Heartland Magazine January 2013

A Way of Life.

JAN

201

3

COVER STORY:Florida Vineyards and Wineries

HEARTLAND

So, don’t just Fertilize … S OILIZ E!

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January 2013 Heartland InTheFieldMagazine 3

4 Heartland InTheFieldMagazine January 2013


14 Fields Equipment ByRonLambert16 Heartland’s Fishing Report ByCapt.MarkKing18 January Hunting Spotlight: JacobandAndrewStephens20 Citrus Update: LastyearandThisYear ByJustinSmith22 Business Management in the Wild World of Global Economics ByDr.DavidM.Kohl24 Florida Farming: Home Gardening ByRonLambert26 Conserving Water: Agricultural BMPs Can Help ByMattWarren28 31 Produce: A Field of Dreams in Southwest Florida ByCindyCutright30 Woman in Ag: Linda Minton ByRobbiSumner32 Farmer & Rancher: Doug Miller ByRobbiSumner34-46 Winery Special

47 Florida Cattlewomen Recipe: SonomaSteakswithVegetablesBocconcini48 Dining in the Heartland: TuttoFrescoItalianGrill ByJoannaGlissonLamarra50 In Season Now: FloridaBellPeppers52 A Soldier’s Holiday Abroad ByPFCLeviLambert54 Windmill Sprinkler and Hardware ByCindyCutright56 CattleSense: Time to Look at Hay Differently ByDr.CathyBandyk,QualityLiquidFeed58 Agriculturalists: Doing More Than Feeding Mankind ByLindseyWiggins60 Okeechobee Youth Impressed Crowd at AQHA World Championship Show ByRobbiSumner64 4-H and FFA News

72 Discover the Arts Side of Arcadia ByKarenSmoke77 Ag Calendar

38 ON THE COVERFloridaVineyardsandWineriesByRobbiSumner

HEARTLANDA Way of Life.

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PublisherRhonda [email protected]

Karen [email protected]

Executive EditorMorgan Taylor [email protected]

Business ManagerLizette SarriaNadine Glisson

Art DirectorsCarrie EvansOlivia Fryer

Graphics InternLauren Taylor

Staff WritersCindy CutrightRon LambertBrian NorrisJustin Smith Robbi Sumner

Contributing WritersDr. Cathy BandykKellie DukeDr. David M. KohlRusty HartlineNell McAuleyMatt WarrenLindsey Wiggins

PhotographySharon GlissonRussell HancockBrian NorrisLauren TaylorHolly TaylorNell McAuley

Heartland in the Field Magazine is published monthly and is available through local businesses, restaurants and other local venues within Hardee, Highlands, DeSoto, Charlotte, Glades, Hendry and Okeechobee Counties. It is also distributed by U.S. mail to a target market, which includes members of the Farm Bureau and those with ag classification on their land. Letters, comments and questions can be sent to Heartland In the Field Magazine, P.O. Box 3183 Plant City, FL. 33563 or you are welcome to e-mail them to [email protected] or call 813-708-3661.

Advertisers warrant & represent the description of their products advertised are true in all respects. Heartland In the Field Magazine assumes no responsibility for claims made by their advertisers. All views expressed in all articles are those of the authors and not necessarily those of G Five Publications, Inc. Any use or duplication of material used in Heartland In the Field Magazine is prohibited without written consent from Berry Publications and G Five.

All contents Copyright 2012. No part of this work may be copied, transmitted, reproduced or reprinted without the express written consent of the publisher. Annual subscriptions to receive Heartland A Way of Life at your home or business is $25 annually. For advertising, subscriptions or editorial questions please call 813-708-3661 or email [email protected]. Heartland® A Way Of Life In The Field publication has been in print since 2009.

HappyNewYear,y’all!Ican’tbelieve2013isalreadyhere,butIamlookingforwardtowhatthisyearbringsforHeartlandMagazine!IknowthattheNewYearisatimeforresolutionsandchangetohappen;itiswhenwelookbackanddecidewherewecanimproveourlives.Typicalresolutionsmayincludegettinginshape,beingabetterspouse,startinganewhobbyorjustbeingabetteryou.WeatHeartlandMagazinehavechosenthelatter-becomingabetterversionofwhatwealreadyhavebecome.Thatwillincludesomeimprovementsforyou,ourreader.

WehavebroughtonsometalentednewcontributingwriterstocoverhottopicsinagricultureincludingWaterManagement,thecattleindustryandAgEconomics.Theyareexpertsintheirfieldsandwelookforwardtosharingtheirwealthofknowledgewithyou.Weareworkingonsomeotherexcitingadditionsandwillbeintroducingthemintheupcomingmonths.

Thismonth,wearefeaturinganindustrythatmany(over21)enjoy-FloridaVineyardsandWineries.Wetakealookintothehistory,theindustry,theeconomicimpactsandhealthbenefitsofFloridawines.Thestoryonpage38pointsoutthatitisn’tjustthewinethatisgoodforyou,butalsothegrapes,juices,jams,jelliesandotherproductsthesewineriesacrossourstatecreatethatgiveyouthesamebenefits.Alongwiththecoverstory,wefeature5winerieslocatedintheHeartlandareayoushouldvisit.Atriptoawineryorvineyardisgreatforthewholefamily-youcantakeatourandseeFloridahistoryandagriculture,learnthesciencebehindthewinemakingprocessorevenenjoyfreshu-pickedfruit.

Ihopethatafterreadingthecoverstorythismonth,youwillcomeawaywithabetterunderstandingandappreciationforFloridavineyardsandwineries;IknowIsuredid!

WearewishingyouaHappyNewYearandmanysuccessesin2013!

We’llseey’allIntheField,

MorganTaylorNorris

I’dlovetohearfromyou!Pleasesendanycommentsorquestionstomorgan@heartlanditf.com

Editor’s Note




Index of Advertisers


JAN

201

3

65 Agri Services41 Agro Culture4 Arcadia Stockyard 77 Big T Tire35 Brighton Field Day61 Buck Daniels76 Callaway Farms13 Center State Bank11 Central States78 CF Industries3 Creel Tractor5 Dakin Dairy53 Daniels Deceivers74 Danny Reynolds79 DeSoto Dodge, Chrysler, Ford, Jeep17 DeSoto Fair53 DeSoto Machine Shop23 Farm Credit15 Fields Equipment43 Florida Fence Post9 Florida Department of Ag75 Florida Strawberry Festival43 Glade and Grove17 Glisson’s Animal Supply74 Goin Postal51 Griffin’s Carpet Mart21 Helena Chemical55 Hicks Oil

23 Highlands Farm Bureau7 KeyPlex19 Kissimmee River Hunt and Fish65 Labelle Feed55 Laye’s Tire Service74 Marlin Marble74 Michael G. Kirsch61 Mosaic27 National Cattlemen’s Association 45 Newton Crouch 2 Pathway 20 Peace River Citrus 71 Repair Solutions 45 River Pasture 19 Seedway 71 Spring Lake Hardware 18 Spurlows Outdoor 74 Sunshine Family Dentistry 74 Superior Muffler 19 Taylor Oil 71 The Andersons 74 Triangle Hardware 71 Trinkle Redman Coton 69 Walpole Feed 80 Watering Hole 41 Wauchula State Bank 71 Wicks Brown Williams CPA 74 Winfield Solutions

HigHlands

Morgan Norris [email protected]

Hardee & desoto

Robbi Sumner [email protected]

Manatee


CHarlotte


Ron Brown [email protected]

lee and Hendry

Cindy Cutright [email protected]

okeeCHobee, glades & st. luCie

Robbi Sumner [email protected]

Corporate, polk & HillsborougH

Danny Crampton [email protected]


Rhonda Glisson [email protected]

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HARDEE COUNTY FARM BUREAU

1017 US Highway 17 NWauchula, FL. 33873

Office Hours: Monday – Friday8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Phone:863. 773. 3117

Fax:863. 773. 2369

OFFICERS ANDEXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

President……David B. Royal

Vice President…Greg L. Shackelford

Sec./Treasurer……..Bo Rich

DIRECTORS FOR 2011-2012Joseph B. Cherry Corey Lambert Daniel H. Smith Steve A. Johnson

Bill Hodge David B. RoyalGreg L. Shackelford Bo Rich

Scott Henderson

County SecretaryRhonda Willis

Farm BureauInsurance

Special AgentsAgency Manager

N. Jay BryanAgents

George L. Wadsworth, Jr.1017 US Hwy 17 N.

Wauchula, FL 33873(863) 773-3117

HIGHLANDS COUNTYFARM BUREAU

6419 US Highway 27 S.Sebring, FL 33876

Office Hours:Monday – Friday8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Phone:863. 385. 5141

Fax:863. 385. 5356

Web site:www.highlandsfarmbureau.com


President………Scott Kirouac

Vice President…Doug Miller

Secretary………..Carey Howerton

Treasurer……..Frank Youngman

DIRECTORS FOR 2011-2012Sam Bronson Steve Farr

Charles Guerndt Charles LanfierMike Milicevic Emma Reynolds

Lindsey Sebring Trey WhitehurstJeff Williams Marty Wohl

County SecretaryJanet Menges

Farm BureauInsurance

Special AgentsAgency ManagerChad D. McWaters

AgentsJoseph W. Bullington

6419 US Highway 27 S.Sebring, FL 33876

(863) 385-5141

Farm Bureau Insurance

Special AgentsAgency Manager Cameron N. Jolly

Agents Dawn A. Hines

Clint Brown1278 SE US Highway 31

Arcadia, FL 34266(863) 494-3636

CHARLOTTE/DESOTOCOUNTY FARM BUREAU

1278 SE US Highway 31Arcadia, FL 34266

Office Hours: Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Phone:863.494.3636

Charlotte Line:941.624.3981

Fax:863.494.4332


President…………....Jim Selph

Vice President……….Jeffrey Adams

Sec./Treasurer......Bryan K. Beswick

DIRECTORS FOR 2011-2012Jim Brewer John BurtscherMike Carter Steve Fussell

Lindsay HarringtonRichard E. Harvin Ann H. Ryals

Mac Turner Matt Harrison Ken Harrison

County Secretary Katherine Ryals


District 6 UpdateFrom the Desk of Andy Neuhofer

On December 5th and 6th, 2012, countyFarm Bureau presidents met in Gainesvillefor theannualCouncilofPresidents. Outof 60 countyFarmBureaus in the state,47 were represented at the meeting.On the 5th, John Hoblick, Presidentof FloridaFarmBureauFederation,gaveawelcomeandencouragementtotheattendees.

DiscussionsofinterestincludedeffectivemanagementofcountyFarmBureausandsuggestedmethodstobuildbetterboardsbyMarshaPurcelloftheAmericanFarmBureauFederation.JoeyPadot, Florida Farm Bureau, introduced everyone to the newmembershipsystemwhichwillprovideaccurateandtimelydatawhilereplacingthecurrentoutdatedsystem.

G.B. Crawford, Director of Public Relations for Florida FarmBureauFederation,gaveanoverviewofthechangesmadeinthatdepartment.Afterareception,dinnerfollowedgivingparticipantstheopportunitytovisitwithoneanothertolearnnewideasandtosolidifycurrentthoughts.

The next day, Becky Barclift, FFBF Accounting, presentedthe presidents with information on proper office proceduresand effective accountingmethods that should be taking place.Afterward, a panelwith representatives from the Florida StateFair, FFA and our very own Frankie Hall, FFBF Director ofAgricultural Policy, talked about the different projects takingplacehelpingtoeducateyoungpeopleaboutagriculture.

Such programs are growing. FFA now has 17,000 membersstatewide with the largest chapter inMiami-Dade. StemmingfromathreeyeargranttocreateaBannerCenterforAgriscience,FarmBureau’sAgricultureEducationServices andTechnologyCertification Program is the only entity providing professionalcertificationtestingforhighschoolstudents.Currently,studentscan receive certifications inAgricultural Technology and Bio-Technology. Additional certifications are forthcoming. Thiscertificationprogramistheonlyoneleftoutof12BannerCentersthatwereformedthroughoutthestateovertheyears.(Forthoseofuswhohaveageda little,weused toknow it asvocationaleducation.)

Finally,AdamBasford,DirectorofStateLegislativeAffairsforFFBF,gaveanoverviewoftheissueswewillbeworkingonintheinterestsofourmembers.Theyincludehelpinglimitliabilityand regulations for agritourism operations, helping customoperators by providing exemptions for moving equipment onpublicroads,monitoringfirecoderegulationsfornon-residentialfarmbuildings,fertilizerapplicationsinurbanareasbycertifiedapplicatorsusingBestManagementPracticesandthebudgetsofboththeFloridaDepartmentofAgricultureandtheUniversityofFlorida’sInstituteofFoodandAgriculturalSciences.

Andy Neuhofer Florida Farm Bureau District [email protected], www.floridafarmbureau.org

CENTERSTATEBANK

CenterState Bank’s Core Values:Local Market Driven • A Long Term Horizon • World Class Service

Relationship Banking • Faith and Family

Monica AnuezPersonal Banker

Jamie BrammeierCustomer Service Specialist

Faveola CarrilloSr. Personal Banker

Shannon ConradSr. Customer Service Specialist

Kristy CrawfordCommercial Loan Officer/VP

Sherri EnfingerConsumer Loan Officer

Heather HancockExecutive Assistant

Jennifer LaffertyResidential Lender/AVP

Cecilia RodriguezSr. Personal Banker

Tabitha TrentBranch Manager/VP

John WilliamsCommunity President/SVP

863.763.55732100 South Parrott Ave. • Okeechobee, FL 34974

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I’d like to share a fewwordswith you read-ers about a local business in Hardee Countythathasbeenapartofthebusinesscommunitysince themid-1950s.That company is FieldsEquipment,ourlocalJohnDeeredealership.Itisafamily-ownedcompanythatalsooperatestwoothertractordealershipsinCentralFlorida.

Today Fields Equipment Company has threeactivedealerships throughoutCentralFlorida.The original location is inWinterHaven andopenedin1956.AfterservingintheUSArmyinWorldWar II, Charles Fields, Sr. returnedhome to Winter Haven and began workingfor Niagara Chemical Company. Known asCharlie,hesoon teamedwithBobPaulandacorporation was formed and became knownas Fields Equipment Company. Charlie tookovertheoperationsof thedealershipandBobPaulcontinuedhisrolewithBobPaulCitrus.Itwasapartnershipthatworkedwellupuntilthe19905.Atthatpoint,thePaulFamilysoldtheirinteresttotheFieldsFamily,creatingwhatre-mainsafamily-ownedoperation,withCharlesE.Fields,Jr.asCEO.

In 1958, a JohnDeere dealership, previouslyownedbyJoeBurke,inZolfoSpringsbecameavailable. The Hardee County Fields Equip-ment location originally started in a vacantBuickautomobiledealershipinWauchulaandafterayearintheWauchulalocation,thebusi-nesswasmovedtoZolfoSprings.

Buford Long was the General Manager, fol-lowedbyFritzPfeiferandGilbertTillman.In1965EarlHaynesworthcametoFieldsasGen-eralManagerandunderhisdirection,thecom-panyflourished.Uponhisretirementin1984,JohnWhitetookoverfor16yearsuntilhisre-tirementin2000.Atthatpoint,DennisSassertookoverthepositionandisstilltheretoday.

Dennis asked me to mention Clayton Everswhoworkedtherefor41yearswithvariousre-sponsibilities,mostnotablyasthatofthePartsManager.Mr.Evers provided awealth of in-formation regarding the background and pasthistoryofFieldsEquipment.

In themid1980’s, a locationwas securedonUS 27 in Clermont for a dealership to serveLakeCounty.TodayFieldsEquipment,atage56,remainsavisiblesymbolinHardeeCountyandthroughouttheremainderofCentralFlori-da.Overit’slifetime,thebusinesslocationhasbeen destroyed by fire twice-once in the late

Fields EquipmentByRonLambert


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50’swhileunderpreviousownershipandthenonJuly4,1975.For abusiness, afire represents adevastatingandexpensivelossfromwhichrecoverycanbeverydifficult,butFieldssur-vivedandhascontinuedtothrive.

Asshownintheaccompanyingphotographs,youwillseethebroad spectrum of services provided by this company.TheyhaveacompletelineoflawnequipmentincludingJohnDeeremowersandEchochainsawsandtrimmers.ThereisalsoawideselectionofallsizesofJohnDeeretractors,aswellasGatorutility vehicles, a wide range of supporting equipment suchasmowers,discandtillingequipmentandJohnDeerebalingequipment.Theyalsohaveacompletelystockedpartsdepart-mentandrepairfacilityforanynecessaryrepairstoyourequip-ment.

My little grandsonwas very impressedwith the toy depart-ment so if you’re strugglingwith choosing a special gift fortheyoungfarmer/rancherinyourfamily,dropbyFieldsEquip-mentfortheperfectgift.Theyhavetractorsfrompocketsizetomegasized.Mybestwishesfortheupcomingyearsforthisassettoourarea.YoucanvisitFieldsEquipmentattheirthreelocationsinZolfoSprings,WinterHavenandClermontorvisitthemonlineatwww.fieldsequip.com


HEARTLAND’S

FISHINGREPORTIhopeeveryonehadagreatChristmasandNew Year’s with family and friends. It

is now time to get down to some seriousfishinghereonLakeOkeechobeeasthebassmoveintospawn.ThefishingthelastmonthhasbeengreatandIcan’t imagine itgettingbetter but it will as more bass move intoshallow spawning areas from themain lake.Thewaterlevelisatjustoverfifteenfeetandthatmeans there iswatereverywheregivingboth the bass and the fisherman access toalmostanywhereonthelake.Thelakehasbeenproducingahugenumberofbass thepastmonthespeciallywhenfishingwithlivebait; using eight to ten dozen wild shinersis not a problem onmost fishing trips. Theartificiallurebitehasalsopickedupthepastfewweeksandwillbeawesomeas thebassmovetotheoutsidegrasslinestagingtomoveintospawningareas.

IhavebeenfishingfromtheNorthShoreareato Kramer Island with the wind being thedeciding factoras towhere Ifish.When thewindisnotblowingtoohard,thebassareonthatoutsidegrasslineclosesttothemainlake.But when the wind really blows and dirtiesthewaterupon theoutside, Imoveback inthegrasstillthewaterstartstoclearup.Thelive bait bite has been crazy the pastmonthand a half, ten dozen wild shiners will noteven get you through a day of fishing. Thebass have been averaging from two to eightpounds with a good number of the three tofivepoundfishbeingcaught,myclientshavealso caught some really good ones in thenineandtenpoundrangelately.Theartificiallure bite has just really started getting goodand the Gambler Big EZ has been my baitofchoicebutIhavealsodonewellonswimjigs andGamblerAces.You just need to gobackinthesebiggrassyareasandcoverwater

throwing theBigEZ and youwillfind some fish; lily pads have been a keyingredientinmostareas.AreasliketheWestWall,EastWall, the shoal, andNorthShorehavebeenbetterareastofish.

Thecrappiebitehasbeenprettygood is theword that I amgetting, but no one is reallysayingwhere they are catching them.Areaslike the rim canal and around Bird Islandwould be a great place to start. Now is thetime to get a fishing trip booked on LakeOkeechobee because I have not seen thefishingasgoodasitisrightnow.Don’tforgetthat I guide for giant tarpon in the FloridaKeys fromMay through Julyanddateswillfillupquickforthesemagnificentfish.Ifyouhave ever wanted to catch something thatpullsbacksohardthatsometimesyoudon’tknowwhoisgoingtowin-thefishoryou-thenyouneed toexperience tarponfishing in thebeautifulFloridaKeys.Goodluck,tightlines,andIhopetoseeeveryoneonthewatersoon.

