Jersey Shore Magazine

j e r s e y s h o r e • S P R I N G 2 0 2 1 61 petting zoo. Barrel train rides and wagon rides, when available, are $2. per person. HOPE Program. The HOPE Program (Harvesting Occupational and Personal Excellence) provides an integrated approach to support- ing individuals in developing func- tional socialization and work skills. Participants are young adults, ages twenty-one and up, who have aged out of traditional school programs. "We receive grants to help us run the program," Burney said. "This program gives the aged-out special needs population a place to be pur- poseful and meaningful." The four- day-a-week program, run by a New Jersey Certified Teacher and Speech Language Pathologist, strengthens communication, social, and executive the direction of Monmouth County Freeholder Thomas Arnone, the farm embarked upon an initiative to bring together urban and suburban students to address diversity issues by interacting with each other. The students work together to learn the importance of healthy eating and organic gardening practices, and in the process, they make new friends. At the completion of the semester, a garden is planted at each school so that students can practice what they learned and share healthy produce with classmates. After-school, Weekend, And Home-school Programs. Allaire Community Farm offers a number of after-school, weekend, and home- school programs throughout the year. The Homeschool Educational Program allows students in grades four to eight to learn about New Jersey's geography, geology, weath- er, and water through the study of the state's animals, plants, flowers, trees, birds, reptiles, and amphib- ians. The program also educates about early Native Americans and European settlers. Students learn through experiments, projects, arts and crafts, games, and field trips through semester-long, fee-based programs. After-school and weekend programs include "James and His Farmers," which teaches children chores that are involved in running a farm. They also offer "Roots to Fruits with Sasha," an eight-week, fee-based gardening program for children on weekends, and "Feathers and Fur," an after-school, fee-based, ten-week program that includes crafts, scav- enger hunts, nature walks, games, animal fun, and seasonal gardening for children ages four to nine. Equine programs for children are also offered throughout the year. All programs have limited capacity and follow all suggested health guidelines. Pre- registration and payment in advance are required for all programs. The farm welcomes summer camp and school field trips. Special Events. The farm holds special events throughout the year such as the Special Needs Spring Festival, weekend musical perfor- mances, and special seasonal attrac- tions such as the Harvest Festival and Old-Fashioned Christmas on the farm. Birthday Parties. Allaire Com- munity Farm is a unique venue for year-round birthday parties held at their picnic pavilion. Party guests visit the petting zoo, milk the mechanical cow, and take a scenic, tractor-pulled wagon ride around the farm. Therapeutic Offerings. The farm also offers a variety of therapeutic programs to help those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, Al the Alpaca is one of the rescue animals visitors will encounter at the petting zoo. skills while teaching farm-related, pre-vocational skills on-site. Each day focuses on specific areas and skill development. For instance, on "farm market operation" day, participants engage in hands-on operation tasks involved in running the market, including customer service, inven- tory, product development, main- tenance, and farm tour leadership. Other days are devoted to animal husbandry, plant care/horticultural, and horsemanship. "The most recent program, which can take a maximum of eight students, was filled in two days. We can teach a variety of skills that give a future to this population," Burney said. School Urban Suburban Healthy Initiative (SUSHI). In 2016, under The magic of animal therapy with Lola Grace. courtesy of Allaire Community Farm courtesy of Allaire Community Farm continued on page 62

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