Seeking out local produce is a fine endeavor, but to really get in touch with the source of your food you'll have to start reaping a backyard bounty. Want to grow your own but don't know what, when and where to plant? The University of Florida's got your back.
UF is a land grant college, which means they have to work with the USDA and local governments to set up extension offices in every county of Florida to support local agriculture. Much of what they do is geared toward farming, the 4-H and family nutrition, but most extensions also have a large cadre of community educators willing and able to help out the casual gardener and backyard grower.
There're a slew of publications and resources for the casual gardener online, but both the Pinellas (727-582-2100 or pinellas.ifas.ufl.edu) and Hillsborough (813-744-5519 or hillsborough.extension.ufl.edu) extensions also have volunteer master gardeners on call to answer any questions you might have about everything from soil drainage to citrus canker.
If only I could get them to drive out and weed my herbs.
