Starting in 2012, a mother-daughter duo dedicated to supporting their young adult son with profound autism. Faced with the challenge of finding services and support after he aged out of the school system, and grappling with the sudden loss of the family’s father, they were left feeling hopeless about the future. Despite tireless advocacy and searching for resources, they struggled to secure the assistance they needed. During this challenging time, they found solace at a family farm. Immersed in nature, they discovered a sense of peace and purpose. After a simple Google search for "Farms for Autism," they stumbled upon a growing movement of intentional communities that offered young adults with autism and disabilities a place to learn, work, and live. Inspired by this, Luann spent her days on the farm with Charles, while every evening was dedicated to building a new future with Jenny through business planning. In March 2013, they officially established Homesteads for Hope, a nonprofit organization, with a mission to create an intentional community offering a place to learn, work, live and grow.

To test the viability of a "Farm for Autism" program, founders Luann, Jenny, and Chucky launched a pilot initiative called "Farm School." This program welcomed like-minded families to join them weekly during the growing season for hands-on learning, canal-side lunches, and the harvesting of fresh vegetables for a roadside stand at "Uncle Bob's" Farm. In 2015, the conceptual dream of what could be began to take shape, sparking a relentless journey to turn this vision into a full-time initiative. Recognizing that ownership of a farm was essential to bring this dream to life, they began networking and laying the groundwork for future success.

In 2016, the dream was within reach. Jenny attended the Together for Choice Conference in Chicago, seeking to further develop Homesteads for Hope into a full-fledged reality. It was there that she met Charlie Hammerman from the Disability Opportunity Fund, who generously offered a bridge loan and start-up capital to help purchase the farm. On September 1, 2016, the organization and its Board of Directors officially bought the farm! That Labor Day weekend, along with the weeks that followed, many families and volunteers came together working tirelessly to clean up the property and launch new programs. They marked this incredible milestone with their first Harvest Family BBQ, celebrating the beginning of a new chapter for Homesteads for Hope.

In the Spring of 2017, Homesteads for Hope focused on both building the business side of the organization and developing the physical community farm. With the help of generous in-kind construction donations, the farm began to take shape, adding essential infrastructure like driveways and parking lots, all while continuing to offer a variety of pilot programs, classes, and events. Numerous meetings and tours were conducted to generate interest in launching full-time programs. In the Fall of 2017, Homesteads was proudly sponsored by Wegmans, who hosted a 100-person gathering to introduce potential donors and partners to the farm’s mission. What began as a year filled with promise, however, turned challenging as Founder Luann Brown was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, casting a shadow over the farm’s progress.

In 2018, we were more determined than ever to honor the legacy and vision set forth by Luann Brown. With steadfast focus, we launched new vocational programs, clubs, classes, and events, all with the support of a small yet dedicated team of just three staff members. A successful grassroots fundraising campaign allowed us to construct our first classroom, complete with essential facilities like bathrooms, and establish our very first Farm Store. With the introduction of a new membership program and the help of countless volunteers, we built our first community garden, raised 20 chickens and rabbits, and laid the foundation for the continued growth of our mission and vision.

On August 28, 2018, Luann Brown passed away, leaving behind a legacy that now rested in the hands of Jenny Brongo. With a promise to never give up, Jenny vowed to carry on her mother’s dream—a dream that would become a guiding light for other autism moms and families. Jenny, along with the dedicated team, moved forward with resilience, determined to build on the vision that Luann had so passionately started. The team carried on, stronger and more united than ever.

In 2019, we achieved significant milestones that helped shape the future of Homesteads for Hope. We proudly hired our esteemed Farm Manager, Chris Krivanek, who transformed our "gardens" into 5 acres of flourishing organic vegetable farming. These fresh, locally-grown crops were sold in our newly constructed Farm Store & Classroom, providing hands-on learning experiences. Our Ready! Set! Work! program welcomed over 15 student apprentices, and we were thrilled to engage more than 100 members through clubs, classes, and events. Additionally, we brought on a team of experts to successfully host our inaugural gala, establishing it as our annual fundraiser to support the continued growth of our community farm.

The start of 2020 brought continued programming throughout the winter, with 18 student apprentices keeping busy thanks to the donation of a bus that allowed us to venture out into the community. We expanded our efforts by growing in the greenhouses, launching a Farm Fit program, developing homestead gifts for our Farm Store, and welcoming guest teachers for daily programs offered on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

When the pandemic struck in March, we initially adhered to the two-week "stay home" mandate. However, as restrictions continued, our team took swift action to support the families we serve and the community at large. Our farmer launched a CSA Food Share program, preparing to grow for over 200 families that season. As the weather improved, we were flooded by new families, members, homeschoolers, and volunteers who needed a safe space to go. We quickly adapted by offering self-guided activities through "job boards" around the farm and built additional picnic tables to accommodate everyone.

Despite being strapped for funding, we shifted operations toward agritourism, launching a Friday night music and food truck series and hosting a 200-person Picnic Soiree gala in the fall. During this time, we connected with new supporters and families, while LeChase Construction generously donated barn floors to support rainy day activities, and assist with social distancing. A future board member also contributed funds to put roofs on the historic barns, saving them.

Although the year brought immense growth and greater impact, we ultimately had to close down and lay off all staff as we approached the winter months. The resilience we showed during 2020 energized us, but the financial challenges ahead were clear.

Homesteads for Hope became a beacon of hope during the pandemic, proving to be a silver lining in an otherwise challenging time. While group homes went into lockdown, day programs closed, and nonprofits struggled to stay afloat, Homesteads rose above, providing a much-needed sense of community and hope. We poured our financial savings into rebuilding our team, hiring more staff, and welcoming back nearly 25 students.

Our classroom space was transformed into a Farm Café connected to the Farm Store, and we adapted to running our programs outdoors, all while managing an influx of new members, families, and volunteers. To continue supporting the community, we expanded agritourism opportunities by creating a Flower Farm, introducing 80+ Member Boxes, and renting out the barns for weddings.

Despite the challenges, we stayed true to our mission, successfully graduating five apprentices—two of whom remained at the Farm in competitive employment, while the other three found jobs with local businesses that support our mission. When winter arrived, Gallina Development generously donated program space, for which we are eternally grateful. However, we quickly realized that being away from the Farm meant our programs lost their unique, innovative edge.

This realization sparked the pursuit of a large capital campaign, with the goal of transforming the Farm into a year-round learning facility, ensuring we can continue to provide vital services and grow our impact, regardless of the season.

Homesteads launched the Pave the Way Campaign with an ambitious goal of raising $3M to fund critical capital projects and capacity-building efforts to expand our impact. A significant boost to our fundraising efforts came when Kubota International celebrated its 50th Anniversary with the "Hometown Proud Contest." Out of nearly 900 applicants nationwide, Homesteads claimed first place, securing a $200,000 prize to advance our mission and vision. This incredible win energized our team, bringing new supporters and families into our growing community.

The Forever Homestead, a major milestone, was completed in October 2023. This 6,500 square-foot remodel of the original 200-year-old Estate house represents our first Community Center, featuring multiple accessible classrooms, gathering spaces, a teaching kitchen, offices, and a 5 bedroom Farmers Residence.

With the addition of expanded space, staff, and programs, we have doubled our opportunities, making our first winter session on-site a success. New initiatives like Open Houses, Field Trip Fridays, Downtown Farmers Markets, and the innovative Care Farmer Training Program have shown remarkable results, fostering continuous growth and cultivating inclusion. Our popular Thursdays at the Farm series has grown significantly, now offering exclusive member experiences and attracting over 200 guests each week!