Friends of Fair Oaks
Sebastian
When you take a joy ride around Fair Oaks, you will notice her beauty all around your driving path.
Calm, subtle energy surrounds you day and night at Fair Oaks. When I first started working here, I was immediately struck by the vast potential of this beautiful place. Over the years, I’ve witnessed numerous changes and additions to the landscape, each enhancing its natural beauty and charm.
One of the most notable transformations was the creation of The Solski Trail. What began as a simple idea has now become a beloved feature of Fair Oaks, inviting guests to immerse themselves in the tranquility and splendor of the surroundings. Walking the trail, you can experience firsthand the serene atmosphere that makes Fair Oaks so special.
Working at Fair Oaks has been a journey of growth and discovery, both for the farm and for me personally. The spirit of hospitality and the dedication to preserving and enhancing the natural environment have remained constant. It’s a place where traditions evolve and new memories are made, a perfect blend of past and present that continues to inspire all who visit.
Matt
My tenure at Fair Oaks was brief, but I learned so much in that short time that I feel like I worked there for years.
I was hired with essentially no experience and was quickly trained on heavy equipment and taught how to use basic handtools efficiently, safely, and effectively. That training will be helpful to me for the rest of my life. But what I did not realize at the time, and what became the most important lesson I learned there, was my development of a deeper appreciation of people and nature.
For example, my training included being told: “We never know who may drive down the lane for a visit, so be sure to greet everyone warmly and let them know that they may make themselves at home.”
That was the first time I had ever heard anything like that. I always thought that if a stranger was coming down your driveway, you grab the shotgun and ask questions later.
To me, the ongoing battle at Fair Oaks against invasive plant species is a funny contrast to how welcoming it is to new folks. The openness in that regard has shown me how each new person I meet is unique and, by spending some time with them, I might come away much better off.
I could tell some great stories of my time working at Fair Oaks, but I would rather tell them in person.
I like to go back every now and then to bush hog a field or two – it is like meditation.
Freddie and Sue Wood
In Evinston, Florida, there stands a building that has retained its historic charm for nearly a century: the Wood & Swink General Store and Post Office. This storied establishment has been in the Wood family since the turn of the century, becoming a beloved landmark in the community.
The late Freddie Wood, a dedicated and lifelong farmer, was the heart and soul of this historic site. His passion for agriculture was evident in the variety of seasonal produce he meticulously cultivated. From potatoes and sweet corn to collards, kale, lettuce, onions, broccoli, peas, cabbage, rutabagas, beans, and okra, Freddie’s garden bounty continues to be sold at the store, a testament to his enduring legacy.
Freddie was also a vital part of Fair Oaks, contributing significantly to its development and maintaining its reputation as a place of natural beauty and community spirit.
J. T. Glisson
J. T. Glisson was a child when Marjorie Kinan Rawlings has enchanted us with her lyrical descriptions of Cross Creek. J.T., born in 1927, grew up knowing her as his parent’s next-door neighbor, “200 yards up the road.” Rawlings described Jake in her memoir:
“I made up my mind,” he said, “my young uns would get a better chance than their daddy.”