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Serving Central Florida Since 1936
CAC1817108
There’s never been a better time to upgrade to Carrier quality and efficiency. ®
1048 E. Oleander St., Lakeland • 863-686-6163 • www.payneair.com Payne Air hp JULY15.indd 1
5/25/2015 9:01:40 PM
Business Up Front By Vanessa Caceres Payne Air: Keeping Polk and Hillsborough County Cool Air conditioning is one of those things you don’t really think about until your unit breaks down—and then it’s about all you can think about, especially in Florida’s summer heat. Employees at Payne Air Conditioning & Heating in Lakeland know that and aim for quality service and regular preventive maintenance for their customers, so a breakdown won’t happen.
of your AC system.
1. Change your air filter regularly. “Changing your air filter makes the system more efficient and helps it to last longer,” he said. “If the system is struggling for air, it will run longer and cost you more.” Although the general rule is to replace your filter once a month, that may change depending on your circumstances. Someone with a house full of kids and pets may need to change as often as every two weeks; someone without kids or pets could possibly go two to three months between changes, he says.
Payne has been around since the 1930s, in fact, it will celebrate 80 years in business next year, says Frank Lansford, president of the company. Charles Payne started the business as a heating and oil business, and that eventually evolved into serving furnaces and then air conditioning. Now, the company has 115 full-time employees (they actually do not have any part timers) and serves all of Polk County and eastern Hillsborough County, Lansford says. Basically, their market is anything within a 45-minute drive of their home office on Lakeland’s East Oleander Street.
2. Look for a company with many AC installs under their belt. “The
The employees at Payne can do a wide range of services. “We are rare in that we do everything related to air conditioning,” says Lansford, as he goes through the various markets served by the company, including: • Residential • Commercial/industrial, including hotels, malls, and office buildings • New construction • Installs for existing or new business • Repairs and preventive maintenance
3. Invest in preventive maintenance. “Think of an AC like a car,” Lansford says. “It’s a mechanical piece of equipment, and in Florida, you put a lot of ‘miles’ on it. If you want it to last, you have to get routine maintenance done. That can help prevent against a breakdown and allow the unit to operate efficiently. Companies like Payne offer annual agreements where a technician will check on your unit a certain number of times a year.
“We do everything,” he says. Another thing that distinguishes Payne is that technicians are paid hourly instead of getting incentives for selling new systems. “You truly get a repairman regardless of the amount of repairs needed,” he says. Lansford says he feels confident if one of his technicians recommends certain repairs, “I can look customers in the eye and say, ‘These are the repairs needed.’ It’s never a gray area.” That kind of integrity has given Payne staying power not only with customers but also employees. Many of the people who work there have been there for years. And in these tougher economic times, Payne is able to offer its employees health insurance and 401(k) matching. “These things definitely set us apart,” Lansford says.
3 Ways to Extend the Life of Your AC
Everyone knows the extra costs and time involved with AC repairs or installs. Lansford says there are a few ways you can maximize the life 2
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most important day in the life of your air conditioner is the day that it’s installed,” Lansford says. That’s because if the system is installed poorly, you’re likely to have more problems with it down the road. The actual price of the unit isn’t as critical as the quality of the installation work, he explains.
Looking to the Future of ACs
“I joke around and say, ‘When you buy a new air conditioner, you don’t say to people, ‘Come on over and look at my new AC.’ You even try to hide it behind the bushes at your home,” says Lansford. The one exception to this is the thermostat, which you regularly use to control the temperature and other unit variables. That’s why Lansford believes one technological advance you’ll likely hear about in the future—and may even want to invest in—is a WiFi remote access thermostat, Lansford says. With a remote access thermostat, you can program the temperature of the unit even when you’re not at home just by accessing an app on your phone. So, let’s say you get off work early and want your home to cool down a little earlier than usual— you use your app to get it down and come home to a cooler home. Although the technology was initially pricey, WiFi thermostats are now averaging around $250, Lansford says. For more information on Payne Air Conditioning and Heating, visit their website at http://www.payneair.com, or call them at 863-6866163. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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POLK COU NTY
®
Contents
CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION
V O L . 7 • IS S U E 7
Contents
VOL. 8 • ISSUE 12
F eature S tory
Rob Krieger Page 34
Warner University Page
24
Business Up Front
Page 2
Rocking Chair Chatter
Page 22
Master Gardener
Recipes
Page 10
Page 26
Fishing Hot Spots
Endangered Species
Literary Time Machine
Coyote Update
Page 14
Page 30
Page 16
Protect Yourself From Fraud
Page 34
Seminole Pumpkins
Page 39
Page 18
A Closer Look
Page 43
Citrus Greening
Page 19
Colton Matthews
Naturally Amazing
Page 44
Page 20
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P.O. Box 9005 • Drawer HS0 3 Bartow, FL 33831 -9005 President – J. B. Wynn OFFICERS 581-3255 OF DIRECTORS Dave Tomkow &(863) B OARD jbwynn29@gmail.com (863) 665-5088 cattlemenslivestock@ P resident - C harles C lark ( 863) 528-8537earthlink.net Vice President – David McCullerscclark@ expoco.com (863) 635-2821crookedlaMike Facente V ice P resident - Dave Tomkow keranch@verizon.net (863) 697-9419 ( 863) 6 6 5-50 88 cattlemanslivetock@ earthlink.net
Secretary/Treasurer - Justin Standing Committee Chairs: S ecretary/ Treasurer - J ustin B unch Bunch ( 863) 4 25-1121 (863) 425-1121jbunch@ agriumretail.com Membership- J.B. Wynn A l B ellotto - ( 863) 581-5515 jbunch@agriumretail.com R ay C lark - ( 863) 6 83-819 6Events- Kevin Fussell State Director – Ray Clark (863) 412-5876 rclark@ tampabay.rr.com 640-0719 L .B .(863) F landers, DV M - ( 863) 6 4 4 -5974 Trade Showrclark@tampabay.rr.com Dewey F ussell - ( 863) 9 84 -3782
MikeCarlton F ussell - ( 863) 69 8-8314 Rodeo- Fred Waters Taylor fussell.flafarm@ verizon.net
(863) 559-7808 863-781-1146 David McC ullers - ( 863) 528-1195 Carlton.Taylor@boehringeringelheim.com Website Moby Persing - ( 863) 528-4 379 – Adam Norman Ned W aters - ( 863) 69 8-1597863-944-9293 Adam.norman@gmfind. Charlesdoacs.state.fl.us Clark watersn@ com J .B . W ynn - ( 863) 581-3255 (863) 528-8537 jbwynn29 @ gmail.com cclarkc4@yahoo.com Cattlewomen – Vice PresiA lternate - Mike Facente - ( 863) 697-9419 dent, Laura Slocumb 660-7000 L.B. Flanders, DVM C ommittee(863) S tanding C hairs: laura@higgenbotham.com (863) 644-5974 Membership - J .B . W ynn E vents - KFussell evin F ussell ( 863) 4 12-5876 Extension – Bridget Carlisle Dewey R odeo F red W aters ( 863) 559 -780Drawer 8 PO Box 9005, HS03 (863)- 984-3782 watersf@ doacs.state.fl.us Bartow, FL 33831 Website (863) 519-1048 Mike- Chris FussellNelson C attlewomen - P resident bccarlis@ufl.edu (863) 698-8314 fussell.flafarm@verizon.net Marjorie W ood ( 863) 6 6 0 -4 137 Sheriff’s Dept. – Sgt. onnie397@ aol.com Tommy519 Dixon Moby Persing E xtension - B ridget C arlisle ( 863) -8677 863-528-4567 (863) 534-7205 bccarlis@ ufl.edu tdixon@polksheriff.org S heriff’s Dept. - S gt. Tommy Dixon
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Letter from the Editor
STAFF Publisher/Photography Karen Berry Senior Managing Editor/ Associate Publisher Sarah Holt Editor-In-Chief Al Berry Editor Patsy Berry
I love spending time outside. As an avid runner I am often out the door well before daylight and I enjoy evenings spent in my backyard with my dogs. This year getting outside has been complicated by the torrential rains we had in the month of July. They kept me indoors where I incurred a serious case of cabin fever. Now that we are back to the typical Florida weather, another problem has reared its ugly head. The swarms of mosquitos, that are always unpleasant, seem to have tripled! I open my door and run out praying they will not make it in to my house. These lovely creatures find me any time. I have been bitten and harassed in the morning, afternoon, evening, they find me no matter what time of the day. I’ll let you do the research on mosquito repellants. They are certainly too numerous for me to list. Just find what works for you if you have the same problem I have with the little bloodsuckers. But, there are things you can do around the house the try to minimize their breeding grounds. 1. Keep gutters clean 2. Keep the pool clean and chlorinated 3. Be sure containers that may collect water have a hole drilled in the bottom so water doesn’t collect. 4. Fountains should be aerated 5. Dump birdbaths or other things that may hold water at least twice a week. With the rains we have had this may prove difficult. Also, keep your yard neat so the adult mosquitos don’t have a place to rest for the day. Then head outdoors and enjoy yourself!
Office Manager Bob Hughens Sales Manager Danny Crampton Sales Al Berry Tina Richmond Danny Crampton Melissa Nichols Creative Director/Illustrator Juan Alvarez Photography Karen Berry Al Berry Stephanie Humphrey Melissa Nichols Staff Writers Al Berry Sandy Kaster James Frankowiak Sean Green Ginny Mink Libby Hopkins Melissa Nichols Contributing Writers Woody Gore
Until next month
Sarah
The LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. - Numbers 6:25
In The Field Magazine is published monthly and is available through local Hillsborough County businesses, restaurants, and many local venues. It is also distributed by U.S. mail to a target market, which includes all of the Greenbelt Property owners, members of the Hillsborough County Farm Bureau and Strawberry Grower’s Association. Letters, comments and questions can be sent to P.O. Box 5377, Plant City, Florida 335630042 or you are welcome to email them to: info@inthefieldmagazine.com or call 813759-6909 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. Published by Berry Publications, Inc.
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Giving back to our communities is
Mike Bennett, Supply Chain Operator, Florida phosphate operations
As a DeSoto County resident and operator in Mosaic’s supply chain team, I help ensure our phosphate crop nutrients get to farmers in America and all over the world. At Mosaic, we share our passion for agriculture and environmental stewardship with the next generation of local farmers and ranchers. In fact, I’m one of hundreds of Mosaic employees who volunteer annually with youth agriculture organizations and at county fairs. For me, giving back is more than a job. It’s about nourishing the communities where we all live, work and play.
