Monday, September 27, 2010

Friday Seminar at the Everglades Research and Education Center 10_01_10

The Friday Seminar Series at the Everglades Research and Education Center will begin this Friday, October 1, and we hope you are able to join us!

 

The schedule for this year’s seminars is attached.

 

 

Friday Seminars

at the

Everglades Research

and

orange Friday seminar graphic.pngEducation Center

 

 

 

 

 

 

University Community:  If you are interested in seeing this seminar via Polycom, please email your IP address and the name of a contact person no later than Tuesday, September 28, to klkr@ufl.edu

October 1, 2010

 

10:45 a.m.

in the EREC Conference Center

 

 

“An Overview of Southern Florida's Karst Hydrogeology”

 

Dr. Jeffrey King, Research Hydrologist, USGS, Florida Water Science Center in Ft. Lauderdale

 

Jeffrey King is primarily interested in the role that physical processes play in driving chemical and biological processes in water bodies and within hydrologic systems.  King earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Coastal and Oceanographic Engineering from the University of Florida in 2007, a Master of Science degree in Environmental Water Resources Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley in 1995, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Florida in 1993.

 

Seminars are free and the public is always invited to attend.

 

 

 

Kathy

 

Kathleen L. Krawchuk

Coordinator, Academic Support Services

UF/IFAS Everglades Research & Education Center

3200 East Palm Beach Road, Belle Glade, FL 33430

 

PH: 561-993-1517, FAX: 561-993-1582, email: klkr@ufl.edu

Summer 2010: Soil and Water Science MYAKKA Newsletter

The Soil and Water Science Summer 2010 Newsletter “MYAKKA” is now available for your reading at:

 

Summer 2010 MYAKKA Newsletter

 

In this newsletter we showcase our doctoral students that graduated during 2000-10.  

 

We appreciate your feedback and input.

 

Mike

 

Michael J Sisk

Program Assistant

Student Services

Soil and Water Science Department

University of Florida IFAS

106 Newell Hall

P.O. Box 110510

Gainesville, FL 32611

352-392-1803 x 341

Fax: 352-392-3399

mjsisk@ufl.edu

http://soils.ifas.ufl.edu

 

ARS Newslink

ARS News Service
USDA Agricultural Research Service
September 24, 2010

___________________________________________

Kids and diabetes risk: Do chromosomes hold new clues?
Children who have a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes might be identified earlier by way of tell-tale genetic indicators known as biomarkers that could be pinpointed in research under way at the ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center in Houston, Texas, with funding support from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service's National Institutes of Health. (9/20)
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2010/100920.htm

Healthy plant sterols: A daily "drip" is best:
Authors of an ARS-supported study have found that blood plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad" cholesterol) is lowered most when healthful plant sterols and stanols are consumed in smaller amounts more often throughout the day, rather than in one large amount each day. (9/21)
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2010/100921.htm

Searching in the microbial world for efficient ways to produce biofuel:
With the help of genetic materials from a cow's rumen, ARS researchers are developing new ways to break down plant fibers for conversion into biofuel. (9/22)
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2010/100922.htm

A new partnership in Texas:
ARS has signed an agreement with TechComm, an affiliate of the Center for Innovation in Arlington, Texas, to foster agricultural research opportunities between businesses and universities in the Southwestern United States and to help commercialize ARS-developed technologies. (9/23)
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2010/100923.htm

Scientists release first cultivated ohelo berry for Hawaii:
The first cultivar for small farm production of ohelo berry, a popular native Hawaiian fruit, has been released by ARS scientists and their university and industry cooperators. (9/24)
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2010/100924.htm

___________________________________________

Newslink is the weekly e-mail pointer for web links to stories issued each workday by the Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

* Send feedback and questions to the ARS News Service at NewsService@ars.usda.gov
* You are subscribed to "Newslink" as mbhenry@ufl.edu.
* To change the address, please notify the ARS News Service at NewsService@ars.usda.gov.
* To unsubscribe, send a blank email to leave-190600-84528.9cd57c6e1af7d57c7b4ca2b2c824e5ca@ls.ars.usda.gov.
* Other ARS news products are available by e-mail. For details about them or to subscribe, please contact the ARS News Service or visit http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/lists.htm.
__________________________________________
ARS News Service, Information Staff, Agricultural Research Service
5601 Sunnyside Ave., Room 1-2251, Beltsville MD 20705-5128
NewsService@ars.usda.gov | www.ars.usda.gov/news
Phone (301) 504-1636 | fax (301) 504-1486

IFAS in the news, 9/24

Imported breeding stock gives Florida panthers fighting chance (Volusia County)
http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/local/east-volusia/2010/09/24/imported-breeding-stock-gives-florida-panthers-fighting-chance.html

Newsmakers: Extension service agents awarded (Lee County)
http://www.news-press.com/article/20100924/BUSINESS/100923065/1014/business/Newsmakers--Extension-service-agents-awarded-


Homeowners go natural with yards (Fort Myers)
http://www.news-press.com/article/20100924/NEWS0101/9240310/1003/ACC/Homeowners-go-natural-with-yards

St. Lucie discusses ban on lawn fertilizers in summer near waterways
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2010/sep/23/ban-discussed-on-lawn-fertilizers-near-waterways/

2010 NCUE Review (entomology magazine)
http://www.pctonline.com/PCT1009_ontheroad.aspx

College students wild for wildflower
http://www.polijam.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=28037:college-students-wild-for-wildflower&catid=60:health&Itemid=59

Tending the gardens
http://www.ocala.com/article/20100923/ARTICLES/100929858/-1/news?Title=Tending-the-gardens

The fall lovebug invasion has begun
http://www.ocala.com/article/20100923/ARTICLES/100929866/-1/entertainment02?Title=The-fall-lovebug-invasion-has-begun

Get Growing: Sept. 24, 2010
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2010/sep/23/get-growing-sept-24-2010/

Florida Orange Acres Fall as Farmers Cut Sick Trees
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-09-23/florida-orange-acres-fall-as-farmers-cut-sick-trees.html

Researchers in St. Lucie get $500,000 grant to combat waterway-choking plant
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2010/sep/23/researchers-st-lucie-get-500000-grant-combat-water/

Upcoming Events and Entertainment 9-25 (Walton County)
http://www.waltonsun.com/entertainment/unless-5503-area-upcoming.html


In food/ag news:

Why is 'food security' sparking unrest?
http://www.cnn.com/2010/BUSINESS/09/22/un.food.security.poverty/

A Perk of Our Evolution: Pleasure in Pain of Chilies
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/21/science/21peppers.html

Disease from Mexico could devastate Valley citrus
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/disease_from_mexico_could_devastate_citrus_103687859.html

Thursday, September 23, 2010

National Organic Program - New program handbook!

http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/NOPProgramHandbook

From the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:
"The goal of the Program Handbook is to provide those who own, manage, or certify organic operations with guidance and instructions that can assist them in complying with the National Organic Program (NOP) regulations. The Handbook includes two types of documents: 1) guidance, which provides interpretations of NOP statutory or regulatory requirements, and 2) instructions, which informs Accredited Certifying Agents (ACAs) and certified operations about best practices for conducting business related to certification, accreditation, international activities, and compliance and enforcement. It is our intention to expand this project over time by issuing draft guidance on additional topics, soliciting public comment, and finalizing new guidance for inclusion in the Handbook."

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

September Newsletter

Please view the latest edition of Chemically Speaking at:

http://pested.ifas.ufl.edu/newsletters/2010-09/index.htm

 

UF Agronomy Dept.

