We are a five acre property with three homes and about twenty people, both neurotypical and with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Autism. We support each other to thrive as individuals and to contribute to our community. We share resources, food, chores, burdens, laughs and more. We prioritize our connections with extended families and friends, the local town, other communities, and the world at large. High Spirit Community Farm will show you that this is a positive and healthy way to live.
The three homes have the opportunity to eat lunch together Monday-Friday with additional shared meals as desired. We celebrate together (any reason for celebration is a good one), and we work in our gardens together. We gather in the Grange building where we cook, preserve our produce, create art and music together.
Neurotypical adults who live on the property are community leaders, volunteer/caregiver managers, and also caregivers themselves.
On-site programming for the adults with disabilities allows for “gentle” scheduling – If an resident cannot make it to their regularly scheduled off-site activity, there is always something going on that they can do on-site, when they are ready. They can join a group working in the Grange or garden, or they can do something else with a 1:1 staff person that more appropriately suits their needs for that day.
There are so many ways to contribute to the farm. Â We can always find ways to be engaged, no matter what our ability to contribute that day is. Some people enjoy large motor skills activities like shoveling compost into wheelbarrows and dumping it in the garden. While others love fine motor tasks, like planting seedlings or weeding. And still others might benefit simply by sitting in the sun and joining the crew by watching and appreciating the moment. We tailor the task to the person so that everyone is as engaged as they can be.
High Spirit serves as a catalyst, making this model of care and community more widely available to all.Â
Our model creates greater self-determination and meaningful opportunities for connection for two populations that face significant challenges within our current economy and care system: individuals with IDD and their caregivers.Â
High Spirit recognizes the essential need of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to have a dignified home, meaningful work, and a rich social and cultural life. We do this through:Â
Residential life in which an adult with disabilities lives as a household member in a family home with care, responsibilities, and lifelong relationships
Providing a flexible day program meeting the needs and interests of each individual. Â
We are seeking 2 individuals or 2 couples ( or a group of friends!). If interested you can join by applying for a position as House Managers on Indeed.com.Â
https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=95bef07191361387&from=shareddesktop_copy
Members will collaborate with all three of the households on the property to manage the property, gardens, small farm, and care for adults with disabilities. You will share resources, time, skills, and more. Kind and respectful communication.
A few people (not elected by the broader community) make the major decisions.
We have weekly leadership team meetings where we can talk through challenges. We would like to establish more routines and practice for conflict resolution.Â
Members maintain separate personal finances with minimal sharing.
Community members are caregivers who receive a salary for their caregiving work. More information is included on our open position description on Indeed.com.Â
https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=95bef07191361387&from=shareddesktop_copy
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Gardens with flowers, vegetables, herbs, garden tools,Â
Household and community groceries. Meals are considered part of your compensation.Â
The Grange – community building with full kitchen, large community dining area, and additional multi purpose space.Â
Limited use of community cars. May be shared for personal use, but use for the adults with disabilities is the priority. Many community members bring their own cars.Â
Movie nights, outings, holiday celebrations, camp fires,Â
Everyone in the household must be comfortable with the incoming pet. Pets should be spayed/neutered, have all vaccinations, be housetrained, be registered with the town, see a vet on a regular basis. Pets should have no history of biting.Â
Soulfire Farm – Uprooting Racism
Organization wide anti-racist book club.Â
Moderate climate with distinct seasonal changes
Includes deciduous and mixed forest types
Examples: Eastern North American Forests, European Broadleaf Forests
Smaller municipalities with local services but rural character.
Vegetable gardens, eggs from hens, some homegrown chicken processing.Â
We do much of our shopping at the local Food Cooperative.Â
Connecting people and communities through an intentional online marketplace
A residential project: people live here as their primary home.
An institution, business, network, or project that isn’t a residence (e.g. a learning center, farm, or network with no one living there full-time).
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