b'CONTENTS | january 2026 The Voice of Agriculture for Our Regionwww.FloridaAgNews.comON THE COVER PUBLISHERFor nearly 100 years, the Garden Club of Wintervol 16 | isue 7 | january 2026 The Voice of Agriculture for Our Region Nelson KirklandHaven has enhanced the citys beauty, with itsHorticulture,most visible work blooming outside the WinterFloriculture FROM SEEDMANAGING EDITORHaven Public Library. As the group looks ahead Nurseries CITY NURSERY CULTIVATES TO STREETSCAPEto its centennial next year, we speak with JeniferBEAUTY FROM WITHINThornhill about their popular display downtown. edition ITS SHOWTIME! Jessica McDonald2026 POLK YOUTH FAIR TO TO BE BIGGER THAN EVERPage 10RAISING MORE THAN CHICKENS99 YEARS ANDFORT MEADE STUDENTSphoto by JESS McDONALD STILL GROWING LEARN, SERVE, GIVE BACK DIGITAL DIRECTORGARDEN CLUBS DEDICATION8ITS SHOWTIME! BLOOMS IN WINTER HAVEN Tyler DiGiovineIFAS INSIGHTNow in its 79th year, the Polk County YouthIS VERTICAL FARMING THEFUTURE OF AGRICULTURE?Fair promises to be bigger and better than everPAID PAID US POSTAGE PERMIT #15 U.S. Postage MONROE, GA Lakeland, Fl. Permit No. 335 CONTRIBUTING WRITERSPRSRT STD PRESORT STDthis year. Learn more about the preparation and insight that goes into planning the annual event. Ryan Milejczak, Luis Rodriguez Rosado, Rebekah Pierce,12RAISING MORE THAN CHICKENS Julie Gmitter, Kendall Farrar, Shaylynn Marks, Christian Spinosa,Fort Meade FFA students are learning far more than animal science through aBrad Buck, Mattie Fountain, Meredith Bauerhands-on project raising chickens to support local families facing food insecurity. Led by agriculture teacher Ashley Wheeler, the initiative teaches students about sustainable food production, responsibility, and service while providing high- CONTRIBUTING COLUMNISTS quality protein to the United Way Food Bank of Central Florida.14BEAUTIFUL BENEFITS Baxter Troutman, Mike Roberts, Dr. Katie Hennessy, Sean MalottCollege can be full of stressors that can leave students feeling frazzled andCONTRIBUTING ARTIST anxious. What if part of the solution is as simple as soil, sunlight, and water? A recent study from UF found that the therapeutic horticulture program helpedDawn Lewandowskireduce students stress and increased academic resilience.18FROM SEED TO STREETSCAPE DELIVERYLakelands municipal nursery plays a central role in shaping the citys parks,DLS Distributionmedians and public spaces by growing much of its landscaping material in-house. As the only city-owned nursery in Florida, the operation saves money, ensures plant quality, and fosters community partnerships with volunteers including Southwest Middle School students. Subscribe today for home deliveryPUBLISHED BY Departments5Publishers Letter28In The Heartland7Presidents Column 29Word Search 9Signs of the Season30Agri-Update16 IFAS Insight31 Classifieds 56 Fourth Street Northwest, Suite 100Winter Haven, Florida 20Calendar34Bok North FFA PHONE (863) 248-7537 24Agri-News36FFA Corner Copyright2026 Central Florida Media Group.ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.This issue of Florida AgNews is a trademark of Central Florida Media Group.Reproduction or use in whole or in part of the26Recipe Spotlight38 From the Editors Desk contents of this magazine without written permission is prohibited.Florida AgNews makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of content published.In the event of an error found herein, however, neither the publishers nor advertisers will be held responsible, nor do the publishers accept any liability for the accuracy of statements made by advertisers in advertising and promotional materials.4 | CFAN FloridaAgNews.com'