Gone Pickin'

Here's a Handy List of You-Pick Farms to Visit Right Now

Spring in Florida means you-pick produce, and from blueberries to flowers, these family-run farms offer fresh produce, scenic views and a taste of local tradition.

04/17/2025 By Kim Doleatto

Personal Growth

Sarasota's UF/IFAS Extension Offers Dozens of Ways to Up Your Local Food IQ

Here are some highlights.

03/17/2025 By Lauren Jackson

In Bloom

Everything You Need to Know About Sarasota's Local Food Scene

Hope you’re hungry!

03/17/2025 By Lauren Jackson

Rescue Mission

Julie Morris and Jim Strickland Are Out to Prove That Preservation and Agriculture Go Hand in Hand

With their 1,300-acre Lost Girl Prairie, the couple want to show that business owners and environmentalists can work together to preserve Florida’s dwindling parcels of untamed land.

03/17/2025 By Lauren Jackson

saddle story

Journalist Isaac Eger on Cowboys, Conservation and the Great Florida Cattle Drive

Eger went from city dweller to cowboy-in-training on an 80-mile cattle drive across Florida’s interior. His new book explores the state’s overlooked ranching heritage and what it means for the future.

03/04/2025 By Kim Doleatto

Big Deal

Sarasota County's Purchase of Albritton Fruit Farms Is Final

The property will provide soil for covering waste at the county landfill located just south of the farm and "will not be used as a landfill," according to a county spokesperson.

10/29/2024 By Kim Doleatto

End of an Era

Albritton Fruit Farms Will Likely Be Sold to Sarasota County Later This Year

The county expects to purchase the 341-acre, sixth-generation family farm for $19 million. Sarah Albritton says she and her husband hope to restart their beloved you-pick operation elsewhere.

06/04/2024 By Kim Doleatto

Once Upon a Time in Florida

A Journey Through Old Florida With the State’s Last Cowboys

The seven-day, six-night reenactment offered 350 people on horseback the chance to push 500 head of cattle through 80 contiguous miles of Florida that few people ever get to see.

08/31/2023 By Isaac Eger

Fair Food

Sarasota's Fair Food Standards Council Was Featured on Last Week Tonight With John Oliver

Its work was highlighted on an episode about the plight of migrant workers.

04/18/2023 By Isaac Eger

Juiced

Mixon Fruit Farms, an Iconic Bradenton Landmark, Is For Sale

After 84 years, the tourist attraction and beloved citrus farm's last 39 acres are on the market for $15.8 million.

02/28/2023 By Kim Doleatto

You Ask, We Answer

Are Turkeys Becoming Less Flavorful?

Tasteless turkey is a common complaint, but one local farm is trying to serve a better bird.

11/09/2022 By Isaac Eger

Hurricane Ian

After Suffering Major Losses From Hurricane Ian, Dakin Dairy Faces an Uncertain Future

"I got major problems," says Jerry Dakin. "But, you know, if you put yourself around great people, great things happen.”

10/05/2022 By Bethany Ritz

Paddle up

This Myakka Ranch Comes With Livestock, a Stocked Lake and Tropical Fruit Gardens

It's listed for $6,995,000 million—and you can bid on it in Sotheby's inaugural live real estate auction.

09/13/2022 By Kim Doleatto

Eggheads

Half a Dozen Facts About Eggs That Might Surprise You

Six egg-citing tidbits about eggs from Tim Clarkson of Arcadia's Grove Ladder Farm.

04/13/2022 By Chloé Cuyler

Sky High

Step Inside the Most Expensive Residential Listing in Manatee County

Chickens, pigs, goats and a working organic farm are included in the $20 million price tag.

08/25/2021 By Kim Doleatto

Flower power

Pick Your Own Fresh Flowers and Produce at Hunsader Farms

Pick wildflowers, zinnias and sunflowers, as well as green beans, black-eyed peas, eggplant and okra.

04/13/2021 By Kim Doleatto

Mush Love

New Urban Farm Provides Gourmet Mushrooms to the Suncoast

Petrichor Mushrooms founders Micheal Shea and Howard Schmidt share their love for mycology, plus a mushroom bacon recipe.

04/09/2021 By Sarafina Murphy-Gibson

Green Goodness

Sarasota Farm Helps Veterans Heal From Trauma and Find Work

Operation Eco Vets works with Easterseals Southwest Florida to provide fresh produce and help veterans in need.

02/04/2021 By Allison Forsyth

Bouncing back

Customers Come Through for Local Farm After It Was Robbed

Jessica's Organic Farm has been asking for support from the community, and the community has delivered.

12/29/2020 By Allison Forsyth

Good Bones

A Case For the Healing Power of Chicken Feet

Our writer uses local chicken feet from Grove Ladder Farm to make nourishing bone broth.

12/04/2020 By Isaac Eger

Sarasota Magazine

Farming

Here's a Handy List of You-Pick Farms to Visit Right Now

Sarasota's UF/IFAS Extension Offers Dozens of Ways to Up Your Local Food IQ

Everything You Need to Know About Sarasota's Local Food Scene

Julie Morris and Jim Strickland Are Out to Prove That Preservation and Agriculture Go Hand in Hand

Journalist Isaac Eger on Cowboys, Conservation and the Great Florida Cattle Drive

Sarasota County's Purchase of Albritton Fruit Farms Is Final

Albritton Fruit Farms Will Likely Be Sold to Sarasota County Later This Year

A Journey Through Old Florida With the State’s Last Cowboys

Sarasota's Fair Food Standards Council Was Featured on Last Week Tonight With John Oliver

Mixon Fruit Farms, an Iconic Bradenton Landmark, Is For Sale

Are Turkeys Becoming Less Flavorful?

After Suffering Major Losses From Hurricane Ian, Dakin Dairy Faces an Uncertain Future

This Myakka Ranch Comes With Livestock, a Stocked Lake and Tropical Fruit Gardens

Half a Dozen Facts About Eggs That Might Surprise You

Step Inside the Most Expensive Residential Listing in Manatee County

Pick Your Own Fresh Flowers and Produce at Hunsader Farms

New Urban Farm Provides Gourmet Mushrooms to the Suncoast

Sarasota Farm Helps Veterans Heal From Trauma and Find Work

Customers Come Through for Local Farm After It Was Robbed

A Case For the Healing Power of Chicken Feet