What kind of ancestor will you be? In “Longpath:

Becoming the Great Ancestors Our

Future Needs”, futurist Ari Wallach offers a

paradigm-shifting manifesto for transforming our

thinking from reactionary short-termism to a long-

term scope that reclaims meaning in our lives.

A complete introduction to fruit tree horticulture for beginning and intermediate growers. Through hands-on demonstration and a guided grove tour, Daryl covers the seven basic horticultural concerns, grafting, planting, pruning, fertilization, pest management, and more—all through a lens of non-toxic, ecologically sound methods.

Explore physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of cooking with a discussion and demonstration on amaranth, inspired by “The Flavor Bible” by Andrew Dornenburg and Karen A. Page.

Chef Rebekah has been creating culinary delights since she was very young. Always curious about the kitchen, she learned beside her grandmothers and Martha Stewart on PBS. Her formative years were spent in rural Central Florida, a home garden always within reach, seasonal whole foods have always been her inspiration. Today, she shares her passion for clean seasonal eating, and helps transform the individual relationship to self-care, through cuisine.

Potluck at 6 will include a dish from Chef Rebekah, and do please bring something that makes your heart sing to share!

Continuing our last-Thursdays Community Conversations, we discuss Paul Hawken’s landmark book “Drawdown.” We will meet for potluck at 6, with discussion from 7:15-8:30.

Drawdown presents a comprehensive, solutions-focused approach to reversing climate change. The book ranks and explains the most effective existing strategies for reducing greenhouse gases, based on rigorous data. These solutions span energy, food, land use, buildings, transportation, and social systems. Notably, Drawdown highlights the powerful climate benefits of educating girls and empowering women.

The discussion will be led by LeeHayes Byron, head of IFAS Sarasota, and Dr. Anne Miller

Click here to register

Some of us will use chainsaws to take out invasives (with PPE and proper supervision)!

We are tentatively planning on gleaning again at Ananda on February 4. It depends on weather and other factors, which usually make gleaning something that happens on a few days’ notice.

Watch socials and/or email for more information.

Optional potluck 6pm

Book discussion 7:15-8:30

Part of our Community Conversations, last Thursday of each month January-August. To register:

https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/community-conversations-2026-4803873?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=creatorshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=odclsxcollection&utm-source=cp&aff=escb

Come join us for the pre-season gathering! We will go over gleanings that will be on the calendar, and go over a few basics. Mostly, it’ll be a gathering to share food and fun!

Join ZZ Design Services for a guided tour of a thriving 1.5 acre ecological landscape on the Sarasota Bay. Now just over a year old, the site features a resilient mix of native, edible, and medicinal plants designed to support wildlife, restore soil health, and provide beauty and abundance year-round. Learn how thoughtful plant selection and design can transform coastal spaces into vibrant, resilient ecosystems that feed both people and the planet. Perfect for gardeners, homeowners, and anyone interested in sustainable, local living.

Join Bob Linde, Herbalist in the exploration of our local medicinal and edible plants that grow at your feet. We will explore the gardens around Celery Fields to find commonly used tropical plant medicine.

We will gather in the parking lot at the base of the west trail by the restrooms.

Bring a water bottle, and maybe a note pad!

This is one of many events taking place during Eat Local Week 2025

Click here for a full schedule - We'll see you there!

In celebration of the workshop's 20th anniversary, explore the historical progression and future vision of sustainability in our local communities.

Fermented foods go through a process of lacto fermentation, which preserves food while creating beneficial enzymes, b-vitamins and probiotics. Sharon Juraszek, owner of local business Fermentlicious will guide you through a fun and educational class so that you can learn about fermented foods that you can make at home.

The class will be held at Community Harvest SRQ's new office at the Resilience Incubator on the second floor of the SunCoast Blood Bank building at 1760 Mound St. in Sarasota

This is one of many events taking place during Eat Local Week 2025

Click here for a full schedule - We'll see you there!

Longtime Montessori teacher and school gardens proponent Jayne Cobb, along with Diondra Miles, present the Center Montessori learning garden.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, a world-renowned center for education and research dedicated to the display and study of epiphytes, will host a special event as part of the week-long celebration. Their event—an Ethnobotany Tour led by John McCarthy, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Vice President for Regional History—will offer the community a chance to explore the deep connections between people and plants on a guided walk through the beautiful Historic Spanish Point campus, discovering how native species have been used for food, medicine, and culture throughout history.

