Currents-May 2020

MAY 2020

Suwannee Valley

CURRENTS

INSIDE: FARMHANDS County Extension gives you access to farming research and more STAYCATION Take a break in the comfort of your own home AROUND THE COMMUNITY SVEC awards scholarships to local students

CEO’S MESSAGE

Suwannee Valley

CURRENTS May 2020

Michael S. McWaters Executive V.P./CEO

Suwannee Valley Currents is a monthly newsletter published by Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative, © 2020. It is distributed without charge to all consumermembers of the cooperative.

Extended learning Everyone has principles guiding the decisions they make. For some of us, those rules were instilled at a young age, and we have held on to them. For others, those guiding principles may have changed with life experiences.

At Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative, our principles have always been out in the open for everyone to see. They’re the same principles that guide every cooperative, and I think they give us a clear roadmap for how best to serve our consumer-members.

If you have been with the cooperative for a while, you have received a return of capital credits and know about our principle of economic participation. Many of you also take part in SVEC’s democratic process at our district and annual meetings, nominating and voting on who will represent you on our board of trustees.

One of the principles you might not think about as often is our commitment to providing education and training for consumer-members, elected officials, managers and employees so they can contribute effectively to the cooperative. It’s also why we send out this newsletter each month to keep you up to date on how we work.

Having the right information is important no matter what decision you are making. It’s especially important for our local farmers, whose choices at the beginning of the growing season can have a big impact on their financial prospects when it comes time to harvest.

Many of them turn to the agents and staff of their county extension office for help. These local experts provide insight into the research being done at land grant universities and how farmers can use it to solve problems on their land.

Even if you don’t run a farm, the county extension has a lot to offer, from homebuyer assistance to weight management and diabetes prevention programs. You can learn more about the Suwannee County Extension and how it can be a valuable resource for you in this month’s newsletter.

You can also learn about this year’s SVEC scholarship recipients. Ever since the board of trustees established SVEC’s scholarship program in 2015, we have been proud to support continuing education for graduating seniors in our community. This year, we were once again able to award $1,000 scholarships to 11 local students. Congratulations to all of our recipients, and best of luck as you continue your education.

Finally, I’d like to remind everyone that May is National Electrical Safety Month. I encourage all of you to set aside some time to reinforce the importance of electrical safety with your family. If you’re looking for safety tips to share with your kids and guidelines for around the house, visit the “Safety” tab on our website for the latest recommendations. Stay safe, and thank you for reading. 

2 | May 2020

WE BELONG TO THOSE WE SERVE Business Office: 800-447-4509 11340 100th St. Live Oak, FL 32060 Lobby Hours: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday Drive-thru Kiosk Open 24 Hours 24/7 Power Outage Reporting 800-752-0025 svec-coop.com facebook.com/sveccoop @SVEC_COOP_FL Instagram.com/sveccoop SVEC is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

On the cover: County Extension agents help local farmers get the most out of their crops by sharing the latest research from universities across the country.

See story, Page 4.

Suwannee Valley Currents

We’re here to serve you To help stop the spread of COVID-19, our office lobby will remain closed through May 31. However, we are still here to serve our consumer-members and there are plenty of ways to do business with us: • Download the free SmartHub mobile app.

• Live chat with us at svec-coop.com.

• Call 800-447-4509 for member services or 800-752-0025 to report an outage.

• Use our 24-hour drive-thru payment kiosk.

• Pull up to drive-up window, open M-F from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday begins May 29 The 2020 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday begins on Friday, May 29, and extends through Thursday, June 4. During this sales tax holiday period, qualifying items related to disaster preparedness are exempt from sales tax.

The sales tax holiday does not apply to: • Rental or repair of any of the qualifying items.

• Sales in a theme park, entertainment complex, public lodging establishment or airport.

Qualifying items: • Reusable ice packs • Portable self-powered light sources such as candles, flashlights and lanterns • Gas or diesel fuel containers, including LP gas and kerosene containers • Batteries, including rechargeable batteries • Coolers and ice chests

• Bungee cords • Ground anchor systems • Radios • Ratchet straps • Tarps • Tie-down kits • Waterproof sheeting • Portable generators for light, communications or food preservation

Register with county emergency management The Florida Division of Emergency Management allows citizens with special needs to register with their county emergency management agency.

