Although hoping for a miracle to save their miniature horse ranch in Sonoma County, the owners who now lease the ranch they originally bought, have been given an April 30, 2012, deadline to either buy back the property or move. Known as Lovepatch Farms in Penngrove, the farm now has 41 miniature horses.
Lee Romero and Cory Vandergeld originally purchased the small ranch in 1998, but changing times, the recession and financial hardship forced them to sell and then lease back the property. Now financial circumstances have kept them from meeting their lease requirements and they have been served notice to either vacate or buy the property.
The couple have done everything in their power to produce enough revenue to meet their obligations including tours for senior groups of Alzheimer patients, people with autisim, and assisted living groups , plus the creation and sale of small items for equines.
The current owners say that they now need the funds from the sale of the property to meet their business needs and cannot give the couple any more time once the April deadline comes.