Walton County ranch takes natural approach to raising lamb

R&R Ranch in Gaskin raises grass fed Katahdin sheep

As many folks are searching more to find locally produced, healthier food, it is a reassuring to know Walton County residents have several local farms providing quality produce.

One such local farm that takes a natural approach is the R&R Ranch. Tucked away in the small country community of Gaskin, the ranch is owned and operated by Ronald and Rosemary Prokop.

The 43-acre farm specializes in raising grass fed Katahdin sheep; a breed that is woolless, easy to care for and naturally tolerant of climatic extremes.

Click here to continue

- – - – - – - – - – - -

Smiles, comfort and blue-plate specials served at Red Bay Grocery

There is a special place nestled on along County Road 81 in Walton County built on a tried and true basic principle – small town community atmosphere.

Red Bay Grocery has been in operation since 1936. The store has had 28 different owners over the years, and then closed in 2008, leaving the community without a gathering spot.

In Feb. 2009, Charles Morgan, a seasoned restaurateur and homeowner in Red Bay, rallied 50 local partners, and brought the country store back to life. Charles came up with idea of the community partnership about five years ago, and when the store closed in 2008, he started a plan of action. Click here to continue

- – - – - – - – - – - -

Happy chickens lay better eggs at Walton area farm

Cages and Coops builds animal enclosures with comfort in mind

David and Kerri Thompson of Ponce deLeon believe happy chickens make for better tasting eggs. With that in mind, the couple has embarked on a business named Coops and Cages, that manufactures comfortable living quarters for chickens, rabbits and small animals.

Leaving the fast-paced world behind a few years ago, David and Kerrie moved to Ponce deLeon to start a small farm and become more self sustainable.

Both raised in rural England, country life was something they both yearned to get back to. In three years they now have a large vegetable garden, several rabbits, turkeys, chickens and pigs. Goats and a cow will be arriving in the near future.

“It is our goal to produce as much as our own food as we possibly can and educate our children and grandchildren to do the same,” Kerrie said.
Read More…

- – - – - – - – - – - -

Living alongside wildlife: Searching for the indigo snake in Walton County

It was Monday morning and Tropical Storm Ida was welcoming us to the new week. As the early chills of fall enveloped us, dark clouds gathered in the distance, ominously blocking out the sun. Perhaps seeing the look of concern on my face, Dirk Stevenson consoled me,

“No worries, the indigos won’t mind.”

Dirk is the Director for Inventory and Monitoring for Project Orianne, a large non-profit organization dedicated to conserving the eastern indigo snake where they remain and restoring populations to areas where they have disappeared. Dirk was to be my field companion for the day, accompanying me to my field site in the Florida panhandle. He hoped to establish whether indigo snakes, often locally known as gopher snakes, still persisted in the area, despite the lack of a confirmed sighting in over ten years.
Read More…

- – - – - – - – - – - -

Local Moonlight Micro-Farm sprouts permaculture garden at Eden’s Landing Point Washington

The New Year brings a garden to Eden’s Landing on CR 395 in Point Washington, as local Walton County farmers Chandra Hartman and Eric Marcus of Moonlight Micro-Farm are starting a permaculture garden project at the development.

The garden is nestled in the common area of Eden’s Landing, and is designed to embrace green and sustainable living. Moonlight Micro-Farm selected a common area approximately 630 sq. ft. to implement the experimental garden. Eden’s Landing developer, Artisan Builders and its investors have donated the area for the project.

“The garden will serve to be an example of how to grow an ecologically diverse garden that provides both human and environmental needs, while using readily available natural resources, with a minimum of purchased inputs, along with a variety of gardening techniques,” Chandra explains on her online garden blog.

Click here to continue

- – - – - – - – - – - -

Banded Rufous hummingbird winters
in same yard six years in a row

Local hummingbird enthusiast and butterfly expert, Mary Ann Friedman of Niceville is excited about a winter guest she has coming to her yard year after year. A Rufous Hummingbird, nicknamed “Ruferocious” has been returning to Mary Ann’s yard each winter for six years.

