NEW ROCKFORD, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – One New Rockford woman’s love of animals has grown to what some may refer to as a zoo.
But Jessica Hawkes affectionately calls it a sanctuary.
Hawkes Homestead is located in rural Eddy County and is found on a fifth-generation farmstead. Hawkes says she’s always loved animals and the idea for the sanctuary started a few years ago.
Hawkes says since then, it’s grown to include upwards of 100 animals that represents more than two dozen individual species and breeds including a baby boer pygmy goat, a llama, geese, and more.
Hawkes says because the homestead is older, there’s a need for improvements and also the application to become a non-profit organization.
Hawkes says they’ll also upgrade the fencing and more to prepare the farmstead for the winter months and provide the animals a safe place before they possibly find a home.
Hawkes says the future plans include adoptions, youth tours, internships, heritage gardening, and potential overnight stays.
Right now, Hawkes says they’re forming a board that includes a veterinarian, an attorney/farm wife, an anthropologist, social media professional, and a “barnyard animal whisperer”. She says the immediate support has caught them off guard, but they’re excited with how fast everything is coming together.
You can listen to a full Let’s Talk About It with Jessica Hawkes below:
Photos are courtesy of Jessica Hawkes
