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VOL. 9 • ISSUE 2
Quinn Carter
page 24
Polk County Cattlemen’s Association P.O. Box 9005 • Drawer HS03 Bartow, FL. 33831-9005 President – J. B. Wynn (863) 581-3255 jbwynn29@gmail.com Vice President – David McCullers (863) 635-2821crookedlakeranch@verizon. net Cover Photo by Melissa Nichols
Contents SEPTEMBER 2015 Master Gardener
Recipes
Agritourism
Endangered Species
Fishing Hot Spots
Polk County Sheriff
Page 10 Page 12 Page 14
Literary Time Machine
Page 16
Jack Payne
Page 17
Jason Cash
Page 20
Page 26 Page 30
Page 34
Florida Mamey
Page 39
FFA Hall of Fame
Page 42 Activity
Page 44
Rocking Chair Chatter
Secretary/Treasurer Justin Bunch (863) 425-1121 jbunch@agriumretail. com State Director – Ray Clark (863) 640-0719 rclark@tampabay. rr.com
Dave Tomkow (863) 665-5088 cattlemenslivestock@ earthlink.net Mike Facente (863) 697-9419 Standing Committee Chairs: Membership- J.B. Wynn Events- Kevin Fussell (863) 412-5876 Trade ShowRodeo- Fred Waters (863) 559-7808
Website – Adam NorCarlton Taylor man 863-944-9293 863-781-1146 Carlton.Taylor@boehring- Adam.norman@gmfind. com er-ingelheim.com Charles Clark (863) 528-8537 cclarkc4@yahoo.com L.B. Flanders, DVM (863) 644-5974 Dewey Fussell (863) 984-3782 Mike Fussell (863) 698-8314 fussell.flafarm@verizon. net Moby Persing 863-528-4567
Cattlewomen – Vice President, Laura Slocumb (863) 660-7000 laura@higgenbotham. com Extension – Bridget Carlisle PO Box 9005, Drawer HS03 Bartow, FL 33831 (863) 519-1048 bccarlis@ufl.edu Sheriff’s Dept. – Sgt. Tommy Dixon (863) 534-7205 tdixon@polksheriff.org
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Letter from the Editor
STAFF Publisher/Photography Karen Berry Senior Managing Editor/ Associate Publisher Sarah Holt Editor-In-Chief Al Berry Editor Patsy Berry
October is State Forest Awareness Month and many of the 35 state forests across Florida are holding events to celebrate the occasion. “The Florida Forest Service boasts more than 1 million acres of pristine and diverse state forest land,” said Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “I encourage everyone to take the opportunity to hike, bike, horseback ride, kayak or just explore Florida’s beautiful landscape this month during State Forest Awareness Month.” At one of Florida’s parks, Lake Wales Ridge State Forest near Frostproof, you will discover one of the highest concentrations of rare and endangered plants in the continental US. For more information and for a list of state forests, visit the Florida Department of Agriculture’s web site at www.freshfromflorida.com. October is also Breast Cancer Awareness month. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, about 1 in 8 women born today in the US will get breast cancer at some point. The good news is if discovered and treated early, many women can survive breast cancer. This month is a chance to raise awareness about the importance of early detection of breast cancer. Until Next Month
Office Manager Bob Hughens Sales Manager Danny Crampton Sales Al Berry Tina Richmond Danny Crampton Melissa Nichols Creative Director/Illustrator Juan Alvarez Photography Karen Berry Al Berry Stephanie Humphrey Melissa Nichols Staff Writers Al Berry Sandy Kaster James Frankowiak Sean Green Ginny Mink Libby Hopkins Melissa Nichols Contributing Writers Woody Gore
Sarah The LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. - Numbers 6:25
In The Field Magazine is published monthly and is available through local Hillsborough County businesses, restaurants, and many local venues. It is also distributed by U.S. mail to a target market, which includes all of the Greenbelt Property owners, members of the Hillsborough County Farm Bureau and Strawberry Grower’s Association. Letters, comments and questions can be sent to P.O. Box 5377, Plant City, Florida 335630042 or you are welcome to email them to: info@inthefieldmagazine.com or call 813759-6909 Advertisers warrant & represent the descriptions of their products advertised are true in all respects. In The Field Magazine assumes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers. All views expressed in all articles are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Berry Publications, Inc. Any use or duplication of material used in In the Field magazine is prohibited without written consent from Berry Publications, Inc. Published by Berry Publications, Inc.
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Dear Readers: I don’t know about y’all but I’m sure glad that fall is here. We had our first official bit of fall weather this past weekend and it was very welcomed. Hopefully more of this cooler, drier air is around the corner. I keep hearing we need to prepare for another wet winter. This time of year also brings on shipping and pregnancy checking at local ranches. The calf prices have softened in the last few weeks, but that can sometimes be expected this time of year. It’s still a great time to be a cattleman. This past month many of us joined together in Kissimmee for the Ranch Rodeo State Finals and Heritage Festival. It was a great weekend with no major injuries and weather that held out during the day at the Heritage Festival. From the BBQ competition and whip popping to the story telling and fake “shoot-out,” it was a good time. I spoke to a few “snowbirds” that just stopped in after driving by and noticing smoke from the burning hay bale, and they ended up staying for the rodeo.
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The month of October brings on some bull sales. If you are in need of a bull, check out the cattlemen’s magazine for a sale that might interest you. Don’t forget the Cattlemen’s Livestock Market will be holding a bull and replacement heifer sale on Friday, Oct 23. There is going to be some nice cattle offered so I hope to see you there. November 12 is the date for our annual Polk County Cattlemen’s Association dinner meeting in Bartow. There will be some nice door prizes and of course, great steak. One member who has worked hard to recruit the most new members is going to go home with a new custom saddle. That could be you! Get out there and recruit some new members! Sincerely,
JB Wynn
JB Wynn Polk County Cattlemen’s Association President
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• Did you know the ancient Egyptians were the first to recognize the beneficial status of the earthworm? • Cleopatra (69 – 30 B.C.) recognized the earthworms’ contribution to Egyptian agriculture and declared them to be sacred. • Removal of earthworms from Egypt was punishable by death. • Egyptian farmers were not allowed to even touch an earthworm for fear of offending the god of fertility. • A 1949 study by the USDA confirmed that the great fertility of the soil in the Nile valley was due in large part to the work of earthworms. • Earthworms neutralize soil pH. • Composting with worms occurs four times faster than normal composting. • One of the largest earthworms ever found was almost 22 feet long.
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The Great Pumpkin Uprising M A S T E R GARDENER By Debra Howell Nothing quite conveys the homey warmth of the fall season like the cucurbit family. The cucurbit family includes pumpkins, gourds, squash, luffas, melons, watermelons and cucumbers. While some family members are generally available year round, Fall welcomes the ripening of pumpkins and gourds. These are the cucurbits that grace your Thanksgiving table or sit on hay bales for your fall soiree. Historically, pumpkins and squash have been cultivated, along with beans and sunflowers, long before corn was developed from a grass called teosinte. Prior to European contact, Native Americans were roasting pumpkin strips over campfires, eating the seed and using them for medicine, dropping the blossoms into stews and drying them for use as storage containers. Following the introduction of maize, these canny Native Americans were practicing sustainable agriculture and grew a trio referred to as the “three sisters.” This trio, a good source of protein when cooked together, are squash, beans and corn. You may even use the corn as a trellis for the climbing beans. Then, symbiotically, the bean roots return the favor by setting the nitrogen in the soil thereby nourishing the corn.
pumpkins in yellow, white, green, red, blue and striped colors. And, they may be tall, short, tiny, huge (and I mean huge), flat, necked, round, pear, smooth or lumpy. Pumpkins, which are grown commercially, are used for food and recreation. An interesting fact is that all pumpkins are a type of winter squash, and the term pumpkin is interchangeable with squash depending on where you are on the planet. So, pumpkins are just a very large squash. The word pumpkin comes from the Greek for large melon. Indeed, some pumpkins are grown for the annual pumpkin weigh in. The current world’s record is 2,323 pounds, which was grown in Switzerland. The largest pumpkins, cucurbita maxima, are grown from Atlantic Giant seeds, which were cultivated from a Hubbard squash genotype. As with squashes, honeybees play a pivotal role in their fertilization. When the honeybees are not present, you must rely upon hand-pollination to get the job done. You may use ripe pumpkin flesh steamed, roasted, boiled or baked and incorporate it into pies, rolls, cakes, cookies, soups, pureed or in hot beverages, making pumpkin an integral part of the fall harvest bounty. The seeds are bagged and sold as a snack treat.
