Aging is inevitable, and for many, it signals the beginning of a new chapter - one where you cross off bucket list items and live life to the fullest, on your own terms. However, for some men, aging is a horrible prospect, filled with chronic fatigue, irritability, and inability to perform in the bedroom. If you're concerned about life in middle age and beyond, we've got great news: there are easy, proven steps that you can take to help stop the negative effect of aging.
Global Life Rejuvenation was founded to give men a new lease on life - one that includes less body fat, fewer mood swings, and more energy as you age. If you're ready to look and feel younger, it's time to consider TRT (testosterone replacement therapy), and growth hormone peptides. These therapies for men are effective, safe, and customized to fit your goals, so you can keep loving life as you get older.
TRT, and growth hormone peptide therapies bridge the gap between your old life and the more vibrant, happier version of you. With a simple click or call, you can be well on your way to a brighter future. After all, you deserve to be the one in charge of your wellness and health. Now, you have the tools to do so - backed by science and applied by our team of TRT and HRT experts with more than 13 years of experience.
For men, getting older comes with its perks, like living life on their own terms and not having to "sweat the small stuff" day in and day out. At the same time, there are aspects of aging that men dread, like hormonal changes. Yes, you read that right â men, not just women, go through hormonal changes as they age. For men, the biggest change involves a drop in testosterone.
Lower levels of testosterone can wreak havoc on a male's mind and body and when left untreated, can result in symptoms like:
Those symptoms are concerning, but with testosterone replacement therapy and anti-aging medicine, many males improve their quality of life with age. The good news is that TRT and anti-aging meds aren't only reserved for "old guys." In fact, there's no magic age at which men should start thinking about hormone replacement therapy. Everyone's body is different, so if you're experiencing the above conditions in your mid-30s, TRT could be a viable solution when you consult with a doctor.
Testosterone is a crucial hormone for men and plays an important role throughout the male lifespan. Most of a male's testosterone is produced through the testicles. Also called the male sex hormone, testosterone starts playing its part during puberty.
When a male goes through puberty, testosterone helps males develop:
As boys turn to men and men grow older, testosterone levels deplete naturally. Sometimes, events like injuries and chronic health conditions like diabetes can lower testosterone levels. Unfortunately, when a man loses too much T, it results in hypogonadism. When this happens, the testosterone must be replaced, or the male will suffer from symptoms like muscle loss, low libido, and even depression.
TRT is exactly what it sounds like: a treatment option for men that replaces testosterone so that your body regulates hormones properly and restores balance to your life. Also called androgen replacement therapy, TRT alleviates the symptoms that men experience with low T.
Originally lab-synthesized in 1935, testosterone has grown in popularity since it was produced. Today, TRT and other testosterone treatments are among the most popular prescriptions in the U.S.
Without getting too deep into the science, TRT works by giving your body the essential testosterone it needs to function correctly. As the primary androgen for both males and females, testosterone impacts many of the body's natural processes â especially those needed for overall health. For example, men with low T are more prone to serious problems like cardiovascular disease and even type-2 diabetes.
When your body quits making enough testosterone, it causes your health to suffer until a solution is presented. That's where TRT and anti-aging medicine for men can help. TRT helps balance your hormones and replenish your depleted testosterone. With time, your body will begin to heal, and many symptoms like low libido and irritability begin to diminish.
For men, aging is the biggest contributor to lower testosterone levels, though there are other causes like obesity, drug abuse, testicular injuries, and certain prescribed medications. Sometimes, long-term health conditions like AIDS, cirrhosis of the liver, and kidney disease can lower testosterone levels.
When a man's testosterone levels drop significantly, it alters his body's ratio of estrogen and testosterone. Lower testosterone levels cause more abdominal fat, which in turn results in increased aromatase, which converts even more testosterone into estrogen.
If you're concerned that you might have low T, you're not alone. Millions of men in the U.S. feel the same way. The best way to find out if your testosterone is low is to get your levels tested.
For sustainable testosterone replacement therapy benefits, you must consult with hormone doctors and experts like those you can find at Global Life Rejuvenation. That way, you can find the root cause of your hormone problems, and our team can craft a personalized HRT plan tailored to your needs.
