What It's All About

I’m sure that many of you out there are wondering what we are really doing. What is this volunteering really all about? I guess the answer is believing that each of us can make a difference… with Heifer International we hope to help end world hunger and poverty. We feel certain that each time we help a few, we are making a difference. As Margaret Mead observes, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has.”
Here at the Heifer Ranch we assist in delivering an educational program to over 25,000 people a year ranging from young school-age children to adults of all ages. After leaving the ranch they have tools and knowledge that can, should they choose to use them, make a difference in a small way or maybe in a large way. I met a young lady, 7 years old, who after hearing about what Heifer is all about and what a difference an animal makes in someone’s life set out to make a difference. She to date has raised enough money to give several animals and is now on her way to raising enough to buy the $5,000 Ark. This would provide one of each of 30 animals that are now being given to people who are desperately in need of resources..

What are we doing specifically? My first project was to solve a water problem at our business office. We dug a four foot-deep ditch by hand to install a proper footing drain so that the water would no longer enter the building causing a huge mold and mildew problem. Along with the footing drain we also re-graded the area so that the run-off would be directed away from the building. Darcy and her crew of gardening ladies removed all the shrubs and perennials from the area before my excavation began, and then terraced the hillside before replacing the plants. We hope that the moisture problem is remedied and this new garden will be a peaceful retreat for Ranch staff, volunteers and guests.
I am now helping to organize the tools and equipment in the new maintenance building and re-construct the previous maintenance building’s frame into a shelter for heavy farm equipment. The team working on these projects ranges in age from 18 to 80! I spent yesterday morning “chicken choppin’”. Yes, 50 plump chickens are now in the Ranch freezer, ready to make delicious lunch-time meals for the Ranch crew. Darcy is working with ladies from the Methodist NOMAD RV mission group to create adjustable window shades for the Ranch greenhouse. They hope to gain better control over the heat…more moderate during the daylight hours and better retention of warmth after the sun goes down.
We have learned to milk goats and make goat’s milk cheese and soap. We also continue to enjoy being able to visit our draft horse babies who are now 6 months and 1 1/2 years old! Life on this ranch is varied and we enjoy the variety. Check us often as we make weekly updates and learn more about Heifer International at: www.heifer.org