Urban Oasis Hydroponic Farm Market: Fridays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Get fresh, organically grown hydroponic veggies straight from this CSA farm in Carrollwood. Open to the public. Arrive early for best selection! 5416 West Linebaugh Avenue, Tampa, 813-293-3276; urbanoasisfarm.com
World Cafe Discussions: Fridays, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Awakening and engaging collective intelligence through conversations about questions that matter. RSVP to Pat at 727.421.2746 or goodpat@tampabay.rr.com. Starbucks Cafe- 4th St N and 89th Ave N, St. Pete. theworldcafe.com
Brooksville Saturday Market: Saturdays, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
An array of vendors offering food, goods, plants, organics and more at this weekly event. 20 N. Main St., Brooksville, 352-428-9275
Successful Urban Farming Workshop: Saturday, October 1, 8-10 a.m.
Do you want to become more independent and self-sustaining? Then grow your own food! A great refresher for garden veterans and solid advice for beginners. This 2-hour workshop is jam-packed with information for you to apply in your backyard vegetable patch as you prepare for fall planting and consider growing next summer. Check out stpete.locallygrown.net or call 727-515-9469 for more information. $35 per person or $60 when two family members attend together. 5305 20th St. N., St. Pete.
Winthrop Town Center Farmers Market: Saturdays, 8 a.m.
Complete with more handcrafted goods, fresh fruits, veggies, and boiled peanuts than you can shake a stick at. 1109 Winthrop Market St., Riverview, 813-601-3129
St. Petersburg Saturday Morning Market: Every Saturday, October-May, 9 am-2 p.m.
Featuring locally grown fresh produce, prepared foods, tempting baked goods, plants, flowers, herbs, handcrafted gifts, live music, and more! Downtown St. Petersburg in the Al Lang Stadium parking lot: 1st Ave. S and 1st St. S., St. Pete, saturdaymorningmarket.com
Ybor Saturday Market: Saturdays, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (year-round)
You'll be sure to find great produce at great prices, gourmet foods and sauces, fresh baked breads, fresh eggs, prepared foods, orchids, herbs and plants, pet treats, honey, unique gifts, photography, artwork, jewelry, woodworking, bath and body products, candles, and so much more. Centennial Park at the corner of Eighth Avenue and 19th Street, Ybor, ybormarket.com
Guided Hike at Weedon Island Preserve: Saturdays, 9-11 a.m.
Guided hikes through coastal mangrove and upland ecosystems of the Preserve are held on most Saturdays of the month. Join us to learn about the coastal environment and the early residents of Weedon Island Preserve. Be sure to bring water and a snack for this 2-hour hike. A hat and closed-toe shoes are also recommended. Reserve your space by 2 pm on the Friday prior to the tour of choice. This event is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is required. Recommended ages: 6 and up. Weedon Island Preserve- 1800 Weedon Drive N.E. St. Petersburg, 727-453-6500.
Guided Hike at Brooker Creek Preserve: Saturdays, 9-11 a.m.
Take a walk through time each Saturday morning on a guided hike along the Education Center Trail. Join us for this 0.75 mile walk as we look at how the land has changed over time and discuss the ecological footprints left by those changes. Sturdy closed-toe shoes are a must, and water and a hat are recommended. Pre-registration is required by 12:00 noon on the Friday before the hike. Admission: Free. All ages welcome; children younger than 6 may find this hike challenging. 3940 Keystone Rd. Tarpon Springs, 727-453-6800
Volunteer Gardening at West Pasco Habitat for Humanity: Saturday, October 1, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Join Code Green Community to lay out raised garden beds and set-up beds for the West Pasco Habitat for Humanity Community garden. Please bring water and extra wheelbarrows and tools; some tools and gloves will be available. 4131 Madison St., New Port Richey, codegreencommunity.org
Hernando Farmers Market: Every Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Fresh produce, homemade, handmade products, plants, crafts and more! Offering local small businesses a venue to sell their products and grow their business. St. Rd. 50 and Mariner Blvd. (Located behind Walgreens in the Western Way Plaza), Spring Hill, hernandocountyfarmersmarket.webs.com
Fresh Market at Wiregrass Mall: First and third Saturdays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
A short distance from the city's hub, The Shops at Wiregrass, a main-street style, pedestrian-friendly, outdoor lifestyle village hosts an open-air Fresh Market located on Paseo Drive and features 50+ Vendors selling only fresh, local, homemade, handcrafted and eco-friendly products. 28211 Paseo Drive, Wesley Chapel, TheShopsatWiregrass.com
Homemade Stevia Extract Workshop: Saturday, October 1, 11 a.m.
Learn the simple steps to take to transform stevia leaves into an extract that is full of nutrients and take home a stevia plant that you can grow in your own yard. RSVP. $10; 1612 Gentry St., Clearwater, 727-433-1661, organiclivingforall.com
Public Hearing on Proposed Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area: Saturday, October 1, 1-5 p.m.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is hosting the last of two public meetings this Saturday, Oct. 1 in Kissimmee, Fla., to answer questions and take comments on the proposed Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area in south-central Florida. From 1 p.m. to 2, there will be an Open House during which the Service will answer questions about the proposal. The formal Public Hearing will be from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., during which the Service will make a short presentation about the proposal and attendees will be able to express their views on the proposal. Both verbal and written comments may be submitted. Send comments to: EvergladesHeadwatersProposal@fws.gov. For more information about the proposal, please go to www.fws.gov/southeast/evergladesheadwaters. Free; Osceola Heritage Park Exhibition Building — Hall A: 1901 Chief Osceola Trail, Kissimmee
Corey Avenue Sunday Market: Every Sunday, October-May, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Located between Blind Pass Rd and Boca Ciega Drive, Corey Ave will be blocked off for a safe shopping day at the market. Corey merchants and restaurants will be open for business as well, lending a fabulous addition to your normal market venues. Corey Avenue is located just off Gulf Blvd in downtown St Pete Beach. Always free parking. All within walking distance. 727-498-8778, coreyave.com
Hyde Park Village Fresh Market: First Sundays, 11 am-3 pm.
This is a monthly event giving the people of Tampa Bay yet another opportunity to buy a variety of locally-produced products. Modeled after the Tampa Downtown Market and the Seminole Heights Sunday Morning Market, this market will feature over 70 vendors offering fresh produce, handmade arts and crafts, delicious food, live music, cooking demonstrations and a local massage therapist. Admission and parking are free to the public and friendly dogs on leashes are always welcome at the Fresh Market and in Hyde Park Village. 742 S. Village Circle, Tampa, 813-251-3500,hydeparkvillage.net
This article appears in Sep 29 – Oct 5, 2011.