Today my husband, mom, and I spent the morning at a local small business fair hosted by the Florida Agricultural Legacy Learning Center — it was my first visit and it won’t be the last.
Getting There
It can be found off of US 1 and Old Kings Rd N. Immediately, the horses roaming the pastures grab your attention, and when you drive down their dirt road entrance, it’s easy to be under the impression that it’s been there a long time. Well, yes — but also no.
A Quick Look at the History
In 1983, it was established as The Florida Agriculture Museum by historians and agriculturalists in Tallahassee to preserve and educate visitors on the origins of food and farming. In 1997, the Florida Agricultural Museum moved to its new home here in Flagler County. Then by 2024, the name was changed to The Florida Agricultural Legacy Learning Center (The Florida Ag Center) to more accurately promote their mission, which is to “to provide a fun and educational experience for all ages about Florida’s agricultural past and present.” Look at their website’s calendar for all upcoming events!
Local Vendors Worth Checking Out
One of the highlights was visiting my friend’s booth, Jade — Pagecasso, where she sells her folded book art. It’s incredibly creative and honestly one of those things you have to see in person to fully appreciate. She sells her original art and helps you create your own custom design for your next gift or to liven up your bookshelf. Check out her Instagram for upcoming art shows she is attending or message her to make arrangements!
I may or may not be obsessed. I’ve purchased several for myself and friends, and they’re always a hit conversation piece.
One of the most unique finds of the day was these terracotta pot hangers by Mark and Susan Robbins. The design was so clever — stackable, extendable, and super secure. The husband even spun the whole thing around to prove the pots wouldn’t budge, and honestly, we were sold… We left with two.
We saw dozens of other local businesses that included florists, produce vendors, t-shirt and hat printing, antiques, jewelry, etc. All were memorable. Especially…The food!
Come Hungry: What We Ate
The first thing I couldn’t resist was empanadas, made fresh by Only Beef Milanese in St. Augustine. I lived in Fort Lauderdale for ten years, and I LOVE empanadas. And this treat satisfied that craving for me. The outside was the right amount of crunch, and the inside did not hold back on flavor with the minced onions, herbs, and juicy beef. Check out their Instagram for other events they will be located at!
Next, we shared a huge loaded baked potato. One of the first things that caught my eye was the food truck itself — The Rustic Spud, based out of Central Florida. It is an old, vintage-style trailer with a beautifully weathered, rustic look. Imagine chipped paint, a little bit of patina, and a whole lot of charm. The kind of food truck that feels like it has stories to tell. It’s not polished or modern, and that’s exactly what makes it stand out, and truly, it’s part of the experience.
This treat was warm, hearty, and piled high — enough for my mom and me to share nicely, leaving lots of room for lunch. It was topped with flavorful ground beef, shredded cheese, iceberg lettuce, salsa, and sour cream.
The Unexpected Favorite
The day was lovely and totally worth it, but personally I’m still thinking about the lemon blueberry sourdough from Rustic Rise Sourdough — it was that good. Refreshing, bright, and perfectly balanced, with just the right hint of citrus and bursts of blueberry in every bite. The loaf itself was huge and clearly fresh, with that ideal sourdough texture — soft on the inside with just the right amount of density. Honestly… it was perfect. I’ll admit, I completely failed to get a photo of their table or the loaf before cutting into it — because let’s be real, when bread is in front of me, nothing else matters. I need to eat it immediately. When I got home, I toasted a slice with butter and it was incredible. The next day, I tried it again with a little drizzle of honey, and somehow it was just as delicious. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for them at another local event — and next time, I might take a picture first. If you want to track them down, be sure to check out their Facebook page to see where they’ll be popping up next!
Don’t forget to grab business cards from vendors you love — so you can check out their Facebook pages or websites later to support them and find where they’ll be popping up next. And if you see something handmade that makes you pause… grab it. Chances are, you won’t see it again anywhere else or even later that day.
Final Thoughts
Between the charm of Florida Agricultural Legacy Learning Center, the steady buzz of locals and visitors wandering booth to booth, and the backdrop of open farmland and curious farm animals, this wasn’t just a market — it felt like a little pocket of community you could step into for a while. From the creativity at the Pagecasso book art booth, to the cleverly crafted terracotta planters (still thinking about that spinning demonstration), to every delicious bite — it all came together in the best way.
And the weather? Absolutely showing off. The kind of day that makes you linger a little longer, take one more lap, buy one more thing you didn’t plan on… and not regret it for a second.
If this is what a local fair looks like, consider me officially converted into a full-time “Local Tourist.” I’ll be back — with an empty stomach, a little extra cash, and maybe enough self-control to take pictures before I start eating. ☕📚🐈⬛