Gallery

we'd like you to meet Erica!

Erica has lived on the Farm in Hillsborough for 18 years.

she works on the farm tending to the animals and helping with the gardens by weeding, planting and watering.

 Erica participated in Special Olympics last month riding her horse, Amigo. we are awaiting the results of the classes in which she participated. Erica also enjoys other sports like Skiing, Snowshoeing, Kayaking, Hiking and Bike Riding. She is a pro at arts and crafts and enjoys making bracelets and earrings to sell in the farm stand in Hillsborough.

Introducing Taylor!

Taylor (pictured on the left), is part of our Epping Farmstead and enjoys our day programs as well as the day trips around the area.

Taylor LOVES animals and takes great pride in her daily chore at the farm.

We have a big fish tank in the farm house and Taylor is responsible for keeping the fish well fed each day.

She really enjoys spending time outside with the goats and chickens at the farm.  As you can see, they love her too!

One of Taylor's favorite day trips is going to the pet store and taking pictures of the reptiles there.  Her iPad is loaded with animal pictures!

Everyone's Friend - Bryan!

We would like to introduce you to this wonderful Farmer, his name is Bryan.

You won't ever find this "peachy" guy without a big beaming smile on his face!

Whether he's working in the garden, taking care of animals or doing crafts, Bryan lives life to its fullest every day.

He has called farmsteads home for many years now. Everyone that spends time with Bryan will always be touched by his infectious laugh and loving spirit.

he is a friend to many including the farm animals that he tends to with great care every day!

Say Hello to Brian!

We would like to spotlight Brian this month! 

Brian attends the day programs at Farmsteads in Epping.  He is especially fond of the goats and really enjoys feeding them.  Brian is quite handy with his assembly skills and recently put a bench together for people to use at the farm.

 He has many interests and loves to keep busy painting in ceramics class, experimenting with different instruments during music class and learning some kitchen skills.

But one of Brian's favorite activities is playing floor hockey with his friends at the farm.

  He is a great player!

Meet Leon - "The Boss"

We would like to introduce you to Leon.  He has been attending Day Services at the Epping Farmstead for a few years now.  Leon is such a joy to be around, He always makes everyone smile and usually has a practical joke or two up his sleeve! 

He has proclaimed himself to be everyone's "Boss" at the farm.

Leon loves cooking and cleaning at the farm to earn money.  He really enjoys bowling with his friends from the farm,

 he is quite a high-scorer!

Leon attends local arts and crafts classes in Epping and he  gets his exercise at the YMCA and the Nottingham Recreation Center. He likes to walk and play floor hockey.

The Farmsteads group eats lunch on Thursdays at the Epping Soup Cafe at the Epping Community Church.  Leon especially enjoys his time out eating in the local area.

  He has many friends around town!

If you're visiting the farm, be sure to say hi to Leon, he will make you laugh with his contagious grin and quick wit!

Heather has been calling Farmsteads home since 2013.  During that  time, she has developed a deep sense of independence and community that she could never achieve living at home with her parents.  She enjoys most aspects of farm life as well as the personal freedom to choose social activities that are meaningful to her.  Heather is a HUGE fan of the band, Kiss and was able to attend a concert while living at Farmsteads. 

For the first time in her adult life, her friends are also her peers.

While she loves visting family frequently, her first words upon returning to Farmsteads are always,

"Home, Sweet Home!"

Our Friend, Andrew

Andrew started receiving day services from Farmsteads in 2004 and moved to the farmstead for residential services in 2008. Although Andrew is non-verbal, he understands everything going on around him and has a bit of a mischievous streak.  If there is something missing, you can be sure he’s hidden it – maybe behind the refrigerator! He also has a knack of grinning with a twinkle in his eye that makes you wonder what he’s thinking. Andrew loves motion. One of his favorite pastimes is going for rides in his minivan. He also enjoys boat rides and being pushed around the farmstead in his cruiser when he can con his mentors into pushing him rather than making him walk. Andrew enjoys being read to, visiting with family members, and checking out the various animals on the farm. Come tomato season, he is happy to eat as many cherry tomatoes as can be picked!  Andrew’s apartment on the farmstead is his happy place. Even when visiting family, he makes it clear that after a short visit, he’s ready to get home, and home is his apartment on the farmstead.  Andrew also happens to be the son of the founder and the inspiration for Farmsteads of New England!

Introducing Matthew

Matthew joined the Farmsteads family in Epping about 3 years ago and he has quickly bonded with all of our furry friends!

He loves to help feed the

chickens at the farm and collect their colorful eggs.

One of Matthew's favorite

activities is visiting the ducks at Gilman Park in Exeter.  Matthew also

enjoys geocaching out in the community with his mentor.

Exploring and finding hidden

treasures around town is so much fun!

He is a tough competitor in the

game of Whistle ball and can tell you every rule that you need to know!

Matthew loves having lunch at

Chipotle when he can, he will tell you that their guacamole is the best ever!

With the warm weather

approaching,  he is so excited to start working in the garden with all of

his friends at Farmsteads.

Meet Robyn, one of our long-time farmers:

Robyn has lived on the farm for the past 15 years. Farmsteads is her special place… a place where she feels she belongs, has friends, is given choices and is safe.   While some of her peers prefer a busy, active environment, Robyn enjoys the peace and quiet of a farm. Farmsteads is her home, where she can live her life as independently as possible in a loving community, surrounded by caring and compassionate staff. Robyn is non-verbal so you might wonder how we know she is happy.  Well, if you heard her laugh, as many on the farm often do, you can hear her happiness and feel her joy.

Meet Jess, one of our long-time farmers:

When Jess first moved to Farmsteads in Hillsborough many years ago, she was an unhappy young lady. She was displaying some behaviors that indicated her displeasure and high level of anxiety and stress. In the early days those stressors were difficult for Jess to communicate with the world. With consistent and compassionate staffing she is now one of our happier and more communicative farmers. Her mentors have been extremely consistent with her day to day activities so she always knows what to expect on any given day. They have limited her exposure to outside forces that are major stressors for her. Her mom is extremely pleased with the progress Jess has made on the farm and has watched her grow into a happy and productive member of the community.

Introducing.... Becky!

Becky joined Farmsteads in Hillsboro a few months ago. Clearly, she has brought a positive and uplifting energy to our farm community and is a pleasure work with.

Becky is passionate about skiing and loves a sunny day on the slopes! She is in her element in the kitchen,  experimenting with foods and recipes.  Becky has created some yummy dishes to share with her friends on the farm. 

 Becky also loves taking care of our animals and they all love her right back!

She takes her responsibilities seriously, is self-motivated and makes an incredible effort to do her best.

 Becky's sense of humor and contagious laugh make her a pleasure to be around.