If you've ever wondered where all those fabulous fruits and veggies come from that you see each time you visit Downtown MarketPlace, or a Farmer's Market, we'll help you acquire the knowledge. There are many local farms within driving distance, lots of them organic and/or sustainable. New Leaf Market sponsors an annual farm tour each October. They produce a booklet, listing farms that will allow you to visit, some will even give you a hayride, take you on a tour, and most will sell you the fresh picked goods. You'll even find honey, meats, cheeses, etc. Watch for announcements, and also go by the Market to get your booklet. They generally organize it into 4 different driving tours, so you can chose an area of the Big Bend to visit. In the meantime, you'll find listed below some of the farms that produce the foods you like to enjoy at their freshest.
Beef Stake Tomato Growers, S/. Shelfer St., Quincy 850-875-4020
Big Bend Tree farm, NW Parley Shuler Rd., Bristol 850-643-9920
Blueberry Springs, Wacissa Springs Rd., Monticello 850-997-1238
Forest Davis Farm, Hosford Hwy., Quincy 850-875-2697
Foshalee, Tenancity Lane, Tallahassee 850-893-2535
Garglulo LP, Harbin Rd., Quincy 850-627-2106
Gobblers Ridge Plantation, NW CR 253, Grvl 850-929-2652
Greenfire Farms, Chicken hatchery, Havana
Haire Farm LLC, Shamrock St. , Tallahassee 850-893-3592
Hillandale LLC, Shade Farm Rd., Quincy 850-856-5196
Juniper Tomato Growers, Bristol Hwy, Quincy 850-442-6649
Little River Plantations, Shady Rest Rd., Havana 850-442-6649
Peacock Grady Farm, Luten Rd., Quincy 850-856-5215
Pinckney Hill Plantation, Pinckney Hill Rd., Monticello 850-997-3368
Skyland Ranch Smokehouse, Skyland Ranch Rd., Bristol 850-643-4343
Tri-B Nursery, Inc., S. Atlanta St., Quincy 850-627-7501
Breaking Away Farm , Zion Grove Church Rd, Meigs, Ga 229-516-2321
Chickens may be kept in your yard, under city ordinance, if they are for your use only, and are non-commercial. They do have to be in an enclosed space, and that space must be at least 20 feet from the neighboring property. Roosters are allowed for flock sustainability (fertilize eggs, protect flock from danger.) Animal Control can help with more information, as can www.talgov.com
And, for those of you who grow your own, or like to go to the U-Pick fields, the Community Canning Kitchen is now open . Wildwood Church at 100 Ox Bottom Road, where it intersects with Meridian Road has opened its facilities as a service to the community at not cost. You will need to bring your own jars, and lids. They plan to offer classes and events to help educate people and provide an opportunity to meet and interact with experienced canners in our area. Canneries were begun in the midst of the Great Depression, as one of the WPA projects. Our government modified existing buildings, Since at the time, all citizens kept victory gardens, growing their own produce, and folks hunted for meat for the table, excess items were canned. Gradually, as WWII ended, more and more conveniences entered the home, like freezer, frozen products, etc. As a result, home canning decreased. Now, in recent years with rising food costs, there has been a resurgence in canning. To learn more about the Community Canning Kitchen, call 850-894-1400, ext. 286. Request a copy of the Kitchen guidelines.
