THE FARM’S PROGRAMS
Activities and Programs are available for an hour, day or weekend. All The Farm programs and activities are created and uniquely designed for each individual, family or group to meet their specific interest, request and needs. Want to come out for a day in the woods? Meet our animals? Picnic? Weekend intensive counseling? Work with plants? Come join us! Programs and activities are offered throughout the year on an  hour, day or weekend.  These programs are uniquely designed for each person Many programs may be reimbursable from insurances. Call l231-924-2401!

FEES:
There are charges for counseling, programs, use of The Nature Center, consultations, presentations, and other staff planned and facilitated activities. Many insurances, including private and adoption subsidy, may pay for part of the fee. Call us for a fee schedule and more information.

THE FARM'S COUNSELING CENTER
The Farm's Counseling Center provides services for adults, children, teenagers and families of all ages.  The Center provides services for adults, children, adolescents, families and groups. Here are two testimonials about the counseling that took place:

An Adult:"I was beat, down, with no energy and suicidal.  I reached out to The Farm for help. My therapist and I decided I would do well with ecotherapy.  Deep inside of me, deep, deep inside of me, I was concerned and scared for me. I began my sessions at The Farm's Nature Center to be ‘nurtured by nature’ where they have their plants, animals and woods. My healing was gentle and quiet, no fanfares, not a 'Wow I'm healed!'  I walked in the woods with my therapist talking and dealing with all the areas I needed to deal with.  The Farm's St. Bernard dogs, Luke and Heidi, always came with us.  I sat under trees, thinking and sometimes crying.  I wrote. I did activities that helped me get in touch with my feelings and grieve what had happened to me. It was as if the life in nature gave life to me. I was able to gradually and gently become more involved in my life again and face the problems that were at one time so overwhelming to me that I wanted to die."

A Teenager: "I hated school, I hated learning, and I always felt I was a failure. I was lousy at school work. My parents heard about the work done at The Farm and they set up an appointment. I went, angry, yelling, and depressed. I was relieved when I saw Luke, the Farm’s therapy dog.  Dr. Donna, my counselor, recommended I be tested (psychological assessment) to check for possible learning disabilities. I was tested and I had some learning disabilities and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD/ADHD) which were driving me crazy and interfering with my school work.  Dr. Donna met with my parents and teachers and helped them know how I needed to be taught. For the first time I know I am not dumb!  I feel I can do life!"

ADOPTION COUNSELING & PSYCHOTHERAPY
The Farm's Post Adoption Programs are specially designed to meet the unique needs of these special children and families, including depression, identity issues, conflict in the family, reactive attachment disorder, and others. Activities allow children and parents to participate together as well as separately in dealing with topics of importance and interest. Adults, adopted as children, also benefit from the services offered by The Farm’s programs. Adoptive children, teens, adults, and families who participate can work to heal from the past while working to create a healthier functioning family and future.

The Farm’s Counseling Center offers:

• Licensed specialized professionals with many years of experience   
Individual, couple, family, play and group counseling/psychotherapy
• Psychological evaluations, testing and assessments for ADD/ADHD, learning disabilities, emotional issues, and others.
• Special services for healing from trauma, depression, anxiety, bullying and victims of bullying, as well as low self-esteem and self-confidence.
• Post adoption issues such as Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) for children, adults and families
• School and educational consultant services
• Ecotherapy opportunities using horticulture (plants), animal-assisted, and nature with Heritage plants & animals. (See below for more information.)
• Value of life learning using animals, plants, and nature
• Workshops, presentations, seminars and consultations

THE FARM'S POST ADOPTION PROGRAM
All adopted children are special needs children. The Farm's Post Adoption Program is especially designed to meet the unique needs of these special families,  including depression, identity issues, conflict in the family, reactive attachment disorder, and others. Activities allow children and parents to participate together as well as separately in dealing with topics of importance and interest. Adults adopted as children also benefit from services offered by The Farm’s programs. Adoptive children, teens, adults and families who participate can work to heal form the past while working to create a healthier functioning family in the future.

HERITAGE (ENDANGERED) ANIMALS AND PLANTS PROGRAMS PROGRAM
A Heritage Animal and Teen Story:
Sonny is one of The Farm's donkeys, he is part miniature which is a breed that is beginning to recover from the endangered list. Sonny is sweet, gentle and has never hurt anyone although he came to us after being rescued from abuse and neglect. We decided to let him have at least a year of recovery before we worked or rode him and everyone working at The Farm was well aware of this.  One day, one of our teens involved in the work development program decided he would run up behind Sonny and jump on him from behind like a cowboy. Sonny had other ideas, as he usually does, about the whole thing. As this teen ran toward him and jumped, Sonny, calmly and quietly, ducked down and moved forward. The teen landed in the soft dirt (unhurt). The teen tried it again and Sonny repeated the process. The teen landed again, this time in manure. Needless to say, Sonny provided a valuable lesson to this teen and we had a good discussion about rules and respect for animals.

Heritage Animal and Heirloon Plant Commitment
The Farm is committed to helping re-establish and protect these beautiful historic domestic plants and animals that were vital in the founding of our country and are now in danger of becoming extinct.  Heritage animals and Heirloom plants are known to be hardier and healthier. The Farm has a sampling of them at its Nature Center.

The Farm’s Heritage Program Offers:

• Activities that teach the value of life, self esteem, leadership, and positive relationships in addition to opportunities to learn about plants, animals and nature
• Traveling animal and plant programs are available to those interested in having some animals visit them or their group, organization, or school.
• Language arts, math, history and other academic programs are available to schools.
• For more information on Heritage animals contact American Livestock Breed Conservancy

NATURE CENTER PROGRAMS
It was a cold, February day with no sun and a strong wind. She came to help dig post holes and put up signs as a community service project. When she arrived her head was down; she talked only to say 'Hi" and for directions. She and I worked together to dig the holes and put the posts in for the trails in the woods. The three St. Bernards were with us and running all around her and she began to pet them.  I worked to talk to her, trying to draw her out of her pain. The more holes we dug, the colder we got, and the more she began to come to life. By the time we had finished our work, her head was up, cheeks rosy, and talking about all kinds of things. Nature and relationships had done it again by reaching someone in a way that made a difference. One life at a time!

Nature is everywhere and all round us at The Nature Center which is located on beautiful wooded land and trails waiting for you and your family!  It houses our Heritage animals and Heirloom plants. Come and learn about the out of doors, how to take care of our land, conserve our natural resources. Learn about conservation and how all life is interdependent!

The Farm’s Nature Center Programs Offer

• Programs are created especially for each individual, family or group to meet their specific needs, interests and requirements
• Programs and activities using - Plants, Animals and Nature
• Programs that work to teach the value of life, self esteem, leadership training, relationships, healing & growing
• Learning about Heritage plants and animals as well as nature.

FEES:
There is a charge for using The Farm’s Nature Center as well as for staff planned and facilitated activities. Several options are available. Call for information