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by TERESA SCHIFFER Sponsored by Farm Credit of Central Florida Nothing says “Florida” quite like sunshine and citrus! The citrus industry has taken quite a beating in the past 15 years thanks to greening. Yet, despite the challenges, citrus still remains a vibrant force in the Florida economy, employing almost 76,000 people and generating $9 […]

Glades Crop Care’s Madeline Mellinger Honored as Innovator in Integrated Pest Management  by JULIE GMITTER  For the past 30 years, the Woman of the Year in Agriculture title has been awarded to Florida women who have made outstanding contributions to the Florida Agriculture industry. On August 22, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Nikki Fried

Conservation Easement for Archbold’s Buck Island Ranch Approved by JULIE GMITTER Just 15 miles northwest of Lake Okeechobee lies Archbold’s Buck Island Ranch, a 10,000+ acre area of land that is home to a working cattle ranch of nearly 3,000 cattle. On August 23, Governor Ron DeSantis and his Cabinet announced a proposed conservation easement

Polk County’s Trek Ten Trails Program an Easy Way to Explore Parks, Nature by GRACE HIRDES Are you looking for a great way to have some outdoor fun in Central Florida this fall? You don’t have to be an expert hiker or avid outdoorsman to take advantage of all that nature has to offer. That’s

Lakeland Nonprofit Offers Equine Therapy to Help Veterans by TIM CRAIG photos provided by THE VETERANS RANCH A Veterans Ranch YouTube episode from August tells you everything you need to know about the nonprofit. On the video, there’s a man with glasses and a goatee, black hat and black shirt, and he’s talking about how

Children’s Museum Will Teach About Florida Ecology and Agriculture  by PAUL CATALA The new Bonnet Springs Park will bring more green and a newfound appreciation for agricultural spaces to the city of Lakeland, but just inside there’s something else that is also creating quite a buzz — the Florida Children’s Museum. The museum, formerly known

New Bonnet Springs Park to Bring Touch of Ag to Lakeland by PAUL CATALA photos provided by BONNET SPRINGS PARK To the north is US 92, one of the busiest east-west roads in Polk County. To the east, west, and south, encroaching urbanization continues to cast more concrete into Lakeland. But among the buildings, sidewalks,

by TERESA SCHIFFER Sponsored by Farm Credit of Central Florida The days are growing shorter, and the gourds are growing large and ripe, ready to harvest from spiraling vines for our dinner tables and autumn celebrations. Although pumpkins are not the orange fruit one typically associates with Florida, it’s true that we produce our fair

by TERESA SCHIFFER From August 24-26, Central Florida landscapers, nursery growers, and other professional horticulturalists will gather to network, pick up valuable information about industry trends, and be inspired by new products and plants at The Landscape Show. The annual trade show is for industry only and not for retail buyers. It is organized by

by PAUL CATALAphotos provided by LALA LAND It all started with a box and a piglet. That small, secured swine eventually led to a 45-acre exotic animal farm and education facility in Sebring now known as LaLa Land. LaLa Land is co-located with TLC Therapy Hooves off Payne Road on a 45-acre farm and ranch