AgriTrace Institute: Preserving Farmland in the Redland
Connecting longtime farmers who are ready to retire with young farmers in need of land is one way to protect agricultural land from development in South Miami-Dade, according to Agritrace Institute, a nonprofit located on the five-acre PLK Estate in Redland.
AgriTrace and its farm partners aim to develop space where community-based agriculture can thrive. One of those farm partners is Chris French and Little River Cooperative, who are growing organic produce and producing cultural events. “This farm had not been used for farming in a decade,” says executive director Jenn Bynoe. “There’s an emotional connection – the owners want the homestead to stay in the family.” Little River will host four seasonal plant sales at The PLK Estate, “great reasons to head south for the day,” Little River Cooperative said on social media.
AgriTrace serves as a partner to private property owners who want to rehabilitate their farmsteads while securing the capital required to maintain ownership. “We offer a solution to keep it running,” says Bynoe.
Events – luncheons, u-picks and workshops – are another way AgriTrace hopes to educate future generations. This Labor Day, they kicked off Unlimited U-Picks at the PLK Estate, offering families the opportunity to harvest in an active avocado grove while learning more about this Redland crop. For information, visit Agritrace Institute.
