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Tracking the growth of agritourism for Florida farms. Creating an industry takes hard work and a stomach for risk.

Larger-than-life art by Christopher Still Florida artist Christopher Still told his mother at four years old, “I’m going to be an artist.” Now his collection of Florida-themed murals hang in the House Chambers of the Florida House of Representatives in Tallahassee. His artwork was selected during a national search headed up by then Speaker of

Polk County Farm Bureau, in collaboration with UF/IFAS Extension, held its biennial Ag Tour. This year’s event allowed attendees to learn about Florida agriculture from four distinctly unique and cutting-edge ag operations. The tour’s four stops included Phillip Rucks Citrus Nursery in Frostproof; Roosevelt Farms in Lake Wales; Five Star Family Growers Farm in Auburndale;

Two-year study reveals some panther attack habits on cattle ranches A recently completed study on the interaction of Florida panthers and cattle ranches shows that the frequency of big-cat attacks on calves depends on location and landscape.

Despite a likely smaller crop this year, growers keep hope alive Experts are expecting a smaller Florida citrus crop next season— despite a uniform bloom. “Without a [citrus] greening solution, we’re going to see continued reduction in the crop,” says Les Dunson, president of Winter Haven’s Dunson Harvesting. As a small relief to growers and

Polk County Farm Bureau Ag Teacher of the Year recognized for 31 years of service Fifty-three-year-old Pete Gordon grew up on a cattle ranch. So when it came time to choose a career, he didn’t want to wear a suit to work. “Teaching ag was a good fit for me,” he recalls.

The continued educational goals of Polk County Farm Bureau’s Ag Program of the Year In an era where the number of farms are diminishing, the Ag program at Kathleen High School is not only growing, but flourishing. Its teaching team is expanding to meet the demand for instruction in classes like Ag Foundations, Ag Communications,

Whether on the trail or on the ranch, a long ride deserves the right training and conditioning Whether the endurance needed is for races, competitive trail-riding, or a long day on the ranch, endurance horseback riding is a popular pastime in the United States. Despite the oversight of several committees and organizations like the American

Donating funds for research to help eradicate greening On August 19, 2014 the University of Florida announced Coca-Cola’s plans to donate a generous 1.5 million dollars for citrus research. Coca-Cola is the world’s largest beverage producer, and they have promised to distribute a 1.5 million dollar gift in increments of $500,000 over the next three years. The Citrus Research and Development Foundation

Growers experimenting with soil-less, protected cultures, and new crops A Winter Haven ministry is growing food for the poor using vertical plant towers. The hydroponic/aeroponic system produces vegetables and fruits faster, without pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. “Instead of cultivating the soil, we cultivate the water,” says David Berry, executive pastor of The Mission.