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CLAY COUNTY
CONTACT
Clay County Extension Newsletter
Volume 31, Issue 8
May-June2015
Featured This Quarter
Spring Pasture Fire Ant Control
Cont-Spring Fire Ant Control
Florida 4-H Forever Changing & Growing
4-H Fair Photos
Healthy Snacking
Spring to Summer Transitions
May/June Planting Schedule
Fall is Master Gardener Time!!
Clay County Extension
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Clay County
A Note From Our County Director . . .
I want to thank Clay County for the opportunity to serve as its interim extension director for nearly a year.
This time is coming to a close at the end of May, and you will welcome Brad Burbaugh as your permanent
director. I had the pleasure of working with Brad for a few years in Duval County, and I know he will be
an exemplary director.
I will return to my work at Duval County Extension, leading the Family and Consumer Sciences program area.
I am excited about the development of a Community Healthy Marriage and Relationships Initiative grant from
the Administration of Children and Families, and have been developing formal partnerships with schools, child
support enforcement, workforce development, and domestic violence prevention, among others. Further, I
have child care centers who have been calling me for months to begin their professional development training
again! Family and Consumer Sciences is a diverse program of the Extension Service, which serves individuals,
families, and communities to “make informed decisions about their well-being, relationships, and resources to
achieve optimal quality of life” (http://www.aafcs.org/AboutUs/FCS.asp). It is unique from other family
serving agencies in the community, as we are able to give non-biased, research-based information to families in
order to empower them to make sound decisions and strengthen their skills, rather than provide services and
aid, which also has value. In Extension, our programs may include nutrition, food safety and preservation,
health, personal and family finance, consumer issues, housing and energy, human development, couple and
family relationships, and personal well-being, depending on the needs of the county and resources available.
Clay County has had a strong history in nutrition and health, which has become increasingly important with
concerns of overweight, obesity, and chronic health conditions. Our own Jackie Schrader has been chosen by
our professional association to give a poster presentation about the Ridgeview High Early Childhood nutrition
program later this year at our annual conference. Further, I was part of a team to be awarded the Early
Childhood Child Care Training award, as well as a Continued Excellence award in family and consumer
sciences. Clay County Extension has a diverse array of programs offered to the
community, including agriculture, horticulture, and 4-H youth development. If you
aren’t familiar with our work in family and consumer sciences, ask us!
Stephanie Toelle
Interim Clay County Extension Director
University of Florida IFAS Extension
The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is a federal-state-county partnership dedicated to developing
knowledge in agriculture, human and natural resources, and the life sciences, and enhancing and sustaining the quality of human life by making that information accessible.
CLAY COUNTY CONTACT
May/June 2015
Spring Pasture Fire Ant Control
David Nistler, Clay County Extension, Agriculture, Small Farm, Natural Resources Agent
Fire Ant Baits
A bait is an insecticide that insects sense to be food. In
the case of ants, workers find the bait and carry it back to
the colony, where it is fed to the larvae, workers and
queens. Foraging workers may consume some of the
liquid portion of the bait before returning the particle to
the colony.
Most fire ant baits in current use are similar in
appearance and odor and in their handling and
application. These baits are small, oily, yellowish
granules that smell like toasted corn.
They consist of three main components:
 Defatted corn cob granules serve as a means of
distributing the attractant and the active ingredient. Although ants carry the granules to the mound, the
granules have no insecticidal properties.
 Soybean oil serves as both the attractant and active ingredient carrier. Preservatives and antioxidants are
usually added to the oil to extend product shelf life.
 The active ingredient is the actual insecticide that affects the ants.
Although active ingredients have different modes of
action, they all serve to break the life cycle of the colony,
resulting in its death. Fast-acting baits actually queen
and, to varying degrees, worker ants.
Baits containing insect growth regulators (IGR) do not
kill workers or queens. Instead, they disrupt larval
development so that when the adult ants die of natural
causes, they are not replaced, and the colony gradually
dies out. Consequently, the speed of activity of IGR
baits depends on environmental conditions and may be
very slow.
