Join Our Board

Our Board of Directors Needs You!

Friends of Deer Hollow Farm (FODHF) is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization raising funds for Deer Hollow Farm. The Board is composed of a maximum of 13 volunteers.

We are always looking for future members to fulfill its mission: raising money for the Farm. Serving as an ambassador for the Farm are key skills, but an overriding requirement is a passion for preserving the Farm.

Board member work requirements: 

  • Work on at least one committee, ideally two
  • Attend four Board meetings annually
  • Serve for at least one 3-year term. A second term is optional
  • Donate $250 per year to FODHF
  • ~10 hours/month
  • Assist at in-person events

FODHF Mission Statement

  • Preserve Deer Hollow Farm for future generations, a historical area and working farm.
  • Support the Farm’s regional environmental education program for the benefit of schools and the community by raising funds through donations, grants, and public events.

Since its founding in 1994, Friends has raised more than $1.1 million for:
• Farm operations and improvements
• Field trip scholarships
• Animal care and feed
• Volunteer Farm projects

Board Committees
The entire Board meets three times a year in person. The Board relies on email, phone and committee meetings to communicate. Board members work on one or more committees such as: Grant Request Writing, Marketing or Donor Relations.

Farm Operations
We seek funding and community support for the farm’s annual $425K operational budget.

Funding comes from a variety of sources, including Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, Santa Clara County, the cities of Mountain View, Cupertino and Los Altos Hills and Friends.

Farm Improvements
Friends funds Farm improvement projects recommended by the Farm staff. Friends has funded more than $128,000 in Farm improvements including a duck pond, cow, pig and chicken barns.

Pictured top left to right Pamela Baird, Tara Sreekrishnan, center Jack Kay and Nancy Stuhr (Secretary), bottom Lauren Merriman (President) and Barbara Cole (Accountant). Unpictured is Wai Mo, IdaRose Sylvester, Katie Stern (Treasurer), and Dick Walker.

Field Trip Tuition
Friends provides field trip scholarships for nearly half the 5,000 elementary students from 48 Silicon Valley schools in 14 cities. This allows children from low-income areas to participate in the Farm’s renowned educational program.

Animal Fund
Friends supports the Farm Animal Fund for animal feed and care, which is funded strictly by donations.We also help staff the Farm’s Nature Center and booths at events.

Friends’ Funding Sources
Most of Friends’ funding comes from community partnerships, foundation grants, government entities and individual donors. Friends maintains a website and Facebook page to keep the public informed about the Farm and to solicit donations year-round. We also raise funds during the annual SVGives Day fund-raising campaign. Therefore, important (and valued) Board member skills include public outreach, social media, marketing and grant writing.

Join us now to make a difference. For more information, email FODHF President, Lauren Merriman.