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With just a hint of autumn in the Florida air, farms across the state are preparing to welcome visitors for a season filled with pumpkins, crop mazes, fall festivals and more.

The Florida Agritourism Association (FATA) is highlighting dozens of its member farms that will be opening their gates this fall for family-friendly activities. In addition to traditional fall favorites, many farms also offer hands-on demonstrations and tastings of locally grown products, blending fun with education.

“Supporting a family farm that hosts agritourism events helps ensure that the next generation of Floridians has access to the rural traditions that have been a vital part of the state’s economy for more than 175 years,” the association noted in its seasonal announcement.

Agritourism has grown steadily in Florida, giving visitors a chance to experience life on a working farm while offering farmers an opportunity to diversify and sustain their operations. Events range from corn mazes and pumpkin patches to livestock encounters, cooking workshops and even medieval fairs.

Among this year’s lineup are:

• Braze Ranch, Waldo (Alachua County) – crop maze and fall attractions

• The Bryer Patch, Newberry (Alachua County) – fall family fun

• Thrift Lumber and The Old Mill, Macclenny (Baker County)

• Harris Establishment Farms U-Pick, Palm Bay (Brevard County)

• The Platt’s Patch, Melbourne (Brevard County)

• Amazing Grace Crop Maze, Green Cove Springs (Clay County)

• Padgett Family Fest, Arcadia (Desoto County)

• Diamond D Ranch, Jacksonville (Duval County)

• Eat Your Yard Jax, Jacksonville (Duval County)

• Geiger Pioneer Farm, Jacksonville (Duval County)

• Cow Creek Farm Tours, Plant City (Hillsborough County)

• Painted Sky Farms, Vero Beach (Indian River County)

• Aunt Louise’s Farm, Monticello (Jefferson County)

• Acres of Grace Family Farms, Howey in the Hills (Lake County)

• Amber Brooke Farms, Eustis (Lake County)

• Southern Hill Farms, Clermont (Lake County)

• Santa’s Farm Fall Festival, Eustis (Lake County)

• The Hub at Feather Oaks, Tallahassee (Leon County)

• Ananda Farm Florida, Terra Ceia (Manatee County)

• Sarasota Medieval Fair, Myakka City (Manatee County)

• Cannon Farms, Dunnellon (Marion County)

• Hobe Sound Farmers Market Pumpkin Patch, Hobe Sound (Martin County)

• Conner’s A-maize-ing Acres, Hilliard (Nassau County)

• Hastings Ranch & Farm, St. Cloud (Osceola County)

• Raprager Family Farms, Odessa (Pasco County)

• Bristol Oaks Farm, East Palatka (Putnam County)

• Fruitville Grove, Sarasota (Sarasota County)

• Wesley Wells Farms, St. Augustine (St. Johns County)

• Brown & Brown Farms, Oxford (Sumter County)

• Harvest Fields Corn Maze, DeLand (Volusia County)

A complete listing of farms and events can also be found through the Florida Agritourism Association at VisitFloridaFarms.com. Visitors may also follow the association on Facebook or download its free mobile app for Apple and Android devices.

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Photo special to Alachua County Today

ALACHUA – The A.L. Mebane Alumni Association gathered at the Hathcock Community Center to plan a special event honoring the enduring legacy of the historic all-Black school and its former students.

The celebration, set for Friday, Sept. 5, at Santa Fe High School’s football field, will highlight the contributions of A.L. Mebane alumni while connecting their stories to today’s students and the wider community.

Organizers said the event will give a nod to the strong tradition of Friday night football in North Central Florida. It will also serve as a bridge between generations, ensuring the experiences of A.L. Mebane graduates are remembered and shared with current students.

The planning session drew alumni, many of whom still live and remain active in the community. Attendees said the effort reflects the bonds built during the era of segregation and the desire to weave that history into Santa Fe’s traditions.

