Help Marla Defend Her Land and Livelihood

Urgent Need: Legal Fees for Upcoming Court Date

Hello friends, neighbors, and kind-hearted supporters,

I’m starting this GoFundMe on behalf of our dear friend and community anchor, Marla. She urgently needs help covering legal fees to protect a piece of land that represents nearly 25 years of hard work, sacrifice, and vision.

Marla is now involved in a serious legal dispute over her property in Georgia—one that threatens her ability to hold onto her life’s investment. She’s already secured an experienced local attorney to represent her, but now needs immediate help to cover the cost of legal representation before her upcoming court date.

Why This Is Urgent:

Marla lives in South Dakota but has owned the land in Georgia for nearly 25 years.

Her court date is this coming Tuesday—just days away.

She’s retained a Georgia-based attorney and must now pay legal fees and court costs to move forward with eviction claims.

Her income is currently going toward debts from a previous legal battle, where former tenants tried to take control of her land.

Marla’s Life Investment

This isn’t just land—it’s the legacy of a life’s work.

In 2006, Marla sold both her family home and longtime restaurant to invest in Foothills Farm (foothills.farm), her dream of building a sustainable horse and regenerative agriculture farm. The 2008 financial crisis devastated her original plans, but she never gave up. She continued caring for the land, adapting to each setback while trying to keep her dream alive.

For the past 15+ years, she’s listed the property on and off the market, hoping to find a buyer who shares her vision of land stewardship and ecological care. But instead of peace, she’s faced four separate legal battles over this property, each more draining than the last.

Today, she works full-time as a kitchen coordinator, using her earnings to keep the land afloat and repay legal debts. Now, without our help, this latest court case could cost her everything.

How Your Donations Will Help:

Cover attorney’s fees already incurred

Pay for upcoming court filing fees and related legal costs

Ensure Marla has professional support during the court proceedings

Help her protect the land until it can be sold to the right buyer

Why It Matters

This is more than a legal case. It’s about standing up for integrity, defending a lifelong investment, and preserving land that was meant to be nurtured.

Marla has always tried to do right by the land and the people around her. Now, she needs us to help her hold the line.

Any amount—$10, $25, $50 or more—makes a difference. And if you can’t give financially, please share this campaign to help spread the word.

Thank you for reading, caring, and showing up for someone who has always shown up for others.

Yours with gratitude,

Jonathan Wiley