®
We help the world grow the food it needs.
mosaicco.com/florida
© 2015 The Mosaic Company
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Dear Readers: We are well into summer now and since you’re reading this, I assume you haven’t floated away yet from all the rain. Trying to determine when is best to put out fertilizer is the biggest dilemma right now. I have been helping neighbors ship their calves and I can’t believe it’s already that time of year again. We had our summer Cattlemen’s dinner in July with great attendance. I was proud to see everybody stick around late and enjoy themselves. The CattleWomen had a record year with their cake auction, where they raise money for college scholarships. We heard from some different speakers including Dr. Waters, telling us about this year’s successful ranch rodeo, and some info regarding palmetto berries.
We also kicked off the Polk County Cattlemen’s Association membership drive! Who wouldn’t want to win a new custom Corriente saddle? Who ever recruits the most new members by the next Cattlemens dinner in November wins the saddle. We are very excited about this drive and are driven to keep our county association the largest in the state. You will read more about the growth of agricultural education in Central Florida in this magazine through the Warner University article. The Cattlemens board of directors supports this program through the support of a new squeeze chute for their new Ag complex on campus. We are excited about what this program brings to our area through the education of our next generation. Sincerely,
JB Wynn
JB Wynn Polk County Cattlemen’s Association President
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• Besides meat and milk, cows provide us with hundreds of important by-products. Almost the entire beef animal can be used in some way. From a typical 1,000 pound steer, slightly over 40% of the animal is used for retail beef and the remaining 60% is processed into by-products. • Beef hide and hair are used for insulation, paintbrushes, glue for bookmaking and band-aides, clothes, shoes, luggage, saddles, furniture, automobiles, volleyballs, basketballs, and baseball gloves. • Fats and fatty acids are used for shampoo, shaving creams, deodorants, candles, crayons, floor wax, detergents, hydraulic brake fluid, plastics, insecticides, paints, perfumes, and synthetic rubber. • Bone, horn, hooves, and gelatin are used for combs, gelatin candy (Gummy Bears), photographic film, steel ball bearings, fine bone china, pet food, and vitamin capsules/gel coatings. • The salivary glands of cattle, located beneath the tongue, produce 15-20 gallons of saliva per day. • The average cow has more than 40,000 jaw movements per day. • The United States is the largest producer of beef in the world followed by Brazil & the European Union. • The United States, Brazil and the European Union produce almost half of the world’s beef. • The United States produces roughly 19% of the world’s beef.
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ly Herbal
M
GARD R E E T
Si
mp
N
ER
A S By Debra Howell
If you lack the space for a full-blown garden in your landscape you might want to try herb gardening. Carefree herb gardening may be accomplished on a limited plot of land, or even in a window box or container. By growing herbs, you can still have a mini-garden, which will provide you with attractive and aromatic plants suitable for consumption on your daily table. Herbs are classified as plants that are cultivated to season or alter the flavor of food. They are suitable as an ornamental plant and work well as a border plant, especially basil, oregano and the mint family. My first experience with herbs was on my daily childhood visits to my precious neighbor and chicken farmer, Miss Bessie Hudson. She had mounds of spearmint plants that imparted a glorious scent to her yard. Herbs are available as perennials, biennials and annuals. They may be grown in areas that receive about six hours of sun per day. The cultural practices for herbs is similar to that of vegetables, and they can thrive in a wide range of soils. According to the University of Florida Circular 570, Herbs in the Florida Garden, herbs will grow successfully under the same conditions of soil and light as that of vegetables. You may use a vegetable gardening guide for details of fertilization, water and soil preparation and amendment. You will want to plant herbs seasonally and group annuals, perennials and biennials with the like plants. Few pesticides are recommended for herbs, so take this into consideration if you plan to make them a part of your vegetable garden. If you elect to grow your herbs in containers, you should choose a pot with drainage holes at least six inches in diameter. A larger starter plant will require a larger pot to accommodate the root system. A well-drained high-quality potting soil is recommended. If planting in the ground, it is advisable to amend sandy soil with organic materials. Most herbs like the soil to be slightly dry. Some exceptions are mint, chives, basil and parsley. These herbs prefer slightly moist soil. 10
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Liquid fertilizer may be applied monthly according to package directions. Although seeds may be used to start your herbs, baby plants are usually readily available and will be ready for harvest much faster. Especially in Florida, plant your herb plants early in the morning or late afternoon when the sun will not be so hot on them. Once your herbs begin to prosper, you may propagate from them by a technique called simple layering. To use this technique, cover the lower side branches with soil. In a few weeks, voila! Roots appear and you may remove the new plants from the parent plant and transplant them to their new location. Another method of propagation is the crown clump method. Tarragon, chives and Rosemary can be propagated this way by taking parts of the “crown clump� and treating them as separate plants that you would then plant. Mint plants spread by underground or surface runners, so it is merely a matter of removing the runner when roots develop and transplanting to another location. The runners can grow several feet from the parent plant. Herbs illustrated here are: basil, oregano, lemon balm, chives, parsley, tarragon, marjoram and rosemary. Oregano makes a wonderful ground cover as well as an aromatic container plant. In fact, it runs so well you will probably want to assign a separate spot for oregano to avoid over-running your other herbs. Oreganos vary in taste, so scrutinize the tag that accompanies the pot before purchasing it. Marjoram belongs to the oregano family. Cut the tops right before flowers appear. Parsley grows well in a Florida garden. There are plain and curly leafed types, and it is a must for your culinary garden. If you enjoy butterfly gardening, then you will appreciate the green and black WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
parsley worm caterpillar that is the larval stage of a beautiful black swallowtail butterfly. Parsley is a mounding plant that is rich in vitamin C. As a 4-H’er, I recall planting our parsley and strawberries too close to the fence of my mare, Miss Margie Van. She was a happy camper with her new snack. Lemon balm, a lemony-scented member of the mint family, will grow to a clumping height of about two feet. It is fairly slow growing with bright green foliage. To add flavor to salads and drinks, use dried or fresh leaves and young stems. The mint family provides plants with fragrant, pungent leaves in a wide variety of flavors. They are easy to grow and attractive to pollinators and butterflies, as they bear small flowers in the white to purple color spectrum. Mint plants can grow in both shade and sun, and may be used fresh and dried. If grown in Florida, tarragon should be planted well ahead of our hot, humid summers. It is generally grown from root or crown divisions instead of seed. Fresh leaves may be used or stored dry in tight jars to preserve the licorice scent. Chives are a member of the allium family, and is a grass-like herb reminiscent of onions. Chives are wonderful for container culture. You may want to choose a sunny windowsill to grow them in where they will be close at hand to be a daily addition to your family meal. When harvesting, cut back to soil level in small bunches. This will encourage new production from the plant. Rosemary is one of my favorite plants for its capacity to impart a lovely aroma to your surroundings. All it takes is a gentle breeze, or WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
brushing past it or even spraying it with the hose to bring a fresh fragrance to the area. Not only can you use the small needle-like leaves, the flowers are edible as well, and have a milder flavor than the leaves. This herb will grow to about three feet across, but may achieve a height of six feet. In addition, there are creeping and upright forms. Rosemary is a perennial evergreen shrub and will grow equally well in a container or in the ground. Once your rosemary is established, the plant will literally live for years, and will yield daily cooking herbs with very little care and maintenance for use with poultry, bread and vegetables. Where herbs are concerned, the useful parts of these plants are the flowering tops, seeds, leaves, and occasionally the roots. In order that the herb retain its flavor, it is important they be harvested at the right time and properly prepared and stored. Harvesting should be done when plants start flowering if drying is your intent. Drying may be accomplished rapidly in a well-ventilated dark room. Wash the leaves to remove grit and thoroughly drain before processing. Young, tender leaves can be harvested and used fresh at any time during the season. Be sure to promptly refrigerate herbs, as certain foodborne illnesses have been isolated in such herbs as parsley, cilantro and basil when left at room temperature. To prevent problems with these particular herbs, rinse them under cool running water just prior to preparing or eating. Do not use detergents in this process. Sanitizing of your kitchen sink on a regular basis will help keep microbes from accumulating. Be very sure to use a separate cutting board when cutting fish, poultry and raw meat. Herbs require little space and will reward you with a steady supply of delicious and aromatic flavors with which to season your food. Herb culture can be your child’s first foray into plant cultivation and harvesting. Herbs are so easy to grow that as they say, “Even a child can do it!” INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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for information: 407. 402. 2690
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Catch, Release or Eat… IT’S YOUR DECISION! limits and closed seasons, have created outstanding fisheries throughout the country. Conversely, there are always those who take everything to the extreme. Certain groups, including anglers, feel that every fish caught should be released. However, it’s important to remember that catch and release is an option. If you want to put em’ back, that’s great, if you want to keep a few for dinner that’s also okay. There’s nothing wrong with keeping a few fish for the table, but there’s no advantage to loading the freezer. Fish always taste better when they are fresh, however once they become freezer burned they are ruined. Prolonged freezer storage means they lose that wonderful fresh fish taste and wind up in the garbage. The fish are biting. So, if you want to put your catch back, good for you. But if you want to keep a few, don’t hesitate to enjoy a fresh fish dinner.
Fishing is strong throughout the southeast with people fishing and catching and that’s a good thing. Enjoying the outdoors, especially when it includes a little fishing, is always fun, especially now when most of us would like a distraction from things going on in our own busy worlds. Being near water waiting for fish bite is a refreshing distraction from things concerning you. It’s like a magic potion that makes you feel better, taking your mind off your problems, at least for a while. Being a great way to put some of life’s distractions on hold it’s also a way to put a tasty meal on the table. Folks fish for different reasons, some for fun, others for dinner, and others for both. Over the past decade the concept of catch and release has become very prominent throughout the fishing community. It’s a great idea because you’re actually recycling a resource by putting them back alive. This recycling concept of catch and release means you catch fish, release them alive, often giving other anglers the opportunity to catch fish. What a novel idea. And besides being a good idea, it’s evident that catch and release has improved our fisheries. Progressive fish management, mostly slot/size 14
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Tampa Bay Fishing Report August 2015 Capt. Woody Gore
Redfish
- August should see more redfish action around the Tampa Bay area. This past month we could find lots of fish but getting them to bite with any consistency was something else. I’ve set on a few schools and tossed everything in the boat at them only to have them ignore the offerings. Occasionally we’d catch one or two on a cut pinfish but not with the action we’re used to seeing. With tons of bait around its likely the fish are not that hungry but at least they’re out there. The bay area notoriously produces good catches of redfish, you just need to find the ones ready to eat. Redfish will push into the mangrove lined shores and oyster bars on incoming tides. Live bait normally produces good catches along with cut baits. Early morning top-water artificial lures on the grass flats will offer some good visual excitement as well. Work both incoming and outgoing tides.