Broadcasting vs. Individual Mound Treatments
The single greatest advantage of broadcast baits over individual mound treatments (IMTs) is that you do not
need to find the colonies to treat them.
It takes about an hour to thoroughly examine an acre of land for fire ants and mark the colonies for treatment.
With broadcast bait, this step is unnecessary. Ants in even the smallest, most well-hidden colony will likely pick
up an effective dose of broadcast bait on their own. The result is easy,
thorough control over large areas. Broadcast baits have other
advantages over contact insecticides and individual mound treatments:
 In most cases, baits are the least expensive way to control fire
ants.
 Ants are controlled in an area for a longer period than with
individual mound treatments.
 Very little labor is required for the application.
 Baits pose very little toxic threat to people, pets and wildlife.
 There are very few environmental hazards associated with
baits.
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CLAY COUNTY CONTACT
March/April 2015
Cont. - Spring Pasture Fire Ant Control
David Nistler, Clay County Extension, Agriculture, Small Farm, Natural Resources Agent
How do you use baits successfully?
Many bait products are applied at a rate of 1 to 1½ pounds per acre of land (43,560 square feet, roughly the
size of a football field or a square 209 feet on a side). This is very little material and requires special
application equipment. New “consumer” type baits are designed to be applied with common fertilizer
spreaders and use rates of more than 10 pounds per acre. Regardless of the exact application rate, over
application offers little or no additional benefit in eliminating ants; it just costs more money.
Baits do require special conditions and handling for best results:
The ants must be actively foraging for bait. Fire ants search for
food (forage) at a wide range of temperatures and can be found
foraging in al- most any season. However, they may be
searching for only certain kinds of food, which might not be the
oil of bait. The only reliable way to confirm whether ants are
feeding on bait is to offer them a small amount and see if they
pick up the particles.
Use fresh bait. The soybean oil in baits becomes rancid over
time, making it unattractive to ants. Unfortunately, bait product
labels do not list a manufacture or expiration date. Rancid bait
smells somewhat like latex paint, unlike the fresh, toasted corn
smell of fresh bait. Because bait can spoil sitting on store shelves, it is important to check its freshness and
return it to the seller if it is rancid.
Use the bait promptly. Most companies claim that their products have a shelf life of 2 to 3 years if the
packages remain unopened. Bait left open to the air may become rancid in a few weeks. Even when resealed
and stored properly in a cool, dry place, bait from an opened container should be used within a year.
Do not allow baits to come into contact with water. Water ruins baits. In favorable conditions, most bait is
picked up overnight or even within a few hours, but for best results, do not apply bait if rain is expected
within 24 hours and do not irrigate the area for at least 24 hours. Avoid application when there is heavy dew.
Do not mix baits with other insecticides. To avoid contaminating bait, wash the application equipment
thoroughly.
Commonly available fire ant baits and individual mound treatment chemicals.
Active
ingredient
Brand
Name
Concentration
Class or
activity 1
Broadcast Baits
Abamectin
Fenoxycarb
Fipronil
Hydramethylnon
Indoxacarb
Methoprene
Pyriproxyfen5
Spinosad
Oral/dermal
LD 50 (mg/kg)
2
Half-life in
soil (days)
300/>1,800
16,800/>2,000
95/>2000
1,146/>5,000
1,730/>5,000
>34,600/>3,000
>5,000/>2,000
>5,000/>5,000
21
84
366
4
43
10
8
14
@1.5 lb./acre
Ascend, etc.
Award
Ceasefire
Amdro, etc.
Advion, etc.
Extinguish
Distance
Come and Get It
0.011%
1.0%
0.00015%
0.73%
0.045%
0.5%
0.5%
0.015%
IGR-like
IGR
toxicant
toxicant
toxicant
IGR
IGR
toxicant
Contact IMT
Acephate
Bifenthrin, IMT
Carbaryl
Active
ingredient
per acre
0.00011 lb
0.01 lb
0.0000022 lb
0.0073 lb
0.00068 lb
0.005 lb
0.005 lb
0.00015 lb
@150 mounds/ac
Orthene
Ortho Max, etc.
