Marist Suspends Financial Support to Sprout Creek Farm
On Friday, April 17 Marist College announced that funding for local Hudson Valley farm, Sprout Creek, would be terminated.
“Since 2018, the College has advanced more than $2.5 million to keep the struggling Farm operating, and this is no longer sustainable,” as stated in a Marist College press release.
The announcement of the cancellation of funding sparked uproar on social media, leading to the rapid spread of claims that animals will be sent to “slaughter houses” with little upfront notice by Marist and farm administration.
“As farm director, my plan is to relocate all animals to other farms, they are not being sent to slaughter. While we respect people’s opinions about the management of our animals, Sprout Creek Farm has a long and distinguished history of excellent animal care. This process will be no different,” O’Sullivan said. Source: Sprout Creek Farm
Marist took to Twitter and Instagram to clear up the false information being spread. “We are disappointed that false information has been circulated. The Farm, which is a separate entity from Marist, is managing the process of animal care appropriately and humanely,” stated in a tweet from the official Marist Twitter on April 18.
Additionally, Sprout Creek Farm Director, Sean O’Sullivan, ensures the proper treatment and relocation of animals is of utmost priority in a news announcement by Sprout Creek. “As farm director, my plan is to relocate all animals to other farms, they are not being sent to slaughter. While we respect people’s opinions about the management of our animals, Sprout Creek Farm has a long and distinguished history of excellent animal care. This process will be no different,” O’Sullivan said.
While financial security has been in question in recent years concerning Sprout Creek Farm, the current pandemic of COVID-19 has only “exacerbated the financial challenges of Sprout Creek Farm operations and made its business model unsustainable,” as stated in the news announcement.
The farm was acquired by Marist College in January of 2018 and was proposed to be used as a learning center and purchased as an effort of “good faith” for a struggling Hudson Valley farm. Since the beginning of financial responsibility on Marist’s part, the college has put $2.5 million into infrastructure and to contain a listeria contamination upon purchase in 2018.
“In the last two years, Marist funded significant capital in the Farm’s infrastructure—including $750,000 to address listeria contamination. The contamination problems at the Farm had not been disclosed to Marist at the time of the operational transfer in 2018,” as stated in the Marist press release.
Both entities, Marist College and Sprout Creek Farm, ensure that the treatment of animals and the process of suspending operations at Sprout Creek in relation to the livestock will be handled humanely and safely. Sean O’Sullivan emphasized the importance to end operations at the farm efficiently and ethically.
“it is a priority to Sprout Creek Farmers that all animals are relocated to new homes and given the best care that local farmers can give them. All efforts are being made to ensure that the transitions are accomplished with the emphasis on animal safety, health and welfare,” O’Sullivan said in the Sprout Creek news announcement. “We have taken great pride ensuring that the animals have been very well looked after and that the care and attention we have given them will continue.”
The future of the farm remains uncertain, but Sprout Creek appreciates the years of support that was provided by Marist College.
“Sprout Creek Farm is deeply appreciative of the support Marist College and its community has provided since January 2018,” stated in the Sprout Creek news announcement.