Carmel Fire: Rebuild Living Circle Farm
Donation protected
“Our property is burning. I got out with the dogs just in time. Other animals did not get out,” is the text I received from Jen on August 18th as wildfire engulfed their farm on Cachagua Rd. in Carmel Valley.
Jen & Rob have spent the last four years transforming raw land into Living Circle Farm. They purchased the land with the help of Rob’s parents and have worked full-time time jobs and put every penny they had into their dream of creating a community permaculture farm and yoga retreat center.
After evacuating in an extreme hurry, they watched from afar as their guest cabin burned, which was their main source of income on the farm, and was funding the development of the farm and retreat center. Their guest glamping tent was also burned, along with tools, equipment and building materials. Jen & Rob’s livelihood and hard work have been devastated overnight. Luckily, the animals survived the fire but replacing these things and rebuilding will cost them at minimum $180,000.
The farm is home to 6 goats, 70 chickens, 25 beehives, rabbits, Great Pyrenees guardian dogs, orchards, gardens, native plants and animals. Jen & Rob had seeded and planted the land to provide food for pollinators and were stewarding the land to become a wildlife and pollinator preserve. Because it was raw land, they will not receive any financial support from insurance to rebuild.
Jen & Rob poured their heart and souls into creating a place for the community and I’m hoping our collective effort can be a pillar of support for them as they rebuild their dream.
“And just as the phoenix rose from the ashes, she too will rise
Returning from the flames clothed in nothing but her strength, more beautiful than ever before.”
- Shannen Hertzo
BEFORE: Guest Cottage
AFTER: Guest Cottage
BEFORE
AFTER
Jen & Rob have spent the last four years transforming raw land into Living Circle Farm. They purchased the land with the help of Rob’s parents and have worked full-time time jobs and put every penny they had into their dream of creating a community permaculture farm and yoga retreat center.
After evacuating in an extreme hurry, they watched from afar as their guest cabin burned, which was their main source of income on the farm, and was funding the development of the farm and retreat center. Their guest glamping tent was also burned, along with tools, equipment and building materials. Jen & Rob’s livelihood and hard work have been devastated overnight. Luckily, the animals survived the fire but replacing these things and rebuilding will cost them at minimum $180,000.
The farm is home to 6 goats, 70 chickens, 25 beehives, rabbits, Great Pyrenees guardian dogs, orchards, gardens, native plants and animals. Jen & Rob had seeded and planted the land to provide food for pollinators and were stewarding the land to become a wildlife and pollinator preserve. Because it was raw land, they will not receive any financial support from insurance to rebuild.
Jen & Rob poured their heart and souls into creating a place for the community and I’m hoping our collective effort can be a pillar of support for them as they rebuild their dream.
“And just as the phoenix rose from the ashes, she too will rise
Returning from the flames clothed in nothing but her strength, more beautiful than ever before.”
- Shannen Hertzo
BEFORE: Guest Cottage
AFTER: Guest Cottage
BEFORE
AFTEROrganizer and beneficiary
Beth Portesi
Organizer
Carmel Valley, CA
Jennifer Phillips
Beneficiary