In The Field magazine Polk edition

CONTENTS

Polk County Cattlemen’s Association

P.O. Box 9005 • Drawer HS03 Bartow, FL. 33831-9005

President – Kevin Fussell 4523 Fussell Rd Polk City, FL 33868-9676 (863) 412-5876

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

Secretary/Treasurer - Justin Bunch PO Box 849 Highland City, FL 33846-0849 (863) 425-1121 justin.bunch@cpsagu.com

PAGE 10

From The Scientific Field

PAGE 12

Thoughts from the Heifer Pen

PAGE 14

Fishing Hot Spots

PAGE 16

Endangered Species

PAGE 18 Cattle Benefit Environment

PAGE 22

Rocking Chair Chatter

PAGE 24

Bee Lady

PAGE 27

Blood Oranges

PAGE 30 Earth Day

PAGE 32

Recipes

PAGE 34 Invasive Pest

PAGE 35 News Briefs

PAGE 36 John Dicks

PAGE 38 PCSO

PAGE 40 A Closer Look

PAGE 42

Horses

PAGE 43 CFYIA Buckle Contest

PAGE 44 For Pedro’s Sake

PAGE 45 PCCW Scholarships

Hey Readers!

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

InTheField® Magazine

P.O. Box 5377 • Plant City, Fl. 33566-0042

*Winners will be notified by phone. You Too Can Be A Winner!

State Director – David Hunt 9699 Alt Bab Pk Cut-Off Rd Bartow, FL 33830 (863) 287-1835 Dhunt285@aol.com

Alternate SD – Orrin Webb PO Box 202 Bartow, FL 33831 (941) 916-5093 cwebbowebb@aol.com

Ray Clark 4484 Swindell Road Lakeland, FL 33810 (863) 640-0719 rclark@tampabay.rr.com

Donald Conroy 3882 Wolfolk Rd Fort Meade, FL 33841 (863) 412-0790

Stuart Fitzgerald PO Box 1437 Lake Wales, FL 33859 (863) 206-5021 stuartcattlellc@yahoo.com

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

Scott Shoupe 6130 Allen Lane Lakeland, FL 33811 (863) 581-7593 Scott_shoupe@hotmail.com

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

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

Alternate Standing Committee Chairs: Membership Events Trade Show- Bridget Stice Rodeo- Fred Waters PO Box 463 Alturas, FL 33820-0463 (863) 559-7808

Website Cattlewomen – President, Leslie Buchanon 8444 Tom Costine Rd Lakeland, FL 33809 (863) 581-2711 Buckld96@gmail.com

Extension – Bridget Stice PO Box 9005, Drawer HS03 Bartow, FL 33831 (863) 519-1048 bccarlis@ufl.edu

Sheriff’s Dept. – Lt. Paul Wright 1891 Jim Keen Blvd. Winter Haven, FL 33880 (863) 557-1741 pw5281@polksheriff.org

Sgt. Tim Sanders 1891 Jim Keen Blvd. Winter Haven, FL 33880 (863) 656-6119 brusso@polksheriff.org

Warner University –Abby Crawford 13895 Highway 27 Lake Wales, FL 33859 (863) 638-7248 Abby.crawford@warner.edu

Cover Photos by Next Level

from the Editor

Publisher/Photography

Karen Berry

Senior Managing Editor/ Associate Publisher

Sarah Holt

Editor

Patsy Berry

Sales

Karen Berry

Sarah Holt

Melissa Nichols

George Domedion

Once again, I would like to remind everyone of the impact agriculture has on the state of Florida. It’s talked about with some frequency, but let’s put some real numbers out there. It’s definitely eye opening.

The 2023 statistics from Feeding the Economy study (feedingtheeconomy. com) show that in Florida agriculture accounts for:

Total Jobs – 2,875,202

Total Wages - $143.2 B

Total Taxes - $53.8 B Exports - $5.7 B

In The United States agriculture accounts for:

Total Jobs – 46,283,917

Total Wages - $2.61 Trillion Exports - $202.17 Billion

According to the website, “The 2023 Feeding the Economy report clearly demonstrates the resilience and strength of America’s food and agriculture sector, showing increased economic output in every state compared to the 2022 report. These industries are responsible for over $8.6 trillion – or nearly 20% – of the country’s economic activity, directly supporting nearly 23 million jobs (15% of U.S. employment).”

As always, when shopping for yourself or your family, look for Fresh From Florida products. Support the farmers and ranchers who do so much for us. Their contributions are innumerable.

Until Next Month

Sarah Holt

Creative Director/Illustrator

Juan Alvarez

Photography

Karen Berry

Melissa Nichols

Staff Writers

Al Berry

Sandy Kaster

James Frankowiak

Sean Green

Contributing Writers

Woody Gore

John Dicks

Social Media

Victoria Saunders

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

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.

April showers...? Hopefully they are on the way. I’m sure you all would like to see them soon. Hopefully you all have a pasture, rangeland and forage policy to hedge ourselves through these dry springs. Don’t forget about nutrition for those suckling cows through these dry spells.

Mark it on the calendar if you haven’t already, April 20th, come on to the Stuart Center for our Spring Gathering at 6:30pm. Steak supper, good fellowship, and door prizes. Looking forward to seeing you all there.

Looks like the market is coming around our way finally. Calf prices are stronger, and it seems to be an up market for the near future anyway. As al-

ways, you get paid for quality, so having a good worming and vaccination program on those calves is the best investment, second only to good nutrition, that should see a good return this year. Much needed considering what it costs to raise them anymore.

See you soon,

Kevin Fussell

Polk County Cattlemen’s Association

Strawberries & Pineberries FLORIDA

now In SEasoN!

FROM THE SCIENTIFIC FIELD

By J. Scott

Two big things happened in Hillsborough County agriculture in the past few weeks. First, an icon retired. Second, a young leader emerged with a vision to do even more for local fish farmers.

Craig Watson is the only director the UF/IFAS Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory has ever had. He retired on March 31 after nearly 27 years leading the lab he founded. There is simply no replacement for this ornamental fish industry giant.

There is, however, a successor. I chose Matt DiMaggio as the new director because of the way he will honor Watson’s legacy and yet build upon it. And as a protégé of Watson, DiMaggio was ready to go on April 1.

First, the build part. It became clear to me during a two-day visit to TAL late last year for a discussion on its future that DiMaggio should be a central part of that future.

DiMaggio pitched a vision to add four more faculty to the current six. The areas of expertise will depend on the talent available, but whom he’d hire today if he had the resources reveal where he thinks the lab can go. He’d bring on a molecular geneticist, an engineer, a nutritionist and an ecologist who apply their disciplines to aquatics.

This will require space, and DiMaggio doesn’t hold back here either. He aims to someday double the size of TAL’s building square footage. More tanks, more labs, more space to do more things for fish farmers.

DiMaggio has excelled in his scientific work at TAL for nine years. He also developed a deep understanding of the Florida aquaculture industry and forged close

professional relationships with its leaders, fish farmers and regulators.

DiMaggio’s big-picture goal is to gain TAL recognition as the nation’s top academic aquaculture laboratory. DiMaggio wants more people to make a living off raising ornamentals, farming food fish, restoring our marine environment.

DiMaggio wants those who are already doing this to make a better living.

As for honoring the legacy, DiMaggio wants to continue Watson’s record of leading a lab that saved stakeholders millions of dollars. He intends to keep Watson’s focus on serving the industry and to emulate Watson’s attention to relationships, the stuff that earned him induction into the Florida Tropical Fish Farms Association Hall of Fame and a lifetime achievement award from the U.S. Aquaculture Society.

That foundation is a great start for DiMaggio. Now, with the continuing increase in ornamental species’ popularity, the immense potential of Florida sea- and land-based food fish production and the need for coral restoration and other ecological initiatives, TAL is going to play a central role in a burgeoning sector of Florida agriculture. DiMaggio is the right scientist and leader at the right time to deliver on this promise.

Scott Angle is the University of Florida’s Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources and leader of the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).

Angle

By Marisol Tarango

THOUGHTS FROM THE HEIFER PEN

When I was a little girl, I would ride with my dad in his truck when he would go to different shoeing appointments all around central Florida. Since I was homeschooled, my mom would send my school for the day with me, and I would do it in the truck while we were driving between stops. But more often I would end up doing it on the bed of my dad’s truck while he shoed horses. Why? Probably because I would get distracted in the truck either listening to songs on the radio, watching the scenery go by, or listening to talk radio with my dad. (Actually, talk radio was the biggest reason.) For a third grader, I had a pretty good sense of what the current state of the economy and politics was, but three hours straight of Rush Limbaugh a few times a week will do that.

At first, I didn’t like talk radio, it stressed me out because there only seemed to be bad news. But I eventually developed a taste for it, just like coffee. My mom banned talk radio in the house because she said I didn’t need to be in a bad mood while I washed the dishes, but when I got my own truck, I listened to it just like I did with my dad. As I grew older and started college and internships, I stopped listening to talk radio as much as I used to. Often my work and school schedule conflicted with my favorite shows, and I could get what I needed to know from a quick glance at the headlines. I had become a news junkie, but the stress of college could not compete with the stress of constantly knowing what was going wrong in the world and I had to choose one. Obviously, college won to the relief of my parents, and to the relief of my mother I started a habit of constantly having my favorite music on instead of talk radio. Now I can only listen to talk radio for half an hour tops. I get what I need to know and then I change the channel before I start wanting to move deep into the woods by myself.

When I was younger, I would hear of the bad things happening in the middle east, how bad the economy was, and how badly people were handling things in Washington, and I would just think that the world was going to collapse. But my mom would tell me that people during the Great Depression and World War II probably thought the same thing. That would put my mind at ease because we obviously survived those tragedies as a society and were living in easier times. But my little

self didn’t think about what it cost; I only saw the happy ending. Of course, I knew the stories that my great grandpa told my dad about being in WWII. About how he escaped being a prisoner and how he had cut the medals off a dead Nazi to take home. I watched enough WWII movies to know how brave he must have been to jump out of those airplanes, and I thought that if I had to do that too one day, that I would be fine. I also grew up with stories of the Depression. I had seen pictures of people lined up for blocks to get a bowl of soup. I heard the family story of how my same grandpa that had jumped out of airplanes once lost a nickel in a pigpen and checked the pen everyday until the pig decided to give up the nickel. I knew it was hard and I knew that if I lived in those days, I could have handled it, and it would have been an adventure.

It was not until I was older that I looked at those old pictures and saw those hungry men stare into my soul and those returning soldiers gazing soullessly at me almost asking me to give them a piece of mine. What I didn’t hear until I was older was that my same great grandpa who jumped out of airplanes would also jump out of bed when a car going by backfired. And another great-grandpa, who landed on Normandy beach was the only one to survive from his boat at the age of 19. It was far from a Norman Rockwell painting, at least on the surface. There is one painting of his of a G.I. going to college on his G.I. Bill. It always made me wonder how he felt coming from the cold, twisted evil of WWII to attending a college class and struggling with algebra in his sunny window seat. How did he put it behind him? Did he feel stupid going to a college class when in the big picture of things, a college education didn’t really matter? I would like to talk to that man in the painting. Sometimes I would like to ask my grandpas the questions I never got to ask.

