Old Florida
OLD FLORIDA HERITAGE HIGHWAY The 48 miles of Scenic 441 and the network of scenic byways in and around Orange Lake retain the seamless qualities of Old Florida, little changed from the times of author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. Here one can find a wealth of birds and wildlife, cycling routes, boating opportunities, and small towns that each retain their own individual character. RESOURCES: www.ScenicUS441.com 352-3327-9005 CANE GRINDING November and December is cane-grinding time in North Florida and a chance for people to get together to celebrate. Here are four opportunities to experience the excitement and take home some bottles of genuine boiled cane syrup -- the perfect accompaniment to biscuits or pancakes. DUDLEY FARM, Cane Grinding Day 1st Saturday in December, as well as cane grinds in Nov. Call 352-472-1142 for dates and times. MORNINGSIDE LIVING HISTORY FARM: Farm & Forest Festival and Cane Boil. Info: 352-334-2171 or CityofGainesville.org SILVER RIVER MUSEUM: Cane Grinding is part of the “Ocali Days” festival the 2nd weekend in November, For info 352-236-7148. DEERFIELD FARM: This Florida Century Pioneer Farm in Shiloh has been in the family since 1840. The Feaster’s host cane days the 1st Saturday and Sunday of December. Barbara Feaster’s jams and jellies can be purchased here as well as at Mosswood Farm Store in Micanopy and at the Wood and Swink in Evinston. Access: 2.6 miles west of I-75 on CR 234, which becomes CR 329. After passing the daylily farm on left, enter dirt drive to Deerfield Farm on the right.
Celebrating Florida’s Farming Heritage
Farmland Preservation Festival Tailgate Farmers Market Crafts by Local Artisans Storytelling • Music Small Farm Animal Petting Zoo Experience down-home hospitality and celebrate Florida’s Farming Heritage with an emphasis on preserving farmland and the sustainability of the local rural economy. An Educational Program of the Marion County Citizens’ Coalition, Inc. a 501c 3 organization
Held Annually in April, McIntosh, Florida Check Website for Details FarmlandPreservationFestival.org 74
352-871-1094
FLORIDA COW CATCHERS When Ponce de Leon arrived from Spain in 1521 he brought Andalusian cattle with him. Large ranches were established by the Spanish and the Native Americans. Until 1950 Florida was a free range state, requiring landowners to build fences if they wanted to keep livestock out. What became known as cowboys elsewhere are known as “cow catchers” in Florida -- the cattlemen who rounded up the animals for market. The long whips they “cracked” over the heads of the livestock gave its name to the “Florida Cracker” and by extension to everything from “cracker architecture” to “cracker cuisine.” Experience ranching skills at rodeo nights: Cowboy Eddie’s Rodeo Arena, Hawthorne, Every Wed, Fri and Sat: 321-288-1790 The Ocala Rodeo: www.ocalarodeo.com Photos: above, boiling cane juice at Deerfield Farm, below, cattle roundup in Evinston. Photos by Sean Dowie