The Native Americans introduced pumpkins and squashes to the early settlers to help them through the winter, as these were nourishing and stored well. Pumpkin seeds were found in Mexico and dated to 5,500 BC or earlier.
One of my favorite events is the pummeling of the pumpkins by the zoo elephants. The pumpkins are delivered in mass to these zoo denizens who play with them for a good long time and then stomp them and partake of their nutritious goodness.
In 1633, some grateful Pilgrim penned these thoughts, ”For pottage and puddings, and custards, and pies, our pumpkins and parsnips are common supplies. We have pumpkins at morning and pumpkins at noon: if it were not for pumpkins, we should be undoon.”
Another diverse use for the venerable pumpkin is a competition known as “pumpkin chunking.” This is a team sport where devices such as trebuchets, air cannons and catapults are constructed for the purpose of propelling the pumpkins to see who can toss it the farthest. Specialized pumpkin types are cultivated for their durability and toughness to withstand the toss for this goal.
Pumpkins come in many shapes, sizes and colors. You may grow 10
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Pumpkins are very nutritious, being rich in beta-carotene, vitamin A, B vitamins, fiber, iron, protein and are naturally low in sodium. Gourds are usually grown as a decorative ornamental plant. The Lagenaria gourd, also called the bottle gourd or birdhouse gourd is believed to have originated in Africa and was quite prevalent during pre-Columbian times. These gourds floated over on sea currents and showed up at the Windover site near Jacksonville about 10,000 years ago. They were used by the Windover people, not only as containers, but to mark their family burial plots in a mucky pond that they used for that purpose. This site was discovered by a DOT heavy equipment operator while blading for a new bridge. It was later excavated, carbon dated and protected. The people were so well preserved that almost all had viable DNA for testing. These gourds travelled widely to such places as India, New Zealand, China, Peru and Mexico, as well as Florida. It is the only pre-Columbian crop to be cultivated in the Old and New World. While the flesh of some types of immature bottle gourds may be eaten like a boiled vegetable, others are bitter and may be of a type containing poisonous substances, so you should be diligent if you attempt to endure the insipid taste. The University of Florida circular, HS602, Gourd, Bottle – Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standl., says the gourds may be constricted with bands to conform them to the desired container shape. You should let gourds ripen completely on the vine. Patterns may be cut into the gourds prior to drying. They need to be completely dry to use them for storage. Dried gourds have a number of uses such as bowls, bottles, ladles, spoons, pipes, churns, floats, musical instruments and carved items. If you desire to use it as a Martin house, it will need to be prepared as outlined in the University of Florida circular, HS602.
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Gourds are vigorous climbers and will readily cover any scaffolding you offer them. One cool gourd to us Floridians is the Okeechobee gourd. This gourd has grape-like foliage and grows along the southeastern shore of Lake Okeechobee. Alas, it is under threat of extinction from habitat loss and cold weather. In South Florida, the wax gourd is commercially grown in oriental vegetable farms and is known as Chinese watermelon, tallow gourd and winter melon. This gourd may yield three crops per year in South Florida. The luffa gourds are called running okra, Chinese okra, California okra, dishcloth gourds and vegetable sponges. These fruits are edible, as well, but the plant is mostly used for the utilitarian fibers contained therein. They originated in India and are cold-sensitive like all other cucurbits. When very small, they may be eaten like cucumbers. Did you know Florida ranks second nationally in market squash production? Almost all of it is grown for the fresh market. In fact, the Miami-Dade County area is the main squash growing region in the state. Squash growers in Florida mainly cultivate crookneck, straightneck, zucchini, scallop, spaghetti, acorn and butternut squashes. The squash are washed in a vat immediately after picking in which soap or bleach has been added. While summer squash is highly perishable, winter squash possesses a thick rind creating a shelf life of up to six months. It may be noted that pests on cucurbits seem to be more prevalent when planted in fall, than when set in the spring. Pests you may encounter are squash bug, whitefly, pickleworm, aphids, leaf miner and melon worm. Always use the proper product according to package directions. With the numerous types of squash and other cucurbits available, and the many wonderful recipes in which to use them, the cucurbit family deserves consideration for a corner of your little plot of land.
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Agritourism … It’s A New “Crop” Being Grown By Farmers by John Dicks
The cooler air of Autumn is certainly welcome by most, and not just because it puts an end to the simmering heat of summer nor that it evens out the time between beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Autumn also gives rise to having fun at fall festivals, enjoying a sip of warm cider and even getting lost in corn mazes.
tivity on land that has been classified as agricultural by a property appraiser.”
Corn mazes? It’s part of a new phenomenon in farming called Agritourism, and it’s growing faster than many of the crops that farmers have always counted on.
Perhaps even more significant is that the legislation purports to establish a limitation on legal liability from the inherit risks of the activities for the land owner, Agritourism operator and employees. That protection comes with the provision that a notice of risk must be posted on the land.
Actually, some suggest that Agritourism is a new “crop” being grown by farmers. It’s another cog in the wheel of creativity farmers have always shown when thinking “outside of the box” … or, in this case, “outside of the field.” From rotating crops to utilizing innovative planting and harvesting techniques, successful farmers have always been good stewards of the soil. In a new twist, now farms are being opened to the public willing to pay admission fees for festivals, corn mazes, tours, weddings, reunions, concerts and Easter egg hunts, just to name a few of the more popular attractions. While we live in a world where most people have never even set foot on a farm, consumers have become increasingly interested in learning where their food has come from and how it was produced. Agritourism helps answer that curiosity and is becoming ever more popular. It involves getting people out of their homes and cars, and out on the farm where all the fall festivities are happening. Consumers are enjoying the outdoors with these sights and sounds of autumn while the smells of opportunity are being harvested by more and more farmers in central Florida. The folks at IFAS estimate that in the five year period from 2007 2012, the number of Florida farms offering some form of Agritourism leapt from 281 to 724. One can only imagine how the number has grown over the last three years.
That language should open the door to countless creative activities for farmers and ranchers.
The Florida Farm Bureau noted that the protection from liability provided in the statute (FS 570.963) “should not be considered a total substitute for insurance protection. However, in most instances Agritourism owners and operators who use diligence in considering the well-being of their guests will be protected from frivolous lawsuits.” Showing that it means business, the language of the legislation does specifically require that notice be posted and “consist of a sign in black letters, with each letter a minimum of one inch in height, with sufficient color contrast to be clearly visible,” stating the following: WARNING Under Florida law, an agritourism operator is not liable for injury or death of, or damage or loss to, a participant in an agritourism activity conducted at this agritourism location if such injury, death, damage, or loss results from the inherent risks of the agritourism activity. Inherent risks of agritourism activities include, among others, risks of injury inherent to land, equipment, and animals, as well as the potential for you to act in a negligent manner that may contribute to your injury, death, damage, or loss. You are assuming the risk of participating in this agritourism activity. As Florida becomes even more populated, Agritourism may well grow to be bumper crop for creative farmers and ranchers.
