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CONTENTS
October 2018 VOL. 12 • ISSUE 2 Polk County Cattlemen’s Association
24 Operation Outdoor Freedom
PAGE 10 FL Ag Hall of Fame
PAGE 32 The Field Foodies PAGE 34 Florida Agriculture
PAGE 12 Jack Payne
PAGE 36 John Dicks
PAGE 14 Fishing Hot Spots
PAGE 38 Bobby Costine
PAGE 16 Business Up Front
PAGE 40 Warner University
PAGE 18 Brianne Putnam
PAGE 41 A Closer Look
PAGE 22 Rocking Chair Chatter PAGE 26 Literary Time Machine
PAGE 42 PCSO
PAGE 28 Endangered Species
PAGE 45 PCCW
PAGE 31 News Briefs
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 – Carlton Taylor 9875 Hancock Road Lakeland, FL 33810 (863) 858-1771 L2brangus@aol.com Vice President – Ray Clark 4484 Swindell Road Lakeland, FL 33810 (863) 640-0719 rclark@tampabay.rr.com Secretary/Treasurer Justin Bunch PO Box 849 Highland City, FL 33846 (863) 425-1121 justin.bunch@cpsagu.com State Director – David McCullers 1000 Hwy 630 W Frostproof, FL 33843 (863) 635-3821 crookedlakeranch57@ gmail.com Donald Conroy 3882 Wolfolk Rd Fort Meade, FL 33841 (863) 412-0790 Kevin Fussell 4523 Fussell Rd Polk City, FL 33868-9676 (863) 412-5876 Mike Fussell 4520 Barush Rd Bartow, FL 33830 (863) 698-8314 fussell.flafarm@gmail.com Moby Persing 3380 Sam Keen Rd Lake Wales, FL 33898 (863) 528-4567 Ken Sherrouse 13475 Moore Rd Lakeland, FL 33809 (863) 698-1834 kensherrouse@yahoo.com Scott Shoupe 6130 Allen Lane Lakeland, FL 33811 (863) 581-7593 Scott_shoupe@hotmail. com
3305 US Highway 92 E Lakeland, FL 33801-9623 (863) 665-5088 J. B. Wynn PO Box 197 Alturas, FL 33820 (863) 581-3255 jbwynn29@gmail.com Standing Committee Chairs: Membership- J.B. Wynn Events- Kevin Fussell Trade Show- Bridget Stice Rodeo- Fred Waters PO Box 463 Alturas, FL 33820 (863) 559-7808 Website – Adam Norman 2115 West Pipkin Rd Lakeland, FL 33811 (863) 944-9293 Adamnorman1977@gmail. com Cattlewomen – President, Megan Atkinson 3970 Gerber Dairy Rd Winter Haven, FL 33880 (863) 559-1228 Megamess007@yahoo. com Extension – Bridget Stice PO Box 9005, Drawer HS03 Bartow, FL 33831 (863) 519-1048 bccarlis@ufl.edu Sheriff’s Dept. – Sgt. Paul Wright 1891 Jim Keen Blvd. Winter Haven, FL 33880 (863) 557-1741 pw5281@polksheriff.org Warner University – Cameron Cato 13895 Hwy 27 Lake Wales, FL 33859 (352) 561-6459 James.cato@warner.edu
Dave Tomkow WWW. ININTHE FIELD MM AGAZINE.COM WWW. THE FIELD AGAZINE.COM
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STAFF Publisher/Photography Karen Berry Senior Managing Editor/ Associate Publisher Sarah Holt
Sales Tina Richmond Melissa Nichols
Letter from the Editor According to Feeding Tampa Bay, Florida is fourth in the nation for family hunger. In west central Florida, 60% of the population is eligible for food stamps. Many at-risk students won’t eat at all between lunch on Friday and breakfast Monday morning.
When you don’t know what your next meal will be or where it will come from, this is food insecurity. Many associate being hungry with negative stereotypes, such as being homeless or uneducated, when in reality, according to the Hunger in America 2014 study conducted by Feeding America, the hungry in our community are largely families or seniors with homes. In the Tampa Bay area children and seniors make up nearly half of the hungry population. Many families have homes and jobs, but still struggle to put food on the table. Living on a fixed income, or even one bad month, can lead to difficult decisions, such as spending money on food, or medical care. It’s a difficult problem to solve.
I don’t have the answers. Luckily, there are those in our area and all across the country, working to help end this problem. But they can’t do it alone. We are approaching the time of giving. Please open your hearts to help those with food insecurity. Please remember, this is a problem 365 days of the year. If we work together, we can build resources to make our communities happier and healthier. No one should have to go hungry.
Until Next Month
Sarah Holt The LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. - Numbers 6:25
Creative Director/Illustrator Juan Alvarez Photography Karen Berry Melissa Nichols Staff Writers Al Berry Sandy Kaster James Frankowiak Sean Green Ginny Mink Breanne Williams Contributing Writers Woody Gore John Dicks
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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Fall is officially here, but the summer weather continues. I have heard from a few of you, there is only two seasons in Florida, summer and football season. Many of us keeping praying for a dry period so we can get some hay cut and get it baled, but with Hurricane Michael approaching the panhandle of Florida, the wet weather continues. Please pray for our fellow Florida farmers and ranchers in north Florida during the storm and after. Congratulations to Warner University on the grand opening and dedication of the Ed and Myrtle Lou Swindle Agricultural Complex. I would like to remind all of our members that the Fall Cattlemen’s Dinner will be November 15th. We hope you will make plans to join us for a great time of fellowship and of course an awesome steak dinner. I don’t know if you have been following the news, but Fake Meat is making the headlines a lot lately. The buzz word is clean meat, that is environmentally friendly. We need to make sure as beef producers that test tube beef gets labeled properly,
or we might find ourselves in the shoes of our dairy friends and their fight against Almond Milk because they did not think people would really drink that stuff. Our friends at a U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) are working hard to introduce new policy that addresses how this clean meat should be labeled in the grocery store and marketplace. Now more than ever, it is vital for us as beef producers to share our story and tell others about the health benefits of eating beef. #showyourpassion. In closing, there is something just wrong to think about the possibility of eating a test tube burger, but if we don’t step up and take action, we may see more of this than we like. Please enjoy more BEEF! Until next time,
Carlton Taylor
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Polk County Cattlemen’s Association President
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Commissioner Putnam Announces 2019 Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Honorees Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam and the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Foundation announced the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame inductees for 2019. The induction ceremony will be held at the Florida State Fair’s Agricultural Hall of Fame Banquet on Feb. 12, 2019. More information is available at FloridaAgHallofFame.org. “Agriculture is Florida’s oldest industry, and it continues to support our state’s economy thanks to the leaders who continue to grow, streamline and modernize the industry,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “I am honored to name the newest members of the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame to honor their outstanding contributions to Florida agriculture.”
The honorees are: Don Bennink
has spent a distinguished career revolutionizing the dairy industry by spearheading innovative genetic research and practices. The hallmark of Bennik’s career is his research in animal genetics and reproduction, which led to the development of his own system of genetic selection and genomic testing. A native of western New York, Bennik moved to Bell in 1980 where he established North Florida Holsteins. Bennik became a regarded advocate for improving the Holstein breed, and in 2001, he began using tunnelventilation barns to make cows more comfortable and productive. Recognizing the value of partnerships between universities and veterinary students, North Florida Holsteins has become a field laboratory for the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Ohio State University’s well-respected international student internship programs. Bennink has earned numerous awards and honors, including the World Dairy Expo’s Dairyman of the Year.
Richard Gaskalla
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spent more than four decades defending Florida agriculture from invasive pests and diseases. Gaskalla began his career at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Division of Plant Industry and was promoted to director in 1988. Gaskalla was on the forefront of researching and implementing techniques to protect and preserve
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Florida’s citrus industry by directing the Citrus Canker Eradication Program and partnering with the USDA and the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences to establish and implement the Citrus Health Response Program. Gaskalla has earned numerous industry accolades, including the USDA’s Administrators Award; Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association’s Friend of the Industry Award; and the Commissioner of Agriculture’s Distinguished Achievement Award.
Sam Killebrew revo-
lutionized the agriculture industry with his patented invention of the bulk fertilizer hauler in 1952. The hauler provided an easier, more efficient and costeffective way to deliver nutrients to multiple crops, most notably citrus. The hauler, known as “The Killebrew,” eliminated the manual handling of fertilizer, including bagging, opening and dumping into spreaders. Killebrew moved from Tennessee to Auburndale to work as a trucker and mechanic, and eventually worked for Adams Packing Company, where he learned to weld and devised the hauler. Killebrew invented additional tools to reduce costs and streamline farming practices, including dry and liquid fertilizer spreaders, logging trailers, city refuse units and bulk citrus high-lifts. Killebrew has been inducted into the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame and the Southwestern Fertilizer Conference Hall of Fame.
