September FloridAgriculture eNewsletter

Matt and Kayla Gonzales are first generation ranchers with a dream to leave a legacy for their children. The two got their first taste of agriculture when they joined FFA in high school, which is also how they met. As their love for agriculture (and each other) grew, they  decided to attend Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Ga. Matt received his bachelor of science in diversified agriculture. After finishing her associates in animal science at ABAC, Kayla received her bachelor of science in animal science with a focus on animal food production from the University of Florida. Kayla plans to finish her masters in agronomy in the spring of 2023.

After graduation, the couple moved back to Florida to pursue agricultural careers. Kayla is the office and data manager at Fenco Farms and Matt is the beef division manager at Sparr. In addition to their full time jobs, the Gonzales’ started an agricultural consulting service in 2021 and beef cattle herd of their own in 2018.

Kayla and Matt first learned about Farm Bureau through their district field representative and were founding members of the Levy and Gilchrist County Young Farmers & Ranchers groups. They enjoy participating in activities like Ag in the Classroom and the peanut and blueberry festivals held in Levy County each year.

“Farm Bureau provides really great opportunities to learn about different commodities and meet new people,” said Matt. “These connections have offered us the opportunity to expand our network and knowledge of agriculture.”

As first generation college graduates and agriculturalists, Matt and Kayla’s dream is to leave a legacy for their ten month old son, John David.

“When they announced the theme I thought that was a really cool theme because it really does resonate with us,” said Kayla. “We have to be resilient because there are a lot of obstacles, trials and tribulations that come our way. Being rooted in resilience gives us the strength to continue to put our efforts to being successful in our farming and ranching operations.”

August FloridAgriculture eNewseltter

By J. Scott Angle
[email protected]
@IFAS_VP

It was a big day in August 2021 at the Hawthorne Creek Creamery. For the first time, Kevin Lussier loaded a truck with Gouda and shipped it off to a major supermarket chain.

The people who mattered most were there. They included his wife and business partner, Shelby. There was his dad Matt, who had Kevin working cows from the time he was 9. And there was the friend, mentor, scientist and problem solver to whom he’s so often turned to help keep Alachua County’s last private commercial dairy afloat: UF/IFAS Extension agent Cindy Sanders.

Lussier has asked Sanders for help navigating the complex food safety rules he needs to follow to be a cheese maker. He asked her to help him demonstrate for county regulators that he was taking proper steps to protect the creek from which his business draws its name. He asked her about how to kill weeds and how long after spraying he should wait to harvest hay.

Usually, he just called her. Other times, she’d ride shotgun in Lussier’s 22-year-old Chevy Silverado, cruising a pasture and answering his questions about what forages to plant and when, where and how to seed the fields.

So it was meaningful to both of them that Sanders could be there for such an important moment. But it was a moment. As soon as the truck pulled away, Sanders returned to the primary purpose of her visit—to help Lussier become a better farmer and better leader.

This time she asked the questions: How do you market the cheeses? Will you expand into ice cream? How has your involvement in Farm Bureau helped you get started as dairy farmer?

The questions were designed not only to elicit his competency as a farmer, but to hone his ability as a leader to articulate what he does, and what Florida agriculture is all about, to a visitor. Sanders was there as a mock judge for the Florida Farm Bureau’s Achievement in Agriculture competition, which recognizes the state’s top young farmer for excelling as producer and leader.

Sanders and Lussier also have a record of working together as agriculture ambassadors. Lussier is the state and the Alachua County Young Farmers & Ranchers president. Sanders chairs the Alachua County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee.

They serve together on the county Farm Bureau board. Three years ago, dissatisfied with Farm-City Week programming, they helped organize an agriculture day at the Cade Museum in downtown Gainesville. Their plan was to show off local food to 200 non-farmers. More than 1,500 people showed up.

Lussier credits his father with helping him get started by sharing his land, barn and herd.

Lussier inherited from his dad another key element of the operation—the expertise of Sanders. From the time she became a county agent 21 years ago—when Lussier was 6 years old—Lussier’s father was calling her about forages and asking her to drive the pastures with him.

When it came time for Lussier to go into business, he had so much more information, thanks to the Internet, than his father ever did. That was a curse as much as a blessing, though. He needed information he could trust. Sanders had already established that trust through what at the time was 15 years of calls, emails, referrals and farm visits.