But I think I know what they would tell me. They would tell me I can make it because they made it. They would tell me that it is worth fighting through it because good things can still come after bad things. And I know a few of them probably would say college doesn’t matter, but that they are proud of me because I finished what I started.

So Many Lures, So Many Colors

Captain Woody Gore Color is everywhere around us. Color provides essential visual clues to our world in nature, school, and home. And it also can influence our feelings and perhaps even our thoughts.

So what other ways does color influence our lives? How about fishing and lure selection? That brings me to the question, can fish see colors? When shopping for new lures, you've probably asked yourself that question. I've pondered it a time or two, and they all look so enticing it's challenging to decide.

Over the years, studies done by various organizations like Marine Laboratories, Universities funded by study grants, and private oceanographic institutes conclude that fish see colors and contrasts and distinguish various hues. So, in theory, day feeders living in relatively shallow water should show a greater sensitivity toward colors. Ok, let's assume fish see colors. But for a reason, that light reacts differently underwater; what colors or combinations are visible?

The spectrum comprises seven primary colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet, each with a different wavelength. Wavelengths are how we measure color, beginning with the most extended "red" and ending with the shortest "violet." For example, red, yellow, and blue are pure colors, not created by mixing other colors. Others, like orange, green, indigo, and violet, are created by mixing pure colors in various combinations. And when all are combined, we get white, so white must contain all the spectrum colors. To demonstrate this, hold a prism up to the sun and watch as the colors begin separating. Here's an easy acronym to remember wavelengths beginning with the longest to the shortest "Roy G. Biv."

Unlike colors usually experienced in our lives, these same colors react differently underwater. Water reacts to color as a selective filter, so as we increase in depth, the colors with the longest wavelengths begin gradually filtering out. To explain, let's assume we're dealing with clear, clean water on a bright sunny day and starting with the longest wavelength, red. We can expect red to disappear around 4-8 feet; at 25', orange is mainly gone, and below 35', yellow is lost. Then continuing through the spectrum, each subsequent color disappears at various depths until we reach violet, which disappears around one hundred feet.

Interestingly, something interesting showed up in a diver's video that changed how we think about deepwater colors. While filming, he discovered neon colors begin to shine, therefore surviving some filtering processes. For example, neon red, orange, and pink continue sending out varying degrees of their original colors even below the 100-foot mark, remembering water clarity and available light.

Visibility in clear water is somewhere around a distance of 250 feet. However, since water is not gin clear, we need to understand that various factors influence reflective light and the filtering process related to color. Suspended particles such as algae, silt, tannic acid, and sand may drop visibility to almost zero, changing how colors are perceived. Visibility is also affected by overcast and cloudy days. This condition adds another element of understanding how colors are affected by light intensity and its ability to penetrate water. As illumination begins to weaken, red is always the first color to disappear.

Consequently, fish's ability to distinguish colors becomes increasingly complex. Looking up and knowing how rods and cones work in low-light situations, we recognize that rods start taking over, and color perception becomes difficult. Accordingly, contrast, or an object's ability to stand out against its background, plays a much more significant role, mainly as fish differentiate objects by contrasting shapes and movement.

In the mid-90s, an optometrist and fishing enthusiast conducted color experiments in water. These experiments revealed that contrast was essential to see during low light conditions. He discovered that hues and certain color combinations provided maximum contrasting properties. And because of these contrasting properties, reds and oranges remained somewhat visible in shallow discolored water. He surmised that colors similar to the tint of the water could see from greater distances. As a result, in clear or blue-clear water, fluorescent blues, fluorescent greens, and shiny silver spoons or spinners appear brighter from further distances. Likewise, fluorescent yellows, greens, shiny gold spoons, or spinners appear brighter in clear or green-clear water from further distances.

As you start combining the above influences, you'll see it's not likely we'll ever fish under perfect light and water conditions. And frequently, some of the above factors will come into play and change the colors fish see. With everything we've discussed so far, let's get to the point. How do I choose a color? Here are a few thoughts I subscribe to.

Bright summer days and clear shallow water: Red, orange, yellow, silver, and metallic colors are the most dominant during these times. And specific metallic finishes tend to create flash even under relatively low light. So, considering these almost perfect conditions, all colors are visible in clear shallow water. If the fish are actively feeding on baitfish having green backs and white bellies, can you guess what color to choose?

Windy winter days and murky waters: Under these conditions, reds and oranges are the first colors filtered out. Choose bright-colored lures in a green, blue, yellow, or a good flash because they become more visible beneath the surface. Like many fluorescents, red and orange lures come into their own in tannin-stained waters.

Fishing at night or in low light conditions: If you ask any seasoned night angler what color he uses, he'll always tell you the same thing black. While this may seem strange to most, experience has proven it does work. And here's the reason. Consider objects you see at night, usually black, grey, or shadowy images. Fish feeding at night or in low light situations usually attack their food from below because it maximizes available light. Your choice of lure should be dark or black.

Fishing with Topwater: Topwater fishing is my favorite simply because of the anticipation. When fishing topwater lures, I've found color is far less significant than the lure's action, size, and shape. Topwater strikes come from below or behind in shallow water; in either case, the lure only looks dark or grey. Therefore, it is evi-

dent that dark-colored lures are the best choice for topwater action because they produce a great silhouette against surface light.

Dragging Lures: Lure color becomes less critical when trolling or using downriggers, especially in water containing high amounts of suspended solids, sediment, or low light conditions. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a lure for this application; you're mainly concerned with its shape, size, and action.

In closing, let's remember that while color has a role in lure selection, action, size, and noise play a more significant role. And most of all, never miscalculate your confidence in specific lures. We all have our favorites and tend to fish them harder because we've achieved success in the past. Fishing artificial lures for most of my life, I've narrowed it down to simple rules, and I choose a lure that best suits the action, depth, and available bait in the area.

Remember, don't get hung up on the color thing; too often, lures are selected on color, then because of water depth or conditions, they are not visible to

fish anyway. However, if you're inflexible about color, remember to ask yourself a few basic questions. What takes place with color in the water? Is it overcast or bright, how deep are the fish, and what's the water clarity? It might make a difference.

813-477-3814

Capt. Woody Gore operates Tampa Bay's #1 Outdoor Fishing Guide Services. Guiding and fishing in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater areas for over fifty years, he offers first-class customer service, family-oriented charters, and a lifetime of memories.

Visit his website, www.captainwoodygore.com

Email: fishing@captainwoodygore.com

“Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing”

Avon Park Harebells

By Libby Hopkins

Avon Park Harebells, or Crotalaria avonensis as they are known by their scientific name, is a rare species of flowering plant in the legume family known by the common names Avon Park rattlebox, Avon Park harebells, and Avon Park rabbit-bells. It is endemic to Central Florida where it is known from only three sites.

Many individuals exist on land that is unprotected and they are threatened with destruction. The plant is a federally listed endangered species.

This is a perennial herb with one to three hairy stems growing from a taproot. Most of the stem is located underground, with up to 10 centimeters growing above the surface. The stems are lined with fleshy oval leaves which are coated in white or yellowish hairs. The inflorescence is a raceme of yellow pealike flowers around a centimeter long. The fruit is an inflated legume pod in shades of dark red or brown which can be up to 2.5 centimeters in length and contains 18 seeds. After the plant flowers in spring it becomes dormant for the rest of the year.

It was first collected in 1950 but not recognized as an undescribed species until 1989, when it was named. It grows in the white sand scrub of Florida’s Lake Wales Ridge.

It can tolerate some disturbance and partially shady conditions. It grows alongside other rare scrub plants such as Small’s Jointed (Polygonum dentoceras), Florida Lady’s Nightcap (Bonamia grandiflora), Scrub Blazing Star (Liatris ohlingerae), and Highlands Scrub St. John’s Wort (Hypericum cumulicola).

The plant is threatened by the degradation and destruction of its habitat. It is limited to a small section of Central Florida which is being consumed for development. Much of its range has been converted to residential neighborhoods or agricultural fields, especially orange groves.

Its two populations and one small subpopulation are broken up into scattered, localized occurrences. The largest population is located on private, unprotected land near Avon Park Lakes, a growing residential development that remains there is fragmented and degraded by human activity, such as offroad vehicle use.

A nearby subpopulation is estimated to contain fewer than 600 plants. The third location is in better condition and is either declining at a slow rate or stable. It has sustained some damage, including the destruction of living plants, during construction of roads. Other threats to the species include the invasion of non-native plant species such as Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) and Pangolagrass (Digitaria eriantha), dumping of abandoned cars and other garbage, and vandalism.

The plant was added to the endangered species list in 1993 along with other rare Florida species, including pigeon wings (Clitoria fragrans), a plant, and Florida perforate Cladonia (Cladonia perforata), a lichen.

Many aspects of the plant’s life cycle are unknown. Studies indicate it has a low fecundity, probably because of low flower and fruit production. Flowers require pollination by insects, but few insects have been observed at plants.

The plant’s annual survival rate is apparently quite high but few seeds are produced and few of those germinate. The plant is probably at high risk for extinction, a risk that could be lowered by enacting protection measures for the largest population, which exists tenuously at a site of rapid residential construction. Other conservation efforts underway include cryopreservation of shoot tips, but this plan is not supported by all involved biologists.

CAN CATTLE BENEFIT THE ENVIRONMENT IN POLK COUNTY?

By Bridget Stice, UF/IFAS Extension Agent

Pastureland plays a critical role in preserving Florida’s environment, and the current trend of declining acreage is cause for concern. Shockingly, the most recent ag census data (2017) revealed that over the previous five years, Polk County alone had lost approximately 100,000 acres of pasture farmland used for livestock production. That means that of the total pastureland area in Polk County, which is over 300,000 acres, more than a quarter of it (26%) has been lost. This decline represents a significant threat to the biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and ecosystem services that pastureland provides to our environment. It is vital that we understand and appreciate this valuable resource for the sake of our environment and our communities.

Polk County’s pastureland is used primarily for grazing cattle and has several environmental benefits that make it a sustainable and responsible practice for ranchers and the ecosystem. Some of the positive impacts that grazing cattle can have on the environment include:

1. Promoting the sustainability of Florida’s water resources: Pastureland supports aquifer recharge by allowing rainwater to infiltrate into the soil and recharge groundwater. Well-managed pastureland can promote infiltration and groundwater recharge by maintaining healthy soil conditions and vegetation cover. The grass and other vegetation in pastureland can help slow down the flow of water and allow it to percolate into the ground, replenishing the aquifer. Additionally, pastureland can help to reduce surface runoff and erosion, which can carry pollutants and contaminants into waterways and ultimately into the aquifer. By reducing surface runoff and erosion, pastureland helps to protect water quality and ensure the sustainability of Florida’s precious water resources.

2. Promoting biodiversity and preserving natural habitats: Cattle grazing can help to promote biodiversity by creating a mosaic of habitats. The diverse vegetation types and structure that occur in well-managed grazing systems provide suitable habitats for many plant and animal species. This diversity is important in preserving the natural ecosys-

tem, preventing the spread of invasive species, and enhancing wildlife habitat. Additionally, grazing can help maintain open spaces, preserve wetlands, and limit wildfires, which all support ecosystem health.

3. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions: Grazing cattle can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Grazed grasses are more efficient at capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than ungrazed grasses, and grazing animals help to cycle nutrients and improve soil quality. Healthy soil and plant cover also helps mitigate erosion and preserve water quality. This creates a positive feedback loop as healthy soils allow for more carbon sequestration in the ground further reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

4. Supporting local economies: Grazing cattle supports local economies by providing a source of income for ranchers and jobs for those involved in the cattle industry. According to the USDA’s 2017 Census of Agriculture, livestock enterprises in Polk County contribute nearly 57 million dollars in economic impact each year.

5. Promoting land conservation: Grazing cattle can help to promote land conservation. Ranchers who graze their cattle on public lands are required to manage those lands according to specific guidelines that aim to maintain ecological health. This results in the preservation of important natural areas and can help prevent development that could harm the environment.

Grazing cattle has several environmental benefits to the entire community that make it a sustainable and responsible practice for ranchers and the ecosystem. By promoting aquifer recharge, promoting biodiversity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, supporting local economies, and promoting land conservation, grazing cattle helps maintain a healthy and sustainable environment.

2023 CENTRAL FLORIDA YOUTH IN AGRICULTURE LIVESTOCK SHOWCASE & SALE

“CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR POLK LIVESTOCK EXHIBITORS”

By Laura Lee Taylor:

The

2023 Central Florida

Youth

in

Agriculture Livestock Showcase & Sale was held March 22-25th at the Polk County Agricultural Center and Hayman Arena in Bartow, Florida.

More than 600 entries and 300 exhibitors participated in the cattle and swine shows. This was a 25% increase from the 2022 event and was the third event hosted by the CFYIA Board of Directors and committees.

The arena, sponsored by TECO Energy, was transformed into an electric environment featuring a unique backdrop and towers provided by Ryan Akins that illuminated the area and showcased an opening CFYIA video from The Showtimes Magazine with fog and colored lights before each show.

The 2023 event added additional shows with adaptive showmanship in both the cattle and swine shows, a cattle vintage showmanship competition, belt buckle design competition, livestock judging and swine breeding gilt shows. The adaptive showmanship and showmanship competitions were sponsored by Suncoast Credit Union.

CFYIA also honored all graduating seniors with senior banners and yard signs showcased throughout the event and concluded with a Senior Walk recognition before the sale. The proceeds raised from the vintage showmanship were given back to one lucky graduating senior.

More than $30,000 in prizes and premiums were given away and over 40 belt buckles were presented to all Grand and Reserve Champions in their respective shows, as well as clippers, coolers, bags, chairs and other great prizes.

This year, the youth market auction was moved from Saturday morning to an evening event at 6 pm with record attendance. The averages were the best yet since CFYIA started in 2021 with the market steers averaging $5,761.90 per head or $4.80 per pound and the market swine averaging $1,696.69 per head or $6.28 per pound.

The evening concluded with two cakes donated by Mrs. Trista Sherouse being auctioned off for add-ons for all the 2023 market exhibitor projects. The cakes commanded a total price of $10,000 and were sold to Land South Management Group, a vital supporter of youth in agriculture.

We would like to thank all our volunteers, sponsors, bidders and buyers for supporting the next generation of agriculture and believing in our mission to create new opportunities for Polk Youth raising and showing swine and cattle.

CFYIA is a 501c3 non-profit organization that promotes education for the youth livestock exhibitors in our community. Many learning experiences and lifelong skills are learned through exhibiting livestock. For more information on Central Florida Youth In Agriculture, Inc. please visit: www.youthinagriculture.com.

| Photo Courtesy of Next Level

A couple of guys with the “right stuff” participated together in U.S. bombing missions over Korea. Astronaut John Glenn and baseball Hall of Famer Ted Williams were co-pilots.

Twitter’s bird logo is named Larry, after Boston Celtics Hall of Famer Larry Bird.

When Oreo cookies were first made, they were mound-shaped. The name comes from the Greek work “oreo,” which means “hill.”

It cost $1 for admission to Disneyland when it opened in 1955.

The first minimum wage, instituted in the U.S. in 1938, was 25 cents an hour.

Home plate in baseball was square until 1900 when it was made fivesided to help umpires in calling balls and strikes.

Edgar Allan Poe often wrote his works with his cat seated on his shoulder.

Shopping

A while back I took ten days off and spent the time at our place on Moon Shadow in Blairsville, Georgia with my wife, Patsy, and Cynthia Holt, the mother of Sarah Holt, editor of In The Field.

The first thing on their agenda after we got settled in was a shopping trip to Home Depot for a 40 watt light bulb and to Wal-Mart for a pair of jeans for Patsy. What I thought would be a brief trip turned out to be an all afternoon excursion.

First stop was Home Depot. The girls decided to go in and look around while I made the purchase of the light bulb. In five minutes flat I had found the bulb and checked out. I looked around and they were no where to be found, so I sat down in a chair located next to the exit thinking they would be along shortly. WRONG! Fifteen minutes passed and I decided to go look for them. I walked the entire store. They were nowhere in sight. I decided they were playing hide-and-go-seek with me.

Back to the chair to wait! Five, ten, fifteen minutes still no Patsy and Cynthia. Maybe they slipped by me and went to the car. I checked the car and they were not there. Maybe one more round in the store would do it. That was when I made a rare discovery. I ran into a sales person in the electrical department. He said no, he had not seen the two ladies as he had been in the lounge in the back drinking coffee.

As a last resort I headed back to the chair to wait only to discover that it was occupied by a man in overalls with a dip of snuff under his bottom lip. ‘Been here long?” I asked.

“Nope,” he replied. Thinking I could pass some time until the girls show up, I tried to strike up a conversation. “Do you live around here,” I asked. “Yep,” he replied. “Have you finished shopping.”

“Didn’t come here to shop,” he said. “Well, why are you here?” I asked.

“I’m waiting for my wife Bertha. We came in here last week for a few things, and I ain’t seen’er since.” he said.

Hearing that made me feel better. I turned around and there they were, leaving the #4 checkout lane. Guess what? Patsy bought the same light bulb I went in for. What took them so long? Who knows? I didn’t ask, as I was just happy to get out of there.

Next stop, Wal-Mart. I let them off at the front entrance. Our last conversation was that they would be in the women’s department looking for jeans. I walked directly to that department immediately after parking the car. They were nowhere to be found, so I walked the store like I did at Home Depot, but there was no sign of them. A female sales representative in the women’s department noticed that I was walking back and forth and politely ask, “Sir, may I help you?”

I said, “No, I’ve lost my wife.” She looked me directly in the eyes and said, “Mister, I know men who would kill to be in your position!”

Like Home Depot, I headed for the chairs between the checkout counters and the exit. Watching the people coming and going, I thought it would be fun to get some of my friends to meet at Wal-Mart on a given day,

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

synchronize our watches, and on a set time we would all shop in slow motion.

A woman is capable of shopping in one store for hours. Knowing this I reconciled myself that it may be sometime before we leave. So what can a man do to entertain himself while waiting for his wife? As a kid we would set all of the alarm clocks to ring at the same time at McCrory’s Five and Dime store in Plant City. Can’t do that any more, because times have changed and all the clocks are electric. Maybe I could create some excitement if I went to the sporting goods department, picked up a shotgun and ask the clerk if he knows where the antidepressants are. Or, go into a fitting room, close the door and wait a minute; then yell loudly, “Hey, somebody! I need some toilet paper in here!”

Getting restless, I walked back to the women’s depart ment and there they were. I didn’t ask where they had been because their shopping cart gave the answer. They spent about 30-minutes in the grocery depart ment shopping for potato chips and a few odds and ends.

I didn’t score any points when I told them on the way back to the house that the next time they would not have to spend an hour getting all dressed up if they went to the Dollar Store instead of Wal-Mart. I guess men just don’t understand that women like to browse while shopping.

Erma Bombeck said it best, “Shopping is a woman thing. It’s a contact sport like football. Women enjoy the scrimmage, the noisy crowds, the danger of being trampled to death, and the ecstasy of the purchase.”

As for me, the next time they want to go shopping I’ll hand them the car keys and say, ‘Have fun. Where’s the

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THE LADY AND THE HIVE

By Libby Hopkins

Kristin Miners loves bees. She loves them so much that she started her own bee business called The Bee Lady, LLC. “I don’t have an agriculture or farming background,” Miners said. “My business started as a sustainability project for my kids. We started off with poultry and then went into different kinds of meat.”

Miners homeschools her children and it was in the process of teaching them about sustainability that the bees came into her teachings. “I was teaching them about sustainability and life skills when the bees came into play with our garden,” Miners said. “So, I attended my first ever beekeeping class at Highlands County Agricultural Civic Center.”

After attending this class and keeping up with her garden she realized she had a brown thumb. “The bees are something that really stuck with me and I realized how much I love working with them,” Miners said. “It made me want to explore doing beekeeping full-time.”

There are many benefits to beekeeping. Bees are pollinators. Insects and animals are the primary pollen carriers from one plant, such as wildflowers. Plants reproduce in this way. When a bee feeds on a plant, pollen attaches to the bee’s body. Some pollen enters the second plant’s reproductive system upon landing on it.

Pollination is the scientific term for this process. Plants can only produce new seeds through this process, and that’s how new plants grow. Plant life would be impossible without bees as pollinators.

Beekeeping provides predators with food. Beekeeping positively affects biodiversity since it helps maintain a stable food supply. Predators will have plenty to eat if bee numbers remain healthy. As a result, an apiaries population will help promote order in the food chain.

There are a lot of economic benefits to beekeeping. Many high-value crops, such as almonds and broccoli, depend entirely on commercial honey beekeepers’ pollination services. Insect pollination accounts for 9.5 percent of the global economic value of agricultural products for human consumption.

Researchers estimated in the year 2000 that the value of bee-pollinated crops in the United States alone amounted to $14.6 billion. Also, U.S. bees produce around $150 million worth of fresh honey annually.

So, if there is a reduction in bee populations because of harmful pesticides or any other cause, it can cause lower crop yields and destroy the ecosystem. Also, it can result in higher production costs and ultimately higher pricing for consumers. (https://honeybeehobbyist.com/benefits-of-beekeeping)

Miners never thought that a hobby she started during

the COVID-19 pandemic would turn into a full-time job where she teaches and mentors others on beekeeping. “If you have told me seven or eight years ago that I was going to do beekeeping as my full-time job, I would have told you, no way,” Miners said. “I was the kid who liked bugs as a kid. I would flip rocks and look at the bugs underneath them, but never really wanted to learn about them.”

Miners loves taking care of her bees and also helping people with their beekeeping needs. She also loves doing beehive removals. “People will call me in a panic because they have a hive on their property,” Miners said. “I love doing hive removals and relocating them so the bees and the hive can thrive.”

She also likes selling the honey her bees produce at local farmers’ markets. “I do bee flights at the markets and I love the reactions when they can taste the difference in flavors in the honey.”