Mike Stuart
has dedicated his career to improving and supporting Florida’s produce industry by cultivating grower-shipper relationships, securing federal investment in fruit and vegetable programs, and shaping trade policies. Stuart began as a produce clerk in California before taking a position with Western Growers Association, where he served produce growers in California and Arizona for 13 years. In 1992, Stuart began his 26-year tenure as Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association President, serving as a highly respected leader, ambassador and spokesperson for Florida’s specialty crop industry. At the federal level, Stuart helped craft critical fruit and vegetable investment programs as co-chair of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, and he held several government advisory positions to ensure trade agreements reflected the interests of the specialty crop industry. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
UF/IFAS Research: Citrus Tree Covers Keep Deadly Psyllids Away Brad Buck University of Florida scientists are finding that by covering new citrus trees with mesh, they can keep disease-carrying insects from harming the plants. That could be a big step toward stemming the deadly citrus greening disease, UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researchers say.
Asian citrus psyllids can infect the fruit trees with greening, also known as Huanglongbing, or HLB. But the psyllids cannot penetrate the bags because the diameter of their openings is smaller than the insects, said Fernando Alferez, a UF/ IFAS assistant professor of horticultural sciences. Researchers call the system “individual protective covers,” or IPCs. Scientists are testing IPCs in an experimental grove at the UF/ IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee, Florida, and in some commercial groves in the state. Although the covers are in the research phase, an increasing number of citrus growers are using them, Alferez said. Typically, the covers are installed immediately after the new trees are planted and stay there for two years, Alferez said. With no psyllids getting through the mesh, trees avoid infection for the two years the cover is on the plant. Without infection, trees increase the likelihood they’ll enter the fruitproducing stage disease free.
ers will find this mechanism to be cost-effective and efficient in growing healthy citrus trees.” For example, trees protected by the covers grow larger leaves, Alferez said. They also are testing negative for Candidus liberibacter asiaticus, the bacterium that causes citrus greening, he said. The covers may also cut the costs of chemical treatments, which are used to control pests, Alferez said. Under the covers, the trees thrive through improved photosynthesis, which translates to increased growth, he said. Researchers are still learning about the advantages of the covers, which cost $8.50 each, Alferez said. For instance, they’ve found that if they tuck the IPCs inside plastic tree trunk wraps, they can prevent crawling insects from getting on the trees, he said. That means they can keep out the Diaprepes root weevil, which feeds on the roots of plants. Alferez is using UF/IFAS funding for this research. The covers were donated by the Tree Defender Company.
“As we experiment with the covers, we’re finding they not only help prevent psyllids from infecting citrus trees with greening, they also help trees grow better,” said Alferez, a faculty member with the UF/IFAS Southwest Florida REC. “We believe that as we move forward with our research, citrus grow-
UF Professor Helps Autism Spectrum Adults Earn Horticulture Certification
By Samantha Grenrock
Gardening can help those on the Autism spectrum gain the skills and independence needed to enter the workforce in ways that other activities might not, said Guy, professor emeritus of environmental horticulture in UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
As a University of Florida plant scientist who spent most of his career doing experiments in a lab, Charlie Guy didn’t have a chance to consider how gardening could help improve people’s wellbeing. But today, he’s seen how working with plants can help people see themselves and their futures in a new light. Over the past year, Guy has tutored Amy Puccio and Eric Estores, two participants in the Wilmot Gardens Autism Spectrum Disorder Job Skills Training Program. He helped them prepare for the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association’s (FNGLA) Certified Horticulture Professional designation exam. This designation is the industry standard for horticultural skills and knowledge, and signals to potential employers that applicants are ready for the jobs in plant nurseries, landscaping and other horticultural operations. “Dr. Guy called to tell us about this unique program at Wilmot Gardens and their desire to offer FNGLA’s Certified Horticulture Professional to their students,” said Merry Mott, director of certifications and career development for FNGLA. “We didn’t think twice before saying, ‘yes, absolutely!’”
On August 23, Puccio and Estores received their certifications from FNGLA representatives during a small ceremony at Wilmot Gardens. “We are so proud of Eric and Amy’s accomplishments. Not only do we welcome them as FNGLA Certified professionals, we welcome them to our horticulture family,” Mott said. Puccio said one of her favorite parts of gardening is that it gets her outside. Working with plants also gives her a sense of pride. “I feel like I’ve found something I’m good at,” she said. She plans to apply to jobs in plant nurseries. While Estores likes pruning and transplanting, he’s most passionate about learning new plant species. “I enjoy doing plant identification because I like to memorize things,” he said. One day he’d like to work for UF/IFAS, just like his mentor, Charlie Guy. The ASD Job Skills Training Program starts up again this month, where Guy plans to tutor four participants to help them earn their FNGLA certifications. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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“People have a deep innate affinity for plants, and working with plants provides benefits that are only now being understood,” said Guy, whose research has focused on the impacts of gardening on mental health and wellbeing. “Plants have a unique potential to spark a person’s interest to learn, and this was a motivational factor for Eric and Amy to study hard and be able to pass the FNGLA certificate examination.”
WE ARE By Jack Payne
ALL IN
He can’t say this, but I can: Nian is going to find those genes. He’s going to use a technology that’s become available in just the last few years and turn it against a problem that’s more than a century old. No one in the whole world has been able to find a cure in all that time. In a much shorter time here, our scientific advances have convinced me that someday we’ll look back at HLB the way we now remember polio or AIDS. The responses to those diseases are examples of what happens when a scientific community is all in to tackle a problem. That commitment puts men on the moon. It takes a computer that once filled a room and puts it in the palm of your hand. Surely, that kind of commitment can deliver what we need to know so we can continue to grow citrus. And that’s what you have from UF/IFAS.
Editor’s note: This month’s column is adapted from Payne’s address to the Florida Citrus Industry Annual Conference in Bonita Springs in June. The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is all in to help you beat HLB. We have nearly 60 citrus faculty in Lake Alfred, Fort Pierce, Immokalee, and Gainesville. And we have additional faculty who weren’t hired to do citrus research but have responded to our all-hands-on-deck call to the fight against HLB. UF/IFAS has made a greater commitment to citrus than it has to any other of Florida’s nearly 300 crops and commodities. We have added 20 new citrus faculty members to our ranks in just the past four years. This is expensive, time-consuming, complicated, humbling, and sometimes frustrating. And it’s worth it. So I’ll say it again: UF/IFAS is all in. With the support of the Citrus Research and Development Foundation, of Florida Citrus Mutual, of many other partners, we have made tremendous scientific progress in the past decade. We understand the psyllid much better, so we can more effectively attack it. We’ve developed tolerant varieties such as Sugar Belle and Bingo. We’re harnessing the revolutionary gene editing technology called CRISPR to attack the disease in a way we never dreamed of a decade ago. Nian Wang has knocked out canker in grapefruit with this technology.
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He hasn’t found the genes yet that make citrus susceptible to HLB, but he’s getting closer all the time. He’s thinking about this every day, all day. Nian is all in.
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We know we must continue to step it up, and we’re doing that. We just hired an entomologist to fill the position vacated when Michael Rogers became the director at the Citrus Research and Education Center. We’re continuing to invest heavily in giving our citrus scientists the tools they need to do their best work. The cost of being in the anti-HLB business is high. We’re paying those costs. For example, we’re putting nearly a million dollars into a lab for the new entomologist and for Kirsten Pelz-Stelinski. Those labs had appeared and functioned as if they’re straight out of the 1950s. The labs of Yu Wang and Jude Grosser were not able to stay cool enough to allow their high-tech machines to function properly. So we invested $841,000 to make them cool enough. We’ve invested nearly $1.2 million in new greenhouses in Immokalee. They’re being used by citrus pathologist Ozgar Batuman and three other faculty who do most of their work on citrus. There’s no other UF/IFAS research center dedicated to a single plant commodity (though we do have the Range Cattle Research and Education Center in Ona). Citrus is where we can say most forcefully that we’re all in. And here, when I say we, I don’t mean just UF/IFAS. Together UF/IFAS, USDA, FDACS, Florida Citrus Mutual and other citrus associations, and you are going to make citrus history by making HLB history. Thank you, and let’s keep up the good work.
Jack Payne is the University of Florida’s senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources and leader of the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Tampa Bay Fishing Report November 2018 Capt. Woody Gore
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has passed an executive order Executive Order: EO 18-45 temporarily making snook and redfish catchand-release only from the northernmost point of Anna Maria Island in Manatee County to Gordon Pass in Collier County. This order took effect at 12:00 a.m. on September 28, 2018, and shall expire at 11:59 p.m. on May l0, 2019, unless rescinded or extended by a subsequent order. In late September we entered, our fall fishing season and should have begun noticing cooler temperatures and less humidity, but not this year. Regardless it did not keep the fish from biting and made for some good mid-bay and North Bay fishing, as evidenced by Captain Mike Gore putting one back. Hopefully, the red tide issue continues resolving itself and we get back to our great October fishing, what this means is the bite should continue to improve as water temperatures begin cooling. What it also means is that November should be an excellent time to escape the chill of the north or the heat of our Florida summers and schedule a fishing trip. Having fished the Tampa west coast waters for over 50 years, Capt. Woody offers a professional full-time guided charter fishing service. As the days become less humid and grow more pleasurable you will be able to experience some of the best fishing in the “Capital of the World”…Florida West Coast.
