FAMU Cooperative
Extension SDA Newsletter
Volume 3, Issue 3
March 2014
The White House and USDA Announce School Wellness Standards
First Lady Michelle Obama and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announce proposed
school wellness standards and roll out of breakfast and lunch programs for schools that serve low income
communities that serve low income communities
Inside this issue:
Snake Oil
2
Hot Pepper
Monthly
3
Knowing Your
Herbs
4
Did You Know/ 5
Spring Farm Fest
2014
Upcoming Events
6-12
Special Invite to
SDA Farmers/
Ranchers
13
FAMU
Cooperative
Extension
14
SDA Outreach
Project funded by
USDA/APHIS.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 25, 2014 – Today, First Lady
Michelle Obama joins U.S. Department of Agriculture
Secretary Tom Vilsack to announce proposed guidelines for
local school wellness policies. The bipartisan Healthy,
Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 mandated that the USDA set
guidelines for what needed to be included in local school
wellness policies in areas such as setting goals for nutrition
education and physical activity, informing parents about
content of the policy and implementation, and periodically
assessing progress and sharing updates as appropriate. As
part of local school wellness policies, the proposed guidelines would ensure that foods and beverages
marketed to children in schools are consistent with the recently-released Smart Snacks in School
standards. Ensuring that unhealthy food is not marketed to children is one of the First Lady's top
priorities; that is why it is so important for schools to reinforce the importance of healthy choices and
eliminate marketing of unhealthy products.
"The idea here is simple—our classrooms should be healthy places where kids aren't bombarded with
ads for junk food," said First Lady Michelle Obama. "Because when parents are working hard to teach
their kids healthy habits at home, their work shouldn't be undone by unhealthy messages at school."
This action comes after the White House Summit on Food Marketing to Children last fall where Mrs.
Obama called on the country to ensure children's health was not undermined by marketing of unhealthy
food.
"The food marketing and local wellness standards proposed today support better health for our kids and
echo the good work already taking place at home and in schools across the country. The new standards
ensure that schools remain a safe place where kids can learn and where the school environment promotes
healthy choices. USDA is committed to working closely with students, parents, school stakeholders and
the food and beverage industries to implement the new guidelines and make the healthy choice, the easy
choice for America's young people," Secretary Vilsack said.
To help schools with the implementation of the school wellness policies, the U.S. Department of
Agriculture has launched a new "School Nutrition Environment and Wellness Resources" website, which
includes sample wellness policy language for school districts and a dedicated page of resources for food
marketing practices on the school campus.
These new resources will complement a second announcement which highlights the nationwide expansion of a successful program that was piloted in 11 states with the goal of ensuring children who are in
need of nutritious meals are receiving them. Beginning July 1, 2014, more than 22,000 schools across
the country—which serve primarily low-income students—will be eligible to serve healthy free lunches
and breakfasts to all students. This will help as many as 9 million American children eat healthy meals at
school, especially breakfast, which can have profound impacts on educational achievement. Research
shows that kids who eat breakfast in the classroom preform over 17% better on math tests and have fewer disciplinary problems.
Amelia C. Davis, MBA
SDA Newsletter Editor
For more information, go to http://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/
Release No. 0029.14
Page 2
FAMU Cooperative Extension SDA Newsletter
SNAKE OIL
By: Trevor Hylton,
FAMU Extension Agent/Leon-Wakulla County
I was cooking on evening when my daughter walked in the kitchen and I
told her that garlic is very effective in keeping vampires away, after
laughing at me she asked “how do you know that? “Have you seen any
vampires around? I asked to which she replied “no”. “Well”, said I
“therein lies your proof”.
“Wikipedia defines snake oil as: “an expression that originally referred to
fraudulent health products or unproven medicine but has come to refer to
any product with questionable or unverifiable quality or benefit. By extension, a snake oil salesman is someone who knowingly sells fraudulent
goods or who is himself or herself a fraud, quack, charlatan, and the like.”
As an Extension Agent my job is to promote research based information
that will help to solve the agriculture related problems of the people I
serve. Often times I come across outlandish things a lot of which can be
found on the internet. As child I remember when, whatever was found in a book was thought to be true now it
seem it is whatever is found on the internet.
