As the year comes to a close, we can't help but look back with gratitude for all of you. You are a treasured part of our growing community that we are building. One of the words that comes to mind is Together. A well known quote by Helen Keller is, "Alone we can do so little; Together we can do so much." This has been our farm's motto since its inception in 2022, and it continues to ring true. 

In this newsletter, we are spotlighting Ryan Heller. Ryan is a remarkable 26-year-old Sonoma County native. He has autism/apraxia and is a minimal speaker. Three years ago he became able to communicate by using a letter board and now keyboard. He was able to transition from a lifetime of life skills (non-academic) classes to enrolling at the Santa Rosa Junior College where he plans to major in math.

Ryan loves Sonoma County, his friends and family. He loves long bike rides, skiing in the mountains and long strolls on the beach. He is so happy to have found community, and is really looking forward to living with his fellow speller friends and being part of the Mustang Acres farm community.

Ryan penned the following poem entitled Together.

Together

There is so much to say

In your eyes I see it

The words will never leave your mouth

But they don’t need to

I hear your heart 

And it's loud and clear

Together in our own worlds 

Kindred souls aligned 

Together in the comfort of chaos

Every second the trust of truth grows

Time it matters not

Take from me what you need

My friend I’ll give my all

For what is life without love?

Tell me your greatest story

Give me the gift

I promise to believe you

Together we will find strength

Together we will never be lost

Together, my friend

Together

Working together, is also how Mustang Acres is transforming landscapes in Sonoma county. Our farm was honored to be featured in Daily Acts' educational video on their Land Resilience Partnership. Daily Acts installed a grey water system on our farm this past summer, and also planted fruit trees that are being irrigated by the grey water. Forging relationships, building partnerships and working together are core tenets of both organizations. We strive to build water and climate resilience by reusing, storing and recharging water into the earth. Working together, we are establishing conservation practices that address drought, flood and fire threats, for the benefit of our community.

Please save the date for Sunday March 30, 2025, for our next sheep shearing day! More details to come early next year. We are combining this event with the Grand Opening of the main house at Mustang Court Commons. Our first residents are slated to move in there soon! We are looking forward to showing you the completed house, the latest improvements on the farm, and just getting together to celebrate life's journey.

A big THANK YOU to the different groups and individuals across the neurodiverse spectrum who have volunteered on the farm this past year. They came to help in various capacities. They planted trees, harvested vegetables, sheet mulched, weeded, cleared our raised beds, put in an irrigation system, fed the sheep, and so much more. We are grateful for all our wonderful volunteers who chose to spend their time with us.

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. – African Proverb

Looking for holiday gifts or thinking of starting a knitting project? We have our Mustang Acres farm yarn for sale online and in store, at Avenue Yarns in Albany, CA. Our yarn is 100% wool and certified Climate Beneficial by Fibershed. It's soft and delectable! We offer natural cream Finn and Romney fiber, a medium brown blend of Corriedale fiber, natural grey Romney fiber, and a dark blend of Shetland/Finn fiber.

You may have heard, we are fundraising for a barn! The barn will provide a gathering space to host educational and social-recreational programs. We envision the farm to be a place where people from across the neurodiverse spectrum belong, thrive and form lifelong friendships. Please help us reach our goal of building a barn. No gift is too small and any amount helps! 

From all of us at Mustang Acres, we wish you Happy Holidays and a Wonderful New Year!