Dear Teacher Septemberrsquos Harvest of the Month product is the amazing avocado Doctor Ava Avocado will teach your class all about the super nutritious Florida avocado So grab a stethoscope and get ready to listen up

Classroom RecipeFlorida Avocado Guacamole

Florida AVOCADO

Serves 20-25

INGREDIENTS bull 2 Florida avocados

bull 2 jalapentildeos minced

bull 1 bunch fresh cilantro

Harvest of the Month Classroom Guide Middle School

Special News Welcome back Itrsquos the beginning of a new growing season and you know what that means Itrsquos time to start planting your fall garden Host a workday celebration to refresh your school garden and get everyone involved in preparing for this growing season A little planning goes a long way Visit these websites for additional resources to help grow your garden program

For more resources visit these websites

Florida Farm to School FreshFromFloridacomFarmtoSchool Kids GardeningwwwKidsGardeningorg

Florida

bull 1 lime juiced

bull 2 Florida tomatoes diced

bull frac12 cup red onionfinely chopped

torn or chopped

bull 1 teaspoon cumin

bull Salt to taste

PREPARATION 1 Slice the avocados in half

remove the pit and scoop out the pulp Using a fork or potato masher mash the pulp until still chunky

2 Squeeze some lime juiceonto the pulp to keep itfrom oxidizing(turning brown)

3 Gently fold in the rest ofthe ingredients addingmore lime juice thecilantro and cumin Add salt to desired taste

4 Serve with whole grain tortilla scoops

This institution is an equal opportunity provider

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Nicole Nikki Fried Commissioner

Florida

Harvest of the Month Middle School

Class Chatter All About Serving Size

Did You Know bull Avocados are an excellent source of fiber folatepotassium and vitamins C E and K They alsohave the highest protein content of any fruit

bull Avocados are high in healthy fats and fiber Theseheart-healthy fats are important for a healthynervous system and heart

bull Miami-Dade and Collier counties produce thelargest amount in the state

bull The avocado is known as the ldquoalligator pearrdquo forits shape and leather-like skin

bull Avocados have been cultivatedin tropical America since pre-Columbian times The firstrecorded importation intoFlorida was in 1833

bull To speed ripening placeavocados in a brown paper bagor in a bowl with some bananas and other fruit

Avocado Tips bull Florida avocados are in season from Junethrough January

bull South Floridarsquos warm temperatures are ideal forgrowing avocados

bull Avocados grow on trees

bull A mature avocado ripens in three to eight daysafter it is picked

The size of the serving Nutrition Factson the food package

Serving Size 14 Florida avocadoinfluences the number

Amount Per Serving

of calories and all the Calories 122 Calories from Fat 0 Daily Value

nutrient amounts listed Total Fat 11gSaturated Fat 2g 7on the top part of Trans Fat 0g 0

the label Pay careful Cholesterol 0mg Sodium 5mgattention to how many Total Carbohydrate 6g 5

servings there are in Dietary Fiber 5g Sugars 1gthe food package and

Protein 2gask yourself ldquoHow

Vitamin A 1 bull Vitamin C 10 many servings am I Calcium 1 bull Iron 2

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 consumingrdquo calorie diet Your Daily Values may be higher orlower depending on your calorie needs

Additional Resources

Check out these additional resources bull The Worldrsquos Healthiest Foods

bull The Selling of the Avocado

bull Avocados

bull Growing Avocados

bull Avocado Experiment

Informational Books and Articles bull ldquoThe Snarkout Boys and the Avocado of

Deathrdquo book by Daniel Manus Pinkwater

bull ldquoDrones and Dogs Deployed in Battle toSave the Guacamolerdquo article by Tamara Lush

LESSON PLANS Content Areas Lessons are most applicable forscience and environmental science courses but the content also includes standards from social studies art language arts and math

Objective Students will research the nutritional contentof Florida avocados and analyze threats to the Florida avocado crop

Introduction Post the following warm-up problem to begin the discussion on avocados

ldquoAmericans consumed an estimated 79 million pounds of avocados or 158 million avocados while viewing the past Super Bowl Based on that information how much does an avocado weigh in poundsrdquo

Answer 79 pounds 158 avocados = 05 pounds per avocado

Allow students five minutes to complete the warm-up When finished review the answer as a class

Next ask students if they have all tried this fruit Ask them to name some foods that are made with avocados Students will read ldquoFlorida Avocado Background Informationrdquo and do further research on the avocado Ask each student to complete a ldquo321rdquo noting three things they learned two things that surprised them and one question they have

Guided Activity Students will read the article by Tamara Lush entitled rdquoDrones and Dogs Deployed to Save theGuacamolerdquo Working in groups students will answer the comprehension questions on the newspaper article and map the growth of laurel wilt and the ambrosia beetle Review the questions as a class when finished

Independent Activity Encourage students to create their own snack dish using Florida avocados Each studentshould create an ingredient list and write the recipe directions for how to make the snack

Standards SC6N15 SC6N13 SC7N15SC7L172 SC7L173 SC8N15 LAFS6SL12 LAFS6SL13 LAFS6SL24 LAFS68RST l l LAFS68 RST12 LAFS68WHST26 LAFS68WHST37 MAFS7SP24 VA68C21 VA68C22 VA68C23 SS7C212 SS7C213 and SS7C214

Materials bull Florida Avocadobull ldquoDrones and Dogs Deployed to Save the Guacamolerdquo

by Tamara Lushbull Crayons or colored pencilsbull Blank paper

ADDITIONAL EXERCISE Encourage them to try and germinate the seeds from the avocados to grow their own avocado plant using this website at a guide

wwweducationcomactivityarticlegrow-avocado-plant

The avocado is native to the Americas Mexico has used this fruit for thousands of years The first written documentation of an avocado was in the 1500s In the 1700s sailors called the avocado ldquomidshipmanrsquos butterrdquo because they would use it as a spread on their bread and biscuits Avocados were first introduced into Florida in the 1800s There are up to fifty different avocado varieties in Florida Locals in Florida used to call avocados ldquoalligator pearsrdquo because of their dark green bumpy skin Avocados are an excellent source of fiber folate potassium and vitamins C E and K They also have the highest protein content of any fruit

