SFSC Partners with Hemp4Water™to Research the Removal of Contaminants from Florida’s Rivers and Lakes 

AVON PARK, Fla. – March 26, 2020 – South Florida State College (SFSC) is partnering with Hemp4Water™ on the upcoming Florida Industrial Hemp Pilot Project. Through this project, they will research the use of industrial hemp in the removal of nitrogen and phosphorus from Florida’s lakes and rivers. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services recently issued an industrial hemp planting permit, allowing SFSC and Hemp4Water™ to proceed with the project. This will be the first bio-remediation project using industrial hemp on water in the United States.  

“Nutrients in appropriate levels are required and part of the ecosystem,” said Steve Edmonds, Hemp4Water™ founder. “However, an overabundance of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, help fuel green-blue algae and red tide. All rivers and lakes in Florida are inundated with nitrogen and phosphorus. Everyone has been trying to reduce the content for the last 15 years.”   

Dawn Ritter, Highlands County natural resource manager, said that because Lakes Glenada and Lelia are public lakes, the county wants to make sure people aren’t prevented from making use of them for activities such as boating and fishing. “The map provided with the submission toward the permit provides a good perspective on placement of the biomats for the industrial hemp,” she said. “The permit from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services was issued for the project in February. As long as the project remains in compliance with the permit, the county shouldn’t have a problem with the project at all.”  

A letter from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to Kendall Carson, SFSC coordinator of agricultural programs and lead in the Florida Industrial Hemp Pilot Project, stated that the commission’s Invasive Plant Management Section had “no opposition to the industrial hemp hydroponic pilot project.” The commission required that permission had been obtained from the owner of the property adjacent to the lakes (SFSC), that the hydroponic mats would be placed so they don’t compete directly with “existing native aquatic vegetation for resources,” and “the hemp plants will not be planted into the hydrosoil.”  

Established in 2013, Hemp4Water™ is a not-for-profit corporation that concentrates on education and environmental cleanup. According to Edmonds, the company focuses on cleaning water of contaminants with the use of hydroponic hemp.   

Edmonds indicated that excess nitrogen and phosphorus come from a variety of sources. “It’s basically a combination of failed infrastructure in Florida built for 4 million people that is trying to deal with a population approaching 20 million people. All of the excess nutrients from our storm water system is, eventually, shunted to our rivers and lakes. Excess nutrients also come from the highways, the urban landscape, the creation of developments, and fertilizing the lawn three or four times a month rather than once or twice a year. It’s not just a single source.”  

The Florida Industrial Hemp Pilot Project will make use of industrial hemp to extract nitrogen and phosphorus from water. According to Edmonds, “Nitrogen and phosphorus are hemp’s favorite food. The plants will be happy and healthy in a high nitrogen and phosphorus environment.”  

The partnership between Hemp4Water™ and SFSC will accomplish the initial baseline of research—to determine how much nitrogen and phosphorus a single hemp plant can process. With the resulting data, several further projects will be developed to target and remove tons of the excess nitrogen and phosphorus, restore a healthy ecosystem, and avert billions of dollars of damage to Florida’s water resources.  

SFSC will provide the research site, a certified lab, lab technicians, academically qualified researchers, and other resources to carry forth the research. Hemp4Water™ will provide contacts, research, and materials unique to this project.  

The SFSC Highlands Campus in Avon Park is located on an isthmus—between two lakes—making it an ideal site for this project. The three locations that have been identified for use in the initial phase of the project are on Lake Glenada, on Lake Lelia, and in the SFSC Dr. Norman L. Stephens Jr. Health & Science Education Center.  

“In the first phase of the project, we’ll have biomats in which we’ll plant industrial hemp,” Carson said. “These are hydroponic biomats that float on top of the water and will be anchored into place. We’ll allow the hemp to grow. Toward the end of the project, we’ll measure how much nitrogen and phosphorus the hemp plants remove. At the same time, we’ll set up a hydroponic control that will be housed in a lab in SFSC’s Health & Science Education Center.”   