Let’s Go Fishing – Capt. Woody Gore
FWC MAKES SNOOK, REDFISH TEMPORARILY CATCH-AND-RELEASE
Snook season is closed but still, catch and release. Greenbacks are still the bait of choice. We have also been catching them on fresh cut bait lying on the bottom. Anglers using live bait should have no problem finding plenty of greenbacks, threadfins, or pinfish. It’s not uncommon for a juvenile snook to chase down a greenback, but the larger fish are usually neutral in pursuing a fast swimming greenback. Instead, they seem content to take damaged or dead bait off the bottom. A simple technique I have been using to slow down my live bait is to break its back or cut off the tail fins. Carl thought it was a giant snook but turned out to be a huge Yellow Tail Jack. Man those guys can fight. Redfish are also closed, but still catch and release and seem to be on every grass flat and also eating live and dead baits. We are catching plenty of nice size fish. The broken bottom grass flats, submerged oyster bars and mangrove shorelines throughout the mid and upper Tampa Bay seem to be holding hungry redfish. Greenbacks, dollar size pinfish, big shrimp, or fresh cut bait along with some good old-fashioned fishing patience seems to do the trick. Spotted Sea Trout action is on the upswing with good reports when
fishing strong tide days around deeper grass flats. They are eating freelined shrimp and under a popping cork and freelined greenbacks. Deeper flats, good moving water in or out prove deadly in catching nice Trout.
Artificial Lures: If you are interested in something different, perhaps it
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Capt. Woody Gore (www.captainwoodygore.com)
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is time to try artificial lures. Fall and winter are great times to use them. They give fish a look at something totally different, like color, shape, and action or a combination of all might entice them to strike. Some lures float, some dive, while others suspend, all usually require a learning curve, but remember WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
that’s half the fun. Fishing artificial’s requires a certain level of talent, but once you start you will surely enjoy mastering the techniques. If you’re an artificial lure angler topwater lures do well on early morning grass flats. My topwater lures include MirrOLure Top Dogs, or Catch 2000 and are loads of fun especially the unanticipated strike when the explosion from beneath almost stops your heart.
Mangrove Snapper have flooded Tampa Bay grass flats,
bridges, markers, and docks. Try fishing with small greenies and shrimp as they should produce some nice sized fish often tipping the scales around 1 to 3 pounds. Lighter Seaguar fluorocarbon leader, small slip sinker, a # 1 hook and you’re in business.
Cobia can show up on the back of large Rays and Manatees.
Check buoys and markers and keep an eye out when Mackerel fishing especially if you’re using a chum bag. Have a slightly heavier rig ready because they tend to pop up at the most inopportune times, like when you are not ready. Many times, we have been fishing for mackerel and looked behind the boat to see one or two cobia hanging around the outboard.
Mackerel action should remain strong. Look for diving birds
and you have probably found a school of mackerel, jacks, or ladyfish; also look for schools of threadfins or glass minnows and you will usually find the same thing. Try using 40# to 50# Seaguar Fluorocarbon Leader with long shank #2 or #3 Daiichi hooks. Free line the baits in the current with a #3 split-shot weight.
“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
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Business Up Front
by: Breanne Williams
Solar Feeders future of livestock farming A local ag enthusiast channeled her passion for Solar Feeders into a career by becoming the only dealer in Florida for the new technology. As the country grapples with how to incorporate energy efficient strategies into every day life, one company has found a way to make solar technology a musthave for the livestock industry. Several years ago Janene Cook was searching high and low for an automatic livestock feeder. For decades she had relied on the knowledge and experience of local youth and friends to help “baby sit” her cattle whenever she had to leave town for a vacation of work trip. As the years passed she said there were less people involved in the industry that she could trust with the basic skills needed to care for her herd. “I’m an ag person at heart, been that way my whole life,” Cook said. “When I found the Solar Feeders, it was perfect. It let me have a chance to leave for vacation, it’s helped me with weaning calves off their moms, I use it to do a headcount for my routine check ups of the herd. It’s changed the way I care for my livestock.” Solar Feeders has a variety of sizes for its machines, a 1,000 pound feeding capacity, a 2,500 pound feeding capacity, a 6,000 pound feeding capacity and a econo 3,000, which is the same as the 2,5000 pound feeder except it uses sled bottoms instead of wheels. The box-shaped design allows the feed to stay dry in all types of weather and the owner can simply pull it behind a truck to a feed store, open the hatch and have them fill it up. The three standard feeders come on top of a trailer style base with a removable tongue to make attaching it to a vehicle a breeze. They all feature a stainless steel trough and use a spinner plate set to a timer to distribute feed. The troughs have plentiful drainage outlets and Cook said even with Florida’s wet summer months her feed has never been soaked through. The operator can indicate how much food they would prefer to be distributed each time it goes off upon initial setup, which Cook said makes it preferable to gravity feeders, which allows the cattle to eat nonstop as it continuously pours out. A solar panel at the top of the machine is connected to the battery, which runs a 12 volt battery. Cook said even when Florida has endless cloudy days a full charge can easily last for more than a week. She said the solar aspect is perfect because she doesn’t have to worry about getting electricity out to her pasture for an automatic feeder.
However, it didn’t take long for her to fall in love with the products. She is confident that anyone who has livestock would quickly realize how much time and money the items save in the long run. She said without hesitation, “they won’t be able to live without them.” When researching the company she took a trip to a dealer in Tennessee to see the product first hand. She realized it was “a piece of cake” and quickly ordered some of her own. The main company is housed in Arkansas and the feeders are prevalent throughout surrounding states. Thanks to Cook, the solar technology should soon be trickling into the sunshine state. “Solar was perfect, after all, look at where we live,” Cook said. “I became a dealer because I think it’s a great product. I can get a load and divvy up the cost of shipment so no one person has to pay that hefty price. It’s been a lifesaver for me. I can’t tell you how great it is to know my cattle will be taken care of regardless of if it’s storming or I’m out of town. I can just rest easy and know they’ll get exactly what they need.” The feeders are designed for all livestock and goat guards are available for a variety of the sizes to keep the animals from climbing the machine. Because of Florida’s humid weather, Cook recommends buying the agitating motor add on, which is attached to a separate on/off switch. If flipped, when the timer goes off the motor adds extra vibration to the feed, which helps prohibit clumping and encourages even distribution even with molasses infused feeds. She said it “sure didn’t take long” for the cattle to become trained for the machine. During the designated feeding times they all meander over toward the feeder and any stragglers come running when they hear the machine kick on. The wheels attached to the product also make moving the feeder a breeze, which Cook does frequently to avoid flooding areas and as she moves the cattle from one pasture to another. She also likes how open Solar Feeders is to client feedback. If they are given a suggestion, they take it to heart and adjust their products as needed. Cook is enraptured with the feeders and takes them with her to ag shows across the country to show people the future of agriculture. Anyone interested need only give her a call and she’ll give them a personal tour, showing off the variety of sizes and teaching you how it all works. “I am not a salesperson, I’ve never been one,” Cook said. “I’m a retired NICU nurse. I retired because agriculture was my love and when I found this product that just works so great for me, that frankly took me so long to find, I just wanted to let others know it exists and help them get their hands on it.”
Dale & Janene’s Farm & Ranch Services acts as the sole Solar Feeders dealer for Florida. Cook said she never was interested in getting into the business side of the industry, but she saw first hand how these products can change lives and wanted to help others have the experience.
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It’s solar technology, all made in the USA, and at first glance the price took Cook by surprise. A feeder is $3,500 and one of the larger products is $4,500. As a dealer, she said she simply sells at the retail value from the company with a minimized shipping fee since she is able to buy in bulk.
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Dale & Janene’s Farm & Ranch Services Call: 813-986-2227 or 813-716-3611. Email: solarfeedersfl@yahoo.com Visit: solarfeeders.com WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Adams Ranch Office (772) 461-6321 Office Fax (772) 461-6874 P.O. Box 12909, Fort Pierce, Fla. 34979-2909 Adams Ranch website: www.adamsranch.com Call Billy Adams for Bulls (772) 370-0114 Call Buddy Adams for Heifers (772) 201-4966
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Register online to get your bidder number. www.adamsranch.com
BRIANNE PUTNAM
By Jim Frankowiak
NAMED NEW FARM BUREAU DISTRICT V FIELD REPRESENTATIVE “My job responsibility primarily includes voicing local farms and county Farm Bureaus’ concerns to the best outlets in order to ensure their needs are met,” ~ Brianne Bird Putnam William “Buddy” Putnam, IV, Brianne Putnam & Paislee Brianne Bird Putnam is the new Florida Farm Bureau District V Field Representative, serving as liaison between country Farm Bureaus within the district and the state office in Gainesville. District V includes Polk, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Hernando, Citrus, Pasco, Sumter and Lake counties. “My job responsibility primarily includes voicing local farms and county Farm Bureaus’ concerns to the best outlets in order to ensure their needs are met,” said Putnam. “Whether it is educational outreach events or local government issues, and everything related to production agriculture in between, my position is responsible for ensuring county boards, agriculturally-affiliated individuals and farmers have the support they need to continue to improve agriculture and the rural way of life. I also help educate the general public regarding the Federation side of Farm Bureau,” she added. Putnam, who is married to William “Buddy” Putnam, IV, is an alumna of the University of Florida with both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Her undergraduate degree is in Animal Science with an equine industry specialization and minor in Extension Education, while her Master of Science is in Agricultural Education and Communication and an Extension Education specialization. Buddy, who is a sales representative for GP Solutions, is a nephew of Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam and he and Brianne are the parents of 10-month-old Paislee.