Snook
– Snook fishing will continue strong this month with larger fish still on the beaches. Expect to see them bunching up near passes and deeper holes. They often appear to have lockjaw but WWW. ININTTHE FFIELD M WWW. HE IELD MAGAZINE.COM AGAZINE.COM
“Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing” – 813-477-3814 Captain Woody Gore has been guiding and fishing the Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, Bradenton, and Sarasota areas for over fifty years; his level of customer service, experience and attention to detail allows him to offer world class fishing adventures patience seems to pay off when looking for larger fish. Many report and a lifetime of memories. catching good fish with dead bait left on the bottom. Artificial lures Single or Multi-boat Group Charters are all the same. With years usually produce some awesome action and if you’ve passed the learnof organizational experience and access to the areas most experiing curve you can have a great time tossing plastics to waiting snook. enced captains, Woody can arrange and coordinate any outing or tournament. Just tell him what you need and it’s done. - Trout fishing can always be fun esVisit his website at: pecially when you find some larger fish willing to eat. I’ve been getting WWW.CAPTAINWOODYGORE.COM into some good action in deeper water and around the fish attractors using free-lined greenbacks. Also, check out the deep grass flats (3-4 send an email to wgore@ix.netcom.com ft.) using a popping cork with greenbacks, small pinfish (the flats are or give him a call at 813-477-3814 full of them) or shrimp.
Spotted Sea Trout
Mackerel & Bluefish - Tampa Bay still has its share of
mackerel and bluefish and fishing this month should be decent. Just look for schools of threadfins, put out a chum bag and hold onto your rod and reel. I’m seeing mackerel catches up to 5 and 6 pounds and some of the biggest blues ever. This is some real excitement on light tackle but you need to use heavy Seaguar 50# to 60# pound leader and Daiichi long shank hooks. For some exciting top water action try tail hooking your bait and let it work against the current. This forces the bait to the top for some great top water strikes. I’ve been having good luck using Sure Strike Soft Lures; but take several bags; their sharp teeth do a number on the lures.
Cobia
- Markers and sandy flats equal Cobia. These fish frequent markers, especially those holding threadfins. They also cruise the flats following rays and manatees. When marker fishing, keep a chum bag out, you just never know what might show up.
Snapper – Grey Snapper are everywhere. Pieces of live shrimp or cut sardines on a ¼ oz. knocker rig works great. Just find a bridge, rock pile, dock or just about any structure and its fish-on. I’m even catching them on broken bottom grass flats on greenbacks.
Tarpon
- Tarpon fishing at the bridge has slowed down. Recently we’ve been seeing a few still along the beach. Threadfins, crabs and larger sardines should do nicely. If you happen upon a daisy chaining pod, toss bait into the middle and hold on. There are also reports along the upper bay bridges. Fish the light lines at night.
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Ornamental Gardening in Florida
By Ginny Mink
Part 11
Welcome back to 1926! Here in the thirteenth chapter of Mr. Simpson’s book, we find the title: Shade Trees for Roads and Streets. Presumably he was just as concerned with the road to his home as the condition of his own gardens and landscaping designs. In fact, the first sentence shows his candor about the import of well shaded roads and streets and the means in which they should be considered. He writes, “There are a number of qualities which may be considered almost absolutely necessary in the make-up of a shade tree for roads and streets.”
he felt the same way because he concluded his list with, “It is not likely that any tree will ever be found that will have all the good qualities mentioned above; the only thing we can hope for is to find several which have most of them.” Of course that made us wonder what trees he had in mind based on his own descriptions. We expected him to have an answer therein but as we continued to read he admitted, “…the planting of ornamentals…is so new that we have not yet had time to learn what to use or how to use it – we are yet in the experimental stage.”
We have to chuckle as his first descriptive statement is exceptionally obvious, “First,” he writes, “it should be what its name indicates, a shade tree.” Therein he begins his specific requirements for what a shade tree is, smooth and with a straight trunk, with a nearly yearlong head of healthy foliage. Then he adds that it should be appropriate for its environment. Specifically he states, “Such a tree in Florida must flourish in our poor sandy soil with a small amount of care or fertilizer. It should be able to withstand dust, drought or excessive rain; it should not be too tender and it ought to stand up well against strong wind or hurricanes with a minimum of damage.” We wonder what he’d think about all those crepe myrtles that line the medians these days.
Therefore we are at a bit of a disadvantage, maybe the previously mentioned crepe myrtles would have won his approval though it is certain he would have nixed any banana tree idealism. He explains that the knowledge they have gained from northern areas is of little value in Florida, to the point he adds, “in fact it is often worse than none for it is liable to be misleading. We have not, as yet, been able to carefully try out anything.” Thusly, in 1926, while it was obviously important to Mr. Simpson that the roads and streets be shaded Actually, by the time we got to the end of the he hadn’t, at that time, determined how best chapter we were elated to see that he does proto accomplish his desire. vide some advice as to which trees should be planted. He advises based on information he He continues, “Some of the palms have been gained from, “Mr. J. Gerry Curtis, Superinused for road planting. There are a few av- tendent of Parks in Miami”: Meleleuca, Alenues of royal palms in the southern end of bizzia lebbek, Bombax ceiba, Poinciana regia, the state and while they are noble and strik- Casuarina cunninghami, Ficus bejamina, F. ing they have scarcely enough shade for good altissima, F. elastica, Pongamia pinnata, Terstreet trees.” His position on palms as shade minalia arjuna, Spanish lime, mahogany and trees is pretty staunch as he adds, “As a rule Bucida buceras (the black olive). Of course, they fail in high pineland and can only be he specifies that these suggestions are only planted in hammock or low ground. The co- for the southern part of the state. For those conut is used to some extent for such purpos- in the northern part he suggests: the willow es but it is wholly unfit because, on account of oak, the live oak (guess we were wrong about its crooked trunks, it makes very bad lines and his oak tree position), Q. laurifolia and finally besides this it contains an element of danger.” he states, “No more magnificent tree than the great magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) exists Get ready to crack up, because his “element and I have seen roads beautifully shaded with of danger” is hysterical. He reveals, “I have it in Lower Louisiana.” We’d have to agree seen a woman knocked senseless who was hit that magnolias are pretty beautiful, but they by the butt of a falling leaf from one of these do have large leaves and giant blossoms. We trees. The nuts would be still more danger- wonder if he forgot about that. Guess we’ll ous and would be a constant menace to all learn more next time we hop a ride on the litwho frequented roads so planted.” He sums erary time machine! up his palm position by stating, “It may be stated that no palm furnishes sufficient shade Resources: for a wide street though some of them are all ¹ Simpson, Charles T. (1926). Ornamental right for narrow ones or walks.” Be careful if Gardening in Florida. Published by the Auyou’re strolling on a coconut palm lined side- thor; Little River, FL. Printed by J.J. Little and walk though as they contain intense elements Ives Company, New York. (p. 55-59). of danger! ² http://www.searsarchives.com/brands/allstate.htm
He continues with the concept that the tree should be easy to propagate though not too easy. We assume he’d throw out the oak tree concept then since they seem to sprout up everywhere! As we continued to read, the fourth suggestion cracked us up, “It must be, so far as our knowledge goes, free from serious disease or the attacks of bad insects, though these things may be introduced after it has been largely planted.” We guess he realized that there was no guarantee that a tree would be disease or “bad insect” free. We think that means banana trees and their obnoxious amounts of roaches wouldn’t be recommended either. Now here’s an important aspect to consider, according to Mr. Simpson, “It should be free from vicious thorns.” Sorry, but we laughed at that one too before we returned to reading but he didn’t seem to think it extraordinary at all since he kept right on writing, “In addition to these it would be well if it were long lived, if its leaves were not too large and if its fruits did not greatly litter or cumber the way.” Sounds like a dream tree to us and obviously 16
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Herein he switches to pines. The Australian pine is at the forefront of his discussion and perhaps the most amusing part of that is his description found here, “It produces a hard seed vessel something like a small cone which is said to be injurious to automobile tires.” What kind of tire gets damaged by a pinecone? Who knows, but we found that Sears’ 1926 version of the tire was guaranteed for 12,000 miles. Can you imagine? You’d be buying tires every year (if not multiple times a year)! But, amazingly, this tire damaging seed wasn’t Mr. Simpson’s biggest complaint about the Australian pine. In fact, he reveals, “…it is the appearance of the tree, the tone, the general color, that it seems to me are its greatest drawbacks. It has a sad, dull, gloomy tint that is especially depressing, that is suggestive of cemeteries, or the end of life, of the dark and silent tomb.” Pretty morose description, huh? He concludes his pine discussion with, “This is a land of clear skies, of illimitable light, of glorious color and it seems to me that such a depressing tree is wholly out of place in it.”
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Protect Yourself From Fraudsters, Scammers and Con-Artists by John Dicks
It seems that Florida has always been the place where fraudsters, scammers and con artists have focused their attention. Even if you never fell prey to phony pitches, too many times just listening to or looking at questionable offers results in a total waste of our time.
The Little Black Book of Scams covers some of the most common complaints received, including those related to charitable organizations, telemarketing, identity theft, and travel, featuring such items as 10 Tips-offs the Caller Might be a Crook and 10 Ways to Avoid Becoming a Victim.