Captain Mark King is a full time guide and tournament angler guiding out of the world famous Roland Martin’s Marina and Resort in Clewiston Florida and also in the Florida Keys out of Marathon area. Mark is an IGFA Certified Captain, active member of the Florida Guide Association and the Florida Outdoor Writers Association. Captain Mark is sponsored by Ranger Boats, Evinrude Outboards, Roland Martin’s Marine Center, Power-Pole, Minn Kota trolling motors, Gambler Lures, Okuma Fishing, Mojo Sportsfishing, Smartshield Sun Protection Products, RMR Industries, Fuel Medic Ethanol Treatment, and Yeti coolers.

Mark can be contacted to book a guide trip, seminars, personal appearances, test rides in his Evinrude powered Ranger or to fish a tournament with him at 863-677-0983 or at www.markkingfishing.com and www.tarponinthekeys.com

Roland Martin Marine Center is a full service marina including boat, motor, and tackle sales and boat and motor service by one of the top service crews in South Florida. Are you looking for a new or used Ranger boat or maybe you just need a new outboard to put on a boat you already have well than a new Evinrude E-Tec would put you right back out on the water. They have the hottest tackle on the market in the story with names like Gambler, Reaction Innovation, Charlie’s Worms, Duckett rods, Lews Reels, and Live Target Kopper. They also have all your boating needs from oils to anchors and everything in between. With two full time mechanics and a fully stocked parts room getting your boat back out on the water will be no problem. They also have minnows, worms, crickets, sodas, beer, and ice at all times. If you are looking for a one stop marina than Roland Martin Marine Center is the place to go. They are conveniently located just before the ramp in Clewiston on world famous Lake Okeechobee. Stop in and see my wife Diane in the parts department and she just might give away a few of my fishing spots.

Captian Mark King

A ten-pound bass caught by Jeff Sandbulte

Luke and Shannon came fishing on childswish.com trips


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Nothing Compares to The Desoto Fair

Desoto County Fair Association Invites you to the Desoto County FairJanuary 17th-27th, 2013

100 Heard Street (Right Off US Hwy 17) • Www.DesotoCountyFair.org

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1 East Wall Street Frostproof, FL 33843 [email protected] 863-635-0240 www.spurlows.com

January’s Hunting Spotlight brought to you by

Spurlow’s Outdoor Outfitters

Submityourchildren’shuntingpicturesfortheMonthlyHuntingSpotlighttomorgan@heartlanditf.com

Jacob,10yearsold,andAndrew,8yearsold,aretheproudsonsofWinandRebekahStephens.TheyattendCrackerTrailElementaryinSebringandlovetheoutdoors.Theboysenjoyhuntingandfishingandlovetoplayinthelake.EverysummertheboysgowiththeirparentstotheKeysforMini-LobsterSeasonandoffshorefishingexperiences.Duringthefall,theboysspendalmosteveryweekendatthefamilyhuntingcamp.“TheCamp”wasformedbytheirGreatGranddaddy,M.E.“Eddie”StephensIIIandnowisledbytheirPapa,M.E.“Steve”StephensIV.“TheCamp”isameaningfulandtreasuredspotfortheentirefamily.

Theboys’lovefortheoutdoorcomesdirectlyfrombothoftheirparents.TheirdadisVicePresidentofM.E.StephensandSonsFruitCompanyandtheirmomisanAgricultureteacheratSebringHighSchool.BothparentsserveontheJr.LivestockCommitteefortheHighlandsCountyFair.TheboyshavebeenshowingcattlethroughthePeeWeeShowandCommercialHeiferprogramsincetheywere4yearsold.JakeandAndrewareactivemembersofLoridaLivestock4-Handenjoyspendingtimewithfriendsandcousins.Bothboysareyearningtoshootan8-pointbuckorbiggernexthuntingseason.TheBoys(Andrewleft,Jakeright)ontopoftheBuggie

theirGreatGranddaddy,MEStephenstheIIIbuilttoridearoundcamp.

Andrewandhis116lb.hogshotwitha.243rifleinOctober.Andrewandhis116lb.hogshotwitha.243rifleinOctober.


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by Justin Smith

Itdoesn’t seem like2012couldpossiblybeover,but it is longgone. Nowgrowersareinthemiddleofharvesttimeandsoontherewill be a newgrowing season starting. Right now is theclosest thing to a slack period there is, so it is a good time toexaminethepastandplanforthefuture.

2012may have gone by quickly, but a lot of significant thingstookplace.Oneofthosethataffectedcitruswasthecarbendazim

scare. Thefindingof traceamountsof the illegalpesticideandthefollowingmediahypesentconsumersintoapanic.Demanddroppedovernightandparentswereafraidtolettheirkidsdrinkorangejuice. Luckilythecontaminationwaseasilytracedbackto imported Brazilian juice and no one was harmed since theamountswerewellwithinsafetylevelsbut,thisincidentisveryimportant tostudy. AlthoughnoFlorida juicewas involved,orevercontaminated,thereverberationfromthescarewasfeltveryheavilybytheFloridagrowersandprocessors.Suddenly,thanksgreatlytomediacoverage;consumersequatedALLorangejuicewithdanger.Afterbeingbombardedwiththetalkofbirthdefectsandpoison,orangejuicebottlesmayaswellhavehad“HazardousMaterial” printed on the label. Thankfully, the scarewas veryshort lived and the proactive juice industry was able to easeAmerican’sconcernsquickly.

Theentireincidentjustproveshowvulnerabletheindustryistosuggestiveandnegativepublicity.Forthisreason,itisimportantforthecitrusandjuiceindustrytoactivelyeducateconsumersonall facets of the products. Fromgrowers to retailers, everyoneinvolvedinthecitrusindustryshouldtakepartinthepreventionofnegativebacklashtowardsitsproducts.

Enoughof thepast,howabout thepresent? Harvesting iswellunderwaywithmostearlyvarietieswrappingupandmid-seasonvarieties already started. As the season has progressed, theproductionestimateshavebeenreducedbyseveralmillionboxes.This isdue in large to thehighnumberofdropsmanygrowersexperienced.Theblamehasbeenplaced,largely,ontheerraticweatherconditionsseenthoughout2012.Inthespringandearlysummertherewasaseveredrought,oneoftheworstonrecordforcentralFlorida.Thelatesummerandearlyfallsawaboveaveragerainfallwhichcausedfloodinginmanyareas, thenthe latefalland earlywinter reverted back to drought conditions. In shorttheorangetreeswereconfusedastowhattodo.Theresultwasalargeamountoffruitlossjustbeforematuring.Asecondvariable,ofsmallfruitsize,hasallculminatedinamuchlowerproductionthananticipatedearlierintheyear.

CITRUS UPDATE

By: Justin Smith

Last YearAND THIS YEAR


Sowhatdoesallof thsmeanfor the industryasawhole? Forthemostpartitinsurestherewillnotbeanexcessofjuicebeingstored. As long as demand remains constant, juice priceswillcontinuetobeatapremium.Allofthisisadoubleedgedswordfor growers. Premium prices are good because of the cost ofproduction, however with lower yields it just means each boxcostsmore to produce. There is really no addedbenefit to thegrower.Theyarereceivingthesameamountofmoneyeitherway.Infact, it ismoreofanegative,because theriskhas increased.Eachboxoffruitcostsmoretoproduce,thereforeifanyislost,itismoredevastating.

How about the outlook for 2013? What needs to be done andwhatcanbeexpected?Firstandforemostisthecontinuedbattlewithgreening.Theimportanceofcontinuedpsyllidmanagementisatanall-timehigh. The longer thebattlekeepsup themoreeveryonelearnstheimportanceaswellasthesuccessofkeepingthepsyllidpopulationsdown.

Unfortunately, greening my not be the worst of the problemswhich will be faced this year. Black Spot is continuing itsspreadandhasnowbeenfoundasfarnorthasPolkCounty.Theaggressivefungusishardtodestroyandhasamuchlongerperiodofinfectionthancanker.

Besides theusual in thefieldplanningwhichneeds tobedone,thereareacoupleofimportantthingsgrowersneedtobeawareof as the year progresses. Meticulous record keeping shouldbe a top priority. With the changes being seen in food safetycombined with last year’s scare, all growers need to be readytodefendtheirproductwithproofofwhatchemicalswereusedandwhentheywereapplied.Atanytime,theserecordscouldbeneeded so they should be updated constantly. Growers shouldbe totally proactive and non-antagonistic in regards to records.One last, but definitely not least, thing to consider for the nearfutureisconsumereducation.Takinganactivepartinknowingand leading the industry is the bestway to get the true growermessageoutthere.Oneofthebestwaysofdoingthisisbybeinginvolvedwithagrower’sassociation.Thereisalotofinformationpassedbackandforthwithintheassociations.Theyhavetheearofelectedofficialsandthevoiceofthepeople.

With all of the challenges of the near past, the present and thefuture,thetotaloutlookforcitrusisstillverygood.Itistheslowertimeoftheyear,soeveryoneshouldbethankfulfortheblessingsofthepast,andlooktothebrighterfutureof2013.


In my travels I frequentlymentiontogroupsthattheolderIbecomeandthemoreItravel,the less I seem to know. Theworld is a big place, and it is

oftendifficulttograspand“getyourarmsaround”allthefactorsthat impact business and family decisionmaking. Let’s takesomeoftheglobalchallengesandopportunities,andbringthemdowntoyourkitchentable,iPad,orboardroom.

Anyone involved in agricultural decision making needs tokeeptheemergingmarkets,oftencalledtheBRICSnationsofBrazil, Russia, India, China, and SouthAfrica on their radarscreen. These nations have represented 50 percent of worldeconomic growth since the year 2000, and therefore havecontributedtoincreasedglobaldemandforfood,fiberandfuel.Thegrowthof thesenationshas resulted in a “Swiss cheese”agriculturaleconomy.Thatis,certainsegmentsandenterprisesthat align with these nations’ demands have had growth andhave become “islands of prosperity.” However, others in theagricultureindustry,particularlysegmentsoftheproteinsector,haveexperiencedelevatedinputcosts,margincompression,ornegativemargins.

In your decision-making, remember, the 8-5-3 Rule. If theGDP (gross domestic product) of the BRICS nations growsat approximately an8percent rate, commoditypriceswill dowell,everythingelseequal.However,iftheyslidetoa5percentgrowthrate,expecta20percentreductionincommodityprices.If theGDPgrowthofthesenationsfallstoa3percentrate,itis an indicator of recession for the BRICS, so expect majorcorrectionofcommodityprices.

A key variable that could impact theBRICS’ growth rates ishowtheEuropeaneconomyhandlessovereigndebtissues.TheEuropeanregionisoneofChina’slargestcustomers.RecentlyChinaeasedbanklendingrequirementsinanattempttostimulategrowthinresponsetotheslowingofitseconomy,partiallyduetodecreasedexports. If the eurowas tobreakup, this couldresultinarippleeffectthroughtheworldeconomy.Currencyvaluationsandtradeagreementswouldbeinaturbulentmode.

AnotherfactoronemustweighinglobaleconomicsisthattheBRICSnationshaveavoidedaperiodofadversitysofar,unlikeothersaroundtheworld.Forexample,theeurosectorwasdoingfineuntiltheworldeconomiccollapseshockeditsnationsandbanking system, resulting indiscourse amongst the sector. Ifanadversepolitical,military,orsocialeventwastodescendonChina and the rest of theBRICS, surprising their economies,theimplicationscouldbeimmenseforU.S.agriculture.History

hasshownthewayanationhandlesadversitiesissimilartoanathleticteamaspiringforchampionship.Anadverseeventwilleither knock them off track, or theywill gather strength andcome back stronger. Only timewill tell if orwhen thiswilloccur.

Theever-present“blackswan”ofoilpriceswillbeafactorinagricultural decision-making for an extended period of time.Maintain close surveillance on issues in the Middle East,particularly involving Israel, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. Anydisruptioncouldresultinaspikeofoilprices,possiblytoashighas$200perbarrel.Whiletheprobabilityissmall,thisplanningaspectneedstobeconsidered.

Shifting focus to the developed countries including the U.S.,business models and planning must be developed for a 1percent to2percentGDPgrowthratefor theseregionsof theworld, with the constant threat of recession. Several majorheadwindstothesecountriesarehighlevelsoffederaldebt,anaging population, and expensive entitlement programs.Thesefactors,alongwithadismalhousingmarketandhighratesofunemployment, will be the variables that contribute to slowtomodestgrowthatbest for industriesandenterprises tied todevelopedcountries’economies.

While my comments thus far may sound somewhat negativeregarding global economics, opportunity abounds for theagricultural industry. One must conduct financial scenarioplanningtooutlinestrategiesandactionsgivenvolatile times.Next,ifyouroperationisprofitable,developaplantoallocateprofitstotheirbestuses,andbuildreservesofworkingcapitalandcash incaseoffinancialadversity.Positionyourbusinessfor the next opportunity with a disciplined growth strategy.Yes,globaleconomicsareintimidatingandsometimesdifficultto comprehend; however, sound, disciplined decisionmakingin conjunction with a strong relationship lender and team ofadvisors will be critical in navigating the global economicwhitewaters.

Business Management in the Wild World of Global EconomicsBy Dr. David M. Kohl

Dr. David Kohl energizes agricultural lenders, producers and business persons with his keen insight into the agricultural industry through extensive travel, research, and exposure during his career. He is Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Finance and Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA. Dr. Kohl has traveled over 8 million miles in his professional career and conducted over 6,000 workshops and seminars for a variety of agricultural audiences. Dr. Kohl’s personal involvement with agriculture and interaction with key industry players provide a unique perspective into the future trends of the agricultural industry and economy.


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Todaypeopleseemtobemoreandmoreconcernedwitheatinghealthyfoods.We’vealwaysbeentoldthatfruitsandvegetableswerethebasisofahealthydiet.Today’s researchappears to support thebelief thatcertainvegetablesand fruits are helpful in combating diseases such as cancer, diabetes andothers.I’vementionedbeforetheabundanceoffruitandvegetablesthatareavailableinyourlocalsupermarketsandfreshmarkets.

Many people are disturbedwith the trend towards the fast food dining that is soprevalentespeciallyamongouryoungerpeople.Evenso,it’sbeenapparentoverthepastfewyearsthatcustomerpreferenceshavecreatedademandforsaladsandotherhealthychoicesthathavebecomeavailableinthefastfoodchainrestaurants.Soit’sclearthateveryoneknowsthatvegetablesaregoodforyou.

Ifeelfortunateinthateachdaymymotherhasamealonthetableformyself,mybrothersandmysonhereatourbusiness.Everydaywetakeashortlunchbreakandsitdowntothemealthatmotherprepared.

The day that I wrote this article, December 12, ourmeal included the followingitems:Bakedchicken,freshbroccoli,potatoesandgreensaladwithlettuce,tomatoes,cucumbers,carrotsandbellpeppers.Tofinishthemeal,wehadadessertofblackberrypie.Asyou’rereadingthisyoumightsay,thatreallysoundsdeliciousandyouwouldbeabsolutelyright.Ohyeah,Iforgottomentiontherewasajaroffreshcranberrysauceonthetableaswell.

With the exception of the chicken, the tea we drank, the salad dressing and theseasonings including salt and pepper, everything that we consumed today waspickedfreshfrommymother’slittlegardenhereonthisproperty.Iknowthatmaysoundunbelievable,butthatisthecasealmosteverydayatherlunchtable.Ifit’snot available fresh from thegarden, almost everythingonher tablewhether it bebeans, cheese, corn, carrots, squash, eggplant, okra or theBlackBerries for thosedeliciousdessertsallcamefromherfreezers.ThebeefthatweeatisfromasteerthatwasraisedlocallyhereinHardeeCounty.Weenjoyfishusuallyonceaweekanditisusuallyfishthatwecaughtourselves.Swampcabbageappearsonhertableandaverageoftwotimesamonth.

Myintentinsharingthiswithyoureadersisnottocreateenvyortoappearboastful.Thisissimplythewaythatmymotherchoosestofeedus.Youcouldnomorechangeherwayofthinkingthanyoucouldconvincehertotakearideinthespaceshuttle.Ofcourse,myparentsarenolongerabletogetoutandhavealargegardenastheyoncedid.So,forthelastfewyearswehavetakennurserycontainersandputtheminanareadesignatedasmom’sgarden.Wemoreorlesstakeitforgranted,buttodayasIdrovebythisarea,itstruckmethatthislittleareaisveryproductive.Withalittlework,youcanhavesomethingalmostallyearroundavailabletoeatfromagardensuchasthis.Thisistruethatyourharvestwillbeindirectproportionastotheamountofworkthatyou’veputintoit.

FLORIDA FARMING

HomeGARDENS ByRonLambert


Asthedaysgetshorterandtheweathera little cooler, mother begins to plantseedlingsintopotsthatarepreparedforthispurpose.Youwouldtrulybeamazedatthevarietyofvegetablesthatyoucangrowinthesecontainers.Allthroughoutthewintermonths,shekeepsarotationofvarious typesof lettuce,cauliflower,broccoliandseveralothercoolweathervegetables growing not only forourselvesbuttosharewithneighbors.

Formanypeople,gardeningisaformoftherapy that keeps themmotivated andhealthy.It’scleartomethatmymotherthrives on this. I took a few picturesthatIwouldliketoshare that illustratewhat can be done in a very small areawith nursery containers, potting soilandvegetableplants.Ihopethisarticleencouragesyoutodoallthatyoucantoeatfreshforyourownandyourfamilies’healthaswellasthebenefitsofwatchingchildren picking and eating freshvegetablesstraightofftheplantorvine.


“ When the well is dry, we learn the worth of water.” Benjamin Franklin

Water is essential to agriculture, whether supplied throughrainfallorretrievedfromsurfaceorgroundwater.AccordingtotheUnitedStatesGeologicalSurveyreportWaterWithdrawals,Use, andTrends inFlorida,2005, about3.9millionacres inFloridain2005wasinagriculturalcropproduction,includingabout1.8millionirrigatedacres.

Of thealmost2.8billiongallonsadaywithdrawninFloridain2005 for agricultural irrigation, surfacewater supplied53percentandgroundwatersupplied47percent.Fruitcropsandfieldcropstogetherused74percentofthetotal,withcitrusandsugarcaneasthefrontrunners.Overall,agriculturalirrigationaccountedfor40percentofthetotalfreshwaterwithdrawninthestatebyallusers.

AnadequatewatersupplyiscrucialforFloridaagriculturetocontinue providing the state, the nation, and theworldwithfoodandrawmaterials.It’sbeensaidthatwewon’trunoutofwater,we’llrunoutofcheapwater.Becauseoftheamountofwateragricultureneedsand thestate’scontinuingpopulationgrowth,thereismountingconcernaboutincreasingcostsandcompetitionwith public supply. A key part ofmaintaininganadequatesupplyforalluses,includingtheenvironment,isfindingwaystoconservewater,touseless,throughplanning,management,andtechnology.Thisappliestoeveryone,fromagriculture,toindustry,toindividuals.

Waterconservationisn’tjustsmart;it’sbecomeanecessityforFloridafarmers.Andthereisgreatpotentialforsavingwaterinagriculture.FloridaDepartmentofAgricultureandConsumerService(FDACS)bestmanagementpractices(BMPs)includebothwaterqualityprotectionandwater-conservingstrategies.Workingwiththeagriculturalindustryandothers,FDACShasdevelopedBMPsforallthekeycommoditiesinthestate.

