Over 40 years ago, the first vegetable crops were harvested on Green Cay Farm, a family vegetable growing operation. Since then, the owners developed a reputation for growing high quality produce while cooperating with university and industry researchers to develop innovative, environmentally-friendly vegetable growing systems. Over the years, most of the peppers and cucumbers grown here have been sold through conventional marketing channels, usually shipped to markets along the east coast of the country.

Now, as Palm Beach County changes from a major agricultural area to a population center, these owners have sold most of the land to Palm Beach County for the Green Cay Wetlands and Nature Center. The remaining smaller acreage is not large enough for a conventional commercial farm. So, they are supporting the transition to a smaller farm that markets its diversified vegetable crops through local channels. Charlie and Nancy Roe, of Farming Systems Research, Inc., have been been working with Green Cay for 11 years to introduce these new systems of growing and selling vegetables to the area.

We believe that:

• People are too far removed from their food supply. You should know who grows your food and how it is grown.
• If we produce a variety of healthful, delicious vegetables and get them to our customers while they are fresh, people are willing to pay a fair price for those vegetables.
• There are enough other people in this community who agree with these principles to support our farm.
• Vegetables are sold to local restaurants and resorts, and through subscriptions. We began selling vegetables by subscription in October of 2000. Although this is a new concept to most people, it is a very practical way to assure your family of a seasonal supply of vegetables. 

We also work with University, USDA, and industry researchers to do research on components of sustainable subtropical vegetable production systems.