Archive for Outdoors

Getting To Know Dan Fenneman

May 5, 2011 Outdoors Comments Off
Dan Fenneman is Extension Agent I of Agriculture for Madison County.

By Kristin Finney
Greene Publishing, Inc.

In need of some agricultural assistance? Maybe there is an unidentified bug flying around your garden, or perhaps your plants are mysteriously dying and you are not sure why. If so, then Dan Fenneman is your man. Fenneman works for the University of Florida Madison County Extension Office as Extension Agent I of Agriculture.

Dan Fenneman is Extension Agent I of Agriculture for Madison County.

Dan Fenneman and his wife, Lisa, have lived in Madison for the majority of their lives. They have three children; two sons, Joshua and Jordon, and a daughter, Emily. Dan moved to Madison in the early 70’s when his dad began working for Dixie Packers. Fenneman said, “I love Madison because it is such a family as well as a community.”
In 1985, Dan graduated from the University of Florida. Following graduation he worked for Goldkist Poultry as well as the Georgia Bo weavil Eradication Program. Then a few years ago Fenneman got the chance to work for the University of Florida Madison County Extension Office. August will be Fenneman’s third year at the office.
At the UF Extension Office, their job is to educate the community about agriculture. They can do everything from identifying bugs to soil testing, as well as, many other services. They work with local schools on different projects throughout the year to educate the students about different areas of agriculture. One project currently in progress is an Embryology Project.
They also work closely with other extension offices in surrounding counties. Last year, the Madison Extension Office along with Suwannee’s Extension Office worked together to make a pumpkin patch and maze for the children. They set up different stations throughout the festivities to inform students about different types of pumpkins, the uses of corn and many other educational activities.
When asked where his love of agriculture comes from, Fenneman explained, “I grew up working for local producers. I have always had a passion for agriculture. I love my job. There is always something new and challenging to take on, someone always has questions. There is always a challenge.”
Fenneman’s job has him in charge of many areas. He works with the livestock show and many livestock projects. He is also in charge of bug identification, soil testing and samples, natural resourses and cattle producers.

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Seth Richardson Wows With His Roping Skills

April 28, 2011 Around Madison, Outdoors Comments Off
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By Kristin Finney
Greene Publishing, Inc.
For many high school students, their afternoons and weekends consist of hanging out with friends or doing homework. Seth Richardson’s schedule, however, includes not only that but also a rigorous roping schedule. Seth is the son of Epp and Miki Richardson. He is a senior at Madison County High School and is also dual enrolled at North Florida Community College; he maintains a 3.5grade point average(GPA).
Seth explained, “I started roping about five years ago with a local roper, Andy Briggs, and developed a real passion for the sport. Andy got me started in the right direction and I started roping in competition when I reached high school, four years ago. I just keep working to be the very best I can and practice every day, either riding my horses, throwing my ropes or roping calves or steers. Some say I was a bit late getting started, comparatively speaking with all my competition, but I never allow that to discourage me and have proven that, with hard work and dedication, you can catch up and excel and be right in the mix with those that have been participating for a lot longer time.”
There are many factors that go into being a successful roper. Richardson stated, “As with any sport, it takes commitment, dedication and a lot of hard work and practice to excel and be competitive. Roping requires taking care of your horses because you can only be as good as the care you put in them.”
He is an active member of the Florida High School Rodeo Association. Being involved with the FHSRA allows him to compete monthly with other high school students across the state. He is currently in first place in the Team Roping event and sixth place in Calf Roping. He has also qualified for the NHSRA finals in Gillette, WY. The competition takes place in July. While there, he will compete with other high school students across the nation.
Richardson is an active member of the Georgia/Florida Youth Rodeo Association. He has also taken first place in the Team Roping event and second in the Calf Roping event in this association. He is qualified for the International Youth Finals Rodeo in July in Shawnee, Ok. where he will be competing with other youth across the country.
He is an active member of the United States Team Roping Championship (USTRC) and The National Team Roping League (NTRL) where he competes all over the United States. Seth has been awarded numerous prizes in these types of events that include several saddles, buckles, cash, etc.
Seth plans to continue his talents as a calf roper and team roper with the Professional Rodeo Association (PRCA) as well as the Professional Cowboy Association (PCA) while finishing his A.A. at NFCC. Upon completion of his A.A. he plans to continue to rodeo in college while pursuing a degree in business agriculture.

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April is National Car Care Month

April 28, 2011 Outdoors Comments Off
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Basic Maintenance Helps Avoid Costly Repairs Down the Road
National Car Care Month in April is the time of year to give your car some extra attention. Basic maintenance can go a long way toward improving the safety and dependability of your vehicle, plus it helps avoid costly repairs down the line. The Car Care Council recommends 10 basic maintenance procedures to keep your car operating at its best:

Check the oil, filters and fluids should be checked regularly. Oil should be changed per the owner’s manual recommended intervals. Your car’s filters need regular inspection and replacement.

