by AMANDA WINTERS
Sequim Gazette
The family who established Black Rabbit Farm on Sequim-Dungeness Way said a reluctant goodbye to Sequim as they moved away and put the farm up for sale.
Grace Michaud, her husband, Thomas, and their sons Noah and Lucien have moved to Portland, Ore., to follow Thomas’ job relocation.
In 2006, the Michaud family bought the farm in Sequim and moved from New Hampshire with the hopes of making it a self-sufficient piece of property on which to make a home.
Not long after moving in following extensive renovations, people began to bring animals to the farm and leave them there to be cared for by the Michaud family.
The farm housed and rehabilitated rabbits, geese, chickens, horses, alpacas and cows among other things, Grace Michaud said.
Michaud said they only ever refused to rescue a camel but other than that, they would accept whatever animals were brought their way. All the animals have been placed within the county, she said.
At the beginning, the farm had a patch of grapes from which to make wine. But the cows ate them up quickly and soon the Michauds found the farm was taking a different direction than planned.
Along with the unexpected rescue animals, people would stop by and ask about the farm, wanting to look at the animals or in some cases just sit and eat lunch there, Michaud said.
It was strange having people want to hang out in her backyard but it gave them a chance to enjoy themselves on a farm with the animals, she said.
The community was extremely welcoming and supportive of Black Rabbit Farm, with locals even paying off the farm’s feed bill at Christmastime, she said.
“It’s amazing how lovely this community is,” Michaud said, recalling how people would put $20 or $10 on the farm’s feed account at Clallam Co-op Farm & Garden.
She said they were successful in making the farm self-sustainable and she dreams of returning after her husband’s contract in Portland is over.
“We’re reluctant to leave,” she said. “We’re sad to go.”
Reach Amanda Winters at awinters@sequimgazette.com.
