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1 | CFAN

The Voice of Agriculture for Our Region

www.FloridaAgNews.com

vol 8 | issue 9 | march 2018

CFAN E-NEWS: UPFRONT, FOR FREE, FOR FARMERS. SCAN HERE TO SUBSCRIBE!floridaagnews.com/e-newsletter

EXCLUSIVE PHOTOSFROM THE FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL, FLORIDA STATE FAIR,AND PCCA TRADE SHOWAND RANCH RODEO!

FLORIDA ROOTS:AFTER X YEARS OF SPEARHEADING THE POLK COUNTY YOUTH FAIR, BOLDEN MAKES ONE MORE BOLD MOVE

FFA OFFICERS REPORT:STUDENTS SHARE THEIR STORIESON A GREAT YEAR

RECIPE SPOTLIGHT QUICK AND SIMPLE WAYS TO COOK UP

SOME IN-SEASON FLORIDA VEGGIES Tips from the Pros onHow to Survive and ThriveNext Fair Season

edition

CFAN E-NEWS:

AgLAKE WALES HIGH SCHOOLHORSE JUDGING TEAM HEADS TO STATE

FloridaAgNews.comFloridaAgNews.com

1 | CFAN| CFAN

The Voice of Agriculture for Our Region

www.FloridaAgNews.com

vol 8 | issue 9 | march 2018

1 | CFAN| CFAN

UPFRONT, FOR FREE, FOR FARMERS. SCAN HERE TO SUBSCRIBE!floridaagnews.com/e-newsletter

EXCLUSIVE PHOTOSEXCLUSIVE PHOTOS

FROM THE FLORIDA STRAWBERRY

FROM THE FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL, FLORIDA STATE FAIR,AND PCCA TRADE SHOWAND RANCH RODEO!

FLORIDA ROOTS:AFTER X YEARS OF SPEARHEADING THE POLK COUNTY YOUTH FAIR, BOLDEN MAKES ONE MORE BOLD MOVE

FFA OFFICERS REPORT:STUDENTS SHARE THEIR STORIESON A GREAT YEAR

RECIPE SPOTLIGHTRECIPE SPOTLIGHT QUICK AND SIMPLE WAYS TO COOK UP

SOME IN-SEASON FLORIDA VEGGIES Tips from the Pros onHow to Survive and ThriveNext Fair Season

CFAN E-NEWS:CFAN E-NEWS:CFAN E-NEWS:CFAN E-NEWS:CFAN E-NEWS:

Tips from the Pros onHow to Survive and Thrive

AgTips from the Pros on

AgTips from the Pros on

AgeditionAgedition

LAKE WALES HIGH SCHOOLHORSE JUDGING TEAM HEADS TO STATE

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PRESORT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 335 Lakeland, Fl.

EVERY MARCH, I am always reminded of the incredibly bright, young individuals helping to ensure the agriculture industry for generations to come. Having been involved in my local Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter growing up, this edition always brings back those amazing memories and reminds me of the priceless, lifelong skills I learned along the way.

Reading these stories about our youth in ag, I can not only relate to their experiences, but to the traits and traditions being passed down to them from the previous generation. Our farmers, ranchers, and ag leaders of tomorrow are all being taught a valuable life lesson today— that dedication is needed to learn and grow with your passion. Hard work and being committed to what you love is something to be appreciated.

� e story of Jimmy Bolden retiring, for example, is about more than just recognizing the President of the Polk County Youth Fair retiring a� er 10 years. It is a recognition of the tireless dedication and commitment he gave to the region’s ag community and its future by helping foster a � ourishing network of agriyouth.

� e amazing youth in this edition, including middle schoolers Reanna Brown and Jessie Bennett, detail for us their wide range of duties and responsibilities during fair days, which is by no means a short list. Plus, recent achievements, like the Lake Wales High School Horse Judging Team making it to the State Tournament, remind us of the incredible young talent of all ages in our ag community.

To all the youth who have recently participated in the various livestock shows across the state, at the Polk County Youth Fair, the Florida State Fair, the Florida Strawberry Festival, and others around the state, I want to sincerely congratulate you. � e responsibility, time, and e� ort that goes into raising and preparing an animal is no small task. I know you will carry the lessons learned with you for the rest of your life.

Last, but certainly not least, March marks the eight-year anniversary of Central Florida Media Group’s founding. With Central Florida Ag News being our � agship publication for us from the start, I want to sincerely thank the readers, advertisers, the incredible sta� and contributing team at Central Florida Media Group that make this publication possible, and of course my family, who have supported me since day one, and of course above all, the good Lord above . . . � ank you for your support for our youth in ag and thanks for reading Central Florida Ag News. ag

PUBLISHER LETTER

Celebrating Our Youth in Agriculture

PHILLIP RUCKS CITRUS NURSERY, INC.Phillip Rucks, Owner

863-635-1948 • info@rucksnursery.comP.O. Box 1318 Frostproof, FL 33843 • www.ruckscitrusnursery.com www.floridagrownspecialties.com

Production costs have been rising as the Florida citrus industry grapples with greening disease, which makes it important to keep abreast of technologies that can help up keep those costs in check. A good place to do that is at � e Citrus Innovation and Technology Show.

� e show connects growers with ag technology companies and consultants. Growers can learn all kinds of useful strategies like managing the cost of inputs, improving water e� ciency, and reducing labor costs. � e event also includes information on crop imagery, data use, precision irrigation, robotics, automation and soil science.

� e show, presented by the Arcadia-based Peace River Valley Citrus Growers Association, will be held � ursday, April 5, at Turner Agri-Civic Center, 2250 N.E. Roan St., Arcadia.

Activities begin with a complimentary continental breakfast between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m., followed by opening remarks and the trade show from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Featured speakers include Steve Smith, executive director of Peace

River Valley CGA; Samantha Lane of the Florida Department of Citrus; Jonathan Brown of Bethel Farms; and Dr. Yiannis Ampatzidis, of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

It’s been a protracted battle against the Asian Citrus Psyllid and Huanglongbing or HLB, and it’s not over yet. You don’t want to miss this opportunity to connect and compare notes with vendors and growers. You can register at citrusitshow.com.

Buckling Down: Ag Technology Show Can Help Citrus Growers

by Phillip Rucks

ck

CITRUS

PEACHES

EUCALYPTUSWINDBREAKS

PONGAMIA

• Hardy versatile tree that can grow nearly 40 ft in three years

• Provides crop protection from wind and disease

• Reduces soil loss, nutrition loss, agricultural chemical drift and irrigation loss• Now contracting for

2018–2019

• New greening-tolerant rootstocks and varieties now available

• Largest screened commercial citrus nursery in the US

• DNA tested true-to-type citrus varieties and rootstocks available

• Now contracting for 2018–2019

• Licensed grower of low chill peaches on Flordaguard and MP-29 rootstocks

• Low chill varieties ideal for central and south Florida climates

• Licensed for new released varieties

• Now contracting for 2018-2019

• Produce oilseed bearing nuts used for bioenergy and animal feed

• Drought resistant and saline tolerant “drop-in” crop

• No known major production related diseases or pests

• Grows on under-productive land

Fair, the Florida State Fair, the Florida Strawberry

NELSON KIRKLAND, Publishernelson@centralfl oridamediagroup.com