Inspect hoses at each oil change and have them replaced when leaking, brittle, cracked, rusted, swollen or restricted.

Check the brake system every year and have the brake linings, rotors and drums inspected at each oil change.

Check that the battery connection is clean, tight and corrosion-free. If it is three years old or more, the battery should be tested and replaced if necessary.

Inspect the exhaust system for leaks, damage and broken supports or hangers if there is an unusual noise. Exhaust leaks can be dangerous and must be corrected without delay.

Schedule a tune-up that will help the engine deliver the best balance of power and fuel economy and produce the lowest level of emissions.

Check the car’s heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system as proper heating and cooling performance is critical for interior comfort and for safety reasons, such as defrosting.

Inspect the steering and suspension system annually, including shock absorbers and struts, and chassis parts, such as ball joints, tie rod ends and other related components.

Check the pressure of all tires, including the spare, at least once a month. Check the tread for uneven or irregular wear and cuts and bruises along the sidewalls. Have your car’s alignment checked at least annually to reduce tire wear and improve fuel economy and handling.

Test exterior and interior lights and have bulbs that are not working checked immediately. Replace windshield wiper blades every six months or when cracked, cut, torn, streaking or chattering for optimum wiping performance and safety.

To help you drive smart and save money, visit www.carcare.org and check out the free
digital Car Care Guide.

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Mchs Senior Class Hosting Fundraiser

April 26, 2011 Around Madison, Education, Outdoors Comments Off

The Madison County High School senior class will be selling plants through May. The plants already have blueberries on them and will be ripe in a couple of weeks. (1 gallon = $6.00 & 3 gallon $10.00)

 

Other Plants for sale by the
Senior Class include:
7 gallon English Dogwood
(blooming) $20.00
3g Red, Coral, Pink Drift Rose
$15.00 Nice
3g Carefree Yellow Rose
$15.00 Nice
3 gallon Dwarf Climbing Rose
(blooming on trellis) $12.00
3 gallon Confederate Jasmine
(blooming on trellis) $12.00
3g Thorn-less Blackberries
(blooming (on trellis) $12.00
3g Knock-Out Rose $12.00
3g Ash Magnolia $12.00
3g Brown Turkey Figs $12.00
3g Red Buckeye $10.00
1g Bottle Brush Buckeye $5.00
1g Dogwood $5.00
3g Dogwood $8.00
1g Redbud $5.00
3g Redbud $8.00
1g Guthrie Plum $5.00
(good for Jelly)
3g Guthrie Plum $ 8.00
(good for Jelly)
3g Crepe Myrtle
(White & Pink) $8.00
1g Sky Pencil $5.00
3g Sky Pencil $8.00
1g Coral Honeysuckle $5.00
1g Japanese Honeysuckle $5.00
1g Purple Wisteria $5.00
3g Purple Wisteria $8.00
3g Plumbago $8.00
3g Red Fountain Grass $8.00
3g Indian Hawthorne $8.00
3g Loropetlum $8.00
3g Pampas Grass $8.00
3g Gardenia $8.00
3g Muscadine Grapes $8.00
3g Southern Magnolia $8.00
1g Itea (blooming) $5.00

ALL 1 GALLON PERENNIALS $2.50
Dune sunflower (blooming)
Purple Verbena (blooming)
Coreopsis (blooming)
Black-eyed Susan
Lobelia
Salvia (blooming)
Yellow Lantana (blooming)
Available in one week
Purple Lantana (blooming)
Available in one week
Scarlet Hibiscus
Swamp Hibiscus
Purple Coneflower
Swamp Sunflower
Liatris
Daylily
4” Container $1.50 Each
Variegated Ivy
Variegated Liriope

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Srwmd Governing Board Officers Elected

