In The Field magazine Polk edition

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February 2024 VOL. 17 • ISSUE 6

CONTENTS

2024 PCYF PARADE OF CHAMPIONS

28 Cover Photos and this photo by: TK Photography

PAGE 10 From The Scientific Field

PAGE 32 Sustainable Agriculture

PAGE 12 Thoughts from the Heifer pen

PAGE 35 News Briefs

PAGE 14 Fishing Hot Spots

PAGE 36 John Dicks PAGE 38 4H Boost

PAGE 16 Endangered Species

PAGE 40

PAGE 18 Glamping

Recipes

PAGE 42

PAGE 22 Rocking Chair Chatter

Activity

PAGE 43

PAGE 27 Lemons

A Closer Look

PAGE 44 PCSO

Hey Readers!

Hidden somewhere in the magazine is a No Farmers, No Food logo. Hunt for the logo and once you find the hidden logo you will be eligible for a drawing to win a FREE No Farmers No Food Sticker. Send us your business card or an index card with your name and telephone number, the number of the page which you found the logo and where on the page you located the logo to the address below

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InTheField® Magazine P.O. Box 5377 • Plant City, Fl. 33566-0042 *Winners will be notified by phone. You Too Can Be A Winner!

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February

2024

Polk County Cattlemen’s Association P.O. Box 9005 • Drawer HS03 Bartow, FL. 33831-9005

President – Dr. Lujean Waters 8750 Shreck Rd Bartow, FL 33830 (863) 537-1495 Lujean.waters@gmail.com

James Stice PO Box 460 Highland City, FL 33846 (813) 714-2333 jstice@verizon.net

Vice President – Ken Sherrouse 13475 Moore Rd Lakeland, FL 33809-9755 (863) 698-1834 kensherrouse@yahoo.com

Dave Tomkow 3305 US Highway 92 E Lakeland, FL 33801-9623 (863) 665-5088 dave@cattlemens1.com

Secretary/Treasurer - Justin Bunch Alternate PO Box 849 Standing Committee Chairs: Highland City, FL 33846-0849 Membership (863) 425-112 Justin.bunch@nutrien.com Events- Scott Shoupe State Director – Orrin Webb PO Box 202 Bartow, FL 33831 (863) 634-6029 owebb@wandwsupply.com Donald Conroy 3882 Wolfolk Rd Fort Meade, FL 33841 (863) 412-0790 Stuart Fitzgerald PO Box 1437 Lake Wales, FL 33859 (863) 206-5021 stuartcattlellc@yahoo.com Kevin Fussell 5125 Fussell Rd Polk City, FL 33868 (863) 412-5876 drfussellranch@gmail.com Wes Fussell 5010 Barush Rd Bartow, FL 33830 (863) 838-1594 g.wesfussell@gmail.com Det. Jay Scarborough 1575 Mountt Pisgah Rd Fort Meade, FL 33841 (863) 860-7731 Jayscarborough5581@outlook. com Scott Shoupe 6130 Allen Lane Lakeland, FL 33811 (863) 581-7593 Scott_shoupe@hotmail.com

Trade Show- Bridget Stice Rodeo- Fred Waters PO Box 463 Alturas, FL 33820-0463 (863) 559-7808 Website – Blair Buchanon Cattlewomen – President, Blair Buchanon 8444 Tom Costine Rd Lakeland, FL 33809 (863) 581-2711 Buckld96@gmail.com Extension – Bridget Stice PO Box 9005, Drawer HS03 Bartow, FL 33831 (863) 519-1048 bccarlis@ufl.edu Sheriff’s Dept. – Lt. Paul Wright 1891 Jim Keen Blvd.

Winter Haven, FL 33880 (863) 557-1741 pw5281@polksheriff.org Sgt. Tim Sanders 1891 Jim Keen Blvd.

Winter Haven, FL 33880 (863) 656-6119 brusso@polksheriff.org Warner University – Abby Crawford 13895 Highway 27 Lake Wales, FL 33859 (863) 638-7248 Abby.crawford@warner.edu

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Save $5.00 on Adult & $1.00 on Youth General Admission Tickets at

Artists Appearing on the

Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra

Thu. Feb. 29, 10:30 FREE

Soundstage:

out of this world!

The Oak Ridge Boys

OLIVER ANTHONY

Thu. Feb. 29, 3:30

Thu. Feb. 29, 7:30 $35

American Made Farewell Tour

$35

The Beach Boys Fri. Mar. 1, 3:30 $45

Out of The Woods

Feb. 29 - Mar. 10, 2024 Plant City, FL Chick-fil-A® Ride-A-Thon Day Mar. 4

Florida Blue SENIOR DAYS Feb. 29 & Mar. 7

Jordan Davis

Black Eyed Peas

Parker McCollum

Sat. Mar. 2, 7:30 $65

Fri. Mar. 1, 7:30 $55

Seniors 60+ get $5 Off At Gate

The Bellamy Brothers Mon. Mar. 4, 3:30 $25

Sun. Mar. 3, 7:30 $65

$5 Off with any Chick-fil-A proof of purchase

O’Reilly Auto Parts ™ Ride-A-Thon Days Feb. 29 & Mar. 7 Ride All Day $20 with $5 Off voucher from participating stores

ZZ TOP

Mark Lowry

Mon. Mar. 4, 7:30 $55

Riley Green

Wed. Mar. 6, 7:30 $50

Tue. Mar. 5, 3:30 $30

Bill Haley Jr. & The Comets Thu. Mar. 7, 10:30 FREE

Gene Watson

Thu. Mar. 7, 3:30 $25

Zach Williams Tue. Mar. 5, 7:30 $40

Wed. Mar. 6, 3:30 $35

Get FREE with each Midway wristband purchase!

Food & Fun Friday Mar. 1 $5 Off Wristband w/any Publix or GreenWise non-perishable item

See Website for Details

Kirk Franklin

Thu. Mar. 7, 7:30 $45

MIDFLORIDA CU Free Kids Day Mar. 2

Home of OUR

The Commodores Fri. Mar. 8, 3:30 $35

FOREIGNER

Fri. Mar. 8, 7:30 $55

Jo Dee Messina Sat. Mar. 9, 3:30 $30

Concert dates and times are subject to change

Visit FLstrawberryfestival.com or call 813-754-1996 and get your tickets for the best seats available!

Flo Rida

Sat. Mar. 9, 7:30 $50

Cody Johnson

While online, check out the Free Entertainment and Special Days and Discounts and full Schedule of Festival Events.

Grow Financial FCU AMERICAN HEROES DAY Mar. 6

ALL Military & Veterans Law Enforcement First Responders & Healthcare Professionals admitted Free with valid ID

Ride-A-Thon Mar. 6 Ride All Day $25 Tampa Bay Times Day on the Midway Mar. 8

Kids thru High School Free Admission

#berryfest24

Florida Peanut Federation TWOSDAY Mar. 5 Single Rides $2 each Kids up to 17 FREE Adm. With Paid Adult

Rotary Club of Plant City Special Smiles Day for Special Needs Mar. 1, 9am - Noon

Craig Morgan

Ride All Day $20

Noon - 10pm, $5 Off Fun Pack Ride Coupon Book with printed Times coupon

Circle K Super Saturdays Mar. 2 & Mar. 9

Moonlight Magic Mar. 8 10pm - 2am $30

$5 Off Wristband with a Circle K register receipt

Ride All Day $30

Coca-Cola Family Days Mar. 3 & Mar. 10 Ride All Day $25 w/any empty Coke brand can or plastic bottle

Sun. Mar. 10 6:00 pm

LOWE’S Grand Parade Day Mar. 4

Sun. Mar. 10, 7:30 $75

• T-Mobile • Alessi Bakeries • AMSCOT • Astin Farms • Candyland Warehouse • Global Frequency Technology • TRUFFOIRE • Circle K • Local Ford Dealers • O’Reilly Auto Parts • Grove Equipment Service • Stingray Chevrolet • Uncommon USA • Monticciolo Sedation Dentistry • Netterfield’s Concessions • Verizon • Badcock Home Furniture &more • Good Health Saunas • Krazy Kup • DIRECTV • Images Everywhere!

• Master Spas • Choo Choo Lawn Equipment • Florida Blue • Advantage Restoration & Contracting • Entenmann’s • The Bank of Tampa • Solution Source Construction & Development • Suncoast Credit Union • ICEE • AT&T • Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association • General RV Center • SUN ’n FUN Aerospace Expo • AUSSIE GRILL • Eli Lilly and Company INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

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2024

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STAFF

Letter from the Editor

Publisher/Photography Karen Berry Senior Managing Editor/ Associate Publisher Sarah Holt Editor Patsy Berry

As I write this, we are mid-way through the Florida State Fair. Opening day, as usual, kicked off with the Fresh From Florida breakfast held in the Ag Hall of Fame building. Farmers and ranchers, representatives from Florida’s agriculture community, and others join together with local and state politicians for the event that features Fresh From Florida products of all kinds.

We should all be thankful to live in a country, and state, with access to abundant, nutritious food. In addition, we have one of the safest food supplies in the world. Those raising the food number less than 2% of the population of the country. Hard to believe, isn’t it?

I shared this last year, but I feel it needs and deserves another share. We’ve seen it in many places and even heard it in commercials. It’s Paul Harvey’s 1978 speech to members of the FFA. I’m sharing just a portion of it, but I encourage you to look it up. Even if you have heard it and read it before, do it again.

And on the 8th day, God looked down on his planned paradise and said, “I need a caretaker.”

God said, “I need somebody willing ot get up before dawn, milk cows, work all day in the fields, milk cows again, eat supper, then go to town and stay past midnight at a meeting of the school board.”

God had to have somebody willing to ride the ruts at double speed to get the hay in ahead of the rain clouds, and yet stop in mid-field and race to help when he sees the first smoke from a neighbor’s place.

It had to be somebody who’d plow deep and straight and not cut corners; somebody to seed, weed, feed, breed and rake and disc and plow and plant and tie fleece and strain the milk and replenish the self-feeder and finish a hard week’s work with a five-mile drive to church; somebody who would bale a family together with the soft, strong bonds of sharing, who would laugh, and then sigh, and then reply, with smiling eyes, when his son says that he wants to spend his life “doing what dad does.”

---So God made a Farmer.

Sarah Holt

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Photography Karen Berry Images By Blair Staff Writers Al Berry Sandy Kaster James Frankowiak Sean Green

Contributing Writers Wade Osborne John Dicks Social Media Victoria Saunders

In The Field Magazine is published monthly and is available through local Polk County businesses, restaurants, and many local venues. It is also distributed by U.S. mail to a target market, which includes all of the Greenbelt Property owners, members of the Polk County Catllemen’s Association.

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.

The LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. - Numbers 6:25 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

Creative Director/Illustrator Juan Alvarez

Letters, comments and questions can be sent to P.O. Box 5377, Plant City, Florida 33563-0042 or you are welcome to email them to: info@inthefieldmagazine.com or call 813-759-6909

Until Next Month

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Sales Karen Berry Sarah Holt De De Floyd Melissa Nichols

February

2024

Published by Berry Publications, Inc. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

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Happy February!

This year has been extremely busy for the Polk County Cattlemen, and this month is exceptionally exciting!

February is our biggest month of the year with our biggest event, the Annual Polk County Ranch Rodeo and Trade Show! This event has several features including a Trade Show with local Agricultural vendors from cattle pharmaceuticals to agriculture equipment. This is a great opportunity to meet some local businesses and learn about their products!

Last year was our first year to hold the Youth Whip Popping Contest which we are excited to continue this year.

Each contestant will have an allotted amount of time to show off their whip-cracking skills in order to win the top prize. This event helps our youth showcase their talents while celebrating our heritage of the “cracker” namesake. Sign-ups for this event will be held at the start of the Trade Show.

This will be our 16th Annual Ranch Rodeo, this rodeo features six main events that mimic everyday ranch activities. They are meant to showcase the talents of real-life local working cowboys and cowgirls as well as their horses as they compete for the top spot! Each team consists of four men and one woman sponsored by a local working ranch or agriculture enterprise. The events include calf branding, colt riding, wild cow milking, women’s sorting, calf branding, double mugging, and senior sorting, for our “seasoned” ranch hands!

Please mark your calendars and join us at the Bartow Agriculture Complex on Saturday, February 17. The Trade Show at 10 am, Whip Popping at Noon, and the Rodeo begins at 1 pm. Bring your valentine and enjoy a home-cooked meal from our Local Polk County CattleWomen!

Dr. LuJean Waters

Dr. LuJean Waters

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Heartland Large Animal Services

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With every generation,

we get better at protecting our environment.

Reclamation ecologists like Ashlee work to return mined lands to productive use as wildlife habitats, public parks and more—so future generations can enjoy these lands for years to come.

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®

FROM THE SCIENTIFIC FIELD

Dr. Natalia Peres demonstrates to UF President Ben Sasse and his son Breck and an advisor how she uses technology to detect strawberry disease.

