Help for adults with intellectual disabilities offered at Take Root Farms Help for adults with intellectual disabilities offered at Take Root Farms

Two people who know the importance of establishing something firm in their sons’ lives are putting in place a foundation they believe will last into the future.

Angela Eisaman and Susan Monastra have established Taking Root Farms, which will provide services to adults with intellectual disabilities.

Susan has a son, Ryan, who she says is a “seeker.”

Angela’s son Mitch is more inclined to avoid activities, according to Eisaman.

Both had been attending classes at Lexington High School, where they were schooled in special education classes.

Eisaman and Monastra said they had worried all along what would happen to their sons when school classes end for the summer.

In 2015 they received a 501c3 classification, which allows them to operate as a non-profit organization. Their goal will be to put together a functioning operation which will give many things back — to people in Richland County and elsewhere.

Taking Root Farms will have a forum July 12 at the Lexington High School auditorium to tell people in the community about their efforts. The forum will be at 7 p.m.

Susan’s son Ryan is 24, and he was diagnosed with a chromosome dilution. When Monastra saw that he had delayed development in some areas, a neurologist was consulted and blood work done.

Mitch, who is 22, is autistic and has limited verbal skills.

Eisaman and Monastra said they are working to establish a real farm on about 20 acres of land, where people with intellectual disabilities will be able to learn small tasks. It could be pitching manure or combing animals, they said.

The first phase of Taking Root Farm will be to find property they can lease so they can provide day services to 18 people.

In the second phase the plan is to purchase the land or acquire it otherwise. They want the 20 acres of land to be in Richland County.

The final phase of the project will have them set up a residential facility. This operation would have to be at a different site than the care facilities, because of federal government regulations.

Eisaman and Monastra hired an attorney who led them through the application process to get a 501c3.

They said they also got advice and support from many areas. They consulted with a man at Ashland University and have worked with several neighborhood groups.

They said they want to bring the community into their operation and want garden clubs and book clubs to know their effort is going to be there for all.

The two said they can serve other counties, but need to be in Richland County because it will be a waiver facility. This means they can receive Medicaid waivers, or there can be private pay or philanthropy to cover costs.

There are 495 people in Richland County on waiting lists for services, Eisaman said.

On a farm, “so much can be done,” said Eisaman.

People using the facilities can learn things about animal husbandry and get near goats or chickens, she said. Monastra said a farm means “wide open spaces and fresh air.”

She says her son Ryan enjoys being outside and she wants him to “have lots of good days.”

“I want to get to build something with him,” she said.

The two have a website, www.takingrootfarms.org and are on Facebook, they said. They are starting their capital campaign to get financial support from the community.

Eisaman said the idea of establishing a farm is relatively new in the United States. The concept was born in England, she said.

There is a Bittersweet Farms in White House, which has been providing services for 30 years, she said.

People with intellectual disabilites need care five days a week. This means they are going to need help for probably 50 years, Eisaman said statistics show.

Putting together a farming operation can “change lives five days a week,” she said.

The farm will not be a production farm, and there probably won’t be any cash crop, said Eisaman.

She doesn’t think the people she says will be “farmers” won’t be great producers.

“It will be a process more than a product,” she said.

The two said they envision using two hoop houses and want and outdoor garden with paths for walking.

This will be about “experience and meaning,” said Eisaman.

“We want purpose in their lives, not sitting at home the rest of their lives,” she said.

“Our kids don’t articulate their needs,” she said.

There are many great programs in non-profits in Richland County, she said. The Richland County Foundation and Richland Gives have helped, said Eisaman.

The two said they wanted to use the term root as part of their name because they know the root is the strongest part of a plant.

“We felt giving our adult sons a place to start to grow” should be in a place for growth, Eisaman said.

Monastra is an occupational therapy assistant. Eisaman is a nurse and teacher. She is a graduate of Clear Fork High School.

The two are also planning a 5k race to be held at Mid-Ohio ???? Oct. 1.