Pesticide Information Office

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

IFAS in the news, 9/21

Good morning. Today's IFAS news scan:

Maze may offer lifeline for farmers
http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2010-09-21/maze-may-offer-lifeline-farmers

Florida water pollution debate ramps up (Ledger blog mention)
http://environment.blogs.theledger.com/11411/florida-water-pollution-debate-ramps-up/

Citrus growers not affected by OJ sales decline
http://www2.highlandstoday.com/content/2010/sep/21/la-citrus-growers-not-affected-by-oj-sales-decline/

Garden Q&A: Sky Pencil holly can be difficult to grow here
http://jacksonville.com/entertainment/home-and-garden/2010-09-19/story/sky-pencil-holly-can-be-difficult-grow-here

Naturalist program to be offered
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2010/sep/20/port-st-lucie-naturalist-program-to-be-offered/


Other news worth noting:

UF degrees carry clout
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20100920/ARTICLES/100929970/1118?Title=UF-degrees-carry-clout

UF professor fired after comments about women
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20100920/ARTICLES/100929965/1118?Title=UF-professor-fired-after-comments-about-women

Hurricane Igor to Lash Eastern Newfoundland as Tropical Storm Lisa Forms
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-09-21/igor-to-buffet-newfoundland-as-canada-issues-storm-hurricane-warnings.html

States working harder to collect online sales taxes
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39159604/ns/business-personal_finance/

We Need More Research On Genetically Altered Salmon, Says FDA Advisory Panel
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/201862.php

Freshman accused of sexual battery on 3 women after party
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20100920/ARTICLES/100929991/1007/NEWS

Machen going to White House to discuss stimulus
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20100920/ARTICLES/100929966/1118?Title=Machen-going-to-White-House-to-discuss-stimulus

Shands plans hospital for children, women
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20100920/ARTICLES/100929957/1118?Title=Shands-plans-hospital-for-children-women-

Monday, September 20, 2010

New workshops on how to create a Florida Water Star landscape

Hello everyone,

You are invited to attend a new workshop on how to create a Florida Water Star landscape:

 

Designing Florida Water Star℠ Projects

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is offering a three-hour program for landscape architects, designers, builders and other industry professionals involved in the landscape and irrigation design process of new construction projects. Participants will learn the techniques needed to successfully design and implement the FWS program into their projects, including site considerations, tree preservation, plant selections and placement, using turf in water-conserving landscapes and buffering stormwater runoff and basic irrigation application.

For more information: Contact Angela Maraj at 941-685-9397 or Angela.Maraj@WaterMatters.org

 

Wednesday, October 20

Hillsborough County Extension Office, 5339 S. County Rd. 579, Seffner, FL 33584

Registration: www.fwsdesigntampa.eventbrite.com

 

Tuesday, October 26

Sarasota County Extension Office, 6700 Clark Rd., Twin Lakes Park, Sarasota, FL 34241

Registration: http://fwsdesignsarasota.eventbrite.com/

Cost: Free

 

 

 

Sylvia L. Durell

Senior Communications Coordinator

Southwest Florida Water Management District
2379 Broad St., Brooksville, FL 34604

(352) 796-7211, ext. 4755

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE:  All E-mail sent to or from this address are public record and archived.  The Southwest Florida Water Management District does not allow use of District equipment and E-mail facilities for non-District business purposes.
 

Friday, September 17, 2010

ARS Newslink

ARS News Service
USDA Agricultural Research Service
September 17, 2010

___________________________________________

Testing corn genes with MAGIC:
ARS researchers and their university cooperators have developed a new high-tech method called MAGIC that helps test gene function in maize plants. (9/13)
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2010/100913.htm

A closer look at how soybeans and sorghum react to higher CO2:
In the first long-term study comparing tillage practices under high levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, ARS scientists have discovered that crops responded positively to predicted future levels of CO2, but soil tillage practices had little effect on this response. (9/14)
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2010/100914.htm

The best of the best:
ARS this week inducted three of its scientists into the agency's Science Hall of Fame for their achievements which have saved lives, alleviated disease-related human suffering, and boosted knowledge of the genetics of agricultural animals vital to the world food supply. (9/15)
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2010/100915.2.htm

Sweet science:
ARS researchers were part of a multi-institution team that this week announced the preliminary release of the sequenced genome of the cacao tree, an achievement that will help sustain the supply of high-quality cocoa to the $17 billion U.S. chocolate industry and protect the livelihoods of small farmers. (9/15)
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2010/100915.htm

Soy oil that's more heart-healthy:
Products made from soy oil stand to benefit from two new germplasm lines that produce high levels of oleic acid, according to an ARS scientist and her university colleagues who developed the lines. (9/16)
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2010/100916.htm

A bacteria that's bad for pickles, but good for the environment:
Spoilage bacteria that can cause red coloration of pickles' skin during fermentation may actually help clean up dyes in textile industry wastewater, according to an ARS microbiologist and her colleagues. (9/17)
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2010/100917.htm

___________________________________________

Newslink is the weekly e-mail pointer for web links to stories issued each workday by the Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

* Send feedback and questions to the ARS News Service at NewsService@ars.usda.gov
* You are subscribed to "Newslink" as mbhenry@ufl.edu.
* To change the address, please notify the ARS News Service at NewsService@ars.usda.gov.
* To unsubscribe, send a blank email to leave-190349-84528.9cd57c6e1af7d57c7b4ca2b2c824e5ca@ls.ars.usda.gov.
* Other ARS news products are available by e-mail. For details about them or to subscribe, please contact the ARS News Service or visit http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/lists.htm.
__________________________________________
ARS News Service, Information Staff, Agricultural Research Service
5601 Sunnyside Ave., Room 1-2251, Beltsville MD 20705-5128
NewsService@ars.usda.gov | www.ars.usda.gov/news
Phone (301) 504-1636 | fax (301) 504-1486

Interested in leasing a plot to grow?

I have had a couple of people with land available for leasing small plots to grow food for your family… 

I’d like to start a list of those that may be interested.  What do you think?  Let me know if you’d like to participate!

 

Mary Beth Henry

Small Farms/Pesticide Licensing

Extension Agent I, UF/IFAS Extension Polk County

1702 HWY. 17 S, Bartow, FL 33831 T: 863.519.8677 x 102  F: 863.534.0001

mbhenry@ufl.edu     http://polksmallfarms.com http://smallfarms.ifas.ufl.edu/ 

No Farmers No Food

 

Need notice of upcoming training and other information?

Join the email newsletter here: http://visitor.constantcontact.com/manage/optin?v=001o4tMzQsu5DOxO2qVEDjYVdg1iw8e-mlP

 

 

Join the conversation here http://polksmallfarms.blogspot.com/

 

 

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

IFAS in the news, 9/15

Good morning. Here is today's IFAS news scan:

St. Lucie County Sunrise Safari planned for Adams Ranch on Oct. 9
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2010/sep/14/st-lucie-county-sunrise-safari-planned-for-adam/

Beware of the bedbug: The parasites are making a comeback (Duval County)
http://jacksonville.com/news/health-and-fitness/2010-09-13/story/beware-bedbug-tiny-parasitic-insects-are-making-unwanted

UF has used federal funds as bridge to stable future
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20100914/ARTICLES/100919669/1109/sports?p=1&tc=pg

27th annual plant sale (St. Lucie County)
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2010/sep/14/st-lucie-county-master-gardener-plant-sale-oct-9-7/

Conference sheds light on goat meat industry
http://www.thefamuanonline.com/news/conference-sheds-light-on-goat-meat-industry-1.2328626

Bok Tower Gardens offers free admission for October event (Polk County)
http://www.newschief.com/article/20100914/NEWS/100919982/-1/entertainment?Title=Bok-Tower-Gardens-offers-free-admission-for-October-event

Hernando schools adult ed classes start Sept. 20
http://www.tampabay.com/news/briefs/hernando-schools-adult-ed-classes-start-sept-20/1121551

In other news, some local, some not:


Herbal Supplements Face New Scrutiny
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704190704575489812916405630.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Freeze! Zap! Bye-Bye, Fat
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703466704575489680982668018.html

Panel says BP oil spill threatens Gulf's resources
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20100914/ARTICLES/100919661/-1/news?p=1&tc=pg

Harn to mark 20th anniversary with two events
http://news.ufl.edu/2010/09/14/harn-party/

Agreement between city and UF approved
http://www.historiccity.com/2010/staugustine/news/florida/agreement-between-city-and-uf-approved-5446

Julia a Cat 4 hurricane; TS Karl headed to Mexico
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20100915/ARTICLES/100919653/1139?Title=Julia-a-Cat-4-hurricane-TS-Karl-headed-to-Mexico

UF professor tests his knowledge on Jeopardy broadcast tonight
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20100914/ARTICLES/100919702/1002?Title=UF-professor-tests-his-knowledge-on-Jeopardy-broadcast-tonight

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Fall Agroterrorism Preparedness Courses - Jacksonville, Miami, Homestead, West Palm Beach, Ft. Lauderdale (Davie), Ft Myers, Sarasota

Good Morning Domestic Security and Agricultural Partners:

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Office of Agricultural Emergency Preparedness is once again partnering with the Western Institute of Food Safety and Security (WIFSS) to bring Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Certified Agroterrorism Courses to Florida. 

