OUR
FARM ~ WHO
WE ARE
Bee Heaven Farm
aka Pikarco, grew out of a
long-standing dream. For many years, living in a subdivision restricted
us to a family garden, where we experimented with various plants and
organic growing techniques suitable to our subtropical climate.
1995: We purchased a 5-acre site in the heart of
the historic Redland district in South Florida, just north of Homestead.
Before market globalization and severe development pressure, this area
was famous as the winter breadbasket of the United States.
1997: First certified by the Florida
Certified Organic Growers & Consumers, Inc. (FOG) now Quality
Certification Services (QCS).
1998: The
Redland farming area
celebrated its 100th year of commercial agriculture, and is fighting to
stay rural and productive in spite of development pressures from a
burgeoning South Miami-Dade population.
1999-2000: Our avocado grove
produced its first
commercial crop. Our top quality fruit has quickly
sold out every year. We supply high-end local restaurants and markets & ship
mail-order boxes directly to your home in most parts of the United
States. ORDER
NOW
2001-2002: Start of our
market garden operation and our CSA subscription service,
with 12 shares.
2002-2003: Together with a group of local
organic and sustainable growers, we created Redland
Organics. Our cooperative efforts allowed us to expand our offerings. First full-season CSA subscription service,
with 40 shares.
2003-2004: Explosive growth
from 60 shares to 200 shares, with a waiting list. This caused
us to reach out beyond the Homestead-Redland area to other organic
growers in South Florida in order to satisfy the demand for
locally-grown organic produce.
2004: Partnered with a local beekeeper to
set up 20 new beehives for honey production. Planted an assortment of
specialty banana plants. First summer CSA fruit shares.
2004-2005: Began offering certified
organic egg shares to our CSA subscribers. Second summer fruit share
program. Bananas are beginning to bear fruit.
Summer/Fall 2005: Hurricanes
Katrina and Wilma walloped us! Bananas lost all their fruit and a full
year's worth of growth. Avocado grove fared pretty well. CSA season got off to a late start as a result of planting
delays.
2005-2006: Our CSA and Farmer's Markets are
running strong. Fruit trees are starting to recover, and more baby chicks
were ordered to meet the demand for our certified organic eggs!
Summer 2006: Still feeling repercussions
from Katrina and Wilma, the only fruit available was avocados.
2006-2007: Consumer interest in
locally-grown and organic foods has resulted in increased publicity and
over 350 shares. Egg shares sell out the first week.
2007-2008: Celebrating out 10th year of
organic certification and our 7th CSA season!
If
you're in the Miami area, you can find us at the South Florida Farmers'
Market located at Gardner's Market in Pinecrest, Sunday mornings from
January through early April.
Browse through our
land to see how we grow for you!
We welcome the
opportunity to serve you.