FSGA is proud to be an exhibitor at the Florida State Fair each year. This year Sarah, Glenda and our Florida Strawberry Growers Association Ambassadors helped man the booth. And, as you can see Jammer, our sought-after animated mascot, even made an appearance. If we do say so, our booth is one of the most popular booths at the Fair! After all, who doesn’t love fresh, flavorful, Florida strawberries?

The finest produce, livestock and poultry Florida has to offer the very latest farm equipment and technological advances in agriculture are featured at the Fair. More than 500 4-H members and nearly 1,000 FFA members exhibited a variety of farm animals including steers, dairy cows, swine, goats, poultry, rabbits, sheep, llamas and dogs.

Sue and Glenda, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnman, Haley Ours, Kelsey Bozeman, David Walden at Taste of Florida Agriculture at the Florida State Fair

Strawberry Ambassadors David, Megan, Haley and Kelsey at the Florida Strawberry Growers Association Jam Awards Banquet

Sue, Haley, Megan, Jammer and Kelsey pose at the Florida State Fair

Ambassadors Megan, David and Kelsey at the Florida Legislative Appreciation Reception

Strawberry Ambassador Megan Dipping Strawberries at the Florida State Fair

Florida Strawberry Ambassadors David, Megan and Haley at the Florida State Fair

Strawberry Ambassadors David, Haley, Kelsey and Megan at the Florida State Fair

Kelsey getting a strawberry tattoo

If you missed the Fair this year plan now for next year. Be sure to come by our booth. We’ll be looking for you.

Last year, the Florida State Fair attracted more than 480,000 visitors. Every year, the Fair supports the local economy and creates countless jobs in Florida, contributing nearly $150 million in sales to the local economy and more than $35 million in wages and salaries. Check it out.

I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday and a chance to enjoy some of our delicious Florida winter strawberries. It’s been just over a month since we started harvesting.

We’ve been busy picking berries and are looking forward to a record crop for 2011-2012. This year we’re harvesting an extra 1,000 acres!

Back to the holidays. We decorated Christmas hats during our annual Christmas Eve dinner at Mark’s sister’s home. It’s always so much fun making these crazy hats. But don’t think that because we’re just having a little fun, we taking it seriously. There’s even a competition behind this event! Mark was a good sport and ended up winning most creative.

Mark and Candace modeling their hats

Stevie’s big gift this year was her first kitchen. She’s learning to cook at an early age and already seems to enjoy mixing and watching me in the kitchen. Who knows, she might soon be featured in our Culinary Chronicles! Note, the strawberry red color. What else, right?

Stevie and her first kitchen

The sink was her favorite thing, though I have an idea that when she gets older she’ll change her mind.

Stevie and her John Deere Tractor

Stevie also got her first tractor from Papa Mark, a John Deere just like his and every bit as big as she is!

Happy New Year!

I wanted to share a great idea for a Christmas centerpiece that’s even more delicious than it is beautiful—an edible Christmas tree! Every year friends and family look forward to this beautiful and sumptuous decoration. Read on to learn how to create your very own. There’s a video at the end that brings it all together. Here goes!

All you’ll need for this project are five things. A large foam cone from a local craft store, white dipping chocolate, romaine lettuce, toothpicks and fresh and flavorful Florida winter strawberries.

Rinse the berries and let them dry while the white dipping chocolate warms in a crock pot. Once the berries are dry and the chocolate is warm and creamy, dip the tips of the strawberries into the chocolate. Set berries on parchment paper to cool.

While the chocolate sets on the berries, it’s time to begin working on the tree. Attach pieces of lettuce to the foam cone with toothpicks starting from the bottom and layering upwards.

After the cone is covered with lettuce, begin adding the the chocolate-tipped strawberries onto the lettuce with toothpicks. In no time you’ll have a beautiful, edible Christmas tree that is sure to impress! As guests remove strawberries from the tree, the attractive green base of the lettuce mimics branches of a real tree.

Want to take your entertaining up a notch? It’s so easy and you’ll save a lot of money too! Have you ever priced ready-made chocolate-dipped berries? Why not dress up your extra berries in tuxedos yourself? Check out the video below for a step-by-step guide to making this edible Christmas tree with a special bonus of easy-to-make chocolate tuxedo strawberries!