Agritourism, naturally, is an interesting outgrowth industry combining the strengths of Florida’s two biggest economic engines … agriculture and tourism. There’s even a fledging organization, started in 2103 and known as the Florida Agritourism Association (FATA) which has adopted a mission of promoting this growing enterprise and educating both consumers who want to enjoy it and farmers seeking to get involved. FATA defines Agritourism as an industry attracting interested consumers to a variety of farming operations including “destinations such as, working farms and ranches, u-pick fruit and vegetable operations; vineyards and wineries; specialty crops and products; and numerous other types of farms.” It says that Agritourism’s success comes from “giving visitors a place to play and helping farmers add value to every acre.” As you might expect, with such activities increasing in the Sunshine State, the Government naturally seeks to get involved. Thus far, though, the actions have been mostly good for the industry and the industrious farmers and ranchers. Not long ago our state government created a formal definition of Agritourism to mean “any agricultural related activity consistent with a bona fide farm or ranch or in a working forest, which allows members of the general public to view or enjoy activities, including farming, ranching, historical, cultural, or harvest-your-own activities and attractions.” In 2013 the Florida Legislature passed a measure that eased regulations such as zoning ordinances, typically applying only to yearround businesses, and reduced the liability burden for farmers and ranchers opening their gates to Agritourism visitors. According to FATA, the legislation “prohibits a local government from prohibiting, restricting, regulating, or otherwise limiting an Agritourism ac12 12
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John Dicks is both a lawyer and a farmer. He and his family own a blueberry farm and have agricultural lands which they lease for cattle operations, as John says, “to someone who knows and handles cattle much better than I do!” John is both a Gator, having received his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida, and a Seminole, with his Law Degree from Florida State University. He and his wife, Sharon, live in Plant City, where he served nine years as City Commissioner, including three years as Mayor. WWW. THE FIELD AGAZINE.COM WWW. ININ THE FIELD MM AGAZINE.COM
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Let’s Fish Tampa Bay in October Hopefully the shallow inshore flats will begin clearing up after the rains of August and September. If so, the bite should improve. That’s not to say the bites been all that bad. We’re still catching fish; it’s just a little difficult to see them in the tannin colored waters. They’re eating almost everything offered and we’re certainly doing more catching than fishing. So as late summer and early fall temperatures start dropping this is a great time to fish; it makes temperatures tolerable on the fish and most of all the anglers. If you want to catch a few snook, redfish, trout, mackerel or perhaps a mess of snapper, now is the time.
Redfish are showing up around the grass flats and mangrove
shorelines. Scourging for food from area to area you can often find them; simply watch the water. As they move the school humps the shallow water. It can very subtle or aggressive depending on their traveling speed. The biggest mistake anglers make is chasing a school of spooked redfish. If you’ll wait, normally they calm down and begin feeding again. However, if you immediately jump on the trolling motor and give chase that’s all you’re going to be doing for the next hour or so is chasing a school of redfish. Instead of catching several fish you may have to settle for only one or two. It’s also the time of the year when some of the big reds show up. You never know whether you’re going to a catch one in the slot or one of the giants over 30 inches. These fish often top the scales at 15 plus pounds. The upper and lower bay is also holding good numbers of fish We’ve been catching sea trout on deeper hard bottom grass flats. Frequently when you catch one there are others in the same sand hole. We’re having success using smaller pilchards, and dollar sized pinfish, but live shrimp always catch trout. I nose hook pinfish and pilchard’s, shrimp I hook in the carapace just under the horn. Depending on the water depth sometimes a popping cork will draw attention to the bait.
range using live greenbacks, but released them. For me they are such a great species to catch, I personally don’t see a reason to kill them for the table. They are no better eating than other fish and much more fun to catch. As for the others, we’ve been catching good sized mangrove/grey snapper at the bridges and on the grass flats with some topping out around 3 pounds (remember they are a reef fish and according to the rules you should be using circle hooks and they must be 12” total length).
Cobias are showing up on the flats and fish reefs and for us it
usually only takes a chum bag over the side to spark their curiosity. If you hook-up, be ready with another rod and bait as others often follow the action. Mackerel, bluefish, sharks, jacks and ladyfish are feeding on bait schools everywhere.
Snook are open to harvest from September 1 through December
1 with a slot limit of 28 to 33 inches. With most of the snook being caught averaging in the 22 to 25 inch range it’s often tough to put a slot fish in the boat. But if you work at it, you could boat one especially as fall approaches. We did catch one or two in the 29 to 35 inch
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“Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing” 813-477-3814 Captain Woody Gore has been guiding and fishing the Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, Bradenton, and Sarasota areas for over fifty years; his level of customer service, experience and attention to detail allows him to offer world class fishing adventures and a lifetime of memories. Single or Multi-boat Group Charters are all the same. With years of organizational experience and access to the areas most experienced captains, Woody can arrange and coordinate any outing or tournament. Just tell him what you need and it’s done.
Visit his website at: WWW.CAPTAINWOODYGORE.COM send an email to wgore@ix.netcom.com or give him a call at 813-477-3814 WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Ornamental Gardening in Florida
Part 13 By Ginny Mink
Congratulations, you have made it past one year on our Literary Time Machine! We hope that you have garnered a great deal of knowledge and entertainment along this voyage and we pray that the experience will continue on as we venture into part thirteen of Charles Torrey Simpson’s gem, Ornamental Gardening in Florida. We are certain that this month’s chapter on Orchids and Bromeliads will be truly enlightening. Mr. Simpson begins the chapter with a revelation that might be quite shocking to the non-orchid people. He says, “Few people know that there are at present about twenty-five species of native, epiphytal orchids known to be living in Florida.”¹ Furthermore he explains, “Some of these are beautiful, while all are strange and interesting.”¹ Orchid lovers will surely agree. He then theorizes, “They are nearly all natives of the West Indies or Tropical America and it is probable that they were mostly introduced into Florida by birds, wind or floating vegetation.”¹ Then he tells his readers that some of these species have, “no beauty,”¹ because they are “classed among the weeds of the family.”¹ Perhaps you’ve noted some quite lovely weeds and wondered why they were so labeled? Maybe, just maybe, that’s the case with these particular orchids he seems unimpressed with. He gives some specific descriptions of various species but then he explains how to successfully grow some of these lovely flowers. He instructs, “Many of the exotic orchids can be grown on trees in our hammocks with a moderate degree of success. No orchid will do any good on a tree unless it is so firmly fastened that it cannot be moved about in the slightest degree.”¹ He continues the instructions telling readers to remove the potting soil around the roots (if the orchids have been obtained from a dealer). Then he adds, “I cut strips of wire window screen say an inch wide, nail one end fast to the bark of the tree and then draw the other tightly across the bunch of roots and nail it.”¹ We wonder what environmentalist would have to say about nailing orchids to trees? He recommends planting at the beginning of the rainy season because, “…at that time most of them are ready to make new growth.”¹ His discourse doesn’t end there though, “With many of these orchids the old roots die when about a year old so it will do no harm when setting if the ends are cut off.”¹ His advice continues, “They should be put on trees whose bark does not scale off or break off: the live oak is fine as its bark is rough and never comes loose, besides it sometimes has a little mold in the crevices which the roots seem to like.”¹ Nobody really likes live oaks anyhow so we guess putting some nails in them will be alright? You can laugh, it’s a joke. The next paragraph caught us by utter surprise and had us chuckling. He says, “Some parts of the state are troubled with wild rats and if orchids in such places are placed so that they can get at them they are pretty sure to destroy them.”¹ Therefore he suggests, “Do 16
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not plant them on horizontal or leaning trunks or branches but on trees or limbs that are vertical and they should be several feet above ground.”¹ We’d add the following advice: get an exterminator! Focused on pest issues he continues, “I have mentioned the rats which sometimes do great damage with orchids and there are nocturnal insects that eat the leaves of some of them which could probably be held in check by spraying according to instructions in the chapter on insects.”¹ Now we know we’ll have the joy of looking forward to that chapter on bugs! As if rats and bugs aren’t problem enough for these gorgeous blooms Mr. Simpson reveals, “The only disease that, so far, has troubled my plants is a blight which breaks out suddenly, mostly in wet weather, and in a short time the leaves look as if they had been dipped in scalding water. Slitting the sheaths that surround the pseudo-bulbs and removing them in case there are indications of trouble is a good thing and thoroughly dusting with sulfur is excellent. Cut away and burn all diseased parts.”¹ Upon reading that directive to dust with sulfur we were immediately intrigued and had to know if this was a method that is still supported today. After researching a little about orchids and their troubles, we found this tidbit of advice about performing surgery on a diseased plant, “dress the edge of the cut with a simple fungicidal material like sulfur or cinnamon…”² So sulfur (and cinnamon even) are apparently advisable fungicides. Cool. Mr. Simpson then shares his experiences with several of the species of orchids he has attempted to grow. He switches gears near the end of the chapter though to discuss the other half of the chapter’s title, bromeliads. He explains, “So far as my experience goes the Bromeliads are better adapted to conditions here than are the epiphytic orchids. In fact in some of the hammocks they grow with such vigor they break down large limbs on which they rest.”¹ He closes the chapter with a summation, “There is an indescribable charm of beauty and strangeness about all these epiphytes, they are so utterly different from what the eyes of northern people are accustomed to, they are fanciful, grotesque, even at times fantastical.” We hope the orchid lovers aren’t appalled by his use of the word grotesque, if so we shall just assume he was referring to bromeliads instead. Regardless, he’s right about the unique design found in these plants and maybe we should try growing some in our hammocks (that’s a joke too). Resources: ¹ Simpson, Charles T. (1926). Ornamental Gardening in Florida. Published by the Author; Little River, FL. Printed by J.J. Little and Ives Company, New York. (p. 66-69) ²http://what-when-how.com/orchids/keeping-your-orchids-pestand-disease-free/ WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
The Gulf Coast Research and Education Center is still growing at 90 years old.
