WE HAVE A REPLACEMENT TRUCK!


Thank you to everyone who donated to MFS to help us buy a replacement truck! We were able to buy a used truck…it may be old but it runs well and does the job.

Visit the MFS table at the Pet Rock Festival, Worcester, MA on Sunday, September 13th.  http://www.petrockfest.com
 

Visit the MFS table at NY's Capital Region Vegetarian Expo, Saratoga Springs, NY on
Saturday, September 19th.  http://www.nyvegetarianexpo.org/

We rely entirely on your generosity to continue providing a safe haven for the animals living at Maple Farm Sanctuary and for the new animals who are in urgent need of our help. By making a donation you will help us to provide veterinary care, improve housing, feed and maintain a happy life for the rescued animals living at Maple Farm Sanctuary.

Please help us by making a donation!

Also special thanks to our volunteers who are our daily lifeline! They hold fundraising events, clean stalls, paint, stack hay, sweep, chop fruit, weld, groom the animals, represent us at events, provide web support, collect supplies, produce marketing materials, respond to emails, coordinate events, donate their time & effort and provide a lot of love and support to all of us!

A Very Special Thank You!

An anonymous donor has stepped forward and had all of the barn roofs replaced for the animals! This wonderful soul came to MFS and saw how the barns were all leaking and understood what a monumental undertaking it would be for us to raise enough money to complete the job. The entire job was completed in three days! We owe our deep appreciation to this kind soul….Thank you!

Save the Date!
Our 4th Annual Open House Picnic will be held on
Sunday, October 18th, 2009 from 1-5pm.

Plan on a fun afternoon with friends, music, raffle prizes, barn tours, speakers, animals and fabulous vegan food! 
More details coming soon.....

THIS SEASON'S HAY CRISIS HITS MFS!
By Cheri Ezell-Vandersluis
Co-founder of Maple Farm Sanctuary

Few people think anything about hay but it feeds millions of animals. Here at MFS we grow our own hay for the residents (llamas, goats, cows, horses and pigs) and we sell a small amount to help pay our bills.

This year has been the worst growing season for hay that Jim has experienced during his whole life on this farm. The drenching rains that began in the spring and literally poured into summer have left the fields wet. The hay continues to grow but we are unable to harvest it without three days of sun, and even with sun the ground still holds the moisture. So, first cut is only partially harvested and what we are getting off the fields lacks the sweet smell and nutrition of our normal crops.

Adding insult to injury, Canada and New York have experienced the same problems that we have. All of this sets the stage for shortage and high hay prices this coming winter. Jim has been monitoring the farm papers that publish auction results in Western Massachusetts. The hay has been selling for no more than $1.50 per bale. Unfortunately, this is the price of construction hay, not feed hay.

There have been so many special people that have donated generously in these hard economic times and have contributed to the improvement of the sanctuary and its residents. While we’re still trying to get hay in the barn and establish more contacts for the winter supply, this could be yet another challenge for us. As winter approaches we’ll keep everyone informed regarding hay supply and prices. Please consider us again as the seasons change.

Above is Jim trying the get the tractor out of the mud!

You can see the tires are wet from all of the water in the hayfield!

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