Farm-City Week Recognizes Importance Of Local Agriculture
November 24, 2012
Today marks the close of the National Farm-City Week.
Local communities across America use the week to spread and celebrate agricultural awareness through this annual movement, which focuses on connecting rural and urban dwellers. The week is sponsored by the National Farm-City council, which has been dedicated to organizing the event since 1955.
“We got involved back in 2010 to raise awareness about the value of agriculture to our local region,” University of Florida’s West Florida Research and Education Center Director and Professor Dr. Jeff Mullahey stated.
Mullahey said the main goal for the Farm-City Week was to “create more awareness about the importance and value of agriculture in northwest Florida, and to promote the benefits of agriculture as more than a source of food and fiber.”
While the healthcare and military industries may be the most visible in our regional economy, agriculture remains a top player. According to a study conducted by the University of Florida agriculture and natural resources directly provided 44,249 jobs to the northwest Florida region (consisting Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties). For perspective, compare that number to the estimated population of 51,923 within Pensacola city limits.
The study goes on to state that for every $1 million of revenue created by agriculture and natural resources, the industry creates 13.72 jobs. In 2008 the industry created over $357 million in revenue, roughly a quarter of which was paid out as labor income.
Part of the Farm-City movement is to encourage local communities to spend locally, by getting to know local farmers and purchasing local produce. By buying local produce, consumers can ensure that more money stays in the area. Buying locally also reduces the overall cost of food and production, which increases with every mile the food travels from producer to consumer. Shipping and processing are two unseen costs that raise the price of imported produce, while local produce either cuts down or cuts out these costs.
Consumers are also encouraged to educate themselves about where their food comes from and how it is produced by local farmers in Northwest Florida. Locally grown food is sold at farmers markets, roadside stands, retail markets, and online.
Agriculture creates jobs, adds money to the local economy and provides environmental benefits, like green space, that improve the quality of life in northwest Florida.
“Not to mention,” Mullahey adds, “agriculture feeds us three times a day and provides clothes for our family.”
Pictured top: Wheat is one of the crops produced in North Escambia. Pictured inset: Escambia Grain in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Photo: Southern Snow
November 24, 2012
Pictured: The sun sets behind a Walnut Hill cotton field Friday evening, giving the appearance of “southern snow”. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Photos: Crowds Attend Pow Wow
November 23, 2012
Large crowds attended the 42nd annual Pow Wow over the long Thanksgiving weekend at the Poarch Creek Indian Reservation north of Atmore. The event featured tribal dancers from across the country, entertainment, food, arts and crafts and several historical and cultural presentations.
For more photos from the event, click here.
Pictured: The 42nd annual Pow Wow on the Poarch Creek Indian Reservation north of Atmore. NorthEscambia.com photos by Marcella Wilson, click to enlarge.
Retailers, Shoppers Get Early Start On Black Friday Bargains
November 23, 2012
Retailers got an early jump on the traditional Black Friday sales, with many stores opening their doors Thursday night. Lots of North Escambia area residents hit the stores Thursday night and Friday morning.
Pictured top: Edie Jackson (left) and Donna Gilman went Black Friday shopping with a plan. Pictured inset: Paula Butler of Molino was number 111 in line to get free gifts when the doors opened at Toys “R” Us in Pensacola. Readers submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Camp Fire Kids Celebrate Thanksgiving With Feast
November 22, 2012
Camp Fire USA Century Youth Learning Center held a Thanksgiving feast this week for children and their parents. The daycare’s children, many dressed as Pilgrims or Native Americans, enjoyed a full Thanksgiving meal. Handmade toilet paper roll turkeys proclaimed some of the items that the children are thankful for, including moms, dads, siblings, other family, teachers, toys, God, pets and food.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured: Children enjoy a Thanksgiving feast at the Camp Fire USA Century Youth Learning Center earlier this week. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Turkey Time: Cooking Safety
November 22, 2012
It’s Thanksgiving, time for family and friends to gather and give thanks. And time for cooks to ponder the correct way to prepare their turkey.
