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a farm in every dell

background for creating a rural alternative in your community

In this Chapter, we'll explore the basics and gain an overview of how Helena's Farm in the Dell works. Learn more about: What a Farm in the Dell is What facilities a Farm in the Dell should include What programs and services a Farm in the Dell should provide Why your community should create a Farm in the Dell Who can create a Farm in the Dell Who can operate a Farm in the Dell Who can live and work at a Farm in the Dell

Your community vision, and the interests and capabilities of the prospective Farm residents and workers will determine what facilities and out-buildings you will need (as well as the size of those buildings and facilities). The size and capabilities of your work crew helps determine the size of the greenhouse, vocational facilities, etc. We recommend that, at a minimum, the Farm should include a residence, an office for the manager, and a comfortable, secure place to work. Other facilities might include a barn, greenhouse, garage, stable, riding arena, kennel, petting zoo, chicken coop, rabbit hutch, or other typical rural facilities depending on your local needs. We also recommend that you include bathrooms and sinks in the outbuildings that will be used by workers. After all, these outbuildings are the Farm's workplace; and all workplaces should have these conveniences for employees. Including restroom facilities in outbuildings also reinforces the healthy separation of home from work.

Helena's Farm in the Dell provides a home for eight individuals and vocational training for as many as twenty others. Our Farm includes a comfortable, 3,700 square-foot residence, backyard gazebo, 30' x 80' greenhouse, vocational building, petting zoo, rabbit hutch, kennel, several garden plots and raised beds, and 20 acres in hay. (We are considering adding a horse arena, another greenhouse, and an on-site vending stand.) The house has six bedrooms, two full baths, one half-bath, kitchen, dining room, television room, exercise/family room, utility room, hobby room, and office with halfbath for staff. While it is both a home and a worksite, the Farm in the Dell keeps work sites separate from the home so that residents have a chance to enjoy home life without work interruptions.

The Farm in the Dell provides both residential and vocational services for people with developmental disabilities. Residential services teach the daily-living skills necessary to become more independent and self-sufficient. The Farm provides the opportunity for residents to learn a variety of homemaking skills, self-help skills, communication and socialization skills, and recreational and leisure skills that contribute to a full and rewarding life.

Employment opportunities help develop basic vocational skills such as reporting to work on time, working without interruption, and accurately completing assigned tasks. Advanced vocational skills such as farming, greenhouse work, and animal care are also taught to those able to learn the skills. The work done at the Farm needs to be real work, not make work.

Because of the range of capabilities of the workers at the Farm in the Dell, we focus on work opportunities that encompass a variety of skill levels that can involve everyone. To create vocational services that meet client needs, Farm in the Dell staff involve clients and parents in discussing potential products, services, and work structure. (For instance, clients expressed a desire to grow pumpkins. And, during this year's planning session, clients not unreasonably requested days off during the summer.)

Staff then break down the work into its series of tasks, identify the skills and skill levels required to perform each task, and conduct a time study for each task to understand how long the work will take. When matching tasks to client abilities, it's important to keep in mind the variability of agricultural work: some work (such as moving irrigation lines) is physically demanding; some (such as green house climate control) is technically demanding; some (such as operating tractors and farm equipment) is complex; and some (such as time sensitive transplanting or harvesting of certain crops) is fast-paced.

Through years of experimentation and trial and error, we have found several work opportunities that reflect the range of our workers' capabilities. Again, because of their range of ability, some workers can perform the entire work process while others can perform only one step. However, one step is enough to allow the workers to experience the sense of accomplishment that comes with a job well-done.

At Helena's Farm in the Dell, workers plant, cultivate, and harvest flowers and vegetables; tend the animals in the petting zoo and boarding kennel; assemble table vases of fresh flowers for local restaurants; water and weed the 5-acre pumpkin patch; dry and package flowers for floral potpourris; bake and package People Cracker treats for dogs; and manufacture fire-starters from recycled newspaper. (In locations with long winters, such as Montana, it's important to provide indoor vocational activity such as making potpourri, fire starters, and dog treats, etc.) Armed with vocational skills learned at the farm, some clients graduate into the community where they live independently and hold jobs related to what they have learned.

The centerpiece of our Farm in the Dell is the greenhouse, where sophisticated technology and professional advice helps the Farm produce more than 15,000 pounds of hybrid tomatoes each season. The greenhouse provides a range of vocational opportunities from planting, watering, and harvesting to sorting, packaging, and selling. A second greenhouse is planned because of the success of the first.

