Peacehaven farm



Peacehaven Farm updates

Ready for the farm - Twelve CVM/Romeldale sheep have traveled from Ohio to become some of Peacehaven's first "residents". This is an extremely rare breed of sheep that we will raise for fiber. We know it will be a wonderful activity for our residents and volunteers. The sheep came from Yellow Creek Cottage farm in Ohio.

And the guard dog Jake:

And the chickens:

 


About Peacehaven Farm. Peacehaven Farm will be a place where adults with intellectual and physical disabilities can come and live permanently. The farm will have individual homes where the residents and assistants will live. Many different farming activities are being considered including having a community garden. We are also actively exploring the possibility of having a fiber farm. Wool from sheep, angora goats and perhaps even llamas will be sold as part of a cottage-industry.

Inspiration came from their experiences. Peacehaven Farm is inspired by the family members of the farm's leaders: Tim and Susan Elliott, and Buck Cochran. All are parents of children with special needs. They have experienced the joys, the heartaches, the quest to "fix", and the awe and wonderment of having someone they love with intellectual disabilities become all they were meant to be.

The Elliott's twin son had a brain hemorrhage shortly after birth. They wanted to ensure that not only was their son cared for, but that he was also in a learning and loving environment. They began looking at different opportunities for their son. Then they met Buck Cochran, a former associate pastor at the Elliott's church. Buck had long had an interest in people with disabilities and in the ministry of L'Arche communities. The L'Arche model pairs residents with assistants and it is in that space, Cochran said, lives are transformed. The residents become our teachers and we all grow. In the fall of 2007, the three began transforming a place called Peacehaven from a dream to a reality.

Home on the farm. Peacehaven Farm focuses on three areas: growing, healing, and community. A farm was conceived because it epitomized many of the values the Elliotts and Cochran believe:

  • Everyone is valued.
  • Everyone can contribute.
  • Everyone can become the person they were meant to be when in a nurturing, supportive environment.

canningDifferent ingredients required. We all know some of the best foods are made up of different ingredients and this is what we also believe about Peacehaven. As Peacehaven begins to take shape, we welcome your insights and contributions. Contact Buck at buck.cochran(at)peacehavenfarm.org with your ideas or visit our blog to share your ideas about how we can grow together.


Peacehavenfarm.org © 2007 • e-mail buck.cochran(at)peacehavenfarm.org