Even when we find things are pretty good, we try to leave them better off than when we found them.

The Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) didn’t need fixing when I became leader of UF/IFAS three and a half years ago. The challenge was how to build on the great things it’s already doing for you.

To build on those great things, GCREC Director Jack Rechcigl persuaded me to build. That is, I had the good sense to immediately get behind what Kenneth Parker, Tony DiMare, David Carson, Chip Hinton, Jack and others asked me to build.

When it gets built, the Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture at GCREC will transform farming in Hillsborough, Polk and the other 65 Florida counties. It will focus on developing the technologies that make you a better and more globally competitive farmer. You’re going to get tools that will revolutionize agriculture the way tractors did a century ago.

When I attend the ribbon cutting, it won’t be as the leader of UF/IFAS. Last July, UF President Ben Sasse asked me to temporarily serve as provost, basically second in command at the university and its chief academic officer. In January, he announced that it wasn’t temporary.

That hasn’t stopped me from championing the AI center. I have continued as provost to educate lawmakers and industry leaders about the many benefits of the center as we seek the rest of the funding in Tallahassee to allow us to build it.

You’re fortunate to have legislators who understand the impact the center will have and the legislative expertise to secure funding. Rep. Lawrence McClure and Senators Ben Albritton and Kathleen Passidomo in particular, deserve our thanks.

It’s also fortunate that with my move to a new job there is continuity in the role of senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources, a successor who fully supports the AI center and GCREC. Rob Gilbert has already been leading UF/IFAS since July when I moved over to the provost’s office, and he will continue in that role.

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Being provost wasn’t my first choice. I’d rather be visiting the Florida Strawberry Growers Association research farm in Do-

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By J. Scott Angle

Photo is of Commissioner Simpson and President Sasse with Scott visiting GCREC in June 2023.

ver, congratulating Karl Grooms and his family on their many industry accolades and the expansion of their retail operations, or taking President Sasse on a tour of GCREC. I took Sasse on that tour last June. He must have been impressed, because a few weeks later he came to my house and told me he was making me the interim provost. A few months later, he reached out to GCREC faculty member Natalia Peres, who demonstrated on that tour how she’s using technology to manage strawberry diseases, to ask that she be the faculty speaker at our December commencement ceremonies. It was the first faculty member not based in Gainesville we know of to deliver the faculty address at commencement.

As provost, I’ll have the opportunity to just walk down the hall to be agriculture’s champion in the president’s office. I hope to translate that access into his continued support for agriculture as we saw recently in his decision to invest $2 million from a university strategic fund to launch our Crop Transformation Center, whose first target is a biotech breeding solution to HLB. Hillborough-Polk leaders will help me. In January, I walked down that hall with two trays of Plant City strawberries that Sizemore Farms and the FSGA sent up. There are a lot of bids for the president’s attention, but few that are sweeter than a clamshell of Florida Brilliance.

I hope you’ll embrace Rob Gilbert the way you embraced me. Please tell him how he and UF/IFAS can serve you.

Invite him to your farms.

Don’t forget about me. I won’t forget you, and I’ll do my best to make sure that President Sasse doesn’t either.

J. Scott Angle is the University of Florida’s Provost. He served as UF’s Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources and leader of the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/ IFAS) from July 2020 through January 2024.

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THOUGHTS FROM THE HEIFER PEN Growing up as I was scared of a lot of things. I wasn’t a timid child, but my imagination did tend to run rampant about what could go wrong in situations. My childhood fears that kept me up at night were not monsters under the bed or the boogeyman in the closet. Six-year-old me was kept up at night scared that World War III would happen, a tornado would strike, or the house would catch on fire while we were sleeping… possibly all at once. After many nights of consolation from my parents and some years of maturing, I realized that most of my nighttime fears were unfounded. In my teenage years, I laughed at what little me had lost so much sleep over. Because obviously if World War III broke out, teenage me would be joining the underground freedom fighters and have lots of adventures.

When you are a teenager, there is too much potential in life to be really afraid of anything.

By Marisol Tarango

by the chaos that the whole country had erupted in. It was kind of nice to have something else to concentrate on than fear of future career choices. But the other choices of anxiety that people were dealing with were not much better. Things worked out though that summer. I was able to get a paid internship that I could do from my house, I got to spend time with family and work on my parent’s ranch and gained experiences that I would not have otherwise had. The nervousness of not having a direct career path or typical job that everyone else seemed to have dissipated as things seemed to fall into place in ways that I could not have orchestrated. Before my one-year anniversary of graduating college, I had a job I was very happy with and was able to pursue my passions.

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But even when all your needs are met, anxiety and fear still creep up on you. Fears that you feel stuck in life and anxiety Then I started to get a little wary about life. When I was 18, I was that you want to do more in life, but you don’t know exactly excited to graduate high school and go to college. Of course, what that entails. Couple that with the realization that you will there was some slight anxiety about what the future would be hitting the quarter century mark in a few months, and you hold, but everything was still a grand adventure. There were have the ingredients for the perfect quarterlife crisis. It really new things to learn, new friends to be made, and decisions that makes those college anxieties look like baby fears. Like monI got to make for myself instead of having them made for me. sters hiding under the bed fears.

But after a few semesters, things weren’t as new and shiny.

Suddenly there were grown-up decisions to be made, like It’s really strange though, what tends to give you fear and what school I wanted to transfer to, what I wanted my major to anxiety. Even now when it looks like the societal collapse and be, and making big financial decisions. There were some days World War III are not terribly far-fetched fears, they are not the that I just wanted to be back in high school where my work was fears that keep me up at night. It’s like I know exactly what to just assigned to me, and my biggest concern was getting my do in an emergency situation, but I don’t know what to do when homework done as fast as possible so that I could go ride my life is unrolling at a normal pace. horse. I was worried that I might be missing something. That maybe I might wish I would have done something different But for all my anxious days that I have spent on this earth, God later on, but I didn’t even know if there was something that I has always given me answers and provided ways that far outwas missing out on. I think my biggest fear at that time was just weighed my anxieties. Maybe the reason that as my life pronot knowing exactly what my next step would be as college gresses my old anxieties seem like silly fears that I should not have given time to is because God gave His time to look afgraduation loomed nearer and nearer. ter my anxieties and take care of my troubles. He has a pretty The year I graduated college was 2020, so my anxiety of grad- good track record about those things. uating college and finding the perfect job was overshadowed

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Commissioner Wilton Simpson Seeks Nominations for 2024 Woman of the Year in Agriculture and Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Awards

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the opening of the nomination process for the Woman of the Year in Agriculture Award and the AgriculturalEnvironmental Leadership Awards. The Woman of the Year in Agriculture Award annually recognizes the achievements of women who have made outstanding contributions to Florida agriculture, and the Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Awards are presented annually, spotlighting environmentally innovative growers and ranchers who share a commitment to protecting and preserving Florida’s resources while continuing to produce the world-class agricultural goods we rely on.

Nominations for both awards must be submitted by March 1, 2024.

“These awards are a celebration of the exceptional individuals who have contributed to the growth and innovation of Florida’s agriculture industry,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson.

“I encourage everyone to nominate deserving individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to agriculture – their dedication, innovation, and unwavering commitment deserve recognition.”

Woman of the Year in Agriculture Award Since 1985, women who have made outstanding contributions to Florida agriculture have been honored with the Woman of the Year in Agriculture Award. This award, sponsored by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in conjunction with the Florida State Fair Authority, is presented annually to the recipient during the Florida State Fair in Tampa, Florida. Previous recipients of the award have come from all parts of the agriculture industry, including cattle, vegetables, timber, citrus, row crops, equine, horticulture, tropical fruits,

Nomination forms for the Woman of the Year in Agriculture Award can be obtained and submitted online or by downloading the nomination form and mailing the completed form.

More information and updates on the Woman of the Year in Agriculture Award can be found here.

Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award The Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award has been presented annually since 1994. The program spotlights the environmentally innovative farming practices of the state’s growers and ranchers. Award recipients come from different parts of Florida’s agricultural industry, but they all share a commitment to protect and preserve Florida’s resources while continuing to provide agricultural products for society.

Nomination forms for the Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Awards can be obtained and submitted online or by downloading the nomination form and mailing the completed form. More information and updates on the Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Awards can be found here.

For more information about Commissioner Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FDACS.gov. https://www.fdacs.gov/Agriculture-Industry/AgriculturalAwards-and-Honors/Woman-of-the-Year-in-AgricultureAward/Online-Application-for-Woman-of-the-Year-in-Agriculture INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE

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sugar cane, dairy, agricultural journalism, and agricultural education and outreach.

Not only is it strawberry season, but snook season opens on March 1st.

Capt. Wade Osborne

With El Nino waning and cold fronts diminishing, water temperatures are on the rise. Once temperatures reach the lower 70s, the grass flats come alive. As March progresses and temperatures continue to warm, more and more baitfish move onto the grass flats. Snook, redfish and seatrout follow the bait to feed. It’s truly a magical time of year to fish in Tampa Bay. Now it’s time to wean yourself off shrimp and start using scaled sardines.

Even though you can start catching baitfish on most Bay area grass flats in early March, don’t count on all flats having it.

March is a transitional month. There are days when I still have to catch my bait in water 15-20 feet deep. That’s why it’s important to always carry a heavy deepwater castnet and a lighter shallow-water castnet. You just never know!

inches, commonly called “rat reds.” Rat reds like to hang out around mangrove roots adjacent to deep-water channels and canals.

This month with warmer water temperatures and higher tide phases, look for slot-size redfish on most grass flats around oyster beds. Also, be on the lookout for mullet. Redfish like to travel the flats with mullet and eat the baitfish and crustaceans the mullet kick up as they feed while moving across the grass.

The slot limit for redfish is between 18 and 27 inches. The bag limit is one fish per person, with a two-fish vessel limit.

Once you’ve loaded your livewell, it’s time to hit the flats.

Snook will finally start to move out of the backcountry and the deep-water canals in search of food. Mangrove points and shorelines are excellent spots to catch snook. They like to hang out in these areas to easily ambush baitfish during a good incoming or outgoing tidal flow.

The best way to know if snook are in a feeding mood is to pitch out some live bait. Chumming not only triggers a bite, but it also gives you an idea of how many snook are in your chosen spot. Once snook start popping some of the bait you just tossed out, cast a bait to the same spot for an instant hookup.

The slot limit for snook is between 28 and 33 inches. The bag limit is one fish per person, per day.

The seatrout fishing started out with a bang this year. There have been days when I’ve had to release as many large seatrout, if not more than we’ve kept. All have been caught on shrimp in deep water and it doesn’t seem to matter if the tide is incoming or outgoing. Dead-end residential canals and channels protected from the wind by mangroves have been the hot spots.

Some days clients have been catching them on the very first cast; other days it may take a little while for them to respond to the bait. Once the scent of shrimp spreads throughout the water column and a few are caught, it seems the action really starts picking up.

The slot limit for seatrout is between 15 and 19 inches. The bag limit is three fish per person, with a one fish over 19-inch vessel limit.

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26-Year Veteran Fishing Guide, Captain Wade Osborne.

Capt. Woody Gore (www.captainwoodygore.com)

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February

Last month I caught very few redfish over 25 inches, most were less than 18 2024

The sheepshead spawn in Tampa Bay is in full swing and runs right through April.

Many people only associate targeting sheepshead around bridge and dock pilings. Sheepshead also spawn around rock piles, artificial reefs, and even over sandy potholes on most grass flats.

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Most people are aware that bonnethead sharks like to hang out at the power plant outflows during the winter, but they’re on some of the grass flats in upper Tampa Bay too. The nice thing about bonnethead fishing; they’re not too picky about the choice of bait. They actually love shrimp!

Sheepshead are referred to as “Convict Fish” and “Bait Stealers.” Some anglers claim, that to catch them you have to set the hook before they eat the bait! I’m not sure about that, but if you get a bite and reel back in half a shrimp, toss it back out, you just might catch that fish on the second go around.

The minimum size limit for sheepshead is 12 inches. The daily bag limit is eight fish per person, with a 50-fish vessel limit during March and April.

If you should have some kids aboard and just want to have some fun, Power Pole down on a grass flat and start a shrimp chum slick. Soon their rods will be bent and they will be screaming louder than the reels.

There is no minimum size limit for bonnetheads. The daily bag limit is one per person, with a twoshark vessel limit.

Afishionado, “Always an Adventure.”

Tampa fishing guide Wade Osborne of “Afishionado Guide Services” has been plying the waters of Tampa Bay as a professional full-time captain, since 1997. Osborne has been featured on numerous TV and radio shows and writes for multiple publications. Osborne offers inshore fishing charters on light tackle spin, fly or plug. He also offers eco-tours with an emphasis on photography. For more info visit Afishionado.com or find Afishionado Guide Services on Facebook and Instagram. Email: wade@afishionado.com Call/Text 813-286-3474

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E n d a n g e r e d S p e c i es

FLORIDA BONNETED BAT

The Florida Bonneted Bat, or the Eumops floridanus as it’s known by its scientific name, is the largest insectivorous (insect-eating) bat in North America. It’s the United States’ rarest bat, with fewer than 1,000 believed to remain, and is known only from southern Florida.