April 21, 2011 Outdoors Comments Off

The Suwannee River Water Management District Governing Board held an election of officers on March 8. Donald J. Quincey, Jr., will serve as chairman; Alphonas Alexander will serve as vice-chairman; and Donald R. “Ray” Curtis III, will hold the positions of secretary/treasurer.
Quincey, a resident of Chiefland, was appointed by Governor Charlie Crist in April 2008 to represent the Lower Suwannee River Basin.
Quincey earned an Associate of Arts degree from Santa Fe Community College in 1976. He is the owner and president of Quincey Cattle Company and is currently the president-elect of the Florida Cattleman’s Association.
Alphonas Alexander, of Madison, was appointed by Governor Crist in March 2010 and he represents the Upper Suwannee River Basin.
Alexander holds a Bachelor of Science degree in animal science from Florida A&M University. He serves as an independent contractor for The Forestry Company, of Perry, and is a member of the Forestry Stewardship program and the Florida Forestry Association.
Donald “Ray” Curtis III, of Perry, was appointed by Governor Charlie Crist in March 2010. Curtis represents the Coastal River Basin.
Curtis is an attorney with Howard & Curtis, P.A. in Perry. He received his Juris Doctorate from Florida Coastal School of Law in Jacksonville after earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration, with a minor in agricultural law, from the University of Florida.
Curtis serves as a member of the City of Perry Zoning and Planning Board and the City of Perry Board of Adjustment. Currently he is chair of the City of Perry Code Enforcement Board.

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Florida Bicycle Safari To Bring 200+ Bicycle Enthusiasts To Madison County

April 19, 2011 Around Madison, Outdoors Comments Off

By Lynette Norris
Greene Publishing, Inc.
The Florida Freewheelers Bicycle Club will be riding out on their 31st annual Florida Bicycle Safari, April 30 through May 5, 2011.
Based in Orlando, the group of avid bikers pedal out almost every weekend on bike trails in the Central Florida area, but once a year, they undertake the Florida Bicycle Safari, their “springtime adventure that features supported rides over some of the best cycling roads in North Florida and South Georgia,” according to the event website, www.floridabicyclesa-fari.com.
The Safari is limited to 250 bikers, plus volunteers who run the rest stops and lunch stops along the trail, drive the trucks with the camping equipment and mark the routes.  This year, about 225 Florida Freewheelers will be participating in the Safari.
Also this year, Michael Halley, Greenville Town Council Member and avid cyclist himself, will be joining the group, and he wants to alert Madison County residents that there will be a lot of people in the area on bicycles during the first few days of May.  “We don’t want anyone to get run over,” he said.
Also, with over 200 club members in town, “that’s a lot of people who’ll be spending money locally.”
After first spending the weekend at the Suwannee County Fairgrounds near Live Oak, and touring the different bike trails there, the group will arrive at the Cherry Lake 4H Campground, Monday, May 2, and spend the next three days touring the trails throughout the county and in South Georgia.
While they are in Madison County, they will also visit places of historical interest, such as the Ray Charles house in Greenville.  Tuesday evening, May 3,
Greenville Mayor Elesta Pritchett and Bob Bunning of Treasures of Madison County will visit the group at the 4-H Campground, where Pritchett will share stories of growing up in Greenville, and Bunning will talk about some of the history of the Madison County area.
In addition to riding the trails all over the county and spending money in the local economy, the Freewheelers will be promoting awareness of cyclists sharing the road with automobiles, while emphasizing responsible biking and personal safety for all cyclists – whether for diehard enthusiasts like themselves, or those who enjoy just pedaling around their neighborhoods.
With that issue of safety in mind, some of them will also visit Greenville Elementary School, Wednesday, May 4, at 10 a.m. to educate the students about bicycle safety and to present them with bicycle helmets.
“This is my first Bicycle Safari,” said Halley. “But, it probably won’t be my last.”
Halley, who is also on the Chamber of Commerce’s Cycling Committee, a member of Greenville United Methodist Church and the chair of United Methodist Cooperative Ministries, will be undertaking an even longer tour after finishing the Safari – a 1600-mile trip to Michigan.
That’s a lot of pedaling.

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Knight Rider

April 18, 2011 Front Page, Outdoors Comments Off
C.B. Knight has been riding horses for all this life. He was the oldest participant in the Florida Cracker Trail Ride from Tampa to Ft. Pierce and he was the oldest participant in the St. Jude Children’s Hospital Trail Ride held this past Saturday.

C.B. Knight has been riding horses for all this life. He was the oldest participant in the Florida Cracker Trail Ride from Tampa to Ft. Pierce and he was the oldest participant in the St. Jude Children’s Hospital Trail Ride held this past Saturday.

C.B. Knight has loved trail rides for most of his 81 years
By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
C.B. Knight, 81, of Madison, was the oldest participant in the Florida Cracker Trail Ride, which began in Tampa and ended in Ft. Pierce.
Knight, whose family owned a ranch in Alachua County at the beginning of the 20th century, said that he loves history and the trail ride helps preserve the history.
Local historian Joe Akerman, the author of The Florida Cowman, said, “As far as Florida is concerned, the first cattle drives would be identified with the early Spanish. While the first domesticated cattle brought to what is now the United States were brought to Florida in 1521 by Ponce de Leon, it would not be until the 1600’s that cattle production would become an important industry in Spanish Florida. By 1618, Florida Spanish governors were attempting to expand the fledgling industry.”
Knight and the other trail riders camped out at the Ashton Ranch in Lorida, the Bass Ranch in Basinger and the Adams Ranch in St. Lucie County. They also participated in the Cracker Days Festival in Ft, Pierce and visited Cracker Trail Elementary School in Highlands County.
Knight also was the oldest participant in the St. Jude Children’s Hospital Trail Ride held at the Twin Rivers State Forest Ellaville tract on Saturday, April 9. Riding alongside him, in the Sheriff’s Posse, which he and Fred Respress started, were his grandsons, Jason and Jeremy Kinsey.
Knight will be riding with the Sheriff’s Posse again on Saturday during Down Home Days.