Information submitted to the registry will only be used for planning and, if necessary, to provide emergency or disaster services. Residents of all Florida counties can register using the online Florida Special Needs Registry: snr.floridadisaster.org.

Residents of Columbia, Hamilton, Lafayette and Suwannee counties can also request a special needs registration form by visiting or calling their county’s emergency management office: Columbia County Emergency Management 263 NW Lake City Ave. Lake City, FL 32055 386-758-1383 Hamilton County Emergency Management 1133 US Highway 41 NW Suite 1 Jasper, FL 32052 386-792-6647 Lafayette County Emergency Management 194 SW Virginia Circle Mayo, FL 32066 386-294-1950 Suwannee County Emergency Management 617 Ontario Ave. SW Suite 200 Live Oak, FL 32064 386-364-3405

Suwannee Valley Currents

May 2020 | 3

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

Suwannee County Extension provides easy access to the latest research Many local farmers already know extension agents as the people they call when there is a problem with their crop. What they may not know is those agents are considered university faculty members. Rather than spending all of their time in a classroom or a lab, though, these experts specialize in sharing their knowledge with the community.

“We bring the research and information from universities to the public so they can actually use it,” says Katherine Allen, director of the Suwannee County Extension and a family and consumer sciences agent.

“Research can’t be very powerful if they just do it and it sits on a shelf.”

County extension programs in the United States go back to the Morrill Land Grant College Act, which President Abraham Lincoln signed into law in 1862. The act funded agriculture and mechanical arts colleges across the country, tasking them with teaching, conducting research and extending their findings to the public.

Florida has an extension office in all 67 counties. Each one is partnered with the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and Florida A&M University, but also has

Duval County Extension Agent Anita McKinney teaches a “Smart Money” course at the Jacksonville City Rescue Mission in Jacksonville, Florida.

4 | May 2020

access to the network of land-grant universities across the nation.

Originally, county extension offices worked primarily with local farmers, helping them get the most out of their crops and sharing the latest best practices. Over time, that mission has extended to promoting smarter financial management and general wellness and educating young people in the community.

“As times have changed, so has extension,” Allen says. “What originally was taking care of farms, though we still do that, has morphed into life skills, civic engagement, public speaking and more. It’s kind of the front door to the university. We can put people in touch with a researcher working on just about anything they’re interested in.”

An instructor teaches students about dairy cows at the Dairy Research Unit.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO KNOW?

While many of Suwannee County Extension’s programs focus on supporting the agricultural community, it has plenty to offer for farmers and nonfarmers alike: Master Gardener program - Master Gardeners complete a 15-week class, after which they commit dozens of hours each year to helping others with their horticultural projects. They volunteer at the Live Oak Seed Library and local school gardens and can help you get your seeds started, manage pest problems and answer any gardening questions you might have.

4-H clubs – Suwannee County has 15 different 4-H clubs led by trained volunteers. While many 4-H students learn to raise livestock to show at the county fair, these clubs also help mold young people into productive members of society by teaching them life skills, civic engagement, public speaking and more.

Soil analysis – Soil testing can help farmers learn more about the pH balance, macronutrients, micronutrients and organic matter in their land. Having a better understanding of these factors helps farmers make informed decisions about which management techniques will be most effective for improving the health of their soil.

Homebuyer program – Buying a home is one of the biggest financial

Haimanote Bayabil and research colleagues fly a drone.

Suwannee Valley Currents

decisions you can make, so don’t leave any questions unanswered. The county extension office can walk you through the process so you know what to expect, help you get down payment assistance from the USDA and introduce you to experts in the community.

Wellness programs – Suwannee County Extension offers programs for diabetes prevention and weight management that promote healthy habits and have even helped some county residents work their way off certain medications. The office is also partnering with local faith communities to continue providing a support system for participants after the programs end.

