About the Farm

The farm model is ideal for adults with Autism for many reasons:

• Rural life is more simple, less stressful and safer than urban life.

• Many persons with Autism are more suited to life in a quiet, open environment.

• A farm setting offers potential to develop skills and offer meaningful work opportunities.


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Land and open space offer potential to develop new programs that would benefit other children and persons who may not live on the farm.


Those who live and work on the farm have a sense of ownership; it's their home.


Persons with Autism have crucial environmental and structural needs that can be well served in a rural setting. Those needs include, but are not limited to:


• Well trained co-workers who are familiar with the farmer's special needs and can assist them in learning new ideas and skills

• A well structured residence with safety and cohesiveness

• Suitable and meaningful work

• Organized social and leisure time


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The first farm model for adults with Autism was established at Somerset Court in England in 1974. Since that time, many farm communities have been established world wide.

BitterSweet Farms in Ohio is the first of its kind in the United States.


In North Carolina, Carolina Living and Learning Center in Pittsboro is part of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.


Farmsteads of New England was established in the state of New Hampshire in 2000.


Vision Statement

The goal of Full Spectrum Farms is to be a home in which people with autism can thrive. It will be a living and working environment that respects dignity, individuality, and nurtures the growth and well being of residents within a secure family-like setting that is both a community and part of a community.


Residents of FSF will live a full, purposeful life through work that is valued by participants and society, balanced by healthy recreation.


The farm setting will provide structure as well as variety. In harmony with the slow rhythms of nature, the farm will provide expanded experiences, responsibility and opportunities for discovery and learning, supporting each resident on the journey to reaching his/her full potential.


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Each person will have a role to fill in the farm community, no matter how large or small. Each will have a sense of their worth to the farm community and the farm community will have a sense of the worth of each individual.


As a community with-in other communities FSF will enhance public understanding of autism through direct education in conjunction with local schools and Universities.


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FSF will make a positive contribution to the immediate community by providing needed goods and/or services and a facility that invites community participation as volunteers in farm programs and special events.


FSF will serve the larger population of people with autism by creating an exemplary model for others to follow.


The staff will be well trained and dedicated to a high quatity of life and learning for people with autism. The staff will feel invested in the work of the farm.


FSF will respect the Earth, and it's resources in order to preserve them for now and for the future. 

Copyright © 2009 Full Spectrum Farms, Inc. All rights reserved world wide.