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Trail Riders Raise Money For St. Jude’s

April 14, 2011 Outdoors Comments Off
Jason Kinsey, Jackie Kirland, Laura Sykes, Jeremy Kinsey, C.B. Knight, Tim Day, David Crockett, Connie Day, Ruthanne Gardner, shown left to right, represented the Madison County Sheriff’s Posse during the trail ride.

Jason Kinsey, Jackie Kirland, Laura Sykes, Jeremy Kinsey, C.B. Knight, Tim Day, David Crockett, Connie Day, Ruthanne Gardner, shown left to right, represented the Madison County Sheriff’s Posse during the trail ride.

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
The Madison County Trail Riders and the South Georgia Trail Riders teamed up to raise money for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital on Saturday, April 9.
Members of both clubs gathered at the Ellaville Tract of the Twin Rivers State Forest at 9:30 a.m. They rode down the trail as far as the interstate. Riding back, they arrived shortly after noon. The Madison County Central School FFA had barbecue sandwiches, chips, dessert, fruit and beverages waiting for them. Donnie and Mickie Salter, and their daughter, Savannah Salter; and Dannitte and Dani Mays and their daughters, Sunni Mays and Katie Mays represented the group. Money for the meals sold will benefit the FFA and its projects.
An auction was held to raise money for St. Jude’s. Ron Smoak served as the auctioneer.
The trail boss for the ride was J.L. Williams.
Outriders for the day were Ron Smoak, Roger Parsons, David Sykes, Allen Frierson, Don Snyder and David Crockett.
Members of the Madison County Sheriff’s Posse who rode during the day were C.B. Knight, Jason Kinsey, Jeremy Kinsey, Laura Sykes, Tim Day, Connie Day, Ruthanne Gardner and David Crockett.
Members of the St. Jude’s Trail Ride committee, who helped organize the event were Jo Williams, J.L. Williams, Ana Portillo, Betsy Pertierra, Bernita Broome, Cheryl Kelty, C.B. Knight, Roger Parsons, Betty Parsons, Jean Stick, Pat Shartran and Jackie Kirkland.
A host of members from both clubs showed up early to do volunteer work. Area businesses and individuals provided extra necessities for the ride.
A total of $2,217.00 was raised from the ride fees, the auction and other donations.

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NFCC, 4-H Continue Tradition Of Educating Area Third Graders About The Great Outdoors

April 7, 2011 Outdoors Comments Off
Tony Hogg shows third grader Erin Taylor a bee hive during Ecology Day 2011.

For the past 21 years, North Florida Community College has opened its campus to Madison County third graders for a one-day exploration focused on the environment and preserving our natural resources. Ecology Day 2011, sponsored by Madison County 4-H and NFCC, kept that tradition alive with almost 250 area third graders visiting the NFCC campus and Ladell Brothers Outdoor Environmental Center on March 25.
“It gets kids out of the classroom and into nature’s classroom where they can learn to respect nature while they are having fun,” said Beth Moore, Principal of Pinetta Elementary School.

Tony Hogg shows third grader Erin Taylor a bee hive during Ecology Day 2011.

