Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library - Coalition of Immokalee Workers: Saturday, March 3; 1-4 p.m.
Forget old school. Go Free Skool at Tampa Free School's workshop honoring the Coalition of Immokalee Workers. These workers overcame tremendous odds, and have been successful enough to force major food corporations such as McDonald's to sign the Fair Food Agreement. This workshop will discuss CIW's past and present work, including their current focus on Publix. 2902 W. Bearss Ave., Tampa, 813-273-3652, tampafreeskool.com
Kaleisia Tea Lounge - Benefit Dinner: Saturday, March 3; 6:30 p.m.
Get that loving feeling at this Gifts of Love Benefit Dinner. The vegetables served in this five-course buffet dinner will be provided by Sweetwater Organic Community Farm. Over one dozen entree options will be offered, including vegetarian. Enjoy live music by Algorhythm Sky, Gary Osborne and Anna Gavin. Participate in the raffle and silent auction. Ticket may be purchased online. $20; 1441 E. Fletcher Ave., Tampa, 813-887-4066, sweetwater-organic.org
Odessa Organic Market - Open Community Meeting: Saturday, March 3; 9:30 a.m.
If you are interested in getting involved in the community, with gardens and live near Westchase, this meeting is for you. Odessa Organic Market has already joined forces with Magnolia Organics, GreenDreams and Pizza Fusion, so be part of this green evolution. 8701 Gunn Highway, Odessa, 813-944-8654
Organic Living - Ice Cream Workshop: Saturday, March 3; 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Do you scream for ice cream? If so, you will not want to miss this How to Make Homemade Ice Cream workshop. Three batches of dairy and non-dairy ice cream will be made with frozen fruit, within twenty minutes. Adults are $15, children are free; 1612 Gentry St., Clearwater, 727-433-1661, organiclivingforall.com
St. Pete Locally Grown - Successful Urban Farming in St. Pete Workshop: Saturday, March 3; 1-3 p.m.
Think it's too difficult to successfully farm in St. Pete? Instructor Nathan Levy will show you that it is possible. You will learn how to garden with free materials, harvest weed, battle bugs and more. This workshop is ideal for beginners and for those who need a refresher. $35; 5305 20th St. N., St. Petersburg, stpete.locallygrown.net
Corey Avenue Sunday Market: Sundays; 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Shop for fruits and vegetables, flowers and plants, kettle corn, arts and crafts, and listen to live music. Corey Avenue will be blocked off for a safe shopping experience at the market. Corey merchants and restaurants will be open for business as well, lending a fabulous addition to your normal market venues. 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; 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
Green Acre Organics Aquaponic Farm: First Saturdays; 11 a.m.
Take advantage of this tour of Green Acre Organics' unique aquaponic farm, the first Saturday of each month. Small and large groups are welcome. This event is free. 26452 Richbarn Road, Brooksville, 352-302-7395, greenacreorganics.biz
Guided Hike at Brooker Creek Preserve: Saturdays; 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 noon on the Friday before 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
Guided Hike at Weedon Island Preserve: Saturdays; 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 NE St. Petersburg, 727-453-6500, weedonislandpreserve.org
Hyde Park Village Fresh Market- First Sundays; 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
This market is a must for Hyde Park, South Tampa, Davis Island and Harbor Island residents. Modeled after Tampa Downtown Market and Seminole Heights Sunday Morning Market, Hyde Park Village Fresh Market boasts 50-70 vendors offering fresh produce, handmade arts and crafts, delicious food, live music, cooking demonstrations and a local massage therapist. Leashed dogs are welcome, so bring Fido along. Free admission and parking .742 South Village Circle, Tampa, 813-251-3500, tampabaymarkets.com
Land O Lakes Saturday Market: Saturdays (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
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; 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
You'll 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