If finances are a concern, your community might consider phasing in the services, starting vocationally (which is much less expensive), then adding the residence.

There are endless practical, societal, and humanitarian arguments for creating a Farm in the Dell. Yet, the most powerful persuasion can be heard in the voices of the parents of people who live and work at our Farm.

Danny
"When he was in Anaconda in a group home, it seemed so far away, especially in the winter, because we like to visit with him as much as possible. So, the chance came for him to move to the Farm. He's so happy out there. He lives there; however, right now he isn't working there. They bring him in every day to work at West Mont, but the Farm is his home. He calls it my home. It has just given him a wonderful atmosphere for learning. He is just so happy. He has always wanted to stay home in the family home before. But now he says `I want to go home' and he means the Farm. It's like an oasis - they're all so calm, they're all so happy. They're well fed and well cared for. They're given a chance to live like any one of us would like to live. It's like Danny says - it's home."

Jamie
"My son James -'Jamie' we call him - has been at the Farm for seven years now ..seven wonderful years. He has a job out there, he's become more independent, he loves to work. He draws a paycheck, which means a lot to him. He's got wonderful friends. He wakes up every morning just to go to the Farm. It's his life, and I'm so very grateful for this. As parents of a handicapped child, we feel truly blessed."

Jim
"The nicest part about it is that Jim relates to me going to work in the morning, and he relates to his mother going to work. The Farm gives him a chance to go to work just like his mother and dad. He looks forward to it. He goes there and he feels very productive - they grow tomatoes and pumpkins, and they have animals. He loves selling flowers. They put together flowers and sell them to the various businesses. Every day I ask him what he does during the day, and he gives me a pretty good run down."

Terry
"Terry's self-worth has been tremendous since she went to the Farm because she knows she's doing a good job. She gets praise from her supervisors, and she comes home with a paycheck. It's really important, even if there's only a dollar on it, it's still a paycheck. We never thought we'd have the Farm!"

The reality is that society is moving away from institutionalization of people with developmental disabilities. Yet, these people still need a place to live. Many can't live on their own; many have no family to turn to. Even in the sparsely populated state of Montana, the waiting list for services is about 300. Creating more Farms in the Dell is part of the solution.

The reality is that society is moving away from institutionalization of people with developmental disabilities. Yet, these people still need a place to live. Many can't live on their own; many have no family to turn to. Even in the sparsely populated state of Montana, the waiting list for services is about 300. Creating more Farms in the Dell is part of the solution.

The Farm in the Dell provides an important residential and vocational alternative for people with developmental disabilities. For one thing, it offers seemingly limitless opportunities for rural-related vocational training that just can't happen in town. There also are advantages to a rural location. Clients with a history of aggression can walk it off or go talk to the animals. The absence of town noise also makes it a more relaxing location for easily-agitated clients.

A Farm generates great community focus and awareness of the needs of people with developmental disabilities. Creating and operating a Farm also offers an opportunity to tap hidden potential and unknown resources from the entire community, including people with developmental disabilities. For example, our Farm has provided local folks with a chance to contribute their skill (or try their hand) at construction, carpentry, interior decorating, farming, marketing, planning, public speaking, fund raising, chaperoning, and hundreds of other jobs that contribute to the success of the Farm. Likewise, in addition to performing their jobs, our residents contribute their individual talents in a multitude of ways --- giving guided tours, hosting a portable petting zoo, baking refreshments for visitors and local nursing homes, performing music, decorating parade floats, competing in the county fair, organizing parties, and staffing our booth at trade shows.

The Farm has an incredible power to change attitudes. It destroys stereotypes through interaction. It gets the public more comfortable with people different than themselves. When they visit the Farm and interact with staff and clients, community members learn that people with developmental disabilities are not scary. Because of their positive experience at the Farm, local people begin to greet and converse with other developmentally disabled people in the community.

The community takes ownership in the Farm in the Dell on a scale that seldom happens with an urban group home or sheltered workshop. It becomes a source of community pride, a place a community can look at and say, "We built it!" "We support it!" One Farm in the Dell will have a positive effect on the entire community. It changes people's lives by elevating the humanity of all people. It allows people to accomplish something really meaningful turning an idea into reality, and that reality affects people every day and changes lives every day.

