Rescues, Goats, and Girl Scouts: A Day of Connection and Service at Blue Iris Farm

At Blue Iris Farm, our mission has always been about healing, sanctuary, and education. We provide a second chance at life for farm animals in need, but we also strive to provide a space where the community can connect with these beautiful souls and learn about their resilience.

Recently, we had the absolute pleasure of hosting a group that truly embodies the spirit of community and service: Tolland CT Girl Scout Troop 65136.

These Cadettes (grades 6–8) visited us to work towards their "Animal Helpers" badge. However, they didn't just show up; they arrived having already done the hard work to support our mission, and they left with a deeper understanding of what it means to advocate for animals.

Here is a recap of our incredible day with these future leaders.

More Than Just a Visit: Fundraising with Heart

Before Troop 65136 even set foot on the farm, they were already acting as "Animal Helpers." The girls organized and executed a fundraising event at Tractor Supply, dedicating their time to collecting essential supplies for our rescues.

When they arrived, their cars were packed with items that are vital to the daily operation of the farm. They donated beet pulp, specific goat food, and necessary health supplies like dewormers. These aren’t glamorous items, but they are the lifeblood of a rescue, ensuring our animals are healthy, fed, and comfortable.

But the girls didn’t forget the fun, either! They brought along a festive treat for our equine residents: candy canes. Seeing the scouts’ excitement to give the horses a holiday treat was a beautiful reminder of the pure joy that animals bring to our lives.

Small Hands, Big Hearts: Training Future Ambassadors

While every day on the farm involves hard work, the scouts’ service on this particular day was focused on a very special type of task: animal socialization. The troop spent time connecting with our chickens and bunnies, helping these smaller residents become more comfortable and acclimated to human interaction. This is more than just "playtime"—it is a vital part of our mission. By gently handling and interacting with these animals, the scouts are helping prepare them for their future roles as community ambassadors.

Because of the time and care these scouts put in, these bunnies and chickens will be ready to visit senior centers and local libraries. Their work helps ensure that our smaller rescues are calm, confident, and ready to bring joy and comfort to people throughout the community. It was a beautiful example of how the scouts’ quiet patience directly impacts the lives of both our animals and the people they will eventually visit.

Meeting the Herd: A Lesson in Freedom and Connection

The true magic of Blue Iris Farm lies in our philosophy of freedom. We believe our animals should live as naturally as possible, and that means our interactions are always dynamic, respectful, and free-form.

The scouts became honorary members of our goat herd for the afternoon, joining them for a walk across our expansive property. There is something uniquely peaceful—and often hilarious—about a troop of scouts being led through a field by a pack of curious, happy goats!

The girls also spent significant time with our draft horses. These gentle giants roam the property freely, and seeing the scouts approach them with such quiet respect was a highlight of the day. The horses, in turn, were perfect gentlemen—especially when they realized the girls had brought along those special candy cane treats! This face-to-face connection helps scouts understand the majesty of these animals and the importance of providing them with a safe, loving sanctuary.

Deepening the Understanding: A Masterclass in Compassion

To wrap up their visit and satisfy the educational requirements of the "Animal Helpers" badge, the troop gathered for an in-depth Q&A session with our founder, Jamie. This wasn't just a basic overview; these scouts came prepared with thoughtful, complex questions that showed their genuine desire to understand the world of animal rescue.

Jamie spoke with them about the "why" and "how" behind Blue Iris Farm. They discussed:

• The Rescue Journey: How we find and bring animals into our care.

• Health Management: The realities of managing the specific medical needs of different species—from goats to draft horses.

• The Sanctuary Life: What it takes both financially and emotionally to run a non-profit farm and provide these animals with a forever home.

Seeing the girls take notes and engage so deeply with the ethics of animal care was truly inspiring. They left not just with a badge, but with a toolkit of knowledge they can carry forward as advocates for all creatures great and small.

The Future is Bright: Our New Girl Scout Badge Program

The success of our day with Troop 65136 has officially paved the way for something we’ve been dreaming about for a long time. Blue Iris Farm is now officially offering structured badge programs for ALL Girl Scout levels!

Our farm is a "living classroom" where scouts don’t just read about animals—they experience their world. Whether your troop is just starting out or working on advanced advocacy, we have a program tailored for you:

• Daisies (Grades K–1): Animal Observer – Learn to see the world through an animal’s eyes.

• Brownies (Grades 2–3): Pets – Discover the responsibility and joy of animal care.

• Juniors (Grades 4–5): Animal Habitats – Explore how our farm provides a safe haven.

• Cadettes (Grades 6–8): Animal Helpers – See how animals and humans work together to heal.

• Seniors (Grades 9–10): Voice for Animals – Dive into the ethics and advocacy of rescue work.

• Ambassadors (Grades 11–12): Eco Advocate – Lead the charge for a more compassionate world.

We want to extend a final, heartfelt thank you to Tolland Troop 65136. You helped us prove that when young people and rescue animals come together, something truly transformative happens. We can't wait to welcome more troops to the barn!

Ready to bring your troop to the farm? We would love to help your scouts earn their next badge. To learn more about our programs and schedule a visit, head over to our website www.blueirisfarm.com or reach out to us directly via DM!