MANSFIELD — Angela Eisaman’s hopes for her son Mitch are not unusual.
She wants him to find purpose and fulfillment, to be healthy, to make friends. She wants him to have a full life.
But Mitch, who is 30 and has special needs, spends most of his time at home. The opportunities he has to go out, try new things and meet new people are the ones his parents create for him.
That’s why Eisaman and another local mom launched Taking Root Farms.
The non-profit organization plans to open a day habilitation facility for Richland County adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The facility would offer full-day programming and sustainable farming activities five days a week.
“I want my son to be able to go somewhere during the day where he has purposeful work and meaningful relationships,” Eisaman said.
Adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities often don’t have much choice when it comes to day-to-day activities, Eisaman said.
“A lot of our individuals stay home with limited social interaction and limited activities,” said Eisaman, a Lexington resident and health technologies instructor.
“A lot of times their only social interaction is with family members.”
A new take on day hab
There are approximately 400 adults in Richland County that receive day habilitation services, according to Michele Giess, superintendent of the Richland County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
“The focus for any day program is to provide meaningful activities for people where they can grow, learn new skills and foster relationships with others that have similar interests,” Giess said.
“The Taking Roots Farm concept is a very unique and they will be the only provider in our community to provide a rural farming/agricultural model.”
Eisaman said traditional day hab centers serve an important purpose, but not all individuals thrive there.
“There’s a segment of the population that wants to be out and moving, to be with animals,” she said.
“Taking Root Farms was designed to provide an additional choice to individuals with intellectual disabilities.”
Facility will operate on six acres at Raemelton Therapeutic Equestrian Center
Taking Root Farms was registered as a non-profit organization in late 2015. Since then, the group has been fundraising, strategizing and hosting events for adults with special needs.
Now, Eisaman said Taking Root Farms is on track to break ground on its facility in the fall of 2024. Its Field of Opportunities Capital Campaign has a goal of $2.5 million.
Eisaman said the organization has already raised $1.7 million. The Richland County Foundation and Milliron Family Foundation have each contributed $500,000. The board has collectively raised $200,000.
Other private donors have chipped in as well.
Construction on the main facility will begin once $2 million is raised. The main building will be 5,000 square feet and house a lounge, gross and fine motor rooms, a kitchen, clinic, mudroom and reception area.
On the adjacent farmland, Eisaman envisions a space where clients can grow vegetables, care for animals and explore their own interests.
“We know we have an individual that loves to compost, so we’ll probably have a composting program,” she said. “We know somebody that likes worm farming, so we probably will have a worm farm.”
Rural farm model would be the only one of its kind in Richland County
When Taking Root Farms was founded, there were seven rural farm day habs in the United States. Eisaman visited two of them, both located in Ohio.
She said both farms had suspended their waiting lists because they were decades long.
“We know that these farms fill up,” she said. “We know that it’s something that our individuals desire. We know that it works because they’re happy. They want to go back the next day.”
The building and farm will located on six acres of property at Raemelton Therapeutic Equestrian Center, which has served individuals with special needs since 1995.
The center has entered into a long-term lease agreement with Taking Root Farms for six acres of property. The two organizations will also partner to offer shared programming.
Taking Roots Farms will offer full-day care Monday through Friday. Eisaman said the farm will serve up to 25 people each day. She anticipates some will only come part-time, allowing the farm to serve between 40 and 50 total clients.
To learn more about Taking Root Farms or make a donation, visit takingrootfarms.com.