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Patrons pick through piles of produce at the Phillippi Farmhouse Market in Sarasota County

SMALL FARMS AND ALTERNATIVE ENTERPRISES

Market Gardening

Market gardening is the commercial production of vegetables, fruits, flowers, and other plants, on a scale larger than a home garden, yet small enough that many of the principles of horticulture can be applied. It is oriented toward local direct marketing, such as farmers markets. The Market Gardening course consists of nine classes, which together cover the different aspects of the design, startup, and operation of a successful, sustainable market gardening business.

Organic Farming

Alternative Enterprises

Cut and Insectary Flower Production

Urban Agriculture

Considerable food system work in urban areas is being conducted by Extension on local, state and national levels. Extension’s involvement in urban agriculture has a long history in its focus on urban Extension program development to meet the growing needs of urbanizing communities, as well as in established urban locations. These efforts illustrate various ways state and county personnel are contributing to collaborative networks that integrate sustainable food production, processing, distribution, consumption, waste management and land planning.