Appalachia Missionaries Serve at South Tampa Farm

February 28, 2018

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“I think that the day brought me closer with everyone because now we’ve shared this memory,” says Duffy. (Photo Credit: Audrey Diaz/Achona Online)

On Monday, Feb. 21, a group of 8 missionaries from Academy’s Appalachia Mission Trip gave their time and talents to serve at South Tampa Farm.

After attending mass and having a sleepover on Sunday night, the missionaries woke up ready and eager to serve at the farm. South Tampa Farm, a four acre farm located at 6101 S 2nd St, is home to cows, chickens, turkeys, pigs, a horse, and a donkey. The farm also sells local honey, raw milk, free range chicken eggs, and seasonal products. 

 

The farm also supplies honey to local businesses, such as Swami Juice. (Photo Credit: Audrey Diaz/ Achona Online)

After trip leaders Emily Pantelis, Audrey Diaz (’18), Samantha Garateix (’18), and Catherine Moffett (’18) brainstormed service opportunity ideas for missionaries to participate in prior to their trip on March, Summer Wolf (’19) suggested the farm.

 

Eggs at the farm are typically sold on the same day that they are laid. (Photo Credit: Audrey Diaz/ Achona Online)

“I started going to the farm my freshman year. My mother used to go there to buy honey and milk until one day, she realized that there was a four acre farm in the back. She eventually got in touch with Marion Lambert, the owner of the farm. Since then my mom and I go to the farm on a weekly basis just to volunteer and hang out with the animals. I instantly thought of the farm for a service opportunity because there are always things to be done there, and thought it would be fun to show people where I go in my free time, says Wolf.

 

Seven out of the 18 missionaries were able to attend. (Photo Credit: Audrey Diaz/ Achona Online)

Upon arriving, Wolf guided the missionaries on a tour around the property, and introduced them to some of her favorite animals on the farm, including a group of friendly cows.

 

“They (the cows) are just about as kind and gentle as puppies,” says Wolf. (Photo Credit: Audrey Diaz/ Achona Online)

After their introduction to the farm, the missionaries were assigned specific tasks, such as picking up sticks, clearing vegetation, and cleaning a pig pen.

 

The farm is about four acres in size. (Photo Credit: Audrey Diaz/ Achona Online)

 

Cristina Suarez- Solar (’18) and Catherine Moffett (’18) worked together in the garden. (Photo Credit: Audrey Diaz/ Achona Online)

“I helped pick up sticks near the horses and chickens so that the area would be cleaner for the animals,” says Colleen Duffy (‘19).  

 

Fun fact: an adult pig can run up to 11 miles per hour. (Photo Credit: Audrey Diaz/ Achona Online)

“While I was on the farm, the job I had was cleaning the pig pen, and I got to spray the pigs with a hose. I watched them play around and act like dogs. It was so cool because it’s something I don’t get to do every day and was definitely a unique experience,” says Olivia Scarpo (‘21).

 

Fun Fact: pigs bathe in mud to keep cool. (Photo Credit: Audrey Diaz/ Achona Online)

“I would definitely say this experience brought us closer together. Doing jobs for the community as a group really teaches us to work together and also gives us a chance to bond, which we will need as we come closer to spending a week together. I’m going to love being able to help others in a new and lasting type of way, but also the fact that I will be sharing this experience with my new friends gives me a greater appreciation for this opportunity,” says Scarpo.

The Appalachia mission trip, along with seven other trips, will on March 11.

 

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