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Bartow High Graduate Emma Self Elected State FFA Area IV Vice President by K. MICHELE TRICE Emma Self, a 2023 graduate of Bartow High School, has been elected the Florida FFA Area IV Vice President. Self is taking a gap year between high school and college to focus on her FFA responsibilities. “Agriculture is obviously […]

Two Polk Schools Get Aquaponics Systems Through FDACS by K. MICHELE TRICE Support from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is giving ag students in two Polk County schools the chance to experience aquaponics in action. The word aquaponics is a portmanteau of aquaculture (raising fish and other aquatic animals in tanks) and

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.

A Look at Florida’s Emerging Crops by PAUL CATALA In the midst of a lengthy battle against citrus greening and hurricanes, Florida’s2023 orange crop hit the lowest yield in nearly 90 years. Now, many in the citrusindustry find themselves with open, fruitless groves. As growers, researchers,and legislators search for drop-in crops, a few viable options

by AMANDA JOHNSON, president, Heartland Beekeepers Association In the mesmerizing world of nature’s intricate relationships, few bonds are as vital and awe-inspiring as that between bees and flowers. This enchanting symbiosis has persisted for millions of years, orchestrating an elegant dance of mutual dependence and benefiting both parties and the entire ecosystem.  Bees recognize flowers

Florida’s Extreme Heat Presents Challenges for Growers, Ranchers, and Animals by K. MICHELE TRICE  Most scientists have agreed that July was the hottest month in recorded history. The first three weeks of the month were the hottest three-week period on record, and that heat is being felt intensely in Florida where the average July temperature

Bradenton’s Iconic Mixon Fruit Farms Shuts Doors After 84 Years by PAUL CATALA photos provided by MIXON FRUIT FARMS It all started in 1939 as a small fruit stand on the edge of Willie and Rosa Mixon’s property in Bradenton. Twenty years later, the pair expanded the business, taking in land that was under individual

Backpacking Puts You In Touch With Nature and Yourself by K. MICHELE TRICE Photos by MJ Cernevale & Shannon Carnevale When you’re hiking alongside a river and pausing to watch the wildlife, you quickly forget about how hectic everyday life can be. At a campsite, there is no traffic and there are no car horns

by TERESA SCHIFFERSponsored by Farm Credit of Central Florida Florida’s warm, humid climate makes it possible to grow a variety of delectable fruit crops, including tropical treats like guava. The sweet superfood is enormously popular throughout the world, and though it is native to the American tropics, India is actually the top producer and consumer

Highland Cattle a Hit at Plant City’s Cow Creek Farm by RYAN MILEJCZAKphotos provided by COW CREEK FARM Plant City has long been known for its strawberries, but lately, locals and tourists have been drawn to the area by something a little fluffier. Cow Creek Farm’s Scottish Highland cattle are making waves and friends as