Coordinated by NFCC instructor Bonnie Littlefield, Becky Bennett and Diann Douglas of the Madison County Extension Office, this year¹s Ecology Day consisted of seven outdoor stations that children rotated among to learn about recycling, entomology, forest ecology, water quality, fish and insects, plants, beekeeping and overall preservation of the environment.
“We learned about recycling, fresh water, ponds and lakes; we learned about bee hives and honey and different kinds of trees,” said Karissa of Lee Elementary School. “I learned you can recycle many things and if you recycle you can keep Madison beautiful,” said Gregory Denson of Madison County Central School.
Many community and student volunteers assisted with Ecology Day including approximately 45 NFCC students and S.O.A.R. (Save Our Animal Resources) club members. S.O.A.R. also sponsored lunch for Ecology Day volunteers, presenters and assistants. “S.O.A.R. members feel that this outdoor educational experience is extremely important to support for future generations,” said Littlefield. “Many of them remember when they were 3rd graders and enjoyed the experience.”
Most of the presenters at Ecology Day return year after year to share their knowledge and love of nature with area students. Madison County Recycling representative James Fudge spoke to the children about the importance of recycling and explained what items can and can¹t be recycled. Area foresters led discussions on forest ecology teaching the children about forestry and fire safety.
NFCC instructor Barry Barnhart spoke to the third graders about early pioneers, American Indians and plants. He explained how nature is used in everyday foods, beverages and medicines. Tony Hogg, owner of Full Moon Apiary of Jefferson County, led a beekeeping station and shared information on the life of bees and the important role they play in pollination.
Jan Peters of Florida A&M University¹s Department of Entomology, identified insects and bugs caught by the students and set up a butterfly and insect display for the children to view. Dr. Sharon Fitz-Coy of the University of Florida¹s Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences helped children capture small pond creatures with nets and then identified the creatures and answered questions from students. Representatives from the Department of Environmental Protection were also on site teaching the young students about water quality and preservation. “Kids are pretty disconnected with nature these days and it’s important to get them out into their local environment where they can make observations and learn,” said one DEP representative.
The hands-on approach to learning is very popular among area elementary teachers and third graders who attend Ecology Day each year. Schools attending Ecology Day 2011 were Madison County Central, Pinetta Elementary, Lee Elementary, Greenville Elementary, Madison Academy, LATMA Christian Academy and New Testament Christian School.
The NFCC Ladell Brothers Outdoor Environmental Center is open year round to visitors. School groups or other groups interested in a guided tour should contact Bonnie Littlefield, (850) 973-1687 or LittlefieldB@nfcc.edu, or Dr. Michael Stine at (850) 973-1645 or Stinem@nfcc.edu. More information is also available at http://www.nfcc.edu/community-programs/ladell-nature-center. For more information on Madison County 4-H, visit http://madison.ifas.ufl.edu/4h.shtml.

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Madison County Farm Bureau Annual Farm Tour

March 31, 2011 Outdoors Comments Off
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The Madison County Farm Bureau recently took their Annual Farm Tour, and this year, the group went west to the Wiregrass Area of South Alabama.  They also toured a huge cattle operation in the northern part of Jackson County Florida.  Southern Cattle Company runs over 4,000 head of mama cows, and they also sell bulls to the general public at various Bull Sales held during the year.
A certain highlight of this year’s tour was a visit to perhaps the largest worm farm in the southeast.  This facility was located near Slocomb, Alabama.  While the tour group was at the farm, they were actually harvesting the crop, and placing them into cups to be sold at bait shops all over the southeast.
The owners told the group that they feed over 800 tons of corn every year to maintain the worm population at the farm.
Farm Bureau members from Madison, Suwannee, Hamilton, Taylor and Lafayette County participated in this year’s tour.  They even had a staff member of the Suwannee River Water Management District.
Another interesting stop was at Ogelsby Nursery, located in Calhoun County.  This facility does tissue culture propagation to grow plants.  That means they grow the tiny plants in test tubes in a sterile environment.  They then plant their “new little plants” in their greenhouses, located on their property.
The Houston County Farmers Federation hosted a great dinner at the National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds.
The Farm Bureau ladies from Alabama gave the tour folks a goody bag filled with information on peanuts and other material.
Farm Bureau has been conducting this tour for over 10 years, and every year gets better and better than the previous tours.  Perhaps the best thing that comes from these tours is the one- on- one conversation that our farmers have with farmers from other parts of the country.

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The Madison County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee Attend The Annual State Women’s Conference

March 31, 2011 Outdoors Comments Off
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by Tall Timbers.
Florida Farm Bureau President, John Hoblick was also on the program and in his presentation, challenged the Farm Bureau Women to keep up their effective and hard work on many Farm Bureau programs and projects.
Madison County Farm Bureau had more Farm Bureau women to attend this Meeting than any other county Farm Bureau in Florida.  Eleven folks attended this excellent meeting.
Another key program idea that was discussed was Ag In the Classroom, of which the Madison County Farm Bureau is involved with.  Ag Education for school children is extremely important to Madison Farm Bureau’s Women’s Program.

