in the University of Florida bulletin ENH1138, “Crapemyrtle Pruning,” and known by the University of Florida as “crape murder.” Many are guilty of this practice. The important issue here is proper cultivar selection. These plants are available in sizes which will mature to heights from four feet to in excess of 20 feet. So, logically, if you have a space which limits the mature tree size to less than 20 feet, you would not buy a plant whose tag declared that its mature height will indeed reach taller than 20 feet. This aspect of choosing the right plant for the intended location is crucial to the proper pruning technique for crapemyrtle. Proper pruning is what makes crapemyrtle a low maintenance plant. Indeed if planted in the proper location their pruning requirements are few. Occasionally, pruning may be necessary to alter the appearance of the plant, such as removing the rain shoots or “suckers” which arise from the base of your plants. Or, in the
Another method, not commonly seen in Polk County, is called “pollarding.” This type of pruning is known as “hard pruning” due to cuts on large diameter limbs. This style of hard pruning is, in my opinion, possibly the least attractive pruning type. It basically consists of pruning a large branch resulting in drastically smaller shoots emerging from the branch. So what is the proper manner to maintain your crapemyrtle to avoid crape murder? According to University of Florida bulletin, ENH1138, “Crapemyrtles selected to match the landscape site require little or no pruning. A crapemyrtle that requires routine pruning to fit into its surroundings should be considered for replacement with a smaller-maturing cultivar.” University of Florida bulletin, ENH 52, “Crapemyrtle in Florida,” states that “For best results and minimum maintenance, choose a cultivar whose growth characteristics and ultimate size fit your intended landscape use.” Therefore, to avoid crape murder choose the right plant/right place and enjoy having this attractive, low maintenance plant in your landscape. If you have questions regarding your landscape or becoming a Master Gardener, you may call your local Extension Service for help to find the answer. You can reach the UF/IFAS Extension Polk County Plant Clinic at 863-519-1041 or online at http://polkextension.com. The Plant Clinic is open Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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case of the tree crapemyrtle, lower limbs may be removed or shaped to create the form of a tree. Another type of pruning is to remove the spent seed capsules. There is also tip pruning, known as “rounding over.” In this process, cuts are made on small stems and it is quite demanding of your time.
Maddie Dvorak
By Melissa Nichols
Some students take the an agriculture education class and join FFA because it is fun, others plan to participate in a contest or two, but few join with the full intention to do everything they can and live and breathe FFA. Maddie Dvorak of Kathleen Senior High School would be the student who has not only excelled but also taken every opportunity to compete, to organize activities and meetings and to go as far as FFA can take her.
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I first met Maddie Dvorak as I was judging the Leadership Development Event, the Creed contest at the FFA State Convention in 2015. Maddie was representing Lake Gibson Middle School. She walked
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into the room commanding attention and was a very impressive speaker. The contest was full of impressive speakers that year but the one thing that stood out from the entire event was the energy, enthusiasm and pride that Maddie brought to the room as she walked in. Maddie went on to win this event and represent not only Lake Gibson but also the entire state of Florida at the 2015 FFA National Convention. This contest is one that is only open to 8th graders and 9th graders. Maddie representing as an 8th grader made her accomplishment all that more impressive. I remember watching her and thinking “This isn’t the last time we will see her.” Maddie jumped in feet first upon arriving at a new school that fall, with very few of her existing friends, all new teachers and a new adventure. In the beginning Maddie was unsure of her decision to join a program that was where the majority of her friends went, but she quickly fit in, made friends and got involved in a big way. Over the last three years Maddie has completed hundreds of community service hours, organized community service projects, maintained a 4.2 GPA, and traveled the state competing with her horse Lark, all while maintaining her GPA and FFA activities. Maddie has competed in Prepared Public Speaking, Parliamentary Procedure, Forestry, OH Demo’s, Vegetable Judging, Horse Judging and the Farm Bureau Speech contest. Maddie won the state Farm Bureau speech contest last year with her speech on drones. In the High School Prepared Public Speaking contest Maddie was awarded second place in the state, as well as second in Vegetable Judging and this year she is headed back to Nationals to compete with her Parliamentary Procedure team. This team is made up of Chairman Shelby Carlton, Autumn Jackson, Jacob Yelvington, Amber Hanna, Logan Jewel and Maddie. This team will represent the State of Florida at the 90th Annual National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, October, 24- 28.