For more on these facts and additional information please visit these sources

bull wwwindexfreshcom

bull wwwspecialtyproducecom

bull wwwedisifasufledutopic_avocado

Background Information

Anatomy of an Avocado

WORD BANK Exocarp

Mesocarp

Endocarp

Seed

By Tamara Lush April 28 2015 With the killers hiding in the trees heat sensing drones are launched into the air When their whereabouts are narrowed the dogs are sent in When it comes to protecting the worldrsquos supply of guacamole no weapon can be spared On subtropical farmland in South Florida researchers are doing battle with the deadly fungus laurel wilt which is spread by a tiny beetle and has the potential to decimate Floridarsquos avocado crop The hashtag they have adopted for their mission savetheguac ldquoThis is probably the biggest threat to the Florida avocado thatrsquos ever been seenrdquo said Jonathan H Crane a tropical fruit crop specialist at the University of Florida Laurel wilt is spread by the ambrosia beetle an invasive species from Asia It first appeared in the US in Georgia in 2002 and has spread around the Southeast mostly in redbay laurel trees Avocados are in the same laurel tree family and once infected by the fungus the tree can be dead within six weeks Researchers and farmers are fighting to halt the fungus before it advances to California where the avocado is king

Avocados are Floridarsquos second-biggest fruit crop behind citrus The larger smooth skinned avocados in the Sunshine State differ from the smaller rough-rind California Haas avocados California produces nearly 90 percent of the nationrsquos avocado crop and itrsquos worth about $400 million annually ndash which is why itrsquos essential to stop laurel wiltrsquos spread Deep in Miami-Dade

Countyrsquos southern agricultural enclaves researchers are resting methods to do just that Florida avocados are harvested beginning in early June On a recent day scientists from Florida International University and the University of Florida along with the owners of a drone company and a canine detection team converged on a ranch under a blistering sun Part of the challenge of fighting laurel wilt is that by the time a farmer sees evidence of the disease -thin hair-like prongs sticking our from tree trunks and limbs that are really the sawdust residue left behind by the burrowing beetle - itrsquos too late to save the tree But if farmers can catch the disease in its infancy before symptoms emerge therersquos hope of saving the tree with fungicide The first step is finding which part of the grove is infected Thatrsquos where the drone comes in

According to Ty Rozier owner of Elevated Horizons a Miami-based drone company the vehicle carries a thermal digital imaging camera as it soars over the groves in lawnmower patterns Researchers analyze the images and videos to find the stressed trees Then they send in the dogs ldquoItrsquos almost like cancer detectionrdquo said Ken Furton an FIU provost and professor of chemistry ldquoMultiple dogs have alerted on (infected) trees that show no signs of infectionrdquo The dogs currently used are two Belgian Malinois and two shelter dogs Once the dogs key in on an infected tree farmers can remove and burn it then inject nearby trees with fungicide in hopes of saving them or staving off the disease Itrsquos too costly to try to eradicate the ambrosia beetle said

Crane The beetle works quickly sometimes moving 30 to 50 miles a day through redbay laurel trees Those varieties are found in Texas and ldquofrom there itrsquos not a stretch to California or Mexicordquo Crane said Itrsquos impossible to stop in those wild trees bur farmers must try to contain the disease in the avocado crops He added ldquoYou can see the potential ecologic and economic devastationrdquo Since first detected on the edge of Miamirsquos western suburbs in 2011 laurel wilt has killed swamp bay trees scattered across 330000 acres of the Everglades Hundreds of millions of red bay trees have succumbed across six Southeastern states since 2002 and some avocado trees in Florida have been felled as well About a mile from where researchers were testing the drones and dogs acres of sick avocado trees were spindly brown and dead One researcher said it was likely the farmer couldnrsquot afford to rip up and burn the trees or treat the healthier ones ldquoThis two-pronged detection system of drones and dogs could be adapted to other crop diseases such as citrus greeningrdquo Furton said A $148000 state grant is funding the study involving the drones and dogs

ldquoFloridarsquos warm climate makes our state a hotbed for invasive species and diseasesrdquo said Adam Putnam Floridarsquos agriculture commissioner ldquoFloridarsquos avocado industry has a $64 million economic impact in our state and we will continue to aggressively protect our agriculture industry with cutting-edge research and technologyrdquo

Drones and Dogs Deployed in Battle to Save the Guacamole

1 Laurel wilt fungus first attacked red bay laurel trees Why is it able to also attack avocado trees

2 What is the name of the insect that spreads the fungus that is attacking Floridarsquos avocado trees and fromwhat part of the world did the insect originate

3 The Burmese python also originates from the same part of the world as the insect that causes red bay laurelwilt What might account for these organisms becoming so successful in the ecosystems of the SoutheasternUnited States and specifically Florida

4 Why are dogs and drones preferable to people in detecting the presence of fungi and beetles in avocadotrees

5 How do drones detect infected avocado trees

6 Avocado production in the US is worth $400000000 a year If California produces 90 percent of thenationrsquos avocados how much is Californiarsquos avocado crop worth each year Show your work

Comprehension Questions

Directions Answer the following questions after reading the ldquoDrones and Dogs Deployed in Battle to Save the Guacamolerdquo article by Tamara Lush For questions 7-8 use the accompanying map

7 The first case of laurel wilt was reported in Savannah Georgia in 200Since then it has spread to all of Florida Alabama Mississippi SouthCarolina and North Carolina Use the accompanying map to illustratethe states that have been invaded by the fungus and beetle using a color of your choice

8 Looking at your completed map what patterns and similarities do thstates share that have been infected by the fungus and beetle

2

e

Florida Avocado Promotion

Directions Use the information from the suggested websites on the front of the Harvest of the Month packet to create a profile for the Florida avocado The profile will be created on a brown shopping bag Your bag can be donated to a local grocery store or used by you and your family

Materials Needed One large brown grocery bag a pencil markers crayons access to the Internet and a ruler

Mission Floridas farmers have asked us to tout the benefits of the Florida avocado Begin by conducting research on the nutritional health and delicacy benefits of Floridas avocados Next use that information to create a profile of the Florida avocado on the brown bag Finally use your information and artistic skills to create a glowing profile of the Florida avocado on your bag A completed bag will include the following components