The Madison County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee recently attended the Annual State Women’s Conference which was held this year at the Hotel Duval in Tallahassee.
Usually, this Annual Conference is held in the Southern part of Florida, but this year, the meeting was held in North Florida.
Nearly one hundred and twenty-five farm women from all over the state attended the event.  A certain highlight of the meeting was a tour of several interesting forestry-based operations in Gadsden and Leon Counties.  Perhaps the most interesting stop on the tour was the Coastal Plywood plant just north of Havana.  The ladies got to see up close just how plywood is manufactured.   Coastal Plywood is one of the most modern facilities in the country, and there are many forestry owners in North Florida that sell their timber to the Coastal plant.
Another stop for the ladies was a huge ornamental nursery located near Havana.  The May Nursery is a total family-owned operation that has been in operation for over 50 years.  The May family is also heavily involved with Farm Bureau, and have been for many years.  At May Nursery, the primary varieties grown are woody ornamentals, and most of their production is shipped to Atlanta and up the eastern seaboard to as far as Canada.
The last stop on the tour which also included dinner was the Tall Timbers Research center, located north of Tallahassee.  This facility has done tremendous work with growing forestry products, but enhancing wildlife predication as well.  Wild quail production has definitely benefited from the research done by Tall Timbers.

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GRAY LOGGING HONORED AS FRA’S 2011 SOUTHEASTERN REGION OUTSTANDING LOGGER

March 30, 2011 Front Page, Outdoors Comments Off
Jerry Gray (center) receives FRA’s 2011 Southeastern Region Outstanding Logger Award plaque from FRA SE Region Chairman Randy Starling (left) and a STIHL MS 460 chain saw from STIHL Southeast’s Doug Hollis (right).

Jerry Gray (center) receives FRA’s 2011 Southeastern Region Outstanding Logger Award plaque from FRA SE Region Chairman Randy Starling (left) and a STIHL MS 460 chain saw from STIHL Southeast’s Doug Hollis (right).

On March 2, the Forest Resources Association’s Southeastern Region recognized Gray Logging, LLC of Madison, Florida as the Region’s 2011 Outstanding Logger. Owner Jerry Gray received a wooden crosscut saw plaque from FRA Southeastern Region Chairman Randy Starling and a STIHL MS 460 chain saw and a $250 check from STIHL Southeast’s Doug Hollis during FRA’s Regional Awards ceremony in Panama City Beach, Florida. (STIHL serves as the sponsor of FRA’s Regional and National Outstanding Logger Awards.)

Gray Logging operates two of its own logging crews and purchases timber for other harvesting operations. They provide consulting services for landowners, and they run their own saw shop and parts dealership. Gray Logging has a very impressive truck safety and maintenance program.

“Gray Logging exemplifies everything that we in the forest products industry expect from a professional logging operation.” That is a quote from a wood procurement manager who had nominated owner Jerry Gray for this award. Another nominator—a forestry consultant—states, “Gray Logging always does the best job of timber harvesting—thinning, total harvest, and multi-product harvesting and separation—that I have overseen for my clients.” Jeff Doran of the Florida Forestry Association writes that “we have always been impressed with the company’s loyalty to supporting community activities and association-related outreach,” and Mia Wade of the Southeastern Wood Producers Association cited Jerry Gray and his family as “among the finest people around, with deep family roots in the logging profession.” Truly outstanding.

FRA’s Outstanding Logger Award program is designed to raise the visibility of professional logging contractors and to encourage other loggers to adopt the performance of the award winners.

The Forest Resources Association Inc. is a nonprofit trade association concerned with the safe, efficient, and sustainable harvest of forest products and their transport from woods to mill. FRA represents wood consumers, independent logging contractors, and wood dealers, as well as businesses providing products and services to the forest resource-based industries.

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Burn Authorizations

March 28, 2011 Outdoors Comments Off

OPEN ACREAGE BURN AUTHORIZATIONS/PERMITS FOR
MARCH 28, 2011
District 5 (Taylor, Dixie, Madison, Lafayette)

- RESTRICTIONS: Routine. Non-certified burners must have heavy equipment on-site.

DIXIE COUNTY OPEN ACREAGE BURN AUTHORIZATIONS/PERMITS

- none

LAFAYETTE COUNTY OPEN ACREAGE BURN AUTHORIZATIONS/PERMITS

- none

MADISON COUNTY OPEN ACREAGE BURN AUTHORIZATIONS/PERMITS

- 35 acres near Hopewell Farm Rd/SW Glen Ridge Trail (Near I-10), Private Landowner

TAYLOR COUNTY OPEN ACREAGE BURN AUTHORIZATIONS/PERMITS

- none

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OPEN ACREAGE BURN AUTHORIZATIONS/PERMITS FOR MARCH 17, 2011

March 17, 2011 Outdoors Comments Off

District 5 (Taylor, Dixie, Madison, Lafayette)

- RESTRICTIONS: Routine, Caution on Low Relative Humidity

MADISON COUNTY OPEN ACREAGE BURN AUTHORIZATIONS/PERMITS
- 2 acres north of NE Clover Ave/NE Cornsilk Dr, Private Landowner
- 75 acres northeast of SE River Road/SE Winquepin St, Private Landowner
- 80 acres north of SW Aucilla Fire Tower Rd/SW Opa-Locka St, Private Landowner

