Roosevelt 2.0 – Farm to Fork Dinner: Thursday, April 19; 5:30 p.m.
Grab a fork and head to this farm to fork dinner and simulcast chat, featuring Joel Salatin as the guest of honor. This event is part of his book tour for his book, Folks, This Ain’t Normal. Learn about his farming experience and wisdom and his vision of food’s future in the U.S. He will be coming all the way from his farm in Virginia, Polyface Farms, so do not miss this event. Proceeds will support local food systems and organizations. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner is at 6:30 p.m. $100 for ticket, $25 for simulcast; 5:30 p.m., 1812 N. 15th St., Tampa, 813-248-1904, wepay.com/events/salatin-on-the-suncoast
Whole Foods – Exhibit and Expo: Friday, April 20; 5 – 8 p.m.
Get your weekend off to a green start by attending this Earth Day-inspired EcoExpression: Recycled Art Exhibit and Green Expo. See the works of community artists who make masterpieces out of reused, recycled and re-purposed materials. Take in their crafts, jewelry, sculptures, etc. and perhaps purchase a masterpiece (at front entrance). A wine and appetizer tasting will also occur, featuring selections from the Specialty and Prepared Foods departments. A $5 is encouraged for the tasting, to benefit Whole Planet Foundation. Free; 1548 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa, 813-874-9435, wholefoods.com
Christ United Methodist Church – Sustainable Faith Conference: Friday, April 20 – Saturday, April 21
Attention Christians! If you’re wondering how to be sustainably committed to ecological issues while remaining active in the Christian church, this Sustainable Faith Conference is for you. Register at https://themissiodei.wufoo.com/forms/conference-registration/. $69; Friday is 9 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.; Saturday is 9:30 a.m. – 5: 30 p.m., 467 1st Ave. N, St. Petersburg, asustainablefaith.snappages.com
Ballast Point Pier – Great American Cleanup: Saturday, April 21; 8 - 11 a.m.
Attention divers and kayak or canoe owners! Contribute to Earth day with your diving skills, kayak or canoe, by participating in the Great American Cleanup. (Divers must be certified by PADI or NAUI.) For more information, email [email protected]. This event is sponsored by Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful. Located at Ballast Point Pier at Jules Verne Park. 5300 Interbay Blvd., Tampa, keeptampabaybeautiful.org
Camp Bayou – Great American Cleanup: Saturday, April 21; 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
On Earth Day Eve, make Tampa Bay a more beautiful place by participating in the Great American Cleanup. Help fellow volunteers with roadside cleanups by picking up trash and recyclable items, etc. This event is sponsored by Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful. Located three miles south of SR674 at end of 24th St. SE, Ruskin, 813-641-8545, campbayou.org
Temple Terrace Community Garden – Feed Your Soil Session: Saturday, April 21; 12 – 1 p.m.
Grace’s Hydro-Organic Garden Center will be bringing a Compost and Other Super Amendments to Feed Your Soil session to Temple Terrace. Be sure not to miss the juicy intro, a demonstration on making fresh vegetable juice. You may want to bring a chair, due to the limited seating area. Free; located in the Riverhills Park gazebo, east of 56th St. on Riverhills Drive, next to Riverhills Elementary School, templeterracecommunitygarden.com
USF Botanical Gardens – Earth Day: Saturday, April 21; 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Head to the USF campus Botanical Gardens and celebrate Earth Day at its “greenest.” The theme will be Go Native, which means lots of native plants, sustainable products and services, organic home and garden products, green building and renewable energy demonstrations, eco-friendly arts and crafts, displays of hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles, a “recycled art” display and more. The Green Can, a free recycling program who donates all proceeds to charity, will also be there. Enjoy organic foods and live music as well. Free admission and parking; 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, 813-974-2329, gardens.usf.edu
Harvest in tha Hood: Sunday, April 22; 3 – 4:30 p.m.
Head out to “tha hood” for Earth Day (especially you USF and HCC students) for a walking tour of Sulphur Springs and discussion on how to get involved in the community by networking, sustainable actions, etc., throughout Tampa Bay. For more information and to RSVP, visit http://www.facebook.com/events/400080586677722/400112216674559/?notif_t=plan_mall_activity. 1506 E. Eskimo Ave., Tampa
Sweetwater Organic Community Farm - Kid's Earth Day: Sunday, April 22; 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Gather the kiddies and head to Sweetwater for Kid’s Earth Day. This family-oriented event will include kid and parent yoga, farm tour, creating items for the parade, painting, open mic and reusable bags courtesy of Rollin’ Oats. Throughout the year, this on-site market features organic produce harvested fresh from their own farm, as well as organic fruits and veggies from other farms. CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) full and half memberships for the 2012-2013 season are now available. Membership applications are available on Sweetwater’s website. 6942 W. Comanche Avenue, Tampa, sweetwater-organic.org
Total Wine – Organic Wine Tasting: Sunday, April 22; 12 – 5 p.m.
For a green, buzz-inducing Earth Day, check out this Celebrate Earth Day tasting. Organic wines will be featured, such as Terramore Organic Nero d’Avola and Releaf Organic Cabernet. Purchase your favorite wine with the coupon you’ll receive. Although it would be an interesting sight, the wines won’t physically be green. Free; 4880 Park St. N, St. Petersburg, 727-544-6018, totalwine.com
Corey Avenue Sunday Market – Pet Photo Day: Sunday, April 22; 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Bring your beloved pet for a photo at the Sunday Market. Fido would enjoy having his photo taken, so book an appointment at lauraallenstudios.com. Appointment is required; sitting fee is $8 - $13. Gift items, such as mouse pads and coffee mugs, will be available. Then, shop for fruits and vegetables, flowers and plants, kettle corn, arts and crafts, and listen to live music. From antiques to boutiques, dog stores and more, this open-air market is the one to visit every Sunday during the fall and winter seasons. Always free parking, within walking distance. Located just off Gulf Boulevard, between Blind Pass Road and Boca Ciega Drive in Downtown St. Pete Beach, 727-498-8778, coreyave.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, this pedestrian-friendly, outdoor lifestyle village hosts the open-air Fresh Market at Wiregrass Mall, and features over 100 vendors selling local, homemade, handcrafted and eco-friendly products. 28211 Paseo Drive, Wesley Chapel, tampabaymarkets.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
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
Ybor Saturday Market: Saturdays (year-round); 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
You will be sure to find great produce at great prices, gourmet foods and sauces, fresh baked breads, fresh eggs, prepared foods, honey, herbs and plants, orchids, pet treats, unique gifts, photography, artwork, jewelry, woodworking, bath and body products, candles, and much more. Centennial Park at the corner of Eighth Avenue and 19th Street, Ybor, ybormarket.com
