Don't Jump Pigs are Drama Queens

     And it begins.... hand me a rake, pitch fork, and a bale of hay! 

     My first day as a intern at Woodstock Animal Sanctuary was cleaning and lots of it! Mark and I jumped in to lend a hand with the daily chores. We cleaned and prepared a stall for the arrival of two new sheep (more on these girls at a later date). We did poop patrol through the pig enclosure, cleaned out a pig stall, and cleaned and re-did a chicken coop.

Walter and I at Woodstock Animal Sanctuary 

   So, challenge number one, get wheelbarrow through the muddy pig enclosure full of poop without letting a pig dump it over. Yea, they think it's fun. Challenge number two if  "Little Dude" (who isn't little at all) comes towards you MOVE. Challenge number three, get more comfortable with the pigs! Yea, it's a natural reaction to flinch when you hear squeals and grunts coming out of a 300-400lb being. Everyone has assured me the pigs are "Drama Queens". Being a Leo, I totally get it. 
  Ya know, all that talk about how dirty pigs are? Well, their "nests" are spotless, that is where they sleep. And I actually said out out loud today "Pig poop actually isn't bad". Seriously, easy clean-up and not much smell. Well, until the wheelbarrow is full. Just a little more info on "Little Dude", he just gets overwhelmed a bit, as he is almost blind and is deaf.
 The next big job today, cleaning out one of the chicken coops. This involved, removing all the shavings, scraping cracks and the floor with a putty knife, sprinkling mite treatment down, and replacing the shavings. Pretty big task for the afternoon, but add to that a dozen chickens who are totally into your every move! We kept all the chickens out of the coop except one,"Tamulah". She kept trying to make a nest in our piles, and trying to get through the doors to the other areas. I loved having some time up close with the chickens today. One of my goals while here, is to get to know more about the birds.

  When we wake-up there is no going back to sleep. 

I found myself tearing up many times today for no obvious reason in the moment. But knowing that it is a culmination of moments. It is amazing to be here with these animals. For them to give us a chance. To be that human that that they can trust. That scratches that hard to reach place behind their horns. That stands with them in the moment, in complete peace. And all the while, realizing the horrible things that are happening to BILLIONS of other animals, in that same moment. And being very much aware of how much I have to learn, the doubt that can creep in.... and the "Yes" that is even louder - because they deserve better. 

A Food Experience- The Food Literacy Project

Are you missing out on awesome programs in your community? Well, apparently I have been. This weekend I learned about an awesome program - The Food Literacy Project - My husband and I spent the morning volunteering in their garden. They have been around for six years and according to a staff members, have a thriving school field trip program.

The opportunities that the Project provides is for the "next generation" to get their hands dirty and learn about healthy foods - from planting, growing, harvesting, cooking, and eating. In addition, they have specific programs to learn about things like composting and the benefits of worms. The five senses garden and educational program is very cool, as they use herbs like fennel and rosemary with various textures and smells - to entice the young ones.

In the world of concrete, hand-sanitizer and nutritionally lacking food, programs such as these are imperative for the "next generation" to learn about "real" food and connect with the earth.  However, it is not just about them, there are plenty of adults with much to learn about healthy food as well.  Most of us city dwellers have a learning curve when it comes to gardening. And as we set out to  include more vegetables in our cooking repertoire we are bound to come across the unknown and unfamiliar like - Kohlrabi and Daikon Radish. Graduating beyond potatoes and corn is very exciting!

Garden and Rain Barrel Shed

The focus on sustainability was also very impressive. The garden has a rain catcher shed which fills four rain barrels used to water the garden.

Barn and Mulch Pile

The mulch used for the garden is from trees on the property that have been chipped. The mulch was very rich with lots of crawling critters.

Outdoor Kitchen

 

My favorite feature was the outdoor kitchen! The kitchen is used to prepare foods like salads and pizzas with only ingredients harvested from the farm.

You can schedule a visit, participate in the Family Programs, or volunteer. I definitely recommend taking the time to check them out and bring a little one if you can. 

What can be?

Vision, it is a gift.  It's a gift that allows someone to look at something (potentially hideous and risky) and see the possibilities. That is what I see when I view the following pictures - possibilities.Possibilities of rescued farmed animals living a life of love and freedom. Possibilities of people discovering the sentience of all creatures, connecting with nature, and opening their hearts.

So, we begin the first steps toward possibilities, preparing the facilities and grooming the land.

These photos are the "before", stay tuned for updates.......

Garage that will be transformed into an animal barn

The inside of the future barn

a wood burning pile with many extras added

two additional junk piles near the "barns"

The House

Introduction

VegaFarmista is about my journey past, present, and future. The journey of  veganism and how veganism is the spark that changed and continues to transform my life. 

The journey of transforming our 19 acre property into a Sanctuary. A Sanctuary for rescued farmed animals to find rehabilitation, compassion, life and love from humans. Also, a Sanctuary for people. A place where people can experience the sentience of animals, be in nature, learn about sustainability, and eat natural vegan food.

The journey of becoming a self-sufficient farmer and caretaker for farmed animals. There is bound to be many humorous stories as I take on this new way of life. However, I am up for the task!

I am excited to be chronicling and sharing this journey with you. Most of all, I am excited to be taking this giant leap off the cliff in faith! Saying "Yes" to my hearts desire, along with my husband, and to be working with animals and helping others connect with them. This is where I feel most connected and most alive. They are the mirror of our goodness, our innocence, our unconditioned love. They are our way home.

Up next: Turning Vegan.