- February 19, 2026
-
-
Loading
Loading
Lee and Caroline Wetherington’s new living room has a view you’re not expecting. Given Lee’s reputation as one of the area’s leading builders, one of the men who created the look of a modern, affluent Sarasota, you’re thinking of carefully manicured gardens or perhaps a nature preserve. But no, it’s a cow, a very pleasant-looking cow about 40 feet away, lying on her belly and staring right back at you. Turn the other way and you see a big flock of white chickens living happily under a grove of enormous oak trees.
The home anchors the Wetheringtons’ new chapter: a 30-acre farm near Myakka. Using the highest organic standards, they have put together a remarkable operation, with many lessons of sustainability, reuse and state-of-the-art ecology. It’s farming done right.
The main house, which Lee designed himself, is the centerpiece of several buildings on the property. It has a calm, light-filled interior, with high ceilings and wide views to the outside. The style is “modern ranch” Lee explains, and a look around shows what he means. There is a rustic touch everywhere — wood, stone, wool, leather — but it is set in an elegant layout, with vast windows and wide-open spaces.
But that’s just the start. It’s time to visit the farm. This is Caroline’s realm, Lee is the first to admit. “We found a place to keep her bees,” he says.
The bees have given the farm its name — Bee Lovely Farms — but the raw honey they produce is just a small part of the operation. You’ll find a herd of nine cattle (the breed is South Poll, known for thriving on grass and their calm dispositions), plus a flock of Katahdin sheep.
You’ll also find chickens of all varieties; some are egg producers, others, the American Bresse and Freedom Ranger are famous for their meat. They are raised in a completely different way than commercially run chicken farms, in lush, chemically free pastures and fed nutrient rich organic grains. The result is leaner, more flavorful meat with lower cholesterol and sodium levels.
Caroline is a firm believer in providing a harmonious atmosphere in which to raise her animals, and the entire farm has a familial atmosphere. Many of the animals have names. They are friendly and inquisitive, approaching the visitor to see what’s up and, not incidentally, hoping to get a section of an orange as a special treat.
Being out in the country presents a security problem for livestock. Coyotes and bobcats are always a threat to the animals, and deer can wander in and wreak havoc in the gardens. The Wetheringtons have come with the perfect solution — four Anatolian shepherds, a dog breed originally from Turkey. They are specially bred to protect livestock, and they do their job well, patrolling the farm at night, their massive size and intimidating presence scaring off any hungry intruder. Not surprisingly, the dogs — Lilly, Beau, Titus and Brutus — are pussy cats when they’re not working, always hoping to get their stomachs rubbed. Lee reports they refuse to come in the house; they are totally focused on their job outdoors. Lilly, by the way, may have broken some sort of record recently when she gave birth to 12 puppies.
“I’ve always dreamed of owning land to establish a farm and ranch,” Caroline says. In 2021 she and Lee found the perfect spot: 30 acres bordered by a creek, secluded but well located. “It was 10 minutes from my office,” Lee says. The land had been used for cattle grazing, so the soil wasn’t contaminated by chemical pesticides and herbicides.
Lee describes the farm as “regenerative.” Nothing is wasted, virtually everything finds a second use. There are compost piles and burn piles, electricity is produced by a solar field, and there are three wells on the property.
It’s a lot of work. Caroline is usually up by 5:30 a.m., making sure everything is running right. There is one full-time farmhand — Jose — with other labor brought in when necessary. A new “barndominium” stands near the main house. It’s technically defined as a barn with a living space attached. For the Wetheringtons it provides storage for farm machinery and workspace to prepare the farm’s bounty for sale. Upstairs is a chic apartment with two bedrooms and views out to the pasture. It’s used to accommodate visiting friends and family or an occasional worker. Lee and Caroline have even rented it out on Airbnb.
For all the activity involving the cows, chickens and sheep, the centerpiece of the farm is the gardens Caroline has carefully organized and cultivated. Over the years she has become an expert when it comes to the creation of natural organic skincare, health and wellness products.
The gardens grow a vast diversity of herbs, fruits and vegetables. Everything from pumpkins and melons to sunflowers and marigolds, even bananas and tobacco. Particularly notable is the moringa, a “superfood” from India. From these items Caroline fashions a variety of cremes and potions. You’ll find calendula oil, mullein syrup, tallow-based skin balm, organic tobacco tincture — the list goes on and on.
These items, along with the farm produce and the raw honey (Caroline is a state-licensed beekeeper) are sold online and at occasional crafts fairs.
Late in the afternoon, as the winter sun starts to set and the cows come in from the pasture (yes, cows really do “come home”) Lee has a chance to relax in front of his new home and look back on his remarkable career. Caroline has just disappeared behind the barn to make sure the animals have been fed. It’s clearly a transitional moment in the everyday life of the farm.
Lee’s career began when he built his first house in Gulf Gate in 1976. He went from success to success during his 50 years in the construction business and won hundreds of awards, both for the quality of design of his homes and their relationship to the environment. But what he’s proudest of is his work in giving back to the community he helped build. Over the years the Lee Wetherington Foundation has given millions to the Boys & Girls Clubs (one of their facilities is named after him) and he has also been generous with many other local charities, particularly those that help disadvantaged children and reinforce his deeply held Christian values.
These days that even extends to Bee Lovely Farms. Schoolchildren come for visits on field trips; it’s the perfect experience to show today’s tech-savvy kids that there is world beyond scrolling. In fact, visitors are welcome, by appointment. It’s an experience that’s both educational and inspirational.
“You’ve been very lucky,” I say.
“No,” he says, looking around at the giant oaks, the pasture, the dogs making sure the cattle get into their pens for the night. “Not lucky. I’ve been blessed.”