Board, said. This summer Maddie had the opportunity to go to the Washington Leadership Conference (WLC) in Washington DC. Maddie said “WLC was really exciting.” Finding out that she could make a difference was a game changer for her. She said doing “what you can with what you have where you are” was the theme and it inspired her to create a living to serve plan. Her plan is Kinder Garden. Maddie volunteers at Churchwell elementary with Kindergarteners teaching them little “Ag Ed Lessons” where she brings her lesson plans and visual aids to teach the kindergarten class about agriculture. She plans to do a lesson with them in the next few months to show them about growing plants and plans to grow a small garden with them. Maddie’s future goal is to begin planning her presentation for the State officer screening her senior year. She hopes to succeed and have the opportunity to run for FFA State Office. Maddie also plans to apply to the University of Florida with hopes of working as a lobbyist or in some area of policy where she can help make a difference. As I leave from interviewing Maddie Dvorak I tell myself once again “this isn’t the last time we will hear about her.” She is fascinating and has big plans, big dreams and will succeed; after all she bleeds blue and gold.
Not only is Maddie competing at the National convention this year, she also recently wrote an essay about “How to solve food insecurities in Tanzania.” Maddie is one of four finalists from the Florida Youth Institute who will be presenting an essay in Des Moines, Iowa on October 18-22. She is excited to be one of the finalists and to be among students from 27 states/territories and nine different countries. Maddie’s essay is about “The implementation of genetic modification and the introduction of sustainable agricultural practices.” In layman’s terms her essay is about GMO’s, crop rotation and other practices to help them use their land wisely. Impressive to say the least from a junior in high school. This year Maddie is serving as the Secretary of the Kathleen Senior High School FFA Chapter, along with the Secretary of District VIII and the Polk County Federation Vice President. “Maddie is a very driven young lady with high standards, lofty goals and is an excellent public speaker. She has an ability to inspire others and she is a joy to work with” Paul Webb Polk County Federation Advisor and TRST Polk County School INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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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.IN NTHE HEFIELD IELDMAGAZINE.COM AGAZINE.COM WWW.
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 ININTTHE HEFFIELD IELDM MAGAZINE AGAZINE
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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: $2,558,598,303 Citrus: $760,816,600 Beef Cattle: $237,476,562 Dairy: $11,811,695 Aquaculture: $36,850,000 Fruits and Vegetables (excluding citrus): $180,193,096 Greenhouse, Nursery, and Floriculture: $624,819,895 Sugar: $382,603,397 Field crops: $62,747,058 Forestry: $261,280,000
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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. First, they know what your challenges are. That’s why we deploy them to research centers all over the state instead of
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 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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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.
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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 has 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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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.
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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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Irma Devastates Florida’s Citrus Industry Though Florida was set to have one of it’s most profitable citrus hauls in recent years, Hurricane Irma caused losses of 50 to 70 percent of local crops. By Breanne Williams
When Hurricane Irma swept through Florida she left behind a path of destruction from coast to coast. Her brief, yet fierce, voyage through the state turned citrus growers’ “come back year” into a struggle to break even. Three weeks after the hurricane, nearly 10 percent of the 40acre Polk grove Clint Updike consults for and manages was still underwater. Every tree, submerged or merely wind-damaged, was surrounded by a skirt of dropped fruit. As Updike surveyed the growing mounds of displaced produce, he said grower’s aren’t even able to estimate where their groves stand because the trees have yet to cease dropping produce. “We started seeing drops that Monday afternoon after the storm and actually it just got worse and worse and worse,” Updike said. “It’s different from Hurricane Charley. Charley came in and just absolutely blew the fruit off the trees. Down south Irma blew the fruit off and here it blew off a percentage, but it twisted so much fruit we’re continuing to drop three weeks out from the storm.” He estimated the drop would continue for at least another week and only once he’s sure it’s finished would he be able to call in a crop adjustor. The trees that spent weeks submerged in stagnant water he said they will “absolutely lose.” Everything else is a gamble, one Updike and many other growers in the state, are nervous they’ll lose.
