Going here is like going on an old fashioned field trip! Tim, the owner will approach you as soon…read moreas you step on the property with a friendly hello. As you stroll the grounds he will come by and tell you all about the plants and pick some for you to even taste. He is so friendly and knowledgeable and makes the experience so fun. I want to start a medicinal & tea garden and he is so helpful for when and what to start. I tasted this really weird tasting plant that tasted like Chinese mustard and I'm floored this exists! Im so addicted. They have an area now that has chickens and pigs and medicinal plants growing. It's just a whole experience to go. I love that they employ ones with disabilities as well as support the community in that way. This is one of Jacksonville's total gems!

First - the knowledge of the people here is amazing. We had a lot of questions and needed some…read moreguidance. I want friut trees, but didn't know what care and needs were. They spent the time to walk through the things we would need and really explain the care needed. They had a great selection and all things that could easily grow in North Fl! The prices were great!

This is a fantastical, magical place! It's like stepping into a cartoon about a farm. The staff are…read moreso gracious and thoughtful! The animals greet you and escort you on the tour (try to learn all their names!!) As if a fun time on the farm wasn't enough, you also learn so much about animals, the environment, and our connection to all hearts. I was absolutely enchanted from the moment we arrived until the time we reluctantly left. I could have stayed a week listening to their stories. I am blessed for having spent time here.

From the owner: Escape to what has been named one of the most wonderful, relaxing, peaceful farms in America…read more A place where your mind, body, and soul will relax and become one with nature.

Wow, an amazing experience!!! We scheduled a private tour for my birthday and it was so fun 100%…read morerecommend! The alpacas are so friendly, well cared for, loved and soooo flufffyy!! Trina, the owner, is so cool, she really loves animals and she goes above and beyond!! Some of the alpacas are sweet rescues and the work Trina has done to help them live their best lives is amazing. The website has all tour pricing and options information. Highly recommend, it was such a special experience for me and my family...alpaca cuddles and kisses for my birthday and the cutest souvenir, a handmade stuffed animal made with alpaca hair for my son sooo fluffy!! This is an animal encounter that's not only so cute but makes you feel great about supporting a good place where the animals are so loved!

I had the absolute best experience at Shady Rest Alpacas, and so much of that is because of Trina…read more From the moment you arrive, you can tell how deeply she loves and cares for her animals. She's incredibly sweet, welcoming, and knowledgeable--and her passion is impossible to miss. One of my favorite parts was hearing the stories behind the alpacas. Trina jokingly calls herself a "bad farmer" because she tends to take on some of the hardest cases, but that's actually what makes her so special. She goes the extra mile (and then some) to make sure every alpaca is comfortable, cared for, and given exactly what they need. Hearing what some of them have been through and seeing how much love and patience she pours into their care was genuinely inspiring. The experience was educational, personal, and honestly really moving. You don't just visit alpacas--you leave with a deeper appreciation for them and for the kind of dedication it takes to care for animals at this level. I cannot recommend this place enough. If you're considering a private tour, do it. It's unlike anything else around and absolutely worth the visit.

We reserved the farmhouse for one night. We had a wonderful time wandering the farm and feeding the…read moreanimals. The farmhouse was very clean and extremely comfortable. It was funny having pigs under the house sleeping. I sat on the porch and listened to them snore, it was a riot. I've never heard a pig snore. The very best part was the look on my sisters face when she got to do the cow cuddle with the highland cows. It was a special surprise for her. Thank you Elaine for making our visit wonderful. We will be back.

I've been to Rooterville Animal Sanctuary twice, and both visits were totally worth the 2 hour…read moredrive from Orlando. The animals are well taken care of, the people working there are so nice and helpful and booking a highland cow cuddling session was amazing. You can even stay on site if you want that real "outdoorsy" experience - but it's perfect even for a quick day trip. Can't wait to come back again!