Are you used to blasting through a productive day and accomplishing all your daily goals? Do you find yourself losing muscle mass and the craving to be intimate with your partner? Does your partner complain about how irritable you have become? If you're not usually a curmudgeon, your body could be giving you a sign. It could be time to speak with a doctor about TRT and anti-aging medicine for men in The Meadows, FL.
If you're experiencing any of the following symptoms, you might be battling against low testosterone:
One of the most common reasons that men choose TRT is because they have lost that "spark" with their partner. It's not easy for a man to hear that they're not performing like they used to. Intimacy is a powerful part of any relationship. When a once-healthy sex life dwindles, it can cause serious relationship issues.
The good news is that low libido doesn't have to be a permanent problem. TRT and anti-aging medicines help revert hormone levels back into their normal range. When this happens, many men have a more enjoyable life full of intimacy and sex drive.
Weak erections â it's an uncomfortable subject for many men in the U.S. to talk about. It's even worse to experience first-hand. You're in the midst of an intimate moment, and you can't do your part. Despite being perfectly normal, many men put blame and shame upon themselves when they can't achieve an erection. And while the inability to perform sexually can be caused by poor diet, obesity, and chronic health conditions, low testosterone is often a contributing factor.
Fortunately, weak erections are a treatable condition. The best way to regain your confidence and ability in bed is to speak with your doctor. Once any underlying conditions are discovered, options like TRT may be the best course of treatment.
Hair Loss
Do you find it harder and harder to work out and lift weights in the gym? Are you having problems lifting heavy items that you once had no problem lifting?
Recent studies show that when men are inactive, they lose .5% of muscle strength every year, from ages 25 to 60. After 60, muscle loss doubles every decade. While some muscle loss is common as men age, a significant portion can be tied to low testosterone levels. When a man's T levels drop, so does his muscle mass.
Testosterone is a much-needed component used in gaining and retaining muscle mass. That's why many doctors prescribe TRT The Meadows, FL, for men having problems with strength. One recent study found that men who increased their testosterone levels using TRT gained as much as 2.5 pounds of muscle mass.
Whether your gym performance is lacking, or you can't lift heavy items like you used to, don't blame it all on age. You could be suffering from hypogonadism.
If you're like millions of other men in their late 20s and 30s, dealing with hair loss is a reality you don't want to face. Closely related to testosterone decline and hormone imbalances, hair loss is distressing for many men. This common symptom is often related to a derivative of testosterone called DHT. Excess amounts of DHT cause hair follicles to halt their production, causing follicles to die.
Because hair located at the front and crown is more sensitive to DHT, it grows slower than other follicles and eventually stops growing permanently. Thankfully, TRT and anti-aging treatments for men in The Meadows, FL, is now available to address hair loss for good.
While it's true that you can't change your genes, you can change the effects of low testosterone on your body. Whether you're suffering from thinning hair or hair loss across your entire head, TRT and other hormone therapies can stop hair loss and even reverse the process.
Also called "man boobs," gynecomastia is essentially the enlargement of male breast tissue. This increase in fatty tissue is often caused by hormonal imbalances and an increase in estrogen. For men, estrogen levels are elevated during andropause. Also called male menopause, andropause usually happens because of a lack of testosterone.
If you're a man between the ages of 40 and 55, and you're embarrassed by having large breasts, don't lose hope. TRT is a safe, effective way to eliminate the underlying cause of gynecomastia without invasive surgery. With a custom HRT and fitness program, you can bring your testosterone and estrogen levels back to normal before you know it.
Decreased energy was once considered a normal part of aging. Today, many doctors know better. Advances in technology and our understanding of testosterone show that low T and lack of energy often go hand-in-hand.
If you're struggling to enjoy activities like playing with your kids or hiking in a park due to lack of energy, it could be a sign of low T. Of course, getting tired is perfectly normal for any man. But if you're suffering from continual fatigue, a lack of enjoyment, or a decrease in energy, it might be time to speak with a doctor.
Whether you're having a tough time getting through your day or can't finish activities you used to love, TRT could help.
A study from 2011 showed that men who lose a week's worth of sleep can experience lowered testosterone levels â as much as 15%, according to experts. Additional research into the topic found almost 15% of workers only get five hours of sleep (or less) per night. These findings suggest that sleep loss negatively impacts T levels and wellbeing.
The bottom line is that men who have trouble sleeping often suffer from lower testosterone levels as a result. If you find yourself exhausted at the end of the day but toss and turn all night long, you might have low T.
