Carol von Michaelis grew up in the foothills above Golden. She was always outside and loved animals. Carol was lucky enough to get a naughty pony at the age of 10 and start in the Jefferson County 4-H program. She credits her naughty pony with many life skills that served her well in life. Jefferson County 4-H also helped her gain many opportunities from learning horse judging to being able to compete at state fair with many different projects.
As a young adult she started teaching riding lessons and training ponies for neighbors which turned into a way to support herself through college. She was soon recognized as the one who would take the unwanted or difficult to place horses. When instructing at a high end barn she realized that many children that could really benefit from horses would not have the opportunity to have access to riding or competing. So, the venture of combining unwanted horses with humans that would likely not have access was started.
Through the years she incorporated her love of animals and nature into the program by partnering with open space, expanding to take on farm animals and offer all livestock to urban people. After a series of difficult life events, Carol realized that there was a lack of community, especially for those going through difficult times.
The Community Farm was born from this time. The goal was to create a safe place where people (and animals) could recover and rediscover themselves. Since opening many animals have gone to fairs and horse shows, many awards have been won, many lives have been touched. Carol’s goal is to start farms like this in different locations and tailor them to the specific needs of the community. Outside of farm life, Carol has a PhD in Public health: community health promotion, is a practicing pediatric PA and was formerly a nurse, firefighter and EMT. She loves art, mountain biking, trail running, photography and birding.