DIXIE COUNTY OPEN ACREAGE BURN AUTHORIZATIONS/PERMITS
- 175 acres near NW 357 Hwy/NW 496th St, Private Landowner
- 250 acres near SW 351 Hwy/E 1st Ave, Landowner: FWC

LAFAYETTE COUNTY OPEN ACREAGE BURN AUTHORIZATIONS/PERMITS
- 3 acres southwest of SE Bethel Walker Creek Rd/S SR 349, Private Landowner
- 80 acres near N CR 53/NW Johnson Dr, Private Landowner
- 30 acres near SE CR 405/SE Gobbler Rd, Private Landowner

TAYLOR COUNTY OPEN ACREAGE BURN AUTHORIZATIONS/PERMITS
- 40 acres near Fish Creek Rd/Steer Rd, Private Landowner
- 60 acres south of US 19/New Hope Cemetery, Private Landowner
- 75 acres near CR 690 A/Mandalay, Landowner: FWC

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Open Acreage Burn Authorizations for District 5 (Taylor, Dixie, Madison, Lafayette)

March 15, 2011 Outdoors Comments Off

Restrictions: Routine

Dixie County

- 200 acres 6 miles east of CR 357/Thomas Spur Rd, Private Landowner

Lafayette County

- 60 acres near US 27/CR 251, Private Landowner
- 10 acres near US 19/SW Liberty Circle, Private Landowner
- 20 acres east of US 27/CR 348, Private Landowner

Madison County

- 40 acres near CR 360/SW Old St Augustine Rd, Private Landowner
- 60 acres appx 2 miles west of I-10/CR 255, Private Landowner
- 60 acres appx 2.5 miles southwest of I-10/CR 150
- 6 acres near Old Blue Springs Hwy/CR 412, Private Landowner
- 80 acres near US 90/CR 404, Private Landowner
- 50 acres near CR 253 West/ Surles-Sale Lane, Private Landowner
- 75 acres east of I-10/CR 255, Private Landowner
- 5 acres east of US 19/CR 328, Private Landowner
- 200 acres near Cattail Ave (CR 197 or Charlie Milford Rd)/Catalpa Way, Private Landowner
- 32 acres south of CR 255/CR 426, Private Landowner
- 3 acres near US 221/Morris Steen Rd, Private Landowner
- 45 acres near NE Cattail Drive/CR 255, Private Landowner

Taylor County

- 152 acres near Beach Rd/Salem Tower Rd, Landowner: FWC
- 40 acres east of CR 14/Aucilla River Estates, Private Landowner
- 150 acres southwest of US 19/South Canal Rd, Private Landowner

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OPEN ACREAGE BURN AUTHORIZATIONS FOR MARCH 11, 2011

March 11, 2011 Outdoors Comments Off

District 5 (Taylor, Dixie, Madison, Lafayette)

Restrictions: Routine, Caution on low humidity and high dispersion.

Dixie County
- none

Lafayette County
- none

Madison County
- 95 acres appx 2.5 miles southwest of I-10/Suwannee River, Private Landowner
- 100 acres appx 2 miles west of Hwy 53/I-10, Private Landowner
- 50 acres near CR 253 West/Surles-Sale Lane, Private Landowner

Taylor County
- none

Disclaimer: Open Burn Authorizations listed are as of 8:30 am on 03-11-2011. Any burn authorizations opened after 8:30 am will not be listed. This list does not include open pile burning authorizations. If you see or hear of any possible wildfire, please call 911 or your local Division of Forestry Office Immediately @ 850-838-2299 (# covers Taylor, Dixie, Madison, Lafayette)

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Cherry Lake Fire And Rescue Hosting Bass Tournament

March 10, 2011 Around Madison, Outdoors Comments Off

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
Cherry Lake Fire and Rescue will host a bass tournament on Saturday, March 26, from 6 a.m. until noon at the Sims Boat Club (the former Wade’s Beach) in Cherry Lake.
The entry fee is $40 per boat for two fishermen or $20 per fisherman.
Register for the “Big Fish” pot at a cost of $10 per boat.
Registration will begin promptly at 5 a.m.
Prize money will be paid to first through four places if there are more than 21 boats or to first through third places for less than 20 boats.
Other possible tournament dates are tentatively scheduled for April 30, May 21 and June 11.
For more information, please call (850) 929-2354.
All proceeds benefit Cherry Lake Fire and Rescue.

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Wildfire Update

March 4, 2011 Outdoors Comments Off

BURN AUTHORIZATIONS WILL NOT BE ISSUED TODAY. THIS IS DUE TO A PREDICTED DISPERSION OF 106 AND DOUBLE DIGIT WIND SPEEDS.

