Refuge Farms (www.refugefarms.org)

In every ‘organization’ there is a pusher. Think about it.

In every family, there is one member who keeps the family moving and on time to wherever they are going. In every relationship, there is one of the two who keeps questioning and makes sure there is plenty of communication. And in every business, there is someone with the plan and the drive to keep moving the business forward on that plan. A measured risk-taker. The pusher. Sometimes, the pusher is not the most popular person in a family or business. But a pusher is needed if the organization is to grow and survive.

Refuge Farms is no different than any other organization in this respect. We have a pusher. It is someone who has a vision of what the future of THE FARM will look like and the drive to keep pushing forward. And pushing forward sometimes is exactly the opposite of what the pusher – and the volunteers – want to do! Maybe for a while, it would be nice just to sit still… and to not grow for a while… and to not add any new events… and to not take on new publicity obligations… and to not grow at all. Just to sit. And rest.

But then I push. I push us all to keep moving and going forward. And in all of this, to remember why we exist and to keep the faith that started us out. The belief that we make a difference. And the belief that what we do is good. So I push. Even when it’s I who wants to rest most of all.

The month of June, 2007 was a month of pushing for me and Refuge Farms. We have expanded – and continue to expand – our obligations for articles and regular publicity commitments. And we do this not only for the publicity, but because I believe that if you get in front of Human Beings with a message of kindness and forgiveness and faith and grace, eventually someone will take that message on as his own. That without ever having visited THE FARM, someone reading the articles will know of the Missions and actually begin to practice them in his own life. Creating those random acts of kindness. Maybe, just maybe, words and stories and pictures are able to sow the seed of them. And so we write our stories with the hope of someone grabbing on and making them their own.

And in the month of June, 2007 we have moved forward in our organizational structure by continuing the process of re-addressing the Board of Directors. A huge and ever so meaningful task, but one that must be addressed and one that requires time and patience and an eye for others who are pushers. This task involves a bit of selling, a bit of humility, a bit of pleading, and yes, even a bit of pushing.

And also in the month of June, 2007 we have grown. And we have grown in three ever so critical ways:

First, we have grown in volunteers! The visits with us have resulted in others deciding to become a part of us. Wonderful! It truly is an honor and I am amazed that people with busy lives and commitments on their already-full-platters will express a desire to give of their time and talents and energy to our Missions. What a compliment! And what a good and reaffirming sign that the current team is magnetic and friendly and that they actually does possess the spirit of the Missions! The proof is that others see it, too. Not just me.

Secondly, we have grown the herd. But where, you ask? Well, that’s the pushing part. And the third piece of the growth….

Refuge Farms was formed on a dream of two aging adults who only hoped that they could set the foundation and build the base for the big dream in their hearts and minds. That big dream of theirs was of multiple facilities with multiple herds with multiple programs for kids and adults of all abilities and ages always in the works. Multiple lives saved every day. Multiple lives changed every day. And the one question I have fielded throughout the years about that very dream is Refuge Farms? Why Farms? Why the ‘s’?

My answer has always been a patient reply that “some day we will have multiple locations”. And then I would dream…

Until now, we have continued to grow and expand as Refuge Farms sitting here on a single property of 20 acres in Spring Valley. In June, 2007 our first Annex Location became a reality. And so now, truly, we are Refuge Farms.

Just what does an Annex Location mean? It means that Refuge Farms has a second facility where we house horses and continue the work of the Missions. Currently, these Annex Locations are not for public hours or events, however the horses are part of The Herd and the owner of the property is an active member of The ‘Other’ Herd. Refuge Farms supports the horses in their needs and Refuge Farms supports the need to maintain fence and grounds. However, Refuge Farms does not own the buildings or the land or even the fence line. All of this is the generosity of the owner of the Annex Location. Plus, this owner gives the muscle and the dedication and the heart to care for these horses as if they were their own. In other words, Refuge Farms owns the horses with someone else’s investment and muscle.

Do these horses receive The Three Promises? You bet! Remember, any horses on Annex Locations are a part of Refuge Farms and a part of The Herd. The only difference is where they eat and sleep.

So in June, 2007 two new horses joined our family – Windsor and Star. And the very first Annex Location of Refuge Farms with our own dear Tracy O, or Professor as I call her, has been born.

You will all get to know these horses as well as you know all of the others. They will come to THE FARM and participate in the big events as they truly are a part of The Herd. And you will come to love and appreciate them as much as Tracy and I do as you get to know them.

Windsor is an Egyptian Arabian gelding who was a South Dakota State Champion four years in a row. He is a cart show horse with personality and mischief just flowing out of his eyes! He puts on a big aire but is truly a kitten inside. Or maybe a cat….a big cat!

Star is a Morgan gelding who is actually a big horse on the outside. And as I expected, proving to be shy and tender on the inside. Stately and manly in appearance, Star stole my heart from our first meeting. Following you like a puppy, Star simply wants attention – and plenty of it!

Both horses are in their early 20’s and it’s important to keep them together as they age. Windsor is content to hang around the pasture and even venture out farther than his pasture mate. While Star finds it most comfortable to share the breeze from the barn fan with Tracy’s llamas. I find that most interesting, given that Star has backpacked over the Colorado Rocky mountains hunting animals that looked a lot like those llamas!

And our Professor has seen her way to wrapping her arms around these two horses in their need of a home and care and patient and gentle touch. Tracy has worked wonders with theses horses in teaching them that she is Alpha but all the while remaining kind and loving and giving to them. These two horses desperately needed the shelter of a barn to escape the flies and gnats. Tracy has arranged that space and so now their hides and their nerves are healing from the relief. And Tracy works on manes and establishing bonds. A little at a time. And the trust is building. Slowly, as it always does, but it builds.

So, Refuge Farms is now a reality. The ‘s’ is for real. A milestone indeed for our history book and a big step in the creation of the dream. And all of this because horses needed a home and shelter and someone to care for them. And Tracy was willing.

Why Tracy? you ask. I’ll tell you a story and you’ll see…

It was a hot and very humid day in June and we were all sitting in the shade at the close of our Public Hours Saturday. Tracy and I had talked very briefly about “those two horses” and their need for a new home. We had talked about trying to keep them together. And we had talked about options for separating them. We had skirted a discussion about Tracy housing them. But neither one of us had met them or even set eyes on them yet. I was scheduled to meet their owners and the horses the following day and had asked Tracy if she would like to accompany me.

“Why?” she asked me. “Well, to be sure you like them and the looks of them”, was my response. “Most people want to look at a horse and check it out before they say ‘yes’ to taking it on.”

What was Tracy’s response?

“I’ll go with you, sure, but I don’t need to. There is no such thing as a too big or a too little or an ugly or a handsome horse to me. There are just horses in need of a home. I’m okay without seeing them.”

In that instant, I knew we were moving – and I was pushing - in the right direction. Tracy’s response showed me her heart and I knew, like I knew the sky was blue, that this was the right thing to do.

So, June, 2007 was a milestone month for Refuge Farms! We have grown in size and commitment and herd and supports and literally everywhere! Be pleased and excited over our growth! Take on the challenges and rest quickly! Because I’m still here. Pushing!

Enjoy the journey of each and every day,
Sandy and The Herd