Forest Stewardship Teleconference at Extension Office

Find Technical and Financial Assistance for Small Farm, Forest and Wildlife Management is a teleconference for landowners looking for information and assistance.

Finding financial and/or technical assistance for management practices is a challenge, especially for landowners pursuing assistance for the first time. This program will help you with the process of applying for assistance and provide an update on the current technical and/or cost-share assistance programs available to fund farm, forest or wildlife management practices. Sources of assistance with controlling invasive species and creating and managing farm ponds will also be included.

This program will start at 1:00 PM on December 10th and will conclude by 5:00 PM. It will be held via teleconference in the conference room at the UF/IFAS Sumter County Extension Office. If interested in attending please call (352) 793-2728 to reserve a spot!

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Opportunities Abound with AGRItunity 2010

AGRItunity 2010 is coming to Sumter County on Saturday, January 23, 2010! This conference and trade show is in the 4th year of providing opportunities for farmers, ranchers and people interested in agriculture to learning, network, meet suppliers and explore the possibilites of starting or changing an agricultural operation. This year our keynote speakers will be Al and Erin Rosas of Rosas Farms in Ocala. Their successful operations includes grass-fed beef, eco-retreats and other pragmatic organic products. Breakout sessions include heritage vegetable production, farm food safety, grass-fed beef production, horse health, beekeeping, stone fruits and much more. The trade show will include many suppliers that are important for farmers, as well as large equipment and livestock displays.

AGRItunity 2010 will expand this year to include Friday activities such as a farm tour and a local foods cook-off! The cook-off will feature local chefs preparing locally grown foods and you can be the judge! For information about attending, becoming an exhibitor, participating in the cook-off or any other aspect of AGRItunity please call (352) 793-2728. You can register and pay online by visiting http://sumter.ifas.ufl.edu/.

A "Real" Farmers Market Opens This Week

Finally, it is here! The opening day of the Wildwood Growers' Market. The market will begin October 24th from 9 AM to 1 PM at Wildwood City Hall on Main Street (301) in Wildwood.

Produce and plant vendors must be growers of their products and from within 100 miles of Sumter County. Local artists and crafters are encouraged to sell their goods at the market as well. There will be other food booths and local entertainment.

Home gardeners can sell their extra produce at the home gardener table ($5 per week). Charitable and school organizations are encouraged to use the market as a fundraiser by selling drinks or food.

While there are many farmers' markets in the area, this one is unique because you will be able to meet the farmers that produce the food and plants. The variety of produce will change with the seasons, according to what is available locally.

My hat is off to the City of Wildwood for embracing the growers' market concept and putting the resources behind it to make it a success. I hope many of you will make a Saturday stroll at the market a part of your regular weekend routine. For more information contact me at (352) 793-2728.

Direct Marketing Opportunities for Farmers Opening Up

Small to medium farmers are typically most interested in direct marketing opportunities like farmers' markets, roadside stands, etc. A couple of new opportunties are here with the new growing season!

Wildwood Growers' Market is currently seeking vendors for a producers-only Saturday market that will run October through April. This is a low cost to producers ($15 per week) and with the proximity to a large urban population this market should be a great opportunity for produce and ornamental growers. This market will focus on locally grown (100 mile radius) homegrown and homemade. Contact me at (352) 793-2728 for a vendor application. The opening day is October 24th and we want tons of vendors that day!

The second new opportunity is called Farm to School and is a national initiative. Sumter County Schools Food Service Director Eric Suber is very interested in purchasing produce that is grown locally. This is a great opportunity for the school system to provide the best food possible while supporting local farmers. I can also help you connect with the school system for this opportunity.

It's an exciting time to farm - challenging for sure but so many people are coming to want what you grow and respect how you do it!

Interested in transitioning to organic?

How many certified organic growers of fruits and vegetables would you think there would be in an agricultural state like Florida? I recently was able to obtain a list and there are currently 105 farms that have achieved organic certification.

None of those farms are located in Sumter county but I did find 49 of them that are within 100 miles, making them "local" by our current definition. I receive regular calls from local citizens looking for organic produce, but most consumer do not seem to know what it means to be a certified organic producer. U.S. sales of organic products grew by 17.1 percent to $24.6 billion by the end of 2008 so this is big business!

Florida Organic Growers and Consumers, Inc. is providing an event to help people learn how to transition into organic farming on September 25th at the Alachua County Extension Office. The workshop costs $15 and includes refreshments, lunch and materials. The purpose of the workshop is to benefit conventional farmers who are seeking more information about tranisitioning to organic practices. Topics to be discussed are organic marketing, research-demonstrated benefits of organic farming, Farm Bill programs that support transition to organic production and National Organic Program regulations. To register for the workshop contact FOG at (352) 377-6345.

Sumter County Will Have a New Growers' Market!

Starting in October, we will have a chance to purchase locally produced foods and crafts at the new Wildwood Growers' Market. The City of Wildwood is sponsoring the market on Saturdays between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM on the beautiful grounds of Wildwood City Hall. The market is expected to run from October through April. UF/IFAS Sumter County Extension is a partner in the new market.