Sevin
50%
0.2%
5-42%, varies
contact
contact
contact
1-2 lb
0.06 lb
about 2 lb
1,030/>10,250
55/>2,000
250/>2,000
3
123
6
Talstar
0.2%
contact
2 lb (high rate)
55/>2,000
123
Contact Broadcast
Bifenthrin, Brdcst
IMT = Individual mound treatment
1IGR=insect growth regulator; toxicant=slow insecticidal activity; contact=contact insecticide
2
LD50 is the amount of technical active ingredient in mg/ kg body weight that will kill 50 percent o laboratory mammals
(rats or rabbits) tested when administered either orally or dermally. Higher values indicate less toxic pesticides.
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CLAY COUNTY CONTACT
May/June 2015
4-H Corner
Florida 4-H...Ever Changing and Growing
Stephanie Conner, Clay County Extension, 4-H/ Youth Development Agent
1908 – Florida 4-H began to make changes in the lives of Florida 4-H. Helping youth to build and develop life
skills, have fun and participate in hands-on learning.
1909 – 4-H Corn Clubs for boys – boys were given a corn seed to plant and grow, turn in a record of the process
and outcome and create an exhibit
1912 – 4-H Tomato Clubs for girls – girls were given tomato seeds to plant and grow, then shown how to can
them. The girls were also expected to turn in a record book recording their experience with this project
and the outcome
First “short courses” were offered to tomato club prize-winners
First classrooms were visited by agent representing 4-H
1916 – The 4-H swine project was added for the boys to participate in
First 4-H “short courses” were offered to the boys
Shortly after the swine project, forestry, farm animals, and many other areas of agriculture were
incorporated in the list of possible 4-H projects.
With the projects growing for the boys the girls were beginning to ask for more projects as well;
projects such as sewing and leadership.
1919 – First girls State 4-H Council was formed
First camping outing to Kingsley Lake for boys from Clay County
1920 – First co-ed 4-H camping trip to Wimauma and Florida town
1921 – First 4-H County Council was formed
1928 – First co-ed “short course” was offered to the Negro Farm Boys’ and Girls’ State 4-H Club
1930 – First boys State 4-H Council was formed
1955 – First African American girls State 4-H Council was formed
1960 – 4-H all camping programs were integrated
1964 – Volunteer led 4-H clubs were started
1963 – Florida 4-H Foundation was created
1970 – More new programs were created, such as 4-H Legislature and school enrichment programs
1991-1992 – 4-H faculty and staff as well as 4-H youth and adults participated in strategic planning for the Florida
4-H Program
Early 2000’s – 4-H offered over 40 different project areas
2015 – Florida 4-H offers over 50 different project areas, over 5 State 4-H camps, and countless day/week camps
(day/week camps differs per county)
Clay County 4-Her’s Made Their Presence Known at the Clay County Fair
Congratulations to you all!
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CLAY COUNTY CONTACT
May/June 2015
4H Fair Photos
Stephanie Conner, Clay County Extension, 4-H/ Youth Development Agent
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CLAY COUNTY CONTACT
May/June 2015
Healthy Snacking
By Jackie Schrader, Family and Consumer Sciences/ 4-H Agent
Here it is the middle of the afternoon and you are very hungry. Even though you ate lunch, your stomach is
growling and you are trying to resist the urge to go for something “unhealthy”. How do you know what you choose will be
good for you ? Because snacks are consumed in addition to meals, it is important to shop for ones that increase your
nutrient intake without adding too many extra calories and sometimes this is not
easy. Foods selected for snacks range from nuts and crackers to apples and carrots.
