Farm of the Free Animal Sanctuary
Creating a space where every being feels safe to be exactly who they are
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Founders
Carmen and Greg Pope decided to go vegan in 2013 after watching several documentaries. They didn't want to stop there so they sold their house, started a non-profit, and bought 10 acres in Good Hope to start this sanctuary.
Co-Founder
Animal Intake Committee Chair
Greg Pope
Greg is a United States Air Force Veteran with a BSBA from Columbia Southern University. Since leaving the military, he has worked in Talent Acquisition in industries such as IT, Healthcare and Manufacturing. He's been an avid animal rescuer since an early age, starting with dogs, cats, and even rescued lab rats.
Greg loves travelling, playing pickleball, golf, and watching anything ATL sports. Especially the ATL Hawks! He is a hobbyist photographer and loves taking pictures of landscapes, architecture, and especially the FOTF residents.
He has been Vegan since 2013!
Co-Founder
Animal Care Committee Chair
Carmen Pope with Cash (left) & Waylon (right)
Carmen loved animals before she could walk. As a kid, she cared for everything from birds to dogs, cried when a bully stomped on ants at the age of 6, and at 8 years old, she staged her first (non-violent) animal liberation after finding ducks locked in cages at her apartment pond. Were they going to the vet for care or somewhere more sinister, we may never know!
After writing a high-school research paper on animal rights for English class (ironically her least favorite subject), she became a vegetarian. At the ripe and illegal age of 15 and with the help of her mom, she was hired by a kind, trusting veterinarian who owned 4 clinics and ran a dog and cat rescue out of the one she began at. He took her under his wing, and after proving herself as head caregiver for boarded animals, she was trained as an animal nurse. Over the next 17 years, Carmen worked at 3 of his clinics and another independent practice, assisting veterinarians with everything from nursing care, phlebotomy, and lab work to dental procedures, anesthesia monitoring, surgery etc... She gained invaluable experience under the supervision and training of several diverse and brilliant veterinarians who were also patient, and excellent teachers.
She met co-founder Greg in 2007, bonded over animals, married him in 2009, and then rode off into the sunset leaving everything behind... just kidding!
Over the years, Carmen's compassion and understanding grew for animals. After watching several documentaries and listening to authors and speakers, she became vegan in 2013.
Before starting FOTF, Carmen and Greg volunteered at several farm animal sanctuaries, speaking with founders, board members, caregivers, and diverse field experts to shape their vision. Carmen invited chicken advocate and expert Justin Van Kleek to FOTF to help design the safest and most natural habitats for their chicken residents. Every species’ environment at FOTF was custom-built based on extensive research and the available resources at the time. Carmen remains personally committed to continually improving animal care as knowledge grows and resources allow.
She’s deeply grateful to the community that makes FOTF possible and proud to be part of it.
Board of Directors
Our board members bring amazing ideas, skills, and creativity to our sanctuary. We are so lucky to have them!
Board President
Aaron Frost
Aaron was born and raised in Alma, Michigan, and lived throughout Southern Michigan before joining the United States Air Force. During his military career, he served as a Communications Security and Information Security Specialist. His professional experiences supported intelligence agencies, Air Operations Centers, and communications organizations. After 18 years of honorable service, he medically retired from the Air Force and obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology.
Aaron has shown interest in animals and animal care throughout his life and is now honored to be a steward on the Board of Farm of The Free. The integrity, loyalty, and discipline instilled through his military service will be a valuable asset to the Board’s operations. He strongly believes that all lives have value, and he is committed to giving back to the vegan community while supporting meaningful, positive change that improves the lives of the animals entrusted to the sanctuary’s care.
Board Secretary
Jessica Eleazer
In 2019, Jessica made the decision to adopt a vegan lifestyle and found herself at Farm of the Free Animal Sanctuary. The founders and beautiful residents of the sanctuary inspired her to become more involved and committed to supporting its mission. From 2020 to 2021, she served as an animal caregiver, and her passion for the sanctuary's mission has only grown since then. Jessica continues her involvement on the Board of Directors, helping create a safe and inclusive space where every being can thrive and be themselves.
Marketing Committee Chair
Cindy Higa
Cindy is a freelance graphic designer, creative director, and marketing strategy leader. With an extensive background in working in stigmatized industries, she’s passionate about finding impactful stories that resonate with the masses and sets the stage for brands and organizations to shine their light.
Cindy finds herself at her best when collaborating and brainstorming great ideas with like-minded folks. Time spent formulating great ways to raise awareness and funds for voiceless animals, well… there’s just nothing more meaningful.
Vegan since 2014, Cindy found a heartwarming community with the members and caregivers at Farm of the Free, and is honored to join the board.
