Nestled in the heart of untouched "Old Florida" landscape lies a hidden gem – Creator’s Farm and Garden. This enchanting oasis is the brainchild of Patti and Grant Toney, who traded the hustle of Cincinnati for a dream of curating an extraordinary blend of agritourism and botanical wonder.
“I have three, home-schooled kids (now 21, 19 and 17 years old) and we used to go to a lot of gardens and tourist attractions. I knew I wanted to create gardens where people could learn about spiritual truths in the physical world,” Patti explains. When the Toneys found the property, which is located off Jackson Road between Jacaranda Rd. exit 193 and River Rd. exit 191 of I-75, they knew they had discovered their piece of Paradise.
At first, the idea was to build beautiful gardens, but after a visit to the ministry-based Echo Global Farms, Patti was inspired to “incorporate a variety of tropical edibles with the non-edibles.” To do so, she hired Echo’s previous farm manager, Tim Watkins, owner of the edible landscape design company ecovisiondesign.com.
Now, after five years of careful planning and dedication, Creator’s Farm & Garden is ready for visitors to wander among the 400 varieties of exotic, edible, and botanical plants, sprawled across over five acres of lush terrain.
With a mission statement of “showcasing creativity in plants, Creator’s Farm and Garden hopes to inspire a deeper relationship with the Creator of the universe,” it’s only fitting that the gardens are designed to represent 12 biblical themes, from "Creation" to "Revelation.” However, there’s lots more to experience here, including a working, aquaponics system.
Comfort and leisure hasn’t been overlooked either. Scattered across the property are various swings, seating arrangements, and hammocks that are ideal to lounge in and soak up the beauty of the many grand oaks. “There are shaded areas to sit in almost every garden,” says Patti. "For the more active souls, there’s badminton, tetherball, and soccer, and kids are welcome to use the zip line if they can find it," she says.
Many additional features are in the works. “By December, we hope to offer potted edible and non-edible plants for sale in our nursery, and come February we intend to offer classes, field trips, and day camps,” says Patti. She also anticipates hosting weddings, receptions and meetings by January 2024.
Patti advises checking the website, at creatorsfarmandgarden.com, to learn about these, and other upcoming features including organized volunteer opportunities, a weekly farmers market that will partner with other local businesses, and current hours of operation.
Whether you’re drawn by the pull of verdant tropical gardens, the charm of a working farm, or the simple pleasure of a hammock's sway, Creator’s Farm and Garden is an escape waiting to be discovered. It's a rare gem that beckons both believers and nature enthusiasts. Visit today and be part of this one-of-a-kind experience.