Lawrence Lady Boss | KRIS TAYLOR
Meet Kris Taylor, the founder of Shy 38 Inc. , a nonprofit farm sanctuary in rural Lawrence. They are currently home to over 120 rescued residents, including cows, pigs, horses, chickens, ducks, goats, sheep and a turkey. The mission of Shy 38 Inc is to create new attitudes about industrialized farm animals by promoting a cruelty free lifestyle, providing a compassionate humane education program and by offering opportunities for interaction with our rescued residents. Kris founded Shy 38 Inc in 2015 when her family lived in a house next door to a farmer's cow pasture. For five years I watched the cows and their interactions with one another. Up until then I had never been that close to cows and I learned several things:
-They each have unique, individual personalities.
-Cows are very similar to dogs and other pets we share our homes and hearts with. They like to play, be pet and scratched, they learn their names - and will come when called.
-Cows have best friends, likes and dislikes and like us - they LOVE their babies and they grieve when their babies are taken from them.
From that point on, I wanted to help farm animals in need and offer an opportunity for others to see them in a new way. To date they are Kansas' first and only farm sanctuary.
What is your goal for the next year?
The organization's goal for 2021 is to kick off our humane education program, Barney's Kids. We will be offering homeschool programs where local youth can meet the animals, learn about their care, as well as other topics including animal agriculture and it's environmental impact.
(Due to COVID, most of 2020's events were cancelled and new programs put on hold, including Barney's Kids.)
Who has influenced you the most?
It is a wonderful thing to witness a visitor"s first personal encounter with a rescued farm animal and see them make that connection. I am often told that people have changed their diets after meeting one of our cows or pigs, etc.
Gene Baur, founder of the original Farm Sanctuary has also played a major role in determining the organization's mission.
What one piece of advice do you give to other business owners?
Do what you love and keep pushing forward.
When you are not working, what are you doing?
Spending time with my family. We like to watch movies, play games and have recently taken up baking. (We can't wait to be able to go see a real movie in a real theater again soon!)
What Lawrence hidden gem do you recommend everyone checks out?
Archibowls! I love Sarah' spicy Tex-Mex food and I heard the restaurant's menu will be fully vegan in February!
Kris says, "We are accepting new volunteers! Animal lovers over 18 can come out and get hands-on farm experience. We have a variety of opportunities and shifts available.”
FInd Kris on Facebook at Shy 38 Inc. and on Instagram at @shy38inc. Find Kris on the web at www.Shy38.com.