Hidden Villa will be closed to the public June 2nd (including all weekends) while summer camp is in operation. The farm will reopen to the public on August 5th, 2025.

2025 April Newsletter








April 2025

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(Photos by Lucy)

 

SPOTLIGHT: WOVEN TOGETHER

Hidden Villa stands as a testament to the generosity woven together by supporters like you. The 1,600 acres of our pristine farm and wilderness preserve serve as the canvas and living classroom for all that we do. The opportunity to explore the wilderness with a guide on a school field trip or sleep under the stars and make new friends at camp is all dependent on our ability to maintain this beautiful property. Hidden Villa does not receive any government funding and is reliant on the support of generous donors like you.

While it is from the vision and generosity of the Duveneck Family that this place we cherish began, it is now maintained through an intricate tapestry of diverse contributions that sustain our mission and fuel our impact. Here are a few ways that you can contribute.

Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) intertwine immediate tax benefits with flexible support timing. Easily recommend grants through DAF Direct if you have funds with Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, or BNY Mellon—creating connections that sustain our mission.

Gifts of Stock donations weave tax advantages with meaningful support. 

Legacy Giving through your will, trust, or estate plan threads your personal story into Hidden Villa’s future. Your foresight extends the Duvenecks’ vision, ensuring generations to come will experience the interconnections among nature, food, and community.

Corporate Volunteering stitches together teams through hands-on impact in our organic farm and gardens. Last year, nearly 1,200 volunteers contributed 15,000 hours, with their service impacting the very landscape of Hidden Villa. Groups of 8+ can deepen their impact with donations between $1,000-$3,500.

Employer Matching Gifts allow you to partner with your employer for a greater impact. You make a gift to Hidden Villa and have your employer match the donation, often dollar-for-dollar up to a certain amount. Check to see if your employer has a matching gift program today.

Individual Volunteers give the priceless gift of their time to maintain our facilities, teach and lead in our programs, cultivate our gardens and preserve our wild spaces. Learn about how you can get involved today.

Every thread of support—large or small—helps weave the rich tapestry that is Hidden Villa, and you are an integral part of this. Together, we continue crafting the Duvenecks’ vision of nurturing connections with nature, farming our lands sustainably, and fostering an inclusive community for generations to come!

Thank you!

-Jill Kilty Newburn,

Interim Director of Development & Communications

 

Helping Hands in a Happy Place



From corporate attorney to animal whisperer, MeMe Jacobs found her “happy place” at Hidden Villa. Discover how morning chores, special bonds with our animals, and newfound friendships transformed her life after 40 years in tech.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

SHEEP SHEARING & FIBER ARTS!

 

Your Day in the Life at the Sheep Shearing & Fiber Arts Festival

Saturday, April 19, 2025

Golden sunlight bathes the hills as your family arrives at Hidden Villa via the Foothill College shuttle. A breathtaking panorama of meadows and valleys frame the farm and guides your eyes toward the heart of the valley, to the stop just ahead on the winding road; Hidden Villa’s Sheep Shearing & Fiber Arts Festival.

As you arrive, friendly volunteers greet you at the welcome table. They smile warmly and invite you to scan a QR code to access the festival maps. They point out the day’s schedule and highlight recommended activities for families.

Your journey continues to the shearing station, where skilled hands transform woolly sheep into sleek, summer-ready animals. Children gather, fascinated by this age-old practice that connects us to the people and generations of the past. “The sheep actually look forward to their spring haircuts,” a shearer explains, palming the wool of one of our beloved sheep.

After watching the skilled shearer help our woolly friends prepare for warmer days, you and your family follow your curiosity, which leads you…

Read the full article for an inside look at this month’s upcoming festival.

 

‘Try It On’ with Nature’s Tie-Dye: A Foraging & Dye Workshop

Craft a heartfelt Mother’s Day gift using nature’s colors and ancient Indian tie-dye techniques. Join artist Pallavi Sarup to forage for plants, create vibrant natural dyes, and transform tea towels into handmade treasures Mom will cherish. Perfect for families with children 10+.

 
 

JOIN THE TEAM

 

Property Director

…is responsible for the care, support and maintenance of all structures, buildings, and grounds on the Hidden Villa property.

Fundraising Campaign Manager

…leads annual giving and a comprehensive campaign. Manages appeals, events, database, and grants while implementing strategies to identify and cultivate new funding sources.

Database & Administrative Coordinator

…reports to the Fundraising Campaign Manager, providing data management, Excel expertise, event support, donor prospecting, and administrative assistance within a small, collaborative team.

 

QUICK LINKS

 

Click on the images below for the latest news on your favorite farm topics.

Here are Quick Links to the latest news for April 2025:

https://www.hiddenvilla.org/programs/schools-groups/catalog/region-HP/
 
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Photo Credits: Lucy, Lanette, Zain, Meme, SF Opera

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