In 2016, follow best management practices when applying fertilizers. 

You should implement best management practices, or BMPs, to decrease the amounts of pesticides, fertilizers, animal wastes and other pollutants from entering water sources, and to conserve water supply. 

You can follow BMPs whether you are growing vegetables, row crops, pastures, lawns or even wildlife food plots.

Why BMPs are important

Nitrogen can leave soil by volatilization, soil erosion, runoff, leaching and crop removal, but the greatest nitrogen loss, globally, is due to leaching, erosion and runoff. 

You should minimize nitrogen fertilizer losses for environmental and economic reasons. 

Phosphorus also can leave soils. This usually is through runoff, erosion and crop removal, but minor leaching can occur. 

Nitrogen and phosphorus that leach or run off into waterways can disrupt nutrient cycles and thus impair waterways. 

BMP examples

1. Test the soil. Remember: "If you don’t test, it’s just a guess."

Why throw away fertilizer?  That’s not good for your wallet or the environment.

Soil test results give you the pH and the current level of nutrients in the soil, and recommended fertilizer rates to optimize crop growth. 

You must first adjust your soil pH.  Without the optimal soil pH, essential nutrients will not be available to the plant. 

The University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension Soil Testing Lab can perform your soil test for just $7. 

Contact the Okaloosa County Extension Office, 689-5850, for more information.

2. Right time. Apply fertilizer when the crop is actively growing.

Do not apply before a heavy rain; this will cause nutrients to leach down past the plant's root zone. 

In addition, split applications of nitrogen and potassium are recommended for optimal growth and less risk of polluting the environment.

Adopting just these two BMPs will make a huge impact on our environment and will save you money. 

The goal is to use just the right amount of fertilizer to supply what the crop needs when it needs it. 

Good luck in your growing endeavors in 2016. 

Jennifer Bearden is an agent at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension office in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: BEARDEN: New Year's resolution to implement soil best management practices

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: HOT TOPIC :Crestview residents speak out about anti-Muslim sentiment

Here's how Laurel Hill School teaching assistant Jessica Stokes created the Hobo mascot’s head.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 4 steps to build the Laurel Hill Hobo mascot's head

Consider this: When the News Bulletin posts an arrest report on our Facebook page, most, if not all, commenters criticize the accused person's alleged actions; many name-call and even make threats.

Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, yet the moment a police officer slaps on cuffs, many people want to be the judge, jury and executioner.

But when a Muslim woman claims a man harassed her — even with Crestview Publix manager Tim Bryant confirming the incident occurred — a number of people demand to see video as proof.

Why is that?

OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT

Yasmin Saunders' nightmare began Dec. 16, when her Muslim American family went grocery shopping for a barbecue to celebrate their new Crestview home.

She turned the corner of an aisle and a man "threw a pack of bacon onto our groceries and said, 'Merry Christmas, buddy,'" Saunders said in a CNB column. "Observant Muslims do not eat pork of any kind," a Northwest Florida Daily News article about the incident noted.

Saunders — whose father, stepmother and two brothers, visiting from Louisiana, joined her for the shopping trip — is married to a Christian who has served in the military since 2007. He is stationed at Eglin Air Force Base, and was "overcome by emotion" when he saw his wife in tears, she said.

Saunders' column received more than 162 likes and 88 shares on the CNB's Facebook page, but it gained far more attention on Saunders' own page, with 7,031 likes and 3,890 shares and counting.

Most people have left positive notes on the public posts:

●"I hope you and your family know that not all Crestview residents agree with or condone such bigotry … Please thank your husband for his service on our behalf," Elizabeth Coates said.

●"I am just appalled that someone here would treat you like that; and I know the Publix folks are equally outraged!" Raymonda Schwartz said. "I certainly hope to run into you there, so I can extend a true Crestview welcome to you and your family…"

●"If I could, I would invite them to dinner," Joseph Barrow said.

●"May your family be blessed; welcome to our town," Ray Heath said.

Some said that the man's action was mild compared to other harassment methods. (True, but the whole reason I wanted to run this commentary was because, mild or not, it underscored hatred for someone based solely on being perceived as different. That should concern everyone.)

Still others refused to believe the incident occurred.

SEEING IS BELIEVING?

