April 2024

 

FEATURE: Harvesting Possibilities:
Uniting to Expand Our Table of Learning

Eight months ago, my colleague Sofia and I shared a meal with Mama D Uhlia, Papa Senita Uhlia, Co-Founders, and Tiffany Hantau, Executive Director, of Anamantangi Polynesian Voices. We sat down to a family-style lunch outside the Dana Center looking out at the golden pasture. As I looked across the table, the story of Hidden Villa’s fields reached my nose. The rainbow of peak-season tomatoes, kale, and sausage – all from the land upon which we were eating was the icebreaker. Taking breaks between bites to comment on the deliciousness of the food, each of us found it easy to dream about how our youth programs could work together. As we shared this place-based meal, we recognized the natural synergies between our work.

When I asked, “What can Hidden Villa do to support the youth and families you work with?” Papa Senita looked out at the pasture where the valley meets the horizon and recalled the way that Hidden Villa reminds him of Samoa. He shared that youth in their community love water and when they get into a body of water, their bodies know what to do. The whole group started dreaming of how their families could gather at Hidden Villa and incorporate the natural elements into their cultural programs.

Mama D Uhlia and Papa Senita Uhlia founded Anamantangi Polynesian Voices (APV) in the early ’90s as a grassroots organization to foster community, cultural enrichment, and distribution of resources in East Palo Alto. Since its inception in 1997, APV has been more than just a gathering place; it has been a lifeline for residents facing economic and climate crises at disproportionate rates. Unhoused, uninsured, and undocumented, many of APV’s clients endure unimaginable hardship, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic years. 

Yet amidst the struggle, a collective desire for healing and wellness emerged. They’ve worked tirelessly to meet families where they are and pull together resources and services to help them achieve wellness, stability, and meet all their goals. Driven by community survey feedback, APV embarked on a journey to bridge indigenous healing practices with the abundance of nature surrounding East Palo Alto.

The result? An innovative outdoor wellness initiative rooted in Restorative Justice Practice (RJP) and grown out of  Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander cultural traditions. This Fall, they chose Hidden Villa to be the location where the bi-annual wellness retreat would be held. Laughter and cheers erupted from the Dana Center lawn, as they led their Wellness Retreat, a sanctuary for community members to immerse themselves in outdoor wellness activities. From organizational wellness workshops to youth-specific sessions addressing the unique challenges faced by young participants, the retreat offered a space for healing, growth, and transformation. Youth participants cheered each other on and pushed their limits on the high ropes course all while surrounded by the awe-inspiring beauty of nature. 

“In the midst of vast landscapes and towering trees, we found a sense of community that transcended our differences. ” – APV Retreat Participant 

But the vision doesn’t stop there. This August, APV will lead their ‘Take the Mic’ three-day summer enrichment program, where youth, cultural practitioners, and partner organizations participate in activities to explore, embrace, and learn about nature using core Pacific Islander cultural competencies. Youth and APV staff will stay overnight in the Hidden Villa hostel and they’ll lead programs that include a blend of indigenous Pacific Islander rites and traditions, as well as knowledge-building around the local environment, natural resources, and mental wellness. 

In collaboration with Hidden Villa, APV aims to build and improve access to the farm and wilderness spaces and outdoor activities, providing APV youth with continuous connections to nature and fostering a sense of belonging. Through the co-creation of programming, the organizations aspire to provide year-round programming, implementing at least nine new youth and family programs at Hidden Villa by 2027.

The energy that APV has brought to Hidden Villa’s partnership work harkens to the work of the Duveneck legacy and what the Hidden Villa mission was founded on. When we are striving to create a just, healthy, and sustainable future for all, we look across the table and ask what else is possible when we work in partnership to bring balance into our local communities. 

By fostering shared learnings and expertise through gatherings, both organizations enrich their programs with insights from implementation, research, best practices, success stories, challenges, and lessons. Engaging program staff and youth representatives ensure diverse perspectives contribute to the collective journey towards wellness and climate resilience. The partnership between Anamantangi Polynesian Voices and Hidden Villa goes beyond creating programs; it fosters a community where tradition, nature, and innovation intersect, paving the way for a brighter, connected future in Silicon Valley.

– Gianna FazioLiu (she/they), Annual Fund and Development Manager 

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Trailblazing Stewardship

Periodically, he leads this hike for the Loma Prieta Chapter of the Sierra Club. For a shorter hike, he brings family and friends to enjoy the 2-mile Long Bunny Loop Trail, which has small but beautiful waterfalls during the winter and spring.

This past year, Shlomo came out to join a walk with the California Native Plant Society where he met Hidden Villa Executive Director, Elliot Wright. He had been thinking about what he could do to support Hidden Villa, and this meeting inspired him to name the non-profit in his estate plan. When asked what outcome he hopes to see from this generous gift he says, “This place has been here for 100 years. How do we make sure it is here for another 1,000?” (If you would like to know more about including Hidden Villa in your estate plan, follow the button link or email [email protected].)

Jill Kilty Newburn (she/her), Major Gifts Officer

Legacy Giving

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Heartfelt Gratitude

“Hidden Villa, I love Hidden Villa!” That’s the response I most often receive when I tell someone where I work.

 I hear those same exclamations all around the farm. I hear it from students hiking on the Creek Trail while participating in a Farm and Wilderness Exploration program; from our Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) members after picking up their weekly basket of produce harvested that very morning; from families who sit by the creek during spring break and watch their kiddos play in nature; and from our campers who lovingly take over the entire 1,600 acres every summer. These special moments are the foundation of Hidden Villa’s mission to create a more just and sustainable future for all.

People of all ages come here, set down their devices, unplug, and connect with the natural world. Just last night, I saw a hiker stop to appreciate the group of ‘tom’ turkeys showing off their spring feathers. There are very few places in the world that have all the magic ingredients that exist at Hidden Villa. 

A huge part of what makes that magic possible is the incredibly generous community of donors and volunteers who support Hidden Villa. When I reflect on the tremendous love that this group has expressed for Hidden Villa, my heart swells. Thank you for being a part of Hidden Villa. Thank you for supporting this special place and ensuring it remains accessible now and in the future. We need you and appreciate you.

-Jessica Du Val (she/her), Director of Development & Communications

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Thank You So Much to the Foundations that Support Hidden Villa!

We’re so grateful for your investment. Your support powers our farm and people, makes Hidden Villa accessible, and contributes towards a vision of a sustainable, healthy, and just future for all. Thank you.

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Events:

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Hidden Villa Summer Camp

Summers here at the farm are full of growth and excitement. Every day is an opportunity for adventure! Our summer programs are designed to grow with youth and adjust to meet their needs. Our programs introduce young people to wilderness and farm activities, foster leadership skills and responsibility, and emphasize respect for the environment and for others – all while having fun and making lasting memories!

Day Camp 
Grades K – 4

Each day, campers have a variety of activities to choose from. Daily choice activities may include cooking, hiking, swimming, arts & crafts, games, nature exploration, or time with our farm animals. They’ll cultivate new skills, forge lasting friendships, and deepen their connection to the world around them. Each age cohort builds on the next so our day camp experience grows with your camper! We offer options for extended care before and after camp hours.

Learn More

Overnight & Backpacking Camps
Grades 5 – 12

Hidden Villa overnight programs are an unforgettable journey of self-discovery, community building, and environmental stewardship. Our overnight camp programs are designed to foster curiosity, critical thinking, and advocacy while providing a safe and inclusive space for exploration. Through hands-on activities, wilderness expeditions, and an engaging curriculum focused on social justice and environmental awareness, your camper will build lifelong friendships, develop leadership skills, and gain a deeper appreciation for the world around them. This year, we are offering 5 and 12-day programs to better work with your busy schedules.

