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Hillsborough County Farm Bureau
®
Contents
VOL. 10 • ISSUE 1
Feature Oak Ridge Fish Hatchery Pa ge
54
Cover photo by Stephanie Humphrey
What Does A Locavore Look Like?
Chip Hinton
Page 60
Page 10 Food Day
John The Farrier
Page 67
Page 15
Florida Friendly Vines
Market Watch
Page 70
Page 17
Septic Tank Systems Tampa Bay Fishing Report
Page 77
Page 18
Water School
Page 80 Rocking Chair Chatter
A Living Eco-Classroom
Page 22
Page 83
Pomegranates
2013 Harvest Awards
Page 35
Page 84
Business Up Front
Coping with Coyotes
Page 38
Page 87
Gardening In Florida Is Year Round
The Good Get Better
Page 43
Recycled Yard Art
Safe Food Handling
Page 92
Page 46
Foster Engagment
Recipes
Page 98
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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER 2013
Page 89
100 S. Mulrennan Rd. Valrico, FL 33594
Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Insurance Services: 813.685.5673 Member Services: 813.685.9121
OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Kenneth Parker .........................President
Will Womack......................Vice President Ray Wood .................................Treasurer
Michelle Williamson...................Secretary
DIRECTORS FOR 2012-2013
Roy Davis, David Drawdy, Jim Dyer,
Jim Frankowiak, Glenn Harrell, Chip Hinton, John Joyner, Greg Lehman, Erin Nesmith, Jake Raburn, Marty Tanner, James Tew, Ron Wetherington, and Ray Wood,
Judi Whitson, Executive Director 813.685.9121
Farm Bureau Insurance Special Agents Valrico Office 813.685.5673
100 S. Mulrennan Rd., Valrico, FL 33594 Tommy Hale, CLU, ChFC, CASL, CPCU Agency Mgr. Julie Carlson, John McGuire
Plant City Office 813.752.5577
1302 S. Collins St., Plant City, FL 33563 Jeff Sumner Bill Williams
Tampa Office 813.933.5440
1046 W. Busch Blvd., Ste. 100 Tampa, FL 33612 Greg Harrell, Jeff Harper, Ralph Russo
AGENCY MANAGER Tommy Hale
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From the Editor
ITFM Staff PUBLISHER/PHOTOGRAPHY Karen Berry EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Al Berry SENIOR MANAGING EDITOR/ ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Sarah Holt EDITOR Patsy Berry
The month of November seems to be the time most people “give thanks.” Social media is loaded with posts of people coming up with something each day of the month to be thankful for. Wouldn’t this world be a much better place if we lived each day with a thankful heart? Today, it seems that “thanklessness” is the common bond, not thankfulness. I always hear “why me?” I’ve been guilty of it, I’m sure each of you has been as well. Next time a challenge is in front of you, why not try to look past it to the things you have that enrich your life. I don’t mean just material things. For instance, when you wake in the morning, instead of moaning and groaning, find something to be thankful for. Write it down the night before if you need to so you can read it as soon as you get up. Be especially thankful to our farmers and ranchers who continue to feed a growing nation on less land. Somehow they manage and believe me, they have not picked an easy way to make a living. Agriculture is part of everything we do from the food on the table to the clothes we wear and beyond. Don’t just give them thanks on the day we set aside as Thanksgiving, give thanks to them each and every day. Be thankful for what you have, whether it is a little or a lot. We seem to have created a culture that always asks for more. More isn’t necessary for thankfulness. Simplicity is the key to a thankful heart. As for me, I’m going to try to make Thanksgiving a 365 day a year event.
Until Next Month,
Sarah
The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. –Numbers 6:25
In The Field Magazine is published monthly and is available through local Hillsborough County businesses, restaurants, and many local venues. It is also distributed by U.S. mail to a target market, which includes all of the Greenbelt Property owners, members of the Hillsborough County Farm Bureau and Strawberry Grower’s Association. Letters, comments and questions can be sent to P.O. Box 5377, Plant City, Florida 33563-0042 or you are welcome to email them to: info@inthefieldmagazine.com or call 813-759-6909 Advertisers warrant & represent the descriptions of their products advertised are true in all respects. In The Field Magazine assumes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers. All views expressed in all articles are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Berry Publications, Inc. Any use or duplication of material used in In The Field magazine is prohibited without written consent from Berry Publications, Inc. Published by Berry Publications, Inc.
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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2013
OFFICE MANAGER Bob Hughens SALES MANAGER Danny Crampton SALES Al Berry Tina Richmond Danny Crampton Melissa Nichols CREATIVE DIRECTOR/ILLUSTRATOR Mona Jackson PHOTOGRAPHY Karen Berry Al Berry Stephanie Humphrey STAFF WRITERS Al Berry Sandy Kaster James Frankowiak Sean Green Ginny Mink Libby Hopkins CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Woody Gore Les McDowell
Index of Advertisers ABC Pizza.........................................................19 Ace Air Conditioning & Electric.....................93 Ag Technologies ............................................31 Agro-Culture Liquid Fertilizers.....................52 Antioch Feed and Farm Supply.....................109 Aquarius Water Refining ...............................101 Arrowheard Archery Shop ..............................57 Astin Strawberry Exchange .............................93 Bankers South...................................................76 Bill’s Transmissions...........................................73 Bingham............................................................88 Brandon Auto Services, Inc..............................85 Brandon Regional Hospital.............................59 Brewington’s .....................................................44 Broke & Poor...................................................42 Cameron Financial...........................................23 Cecil Breeding Farm.........................................30 CF Industries.....................................................81 Chuck’s Tire & Automotive ................................34 Common Ground Coffee & Gifts ................108 Crescent Jewelers............................................. 61 Dad’s Towing....................................................32 Discount Metals...................................................34 Dr. Barry Gaffney O.D. PA..................................11
Index of Advertisers Driscoll’s............................................................................73 East Coast Ag Products...................................................42 Ed Taylor Construction...................................................95 Everglades Farm Equipment ........................................112 Fancy Farms...................................................................105 Farm Bureau Insurance/Jeff Sumner..............................47 Farm Credit ......................................................................71 Felton’s ..............................................................................51 Fischbach Land Company..............................................45 Florida Ag in the Classroom...........................................39 Florida Dept. of Agriculture............................................65 Florida Mineral, Salt & Agricultural Products.............96 Florida Strawberry Growers Assoc................................44 Forbes Road Produce......................................................14 Fred’s Market.................................................................. 27 Gator Ford........................................................................40 Grimes Hardware Center ...............................................14 Grove Equipment Service.....................................58 & 99 Gulf Coast Tractor...........................................................37 Harold’s Feed & Pet Supply .............................................3 Harrell’s Nursery, Inc.......................................................93 Haystack Farms, Inc........................................................93 Haught Funeral Home....................................................72 Helena Chemical-Tampa ................................................69 Highland Packaging Solutions........................................23 Hillsboro Bank.................................................................24 Hillsborough County Farm Bureau...............................95 Hillsborough County Farm Bureau Insurance.............90 Huff Muffler Automotive and Muffler Repair.............79 Hydraulic Hose & Cylinder, Inc....................................36 I-4 Power Equipment ......................................................21 International Paper...........................................................29 Jane Baer Realty.............................................................110 Jarrett-Scott Ford................................................................2 Johnson’s Barbeque..........................................................64 Jon & Rosie’s Tree Farm.................................................93 Jumpin Crazy ...................................................................19 Keel & Curley Winery ....................................................63 Ken’s Well Drilling & Pump Services, Inc.....................74 Key Plex ............................................................................66 Loetscher Auto Parts .......................................................79 Malissa Crawford............................................................52 Mark Smith Excavating..................................................93 Meryman Environmental Inc.........................................36 Mosaic...............................................................................78 Myers Cleaners.................................................................68 O’Connor Automotive, Inc ............................................16 Pathway BioLogic............................................................75 Patterson Companies............................................48 & 49 Plant City Homestyle Buffet..............................................5 Plant City Chamber of Commerce................................12 Plant City Tire & Auto Service, Inc...............................19 Platinum Bank..................................................................62 QLF Specialty Products...................................................32 Railroad Credit Union.....................................................40 RCS Company.................................................................79 Savich & Lee / Stalnaker.................................................20 Seafood Dive Restaurant.................................................86 Seedway ............................................................................47 Shrimp & Co Express.....................................................13 Southside Farm & Pet Supply .............................53 & 91 South Florida Baptist Hospital .........................................7 Southwestern Produce Company...................................27 Stephanine Humphrey.....................................................82 Super Service Tire & Auto..............................................82 Sygenta..............................................................................97 The Hay Depot................................................................41 Thompson Nursery & Vineyard ...................................93 Timberlane Pet Hospital & Resort................................61 Trinkle, Redman, Swanson, Coton, Davis & Smith .................................................................69 Uncle Mike’s Smokehouse Grill...................................111 Vertigro .............................................................................68 Walden Lake Car Wash ..................................................42 Wallenstein........................................................................98 Wasabi Japanese Steak House & Sushi Bar....................9 Willie’s ...............................................................................82 Woodside Dental..............................................................13
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100 South Mulrennan Road • Valrico, FL 33594 • 813-685-9121
A BUSY TIME FOR YOUR FARM BUREAU Dear Readers: I am both humbled and honored to have been elected president of YOUR Hillsborough County Farm Bureau. All of us owe a debt of gratitude to outgoing president Danny Aprile for his years of service to our organization. I promise to do my best to continue the momentum he carried forth. As a sixth generation Florida farmer, I know the many challenges and opportunities all of us have in the agriculture industry and that is an industry that is global. Our major challenge is to continue to produce the food our growing population must have while the lands devoted to farming continue to diminish. The good thing is that the market for our products continues to expand. Our task is to effectively meet those dual challenges while protecting our precious environment. I am confident we are up to that task and I look forward to helping us all do our part to assure that we do so. Let me also tell you about the other new officers elected by your board last month. They are: Vice President Will Womack, Treasurer Ray Wood, Secretary Michelle Williamson and Member-AtLarge Bill Burnette. My thanks to each of them and our board for their willingness to serve. As I am sure all of you have come to realize vacation time is over. We are particularly busy at Farm Bureau. This month we are completing the third of our legislative tours during which we take elected and appointed officials to several of our agricultural businesses in this areas so they can see agriculture at work, some of the best management practices that have been put into place and learn of
the challenges our local industry partners face as they strive to produce the high quality products our markets demand. Those tours are hard work and represent many hours of support from our industry colleagues. We thank them and those legislators and regulators who take the time to learn first hand about agriculture in our area and how and why we need their ongoing awareness, help and support. There’s more. Ag-Venture, our program for bringing the story of agriculture to children through school activities, is going on and we will again be participating in Farm City Days through which we bring the story of agriculture to our friends living in Tampa. Lastly, if you are not a member of our Farm Bureau family, please join us. It isn’t necessary that you be a farmer or rancher to join. Please visit http:/ / hcfarmbureau.org or call 813/685-9121 for more information. Once again, I am honored to be your president and my very best to you and your family.
Thank you,
Kenneth Kenneth Parker - President
Board of Directors
Kenneth Parker, President; Will Womack, Vice-President; Ray Wood, Treasure; Michelle Williamson, Secretary; Member-at-large; Bill Burnette; Board members: Roy Davis, David Drawdy, Jim Dyer, Jim Frankowiak, Glenn Harrell, Chip Hinton, John Joyner, Greg Lehman, Erin Nesmith, Jake Raburn, Marty Tanner, James Tew, Ron Wetherington, and Ray Wood, Judi Whitson, Executive Director 8
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WHAT DOES A
LOCAVORE LOOK LIKE? By Libby Hopkins
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k, so you just read the title of my story. Do you think you can explain to someone what a locavore looks like? Do you know what the word “locavore” means? According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary website (www.merriam-webster.com) “The word ‘Locavore’ is a noun and it is defined as someone who eats food grown locally whenever possible.” Is an image starting to come to mind? If not, don’t worry, I have lots of other descriptions and examples to help you recognize a locavore when you see one. The word “locavore” actually became a part of the English language in 2005. We’ve only been using the word for a little over 8 years but its true meaning started many, many years ago. The ancient word for locavore is “farmer.” Yes, farmers were the very first locavores in existence. They grew their own vegetables and raised their own livestock as a way of surviving and earning a living. They took their produce, dairy products and meats into town and sold it to the people in their communities. This was the humble beginning of what is known today as “farmer’s markets.” If you think about it, history is repeating itself. We are just putting a new term on an old way of life.
“I would define a ‘Locavore’ as an individual that makes a conscious choice as a consumer to buy local,” said Erin McGuire of BACKYARD FOOD SOLUTIONS www.backyardfoodsolutions.com) (w in Dover. She and her husband Chris operate a hydroponic farm, produce stand and a produce home delivery service. Locavores who shop local are a very important part of their business. “Keeping things local directly impacts our community,” Erin McGuire said. “Supporting local businesses allows these businesses to help support community through giving funds, services and time.”
Will Carey is the Executive Director of TAMPA BAY HARVEST (www.tampabayharvest.org) and he feels a locavore looks like a community. “My best definition in one word would be community,” Carey said. “We all live in a worldwide ‘community’ but sometimes we lose sight of the community we live in. Local farms, gardens and businesses in general can only thrive when supported by their neighbors and in turn we all benefit from less energy used, higher quality product and immediate accountability from your local merchant.”
I asked some people I know from the agriculture community to give me their definition of what they thought the word “locavore” meant and how a locavore would look to them. The answers I got where pretty interesting to say the least.
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Toni Magnusson-Cooper is the owner of SERENITEAS AND SOOTHERS in Plant City (www.sereniteasandsoothers.com). She said she has been a locavore her whole life. Her grandmother taught her about every plant that grew in her backyard and in the woods behind their house. “I’ve always been very supportive of eating local food from people around me because you know what you are getting,” Magnusson-Cooper said. “Growing our own food was something we did when I was a kids, it was our lifestyle.” She strongly believes that people need to have faith in their local farmers and be more aware of where their food is coming from and what goes in it.
locavore, my other favorite word is love,” Bryant Martinez said. “Supporting local is extremely important because you get to develop relationships with people and that’s what I really like most about being a locavore.” Brien Hockman feels a locavore is a person who is concerned about their community and who supports not only local businesses but also the local arts. “Being a locavore creates a sense of belonging and a sense of ownership because we are promoting the people who need jobs in our community by buying their products,” Brien Hockman said. His wife, Katrina feels that a locavore is someone who sees a need in the community and steps up to help with that need. “I started this past year in creating an opportunity for people to become aware of their community and the many needs within our community,” Katrina Hockman said. “I invite people to come and participate in growing food to help feed those in need of food in our community.” So, there you have it. A locavore is a person who supports all things local from food to the arts. A locavore looks a lot like you and me. We are locavores every time we make a conscious decision to buy and support local whenever we can. •
Bryant Martinez (pictured above) and Katrina and Brien Hockman (pictured at the top of page 10) run the WINTHROP COMMUNITY GARDEN in Brandon (www.facebook.com/ pages/ WinthropCommunity-Garden). The food they grow in their garden gets donated to local food banks in the Brandon area to help feed those in need. They see first hand how vital supporting local is and how many families are fed from the produce they grow. “I love all things local because it starts with the letter ‘L’ and like a W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
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NOVEMBER 2013
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John the Farrier By Libby Hopkins
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arriering or blacksmithing is one of the oldest professions known to man. Farriering involves hoof trimming and shoeing a horse. John Kutzner of Valrico, is keeping this age old profession alive and well in modern times. “I worked at a Thoroughbred rehabilitation center in Springhill, Florida and they had horses come in from all over the state,” Kutzner said. “I worked with a farrier there and I found that I kind of liked farriering so I went to school for it and I’ve been doing it for a little over five years now.” Since farriering is one of the oldest professions, it has quite a history and at one time, farriers were considered the first “horse doctors.” According to the website Suite 101 (www.suite101.com), “Farriering is one of the most important jobs supporting the horse industry, whether it is the sporting or recreational horse world. Originally they were thought of as little more than horse doctors, but over time the job of the farrier has become that of a specialist/ professional with an in depth knowledge of the structure of the horse, not just the foot but the whole animal. This is essential to ensure the horse is shod without damage to the foot, pain to the horse or injury to the farrier.” The website also says that “The Celts are believed to be one of the oldest people to have protected the feet of their horses with the addition of metal shoes. The practice is W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
thought to have started in Germany before making its way to Britain.” Kutzner doesn’t consider himself a farrier, he said he is a “natural horseman.” “I got into this business because my life is horses and I believe in promoting gentleness and kindness to these animals,” Kutzner said. “I’m in this business not only to make a living but to insure that the horse is comfortable.” He believes that when a horse is comfortable they perform better. “I offer hot shoeing, balanced trimming, corrective shoeing and I’m versatile in different fields of the trade,” he said. Kutzner has over 200 clients and his business is mobile, he will come to you. Some of the services he offers are natural barefoot trimming, performance horse shoeing, therapeutic shoeing and glue on shoes to name a few. He is BWFA (Brotherhood of the Working Farriers Association) certified and he is very reasonable in his pricing. “My services start off at $30 to $300 depending on the horse,” Kutzner said. “You kind of have to have a trained eye for it and you shoe a horse to its natural conformation.” He is also one of the youngest farriers in the area. He is in his twenties and he loves getting to know his many clients and their horses. “I love the animals but what I get the most out of my job is meeting the different people and building relationships with them,” Kutzner said. “My job is very rewarding and I like
making sure my customers horses are well cared for and healthy.” In addition to running a farriering business, Kutzner and his father, Lance run Alpha K Hauling. “We got into transportation together and we haul livestock for our customers,” Lance Kutzner said. Farriering and livestock hauling aren’t the only two things that keep John The Farrier busy, he also has been known to raise a litter or two of Catahoula Leopard Dogs. “They are good hunting dogs,” Kutzner said. He has a puppy named Lilly along with three other dogs named Oreo, Cheyenne, and Trigger. He also loves to train horses. His dad said he is “soft-handed” when it comes to breaking horses. “People believe in breaking horse the hard way, John doesn’t,” Lance said. “He is softhanded and he believes in trust and understanding when it comes to horses or any animal.” If you would like to learn more about the services that John Kutzner offers, you can visit www.newhorse.com or give him a call at 813-433-6377. You can also email him at johnthefarrier1@gmail.com. If you are interested in the Kutzner’s livestock transportation service, ALPHA K TRANSPORTATION, you can contact them at 813-433-6377 or email them at alphktransport@gmail.com.
