Dairy farm owner on post-Ian survival: 'I’ve never been challenged so much in my life'

The Myakka dairy farm prepares for an a tough road in 2023 as it tries to increase its herd and repair damages from the hurricane.

By Observer Staff
| 6:00 p.m. January 5, 2023
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Jerry Dakin, the owner of Dakin Dairy, says the farm still needs new roofs and repairs to its cooling system. (Photo by Liz Ramos)

Manatee-Sarasota

Although he tries to stay optimistic, Dakin Dairy owner Jerry Dakin says 2023 offers huge challenges for the survival of his east Manatee County dairy.

“I’ve never been challenged so much in my life because you have things you need to fix, but you can’t,” Dakin says. “Right now we’re taking money out of our savings to keep it going. That’s only going to last for so long.”

Hurricane Ian, which hit Myakka City Sept. 28-29, devastated the prominent dairy farm. The farm lost more than 200 cows and had severe damage to its cattle barns and tour barn.