BMPs generally are management steps that most Floridafarmers and ranchers alreadymay be taking, but oftenmayoverlook. For example, some practical measures that helpconservewaterincropproductioninclude:(1)monitoringsoilmoisturecontent; (2) adjustingwater applications to specificcropneeds;(3)applyingorganicmulchestopreventwaterlossandimprovepercolation;(4)usingcroprotationsthatreducewaterrunoff;(5)preventingtheremovalofbiomassfromland;

(6)increasinguseoftreesandshrubstoslowwaterrunoff;and(7)improvingefficiencyofirrigationmethodsandsystems.

FarmersthatirrigateshouldtakeadvantageofservicesofferedbyMobileIrrigationLabs(MILs)throughoutthestate,whichreceivesupportfromFDACSandotheragencies.MILsareone-ortwo-personteamsthatprovideirrigationsystemevaluationsfree of charge to agricultural producers and residential andcommercialwaterusers.TheMILsdeveloprecommendationsonimprovingtheefficiencyofexistingirrigationsystemsandequipment,andeducatetheircustomersandthegeneralpublicon water conservation, irrigation planning, and irrigationmanagement.ElevenofthefifteenMILsinFloridacurrentlyprovideservicestoagriculturaloperations.

Within the Southwest Florida Water Management District,there is available funding to implement alternative watersupplyorincreasedirrigationefficiencyprojectsonagriculturalproperties through the Facilitating Agricultural ResourceManagement (FARMS) and Mini-FARMS programs. Bothprograms provide cost share for agricultural projects thatconservewaterandprotectwaterqualitywithintheboundariesoftheDistrict,butMini-Farmsfocusesonirrigatedoperationsof100acresorfewer.TheMini-FARMSprogramfundspumpshutoffswitches,soilmoisturemeasuringdevices,water-tablemonitoringwells, andweather stations, among other things.Underthisprogram,thedistrictwillreimbursegrowersupto75percentof thecostofanapprovedproject,witha$5,000cap.

EnrollinginFDACSBMPs,gettingafreeMILevaluation,andparticipatingincostshareforwaterconservationarewaysfortheagriculturecommunitytostepupandshowthatwearethetruestewardsofourlandandareproudofhowwemakeourliving.

YoucanlearnmoreaboutMILs,FARMS,andMini-FARMSat:http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/agriculture/TolearnmoreaboutFDACSBMPprograms,goto:http://www.floridaagwaterpolicy.com/

Untilnexttime,MattWarren,FDACSOfficeofAgriculturalWaterPolicy(863)773-2164

SPEC

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FEAT

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CONSERVING WATER: Agricultural Best Management Practices Can Help By Matt Warren

Tensiometer used at Green Sea Farms, purchased through the Mini-FARMS program


Matt Warren grew up in Hardee County, went to juniorcollege in Kansas andgraduated from LSU. Helovesspendingtimewithhisfamily fishing and helpinghis dad out with his cowsas well as their own. Youmay have seen him in thering at state and countyfairs and livestock showsjudging livestock. He hasbeeninChieflandthepast11yearsmanaging a 400 headcow-calfoperationinwhichthey also ran 2,000 head ofstockercalves.

MattandhiswifedecidedtomovebackhomewhentheirsonLanewas about to startschool.Theywantedtoraisehim in the same town theygrewup inand tobeclosertotheirparents.When they moved back,Matt worked with Ronnie

Durrance at Hardee Ranch Supply until an opportunitycamealongthatwashardtorefuse.TheFloridaDepartmentof Agriculture and Consumer Service was looking to hiresomeoneintheareawhoknewthecattlemenandcouldassistingettingthemenrolledwiththeBestManagementPracticesforwaterquality.Hesaw it asagreatway to stay in touchwith the cattlemen and also be themiddleman for them onlegislativeandenvironmentalissues.

Mattsaid,“IreallylovewhatIdoandbelieveintheBMPsasitgivestherancheranotherlegtostandonwhenwehavetofightenvironmentalissues.”

We welcome Matt to our Heartland team as a contributing writer!

If you would like to contact him, you can call his office 863-773-2164 or his cell 863-448-3354.

WRITER’S BIO

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Anentrancesignat31Produceproclaims theestablishmenttobeMike’sFieldofDreams.ThatthefieldtowhichthesignrefersisnotthekindonewouldreadilyassociatewithMikeGreenwell, a former Boston Red Sox standout, is of littleconsequence. Today appreciative customers who regularlyshop at his farmers market and U-Pick facility located onState Route 31 inAlva have replaced ardent baseball fans.AndMikewouldn’thaveitanyotherway.

“IactuallygrewagardenwhileIwasplayingmajorleaguebaseball,”Mikesaid.“EveryyearIgrewagardeninBostoninmybackyard.Itwaskindofahobby.”Hewentontoexplainthatgardeningbroughthimpieceofmindinthosedaysandprovided him away to escape themedia hype at the sametime.Theendresultisonethathasstayedwithhimtothisday.“Iwasbittenbythegardenbugbecauseofthat.”

AfterreturninghometoSouthwestFloridaandenjoyinghisretirement for six or seven years, Mike started growing agardenagainforseveralreasons.Chiefamongthemwastheconcernhiswife,Tracy,hadaboutthesafetyoffoodbroughtinto the United States from other countries. Soon after theinitialplanting,whichheconcedeswasa lotofwork;Mikedecidedheneeded,“biggerandbetterequipmentso Icouldplant more.” Before long, “We had planted five acres ofgarden,whichisahugegarden.”MikeandTracygavemostoftheproduceawaytofriendsandneighbors,manyofwhomwerebeginningtoexperiencetheworseningeconomy.

It wasn’t long before theideaofsellingtothepublicbecame a viable option.Atfirst produce was just soldon the weekends. “But weexperiencedsuchsuccessinjust threeweekends,”Mikestated,“thatweimmediatelystarted construction and sixweekslaterthisbuildingwasdone.”Itwasn’tlongbefore31 Produce was born andready togo.“Wecontinuedto plant and we’ve grownfromthere.”Mikecurrentlygrowson16ofthefarm’s80acres.Hewasquicktopointoutthat31Produceisatruefarmersmarketandnot justa produce stand. “Wegrow70%ofwhatwe sell. Andpeople can visually see where it is growing. They can gooutandpick it themselves.”Additionally, localgrowersandproducersareutilizedbyMiketosupplyproducenotgrownon his farm. “We have a good business relationship withdifferent farmers around here,” he added. “In fact, a lot ofourcitrusliterallycomesfromlocalbackyards.Andwemakeahugeeffortnottobuyanythingthatcomesfromoutofthecountry.”Whenplanstostartthefarmersmarketwerestillintheworks,he and Tracy discussed at length how season-sensitive thearea is.Mike said he thought, “If I’m going to do this I’mgoingtobeopenyear‘round.Tomeit’snotfairtohavealocalfarmersmarketwhenyou’rebasicallyworriedaboutsellingtothetourists.IfIwasalocalcustomerandIcameandyouwereclosedthatwouldjustbugme.”Thatphilosophycombined

31 ProduceA Field of Dreams in Southwest FloridaByCindyCutright


with a marketing strategy of using consistentpricingthroughouttheyear–regardlessoftheseason - and offering a wide variety of freshproducehasgarnereda loyalfollowingamongthefacilities’customers.

Avirtualcornucopiaofproducecanbefoundat31Produce.Delectablestrawberries,tomatoes,squash, zucchini, eggplant, cucumbers,watermelons,sweetandhotpeppers,okra,greenbeans,polebeans,onions,peas,brusselssproutsandtheeverpopulardragonfruitareallgrownthere. Greens available include kale, mustardandcollard,Swiss chard, lettuce andcabbage.And the addition of an herb garden meansbasil, oregano,mint,parsley, and tarragoncanallbepicked fresh.Bottleddelicaciesarealsoavailablethroughawideselectionofpreserves,salsa,saucesandpickledvegetables,marketedunderahousebrand.

OfthenowthrivingbusinessMikeremarked,“WekindoffellintoitIguess.Butwealsofellinlovewithit.”Hewentontosay,“Itisfunny.IalwaysusedtojokethatwhenIretiredfrombaseballIwasgoingtoopenahardwarestoresoIcouldjustsitinarockingchairandhowironicthisisnowmyhardwarestore.”

Somuch for sitting in a rocking chair,Mike andTracy arealwayslookingforwaystoimprovethefacilityandtheyoftendrawupontheirownextensivetravelstodoso.“Aswegrew,westarted to thinkaboutways tomakeitmoreentertainingandmorefunforkidsandfamilies,”statedMike.“Westartedservinghomemadeicecreamandopenedapanningfacilitybecause itwassomethingwedidonvacation.WewouldgotopanningfacilitiesinNorthCarolina,GeorgiaorTennesseesowethoughtitwouldbegreattohaveonehere.”Miketookthe panning operation one step further by doing somethinguniquetomakeitatrueFloridaexperience.“WeaddedsharksteethandgatorteethandFloridashells.Thekidslovefindingthesharkteeth;itisthebiggesthit.It(thepanningfacility)isagreatassettohave.”MikesaidheandTracyalwaysmakeaconsciouseffortwhentravelingtostopatproducestandsandfarmersmarketsalongtheway.“Welearnfromthem.That’showwedecidedtoputourstrawberriesorpassionfruitinouricecream(dependingontheseason).”

31 Produce like so many other businesses is a work inprogress.“Westartedoutcompletelyorganicandthatwasourintention,”Mikeexplained.“AndthenIstartedreadingaboutthecompostandthefactthatitisgrowingbacteria.Iwantedkidstobeabletogooutandpickastrawberryandeatit.”Heworriedabout theconsequences soMikechose touseothermeanstofertilizetheproduce.“Wecareaboutthelandheretoo,sowedecidednottousegranularfertilizerandweuseadripirrigationsystem.Wefeelwedoeverythingrightandnotjustworryaboutthedollarthat’scominginthedoor.”

Expansionisalsopartofthatprogress.Mikerecentlyaddedover100citrustrees,25peachtrees,andheanticipatesaddinganother300dragonfruitplantsinthespring,“becausedragonfruitisinsuchdemand.”Mike’svisionfor31Produceisoneheisworkinghardtoseebecomeareality.“Iwantpeopletobeabletopullupandseethecitrusgrowingonthetreesisthesamecitrusthatisinthestand.Itwilltakeanother4or5yearstogettothatpoint.”

To say Mike is community minded is somewhat of anunderstatement.InyearspastandwithTracy’sencouragement,he helped coach young people who were playing on localbaseball teams.Theybothbelieve it is important tomakeadifference“whereyoucan.”Andnowhehasfoundauniqueway to share his love of agriculture with the youth of thecommunity.Some400schoolchildrenarescheduledtotakefarmtoursduringthemonthofJanuaryalone.Inpreparationforthat,hehasjustfinishedmodifyingawagonthatwillbepulledbehindatractortogivethechildrenatourofthefarm.The tours can accommodate up to 40 students at one time.Mikesaidpeopleoftencommenttohim“theyreallylovethisplace.Itgivesthemtheopportunitytobringtheirkidsoutheretoseeafarm.”

31Produce is somuchmore than just an ongoing businessconcern. “Everybody who is here is either family or goodfriends.That’swhat’skindofneataboutit.”Mikestated.Localcraftsmenhavealsobeenencouragedtobringinproductstheymaketosell.Itemsrangingfromlocalhoneytouniquepiecesoffurniturearefeatured.“Wetrytohelpthecommunity.”

MikesaysheandTracyarededicatedto,“beinghereforever”andarelayingthegroundworkfortheirsonstotakeovertheoperationwhen theygetolder.Together they arebuilding alegacycombininganenviableworkethic,loveofagricultureandcommitment tocommunity,whichensuresMike’sFieldofDreams,willcertainlyflourishforalongtimetocome.

For more information go to the 31 Produce website www.31produce.com January 2013 Heartland InTheFieldMagazine 29

Linda MINTON

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AsanativeofSt.LucieCounty,LindaMintonhaswitnessedagreatdealofchangetotheareathroughouttheyears.Hergrandfatherandfatherwerebothinvolvedinfarming,and

shegrewuponaranchinthesouthwesternpartofthecounty.“Atthetime,mydadworkedforPeacockFruit&CattleCorporationandtheranchincludedthepropertywheretheTraditionsshoppingareanowexists,”sheshares.“Itwasagoodlifegrowingupontheranch.”

Linda has worked at Southeastern Aerial Crop Service for 35yearsnow.OwnedbyChuckStone, thebusinesshasbeen inSt.LucieCounty since 1953 and provides aerial spraying, seeding,and fertilization services throughout the state. Linda managesthe office, including scheduling pilots’ jobs and maintainingaccounting records. SoutheasternAerial is also a dealer forAirTractor®, planes designed specifically for agricultural spraying,andLinda handles all of the paperwork involved in those sales.

“Pilots start at daylight before the wind typically picks up,so I get them set up the day before. I then communicate withour customers later in the day to ensure that the spraying iscomplete,” Linda said. “Our planes are equipped with onboardcomputers and we have software that draws maps of the areasto be sprayed. I load them on jump drives for the pilots todownload. The software utilizes a GPS system to color inapplied areas as they sprayed ensuring accurate application.”

As you might imagine, this is a highly regulated industry,involvingagreat amountof recordkeeping.Their softwarealsorecords information such as airplane speed, height and rate ofapplication. “Depending on where and what we are spraying,varying protocols are in place,” explains Linda. “For example,fruit being shipped overseas must be sprayed every 10 daysprior to harvesting, so the packer determines the schedule.Our records can validate that requirements have been met.”

Linda serves as Executive Director of the Florida AgricultureAviationAssociation,atradeassociationforaerialapplicatorsandpilotsinourstate.“WehostmeetingsforpilotstoearntheContinuingEducationUnits(CEUs)necessarytomaintaintheirlicenses,andalsosponsoreventslikeOperationSAFEforpatterntestingofspray,andtheProfessionalAerialApplicators’SupportSystem(PAASS)Program.PAASSisaprogramthateducatespilotsonkeysafetyanddriftminimizationissuesimportanttoflying,modernagricultureandcropprotection,whichisrequiredbymanyinsurancecompanies.

She is also theCoordinator of the SoutheastAeroCultural FairwhichwillbeheldinJacksonvilleinFebruary.“2013marksthe38thannualeventthatrotatesbetweenthehoststatesofFlorida,Georgia,Alabama, South Carolina and Tennessee, although eight to tendifferentstatesaretypicallyrepresented.Weprovidetheopportunityformembers to network, earnCEUs, and hear guest speakers –last year a former astronaut addressed the group,” Linda says.

By Robbi Sumner


Three years ago, Linda was elected to serve on the St. LucieSoil & Water Conservation District. Her husband Rick servedon the Board for over 20 years, and his father served beforehim. As the first, and still only, woman elected to the Board,Linda feels that she brings a different perspective. “Soil andwater conservation efforts are vital in Florida,” states Linda.“Ihaveadeeppassionforthelandandwantitkeptsafeformygrandchildren.”Tothatend,shealsoservesas1stVicePresidentof the Association of Florida Conservation Districts, made upofmembers from the 63differentDistricts throughout the state.

Withencouragementfromherdaughter,SamPhares,LindareturnedtocollegeandearnedherdegreeinFoodandResourceEconomicswitha specialization inAgriculturalBusinessManagement fromtheUniversityofFloridain2004.“IwasabletotakeclassesrighthereattheIndianRiverResearchandEducationCenteronRockRoad.Itwasverychallengingworkingfulltimeandgoingtoschoolatnight.Itisn’tforthefainthearted,especiallywhenthecalculusanddataanalysiscamearound,butIwantedmygrandchildrentorealizetheimportanceofacollegedegree.Mydegreecredentialedmy work experience and I am very proud to be a Gator!”

Linda is a member of the St. Lucie Cattlewomen, and servedasTreasurer for a number of years. “They are a great group ofwomen,” she says. Between them, she and Rick have fivedaughters and seven grandchildren that they enjoy spendingtime with. As for hobbies, Linda says that she “will readanything!” including classics likeTheGrapes ofWrath and sheparticularlyenjoysthewritingsofCarlHiaasenandPatrickSmith.

“I’vehadthewonderfulopportunityofmeetingandworkingwithdifferentpeoplefromdifferentstates.Andworkingwiththesameemployerfor35yearshasmadeuslikefamily.I’mveryluckytospendmytimewithgreatpeopledoingthingsIenjoy,”Lindashared.

Linda in her office with Sam

Linda with husband Rick


Berry FarMer DOUg Miller

The aroma of sweet strawberries fills the air at Sandy RidgeBerryFarm,locatedinLakePlacidneartheHardee/Highlands/andDeSotocountylines.InJanuary,ProductionManagerDougMillerwillcelebratehisfirstyearofemploymentat thefarm.“AftergraduatingfromABAC(AbrahamBaldwinAgriculturalCollege)withadegreeinAgBusiness,Ispenttenyearswork-ingintomatoesandwatermelonswith6L’sPackingCompanyinImmokalee,”heexplains.ALoridanativeandSebringHighSchoolgraduate,Doughadthedesiretobothliveandworkinhishomecounty.“Thejobwith6L’sentailedalotoftravel,andIreallywantedtobehomewithmyfamilymore.”

SandyRidgeBerryFarmisasubsidiaryofReiterAffiliatedCom-panies,LLC,oneoftheworld’slargestberrygrowers.Doughas40acresofstrawberriesand300acresofblueberriesunderhismanagement.Thefarmemploys16peoplefull-time,andthenaddsup to500seasonalpickers. “Finding labor isoneofourgreatest challenges,” saysDoug.“Therearen’t enoughberriesbeinggrownintheareatoattracttheseasonallabortrainedinpickingblueberriesandstrawberries.”Douggivesmuchcredittotherestofthestaff,particularlyhistwoManagersJuanVegaandJustinPettit.“It’samazinghowmuchwe’vegrownandcon-tinuetogrow.Icouldn’tdoitwithoutthem.”

Thefourvarietiesofstrawberries that theygroware typicallyplantedduring thefirst threeweeksofOctober andharvestedfromThanksgivingthroughearlyApril.FromMaytoNovem-

ber,timeisspentpreparingthegroundforthenewstrawberryplants–oldplantsarediscedupandthesoilisweededandfer-tilized.

Afterharvestingmid-Marchthroughmid-May,blueberryplantsareprunedtopromotere-growth,andaresprayedandfertilizedthroughoutthesummer.Becauseofourmildwinters,theplantsaresometimessprayedwithDormexwhichinducesmoreuni-formandearlierbudding.

Asforgrowingchallenges,Dougsharesthattoomuchraincancauserustontheblueberryplants,andtheydon’twantseverecoldweather foreithercrop.“TheCedarWaxWingbirdsarevery destructive to both berries,”Doug shared. “The SpottedWingDrosophilahasnotbecomeprevalentinourareayet,butwealreadytakemeasurestopreventfutureinfestation.”Becausethepestthrivesonover-ripefruit,suchmeasuresincludedrag-gingsandbagsbetween theplantbeds tomashanydiscardedfruit,andkeepingculledfruit inaboxrather than throwingitontheground.

According toDoug,SandyRidgeproduces aboutonemillionpoundsofblueberriesand94,000flatsofstrawberrieseachsea-son.Their berries aremarketed throughDriscoll’s® the lead-ingsupplieroffreshstrawberries,blueberries,blackberries,andraspberries.