Sanders and Lussier got to visit with each other at the Florida Farm Bureau annual meeting in Orlando last October. She was in Orlando to see Lussier honored for winning the Achievement in Agriculture competition she had prepped him for.

Just like that day at the dairy when they celebrated the cheese shipment, Sanders had another reason to be there. On the strength of a nomination from the Alachua County Farm Bureau board, Sanders was honored as the Florida Farm Bureau Extension Professional of the Year.

They sat together at their respective ceremonies. Lussier’s parents were there, as was Shelby, who shared the honor with him. As the state winners, Kevin and Shelby got $500 and the keys to a new Ford F150.

Sanders hasn’t been a passenger in the new truck yet. It’s Lussier’s going-into-town-vehicle, and Sanders always comes to him. She’s just fine with riding shotgun in the Silverado.

J. Scott Angle is the University of Florida’s Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources and leader of the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).

August 2022 FloridAgriculture eNewsletter

Kateland Raney has been immersed in the cattle industry since she was a young girl. Her parents owned and operated a livestock market for nearly 20 years and currently own a cow-calf operation. Raney grew up rodeoing and showing steers and beef heifers at the Polk County Fair.

In addition to her job as an agricultural loan closer at AgAmerica, Raney owns a commercial cow-calf operation and is the bookkeeper for her family’s beef business. She and her father run a direct to consumer beef business named Pine Lakes Beef Company. Together, they raise, and sell individual cuts to customers.

Although she was aware of the Florida Farm Bureau Federation, Raney credits her involvement in the Young Farmers & Ranchers program to one of her colleagues at AgAmerica. He invited Raney to a meeting and she was surprised at the amount of people she knew and how much she enjoyed it. Since that first meeting, Raney has involved herself in the Polk County YF&R group and currently serves as county co-chair and represents District 5 on the state leadership team.

“I love the relationships I get to build with other farmers and ranchers from not only across the state, but across the country,” said Raney. “It’s nice to be around people who share the same interest. Having the opportunity to go on farm tours and be introduced to other commodities that I don’t necessarily know, has really helped grow my knowledge of the industry. Every farm has story and it’s really cool to see first hand how time has shaped these operations into what they are now.”

Raney is proud of the growth she has seen in District 5 and the events they host for members. They have recently seen great success on their first district farm tour held earlier this year. With approximately 40 people in attendance, members from across the district toured farms in the area and heard from professionals in agriculture. YF&R members from the panhandle drove down for the tour as well. Despite rainy weather and many alterations to the day’s schedule, the group remained resilient and had a successful event. Raney said she is excited to make the tour a semiannual event.

“Farmers and Ranchers are resilient by nature. Overcoming hardships and rebounding quickly from setbacks, is a necessity to continue to provide for our families and the country”, said Raney. “The passion we share for the ag industry is greater than the struggles being faced at the time, and at the end of the day, all of the hard work will be worth it.”

EXECUTIVE OFFICE | 352.374.1504
Jeb Smith, President
Staci Sims, Chief Operating Officer
Liza Bradford, Chief Financial Officer
Amanda Overstreet, Executive Secretary
Michele Curts, Event Coordinator

ACCOUNTING | 352.378.8100
Debbie Westbrook, Controller
Wendy Bryant, Accountant, County Services
Shelley Keppel, Accounting Clerk III
Tammy Holder, Accounting Clerk III
VACANT, Staff Accountant

AGRICULTURE EDUCATION SERVICES AND TECHNOLOGY (AEST) | 855.315.8745
Chris Horne, Senior Director of Business Development
Keitha Bennett, Director
Hannah Love, Industry Relations Manager
Blair Buchanon, AEST Coordinator
Heather Manrow, Education Curriculum Manager

AG POLICY | 352.374.1543
Jaime Jerrels, Senior Director of Policy and Outreach
Geoffrey Patterson, Director
Jason Mathis, Assistant Director
Maddie Campbell, Assistant Director
VACANT, Administrative Assistant

FIELD SERVICES | 352.384.2630
Jared Lanier, Director
Halee Winder, Membership Acquisition Manager
Mitzi Lucas, Leadership Programs Coordinator
Courtney Ball, Membership Marketing Specialist
Sydney Bagony, Membership Assistant
Madison Homan, Administrative Assistant
Olivia Cornwell, District 1 Field Representative
VACANT, District 2 Field Representative
Caraline Boudreau, District 3 Field Representative
Scot Eubanks, District 4 Field Representative
Greg Harden, District 5 Field Representative
Morgan Blommel, District 6 Field Representative
Kyndall Bauer, District 7 Field Representative
Andy Neuhofer, District 8 Field Representative
Sam Phares, District 9 Field Representative

