Sanctuary @ SHO

what we do

We establish  food systems that build and restore wildlife habitat. We also offer safe haven to previously-farmed animals to live out their lives as partners within these systems. Currently, 100+rescued khaki campbell ducks forage daily in SHO Farm's permaculture orchard, and live securely in an insulated barn at night.  

We aspire to promote health for animals, ecosystems, and people. We know that it's not enough to simply rescue farm animals. We think it's important to simultaneously develop non-exploitive and life-enhancing food systems that restore wildlife habitat and protect the ecosystems often damaged even by plant-based agriculture.

Our existing human knowledge-base in the fields of farming /gathering, ecosystem function, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, horticulture, soil science, wildlife ecology, and carbon sequestration is more than sufficient to frame a sanctuary’s devotion to animals inside a durable solution that will stand the test of time--all while meeting core needs.

We require a vision for food sufficiency—’enoughness’—that protects animals, climate, habitat, and human health—and the core of our humanity in the way relate with our extended family of non-human beings. We work diligently across disciplines toward this lifelong vision. 

research and demonstration

SHO Farm's 1300-acres are currently home to the important research and demonstration of these kinship principles. From our progressive forest management plan that favors mushroom harvesting and cultivation, water quality, and carbon farming, to our mature 8-acre fruit and nut permaculture system, to our food lab and cidery, to the duck sanctuary, to our pollinator fields, to our wild-food foraging system...we integrate intersecting fields of ancestral and innovative knowledge into a coherent blueprint for future land stewardship and food system practices. 

land stewardship consulting

We offer workshops and help other land owners and sanctuaries integrate similar  systems on their own properties.

“beyond Sanctuary” consulting

We help sanctuaries set up habitat and forage plantings that can help enhance the well-being of their animals and off-set food costs which also reduces the distant damage caused by using imported feeds. We show sanctuaries how to increase habitat for, and coexist with resident wild animals (mice, voles, birds, snakes, frogs, toads). We help with how to manage manures and nutrient flows, setting up composting programs that can create a salable product for sanctuary supporters, or for local, synergistic farmers wishing to exclude animal exploitation from their fertility program.

"Sanctuary at SHO" is a DBA of Foundation for a Sustainable Future, a 501(C)3 non profit private operating foundation.