Loma Vista Farm adding two new habitats – Times Herald Online

For 50 years Loma Vista Farm has become a staple in the Vallejo community by offering a quality experience of life for multiple animals. This past year the farm has worked on completing two new facilities that it hopes will help add at least another half century to providing more memories for the public.

The farm is just about finished with installing two new habitats, one of them a cow barn and the second being a chicken coup. The decision to make the two new habitats comes after realizing that many of the current facilities are old and outdated.

The new cow barn, located across the street from the farm on Rainer Street, is approximately 90 percent complete, while the chicken habitat is about 85 percent complete and located inside the farm. Electricity has yet to be added to either facility, but that is expected to come before the end of the summer.

The total cost for the cow barn is projected at $175,000 and the total cost for the chicken habitat is $95,000. Although the structures are being erected, the farm is still holding fundraising to put the final touches on the buildings. The farm’s major fundraiser — the Pasta Feed and Auction is coming up on August 9. The farm is hoping to raise funds that would allow it to complete the projects.

Until then, many at the farm are thrilled about the new venues.

“I’m so excited,” Rita LeRoy (Farmer Rita) said on Friday. “I’m for anything that will make for a healthier quality of life for the animals. The new cow barn will provide much more space for them to graze on a regular basis. The old one is too small and needed an upgrade.”

Past President of Friends of Loma Vista Farm, Julia Allen, is also happy for the two new habitats. The old cow barn is the original one from 1974, but often flooded during rain in the winter. The new facility will also have electricity at night so if the animals get sick a veterinarian will be able to help immediately.

“The old ones were rather dilapidated and had basically come to the end of its life,” Allen said. “When the rain season came around it got very bad. So we wanted to install this new one before the rainy season begins again.”

The cow barn is for two cows, Keebler and Oreo, who are both 23 years old. Meanwhile the habitat for chicken aims to once again be a crowd pleaser at the venue.

“Our chicken, turkey and geese are probably the most popular animals with the children that come here,” Allen said. “So we needed to provide a new facility as well as more room and plenty of space for them to go outside the building where there is interaction with the kids.”

Founded in 1974, Loma Vista Farm is a public and private venture between the Vallejo City Unified School District and the Friends of Loma Vista Farm, a community-based nonprofit organization established in 2003. The Friends provide fiscal, administrative, and organizational oversight and leadership. The Board is comprised of teachers, parents, community members, and representatives from local businesses.

Allen made a point to thank not only the school district for its help, but also Valero, which provided “sizeable contributions” once again.

“They’ve been a main contributor for years and years,” Allen said. “We’re so thankful for the community support we get from them and the school district and it’s something we’re looking forward to for many more years. Their partnership is crucial as they pay for all the utilities, many services and staff members.”