Open by Appointment only

• Triple Action Neem Oil by Southern AG.  (Other Neem Concentrates are being investigated as well including a Cosmetic Grade Organic Cold Pressed Pure Neem Oil, used only if incident is detected.) Some research has shown that due to its systemic properties, it increases overall plant health and stimulates root growth. We are doing this study on a select few rows of crops currently.
• Thuricide BT Caterpillar Control by Southern AG. (Only used in the event of caterpillar outbreak which is relatively rare)
• Worm Gold Plus, Premium Mix, and Solution by California Vermiculture. (Helps to break down Organic Matter and adds Chitin to plants, which effectively reduces the incidence of pest problems. Also increases Brix Levels and acts as a delivery device to make the nitrogen and other trace minerals immediately available to the plants.  This also has high quality worm castings and loaded with trace minerals plants needs to thrive.
• ThermX Natural Wetting Agent Yuca Extract "makes water wetter" mixes with foliar sprays to allow them to stick to foliage better and add to soil drench to help penetrate soil.
• Hydrolyzed Fish Fertilizer  by Organic Gem. This product is one of the most fantastic fish fertilizers on the market currently and uses a cold enzymatic process to break down bonefish which are harvested as non usable fish in commercial fishing operations and typically discarded. They make use of these fish and through that enzyme process are able to harvest 100% of the fish and convert to a liquid fertilizer. Most fish fertilizers utilize only small portions of the fish or only fish emulsions, leaving the rest to go to waste.

We have a system in place to ensure the healthiest plants possible. More information will be coming soon regarding  our procedures  for various pests or problems with plants. Below are some common terms used in the garden.

• Agronomy - the science of soil management and crop production
• Biology - The study of living things
• Chitin -  A tough, semi transparent substance that is the main component of the exoskeletons of arthropods, such as the shells of crustaceans (crabs, lobsters, shrimp, etc.) and the outer coverings of insects. Chitin is also found in the cell walls of certain fungi and algae. Chemically, it is a nitrogenous polysaccharide (a carbohydrate.) Note the root word, Nitrogen.
• Chitosan - a compound that is created from the breakdown of chitin. Chitosan is the product that you may find most commercially available as both a plant growth regulator and a "no risk" systemic pesticide. Note: per my current understanding, most chitosan is produced using a synthetic process on an organic product, thus is not truly organic. Not only that, but if you are using it to reverse an outbreak, it may not be the best option.
• Chitinase - the naturally occurring enzyme that breaks chitin down into chitosan.  Some living organisms produce this chitinase enzyme. Most of these organisms are bacteria (and some fungi). Some plants even produce this enzyme in order to fight off disease (this is the "system" that we will use to model our pest control treatment).
• Soil Food Web - the community of organisms living all or part of their lives in the soil. It describes a complex living system in the soil and how it interacts with the environment, plants, and animals.
• Food Web - describe the transfer of energy between species in an ecosystem
• Foliar Nematodes - Foliar nematodes, also called bud and leaf nematodes, prefer moderate temperatures and moist or humid conditions. Foliar nematodes are tiny, only 0.02 to 0.04 inch (0.5-1 mm) long, and must be sent to a diagnostic laboratory to confirm infestation. Damage can be confused with damage caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses, nutrient deficiencies, or chemical injuries. Nematodes may interact with certain fungi or bacteria to cause severe foliar blight.

Chitosan has been repeatedly found to exhibit potent antimicrobial activity in plant tissue as well as the induction of plant  defenses, and/or the stimulation of beneficial microbes. These beneficial microbes also stimulate root growth which in turn reduces irrigation consumption. Fertilizers and pesticides not only destroy the microbes that make healthy soil, but also promote soil compaction by destroying the food-soil web, which are the organisms which keep soil loose and fertile. Loose soil better maintains an aerobic state, which promotes beneficial organisms over the harmful anaerobic ones. Our system should boost water conservation by over 50% in the coming years.

A trip to a local U-pick farm makes a fun family outing. You can enjoy fresh air and sunshine while choosing the best quality fruits and vegetables at the peak of ripeness. There are lots of benefits to picking your own. You’re reconnecting with nature, supporting your local economy, and getting to know your local farmers. A visit to a U-pick farm is a great learning opportunity for kids. They experience firsthand where their food comes from and how it grows; and studies show they’ll be more likely to eat their fruits and vegetables if they have a hand in the harvest.

Dress comfortably for your trip to the farm. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and insect repellent, and wear sturdy shoes to protect your feet.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services maintains a list of U-pick farms throughout Florida, but, because such farms are not required to register with the Department, the list is not a complete one. Being listed does not imply that a U-pick farm is endorsed, approved, or otherwise sanctioned by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

 Agritourism marries Florida’s two largest industries, tourism and agriculture, to provide an on farm recreational experience for consumers.  Florida experienced record tourism in 2015, with 105 million visitors spending more than $85 billion, according to VISIT Florida.  The number of Florida farms offering recreational experiences more than doubled from 281 in 2007 to 724 in 2012, according to USDA Census of Agriculture data. 

Florida has recently passed new laws, key to developing agritourism.  A 2013 change in the Florida Statutes reduced the liability for agritourism farms so long as a warning sign is posted indicating participation in agritourism activities involves inherent risks and notifying participants that by choosing to participate they are accepting these risks.  The change does not protect gross negligence, but provides some assurance for farms on the fence about opening their farm to the public.

Included in those changes was language to prevent local authorities from imposing regulations to prevent agricultural operations from engaging in agritourism, however, many questions arose after the ink dried.  Several operations found themselves in difficult circumstances, as local authorities grappled with the new law, which lacked a reference to enforcement of existing local regulations.  The definition of agritourism itself was a point of confusion, especially where the on-farm activities were not clearly related to agriculture.  Rustic on-farm weddings have become a hot trend but were not specifically cited as an agritourism activity.