ACTIVE WILDFIRES
Dixie County’s Active Wildfires
- none

Lafayette County’s Active Wildfires
- none

Madison County’s Active Wildfires
- Acres: 15 acres
- Location: Hwy 53 South near CR 426
- Cause: Unknown
- 100% CONTAINED

Taylor County’s Active Wildfires
- Acres: 0.5
- Location: Shady Grove appx 1.5 miles south of CR 14/US 221
- Cause: Escaped Broadcast/Acreage Burn
- 100% CONTAINED

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Invasive, Exotic Plants Can Pose A Threat To Native Plants And Animals

March 3, 2011 Outdoors Comments Off

LIVE OAK, FL, March 1, 2011 – You can’t miss the spring blooms of Chinese wisteria that grow alongside the road and within landscapes. The fragrant flower clusters drape over trees as an ornament on a Christmas tree.
The presence of this aggressive climbing vine, however, is not so lovely.
Chinese wisteria, mimosa, chinaberry and Chinese tallow are ornamentals commonly found in home gardens. They are also invasive, exotic plant species that can displace Florida’s native plants and threaten the health of the ecosystem.
Exotic or non-native species have been introduced into Florida for a variety of reasons, either for their ornamental nature, as a potential forage crop or by accident. Most non-native plant species are not invasive, that is there is little threat of their proliferation in the wild. On the other hand, invasive plants often out-compete native species when they enter the natural community.
“The presence and proliferation of invasive, exotic species can drastically alter the ecosystem and disrupt the natural balance among native plants and animals,” said Beau Willsey, an environmental scientist at the Suwannee River Water Management District (District).
The District is responsible for managing more than 160,000 acres of publicly-owned lands. To maintain the natural communities on these tracts, the District works to control or prevent the spread of invasive, exotic species. The District is actively treating invasive weeds on 1,113 acres on 85 tracts of land.
“We are having a positive impact at controlling these pests,” said Willsey, noting that the presence of invasive plants has significantly decreased since the District began treating the weeds in 1998.
The District protects, enhances and restores habitat and natural communities as part of its excellence in land management program. Treating invasive weeds on District-owned lands helps meet that objective. Other goals in the program include water management and nonstructural flood protection, hydrologic restoration and public access and use of District lands.
Why should homeowners get involved in controlling invasive weeds?
Invasive plants have no respect for property boundaries. Wind, birds and other animals can carry seeds or plant spores, spreading invasive weeds to natural areas. Here, they have the potential to rapidly reproduce and damage the ecosystem.
What can I do as a homeowner?
Know the plants you bring into your yard or that currently exist in your landscape. The Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council provides a list of invasive weeds, available at www.fleppc.org.
Control and prevent further spread of invasive species on your property. To learn how, visit www.fleppc.org.
Implement Florida Friendly Landscaping™. The website www.floridayards.org provides tips and advice on how to develop an attractive, low-maintenance landscape with native or drought tolerant plants. You may also contact your local extension office.
“By doing your part to control invasive, exotic species, you are promoting the biodiversity and the health of the ecosystem,” said Willsey.
For more information about the District’s efforts to control invasive, exotic plants visit http://www.srwmd.state.fl.us/index.aspx?nid=303.

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No. Florida Spotted Seatrout Season Reopens March 1

March 3, 2011 Outdoors, Sports Comments Off

The recreational harvest season for spotted seatrout in northern Florida reopens on March 1.  This means all Florida waters will be open to the sport harvest of spotted seatrout beginning in March.
Spotted seatrout harvest is prohibited in February in Atlantic Ocean waters north of the Flagler-Volusia county line to the Florida-Georgia border and in Gulf of Mexico waters north of a line running due west from the westernmost point of Fred Howard Park Causeway, which is about 1.17 miles south of the Pinellas/Pasco county line, to the Florida-Alabama border.  This one-month closure helps maintain spotted seatrout abundance.
The maximum daily bag limit for spotted seatrout in the reopened waters north of the established boundaries is five fish per person.  In waters south of these boundaries, the daily limit is four fish per person.
The statewide slot limit for spotted seatrout is 15-20 inches total length, but anglers may keep one spotted seatrout larger than 20 inches as part of the daily bag limit.
Spotted seatrout may not be harvested by any multiple hooks with live or dead natural bait, and snagging or snatch-hooking spotted seatrout is illegal.  Anglers may take spotted seatrout with hook-and-line gear and cast nets and must land the fish in a whole condition.
More information regarding Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission saltwater fishing regulations is available online at MyFWC.com/Rules (click on “Fishing – Saltwater”).

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