By Robbi Sumner

farmer &

Doug inside a blueberry tunnel


“Reiterisaveryinnovativecompany–they’renotafraidoftry-ingsomethingnew,”Dougsaid,asheshowedmetheirtwelvenewlyplantedacresofblueberries.Thoseplantsarebeinggrownin“tunnels”or“hoops”assomecall it,built fromgalvanizedsteelmetalpipecoveredbyplasticsheets.“Theideaistogrowevergreenplantsthatwon’tgodormant,”Dougexplained.“Thestructureswillallowustocontrolrainfall,aswellasprovidera-diantheatinthewinter.ThegoalistohaveadomesticproducttocompetewithberriesfromChile,whoseseasontypicallypeaksinDecember.”

Doug and hiswife Sarah,who is a Sci-enceteacheratAvonParkMiddleSchool,have a 21-month old daughter namedGrace Lynn. Doug enjoys deer hunting,fishingandspendingtimewithfamilyandfriends.HealsoservesasVicePresidenton the Highlands County Farm BureauBoard,andshared“Wedoa lotofgoodthingsinthecounty.It’sawayformetogivebacktothecommunitywhereIwasraised.”

rancher

Doug, Grace Lynn and Sarah


LocatedintheruraleasternManateeCountytownofDuette,Bunker Hill Vineyard & Winery is an “EnvironmentallyResponsibleWinery.”This keeps them close to their winesthroughouttheirbirthingandmaturingprocess,thusaddingtothehandcraftingofthewines.

Thegrapes thatmake theirwinesare fromanancient stockthat isnative to the southeastUnitedStates and theirwinesare always in limited supply.To the uninformed, thewinesmade frommuscadine grapes are considered inferior to themorepopularbunchgrapes.Thetruthis,theymakea‘WorldClass’wine!BunkerHill’ssinglegoalistoproducethe‘GoldStandard’ofFloridawinesandtoproduceonlyWorldClasswines.

Ourwineisstoredintheir“winecave”intotaldarknessandattheidealstoragetemperatureof52to57degrees.Theyarea green, environmentally responsible, vineyard and winery.Thismeansthattheyaredeeplyconcernedabouttheircarbonfootprintandimpactontheenvironment.Thisdeepconcernand commitment is reflected in everything that they do.Whenever it’s possible, they eliminate theuseof electricityfromthegridandoptinsteadforalternativeformsofenergy.As examples, the use of solar energy drives their irrigationsystemandhumanenergydrivesthegrapecrusherandgrapepress.Everywinebottlethattheyuseislocallysourcedandrecycled.By recycling100%of theirwinebottles, they are

abletoreducetheircarbonfootprintbyawhopping60%!Tosealthewinebottles,theyarehot-dippedinsealingwax.Thistoo, is re-melted and reused when customers return emptywinebottles to thewinery to recycle.BunkerHillalsouses100% natural corks for corking their wine bottles. Unlikeartificialplasticcorks,naturalcorksarerenewable.

WhenyouvisitBunkerHillVineyardandWinery,youarealsovisiting aCertifiedWildlifeHabitat.To generate awarenessof their resident Florida wildlife, each of the wine labelsrepresentsadifferentwildanimal.

Anewwineage isdawning inFlorida!Withyourhelp andsupport,FloridaandManateeCountywillbeknownasmuchfor its fine wines as for its beautiful beaches! Visit www.bunkerhillvineyard.comtolearnmoreabouttheWaterGardenFarm, Ghost & Spirit Orb Walkabouts, and other uniquefeaturesofthisFloridavineyardandwinery.

BUNKERHILL

Handcrafted Wine is Our Trademark. Exceptional Taste is Our Pledge!



Justoffthebeatenpath,hiddenamongthecitrusgrovesandpasturelandprevalentinruralSouthwestFlorida,onecanfindalittlebitofEden…literally.Thosewhoequategreattastingwinewithheavenonearthallagreethename,Eden Winery,isspot-on.Thewinery,whichsitson20acresofpureFloridabetween FortMyers andLaBelle onRoute 80, has becomeamust-seedestinationforvisitorsfromalloverthecountry.

EdenWineryisownedbytheKiserFamily,whichsetaboutdecadesagotoproduceworld-renownedwinessuchasMerlot,ChardonnayandCabernetSauvignon inFlorida.But familymembers learned thatwhile the grapeswould indeed grow,theywouldalsoultimatelysuccumbtoabacteriumknownasPiercesDisease,thesamenemesisthatdecimatedthestate’swineindustryintheearly1900’s.

Itwasn’t until the 1950’s that a small group of agriculturalresearchersattheUniversityofFlorida,whichhadlaboredforsome20years,finallydevelopedahybridgrapeplantthatwasbothimmunetothediseaseandyetstillcapableofproducingafinewine.

TwodecadeslatertheKiser’splantedcuttings(takendirectlyfrom the original hybrid vines grown at the University ofFlorida’s facility) in a test vineyard inAlva.After severalyearsofgrowing,harvestingand testing, thefamilyand thegrapes prevailed. Finally in 1986, EdenVineyards held theauspicioustitleofbeingdeclaredthe‘Southernmost Federally Licensed and Bonded Winery and Vineyards in the United States’.Nosmallachievementwhenoneconsiderstheyearsinvestedinbringingthevineyardandwinerytofruition.

Today,EarlKiserservesastheofficialwinemakerwhilehiswife,Mildred,overseestheoperation,thoughsheisquicktopointoutthattheentirefamilylendsahand,“everybodydoestheirpart,”shesays.

Among Mildred’s duties is one she thoroughly enjoys:conductingwinetastingforwineryvisitors.“Wetrytoteachpeople how to taste wine,” she explains. During the winetasting, Mildred gives a brief verbal synopsis of Florida’swine-makinghistory aswell as a bit of current informationabouttheindustrytoday.“Thereare18wineriesinFlorida,”shestates,“butwearetheoldest.”

All eyes are on Mildred during the wine tasting as shedispensesvitalfacts-aswellasasamplingofthesevenwines- produced by thewinery. For example, attendees learn theAlvaRouge,which is reminiscentofagoodBeaujolaisandclassifiedasmediumdry, isherunabashedfavorite.Thoughthisparticularwineisoftenreferredtoas‘Mildred’sspaghettiwine’sheassureseveryone itgoes justaswellwithanotherpopularItaliandish…pizza,whichalsohappenstobeoneofherfavorites.“Iamapizzaperson,”sheconfides.

EDEN WINERYByCindyCutright

Manager, Jay Vargo, is always eager to assist customers in selecting the perfect wine for any occasion.


Expoundingonthevirtuesofthewinery’saward-winningwineneverbecomespassé.ItiswithacertainpassionthatMildred,inacharmingsouthernaccent,explains theuniquequalitieseach selection possesses. “They are all very different,” shestates.“Butwedon’tmaketheheavywines.And,”sheadds,“wedon’tmakewinesthatbite,otherwisepeoplewon’tbuythem.Wemakewinesthatarepleasantandwinesthatdon’toffend people.” Mildred is also quick to dispel a commonmyth during her presentation, “We don’t say (serve) whitewinewiththisorredwinewiththat.”Selectingagoodwineregardless of color is what is most important. However,she isquick toadd thata redwine,suchas theAlvaRougecomplimentschocolateofanykind(ladies,takenote).Mildred greets each individual wine connoisseur visitingthewinerywith thesameenthusiasmshemustersforwholebusloadsof tourists.“Thetourcompanies loveus.”Mildredstates.Andwhynot?TouristsfromalloverthecountryboundfortheFortMyersareaareabletodisembarkfromthebusesandsipwineinaquiet,pastoralsetting.FollowingahecticdaytravelingfromoneSouthwestFloridaattractiontoanother,atriptotheEdenWineryisawelcomereprievetobesure.

Inadditiontotheon-sitewinetastingexperienceatacostof$2.50perperson,Manager, JayVargo,has recentlyaddedanewservice:outsidewine tasting.Hesayshegladly travelstoprivatehomesandclubhousestoconductawinetastingforaminimumof20peopleandamaximumof50.“Itishardtodoalotmorethan50,”Jayconcedes.Thecosttohostawinetastingis$25perpersonwhentheeventisheldinLeeCounty.More is charged per person for tastings held in adjoiningcounties.Eachparticipantreceivesabottleofwineofhisorherchoosingandanaccompanyingwinetastingglass.

Jay, (who admits his favorite wine isCoral Bell), perhapsdescribes Eden Winery best as simply, “A fun, southernplace to go. It is nice, peaceful and quiet, a great place torelaxandhaveaglassofwine.”Jaysaysthewinerystaffevenencouragesvisitors tobring apicnic lunch. “Peopledo thatallthetime,”headds.Forthosewhomayliketojustsnack,cheese and crackers and summer sausage can be purchasedaswell.

While EdenWinery is open all year, it is no surprise thatseasondrawsthelargestcrowds.“We’llget20to30peopleaday(MondaythroughFriday)and50to60onweekends,”statesJay.“Andifitiscoldoutandnotagoodbeachdaywe’llgetevenmore.”

Whilethewinemakingisstilldoneatthewinery,thegrapesarenowharvestednorthofTampa.“Welostallthevineyardsto Charlie and Wilma,” Mildred explains. “It wasn’t thehurricanessomuchas itwas just the rain.”Asmallherdofcows, which have become a tourist attraction in their ownright,nowgrazewherevineyardsonceflourished.

EdenWineryisopensevendaysaweek.11:00a.m.until4:00p.m.exceptonFridayandSaturdaywhenthewineryisopenuntil5:00p.m.Ifyou’dliketoplaceanorderbyphoneorfindyoucan’t take itwithyouwhilevisiting, the staff shipsviaUPSacrosscountryoraroundtheworld.YoucanfindEdenWineryonFacebook,gotowww.edenwinery.comorcall239-728-9463formoreinformation.

Cows graze where vineyards, destroyed by hurricanes, once grew.


A BRIEF HISTORYFormanyfolks,California is thestate thatcomestomindwhentheythinkaboutvineyardsandwin-eries. However, wine was beingmade in Floridalong before the Pilgrims arrived, let alone beforethe west coast was settled. Spanish explorers aresaidtohavediscoveredournativegrapevinesandusedthewildmuscadinegrapestodevelopthefirst

knownAmericanwine,with thefirsthistoricalrecorddatingbackto1562.

Throughoutitshistory,thegrapeindustry has experienced manyups and downs in Florida. Ourunique soil, climate, and theprevalence of Pierce’s disease

has proven adverse to European grape varieties,howeverourheartymuscadinevarietieshavecon-tinuedtoflourish.

THE INDUSTRYThe Florida Grape GrowersAssociation (FGGA)wasformedin1923inordertoservefarmersandhelpfundresearchattheUniversityofFlorida.TheFGGAsupportedpassageoftheViticulturePolicyActin1984,whichcreatedtheViticultureAdvisoryCouncil and required development of a statewideViticulturePlan.TheViticultureTrustFund(VTF)wasalsocreated,and receives funding fromsalestaxescollectedonFloridaproducedwinetoassistin implementing the Plan, including further re-searchandpromotionoftheindustry.

Florida Vineyards and Wineries By Robbi Sumner

From the Latin word for vine, “viticulture” is the branch of horticulture that deals with the cultivation of grapevines.


MembersofFGGAincludewineryownersandman-agers,hobbyistgrowers,viticulturescienceprofes-sionals,U-pickfarms,Jams,jelly,andjuicemakers,industrysuppliers,andfruitandvegetablegrowers.Today,theFGGAcontinuestoprovidevaluableser-vicessuchasaccess touniversityresearchand in-centiveprogramsforitsmembers.TheyalsoholdanAnnualConference,whichwillbeheldattheBestWesternPlusinOrlandoJanuary25thand26th.

According to “TheWine and Grape Industries inFlorida” report by Stonebridge Research, in 2010one-thousandacreswerereportedtobeplantedwithgrapes, mostly muscadine. Of that number, about70%isgrownforwineproduction,thebalancefor

bulk and juice. Based on 2007 figures, of the top10counties forgrapeacreage, twoare inour area–Manateeat#2andHighlandsat#8.LakeCounty,homeofLakeridgeWinery&Vineyards, ranks#1forgrapeacreageinourstate.


MUSCADINE VARIETIESMuscadinestakeaboutfouryearstoreachmaturityandfiveyearstoyieldamaximumcrop. InFlorida, thecropyieldsbetweenfive and eight tons per acre,with approximately 5%of vinesbeingreplantedeachyear.MaturinginAugustandSeptember,muscadinesarethicker-skinned,somewhatspicy-sweet,andarepickedindividuallyfromthevineratherthaninbuncheslikethetypeswe typicallysee ingrocerystores.Theycanbeenjoyedfreshfromthevineorusedforjelliesandjams.

Among the dozens of varieties of muscadine that have beendeveloped,theNobleandCarlosaretwoofthemostcommonlyplantedinFlorida.Nobleisthemostpopularredusedforwineandjuiceproduction.Carlosgrapesarebronzeincolor,andarealsousedlargelyforwineandjuiceproduction.

HEALTH BENEFITSInstudiesconductedbytheUniversityofFlorida,theNationalCancer Institute and others,muscadines have been proven tocontainincrediblyhighlevelsofantioxidantswhichplayakeyrole in maintaining healthy immune systems. They are alsofat free, high in fiber, have anti-inflammatory properties, andcan lowerbadcholesterol and raisegoodcholesterolpossiblyreducingtheriskofaheartattackorstroke.Ifyoudon’tdrinkwine, you can still reap the health benefits by enjoying otherproducts like the juice or jamsmade frommuscadine, or thefreshfruititself.

ECONOMIC IMPACTTheStoneridgereportgoeson toestimate the2010economiccontribution of Florida’s grape and wine industries at almost$895million.ThatfigureincludedsuchitemsastheretailvalueofFloridawine,wagespaidonover6,400full-timeequivalentjobs, state and federal taxes paid, and wine related tourismexpenditures.

TourismwillalwaysbeamajorcomponentofFlorida’seconomy,and our vineyards and wineries are emerging as alternativedestinations to the theme parks and beaches. It is estimatedthat Florida wineries attracted an estimated 345,000 visits in2010.While certainly not all of those were “tourists” as wethinkofthem,theprevalenceofeventsliketheupcoming25thAnnualFloridaStateFair InternationalWineandGrape Juice

Competition validates the interestin and importance of the industryin our state. The competition willbe held in the Living Center atthe Florida State Fair Grounds,February 7th through 9th and hasboth Commercial and HobbyistDivisions.TheCommercialDivisionisopentoallCommercialWineriesbothhereandabroad.TheHobbyist Division is open to allamateurwinemakers in theUnitedStatesandCanada.The2012eventhosted1,067entriesfrom36statesand10foreigncountries.

ENJOY!Visiting a vineyard or winery inFloridacanbeafunandeducationalexperience for the whole family.It’s a part of Florida agricultureand history, offering opportunitiesto stroll through avineyard, enjoyfreshu-pickedfruit,takeinapicniclunch, and learn about the scienceof winemaking, corking, bottlingand labelingprocesses.Depending

onthewinery’sschedule,youmaybeabletoenjoyanoutdoorconcertonthegrounds,takepartintheannualgrapestomp,orseeanimalsatacertifiedwildlifehabitat.Ofcourseyou’llalsowanttosamplesomeofthewine,jellies,grapejuices,andotherdelicious products available.Alongwith their boutiquewines– somemade fromfruitsother thangrapes suchasblueberry,appleorblackberry-mostwineriesalsoofferuniquegourmetspecialtiessuchasgrapeseedoil,mangobutter,andstrawberrysalsa, just to name a few.With over two dozenwineries andvineyardslocatedinFlorida,there’sboundtobeonenearyou!


Better Yields, Better Quality,Safer for the Environment

w w w . a g r o l i q u i d . c o m

Available through Jim Dorman of Charlie’s Plant Farm, Inc. (813) 601-2540

FL-Ad.indd 1 9/18/2012 10:54:40 AM

We look forward to meeting all of your financial needs in 2013.

Happy New Year!


Good Vibes & Good TimesJust opened in July 2011,EndlessSummerVineyard&Wineryistheculminationofdecades of nursery growing

experiencecoupledwithyearsofvineyardandwineryplanningand development. The winery, and its name, integrates thesunandfunatmosphereofFloridaandGaryRoberts’familyinterests in all things tropical and water-related. His desirewastocreateanexcitingwineryexperiencelikenoother.

GrowingupinFlorida,Garybegansurfingattheageof11andstartedhisprolificcollectionofclassicboardsandmemorabiliain1972(someofwhichcanbeseeninthetastingroomandpavilion).Afterdiscoveringawineheloved,muscadinewine,Garybeganmakingwineathomein2009.Itthenbecameanatural progression to open awinery featuring this historicnativegrapeandothertropicalfruits.“Muscadinegrapeandtropicalfruitwinesaretwoofthefastestgrowingsegmentsinthewineindustryastheparadigmshiftappearstobeleaningmore towards a contemporary ‘it’sOK to drinkwhat tastesgood to you’ philosophy”, states Gary. Endless SummerVineyard & Winery grows the Noble, Carlos, and Doreenvarieties ofmuscadine grapes forwines in their year roundvineyardoperationandalsomakesspecialtyfruitwines,suchasmango.

While you swirl your glass on the handmade wine barreltasting bar, you will see vintage surf boards from Gary’snotable collection, as well as other related memorabiliamounted all around the tasting room and uniquely stockedgiftshop,includingtheoldestbelly(boogie)boardknowninexistence, built in 1910.Relax in the rocking chairs on the

frontporchofthewineryandtakeinthesoothingsoundofthewaterfeatureunderthegrapearbor.Orstrolloutsidethroughthevineyardandfestivalareawhichshowcasesthebeautifullylandscapedpondwithawhite sandbeach,2300square footpavilion (withauthentic surfboardpicnic table seating), andshadedwooden swings.Youcan even feed the residentfishandturtlesfromthecovereddocksurroundedbythetenacremuscadinegrapevineyard.

LocatedbetweenFortPierceandVeroBeach,EndlessSummerVineyard&WineryisthefirstandcurrentlytheonlyvineyardandwineryonFlorida’sCentralEast andSoutheastCoasts,only two miles off I-95 and only 7 miles from Florida’sTurnpike.

They are open Wednesday - Friday 11am-5pm, Saturday11am-6pm, Sunday 12 noon-5pm and are closed on allmajor holidays. Visit www.endlesssummerwine.com or call772.460.0500forinformationonupcomingevents.

ENDLESSSUMMERVineyard & WineryByRobbiSumner



Located between Sebring and Lake Placid, HenscratchVineyard&Wineryis“auniquefarmingandguestexperience.”Acertified“FloridaFarmWinery”thevineyardwasplantedin1999andincludes10acresofnativesouthernmuscadineandscuppernonggrapevarieties, a hydroponicsgrowing systemfor strawberryproduction, andahigh-bushblueberrypatch.But the true charm is the 200American breed laying hensthatrangefreelyamongthevineyardcanopyandsupplytheircountrystorewithfresheggs.

TheWineryoperationbeganwiththefirstcrushofmuscadine& scuppernong grapes from their own vineyards inAugust2003. Handpicked, and toted with care, the grapes wherecrushed into the primary fermenator boxes to await carefulanalysisandrecipecompletion.

