“By Tending, we also heal.”
We Are Co-Farmers
At Open Farms, we believe that everyone has something meaningful to contribute.
We use the term Co-Farmer to describe the people who participate in, learn through, work alongside, volunteer with, and contribute to our farm community. Rather than defining people by a diagnosis, disability, job title, age, or perceived limitation, our co-farming model focuses on individual strengths, interests, choices, and abilities.
The farm provides a naturally flexible environment where people can participate in meaningful activities at many different levels. One person may help care for an animal, another may plant or harvest vegetables, another may repair or maintain a farm space, and someone else may simply begin by observing and becoming comfortable in the environment. Each contribution is valued as part of the larger work of the farm.
Through hands-on agriculture, animal care, food cultivation, environmental stewardship, and shared community experiences, Open Farms creates opportunities for people to develop skills, build relationships, improve confidence and well-being, and experience the satisfaction of contributing to something larger than themselves.
Our programs are designed around a simple idea: people grow when they are given meaningful opportunities to participate, contribute, learn, and belong.
A Shared Philosophy Across Every Program
Although Open Farms serves people through several different program models, the philosophy behind them is the same.
We believe meaningful participation creates dignity.
We believe people learn best when they have opportunities to do real things rather than simply being told about them.
We believe communities are stronger when people of different ages, abilities, experiences, and backgrounds work alongside one another.
We believe caring for animals, growing food, and stewarding the land can provide powerful opportunities for learning, connection, responsibility, and personal growth.
And we believe everyone should have the opportunity to contribute.
For that reason, Open Farms is intentionally more than a place people come to visit.
It is a place where people come to belong, participate, learn, contribute, and grow.
That is what we mean when we say:
We are Co-Farmers.
Our Programs
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Skill Building and Pre-Vocational Farmers
Our Skill Building and Pre-Vocational Farmers program provides a welcoming, hands-on environment where participants build practical skills, confidence, independence, and social connections through meaningful farm activities. Participants may care for animals, grow and harvest food, maintain farm spaces, organize supplies, and complete seasonal projects. Activities are adapted to individual abilities, interests, and goals while reinforcing transferable skills such as following directions, teamwork, communication, problem solving, safety, responsibility, and task completion. The program helps participants discover strengths, practice workplace behaviors, and experience the pride that comes from contributing to real work with visible results.
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Group Farming
Our Group Farming program gives schools, nonprofits, community organizations, and other groups an immersive, hands-on way to connect with agriculture, animals, nature, and one another. Participants become temporary Co-Farmers and may help with animal care, planting, harvesting, gardening, composting, environmental projects, or seasonal farm tasks. Experiences are adapted to the age, abilities, and goals of each group and can reinforce learning in biology, ecology, food systems, sustainability, teamwork, leadership, and problem solving. Participants leave with practical knowledge, stronger connections, and the satisfaction of knowing their work made a meaningful contribution to the farm.
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Community-based Farmers
Our Community-Based Co-Farming program invites individuals and families to participate in farm life during designated open hours and community activities. Visitors may help care for animals, tend gardens, assist with seasonal projects, learn about food production, or simply spend time connecting with nature and others. Participation is flexible and self-paced, allowing each person to engage according to their interests, comfort level, and abilities. The program promotes inclusion, reduces isolation, encourages intergenerational connection, and creates opportunities for meaningful face-to-face interaction. No farming experience is required. Curiosity, participation, and a willingness to contribute are enough.
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Employee Engagement and Team Building
Our Employee Engagement and Team Building program offers businesses and workplace teams a meaningful alternative to traditional retreats. Employees step away from daily work demands and participate together in hands-on farm activities such as animal care, gardening, harvesting, environmental projects, and farm improvement tasks. These real-world experiences encourage communication, collaboration, leadership, problem solving, adaptability, and trust while also providing time outdoors and a change of pace from the workplace. The program combines team development, employee wellness, volunteerism, and community impact, allowing participants to accomplish something tangible while directly supporting Open Farms' mission.