We all have heard that grits makes a good fire ants killer and the internet is plastered with all kinds of claims and
testimonials about its efficacy. The story is that when the grits gets inside the stomach of the ants it swells up and
causes them to explode. The truth is this has been tried but not proven. Grits do not kill ants; grits do not make
them blow up; grits do not even make them uncomfortable. If grits (corn) actually caused damage to fire ants,
then why are so many corn fields loaded with fire ant mounds?
Adult ants cannot digest solid foods. Therefore, everything they eat has to be turned into a liquid before it enters
the digestive tract. When an ant eats a piece of food digestive juices interact with the solid outside of the ant's
mouth and dissolve the solid food into digestible liquid. The ant then laps up the food with its tongue. The food
goes through the ant's mouth into a chamber below that house a filter. The filter makes sure no solids are allowed
to progress. The solids in the chamber are compressed into one pellet, which the ant then spits out.
Some time ago I told one of my community garden members that March was not a good time to plant sweet
potato her response was “why are they selling them now if it is not the right time? I told her that people will sell
anything as long as there is someone willing and able to buy. If you are in doubt about the efficacy of a product
on the market; do a little research before you try it. Your Extension Agent can be very helpful in finding answers
to some of your questions.
Volume 3, Issue 3
Page 3
* Hot Pepper Monthly *
Contributor: Mr. Gilbert Queeley
The Versatility of Hot Peppers (Capsicum spp.)
Hot Peppers are not just the little spicy devils that many people consider them to be. These unique creations of nature
possess many economic, nutritional and as we have recently discovered, medicinal benefits. To get a concise appreciation
of the many benefits of hot peppers, let’s start with the economy.
Recent USDA National Agricultural Statistics Services (USDA NASS) reports show hot peppers as one of the fastest
growing crops of economic importance. At the end of 2012, hot pepper production was approximately 5 million pounds,
with an economic value of approximately 175 million dollars for the benefit of farmers and industry personnel. Figures 1
and 2 show the current trend in hot pepper production and income.
Value of hot pepper production 2000 to 2012
Hot Pepper Production (All States) 2000 to 2012
$200,000,000.00
6,000,000
$180,000,000.00
$160,000,000.00
Value of production ($)
Production (1000 cwt)
5,000,000
4,000,000
3,000,000
2,000,000
$140,000,000.00
$120,000,000.00
$100,000,000.00
$80,000,000.00
$60,000,000.00
$40,000,000.00
1,000,000
$20,000,000.00
$-
0
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
Fig. 1 U.S. Hot pepper production 2000-2012+
2012
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Fig. 2. Value of hot pepper production 2000-2012+
+ Figures generated from USDA-NAASS data. Both increasing trends show a positive outlook for the hot pepper industry.
The nutritional and medicinal benefits of hot peppers are well documented. Hot peppers are an important source of vitamins
A, C and K as well as numerous antioxidants. There is increasing epidemiological and clinical evidence that the antioxidants
in spicy foods including hot (Chile) peppers contain anticancer properties. It is also purported that the hotter the pepper, the
higher the antioxidant level. Furthermore, as one eats more hot peppers, their tolerance to the heat improves. This latter
statement should encourage more individuals to include hot peppers in their diets, hence benefit from the numerous nutritional
and medicinal benefits they offer. Some of the more recent domestic and industrial uses of hot peppers include:

Fighting obesity: Hot peppers have been reported to be an appetite reducer and calorie burner. This has increased its popularity as a
weight loss substance.

Pleasure incitement: Although it is not clear how this happens, it is claimed that hot peppers release endorphins, the pleasure hormone. It has even been reported that some ancient societies used hot peppers as an aphrodisiac.

Treating headaches: Studies have claimed that the capsaicin in hot peppers is extremely effective at relieving and preventing headaches, including migraine headaches and sinus headaches.

Arthritis relief: It has been reported that eating foods that contain capsaicin or applying topical treatments of capsaicin can bring
relief to individuals suffering from arthritis.

