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by PAUL CATALA photo provided For decades, Cary Lightsey and his wife, Marcia, have been stalwart in their efforts and commitments to conserving wild Florida. Conservation Florida, an Orlando-based nonprofit working to protect Florida’s natural and agricultural landscapes, recently bestowed the Lake Wales couple with the Conservation Legacy Award for their commitment to conserving wild […]

Charleigh Wood a Rising Star With Sights Set on a Future in Ag by RYAN MILEJCZAK FFA was founded in 1925 to promote and support agricultural education in middle schools and high schools across the country. Now, nearly 100 years later, it continues to be a leading organization for youth in agriculture. One young FFA

by RYAN MILEJCZAKphotos by TOM HAGERTY Every year, each Florida county names a passionate and deserving young woman as Cattlemen’s Sweetheart. These individuals dedicate themselves to representing and raising awareness of the Florida beef industry. Cattlemen’s Sweethearts go on to represent their county in the competition to be crowned Florida Cattlemen’s Sweetheart.  This year, Bailey

Nicole Walker & Bridget Stice May Work Behind the Scenes, but Their Impact Is Front and Center by REBEKAH PIERCE This month, Central Florida Ag News is celebrating women in agriculture. Here in Polk County, we’re especially blessed to have such strong female leaders at the UF/IFAS Extension office to thank for their hard work

Warner University Event Showcases Potential of Agriculture Studies Program by TIM CRAIG Seventy-five middle school and high school agriculture students converged on the campus of Warner University on April 12 to learn “What’s Growing On at WU.” The first-time, one-day event was created as a way to get students on campus to see and experience

by RYAN MILEJCZAK Sponsored by Farm Credit of Central Florida Much like oranges are iconic for Florida, appearing in logos and on license plates, peaches are one of the most recognizable crops for Georgia. But that doesn’t mean Georgia is the only state where peaches are grown. In fact, delicious peaches are also grown right

Lake Gibson Teen Finishes 7th in Nation in American Quarter Horse, Qualifies for Run for a Million by REBEKAH PIERCE In the fast-paced world of equestrian sports, few stories shine quite as brightly as that of local 17-year-old Kinley Hardee of Lake Gibson High School. Recently finishing seventh in the nation in the American Quarter

Beef Showmanship Results Champion Novice Showman: Finley Quattlebaum Reserve Champion Novice Showman: Bhodie Sherouse 3rd Overall Novice Showman: Bryton Cranor 4th Overall Novice Showman: Boone Kiddey Champion Junior Showman: Adalyn Compton Reserve Champion Junior Showman: Aubrey White 3rd Overall Junior Showman: Graysie Sherouse 4th Overall Junior Showman: Addison Pilla 5th Overall Junior Showman: Harlow Quattlebaum

by MEREDITH BAUER, UF/IFAS When Cameron Swallows heard his sister crying, he knew he had a big problem to solve. Her Florida 4-H pig was sick. Very sick. The pig, Hank, had rectal prolapse – a condition that can be fatal if left untreated – in November, and the veterinarian didn’t have the right medical

by BRAD BUCK, UF/IFAS  A new University of Florida-developed web-based tool will help growers reduce risks that come with climate variability.  It’s called the “climate indicators tool,” the newest addition to AgroClimate, a web-based platform designed 15 years ago by Clyde Fraisse, a UF/IFAS professor of agricultural and biological engineering.  Growers can use the new