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A first generation Floridian, Brianne grew up in Winter Haven with a “love for animals.” She was a 4-H member, beginning as a Clover Bud on through her graduation from Lake Region High School. While an undergraduate, Putnam was the captain of the UF Equestrian Team and competed on the UF Collegiate Horse Judging Team. She later served as an Assistant Coach for the UF Collegiate Horse Judging team. As a graduate student, she was a farm operations assistant at UF’s Horse Teaching Unit, providing on site daily and emergency assistance with UF’s horse herd. Along with these opportunities, she served as a Teaching Assistant for the UF Equine
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Psychology and Training Course instructed by Mr. Joel McQuagge. Brianne is also involved locally in Polk County’s 4-H program by serving as the Chair of the 4-H Horse Advisory Committee and a member of the Youth Fair Horse committee. As an alumna of the Polk 4-H horse program, Putnam finds it important to serve as a volunteer in order to ensure positive youth development programs continue to thrive in local communities. Initially attracted to Extension, Putnam sought her current post because of “the opportunities working in the field on a personal basis with members of the industry and various stakeholders. I hope to grow with Farm Bureau, becoming an asset to all members of District V, amplifying their voices to help assure the right people hear their message,” she said. Before joining Florida Farm Bureau, Putnam was a Client Service Associate in the Morgan Stanley Scheck/Lewis Group office at Winter Haven. Putnam continues her equestrian activities through competitions in Ranch Versatility events, and she is also a member of a ranch rodeo team with her husband. Buddy also participates in team roping competitions. “Ranch rodeos enable us to participate together, competing as a couple,” said Brianne. Putnam can be reached via email at brianne.putnam@ffbf.org or by telephone: 352-672-5234 Florida Farm Bureau Federation is celebrating 76 years of service to agriculture and the people who make it a success. With more than 145,000 members, Florida Farm Bureau is Florida’s largest agricultural organization, representing farm owners who produce all 300 of the state’s agricultural commodities. More information is available at www.floridafarmbureau.org. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Mo Brangus/Hines Bull Sale ZWT Angus Bull Sale Meadows Creek Black & White Bull Sale Jorgensen Angus/Weink Charolais Sale
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Pepsi’s red, white and blue logo was made in the 1940s to support America’s war effort. In colonial America lobster was anything but a delicacy, so cheap and plentiful that it was often served to prisoners. In a Sesame Street episode, Cookie Monster said that before he started eating cookies, his name was Sid. English muffins were first made in America, Venetian blinds were invented by the Chinese and Belgians were the first to make French fries. Guinness says the world’s hardest tongue twister is this: “The sixth sick sheik’s sixth sheep’s sick. Augie, a golden retriever from Dallas, Texas, owns the doggie world record for holding tennis balls in the mouth, with five. There was no toilet in the kid’s bathroom on “The Brady Bunch” sitcom.
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Figures of Speech Have you ever wondered about the phrase, “figure of speech?” I went to Google on my computer and looked it up, and this is what I found:
fig·ure of speech noun plural noun: figures of speech
An expression that uses language in a nonliteral way, such as a metaphor or synecdoche, or in a structured or unusual way, such as anaphora or chiasmus, or that employs sounds, such as alliteration or assonance, to achieve a rhetorical effect. Huh? No kidding. I asked around to see if I could get an answer. Nobody seemed to know. I’ll bet if my English teacher, Mrs. Smith was alive she would have an answer I could understand.
Sometimes people never understand what you’re saying. They hear what they want to hear. Case in point. About a week before this last Christmas I was at the checkout stand at a local grocery store. The lady in front of me wanted to buy some postage stamps to mail some Christmas cards. Here’s the way the conversation went; “Ma’am, I got these Christmas cards I need to mail today. I need 14 stamps, please.” The clerk said, “O.K., I have books of 6 first class or 12 second-class stamps.” “OK,” she said, “I’ll take 14 second-class stamps.” “I’m sorry,” the clerk said. “We only sell the stamps in books of 12.” “Yes. I need 14 stamps, please.” The clerk replied, “Okay. So two books will be $11.04.”
As a last resort I went back to Google for the answer. I did not get an answer I could understand, but I found some examples of “Figure of Speech.” You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice.
The customer replies, “What! That seems like a lot of money for 14 stamps.” Clerk: “No, madam. That is for 24 stamps. We only sell them in books of 12.” Customer: “But I only want 14.”
The evening news is where they begin with “Good Evening,” and then proceed to tell you why it isn’t. Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
The clerk remained calm and said. “Lady, we are not a postoffice, we only sell stamps in books of 12. In order to get 14 stamps you will have to buy two books. I am sure you can use the rest of the stamps later. Now, if it’s a real problem there’s a post office just around the corner past the fire station, which will be open in the morning.”
Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad. If I agreed with you, we’d both be wrong. The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it’s still on my list. Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine. Where there’s a will, there are relatives. And lastly the one most everyone can understand, well, his goose is cooked! There you have it. Now you know a figure of speech when you hear it or read it. As a kid I remember we would have fun seeing who could come up with the most tongue twisters. The one most people remember is: Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked. If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers, how many pickled peppers did Peter Piper pick? See if you can read this one without making a mistake. How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? As much wood as a woodchuck could chuck, If a woodchuck could chuck wood. Try these two: But the thought I thought wasn’t the thought I thought I thought. If the thought I thought I thought had been the thought I thought, I wouldn’t have thought so much. A skunk sat on a stump. The stump thought the skunk stunk. The skunk thought the stump stunk. What stunk the skunk or the stump? I have always thought the dictionary is filled with words that are seldom used. Open any page and you’re likely to find a word you have never heard, whether it’s gongoozle (means to stare idly at a waterway and do nothing) or zwodder (a feeling of drowsiness). We see it, and think to ourselves that we absoPAGE
lutely must use it in conversation.
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Very loudly she says, “Don’t you understand I only need 14 stamps.” The clerk at the cash register politely said, “Sorry, I cannot help you.” With that the lady said, “Well give me one book!” She turned and looked at me and said, “I’ll hand deliver the other two cards tomorrow.” People not only hear what they want to hear, but have trouble writing what they want to say. As an example, here are some notes a schoolteacher friend of mine collected over the years. “My son is under a doctor’s care and should not take P.E. today. Please execute him.” “Please excuse Lisa for being absent. She was sick, and I had her shot.” “Please excuse Jennifer for missing school yesterday. We forgot to get the Sunday paper off the porch, and when we found it Monday, we thought it was Sunday.” “Please excuse Jason for being absent yesterday. He had a cold and could not breed well.” And I leave you with this, which has nothing to do with anything written in this column. “If you can’t have a midnight snack why do we have a light in the fridge? WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Helping Veterans Recapture Love of Nature “Operation Outdoor Freedom” is a state program that allows local wounded veterans to once again enjoy outdoor excursions in some of Florida’s greatest wildlife.
By Breanne Williams A state program called, “Operation Outdoor Freedom,” allows wounded veterans to have the chance to once again enjoy outdoor activities many have had to leave behind.
group does a computer draw to select those that can participate. Obviously once chosen they must provide verification that they qualify.
Housed out of Bartow and created in 2011, the program uses designated state and agricultural lands throughout the state for special events like hunting trips, fishing excursions, dolphin care events and more for local veterans. David Hunt, state program coordinator, said the veterans and staff involved with the group all have a can-do attitude that makes the trips life changing experiences. The group also makes accommodations for any who need it.
Hunt said “Operation Outdoor Freedom” is undoubtedly one of Commissioner Adam Putnam’s signature programs and that it “goes a long way” for Florida veterans, something that he said is difficult to understand until you spend time with them on an excursion.
“Florida’s Forest Service was blessed to have over a million acres of land and because we couldn’t use them, those pieces of property that we could not let the public access, we decided to start utilizing it by providing these type of opportunities for wounded veterans,” Hunt said. “The employees of the Florida Forest Service got behind the program and have gone above and beyond to go out into the community and solicit funds and donations to carry out the events state wide.”
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Any veteran who is a Florida resident and has at 30% or greater disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs or is a Purple Heart recipient is able to register for any of the guided or unguided events. Once everyone has applied the
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“We don’t ever ask what happened or ask them to talk about their stories, but we’ve even had times where in conversations with other veterans they found out they were wounded at the same place, same time and didn’t know each other. It’s pretty unique opportunity for the veterans. We like to call it just campfire time. It doesn’t get any better than that.” Hunt said it doesn’t matter if the veteran is from World War II or has just left the service, they form a unique bond on the excursions that never ceases to move everyone involved. The experiences they’ve been through are only “fully understood” by those who have walked in their shoes. As cathartic as the trips themselves are, the symbiotic atmosphere created over the weekend excursions are just as impactful. The program takes veterans throughout the entire state, from WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
the panhandle to the keys. They host every outdoor excursion possible like hog, gator and turkey hunts, kayaking and canoeing, lobstering, scalloping and scuba diving events, dolphin care events, fresh and salt water fishing trips and even hiking events in Polk County. “The turkey and gator hunts and hog hunts are the most popular among our veterans,” Hunt said. “Each event, because of the reputation of the program as far as the quality of the event and the people that put the thing on and the food that we serve, it’s more not the type of event, but the opportunity to get out with other veterans, sit around the campfire and enjoy the camaraderie they had back in the service.” Hunt said they just find a way to help the veteran have the opportunity to delve back into the activities they grew up loving. Florida is an oasis, the outdoor excursions possible in the state are endless and Hunt said the group hopes they’re able to have something special for everyone that applies. The program averages 90 events each year. Since its creation Hunt said they’ve been able to provide special events for more than 3,800 wounded veterans. Because the forestry program is spearheaded the operation, 100% of the funds raised or donated to Operation Outdoor Freedom go directly back to the veterans, to helping wounded veterans recapture their passion. If a veteran has the desire to participate, Operation Outdoor Freedom” finds a way to make it happen. Outside of normal donations, which can be given at operationoutdoorfreedom.com, the group hosts fundraising events like a clay shoot and the Veterans Day Golf Tournament on Nov. 11 to engage the community with the program. The golf tournament still has openings for both players and sponsors. “The opportunity to be able to give back to veterans, especially wounded veterans who have sacrificed so much, I think that’s what’s special for us,” Hunt said. “We really honestly didn’t expect that when we started the program. We were just trying to do something good for a soldier, but the feelings that we got by doing something for them and the appreciation they’ve had for us is really the success of the program.”