“The biomats will be placed away from any other vegetation,” Carson said. “It won’t allow the hemp plants to take root in the ground or to compete with any other vegetation. Two specific lake locations were chosen for the biomats because they are out of navigational areas for boaters.”  

“After the nutrients are removed from the systems, the hemp will be harvested and the plant material can be turned into all sorts of products,” Edmonds said. In fact, hemp plant material can be used as renewable sources of energy and to produce non-toxic industrial oil, high quality natural fibers for textiles, animal food, beauty products, dietary supplements, and biodegradable plastics. Building materials made from industrial hemp are structural blocks and prefabricated panels used for exterior walls that are non-toxic, fireproof, and mold resistant. Hempcrete, made from the inner core of the hemp plant and mixed with a binder and water, weighs far less than concrete.  

In recent years, SFSC has encouraged its students to participate in research through the Honors Program, class projects, or in special projects courses. “This project presents a great opportunity for SFSC students in chemistry, biology, or environmental science to gain research experience,” said Dr. James Hawker Jr., SFSC dean of Arts & Sciences. “For this particular project, students could be involved in the chemical analysis of water.”  

In a letter to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, SFSC District Board of Trustee Chair, Tami Cullens, said, “SFSC is excited about exploring the opportunities that the hemp industry could bring to the rural, agricultural counties in the College’s service district [of Highlands, Hardee, and DeSoto counties]. Further, the economic and environmental benefits of agricultural hemp could translate into massive environmental benefits through water quality experiments along Florida’s ridge and through the biomass opportunities that future growers of hemp could realize. The benefits to Florida are huge, with the addition of a new $35 billion agricultural crop.”  

Avon Park, Fla. — March 25, 2020 — South Florida State College’s (SFSC) Division of Health Sciences have donated over 5,000 pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) to local facilities in an effort to keep health care workers safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

“The pandemic has taxed health care centers across the country,” said Dr. Michele Heston, SFSC dean of Health Sciences. “In addition to hand washing, the PPE protect healthcare workers and patients from the virus. Currently, there is a global shortage of PPEs, such a gowns, gloves, and masks.”  

On Friday, March 20, the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) issued a call to action, encouraging nursing programs across the United States to provide PPE to their community health care facilities during this crisis. In their statement, they pleaded: “With the pandemic spreading, the need for the PPE equipment is becoming more critical. No health care provider should be forced to reuse or make their own PPE equipment, thus putting themselves and other individuals at risk.”   

Dr. Heston immediately asked directors of SFSC’s Nursing, Dental, and Radiography departments to take an inventory of their stock of PPE.   

“In our lab settings, we use gowns, gloves, and masks to teach our students how to put them on and take them off properly,” Dr. Heston said. “We also use them in our simulation settings prior to going out to the hospitals for clinical experience. The College’s labs are suspended at the moment, so we don’t need these items. We want our local health care providers to have and use them.”  

Three local facilities contacted Dr. Heston for the PPE—AdventHealth Sebring, Good Shepherd Hospice, and Lake Placid Health Care Center. SFSC donated to the three facilities over 1,000 gowns, over 1,000 masks, and over 3,000 pairs of gloves.  

“We’re grateful to SFSC’s Nursing leadership for donating N95s and isolation gowns to our frontline workers, especially in this time of need,” said Elsie Graves, chief nursing officer at AdventHealth Sebring. “This personal protective equipment will keep our health care workers and patients safe from the spread of the coronavirus and other infectious diseases. One of the doctors was elated when she saw the PPE unloaded at the hospital. She said she is happy to know that our local college cared to keep our health care workers protected.”  

“Chapters Health Foundation and Good Shepherd Hospice are so very thankful for the generous support provided to us by Dr. Heston and the College,” said Paula Creamer, director of philanthropy with Chapters Health Foundation. “This is a very difficult and stressful time for everyone, and it is a great feeling knowing there are community organizations like South Florida State College ready to so quickly stand with us and support our mission. This donation of personal protective equipment will ensure our frontline caregivers have the necessary supplies and tools to provide quality medical care and peace of mind to our patients and their families.”  

