Stillwaters Farm

Come be restored.

About Us

In early 1998, in Titusville, Florida, God gave us a vision:  Provide a place for people to come and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Since then, the dream has taken on a life of its own, and the journey has been, well, interesting, to say the least.

With the acquisition of Skooter, our Rottweiler, we were on our way.  Not the normal addition to a “middle of the city, executive” neighborhood, but ours, nonetheless.  Soon, we were presented with both an opportunity and a problem—Red the appendix quarter horse.  At 15, he had a few too many miles on him and no place to go.  So, we bought him and wondered where on earth he would be kept.  Friends generously afforded us a few months to board at their farm while we looked for our own space.  In the interim, a spirited paint colt named Two Socks joined our little band, and shortly we secured a wonderful, albeit small, 4+ acre parcel just on the north edge of town. 

Named Stillwaters after the 23rd Psalm, “He leads me beside still waters; He restores my soul,” we wanted to provide a place where that restoration could take place.  We enjoyed a booming kids’ program there, with a mentorship program, farm camp, and sometimes total strangers—who later became wonderful friends—ebbing and flowing through the farm during our tenure there.  Some days saw as many as 25-30 kids, some days as few as one.  We worked hard, we played hard, and, hopefully, we made a difference in people’s lives.

Fast forward to 2005.  We knew that we had quickly outgrown our quarters.  We knew that we needed room to expand.  We knew the vision was bigger than us, and we felt that our limited sight was holding us back.  So, after prayerful consideration, we embarked on a search for our new location...and the next chapter in our lives.  Little did we know it would take us to Henderson, Tennessee!  However, in July 2005, we struck a deal to purchase a run-down 131 acre farm just outside of town.  Two years and a lot of sweat and prayers later, we now enjoy one of the most beautiful and secluded farms in the area.
Our limited vision of a kids’ program has grown, too.  Now, we offer so much more:  a guest house for weary travelers, tours for the curious and those just needing a little time away, petting farm appearances, and, coming in the near future, a monthly kids’ movie night in the barn—complete with popcorn and drinks.

Looking back, we can see how blessed we have been, and a look forward only serves to heighten the excitement we already feel about what is to come.  We are merely the facilitators of this vision—we know it is greater than us.  But, we are made aware of its importance every day, as resources are miraculously provided on an “as needed” basis and the needs of the community at large are revealed.  Should the resources and needs come any other way?  Probably not, although our human nature would tell us otherwise.  We are doing our best to be good stewards
of what has been entrusted to us, keeping a listening ear open
for instructions.

We hope you will join us on our journey, in whatever
capacity you are comfortable with, and look forward
to what God has in store. 

We promise it will be...well, interesting!

RIGHT:  Rich and Valeria Pitoni

 

 

BELOW:  The sun sets on a beautiful autumn day.