Partnership Opportunity at Hortulus Farm
Dear Guests and Supporters,
When Ariel and I purchased Hortulus Farm in 2021, we had a vision for an upscale farm experience that would foster community. Now that we have established a firm foundation, we look forward to new growth in support of that vision.
We love serving our guests, our team, the mission, and the space we have developed together. While we plan to continue to lead the operations of the Foundation that directly invest in the community through non profit investment and development, we are seeking a new operating partner who will bring renewed ideas, resources, and energy to the day-to-day operations of the on-farm experience.
Stepping away from a public-facing role, especially considering all of the amazing relationships that we have developed with you, our community, over these past few years, is never an easy decision, but we are confident that finding the right partner will propel us into the next phase of the farm’s development. We are excited for new businesses to emerge, for new relationships to form, and for new programs that will benefit you, our beloved community.
We are beyond grateful for the hard-working people who work alongside us every day. It is amazing to see how far Hortulus has come in just two years, and we appreciate the dedication of everyone involved.
While we look for a new operating partner, please note that scheduled events will continue as planned and existing contracts will be honored; however, we will not schedule any new events as they may impact the new partnership agreement.
Because our community is at the heart of our mission, we would like to invite you all to be a part of the process. We want to know what you would like to see on the farm, and we would love it if you could help us find the right partner.
We will be hosting a virtual Town Hall meeting Tuesday, January 23 at 10 a.m. The youtube live link is available HERE, and you can RSVP to the Town Hall HERE. During the Town Hall, I will provide an overview of the farm’s progress to date, outline our qualifications for an operating partner, describe some of the resources available to the new partner(s) and outline our Request for Proposal process.
If you have any questions that you would like me to address at the Town Hall, please e-mail questions@hortulusfarm.com. Thank you for supporting us in this new season.
Jon Kontz, Hortulus Farm Foundation President
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns Hortulus Farm?
Hortulus Farm is owned by the Hortulus Farm Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non profit, overseen by a board of four individuals who do not receive any compensation. The Foundation seeks to invest in:
education and research regarding regenerative agriculture
developing community interest in horticulture and the arts
the creation, management, and preservation of common space within the community
orchestrating community-centric events, public art exhibits, and ornamental horticulture
What is the role of the new operating partner?
The new operating partner will work alongside the Foundation to develop a vision for the next phase of the farm. Taking into account community feedback, the new operator will establish a presence at the farm and will be responsible for the day-to-day operations.
Does the new operator need to be a non profit entity?
No, the new operator does not need to be a non profit organization. Most of the vendors and current operating partners of Hortulus Farm are locally-owned small businesses that contribute to the creative and community mission of Hortulus Farm.
When is the Town Hall? Is it at Hortulus?
The Town Hall meeting, a virtual event held on Tuesday, January 23 at 10 a.m. Eastern Time, is open to the public. A Town Hall participation link can be found here.
What if I am not able to attend the Town Hall presentation?
The Town Hall video will be made public once the event has concluded. You may find a link to the entire video here once the meeting has finished.
Will I be able to ask questions during the Town Hall meeting?
Questions may be e-mailed to questions@hortulusfarm.com prior to the Town Hall. Additional questions may be submitted via the commenting program at the virtual town hall; however, due to time constraints, not all questions may be addressed.
What is the time line for submitting a proposal?
A copy of the RFP can be found under the Partnership Opportunity section of our website. Proposals must be submitted to rfp@hortulusfarm.com no later than Friday, February 2. Our goal is to enter into a Letter of Intent/Agreement with a new partner by February 16th; however, that deadline is subject to the amount of proposals we receive.
How will a new operating partner be selected?
The board will evaluate all proposals submitted by the February 2 deadline. The ideal operating partner will align with the Foundation’s mission, the community’s values, and the farm’s regenerative principles. All proposals will be thoroughly vetted and discussed with legal counsel to ensure that due diligence and legal processes are adhered to.
Is Hortulus Farm looking for investors?
As the Hortulus Farm Foundation is owned by a non profit 501(c)(3) private foundation, the organization cannot take investors.
Are Jon and Ariel Kontz leaving Hortulus?
Jon and Ariel will continue to run the Hortulus Farm Foundation non profit, which owns the farm and directly invests in charitable projects. They will not, however, manage the daily operations of the farm once a new operating partner is in place.
When will the new planned development features open?
After much renovation, the Hortulus Farm Foundation aims to open the Woodland Walk in 2024, at the discretion and timeline of the next operating partner. The botanical children’s garden is in the process of being completed. A more defined timeline will be available once a new operating partner is established. Please sign up for our e-mail list and social channels to be alerted of the garden’s progress.
Can I plan an event at Hortulus in 2024?
While we look for a new operating partner, please note that scheduled events will continue as planned and existing contracts will be honored; however, we will not schedule any new events as they may impact the new partnership agreement. Please sign up for our e-mail list to be notified when we have more information.