By Jack Payne The 2015 Florida Ag Expo at the center on Nov. 4 is partly a party. Come meet a chef talking about farm-to-restaurant, hear about our plans for a hops garden, applaud the ribbon cutting to open our new wing, and feed off the energy of the eight 20-somethings who have moved into our new grad student housing.
We’ll be listening on Nov. 4. We give farmers the microphone at the annual growers’ panel, one of the most popular events at the Expo. This year Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association President Mike Stuart will moderate a panel of three growers who will talk about the state of the agriculture industry. UF/IFAS will be listening carefully.
You can register for the event at www.floridaagexpo.com.
You don’t have to be on a panel to let us know what’s on your mind. The more you can tell us about your challenges, the more we can focus on helping you surmount them. No one else does what we do for Hillsborough County-area growers – creating and sharing knowledge through research, teaching and Extension.
I’d argue that what the University of Florida’s Institute of Agricultural and Life Sciences is celebrating at the Expo is that we have the secret to old age: Stay relevant. After decades of advances on how to better irrigate, fertilize, plant, protect, and market your crops, we’re not even close to done. The ribbon cutting will open a 5,000-square-foot expansion of the Gulf Coast REC that will serve as the working space for 17 researchers, graduate students and visiting scientists. That brings the UF/IFAS team in Wimauma to 150, up from 75 a decade ago. That infusion of expertise increases our likelihood of achieving that tomato grower’s grail – a fruit that can be mechanically harvested. It also gives us a better shot at doing with pomegranates, peaches, hops, or blackberries what we did for blueberries: create the cultivars that built a $75 million-a-year industry in Florida. You can hear all about our latest research, but it’s always a two-way conversation at our research and education centers. We have these events so we can listen to you, too.
The Expo is one of the most festive ways we do it. In some ways, growing a center is like growing crops. Just as you seek advice on how to grow better tomatoes, we’re always looking for input on what we can do to make the center serve you better. After 90 years, it’s still a work in progress. It always will be, at least until every day is 65 degrees and sunny, bugs stop eating crops, and the water supply becomes infinite. We believe we wear our age well at IFAS and at the Gulf Coast REC. Center Director Jack Rechcigl is a good administrator and a good scientist not only because of his keen mind but because of a wellfunctioning pair of ears. He’s eager to use those ears on Nov. 4. I’m eager to use mine, too, since I plan to come down from Gainesville. I hope you’ll give us that chance.
Like we did 10 years ago. Our center will celebrate its 10th anniversary with the Expo, but we’ve been in Hillsborough County for 90 years. When we closed our center in Bradenton, we listened to growers who clamored for a replacement facility, and UF/IFAS built the Gulf Coast REC. It was a classic case of UF/IFAS listening and acting on what growers had to say. In other words, staying relevant.
Jack Payne is the senior vice president of agriculture and natural resources at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. jackpayne@ufl.edu • @JackPayneIFAS WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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A Time of Need By Melissa Nichols
On July 31st the lives of Jason, Dana and Brody Cash changed in an instant. Jason is a beloved veterinarian who has worked in both the large animal and small animal fields all over Polk County for the last 15 years. He has volunteered his time and knowledge to help many friends in need and the youth of the community in particular. Jason has always taken a special interest in helping the 4-H and FFA students who were raising animals to show at the fairs. If you were to ask longtime family friend Kyle Carlton, Ag Teacher at Kathleen High School, about Jason, he would probably say that Jason is one of the most dedicated veterinarians he has ever met. Kyle would tell you about the times he has had a sick animal at his school and Jason would come by and volunteer his time to assist the student in raising the animal. This type of giving doesn’t happen very often and it just shows the type of person Jason is. Youth, the community and the animals are very important to Jason. He has a way with animals, is caring and honest and will do anything he can to help in the time of need. In his time of need the community has paid it forward, just as Jason would have done if the shoe were on the other foot. Jason comes from a family who has always been involved in agriculture, growing up in North Lakeland. When he and his wife Dana started their family they knew they wanted Brody to have the same bond with his community that Jason has had, but the pure strength of that bond is something no one person could have estimated. Jason has never met a stranger. If he came in contact with you, he talked to you, if he had a 20
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way to help you, he did. On that day in July, Jason suffered a hemorrhagic stroke on the right side of his brain, which has caused paralysis on the left side of his body. It is believed that Jason’s diabetes contributed to the stroke which has left him in the ICU at Tampa General Hospital ever since. That day changed the lives of Dana and Brody as much as it did Jason. They were broken, and Dana was filled with worry about how she was going to take care of Brody, be there for him and Jason. They worried about the hospital bills, the household bills and everything she was facing. It was in that time the community decided to rally and help their friend, coworker, and neighbor. On September 12th an event was organized to raise much needed funds for the Cash Family. Close friend of the Cash family, Dee Meador, along with a team of friends, organized the Cash Family Benefit held at Kathleen Historical Society. A team of over 100 volunteers got together to make this event successful, from the nearly 2000 tickets for BBQ dinners sold, to the live auction with auctioneers Bern Kinard and Kenny Raney, to the hundreds of silent auction items and gift cards. The event drew a crowd from all over Polk and surrounding counties and had everyone there in awe of the support for Jason, Dana and Brody Cash. There is a saying that it takes a community to make a difference, and this is true. The entire community of Polk County rallied behind Jason to let him know how much they love him, and how much they want him back. Jason has felt this strength and support. It put a smile on his face and has helped WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
him fight harder than ever before. Jason is beginning to defy the odds after being on a ventilator for almost two months. He is gaining strength and breathing on his own once again. Jason is determined he will make a full recovery. He hopes to one day go back to work and continue to be “Jason.” But that will all take time. He is facing months of rehabilitation from the stroke and the aftermath of pneumonia and other setbacks. The reality is, Jason has the fight of his life on his hands to come back as complete as he was that fateful day. The community started prayer chains and lifted Jason in prayer and continued to plan ways to help with the financial stress that was put on the family. Friends of the family have also established a You Caring page where donations can be made to help Dana and Jason with the growing expenses www.youcaring.com/jason-and-dana-cash-408233 or you can mail cards to Jason (or checks made out to Dana Cash) at PO BOX 92 Kathleen, Fl 33849. A true testimony to who a man is, is those who come and help in the time of need. In Jason’s case he has touched thousands of lives. This is more than he may have ever known and he is grateful for the love, support, and help in his time of need. Those rallying behind him and his loving family are what is empowering him to overcome the stroke and the paralysis, and with the prayers, love and support Jason will be back. Jason, Dana and Brody are very grateful for the love and support given to them in this time.
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Jokes
Over this past year I have received numerous funny, clean, e-mail jokes from Mac Smith, Bruce Brodwell and Bob Hughens! Some of the better ones I have saved for use in “Rock’n Chair Chatter. So, here we go!
it. I’m not going to get rid of my house. I guess he would.”