The first vats were bottled in November 2003. Henscratchproduces seven styles of country style wines celebratingthe taste of the south.Thewinery is housed in a convertedagriculturalgrainbin.Themetalbinhasbeenoutfittedwithheavytimberbeams,asecondfloor,guestviewingarea,andanoutsidecrushingporch.

The country store isconstructed in the oldcrackerstylewithraisedfloor, sliding barn doorsand an open breezeway.Baskets are brimmingwith homemade, jams,jellies, sauces and syrupsto match our harvest seasons. Rich strawberry preserves,blueberry dressing and their famous Muscadine &Scuppernong jams & jellies are on the tasting counter totemptyourpalate.Wecarryagreatarrayofwineaccessoriesandthemedgiftideas.Packyourowndozeneggsthensnatchupajugofrawhoneyfromtheirhives.Anotherpopularitemistheinfusedgrapeseedoilperfectfordippingandsautés.

Visit the farm often, as the seasonal favorites take centerstage,and thenewwinesare ready for tasting!Sample theAwardWinning“CountryStyleWines”,orjustsitaspellontheFloridaCracker-styleporchbeforewanderingthroughthegroundstoexploretheotheruniqueprojectsinprogress.

For more information, call 863.699.2060 or visit www.henscratchfarms.com.

HENSCRATCH FARMSVineyard & WineryByRobbiSumner



KeelandCurleyWinerywasstartedinspringof2003inthekitchenoffounderandowner,JoeKeel.Keel,acentralFloridablueberryfarmerwantedtofindsomethingtodowithhisendof crop blueberries.As in most produce farming, once themarketpricereachesapricewhichislowerthanharvestandsalecommissions, farms stopharvesting their crops.At thistimeintheseason, therearestilla lotofqualityblueberriesonthebushes.SoKeeldecidedtotryandutilizetheseberriestoproducewine.Heexperimentedforyearswiththeseextraberries toget thatperfectwineflavorandafterhundredsofbatches he did it. Sowas the beginning of a company thatnowproducesover350,000bottlesayearofthisuniqueandaward-winningFloridawine.

Keel andCurleyWinery, produces three typesofBlueberrywines,eachwithaverydistincttaste.Thefirstisasweetwine,the second, a semi-dryor semi-sweetwine, and the third, adrywine.All threewinesaremade from100%blueberries.InJuly,2011,Keel&Curleydebuted twonewwines -DryBlackberryandSweetBlackberry.Botharemadewith100%blackberries.

Theyalsoproducefusionwinesorblendedwines.Partgrapebasedwines, (for example,Merlot or Chardonnay) blendedwithfruitjuices(StrawberryorTangerine).KeelandCurleywineryproducessevendifferentFusionwines.

KeelandCurleyWinescanalsobefoundinqualityretailersthroughout Florida including Publix,TotalWine andMore,ABCLiquor,andselectWal-Mart,Costco,Sam’sandTargetlocations.TheKeelandCurleyWinerytastingroomisopenSunday to Thursday 11am-6pm and Friday and Saturday10am toMidnight. They host livemusic every Friday andSaturday from 630-1030pm with drink specials and foodtrucksprovidinglocalcuisine.Youcanalsotasteall12oftheiramazingwinesfor$6andtakehomeadecorativewineglassor tryasmallsampleofa fewwines fornochargeanytimeduringtheiropenhours.TheydoprovidetoursonSaturdayand Sunday afternoons from 1 to 4pm with reservationsrecommended.

PleasedirectanyquestionstoClayKeelat813-752-9100.

KeelandCurleyWinery5202W.ThonotosassaRd.PlantCity,FL33565Phone:(813)752-9100www.keelandcurleywinery.comwww.facebook.com/kcwinery

KEEL &CURLEYWinery


REC

IPE

OF

THE

MO

NTH

Sonoma Steaks with Vegetables Bocconcini

Marinade time: 15 minutes to 2 hoursTotal recipe time: 30 minutes

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:2bonelessbeeftoploin(strip)steaks,cut3/4inchthick(about8ounceseach)

1container(9to16ounces)herb-marinatedsmallfreshmozzarellaballs(bocconcini)

3tablespoonsbalsamicvinegar

1mediumzucchini,cutdiagonallyinto1/4-inchthickslices

1largeyellowbellpepper,cutinto3/4-inchwidestrips

1cupsmallredgrapetomatoes

Instructions:Drainbocconcini,reserving1/3cupmarinade.Combine reservedmarinade and vinegar insmall bowl. Toss zucchini and bell pepperwith2tablespoonsmarinademixtureinlargebowl;coverandrefrigerateuntilreadytouse.Place beef steaks and remaining marinademixtureinfood-safeplasticbag;turnsteaksto coat.Closebag securely andmarinate inrefrigerator15minutesto2hours.

Remove steaks from marinade; discardmarinade. Remove vegetables frommarinade;place ingrillbasket.Placesteaksononehalfofgridovermedium,ash-coveredcoals;placegrillbasketonotherhalfofgrid.

Grill steaks,covered,7 to10minutes (overmedium heat on preheated gas grill, timesremain the same) for medium rare (145°F)to medium (160°F) doneness, turningoccasionally. Remove steaks; keep warm.Grill vegetables 10 to 13 minutes or untilcrisp-tender, stirring occasionally. Addtomatoesduringlast2minutesofgrilling.

Combine grilled vegetables and bocconciniinlargebowl;tossgentlytocombine.Carvesteaksintoslices;seasonwithsalt,asdesired.Servewithvegetablemixture.

February 6-9 NCBA Convention, TampaFebruary 7-18 Florida State Fair

March 12-14 FCA/FCW Quarterly Meeting, Tallahassee


SPEC

IAL

FEAT

URE

When you think of enjoyinga great glass of wine, it’sonly natural for your mind togravitate towards something

delicious to eatwith it.Nothing goeswith agreat meal better than a well-paired glassofwine.AtTuttoFresco ItalianGrill inPortSaint Lucie, you can enjoy a food andwineexperiencelikenoneother.YounolongerneedtotravelfarfromtheHeartlandtogetatasteofbig-citydining.TuttoFresconowhas twolocations in SaintLucieCounty: the originallocationonPortSaintLucieBlvd.andthenewlocationinSaintLucieWest,attheentrancetoPGAVillage(featuredinthisarticle).

Chef, and Co-Owner, Pasquale Lamarra has beencreating culinary masterpieces since the age of 16.Hismenuoffersanexpansiveselectionofhomemadepastas,seafooddishes,steaksandchopsfromvariousregionsofItalyaswellastheItalian-Americanclassics.Regardlessofyouwhatyouchoosetoeat, theItalianwords “Tutto Fresco” means “everything is fresh.”Nowintheirfourthyearofbusiness,theyhaveworkedhard toconsistentlydeliveruncompromised foodandservice.Theirreputation,alongwithcustomerdemandiswhatledtotheopeningoftheirnewestlocation.

Customary menu offerings are not what put thisrestaurant on themap; they have become known fortheir“Chef’sTable”diningexperiences.AsaguestattheChef’sTable,youwillnotbegivenamenu,onlyan interview with your waiter on any food allergies

DINING IN THE HEARTLAND:

TUTTO FRESCO ITALIAN GRILL

ByJoannaGlissonLamarra


ordislikes.TheChefwillthencreateacustommenuusingonlythefreshestavailableingredients.Yourpersonaldiningexperiencemayhaveanywherefrom5 to10courses,eachservedwith awine to pairwith the dish. “A perfect glassofwine shouldcomplimentorbalance the food…it shouldnotdistract,”saysPasquale.“I’velearnedovertheyearsthesimplestwaystolookatpairingfoodandwineistomatchwinewithfoodthatisgrownorharvestedinthesamearea.Forexample,someofthesweeterwinesgrowninFloridamaynicelycomplimentafruitydessert,becausetheyemphasizethefruitflavor,notthesugar.Onthecontrast,asweetwinecan also make a great balance to a salty dish. Creating aperfectcohesionoffoodandwineissomewhatofarelativelyrecenttrend.Inmanyotherregions,likeItaly,forexample,winewasalwaysastapleatthetableandwedidn’tspendagreatdealofeffortpairingtheperfectglasswithourdinner.

Thebasicconceptofmatchingwinewithfoodistomarrytherighttextureandflavorstoenhancethediningexperience.“

ThereisnoshortageofwineselectionsatTuttoFresco.Itsnewlocation boasts an 1100 bottle, temperature controlled wineroom,containingbottlesforthemostskilledconnoisseurtothenovicewinedrinker.Youcanenjoyafinediningexperienceintheelegantdiningroomorhostapartyinthe30-seatprivatediningarea,dubbedasthe“MafiaRoom.”Perhapsoneofthemostcharmingareasisthe1,800squarefootcoveredoutdoorpatiobar.Thereyouwillfindplushsofasandover-sizedchairsaccompaniedbyintimatetablesandcozyfirepits;theperfectplacetogatherwithfriendsorfamilytoenjoyaglassofwine,orfinishoffyoureveningafterasuperbdinner.

The fabulous cuisine here is not limited to in-house dining.Catering on and off premises is also available for large orsmallevents.Theoriginallocationhasfacilitieslargeenoughtoaccommodateyourcorporateeventorwedding.CreatingacustomexperienceiswhatmakesTuttoFrescotrulyunique.

YoucanfindtheoriginalTuttoFrescoat1180SEPortSaintLucieBlvd.Callthemat772-905-8100tomakeareservationorbookaparty.Thenewlocationislocatedat9501BrandywineLane. Their phone number is 772-464-8988. Or visit theirwebsiteatwww.tuttofrescopsl.com


FloridaBell Peppers

In Season Nowwww.ffva.com twitter/ FlaFruitandVeg Facebook: Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association

So what do peppers have to do with pepper? Well, not much, except that back in 1493, Christopher Columbus brought dried peppers to Europe and people said they were hotter than the spicy pepper they used on their food. The name stuck and it applies to not only hot peppers, but mild bell peppers as well.

Peppers are even older than 1493. Archeological sites inCentralandSouthAmericashowtheremainsofvarioustypesofpeppers.Overthesemanyyears,toomanyvarietiestocountweregrown.Today,peppersaregrownallovertheworldbothinfieldsandingreenhouses.

Florida bell peppers are grownmainly in South Florida, theTampa Bay and Central Florida areas and even a bit furthernorth.They’reavailablefromNovembertoJune,accordingtotheFloridaDepartmentofAgricultureandConsumerServices.ThepeakmonthsofavailabilityareMarchandApril.Floridagrowsmainly green, yellow and red bell peppers, sometimespackaged together as “stoplight peppers.” . Peppers grownin fields are usually grown in double rows on polyethylene-mulched raised beds, using drip or see irrigation. Some bellpeppersgrowningreenhousesneednosoilatall.

Bell peppers are a delicious snack or part of a meal in thatthey contain plenty of nutrients and not many calories. Onehalfofamediumbellpeppercountsasaservingoffruitsandvegetables.AlllbellpeppersarerichinvitaminC,butredbellpepperscontainmore than twiceasmuchvitaminCasgreenbellpeppers.Justeatoneservingofaredbellpepperandyou’llbetreatingyourselftonearlytwotimesyourdailyrequirementof vitamin C and only consuming 20 calories. Bell peppersalso contain vitaminA,which is helpful for eye health.Andlikemostproduce,bellpeppersofferhealthyphytochemicals,whichworktogetherwithvitaminsandmineralstomaintainahealthybody.

Whenchoosingbellpeppers,lookforonesthatareheavyfortheirsizeandhavebright,tightandglossyskin.Passbythosewithwaterylookingspotsorwrinkles.Yellow,redandorangepeppersaregenerallysweeterthangreenpeppers,butgreenpeppersaregenerally lessexpensive.Youcanstorepeppers inaventilatedbaginyourrefrigerator’scrispersectionforuptoaweek.Youcanevenfreezecutpepperswithoutblanchingthemfirst.

Here’sanotherhint.Toseedabellpepper,hold it tightlyandslamthestemenddownonthecountertop.Thiswillloosentheseedcore.Thattrickalsoworkswithaheadoficeberglettuce.Nowyou’rereadyforsomerecipes…


Stuffed PeppersFrom AllRecipes.com

• 1 pound ground beef• 1/2 cup uncooked long grain white rice• 1 cup water• 6 green bell peppers• 2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder• salt and pepper to taste• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place the rice and water in a saucepan, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and cook 20 minutes. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the beef until evenly browned. Remove and discard the tops, seeds, and membranes of the bell peppers. Arrange peppers in a baking dish with the hollowed sides facing upward. (Slice the bottoms of the peppers if necessary so that they will stand upright.) In a bowl, mix the browned beef, cooked rice, 1 can tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Spoon an equal amount of the mixture into each hollowed pepper. Mix the remaining tomato sauce and Italian seasoning in a bowl, and pour over the stuffed peppers. Bake 1 hour in the preheated oven, basting with sauce every 15 minutes, until the peppers are tender. Serves 6.

Italian Sausage & PeppersFrom About.com American food

• 2 tbsp olive oil• 1 large red bell peppers, seeded, cut into half-inch strips• 1 large green bell peppers, cut into half-inch strips• 1 yellow onion, halved, and cut in quarter-inch slices• 2 cloves finely minced garlic• 1 tsp white wine vinegar• pinch of cayenne• salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste• 4 grilled Italian hot or sweet sausage• 4 soft rolls, split

Add the olive oil, pepper strips, and onion to a cold, large skillet, and turn on the heat to high. When you can hear the peppers and onions sizzling, reduce the heat to medium, and sauté for 8-10 minutes, or until the peppers and onions become soft and sweet. Add the garlic, and cook for one minute, stirring. Turn off the heat and add the vinegar, cayenne, salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste. Divide the hot pepper mixture evenly over the four rolls and grilled sausages.

SEBRING HAS BEEN IN BUSINESS 100 YEARS! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SEBRING!


I am PFC Levi Lambert and I grew up in Hardee County.I enlisted in the army at the ageof 29 andhavebeengiventheopportunitytoshareafewofmypastmemoriesandfutureexperienceswithyou.Pleasekeepourmilitaryinyourthoughtsandprayersasyoureadthesewords.Weareallsomeone’sson,daughter,brother,orsisterwhowantstobehomeagain.

AstheChristmasseasonpresseson,hereIsitholdingawarmcupofEarlGreyteawithasqueezeofLambert’sfarmraisedhone(courtesyofmyfather)whileIamreadingastoryhewroteinHeartlandmagazine.MybackyardviewthisChristmaswillnotbeof theeyepleasingwhiteChristmas that I soughtoutsinceIwasalittleguyrunningaroundtheorangegrove,barefeetcrunching the icygrasswhile I taste icesickleshangingoffthefrostyfoliage.Mybackyardisverydifferentscenethisyear.Today,asyoureadmywords,IaminEgyptlocatedneartheRedSea.

MynaturallysweetenedteawarmsmywindburnedskinfromtheinsideoutasIsipslowly,gazingoverthebrightblueRedSea.Thecolorsarevast in thedistantmiles; thesunraysarebeautifullycreepingawayfrommetocometoyou.Ihavetodecidewhichismoremajestic,thesunriseoverthedustyredmountainsbehindme,orthesunsettingbeforeme.Whereverthecallofduty takesme, Iseekout the things in theworld,bigorsmall,toupholdaflowofpositivefeelingsandkeepmymind fromstraying.Finding littleways to liftyour spirits isoftenachallengewhenallyourfeelingsthatyouareusedtoarelefthundredsofmilesbehind.

BeforeyouturnthepagedeeperintothestoryIamproudtohavetheopportunitytowrite,Iwouldliketotellyoualittle

aboutmyself.IamPrivateFirstClassLeviLambertintheUnitedStatesArmy. Iwasborn and raised in theHeartlandofFlorida.WhenIdecidedtojointheArmyaftermonthsofdiscussionwithmyfamily,Iheldontoa fearof theunknown;switchingfromacareer that I

wasproficientinandanassettotheorganization,tostartatthebottomofthebarrel.Yet,thefirsttimeraisingmyrighthandfortheoathofenlistment,joiningtheranksofsomanysoldiersbeforeme,gavemeasenseofpridethatcastashadowovermyfears.CurrentlyIamservingmyfirstdeploymentattheageofthirtyasoneofthenewestmemberstomycompany.

My passion for writing is unknown, having never found itto be adequate to capture a range of readers’ attention. Theopportunitytosharealittleaboutaservicemember’slifeandhow theyareaffectedduringduty iswhatguidesmypencil.Some of the stories I have heard while interviewing myfellowsoldierstogatherinformationistrulysaddening.Iamtakingspecialstepstotryandchangefuturesadstoriesfromdevelopingwithoutjustcause.

ForthisChristmasseason,manynew faces have joined whatmakesupmyArmyfamilyherein the Sinai. Earlier this year ImetmyteamforthefirsttimeinVirginia for our initial trainingexercise together. In the shorttime that I have known them,we have grown to be muchmore than just a team with acommonmission goal.We are,inasense,abitofafamilythatmay have many conflicts anddifferences,yetwearefarfromdysfunctional.Overtheholidayseason we will share together

A Soldier’s Holiday AbroadBy PFC Levi Lambert


holiday cheer andmake sure each of us doesn’t feel isolatedas some often do.A deployment is not just oriented aroundwhatthemissionobjectiveis;anessentialpartofadeploymentis to return the same soldier to his or her family in the samewaytheyleft.Ourcompanypridesthemselvesinafamily-likeatmosphere.

OurlittleCharlieBrowndecoratedtreestandsbythedayroomwindow.ItlooksjustdandywithitsArmygreen,cardboardfirshapedlimbsdroopinglowgrazingthenewspapercomicsectiontree skirt.Hi-litercartridgeshang from the limbsgivingoffabrightenedappearancetotheroomwithnobatteriesnecessary.While a little angel is perched atop the tree with a flowinggownmadefromwaxpaper.Herwaterbottlebodygivesoffaninnergloweachnightfromafreshchemlight,herstrongducttapewingsarespreadoutwide;asmiling facewhiteas toilettissuewelcomingeveryonetogatheraroundonChristmasDay.Christmascardsandholidaywishesarehungonbarrackswallsjoining the photos of smiling children, husbands, and wives.Despite the variety of methods to celebrate the holidays thatsurroundusduetobeliefsandbackgrounds,ourbarracksshowthesameholidayspiritweknowandremember.

Memoriesofprioryearsactas thevisionsof sugarplums thatdanceinmyhead.Dreamingof thefellowshipthatawaitsmeis all thewhiteChristmas I seek.Remembranceof thehappyyearsanddreamsofthefuturemotivatemetopressonwiththemission.Ideasofhowfutureholidayswillbebackhomewithfriendsandfamilymakemesmileontheinsideandthinkaboutthe newphotos thatwill forever capture the happiness of theday. It’smyown littleway tostaypositive.More times Icanremembernotthinkingtherewasanythinglefttogivefrommybody.Longhoursofstrenuousandoften-repetitiveactivitytearsatyouuntilmentallyyoufeelphysicallydefeated.JustasIstartto thinkhowcanIpresson,mythoughtsofwhatgotmethisfarcomebackandonIgotilltheend.Resilienceislearnedandovertheyearsishonedintoanunbreakableforcethatmakesusbetteratwhatwearetaskedtodo.Mydreamsofthefutureformydaughterandthehonorofservingmycountryiswhatkeepmestrong.Dreamingofthenextphotographthatwillbeperchedonthemantleiswhatkeepsmepositive.

