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by JULIE GMITTER Florida is an oasis for gardeners, farmers, and plant lovers alike, with unique species and a sunny, warm climate which is just perfect for America’s most popular pastime. Since 1979, the Florida Master Gardener Program has trained thousands of volunteers in Florida who have worked to provide nearly $10 million dollars of […]

Bok Tower Gardens is home to the Rare Plant Conservation Program. Tasked with preserving the genetic diversity of Florida’s flora, they work with some of the rarest plants in the world.   by TERESA SCHIFFER Cheryl Peterson doesn’t wear a cape, and she can’t fly or see through walls, but the work she does is

Citrus’ Best of the Best by ERIKA ALDRICH Citrus has a truly rich heritage in The Sunshine State. Citrus has been in Florida since the Spanish arrived in the 1500s and positioned as a major facet of the ag industry since the 1800s. The Citrus Hall of Fame has been honoring those who have made

Spreading Equine Knowledge by MATT NORMAN Horses are beautiful and powerful animals. For a great many years the relationship between horses and humans has been strong. While horses are capable of great work and are often kept for the work they can due, they are so much more than simple beasts of burdens. For many

by TERESA SCHIFFER Technology is omnipresent in modern society, and with it we have seen monumental improvements across many sectors of industry. We can track the pizza we ordered, monitor work floors, and communicate with friends and coworkers around the world. It only stands to reason that new technology would also affect our food supply

by MARY TOOTHMAN Postbloom fruit drop can appear explosively in a bad season, seemingly infecting every flower on a tree. A new forecasting system — a web tool to help growers control postbloom fruit drop — has been developed by University of Florida experts.  Growers have with online tools available to help determine the best times

by J.P. SMITH In the heart of Florida, through the pulsing strip of the the High-Tech Corridor, is the renowned STEM college, Florida Polytechnic University.  It is the home of the award winning and one of the 16 “Most Breathtaking” Buildings, the iconic Innovation, Science and Technology (IST) Building. The unique location of FL Poly

by TIM CRAIG A massive multi-use equestrian facility is sprouting up on over 3,000 acres in northwest Marion County, and its growth may solidify the county’s and Ocala’s billing as “Horse Capital of the World.” The World Equestrian Center Ocala, reportedly set for a 2019 opening, is a state-of-the-art development that includes sports and recreational

Local Family-Owned Business Puts Quality Craftsmanship in Every Blade Made In a shop out back on Hickory Hammock Road in Lake Wales, a family business is thriving. Stephenson Knives creates knives that are as beautiful as they are functional. Three generations are working together to hand-craft these unique blades for a variety of purposes. Shawn

By Abby Crawford Every school year is different from the year before. Changes to curriculum, new policies, upgraded facilities, new alpacas…..wait, what? That’s exactly what happened this year for FFA members in the Haines City Senior FFA Chapter.  At the close of the 2017 – 2018 school year, the chapter received six alpacas to start