Farmsteads of New England, Inc.

Opened in 2003, Farmsteads of New England. Inc. (Farmsteads) provides supportive day and residential services in a farm environment to adults who have developmental disabilities. We are dedicated to empowering individuals who have autism, developmental disabilities, and others with varying abilities to pursue their chosen path to live a meaningful and satisfying life by providing transitional and long-term supports and services in a rural environment that fosters growth, interdependence and self-confidence. Each residential farmer has his/her own one-bedroom apartment which gives individuals maximum privacy and more of an adult lifestyle while also providing easy access to peers for socialization.

We value our staff, volunteers, the individuals we serve, and our supporters by practicing:

Respect
Integrity
Responsible Stewardship
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
Transparency
Compassion
Excellence

Our Vision: A world in which all adults with autism and other developmental disabilities can receive life-long care and be productive members of their communities in an environment that fosters hope and humanity, while offering families peace of mind.

FNE’s day services include both vocational and recreational activities, primarily those that take place naturally on and around a farm. Day services are based both at Rosewald Farm in Hillsborough, NH and at Redberry Farm in Epping, NH. People participating in FNE’s community are encouraged to explore all of the possible activities. Their individual schedule of activities is determined based on their interests and abilities. FNE’s day services are certified by the state of New Hampshire for adults who have developmental disabilities.

Learn more at https://www.farmsteads-ne.org/day-services

FNE’s residential supports focus on daily living skills such as meal preparation, laundry, grocery shopping, and helping people to enjoy their leisure time.

We have developed a residential model that provides each person with his/her own one bedroom apartment within a cluster of apartments on the farmstead. Each building is designed with four one-bedroom apartments surrounding a common room and are ADA compliant and handicap accessible. Each building is staffed in accordance with the needs of the individuals living there; most have live-in staff who help with over-night supervision.

Learn more at https://www.farmsteads-ne.org/residential-supports

Students learn general work skills such as following instructions and attending to task while also learning specific skills related to agriculture and farm life such as care of animals, gardening, making items such as jelly and pickles, and selling the items they produce.

Students also have the opportunity to practice life skills such as meal planning, grocery shopping, cooking lunch, baking, washing dishes, sweeping, vacuuming, and doing laundry.

Students are involved on a daily basis with the greater community learning skills related to shopping, volunteering at various locations in the community, using the library, and taking art classes.

We believe in the value of developing a healthy lifestyle that includes not only eating nutritious food but also exercising. We help students to participate in activities such as playing soccer and basketball, hiking, swimming, using exercise equipment, snowshoeing, and yoga.

In late 1999, Deborah DeScenza began working to make her dream become a reality. Farmsteads of New England, Inc. was formed as a nonprofit corporation in the State of New Hampshire in 2000 and received tax-exempt status from the federal government in 2001. In 2003, FNE purchased the Rosewald Farm in Hillsborough, NH and began providing services. In 2009, FNE started providing services at a second site at Verdant Pastures in Epping, NH.