OhhowhappyandjoyfulIwouldbesittingnexttoacracklingoak andpinewoodfirewithmy little princessLily bouncing

onmyknee.Familylaughterandfamiliarsmellsfill theroomas we converse and I occasionally sneak away to check outthebuffetofsweetsandvariousdishesfromotherhouseholds.Grandpatellingastoryabouthisyoungeryears,mybrothersandIdecidingwhichcompetitivesportwewillparticipateinafterwetakeourafterdinnernap.Myfondmemorieswillsoonbetrue,butfornowIampatientlywaitingformytimetobeinthatveryspotonceagain.

PleaserememberthemanymembersoftheArmedForcesandtheir families that they are away frommuch of the year.Thefamily left behind goes through a difficult time also. Uponcompletingbasictraining,ImetaBrigadierGeneralwhotaskedmewithcallingmywifeathomeandthankingherforherservicetoourcountry.NowIwishtocarrythattaskoutonalargerscaleby increasing the awarenessofhowdifficult it canbe for thefamilywaiting for their lovedones to return. Preparing foramissionissomethingweallaretrainingforconstantlysothatweareproficientandalwaysready.Althoughpreparingtoreturnhometofamilyisthebattlethatisnotalwayswonbyourstrongsoldiers.Ifyouhavethemeanstodoso,Iaskofyoutowritesomeone,sendapostcard,thinkingofyou,oracarepackage.Being surrounded bymy fellow soldiers, I get the chance toseehowtheyreacttohearingtheirnameduringmailcall.Evenreceivingsomethingfromastrangerhelpsthatsoldiermaintainanimportantconnectionthateasesthetransitionuponreturningtotheirlovedones.InpassingifyouseeafamilymemberthankthemjustasIdid.ThankyouforyoursupportandIhopemyviewsofmyfirstholidayseasonabroadhavebeenenjoyable.


In August of 2011Windmill Sprinkler and Hardwareopenedthedoorstoitsthirdin-statelocation.Whilethisfamilyownedbusinessmaybethoughtofasnew

tothoseinourarea,itstime-honoredrootsinFloridagobackalmost60years.

“Mydadstartedthebusinessin1954onSunriseAvenueinFortLauderdale,”saysTedMeredithofhisfather,William(Bill),alicensedwelldrillerat the time.“Itwasestablishedasawelldrilling and irrigation installation business,” Ted explains.“Hewasputting inbothcommercialand residential sprinklersystems.”

It wasn’t long before a full range hardware store followed.“Whencustomerscameinandstartedaskingaboutdoingtheworkthemselves,Daddevelopeda‘do-it-yourself’showroomin thehardware storewherepeoplecouldcomeandget theirfittings and their pipes.” In addition to supplying the neededmaterials, Ted says his father answered their questions andhelped in any way he could. He also had “some words ofwisdom” for his customers as well as an endless amount ofencouragement.Today,Ted’sbrother,Billy,manages theFortLauderdalelocation.

In1980,FloridawasgrowingbyleapsandboundsandBilldecidedtoexpandthebusinessbyopeninganotherstoreonAtlanticAvenueinDelRay.“Andthebusinesshasbeenthereeversince,”remarksTed. “That location,which is the largest of the three, is gearedmoretowardservingnurseriesaswellashomeownersduetotheclientele that surrounds the business.”Ted’s other twobrothers,DeanandPepper,managetheDelRaystore.

“And thenDadwanted to get a hardwarestorestartedhere.Hehadboughtpropertyin theMuseareaandhadlivedheresincethe 70’s.” Because he grew up in thebusiness,Teddecided to comeherewhentheopportunityarose.AgraduateofMiamiChristian College, he has a backgroundin education and has been coaching highschool football for 27 years. “I am on alittlehiatusrightnow,”Tedexplained.

Tedconcedesit’snoteasystartingabusinesstoday – even one in which the principleshaveasmuchexperienceastheMerediths.“Icouldhavegoneintotheestablishedendof the business, but I enjoyed starting anewone,”headmits.“Andwearemakingsome inroads.We joined the Chamber ofCommerce inLaBelleandwecontinue toestablish more contacts by going aroundandmeetingpeopletoseewhattheirneedsare so we can begin to fill those needs.Littlebylittlepeoplearecallingandasking‘doyouhavethis?’Ifwedon’t,Ialwaystellthemwecangetit.”

TheLaBellelocationservesasafullrangehardwarestoreaswellas anoutlet providingmaterials necessary for the installationof commercial and residential irrigation systems. “We evenhandlewaterconditioningunitsandwaystotestthewater,”Tedexplained.“Asmydadsays,thisbusinessisreallyfivetosevensmallbusinesseswithinonebigone.You’vegotcitruspeople,you’vegot cattlepeople andyou’vegothomeowners all thatneedwatersystems,irrigationsuppliesorhardware.”

Thecompany’snewestlocationisperfectlypositionedtoservethe needs of the area’s agri-business customers aswell. “Weprovide crop irrigation that the citrus growers and vegetablefarmers need.We can also supply micro jets and the pipingas well as commercial irrigation and we are the only MaxiJetdistributor in thearea.”MaxiJetmanufacturers themicrosprayer used on orange trees. “We cover thewhole area (forMaxiJet)includingLabelleandClewiston,”Tedsaid,“allthewaytoArcadia.”

Anotherserviceoffered is thedesigningof irrigationsystemsin-house. “I am a licensed contractor from California and Idesignasystemaspercode.”AndjustlikehisfatherTedshareshis expertisewith thedo-it-yourselfer. “I enjoydesigning theirrigationsystemsandthecustomerinteraction.”

The company’s commercial business is “our stronger aspectat this time,” Ted continues. “But the residential business isgettingbetterbecausemoreandmorepeoplearefindingusandwalking in.Andwegeta littlebettereachdayunderstandingwhatourcustomersneed.”

WiNDMill Sprinkler & Hardware

ByCindyCutright


Southwest Florida is fortunate to have been chosen by theMeredith family to establish a facility here. The experiencegarnered through the last six decades in an ever-changingindustryisinvaluableandwillprovetobeagreatassettothoseinourarearequiringtheirservices.ButtheattitudeespousedbyTedwillbejustasimportanttothecustomerbase,“Weareheretoservethecommunity.”

Twopart-timeemployeesassistTedwhosayshis father,Bill,isstillactivelyinvolved.“Hecomesinacouplehoursaday.”TheLaBelle location,at6475SR80West, isopensixdaysaweek,7:30to5:30MondaythroughFridayand8:00to2:00onSaturday.CheckoutWindmillSprinkler.comor call863-675-3688formoreinformation.


We’ve always knownthathayrepresentedacosttothecowherd,whetheritwasadirectpurchaseorhome-raisedfeed.Butthisexpensehasnottypicallybeengivenmuchscrutiny.Hayisabulkcommodity,withrelativelylowper-unitvalueandimprecise(orunknown)quantityandqualitymeasures.Transactionsareoftenbasedonnothingmorethanasetpriceforabaleofastatedtypeofforage,possiblyembellishedwithambiguousadjectiveslike“good”and“tight.”Aren’tIright?

Butcurrentconditions,driveninlargepartbythewidespreaddrought,havemanyproducerslookingathayinadifferentlight.Thefirstchallengeissimplyfindingenoughroughagetogetcowsthroughthewinter;Iheardyesterdayofanoperationthatwasutilizingbaledcattailsintheirfeedingprogram!Withthesetightsupplies,thebasiclawsofeconomicshavecomeintoplay,andpricesareatrecordlevelsinmanyareas.Underthisscenario,anyoneneedingtobuyharvestedfeedmustbepreparedtomakesoundpurchasedecisions.

Thekeyisknowingwhatyourneedsare,andthenevaluatingpricesbasedonagivenfeed’sabilitytomeetthoseneeds.Andthatisonlypossiblewithknownquantityandqualitymeasures.

Asanaside,Iwillbeusing“hay”Inaverybroadsensethroughthisarticle;allthesecommentsapplytocropresidues,harvestedweeds,andemergencyforagecropsaswellasgrasshay.

How much are you buying?Everyotherinputfortheoperationispurchasedbysetamounts(poundsofmineral,gallonsoffuel),andweneedtolookathaythesameway.A“bale”isatremendouslyvaguedescriptor,andthepoundsofhayineachoneisafunctionofsize,density,andweathering.Thetabletotherightremindsushowmuch

differenceweightvariancescanmakeonper-unitpriceofthehay.Thisnexttableillustratestheimpactofsizeonthevolumeofbalesofdifferentproportions.

Understanding theserelative differences is

important,butitisonlypartofthestory.Thedensityofabale–thatis,howmuchhayiscontainedineachcubicfoot–canvarygreatly.A5X5baleofcoarse,looseforagemayactuallyweighless thana4X5baleof tightlypackedfinegrasshay. Theonlyway to know is to physicallyweigh some representativebales. Onefinalvariable tofactor in is time. Aweight takensoonafterharvestdoesn’tmeanmuch6monthstoayearlater.Variousresearchtrialshaveshownstoragelossesof5to50%oftheoriginalweightofhaybales,dependingonstoragelocation,configuration,andweatherconditions.

Consider,too,howmuchisactuallyusable.Alotofold,heavilyweathered hay was fed last winter, and what didn’t make itsouththenislikelytobeusedthisyear.Butwhenconsideringthevalueof thesebales, keep inmind that, for example, in a6-footbalefully1/3ofthehayislocatedintheoutersixinches.Ina5-footbale,halfiscontainedintheoutereightinches.Ifthereisasignificantouterlayerthatisgoingtobelostintransitor refused by the cattle, weight-based calculations should beadjustedaccordingly.

What is it’s true worth?The value of hay is determined largely by its quality, but“quality” is sometimes hard to define. Basically,we need toconsider nutrient content and digestibility (that is, howmuchofthe“nutrition”containedinthefeedcanactuallybeusedbytheanimal),offsetbyanyanti-nutritionalfactorsorpalatabilityconcerns.

Thewholepointinprovidinghaytoourcowsistohelpmeettheirnutrientrequirementsformaintenance,production,andhealth.Inmostfeedingprograms,forageisexpectedtosupplyasmuchoftheneededenergyandproteinaspossible.Deficiencieswill

CATTLE SENSEInformation that makes sense helping you make cents

By Dr. Cathy Bandyk, Quality Liquid Feeds

Time to Look at Hay Differently


have to be compensated for by more expensive supplements. So it makes sense to compare hay prices on a per-unit-of-energy or per-unit-of-protein basis. Examples are below.Even if hay was put up with good protein and energy content,

extended or exposed storage will knock those values back considerably – sometimes without markedly changing a bale’s outward appearance. We sometimes don’t look at it this way, but HAY IS A PERISHABLE PRODUCT. Having a current nutrient analysis is at least as important as having a current bale weight.

One Canadian paper cited losses, just from late summer and fall rains, of 8-12% total weight, 5-10% digestible energy, and 20% protein. I realize the concept of summer and fall rains was a moot point for many of you in 2012, but these numbers do il-lustrate how dramatically the value of a hay bale can go down in a relatively short period of time.

Vitamins are particularly susceptible to degradation in hay, es-pecially the fat-soluble A, D and E. If the forages being fed were harvested more than 90 days ago, these essential nutrients need to be supplemented. And if hay was made from drought-stressed grasses, the vitamin A level was probably very low to begin with, and a supplemental source should be provided from the start.

As mentioned above, another important quality consideration is the potential presence of “anti-nutritional” factors. If conditions warrant concern about excessive mold, nitrates, prussic acid, endophyte toxins, ergovaline, or physical characteristics (barbs, dust) that would discourage cattle from eating, test if possible, dilute if needed, and adjust the price you are willing to pay ac-cordingly.

Getting more bang for your buckIf you have the luxury of multiple hay sources to consider, make comparisons based on solid information. Calculate what it will cost to put the needed amounts of nutrition in front of your animals, using the different sources. And if you find yourself forced to feed “the only hay available,” focus on management practices (storage, feeding method, supplementation) that en-sure the cattle get as much good as possible out of what is now a precious commodity.

UF/IFAS Extension in conjunction with the Wedgworth Leadership Institute and the South Florida Beef Forage Program present the…

If you are a Young Farmer or Rancher, aged 18 years*-40 years old, and would like to learn how to become an effective leader in the agricultural community, please join us for the FL-AG Leader-ship Series:

Program Dates/Times:

9:00AM-3:00PM on:

Friday, February 15, 2013

Friday, March 15, 2013

Friday, April 19, 2013

Friday, May 17, 2013

*High school seniors who plan to pursue an education in agriculture are encouraged to attend. Approval from an FFA advisor will be required.

Leading * Speaking * Learning * Serving

For more information please contact the

DeSoto County Extension Office

2150 NE Roan St. Arcadia, FL 34266

Phone: (863)993-4846

DeSoto County Extension

presents the Florida Master Naturalist Program Upland

Habitats Course

Resource Conservation Courses for Everyone

Coastal, Uplands and Wetlands modules available statewide! Become a Florida Master Naturalist by completing all 3 modules! Includes student workbooks, 12 presentations, 3 field trips, 4 videos, certificate, FMNP patch and pin, and more! Special Topics Courses Also Available: Conservation Science, Habitat Evaluation, Wildlife Monitoring and Environmental Interpretation Excellent way to get involved with your local community!

Upland Habitats Course schedule:

Day 1—Saturday, January 12, 2013 DeSoto County UF/IFAS Extension Office



Day 4—Saturday, February 2, 2013 Myakka River State Park

Day 5—Saturday, February 9, 2013 DeSoto County UF/IFAS Extension Office

Day 6 - Saturday, February 16, 2013 DeSoto County UF/IFAS Extension Office

For more information contact the DeSoto County UF/IFAS Extension Office at

863-993-4846.

www.MasterNaturalist.com http://desoto.ifas.ufl.edu


By L

inds

ey W

iggi

ns AGRICULTURALISTS: Doing More Than Feeding Mankind

Environmental stewardship awards are presented toranchers and farmers every year to recognize theunprecedented measures they take to keep the landandwaterinmintcondition.Whilethepopularpress

doesn’talwaysseeit;HeartlandInTheFieldreaderscaneasilysee that private, agricultural lands aremaintained sowell thatmanywildlifespecies,includingendangeredones,callithome.One reason being that farmers and ranchers control invasiveweedsontheirpropertyandthereforehavemajesticopengreenspaceforwildlifetoroamandhuntforfood.Theinvasiveplantscanbecontrolledinmanydifferentwaysincludinggrazingcattleandcontrolledburns.Thislanddoesn’tonlyprovidespaceforthecritters;thedesirablevegetationalsoservesasawaterfilterbeforeitenterstheaquifer.Evenbirdspreferthewateronranchesandfarmsashugeflocksarefrequentlyfound“beakdown”inthe

irrigation ditches and ponds chowingdown! The clean water is home tomany fish and insects, providinga smorgasbord to these birds.Agriculturalistskeepthewaterclean

byutilizingasoilanalysistopreciselydeterminehowmuchnutrientstofeedthe plants, which prevents excessive

amountsofnutrientsfrombeingapplied–withfertilizer(plantfood)beingexpensive,

thisprecisemeasurementalsoensuresthatthefarmerdoesn’tendureanexcessivebill!Averysuccessfulrancheroncetoldagroupoftourists:

“There’saboutthesameamountofcattleinFloridatodaythattherewas50yearsago,the only thing that has changed is the

increaseinthehumanpopulation.”Ihopeyouwillthinkaboutthisstatementeverytimeyouareinvolvedina“waterquality”conversation.Many,includingwildlife,appreciatethemeasuresthatranchersandfarmerstaketoprovidestewardshiptotheland.

Bringingmetomynextpoint…wildlife.FivejuvenileWhoopingCranesflewtoHendryCountyallthewayfromWisconsin!TheyarrivedatJ7RanchonNovember9thandarestillhangingoutin their pasture, where theywill probably stay for thewinter.AccordingtoMargaretEnglandoftheHendry-GladesAudubonSociety, radio transmittersarebeingused to track thesecranesandyouwillnoticeIDbandsontheirlegsinthepictures.Thesejuvenilesdohavecaramelcoloredfeathers;however, theywillturnwhiteastheymatureandaredpatchwilldevelopontheirhead.Theircoloristhebestwaytodifferentiatethemfromthecommonly seenSandhillCrane,which is gray in color. Also,WhoopingCranesstandabout5 foot tall! Kudos toJ7Ranchfor being great environmental stewards! The birds seem toappreciatethecattlepastureandcoexistwellwithcattle.


It’snoteverydaythatyougettojumponanairboatandtakearidetoanislandinthemiddleofalake.Notjustanyisland,butthe largest freshwater island in theUnitedStatesandone thathasbeenintheLightseyfamilysince1863.NowIcouldgetintothehistorybehindtheisland,butthat’snotwhatthisarticleisabout.IencourageyouthoughtolookupBrahmaIsland,andifyougetthechance,govisit.YouwillbeamazedbythebeautyandgetaglimpseintowhatoldFloridausedtolooklike.

I’mwritingthistotalkaboutthereasonwewenttotheisland.ItwasfortheBrahmaIslandFamilyDay,afundraiserforWarnerUniversity’sAgStudiesprogram.WarnerUniversitywillhosttheirinauguralclassofAgstudiesmajorsthiscomingFall.Thedaywasfilledwithfunactivitiesfortheentirefamilyincludinga“KidsCorner”wherekidscouldplaygamesandridehorses.Theadultswereabletochatandmingleatthecabinandmeetthe architect for the proposedAgricultureComplex.Wewerealsoabletoseethedesignsandlearnaboutnamingopportunitiesforthedifferentbuildings.Everyonewasabletotakepartinaliveauction,facilitatedbyMartyHigginbotham,wherehuntingtrips, beach vacations and Andy Thornal jewelry were soldto help raisemoney for the program.Therewas also a silentauctionandeveryonehadtheopportunitytotakeatouroftheislandtoseealloftheuniquewildlifeandevenoneoftheoldestoaktreesinthesoutheast.

The keynote speaker of the event was Commissioner ofAgriculture,AdamPutnam.CommissionerPutnamtalkedaboutthe importance of keeping our youth involved in agriculturebeyond their high school years. He applaudedWarner’s new

program saying, “The areas of expertise that a curriculumlike this canprovide arenotonlyvaluable to the student, it’svaluabletotheemployerwhoisgoingtopickupthatstudent.”Hespokeofthechallengesthattoday’sfarmersfaceandhowalocalprogramlikethiswillbeabletogivestudentsknowledgeandthemeanstoentertheAgindustryandbevaluableassetstopotentialemployers.

TheDirectorofAgStudiesatWarnerUniversity,LaurenLewis,aHainesCitynative,hashelpedcreateaprogramthatisgoingto include hands-on learning and real world application tocomplementwhatthestudentswillbelearningintheclassroom.The program is designed to give students interaction throughinternships, field trips, guestlectures and others meanswithin the local Ag industry.Whentheygraduate,theywillbeknowledgeableandfamiliarwith the local issues and beabletotakewhattheylearnedwhileintheprogramandapplyittotherealworld.

For more information aboutWarner University and theAgriculture Studies Program,you can contact ProgramDirectorLaurenLewisat863-638-7116orat [email protected]

Warner UniversityIntroduces Ag Studies Program Brahma Island Family Day

By Brian Norris


ThirTEEn-yEar oLd Hunter Bryant quicklybecame a crowd favoriteat the American QuarterHorse Association WorldShow held in OklahomaCitythispastNovember.

