October 8, 2024

The outpouring of support from the local community to keep the Kavanagh Wildlife Farm open has been felt. The closing is a heart-rending reality as the board objectively examined the farm’s current operations and community impact, as well as the findings of an independent consulting firm engaged to conduct a comprehensive examination of Kavanagh Wildlife Farm. Unfortunately, the "giving" and "educational" requirements of the nonprofit have become secondary to farm operations. As the nonprofit’s financial stewards, action needed to be taken.

Board members – who are non-compensated volunteers whose only motivation is to ensure the legacy and community impact of the Kavanaghs endures for generations to come – did not make this decision lightly. Unfortunately, the costs of operating the farm continued to far outweigh the community benefit garnered by it. Our fiduciary duties and the wishes and intentions of Eugene and Dorothy guided our decision, keeping the community benefit and advancement of youth education at the forefront of the nonprofit’s mission.

As the farm prepares for its final day of operation on Nov. 1, it will continue to operate tours through the end of October. The horses are already settled into their new home, a farm that will be better suited for the lifestyle of draft horses, which requires more physical activity than the horses were able to receive in recent years.

Thank you to all who have visited the Kavanagh Wildlife Farm over the years to partake in the Kavanaghs’ vision. Eugene and Dorothy’s legacy will live on as their nonprofit refocuses its efforts on charitable giving and supporting local youth education and activity in the areas of wildlife, farming and natural resource management.

Sincerely,
The Eugene & Dorothy Kavanagh Wildlife Farm Board of Directors