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New UF/IFAS Center Focused on Water, Land Use Issues by ERIKA ALDRICH Did you know that about 1,000 people move to The Sunshine State every day and constantly adding to the state’s population that is 21 million strong? This constant influx of new residents, coupled with Florida’s extensive agriculture industry, makes land and water usage […]

Citrus Task Force Ready to Help the Industry by J.P. SMITH Orange juice has historically become synonymous with Florida culture and economy. It’s hard to imagine a Florida without its “golden apple,” as perhaps the ancient Greeks once referred to this juicy fruit. Imagine we will, though, of a Florida producing oranges for centuries still

Despite Greening, Citrus is still King in Highlands County by RACHEL CHRISTIAN Highlands County has a population of roughly 105,000 people. It’s also home to about 110,000 cattle and 8.5 million orange trees.  “I always say we have more cows than people here – and a heck of a lot more oranges than either of

Previewing the 2019 Caladium Festival by DAPHNE RENELUS If you live in the Lake Placid area, do not miss out on one of the city’s best festival events – the 29th annual Caladium Festival of course! The Caladium Festival was created in 1990 as an ode to the beautiful caladium plants that grow in the

State’s Citrus Crop Rebounded, Growers Optimistic for Future by TERESA SCHIFFER It’s no secret that the Florida citrus industry has suffered some setbacks over the last few years, primarily due to the scourge of citrus greening or Huanglongbing (HLB). The good news is that researchers have made great strides in their fight against the disease,

Florida Poly Research Sets Sights on Citrus Greening by MATT COBBLE photo courtesy of Florida Polytechnic University Florida Citrus growers will soon have another weapon in their arsenal for the fight against citrus greening, thanks to the research of a team from Florida Polytechnic University. Dr. Muhammad Abid, assistant computer science professor at Florida Poly,

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