Riders from49statesandnine countries competedforover$3millioninprizemoney at the event, butwhat made Hunter standoutwasthefactthatunlikeother youth, he competedagainst adults. Because

thiswasthefirstyearfortheRanchPleasureclasstobeheld,AQHAonlyofferedanOpendivision–noYouthorAmateurdivisions.

Riding his grandmother SuzanaRucks’ 11-year-old baymareChex With Me aka ‘Tango’, Hunter qualified for World byplacing at shows held in Florida. The pair has competed in4-Hranchridingcompetitionsforthepasttwoyears,andthoseclassesareverysimilartotheAQHARanchPleasureclass,sotheyweren’tasnoviceasHunter’sagemayhaveindicated.

Infact,Hunterstartedtrailridingattheageof4,andat5beganparticipatingingameeventsatlocalshows.Whenhewasage7,hisgrandfatherGaryRucksstartedtakinghimtoworkcowsontheweekends.HethenlearnedhowtobreakawayropefromformerWorldChampionCalfRoperD.R.Daniel.

Hunterisnowinhis4thyearof4-H,andhasshownat4-HAreaandStateShowsthepastthreeyearsonTango.TheycompeteinTrail,RanchTrail,RanchRiding,ReiningandShowmanshipclasses,winningRanchTrail,RanchRidingandReiningatlastyear’sAreaShowandwinningRanchTrailandplacingsecondinRanchRidingattheStateShow.

Attheageofeleven,HuntercompetedintheMustangHeritageAssociation’s“YouthMustangMakeOver”event.Fortheevent,hehad90daystogentleandtrainhisyearlingMustangnamedOkee.At the competition held inMurfreesboro,TN the teamplacedthirdeventhoughHunterwastheyoungestcompetitor.“That was a wonderful experience and I learned a lot aboutpatienceandtonevergiveuponyourhorse,”saysHunter.

“Idreamedofmakingit to theYouthWorldShowandneverdreamed I’d ever make it to AQHA World Show,” Huntershared.Notonlydidhe“makeit”butheendedupplacing8thoutofaninitialclassof66riders!Asforhisnextplans,Hunterwould like to get anotherMustang to train and competewithintheMakeoverevent,andhehassethissightsonqualifyingfortheAQHAWorldShowagain.Havinghadtheopportunitiesto ridewith and learn fromprofessionals likeShawnFlarida,DougMilholland andToddCrawford has inspired him.Afterhigh school,Hunter hopes to attend theUniversity ofFloridaandbecomeaprofessionalhorsetrainer.

Watch forHunter on RFD-TV in January. Therewill be twoepisodes from theAQHAWorld Show, the first airs January10thandwillfeaturetheRanchPleasureclassandthesecondonJanuary17thwillincludeHunter’sstory.Timesforbothshowsare10p.m.Eastern.

OkeechObeeYOuth

Impressed Crowd at aQHa world

CHampIonsHIp sHow

By robbi sumner


As Mosaic produces essential phosphate crop nutrients to help the world grow the food it needs, our 3,000-plus Florida employees are unwavering in our commitment to wildlife stewardship. Mosaic has pioneered wildlife relocation techniques and created prime habitats, as well as fi nancially supported wildlife rehabilitation and education. We’ve worked with regulators to develop the largest scrub jay population in Southwest Florida; we’ve reclaimed numerous popular fi shing lakes; and we own and help fund an island sanctuary that is home to as many as 18,000 pairs of native water birds. At Mosaic, we are dedicated to the protection of local wildlife, and equally dedicated to the creation of local jobs and economic opportunities.

Join in Mosaic’s promise at www.mosaicco.com/promise.

Roseate SpoonbillRichard T. Paul Alafi a Bank Bird SanctuaryHillsborough Bay, Florida

That’s our promise.

We’re growing a future for creatures great and small.

Open HouseHorse Sale

February 9, 2013 at 11 A.M.

30 Registered Quarter Horses - 2 Yr olds and up

World Champion Bloodlines - Performance Qualitysires included

“Justa Hickory Spade,” :Bowmans Fancy Choice,” “Docs Stormy Playboy”

Horses will be available for viewing by appointment: January 14 - February 8thMonday-Friday 8-4, Saturday 8-11

Pictures available online by January 10th, Videos by January 18th

Please call/email with any questions

Contact:Jason Hanchey(863) 801-9953Kristin Hanchey(863) 634-2101

[email protected]: Buck Daniel Ranch

CongratulationsKallie Johnson &

Jackie Bee Short 3092012 Juvenile Futurity ChampsPurchased in 2012 Ranch SaleStart out 2013 with a

quality prospect!

BUCK DANIEL RANCHLunch will be served

Come join us for food, fel-

lowship, and sale fun!


ThousandsofpeopleturnedoutSaturday,October6thfor“Ga-torFredDay”attheChaloNitkaGroundsinMooreHaven.Theevent,afundraisertohelpwiththemedicalexpensesofaMooreHaven teenwho lost his right hand in an alligator attack, at-tractedsomanypeoplethatsomeobserversthoughtthecrowdwasasbigormaybeevenbiggerthanChaloNitka.

Kaleb“GatorFred”LangdalejumpedintotheCaloosahatcheeRivertocooloffwithsomefriendsonahotJulydaywhenhewasattackedbyan11-foot-alligator.Whenhewasunabletogetawayfromthegator,theteenusedtechniqueshesawonAnimalPlanet’s“GatorBoys”televisionshow.Inhisbattlewiththeal-ligator,hehad tomake thechoice tosacrificehisownarmtosavehis life.AsFred recovered in thehospital, family friendLindaPeeplesMartinstartedorganizinga“FredDay”fundrais-ingevent.Itdidn’ttakelongforothercommunitymemberstojoinin.

ThehighlightofthecelebrationwasanalligatorwrestlingshowbyJimmyRiffleofAnimalPlanet’s“GatorBoys.”Jimmy,alongwithhisbrotherAndyandfriendRichard,impressedthecrowdwiththeirskillsathandlingalligators.“GatorFred”evengotthechancetojoinhisheroesonstage.

“GatorFredDay”includedavarietyofactivitiessuchasaribcook-off, 5K run, a cornhole tournament, live and silent auc-tions,Nashville recordingartist,ChrisMacArthur, facepaint-ing,buggyrides,acarshow,cakewalksandponyrides.

They also raisedmoney through thesale of “Fred Day” t-shirts.Youwouldhavethought it was for afootballgameasmuchof the crowdwore thesame “Gator Fred”shirt.

“Weall justwanted toget together and showhimhowmuchwelovehim,”saidMrs.Linda,theeventorganizer.Sheaddedthatherdaughter,HaleyStephens,the2012ChaloNitkaQueen,playedabigpartinmakingtheGatorFredDayeventhappen.Over$34,000wereraisedforthisevent.

This eventwould not have been possiblewithout the help ofmany supporters such asMichaelCox of SwampBuggies ofFloridawhohelpedwithadvertisementfortheevent,andgavebuggyridestochildrenthroughout“GatorFredDay.”Nashvillerecording artistChrisMacArthur cameoutwithhis band andplayedthroughouttheday.Theirsupportwasgreatlyappreciat-ed.“Itistrulyoverwhelmingtoknowthatwecomefromacom-munitythatturnsoutthisbigformyson,”saidFred’smother,FelindaLangdale.“Eventhoughweareasmalltown,we’reasmalltownwithabigheart.”

Gator Fred Day


Mybestwishes and greetings to all out in theHeartland.Today’s date is Friday,December 14 and as Iwrite thesewords,2012isveryclosetobeinghistory.It’shardtobelieve,butI’mgoingintomythirdyearofwritingforHeartlandIntheField.IfeelthattheopportunitiesandexperiencesthathavecomemywaythroughthisconnectionwithHeartlandMagazinehavebeenveryenjoyableandbeneficial.ThisyearisalsothefifthyearthatmysonsandmyselfhavetakenpartintheannualHighlandsCountyCitrusGrowersAssociationCitrusFunShootatQuailCreekplantation.

TheeventwasheldonSaturday,December8inOkeechobee.Therewere 328 shooters participating on the two coursesthisyear.Thehighoverall individualshooterwasayoungman from Fort Pierce, Florida namedKyle Kaufman. Hewas a member of the high overall team (team Kaufman)whosecombinedscorewas394outof400.Ashoot-offwasheldbetweenKyleandRodrigoMehechwhoalsohit99of100.Kylewonthetiebreaker.Congratulationstothisyoungmanwhoseshootingskillwasimpressivetowatch.

The second runner-up shooting team was from GriffinFertilizerwithacombinedscoreof371outof400targets.TheladiesteamrepresentingFloridaGroveFoggerswontheAllLadiesTeamAwardwithascoreof284outof400.TalonYoungmanwastheHighScoringYouthwith96of100.

MajorsponsorsthathelpedmakethiseventsuchasuccessthisyearwereAlan jayAutomotiveNetwork,BayerCrop

Science,CardinandAssociatesCropInsurance,FarmCreditofFlorida,FloridaGroveHedgersandFoggers,MagnaBonII, LLC, Peace River Citrus Products, Southeast Agnet/CitrusIndustryMagazineandTheAnderson’sInc.Thankstoallofthesecompaniesandanyotherswhohadapartinthisthoroughlyenjoyableweekendevent.

My son Seth Lambert, his brother Corey and a friend ofCorey’s, Reed Hartman, joined me. Corey and Reed arebothinvolvedinFloridaFarmBureau’sYoungFarmerandRancherprogram thisyear.Theseyoungpeoplewill formthe core and backbone of our nation’s agricultural future.Support and encourage themevery chanceyouget. I alsohadthecompanyoftwoofmygrandsons,ConnorLambertandMicahLambert.ThisisthethirdyearforeachofthematQuailCreekandtheyareanxiouslywaitingthedaythattheyareoldenoughtoparticipateintheshootingevent.

The HCCGA also provides an outstanding and deliciouslunch for all participants. This year, almost 50 additionalpeople came in to enjoy a wonderful meal of prime rib,seafoodanddeliciousswampcabbagewithhomemadeicecream provided by Everglades Farm Equipment. I wouldtake theopportunity to thankFredFanizzi and the rest ofthestaffatQuailCreekPlantationfortheirhardworkandattention to detail that makes every event at Quail Creeka memorable experience. Thank you for your gracioushospitalityandwe’realreadylookingforwardtonextyear.IlookforwardtoseeingyouthereonDecember14,2013!

Highlands County Citrus Growers Association

CITRUS FUN SHOOTBy Ron Lambert


As a junior at Okeechobee High School, Jake Menendez isenjoying another very busy and productive year as a 4-Hmember.“Istartedattheageof8becausethatistherequirementforShootingSports.IhavebeenintheSharpShootersclubfor9yearsnow,”heshares.

Thispast fall, JakewaselectedasPresidentofboth theSharpShooters and County Council/Junior Leaders, a club he hasparticipated in the past four years. He also serves as VicePresidentforthe2012-2013DistrictX4-HCouncil.Jakesaid,“IrepresentOkeechobeeonthedistrictlevelandgivereportstokeepDistrictmembersupdated,representDistrictXonthestatelevel,andamanExecutiveBoardmember.IalsoserveontheLeadershipAdventureWeekend(LAW)Committeewhichisaneducationalweekendheldforboth4-Handnon-4-Hmembers.”Forthisyear’sevent,whichwillbeheldatCampOcalaJanuary18th – 20th, they are holding a health summit focused onpromoting healthy lifestyles. In addition, Jake serves on thestateprojectcommittee,whichisresponsiblefordevelopingandputting the annual state project in action. Last year’s project,“Hunger Games” was a food drive that benefitted local foodbanks throughout the state. For this year’s project, “ServingThoseWhoServeUs”isthethemeandwillinvolvesendinggiftsandothersuppliestosoldiersoverseas.Inaddition,theyplantogivebacktolocalpolicemen,fireman,andpublicservants.

InNovember,Jakeattendedthe2012National4-HCongressheldinAtlanta,Georgia.EachyearFloridachooses tenoutstandingyouth to represent our state at the event. Forty-three statesincludingHawaii and Puerto Ricowere represented this year.Eachstatehasdifferentcriteriaforchoosingtheirdelegates,butinFlorida,itisalongprocess.Firstonemustcompletethesenior4-Hportfolio,whichincludesa listingofallaccomplishments,within,andoutsideof4-H,alongwitharesumeanda2-3-pageessay. Portfolios are sent to various judges around the stateand strictly graded. If a portfolio scores highly, the 4-Her isinterviewedattheStateCongressevent,andfinalselectionsaremadeatthattime.

ThehistoryoftheNational4-HCongressgoesbackmorethaneighty years, having begun as an educational tour to ChicagoheldintheUnionStockYardsduringtheInternationalLivestock

Exposition.Theeventhasgrownthroughtheyearsandafterafewyears inMemphis,moved toAtlanta in 1998.This year’stheme was “Become a Catalyst of Change” and the agendaincluded educational workshops on topics such as Diversity,Healthy Lifestyle choices, Decision Making and EffectiveCommunication,andSocialMedia.WhenIaskedJakewhatheenjoyedthemostabouttheconference,heresponded,“Ienjoyedmeetingnewpeople,particularlyattheInternationalnightwhichhighlighteddifferentcultures.”

In2011,JakeplacedsecondinthestateintheMuzzleLoadingshooting competition. He and his older brother Joseph, whoplacedfirst,bothtravelledtoSanAntonio,TexastocompeteintheNationalcompetition.Whilehedidnotplaceatthenationallevel,Jakesaiditwasagreatexperienceandthathewasfortunatetomakethetrip.

Currently ranked near the top of his class, Jake is a scholarathlete, participatingon theOHSWrestling team. “This ismythirdyear,andIplanonbeingafour-yearLetterman,”hesays.TakingmostlyAdvancedPlacement (AP) and dual enrollmentclasses through IndianRiver StateCollege, Jake is amemberof theNationalHonor Society and the STEMprogramwhichfocuses on students who are gifted in Science, Technology,EngineeringandMathematics. Inaddition,hehas loggedover800hoursofcommunityservice,mostlythrough4-HprogramslikeOperationMilitaryKids,GatorAdventures, and ShootingSports,H2OEncounter,andAdventuresinHistorycamps.

Withsomanyaccomplishmentsalreadyunderhisbelt,IaskedJake about his goals for his senior year. “I hope to serve asPresidentofDistrictX,andbechosentoattendtheNational4-HConference held inWashington, D.C.,” he shared. Jake planstoattend theUniversityofFloridaandpossiblybecomea4-HExtensionAgentaftergraduation.GoGators!Dianne Spann, Club Leader of the Junior Leaders/CountyCouncil had this to say about Jake: “As a 4-HLeader for thepast19years,Ihaveworkedwithmanyexemplaryyouth.JakeMenendezisyoungmanwhostandsoutasoneofthebest.Jakealwaysgoesoverandbeyondwhateverisaskedofhim,whilealwayshavingasmileonhisface.Hetrulydoesfulfillthe4-HmottoofMakingtheBestBetter!”

Making the Best Better – Jake MenendezByRobbiSumner

Jake speaking at the Farm City luncheon Jake with his National Congress selection award

District X officers Jake serving food with 4-H Agent Debbie Clements


Historical Ghost Tour Haunts WauchulaMain Street Wauchula is rich with history! Ghosts from days past are coming back to tell the stories of historical buildings that proudly stand as testaments. Main Street Wauchula is excited to announce that on January 25th Main Street will be the home of its first Historical Ghost Tour. Storytellers will proudly relay the legends of the historical landmarks that grace Main Street Wauchula. Guests will enjoy a trol-ley ride from each location and will be guided by a multi-generational Hardee Countian. Tickets will be made available to purchase on the Main Street Wauchula website, www.mainstreetwauchula.com. The Historical Ghost Tour is expected to be a popular event and tick-ets are sure to sell out quick! Come experience the true charm of Main Street Wauchula and learn the history that makes this town so unique.

About Main Street Wauchula Main Street Wauchula was designated by the State of Florida in 1995. Over the past 14 years the organization has seen many changes in the downtown. From the creation of Main Street Heritage Park to the beautiful streetscape completed in 2008, the downtown has once again become a center of activity enjoyed by the local community, businesses and visitors. Main Street Wauchula has been an integral part of this positive transformation.

Chad MarineManager - Fort Pierce

Auburn University - Science

Mike KondziolaManager - Winter Haven

Auburn University - Business

Doug MarinePresident

University of Central Florida

Perry HollingsworthManager - Arcadia

University of Georgia – Ag-Econ

Our services includeTurn-key Contracts

Turbine Pump Installations/RepairInneld Repair ServicesWholesale Irrigation

AutomationCCulverts & Drain Tile

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772-468-1177 Fort Pierce863-993-1400 Arcadia

863-293-8073

Newly acquiredGrower Services

Company, Inc.

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IRRIGATION & PUMP SERVICES


“I’vebeenblessedwithalotofreallygreatkids.Ifyou’regoingtoteach,makeyourkidssuccessful.”-TeddyLynn

Before retiring in 2009, Teddy Lynn of Punta Gorda taughtAgricultureclasses for32years,with28of thematCharlotteHighSchool.HewasrecentlyawardedtheHonoraryAmericanFFA Degree, an honor bestowed “on individuals who haveprovided exceptional service to agriculture, agriculturaleducation,orFFA.”

Born“inaoneroomshackinBigCypress,”Teddy’sgrandfatherwasacircuitpreacherinthelate1800sandearly1900s,andranthefishhouseinFtMyers.Hisdadwasagatorhunter,priortoworking forMercuryOutboards.His family lived inSarasotauntilhewas10yearsold thenmoved toSt.Cloud tobenearMercury’s test center.When Teddy was 16, they returned toSarasota,andhegraduatedfromVeniceHighSchool.Afterthreeyears in the Navy, Teddy attended the University of Florida,earninghisdegreeinAnimalScience/Pre-VetMedicine.“Ihadwantedtobeateachersince7thgrade,”heshared.HehadalsoenjoyedworkingonadairyinSt.Cloudanddecidedtopursueacareerinagriculturaleducation.

“When I first started teaching, it didn’t seem like many others were interested in sharing their knowledge with members of competing programs,”saidTeddy.

“I didn’t understand that, and kind of became notable around the state for sharing information.”

Teddywas on theDairy judging team in high school, but asa teacher, Forestry & Soils became his specialty. “In 1987 afreshman,TimLewis, triedout for theSoil Judging teambutdidn’tmake it.Adayor twobefore theState contest anotherteammemberhadtodropout,soIgaveTimacrashcourseandtookhimtoState.Onthewaybackhesaid‘Ireallywanttolearnhowtodothis.’Sohemadetheteamin1988andplacedas4thhighindividualatState.Forhimtolearnmore,Ihadtobecomeabetterteacher.In1989&1990,TimwastheHighIndividualatState.HissisterTonyajoinedin1991andwaspartofourfirstStateChampionshipteam.”

TeddyattendedseveralseminarsheldbyDr.BrownofUFwhoorganizedandranmanyoftheSoilscontests,andhelearnedhowtojudge.HehastrainedninestatechampionLandJudgingteamsfromCharlotteHighandhasassistedinmentoringchampionshipteams fromSoutheastManatee and FortWhite.According toCindyWebb,Ag teacher and FFAAdvisor at Charlotte HighSchool, “Mr. Lynn volunteers many hours working with ourForestry, Land Judging, and Parliamentary Procedure teams.Healsohelpscoachseveralotherteamsinthestate.Weareallfortunatetobenefitfromhistimeandexperience.”

