History
The concept of Stormy Moon Farm began in 1994 with the acquisition of a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs funded home that was immediately transformed into a functional farm. Transformation was accomplished on predication of preferential employment to disabled workers. Their workmanship displayed in existent facility structures now acts to provide testament that individuals with disabilities can be productive. Hence, the foundation was set for our program goal of assisting disabled individuals in their quest to become productive and independent, while utilizing resources of New Hampshire Development of Vocational Rehabilitation Services in developing a formalized business plan and charter.
Present Status
Today Stormy Moon Farm is an existent provider of an assortment of agricultural products and services located in Lyndeborough, NH adjacent to Dogwood New Hampshire State Conservation Park. Stormy Moon Farm, in addition to our other products and services, provides a corporate sponsored educational program free to public and private schools aimed at promoting our existent philosophy that the vocational needs of individuals with disabilities is best accomplished by allowing them the maximum affordable opportunity to become productive members of their community.
Platform on Vocational Issues:
* We support the development of integrated vocational training and work opportunities for people with disabilities as an alternative to sheltered workshop placement.
* We urge all public agencies responsible for certifying or funding vocational services to develop incentives to service providers to create integrated vocational jobs.
* We call on all vocational service providers to incorporate principles of normalization in all aspects of program design and operation. Specifically, we urge that programs provide opportunities for social integration as well as physical integration in normal environments.
* We support an immediate moratorium on the expansion of sheltered workshop space in this community, in conjunction with an expansion of integrated work and vocational opportunities. We believe that the continual expansion of sheltered workshop space serves as a strong disincentive to develop innovative alternatives and to place people with disabilities in appropriate work and vocational settings.
* We support active consumer involvement in all aspects of the design, operation, and monitoring of vocational services.
* We urge public agencies, private service providers, consumers, and concerned citizens, including leaders in industry, to cooperate in the development of a long-term plan for the creation of integrated work and vocational opportunities in the community.