Emma Rastatter and Wiley Webb are establishing a regenerative farm ecosystem to meet gaps in the regional food system and reopen a treasured community space.
Saturn’s Return is a diversified production farm that draws from all ecosystems on the property—wetlands, forest, and agricultural land—to yield vegetables, cut flowers, perennial food crops like nuts and berries, and pastured livestock. While the primary goal is to steward the farm ecosystem and produce food for local markets through the San Juan Islands Food Hub, the farm business is also bolstered by an on-site inn that diversifies the farm’s income and serves as an avenue for education and community engagement.
Note: Emma and Wiley’s farm was previously known as the “San Juan Center for Regenerative Economy,” (SJCRE) a temporary name that has now evolved into “Saturn’s Return.” While the name has shifted, the farm, goals, and participants are all consistent with the SJCRE project listing.
The farm property was purchased on the summer solstice in June of 2022, which kicked off the process of observation, farm design, planting trials, and establishing infrastructure for both the farm and the inn. A short-term bridge loan for the property purchase is now transitioning to a long-term mortgage.
Saturn's return contributed 20% equity to the property purchase and has self-financed start-up costs over the past year to get the Farm Inn and property ready for guests.
In order to fit within the unique agro-ecological niche of the NW islands and mitigate the expense of importing inputs, Saturn’s Return utilizes a broad range of regenerative practices to invest in the farm soils and ecosystem:
At the end of the loan campaign, three lenders will be chosen for a 2-night weekend stay at the beautiful Saturn's Return Farm Inn! Lenders who participate in the following amounts will have their names entered to win these farm-stay packages. Your lending range corresponds to the number of times your name will be entered into the giveaway.
The number of entries is based on the total amount lent per user and applies to all lenders that participate in the above amounts. No flights are included in the farm-stay packages. Must be redeemed prior to Dec 31, 2024.
Prize #1: 2-Night Weekend Stay in our Deluxe King bedroom, with Daily Farm Breakfast
About the room: Floor-to-ceiling windows welcome in expansive views of West Valley, Young Hill, and the wetlands. Best enjoyed from the comfort of your organic Avocado King mattress and Coyuchi linens. The room features our largest en suite bathroom with a walk-in shower and organic Baina bath linens. Our favorite room for an indulgent getaway. Includes, a private farm tour with Emma & Wiley and a $100 gift card to wine garden and cafe, Ever.Else in Friday Harbor, soon to re-open as Camas Cafe by new proprietor and island farmer, Nicole Fuenzalida.
Prize #2: 2-Night Weekend Stay in our Deluxe Queen bedroom, with Daily Farm Breakfast
About the room: In the heart of the original one-room schoolhouse, the Deluxe Queen features its 1915 fireplace and Douglas fir floors. Enjoy views of Garrison Creek and our flower field from your organic Avocado Queen mattress, Coyuchi linens, and Fir Oak Farm wool duvet insert. Its private bathroom next door has a shower-bath, organic Baina bath linens, and bathrobes from Block Shop Textiles. Includes, a private farm tour with Emma & Wiley and a $100 gift card to wine garden and cafe, Ever.Else in Friday Harbor, soon to re-open as Camas Cafe by new proprietor and island farmer, Nicole Fuenzalida.
Prize #3: 2-Night Weekend Stay in our Standard Queen Bedroom, with Daily Farm Breakfast
About the room: Our Queen bedroom features a comfortable bed with organic Coyuchi linens, a Fir Oak Farm wool duvet insert, and windows that let in birdsong and views of the farm or Garrison Creek. Its small en suite bathroom has a walk-in shower and organic Baina bath linens. Includes, a private farm tour with Emma & Wiley and a $100 gift card to wine garden and cafe, Ever.Else in Friday Harbor, soon to re-open as Camas Cafe by new proprietor and island farmer, Nicole Fuenzalida.
This loan will be made to SJCRE LLC, DBA Saturn's Return, a Delaware limited liability company, which hosts guests at their farm Inn and has diversified crop production on-site.
This loan will be used to refinance their short-term 9-month loan which was used to secure the property in June of 2022. This loan is secured by a first mortgage and a first priority lien against all business assets of Saturn's Return.
This loan is set at a 7.5% interest rate, with a term of 84 months. Repayments are made to participating lenders each month with interest-only payments for the first 12 months of the loan and monthly payments of principal and interest on a 20-year amortization schedule thereafter.
The first 12 months of the loan are interest only, in other words, Saturn’s Return will make monthly payments equal to the interest due but will not make any principal payments that decrease the balance of the loan.
Beginning in month 13 the loan will start amortizing on a 20-year schedule. At this point, Saturn's Return monthly payments will increase to an amount that covers the interest due and a small portion of the principal.
At the end of the loan term, there will be a principal balance remaining. Saturn’s Return will be responsible for paying off the outstanding principal balance. This will most likely occur with a new loan provided by Steward or another financial institution.
Join a growing community of sustainably-minded lenders reaping the rewards from responsible farming