From the state where drunk driving is considered a sport, comes this absolutely true story. Recently a routine police patrol parked outside a bar called the Pot Hole in a small farm town in north Georgia. After last call the officer noticed a man leaving the bar so intoxicated that he could barely walk. The man stumbled around the parking lot for a few minutes with the officer quietly observing. After what seemed an eternity in which he tried his keys on five different vehicles, the man managed to find his truck and trailer and fall into it. He sat there for a few minutes as a number of other patrons left the bar and drove off. Finally, he got into the car and started the engine, switched the wipers on and off, they were fine. He then flicked the blinkers on and off a couple of times, honked the horn and then switched on the lights. He moved the vehicle forward a few inches, reversed a little and then remained still for a few more minutes as some more of the other patrons’ vehicles left. Finally, when his was the only car left in the parking lot, he pulled out and drove slowly down the road. The police officer, having waited patiently all this time, now started up his patrol car, put on the flashing lights, promptly pulled the man over and administered a breath analyzer test. To his amazement, the breath analyzer indicated no evidence that the man had consumed any alcohol at all! Dumbfounded, the officer said, ‘I’ll have to ask you to accompany me to the police station. This breath analyzer equipment must be broken.’
“Well the bed is brand new, and it cost us $2000. It’s going to last a long time, so I guess he would.”
“If I died and you remarried, and he lived in this house,” the husband asks, “would he sleep in our bed?”
“If I died and you remarried, and he lived in this house and slept in our bed, would he use my golf clubs?” “Oh, no!” the wife replies. “He’s left-handed.” Little Bobby was spending the weekend with his grandmother after a particularly trying week in kindergarten. His grandmother decided to take him to the park on Saturday morning. It had been snowing all night and everything was beautiful. His grandmother remarked, “Doesn’t it look like an artist painted this scenery? Did you know God painted this just for you?” Bobby said, “Yes, God did it and he did it left handed.” This confused his grandmother a bit, and she asked him, “What makes you say God did this with his left hand?” “Well,” said Bobby, “we learned at Sunday School last week that Jesus sits on God’s right hand!”
‘I seriously doubt it,’ said the smiling farmer. ‘Tonight I’m the designated decoy.’
I know you have been lying awake at night wondering why baby diapers have brand names such as”Luvs,” “Huggies,” and “Pampers,” while undergarments for old people are called “Depends.”
A hooded robber burst into a Texas bank and forced the tellers to load a sack full of cash.
Well here is the low down on the whole thing.
On his way out the door, a brave Texas customer grabbed the hood and pulled it off revealing the robber’s face. The robber shot the customer without a moment’s hesitation. He then looked around the bank and noticed one of the tellers looking straight at him. The robber instantly shot him also. Everyone else, by now very scared, looked intently down at the floor in silence. The robber yelled, ‘Well, did anyone else see my face?’ There are a few moments of utter silence in which everyone was plainly afraid to speak. Then, one old cowboy tentatively raised his hand, and while keeping his head down said, ‘My wife got a pretty good look at you.’ A husband asks his wife, “Honey, if I died, would you remarry?” “After a considerable period of grieving, I guess I would. We all need companionship.” “If I died and you remarried,” the husband asks, “would he live in this house?” “We’ve spent a lot of money getting this house just the way we want 22
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When babies poop in their pants, people are still gonna Luv’em, Hug’em and Pamper’em. When old people mess in their pants, it “Depends” on who’s in the will! Of all the jokes, I think this one from Mac is the best. On a bitterly cold winter morning a husband and wife in northern Michigan were listening to the radio during breakfast. They heard the announcer say, “We are going to have 8 to 10 inches of snow today. You must park your car on the even-numbered side of the street, so the snow plows can get through.” So the good wife went out and moved her car. A week later while they are eating breakfast again, the radio announcer said, “We are expecting 10 to 12 inches of snow today. You must park your car on the odd-numbered side of the street, so the snow plows can get through.” The good wife went out and moved her car again. The next week they are again having breakfast, when the radio announcer say’s, “We are expecting 12 to 14 inches of snow today. You must park....”Then the electric power went out. The good wife was very upset, and with a worried look on her face she said, “I don’t know what to do. Which side of the street do I need to park on so the snow plows can get through?” Then with the love and understanding in his voice that all men who are married to blondes exhibit, the husband replied, “Why don’t you just leave the car in the garage this time?” WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Beef In Polk County
By Melissa Nichols
When many think of Florida, they envision white sandy beaches and theme parks. However, if you are from Polk County when you think of Florida you most likely think of agriculture, swamp cabbage, and some of the best barbeque you will find in the state. You think of a camaraderie among the fellow agriculturists that is second to none. In Polk County you think of hay in the fall, orange blossoms in the spring, phlox and wild sunflowers growing in the medians and heading out to your favorite lake for nature’s theme parks. Although much has changed over the last 50 years, much of Polk County has stayed the same, and agriculture is a staple of our local economy. Florida is the 12th largest cattle producing state in the nation, and the Beef industry plays a vital role in our economy. Around the turn of the 20th century cattle producers faced an epidemic many people will not talk about. Land prices were at an alltime high, market value of cattle was down. Ranch owners faced a decision to sell out to developers or risk losing everything when the money they had coming in simply wouldn’t cover the costs and the increased taxes on the land values. It was a very scary time for many, at this time I was working for a ranch and witnessed firsthand the adversities that came along with attempting to keep a ranch going when the price of everything went up, yet cattle prices did not. So often people simply do not understand how important the cattle 24
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industry is to the economy in Polk County. We are the 4th largest cattle producing county in Florida according to the 2012 USDA Census of Agriculture with a total of $24,277,000 and 92,855 head of cattle. It is safe to say those who stuck it out are not the dying breed, but are the future of the industry. Not to say anything about the ranches that sold out, because a smart businessman doesn’t lose everything if they have options, but those who have survived are finally seeing the benefit of the times when it didn’t seem as if the Florida beef industry was going to make it through the trials. In the last year the market has reached an all-time high, which the consumer has seen when buying beef at the grocery store, but the global export market and the opening of borders that is adding value to the US Beef market, came at a much needed time to help the cowman survive. Before the consumer starts to think that Beef has become overpriced, let me explain a little bit of what cattle ranchers have endured. Cattlemen in our area have not only had to survive through higher property taxes but also non-native invasive weeds taking over pasture lands, such as tropical soda apples, dog fennels and coffee bean to name a few. Ranchers have had to deal with trends that pushed the consumer away from grain fed beef and their fair share of publicity that didn’t tell the point of view of the producers, to record droughts and record rainfalls all in one year time. The plain and simple facts are raising cattle in Florida is not easy. AlWWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
though you may pass by a ranch and think those cattle just sit out there and graze and that is easy money, remember, the costs incurred to produce beef is higher than any other animal. Having a Beef operation is more than a full time job; it is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is never a way to predict when a first time heifer will have a hard time calving, or a tree will fall on a fence line. You cannot predict when a bull will decide to get into a pasture he is not supposed to be in. There is always mineral to put out, molasses tubs to check in the winter and that doesn’t even include the baling and storing of hay for the winter months when the grass goes dormant, treating sucking lice and fly control, or working cattle to provide them with wormer and vaccinations to prevent illnesses. There is weed management for pre and post emergent weed control. Polk County is much more than a county that produces a lot of the state’s citrus, it is a county that produces a lot of cattle and is good at it. Polk County has a very involved Cattlemen’s Association that is made up of producers and supporters of the Beef industry. They strive to promote the industry, research and help educate the consumers. These Cattlemen, such as Dave Tomkow owner of Cattlemen’s Livestock Market, are optimistic about the direction the industry in our county is going. Kenny Raney livestock auctioneer said, “Today there is a global demand for Florida Beef, a Global demand, not just National demand. This means that beef cattle that originate right here in Florida are shipped to feed lots, fed out and the meat is later shipped all over the world.” There are several types of cattle operations here in Florida. There are feed lots where the purpose is to feed a steer out for meat purposes and there are cow calf operations where the main purpose is to reproduce and sell the offspring as steers and replacement heifers. Polk County and Florida are home to some of the top seedstock producers whose genetics influence the entire beef industry. Some ranches raise purebred cattle and each breed has it benefits while other ranches focus on cross breeding to produce quality in meat and longevity of life. There are associations for every major beef cattle breed such as the American Angus Association, International Brangus Breeders Association, Brahman, Hereford, Maine Anjou, Simmental, Santa Gertrudis are just a few of the associations that are recognized but there are many more. Every one of these operations are vital to the survival of the beef industry in our county and state. Beef ranches are making a comeback and in a big way. More and more people are seeing that investing in agriculture is the way to invest for their future. Land that was slated for use as developments is once again going up for sale and a good percentage of it is being converted back into agriculture use. More Ag lenders are in our area specializing in financing land for agricultural use. The number of cattle is increasing for the first time in many years and the heritage of what Polk County is coming back full circle to what it was founded on, values, great people and darn good cattle! WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