1 Common and scientific name of the Florida avocado in large letters two inches or taller

2 Large drawing of the Florida avocado plant leaf fruit andor flower at least six inches by six inches (6 x 6)

3 Listing of at least four essential nutrients of your plant that are beneficial to people

4 One sentence that touts the health benefits of a Florida avocado

5 Listing of three or more dishes or more in which the Florida avocado is a key ingredient

Grading Rubric

CRITERIA SCORE

The bag meets all of the visual design requirements stated above 5 pts

All written content outlined in requirements 1-5 is included on the bag and is legible 5 pts

All research and listed information is accurate 5 pts

The drawings are visually appealing and accurate 5 pts

The content is organized in way that is easily approachable and legible to viewers 5 pts

Additional Resources Explore these other

WeatherSTEM lessons

weatherstemcomresources

Comprehension Questions ndash Answer Key

1 The laurel and avocado trees are in the same family Lauraceae and share the same genus name Persea

2 It is the ambrosia beetle and it is from Asia and Southeastern Asia

3 The climate of the Southeastern United States and Asia share similar climates warm and humid and neither the beetle nor the fungus have natural predators in the US

4 By the time people discover the presence of the beetle and fungus it is too late to save the tree and it has often spread to other trees Dogs and drones can spot the beetle and fungus in its earliest stages and take preventive measure to protect nearby trees

5 By using a thermal imaging camera the drones can detect the trees that are under stress of being attack by the fungus and beetle

6 $400000000 x 090 = $360000000

7 The map should have all of the mentioned states color-coded Georgia Florida Alabama Mississippi South Carolina and North Carolina

8 All of the affected states border either the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico or both in the case of Florida

LESSON PLANS Content Areas Lessons are most applicable forscience and environmental science courses but the content also includes standards from social studies art language arts and math

Objective Students will research the nutritional contentof Florida avocados and analyze threats to the Florida avocado crop

Introduction Post the following warm-up problem to begin the discussion on avocados

ldquoAmericans consumed an estimated 79 million pounds of avocados or 158 million avocados while viewing the past Super Bowl Based on that information how much does an avocado weigh in poundsrdquo

Answer 79 pounds 158 avocados = 05 pounds per avocado

Allow students five minutes to complete the warm-up When finished review the answer as a class

Next ask students if they have all tried this fruit Ask them to name some foods that are made with avocados Students will read ldquoFlorida Avocado Background Informationrdquo and do further research on the avocado Ask each student to complete a ldquo321rdquo noting three things they learned two things that surprised them and one question they have

Guided Activity Students will read the article by Tamara Lush entitled rdquoDrones and Dogs Deployed to Save theGuacamolerdquo Working in groups students will answer the comprehension questions on the newspaper article and map the growth of laurel wilt and the ambrosia beetle Review the questions as a class when finished

Independent Activity Encourage students to create their own snack dish using Florida avocados Each studentshould create an ingredient list and write the recipe directions for how to make the snack

Standards SC6N15 SC6N13 SC7N15SC7L172 SC7L173 SC8N15 LAFS6SL12 LAFS6SL13 LAFS6SL24 LAFS68RST l l LAFS68 RST12 LAFS68WHST26 LAFS68WHST37 MAFS7SP24 VA68C21 VA68C22 VA68C23 SS7C212 SS7C213 and SS7C214

Materials bull Florida Avocadobull ldquoDrones and Dogs Deployed to Save the Guacamolerdquo

by Tamara Lushbull Crayons or colored pencilsbull Blank paper

ADDITIONAL EXERCISE Encourage them to try and germinate the seeds from the avocados to grow their own avocado plant using this website at a guide

wwweducationcomactivityarticlegrow-avocado-plant

The avocado is native to the Americas Mexico has used this fruit for thousands of years The first written documentation of an avocado was in the 1500s In the 1700s sailors called the avocado ldquomidshipmanrsquos butterrdquo because they would use it as a spread on their bread and biscuits Avocados were first introduced into Florida in the 1800s There are up to fifty different avocado varieties in Florida Locals in Florida used to call avocados ldquoalligator pearsrdquo because of their dark green bumpy skin Avocados are an excellent source of fiber folate potassium and vitamins C E and K They also have the highest protein content of any fruit

For more on these facts and additional information please visit these sources

bull wwwindexfreshcom

bull wwwspecialtyproducecom

bull wwwedisifasufledutopic_avocado

Background Information

Anatomy of an Avocado

WORD BANK Exocarp

Mesocarp

Endocarp

Seed

By Tamara Lush April 28 2015 With the killers hiding in the trees heat sensing drones are launched into the air When their whereabouts are narrowed the dogs are sent in When it comes to protecting the worldrsquos supply of guacamole no weapon can be spared On subtropical farmland in South Florida researchers are doing battle with the deadly fungus laurel wilt which is spread by a tiny beetle and has the potential to decimate Floridarsquos avocado crop The hashtag they have adopted for their mission savetheguac ldquoThis is probably the biggest threat to the Florida avocado thatrsquos ever been seenrdquo said Jonathan H Crane a tropical fruit crop specialist at the University of Florida Laurel wilt is spread by the ambrosia beetle an invasive species from Asia It first appeared in the US in Georgia in 2002 and has spread around the Southeast mostly in redbay laurel trees Avocados are in the same laurel tree family and once infected by the fungus the tree can be dead within six weeks Researchers and farmers are fighting to halt the fungus before it advances to California where the avocado is king

Avocados are Floridarsquos second-biggest fruit crop behind citrus The larger smooth skinned avocados in the Sunshine State differ from the smaller rough-rind California Haas avocados California produces nearly 90 percent of the nationrsquos avocado crop and itrsquos worth about $400 million annually ndash which is why itrsquos essential to stop laurel wiltrsquos spread Deep in Miami-Dade

Countyrsquos southern agricultural enclaves researchers are resting methods to do just that Florida avocados are harvested beginning in early June On a recent day scientists from Florida International University and the University of Florida along with the owners of a drone company and a canine detection team converged on a ranch under a blistering sun Part of the challenge of fighting laurel wilt is that by the time a farmer sees evidence of the disease -thin hair-like prongs sticking our from tree trunks and limbs that are really the sawdust residue left behind by the burrowing beetle - itrsquos too late to save the tree But if farmers can catch the disease in its infancy before symptoms emerge therersquos hope of saving the tree with fungicide The first step is finding which part of the grove is infected Thatrsquos where the drone comes in

