Coming from a world of constant hustle, “plugged-in” fatigue, and fleeting connections, I’ve long felt the urge to unplug and find my way back to nature. That search eventually led me to volunteer at Flow, and it has honestly been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
What struck me first was how deeply Flow’s operations align with their mission of respecting nature. Here, the horses aren’t confined to stables all day; instead, every morning I was greeted by the breathtaking sight of them galloping from the stables to the pasture to spend hours grazing. With minimal use of lead ropes, there is a palpable sense of trust and understanding between the animals and the humans that is rare and beautiful to witness.
As a volunteer, I felt truly included and welcomed from the start. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Justine had actually curated a personal schedule for me, which speaks volumes about her thoughtfulness. This structure allowed me to experience every facet of life at Flow, from the regular essentials like animal care and fruit harvesting to things I never expected, like integrating new animal members to the farm or making handmade limoncello. There was a perfect harmony of structure to help me master new skills and enough variety to ensure I was never bored.
I also deeply appreciated that the volunteer experience at Flow isn’t “watered down.” I got my fair share of both the glamorous and the gritty tasks. One day I was in the kitchen during a busy event, facing an endless mountain of dishes that just kept coming; another afternoon, I found myself shoveling horse manure out of a giant compost pit. Regardless of the task, Justine and the team were incredibly generous with their appreciation. I never felt like an outsider. I always felt like a very loved and cared-for part of the Flow family.
During my stay, Justine arranged for me to be mentored by Ryan, and I could not have been luckier. I learned so much from him; he isn’t just incredibly knowledgeable, but he consistently goes above and beyond to provide the animals with the best possible care. He patiently guided and empowered me to pick up skills I had never tried before, from cleaning a dog’s ears and teeth to lunging a horse rope-free.
My time at Flow has been nothing short of incredible. I feel like I gained far more than what I originally set out to experience. During my time there, I was able to cultivate some truly restorative habits like realizing I didn’t need to be on my phone all the time and I got to taste the magic of true farm-to-table food. Most importantly, I’ve gained a new home away from home.