Let's circle back: Why do some people want to believe the worst about someone arrested, not convicted, but they won't give someone whose story they don't like the benefit of the doubt? Why is seeing video footage necessary to prove one type of incident occurred, but the same isn't true for another kind of occurrence? 

Local law enforcement officials often arrest someone without witnessing an incident. They receive a report, they investigate, find evidence to support the accusation, and they, in good faith, make the arrest. That's because there is compelling evidence to believe the crime occurred and that the person in their custody committed it.

News organizations are similar.

When Yasmin Saunders first contacted the News Bulletin, she said, "I have a possible story, if you would like to hear." She said she didn't know if it was newsworthy, but she thought she would share.

She had no expectation of publication, and that was the first sign that I should take her seriously.

BEHIND THE SCENES

My interest piqued when Saunders shared the basic story with few details. I asked her to submit a guest column for consideration, and she shared — not for publication — screen shots of xenophobic remarks on a Crestview man's Facebook page.

She also shared the name of the man who harassed her, and how she knew it was him. (You know how they say there are 6 degrees of separation between everyone? Well, if you're known for making certain kinds of remarks, word gets around, and if someone posts about being harassed in a store, a friend of a friend will naturally link that person to the most likely suspect's page and ask, "Is this the guy?" It's easier than ever to confirm an identity with Facebook profile photos. I do that all the time with work.)

But I digress.

Saunders and I exchanged about 30 messages before her guest column published in the Dec. 23-25 Midweek Edition.

The News Bulletin does not publish just anything someone submits. We, like police officers, gather evidence and see if it all fits.

Of course, the burden of proof on the Opinion page is less than it is on the front page, because this story is 100 percent Saunders' perspective.

And you don't have to believe everything you read on the Opinion page.

But you need to know that the CNB performs due diligence on all submitted content.

I know we live in polarizing times, and everything can seem politically driven. I just wanted to share this behind-the-scenes procedure so you can rest assured that this incident did happen.

And, more important, it's OK to express compassion for this family.

What's your view? Write a letter to the editor or tweet News Bulletin Editor Thomas Boni.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: BONI: Public pain isn't always political — trust this Muslim woman's story

ABCmouse.com, a multiple award-winning Early Learning Academy, is new to the Crestview Public Library’s Youth area.

It is the most comprehensive learning resource for 2- to 7-year-olds and up, and it’s available, at no cost, at two computers.

Children may sign in as a guest or create an account, or use the account they use if they have ABCmouse.com at home.

The advantage of creating an account is that ABCmouse.com tracks their progress and opens new levels as they learn.

The ABCmouse.com curriculum is presented in a carefully designed sequence of more than 450 lessons in six levels.

Parents can feel confident and secure knowing that children will never encounter advertising or links to other websites.

Why are you waiting? Bring your headphones and head to the library!

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: NITZEL: Free children's learning resource available at Crestview library

If you've been around long-time investors, you'll probably hear them say, ruefully, "If only I had gotten in on the ground floor of such-and-such computer or social media company, I'd be rich today."

That may be true — but is it really relevant to anyone? Do you have to be an early investor of a spectacular company to achieve investment success?

Not really.

Those early investors of the "next big thing" couldn't have fully anticipated the tremendous results enjoyed by those companies. But these investors all had one thing in common: They were ready, willing and able to look for good opportunities.

And that's what you need to do, too.

Of course, you may never snag the next big thing, but that's not the point. If you're going to be a successful investor, you need to be diligent in your search for new opportunities.

And these opportunities don't need to be new to the financial markets — they can just be new to you.

For example, when you look at your investment portfolio, do you see the same types of investments?

If you own mostly aggressive growth stocks, you have the possibility of gains — but, at the same time, you do risk taking losses, from which it may take years to recover.

On the other hand, if you're "overloaded" with certificates of deposit and Treasury bills, you may enjoy protection of principal but at the cost of growth potential, because these investments rarely offer much in the way of returns. In fact, they may not even keep up with inflation, which means that if you own too many of them, you will face purchasing-power risk.

To avoid these problems, look for opportunities to broaden your holdings beyond just one or two asset classes.

Here's another way to take advantage of opportunities: Don't take a "time out" from investing. When markets are down, people's fears drive them to sell investments whose prices have declined — thereby immediately turning "paper" losses into real ones — rather than holding on to quality investment vehicles and waiting for the market to recover.

