Shandi
02-25-2012, 07:51 AM
As seen in Community Voice:
Last days for Lovepatch loom with no help in sight
Eviction notice has expired for Penngrove couple who have owned mini horse farm for three decades
https://thecommunityvoice.com/article.php?id=4399
Lovepatch Farms owners Cory Vandergeld, left, and Lee Romero have been struggling to find ways to keep their miniature horse business open, but continually have hit roadblocks. One of the horses who would need a new home (pictured below) is a full-sized horse.
By Dave Williams February 23, 2012 10:13 am
Two of the words that best describe Lee Romero right now are heartbroken and disappointed.
Romero, co-owner of miniature horse ranch Lovepatch Farms, is on the verge of being evicted from the 2.25-acre parcel of land on which it sits in Penngrove. Romero and co-owner Cory Vandergeld face the unenviable prospect of having to move everything they’ve accumulated over 30 years on the property in a short period of time. That includes 41 horses, including two regular-size horses.
They will be allowed to remain on the property if they can come up with $500,000 to purchase the property, or they can stay until the end of April if they can come up with rent for February, March and April.
The Mill Valley family that owns the property find themselves in need of cash and must sell the property. Romero and Vandergeld bought the land nearly three decades ago, paying $129,000 for the first parcel of land and $80,000 for the second 10 years later.
Debts pile up
Romero and Vandergeld refinanced the property three times but eventually found they were drowning in debt and struggling to make ends meet.
https://www.thecommunityvoice.com/voice_config/photos/lovepatch%202-24web_resized.jpg (https://www.thecommunityvoice.com/article.php?id=4399)
Photo by Dave Williams
That’s when the Kaliski family stepped in to purchase the property in 2009 for $412,000 so the farm, which includes the house where Romero and Vandergeld live, could continue operations. The Kaliski’s also made a number of improvements to the house, Romero said.
During the time of the improvements to the house, Lovepatch Farms’ touring business took a significant hit because the debris from the construction made it virtually impossible to conduct tours, which was the bulk of their revenue stream.
Since then, however, the Kaliski’s have made other investments with other properties that have sapped their cash flow. A 60-day notice for Romero and Vandergeld to vacate the property was up two weeks ago, leaving the couple scrambling for options.
“We haven’t been able to eat and sleep. It’s been nerve wracking,” Romero said. “If we can’t find anyone to help us, I don’t know where we’re going to move all the horses.”
Said Vandergeld, “They (eviction people) might be coming up the driveway as we speak.”
They have tried several ways to come up with money to save Lovepatch Farms. They have a store, built by Vandergeld, on the property. The other income stream they have is a company where they provide architectural division specialties.
“Also, I’ve been a former web designer, graphic designer for more than 30 years, even before we had the horses,” Romero said. “It’s been really tough to sell in this economic environment.”
Where’s the love?
Romero’s disappointment and heartbreak stem from the lack of support she feels she’s gotten from the equestrian community in Sonoma County. Since their story appeared in Sonoma County’s only daily newspaper and on the local TV news, she’s received donations from 11 people, with only three being from within county borders.
“Our community – the equestrian community – has not supported us at all,” Romero said. “We’ve sent out a ton of e-mails to people, and no horse groups have responded…not one word of support.”
Through a deal worked out last year, Romero and Vandergeld were to pay $1,500 a month, with $500 going to cover back rent owed. The donations they’ve collected thus far total $1,513.67, and the bulk of that money came from a $1,000 donation from a woman in Los Altos.
Romero said she’s received several inquiries from people about possibly taking their horses, but those who want the horses don’t want to pay for them, which would be of no help in their financial situation.
Miniature horses have been bred down from regular horses for generations. The American Miniature Horse Association will not accept any horse that stands over 34 inches tall.
A fateful Sunday drive
Vandergeld and Romero got into the miniature horse business by chance.
“It was one of those fateful Sunday afternoon drives,” she said. “There used to be two horse ranches on Lakeville that had mini horses. When the babies are born in springtime, they’re so cute, absolutely darling, and Cory’s a softie. I said, ‘let’s stop and look.’ Miniature horses, they’re like potato chips, you can’t eat just one. We ended up buying five horses, and we had to build facilities for them. They don’t require as much room as full size horses.”
The only real problem, she said, is when they’re foaling.
“They have everything regular size horses have, except the oven is smaller, so we always assist the birth,” she said.
Vandergeld built all the stalls for the horses from the ground up and has maintained all the equipment on the property.
Romero and Vandergeld say Lovepatch is a local treasure because it has served as a form of therapy and learning for senior citizens, Alzheimer’s patients, autistic children, troubled youth and foreign visitors.
“We’ve had people who were terrified of horses when they first came here, but once they got to be around the horses, they fell in love with them,” Romero said. “We don’t want to leave here. We feel this is a Sonoma County asset. Everyone who comes here leaves with a smile on their face and in their heart.”
