​To everyone who has ever loved our farm, enjoyed our food, praised our hard work, or admired our spirit here at Stonecipher Farm, I ask of you to show your love this day, in donating to this fund raiser for our beloved employee Mario.

Mario Velazquez Morales, my great friend, my right hand man, my employee of 13 seasons, died tragically in a car accident in his home country , of Chiapas Mexico, November 24th at midnight.

Mario leaves behind a grieving wife, and 4 children, ages 11 down to 2 months. Mario also took care of his own father, and was a hugely generous member of his home community, effecting countless peoples' lives with his generosity.

I have created this fund raising campaign, so that his wife will be able to transition to a financial life without him. If it does not go without saying, Chiapas Mexico has fewer financial supports than even here. There is a reason most the able bodied men either head to the cities for income, or to the United States. Mario's wife Cristian now has no income at all. We her friends and family (including my other employees) will do everything we can to help her adapt. A gift of cash from her husband's community in Maine, will help her heart know that at least, her children will be fed, and can continue going to school, until her life can find a new form

This story would be compelling, even if she and her children were strangers; but this is profoundly personal. Many of you met Mario; many of you remember him well. Even those who do not know him, he has effected your lives.....

Mario started with Stonecipher in the summer of 2012. He was 20 years old. He and his brother Dergi Nain, worked with me (Ian) here for 4 years, until his brother's untimely death from diabetes complications. Mario continued to work with me seasonally, and had planned to continue until retirement. Mario brought so much heart and care to his work here, that at times it felt greater than my own! But more important than how he cared for the plants here, was how he cared for people.

Our entire team, are all Mario's picks. He and I would discuss options, characteristics of people we wanted here, not only working with us , but living with us for the season, and Mario would interview people at home in Chiapas, prepare them for a season here, and then lovingly train everyone upon arrival here.

Thanks to Mario's care and love, our farm crew has functioned as family, more than a work crew. Mario groomed these men, to all be the best they can be, in whatever capacities they have. He did not only create in them, great workers and employees, he cultivated in them their own gifts and potential.

So much of Stonecipher Farm's success, and contribution to the community, was Mario's energy. When he was young, he timidly hung back a bit; as he got older, he greeted everyone who came by with "Hola! Como esta!" He absolutely was the heart part, of this place.

Everyone, loved Mario. Everyone.

The very first time I took Mario to Western Union, to send money home, he sent 100% of his pay, to his cousin whose husband had left her. Not $100, not half his pay. 100%. From what I can tell, there was no personal limit to what Mario would give to people. His home community all know him, he is the guy that will drive anyone anywhere, for free, in a land where most people do not own cars or trucks.

I pray that everyone who has read this far, can click this link, and give whatever doesn't hurt. If $6 hurts, then how about $5? I would just love to see everyone give a tiny bit: One dollar American, is 20 Pesos Mexican. We are Mario's pension, and life insurance. What this community can pull together for her, is how his family will get through this first year without him.

Thank you everyone. God bless you all.