ON YOUR MARK

Organizers Excited for March’s Run the Ranch 5K

- TERESA SCHIFFER

ONE GREAT THING about Central Florida’s agricultural community is how supportive the local growers and ranchers are of the younger generations. Whether it’s supporting the Polk County Youth Fair or providing resources for Agriculture Literacy Day, the area’s farmers are famous for coming together to help the kids learn about and get involved with agriculture. On March 6, they are at it again with the 6th Annual Run the Ranch 5K in Highlands County!

Jan Shoop, a member of the Highlands County CattleWomen’s Association and one of the organizers of the annual 5K fundraising event, is excited that Run the Ranch is going forward this year. Last year’s event took place just before the coronavirus pandemic rocked the nation and shut down events, organizations, businesses, and schools throughout the world. Now, one year later, while many people are still being very cautious about attending public events, we have a better understanding of how to protect ourselves and each other from infection with the virus.