Hope Farm is an organic farm project initiated in collaboration with SUNY Sullivan’s Sustainability Team and Culinary Arts Program. This health-focused farm resides on a three-acre plot, provided by SUNY Sullivan and located on their academic campus, just 2 miles down the road from New Hope Community’s main campus. Our aim is to increase experiences and opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to become self-reliant and develop their capabilities, allowing them to become active members of the community through agricultural jobs and community volunteer work.
Established in 2015, Hope Farm has bloomed into a bustling hub for our farm team, day programs, and community partners. Extensive vegetable gardens, perennial fruits, and an abundance of flowers are planted, grown, and harvested daily during the growing season. As an organic farm, we do not use pesticides or chemicals to grow our food. We rely on sustainable and soil-building practices, such as adding organic compost, crop rotations, and cover cropping. This ensures high quality and nutritious produce, while having a minimal impact on the environment. In 2021, we produced over 12,000 pounds of fresh vegetables that were distributed to our residences, used by SUNY Sullivan’s Culinary Arts Students in meal preparation, and donated to local emergency food resource providers.