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Market Watch CASSIE’S COOKIES
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n a recent trip to the Ybor Saturday Market, I had the pleasure of meeting Cassie and Scott Bookamer, of Cassie’s Cookies, and sampling some of their delicious cookies. They were addictive to say the least. I instantly became a fan of their shortbread cookies and kumquat cookies. Those cookies should be illegal in all 50 states because they are so good. Cassie will tell you she has to bake, it’s in her blood. “I’ve been baking since my mom would let me in the kitchen as a kid and she taught me everything from scratch,” Cassie said. “I’ve always enjoyed baking and after Scott and I got married, I would bake a bunch of things and send them to work with him. That’s kind of how we got started.” Scott’s fellow employees insisted that he and Cassie start their own baking business. “Cassie can’t not bake, she has to bake and she would bake all these wonderful things that she didn’t want to keep around the house, so I would take them to work,” Scott said. “We would take them to work, church, everywhere we went and everyone loved them.” Cassie and Scott decided after some research, to start baking from their home and taking the cookies to the various farmer’s markets in the Tampa Bay area. “Scott came to me one morning after being up all night and he told me we have a website, I’ve ordered labels and I’ve gotten us a Facebook page, so we are all set and I was like, I guess we are starting a business,” Cassie said. Cassie’s Cookies’ mission statement is to “Make lives sweeter,” and they have a plan W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
By Libby Hopkins
to make the lives of everyone they come in contact a little sweeter. They recently started a pending cookie program called “2 Cookies and a Friend” and they got the inspiration for this program from an Italian tradition called “caffe sospeso” which means “suspended coffee.” According to the website, Raise Global Services (www.raiseglobalservices.com), “In Naples, a city rife with pick pocketing, burglary, and other crimes, compassion and kindness intersect by way of coffee. Customers are able to go into many coffee shops and order their coffee or food and then pay in advance for those who can’t afford it. Customers can order as many pending coffees as they want and those in need can come in and ask for pending coffee any time throughout the day. If there are pending coffees available, the person is given one immediately.”
The Bookamer’s want to expand their “2 Cookies and a Friend” program further by getting involved with the local food banks and food outreach programs in Tampa. They know that people in need must have nutritious food and can’t eat cookies all the time, but they would like to offer their cookies in addition to the regular food they get from the food programs. In the past, the couple has baked a couple of dozen cookies and brought them to the homeless in downtown Tampa. They sat with the homeless eating cookies and drinking milk. They said it was one of the most rewarding things they have ever done and they want to be able to more things like that with their business. “We would like to partner up with the different food organization in Tampa to help bring a little sweetness to their lives,” Scott said.
The Bookamer’s heard about this tradition and decided to give it a new spin and use cookies instead of coffee. “We feel cookies make life sweeter and if people in Tampa know that people who can afford to buy cookies were buying them for people who can’t, the town would be a sweeter place for everyone,” Scott said. “It would be sweeter if you were able to give as well as receive a cookie from someone else.” They have a jar that says “pending cookie” on it set up at their stand at the market and they encourage people to put money in the jar. People do put money in the jar because they want to pay it forward and help others.
If you would like to learn more about the different cookies Cassie’s Cookies has to offer, you can visit their website at www.cassiesperfectcookies.com or you can give them a call at 813-312-7414. To learn more about the Ybor Saturday Market, you can visit them on the web at www.ybormarket.com.
Their cookie program is doing very well and they like that it gives them another way to connect with their customers. They only problem the couple has run in to is that customers don’t want to take a free bag of cookies from them. Their customers actually can’t believe that some stranger wants to give them a free bag of cookies. “We want people to get used to putting money in the jar as well as taking money from it,” Scott said. “Getting them to take the money for a bag of cookies has been a little harder. We need to get people to realize that it’s ok to give money for cookies but it’s also ok to take money for the cookies.” INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER 2013
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The Cooler Season by Captain Woody Gore
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n late September we entered our fall season and began noticing cooler temperatures with less humidity. This makes it a great time to go fishing, because as the water temperatures continue cooling, the bite will continue to improve. What this means is that November should be an excellent time to escape the chill of the north or the heat of our Florida summers and schedule a fishing trip with Captain Woody Gore. Having fished the Tampa West Coast waters for over 50 years, Captain Woody offers a true professional full-time guided charter fishing service, targeting some of our most sought after game fish including snook, and redfish, spotted sea trout, cobia snapper, flounder, sheepshead, mackerel, tarpon, and inshore grouper.
As the days become less humid and grow more pleasurable you will be able to experience some of the best fishing in the “Fishing Capital of the World”… Florida.
NOVEMB ER FISHING REPORT SNOOK season is open and greenbacks seem the bait of choice. We have also been catching them on cut bait lying on the bottom. Anglers using live bait should have no problem finding plenty of greenbacks, threadfins, or pinfish. It’s not unusual for a juvenile snook to chase down a greenback, but the larger fish are usually disinterested in pursuing any fast swimming bait. Instead, they seem content to take damaged or dead bait off the bottom. A simple technique I have been using to slow down my live bait is to break its back or cut off the tail fins. 18
If you’re an artificial lure angler, topwater lures do well on an early morning grass flat. Topwater lures are loads of fun, especially the unanticipated explosion when least expected. My topwater choice includes MirrOlure’s Top Dogs, or 7M’s, then later in the day switching over to soft plastics on a jig head. REDFISH seem to be on every grass flat and are eating live and dead baits. We are catching plenty of nice size fish with many in the thirty plus range. Grass flats with broken bottom, submerged oyster bars and mangrove shorelines throughout the Bay hold hungry Redfish. Greenbacks, dollar size pins, cut bait and patience do the trick. On the other hand, if you are interested in something different, perhaps it is time to try artificial lures. Fall and winter are great times to use them. Artificial’s give the fish a look at something different, like color, shape and action, or any one, or combination of, might entice them to strike. Some lures float, dive or suspend and usually require a learning curve, but that is half the fun. Fishing artificial lures is a talent, but one you will surely enjoy once you have mastered the techniques. It’s always been my experience that the best way to learn to fish artificial lures is never take live bait along. This way you will not be tempted to switch if you do not catch something right away. It’s called fishing what you brought. SPOT T ED SEA T ROU T action is on the upswing with good reports when fishing strong tide days around deepwater flats. They are eating shrimp, pinfish, and greenbacks. Deeper flats, good moving water, and a popper cork or free lined greenback or shrimp prove deadly in catching nice Trout. In addition, there is some great
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2013
action on calm days with topwater artificial lures like the MirrOlure 7M or Top Dog Jr. COB IA can show up on the back of large Rays and Manatees. Check buoys and markers and keep an eye out when Mackerel fishing using a chum bag. Have a good rig ready because they tend to pop up at the most inopportune time… like when you are not ready. Many times, we have been fishing for mackerel and looked behind the boat to see one or two cobia hanging around the outboard. MACKEREL action should remain strong as long as we have bait. Look for the diving birds and you have probably found a school of mackerel, jacks, or ladyfish, also look for schools of threadfins or glass minnows and you will usually find the same thing. Try using 40# to 50# SeaGuar Fluorocarbon Leader with long shank #2 or #3 hooks. No need to go expensive on the hooks, you loose plenty. Free line the baits in the current with a #3 split-shot weight. B LACK T IP SHARKS are following the mackerel with schooling fish in the fifteen to twenty-five pound range willing to eat live bait. Rig like you would for mackerel and enjoy the fun on light tackle. MANGROVE SNAPPER have flooded Tampa Bay grass flats, bridges, markers and docks. Fishing with small greenies and shrimp should produce some nice sized fish, often tipping the scales around the 1 to 3 pounds. Lighter Seaguar fluorocarbon leader, small slip sinker, a #1 hook and you’re in business. W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
Joanne Charlton and her husband, Jamie, caught several Redfish on a recent charter with Captain Woody.
Jamie Charlton with Redfish catch.
Gina came out with a few companions to enjoy the day on the water and catching fish!
Top Dog Topwater Jigheads
Carmen Marquez and her husband, Richie, came from Colorado and enjoyed a great day of fishing.
“Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing” – 813-477-3814 Captain Woody Gore is the area’s top outdoor fishing guide. Guiding and fishing the Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, Bradenton, and Sarasota areas for over fifty years; he offers 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. W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
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bone. Marinate the meat in whatever kind of rub you like. Then spread the possum meat out on a cooking board. Baste with the rub. Broil in the oven at 400 degrees for about an hour, turning it over and applying more rub every twenty minutes. When the possum meat is golden brown and the juices are really sizzling after at least an hour…take it out of the oven and apply a honey glaze on it. Let it sit and cool for thirty minutes. After cooling, throw away the possum meat and eat the board. Try backing a possum in a corner and he’ll give you a big smile. One thing for sure the possum has an excellent dental plan.
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have fond memories of fishing and hunting with my WPLA Radio broadcast partner, Ercelle Smith. Ercie was full of tall tales. One of which I remember, we were turkey hunting at his farm just outside of Zephyrhills. While sitting in a make shift blind in his orange grove he told me the story of why possums play “possum.” I remember the ending, but have had trouble putting together the entire story, so I went to the Internet and found it. The Rabbit and the Possum each wanted a wife, but no one would marry either of them. They talked over the matter and the Rabbit said, “We can’t get wives here, let’s go to the next settlement. I’m the messenger for the council, and I’ll tell the people that I bring an order that everybody must take a mate at once, and then we’ll be sure to get our wives.” The Possum thought this a fine plan, so they started off together to the next town. As the Rabbit traveled faster he got there first and waited outside until the people noticed him and took him into the townhouse. When the chief came to ask his business, the Rabbit said he brought an important order from the council that everybody must get married without delay. So the chief called the people together and told them the message from the council. Every animal took a mate at once, and the Rabbit got a wife. The Possum traveled so slowly that he got there after all the animals had mated, leaving him still without
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a wife. The Rabbit pretended to feel sorry for him and said, “Never mind, I’ll carry the message to the people in the next settlement, and you hurry on as fast as you can, and this time you will get your wife.” So he went on to the next town, and the Possum followed close after him. But when the Rabbit got to the townhouse he sent out the word that there had been peace so long that everybody was getting lazy and the council had ordered that there must be war at once and they must begin right in the townhouse. So they all began fighting, but the Rabbit made four great leaps and got away just as the Possum came in. Everybody jumped on the Possum, who had not thought of bringing his weapons on a wedding trip, and so could not defend himself. They had nearly beaten the life out of him when he fell over and pretended to be dead until he saw a good chance to jump up and get away. The Possum never got a wife, but he remembers the lesson, and ever since then he shuts his eyes and pretends to be dead when the hunter has him in a close corner. I remember one year when we were publishing one of our WPLA “Mercy Ercie, What’s Cooking” cook books, Doretha Adams, our secretary, and Dick Shiflett, who worked in sales, had a hard time talking him out of publishing his favorite recipe for cooking possum. Here it is. You be the judge. Skin the possum and cut the meat from the
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We had some great times at his farm. Over the years I think Ercelle ran a baby animal raise-and-release program out of his barn. At various times of the year he had a baby rabbit, raccoons, turkeys, and at one point a baby deer. Ercy had one squirrel he named Clovis that would actually eat out of his hand. Then there was “Dillo,” his pet armadillo, that got it between the eyes when he rooted out about half of his front yard one night. It happened when one morning he got up and noticed the front yard grass looked funny. He went out to find that his pet armadillo had eaten all the grass roots. I recall someone called in our radio show “This’n That” and offered Ercelle a highclass rooster, and two miniature Billy goats. He went out after the show and picked them up. He said they were so tame he let them run loose in the yard. I went out to see how they were doing one afternoon. As soon as I stepped out of the car both goats blindsided me and I hit the ground. Ercelle, leaning against one of his orange trees, just stood there laughing. Right behind the goats, here comes his rooster. Before I could jump on the hood of the car he caught me twice in the left leg with his spurs. To this day I honestly believe he had all this planned. I should have known as the day before he referred to his rooster and goats as his new watch dogs. One of the best armadillo and raccoon hunters to ever live in east Hillsborough County is John McLin. Gerald Beaty told me the story of the time he went along with John and Ercelle on a coon hunt south of Plant City. He said they drove down a long winding dirt road near the Alafia River. When they stopped, John had W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
them to build a big bon-fire before turning the dogs loose. With the fire ablaze, John jumped in the back of the pickup and started singing and dancing what he called the “Raccoon Death” song. You could have heard him for a mile, bringing down hellfire and brimstone on all the raccoons in the area. Holding his nose, he sang a song about how bad they stink, and how his song was the raccoon dance of death. We all doubled up with laughter as John went through his routine. As best I remember, the ’coon dogs failed to tree the first raccoon. We surmised that John’s “Ritual Coon Dance” worked before we ever got started.
Oh boy, those were the days… Possum and Rabbit story taken from the 19th annual report of the American Bureau of Ethnology 1897.
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Kudos to Calfee Dudley Calfee of Ferris Farms accepted the Florida Commissioner of Agriculture’s Ag Environmental Award in Ponte Vedra, FL. at a breakfast sponsored by Florida’s three Farm Credit Associations. The event is held in conjunction with Florida Farm Bureau’s Annual Meeting. Calfee was one of three honorees being recognized. For more information the link to the Commissioner’s website on the honorees: http:/ / www.freshfromflorida.com/ News-Events/ PressReleases/ 2013-Press-Releases/ Commissioner-Putnam-PresentsAgriculture-Environmental-Awards Photo: Ron OʼConnor-Farm Credit
“Go Figure” Your Personal Water Number By Julia Palaschak
Water Use Program Coordinator Hillsborough County Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM
I’ll bet you’ve never heard anyone speak of a “personal water number.” Yeah… I just made it up. My job is to talk to people about water, specifically the reclaimed and/or potable water delivered to your home by your local utility. I decided to use a number to start my conservation conversation.
water was in the well. It had to be enough for us, enough for the vegetables, enough for the livestock. He was a great motivator! Please check your next water bill to learn how much water you use every day. If you have kids, let them help you do the math. Share the number with everyone in your household. Both City and County billing provides the total monthly gallons used. Divide your total gallons used by the days in the month, then by the number of people in your home, and you’ll own a personal water number!
3 STEPS TO LOWER YOUR PERSONAL WATER NUMBER: 1. A functional rain shutoff device 2. Verify your assigned watering days; set your system accordingly 3. Apply only ¾” each time you water Schedule a free “in-yard” consultation: 813-744-5519 x54142; palaschakj@hillsboroughcounty.org.•
We pay attention to lots of numbers in our lives: calories, prices, SPF, 4G, NASDAQ, karats, ERA, BP, these numbers can help form our life’s goals and how we reach them. The way I see it, a personal water number is how much water each person uses on an average day at their home. I hope you’ll use it to set your water conservation goal. A personal water number reveals important information about our lives and our behaviors. Knowing how much we use helps us understand when we should choose to use less. Here’s the funny part about using less water: it can be pretty easy. Here’s the funny part about choosing to use less water: it can be pretty difficult. But very gratifying! Conservation, like healthy eating and exercise, doesn’t come naturally. It requires motivation and practice. There may be pauses until the motivation is renewed. When we’re kids, our parents give us rules. The rules can become part of our character. Growing up in rural Illinois, my dad gave us kids regular reports on how much 26
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Fri. & Sat. November 15 & 16 • 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Fri. & Sat. December 20 & 21 • 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
*** All Items Are 8 lbs. Unless Otherwise Noted.***
VEGETABLES Foodhooks........................$22 Baby Butter Beans ...........$15 Green Beans......................$14 Pole Beans ........................$14 Speckled Butter Beans ...$14 Blackeye Peas...................$14 Butter Peas .......................$14 Crowder Peas ...................$14 Pinkeye Peas.....................$14 Sugar Snap Peas ..............$15 Zipper Peas.......................$14 Green Peas ........................$14 Conk Peas .........................$22 White Corn........................$14 Yellow Corn.......................$14 Cream White Corn 4# ......$6 Cream Yellow Corn 4#......$6 Collard Greens..................$13 Mustard Greens ................$13 Turnip Greens ...................$13 Spinach ..............................$13 Cut Okra ............................$13 Breaded Okra....................$13 Whole Okra .......................$13 Sliced Yellow Squash.......$13
Sliced Zucchini .................$13 Brussel Sprouts ................$14 Baby Carrots.....................$14 Broccoli .............................$14 Cauliflower........................$14 Mixed Vegetables ............$14 Soup Blend .......................$14
• It takes yard of sugarcane to make one sugar cube. • It takes a half-gallon of water to cook macaroni and about a gallon to clean the pot. • Two-thirds of the worldʼs eggplant is grown in New Jersey. • It takes more than 500 peanuts to make one 12 ounce jar of peanut butter. • It would take more than 150 years to drive a car to the sun. • In Tokyo, they sell toupees for dogs. • It is against the law to have a pet dog in Iceland. • It costs $6,400 to raise a medium size dog to age eleven. • Ireland is the only country where windmills turn clockwise. • It is illegal to hunt camels in the state of Arizona. • Jimmy Carter was the first US president to have been born in a hospital. • It takes 8.5 minutes for light to get from the sun to the earth. • It is impossible to sneeze with your eyes open. • Tigers have striped skin, not just striped fur. • The giant squid has the largest eye in the world. • In ancient Egypt, killing a cat was a crime punishable by death. • In Casablanca, Humphrey Bogart never said, “Play it again, Sam.” • In 1980, a Las Vegas hospital suspended workers for betting on when patients would die. • A dime has 118 ridges around the edge. • Baby robins can eat 14 feet of earthworms every day. • Canada has more lakes than the rest of the world combined. • Catgut comes from sheep not cats.
FRUITS Blueberries 5# ..................$15 Blackberries 5# ................$15 Raspberries 5# .................$15 Dark Sweet Cherries 5# ..$18 Mango Chunks 5# ............$15 Pineapple Chunks 5#.......$15 Peaches..............................$15 Whole Strawberries 5# ...$15 Rhubarb #5 .......................$15 Green Peanuts ..................$15
Fresh Georgia Pecans 1 lb...................................$9 2.5 lbs......................$22.25 5 lbs..............................$44 10 lbs ............................$87
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Dry Creek America’s First Frontier By Les McDowell Photo by Linda Constant
H
ello Folks, I thought I’d let you read part of an episode I’m writing for Dry Creek. This season as I’ve mentioned in the past, I’m putting more of Florida’s rich history into the mix. Here’s an example. It’s a fairy tale land that begs to be listened to. Who’s history and stories haven’t been exposed to the full light of the world. But if you’re quiet and listen to the sounds from the edge of it’s dark swamps, just as the sun rises and streaks through the Oak Hammocks and the thick Palmetto Bushes it might uncover a secret or two. It seems like everything in this land has had to adapt. For some just to enjoy the simplest of Gods gifts, the gift of air. The quietness of the swamps explodes as a Curlew flies from a Cypress stump reaching up out of the dark waters. If you listened closely you might hear the sound of that Cypress stump gasping, fighting to breathe in air for its roots submerged in the water. In the distance you can hear the sound of splashing. It seems to be getting closer. Then the stillness of the morning is broken by cracking sounds. It echoes through the swamp. Hoofs churn the stillness of the water and the cracking sounds vibrate the air. Out from the swamp steps a rider on horse back from behind curtain of hanging Spanish moss into the bright sunshine. It’s as if they had risen out of the swamp. This is not just any horse and rider. It is a Cow Hunter astride his Marsh Tacky. As the sun illuminates them four words come to mind. “Once a Pond a Time.” Now is the time for the story to be told.