Studies have shown there may be benefits when healthy snack choices are
made. Snacking may improve the quality of your diet by increasing your intake of
vitamins and minerals. In fact, snacking has been linked with higher intakes of
potassium, calcium, vitamin A, and magnesium. Dietary fiber intake also has been
shown to increase with snacking. The easiest way to ensure that snacks help to
improve the quality of your diet is to select fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat
or fat-free dairy, and lean protein foods instead of cookies, cakes, candy, and salted
snack foods such as chips.
Most snacks require little, if any, time to prepare. This is one of the things
that make them so convenient. Snacks that contain protein and/or fiber help keep your hunger in check before your next
meal. Foods such as almonds and yogurt have been shown to help with appetite control and you feel satisfied longer. This
feeling of satiety may influence people to eat less at mealtime, so there is not a significant effect on weight. Beverages have
little or no effect on satiety; thus beverages with sugar are best replaced with water or some other lower-calorie choice.
Shopping for Healthy Snacks
Shopping for snacks may seem overwhelming because there are so many choices. You can follow these tips to make your
next shopping trip easier:
Convenience- Buying pre-cut fruits and vegetables can save you time. However, cutting up fruits and vegetables
yourself can help you save money. Snacking on pre-cut vegetables such as baby carrots is a great way to get plenty
of nutrients and dietary fiber in your diet. Dip such as hummus or low-fat dressing can make them more enjoyable.
Fruits/Nuts- Make your own trail mix by combining unsalted nuts and dried fruits. This mixture can be packed into
individual snack-size bags. Blueberries, strawberries, or canned pineapple can be added to plain, low-fat or fat-free
yogurt for a light, refreshing snack.
Whole grains- Look for snacks such as popcorn and granola bars that have a
“Whole Grain Stamp” approved by the Whole Grains Council. These foods
usually are higher in fiber, which may keep you feeling full longer.
Protein foods- Protein snacks are another great way to curb your appetite until
the next meal. Foods such as hard-boiled eggs, unsalted nuts, and lowsodium deli meats are great options.
Serving sizes- Remember, snacks are small amounts of food, and should provide
fewer calories than a meal. To help control portions and reduce overeating
from mindless snacking, store foods in snack-size containers, bags, or tins.
Check out ChooseMyPlate.gov to learn more about portion sizes for different
snack foods.
Fruit -Apples and bananas, individual cups of canned peaches, pears, or other fruits packed in water or natural juice are
god lower-calorie options. Dried fruits such as raisins, apricots, or cranberries are also great but remember a serving
size is ¼ cup since they are dried and have a concentration of calories.
High-sugar snacks- Watch out for snacks with added sugars such as cookies, candies, and soda. These foods usually do
not add to the nutritional quality of your diet, and they may not keep you feeling satisfied for long. If you are
looking for an alternative to soda, try adding sliced lemon, cucumber, or mint to your glass of water for added
flavor and hydration.
Substitutions- Use healthier substitutions in your next homemade treat. Unsweetened applesauce works great as a
substitute for oil in muffin and bread recipes. Check out ”Superb Substitu­tions” on the UF/IFAS blog (http://
blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/ family album/2014/07/10/superb-substitutions-make-your-cake-and-eat-it-too/) for other great
substitutions.
Source: Carley Rusch and Wendy J. Dahl, Shopping for Health: Snack Foods, FSHN 15-02, University of Florida
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CLAY COUNTY CONTACT
May/June 2015
Spring to Summer Transitions
Amy Morie, Clay County Extension, Environmental Horticulture Agent
Get Wild in May!