FLORIDA AGRICULTURAL MARKETING ASSOCIATION (FAMA) | 352.728.1561
Chris Horne, Senior Director of Business Development
Chad Roberts, Director
Nathan Stewart, Assistant Director
VACANT, Manager of Direct Marketing
Suzanne Makin, Operations Manager
Jill Gonzalez, Administrative Assistant

GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS | 352.374.1522
Jaime Jerrels, Senior Director of Policy and Outreach
Curt Williams, Director
Jake Fojtik, Assistant Director
Raulie Raulerson, Assistant Director

PUBLIC RELATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS | 352.374.1535
Jaime Jerrels, Senior Director of Policy and Outreach
Rachael Smith, Director
Shelby Martin, Communications Coordinator
Nathalie Spencer, Social Media Coordinator
James Neville, Digital Media Coordinator

LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS | 850.222.2557
Tripp Hunter, Director of State Legislative Affairs
Lance Watson, Director of National Legislative Affairs
Christine Scovotto, Facilities, Office and Events Coordinator

July 2022 FloridAgriculture eNewsletter

EPA published ‘Lifetime Drinking Water Health Advisory for Four Perfluoroalkyl Substances’ in the Federal Register on June 21, 2022.  The new health advisory levels are in the parts per quadrillion range which is not currently achievable by commercial laboratories. 

Interim updated health advisory for PFOA = 0.004 ppt 

Interim updated health advisory for PFOS = 0.02 ppt 

Final health advisory for GenX chemicals = 10 ppt 

Final health advisory for PFBS = 2,000 ppt 

Though PFAS compounds are derived in industrial processes, they have been known to impact agriculture through groundwater close to where PFAS compounds were used and through the application of biosolids on forage crops (including pasture) for livestock.    

Given EPA’s new health advisory levels, farmers and ranchers utilizing municipal biosolids need to be aware of the potential presence of PFAS compounds and the risks associated with application.   

More information about PFAS compounds and the impact on agriculture can be found on a very thorough webpage provided by Dragun Corporation.  The webpage can be accessed by clicking here. 

July 2022 FloridAgriculture eNewsletter

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has funding available to reimburse growers for 100% of their COVID-19 Prevention & Protection expenses between April 2, 2021 and now (or until September 2025). The process to get fully reimbursed only takes a few steps. Eligible expenses are: Personal Protection Equipment (PPE): Gloves, face masks, hand sanitizer, touchless thermometers, clothing and foot coverings, disinfectant spray, COVID-19 test kits.

Facility Adjustments for Worker and Product Safety: Plexiglass barriers and installation, handwashing stations, appropriate sanitary dividers and installation, portable ventilation/air filtration systems, touchless faucets and installation, touchless toilets and installation, touchless hand dryers and installation, touchless soap dispensers and installation. 

Specialty Crop Assistance Available 

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will provide assistance through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program HR133 Assistance Program for eligible expenses related to costs associated with COVID-19 prevention and protection.

To be eligible for the Specialty Crop Assistance Program, applicants must be specialty crop growers, specialty crop processors, and/or specialty crop distributors. Please refer to the USDA-AMS lists of specialty crops and eligible and ineligible crops. 

• Applications will be processed on a first come, first served basis until funds are depleted. 
• Each operation may only receive one reimbursement per year the program is offered. 
• Expenses prior to April 2, 2021 will not be approved for reimbursement. 
• Last day to apply for assistance: September 1, 2025. 
• Application reimbursement minimum: $565. 
• Program funds available: $2,735,124. 

Eligible Expenses:

Personal Protection Equipment (PPE): Gloves, face masks, hand sanitizer, touchless thermometers, clothing and foot coverings, disinfectant spray,  COVID-19 test kits.

Facility Adjustments for Worker and Product Safety: Plexiglass barriers and installation, handwashing stations, appropriate sanitary dividers and installation, portable ventilation/air filtration systems, touchless  faucets and installation, touchless toilets and installation, touchless hand dryers and installation, touchless soap dispensers and installation.