Florida bonneted bats can reach a body length of 6.5 inches with a wingspan of up to 20 inches. Their hair color varies from black to brown to grayish or cinnamon brown, and their large, rounded ears give them the appearance of wearing a bonnet, hence the name.

Another very interesting fact about the Florida Bonneted Bat is it’s the only bat in North America that uses an echo-location frequency people can hear when the bats are hunting for moths and other flying insects over the rooftops of Miami and the pine Flatwoods of Southern Florida.

Florida bonneted bats have not been well studied, due in part to there being very few known roost sites, and little is yet known about their movement within their range, roosting habits, and preferred foods and habitats.

Miami’s few remaining pine rock lands appear to attract them and they’ve been found to roost in woodpecker-created tree cavities, Spanish tile roofs, and bat houses designed for their larger size. The largest known populations are at the FWC’s Babcock/Webb Wildlife Management Area near Punta Gorda.

By Libby Hopkins

ricane can impact the bat’s entire range. Pesticides may also threaten the bonneted bat by diminishing the population of insects it eats to survive.

The lack of scientific information about what this species needs to survive is also a serious concern, as biologists lack basic understanding of its life history and habitat requirements to inform management decisions. The Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida is helping fund efforts by Bat Conservation International, FWC, the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the University of Florida to locate and study Florida bonneted bat colonies and determine how they can ensure their continued survival.

Bats have been given a bad rap by horror movies and popular culture, but bats really want to avoid humans and not harm us.

Bats benefit humans and nature in three ways. Bats around the world eat trillions of insects every night. Scientists estimate bats save U. S. farmers alone at least $3 billion a year in reduced crop damage and lower pesticide use. Other species of bats are important pollinators of cacti and agave plants, while tropical fruit-eating bats spread seeds across many miles in a single night, making them important to the regeneration and diversity of the world’s rainforests.

Florida bonneted bats are thought to have a low reproductive capacity, only giving birth to one offspring per breeding season. However, the female has the capability of going into heat many times during the year. This species may have two breeding seasons each year. Reproduction has been documented during the summer and also during January and February.

As is true for most species of bats, the greatest threats to Florida bonneted bats are loss of habitat, including the destruction of natural roosts via development and sealing up building cavities where bonneted bats live.

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Hurricanes can eliminate local roosting populations and are a serious threat to the species as a whole, because one hur-

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SAFARI GLAMPING

Glamping is a combination of “glamorous” and “camping.”

It describes a style of camping with amenities and, in some cases, resort-style services not usually associated with “traditional” camping.

Glamping has become particularly popular with 21st-century tourists seeking modern amenities, such as Wi-Fi, alongside the escapism and adventure recreation of camping in a variety of accommodations such as cabins, tree houses, and tents.

I recently traveled to Safari Wilderness Ranch in Lakeland to experience Safari Glamping and it was awesome!

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Safari Wilderness Ranch is a world away from the hustle and bustle of city life. At Safari Wilderness Ranch, guests feel the silence, shrouded by an open vista of grazing animals surrounded by cypress domes and bay trees. Guests enjoy the fresh safari air year-round as enormous birds soar overhead.

Lex Salisbury is the owner of Safari Wilderness Ranch. He has done extensive traveling to Africa and has experienced firsthand what it’s like to camping the wilds of Africa. “One of the most amazing things about an African Safari is sleeping in the bush,” Salisbury said. “Watching the sun go down after a day of game viewing, gathering with your friends for a great evening meal, recalling the highlights of the day around a roaring

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By Libby Hopkins

campfire, then falling into a comfortable bed and having a great night’s sleep are memories that last a lifetime.”

Safari Wilderness now hosts guests per night in 10 beautifully appointed safari tents on the property. Continental breakfast is included. Base pricing is based on adult double occupancy.

Additional guests may be added for an additional cost. “We offer Classic and Premium camp options,” said Jenni Farmer, manager of Safari Wilderness Ranch. “Our property is within the Green Swamp, the second largest wilderness area in Florida, after The Everglades. This 850 square-mile wilderness that surrounds us is the critical watershed for west central Florida. It is the headwaters for five Florida rivers. Within our boundaries are hundreds of wild birds. On most days we see herons, ibis, spoonbills, wood storks, wood ducks, and sandhill cranes, to name a few. For years guests have asked us if they could spend the night at Safari Wilderness to extend their adventure. Now they finally can.”

I began my weekend with the custom vehicle safari tour. I got to see and feed, by hand, some of the beautiful animals that call Safari Wilderness Ranch their home. “Guests will be comfortable year-round under our special truck canopy with a cool breeze as the vehicle carries you on your safari vehicle adventure,” Farmer said. “Each of our customized safari trucks is equipped with stadium seating and a full-coverage

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canvas shade. Riders will have the opportunity to feed the animals from the safari truck.”

At the end of the tour, I got to feed the camels that are part of another excursion offered at the ranch. Michelle Tolison of Brandon was one of the guests who was on the custom vehicle tour with me. “I cannot believe how amazing this place is and all it has to offer,” Tolison said. “I loved learning about the different animals that live on the property and getting to feed them with my own two hands! My favorites were the Kune Kune Pigs and Smokie the camel.”

After the tour, I was able to check into my Glamping tent. It was adorable. The tent I had sleeps three people and comes with a heater/air conditioning unit. I was even given lanterns and bath towels to use during my stay.

My tent had a beautiful view of Lemur Cove and the sunset that night during my stay was spectacular.

Guests can bring their own food to grill on grills that the ranch provides or you can leave the property to grab dinner in Lakeland. I opted to grill hotdogs and toast s’mores. I mean I was camping!

Before sundown, I had the chance to feed the cheetahs that also live at the ranch. It was definitely a core memory for me because I was face to face with a beautiful and wild animal.

After breakfast, I opted for the ATV Safari tour. It was an absolute blast! I got chased by an ostrich, which was exhilarating, to say the least. “Driving a safari ATV will give you a sense of freedom and exhilaration while viewing hundreds of animals in natural herd configurations on vast landscapes,” Farmer said. “The tours are approximately one hour on the ATVs and an introductory walking tour of the animals and a finale that includes private feeding of Eland or waterbuck herd for your group from a customized safari vehicle.”

Before I left the ranch, I did the Lemur feeding experience.

They were so sweet and gentle as they took grapes from my hands.

If you’ve always wanted to try Glamping, I highly recommend Safari Glamping at Safari Wilderness Ranch, you won’t be disappointed.

If you’d like to learn more about Safari Wilderness Ranch, you can visit their website at www.safariwilderness.com or call (813) 382-2120. Safari Wilderness Ranch is located at 10850 Moore Rd. in Lakeland, Fla.

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The next morning, Farmer and her staff had a delicious continental breakfast waiting for me and the other Glampers. The showers on the property were stocked with all the bathing essentials.

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The ancient Romans thought strawberries could cure bad breath and chronic fainting.

Madame Tallien, a prominent woman in Emperor Napoleon’s court, was famous for taking baths of fresh strawberry juice.

Brushing your teeth is important, but eating strawberries can actually help whiten your teeth. The acids in the fruit help to remove stains.

There is a legend that strawberries were named in the nineteenthcentury by English children who picked the fruit, strung them on grass straws and sold them as “Straws of berries.”

Swap your carrots for some fruity strawberries instead. Strawberries have a higher antioxidant value, helping prevent cataracts and other degenerative eye problems.

Strawberries contain high levels of nitrate. This has been shown to increase blood and oxygen flow to the muscles. Research suggests that people who load up on strawberries before exercising have greater endurance and burn more calories.

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Editor’s Note: This Rocking Chair Chatter was originally printed in the February 2019 issue

I woke up this morning, put in my partials, inserted my hearing aids and put on my glasses. I exercised my recently new artificial knee and took my medicine.

If my body were a car, I think I would trade it in for a newer model. I’ve got bumps, dents and scratches on my finish and my paint job is getting a little dull.

But that’s not the worst of it. My headlights are out of focus, and it’s especially hard to see things up close.

My traction is not as graceful as it once was even with a walking cane. I slip, side, skid and bump into things even in the best of weather. My whitewalls are stained with varicose veins. It takes me hours to reach my maximum speed. My fuel rate burns inefficiently. But here’s the worst of it – almost every time I sneeze, cough or laugh, my radiator leaks or my exhaust backfires.

When I was a kid, adults used to bore me to tears with their talk about how hard things were when they were growing up. Walking 15 miles to school every day, up hill, barefoot both ways and what have you.

But now that I’m on Social Security, I can’t help but look around and notice the youth of today. They have it so easy. Compared to my childhood, they live in a Utopia! They really don’t know how good they have it.

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When I was a kid we didn’t have the Internet. If we wanted to know something, we had to go to the li-

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brary and look it up ourselves, in the card catalog!

There was no email. We had to actually write somebody a letter. Then you had to walk all the way across the street and put it in the mailbox, and it would take about a week to get there. Stamps were a nickel and post cards a penny.

Child Protective Services didn’t care if our parents beat us. As a matter of fact, the parents of all my friends also had permission to kick our rear.

There were no iTunes, MP3’s or CD’s. If you wanted to steal music, you had to hitchhike to the record store and shoplift it yourself. Or you had to wait around all day to tape it from the radio and the DJ would usually talk over the beginning of the song. We had tape decks in our car. We would play our favorite tape and eject it when finished, and then the tape would come undone rendering it useless.

We never heard of call waiting. If you were on the phone and somebody else called, they got a busy signal.

We never heard of cell phones either. If you left the house, you just didn’t make a call or receive one. I never heard of ‘Texting.’ Never heard of Caller ID either. When the phone rang, you had no idea who it was. We just picked up the phone and took a chance.

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We are the generation that didn’t use seat belts, bike helmets or hand sanitizer. We frequently licked the lead paint on our cribs because it tasted good, and we always sat too close to our color television sets after school because we were alone in the house until mom got home. We rattled around in the back of our family’s station wagons like marbles, on endless road trip vacations. These journeys didn’t include TV screens on the seat backs in front of us that spewed out entertainment mile after mile we just had to make do. Many of our mothers smoked while pregnant, and they were often told that having a drink with dinner would help them sleep better until the baby came. We were hit on the head with metal lunch boxes on the playground, and babysat siblings and younger neighbors when we were far too young to do so. We used to sleep outside in the backyard, were expected to be home by the time the streetlights came on without checking in during the afternoon, and were dropped off at the movies for the Saturday matinee so our moms could run errands without us. We drank Tang because the astronauts did.

And if all of these things are not enough, we are the generation that grew up with grandparents who endured the Great Depression. During my lifetime, I never said a word when my grandmother added warm water and salt to her cornflakes, because that’s how she’d learned to do it as a child when milk was unavailable. We learned from our grandparents to do without, if necessary, because that’s what needed to be done. We learned to work when it was time to work, without complaint, or fuss.

I remember when Nixon resigned, and am a witness to the beginning of terrorism as we now know it.

And for the record, over 75 percent of people who read this will try to lick their elbow.

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In my older years I have learned that it is impossible to lick your elbow. A crocodile can’t stick its tongue out. A shrimp’s heart is in their head. In a study of 200,000 ostriches over a period of 80 years, no one reported a single case where an ostrich buried its head in the sand. I have also learned that it is physically impossible for pigs to look up into the sky. A pregnant goldfish is called a twit. More than 50 percent of the people in the world have never made or received a telephone call. Rats and horses can’t vomit. If you try to suppress a sneeze, you can rupture a blood vessel in your hear or neck and die.

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FLORIDA Strawberries & Pineberries

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now In SEasoN!

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FLORIDA LEMONS:

By Sandy Sun, M.S. Clinical Medicines, B.S. Nutrition Science Juicy and tart, Florida lemons are in their peak season today.

Florida, Arizona, and California are the top lemon-producing states in the United States. Lemons are in the same family (Rutacea) as other citrus fruits, including grapefruit, pomelo, tangerine, and orange. Florida is the second largest citrus producer in the world, behind Brazil.

Lemons are very versatile and often make a presence in beverages, salads, soups, entrees, and desserts. While lemons are available year-round in the grocery store, fresh lemons are at their peak now during the winter months. Common varieties of fresh Florida lemons include Eureka, Ponderosa, and Lisbon.

Meyer lemons are relatively new and known for being sweeter and less acidic than other types of lemons.

Nutrition Facts

The juice of one lemon packs in the flavor for only 12 little calories and more than 35 percent of your daily needs for vitamins C. Lemons also contain fiber, B vitamins, magnesium, healthprotecting flavonoids, and the antioxidant limonene. Limonene is believed to have anti-cancer properties, but more research is needed.

NUTRITIONAL PROFILE

An excellent source of vitamin C, a medium-sized orange contains 116% of the daily value for this vitamin. Oranges are also an excellent nutritional source of dietary fiber, folate, thiamin, potassium, and Vitamin A. In addition to these vitamins and minerals, oranges contain a wealth of other disease-fighting compounds, such as phytonutrients and antioxidants. These potent chemicals fight cancer, lower cholesterol, and control blood sugar levels.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, one medium-sized lemon (100 g) contains 29 calories, 0.6 g protein, 0.3 g fat, 9.3 g carbohydrate, and 2.8 g of dietary fiber.

It also provides 88% of the Daily Recommended Value (%DV) for vitamin C, 7% for dietary fiber, and significant amounts of vitamins A, E, and K, thiamine, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid, and folate.

Vitamin C

Fresh Florida lemons are high in vitamin C, which is important for a healthy immune system, cancer prevention, healthy blood circulation, and wound healing. This vitamin acts as a potent antioxidant in the body, neutralizing harmful free radicals and preventing its damaging effects in cells. By fighting cell and tissue damage, vitamin C protects against cancer and other diseases, such as the common cold. This vitamin also helps the body absorb more iron and aids in the development of strong bones and teeth.

Current research findings support that vitamin C’s benefits come from the consumption of whole fruits and vegetables.

A high intake of produce is associated with a reduced risk of death from all causes, including heart disease, stroke, and cancer. Taking supplements does not seem to provide the same protective benefits as drinking a glass of lemon juice or eating the fruit.

Fiber

Fresh lemons and other citrus fruits contain a significant amount of dietary fiber, which can help lower cholesterol, assist with digestion, and prevent constipation. According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, a diet high in fiber may decrease the risk of several types of cancer including colon, rectum, breast, and pancreas.

A single lemon provides 7% of your body’s daily requirement for fiber, which has been shown to reduce high cholesterol levels, which helps to prevent atherosclerosis. Fiber can also help

Folate

Florida lemons are a good source of folate, a vitamin that can reduce the risk of birth defects of the brain and spinal cord (neural tube defects) in the fetus. Pregnant women should consume a diet high in folate, and eating a lemon or other citrus fruit every day can help.

Folate is also essential for growth and development, and plays a key role in DNA formation. Its heart-healthy benefits come from its ability to lower homocysteine levels in the body. Homocysteine is an amino acid in the blood that is correlated with heart disease.

Additionally, low levels of folate have been linked with low energy levels, depression and even memory impairments. So it’s an essential vitamin for everyone, in addition to its significant importance for the developing fetus.

Phytonutrients

Lemons contain a host of different phytonutrients, a class of antioxidants that protects against allergies, cancer, heart disease, and the effects of aging. Some research studies have found that people with high intakes of phytonutrients have a much lower risk of dying from heart disease. This may be due to its ability to lower high blood pressure and cholesterol.

Polyphenols, another class of phytonutrients found in lemons, may help protect against cancer, viruses, allergies, tumors, and inflammation.

How to Select and Store

Choose fresh lemons that have glossy skin and are firm and heavy for their size. The juiciest lemons tend to be smaller, heavy for their size, and thin-skinned. Ripe lemons have bright yellow skin. Avoid those that have soft spots, wrinkly skin, or discolored spots. Lemons can be stored either at room temperature or in the refrigerator and will last about two weeks with either method.

How to Enjoy

When ready to use, rinse the lemon under running water. You can simply peel and seed the lemon or slice it into wedges.

The fruit can be juiced with a juicer or squeezed by hand. Lemons are used in beverages, sweet and savory dishes, and desserts. The peel, juice, and fruit are all edible and used to add brightness and acidity to dishes. The white portion of the peel is high in pectin, a type of soluble fiber.

Other ways to enjoy lemons include: • Squeeze juice to make fresh lemonade or a mocktail.

• Squeeze the juice into a pan, allow it to thicken over heat, and use it as a sauce for fish or chicken.

• Add lemon juice to baked goods for a bright refreshing twist.

• Slip a few slices of lemon into a pitcher of water for a refreshing low-calorie beverage.

• Boil lemon slices with your teabag or add slices to boiled tea.

• Float lemon slices in your bath for a citrusy spa treatment.

• Use the whole lemon to make marmalade.

• Serve sliced lemons as a garnish for fish, meat, or vegetable dishes.

Enjoy Florida lemons today.

With its juicy and tart flavor, lemons are delicious as well as healthy!

SELECTED REFERENCES http://en.wikipedia.org/ http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/

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maintain steady blood sugar levels, as can fructose, the naturally occurring type of fruit sugar found in lemons. Lemons also contain pectin, a water-soluble fiber that helps reduce blood cholesterol levels and aids in satiety.

2024 POLK COUNTY YOUTH FAIR

PARADE OF CHAMPIONS

This is the most updated information available at publishing.

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Frostproof Middle/Sr FFA Commercial Heifer Herdsman Award - Chapter Winner Ashley Clark George Jenkins Sr. FFA Purebred Beef - Brangus Female Reserve Grand Champion Easton Smith Top Ranch Hand - Jr. First Place Kinsley Abner Bartow Middle FFA Commercial Heifer Overall European Reserve Grand Champion Kinsley Abner Bartow Sr High FFA Commercial Heifer Showmanship - Inter.

First Place Jett Adams Fort Meade Community 4-H Eggs - Best Dozen - Brown Reserve Champion Jett Adams Fort Meade Community 4-H Poultry/Egg Judging - Individual - Jr First Place Alyssa Agosto George Jenkins Sr. FFA Horticulture - Ornamental Tri-Color Kendall Akins Florida Virtual FFA Purebred Beef - Brangus Female Grand Champion Kendall Akins Florida Virtual FFA Purebred Beef - Brahman Breed Male Reserve Grand Champion Kyndall Akins Florida Virtual FFA Horticulture Premier Award Winner Kyndall Akins Florida Virtual FFA Horticulture - Ornamental Grand Champion Kyndall Akins Florida Virtual FFA Horticulture - Vegetables Tri-Color Kaizley Albin Lake Gibson Middle FFA Rabbit Best in Breed Winner Amanda Allen Lake Region High FFA Photography Best In Show Gracellyn Allen Lakeland Christian 4-H Horse Show Ranch - Sr Grand Champion Gracellyn Allen Lakeland Christian 4-H Horse Show Boxing - Sr First Place Gracellyn Allen

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Lakeland Christian 4-H Horse Show Overall Grand Champion Raylee Allen Hog Wild 4-H Home Furnishing Tri-Color Finn Anderson Wonderhere 4-H Archery - Instinctive Compound - Jr First Place Harper Anderson Auburndale Community 4-H Demonstrations - Jr First Place Kacie Anderson Breeding Goat - Boer Grand Champion Kacie Anderson Lamb Showmanship - Sr First Place Kacie Anderson Lamb - Medium First Place Kacie Anderson Market Lamb Showmanship - Sr First Place Reagan Anderson Lakeland Christian FFA Home Furnishing Tri-Color Madilynn Archie Mulberry Middle FFA Home Furnishing Tri-Color Kyndall Atkins Florida Virtual FFA Horticulture - Citrus Tri-Color Kyndall Atkins Florida Virtual FFA Horticulture - Ornamental Tri-Color Kyndall Atkins Florida Virtual FFA Horticulture - Ornamental Tri-Color Alayna Ballard 24 Carrots 4-H Horse Show Western Dressage - Jr Grand Champion Anthony Barragan Dundee Ridge Acad FFA Purebred Beef - Zebu Female Reserve Grand Champion Elijah Beal Lakeland Christian FFA Cake Auction Winner Aubrey Beatty Davenport Sr. High FFA Commercial Heifer Overall Brahman Reserve Grand Champion Aubrey Beatty Davenport Sr. High FFA Purebred Beef - Brahman Breed Male Grand Champion Elizabeth Bennett Auburndale Community 4-H

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Photos Courtesy of TK Photography

Home Furnishing Tri-Color Elizabeth Bennett Auburndale Community 4-H Clothing Tri-Color Elizabeth Bennett Auburndale Community 4-H Auction Gift Basket Winner Elizabeth Bennett Auburndale Community 4-H Table Setting/Menu Planning - Inter Best Informal Indoor Taylor Bentley Lucky A’s 4-H Archery - Sighted Compound - Jr First Place Laura Lynn Berkau Bok Academy North FFA Rabbit Showmanship - Inter First Place Mason Berry Frostproof Middle FFA Cake Auction Winner Mason Berry Frostproof Middle FFA Goat Tying Skills - Adaptive First Place Mason Berry Frostproof Middle FFA Market Hog Herdsman - Inter Winner Mason Berry Frostproof Middle FFA Market Hog Record Book Inter Winner Allyssa Blackburn Lucky A’s 4-H Home Furnishing Tri-Color Amaya Blacking Southern Variety 4-H Horse Show English - Jr Reserve Grand Champion Paige Blankenship Bartow Sr. High FFA Horse Show Speed - Sr Reserve Grand Champion Paige Blankenship Bartow Sr. High FFA Horse Show Roping - Sr First Place Bailey Bowen Lake Wales Sr. FFA Table Setting/Menu Planning - Sr. Best Informal Indoor Addison Boyette Golden Horseshoes 4-H Horse Show English - Inter Reserve Grand Champion Chase Boynton Lucky A’s 4-H Auction Gift Basket Winner Jordan Brantley Frostproof Sr. FFA Table Setting/Menu Planning - Sr

Laney Cash Rowdy Ropers 4-H Horticulture Judging Individual - Sr First Place Emily Cayson YLPA McKeel Purebred Beef - Angus Female Grand Champion Emma Chaffee Country Ridge 4-H Metal Works Best In Show Coryn Chaisson The Mighty Oaks 4-H Foods Tri-Color Best Informal Outdoor Coryn Chaisson Tyler Brayden The Mighty Oaks 4-H Bok Academy FFA Table Setting/Menu Planning Auction Gift Basket - Jr Winner Judges’ Choice Carly Brewer Layni Chaney Lake Wales Sr. FFA Market Steer Carcass Contest Bartow Sr. High FFA Market Steer - European InfluReserve Grand Champion ence Raelynn Brinn Reserve Grand Champion American Pride 4-H Sarah Clanton Dairy Showmanship - Jr Fort Meade Community 4-H First Place Commercial Heifer ShowmanLilly Brown ship - Sr. Frostproof Sr. FFA First Place Cake Auction Hannah Clark Winner Lake Gibson Middle FFA Ansley Bryant Horticulture - Ornamental YLPA McKeel Tri-Color Purebred Beef - Maine Anjou Adalyn Compton Female YLPA McKeel Reserve Grand Champion Purebred Beef - English Breed Ansley Bryant Female YLPA McKeel Purebred Beef Showmanship Reserve Grand Champion Adalyn Compton - Inter YLPA McKeel First Place Horticulture Judging YLPA Nicole Bullard Inter Fort Meade Community 4-H Poultry/Egg Show - Commeri- First Place Caroline Coulter cial Hen Fort Meade Community 4-H Champion Chili Cook Off - People’s Ryder Bunch Choice Award Southern Variety 4-H First Place Rabbit Overall Best in Show Madelynn Courtney Second Place Lakeland Christian 4-H Ryder Bunch Horse Show Western - Jr Southern Variety 4-H Reserve Grand Champion Rabbit Best in Breed Brayden Cranor Winner YLPA McKeel Todd Burnette Purebred Beef - English Breed Southern Charm 4-H Male Cake Auction Reserve Grand Champion Winner Emmaleigh Crawford Piper Burns Be A Champ 4-H Rockin Riders 4-H Illustrated Talk - Sr. Horse Show Ranch - Jr. First Place Grand Champion Mackensie Crews Savannah Carroll Lake Gibson HS FCCLA American Pride 4-H Foods Breeding Goat - Pygmy Tri-Color Grand Champion Trevor Crews Savannah Carroll Lakeland Highlands Middle American Pride 4-H FFA Dairy Showmanship - Inter Home Furnishing First Place Tri-Color Savannah Carroll Xavier Cruz American Pride 4-H Bartow Sr. High FFA Rabbit Judging - Individual Archery - Sighted Compound - Inter - Inter First Place First Place Abigail Carter Kinsley Culverhouse Be A Champ 4-H Breeding Goat ShowmanMarket Hog Herdsman - Sr ship - Jr Winner First Place Maddison Carter Nala Day Haines City Sr. FFA Lake Gibson Sr. FFA Purebred Beef Growth and Horticulture - Ornamental Courage Award Tri-Color Winner Nala Day Laney Cash Lake Gibson Sr. FFA Rowdy Ropers 4-H Horticulture - Ornamental Goat Tying Skills - Sr Tri-Color First Place WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

Photos Courtesy of TK Photography Rockin Riders 4-H Commercial Heifer Showmanship - Jr. First Place McKenzie Hollie Bartow Sr High FFA Market Steer Showmanship - Sr. First Place McKenzie Hollie Lake Wales Sr. FFA Market Steer - European Influence Grand Champion McKenzie Hollie Rockin Riders 4-H Horse Show Western - Sr Grand Champion Marie Dickason First Place Rabbit Best in Breed Kinley Hardee Isabella Hough Golden Horseshoes 4-H Demi Floyd Winner Lake Gibson FFA Lake Wales Sr. FFA Horse Show Traditional DresBok Academy FFA Kiera Gonzalez Horse Show Overall Ranch Food Preservation sage - Sr Auction Gift Basket Roosevelt Academy FFA Horse - Sr. Tri-Color Grand Champion/Reserve Winner Horticulture - Blueberry First Place Isabella Hough Mason Dicks Kara Foster Reserve Grand Champion Kinley Hardee Lake Wales Sr. FFA Lucky A’s 4-H Auburndale Sr FFA Marlee Goodman Lake Gibson FFA Auction Gift Basket Food Preservation Horticulture - Ornamental Bok Academy FFA Horse Show Overall Winner Tri-Color Tri-Color Purebred Beef - Brahman Reserve Grand Champion Bellamy Howell Mason Dicks Mattie Fountain Female Madison Harmon YLPA McKeel Lucky A’s 4-H Lakeland Christian 4-H Reserve Grand Champion Tenoroc Sr. FFA Illustrated Talk -Inter Foods Top Ranch Hand - Inter.

Marlee Goodman Horticulture - Citrus First Place Tri-Color First Place Bok Academy FFA Tri-Color Emily Hoyt Kayleigh Douge Mattie Fountain Purebred Beef Herdsman Luke Harrell Auburndale Sr FFA Lake Wales Sr. FFA Lakeland Christian 4-H Individual Lamb - Light Poultry/Egg Show - Bantam, Table Setting/Menu Planning Horticulture Judging Individual Winner First Place Female - Sr. - Inter Anna Grady Celestial Harris Champion Judges’ Choice First Place Fort Meade Community 4-H Auburndale Sr FFA Grace Louise Hurst Sophia Dufour Mattie Fountain Horse Show Western - Jr Poultry/Egg Show - Large New Horizons 4-H George Jenkins Sr. FFA Lakeland Christian FFA Grand Champion Fowl, Male Cake Auction Rabbit Overall Best in Show Demonstrations- Inter Riley Graham Champion Winner Grand Champion First Place Winter Haven Sr. FFA Celestial Harris James Hurst Sophia Dufour Mattie Fountain Pillow Sew-Off - Sr Auburndale Sr FFA New Horizons 4-H George Jenkins Sr. FFA Lakeland Christian FFA First Place Poultry/Egg Show - Overall Storytelling - Inter Rabbit Best in Breed Poultry/Egg Show - Turkey Marshall Granger Grand Champion First Place Winner Champion Auburndale Sr FFA Celestial Harris Cayden Michael Jesse Brandon Dumire Charlotte Francks Horticulture - Ornamental Auburndale Sr FFA Mulberry HS FFA Market Hog Buyer Letter - Sr. Lakeland Christian 4-H Reserve Grand Champion Horticulture - Blueberry Home Furnishing Winner Rabbit Overall Best in Show Kamryn Gress Tri-Color Tri-Color Kate Durrance First Place Lakeland Christian FFA Brooke Haygood Cayden Michael Jesse Lucky A’s 4-H Charlotte Francks Photography Be A Champ 4-H Mulberry HS FFA Rabbit Judging - Individual - Sr Lakeland Christian 4-H Best In Show Livestock Judging - Individual Home Furnishing First Place Rabbit Best in Breed Riley Grogan - Sr Tri-Color Bristol Dykes Winner Bok Academy North FFA First Place Haydence Johnston YLPA McKeel Savannah Freeman Rabbit Costume Contest - Inter Brooke Henderson Auburndale Community 4-H Livestock Juddging - YLPA - Jr Be A Champ 4-H First Place Lake Gibson FFA Rabbit Best in Breed First Place Educational Display Riley Grogan Home Furnishing Winner Bristol Dykes Best In Show Bok Academy North FFA Tri-Color Myah Kane YLPA McKeel Savannah Freeman Horse Show Western - Inter Addison Hermes Rockin Riders 4-H Horticulture Judging YLPA - Jr Be A Champ 4-H Grand Champion Lake Gibson Sr. FFA Archery - Instinctive ComFirst Place Photography - Special Effect Lillie Hadassah Horticulture - Ornamental pound - Sr. Molly Early Best In Show Homegrown 4-H Tri-Color First Place Rockin Riders 4-H Savannah Freeman Storytelling - Jr Addison Hill Mattison Keeble Horse Show English - Sr Be A Champ 4-H First Place Top Notch 4-H Lake Gibson Sr. FFA Grand Champion Poultry Showmanship - Sr Adilynn Hall Market Hog Showmanship Commercial Heifer Overall Ella Edenfield First Place Lakeland Christian 4-H Inter European Rockin Riders 4-H Savannah Freeman Rabbit Costume Contest - Jr First Place Grand Champion Horse Show English - Inter Be A Champ 4-H First Place Addison Hill Bowen Keen Grand Champion Eggs - Best Dozen - White Wyatt Hall Top Notch 4-H Lake Wales Sr. FFA Ella Edenfield Reserve Champion Auburndale Sr FFA Market Hog Dylan Webb Market Steer Carcass Contest Rockin Riders 4-H Savannah Freeman Horticulture - Ornamental Award Grand Champion Horse Show Traditional DresBe A Champ 4-H Tri-Color Winner Aubrey Wyatt Keene sage - Inter Illustrated Talk - Sr. Shelby Handley Hill Bok Academy FFA Grand Champion/Reserve First Place Golden Horseshoes 4-H YLPA McKeel Market Steer Weight Gain Ford Ellis Candence Fussell Horse Show Western - Inter Livestock Judging - YLPA Contest Lucky A’s 4-H Bartow Sr. High FFA Reserve Grand Champion Inter Winner Maddison Market Hog Herdsman - Jr. Cake Auction Shelby Handley First Place Keller Winner Winner Golden Horseshoes 4-H Alissa Hillman Lake Gibson FFA Genesis Estevez Evangalina Garcia Horse Show Western Dressage Market Hog Showmanship - Sr Horse Show Speed - Sr Haines City Sr. FFA Haines City Sr. FFA - Inter First Place Grand Champion Rabbit Best in Breed Horticulture - Ornamental Reserve Grand Champion Tristin Hinma Kinsley Kelly Winner Tri-Color Maddison Haranda Youth Leaders in Production Breeding Goat - Boer Bryce Fitzgerald Evangelina Garcia Country Ridge 4-H Home Furnishing Reserve Grand Champion Bok Academy FFA Haines City Sr. FFA Home Furnishing Tri-Color Kinsley Kelly Archery - Instinctive ComCommercial Heifer Eagle Tri-Color Tristan Hinman Breeding Goat Commercial pound - Inter Award Maddison Haranda Youth Leaders in Production Meat -Boer First Place Winner Country Ridge 4-H Foods Reserve Grand Champion Bryce Fitzgerald Evangelina Garcia Table Setting/Menu Planning Tri-Color Kinsley Kelly Lucky A’s 4-H Haines City Sr. FFA - Inter Tristin Hinman Breeding Goat Commercial Home Furnishing Market Steer Eagle Award Best Informal Outdoor Youth Leaders in Production Meat Overall Tri-Color Winner Corbin Hardee Table Setting/Menu Planning Reserve Grand Champion Bryce Fitzgerald Wade Gebhardt Youth Leaders in Production - Jr Kinsley Kelly Lucky A’s 4-H Rowdy Ropers 4-H Whip Popping - Jr Best Informal Outdoor Breeding Goat Showmanship Market Hog Herdsman - Inter Foods First Place Audrey Hiott - Inter Winner Tri-Color Kinley Hardee Lakeland Christian 4-H First Place Alannah Fleharty Wade Gebhart Lake Gibson FFA Horse Show Ranch - Inter Lilly Kelly Homegrown 4-H Rowdy Ropers 4-H Horse Show Ranch - Sr Reserve Grand Champion Market Goat Overall Rabbit Best in Breed Poultry/Egg Show - Bantam, Reserve Grand Champion Maggie Hixenbaugh Grand Champion Winner Male Kinley Hardee Bok Academy FFA Lily Kelly Alannah Fleharty Champion Lake Gibson FFA Foods Bartow Sr. High FFA Homegrown 4-H Teagan Glockner Horse Show Sorting - Sr Tri-Color Woodworking Rabbit Judging - Individual - Jr Dundee Ridge Acad FFA First Place Maci Hollie Best In Show

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Photos Courtesy of TK Photography

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Lily Kelly Breeding Goat Showmanship - Sr First Place Bella King Country Ridge 4-H Foods Tri-Color Bella King Country Ridge 4-H Cake Auction Winner Kyndal Kirkland Be A Champ 4-H Eggs - Best Dozen - Brown Champion Kyndal Kirkland Be A Champ 4-H Poultry/Egg Judging - Individual - Inter First Place Mikaylah Lampp Lake Gibson Sr. FFA Horticulture - Ornamental Tri-Color Mikaylah Lampp Lake Gibson Sr. FFA Horticulture - Ornamental Tri-Color Jackson Larrabee Lake Gibson Middle FFA Poultry Showmanship Inter First Place Shyanne LaRue Country Ridge 4-H Purebred Beef - Zebu Male Reserve Grand Champion Carter Lightsey Bok Academy FFA Horticulture - Blueberry Grand Champion Hadassah Lillie Homegrown 4-H Rabbit Showmanship - Jr First Place Haleigh Locke Rockin Riders 4-H Horse Show Ranch - Inter Grand Champion Haleigh Locke Rockin Riders 4-H Horse Show Boxing - Jr First Place Haleigh Locke Rockin Riders 4-H Horse Show Sorting - Jr First Place Haleigh Locke Rockin Riders 4-H Horse Show Overall Ranch Horse - Jr. First Place Hannah Long Trinity Baptist 4-H Auction Gift Basket Winner Paisley Lovett Country Ridge 4-H Cake Auction Winner Avery Lunz 24 Carrots 4-H Horse Show English - Jr Grand Champion Avery Lunz 24 Carrots 4-H Horse Show Traditional Dressage - Jr Grand Champion/Reserve Zoe Lynch Bartow Middle FFA

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Decorative Food Centerpiece - Inter First Place Anthony Marquez Sanchez Bartow Middle FFA Horticulture - Vegetables Tri-Color Eduardo Martinez Haines City Sr. FFA Purebred Beef - Zebu Male Grand Champion Eduardo Martinez Haines City Sr. FFA Purebred Beef Eagle Award Winner Eduardo Martinez Market Hog Herdsman - Sr Winner Rafael Martinez Kathleen Sr FFA Horticulture - Ornamental Tri-Color Rafael Martinez Breeding Goat - Pygmy Reserve Grand Champion Chase Massey Orange Blossom 4-H Commercial Beef Record Book - Jr Winner Alyssa Matthews Country Ridge 4-H Horticulture - Ornamental Tri-Color Westyn McCain 24 Carrots 4-H Horse Show Speed - Jr. Reserve Grand Champion Braylynn McClamma Fort Meade Community 4-H Rabbit Best in Breed Winner Mia McCollum Rockin Riders 4-H Horse Show Western Dresasge - Sr Reserve Grand Champion Chasey McCrimmon Bartow Sr High FFA Commercial Heifer Overall Brahman Grand Champion Chasey McCrimmon Bartow Sr High FFA Purebred Beef - Brahman Male Grand Champion Chasey McCrimmon Bartow Sr High FFA Purebred Beef - Brahman Male Reserve Grand Champion Chasey McCrimmon Bartow Sr High FFA Market Steer - American Influence Reserve Grand Champion Brianna McDougall Lake Gibson Sr. FFA Rabbit Best in Breed Winner Elizabeth McDowell Frostproof Middle FFA Purebred Beef - English Breed Female Grand Champion Kassandra McKinney Hog Wild 4-H Poultry/Egg Judging - Individual - Sr First Place Sarah McNutt

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Lake Wales Sr. FFA Rabbit Showmanship - Sr First Place Jacob Melton McLaughlin FFA Chili Cook Off - Best Decorated Booth First Place Jacob Melton McLaughlin FFA Chili Cook Off - Judge’s Choice Award First Place Jonathan Melton Winter Haven Sr. FFA Pillow Sew-Off - Sr First Place Natalie Merson Lucky A’s 4-H Table Setting/Menu Planning - Inter Most Creative Bryanna Mixon Lake Wales Sr. FFA Table Setting/Menu Planning - Sr Most Creative Claire Mock Auburndale Community 4-H Rabbit Best in Breed Winner Christian Munoz Lakeland Christian 4-H Illustrated Talk -Jr First Place Lillie Myers Lake Gibson Sr. FFA Purebred Beef In Memory Bill Whatley Award Winner Parker Nall Lakeland Christian FFA Outdoor Sports Best In Show Caleb Napier Southern Variety 4-H Rabbit Best in Breed Winner Rachel Newman Lake Gibson HS FCCLA Foods Tri-Color Lasadie Newsome Roosevelt Academy FFA Horticulture - Blueberry Tri-Color Madalyn Nichols Kathleen Middle FFA Purebred Beef - Brahman Breed Female Grand Champion Madalyn Nichols Kathleen Middle FFA Purebred Beef - Brahman Breed Female Reserve Grand Champion Madilyn Nichols Kathleen Middle FFA Market Steer Showmanship - Inter First Place Alexia Norris New Horizons 4-H Table Setting/Menu Planning - Jr Best Informal Indoor Jonathan Norris Bok Academy South FFA Table Setting/Menu Planning - Inter Judges’ Choice

