3/01 PRESS RELEASE

Redman House Progress Notes
Contact: Dale Skillicorn
President
Redman Foundation

We now have title to the Redman House and about 15 acres of surrounding farmland! On Friday, February 18, 2005 , virtually six years to the day from when the Redman Foundation filed for incorporation as a 501 ( c ) (3) non-profit organization (February 19, 1999), we closed Escrow on the purchase of the property. The following Thursday, in support and celebration of the acquisition, the Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce used its monthly mixer as a fundraiser for the Redman Foundation. It was reported that more than 200 people showed up and donated over $3,000 to the project through a silent auction and direct donations. Another $3,000 has been pledged as a result of the event. The mixer host, Coast Community Bank, presented the Redman Foundation with a check for $1,000.

Now, the real work begins. The first phase of restoring the house involves reconstructing the building's earthquake-damaged foundation and repairing the roof to prevent water damage from next winter's rains. In the meantime we are also working on the demonstration apple orchard, getting ready to re-open the produce stand, and working on development of our Pajaro Valley gateway Information Center . Each of these projects, plus planning of the Victorian Gardens and landscaping, have their own Committee and budgets. Redman Foundation supporters can target their donations and volunteer services to one or all of our project categories.

Projected cost of this year's Phase One of the house restoration is $500,000 to raise the house and move it aside while the cellar is excavated and the foundation rebuilt, plus replace the house on the new foundation and re-do the roof. Area architects, contractors and craftspeople are presently working on plans for this first phase of the project. Volunteer workers will also be organized.

The Information Center project will offer material from other local agricultural heritage projects plus sponsored exhibits explaining how related industries played their own important roles in making agriculture the life-blood of our area. For example, the advent of electricity provided lighting which enabled the farmer to start his day earlier and work further into the night plus power for electrical equipment such as milking machines and water pumps. Seed companies, fertilizers and disease control, farm labor, processing plants and freezer operations, railroad and truck shipping each played its role. We will be developing plans for an Information Center that will reflect the many elements which contributed to our agricultural heritage. We are in the process of developing a budget for this part of the Redman Foundation project. Those who want to help this part of the project with financial support and/or as volunteers, or who may have related material to include in a collection, can contact the Foundation through our website and let us know of your specific interest.

As you can tell, there are many Redman House activities in the works. Keep checking our website for updates. And if you'd like to help financially, please send donations to: the Redman Foundation, P.O. Box 2526 , Watsonville , CA 95077 . If you are not reading this on our website, you can find us at www.redmanhouse.com

Dale Skillicorn President, the Redman Foundation 831-768-1867 Tax ID 770509782