Learn More

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Announcements

Community Supported Agriculture

Hidden Villa’s CSA registration is open and filling fast! We only have a few spots left. If you’re interested in joining us for the 2024 farm season don’t delay. Members receive a weekly basket of fresh produce harvested the same day. The season runs from mid-May through the end of October. Enjoy delicious, nutritious, local produce for only $35/ week! Follow the button below to sign up. For questions reach out to [email protected].

Register

 

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This Month’s Feature Meat Product- Ham Hocks

This is a recipe I adapted from a guy called the Farmstead Meatsmith who is an eccentric butcher and slaughterman who also understands that these roles are meaningless without a cook in the farmhouse kitchen. (Watch this clip for inspiration.) All of the animal products that we produce are done so with the end user in mind – the dedicated home cook. No cut embodies this better than the humble ham hock. It’s one of my favorite cuts to cook, but requires a little bit of patience (though very little actual work). It’s also a great example of the kind of nose-to-tail economy of which I am a huge proponent and that we strive for in our husbandry and production practices at Hidden Villa. It’s a tough cut that requires a long slow cook with liquid, either water-based or lipid-based. You won’t often find these in the grocery store, so I think it’s really special that we offer them, as they’re a butcher’s and farmer’s special secret cut. They’re full of gelatin that creates an unctuous and savory stock that sticks in your craw and is hugely satisfying to the appetite. I hope you’ll venture with me to cook this underappreciated cut because the reward is nothing short of the finest, and most nutritious peasant dish one can cook up. Once you know the basic technique it’s dead simple to cook one up anytime you’re in the mood. They also work great in a slow cooker. I’m so enamored with ham hocks and I really want everyone else to feel the way I do, so I’m going to give you a discount on them. Order them this month and you can have them for 15% off! Please try one, you can thank me later. Here’s a link to the recipe.

Your yeoman farmer-cook,

Austen Wagner (he/him), Assistant Farm Manager

Buy Now

P.S. Our first fresh chicken sale of the year is coming up on April 18th. Subscribe to our newsletter if you want to know when our fresh pasture-raised organic meats go on sale. Email [email protected] and we’ll put you on the list. Newsletters also include special recipes.

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Volunteers

Hidden Villa partners with Youth Community Services and local high schools to provide opportunities to get outside, help care for the land, and connect with each other. On March 25th, a group of 30 Gunn High School students spent the day clearing invasive horehound, beautifying our Dana Center landscaping area in preparation for the Sheep Shearing and Fiber Arts Festival, and woodchipping the ropes course which is used for our Youth Development and Summer Camp programs. It’s amazing what a group of dedicated high school students can do in a matter of a day, which will serve our community and other youth for months to come!

-Sofía Pablo-Hoshin (she/her), Director of Volunteer Engagement

Volunteer

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Seasonal Cycles Natural History Series- A Taste of the Wild

The Seasonal Cycles Natural History Series (SCNHS) taught by Hidden Villa’s Senior Naturalist, Garth Harwood, is stirring up a buzz! The Almanac recently attended “Make a Wild Salad!“, a foraging class from the SCNHS. Learn what The Almanac had to say by reading the full article (link below).

 

Did you know that foraging is only one of the many classes offered in the series? Saturdays from 10 am to 12 pm, Garth offers a variety of explorations including:

 

 

• • • All About Bugs- April 13th
    • Wildflower Walk- April 20th & May 18th
    • How to Walk in the Woods- May 4th
    • A Celebration of Birds- May 11th
    • Meet the Herptiles: Reptiles, Amphibians and More!- May 25th

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Dear HV Community:

As you can see, we are growing and nurturing a lot of great stuff at Hidden Villa. I would love to hear from you! Please feel welcome to reach out with ideas, questions, comments, or other notes. I’m always here for you.

Sincerely and respectfully,
Elliott Wright ([email protected])

(In photo: Exploring a stick bug)