Academy at the Farm in Dade City’s New Farmer’s Market

Academy at the Farm in Dade City has recently opened a Farmer’s Market on their school campus. The market is open to the public and carries fresh produce and eggs, local honey, sourdough bread that is made and delivered daily, plants, and other snacks and drinks. They are located right off of Handcart Road near the Pasco County Transfer Station - look for the large Farmer’s Market sign or the sign for the school. The hours of operation are: Mondays12:00 - 4:30; Tuesdays and Fridays - 8:30 - 4:30; Wednesdays and Thursdays - 12:00 - 6:00. You can like and follow their Facebook page, AATF Farmers Market, for daily updates and specials.

Visit the market and you may be greeted and waited on by a middle school student who is learning valuable customer service and business skills. Twenty-six grade 6-8 students applied, interviewed, and were selected to “work” at the market where they are counting, stocking and tracking inventory, providing service to customers, and learning about many aspects of running a business. They spend one of their elective class periods at the market each week and some of the students volunteer after school as well.

Academy at the Farm is an A-rated, high-performing charter school. In its 21st year, the Academy currently has 727 K-8 students, as well as 90 preschoolers and over 140 livestock animals on campus. While agriculture is certainly a main focus of the school, building character in their students by teaching and reinforcing the six core values of Respect, Responsibility, Citizenship, Fairness, Caring, and Honesty is a key part of the daily curriculum at the school. For more information about the school, you can visit their website at academyatthefarm.com