Maintaining a youthful appearance: The anti-inflammatory agents in capsaicin, the same ingredient that gives hot peppers their heat,
have been reported to reduce or delay premature ageing.

Fighting crime: The heat in hot peppers did not go unnoticed. The capsaicin from the hottest varieties of pepper, including habaneros and ghost pepper has been harnessed by law enforcement and national defense agencies worldwide. This has enhanced the
manufacture of pharmaceuticals such as mace and pepper spray, which are used to quell combative forces and in the fight against
crime.
Today, hot peppers have become domesticated to the point where they are appearing in condiments such as jams, jellies, salsas, ice
cream and candies. Hot peppers can therefore be beneficial across every spectrum of our society, ranging from condiments for our
kids, to healthcare, the economy and national defense.
Page 4
FAMU Cooperative Extension SDA Newsletter
Knowing Your Herbs
Contributors: Linda Sapp and Trevor Hylton
GINGER Zingiber officinale
Ginger is a tasty aromatic spice that has been the basis of Asian and Indian cuisine and
traditional medicine for centuries. Today ginger’s popularity has spread across the globe,
and it is one of the world’s most widely used herbal treatments. The rhizome
(underground stem) is used as a spice and also medicinally. In foods and beverages,
ginger is used as a flavoring agent. In manufacturing, ginger is used as for fragrance in
soaps and cosmetics.
Ginger is commonly used for curing digestive disturbances that involve flatulence,
burping and colic. It is useful for a slow digestive system as well as circulatory sluggishness and can inhibit
digestive ulcers. It has been used to stop migraine headaches and is well known for its use in motion sickness,
post- operative nausea and nausea of pregnancy. Research with chemotherapy-induced vomiting showed ginger
tea to be ineffective while the tincture (liquid extract) was very effective.
The fresh juice can be used to treat first and second degree burns. Ginger also has been shown to be helpful in
treating joint pain by stimulating blood circulation. Other uses include pain relief from arthritis or muscle soreness, menstrual pain, upper respiratory tract infections, cough, and bronchitis.
Growing ginger is easy in Florida's tropical climate, because it is a perennial, it will continue to grow and thrive
in your garden for many years. To start, find an area of your garden that is shaded for most of the day; a few
hours of morning sun is ideal. You don't even need to special order ginger root the ones you purchase from the
grocery store will be just fine
Ginger takes about 9 to 10 months to mature, although you can dig around the plant and cut off a piece of the
root to use at any time. If you leave the rest of the root underground the plant will continue to grow. Ginger will
do very well growing in container just remember that the plant prefers partial shade and a moist soil.
Ginger won't tolerate freezing temperatures, even though the leaves and stem will die back in winter, the roots
will remain viable in the ground and regrow as soon as the soil temperature gets up to about 55 degrees F.
Reference: National Institutes of Health
Volume 3, Issue 3
Page 5
Did You Know ??
From 1918-1964, annual 4H short courses were held on the campus of Florida A&M University under
the direct supervision of the college's agricultural department.
Dr. Beverly B. Archer was appointed the first administrator, with the responsibility for the
administration, coordination and development of the FAMU Cooperative Extension and served from
1972-1980.
For more “DID YOU KNOW??” trivia facts, feel free to follow us on
Twitter at @ FAMUExt and “Like” us on Facebook..
Page 6
FAMU Cooperative Extension SDA Newsletter
UPCOMING EVENTS
AgriReach Workshop
March 21, 2014
9:00am – 3:00pm
Florida A&M University Cooperative Extension Program received a capacity building grant from
USDA to establish a Farmer-to-Farmer Mentorship Program with community-based farmers in North
Florida. The program is designed to identify model farmers to serve as mentors to other farmers in the
county who need up-to-date information regarding best farm management practices i.e. (production,
health and food safety risks, farm management, and marketing). The aim is to increase
communication efficiency while disseminating information for effective, efficient and safe food
production. The purpose of the workshop is to disseminate information, strengthen relationship
between farmer/producer and extension agricultural professional, to encourage practices to reduce
health and food safety risks and to receive feedback.
