Hello wonderful members of our community, You probably all know the incredible farmer Peter Mustin, owner of Woodbridge Farm and the largest Black landowner in Jefferson County. Today, we're reaching out with an important message and a request for your support, not just for Peter but also for his beloved mother, Eileen. Over the last several months, Peter and Eileen have been facing a serious challenge. A local business owner they were in collaboration with has violated their mutual agreements- committing devastating animal neglect on the Woodbridge property, causing damage to expensive equipment, and harming the health of their land. The neglected livestock has destroyed several of Peter’s perennial flower beds including his dahlias and peonies, undoing years of careful tending. Trash and discarded animal feed also brought pests onto the property, resulting in the death of most of their chickens and quail. All of this destruction came just as Eileen’s egg business was getting off the ground, and as Peter was in his first year of selling flower bouquets at the Port Townsend and Chimacum farmer’s markets. This loss has been devastating for them both. Even more concerning is that they have had to deal with police involvement multiple (around 4 to 5) times. Each time the police have been called, the onus has disproportionately been put on Peter and Eileen to resolve the problem, leaving them with no support in removing this business owner from their property or preventing the abuse of animals and land. This is deeply troubling, and illustrates what are often invisible forms of systemic racism. This situation has impacted both Peter and Eileen’s livelihoods and taken a significant toll on their mental and physical well-being. We've set up this LFEBridge campaign to stand with Peter and Eileen through thick and thin. We know they've always been there for us, and now it's our turn to be there for them. Your donations will make a real difference in Peter and Eileen's lives as they seek accountability. These funds will be used for legal fees, mental health support, new hens/chicken coop supplies, and other repairs needed for their businesses.Moreover, your contributions will help us advocate for fair and just treatment, challenging the systemic racism in policing that they've experienced. Let's rally together as a community and show Peter and Eileen that we've got their backs. They've always been stewards of our environment, and it's time for us to be stewards of their well-being and advocates for justice. Both of them have worked so hard to get to this point with many obstacles along the way and have been consistently under-resourced and lacking the support that other (White-owned) farms in the community have. Thank you for joining us on this journey of support and solidarity. Your generosity will make a significant impact on Peter and Eileen's lives and our community as a whole. Together, we can create a better future for everyone in Jefferson County, one that stands against injustice and supports community accountability.
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