August 1895 Wagon wheels turn in the dust revealing a busy little settlement. Town folk seem to be like ants marching to a picnic blanket spread out at a church social, under the Dry Creek General Store sign it’s owner sweeps the boardwalk. Dry Creek is a place in early Florida that people from all walks of life have come to find themselves. The name Dry Creek itself is a metaphor for the place in our hearts that is all dried up from “living water.” The inhabitants 28
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of Dry Creek have all had a situation where they have fled from other places to find their own dream. They are all pioneers. Standing next to a carriage a man seems out of place leaning against the hitching rail. He has a demeanor that carries a sense of power. He is in conversation with the driver of the carriage. The man sitting in the drivers seat of the carriage asks him, “Mr. Remington, when will you be going back to the city?” Mr. Remington’s attention goes to the Cow Hunter who has just rode into town from the swamp on his Marsh Tacky. Mr. Remington’s eyes don’t leave the Cow Hunter as two other Cow Hunters on horse back ride up next to him and ride up to the Dry Creek Saloon and dismount. Mr. Remington seems to have a look of disgust at the sight of the three riders. With his eyes still fixed on the sight of these three Cow Hunters with floppy hats, scrawny mounts, four dollars worth of clothes between them, riding McClellan saddles with saddle bags and guns tied on before, he responds. “Please don’t call me Mr. Remington, just Frederic will do. As soon as I get my Harpers article wrapped up. One can thresh the straw of history until he is well worn out, and is also at the risk of wearing others out, so I will wave the telling of who the first cowboy was. Trust me my man, it was not whom they call Crackers.” The man sitting aboard the carriage just listens. It’s as though he is scared to utter a peep. Frederic continues with his observations of the wild looking individuals, whose hanging hair and drooping hats and general appearance reminded him of the Spanish moss which hangs so quietly and helplessly to the limbs of the oaks out in the swamps. “With me cowboys are what gems and porcelains are to some others. Get me out of here!” He climbs aboard the carriage. This is just an example of how Dry Creek this season will tell the stories that have been hidden in the swamps for all these years. Watch for us on BlueHighways TV on Bright House, Saturday nights at 7:30.
Everybody knows where Dry Creek is... It’s inside each and everyone of us. W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
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Winners of the Florida FFA
“Helping Communities Grow”
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he Nutrients for Life Foundation announced Eisenhower Middle FFA Chapter, Gibsonton, FL, was the first place winner of a $5,000 grant in the “Helping Communities Grow” FFA chapter recognition program in Florida. Eisenhower Middle FFA Chapter won $5,000 for their students’ research projects and innovative approach to agricultural sustainability by teaching the nitrogen cycle, photosynthesis, and the value of plant nutrients for feeding the world. The remarkable outreach, research, and collaboration in this project will provide a science-based model for future FFA students. “I am so impressed with the quality of projects we received in our ‘Helping Communities Grow’ FFA chapter competition,” said Nutrients for Life Foundation Executive Director, Harriet Wegmeyer. “It gives us great honor to award these checks to such deserving students. Not only did they educate fellow students and their communities about the important value of fertilizer, they expanded their leadership ability, communication skills and knowledge base during the year-long projects.” Fort King Middle FFA Chapter, Ocala, FL, and Fort White FFA Chapter, Ft. White, FL placed second and third, and received grants of $3,000 and $1,000, respectively. The Fort King Middle FFA Chapter won the second place award of $3,000 by participating in several projects teaching other students and community members about food chains, W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
ecosystems, and the role of fertilizers to supply vital plant nutrients for producing our food. Fort White FFA Chapter won $1,000 for third place with their diverse science-based teachings and activities related to the use of plant nutrients and water to achieve sustainability. Utilizing comparative methods, students demonstrated the importance of feeding a growing population and community. Other participating Florida FFA student chapters around the state earned $500 for developing and executing community-outreach education programs based on the Nutrients for Life Foundation curriculum, Nourishing the Planet in the 21st Century. This free curriculum, developed by the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study and reviewed by the Smithsonian Institution, provides field-tested, standards-based classroom activities to help tomorrow's generation realize that the challenge of feeding our growing population can be solved with good science. The “Helping Communities Grow” contest encouraged FFA chapter students to teach others about the importance of fertilizer and the role that it plays in one of two categories: 1) providing a safe and nourishing food supply; or 2) keeping the Earth green. FFA chapters who entered projects but didn’t win the top three awards each received $500 minigrants for their participation. The “Helping Communities Grow” chapter recognition program encouraged FFA
students to help the public become better informed about plant nutrients and related agricultural issues. During the project, students gained skills in leadership, public speaking, team building and community awareness while increasing knowledge of soil science and agricultural issues. The Nutrients for Life Foundation will continue this program next year in Florida and FFA Chapters are encouraged to submit letters of intent and pre-project summaries by the November deadline. Details can be found at www.nutrientsforlife.org. The Nutrients for Life Foundation informs the public of the role of nutrients in both the production of nutritious, abundant food supplies and preservation of healthy green spaces through the development of science-based educational resources and an outreach campaign to people across the country. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. For more Nutrients for Life information, visit www.nutrientsforlife.org or call (800) 962-9065.
The Nutrients for Life Foundation is a tax-exempt status organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is incorporated in the State of Delaware. The Foundation was formed to disseminate educational information to the general public, including policy makers, about fertilizers, modern agriculture and the role plant nutrients serve in improving people’s lives.
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Cheap!
Thousands of 8 ft & 10 ft sheets in stock. Prices from $6 and up. Custom lengths available.
Metal Roofing Florida’s Best Prices
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Discount Metal Mart Monday thru Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
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Located at Plant City Farm & Flea Market One mile north of I-4, corner of SR 39 and Sam Allen , easy access to I-4
813-752-7088 Website: www.metalsystemsinc.com email: atfabcutting@hotmail.com W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
By Sandy Kaster, M.S. Clinical Medicine, B.S. Nutrition Science
F
resh Florida pomegranates are as nutritious as they are beautiful and delicious. A balance of sweetness and tartness, pomegranates are juicy and refreshing. They are available from July to December in the northern part of Florida and year-round in southern parts of the state. This reddishpurplish fruit is most commonly eaten raw or juiced, as well as used in beverages or in baking. A smooth, leathery skin encloses a round fruit. Inside are numerous edible seeds, surrounded by arils, the purplish, juicy pulp, and a white membrane. The arils are often part of a dish or used as a beautiful garnish.
NUTRITIONAL PROFILE Fresh Florida pomegranates are full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, a one-half cup serving of pomegranate arils (87 g) contains 72 calories, 1 g of protein, 1 g of fat, 16 g of carbohydrate, and 3 g of fiber. It also provides 18% of the Daily Recommended Value (% DV) for vitamin K, 15% for vitamin C, 14% for dietary fiber, 8% for folate, 7% for copper, 6% for potassium, 5% for manganese, and significant amounts of thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B6, pantothenic acid, vitamin E, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc. ANTIOXIDANTS: PROMOTE HEART HEALTH Pomegranates and pomegranate juice are full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that may help improve heart health. Research studies have shown a decrease in blood cholesterol and blood pressure when pomegranate juice is added to the diet. These markers of heart health may be affected by the antioxidants and polyphenols found in pomegranates and other fruits and vegetables.
DECREASE CANCER Pomegranates may have a potential role in decreasing the risk of cancers of the prostate, breast, colon, and lung. The antioxidants in pomegranates and pomegranate juice may prevent mobility of cancer cells and may reduce blood supply to tumors. However, studies have only been done in mice, and whether the effects transfer to humans requires further research.
VITAMIN K: FOR STRONG BONES AND BLOOD Vitamin K is an essential component for clotting of blood in the body. This vitamin also helps maintain bone health by transW W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
porting calcium and metabolizes the mineral into your skeleton. Several research studies have found that vitamin K boosts bone mineral density and reduces fracture rates in people with osteoporosis. As a result, the Institute of Medicine increased its daily recommendation of vitamin K. Other boneboosting nutrients are calcium and magnesium, both of which are found in pomegranates.
FIBER: PROMOTE A HEALTHY HEART AND GUT Research has shown that dietary fiber has a protective effect against cardiovascular diseases, by lowering blood cholesterol levels and slowing the progression of heart disease in high-risk individuals. Fiber binds to the cholesterol-containing bile salts, excreting them out of the body. It also promotes bowel regularity and increases satiety levels, which can aid in weight control. In addition to its effects on regularity, fiber also promotes healthy digestive functioning and offers protection from colon cancer. A single half-cup serving of pomegranate provides 14 percent of your daily fiber needs. Most of the fiber in this fruit is concentrated in the edible seeds.
HOW TO SELECT AND STORE Ripe pomegranates have a soft, deep red skin and a slightly square shape. Feel for fruits that are heavy for their size. Unripe pomegranates tend to be rounder with a hard, tight skin. Though pomegranates stop ripening
when picked, their flavor becomes sweet and juicier in storage. Pomegranates can be stored in the refrigerator for up to several months, depending on humidity level. The arils can also be frozen for up to one year.
HOW TO ENJOY Pomegranate arils are delicious eaten out-ofhand, and can also be used as a garnish in fruit cups, salads, or desserts. Pomegranate juice is frequently used to make beverages, jellies, and desserts. Other ways to enjoy this super-nutritious fruit include: • Sprinkle seeds into yogurt • Garnish a holiday salad or dish • Add arils to a smoothie • Mix with dips and spread on bread or crackers • Puree the fruit for a topping for cake or ice cream • Use juice in a fruit sorbet or smoothie Enjoy this beautiful, nutritious fruit during Florida’s peak season today. Selected References http:/ / www.floridagardener.com/ http:/ / www.hort.purdue.edu http:/ / www.fruitsandveggiesmoremat ters.org/ pomegranate
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Business Up Front
JUMPIN CRAZY
I
f you are a legal adult chances are you missed out on the new explosion known as bounce houses. More than likely, you’re a little bit envious of your wee ones as they climb into trampoline heaven without the fear of pinched appendages. They have the joy of bouncing on a cloud while you were afraid your sister would launch you off onto the ground. We had the occasional sneaky jumping on the bed, hot metal playgrounds and water hose sprinklers while they have giant air cushion’s and recycled rubber matting. Yes indeed, this generation is spoiled. However, it is our fault as they are our children! Thusly, Johnathan Bendorf, owner of Jumpin Crazy, is willing to assist us in our bounce house needs. Johnathan is quite humorous. He shared, “I am from upstate New York and I have no agriculture in me. I ate some corn last night, that’s about as far into agriculture as I get! I am from New York State, my parents moved us here in ‘86. I’ve lived in Plant City since ‘86. I left a couple times, but I always come back to Plant City. About a year and a half ago I told my wife I was going to quit my job. All we did was work. It made her a little nervous but I quit anyway. I sat down one day and I decided to start Jumpin Crazy. It has taken off very
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well actually. So I get to spend more time with my three kids. I get to know who their friends are. I get to know what kind of trouble they think they’re going to get in to and hopefully, in the summer time my wife won’t have to work anymore.” Johnathan is very pleased with what his new found career has provided for his family. “Jumpin Crazy allows us to spend more time with our children. I’ve been able to teach my oldest boy how to deal with customers, how to answer the phone, how to do paperwork, even make a bank deposit on his own. These are skills that he’s going to need and he’s very proud of himself. Our family has found some of the richest blessings this last year in so many ways. We eat at the kitchen table almost every night of the week. Our daughter is taken to school every day by her mother and picked up by dad. There is time for baseball and girl scouts as well.” SO HOW DID ALL THIS COME AB OU T ? Johnathan elaborated, “I quit my job and we were living off savings. I was online and I was going to buy my kids a bounce house to play in because we weren’t going to have those big paychecks to go to Busch Gardens, Disney World and do those lastminute things with the kids that we normally would. I saw what they rented
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for, what I could buy them for, and what they cost new, what they cost used and I decided to take a step of faith and I bought four. I depleted our savings account on four and now a year and a half later we own 33 inflatables. Basically it was just learning about them and it didn’t cost a lot. We didn’t have to rent a building. We just started in our driveway. Now we rent a building and we’ve got bigger vehicles and stuff. There wasn’t a lot of financial risk, it was just a big step of faith and hoped it worked out.” He sums his business up by adding, “Jumpin Crazy is a home-based business. We work out of a storage unit here in Plant City. We advertise on Facebook and craigslist. We do a lot of flyer handouts. When my family goes to Walmart we hand out three or four flyers every time we go, to every kid we see in the parking lot. We’re very personable, we like to talk to our customers. When we go to the store we see the kids that we have serviced and they say hello. We really, really appreciate our customers and their business.” FOR FU T U RE CU STOMERS: He told us, “We have a basic bounce house inflatable that starts at $70 for the day. We have some combo units that are bounce houses and slides combined. They range W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
PLAY GOLF HELP LITTLE CHILDREN
from $125-$150. Then we have waterslide inflatables that range (depending on how tall they are, how long they are and how heavy they are) from $150-$250 for the day. Jumpin Crazy does not charge a delivery fee. We don’t charge mileage. We don’t charge set up or take down and we never charge anybody to use the insurance that we bought to protect them and ourselves. We charge a flat fee, it makes everything really easy, there’s no misunderstandings. If it’s $70, it’s $70. If it’s $250, it’s $250. We like to keep it very simple. We come in, we set up. We come back and take it down. They don’t have to clean it, they don’t have to bother it, just use it. If they need us they call us and we come right out but we very rarely have to go back out and see anybody.” Potential clients are advised, “A lot of our customers interact on our Facebook page. A lot of companies close down their Facebook page where they advertise and their customers can’t comment or speak with each other. We have a lot of fun with it, our customers post pictures of their parties. Customers can reach us on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ jumpincrazy on our website: www.jumpincrazybounce.com or by phone: (863)-529-4868.” Johnathan and his family are looking forward to hearing from you and providing you with your next party’s bounce house or slide needs! By the way, Jumpin Crazy gives back to the community. They have helped sponsor Romp in the Swamp, a cancer 5K run that raised $10,000 for children with cancer, they’ve donated to silent auctions and helped raise money to purchase emergency equipment for police cars. They love to service churches and daycares as well as baby showers and birthdays and are available on holidays. They are licensed and insured with the Hillsborough County Parks and carry generators in case you are in need of one for your event! Be sure to get in touch with Johnathan for your next shindig. •
Joe James wants to help farmworkers. “I owe my livelihood to them,” he says. “And here you have RCMA, which takes care of their children. It’s a great cause.” So James, owner of James Irrigation, and his wife, Sally, devoted their golf tournament last week to Redlands Christian Migrant Association, which operates five child-care centers for Plant City’s rural poor, and 19 in the Tampa Bay area. The tournament took place Friday, November 1 at Walden Lake Golf and Country Club. This year's Plant City Golf Classic started with a BBQ lunch at 11 a.m. and a shotgun start at 1 p.m. Last year's tournament raised more than $11,000 for RCMA's two charter schools in Wimauma. This year, Joe and Sally asked that the proceeds stay closer to home, assisting RCMA’s Dover Child Development Center at the San Jose Mission. This center has one of the longest waiting lists of RCMA’s 70 child-care centers in Florida. RCMA is planning a new building nearby, to accommodate the extra children. “Today, that dream is a little closer to becoming a reality, thanks to Joe and Sally and their wonderful friends,” said RCMA Executive Director Barbara Mainster, who attended the tournament. RCMA provides early-childhood education for children of migrant farm workers and rural, low-income families in 21 Florida counties. The largest non-profit child-care provider in the state, RCMA is an acclaimed provider of the Head Start program. Results from the tournament are: Winning Foursome: Scott McElveen, Tom Dawson, Dale Hawkins, Bubba Hall Second Place: Paul Hackney, Vincent Head, Joe James, Sean James Third Place: Bobby Tyson, Beau James, Mac McGrath, Bryan Griffin Longest Drive Winner was Tom Dawson and Closest to the Pin was Scott McElveen.
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Walden Lake Car Wash & Service Center Purchase Any Mobil Diesel Oil Change and Get A Full Service Car Wash for
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www.waldenlakecarwash.com
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By Shannon P. Mitchell – THE REDHEADED GARDENER
I
can breathe. That first lowering of temperatures and humidity has gloriously hit us here in the sunshine state. November is a time for families, thankfulness, the cooling of spirits and it’s also one of my favorite times to hit the garden. We are lucky enough here in Florida to continue our gardening efforts while other gardeners in cooler climes are beginning to bundle plants away and heavily mulch root beds in preparation for winter’s harsh touch. Fall in Florida is also a time to clean up the garden. Shorter days and longer nights make finding time in the garden a bit more challenging, especially if you work full time like I do. Still it can be done. Try to plan at least one task in the garden at least three times a week. Weed to keep beds free of interlopers that can steal nutrition from your foundation and annual plantings. Remember to water regularly but not heavily since our summer daily deluges have backed off. Even here in Florida a change in weather and temperature signals plants to begin preparing for dormant periods where growth slows down to match the environment. To keep your garden seasonal and looking good, it’s possible to blend warm and cool season annuals for color such as sweet smelling alyssum, spicy pink dianthus and fall colored zinnias. Pansies and Johnny Jump Ups or Heart’s Ease are super for this time of year and will soak up the cooler nights and days while coloring your garden with sweet faces. If you’re more into food crops there are some very nice cool weather vegetables that you can begin growing for continual seasonal harvest including beets, broccoli, cabbage, lettuces, onions, potatoes and spinach just to name a few. If you haven’t tried lettuce it is W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
very easy to grow. Sow several weeks apart in order to have an ongoing harvest fresh for your table. You’ll be hooked in no time on your own organic salads. It’s so versatile you could even grow it in pots if you lack yardage. Take care of maintenance chores which will enrich your garden for spring plantings. Add compost to soil, cover with organic mulch (I prefer oak leaves or pine needles) and let sit. Watch it begin to break down over winter. In the spring you can turn it under and find that the bottom layer has begun to decompose turning your beds into humusfilled, nutrient rich planting beds. Every addition builds your bank of nutrients for the future. Don’t be afraid to cut back dead or damaged branches at this time. Our warm wet summers have caused many plants to skyrocket and giving them a good balanced trim right now will not hurt them. They’ll actually be better for it and provide even stronger, lusher growth in the spring. Azaleas would be one exception. They should have had their last pruning in June so that they can set blooms for spring.
