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School Sets a New Standard in Agri-Technology Education by SHAYLYNN MARKS At a time when Florida agriculture faces unprecedented challenges like citrus greening, rapid population growth, and increased development — one Polk County high school is proving that the next generation of agricultural innovators may already be in the making. Lake Gibson High School’s Agriscience […]

by RYAN MILEJCZAK Sponsored by Farm Credit of Central Florida Cauliflower is one cool vegetable; not only in the sense of its unique appearance or versatility in the kitchen, but also in the sense that it likes it cold! This makes cauliflower a classic winter veggie, and one that’s grown right here in Florida.  Cauliflower

My Tiny Greens Has Steadily Grown Since 2000 to Serve the Community by DEMI GUILLORY As it did for countless others, the COVID-19 pandemic changed Patsy Rogers’ life. Rogers, along with her husband, Wayne, has always been a planner, ready for most any obstacle in her path.  That level of preparedness was challenged during the

Polk’s Hometown Coffeehouses Roasting the National Chains by PAUL CATALA Sponsored by VISIT CENTRAL FLORIDA As a growing number of nationwide chains serve up their latest iteration of coffee, two hometown coffee shops have been making a name for themselves right here in Polk County. Haven Coffee Roasters in Winter Haven and Auburndale and Black

College Says Initiative’s Creation Was ‘Data-Driven’ Decision by DEMI GUILLORY The road to a robust career in agriculture just became more accessible here in Central Florida, where Polk State College recently announced the launch of its AgriPolk initiative. The first of the school’s kind, the program is aimed at students committed to studying all aspects

Provided by Florida Citrus Mutual For more than a century, Florida’s citrus industry has stood as a pillar of the Sunshine State’s heritage, nurtured through generations of hardworking families. Among these Centennial Citrus Growers stands the Hunt Family, owners of Hunt Bros. Cooperative in Lake Wales. With a legacy spanning more than 100 years full

by SHAYLYNN MARKS Sponsored by Visit Central Florida Even before Walt Disney World opened its gates in 1971, Glen Davidson was already giving travelers a reason to stop and savor the Sunshine State. A World War II veteran and former Sunline Candy Co. employee (creators of Pixy Stix and SweeTARTS), Glen knew candy — but

By KATI LAWSON, UF/IFAS Highlands Extension Kati Lawson, Highlands County Extension Director and 4-H agent II, knew the two 4-H barns behind the Extension office needed repair, but she wasn’t sure how to raise the funds needed to renovate the animal stalls when she came to Highlands in the summer of 2023.  It was clear

Project Raises Awareness by Telling the Story of Small Farms by REBEKAH PIERCE When most people think of art installations, they don’t think about 5-foot-tall hay bales. But that’s precisely what a recent project at the University of Florida featured. Rosemary (Rosie) Springer, a recent graduate of the sculpture and studio art master’s program, served

LaBelle’s Tommie Bade Builds a Craft Business From Scraps by REBEKAH PIERCE It all started with just $12. When she was just 15 years old, Tommie Bade walked into a furniture store in Texas and started browsing. With that $12, she bought a few scraps of cowhide. That simple purchase changed everything. “I’ve always been