Back to the Land…The Farming Community in Sarasota/Manatee is Growing
There are over 40 local farms in Sarasota & Manatee Counties. Many of them grow organically and some sell there produce and products at one of the 21 farmers markets also in the area. There are 2 fish farms including the Mote Marine Aquaculture Farm that is specializing in sturgeon caviar and sustainable systems for growing produce as well. There are 12 community gardens that allow locals to get their hands in the dirt and grow fruits and vegetables for their family. I know of many backyard gardens such as my own that flourish in the fall months.
I just sold a 9 acre farm to some friends that want to have a “hobby farm” with a few cows and chickens along with some fruit and nut trees and a vegetable garden. I’m hoping for some organic eggs by this time next year. The attached video shows the farm and Gail rescuing a calf after it was born. We have a friend that has started a farm at the age of 84.
There are a few farms that sell meat and chickens including a new farm that has now started offering their organic chickens at the downtown farmers market, Grove Ladder.
We are so lucky to have those possibilities in our area. Sarasota/Manatee has everything anyone would want in terms of lifestyle and entertainment. And everyone needs good food so check out my blog for a list of farms and farmers markets.
Here is a list of farms in Sarasota and Manatee County:

WHERE TO FIND LOCAL AND ORGANIC* FOODS
A Guide for the Greater Sarasota Region of
Farms, Community Farmers Markets, and
Food Buying Clubs/Co-ops
Farms
Sarasota County
• 4 Bees Herb Farm
– Debbie Blount
– Locations: 16371 Jomar Rd., Sarasota, FL 34240
– Contact Info: (941) 322-2446
– URL: http://4beesherbfarm.com/
• Blumenberry Farms
– Mitch Blumenthal
– Locations: 2151 Dog Kennel Rd., Sarasota, FL 34240
– Contact Info: (941) 809-0539; mitch@globalorganics.ws
• Brown’s Grove
– Tim and Heidi Brown
– Locations: 16015 Winburn Dr., Sarasota, FL 34240; Sarasota Farmers Market;
Phillippi Farmhouse Market; Parrish Farm Market
– Contact Info: (941) 322-2835; 1-888/837-1044
– URL: http://www.brownsgrove.com
• Campbell’s Grove
– Robbie and Rory Martin
– Location: 7851 Campbell Rd., Sarasota, FL 34240
– Contact Info: (941) 378-1748
This listing is intended for informational purposes only. It’s being updated as more local and organic food
sources are identified.
Farms that are a Community Supported Agriculture option for foods are indicated by a CSA logo.
For background information on CSA see http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/csa.html
* Only farms with the USDA National Organic Program certification can display the organic logo.
This list identifies local farms with this certification next to their information. However, not all farms
using organic practices seek such certification, including some farms on this list. Therefore, you can
address your inquiry to each of the other farmers about their ability to provide foods using organic or similar
techniques.
UF/IFAS Sarasota County Agriculture Extension February 2014
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• Crowley Farm
– Laney Poire
– Location: 16405 Myakka Road, Sarasota, FL 34240
– Contact: (941) 322-1000; info@crowleyfl.org
– URL: http://crowleyfl.org/crowley-farm/
• Eland’s Eden (grass-fed beef and natural-raised pork)
– Sandra and Tim Eland
– Location: Northport, FL
– Contact: (941) 321-1981; crackerservices@verizon.net
• Havana Rd. Farms
– Tom Booth
– Locations: 200 Havana Rd. S, Venice, FL 34292; Phillippi Farmhouse Market
– Contact Info: (941) 323-0304; tbooth9411@aol.com
• Honeyside Farm
– Tiffany Bispham
– Locations: 7850 Ibis Street, Sarasota, FL; Phillippi Farmhouse Market
– Contact Info: (941) 405-0015; baysidesod84@yahoo.com
– URL: http://honeysidefarms.wix.com/honeysidefarms
• Hydroponics Vegetables and Herbs Farm
– Kevin Newell
– Locations: Northport, FL
– Contact Info: 941-629-5659
– URL: http://www.localharvest.org/hydroponic-vegetables-and-herbs-M31600
• Jessica’s Organic Farm
– Bill Pischer
– Location: 4180 47th St – Sarasota FL
– Contact Info: (941) 351-4121; bill.pischer@gmail.com
– URL: http://www.jessicasorganicfarm.com/
• KMK Farm
– Ken and Karen Martin
– Locations: 5318 Woodvale Dr., Sarasota, FL 34232
– Contact Info: (941) 377-3637; angelsonearth2004@yahoo.com
• Morning Sun Farm/Nature’s Partner/Love Your Honey
– Peter Burkard
– Locations: 7614 Linden Lane, Sarasota, FL 34243; Sarasota Farmers Market
– Contact Info: (941) 351-8297
– URL: http://www.peterburkard.com
• My Sweetest Honey
– Shawn Knepp
– Locations: Phillippi Farmhouse Market
– Contact Info: (941) 809-2322; mysweetesthoney@live.com
– URL: http://www.mysweetesthoney.com
UF/IFAS Sarasota County Agriculture Extension February 2014
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• Nokomis Groves
– Brenda and David
– Location: 111 S. Albee Farms Rd., Nokomis, FL 34275
– Contact Info: 800-476-5274
– URL: http://www.nokomisgroves.com
• Passion For Produce Farm
– Michelle Silva
– Location: Bradenton Downtown Farmers Market
– Contact: Michelle Silva; (941) 925-9041; 941-993-8993
– michelle@passionforproduce.net
– URL: http://passionforproduce.net/
• Sarasota Organic Talapia Farms
– James Ellis
– Location: 3939 42nd St., Sarasota, FL 34235-5129
– Contact Info: (941) 536-5958
– URL: http://www.sarasotaorganictilapiafarms.com/
• Seneca Farms
– Len Dobala
– Location: 10507 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL 24240
– Contact Info: 941-993-7401; aurora2572@msn.com
• The Plant Farm
– Max Cohen
– Location: 10281 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL 24240
– Contact Info: 941-371-5372
• West Coast Aqua Farms
– Cindy and Noel Amaro
– Location: 2189 Tamiami Trail, Venice, FL 34293 (West Coast Farmers Market)
– Contact Info: 941-426-7921
– URL: http://www.westcoastaquafarms.com/

Manatee County
• Amazin’ Grazin’ Beef Ranch
– Jessica and Kevin Nehrboss
– Location: Bradenton, FL
– Contact Info: 941/745-5630; sales@amazingrazinbeef.com
– URL: http://amazingrazinbeef.com/
• Bunker Hill Vineyard and Winery
– Larry & Lenora Woodham
– Location: 8905 Bunker Hill rd., Duette, FL
– Contact Info: (941) 776-0418
– URL: http://www.bunkerhillvineyard.com/
• Dakin Dairy Farms
– Karen and Jerry Dakin
– Location: 30771 Betts Road, Myakka City, FL 34251; local retail outlets
– Contact Info: 941/322-2802
– URL: http://www.dakindairyfarms.com/
• Earthbox Organics/Whisenat Farms Co.
