Cultivate Care Farms (CCF) currently offers a variety of therapeutic services and community activities that are at full capacity. Our therapy services include individual therapy sessions and three clinical groups: a sustainability group, a young teen group, and a teen group. Each of these groups has reached its maximum number of participants. Additionally, we engage the community through events such as Pride Day, the Baby Goat Shower, and the Black Sheep Knitters Club. Our outreach program extends our impact and accessibility by bringing baby goats to local libraries and schools, creating unique and meaningful interactions.

Due to the layout and conditions of our current facilities, we are nearing the limit of clients we can accommodate at one time. Our professional spaces are also limited, preventing us from hiring additional full-time staff despite frequent employment inquiries. This project to acquire and renovate the historic Sawyer property will enable us to expand our clinical and professional spaces. Ultimately, this expansion will allow us to serve more community members and address the critical need for accessible mental health care for youth in our community and beyond.

This initiative is not just about expanding our capacity; it's about enhancing our ability to provide essential mental health services in a supportive and nurturing environment. With your support, we can transform Cultivate Care Farms into a more robust resource for those in need, ensuring that every young person has access to the care they deserve.

Matching Opportunity

We are thrilled to announce that we have secured a pledge of $150,000 from our board, which will be used to match all donations received by August 31, 2024. Immediate support is crucial to maximize this matching opportunity and secure a permanent home for our clients, dedicated clinicians, and beloved animals. This matching gift will significantly amplify the impact of every contribution, helping us reach our goal more quickly and ensuring that Cultivate Care Farms can continue to provide essential mental health services to our community. Your timely support will not only help us leverage this generous offer but also play a pivotal role in transforming lives through our Farm-Based Therapy programs.

The Unique Power of Farm-Based Therapy

Farm-Based Therapy (FBT) at Cultivate Care Farms is a pioneering model in mental health treatment, offering transformative benefits through hands-on interaction with animals and nature. This therapeutic approach involves activities like animal care, sustainability projects, and creative opportunities to foster skills development, empowerment, and emotional healing. Clients engage in  tasks that promote mental wellness through a deep connection with the environment and animal life, both of which are integral to the FBT process. This modality has been shown to help clients develop resilience, self-confidence, and a sense of community and belonging.​

Historical Significance

The John Sawyer House and barn are cornerstones of our local history, dating back to 1827. These structures are not only architecturally significant but also deeply embedded in the local community's agricultural and industrial heritage. Preserving this property means maintaining a vital link to the past, while repurposing it as a community resource and hub of healing and wellness.

Current Significance and Urgent Need

As the demand for innovative and effective mental health solutions for children and adolescents grows, so too does the waitlist for our services, which currently exceeds 55 individuals. This is in addition to the 180 clients that are already receiving therapeutic services each week. This bottleneck highlights a critical shortage of available therapeutic spaces relative to the needs of our community. By acquiring and restoring the Sawyer property, we can increase our service capacity by over 30% by the end of 2027, reducing wait times and making our therapeutic programs available to more children and adolescents in need.

Project Goals

1. Immediate Property Acquisition

1. Objective: Secure the historic Sawyer property by the end of September 2024 to ensure a permanent home for Cultivate Care Farms.

2. Details: Leverage the first-right-of-refusal clause in our lease to negotiate the purchase, coordinating with legal and financial advisors to complete the acquisition process smoothly and efficiently.

2. Restoration and Compliance

1. Objective: Repair and renovate the Sawyer property to ensure long-term building integrity, meet modern building and safety codes, and preserve its historical essence.

2. Details: Engage with town officials, restoration experts, and contractors to develop a comprehensive renovation plan. This includes structural assessments, securing necessary permits, and ensuring all updates comply with local codes and ADA standards to enhance accessibility.

3. Expansion of Clinical Space

1. Objective: Increase our service capacity by over 30% by the end of 2027.

2. Details: Renovate existing structures and build new facilities to create additional clinical and professional spaces. This, in combination with ADA-compliance, will allow us to hire more full-time staff and accommodate more clients, thus addressing the current bottleneck in service provision.