According to Ty Rozier owner of Elevated Horizons a Miami-based drone company the vehicle carries a thermal digital imaging camera as it soars over the groves in lawnmower patterns Researchers analyze the images and videos to find the stressed trees Then they send in the dogs ldquoItrsquos almost like cancer detectionrdquo said Ken Furton an FIU provost and professor of chemistry ldquoMultiple dogs have alerted on (infected) trees that show no signs of infectionrdquo The dogs currently used are two Belgian Malinois and two shelter dogs Once the dogs key in on an infected tree farmers can remove and burn it then inject nearby trees with fungicide in hopes of saving them or staving off the disease Itrsquos too costly to try to eradicate the ambrosia beetle said

Crane The beetle works quickly sometimes moving 30 to 50 miles a day through redbay laurel trees Those varieties are found in Texas and ldquofrom there itrsquos not a stretch to California or Mexicordquo Crane said Itrsquos impossible to stop in those wild trees bur farmers must try to contain the disease in the avocado crops He added ldquoYou can see the potential ecologic and economic devastationrdquo Since first detected on the edge of Miamirsquos western suburbs in 2011 laurel wilt has killed swamp bay trees scattered across 330000 acres of the Everglades Hundreds of millions of red bay trees have succumbed across six Southeastern states since 2002 and some avocado trees in Florida have been felled as well About a mile from where researchers were testing the drones and dogs acres of sick avocado trees were spindly brown and dead One researcher said it was likely the farmer couldnrsquot afford to rip up and burn the trees or treat the healthier ones ldquoThis two-pronged detection system of drones and dogs could be adapted to other crop diseases such as citrus greeningrdquo Furton said A $148000 state grant is funding the study involving the drones and dogs

ldquoFloridarsquos warm climate makes our state a hotbed for invasive species and diseasesrdquo said Adam Putnam Floridarsquos agriculture commissioner ldquoFloridarsquos avocado industry has a $64 million economic impact in our state and we will continue to aggressively protect our agriculture industry with cutting-edge research and technologyrdquo

Drones and Dogs Deployed in Battle to Save the Guacamole

1 Laurel wilt fungus first attacked red bay laurel trees Why is it able to also attack avocado trees

2 What is the name of the insect that spreads the fungus that is attacking Floridarsquos avocado trees and fromwhat part of the world did the insect originate

3 The Burmese python also originates from the same part of the world as the insect that causes red bay laurelwilt What might account for these organisms becoming so successful in the ecosystems of the SoutheasternUnited States and specifically Florida

4 Why are dogs and drones preferable to people in detecting the presence of fungi and beetles in avocadotrees

5 How do drones detect infected avocado trees

6 Avocado production in the US is worth $400000000 a year If California produces 90 percent of thenationrsquos avocados how much is Californiarsquos avocado crop worth each year Show your work

Comprehension Questions

Directions Answer the following questions after reading the ldquoDrones and Dogs Deployed in Battle to Save the Guacamolerdquo article by Tamara Lush For questions 7-8 use the accompanying map

7 The first case of laurel wilt was reported in Savannah Georgia in 200Since then it has spread to all of Florida Alabama Mississippi SouthCarolina and North Carolina Use the accompanying map to illustratethe states that have been invaded by the fungus and beetle using a color of your choice

8 Looking at your completed map what patterns and similarities do thstates share that have been infected by the fungus and beetle

2

e

Florida Avocado Promotion

Directions Use the information from the suggested websites on the front of the Harvest of the Month packet to create a profile for the Florida avocado The profile will be created on a brown shopping bag Your bag can be donated to a local grocery store or used by you and your family

Materials Needed One large brown grocery bag a pencil markers crayons access to the Internet and a ruler

Mission Floridas farmers have asked us to tout the benefits of the Florida avocado Begin by conducting research on the nutritional health and delicacy benefits of Floridas avocados Next use that information to create a profile of the Florida avocado on the brown bag Finally use your information and artistic skills to create a glowing profile of the Florida avocado on your bag A completed bag will include the following components

1 Common and scientific name of the Florida avocado in large letters two inches or taller

2 Large drawing of the Florida avocado plant leaf fruit andor flower at least six inches by six inches (6 x 6)

3 Listing of at least four essential nutrients of your plant that are beneficial to people

4 One sentence that touts the health benefits of a Florida avocado

5 Listing of three or more dishes or more in which the Florida avocado is a key ingredient

Grading Rubric

CRITERIA SCORE

The bag meets all of the visual design requirements stated above 5 pts

All written content outlined in requirements 1-5 is included on the bag and is legible 5 pts

All research and listed information is accurate 5 pts

The drawings are visually appealing and accurate 5 pts

The content is organized in way that is easily approachable and legible to viewers 5 pts

Additional Resources Explore these other

WeatherSTEM lessons

weatherstemcomresources

Comprehension Questions ndash Answer Key

1 The laurel and avocado trees are in the same family Lauraceae and share the same genus name Persea

2 It is the ambrosia beetle and it is from Asia and Southeastern Asia

3 The climate of the Southeastern United States and Asia share similar climates warm and humid and neither the beetle nor the fungus have natural predators in the US

4 By the time people discover the presence of the beetle and fungus it is too late to save the tree and it has often spread to other trees Dogs and drones can spot the beetle and fungus in its earliest stages and take preventive measure to protect nearby trees

5 By using a thermal imaging camera the drones can detect the trees that are under stress of being attack by the fungus and beetle

6 $400000000 x 090 = $360000000

7 The map should have all of the mentioned states color-coded Georgia Florida Alabama Mississippi South Carolina and North Carolina

8 All of the affected states border either the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico or both in the case of Florida

The avocado is native to the Americas Mexico has used this fruit for thousands of years The first written documentation of an avocado was in the 1500s In the 1700s sailors called the avocado ldquomidshipmanrsquos butterrdquo because they would use it as a spread on their bread and biscuits Avocados were first introduced into Florida in the 1800s There are up to fifty different avocado varieties in Florida Locals in Florida used to call avocados ldquoalligator pearsrdquo because of their dark green bumpy skin Avocados are an excellent source of fiber folate potassium and vitamins C E and K They also have the highest protein content of any fruit

