Nature's Partner
![Green Enterprise: Business or service offering sustainable products and/or practices such as resource conservation, environmental responsibility, corporate social responsibility (CRS), worker and community wellbeing. Green Enterprise](https://www.opengreenmap.org/sites/default/files/taxonomy_image/category_pictures_4.gif)
![Eco-Agriculture/Permaculture: Encompasses small-scale city farm to full-size rural farms that are organic, biodynamic or using other sustainable methods. May indicate organizations linking urban communities and nearby farmers though community-supported agriculture (known as CSAs or box schemes), 4H demonstration farms, agriculture schools or food security resources and networks. Eco-Agriculture/Permaculture](https://www.opengreenmap.org/sites/default/files/taxonomy_image/category_pictures_2.gif)
![Organic/Local Food: Food grown close to where it is consumed, reducing shipping impacts and increasing freshness. Organic food is grown without pesticides (biocides), genetic modification or synthetic fertilizers. Minimally processed, with no chemicals or waxes added after harvesting. May include fair trade or direct trade practices. Organic/Local Food](https://www.opengreenmap.org/sites/default/files/taxonomy_image/category_pictures_3.gif)
![Farm Animals: City farms, demonstration farms, gardens with chickens and rabbits, police horse barns, and other places where the public can see domesticated animals carefully tended, ethically cared for and sustainably raised. Farm Animals](https://www.opengreenmap.org/sites/default/files/taxonomy_image/category_pictures_92.gif)
Overview
Nature’s Partner is an organic farm that has been producing food in the Sarasota area for more than 35 years. As member of the Sarasota Farmers Market, Nature’s Partner has been selling goods at the downtown market since it opened in 1979. Owner Peter Burkard offers a diverse selection of seasonal fruits, vegetables, herbs, honey and eggs that he or other local small farmers produce. In addition, Nature’s Partner even provides backyard organic growers throughout the Sarasota area the opportunity to sell their surplus produce, resulting in less food wasted. All produce and plants at the market stand are locally grown, with virtually every item being produced within Sarasota and Manatee counties. Peter estimates over half of his produce to be certified organic, yet still insists that the remainder be unsprayed with any synthetic pesticides, fungicides or herbicides.
As a green business partner, Nature’s Partner has taken steps to lessen their impacts and protect the environment. Energy reducing measures include compact fluorescents light bulbs, a solar hot water heater and solar activated chicken coop door. The farm house utilizes a 4.2 kW rooftop solar PV system. Water conservation measures include a rain barrel collection system, as well as careful monitoring of water usage on the crops.
Recycling efforts of Nature’s Partner include composting or feeding to livestock all food scraps and all cardboard boxes being returned to the farm source, reused or recycled. Berry baskets, honey jars, egg cartons, potted plant containers and shopping bags are examples of items customers return for re-use. Customers are always encouraged to reuse and recycle, and are even offered a $0.35 credit per jar for returning glass honey jars. Employees reduce their impacts by biking or walking to the market stand. The market stand does not use any energy consuming items, except for a rechargeable scale. Nature’s Partner looks to give back to the community through food donations to local charities, All Faiths Food Bank and the Salvation Army.
Nature's Partner became a Sarasota County Green Business Partner in 2015. The Green Business Partnership (GBP) encourages environmental stewardship in the commercial sector, and recognizes businesses that make an extra effort to operate in an environmentally responsible manner. This collaborative effort includes businesses, business organizations and local governments. The GBP was initiated through a grant awarded by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to Sarasota County. For more information about the Green Business Partnership visit: www.scgov.net/greenbusiness
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