TRT and anti-aging medicines can restore your T levels back to normal, which can help you sleep better with proper diet and exercise.
You're feeling down about everything, and there's no solid explanation for why you're in such a crummy mood. Your daily life is great and full of success, but you can't help but feel unexcited and unmotivated. If you're experiencing symptoms like these, you may be depressed â and it may stem from low testosterone.
A research study from Munich found that men with depression also commonly had low testosterone levels. This same study also found that depressed men had cortisol levels that were 67% higher than other men. Because higher cortisol levels lead to lower levels of testosterone, the chances of severe depression increase.
Depression is a very real disorder and should always be diagnosed and treated by your doctor. One treatment option gaining in popularity is TRT for depression. Studies show that when TRT is used to restore hormone levels, men enjoy a lighter, more improved mood. That's great news for men who are depressed and have not had success with other treatments like anti-depression medicines, which alter the brain's chemistry.
Ask anyone over the age of 50 how their memory is, and they'll tell you it wasn't what it used to be. Memory loss and lack of concentration occur naturally as we age â these aren't always signs of dementia or Alzheimer's.
However, what many men consider a symptom of age may be caused by low testosterone. A 2006 study found that males with low T levels performed poorly on cognitive skill tests. These results suggest that low testosterone may play a part in reducing cognitive ability. If you're having trouble staying on task or remembering what your schedule is for the day, it might not be due to your age. It might be because your testosterone levels are too low. If you're having trouble concentrating or remembering daily tasks, it could be time to talk to your doctor.
Why? The aforementioned study found that participating men experienced improved cognitive skills when using TRT.
Even though today's society is more inclusive of large people, few adults enjoy gaining weight as they age. Despite their best efforts, many men just can't shed the extra pounds around their midsections, increasing their risk of heart disease and cancer.
Often, male weight gain is caused by hormone imbalances that slow the metabolism and cause weight to pile on. This phase of life is called andropause and happens when there is a lack of testosterone in the body. Couple that with high cortisol levels, and you've got a recipe for flabby guts and double chins.
Fortunately, TRT treatments and physician-led weight loss programs can correct hormone imbalances and lead to healthy weight loss for men.
The benefits of hormone replacement therapy for men are numerous. TRT not only grants relief from low-T symptoms but can help give protection against age-related diseases. Additionally, doctors now recognize male testosterone as an important role in alleviating depression.
Some of the most exciting benefits of TRT can include:
Because men do not go through a specific period of hormonal changes like women do (called menopause), many doctors refer to "male menopause" as androgen decline. This is just another term for low testosterone, but like female menopause, the symptoms can be serious and affect your quality of life.
The best way to fight back against male menopause is with male HRT treatment from Global Life Rejuvenation. We provide the following HRT treatments for men:
Our treatment options are personalized for your body and are available as creams, gels, injectables, and implantable pellets. To find out if testosterone replacement therapy is safe for you, contact Global Life Rejuvenation today to schedule your comprehensive testing and anti-aging treatment consultation.
Growth hormone peptides are an innovative therapy that boosts the natural human growth hormone production in a person's body. These exciting treatment options help slow down the aging process and give you a chance at restoring your youth.
Sermorelin is a synthetic hormone peptide, like GHRH, which triggers the release of growth hormones. When used under the care of a qualified physician, Sermorelin can help you lose weight, increase your energy levels, and help you feel much younger.
Human growth hormone (HGH) therapy has been used for years to treat hormone deficiencies. Unlike HGH, which directly replaces declining human growth hormone levels, Sermorelin addresses the underlying cause of decreased HGH, stimulating the pituitary gland naturally. This approach keeps the mechanisms of growth hormone production active.
Benefits of Sermorelin include:
Ipamorelin helps to release growth hormones in a person's body by mimicking a peptide called ghrelin. Ghrelin is one of three hormones which work together to regulate the growth hormone levels released by the pituitary gland. Because Ipamorelin stimulates the body to produce growth hormone, your body won't stop its natural growth hormone production, which occurs with synthetic HGH.
Ipamorelin causes growth hormone secretion that resembles natural release patterns rather than being constantly elevated from HGH. Because ipamorelin stimulates the natural production of growth hormone, our patients can use this treatment long-term with fewer health risks.
