ORLANDO, Fla. – Just outside Orlando’s city limits, a former chef is cultivating more than crops. He’s growing a movement. Everoak Farms, a three-acre testament to sustainable agriculture, and represents a remarkable journey from professional kitchen to regenerative farming.
Mike Garcia, the owner and operator of Everoak Farms, traces his agricultural journey back to 2015 when a simple question changed his career trajectory.
“I became very curious about how things are produced,” Garcia explained.
As a sous chef, he watched boxes of produce arrive in his kitchen daily, but the story behind that food remained a mystery. That curiosity led him to trade his chef’s position for a chance to dive deep into small-scale market gardening.
Today, Everoak Farms stands as a Certified Natural Grown operation, producing an impressive variety of fruits and vegetables without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. The farm’s approach to agriculture goes beyond organic, creating a carefully orchestrated dance with nature itself.
“Here on the farm, we’ve been totally no-spray, not even the organic stuff,” Garcia emphasized.
Instead, the farm focuses on creating balanced ecosystems that generate their own fertility. Every 20 feet, visitors might find an avocado tree, while bananas, papayas, and turmeric flourish in between. Free-range chickens contribute to the farm’s ecosystem, providing both eggs and meat while helping maintain the land’s natural balance.
The farm employs agroforestry techniques, a sophisticated approach that integrates trees and crops in a way that benefits both.
“We’re growing plants not just to feed ourselves, but to feed the ecology,” Garcia said.
Even non-food plants like eucalyptus serve a purpose, providing nutrients for other crops through a process called “chop and drop.”
Everoak Farms focuses on more than growing food. It nurtures community. Through their Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, approximately 70 local families receive fresh, sustainably grown produce throughout the season. This model helps the farm secure early-season funding while ensuring families have access to high-quality, local food.
The public can experience Everoak Farms firsthand at their weekly farmstand located at 2335 Carrington Drive, open Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. between October and June.
Beyond retail sales, the farm also supplies several local restaurants and offers wholesale options for businesses interested in supporting local agriculture.
For those interested in supporting local, sustainable agriculture, Ever Oak Farms offers several ways to participate:
- Join their CSA program for regular shares of seasonal produce
- Visit the farmstand on Saturdays during season
- Follow their journey on Instagram @everoakfarm
- Subscribe to their newsletter for farm updates
- Explore wholesale partnerships
The farm’s website, everoakfarm.com, provides detailed information about their CSA program and sustainable farming practices.
As Orlando continues to grow, Ever Oak Farms stands as a model for how urban-adjacent agriculture can thrive while maintaining ecological balance. It serves as a blueprint for sustainable food systems and community-centered agriculture.