Share The Road: Local Farmers Behind New State Law
February 16, 2009
Several local farmers were instrumental in getting legislation passed that changes the way Florida regulates farm equipment on the state’s highways.
Early last year, some farmers and equipment dealers were given citations by the state for moving over-width farm equipment during their normal daily operations. That led the local farmers and the Florida Farm Bureau to take action.
Thanks to the efforts of members of the Escambia and Santa Rosa County Farm Bureaus as well as Florida Farm Bureau, legislation was passed last year that eliminate the permits and fees for producers and allow them to move over-sized agricultural equipment within a 50-mile radius of their farms. Deliveries by equipment dealers will also be exempted.
Mike Godwin, Jerry Wayne McElhaney and Brett Ward from North Escambia were among the farmers and ranchers working for the legislation. Ben Ellison, who farms in North Escambia and lives in Santa Rosa County; and Lucas Killam and Marion Tidwell from Santa Rosa County were also instrumental in getting the legislation sponsored.
The state also recently installed signs reminding motorists that farm equipment shares the road on highways in agricultural areas across Florida, including along Highway 97 and along Highway 29.
The legislation was sponsored by Rep. Greg Evers and Senator Carey Baker, and much of the work to pass the bill was done by Farm Bureau members throughout Florida.
The new language basically says that no permit will be needed by producers if the farming equipment is 174 inches wide or less. It also goes on to say that if the equipment is over 174 inches wide, the equipment must have a warning lamp mounted on each side of the equipment, and must have a slow-moving-vehicle sign visible. The language also states that these lamps must be visible from at least 1,000 feet.
“Farm Bureau has been working hard for the past year on trying to solve this problem for farmers, and we could not have got the bill passed without the help of many Escambia and Santa Rosa County farmers. The Young Farmer and Rancher’s in both counties were also instrumental in getting the legislation passed”, said Allen Scheffer, Florida Farm Bureau Field Director from West Florida.
Pictured above: Signs reminding Florida motorists that agricultural equipment shares the road have been placed across the state following the passage of new legislation that was spearheaded by several local farmers. This sign greats travelers along Highway 97 just south of the Alabama state line. NorthEscambia.com photo.
County Declares Century Property Surplus; Sells It
February 16, 2009
Escambia County has declared a small parcel of property in Century as surplus, and has put the property up for sale.
The small piece of land is about one-tenth of an acre and is located at 17 Alley 5, very near Ivy Street and the Alabama state line. It is about 50 x 100 feet in size.
The piece of property was acquired by the county after no one bid on it in a tax sale for overdue taxes from the year 2000. It became the county’s property on December 9, 2008. The minimum bid to be considered by the county is $5,472.
NHS Diamond Club Meets Tonight
February 16, 2009
Baseball season is here at Northview High School, and the Chiefs’ baseball support group is meeting tonight.
The Northview High School Diamond Club will be at 6:30 tonight in the school gym. The public encourage to attend and support Northview baseball.
Farm Bureau Food Check-out Week Targets Healthy Eating On Budget
February 16, 2009
With the continuing economic squeeze, many Americans are concerned that the cost of a healthy diet is out of reach. However, according to an Agriculture Department study, the cost of eating healthy has not changed as much as less-healthy alternatives. But eating healthy food within a budget does require smart shopping.
Farm Bureau’s Food Check-Out Week, February 15-21, is devoted to helping teach Americans how to stretch their grocery dollars with healthy, nutritious food. America’s farmers and ranchers are committed to producing safe, healthy and abundant food. And they share a common concern with consumers when it comes to putting nutritious meals on a table while sticking to a tight budget. U.S. consumers still spent under 10 per cent of their disposable income on food according to the latest USDA data. Consumers in other countries spend much more: France- 14 percent; Japan-15 percent; China-35 percent; Philippines-37 percent and Indonesia- 46 percent.
A March 2008 USDA report favorably supports the economics of healthier eating. Recent food price data show that prices for unprepared, readily available fresh fruit and vegetables have remained stable relative to dessert and snack foods, such as chips, ice cream and cola. Therefore, as defined by foods in the study, the price of a “healthier” diet has not
changed compared to an “unhealthy” diet.
Farm Bureau’s Food Check-Out Week is aimed at helping American consumers learn how to shop effectively to put nutritious meals on the table with fewer dollars.
“Learning to use your grocery dollars wisely ensures that nutrition isn’t neglected,” according Dorothy Cunningham of Escambia Farm Bureau Women’s Committee. “Fruits and vegetables – along with whole grains, low-fat dairy products, lean meats, fish, beans, eggs and nuts – are an important part of a healthy diet. Buying fresh produce when it is in season and costs less, while buying frozen fruits and vegetables when they are not in season, is a smart way to stretch that dollar.”
Here are some tips that consumers can follow to help stretch their food dollars :
Plan ahead before going to the grocery store. Make a list of the foods you want to serve during the next week. Check your newspaper for grocery store ads and coupons. Stick to your list. Do not go to the cookie or snack aisle if you don’t “ need” to. Shop the perimeter of the store. Produce, dairy products and meat are generally found on those outside walls. A tip for keeping produce fresh longer is to store it in a perforated plastic bag. This stops condensation and shriveling. Make holes in a plastic bag with a paper punch, knife or another sharp object about six inches apart all over the bag. When you get home, immediately store any fresh or frozen products especially meat.