THE MORE YOU KNOW

Currently, Suwannee County Extension is working to make more programs and classes available to the community online. Virtual summer camps are already being organized for 4-H club students, and Allen plans to offer food safety training courses for restaurant staff digitally.

She also hopes the county extension can be a valuable resource for those who may be out of work and looking for ways to save money around the house.

“Maybe you usually rely on takeout or food you can easily assemble, and now you’re wondering, ‘How can I make meals and save money?’” she says. “Some people might be looking at energy efficiency tips to keep the bills down while they’re on furlough and at home a lot more.”

In a world where so much unverified information is available at our fingertips, Allen sees value in having a source of reliable research like the Suwannee County Extension that her local community can rely on. So if you have a question, don’t hesitate to ask.

“So many people don’t know about the county extension at all or only know about it from one perspective, when there are so many programs we have to offer,” she says.

“Knowing that you’re getting research-based and unbiased information is so important. It gives consumers power they wouldn’t normally have to make good decisions.” 

4-H kids learn to make healthy dietary choices in a grocery store.

Children work in a school garden.

The North Florida Research and Education Center’s traveling commodities display features tomatoes, lettuce, onions, potatoes and squash.

4-H members participate in science and technology activities during the 2011 4-H Congress.

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May 2020 | 5

Strawberry-rhubarb shortcake with whipped mascarpone From Tommy Hines

or the filling: F 1 pound medium-size strawberries, hulled and quartered 3/4 cup granulated sugar, divided 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 1 tablespoon Grand Marnier 1 1/2 cups chopped fresh rhubarb (about 2 stalks) Pinch kosher salt

How to certify a state record catch

By Jill Christoferson, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

That largemouth bass you’ve battled is now in your boat. It’s huge. Could it be the new state record? And if it is, how do you certify it?

The present state record for largemouth bass is 17.27 pounds, a fish caught by Billy O’Berry in Polk County in 1986. Although that record has stood over 30 years, recent submissions of giant 15- and 16-pound bass to FWC’s TrophyCatch citizen-science program have anglers and biologists asking when the next state record will show up.

This is what that lucky angler will need to know: To properly certify a new Florida state record, an FWC biologist must identify the fish species, and an FWC employee — usually but not necessarily the same individual — must witness the weighing on a certified scale. Anglers can check the current state records at BigCatchFlorida.com by clicking on “State Record.”

They should notify the nearest FWC regional office if they believe they have caught a record fish.

Biologists urge anglers not to confuse the state record certification with the FWC’s TrophyCatch program. TrophyCatch is a citizen-science program that partners with industry leaders, such as Bass Pro Shops, to offer rewards for the catch, documentation and release of largemouth bass weighing 8 pounds or more. Nathaniel Scott Kicklighter has just become the current leader for TrophyCatch’s eighth season with a 14 pound, 11 ounce bass from an unnamed Putnam County lake.

The Florida largemouth bass is the state freshwater fish and is the best known and most popular game fish in Florida. Found statewide in lakes and rivers, these fish are commonly located around vegetation or underwater structures. The species draws anglers from around the world who contribute to the 25.7 million days spent freshwater fishing in Florida annually.  6 | May 2020

Biscuits: 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour, plus extra for work surface 1 tablespoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon table salt 2 tablespoons granulated sugar Freshly grated zest of 1 orange 1 cup heavy cream, plus extra for brushing biscuits Coarse or granulated sugar Unsalted butter (for baking sheet) Whipped mascarpone: 1 cup mascarpone 3 tablespoons powdered sugar 2 tablespoons heavy cream For the filling: Mix berries with 1/4 cup sugar, vinegar and Grand Marnier in a medium-size bowl. Toss gently and set aside. In a small saucepan, combine rhubarb, remaining 1/2 cup sugar and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until sugar melts and liquids are simmering nicely, 8 to 10 minutes.

Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. Rhubarb will soften as it sits. Add berries and stir. Set aside.

