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
Farmageddon Screening: Friday, August 26, 6 p.m.
Join like-minded, food-loving folks who are passionate about where their food comes from at this second screening of Farmageddon — a documentary exposing the battle between big agribusiness and the small family farms who are threatened by misguided bureaucracy and government regulations. event will have live music, local farmers, and food rights organizations prior to the film. At the close of the film community members can participate in the inauguration of Farm Circles, an ongoing discussion about food issues hosted at The Roosevelt 2.0. For more information about the film, visit: farmageddonmovie.com. Purchase advance tickets at: www.wepay.com/tickets/Farmageddon_TheRoosevelt2.0. 6 p.m. Admission: $10, $6 for seniors, students and those on fixed incomes. 1812 N. 15th St., Tampa, creativityincommerce.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
Tampa Bay Watch Scallop Search: Saturday, August 27, 8 a.m.
The Great Bay Scallop Search is a resource- monitoring program where volunteers snorkel along set transect lines in lower Tampa Bay to count scallops and document the population trend. The Great Bay Scallop Search gives community volunteers an opportunity to learn about the bay’s valuable resources. Many first-time and long-time scallop searchers comments on the exciting marine life they discover. Once the boaters and snorkelers come ashore, Crabby Bills rewards the volunteers with a wonderful lunch. Contact kmisiewicz@tampabaywatch.org for more information and register to volunteer here. Free. 3000 Pinellas Bayway S., Tierra Verde, 727-867-8166, tampabaywatch.org
Pinellas Trail Bike Hike with Tampa Bay Sierra Club: Saturday, August 27, 8 a.m.
Meet at the corner of US 19 and Causeway Blvd at 8 a.m., then travel south for 16 miles to the Tarpon Sponge Docks. There's natural and riverfront scenery to enjoy on the way, as well as a park with a spring and a chimpanzee retiree zoo to stop and enjoy on the way. There are many options once we reach the sponge docks, including lunch and dolphin tours. The trip could take from 3-6 hours, round-trip. For more information or to RSVP please contact Bonnie Aylor at Baylor@mail.usf.edu or by phone at 727-277-265. Free. florida.sierraclub.org/tampabay
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.
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. Pete Saturday Morning Market: Every Saturday 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. (through August 27)
Featuring locally grown fresh produce, prepared foods, baked goods, plants, flowers, herbs, handcrafted gifts, live music, and so much more under the shade trees in Williams Park. 1st Ave N between 3rd and 4th Streets, 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
Rain Barrel Workshop: Saturday, August 27, 10-11:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
The Ybor City Saturday Market in conjunction with the Green Footprint, a market vendor, is helping Tampa Bay residents conserve water. Learn how to make your own rain barrel and receive valuable information regarding the importance of water conservation. Attendees will have the option of purchasing either a blue ($30) or terra cotta ($50) rain barrel at the conclusion of the each workshop. Workshops will be conducted on the last Saturday of every month with the first one scheduled on August 27th. Please register by sending an email to ybormarket@yahoo.com with "rain barrel" in the subject line, include your name, time attending (10 am or 11:30 am) and contact information in the body of the email. $5 admission. 1800 East 9th Ave, Tampa, ybor.org
Garden Irrigation Workshop: Saturday, August 27, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Find out how to set up an irrigation system inexpensively and easily for your garden. Ask the Master Gardener and the Irrigation Expert questions you might have. RSVP to 727-433-1661 or organic.living@yahoo.com. Free. 1612 Gentry St., Clearwater, organiclivingforall.com
'Green After Dark' Market: Saturday, August 27, 5-9 p.m.
This Saturday night will welcome the Tampa Bay area’s first all eco-friendly market (rescheduled from last weekend's original event date). Come and show your support for over 30 local green businesses in our area. Find vendors with aquaponic produce and grass-fed beef farmers to organic skin care, eco-friendly products for the home, natural baby products, vegan and gluten-free foods and much more. There will also be an aquaponics demonstration at 6:30 p.m. followed by live entertainment by Ashley Jones. 8701 Gunn Hwy (near Citrus Park), Odessa, goinggreentampa.com
Corey Avenue Sunday Market: Sundays, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.
Visit Corey Avenue's European-style, open-air market with local vendors offering produce, plants and flowers, prepared foods, arts and crafts and more. Plus, live music and free parking! Free; Corey Ave., St. Pete Beach, coreyave.com
Crews Lake Nature Hike with Tampa Bay Sierra Club: Sunday, August 28, 3 p.m.
This park has intermittent periods of lake front and dry savanna nature to enjoy. It also features pine, scrub and cypress habitat with acres of trails to explore. There is a natural amphitheatre, and butterfly garden and some historical scenery to enjoy as well. The hike could take between 2-4 hours and is an excellent way to round off the weekend. For more information or to RSVP please contact Bonnie Aylor at Baylor@mail.usf.edu or by phone at 727-277-2656. Free. 16739 Crews Lake Drive, Spring Hill, florida.sierraclub.org/tampabay
Slow Food Tampa Bay Meeting and Documentary Screening: Monday, August 29, 7 p.m.
Join the Slow Food Tampa Bay chapter for this general membership meeting that includes a showing of the film The Vanishing of the Bees, a documentary about Colony Collapse Disorder, a serious problem affecting agriculture world wide. To provide a local focus, beekeeper Andy Wolf of Taste of Freedom Farm will be on hand to lead the discussion about issues raised during the film and discuss the joys and challenges of beekeeping. Food and drink will be available for purchase. Current members of Slow Food USA, and anyone interested in learning more about the Slow Food Movement, are invited to attend. $5 suggested donation. The Hangar Restaurant and Flight Lounge: 540 1st St. S., St.Pete, 727-823-7767, thehangarstpete.com, slowfoodtampabay.org
This article appears in Aug 18-24, 2011.