Not long ago, I wrote an article about how to protect your children from Identity Theft and another on how to register for the “Do Not Call” list to stop robo-calls and “phone phishing.” Nonetheless, the old adage of “when one door is closed, another is opened” seems also to apply to those seeking to make a quick buck on Florida consumers. Recently, it’s been big in the news that phony demand letters, posing as if they were from the IRS, have been landing in mailboxes all over the state. People have reported also receiving similar demands by way of fax and email. I saw one which had so many typographical errors on it that it was almost laughable. But the whole matter is simply not funny when such scams have the potential of destroying one’s financial future. One of the newer bogus attempts at getting into consumer’s pockets comes in the form of a SunPass toll violation letter. This one has been received even by many who have stuck to their car windshield a SunPass transponder with plenty of credit available to pay for any tolls. Whoever has been sending these dummy demands make them look legitimate with a good design and graphics of the State of Florida. Unlike the real thing, though, which includes a picture of the violator’s car tag going through the toll, the scammer just posts a fake account number and lists a modest fine which many people might be simply tempted to “pay and make the matter go away”. I suppose if enough people pay it, either online or by phone, those modest amounts can add up to a bountiful harvest of ill-gotten gains for the fraudster. If you receive a questionable letter, email or phone call that you suspect is not legitimate, you can get help, for free, by contacting the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The Department serves as the state’s clearinghouse for consumer assistance and information. To simplify the matter, the Department has set up both a website as well as a toll free hotline. You can go online to www.800HelpFla.com or call 800-HELP-FLA. The Department seeks to resolve each complaint, of which last year it received some 45,000 of them! Significantly is that in 2014 it helped return more than $5 million to consumers. Apparently, fraud in Florida has been on the rise so much that the Department has developed a Little Black Book of Scams, which you can also find on its website. 18 18
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John Dicks is both a lawyer and a farmer. He and his family own a blueberry farm and have agricultural lands which they lease for cattle operations, as John says, “to someone who knows and handles cattle much better than I do!” John is both a Gator, having received his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida, and a Seminole, with his Law Degree from Florida State University. He and his wife, Sharon, live in Plant City, where he served nine years as City Commissioner, including three years as Mayor. WWW. THE FIELD AGAZINE.COM WWW. ININ THE FIELD MM AGAZINE.COM
Submission by Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam
Greening Florida growers just harvested the smallest orange crop in nearly 50 years, and all because of a tiny insect that spreads an incurable disease. Citrus greening, a bacterial disease spread by the Asian citrus psyllid, is an existential threat to Florida’s signature crop. Trees infected with citrus greening produce fruit that prematurely drops, is bitter, misshapen and unmarketable. Worse, infected trees die within a few years. In just 10 years since the discovery of the invasive psyllid, citrus greening has spread to every citrus-producing county in the state, infected more than half of Florida’s citrus groves and cut Florida’s annual citrus harvest by more than 60 percent. A casual glance at almost any grove will reveal evidence of its destruction. Florida’s citrus industry has a more than $10 billion economic impact on our state and supports more than 64,000 jobs, all of which are currently at risk. The health of the Florida citrus is important to every Floridian - not just those who depend on it for their livelihoods. With a nearly 500,000 acre footprint in Florida, citrus has a profound impact on so many of our interior counties and the quality of life of the surrounding communities. The industry’s continued decline could have a devastating ripple effect. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
However, hope is not lost. There is strong support for Florida’s citrus industry to fight the spread of citrus greening and support research for a cure. All told, Florida growers, the federal government and state government have invested more than $200 million to save citrus. As part of the most recent state budget, our department fought for and received more than $20 million to support critical research, grow clean citrus stock, remove and replant diseased trees and more. With this financial support, we are employing every tool in the toolbox to find a solution. Our department, research institutions and private industry are working on some promising options to prevent the spread of greening, treat an infected tree and develop a disease resistant tree, but no silver bullet has been uncovered. In addition, our department is improving our infrastructure to help the industry quickly rebuild if a solution is found. We have expanded our budwood facility and opened a new germplasm facility to provide growers with the resources they need to replant lost trees and release new varieties of citrus for growers. We cannot overstate the challenges facing Florida’s citrus industry, but I believe that with continued support the innovation of our growers will produce a solution to this existential problem. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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Ride ‘Em Cowboy, All the Way to College:
Colton By Ginny Mink
Matthews
There are some people who show up in this magazine over and over again. Those are the truly gifted, the people who just keep doing cool stuff that brings us back to them. Colton Matthews is just such an individual. This kid has done some phenomenal things on the rodeo circuit and has been doing them for a long time. We remember interviewing him as a middle school student. This time we had the opportunity to interview him as a man bound for college. Amazing! Colton attempted to catch us up, “Was it eighth grade or seventh?” he wondered aloud, trying to recall when we’d done our last interview with him. He continued, “I won four high school state titles, lots more saddles, probably 12 more saddles, 15, somewhere around there. Whole new different set of horses, I mean a bunch has changed. I’ve got younger better horses now.” So what’s he up to now, we questioned. He told us, “I’m on a full rodeo scholarship to the college. Then I’ve got five other smaller scholarships for rodeo and then some for
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academic rodeo. All of them are for rodeo. That’s covering everything, all school wise, a barn at the school, a tack room, all that. I’m going to Western Texas College, it’s in Snyder.” What’s he planning to focus on while there, we asked? He said, “I’m pretty sure I’m going to major in Ag business but I’m not really a hundred percent yet, but it’s pushing towards that one. I want to do something in Ag inspection. My uncle goes into different countries all over the world doing that. That is something I’ve done forever, everything agricultural. I’ve done Ag all the way through high school.” To remind readers a little about Colton we asked him to provide a recap. He shared, “The whole family’s been doing it forever. I’m just the next one in line I guess you’d say. I started when I was 9 or 10 years old doing rodeo. It started off with the goat tying, the breakaway events and then as it went on, I went to team roping, roping calves and bull dogging steers now.” For those who are unfamiliar with bulldogging we sought out clarification and he explained, “I used to come out of a bucking chute and throw the steer, now I jump off the horse onto the steer and throw him down. They open the gate, so to speak, and then you ride up beside him, get off, let your horse run by and pull you onto the steer, then you throw him just the same as a shoot dogging without the chute. It’s basically the same event just now it’s off the back of a horse instead of out of the chute.” Throwing down a steer seemed like quite a feat to us. So the natural course of questioning led us to ask him just how big these animals are. He told us, “It all depends where you go, but they’ll probably be weighing between 400 to 700, they don’t get much bigger than 700 pounds I don’t think.” So once you throw this massive animal down, what’s next? He chuckled and elaborated, “You have to get all four feet up, you have to lay him on his side, and get all four feet going one direction that’s how you get the time stopped.” Better him than us we determined. When we talked to him, he was on his way to the National High School Finals, in Rock Springs, Wyoming. While there he said he’d do the bulldogging, the team roping and the calf roping. However, that wasn’t his only stop. He revealed, “Before that we’re going to a bunch of different jackpots and one that’s just as big as the high school finals, called the IFYR. It’s a big one like that. The first one is a pro rodeo in Texas, the PRCA.” These competitions include cowboys with far more experience, but he assured us that he anticipates winning. To go to the National High School Finals he explained what he had to accomplish, “You had to go to, I think it’s 10 rodeos throughout the year in Florida and then all your points added up at the end of WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
the year to decide who goes. It’s the top four in each event. I qualified in three of the events. I won the calf roping event this year, in the all-around I got reserve in the team roping and bulldogging. The top four placers of the year get to go, in three categories. They’re all different events.” Knowing his enthusiasm for rodeo, we wondered how he was handling going off to college, he assured us he was, “Pretty good, I guess.” He’s not scared, he tells us because, “It’ll probably sink in when I get out there, but I go on trips all the time away from the family. Like last year I went to Louisiana for like two months out of the year. I stayed with family up there, we roped, the same stuff we do down here but there’s more rodeos and ropings to go to up there, more competition.” Being slightly nosey, we wondered how much money he’d made doing these contests. He told us, “Last year alone I won $45,000, somewhere close to there. I probably won close to $200,000 over the years.” I shared with him about my two year old, Zeke’s, desire to ride cows and asked him what advice he’d give. He advised, “Being that young I’d probably wait ‘til he got a little bit older and then they start ‘em on sheep at the junior rodeos. Which is not as bad. I rode sheep in the junior rodeo, when I talked to you last, when I was a little bit younger than that I rode the sheep and then when I got older I got the horse and did the horse event. I rode the steers one year, in the association, or junior bulls, whatever you want to call them. The sheep just run is all they do, but when you start getting them into the bigger ones, the calves, they won’t buck as much but when you start getting into the steer riding, and the bull riding, that’s when they make ‘em buck.” Finally we asked him for closing advice or any other words he’d like to leave the readers with. He shared, “Rodeo’s a great sport to do, it’s just all or nothing. You gotta put a hundred percent into it or you’re not gonna be good, just like any sport.” He finished by predicting future endeavors and thanking his family. He said, “I see qualifying for the NFR in the next ten years, future wise, that’s the biggest one there is, like the Super Bowl of rodeo. That’s the National Finals Rodeo, it’s the finals for the PRCA in Las Vegas. It’s ten rounds a year. I’m going to a PRCA one but not to try to go to the finals yet. I’m gonna wait ‘til I get outta college to try to go to the finals. It’s just like a jackpot, they’re the same thing, money. I thank my parents, Lynn and Mike, for getting me this far, my Grandma Fay, the whole family.” We’ll keep you updated and maybe in ten years (probably less) we’ll be writing about his NFR triumphs! Good luck, Colton. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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Just Thinking
I was lying around one Sunday afternoon pondering about the problems of the world, and I realized that at my age I am getting to the point where I really didn’t give a rip any more. They tell us what is good and bad for us. They say to lose weight. Well, a whale swims all day, only eats fish, but is still fat. They say to exercise every day. A rabbit runs and hops and only lives 15 years, while a gopher doesn’t run and does mostly nothing, yet it lives for about 150 years. Exercise…I don’t think so. Now that I am drawing a Social Security check each month, here is what I have discovered, it was a whole lot easier to get older than it was to get wiser. I don’t remember being absent-minded. My wild oats are mostly enjoyed with prunes and all-bran. It’s not really hard to meet expenses…they are everywhere. And, I started out with nothing, and I still have most of it. They say to read and do crossword puzzles to keep your brain sharp. Here are five riddles that I was just able to pass. Let’s see how you do with them. A murderer is condemned death. He has to choose between three rooms. The first room is full of raging fires, the second is full of assassins with loaded guns, and the third is full of lions that haven’t eaten in three years. Which room is the safest? Second, in 1955 a woman shoots her husband. Then she holds him underwater for over five minutes. Finally, she hangs him. But, tenminutes later they both go out together and enjoy a wonderful dinner together. How could this happen? Third riddle! What is black when you buy it, and grey when you throw it away? Four. Can you name three consecutive days without using the words Wednesday, Friday or Sunday. The fifth riddle. This is an unusual paragraph. I’m curious as just how quickly you can find out what is so unusual about it. It looks so ordinary and plain that you would think nothing was wrong with it. In fact, you still may not find anything odd, but if you work at it a bit, you’ll find out. Try to do so without any coaching! Now that you have read through the riddles several times here are the right ANSWERS. The third room is the right answer because the lions haven’t eaten in three years they are dead. Number two: The woman was a photographer. She shot a picture of her husband, developed it, (holding it under water) and hung it up to dry. Three: Charcoal, as it is used for barbecuing. Four: “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.” Five: The letter “e” which is the most common letter used in the English language, does not appear one time in the paragraph. 22
