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Odessa Woman's Farm Expands Into Animal Road Show

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By ELAINE MARKOWITZ

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 5, 2008

KEYSTONE - Marousa Placiotis, a single mom with four home-schooled sons and two foster children, is living a dream of owning her own farm.

Having grown up on a family farm in New Jersey, Placiotis spent a portion of her adult years in pursuit of the perfect farm of her own. She found it five years ago on 10 acres in Odessa.

Serenity reigns on the property. Mostly, one hears only the geese, goats, sheep, turkeys and rabbits engaged in their own kind of chatter.

Placiotis owns Noah's Ark on Wheels, a traveling petting zoo that has blossomed into a success story.

Having a business was not part of the initial plan in owning a farm. "I started with a goat and a couple of rabbits to teach our children responsibility," she said.

"Other home-schooling moms brought their children to the farm just for fun and play time," Placiotis said. "Before they left, the mothers put donations in a jar they put on the table, with money to feed the animals."

Soon, her church brought preschool children out to the farm and also insisted on making a contribution.

While continuing to hold parties on the farm, Placiotis began taking her show on the road as well.

She has expanded her zoo in recent years and now has 85 assorted animals, including a miniature pony and 22 goats.

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