Yesterday I finally got around to visiting Edgar's Mission. It's a farm sanctuary here in Victoria and I have been meaning to visit for a good year now but had never gotten around to it. I decided to take the kids to their carols by barn light event. As it turned out my poor fair children were wilting in the extreme heat after barely 2 hours and we ended up leaving before the carols even began! A shame, but we filled the time we did have there so well. There was loads of vegan food (kids devoured vegan brownies and vegan ice cream), hundreds of likeminded people (several with the 269 tattoo), and happy, trusting, secure animals. I dont think I've ever enjoyed something more. So wonderful!!! The kids enjoyed it, petting the animals and there was an education room where they had a pretend sow in a sow stall and pretend chickens in a crammed cage and I was able to explain it to the kids. I hope it gets them thinking. I said to them when they were petting a turkey, THIS, THIS is why we are not having turkey for Xmas this year kiddos.
There were a few stalls set up too with merchandise and whatnot. I grabbed a great book from the store there as well called The Pig Who Sang to the Moon by Jeffrey Masson. I've heard a lot about this book so I am looking forward to reading it now. I feel inspired after this visit. There's something incredibly special about seeing the animals you've been wanting to save by going vegan up close and personal. It reaffirms your beliefs, and strengthens your commitment. Makes me want to do more and be more, and has me writing again. Blessings! Below is the article I wrote after interviewing Pam for World Vegan Day.
Edgar’s Mission is a not-for-profit farm
sanctuary for rescued farm animals. Located in country Victoria, Pam Ahern and
Edgar’s Mission are continually saving lives, conducting public outreach and
offering a humane education program to the public.
In an ideal world, Pam hopes to see herself
out of business, with no need for a place like Edgar’s Mission to exist. A
world where the need for a farm sanctuary is no longer, where humans have moved
into a deeper awareness of animal rights and cruelty free lifestyles. Pam works
flat out, trying to meet the demands not only of the animals, but also in
making rescues, campaigning and spreading the word, not to mention
administrative tasks.
Pam suggests that a growing vegan market
and awareness of a cruelty free lifestyle is much attributed to technology and
the ease with which people can access information about vegan lifestyle
choices. Additionally, “the threat of global warming has started a shift in
people’s attitudes. People are
beginning to be open to the idea that the status quo isn’t appropriate
anymore. They understand that it
is imperative to consider the environmental and ethical impact of the choices
they make.”
The Edgar’s Mission website http://www.edgarsmission.org.au/ offers
many ideas for the public to help the animals at Edgar’s Mission, from
adoption, to donation, to volunteering for a day of hands on farming. There is
also an online store offering everything from clothing to books and bags. 100%
of the store’s proceeds go back into the farm and it’s animal residents.
Edgar’s Mission offers a unique visiting
experience for volunteers and for vegans, it’s exciting to see first hand
exactly what they dream of – a kind, happy, animal farm. By stopping by their
stall at World Vegan Day, you can meet for yourself one of Edgar’s Mission’s joyful,
content, animal ambassadors!
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