One year later after moving into Aldergrove, Kindred Community Farm Sanctuary was able to restart its annual summer camps this year – but there is still more to do.
The farm was founded by Keryn Denroche in 2008, originally named Semiahmoo Animal League, to host a place for rescued farm animals and offer therapeutic programs for youth.
By 2011, the farm began its first program for at-risk children at its horse stable in Fort Langley, at the time.
A few years later, the farm moved to a property in Cloverdale, which it resided at until moving to Aldergrove in 2023.
“The farm is completely run by volunteers,” Denroche said. “Some come from South Surrey, Burnaby, Vancouver, Coquitam, and lots from Langley."
Although the current 65 volunteers and 30 animals have settled in to the permanent location, there is still lots to be done to make the farm home.
An old, dilapidated barn structure needs to be replaced due to crumbling foundation and a leaking roof, and Kindred currently has a fundraiser live on its website for people to donate to, kindredfarm.ca.
Currently, some safer parts of the structure is housing about 30 rescued rabbits for the Rabbitats Society.
"We want to build a Children's Barn here," Denroche said. "A big pole barn with red metal siding, built to last a long time."
The new barn would house the rabbits, chickens, Frankie the pig, and more. Kindred also wants to build outdoor paddocks alongside the new barn so the animals can go outside to play.
Denroche said they also need someone or a company that could do permanent fencing on the farm, an expert on ponds, and more volunteers that can help with maintenance on the property.
Anyone who is able to volunteer their time is asked to contact the farm at info@sali.ca.
Members of the Langley Men's Shed are helping Kindred make its own welcome entrance sign and gate, and some temporary fencing where needed, said president Ray Girard.
"They have little money and we had equipment and manpower, which could be utilized to assist their cause... We arranged a meeting and saw the value in what they were doing," Girard said.
Denroche recommends people sign up for Kindred's newsletter to stay up-to-date on happenings at the farm and when the kids camp will be accepting registrants again.
