Harpke Family Farm

After working in the restaurant and fine wine business for many years, husband and wife duo, Tamer and Claire Harpke joined forces in 2013 to focus on their urban farm labor of love. While Tamer Harpke has always been an avid gardener by hobby, his interest in traditional farming was piqued after several trips to the great wine regions of Europe, where he worked the grape harvests in Italy. Both Harpkes share a background in Hospitality Management, having worked in fine dining restaurants throughout South Florida and having managed fine wine import portfolios. Though Mrs. Harpke will jump-in come harvest-time, she generally spends her time handling administration and marketing, whereas Mr. Harpke works the field, so to speak. With many established relationships from his days in wine sales, Tamer is both Farm Manager and Sales Manager. But as with many start-ups, both parties wear many different hats. Additionally, as an owner of the locally minded restaurant concept, Basil Park in Sunny Isles Beach, many of Harpke Family Farm's products are featured at his health-conscious dining outlet. In return, organic waste is composted through a program Tamer established at Basil Park. Recent estimates calculate roughly 24 tons of organic matter to be composted this year alone! Harpke Family Farm is an early member of the Growing Broward movement and the Harpkes have been longtime supporters of the Slow Food organization. Future plans for Harpke Family Farm will include outreach programs, educational partnerships, a table-to-farm dinner series, a consumer lecture series, apprenticeships and, hopefully, further expansion.