The workshop is scheduled for March 21, 2014, from 9:00am – 3:00pm at the FAMU Extension and
Research Center, located on the FAMU Farm in Quincy, FL.
This a free event and lunch will be provided at the workshop; however RSVP is strongly suggested.
FAMU Research & Extension Center
4259 Bainbridge Highway
Quincy, Florida 32352
850- 875-8555
For more information, please email or phone Carmen Lyttle N'Guessan at 850 412-5363 or
Linda Sapp at [email protected]
If you require a reasonable accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Amendment Act (ADAA), please contact the Office of Equal
Opportunity Programs at (850) 599-3076 at least 10 working days prior to the start of the event.
Page 7
FAMU Cooperative Extension SDA Newsletter
PARTICIPANTS TO JOIN US AT OUR SPRING WORKSHOP
DAIRY GOATS 101:
LEARNING ABOUT DAIRY GOATS
Reward: Door Prizes, Lunch and Learning
Where:
When:
Cost:
Serenity Acres Farm & Goat Dairy
Pinetta, Florida
Sunday, March 23, 2014
10a – 11a Farm Walk & Registration
11a – 3p Workshop
$25 per person
(class size is limited, so register early)
For Registration and Payment call Julia: 850-464-2115 or
Chris: 850-464-1022 or e-mail [email protected].
Cash, check or credit card accepted.
Wear closed toed shoes and comfortable clothing, No Pets or Smoking.
Sponsors: Tractor Supply
SDA Farmer/Rancher event
Volume 3, Issue 3
Page 8
Page 9
FAMU Cooperative Extension SDA Newsletter
Online registration information coming soon!
Check out website:
http://www.conference.ifas.ufl.edu/smallfarms/index.html
Registration Scholarship Info
Florida small farmers who cannot attend the conference due to financial hardship have the opportunity to apply for a
registration scholarship. Up to a $150 value, the scholarship covers the cost of a full conference registration. Other
costs associated with the conference such as travel, lodging, and incidentals are not covered under the registration
scholarship and will be the responsibility of the individual.
Applications will be reviewed in the order received by a committee composed of small farm producers and university
extension faculty. Priority will be given to first time conference attendees. Past winners are not eligible and all
scholarship recipients must be 18 years of age or older. Scholarship recipients name and Florida County will be posted
on the conference website.
The number of scholarship that can be awarded will depend on the total amount of donations received for this
purpose.
Florida small farmers applying should complete the application and send by June 1 for consideration.
Applicants will be notified by June 23. Awardees will be required to complete a registration within one week of notification to confirm scholarship acceptance (by June 30).
Hosted By:
Page 10
FAMU Cooperative Extension SDA Newsletter
SAVE THE DATE
June 8-21, 2014
AG-DISCOVERY
Summer Program
For Teens - Ages 14-17
To apply visit:
1) http://www.aphis.usda.gov/agdiscovery/
2) www.famu.edu/herds
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical
University
College of Agriculture and Food Sciences
Cooperative Extension Program
For more information, please contact:
Dr. Ray Mobley at: 561-2546
Dr. Glen Wright at: 875-8573
Carmen Lyttle N’Guessan at: 412-5363
Page 11
FAMU Cooperative Extension SDA Newsletter
UPCOMING EVENTS
SAVE THE DATE
July 13-18, 2014
AG-TECH Century 21
Summer Enrichment Program
For Teens - Ages 13-17
Applications are being accepted.
Please visit for forms: www.famu.edu/herds
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
College of Agriculture and Food Sciences
Cooperative Extension Program
Contact: Carmen Lyttle N’Guessan at: 412-5363
Linda Sapp at: 412-5258
Main Office (850) 599-3546
Page 12
FAMU Cooperative Extension SDA Newsletter
Centennial Anniversary Crop Block Party
The FAMU/Extension Crop Program will be celebrating the 100th
Anniversary of Extension with a Centennial Crop Block Party.
The event will take place on the campus of Florida A&M University,
College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Perry Paige building
parking lot on Pinder Drive on April 16, 2014 from 9AM to 3PM.
