ALPINE, Calif. — An Alpine woman says a staggering struggle with inflation could have left hundreds of animals in need of a home. In this Zevely Zone, I headed to Alpine to visit the San Diego Animal Sanctuary and Farm.
When the cost of feeding animals broke Agnes Barrelet's budget, she rolled up her sleeves and grew food on her own. The 20-acre animal sanctuary in Alpine, announced the first harvest of its new, organic garden, which is available for sale. Funds earned from garden sales will go directly to the animals and sanctuary.
Produce includes lettuce, carrots, radishes, kale, squash, zucchini, chard and more, harvested daily. In the growing stage, the farm also has a variety of tomatoes, spinach, fruits, bell peppers, corn and more.
“Creating an organic farm has been a goal of the sanctuary since inception, and we’re so thrilled to see it come to life and feed, both our animals, and be available for the community,” said Agnes, the executive director.
"Cheyenne, come on boy, it's your mommy here," said Agnes to her Bison. There's a reason Agnes takes in animals others have given up on.
"They love you for what you do for them and what you are for them, they don't have a second agenda. They don't trick you," said Agnes.
After going through a bad divorce, Agnes decided to surround herself with animals; a passion that sometimes doesn't add up. Before inflation struck, she spent 8,000 dollars a month feeding the animals. She's now paying 11,000 dollars a month and could have gone under if not for the garden.
"Here we got some cherry tomatoes, romaine lettuce. We've got some summer squash, this is cilantro coming in," said Head Grower Joey Reyes. "All different kinds of chilis, all different kinds of eggplants and a ton of zucchini. "It's the best job in the world," said Joey mostly because the food is for the animals.
Agnes is hoping people visit the animals and buy produce from her farm stand. She's also hoping to find donors who can give five dollars a month to support the garden. She may have had a bad break-up but learned partners in life come in all shapes and sizes. "They have great life," said Agnes.
The San Diego Animal Sanctuary & Farm will be hosting trick-or-treating throughout the sanctuary from Oct. 23-31. The Sanctuary & Farm is open seven days a week, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Visits help provide care and financial support for the animals.
Groups of 12+ benefit from a 15% discount. Single-day admission is $40 for adults and $25 for kids (children under 2 years are free); seniors, Alpine residents, military, first responders, teachers, and veteran families receive a 10% discount (purchase tickets at the farm). Parking is complimentary.
Guests can see and feed some of the more than 200 domesticated livestock and exotic animals from around the world. Private guided tours, up-close and personal experiences can be added to the visit as well. Farm Fresh produce is now available from the Farm’s biological garden, which is available for purchase seven days a week at their Farm Stand or the Santee Farmers Market.
No admission fee is necessary to buy produce, also from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The garden produces enough biologically grown vegetables to feed the farm’s tortoises and pigs and share with the community as well. The Farm is located at 5178 Japatul Spur in Alpine. For more information click here.