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Industry update: Groves give way to orchards as growers look to spring markets. In some sections of Central Florida, orange groves are giving way to peach orchards. As farmers wrestle with citrus greening, peaches developed for Florida’s mild winter climate offer new opportunity. “I see them popping up in different places in my travels,” says […]

Eating blueberries and naming a new princess were among the activities at this year’s Florida Blueberry Festival People were seeing blue everywhere April 12 and 13 when the Third Annual Florida Blueberry Festival commenced again inside the picturesque setting of downtown Brooksville.

Upcoming Riding Programs at the Florida Agricultural Museum The calendar shows that June is almost here. While the weather is heating up and the hazy afternoon thunderstorms are kicking into gear, the date also means that school is about to be out for the summer, signaling that parents and kids need to choose a summer

Lynn Scarborough Talks About Her Love of the Landscape Lynn Scarborough was raised in Fort Lauderdale, with Atlantic beaches, shopping malls and restaurants. But she has discovered living in Central Florida offers perks of its own: The tranquility of a morning sunrise on the ranch, the majesty of standing palms, and wildlife up close.

Q&A with Dr. Raoul Boughton on New Research Ranchers will tell you they’re seeing more coyotes than ever before.  It’s believed the adaptive canine’s population is increasing in Florida, much to the chagrin of ranchers.  Dr. Raoul Boughton, a UF/IFAS Rangeland Scientist at the Range Cattle Research and Education Center, is conducting studies into the

Farmers and Ranchers’ Role in Protecting Florida’s Water Quality Agriculture has been in the spotlight for many years for environmental problems. It seems we always have to defend our way of life to prevent government intrusion and/or taxation. Most of this is greatly due to people that do not understand agriculture moving into this great

A Celebration of Florida Fun and Food at the Annual Fundraiser From fried dill pickles, to sweet potato fries, to venison tacos, this year’s 11th Annual Beast Feast and Auction was quite the culinary success. Living up to its name, the Beast Feast had countless varieties of exotic foods and a great string band, to

Family Life for the Lasseters at Triple L Farms Elijah Lasseter was seven years old when he announced to his parents one evening, “I’m going to get a diesel when I turn 16.” Amused, his dad Ron told him he better find a job. Elijah paused, but only briefly. “If I buy a calf now

Barthle Brothers Ranch and the American Quarter Horse Sometimes “good” is a way of life. Such is the case at Barthle Brothers Ranch in Dade City where you’ll find cattle, quail, and turkey hunting, some timber and a lot of good horses. American Quarter Horses, to be exact. The bread and butter of the ranching

The Spirit of Service in Two 4-H Volunteers Earlier this year, Polk County 4-H recognized two exemplary young volunteers in our community: Erica Curtis and Grace Colston. Both of these young students turned teachers were honored as recipients of the Prudential Spirit of Community award. Their honorable volunteer work and extraordinary display of leadership made