We have something private on a smaller scale in my very large city. Not quite a city block, maybe half of one. My local organic nursery has a “petting zoo” but you can’t really pet anything, just watch. It’s basically a rescue. There is a cow, two goats, a turkey with his harem, two small donkey’s, a horse, geese, ducks, chickens, rabbits, parrots and in a separate area some red eared turtles and in an above ground pond, fish. Many are rescues. Bill could never say no and people would bring him the odd animal needing care. That’s how he got over a dozen of the turtles. I’m sure children’s pets that either got too big or their caretakers got too old. The family that owns the nursery lives on the premises and have a cat and dog as well. But the animals are also part of the “farmily.” There are eggs from the chickens and milk from the goats. I believe they keep some of the turkey chicks to raise for Thanksgiving. They also provide classes in husbandry of bees (they have hives) and chickens and sell chicks in the spring. They come to mind because the nursery is called “City Farmer’s Nursery.” It is so much more than a nursery. Bill was always charitable with his time and expertise and he donated and installed gardens in many of the schools in the area to encourage

It is a shame that every community cannot have a “city farm” or at least a community garden so that people have a place to work the earth, grow their own food, and enjoy the company of animals. I think both would go a long way to healing what is effecting human beings and their treatment of the environment and each other.

Spitalfields City Farm is such a special place, and the farm team and volunteers are all so passionate and dedicated, knowledgable and generous, and doing such heroic and wonderful work keeping the farm going during the pandemic when the farm must be closed and many of the volunteer team cannot help.

A couple of the team mentioned that the animals miss all the many visitors, and school groups that usually come! They are all very friendly, I really enjoyed petting a couple of the beautiful brown sheep, and the goats.

Holmes the Pig – he seems to offer a conversational grunt to anyone passing by, but a huge delighted squeal when his favourite team members stop for a hug and an ear scratch! Watson the pig died at a grand old age last year, but the team told me Holmes is doing fine without him.

@Judy Stevens – Happy Birthday!

Love & Peace
ACHIM

Thank you, G.A.