If you would like to learn more about Miners and her business, The Bee Lady, LLC. You can visit her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=100057124374805 or you can email her at KristinTheKeeper@gmail.com.

FLORIDA BLOOD ORANGES

By Sandy Sun, M.S. Clinical Medicines, B.S. Nutrition Science

During the winter and spring months in Florida, fresh, juicy citrus is abundant and in peak season. Did you know that not all oranges are orange in color inside? Cara Cara oranges are pinkish inside and blood oranges have a dramatically dark red interior. The deep red color comes from anthocyanins, a type of antioxidant that Blood oranges also have. Their outer peel is dark orange with pink and red flecks. They are lower in acid than navel oranges, but slightly more tart with a bittersweet citrus flavor.

Originating in Sicily, blood oranges are also produced in the United States, mostly in California, Florida, Arizona, and Texas. The zest of the peel and interior are enjoyed raw, in baked goods, juices, and cocktails. The three main types of blood oranges are Moro, Tarocco, and Sanguinello. Moros are the most common blood oranges in the United States, and they have a sweet-tart flavor and deep red flesh. The peak season for Fresh Florida blood oranges is typically December through April.

NUTRITIONAL PROFILE

An excellent source of Vitamin C, a medium-sized blood orange contains more than 150% of the daily value for this vitamin. Oranges are also an excellent nutritional source of dietary fiber, folate, thiamin, potassium, and Vitamin A. In addition to these vitamins and minerals, oranges contain a wealth of other disease-fighting compounds, such as phytonutrients and antioxidants. These potent chemical fight cancer, lower cholesterol, and control blood sugar levels.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, one medium-sized blood orange (154 g) contains 70 calories, 0.2 g protein, 0.1g fat, 16 g carbohydrate, and 3 g of dietary fiber. It also provides 93% of the Daily Recommended Value (%DV) for Vitamin C, 12% for folate, 12% for dietary fiber, 11% for potassium, and many other vitamins and minerals.

Vitamin C

One delicious blood orange can meet almost your total daily requirement for vitamin C. This nutrient is important for a healthy immune system, cancer prevention, healthy blood circulation and wound healing. Vitamin C acts as a potent antioxidant in the body, neutralizing harmful free radicals and preventing its damaging effects in cells. By fighting cell and tissue damage, Vitamin C protects against cancer and other diseases, such as the common cold. This vitamin also helps the body absorb more iron, and aids in the development of strong bones and teeth.

Anthyocyanins

In addition to vitamin C, blood oranges contain other antioxidants, including flavonoids and carotenoids. Blood oranges are exceptionally high in the antioxidant anthocyanin, which

gives the fruit their reddish color and has anti-inflammatory properties. Eating foods high in anthocyanins may help protect against heart disease and diabetes.

How to Select and Store

Choose fresh blood oranges that have smoothly textured skin and are firm and heavy for their size. The juiciest oranges tend to be smaller, heavy for their size, and thin skinned with a sweet fragrance. Avoid those that have soft spots or discoloration. Blood oranges can be stored either at room temperature for up to one week or in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. The juice can be stored in the freezer for up to six months.

How to Enjoy

Since blood oranges come in their own natural packaging, they are a portable, convenient snack. You can simply peel and eat the orange or slice it into wedges and eat. Sweet-tart blood oranges can also be juiced and cooked into jams, sauces, and baked goods.

Use in savory or sweet preparations, pair with avocados, lettuces, nuts, bacon, other citruses, tropical fruits, fresh herbs, strong and aged cheeses, grains, seafood and poultry. Use the juice in curds, cocktails, vinaigrette and syrups. Other ways to enjoy blood oranges include:

• Slice orange and add to any fruit or vegetable salad

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

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

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

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

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

• Use the whole orange, peel and all, to make marmalade.

• Serve sliced oranges after a meal for dessert.

• Pair with cheese and bread for an easy appetizer or meal.

• Marinate chicken in the juice and add zest for a zip of fresh flavor.

Enjoy fresh Florida blood oranges in their peak season today. With their sweet juicy flavor, blood oranges are delicious as well as healthy!

SELECTED REFERENCES

http://www.growingproduce.com http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ http://www.whfoods.com