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“I’ve been in this grove for 20 years and I’ve never seen this before, even with Charley,” Updike said. “These trees survived
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the ’89 freeze but they aren’t going to survive this. They’re already starting to die, you can see how they’re starting to shrivel.” A decade long battle with citrus greening and the increasing competition from Mexico and South America has turned one of Florida’s most thriving industries into a shell of its former existence. When Updike began working in the citrus industry 20 years ago, he said the state was averaging 240 million boxes of produce a year. At the beginning of September, experts estimated the 2017 haul would be approximately 70 million boxes, one of the highest in years. After Irma, Updike said he believes the industry will be lucky if they get 37 million boxes, though an official estimate has yet to be made. “It’s safe to say this is quite a tragedy for the industry to have such a crop drop throughout the state when our industry is already struggling due to greening,” Michael Rogers, center director of UF IFAS citrus research and education center, said. “A lot of our growers have crop insurance but even that won’t cover everything so a lot of growers are going to lose a lot of money.” Rogers said assistance may come in the form of a disaster relief package from Washington D.C. Sarasota Congressman Vern Buchanan has introduced a citrus aid bill and said in a press release the legislation will be part of the next hurricane relief package Congress will consider in October. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
However, that assistance, if passed, will only go so far. Rogers said the key to aiding growers is for consumers to make it a point to support the industry by buying local orange juice and produce. Though costs will inevitably be higher this year due to the limited supply, buying Fresh From Florida and shopping for Florida produce will provide a cushion for many of these growers to fall on. “We’re at the mercy of the storm. Our growers have been through this. In the 2004 season they had a lot of hurricanes, they know what to do, they prepare and they are ready but there’s little you can do until the storm has passed,” Rogers said. “It couldn’t have come at a worst time for the industry. It’s just kick them while they’re down.” As Updike stood along the edge of the encroaching waters, surrounded by the scent of rotting fruit, he surveyed the dying trees and said he feels lucky in comparison to groves further south. Despite the hit his property took, he said other groves will take years to recover and that is only if their grow-
Even when the trees finally stop dropping, danger is far from over. One good rain could lead to the large piles of dropped fruit scattered around the roots of the healthy trees to become a host of diseases, like fungus or brown rot. The already financially stretched growers then have to decide if they can afford to spend approximately $100 an acre spraying to combat the disease. Though for many this was set to be the “pay the banker back year,” it now appears many will fail to even make back their initial investments. Updike, however, refuses to let Irma keep him from giving up on the industry he loves. “My heart was broken already,” Updike said. “I’m at a healing point and then this happens. I’m definitely still hopeful, it’s the only thing I know. I’ve got to pick up and keep on going. I guess when your livelihood depends on weather, insects, equipment and things like that, I’ve learned to take it day by day and just keep on moving forward. There’s always tomorrow. I always try to find the positive side of the situation.”
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ers are financially able to essentially start over and replant the majority of their land.
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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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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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.
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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
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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.
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/ 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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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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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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DEADicated to Fall?
The Lakeland ranch had to revamp its fall festivities after Hurricane Irma destroyed its intricate eight acre Egyptian Wheat maze. By: Breanne Williams
Fall festivities in central Florida are having to adapt following Hurricane Irma’s destructive path through the state. The Smith Family Ranch has been a staple of Halloween celebrations for years in Lakeland and for the first time found itself without its main attraction, an eight acre Egyptian Wheat maze, after Irma’s high winds and heavy rains utterly destroyed the meticulously planned out crop. Donna Adams Smith, the owner of Smith Family Ranch, was faced with a tough decision following the wake of the storm. She either had to close the Cornfusion event for the season or revamp and offer an alternative experience for fall enthusiasts. “We thought about closing but everyone was calling asking us when we would open and what we would be offering,” Guy Callaghan, head of public relations for Cornfusion Fall Festival & Pumpkin Patch, said. “The community really let us know they wanted us to stay open so we got to work to offer the best experience we can with the limited resources we have.” Last year, the ranch had to close on opening weekend due to Hurricane Hermine’s impact. However, by the next weekend it had completely recovered and was able to reopen its doors. This year, the ranch had to delay opening by two weeks, causing heavy losses for the 2017 season. It had to cancel most of its advertising and sponsors and Callaghan said there is a chance the ranch will not break even this year, though he said that is a risk you always take with agriculture. Rather than accept defeat, the ranch is pooling its resources to offer its faithful fans an exciting event that will excel even without the customary maze. The festival will offer farm animals, hayrides, helicopter, pony and tractor rides, air cannons, music, vendors, great food and more. For the first time it is also offering a goat skywalk and a spider web climb, a cable climbing experience similar to those found in theme parks. The main attraction is going to be the ranch’s pumpkin patch, which Callaghan said is bigger than ever. Attendees can come out and pick their own pumpkins and there will be a decorating station for children to adorn their pumpkins on site. The patch also stands apart by offering nearly 10 photo opportunities with painted signs and wooden scenes with face cutouts for quirky pictures. Cornfusion’s opening now falls on the Rock the Ranch event, an annual Christian concert series that has consistently been the ranch’s largest and most popular weekend.
