Finding Solutions: Harlem’s Mad Hatter Farm offers peace for people, animals
HARLEM, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Donkeys, goats, chickens, pigs—you name it, and you’ll likely find it at Mad Hatter Farm.
What started as a haven for rescued animals is now an educational and therapeutic space for the entire community.
They’re Finding Solutions in expanding their mission one baked good at a time.
At the heart of the farm is Cassie’s Care Farm, a program created in honor of founder Jill Marier’s daughter, Cassie, who was born with a terminal diagnosis.
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“Knowing Cassie’s life for the two years she was with us, we wanted to create a place of peace and an oasis where animals and humans come together to heal or have somewhere to breathe amid whatever is going on in life because we personally knew that just by being Cassie’s parents,” she said.
The farm is fully handicap-accessible and open to everyone.
For visitors like Macy Kurtz, who homeschools her three children, it’s a perfect escape.
“We were looking for something that’s free for us to do, take the kids somewhere to get out of the house, and let the kids learn about animals and nature. We plan to have a homestead one day,” Kurtz said.
And while you’re able to learn there, you can also shop.
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Keeping the farm running and caring for 51 animals is no small feat. That’s where the shed store comes in.
You can browse a selection of handmade goods: soaps, candles, mugs and now even fresh-baked sourdough bread, which has become a popular item.
“I feel like if we all work together and they see us also working hard to support the mission, then things can happen more. For me, it was important to put everything I have into this and create a space where you can come in and make purchases of things made here on the farm to support the mission we have here,” Marier said.
With revenue from the store, Mad Hatter Farm is now working on improvements.
“With this new money coming in, we are finally going to start working to have new fencing that needs to be put up, and we’re also working to start expansion in the back, which people have seen we are cutting trees from Helene’s damage and opening up areas,” she said.
Through it all, the mission remains simple.
“My takeaway is if there’s any peace here and joy and happiness, that’s what I want,” Marier said.
As for the baked goods, they’re available on the weekends and at the Evans Market on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
They also have a free fall festival coming up on Nov. 2 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
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