CENTRAL FLORIDA YOUTH IN AGRICULTURE LIVESTOCK SHOWCASE & SALE

Champion Junior Showman

Adalyn Compton

Reserve Champion Junior Showman

Truman Taylor

3rd Overall Junior Showman

Brayden Cranor

4th Overall Junior Showman

Hoyt Keller

5th Overall Junior Showman

Elizabeth Mcdowell

CENTRAL FLORIDA YOUTH IN AGRICULTURE BEEF BREEDING SHOW

TOP 5 Supreme Commercial Bulls

Supreme Champion Bull - Rilee Bennett - MR. MS CHEECHO ~ 767J5

Reserve Supreme Champion Bull - Carlee Taylor - CT MR TRAMP 814J

3rd Overall Bull - Madison Keller - JDM MR MAYO MANSO 202

4th Overall Bull - Elizabeth McDowellEM JOSEPH 202

5th Overall Bull - Sara Clanton

Champion American Influence Bull

Rilee Bennett - MR. MS CHEECHO

Reserve Champion American Influence

Bull

Carlee Taylor - CT MR TRAMP 814J

3rd Overall American Influence Bull

Madison Keller- JDM MR MAYO MANSO 202

Champion European Bull

Elizabeth Mcdowell - EM JOSEPH 202

Reserve Champion European Bull

Sara Clanton - 545 lbs

3rd Overall European Bull

Danielle Golemme - ELMER ~ 22

Champion Zebu Bulls

Shayanne LaRue - MULLINS CROFT

CARMELITO ~ DG01

Reserve Champion Zebu Bulls

Evangelina Garcia - GARCIAS RANCH OAKLEY’S OUTLAW

Bred & Owned Commercial Bulls

Bred & Owned Champion Bull

Carlee Taylor - CT MR TRAMP 814J

Bred & Owned Reserve Champion Bull

Elizabeth McDowell - EM JOSEPH 202

TOP 5 Supreme Overall Females

Supreme Champion Female - Payge

Dupre – Brangus Champion

Reserve Champion Female - Carlie

Shenefield – Commercial Champion

3rd Overall Female - Raelan Sherouse –

AOB Champion

4th Overall Female - Mattisen Keeble –

Reserve Commercial Champion

5th Overall Female - Raelan Sherouse –

Angus Champion

Registered Females AOB

Champion AOB Heifer

Raelan Sherouse - LADY VOODOO

ASTN PARIS ~ ASTN1K

Reserve Champion AOB Heifer

Lily Harwell - FRIE TAMMY ~ K39

Angus Champion Angus Heifer

Raelan Sherouse - LNL FOREVER LADY 0808 ~ 0808

Reserve Champion Angus Heifer

Raelan Sherouse - LNL SWEET EMOTION 2341 ~ 2341

Brahman

Champion Brahman Heifer

Rilee Bennett - MORENO MS. LADY

BOTTEGA VENETA ~ 460/3

Reserve Champion Brahman Heifer

Zibe Stein - DOLLY ~ Brand 103

Brangus Champion Brangus Heifer

Payge Dupre - M&M 844/J

Reserve Champion Brangus Heifer

Madison Stokes - MM 844/J1 (AUTUMN) ~ 844/J1

Ultra Brangus

Champion Ultra Brangus Heifer

Truman Taylor - TT MS. PENNY 121K

Reserve Champion Ultra Brangus Heifer

Carlee Taylor - CT MS FINLEY 108J2

Simmental

Champion Simmental Heifer

Lily Harwell - LGHC DAISY I120

Reserve Champion Simmental Heifer

Carlie Shenefield - BFGM MARIE LAVEAU 750K

Zebu

Champion Zebu Heifer

Hope McKay - CHARISMA ~ MN1

Reserve Champion Zebu Heifer

Rylee Leonard - SBC FARMS JULIET ~ S1

Commercial Females

Champion American Influenced

Carlee Taylor - 735 lbs

Reserve Champion American Influenced

Bryce Fitzgerald – 1065 lbs

Champion European

Commercial Heifer

Carlie Shenefield - 1470 lbs

Reserve Champion European Commercial Heifer

Mattisen Keeble - 755 lbs

Cow/Calf Division

Cow/Calf Champion

McKenzie Hollie – Angus Division

Cow/Calf Reserve Champion

Carlee Taylor – Ultra Brangus Division

Bred & Owned Females

Bred & Owned American Champion

Heifer

Truman Taylor - TT MS PENNY 121K –Ultra Brangus Division

Bred & Owned American Reserve

Champion Heifer

Carlee Taylor - CT MS FINLEY 108J2

Bred & Owned Euro Champion Heifer

Raelan Sherouse - LNL FOREVER LADY 0808

Bred & Owned Euro Reserve Champion

Heifer

Ansley Bryant - Grace

CENTRAL FLORIDA YOUTH IN AGRICULTURE STEER SHOWS

Overall Supreme Steer

Photos Courtesy of Next Level

McKenzie Hollie – Prospect Division

Reserve Overall Supreme Steer

Layne Walker – Market Division

Market Steer Division

Grand Champion Market Steer

Layne Walker

Reserve Champion Market Steer

Zachary Gibbons

3rd Overall Market Steer

Sara Clanton

4th Overall Market Steer

Carlee Taylor

5th Overall Market Steer

Mattisen Keeble

Prospect Steer Division

Grand Champion Prospect Steer

McKenzie Hollie – European

Reserve Champion Prospect Steer

Brayden Outlaw

Market Hog Division

Champion Lightweight Market Hogs

Camdyn Herman - 232 lbs

Reserve Champion Lightweight Market Hogs

Ansley Hill - 228 lbs

3rd place Lightweight Market Hogs

Kayda Decatur - 163 lbs

4th place Lightweight Market Hogs

Addison Hill - 183 lbs

5th place Lightweight Market Hogs

Aubrey Hill - 195 lbs

Champion Middleweight Market Hogs

Alyssa Hillman - 273 lbs

Reserve Champion Middleweight Market Hogs

Caleb Fletcher - 256 lbs

3rd place Middleweight Market Hogs

Tobey Price - 250 lbs

4th place Middleweight Market Hogs

Dayton Cristofaro -243 lbs

5th place Middleweight Market Hogs

Ashlynn Carroll -262 lbs

Champion Heavyweight Market Hogs

Charley Palmer -286 lbs

Reserve Champion Heavyweight

Market Hogs

Haylie Stephens

62

279 lbs

3rd place Heavyweight Market Hogs

Ryleigh Ittleman

119

301 lbs

4th place Heavyweight Market Hogs

Dalaney Price

280 lbs

5th place Heavyweight Market Hogs

Max Keen - 295 lbs

Champion Market Hog

Charley Palmer - 286 lbs

Reserve Champion Market Hog

Camdyn Herman - 232 lbs

3rd Overall Market Hog

Alyssa Hillman - 273 lbs

4th Overall Market Hog

Haylie Stephens - 279 lbs

5th Overall Market Hog

Caleb Fletcher - 256 lbs

Swine Showmanship Results

4th Overall Junior Showman

Kylynn Walls

5th Overall Junior Showman

Aubrey White

Champion Intermediate Showman

Camdyn Herman

Reserve Champion Intermediate Showman

Haylie Stephens

3rd Overall Intermediate Showman

Aubrey Hill

4th Overall Intermediate Showman

Alyssa Hillman

5th Overall Intermediate Showman

Charley Palmer

Champion Senior Showman

Caleb Fletcher

Reserve Champion Senior Showman

Tobey Price

3rd Overall Senior Showman

Luke Kinard

4th Overall Senior Showman

Madison Carlton

5th Overall Senior Showman

Rilee Bennett

Champion Duroc Breeding Gilt

Haylie Stephens

Reserve Champion Duroc Breeding Gilt

Camdyn Herman

Champion Purebred Breeding Gilt

Haylie Stephens

Champion Adaptive Showman Swine –Jacob Melton

Champion Overall Showman – Camdyn Herman

Champion Novice Showman

Ansley Hill

Reserve Champion Novice Showman

Dayton Cristofaro

3rd Overall Novice Showman

Garrett Harrison

4th Overall Novice Showman

Hadley Compton

5th Overall Novice Showman

Bradenton Whitehurst

Champion Junior Showman

Addison Hill

Reserve Champion Junior Showman

Dallas Stephens

3rd Overall Junior Showman

Kayda Decatur

Reserve Champion Purebred Breeding Gilt

Caleb Fletcher

Champion Crossbred Breeding Gilt

Camdyn Herman

Reserve Champion Crossbred Breeding Gilt

Dayton Cristofaro

Supreme Champion Breeding Gilt

Camdyn Herman

28-3

281 lbs

Reserve Supreme Champion Breeding Gilt

Dayton Cristofaro

85-9

287 lbs

GOOD JOB, POLK COUNTY RESIDENTS! AN EARTH DAY MESSAGE OF CONSERVATION AND POSITIVE CHANGE

Molly Griner, UF/IFAS Extension Polk County Master Gardener Volunteer Anne Yasalonis, UF/IFAS Extension Polk County Residential Horticulture

Earth Day is this month (Saturday, April 22) and it is always a great time to focus on Florida’s environmental health. It can be discouraging to read about declining water quality, disappearing natural habitat and other problems facing our irreplaceable natural resources. Ready to hear some good news? UF/IFAS Extension Polk County compiled statistics for the past year, 2022, based on outreach activities of the Master Gardener Volunteers, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, and horticulture faculty and staff. Read on to learn ways in which YOU – our Polk County residents -- have impacted our environment in a positive way by committing to making a positive change in your landscape!

* In 2022, a total of 2,937 Polk residents attended 195 horticulture workshops. Topics for many of these programs included Florida-Friendly Landscaping practices.

* Residents saved 28,387,750 gallons of water as a result of attending educational workshops and classes. Much of this programming focused on teaching ways to reduce irrigation for landscapes.

* Polk County residents saved $71,313, based on 815 Plant Clinic consultations. Master Gardener Volunteers in our Plant

Clinic provide a free service answering residents’ questions and identifying horticultural problems by telephone, email, and in-office visits to the UF/IFAS Extension Polk County office in Bartow.

* Master Gardener Volunteers educated 4,342 Polk County youth, who learned about earth-friendly horticultural topics. Some of these programs include Polk County’s annual award-winning youth activity, Agrifest, in which most 4thgrade students in the county attend an intensive morninglong horticultural learning experience. Agrifest topics support requirements by the Florida Public School System and focus on pollinators and the production of plants. Other youth activities included Dirt Days, a cooperative program with Polk County Natural Resources and Friends of the Park. Dirt Days are held at Circle B Bar Reserve. Additionally, Polk County Master Gardener Volunteers propagated and donated 45 vegetable garden flats to local school gardens.

* In 2022, Polk County residents attended programs learning about Florida-Friendly Landscaping™. These activities were supported by $23,000 that was raised by Polk Master Gardener Volunteers for this purpose. The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ program is a guide to sustainable landscap-

ing practices, with nine easy-to-use principles. The practice of these nine landscaping principles help the environment by reducing the use of irrigation, and lessening the damage in our communities from improperly used fertilizers, pesticides and other toxic chemicals.

* In 2022, 84 trained Master Gardener Volunteers of Polk County contributed volunteer hours, equivalent to 5 full-time employees and generating a value of $233,795.

Residents that participated in UF/IFAS Extension horticulture programming also indicated that they started composting, replaced lawn with mulched plant beds, reduced irrigation frequency, practiced ways to reduce stormwater runoff, and properly applied fertilizer.

These statistics show that residents CAN make important contributions to help our environment! We encourage you to find one thing you can do to make a difference this Earth Day, or any day! For tips and ideas visit https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/ and consider attending one of our workshops (to register, go to http://polkgardening.eventbrite.com ).

For more information, contact UF/IFAS Extension Polk County at (863) 519-1041 or visit us online at http://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/ polk. The Plant Clinic is open Monday-Friday, 9:00 am-4:00 pm to answer your gardening and landscaping questions. Give us a call or email us at polkmg@ifas.ufl.edu.

If you are not in Polk County, Contact your local UF/IFAS Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Plant Clinic.

The Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program is a volunteer-driven program that benefits UF/IFAS Extension and the citizens of Florida. The program extends the vision of the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, all the while protecting and sustaining natural resources and environmental systems, enhancing the development of

human resources, and improving the quality of human life through the development of knowledge in agricultural, human and natural resources and making that knowledge accessible.

An Equal Opportunity Institution.

Recipes

Courtesy of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Chef Justin Timineri

Florida Cucumber and Sweet Pepper Salad

Ingredients q q

2 Florida bell peppers (or 12 small sweet peppers), seeds removed and sliced thin (a variety of colored peppers is recommended)

2 Florida cucumbers

1 red onion

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped fine

1 tablespoon fresh herbs (basil, thyme, oregano or mint)

2 tablespoons white wine vinegar

1 tablespoon olive oil

Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS

Add all ingredients, except the salt and pepper, to a medium-sized mixing bowl. Lightly toss all ingredients to coat. Taste salad and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Keep refrigerated and serve cold.

Florida Tomato Linguine Sauté

Ingredients q q

2 pounds ripe Florida tomatoes

1 pound whole-wheat linguine (or your favorite pasta)

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 bunch fresh basil, hand torn (or 1 tablespoon

DIRECTIONS

dried)

1/2 cup olive oil

1 lemon, zested and juiced

Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

Wash and rinse tomatoes. Dry tomatoes, then core and cut in half. Use a spoon to remove most of the seeds. Chop tomatoes coarsely. Add chopped tomatoes to a colander, sprinkle with a few pinches of salt and let them sit so they can release some of their water (this should only take a half an hour and can be done ahead of time). Combine drained tomatoes, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest and garlic into a large sauté pan. Heat tomato mixture over low heat (the idea is to warm the mixture and not cook it). Cook and drain pasta according to package directions. Combine pasta and tomato mixture together in a bowl. Add fresh basil and Parmesan to pasta dish. Taste for seasoning and adjust with kosher salt and fresh ground pepper. Serve warm with crusty bread or chill for later.

SCIENTISTS WARN OF INVASIVE PLANT PEST; SAY EARLY DETECTION, REPORTING KEY

By Tory Moore

An invasive thrips species has started to wreak havoc in Florida. The insect was first detected in Florida in 2020 but has since spread significantly across the state. What once was isolated to greenhouses now has begun to harm a wide range of plants including those in residential landscapes.

The insect, Thrips parvispinus -- commonly known as pepper thrips -- is one of the smallest thrips species in Florida. Its size makes it challenging to detect. The tiny insects fly and hop from plant to plant, rasping the plant with their mouth parts and sucking the sap. Feeding on the plant restricts the plant’s growth and reduces crop yields. Researchers don’t know of any viruses this species transmits, but often, thrips can transmit viruses between plants, killing the plants.

“In order to minimize any kind of negative impacts we started warning people right away that this pest had made its way to Florida,” said Lance Osborne, UF/IFAS entomologist at the Mid-Florida Research and Education Center. “We better be careful. This insect is notorious for damaging peppers around the world but now it has moved from the greenhouse to the environment and has established itself in several areas around the state.”

Currently, scientists don’t know of any effective predators or other biologicals that attack Thrips parvispinus in Florida and chemical control has been very difficult. That makes early detection and prevention even more important.

“While damage symptoms are the most noticeable indicators of its infestations, they may not appear until after the plant has sustained considerable harm,” said Muhammad “Zee” Ahmed, USDA research entomologist. “As they say, prevention is always better than cure, and this is particularly true when dealing with Thrips parvispinus.”

The research team including Ahmed, Cindy McKenzie of USDA, and UF/IFAS Extension agent John Roberts conducted a survey of garden centers in Palm Beach County to understand how widespread the pest is. Eight out of nine stores entomologists visited had the pest.

In November, a south Florida grower lost an entire pepper crop to the pest valued at more than $1.3 million.

“At first, the damage can mimic mites and can be misleading,” said Osborne. “The control methods are not the same and without proper treatment, these thrips can take out a whole crop.”

Entomologists encourage growers to scout often and inspect their plants carefully.

“It isn’t that the sky is falling but we have to pay attention to this and not ignore it,” said Osborne. “Growers of any crop should be aware. This insect seems to have a fairly broad host range. This won’t just impact peppers and ornamental plant growers.”

The pest has been detected on a wide variety of plants including 43 species from 19 plant families including fiber crops, vegetables and ornamental plants.

“Now that we know more about the insect, we need to do more research to know how to manage them,” said Osborne. “We want to help growers avoid wasting money and chemicals so we are working to develop effective spraying strategies for controlling their populations.”

Researchers are conducting controlled experiments in quarantine facilities including Alexandra Revynthi at the UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center and Osborne at MREC. But scientists are eager to test their findings in realword scenarios.

The regulations for research on controlled pests of this kind are strict. Scientists cannot move plant material or the live insects outside of infested areas, or work with them in university facilities accept in an approved quarantine room. These quarantine rooms are very small and not much different than a broom closet, which makes testing difficult.

“We are hearing that some things may work to control these thrips, but we need to conduct research to validate what we are hearing,” said Osborne. “I may find something to be successful when testing it here in a small room with artificial lighting, but it might not work in a greenhouse, landscape or vegetable field. We’re interested in working with growers to help manage the pest so we can better understand how to treat these thrips in a commercial setting.”

Growers who detect Thrips parvispisnus should immediately report their findings to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry. Then, researchers can work with growers to help manage the pest and develop the best treatment options available.

A new website developed in collaboration between UF/IFAS and USDA provides detailed information on the insect’s biology, early detection, and damage symptoms with detailed videos and images.

“This information will be critical in developing effective control strategies and preventing the further spread of this invasive species in the U.S.,” said Ahmed.

ABOUT UF/IFAS

The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents.

NEWS BRIEFS

Compiled by Jim Frankowiak

USDA Offers Help to Producers Recover from Hurricane Ian

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has a range of programs to help Florida producers rebuild their operations and increase their revenue as they recover from the impact of Hurricane Ian.

