Cultivating Community

Building a Foundation of Healing and Wellness

Cultivate Care Farms faces a timely and unprecedented opportunity to secure its current location, the historic Sawyer property in Bolton, Massachusetts.

Recently, we have learned that the property owner intends to sell. Fortunately, our current lease includes a first-right-of-refusal clause, giving us a unique chance to acquire this significant site.

Our Impact

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.

CCF employs nine full-time salaried clinicians, three fee-for-service clinicians, and 20 volunteers. On average, our team serves the clinical needs of 180 clients per week from 56 towns in 5 counties. In 2023, over 370 clients with the following diagnoses received treatment at the Farm.

“Being at the Farm has helped me so much. Taking care of the animals and being outside makes me feel calm. I’ve learned that I can handle tough things.”

— Client, age 14

Opportunity 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 people in need.

  • 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.​

  • The John Sawyer House and barn are cornerstones of our local history, dating back to 1827 and 1874, respectively. 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.

Campaign Goals

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

    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.

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

    Engage with town officials, restoration experts, and local 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.

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

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

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

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

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

    Leverage new spaces and increased staffing to organize additional community events and outreach programs, such as open house days, educational workshops, and collaborative projects with local non-profits, schools, and libraries.

  • “From the moment we stepped onto the Farm, we felt an immediate sense of peace and hope. Cultivate Care Farms has truly been a life-changing experience for our entire family. Our child has regained their smile, their confidence, and their zest for life.”

    — Client Parent

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 and attain ADA compliance, allowing us to accommodate more clients and hire additional staff.

  • Total Phase 1 Need: $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 every year hundreds of children, young adults, and community members 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 your transformational support.

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 by 30% over the next two years, providing timely and effective therapy to those in critical need, while expanding community engagement and wellness programming. This project will not only enhance individual mental health outcomes but will also contribute to the overall well-being of the entire 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 everyone has the opportunity to overcome mental health challenges in a supportive and nurturing environment.

By contributing to the Cultivating Community 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.