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The Good

 Native Plants for Gardens and Wildlife

 The Bad

 Invasive, Non-Native Weeds

 & The Unexpected

 Weed Control Tools, Demonstrations, Resources, Tips & Techniques

The first  50 people will receive a free Invasive Weed Identification Guide for NW Florida!  (This is a $20 color field guide)

Other displays include:

• ·       live plant specimens of native and invasive plants,
• ·       resources for attracting wildlife,
• ·       native alternatives to some common ornamental plants
• ·       plant control techniques
• ·       bat houses,
• ·       and more…

Date:  Saturday, April 20, 2013

Time:   9:00 – 12:00 (central time)

Place:  W.T. Neal Civic Center, Blountstown, FL

17773 NE Pear St, Blountstown, FL 32424, (850) 674-4500

 9:00 – 9:15           Meet and Greet, Snacks & Refreshments

 9:15 – 9:35            Judy Ludlow, Calhoun County Extension, Non-native plants of NW Florida and their control.

9:35 – 9:55            Brian Pelc, Biologist, The Nature Conservancy and Apalachicola National Forest, Statewide management efforts, funding opportunities, and local cogon grass management.

9:55 – 10:15          Dr. Holly Ober, Wildlife Biologist, UF/IFAS, Native habitats for wildlife (Turkey, Deer, Bats, etc).

10:15 – 12:00        Demonstrations, Question And Answer, View Displays, Pick Up Resources, And Leave To Celebrate Earth Day!

Call the Extension Office at 850-674-8323 for more details.

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Calhoun County 4-H will be selling pine straw for $1 per bale at the Calhoun County 4-H Learning Gardens on HWY 20.  (Next to the Calhoun-Liberty Ministry Center and Howell’s Exterminating and Chemical Co.)  The sale will run from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Friday, April 5th and from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM on Saturday, April 6th.  For more information, call the Calhoun County Extension Office (850) 674-8323.

Continue reading »]]> Beekeeping in the Panhandle Workshops for 2013!

• Monday, February 18:          Queen and Package Bee Production

• Monday, February 25:          Nutrition/Immunity in Honey Bees

• Monday, March 4:                 Integrated Pest Management for Disease/Pest Control

• Monday, March 11:               History and Theory of Honey Production

These classes will be offered by interactive video at the Calhoun County Extension Service located at 20816 Central Ave East, Blountstown, FL 32424, from 6-8 p.m. (central time) on the dates listed above.

• Registration fee: Total for the 4 classes, refreshments, and course materials is $25 per person / $40 for a family.
• Registration is due by February 8, 2013.
• For more information, or to register, please contact the Calhoun County Extension Service, 850-674-8323, or judy.ludlow@ufl.edu

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Participants at last year’s Beekeeping Field day and Trade show had plenty of opportunity for hands-on activities and interaction with expert beekeepers.

DATE:

Saturday, December 1, 2012

LOCATION:
Washington County Extension Office
1424 Jackson Avenue
Chipley, FL 32428
850-638-6180

TIME:

• Registration                                                     9:00–10:00

• Class Rotation I                                              10:00–10:35

• Class Rotation II                                             10:40–11:15

• Class Rotation III                                            11:20–11:55

• Smoker Lighting Contest                                12:00–12:15

• Lunch                                                             12:15–1:00

• Judging Smoker Lighting Contest                    1:00–1:15

• General Session: Pollen and Nectar                1:15–2:00

       Producing Plants

• Adjourn                                                              2:00

CLASSES TO BE TAUGHT IN ROTATIONS:

• Hive Assembly (Doug Corbin, Elmore Herman)

• Open Hive Demonstration (Jeff Pippin, Dr. Jamie Ellis, and David Westervelt)

• Winter Hive Management (Lawrence Cutts)

REGISTRATION FEE:

$ 15.00 Per Person, $ 10.00 For Additional Family Members

Please pre-register for this event no later than November 27th by contacting the Calhoun County Extension Office at 850-674-8323

ADDITIONAL NEWS!:

Advanced Beekeeper Training Classes will be offered by interactive videoconference to selected counties on the evenings of February 18, February 25, March 4 and March 11. More details to follow!

