The idea for Farmsteads of New England, Inc. (FNE) simmered and grew in the mind of founder, Deborah DeScenza, for a number of years. Deborah is the mother of a child with significant special needs and has worked in the field of special education as a teacher, program coordinator, and consultant for almost twenty years.

In the early 1990’s, while thinking about her son’s future, Deborah realized that he would not be a candidate for a competitive employment situation. However, the thought of him working in a traditional sheltered workshop, being coerced into doing work for which he could not understand the meaning, was intolerable to her. As she thought about the things he liked to do and the type of settings in which he was most comfortable, she decided that a farm would be the best fit for him. Because she did not want him to be isolated, she envisioned a farmstead that would serve the needs of several people with autism and other developmental disabilities.

In late 1999, Deborah began working to make her dream become a reality. Farmsteads of New England, Inc. was formed as a non-profit corporation in the state of New Hampshire in 2000 and received its tax-exempt status from the federal government in 2001. After two years of planning and fundraising, FNE purchased the beautiful and historic Rosewald Farm in Hillsborough, NH in the spring of 2003 and began providing services that summer.

Deborah DeScenza received her B.S. in elementary education from Gordon College in 1978. She earned her M.Ed. in learning disabilities and emotional disturbances from the University of Virginia in 1979. She also completed the coursework towards a doctorate in special education administration at Boston University during the 1990’s.

Deborah is joined by a staff of caring, energetic, and skilled individuals. We encourage you to contact us to arrange an appointment to come and visit with us.

Enhancing life for special people with special needs