All courses are free of charge with lunch provided, thanks to a DHS grant through WIFSS.  Additional sponsoring partners include the Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS-Extension), the Florida Department of Health, and the Regional Domestic Security Task Forces.

Courses to be offered for Fall 2010 include:

AWR-154 Principles of National Incident Management System (NIMS), Team Building, and Risk Communication

  • Thursday, September 16 in Jacksonville, FL (Class is Full), AWR 154 Principles of National Incident Management System (NIMS), Team Building, and Risk Communication, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Jacksonville Regional Operations Center, 921 North Davis Street, Building E, Jacksonville, FL 33209
  • Wednesday, October 13 in Miami, FL, AWR-154 Principles of National Incident Management System (NIMS), Team Building, and Risk Communication, 8:00 AM to 4:00PM at the Miami Regional Operations Center, FDLE Bldg., Emergency Operations Center, 1030 NW 111th Ave., Miami, FL 33172
  • Tuesday, November 30 in Ft. Myers, FL, AWR-154 Principles of National Incident Management System (NIMS), Team Building, and Risk Communication, 8:00 AM to 4:00PM at the Fort Myers Regional Operations Center, 4700 Terminal Drive, Suite 6, Ft Myers, FL 33901
  • Wednesday, December 1 in Sarasota, FL, AWR-154 Principles of National Incident Management System (NIMS), Team Building, and Risk Communication, 8:00 AM to 4:00PM at the Sarasota County Government, Emergency Operations Center, 1660 Ringling Blvd, 6th Floor, Sarasota, FL 34236

AWR-155 Principles of Frontline Response to Agroterrorism and Food Systems’ Disasters

  • Thursday, October 14 in Homestead, FL, AWR 155 Principles of Frontline Response to Agroterrorism and Food Systems’ Disasters, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the  Miami-Date County Extension Office Agricultural Center, 18710 SW  288th Street, Homestead, FL 33030
  • Wednesday, November 3 in West Palm Beach, FL, AWR 155 Principles of Frontline Response to Agroterrorism and Food Systems’ Disasters, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Division of Emergency Management, Palm Beach County, 20 South Military Trail, West Palm Beach, FL 33415
  • Thursday, November 4 in Davie, FL, AWR 155 Principles of Frontline Response to Agroterrorism and Food Systems’ Disasters, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Institute Public Safety (Building 22), Broward College, Central Campus, 3501 SW Davie Rd., Davie, FL 33314

To register for a course, or to get more detailed information on each of the courses offered, please go to the WIFSS website at:

                  Registration:  http://wifss.ucdavis.edu/agroterrorism/classes/classesbydate.php 

                  Additional Course Information:  http://wifss.ucdavis.edu/agroterrorism/classes/course_desc.php 

Please contact John Terry (850-410-6756 or terryj1@doacs.state.fl.us ) if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Art

Art Johnstone, Director

Office of Agricultural Emergency Preparedness

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Office - (850) 410-6758

Mobile - (850) 251-4184

Monday, September 13, 2010

62-304.600: Tampa Bay Basin TMDLs

Date: September 10, 2010

To: Interested Stakeholders

FYI From: Terry Hansen (via distribution lists)

For more information, please contact: Jan.Mandrup-Poulsen@dep.state.fl.us

 

 

https://www.flrules.org/gateway/readFile.asp?sid=3&tid=9092409&type=1&file=62-304.600.htm

 

 

Notice of Change/Withdrawal

 

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Rule No.: RULE TITLE
62-304.600: Tampa Bay Basin TMDLs

NOTICE OF CHANGE

Notice is hereby given that the following changes have been made to the proposed rule in accordance with subparagraph 120.54(3)(d)1., F.S., published in Vol. 36 No. 17, April 30, 2010 issue of the Florida Administrative Weekly.

Please note, a previous Notice of Change was published for this rule in the Vol. 36, No. 28, July 16, 2010 issue and the Vol. 36, No 32, August 13, 2010 issue of the Florida Administrative Weekly.

62-304.600 Tampa Bay Basin TMDLs.

(1) through (8) No change.

(9) Cross Canal (North). The fecal coliform TMDL for Cross Canal (North) is 400 counts/100mL, and is allocated as follows:

(a) through (b) No change.

(c) The LA for nonpoint sources is to address anthropogenic sources in the basin such that in-stream concentrations meet the fecal coliform criteria which, based on the measured concentrations from the 2005 to 2007 period, will require a 59 81 percent reduction of sources contributing to exceedances of the criteria, and

(d) through (e) No change.

(10) Double Branch. The fecal coliform TMDL for Double Branch is 43 counts/100mL, and is allocated as follows:

(a) No change.

(b) The WLA for discharges subject to the Department’s NPDES Municipal Stormwater Permitting Program is to address anthropogenic sources in the basin such that in-stream concentrations meet the fecal coliform criteria which, based on the measured concentrations from the 2000 to 2007 period, will require a 85 84 percent reduction of sources contributing to exceedances of the criteria,

(c) The LA for nonpoint sources is to address anthropogenic sources in the basin such that in-stream concentrations meet the fecal coliform criteria which, based on the measured concentrations from the 2000 to 2007 period, will require a 85 84 percent reduction of sources contributing to exceedances of the criteria, and

(d) through (e) No change.

(11) through (17) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 403.061, 403.067 FS. Law Implemented 403.061, 403.062, 403.067 FS. History–New________.

 

ARS Newslink

ARS News Service
USDA Agricultural Research Service
September 10, 2010

___________________________________________

Blocking E. coli bacteria before they move in:
An ARS researcher and his colleagues have discovered key gene and chemical interactions that allow Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 bacteria to colonize the gut of cattle, which can both host and shed the deadly human pathogen. (9/7)
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2010/100907.htm

The first genomic map of the domesticated turkey:
ARS scientists and their university colleagues have sequenced the majority of the genome of Meleagris gallopavo, the domesticated turkey, creating the first-ever turkey genome map, which could help growers to more efficiently produce bigger, meatier turkeys. (9/8)
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2010/100908.htm

Tapping into corn's tropical diversity:
ARS researchers are tapping into the genetic diversity of corn from the tropics to improve varieties grown in the United States and other temperate regions. (9/9)
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2010/100909.htm

Tracking triclosan's field footprint:
A study by ARS scientists and cooperators provides new details about how fertilizing soils with biosolids also introduces triclosan-an antibacterial agent in soaps and other cleaning supplies-into the environment. (9/10)
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2010/100910.htm

___________________________________________

Newslink is the weekly e-mail pointer for web links to stories issued each workday by the Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

* Send feedback and questions to the ARS News Service at NewsService@ars.usda.gov
* You are subscribed to "Newslink" as mbhenry@ufl.edu.
* To change the address, please notify the ARS News Service at NewsService@ars.usda.gov.
* To unsubscribe, send a blank email to leave-190084-84528.9cd57c6e1af7d57c7b4ca2b2c824e5ca@ls.ars.usda.gov.
* Other ARS news products are available by e-mail. For details about them or to subscribe, please contact the ARS News Service or visit http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/lists.htm.
__________________________________________
ARS News Service, Information Staff, Agricultural Research Service
5601 Sunnyside Ave., Room 1-2251, Beltsville MD 20705-5128
NewsService@ars.usda.gov | www.ars.usda.gov/news
Phone (301) 504-1636 | fax (301) 504-1486

Thursday, September 9, 2010

9th Annual Fall Field Day - NFREC

NFREC-Quincy

Fall Field Day

Tuesday October 5, 2010

 

The University of Florida/IFAS/North Florida Research and Education Center, will host its 2010 Fall Field Day on Tuesday October 5th  beginning at 4:00 pm eastern time.

