When Jerry Dakin announced last year that he was putting Dakin Dairy Farms on the market, the community took a deep breath.

Instead of remaining a dairy, would the 350-acre farm at 30771 Betts Road, Myakka City, be snapped up by a developer who would turn the farmland into a neighborhood of cookie-cutter homes?

For those still holding their breath, please exhale.

Dakin Dairy Farms recently announced on its Facebook page that it will remain a dairy and stay in the family.

That’s exactly what Jerry Dakin wanted.

The new owners are brothers Jason, Garrett, Grant, and Ethan Dakin, sons of Jerry Dakin’s brother, Cameron.

Dakin Dairy Farms sells to family members

“I’m very excited to announce the good news about Dakin Dairy Farms. I am turning over management and full operations to the next generation of dairymen. I am proud to say my four nephews will be the new owners and they plan to keep it a working dairy farm that will use new technologies to expand the product line and continue to serve our community in a bigger and better way,” Jerry Dakin said in the Facebook post.

“I’m not going anywhere, but I’m happy to see the next generation of farmers dedicated to growing agriculture in our community, our state and our country. The Dakins see this as a win-win for the farm and the community,” Jerry Dakin said.

In a phone interview with the Bradenton Herald on Monday, Grant Dakin said that he and his brothers now have four dairies, including one in DeSoto County.

“We are excited and the community has been super excited,” Grant Dakin said.

“We have new products coming down the road and we’re looking at adding new equipment,” he said.

“We’re down to less than 40 dairies in Florida. Twelve or 15 years ago, there were close to 90,” Grant Dakin said.

Grant Dakin and his brothers are the third generation of Florida dairymen in the Dakin family. The first Dakin family dairy was started by Romanus (Pete) Dakin in Livermore, Maine. The family began dairy farming in Manatee County in 1973.

Pete Dakin retired in 1990 and his sons, Farren, Cameron and Jerry carried on the business.

In 2020, the three brothers were inducted into the Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame. Farren Dakin, who died from COVID-19 just a few months earlier, did not live to see the honor.

When Jerry Dakin put the dairy on the market last year, he said that the death of his brother, the pandemic and a series of storms had all played a part in his decision to sell.

But he said that he also hoped the property would remain a dairy and that he felt blessed to have had the opportunity to learn and grow, citing countless “once-in-a-lifetime” experiences.

The reaction on social media was celebratory.

“Please don’t wreck the chocolate milk. It’s perfection as it is. Don’t mess with it,” said one person.

Another said: “Oh my gosh, congratulations and thank you Lord! I’m so happy to know this dairy isn’t going anywhere except up!”

What to know about the dairy

▪ Name: Dakin Dairy Farms

▪ Address: 30771 Betts Road, Myakka City

▪ Market hours: 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Closed Saturday and Sunday.

▪ Online: www.DakinDairyFarms.com

▪ Phone: (941) 322-2802