Home Page, News From the Farm, June 10, 2021
“Many Grateful for Loma Vista Return” by Richard Freedman
707-553-6820
from the Times-Herald, Sunday, June 13, 2021
“Loma Vista Farm, as it turns out, is more than an animal sanctuary. It’ also a human sanctuary.”
“The 5-acre home to horses, cows, pigs, chickens, sheep, alpacas, goats and bunnies in north Vallejo re-opened this past Thursday, roughly 16 months after the pandemic shut out inquisitive kids and nostalgic grown-ups.”
“Nobody is happier than “Farmer” Rita LeRoy, the farm’s fixture since she was a wide-eyed college student in 1990 and who has become as recognizable at Loma Vista as the Pope is at the Vatican.”
“Perhaps fitting, since several visitors Friday afternoon believe the school district-owned farm has ties to the heavens.”
“” These are all God’s creatures,” said Kim Curtola, grandma to farm first-timers Mason, 5, and Milo, 3.”
“It’s about the kids learning to respect and appreciate the animals and yes, “a little nostalgia,” Curtola said.”
“”I used to come and bring their dad when he was little,” she said, grateful “that there are still good people who want good things for Vallejo and people who care about the animals. And if you care about the animals, you’re good people. I do wish more people would come out and help and donate. It’s a beautiful place for children.””
“”If kids are raised with animals, “they respect animals,” Curtola said. “And this is a good place for them to start. Kids need to learn to be kind to nature, be kind to plants, be kind to animals.””
“No disagreement from Ashley Magee, bringing her kids ages 3 and 4 to the farm for the first time while recalling “at least 10 times” she visited the farm while an Elsa Widenmann Elementary School student.”
“”I’ve been here a lot,” Magee said. “I love the animals. I just love it here. Now I’m bringing my kids…and two nephews.””
“Magee said the farm “is safe, kid-friendly, and fun for the kids who love animals. I know my kids do.””
“Magee’s mother, Octavia, Phea, tagged along Friday and was equally effusive.”
“”It’s beautiful, ” Phea said, surveying the sanctuary. “It means something pertaining to the Lord. It means life to me. It does. I’m glad it’s here. It’s something positive, something good for the children.””
“During the pandemic, it was only the animals, LeRoy, and the farm caretaker who lives on the property.”
“”It was very lonely. It felt like the farm was a ghost town,” LeRoy said. “It felt very said.””
“The animals knew something was askew, LeRoy believes.”
“”There was a lot less involvement with people and getting petted and interaction,” she said. “I think they really missed the people.””
“LeRoy said she had a bit extra gallop in her own step heading to work when it opened at 10 a.m. Thursday.”
“”It was so nice to see families in here with children and walking around enjoying the beautiful plants and adorable animals,” LeRoy said. “It was wonderful. Everyone was really happy to be back.””
“Despite the shutdown, improvements were made on the farm that’s recovered from the tragic killing of three alpacas and injuring of several sheep and goats in a 2019 dog attack.”
“”That was very traumatic. We’re glad that’s in the rear view mirror,” LeRoy said.”
“Happily, “there’s a lot of amazing improvements that have happened on the farm during the shutdown,” she said.
“Wheelchair accessible sidewalks, a retaining wall in the goat yard, several new fences, spruced up picnic tables, and a sheep and alpaca barn that’s a few days from completion.”
“Also new: An access gate to cross Ranier Avenue to get a hands-on visit with the horses, sheep and alpacas during their usual mid-day exercise break.”
“”A really wonderful improvement,” LeRoy said. “There’s a lot of future improvements so it’s just going to get better and better.””
“Word is apparently out. The three consecutive weeks of the farm’s July summer program are already sold out.”
“And undoubtedly, LeRoy will be there. Every day, she said, “I look forward to being with the animals and the children and to know that I have the opportunity to make the animals happy and healthy and keep the gardens going.””
“Though living seven minutes from the farm, LeRoy pondered which animal she would -if forced to-live a week with.”
“”I would stay with the pigs or alpacas,” she said. “They have a nice, soft bed with lots of straws and they don’t poop in their bed.””
“Loma Vista is at 150 Ranier Ave., Vallejo, and is open free to the public Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The facility is closed holidays. For more, call (707) 556-8765 or visit lomavistafarm.org.
