Special Hearts Farm acquires its forever home

Filled to the brim with a waiting list for individuals seeking entry to Special Hearts Farm, it was time to acquire new land and expand its program. 

“We just really saw a need to expand and be able to grow the mission — not only grow the individuals that we’re able to serve but also just the programming itself,” Special Hearts Farm Director of Development Emily Davis said. “We really see that this as an opportunity for the community as a whole to see what individuals with disabilities can truly accomplish when they’re supported and believed in.” 

Special Hearts Farm acquired 19 acres located at 4151 Avalon Road in Horizon West. The new space is 10 times larger than its current property and will allow the nonprofit to serve more individuals and decrease the number of people on the waitlist. 

Started in 2014 by two special-education teachers, the nonprofit aims to serve individuals with disabilities such as autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and intellectual disabilities by creating meaningful memories and a sense of purpose and responsibility. 

Davis said the farmers love to take care of the animals, as that is the main component of the program. 

She said it brings them a sense of calm. 

At this new property, Special Hearts Farm hopes to bring a full-size horse and breed goats so farmers can continue to have that bond and connection with as many animals as possible. 

“We just want the community to know how special our farmers are,” Davis said. “And we believe that everybody who walks onto this property will leave with a kinder, more special heart.”

A MIRACLE

Davis said the nonprofit started looking for a new property in 2021 because of the increased interest in the program. 

After a year, Special Hearts Farm acquired land in Mount Dora to expand its program and allow for more farmers to participate.

“We were excited about the growth and everything, but we were going to have to move farther away from our client base,” Davis said. “And something was kind of just telling us that it wasn’t meant to be this site.” 

Then, a miracle happened. 

“There was an amazing person in the community who had a piece of land that he was not using,” Davis said. “And so he approached us and offered to do a land swap so that it would be a much better fit for us. … He kind of just felt led in his heart to be a tremendous part of making this project happen and so he made us the offer — an opportunity to switch (properties) — and we took him up on it. And it was an amazing decision, because now we are going to be right in (Horizon West), and that’s where we’ve always been.” 

EXPANSION

With this new land, more space will be available to expand the program and classes. 

“We are going to have an event barn, and they’ll be able to gain many more skills beyond farming and gardening,” Davis said. “They’ll actually be able to gain skills in retail, event planning, catering, cooking and all kinds of new things by hosting events for the community.” 

Currently, farmers take care of animals like mini cows, mini horses, chickens, bunnies, goats and more, while also growing and practicing their gardening skills. 

“Everything that we do will be taken to the next level,” Davis said. 

From a 20-square-foot garden to a 2-acre garden, the expansion will provide farmers with more opportunities and learning skills. 

“We also will have a greenhouse that will provide a lot of wheelchair accessible opportunities for our farmers to take part in all of the gardening things,” Davis said. “And we’ll be able to use that as not only a revenue source but (also) a way to engage the community in meeting our special farmers by hosting farmers markets and all kinds of events that are related to the farm and produce and the animals.” 

Davis said classrooms will expand as well and will have smart boards in each one of them, enhancing the learning outcomes. 

The new property also will include a commercial kitchen and dedicated spaces for goat milk soap making and woodworking with professional equipment provided. 

“It’s basically going to take everything that we do to the next level and expand upon our mission so much more,” Davis said. 

Beyond classrooms, Special Hearts Farm will build a residential facility, accommodating up to 30 farmers. 

They will have their own rooms in a house with up to six farmers, as well as full-time caretaking staff. 

“It’ll be kind of like a group home-type of setting, but we’re going to make it super home-y and just full of love and laughter,” Davis said. 

The property also will have a 15,000-square-foot agriculture training facility.

“It will definitely be an amazing landmark in Central Florida,” Davis said. “I really think that it’s going to make history in our area. We are just incredibly blessed and so grateful and excited to be able to carry out this project.” 

This expansion also will mean more pasture for the animals to feed on, making this a win-win property for Special Hearts Farm. 

Although the property has been acquired already, Davis said construction most likely won’t be complete until 2027.