One of the biggest benefits of Ipamorelin is that it is suitable for both men and women. It provides significant short and long-term benefits in age management therapies, boosting patients' overall health, wellbeing, and outlook on life. When growth hormone is produced by the pituitary gland using Ipamorelin, clients report amazing benefits.
Some of those benefits include:
Whether you are considering our TRT services, HRT for women, or our growth hormone peptide services, we are here to help. The first step to turning back the hand of time starts by contacting Global Life Rejuvenation.
Our friendly, knowledgeable TRT and HRT experts can help answer your questions and walk you through our procedures. From there, we'll figure out which treatments are right for you. Before you know it, you'll be well on your way to looking and feeling better than you have in years!
Massive seagrass die-offs are currently occurring all over the world due to a variety of stressors. These include high temperatures, hypersalinity, hypoxia, and exposure to sediment-derived hydrogen sulfide, a phytotoxin which accumulates as seagrass meadows become richer in nutrients.Although hydrogen sulfide intrusion into seagrass tissue is considered a leading cause of recurrent mortality events, its effe...
Massive seagrass die-offs are currently occurring all over the world due to a variety of stressors. These include high temperatures, hypersalinity, hypoxia, and exposure to sediment-derived hydrogen sulfide, a phytotoxin which accumulates as seagrass meadows become richer in nutrients.
Although hydrogen sulfide intrusion into seagrass tissue is considered a leading cause of recurrent mortality events, its effects on subsequent recruitment and distribution of new populations, along with the ability of seagrass meadows to “bounce back” and recolonize in open bare patches, have not yet been properly investigated.
Now, a team of scientists led by Florida Atlantic University (FAU) has examined whether porewater hydrogen sulfide prevents Thalassia testudinum – a tropical Atlantic-Caribbean marine seagrass commonly known as turtlegrass – from recruiting into unvegetated sediment in Florida Bay, one of the largest contiguous seagrass systems in the world.
“Seagrass meadows sustain coastal ecosystems by protecting against erosion, maintaining water quality, and providing habitat and food for many marine species and organisms,” said senior author Marguerite Koch, a professor of Biological Sciences at FAU. “Because of their importance in coastal communities, the current decline of seagrass ecosystems on a global scale across geographic regions is a concern.”
Since the 1980s, seagrass meadows in Florida Bay – an estuary covering 1,100 square miles between Florida Keys and the southern tip of Florida – have experienced recurrent biomass losses and die-offs, usually occurring during high temperature and salinity conditions.
These particular seagrass meadows are exposed to high levels of porewater hydrogen sulfide and are surrounded by vast unvegetated areas that are usually recolonized by turtle grass recruits after major die-offs, which makes them an excellent case study to investigate seagrass resilience and its relation to hydrogen sulfide exposure.
The experts analyzed the leaf, stems, and roots of turtlegrass to determine tissue exposure to hydrogen sulfide in new recruits and, by using state-of-the-art microsensors and stable isotopic analyses, they measured internal hydrogen sulfide and oxygen dynamics.
The investigation revealed that, after die-off events, turtlegrass can successfully recruit into open bare sediment due to biomass partitioning during early development (a process by which they efficiently divide their energy among roots, leaves, stems, and reproductive parts), young root structure, and a capacity to efficiently oxidize internally that helps them lower hydrogen sulfide exposure.
Although these findings suggest that turtlegrass can be highly resilient and able to recover after mortality events, their recovery takes quite a long period of time. The research is published in the journal Aquatic Botany.
“Long-term monitoring programs in Florida Bay indicate that the time frame for full recovery of turtlegrass meadows after major die-off events is at least a decade. Therefore, preventing large-scale seagrass mortality events should be the management goal, particularly as global warming and associated stressors are likely to get more extreme in the future,” Koch concluded.
Seagrass meadows are underwater plant communities comprised of flowering plants known as seagrasses. They are found in shallow coastal waters and estuaries, and are essential for maintaining healthy marine ecosystems. Seagrass meadows provide various environmental benefits, including:
Seagrasses are highly efficient at capturing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This process, known as “blue carbon” sequestration, helps mitigate climate change by reducing the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Seagrasses act as natural water filters, trapping sediment and absorbing excess nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. This helps maintain water clarity and prevents harmful algal blooms, which can lead to dead zones in the ocean.
