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Culinary Initiative Poised to Pick Up Steam as Awareness Spreads by PAUL CATALA Polk County is cooking up something good, and now there’s a plan to use that recipe to put heads in beds and forks in mouths, all while highlighting and honoring the county’s unique agricultural heritage. Visit Central Florida (VCF), Polk County’s official […]

Westwood Middle Teacher Says Students Rose to the Challenge by K. MICHELE TRICE With more than 250 students actively participating, the Westwood Middle School agricultural program was recently named the 2023 Ag Program of the Year by Polk County Farm Bureau. The Westwood Middle School program is under the guidance of Dawn Coatney, who is

Bartow High’s Lexi Sanchez: It Never Feels Like Work by K. MICHELE TRICE Lexi Sanchez, agriculture teacher at Bartow High School, was recently named the 2023 Ag Teacher of the Year by Polk County Farm Bureau. Sanchez teaches animal science and agricultural business at Bartow High. “The Ag Teacher of the Year and Ag Program

by RYAN MILEJCZAK Sponsored by Farm Credit of Central Florida Citrus is, without a doubt, Florida’s most emblematic crop. While citrus greening and other issues continue to squeeze the industry, the future is still looking hopeful for Florida’s best known crop. The Florida citrus industry continues to take these challenges head on, with some promising

Expectations in Industry Remain Mixed, but OTC Injections and Mild Hurricane Season Foster Optimism by TERESA SCHIFFER Is Florida’s citrus industry finally turning a corner when it comes to greening? The just-announced 2023-2024 season forecast sparked that new hope. The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued the first monthly citrus crop forecast of the 2023-2024 season

by TERESA SCHIFFER Sponsored by Farm Credit of Central Florida What makes peanuts so unbelievably appealing? Could it be the protein, fat, and carbohydrate content? That does make them a satisfying snack. Maybe it’s the nostalgia we have for a simple peanut butter and jelly sandwich or a bag of roasted peanuts at the ballpark.

New Highlands County Extension Director and 4-H Agent Brings a Passion for Education by TERESA SCHIFFER Kati Lawson is putting her passion for agricultural science and teaching to good use as the new 4-H Agent and County Extension Director for Highlands County.  Originally from Okeechobee County, Lawson was a public school teacher for seven years. 

by JESS McDONALD As Florida growers try their hand at new crops, some are testing the water with macadamia. Glenn Reynolds is one of those growers.  Reynolds, a Lake Alfred farmer and owner of the Florida Macadamia Growers Cooperative, says he’s done with citrus and is instead focusing his attention on macadamia, which is native

Lake Wales Creating Grove Community Garden to Harvest Food, Fellowship by  PAUL CATALA When Dorothy Scott Wilson was growing up in northwest Lake Wales, folks would buy their fruits and vegetables at a small business corridor that included Wade’s Grocery Store. As corporate chain supermarkets came in during the 1950s and 1960s, stores like Wade’s

Former Extension Director Hill Inducted into Florida 4-h Hall of Fame by TERESA SCHIFFER William “Bill” Hill has worked with Florida’s 4-H clubs for close to 30 years in a variety of capacities, and last month, he was formally recognized for his outstanding service and dedication. On August 3, Hill was inducted into the Florida