Continue reading »]]> Did you know that the average child will eat approximately 1,500 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches by the time he/she graduates high school?  But some children are not so lucky.  Their families worry about where their next meal will come from, or if it will come at all.  You can help! The UF/IFAS Calhoun County Extension Service is collecting unopened jars of peanut butter for local food pantries and families in need.  Farmers in Calhoun County grow enough peanuts to make approximately 8,609,625 (18oz) jars of peanut butter every year!  By supplying hungry families with peanut butter we are not only feeding those in need, but we are also supporting the industry our local farmers rely on.  Please support our community by dropping off unopened jars of peanut butter at one of the following locations:

Continue reading »]]> Information of the University of Florida IFAS and Florida Department of Health arbovirus webpages: http://www.doh.state.fl.us/Environment/medicine/arboviral/index.html                  http://mosquito.ifas.ufl.edu/Index.htm

What is an arbovirus?
Arboviruses are viruses spread to people by insect or tick bites. In Florida, we find West Nile virus (WNV), Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEEV), and St. Louis Encephalitis virus (SLEV). These viruses are spread by mosquitoes and can cause serious illnesses in people.

Are arboviral illnesses common in Florida?
Over the years, SLEV had been the most common cause of arboviral disease in Florida until the arrival of WNV in 2001. West Nile virus infection is now the most common human arboviral disease acquired in the state. More than 200 people have gotten seriously ill during outbreaks of WNV and SLEV disease. Such outbreaks do not occur every year. Usually, no more than five people a year are found with EEEV disease in Florida.

How do people become infected with arboviruses?
An infected mosquito spreads viruses through its bite. The virus mainly passes back and forth between birds and mosquitoes. Sometimes an infected mosquito will bite a person or a horse instead of a bird. People cannot catch an arbovirus from casual contact with an infected person.

What are the symptoms of arboviral illness?
Most people infected with an arbovirus do not even get sick. For the small number who do become ill, it can take two to 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito before they become sick. Symptoms may include fever, headache, tiredness, dizziness, and confusion. WNV may also cause a rash or muscle weakness. People 50 years old and older are more likely to have brain swelling from SLEV or WNV infections but this can occur in younger people too. Anyone infected with EEEV may also develop brain swelling, but children develop illness most commonly. Severe infections with any of the arboviruses can be fatal. A person who thinks they may have an arbovirus infection should see a doctor as soon as possible. The doctor may order laboratory testing to see if an arbovirus caused the illness. Although there is no cure for arboviruses, there is treatment for some of the symptoms.

What do we do to limit the spread of mosquito‐borne illness?
Animals and mosquitoes are watched closely for signs of arbovirus. Chicken flocks called sentinel chickens are kept in many counties. Blood from the chickens is tested to look for signs of arboviruses. If arbovirus activity is increased and mosquitoes are biting, mosquito control efforts will generally increase. Press releases and public education will remind people to protect themselves from mosquito bites.   Additionally, the following website is where you can find the most recent surveillance and disease outbreak data for Florida. http://www.doh.state.fl.us/Environment/medicine/arboviral/surveillance.htm

What about other animals?
Horses can also become ill from EEEV and WNV. Sick horses are sometimes the first sign that an arbovirus is in an area. Dead birds are another clue that WNV may be circulating. Please report dead birds at www.myfwc.com/bird/, or contact your county health department or local Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) office. Avoid handling sick or dead animals with bare hands.

What can I do to protect my family and myself from mosquito‐borne disease?
The best way to reduce the risk of getting ill is to avoid getting mosquito bites by practicing the ‘Drain and Cover’ prevention message below.

