BLACK HAMMOCK FARM | COALITIONS

Protecting Small Farms in Seminole County — Together.

HOW IT STARTED

My Name Is Kip HudaKoz. I'm a Marine, a husband, and a farmer

When I came home from the service, I wanted what most veterans want — quiet land, honest work, and something to build with my hands. My wife Heidi and I found that here, in the Black Hammock community of Oviedo. A piece of land that had been farmed for more than a hundred years, in an area where neighbors still know each other and the rural way of life still means something.

Today, we manage almost 17 acres across five properties. We raise 115 Katahdin sheep, along with pigs, chickens, and turkeys. We have invested over $150,000 in commercial-grade infrastructure. We are members of the Florida Farm Bureau, Katahdin Hair Sheep International, and the Farmer Veteran Coalition. We follow every rule the state of Florida sets for a working farm, because we built this to last.

And right now, we are fighting to keep it.

The same county Planning Department that approved this farm as compatible with rural agricultural use in 2020 denied our agricultural classification in 2025, for the same operation, on the same land. Seminole County Development Order 20-27000025

In 2025, the county denied our agricultural classification — the basic legal recognition that says "yes, this land is being used as a farm." Properties around us with far less agricultural activity hold that same classification without issue. We hired a land-use attorney. We filed our appeal. We've documented everything, and we are very close to winning.

But this fight isn't just about us. And winning our case won't stop the next denial from coming.

"What happens to a county when its small farms quietly disappear, one denial at a time?"

Donate To The BattleBecome A Defender of Agricultural

- THE PATTERN

This isn't just our fight.

Something is changing in eastern Seminole County. The traffic is different. The lots are smaller. The fields that used to roll out past Walsh Street and Howard Avenue are getting filled in. Not all at once — never all at once — but a parcel at a time, a farm at a time, a denial at a time. Most of those changes happen quietly enough that the people who came here for the rural life don't notice until it's already gone. We notice. You probably do too.

2,887

Florida farms lost between 2017 and 2022

USDA Census of Agriculture

45,000

Acres of farmland lost in Florida every year

Florida Farm Bureau

82 %

Of Seminole County voters chose to protect rural land in 2024

Seminole County Charter Amendment

45,000

Acres of farmland lost in Florida every year

Seminole County Property Appraiser

- Why a Coalition

Winning one case won't stop the next denial.

Two reasons we built the Coalition instead of just hiring another attorney: one lawyer can win a case, but one lawyer cannot stop a pattern. And the next operator facing this fight has no one to call.

What One Lawyer Can't Do

An attorney can defend a single case. They cannot warn the next farm before the denial arrives. They cannot organize neighbors. They cannot change a pattern that costs Florida 45,000 acres a year.

II.

Who's Next After Us.

Florida lost 2,887 farms in five years. Each one closed quietly, one family at a time. We will not be the last operator in Seminole County to face this fight. The Coalition exists for the farms still ahead.

III.

What a Coalition Changes

Together, we document patterns instead of isolated cases. We make sure no farm fights alone. We turn 82% public sentiment into 82% public action. We build the institution that outlasts any single case.

Save Rural Seminole protects the land. The Coalition protects the operators working it. Both fights are the same fight — we stand alongside them, not in their lane.

Farm Fresh & Tableworthy

Proud Supportering Community and Members

Katahdin Sheep

The Heart of the Black

Hammock Farm

Nestled in the heart of Oviedo, Florida, Black Hammock Farm is a secluded haven of natural beauty where tradition and heritage thrive. At the center of this charming farm stands a remarkable Katahdin ram named Baba V., renowned for his gentle demeanor and commanding presence. Baba V., along with his beloved sheild ewe madens, embodies the spirit and resilience of the Katahdin sheep, bringing vitality to the farm while showcasing the breed's adaptability and significance. Black Hammock Farm is dedicated to the breeding, care, and promotion of Katahdin sheep, ensuring these exceptional animals play an essential role in the celebration of religious and cultural traditions within the community.

Baba V. has become more than just a ram; he is a living symbol of Black Hammock Farm and its commitment to excellence. Visitors are captivated by his majestic presence and serene leadership over his flock. The meticulous care and selective breeding practiced at the farm are evident in the health and vitality of Baba V. and his ewes. Each spring, the arrival of new Katahdin lambs signals hope and renewal, continuing the cycle of life and progress.

