Living the Green Dream: Cortez Fishing Village Field Trip

Jubilee Organic Farm/Cortez Fishing Village Field Trip

Friday March 9th, 2018

IDS6237.001S18

Ecotourism Sustainable Tourism Management

Jubilee Organic Farm

We started our field trip at Jubilee Organic Farm in Bradenton, Florida. We were lucky to be given a tour by Ryan, who explained their vision.

"The vision was to develop a self sufficient, permaculture based, net zero, farmstead that supplied us with our physical and spiritual food and Jubilee is being birthed. It is an exciting project in every way. The farm has over 10,000 plants, vines and trees that are medicinal, beneficial and edible. We embrace biodiversity and believe in the notion that if you build good soil, it takes care of itself and we don't have to add poison in an attempt to redesign a perfect design."

https://www.jubileeorganics.org/our-story

Ryan explained that their main job is to grow soil using natural systems, i.e. bugs, wood chips, native plants, etc. They are all about water conservation, so they don't need to use irrigation. They only use greenhouses to start their seedlings. They grow their own green manure: Mexican sunflower is grown for biomass to pair with fakahatchee grass to create a nitrogen silicon-carbon slow-release fertilizer. They cover this with wood-chips to slowly create beds. In turn this "live" soil creates higher yields, in comparison to most commercial agriculture systems with "dead" soil, which require artificial fertilizers and pesticides. He believes this leads to nutrient-lacking food, which in turn spurs the multi-billion dollar supplement business. He also claims commercial food is dehydrated, which is why we must consume so much water.

Mexican Sunflower

Fakahatchee Grass

Some species they grow: avocado, fig, moringa, herbs: rosemary, fire bush (native), passion fruit, Barbados cherry, cherry of the Rio Grande, Florida grapes (Dixies), bananas, eucalyptus, coconuts (6-7 varieties), papayas, mangoes, and lowquats.

Moringa: Ryan makes his Rockstar tea with hibiscus and honey; has potential to sustain life

Passionfruit Flower: more beautiful than an orchid

Cherry of the Rio Grande: Brazil Native that grows well in Florida

Chinese Spinach: used for ground cover, as well as edible greens all year round; not available is stores, very nutritious

Egyptian Spinach: one of Ryan's favorites, thought to have healed a Pharaoh

One of the 22 varieties of Bananas grown at Jubilee

Although there are no Koala's around, Jubilee grows Eucalyptus (up 40-60 ft tall) to use as a wind break, biomass (chip) and the wood for building.

Florida Dixie grapes: edible, but "not too exciting," more importantly they are grown for biodiversity

Loquat: A Chinese native plant

Palma Sola area is renowned for its mangoes; was one of the biggest commercial production in the country

Papayas : they are not very happy at Jubilee as they prefer a drier atmosphere, so they are working on raising the root ball

The Palma Sola peninsula has created a micro-climate 6-10 degrees warmer than inland, so it is similar to Asian tropical climates. The early settlers realized that, which began the rich history of tropical fruit production in the region. They have an "old lady mango" that is over 150 years old, and the grandma tree of the area. Mangoes can produce fruit for 350 years!

They also have a variety of animals around the farm!

Pigs

Chickens

PCGS and dogs!

Overall, we had a great time exploring the farm and learning about the natural approach they are taking to create healthful rich food!

Florida Maritime Museum

After Jubilee Farms, we headed to the Florida Maritime Museum. We were given a tour by a local fisherman that grew up in the area. I Facebook lived the tour for our online students.

PCGS at the Florida Maritime Museum

After the Maritime Museum, we met and heard from Ed Chiles. Ed Chiles has worked with the community to make Pine Avenue, “The Greenest Little Main Street in America.” He owns 3 restaurants on Anna Maria as well as the Anna Maria Fishing Company. They produce bottarga from grey-striped mullet that is exported internationally, creating a source of income for the island. Ed Chiles has partnered with the Patel College of Sustainability, and practices many sustainable methods, such as composting, and using farm to table ingredients in his restaurants.