Photos and story by Amanda Sciandra
Tucked within the trees, Anointed Acres Alpaca Farm is a slice of rural life in Cape May Court House that many are unaware even exists. Annie Farrow, owner of Anointed Acres, has created a space at her farm where visitors can enjoy being around animals in a farm setting.
“When people come, I want it to be their time,” Annie said.
Anyone willing to get their hands a little dirty can enjoy feeding both the chickens and alpacas. According to Annie, none of this would have been possible without God and the support of her husband Gary. After all, Annie came to have her very own farm with no prior knowledge of farming or knowledge of how to care for farm animals. However, with a lot of learning and hard work, Annie created something incredibly special.
“It’s not a business for me, it’s a purpose. I’m really grateful that I can do this,” Annie said.
To say that Annie enjoys keeping busy would be an understatement. Besides running Anointed Acres, which requires at least 3 hours of work to maintain each day, Annie works full-time as a nurse practitioner and hospice worker.
Annie started nursing school at only 17 and now has 42 years of nursing experience under her belt. With an incredible passion for education, Annie has earned a master’s in educational leadership and administration, a master’s in nursing, and a teaching degree in secondary education. Annie even has her open water diver certification; she is an avid scuba diver.
Annie laughed and said that she couldn’t even really swim before she began training for the certification.
Her farm began to truly come to life in 2019, when she purchased the property adjacent to her home. It previously belonged to her neighbors Mr. and Mrs. Wilson. When they passed, their daughter sold it to Annie, who always said she wanted to care for a horse on the property.
One day, Anne saw an ad in the Herald classifieds for a volunteer position for one day a week at the Seaview Equine Learning Facility. It was here that she met one of the facility’s founders, Pat Moran, who has become one of Annie’s closest friends. It was through Pat that Annie came to own her horse Sissy-Blu. At first, she found the idea of owning a horse “insane,” especially since she had a strong fear of large animals. But it wasn’t too long after that Annie became comfortable around, and excited by, horses. She saved up and was able to purchase Sissy-Blu soon after.
With her first animal to care for, Annie began to expand her farm. A donkey named “Ruby Tuesday” soon came aboard and became fast friends with Sissy-Blu. The farm soon welcomed several alpacas, chickens, and a Great Pyrenees named Cyrus.
The newest member of the farm is Toby, a puppy who was rehomed twice before finding his way to Annie.
If you’re planning to visit Anointed Acres, a reservation is required. There is no fee for admission, but donations are greatly appreciated.
“I don’t charge at all. By faith I live how I was commanded to do,” Annie said. While at the farm, make sure to check out the mural in the barn, with the words “Peace Through Purpose” inscribed. These words embody Annie’s hopes for the farm and all those who come to experience it.
For further information, check out www.anointedacres.com