Farmers.gov, the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster Assistance-at-a-Glance fact sheet and Farm Loan Discovery Tool can help producers and landowners determine program or loan options.

Farm Bureau Federation Offers New Children’s Book

Feeding Minds Press, American Farm Bureau Foundation’s publishing arm, has a new book for children. Farm Boots looks at the various types of boots farmers and ranchers use. More information about the book, including how to order, is available at: feedingmindspress.com.

Springs Protection Awareness Month

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) has declared this month as Springs Awareness Protection Month, emphasizing that springs are vital to the environment, economy, citizens and visitors of the state. There are more than 200 springs in the 16-county District with five, first magnitude spring groups that collectively discharge more than 1 billion gallons of water each day.

University of Florida Ag College Ranked 23rd Globally

Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) has just released its latest Top 50 World University Rankings by Subject report. The report ranked the University of Florida (UF) as #23 among Ag colleges globally. UF was ranked #28 in last year’s report that is based on a methodology that measures academic reputation, employer reputation and research impact at 1,594 institutions globally.

USDA Announces Funding to Help Energy Needs of Farmers, Ranchers and Rural Businesses

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now accepting applications for $1 billion in grants to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses invest in renewable energy

systems and make energy-efficiency improvements. Information on application deadlines and submission details is available on page 19239 of the March 31 Federal Register at www. federalregister.gov.

Buyers Club Available to Farm Bureau Members

Farm Bureau members are also exclusive members of the Farm Bureau Buyers Club permitting them to purchase discount-priced “Florida’s Best”® products such as citrus and peanuts and products produced by fellow Farm Bureau members nationwide like sausage, smoked turkeys, catfish, frozen fruits and vegetables and more. Visit: floridafarmbureau.org/benefits/fama for more information.

UF/IFAS Offers Monthly Webinar Series to Help Keep Landscapes and Trees Healthy

Faculty and scientists at the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) have introduced a monthly webinar series to keep Florida’s landscapes and tree canopies thriving. The South Florida Arboriculture and Landscape Professional Webinars Series are presented at noon on the third Thursday of each month and take less than an hour. Participants must register for each webinar. Webinars are free. For industry participants seeking continuing education credits (CEUs), webinars are $10 each. For more information and registration, visit: https://discover.pbcgov.org/coextension/Lists/NewsEvents/NewsDispForm.aspx?ID=138&RootF older=%2Fcoextension%2FLists%2FNewsEvents&Source=htt ps%3A%2F%2Fdiscover.pbcgov.org%2Fcoextension%2FPage s%2Fdefault.aspx

National Hurricane Center Issues “Ian” Impact Report

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has blamed Hurricane Ian for 156 deaths and $112 billion in Damage. Of the $112 billion in damage, most of it came in Florida for a total of $109.5 billion, the costliest hurricane in Florida history. Sixty-six direct deaths were attributed to the storm in Florida. The state’s crops took a hit as well with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) estimating losses ranging from $1.1 billion to $1.8 billion.

Giant Swath of Seaweed Headed to Shore!

by John Dicks | Photo by iStock

It’s likely that you’ve read, heard, or seen the news about the giant blob of seaweed headed towards our Florida shores.

As if our recent encroachment of red tide wasn’t bad enough (and hitting our shores months before its normal invasion), now we’re facing tons of yucky and decaying seaweed which they say also puts out a noxious and raunchy smell.

What a “Welcome to Florida” it will be for all the tourists!

Then again, maybe smaller crowds this summer would be a good thing. Yes, I’m only kidding about that (sorta).

Of course I’m always looking for that silver lining in any cloudy situation. Though this one may really turn out to be a mess.

Already the giant swath of seaweed has swept its way mostly across the Atlantic. If it was a straight line, with no gaps along the way, it would stretch completely from the western coast of Africa all the way across the ocean, nearly in sight of the Miami Beach condos.

Satellite images suggest that it’s more than 5,000 miles wide!

The good news, at least the bit that there is and which I want to address first, is that by most accounts the blob will not cause much of a mess to our western Gulf coast beaches. The panhandle of Florida may not be so lucky, and it looks like much of our east coast neighbors will be enjoying things up close and personal.

It’s being said that this is a natural occurring phenomena that science has been studying for more than a decade. That they make it sound so commonplace makes me wonder a bit why we haven’t heard more about it any time before.

Technically, the seaweed blob is not some kind of mysterious, invasive creature running amok and out of control. Instead, it’s JUST a massive algae bloom known as sargassum. Its area of origin has been assigned an official name, the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt, and is considered the largest such seaweed bloom on the planet.

The experts say that sargassum has been floating in the ocean for eons. Maybe some 30 million years, though

I never can understand how they can be so decisive about such things.

Regardless of its estimated 30 million year history, it’s said that Christopher Columbus discovered the stuff during his 15th century voyages. He wrote about it in his journals and named it with reference to a Portuguese term for a similarlooking plant.

He was concerned that the colossal clumps of seaweed might trap a ship or hide dangerous shallows and reefs.

Sargassum has a simple life. It just floats wherever wind blows it and tide take it. It’s kept on the surface of the water by a number of gas-filled pods.

It all starts in the Sargasso Sea, which is a large area of the Atlantic Ocean, and is unique in that it has no land boundary. Currents just whip things along and allows the seaweed to grow and multiply.

Sargassum does have some good side benefits. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), sargassum creates a unique ecosystem for a variety of marine creatures.

Some 70 species of marine animals, including shrimp, crabs, fish and even birds seem to feed and multiply from the habitat it produces. Baby turtles love to hide in there and float along with the mat of grass.

It also produces lots of oxygen by converting through photosynthesis the massive amounts of carbon dioxide that it sequesters in its floating mat.

Fisherman suggest that it even makes the fish healthier, stronger, and much more plentiful. Their only complaint is getting a boat through the blob of seaweed and finding a clear spot to cast a line.

All in all, it’s just one more thing to give us something to gripe about while we gear up our plans for the summer!

Still, I’ll take Florida over any other place!

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

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

we get better at protecting our environment.

By Grady Judd, Polk County Sheriff

A FRIEND IN NEED

The old saying goes, “A friend in need is a friend indeed.” This past week several of our deputies made a new friend who started out being a friend in need – and ended up being an inspiration to us all.

Sergeant Paul Butler, who is assigned to our Northeast District in Davenport, was out on the Chain of Lakes in Winter Haven in his pontoon boat on a beautiful March Sunday afternoon with his new bride. The wind was fair and the water was a bit choppy, and they noticed a man alone in a long canoe/kayak on Lake Jessie. They noticed this man particularly because other boaters weren’t being very cautious while riding past him, and he appeared to be struggling a bit in their wake. So Paul Butler – who was off-duty of course but who never hesitates to jump in and help a citizen in need –maneuvered his way over to the man, who told him that his name was Ben Brown, from Nova Scotia. Paul asked Ben if he needed assistance, and Ben simply asked him to meet him at the boat ramp on Lake Hartridge.

Paul took his time because, after all, he didn’t think a canoe powered by paddle could outrun a boat with a motor. Paul was wrong. When he arrived at the boat ramp, Ben was there patiently waiting. Ben then pointed at his custom wheelchair resting on the bank and asked if Paul could help him get from his canoe into his chair. Paul gladly obliged. Paul then helped Ben get his canoe on top of his car.

From that point forward, the two became friends, and Paul would soon be asked again to help Ben at a boat ramp.

You see, Ben is a para-athlete. In his younger days, he raced in motocross events, until he was injured and paralyzed from the waist down. Ben was born competitive, with a need for speed – so he simply found other sports in which to compete, as a paraplegic. He raced ATVs and wheelchairs, played para-basketball and ice

hockey, and then fell in love with para-canoeing. Ben lives in Canada, so he trains in Polk County during the colder months. He loves the Chain of Lakes. And last year he placed fourth in the world in canoe racing.

Ben told Paul that when he’s out training in the water, he just needs help getting the canoe into the water, and then getting it back onto his car. He leaves his wheelchair near the boat ramp and waits for assistance when he’s done training in the water. Polk County’s citizens are always friendly and agreeable to help Ben, who is very charming and likable. But on Monday, March 20th, an unknown citizen took Ben’s wheelchair, and PCSO deputies were on the case.

Ben was training on Lake Cannon that day and when he returned, his chair was gone. He patiently waited for someone to come by, and when a man arrived with his boat, he helped Ben by calling PCSO. When Ben got his own phone from his car, he called Paul. Then the Calvary arrived.

Deputies Piche and Aguilar searched high and low, and found Ben’s wheelchair several hundred yards away under a pavilion. If we catch up with whoever took the chair, they will have some explaining to do. The good news is that the wheelchair was found.

With all of the ugliness in the world, we wanted to share a story about kindness. If you see a young man racing his canoe on any of Polk County’s lakes, we hope you’ll proceed slowly so as not to capsize him, or maybe even stop and say hello. As for us, we will continue to cheer Ben on. He truly is an inspiration.

A Closer Look by Sean Green Tent Caterpillars (Malacosoma)

The weather this month has been amazing. I know of many folks that avoid the outdoors most of the year because they don’t like the Florida insects that will be encountered. I spent nearly every weekend last month at various outdoor festivals and the common conversation I overheard was patrons anticipating caterpillars falling out of the trees and into their shirt collar. It has only been in the past two weeks that their fears have come to fruition. One of the caterpillar species that we can expect in the early springtime of Florida is commonly known as the tent caterpillar. Though bothersome, these caterpillars are harmless and worth a closer look while they are abundant.

Tent caterpillars are members of the family (Lasiocampidae), also known as snout moths because their protruding mouth parts resemble a nose. Within this family there are over 200 genera and more than 2,000 species worldwide. The tent caterpillars you are most likely to see this month in our part of Florida belong to the genus (Malacosoma). There are two species that are of interest; the Eastern Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma Americanum), which may alarm homeowners as they feed almost exclusively on ornamental trees, and there is the Forest Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria), which is the species most often encountered in the wild as they feed on the variety of deciduous hardwood trees typically found in our parks and forests.

The eastern tent caterpillars (Malacosoma Americanum) typically emerge in March along with the forest tent caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria) and likewise, have one generation per year. Unlike the forest caterpillar, the eastern caterpillar prefers ornamentals in the rose family (Rosaceae), which include agriculture crops such as plum, cherry, peach, raspberry,

blackberry, and strawberry. Newly hatched caterpillars begin collaborative construction of a silk tent immediately after emerging. It is within their shared tent that the entire colony of 200-300 will rest and molt. Unlike the forest tent caterpillars, which feed whenever they are hungry, the eastern tent caterpillars feed on a schedule; three times per day, breakfast just before dawn, lunch in the midafternoon, and dinner right after sunset. At each mealtime, the caterpillars exit and tend to the tent, adding silk to it to accommodate the growth of the colony. Once done, they travel together to a feeding site that has been identified and marked with a pheromone covered silken trail that leads them to a source of food found earlier by a scout caterpillar. Once they are done feeding, the caterpillars return to the tent to rest until the next feeding time. As they grow, they shed their skin (molt) through six growth stages. When the caterpillars have matured to their sixth and final growth stage (instar) their feeding schedule changes to only one time per day in the evening.

