McGough Nature Park – Sea Monsters Exhibit: Thursday- Sunday, January 19-22; 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Do not miss this travelling exhibit about "monster characteristics" of certain sea creatures. The kids will love learning about the extraordinary traits of these monstrosities, and how they adapt to extreme sea environments by morphing into "Jaws" or becoming glow-in-the-dark. Free. 11901 146th Street N, Largo, 727-518-3047, seatrek.org
Edible Peace Patch Project – Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: Saturday, January 21; 9 a.m.
Be part of Edible Peace Patch Project's newest undertaking: a new sustainable garden for Sanderlin Elementary School students to take care of and learn about. Proper nourishment and knowledge is vital to the successful future of children, so the fruits of their labor will be enjoyed by the school and needy individuals. Students and volunteers will garden with the Hugelkulthur method, following the ribbon cutting. Sanderlin Elementary School: 2350 22nd Avenue S, St. Petersburg, peacepatch.org
Organic Living for All – How to Prune Fruit Trees for Optimum Production and Health Workshop: Saturday, January 21; 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Take advantage of the Sunshine State's bright rays, and improve your garden. Learn how to open your tree branches and to allow the sunlight to ripen the fruit. Not only that, but you will also learn how to prune fruit, and how to remove certain branches from your tree to benefit its health. This workshop is $10. 1612 Gentry Street, Clearwater, 727-433-1661, organiclivingforall.com
Slow Food Tampa Bay – "Changing the Way We Eat" Seminar: Saturday, January 21; 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
TEDx Manhattan will be holding a simulcast event seminar at Roosevelt 2.0. The event will be all day, so spend an hour, or five hours. It will be broken down into three sessions: Issues, Impact and Innovation. Each session will revolve around the adaption of our food system, emphasizing local food, sustainable food and farming. Roosevelt 2.0 is located at 1812 15th Street N, Tampa, 813-248-1904, slowfoodtampabay.com
Fresh Market at Wiregrass Mall: First and third Saturdays (year-round); 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
A short distance from the city's hub, The Shops at Wiregrass. This pedestrian-friendly, outdoor lifestyle village hosts the open-air Fresh Market at Wiregrass Mall, and features over 50 vendors selling local, homemade, handcrafted and eco-friendly products. 28211 Paseo Drive, Wesley Chapel. TheShopsatWiregrass.com
Dunedin Green Market: Fridays; 8 a.m.-1p.m.; Saturdays; 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Enjoy a craft show, in addition to the usual market highlights of fresh, local produced goods such as baked good, ready-to-eat-foods, organic plants and herbs, coffee, honey, seafood and clothing. Dunedin Green Market is located in Pioneer Park at the intersection of Douglas Avenue and Main Street in Downtown Dunedin.
Guided Hike at Weedon Island Preserve: Every Saturday; 9a.m.-11 a.m.
Guided hikes through coastal mangrove and upland ecosystems of the Preserve are held on most Saturdays of the month. 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. Pre-registration is required by 2 p.m. on the Friday prior to the tour of choice (pre-registration is required). This event is free and open to the public. Recommended ages: 6 and up. Weedon Island Preserve is located 1800 Weedon Drive N.E. St. Petersburg, 727-453-6500, weedonislandpreserve.org
Guided Hike at Brooker Creek Preserve: Every Saturday; 9 a.m-11 a.m.
Take a walk through time each Saturday morning on a guided hike along the Education Center Trail. Observe how the land has changed over time and discuss the ecological footprints left by those changes during this 0.75 mile hike. 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 prior to the hike of your choice. This event is free. All ages welcome, but children younger than 6 may find this hike challenging. 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, 727-453-6800, brookercreekpreserve.org
Land O Lakes Saturday Market: Every Saturday, (through May); 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
The Land O Lakes Saturday Market is a weekly community event with live music. The market donates profits to the Heritage Park Foundation and the Suncoast Harvest Food Bank. They are located at Land O Lakes Community Center, on the west side of US 41 (Land O Lakes Boulevard), three miles north of SR 54 (across from the Land O Lakes Post Office), Land O Lakes, lolsaturdaymkt.com
St. Pete Saturday Morning Market: Every Saturday, (October-May); 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Featuring locally-grown fresh produce, prepared foods, tempting baked goods, handcrafted gifts, plants, flowers, herbs, live music, and more. Downtown St. Petersburg in the Al Lang Stadium parking lot (1st Avenue S. and 1st Street, St. Petersburg, saturdaymorningmarket.com
Sweetwater Organic Community Farm's Sunday Market: Every Sunday, (November through May); 12p.m.-4 p.m.
This on-site market features organic produce harvested fresh from their own farm, as well as organic fruits and veggies from other farms. Every week you can enjoy native plants, organic vegetable transplants, and unique products from green vendors and artisans including; fresh baked goods, local honey, organic coffees, veggie burgers and fruit smoothies, homemade soaps, handmade jewelryand organic cotton T-shirts and bags. Sweetwater Live Music Series features local and internationally-known musicians, and their popular open mic. Veg and learn with Sweetwater Workshop Series with workshops by guest presenters on sustainable living skills, organic gardening, holistic healing and more. Shop, have a picnic lunch, meet like-minded individuals, and enjoy the orchard and gardens all while listening to some great live music. Bring your friends, family, and leashed dogs, and support local programs, agriculture and business. 6942 W. Comanche Avenue, Tampa, sweetwater-organic.org
Tampa Downtown Market: Fridays (October- May); 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
This market is a community of local farmers and producers, who take pride in providing local residents and businesses with quality, nutritious, reasonably-priced food and gourmet products. Tampa Downtown Market is located on the 200 and 300 blocks of Twiggs Street, spanning Franklin Street, in the heart of downtown Tampa. Metered parking is available on nearby streets, and several parking lots and garages are available throughout downtown, including MAAS Lot (across the street from the market), Jackson Street City Lot, Poe Garage and Fort Brooke Garage. Twiggs Street and Franklin Street, Tampa, tampadowntownmarket.com
Urban Oasis Hydroponic Farm Market: Fridays 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturdays 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Get fresh produce grown organically and hydroponically, straight from this CSA farm in nearby Carrollwood. No chemical pesticides are used. Urban Oasis Hydroponic Farm opens to the public for this weekly market. 5416 West Linebaugh Avenue, Tampa, 813-293-FARM (3276); urbanoasisfarm.com
This article appears in Jan 19-25, 2012.