Today, we are taking a look at the proper way to cook your turkey with tips from Dorthy Lee, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent for the Escambia County Extension Office.
Clean
Begin every meal preparation with clean hands, and wash hands frequently to prevent any cross contamination. As a rule, hands that have come in contact with raw meat or poultry should be washed for twenty seconds in hot, soapy water.
Separate
Raw meat and poultry products may contain harmful bacteria, so make certain that the juices from those products do not come in contact with food that will be eaten without cooking, like the salad. Also, never place cooked food on an unwashed plate that previously held raw meat or poultry.
Cook
Use of food thermometer should be a standard operating procedure in your kitchen and, when used correctly, will ensure that your turkey is cooked to perfection. To be safe, the
temperature of a whole turkey should reach 180°F between the breast and the innermost part of the thigh.
If you stuff your turkey, the center of the stuffing must reach 165°F. If the stuffing has not reached 165°F, then continue cooking the turkey until it does. Let the turkey stand twenty minutes after removal from the oven before carving.
Chill
This is another important step because food-borne bacteria can grow while food sits unrefrigerated. Refrigerate or freeze perishable leftovers within two hours of cooking. To prepare your leftovers, remove any remaining stuffing from the cavity and cut turkey into small pieces. Slice the breast meat. Wings and legs may be left whole. Refrigerate stuffing and turkey separately in shallow containers.
Use or freeze leftover turkey and stuffing within three to four days, gravy within one to two days. Reheat thoroughly to a temperature of 165°F, or until hot and steaming.
For more information, call the Escambia County Extension office, (850) 475-5230.
Northview Anti-Drug Video Named Best In County (With Video)
November 21, 2012
An anti-drug video by students at Northview High School was named the best in the Escambia County School District.
“Get On Out of Here” was produced by Northview students Anna Donald, Misty Doran, Ashton Gibbs, Ryan Lambert, Winston Riley and Logan Weber under the direction of teacher Elaine Holk. The video features numerous Northview students and faculty.
The students were honored Tuesday night by the Escambia County School Board for their winning video. (Watch the “extended” version of the winning video at the top of the page.)
“Congratulations to those students for your creative energy to create that video clip that we will share will all of our middle schools and high schools,” Superintendent Malcolm Thomas told the group Tuesday night.. “Job well done.”
The video contest was open to all public middle and high schools in Escambia County.
Pictured below: Northview anti-drug video producers Ryan Lambert, Logan Weber, Ashton Gibbs and Winston Lowery. Not pictured: Anna Donald and Misty Doran. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local Cheerleader To March In Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
November 21, 2012
A local cheerleader will march in Thursday morning’s 86th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
Ashley Cunningham of Molino, a senior at Northview High School, will march with The Spirit of America Varsity Cheerleaders at the beginning and end of the parade with Santa Claus.
“The best part is meeting new girls from around the nation,” Ashley said Tuesday night, on her way from the Statue of Liberty to a tour at the Empire State Building. “It is definitely an honor to represent Northview.”
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will be nationally televised Thursday morning on NBC and seen locally on WPMI TV 15.
Pictured top: Ashley Cunningham (left) at the Statue of Liberty Monday in New York City. Pictured inset: Ashley at the Empire State Building Tuesday night. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Thanksgiving Recipe: Sweet Potato Marshmallow Swirl Cheesecake
November 21, 2012
As Thanksgiving approaches, we are featuring recipes on NorthEscambia.com this week. Today’s featured recipe, from columnist Janet Tharpe is a Sweet Potato Marshmallow Swirl Cheesecake.
Featured Recipe: Those Cheesy Thanksgiving Potatoes
November 20, 2012
Our Thanksgiving week recipe series continues today with a dish simply named “Those Potatoes”. It’s a great last-minute dish to put together in time to take to grandma’s house for the big dinner. And even an inexperienced cook can pull this one off in impressive fashion.