The theme of the day will be…
"Agriculture Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow:
Feeding the World".
Tent displays will range from sensory garden, hydroponic, specialty
crops, and more. A self-guided tour of selective farm machinery and
implements will provide a chronological timeline of farm equipment
in agriculture.
Everyone is invited!
Page 13
FAMU Cooperative Extension SDA Newsletter
A Special Invitation
to the SDA Farmers/Ranchers
We would appreciate for you to exhibit historic farm equipment/supplies used for the past
100 years. Florida A&M University Cooperative Extension is commemorating the 100 th
year of the Extension Program (Smith-Lever Act of 1914) to call attention to historical,
current and future programs.
On April 16, 2014, a block of exhibits will be on display on Pinder Drive, located on the
campus of Florida A&M, to showcase antique equipment and farm supplies used “Back in
the Day”, for farming enterprises, such as:
*Hoes
* Mule-driven equipment
* Small drills
* Small tractors
* Plows
* Saws
* Other pertinent equipment used on your farm to assist with your farming enterprises
Based on your need for exhibit space, please register with FAMU Cooperative Extension
at (850) 599-3546. Deadline registration is April 1, 2014.
Contact Persons: Dr. Alex Bolques (850) 875-7255 and Dr. Lawrence Carter (850) 561-2967
FAMU Extension: Reaching. Teaching. Serving.
Florida A&M
University
College of
Agriculture & Food
Sciences
Cooperative
Extension Program
1740 S. Martin Luther
King Jr, Blvd
215 Perry Paige
Building South
Tallahassee, FL 32308
Phone: 850-599-3546
Fax: 850-561-2151
www.famu.edu/cep
The Florida A&M
University Cooperative
Extension Program is an
equal employment/
educational opportunity
access organization which
provides
research-based
educational information
and other services only to
eligible individuals and
institutions regardless of
race, color, national
origin, religion,
gender, age, disability,
martial or veteran status.
FAMU Cooperative Extension... Reaching. Teaching. Serving.
Dr. Robert Taylor, Dean and Director of Land Grant Programs, College of
Agriculture and Food Sciences (CAFS)
Vonda Richardson, Interim Director, Cooperative Extension Programs
Dr. Lawrence Carter, Director of Special Outreach Programs
Dr. Ray Mobley, Director of Veterinary Science
Dr. Jennifer Taylor, Extension Specialist– Small Farms/Sustainable
Development
Tondalaya Nelson, EFNEP Coordinator/4-H Youth Development Specialist
Angela McKenzie-Jakes, Extension Animal Science Specialist/Program
Leader Small Ruminant Program
Carmen Lyttle-N'guessan, Coordinator, Animal Healthcare/Veterinary
Technology Program
Sandra Thompson, Community Resource Development Program Leader/
Extension Specialist
Dr. Glen Wright, Director of Animal Health
Dr. Robert Purvis, Extension Veterinarian
Gilbert Queeley, Research Associate
Dr. Keawin Sarjeant, Asst. Professor, Animal Science/Food ScienceHACCP
Trevor Hylton, County Extension Agent (Leon & Wakulla)
Dr. Alex Bolques, County Extension Agent (Gadsden)
Lester Muralles, County Extension Agent (Gadsden)
Melva Morfaw, County Extension Agent (Madison)
Donna Salters, Coordinator , Community Resource Development
Amelia Davis, Coordinator, Management Analysis/ Extension
Communications / Editor of SDA Newsletter
Linda Sapp, Project Coordinator, Vet-Tech Program
Faith Clarke, Coordinator, OASDFR Project
Renysha Harris, Coordinator, Administrative Services
Rhonda Miller, Office Manager
Covey Washington, Extension Agent
Conchita Newman, Extension Agent
Sam Hand, Extension Agent
Sonji West, EFNEP Program Assistant (Gadsden County)
Tonia Torres, EFNEP Program Assistant (Hillsborough County)
Maria Jones, EFNEP Program Assistant (Gulf County)
Jimonica Geri, EFNEP Program Assistant (Escambia County)