When we dreamed up Harvesting Hope Acres, we envisioned more than a farm. We saw a place where individuals of all abilities could grow, learn, and thrive. Thanks to your encouragement, we have made meaningful progress preparing the space, building relationships, and rallying an incredible community around this mission.
Right now, we are at a standstill.
Township requirements have introduced some unexpected hurdles, including the need for professionally engineered site plans and architectural approvals before we can build anything permanent. These steps are important, but they come with significant costs that are currently beyond our reach as a small nonprofit. Originally, the land was confirmed as agricultural by the county, and even by the township in early conversations, which aligned perfectly with our vision for a working farm. But as plans progressed, we were informed that it’s zoned residential by the township, not agricultural, which subjects us to costly commercial-level requirements. While we respect the intention behind these safety regulations, they create a financial barrier that’s difficult for a grassroots nonprofit like ours to overcome.
Even so, we have not lost hope.
As a special needs family, we are no strangers to finding hope in hard places. Most families like ours know what it means to face delays, detours, and overwhelming financial burdens. We have walked roads that are often more complicated, more expensive, and less supported than most people realize. And yet we continue forward with resilience, with determination, and with a love that does not give up.
We believe this farm will one day be a vibrant space where teens and adults with disabilities experience hands-on learning, meaningful work, and a deep sense of belonging. It will be a place where families who often feel left out of traditional opportunities can finally exhale, knowing their loved ones are seen, valued, and included.
We are committed to this vision and will keep moving forward one step at a time. The path may be slower than we hoped, but the destination is still in sight. And it is full of promise.
If our story speaks to you, we would be so grateful if you would share our website or blogs with others. Your prayers and thoughts as we work to overcome this hurdle mean more than words can say. Together, we can create something truly beautiful.
Thank you for standing with us.
We truly believe the best is yet to come.
With big hurdles and even bigger hope,
Allison Hill
Founder, Harvesting Hope Acres Inc.
Harvesting Hope. Growing Possibilities.