“We pride ourself on being a family event all the way around,” Callaghan said. “We’ve had kids that are four or five years old jump on the hayride and go shoot zombies with their families. If it’s OK with their parents, it’s OK with us.” The festival also acts as an educational experience for all who attend. This year’s theme is Ranch Life and Callaghan said the focus is to inform the public on how to better preserve the ranch life, what ranch life is actually like and to explain what the Smith Family Ranch does on a day to day basis. Callaghan said part of the lesson this year will be that agriculture is heavily dependent on mother nature. When she’s “not nice to you,” you have to be quick on your feet, bounce back and just “push on.” Though the ranch has definitely taken a beating this year, Callaghan is hopeful that everything will go back to normal long before the 2018 festival. He said part of the reason the loss of the maze hurt as badly as it did was because the ranch takes many steps to ensure the crop grows as tall as possible in Florida. “We use special fertilizer and everything and that’s what devastated us,” Callaghan said. “We take all these steps and we keep tweaking it and keep tweaking it every year to make it better. This year we were prepared to have the best maze on record and this hit really hurt us. All we can do is pick up though and try our best to make next year even better. We’re just praying we don’t face any hurricanes like this next season.”
Tickets for the general festival and pumpkin patch are $10 for adults, $8 for children 5 years old to 15 years old, $5 for seniors and free for children four and under, first responders and military. The Zombie Farm and Paintball Hayride is $30 per person and includes admission to the Haunted Hay House. Tickets solely for the house are $7. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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The ranch is also offering its annual Zombie Farm Paintball Hayride and the Haunted Hay House on Friday and Saturday nights. Though the content is definitely scary, Callaghan said they don’t restrict age and rely on parents’ discretion on whether their children are up for the spooky activities.
The Swamp Buggy By Grady Judd, Polk County Sheriff
As Sheriff of Polk County, I am always looking for ways to improve the way our deputies deliver law enforcement services to our citizens and visitors in Polk County. We constantly seek more effective and efficient tactics, strategies, technology, and equipment. One example of improved equipment we have acquired is a unique vehicle well-suited for law enforcement missions in our rural, swampy, and off-road areas. Our official name for this off-road, all terrain, wet condition-capable vehicle is, of course, the Swamp Buggy.
sen, and it is exactly what its name implies.
Swamp buggies have been around since the early real estate development of south Florida in the 1930s and 1940s. They feature high clearances, extra-large tires, robust traction, and a large viewing platform. It is an ungainly and strange-looking vehicle, but as odd as it may look, the PCSO Swamp Buggy has become a crucial tool that enables our deputies to reach remote, flooded, and swampy areas.
The Swamp Buggy is a popular attraction at events, but to actually see it in action is something else. Recently, the Buggy was used to take food and water to residents in flooded areas of the county. Agriculture Deputy Michael Burdette went out on one of those aid missions, just after Hurricane Irma had passed through. There was high water, no electric, and the homes of many people had been damaged. These residents had been through so much, and then they saw a huge machine effortlessly driving toward them through the water. Burdette got a great feeling from it, saying that the expressions on the people’s faces as he drove in with the supplies… “You just can’t replace it.”
You may recall the sad story of a family of five from Kansas, who perished in a plane crash in Southeast Polk County back in 2012. Getting to that crash site, and conducting a comprehensive search in the remote, swampy Tiger Creek Preserve near Babson Park, proved to be extremely difficult with the equipment we had at the time.