“We call her Ruferocious because she is pretty possessive and usually kicks any other would be winter hummingbirds out in a very short time. Before she started “living” here we had several species each winter (Buff-bellied, Black-chinned and Ruby-throated) that chose our yard,” Mary Ann explains.

As several hummingbirds do stay in the Florida Panhandle during the winter, people interested in attracting the birds can put up feeders when flowers are not in bloom.
Read More…

- – - – - – - – - – - -

Finks Mill one of the last operating stone grist mills in the Southeast

Farmers come for miles to have their corn stone ground

Many years ago, grist mills were in most communities, as local farmers brought their corn or grains to be ground for selling or personal use.

Over the years, with the influx of large commercial operations that produce meal for the masses buy creating ready-to-eat mix, the local mills have declined to only a few surviving across the United States. These few mills cater to farmers bringing their corn to be stone ground, mostly for their own consumption.

Just past Gaskin, on the Walton County, Fla., Geneva/Covington, Ala. border you will find one of the last remaining operational stone grist mills in the Southeastern United States, Finks Mill.

The mill was originally built in 1932, and passed through two hands until the Fink family took over in the early 1950s. The mill is currently operated by Rodney Fink and owned by his father, Quin. Read More…

- – - – - – - – - – - -

Buying locally grown produce a winner for consumer and farmer

Locally produced food consumption a healthy and smart choice

Ever wonder why the food always tastes better when you buy it from a local farmer? There are many reasons – one being when you buy local food, you reduce your food miles. The fewer miles your food has to travel, the less environmental damage occurs, and the fresher the product. When you buy at farmers markets, farm stands, or direct from the farm, the food is usually picked that day or the day before.

Purchasing locally grown food also financially supports local farmers. According to sustainabletable.org, when you buy food in a grocery store, about 3.5 cents of each dollar you spend makes it to the farmer. When you buy directly from the farmer, 80-90 cents of each dollar you spend makes it in the farmer’s pocket.

Click here to continue and find local farmers

- – - – - – - – - – - -

Walton County area farm offers fresh vegetables, camping, fishing, agritourism and more

A pond view at Cypress Cattle Company.

Cypress Cattle Company more than just a cattle farm

Tucked away near Ponce de Leon, straddling Walton/Holmes County line, sits 1,100 acres of rolling hills, magnificent live oaks, cypress ponds, pastures and acres of fresh produce.

Cypress Cattle Company has been a family-run farm for generations. W.J. Sapp started in the family business in the 1920s farming sugar cane and potatoes. The farm then migrated to dairy until 1991, when they switched to cattle farming, which is its mainstay to this day

Now managed by Sapp’s great-great nephew, Luke Langford, and his father Ken, Cypress now offers farm tours, primitive camping and fishing on any of their seven ponds for crappie, bass and bream. And, in keeping with all things fresh, Cypress now commercially grows produce, selling locally. Read More…

- – - – - – - – - – - -

Local naturalist tags monarch
butterflies for migration study

Joe Wyatt, naturalist at Hammock Bay in Freeport has been tagging Monarch butterflies for three years as part of a migration study with the University of Kansas.

So far in this year’s study, Joe has tagged 68, finding the majority of the fluttering beauties feasting on Saltwater False-Willow, Narrowleaf Baccharis (Baccharis angustifolia) along the north shoreline of Choctawhatchee Bay in Choctaw Beach.

Unlike most other insects in temperate climates, monarch butterflies cannot survive a long cold winter. Instead, they spend the winter in roosting spots. Monarchs east of the Rocky Mountains fly farther south to the forests high in the mountains of Mexico. The monarch’s migration is driven by seasonal changes. Day length and temperature changes influence the movement of the monarch.  Click to continue

- – - – - – - – - – - -

Living with Florida black bears

The presence of bears is not necessarily a problem or a threat to your safety. For many people seeing a black bear is a thrilling, rewarding experience.

