Taking Root Farms announces capital campaign for developmental disabilities facility
Taking Root Farms plans to break ground this coming fall on a new 5,000-square-foot facility that will provide day-habilitation services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Richland County on 6 acres near the riding arena at Raemelton Therapeutic Equestrian Center off South Trimble Road.
The board of directors of the nonprofit on Monday announced the start of the $2.5 million Field of Opportunities Capital Campaign during a news conference.
Through Taking Root Farms' rural farm model, adults with limited prospects for meaningful work and new social connections can come together to engage in sustainable farm work and programming designed to improve the quality of their lives and that of their families or caretakers, the organization said in a news release.
"The $2.5 million goal will go directly to funding the construction of central farm buildings that are essential to the program's success. Every gift improves the lives of both the individuals who are directly impacted and out community as a whole," according to a statement from the board.
Board President Angela Eisaman, of Lexington, told community leaders and financial supporters gathered at the future site of the farm about plans to build the first building in the program. The building will house programming that includes a lounge, gross motor and fine motor rooms, kitchen, mudroom as well as a clinic and reception.
Taking Root Farms partnered with Raemelton Therapeutic Equestrian Center for the location of the program. The site was chosen for the building due to its program synergies and central location, Eisaman said.
Raemelton Therapeutic Equestrian Center, 569 N. Trimble Road, Mansfield, has since 1995 provided equine-assisted activities and therapies to people with disabilities.
Taking Root Farms has entered into a long-term lease agreement for 6 acres with Raemelton, land to be used for the farm's buildings. Taking Root Farms will also have exclusive use of additional shared acreage/structures for shared programming.
"Our farm model promotes and enhances the physical, social and emotional well-being of those we serve through purposeful and meaningful work and through relationships formed in our community," Eisaman said.
Eisaman said the late Grant Milliron, known for his philanthropy and business acumen, had suggested to her that Taking Root Farms board talk with Raemelton about such a project. The boards of Raemelton and Taking Root Farms approached each other about the vision.
The Taking Root Farms nonprofit has so far received $500,000 from Richland County Foundation, $500,000 from the Karl Milliron Foundation; the Taking Root Farms' board has raised $200,000 in donations along with other donations for a total contribution of slightly under $1.7 million or 82% of the $2.5 million total project cost. The project will be built in two phases.
Eisaman thanked all the board members by name, and also Kathy Ezawa for her assistance with grant writing and Eisaman's husband, Andy. She said she had the idea for this project about 10 years ago. Her son Mitchell, 30, who has developmental disabilities, was her driving force.
Founder of Taking Root Farms wanted place for son, others
"I wanted him to have some purpose," she said after the news conference. "He needs to be outside. He needs the air. He needs the movement. He needs all of that."
She said she wants Mitchell to be physically and mentally challenged more and that relationships are huge.
"He loves relationships and there's no better relationship than between an animal and a person as well as people and people," Eisaman said.
This program is for adults ages 18 and older and who are out of school.
Eisaman said she wanted a facility to tap individuals' desires.
"I've talked to several of you around the room and said the model of this around the country is urban design. It's a room like this where they do activities but not a lot of activities outside," Eisaman said.
"While the system is not broken, because that really does fit some people, we wanted more in this county for our individuals," she said. "We are a county of doers. We are a county of thinkers. We are a county of visionaries here. We're standing on property that was probably one of the greatest visionaries we ever had, Frank Black, who during the Depression built this (horse arena)," she said. Black was the founder of the Ohio Brass Co. in Mansfield.
The new building will be painted in the yellow of the Raemelton farm buildings.
An official ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held.
lwhitmir@gannett.com
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This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Taking Root Farms envisions facility for adults with disabilities
