Construction of Safe Haven Farms was completed December 2010.  It began with the purchase of the farm property in 2008, consisted of obtaining necessary zoning changes and permits, finding an agency with which to work, rehabbing the farm house as office space, and constructing four residential houses, each home to four farmers with autism. Construction began in the fall of 2009, and sixteen residents, whom we call “farmers”  moved into their new homes during the summer of 2010.  In addition, we were able to successfully obtain a significant donations that allowed us to construct and equip a large Day Activities Center (8,880 sq ft), which has been named “The Hatton Center.”  The Hatton Center opened in January of 2011 and offers a variety of therapeutic programs.  In addition, through a grant we constructed two large greenhouses in 2010, which has enabled our farmers to start up a community garden, which supplies work for the farmers as well as produce for their tables.  The farm also has a large horse barn which we are currently using to house four alpacas, several sheep, goats, and chickens.  Daily care for these animals provides meaningful work for our farmers.

Future Construction Plans, scheduled for 2012.   We are  now actively seeking funds  to start up a Thearpeutic Riding Program.  One attraction for purchasing this farm property was that it has a large well-built barn (53’ x 175’) and several out buildings.  We want to offer a Therapeutic Horseback Riding Program to children and adults with autism in our surrounding communities, as well as for our farmers and day participants.  In order to offer this riding program we need to modify the existing barn, build both an indoor and an outdoor riding arena, and secure the pasture area so that it can accommodate the needs of the horses and ponies, as well the sheep, goats and alpaca.

If you are interested in helping us to establish a Therapeutic Riding Program at Safe Haven Farms, please the menu on the left labeled: Therapeutic Riding Program  more details.