The farm to table movement is sweeping the nation. This is a return to the past, when fruit and vegetables are allowed to ripen naturally on the vine and picked when they are ready, the result is a more robust flavor and greater nutritional value.
Recently, we have traded robust tastes for convenience. Convenience has led to less quality and flavor. Although we now have our pick of fruits and vegetables year round, many of these are imported from around the world. When fruit and vegetables are picked for grocery stores they are picked before they ripen, so they can be shipped and warehoused before they are sold. Also green and hard vegetables ship with less damage. The downside of picking early is that the fruit and vegetables don’t have time to develop full bodied flavors.
There are a number of local farms in our area. There are farm stands, U-Pick farms, and places you can order a produce box. The area also has a cannery, several wineries, and a few farmers’ markets. Below we highlight some of local farms.
Joanne and Rolo run Beasley Farm at 10137 Preston Rd just off Mondon Hill Road between Hwy 41 and Hwy 50. Their Produce Barn at the farm is open daily until 6PM and they have several locations throughout the county where you can pick up their $10 produce box and other fresh veggies. The produce they grow on their farm is pesticide free. Joanne says their interpretation of sustainable farming is, “Treating the environment with the utmost respect, using as few chemicals as possible, avoiding pesticides, composting with as many organic compounds as we can lay our hands on, and treating our farm animals with great respect and gentleness.” Their Spring crops include yellow and Peter Pan Squashes, (Specialty) Eightball, Green and Yellow Zucchinis, Carrots, Beets, Green/Yellow/Pole and Cranberry Beans, Kale, Swiss Chard, Spinach, Bok Choy, Florida Sweet Onions, Purple Eggplant, Red and Green Bell Peppers, Red and White Radishes. Visit their website at http://beasleyfarmbrooksville.blogspot.com/p/2011-2012-silver-award.html or call them at 352-799-6752 for more information on Beasley’s Farm.
Richard’s Farm is located at 27132 Hickory Hill Rd in the Spring Lake Area. Not knowing everyone’s financial situation he came up with the idea ( and now his slogan ) “Take what you need and leave what you can.” He is planning to open around April 15th. Richard’s Farm grows corn, cucumbers, tomatoes, potatoes, beans, peas, squash, onions, carrots, radish, beets, watermelons, cantaloupes, okra, pepper, eggplant, tobacco, and moringa. Visit them on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Richards-Farm/362159977137797.
Gina & Tonya operate Green Acre Aquaponics in Brooksville. They sell their produce online with pick up at markets around Hernando County: Gator Nutrition, Get Healthy Brooksville, Get Healthy Spring Hill and Good 4 U Healthy Lifestyle Marketplace. They grow vegetables including but are not limited to: lettuce mixes, edible flowers, gourmet and heirloom produce, red leaf, arugula, radicchio, endive, watercress, watermelon, cucumbers, tomatoes, okra, zucchini and summer squash. They are also planning to sell kitchen herbs such as basil, oregano, chives, coriander, green onions, thyme, and others. You can also pay for a tour of their aquaponic farm. Visit there website at http://www.greenacreaquaponics.com/.
JG Ranch is located at 17200 Wiscon Rd in Brooksville. George and Joan Casey have 40 head of Angus cattle and 5 acres of over 17,000 plants with 9 varieties of blueberry plants and 5 acres of 80,000 strawberry plants – Winter Star and Festival. The family run farm is operated by the next generation of Caseys, Jeff & Deborah Casey. In late November they offer u-pick fresh strawberries.The first of April they offer u-pick blueberries. On the first of June they have u-pick thornless blackberries. They also offer fresh vegetables at their on-site at vegetable stand. They grow their own vegetables in new High Tunnel Houses. Call ahead for availability at (352) 799-0556 or check their website http://www.jgranch.com/.
Auro Community Gardens is located at 4095 Broad St. in Brooksville. The Auro Community Gardens of Brooksville is a non-profit Community of gardeners funded by the Auroveda Foundation. The garden is maintained using organic growing methods, so that the harvest is free of harmful insecticides and other growing chemicals. Unlike a traditional community garden where everyone has their own plot, the six acre community garden is maintained by of all its members. Visit their website at http://www.aurocommunitygarden.com.
Many local restaurants around Hernando County are utilizing local farm resources in their cuisine. These include Local Roots Cafe and Coffee Shop, Thyme on the Square, and the Rising Sun Bistro. Local Roots Cafe is a major supporter of this farm fresh movement and has been active in promoting it.
These are just a few of the farms in the area. There are many more that provide fruits and vegetables, meats, honeys, etc. Buying directly from a farm you have the opportunity to see where your food is coming from and meet the people who grew it.
View Farm List Brochure from IFAS