DRAIN standing water to stop mosquitoes from multiplying.

Drain water from garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flower pots or any other containers where sprinkler or rain water has collected.

Discard old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, broken appliances and other items that aren’t being used.

Empty and clean birdbaths and pet’s water bowls at least once or twice a week.

Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that don’t accumulate water.

Maintain swimming pools in good condition and appropriately chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.

Rid the wrigglers—lose the larvae
Mosquitoes lay their eggs where there is moisture. It takes only a few days for an egg to grow into an adult mosquito, which can live for several weeks. During that time, an adult female mosquito can lay many eggs. In order to produce eggs, the adult female seeks a host (such as a bird, a horse, or a human) to provide a blood meal. Some species of adult mosquitoes can fly two miles from their breeding sites (even further if blown by the wind). Elimination of mosquito breeding sites is one of the keys to prevention.

COVER skin with clothing or repellent, and doors and windows with screens to keep mosquitoes out of your house

Clothing‐ Wear shoes, socks, and long pants and long‐sleeves. This type of protection may be necessary for people who must work in areas where mosquitoes are present.

Repellent‐ Apply mosquito repellent to exposed skin and onto clothing.  Always use repellents according to the label. Repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and IR3535 are effective.  In protecting children, read label instructions and be sure the repellent is age-appropriate. According to the CDC, mosquito repellents containing oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under the age of 3 years. DEET is not recommended on children younger than 2 months old.  Infants should be kept indoors or mosquito netting should be used over carriers when mosquitoes are present.  For more insect repellent information, see the CDC’s guidelines: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/qa/insect_repellent.htm  or EPA guidelines: http://cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect/

Your Home: Repair broken screening on windows, doors, porches, and patios.

A word about “Zappers”
Some gadgets intended to work as mosquito control methods do not do a very good job. For example, “bug zappers” do not work well to control biting mosquitoes. They may actually attract more mosquitoes into your yard, and they kill beneficial insects as well. Various birds and bats will eat mosquitoes, but there is little evidence that this cuts down on the number of mosquitoes around homes. Electronic mosquito devices don’t stop mosquitoes from biting people either.

For additional information contact your local Department of Health, County Extension Office, or visit the following UF Website: http://mosquito.ifas.ufl.edu/Index.htm

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In addition to 2012 being a presidential election year, Florida voters will be asked to vote on 11 proposed amendments to their state constitution. To help voters make informed choices regarding the effects and impacts of the proposed constitutional amendments, a series of six fact sheets was written by Rodney L. Clouser, Professor and Associate Chair, University of Florida (UF) Department of Food and Resource Economics.

All six factsheets are available by clicking the links below, or from the Calhoun County Extension Office. 

2012 Florida Constitutional Amendment 4: Property Tax Limitations; Property Value Decline; Reduction for Nonhomestead Assessment Increases, Delay of Scheduled Repeal

2012 Florida Constitutional Amendment 3: State Government Revenue Limitation

2012 Florida Constitutional Amendment 10: Tangible Personal Property Tax Exemption

2012 Florida Constitutional Amendment 2: Veterans Disabled Due to Combat Injury; Homestead Property Tax Discount

2012 Florida Constitutional Amendment 9: Homestead Property Tax Exemption for Surviving Spouse of Military Veteran or First Responder

2012 Florida Constitutional Amendment 11: Additional Homestead Exemption; Low-Income Seniors Who Maintain Long-Term Residency on Property; Equal to Assessed Value

Continue reading »]]> On Friday August 17^th, 13 Innovative Farmers and Ranchers were recognized by University of Florida IFAS Extension and Farm Credit of Northwest Florida at the Jay Community Center in Santa Rosa County.  This is the second year these two organizations have teamed up to honor a selection of the top innovative farmers in the Florida Panhandle.