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Part 49 By Ginny Mink
Ornamental Gardening in Florida We remain, this voyage, in the midst of the section on Exotic Shrubs. Our trips on the Literary Time Machine over the past four years have proven quite educational and sometimes even amusing. The fact that we can still garner so much knowledge from a book that is nearly 100 years old reveals to us the value of the written word. We feel it necessary to thank Mr. Charles Torrey-Simpson (though he’ll never know it) for penning Ornamental Gardening in Florida all those years ago! Plant City is no newcomer to the bottlebrush tree. So, it was interesting to find that it was included in Mr. Simpson’s section on exotic scrubs. He writes, that the, “C. lacelolatus is somewhat cultivated in Florida for its dense spikes of red flowers. They grow in dry regions in Australia and should be planted in well drained ground…It is claimed that the bloom may be much increased by judicious autumn pruning.”¹ We had no idea that the bottlebrush, Callistemon, originated in Australia. However, our personal experience with the tree has been exasperating because its “dense spikes of red flowers”¹ end up everywhere! Moving on, he focuses on the Camellia. His commentary on its leaves seemed odd to us. He explains, “In suitable places this sometimes reaches a height of forty feet but it is generally a shrub. The thick, glossy, serrated leaves are handsome and for them alone the plant would be worth growing.”¹ Having limited experiences with the camellia, we would have found only their flowers noteworthy, which come in an array of colors. Of course, we’re not the types to plant things just because of their leaves. Maybe we don’t have the appropriate appreciation of plant life here. We skipped through his list until we arrived at Cestrum. Initially, that word held no meaning for us and his use of the word jessamine was still lost until a latter explanation. Here’s what he had to say about it, “A fine genus of shrubs from the warmer parts of America some of which become sprawlers with plenty of room. C. elegans has clusters of red purple, tubular flowers, C. diurnum, Day jessamine, has white flowers, C. nocturnum, Night-blooming jessamine, has greenish yellow blossoms of wonderful fragrance.”¹ At that point we understood him to mean jasmine. But were we mistaken? A quick visit to Dictionary.com revealed that indeed, jessamine is a variant of jasmine. We love the smell of jasmine! What about you? Imagine our surprise when we next landed on Codiaeum, Crotons. We just finished an article about the Bartram’s Scrub-Hairstreak and its dependence on the pineland croton for survival. Mr. Simpson writes, “The name of this genus is changed every few months…(they are) Magnificent shrubs or small trees from tropical islands of the Pacific and too well known in Lower Florida to need description.”¹ This last line made us a wee bit morose since the pineland croton’s habitat has been 98 percent destroyed. For us, a description would be necessary! That shows the difference 92 years can make on our environment.
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We noticed, in our continued reading, that he mentioned something else in the pineland habitat. This intrigued us. So, we read on and discovered, “Dombeya wallachii. An overgrown shrub with large, soft velvety, lobed leaves and great
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pendent heads of lovely pink flowers in early winter. It is perfectly at home in Lower Florida on pineland or hammock and is one of our fine ornaments.”¹ Having no idea what plant he was referencing here, we did a little research. We found that the University of Florida thinks, “Nothing could be more attention-getting than Pinkball when in full bloom.”² Apparently, Pinkball is the common name for Dombeya wallachii. Their site states that this shrub tends to stay in a rounded form but can reach heights of 30 feet. They suggest it would make an excellent patio tree, but is normally grown in shrub form. Sadly, it won’t change color in fall like most other Florida grown plants.² Sorry, y’all! Let’s close out this voyage with another one of our favorite blooms, the gardenia. Also called cape jessamine, according to Mr. Simpson. He states, “G. florida is a beautiful plant with broad, glossy leaves and large, fragrant, white flowers. It is grown up the state but is said to be subject to white fly. Down here in Dade County it is cultivated by a few but it does not seem to be completely at home.”¹ Herein we found another lesson to be learned, what, we wondered, is a white fly? According to our research on Planet Natural Research Center’s site, Mr. Simpson should have combined the two words to make: whitefly. These insects are quite hardy and have proven themselves capable of becoming resistant to synthetic pesticides. They are problematic because they suck juices from plants and stunt their growth. And, comparable to aphids, they secrete honeydew that can make the leaves end up covered with black sooty mold or else, very sticky. They are found year round in our lovely state and can transmit viruses to your beloved plants. Though labeled flies, they are actually moth-like. Neem oil has been recommended to kill their eggs, and other forms.³ In case you notice some in your garden. Wow! We have learned a great deal on this voyage. We hope you have done so as well. And, we will look forward to the next time we see you on the Literary Time Machine. Until next time, keep planting and learning all you can about what’s best for our state and our planet. 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. 168-171). ²Environmental Horticulture University of Florida. Dombeya wallicii Pinkball. http://hort.ufl.edu/database/documents/pdf/tree_fact_ sheets/domwala.pdf ³Planet Natural Research Center. Whitefly. https://www.planetnatural. com/pest-problem-solver/houseplant-pests/whitefly-control/ Photo Credits: Elzey, R. (2009). Bottle Brush Tree. Flickr- https://flic.kr/p/6fhEMy Hyde, V. (2008). Camellia. Flickr- https://flic.kr/p/4LpHox gbohne. (2016). Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Aleyrodidae). (Whitefly). Flickr- https://flic.kr/p/25W1EZi
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E n d a n g e r e d S p e c i es
Streaking Into Oblivion: Bartram’s Scrub-Hairstreak
By Ginny Mink You don’t have to agree with us, but our position is that butterflies are some of God’s most beautiful creations. We love watching them flit through the yard displaying their ornate patterns and landing delicately on the flowers that draw their attention. Children are often mesmerized by their presence and thrill with awe when a butterfly chooses to land on them. Unfortunately, if things don’t change, our children will never have the joy of being near a Bartram’s Scrub-Hairstreak. Chances are, you’ve never even heard of this butterfly. Don’t be surprised though because they are incredibly rare and only reside in South Florida. In fact, the pineland croton (its host plant) is located on Big Pine Key in the Florida Keys. In by gone years, they were plentiful in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. Unfortunately, those times are long past and the Bartram’s Scrub-Hairstreak became federally protected in 2014.¹ If you find yourself in the Keys on vacation though, you might want to keep an eye out for these wee butterflies. They can be recognized by the fact that there are wide, black-edged, white bands on their wings when they are closed. There’s also a rust colored spot near the rear of the butterfly’s wing. When opened, the gun metal gray wings are noticeable because they are outlined in white and have singular orange dots on each. Everglades National Park is home to these creatures. And, you can see adults all year long, but there are very few of them to be seen. Since they don’t travel far from their host plants, the pineland croton (as we mentioned previously), you might be able to locate them in caterpillar form feeding there.² If you do happen to locate some, please take pictures and feel free to share them with us!
