We Made a Film 🎥 🐖 // Leilani Farm Sanctuary of Maui

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My day job is making films, and I couldn't be more honored to have made this one for Leilani Farm Sanctuary on a recent trip to Maui. Emma was was along for the ride and a huge help, not only lugging gear around but keeping goats from eating said gear. (I'm looking at you Nancy :)

It's hard to know where to begin - and end - so I'll try and keep it short. When people ask what is Peacefield, we tell them that right now it's resources, education, support, and cooking classes focused on a WFPB lifestyle, and hopefully one day an actual farm sanctuary. Of course the next question is "what's a farm sanctuary?" Not too long ago I wouldn't have known what one was either. As we learned about all the negative effects meat and dairy consumption has on our bodies our eyes were simultaneously opened to the horrendous treatment of the animals used for our food. Farm sanctuaries are places where these precious beings are rescued, given medical care, lots of love, and a place to live out the rest of their lives in peace. They are no longer numbers, and they are given names and an environment where their true personalities can flourish! Please don't fool yourself (like I did for many years) by thinking you can be an animal lover and eat meat. Living with 2 dog-children everyday I see the intricacies of who they are, when they're frightened, excited, embarrassed, nervous, confident, relaxed, and the list goes on. They are complex, precious individuals with a will to live - just like us - and just like a pig or chicken. The only difference, at least until they're rescued, is that they didn't have a name. Even if eating them somehow gave us super human powers I'd never go back, and luckily the opposite is true. We're healthier than ever and more at peace with nature. Ok, I'll wrap it up. Everyone should visit a farm sanctuary, but there is something extra special about doing so as someone who has given up meat and dairy. The Franz Kafka quote couldn't be more true, "Now I can look at you in peace; I don't eat you any more."

Laurelee, the founder of Leilani is a personal hero and daily inspiration. If you ever find yourself on Maui you must take a tour. In the meantime make sure to keep up on the farm and all the amazing animals on her facebook and instagram feeds. And of course sponsor an animal and support her mission if you can. She also recently released an incredible book that tells her story in depth.

John