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Extension Service, Livestock
Agent,
to explain artifi cial breeding and repro- duction Randy that
of the must be collected
from the bull, and then placed into the cow. Bulls can be
hundreds, or even thousands of miles away and still are able to breed cattle here in Florida. Of course, once the artifi cial breeding part is done, the reproduction inside the uterus of the cow is the same. T e groups experienced several other classes such as, ‘Sweet and Sour Soil’ taught by Dr. Brent Sellers, UF/IFAS, RCREC, Weed Scientist and Dr. Maria Silveria, UF/IFAS, RCREC, Soil and Water Scientist. Here they learned good soil and bad soil, and good weeds and bad weeds.
Dr. Joao Vendramini, UF/IFAS, RCREC, Forage Agronomist, taught the importance of good healthy forage for our cattle and the impor- tance of testing the grasses to make sure it is right for our cattle and for the land.
Reyna Speckmann taught each group body condition scoring on cattle, from a one, which is emaciated; to a nine, where the cattle are very fat. T ey got to try out there newly learned skills at the end of the class on three lucky heifers.
At the end of the day just before the aſt ernoon rain, the Division of Forestry was given the opportunity to show a controlled burn on a small block of land at RCREC. T ey had a class though out the day taught by Randy Coldiron, FDACS, Division of Forestry. He talked about the dry weather and how easy it is to start a wild fi re with no intent. He explained how even a lighting strike can cause a wild fi re. T ey gave helpful hints on ways to keep our homes and ourselves safe during this wild fi re season. Take these for example, clean out your gut- ters and keep your roof free of debris, pick up trash and fl ammable items from around your home. “Some of these things may sound silly;” said Randy, “but these things could save your home and even a life.”
T e Range Cattle Research and Education Center are giving spe- cial thank you’s to Farm Credit, Wal-Mart, Winn-Dixie, Highlands County Citrus Growers, T e South Florida Beef Forage Program, and RCREC Staff . Without the help and support of the companies, this year’s Youth Field day would not have been possible.
26 AUGUST 2010 HOMEGROWN 26 JULY 2010 HOMEGROWN
cattle.
explained semen
T e hurricane season of 2004 hurt everyone in the Caladium indus- try. T ey were inundated with water, with four feet of water over their bulbs. T ey had to hold back commercial bulbs to have the seed to replant. Because of the poor crop in 2004 and 2005, they couldn’t sup- ply bulbs as needed, so many of their customers that had greenhouse space planted other crops. T is year they thought wasn’t as good a crop, but everyone sold out. T e number of acres of Caladiums has diminished from 1400 acres to around 1000 to 1200 acres. Interna- tional sales that were about 20 to 25 per cent of their business are now around 10 per cent because of the declining dollar and euro. Texas and the Gulf States are the main users.
Community involvement is an integral part of the family behind Hap- piness Farms. P. G. is on the U.F. SHARE Council of IFAS and on the Istokpoga Marsh Water Board. Danny is active in Farm Bureau. Drew is on the Farm Bureau Board and Istokpoga Marsh Water Board, and Danielle is on the Florida Ag in T e Classroom Advisory Committee. Darlene and Carolyn have stayed active in agriculture and educa- tion over the years. Darlene, her daughter, Danielle Daum, and niece, Christy Waller, started Ag Venture, a very successful agricultural and educational endeavor that reaches all third graders in the county. T ey have won the Most Outstanding Volunteer Program in the State of Florida for Ag Venture. Carolyn has been on the SFCC Foundation Board for many years and was the instigator, along with R. P. Dunty, for the Beautifi cation of Downtown Lake Placid.
Carolyn and Dot Bates started the Caladium Festival twenty years ago. T is has been a boon to Lake Placid, raising thousands of dol- lars for scholarships and town improvements. T ey paid for electrical outlets in Stuart Park used for tents and fans during the festival, and new sod and lights for sidewalks. T ey sold bricks to help with park expenses and put the names of the mayors and the years they served at the beginning of the walkway. T e festival was turned over to the Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce in 2007. Eileen May, Lake Placid Chamber Director said, “Proceeds from the Caladium Festival go back into the Festival account to pay expenses for the next year. T e Caladium industry is the only donor to the Chamber and it’s only the Bates and the Phypers who donate now.”
It’s evident that the Caladium industry is important to this area and community. Carolyn says, “With the exception of Classic Caladiums in Hardee County, the Caladium businesses are family owned and operated farms. Along with the Bates, Hendry, Harrison, Holmes, and other families, we follow all regulations and use Best Manage- ment Practices.” Responsible growing is important to preserve the future of our area.
Lake Placid is fortunate to have a family that believes in returning a portion of its blessings back into their community, into the ongoing research on Caladiums and into agricultural education. T ese invest- ments of funds and time contribute to the area’s economy, well be- ing, and future. As they pass this philosophy onto future generations, they assist the area in maintaining its beauty and prosperity.
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