Seagrass meadows serve as essential habitats for a wide variety of marine species, including fish, crustaceans, and marine mammals. These habitats support high levels of biodiversity and act as nurseries for juvenile fish, which in turn support commercial and recreational fisheries.
Seagrass meadows help to stabilize the seafloor by holding sediments together with their roots and rhizomes. They also dampen wave energy, reducing coastal erosion and protecting shorelines from the impacts of storms and sea level rise.
Seagrasses provide a direct food source for herbivores, such as green sea turtles and manatees, as well as indirectly supporting other marine life through the food chain.
Despite their importance, seagrass meadows are under threat from various human activities, such as coastal development, pollution, and climate change. Loss of seagrass meadows can lead to reduced biodiversity, increased carbon emissions, and weakened coastal resilience. Efforts to conserve and restore seagrass meadows are essential for maintaining the health of our marine ecosystems and the valuable services they provide.
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By Andrei Ionescu, Earth.com Staff Writer
Check us out on EarthSnap, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.
Special to TCPalmVERO BEACH – Don Meadows knows life is all about timing.In early 1991, when he was called out of college after a two-year stint in the Army, Meadows was about to be shipped to Iraq. The night before, on Feb. 28, President George H. W. Bush announced a cease-fire.“I was pretty fortunate,” Meadows said. “I was one day from being sent to Iraq.”Meadows eventually entered into a more peaceful profession – golf – and he always seems to be in the r...
Special to TCPalm
VERO BEACH – Don Meadows knows life is all about timing.
In early 1991, when he was called out of college after a two-year stint in the Army, Meadows was about to be shipped to Iraq. The night before, on Feb. 28, President George H. W. Bush announced a cease-fire.
“I was pretty fortunate,” Meadows said. “I was one day from being sent to Iraq.”
Meadows eventually entered into a more peaceful profession – golf – and he always seems to be in the right place at the right time.
After spending 10 seasons coaching the McNeese State golf teams, Meadows got a jewel of a job in 2007 when he became director of golf at Quail Valley Golf Club in Vero Beach.
Under Meadows’ guidance, Quail Valley has been as successful as owners Steve Mulvey and Kevin Given hoped it would be. The high-end club – its course was designed by Hall of Famer Nick Price and Tommy Fazio – has given back to the game by hosting top events, such as U.S. Open sectional qualifiers, Florida State Golf Association championships and a national collegiate event.
Meadows looks out for more than his club.
Since entering the South Florida PGA Section as the awards chairman less than a decade ago, the 47-year-old has risen the ranks and recently took over as the 20th president of the second-largest PGA section in the U.S.
Meadows’ career arc in the South Florida PGA is like a Justin Day drive – steep and quick. A president usually serves two-year terms as secretary and vice president before taking over the top spot.
More:Seven Treasure Coast courses in Golf Digest's top 30 in Florida
“It’s not often a PGA professional goes from being an awards chairman to president of the section in less than 10 years,” said Geoff Lofstead, executive director of the South Florida PGA.
“But you can see why this happened with Don. The night I first met him, I called Brian Peaper, who was then the president, and told him, ‘This is a guy you have to get involved.’ Anyone who has interacted with Don knows here was a guy who should be running for office. He’s so dedicated.”
Meadows said when he attended his first South Florida PGA meeting, he was struck by everyone’s willingness to help each other.
And we’re not just talking about golf.
“I feel inspired when you get out in our section, and you see a lot of the great things PGA pros are doing to enhance not only their own clubs, but the communities they live in,” Meadows said. “Things like the Habitat for Humanity is dear to my heart. We’ve built six homes already, and we’re going to build one in each of the 14 counties in our section.”
Meadows’ grandfather, a former coal miner, helped build a golf course in West Virginia. It was his grandfather and father who introduced Meadows to the sport when he was 11.
Being on the northern edge of the South Florida PGA, which stretches from Key West to Sebastian and as far west as Naples, requires a bigger commitment than most officers. Almost every time he travels for the South Florida PGA, it’s at least a two-hour drive for Meadows.
It doesn’t hurt that Meadows’ 17-year-old son, Trey, is a good golfer who plays all over the section in junior tournaments. What’s another road trip, or three?
“What I like about the section is it’s so diverse,” Meadows said. “You have some great municipal courses as well as some of the most well-thought-out communities. Plus, a lot of PGA life members retire here, so we can learn a lot from them.”