Application Instructions: 

1. Register as a state vendor at www.myfloridamarketplace.com. 

1. Provide a substitute W9 form to the Florida Department of Financial Services. 

1. Complete the HR133 Assistance Program application. 

1. Provide proof of purchase: Invoices marked “paid”, cancelled checks, or other substantial documentation of any costs to be reimbursed detailing purchased item or installations. 

Where to Apply: Email the application and proof of purchase cost documentation to:  [email protected]

For additional questions call (850) 617-7397 or email [email protected].  

July 2022 FloridAgriculture eNewsletter

Clay Cooper
YF&R State Leadership Group, District 5

Being introduced to agriculture at a young age has cultivated a passion and appreciation in Citrus County native, Clay Cooper. Cooper’s passion began when he started showing beef heifers and steers at his county fair. Throughout the years, he decided he wanted to pursue a formal education in agriculture.

Following his college career, Cooper accepted a job as the UF/IFAS agricultural and natural resources Extension agent with Citrus County. During his six years with UF/IFAS, Cooper gained a diverse knowledge base of agriculture, preparing him for his current job as general manager of Fenco Farms. Fenco Farms focuses on beef production, specifically commercial, registered Brangus and club calves. In addition to raising beef cattle, the farm produces Bahia grass seed, hay and harvest sod.

Cooper’s involvement with Farm Bureau began when he was asked to sit on the board of directors for Hernando/Citrus County Farm Bureau. Since that first ask, Cooper has served as the Hernando/Citrus County Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee co-chair and currently serves on the YF&R State Leadership team as well as the Florida Farm Bureau Federation’s Water and Natural Resources Advisory Committee.

“One of the things I enjoy most about Farm Bureau is the fellowship, networking and seeing everyone come together as a unified voice for agriculture,” he said. “Florida agriculture is constantly evolving and it is refreshing to see a group of like-minded people continue to push forward to preserve and conserve our way of life.”

During his time in YF&R, Cooper has seen firsthand how Farm Bureau members in his county have given back to their community. Every holiday season, the Hernando/Citrus County YF&R group hosts fundraisers in partnership with local school programs.

The schools identify families that are in need and the money raised provides meals for them. Throughout the last couple of years, they have been able to provide meals for more than 400 families. Cooper is proud of the growth and success of this fundraiser.

With his involvement in agriculture, Cooper has witnessed firsthand the resiliency of farmers and ranchers and has learned how to be resilient himself.

“Agriculture is ever changing and each of us must find ways to become more efficient and innovative within our commodity groups,” he stated. “Farming and ranching is more than a job. It truly is a lifestyle and something that you have to be passionate about. It honestly does take resiliency to push through some of the hard times, but at the end of the day, I don’t know of many careers that are any more rewarding.”

July 2022 FloridAgriculture eNewsletter

A study recently published revealed data that showed genetically modified Bt corn has little effect on non-target insects and other organisms. The study, published by Michael Meissle, Steven E. Naranjo and Jörg Romeis, is a culmination of data pulled from studies published over the last 25 years. The studies came from various credible databases, webpages and reference sections of review articles.  

Bt corn has been genetically modified to produce proteins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis. This bacterium controls corn borers, corn rootworms and other major pests that are a threat to corn. Since Bt corn was first approved in 1996, critics have suggested that it can also destroy beneficial insects or other non-targeted organisms.  

The result of the trio’s research proved Bt corn is a highly selective pest control and has few negative consequences for non-target organisms. 

In addition to their findings, the largest pool of high-quality data any scientist has ever analyzed was created. It consisted of 7,729 individual records from 233 experiments in 120 articles. The complete data set has been published in BMC Research Notes. 

July 2022 FloridAgriculture eNewsletter

UF/IFAS received $8.8 million to conduct new research that will provide farmers with new and improved recommendations for fertilization of key Florida crops. The funding, approved by the Florida Legislature, will be administered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. 

Farmers apply fertilizers to their crops within recommended parameters commonly referred to as “best management practices” (BMPs). Florida BMPs come from UF/IFAS research that establishes appropriate fertilization rates for maximum economic crop yields and minimal nutrient losses to the environment. 

With advancements in crop production brought about by selective plant breeding, improved growing techniques and emerging technology, new research is needed to update UF/IFAS nutrient management recommendations for key crops grown across the state. 

“This research and the Extension activities resulting from it are important to Florida producers because many of the UF/IFAS fertilizer and nutrient management recommendations are decades old,” said Thomas Obreza, senior associate dean for UF/IFAS Extension and project leader. “Since that time, better plant genetics have increased yield potential, and technology has improved production practices. Our recommendations need to be brought up to date to align with current conditions.” 

