MYAKKA CITY, Fla. — After suffering significant damage from Hurricane Ian, rebuilding has been the focus for one Manatee County farm over the last nine months.

What You Need To Know

  • Dakin Dairy Farms lost hundreds of cows last year due to Hurricane Ian

  • This year, farm owner Jerry Dakin said he is implementing more changes to protect his livestock

  • The farm's cafe is under a new owner who is going to open their doors up for donations to give to families affected by the hurricanes

Last year, Dakin Dairy Farms lost hundreds of cows during Hurricane Ian and to prepare for this hurricane season, owner Jerry Dakin said they are implementing some changes.

At the same time, he said the farm is opening its doors again this year as a donation hub to help the community.

"It's a great feeling," Dakin said. "We got all the buildings back up — we got all the crews back up."

He said Hurricane Ian left the farm with downed trees, dead cows, and significant damage to multiple structures.

"It feels like a demolition crew and a building crew," he said. "All we have been doing is building."

Despite that, Dakin said life on the farm is returning to normal just as a new hurricane season begins.

Amid the unpredictability, Dakin said he wants to prevent a repeat of what happened last year. He says Hurricane Ian was the worst storm he's ever experienced.

"It's an uncontrollable thing, and whatever it is, you have to walk through it," he said. "We've done some extra screwing and more tie-downs to go through the hurricane. We have two generators now instead of one."

Dakin said his main concern is for his livestock.

"We have a place to put them in a shelter where they will not be outside," he said. "That is something different this year."

Inside the farm's cafe, owner Nathaniel Thomas is preparing as well.

"I feel like sometimes when we need help, we don't want to ask for it," he said.

Thomas said he wants to create a safe spot for the community, and his café is accepting donations to give to families in need. 

"Canned foods would be one, pet foods, water — and in bottle form like the ones we got — jugs of water, diapers, wipes, batteries," Thomas said.

While Dakin said his focus is on the future, he admits the farm's transformation is bittersweet.

"It's like it's a whole new makeover, and it's nice to be able to walk out there and see it cleaned up," he said. "But there is sadness, because the buildings we used and all the things we use to have are gone."