Similar reunions have been held across the country, as graduates of historically Black schools gather to preserve their shared experiences and ensure they are passed on to future generations.

Organizers view the event as both a moment of remembrance and an opportunity for inspiration. By celebrating the resilience, achievements and impact of A.L. Mebane alumni, they hope to spark pride among Santa Fe students and the broader community.

The A.L. Mebane planning committee is working in partnership with the Santa Fe High School Boosters to create what they describe as a meaningful, memorable celebration. The program will highlight not only the alumni’s lasting mark on the community, but also their influence on high school athletics and education in the region.

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ALACHUA COUNTY – Early education programs in Alachua County Public Schools (ACPS) have earned some of the highest marks in Florida, with schools in Alachua, Newberry, and Archer among those recognized for excellence, according to information released by Alachua County Public Schools.

The district reported that 78% of its Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) programs received an “Excellent” rating in new evaluations by the Florida Department of Education (FDOE). That compares with just 33% of the nearly 6,100 VPK programs statewide. Ratings are based on both student performance and classroom observations.

“This is the first year the state has used a formal performance metric to evaluate VPK programs,” said district VPK coordinator Trisha Rodriguez in a statement provided by ACPS. “Something that really sets us apart is the quality of our staff, who are highly educated and trained in early childhood education. They are very dedicated to this field and are always looking for new ways to prepare children for kindergarten and beyond.”

Seven district-based VPK programs earned the top rating of “Excellent,” including those at Newberry Elementary School, Archer Elementary School, and Irby Elementary School in Alachua, as well as Chiles, Talbot, Wiles, and the Duval Early Learning Academy.

The programs at Norton and Terwilliger Elementary Schools were rated “Above Expectations,” the second-highest ranking.

Four of the county’s top 10 VPK programs overall were based in district schools, including Chiles (#2), Talbot (#3), Wiles (#6), and Newberry (#8).

In the classroom observation category, Newberry Elementary ranked #1 in Alachua County, with Archer Elementary (#10) and Irby Elementary (#9) also making the top 10. Newberry’s program also ranked 11th out of all 6,095 providers statewide in that category, ACPS noted.

Across the county’s 68 public and private VPK providers, 31% earned an “Excellent” rating. Most providers in Alachua County are privately run. District programs, however, consistently scored among the best in the county, with schools in Alachua, Newberry, and Archer standing out.

Rodriguez said the results highlight the strength of school-based VPK programs. “The best way to prepare students for school is to place them in the school setting,” she said. “These results show that a high level of learning is happening in our school-based VPK programs.”

Providers that fail to meet the state’s standards risk losing VPK funding, making the new metrics especially significant. Alachua County’s results place its district programs well ahead of the statewide average, underscoring the role early education plays in preparing students for long-term success.

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ALACHUA COUNTY – A 27-year-old Ocala woman remains in critical condition and a 60-year-old Hawthorne woman is recovering from serious injuries after a violent two-vehicle crash on Friday morning along State Road 20 in the Grove Park area, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The crash occurred at approximately 7:45 a.m. on July 18 near Southeast 159^th Street, a stretch of highway that runs through rural eastern Alachua County and often sees moderate morning traffic as drivers commute between communities like Hawthorne and Gainesville.

According to the preliminary investigation by FHP, the Ocala woman was driving an SUV eastbound on State Road 20, also known as Hawthorne Road, when her vehicle unexpectedly left the roadway. Troopers reported the SUV traveled onto the southern grassy shoulder before beginning to rotate uncontrollably.

The vehicle then crossed both eastbound lanes, entered the center grass median, overturned, and entered the westbound travel lanes. At that point, it collided with a westbound sedan being driven by the Hawthorne woman.

The driver of the SUV had been ejected during the rollover and was found with life-threatening injuries. She was transported by ambulance to a nearby trauma center. Her condition remains critical, according to officials.

