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 Pinecrest Gardens, Sunday mornings from December through mid April.
Browse through our land to see how we grow for you!
We welcome the opportunity to serve you.