HEATHER OAKS FARM IS A HARBOR HILLS FAVORITE BY NIKKI HOFFMAN

Heather Oaks Farm is located at 4240 Christmas Lane

HEATHER OAKS FARM IS A HARBOR HILLS FAVORITE

Everyone is concerned about maintaining good health these days. With this in mind, Bob and Maria Tracy have established a quaint farm featuring locally grown produce emphasizing nutrition and freshness.

Heather Oaks Farm is located at 4240 Christmas Lane, a short ten-minute drive from Harbor Hills. This family farm harvests local produce like the neighborhood farms we remember from childhood. Bob and Maria Tracy own and operate the farm, which grows seasonal blueberries and grapes you can pick yourself.

Tomatoes, kale, squash, peas, and lettuce are grown aquaponically throughout the year. Maria explains that this environmentally friendly process uses less water and provides more nutrients than traditional farming. Customers can call in special orders for aquaponic vegetables, which will be ready in about two weeks.

Farm fresh eggs are plentiful and available daily at Heather Oaks. Maria insists on purchasing certified organic feed for her chickens. “Conventional feed is cheaper,” she explains, “but many contain additives or antibiotics.”

Plumeria plants are for sale in stunning colors. Also known as frangipani, the flowers are most fragrant in the evening. In Hawaii, a token of welcome includes a lei, frequently created from these colorful flowers. With a backdrop of sunflowers and sweet-smelling herbs, the pheasants and quail leisurely meander around the farm. It’s a fun place to take the children or grandchildren to watch the lambs up close and help pick the seasonal berries and grapes. Call Maria at 352-516-4986 or visit the Heather Oaks Farms Facebook page for information.