Rural “Day Program” Suits Farmers With Special Needs

Rural “Day Program” Suits Farmers With Special Needs MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT Handicapped Equipment When Beth Snyder and Jennie Hardacre hear their farmers proudly tell visitors about “my farm” or that “I put in those fence posts ” the former teachers really feel the value of their new careers About 5 years ago the New Carlisle Ohio women decided to create a new option for people with developmental disabilities in a farm setting rather than a workshop in town After more than 2 1/2 years of research educating the community and upgrading buildings fences and fields on Hardacre’s 25-acre farm the business partners opened The H A R D Acre Farm LLC to clients in 2016 The acronym stands for Honor And Respect Daily which fits the women’s goal of giving their clients – who are all farmers - a chance to feel the satisfaction of doing meaningful work Snyder’s 35-year-old son is one of the 35 clients who range in age from 19 to 66 He had attended a farm program in another area which motivated her to start a similar program She and her daughters live on land that has been in the family for more than 200 years and she was interested in using the property for something worthwhile Teaching experience helps to set up personal programming and activities working with animals gardening arts and crafts and other farm projects The Monday through Friday 9 a m -3 p m days have structure with three staff members working in different areas and participants rotating through them in 70-min blocks with times for lunch and snacks Farmers work with animals learn about health and do yoga or Zumba start seeds work in raised garden beds and harvest vegetables to sell at the farm’s retail shop along with crafts they make But there is also flexibility to take a hike on a nice day pet a cat or just relax by the pond or creek “The environment is much more relaxed than a workshop There’s plenty of space to have independence ” Hardacre says “The other wonderful piece about our program is that our clients have definitely taken ownership They call themselves farmers ” With alpacas chickens sheep a dairy heifer donkeys goats and turkeys the farmer clients learn about production agriculture They helped butcher turkeys for example and understand that lambs go to market “We talk about how the animals feed us It’s important to teach where food comes from ” Snyder says At the same time some animals such as the cats and donkeys serve as therapy animals that the farmers enjoy spending time with Learning about regulations and getting certifications has been challenging Snyder adds But families with special needs adults appreciate having a different option for the state funding they receive for day programs Some come 5 days a week others fewer days a week so every day is different It’s challenging to sustain the program and salaries on just state funding coming through clients so Hardacre and Snyder are grateful for donations from the community They have received everything from hoop houses to craft material to building supplies and volunteer help Despite the variables of their business - from the number of participants changing day-to-day and staff turnover - the women encourage others to start similar programs First research and learn everything you can about your state’s codes and regulations Hardacre suggests Visit similar programs and ask questions; the women welcome inquiries about their program “Part of our mission is to assist other people to do the same thing ” Snyder says Contact: FARM SHOW Followup The H A R D Acre Farm 1536 N Hampton Rd New Carlisle Ohio 45344 ph 937 882-6087; www thehardacrefarm org; Thehard acrefarm@gmail com; Facebook: The Hard Acre Farm

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