Celestial Farms closing its doors following ongoing legal battles

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After a protracted stint to aim to maintain enterprise thriving, Celestial Farms is formally saying goodbye within the new yr.

In a information launch, Celestial Therapeutic and Decorative Gardens, Inc. introduced the closure of its farm on Duval Street.

The company stated it’s served the Jacksonville neighborhood since 2001 by serving to educate individuals on how one can look after animals. Then in 2012, it opened Celestial Farms on Jacksonville’s Northside.

“The neighborhood has supported us effectively as we expanded our mission to rehabilitate abused, uncared for, and deserted livestock,” the brand new launch said.

In July, the News4JAX I-TEAM discovered that the native nonprofit farm, animal rescue and academic heart was facing legal battles as new and old management accused each other of mishandling funds.

The farm was given eight months to repay a virtually $300,000 mortgage balloon cost by June 29. Quickly after that, a GoFundMe was created to raise money towards the cost.

Celestial Farms is residence to roughly 200 rescued livestock equivalent to horses, pigs and goats. The In an announcement, administration addressed the animals’ future and thanked the neighborhood for its efforts to maintain the farm open.

“We admire the love and assist the media and the neighborhood has given us. Nevertheless, it’s not viable to maintain the Celestial Farms places open on Duval Street. The one you love animals will probably be relocated to native rescues in addition to vetted farms. Your previous donations and assist will keep within the space with main funds from the proceeds of the sale of the Duval Street property will probably be shared with native charities to offer continued assist of livestock and to proceed our mission to exhibit the bodily, emotional, social, mental, and non secular advantages of Agricultural Remedy.”

Administration didn’t specify what led to the power’s closure.

Individuals are invited to “benefit from the spirit of the farm one final time” up till December 30. The farm will probably be open Monday by Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The farm will completely shut on Jan. 1, 2023.