2010 Florida Ranches Calendar: a photographic tribute to the natural and cultural beauty of Florida's oldest industry

Now in its fifth year, the recently released 2010 Florida Ranches Calendar continues to illustrate the breathtaking beauty of Florida's extraordinary ranch lands. The calendar's purpose is to educate and connect citizens - especially those transplanted from other parts of the country - to the importance of Florida's oldest and largest industry. The Ranch Calendar captures a unique look at the generations of environmental stewardship that have occurred on these cattle ranches and the critical role they play in honoring and preserving Florida's agricultural and cultural heritage.

Just a glimpse of the cultural history intertwined throughout:

"Every day before dawn, they saddle their horses, coil their lariats and whips, and ride out to work the herds. They are Florida Cowboys -- living legacies of the longest history of ranching in America and guardians of the landscape that has shaped them. Long before western cowboys drove their herds over the Chisholm, the Goodnight, or the Bozeman, Florida cattlemen were trailing their cattle across the Suwannee, the Apalachicola, and the Kissimmee. People known as "Crackers" from the sound of their whips settled the range alongside Seminole Indians from the lineage of the great chief 'Cowkeeper.' Today five centuries of heritage live on in the descendants of these pioneers." --Excerpt from an article by Carlton Ward, Jr. in this year's calendar.

As in past years, the photography of renowned photojournalist Carlton Ward Jr, serves as the cornerstone of the calendar with additional images provided by Robert Stone and Bob Montanaro. Set amidst a backdrop of oak hammocks and expansive pasturelands, their photographs are complemented with informational articles about historic cracker traditions, current conservation planning efforts and agricultural initiatives.

Several authors are featured in this year's calendar. Excerpts from the traveling exhibit, Florida Cattle Ranching: Five Centuries of Tradition, were contributed by Robert Stone. Stone is the Outreach Coordinator for the Florida Folklife Program, part of the Florida Department of State's Division of Historical Resources. Carlton Ward, Jr. provided highlights on his new book, Florida Cowboys - Keepers of the Last Frontier, to share his vision of what is at stake for Florida's cattle ranches as the face of Florida changes. Ernie Cox, President of Family Lands Remembered, LLC, offers a glimpse of innovative conservation planning tools being used on ranches throughout the state.

"This is much more than just a beautiful calendar to us," explained Stacy Ranieri, President of the Firefly Group and publisher of the calendar. "Our key partners in the production of the calendar are committed to telling the story of Florida's ranches to our fellow citizens who may not be aware of the beauty, culture and environmental value of these lands," Ranieri added.

The 2010 Ranch Calendar is a collaborative partnership between the Florida Cattlemen's Association and Family Lands Remembered, the major underwriters of the calendar, along with Legacy Institute for Nature & Culture (LINC) and The Firefly Group. Sponsorship support from the following organizations also contributes to the calendar's production: Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc.; Deseret Cattle & Citrus; Holland & Knight; Kitson & Partners; Pine Creek Sporting Club; Siboney Ranch; Conservation Trust for Florida; Dean Mead; Florida Center for Environmental Studies; Gunster; Indian River Land Trust; JW Turf Farms; Law Offices of Johnathan Ferguson; Modica & Associates; RWA; Sustainable Treasure Coast; Tampa Bay History Center; Two Rivers Ranch; Venture Four, LLC; and Western Folklife Center.

Calendars are $15 each and make a great gift. Bulk order discounts and non profit fundraising rates are also available. For more information or to purchase calendars contact The Firefly Group at 772-287-5272 or info@fireflyforyou.com or order online at www.fireflyforyou.com.

Featured Ranches include:

Kanapaha Prairie, AlachuaCounty

Faithful W Ranch, DeSotoCounty

Cedar Hill Ranch, LevyCounty

Ward Ranch, HardeeCounty

Lightsey Ranch, Osceola & PolkCounties

Clay Ranch, PutnamCounty

Platt Ranch, MadisonCounty

Thomas' Two Rivers Ranch

HillsboroughCounty