Using the appropriate amount of fertilizer or other inputs is also important for producers because it impacts their bottom line. 

“Economics and resource-use efficiency are also important to our producers when they consider nutrient management,” Obreza said. “We will incorporate both of those aspects as we revise our nutrient management recommendations.” 

Research in the first year will focus on five priority crops identified by the legislature: tomatoes, potatoes, citrus, grain corn and green beans. Hemp and forage grass will also be studied. Most of the work will be done with grower-cooperators in their fields, and it will cover production areas across the state, from the Panhandle to South Florida. 

Research will take place in line with the crop seasons – tomatoes and green beans starting in the fall, potatoes in the winter and corn next spring. Citrus will start once the research teams are ready and will continue year-round. 

UF/IFAS is slated to begin this work in late summer. Projects of this nature take two to three years to complete the research and develop new recommendations. Tomato and potato research will build on work started in 2021, supported by previous Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services funding. The new $8.8 million allows UF/IFAS to continue this research and expand it to additional crops at different locations across the state. 

“UF/IFAS has an abundance of faculty with education, training and experience in soil fertility, agronomy, horticulture, water management and other aspects of Florida crop production that equip us for a project of this size and scope,” Obreza said. “We will have experienced and early-career faculty working together to produce unbiased scientific research results that will allow our Extension specialists to develop nutrient management recommendations for maximum economic yield while minimizing potential negative environmental effects.” 

By Tory Moore 

July 2022 FloridAgriculture eNewsletter

By J. Scott Angle

[email protected]

@IFAS_VP

There’s a huge difference between how people think agriculture works and what actually happens on your farm. You can do something about it in 20 minutes.

Dr. Christa Court’s survey of corn, cotton and peanut farmers’ best management practices is your chance to speak—confidentially and candidly—to researchers who provide this information to policy makers.

The survey (which you can express your interest in participating in here: https://go.ufl.edu/bmp2022) could tell those policy makers if there are practices they’re pushing that just won’t work on your farm. It could also let them know what information or incentives you need to make them work.

Your responses can deliver a dose of reality to the people who make laws, write regulations and design cost-share programs. They don’t know what’s happening on your farm unless you tell them.

Another example of where you can have input is a survey conducted by Dr. Zhifeng Gao and his students. They are asking you about high tunnels, as in why aren’t more vegetable growers using them when the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service offers instruction on how to install and maintain them, and even offers cash incentives to keep cost down. The results will help Extension agents help you figure out how to take advantage of this opportunity, and they could even inform NRCS tweaks that could make the program easier for you to tap into.

It’s not just academics who see value in surveys. Charles Shinn guards both your privacy and your time as your FFBF director of government and community affairs. He rightfully and respectfully asked Court for a justification of the time and candor she’s asking of you.

They’ve had productive discussions that have helped Court improve the survey. Shinn now believes the information Court gleans will ultimately help farmers adjust to new BMP reporting requirements.

Surveys from Court, Gao and their UF/IFAS Department of Food and Resource Economics colleagues can strengthen your voice in Tallahassee and beyond. The results arm your FFBF lobbyist Courtney Larkin with valuable information on how to improve proposed legislation—or to fix harmful existing legislation.

By yourself, it is hard to have your voice heard. As part of survey, you contribute to a statewide chorus that articulates the widespread impact of existing and proposed policy.

I understand survey fatigue, and I don’t want my faculty double teaming you with the same questions in separate surveys. I will explore ways to better coordinate who’s asking what. In the meantime, my faculty work hard to make sure they can’t find the data other places before asking.

I also know time is money, so I’m glad to see that in this case Court will give you a little money for your time. But I hope the payoff for you is far greater than that as we amplify your voice.

I know you want that voice, or you wouldn’t be reading the e-newsletter of the group that calls itself “The Voice of Florida Agriculture.”

The fact is, in the case of BMPs, for example, we don’t have good information on what you’re doing right now. That’s why Court is asking. And the more quality responses she gets, the better input she can provide to policy makers so they can avoid decisions based on faulty or incomplete information.

So much of what UF/IFAS does is based on farmer feedback. Your input shapes how we serve you. With a higher survey response rate, it could shape how policy makers serve you as well.

J. Scott Angle is the University of Florida’s Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources and leader of the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).