 

This year tours will include but not limited to “Deciduous and cold-hardy Fruit”, “Florida-An Island for Invasive Pests”, “Fall Pumpkin and Winter Squash Demonstration”, “Great Expectations for Gardens and Landscape” and “Easy Hydroponics for Hobbyists and Homeowners”.  There will be a choice of two tours with dinner following.  Visit http://nfrec.ifas.ufl.edu/events/pdf/Fall_Field_Day_Brochure_2010.pdf for agenda details.

 

The programs at NFREC-Quincy cover a wide range of crops; including vegetables, small grains, agronomic row crops, forages, ornamentals, tree fruits, wildlife, and forestry.

 

The Field Day will be held at the NFREC-Quincy, located off Pat Thomas Parkway at 155 Research Road.  Registration begins at 4:00 pm.  The cost is $5.00 and pre-registration is required by Thursday, September 30.  All payments will be accepted via cash or check made payable to University of Florida.  To register or for more information on the UF/IFAS Fall Field Day, call (850) 875-7100 ext. 0

 

 

NOP Organic Certification Cost-Share Program through FOG

Interested in the cost-share program for NOP Organic certification?  Florida Organic Growers (FOG) administers this program in Florida .  The direct link to their application page is available here.

 http://foginfo.org/certcostshare.php

 

 

Direct Marketing For Growers

Dear vegetable/fruit growers and friends:

 

You are cordially invited to a "Direct Marketing for Growers Workshop". This informative class will discuss direct marketing strategies which you may have not previously explored.

 

Great speakers:

-- Sharon Yeago, President of Farmers Market Coalition;

-- Bob Hochmuth, UF/IFAS Extension Agent;

-- Linda Landrum, UF/IFAS Extension Agent

 

Time: Tuesday, September 28, 2010 between 2:30-6;00pm

 

 

Ed Skvarch M.S.

Commercial Horticulture Educator

St. Lucie County / University of Florida / IFAS Extension                                                                         

8400 Picos Rd. Suite 101

Ft. Pierce, FL. 34945 - 3045

772 - 462 - 1660 Office

772 - 462 - 1510 Fax

772 - 216 - 1921 Cell

eask@ufl.edu

http://stlucie.ifas.ufl.edu

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Electronic Family Disaster Plan from University of Missouri Extension

Friends, colleagues and partners it is with great pleasure that University of Missouri Extension announces its contribution to National Preparedness Month. MU Extension has created an electronic (fill in the blank PDF) Family Disaster Plan that can be downloaded, filled out, kept and updated as often as desired. This is not a simple one page plan which exists within other venues but a multi-page, multi-content area document to give families a very comprehensive disaster plan. This is free and available to the public.

By downloading this document to a home computer, or accessed from any computer with internet access, it can be printed and filled in by hand or the information can be typed into the fields. It can then be printed or put on a thumb drive and can be updated as often as needed. MU Extension is proud to offer this tool to help families prepare for emergencies and disasters. Please distribute either or both of the URLs to your friends, colleagues, and partner organizations. Feel free to link as well!

http://extension.missouri.edu/publications/DisplayPub.aspx?P=EMW1011

Eric Evans
Emergency Management Specialist
University of Missouri Extension
201 S. 7th St.
240 Heinkel Bldg
Columbia, MO 65211
800-869-3476
fax 573-882-0678
cell 573-999-4207

Entomology and Nematology newsletter - September 2010

The September 2010 issue of the UF/IFAS entomology and nematology
newsletter is now available at http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/news.

This month's news includes:

Faculty awards
Staff and students in the news
New publications
Nematology meeting presentations
Fall Entomology seminar listing
Outreach coordinator and upcoming events
Mammals have bad breath
Zombie ants of the Rhine
They cause Paranoia! Depression! Sleeplessness! Untold mental anguish!
Insect cartoons
and more...

--

Thomas R. Fasulo
extension entomologist
University of Florida

See http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/fasulo/pests/
for a listing of WWW sites on arthropods and other topics.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

ATTENTION!! Grant Opportunity - SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY PROPOSALS INVITED

Here is information about SARE Grant now available. The Sustainable Community Innovation Grant is available. Here is the link with the CFP. If you have other questions, need advice or are looking for partners, please let me know and I will do what I can to facilitate you. Thank you -Sean
http://www.southernsare.uga.edu/callpage.htm


Proposals are invited for the 2010 Southern Region Sustainable
Community Innovation (SCI) Grants to fund projects that link sustainable
agriculture to rural community development. The grants have a funding
maximum of $10,000 for up to two years of project activities. Proposals
will be accepted until October1, 2010 with awards announced mid-to-late
December.

SCI grants link farms with the non-farm population in a community for
the purpose of economic development. For example, in Mississippi a
project is partnering local farmers with low-wealth urban communities in
order to provide fresh produce and increased nutrition knowledge among
city residents while increasing profits for farmers. In five distressed
Kentucky counties, leadership development activities train farmers,
business owners and youth in diversified sustainable agriculture and
agritourism. A project featuring heritage food cooking classes and
similar events will re-kindle interest in local foodways and promote new
businesses in the North Carolina mountains.

Any individuals, non-profit organizations, for-profit organizations,
governmental organizations and/or educational organizations may apply
for a Sustainable Community Innovation Grant. Applicants must be from
the Southern Region, which consists of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida,
Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma,
South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Puerto Rico and the US
Virgin Islands.

Proposals must be submitted through an online template. The call for
proposals can be obtained at http://www.southernsare.uga.edu/callpage.htm

SCI grants are a partnership of the Southern Region Sustainable
Agriculture Research and Education Program and the Southern Rural
Development Center.

Resources For SWFSFN: S FL Vegetable Pest and Disease Hotline Newsletter

-----Original Message-----
From: Robert Kluson [mailto:rkluson@scgov.net]
Sent: Monday, September 06, 2010 10:17 AM
To: Robert Kluson
Subject: Resources For SWFSFN: S FL Vegetable Pest and Disease Hotline Newsletter

Greetings, members and supporters of the SW FL Small Farmers Network (SWFSFN). Again I have received another email worth your attention. Specifically, I'm sharing with you the email below that invites you to read and subscribe to South FL Vegetable Pest and Disease Hotline newsletter, if you have not done so already. I am hopeful that you will find in it information that's highly relevant to your crop pest and irrigation management strategies for the new growing season. In addition, the newsletter usually includes topical updates and even a splash of humor to brighten you day.

FYI - I have also included at the bottom of this email the text of the current edition in case you have difficulty opening the attachment files . . .

Enjoy,

Robert

Robert A. Kluson, Ph.D.
AG/NR Extension Agent
UF/IFAS Sarasota County Extension
6700 Clark Road, Sarasota, FL 3241
(941) 232-3090; FAX (941) 861-9886
http://sarasota.extension.ufl.edu/AG/ag.shtml


-----Original Message-----
From: South Florida Vegetable Pest and Disease Hotline [mailto:SFLVEG-L@LISTS.IFAS.UFL.EDU] On Behalf Of Gene McAvoy
Sent: Sunday, September 05, 2010 8:09 PM
To: SFLVEG-L@LISTS.IFAS.UFL.EDU
Subject: S FL Vegetable Pest and Disease Hotline - 9.5.10

Hope this finds you all well.

Please find attached the South Florida Vegetable Pest and Disease Hotline for September 5, 2010. Both Adobe pdf and MS Word versions are attached for your convenience.

The South Florida Vegetable Pest and Disease Hotline reaches over 1400 individuals and businesses and covers over 120,000 acres representing all major South Florida vegetable production areas.

As always, your contributions or comments and suggestions are welcome and appreciated. Become a contributor - let me know what you are seeing or what you think. It is a simple as quick e-mail.

You can also follow me on Twitter under SWFLVegMan and send a tweet with breaking news.

Please take a moment and provide me with your updated e-mail, cell numbers and contact information - in this rapidly changing world, this information gets out of date quickly and may prevent me from contacting you with critical information.