At Black Hammock Farm , the past and future converge, carried forward by the legacy of the Katahdin sheep . As a beacon of quality and tradition, the farm not only preserves the heritage of this extraordinary breed but also fosters its importance in the cultural fabric of the community.

Katahdin Ewes

The Crown Jewels of Black Hammock Farm

Young Katahdin lamb standing beside its mother at Black Hammock Farm, showcasing healthy sheep raised in a natural Florida farm setting.

At Black Hammock Farm, Katahdin ewes are celebrated for their exceptional qualities that set them apart from other sheep breeds. These adult female Katahdins possess a rare combination of traits that make them a favorite among breeders and a cornerstone of sustainable sheep farming.

Among their most remarkable attributes is their strong reproductive ability coupled with outstanding maternal instincts. Katahdin ewes mature early, rarely face complications during lambing, and require minimal assistance during birth—a trait that appeals to breeders seeking ease and reliability.

Katahdin ewes are excellent milk producers, ensuring lambs receive high-quality nutrition for faster and healthier growth rates. Their ability to thrive on a diverse range of forage underscores their adaptability. Whether grazing in Florida's heat or enduring harsher climates, Katahdin ewes demonstrate resilience and versatility.

Developed in Maine, USA, the Katahdin sheep breed was designed to excel in varied climates and conditions. They are known for natural immunity to many ailments and parasites, reducing the need for frequent medical interventions. Their low-maintenance coat, which sheds without shearing, makes them a sustainable choice for farmers looking to minimize extra labor.

For breeders at Black Hammock Farm, Katahdin ewes are the epitome of practicality and resilience. Their ability to adapt to Florida's climate while maintaining their signature hardiness makes them the ideal choice for farmers seeking a dependable, low-maintenance breed.

FAQ's About The Black Hammock Farm Coalition.

Straight answers from the Black Hammock Farm Coalition

What is the Black Hammock Farm Coalitions

The Black Hammock Coalition is a Seminole County, Florida small agriculture preservation movement. We protect the operators behind the rural way of life — by making it easier to belong, easier to defend, and harder to lose. Founded in 2026 by Kip and Heidi Hudakoz of Black Hammock Farm, the Coalition is open to every Seminole County small farm facing classification, zoning, or operational pressure.

Is the Coalition only for Black Hammock Farm

No. Black Hammock Farm is the founding member because our case launched the Coalition, but the Coalition exists for every small farm in Seminole County. We are actively recruiting additional operator cases for inclusion. If you operate a small farm and are facing similar pressure, contact us.

What Does it Cost to Join?

Becoming a Friend of the Coalition is free. Higher tiers (Advocate, Steward, Defender, Founder) are earned through grassroots action — not paid for. You can donate, but donation is one path among several. Showing up to a county hearing, sharing the Coalition with neighbors, or submitting a case all count.

Where does my donations go?

Every dollar is itemized on this page (see the $25,000 breakdown above). Legal defense, operational continuity, Coalition launch costs, infrastructure completion, and a small reserve. We publish updates on each line item as funds are spent. If anything we publish doesn't match what we deliver, you have every right to call us on it.

Is my donation tax-deductible?

Not currently. The GoFundMe campaign is not tax-deductible. We are establishing a 501(c)(4) or fiscal sponsorship arrangement so that future donations can be deductible. If tax-deductibility is required for your gift, please contact us directly — we can route gifts through an existing fiscal sponsor.

What happens to surplus funds if you win quickly

Surplus funds go directly into the Coalition's reserve fund to defend the next farm. Your donation helps either way — if we win our case fast, your gift defends the next operator in line. The Coalition is the long game; no money is wasted because the fight is bigger than any single case.

How is the Coalition different from Save Rural Seminole or Florida Farm Bureau?

Save Rural Seminole protects the land — the Econ River, the forests, the wildlife corridors. Florida Farm Bureau operates at the statewide policy level. The Coalition focuses on the operators — the individual farmers and families running small agricultural operations in Seminole County. All three fights are the same fight; we are complementary, not competitive.

How do I know this isn't political?

82% of Seminole County voters approved the rural boundary supermajority amendment in November 2024. That is not a partisan margin. The Coalition's mission is rooted in a community-wide consensus that small farms and rural character are worth protecting — across every political identity. We name no parties, endorse no candidates, and welcome every neighbor who cares about this place.