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November 2025
First Nature Notes: Five Years, Many Blessings, and So Much to Share
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Check out all of our latest updates and announcements by liking our Facebook page! 

Dear Friends of First Nature Foundation,

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Thanksgiving is almost upon us, and we hope this season brings you many reasons to be grateful. At FNF, we’re certainly counting our blessings. With new events, retreats, fundraisers, and programs underway, along with several exciting updates, we have so much good news to share. We promise to keep it brief and worth the read!

Mark Your Calendar: This Friday, November 21!

 

Looking for the perfect Christmas gifts for the special women in your life? Join us for our Kendra Scott Fundraiser! You can shop in-store or online, and a portion of every purchase supports First Nature Foundation.

 

It’s the perfect chance to pick up something beautiful while giving back to a cause that makes a real difference. Don’t miss out—treat your loved ones and make an impact!

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We’re thrilled to share a major milestone—we’ve received Candid’s Platinum Transparency Rating!

 

Candid is the platform donors and grant-makers use to assess the integrity and details of nonprofits, with an extensive set of criteria. Platinum is the highest rating available, and we’re proud to have achieved it.

 

This recognition reflects our commitment to transparency, accountability, and the trust you place in our foundation. We’re definitely patting ourselves on the back for this one!

Last week, on a super cold Tuesday, the Citrus Club’s Charity Classic Golf Tournament teed off at Rio Pinar Country Club in Orlando—on Veterans Day, no less!

 

We’re thrilled to have been a beneficiary of this event and are eagerly awaiting the final fundraising numbers. The generous support we receive will go directly to our Horse Wisdom for Heroes program, helping veterans and first responders find healing and resilience through their connections with horses.

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Remember back in April when we hinted at a special celebrity visitor at the ranch? Thanks to Experience Kissimmee, a segment of their Kissimmee Experience show was filmed right here—but we had to keep the guest under wraps…until last week!

 

Are you a Walking Dead fan? We were thrilled to host Emily Kinney (Beth on the series) along with celebrity Jen Bonner for a Leadership Course with our horses. What an incredible experience it was to guide them through this unique, hands-on program!

 

 Watch the episode here and see the magic for yourself! (It says Making Coffee with Emily Kinney, but the ranch part comes first!)

We’re thrilled to share that on Friday February 27, First Nature Foundation will host Horse Fair Day as part of the Horses and Humans Research Foundation’s (HHRF) annual conference. This promises to be a big day for us, with 75–100 attendees and fantastic exposure within the Equine Assisted Learning and Development community.

 

But that’s not all! The Equine Experiential Education Association (E3A) is planning a Demo Day at the ranch on Saturday, February 21, the weekend before.

 

We couldn’t be more excited to open our doors for these events and share the magic of our ranch with such an inspiring community!

Calling All Nonprofit Leaders!

 

Are you in leadership at a local nonprofit? We’d love to have you join us for our next Nonprofit Roundtable at the ranch on Monday, December 8, from 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM.

 

This gathering will feature knowledgeable speakers sharing insights on what it truly takes to run a successful nonprofit—along with time for connection, collaboration, and meaningful discussion.

• Leadership insights with Founder Kerul Kassel

• Community + nonprofit collaboration

• Shared wins, challenges, and solutions

• Building impact together

 

Let’s finish the year strong — and inspired. Ready to join us? RSVP for this event by clicking on the button!

Finally, as we close out the year, we’re turning our hearts toward a cause that is deeply needed in our community. Our Horses Healing Hearts program has quietly changed lives, offering women who have faced trauma a place to breathe again, to rediscover their strength, and to feel seen in a way that only nature and horses seem able to offer.

 

In 2026, we hope to open this space to even more women who are walking through some of the hardest chapters of their lives. To do that, we’ve launched our Year-End Fundraiser, with a goal of raising $15,000 to support monthly sessions, horse care, and essential partnerships with organizations serving women in crisis.

 

Every gift, no matter the size, helps us hold space for someone who needs a moment of peace, a spark of confidence, or the simple reminder that they are not alone. Thanks to a generous donor, we have a jumpstart on this fundraiser. Only $14,000 to go!

We’ve already hosted several retreats and events this season, and we’re excited to share that many more are booking for the months ahead. If you’re planning an event, retreat, or program, now is the perfect time to reserve your date before our calendar fills up.

 

If you haven’t had the chance to visit yet, we’d love to show you around First Nature Ranch. You can reply to this email to schedule a tour or use the buttons below to book a meeting.

 

Our facility truly is a beautiful place to gather (we hear it from every visitor!), and we’re proud to offer a serene, welcoming environment at reasonable rates. We’d be honored to host your next event.

And with the holidays just around the corner, don’t forget that a Serenity Session makes a truly meaningful gift for anyone who loves horses. It’s a peaceful, rejuvenating hour spent in the calming presence of one of our gentle equine partners—an experience that brings relaxation, reflection, and a little magic.

 

Booking early ensures you can choose the perfect date and time, so your loved one gets a gift they’ll genuinely cherish.

A note from Allyn, our Executive Director:

This month marks my five-year anniversary at First Nature Foundation. It’s a milestone that has been such a blessing for me and my family. Watching our programs grow and seeing the incredible impact we make on the local community has been truly inspiring.

 

Every day, I’m grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such passionate people, to witness lives transformed through our unique programs and services, and to share in the joy that our horses and ranch bring to so many. Thank you for being part of this journey with us! It is because of supporters like you that we can continue making a difference.

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From Our Hearts to Yours,

Kerul and Crew

 

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First Nature Ranch / First Nature Foundation  

“Where the past, present, and future of leadership come together for the dignity and benefit of all.” 

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