Stardust Farm is a non-profit dedicated to supporting the LGBTQIA+ community. Located in the Twin Cities East Metro, the farm is a location to build community and find healing, as well as a location to learn about fiber arts, conservation, and mental health.
Why is this work important? Surveys show that LGBTQIA+ youth, and particularly transgender youth, are the most at-risk students in our schools for bullying, harassment, and suicidal ideation. As anti-LGBTQIA+ rhetoric increases across the country, organizations such as the Trevor Project have seen increases in negative mental health outcomes among LGBTQIA+ youth. However, having safe and supportive relationships can decrease these negative outcomes. The benefits of art as well as animal caretaking on mental health have also been well-documented.