(center number). Give your citrus a final boost for the season as well with a basic general citrus fertilizer. Just because it’s fall doesn’t mean the gardening stops. You can still add trees, shrubs, vines and perennials as well. Just be prepared to protect any that have cold sensitivity during freeze warnings. Make sure that if you use plastic it doesn’t touch the foliage and end up burning sensitive leaves. As a final piece of advice, take time to inspect your plants closely during this time of year. Look for pest problems and treat with soapy washes or natural insecticides, remove diseased or dead branches and leaves and take some cuttings of some of your favorites so that you can add more plants to your bounty for next year. Overwintering cuttings gives them time to build a strong root base and is an easy, inexpensive way to multiply your treasures. Happy Fall Y’all. •
Another good garden must is to clean out your planters. Empty worn out plantings, scrub your pots well with soap and water and a stiff scrub brush or a soak in a 10 percent bleach-water solution to kill any potential disease carrying microbes. Refresh potting soil amended with slow release fertilizer to give your artful plantings the best start possible. You’ll also want to give your landscape plantings – woody shrubs or trees, a final feeding for the year. A general landscape fertilizer will suffice with low phosphorus INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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Specializing in Agricultural, Transitional and Commercial Land
220 ACRE HUNTING RETREAT VAUSE LAKE ROAD, HAWTHORNE
110 ACRE STRAWBERRY FARM GRANGE HALL LOOP, WIMAUMA
Magnificent 220 acre retreat with frontage on Fanny Lake. A wide variety of habitat for the sportsman including; fish, boar, white tail deer, Osceola turkey, and quail. The property is subdivided into 12 parcels and has a great interior road system. $770,000
Turn-key farm! 16, 14 and 12-inch wells, Drip and Freeze Protection installed. Abundant water supply with 397,000 Avg GPD and 14,357,000 Max GPD. Properties are level and well drained. $2,799,000
45 ACRE RECREATIONAL PROPERTY BUNKER HILL ROAD, PARRISH
40 ACRE HORSE FARM OLD WELCOME ROAD, LITHIA
Excellent 45 acre tract for the sportsperson. Property has a wide variety of habitat! $269,000
Incredible opportunity to own a turn-key horse farm located in Lithia, near Fishhawk. The property includes two homes, 50x100 horse barn and a lighted arena. Rolling, lush land and mature oaks border a creek that intersects the property. $800,000
20 ACRE EQUESTRIAN ESTATE POWERLINE ROAD, LITHIA
12 ACRE HOME SITE TRAPNELL ROAD, PLANT CITY
4,448 gross SF executive home, four bedrooms and two and one half baths. The kitchen opens to the family room and has beautiful views of the farm. The 15 stall center aisle barn features a tack room, feed room, 2 wash racks and an air-conditioned office. $825,000
Great vacant parcel for home site or farm. Use as pastureland now or look to future development. The property is already platted into four parcels. $215,000
Reed Fischbach, Broker
813.546.1000
Fischbach Land Company
P.O. Box 2677 • Brandon, FL 33509
Note: While every attempt is made to provide as accurate information on the property offering as possible, FISCHBACH LAND COMPANY, LLC does not guarantee the accuracy thereof. Buyer shall rely entirely on their own information and inspection of property and records.
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EXTENSION UNVEILS NEW CONSUMER
Safe Food Handling
WEBPAGE By Jim Frankowiak
C
onsumer safe food handling has long been an area of emphasis for Hillsborough County Extension that recently underwent expansion through release of a new website devoted exclusively to the safe handling of foods for consumers. Unveiled in conjunction with National Food Safety Education Month this past September, the new site is accessible at
The video answers to safe food questions and their scripts plus additional resources are organized by the following categories:
The trick is – How hot is hot enough? These FAQs cover what the temperatures need to be and how to be sure – because you can’t tell by looking. Keeping food hot after it’s been cooked and reheating previously cooked foods are also covered in this section.
http:/ / hillsborough.ifas.ufl.edu/ nutrition/ food_ safety.shtml. “The visitor to the site must then click on Safe Food FAQs,” said Extension Agent Mary Keith, PhD, LD, who with Program Coordinator Billie Lofland, produced the new consumer food safety resource as a result of support from the Office of the Dean, University of Florida (UF), Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) and UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County along with help from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Sweet Bay Supermarkets and Davidson Eggs. “Our initial informational offering is presented in the form of 50 safe food frequently asked questions,” said Keith. Each FAQ includes a video answer 1- to 3-minutes in length along with its script in a pdf format and links to corresponding FDA, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and/ or Centers for Disease Control (CDC) resources. “Many of those additional resources are available in both English and Spanish,” she said. “Updates will come on a continuing basis,” said Keith.
BASICS – Keeping food safe, from buying it to eating it, depends on just a few basic rules. The FAQs in this section present the essentials, as well as which ones are most commonly ignored.
COLD – We depend on cold temperatures to keep a great many foods safe. But just cool is not enough. FAQs in this section detail the safe temperatures and how to help your refrigerator do its job of keep food cold. If you experience a power outage, you probably don’t have to throw away all of the food.
CLEAN – While looking clean is not a guarantee, it is a very god start to keeping food safe. This section helps advise visitors on how to clean, what to clean and how to handle some foods that depend more on cleanliness to be safe.
T he Safe Food FAQs involve four basic rules: KEEP CLEAN – including your hands, food and everything that touches food KEEP HOT – cooking food to a safe temperature and holding it hot enough KEEP COLD – chilling cold food to a safe temperature and keeping it cold enough KEEP SEPARATE – food that will be cooked from food that won’t be cooked. 46
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HOT – When it comes to food safety, heat is our best friend. Cooking food to a hot enough temperature will kill any bacteria, viruses or parasites lurking in or on it.
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SEPARATE – Just keeping certain foods away from others can go a long way toward keeping them safe. Go beyond separate cutting boards with these FAQs to learn what else you should do to keep foods safely separate. W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
“In the near term, we will include safe food handling in conjunction with the coming holidays and at picnics plus emergency preparedness and special topics dealing with labels and the elderly,” she said. “We will also be introducing a children’s page to help guide the food shoppers and preparers of tomorrow.” The CDC estimates that 76 million cases of food borne illness occur annually in the U.S. “That is a very alarming statistic,” said Keith. “There is no need for anyone to be part of that number and with our new website, consumers can get answers to their food safety questions any time day or night, seven days a week.” In addition to the just-introduced website and Safe Food FAQs, UF/IFAS Extension, Hillsborough County provides a wealth of information on safe food choices and food handling for Hillsborough County residents. Information on food storage, time and temperature limits for safety, cooking procedures, home food processing and preservation and food allergy awareness can enable consumers to make healthy decisions about the food they purchase, prepare and eat. “We can arrange classes on various food safety topics upon request, and with sufficient advance notice we can do classes in Spanish,” said Keith. Extension also offers a six-hour ServSafe class for professional food service managers, followed by the national exam for certification. Schedules and registration information is available at the food safety and quality program web site at http:/ / fycs.ifas.ufl.edu/ foodsafety/ .
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RECIPE Recipes Courtesy of the Florida Department of Agriculture
Florida Berry Snack Bars PREPARATION For crust: Combine 3/4 cup chopped pecans, whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, sugar and salt in a food processor. Pulse ingredients together until the nuts are finely ground. Add the cold butter to the pecan mixture and pulse until well incorporated. In a small mixing bowl, whisk egg, oil, vanilla and almond extract together. With the motor running on the food processor, add the egg mixture to the pecan mixture. Continue to pulse mixture until it begins to clump, 30 to 45 seconds. Measure out 1/2 cup of the mixture and combine in a bowl with the remaining 1/4 cup of chopped pecans, and set it aside to be used for the topping. Set aside. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Crust 1 cup pecans, chopped, separated 3/4 cup natural whole-wheat pastry flour 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup natural sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces 1 large egg 2 tablespoons canola oil 1 teaspoon natural vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon natural almond extract pan-release cooking spray
Fruit Filling 3 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and diced 2 1/2 cups fresh blueberries 1/4 cup orange juice 1/2 cup natural sugar 1/4 cup cornstarch 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with pan-release cooking spray. Combine 2 cups strawberries, 2 cups blueberries, orange juice, sugar and cornstarch in a large saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture has thickened (about 4 to 5 minutes). Stir in the remaining fresh fruit and add 1 teaspoon vanilla. Transfer the crust mixture to the sprayed baking dish. Spread evenly and press firmly into the bottom to form the crust. Evenly spread the fruit filling over the crust. Sprinkle the top of the fruit filling with the reserved topping mixture. Bake the bars for 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F and bake until the crust and topping are lightly brown, 25 to 30 minutes more. Let the bars cool completely before cutting. Serve with fresh fruit.
You can cash your checks, pay your light, phone and cable bills with us!
Specialty Meats Ducks, Capons, Fresh Ham, Rabbits, Quail, Fresh & Smoked Turkey Wings and Drumsticks, Beef and Pork Kidneys, Hog Heads, Hog Maws, Pork Skin, Tripe & Honeycomb Tripe, and Alligator Meat.
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DUSTIN DRAWDY
Photos by Stephanie Humphrey
Pictured above: Carlos Martinez, Dustin Drawdy, and David Drawdy
CREATES NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR OAK RIDGE FISH HATCHERY By Jim Frankowiak
T
urnabout is fair play and Dustin Drawdy is proving that. Imports too often take business from American producers, but Drawdy is doing the opposite. He and his father, David, have spent nearly six years and “a good bit of money” to raise a variety of fish that has never been raised in the country, only abroad and imported. That fish, the black ghost knifefish, is a member of the ghost knifefish family. They originate in South America in the Amazon in Peru and from Venezuela through Paraguay in the Parana River, as well as in other countries, but not anywhere in North America. Black ghost knifefish or Apteronotus albifrons for tropical fish aficionados, are popular in aquaria.
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“The fish is all black except for two white rings on its tail, and a white blaze on its nose, which can occasionally extend into a stripe down its back,” said Drawdy. The fish moves mainly by undulating a long fin on is underside and grows to a maximum length of 20-inches. It is nocturnal, nearly blind and weakly electric, using an electric organ and receptors distributed over the length of their body in order to locate insect larvae on which they feed. The black ghost knifefish live in fast moving, sandy bottom creeks in tropical climates. South American natives are said to believe that the ghosts of the departed take up residence in these fish and that is the basis for their name.
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“Up to this time, these fish were strictly imported,” noted Drawdy. “About a decade ago the tropical fish industry was going through a period of significant change. There was a need to enhance the varieties of fish we were offering to the marketplace or lose the majority of our market share to importers. The University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) came to the aid of the industry and identified a number of different types of imported fish that Florida fish farmers could produce through advanced breeding techniques. The black ghost knifefish was one of those and we decided nearly seven years ago to see if we could produce them,” said Drawdy, who is a member of the UF/IFAS Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory’s commercial advisory committee. W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
Though Oak Ridge Fish Hatchery, which was founded by Drawdy’s grandfather Ruis in 1984, has more than 373 ponds on 50-acres and is one of the five largest hatcheries in Florida, the new fish had to be raised in protected tanks with careful monitoring from birth through the time they are shipped to a number of Florida wholesalers to which the Drawdy’s market their 50 varieties of fish. “The black ghost knifefish, in addition to being nearly blind is disease sensitive, scaleless and highly susceptible to external parasites,” he said. However, the payoff for hand-raising this type of fish is significant with long term potential. The UF/IFAS Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory is part of the UF School of Forest Resources and Conservation (SFRC) Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. The laboratory is located in Ruskin and was established in 1996. It has close ties with the Florida Tropical Fish Farms Association, the Florida Aquaculture Association and other producer-based organizations. It is much like the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center at Wimauma and that facility’s role in support of berry and vegetable producers in Florida, particularly in this area. “It is appropriate for me to credit Laboratory Director Craig Watson and his faculty for their ongoing efforts in support of our industry. Carlos Martinez, who continuously works with producers and the challenges they face, was particularly helpful to us as we worked to make our dream become reality with the black ghost knifefish,” said Drawdy. Florida is home to an estimated 95 percent of U.S. production of aquarium fish due to its
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climate, geology and the presence of international shipping hubs. Production is spread throughout the state, but the heaviest concentration of farms is near the Tampa Bay region, with 89 certified ornamental fish farms in Hillsborough County and 28 in Polk County. Dade County is third with 13 certified farms. Currently, over 800 varieties of freshwater fish, 200 varieties of freshwater plants and a growing number of marine fish, invertebrates and live rock are cultured on over 200 certified farms in the state. The current farm-gate value for tropical fish in Florida is $27.3 million. Unlike other commodities, a downturn in the economy is good for the tropical fish market since it represents a less costly hobby and recreational pursuit for consumers. Some of the more common families of freshwater tropical ornamental fishes cultured in Florida include the minnows (barbs, freshwater sharks, danios, rasboras and others), tetras and other characins, corydoras (armored) catfish, plecostomus (suckermouth armored catfish), rainbowfishes, livebearers (swordtails, mollies, platies, guppies), cichlids (angelfish, discus, oscars, haps, jewel cichlids, mbuna, Tanganyikans and others), and labyrinth fish (gouramis, paradisefish). The top shipments from Tampa International Airport annually are tropical fish and the remains of deceased individuals. Those categories flip-flop regularly. In much of Florida, ornamental fish are commonly cultured in earthen ponds. However, in Miami-Dade County, farmers typically use above-ground tanks and small ponds dug into the coral rock bed. Increasingly, farmers throughout the state are turning toward more intensive recirculating culture system
technology to maximize production and reduce losses and water usage. The Drawdy’s Oak Ridge Fish Hatchery is a case in point with traditional earthen ponds plus indoor tanks for the black ghost knifefish. But why all of the time and money for a new type of fish you might ask? “We believe that we have an opportunity to achieve a much greater return for our investment in time and money over a longer period through the production of new fish such as the black ghost knifefish. It is a premium-priced fish of size that is attractive to small fish tank owners,” said Drawdy. The fish typically goes to market up to two-inches in length. Key retail customers for tropical fish raised in Florida are the major chain stores such as Petsmart, Wal-Mart, Petland and others. “Our wholesalers sell to those customers,” said Drawdy. Being able to offer those retailers a domestically-raised fish such as the black ghost knifefish has multiple benefits. “Next day delivery, fewer fish dead on arrival and reduced transportation costs are all attractive considerations,” said Drawdy. “It will take some time for us to recoup our investment and get into the black with this new fish, but all of the signs are positive and we are confident that our efforts will pay off. Survival for fish farms such as the Drawdy’s is based upon raising fish that can be sold in large volume over an extended period of time. It is not uncommon for the Drawdy’s to ship 10,000 fish in a week to their wholesalers A Plant City native, Drawdy, who is married to Layla, is the third generation of Drawdy’s active at the Oak Ridge Fish Hatchery. He and Layla have four sons: William, Stephen,
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Dax and Abel. William, a student at USF, works part-time at the hatchery. After graduating from Plant City High School, Drawdy earned an associate’s degree in aquaculture from Hillsborough Community College. Oak Ridge with its staff of 15 fulltime employees is the 5th farm Drawdy’s grandfather established. His first was in Dover in 1968. Drawdy’s parents, David and Marcie, have two other children, Kayla and Hunter. David Drawdy is a member of the Hillsborough County Farm Bureau Board of Directors and he was recently elected to a second, four-year term. “I must thank my father, David, for his support with this fish,” said Drawdy. “Nearly seven years and a good deal of money before any success. Lots of fish farmers would not have done what my father has allowed me to do…take a fish and work on it for what seems to be a lifetime with nothing to show for it until now. I appreciate him sticking with me and believing in my hard work.” While Drawdy has his targets set on taking a share of the import market with the black ghost knifefish, imports continue to be a challenge for Florida fish farmers. “Weather and imports are the two top factors our industry must overcome continually,” he said. As to the future, “now that we have been successful with the new fish, there are other varieties we are looking at. With the ongoing help of UF and Carlos Martinez and our commitment to the business, we feel confident about our future.” •
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An Opportunity To Support All Aspects of Agriculture, Youth Involvement and AEDC Activities
Chip
Hinton
J
ust elected Hillsborough County Farm Bureau, board member Charles “Chip” Hinton has been involved with agriculture in the area for 42 years, but board membership “gives me the first opportunity during my career to work in support of farmers and ranchers both large and small, all commodities plus the engagement of youth in 4 H and FFA, as well as the important work of Hillsborough County’s Agriculture Economic Development Council.” However, Farm Bureau activities are not new to Hinton. His wife, Jemy, has been a very active board member for 20 years and that involvement has kept Chip well informed and will make his transition unto the board an easy process. Chip refers to himself as a “sand crab” from the water’s edge in Florida’s Panhandle. His parents both grew up on farms, but enlisted in the Navy. He has a sister that is 14 years his junior. “I honestly thought I would become either a commercial fisherman or game warden after spending summers working at a Pensacola area fish camp and the cooler months hunting at Eglin Air Force Base.” That changed when Chip met Jemy and she introduced him to agriculture after they first met in a freshman chemistry class at the University of Florida. She was the daughter of former Lakeland mayor and physician James Robert West and Chip was a highly recruited Gator football player on the path, he thought, 60
By Jim Frankowiak
to becoming a veterinarian, but changed majors to poultry. He suffered a debilitating knee injury his junior year and despite surgery and a comprehensive rehabilitation program, the knee gave out during two-a-day practices the summer after his injury. That put an end to any thoughts of professional football. Chip and Jemy have three married daughters and seven grandchildren. Though his football career ended prematurely, Chip did enjoy beating a highly touted Georgia Tech team in the Orange Bowl with quarterback Steve Spurrier during his Heisman award-winning season. Tech’s coach felt the Gators had an unfair advantage with the Gatorade they were drinking, an aspect close to Chip as, “I was one of the first guinea pigs for Gatorade. I was intrigued to see how the scientific method was applied to solving the problems of heat stress and cramps during the heat of the early football season. My legacy to Florida football was that I sweat a lot,” he said. After earning his bachelors degree, Chip received an academic special merit fellowship from the UF Provost of Agriculture and earned his masters and doctorate in Poultry Products and Nutrition. Chip became the first multi-county UF Extension Agent as a Poultry Specialist based in Hillsborough County. “At that time, two and a half percent of all eggs produced in the U.S. came from within 50-miles of
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Tampa. The next seven years were great for me with educational programs, youth work and wonderful involvement with the industry,” said Chip. “We had the largest county poultry association in the nation at that time.” However, the industry was undergoing an evolution and “I could see my role was going to diminish and be limited.” Consequently, he took a sabbatical from UF in 1978 and began pursuit of another doctorate, Education Administration, at North Carolina State University. While a doctoral student, Chip taught two classes. After his sabbatical and completion of all aspects of his doctoral program except his dissertation, Chip returned to Tampa and Extension. Chip left Extension and spent the next several years working with various industries in Florida and their use of processed chicken manure as a potential food source for various livestock and even a nutrient used to help grow mushrooms. “We even came up with a bagged product we named Ka Ka Doodle Doo.” In 1982, Chip was presented with the opportunity to become executive director of the newly formed Florida Strawberry Growers Association. He held that post for nearly 25 years, during which time annual sales grew from $38 million to more than $350 million. “That was really a blessing,” said Chip. “That position allowed me to expand W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
my activities to benefit agriculture while guiding the strawberry growers’ new association through the essential steps to become a successful industry.” He is currently a consultant to an organization that is helping to feed the hungry through an endorsed agricultural program that is affiliated with the nationwide program Feeding America. “Our goal is to move toward a grower incentive initiative that becomes part of the daily management decision-making process relating to crops that are wholesome, but unmarketable. Agriculture’s mission is to feed people; our endeavor is to expand their mission into a ministry to feed the hungry. We are providing assistance to make it easy for the already generous agricultural community to help feed the hungry.” Hillsborough County’s Agricultural Economic Development Council, which Chip chaired for more than a decade, is in his words, “the most
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important advisory council in the county” since it helps to minimize “the urban bias which is too often reflected in contemplated regulatory actions,” he said. He looks forward to supporting the work of the council through his involvement on behalf of Farm Bureau. “None of us takes issue with regulations if they are developed with an understanding for those who must work within the developed guidelines. Too often regulations reflect the urban bias of those who write them.” The future of agriculture is another area Chip hopes to address through his Farm Bureau board activities “by expanding our work and support of FFA and 4-H. Nurturing the interest of young people and supporting them through the activities of those two organizations is an important way to assure the future of agriculture.” He has also been a longtime
supporter of Ag education, in particular student recruiting on behalf of the University of Florida College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Chip’s service to agriculture has won him much recognition, including the UF Distinguished Alumnus Award, Florida Blue Key and National Agricultural Alumni and Development Association (NAADA) National Agricultural Award for Service and Leadership. He is also the Charter President of the UF/CALS Alumni and Friends Association, but is quick to note that recognition, while appreciated, is not as important as “helping the industry Jemy and I love and people in need.” Welcome aboard Chip and our thanks to you and Jemy. •
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A Closer Look
By Sean Green
DEET May Be DEAD
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n Florida, we have an enduring population of mosquitoes, though they are not active at temperatures below 60°F. Florida's tropical climate provides ideal conditions for many mosquito species to thrive and breed all year long. Of the 80 or so mosquito species in Florida, there are only two genus that are important disease vectors for humans. The genus Culex is commonly associated with West Nile virus and St. Louis encephalitis and can be found throughout Florida. Aedes is best known as a vector of Dengue and Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever and will typically be found in urban environments. Although these mosquitoes are common in Florida, dengue is not endemic in Florida or anywhere else in the United States. Ambitious efforts to understand the animal have lead research scientists toward game changing discoveries and solutions and will hopefully lead the rest of us into taking a closer look at the solutions given to us freely in the world around us. Currently the most widely used chemical for mosquito control is DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide), the birth child of WorldWar II jungle warfare. Its controversial use has seeded ongoing research projects that may result in disruptive technologies in pest control. Researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, under the guidance of Dr James Logan, have published evidence that mosquitoes are quickly evolving resistance to chemicals such as DEET. The researchers conducted trials with Aedes aegypti and attached electrodes to the insects antenna to observe that the mosquitoes were first deterred by DEET, but later ignored it. Dr Logan states in the article that "the mosquitoes were no longer sensitive to the chemical, so they weren't picking it up as well." Dr Logan suggests that it is the initial exposure to DEET that changes the mosquitoes olfactory system confirming earlier research that concluded genetic changes to Aedes aegypti can make them immune to DEET altogether.