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Mac Smith sent me an email the other day that pretty much sums up us senior citizens. He said we walk a little slower and our eyes and hearing are not what they once were. We worked hard, raised our children, worshiped our God and together we grew old. Yes, we are the ones some refer to as being over the hill, and that is probably true, but before writing us off completely, there are a few things that need to be taken into consideration. In school we studied English, history, math and science, which enabled us to lead America into the technological age. Most of us remember what outhouses were, many of us with firsthand experience. We remember the days of telephone party lines, 25-cent gasoline, and milk and ice being delivered to our house. For those of you who don’t know what an ice box is, today they are electric and referred to as a refrigerator. A few of us even remember when cars were started with a crank. Don’t write us off yet! We won World War II, fought in Korea and Viet Nam. We can quote the Pledge of Allegiance, and know where to place our hand while doing so. We even know the words to the Star Spangled Banner, America and America the Beautiful by heart. Lately I’ve noticed the stairs are getting steeper, and the groceries heavier. The other day I walked to the corner and I was surprised to discover how long our street has become. People are less considerate now, especially the youngsters. They whisper all the time. On the other hand, people my own age are so much older than I am. I ran into an old friend of mine the other day, and she had aged so much that she didn’t even recognize me. An elderly couple down the street had an interesting problem last week. Johnny finally got around to varnishing their wooden toilet seat while his wife was shopping at Felton’s Food Mart. She came in and undressed to take a shower. Before getting in the shower, she sat down on the toilet. As she tried to stand up she realized that the not-quite-dry epoxy varnish paint had glued her rear end to the toilet seat. He heard her yelling, and ran to the toilet immediately realizing her predicament. They both pushed and pulled without any success what so ever. Finally in desperation he took the toilet seat off, wrapped a sheet around her, and drove her to the hospital emergency room. The ER Doctor got her into a position where he could figure out how to free her. His wife tried to lighten the embarrassment of it all by saying, “Well, Doctor, I’ll bet you’ve never seen anything like this before.” The Doctor replied, “Actually, I’ve seen lots of them….I just never saw one mounted and framed.” WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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WARNER UNIVERSITY AG PROGRAM CONTINUES TO “SURPASS EXPECTATIONS”
By Jim Frankowiak
Five years ago a task force of Ag leaders came together to answer the question, “Does Warner University need an agricultural studies program?” Founded in 1968 as Warner Southern College by Church of God pastors and laity, the co-educational, private Christian liberal arts college in Lake Wales, changed its name in 2008. The task force members charged with answering that question included Tony DiMare of DiMare Fresh, Keith Mixon of Dole/SunnyRidge Farms, Steve Maxwell of Highland Packaging Solutions and Hill Griffin, IV, of Ben Hill Griffin, Inc. The answer was a resounding “Yes” with confirmation coming from Florida’s top Ag man, Commissioner Adam Putnam of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The resonance of that decision continues today and it comes from many sources: an increasing enrollment in the Ag studies program, which has expanded; an ever-increasing group of donors; industry support, recognition and involvement; and the start of a substantial, on-campus facility to house the growing program. Warner is located on a 300-acre campus south of Lake Wales. Its enrollment averages 1,200 students with a student-to-faculty ratio of 16:1. The student body represents 26 states and 18 countries. Nicknamed the “Royals,” Warner is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association 24 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE August 2015
of Colleges and Schools, which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, and offers 32 undergraduate degree programs and four Master’s degree programs. Dr. Greg Hall has led WU since 1991, as its second president. Warner athletic teams compete at the National Association of Intercollegiate (NAIA) Division II level and the university holds membership in the Sun Conference. Men’s sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, tennis, track & field and volleyball. Royal women are engaged in basketball, cheerleading, cross country, dance, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field and volleyball. Warner also supports a unique training facility known as the HEART (Hunger Education and Resources Training) Institute, a simulated Third World village which trains students in appropriate technology, as well as giving them an opportunity to live in an environment similar to many underdeveloped parts of the world. The Warner Ag Studies Program began with a fund-raising event at the Lightsey’s historic Brama Island in Lake Kissimmee in 2012. The more than 400-attendees pledged nearly $200,000 at that event, which included a keynote address by Commissioner Putnam. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
The initial Ag Studies class began in the fall of 2013 with 30 students. The following spring, 17 of those students conducted their first of many Ag Practicum experiences across central Florida in a range of agricultural sectors. Enrollment continues to expand beyond expectations with more than 200 inquiries for the fall semester this year, and 30 new students already enrolled. Warner Ag Studies Program students come from within and outside Florida, directly from high school, as transfer students from other universities and as adults seeking to enhance their educational backgrounds to aid with career advancement. “The part that I like most about the program is that it covers a wide range of the Ag field,” said Senior David Dyer, who is majoring in Agricultural Studies with a concentration in citrus. “When I started at Warner, I was not exactly sure what I wanted to do, but the wide range of studies helped me to decide. I believe that the excitement of this program comes from the fact that it is new, it is still growing and I had a chance to be one of the first students. This program has impacted me by making me want to further my education by going on into a master’s program.” Dyer has been accepted into the Auburn University College of Agriculture graduate degree program. The Warner Ag Studies Program has two plans: a two-year transfer degree and a 4-year, each offering a range of elective course options. Ryan Williams, Fort Meade, transferred to Warner in the fall of 2013. He has always been interested in agriculture and started working practicums at local ranches and citrus operations. He is currently in this Capstone (400 senior hour internship) at Highland Precision Ag with Steve Maxwell.
“The opportunity to participate in internships that allow students to get hands-on experiences and gives the students real world skills that transfer into the work force is the best part of the Warner Ag Program,” said Williams. “This is what separates Warner’s program from other Ag schools and is my favorite part of the program.” Ag Students graduate from Warner with over 500 hours of hands-on experience. The area’s Ag industry has responded most favorably with internship opportunities at: • Syngenta • Dow Agri-Science • Helena Chemical • Alico • UF/IFAS Citrus Research • Astin Farms • Dole Berry • Boehringer-Ingelheim • Tri-Est Ag Group • Davis Citrus Management • Wheeler Farms • Sunshine Growers, Inc. Internships enhance student education through real world experiences and technical and professional skills development, as well as networking opportunities with some of the most influential organizations in the Florida Ag industry. “Warner University Agricultural Studies Program has an advantage when preparing students for internships and job placement,” said Wes Page, Eastern Region Ag Sales manager for Helena Chemical and director of Helena’s Student Intern Program in his region. “The small school atmosphere provides the students skills that are necessary in all job settings. The continued on Pg.28
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Recipes Courtesy of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Chef Justin Timineri
Florida Stone Crab Claws with Key Lime Mustard Dipping Sauce
DIRECTIONS Crack claws using a wooden hammer or a seafood cracker; remove shell and movable pincer leaving meat attached to the remaining pincer. Set aside and keep refrigerated until use. In a small bowl combine the mayo, Dijon and lime juice. Taste the mustard sauce and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve stone crab claws with the mustard sauce.
INGREDIENTS
Ingredients
3 pounds stone crab claws, medium sized 1 cup low-fat mayonnaise 5 tablespoons Dijon-style mustard 4 Key limes (or two regular limes), juiced sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS
1 ½ pounds beef, sliced thin 1 bunch scallions, sliced 3 tablespoons fresh ginger root, peeled and chopped fine 1 sweet red bell pepper, sliced thin 1 tangerine, zested and juiced, separated 2 ½ teaspoons cornstarch
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine beef, scallions, ginger, bell peppers, tangerine zest and cornstarch. Mix ingredients well to coat. Preheat a large sauté pan over mediumhigh heat. In a small mixing bowl, combine tangerine juice, soy sauce and sugar. Stir ingredients until sugar is dissolved.
1 tablespoon light lowsodium soy sauce 2 teaspoons natural sugar 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tangerines, peeled and sectioned cooked brown rice
Add the vegetable oil to the preheated sauté pan. Carefully add the beef mixture to the pan. Cook while stirring constantly until the beef is browned and slightly crispy. Add the soy sauce mixture and cook until sauce is thickened. Toss in the fresh tangerine segments and serve over brown rice.
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students are prepared to talk with co-workers and clients and have the ability to build relationships as they work in the industry. Students like George Kirkland that have been in the Helena Chemical Internship program are prepared to work hard and understand the need for a good attitude while on the job. I am impressed with Warner’s job of placing students in a great environment that prepares them to work in the Ag industry. Even with the short time they have been in operation the Ag studies program has quickly made great strides to raise up great employees.”
sity Collegiate FFA Chapter (CFFA) was chartered, only the second college in Florida, next to the University of Florida, to create a CFFA Chapter.
All of the Ag student members of the initial class have found employment thus far with The Story Companies, Astin Farms, Highland Packaging Solutions among others working for their family operations. More students will be graduating this coming spring.
Community and industry support of the new complex has been significant. Ed and Myrtle Lou Swindle have donated $1 million and the new complex and building will be named in their honor. The complex will be built utilizing environmentally friendly building practices during construction. In addition to sustainable green building practices, the complex will use windmills and solar panels to be as energy self-sufficient as possible. A rainwater collection tank will provide water for irrigation and feeding purposes. The 38,000-square-foot complex is designed to enhance hands-on learning or order to graduate students skilled and ready to enter the Ag workforce.
Alumna Danielle Spraque graduated with honors in May of 2015. She is now pursuing her Masters in Entomology at the University of Florida while also performing an assistantship. “Warner has given me the opportunity to grow in the industry and prepared me to be a future leader,” she said. “I enjoyed my time at Warner and it provided me with the hands-on knowledge that I will need as I enter my graduate program at UF. Warner will do great things for the industry and be able to provide a real world learning environment for the students. I am blessed to have attended Warner University.” During the most recent academic year, The Warner Univer28
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Given the growth in student enrollment, Warner embarked on an initiative that would lead to the development of an agricultural complex on campus. This past February, the groundbreaking for Warner’s new Agricultural Complex took place with more than 800 benefactors, students and Ag industry leaders in attendance.