For more on these facts and additional information please visit these sources

bull wwwindexfreshcom

bull wwwspecialtyproducecom

bull wwwedisifasufledutopic_avocado

Background Information

Anatomy of an Avocado

WORD BANK Exocarp

Mesocarp

Endocarp

Seed

By Tamara Lush April 28 2015 With the killers hiding in the trees heat sensing drones are launched into the air When their whereabouts are narrowed the dogs are sent in When it comes to protecting the worldrsquos supply of guacamole no weapon can be spared On subtropical farmland in South Florida researchers are doing battle with the deadly fungus laurel wilt which is spread by a tiny beetle and has the potential to decimate Floridarsquos avocado crop The hashtag they have adopted for their mission savetheguac ldquoThis is probably the biggest threat to the Florida avocado thatrsquos ever been seenrdquo said Jonathan H Crane a tropical fruit crop specialist at the University of Florida Laurel wilt is spread by the ambrosia beetle an invasive species from Asia It first appeared in the US in Georgia in 2002 and has spread around the Southeast mostly in redbay laurel trees Avocados are in the same laurel tree family and once infected by the fungus the tree can be dead within six weeks Researchers and farmers are fighting to halt the fungus before it advances to California where the avocado is king

Avocados are Floridarsquos second-biggest fruit crop behind citrus The larger smooth skinned avocados in the Sunshine State differ from the smaller rough-rind California Haas avocados California produces nearly 90 percent of the nationrsquos avocado crop and itrsquos worth about $400 million annually ndash which is why itrsquos essential to stop laurel wiltrsquos spread Deep in Miami-Dade

Countyrsquos southern agricultural enclaves researchers are resting methods to do just that Florida avocados are harvested beginning in early June On a recent day scientists from Florida International University and the University of Florida along with the owners of a drone company and a canine detection team converged on a ranch under a blistering sun Part of the challenge of fighting laurel wilt is that by the time a farmer sees evidence of the disease -thin hair-like prongs sticking our from tree trunks and limbs that are really the sawdust residue left behind by the burrowing beetle - itrsquos too late to save the tree But if farmers can catch the disease in its infancy before symptoms emerge therersquos hope of saving the tree with fungicide The first step is finding which part of the grove is infected Thatrsquos where the drone comes in

According to Ty Rozier owner of Elevated Horizons a Miami-based drone company the vehicle carries a thermal digital imaging camera as it soars over the groves in lawnmower patterns Researchers analyze the images and videos to find the stressed trees Then they send in the dogs ldquoItrsquos almost like cancer detectionrdquo said Ken Furton an FIU provost and professor of chemistry ldquoMultiple dogs have alerted on (infected) trees that show no signs of infectionrdquo The dogs currently used are two Belgian Malinois and two shelter dogs Once the dogs key in on an infected tree farmers can remove and burn it then inject nearby trees with fungicide in hopes of saving them or staving off the disease Itrsquos too costly to try to eradicate the ambrosia beetle said

Crane The beetle works quickly sometimes moving 30 to 50 miles a day through redbay laurel trees Those varieties are found in Texas and ldquofrom there itrsquos not a stretch to California or Mexicordquo Crane said Itrsquos impossible to stop in those wild trees bur farmers must try to contain the disease in the avocado crops He added ldquoYou can see the potential ecologic and economic devastationrdquo Since first detected on the edge of Miamirsquos western suburbs in 2011 laurel wilt has killed swamp bay trees scattered across 330000 acres of the Everglades Hundreds of millions of red bay trees have succumbed across six Southeastern states since 2002 and some avocado trees in Florida have been felled as well About a mile from where researchers were testing the drones and dogs acres of sick avocado trees were spindly brown and dead One researcher said it was likely the farmer couldnrsquot afford to rip up and burn the trees or treat the healthier ones ldquoThis two-pronged detection system of drones and dogs could be adapted to other crop diseases such as citrus greeningrdquo Furton said A $148000 state grant is funding the study involving the drones and dogs

ldquoFloridarsquos warm climate makes our state a hotbed for invasive species and diseasesrdquo said Adam Putnam Floridarsquos agriculture commissioner ldquoFloridarsquos avocado industry has a $64 million economic impact in our state and we will continue to aggressively protect our agriculture industry with cutting-edge research and technologyrdquo

Drones and Dogs Deployed in Battle to Save the Guacamole

1 Laurel wilt fungus first attacked red bay laurel trees Why is it able to also attack avocado trees

2 What is the name of the insect that spreads the fungus that is attacking Floridarsquos avocado trees and fromwhat part of the world did the insect originate

3 The Burmese python also originates from the same part of the world as the insect that causes red bay laurelwilt What might account for these organisms becoming so successful in the ecosystems of the SoutheasternUnited States and specifically Florida

4 Why are dogs and drones preferable to people in detecting the presence of fungi and beetles in avocadotrees

5 How do drones detect infected avocado trees

6 Avocado production in the US is worth $400000000 a year If California produces 90 percent of thenationrsquos avocados how much is Californiarsquos avocado crop worth each year Show your work

Comprehension Questions

Directions Answer the following questions after reading the ldquoDrones and Dogs Deployed in Battle to Save the Guacamolerdquo article by Tamara Lush For questions 7-8 use the accompanying map

7 The first case of laurel wilt was reported in Savannah Georgia in 200Since then it has spread to all of Florida Alabama Mississippi SouthCarolina and North Carolina Use the accompanying map to illustratethe states that have been invaded by the fungus and beetle using a color of your choice

8 Looking at your completed map what patterns and similarities do thstates share that have been infected by the fungus and beetle

2

e

Florida Avocado Promotion

Directions Use the information from the suggested websites on the front of the Harvest of the Month packet to create a profile for the Florida avocado The profile will be created on a brown shopping bag Your bag can be donated to a local grocery store or used by you and your family

Materials Needed One large brown grocery bag a pencil markers crayons access to the Internet and a ruler

Mission Floridas farmers have asked us to tout the benefits of the Florida avocado Begin by conducting research on the nutritional health and delicacy benefits of Floridas avocados Next use that information to create a profile of the Florida avocado on the brown bag Finally use your information and artistic skills to create a glowing profile of the Florida avocado on your bag A completed bag will include the following components