Eat Local Week 2025 Ortygia Sicilian Dinner - first seating

Come join us for a delicious Sicilian dinner at Ortygia during Eat Local Week 2025! Indulge in authentic flavors and fresh ingredients sourced locally. The first seating promises an intimate dining experience with a limited number of guests. Don't miss this opportunity to savor traditional Sicilian dishes in a charming setting. Reserve your spot now!

This is a three-hour class in fruit tree horticulture. It is a complete introduction for both beginning and intermediate growers.

Everybody eats, but most of us are deeply disconnected from the source of our food and the people who grow it. In this keynote for Eat Local Week 2025, Community Harvest SRQ founder Don Hall and current Program Director Andrew Hudson will engage in a spirited dialogue about why cultivating regenerative local foodsheds is so important right now, how they each fell in love with our Sarasota-Bradenton foodshed, and what they envision for its future. Ask your questions, meet others interested in this topic, and find out how to get involved.

The two will begin by ‘catching up’ - what has happened both locally and globally since Don left Transition Sarasota to give leadership to the national and now international Transition Towns movement in 2016. Over the past nine years, on the plus side, acceptance of the reality of climate change has become ubiquitous, and at the same time, many problems have deepened. It all points to the need for building local resilience.

Enjoy a plant share and sale! Thin out your robust plants and get some new ones in the ground.

Join us for the 9th Annual Big Mama’s Collard Green Festival (BMCGF) — Sarasota’s premier cultural food festival celebrating community, heritage, and healthy Southern cuisine. This family-friendly event brings together vibrant traditions from Cajun, Creole, Southern, and Caribbean cultures, offering a full day of food, music, and fun for all ages.

Celebrating Culture Through Food

At the heart of the festival are the iconic “Big Mamas”—local community members showcasing treasured collard green recipes passed down through generations, some over 100 years old. In addition to home cooks, renowned chefs from Sarasota, Manatee, and the greater Tampa Bay area will prepare their own creative takes on collard greens and other soulful dishes.

Collard Green Cook-Off Competition

One of the most anticipated events of the day is the Collard Green Cook-Off. Local chefs and community members compete for the coveted title of “Big Mama,” with winners selected by a panel of judges through a blind taste test. Prizes are awarded for first, second, and third place. This friendly competition not only honors culinary talent but also highlights the deep-rooted food traditions of our region.

Live Entertainment and Local Flavor

The festival will feature live performances by local musicians and entertainers, creating a dynamic and engaging atmosphere throughout the day. Attendees will have the opportunity to taste and purchase soul food from a variety of local vendors and food trucks, each offering signature dishes made with love and Southern flair.

As Mr. Lou’ Murray, founder of BMCGF, shared during the first festival in 2017, “We have incredible local produce from the farmers market, and this festival ties that harvest into a community known for its Southern cooking heritage.”

Family-Friendly and Alcohol-Free

Big Mama’s Collard Green Festival is a no-alcohol, family-focused event designed to bring the community together in a safe, welcoming space. Guests are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs or picnic blankets for a comfortable day outdoors at the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex in North Sarasota.

Why You Should Attend

• Taste award-winning collard greens and soul food

• Support local chefs, restaurants, and food vendors

• Enjoy live music and community performances

• Celebrate Black culinary heritage and Southern food traditions

• Spend quality time with family in a positive, welcoming environment

Plan Your Visit

Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, 1845 34th Street, Sarasota, FL 34234
Admission: Free
Parking: Available on-site

Don’t miss this unique Sarasota event that brings the community together to honor food, culture, and connection. Mark your calendar for Big Mama’s Collard Green Festival 2025—a celebration you won’t want to miss!

Gulf Coast Crab and Seafood catches, cooks and selsl local seafood from the Gulf of Mexico, fresh off the boat.

You'll find Rich on the boat most mornings pulling traps for blue crab or throwing a net for fish.

Their seafood comes from the Gulf, Bays, and the Rivers of Sarasota and Manatee Counties.

Come join us at the 10th st docks down by the Van Wezel to meet the fisherman and see the bounty. You'll even be able to sample some of the delicious products that always taste better made from the freshest seafood.

This is one of many events taking place during 2024 Eat Local Week.

Click here for a full schedule - We'll see you there!

Fermented foods go through a process of lacto fermentation, which preserves food while creating beneficial enzymes, b-vitamins and probiotics. Sharon Juraszek, owner of local business Fermentlicious will guide you through a fun and educational class so that you can learn about fermented foods that you can make at home.

The class will be held at Community Harvest SRQ's new office at the Resilience Incubator on the second floor of the SunCoast Blood Bank building at 1760 Mound St. in Sarasota

This is one of many events taking place during 2024 Eat Local Week.

Click here for a full schedule - We'll see you there!