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Florida Sport Horse Club is a Natural Fit for These Locals by MARY TOOTHMAN It’s clear members of the Florida Sport Horse Club are into horses in a big way. But the 60 or so members of this equine-centered group ride those horses together as a conduit that reaches beyond their love of horses. They […]

By Abby Crawford   Though she’s from Hillsborough County, Keri Greenwood has called Polk County “home” for the last four years and plans to keep it just that for years to come.  Keri crossed the county line to attend college at Warner University where she studied agriculture, putting much of her focus towards beef production.

by MARY TOOTHMAN   In today’s dining culture —  with all the modern commonalities of fast food, frozen meals, and other quick ways to gulp down some food — young people can benefit from learning more about nutrition, fresh food, and the role farmers play in bringing food to the table.   With that in

by TIM CRAIG   For over 30 years, sustainability has been an integral part of the H.E.A.R.T. Village, a small nonprofit tucked about a mile from the nearest paved road behind Warner University in Lake Wales. H.E.A.R.T., an acronym for “Hunger Education and Resource Training,” was established in the early 1980s, an outgrowth from two

Solid Production Overshadowed By Falling Prices by TERES SCHIFFER Since the early 1990s, Florida has had the blueberry market cornered for a few precious weeks in late March and early April. During that time, Florida blueberries drew a premium price as the only blueberries available in that particular time frame. That’s starting to change now,

by DAPHNE RENELUIS   A central Florida resident since 1980, David Weber has become a staple in the central Florida blueberry industry. Weber developed an interest in blueberries and agriculture at a young age because he grew up near a small blueberry patch in New York as a child. This early exposure to blueberries and

by MARY TOOTHMAN Since Michaela Grace McLean was awarded the title of Miss Florida Citrus Queen earlier this year, her dance card has been filling up quickly. The 21-year old from Clermont has had a very full schedule of late. After being named Citrus Queen March 23, she graduated from college, then moved. And now

by ERIKA ALDRICH photo by MARC HELLER/E&E News There’s no mistaking that The Sunshine State sees its share of hot weather, and Florida beef cattle feel the heat too. Recent studies have confirmed that both beef and dairy cattle are healthier and more productive at cooler temperatures, and there are many ways that beef producers

by TIM CRAIG From her office, Keitha Bennett gets one of best glimpses at the growth and future of Florida agriculture. As coordinator of the Agricultural Education Services and Technology (AEST) certification program, the Haines City native sits at the nexus of education and industry and is able to help shape both. Yet, her perspective

by TERESA SCHIFFER For Scarlett Jackson, agriculture isn’t just a vocation, it’s a way of life. Jackson’s life has been intertwined with agriculture since her earliest days. She was raised on a farm and retains precious memories of that lifestyle. Nowadays she is devoted to helping support the next generation of agriculturists as they find