Capital Projects Committee Chair
Rodney Lynn
Rodney was born and raised in Marion, Indiana, before moving with his family to a 20-acre farm outside the city. There, he learned animal stewardship by feeding and watering cattle, horses, sheep, chickens, rabbits, a donkey, cats, and dogs before and after school. This experience fostered his deep compassion, respect, and understanding of animals' needs.
After earning a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the Virginia Military Institute, Rodney served as a Combat Engineer Officer in Frankfurt, Germany, after completing Ranger and Airborne Schools. He later joined the US Army Corps of Engineers as a civilian in Chicago and eventually moved to Orlando, Florida, where he retired as a licensed Professional Engineer and Public Works Division Manager.
With nearly 40 years of experience in engineering design and managing capital improvement projects, Rodney is eager to contribute his expertise to FOTF’s development. He has been a member of FOTF since 2021 and has been vegan since 2010.
Board Vice-President
Leigh Saluzzi
Leigh has been vegan for the animals since 2001 and is passionate about showing people how accessible and delicious vegan living can be. She and her husband operated a vegan retail store for seven years before Leigh went on to lead Atlanta Veg Fest beginning in 2012, an annual nonprofit vegan festival she operated through 2021. Leigh currently works as a development program manager for an animal welfare nonprofit, where she supports lifesaving work through nonprofit development, fundraising, sponsorship cultivation, donor engagement, and community partnerships.
Deeply committed to animal rights and humane education, Leigh believes that animal sanctuaries such as Farm of the Free are an essential tool for educating the public about farmed animals who, while typically living short and painful lives on factory farms, can thrive safely and peacefully in sanctuary settings. She believes in meeting people where they are and encouraging veganism without shame or judgment. Proudly pro-flavor and body-positive, Leigh enjoys baking and veganizing Southern food favorites.
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Board Member at Large
Jodie Jacobs
Jodie is an ordained Animal Chaplain, Let Animals Lead® Animal Reiki Practitioner, Animal Communication Collective Ambassador, executive assistant, event planner, and animal rescue volunteer. Her animal passion has led her to volunteer for several rescues, including Puppy Kitty NYC, Best Friends, and Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center.
She is honored and thrilled to join the FOTF team and be part of their inspiring work to help animals!
Event Planning Committee Chair
Lainie Pahos
Lainie serves on the board of Farm of the Free, having long supported the organization and other farmed animal sanctuaries in Georgia and beyond. She has been vegan since 2021 and is deeply committed to animal liberation and compassionate living. She is excited to help animals in a more direct way. Her love for animals extends to her own small menagerie at home—two dogs, a cat, and a three-legged chinchilla.
She also owns Hungry Herbivore, a vegan culinary company dedicated to making plant-based food accessible, joyful, and impactful.
She is honored to support Farm of the Free’s mission and grateful for the opportunity to help create a safer, more compassionate future for farmed animals.
Employees
We are immensely grateful for our amazing employees who dedicate their lives to serve the animals at the sanctuary.
Animal Caregiver
Kim Reppert
Kim has always been deeply passionate about animals and has felt a strong connection to caring for them. During her college years, she dedicated her time to working at a veterinary clinic, where she gained invaluable experience in animal care. In addition to her professional work, Kim has also been an active volunteer, advocating for improved living conditions for animals through various organizations.
Her ardor for animals extends to a wide variety of species, and she actively seeks to expand her knowledge and understanding of them. This dedication was further demonstrated when she selflessly assisted a family member in the care of mules, horses, and a donkey, showcasing her genuine love and commitment to animal welfare.
Executive Director
Ryan Bulzan
Ryan Bulzan is the Executive Director of Farm of the Free Animal Sanctuary, where he leads day-to-day operations in service of the sanctuary’s vision: providing care to rescued farm animals while helping people reimagine their relationship with animals and food.
Ryan’s path to animal advocacy began in 2013 after visiting a farm sanctuary for the first time, an experience that profoundly reshaped his worldview and led him to go vegan. That moment set him on a new trajectory, eventually bringing him into the animal protection movement as an organizer, trainer, and nonprofit leader focused on building people-powered change.
Before joining Farm of the Free, Ryan worked across grassroots campaigns and community organizing programs, helping volunteers and organizers develop the skills, confidence, and ownership needed to create lasting impact. Today, he brings that same organizing mindset to sanctuary work, viewing Farm of the Free not only as a place of refuge for animals, but as a living classroom for compassion, justice, and collective responsibility.
Outside the sanctuary, Ryan enjoys cooking at home, backpacking, and staying active, usually when he’s not thinking about the next project, volunteer shift, or idea to make the sanctuary stronger.