Problems arise when bears have access to food sources unintentionally made available by people such as pet foods, garbage, barbecue grills, bird seed or livestock feed. Bears are adaptable and learn very quickly to associate people with food. Black bears are normally too shy to risk contact with humans, but their strong food drive can overwhelm these instincts.

The Florida black bear is a unique subspecies of the American black bear, and is listed as a threatened species in Florida and is the state’s largest land mammal. Black bears once ranged throughout Florida but now live in several fragmented areas across the state.

Since the 1980s, the black bear population has been expanding along with our human population.  Florida has grown from 5 million residents in 1960 to close to 18 million today and is projected to reach almost 36 million by 2060. Urban sprawl is encroaching on traditionally remote areas and bringing people into prime bear habitat.  As a result bears and people are encountering each other more than ever. Read More…

- – - – - – - – - – - -

A guide to Florida snakes

Florida has an abundance of wildlife, including a wide variety of reptiles. Snakes, and their cousins the alligators, crocodiles, turtles and lizards, play an interesting and vital role in Florida’s complex ecology. Many people have an uncontrollable fear of snakes. Perhaps because man is an animal who stands upright, he has developed a deep-rooted aversion to all crawling creatures. And, too, snakes long have been use in folklore to symbolize falseness and evil. The ill- starred idea has no doubt colored human feelings regarding snakes. Whatever the reason for disfavor, they nonetheless occupy a valuable place in the fauna of the region. Click here to continue

- – - – - – - – - – - -

A beautiful day at Morrison Springs

Kayaking, stand up paddle boarding and snorkeling were on tap Sept. 13 at Morrison Springs as Walton Outdoors and 30A Radio hosted a paddle and picnic. Young and young at heart shared the day exploring and enjoying a picnic of burgers and hot dogs. Local naturalist, Joe Wyatt shared his knowledge of indigenous flora and fauna with the group. A pleasant educational surprise for the children occurred when Joe rescued a small green snake from the water. Joe was surprised as well, as the tree snake would not of survived long in the chilly 68 degree water for long. Stay tuned as Walton Outdoors and 30A Radio will be planning some more fun outdoors soon. Click here for more photos and video

/

/

- – - – - – - – - – - -

Nature lovers flock to E. O. Wilson Biophilia Center’s grand opening and dedication ceremony

Nature lovers from across the Florida Panhandle enjoyed the grand opening of the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center in Freeport Florida Sept. 12. Developed by local conservationist, M.C. Davis on his 48,000-acre conservation land named Nokuse Plantation, the 27,500 sq. ft. Center will cater to students with curriculums that offer a better understanding of the environment. The Center will educate on the importance of biodiversity, ecosystems, and encourage conservation, preservation and restoration of our natural resources. The dedication’s keynote speaker was Dr. E.O. Wilson, Pellegrino University Professor Emeritus and Honorary Curator in Entomology at Harvard University. The center was named after him for his life-long contributions to public education about the importance of conserving the world’s biodiversity. The two-time Pulitzer prize-winner developed the phrase, “biophilia – the connections that human beings subconsciously seek with the rest of life.” Click here to continue

- – - – - – - – - – - -

Busy hummingbird at work

This busy hummingbird was spotted at the Zen Garden Market in Panama City Beach recently collecting nectar from a cardinal vine. The market has many native plants available to attract hummingbirds an butterflies. Zen Garden Market is located at 707 Richard Jackson Blvd. Panama City Beach (850)234-1651. Click here to learn more about attacting hummingbirds to your home

- – - – - – - – - – - -

CHELCO offers energy saving tips for your home

Did you know?

There are many ways to save money on your heating and air conditioning bills each month and CHELCO offers some great tips to help save you money. For more information, go to CHELCO.com.

