THE NEWSCASTER-Nature Coast News
PAGE 8 - March 10, 2010
Ft. Island Beach closed to swimming
People On The Nature Coast
by Citrus Health Dept.
Register Cracker Farm, quality hydroponic produce, naturally grown
Different plants have different re-
The Citrus County Parks and Recreation Division closed Ft. Island Gulf Beach
By Deborah Russell
quirements, and they are planted in sepa-
ark to swimming Friday after the Citrus County Environmental Health Department issued
Newscaster Editor
rate sections and nurtured according to
an advisory for the beach, warning of high bacterial counts in water samples. The samples
their requirements by way of “spaghetti
showed enterococci bacteria counts were over the state standard.
hoses,” which are regulated by the main
During the past year, the Reg-
The prohibition on swimming will continue until further weekly samplings show
control board and carefully monitored
isters, a family in northern Citrus Coun-
reduced bacterial levels. Next week’s sampling results by Environmental Health will
by Brandy and John. The family consults
ty, has operated a family owned hydro-
be available Friday, March 12, and health department officials will decide at that point
with experts, every step of the way, as
ponic farm, the Register Cracker Farm.
hether to continue or lift the advisory.
they perfect their new farming method. No
The farm’s name comes from Burma and
The department warns that presence of the bacteria indicates that contact with
chemicals are ever sprayed on the plants.
John being 4th generation and Brandy be-
the water may pose an increased risk of infectious disease, particularly for susceptible
Cold weather is always a risky
ing 5th generation “Florida Crackers.”
individuals. For more information, call the Citrus County Health Department at
challenge for farmers, but the Registers
During the past year, the family,
352-527-5283
were well prepared for cold weather,long
which has farmed commercially for many
before the cold winter hit. Strawberry plants
years in Polk County, Florida, purchased a
go into shock at 34 degrees or below, said
farm north of Crystal River, located at 9225
Brandy, while tomatoes go into shock at 40
N. Rainelle Avenue. They’re located just off
degrees or below. The Registers work within
Highway 488 (Dunnellon Rd.), two streets
a “freeze protection line.” Brandy explained
west of the intersection with Hwy. 495 (Cit-
that the ground is warmer than the air, and
rus Ave.). Here, the Registers grow their
the cold intensifies as the height increases,
excellent quality, naturally grown produce.
so they keep the height of their plant stacks
In hydroponic farming, soil and
within a height they can work with to bring
water is conserved, and plants are grown
the temperature down to a level the plants
vertically in special rotating containers
can tolerate. The plants are covered with a
that are stacked on poles, rather than be-
freeze cloth and misted with warm water for
ing planted in the traditional way - in
protection. This acts like a steam bath, says
horizontal rows, rooted in soil. The Reg-
Brandy. The plants are uncovered the fol-
isters use foam containers for insula-
lowing day, and the procedure is repeated,
tion and coconut husks and perlite, rather
as necessary, during each cold snap. Con-
than soil, for the plants’ root systems.
versely, during hot months, twice daily
Earlier in the winter, when straw-
cool misting protects plants from the heat.
berries were out of season and import-
To reflect sunlight to the lower and
ed from questionable locations at huge
inner plants of the growing stacks, the ground
prices - mostly under-ripe and tasteless
is covered with a cloth that is painted white,
- the Registers were selling juicy, melt-
and the plants are rotated 180 degrees daily.
in-your-mouth ripe strawberries, fresh off
Register Cracker Farm has many
the vine, at very reasonable prices. Out of
varieties of plants, all with extended
the usual strawberry season, the Registers
The Register Cracker Farm managers Brandy Register (L) and Jim Eason (R) explaining the
growing seasons, including jalopeno pep-
had over 20,000 plants of 7 or 8 varieties
benefits of hydroponic strawberry growing in the Derosa facility. This unit can produce four
pers, banana and other varieties of bell
of strawberries being picked daily. They
times the amount of produce compared to traditional ground farming using dramatically less
peppers, plum tomatoes, various blue-
are still producing strawberries now, as
water. TheNewscaster/Mike Moore
berry varieties, soybeans, sweet onions,
hydroponic farming dramatically extends
collards, red and white cabbage, broc-
the growing seasons. Brandy explained
coli, cauliflower, mustard and spinach.
that hydroponically grown produce keeps
NAPA Auto &
The farm is open to the public, seven
much longer before spoiling than regularly
days per week. You can pick your own pro-
grown and chemically treated produce.
Truck Parts
duce or purchase it already freshly picked.
The Register Cracker Farm is
For additional information, please
Fax: 352-447-6099
8.5 acres, says Brandy, who is the resi-
(352) 447-6000
call Brandy, John or Burma at (352) 563-
dent manager of the farm, but the yield is
Hours:
1604, or you can reach Brandy on her
twice what a traditional farm can produce
Mon-
cell phone at (893) 978-8434. The fam-
on the same amount of land. But the work
U.S. 19 - Inglis
ily welcomes visitors and enjoys giving
is much less intense and requires no huge
Friday
tours of their interesting, unusual farm.
Hydraulic Hoses Our Specialty
machinery. Brandy’s main tools are her ar-
7:30-5:30
“Drop by and see how we grow,” is their
dent passion for farming, her watchful eye
Hydraulic Hoses up to 2"- 6 Wire
Saturday
sincere, heartfelt motto. They will make
and her injector board, which controls the
you feel like a member of their family!
flow of water and nutrients to the plants.
8-5
(352) 489-3391
Important Toll Free Numbers
Sunday
U.S. 41 - Dunnellon
Citrus Cty Govt. Citrus Springs & Dunnellon 489-2120
8-5
Levy Cty Govt. 800-733-5389
Just North of Powell Rd
Levy Cty Sheriff 800-538-9767
Yankeetown General Store
Buddy & Fred’s Hardware
Randy Alumbaugh
6611 Hwy. 40W • Yankeetown • (352)447-2532
517 Hwy. 40W • Inglis, FL • 352-447-2600
Construction, Inc.
BuddyAndFreds.com  Established 1983
LAST STOP BEFORE THE GULF
MOV
Across from Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve
New Homes - Renovations - Additions
Monday-Friday 8am-5:30pm
ING
Saturday 8am-2pm
Now Open 7 Days
Serving Marion, Levy & Citrus Counties
SALE
50Licensed & Insured CRC058012
R.V. Accessories
www.alumbaughconstruction.com
Serving Breakfast-Lunch
R.V. Sewer Parts • Paint • Keys • Garden • Patio
Live Shrimp & Pinfish
Plumbing • Electrical • Nuts • Bolts • Tools
Gas & Ice
Office: 352-447-0655 - Inglis
Chicken, Subs & Beer
Randy Alumbaugh
Stainless • Water Hoses • Thermacell • Case Knives
50
Fax: 352-447-3013
Hunters: Check Out Our First Ever Big Buck Contest!
Leatherman Tools • Unique Tank Chemicals
Cell: 352-266-7113
CrimeStoppers Levy: 1-877-349-477 Citrus: 1-888-ANY-TIPS