Located on the northwest side of the campus, the complex will include the Debbie & Doyle Carlton, III Livestock Barn, the Hunt Brothers Greenhouse, the Swindle & Conrad Family Education Wing, Ben Hill Griffin Administration building and the Charlie & Betty Grimes Equipment barn. The stateWWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
of-the-art facility will have a 5,000-square-foot open-air pavilion with summer kitchen where meetings, events and classes can be held and open to the community for use, donated by Larry & Debbie Swindle. The site offers expansion options for additional barns and other structures, as needed. Donor support for the Warner Ag Studies Program has been substantial and continues to grow. In addition to the Swindle family, the university has benefitted from many other families and organizations actively involved in the industry. One such group, the Florida Specialty Crop Foundation, was one of the very first program supporters and continues to be engaged with curriculum development. “The Florida Specialty Crop Foundation has a focus on supporting young people who want to pursue a future in agriculture,” said Sonia Tighe, the foundation’s executive director and director of the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association Emerging Leader Development Program. “Warner University has developed a solid, well-rounded agriculture curriculum and program to encourage students to stay involved in agriculture. Of particular importance is the practicum experience which is required. It gives the students hands-on, real-life experience in ag operations so that they will be well engaged and informed when they graduate.” Photo Courtesy of Ron O’Connor - Farm Credit
Given the growing enrollment, industry and community support, the findings of Warner University’s Ag leaders task force was on point, to say the very least. For more information about Warner University and its Ag Studies Program, visit: http://www.warner.edu.
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Snail Kites: May They Continue to Fly By Ginny Mink The opportunity to bring an endangered species article to you each month is exciting. I enjoy the ability to learn about species that are nearing the end of their existence and thereby bring that knowledge to you in hopes of helping to reestablish them in some way. Therefore, it’s even more enjoyable when someone asks me to write about a specific species that intrigues him/her. So, when Sarah Holt, our beloved editor (and I don’t have to kiss up I get paid with or without the compliments), returned from a trip thoroughly interested in the snail kite’s plight, she asked me to write about it. Therefore, let me introduce you to this endangered bird of prey. The snail kite, previously called the Everglades Snail Kite, was listed as federally endangered in 1967. Since they eat only (for the most part) apple snails, their habitats are limited to the central and southern part of the state. The water quality of the marshes contributes excessively to the apple snail’s presence and therefore the sustenance required by the snail kite. Maintaining proper hydrology is essential to the existence of both these creatures and this is something humans can rectify if they so desire. Marshes, natural and manmade lakes are prime hunting grounds for the snail kite which is a small raptor with a uniquely curved beak. This beak design is essential to the removal of the apple snail from its shell. However, the areas in which these apple snails are located need to be fairly clear so that the snail kites can spot the snail’s presence. Part of the problem then is that dense vegetation is growing up in these areas due to run off and other human created problems. Some of the plants hindering the snail kite’s ability to see its food include: hydrilla, water hyacinth, cattails, and water lettuce. Really the biggest problem hitting these impressive birds is the loss of the wetlands. The Everglades are now only a fifth of what they used to be and there is an influx of saltwater that’s changing up the hydrologic balance of much of the snail kite’s habitat. Humanity and its incessant need to control flooding and irrigation are probably the greatest threat to the existence of this bird and many other endangered species we’ve discussed over the last year of this series. So what do they look like and where do they live? The males are generally a dark grey color while the young, and females, are brown with some white patching on their chests and cheeks. The main distinction is a white patch at the base of the tail surrounded by a dark band with a skinny white outline. These birds are seen in the Lake Kissimmee marshes, as well as those in Okeechobee and Tohopekaliga. You might also see some along the Tamiami Trail and in the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. The snail kite breeds almost year round with the exception of September-November. They build really bulky nests in a wide range of marsh trees, shrubs and vegetation and usually lay about three eggs. Sometimes they stay together in the mating season but not always. However, the winter months can find them roosting communally. Though these birds really aren’t transient by nature, the problems with the wetlands they need has caused them to become quite mi30
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gratory. Thankfully, the most recent information available seems to point to some stability in their populations. Those who are lucky enough to encounter a snail kite might actually see one in action. This is an incredible experience as the birds fly low over the water surveying the edges in search of apple snails. When one is located, the snail kite swoops down and appears to hover over the area as its talons plunge into the water to scoop up the unsuspecting morsel. They can pull the snails out midflight too, so keep your eyes open when you’re in one of their known habitats. Florida’s Audubon Society is doing some necessary work to help support the continued existence of these super cool birds of prey. Specifically, they are actively engaged in the restoration of the Everglades, a significant home and nesting ground for the snail kite. They are also working on some recovery endeavors in Lake Okeechobee because the snail kites are not nesting there the way they used to and it is imperative to the improvement of the Everglades. Finally, they run the Florida Center for Birds of Prey in which they are so devoted that they have been known to make apple snail milkshakes to feed to injured snail kites. Their commitment to saving these animals is praiseworthy. If you’d like to participate in some of the great work the Audubon Society is doing, you can get in touch with them at: http://fl.audubon. org/ways-to-help. Aside from that, just keep your eye out for one of these regal birds, take care of the water ways around you, and attempt to be less harmful to the environment in whatever way you can. These birds are pretty cool and they could use your support. Resources: http://www.nps.gov/ever/learn/nature/snailkite.htm http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/birds/raptors-and-vultures/florida-snail-kite/ http://fl.audubon.org/everglade-snail-kite WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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COYOTE UPDATE Field Research, Online Resources and What to Do and What Not to Do By Jim Frankowiak
You probably know them as coyotes, and their scientific binomial name is Canis latrans. Coyotes expanded their historic range over the last 100 years and during the last 40 years became established throughout Florida and are now documented in all 67 counties. They are habituated to human modified landscapes and are not just in rural areas, but suburban and even amid urban landscapes. They are typically shy and elusive, but encounters between people and coyotes in Florida do occur. Coyotes are a member of the dog family and are generalist omnivores eating rodents, rabbits, deer, lizards, snakes, insects, grasses, fruit, grains, fish other small predators, such as foxes, opossums and raccoons, as well as dining on carrion (animal carcasses). They are thought to be native to the great plains of North America, and expanded east as humans changed landscapes and removed larger predators such as wolves that preyed upon coyotes. In Florida populations have increased and coyotes will continue to make their homes throughout the state. There are concerns that coyotes are impacting game species, especially White-tailed deer and Turkey populations, but the extent to which this is happening is unknown. Coyotes, which can weigh up to 40-pounds, can be a major predator of deer fawns, young cattle and young turkey. They have sharp eyesight, keen hearing and a sensitive sense of smell – all helping them to hunt and survive. The University of Florida is conducting research on coyotes, gathering information regarding biology such as reproduction and mortality as well as ecology and impacts on cattle operations. One such research endeavor is being undertaken by Dr. Raoul Boughton, a rangeland scientist faculty member at the Range Cattle Research and Education Center at Ona in Hardee County. His work has included surveying of cattle ranchers and other initiatives designed to answer some outstanding questions. It is part of the sustainable rangeland ecosystem program. “We want to try and ascertain the proportion of early calf loss that may be due to coyotes, but this is very difficult to do, since you have 34
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to rapidly find the calf bodies,” he said. “Furthermore, the ecology of coyotes in Florida is not well studied. We want to understand what the home range of the Florida coyote is, how often they are around cattle compared to other activities, how far do they travel in search of food, and do they change their behavior when calving season occurs. We are currently answering some of these questions by tracking coyote movements on and off ranches using GPS collars, combined with local ranch information of herd and calving locations. We initiated this study during November of 2014 and have captured and GPS-collared 15 coyotes on three ranches supporting the effort: Cary Lightsey of Lightsey Cattle Company, Gene Lollis of MacArthur Agro-Ecology Research Center and Buck-Island Ranch, and Jim Strickland at BlackBeards Ranch. The study would not have been possible without the technical and equipment support of Dr. Stewart Breck, Dr. Michael Avery and Eric Tillman of the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Wildlife Research Center, trapper Ralph Pfister of the Adams Ranch, and my research assistant Bethany Wight.” “Across the U.S. coyotes have become an urban species and are known to prey upon smaller vertebrates, birds, cats, small dogs, rabbits and rodents, which include people’s pets. Coyotes have also been documented at multiple locations digging up sea turtle nests along Florida beaches, and are known to readily kill fawns. They also are likely blamed unfairly for carcasses they have scavenged upon rather than directly hunted and killed. How often they are truly to blame is an important question to answer if we are to provide accurate recommendations. Is the coyote in the back pasture a real problem or should they now be viewed as part of Florida’s wildlife? Not all coyotes attack and kill calves and shooting resident coyotes that are not killing calves will open the area for surrounding coyotes to enter and a new group with unknown dinner tastes may occur. We do know that if alpha coyotes are removed from an area there is an influx in young individuals and neighboring coyotes to that vacant territory until a new pair is established. Coyotes are a predator, but we must understand their relationship and true impacts upon a prey species both natural and agricultural before appropriate recommendations are made.” In the meantime, it is best to learn and follow the recommendations of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) when it comes to actions to take if a coyote approaches you, protecting pets from coyotes and preventing problems with coyotes. WWW. INTTHE HE IELD MAGAZINE.COM AGAZINE.COM WWW. IN FFIELD M
The most effective ways to reduce problems with coyotes involve removing food or other attractants. However, if a coyote has lost its fear of humans or continues to be a problem, lethal control measures may be necessary. Such methods should be directed at specific coyotes or toward coyotes in a specific area. Although rare, attacks from coyotes have occurred on humans. It is best to leave animals alone, but if a coyote approaches too closely, haze the animal by making loud noises and acting aggressively. Do so until the animal leaves the area, increasing and continuing hazing efforts until the coyote leaves the area. Hazing includes waving your arms and yelling and moving toward the coyote until the animal leaves. Noisemakers, such as air horns, banging pots and pans and even pebbles or coins shaken in an empty beverage container have all proven helpful actions to ward off coyotes. A solid walking stick or golf club are powerful deterrents at close range. Should a coyote approach a child, the FWC suggests adults yell loudly and then move toward the coyote. This often startles the animal and provides the adult with time to lift the child and move away. The adult should then back away from the animal and be prepared to defend him or herself from the coyote, if necessary. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
Pets should not be allowed to roam freely. Most coyote attacks on pets occur either at night or in the early evening and early morning hours. During these times, be careful when walking your pet in wooded areas or areas where there are a lot of plants growing, which could hide coyotes. Also, keep your dog close and on a short leash. Keep cats indoors. When cats roam freely there is an increased risk that they could be attacked by coyotes. Picking up your pet if a coyote draws near, does not end the potential for an incident. The coyote may go after that pet even while in your arms. Yard fencing can be an effective deterrent against coyote attacks, provided the fence is high enough to prevent coyotes from jumping over and the fence bottom does not allow coyotes to get underneath. Some have installed electric fencing for additional protection. For additional information about coyotes, including Frequently Asked Questions about coyotes, visit: http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/ profiles/mammals/land/coyote/faqs/. If you are experiencing coyote problems, contact FWC’s Wildlife Alert at 888-404-3922 or contact the FWC regional office in Lakeland: 863-648-3200. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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Florida
Seminole Pumpkins By Sandy Kaster, M.S. Clinical Medicines, B.S. Nutrition Science Florida is home to a special type of pumpkin, the Seminole pumpkin. Also known as Cucurbita moschata, the Seminole pumpkin is more closely related to butternut and Calabaza squash than the traditional pumpkin. They grow very fast and easily and are extremely tolerant to the heat, humidity, and rains that summertime in Florida brings. They are also known as the wild squash of the Everglades and are typically harvested in the summer months. The good news for all gardeners is that Seminole pumpkins grow vigorously despite little to no tending.