The purpose of the Agriculture Innovator Recognition Program is to annually recognize innovative farmers and ranchers from 16 Florida Panhandle counties.  UF/IFAS County Agriculture Extension Agents recognize one honoree from each county.  Bringing these top-notch farmers together for the event furthers new innovations and collaboration.  Highlighting these creative and successful farmers and ranchers helps increase awareness of the diversity and innovation of today’s modern agriculture.  It is our goal, also, that the general public gains a deeper appreciation for the business of agriculture in their community.

From the distinguished group of 13 farmers, an “Innovator of the Year” was selected to represent Northwest Florida.  This year Larry Ford, of Malone, who represented Jackson County, was selected as the Farm Credit of Northwest Florida Agriculture Innovator of the Year.  Ford is well known as an excellent cotton, peanut, corn and cattle farmer.  He was a pioneer in Florida providing the first on-farm testing of conservation strip tillage, and is still working with researchers to refine this farming technique.  Ford is also a collaborator with the University of Florida’s 10 year, sod-based crop rotation research project, that utilizes bahia grass in rotation with peanuts and cotton to reduce nematodes, diseases, and other pests, and increase crop yields.  He has worked extensively with faculty of the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center and UF/IFAS Jackson County Extension Agents to develop innovative, practical solutions to farming challenges.

Rodger and Marcia of Harmony Farm were recognized as the Calhoun County Agriculture Innovator of the Year by Calhoun County Extension.  Throughout their 52 year marriage, Rodger and Marcia have had diverse and interesting agricultural ventures.   From each experience they learned different farming skills, and into each endeavor they integrated their own innovations.  In Calhoun County, between 1993 and 2006, the Prices grew a muscadine vineyard (using 7 varieties, for fresh fruit and wine, in 24 rows, equaling 6 miles total length) a fruit orchard (pear, plum, nectarine, peach, persimmon, and apple), and Vertigro System strawberries.  Currently, they grow 24 acres of perennial peanuts.  Many of their innovations include building needed tools by customizing equipment they already had.  For example, some of these improvised tools included a boom-mounted hedge trimmer to prune the vineyard at ground level, a custom tractor-mounted rake to groom the vineyard rows, a blower/mister directed-spray pesticide applicator, a custom grape sorting/packing device, the use of Vertigro components to grow strawberries, and a computer controlled, 12-zone, automated irrigation system.  All were designed and built by Rodger and Marcia, and each piece of equipment was necessary to efficiently grow their crops, manage pests and disease, and make harvesting, storing, and marketing cost-effective.

Rodger and Marcia’s Vertigro System Strawberries

Their produce was marketed via wholesale, u-pick, and local farmer markets.  Currently the 24 acres of perennial peanuts are meticulously managed by Rodger and Marcia, and baled for hay by a neighboring farmer.  In 2003 the Prices were honored as Calhoun County Extension’s Outstanding Farm Family and they continue to eagerly promote awareness and appreciation of agriculture via their many hours of community service.  When their vineyard was operational, they coordinated, taught, and participated in educational workshops with both Calhoun County Extension and Florida A & M University’s Center for Viticulture.  Currently they volunteer with UF/IFAS Extension, USDA Farm Service Agency, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, as Master Gardeners, High School Envirothon Team Competition leaders, and committee members.

Perennial Peanut Hay Bales

Calhoun County citizens and surrounding producers have gained knowledge about the diversity of agriculture by seeing the various crops grown by the Price Family over the years.  Join us in congratulating Rodger and Marcia as Calhoun County’s 2012 Agriculture Innovator!

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Agricultural producers face unique challenges when preparing for and recovering from disasters. UF/IFAS Extension has summarized important information from the Disaster Handbook for you.

Check out the UF/IFAS Hurricane Prep for Ag Producers  website for information and tips on being ready.

Topics for the agricultural producer include:

• Protecting Farm Buildings from Storm Winds
• Power Failure on the Farm
• Protecting Livestock during a Hurricane
• Farm Cleanup
• Additional Resources