Tips to save energy:

• Replace your old electric resistance heat system with a heat pump to cut your annual electric bill by as much as 50%. • Replace your central air conditioning unit with high efficiency equipment to save between 14% and 40% on your annual bill. • Add a waste heat recovery water heating system to save as much as 35% to 55% on water heating costs with central air conditioning systems and as much as 50% to 70% with a system using a central heat pump. Click here to learn more

- – - – - – - – - – - -

Ugh… the dog flies have arrived in the Florida Panhandle

When fall comes to our area, those refreshing weather fronts will move through from the north bringing lower humidity, lower temperatures and the infamous dog fly. The stable fly, known as the dog fly in Northwest Florida, is a blood feeding fly that is a nuisance to man, pets, and livestock. From August through November the dog fly congregates on the Florida Panhandle beaches. This fly originates from farming areas in southern Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and northern Florida and rides the northerly winds associated with cold fronts that move through our area. Click here to continue

- – - – - – - – - – - -

Fruits, vegetables and flowers thrive in DeFuniak Springs community garden

The Whitaker family in DeFuniak Springs have been farming and gardening for generations. Jamie Whitaker, her father, two sisters and brother, not only have a lawn service business, but a successful produce farm for the last 12 years, supplying Walton County restaurants with fresh vegetables. Click here to continue

- – - – - – - – - – - -

South Walton family builds compost garden with a twist

Walton County residents Susan and Peter Horn are at ease with being green. The forward thinking couple has transformed their entire yard into a multi-faceted ongoing permaculture project. Creative planting of herbs in a spiral-shaped compost garden had proven successful for the couple, hence the decision to expand on their existing spiral. With a little help from their friends on June 21, bricks were towered and a wide variety of ingredients were poured in to create a composting work of art. Click here to continue

- – - – - – - – - – - -

Keep up with what’s happening with the sea turtles!

- – - – - – - – - – - -

Adoptable pet portrait by Teresa Cline. Photo courtesy teresaclinegallery.com

A dog’s life in paradise

Dog n 1. A domestic carnivorous animal that typically has a long muzzle, pointed ears, a fur coat, and a long fur-covered tail, and whose characteristic call is a bark. Latin name: Canis familiaris Why is it that we love dogs? For many, having a dog in their life is a given, they are playful, energized with full of unconditional love. As a source of information, the following is a collection of resources for man’s (and woman’s) best friend. Click here to continue

- – - – - – - – - – - -

Gene Wesley and his friend Peck Carlton with their pompano catch.

Old friends reminisce about the early days of Grayton Beach fishing

Locals in Walton County have enjoyed fishing from Grayton Beach for generations. With a panoramic view of the Gulf, gentle breezes, it doesn’t get any better. Two long-time friends Van Ness Butler, Jr. and Gene Wesley remember the days when Grayton Beach had just a handful of residents. Van Ness Butler, Jr. grew up in the area and has fond memories of the early days fishing on Grayton Beach. Butler remembers locals, Herbert and Olin Miller as one of the first to launch a boat from Grayton Beach in the 1940s. A New England style dory, with a Model A engine, was rolled over logs across the sand to get to the Gulf of Mexico. “Western Lake rarely opened to the Gulf even back then. It was hard work getting that dory in and out of the water,” Butler recalls. Click here to continue

- – - – - – - – - – - -

Where to find local sweet blueberries

June and July is the time of year to head out and find tasty Florida blueberries. In addition to a great topping for cereal or salads, blueberry pancakes, muffins and coffee cakes are also a popular homemade treat for berry lovers. Click here to continue

- – - – - – - – - – - -

It’s that time of year again, and those blood-thirsty yellow flies are here… here are some tips for armoring yourself

In Florida, the name “yellow fly” is used to describe about a dozen different species of yellow-bodied biting flies. “Yellow flies” readily attack man and are usually abundant in Florida with peak annoyance occurring in May and June. “Yellow flies” are in the family known as Tabanidae. All tabanids go through an egg, larva, pupa and adult stage, referred to as “complete metamorphosis,” the same development process that mosquitoes go through. Tabanids lay egg masses containing 50 to several hundred eggs. Most species deposit their eggs around ponds, streams or swamps on overhanging vegetation such as grasses or cattails. Click here to continue