Seminole pumpkins weigh roughly three pounds and have tan skin, much like a butternut squash. The flesh is deep orange, dry, and sweet with a delicate flavor. Its hard shell allows for long storage periods, up to one year. Once a staple of Florida Native Americans, these special pumpkins now grow around the Everglades area. Like other varieties of pumpkins, the Seminole type is almost entirely edible, including its flesh, seeds, and flowers. Seminole pumpkins are full of nutrients, including beta-carotene (which is converted to vitamin A), vitamin C, vitamin E, dietary fiber, potassium, and many other minerals.
NUTRITION INFORMATION
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, one half cup of fresh boiled, drained pumpkin (245 g) contains 49 calories, 1.7 g of protein, 0.17 g of fat, 12 g of carbohydrate, and 2.7 g of fiber. It provides an incredible 245% of the recommended daily requirement for vitamin A, 19% for vitamin C, 8% for iron, and 4% for calcium. Pumpkins are also a good source of magnesium, folate, phosphorus, and dietary fiber.
HEALTHY LUNGS
Pumpkin and other foods rich in vitamin A may be beneficial to lung health. Researchers at Kansas State University discovered that carcinogens in cigarette smoke may deplete the body’s stores of vitamin A, and increase the likelihood of developing emphysema and lung cancer. They also discovered that a diet rich in vitamin A can reduce the risk of emphysema in animals exposed to smoke. The benefits occurred after eating foods high in vitamin A, and taking supplements did not have a similar beneficial effect.
HEALTHY VISION
With very high levels of beta carotene and vitamins A and C, pumpkin is great food for your eyes. One cup of pumpkin contains over 250% of your daily needs for vitamin A! In a study of over 50,000 women, those who consumed the highest dietary amount of vitamin A had a 39% reduced risk of developing cataracts. In another study that looked at the incidence of cataract surgery and diet, researchers found that those people who ate diets that included carrots had half the risk of cataract surgery. Beta-carotene also provides protection against macular degeneration and protects night vision. Vitamin A plays an important role especially in night vision and being able to see black and white. Additionally, this nutrient helps to maintain skin health, both when ingested and when used topically. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
ANTIOXIDANT PROTECTION: WARD OFF CANCER
Antioxidants are compounds with the ability to neutralize free radicals, which are harmful by-products of metabolism that can lead to disease. Antioxidants may reduce the risk of some diseases, including several forms of cancer. Pumpkins are bursting with vitamins A and C. High levels of these vitamins in the body have been linked to a decrease in cancers of the breast, bladder, cervix, prostrate, colon, and esophagus. Pumpkins are also full of zinc and omega 3 fatty acids which help support prostate health.
HOW TO SELECT AND STORE
Choose Seminole pumpkins that feel heavy for their size and are free of blemishes or soft spots. This special variety of pumpkin is smaller than those used to make jack-o-lanterns, but they are very sweet and delicious for eating. Seminole pumpkins are especially hardy and can be stored for up to one year in a dry and cool place.
HOW TO ENJOY
Seminole pumpkins are excellent baked, steamed, boiled or made into pie. Historically, early Florida settlers sliced, sun-dried and stored the surplus pumpkins. Very young, tender fruits are delicious boiled and mashed. The pumpkin flowers can be eaten dipped in batter and fried as fritters. Seminole pumpkins are flavorful and sweet and can be enjoyed in countless ways. Try roasting it with spices like cinnamon or nutmeg, or boiling cubes in a soup. Beyond the quintessential pumpkin pie, other serving ideas include: • Boil, combine with butternut squash or other winter squash, and mash for a quick side dish • Blend pumpkin puree with apple cider for a delicious autumn drink • Stir pumpkin puree into yogurt or a smoothie • Mix chunks or puree into oatmeal, soups, stews • Use puree in pancakes, breads, cookies • Roast pumpkin seeds for a healthy snack high in amino acids and zinc • Cut out the top, scoop out the seeds, and roast the entire pumpkin. Then use it as a serving bowl for soup, stew, or chili • Pumpkin-seed oil can be used in cooking or as a salad dressing • Pumpkin flowers can be eaten as a vegetable or used as a garnish Enjoy fresh Florida Seminole pumpkins today during their peak harvest. With their summer hardiness, long storage life, and super nutrition status, they are a delicious treat!
SELECTED REFERENCES http://www.edibleplantproject.org http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ http://urbanext.illinois.edu/pumpkins/facts.cfm Photo Credit: http://seminolepumpkinseeds.com INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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Rabies by Sheriff Grady Judd
Rabies is a viral infection which affects the nervous system of mammals, including humans. It is not a blood borne pathogen, and is almost always fatal to both people and animals. The virus is carried mainly by high risk rabies vector species of wild animals such as bobcats, skunks, raccoons, coyotes, foxes and bats, but stray dogs, cats, and ferrets are also at risk. Rabies is spread though a bite, scratch, or when the saliva, or tears of an infected carrier exposes another mammal. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Section is alerted to all animal bite/wild animal exposures for our area. Animal Control Officers respond, document the incident and follow established criteria for quarantine periods of involved animals in accordance with the Rabies Prevention and Control Guidelines established by the Florida Department of Health. If it is a high risk exposure, meaning the animal is among “rabies vector species” (RVS), or high risk, and the animal can be captured, it is sent to the Florida Department of Health laboratory for testing. Confirmed rabies results are immediately shared with the community. In 2014, Polk County had four total cases confirmed. Thus far in 2015, there have been four confirmed cases of rabies.
The third incident occurred on June 11, 2015 when a female living on Beverly Hills Road in Lakeland reported that while walking on her family’s property she was attacked by a fox. The fourth, incident occurred on Thursday, July 16, 2015. A resident living on the 700 block of North Palm Avenue, Frostproof, found a bat in her yard. She picked up the bat and it bit her. It’s important to stay away from all wild animals, never try to feed or handle wild animals. Do not approach any animal which is acting in an unusual or suspicious manner. Avoid contact with stray dogs and cats, even if you believe it’s your neighbor’s pet. Safeguard your home from wild animals by using screens over any openings in porches and any access to an attic or structure on your property. Ensure trash bins are secured and store pet food inside your home.
And most importantly, ensure you have a valid rabies vaccination for your pet. We recommend livestock also be vaccinated.
The first incident occurred on Wednesday, May 13, 2015, when a dog owner living on Stokes Road in Lake Wales reported that her dog killed a raccoon on the patio area of the home. The second incident occurred on Friday, June 5, 2015, when a dog owner living on 1800 block of J. Jackson Road, Fort Meade reported a dog was seen fighting with a raccoon. 40 40
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(Florida State Law 828.30 requires all dogs, cats, and ferrets four-months of age or older must be vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian against rabies with a vaccine that is licensed by the United Stated Department of Agriculture for use in those species and the interval between vaccinations shall conform to the vaccine manufacturer’s direction.) If you think you or your pet has had an “exposure,” please contact the PCSO Animal Control Section at 863.499.2600. For more information on Rabies, please visit: http://www. polksheriff.org/InsidePCSO/LE/SOD/BOSO/AC/Pages/RabiesandYou.aspx WWW.IIN NTTHE HEF FIELD IELDM MAGAZINE.COM AGAZINE.COM WWW.
