Where It All Began
When we began transforming our 10-acre property in Grant-Valkaria, Florida, into Sawmill Farm, we faced a daunting challenge.
Much of the property was overgrown with invasive Brazilian pepper trees, and years of accumulated trash and debris were scattered throughout the land.
Before we could begin raising chickens, producing fresh eggs, or growing crops, we had to reclaim the property.
This video captures the very beginning of that transformation.
The Property We Inherited
When we first began working on Sawmill Farm, the challenges extended well beyond the invasive Brazilian pepper trees.
Years of accumulated trash, discarded equipment, and debris surrounded the old buildings. Dense vegetation had overtaken much of the property, making even basic access difficult.
These photographs capture some of the conditions we encountered as we began the enormous task of cleaning up and reclaiming the land.
The Great Cleanup
Reclaiming Sawmill Farm was no small undertaking.
Beginning in January 2022, we set out to transform ten neglected acres into a working farm. The property was choked with invasive Brazilian pepper trees, and years of discarded equipment, tires, and other debris had accumulated throughout the land.
Excavators, tractors, and large dumpsters became part of our everyday landscape as we gradually removed the overgrowth and hauled away the debris.
As the land began to open up, we could finally start to see the possibilities. What had once been nearly impenetrable vegetation was slowly becoming the Sawmill Farm we had envisioned.
The Hidden Challenges of Clearing the Land
An excavator pulls up a Brazilian pepper tree, revealing old wheels and discarded equipment tangled in its roots.
Uncovering the Past
As we continued clearing the property, we discovered reminders of its earlier life.
Hidden beneath years of overgrown vegetation was an old sawmill, complete with a massive circular saw blade and the diesel engine that once powered it.
The sawmill was the inspiration for the name Sawmill Farm. We wanted to preserve a connection to the property's history as we began transforming the land into a working farm.
And that history may someday come full circle. Our son Ian hopes to add a functioning sawmill to the property in the future, bringing woodworking and lumber production back to Sawmill Farm.
An Unexpected Turning Point — April 2023
In April 2023, a fire swept through the back portion of our property, burning through areas of dense vegetation that had made clearing difficult.
Although the fire was unexpected, it became another turning point in our efforts to reclaim the land. Once the fire was extinguished and the area had cooled, we were able to access portions of the property that had previously been nearly impenetrable.
What began as an unexpected event ultimately helped move our clearing project forward.
From Cleared Land to Working Farm
With the land finally cleared, we could begin turning our vision for Sawmill Farm into reality.
Our first priority was fencing the property. We installed wooden posts, wire fencing, and gates to establish the boundaries and create secure areas for future livestock.
Next came planting. Banana trees, papayas, guavas, and other tropical plants began taking root, bringing new life to areas that had once been covered in dense vegetation.
It was exciting to see the property beginning to look less like a construction site and more like a farm.
Building the Infrastructure
As Sawmill Farm began taking shape, we needed buildings to support our growing plans.
Our first major addition was a pole barn, constructed by local contractors. It provided much-needed covered space for equipment, supplies, and farm activities.
Next came the chicken house. We designed and built a dedicated home for our growing flock, complete with nesting boxes, ventilation, and an automatic watering system. We have expanded it twice since the first structure.
As our equipment and projects expanded, we had a large metal garage constructed. This gave us secure storage, a workshop, and room to maintain the equipment needed to operate the farm.
Each new building represented another step in transforming the property into the working farm we had envisioned.
Bringing the Farm to Life
One of the most rewarding parts of developing Sawmill Farm has been raising our chickens.
We started with a small flock and gradually expanded, eventually hatching many of our own chicks. Watching those tiny chicks emerge from their eggs and grow into a colorful flock has been one of the great pleasures of farm life.
Our chicken house provides nesting boxes, ventilation, and an automatic watering system. The chickens have plenty of room to roam, and caring for them has become part of our daily routine.
Today, our flock produces a beautiful assortment of fresh eggs in shades of brown, white and cream. Each egg is a reminder of how far the farm has come since those early days of clearing the land.
What began as an overgrown property has become a place where we're growing food, raising animals, and continuing to build something special.
