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2023 Polk County Agri-Fest photos provided by POLK COUNTY FARM BUREAU

by TERESA SCHIFFER Many children express the desire to become veterinarians when they grow up because they are enchanted by fluffy bunnies or fascinated by slinky reptiles. Becoming a veterinarian takes diligence and dedication, and it isn’t always cuddly, fun, or easy, so a Florida horse doctor has created an opportunity for aspiring vets to

Ever since I studied geography in fifth grade, I have had an interest in visiting South America. A couple of weeks ago, nearly 60 years after fifth grade, Shari and I took a trip to Peru, Chile, and Argentina. Due to political and civil unrest in Peru, we weren’t able to visit Machu Picchu so

by STELLA CANFIELD, UF/IFAS correspondent For years, 3D printers have become an increasingly useful technology for creating everything from roller coaster models to houses. But what about printing food? Adam Watson and Ziynet Boz, two UF/IFAS professors in the agricultural and biological engineering department, have been rethinking the power of 3D printers, specifically their ability

Delays, Disease Have Strawberry Growers Hoping Season Picks Up by PAUL CATALA The outlook so far isn’t currently as strong as growers would like it to be, but there’s promise the 2022-23 strawberry season will pick up as the season grows on. Wael Elwakil, a fruit and vegetable agent for UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County in

by KRISTEN GUEVARA It’s a berry exciting time of year! The 88th Florida Strawberry Festival is taking place in Plant City from March 2-12. An estimated 550,000 people gather yearly to celebrate and enjoy Florida’s fresh strawberries and strawberry shortcakes, as well as headline entertainment, youth livestock shows, and exhibits.  The area’s strawberry industry got

Florida’s Strawberry Success More Than a Century in the Making by TERESA SCHIFFER Sponsored by Farm Credit of Central Florida In case you haven’t heard, Hillsborough County’s Plant City is renowned as the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World and has been for quite some time. Have you ever wondered how that came to be? 

Peggy Parke Celebrates 50 Years With Iconic Farm by K. MICHELE TRICE photos by MICHAEL WILSON If you are familiar with the Central Florida area, you know about Parkesdale Farms’ strawberries. You may have stood in a line that wrapped around the Parkesdale Market to get one of their famous strawberry shortcakes or Food Network-featured