Quinn Carter Quinn Carter may only be 5’2” but she is 6’ tall and bullet proof when it comes to her knowledge of cattle and accomplishments in the industry, but many may be surprised to know that she hasn’t been doing this her whole life. Quinn got involved in cattle when she was in the 9th grade. She took an interest in cattle and found her niche with the Brangus breed in particular. She researched and learned everything she could about cattle, from genetic qualities to disease management. Quinn quickly knew that with the help of her parents Kim and Michael Carter cattle was her destiny What started with one Brangus bull quickly grew to a herd of 16 head of cattle. Quinn has raised many champions over the years, She has learned to artificially inseminate her cattle and there isn’t much she doesn’t know about the industry. She is in her 3rd year at Hillsborough Community College in the pre veterinary with a minor in animal nutrition. She has traveled the United States showing everywhere from here locally to national shows out west and abroad. She is an accomplished showman having won her fair share of Grand Champion and Showmanship belt buckles. Quinn has a confidence about her when she enters a show ring or a pen working cattle, that makes you understand that she truly understands the industry in all it entails. Over the last 5 years Quinn’s knowledge has grown so much in the industry that 2 years ago she even began hosting a show clinic, called Fit it and Stick It, in Polk County Quinn has volunteered her time to assist those who want to learn about the industry. She has given her time to the Polk County Cattlewomen’s Association, as well as many other organizations. Quinn believes in giving back to the community. She is truly an inspiration to her fellow showman, with her accomplishments, knowledge and the way she helps others. Quinn’s resume is so impressive that one may ask is there anything left that she can do to top what she has achieved? The answer is yes. Quinn was recently selected to be the President of the International Junior Brangus Breeders Association, something that is surreal to her and her dedicated family. A girl with humble beginnings in an industry that is not only competitive, but also one of the largest associations of its kind. As the President her job is to oversee and help manage the entire IJBBA as well as coordinating and hosting the annual National Junior Brangus Show. Quinn has a goal to build her relationship with other exhibitors and breeders, and increase those showing at the National Junior Brangus Show, especially from the Southeast. In the whirlwind of the last few months, Quinn was asked to join the AgAmerica Lending team in at their headquartered offices in Lakeland. She is currently working there a few days a week in the Sales and Marketing department, a job she wasn’t even seeking, yet one that fits her perfectly. She loves to promote agriculture and that is just what she gets to do. I asked Quinn if this is the life she dreamed she would live, she responded “ever since I was a young girl I have wanted to be a veterinarian, never having dreamed I would go this far in the cattle or agriculture industry. I feel so blessed to be in this position today, it is humbling and rewarding.” Her parents are more proud of her than she will ever know. Past IJBBA President Laura Lee Taylor is also very proud that Quinn has brought the title of President not only back to Florida, but back to Polk County. “Being elected as President of the IJBBA is a life-changing one year job that affords Quinn the opportunity to meet cattle producer all over the country and internationally through her travels, lead a Board of Directors, serve as a role model to youth and build relationships that will last a lifetime,” said Laura Lee Taylor (1998-1998 International Jr. Brangus Breeders Association President – Board Member 1996-2002.) IINNTTHE HEFFIELD IELD M MAGAZINE AGAZINE
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Recipes Courtesy of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Chef Justin Timineri
Golden Fried Florida Mullet with Cabbage and Citrus Slaw DIRECTIONS Golden Fried Florida Mullet • Heat oil to 375 degrees F in deep fryer or deep saucepan. • Whisk together egg and water in a shallow dish. • Combine flour, cornmeal, cayenne, salt and pepper; mix well. • Dip fillets into egg wash then into flour mixture to coat. • Deep fry fish in hot oil for 4 to 5 minutes until fish is golden brown. • Drain on absorbent paper and serve with lemon slices.
INGREDIENTS Golden Fried Florida Mullet 4 (6-ounce) mullet fillets canola oil for frying 1 large egg 1 teaspoon water 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup cornmeal 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 2 lemons, sliced for garnish
Cabbage and Citrus Slaw
Cabbage and Citrus Slaw 1/2 large head cabbage, shredded fine 2 oranges, segmented 1 grapefruit, segmented 1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped 1/2 red bell pepper, sliced thin 1/4 cup olive oil 2 lemons, juiced sea salt to taste fresh ground pepper to taste
In a large bowl, combine all ingredients, mix well and let marinate in refrigerator for an hour. Taste slaw and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve chilled.
Ingredients 1/2 ounce natural sugar 4 ounces grapefruit juice 4 ounces orange juice 2 drops natural vanilla extract 4 ounces low-fat milk
DIRECTIONS 1.) Pour the orange juice, grapefruit juice, milk, sugar and vanilla extract into a blender with 2 ounces (approximately 4 cups) of ice.
3.) Pour into a glass, add a straw and serve. 4.) Garnish with sliced fruit.
2.) Blend until smooth.
Citrus Dream Milkshake 26 26
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JOIN THE “FRESH
FROM FLORIDA”
PROGRAM “Fresh From Florida” is a program administered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. It is designed to connect distributors and retail buyers with Florida growers to increase sales of Florida products. To learn more about the program benefits, visit FreshFromFlorida.com/Join or call 850-617-7399.
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Want to See an Endangered Species?
An adult RCW works on a cavity.
A New Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Cluster We had the opportunity to talk to Jonathan Chandler with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. He shared, “I started at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge in January and one of the primary duties with that position is working with the RCW (red-cockaded woodpecker) and so that was really my first large scale introduction into working with the woodpeckers. Before that I had done some prescribed burning up in Virginia, in red-cockaded woodpecker habitat, but hadn’t actually worked with the birds themselves. So that was a first for me when I came down here. Since I started in January, I’ve been pretty much all woodpeckers, all the time. It’s been my first full season working with them but it’s been good.” The red-cockaded woodpecker is so named thanks to a small patch of red feathers behind the eyes of the males. This is actually pretty hard to see in the wild. They prefer to live in pinelands, long leaf pine specifically, and are predicted to have a population of only 10,000 birds or less! The over cutting of old pine forest and the suppression of naturally occurring fires have greatly contributed to their decline in the southeast. Given the sad state of their reality, we asked Jonathan for any good news. He told us, “One of the neat things that’s happening is we have a population here at the refuge, on the western side of the refuge in the Panacea area, but we’re starting a new population in the St. Marks unit of the refuge right near the visitor’s center. So that’s something 30
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By Ginny Mink
we’ve really been involved in fairly recently in getting cavities ready and making sure there’s enough habitat to support the birds that we’ll bring in.” Where are they getting these birds? We wondered. He responded, “Actually in the beginning of October we will translocate birds from Apalachicola National Forest. We will bring five pairs of birds over to the refuge and let them loose in the new cavities and the new clusters and hope that they stick around. We will slowly build the population up in that section of the refuge. Things are looking very good for them and what’s incredibly helpful is that it’s a species that responds well to being translocated. That’s taking them from one area and moving them to another. Some species that are on the endangered species list don’t have that luxury. They don’t adapt that well, but with the red-cockaded woodpecker, they certainly do.” We wanted to know what you guys could do to help. He recommended, “Your readers can help in that one of the interesting things about red-cockaded woodpeckers is that they build cavities in live pine trees. But the pine trees need to be old growth pine. So you’re looking at anywhere between 60, 70, 80 years old at least before they’re going and putting a cavity in there. In areas where there is long leaf pine, or even if it’s not long leaf, if it’s slash or something else, the chances are there of that area being red-cockaded woodpecker habitat, or that it seems to meet the requirements for the birds. If there’s any talk of ‘Hey, let’s put in a development,’ or a golf course or whatever it might WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
p A juvenile RCW having just been banded Biological Science Technician Jonathan Chandler works u to remove hatchling RCWs from the cavity for banding. be, any sort of outreach in that area would be great. You know sort of, ‘Oh no let’s save this for red-cockaded woodpeckers.’ That’s definitely one thing that’s helpful. We can certainly plant pines, but until those pines reach that old growth stage its not quite suitable habitat.” He supplied us with some additional specifics on the birds, “They eat insects. They’ll utilize the entire trunk of the tree that’s in their range, scraping away bark and pecking away a little bit and just seeing what sorts of insects and grubs are eating away at the pine.” What about their wee ones? We wanted to know. He answered, “What we were seeing this year at St. Mark’s, anyhow, is anywhere between one and four. Another thing that’s unique about the woodpecker is that they are a communal species. In any given area is the breeding pair, the male and the female. The nest is actually in the male’s cavity. The communal aspect is that there are what they call helper birds and the helper birds will help feed the young. They’ll help find insects and bring them back, they’ll participate in defense of the territory. So if you’ve got a really big habitat and you’ve got these helper birds, you will probably be more inclined to have a larger brood.” Finally, we wondered if there was anything he really wanted to share with our readers and he said, “The big thing I wanted to share is that we’re starting a new population in the St. Marks unit. It’s not that it’s a secret, it’s just not a lot of people know that that’s happening. We’re actually going to be doing that on the 5th and the 6th; that’s the tentative schedule. One of the clusters that we’re putting in is not even a quarter of a mile behind the visitor center and there’s a trail that goes right by it. So really, if folks want to stop by early enough in the morning and listen for them or try to see them, if they have an interest in birding, it’s not a very far walk at all. We encourage people to come visit us.” We encourage the same!
