In this new series, “Caregivers Corner,” I sit down with caregivers from different sanctuaries to talk about their work as caregivers. Joy Gomez is the farm manager and a caregiver at Safe Haven Farm Sanctuary in Poughquag, New York. Joy and I discuss their recent…
Jonathan Brant is an animal rights activist, a writer, an artist, a musician and singer, a student at Eastern Michigan University, and author of “An Open Letter to a Curious Omnivore.” In this episode, Jonathan and I are back together again discussing important issues surrounding…
Cows Come Home Sanctuary located in Talbott, Tennessee is such a magical place filled with lots of love and a very inspiring story. Randie and I sit down on her front porch overlooking the cow pasture, and have a heartfelt conversation. She shares her story publicly for the first time, which is not only heart wrenching, but also profoundly connected to her incredible desire to end the multi-generational cattle ranch that her husband and father-n-law had been running for many years.
She explains why she just couldn’t not speak up and do something for the cows and babies that were being separated every time they were taken to auction. The look in their eyes reminded her of a time when she herself feared for her own life.
“As a survivor of long-term domestic violence, who am I to turn a blind eye to the fear, sorrow and hopelessness to other living beings?”
“Leaving an abusive relationship is one of the hardest things someone will ever do. In the end, I was able to do for them (my pig, Tusok and Scottie, Cubbie Roo) what I was not able to do for myself. I would never have wound up on a cattle farm if not for my second pig, Tobie. So, my first pig saved MY life. My second pig led me to the cows so I could save theirs.”
Randie shares how Cows Come Home came to be a sanctuary, and “The Mayor” who turned everything around by sharing a message with Rick Gentry. (The Mayor is a cow, by the way)
In addition she talks about the cold and rainy day that a sweet little calf named “Lou” was born, and how everyone thought he was dead until Rick Gentry saw him blink his eyes. The road to recovery for Lou was long and arduous, until a magical moment happened in Randie’s kitchen after many days and nights of touch and go for the calf, who was living inside Randie’s house. Lou’s love for Silk Soy Milk has become the talk of the town, and his sweet and kind demeanor makes him the perfect greeter for all who visit the sanctuary.
We discuss ways to support Cows Come Home and the work they are doing. The new barn needed for Lou, shelter for the cows in the pasture, and extra hay to make up for what was lost in the drought season.
Randie talks about opportunities to visit and tour the sanctuary, as well as unique volunteer needs. To learn more about this incredible sanctuary and the work they are doing, please visit the website and follow on social media.
https://www.instagram.com/cowscomehomesanctuary/
I had the immense pleasure of sitting down with Mark at the Gray Barn at Woodstock Farm Sanctuary, to discuss his book, Striking at the Roots- A Practical Guide to Animal Activism. Mark recently released the second edition of the book, (ten year anniversary) with…
After years of experience working with animals at different sanctuaries, Rebecca started her own “micro-sanctuary,” Institute For Animal Happiness. She and I sit down in her home in Woodstock, New York to discuss micro-sanctuaries, Hudson Valley Vegfest, and much more! Rebecca explains what a “micro-sanctuary”…
In this episode, Brece Clark (The Humane Cowboy) and I have an authentic, raw conversation about his journey from horse trainer, bull rider, rodeo participant, to the “humane cowboy” who works full time at a farm sanctuary who rescues animals. Brece talks about growing up on a dairy farm and his work on the farm, as well as his life as a horse trainer. He shares his story of how he walked away from that way of life and is now working at Sasha Farm Sanctuary in Manchester, Michigan. Brece talks in detail about what goes on in the horse training industry – things the average person never things about.
Brece talks about the breaking down of horses through violence to get the horses to do what the trainer wants them to do, and how the horse gives up their freedom when they are trained to be ridden and used for entertainment. He talks about methods he used and some of the more extreme measures and practices of the Tennessee walking horses.
Brece shares his journey and talks about his personal experiences, how his decisions have affected his relationships with his family and how he lives his life today.
Follow Brece on Facebook – Instagram – and check out his videos on YouTube.
If you would like to learn more about what happens to horses who are exploited, check out Horse Racing Wrongs.
In this episode Rachel McCrystal and I sit down in the grass pasture with the turkeys at Woodstock Farm Sanctuary. Rachel introduces the beautiful turkeys and tells us that Beatrice is nine years old, which is very uncommon for turkeys to live this long. Beatrice…
Lauren tells the story of how HHHH Farm Rescue was started, and her first rescue, Celtic (a horse), and purchasing her own farm when she turned 25. She discusses her second rescue and the latest rescue (Beau) another horse. They recently rescued Veda (meaning life)…
In this episode Todd Friedman tells the story of how Arthur’s Acres was started and talks about the animals he has rescued.
We discuss the dark side of animal agriculture, about different alternatives and options to meat products and the impact animal agriculture has on innocent animals.
Todd talks about his newest beloved resident, Max and his rescue story, as well as Karl, a 1000 pound pig who is a gentle and sweet being. He talks about the intelligence of pigs, the enrichment he does at Arthur’s Acres and the connections people make with the animals when they visit the sanctuary.
Todd talks about his one year anniversary coming up, ways to support the sanctuary, and the next step for the sanctuary.
He talks about the details for the fundraiser coming up at the Peekskill Brewery on November 2 @7PM. Info. For tickets are on Arthur’s Acres Website. There will be a silent auction, Vegan Buffet, screening of Wilbur’s adventures with a go-pro and more. They will unveil the plan for an aqua therapy healing center at the sanctuary, which will be open to all sanctuaries to use as an alternative- holistic therapy for pigs.
Daniel Turbert with Millie at Safe Haven Farm Sanctuary.
photography by Jonathan Brant