- – - – - – - – - – - -

Walton County beach parks with lifeguards, easy access, parking, and restroom facilities

Walton County’s beaches in Miramar Beach and along Scenic Highway 30A offer many public beach accesses. Locals have their favorites, whether it be good surf, quiet strolls or the safety of a lifeguard available. South Walton Fire District lifeguards patrol eight locations. These eight locations offer adequate parking, restroom facilities, and three offer handicap access with wheelchairs available: Ed Walline at the corner of Scenic Hwy. 30A and CR 393, Bramble Grove/Santa Clara Street in Seagrove and Miramar, near Pompano Joe’s on Scenic Gulf Drive. Lifeguards are on duty from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., seven days a week from the first Saturday in March until the last Sunday in September. Here is a list of beach access locations with lifeguards from west to east: Miramar Beach Access – click here for map Located on Scenic Gulf Drive off of U.S. 98 in western Walton County • Lifeguards • Restrooms • Parking • ADA access with wheelchair available Dune Allen Access – click here for map Located west of County Road 393 on Scenic Hwy. 30A • Lifeguards • Restrooms • Parking • Handicap access Ed Walline Access – click here for map Located at the intersection of 393 and Scenic Hwy. 30A • Lifeguards • Restrooms • Parking • ADA access with wheelchair available Gulfview Heights Access- click here for map Located 1/2 mile east of intersection County Roads 393 and Scenic Hwy. 30A, turn south on Gulfview Heights Street • Lifeguards • Restrooms • Parking Blue Mountain Beach Access – click here for map Located at the south end of CR 83 • Lifeguards • Restrooms • Limited Parking Van Ness Butler, Jr. Access – click here for map Located between Seaside and WaterColor on Scenic Hwy. 30A • Lifeguards • Restrooms • Ample parking lot on the north side of Scenic Hwy. 30A Grove Road/Santa Clara Street – click here for map Seagrove on Scenic Hwy. 30A • Lifeguards • Restrooms • Parking • ADA access with wheelchair available Inlet Beach Access – click here for map Located 3/4 mile east of the intersection of U.S. Highway 98 and Scenic Hwy. 30A, turn south on Orange Street • Lifeguards • Portable restrooms • Parking

- – - – - – - – - – - -

Several of Barrettt's beehives.

Bears wreak havoc, force beekeeper to install electric fences

Local beekeeper Earl Barrett is not happy. Local black bears have been raiding his beehives in the Pt. Washington State Forest this season, forcing him to put up electric fences to protect his hives. As he worked on putting up a fence off of CR 83 in Santa Rosa Beach on May 27, Barrett said with a bit of frustration, “this is the third location of boxes I’ve had to fence in.” Click here to continue

- – - – - – - – - – - -

Local horsewoman recalls trail rides on South Walton beaches

Folks that have lived in South Walton for more than eight years, will probably remember the Brand “N Iron Corral on U.S. Hwy 98 in Santa Rosa Beach. One would often spot horsewoman, Lanna Williams, along with her young riders sauntering along the beaches and trails in the area. Williams remembers when a trail ride to the beach was a refreshing treat for both the riders and the horses. “The horses loved getting in the water,” Williams recalled. Click here to continue

- – - – - – - – - – - -

Ceely Barfield on her Paso Fino.