– Bob Whisenat
– Location: Highway 62, Parrish, FL 34219
– Contact Info: (941) 722 5041
• Eden Farm
– Sam Caruso
– Location: 11608 Upper Manatee River Road, Bradenton, FL 34212
– Contact Info: 941-405-5207
– URL: http://edenfarm.securesitelogin.com/
• Geraldson Community Farm
– Operated by: Florida West Coast RC&D (www.fwcrcd.org)
– Location: 1401 99th St NW, Bradenton, FL 34209
– Contact Info: Christa Leonard; (941) 981-0111
– URL: http://www.geraldsoncommunityfarm.org
• Geraldson Farm Market
– Greg and Arlene Geraldson
– Location: 9812 9th Avenue, NW, Bradenton, FL
– Contact Info: (941) 794-0610
grar98@aol.com
• Greens on the Gro
– Kathy and Norman Whitlow
– Location: 2309 Ellenton-Gillette Road. Ellenton, FL
– Contact Info: greensonthegro@aol.com
– URL: http://floridasuncoast.locallygrown.net/growers/show/1770
UF/IFAS Sarasota County Agriculture Extension February 2014
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• Hydro-Taste Hydroponic Growers
– Chester Bullock
– Location: Myakka City, FL
– Contact Info: (941) 322-0429
– URL: http://www.hydrotaste.com/
• Hunsader Farms
– Hunsader Family
– Location: 5500 C.R. 675, Bradenton, FL 34211
– Contact Info: U-pick Hotline: 941-331-1212; Farm Market: 941-322-2168;
dkhunsader@msn.com
– URL: http://www.hunsaderfarms.com/
• Johnston’s Farm
– Allen Johnston
– Locations: P.O. Box 836, Bradenton, FL 34203 ; Saturday Morning Farmers
Market, St. Petersburg.
– Contact Info: (941) 773-1624; kingfarmmyakka@verizon.net
– URL: http://www.localharvest.org/johnstons-farm-M55676
• King Family Farm & Market
– Shelby and Ben King
– Location: 4630 60th Street E., Bradenton, FL 34203
– Contact Info: (941) 228-2346
– URL: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bradenton-FL/King-Farm-
Market/158650536900
• Mitchell’s Natural Produce
– Margie Mitchell
– Location: 3312 ELM ST., Ellenton, Florida 34222
– Contact info: (941) 722-0953
• Mixon Fruit Farm
– Jay Ellis
– Location: 2712 26th Ave. E.,. Bradenton, FL 34208
– Contact Info: (941) 748-5829
– URL: http://www.mixon.com/
• O’Brien Family Farms
– Tom O’Brien and Family
– Location: 16505 E State Road 64 Bradenton, FL 34212
– Contact Info: (941) 896-4811
– URL: http://www.obrienfamilyfarms.com/
• Rosa Fiorelli Winery and Vineyard
– Rosa and Antonio Fiorelli
– Location: 4250 CR 675, Bradenton, FL 34211
– Contact Info: (941) 322-0976;
– URL: http://www.fiorelliwinery.com
• Sheppard’s Farm
– Moses Sheppard
– Location: Terra Ceia, FL; local markets including Bradenton Downtown Farmers
Market
– Contact Info: (941) 730-3279; CSheppa1@tampabay.rr.com
UF/IFAS Sarasota County Agriculture Extension February 2014
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• Tappan Nurseries
– Felica Tappan
– Location: 30902 Taylore Grade Road, Duette, FL. 34209
– Contact Info: 941-776-1480; tappanfarm@gmail.com
• The Dam Ranch
– Steve and Kathy
– Location: 1356 Dam Road, Bradenton, FL. 34212
– Contact Info: 941-685-2516; thedamranch@aol.com
– URL: http://thedamranch.net/
• TS Farms
– Tim Simpson
– Location: 3308 31st St W, Bradenton, FL 3205
– Contact Info: (941) 526-3821; timsimpson@tampabay.rr.com
• Watercress Farms
– Guy Averill
– Location: 13060 Sugarbowl Rd Myakka City, FL 34251
– Contact Info: (941) 322-0600
– URL: http://watercressfarmsinc.com/index.php