MYAKKA CITY, Fla. — A Myakka City staple, the family running Dakin Dairy are much more than local business owners.
"I was born here. Manatee Memorial Hospital," Jerry Dakin, the dairy farm owner said. "You know, I'm a local Florida boy."
Jerry Dakin knows firsthand that a 350-acre operation with 1,500 cows isn't a success without hardships. In 2022, when Hurricane Ian hit, the storm damaged nearly every structure on Dakin Dairy's property.
"You know, we lost 360 head of cattle here, from babies all the way up to big cattle. Yeah, it was a, it was tough," Dakin said.
Not only did the dairy farmers bounce back, they helped their community along the way. Their storefront was transformed into a donation distribution center.
"To me, my testimony is anything I get handed to me, I'm gonna walk through it, and make the best out of it. And there'll be more challenges in life. But no matter what the challenges, you just got to pull your boots up and go through it," Dakin said.
After 22 years in the dairy farming business, now it's time for something new.
"This is this is my baby. I mean, I've grown it. And I want to see the next person be more successful than me," Dakin shared.
If you're wondering what's next for the Dakin family, he doesn't plan on slowing down. He's looking at the next chapter.
"Because I think I'm at an age that I'm motivated," he said. "And there's just a lot more things that I want to do in the community."
The Dakin's hope to see the dairy farm go to the next generation, continuing a legacy of locally produced dairy in Manatee County.
"It's probably one of the greatest things I've ever done because of how it's grown me and, and how it's put me in this community. That's just been so amazing."
The 'turn-key' property is already listed for sale, the price however is not disclosed. The Dakin's are meeting with potential buyers, giving tours of the property that could soon be sold.
Malique Rankin is a general assignment reporter with 10 Tampa Bay. You can email her story ideas at mrankin@10tampabay.com and follow her Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.