Day Programs

Bittersweet offers Day Program services for adults with autism at our Lima and Whitehouse locations. Both programs are person-centered and focus on nurturing participants’ passions and fostering independence by developing life skills.

Interested in touring our Whitehouse Day Program? Day Program tours take place on the 2nd Wednesday of the month from 1-2pm and the 4th Thursday of the month from 10-11am. This tour is ideal for families/individuals considering Day Program services at Bittersweet Farms. Reservations are required, contact Mallory Dockery to make a reservation.

Adult Day Services at Betty’s Farm in Lima

The Day Program at Betty’s Farm focuses on life and safety skills, arts and crafts, gardening and animal care, aerobic outdoor activity, civic education, and giving back to the Lima community through volunteering.

On a given day at Betty’s Farm, you might find the Day Program participants:

1. Contributing to the local community and developing job skills by volunteering at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, a local park, or the local food bank

2. Growing veggies from seed to harvest in raised garden beds to donate to the local families in need

3. Studying a new part of the country or world

4. Practicing conversation skills by discussing local events

5. Developing independent life skills by preparing a meal together

6. Enjoying the therapeutic benefits of arts and crafts

7. Learning important safety skills, such as first aid and evacuation in case of fire/emergency

8. Playing a game of basketball outside to stay active and encourage teamwork

This abundance of meaningful activities empowers participants to learn more about themselves and the world around them, making connections with others in the program and the wider community.

For more information about Adult Day Services at Betty’s Farm, contact Jerry Hunt at jhunt@bittersweetfarms.org.

Day Program at Bittersweet Farms in Whitehouse

Whitehouse is home to Bittersweet’s oldest and largest Day Program, boasting several unique program areas. Participants engage in many different kinds of programming based on their individual goals and interests, ranging from groundskeeping to art. Bittersweet’s farmstead model brings together this diverse array of experiences, which fosters participants’ independence all while promoting the interdependent sustainability of the farmstead itself. Learn more about our therapeutic program opportunities below!

Gardens

Participants in the Gardens program are involved in every step of the year-round process of growing vegetables in our three greenhouses and five hoop houses. Preparation for the growing season begins in the winter, with soil preparation, container sanitization and preparation, and seeding. Throughout our extended growing season in the spring, summer, and fall, participants assist with transplanting, weeding, watering, and harvesting vegetables.

Gardening has been part of life at Bittersweet since our founding in 1983. Individuals with autism benefit from tasks with clearly defined steps and measurable progress, such as the plant life cycle from seed to harvest. Additionally, gardening provides ample opportunities for fine and gross motor skill development, life skill development, and immense therapeutic benefits for all.

The fresh, nutrient-dense produce grown through partnership in Gardens is enjoyed by those participating in the program, as well as their families, Bittersweet residents, staff, and volunteers, and the broader community. Free produce is given away every Friday at Music Vine during the growing season, at our Community Days on the second Saturday of every month (learn more), and through many local food banks and food pantries.

Animal Care

Since the very beginning, the Barn has been the heart of Bittersweet Farms. Today, the Bittersweet Barn is home to mini horses, chickens, ducks, goats, and cats! Participants in the Animal Care program are responsible for feeding, watering, grooming, cleaning stalls, and exercising the animals. They also assist with routine Barn maintenance tasks, animal health inspections and veterinary visits, and more.

Working with the animals provides countless therapeutic benefits as well as skill development opportunities for the individuals who work in the Barn. The Barn is also a central part of the farmstead ecosystem, with the animals enjoying excess veggies grown in Gardens.

Creative Arts

The Creative Arts program provides educational and therapeutic opportunities for artists with autism. Art is a crucial vehicle for self-expression and anxiety reduction for individuals on the autism spectrum. The Bittersweet Creative Arts studio boasts space for drawing and painting, looms for weaving, and kilns to fire ceramics and fused glass art. Weaving is a hallmark of the Creative Arts program at Bittersweet, it uses a unique combination of cross-body motion and gross motor skills, which is immensely beneficial to individuals with autism. The Creative Arts program prides itself on sustainability, using reclaimed nature items and recycled/upcycled supplies in keeping with our farmstead model.

Kitchen Skills

The Kitchen Skills Program is located in a state-of-the-art commercial kitchen and trains participants in basic food safety, grocery shopping, cooking, baking, personal hygiene, and cleaning— all essential life skills. Each day, participants explore new recipes designed to build their independence. The process is person-centered from beginning to end. Participants choose recipes they would like to try, gather produce grown at the Farm, visit local grocery stores for additional ingredients, and then cook their chosen dish. The participants enjoy tasting their creations and sharing them with their friends on the Farm!

Groundskeeping

With 80 acres of farmland at our Whitehouse location, there is plenty of work to be done! Participants in the Groundskeeping program maintain the farmstead grounds in all seasons, preparing flower beds in the spring, raking in the fall, shoveling in the winter, and much more. The Groundskeeping team also cuts and hauls wood to fill the wood-burning stove in Gardens, which heats the greenhouses during the cold months.

Make a gift to support the Day Programs at Bittersweet.