Feel free to share the hotline with others. I welcome new subscribers - please have any interested parties wishing to be added to the South Florida Vegetables LISTSERV, contact me at gmcavoy@ifas.ufl.edu

If you are having difficulty opening attachments you may need to download Adobe reader at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2_allversions.html

I would like to acknowledge and extend my sincerest thanks to all of the many contributors who graciously shared valuable information, which helps make the hotline so successful and also for the generous support of all our sponsors without which publication of the hotline would not be possible.

Wishing you all the best for a successful and profitable 2010-2011 Vegetable Season!


All the best

Gene

Gene McAvoy
County Extension Director and Extension Agent IV Regional Specialized Agent - Vegetables/Ornamental Horticulture

Hendry County Extension Office 863-674-4092 phone
PO Box 68 863-673-5939 mobile
LaBelle, Florida 33975 Nextel 159*114449*2
863-674-4637 fax gmcavoy@ifas.ufl.edu

Hendry County Extension PO Box 68 LaBelle, Florida 33975-0068 Phone (863) 674-4092

September 4, 2010


After a brutally hot summer, which the National Weather Service claims is the hottest summer on record for Southeast Florida and the second hottest on record in Naples, the weather finally broke about ten days ago and Mother Nature gave us a little hint - just a suggestion of a cooler weather. It is still hot with day time highs in the low 90's but early mornings and evening are dipping into the mid 70's.

All stations have reported anywhere from 2 - 8 or more inches of rain for the month of August, but showers have been scattered with some areas receiving more than others.

Growers are preparing land and laying plastic as weather permits. Growers in Manatee began setting plants at the beginning of August and a few growers in Immokalee started planting around August 10 and planting is increasing as we go into September. Some okra is being harvested in Homestead.

FAWN Weather Summary
Date Air Temp °F Rainfall Ave Relative Humidity ET (Inches/Day)
Min Max (Inches) (Percent) (Average)
Balm
8/10 - 9/5/10 67.01 96.49 8.88 84 0.16
Belle Glade
8/10 - 9/5/10 69.30 97.39 6.98 87 0.17
Clewiston
8/10 - 9/5/10 68.94 95.83 6.98 86 0.16
Ft Lauderdale
8/10 - 9/5/10 74.05 97.36 6.45 80 0.17
Fort Pierce
8/10 - 9/5/10 71.37 96.19 2.18 83 0.15
Homestead
8/10 - 9/5/10 68.98 95.13 7.06 85 0.16
Immokalee
8/10 - 9/5/10 66.22 100.40 3.98 84 0.17

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is an Equal Employment Opportunity - Affirmative Action Employer authorized to provide research, educational, information, and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap or national origin.
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION WORK IN AGRICULTURE, FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES, SEA GRANT AND 4-H YOUTH, STATE OF FLORIDA, IFAS, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, AND BOARDS OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COOPERATING The short-term forecast from the National Weather Service in Miami forecast indicates that the weak surface ridge of high pressure which bought heavy rainfall to many locales on Sunday will move north by Monday and in time the easterlies will deepen and strengthen a bit through the week as another ridge will come off the southeast coast by late Tuesday and reinforce the previous ridge. As a result for Tuesday through at least the end of the week, the main focus for afternoon and evening thunderstorm activity will be over the west side of South Florida and nocturnal activity mainly over the Atlantic and East Coast.

For additional information, visit the National Weather Service in Miami website at http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mfl/newpage/index.html

Insects

Whiteflies

Around SW Florida, growers and scouts report that whiteflies are present in what seems like above normal levels for so early in the season. Reports indicate that they are swarming into new fields the day after they are transplanted. Scouts also report finding a few plants showing brand new TYLCV symptoms.

Respondents from the Manatee/Ruskin area report that they had quite a few early white fly adults in early planted tomato but report that numbers are beginning to dwindle this week with the exception of few high counts on field margins. Some scouts are reporting disappointing results with Venom as a soil drench in tomatoes and melons and note that whitefly control is fading within 3 weeks. They are wondering if heavy rains may be a factor.

Worms

Growers and scouts in all areas report finding armyworm egg masses and note that growers are having some scattered problems with worms including beet armyworm. Reports indicate that pressure seems to be increasing in places but remains low overall.

Spider mites

Respondents around SW Florida report that they are finding a few spider mites on weeds, which is unusual for this time of year.

Mole Crickets

Reports from all areas indicate that mole crickets are active in places under plastic and some growers report that a few fields have lost plants where mole crickets cut plants off.

Diseases

Bacterial leaf spot

Growers and scouts in the Manatee Ruskin area indicate that they are seeing a lot of bacteria coming out of transplant houses on transplants and indicate that more than one transplant house is involved. Some plants were received in such poor condition that they were reportedly dumped. They also note some increases in the fields after heavy rains in August.

Around Immokalee, bacterial spot is present as might be expected for our fall crops. Some tomatoes are being infected early and have enough disease to stunt growth already. In some areas which got hit hard by heavy rains last month, respondents indicate infection levels are nearing 50% of plant bio-mass in the field and some new flower hands are showing infection very early. Other fields have remained clean thus far. Scouts report that pressure is slightly above normal and report problems with infected transplants coming from more than one transplant producer.

Not many peppers going in yet around SW Florida but scouts also report finding some bacterial spot on peppers.

TYLCV

Around Immokalee, respondents in a few areas indicate that they are already finding a few plants with TYLCV symptoms and wonder that with higher whiteflies whether or not this maybe a an indication of problems later this season.

Pythium

Growers in scouts in all areas reports some problems with pythium where it is taking out a few transplants in some fields especially in wetter fields and wet field ends and continues to attack a few older plants. Some reports note that pythium seems to be worse in some places where a single alternative fumigant was used. AS we move away from methyl bromide, growers will need to combine fumigants and well as pre-plant herbicides and fungicides to get desired control depending on the pest spectrum present.

Other Issues

Telone Injury

Growers in a few places are reporting possible Telone damage to tomatoes on very wet beds. Beds were set 3 to 4 weeks prior to transplanting but rains have kept beds extremely wet.

Note: that as we transition to alternative fumigants, growers will have to adopt and make allowances for great plant back times especially on wet or cold soils.

Scald

In at least one instance a grower planting on black plastic had considerable heat scald (not a good idea in the fall).

News You Can Use

Hottest Summer on Record for Southeast Florida and the Second Hottest on Record in Naples

National Weather Service, September 1, 2010: August was yet another month of above normal temperatures across South Florida, finishing among the top 10 warmest August periods on record (see table below for details).

The continued hot temperatures in August culminated what is the hottest summer on record for all 4 primary South Florida climate locations. The summer period is defined as the months of June, July and August.

Following are the average summer 2010 temperatures and departure from normal for the 4 sites:

- Miami International Airport had an average summer 2010 temperature of 85.17 degrees Fahrenheit. This is 2.0 degrees above normal, and sets the record for the all-time hottest June-August period on record for the Miami area. The previous hottest summer on record was 84.98 degrees set back in 1998. Daily maximum temperatures reached or exceeded 90 degrees on 80 days, second most for any summer period (record is 86 days in 1998). The minimum temperature did not drop below 80 on 40 days this summer, breaking the previous record of 33 days set in 1998. Temperature records in Miami go back to 1895.

- Palm Beach International Airport had an average summer 2010 temperature of 84.6 degrees Fahrenheit. This is 2.4 degrees above normal, and sets the record for the all-time hottest June-August period on record for the West Palm Beach area. The previous hottest summer on record was 84.2 degrees set back in 1998. Daily maximum temperatures reached or exceeded 90 degrees on 79 days, tied for the third most number of days for any summer period (record 83 days set in 1951). The minimum temperature did not drop below 80 on 25 days this summer, easily breaking the previous record of 14 days set in 2003 and 2005. Temperature records in West Palm Beach go back to 1888.

- Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport had an average summer 2010 temperature of 84.6 degrees Fahrenheit. This is 2.4 degrees above normal, and sets the record for the all-time hottest June-August period on record for the Fort Lauderdale area. The previous hottest summer on record was 84.57 degrees set back in 1998. Daily maximum temperatures reached or exceeded 90 degrees on 67 days, well short of the record of 84 days set back in 1924. The minimum temperature did not drop below 80 on 38 days this summer, easily breaking the previous record of 32 days set in 2006. Temperature records in Fort Lauderdale go back to 1912.

- Naples Municipal Airport had an average summer 2010 temperature of 84.3 degrees Fahrenheit. This is 2.6 degrees above normal, and is the second hottest June-August period on record for the Naples area, falling just short of the record hottest summer of 84.5 degrees set back in 1944. Daily maximum temperatures reached or exceeded 90 degrees on 82 days, short of the record of 90 days set back in 1944. The minimum temperature did not drop below 80 on 8 days this summer, just short of the record of 10 days set back in 2007. Temperature records in Naples go back to 1942.

The main culprit for the record-breaking heat this summer has been a very persistent high pressure area in the middle and upper levels of the atmosphere over most of the eastern half of the United States. High pressure aloft tends to limit the overall amount of cloud cover and allows for greater heating during the day, as well as keep temperatures warm at night due to light east winds from the warmer than normal ocean waters off the Florida coastline.

Highest daily maximum temperature readings this summer for the main reporting stations were as follows

- Miami: 96 on August 15 and 21.
- Fort Lauderdale: 95 on July 10.
- West Palm Beach: 96 on July 12 and 30.
- Naples: 97 on June 12.

Over interior sections, temperatures reached and exceeded the 100 degree mark during several periods this summer: June 14 and 16, July 8 through 10, July 28 through 31 and August 14 through 20. The highest unofficial temperature reading was 102 degrees at Brighton Reservation in northern Glades County on July 31.

In a year of temperature extremes from one of the coldest winters in recent memory to the hottest summer on record, it is interesting to note that the average temperature for the year across south Florida is still running a few degrees below the January-August normal.

Rainfall/Severe Weather

Most of south Florida received above normal rainfall in August. Areas of northern Palm Beach County and inland sections of Collier County received as much as 15 inches of rain in August, with a large area of greater than 10 inches covering most of the Everglades and parts of the metro areas along both coasts. The only area which received below normal August rainfall was extreme southern Miami-Dade County, where totals ranged anywhere from 4 to 8 inches.

A few flooding events occurred in August, mainly in Palm Beach County, but fortunately no significant impacts to property were noted.

The only significant severe weather of note in August was a tornado which moved through a 2-mile area of West Boca Raton around 6 PM on August 7th, with damage mostly to trees, fences and power lines and very minor structural damage

Below are August 2010 average temperatures and departure from normal in degrees Fahrenheit for the 4 main climate sites:

Location Aug 2010 Average (F) Departure From Normal Rank
Miami 85.1 +1.5 4th warmest
Fort Lauderdale 84.4 +1.5 6th warmest
West Palm Beach 84.4 +1.6 5th warmest
Naples 84.1 +1.8 7th warmest

Below are August rainfall totals and departure from normal in inches for select south Florida locations:

Location August 2010 Rainfall August Departure From Normal and Rank
Miami Int'l 8.75 +0.12
Fort Lauderdale Int'l 11.55 +4.67 (9th wettest)
Palm Beach Int'l 6.97 +0.32
Naples Regional 7.13 -0.92
Miami Beach 7.77 +2.33 (13th wettest)
Moore Haven 9.37 +2.57 (20th wettest)
Golden Gate 14.97
NWS Miami (FIU Main) 13.23
Palm Beach Gardens 13.10
Juno Beach 12.09

Outlook for September

The Climate Prediction Center's outlook for September calls for equal chances of near, warmer or cooler than normal temperatures across south Florida. CPC's precipitation outlook for September calls for about a 60 percent chance of above normal rainfall.


La Niña conditions developed in July and are expected to continue through the remainder of the year and into the winter of 2011. More information on La Niña's potential impacts on South Florida's weather this upcoming dry season will be provided in the coming weeks.

September marks the peak of hurricane season in the Atlantic basin, and South Florida is certainly no stranger to hurricanes during the month. September ranks second only behind October as far as number of hurricane strikes per month is concerned, and all persons are advised to make sure that their hurricane kits and plans are prepared and ready to be used in case a storm threatens or impacts our region.

For the latest weather conditions, forecasts, warnings, advisories and statements, please visit the National Weather Service Miami-South Florida Forecast Office's web site at http://www.weather.gov/southflorida.

2010 Florida Tomato Institute Program
The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, Florida

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Morning Session Moderator: Gene McAvoy, Hendry County Extension Service, LaBelle.

9:00 Welcome - Dan Cantliffe UF/IFAS, Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Horticultural Sciences Department, Gainesville.
9:10 State of the Industry - Reggie Brown, Florida Tomato Committee, Maitland.
9:20 Wastewater Characterization in Tomato Packinghouses - Gurpal Toor, UF/IFAS, GCREC, Wimauma.
9:40 Some Highlights from the University Of Florida Tomato Breeding Program - Jay Scott, UF/IFAS, GCREC, Wimauma.
10:05 Evaluation of TYLCV and Fusarium Crown Rot-Resistant Tomato Cultivars under Commercial Conditions in Southwest Florida - Monica Ozores-Hampton, UF/IFAS SWFREC, Immokalee.
10:30 Environmental and Geographical Variables Associated with TYLCV Epidemics in Southwest Florida - William Thurchek, USDA/ARS Fort Pierce.
10:50: Investigating the Q Invasion of Bemisia tabaci in Florida: Current Status and Update - Cindy Mckenzie, USDA/ARS Fort Pierce.
11:10 Current and Future Needs and Opportunities for the Florida Tomato Industry - Gene McAvoy, Hendry County Extension Service/IFAS, LaBelle.

11:30 lunch (on your own)

Afternoon Session Moderator: Crystal Snodgrass, Manatee County Extension Service, Palmetto.

1:00 Differentiation and Integrated Management of Tomato Bacterial Speck and Spot - Gary Vallad, UF/IFAS GCREC, Wimauma.
1:20 Effects of Shoot Pruning on Bacterial Spot Severity and Yields of Tomato Cultivars - Bielinski Santos, UF/IFAS GCREC, Wimauma.
1:35 Food Safety and Economic Impacts on Florida Tomato Producers - John Vansickle, UF/IFAS Food & Resource Economics Dept., Gainesville.
1:50 New Fumigant Regulations Coming in December - Joseph Noling, UF/IFAS CREC Lake Alfred.
2:15 Methyl Bromide Alternatives Research Update - Andrew MacRae, UF/IFAS GCREC, Wimauma.
2:40 Industry Updates - Mary Lamberts, Miami-Dade County Extension Service, Homestead.
3:30 adjourn

Opportunities Available Now for Conservation Assistance and Funding

GAINESVILLE, September 2, 2010 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida has set a cutoff date of October 29, 2010, to submit applications for several voluntary conservation programs that may help eligible participants pay for conservation practices to prevent soil erosion, improve water quality, restore wetlands and provide habitat for wildlife.

* The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a conservation program that provides financial and technical assistance to farmers and ranchers who face threats to soil, water, air, and related natural resources on their land. Through EQIP, NRCS develops contracts with agricultural producers to voluntarily implement conservation practices. Persons engaged in livestock or agricultural production and owners of non-industrial private forestland are eligible for the program. Eligible land includes cropland, rangeland, pastureland, private non-industrial forestland, and other farm or ranch lands.

* The Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) is a voluntary program for developing or improving high quality habitat that supports fish and wildlife populations of National, State, Tribal, and local significance. Through WHIP, the NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to private and Tribal landowners for the development of upland, wetland, aquatic, and other types of wildlife habitat.

* The Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) provides technical and financial assistance to private landowners and Tribes to restore, protect, and enhance wetlands in exchange for retiring eligible land from agriculture.

* The Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) is a program for landowners and operators to protect grazing uses and related conservation values by conserving grassland, including rangeland, pastureland, shrubland, and certain other lands.