• Increase Fertilizer Efficiency • Improve Turf Density and Vigor • Reduce Re-treats
You can see (or maybe hear) the red-cockaded woodpeckers at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge starting in October. Check them out Volunteer Laura Kellam checks in St. Marks, Florida 32355. Contact them by phone for additional p an RCW cavity for eggs and information: (850) 925-6121. chicks
PathwayBioLogic.com
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2015 PLANT CITY, FL 13TH ANNUAL
PIG JAM
FRIDAY NIGHT FEATURES
CLEMONS ROAD Concert Starts @ 7:30 pm
3 PRIZES!!
1500 South Park Road
LARGE BIG GREEN EGG OR YETI COOLER
For More Information Contact the
Plant City Chamber of Commerce 800-760-2315 or 813-754-3707 www.plantcity.org amy@plantcity.org
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OR $1500 SHOPPING SPREE
SPONSORED BY: All items to be awarded 11/21/15
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PRINT Ag Tag ad In the Field Mag Gardening.pdf
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By Grady Judd, Polk County Sheriff
If You See Something,
! g n i h t e m o S y a S
Do you have palmetto berries on your property? If so, you probably already know that they are valuable and can be targeted by thieves. The good news is, thanks to our proactive patrols, our deputies arrested 16 people during a two-week time frame for trespassing and grand theft, when the suspects were caught in the act of stealing this commodity. The first arrests took place on August 21, 2015, when Deputy Sheriff Jay Scarborough, who is assigned to the PCSO Agricultural Unit, saw a truck parked alongside Ben Hill Griffin Inc. property on CR 630 East in Frostproof. Two suspects, both from Frostproof, were on the property, which was clearly marked private. They had picked over $58.00 worth of berries before being spotted by Deputy Scarborough. The second arrests occurred just three days later, on August 24, 2015, in Indian Lake Estates. Five suspects, all from Immokalee, were spotted picking palmetto berries on the property located near Winter Haven Drive and Fort Meyers Drive. Over $670.00 worth of berries were picked before PCSO intervened. The deputies transported to berries to a local buyer, on behalf of the victim/ owner of the property. On September 3, 2015, PCSO deputies arrested nine 34
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more suspects, also from Immokalee. Deputy Scarborough was proactively patrolling U.S. Hwy 27 near CR 630-A in Lake Wales, property belonging to American Dream Investment Corporation, when he spotted a van parked in a wooded area. The PCSO helicopter and another Agricultural Crimes deputy responded as backup, and together the deputies located the nine suspects actively picking berries. The suspects attempted to steal 497 pounds of berries, worth over $820.00. After being arrested, the suspects told Deputy Scarborough that they drove from Immokalee to Polk due to berries in Highlands County having already been picked. They stopped when they found berries, and began illegally picking them. The rural areas of our county have much to offer – for some, they provide a living; for others, they provide leisure and activity. Our Agricultural Crimes deputies are committed to preserving your way of life, and enforcing Florida State Statutes. We will continue to proactively patrol all areas of our county, and arrest those who break the law. To some, “picking berries” may not seem like the crime of the century, or worth our efforts to enforce the law. But to us, the lesson you heard growing up still applies – if it doesn’t belong to you, leave it alone. And remember – you are our eyes and ears out in the community. If you see something – say something. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
Polk County Cattlemen’s Dinner Held at the W.H. Stuart Conference Center in Bartow. November 12, 6:30 pm The winner of the Corriente saddle awarded to the person bringing in the most new members, will be announced. It is open and free to members. If you would like to join, you can do so at the dinner and get a free steak dinner for your family. W.H. Stuart Conference Center 1702 US Highway 17 S. Bartow Check our website for more info: www.polkcountycattlemensassociation.com WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
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Cattle • Truck Farming • Citrus • Game Hunting
1401 Sam Keen Road Lake, Wales, FL 33853 863.692.1013 We Support Agriculture.
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Florida
Mamey
By Sandy Kaster, M.S. Clinical Medicines, B.S. Nutrition Science
Mamey, also called mamey sapote, is native to Mexico and Central America and has been grown in South Florida since the mid-1800s. Today mamey is cultivated in these areas, as well as the Carribbean, Cuba, and other Latin American countries. This fruit is particularly treasured by Cubans for its unique flavor and texture. Florida is the only state in the United States that produces mamey. This tropical fruit is related to the sapodilla and the canistel, but is unrelated to the black sapote and white sapote. Shaped like a football and ranging from 4-10 inches long and 3-5 inches wide, mamey has a brown, leathery skin that surrounds a red to red-orange flesh. When ripe, the flesh has a very rich, creamy texture and sweet flavor. The flavor is unique but has been described as a combination of apricot and raspberry flavors. Small fruits typically have one large, long seed, while larger fruits may have 2-4 seeds that are easily removable. Mamey is enjoyed eaten out-of-hand, or blended into smoothies or milkshakes. In Florida, its peak season starts in late June and extends through October.
NUTRITIONAL PROFILE
Mamey sapote is full of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. A one cup serving of chopped, fresh mamey (175 g) contains 215 calories, 2.5 grams of protein, 0.8 gram of fat and 56 grams of carbohydrates, and 9.5 grams of fiber. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a one cup serving of mamey also delivers 67% of your daily needs for vitamin C, 63% for vitamin B6, 19% for copper, 18% for manganese, 17% for potassium, and plentiful amounts of iron, magnesium, riboflavin, and vitamins A and E.
VITAMIN C
Vitamin C is often touted for its ability to fight colds and viruses and maintain healthy skin and gums. This important antioxidant neutralizes free radicals, which are compounds that cause cell damage and widespread inflammation in the body. Vitamin C lowers cancer risk and helps regenerate vitamin E levels. Additionally, this vitamin increases iron absorption. Consuming a vitamin C-rich food, such as mamey sapote, alongside a food such as spinach will increase the amount of iron absorbed from the spinach by the body. Vitamin C plays other important roles in the body, providing protection from cardiovascular disease, cancer, joint disease, and cataracts.
VITAMIN B6
Vitamin B6, also called pyridoxine, helps the body convert food into fuel and is needed for healthy skin, hair, eyes, and liver. This water soluble vitamin is also necessary for normal nerve function and is involved in making neurotransmitters, which carry signals from one nerve cell to another. Vitamin B6 is necessary for healthy brain function and is involved in making several important hormones, including serotonin, norepinephrine, and melatonin. Additionally, this vitamin is needed to absorb other vitamins and make red blood cells. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
VITAMIN A
Vitamin A is well known for its contribution to good vision and healthy eyes. In a study of over 50,000 women, those who consumed the most vitamin A in their diet had a 39 percent reduced risk of developing cataracts. Cataracts are a common problem plaguing many older adults, but a diet rich in vitamin A can be protective. Additionally, data from a large study of over 100,000 men and women indicated that eating three or more servings of fruit per day lowered the risk of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) by 36 percent, compared with people who ate less than 1.5 servings of fruit per day. ARMD is the primary cause of vision loss in older adults. Researchers concluded that the vitamins and carotenoids in fruit were responsible for the protective effect on the development of ARMD.