Unlike other caterpillars, including the forest tent caterpillar that have pigmented colors on their skin, the eastern tent caterpillars use “structural color” for the blue and white patches while the black and orange coloration are pigmented. Structural color is created by iridescence and the refraction of sunlight. The cool thing about it is that it changes color with the angle of the view or light. A common example of structural color is a peacock’s feathers. They are pigmented brown, but because structural color, they look blue, turquoise, and green. Rather than sport bright colorful warning signs of red and yellow to warn predators like other insects do, eastern tent caterpillars work together when they feel threatened. When a danger is near, individual caterpillars will start thrashing about with the tail end of their body. This initial response

Give photo credit: Eastern Tent Caterpillar by Lacy L. Hyche, Auburn University

Give photo credit:

Forest Tent Caterpillar by Steven Katovich

from one caterpillar causes a chain reaction until the entire colony is thrashing about and thus making an attack on any single individual difficult and often startling a predator away. This brings us to an important defense strategy that distinguishes the eastern tent caterpillar from its cousin the forest tent caterpillar. The eastern tent caterpillars feed on plants in the (Rosaceae) family, many species of which contain a chemical called amygdalin, which releases cyanide when digested, thus making the caterpillars that consume such plants toxic to predators in much the same way the Monarch butterfly is toxic from the milkweed it consumes. It is important to note that the sequestering of toxins is designed for natural predators, which tend to be small, such as birds, other insects, reptiles, and the like; not humans or horses as we clarify below.

In 2002 the eastern tent caterpillar became the villain associated with mare reproductive loss syndrome (MRLS). MRLS was first observed in Kentucky in May of 2001 when up to 30% of Kentucky’s mares suffered later term abortions. It just so happened that during that period, Kentucky saw a heavy outbreak of eastern tent caterpillars (Malacosoma Americanum). By June of 2001, the eastern tent caterpillars had pupated, emerged as adult moths, and were no longer available for research. Research continued with only a hypothesis that the cyanide sequestered from the black cherry trees that hosted the caterpillars was passed along to mares that ate the caterpillars and the toxins were ultimately the cause of MRLS. During research, the administration of both cyanide and mandelonitrile (the cyanide containing component in cherry leaves) to horses demonstrated that cyanide does not cause MRLS as previously suspected. Fast forwarding through years of research it was finally discovered that the root cause of MRLS is a simple mechanical irritation caused by of the setae (spines) of the caterpillar. When swallowed, the setae penetrate the intestinal blood vessels of the mare and consequently transport bacterial pathogens through the cardiovascular system and into the fetus, still vulnerable without a fully developed immune system, the organs and tissue quickly fail to infection resulting in a still born or abortion. It is ultimately bacterial infections, not sequestered toxins that causes MRLS and the infections can be associated with any caterpillar with setae, not just the tent caterpillar. From this study we can see that the spines on caterpillars, regardless of toxins, may be an ancient mechanical defense for a variety of caterpillars.

The forest tent caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria) has one generation per year and began emerging in mid-March and we may see the emergence taper off through the month of April. These caterpillars are not villainized like the eastern tent caterpillar, but because they also have setae, are potentially just as capable of being a vector for MRLS as any caterpillar

with setae. The forest tent caterpillar is often the species that drops out of trees (accidently) and down the neck of your shirt but are not generally medically significant to humans. The caterpillars will feed on the new tree leaves, buds, and flowers through five instars, or growing phases. Typical host trees in Florida include Oak, Sweetgum, and Sugar Maple, though the caterpillars will feed on other deciduous trees and during large outbreaks when preferred food sources were scarce are known to feed on conifers and citrus. When these caterpillars are first born, they are very tiny and stick together as a clan. The social behavior of these caterpillars distinguishes them from other caterpillars that complete their development alone after emerging from the egg. An egg mass can contain hundreds of emerging caterpillars, all of which forage, sleep, and travel together until they reach their final fifth instar and independently seek refuge for pupation. The foraging behavior is unique; the caterpillars forage for food as an organized group when needed and a hunger signal from only a few individuals will result in the entire colony setting out for a foraging trip. When foraging, the caterpillars lay down a silk strand along the travel route. The silk strands not only indicate the route in which to find the food source, but provide traction, like a road, for the caravan of caterpillars. Caterpillars that venture off the trail, often fall off the tree to their own demise.

When it comes to sleep, the forest tent caterpillar is like a hard-core camper when compared to the eastern tent caterpillar. Unlike the eastern tent caterpillar (Malacosoma Americanum), the forest caterpillar makes silken blankets along the trunks and branches of the host tree and the entire colony relies on the collaborative blanket they have created together for rest and molting. Because the caterpillars cannot generate much heat internally, they bask together in the sun, usually on their blanket, to raise their body temperature and by staying close to each other can stay warm enough to develop more quickly than other caterpillars. This behavior of group thermoregulation can result in cyclic population spikes in proportions that have resulted in defoliation of up to 30,000 acres of Florida forestland. Such outbreaks typically occur every six to 16 years or so and taper off to normal levels within four years. The latest data from University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences (UF\IFAS) suggests that the last serious outbreak in West Central Florida began in the spring of 1993 and escalated until 1997 after which UF\IFAS reports a noticeable decline in forest tent caterpillars and there was no tree mortality resulting from the last recorded outbreak. We are certainly not seeing a catastrophic outbreak this year, so take the time to take a closer look at tent caterpillars while you are out this month.

HORSES CROSSED CONTINENT TO FIND HOME IN WESTERN U.S., NEW SCIENCE SHOWS

By Tory Moore

For the first time, horses are telling the story of how they spread and flourished in the western U.S.

Until now, the accepted theory of when and how horses came to the Great Plains and Northern Rockies was shaped by word of mouth and lore. New research establishes the expansion of the domesticated horse through DNA evidence.

Researchers compared genetic samples from horse remains at archeological sites to the genetics of rare, early horse breeds similar to those that came over with early settlers. Familial ties were found, indicating that horses arrived with Europeans and then made their way west during the 17th century. Horses were not out west 10,000 years ago when nomadic people first arrived in North America. Some archaeological evidence, like bones, horseshoes and colonial items, have been found in various locations across the U.S. and occasionally in deposits west of the Mississippi. However, when it came to whether horses were always in the western U.S. or if they came over with Europeans and Spaniards and made it from east coast to the Rockies, horses left an open book.

Horses themselves and horsemanship seemed to have spread west faster than Europeans did, the study also found. Some of the early horse fossils showed horses were established in the Great Plains before the European and Spanish made their way west. More research needs to be done to understand just how this happened, but it’s another fascinating finding.

Besides filling in some blanks in the history books, this research has real implications for how horses are selected for breeding today.

“We can see aspects of genetic selection from 3,000 years ago that are likely important for a good temperament and a strong back in our horses today,” said Samantha Brooks, UF/IFAS associate professor of equine genetics whose lab collected DNA samples for the study and helped analyze the data. “Those are things horse people still struggle with today. The more we learn about genetics that control those aspects of horse health, the better off we can take care of our horses today.”

With this new understanding of horse expansion to the west is a new understanding of the role horses played in Indigenous cultures. Horses have been a significant part of many Native American cultures, but this research sheds light on when and how horses were integrated into their lives.

“European nations valued the horse, but horses did not become a life changing cultural icon to them as it did to the Indigenous people,” Brooks. “The horse suited the nomadic plains lifestyle so remarkably well.”

Nomadic people may not have made it to North America 10,000 years ago with horses in hand, but somehow their way of life was so well suited to the horse that once it arrived in the western U.S. plains, it thrived as part of the Native American culture.

“Some tribal historians thought it was possible that the horses found out west were genetically distinct from the lineage that arrived with Spanish and European colonizers, but the data showed that is unlikely,” said Brooks. “This is almost a more remarkable finding. The level of skill the Native peoples have with horse handling and management is truly impressive, and this study tells us that they developed that skill in a relatively short amount of time.”

One of the fossilized horses used in the study was found to have sustained a skull fracture at some point in its life that was unrelated to its later death. An injury like that would have almost certainly required supportive care in order to survive, a testament to how tough these early horses had to be, and to how well Indigenous communities cared for the animals.

“Native people adapted and flourished as a horse culture in the blink of a historical eye,” said Brooks. “It’s almost like their connection to the horse was instinctual.”

Special thanks to the Livestock Conservancy and owners and breeders of rare horse breeds such as the Galiceño, Marsh Tacky and Florida Cracker Horse that contributed genetic samples to the study. Without those samples, this research would not have been possible.

ABOUT UF/IFAS

The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents.

CENTRAL FLORIDA YOUTH IN AGRICULTURE BELT BUCKLE DESIGN COMPETITION

The results are in for the buckle art contest. Not only can these kids show but they can draw as well. We had some amazing buckles submitted.

Below are your division winners:

*Emily Cason - Age 15-18

*Rylee Leonard - Age 11-14

*Hadley Compton - Age 6-10

FOR THE SAKE OF JALAPENOS

By Libby Hopkins

Rich More doesn’t have a formal culinary or agriculture background. “I enjoy cooking and love food with lots of flavors,” More said. “I started making candied jalapenos for our friends and they would tell me that I should turn this into a business. I had always said no until a dear friend of mine and I were having our last conversation because he had cancer. Out of the blue he said, ‘bro, you need to sell your candied jalapenos.’ I could only tell him yes that I would. I named my business after him and that's why it's called For Pedro's Sake.” More’s jalapenos sauce business was born.

More started For Pedro’s Sake in May of 2019. “Our candied jalapenos are different in a few ways from others you may find out there,” More said. “We only use fresh jalapenos and fruits, we do not add any preservatives or water and we make them ourselves. We are committed to making sure our jalapenos have the same flavor and sweet smooth spicy finish today as they were the first time we made them.”

There are also many health benefits to eating jalapenos, yes, the spicy burn is healthy! Jalapeños are low in calories and full of vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants.

Like most fruits and vegetables, jalapeño peppers are a good source of fiber. One pepper provides two percent of the RDI for a person consuming 2,000 calories per day. Jalapenos also contain lots of vitamin C and vitamin B6. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that fights free radical damage and keeps your skin healthy and firm, while vitamin B6 is an essential nutrient involved in over 140 bodily reactions.

One of the most unique compounds in jalapeños is capsaicin, an alkaloid that gives peppers their characteristic spicy quality and is responsible for many of their health benefits.

Jalapeños may help you lose weight by boosting your metabolism, increasing fat burn and reducing your appetite. Several studies have found that capsaicin and other similar compounds called capsaicinoids can boost metabolism by four to five percent per day, potentially making it easier to lose weight.

In addition to boosting metabolism, capsaicinoid supplements have been shown to reduce abdominal fat and appetite so that people eat 50–75 fewer calories per day.

All of these factors help explain why regularly consuming peppers is associated with a significantly reduced risk of becoming overweight or obese over time.

Lab studies have shown that capsaicin has strong anti-cancer properties and is capable of killing over 40 types of cancer cells without harming normal cells.

