About Our Program

Next Step Farms is an adult special needs day program providing daily living skills to individuals with intellectual disabilities, using a farm setting as our teaching platform. Typically, our students have IQs between 40 and 70 and, with a bit of help, are capable of learning and contributing to society in a meaningful way.

The goal of Next Step Farms is to create basic agricultural, mechanical, culinary, finance, and data entry hands-on learning experiences. Eager hands plant and tend simple crops with loving guidance. Individuals enjoy caring for livestock by feeding the chickens and goats and cleaning their areas. We teach and practice technology skills by involving our students in basic scheduling, inventory and bookkeeping for some of the farm’s activities. Our students also learn basic business skills by operating non-profit stands selling produce, eggs, vegetables and crafts to the public.

Raising Chickens

Tending to daily needs of livestock.  General poultry care including gathering eggs and preparing them for sale.

Growing A Garden

 Working, cultivating, planting, and growing vegetables to sell at a farmers market will help our clients learn about market structures and sales.

Farmer’s Market Roadside Stand

 Products produced on the farm will be available to the community for a suggested donation amount or prepared for daily usage.

Next Step Farms is designed to teach a variety of practical skills in a fun and interesting farm environment. Our areas of focus include:

• Animal Husbandry
• Horticulture/Landscaping
• Mechanical Maintenance
• Culinary Techniques
• Data Entry 
• Basic Finance
• Daily Living Skills
• Nutrition & Healthy Living
• Arts & Crafts