Savannah Reams editor@greenepublishing.com On Monday, April 27, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) launched the online Hemp Cultivation Licensing Portal, allowing local farmers to apply for licenses. The portal…
Category: Farm & Outdoors
Bill Gibson of Gibson and Son Farms
Rick Patrick rick@greenepublishing.com Bill Gibson is no stranger to chickens. He has been around chicken houses since he was five years old and grew up working with his father, Dale Gibson, who…
A glimmer of hope for Ayla’s Acres Sanctuary
John Willoughby reporter2@greenepublishing.com Before Christmas, life changed for Nedra Wooley and Chuck Fritz. Sirens echoed and emergency lights flashed along the hilly dirt roads as first responders rushed to the scene of…
Nominate a farmer or rancher Nominations accepted for statewide award
Ashley Hunter editor@greenepublishing.com Florida is full of hard-working farmers who contribute to the state’s agricultural and environmental innovations. Whether in Florida’s iconic citrus production, tending to fields of cotton or raising cattle…
Explore Madison County’s Florida Trail on Feb. 8
Dr. Erik Webb (Pharm D) Contributor On Saturday, Feb. 8, join the Madison County Chamber of Commerce’s outdoor adventure committee for a guided hike along a recently inaccessible section of the Florida…
40 years of Jerry: Local loggers continue to prosper under the Gray name
John Willoughby reporter2@greenepublishing.com Working in the logwoods have fueled the Gray family for generations, and as Jerry Gray continues the legacy of sawing and hauling, there’s no stopping this dynamic crew of…
Local 4-H’ers win big at North Florida Fair
Beth Moore, 4-H Extension Agent Contributor The North Florida Fair in Tallahassee has come and gone, but not before Madison County’s 4-H Ag judging teams left their impressive mark. On Saturday, Nov….
Kind gesture returns double
Rick Patrick rick@greenepublishing.com There is a Bible verse that says if you “Cast your bread upon the waters, you will find it after many days.” [Ecc. 11:1, NKJV] This idea of a…
Fifth-generation farmer reflects on 38 years
John Willoughby reporter2@greenepublishing.com Since 2004, Joe Reams Jr., affectionately known as Joe Ball to those in Greenville, has been retired from the hard work that is tobacco farming. But it was an…
A new team captain: Basford takes over Emergency Management Department
Rick Patrick rick@greenepublishing.com As a former Madison County High School (MCHS) Cowgirl and North Florida Community College (NFCC) Lady Sentinel softball player, Leigh Basford knows first-hand the importance of teamwork. That is…
Farmer Spotlight: Buck Carpenter
John Willoughby: Greene Publishing, Inc. Buck Carpenter has been in the farming field since 2001, and it all started on Richard Cone’s farm. Today, he manages nearly 500 acres in Lee, and…
Don’t get ticked
John Willoughby: Greene Publishing, Inc. Unlike other portions of the country, many species of ticks can be found year-round in the state of Florida, and while the heat progresses throughout the summer,…
Field to Hill: Local farmers take on Washington D.C.
Story Submitted Local members of the Madison County Farm Bureau visited with Florida’s Congressional delegation in Washington, D.C. from Tuesday, May 14 through Thursday, May 16, to discuss various federal policies that…
Alligator mating season is here: Tips to stay safe and respect Florida’s largest reptile
Ashley Hunter: Greene Publishing, Inc. The warm climate, abundant wildlife and stunning waterfronts are just some of the reasons why Florida has lured millions of people to our coastal, beautiful state. But…
Snake season strikes
John Willoughby: Greene Publishing, Inc. It’s the type of species that can make anybody’s skin crawl upon the sight of the legless, elongated snake. Since even the beginning of time, snakes are…
Carpenter family recognized for environmental leadership
Story Submitted Buck and NoraBeth Carpenter, of Southern Pioneer Farms, LLC in Madison County, were honored for their environmental stewardship with a County Alliance for Responsible Environmental Stewardship (CARES) award on Thursday,…
Spring turkey season to commence
Savannah Reams: Greene Publishing, Inc. It’s time to swab your barrels and take aim! Spring turkey season is upon us and those gobblers are strutting. The season will kick off with Youth…
Ellis Farms – a cut above
John Willoughby: Greene Publishing, Inc. From hay to cattle and sheep, Chris Ellis of Ellis Farms has been successful in growing and maintaining his farm in Madison County. Ellis began with growing…
Beffa’s milking wonder: Dansha Farms provides products worldwide
John Willoughby: Greene Publishing, Inc. What started out as a hobby farm in Lee, Fla., for Dan Beffa, has now turned into a profitable business that he is extremely passionate about. Since…
Be cautious of puss caterpillars
John Willoughby: Greene Publishing, Inc. As the temperatures drop and the year begins to dwindle, it’s time to keep an eye on your surroundings as the Florida-native venomous puss caterpillar is making…