While there are many projects wanting attention on Mahalo Farm, Patty Swygert, owner and manager, has determined that the most

Patty Swygert - Mahalo Farm – Draft Holistic Management Decision Case- October 21, 2004

While there are many endeavors on Mahalo Farm, Patty Swygert, owner and manager, has determined that the most important concern right now is securing the perimeter fencing.

Currently - Patty is reluctant to answer her phone much past 10 pm worrying that the neighbors will be on the line telling her that her horses are in their front yard.

The recently celebrated (see attached news article) Mustangs have taken to after dark off property gad abouts that do not sit very well with some of the neighbors. In a recent promenade, the police arrived in response to a complaint about the visiting steeds only to be kept at bay by mustangs blocking the entrance to Patty's drive. As the old saying goes about good fences making for good neighbors....

Patty has decided to:

1 - fence in two fields - Barn field and House field to immediately have a secure area

2 - move forward with securing all the line fences.

Testing Patty's first decision to fence the Barn field and House field might make a good example for how sometimes we have to make an immediate decision to address a crisis situation.

Testing Patty's second decision to move forward with securing all the line fences might provide an opportunity to see if any questions come up regarding the need for a land use plan and may provide an opportunity (when using to teach/facilitate HM) to move right into working on a land use plan.

Other obvious decisions and HM processes to illustrate may become clear to the group as we review and get into discussion regarding Mahalo Farm.

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Now and in the coming months, I will be continuing to document and work with Patty.

Patty has asked for specific input on how best to approach:

1. Securing the perimeter fencing

2. Improving the fertility of two fields in particular - Barn Field and House Field.

I have suggested to her that we develop a HM land use plan and would welcome input, help, etc.

Included in the information we have to work with for Mahalo farm is:

Whole Under Management

Interim Holistic Goal - Current Holistic Goal

Mahalo Farm General Information

News Article about Mahalo Farm - Preserving Wild Lives