For the biscuits: Preheat oven to 400 F. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, sugar and orange zest. In the bowl of a standing mixer, whip cream until it forms firm peaks. Fold the whipped cream gently into the flour mixture until the dough begins to come together. (Add another 1 or 2 tablespoons of unwhipped cream, if needed.) Gently gather the dough into a ball and turn it out onto a floured surface. Press to form a disk about 3/4 inch thick. It will be slightly crumbly. Using a biscuit cutter 2 1/2 inches wide, cut out the biscuits and lay them on a baking sheet greased with unsalted butter. Brush them with extra cream and sprinkle on the coarse or granulated sugar. Bake until golden, 15 to 17 minutes. Cool on racks.

For the whipped mascarpone: Combine all ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.

Beat, starting on low speed and gradually increasing speed, until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 1 minute. Refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to use, up to 3 days.

To plate: Split each biscuit horizontally. Spoon berry-rhubarb mixture on the bottom half, top that with mascarpone and cover with the top half of the biscuit. Garnish with powdered sugar.  Suwannee Valley Currents

Rest, relax and rejuvenate A vacation does not necessarily require a plane ticket, hotel room or even a tank of gas. In fact, whether you’re on a budget or just looking for a way to unplug from the stresses of day-to-day life, there are plenty of relaxing options if you never leave home.

After all, any break is a good break, so here are a few resources, suggestions and tips for those interested in unwinding without heading out.

BOOKS AND MUSIC

• Did you know there’s a free digital library of classic books? Project Gutenberg offers digital downloads of titles ranging from “Pride and Prejudice” to “Peter Pan.” Just visit gutenberg.org.

• If you need help selecting a book to read, do a quick Google search for Time magazine’s All-Time 100 novels.

If mysteries are your thing, visit theedgars.com for a list of the latest award winners. And for sci-fi fans, pop over to nebulas.sfwa.org.

• For those who believe “all the world’s a stage,” playbill. com offers a range of resources, including guides to finding streaming videos of stage performances.

GET PLAYFUL

• Coloring isn’t just for kids. It can help adults reduce stress and anxiety, improve vision and focus, and even sleep better! Best of all, coloring supplies are inexpensive and available at stores and online retailers everywhere.

• Piece together a pretty picture and flex your mental muscles at the same time. Family jigsaw puzzles use a combination of small, medium and large pieces so everyone can join in on the fun. Try puzzlewarehouse.com for a giant selection of puzzles for all ages.

• Discover your inner Monet with an online art class. A quick internet search for online art classes yields results of everything from basic drawing to comic book art to figure drawing and more!

• Pull the board games out of the closet and dust them well. It’s time for a family-friendly faceoff. Traditionalists may prefer games like Monopoly, Life or Scrabble, but conservative estimates count tens of thousands of available board games. Also, check out famisafe. wondershare.com for some of the best online options.

EXPLORE

• Are you a burgeoning birder? iBird, Peterson Birds of North America, the Audubon Society and others have created apps to help both the novice and experienced birder. Apps may include photos, artwork and birdsongs to help you identify birds where you live. You can even earn an online certificate from birdercertification.org.

• Backyards are meant for play and family barbecues, but take a closer look. Grab a magnifying glass and learn what’s out there beyond the grass. Create a nature trail for kids and learn about the plants, insects and animals living in your backyard.

• Arborday.org offers an online database for identifying trees across the U.S. along with its “What Tree Is That?” pocket field guide. Snap a photo of a leaf and the website will help identify it.

Suwannee Valley Currents

May 2020 | 7

SVEC awards scholarships to 11 local students

SVEC was pleased to award a $1,000 scholarship to 10 exemplary high school seniors who are dependents of SVEC members. Scholarship recipients were selected by a committee of SVEC employees who reviewed each applicant’s academic record, list of extracurricular activities, written essay and letters of recommendation.

Congratulations to this year’s recipients: Hannah Gamble and Jacquelline Sandoval, Branford High School; Kaley Evans, Columbia High School; Ashlee Mowrer, First Christian Academy; Kaylee Boatright and Bradley Peacock, Hamilton County High School; Dawson Jackson and Adam Perry, Lafayette High School; Katelyn Floyd and Herman Gunter, Suwannee High School.

Thomas Burton, who attended The Donald Ralph Cooke School at the Florida Sheriffs Boys Ranch, was also awarded a scholarship.