1 Common and scientific name of the Florida avocado in large letters two inches or taller

2 Large drawing of the Florida avocado plant leaf fruit andor flower at least six inches by six inches (6 x 6)

3 Listing of at least four essential nutrients of your plant that are beneficial to people

4 One sentence that touts the health benefits of a Florida avocado

5 Listing of three or more dishes or more in which the Florida avocado is a key ingredient

Grading Rubric

CRITERIA SCORE

The bag meets all of the visual design requirements stated above 5 pts

All written content outlined in requirements 1-5 is included on the bag and is legible 5 pts

All research and listed information is accurate 5 pts

The drawings are visually appealing and accurate 5 pts

The content is organized in way that is easily approachable and legible to viewers 5 pts

Additional Resources Explore these other

WeatherSTEM lessons

weatherstemcomresources

Comprehension Questions ndash Answer Key

1 The laurel and avocado trees are in the same family Lauraceae and share the same genus name Persea

2 It is the ambrosia beetle and it is from Asia and Southeastern Asia

3 The climate of the Southeastern United States and Asia share similar climates warm and humid and neither the beetle nor the fungus have natural predators in the US

4 By the time people discover the presence of the beetle and fungus it is too late to save the tree and it has often spread to other trees Dogs and drones can spot the beetle and fungus in its earliest stages and take preventive measure to protect nearby trees

5 By using a thermal imaging camera the drones can detect the trees that are under stress of being attack by the fungus and beetle

6 $400000000 x 090 = $360000000

7 The map should have all of the mentioned states color-coded Georgia Florida Alabama Mississippi South Carolina and North Carolina

8 All of the affected states border either the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico or both in the case of Florida

By Tamara Lush April 28 2015 With the killers hiding in the trees heat sensing drones are launched into the air When their whereabouts are narrowed the dogs are sent in When it comes to protecting the worldrsquos supply of guacamole no weapon can be spared On subtropical farmland in South Florida researchers are doing battle with the deadly fungus laurel wilt which is spread by a tiny beetle and has the potential to decimate Floridarsquos avocado crop The hashtag they have adopted for their mission savetheguac ldquoThis is probably the biggest threat to the Florida avocado thatrsquos ever been seenrdquo said Jonathan H Crane a tropical fruit crop specialist at the University of Florida Laurel wilt is spread by the ambrosia beetle an invasive species from Asia It first appeared in the US in Georgia in 2002 and has spread around the Southeast mostly in redbay laurel trees Avocados are in the same laurel tree family and once infected by the fungus the tree can be dead within six weeks Researchers and farmers are fighting to halt the fungus before it advances to California where the avocado is king

Avocados are Floridarsquos second-biggest fruit crop behind citrus The larger smooth skinned avocados in the Sunshine State differ from the smaller rough-rind California Haas avocados California produces nearly 90 percent of the nationrsquos avocado crop and itrsquos worth about $400 million annually ndash which is why itrsquos essential to stop laurel wiltrsquos spread Deep in Miami-Dade

Countyrsquos southern agricultural enclaves researchers are resting methods to do just that Florida avocados are harvested beginning in early June On a recent day scientists from Florida International University and the University of Florida along with the owners of a drone company and a canine detection team converged on a ranch under a blistering sun Part of the challenge of fighting laurel wilt is that by the time a farmer sees evidence of the disease -thin hair-like prongs sticking our from tree trunks and limbs that are really the sawdust residue left behind by the burrowing beetle - itrsquos too late to save the tree But if farmers can catch the disease in its infancy before symptoms emerge therersquos hope of saving the tree with fungicide The first step is finding which part of the grove is infected Thatrsquos where the drone comes in

According to Ty Rozier owner of Elevated Horizons a Miami-based drone company the vehicle carries a thermal digital imaging camera as it soars over the groves in lawnmower patterns Researchers analyze the images and videos to find the stressed trees Then they send in the dogs ldquoItrsquos almost like cancer detectionrdquo said Ken Furton an FIU provost and professor of chemistry ldquoMultiple dogs have alerted on (infected) trees that show no signs of infectionrdquo The dogs currently used are two Belgian Malinois and two shelter dogs Once the dogs key in on an infected tree farmers can remove and burn it then inject nearby trees with fungicide in hopes of saving them or staving off the disease Itrsquos too costly to try to eradicate the ambrosia beetle said

Crane The beetle works quickly sometimes moving 30 to 50 miles a day through redbay laurel trees Those varieties are found in Texas and ldquofrom there itrsquos not a stretch to California or Mexicordquo Crane said Itrsquos impossible to stop in those wild trees bur farmers must try to contain the disease in the avocado crops He added ldquoYou can see the potential ecologic and economic devastationrdquo Since first detected on the edge of Miamirsquos western suburbs in 2011 laurel wilt has killed swamp bay trees scattered across 330000 acres of the Everglades Hundreds of millions of red bay trees have succumbed across six Southeastern states since 2002 and some avocado trees in Florida have been felled as well About a mile from where researchers were testing the drones and dogs acres of sick avocado trees were spindly brown and dead One researcher said it was likely the farmer couldnrsquot afford to rip up and burn the trees or treat the healthier ones ldquoThis two-pronged detection system of drones and dogs could be adapted to other crop diseases such as citrus greeningrdquo Furton said A $148000 state grant is funding the study involving the drones and dogs

ldquoFloridarsquos warm climate makes our state a hotbed for invasive species and diseasesrdquo said Adam Putnam Floridarsquos agriculture commissioner ldquoFloridarsquos avocado industry has a $64 million economic impact in our state and we will continue to aggressively protect our agriculture industry with cutting-edge research and technologyrdquo

Drones and Dogs Deployed in Battle to Save the Guacamole

1 Laurel wilt fungus first attacked red bay laurel trees Why is it able to also attack avocado trees

2 What is the name of the insect that spreads the fungus that is attacking Floridarsquos avocado trees and fromwhat part of the world did the insect originate

3 The Burmese python also originates from the same part of the world as the insect that causes red bay laurelwilt What might account for these organisms becoming so successful in the ecosystems of the SoutheasternUnited States and specifically Florida

