Wild Heart Farm & Refuge

Carrying in water along the damaged access road.

Wild Heart Farm & Refuge began in 2013 as a site for programs that provide children, youth, and families opportunities to learn skills in nonviolence, leadership, communication, reconciliation, restorative justice, organic gardening, and food preparation. The farm developed as the production of vegetables, fruit, and honey for the programs grew, and excess produce began to be sold at market to support the programs. For the last two years, Wild Heart has sold produce at the Jericho Farmer’s Market, the Jeffersonville Artisan and Farmer’s Market, and The Farm Store in Jeffersonville. They also have a small pick-your-own seasonal pumpkin patch and produce baked goods and preserves for sale at markets and events.  They grow a number of varieties of apples, asparagus, beans, blueberries, brussel sprouts, butternut squash, carrots, celery, chard, garlic, herbs, kale, potatoes, peas, peppers, pumpkins, raspberries, salad mix, spinach, tomatoes, various Asian greens and herbs, and organic vegetable starts.

During the October 31, 2019 storm, all culverts on Kinsley Road uphill from the farm property failed, funneling all the water from the mountain down their driveway, the ¼ mile access road to the farm and Jesse and Catherine’s home. The resulting washout took out several of our culverts and carved a chasm down 80% of the length of the driveway, 11 feet deep and 26 feet wide in some places, eliminating all access to the farm. Water lines and electrical conduits were all exposed and the water lines to the farm and house were broken. The water source, a spring box, was compromised and silt entered the system.

A $10,000 Emergency Loan from the Vermont Farm Fund will help them rebuild the access road and restore water to the site while they wait for word on FEMA disaster funding.