The three times that Cracker and I have attended events at Andy Firk's Bamboo Grove have each been a delight, a wonderfully eclectic, diverse mix of positive minded people, with wide ranging conversations including of course gardening and botany and permaculture, but also health, child rearing, politics, relationships, religion and spirituality, cooking and more. Andy has amassed QUITE the growing food forest plus a very impressive mix of potted plants, many QUITE unusual and many for sale. I'm not around children often so I enjoy those that come, all very well behaved and Cracker loves to play with them. The seed and plant swaps are a joy, as are the camp fires and music and the nearly-vegan potlucks that leave me happily stuffed. Each time I attended I come home energized and relaxed and in an ever better mood than usual...it is hard for me to imagine a more pleasant mix of people and in a very nice semi-rural setting that is a treat for me as a south Tampan. I look forward to seeing Andy and quite a few other favorite folks at this new one. April 13 at 10:00am until April 14 at 3:00pm Bamboo Grove Homestead, 2460 SW Mixon St., Arcadia, FL 34266 Come on out to the counrty for a full day and night of fun. Great vibes, relaxed atmosphere, over 100 people are expected. Entrance fee: One hug. 1 hour homesteading workshops ($5 donation each), plus free garden tours of our edible forest gardens, Saturday night potluck (vegetarian and wild pescatarian), Saturday night campfire and free campout (bring camping gear), Sunday morning potluck breakfast, Sunday wild edible & herbal plant walk & workshop ($10). Everything is optional. Free parking, kids allowed, very friendly animals allowed (we have cats), no smoking or drugs, work exchange for workshops available. Info: Andy at 863-993-3228. No reservations required. Contacting us to let us know you are coming is a nice thing though :) SATURDAY, April 13, 2013 10 am: Gates open, set up your campsite if you plan on staying the night. Arriving later? No problemo. (entrance fee: one hug). 10 am – 11 am: Free garden tour. Workshops are 1 hour each ($5 donation each). They run from Noon – 6 pm & 9 pm – 11 pm. They have not be scheduled exactly yet. - Josh Jamison: Perennial Food Crops For Florida. - Rebecca Conroy: "The Magic of Honeybees.“ - Laurie Ponte-Wind: Backyard Chickens. - Green Deane: Wild Edible Plants. - Steve McAllister: Common Wealth Time Bank, the Garden Brigade, & Other Sarasota Happenings. 6 pm – 7pm - Plant Swap, Give Away & Sale. Bring loads of cuttings, potted plants, containers, seeds, roots, garden tools, garden books. etc. 7 pm – 9 pm - Free potluck (vegetarian & wild pescatarian, label your ingredients) & campfire. Tent camping. One guest room is available inside the house. Bring acoustic instruments to jam with. Musicians are coming! 9 pm – 11 pm: Late night workshops. SUNDAY, April 14, 2013 8 am – 9:30 am: Potluck breakfast (bring your own food). 11 am – 3 pm - We convoy to Morgan Park on the Peace River, 5 miles away, for a workshop on Wild Edible & Herbal Plants. ($10). Indoor bathroom & outdoor shower are available 24 hrs. Everything is optional. Come and go as you please. Kids and very friendly pets are welcome (we have outdoor cats and chickens). Call to let us know that you are coming: 863-993-3228 (Andy Firk) Bamboo Grove is my acre and a half edible forest homestead in rural Arcadia. I have planted 40 clumping bamboos, 200+ mostly heirloom fruit trees, perennial root crops, wildlife attractors, etc.