What happens when illness interfere’s with life? As humans, we adapt and learn to put life on hold, tend to the illness, and then resume “regular” life when that inconvenience has passed.
Sometimes, life tosses a wrench into this simple formula. Life has tossed that wrench in the general direction of Kat Mattice, the owner of Sacred Circle Farm.
Mattice is experiencing a serious illness and will be undergoing a highly invasive surgical procedure. In conversation, Mattice said her recovery time will be a minimum eight-weeks. This is the best-case scenario. And as an active farmer caring for livestock and rescued animals, this news is devastating.
So on behalf of Mattice, Margarita Dominguez of the Sooke Animal Food and Rescue Society (SAFRS) is reaching out to the community for help.
Mattice is the ower of the Sacred Circle Farm, a venture that began with one rescue animal in 2008 and has since grown to a shelter for animals otherwise destined for death. It is also a source of education and growth.
“Children can come up here and get that connectedness [of farm life]; they can grow up and advocate for the protection of farms and green space,” said Mattice.
For her, Sacred Circle Farm is a place where education and the circle of life are celebrated.
“We don’t berate, we educate,” said Mattice. “We also show people how the path to healing is about becoming connected to our ancient futures.”
The Sacred Circle Farm needs both financial and time donations. The farm is entirely reliant on sales (goat’s milk, kefir, organic Kombucha tea, and “honest farm-fresh eggs”) and donations.
The farm also teaches ethical farming and husbandry practices, and they work to nurture human empathy in pairing volunteers with the rescue animals -- many of whom require a form of therapy which includes a massive bundle of love and caring.
This is the bond that connects Dominguez with Mattice.
“We both work with youth,” said Dominguez. This, she said “develops a root of empathy.”
Currently, Sacred Circle Farm needs money for medication and volunteers who can milk the goats, and tend the other animals on the farm.
“We need comprehensive teams for cleaning cages and milking goats,” said Mattice. “Spring is the beginning of the busy time for farmers.”
“It’s not all about work,” adds Mattice, “It’s also a social time.”
About her own future, Mattice speaks with frank honesty.
“I’m scared; I’m not going to lie about that. I’m also mad. I’m going to fight [for my health], I’m too darn busy for any of this.”
Ultimately, Mattice would like to begin transitioning the farm to people who will carry on the work, and she would like to build a board-walk right into the farm so children with mobility issues can also come right in and experience the animals first hand.
But first, it’s one step at a time. The first hurdle is to get volunteers to help with the farm work, and finances to assist with the cost of maintaining the animals. And for Mattice, it’s to get the surgery that needs to be done.
People who want to contribute should contact Dominguez, who is setting up an account at Coast Capital Savings in Sooke for people to donate. It will be under the name, “Sacred Cirlce Farm.” Dominguez will also be co-ordinating the volunteers. Margarita Dominquez can be reached at 778-352-2999.