More:'Old-school pro' Rick Whitfield retiring at Loblolly
Meadows says he has no pressing agendas as he embarks on his two-year term. His goal is to keep the ball rolling as the South Florida PGA remains one of the nation’s finest in terms of facilities and the PGA professionals who run them.
“The main thing is to continue to provide support for Geoff (Lofstead) and Meredith Schuler at the section office,” Meadows said. “Golf is a great vehicle in that it provides green space and it’s a game for a lifetime. We just want to keep growing the game.”
Right place at the right time? More like the right person.
Craig Dolch is a TCPalm correspondent with more than 30 years of golf writing experience.
Seagrasses are grass-like flowering plants that live completely submerged in marine and estuarine waters. Although seagrasses occur throughout the coastal areas of Florida, they are most abundant in Florida Bay and from Tarpon Springs northward to Apalachee Bay in the Gulf of Mexico, which are two of the most extensive seagrass beds in continental North America.Seagrasses occur in protected bays and lagoons and also in deeper waters along the continental shelf in the Gulf of Mexico. The depth at which seagrasses occur is limited by wa...
Seagrasses are grass-like flowering plants that live completely submerged in marine and estuarine waters. Although seagrasses occur throughout the coastal areas of Florida, they are most abundant in Florida Bay and from Tarpon Springs northward to Apalachee Bay in the Gulf of Mexico, which are two of the most extensive seagrass beds in continental North America.
Seagrasses occur in protected bays and lagoons and also in deeper waters along the continental shelf in the Gulf of Mexico. The depth at which seagrasses occur is limited by water clarity because most species require high levels of light.
Florida's approximately 2.2 million acres of seagrasses perform many significant functions:
The canopy of seagrass protects smaller marine animals, including the young of such species as drums, sea bass, snappers and grunts, from larger predators. Some animals, such as manatees, urchins, conches and sea turtles, eat seagrass blades. Other animals derive nutrition from eating algae and small animals that live upon seagrass leaves. Bottlenose dolphins and a variety of wading and diving birds also use seagrass beds as feeding grounds. Seagrass-based detritus formed by the microbial breakdown of leaves and roots is also an important food source.
Although approximately 52 species of seagrasses exist worldwide, only seven species are found in Florida's marine waters. Six of these are widespread in Florida and extend beyond its borders.
Turtle grass (), the largest of the Florida seagrasses, has deeper root structures than any of the other seagrasses. It has large ribbon-like leaves that are 4 to 12 mm wide and 10 to 35 mm long. This seagrass is temperature limited and does not occur along the northeast Florida coast, but it forms extensive beds in Florida Bay.
Shoal grass (Halodule wrightii) is an early colonizer of vegetated areas and usually grows in water too shallow for other species except widgeon grass. It is most common in inlets along the east coast.
() is easily recognizable because its leaves are cylindrical instead of ribbon-like and flat like many other seagrass species. The thin leaves are up to half a meter long. The northern limit of manatee-grass is the Indian River, near Cape Canaveral. Manatee grass is usually found in mixed seagrass beds or small, dense monospecific patches.
Widgeon grass (Ruppia maritima) grows in both fresh and salt water and is widely distributed throughout Florida's estuaries in less saline areas, particularly in inlets along the Florida east coast.
Three species of are found in Florida - stargrass (), paddle-grass (Halophila decipiens) and Johnson's seagrass (Halophila johnsonii). These are smaller, more fragile seagrasses. Only limited information about them exists, although surveys are underway to define their ecological roles. Johnson's seagrass grows only in the Indian River Lagoon south to Biscayne Bay and is listed as a federally threatened species.
OCOEE, Fla. – Orange County Fire Rescue battled a fire at an egg processing plant and chicken house on an Ocoee urban farm on Tuesday.The fire is at 10000 Mark Adams Road in Ocoee, just south of Clarcona Ocoee Road. The address is linked to Lake Meadow Naturals, an urban farm known for providing eggs and meat to businesses around Central Florida.Sky 6 video shows smoke and chickens that were freed from the house at ...
OCOEE, Fla. – Orange County Fire Rescue battled a fire at an egg processing plant and chicken house on an Ocoee urban farm on Tuesday.
The fire is at 10000 Mark Adams Road in Ocoee, just south of Clarcona Ocoee Road. The address is linked to Lake Meadow Naturals, an urban farm known for providing eggs and meat to businesses around Central Florida.
