On July 25th, the Envision Success Project (ESP) traveled to Whip City Animal Sanctuary, a non-profit animal care facility in Westfield, Massachusetts. ESP’s new farming program aims to educate students about the agricultural industry, its many modes of operation, and the ways it benefits individuals and communities alike.
Through visiting different kinds of farms, students explore local food systems, develop gardening techniques, and learn the history of farming and disability. While they’re at it, they engage in physical activity with tangible results and spend time caring for animals, developing valuable husbandry skills.
Some of the other locations we plan to visit are:
- Winterberry Farm in Colrain, MA: a non-profit animal care facility
- Little River Farm in Belchertown, MA: an animal and fiber farm with a fiber art workshop
- Just Roots in Greenfield, MA: an animal farm
- Many Graces in Northampton, MA: a flower farm and floral design studio
- Upingil in Gill, MA: an organic animal, cheese, and vegetable farm with a bakery, creamery, and a farm store
If you are interested in joining this program, you can contact E.C. Piper at piper [at] poluscenter.org.