4 Why are dogs and drones preferable to people in detecting the presence of fungi and beetles in avocadotrees

5 How do drones detect infected avocado trees

6 Avocado production in the US is worth $400000000 a year If California produces 90 percent of thenationrsquos avocados how much is Californiarsquos avocado crop worth each year Show your work

Comprehension Questions

Directions Answer the following questions after reading the ldquoDrones and Dogs Deployed in Battle to Save the Guacamolerdquo article by Tamara Lush For questions 7-8 use the accompanying map

7 The first case of laurel wilt was reported in Savannah Georgia in 200Since then it has spread to all of Florida Alabama Mississippi SouthCarolina and North Carolina Use the accompanying map to illustratethe states that have been invaded by the fungus and beetle using a color of your choice

8 Looking at your completed map what patterns and similarities do thstates share that have been infected by the fungus and beetle

2

e

Florida Avocado Promotion

Directions Use the information from the suggested websites on the front of the Harvest of the Month packet to create a profile for the Florida avocado The profile will be created on a brown shopping bag Your bag can be donated to a local grocery store or used by you and your family

Materials Needed One large brown grocery bag a pencil markers crayons access to the Internet and a ruler

Mission Floridas farmers have asked us to tout the benefits of the Florida avocado Begin by conducting research on the nutritional health and delicacy benefits of Floridas avocados Next use that information to create a profile of the Florida avocado on the brown bag Finally use your information and artistic skills to create a glowing profile of the Florida avocado on your bag A completed bag will include the following components

1 Common and scientific name of the Florida avocado in large letters two inches or taller

2 Large drawing of the Florida avocado plant leaf fruit andor flower at least six inches by six inches (6 x 6)

3 Listing of at least four essential nutrients of your plant that are beneficial to people

4 One sentence that touts the health benefits of a Florida avocado

5 Listing of three or more dishes or more in which the Florida avocado is a key ingredient

Grading Rubric

CRITERIA SCORE

The bag meets all of the visual design requirements stated above 5 pts

All written content outlined in requirements 1-5 is included on the bag and is legible 5 pts

All research and listed information is accurate 5 pts

The drawings are visually appealing and accurate 5 pts

The content is organized in way that is easily approachable and legible to viewers 5 pts

Additional Resources Explore these other

WeatherSTEM lessons

weatherstemcomresources

Comprehension Questions ndash Answer Key

1 The laurel and avocado trees are in the same family Lauraceae and share the same genus name Persea

2 It is the ambrosia beetle and it is from Asia and Southeastern Asia

3 The climate of the Southeastern United States and Asia share similar climates warm and humid and neither the beetle nor the fungus have natural predators in the US

4 By the time people discover the presence of the beetle and fungus it is too late to save the tree and it has often spread to other trees Dogs and drones can spot the beetle and fungus in its earliest stages and take preventive measure to protect nearby trees

5 By using a thermal imaging camera the drones can detect the trees that are under stress of being attack by the fungus and beetle

6 $400000000 x 090 = $360000000

7 The map should have all of the mentioned states color-coded Georgia Florida Alabama Mississippi South Carolina and North Carolina

8 All of the affected states border either the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico or both in the case of Florida

1 Laurel wilt fungus first attacked red bay laurel trees Why is it able to also attack avocado trees

2 What is the name of the insect that spreads the fungus that is attacking Floridarsquos avocado trees and fromwhat part of the world did the insect originate

3 The Burmese python also originates from the same part of the world as the insect that causes red bay laurelwilt What might account for these organisms becoming so successful in the ecosystems of the SoutheasternUnited States and specifically Florida

4 Why are dogs and drones preferable to people in detecting the presence of fungi and beetles in avocadotrees

5 How do drones detect infected avocado trees

6 Avocado production in the US is worth $400000000 a year If California produces 90 percent of thenationrsquos avocados how much is Californiarsquos avocado crop worth each year Show your work

Comprehension Questions

Directions Answer the following questions after reading the ldquoDrones and Dogs Deployed in Battle to Save the Guacamolerdquo article by Tamara Lush For questions 7-8 use the accompanying map

7 The first case of laurel wilt was reported in Savannah Georgia in 200Since then it has spread to all of Florida Alabama Mississippi SouthCarolina and North Carolina Use the accompanying map to illustratethe states that have been invaded by the fungus and beetle using a color of your choice

8 Looking at your completed map what patterns and similarities do thstates share that have been infected by the fungus and beetle

2

e

Florida Avocado Promotion

Directions Use the information from the suggested websites on the front of the Harvest of the Month packet to create a profile for the Florida avocado The profile will be created on a brown shopping bag Your bag can be donated to a local grocery store or used by you and your family

Materials Needed One large brown grocery bag a pencil markers crayons access to the Internet and a ruler

Mission Floridas farmers have asked us to tout the benefits of the Florida avocado Begin by conducting research on the nutritional health and delicacy benefits of Floridas avocados Next use that information to create a profile of the Florida avocado on the brown bag Finally use your information and artistic skills to create a glowing profile of the Florida avocado on your bag A completed bag will include the following components

1 Common and scientific name of the Florida avocado in large letters two inches or taller

2 Large drawing of the Florida avocado plant leaf fruit andor flower at least six inches by six inches (6 x 6)

3 Listing of at least four essential nutrients of your plant that are beneficial to people

4 One sentence that touts the health benefits of a Florida avocado

5 Listing of three or more dishes or more in which the Florida avocado is a key ingredient

Grading Rubric

CRITERIA SCORE

The bag meets all of the visual design requirements stated above 5 pts

All written content outlined in requirements 1-5 is included on the bag and is legible 5 pts

All research and listed information is accurate 5 pts

The drawings are visually appealing and accurate 5 pts

The content is organized in way that is easily approachable and legible to viewers 5 pts

Additional Resources Explore these other

WeatherSTEM lessons

weatherstemcomresources

Comprehension Questions ndash Answer Key

1 The laurel and avocado trees are in the same family Lauraceae and share the same genus name Persea

2 It is the ambrosia beetle and it is from Asia and Southeastern Asia

3 The climate of the Southeastern United States and Asia share similar climates warm and humid and neither the beetle nor the fungus have natural predators in the US

4 By the time people discover the presence of the beetle and fungus it is too late to save the tree and it has often spread to other trees Dogs and drones can spot the beetle and fungus in its earliest stages and take preventive measure to protect nearby trees

