Happi Hippi Homestead Start-Up

When establishing this farm, we founded it with food sovereignty at the forefront of our mission.

 

For those who may not know, the definition of food sovereignty best described is as follows:

 

“Food sovereignty is the right of peoples to healthy and culturally appropriate food produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods, and their right to define their own food and agriculture systems. It puts the aspirations and needs of those who produce, distribute and consume food at the heart of food systems and policies rather than the demands of markets and corporations.” – Declaration of Nyéléni, the first global forum on food sovereignty, Mali, 2007

 

At Happi Hippi Homestead, we believe that every person has the right to know where their food is coming from, and that they have the right to afford that food. This, unfortunately, is not a reality for most folks - but we genuinely believe that it can be, and that is where our mission lies. 

Since purchasing our home in 2020, our family has poured everything we have into making this a reality for our community. Nearly every moment of our free time has been spent turning an uncared-for piece of land into a functionally operating homestead and learning environment that can be used to feed and teach our community. Every ounce of our love has been poured into the care and maintenance of our animals and our crop. Our energy, both physical and emotional, has been utilized to design, build, grow, cultivate, and share. And lastly, almost all of our money has been utilized to make the above a reality. This is why we are here today.

 

While the establishment of this homestead has been such an incredible, humbling journey so far, we need help. After two full years of progressing inflation, and now being at its peak, our vision and our goal has reached a massive financial hurdle. Today, we are asking for help from those who support our mission. Your support will not only allow us to continue our mission toward food sovereignty, but in the bigger picture, will directly benefit members of the community. 

 

If you are unable to donate at this time but still wish to support our mission, please consider sharing this GoFundMe with friends and family of your own.

 

We are so grateful for you all and cannot wait to continue growing with each and every one of you.

 

Most sincerely,

 

The Happi Hippi Homesteaders

Ashley VanWinkle & Derek Wilkinson

 

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Below is a list of some of what our funds will be used to purchase: