ON 15 ACRES at Howey-in-the-Hills in Lake County, a citrus grove once abandoned by its owner has new life, witnesses say. Hamlin orange trees with obvious symptoms of greening are growing healthy, new leaves. “My goal was just to make a perfect, healthy living soil,” explains Ed James, owner of J & R Groves. “By […]
Looking to the Soil for Solutions in the Fight Against Greening Read More »
THE FOUNDERS of Caloosa Hops in Lake Wales could harvest their novel crops manually, but the idea does not appeal to them much. It’s been enough of a challenge venturing into growing hops in the Sunshine State, says co-owner Brian Marston. He and longtime pal Kevin Updike, president of the Polk County Farm Bureau and
Harvesting Machine Eases Labor Demands for Growers of this New, Alternative Crop Read More »
IDENTIFYING YOUR HORSE has always been an issue, but it’s one that technology is improving upon. While the means of identifying your horse can be as simple as descriptions like distinctive markings or even a brand, Radiofrequency Implantable Devices, called RFIDs, are offering a technological solution to horse identification. RFIDs have a slew of other
Microchipped Equine: The Equine Industry is Finding Many Benefits in the Use of RFIDS Read More »
GAINESVILLE, Fla., Nov. 27, 2018 — The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has established a special Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) sign up Nov. 28-Dec. 28 to help agricultural producers who suffered damage from Hurricane Irma with financial and technical assistance. Conservation practices available through this EQIP funding specifically address natural resource concerns from hurricane flood and wind damage and provide future protection from exceptional
Assistance Available for Irma Damaged Ag Land Read More »
Jessica Anderson Receives Polk County Farm Bureau Accolade for Her Outstanding Dedication to Students and Agriculture by TERESA SCHIFFER Jessica Anderson is this year’s Outstanding Agriculture Teacher of the Year recipient from the Polk County Farm Bureau (PCFB). She is outstanding in a field of many dedicated educators. Anderson has been teaching ag at George
When the Student Becomes the Teacher Read More »
UF/IFAS Partners with the Florida State Beekeepers Association to Protect Bees, Advance the Industry by TERESA SCHIFFER FOR SOME YEARS NOW, we’ve been hearing about the plight of the bees and the repercussions that could have on the agricultural community. Besides being the only source of natural, delicious honey, bees are important pollinators. Many of
Honey Bee Lab Central Florida Read More »
South Florida’s farmworker families are suffering in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. The storm’s disruption of early-season farm work has left many jobless, homeless and running out of cash. Please join Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association in raising funds to help the Redlands Christian Migrant Association provide immediate basic living essentials and temporary housing needs
RCMA Hurricane Relief Fund: Help our Farmworkers Read More »
Tips from the Experts on Raising Market Hogs for the Annual Polk County Youth Fair Fall is almost here, and for students involved in 4H and FFA programs, that means it will soon be time to purchase livestock animals to raise for the Polk County Youth Fair. Market hogs are a popular choice in Polk, so
Raising A Market Hog Read More »
In the mid-eighties the dairy industry tried to convince us that milk was good for you. Some of you may remember the “milk does a body good” television campaign proclaiming the health benefits along with the belief that milk could build strong bones. Apple founder Steve Jobs said it best: “Marketing is about values. This
A New Marketing Strategy for the Florida Citrus Industry Read More »
With the recent weather changes, stay updated on how to maintain your lawn with advice from UF/IFAS experts, and Farm and Garden business owner Bill Doty. With the weather changing so much in the last month, it’s important to know the proper way to treat your lawn, whether it is wet or dry outside.
