Help Thousand Leaf Gardens

Dear Friends, Community Members, Supporters, and Family,

I am humbly reaching out for your support today to help my sister, Mary Kate Chillemi and her partner Chris Hausman, reach their future goals and dreams for their small farm, Thousand Leaf Gardens. Through this GoFundMe, I am asking our community for this urgent help to move their farm and recoup lost revenues from such a difficult, wet season.

You may know my sister and Chris as the dynamic duo who farm nearly entirely by hand

without a crew on 1.3 leased acres. You might also know them for their delicious produce,

flowers, and of course black tomatoes. Or you may just know them from stopping by the

farmers’ market each weekend and chatting. For those of you who might not, they are Mary Kate Chillemi and Chris Hausman, a loving partnership of farmers who grow vegetables and flowers while mindfully trying to diminish the amount of harm they cause to the environment. They have been farming for well over a decade and have operated their small farm since 2017 on leased land in Dutchess County. They are so excited to be moving Thousand Leaf Gardens to Gardiner, NY onto our family-owned land they plan to steward for the rest of their lives. As a family we are also thrilled to announce they are expecting a baby girl come spring! With so much joy and hope ahead for them, it’s been difficult to watch them accept the reality of the challenges they’ve faced this year as a small business and family.

2020 had obvious challenges with the pandemic, but I watched as they worked tirelessly to make sure our communities were fed, never missing a market. 2022 they faced one of the more difficult drought seasons in recent years, but somehow, pushed through. However, 2023 presented them with a new array of challenges. The biblical amount of rain this year impacted their season from seed to harvest and everything in between. While they personally didn’t suffer flooding like many farms, their crops did suffer from devastating disease, increased pests, and unmanageable weed pressure that suffocated their crops. Every crop they grew this season resulted in lower yields and for some, like everyone’s beloved black beauty tomatoes, total loss. This significantly impacted their revenue streams of which they have struggled to recover.

Land access for farmers in the Hudson Valley is one of the most prominent obstacles. The lack of land security has impacted so many in this community and is vital to the survival of small farms like my sister’s. With years of experience leasing from a private landowner, they are well versed in the unfortunate complicated nature of these type of leases. With an increased need to move in haste and establish their farm on the new property, they have made the difficult decision to end the season early and focus on their growing family and future. They are incredibly grateful to be moving the farm operation to family-owned land, providing increased acreage with higher quality soil to expand; establishing infrastructure, preparing the soil, and acquiring necessary resources require financial investment. Although they have taken steps towards obtaining this much needed financial assistance, the move itself has proven to become a larger obstacle than originally planned as the season ends.

Despite the many challenges they have faced this season, their determination to provide fresh, biodynamic produce remains unwavering. Your support will go directly to helping them move their high-tunnels, farm equipment and supplies to the new farm and begin breaking ground ASAP. It will also help recoup lost revenues from the crop failures this season, providing necessary funds to help them through this transition and the thinner-earning winter months.

As a thank you, my sister and Chris pledge to significantly increase their weekly donations of produce to the Union Free School District of the Tarrytown’s food pantry through the

Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow Farmers’ Market that provides meals directly to the children in the school district who need it most.

Any amount given is very much appreciated especially as we understand these are incredibly difficult times for everyone. We are grateful and thankful for your support for us as we help them move onto new farmland and begin a much brighter future.

With immense gratitude,

Bridie Chillemi

Visit their Website and Instagram to learn more about their farm:

Website Instagram