Today we’d like to introduce you to Sheriee Rusk.
Hi Sheriee, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I always say that Farm To Able didn’t start with a business plan: it started with a feeling I couldn’t ignore. I grew up a sixth-generation farm kid on my family’s century-old cattle farm in Maysville, Missouri. My childhood was tractors, horses, and long days beside my grandfather. I loved that world, but even then, there were moments that didn’t sit right with me. I didn’t have the words for it at the time, but those small moments of discomfort were the first seeds of compassion I’d later grow into a very different life.
As I got older and learned more about the emotional depth and intelligence of animals — especially pigs — my entire understanding of “farm life” shifted. I began to see the realities of the meat and dairy industries in a way I couldn’t look away from. That awareness pushed me toward vegetarianism and then veganism and, eventually, toward advocacy. For years I worked in hospice care, which taught me more about dignity, gentleness, and presence than anything else could have. But I felt a pull — a calling — to expand that care to beings who often go unseen.
That calling became impossible to ignore after Charlie, the very first pig who came into my life. I purchased him through a breeder (we use the term “greeder” around here). Like so many people, I believed the myth of the “mini pig.” I didn’t know the truth about unethical backyard breeding or how many families are misled and left unprepared caring for a highly intelligent and fully expressing emotional souls. Charlie opened my eyes. The more I learned, the more my purpose sharpened: to educate, to advocate, and to protect the animals who are too often overlooked.
And then came Boone — the little piglet who jumped from a truck on his way to slaughter. His leap for life showed me just how much courage and desire to live these animals hold, even when the world refuses to see it. Boone didn’t just join the sanctuary; he expanded its mission.
Today, Farm To Able is a place where every soul — pig, goat, chicken, turkey, donkey, horse, cow, or duck — is given the chance to live the full, natural, healthy life they were always meant for. A life with sunshine, safety, friendship, softness, and comfort. Charlie opened the door for us, but Boone opened our hearts even further, reminding us of the unseen suffering within our food systems and the importance of standing up for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Farm To Able is our promise to them — that once they are here, they are safe. They get to grow old. They get to be themselves. And they get to thrive.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it absolutely hasn’t been a smooth road. My journey toward veganism started long before the Internet existed, when you couldn’t just search for community or find others who thought like you. I grew up in a world where choosing not to harm or eat animals made you an outsider. I truly believed I was the only person on the planet who felt that way. There were no cell phones, no online groups, no support system. Just me, quietly holding a belief that everyone around me thought was strange. That isolation was one of the first challenges on this path.
The rescue side has been equally challenging. People imagine the heartwarming moments – and those exist – but the reality is that I have to say “no” far more often than I’m able to say “yes.” The number of messages I receive about animals in need that I simply can’t take in is endless. It is gut-wrenching every single day to know there are souls I can’t save, even though I am deeply grateful for the lives I have been able to protect.
Then there are the practical hardships: time, resources, and funding. Rescue work demands all three, constantly. We survive on a handful of dedicated sponsors, but it’s only a fraction of what it takes to keep everyone fed, safe, and thriving. Grants are challenging to secure, and while many people express interest in volunteering, only a few stay committed long-term. Consistent, reliable help is rare, and sustainability is a constant uphill battle.
But even with all the challenges – the emotional weight, the financial strain, the long hours, and the heartbreak of not being able to take in every animal – I wouldn’t trade this path. Every life saved makes the struggle worth it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Farm To Able Animal Sanctuary & Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated primarily to the rescue and protection of farmed animals. We take in unwanted, discarded, abandoned, and neglected animals and provide rehabilitation, healing, and the chance to live out their natural lifespan in an enriching environment filled with love, comfort, and compassion.
What sets us apart is that we are a fully vegan sanctuary: our values, care practices, educational work, and daily operations are all aligned with a plant-based philosophy that centers animals, the Earth, and personal health. We believe these three pillars of veganism must work together. You can’t honor one without honoring the others.
At Farm To Able, we are known not only for our rescue work but for our community education and outreach. We offer private tours, school-age field trips, corporate and team-bonding events, and collaborations with local vegan-friendly gatherings. We also support other small nonprofits and engage in community assistance programs by helping families with their companion animals so pets can stay in loving homes whenever possible.
What I want readers to know is this: every soul at Farm To Able is given the chance to thrive, to grow old, and to experience a life rooted in safety and compassion. Our mission is built on empathy, advocacy, and accessible education. Creating sanctuary where animals and people can connect, learn, and heal together.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Farm To Able is absolutely not a one-person operation, and the sanctuary would not exist without the incredible people who stand beside me. First and foremost is my husband, the co-founder of our nonprofit. None of this would be possible without his support, his belief in our mission, and the countless hours he puts in behind the scenes.
I’m also blessed with a small but mighty team of volunteers who keep everything running smoothly: truly the “oil that runs the machine.” Marissa and Holly help organize, manage, and steady the foundation of the rescue in ways that allow me to focus on the animals. Our board members are equally essential. Dana leads our branding, merchandise, and design work; Katie brings an unbelievable gift for running online auctions; and Julie, our treasurer, contributes her grant-writing skills and also helps on-site with animal care as a neighbor and friend.
We have around ten Haven Heroes – our monthly recurring sponsors – whose consistency quite literally keeps our special-needs animals cared for year-round. And then there are the diehard volunteers who show up again and again for events, emergencies, and anything we need: Jacki, Lauryn, Sarah, Stacey, Kristin, Tomomi, Emi, and Aaron. Their reliability and heart make such a difference.
We also owe so much to Jenny Borden, a dear friend who completed our 501(c)(3) entirely pro bono and continues to donate and support our mission throughout the year. Dr. Emily McLeod has been an unwavering ally on every level -from veterinary care to guidance to emotional support.
And finally, I want to acknowledge Tam Singer from SPCA Great Plains and Tonya Lopez from Independence Animal Services. Their mentorship, advocacy, and encouragement have helped shape the way we rescue, educate, and operate. They’ve been cheerleaders and sounding boards during some of our most difficult decisions.
Every one of these individuals has contributed to the heart, strength, and success of Farm To Able. This sanctuary exists because of community – people who believe that every animal deserves a chance to live and thrive.
Pricing:
- Private Tour $100 up to 5 people then $15 per additional person
- This includes all private scheduled tours hosted on our premises: field trip, team bonding, tour, etc.
- Yoga & other similar events are priced depending on situation and availability of volunteers!
- Haven Hero Membership Don’t Be a Chicken $25/mo, Small But Mighty $35/mo, Big is Beautiful $50/mo. But you can commit your own dollar amount!
- It costs about $100 per day to feed and shelter our current residents!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://farmtoablemo.org
- Instagram: farm2able
- Facebook: FarmToABLE
- Yelp: We are on google!