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When you are looking, note that the Bartram’s Scrub-Hairstreak is only an inch in length. It’s a really small butterfly that was first discovered in 1943. It is part of the subspecies of
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Strymon acis. Of this genus there are two separate groups: Type A and Type B. The Bartram’s Scrub-Hairstreak is Type B. These are more gray in color and definitely smaller.³ There is some hope that these butterflies are using “additional pine rockland plants for larval development,”³ as other species of scrub-hairstreaks have been shown to do.³ This would, of course, improve their chance for survival due to the fact that pineland crotons are dependent upon regular fires to ensure longevity.² The more plants that they can exist upon, the better their chances for survival in a habitat that is seeing decreased numbers in their host plants. Because Big Pine Key is home to the largest tract of undisturbed pine rockland habitat, research and surveys that occurred in 2016 were only able to find the pineland croton there. However, researchers are not certain how many of these plants exist in Miami-Dade County and within the Everglades National Park. But, in 2006 there were 77 fragments of pine rockland located within that region. A 2012 team only discovered pineland crotons at 11 of the 13 places they surveyed.³ We are not sure why they didn’t look at all 77 areas delineated in 2006. Research from 1999-2015 done at the Everglades National Park revealed that there were approximately 2.5 Bartram’s Scrub-Hairstreaks per acre there. Of course, we imagine that they weren’t looking at half butterflies, but those kinds of numbers are always amusing nonetheless! Another survey began in 2005, lasting over the course of ten years, revealed that there were about 24-30 larvae and adults located on Long Pine Key.³ That’s a really small number for hopes of rejuvenation! As with many of the species we find on the Federally Endangered list, the Bartram’s Scrub-Hairstreak is at risk of extinction due to man’s modification and destruction of its natural habitat. Pine rockland communities are “critically imperiled globally.”³ In fact, the economic development that has been WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
occurring outside of Everglades National Park in South Florida, has reduced their habitat by 98 percent! The same issue has occurred in the Keys due to commercial and residential development.³ Fire management struggles are contributing to the rapid and intense decline in that habitat and thereby the existence of the Bartram’s Scrub-Hairstreak. There are some conservation measures being taken, but given the mass destruction that has occurred it is essential that people begin to vocalize their care of the world we have been given to steward. Butterflies, like many other insects in danger, are key to fertilization of the plant life where they reside. God designed our ecosystem with very delicate and definitive participants. We should not allow any to be depleted or eliminated. Do what you can to help! Resources: ¹Saving the Bartram’s Scrub-Hairstreak. Center for Biological Diversity. https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/species/invertebrates/Bartrams_scrub-hairstreak_butterfly/index.html ²National Park Service. Bartram’s Scrub-Hairstreak. https:// www.nps.gov/ever/learn/nature/bartrams.htm ³U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services. (2015). Status of the SpeciesBartram’s scrub-hairstreak butterfly. https://www.fws.gov/ verobeach/StatusoftheSpecies/20151006_SOS_BartramsScrubHairstreak.pdf Photo Credits: Yokoyama, M. (2013). DSC_1085.jpg. Two butterflies (probably not Bartram’s but close). (Flickr- https://flic.kr/p/eWVERD) Nicodemus, E. (2016). Martial Scrub Hairstreak. (Similar but not the Bartram’s). (Flickr- https://flic.kr/p/EmfNXg) Jacobson, L.S. (2012). Mallow Scrub Hairstreak Good. (Similar but not Bartram’s). (Flickr- https://flic.kr/p/dZXQms)
1401 Sam Keen Road Lake, Wales, FL 33853 863.692.1013 We Support Agriculture.
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Cattle • Truck Farming • Citrus • Game Hunting
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NEWS BRIEFS
Compiled by Jim Frankowiak
Ag Literacy Day Moving to November Florida Agriculture in the Classroom (FAITC) is moving Agriculture Literacy Day from the spring to the fall starting this school year. It will be held statewide November 13.
Purchase and Distribution Program of the Department’s Agricultural Marketing Service which is targeting certain commodities, including blueberries, and strawberries. More information on these Trade Mitigation Programs is available at www.usda.gov . Once on the site, search “Trade Mitigation Programs”.
New Climate Prediction Tools for Florida Farmers
This is an annual opportunity for volunteers to bring the story of agriculture to elementary school classrooms. More information, including how to volunteer, is available at https://faitc.org.
USDA Providing Help for Rural Residents Recovering from Opioid Misuse The USDA has formalized an agreement to aid rural Americans in fighting the opioid epidemic. A non-profit organization – Isaiah House – will purchase homes from the Department and convert them to transitional housing for rural residents recovering from opioid misuse. More information is available at https://www.usda.gov/topics/opioids.
The Southeast Climate Consortium is offering farmers a selection of web-based tools enabling them to develop strategies for producing food in advance of volatile weather patterns. The site is located at: www.agroclimate.org.
United Food Bank of Plant City Seeking Assistance
The long term forecast for the balance of this year calls for above average rainfall and warmer temperatures, but freezes are still possible.
The United Food Bank of Plant City is reminding the community of its year-round need for assistance to effectively address and reduce the existing meal gap. For more information on the different ways you can help, visit: www.ufbpc.org.
NRCS Programs Offer Help Managing Natural Resources Sustainability
GCREC Researcher Studying Tomato Disease; Hoping to Aid Grower Production Dr. Sam Hutton, an associate professor of Horticultural Sciences at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, is leading a team of researchers battling Fusarium Wilt, a major tomato disease worldwide. The $490,000 study is funded by the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Florida is the #1 producer of tomatoes in the U.S. and it is hoped that this study will find ways to develop improved tomato varieties that contain genes able to thwart Fusarium Wilt.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is offering programs to farmers and ranchers wanting to improve to land owned or leased. Eligible owners and producers can receive financial and technical assistance to help manage natural resources sustainably. More information on the programs – Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) – is available at: https//www.nrcs.usda.gov.
UF Receives Water for Food Production Systems Grant
USDA Assisting Producers with Trade Mitigation Programs
The University of Florida has been awarded a U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) grant totaling $4,867,723 for the development of a new smart irrigations and innovative software and hardware solutions for on-farm water management tools for small farmers to emphasize water quality and reduce water usage.
The USDA has launched a series of programs aimed at helping farmers suffering from damage due to unjustified trade retaliation by foreign nations. Of particular interest is the Food
The grant was made through the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Water for Food Production Systems Challenge Area. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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UF/IFAS REPORTS ON STATUS OF FLORIDA’S AG, NATURAL RESOURCES AND FOOD INDUSTRIES By Jim Frankowiak
The latest annual report from the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), covering the period 2007 to 2016, details that portion of Florida’s Gross State Product (GSP) generated by agriculture, natural resources and food industries grew faster than the state’s total GSP. GSP is a statistic typically used as a gauge of economic strength. “This long-term trend indicates that Florida’s agriculture, natural resources and food industries sector is strong and helping keep the state’s economy on firm footing,” said Project Leader Christa Court, a UF/IFAS Extension assistant scientist. “This sector continues to be one of the three biggest contributors to Florida’s economy, along with tourism and construction,” said Court. “It is the sector responsible for the greatest percentage of state employment and is usually third or fourth among all economic sectors in terms of contributions to Florida’s GSP, a measurement of the value-added or labor income and business profits within a sector.” The report, “Economic Contributions of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Food Industries in Florida in 2016” is available online at: https://fred.ifas.ufl.edu/economicimpactanalysis/publications/2016-ag-natural-resources-and-food-industries/. Court noted Florida’s overall GSP rose by 17.6 percent from 2006 to 2016, while the Ag, Natural Resources and Food Industries Section increased by 28.6 percent.
Important sector statistics for 2016 included: • Direct employment contribution of 1.68 million full and part-time jobs and total employment contribution (including multiplier effects in other sectors) of 2.29 million jobs, representing 19.9 per cent of the state workforce. • Direct industry output or sales revenues of $165.51 billion and total output contributions (including multiplier effects in other sectors) of $263.20 billion. • Value-added contributions of $1237.23 billion, representing 14.7 per cent of Florida’s GSP • Combined exports to foreign countries and other U.S. states totaling $47.70 billion. • Taxes on production and imports paid to local, state and federal governments totaling $12.79 billion.
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• Labor income contributions of $80.82 billion, including employee wages, fringe benefits and proprietor income.
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KUBOTA BV SERIES LESS WORK. BETTER BALES.
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© Kubota Tractor Corporation, 2018
Drive through, online order, walk-up window -- Jimbo’s has no shortage of ways to serve their classic BBQ. Although if you want the genuine experience, take a seat inside and enjoy the classic country atmosphere. The antique bottles, wooden signs, and porcelain pig knick knacks make it feel like you stepped back in time a few decades and are at granny’s house for Sunday supper. Jimbo’s is straightforward and to the point BBQ -- there’s no need for hipster bells and whistles, the food does the talking. On a weekday evening there were more open tables than the food deserved, although folks came and went picking up take-out. The quiet atmosphere was relaxing, but would benefit with some soft bluegrass or Hank Williams in the background. Then there is what really matters: the Best “eatin” in town reputation, and the BBQ let’s you know why they’ve been around since 1964.
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Flounder Sandwich (Entree $5.25) Served on a no-thrills bun, it’s a lot more fish than bun. The golden crunchy bites are best with Crystals, Tabasco and/or ketchup. The breading hugs the fish tight for a perfectly portioned marriage of crispy and tender. Save some of the crispy pickle slices offered as a complementary snack to throw on. Add a side of mac n cheese and you have the fixins good for a whole meal. Cheesy and creamy every bite -- this is how mac n cheese is supposed to taste.
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Combo BBQ Ribs & ¼ Chicken (Entree $12.95) Served with one taradactle-sized ¼ chicken and 3 ribs. The chicken is sweet and smoky. The ribs are tender and fall off the bone. A side of hushpuppies comes by the dozen, but they are bite-sized, as well as moist and dense. The small portions of fried deliciousness let you eat more with a little less guilt. The BBQ beans are sweet and generous. To add some tang, add a little house BBQ sauce. Although the sauce is good, you likely won’t need it for the ribs since they are flavored to perfection as served. Apple pie & ice cream (Dessert $4.65) Two heaping scoops of vanilla ice cream tops the apple pie slice. If you’re a crust person, you will appreciate the flaky, layered crispy crust. Be sure to time the indulgence so the warm pie has melted the ice cream just enough to get the Goldilocks spectrum of temperature that makes each bite “just right.” If you have an extra sweet tooth, pile on the cup of warm cider sauce. 1215 E. Memorial Blvd. Lakeland Open: Monday - Saturday 10:30am-9pm Price: $ (modest) Noise Level: Soft, allows for easy conversation Pet Friendly: Yes, on the patio Reservations: No WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
Turning Land Into Legacy Phosphate and farming have always gone hand in hand. And at Mosaic, we’re making sure that relationship continues for generations to come. After mining, our sites are carefully reclaimed and returned to productive use—as citrus groves, cattle pastures and more.