May 4th —10th is National Wildflower week in the U.S. Celebrate in Florida-Friendly Landscaping style with
native blooms that blast through summer heat. For eye-popping warm colors on dry sunny sites, plant
Blanketflowers (Gaillardia puchella), Butterflyweed (Asclepias tuberosa), Tickseed (Coreopsis sp), Honeycombhead
(Balduina angustifolia), Greeneyes (Berlandiera pumila) and Black-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia sp). For cooler-toned
color accents, try Bluestar (Amsonia ciliata), Vanilla Plant (Carphephorus odoratissimus) Blue Mistflower
(Conoclinium coelestinum), and Gayfeather (Liatris spicata). On shady, moister sites try Cardinal Flower (Lobelia
cardinalis), Turk's-cap Lily (Lilium superbum), and Indian Pinks ( Spigelia marilandica) at the hot end of the
spectrum, or cooler tones with Eastern Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium atlanticum) Spring Ladies' Tresses
(Spiranthes vernalis), Ironweeds (Vernonia sp.), and Rain Lilies (Zephyranthes atamasco). Check out more
wildflower options and info to start planning a display that brings year-round beauty to your landscape.
Tickseed
Blanket flowers
Indian Pinks
Thar She Blows!
The last week of May is National Hurricane Preparedness Week. Chances are, you’re prepared indoors. You’ve
stocked up on canned goods, bottled water, and batteries. You’ve checked your flashlights, generators, and
emergency radios to make sure they’re in working order. Haven’t started yet? There’s no time like the present
to prepare. Once you’re ready indoors, head
outside to get your landscape ready for a possible
hurricane. Take some time between the 24th —
30th and celebrate National Hurricane
Preparedness Week by getting your yard storm
ready. Start by clearing debris and storing or
securing items not in regular use.
Remove dead and injured limbs from trees and
shrubs as well as brown fronds from palms (green
fronds are strong and should be left to help wind
resistance; yellow fronds may indicate the need
for a fertilizer formulated for palms). Take special
note if there are trees with lots of branches
emerging from a single point, as these joints may
be weak against storm winds. Trees that lean,
have been pruned too heavily, or with too many
branches weighted to one side are also at risk.
Poor weighting or balance of the canopy can
Improperly pruned trees have little wind resistance.
result from improper pruning or removal of
Image: Mary Duryea, University of Florida
nearby trees.
Also look out for trees that may be outgrowing their space. Narrow parkways and planting wells in paving can
limit the root system needed for stability on some species. If you suspect you have a tree that fits one of these
descriptions, then be safe and find a certified Arborist to advise you; visit www.isa-arbor.com to find one near
you. (continued on next page)
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CLAY COUNTY CONTACT
May/June 2015
May / June Planting Schedule
Amy Morie, Clay County Extension, Environmental Horticulture Agent
continued from previous page) Finally, print a copy of “Assessing
Damage and Restoring Trees After a Hurricane” and keep it
with your emergency kit or use it to add to your family’s
preparedness plan. That way, if a tree falls in your landscape
and the power’s out, you’ll be prepared to deal with the
problem without worrying about internet access or battery
charging to look up safety and other information.
Beat the Heat!
In the vegetable garden in June, it’s time to prepare to harvest
spring crops and plan for the summer garden. Many folks find
it’s just to hot for regular garden work and prefer to solarize the
soil. This practice uses heat to reduce viable weed seed, pests,
disease, and other problems. You’ll need a site in full sun (6 or
more hours a day without shade), a clear plastic cover 1.0 to 1.2
mil thick and slightly larger than your garden, and a shovel to
trench the cover in around in the edges. Dig a trench around
the outside of the garden, placing soil to the outside. If soil is dry, water well and wait a few hours. Then, lay
the plastic over the garden and pile the soil from the trench over the edges to hold it in place. The clear plastic
allows the suns rays to penetrate, and sealing the edges traps the heat and moisture that help the process. Holes
or edges that come lose can have a big impact on the success of the process. Stones or other heavy items can be
added to the edges for extra protection, but avoid using potted plants as the reflection from the plastic can burn
leaves.
May / June Planting Schedule
Vegetables that can be planted in May and June include Lima Beans, Eggplant, Okra,
Southern Peas, Papaya, Sweet Potatoes, Malabar Spinach, New Zealand Spinach, and
Tampala. Peanuts can be planted through May 15th. Finish planting Corn Salad,
Dasheen, Jicama, Mustard, and Pigeon Peas by the end of May and Sweet Potatoes by
June. Wait until August to plant tomatoes and watermelon again.