Wyatt Oakes Dundee Ridge Acad FFA Purebred Beef Showmanship - Jr First Place Hannah Ogburn Frostproof Middle FFA Purebred Beef - English Breed Male Grand Champion Bri Oleary Rockin Riders 4-H Horse Show English - Sr Reserve Grand Champion Kaylee Parker Lamb Showmanship - Inter First Place Kaylee Parker Lamb - Heavy First Place Kaylee Parker Lamb Overall Grand Champion Kaylee Parker Market Lamb Showmanship - Inter First Place Kaylee Parker Market Lamb Overall Grand Champion Jasmine Perez Southern Charm 4-H Market Hog Buyer Letter - Inter Winner Stella Perez Southern Charm 4-H Market Hog Buyer Letter - Jr Winner Kylie Peters Fort Meade Community 4-H Breeding Goat Commercial Meat - Other Grand Champion Casen Peterson Orange Blossom 4-H Rabbit Best in Breed Winner Xavier Picard Homegrown 4-H Archery - Instinctive Long/ Recurve Bow - Sr First Place Addison Pilla YLPA McKeel Purebred Beef - Simmental Female Grand Champion Alexis Pilla YLPA McKeel Purebred Beef - Simmental Female Reserve Grand Champion Kaely Plasse Market Hog Overall Reserve Grand Champion Landon Poirier McLaughlin FFA Chili Cook Off - Best Decorated Booth First Place Landon Poirier McLaughlin FFA Chili Cook Off - Judge’s Choice Award First Place Julia Prescod Haines City Sr. FFA Rabbit Costume Contest - Sr. First Place

Carter Price Top Notch 4-H Market Hog Overall Grand Champion Carter Price Top Notch 4-H Breeding Goat Commercial Meat -Boer Grand Champion Carter Price Top Notch 4-H Breeding Goat Commercial Meat Overall Grand Champion Carter Price Top Notch 4-H Livestock Judging - Individual - Jr First Place Dalaney Price Lamb Overall Reserve Grand Champion Delaney Price Market Lamb Overall Reserve Grand Champion Kendal Proia Lucky A’s 4-H Foods Tri-Color Kendal Proia Lucky A’s 4-H Cake Auction Winner Kendal Proia Lucky A’s FFA Goat Tying Skills - Jr First Place Kiley Proia Lucky A’s Home Furnishing Tri-Color Kiley Proia Lucky A’s 4-H Home Furnishing Tri-Color Kiley Proia Lucky A’s FFA Goat Tying Skills - Inter First Place Kylie Proia Lucky A’s 4-H Livestock Judging - Individual - Inter First Place Lilly Purvis Breeding Goat Commercial Meat - Pygmy Reserve Grand Champion Ridge Rhoden Lakeland Christian FFA Archery - Instinctive Long/ Recurve Bow - Inter First Place Brianna Ritchey Breeding Goat Commercial Meat - Other Reserve Grand Champion Emmalee Robertson Lake Gibson Sr. FFA Commerical Market Steer Reserve Grand Champion Dyland Rodriguez RW Blake Academy Rabbit Overall Best in Show Third Place Natalie Saenz Rowdy Ropers 4-H Market Hog Record Book - Sr Winner Valerie Sanchez YLPA McKeel Pillow Sew-Off - Inter First Place Daniel (Tripp) Santangelo Lakeland Christian 4-H Poultry Showmanship - Jr First Place Harper Saunders 24 Carrots 4-H Horse Show Speed - Jr. Grand Champion Carlie Shenefield YLPA McKeel Livestock Judging - YLPA - Sr First Place Macie Shenefield YLPA McKeel WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

Photos Courtesy of TK Photography Most Creative McKenzie Young Rowdy Ropers 4-H Market Steer Showmanship - Jr First Place Dundee Ridge Acad FFA Livestock Judging - Team - Jr First Place

PJ Pant Sew-Off - Inter First Place Macie Shenefield YLPA McKeel Pillow Sew-Off - Inter First Place Macie Shenefield YLPA McKeel Horse Show Speed - Inter Reserve Grand Champion Lillian Sheppard Lucky A’s 4-H Food Preservation Tri-Color Raelan Sherrous Lake Gibson Sr. FFA Purebred Beef - Angus Female Reserve Grand Champion Raelan Sherrous Lake Gibson Sr. FFA Purebred Beef - Maine Anjou Female Grand Champion Raelan Sherrous Lake Gibson Sr. FFA Purebred Beef Showmanship - Sr First Place Seth Shirah Tenoroc Sr. FFA Whip Popping - Adaptive First Place Isabella Silva Lake Wales Sr. FFA Purebred Beef - Zebu Female Grand Champion Aubree Siplin Rockin Riders 4-H Horse Show Western - Sr Reserve Grand Champion Aubree Siplin Rockin Riders 4-H Horse Show Western Dressage - Sr Grand Champion Lane Slaugher Market Hog Eagle Award Winner Paislie Spivery Fort Meade Community 4-H Chili Cook Off - People’s Choice Award First Place McKenzie Staats Still Squealin 4-H Market Hog Showmanship - Jr First Place Zibe Stein Bok Academy FFA Whip Popping - Inter First Place Zibe Stein Bok Academy FFA Horse Show Roping - Jr First Place Makenna Stencel Lake Gibson Sr. FFA Rabbit Best in Breed Winner

Madison Stokes Frostproof Middle FFA Purebred Beef - Brahman Female Grand Champion Mason Stovall Lake Gibson Sr. FFA Archery - Sighted Compound - Sr First Place Brooklyn Sweat Frostproof Middle FFA Market Steer - American Influence Grand Champion Mariela Tarango Fort Meade Community 4-H Top Ranch Hand - Sr First Place Carlee Taylor YLPA McKeel Horticulture - Citrus Grand Champion Caylie Taylor Frostproof Sr. FFA Table Setting/Menu Planning - Sr Best Formal Truman Taylor YLPA McKeel Horticulture - Citrus Reserve Grand Champion Emily Thomas Hog Wild 4-H Foods Tri-Color Hailie Thomas Bok Academy North FFA Commercial Market Steer Grand Champion Hallie Thomas Bok Academy North FFA Horse Show Speed - Inter Grand Champion Lydia Thomas Hog Wild 4-H Rabbit Best in Breed Winner Tynsley Tucker Country Ridge 4-H Market Hog Herdsman - Jr. Winner Tynsley Tucker Country Ridge 4-H Market Hog Record Book - Jr Winner Brayden Tyler Bok Academy FFA Food Preservation Tri-Color Brayden Tyler Bok Academy FFA Food Preservation Tri-Color Leland Uhl American Pride 4-H Dairy Overall Reserve Grand Champion Sylvia Ullrich New Horizons 4-H Table Setting/Menu Plan-

ning - Inter Best Formal Brylee Upchurch Bok South FFA Home Furnishing Tri-Color Ariana Vidal Winter Haven Sr. FFA Decorative Food Centerpiece - Sr First Place Arianna Vidal Winter Haven Sr. FFA Table Setting/Menu Planning - Sr Best Holiday/Celebration Olivia Vinzant Southern Variety 4-H Rabbit Best in Breed Winner Olivia Vinzant Southern Variety 4-H Poultry/Egg Show - Large Fowl, Female Champion Isaac Waldman Orange Blossom 4-H Whip Popping - Sr First Place Makayla Waldman Orange Blossom 4-H Archery - Instinctive Long/ Recurve Bow - Jr First Place Miriah Waldman Orange Blossom 4-H Archery - Sighted Long/ Recurve Bow - Sr First Place Steve Wallace McLaughlin FFA Chili Cook Off - Best Decorated Booth First Place Steve Wallace McLaughlin FFA Chili Cook Off - Judge’s Choice Award First Place Amelia Walls Winter Haven Christian FFA Demonstrations - Sr First Place Zoey Waters Dairy Showmanship - Sr First Place Zoey Waters Dairy Overall Grand Champion Aubrey Weeks Fort Meade Community 4-H Chili Cook Off - People’s Choice Award First Place Emily Wells Market Goat Overall Reserve Grand Champion Aubrey White Auburndale Community 4-H Cake Auction Winner Aubrey

White Auburndale Community 4-H Horticulture Judging Individual - Jr First Place Aubrey White Orange Blossom 4-H Eggs - Best Dozen - White Champion Kinley White Golden Horseshoes 4-H Horse Show Western Dressage - Inter Grand Champion Evangelina Williams Bok Academy North FFA Foods Tri-Color Lauren Williams Auburndale Community 4-H Table Setting/Menu Planning - Inter Best Holiday/Celebration Abigail Wilson Orange Blossom 4-H Table Setting/Menu Planning - Jr Best Holiday/Celebration Charlie Wood George Jenkins Sr. FFA Commercial Beef Record Book - Sr Winner Kati Wynn Rowdy Ropers 4-H Breeding Goat Commercial Meat -Pygmy Grand Champion Colton Young Rowdy Ropers 4-H Commercial Beef Record Book - Inter Winner McKenzie Young Rowdy Ropers 4-H Table Setting/Menu Planning - Jr

Dundee Ridge Acad FFA Purebred Beef Herdsman Club/Chapter Winner Fort Meade Middle FFA Rabbit Judging - Club/ Chapter - Inter First Place Frostproof FFA Poultry/Egg Judging Club/Chapter - Jr First Place Frostproof Sr. FFA Poultry/Egg Judging Club/Chapter - Sr First Place Frostproof Sr. FFA Rabbit Judging - Club/ Chapter - Sr First Place George Jenkins Sr. FFA Livestock Judging - Team - Sr First Place George Jenkins Sr. FFA Horticulture Judging Club/ Chapter - Sr First Place Lakeland Christian FFA Horticulture Judging Club/ Chapter - Inter First Place

2024 POLK COUNTY YOUTH FAIR

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UF/IFAS STUDY OFFERS CRITICAL INSIGHTS TO ENCOURAGE SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE, PROTECT FLORIDA GRASSLANDS, WETLANDS

By Lourdes Mederos Florida grasslands and wetlands are wide expanses of land that cover about 25 percent of the earth’s surface and 70 percent of agricultural production. Individually, they offer benefits, also known as ecosystem services, to people and the environment.

Together, they provide provisioning services such as beef and milk production that support global food security. They also perform essential ecosystem services such as carbon storage, soil health, flood abatement, increased biodiversity, and habitat preservation.

The study synthesized 17 years of data from the Archbold Biological Station Buck Island Ranch in Central Florida and sheds light on the direct and spillover effects of agriculture land intensification on multiple ecosystem functions provided by grasslands and wetlands.

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“The result is an analysis aimed at understanding the consequences of management practices applied to grasslands while leaving wetlands untouched,” said Jiangxiao Qiu, an associate professor of landscape ecology at the UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center (FLREC) and the study’s However, in some landscapes in Florida, grasslands and wet- senior corresponding author. lands are connected due to their unique topography and hydrology. It is unclear whether boosting agricultural production “By focusing on grasslands and wetlands altogether, the — also known as agricultural land intensification — impacts study’s findings have far-reaching implications for ecosystem wetlands and grasslands simultaneously and in similar man- management, landscape management, and conservation efners. Does increased agricultural productivity impact biodiver- forts,” said Qiu. sity, water quality, shoreline stability, stream flows, and other functions performed by these connected wetlands and grass- The team hopes the findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, land managers, and conservationists in making inlands? formed decisions regarding land-use practices.

These are some of the questions tackled by a team of 18 scientists from seven universities, federal agencies, and nonprof- “Our study provides a comprehensive assessment on typical its who collaborated with the University of Florida’s Institute of agricultural land intensification in Florida, offering practical alFood and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) in a study recently ternatives for achieving a multifunctional agroecosystem in a balanced approach,” said Yuxi Guo, a post-doctoral researcher published in the journal Nature Communications.

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in Qiu’s lab and lead author of the study. “Findings fill a critical knowledge gap about how surrounding natural wetlands respond to planned agricultural land intensification. The study also represents a holistic assessment of agriculture, both onsite grasslands and surrounding wetlands.”

A multidisciplinary team of collaborators took a deep dive into the complex relationship between land-use practices and the ecosystem services provided by grasslands and wetlands.

