Meet shy chicken PopTart, friendly donkeys Olive and Hazel and other rescued and retired farm animals at Southern Oregon’s VegFest, a free event June 9 hosted by Tikkun Olam Farm Sanctuary to champion for all creatures and promote plant-based products.
More than 50 vendors will be at the farm at 460 Hartley Road in Phoenix, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Musicians will perform, and there will be kids’ activities, guided tours, and cruelty-free, cholesterol-free vegan cuisine for sale.
“Local businesses are donating to the fundraising raffle because they believe in our mission,” said Hadassah DeJack-Reynolds, founder and executive director of the nonprofit Tikkun Olam Farm Sanctuary: A Healing Community for abused, abandoned, neglected and unwanted farm animals.
The Hebrew phrase “tikkun olam” (pronounced tee-KOON oh-LUHM) means “world repair.” In modern Jewish circles, tikkun olam has become synonymous with the notion of social action and the pursuit of social justice, according to MyJewishLearning.com.
Visitors will be introduced to Gandalf, a proud peacock with lacy white feathers, Elliot, a three-legged goat with large horns and a gentle demeanor, and kune kune pigs Tilly, Gloria and Cricket “who enjoy belly rubs,” said DeJack-Reynolds. She added that donkeys Olive and Hazel insist on butt scratches.
Some of the animals receive treatments for arthritis and severe illnesses. PopTart’s entire upper beak was removed as a chick at a farm store and she requires a high-calorie diet and special feeding several times a day. “Despite her difficult start, PopTart is one of the most engaging and friendly residents at the sanctuary,” said DeJack-Reynolds, who has been involved with animal rescue for more than 25 years and worked in no-kill shelters and wildlife rehabilitation.
She also managed a veterinary surgical department. “My work with a wide variety of animals prepared me to care for the diverse animal population that resides here at our sanctuary,” she said. “Understanding the various dietary, medical and husbandry requirements for so many types of animals is essential to keeping them happy and healthy. Education is an important part of sanctuary work and I find that I regularly rely on my teaching skills to share about the work that we do here.”
To raise funds, the sanctuary will sell branded T-shirts, bumper stickers and coffee mugs at VegFest, and take orders for a printed 2025 calendar starring sanctuary residents. Donations are also accepted through Venmo (@tikkun-olam) and PayPal (tikkunolamfs).
Vendors pay a fee to participate in VegFest. Tikkun Olam Farm Sanctuary co-founder and board member and VegFest co-founder Johanna Talley will have a booth with information about her Drunken Goats Farm vegan supper club in Talent.
“It’s amazing what chefs like Johanna Talley can do using vegan ingredients to make delicious, favorite, familiar foods,” said DeJack-Reynolds. “Bakers will have pastries and desserts too.”
More food purveyors scheduled at the event are The Wild Sunflower, Siano’s Karibbean CookHouse, Rooted: Eat More Plants, Toasted Cheese, Plant Baked baked goods and Mahalo Shaved Ice. Trium Wines, Walkabout Brewing Co., Floreat Coffee and Moxie Brew Kombucha will sell beverages.
Other exhibitors are plant-based soap makers, temporary-tattoo artists, sustainable clothing makers, jewelry makers, vegan-owned pet suppliers, animal advocates and local nonprofits. Free activities include yoga classes, lawn games and a children’s craft corner to draw or paint an animal’s portrait.
The seven-year-old sanctuary is not a petting zoo, but a haven for recovering farm animals. For everyone’s safety, outside pets cannot enter the property.
If you go: Parking, admission, music and activities are free at Southern Oregon’s second annual VegFest from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 9, at at Tikkun Olam Farm Sanctuary, 460 Hartley Road in Phoenix.
— Janet Eastman | 503-294-4072
jeastman@oregonian.com | @janeteastman