A farm located along a gravel road in rural Saskatchewan is a hub of activity with two houses, a red barn, a shop, a mess hall, and a greenhouse. On a warm day in August, individuals with intellectual disabilities can be seen working in the garden. While some women are harvesting beans, a small group of men is tending to the corn and potato plants. Lynne Cammidge, a resident aged 52, expresses her contentment at Farm in the Dell, highlighting the farm’s beauty and tranquility.
Farm in the Dell, a non-profit organization, offers individuals with intellectual disabilities meaningful work opportunities and a rural lifestyle. Situated approximately 45 kilometers northeast of Saskatoon near Aberdeen, Sask., the farm provides various tasks such as weeding and watering for the residents to take care of their living environment. According to Shauna Dollansky, the site manager in Aberdeen, the residents, many of whom have rural backgrounds, find purpose and a deep connection to the land through their work.
The concept of Farm in the Dell originated in the United States, with the first farm established in Montana in 1986. Presently, the organization operates internationally with locations in the U.S., Saskatchewan, Mexico, and Kyrgyzstan. The Aberdeen site was founded in 2010 and currently houses seventeen clients across two homes. The operational costs are covered by the Ministry of Social Services through Community Living Service Development.
Residents at Farm in the Dell engage in various activities, including attending local events and participating in day programs. The farm also hosts a range of animals like alpacas, donkeys, horses, goats, pigs, rabbits, and cats, providing residents with animal care responsibilities. Meals prepared at the farm include vegetables and eggs sourced from the premises.
Due to the success of the Aberdeen farm, a second group home was established in Biggar, Sask. The community contributed to the construction of two attached five-bedroom homes on 100 acres of donated land. With ten adults residing in the Biggar home and additional staff employed, the Farm in the Dell model aims to expand to more communities in the future.
Executive director Lynette Zacharias emphasizes the importance of community, family-like relationships, and meaningful work for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The organization requires an annual budget of around $3 million from the Ministry of Social Services to operate both locations. The Ministry funds numerous residential spaces for adults with intellectual disabilities, with ongoing construction of new group homes to meet the growing demand for supportive housing.