Sweetgrass Farms held its grand opening this Saturday and people flocked to the beautiful and surprising location tucked away off University Parkway. Sweetgrass Farms practices hydroponic growing techniques, which allow for clean vegetables and fruits to be grown in rows of vertical water “planters” without the use of soil. This means the fresh produce and herbs produced are incredibly clean and derive their nutrients from the water; it also means that less space is required to grow more food. Saturday dawned crisp and clear, the perfect day for a family outing to the farm. Enthusiastic patrons filled bushels with strawberries and sampled and purchased various fresh produce. Nik Wallenda, Sarasota’s favorite daredevil performer, was on hand for the festivities and a riotous Punch and Judy show kept kids of all ages entertained. Sweetgrass Farms is open to the public Tuesday-Friday from 7am-3pm and Saturdays from 9am-3pm. A surprising cold front delayed a special Farm to Fork dinner presented by Chef Paul Mattison and Sweetgrass proprietors Dr and Mrs. James Demler to be held at the farm that will utilize ingredients grown on the farm. The new date for this event will be Feb. 27, so be sure and contact Mattison’s to make your reservation.