Most important, the Farm in the Dell enables people with developmental disabilities to participate as valued and productive members of society. When asked what they like best about working at the Farm, most residents answer without hesitation, "The check!" They take great pride in supporting themselves and participating in their community. The Farm in the Dell is a project about human dignity and self worth for people who cannot provide for themselves. The Farm lets the beauty of the individuals shine through. It's worth doing simply because it can make people's lives better. The Farm provides a daily dignity of a life that is like other people's lives. What a tremendous gift that is!

WHO CAN CREATE A FARM IN THE DELL?
Parents and families of people with developmental disabilities usually are the most interested, most enthusiastic, and most effective proponents of a Farm. However, anybody familiar with the needs of developmentally disabled people in their community, familiar with local resources, and passionate about providing an alternative residential and vocational option for developmentally disabled people in their community can create a Farm in the Dell. Nevertheless, no one can do it alone.

It requires a community of caring hearts.

WHO CAN OPERATE A FARM IN THE DELL?
To a large extent, state regulations and requirements stipulate who can operate the residential and vocational services of the Farm in the Dell. No matter where you are located, your residential facility probably will need to be licensed, and you will need an operator who is licensed or licensable. If the state is expending funds to provide services, the Farm must be operated by an experienced, state-approved, licensed, accredited group home operator. The state contract may include additional requirements.

You can locate a qualified operator through your state agency responsible for services to people with developmental disabilities; through local groups or organizations (such as the Montana Association for Individuals with Disabilities, Special Olympics, parent groups, Civitan, church groups, etc.); or through accrediting organizations such as the Accreditation Council (AC) or the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). To find a qualified operator in Montana, call your regional office of the Department of Public Health and Human Services for locations of your nearest developmental disabilities service providers.

Helena's Rural Opportunities Project (ROP) considered several approaches for operating the Farm in the Dell. Originally, we wanted to have house-parent couples in charge of the residence. (This approach can work if your state allows it, and if the residents of your Farm have most daily living skills. The Farm in the Dell in Kalispell, Montana, uses this model.)

When we realized the complexity of day-to-day operations, we asked the State about alternatives, and they recommended West Mont, a local organization already accredited and licensed to operate group homes. We examined various cooperative and collaborative structures that would enable the ROP Board to control the Farm. In the end, to simplify operations, we gave the Farm to West Mont in exchange for their promise to operate the Farm in perpetuity as a facility for people with developmental disabilities. This includes training, leadership, and a focus on preparing clients to work in the community. West Mont also affirmed that they wanted our Board to continue to be involved, but with the understanding that West Mont is responsible for operations. The ROP Board continues to provide the guiding vision for the Farm and raises funds for capital improvements.

Even though we had secured an operator, we still needed additional funds for day-to-day operations. We decided to approach the State for funding to help cover the operating costs. Several interested people formed a separate organization to lobby Montana's legislature for operations funding. We succeeded in securing legislative approval to fund operations of the Farm in the Dell with state program expansion dollars. This state funding is important because it guarantees that The Farm in the Dell can provide residential and vocational services to people with developmental disabilities.

No matter what operating structure you select, your operator must have expertise regarding the service system for people with developmental disabilities. The operator must understand behavior aspects of developmental disabilities related to work and home life. And, the operator must understand and be committed to the business of farming.

WHO CAN LIVE OR WORK AT A FARM IN THE DELL?
Deciding who can live or work at a Farm in the Dell is important because the capabilities of the people living and working there determine how many staff you will need and what vocational opportunities you can provide. If the State is expending funds to provide services (as at Helena's Farm in the Dell), State regulations will determine who can live at the Farm. The ROP board works with the State to help ensure that those who want to live in an agricultural setting get preference.

When there is a residential opening at the Farm in the Dell, placement is made from the State waiting list and priority list. The opening is reviewed by a State screening committee (who consider parent and client preference in placement), then by a regional/local screening committee, then by West Mont and Individual Planning teams to determine who fits in.

A similar process determines who works at the Farm. In addition to workers assigned to vocational training at the Farm, we also participate in an incidental work program. When our workload increases, residents of other group homes help with the work. Likewise, workers from the Farm in the Dell sometimes help sheltered workshop programs handle a busy workload.

The Farm in the Dell is dedicated to ensuring the right of people with development disabilities to determine where they want to live. The Farm offers a wonderful lifestyle for those who want it. However, living at the Farm can be very hard for clients who don't enjoy a rural lifestyle. Not everyone who lives at the Farm works at the Farm. Some people simply prefer to work in town. Likewise, some people who live in town prefer to work at the Farm. It's about choice.

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