Greater Oneida Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Royale Scuderi presents Heritage Farm program participants and Executive Director Mark Piersall (left) with the Member of the Month award.
(Oneida, NY – July 2015) The Greater Oneida Chamber of Commerce has announced that Heritage Farm, Inc. has been awarded July Member of the Month.
Nestled in a valley on 150+ acres of lush countryside, Heritage Farm provides an array of farming and rural life opportunities to individuals throughout Madison County and its surrounding areas.
Picturesque gardens, a working greenhouse, and a menagerie of small farm animals, serve as vehicles for habilitation, education and opportunities to cultivate greater independence and a sense of responsibility toward family, friends and community.
Individuals who attend Heritage Farm utilize a variety of different artistic mediums from paint, wood, wool and clay as opportunities for self-expression, tactile development, and education. Participants gain experience in farm-related tasks such as caring for small livestock or exploring horticultural endeavors in the vegetable patch, greenhouse and herb gardens. Participants grow their own bounty, gather eggs from the chickens and make jams or jellies from farm grown raspberries and grapes. Individuals can choose to experience the woodshops or craft rooms to forge wonderful folk arts and other primitives to share with their families and friends. Many opportunities exist for community integration and skill development in areas such as daily living, communication, and interpersonal skills.
The mission of Heritage Farm, Inc. is to provide an individualized program for each participant that reflects the founding belief that farming and rural life foster self-worth, independence and a sense of responsibility toward family, friends and community. They hold to the principle that the person comes first, not the disability.
Offered services include Group Day and Community Habilitation, Respite, Recreational and After-School services, Supported Employment, Service Coordination, Children’s Summer Program, Self-Advocacy and Worship Services.
This is part of an ongoing effort by the Greater Oneida Chamber of Commerce to honor a deserving member business each month for their contribution to the quality of life and economy in the community.
Pictured are Heritage Farm workers caring for the gardens.