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Polk County is known for its vast wetlands and forests, and out of necessity, we looked at what options were available to help deputies navigate those hard-toreach places. Eventually, the Swamp Buggy was cho-
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The PCSO Swamp Buggy is a custom-made 7,000lb “monster-sized” vehicle that can seat six passengers comfortably, and hit speeds up to 40mph. It is designed for search and rescue missions in high waters, for when it is too rough for airboats and four-wheelers. The vehicle’s high profile makes looking for objects below the water’s surface and across rough terrain easier and better.
In addition to helping the citizens of Polk County, the Swamp Buggy has also assisted other public safety agencies in emergencies. Hopefully, you will never require it to save you or a loved one, but know that it’s there, in the event that you do need it.
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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
OUR PROFITS ARE YOUR PAYDAY When you do business with Farm Credit, you are a member of a cooperative. When we do well, you do well. And we’ve been doing well for over 100 years. LOANS FOR: • • • •
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Loans for land, homes & living. 866 . 245 . 3637 farmcreditcfl.com
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Polk County Cattle Women I hope that October finds you in a better place than September left many. I pray that your family, your livestock and your homes are safe. As we all continue with clean-up efforts after Hurricane Irma, I wanted to mention a few of the great things I saw in the wake of the storm. In the days following Irma, I saw families brought closer together, neighbors helping neighbors, communities rallying together to support relief workers (including some of our own Cattlewomen who fed southern home cooking to crews of linemen for days), and most importantly people being kind to one another without prejudice. While it is sad that it takes a disaster to bring out the best in people, it is heartwarming to see and it does help to restore your faith in humanity. Also, I wanted to highlight a couple of local animal rescues that do great work in our communities every day. Each of these organizations were effected by Irma and could use our support. Hope Equine Rescue in Auburndale is dear to my heart as I have one of their rescues. They care for approximately 30 horses at any given time. These range from permanent residents to rehabbed adoptable horses. During the storm they sustained some substantial damage to several of their paddocks and are fundraising to rebuild those enclosures. Donations can be made through their website www.hopeequinerescue.com or mailed to 1200 Dixie Dr. Auburndale, FL 33823. The second organization I wanted to mention is the Hardee Animal Rescue Team (HART) located in Wauchula. They work tirelessly to pull animals on the euthanasia list out of local shelters, in addition to providing low cost spay and neuter programs in conjunction
As we get a little further into “fall” if you can really call it that, the Florida Cattlewomen and Team Beef will be out at the Savage Race in Dade City on November 11 and 12. The race is a grueling 7 mile course with 25 obstacles. FCW will be providing beef samples and nutritional information to participants. For more information about the event visit www.savagerace.com/event/ florida-fall-2017. As always Go Team Beef! If you are interested in joining us, our next meeting is Wednesday November 8. We will meet in the Stuart Center at the Polk County Agriculture Complex 1702 US Hwy 17 S, Bartow to decorate for the Fall Dinner around 5:30 p.m. The meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. I hope to see you there!
Be good and do good deeds,
Megan Atkinson
Polk County Cattle Women President
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with Hardee Animal Clinic. In the wake of the storm they have been rescuing a larger volume of animals that have been found or brought in as strays after the storm. They are always accepting blankets, towels, pet food and grooming supplies. Donations can be made through their website at www.hardeeanimalrescueteam.com or mailed to P.O. Box 2486 Wauchula, FL 33873. I know that we are all getting back on our feet in the aftermath, but it’s important to remember our four legged friends and those who care for them too.
Classifieds
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ANIMALS & NEEDS ANIMAL & BIRDCAGES
Equipment serving the fur bearing animal & exotic bird industry! Cages built to order. Wire by roll or foot. (813) 752-2230. Call Don Ammerman. www.ammermans.com July 16, 2017, Nov. 26, 2017
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.
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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
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All wood kitchen cabinets. All wood vanities. Granite counter tops. Custom made to your size. Call Blake 813-752-3378
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Many colors and styles to choose from. Ask for Ted. 813-752-3378
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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
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Get quality all wood cabinets for less than the BIG Box STORES! Call Today! Ask for Blake. (813) 752-3378
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Zero turn mowers. Good Condition. Price starts at $1,000. Call Alvie 813-759-8722
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Agricultural equipment. Pay with benefits based on experience. Call Alvie 813-759-8722
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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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We are a Simonton/MI Windows dealer. Our windows are energy star, lifetime warranty. Call Broke & Poor 813-752-3378
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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
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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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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
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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
October 2017
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