Mission: History and Mission
We are Helpers Of Our Farm! HOOF is a nonprofit organization centered around education and providing a sanctuary for rescued, donated, and in-need farm animals. Our mission is to provide continued care and a sanctuary to farm animals in need, educate children and adults by creating awareness of rescues and their needs, and demonstrate through animal rides and farm animal jobs how a rescue’s life can be re-purposed for good. HOOF is a platform for the community to learn, grow, and volunteer.
Greenlands Farm started a rescue petting farm in 2011 with a vision to provide a sanctuary to farm animals and an educational platform for the community. Whether adopted from other rescue organizations, donated from owners, or taking in an animal because the farm could provide a good home, these animals are now a part of our farm and have a new life. Greenlands Farm friends established Helpers of Our Farm (HOOF), a not for profit organization that supports these rescued animals and the education and services they provide. We are “Helpers of Our Farm” not only because these animals depend on humans to help them, but also because these animals help us by teaching us how to love, care, and learn from them. They perform an important task of educating visitors during our tours, petting farm, and farm classes. The goal has always been to integrate education into the lives of our community through the lives of these animals.
Sanctuary
Our sanctuary is located on Greenlands Farm and we provide a beautiful and peaceful home to many animals that have never been given the opportunity to experience loving care. Each animal is provided with shelter, clean water, and plenty of room to roam free.
Education
Our hope is to reduce farm animal abuse, neglect, and the need for rehoming by educating the public on the reality of care and ownership responsibility. We believe the lives other farm animals will be changed if there is more awareness of these unsuspected animals in need. A more educated society creates smarter choices and future advocates.
Rehabilitation
The rehabilitation of animals is approached case by case. Each animal’s basic needs for healthcare and medical treatment, nutrition and dietary needs, and careful handling and training will be met along with any individual needs on top of those. We work with each animal to gain and grow trust and to build a healthy herd/companion environment. Many of our animals are given “jobs” to help their mental health as well. They are very similar to us in some ways, a working brain is a healthy brain. Even if that just means greeting you!
Target demographics: farm animals in need of sanctuary, educate the society on rescue animals
Direct beneficiaries per year: 15 farm animals, educated visitors
Geographic areas served: Southeastern North Carolina
Programs: a farm animal sanctuary and educating the public on kindness, responsibility, and humane treatment of animals.
My daughter and I have attended a couple events and visited the petting farm several times over the past year. We really enjoy spending time with the animals, the volunteers/staff are always friendly and the country store has some great food! This local, family-owned farm is a gem of coastal North Carolina.
I have been volunteering at H.O.O.F. once a week for the past few months. The farm is truly a special place and the owners put their hearts into every piece of it. I look forward to my volunteer day because I get out of the office and get to work with Petunia the pig each week. Our goals are for her to be able to wear a harness (to be taken off site for education) and to be able to have her nails trimmed without sedation. So each week, I bring carrot slices as incentives and I squeeze her hooves, practice her giving hoof on command, practice wearing the harness and walking around the farm on the leash. Petunia is so incredibly smart (and stubborn!) I try to outsmart her and each week we make more and more progress. I also scrub the water containers and Petunia's swimming pool. The short time I spend there each week is incredibly fulfilling and feels great to know I am helping an non-profit organization, and family-run operation, as awesome as H.O.O.F.
I've been volunteering since April of 2016; I love working with the animals and supporters! I've learned so much in my time on the farm and every week I continue to add to my level of knowledge around animal care. I have an office job, and my work on the farm gets me out in the fresh air doing things that are not part of my normal work week. And, working with the family that owns the farm has been a very positive experience as well. My time spent on the farm has helped me more than I think I've ever helped them! To top it all off, there's Petunia...the pig - shhhh...she's my favorite!!
HOOF petting farm is so much fun! Kids and parents alike learn so much and you can't get interactions like this anywhere else in the area. The farm is owned by the greatest people and their love shines through to anyone that visits! Highly recommend for a wonderful family experience!
