There’s no underestimating the power of unplugging every once and a while. Those who make a living working the land know firsthand the restorative power of nature, and some farmers are eager to invite neighbors to immerse themselves in the agricultural life, even if only for a day, through tailored animal experiences and workshops. From enrichment for children to fostering creativity, these East Greenwich farms make a difference beyond food, nurturing both body and soul.
One such place is Faith Hill Farm, which owner Pam Maloof describes as a care community. She says simply, “It’s beautiful here to be surrounded by nature.” In addition to hosting small private events and its highly anticipated annual Easter Egg Hunt, the farm offers horse-riding lessons, summer camps, and workshops year-round that rely on the healing that comes from working with horses.
Maloof is an equine specialist certified by Eagala, the global standard for equine-assisted psychotherapy and personal development. “I regularly run corporate workshops on the farm,” Maloof explains before pausing to croon to an ill horse who gently chuffs back at her. “It’s a team approach where I work in partnership with a mental health clinician because things come up for people during these workshops.”
The idea behind Eagala personal development workshops is that horses respond best to calm, confident leaders and reflect the way humans communicate back to them. Workshop attendees might be tasked with building a path as a group and coaxing horses to walk down that path without the benefit of a lead rope. “It encourages
cohesiveness among a team,” Maloof explains.
But her true passion lies in working with kids in crisis. St. Mary’s Home for Children, which offers residential and outpatient services for children facing psychiatric illness, sexual abuse and trafficking, and special education challenges, brings 12 clients to Faith Hill Farm each week to work with the horses. “Some of these kids can’t process their own trauma, but they speak through the horses,” Maloof explains. “You can see how healing it is to be in an environment with horses.”
Maloof does similar work with Harmony Hill School in Chepachet, which works with kids facing social, emotional, behavioral, and learning challenges, and hosts an annual event for Adopt RI each June. “This event gives people considering adoption an opportunity to spend time with the kids in a fun environment,” she explains. And sometimes she gets to witness a family grow. “I’ve seen kids go through St. Mary’s and then end up in the adoption system. When they come to the Adopt RI event, they love it because we already know each other. They help me organize and take ownership of the event. It’s esteem-building for them and so special.”
Danielle Shatkin doesn’t like the idea of being called the owner of Bittersweet Farm. “I live here,” she says. “It’s my home.” But, like Maloof, she does love the idea of nature’s power to heal. “The farm is an escape for people. You just turn off and feel like you’re on a vacation. You can be having the worst day ever, but if you spend time with the animals, you forget everything,” Shatkin relays. She shares the farm with three miniature horses, two standard horses, goats, sheep, a chicken, Pancetta the pig, and five llamas, including a newborn, the only addition to the farm that was not a rescue animal. “Now that the baby llama is here, our breeding program is done,” Shatkin says with a laugh.
Shatkin and her husband lived in Australia before purchasing the farm 10 years ago and slowly restoring it. Shatkin’s sister, Lauren Scott, and baby niece emigrated from Australia last year following a divorce, and this year Shatkin’s husband unexpectedly passed away. “We’ve been through so many changes,” she says. “Sometimes when my sister and I are working on the farm, it feels like we’re living in a Hallmark movie.”
These two plucky sisters are more than up for the challenge of making the farm thrive. In its early days, the farm hosted a summer camp, which is still in operation every year, but those first campers are now counselors. “There’s nothing like seeing the kids laughing and catching frogs by the pond,” Shatkin says. “When the day is done, they don’t want to leave.” The youngest campers Shatkin accepts are four years old, so Scott, with great success, launched Wild Ones, a series of nature classes geared toward babies.
The farm also hosts private parties in a variety of event spaces Shatkin has meticulously decorated over the last decade. There’s a shabby chic cottage with an outdoor bathtub and swing, a potting shed, and two barns, one of which is currently being transformed into a beer garden. “The horses tend to wander in and out of that space,” Shatkin says, leaving one to wonder if the bartender will ever be tempted to ask, “Why the long face?”
Bittersweet Farm’s calendar is packed with a variety of events, including an upcoming Argentinian picnic, a cigar night, and an evening featuring an outdoor movie and dinner. The duo also host workshops, like terrarium and ceramics workshops, and a paint-your-mate night. “We host two or three events a month,” Shatkin explains.
Reflecting on the journey that brought her where she is today, she says, “After my husband died, people told me I was crazy to take on the farm alone. But I don’t mind. I’ll show them what I can do.”
Connect with nature on a deeper level by visiting these South County farms, offering event spaces, workshops, and more.
Bittersweet Farm Estate
This 22-acre farm, replete with animals and wildflowers, offers a peaceful respite from city life with pop-up events, from picnics to cigar nights to nature classes for babies. East Greenwich, BitterSweetFarmRI.com
Faith Hill Farm
A welcoming space for horses and humans alike, Faith Hill Farm hosts small, private events and celebrations, as well as team-building workshops that rely on the healing power of working with horses. East Greenwich, FaithHillFarmRI.com
Kinney Bungalow at Sunset Farm
The more-than-a-century-old Kinney Bungalow rests on 200 acres of land. Since 1899 it has hosted numerous parties, dances, and celebrations, and its current owner keeps that tradition alive by hosting private indoor and outdoor events. Narragansett, KinneyBungalow.com
Shepherd’s Run
The owners of Shepherd’s Run use their 36-acre farm to help visitors connect to the culture, craft, and terroir of South Kingston. In addition to wine tastings and charming stays, watch for wellness workshops, seasonal craft markets, and author events. South Kingstown, Shepherds.run
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