are exponentially more effective CO2 mimics and hope to design smaller and less expensive traps than those that are currently available. In the September 2013 annual meeting of the American Chemical Society, U.S. Department of Agriculture chemist Ulrich Bernier, announced that he and his group had isolated 24 compounds that naturally occur on human skin and disrupt the mosquito's ability to locate human beings. What began as an ongoing project to understand why some people attract more mosquitoes than others became a means to understand what mosquitoes don't notice. The researchers began with 277 human skin compounds that were identified in lab studies done in the mid 1990s. The group tested each compound by spraying them on to surfaces within a cage filled with mosquitoes. Some substances confirmed known attractants while others were found to be so attractive they are now used for trapping mosquitoes. There were 24 compounds that were the highlight of the trials, in the presence of these compounds the mosquitoes would not even take flight, in fact the mosquitoes do not even recognize that a human hand was in the cage. Perhaps these two changes in technology will inspire a corresponding awareness that we (human beings) are the greatest resource in the world, not oil or money. •
Research by scientists at the University of California Riverside, under the direction of Dr Anandasankar Ray, research insect chemoreception and behavior. Trials have demonstrated the potential to use common industrial odorants to disrupt the insects carbon dioxide (CO2) sensing function. Mosquitoes detect the CO2 we exhale from great distances to find a blood meal. Dr Ray and his team have identified three classes of chemicals that influence mosquito behavior. Some chemicals such as (hexanal), block the CO2 receptor while others such as (2-butanone) mimic CO2 production luring the insect to a phony source of CO2. A third class stimulates the sensory neuron with such intensity the effect persists for several minutes, thus disturbing continued CO2 detection. Dr Ray and his team call this an ultra-prolonged activator and imagine the technology could protect entire huts by evaporating them in strategic locations. More research is needed to understand how these compounds break the mosquitoes ability to detect people altogether and the research is being done overseas. What is known is that the compound does not work like traditional repellents that mask human scent, it does not even have to be applied to skin to work. The first prototype for implementing this new technology is in the form of a patch that is worn on clothing. The Kite Patch contains non-toxic compounds that have already been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and is being tested in Uganda, a country that suffers one of the highest malarial infection rates in the world. With their success, Dr Ray and his team intend to search for other chemicals that 64
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Plant City Commons Community
Garden Members Highlight “Food Day” with Non-GMO Picnic By Cheryl Kuck
n Oct. 24, Plant City Commons Community Garden members invited the public to join them in a celebration of nationwide Food Day at their 309 N. Carey St. home garden site with a non-GMO picnic.
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discussion and is important since experimental DNA technology is deemed responsible for creating unstable combinations of plant, animal, bacterial and viral genes which are impossible to occur in nature or with traditional crossbreeding.
sustainable and organic farmers in order to keep them competitive since their farming practices contribute to reduced water and air pollution plus richer soil which also result in healthier communities and farm animals.
What is a GMO, how is it related to Food Day, and why is it important?
The commons picnic was dedicated to what is called “real food” or organically, sustainably grown whole foods and proteins. A mouth-watering highlight of the event was Jon Butts freshly picked and roasted ears of corn from his sustainable farming EcoFarm Community on Needle Palm Rd. in Plant City.
Each picnic participant was given a copy of this profound prayer: “This food is the gift of the whole universe…the earth, sky and much hard work. May we live in a way that is worthy of this food. May we cultivate skillful states of mind; especially those of love, compassion and generosity. May we eat only to nourish the body in ways that honor and preserve the earth? May we accept this food for the realization of the way of understanding and love?”
The helpful community garden specialists, master gardeners, eco-farmers, holistic health and permaculture (permanent, sustainable agriculture) experts are dedicated to informing us all of the necessity of understanding why we need to be involved in controlling our natural resources so we will safely become a more agriculturally productive and healthier society. Food Day was created by the Center for Science in the Public Interest to address concerns within the food system. To that end, GMOs, or “genetically modified organisms,” (plants or animals created through the gene splicing techniques of biotechnology also called genetic engineering) should be a serious part of any public W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
Certified Holistic Health Coach Karen Elizabeth, a community commons founder, spoke at the event and noted, “Foods should promote and not undermine our good health. There are growing concerns that one-third of children born after 2000 will likely develop diabetes in their lifetimes and have a shorter life-expectancy than their parents.”
Interested in becoming a commons member? The cost is $25 to receive access to an individual garden plot and grow your own organic food. Plots, mulch and soil are provided. For donation and membership inquiries contact Rosalind Baker at (352) 804-9246. •
She also cited the necessity of federal support and greater market access for INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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Florida-Friendly Vines
Creeping Fig Creeping Fig, Ficus pumila, can reach a height and spread of 1-40 feet. It prefers acid to slightly alkaline soil pH, 4.5-7.2, and any soil texture works well. This vine prefers well drained to medium drained soil moisture. Creeping fig has high drought and low to no salt tolerance. It performs best in partial shade and does well in full sun and full shade. This vine is a dense grower that needs no support to adhere to walls. This can cause issues with maintenance. Creeping Fig also functions as a groundcover and in hanging planters.
By Lynn Barber Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM Agent
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ho doesn’t love a beautiful flowering vine? I know I certainly do. Vines perform many functions. They shelter spaces, provide points of transition from garden room to garden room, act as doorways to other garden areas, can provide a ceiling, living wall and screening. They soften hardscapes, are great for narrow spaces and work well in containers. Vines provide energy conservation, food (if edible plants are grown), cover and food for wildlife (birds, butterflies, hummingbirds, beneficial insects and more). The vines featured in this article thrive in central, north and south Florida. They include Climbing Aster, Cross Vine/Trumpet Flower, Creeping Fig, Algerian Ivy/Canary Ivy, Morning Glory, Maypop/Passion Vine and Black-Eyed Susan Vine. Climbing Aster, Aster carolinianus, is a native that reaches a height of 1-12 feet and spread of 2-4 feet. It prefers slightly acid to slightly alkaline soil pH, 6.0-7.2. It grows well in any type of soil texture and has medium drought and low to no salt tolerance. Climbing Aster performs best in well drained to wet soil moisture. This perennial vine
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thrives in full sun and does well in partial and full shade. It attracts butterflies and birds and produces lavender fall flowers.
Algerian Ivy
Cross Vine
Algerian Ivy, Canary Ivy, Hedera canariensis, is a fast growing vine that can reach a height of ½-1 feet and spread of 1-6 feet. It prefers acid to slightly alkaline soil pH of 4.5-7.2, and any soil texture works well. It has medium drought and salt tolerance and prefers well drained soil moisture and shade. This vine has red leaf stems and thick, leathery foliage in green and white, and can be an aggressive spreading vine.
Morning Glory Cross Vine, Trumpet Flower, Bignonia capreolata, is a fast growing native vine that can reach a height and spread of 1-50 feet. It prefers acid to slightly alkaline soil pH, 4.57.2, and any type of soil texture. Soil moisture should be well drained to medium drained. This vine has high drought and medium salt tolerance. Cross Vine prefers partial shade and performs fine in full sun and full shade. This vine attracts hummingbirds and produces orange/red trumpetshaped spring flowers.
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Morning Glory, Iopomoea spp. (natives only), a fast growing vine, can reach a height of 10-20 feet and spread of 10-40 feet. It prefers soil pH that is slightly acid to slightly alkaline, 6.0-7.2, and any soil texture works. It has high drought and medium salt tolerance, prefers full sun and does well in partial shade. The flower colors vary. Morning glory provides food for wildlife and spreads easily.
Maypop
Maypop, Passion Vine, Passiflora incarnata, is a native, fast growing perennial vine that can reach 5-10 feet in height and spread (mine are taller than this!). It tolerates any soil pH, 4.5-8.0, and any soil texture works well. This vine prefers well drained soil moisture. Maypop has high drought and medium salt tolerance and thrives in full sun. It attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, is evergreen and produces pink/purple flowers from summer through fall. This is the larval food plant of zebra longwing, gulf fritillary and variegated fritillary butterflies. It tolerates occasionally wet soil. Maypop spreads rapidly.
Black-eyed Susan
Black-Eyed Susan Vine, Thunbergia alata, is a fast growing vine that can reach a height and spread of 5-10 feet, prefers slightly acid to slightly alkaline soil pH, 6.0-7.2, and sandy/loam soil texture. It has low drought and low to no salt tolerance. Black-Eyed Susan thrives in well drained soil moisture and full sun, however, it does fine in partial shade, too. It is a perennial that produces yellow summer flowers. All of the above vines can perform well on fences, arbors, pergolas and other structures. Some are rather aggressive and may end up in places you prefer they did not but are relatively easy to remove. To view several of these vines and many others, you can visit the Teaching Garden at the Plant City location of the University of Florida, and/or view their website at: http://gcrec.ifas.ufl.edu/pcc/teachinggarden.shtml. For more information, please see the University of Florida publication, ‘Flowering Vines for Florida’ by Sydney Park Brown and Gary W. Knox at: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/MG/MG09700.pdf from which this article was adapted. Information was also utilized from Sydney Park Brown’s presentation ‘Vertical Gardening: Flowering Vines’. For assistance with horticultural questions, call: 813-744-5519 or visit us at the Hillsborough County Extension Service, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL 33584. More gardening information is available at: . Remember to reuse, reduce and recycle. W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
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Clinton Elton “Red” Tanner, 84 of Plant City died October 27, 2013 at South Florida Baptist Hospital. Born March 12, 1929, in Plant City to the late Wesley and Jewell Gill Tanner.
Marilyn Joyce Blankinship, 78 of Plant City, died October 26, 2013, at Community Care Center in Plant City. Born May 3, 1935 in North Florida. She is survived by her son, James Warren.
Carol Chapman Kilpatrick, 87 of Plant City, died October 19, 2013, at Melech House in Temple Terrace. Born December 17, 1925 in Winston Salem, North Carolina, she was the daughter of the late Lawrence and Nora Chapman Thomason. She was the wife of the late William Kilpatrick. Surviving daughter, Sharon Austin of Plant City.
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James Watt Barber, 88 of Plant City/Auburndale, died October 18, 2013. Born March 17, 1925 in Georgia. He was the son of the late Mr/Mrs Willie Barber. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ethel. Ignatius P. Annalora, “Ted”, 83 of Plant City, died on Friday, October 18, 2013, at Winter Haven Hospital. Born September 11, 1930 in Lockport, New York, he was the son of the late Fred and Mary Beaumonte Annalora. He was the husband of Betty Walker Annalora. Peggy Ruth Tanner, 79 of Plant City, died October 16, 2013, at South Florida Baptist Hospital. Born March 27, 1934 in Elba, Alabama, she was the daughter of the late J. T. Burk and Ellaree Smith Burk. She was the wife of the late Charles H Carlisle.
Raymond Elbert Hughes, 92 of Tampa, died October 9, 2013, at Brandon Regional Hospital. Born July 1, 1921 in Somerset, Kentucky, he
was the son of the late Elbert and Polly Jones Hughes. He was the husband of Ruth Childers Hughes.
Lawrence Anthony Buta, 69 of Plant City, died October 6, 2013, at Melech House in Temple Terrace. Born September 6, 1944 in Newark, New Jersey, He was the son of the late Joseph and Julia Rapsis Buta. Surviving sister, Eileen C. Mestas. Jeffery Mitchell Southerland, 47 of Dover, Florida died on Thursday, October 3, 2013 Born Wednesday, November 3, 1965 in Lakeland, Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Minnie Mills Southerland. Leonard Willard Chancey, 80 of Plant City, died October 3, 2013 at his home. Born February 27, 1933 in LaBelle, Florida. He was the son of the late Peter Alexander and Nannie Graham Chancey. He is survived by his loving wife, Delorise Leddon Chancey.
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Naturally Amazing Activities
Mosquito Trap
• Place the top half of the cut bottle upside down, into the bottom half of the bottle, tape together if desired.
By Sean Green
• Using tape sparingly will make it easier to clean and refresh the trap attractant • Make the outside of the bottle black. (Wrap it in construction paper, or paint the bottle black)
Mosquitoes are here in Florida pretty much all year long, we can't escape that fact. For some, it results in a lifestyle that excludes outdoor activities, or encourages a habit of bathing in pesticides, still others just deal with it. Mosquito traps can help reduce the population of mosquitoes in a limited area by attracting them to something (other than you). This simple mosquito trap can be made for less than the cost of a cheap meal and works well enough to make time spent on the porch or camping a little more pleasant. Mosquitoes seek out sources of CO2 because most vertebrates breath out CO2, so to a mosquito, a source of CO2 means there may be a blood meal. The science of Zymology is the study of the workings of fermentation. Fermentation is the conversion of carbohydrates (sugars) into alcohols and CO2 (carbon dioxide). It is the CO2 we are interested in because it will attract mosquitoes to our trap and away from us. This trap makes a camping project for the kids and good use of an empty 2 liter bottle.
Place the trap at least 30 (but no more than 60) feet from the area you want to relax in. The idea is to attract the mosquitoes away from the area we want to enjoy. Change the attractant solution every two weeks (or when there are more dead mosquitoes than attractant). •
Materials: • • • • •
1 cup of water 1/4 cup of brown sugar 1 gram of yeast 1 2-liter bottle Black Construction Paper (or black spray paint) mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors. • Cut a 2-liter bottle at the top of the label - Mix brown sugar with hot water (Not Boiling Water). - Let the water cool. - Pour the sugary water into the bottom half of the bottle. - Add the yeast, (Do not mix)
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n this country, one out of every four households is served by an onsite wastewater treatment system (OWTS), which is commonly referred to as a septic system. Here in Florida, one out of every three households is on an OWTS. These septic systems take the wastewater from a household to an underground concrete tank (called septic tank) before disposing in soil via a series of perforated pipes (called a drainfield), as shown in the figure below).
GCREC Study Focuses on
Options To Conventional Septic Systems By Jim Frankowiak
but a little bit of nitrogen in water bodies causes algal blooms (such as red tides in Florida) and a little more in our drinking water can harm our health. It has been determined that one person using a traditional septic system generates about a third of an ounce of nitrogen in a day or 9 pounds of nitrogen in one year. Surprising statistics -- that are also alarming --given the high profile of nitrogen these days and its less than favorable impact on the environment, particularly water quality. Many are familiar with algal blooms that have occurred in some of the state’s water bodies as a result of high concentrations of nitrogen. This has led to the ban of fertilizer sales and applications within some counties of the state. See the September 2013 edition of IN THE FIELD for an article that reported a GCREC research project designed to control nitrogen loss from residential neighborhoods. “The way that we use water in our homes impacts the composition of wastewater” said Mriganka De, a graduate research assistant and doctoral student in the Soil and Water Science Department at the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) at Wimauma. In typical homes in North America, one person uses about 70 gallons of water in a day, while daily water used in many other countries is about 20 gallons. In a survey of typical homes in the U.S., it was found that most of the water was used in flushing toilets (27 percent of total water), followed by washing clothes (21.7 percent). Water for showers (16.8 percent) was the third major use, with faucets at the fourth position with 15.7 percent. See the figure below for other water was use.
