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UFS

LEAP: Leaders for Ethics, Animals, and the Planet

A Compassionate Alternative to Traditional Animal Agriculture Programs

Our third LEAP year! The 2025-2026 Unity Farm Sanctuary LEAP (High School) program will run from September-May. Classes and workshops will be on Saturdays 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM: . Plant-based lunch is included. Service opportunities at the sanctuary will be available daily, to best fit with LEAP participants' schedules.

LEAP Kids (6th-8th grade) runs September - June on consecutive Wednesdays after school in the fall, and every other Wednesday in the spring. There will be plant based snacks, badges, workshops and animal connections onsite.

Unity Farm Sanctuary is located (just south of Natick MA) at 17 Unity Lane, Sherborn MA 01770.  MAP

The application window for 2025-2026 is open. Visit the LEAP website to apply. Travel financial aid may also be available, if needed, to offset the cost of transportation to the sanctuary. Make sure to follow Unity Farm Sanctuary in our email news, free UFS App, or on social media to learn more details. We are excited about the 2025-2026 UFS classes of LEAP!

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Things to Know

Timeline 2025-2026

  • May 5, 2025:  Application submissions open

  • August 15, 2025:  Application deadline closes

  • For LEAP High School Year 1 Students Only: Once the applications window closes, if your application is selected, you will be contacted to schedule an in-person or zoom interview the week of August 18, 2025 with Humane Education Director Jennifer D'Angelo.

  • Notifications will be sent no later than August 29, 2025

  • Duration of 2025-2026 LEAP High School Program is September 2025–May 2026.

  • Duration of LEAP Kids (6th-8th grade) is September 2025-June 2026

  • Applications and waivers will be available here and on the LEAP website beginning May 2025.

  • Plan ahead for the Spring 2026 application period opening up for LEAP 2026-2027, keep connected via our email news, our App, or social media

Focus Areas

LEAP provides education and experiences for
high school students in areas including:

  • Hands-on, compassionate animal care

  • Food and agricultural systems

  • Leadership development

  • Wildlife and ocean conservation

  • Farmed animal welfare

  • Human health supported by a vegan diet

  • The intersection of human and animal rights

  • Climate change solutions

  • Social emotional learning

  • Food deserts and food insecurity

  • Domestic animal care

  • Vegan cooking

  • Effective advocacy

  • Rewilding the land

  • Organic gardening

  • Community outreach

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Jennifer D’Angelo, Humane Education Director, CHES

Our LEAP Program Director would love to answer your questions!

LEAP (Leaders for Ethics, Animals, and the Planet) is a revolutionary humane education program providing high school students across the nation with a compassionate alternative to traditional agriculture programs like 4H and FFA. A comprehensive multi-year program taught by participating farm animal sanctuaries, LEAP combines interactive curriculum modules with hands-on learning activities, leadership training, and real-world skill development. LEAP aims to prepare the next generation of Changemakers to tackle the challenges of animal cruelty, climate change, food deserts, and habitat loss, and encourages them to devise solutions for a more compassionate, sustainable food system. 

Candidates for the LEAP program understand the social responsibility they have as the next generation of leaders, and want to make a difference in their communities. They are ready and eager for leadership training and have a desire to change the current system for animals, human health, and the planet.

Participants will earn a certificate of completion, qualify for letters of recommendation, and be connected with a vast network of nonprofits and mentors. At the end of the completed year with the LEAP program, participants will have the ability to apply for competitive scholarships of to go toward college or career training. These scholarships are offered to encourage initiative, leadership, hard work, and we believe it is imperative that we show our Changemakers they can earn money for education by helping animals, differing from traditional agricultural programs.

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