At CFN, we love seeing care farms connecting and supporting one another. When these relationships are sparked at the Care Farming Network National Conference and other CFN events, we know these gatherings are serving their purpose.
Below, Amy Grace of Imagine That Farm (Idaho) shares her experience visiting FireFly Farm in Maryland to offer a Care Farm Therapy training for mental health professionals.
Amy Grace writes:
I recently traveled to Maryland to lead a Care Farm Therapy training for a group of mental health professionals. This training came about through connections made at this year’s Care Farm Network Conference. Alex Meyers of FireFly Farm reached out about bringing care farm therapy training to Maryland, gathered a wonderful group of professionals, and generously hosted a two-day introductory intensive.
The training was highly experiential and focused on helping clinicians translate everyday interactions with nature and farm animals into meaningful therapeutic interventions. Throughout the weekend, we explored concepts such as observation, pressure and release, pace, feel, regulation, connection, and using ordinary farm activities as opportunities for growth and healing.
The feedback from participants was incredibly encouraging. Every participant strongly agreed that the training created a safe learning environment, was engaging and interactive, strengthened their knowledge and confidence, and that they would recommend it to a colleague. Nearly every participant also reported feeling confident applying what they learned in their own clinical work.
One theme came through consistently in the evaluations: everyone wanted more time. The most common suggestion was to extend the training to allow for even more practice, discussion, and hands-on application.
It was inspiring to see so much enthusiasm for this work and to watch clinicians discover how ordinary moments on a care farm can become powerful opportunities for healing, regulation, connection, and growth.
I look forward to seeing these connections continue to grow across the Care Farm Network and to creating more opportunities for clinicians to learn this work together.
About the farms
Imagine That Farm connects mental health agencies and farms to create care farm therapy. They partner with professionals and organizations to integrate nature- and animal-assisted therapies into their work, providing expert guidance to launch care farms and foster meaningful collaborations. Learn more on their Facebook page.
FireFly Farm is a dedicated care farm that provides a restorative space where individuals can slow down, reconnect with themselves, and find their light through the healing rhythms of farm life. Through hands-on activities, community partnerships, and peaceful moments in nature, they offer a path to emotional grounding, personal growth, and renewed well-being. Learn more on their website.
Explore CFN’s full member directory to find care farms across the country.