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Agritourism prompts Plant City family to turn ranch into event venue

 
Tampa’s Michael and Danielle Gianeskis were married at the Prairie Glenn Barn south of Plant City in March. The couple said the venue perfectly meshed Michael’s cowboy boot-wearing city slicker demeanor with Danielle’s upscale, classy city girl persona.
Tampa’s Michael and Danielle Gianeskis were married at the Prairie Glenn Barn south of Plant City in March. The couple said the venue perfectly meshed Michael’s cowboy boot-wearing city slicker demeanor with Danielle’s upscale, classy city girl persona.
Published May 5, 2017

PLANT CITY — Visitors get a sense of something special when they drive under the wood Gable Oaks Ranch sign and turn the corner.

This is how Florida was 100 years ago, before development touched so much of its natural beauty.

Mature trees arched over the narrow and winding dirt road lead visitors directly to Prairie Glenn Barn. Before even stepping inside the barn, visitors get a teaser from a rustic, outdoor reception area.

Swing open the barn doors and old Florida meets new with a transformed room and beautifully set tables awaiting the guests.

And all this arose from the Preseau Family's decision to purchase the 50-acre working ranch in 2015.

The Preseaus wanted to extend a family tradition of farming and agriculture in Hillsborough County through their very own tree and hay farm.

"It's a great way to teach our boys about a simpler way of life, like it was before cellphones and video games," said Zoraya Preseau, who lives on the ranch with husband Greg and sons Alex, 17, Evan, 13, and Jordan, 12.

Three generations of Preseaus, including Zoraya's father in-law Al, used a new sawmill to cut lumber and erect a new hay barn using all reclaimed antique wood, making it one of a few "green" barns in the area.

"One of my most cherished memories is building this barn with my family," Preseau said.

The family went from cherishing that memory to making memories for others thanks to a bill Gov. Rick Scott signed into law last year. The bill allows Florida farmers and ranchers to host on-site events, which helps supplement their income and boosts tourism.

Scott invited the Preseau family to the signing of the agritourism bill, knowing it helped to launch Florida Rustic Barn Weddings and Prairie Glenn Barn.

"We had no idea when we started the farm that this new law was going to pass and that this whole new exhilarating adventure was going to begin." Preseau said.

For Preseau, a former arts teacher who loves decorating, the new venture provided an exciting opportunity to utilize her creative skills.

"This is what I love to do and the fact I can do what I love while creating beautiful memories for others is a true blessing," Preseau said.

The new Prairie Glenn Barn serves the traditional purpose of storing hay, but come Friday, the family transforms it into a gorgeous but rustic and chic environment. Due to being a working ranch, transformations only occur Fridays through Sundays.

When the weekend rolls around, the team literally rolls away the hay to set up for the day's special event. Because the client is the priority, there is only one event per day. The experienced team can do all the set-up or there is a do-it-yourself option.

If clients choose the all-inclusive package, the team adds fresh flowers and other touches, guaranteeing an enchanted ambiance. The air-conditioned barn can host up to 250 people.

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The outside of the barn is a great place to play games or roast marshmallows at the large fire pit. Their caterer offers the client with many options including gluten free, kosher, lactose free, organic and vegan.

The business is a family affair, which contributes to their success. The Prairie Glenn Barn team is known for their warmth and attention to details to make all events a happy memory.

"On any given day, when someone calls the barn, the caller will either speak to a family member, myself or a friend," Preseau said.

In March, Tampa's Michael and Danielle Gianeskis started their life together, exchanging vows under the peaceful tree canopy at the Chapel in the Gables, steps away from the barn.

"It was a perfect place for us because our two extremes meshed into one," Michael Gianeskis, noting he's a cowboy boot-wearing city slicker and Danielle is an upscale, classy city girl.

"When we were looking at wedding venues, I knew right away that this was where I wanted to get married as soon as I walked through the Chapel in the Gables," Danielle said.

The couple described the farm scene as beautiful, elegant and timeless.

"We loved everything about the location and the Prairie Glenn Barn team we worked with," Danielle said. "Our wedding pictures are proof."

Contact Shannon Edge at hillsnews@tampabay.com.