JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A local nonprofit farm, animal rescue and educational center is in a pickle with its farm and is running out of time.
Celestial Farms, founded in 2000, needs to purchase the land that more than 200 animals call their home by June 29, 2022, or the rescue animals will be relocated, the farm confirmed with News4JAX on Friday. They currently provide a sanctuary home for a variety of animals, including horses, ponies, cows, sheep, pigs, chickens, ducks and other animals.
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The farm cites price increases and having to close its doors due to COVID-19 as the reason for asking the community for help. The farm created a GoFundMe and is asking for help reaching a $300,000 goal -- knowing they can not do it alone. As of Friday morning -- the farm had $3,500 in donations.
GoFundMe: Help Our Animal Rescue Farm | Click to donate and support farm
“Our current goal is to fully purchase the property with the upcoming balloon payment,” a GoFundMe created for the farm said. “This will secure the farm’s future, a home for all of these rescued animals, and a space for the community to come together. Our deadline is June 29, 2022.
Celestial Farms has been a staple in Duval County and has hosted field trips, farm school days, fall events, farm visits, private events, birthday parties, weddings, volunteer opportunities, service projects, community outreach and fitness events, photoshoots, and much more.
They are now asking for donations to ensure these animals have a safe home forever.
“Though we can sustain our day-to-day bills and we are working with loan officers, we still need donor support to purchase the land,” the farm said.
Click here to donate and for more information.