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Highlands County Ag-Venture Teaches Children the Importance of Agriculture by TERESA SCHIFFER It’s never too early to start teaching kids about the importance of agriculture, and Highlands County Ag-Venture, Inc. is taking that education seriously.  Every year, the program provides the opportunity for third-grade students to learn firsthand valuable lessons from various agricultural industries. It’s […]

Area Growers Optimistic, Though Accepting of a New Normal by TIM CRAIG It’s October and eyes are looking toward the start of what may be Florida’s true season: citrus and the official citrus forecast published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.    “We’re glad to see the Citrus Forecast come out because it marks the

Kubota Presents Lithia Veteran and Farmer With Tractor Through Geared to Give Program U.S. Marine Corps veteran Russell Guzzetta of Country Song Farm in Lithia was recently chosen from more than 400 applicants nationwide to receive a donated Kubota L Series compact tractor. The giveaway was part of Kubota’s Geared to Give program. This program

Citrus Industry Enlists Help of Dogs Trained to Detect Greening Anyone with a four-legged friend of the canine kind knows that it’s nearly impossible to hide anything from a dog’s sense of smell.  In fact, their olfactory senses are approximately 1,000 times stronger than those of a human. With the proper training, our canine friends

Polk County Farm Bureau Names Outstanding Agriculture Program and Teacher of the Year by MARY TOOTHMAN   “Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve.”   — Future Farmers of America motto Sometimes the phrase “practice makes perfect” is merely a figure of speech. Other times, every bit of it rings true.

A guide to taking advantage of ag-recreation in Central Florida by J.P. SMITH “In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.” —Aristotle   There is certainly something marvelous about Florida’s nature and wildlife for the adventuring Floridian to discover. Summer trips and plans might have come to a close, but as the

Florida Trails Offer Horseback Riders a Different Way to Experience Nature by TERESA SCHIFFER photos provided by FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES While Florida may be renowned for its big-name tourist attractions and resorts, there is still quite a bit of natural beauty to draw attention. We have some truly breathtaking forest areas,

Richloam Wildlife Management Area Prime Area for Hunters, Hikers, Bicyclists by MARY TOOTHMAN photos provided by ALLTRAILS If you love nature, horseback riding, or hunting — or any combination of the three — chances are you may have been to the Richloam Wildlife Management Area, or plan to visit. The Richloam Wildlife Management Area (WMS)

Rustic Wedding Venues Draw Couples in Rising Numbers by MARY TOOTHMAN photo by JOE LEDUC photo by TEELYN PHOTOS “Our trade secret is pretty simple: Just love people and treat them like family.” — Michelle Welch, Wishing Well Barn Brides today are indicating in increasing numbers that their dreams for the most special day of

Agritourism introduces visitors to homegrown attractions Florida may be known for its theme parks and beaches, but agritourism gives visitors a chance to explore an off-the-beaten-path adventure. Agritourism combines Florida’s two biggest industries and casts a wide net of activities that include things like u-pick berry farms, bucolic wedding venues, family-owned wineries and corn mazes.