Second Grade Experiences Fat Beet Farm

As part of an ongoing Plants and Pollinators investigation, second graders visited Fat Beet Farm in Tampa.

You may be surprised to learn that this incredible farm is located right here in Tampa Bay! Jen and Tim Curci (Tim is the co-founder of Bonefish Grill and Noble Crust) built the farm in 2013 with a farm-to-table restaurant concept in mind. While they’ve grown and changed significantly in the last decade in order to be both profitable and sustainable, a main goal of the farm is to educate the public through their green initiatives. “We strive to be a resource for our community. We educate about the potential of farming in Florida, and are a model of sustainability for future generations,” they shared. 

The work they’re doing to educate the community is refreshing, and the students were eager listeners. The field experience included an engaging walking tour through the gardens and facilities, with stops to learn about vermiculture and soil enrichment, composting and biodigestion, aquaponics, beekeeping and pollination, and so much more. The Chargers loved hearing that the same beekeeper (Josh Harris of Queen & Colony) who tends to the hive at Shorecrest works with the Fat Beet Farm hives! In fact he recently hosted a honey harvesting workshop at Fat Beet. Students especially loved the hands-on components such as feeding and petting the chickens and goats, completing a scavenger hunt, microgreens tasting, and getting their fingers in the soil during a vermiculture (worms!) exploration. This was the first time Shorecrest students visited Fat Beet Farm for a field experience, and even their teachers can’t wait to return. 

Learn more about the farm

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