“In Florida our groundwater is particularly shallow and our soil is porous,” said De. “As a consequence, septic systems can contribute excess nitrogen into our drinking water.” De’s study seeks ways to mitigate the release of nitrogen through OWTS. His work is being directed by Dr. Gurpal Toor, associate professor of Soil and Water Science at the GCREC. In nature, nitrogen is present in both organic and inorganic forms. Inorganic nitrogen includes ammonia and nitrate, these two forms are present in most nitrogen fertilizers used in lawns and crops. “Excess of nitrate (more than 0.01 grams in one liter of water) is considered a public health issue,” said De. He noted that drinking water that contains this excess of nitrate causes the Blue Baby Syndrome in infants less than six months old. The term blue baby refers to the development of an unusual blue-gray or lavender skin color in infants and may lead to a coma and death depending on the severity of the illness. The blue coloration occurs due to reduced oxygen transport capacity from the lungs to the body tissues by our red blood cells (hemoglobin) as it gets oxidized (methemoglobin) by excess nitrates in drinking water. Traditional septic systems release 0.04 to 0.06 grams of nitrate in one liter of wastewater. A worst case scenario of the impact of nitrogen is in the Wekiva Springs area of central Florida where excess nitrate has contaminated groundwater through the impact of fertilization and septic systems.
Now, consider the various chemicals that are used and ultimately disposed of in various places in the household. For example, toilet waste (feces and urine) is the major source of nitrogen in wastewater. Nitrogen is one of the major and most important nutrients that we need in sufficient amount in soil to grow crops, W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
With assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Florida Department of Health (FDOH), Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and Hazen & Sawyer, the GCREC team has developed an advanced septic system that has dramatically reduced the release of nitrate from levels of 0.040.06 grams in one liter to less than 0.01 gram in one liter. This new system is in use at the GCREC and accepts and treats wastewater from the campus buildings, as well as graduate student housing located on the site. These systems have also been constructed and are in operation at residential sites in several counties of Florida. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
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The advanced system, which is graphically depicted in an illustration accompanying this article along with a diagram of a “traditional” OWTS, is constructed using two treatment chambers. First, effluent passes thru a mixture of woodchips and sand mixture and then is carried to a mixture of sulfur and oyster shell. This treatment results in removing nitrate from the system. The effluent with lower levels of nitrate is discharged to soil via an infiltrator. The study is to be completed in the fall of 2014 and the results will be provided to FDOH and ultimately to the public via Extension outreach initiatives.
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“We are particularly gratified with the reduction in nitrate the advanced system has achieved,” said De. “And we look forward to the application of our science-based findings in the development of a new generation of septic systems that will protect our groundwater from contamination,” he said. Readers can learn more about septic systems by visiting the following two web links: Overview of septic systems: http:/ / edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ ss549 Nitrogen in septic systems: http:/ / edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ ss550
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Extension Host Two-Day
Water School for Tri-County Stakeholders By Jim Frankowiak
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illsborough County Extension Service recently hosted the 2013 Tri-County Water School – Surface Water Solutions, open to key stakeholders in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties. The two-day session was designed to educate community leaders, natural resource managers and decision makers about current issues and future concerns regarding water quality, quantity and conservation in the three-county area. Members of the public were also invited to participate in the school. “Our hope was to attract and engage municipal decisionmakers and policy makers, planners, consultants, representatives of local chambers of commerce and water and stormwater managers,” said Lynn Barber, University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). “Bringing these stakeholders together permitted sharing of upto-date information to help facilitate understanding of contemporary issues and challenges enabling the development of new ideas and directions in managing water quality and balancing the needs and costs of a sustainable water supply,” added Barber. “This two-day, interactive program aims to encourage improved public policy decisions relative to water issues in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties, as well as throughout Florida,” said BJ Jarvis, UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension. The first day of the school took place at the Extension office in eastern Hillsborough County and included a keynote address by John Sansalone of the University of Florida, Environmental Engineering. His presentation, The Behavior and Sustainability of Urban Best Management Practices, provided technical information regarding hydrologic and constituent loads, urban rainfall-runoff chemistry and monitoring, modeling of urban rainfall-runoff phenomena (CFD), sustainability of urban water practices, design (“LID” and Source Control) and urban maintenance. His remarks were followed by a brainstorming activity led by Lara Miller, Natural Resources Agent, Pinellas County Extension Service, during which participants worked in groups to identify water quality issues and potential resources.
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“This activity is a great way to get participants up and interacting with each other,” said Miller. “It provides the opportunity for participants to hear and see a wide variety of perspectives on water issues in Florida. They are encouraged to think critically while engaging in dialogue related to water quality challenges in the Tampa Bay area.” John McGee, Hillsborough County Public Works, presented Pond Management and Florida-Friendly Plants for Stormwater Pond Shorelines; Glenn Acomb, University of Florida, discussed Green Infrastructure: Sustainable Stormwater Design and Lindsay Cross, Tampa Bay Estuary Program, spoke on the topic of Protecting and Restoring Water Quality in Tampa Bay. Following lunch, attendees participated in a panel discussion of the day’s presentations. The school’s second day was spent in the field with tours of the Tampa Bay Regional Surface Water Treatment Plant and a second tour stop at a stormwater enhancement project at Lakewood Ranch in Sarasota County. The two-day session ended with a discussion and review of the subjects and issues covered, as well as an overall evaluation of the two-day effort, which was made possible by sponsorship from the Southwest Florida Water Management District and the Florida Department of Transportation. Post school survey comments were highly favorable: “Learned a lot and will be happy to tell others about water issues” “Thanks for having such intelligent and quality presenters” “I feel compelled to do something to increase public awareness” “The Lakewood Ranch stormwater pond tour was great. We live on a stormwater pond and now have ideas for our little ‘lake’” Registration was $20 and included materials, field trips and lunches. The next Tri-County Water School is tentatively slated for the first week in August 2014 and it will take place in Pasco County. • W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
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Knight’s Elementary Wetlands Preserve
A Living Eco-Classroom for Students By Cheryl Kuck
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t was a beautiful temperate fall day in Plant City. The leaves in the wetlands preserve canopy at Knight’s Elementary School gently swayed overhead and glimpses of blue sky peaked through small spaces left open between the Musa genus paradisiacal, known commonly as banana tree. But it was not quiet. Excited voices of children could be heard exclaiming over new found wonders of nature. As Knight’s School Principal Janine Hall and I approached the long and winding walkway built above the wetland, we could see the second grade students with their teachers, Tammy Walton and Lynna Clendenning, engrossed in their science field excursion. Some held clear plastic boxes containing bug specimens they had collected, while others feverishly took notes or drew pictures of what they saw or were entranced with the seasonal leaf changes, proudly showing off their various collections to their principal the minute she came into view. Teachers Walton and Clendenning explained today’s project was an exploration of the turning foliage and a writing lesson about their sensory experience. A very serious Abby Adams showed us her captured caterpillar and then carefully released it back into the canopy, “Because if we don’t it might die. It needs its natural life to become a butterfly and collect nectar to make flowers grow,” she said. W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
Adrian Aquino held up a purple leaf saying, “It’s like fall-e ‘cause it changes color. Michael Alverez pointed to a hole in the leaf and informed us, “If it has holes, it means a caterpillar ate it then fell down to the ground and was turned into a butterfly.” Assuming her position as principal since 2008, Hall refers to Knight’s as “a dream school” and mentions that teachers are so committed to the 700 students, they voluntarily give their A+ rating bonuses back to the school to purchase books and other needed items. “We are coming into our potential to reach beyond the school. Since CF Industries has partnered with us to salvage our surrounding wetland property, we now are beginning to realize our potential and ultimate goals, to connect to other schools through the sharing of science information. Our plans, thanks to the generosity of CF Industries, are to have streaming feeds of the natural wetland flora and wildlife sent into classrooms for study by our students and exchange it with other schools, nationally and internationally, who have other climates and forms of wildlife so their streaming information can also go directly to classroom computers,” says Hall. “CF Industries has been working with Knights Elementary School to restore the severely deteriorated wetland. We have installed and maintain the preserve walkway for students and teachers to observe and study their ecosystem.
A game camera was installed in the woods pointing at the boardwalk. The other installed cameras are motion activated security cameras and our environmental staff has provided expertise,” said Harold Falls, CF Industries chief chemist and project supporter. This has been a project several years in the making with a CF work crew coming this past summer to maintain and prepare it for the school year. The project included pressure washing the 300-foot boardwalk, replacement of 24 top boards of the hand rail, application of water sealant, removal of non-native vegetation, trimming of low hanging limbs, clearing paths and installing game cameras. The reported recent corporate property sale of the CFI Phosphate Division is not expected to be completed until governmental organizations give full approval, probably sometime in the spring of 2014. “Mosiac and CF Industries have a long history of continuing interest in public schools and the community,” said Mr. Richard Ghent CF Industries director of community affairs. “Those that are educated at Knight’s may become the environmentalists and scientists of tomorrow because of the contributions of CF Industries. We shall always be grateful for its support. They are the embodiment of true concern for their community and continuing education,” said Hall. •
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2013 Harvest Awards
Hillsborough County Fair Opens New Event Building and Presents Awards By Jim Frankowiak
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he Hillsborough County Fair’s 20th Annual Harvest Awards luncheon had special significance this past October as it also marked the grand opening of the Fair’s new, 20,000-square covered arena for events and exhibits on its permanent grounds on the north side of State Road 60 from Sydney Washer Road east. The awards luncheon drew a veritable who’s who of Hillsborough County officials, both elected and appointed and many representatives of the agriculture industry in the county. Following an invocation by Richard Joyner and brief remarks by current Fair Chairman George Parker, who introduced current Fair royalty: Harvest Queen Catherine Wellen and Junior Harvest Queen Chloe Tew, Hillsborough County Commission Chair Ken Hagan expressed his pride in “what the community has done to make this facility and its grounds come to reality and how it will help educate youth on the importance of agriculture to our community and also provide them with leadership opportunities.” He also expressed his gratitude to former commissioner and Florida State Senator Ronda Storms and her husband, David, “for their leadership in finding this permanent location for the Fair. I also want to express my special thanks to the hundreds of volunteers who through their time and in-kind donations have made this publicprivate partnership the permanent home of the Hillsborough County Fair,” he said. Commissioner Hagan closed by thanking his colleagues on the board, both
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current and past, for the support of the Fair and its new home and facilities. Chris Smith of Mosaic, who sponsored the luncheon, reminded attendees that the Fair is located on “old phosphate land” and the transformation of that land was assisted, in part, with help from the Phosphate Severance Tax. She expressed pleasure in the transformation of the land and recalled bygone days when the grounds had unpaved roadways and nothing but temporary facilities and tents. “The transformation has been great,” she said. Harvest Awards were then presented to Project Now, recognized as the Urban Agriculturalist of the Year. A resource for health services for Tampa inner city residents, Project Now is responsible for a community garden, the fruits and vegetables, which are given to area residents and also used to cook meals for those in need, all at no charge. That award was presented by Cedric McCray, aide to Tampa Councilman Frank Reddick.
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County Commissioner Sandy Murman then recognized the Florida Strawberry Growers Association as the Agribusiness of the Year and its members who produce 15% of the nation’s strawberries each year. “Those berries represent a $700 million economic impact each year and the FSGA has been and continues as a leading force in the growth of that commodity and its continued success.” The Outstanding Public & Community Service Award was presented by County Commissioner Al Higginbotham to Florida Camp Rotary, a 28-acre campground that has been serving youngsters with special needs for the past 22 years. “Rotarians provide a fun atmosphere for 80 to 100 youngsters each week of the summer and that is a very special time for each of them to experience the outdoors,” he said. The Honorable Earl Lennard then presented the Fair’s Lifetime Achievement Award to Elizabeth “Betty Jo” Tompkins whom he described “as one of the agricultural industry’s greatest sponsors.” He cited
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Tompkins’ years of service and tireless efforts to various governmental groups, 4-H and Rotary International. Lennard also noted the breadth of recognition Tompkins had received for her efforts and reminded attendees that she was once Miss Florida Honey, the honey queen of the state of Florida. She expressed her gratitude for the recognition, shared several experiences she had while assisting her late son, Christopher in several of his agricultural endeavors, and thanked both he and her late husband, Chris, “who each helped make all of this possible for me.”
Al Berry took a ride with Ed Verner when he took his plane up – and Al went photo crazy... Kool!
Farm Family of the Year honors were presented to the McDonald Family by County Commissioner Kevin Beckner who cited their agricultural involvement that includes farming, trucking, and wholesale produce sales – all in this area since shortly after the Civil War. He noted the family’s operations have grown from five-acres to nearly 200-acres that, last year, produced 500,000 flats of strawberries with their sales operation handling 1.2 million flats. The family responded with their thanks and how the recognition reflected “our faith in God, family and hard work.” The award program closed with Fair board member recognizing Joe Hammerford of Temple Terrace Industries as the Fair’s longest term sponsor with continuous support over the last two decades. •
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By Jim Frankowiak
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here are a growing number of reports of coyotes causing problems in urban neighborhoods of our area. “But unlike feral hogs that usually annoy people with their rooting, coyotes tend to engender a different reaction – fear,” said Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission(FWC) spokesperson Gary Morse, who is based in the FFWC office in Lakeland. “And it is that emotion that has become our biggest roadblock to educating the community on how to effectively deal with coyotes. Human perceptions and emotions all too often cause people to discount the only really effective approach to dealing with coyotes: eliminate access to the food sources that attract coyotes. Once we get the community to buy in to those preventative measures, we almost never hear back because coyotes there no longer exhibit problem behaviors,” said Morse. “Unfortunately, we regularly deal with communities or individuals that labor under the misconception that trapping coyotes will fix their problems – while in fact, trapping coyotes has little positive effect on reducing local coyote populations and virtually no effect on long term nuisance coyote behavior,” he added. “Certainly, there can be a need to remove an individual coyote that has become habituated, bold and unafraid of humans, but that problem will continue to occur in the coyotes that replace it unless the community as a whole takes action to prevent access to attractants. In other words, if the stimulus for bad behavior in coyotes is not addressed adequately by the community the bad behavior will continue ad infinitum, no matter what other efforts the community undertakes. Note that harassing coyotes is part of an effective campaign to deter these animals from learning bad behavior around human neighborhoods. Once the stimulus for nuisance W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
behavior is removed, and coyotes are harassed, coyotes will remain in the area, but cease to exhibit bad behavior,” said Morse. For those not familiar with coyotes, they are a member of the dog family, similar in appearance to a medium size shepherd. They weigh between 20 and 30-pounds, have pointed ears, a narrow muzzle and bushy tail. Males tend to be larger than females. Pelts are usually grayish-brown, but occasionally black, often with a patch of white chest hair. When running, coyotes usually hold their tails at “halfmast.” Coyote tracks are narrower and more elongated than dog tracks. The scientific name of the coyote, Canis latrans, literally means “barking dog.” Coyotes exhibit a variety of vocalizations. They can bark like dogs, though the sounds most often heard are shrill yips and howls. Howling is often a group effort, perhaps beginning as a simple howl, but quickly increasing in intensity to a series of group howls and high-pitched barks. Howling may function as a greeting between coyotes or as a territorial claim between groups. Once strictly a western species, coyotes are now present throughout the eastern United States. In addition to their natural range expansion, the FFWC reports a release in Polk County by a local fox hunter who believed he was stocking a depleted fox population with animals sold to him as “black fox.” Coyotes are extremely adaptable, just about any type of forest or farmland is suitable habitat. They usually hunt alone, sometimes as a pair, but rarely as a pack. The most important foods are rats and mice, rabbits, wild fruits, insects, birds and virtually any type of carrion, dead animal. They prey on domestic sheep, goats, calves, hogs, poultry and watermelons. Coyotes will also kill domestic dogs and
cats. Coyote attacks on pets occur either at night or early evening and early morning hours. They are usually timid towards people. Recognizing coyote damage can be determined in a variety of ways from tracks near the point of destruction to the type and location of bite marks. The FFWC website, http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/ma mmals/land/coyote has specific detail to assist in identifying damage attributable to coyotes. Coyote attacks or encounters may be reported to the nearest regional FWC office or by calling 888-404-3922. Hunting and trapping are allowable methods year round for dealing with coyotes on private lands in Florida. A professional trapper can also be hired to remove coyotes. FWC does not license nuisance wildlife trappers, but does maintain a list of trappers that have registered their contact information. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services can also provide assistance with wildlife trapping by calling 866-487-3297. “There is no effective solution to ongoing coyote problems other than what the community can do for itself,” said Morse, and that is “eliminating access to the food sources that attract coyotes.” •
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The Good Get Better
By Jim Frankowiak
others will be assisted through the new website and its expanded content. “A lot of our educational programs are done through FAITC, “said Hillsborough Farm Bureau Executive Director Judi Whitson. “The new site will complement our efforts.”
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lorida teachers for grade levels kindergarten through 12 looking for agriculture-related classroom instructional materials now have an even greater resource at their disposal thanks to an enhanced Florida Agriculture in the Classroom (FAITC) website. “Our new site offers more than 100 lessons and activities along with several school garden grant programs,” said FAITC Executive Director Lisa Gaskalla. “The Teacher Center at www.agtag.org permits teachers to search K-12 grade lessons by grade level, subject and farm commodity.” Subjects covered on the site include language arts, math, science, social studies, health and physical education.
“We welcome anyone interested in learning more about Florida agriculture and its importance to our state and its residents to visit our new website,” said Gaskalla. Funding for FAITC, a non-profit organization based in Gainesville, comes from sales of the Florida agriculture specialty license plate, familiarly referred to and known as the “Ag Tag.” The organization is committed to educating students in grades K-12 about Florida agriculture and supporting curriculum development for teachers. More information on teacher resources, the “Ag Tag,” volunteering and more is available by visiting: www.agtag.org.
Commodities covered on the site include: beef, bees, careers, chocolate, citrus, clothes/fiber, dairy, environmental, Florida economy, food production, forestry, gardening, honey, horticulture, insects/integrated pest management, invasive species, nutrition, plant nutrition, poultry and sugar cane. The site also offers a range of “Make ‘N Takes” activities that engage students in fun projects with a range of subjects from apples and beef to pumpkins and the soil and a great deal in between. “The site also includes a link to Gardening for Grades, a comprehensive guide to help teachers plan, fund, create and educate their students using a school garden,” Gaskalla said. Teachers who utilize a lesson plan downloaded from the site are encouraged to participate in a “Resource Survey” accessed at the bottom of the Teacher Center page. “Teachers who complete the survey, which is most helpful to us as we refine and expand our lesson plan offerings, are entered into a drawing for a free hydroponic growing system,” said Gaskalla. Additionally, FAITC is offering an online school garden grant opportunity to certified general education and agri-science teachers in Florida. This is a mini-grant of $500 for individual teachers. Grants applications and guidelines are on the ‘Grants Page’ of the FAITC website. Gaskalla said the period for min-grant applications for $500 Mosaic Company Foundation School Gardens for teachers in DeSoto, Hardee, Hillsborough, Manatee and Polk counties closed in October, but “our other grants are open to teachers throughout the state,” she said. While teachers are the primary focus of FAITC and its new website, others will also benefit. Hillsborough County Farm Bureau and its educational outreach initiatives such as Ag-Venture sessions and W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
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Recycled Yard Art Contest Hillsborough County Fair
By Lynn Barber – Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM Agent his was the seventh year the Hillsborough County Extension Service and Hillsborough County Fair have sponsored the Recycled Yard Art Contest which was held at the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds from Wednesday, October 16 through Sunday, October 20.
