Meet Tara Wells | Director and Co-Founder of Bella Terra Farms

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tara Wells and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tara, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My passion for working with people with disabilities began back in high school. I began volunteering then working for a private clinic that offered occupational, speech, and physical therapy services for children with special needs. My love and draw to this beautiful, unique community was cemented the more time I spent with them.

I went on to pursue my bachelor’s degree in Psychology. After college, in 1996, I began working in that same clinic as a teacher in an Early Intervention program. We taught and provided therapy services for children ages 1 1/2 – 3 years old. The clinic served children of all ages, and my passion and love for this community, and for children in all stages of their development, continued to grow.

I took a long pause from working with this extra special community for the next 21 years as my husband and I raised our 4 children.

We relocated to rural Colorado in 2021, purchased 6 acres of land, and at this point my vision of combining my love for the special needs community merged with my adoration of all things furry and fuzzy, and Bella Terra Farms began to take shape. The Farm’s motto is “Healing by Feeling Good”. We are a therapeutic sanctuary for healing, believing that spending time in nature and with precious, loving farm animals heals us all – body, mind and soul.

While my initial vision was to provide therapy services for our special needs community, soon after opening doors in August 2023 it became apparent that there are a vast array of individuals and groups that can benefit from spending time with these sweet critters! Our mission now is to welcome all those who need healing on any level, which in all honesty includes just about every soul on the planet. We love sharing the physical, mental, and emotional healing benefits of these animals with all those on a healing journey.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Bella Terra Farms is full of fuzzy, furry, mostly miniature farm animals. Our vision from the beginning was to create a warm, friendly, loving sanctuary for both animals and people, where all feel safe, loved, and cherished.

We have been inspired by the many equine therapy farms that surround us in Colorado. What sets us apart is that our animals are all small, which lends to their appeal especially for children or those with special needs. Full sized animals can feel a bit intimidating to some, so our itty bitty critters create a feeling of safety and connection for all who come.

Being a budding non profit, our biggest challenge has been getting the financial support needed to maintain the farm and provide the best care for all of our animals. We do not charge our clients, rather, we rely on contributions from generous donors to support the farm. Because our non profit status is still pending, our ability to fundraise has been limited. We are trusting as we continue to provide services to our community, those that believe in our mission and our vision will come alongside us and provide all the financial backing that we need.

One of the biggest lessons learned is to TRUST that this vision will unfold exactly as it should! It seems that every time we’ve had a concern, whether it be financial, care for a sick animal, needing volunteers and more “hands on deck”, whatever it may be, exactly what we need has been provided. It’s humbling to realize how many precious souls are willing to step in and support, guide, and give of their resources, believing in our mission.

All of us have a gift. All of us have dreams, and visions, and creative imaginations! My deepest hope is that Bella Terra Farms inspires others to live out their dreams, and create a ripple effect of positive, life-giving change in whatever they put their hand to. We all have the power to change the lives of others, one precious soul at a time.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We live in a beautiful, rural area just north of Colorado Springs. When my dearest friends come to town, I love to take them hiking at Castlewood Canyon State Park. A walk or drive through Garden of the Gods is a must! There are a multitude of trails and hikes nearby that are breathtaking – including the hike up Spruce Mountain Open Space and Trail.

Some of our favororite dining spots are in nearby Monument, CO: La Casa Fiesta for casual but delicious Mexican food (and great margaritas!), fine dining at the Bistro on 2nd, and coffee and pastries at Serranos Coffee Company.

The charming and delicious Uva Wine Bar in Colorado Springs makes for a lovely evening too!

Truthfully, though, when people come to town our favorite thing to do is spend time sipping coffee or wine on our deck, cuddling the farm critters, and taking in the view of Pike’s Peak from our little corner of paradise.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My husband, Bryan Wells, is the financial and emotional support that made this vision possible! Without his support, his encouragement, and his help on the farm, Bella Terra Farms wouldn’t exist.

I’m also forever indebted to the amazing minds behind Pediatric Therapy Network in Torrance, CA. This is where my passion for our special needs community began. They believed in me and welcomed me with open arms onto their team when I was just a young girl with no experience. The years I spent with the children being served at PTN molded me into the passionate lover of this community that I am today!

I’m also a person of deep faith. My desire to love “the least of these” comes from following Christ. His example of love, acceptance, healing, and restoration inspires me to want to create a ripple effect of love and goodness on this planet. Loving others is the call, and the beauty of that call is that it always rebounds back to us a hundredfold!

Website: bellaterrrafarms.org

Instagram: bella_terra_farms

Facebook: Tara Solomon Wells

Image Credits
Courtney Ernst, CKE Photography Rachel Marie, Petra Nova Photography