// Learn more at MosaicCo.com
Reclaimed pasture at Mosaic’s Fort Meade mine
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Fall in Florida For Many Is A Favorite Time! by John Dicks Many people tell me that this is their favorite time of year. It’s a bit cooler, the kids are back in school and have settled into their “normal” routines, fall festivals are in full swing and the holidays are just beginning to lineup.
It hasn’t always been this way.
Of course for strawberry farmers in our area, it’s also been a busy time of year, which generally also is another good reason to make it a favorite.
Remember those homemade Halloween costumes? There was the white sheet you used to pretend you were a ghost by simply pulling it over your head after cutting two holes for eyes to peer through. And then there was the easy and simple scarecrow you could morph into by stuffing some straw or hay into your shirt.
October is just one of those special months in Florida. Granted we don’t see much change in color with our Autumn evenings, but there’s just that special scent in the air letting you know things are changing.
Sure, they were simpler times back then, but you’ve got to admit that the candy you got from Trick-or-Treating wasn’t nearly as good (nor as plentiful) as what is passed out today. I suppose it’s all a trade-off of sorts!
Fortunately for us, October also means that the hurricane season is drawing to an end. Just the thought of it makes us thankful that this year, other than the outbreak of red tide that we had to contend with, there were only a few minor storms that spoiled some otherwise special summer afternoons.
The generally accepted (though not universally so) notion of Halloween is that it is a contraction and named after “All Hallows’ Evening,” which was the evening before an ancient Celtic festival known as Samhain when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts.
To no one’s surprise, screaming the loudest for our notice in October is Halloween. You simply cannot escape its demand for our attention, unless, of course, we throw into the equation the eternal and nonstop blathering of political ads.
All of that was taking place about 2,000 years ago and not all scholars concur that it evolved into our modern day observation of Halloween. Nonetheless, it does appear that most of the current traditions connected to Halloween have been occurring for at least a couple of hundred years.
It’s almost too funny to recognize that elections and Halloween both end within days of each other! Elections certainly matter. We hope and pray for fine leaders to emerge victorious this fall. The future of our state and nation is much too important to settle for anything less.
Nowadays it seems like many adults are celebrating more heartedly than even the kids, what with all of the elaborate decorations and costumes.
Halloween, though, give us a break. It’s a diversion or respite from reality and life’s frustrations. It’s a holiday that has grown in great measures beyond the imagination of marketers.
Thankfully, most have not taken up the tradition of Trickor-Treating, leaving the custom mostly to children. Granted, though, that all of us parents have, just on occasion, ransacked our children’s bag of candy that has been happily filled by our neighbors.
Decorations, costumes, customized candy, candles and lights are all lined up and down the aisles awaiting our purchases. We’ve seen the display of such goods and stores in stores before even the beginning of Labor Day weekend!
Whether it’s enjoying the cool(er) weather, taking in the sights, sounds and smells of a fun, fall festival or spending time with the kids (or grandkids) cheerfully carving a plump pumpkin into a ghoulish goblin or maybe a delightful elf, I hope enjoy this special time of year.
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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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Bobby Costine By Melissa Nichols While interviewing Bobby Costine for the original story it was discovered that Bobby put on rodeos and rodeo camps for many years right here in Central Florida. Combee Arena was the most common venue. In his day Bobby and his brother Johnny taught “a many” of kids how to ride bulls, rope calves, and all aspects of the rodeo. Bobby was a dayworker and fence builder by day but the rodeo life was in his heart. During the original interview Bobby said it was sort of one of his “dreams” to have one last rodeo. On September 22nd at Stokes Green Swamp Ranch in Polk City, that rodeo occurred. Suzanne Howe, Billy and Vanessa Stokes and myself turned a vision into reality.
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Bobby spends most of his days at home with his only real interaction with the outside world being Facebook and Sunday church at Cowboy Up Ministries, a service his longtime friend Kenny Raney Jr takes him to weekly. This rodeo was huge for Bobby. He saw people he had not seen in 20 or more years. He recognized kids of those who participated in his rodeos over even the grownups. Bobby smiled, he laughed and enjoyed the company of the 450 plus people who came out.
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At the beginning of the rodeo Bobby rode out on a horse to thank all those who came. A lot of people were wiping tears from their eyes because it had been a long time since he had been on a horse. In addition to the rodeo a silent auction was held, with items donated by the community, including wood paintings by Thomas Brooks, donated by Neil Combee, horse items, chaps, Costa sunglasses and much more. There was also a raffle for a Yeti Cooler donated by Everglades Farm Equipment and a live auction of a gelding paint horse. The events included sheep riding, barrel racing, calf riding and bull riding. They even threw in the 40 and up bull riding for those who came through Bobby’s program. A live band, The Troy Thompson Band, performed at the intermission, and in the end everyone left feeling great about having helped a man who dedicated much of his life to helping others. Thank you all for coming out and supporting this event. All proceeds went to Bobby to help him fix his house after the hurricanes last year. If you missed the rodeo there are still shirts that did not sell available for purchase, they have a photo of Bobby from 1973 on them. They are $10 each.
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WARNER UNIVERSITY DEDICATES NEW SWINDLE AG COMPLEX By Jim Frankowiak
The Ed & Myrtle Lou Swindle Agriculture Complex at Warner University is open and fully operational. Dedication ceremonies were held in late September for the 18,000-square-foot facility, complete with four classrooms, welding and workshop areas, livestock barn, faculty suites, offices, equipment area, greenhouse and meeting spaces. Remarkably, Warner’s Agriculture program was introduced in 2012 and now offers a Bachelor of Arts in Agricultural Studies with complimentary minors in Business, Social Work, Communication and Pre-Law. Thanks to a $1 million gift from Ed & Myrtle Lou Swindle and strong financial support from individuals, foundations, associations and corporate entities, the more than $3 million complex is debt free. The facility was constructed by Canco General Contractors of Plant City. Nearly 600 attended the dedication event for the new complex. During ceremonies, Warner President Dr. David Hoag noted that this is Warner’s 50th anniversary, as well. “We thank the Ag community for believing in Warner University,” he said. Hoag also noted that the university has raised more than half of its $15 million campaign “to fund the ministry of Warner University.” Hoag termed Warner faculty as sowers, students as seed and the soil where they work and serve. “We work to help our students find good soil and make a difference showing their love of Jesus,” he said. Former Warner Vice President Dr. Doris Gukich gave a historical perspective on the school which began as Warner Southern College and “continues to belong to God.” “God is responsible for all we do as a family,” said Ed Swindle who also indicated that the Swindle family is “not done yet” in terms of its support of Warner University.
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Following the dedication ceremony and ribbon-cutting, attendees were given the opportunity to tour the new complex. They also learned of the “Stock the Barn” opportunity to help equip the complex with what is needed to help students complete their education in a hands-on atmosphere. “Hand tools,
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welding booths and saws are just a few of the things needed to finish out the complex,” said Leigh Ann Wynn, Warner’s Assistant Vice President of Advancement. “Any size gift is helpful to complete the inside of the complex.” Additional items include cattle/livestock, mowers, irrigation and greenhouse equipment, utility task vehicles (UTVs) and other implements. Dedication event sponsors included: Duda Ranches, Mosaic, Farm Credit, Highlands Precision Ag and Everglades Equipment Group. Warner has been given a free John Deere tractor lease from Everglades Equipment Group, which was at the event. The tractor was attached to a churn that made ice cream for attendees. The first Ag students were enrolled in 2013 and the first class graduated in 2015. The program features hands-on learning, practicums, internships and 500-hours of in the field experience, Wynn noted. “Our students have completed internships with over 120 Ag companies across the U.S. thus far and are pleased with the feedback we have received about our students. Their respect and hard work has led to full-time job opportunities for a large number of them.” Some of Warner’s Ag Program’s top supporters and partners include Ben Hill Griffin, Inc., Hunt Bros., Debbie and Doyle Carlton, III, Ernestine Tye, Larry and Debbie Swindle, Hill and Pia Griffin, the Homer and Annette Thompson Legacy, Charlie and Betty Grimes, Jahna Foundation, Putnam Groves and The Share Foundation. Founded as Warner Southern College in 1968 by Church of God pastors and laity, the institution became known as Warner University in 2008. The first freshman class of 27 students entered in the fall of 1968, but now numbers nearly 1,200 students from more than 30 states and 20 countries, all dedicated to learning in a vibrant Christian community. Warner University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award Associate, Bachelor and Master’s degrees. Warner University is located at 13895 U.S. Highway 27, Lake Wales, Florida 33859. Its website is: http://www.warner.edu. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
A Closer Look
by Sean Green
Death Head Hawkmoth (Acherontia) The 1991 American thriller “Silence of the Lambs” brought attention to a unique moth when it was used in promotional poster for the movie. A representation of the Death Head Hawkmoth (Acherontia) rests on the lips of Clarice Starling (played by Jodie Foster), top student at the FBI’s training academy in the promotional poster. The moth represents hidden meanings that relate to the sub plot of the movie and the deeper intricacies of the character Buffalo Bill (played by Ted Levine). Much of the moth’s ominous fame is attributed to a unique, skull like pattern on its thorax, a characteristic that even led entomologists to erroneously charge this moth with unearthly origin and supernatural powers, extinguishing the light as it enters buildings bringing omens of death, war, pestilence with it. Although this moth is not found in the United States, it is member of the hawk moth family (Sphingidae) which are abundant in tropical regions. This month, we will welcome the Halloween season with a closer look at the Death Head Hawkmoth (Acherontia), a fascinating moth with a macabre reputation. The moth illustrated for the “Silence of the Lambs” poster is actually a fictitious creation that includes the 1951 photographic composition In Voluptas Mors (Voluptuous Death), by the surrealistic Spanish artist Salvador Dalí and Latvianborn American portrait photographer Philippe Halsman. The moth represented is a real species commonly known as the Death Head Hawkmoth. Acherontiini is a tribe of moths of the family Sphingidae. Within the tribe Acherontiini is the genus Acherontia. There are three moth species in the genus Acherontia, all of which have a sinister reputation. The taxonomic name of all three species; are associated with the concept of death in ancient Greek mythology. The genus part of the taxonomic name (Acherontia) is named for the river Acheron (the river of woe), one of the five rivers of the underworld in Greek mythology. The species portion of the taxonomic names for these moths is equally ominous. The “Moirai,” are the Greek equivalent of the Roman “Parcae.” In both Greek and Roman mythology, these are the female personifications of destiny and direct not only the lives of humans, but also the Greek and Roman gods themselves. Acherontia styx, the Asian species, is named after the deity and river (Styx) that define the boundary between Earth and the Underworld (Hades). Acherontia Lachesis, found primarily in India, is named after (Lachesis) the “appointer” that measures the length of the thread of life allowed for each person or being. Acherontia Atropos, is the most abundant, ranging from Great Britain to South Africa, its name is derived from the Greek (Atropos), the fate that cuts the thread of life.