Sky 6 video shows smoke and chickens that were freed from the house at the farm during the fire.
https://t.co/73OMWw73at pic.twitter.com/ejXcbyuuIq
— OCFire Rescue (@OCFireRescue) May 23, 2023
Orange County Fire Rescue said the fire is now out. But it’s unknown if any chickens were lost in the fire.
In a Facebook post, Lake Meadow Naturals said due to the electrical fire, the business “will have to do a complete remediation of the egg processing room.”
“We apologize to any of our valued customers who may not have been able to patron of farm store earlier today,” the business said in the post. “As a part of the Ocoee community for over 20 years, we can’t thank all of you enough for reaching out with your concern for the farm’s well-being. That truly means the world to us. . We’d also like to thank our friends from the Ocoee Fire Department who showed up at moments notice.”
Lake Meadow Naturals has been a staple in the local food scene for the past two decades. According to its website, as of 2019, Lake Meadow Naturals supplies products to popular hotels and restaurants throughout the area like Prato in Winter Park, The Ritz-Carlton in Orlando, and the Hyatt Regency at the Orlando International Airport. Owner Dale Volkert was even interviewed on News 6′s Florida Foodie podcast in 2020.
“I feel terrible,” neighbor Russell Smedley said. “Wow, that’s pretty crazy I’m not going to lie.”
Smedley said his family comes to the farm often.
“I never thought that would catch on fire or that anything bad would happen in this area,” Smedley said.
The farm has also become a staple for Central Florida residents.
Mary Griffin said she has been going to Lake Meadow Naturals since her son was a toddler.
“My heart goes out to them because I know that they take such good care of their chickens,” Griffin said. “And it’s, like I said, very happy. And all the customers I’ve ever met going there, they love the place. I mean, it’s just it’s really good and a really good group of people.”
News 6 asked the owner of Lake Meadow for comment, but they declined the interview.
“We’ll be sure to update everyone on the rebuild of the damaged areas,” farm officials said on Facebook. “In the meantime, we are setting up a secondary egg processing facility to keep up with our happy hens who continue to produce eggs at a healthy rate.”
At this time, no injuries have been reported and it is not known if any chickens were harmed or eggs were damaged.
News 6 is working on getting more details. Stay with ClickOrlando.com for updates.
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — "To be put in this position and be a parent I have five children who look to me to make sure I keep a roof over their heads and it's like they're jeopardizing that for me."
Chanice Johnson has been living at Meadows Mobile Home Park for two years. Now, her family and the rest of the community are facing financial stress, loss of investment, and evictions after new owners Florida Sun Estates took over back in September, raising the lot rents from $389 to $895 a month.
"Who can afford that?"
A spokesperson with Florida Sun Estates says they're raising prices to make improvements to the park. But, they're no longer letting people rent mobile homes, they'll only be available for purchase. That means anyone with an existing lease can finish it out but will have to vacate when it ends unless they choose to buy the home.
"But I still gotta pay you $895, I'm still paying you rent for a home that I own."
To make sure residents know their rights, North Florida Legal Services is stepping up to provide legal representation at no cost. They're also helping them get access to rental assistance.
Executive Director, Leslie Powell-Boudreaux, said, "Whether again it's litigation, negotiation, or some sort of agreement with the mobile home park."
The City of Tallahassee is also going to help residents with utility costs for those staying at the park or on down payments and first month's bills for those that must leave.
Mayor Pro-Tem, Curtis Richardson, said, "We're going to do everything that we can to provide the resources that we have available."
Nearly 80 students that live at the Meadows attend nearby Sabal Palm Elementary School. Meadows' residents also say a gate that connected the school and the mobile home park is now closed since Florida Sun Estates took over.
With these pending evictions, students may be forced to relocate schools. At Tuesday's free legal clinic, Leon County School's Superintendent, Rocky Hanna, said not to worry.
"If you are forced to relocate at no fault of your own then we will continue to find ways to bring your child to Sabal Palm if that's what you so desire."
Legal Services of North Florida have reported a steady increase in home evictions over the last three years. 1,000 people filed for eviction applications in the first seven months of 2021.
The next free legal help clinic on rental assistance will be on Jan. 20 at the South City Foundation Tech Hub.
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