For more specific information on nutrition , meal planning and food preparation, contact a registered dietitian.
Federal Stimulus Money Could Come To North Escambia
February 15, 2009
If all goes as planned, the federal stimulus package will bring over $5 million in road construction to North Escambia with a major resurfacing project on Highway 29.
The Florida Department of Transportation’s local District 3 plans list $567 million of projects that are “shovel ready”. Of the 16 counties in district, 10 had shovel ready projects for a quick start, including Escambia with $11,381,560 in projects. Santa Rosa County had $42,940,424. Both counties were far suprassed on the funding list by Okaloosa County at$49,756,096; Bay County at $81,240,290; and Walton County at $339,905,612. Walton County’s money list includes a major bridge project.
“We got screwed by FDOT,” District 5 Commissioner Kevin White told NorthEscambia.com. “We did not get very much funding at all.”
The Highway 29 resurfacing project would be Escambia County’s largest at $5,049,904. It would resurface the highway from Highway 97 to north of Pine Barren Road. With the federal money, the Highway 29 project could begin within 120 days, according to Tommie Speights, Public Information Director for District 3 of the FDOT. Without federal money, the Highway 29 resurfacing project is not scheduled to take place within the next five years, he said.
Other Escambia projects to be funding with the federal stimulus money, if it is approved, includes $4.6 million to resurface a portion of Blue Angel Parkway, and about $800 thousand each to add turn lanes on Gulf Beach Highway and Blue Angel Parkway.
Breakfast For Men At Two Molino Churches
February 15, 2009
Two churches will hold their monthly Mens Breakfasts Sunday morning.
The United Methodist Men will have their monthly breakfast at 7:15 Sunday morning at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino. All men are invited to enjoy a hardy breakfast and fellowship. The church is located on Highway 29 just north of Highway 97.
The monthly mens breakfast will be held at 7:00 Sunday morning at Highland Baptist Church in Molino. The church is located on Highway 95A, just south of Molino Road. Guest speaker will be Charles Fillingim, Florida Disaster Relief Region I coordinator.
Northview Chiefs Miss Out On District Title
February 15, 2009
The Northview High School varsity boys basketball team had their hopes of a district title crushed by Catholic High School in the district tournament at NHS.
The Crusaders downed Northview 70-59.
Catholic held a strong lead at the end of the first period of play, 22-13. By the half, the Crusaders had expanded that lead to 32-21. Catholic held NHS to just two points in the fourth period of play.
Catholic 22 11 18 18 — 70
Northview 13 8 14 2 — 59
Northview: Lance Bushaw 15, Aaron Bellamy 11, LaDarion White 10, Luke Killam 7, Colton Sims, Wayne Marshall 4.
Catholic went on to beat South Walton 51-43 Saturday night to capture the District 1-3A Championship.
Florida Forestry To Host Best Management Practices Workshop
February 15, 2009
The Florida Division of Forestry will host a Forestry Best Management Practices Workshop on Friday, February 27th from 8:00 a.m. to noon.
Topics to be discussed will include special management zones, stream crossings, different types of forestry activities involving waterways and wet weather operations. For additional information or to register for the class, contact Adam Parden with the Florida Division of Forestry at (850) 587-5123.
The workshop will be held at the IFAS Extension Office in Cantonment. The workshop is free to the public.
Annual Ruritan Club Farm Auction Coming Up Soon
February 15, 2009
It’s less than two weeks until the annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Club Farm Equipment Auction.
The auction will take place on Saturday, February 28 at 9:30 a.m.
The auction includes not only farm equipment, but household items, household items like tools and small equipment, lawn and garden items and more. Sellers can register their items on Thursday or Friday, or prior to the start of the sale on on Saturday morning. Buyers can register prior to 9:30 on Saturday morning.
Concession will be available all day from the Ruritan Club.
Last year, over 200 buyers registered for the annual sale.
For more information, call 327-4479 or 327-4318.
Valentine’s Day Wedding At Century Care Center
February 15, 2009
Love was in the air and wedding bells were ringing Saturday afternoon at Century Care Center with a Valentine’s wedding to remember.
Karen Sue Coleman married her best friend Benjamin Edward Leonardi. Karen wanted her father, Floyd Coleman, to walk her down the aisle. Mr. Floyd has been a resident at Century Care for nearly six years. Rather than take him out of Century Care for the wedding, Karen decided to take the wedding to him.
The wedding took place with family, friends and a lots of Century Care Center residents outside under the center’s gazebo. And Karen got her wish, as her father Floyd escorted her down the aisle.
“It was chilly and windy, but the residents had been excited all week. They weren’t about to miss it,” said Mae Hildreth, Century Care Center activities director.
The wedding was followed by a reception for the happy couple in the Century Care Center dining room.
Pictured top: Mr. and Mrs. Karen and Benjamin Leonardi enjoy wedding cake Valentine’s afternoon at Century Care Center. Pictured inset: Karen is walked down the aisle at her wedding by her father, Century Care Center resident Floyd Coleman. Pictured below: More photos from Saturday’s wedding. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
