Big Waters Land Trust hosts 10th annual farm-to-table 'Feast' fundraiser

Big Waters Land Trust will host their annual farm-to-table luncheon and fundraiser, Feast Upon the Fields, on Feb. 22 at 12:30 p.m. at Longino Ranch in east Sarasota County.

Each year the event takes place on a different piece of land the regional not-for-profit land trust has helped protect.

In its 22-year history, Big Waters Land Trust - formerly Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast - has protected over 20,000 acres from South Tampa Bay to the Everglades. In Sarasota County, the land trust has saved over 9,000 acres with Sarasota County's Land Acquisition Program. Longino Ranch represents over half of those acres. The Ranch is an integral part of the Florida Wildlife Corridor and the Myakka Island of conserved properties.

"We are thrilled to bring Feast Upon the Fields to Longino Ranch," said Christine Johnson, president of Big Waters Land Trust. "Big Waters first worked with the Longino family in 2009 to conserve almost 4,000 acres of the ranch when we were Sarasota County's Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program (ESLPP) acquisition agent. Then in 2024 at the family's request, we helped them protect another 655 acres. We were honored to work with the family and Sarasota County both times to ensure this significant property continues to produce our food, safeguard our water, and provide a place for nature to thrive."

Longino Ranch is one of the most significant conservation projects in the county. Conserving it protects working lands, wildlife corridors, and thousands of acres of important habitat that also hold rainwater, preventing North Port from flooding. It also ensures that North Port has clean drinking water by not obstructing the flow of rainwater into the RV Griffin reservoir and the Myakkahatchee Creek.

Longino Ranch was conserved as part of a larger effort to create a continuous corridor of natural land, stretching from Arcadia to Sarasota, from the Peace River to the Myakka River. Working closely with the Longino family, Big Waters Land Trust helped establish conservation protections that safeguard the ranch's beauty, cultural and historical significance, while honoring its rich ranching heritage.

November vote on ESLP program

Big Waters Land Trust served as Sarasota County's ESLPP acquisition agent from 2006 to 2012. During that time, Big Waters' land conservation expertise helped the county conserve iconic natural properties such as the Longino and Walton Ranches and Old Miakka Preserve. In November, Sarasota County voters will again be asked if they want to continue the important ESLP program.

The 10th annual Feast Upon the Fields event will feature a one-of-a-kind menu from Chef Paul Mattison. Event proceeds support Big Waters' mission to protect land and water for the benefit of people and nature. Tickets and sponsorships are available now and going fast. For tickets and more information, visit bigwaterslandtrust.org/feast26.

Big Waters protects land and water for the benefit of people and nature through strategic collaborations with individuals, groups, organizations, and government, ensuring all people have access to clean water, fresh air, nutritious food, abundant wildlife, beautiful natural areas to enjoy. Its work strengthens the region's resiliency to storms and floods, enriches lives, and helps safeguard our community for generations to come. Learn more at bigwaterslandtrust.org.

Submitted by Tianna Boswell-Porter

Source: https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/local/2026/01/22/big-waters-hosting-10th-annual-farm-to-table-feast-fundraiser/88086825007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z114312p000550c000550v114312d--xx--b--xx--&gca-ft=256&gca-ds=sophi