Sandhill Chapter - Florida Trail Association

IMPORTANT: Meet at Pruitt Trailhead 15450 SW Highway 484 · Dunnellon by 8:30 to sign in and shuttle.

This is the last hike of 2026 Walk Across Marion County series- #6
Hike from Ross Prairie St. Forest to the Florida Trail Pruitt Trailhead
Location: Pruitt Trailhead
Allow 4.0 hours for this hike of 7.5 miles.
We may also have a long break near the end of this hike to take in the memorial called Stonehenge.
Well behaved dogs on leash are welcome.

Please arrive 30 minutes early.

For more information about this series of hikes please contact hiker Bob Jones @hikerbob29@yahoo.com 352 454 9533.

Sandhill Educational Tour & Hike & Lunch at Longleaf Pasture Farm- Regenerative Farming
Tour begins at Longleaf Pasture Farm
Hosts: Chris and Deanna Mericle, owners of Longleaf Pasture Farm
5450 SW 69th Drive
Jasper, FL 32052
“Regenerative farming is a way of managing farmland to improve soil health, increase biodiversity in plants, insects, and wildlife, and use natural systems to do it rather than chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. One very important aspect of healthy soil is a diverse and abundant population of microorganisms. Regenerating topsoil improves water retention and increases carbon sequestration. The food produced from healthy soil is more nutrient-dense than industrially produced food.
Chris and Deanna Mericle have been on their regenerative farming journey since 2012. They raise cattle, hogs, meat chickens, laying hens, and garden vegetables. Come take a walking tour of our farm! Lunch will be provided.”
Where: Longleaf Pasture Farm
5450 SW 69th Drive, Jasper, FL
Leader**: Maria Fiedler**
Option to carpool from previous “Hitchcock”, parking lot: Meet at 8:00 AM, sharp to sign-in FTA-AOR and discuss carpool details. Leave by 8:15 AM.
Activity Meeting Time: ~9:45 AM to sign-in FTA-AOR at Longleaf Farm in Jasper at the Address given above.
Description: Maria previewed this tour with Deanna and Chris on Sat, Jan 10, 2026.
It is worth the drive and meeting and seeing their Regenerative Farming Tour.
Bonus lunch served by Chris and Deanna! Bring $ (CC accepted) as they have a freezer full of purchasable food items for sale. Site grown beef, pork, chicken, brown eggs, bone broth soup, etc.
All products have been approved for sale by crediting agencies. Details given at the Farm by Chris and Deanna.
Directions: See address given above. Sandy roads several miles leading into the farm location. Carpool option as above.
General Information: Dress for comfort, climate and informative farm walking tour activity. Bring a hat, water, and your own lunch/snack if you like. Bug spray is always a good idea.
Bathrooms: Yes.
Dogs allowed: NO
Restricted to 12 Current FTA members