The driver of the sedan sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries. She was also transported to the hospital and was later listed in stable condition, according to troopers.

Due to the extent of the damage to both vehicles, troopers have not yet determined whether seatbelts were in use by either of the drivers at the time of the collision. The use or non-use of seat restraints often plays a key role in determining the cause and severity of injuries in such incidents.

The investigation is ongoing, and additional details, including potential contributing factors such as speed, distraction, or mechanical failure, have not yet been released. Authorities did not report any adverse weather conditions at the time of the crash.

FHP stated that this report is based on preliminary findings and subject to updates as more evidence is analyzed. No charges have been filed as of press time, and both drivers' names are being withheld pending notification of family and the outcome of the investigation.

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NEWBERRY ‒ A Newberry woman who also served as an assistant track coach has been charged with child abuse and other offenses after police say she instigated a fight among students during a high school track meet earlier this year.

Melissa Danielle Nattiel, 42, was charged with two counts of child abuse, three counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and disorderly conduct following an incident on March 3 at Newberry High School, according to court records.

A police report states that Nattiel was present at the meet in her role as both a parent and assistant coach for Newberry’s track and field team. Officers said a fight had broken out involving her son, members of the Newberry team, and two students from another school. By the time Nattiel arrived, officers reported that tensions had subsided.

Instead of calming the situation, Nattiel “reignited the confrontation and escalated the situation by encouraging the two victims to fight her son,” an officer wrote.

She allegedly approached the two students aggressively, telling them, “You are going to fight my son,” and instructed her son to “go punch that kid,” according to the report. Witnesses told police that Nattiel shoved both victims, and one of them pushed her back in self-defense.

The confrontation quickly escalated, with students from Newberry, Gainesville and Eastside High schools reportedly joining the brawl.

After reviewing the incident, prosecutors filed formal charges against Nattiel on July 1. A warrant for her arrest was issued on July 11, and she was taken into custody on Aug. 2. She was later released on $40,000 bail.

Court records indicate that Nattiel has no prior criminal convictions. The case remains pending.

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NEWBERRY – The Newberry Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board reviewed ongoing and proposed initiatives for downtown at its Aug. 11, 2025, meeting, including a new mural, the first application for a commercial façade grant, and potential programs to support business marketing and residential improvements.

Work began Aug. 4 on a mural for the west wall of the city-owned building at 25439 W. Newberry Road. Artist Jesus Martinez was selected after a public call for submissions. The mural is partially funded by a $2,000 matching Art Tag Grant, supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, Visit Gainesville, and sales of “State of the Arts” license plates. The project also includes landscaping, a bench, and sidewalk improvements to encourage visitors to stop downtown.

In other business, the board approved the first application under its new Commercial Façade Grant Program. Pabst Personal Care, PLLC, the owner of 25050 W. Newberry Road, received approval for improvements including seal-coating and painting the parking lot, repairing handrails, pressure washing, exterior painting, updated signage, and landscaping.

The work is estimated at $12,125, with the CRA covering up to 75 percent of the final cost, capped at $9,093.95. Board members unanimously supported the application.

Members also discussed creating a Business Marketing Grant Program to help downtown merchants with advertising, branding, digital campaigns, and promotional events. The proposal, modeled in part after Boynton Beach’s program, could reimburse businesses for marketing efforts and align with Newberry’s Downtown 5-Year Action Plan.

Organizers suggested collaboration with the Newberry Main Street Organization, Visit Newberry, and the Chamber of Commerce to promote downtown through consistent messaging and small-scale events. No decisions were made, but staff will continue exploring the idea.

The board also reviewed the possibility of launching a Residential Paint Program in fiscal year 2026. Similar programs in other Florida cities provide free or discounted paint, vouchers, or contracted labor to assist homeowners with exterior improvements, historic preservation, and blight prevention.

Board members were shown examples of local homes in need of repair and asked to consider options that might best serve the CRA district. No final action was taken.

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