They synthesized long-term datasets from 2003 through 2020 comprising more than 11,000 field measurements and 53 physical, chemical and biological indicators from 29 grasslands and 24 wetlands.

Some key takeaways include: • Sustainable agricultural intensification can enhance forage quality and livestock production in both grasslands and wetlands. However, this intensification comes at the cost of water quality regulation, methane mitigation, non-native species invasion resistance and biodiversity.

• Sustainable agricultural intensification could improve ecosystem service multifunctionality.

• The impacts on grasslands extend to alter or modify the multifunctionality of interconnected wetlands.

• The spatial flows, or movement and interactions, of resources and organisms should be considered when studying landuse intensification effects on the various sets of ecosystems within grasslands and wetlands when designing management practices.

The researchers also highlight considerations for planning sustainable agriculture and land management. These include: • Researchers emphasize the importance of adopting multifunctionality and landscape perspectives when planning for sustainable agriculture intensification.

• Developing a framework that provides a comprehensive approach to assess the spillover effects of land-use intensification allows for its assessment and spatially cascading effects. This framework can provide a comprehensive understanding of how changes in land use can impact ecosystems at different scales, enabling policymakers and land managers to make informed decisions.

• Finally, understanding the variations in tradeoffs and synergies across scales is crucial for effective intensification strategies.

“We’ve highlighted the crucial balance among food production, rural economy, and ecological sustainability and we believe our findings will lead to well-informed decisions and policies, ensuring the protection of our invaluable grasslands and wetlands, while fostering a productive agricultural sector,” said Guo. “By considering the broader ecological context and interconnections between different land uses, we can achieve sustainable intensification while minimizing negative environmental impacts.”

Collaborators on the study with UF/IFAS were representatives from the Archbold Biological Station Buck Island Ranch in Lake Placid, U.S. Department of Agriculture, ARS, University of Central Florida, University of Illinois, Texas A&M and Cornell University.

“This study was only made possible because of the shared long-term vision, mutual trust, and seamless collaborations among universities, government and conservation organizations.” said Qiu, “We are excited about working with Extension, agency and landowner networks to further put this science into real management implications and conservation actions to sustain Florida’s grasslands, working ranches and wetlands.”

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NEWS BRIEFS

Compiled by Jim Frankowiak

District to Reduce Risk of Wildfires by Scheduling Prescribed Fires for Hillsborough County The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will be conducting prescribed burns from January through March on the Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve to help reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control.

The Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve is located south of Cross Creek Boulevard between U.S. Highway 301 and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard near Thonotosassa. Approximately 300 acres will be burned in small, manageable units.

Some major benefits of prescribed fire include:

UF Announces Promotions Robert Gilbert, who has served the past six months as the University of Florida interim senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources, will serve in a full leadership role for at least another 18 months. Gilbert has served as UF/IFAS research dean and interim senior vice president while Scott Angle has worked as UF interim provost, a role to which he has now been permanently appointed. Gilbert will now take on the responsibility of leading UF/IFAS through at least mid2025.

District Asks Homeowners to "Skip a Week" of Irrigation this Winter The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is reminding residents who irrigate their lawns to “Skip a Week” or more of watering during the cooler months of January and February.

According to research by the University of Florida, grass doesn’t need to be watered as often during the cooler months. One-half to three-quarters of an inch of water every 10–14 days is sufficient. In fact, if your lawn has received any significant rainfall, then you can turn off your irrigation system and operate it manually as needed.

You can determine when your grass needs water when: • Grass blades are folded in half lengthwise on at least one-third of your yard.

• Grass blades appear blue-gray.

• Grass blades do not spring back, leaving footprints on the lawn for several minutes after walking on it.

Watering only every other week at most during the winter will help conserve drinking water supplies that the public needs for critical uses during the dry season.

For additional information about water conservation, please visit the District’s website at WaterMatters.org/SkipAWeek.

The District conducts prescribed fires on approximately 30,000 acres each year.

FDACS Announces New Disaster Recovery Loan Program The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has introduced a revolving, low or no interest loan program for farmers, ranchers and growers who suffered losses from Hurricane Idalia. This includes producers located in Hillsborough and Polk counties. The program will also be available to producers who experience damage from future declared natural disasters. For more information and to begin the loan application process, visit: fdacs.gov.

Ninth Military Ag Tour April 5 The ninth annual Military Agriculture Tour (MAT IX) is Friday, April 5, from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. The tour is to introduce transitioning military personnel, veterans and their spouses to the diversity of Hillsborough County agriculture and the variety of careers in a modern agricultural operation. The tour will begin and end at the Hillsborough County Extension office (5339 C.R. 579, Seffner) and include visits to a cattle ranch, tropical fish farm, strawberry farm and market, University of Florida, Institute of Agricultural Sciences Gulf Coast Research and Education Center and a blueberry farm. Reservations may be made at: April5MilitaryAgricultureTour.Eventbrite.com. You may call Simon Bollin at 813/853-1086 or email him at BollinS@HCFLGov.net with any questions.

Free Gardening Talks at GreenFest Extension Master Gardener volunteers will be providing free gardening talks at GreenFest March 19 & 20 at the Tampa Garden Club, 2629 Bayshore Boulevard from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. both days. More information is available at: www.tampagardenclub.com/event/tampa-greenfest/.

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• Reducing overgrown plants, which decreases the risk of catastrophic wildfires.

• Promoting the growth of new, diverse plants.

• Maintaining the character and condition of wildlife habitat.

• Maintaining access for public recreation.

Spring Comes Early!

Spring comes early this year!

Yes, I know it’s not so, technically. Spring is still springing in with the Vernal Equinox, which is March 21st this year, and that’s a scientific fact that none can mess with.

by John Dicks

everything from chocolate truffles to chocolate pretzels. The nice thing is that it’s free. Not the chocolate, mind you, but both the admission and parking are listed as such.

Strawberry Festival - February 24 & 25 - The Villages

For Spring Breakers, though, and those of us who still feel like the time should be properly celebrated, it seems like the few days before Easter (and the few days after) are the ones we really tend to focus on.

What? Really? There’s another Strawberry Festival? Let’s just forget about that, and forgive them for interfering with our own world-famous version here in Plant City, February 29 March 10.

The reason for Easter itself is, of course, a result of the resurrection of Christ. It is a most Holy of Holidays. Its date, though, always changes a bit, falling on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25 of a given year.

Swamp Cabbage Festival - February 24 & 25 - LaBelle

With it moving around on the calendar, year after year (amongst those 33 days in March and April) it’s referred to as a “Movable Feast,” a religious holiday that is celebrated on different dates in different years.

The reason for such fluidity on the calendar is that ages ago, it was determined that the celebration of Easter would be on the first Sunday after the first full moon occurring on or after the Vernal (Spring) equinox.

So it is, for 2024, that our first full moon following March 21 (spring equinox), is slated to start shining at 3:00 a.m. on March 25, making the next Sunday thereafter, or March 31, the day for Easter, with big crowds headed to Church, and children delighting over hunting painted eggs.

Thankfully, the internet keeps up with all this and thus can forecast the date for Easter for the next millennia!

What tends, though, to sneak in around Easter are the celebrations of Springtime. Here’s a look at some things I’m considering and you might enjoy as well. ………………………………..……

Tampa Bay Chocolate Festival - February 17 & 18 - New Port Richey Who wouldn’t enjoy this? Back by popular demand for its 11 year, it’s a festival of all things chocolate! More than 100 vendors are expected to tempt our taste buds with

This is no once-in-awhile event. It’s the 58th annual of what the promoters say will be “celebrating another year of that of Swamp Cabbage Goodness!!” I went once, years ago, and quite enjoyed it. I even developed a taste for swamp cabbage, which you really want to experience if you never have.

River O’Green Fest - March 16 - Tampa Here's a free event celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, which is actually the day AFTER the event! Nonetheless, the day before the holiday seems like a good time to “paint the river green.”

Several cities around America, notably Savannah, and Chicago, have made this tradition of temporarily changing a river’s color to green, but Tampa, for several years now, has been doing a fine job and attracting attention in the process.

The Hillsborough River, with help from a non-toxic dye, turns bright green starting at 11:00 am. It lasts for about five hours, but the party’s on and running until 6:00 p.m. with music, food, beverages, and family-friendly activities.

Spring Bluegrass Festival - March 21 - 23 - Brooksville This is one you’ll have to pay for, but it is a 3-day event and does include some notable names in music such as the Lonesome River Band. Prices for tickets range from $20 - $164.50.

If luck should have it with perfect weather, as this date suggests it could be, camping will likely be popular and organizers of the event have prices for that as well.

Of course, there are more events happening, too, all because it’s a special time of year in Florida.

Frankly, even just digging our toes in the fresh green grass on a warm and sunny day is always special in Springtime!

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John Dicks is both a Lawyer and Businessman, including an interest in farming. He and his family have owned a Blueberry Farm and have Agricultural lands which they lease for cattle operations, as John says, “to someone who knows and handles cattle much better than I do!”. John is both a Gator, having received his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida, and a Seminole, with his Law Degree from Florida State University. John serves as Of Counsel to Trinkle Redman, a law firm in Plant City where he also served nine years as City Commissioner, including three terms as Mayor.

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FLORIDA 4-H RECEIVES BOOST FOR OUTDOOR EDUCATION PROGRAM FROM AMERICORPS

By Meredith Bauer

Florida 4-H has received an AmeriCorps service grant through Volunteer Florida to expand environmental education programs to reach more K-12 students with hands-on, outdoor-based learning. AmeriCorps members will serve at 4-H’s three camp education centers to facilitate programs and classes for students. Members will increase Florida 4-H’s capacity to expand 4-H’s overnight camp and education programs both on-site and through community outreach.

Florida 4-H is run through the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and is the first UF organization to be granted AmeriCorps members.

“Partnership with AmeriCorps will enable Florida 4-H to expand our already robust environmental education program with new offerings and reaching more young people. We are excited to be able to offer these programs to students and families throughout our state as our three 4-H camps provide the perfect setting for hands-on learning about Florida’s land, air, and water,” said Stacey Ellison, state 4-H program leader.

Through Florida 4-H Camps, AmeriCorps members will educate youth statewide through overnight trips, day education trips, and community outreach programs.

Programs are available at Florida 4-H’s three camps – 4-H Camp Cloverleaf in Lake Placid, 4-H Camp Cherry Lake in Madison, and 4-H Camp Timpoochee in Niceville – as well as schools and community centers.

Classes include science, outdoor recreation, agriculture, and more, and all are aligned to state and national education standards. Students will learn about the local environment through hands-on and engaging curriculum. Some classes include herpetology, water quality assessment, kayak tours, lake ecology, and marine ecology.

To learn more about opportunities to participate in Florida 4-H Camp Environmental Education programs, visit https://florida4h.ifas.ufl.edu/camps/ or contact Erin Mugge at erin.mugge@ufl.edu.

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Positions are available for additional AmeriCorps members to serve with Florida 4-H. If you are interested in

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serving with Florida 4-H as an AmeriCorps member, check out the application page here.

AmeriCorps members receive a living stipend, Segal AmeriCorps Education Award, childcare and/or health benefits, skills-based and professional development training, and forbearance for federally backed student loans. They serve communities in after-school programs, wildlife programs, disaster response, workforce development training, and many other areas of need.

For more information, visit AmeriCorps.gov.

ABOUT UF/IFAS The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/ IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. ifas.ufl.edu | @UF_IFAS ABOUT FLORIDA 4-H 4-H is the youth development program of the landgrant university system and Cooperative Extension System. The program provides hands-on educational programs and experiences for youth ages 5 to 18 with the objective of developing youth as individuals and as responsible and productive citizens. In Florida, 4-H is administered by University of Florida/IFAS Extension and Florida A&M University.

ABOUT AMERICORPS AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives ad communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency places more than 200,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in intensive service roles; and empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term, or one-time volunteers.

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Recipes

Courtesy of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Chef Justin Timineri

Stuffed Florida Zucchini and Yellow Squash Parmesan Stuffed yellow squash on a baking sheet.

DIRECTIONS Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Cut off the stem side of the zucchini or yellow squash. Cut zucchini or yellow squash evenly in half lengthwise. Using a small spoon, scoop out the seeds from each half to create room to hold other ingredients. Preheat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add 1 teaspoon of olive oil to the preheated pan. Season the zucchini or yellow squash with salt and pepper. Place the zucchini or yellow squash skin side up in the sauté pan and cook for about 2 minutes on both sides. Remove from pan and place on a cookie sheet skin side down.

