F.A.R.M. is a training course held by former CVM long-term field staff member Dr. Mary McDonald with a focus on refreshing your veterinary skills before heading out to serve in missions. The course is held periodically throughout the year at Mary’s farm in Virginia. Download the current dates here, or contact marymcdonald@sams-usa.org
Learning Objectives
To gain confidence and improved skill in handling equine, ovine, bovine and poultry to better equip them for mission work. To practice handling, vaccinating, hoof trimming, and deworming equine, bovine, ovine and poultry.
The Course Includes
This is a basic course on livestock handling, vaccinating, de-worming and discussions on what animal healthcare concerns you may encounter on a short-term missions trip. Cattle, sheep, horses, poultry and swine will be covered. Additional topics include “Spiritual Preparation for Short-Term Missions,” “How to Share the Gospel Cross-Culturally,” and “Zoonotic Diseases You Want to Avoid.”
Recommended Resources
The course has you working through Learning Together at the training and copies will be available for your reference. (You are not required to read these books ahead of time.)
Learning Together: The Agricultural Worker’s Participatory Sourcebook
When Helping Hurts: Alleviating Poverty Without Hurting the Poor…And YourselfWhere There is No Animal Doctor
Location
Spend Yourselves Farm
7474 Blacksburg Rd.
Catawba, VA 24070
What to Bring
Bedding will be provided.You will need a pair of boots and long pants. Please do not bring steel toed boots as a heavy animal may step on your toe and bend the steel so you can’t remove your boot.