FACT is Changing the Lives of Humane Farmers and Their Animals
“FACT does such a great job of matching mentors and mentees. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know my mentee and helping her grow her business. We took advantage of the farm visit opportunity and had the best time getting to know each other even more. Even though the mentorship has ended we will be friends for life.”
~Carrie Starr, 2023 FACT Mentor
Since 2012, FACT’s Humane Farming Program has improved the lives of more than two million livestock and poultry. We do this by partnering and investing in family farmers by providing them with grants, mentorship opportunities, scholarships, online short courses, and webinars, to encourage the use of humane farming practices.
This spring we are asking for your support so FACT can continue to grow our Humane Farming Program. Your donation will directly fund farmers in good times and bad times so that they can raise their animals humanely.
Cows on pasture in their natural setting at Colfax Creek Farm in NC, a FACT grant recipient.
One area of our Humane Farming Program that is making a significant difference to the lives of farmers and their animals is our mentorship program. This program is unique as we connect pasture-based livestock and poultry farmers from across the US, allowing mentees to tap into a large pool of experts and enabling them to connect and learn in a very personal and specific way.
Sharifa from Arrowrock Farm in the Dayton, Ohio area shared her experience with the program and the impact it had on her farm. She owns a 12-acre urban poultry and produce market and uses regenerative agricultural practices to raise poultry for meat and eggs.
She said that her mentors Bill and Sharon were wonderful guides without being pushy. They referred her to many resources and understood urban farmers' challenges.
Sharifa with her mentor, Sharon.
“FACT and my mentors equally had a hand in building my confidence to look for opportunities that were out of the ordinary. I don't have a marketing, business, or selling background and didn't know what I was getting into! But I secured a contract to sell poultry (meat) to our local food bank for two years. I also have a stall at two farmers markets. This would not have happened before FACT. The other area I am grateful I learned is asking thoughtful questions to other farmers. I love their response which is usually positive.
My relationships with my last year's mentors Sharon and Bill continue to this day and we just went to visit them two weeks ago, creating a lasting friendship.”
An added benefit is that FACT provides travel funds for mentors and mentees to visit each other’s farms which Sharifa described as an invaluable opportunity. Sharifa has joined the program for a second year. Her new mentors focus on raising poultry and she looks forward to creating a relationship with them.
Today we are asking you to help farmers like Sharifa grow their humane farming business by making a gift of any amount that is meaningful to you today. Your donation will directly underwrite our animal welfare-focused work.
We are grateful to everyone in our community who is committed to the humane treatment of farm animals, and to healthy food for all.