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Planter's Ball a natural good time

Sweetwater Farm's annual fundraiser is a family friendly event where everybody eats - and some folks drum.

TOWN 'N COUNTRY - Sweetwater Organic Farm is expecting as many as 100 people for its annual Planter's Ball.

"It's one of the biggest events of the year for us," said Rick Martinez, the farm's executive director. The potluck fall fundraiser, open to the public, will take place Saturday evening at 6942 W Comanche Ave., just north of Hillsborough Avenue west of Veterans Expressway.

This year the popular event has a new twist. "We're having a Halloween costume contest with a prize for the best costume," Martinez said.

A costume is not required, but a hearty appetite is. There will be tables set up outside for a potluck dinner, a farm-grown salad for the taking and wine for the tasting. There's also sure to be a fire for marshmallow roasting and a late-night drumming session.

But before all that, plan to dance under the stars to the sounds of the Urban Gypsies, a popular St. Petersburg group that blends an Afro-Euro sound. You might also want to bring a chair for later in the evening, and if you have one, a drum for the drumming circle.

The festivities begin at 5 p.m. with dinner. But if you want to come an hour earlier you can take a guided tour of the farm. And since it's a family event, children are always welcome.

The cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children younger than 12. Children younger than 6 eat for free.

Sweetwater Organic Community Farm is a nonprofit organization with about 100 members. They pay a seasonal fee and in turn share in the harvests. Some work on the farm and earn rebates on their membership fee.

Members get about 30 weeks worth of produce from the farm's September-through-May growing season. A full membership is $550 for one share of produce per week. A half membership, for a share every other week, is $320.

Martinez, a former engineer, has owned the 6 acres of suburban property along Sweetwater Creek for nearly 20 years. He also is an organic farming inspector who flies all around the world inspecting farms and processing plants.

Jackie Ripley can be reached at 813 269-5308 or ripley@sptimes.com

For more information about the Planter's Ball, directions and parking information visit the farm's Web site at www.sweetwater-organic.org