Planting a garden and visiting farm animals

OVERVIEW

So this fall I’m working to help plant some apple trees and start a garden for Gentle Acres Animal Haven, a farm animal sanctuary: https://www.gentleacresanimalhaven.org/
The goal is to help them become more self sufficient and provide the animals with a more diverse diet.

This Sunday I want to get some stuff in the ground for a fall test run. We will be planting beets, turnips, spinach, kale, chard, and radishes. The work will include loosening compacted soils, applying compost, and seeding these vegetables. It’s also likely that Jeanine, the woman who runs the haven, will have other tasks we can help with too if we have time. I’m sure we will also have a chance to hang out with the animals, there are cows (and 3 baby calves), goats (and 1 baby kid), sheep, pigs (and 1 baby piglet), ducks, chickens, turkeys, cats, and dogs.

To maximally enjoy the trip I recommend being comfortable with some light manual labor, large farm animals, interesting smells, and general dirtiness. This is a great trip to talk/learn about gardening and farm animals, hang out with non-humans, and spend time at a beautiful place. No experience in gardening is necessary, new members are welcome and encouraged.

Agenda
Meet by UVA chapel at 12:30
Carpool to GAAH, arrive ~1:30
Prepare garden/plant seeds/visit animals: 1:30 – 4:30
Get back to grounds around 5:30

I plan on carpooling but if you would really like to come but can’t stay for the whole time you can drive separately.

What to bring
Clothes that can get dirty
Boots if you have them, if not there are some for volunteers
Water
Fruit or vegetable treat for animals if you feel like it.

Also, if the trip is full you should still sign up, the limit on participants is just however many people we can drive so if theres more people who can drive we can take more.

If you have any questions just text me at 540-759-1277