I had been thinking about volunteering at a farm sanctuary and had a trip planned to NYC last June. I had heard about Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary and decided to do a little digging. After spending just 30 minutes on their site, I got myself signed up to volunteer later that month. Not knowing what to expect, I went in with an open mind and came out enlightened.
My trip to the farm
Having never been to Woodstock, NY I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Like many of you, I immediately pictured a bunch of hippies at the oh so famous Woodstock music festival of 69′ that took place at Max Yasgur’s dairy farm in the town of Bethel, NY. Bethel is actually an hour and a half drive Southwest from Woodstock itself, so unfortunately I didn’t have enough time to sneak in a visit to this historical landmark (next time). However, spending time at Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary was far more fulfilling then snapping a few pics and bragging to my pals that I stood where legends such as Jimi Hendrix, Crosby Stills, Nash and Young and Janis Joplin once performed.
Surrounded by the Catskills in upstate New York, Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary is picturesque. There are cute bed and breakfast’s in the downtown or you can stay on their property at the guesthouse-full vegan breakfast included! When you arrive for your shift at the farm, they quickly set you up with a task and off you go. It’s extremely laid back and everyone is nice as pie. The animals roam about the property (some are sectioned off into their designated play areas) but there are hens, turkeys, roosters, goats and Diane, the farm mule, roaming about. What a cool experience!
A little history on Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary
Jenny Brown and Doug Abel founded Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary in late 2004 from a small group of factory farmed chickens that were abandoned in a New York City schoolyard. Prior to starting the farm animal sanctuary, both Jenny and Doug were employed full time in the film industry. Jenny had been an animal advocate from a young age and through her work shooting an undercover video on animal abuse at a Texas stockyard, she had seen enough and wanted to make even more of an impact for the fight for farm animals.
Now, the couple calls the Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary their home and has dedicated their lives to creating awareness on the horrible truth involved in the mass productions of animals for food, while simultaneously building their farm animal sanctuary. Through coordinating volunteer contributions, fundraising and a lot of hard work, the couple and their staff are able to provide unconditional love and care for the animals that call the sanctuary their home.
Take a journey though these photographs and captions to fully embrace what a joyful experience visiting or volunteering at the Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary can be for you and your family.