Herbs can bring flavors for the garden that can beat the summer heat include Basil,
Ginger, Lemon Balm, Lemongrass, Mint, Oregano, Rosemary, and Mexican Tarragon
Cool season annuals give way to warm season selections this month. Plant Angelonia,
Golden Dew-Drops
Amaranthus Wax Begonia, Celosia, Coleus, Crossandra,
Euphorbia 'Diamond Frost' or 'Hip Hop,' Gaillardia,
Lobelia, native Milkweeds, Pentas, Ornamental Pepper,
Portulaca, Rudbeckia, annual Salvia, Torenia, and Vinca.
Finish planting Sunflowers and Zinnias in May. For
perennials that are tough in the summer hear, try African
Iris, Beach Sunflower, Bulbine, Bush Daisy, Cigar Flower,
Firebush, Firecracker Plant, Firespike, Flax Lily, Gaura,
Golden Dewdrop, Golden Shrimp Plant, Jewels of Opar,
Mexican Heather, Plumbago, Hot Lips’ Salvia, Mexican
Sage, and Rose Leaf Sage
Plumbago
Portulaca
Bulbs, Tubers or Rhizomes for warming weather include
Agapanthus, Aztec lily, Blackberry Lily, Butterfly Lily, Gladiolus, Moraea, Peacock Ginger, Shell Ginger,
Walking Iris, Kaffir Lily, Society Garlic, and Spider Lily. Finish setting out Amazon Lily, Caladium, and
Watsonia in May.
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CLAY COUNTY CONTACT
May/June 2015
Fall is Master Gardener Time!
Amy Morie, Clay County Extension, Environmental Horticulture Agent
Master Gardener Training
August 5th —October 28th, 2015
Master Gardener training is almost here, and there’s still time to join us! The
Master Gardener program is perfect for life-long learners looking to make friends and
expand their horticultural knowledge.
From Farmer’s Market and office clinics that answer residents’ horticulture
questions, to projects that support horticulture learning in our schools, to teaching in the
community—Master Gardeners are engaged, involved, and having fun! Visit http://
clay.ifas.ufl.edu/Master_Gardener_Program.shtml for info and an application ‘Sprouting
Kit”.
Master Gardener training is equivalent to a college-level course in horticulture.
Volunteers give 75 hours to the program the year after completing training, and 35 hours
+ 10 education hours in following years. Placement is competitive and there are limited
spots for training — sign up today!
Master Gardeners have fun learning and
giving back to the community.
Master Gardener Open House
June 23, 2015 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Our open house events are a great way to get to know the
MG program. You’ll hear about projects we work on, talk
to Master Gardeners about their experience, and get the
info you need to see if the Master Gardener program is
right for you. Only one left before fall training—register
today!
Register for FREE at Eventbrite
https://eventbrite.com/event/16451417633/
or call Michelle at 904.284.6355
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Clay County Extension
2463 State Road 16 West
PO Box 278
Green Cove Springs FL 32043
(904)284/269-6355 & (352)473-3711
Our Website—http://clay.ifas.ufl.edu
Stephanie Toelle, Interim County Director/ Family & Consumer Science Agent
Beverly Whitener, Executive Secretary
Katrina Pierce, 4-H Secretary
David Nistler
Agriculture/ Small Farm/ Natural
Resources Agent
Amy Morie, Environmental Horticulture
Agent
Sally Doyle Receptionist
Michelle Alters,
Agriculture/ Horticulture Secretary
Stephanie Conner
4-H Youth Development Agent
Jackie Schrader
4-H Youth Development/
Family & Consumer Science Agent
Roxane Strickland, Custodial Technician
“The use of trade names in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information. It is not a
guarantee or warranty of the products names, and does not signify that they are approved to the exclusion of
other suitable composition.”
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Employment Opportunity - Affirmative Action Employer
authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status,
national origin, political opinions, or affiliations. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University
of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative
Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating.