Barefoot Gardeners Organic Gardening Club is demonstrating that Lakeland and Polk County Florida are in the forefront of the latest trend: providing a space for local growers and producers to show how, why and where they do what they do.
These farmers and producers of locally grown organic fruits and veggies and other natural products such as soap, honey, jewelry, wood crafts and art gather together twice a week at the Lakeland Downtown Farmer's Curb Market on Wednesdays from 11-4 and Saturdays from 8-2. The Market takes a month off in August.
Their customers are a growing public who are demanding: local, natural, organic.
They are demonstrating how people can really be green in a world that has become so un-green.

People are constantly coming up to Jeff “Scotty” Campbell at his table, Scotty's Produce, where he sells his local, Polk Co., organically grown produce, and thank him profusely for what he's doing.   "I encourage people to actually learn to do it themselves as much as they can, seeing that as the ideal way to live," Campbell says.  Currently, he's gearing up to make available edible plants and produce that will even thrive in our local, hot and humid summers. He's been hosting field trips for schools and anyone who wants to learn how to “do it”. They also offer classes for an onsite, inspirational experience.
 On the horizon Campbell has plans for The Cozy Cottage Country Cafe, where guests can come out and enjoy a lunch or dinner of fresh, local, organically grown ingredients, right in sight of the gardens at the farm.

Lawrence and Ken Plumlee are co-owners of Primus Hydroponics, and also a part of Barefoot Gardener. They grow lettuce year-round, even through the hot Florida summer in an air-cooled greenhouse, using water instead of soil. They have many devoted customers who come to them every Saturday at the Downtown Market.

Another member, Debbie Butts, sells the organically grown food she grows at nearby Ecofarm in Plant City, with her husband Jon. She also sells plants from their nursery, and offers knowledge in how to produce, preserve and prepare food naturally.

Local honey is also available from  Dan and Sarah Stayskal of Country Bees Honey Farm, Lakeland.
They recommended it to help alleviate allergies to local pollens.

"Now I eat what is in season, what is vibrant in color, and what is organic.  When I eat this way, I feel only ease, energy, and joy.  And I have discovered that eating simple food made from simple ingredients is the truest way to love yourself and those around you."
--Mariel Hemingway

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In addition to sharing how to grow food in the most natural way, the Barefoot Gardeners also promote everything that includes keeping the Earth, as our home, healthy.

Contact:

Peggy Campbell, Moderator
The Barefoot Gardener Organic Garden Club
863-904-8620