Last days for Lovepatch loom with no help in sight
Eviction notice has expired for Penngrove couple who have owned mini horse farm for three decades
https://thecommunityvoice.com/article.php?id=4399
Lovepatch Farms owners Cory Vandergeld, left, and Lee Romero have been struggling to find ways to keep their miniature horse business open, but continually have hit roadblocks. One of the horses who would need a new home (pictured below) is a full-sized horse.
By Dave Williams February 23, 2012 10:13 am
Two of the words that best describe Lee Romero right now are heartbroken and disappointed.
Romero, co-owner of miniature horse ranch Lovepatch Farms, is on the verge of being evicted from the 2.25-acre parcel of land on which it sits in Penngrove. Romero and co-owner Cory Vandergeld face the unenviable prospect of having to move everything they’ve accumulated over 30 years on the property in a short period of time. That includes 41 horses, including two regular-size horses.
They will be allowed to remain on the property if they can come up with $500,000 to purchase the property, or they can stay until the end of April if they can come up with rent for February, March and April.
The Mill Valley family that owns the property find themselves in need of cash and must sell the property. Romero and Vandergeld bought the land nearly three decades ago, paying $129,000 for the first parcel of land and $80,000 for the second 10 years later.
Debts pile up
Romero and Vandergeld refinanced the property three times but eventually found they were drowning in debt and struggling to make ends meet.
https://www.thecommunityvoice.com/voice_config/photos/lovepatch%202-24web_resized.jpg (https://www.thecommunityvoice.com/article.php?id=4399)
Photo by Dave Williams
That’s when the Kaliski family stepped in to purchase the property in 2009 for $412,000 so the farm, which includes the house where Romero and Vandergeld live, could continue operations. The Kaliski’s also made a number of improvements to the house, Romero said.
During the time of the improvements to the house, Lovepatch Farms’ touring business took a significant hit because the debris from the construction made it virtually impossible to conduct tours, which was the bulk of their revenue stream.
Since then, however, the Kaliski’s have made other investments with other properties that have sapped their cash flow. A 60-day notice for Romero and Vandergeld to vacate the property was up two weeks ago, leaving the couple scrambling for options.
“We haven’t been able to eat and sleep. It’s been nerve wracking,” Romero said. “If we can’t find anyone to help us, I don’t know where we’re going to move all the horses.”
Said Vandergeld, “They (eviction people) might be coming up the driveway as we speak.”
They have tried several ways to come up with money to save Lovepatch Farms. They have a store, built by Vandergeld, on the property. The other income stream they have is a company where they provide architectural division specialties.
“Also, I’ve been a former web designer, graphic designer for more than 30 years, even before we had the horses,” Romero said. “It’s been really tough to sell in this economic environment.”
Where’s the love?
Romero’s disappointment and heartbreak stem from the lack of support she feels she’s gotten from the equestrian community in Sonoma County. Since their story appeared in Sonoma County’s only daily newspaper and on the local TV news, she’s received donations from 11 people, with only three being from within county borders.
“Our community – the equestrian community – has not supported us at all,” Romero said. “We’ve sent out a ton of e-mails to people, and no horse groups have responded…not one word of support.”
Through a deal worked out last year, Romero and Vandergeld were to pay $1,500 a month, with $500 going to cover back rent owed. The donations they’ve collected thus far total $1,513.67, and the bulk of that money came from a $1,000 donation from a woman in Los Altos.
Romero said she’s received several inquiries from people about possibly taking their horses, but those who want the horses don’t want to pay for them, which would be of no help in their financial situation.
Miniature horses have been bred down from regular horses for generations. The American Miniature Horse Association will not accept any horse that stands over 34 inches tall.
A fateful Sunday drive
Vandergeld and Romero got into the miniature horse business by chance.
“It was one of those fateful Sunday afternoon drives,” she said. “There used to be two horse ranches on Lakeville that had mini horses. When the babies are born in springtime, they’re so cute, absolutely darling, and Cory’s a softie. I said, ‘let’s stop and look.’ Miniature horses, they’re like potato chips, you can’t eat just one. We ended up buying five horses, and we had to build facilities for them. They don’t require as much room as full size horses.”
The only real problem, she said, is when they’re foaling.
“They have everything regular size horses have, except the oven is smaller, so we always assist the birth,” she said.
Vandergeld built all the stalls for the horses from the ground up and has maintained all the equipment on the property.
Romero and Vandergeld say Lovepatch is a local treasure because it has served as a form of therapy and learning for senior citizens, Alzheimer’s patients, autistic children, troubled youth and foreign visitors.
“We’ve had people who were terrified of horses when they first came here, but once they got to be around the horses, they fell in love with them,” Romero said. “We don’t want to leave here. We feel this is a Sonoma County asset. Everyone who comes here leaves with a smile on their face and in their heart.”