* The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is available on Tribal and private agricultural lands and non-industrial private forest land. CSP encourages producers to address resource concerns in a comprehensive manner by undertaking additional conservation activities; and improving, maintaining, and managing existing conservation activities.

NRCS encourages interested parties to visit with our staff as soon as possible. Applicants who apply early have more time to resolve any program or land eligibility issues.

Although applications are accepted on a continuous basis, Florida NRCS has established a cut-off date of October 29, 2010

For more information on conservation assistance contact your local NRCS Field Office listed in the telephone directory under "U. S. Government" or for evaluation and ranking of eligible applications for the 2011 program year.

To find your nearest NRCS Service center, go to http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=fl

Math Lessons for Locavores

By Stephen Budiansky
Published: New York Times, August 19, 2010.

It's 42 steps from my back door to the garden that keeps my family supplied nine months of the year with a modest cornucopia of lettuce, beets, spinach, beans, tomatoes, basil, corn, squash, brussels sprouts, the occasional celeriac and, once when I was feeling particularly energetic, a couple of small but undeniable artichokes. You'll get no argument from me about the pleasures and advantages to the palate and the spirit of eating what's local, fresh and in season.

But the local food movement now threatens to devolve into another one of those self-indulgent - and self-defeating - do-gooder dogmas. Arbitrary rules, without any real scientific basis, are repeated as gospel by "locavores," celebrity chefs and mainstream environmental organizations. Words like "sustainability" and "food-miles" are thrown around without any clear understanding of the larger picture of energy and land use.

The result has been all kinds of absurdities. For instance, it is sinful in New York City to buy a tomato grown in a California field because of the energy spent to truck it across the country; it is virtuous to buy one grown in a lavishly heated greenhouse in, say, the Hudson Valley.

The statistics brandished by local-food advocates to support such doctrinaire assertions are always selective, usually misleading and often bogus. This is particularly the case with respect to the energy costs of transporting food. One popular and oft-repeated statistic is that it takes 36 (sometimes it's 97) calories of fossil fuel energy to bring one calorie of iceberg lettuce from California to the East Coast. That's an apples and oranges (or maybe apples and rocks) comparison to begin with, because you can't eat petroleum or burn iceberg lettuce.

It is also an almost complete misrepresentation of reality, as those numbers reflect the entire energy cost of producing lettuce from seed to dinner table, not just transportation. Studies have shown that whether it's grown in California or Maine, or whether it's organic or conventional, about 5,000 calories of energy go into one pound of lettuce. Given how efficient trains and tractor-trailers are, shipping a head of lettuce across the country actually adds next to nothing to the total energy bill.

It takes about a tablespoon of diesel fuel to move one pound of freight 3,000 miles by rail; that works out to about 100 calories of energy. If it goes by truck, it's about 300 calories, still a negligible amount in the overall picture.

(For those checking the calculations at home, these are "large calories," or kilocalories, the units used for food value.) Overall, transportation accounts for about 14 percent of the total energy consumed by the American food system.

Other favorite targets of sustainability advocates include the fertilizers and chemicals used in modern farming. But their share of the food system's energy use is even lower, about 8 percent.

The real energy hog, it turns out, is not industrial agriculture at all, but you and me. Home preparation and storage account for 32 percent of all energy use in our food system, the largest component by far.

A single 10-mile round trip by car to the grocery store or the farmers' market will easily eat up about 14,000 calories of fossil fuel energy. Just running your refrigerator for a week consumes 9,000 calories of energy. That assumes it's one of the latest high-efficiency models; otherwise, you can double that figure. Cooking and running dishwashers, freezers and second or third refrigerators (more than 25 percent of American households have more than one) all add major hits. Indeed, households make up for 22 percent of all the energy expenditures in the United States.

Agriculture, on the other hand, accounts for just 2 percent of our nation's energy usage; that energy is mainly devoted to running farm machinery and manufacturing fertilizer. In return for that quite modest energy investment, we have fed hundreds of millions of people, liberated tens of millions from backbreaking manual labor and spared hundreds of millions of acres for nature preserves, forests and parks that otherwise would have come under the plow.

Don't forget the astonishing fact that the total land area of American farms remains almost unchanged from a century ago, at a little under a billion acres, even though those farms now feed three times as many Americans and export more than 10 times as much as they did in 1910.

The best way to make the most of these truly precious resources of land, favorable climates and human labor is to grow lettuce, oranges, wheat, peppers, bananas, whatever, in the places where they grow best and with the most efficient technologies - and then pay the relatively tiny energy cost to get them to market, as we do with every other commodity in the economy. Sometimes that means growing vegetables in your backyard. Sometimes that means buying vegetables grown in California or Costa Rica.

Eating locally grown produce is a fine thing in many ways. But it is not an end in itself, nor is it a virtue in itself. The relative pittance of our energy budget that we spend on modern farming is one of the wisest energy investments we can make, when we honestly look at what it returns to our land, our economy, our environment and our well-being.

A version of this op-ed appeared in print on August 20, 2010, on page A21 of the New York edition.
Pesticide Pot Pourri

* BASF advises that there is a new label for Prowl H2O in tomatoes reducing the PHI to 21 days

* UPI notes that FDACS has recently a new label for Florida Rimon 0.83EC. Recently added crops
include:
o Beans (snap and dry)
o Berries (low growing) including strawberry and cranberry
o Cucurbit vegetables
o Fruiting vegetables

* Syngenta advises that a Section 3 Supplemental Label has been approved for Voliam Xpress®
Insecticide. Use/ Changes:
o Alfalfa and alfalfa grown for seed (also field corn, popcorn, seed corn)
o Sweet corn
o Grass forage, fodder and hay
o Legume vegetables (peas and beans)
o Sugarcane
o Tobacco
o Tuberous and corm vegetables

* Voliam Flexi® Insecticide has also been granted a Section 3 Supplemental Label
Use/ Changes:
o Added directions for use for: Citrus fruit crop group;
o Mint; Strawberry; Tobacco; Tuberous and corm vegetables
o Related pests for all crops
o Deleted bullet point in Resistance Management section
o Added Venturi injector to Irrigations Systems operating directions
o Revised Pollinator Precautions
o Revised Rotational Restrictions section

* Bayer CropScience advises that BELT SC has received EPA and State approval for use in Soybean and Legume Vegetables (Crop Groups 6 and 7 including Edible-podded and Succulent Shelled Pea and Bean, Dried Shelled Pea and Bean and foliage of Legume Vegetables). Belt may be used at 3 oz/A for a total of 6 oz/A per season with a 1 Day PHI - Edible podded and succulent shelled peas and beans.

South Florida Vegetable Pest and Disease Hotline - if you get the hotline second hand from another source you may be missing the Quotable Quotes and the Lighter Side - to subscribe direct - email gmcavoy@ufl.edu

Up Coming Meetings

Southwest Florida

September 7, 2010 Food Safety Workshop 1:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Ritz Carlton Hotel
280 Vanderbilt Beach Road
Naples, Florida

No registration required. Participation will count as an official training for tomato
growers, handlers and shippers who are subject to the TGAP/TBMP audit. A
certificate of participation will be presented to each participant completing the
training and pre/post tests.

September 8, 2010 Tomato Institute 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Ritz Carlton Hotel
280 Vanderbilt Beach Road
Naples, Florida

No registration required.

September 19 -21, 2010 FFVA 67th Annual Meeting

Ritz Carlton Hotel
280 Vanderbilt Beach Road
Naples, Florida

Contact FFVA for details - www.ffva.com
Other Meetings

Sept 29 - Oct 1, 2010 FFVA 36th Annual Agricultural Labor Seminar.

6515 International Drive
Orlando, Florida 32819
Contact FFVA for details - www.ffva.com

Oct. 13-15, 2010-09-05 69th Annual Meeting of the Florida Farm Bureau Federation

Hilton Oceanfront Resort
Daytona Beach, Florida

November 10, 2010 Florida Ag Expo

UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center
Balm, Florida

For details and to register on line, go to http://floridaagexpo.com/

Opportunities

Farm Land for Lease

Farm Land for lease in LaBelle area - contact Clyde Lavender at 863-673-2338

Quality agricultural land with easy access to SR 710 and SR 76. 1000+/- acres, available in Martin County for lease, or possible joint venture production of vegetable crops, bio-fuels, etc. Call John Merritt at 863-699-6090.

