Four Foot Farm

My name is Jai and my mother-in-law is Mare Kostuch. For 37 years this generous and selfless person has rented farmland to take care of horses with special needs, raise chickens and ducks, as well as a variety of other animals that would otherwise be neglected. The land has gone through various hands, always with the promise she would be allowed to remain with her animals. The latest owner passed away leaving the land in the hands of a trust company. The company promised she would be able to remain stating that having an established tenant would be a selling point. Now, they have gone back on their word and think they would be able to get more money if she were gone. They have given less than a month notice to vacate the land along with 3 horses, 10 chickens, 3 ducks, and a lifetime of belongings, memories, and love.

She is a wonderful soul, but not a rich one. She cannot afford an attorney to even begin to learn what her rights are in this situation. The trust has been contacted by several interested buyers who are willing to let her stay but they ignore all attempts at contact. Mare will be expected to find new housing for animals she has had for over 20 years with winter fast approaching. This will require building new stables for her horses, transporting them, and caring for them in a new environment. We cannot even begin to convey the emotional and mental toll this has had on our family.

Trusts and companies like this rely on intimidation tactics and count on our ignorance of the law and our rights to forcibly get what they want. They do not care that weddings were held on this land. That family pets are buried there. That this woman's entire life is there. Barring being able to raise enough money to fight this injustice, she will need funds to make this emotionally wrenching move away from a place she calls home for the past three decades and more.

We also beg that you do not contact Mare about this. She is proud and may not respond well to this plea for help. Anything you can give will help her as well as Kisses, Moon, and Wind. These horses are family. We love them. We want to care for them and continue as we were, but if that is impossible, at the very least make sure they are cared for. Thank you.