4. Enhanced Service Capacity

1. Objective: Reduce wait times and increase the therapeutic impact of our services.

2. Details: Implement a phased approach to service expansion, including the introduction of new therapy programs and the extension of current offerings. 

5. Community Engagement and Outreach

1. Objective: Strengthen our ties with the local community and increase awareness of our services.

2. Details: Organize community events and outreach programs, such as open house days, educational workshops, and collaborative projects with local schools and libraries. 

Budget and Funding Needs

As we embark on the Cultivating Community Campaign, we are currently estimating the costs associated with securing and renovating the historic Sawyer property. While we await the final renovation costs, we know that certain financial needs are essential for our progress:

• Property Purchase: To secure the Sawyer property without depleting our reserves, we require $200,000. This will ensure that Cultivate Care Farms has a permanent home where we can continue to provide our vital services.

• Barn Renovation: Preliminary assessments indicate that we need a minimum of $250,000 for phase 1 renovation of the barn and outbuildings. This renovation is crucial to maintain structural integrity, expand our clinical and professional spaces, work towards ADA compliance, allowing us to accommodate more clients and hire additional staff.

• Phase 1 Total: $450,000

These funds will not only help us maintain our current level of service but will also enable us to grow and meet the increasing demand for our Farm-Based Therapy programs. The support we receive will directly impact the lives of youth in our community, providing them with the mental health care they urgently need.

Due to the unexpectedness of this opportunity, exact costs are still being developed. We are committed to transparency and will provide detailed cost breakdowns as soon as they are available. In the meantime, your contributions will help us lay the foundation for a brighter future for Cultivate Care Farms and those we serve. Together, we can create a lasting impact and ensure the sustainability of our essential programs.

Your Impact

Imagine a future where the expanded Cultivate Care Farms becomes a cornerstone of healing for our community. With the successful acquisition and restoration of the historic Sawyer property, we envision a place where hundreds of children and young adults annually find solace and strength through Farm-Based Therapy. Picture these young individuals, once burdened by mental health challenges, now thriving as they learn to care for animals and nurture plants, gaining confidence and emotional resilience. Envision these children growing into adults who understand the value of care and community, contributing positively to society. The effects of their healing will extend beyond their personal achievements, influencing their families, schools, and eventually their own children—a generational transformation seeded by the therapeutic power of Cultivate Care Farms and Farm-Based Therapy.

The acquisition and renovation of the Sawyer property will have a profound impact on our ability to serve our community. By increasing our capacity, our goal is to reduce the current waitlist of over 55 individuals by 30% over the next two years, providing timely and effective therapy to those in critical need. This project will not only enhance individual mental health outcomes but will also contribute to the overall well-being of the community, reducing the long-term social and economic costs associated with untreated mental health issues.

Be a Part of Our Future

Join us in creating a future where every child has the opportunity to overcome mental health challenges in a supportive and nurturing environment. By contributing to this campaign, you are not just helping to secure a property; you are helping to secure a brighter future for countless young lives. Your support will enable us to expand access to our innovative FBT model, provide more spaces where children can learn to manage their emotions through real-world tasks, build lasting relationships, and leave each day feeling a sense of accomplishment and belonging. Imagine a community where our youth are equipped with the tools to lead healthier, more productive lives. This is the future you are helping to create through your generosity.

This is a defining moment for Cultivate Care Farms and for our community. With your support, we can transform the historic Sawyer property into a vibrant hub of healing and growth. We can offer a space where children and adolescents not only learn to cope with their challenges but also discover their potential to shape a positive future for themselves and others. Together, we can turn this vision into a reality, providing lasting benefits that ripple through families and communities for years to come. Join us in investing in our most valuable resource—our children—and watch as they grow into the stewards of a healthier, more compassionate world.

Your action today makes a difference now and for generations.