But successful investors are often rewarded when they not only hold on to investments during declines but also increase their holdings by purchasing investments whose prices have fallen — or adding new shares to existing investments — thereby following the first rule of investing: Buy low. When the market rises again, these investors should see the value of their new investments, or the shares of their existing ones, increase in value. (Keep in mind, though, that, when investing in stocks, there are no guarantees; some stocks do lose value and may never recover.)

Instead of looking for that one great "hit" in the form of an early investment in a skyrocketing stock, you're better off by seeking good opportunities in the form of new investments that can broaden your existing portfolio or by adding additional shares, at good prices, to your existing investments.

These moves are less glitzy and glamorous than getting in on the ground floor of the next big thing — but, in the long run, they may make you look pretty smart indeed.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones financial adviser.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: SHANKLIN: When opportunity knocks, open the door

Some years, I can't get into the Christmas spirit.

Perhaps it's hearing the same songs for as long as I can remember — over and over and over again. "There's no place like home for the holidays." "Merry Christmas, darling." "Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock." "Frosty the snowman." "I'm dreaming of a White Christmas."

This time of year, life seems like the 1993 Bill Murray film, "Groundhog Day." Those who celebrate Christmas have the same routine: pick a tree, string lights, exchange holiday greetings, give gifts, and sing songs.

Of course, the sentiment behind all these things is peaceful and life affirming, but the traditions sometimes seem repetitive and predictable.

Then again, perhaps it's personal history: My father suddenly died Monday, Oct. 11, 1999. I was just a high school junior, and it was traumatic for a 17-year-old — one that darkened the general season of holidays (in my household, that includes Halloween, Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas).

Perhaps the subsequent years of grief, and all the paperwork that losing a loved one entails, starkly contrasted with the cheerful season of caroling and stringing lights, and that changed my perspective.

Or, perhaps the commercial takeover of Christmas distracts from the season's true meaning for the faithful: celebrating Jesus Christ's birth.

People being trampled over, even killed, on Black Friday, parents fighting over the last of the year's hottest toy on the shelf, or watching some complain about the gifts they receive while I know there are others far less fortunate.

Regardless of the reason, I'm sure my characteristic overthinking of everything compounds the numbness.

But usually, something unexpected happens, and I find the Christmas spirit, the holiday in my heart.

This year, that came while reading North Okaloosa County children's letters to Santa Claus. (See links in "Related Content" at left.) I love reading children's innocent, unfiltered (and not spell-checked) words. One's wish that "my Dad and mom didn’t have to whork that much." Or, "If you can give me a gift, I would love to have my Daddy back." And even, "Dear Santa, You are not real! … I am going to be half asleep because I am going to prove that Santa isn’t real."

I love seeing Christmas through the eyes of a child, because they haven't experienced an adult's heartaches and setbacks, or nearly enough of those things to develop a more cynical worldview.

I'm not a pessimist, but I am a reformed idealist. I've learned that the boy doesn't always get the girl; that the hardest and most skilled worker doesn't automatically get the promised promotion — in fact, sometimes that opportunity just "evaporates" (that was circa 2011 in Alabama); and some people are downright cold and heartless, hurting people they don't even know, in the name of nothing, and there's nothing you can do about it.

There's so much pain in the world — war, homelessness and hunger, for instance —  that  I have gradually forgotten most worldly things. I'm not a "car guy." I don't have a favorite gadget I want for Christmas. There's nothing material on my Christmas or birthday lists; I sooner wish for healing of relationships and more friends, because those things truly matter.

But admittedly, I get a chuckle upon reading these Santa letters and learning about the Fartzooka, and other toys I've never heard of, and a skipped heartbeat when a child says something that forces me to read between the lines and find the hidden turmoil.

And it reminds me of the fun of hearing Perry Como records growing up, the wonder of kneeling before the nativity scene each midnight Mass, and the overwhelming joy of giving, even if I'm not receiving something in return.

I hope these letters also help you find the holiday in your heart.

Merry Christmas. 

What's your view? Write a letter to the editor or tweet News Bulletin Editor Thomas Boni.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: BONI: Finding the holiday in your heart