Paradise Farms
Farmers: Owner Karla Dascal, farmer Martina Gonzalez and others are on the team
Where they’re located: Redland
Website: Paradise Farms
What they grow: Avocado, longan, carambola, and other tropical fruits; moringa, holy basil and other herbs; 67 kinds of edible flowers; mushrooms; heirloom cultivars; vegetables, greens, roots and alliums. Organic Certified since 1999. More recently in 2021 we acquired the Regenerative Organic Certification (ROC). The farm is 17 acres of sacred space, with fertile land and elegant features to gather.
Where they sell: Legion Park and Key Biscayne farmers market (Saturdays), via their CSA. They also supply South Florida restaurants.
CSA: Yes, organic produce. Sign up here
Farm tours: Two-hour walking tours ($50) of their farm and mushroom facility include hands-on activity, refreshment made with farm ingredients, time to shop for fresh produce at their stand. 2024 dates are Dec. 17, Jan. 21. Feb. 18, Mar. 17. Group tours also available.
One of South Florida’s first organic farms under Gabriele Marewski, this five-acre property in the Redland broke ground in many aspects. They hosted farm-to-table dinners prepared by local chefs on site, grew mushrooms and produce for chefs, markets and CSAs, and created a uniquely serene space for visitors. Now in the hands of event designer Karla Dascal, Paradise Farms aims to carry on Marewski’s vision, incorporating regenerative farming practices and sustainability principles and keep the growing going, emphasizing nutrient-dense, delicious and healing harvests. “It’s about medicine,” says Dascal. “That’s what this planet is going to need.”
HOW THEY STARTED: In 2017 we had just completed The Sacred Space and wondered what had happened to Paradise Farms. It was under contract, but we met there anyway in a teepee on a cold March day – I was wearing a black and white flannel shirt. We took a tour, they fed me only organic foods … how perfect would this be? The contract fell through. I was in love with this magical property.
THEIR PHILOSOPHY: We are certified organic by Quality Certification Services from Gainesville. As conscious and vegetarian farmers, we do not allow any meat or meat products on the ground, and we are a smoke-free facility. Our philosophy and ingredients are simple: natural, organic elements, love and intention. Every process and crop is seen and touched by us – from every weed pulled, each seed sown, and the harvest of our crops. We proudly provide our organic crops to renowned restaurants and chefs in the Miami area and beyond, directly from our farm, as well as supplying the Met International School Miami’s garden-to-table curriculum and organic lunch program. As conscious and vegetarian farmers, we do not allow any meat or meat products on the ground, and we are a smoke-free facility.
WHAT ELSE? Everyone here makes over $15 an hour. Everyone is really valuable and committed. We are continuing with agritourism. We’re going to bring back the dinners. The Sacred Space brand is about healing food and education.
SUSTAINABILITY IN ACTION: Our tree houses use solar power. In our pond with koi, their waste goes into compost and irrigates the garden. There’s zero waste – we dehydrate mushrooms and flowers. Not a flower goes to waste!