A look into the equestrian experience in the Walton area

Learning to ride It is easy to notice that local equestrian Allison Richards loves horses. She speaks the language of horsemanship with confidence as I watched her guide two young riders during a recent lesson. With the years of knowledge under her belt, it is easy to understand why. Riding since she was 10, Richards started riding in a pony club. She quickly progressed, and began teaching the sport at age 14. Her diverse background has included the equestrian program at Sweet Briar College outside of Lynchberg, Va., and fox hunting in Cincinnati and Virginia. Click here to continue

- – - – - – - – - – - -

Paxton comes alive the first Saturday of the month

As times get leaner, many are looking into finding creative ways to find a bargain. One way to find the real deal, is to take drive to the Rockin S Auction the first Saturday of the month. Held at the old livestock building on U.S. Hwy 331 in Paxton, the auction comes to life around 8:30 a.m. as a stream of trucks and trailers pour into the site loaded with everything from household items and tools, to goats and chickens, to fresh eggs and preserves.CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE

- – - – - – - – - – - -

Lisa Miller and Phoenix, a red shouldered hawk.

A look at the dedicated volunteers that nurse injured wildlife back to health

Ever wonder what to do if you found an injured bird, turtle or squirrel? As we edge closer to spring, this could be the case, as sometimes young are found abandoned, or a baby bird has fallen from a nest. It is comforting to know that there is help available, and there are two groups in the Walton area that are able to nurse the animal back to health. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE.

- – - – - – - – - – - -

Walton county residents take advantage of County’s recycling programs

With more and more interest and concern for our environment, more people than ever have decided to become a part of a greener planet by recycling their household waste. Walton County does not have a forced recycling program. However, many are taking advantage of what options are available, and taking the time to recycle. Local resident Chandra Hartman and her household have reduced the amount of trash tremendously by being conscience about usage and disposal of their trash. “I typically have one small garbage bag of waste a week and one bag of recyclables for a family of three. I’m working on reducing this even further because if we don’t make the trash in the first place, we don’t have to worry about how to dispose of it later,” Chandra stated. “I compost and vermicompost all food scraps, shredded office paper, and newspaper. All non-shiny cardboard is used in the garden for sheet mulching. Glass, plastic, and cans are put in the recycle bin. I typically have one small garbage bag of waste a week and one bag of recyclables,” Chandra explains. CLICK HERE FOR ENTIRE STORY

- – - – - – - – - – - -

Entrance to Twin Oaks Farm. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors

Twin Oaks Farm: One woman’s quest for a natural alternative

Drawn to the idea of living in a warmer climate, Renee Savary moved to Florida from Switzerland 18 years ago, initially living in Miami as a successful Real Estate broker in South Beach. When a business matter brought Renee to Bonifay a year ago, she immediately knew what her next calling in life would be. CLICK FOR ENITRE STORY

- – - – - – - – - – - -

Bottlebrush

Getting through to Spring in your garden

February in South Walton is still cold to me. Some of my favorite plants that get to Spring are: Bottlebrush speciman or hedge evergreen with beautiful red blooms attracts hummingbirds dwarf, medium, tall and weeping varieties Camellias japonica (large leaves) or sasanqua (small leaves) evergreen depending on variety -early blooming November to late blooming March beautiful red, pink, white, doubles and bi-colors are available compact to tree forms CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE

- – - – - – - – - – - -

Socializing an important part of raising your new pup

Question We just got our first puppy and we are of course trying to learn everything possible about doing things properly with her so we get a good family dog. What advise can you give us? Patricia, Shalimar Answer Well Patricia you omitted to mention what breed of puppy you have although with this questions it is not actually relevant. I say that because right now the nature versus nurture question is too late. You have the puppy and the genes have played their part so it is now your turn to affect positively your puppy’s future behavior through appropriate nurturing. CLICK HERE FOR ENTIRE OF STORY

- – - – - – - – - – - -

What is that plant?

Plant identification is an important feature of the Walton County Extension Service. As volunteers with the Extension Service, the Master Gardeners are willing to help out with the process of plant identification. In order to for them to be effective in helping you they will need the following plant information: When you collect a specimen, collect as much information about the plant as you can. If you cannot take an actually specimen (it is on the road side, in a state park or on your grumpy neighbors property), take a digital photograph. Send an e-mail of the picture and send to: garmaster@co.walton.fl.us Sponsored by University of Florida IFAS Extension Phone: (850) 892-8172

Posted under Uncategorized