CLEARWIND FARM - Key Persons
Abby Ward is a final year MSW candidate at UNC. Starting as a volunteer, she quickly fell in love with ClearWind and their mission, and is overjoyed to return as a graduate intern. She will be working alongside other members of the team to increase equitable access to our programs. As an avid animal lover, Abby can often be found hugging Muffin the horse or talking to Oscar the cat!
Barb Ford is the farm's bookkeeper, office manager, and resident "jill of all trades". She brings to ClearWind over 35 years experience in a variety of settings, including advertising, marketing, software, and newspaper publishing. She has a love of plants and gardening and is enjoying sharing that at ClearWind.
Brooke Weeks began riding at age 8, and developed her passion for horses in middle school when she got her first horse. She attended St. Andrews University, earning a degree in Therapeutic Horsemanship, as well as a degree in Business Management. Brooke is a Snow Camp, NC native who has a love for all animals!
Garland Thomas is a native of Chapel Hill. She grew up loving and riding horses! Garland had two Welsh ponies early on and rode hunt seat. As an adolescent, she owned an Arabian mare and rode saddle seat. Garland always longed to return to a horse farm environment. After a very long leave of absence, she found her way to ClearWind Farm in 2021. Garland owns and operates a pre-school in Chapel Hill, founded in 1997. In her spare time, you'll find her doing yoga and/or working on the farm. Garland finds it spritually fulfilling to break a sweat doing farm chores, developing relationships with the horses, admiring the view, and participating in the farm community.
James Jefferies is an experienced horseman and barn manager whose warmth, professionalism and expertise bring an additional dimension of comfort to the farm. The farm could not run as well as it does without his dependability, work ethic and calm manner. He has been a cherished friend and has worked with Matt and Suzanne for nearly 16 years.
We started ClearWind Farm shortly after we married in 2000, drawing upon Suzanne's long career with horses and Matt's then-new career in counseling. We have moved locations and evolved our approach, and in 2018 built our own facility. We have learned a lot in the 20+ years of providing equine assisted therapy, caring for horses and working with each other. We are proud of the facility, the people who work here, and the quirky herd we have gathered. We will continue to learn and evolve our programs and projects, and look forward to partnering with like-minded individuals and agencies in the area.