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above criteria or presents a health or safety hazard. • None of the sponsoring entities are responsible for any damage to artwork. • Eligible participants included Hillsborough County residents, excluding committee members.
The goal of the Recycled Yard Art contest was to increase environmental awareness and encourage reuse/recycling of materials into yard art. The projects submitted in the contest were to involve two and three dimensional art created from items already used for their original purpose. The contest has four entry categories: Elementary School, Middle School, High School, and Post High School consisting of individual and group submissions. First place awards were given to individual and/or group entries. Winning entries are displayed at the UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County for one month.
A panel of judges voted for first place winners in each category with submissions. All people that viewed the Recycled Yard Art displayed were able to vote for the People’s Choice Award. The results are:
The entry criteria included: • Designs containing one or all of the three R’s: reduce, reuse and recycle. Art should be positive in content and expression and able to withstand outdoor elements. • Two or three-dimensional art and kinetic sculptures were accepted. • All work must be ready for installation including hanger wires, display bases and/or mounts as required for each piece. • Entries must be easily moved by one person – and weigh no more than 40 pounds. • Entries must be created mostly with recycled or recyclable materials. Exceptions include glue, writing and coloring materials. • The judging committee reserves the right to reject any entry that does not meet the 92
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For assistance with horticultural questions, call: 813-744-5519 or visit us at the UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL 33584. More gardening information is available at: http:/ / hillsborough.ifas.ufl.edu and http:/ / edis.ifas.ufl.edu. Remember to reuse, reduce and recycle.
FIRST PLACE ADULT (POST HIGH SCHOOL I NDI VI DU AL): Jack Lynn for his metal Rooster which was constructed from a Freon tank and scrap metal. M I D D L E SC H O O L G R O U P F IR S T PL A C E : Dowdell Middle School for their Fish Tank, created with a leaking aquarium, screen, packing peanuts, plastic Easter eggs, bubble wrap and glass and plastic bottles. MIDDLE SCHOOL INDIVIDU AL FIRST PLACE: Blyss Bolger, Winthrop Charter Middle School, for her Can Flower, made with large and small cans and paint. PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD: Andy Hamilton for his Junkyard Dog sculpture, created with a chain, spring, golf clubs, pressure gauges, a tire iron and wrench. Please stop by the Hillsborough County Extension Service to view the winning entries which are on display for the next 30 days. We are open Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm. Congratulations to all who entered the contest. Their creativity was truly amazing.
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The kickoff tour in September included stops in Hillsborough and Polk counties where participants had the opportunity to visit cattle, phosphate, peach and citrus operations. Individual tour stops included Cone Ranch, CF Industries Plant City Phosphate Plant, Joe Lanier Peach Farm, Florida’s Natural Grove and a citrus tour.
Farm Bureau Conducts Legislative Tour To Showcase Importance of Agriculture by Jim Frankowiak
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dvocacy on behalf of all who comprise the agriculture industry is at the very heart of Farm Bureau activities, locally, statewide and nationally. To that end, Hillsborough County Farm Bureau is presenting lawmakers and regulators with three, separate opportunities to learn of agriculture’s importance by way of a Legislative Tour Series. These three, one day tours held in September, October and this month, enable these key stakeholders to experience firsthand many aspects of the industry in central Florida. “This program is a great way for our elected officials and regulators to learn how this second largest industry here in Florida contributes to our economy and provides the food we consume daily,” said outgoing Hillsborough County Farm Bureau President Danny Aprile. “They have also seen how the industry has embraced scientific advancements, utilizes Best Management Practices on a daily basis, as well as soil and water conservation techniques.” Here in Hillsborough County the agricultural and related industries comprise 155,130 jobs or 19.9 percent of the county’s jobs. Additionally, the industry accounts for $9.90 billion in annual revenues and that represents 15.4 percent of the region’s gross product. In Pasco County, the broadly defined industry is responsible for 26,352 jobs or 19.3 percent of the county’s total and $1.10 billion in revenues. “Those economic impacts are significant and a factor that cannot be overlooked by our elected officials and regulators as they formulate and implement policy,” noted Aprile.
October tour venues in Hillsborough and Pasco counties offered a glimpse into egg production, horticulture and cattle, as well as the role and importance of Extension Service to both the industry and residents. The October tour visited Wilton Simpson Egg Farm, Two Rivers Ranch and Riverview Flower Farm. The tour began and concluded at Hillsborough County Extension Service offices in Seffner. Extension has as its mission “to provide information and education in family and consumer sciences, horticulture, agriculture, natural resources and youth development.” It is a cooperative service of the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners and the University of Florida. This month’s tour includes stops in both Hillsborough and north Manatee County, as well as the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC), Wimauma. Tour participants will gain insights into fresh produce, aquaculture and the expansive activities taking place at the GCREC. UF/IFAS is a federal-state-county partnership dedicated to developing knowledge in agriculture, human and natural resources, and the life sciences and enhancing and sustaining the quality of human life by making that information accessible. GCREC at Wimauma houses 16 laboratories including tissue culture and plant diagnostics and can staff up to 25 faculty members and their support personnel. The facility includes 475-acres of land donated by the county which contain research trials for
The crop with the highest sales in Hillsborough County as of 2011 is strawberries at $388,125,702 and that represents 46.6 percent of the total county agricultural sales. Vegetable production is next at an estimated $150,000,000 or 18 percent of annual sales followed by ornamental plants, $139,232,407 and aquaculture with sales in excess of $23.5 million and 2.8 percent of annual sales. The number five category is beef cattle/pasture at nearly $19 million and 2.3 percent of annual sales. 94
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vegetables, small fruits and ornamental plants. GCREC Plant City is located at Hillsborough Community College and is the site for the teaching program which offers both undergraduate and graduate level degrees. For more information at GCREC, visit: gcrec.ifas.ufl.edu. “We owe a deep level of gratitude to the many producers who participated in the tours and permitted guests to visit their operation,” said Aprile. “The same must be said of the elected officials and regulators who took the time to learn about agriculture.” Tour sponsors included the Florida Department of Citrus, CF Industries and Mosaic. Additional information on Florida Farm Bureau can be obtained at www.floridafarmbureau.org, which also provides links to county offices. Those interested in more Extension information can visit: http:/ / hillsborough.extension.ufl.edu, while county websites offer added information about agriculture in those respective counties.
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Foster Engagment of Young Farmers and Ranchers By Jim Frankowiak
Plant City Education Center came about.” She serves as the Academic Program Coordinator/Recruiter at the UF-Plant City Campus of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. “One of the most important events in my life happened in 2009 when I met my husband Tyler,” said Nessmith. Tyler played three years with the University of Tampa baseball team which won two national championships. He then transferred to UF-CALS to complete his degree in Food Resource Economics. The couple was engaged in 2010 and married in April of 2011. Tyler is now a Florida State Trooper in Polk County. The Nessmith’s are new homeowners in Bartow, which is also the residence of their black lab, Mable. Not surprisingly, they enjoy attending baseball games in the Tampa Bay area and spending time with family and friends.
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or Erin Nessmith, what began in the sixth grade with an agriculture class has become a lifelong commitment and her recent election to the Hillsborough County Farm Bureau board of directors is the next step in that journey. Born in Deland and the youngest of four children, Nessmith and her family left Florida in 1990 for Canada where they spent six years before coming back to the Sunshine State. “I took agriculture at Deltona Middle School and was hooked,” she said. “I started into livestock production with swine, cattle and sheep as well as all of the facets of FFA as the result of inspiration in the 8th grade by a fellow FFA member, Chad Lyons, who runs a Show Pig operation in north Florida.
Since moving to Plant City, Nessmith has been actively involved in Hillsborough County Farm Bureau activities from AgVentures and Young Farmers and Ranchers to serving on the membership committee and creating marketing materials. “I have had a wonderful time working with the finest agriculturalists in Hillsborough County,” she said. “As Co-Chair of Young Farmers and Ranchers, I will be able to be a liaison for the group. Additionally, working in an educational institute will allow me to provide insight as to what needs to take place to help our teachers and students in the county and statewide. I hope to bring some fresh ideas to the board, and I want people to recognize the board members, individual members and the organization throughout the county. This will be a great way to increase agriculture awareness and the key role and importance of our industry. I am grateful to the Hillsborough County agricultural community for being so welcoming. I am proud to work in one of the greatest agricultural communities and counties in the country.” •
“I visited his operation a few times and was able to work with him learning about the different areas of agriculture that his family was engaged in. That includes sweet potatoes, tobacco, cattle, pigs, as well as education. His dad is a former ag teacher and now Chad and his sister, Tori, teach agriculture. I was enthralled by his family’s passion and love for what they do on a daily basis. We have remained good friends since our very first meeting and that reflects a quality I found and admire about FFA, its members and the ag industry – they are full of good and honest people.” Nessmith was elected senior chapter president as a freshman in high school and remained in that position throughout high school. “I am thankful for the career development events in FFA such as Prepared Speaking, Parliamentary Procedure, Ag Communications and Extemporaneous Public Speaking, which truly molded me into a confident and poised young woman,” she said. Elected to State FFA office in 2005, Nessmith and her fellow state officers have all stayed within the industry and “it is inspiring to see each of them grow in the industry and as professionals. They are five of the most passionate, caring and agriculturally aware individuals in the state.” Nessmith is thankful for the encouragement she received from her agriculture teachers Jodi Tillman and Erin Johnson to follow their lead and teach agriculture. She did just that and graduated from the University of Florida College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS), and was hired upon graduation to start a new Middle School Ag Ed program in her hometown. After teaching for a year, the opportunity to move to Plant City “and work with my mentor, Dr. Jim Dyer, at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center 98
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potentially lower yields of organic systems.” Chase’s team also points out that much of what they learn in this research will be just as useful to conventional growers as it is to organic growers. Weed management, for example, is a challenge for all producers and the strategies Chase proposes could be used by both conventional and organic producers.
UF/IFAS Team Awarded
Strawberry Sustainability Grant By Andrew Kays
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early all of the strawberries in the United States are grown in Florida or California, but faced with growing competition in the industry from Mexico, a team of UF researchers is looking for ways to diversify the industry. Led by horticultural sciences professor Carlene Chase, the team hopes to develop new organic and sustainable methods of growing strawberries in the southeastern United States. Hers is one of two UF teams awarded grants by the National Strawberry Sustainability Initiative, a program funded by the Walmart Foundation and administered by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Center for Agricultural and Rural Sustainability. Through consumer surveys, as well as collaboration with industry leaders and sustainable growers, Chase’s team wants to make organic strawberries a viable crop for farms of all sizes. Of more than 7,000 acres producing strawberries in Florida, Chase said about 1.5 percent are organic. “We think that growers are more likely to expand the acreage in that area if there is more research to facilitate that,” Chase said. “The angle we’ve decided to take is pretty size neutral, and the price premium we expect consumers to pay should make up for the
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Chase points out that growers must make good decisions not just about the individual aspects of producing a crop, but also consider how changing one aspect, like selecting a strawberry cultivar, can affect other aspects, such as pest management. This research uses a systems approach rather than focusing on any single part of the production process. For example, horticulturist Xin Zhao, entomologist Oscar Liburd, and Chase, a weed ecologist, will simultaneously test how different strawberry cultivars and weed management strategies affect the kinds and numbers of pests that a farmer might need to manage. This holistic approach will focus on both open field and hightunnel organic strawberry production in Florida and North Carolina, and will emphasize cultural and biological crop management and pest management techniques. Examples of such techniques are the use of cover crops that suppress weeds and sting nematodes while serving as green manure when plowed under, selection for strawberry cultivars best adapted to organic production, and biological control of key pests of strawberry. Therefore, in addition to bringing more diversity to the market, the researchers hope to reduce chemical use on farms. While Chase said the team will initially try to grow the strawberry cultivars without chemicals, if they find a need for them, the team will consider using non-synthetic and natural products approved for use in organic production. Zhifeng Gao, an assistant professor in UF’s Food and Resource Economics Department, and Mickie Swisher of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, will work to determine consumer preferences for strawberries. They’ll study factors such as flavor, taste, quality and the price consumers will pay for organic produce. Swisher says this project is exciting because it brings together research about production practices and what consumers want. She said it is especially exciting to be working with an industry-leader like Walmart because of the project’s potential to provide healthy, domestically produced strawberries to consumers. Equally important, she said, is the involvement of strawberry producers and industry representatives in the research. “We hope to get very, very deep and substantive feedback from strawberry producers to help us find economically viable solutions for growers,” Swisher said. •
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Pygmy Goat Show GRAND CHAMPION WETHER – Johana Leguizaman RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION WETHER – Justin Ferrell GRAND CHAMPION JUNIOR DOE – Lindsey Roberts RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION JUNIOR DOE – Lydia Bolenbaugh GRAND CHAMPION SENIOR DOE – Justin Ferrell RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION SENIOR DOE – Justin Ferrell BEST IN SHOW –Justin Ferrell RESERVE BEST IN SHOW – Johana Leguzman
Market Goat Show HEAVY WEIGHT WETHER CHAMPION – Victoria Harris MIDDLE WEIGHT DOE CHAMPION – Danielle Miller Heavy Weight Doe Champion – Calee Cinko Grand Champion Doe – Calee Cinko Reserve Grand Champion Market Goat – Morgan Boehning
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Dairy Goat Show
Pygmy Showman
SENIOR LAMANCHA GRAND CHAMPION – Justin Ferrell SENIOR LAMANCHA RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION – Buster Mullins SENIOR AOB GRAND CHAMPION – Buster Mullins SENIOR AOB RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION – Buster Mullins SENIOR NUBIAN GRAND CHAMPION – Conner DeBoer SENIOR NUBIAN RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION – Conner DeBoer SENIOR NIGERIAN DWARF GRAND CHAMPION – Bekah Guiardo SENIOR NIGERIAN DWARF RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION – Amber Paffenroth SENIOR RECORDED GRADE GRAND CHAMPION – Justin Ferrell SENIOR RECORDED GRADE RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION – Buster Mullins SENIOR BEST IN SHOW – Conner DeBoer JUNIOR LAMANCHA GRAND CHAMPION – Buster Mullins JUNIOR LAMANCHA RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION – Andie Dailey JUNIOR SAANEN GRAND CHAMPION – John Switzer JUNIOR NUBIAN GRAND CHAMPION – Danielle Miller JUNIOR NUBIAN RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION – Amber Paffenroth JUNIOR NIGERIAN DWARF GRAND CHAMPION – Danielle Miller JUNIOR NIGERIAN DWARF RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION – Justin Ferrell JUNIOR BEST IN SHOW – Conner DeBoer
PEE-WEE CHAMPION – Caleb Miller PEE-WEE CHAMPION – Seth Miller JUNIOR CHAMPION – Danielle Miller INTERMEDIATE CHAMPION – Andie Dailey SENIOR CHAMPION – Lindsey Roberts
NOVEMBER 2013
Market Goat Showman PEE-WEE CHAMPION – Seth Miller INTERMEDIATE SHOWMANSHIP – Danielle Miller SENIOR SHOWMANSHIP – Morgan Boehning
Dairy Goat Showman PEE-WEE CHAMPION – JUNIOR CHAMPION – Danielle Miller INTERMEDIATE CHAMPION – Andy Dailey SENIOR CHAMPION – Buster Mullins
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Fall Heifer Calf (09/01/12 to 11/30/12)