Location North Jacksonville off Old Kings and Dunn…read moreAvenue-near the airport Parking Large open lot Atmosphere Classy/ boutique farm Seating Okay-I didn't take a star off BUT-the seats are too high for the table skirt-I could not get my legs under the table and I am petite. Are people sitting side saddle? My daughter is small but put her legs down. Our friend pushed out away from the table. Otherwise, they have long tables-great for groups, high top tables for 2-inside/outside, rockets, cushy lawn chairs by fire pits. So relaxing. Service So friendly, attentive Menu What I love is the changing seasonal menu. If you had the broccoli corn bread-you will love the maycaw cornbread-C and P farm is the largest producer of maycaws in the world-fun fact! It is sweet, dense, corny taste-yum! Served with sweet fresh butter that is air light! We had the lamb sandwich served with a side. I wondered at first glance at the lamb-kind of a lam loaf-not like a gyro, served with mint and something else on the most AMAZING wheat bun!! The sauce-not typical tziziki but really delish. I chose the squash which was sautéed with dill-not my fav but the squash was cooked perfectly. We also had the shrimp and grits-a Jax fav that consistently pleases. Our friend had the chicken with heat sandwich-toasted bun, house pickles/many, slivers of onion, battered chicken breast, with a douse of hot sauce. If you like the heat-this is your sandwich-served with medium sliced fries. Very tasty. There is a separate dessert menu but we were full-satisfied. Re: drinks-house beers, ciders, iced tea-no lemonade, aske for 2 carafes of water as the glasses are on the small size. Note Walk the farm-see the animals, landscape-great walk after or before a meal. Think about wedding or special occasion spot. Summary This is our fav go to place to est esp when headed to the airport-very chill vibe, outstanding food, great service. Love this place!

My wife and I enjoyed our date night here. The price for the quality was on point. I recommend the…read morecider flight if you do not have a favorite yet. Then follow it with the chicken or Shrimp and grits. The chicken was phenomenal and the grits were perfect with the added sauce. A great spot for a date night!

I got a message, that they will be open on 1/10/26 and I really wanted to check it out. It's a…read morevery interesting place. It looks like it would be full of all kinds of vegetables, but you don't go inside the building. The vendors are outside. It was only 4 vendors. but I loved it. A young lady that sells body products and one is Yoni so if you would like to get your Yoni cleanse, go see her. I love me some mushrooms. all kinds of mushrooms. The mushroom man was there; he grows them himself. Then the vegetables from the actual farm, they were picked yesterday. They have greens, so mustard, collards, kale and turnups and these are young turnups, they are all white. The greens were only $3.00 per bunch. Make sure you look at every leaf front and back ( if you know, you know) They harvest their own honey, they have a bee farm in the back! You can tour the farm and the bee farm; you can also volunteer to help harvest the produce. I really like that. And then those crackers.......Lort have mercy! These ain't for the children kind of crackers, not even for the teenagers! These are for the grown folk! They are like chez-it with a lot of flavor. Man, everyone I tasted was chef's kiss! Man, this will be next level on your Charcuterie Board! The Jalapeno one, it has a kick, after you have eaten about 4 of them, so if your heat sensitive beware They had other desert items on the table, I didn't even want to taste them, they would have had all my coin! They aren't there every week. I think she said every other week. zoom in on the card, and email or check out the website I see myself coming here on a regular basis for sure! I went by their yesterday 1/2/26 it looked like it's no longer in business? I went out of my way to go check it out. The front gate was open, but it didn't look like it was even operational. Should I decide to go back, I will call first. Food None Ambiance no life!

This is a really special place. I volunteer here every once in a while on a Wednesday or Saturday…read moreto help with the upkeep of the farm. It services a great community and is a safe haven for many adults looking to make a positive impact. I love seeing our progress after a volunteer day, it brings me joy knowing that Eartha's legacy lives through us all who have spent time on this farm. I highly encourage a visit here, go alone, go with family, go during the market. Choose an activity and let the staff teach you the rest. Great learning experience each time I visit.

OVER this place. You have to catch their produce and beef when it's just brought in or it turns…read morelickety split. Bought steaks one night, put them in the fridge to make for lunch the next day - they were brown by the time we woke up. Bought this ground beef and brought it straight home for taco night to discover that when you start breaking it up, the butcher either blended in old meat and put a thin layer of fresh meat on top and/or put die on top of the beef. They also charge a 3% fee for every item that is charged on a debit/credit card.

Great place for your fresh meat, fruit vegetables and other items, I picked up some goat to make…read moresome Curry Goat and the meat was the freshest I could find in the area, not freshly cut but could tell it wasn't in the freezer for a year. I would recommend calling ahead to make sure they have certain items if you live far away.