May 31, 2023
On March 27, over 20 folks from CAA joined Farmaste staff and regular volunteers for a day of hard work and fun. To keep a farm sanctuary of this size running smoothly and its residents happy there is a lot that needs to be done. This weekend we helped with some regular tasks and special jobs that needed doing. Together, we unloaded and stacked 228 bales of straw, installed 15 fence posts, cleaned 2 barns, and cleared pathways!
With many hands the work went quickly and allowed for great conversations. And the occasional animal greeting helped keep us inspired. Afterwards we collapsed happy and tired for a fantastic picnic. Burgers and brats were supplied by CAA, with other dishes brought by participants.
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we combined taking care of animals with essential self-care. Sanctuary volunteering gave us healthy exercise and community. One participant, Cari, put it this way: “It was a great way to stave off compassion fatigue and burnout.” At the same time, we helped provide an environment that supports the residents’ mental and physical health.
Farmaste Animal Sanctuary founder Kelly Tope told the gathered volunteers that farm sanctuaries do important work for their residents and to raise awareness, but don’t have capacity to care for even 1% of the animals currently slaughtered each year. Upcoming CAA outreach events are important, easy ways to share information about animal agriculture practices with other Minnesotans to help change our society as a whole! Video outreach reduces participants’ average meat consumption, and changes their attitudes towards meat and animal products.
Saturday, June 10: CAA @ Explore West St Paul Days: Information | SignUp
Saturday-Sunday, June 24-25: CAA @ Twin Cities Pride Festival: Information | SignUp
Farmaste rescues abused, neglected, and unwanted farm animals and provides them with a safe sanctuary. Residents are respected as someone, not treated as something. Farmaste is located in Lindstrom, MN, less than an hour north of the Twin Cities, near Stacy and North Branch.
P.S. One of the participants, David Smith, took time after pitching in for work day to use his artistic talents to capture an image of Phoebe and the farm. He generously donated the painting to Farmaste and it will be featured in their November auction.