Costume Contest Winners Seth Miller – MOST ORIGINAL Danielle Miller – BEST TV, BOOK, OR FILM John Switzer – BEST SUPER HERO COSTUME
YOUTH DAIRY SHOW Summer Heifer Calf (06/01/13 to 08/31/13) GUERNSEY – S Linton Lindziebear, Siera Linton HOLSTEIN – Pumpernickel, Carissa Retter HOLSTEIN – Jodi, Gabby Taylor HOLSTEIN – Kaylee, Sarah Solano HOLSTEIN – Elsie, Kristen Wentworth JERSEY – IOF Fire Kelo Nettie, Rebecca Omer JERSEY – PR Lyon O Topeka Ginger, Ty Hamilton JERSEY – PR Lyon O Topeka Jen, Jessica Kliest
Spring Heifer Calf (03/01/13 to 05/31/13) BROWN SWISS – Pepper Jo Wonkie, Riverview FFA GUERNSEY – GT H&N Patent Monica Lightning, Nicholas Hammer HOLSTEIN – Roxy, Carlie Braglin HOLSTEIN – Bluebell, Sam Pappas HOLSTEIN – H&N Cookies Rufus Snicker, Nicholas Hammer JERSEY – Antique Valley Success Icon, Elizabeth Sutton
Winter Heifer Calf (12/01/12 to 02/28/13) HOLSTEIN – Holcombs Roy Angela, Connor Sutton JERSEY – IOF Marcus Ottor Paisley, Ty Hamilton JERSEY – Eclipse Sage Okee, Nicholas Hammer W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
AYRSHIRE – Aprill’s Jeremy Petals, Sarah Carter BROWN SWISS – IE FTE Shaner Olive, Aaron Bingham BROWN SWISS – Elinton Grand Slams Loucie, Emily Linton BROWN SWISS – CIE FTE Dally 12486 Dixie, Blane Rogers GUERNSEY – Morris Lincoln Maggie Moo, Rebecca Holcomb HOLSTEIN – Armwood #3 – Dallas, Mallory Price HOLSTEIN – TD Daiwa, Jacob Heike HOLSTEIN – TD Cabela, Jordan Heike HOLSTEIN – TD Leyla, Taylor Boyd HOLSTEIN – NLNH Elvira Rufus Morticia, Nicholas Hammer HOLSTEIN – TD Target, Hunter Boyd JERSEY – IOF Gene Norm Goldie Nicholas Hammer JERSEY – IOF Vindication Lola, Ty Hamilton JERSEY – Meadows Glenn Golda Roxy, Kyleigh Glenn JERSEY – Claurice Carter to the show, Rachel Carter JERSEY – MLF Mals Riled Malaun, Rebecca Holcomb JERSEY – Antique Valley Houston Java, Elizabeth Sutton JERSEY – B Freeman Layla, Brooke Freeman
Spring Yearling (06/01/13 to 08/31/12)
Connor Sutton HOLSTEIN – No-Fla Stokes Khaila, Brooke Freeman HOLSTEIN – Autumn Noo, Kaitlan Wood JERSEY – Josie, Zoe Wallace JERSEY – Sophie, Austin Holcomb
Spring Yearling (12/01/11 to 02/28/12) HOLSTEIN – Donacin Sovereigh Gayle, Connor Sutton HOLSTEIN – Katrina, Zoe Wallace
Fall Yearling (09/01/11 to 11/30/11) BROWN SWISS – CIE FTE Vigor 11497 Bella, Blane Rogers GUERNSEY – Woodale LOL Captain Peggy, Aaron Dunn GUERNSEY – GR-Wooddale LOL Captain Nora, Nicholas Hammer GUERNSEY – C&S Aaron Melinda, Austin Holcomb
JUNIOR CHAMPION AYRSHIRE – JSB-Acres Ferrari, Aaron Dunn BROWN SWISS – FTE Dragon 1230 Ally, Blane Rogers GUERNSEY – C&S Aaron Melinda, Austin Holcomb HOLSTEIN – Donacin Sovereigh Gayle, Connor Sutton JERSEY – MLF Mals Riled Malaun, Rebecca Holcomb
JUNIOR RESERVE CHAMPION
BROWN SWISS – FTE Dragon Macy, Ashley Bingham GUERNSEY – C&S Spider Melissa, Austin Holcomb GUERNSEY – McKeen Silverado Girdy, Siera Linton HOLSTEIN – No-Fla CM Lakin, Brooke Freeman HOLSTEIN – No Fla Armitage Maggi, Zoe Wallace HOLSTEIN – Oreo, Jacob Braglin HOLSTEIN – Armwood #2 – Bigfoot, Albert Williams HOLSTEIN – Armwood #1 – Heffner, Dawn Herrington JERSEY – BRJ Verbatim Dixie R-51, Cierra Ellis JERSEY – H&N Buttercups Paprika Iatola, Nicholas Hammer JERSEY – Millie, Logan Shoop
AYRSHIRE – Aprill’s Jeremy Petals, Sarah Carter BROWN SWISS – IE FTE SHaner Olive, Aaron Bingham GUERNSEY – C&S Spider Melissa, Austin Holcomb HOLSTEIN – Roxy, Carlie Braglin JERSEY – Antique Valley Success Icon, Libby Sutton
Two Year Old Cow (09/01/10 to 08/31/11)
Spring Yearling (03/01/12 to 05/31/12) AYRSHIRE – JSB-Acres Ferrari, Aaron Dunn BROWN SWISS – FTE Dragon 1230 Allly, Blane Rogers HOLSTEIN – Donacin Braxton Gig,
AYRSHIRE – Tommy Key Harmony Daisy, Siera Linton BROWN SWISS – Sweet T Sugardaddy Bugsy, Aaron Dunn BROWN SWISS – CIE FTE Dragon 11296 Minnie, Blane Rogers HOLSTEIN – Cookie, Nicholas Hammer HOLSTEIN – Miss Bugatti, Jared Upthegrove HOLSTEIN – Misty Moo – Arista Georgiou JERSEY – H&N Buttercups Ginger Showtime, Nicholas Hammer Jersey – Abrams Nickel, Ty Hamilton
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Three Year Old Cow (09/01/09 – 08/31/10) BROWN SWISS – McKeen Cartoon Mischa, Siera Linton BROWN SWISS – CIE McKeen Wurl Buttercup, Emily Linton GUERNSEY – McKeen Royal Sherry, Siera Linton Guernsey – C&S Bubba Sprinkles, Austin Holcomb
SUPREME CHAMPION
SUPREME CHAMPION RAM
C&S Bubba Sprinkles, Austin Holcomb
Aubrey Davis
SUPREME CHAMPION EWE Kendall Reed
Showmanship
AYRSHIRE – Churchwells Satellite Molly, Emily Linton BROWN SWISS – CIE MCKeen Legacy Chloe, Emily Linton GUERNSEY – Skippers April Loredda, Siera Linton JERSEY – Kelbel Vindication Malloree, Austin Holcomb
SENIOR CHAMPION AYRSHIRE – Tommy Key Harmony Daisy – Siera Linton BROWN SWISS – Cie McKeen Wurl Buttercup, Emily Linton GUERNSEY – C&S Bubba Sprinkles, Austin Holcomb HOLSTEIN – Cookie, Nicholas Hammer JERSEY - Kelbel Vindication Malloree, Austin Holcomb
RESERVE SENIOR CHAMPION AYRSHIRE – Curchwells Satelittle Molly – Emily Linton BROWN SWISS – CIE FTE Dragon 11296 Minnie, Blane Rogers GUERNSEY – Skippers April Loredda, Siera Linton HOLSTEIN – Miss Bugatti, Jared Upthegrove JERSEY – H&N Buttercups Ginger Showtime, Nicholas Hammer
GRAND CHAMPION AYRSHIRE – Tommy Key Harmony Daisy, Siera Linton BROWN SWISS – Cie McKeen Wurl Butterbup, Emily Linton GUERNSEY – C&S Bubba Sprinkles, Austin Holcomb HOLSTEIN – Cookie, Nicholas Hammer JERSEY – Kelbel Vindication Malloree, Austin Holcomb
RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION AYRSHIRE – Churchwells Satelittle Molley, Emily Linton BROWN SWISS – FTE Dragon 1230 Ally, Blane Rogers INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
RESERVE CHAMPION RARE BREED EWE – Emily Linton GRAND CHAMPION RARE BREED RAM – Emily Linton RESERVE CHAMPION RARE BREED RAM – Siera Linton
SHEEP SHOW
Aged Cow (Born before 09/01/09)
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GUERNSEY – Skippers April Loredda, Siera Linton HOLSTEIN – Donacin Sovergin Gig, Connor Sutton JERSEY - H&N Buttercups Ginger Showtime, Nicholas Hammer
SENIOR 1st Cassidy Hasting 2nd Kaitlyn Cinnamon 3rd Jessica Squitieri INTERMEDIATE 1st Abby Daivs 2nd Sarahann Sweeney 3rd Cristian Pelfrey JUNIORS 1st BrennaMae Sturgis 2nd Emily Linton 3rd Bailey Brock
PeeWee Showmanship Abby Steward Brody Bryant Carly Steward Jackson Sturgis Clair Sampson Emery Surrency Garrett Linton Shelby Southerland
Sheep Breed Show GRAND CHAMPION BLACK FACE EWE – Brent Optiz, Turkey Creek FFA RESERVE CHAMPION BLACK FACE EWE – Siera Linton GRAND CHAMPION WHITE FACE EWE – Kendall Reed RESERVE CHAMPION WHITE FACE EWE – Cassidy Hasting GRAND CHAMPION WHITE FACE RAM – Aubrey Davis RESERVE CHAMPION WHITE FACE RAM – Siera Linton
More results in Next Month’s Issue of
GRAND CHAMPION SPECKLED FACE EWE – Sarahann Sweeney RESERVE CHAMPION SPECKLED FACE EWE – Dalton Phillips
GRAND CHAMPION RARE BREED EWE – Siera Linton
NOVEMBER 2013
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Florida Strawberry Festival® Exhibitors Tag Swine for Upcoming Show Exhibitors showing a pig in the 2014 Florida Strawberry Festival Swine Show hauled their pigs to the Festival grounds Monday, November 4, to be tagged for the upcoming show. Eighty six exhibitors are expected to show at the 2014 show, and Festival officials require that each pig to be exhibited be given an ear tag at an early age for identification purposes.
Swine exhibitors range in age from eight to 18 years old and must be a resident of Hillsborough County and a member of a 4-H club or FFA chapter. Once exhibitors are drawn, they purchase their pigs in October and spend the next several months growing and training their animal in hopes of winning grand champion at the show. The 2014 Florida Strawberry Festival Swine Show will be held Thursday, February 27, 2014 at 7 p.m. in the Agriculture Center. The sale will follow on Friday, Feb. 28, 2014 at 7 p.m.
About the Florida Strawberry Festival “Our swine exhibitors take great pride in their projects, and that was obvious today in the enthusiasm of the exhibitors and the quality of animals we saw,” said Florida Strawberry Festival General Manager Paul Davis. “I strongly encourage our visitors to attend our livestock shows, and support the hardworking young people we have in our community.” The swine show is a popular competition among the youth of Eastern Hillsborough County. Nearly 200 applications are received each year, forcing the Festival to hold a drawing to determine who will fill the allotted exhibitor positions.
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The Florida Strawberry Festival is an 11-day community event celebrating the strawberry harvest of Eastern Hillsborough County. Each year, over 500,000 visitors enjoy the Festival’s headline entertainment, youth livestock shows, exhibits of commerce and, of course, its world-famous strawberry shortcake. The 2014 Florida Strawberry Festival celebrating “Florida’s Best Family Recipe!” will be held Feb. 27-March 9, 2014 in Plant City, Florida. For more information visit www.flstrawberryfestival.com, Facebook and Twitter.
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Ignited By Melissa Nichols
A
lthough I have been involved in agriculture in one way or another, my entire life, I was never able to attend the FFA National Convention. It was an honor and privilege to attend the 86th Annual FFA National Convention held in Louisville from October 30 - November 2, 2013. The entire area around the convention looked like a sea of blue corduroy FFA official dress jackets. I spent a few moments in awe of more than 63,000 participants, advisors and parents who made up the attendance of this years convention. When I walked into the first session, I quickly realized what I had been missing all these years. The FFA National Convention IS made up of the best of the best that FFA has to offer. Every contest that is recognized on a National level was held within the four day period of time. The National officers were the masters of ceremony of the entire convention and these young leaders were nothing short of amazing. On day one Reid Bigland, CEO of Ram Trucks, and Easton Corbin, made a $1 million dollar donation to National FFA President Clay Sapp for the National FFA Association as a result of the 10 million views of the “So God Made A Farmer” commercial first aired during the 2013 Super Bowl. The theme of this convention was “Ignited” and WOW, this convention ignited those present. Each session included FFA members who were part of the talent competition performing, along with awards being given out or chapters being recognized and retirement addresses from various National officers. During several sessions a performer was there to entertain the crowd, such as the painter Dan Dunn, who completed an actual painting during the length of a song. His FFA painting was later on display and it was amazing that he completed it in a matter of minutes. Keynote speakers gave speeches that “ignited the crowd.” The story of the FFA corduroy official dress jacket was told since this was the 80th year of wearing the “old blue” jacket. W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
The FFA National Convention wasn’t limited to sessions and contests. Each day there were many opportunities for both students and advisors to attend leadership workshops. These workshops were another way to help ignite, empower, unite, connect and challenge the agriculturist in all who attended. Between sessions, contests and workshops, attendees were invited to walk thru the college center, expo hall and FFA mall. This area of the Expo hall included displays and booths for every area of agriculture, including Agribusiness, Animal Science, Biotechnology Systems, Environmental Services, Food Products and Processing, Natural Resources, Plant Systems and Power, Structural and Technical Systems, were some of the highlights. Nearly 400 exhibitors were present to talk to attendees including the National Armed Forces. There was an area that was referred to as the college center. This area had colleges from around the nation present with pamphlets and displays to talk to students about their career path. Warner University and University of Florida were both present at the convention representing Florida. This gave students opportunities to talk about scholarships and requirements, as well as programs offered. The FFA mall was definitely a sight to see, everything FFA was available in this area. Western wear displays were set up with boots, jeans, hats, shirts and jewelry, as well as custom boutiques. I myself fell victim to the need to buy in the FFA Mall because there were items I couldn’t live without. The highlight of the week was definitely watching the Hillsborough County FFA members competing in events such as Agriculture Issues, Agriculture Mechanics, Poultry Evaluation, Agriscience Fair, and Livestock Evaluation. Strawberry Crest, Newsome, Durant, Lennard and Tomlin were schools that were actively participating in the FFA National Convention.
FFA National Convention creates lifetime lasting memories for those who attend, it changes lives, it empowers and it ignites a fire within those present. A fire to help them succeed, to keep them focused on the ultimate goal and with what they have learned through FFA, the sky is the limit. As a whole, FFA kids are just an amazing group of kids. I am already looking forward to attending next year. RESU LT S DU RANT HS: Agricultural Mechanics Team: Gold Medal Team Placing 11th in the Nation: Kody Aubel, Connor Long, Cole Ebdrup, Alex Fernandez Livestock Management Team: Bronze Medal: Morgan Belsley, Jacob Belisle, Justin Stallard Area V State Vice-President representing the State of Florida: Haley Smith Advisor: Tim Cribbs; Principal: Pam Bowden LENNARD HIGH SCHOOL National Proficiency Winner: Gold Medal in Landscape Management Placement: Kyle Bowman National Proficiency Winner: Gold Medal in Wildlife Production and Management Placement: Danielle DeSilvestro, Advisor: Erin Elsberry; Principal: Craig Hortsman NEWSOME HIGH SCHOOL: Poultry Evaluation Team: Gold Medal Team Placing 10th in the Nation: Elizabeth Surface, Andrew Brown, Krista Brown, Katelynne Coburn, Advisor: Kelley Ware; Principal: Carla Bruning
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ST RAWB ERRY CREST HIGH SCHOOL: Agricultural Issues Team: Gold Medal Team Placing 2nd in the Nation: Adrian Dyer, Victoria Harris, Nick Fernandez, Levi Mayo, Megan Snyder, Ashlie Preston, Alyssa Ohnstad, 3 Star National Chapter Advisor: Susan Mayo; Principal: David Brown
T OMLIN MIDDLE SCHOOL Agriscience Fair: 7th Place National in the Food Products & Processing Systems Area: MacKenzie Steele and Lauren Hutchinson Finalist for Outstanding Middle School Chapter; 3 Star National Chapter Advisor: Jason Steward; Principal: Susan Sullivan
University of Louisville men's basketball coach Rick Pitino ended his opening remarks at the 2013 National FFA Convention & Expo in Louisville, Ky.
Pitino was joined by National FFA officers Clay Sapp of Florida and Joenelle Futrell of Kentucky on stage to end the first general session.
Anna Conrad receiving 3 Star Chapter for Strawberry Crest
Madi Conrad receiving 3 star chapter for Tomlin Middle 108
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Classifieds ANIMALS & NEEDS CECIL BREEDING FARM Full service thoroughbred farm from foaling to the track. Broodmare care. Investment opportunities. 863-899-9620 ANIMAL CONTROL Complete Nuisance/Destructive Wildlife Removal & Management! Wild hogs, coyotes, raccoons, opossum, armadillo, squirrels, bobcats, etc. (licensed & insured professional Services) 863-287-2311 ANIMAL & BIRDCAGES Equipment serving the fur bearing animal & exotic bird industry! Cages built to order. Wire by roll or foot. (813) 752-2230. Call Don Ammerman. www.ammermans.com Swaps July 14, 2013 and December 1, 2013 CHICKEN MANURE FOR SALE Dry and available immediately! Call Tim Ford or Danny Thibodeau 863-439-3232
BUILDING SUPPLIES WINDOW SCREENS We make window screens of all sizes available in different frame colors. Call Ted 813-752-3378 T1-11 4 X 8 SHEET 5/8-INCH THICK B-grade $22.95. Call Ted 813-752-3378 NEW DOORS CLOSEOUT SPECIAL!!! $75 to $295. Call Ted today 813-752-3378 MOBILE HOME TUBS Metal brand new in box 54” Mobile Home Tubs. Call Ted 813-752-3378 $155.00
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JOBS CONTRIBUTING WRITER Write about events in your community. Immediate openings in Hillsborough and Polk Counties. Paid per article. Responsibilities include covering community events and taking pictures. Email your resume to sarah@inthefieldmagazine.com INDEPENDENT ACCOUNT MANAGER In T he Field Magazine is looking for independent account managers to join our team! Please contact Danny@inthefieldmagazazine.com or call 813-759-6909.
LAWN EQUIPMENT/SUPPLIES BRAND NEW HUSTLER RAPTOR Zero Turn Mower. 52" cut, 23 hp. Kawasaki engine, 3 year warranty. $2,999 Call Alvie 813-759-8722 RUBBER MULCH All colors, buy 10 bags, get 1 FREE! $8.99 a bag. Call Ted 813-752-3378
REAL ESTATE LAND WANTED 10 to 100 acres, no improvements, Hillsborough, Polk or East Pasco. Call Lee 813-986-9141 WANTED TO BUY Problem real estate mortgages. Will consider any situation, defaults, delinquencies. Hillsborough, Pasco and Polk County. CASH OUT! Call H. Lee 813-986-9141 FOR LEASE Metal storage building. Conveniently located off Hwy. 60 East. 4,000 sq. ft. $600 a month. Call 863-533-2579 or 863-221-0986 FOR SALE 2.66 acres, Pless Road, Paved Road by owner. 65K, 10% down, owner financing. 813-986-9141 FOR SALE – 45 ACRES VACANT LAND (Pasco County) 45 acres are comprised of gently rolling hills with big trees & solid ground. A great setting for residential development. To the east of the property is a 60 acre parcel (Lake Gilbert) that adds significant aesthetic value to the 45 acres. Zoning: AR (Agricultural-Rural) Call Heidi Cecil for more information 863-899-9620 2.66 ACRE NURSERY FOR SALE OR LEASE N. Lakeland with 1,000 sq ft frame house, 2 sheds, irrigation throughout. Call Bruce 863-698-0019 JANE BAER REALTY Looking for that mountain getaway home? We have what you are looking for. Check out our website at www.janebaerrealty.com or call us toll free 800-820-7829. We are located in Blairsville GA, North Georgia Mountains!
SERVICES CALLER ON HOLD A low cost service that enables you to communicate important information about your business to customers while they are on hold. No monthly payments or annual payments. Call today and ask for Al 813-763-2220
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PRODUCE FRESH PRODUCE Forbes Road Produce. Open everyday from 7:30am - 8pm. Forbes Rd. & I-4 @ exit 17. Come out and see us!
JOHN DEERE 650 TRACTOR 4X4, 48" Bush Hog 990 hours. Turf Tires, Great Price! $4,995 Call 813-650-0910 BAD BOY CZT50 Zero turn 26hp Kawasaki. 138 hrs., Warranty. $4,995 Call Alvie 813-759-8722 USED EQUIPMENT Mowers, disk, box blades & disk plows. Call Alvie TODAY! 813-759-8722 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
MASSEY FERGUSON 210 2wd., diesel tractor. $3,750 Call Alvie. 813-759-8722
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MISC.
MASSEY HARRIS FERGUSON NO. 16 PACER With belly mower $1950 Call Alvie 813-759-8722
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Tel: 813.759.6909
NOVEMBER 2013
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