INGREDIENTS 2 medium Florida zucchini or large yellow squash 1/2 cup ricotta cheese 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese, shredded 1 cup marinara sauce (your favorite) 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese,

grated 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs 2 tablespoons fresh basil or 1 teaspoon dried Olive oil for cooking Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

In a small mixing bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, 1 tablespoon olive oil, chopped basil and Parmesan cheese. Season ingredients to taste with salt and pepper, and stir to combine. Evenly distribute the ricotta cheese and marinara sauce on top of the zucchini or yellow squash. Top the yellow squash and zucchini with the shredded mozzarella cheese. Evenly sprinkle the breadcrumb topping mixture on top of the zucchini or yellow squash. Bake the stuffed zucchini or yellow squash for 10 minutes or until topping is golden brown and cheese is bubbly. Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Serve warm.

Florida Chicken and Vegetable Fried Rice q Ingredients q 2 (8 ounce) Florida chicken breasts 1 Florida bell pepper (any color) 1 cup Florida cabbage, sliced thin 2 Florida carrots, sliced thin 6 Florida mushrooms, sliced thin 2 cups Florida spinach 2 eggs 3 cups cooked rice (brown

or white) 2 green onions, sliced thin 2 garlic cloves, minced 2-3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce or Tamari 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil 3-4 tablespoons olive oil, for cooking Chili sauce or sriracha (optional) Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS Cook rice according to package directions and set aside. Dice the chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces and store in the refrigerator until ready to cook. Prepare and slice all the vegetables and set aside. Mix soy sauce, sesame oil and garlic and set aside.

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Preheat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Beat two eggs and scramble, set aside. Next, season the diced chicken with salt and pepper and sauté for 6 minutes or until cook thoroughly. Remove from pan and set aside. Add another tablespoon of olive oil to the pan and sauté the carrots for one to two minutes. Add the bell pep-

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pers and cabbage, season with salt and pepper and cook for additional two minutes. Remove the vegetables and set aside. Using the same pan, add a small amount of olive oil and sauté the mushrooms and spinach. Add this to the rest of the cooked chicken and vegetables. Lastly, add a 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the hot pan and stir-fry the rice until it is slightly crisp, add the scrambled eggs and combine. Pour the soy sauce mixture and stir to combine.

Serve chicken and vegetables over fried rice in large bowl.

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A Closer LookAmazing Activities by Sean Green Naturally

DIY Casein Plastic (Milk Stone) As I was researching the plaster bee and the way it makes plastic. I got distracted by articles about the history of plastics. I enjoy making historic costumes and found some great references on the process of making a synthetic plastic from natural materials such as milk. Technically known as Casein, “Milk Stones” were marketed as Aladdinite in America and Galalith in Europe.

By late 1920s, the George Morel Corporation served a large segment of the clothing market with buttons made of casein derived from milk. The process was easy and could make a durable plastic that resembled ivory at a fraction of the cost. The great depression of the 1930s demanded better uses for milk than the manufacturing of buttons and alternate compounds soon replaced the use of casein for button manufacturing. The process, however, is still a great way to experience history and create your own, historically accurate alternative to ivory. When dry, casein can be sanded, drilled, polished, painted and even turned on a lathe. Historically not only buttons, but knife and pen handles were made from casein, eating utensils, hair pins, combs and even billiard balls. I experimented with molded casein buttons for my haversacks, but they take a long time to dry so I have included pictures from other sources for this project. (see below) Photograph Source: https://www.instructables. com/id/Plastic-Milk/

Materials:

Casein Source: (Skim Milk, Cottage Cheese, or Yogurt) (Cottage cheese has the highest levels of casein, but also the most fat

impurities, skim milk is suggested ) Coffee Filters Strainer Fine mesh strainer

Distilled white vinegar.

Measuring Cup Small Pot Glass jar Cutting board

Production: • Prepare a mold (Clay, Cookie Mold, Candy Mold) it will not hurt to coat the mold with oil for easy release.

• Gently Heat one cup of milk in a pan or on a stove top until it begins to steam.

• Add about 1 1/5 tablespoons of vinegar to the glass jar.

• Add the steaming milk to the jar of vinegar. (The milk will for curds immediately) • Mix the milk slowly until the curds form a large clump.

• Carefully pour the liquid out of the jar and into a strainer.

• Transfer the curd to a stack of 3 or 4 coffee filters and blot the curd dry.

• Knead the curd into a ball, (The more you knead it the nicer it will look when dry.)

• Paint, stain, and sculpt (or mold) your curd while it is wet.

• After molding and decorating the curd, let it air dry for a few days (longer if your piece is thick)

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Once dry it can be sanded, carved, drilled, or anything else you may do with plastic.

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A Closer Look

by Sean Green

Plasterer Bee (Colletes)

When we think of pollinators most of us think of bees and with that the most common is the European honey bee which in fact is not a native pollinator. The European honey bee also known as the Western honey bee was introduced to the Americas in the 1600s. The Native Americans call the European honey bee the white man’s fly. Although this technically invasive species has been in the United States more than 400 years it has not displaced our truly native species.

Our American species have adapted and found ways to share resources with this foreign guest. One of the ways our native species remains successful despite the invaders is in its nesting characteristics. The European honey bees create a hive for a nest, however more than 70 percent of the 20,000 bee species worldwide are solitary bees that nest in the ground rather than build a hive. This month we are featuring the more common ground nesting solitary bees in the United States and discover why scientists and researchers are taking a closer look.

Bees of the genus Colletes are solitary, ground nesting bees.

We have at least 15 species, in Florida, nine of which are spring species and five are fall species. One species (C. mandibularis) is active in both spring and fall but ironically, not in the summer months when other bees are the most active. One extremely rare species (C. titusensis) is a spring species found only in central Florida (endemic). Most species of this genus collect pollen from a variety of plants (polylectic) and forage on shrubs and trees. Their short tongue limits nectar sources to shallow flowers such as a variety of Umbellifers or crops in the Apiaceae and Fabaceae family. The female plasterer bee digs her own nest, an 18-inch-deep hole the diameter of a pencil that goes straight down into the soil. She digs a new brood cells on the sides of the tunnel. These small chambers will become individual rooms for her offspring. Each brood cell is lined with a polymer substance that is secreted from her abdomen. She uses her paintbrush like tongue to coat the entire inside of the brood cell with the substance. This activity is what gives her the common name “plasterer bee.” The polymer substance she spreads inside the brood cell hardens into a flexible waterproof bag that resembles cellophane.

This natural polyester not only protects the brood cell from moisture, bacteria, and fungi, but also insulates the cell for optimum temperature. When the coating is dry, she fills the bottom of the chamber with a syrupy meal that she makes with pollen, water, and nectar for her offspring. The female bee then lays a single egg on the side of the brood cell just

Researchers have been studying these bees for close to a decade now trying to understand how they manufacture polymers. One of the goals in this research is to learn how we can do the same and improve the quality, efficiency and sustainability of our own plastics manufacturing processes.

In one of the studies researchers buried the polymer linings the bees made for their brood cells to determine how long it would take for their organic polymers to decay. They found the average decay rate for the polymer substance the bees made was five years.

Early plastics were made from organic polymers such as eggs, tree sap, shellac, and blood or milk proteins. Evidence of the early use of plastic in North America dates back to 1600 BCE with examples of figurines and other object made of natural rubber. The industrial revolution of the 19th century fostered many new products including Parkesine. This substance was a type of celluloid regarded as the first man made plastic and was invented in 1856 by Alexander Parks, an English metallurgist. Parks invention was expensive and prone to cracking, ultimately failing in the market. In 1870 America inventor John Wesley Hyatt invented cellulose nitrate, better known as Celluloid. His motivation shaped the world of manufacturing forever. Prior to the 1800’s billiard balls were made of a variety of materials, ivory being the most elegant. By 1863, Ivory was becoming scarce and expensive. An American ivory billiard ball manufacturer offered a reward of $10,000 to any inventor that could find an alternate material for billiard balls. This challenge that motivated John Wesley Hyatt to invent Celluloid as an ivory alternative and billiard balls were manufactured in Celluloid until it was discovered that the celluloid was volatile and carried the risk of minor explosions. Although Hyatt’s invention was not the perfect solution for the billiard ball industry, there were many other uses for his early plastic and his patents became the seed from which our modern plastics industry began.

It is not likely that we will reduce the use of plastics as a manufacturing option anytime soon, however, if we take a closer look at nature and specifically at the plasterer bee, it is conceivable that we can reduce the environmental impact of plastics in the future.

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above the meal she has prepared. She then seals the opening to brood cell with a polymer window and closes it in by packing soil against the window.

By Grady Judd, Polk County Sheriff

POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE ANIMAL CRUELTY INVESTIGATIONS ARE A TOP PRIORITY

Sheriff Grady Judd announced a new unit at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office focused on reducing animal abuse and neglect and other animal-related crimes – the PCSO Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit (ACIU).

Two designated sworn law enforcement members with decades’ worth of experience between them, Sergeant Timothy Sanders and Detective Maria Catello, are Certified Animal Cruelty Investigators within the PCSO Agricultural Crimes Unit. As members of the ACIU under the umbrella of the Ag. Crimes Unit, they will respond to and conduct criminal investigations with the new ACIU specialty equipment.

Deputies on patrol who respond to animal-related calls for service will notify the ACIU immediately upon suspicion of any criminal acts.

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In 2023, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 349 animal cruelty investigations. Over the last five years, we’ve investigated 2,181 separate incidents of animal cruelty. There is clearly a need in Polk County for highly trained investigators who are

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dedicated to the safety and well-being of animals and livestock.

Members of the Unit: Sergeant Tim Sanders was hired as a deputy sheriff in 1995.

During that time he spent 10 years working as an undercover detective within several different special investigative units.

He was promoted to Sergeant in 2015 and in 2019 transferred to the Agricultural Crimes Unit. Along with his college degrees, he holds certifications in the following training courses: equine cruelty investigations; essential animal services training academy; national animal control humane officer academy; chemical immobilization; and humane euthanasia of animals.

Detective Maria Catello was hired as a deputy sheriff in 2014 and transferred to the Agricultural Crimes Unit in 2019, where her duties include: investigating all types of agricultural-related criminal activity, specifically violent crimes such as animal cruelty, trespassing, thefts, burglary, and wildlife crimes.

She is also a dedicated member of the agency’s Mounted WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM

Enforcement Unit. She holds certifications from the following training courses: certified animal control officer; national animal control humane officer academy; chemical immobilization; humane euthanasia of animals; equine investigations; equine cruelty investigations; essential animal services training; and certified mounted police instructor.

“We are dedicated to thoroughly investigating the tips we receive regarding suspected animal cruelty, neglect, and abuse. In our 2,000 square-mile county, we have a number of residents who own pets and livestock. Animals, much like children, are helpless when being subjected to neglect or abuse, and it is up to our investigators to ensure their safety and well-being and hold those accountable who violate the law.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff From December 2023 to January 2024, the ACIU arrested and charged five suspects in unrelated cases of animal neglect and abuse: On December 21, 2023, 48-year-old Lisa Lacharite of Frostproof had 142 cats, 3 dogs, and 164 various birds living in confinement and filth inside the home. She was also the caretaker of her 75-year-old mother. Hazardous levels of ammonia were measured in the home. Lacharite was taken into custody and charged with 10 counts felony animal cruelty, 304 counts animal neglect, and one count of elder neglect.

On December 28, 2023, 57-year-old Sharon Cochran was arrested and charged with 36 counts of animal neglect when detectives responded to her home where she takes care of her 82-year-old mother-in-law and noted toxic levels of ammonia inside due to a cat hoarding situation. She was also charged with felony neglect of an elderly person. One dog and 35 cats were rescued from the house.

On January 1, 2024, PCSO received a tip regarding dogs who appeared to be very thin, in someone’s yard in Winter Haven.

When detectives arrived, they noted that all 3 dogs were visibly thin with prominent rib/hip bone outlines visible. No food or water was observed. One of the dog’s chains was so tightly twisted the dog was unable to lower her head and had to be loosened for relief. The 21-year-old owner of the dogs told detectives that he had moved several weeks prior and thought that his brother was taking care of the dogs for him, but admitted he had not actually talked to his brother. He was charged with three counts animal neglect.

On January 3, 2024, after a lengthy investigation, detectives arrested a licensed practical nurse in Lakeland who fatally poisoned her neighbors’ two cats and pregnant Chihuahua. They found that 51-year-old Tamesha Knighten placed shredded chicken laced with a pesticide in a bowl in the victims’ yard. She was charged with three counts of felony animal cruelty and one count depositing poison in a public area.

On January 18, 2024, Detectives arrested 44-year-old Ann Bayandrian and charged her with nine counts of animal neglect after she dropped some of her dogs off at an animal boarding business, where it was clear to those who worked there that the dogs were extremely unhealthy. During the investigation, detectives found other dogs that belonged to her abandoned at a county park. The woman had previously been arrested for animal cruelty in 2011 and served one year of probation. A search of her home revealed extremely unhealthy conditions for humans and animals. All of the animals at the home were rescued.

Is your farm FSMA ready?

Sign up today for a free On-Farm Readiness Review

www.FDACS.gov/FSMA This publication is supported by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award U2FFD007446 totaling $1,166,732 with 100 percent funded by FDA/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by FDA/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

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