“We want our health care professionals to know that we appreciate their dedication during this pandemic,” Dr. Heston said. “Many of them are SFSC graduates—That’s our family out there.”   

SFSC offers health care degrees and certificates in Nursing, Dental Hygiene, Dental Assisting, Radiography, Phlebotomy, Health Services Management, and Health Care Services. For more information on any of these programs, visit Degrees and Programs on the College website or call 863-453-6661.

Representing Hardee County, Kenneth A. Lambert joined the South Florida State College (SFSC) District Board of Trustees (DBOT) in November 2011.

During his tenure, he took on the task of chair of the committee charged with the search for a new College president that resulted in hiring Dr. Thomas C. Leitzel in 2013. Lambert was elected chair of the DBOT, serving throughout the 2013-14 academic year. As a trustee, Lambert relished participation in College events and could be seen at performances at the Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts, participating in numerous graduation ceremonies, and joining in festivities associated with SFSC’s 50th anniversary celebration.

“Mr. Lambert’s great love has always been at the forefront of his position as a trustee at South Florida State College,” said Mrs. Tami Cullens, chair of the DBOT.  “Our College has benefitted under his leadership and drive by making a difference for each person that sets foot on our campuses. South Florida State College’s District Board of Trustees are honored to serve with a man as phenomenal as Kenneth A. Lambert.” 

“Since joining the Board, Mr. Lambert has been an influential force and a strong advocate for supporting the academic mission of the College,” said Dr. Thomas Leitzel, president of SFSC. “His love for SFSC was exceptional.”

In 2019, SFSC paid tribute to Mr. Lambert’s service by installing an honorary bench adjacent to Building F on the Highlands Campus. The inscribed message on a stone next to the bench reads: “Dedicated to honor SFSC Trustee Kenneth A. Lambert and all others who embark on a journey to achieve lofty dreams.” This passage expresses the aspiration that Mr. Lambert had for the students, staff, and faculty of SFSC.

On Wednesday, March 11, Mrs. Cullens introduced a special recognition for Mr. Lambert with the unique designation of Trustee Emeritus, so he will always be recognized as a trustee for South Florida State College. The DBOT approved the request unanimously.

In addition, Mrs. Cullens announced the Kenneth A. Lambert Memorial Endowment. “We would like to have something that ensures Mr. Lambert will not be forgotten at this College, and his handprints, his footprints, and his journey with all of us will always be remembered and there will always be something that recognizes him.”

Mrs. Jamie Bateman, executive director for institutional advancement at SFSC, continued to explain the details of the Endowment. “Gifts given will provide financial support for SFSC to meet needs and fund projects that cannot be met by the general operating budget,” she explained. “The goal is to reach $100,000. We felt that this Endowment would be recognized by the community who may want to support, get behind, and help because of the love and admiration that Mr. Lambert had for the College.” The creation of the Kenneth A. Lambert Memorial Endowment was also approved unanimously by the DBOT.

Lambert graduated from SFSC in 1980 with an Associate in Arts and went on to earn a Bachelor of Applied Science in Public Relations/Image Management from the University of Florida in 1983.

Lambert and his wife Eileen married in 1985 and have three sons—Ryan, Grayson, and Carter. Wauchula is home to Lambert, where he and brother Bill grew up. Although much of his professional career focused on marketing, he worked with his mother, Doris, in her real estate business, Lambert Realty.

“Kenny was about family,” said Terry Atchley, Wauchula city manager. “His passionate focus was always about his boys. And he and Eileen took in a young man a few years ago who was without family and he just became a part of their family.”

Lambert was also a public servant within his community. He was a commissioner of the City of Wauchula from 2004 to 2009 and from 2012 to the present and mayor of the city from 2000 to 2004. “Kenny was the driving force to establish Wauchula’s first city charter—in going from a strong mayor to a commissioner/management form of government. He’s always been the rock for the City of Wauchula. Anytime we were developing a workshop or planning session, the one test question that came up was, ‘What will Commissioner Lambert ask?’ He doesn’t mind speaking up and have an opinion on a matter. He was our measuring stick to make sure that we’d researched and reviewed everything—to make sure we’d given thorough thought about it.”