A Board of Directors is being established now that will make the rules for the new market but the concept will be locally grown and homemade goods. Vendors will be invited to sell their produce and ornamentals from within a 100 mile radius of Sumter County. A percentage of the number of vendors will be set aside for homemade art, crafts or products.

Why a Growers' Market and not a Farmers' Market? Because requiring the food to be grown locally supports our local food system, builds community, decreases our carbon footprint and helps the consumer connect with those who produce the food. Consumers will have a better understanding of how food is produced and they can discuss production methods with the farmers, such as organic production.

Interested in becoming a vendor? Contact me at (352) 793-2728.

Have You Seen This Vine?

Old World Climbing Fern (Lyngodium microphyllum) is rapidly invading flatwoods, hardwood hammocks and cypress swamps in Central Florida. It smothers other plants, including young and old trees, and creates thick mats on the ground. It helps carry fires into the tree canopy, wetlands and forested swamps and hammocks where fire is normally excluded.

Experts tell us that this is a more serious pest than the dreaded Kudzu vine! If you are a hiker or outdoors person and have noticed this vine please help stop the spread by reporting the sighting to Rosalind Rowe (863) 635-7506 rrowe@tnc.org or Brian Nelson at 800-423-1476 brian.nelson@watermatters.org. Special efforts are being made to stop the vine from taking over the Green Swamp and surrounding area.

Take note that there is a Japanese Climbing Fern in the same genus that is not invasive and looks similar. Visit www.floridainvasives.org/greenswamp/ to learn more!

Don't miss the Florida Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises Conference

A new conference geared toward small farmers and people interested in the local food system is coming up quickly. The Florida Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises Conference will be held in Kissimmee at the Osceola Heritage Park on August 1st and 2nd.

Increased consumer demand for local products such as organic, heirloom, hydroponic, grass-fed beef, pastured poultry and ethnic meats and vegetables are providing new and increased opportunities for producers.The USDA defines small farms as those with gross annual sales of $250,000 or less. Small farms contribute 37% of the value of all agricultural products sold in the U.S. In Florida, 93% of the 47,000 farms are defined by the USDA as small farms and this number is growing.

The conference will provide two full days of educational and networking activities geared to small farms. Educational events will consist of presentations, workshops, demonstrations, and discussion groups on a variety of topics. Topics will include:
* Alternative Energy * Alternative Enterprises* Business and Marketing* Horticulture* Livestock including live animal exhibits* Organic & Sustainable Farming* Policy and Regulations.
Networking opportunities will range from visiting with exhibitors with new products and technologies to refreshment breaks and lunches featuring products from Florida farms.If you are affiliated with, interested in, or just want to learn more about diversified farming enterprises and community-based food systems in Florida, you will want to participate in this conference.

Register Online at http://smallfarms.ifas.ufl.edu/

Save the date for the 4th editon of our local farm conference and trade show! AGRItunity 2010 will be held at the Sumter County fairgrounds on January 22 and 23, 2010. For more information about participating as an exhibitor or attending call us at (352) 793-2728.

New Farm in Sumter - Center Hill Berry Patch

Delicious and thornless, the blackberries at the new Center Hill Berry Patch are ready for picking next week (June 15). Owners Richard and Bonnie Vencis have created a peaceful and scenic spot for berry picking on their farm in Center Hill.

Blackberries are a promising new fruit crop for Florida and according to Bonnie, they were able to produce their two acres of blackberries without using any synthetic pesticides. They also have a blueberry "patch" that just finished producing for the season.

Both Bonnie and Richard have attended AGRItunity Conferences and used the resources available through our UF/IFAS Sumter County Extension office to gain the knowledge needed to start their farm. They are a testimony to what can be done when applying the research-based information distributed through county extension programs from the University of Florida! Plus a lot of hard work and creativity.

Be sure to visit the Center Hill Berry Patch to pick your own blackberrries starting June 15. The price is expected to be $3.00 per pound and they will be picking 7 days a week. Call (352) 568-8154 before coming to make sure there are berries available. The farm is located on 8142 CR 702 in Center Hill. Enjoy this delicious summer treat and a relaxing country outing - and no scratches!

Pea Pickin at Wildwood FFA!

Wildwood FFA decided to try a cash crop this spring to help support the activities of the organization. If you are not familiar with FFA, it used to stand for Future Farmers of America but as the agricultural industry evolved into many related careers the name became simply FFA. Wildwood High has a great group of students who are learning the applied science of agriculture through plant and animal production and other aspects of the industry. They are very active in career development events, leadership activities and can boast about having a State Officer from Wildwood High currently serving the Florida Association.

Teacher Susan Swartzfager, with help from community supporters and her students, has planted two fields of conch peas on the campus of Wildwood High School. The production of the peas has been a real learning experience for the students; they have learned about fertilizer, weeds, pests and the parts of the plant. Now it is time to learn about direct marketing of a fresh agricultural product.

The conch pea fields will be open for U-Pick June 16 - 18 and again in the second field June 29-30. The cost is $8.00 for a 5 gallon bucket. And by the way, these are fresh, nutritious local vegetables produced without pesticides!

