Author Archive

Taking “Buy Local” to the Next Level

Tuesday, August 7th, 2012
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Michael Shuman, the keynote speaker for this year’s  Florida Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises Conference, challenges everyone to take the Eat Local, Buy Local movement to the next level

Drought Will Raise Food Prices in Florida Next Year

Tuesday, August 7th, 2012
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Florida shoppers can expect to pay 3 to 4 percent more for groceries next year because of the historic drought in America’s heartland, a pinch that could prompt some consumers to adjust their buying and eating habits.

Farm Fresh: The Florida Small Farms Conference Celebrates Local Food

Tuesday, August 7th, 2012
STUCK INSIDE, BUT MOBILE: Big Wheel Provisions chef Tony Adams / TYLER JONES, UF/IFAS PHOTOGRAPHY

Robert Kluson, a Sarasota County IFAS Extension agent, says I’m not alone in marveling at the food. You’d think the post-conference evaluation forms would be full of responses to the in-depth, comprehensive training sessions and panel discussions. Nope. Most people just say how much they love the meals.

More Community Gardens Sprouting

Tuesday, August 7th, 2012
Community gardens are growing across the country as more people get interested in backyard gardening. Photo courtesy of University of Florida/IFAS Sarasota County Extension

“We are certainly seeing an increased interest in gardening in this area, in general,” said Stacy Spriggs, community and school gardens coordinator for Sarasota County Extension. She said many new community and school gardens have been added throughout Sarasota County over the past year, with numbers to increase in the future.

Mercury Pollution Must Drop 86%, Florida Says

Saturday, July 28th, 2012
The state is setting goals to reduce the amount of mercury in all of Florida's waterways. The toxic element easily enters the food chain. HERALD-TRIBUNE ARCHIVE / 2011 / THOMAS BENDER

To eliminate the risk of poisoning from eating too much fish in Florida, the amount of mercury pollution entering the state’s lakes, rivers and estuaries needs to drop 86 percent, a new analysis by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection shows.

Tilapia… A Family Tail

Thursday, July 26th, 2012
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Surely this must be tilapia heaven, where the fish freely roam in a balanced ecosystem and eat their natural foods. It is a far cry from how most tilapia are raised commercially.

Inmates Serve, Learn on Prison Farm

Monday, July 23rd, 2012
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While most state prisons have some type of farm, interim County Administrator Gerry Demers said he believes the local program is the only one in Florida that provides for a county facility as well.

Busch Gardens Donates Compost to Geraldson Community Farm

Monday, July 23rd, 2012
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The compost prepared at Busch Gardens will give the farm a jump start on the upcoming growing season.

Boy Scouts Build Vegetable Garden at Wilkinson Elementary

Monday, July 23rd, 2012
Eagle Scout candidate Alex Ruschau and other members of Boy Scouts Troop 14 join adult volunteers to help prepare a garden for Wilkinson Elementary School students to plant in the fall. Pictured in the front row, left to right, are Robbie Heere, Mitchell Stevenson, Connor Gannon, Christian Babin, Wade Turner, Alex Ruschau, Scott Stevenson, Cody Markley and Sean Carroll. In the back row are Gary Gannon, Alexander Babin, Debra Markley, Brady Schwabach (partially hidden), James Stubbs, Reid Schwabach and Jerry Ruschau, Alex’s father. Credit Sarasota County Schools

As part of an Eagle Scout project, Alex Ruschau and other Boy Scouts are helping to build a vegetable garden at Wilkinson Elementary School.

So You Want to Sell at the Farmers Market?

Monday, July 23rd, 2012
Folks packed the streets downtown for the weekly Farmers Market, shown here in November. Credit Charles Schelle

Local courses and workshops are geared to keeping urban produce farmers grounded and successful.