Southport Magazine

Helpers Of Our Farm (HOOF) is adding to its farm animal sanctuary programs! HOOF is a nonprofit organization centered around education and providing a sanctuary for rescued, donated, and in-need farm animals. The 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. By teaching animal science, animal welfare (care), and kindness HOOF hopes to create a more caring society and bring a positive influence on the lives of animals. HOOF is a platform for the community to learn, grow, and volunteer.

Cow Cuddling Booking NOW

HOOF is now offering the well-established therapeutic practice of the Dutch: “koe knuffelen” (translation: cow cuddling). Why should people pay to do this? Besides the support you’ll be giving this nonprofit organization, you’ll be giving yourself an experience that you didn’t even know you needed! Everyone has stress and we try to find ways to relieve that stress. Believe it or not, cuddling and connecting with an animal is proven to increase oxytocin, that wonderful hormone often called the love, cuddle, and bonding hormone. This has a positive impact on mood, emotions, and our physical being.

Who can you cuddle with at HOOF and what should you expect? HOOF offers a chance to pick your cuddle buddy: a baby cow, a goat, a rabbit, or birds like a chicken, duck, and turkey. All interactions are done in a pen, spacious enough for you and your friend to get to know each other comfortably and safely. Part of this experience is putting yourself in a place to offer love as much as get it. You will have a HOOF volunteer staff member with you at all times to ensure your safety and the safety of the animal.

“Helpers of Our Farm” was aptly named not only because animals depend on humans to help them, but also because animals help us by teaching us how to love, care, and learn from them. At HOOF, they perform an important task of educating visitors during 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… and what better an addition to their programs than offering a private opportunities to connect with an animal.

Cuddling Sessions are at 2 pm and 3 pm Wednesday – Saturday

Sign up at https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/animal-cuddling

Llama Family Portriats

Booking NOW

Another great program for your whole family (up to 10 people) is a photo session with the llama, Coleman. His curious nature leads him to “insert” himself into your family portrait as a family member. He has a gentle and sweet nature and LOVES to meet people! You can create a memorable and unique family portrait with Coleman for $125 an hour. You can either bring your own professional photographer or have a HOOF volunteer staff member shoot some pictures for you. A HOOF volunteer staff member will be with your family for your session to ensure your safety and educate you on llama etiquette. If you do not follow rules, be advised…you may get spat on by Coleman. He is a rule enforcer!

Community FarmTours

May 1

Mark your calendars for May 1st! Helpers Of Our Farm’s first community farm tour of the year…don’t miss this!

Come learn about the farm animals of HOOF and sustainable homestead farm life at Greenlands Farm. HOOF has a variety of animals to meet (baby cow, baby goats, pony, llama, chickens, ducks, turkey, pigs), all ready to teach you about animal science and animal welfare! Enjoy a day with your family and friends. You’re welcome to bring a picnic and blanket to enjoy at our wooded picnic area!

The tours happen on the hour, starting at 10 am and last tour is at 2 pm (ending at 3 pm).

Your tour will be around 40-50 minutes, full of information on farm animal science (including animals like goats, horses, rabbits, chickens, llamas, and pigs) and sustainable homestead farming. The Greenlands Farm fruit orchard will be the focus for organic produce and their various compost techniques will be discussed. Enjoy more time with the animals before and after your tour in the petting farm!

All proceeds benefit Helpers Of Our Farm, an NC nonprofit organization, whose mission is to teach about animal welfare, animal science, and ownership responsibility to create a better world for animals and humans. All the teaching animals of HOOF are rescued, re-homed, or adopted farm animals and are provided sanctuary by the support of donors, volunteers, and fundraisers. HOOF teaches through group farm tours, in schools, and at local businesses and community events. HOOF and Greenlands Farm, home to the farm animal sanctuary, have been proudly teaching in their community since 2012. Greenlands Farm is a sustainable homestead farm, teaching about sustainable living you can apply to your life and home.

Tour Times:

Tour 1: 10 – 10:55 am

Tour 2: 11 – 11:55 am

Tour 3: 12 – 12:55 pm

Tour 4: 1 -1:55 pm

Tour 5: 2 – 2:55 pm

$5/person suggested donation

Visit the event page at https://www.hoofnc.org/events/spring-2021-community-farm-tour/

OR register at https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/community-farm-tour

To learn more about any of these unique experiences, you can contact Maud Kelley at 910.253.7934 or email helper@hoofnc.org.