Wildwood High School is located at 700 Huey StWildwood, FL 34785 and the telephone number is (352) 748-1314.

Apply for Organic Conversion EQIP Grant Now!

Are you a producer who is working toward going organic certification? Are you already a certified organic producer? Are interested in adopting additional conservation measures? If you can answer "yes" to any of these there is an opportunity for you to apply for $20,000 per year to assist with organic transition.

Time is short to apply for NRCS stimulus funds to help producers transition into organic production. Apply by May 29th for your part of the $1.3 million of the funds allotted to Florida.

Some of the priorities for the grant include:

Resource conserving crop rotations
Cover crops
Nutrient management
Pest management
Prescribed grazing
Forage harvest management

Contact your local NRCS office for more information on this opportunity. For Sumter County, please contact Kesha Martin at (352) 343-2481. Good luck and let me know if you are fortunate enough to get one of these!

Garden for a good cause

Have you driven past the Sumter Youth Center in Bushnell lately and noticed the large garden on the grounds? The Victory Farm is a project headed up by Billy Ray pictured here picking beans to take to a local SCARC group home. The garden is a project of the United Way Human Care Network and a great way for people in our community to get involved in helping to feed the needy with fresh, locally grown produce.

Billy enjoys working in the garden but needs help with harvesting, planting, weeding and maintaining the large vegetable garden. All of the vegetables produced are going to be distributed to partner agencies and will be feeding many hungry people. He also has family garden plots available, 20 x 25' spaces that seven families so far have planted. He charges a small monthly fee to help pay for the water used on the gardens.

What a great way to gain hands-on gardening experience while helping others! If you can help call Billy Ray at (352) 568-8722.


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Ugly Ducklings Turn Into Beauties

Bob Vidler brought in some Orange Dogs to the office this week. If you haven't ever seen one of these unusual caterpillars it might be because they are usually well hidden with their striking "bird dropping" coloring.

These ugly things turn into the beautiful Giant Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio cresphontes). The larvae fest on citrus leaves, and a small tree can be quickly defoliated if you don't pick them off in time. They move very slowly and are easy to remove. A large citrus tree can survive a large number of the larvae.

If you have citrus trees in your yard you might take a close look to see if any of these ugly ducklings are hiding out!

Want to Start An Agribusiness? Start at Square One!

A new series starts May 21st for anyone interested in learning more about starting an agribusiness venture. Have an idea about something that you could grow and sell? We will be discussing business plans, marketing strategies, managing risk, value added product regulation and much more. The classes are designed to be guided informal discussions and exploration of resources available. The classes will be held on Thursdays form 5:30 - 7:00 PM at the West Central Florida Agricultural Education Center at the Sumter County Fairgrounds. To register contact the UF/IFAS Sumter County Extension Office at (352) 793-2728. The classes are free!

In addition, a new course will be introduced in Fall 2009 specifically for women who are working in agribusiness. Annie's Project will be a more in depth and hands-on program with similar topics and there will be a charge for the course, which is yet to be determined.

The Buzz on Bees

I attended a great presentation by Dr. Jamie Ellis about African bees and thought you might be interested in some of the myths about the honey bee situation.

African bees were brought to our continent by a Brazilian scientist in the 1950's, because of their ability to thrive in a tropical environment. They have slowly moved into the US after landing in Texas. Many counties in Florida have reproducing colonies of African bees but so far none have been recorded in Sumter County. Scientists believe that 100% of the wild hives in Florida will contain African bees in the next few years.

African bees look just like our European bees but they are more prone to swarming and are superior reproductively. Increases in African bees will make it more difficult for our beekeepers and more costly due to having to requeen and a possible reduction in honey production.

It is important that people do not panic and develop a fear of all bees - i.e. the Savage Bee movies we watched in the 80's. Bees are vitally important to our agricultural industry and economy - but because of the possibility of running into more aggressive bees it would be smart to stay away from hives and swarms and eliminate possible nesting places around our homes.

And if you do happen on some bees the advice from Dr. Ellis is - RUN!

The Sumter Growers' Market - Where Did It Go?

Last year at this time I was spending every Saturday morning standing in a dusty field off of CR 48 - talking for hours. I visited with the local growers who came to sell at our trial growers market, and with all of the loyal locavores who were in search of local foods. It was a great spring and I met so many great people! We had musicians playing for free, great fresh kettle corn and a handful of skilled growers.

We closed the market and didn't open again for several reasons. First and most important, there were not enough local growers willing to sell at the market. Second, we needed funding, for a market manager (I love my job but couldn't work every Saturday at the market), insurance, etc.

I believe that we could have a viable local market in Sumter County. Many people respected that we were sticking to our local growers concept but it makes it harder to field enough vendors. Our rules were that the produce or plants had to be grown within 100 miles of Bushnell, and the grower or person who knew how the product was grown was to be the seller. Less than 10% of the vendors could be arts and crafts or products other than plants and produce. The reasons for these rules are to develop relationships between people and their food, to develop a community around those who grow our food.

Are you a person who might be interested in growing for a market? If so, we would love to help you. If there are enough of you out there, maybe the Sumter Growers' Market could come out of hiatus for a new season!