Lambert was a member of First Baptist Church of Wauchula. “He has been extremely active in church, especially in the choir, since he was young,” said Dr. Sylvia Collins, a member of the church, a close friend of Lambert’s mother, and a member of the SFSC DBOT from 1981 to 1990. “He was a part-time director of the choir from time to time. Over the years, he served in many capacities, including chair of the Budget and Personnel committees.”

Dr. Collins was Lambert’s language arts teacher when he was in junior high school. “As a student, he was very bright, academically,” she said. “He’s always been friendly and outgoing. He was a leader in junior high school and at the University of Florida. Leadership has always been one of his gifts.”

Lambert has been a managing member at Summit 105 Group, LLC since 2013. Previously, he was vice president of enterprise solutions for Knowledge-Based Marketing Group from 2011 to 2013, a senior vice president for Merrill Corporation from 2009 to 2011, a self-employed marketing services consultant from 2007 to 2009, senior vice president of Harte-Hanks Direct Marketing from 1989 to 2007, and vice president and officer with First Union National Bank from 1983 to 1989.

Kenneth A. Lambert’s time on earth ended on March 15, 2020, but his legacy and faith will always be felt by the SFSC community and his influence will be realized through the impact of the Kenneth A. Lambert Memorial Endowment.

March 3, 2020 – South Florida State College (SFSC) has been designated as a Military Friendly® School by VIQTORY, a service-disabled, veteran-owned business that issues the longest-running, most comprehensive review of college and university services provided to military and veteran students.

Each year, VIQTORY establishes the list of Military Friendly® Schools from the results of public research and the data-driven survey that is submitted by each institution. This year, 1,693 schools filled out the survey and each school was ranked according to the data that was collected.

“South Florida State College takes a serious commitment to providing top quality services to our active duty military students as well as our veterans,” said Dr. Timothy Wise, SFSC’s dean of student services. “We are proud to once again be recognized for our commitment to them.”

SFSC provide veterans with academic advising and counseling for all programs and degrees. Veterans are able to sign up for courses the first day of registration regardless of how many hours they have earned. The Cashier’s Office offers veterans and/or their dependents utilizing VA benefits a deferment for tuition fees. The Cashier’s Office grants veterans a 60-day deferment from the time classes start to pay their fees. This allows veterans to enroll into courses without having to pay up front.

“Being prior military myself and knowing that our institution is Military Friendly®, it really makes me proud,” said Robert Hampton, SFSC student services advisor and veteran school certifying official.

As part of the College’s outreach to veterans, SFSC accepts a variety of educational benefits provided by the Department of Veteran Affairs. Those benefits range from the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which provides financial support for education to individuals who have at least 90 days of aggregate service after Sept. 10, 2001, to Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program Chapter 31 for veterans who suffered a service-connected disability that limits their ability to work or prevents them from working.

Along with providing educational opportunities, the College also offers interactive tools to assist them with career planning, counseling, and job placement efforts at the Career Development Center.

The SFSC Testing Center is recognized as an “open” military friendly testing center by the United States Department of Defense which regulates most military educational assistance programs. The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) lets students earn college credit for what they already know by earning qualifying scores on any of 33 introductory-level college subject examinations.

The exams are funded by the United States government through the Defense Activity for Non Traditional Education Support (DANTES). Through this program, eligible DANTES-funded test takers attempting a test title for the first time will not only have their exam fee funded by DANTES, but the SFSC Testing Center will also waive their administrative fee for veterans and active military, with proper ID.

The College is committed to helping the military-affiliated students feel welcome on campus, to make sure they have access to the educational benefits to which they are entitled, and to make sure their college experience is rewarding and productive. To assist with any deployment and training issues, any military student called to active service can interrupt education and return without penalty.

For more information about SFSC’s veteran services, contact Hampton at 863-784-7128 or email robert.hampton@southflorida.edu.