Why You Should Visit Jacksonville’s Congaree and Penn
In partnership with: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Fresh on the agritourism destination scene, Congaree and Penn may only be a few years old, but this Jacksonville farm dedicated to agriculture and culinary arts is already receiving significant attention. The 330-acre business was referred to as a boutique operation in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation by Food & Wine magazine and was added to the Tour de Farm showcase hosted each year by the Slow Food First Coast nonprofit.
Humble Beginnings
Even though the farm is now turning heads, it comes from humble beginnings.
“We basically fell into this farm,” says Lindsay Meyer, who owns the business with her husband, Scott. “My husband was in graduate school at the University of Miami and we weren’t sure what we were going to do after he graduated. When his father offered us the land, we thought, let’s give this a shot.”
Meyer says Congaree and Penn began as a rice farm since that’s what worked best for their clay soil, which is known for retaining moisture. From there, she says they listened to what the market asked of them and grew in those directions.
The land now boasts over 2,500 Mayhaw trees, including a variety indigenous to the South that handles humidity and heat with ease. It also features the Little Trout River, a Quonset hut that houses a bar and commercial kitchen, and an abundance of fruit trees, blackberry bushes and an impressive assortment of muscadine grapes.
See more: Florida Agritourism Destinations for Every Season
Bringing People Together
Congaree and Penn has also become a sought-after location for culinary events and workshops, farm-to-table dining and private events like weddings, goat hikes and canine field days in more recent years.
“We’re fortunate to have such diversified offerings and activities,” Meyer says. “We have those to thank for keeping us afloat this year, given the widespread pandemic.”
Due to COVID-19, the farm temporarily suspended several of the culinary workshops and activities they would normally host throughout the year, but they were pleasantly surprised by the number of people who still wanted to come enjoy the fresh air in a space that makes social distancing easier than indoor alternatives. Congaree and Penn is also still actively open and taking reservations for regular restaurant service.
“There are so few places people feel they can gather safely, but guests have continued to come to Congaree and Penn,” Meyer says. “We’re beyond grateful to be able to offer a place where people feel they can still gather.”
Moving Toward the Future
While the circumstances of 2020 threw a wrench in the plans of many, Meyer says they still have high hopes for future expansion. There’s a peace of mind that comes with knowing they have grown organically over the years and can likely continue to do the same in the years to come.
“We had no idea that this would turn into what it is now,” Meyer says. “We weren’t trying to go into the restaurant or event business, but here we are. We do want to continue expanding and have hopes to build a place where people can stay on the farm overnight.”
Meyer also says she wants to open an equine boarding facility on the property one day. They currently have a few horses on site, but they can envision a more comprehensive equestrian presence in the future.
Even though she admits their dreams for growth are a big undertaking, she’s excited for everything to come. “We’re so proud of where we are today,” Meyer says, “but we’re also looking ahead to everything else we want to do here.”