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When Abby Collins started working at The Lands at Hillside Farms at fifteen years old, she was serving ice cream. Today, she’s helping lead a 438-acre community anchor that proves a farm can be so much more than just a place where food is grown.
Hillside isn't just a dairy farm; it is a sanctuary. Through intentional design and a "give, give, give" philosophy inherited from their founder, Abby and her team have woven together agriculture, mental health, and education to support those who need it most.
From vocational programs for students with disabilities to a Care Farming initiative for children navigating profound trauma, this episode explores what happens when the land becomes a partner in healing. Abby shares the heart-tugging reality of "the animals just knowing" and how a small team manages to thrive in the chaos of a mission-driven life.
✨ You’ll hear:
🌱 How Abby grew from an ice cream parlor employee to the Director of Education and Events helping the farm reach its 20th anniversary.
🌳 The legacy of Dr. Doug Ayers and the mission to leave the land better for those who will use it 200 years from now.
⚓ The transition from a family-owned farm to a public resource that the community truly "owns."
🧑🌾 How Hillside is providing vocational training for students with disabilities, from greenhouse work to selling produce at local markets.
🤝 How Hillside leverages relationships with mental health counselors, occupational therapists, and food dignity programs to scale their impact.
🐄 How intentional animal-to-student pairings create breakthroughs for children with complex medical and emotional needs.
✨ Abby’s advice for farm educators: embracing failure, listening to your community, and continuing to evolve
Learn more about The Lands at Hillside Farms:
🌐 Website: https://www.thelandsathillsidefarms.org/
👍 Facebook: The Lands at Hillside Farms
📸 Instagram: @landsathillsidefarms
Farm Educator’s Roadmap:
🌐Website: www.farmeducatorsroadmap.com
📘 Free Guide: 5 Simple Steps to Growing an In-Demand Farm Education Program
📸 Instagram: @farmeducatorsroadmap
👍 Facebook: @farmeducatorsroadmap
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