(Audrey Heifer would like to say hello, and maybe lick your hand!)

Each Life Matters: The Story of Audrey Heifer

This month we want to share our love for this bovine beauty: Audrey Heifer!

Did you know she has a black/purple tongue? (so does Pal McTrouble)

Audrey is a special Jersey gal in many ways, but one unusual thing that sets her apart is that she is a 'freemartin'. A very high percentage of bovine twins where one is male and one is female results in sterility. Audrey lacks a full ovarian structure and cannot be bred or have a calf. This does not stop her from being motherly though! In the photo just below this text, you see her giving Wallace a licking to show affection, comfort and the bonding within her community. Her sterility made her useless in the dairy industry because to make milk, you must be a mother. She was lucky to be released by a farmer and then rescued by Tomten Farm and Sanctuary. At the age of 6 months, we adopted Audrey to Unity, and with her came baby Elliot so that she would have a bovine buddy. One more odd fact about Miss Audrey Heifer? A few years back, Elliot Steer stepped on her tail tip when she was laying down. When she popped up in surprise, her tail tip broke off! Never fear, some bandages and antibiotics and she healed up, and even forgave Elliot Steer. You cannot even see that it is missing!

If you come to Kindness and Compassion Tour here, you know that we love to tell you how lucky she was because she can live to a natural lifespan in her 20's here. Dairy industry females usually live 3-5 years, so I think Audrey likes the chance to be here - we sure love having her playful personality around! Come meet Audrey and her friends if you can come visit us on a tour!

We must share sad news however, that beloved Orion Rooster was laid to rest this month. His wattle infection was tested as being broad spectrum and not responding to the antibiotics we are permitted to use for our birds. His body was beginning to shut down while he was back at MSPCA Angell West, and we knew it was the kindest gift to let him go. Medical science can help a lot, but we cannot always have the success we hope for. Rest easy sweet Orion.

(You will see "Each Life Matters" here monthly!)

National Grief Awareness Day Event

Sponsored by monarch meadow carefarm and Junie's Place

Unity Farm Sanctuary is honored to host this free community event for National Grief Awareness Day

August 30 10am-2pm

Everyone is welcome, events are detailed on the RSVP link

•  time with rescued sanctuary animals
•  peaceful nature trails
•  delicious treats
•  yoga/gentle movement for all ages
• sound bath healing
•  resources for bereaved and non-bereaved community members
•  opportunities for connection and reflection

Please RSVP, parking is limited

Last month for Enrollment - LEAP 2026-2027

Now Enrolling! We are excited to offer our LEAP Kids (Middle School) and LEAP Changemakers (High School) for 2026-2027. Our fourth LEAP year! The LEAP (High School) program will run from September-May. Classes and workshops will be on Saturdays 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Plant-based lunch is included. Our Humane Education programs are free to participants.

Unity Farm Sanctuary will offer both a fall and spring semester of the LEAP Kids (middle school) program for 6th - 8th graders. Semester I will run from September - November, and Semester II will run from April to June. Classes and workshops will be held on Wednesdays from 3:30 - 5:30 PM

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Click on the buttons below to find out more - and be sure to tell other folks who will be interested!

Photo below is of Sydney Hanley of UFS LEAP CHangemakers, and now Youth Advisory Council Member, on her way to Skidmore College very soon.

Sanctuary Forest School for Fall

Mud play is awesome! The preschool has Adventure spots onsite, our outdoor school area, and a climate controlled indoor classroom too! This fall, we can enroll up to two more students. We are also seeking to fill out our team with an additional Preschool Teaching Assistant. For more information, please visit the School website and reach out to Lead Teacher Megan Scully.

Art with the Animals in August

Art with the Animals has Tom the Silky Goat August 15th 10-12 for Tom the Silky Goat, and August 23 10-12 fro Nellie Pig. Class is acrylics on canvas and all supplies are provided. A very brief tour of the subject of the painting is included. All skill levels welcome!

Back to School Merch at Unity Duck Haven Store

Enjoy fun items on SALE!

Handy Pencil and Gear Pouch's are on sale for $6 Highlands too!

Soft lunchboxes are on sale for $12 Highland or Vegan !

Light Blue Kids t-shirts $7

Special Animal Shapes Insulated Water Bottles $30

(Don't Forget the July Sale: Tanks are $5, select short sleeves designs are $10, and select long sleeves designs are $15. 2026 Dudleyfest Shirts are $15, and super cute Highland scent diffusers are $14)

https://www.unityfarmsanctuary.org/shop

Onsite Unity Duck Haven Store will be Open some of the Saturdays in August, especially during tours, email or call to find out when!

You can order for shipping to your preferred location on most items, or use easy porch pickup here.

Nirvana Tea House and Cafe

Come and enjoy the Peaches 'n Creme Pop tart, Strawberry Almond Oat Bars, the Kinder Caprese Sandwich, Emperor's Forbidden Noodles Entree, the Anything is Possible Burger and Potato Salad, and all your other summer favorites! We will have sneak peeks of the Fall seasonal items for you next time!

Katherine Head's 'Buddha Treats, Rebel Cheese, Bombay Pop, loose leaf tea, all the teapots, cups, clothing, jewelry, books and more at The Nirvana Store await you too!

We are Hiring!  Join our fun, positive, and unique team environment. Read more HERE

Thank you so much from all of us in the CafeTEAm for responding so positively last month. Tipping helps Nirvana's success, AND helps the Sanctuary keep costs down at the Cafe while rewarding the best service. (reminder from last month: Nirvana is owned by a non-profit now, and we took everyone's sage advice to move to standard tipping policies when we opened. We want to attract and retain the very best servers we can and improve your dining experience. You can help the Cafe, all the servers and the Sanctuary by remembering at checkout that the Cafe and the Sanctuary rely on tipping at Nirvana to reward service that you have appreciated. Thank you!)

T-F 8-4, Sa-Su 8-3 (Main kitchen closes 30 minutes before closing time)

969 Main St, Millis MA (508) 376-2333

All cafe items are free of animal products