Hidden Villa environmental farm and wilderness preserve announced that its farm-to-table feast, held Sept. 28 in commemoration of its centennial, raised more than $529,000.
The special event was part of a yearlong celebration that kicked off in May 2024 to mark 100 years of nurturing hearts, nourishing minds and fostering friendships.
“Hidden Villa is so much more than a place – it’s a community, a vision, and a legacy,” said Hidden Villa executive director Elliott Wright. “We are grateful to our generous supporters and to our founders, Josephine and Frank Duveneck and their family, for making this centennial milestone possible.”
More than 400 people attended the event, which kicked off with a garden reception and culminated with a farm-to-table feast where guests were seated at one long table set in the scenic Hidden Villa pastures.
The dinner was organized by Outstanding in the Field and designed and curated by restaurateur Jesse Ziff Cool and Flea Street chef Bryan Thuerk in partnership with the Hidden Villa farm team. It was prepared with ingredients grown or raised at Hidden Villa and from other local producers.
Guests also had the opportunity to harvest Sungold tomatoes, participate in a community weaving project and enjoy live music by harpist Barbary Grant and diverse music ensemble Bomba Fried Rice.
Esteemed writer and scientist Robin Wall Kimmerer, Ph.D., author of “Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants,” delivered the keynote address. Kimmerer is an enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation.
During the event, Wright also announced the launch of “Hidden Villa Forever,” a visionary effort to ensure the next 100 years for Hidden Villa.
“Through this next year we will explore a fundraising campaign to enhance our operations, improve this beautiful space and secure our future,” Wright said. “With support from our community, we can continue to offer equitable access, culturally relevant programs and safe spaces for all who come to Hidden Villa to explore and learn in new ways.”
Hidden Villa is a unique 1,600-acre refuge located in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains and is home to whimsical gardens, miles of wooded hiking trails, a regenerative farm with fruit, vegetables and animals, including pigs, chickens and goats, and several historic buildings including an 1860s era barn and blacksmith forge.
The legacy of Hidden Villa began in 1924 when Frank and Josephine Duveneck first opened their family ranch as an informal gathering place for discussion, reflection and the incubation of social reform.
Today, more than 30,000 people participate in Hidden Villa’s programs each year, including 10,000 students in grades pre-K through 12. An additional 20,000 people visit to hike the trails, explore the organic farm and garden, meet the farm animals and learn about regenerative agriculture.
To learn more, visit hiddenvilla.org.
