A Final Farewell….

May 7, 2024

Dear Friends,

It is with mixed emotions that I share the news of the Pony Farm's closure in Pioneer, California. After seven fulfilling years of permaculture homesteading and hosting, I have decided to embark on a new chapter outside of Amador County. The memories and experiences I have collected will remain unmatched throughout my life and hold as my truest vault of inspiration in my current work. 

For seven wonderful years, I have enjoyed hosting artists and collaborators on my homestead, sharing tea and stories over fires, and gaining unmatched intimacy with strangers and friends under the stars of Northern California. Artists from as far as Romania, France, and Argentina found solace in the expansive landscape of the property, while others used it as an escape from everyday city life. During my time in Amador, and with the help of artists and collaborators, we renovated two houses and a one-thousand-square-foot warehouse. We converted two acres of old corrals into lush gardens that gave produce and inspiration year after year. The farm became self-sustainable starting in 2017 from rentals and farm sales, which is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved.

While renovating and flipping the property was always the plan, we extended our stay for several years due to the vital role places like the Pony Farm play in at-risk communities. Pioneer, with its 9% ranking on the HPI and high suicide rates, needs art programs like The Pony Farm Residency Program. Through working with the Amador County Arts Council, we were able to provide free public programming and events from 2021-2023. Leaving this fragile community that has grown to rely on farm events as safe places of expression is one of the most complex parts of this new journey. I am proud of the farm's impact and hope it inspires changemakers to continue working in rural California. 

I want to thank everyone who has been a part of this journey and supported me throughout the years. As I begin a new journey in Los Angeles, California, I plan to continue my work, inspiring communities to connect with nature and the complex systems that sustain us. While there will be no tangible landscape shortly, the dream lives on.

 I hope the legacy of the Pony Farm will continue to inspire others to pursue their dreams and make a difference in their communities.

Sincerely,