Plants and donkeys and dogs…oh my!

Do you want to have some fun?
Need a program or an activity for your group?
Want to do something special with your family?
The Farm’s activities are for you.

Activities and programs are created exclusively for each person, family and group to meet a variety of needs!

Want to come out for a day in the woods?
Meet our animals?
Work with plants?
How about having a picnic?
Do you need intensive weekend counseling?

Come join us! Call at (231) 924-2401!

THE FARM’S HERITAGE PROGRAM

Sonny our donkey is sweet, gentle and mischievous! He came to us after being rescued from abused and neglect and he has never hurt anyone. We decided to let him have a year of recovery before we worked or rode him. Everyone knew this rule. One teen in our work development program decided to be a cowboy. He ran up behind Sonny and jumped, planning to land on him. Sonny had other ideas and since donkeys are very intelligent he had a plan too. The teen was in the air about to land when Sonny calmly and quietly ducked down and moved forward. The teen landed unhurt in the soft dirt. This teen didn’t give up, he tried it again. Our Sonny, again, calmly and quietly ducked and moved. This time the teen landed in manure. Sonny did his work wonderfully and taught the teen respect and rules.

America has Rare Endangered Heritage Animals and Heirloom Plants!

The Farm is committed to helping re-establish and protect these beautiful historic American plants and animals that were vital to establishing our country. Heritage animals and Heirloom plants are known to be hardier and healthier. The Farm has a sampling of them at its Nature Center. Come learn about their history, conservation and their ability to give us healthier food! You can help save them as well as helping our world. Sponsor a plant, garden or animal! Our traveling program can bring programs to your group, organization, or school.

Call The Farm (231) 924-2401!

Plants and animals can teach:

Value of life, self esteem, leadership, and positive, healthy relationships
Care of our world and the value of all people
Language arts, math, history and other academics using plants and animals
How to make a difference!
How important it is to help save these plants and animals
How you can help save nature it is the garden we live in (Check out American Livestock Breed Conservancy online for more information)

THE FARM’S NATURE CENTER PROGRAM

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. Her head was down and the only word she spoke was “Hi!" We dug the holes together and put the posts in for the trails in the woods. Our three St. Bernards were with us and running all around her. She began to pet them. The dogs liked her and I told her they did. It was still hard for her to talk. I tried to connect to her and help draw her out of her pain. The more holes we dug, the colder we got; the colder we got the more she came to life. By the time we had finished her head was up, cheeks rosy, and talking about all kinds of things. Nature and relationships had done it again. It made a difference in this girl’s life.

Nature is all around 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. Come and learn how to take care of our land and conserve our natural resources. Learn how all life is interdependent and all of us are an important part of it.

THE FARM’S COUNSELING CENTER

The Farm's Counseling Center helps people change their lives! It provides services for adults, children, teenagers and families of all ages. Here is what people are saying!

"I was beaten, no energy and suicidal. Deep inside of me I was scared for me. I finally admitted I needed help, I called The Farm. My therapist and I decided I would do well with ecotherapy and I went to The Farm's Nature Center to be ‘nurtured by nature.’ They have their plants, animals and woods there. I didn’t all of a sudden feel better. It took time, but nature gave me a lift. As I continued in counseling, I began to heal in a gentle and quiet way. There were no fanfares, no 'Wow I'm healed!' I walked in the woods as u talked with my therapist. I dealt with the areas that had hurt for so long. The Farm's St. Bernard dogs, Luke and Heidi, always came with us. They just loved me. I sat under trees talking, thinking and sometimes crying. I wrote in my journal. I did things that helped me get in touch with my feelings. I grieved what had happened to me and the losses involved. Nature lifted me an helped me heal. I gradually become more involved and in charge of my life again. I had faced the problems that were at one time so overwhelming to me that I wanted to die. I’m not suicidal any more and I like me."

--From an adult (due to confidentiality, names cannot be shared)

A Teenager:

"I hated school. I hated learning. I was lousy at school work. I knew I was a failure. My parents dragged me to The Farm. I wasn’t going to talk to anyone, especially not a counselor. I yelled, ran away and was horrible to them. But they forced me to go. I went angry and depressed. Pluto met me at the door. Here is this huge dog wagging his tail and seemed to like me. When we went into a treatment room, Pluto climbed on my lap! I tried to stay mad. I couldn’t not with a big laying on me and wanting me to scratch his stomach! Dr. Donna told us, after we talked some, that I needed to be tested for learning disabilities – ADD or whatever. She tested me and told me I have ADHD and other learning problems that made it hard to learn, listen to the teacher or even keeping focused. They also made it hard for me to have friends. Dr. Donna and Betsy helped me and I didn’t feel so crazy. I even thought I wasn’t a failure. Both of them talked to my parents and teachers. They helped them learn how to teach me. I’m not dumb! I can learn! Maybe I can do life!"

--From a teen (due to confidentiality, names cannot be shared)

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 for children, adults and families including Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)
School and educational consultant services
Ecotherapy opportunities using horticulture (plants), animal-assisted, and nature with Heritage plants & animals.
Value of life learning using animals, plants, and nature
Workshops, presentations, seminars and consultations

THE FARM’S POST ADOPTION PROGRAM

Teen and adult story here needed I don’t have one right now but am asking for them. I think we can put it in later. 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.

Living Farm Press

The Farm printed its first book: If Marie Did It, So Can I! How to Survive, Heal and Transcend Abuse and Neglect written by Donna F, LaMar, PhD. Her extensive research has helped victims of abuse and those who work with them. Proven techniques have helped people to go from victim to transcender and overcome tremendous challenges creating a healthier life for themselves and their children. Click here for more information

FEES:

While we would love to offer services for free, we are a non-profit organization. Therefore there are charges for counseling, programs, use of The Nature Center, consultations, presentations, and other staff planned and facilitated activities. Several options are available to meet your specific situation, needs and budget. Many insurance companies, including private pay and adoption subsidy, may pay for part of the fee. Call us for a fee schedule and more information.

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