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Introducing Rjeyna

Hi, I’m Rjeyna, a 40-something year old widowed mom of two teenage girls. I work as a Community Assistant to pay my bills, but the real work I do is out at the farm. I stumbled across this wonderful piece of land about three months after my husband passed away. I was navigating the toughest part of my own life, while trying to be an available and good parent to my girls as they started the incredibly hard work of grieving the catastrophic loss of their dad.

Rjeyna, with her own pet pig!

There were many days that I felt like it was impossible to go on having a meaningful life with any prospect of joy and the people around me were noticing my hopelessness. A friend of mine that had a project at the farm suggested I come out, just to get out of the house and out of my head. I hesitantly took her advice and showed up as a zombie version of myself.

It didn’t take long for the air, the sounds, and the pure magic of the land to take hold of me and start the healing process that I so desperately needed but had no idea how to initiate.

“I was able to walk the land, feel the dirt with my hands and feet, and just BE. “

Sun Set at the Farm
Moon rise at the farm

I was able to open my eyes to the beautiful creations all around me and feel deep gratitude that a place like this is still around, and I was able to spend time there.

Sunrise at the farm

Now it is five years later, and anyone that knows me knows I am thriving when I get to spend time at the farm. Whether I am taking care of the animals, pulling weeds, helping something to be built, or just walking around the fields and appreciating the land, my life feels whole and good when I am there.

In the time that I have been able to spend at the farm I have been excited to participate in and volunteer for some community events and learning opportunities. I have made and maintained highly respectful relationships with the wildlife that calls that farm home, and made some human best friends that I couldn’t imagine life without. I selfishly showed up at the farm in need of healing for myself, and the land graciously accommodated. Now it is my turn to give back by being the most thoughtful and loyal steward that I can be.

The Farm Dog “Freck”
Wildlife at the Cresset Center
The Big Thompson River and winter walks with Freck

All photos and writing by Rjeyna Vaillancourt

Zuri Agrama is a freelance environmental and social educator. Zuri recently completed her Master's in Environmental Conservation from the Nelson Institute of Environmental Studies, UW Madison and recently founded "Environmental Consciousness Action" an initiative to inspire environmental connection and change.