4 minute read
BLACK ROCK FARMS
BLACK ROCK FARMS OPENS GATES TO SHARE THE HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE
By Makenzie Atkins
Meg Shue and her family started Black Rock Farms in Dover back in 2019 to create a hands-on learning environment for their kids, now they want to share that experience with others through farm tours.
There will be three types of tours depending on the time of year and will include things like feeding baby goats and other animals, milking goats, egg collecting and even s’more roasting over a black rock fire pit. Throughout the tours, guests are welcome to ask questions and learn all about what it is like to run a small farm.
Black Rock Farms has seven diferent types of animals: one horse, one livestock dog, six goats, lots of chickens, one pig, one bunny and many fish in the pond, all of which you get to interact with or see on the farm when you take a handson tour.
When the family moved to their new farm, it needed some serious rehab. As they began cleaning up and fixing the space, they found large rocks everywhere. More would come out of the dirt every time it rained, and they were left with dozens of rocks.
After being unsure for a while of what to do with them, they decided to create a black rock fire pit, which you can now roast marshmallows at after your tour. This is the story of how the name Black Rock Farms was born. “In 2017, our lives Te whole Shue family loves life on the farm. Josh, were rattled; I was as-
Gunnar and Baylee help out every day. saulted and developed PTSD. Not only was I afected by the experience, but so were my kids,” said Meg, owner of Black Rock Farms, “My love for animals grew, they understood me and our kids’ anxieties. So, in 2019 we decided to grow our farm by welcoming all kinds of animals that we could love on.” The whole family loves to be a part of the farm and each family member has their role. Zach Shue, Meg’s husband, does all the building. Josh, their oldest son, handles all the cleaning. Gunnar, their 8-year-old, oversees the bathing of the animals. Baylee, their 7-year-old, is the egg collector and washer, and she also loves to help her mom handle the baby animals. Finally, with Meg’s background in wound care, she deals with any animal ailments. To learn more or schedule a tour, please visit the Black Rock Farms’ Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Black-RockFarms-104952845273101.
4TH GRADER RECOGNIZED THROUGH COMPLETION OF 50-YARD CHALLENGE
By Tatiana Ortiz
Last summer Valrico resident Corbin Dihel accepted the 50-Yard Challenge through the Raising Men & Women Lawn Care Service nonprofit organization. With all of Corbin’s hard work and perseverance, this fourth-grader, who attends Boyette Springs Elementary School’s Center For Gifted Studies in Riverview, completed the Challenge by mowing 50 lawns. On January 5, the founder of Raising Men & Women Lawn Care Service, Rodney Smith Jr., made an appearance to award Corbin with a brandnew lawn mower, a leaf blower and a weed eater.
Andrea Dihel, Corbin’s mother, who is a teacher at Orange Grove Middle Magnet School in Tampa, mentioned how her son got involved with the 50-Yard Challenge.
This challenge is geared toward boys and girls between the ages of 7-17. Participants are challenged to cut 50 lawns
for free for the disabled, the elderly, veterans, single parents as well as anyone in need of help. To get started, participants get a white Raising Men/Women shirt with ear protection and shades. For every 10 lawns cut, a new shirt color is given. Smith stated what he hopes the participants such as Corbin gain from this experiCorbin Dihel (left), standing with Rodney Smith ence.
Jr. (right), founder of Raising Men & Women “I want kids to Lawn Care Service on the night of his recognition learn from the for completion of the 50-Yard Challenge. 50-Yard Challenge would be the importance of giving before you receive and the importance of helping those who need help,” Smith said. As a mother, Andrea felt proud to see her son being an asset to their community through spreading kindness, along with helping others. With all of the equipment that Corbin received, he plans on starting his own business called Corbin’s Crazy Cuts. Corbin shared some advice for those who may be interested in participating in the 50 Yard Challenge. “Do not give up,” he said. For more information, visit https:// weareraisingmen.com.
BEFORE AFTER
