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By TERESA SCHIFFER We all rely on agriculture every single day of our lives for our most basic needs, but in modern times we’ve grown a little more distanced from the practices that keep us alive. In recent years, however, the agricultural community has been making a concerted effort to educate the public on the […]

Researchers Try to Crack Greening With Comparative Genomics by HEATHER MACHOVINA Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) is the bacterium responsible for causing the devastating Huanglongbing (HLB or citrus greening) disease. Infected trees have poor vegetative growth, fruit drop, low fruit quality, and tree decline. Scientists are not able to cultivate CLas on its own in a

As Greening Battle Continues, Florida Citrus Growers Turn to Hardy Lemons as Alternative by PAUL CATALA When it comes to Florida citrus, naval, valencia and hamlin oranges come to mind while Ruby Red, flame and Thompson grapefruits are common names. But other citrus names are often overlooked: Harvey, Bearss and Eureka, for example. Those are

Plant City Saw Mill Has Been Supporting Local Families for 50 Years by PAUL CATALA When R.J. Stone opened a sawmill in Plant City about 50 years ago, he spent the first 30 years focusing on wood products for agriculture – 2-by-2-feet posts for peppers and 5-feet tall stakes for tomatoes, for example. McCain Mills

Legumes, Especially Snap Beans, Big Business in Florida    by TERESA SCHIFFER    Sponsored by Farm Credit of Central Florida   When you think of Florida agriculture, legumes probably aren’t the first thing to come to mind. Renowned for our citrus, Florida farms are home to more than just those sweet, juicy oranges. Several varieties

Bone Valley ATV Park Uses Old Phosphate Mining Land to Make Way for Families, Fun by TIM CRAIG photo by JEREMY MAREADY/POLK COUNTY GOVERNMENT On 200 acres in Mulberry, there is a tract of land that is a testament to the feats that can be forged when the county and community collaborate. On quiet days,

Florida Spearfishing Adds Element of Adventure to Favorite Pastime by MATT COBBLE In Florida, nearly surrounded by open water, finding a recreational activity to do in the water is not hard. So with all of the various possibilities, why should a sportsman (or sportswoman) consider spearfishing? In a lot of ways, spearfishing is one of

Scientist Studying How Water Sources Influence Conservation Behaviors by HEATHER MACHOVINA Did you know as much as 50% of household water use goes toward landscape irrigation nationwide? That totals nearly 9 billion gallons of water per day just for watering outside the home, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Drastic numbers like these

Hidden Gem Grape Hammock Is a Fantastic Destination for Ag-Recreation by TERESA  SCHIFFER Central Florida is much more than theme parks and citrus groves, and Grape Hammock Fish Camp in Lake Wales proves it! The family-owned marina on the south end of Lake Kissimmee is a popular getaway spot for locals and out-of-state guests alike.

University of California Scientists Find Treatment They Say Will Effectively Kill Citrus Greening by HEATHER MACOHVINA   Citrus Greening, or Huanglongbing (HLB), was first observed in South Florida infecting backyard citrus in 2005. By the beginning of 2009, the disease had spread to every major citrus producing county in Florida. The Asian citrus psyllid is