Websites

Florida Grower Earn CEU's Online - need some CEUs for your restricted use pesticide license? Go to http://www.growingproduce.com/floridagrower/ceu/ Both CORE, private and category CEU's are available.
What Ever Happened to those Old Westerns? - take a trip down memory lane and visit this fun website - http://oldfortyfives.com/thoseoldwesterns.htm

Weather Underground - keep tabs on tropical weather systems at http://www.wunderground.com/tropical/

Hendry Glades Farm Bureau on Facebook - Check it out at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hendry-Glades-Farm-Bureau/261471122796 - membership provides a multitude of benefits, and you don't have to be a farmer to belong to Farm Bureau. Other local Farm Bureau Offices are also on Facebook.

Quotable Quotes

Knowledge talks, wisdom listens.

It is better to stay silent and be thought a fool, than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt.

When the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his friends.

The mind is like a parachute. It doesn't work unless it's open.

Going to church doesn't make you a Christian, anymore than standing in your garage makes you a car.

Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.

On the Lighter Side

You Just Might Be A Redneck, if ...

* It never occurred to you to be offended by the phrase, 'One nation, under God.'
* You've never protested about seeing the 10 Commandments posted in public places.
* You bow your head when someone prays.
* You stand and place your hand over your heart when they play the National Anthem.
* You treat our armed forces veterans with great respect, and always have.
* You've never burned an American flag, nor intend to.
* You know what you believe and you aren't afraid to say so, no matter who is listening.
* You respect your elders and raised your kids to do the same.
* You'd give your last dollar to a friend.

Guess that make s me a redneck.... hope you are too.

History Exam...

Everyone over 40 should have a pretty easy time at this exam. If you are under 40 you can claim a handicap.

1. In the 1940s, where were automobile headlight dimmer switches located?
a. On the floor shift knob.
b. On the floor board, to the left of the clutch...
c. Next to the horn.

2. The bottle top of a Royal Crown Cola bottle had holes in it.. For what was it used?
a. Capture lightning bugs.
b. To sprinkle clothes before ironing.
c. Large salt shaker.

3. Why was having milk delivered a problem in northern winters?
a. Cows got cold and wouldn't produce milk.
b. Ice on highways forced delivery by dog sled.
c. Milkmen left deliveries outside of front doors and milk would freeze, expanding and pushing up the cardboard bottle top.

4. What was the popular chewing gum named for a game of chance?
a. Blackjack
b. Gin
c. Craps

5. What method did women use to look as if they were wearing stockings when none were available due to rationing during WW II.
a. Suntan
b. Leg painting
c. Wearing slacks

6. What postwar car turned automotive design on its ear when you couldn't tell whether it was coming or going?
a. Studebaker
b. Nash Metro
c. Tucker

7. Which was a popular candy when you were a kid?
a . Strips of dried peanut butter.
b. Chocolate licorice bars.
c. Wax coke-shaped bottles with colored sugar water inside.

8. How was Butch wax used?
a. To stiffen a flat-top haircut so it stood up.
b. To make floors shiny and prevent scuffing.
c On the wheels of roller skates to prevent rust.

9. Before inline skates, how did you keep your roller skates attached to your shoes?
a. With clamps, tightened by a skate key.
b. Woven straps that crossed the foot.
c. Long pieces of twine.


10. As a kid, what was considered the best way to reach a decision?
a. Consider all the facts.
b. Ask Mom.
c. Eeny-meeny-miney-MO.

11. What was the most dreaded disease in the 1940s and 1950s?
a. Smallpox
b. AIDS
c. Polio
12. 'I'll be down to get you in a ________, Honey'
a. SUV
b. Taxi
c. Streetcar

13. What was the name of Caroline Kennedy's pony?
a. Old Blue
b. Paint
c. Macaroni

14. What was a Duck-and-Cover Drill?
a. Part of the game of hide and seek.
b. What you did when your Mom called you in to do chores.
c. Hiding under your desk, and covering your head with your arms in an A-bomb drill.

15. What was the name of the Indian Princess in the Howdy Doody Show?
a. Princess Summerfallwinterspring
b. Princess Sacajawea
c. Princess Moonshadow

16. What did all the really savvy students do when mimeographed tests were handed out in school?
a.. Immediately sniffed the purple ink, as this was believed to get you high.
b. Made paper airplanes to see who could sail theirs out the window.
c. Wrote another pupil's name on the top, to avoid their failure.

17. Why did your Mom shop in stores that gave Green Stamps with purchases?
a.. To keep you out of mischief by licking the backs, which tasted like bubble gum.
b. They could be put in special books and redeemed for various household items.
c. They were given to the kids to be used as stick-on tattoos.

18. Praise the Lord, & pass the _________?
a. Meatballs
b. Dames
c. Ammunition

19. What was the name of the singing group that made the song 'Cabdriver' a hit?
a. The Ink Spots
b. The Supremes
c. The Esquires

20. Who left his heart in San Francisco?
a.Tony Bennett
b. Xavier Cugat
c. George Gershwin

Email for answers.

Note: State and local budgets cuts are threatening to further reduce our funding - if you are receiving currently receiving the hotline by mail and would like to switch over to electronic delivery - just drop me an email. It is much quicker and you will get the hotline with in minutes of my completing it and help conserve dwindling resources at the same time. Thanks to those that have already made the switch.

Contributors include: Joel Allingham/AgriCare, Inc, Jeff Bechtel/Syngenta Flowers, Bruce Corbitt/West Coast Tomato Growers, Fred Heald/Farmers Supply, Sarah Hornsby/AgCropCon, Cecil Howell/H & R Farms, Loren Horsman/Glades Crop Care, Bruce Johnson/General Crop Management, Barry Kostyk/SWFREC, Dr. Mary Lamberts/Miami-Dade County Extension, Leon Lucas/Glades Crop Care, Mark Mossler/UF/IFAS Pesticide Information Office, Gene McAvoy/Hendry County Extension, Alice McGhee/Thomas Produce, Dr.Gregg Nuessly/EREC Chuck Obern/C&B Farm, Dr. Monica Ozores-Hampton/SWFREC, Dr. Ken Pernezny/EREC, Dr. Rick Raid/ EREC, Dr Ron Rice/Palm Beach County Extension, Dr Pam Roberts/SWFREC, Dr. Nancy Roe/Farming Systems Research, Wes Roan/6 L's, Dr. Dak Seal/ TREC, Kevin Seitzinger/Gargiulo, Ken Shuler/Stephen's Produce, Crystal Snodgrass/Manatee County Extension, John Stanford/Thomas Produce, Mike Stanford/MED Farms, Dr. Phil Stansly/SWFREC, Dr David Sui/Palm Beach County Extension, Dr Gary Vallad/GCREC , Mark Verbeck/GulfCoast Ag, Alicia Whidden/Hillsborough County Extension, Dr Henry Yonce/KAC Ag Research and Dr. Shouan Zhang/TREC.

WISHING YOU ALL THE BEST FOR A SUCCESSFUL AND PROFITABLE 2010-2011 VEGETABLE SEASON

The South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline is compiled by Gene McAvoy and is issued on a biweekly basis by the Hendry County Cooperative Extension Office as a service to the vegetable industry.


Gene McAvoy
County Extension Director / Extension Agent IV Regional Specialized Agent - Vegetables/Ornamental Horticulture

Hendry County Extension Office 863-674-4092 phone
PO Box 68 863-673-5939 mobile - Nextel 159*114449*
LaBelle, Florida 33975 863-674-4637 fax
Web: http://hendry.ifas.ufl.edu/ GMcAvoy@ifas.ufl.edu


Special Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors; who make this publication possible.

Special Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors; who make this publication possible.


NOTE: The acknowledgement of sponsorship in no way constitutes or reflects an official endorsement of these businesses or their products or services by either the University of Florida, IFAS, the Florida Cooperative Extension Service, or the Hendry County Extension Office. Sponsors have no control over the content of this publication