5 By using a thermal imaging camera the drones can detect the trees that are under stress of being attack by the fungus and beetle

6 $400000000 x 090 = $360000000

7 The map should have all of the mentioned states color-coded Georgia Florida Alabama Mississippi South Carolina and North Carolina

8 All of the affected states border either the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico or both in the case of Florida

7 The first case of laurel wilt was reported in Savannah Georgia in 200Since then it has spread to all of Florida Alabama Mississippi SouthCarolina and North Carolina Use the accompanying map to illustratethe states that have been invaded by the fungus and beetle using a color of your choice

8 Looking at your completed map what patterns and similarities do thstates share that have been infected by the fungus and beetle

2

e

Florida Avocado Promotion

Directions Use the information from the suggested websites on the front of the Harvest of the Month packet to create a profile for the Florida avocado The profile will be created on a brown shopping bag Your bag can be donated to a local grocery store or used by you and your family

Materials Needed One large brown grocery bag a pencil markers crayons access to the Internet and a ruler

Mission Floridas farmers have asked us to tout the benefits of the Florida avocado Begin by conducting research on the nutritional health and delicacy benefits of Floridas avocados Next use that information to create a profile of the Florida avocado on the brown bag Finally use your information and artistic skills to create a glowing profile of the Florida avocado on your bag A completed bag will include the following components

1 Common and scientific name of the Florida avocado in large letters two inches or taller

2 Large drawing of the Florida avocado plant leaf fruit andor flower at least six inches by six inches (6 x 6)

3 Listing of at least four essential nutrients of your plant that are beneficial to people

4 One sentence that touts the health benefits of a Florida avocado

5 Listing of three or more dishes or more in which the Florida avocado is a key ingredient

Grading Rubric

CRITERIA SCORE

The bag meets all of the visual design requirements stated above 5 pts

All written content outlined in requirements 1-5 is included on the bag and is legible 5 pts

All research and listed information is accurate 5 pts

The drawings are visually appealing and accurate 5 pts

The content is organized in way that is easily approachable and legible to viewers 5 pts

Additional Resources Explore these other

WeatherSTEM lessons

weatherstemcomresources

Comprehension Questions ndash Answer Key

1 The laurel and avocado trees are in the same family Lauraceae and share the same genus name Persea

2 It is the ambrosia beetle and it is from Asia and Southeastern Asia

3 The climate of the Southeastern United States and Asia share similar climates warm and humid and neither the beetle nor the fungus have natural predators in the US

4 By the time people discover the presence of the beetle and fungus it is too late to save the tree and it has often spread to other trees Dogs and drones can spot the beetle and fungus in its earliest stages and take preventive measure to protect nearby trees

5 By using a thermal imaging camera the drones can detect the trees that are under stress of being attack by the fungus and beetle

6 $400000000 x 090 = $360000000

7 The map should have all of the mentioned states color-coded Georgia Florida Alabama Mississippi South Carolina and North Carolina

8 All of the affected states border either the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico or both in the case of Florida

Florida Avocado Promotion

Directions Use the information from the suggested websites on the front of the Harvest of the Month packet to create a profile for the Florida avocado The profile will be created on a brown shopping bag Your bag can be donated to a local grocery store or used by you and your family

Materials Needed One large brown grocery bag a pencil markers crayons access to the Internet and a ruler

Mission Floridas farmers have asked us to tout the benefits of the Florida avocado Begin by conducting research on the nutritional health and delicacy benefits of Floridas avocados Next use that information to create a profile of the Florida avocado on the brown bag Finally use your information and artistic skills to create a glowing profile of the Florida avocado on your bag A completed bag will include the following components

1 Common and scientific name of the Florida avocado in large letters two inches or taller

2 Large drawing of the Florida avocado plant leaf fruit andor flower at least six inches by six inches (6 x 6)

3 Listing of at least four essential nutrients of your plant that are beneficial to people

4 One sentence that touts the health benefits of a Florida avocado

5 Listing of three or more dishes or more in which the Florida avocado is a key ingredient

Grading Rubric

CRITERIA SCORE

The bag meets all of the visual design requirements stated above 5 pts

All written content outlined in requirements 1-5 is included on the bag and is legible 5 pts

All research and listed information is accurate 5 pts

The drawings are visually appealing and accurate 5 pts

The content is organized in way that is easily approachable and legible to viewers 5 pts

Additional Resources Explore these other

WeatherSTEM lessons

weatherstemcomresources

Comprehension Questions ndash Answer Key

1 The laurel and avocado trees are in the same family Lauraceae and share the same genus name Persea

2 It is the ambrosia beetle and it is from Asia and Southeastern Asia

3 The climate of the Southeastern United States and Asia share similar climates warm and humid and neither the beetle nor the fungus have natural predators in the US

4 By the time people discover the presence of the beetle and fungus it is too late to save the tree and it has often spread to other trees Dogs and drones can spot the beetle and fungus in its earliest stages and take preventive measure to protect nearby trees

5 By using a thermal imaging camera the drones can detect the trees that are under stress of being attack by the fungus and beetle

6 $400000000 x 090 = $360000000

7 The map should have all of the mentioned states color-coded Georgia Florida Alabama Mississippi South Carolina and North Carolina

8 All of the affected states border either the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico or both in the case of Florida

Additional Resources Explore these other

WeatherSTEM lessons

weatherstemcomresources

Comprehension Questions ndash Answer Key

1 The laurel and avocado trees are in the same family Lauraceae and share the same genus name Persea

2 It is the ambrosia beetle and it is from Asia and Southeastern Asia

3 The climate of the Southeastern United States and Asia share similar climates warm and humid and neither the beetle nor the fungus have natural predators in the US

4 By the time people discover the presence of the beetle and fungus it is too late to save the tree and it has often spread to other trees Dogs and drones can spot the beetle and fungus in its earliest stages and take preventive measure to protect nearby trees

5 By using a thermal imaging camera the drones can detect the trees that are under stress of being attack by the fungus and beetle

6 $400000000 x 090 = $360000000

7 The map should have all of the mentioned states color-coded Georgia Florida Alabama Mississippi South Carolina and North Carolina

8 All of the affected states border either the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico or both in the case of Florida