ReceivingtheHonoraryAmericanFFADegreewasincrediblyspecialtoTeddy,whoseFFAjacketfromhighschoolstillhangsinhiscloset.TherearefourFFAdegreesthatmemberscanearnastheyprogressthroughthephasesoftheirleadership,academicandcareerskillsdevelopment:Greenhand,Chapter,State,andAmerican. He had earned both his Greenhand and ChapterDegrees in St. Cloud, but when his family moved toVenicetherewasnoFFAprogramat theschool.HewasawardedtheHonoraryStatedegreein2000,andnowthishonorcompleteshisfourdegrees.NominatedbyHillaryWebb,aformerstudentand past State FFA President, Teddy says that words cannotexpresshisappreciation.ThankstosupportfromthelocalFFAAlumnigroup,heandwifeShirleywerebothabletoattendtheNationalConventionforpresentationoftheaward.

TheLynnsmetonablinddateandwillcelebratetheir30-yearanniversaryinApril.Theyhavetwosons:Mark,whograduatedfrom theUniversityofCentralFlorida inAugust, andDaniel,whoattendsEdisonStateCollege.Whenhe’snotvolunteeringwithanFFAgroup,Teddyspendstimewithhiscattleandenjoyshuntingandfishing.“Iespeciallyenjoytakingkidswhowouldn’totherwisehavetheopportunitytogohunting,”hesays.Shirleyishisprimaryfishingbuddyand the twoalsoenjoy spendingtimewiththeirgrandkidsthatliketopetthecowsandgooutontheboat.

Whenaskedwhathehasfoundtobemostrewardingabouthiscareerandvolunteering,Teddysaid,

“The honor to have worked with so many outstanding young people. I’ve been an opportunity provider – they do all the work – I just give them the chance.”

TEDDY LYNNReceives Honorary American FFA Degree

By Robbi Sumner Teddy receiving his Honorary American Farmer Degree


F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F F A F

on ThurSday, dEcEmbEr 13ThtheFFADistrict11, Sub-District 1 Contests were held at South Florida StateCollege (SFSC) inAvonPark. Sub-DistrictChairmanShelbyBall fromAvonParkSr. andCo-ChairmanAngiePatino fromSebringSr.coordinatedandconductedtheevent.

Chaptersfromthefollowingcountiesparticipatedfor therightof sending thewinner ineachevent to theDistrictContestonJanuary24,2013,backatSFSC. Theywere: AvonParkSr.,AvonParkMiddle,Hill-GustatMiddle,SebringMiddle,SebringSr.,LakePlacidMiddle,MooreHavenandClewiston.

Sub-DistrictFFa Contests

L-R Mariah Alvarez, Amy Platt, Teresa Ware, Alex Hornick, Megan Stein and Emily Little-Sebring Sr. Parliamentary Procedure team.

The winners were as follows:

TracTor opEraTionS1. JoshMcClean-AvonParkSr.2. MatthewPettit-SebringSr.3. KalebLangdale-MooreHaven

crEEd1. MariahAlvarez-SebringSr.2. LanceHigh-SebringMiddle3. CrystalBright-Clewiston

ExTEmporanEouS SpEaking-middLE1. AmySchlosser-AvonParkMiddle2. ScottBurdine-SebringMiddle3. Carsonangel-Hill-Gustat

ExTEmporanEouS-high1. EltonGargano-SebringSr.2. BrookeJackson-AvonParkSr.3. RachaelMendoza-Clewiston

prEparEd SpEaking-middLE1. SamanthaGoodwin-Hill-Gustat2. JacobSchlosser-AvonParkMiddle

prEparEd-high1. MeganStein-SebringSr.2. TaylorBrown-AvonParkSr.3. MattieBass-MooreHaven

opEning & cLoSing cErEmoniES1. AvonParkMiddle2. SebringMiddle3. Hill-GustatMiddle

parLiamEnTary procEdurE-middLE1. Hill-Gustat(SiddharthAnemthan,LuisRodriguez,Ritika

Manik,SeAnnaHornick.CourtneyBall&JonathonAcosta)2. AvonParkMiddle(JacobSchlosser,MaryCrosson,Ryan

Hamilton,CassidyBeers,JordanJackson&MorganJones)

parLiamEnTary procEdurE-high1. SebringSr.(AmyPlatt,MeganStein,TeresaWare,Emily

Little,MariahAlvarez&AlexHornick)2. AvonParkSr.(ZachFarr,ZackMcKinney,JulianaJackson,

ShelbyBall,WyattBennett&PaulDevlin)

FFA

UPD

ATE

Inthebusinesssessionthatfollowedthecompetition,ShelbyBallwasre-electedSub-DistrictChairmanfor2012-13andEmilyLittleofSebringSr.waselectedco-chairman.

FINDUSONFACEBOOKFind us onFacebook

www.facebook.com/HeartlandMagazine January 2013 Heartland InTheFieldMagazine 67

the caPtaIn hendrY dInner went offwithouta hitch the evening of December 10. Even the weathercooperatedfortheannualevent.EachroomoftheCaptainHendry House was beautifully decorated by a differentcivic organization. The large crowd enjoyed great food,live entertainment and an auction. Proceeds benefit theEducation Task Force of the Hendry County EconomicDevelopmentCouncil.

AnantIque ShOwwillbeheldat31ProduceFarmersonSR31,Alva,January26and27.Thiswouldbeagreattime tocomeoutandbring thekids–orgrandkids - andtry your hand at panning for fossils.Be sure to seewhatfresh fruits andvegetablesare in seasonandpick toyourheart’s content. Check out the 31 Produce website at:www.31Produce.com.

AdmissionisfreeattheSOuth FlOrIda ag exPO equIPment ShOw slatedforFebruary15.Everyoneisinvitedtoattendfrom8a.m.tosunset.TheexpowillbeheldattheoldClewistonAirstriponSanLuisAvenue.Gotowww.southfloridaagexpo.comformoreinformation.

Itisjustaboutthattimeofyearagain!the SOuthweSt FlOrIda lee cOuntY FaIr will get under wayFebruary22(sneakpeakonFebruary21)andrunthroughMarch3attheLeeCivicCenterinFortMyers.Don’tmissthisannualevent.Fordirectionsandacompleteschedulegoto:www.fair.leeciviccenter.com.

soUtHwest

FlorIda Highlights

OnDecember15,2012,HardeeSeniorFFAplayedhosttoover110SwinefromallovertheStateintheFirstWinterSwineShowdown. The showwas a huge success thanksto the support of the community and the hard work ofvolunteersandHardeeSeniorFFA.TheshowwasahugesuccessthankstothesupportofthecommunityandthehardworkofvolunteersandHardeeSeniorFFA.

LeviSamson,age3,showsapigattheWinterSwineShowdown

Hardee senIor FFa

Winter SWine ShoWdoWn



Premier Cattle Show Hosts Multi State exhibitorsCattleShowenthusiastsfrom26FloridacountiesfilledtheCattlemen’sArenainWauchula,FL,onDecember7-8,toparticipateinthe2012HardeeCountyPreviewShow.Thisannualfamily-friendlyevent,sponsoredbyPeaceRiverElectricCooperative(PRECO),attractednearly300headofcattleandmorethan180exhibitors,andinonlyfouryearshasgrownintothelargestnon-StateFaircattleshowinFlorida.

Duetoitsincreasedpopularity,asecondringandjudgewereaddedthisyeartoaccommodatethelargenumberofanimalsandexhibitors.JeffJacksonandDougSatreeprovidedqualityjudgingfortheshow.Jackson,ofStephenville,TX,ownsandoperatesalarge-scalecattlecompanywhichmarketsanimalsto4-HandFFAexhibitors.SatreeownsacommercialcattleandregisteredAngusbusinessinMontague,TX.BothareexperiencedNationalLevelcattleshowjudges.

“The purpose of this show is to help young participants gain hands-onexperience in the competitive world of cattle exhibiting before they hitupcoming local and state fair circuits,” explains Jackson. “As judges, ourgoalistohelpthemgainandrefinethenecessaryskillsthatwillsupportthemintheshowring.”

TheshowexistswiththebackingandsupportofbusinessesinHardeeCounty,ledbythesupportofPeaceRiverElectric.“Acrossthenation,electricco-opsareveryinvolvedinlocalcommunityactivities,”saidNellMcCauley,chiefmarketingandmemberservicesofficeroftheWauchula-basedcooperative.“Florida is ‘ranchcountry,’ so theshowisagreatway to reachout toourconsumer-membersandagri-businessintheState.”

PRECOemployeesconceivedtheideaofthecattleshowin2009asawaytosupportyouthinvolvedinFFAand4-Horganizations.Bothgroupshavemembers who often get most of their livestock experience through showprojects.

“Duetothegeneroussupportoflocalbusinessesandvolunteers,theHardeeCountyPreviewShowisable toreturn100percentofentryfeescollectedbacktoshowwinners,”addsMcCauley.

FindtheHardeeCountyPreviewshowonourHardeeCountyPreviewShowfanpageonFacebookoratwww.preco.coop.

2012 Hardee County Preview Show Winners

BullSupreme Grand Champion Bull – Destiny McCauley, Bowling GreenReserve Supreme Grand Champion Bull – Brandais Austrino, Dade City 3rd Place- Sarah Davis, Okeechobee4th place – Brandolyn Bishop, Trenton 5th Place –Quinn Carter, Haines City

HeiferSupreme Grand Champion Heifer – Brooke Smith, Lake ParkReserve Supreme Grand Champion Heifer – Randa Conner, Brooker3rd Place –Cody Corbett, Lake Park, Georgia 4th Place – Clay Corbett, Lake Park, Georgia 5th Place – Ryan Vaucura, Lake Wales

Steer Grand Champion Steer – Clay Corbett, Lake Park, Georgia Reserve Grand Champion Steer – Cody Corbett, Lake Park, Georgia 3rd Place- Julliam Deriso, Arcadia4th Place – Makayla Keeney, Ft. Pierce5th Place – Michaela Aycock, Bartow

Cow/CalfSupreme Grand Champion Cow/Calf – Jessica Humphrey, OkeechobeeReserve Supreme Grand Champion Cow/Calf – Quinn Carter, Haines City3rd Place – Josie Chandler, Polk City

Showmanship Novice – age 7 and under1st Place – Abigail Bunyak, Myakka City2nd Place – Olivia Baker, Punta Gorda3rd Place – Turner Smith, Lake Park, Georgia4th Place – Adam McCauley, Bowling Green

Showmanship Juniors 1st Place – Brook Smith, Lake Park, Georgia 2nd Place – Bobbi Jean Frazier, Ocala3rd Place – Patrick Lehman, Okeechobee4th Place – Kailey Stallard, Durant 5th Place – Anna Bunyak, Myakka City

Showmanship intermediate 1st Place – Clay Corbett, Lake Park, Georgia 2nd Place – Jay Arbuckle, Winter Garden 3rd Place – Cody Corbett, Lake Park, Georgia4th Place – Jullian Deriso, Arcadia5th Place –Randa Conner, Booker

Showmanship Seniors 1st Place – Michaela Aycock, Bartow 2nd Place – Shanna Hillman, Deleon Springs3rd Place – Ryan Vaucura, Lake Wales4th Place – Jennifer Olsen, Land O Lakes5th Place – Morgan Boykin, Thonotosassa

Showmanship adult 1st Place – Briana Bishop, Trenton2nd Place – Brittney Pederson, Ft. Pierce3rd Place –Shelby Corbett, Lake Park, Georgia 4th Place – Kevin Moreno, Venice 5th Place – Lottie Knight, Christmas


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ArcadiaisknownforitsRodeo,asanantiquingdestination,foritsgrovesandranches,andforpaddlingonthePeaceRiver.Butan ever-evolving arts scene points to it becoming a haven forartistsandadestinationforartpatrons.

Newest on the horizon is the Opera HouseArtist Gallery.Agroupoftenorsoartistsgottogetherandrentedaroominthe1906landmarkOperaHousebuildingatthenorthwestcornerofPolkAvenueandOakStreet.UpstairswithintheBizarreBazaaronweekendsyou’lloftenfindoneormoreoftheartistsatworkinaroomfullofavarietyofartstyles.

Then there’sArt Creations ofArcadia at 8West Oak Street.Thiscustomframeshophasbeeninbusinessforover13yearsand recently expanded to become an art and craftmall. Strollfromboothtoboothandfindavarietyoforiginalartworkandaffordable reproductions, as well as unique craft items and aChristianbookstore.

A few steps away on the third Saturday of most months inseason,you’llfindartistssetupbeneaththeshadeattheTreeofKnowledgeParkofferingavarietyofuniqueandaffordableart.ArcadiaMainStreetMarketvendorswillbesetuptoowithfreshfruitsandvegetables,homemadefoodsandgoods.

TheartistsaremembersofDeSotoArtsandHumanitiesCouncil.RealtorMacMartinofFloridaOutdoorPropertiesoftendropsbytostrumhisguitarandsingafewballads.Itwasanartshoworganized byMac to restore the spirit of artists and bring thearts community together afterHurricaneCharley tore throughDeSotoCountyin2004thatgavebirthtotheartscouncil.

Thecouncil’smissionistopromoteandencourageallformsoftheartsandcreateanenvironmentwherethevariedheritageofDeSotoCountyiscelebratedandsharedthroughthearts.

In February DeSoto Arts and Humanities Council will hosttheArtoftheRiverartshowandRiodelaPazFestivalattheDeSotoCampus of South Florida StateCollege.The focus ofthe show is the relationship between art and the environment.All works will depict some aspect of the Peace River or theFlorida environment. The regional art show will draw artistsfromthroughoutthePeaceRivervalleyandbeyondwithentriesintwo-dimensionalart,three-dimensionalartandphotography.ApplicationsfortheshowmustbereceivedbyJanuary5,2013.Therewill be an invitation-only preview reception for the artshowonFriday,February8.

TheRiodelaPazFestivaltakesplaceonSaturday,February9.Theartshowwillbeonexhibitandexhibitingartistsaswellasotherartists,finecraftsmenandlocalauthorswillofferavarietyofuniquehandcrafteditemsandbooks.Environmentalgroups,localbusinessesandnon-profitswillhavedisplays.

The event will also celebrate the 500th Anniversary of theSpanishdiscoveryofFloridawiththeRoyalOrderofPoncedeLeonConquistadoresofCharlotteCountyandoneoftheirtworeplicashipsofferingentertainmentandphotoopportunities.

For more information about the event and DeSoto Arts andHumanities Council see http://www.desotoartscouncil.org/artoftheriver.htm.

Arcadia emerging as an arts destinationDiscover the arts side of Arcadia By Karen Smoke



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GET YOUR ADVANCE TICKETS TODAYwww.flstrawberryfestival.com

Thu. Feb. 28 10:30 Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra FREEThu. Feb. 28 3:30 Chubby Checker $15 & $20Thu. Feb. 28 7:30 FOREIGNER $25

Fri. Mar. 1 3:30 Gene Watson $15 & $20Fri. Mar. 1 7:30 Casting Crowns $20 & $25

Sat. Mar. 2 1:00 Caroline Kole FREESat. Mar. 2 3:30 Gloriana $15 & $20 Sat. Mar. 2 7:30 Justin Moore $15 & $20

Sun. Mar. 3 3:30 Randy Houser $15 & $20 Sun. Mar. 3 7:30 Alan Jackson $45

Mon. Mar. 4 3:30 Grits & Glamour Tour with Lorrie Morgan/Pam Tillis $15 & $20Mon. Mar. 4 7:30 Dwight Yoakam $20 & $25

Tues. Mar. 5 3:30 Bobby Vinton $15 & $20Tues. Mar. 5 7:30 Martina McBride $30

Wed. Mar. 6 3:30 Neal McCoy $15 & $20Wed. Mar. 6 7:30 Trace Adkins $30

Thu. Mar. 7 10:30 Steve Hall & the Shotgun Red Show FREEThu. Mar. 7 3:30 Mel Tillis $15 & $20Thu. Mar. 7 7:30 Brantley Gilbert $35

Fri. Mar. 8 3:30 T.G. Sheppard/Janie Fricke $15 & $20Fri. Mar. 8 7:30 Scotty McCreery $25 & $30

Sat. Mar. 9 3:30 Gaither Vocal Band $20 & $25Sat. Mar. 9 7:30 Bret Michaels $25 & $30 Get Your Rock On 2013Sun. Mar. 10 3:30 Hunter Hayes $15 & $20 Sun. Mar. 10 7:30 Blake Shelton $55

Artists Appearing on the Soundstage:

Concert dates and times are subject to change

Limited Free Grandstand Seating Times are 3:30 & 7:30 pm. and are on a first come, first seated basis.

Order: www.fl strawberryfestival.com or 813-754-1996

MARTINA McBRIDE

SCOTTY McCREERY

BLAKE SHELTON

DWIGHT YOAKAM

JUSTIN MOORE

TRACE ADKINS

BRANTLEY GILBERT

PAM TILLIS Grits and Glamour Tour

LORRIE MORGAN Grits and Glamour Tour

CHUBBY CHECKER NEAL McCOY

JANIE FRICKET.G. SHEPPARD

CASTING CROWNS

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MEL TILLIS

BOBBY VINTON JIMMY STURR AND

HIS ORCHESTRA

GENE WATSON

Steve Hall & the Shotgun Red Show

GAITHER VOCAL BAND

CAROLINE KOLE

RANDY HOUSER

BRET MICHAELS Get Your Rock On 2013

HUNTER HAYES

ALAN JACKSON

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January 2nd---Slaughter Cow and Bull Sale, Arcadia Stockyard, Arcadia

January 5th ---Florida Cattlewomen’s Association Fun Shoot---Quail Creek Plantation –Okeechobee 8:30am

January 17th-27th—DeSoto County Fair—Arcadia

January 17th-27th Manatee County Fair---Manatee County Fairgrounds in Palmetto

January 17th—Florida Cattlemen’s Institute & Allied Trade Show---Kissimmee

February 1st-10th –Charlotte County Fair---Port Charlotte

February 1st—Cattlemen’s Livestock Market---All Breed Bull Sale---Lakeland

February 6th-9th—Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show—Tampa

February 7th-18th—Florida State Fair—Tampa

February 22nd-23rd –Hendry County Cattlemen’s 4th Annual Ranch Rodeo, Labelle Rodeo Grounds

February 23 Hendry County Cattlemen’s Youth Rodeo Fair –Labelle Rodeo Grounds


Hardee Phosphate Complex 6209 N. County Road 663 Bowling Green, FL 33834 863-375-4321 www.cfindustries.com

Please join CF Industries in supporting community events:

Hardee County Fair February 18-‐25, 2012

Wauchula, Florida www.hardeecountyfair.org

Strawberry Festival March 1 – 11, 2012

Plant City, Florida www.flstrawberryfestival.org

Friday Night Live! Vegas Night Friday January 20, 2012 – 6-‐9 pm Main Street Heritage Park – Wauchula Friday Night Live! Grillin’ & Chillin’ Friday, February 17, 2012 – 6-‐9 pm Main Street Heritage Park – Wauchula

Happy New Year! Best Wishes for Health, Happiness,

and Prosperity in 2013!

“Stroll Down Christmas Tree Lane,” the CF Industries float for the 2012 Main

Street Christmas Parade in Wauchula, was a picture-perfect expression of the

parade theme “A Festival of Trees,” and was created

and constructed entirely by CF employees. The parade

kicked off a season of giving for CF Industries and

Hardee County.


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Heartland Magazine January 2013