HOW TO SELECT & STORE
When choosing mamey, look for one with deep brown skin that is free of cuts or bruises. It should feel heavy for its size and firm to the touch. Firm mamey will ripen over several days when stored at room temperature. Ripe mamey will feel soft when squeezed and smell fragrant. Ripe fruit can be stored in the refrigerator for 1-2 days, or the pulp can be frozen for up to several months.
HOW TO ENJOY
Mamey sapote is delicious eaten straight out-of-hand. To eat, simply cut off the top and scoop out the fruit with a spoon to enjoy the creamy, sweet flesh. Discard the seeds and peel. The pulp can be pureed with milk, ice cream, or any fruit juice (orange or pineapple are especially good) for a refreshing beverage. The pulp can be used as a filling for pies or tarts or incorporated into a moist cake. Other ways to enjoy mamey include: • Slice and season with cinnamon or ginger • Dice fruit and mix into a fruit salad • Cut into cubes and steep in wine or orange juice for an hour before eating • Boil the fruit and mix with sugar for jam or jelly • Puree the flesh with sugar and freeze for a refreshing sorbet Try fresh Florida mamey sapote today! This sweet, creamy fruit is delicious and full of great nutrition.
SELECTED REFERENCES
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ http://www.fairchildgarden.org/ http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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Florida FFA Inducts Five Members to Hall of Fame Photos Courtesy of Ron O’Connor – Farm Credit Five new members were inducted in the Florida FFA Hall of Fame on Sept. 28. The Hall of Fame inductees in 2015 are Hugh Fred Dietrich, III; Teddy Walter Lynn; Franklin Gilbert Bowen; Earl J. Lennard; and Alan L. Fowler
Teddy Walter Lynn helped train many coaches and teams in Florida and throughout the South in forestry, land judging and parliamentary procedure. His Charlotte High School FFA teams have won more Top 5 awards for land judging than any other team in Florida.
The induction ceremony took place at the Florida FFA Leadership Training Center near Haines City.
Franklin Gilbert Bowen served on the Florida FFA Foundation Board of Directors for more than 20 years. He provided funds to build the Bowen Brothers Villa at the Florida FFA Leadership Training Center and to repair the lodge following several hurricanes.
The Florida FFA Hall of Fame began in 2007 to pay tribute to those outstanding individuals who have helped make the Florida FFA Association the premier youth leadership organization in the state. “We are proud to honor these wonderful leaders for their commitment and dedication to the Florida FFA over the years,” said Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “Their efforts have helped the FFA in our state to better educate students, parents and entire communities about the importance of Florida’s agriculture industry.” Florida FFA Foundation Board of Directors President Bill Hamm said, “These individuals are to be highly commended for their years of service and dedication to the enhancement of agricultural education and FFA.” Some of the contributions of this year’s Florida FFA Hall of Fame inductees are as follows: Hugh Fred Dietrich, III, conceived of the idea for a countywide veterinary animal science magnet program in Orange County, the first of its kind in the county and a model for similar programs across the state. 42
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Earl J. Lennard taught agriculture education in Hillsborough County before being appointed supervisor of vocational agriculture in 1979. In 1988, he was appointed assistant superintendent of administration, and later appointed district school superintendent. Alan L. Fowler supervised the Seaboard FFA Forestry Awards Program, which encouraged FFA members across the South to practice forest management principles. Fowler has the distinction of having received the Honorary State Farmer Degree from five southern states. For more information regarding the 2015 Florida FFA Hall of Fame inductees, contact Florida FFA Foundation director Gary Bartley at 863-439-7332 x 6321 or ggbartley@hotmail.com. The Florida FFA Association is a resource and support organization that does not select, control, supervise or approve local chapter or individual member activities except as expressly provided for in the Florida FFA Association Constitution and Bylaws. FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM
We Help Your Business
GROW.
Web Design Graphic Design Lead Generation Online Marketing Content Development Branding exocreative.com 929.500.1396 301 S. Collins Street, Plant City
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Do It Your Self Activity
by Nick Chapman
Recycled Halloween Decoration The weather is cooler, the days are shorter, and thoughts of Halloween decorating are here. This easy “How To” project will let you take an old cow or horse supplement bucket and make it into an easy recycled decoration for Halloween. And you should have everything right on the farm.
Step 1: Preparing your recycled bucket
Most farms feed some type of supplement to their animals, and the buckets are usually thrown in the recycle bin. This project will give that bucket a second life and become an easy and cheap Halloween decoration.
Step 2: Make an easy decoration template for painting
Get an empty bucket and Decide what type of Halloween character you peel off the labels. On most want for a decoration. Print or draw on a piece buckets these will come off of paper and cut out the areas you want to paint. Attach the template to the bucket with tape. easily.
Step 3: Paint and let dry
Paint with the desired color. A quick drying spray paint works best. Watch the overspray if windy. Allow to dry before removing the attached template. Drying time approximately 1015 minutes for spray paint.
Step 5: Attach plastic bag for ghost effect
Attach a draw string plastic garbage bag around the rim of the bucket. Use scissors to cut strips to blow in the wind for an eerie effect. If there is no rim, you can hot glue to the side.
Step 4: Prepare for hanging
Drill holes in top to insert the hanging string or twine. Baling twine works great. Tie a washer or large nut to the underneath side to keep the twine from slipping through the hole.
Step 6: Hang ghost from suitable location
Find an easily accessible tree limb or leave to hang your Halloween ghost.
Now you are ready to be green and spook this Halloween!
813-767-4703 301 South Collins Street, Suite 101, Plant City, Florida 33563
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P ortrait P h o tograp h er Spe c ializ ing in H igh Sc hool Se niors
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Giving back to our communities is
Mike Bennett, Supply Chain Operator, Florida phosphate operations
As a DeSoto County resident and operator in Mosaic’s supply chain team, I help ensure our phosphate crop nutrients get to farmers in America and all over the world. At Mosaic, we share our passion for agriculture and environmental stewardship with the next generation of local farmers and ranchers. In fact, I’m one of hundreds of Mosaic employees who volunteer annually with youth agriculture organizations and at county fairs. For me, giving back is more than a job. It’s about nourishing the communities where we all live, work and play.
®
We help the world grow the food it needs.
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© 2015 The Mosaic Company
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Dry and available immediately! Call Tim Ford or Danny Thibodeau (863) 439-3232
7X15 LAWN TRAILER Used Lawn Trailer with aluminum plate tool IN THE FIELD MAGAZINE is lookbox. 5ft tongue & heavy duty gate. $1,650 Call ing for independent account managers to join our team. Appointment setting Alvie 813-759-8722 FORD 600 GAS TRACTOR Good Condition. $2,750 813-759-8722 Ask for Alvie
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FOR RENT
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BRAND NEW BUSH HOG ES2052 zero turn mower. Price reduced from $5,425 to $5,000 Call Alvie 813-750-8722
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REAL ESTATE FOR SALE - 45 ACRES VACANT LAND FOR SALE (Pasco County) 45 acres are comprised of gently rolling hills with big trees & solid KITCHEN CABINETS & VANITIES Get quality all wood cabinets for less than the ground, A great setting for residential development. To the east of the property is a 60 BIG Box STORES! Call Today! acre parcel (Lake Gilbert) that adds signifiAsk for Blake. (813) 752-3378 aesthetic value to the 45 acres. DOORS & WINDOWS SPECIAL ORDER cant Zoning: AR (Agricultural-Rural) Call Heidi No upcharge. House & Mobile Home. Cecil for more information (863) 899-9620 Many standard sizes in stock. Ask for Blake. (813) 752-3378
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MISC. WALK IN COOLER
12 ‘ X 20’ walk in cooler. Works Great! $6,000 Call Greg 813-763-1340
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