On a recent Friday after school, 26 Columbia High School students contributed their time and energy to volunteer at Little Brook Farm in Old Chatham, one of the oldest and largest equine rescues in the Northeast.
Students accomplished a big spring clean up of a paddock that a machine couldn’t access. That paddock will allow Sam, the longest working police horse in the nation who retired to Little Brook Farm two years ago, to go back to enjoying his time there. Students also reclaimed the largest garden on the farm, which honors horses who have since passed away. The community service trip concluded with a visit to “the hill,” which boasts one of the best views in all of Columbia County.
Columbia Art Teacher Ms. Andrea Neiman has been bringing students to Little Brook Farm annually since she started teaching 19 years ago. The students always comment about how peaceful, happy and content they feel after their hard work together and their time spent in nature and with horses. Many of the students step onto the bus as strangers (the trip is open to all current Columbia High School students) and return to Columbia as friends. A number of students become regular Little Brook Farm volunteers after having such a positive experience.
Little Brook Founder Lynn Cross noted that all of the students were such a pleasure to work with, “Such a truly wonderful group!” she said.
Tiffany, a Little Brook Farm volunteer, had this to say: “I started to tear up when I saw how amazing the paddock looked when the students were done! They did a truly astounding job! The garden is so beautiful and the students brought it back to life in honor of a horse that was so loved! The students all looked so happy while at this incredible farm, and it was such an amazing sight to see.”
Upon returning to Columbia at 5:30 p.m., three students drove back out to Little Brook Farm to finish cleaning another paddock.
Special thanks to Physical Education teacher Nicole Conte, School Psychologist Maureen Singer, and Librarian Katelynn Banks for being such fantastic chaperones and jumping right in and volunteering alongside the students!
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