06/24/2026
Check out our next volunteer spotlight…Meet Jodi!
Jodi is one of our incredible volunteers here at SBF that has also co-founded our Books & Birds program. Jodi has been an integral part of our community outreach thru this program as well as coming in regularly to socialize our baby birds and read to our store pets.
Jodi first found us about 7 years ago as she was interested in getting her first bird and looking for some hands-on education. After taking her first baby bird home from us, she started volunteering at SBF to learn more about making toys and continue her education on how to give her new bird the best life possible. Her first shift was in the nursery and she was in love! “There is nothing like spending time with the youngest babies at SBF. It is good for my soul. It has also helped me get more comfortable with larger species.”
Through her volunteer experience, as well as professional experience in education, the Books & Birds program came into fruition. “The idea for Books & Birds started several years ago from a couple conversations that Lisa and I had. Lisa and I are both educators and deeply believe in fostering a love of books and reading. As folks who are also passionate about birds, and have read a lot about the learning potential of parrots (things like Alex & Me, or the Parrot Kindergarten page) we wanted to combine our interests in a program that would benefit children and the birds. I shared that I had worked in a library with a program where children could come in and read to therapy dogs. I asked if we might be able to do something similar by having folks come in to read aloud to the SBF birds. And Books & Birds was born! Since birds are so fascinated by human voices and interaction, this program has been a hit! It always warms my heart to see a little one camped out in front of a bird with a book open.”
Our Books & Birds program is open to those of any age, who want to read to our store birds to have positive, hands-off engagement. You can come in during any of our open days with your own book or choose from our library of books, pull up a mat next to your favorite store bird and read aloud to them. It’s an excellent way for younger kids to gain confidence in reading outloud, as well as learning how to watch bird body language as they engage thru their cage. Not everyone is comfortable handing birds, so this is a great first step to make a new friend in a very safe way! We also offer this program to groups during closed hours and off-site as well.
You’ll find Jodi around the store most Thursday nights in various roles, but she always finds time to start in our nursery, visiting with the new babies. She has gotten more confident with the larger species thru this experience and now looks forward to meeting the biggest ones! “ I have learned so much about all of the various species that SBF raises during my time there, and have also learned a TON about caring for the babies by spending time watching Bernie and Lucy. It has made me more comfortable in all aspects of handling birds.” After a shift in the nursery, she makes sure to spend time reading to some of the store birds, especially Nero, Forrest and Frankie, who are her biggest story-time fans.
Thank you Jodi for all the exceptional time and effort you give to the SBF family!
If you’ve been thinking about joining our volunteer team, don’t worry, we are always looking for more help. You can read more about the volunteer program here: https://www.sugarcreekbirdfarm.com/volunteer
❤Bernie
