How Martin County, Florida, Transitioned From Pineapple Haven to Agritourism Hub
In partnership with: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Agriculture abounds in Martin County, from local farms to the Market on Main farmers market.
Restaurants in this coastal community use locally grown produce, residents partake in Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and the community calendar is filled with festivals.
“Agritourism has always been a central part of Martin County’s DNA,” says Ian Centrone, the tourism program manager at the county’s office of tourism and marketing.
See more: 11 Florida Agritourism Destinations for Every Season
From Pineapples to Produce
At the turn of the 20th century, Jensen Beach had earned the name of Pineapple Capital of the World. The first pineapple slips were planted in 1881, and by 1902, the community shipped more than 1 million boxes of pineapples each summer.
But farming is not for the faint of heart, and the pineapple farms were all but wiped out by the 1920s thanks to cold snaps. Citrus groves faced the same challenges, as well as disease. However, Martin County farmers persevered, and today they bring more than $100 million to the county annually by growing citrus, tomatoes, potatoes, sweet corn and other crops.
Tough times actually led to the creation of Shadowood Farm in Palm City. Sarah and Bob Fenton owned a native nursery and garden center, then pivoted to a farm during the Great Recession of 2008. The couple converted their nursery beds into raised garden beds, and today, they sell hundreds of herbs and vegetables – a list of selections so large it’s easier for the Fentons to share what they don’t grow.
“The trend is skirting toward hyperlocal, small, family-owned and -operated farms that are able to focus on a niche,” Centrone says.
Shadowood is Real Organic Project certified and sells produce directly to the public. Their verified regenerative farm uses solar power and a minimal amount of water, and the couple also composts.
“If there’s going to be any type of healthy planet in the future, everybody has to do their part,” Sarah says.
Farm-to-Table Trends
Carl Frost and Diane Cordeau spent a decade living on a sailboat, sailing 30,000 nautical miles around Australia and New Zealand. In 2003, they returned to land and founded Kai-Kai Farm in Indiantown. The farm started with just a quarter of an acre but has since expanded to 40 acres.
They paid homage to their time at sea with the name of the farm. Near the Solomon Island village, chiefs and tribe members would paddle up to their boat and asked if they cared for “Kai-Kai,” which they learned meant to gather food or have food together.
In 2012, they introduced the popular farm-to-table dining events, where the public enjoys a dinner by top chefs using a selection of the 80 kinds of produce grown at the appropriately named Kai-Kai Farm. The wine pairing and demonstration dinners became so popular that Frost and Cordeau were able to build a 150-person dining hall – an upgrade from the 50-person greenhouse space. Kai-Kai also offers a Saturday farmers market and a CSA program.
“Nobody knew who we were, and we almost had to beg for business,” Frost laughs about the early days. “It’s not the case anymore.”
But even if they’re not at Kai-Kai Farm, diners in the region have probably eaten their goods. The farm’s produce and herbs are used at restaurants like The Butcher’s Club at PGA National Resort, The Regional, Buccan, Jupiter Yacht Club and many others.
See more: Tourists Flock to Florida for Its Diverse Agritourism
Explore Martin County
From farms like Shadowood and Kai-Kai Farm, the spirit of agritourism seeps into community events, including Stuart’s Market on Main, a yearlong farmers market; the Rockin’ H Ranch Fall Festival Extravaganza in Palm City; and the Winter Vendor & Craft Fair at the Martin County Fairgrounds.
“Martin County has that rural, rustic charm, but it taps into the old Florida vibe that you don’t really find in Florida too often,” Centrone says. “We love sending people out to the farms for a unique experience and a creative way to make the most of your Martin County vacation.”
Every pepper, head of lettuce and tropical fruit purchased from a farmer makes a difference to those who spend morning until night working the land.
“One person makes a huge impact,” Sarah says. “Every person that makes an effort to shop at a local farm makes a huge difference to that farm’s bottom line.”
To learn more or plan your trip, visit discovermartin.com.