Good Afternoon Faithful Followers & Supporters of Romelia Farms,

We’re coming to you today in an effort to be transparent in what we’ve been facing at Romelia Farms Wildlife Preserve. As many of you may already know, since March of 2023, we’ve been dealing with an impossible situation with our mortgage holder and the SBA as our interest rate skyrocketed and nearly doubled our monthly payment. In an effort to stave off any issue or potential foreclosure, we personally put every penny we had into saving the farm for a second time to hold the bank at bay, but unfortunately our ability to maintain that cost us dearly and now we’re facing the very thing we fought with every penny we had. As the bank was set to move forward with foreclosure due to the issue you’ll learn about below. We’ve attempted every avenue available to us, but have thus far been unable to find a solution. On top of this, the rising costs of animal feed, utilities, labor, and every other associated cost in the economy we’re all collectively experiencing, forced limited hours at the end of the summer.

And in perfect timing, as the summer came to a close, we faced yet another immovable and unprecedented issue, the USDA. As many of you may already know, when we rescued the animals that would become our family at Romelia Farms, we were granted a license with Florida Fish & Wildlife (who have been impeccably supportive, of which we are tremendously grateful), but the previous owners of the farm did not carry a USDA license, nor were enforced upon to do so for the seven years in which they operated the FOR-PROFIT petting farm operation of which we rescued the animals from over three years ago. As you know, when we acquired the property, we began to bring the farm up to compliance with all animal welfare standards, and in nearly all cases, exceeded them. So when we invited the USDA out for a walkthrough inspection in late 2022, and subsequently 2023, we began our path forward with obtaining our USDA Class C license. When our consultant felt that we were ready, we invited the USDA inspector out for a pre-inspection walk through to see all of the wonderful changes we had made, but unfortunately, we fell short in one seemingly simple area that we requested a variance for, a perimeter barrier, in addition to the existing and majorly improved animal habitats. Citing the water on the property as a sufficient barrier, we submitted our plan, but were subsequently denied and were informed that we would need to errect a six (6) foot perimeter fence around the entirety of the 27 acre property. Our question, of course was immediately, is there government funding sources, grants or other areas of funding assistance to help support this effort and of course, we were declined. So we began to plan and look into costs to take on such a monumental task. In the end, the cost of fencing the entire property which would consist of clearing land and erecting a fence in the midst of our worst economic downturn in recent memory. We asked for options and were met with alternatives to build a new structure to house all of our exotic rescues of which would amount to roughly the same amount but had the added benefit of offering brand new habitats to our beloved animals. So we began to plan, worked to raise funds, and announced our plan at our 3rd annual gala in September of 2023. The community came out in force to the gala and they gave everything they could, we’re incredibly and sincerely grateful to our community partners and supporters as a whole, and in the midst of an economic crisis, we raised far less than we did in the previous year, thus coming up far short of our goal to fund the new exotic rescue exhibit. All of this coupled with the bank and SBA nearly doubling our monthly mortgage with the increased interest rates as well as other increasing operational costs noted above, we faced a significant financial impact that we’ve never experienced before. With this at hand, we sought support from our elected representatives and news media as well as launched a documentary project sponsored by an amazing supporter who’s had our back from the beginning and took to social media as you may recall. The outpouring of support we received was amazing, but again, with everyone facing the same economic challenges, we once again funding came up short in all aspects of working to make the necessary changes to get us to where we needed to be. Now please keep in mind, our animals have always received absolutely everything they’ve needed; from high quality feed, produce, fresh water, veterinary care, enrichment, and all necessary medications and supplies, I’d like to repeat that they’ve never gone without as that was our mission all along from the moment we rescued them, and that mission is steadfast.

Unfortunately, in late August, the USDA decided that it was time to officially intervene on the barrier fence issue and despite repeated attempts by our state elected representatives, to whom we are incredibly grateful, the USDA served us with an official violation (again not in regard to animal care standards, those we’ve always exceeded), but for the fact that we were unable to officially obtain our USDA license due to the six (6) foot perimeter fence issue.

Now if you’ll indulge us for a moment, Romelia Farms was not born out of our desire to have a farm with animals, no, in fact, it was born of necessity to save the nearly 150 magnificent animals living on it, whom you’ve come to know and love, from an uncertain future and an imminent need to improve their quality of life and overall living conditions. With this in mind, and due to the lack of the federal government (USDA) to take action in the SEVEN (7) years leading up to OUR rescue of the animals, we took private action, and took a vital stand for the animals, and well, we bought a zoo. It certainly wasn’t how we pictured our path in life going, but we personal needs aside and stood up for a family of animals who deserved our respect, love, & support, and when we were called upon to rescue these beautiful creatures when those who were charged to protect them failed to do so!

So that brings us up to the last few weeks; we have been officially referred by the USDA to the US Department of Justice (DOJ) who have sanctioned us in an effort to “step up” for the animals as we close in on election season to ensure their “regulatory duty” is fulfilled. We have now been FORCED to close our doors, rehome the animals under their respective jurisdiction, and basically forego any visitor non-profit income needed to care for and feed the very animals “they’re” charged with protecting. Despite our attempts to reason with them, as well as our legal counsel’s attempt, we have been left once again to our own accord to step up and try to find the means to support the very basic needs of the animals, our incredible and steadfast team, adorned “The Romelia Farms Family”, who are the ones out there every day in the heat, rain, and stormy weather, putting in the real work from the front lines, not issuing orders from behind a desk!

It’s now up to all of us, and all of you, our supporters, “The Farmsters” to step in a help give our animal family a fighting chance once again just to survive. We had funding to last until the end of September, with hopes of more funding on the way, but it’s not appearing as that’s possible at this point, so we are asking you, please, for the sake of the animals, give whatever you can, even $5 will help, donations of produce, animal feed, funds to keep the water running, help keep our team employed who deserve our deepest gratitude for fighting the good fight for the animals whom they cherish and love with their entire hearts. We no longer have tours, events, the pumpkin patch, our Tractor treat event for Halloween, or any of the wonderful activities you’ve grown to love at the farm due to the sanctions that have been placed on us by the DOJ. We’ve been forced into solitude, and the animals as well as the team caring for them desperately need your support.

We would like to apologize for the lack of communication as of late, as you can see, we’ve been in pure survival mode trying to figure out how to make it through these unprecedented turn of events.

Please use the link below to make any donations you can. Your voice can also make a tremendous impact, spread the word, share this post and make it go viral! When we rescued the animals and committed our lives to them, we made a promise to fight for them from whomever and wherever the adversity would come from, and we stand by this today, here and now, and forever!

WILL YOU STAND WITH US?

With Sincere & Unwavering Gratitude,

Lina & Jeremy Graves

and The Romelia Farms Family

#fortheanimals

#neverstopfighting

#nevergiveup

Romelia Farms - Community Call to Action Campaign #savetheanimals

We Need Your Help to #savetheanimals #feedtheanimals

Team Members