Romelia Farms Wildlife Preserve

Hope Forward Foundation Inc. DBA Romelia Romelia Farms Wildlife Preserve is a 501(C)(3) Non-Profit focused on the education and preservation of animals.

Formerly known as The Obloy Family Ranch, this property located in Merritt Island, FL, known as "The World's Largest Petting Farm" changed ownership on July 29, 2021 and is now Romelia Farms Wildlife Preserve. It all started when the new owners, Jeremy and Lina Graves, sought out to purchase a wedding venue in December 2020 to plan and host weddings. In addition to a wedding barn, they found themselves in awe with the nearly 150 animals residing on the property, many of whom were in need and facing an uncertain future. They were compelled to step in and do something.

The animals most in need -- a cross fox, two porcupine, two sloths, a lesser anteater, and a Patagonian cavy -- resided in a concrete compound (previously an alligator farming facility) with little air flow and ongoing drainage issues. In addition to this particular area of the farm, all of the animals were receiving pond water instead fresh water and lacking the proper species specific nutritional feed. Many had no overhead shelter from the elements and lacked proper ground cover.

During the acquisition period,  there were many hurdles. Perseverance paid off and after over 6 months of diligent work, the Graves Family successfully closed on the property. On July 30, 2021, The Graves immediately took action to improve spirits, morale, and the lives for the animals and staff -- most of whom stayed on board with the transfer of ownership. Impressed with the dedication of The Graves Family and the Farm Staff,  local eXp Realty agents chose to make Romelia Farms the focus of our firm's annual initiative -- I Heart eXp Community Day on October 6th -- an opportunity to give back to the community. 

Since the acquisition, the animals began receiving fresh water, diets have been improved, those most in need of new enclosures have been shifted around as best as possible to improve their overall health and well being, and a new habitat has already been completed for Belle the Fox. On I Heart eXp Community Day, we hope to bring the community together to work on new enclosures and covered shelters for the animals still in need. Your greatly appreciated donations will help cover the cost of materials to bring the farm to a new standard and make this a better place for the animals, and for the community and visitors it caters to.  

Thank you so much for any and all contributions, whether participating in the event, donating, or sharing our posts here or on social media. We hope to see you sometime at the farm!

#ForTheAnimals
#eXpGivesBack
#PuttingTheUnityInCommunity

Visit Romela Farms on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/RomeliaFarms 

See Belle the Fox get to eXperience her new enclosure for the first time!!! https://fb.watch/7OyYMuS_hk/

Watch Destination Brevard’s live interview with Jeremy & Lina Graves about the non-profit launch of Romelia Farms Wildlife Preserve.

https://www.facebook.com/DestinationBrevard/videos/968630613982608/

Watch Space Coast Live's interview with The Graves on their first full day as farmers!
https://fb.watch/7OzRpHG7L7/

Louie & Lola with Kate & Jama from eXp Realty.  These amazing sloths need your help to build their new enclosure. They are so adorable and sweet and we can't wait to get them into their new permanent digs along with Madison the Lesser Anteater.

The old alligator farming facility, these quarters get very little airflow and are not suitable long-term for any animals. Proceeds raised from this GoFundMe will help cover the cost of materials for new homes for the animals who have been housed here for years.