Most moths drink nectar from flowers, but the Death Head Hawkmoth (Acherontia) has a taste for honey and is considered a bee pest. Acherontia Atropos invades the nests of the Western honey bee, (Apis mellifera). The moth must make its way into the nest alive to plunder the honey and entomologists are at odds over the secret to the moth’s success. The skull pattern on the thorax of the moth is thought to mimic the head of a worker bee, but more importantly, the moth smells like a bee. The moth produces four fatty acids that are common to honeybees. These fatty acids provide a “chemical camouflage” for the moth allowing it to roam freely within the nest undetected. The moth has a specialized proboscis that serves two functions. When the moth exhales air through the proboscis, a chirping sound is produced from a structure within the proboscis that acts like the reed of a woodwind instrument. Many entomologists believe the chirping sound mimics a queen bee. The proboscis is also short and thick, enabling the moth to puncture the wax cells within in the hive to have their fill of honey. Ironically, once the moth has its fill of honey, it loses its ability to produce the chirping sound from its proboscis for about five hours. The Death Head Hawkmoth is the world’s fastest moth, flying at speeds of nearly 30 miles per hour and can hover like a hummingbird. Although we are not likely to see the Death Head Hawkmoth (Acherontia) in Florida, it is not outside the realm of possibilities. With imported agriculture and produce come the risk of invasive species, and this moth would do well in our tropical environment. If you can work with bees, take a closer look, you may one day find a Death Head Hawkmoth staring you in the face. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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The Death Head Hawkmoth (Acherontia) hatches from an egg in the form of a caterpillar and begins feeding on a host plant. Historically, the potato plant was the preferred host, however, mechanical harvesting and the increased used of pesticides forced the species to feed on a larger variety of plants that include deadly nightshade, and many plants in the verbena family. The caterpillars grow through five instars and can reach lengths of over five inches before pupating. These caterpillars have a large tail horn but are not venomous. When threatened, the caterpillar will thrash its head and horned tail from side to side and make a clicking noise with its sizable mandibles. When the caterpillar is ready to pupate, it coats itself with a slimy salivary secretion, digs 5 to 15 inches into the ground, molts for the last time and pupates for about 20 days. The adult moth that emerges is large, typically with body length of about two inches and a wingspan that can approach five inches.
By Grady Judd, Polk County Sheriff
Livestock Animal Cruelty Investigation FAQs
When you hear the phrase “animal cruelty,” what is the first thought that comes to mind? Most people think of the images they see portrayed in the media of dog-fighting, or of severely neglected house pets. Here in rural Polk County, PCSO Agricultural Crimes detectives investigate a fair number of animal cruelty calls. In 2017, the Unit received 1,850 calls for service – of those, 272 were animal cruelty/neglect investigations. These investigations are in addition to all of the other types of calls for service our Ag. Crimes deputies respond to, such as illegal dumping, trespassing, agriculture-related thefts, etc. As you know, the cattle industry is thriving in Polk County. People here depend on their cattle for food and income. When citizens drive by a pasture filled with cows and become concerned that, to the untrained eye, the cows are “emaciated” or “neglected,” they often call PCSO to report suspected animal cruelty. Our detectives are highly trained to detect if and when livestock such as horses and cows are malnourished or neglected, and responding to these calls is a timely, but necessary, service they provide. They routinely attend training classes to hone their skills in the area of animal cruelty and neglect.
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You may be wondering, “How can I tell the difference between a horse or a cow that has been truly neglected or mistreated, and a horse or cow that is just skinny and grazing?” According to Florida State Statute 828, here are some telltale signs of animal cruelty and neglect: The animal is confined in an area without ample food and water; the animal suffers from an injury or malnutrition and
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has been abandoned by the owner in a street, road, or public place; the animal has been maimed, mutilated, or killed for other than a humane reason; the animal has been unnecessarily overloaded, overdriven, tormented, or deprived of food and shelter; the animal has been subjected to cruel death or repeated infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering. Please keep in mind that a large animal such as a horse or cow with ribs that are visible is not necessarily “starving” or “emaciated.” Livestock animal weight and appearance fluctuates throughout the year, depending on the weather and the availability of grass and forage. For example, in general, a large cow or horse may lose weight during the winter months when there is less nutritious grass available for grazing. Owners often provide supplemental food during the winter months. And although it is very hot outside in Florida, it’s not against the law to keep a dog chained up or in a pen outside – as long as the dog is being fed and given water. It may not be the way you care for your pet (we know many pet owners prefer to keep their dogs and cats inside at all times) but we do have a fair amount of hunters here in Polk who keep their hunting dogs outside. In fact, our canine deputies also keep their canine partners housed outside. We rely on the public every day to be our eyes and ears out in the communities, and in the fields. If you have any information about suspected animal cruelty or neglect, we urge you to contact us with detailed information. Call the PCSO Agriculture Unit at 863.534.7205, or to remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward, call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1.800.226.TIP (8477). WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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INTRODUCING THE BEST-IN-CLASS
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Beginning 1/1/2016 all Sub-Compact and Compact Utility Tractors purchased new from Everglades Farm Equipment come standard with a 6 year/2000 hour (whichever comes first) www.EvergladesFarmEquipment.com Powertrain Warranty. See the Manufacturer’s Warranty Statement for New John Deere Turf & Utility Equipment at Everglades Farm Equipment for complete details.
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Polk County Cattle Women
Fall is starting to get busy with events and festivals starting to take place in our area and the preparation for the upcoming holiday season. The Cattlewomen are staying busy educating the public in several ways. We have members who have been out at the Smith Family Ranch’s Corn Fusion Corn Maze providing maze goers with information about the beef industry and various recipes that feature beef. If you haven’t been out to the maze I highly recommend you visit this year. The Smith Family Ranch is located at 13444 Moore Rd. Lakeland, FL 33809. The maze is open Saturdays and Sundays during October from 10am to 6pm (weather permitting). The Florida Cattlewomen are hosting an informational exhibit at the Junior Service League of Tampa Bay’s Holiday Market on November 9th-11th at the Florida State Fairgrounds. Cattlewomen from across the state will be serving sample beef recipes, passing out literature about beef and answering questions that consumers might have. The Holiday Gift Market is the Junior League of Tampa’s largest fundraising event. The event provides a unique shopping experience with over 180 merchants selling everything from clothing, jewelry, and handbags to food, art and children’s items. Net proceeds of the event fund the League’s community projects and programs around Tampa Bay. Be sure to stop by and say hi to us at either event!
If you are interested in joining us, our next meeting is Wednesday November 14th. We will meet in the Stuart Center to decorate for the Cattlemen’s Dinner around 5:30 at the Polk County Agriculture Complex 1702 US Hwy 17 S, Bartow. 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 Cattlewomen President
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The Cattlemen’s Dinner will be Thursday November 15th at 6:30pm. The Cattlemen generously allow us to collect gifts for the Florida Baptist Children’s Home each year. The needs remain high. Please consider bringing an unwrapped toy or gift for both male and female children from the ages of birth to seventeen. We appreciate your support!
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MOBILE HOME SUPPLIES
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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 15, 2018, Nov. 25, 2018
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TRADE • BUY • SELL? Since 2004 In The Field has been Hillsborough and Polk Countys #1 Agriculture Magazine. Call Us at 813-759-6909 to place your Ad Today!
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