Submitted by Gerry Clare
Roving Reporter
October 16, 2014 5:05 p.m.
Editor’s Note: The Friends of the Library will be hosting a fundraising event at Littleberry Farms on October 25 at 5:00 p.m. There will be music by the O.C. Band, barbeque, indoor and outdoor seating, music, and dancing For ticket purchase visit www.fernandinafol.org. click on donate now, and scroll to Littlberry.
Littleberry Farm began as raw land, pasture and forest which the Broussard family purchased in 2000. However, prior to that time lots of farmers lived in the area of Nassauville just west of the Thomas Shave bridge over the intracoastal waterway. The Broussards built their house, cleared 18 acres for horse paddocks, and left 20 acres for wooded trails. Now what about the berries?
Littleberry Zetterower was 12 years old when his father, James and family moved to the Nassauville area from the Savannah area to work for the Florida Railroad. His family actually owned this parcel behind the present Otter Run subdivision and all the way from Barnwell Road to the bridge as well, hence the name, Littleberry Road and Littleberry Farm. (See “Yesterday”s Reflections II” by Jan H Johannes, Sr. for more history on this area.)
There are now 20 horses in residence, many state champions and Tinker, a world champion. Terry and her daughter, Summer, have worked the barn and horses, while Seaward became and is still a local builder. Now this beautiful piece of property is open to the public for events and weddings.
Littleberry Farm not only houses horses and provides trail rides and lessons, but has become a destination.
With a large spring fed lake as a backdrop, weddings and events can be held outside. Not many venues have trees with chandeliers, also a plus for a party. But the clubhouse has modern kitchen facilities and a long front porch for a fun barbeque event or private meeting. It is a great location for a family reunion or getaway to discuss next year’s corporate objectives…maybe just to celebrate last year’s performance.
The Broussard’s granddaughter, Paisley, is pictured in the firepit and oyster roast area which is also being added to the property.
You can preview the property by contacting [email protected] or calling her at 904-321-7827. For more information you can also see littleberryfarm.com on Facebook. Another option is to attend the upcoming Friends of the Library fundraiser, called Pony Up and Party on Saturday, October 25th.
The gate on Clements Road south of A1A behind Urgent Care off Pine Grove Road will open at 4:45 pm. There will be a barbeque, indoor and outdoor seating, music, dancing, and a silent auction type of event that should be lots of fun. The show ring will feature lots of horsemanship, including “Joey,” the horseback riding border collie and all will exit through the Littleberry Road gates when the event is concluded. Contact the Fernandina Beach Library or go to their website to order tickets at $75 each.
Editor’s Note: Gerry began free lance writing for fun and is the author of a published book (available on Amazon and at Books Plus) about funny real estate experiences. Gerry is a longtime member of our local American Business Women’s Chapter, a volunteer cancer driver and church deacon who loves to read, travel and meet interesting people.
Great pictures and a great locale! Pony Up and Party will be great fun! Here’s a direct link to tickets on the FOL website – just copy and paste: http://fernandinafol.org/october-25-fun-at-littleberry-farm/
Interesting article, but just a little local note: “intercoastal waterway” should be Intracoastal Waterway (the meaning is different from intercoastal); it’s always capitalized, and sometimes referred to as the ICW.