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A Closer Look
By Sean Green
Photo Credit April Green
American Bamboo (Arundinaria)
Ancient culture and resources are easily buried and lost with the churning of modern technologies. I am increasingly fascinated with ancient ways, and the more I learn, the more I appreciate the genius involved. The most fundamental task of gaining food and shelter would be beyond most of our modern population without the forgotten technologies of the past. The people of early civilizations engineered tools and weapons from whatever resources they could find near them. The bamboos are the largest member of the grass family and, although associated with the “Old World” of the Eastern Hemisphere, bamboo was once common and abundant in the Southeastern regions of North America. A closer look at America’s native bamboos may revive its value as an agricultural resource even in the modern world. All continents except Antarctica and Europe have at least one native bamboo. The bamboos are a flowering perennial evergreen plant in the grass family and divided into three “tribes” that correspond with geographic distribution. Arundinariae is the woody bamboo found in temperate climates and includes the genus (Arundinaria), which is the only temperate bamboo native to North America. Arundinaria, is commonly called “cane” but is not the sugarcane (Saccharum) we think of when we hear it. Sometimes the terminology “cane” and “bamboo” are incorrectly used to contrast one from the other. From a scientific perspective, they are essentially the same, they are both grasses in the Poaceae family. As a grass, these plants lack sapwood, heartwood or growth rings that characterize other woody plants. The difference in terminology describes more of a regional difference than a biologic one. Species known as “bamboo” belong to the Phyllostachys and Bambusa genera native to South Asia, Southeast Asia and East Asia. Species described as “cane” include the Arundo genera of the Mediterranean Basin and the Far East and the Arundinaria genera of North America. Early explorers of North America described vast stands of “canebrakes,” which are thickets of bamboo, specifically the Arundinaria genera. Canebrakes develop in the moist environments of floodplains, wetlands, and rivers but can also grow in pine, oak, and cypress forests. Prior to the European colonization the once abundant canebrakes were home to over 50 species of invertebrates, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds. The prey and game within canebrakes could be hunted year round. The American bison (Bison bison), The American black bear (Ursus americanus), Marsh rabbits(Sylvilagus palustris) ,White Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and Wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) were once common denizens. The abundance of prey animals living in canebrakes attracted some of the region’s most significant predators which may have included the red wolf(Canis rufus), the Florida black wolf (Canis lupus floridanus), the Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi) and the bobcat (Lynx WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
rufus), and in northern Florida the infamous Canebrake or Timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus). Many of these animals are now endangered or extinct. The bamboo found in canebrakes is just as fascinating as the animals it supports. Bamboo is one of the most versatile natural resources in the history of human civilization. It has been a food and medicine as well as raw material for dwellings, tools, weapons, and jewelry. The earliest surviving evidence of a bamboo dwelling was found in South America and is estimated to be over 9,500 years old. Modern studies have examined and documented some remarkable chemical, physical, and mechanical properties of bamboo that ancient cultures seem to have known intuitively. Unlike wood, bamboo has no rays or knots and thereby distribute stress through the length of the stalk more efficiently. Testing reveals bamboo has a higher tensile (stretching) strength than many steel alloys, a higher compression (load) strength than many concrete mixtures, and a higher specific strength (strength/weight ratio) than many other materials. Bamboo fibers are dense enough to allow it to bend without breaking and the high silica content of the fibers cannot be digested by termites. Houses made of bamboo are known to withstand 9.0 magnitude earthquakes. When bent, bamboo will actually produce measurable electricity. Thomas Edison’s earliest commercially produced light bulbs used carbonized bamboo filaments from 1880 – 1886. Bamboo, specifically River cane(Arundinaria gigantea), was used by the tribes of the Eastern Woodlands, notably the Cherokee, Seminole, and Choctaw to make various weapons such as blowguns, bows, arrows, and spears. The traditional Native American flute and tobacco pipes were made of smaller culms (stalks) of bamboo. Bamboo is resistant to damp conditions and is ideal for weaving fish traps, bed mats, rope, and clothing, in fact, unlike fibers like hemp, bamboo gets stronger, not weaker when wet. Bamboo was used as a writing surface as early as 1500 BC; Sanskrit records from this period describe parts of the bamboo plant that are used in ayurveda (Indian) and Chinese medicine. As a crop, bamboo is one of the most sustainable and valuable yields in the history of agriculture. Bamboo grows faster than any other plant in the world and can do so on marginal land with minimal fertilizer and pesticide inputs. Bamboo has a matrix of rhizomes that filter sedimentation and nutrient pollution out of agriculture runoff and stabilize the soil in areas prone to flooding. More than 98% of the large canebrakes that once characterized the Southeast are gone; what remains of the canebrake ecosystem is considered “critically endangered” by the National Biologic Service. Native Arundinaria bamboo will grow well in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 9 in well drained sandy, loamy, or clay soils and could offer tremendous opportunity for Florida farmers, our community, and our local environment, if we take a closer look. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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Naturally Amazing Activities
By Sean Green
Fire Piston
The ancient art of making fire was one of the most significant advancements in human history. Early civilizations made fire by one of two methods, either by rubbing two sticks together (friction) or by striking two rocks together (percussion). The greatest challenge was finding the right raw material (wood or rock) for the task, each method requires specific properties for suitable material. Early European travelers describe accounts of aboriginal civilizations in the jungles of Indonesia lighting cigarettes with a tube of wood that could create a hot coal with a quick push on a plunger. This device is commonly called the “Fire Piston” or “Fire Syringe.” Ancient examples of the tube are made of hardwood, bamboo and sometimes horn. It has a very smooth and accurate bore and is closed on one end. A piston was crafted for a snug fit within the tube and a “gasket” for the piston was made from wound fiber or leather to make an airtight seal, and then coated with grease from wild boar to allow the piston to glide smoothly within the cylinder. The end of the piston had a shallow depression to hold tinder material. When the piston is quickly thrust into the cylinder, the tinder ignites and the piston is quickly removed to expose a glowing coal of tinder with which a tinder bundle could be lit to start a larger campfire.
over 300 degrees in a split second. Records of the use of a “Fire Syringe” to demonstrate the principle of compression ignition to scientific communities date back to 1802 in both France and England. A New York Times article makes the claim that the fire piston was invented in 1745 by Abbe Augustin Ruffo (“The Pneumatic Tinderbox”, New York Times. 9 October 1876). Although there is very little documentation of the true origins of the fire piston, it’s historic distribution and use seem to coincide with primitive tribes in Southeast Asia, many of which are known to have crafted blowguns out of the native bamboo. It reasonable to entertain the possibility that fire pistons could have been discovered by accident while attempting to punch the node (plug) out of a bamboo culm (stem) to make a blowgun. This month, we will explore the principle of compression ignition by attempting to make a fire piston out of clear acrylic so the mini explosion can be seen. If successful, the finished piece can be used to start a campfire as well as safely demonstrate the principle to children. For those who want to attempt a more traditional method, simply use natural materials (italicized in the materials list) rather than manufactured materials. While doing this project think about the skill that must have been necessary to hand carve the components with precision with little more than tools made from shells, bone, horn, rocks, or whatever the early hunters improvised.
The concept of how a “Fire Piston” works is simple; rapid compression of any gas increases its pressure and the temperature of the gas rises with it, the higher the compression, the higher the temperature. If the gas is compressed quick enough, it can reach temperatures of
Suggested Material: Natural methods italicized Cylinder 10” x ½” inside diameter tube (clear acrylic, PVC, metal, wood) Piston 10” x ½” outer diameter rod (clear acrylic, PVC, metal, wood) Packing ½ “ outer diameter rubber O-Rings, ( plant fibres (Raffia) Grip Wooden Knob, Acrylic T-Fitting, (cordage (palm, bamboo, milkweed, inner bark) Wood Glue (Pine Pitch Glue, Hide Glue, Starch Glue) * natural recipes not included in this tutorial Other Glue (Acrylic Glue, PVC Glue, etc.. depending on the manufactured materials used.) Tinder True Tinder Fungus (Inonotus obliquus) False Tinder Fungus (Fomes fomentarius) Powder-Puff Lichen (Cladonia Evansii ) Sabal Palm Fibers (Sabal palmetto) Traditional woods included an Asian species (Streblus elongatus) in the Mulberry family (Moraceae). The closest relative that may have been found by our Native American civilizations could have been the Florida strangler fig (Ficus aurea) or the Paper Mulberry (Streblus cordatus) (reclassified as Broussonetia papyrifera). Bamboo and horn, of course, were also a traditional materials, bamboo may have been the easiest to work with considering it’s physical characteristics of already being a tube and having one of the highest compressive strength of any woody material.
Create a cylinder that is plugged on one end (>> note cylinder is NOT cut to length yet << ) The recommended length of the cylinder is 4” to 5”, longer cylinders will be harder to use. Cut about 1” of acrylic off the clear acrylic piston and glue it to the inside of one end of the clear acrylic cylinder to create a plug. It’s easier to cut the final length of the cylinder after the piston is finished. * Plugging is not necessary for natural materials, Bamboo has a nodes (plug) throughout the culm that plug the cylinder, simply cut the bamboo to a 4” or 5” piece so the node seals one end.
Create a cavity in one end of the piston to hold tinder
Drill a hole (about 3/16” diameter) into the piston (drill press needed), cut at the top of the hole to create a claw, alternatively you can use a round file to create a U shaped claw on the end of the piston. Cut a smaller diameter bamboo rod (must fit inside cylinder) about 44
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1/8” above a node (the node forms a bowl to hold the tinder)
Groove the piston to secure a gasket
Saw or file a groove in the piston about ¼” above the tinder cavity created in the previous step. The groove should be just deep enough to hold the rubber gasket (about1/16”) The groove can be made by cutting a V pattern with a sharp object (knife, shell,bone)
Attach the Gasket
Slip the O-ring into the piston groove, (it should extend beyond the piston for an airtight seal in the cylinder) wind fibers into the piston groove, (it should extend beyond the piston for an airtight seal in the cylinder) using natural fibers may require a wider seal of 1/6” to 1/8”
Grease the gasket
Petroleum Jelly can be used to lubricate the rubber O-ring gasket. Traditionally animal fat was used to lubricate fiber gaskets, but water is also effective because many natural fibers swell when they become wet. Bees wax may have also been used as both a gasket and lubricant. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
Attach a comfortable handle to the piston
Attach the knob to the piston with an appropriate adhesive (wood glue, acrylic glue, pvc glue, screws) Natural adhesives can include pine pitch, animal hide glue, starch glue. (recipes can be found online)
Measure and cut the cylinder to its final length.
Once the piston handle is dry, measure the distance from the bottom of the handle to the end of the piston where the tinder cavity is. Total cylinder length should be about 3/16” deeper than the length of the piston to create an air chamber of 3/16” when the piston is inserted all the way to the handle.
Test the compression
When the piston is pushed into the cylinder slowly, it will return to its starting position when released if the gasket is providing an air tight If the piston notlandscape return to issues; startingpruning positionpractices; on its deed seal. restrictions dealingdoes with own, thereplants is an air leak must non-native be addressed beforepesticide the fire piston problem such as that invasive, plants; and ferwill work. tilization practices; plant nutritional deficiencies; mulch application; and system issues including frequency and timing of appliTo useirrigation the Fire Piston cations.a Other areas interest cited bythe communities particiGather small, frequent fluffy, pinch of of tinder, place it in piston cavity. pating or in wet the the FFLpiston Community Association Outreach Program have Grease gasket and slide it into the cylinder. Brace the stormwater cylinder against sturdy surface andpractices, ram the piston included ponda best management dealinginto with the cylinder. erosion caused by stormwater runoff and questions involving Quickly remove the cylinder to expose the (hopefully) glowing ember reclaimed of tinder. water. Evaluations and recommendations are based on science-based research UF/IFAS. In bundle. addition to site evaluations, the Use the tinder ember from to ignite a tinder Community Association Outreach Program offers onsite presentations about the FFL principles. The FFL Community Association Outreach Program is a free resource for HOAs and other community associations to provide for guidance in instituting sustainable landscape practices, reviewing landscaperelated covenants and working with landscape maintenance contractors. FFL has had several success stories with communities that adopted FFL practices from which they were able to see reduced water consumption and water utility and maintenance costs. Contact me at the Hillsborough County Extension Service, 813-744-5519 x 54142, if these services would benefit your homeowner or condominium association. For more information on environmental horticulture topics, contact your local County Extension Service. Additional information on Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ can be accessed at http:/ /floridayards.org, http://fyn.ifas.ufl.edu and WaterMatters.org. The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Community Association Outreach Program is sponsored by the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, the Hillsborough and Polk Boards of County Commissioners and the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
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