Developing a new model for monkey rescue and organic farming combined
Our vision at The Monkey Farm is to become a combined monkey and wildlife rescue center and an organic farm, run entirely by volunteers. We currently have both local volunteers and International volunteers coming from all over the world to help us reach our goals.
The plan is that the volunteers grow food using sustainable permaculture methods to feed both the volunteers and the animals. The volunteers care for the farm animals which also feed them with eggs, dairy products and meat. In addition, the volunteers care for the monkeys and wildlife that we rescue. When we produce enough organic food products, the excess will be sold to support the project. Until then, we are dependent on donations.
Here is a simplified overview of a plan that outlines the actions that we are planning, as well as the estimated cost of implementation for each phase:
Phase 1
Needs: Acquire the land. Take immediate action to protect the monkeys on the land from electrocution.
Actions: Acquire part of the land. Shield the cables so monkeys can’t climb them to get to the transformers. Prune the trees so monkeys can’t reach the transformers. Install a monkey bridge for safe travel. Get an infrared motion-activated camera to follow the monkeys’ movements. Spread awareness of the issue in the community.
Timeline: 2013
Cost: $26,000
Status: COMPLETED
Phase 2
Needs: Secure the habitat from wildfires in the dry season. This will be accomplished by constructing a perimeter fence around the property, and a second fence approximately 30 feet inside that one. Then we will purchase livestock to graze this perimeter strip, creating a natural fire break to protect the land from fires.
Create a structure and plan for future volunteer-based rescue activities. Begin cultivating produce to feed the volunteers and the farm animals. Plant trees from which the monkeys like to eat. Gain community awareness and support for our project.
Actions: Bring in the volunteers. Plant food for the volunteers and animals. Plant trees to attract and feed the monkeys so that they feel safe and welcome. Buy animals (horses, goats, sheep and a milk cow) to graze the perimeter to build a natural fire break, plus provide additional food for the volunteers through dairy products and meat. Build additional pens for the animals and improve existing ones. Create infrastructure for the volunteers to live on the farm, including improving the volunteer houses, and creating a temporary communal kitchen, a composting toilet and additional sleeping quarters. Carry out an ongoing public awareness campaign and gain community support for our project.
Timeline: Early 2014
Cost: $25,000
Status: INITIATED
Phase 3
Needs: Save the land that is the monkeys’ natural habitat. Create the infrastructure for the rescue center. Create sources of income to support the entire operation.
Actions: Acquire more land for the monkeys and safeguard the new expanded area. Build a community kitchen for both the volunteers to use, and to process cheese and organic food for sale. Create natural style enclosures for the monkeys and other wildlife that we will rescue. Carry out a major public awareness campaign.
Timeline: Later 2014
Cost: $200,000
Status: PLANNED
Phase 4
Needs: Become an official Monkey Rescue Center that caters to the needs of orphaned and injured monkeys, in addition to other wildlife. Continue to create infrastructure to support the volunteers.
Actions: Complete the government permit process. Build additional structures for both the rescue animals and the volunteers that care for them.
Timeline: 2015
Cost: $100,000
Status: IDEA LEVEL
If you want to help us reach our goals:
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