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Simple Sparrow provides access and exposure to educational and therapeutic care farming locally serving the vulnerable and at-risk individuals including survivors of human trafficking, foster/adoption communities, and people suffering from depression or anxiety by utilizing farm nature so that people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities are empowered to Learn + Grow + Heal.
What Is Care Farming?
Care farming is the use of farming practices for the stated purpose of providing or promoting healing, mental health, social, or educational care services. Care farming is well known throughout Europe and other parts of the world. Studies indicate that care farming improves mental health outcomes and quality of life.
The Story of C
I am an adolescent educator from a local small private school. My students volunteer at the farm as part of their curriculum and study biology, botany, and economics. Not only that, they are also learning emotional and social skills in a very meaningful way.
One of our students is autistic. She was complaining about the goats one day and said,"I hate them." I encouraged her to explore what that powerful word means and if she truly meant it.
I was so surprised and delighted when I checked on her later--she was in the barnyard with the goats, petting them, and talking kindly! She told me she didn't really hate them and decided she just needed to learn more about them.
Now she feeds and waters the goats when we come, truly concerned for their well-being. I wish all people could change their minds about hate the way my student did. Maybe they just need to meet some goats at the care farm too.
The Need
Care farming is a widely accepted and documented model implemented in rehab, special needs programs, therapeutic interventions, and sustainable farming practices all over the world. For example, over 1200 care farms exist in Holland and Holland is 1/5 the size of Texas!
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Simple Sparrow's care farm model is based in creation theology and delivered through a trauma-informed lens. All programs and services are evidence based and evidence supported. We provide proven effective for affordable alternative mental healthcare as well as outdoor education.
The How
We are currently conducting research to measure cortisol in saliva during rabbit holding sessions. This will help us determine how these interactions with animals can help reduce stress.
We need participants for the study!
It takes about 1hr to complete. Email office@simplesparrow.farm for more info!
The Story Of H
“H” is one of our teen volunteers who has grown up in foster care. He has a history of self-harm and was admitted to a local residential treatment facility for suicide attempts on numerous occasions.
The last time he was discharged, his care-giver decided to bring him to Simple Sparrow to volunteer after hearing about the care farm on social media. She knew he enjoyed working outdoors and loved animals.
Because all staff at Simple Sparrow are trauma-informed, we understood that H’s self-harm behavior was a symptom of his lived traumatic experience. We also knew he needed a safe, healthy community to encourage him on his healing journey and give him space to grow at his own pace.
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​H learned to feed and water all the animals, how to carefully handle the rabbits, and avoid getting spit on by Jacopo the llama. After a few weeks volunteering at the care farm, H asked about therapy services. Learning to care for the animals helped H learn better care for himself, which empowered him to communicate his need for a therapist.
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We got him connected with a therapist who met him at the care farm. Since H was already familiar with the farm, he felt safe and made a trust connection with his therapist. The sense of safety builds trust which helps calm the brain, mind, and body for improved relational and therapeutic outcomes.
If you meet H at Simple Sparrow, you will meet a joyful and kind young man who dreams of his future. H still battles depression and anxiety, but he no longer feels like he battles alone. His self-harm thoughts have become less intense, less frequent, and take less time now that he has learned better self care.
And when he is old enough to work, we hope to have a job open for him at the care farm because H is one hard worker!
It Takes A Village
The Story of S
My decision to go to the farm was based on animal therapy. The fact that my therapist, Izzy, uses non-traditional methods made me feel even more confident about my decision.
I feel so much better after I visit the farm. All of the animals and staff are so sweet and so patient. I'm so grateful to everyone at the farm for helping me continue to heal.
Since no 'one way' works for everyone, Izzy's method offers me the opportunity to refine my treatment plan. Being able to experience non-traditional methods is helping me find what works best. Izzy's method combined with animal therapy is a great combination. They work so well together.
Partner With Simple Sparrow
From payroll support to partners to help spread the word about all that we do here at Simple Sparrow - anyone can truly help our community learn + grow + heal in the way are designed to - with nature.
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From financial support to being a board member, to helping grab items off of our Amazon Wishlist - we know that although our actions alone may be small, together we can do great things.
Simple Sparrow provides access and exposure to educational and therapeutic care farming locally serving the vulnerable and at-risk individuals including survivors of human trafficking, foster/adoption communities, and people suffering from depression or anxiety by utilizing farm nature so that people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities are empowered to Learn + Grow + Heal.