Capsaicin is an effective pain reliever when used externally. It soothes pain by temporarily blocking pain receptors in the area where it is applied. At first, a burning sensation may be felt, followed by numbness and an absence of pain. Capsaicin lotions and patches are frequently used to relieve pain caused by the shingles virus, diabetic nerve pain and chronic muscle and joint pain. (www.healthline.com/nutrition/jalapeno-health-benefits)

More can be found at many of the local artisan and farmers’ markets in the area where he wows his customers with his jalapeno concoctions. “Try our candied jalapenos and you'll be treated to an experience not like most out there,” More said. “They are balanced with a sweet and smooth spicy finish that will instantly make you crave more. I started taking our candied jalapenos to Saturday markets in the area, at the beginning they were small and few and now we attend larger markets and festivals throughout West Central Florida.”

More loves being at the local markets. “We love being at these events because it allows us to meet people from all over, make personal connections and have conversations about our candied jalapenos and how they are a great compliment to food and drinks,” More said. “Our customers tell us all the time that they love our candied jalapenos, they share stories about how they have brought family and friends together and enjoy them together.”

Keeping things local to More is extremely important. “Keeping it local makes us feel connected and important to our supporters,” More said. “When a customer tries our candied jalapenos and shares their excitement with us it means the world to us and feeds our hopes and dreams to keep going and to make our candied jalapenos available to even more people everywhere.”

If you’d like to learn more about For Pedro’s Sake or to see what market they will be at in the area, you can visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/forpedrossake.

PCCW SCHOLARSHIPS REACH $50,000 MILESTONE

By Leslie Buchanon

Polk County Cattle Women

Nonprofit organizations often seek ways to make a positive impact while also supporting the mission and values of their organization. One of the ways this is achieved is through offering scholarships for higher education to young people in the local community. This year Polk County CattleWomen reached a huge milestone, awarding $50,000 in higher education scholarships to deserving students over the past 17 years.

Mary Helen Costine, who was PCCW President when the scholarship program began, played an instrumental role in establishing and fundraising for the scholarship program. She shared, “In 2006, the officers at that time discussed what we could do to be involved in giving back to our agricultural community. Many things were tossed around and a scholarship to high school seniors planning on furthering their education for a future in agriculture was chosen.” A committee was established, and the application was developed and distributed. Brittney Evans was selected as the first PCCW scholarship recipient in 2006.

Megan Adams Atkinson, a 2007 PCCW scholarship recipient, served as PCCW President from January 2017-December 2018. She explained, “The generosity of the Polk County CattleWomen’s scholarship assisted me to pursue a higher education after high school. It was one of the reasons I decided to become a member as an adult. I wanted to help the organization give that to the next generation.”

Over the years the scholarship program has been altered in various ways. Recently it has grown to include juniors and seniors at two local universities, Warner University and UF IFAS CALS at Plant City. The $1,000 Warner University scholarship began in 2016 with Hailey Tomkow being selected as the first recipient, and Blair Buchanon was selected as the first recipient of the $1,000 UF IFAS CALS at Plant City scholarship in 2020. While PCCW funds these scholarships, the selection process is handled by a panel of university staff.

Nonprofits rely on fundraising and donations to fund scholarships, and PCCW is no different. There are two major fundraisers that support the PCCW scholarship program, concession stands and cake auctions. The CattleWomen work in conjunction with the Polk County Cattlemen’s Association to run the concession stand at PCCA’s annual ranch rodeo and host a cake auction at the PCCA’s annual Spring/Summer dinner. Despite the cancelling of these two major fundraising events in recent years due to COVID, an online cake auction and various small fundraisers supported the continuation of these scholarships. Even though the scholarships are awarded by PCCW, the entire community can take pride in knowing

that by supporting PCCW fundraisers, they are enriching the lives of others through generosity. CattleWomen also work hard throughout the year by participating in events that bring in additional funds, such as manning the Florida CattleWomen’s booth for a couple of days during the Florida State Fair.

On April 20, 2023, PCCW will host their 30th annual cake auction during the PCCA spring membership dinner in the W.H. Stuart Building at the UF/IFAS Extension Services building in Bartow beginning at 6:30 p.m.

PCCW scholarships are awarded based on many criteria including residency, leadership, extra-curricular involvement, academic excellence, and promotion of the beef cattle industry. Scholarships are based on available funding, qualifications, number of applications received, completeness of application, and the need of the applicant.

The annual PCCW high school senior scholarship application is available on the Polk County Youth Fair website each year and must be postmarked by April. The link for the application is shared on the PCCW social media pages, as well. The 2023 award winner will be announced soon, and the recipient will be invited to this year’s PCCA dinner to accept their award.

PCCW is proud to have played a small role in supporting these fine young people as they pursued various forms of higher education. Since its establishment, the following young cattlemen and cattlewomen have been awarded a PCCW scholarship:

2006: Brittney Evans

2007: Megan Adams, Joshua Smith

2008: Danielle Bass, Andy Mason

2009: Lacey Waters, Ashley Metzker

2010: Justin Hunter, Sarah Richards

2011: Leigh Ann Barthle, Shelby Freeman

2012: Katie Skipper

2013: Morgan Carlton, Wes Fussell

2014: Justin Barthle, Allyson Polston

2015: Bailey Buchanon, Moriah McCullers, Cole Newman

2016: Rebeca Ruffi, Hailey Tomkow (Warner)

2017: Cassidy Polston, Keri Greenwood (Warner)

2018: Blair Buchanon, Rebekah Combee (Warner)

2019: Brianna Rowell, Katy Locke, Marisol Tarango (Warner)

2020: Brianne Pueschell, Mollie Ann Jones (Warner), Blair Buchanon (UF Plant City)

2021: Peyton Chandley, Brianna Rowell (Warner), Allison Smeal (UF Plant City)

2022: Dustina Garcia, Tabitha Crowe (Warner), Alexis Hill (UF Plant City)

1989 JOHN DEERE

BUILDING SUPPLIES

METAL ROOFING

Thousands of 8ft. & 10ft. sheets. In Stock. Prices from $6 and up. Custom lengths available. 813-752-7088 ask for Ferris

ALUMINUM

We have all your aluminum needs! Screen Room, carports & awnings. Call Blake (813) 752-3378

WINDOW SCREENS

We make window screens of all sizes available in different frame colors. Call Ted(813) 752-3378

CABINETS

All wood kitchen cabinets. All wood vanities. Custom made to your size. Call Chris 813-752-3378

VINYL SIDING

Many colors and styles to choose from. Ask for Ted. 813-752-3378

MOBILE HOME SUPPLIES

Everything you need under ONE roof! Call Blake 813-752-3378 NEW, USED & ABUSED.

CALL FOR A WINDOW QUOTE.

We are a MI Windows dealer. Our windows are energy star, lifetime warranty. Call Broke & Poor 813-752-3378

FARM EQUIPMENT

I4 POWER EQUIPMENT

Trade-Ins Welcomed, Service Department

Available. Exit 22 • S. Frontage Rd. Plant City 813-752-4459

2015 MAHINDRA 5555

4X4 with loader. Call Alvie. 813-759-8722

JOHN DEERE

Looking for your new tractor?

Come see us at Everglades Farm Equipment. evergladesfarmequipment.com

2805 SR 60 West, Plant City 813-737-1660

OVERSTOCK SPECIAL

Barn doors starting at $80.00 Call Ted 813-752-3378

USED BUSH HOG

CITRUS PACKING HOUSE

Citrus packing house equipment for sale. Mikey Fertilizer Spreader, two wind machines. Call 863-324-2833

USED BALDOR-RELIANCE

Used 7.5 HP pump motor and 119 gal. holding-tank. Call LLCA 813-382-8382

FOR SALE

OLD ANTIQUE BLUE STOVE

Bread warmer, chrome trim. You have got to see it to believe it! Call Ted for more details. 813-752-3378

DOORS & WINDOWS SPECIAL ORDER

No upcharge. House & Mobile Home. Many standard sizes in stock. Ask for Blake. (813) 752-3378

KITCHEN CABINETS & VANITIES

Get quality all wood cabinets for less than the BIG Box STORES! Call Today! Ask for Blake. (813) 752-3378

TWO LARGE LOUNGE CHAIRS

Both swivel, recline, and rock. Color tan. $300 each if sold separately. $500 if bought together. Used for two years. Call 813-754-8161

JOBS

MECHANIC NEEDED

Agricultural equipment. Pay with benefits based on experience. Call David 863-537-1345 or Alvie 813-759-8722

PARTS COUNTER HELP

Wanted for parts look up and sales. Experience in the agriculture equipment service. Speak with Alvie. 813-759-8722

LAWN EQUIPMENT/ SUPPLIES

USED ZERO TURN MOWERS

Prices begin at $1,750 Call Alive 813-759-8722

USED HUSQVARNA

Lawn tractor with 48" deck. Bagging system included. In good condition.

PRODUCE

FRESH PRODUCE

Forbes Road Produce. Open everyday from 7:30am - 8pm. Forbes Rd. & I-4 @ exit 17. Come out and see us!

MISC.

FREE Wooden Shipping Pallets

All sizes! Call Alvie 813-759-8722

24 HOUR SERVICE

Coggins Plumbing licensed • bonded • Insured. www.cogginsplumbing.com 813-643-7173

FARM BUREAU INSURANCE

We have you covered! Call us today. 813-752-5577

ALAN’S AIR CONDITIONING

Residential, Commercial Sales SVS & Repair. Legendary service for over20 years! 813-752-0821

SHOWER STALLS - FIBERGLASS

Scratch and dent shower stalls - fiberglass perfect for hunting camps. $150 you pick! Call us! 813-752-3378

FOR RENT

Millcreek Pine Bark Row Mulcher. For blueberry farms, six yard, PTO drive need at least a 30hp tractor. Call 863-604-2526 for rental details.

$995.00 Call Alvie 813-759-8722

770 2 wd tractor with 5' mid mount mower. $3,750 ask for Alvie. 813-759-8722 MALETTI ROTARY TILLER With 8’ roller. $10,000 or best offer. Call 813-634-1162

USED ZERO TURN

Zero turn mowers, several to choose from. Call Alvie 813-759-8722

BH 6’ cutter. $875 Call Alvie 813-759-8722 Follow

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Polk County Cattle Women

April showers bring May flowers, but I think we are going to need more rain before we start seeing too many flowers. I try to think back on previous years and look at old pictures from this time of the year, and I don’t remember the yard being so crunchy.

Polk County CattleWomen have been hard at work in this awfully dry weather, volunteering at the concession stand for the Central Florida Youth in Agriculture (CFYIA) show in Bartow, FL. Our wonderful members put in the work to make the concession stand a success!

We also had members compete in the Florida CattleWomen’s Beef Short Course held in Kenansville, FL. This event was a great learning opportunity as Sarah Krieger, a Registered Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist, spoke to us about some misconceptions in the beef industry and how including lean beef in a healthy diet is beneficial to heart health.

Our next meeting will be on May 2, 2023 in the Valencia Room at the Polk County UF/IFAS Extension Office in Bartow, FL. You don’t need to own cattle to join, but if you would like your own cattle, I’m sure we all have a special one that we would love to get rid of, I mean give to you.

Blair Buchanon

Polk County Cattlewomen President