Please follow us on Facebook at: Farming-For-The-Future-Academy
Physical Address-400 Veterans Drive
Mailing Address-80 13th St E
Columbia Falls, MT 59912
406-253-4369
501(c)3
Non Profit, Public Charity
EIN 27-4160099
Mission Statement
The mission of Farming For the Future Academy is to unlock each student’s potential to achieve success in their education endeavors, regardless of ability and diversity, in an agricultural learning environment.
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Our Barnyards to Battlefields program is growing!
Baby ducks and lambs
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Thank a Veteran this Memorial Day weekend and make a $5.00 donation at Plantland for our Veterans residing at the Montana Veterans' Home to buy plants for their gardens.
Thank a Veteran this Memorial Day weekend and make a $5.00 donation at Plantland for our Veterans residing at the Montana Veterans' Home to buy plants for their gardens.
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Plant an Extra Flat to donate
We are gearing up for planting! The "Onions for Autism Veggies for Vets" garden program located at the Montana Veterans' Home in Columbia Falls is asking local gardeners, nurseries and greenhouse owner to plant an extra flat of veggies to donate. Many individuals participating in the garden program have diverse abilities and would enjoy having their own garden plants and the extra attention. If interested please leave a message on our contact page or contact Sherry at 406-253-4369
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Plant an Extra Flat to donate
We are gearing up for planting! The "Onions for Autism Veggies for Vets" garden program located at the Montana Veterans' Home in Columbia Falls is asking local gardeners, nurseries and greenhouse owner to plant an extra flat of veggies to donate. Many individuals participating in the garden program have diverse abilities and would enjoy having their own garden plants and the extra attention. If interested please leave a message on our contact page or contact Sherry at 406-253-4369
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"NEW PROGRAM COMING SOON"
*Operation Intergeneration*
Pre-K Childcare, After School and Summer Programs
We are in the process of implementing an interactive program at the Montana Veteran's Home in Columbia Falls
Full day programming collaborating with the residents at nursing home and Farming For The Future Academy's children ages 0-12
*Applications for Childcare and caregivers coming soon*
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Old Main Arts and Cultural Educational Center
---We need your help to restore Old Main. Old Main was constructed in in 1896 to care for civil war veterans (both sides). I believe it was occupied by veterans until the current nursing home was built in 1970 and has been vacant until then. The State’s property report shows that it is 14,329 square feet. It is our plan to reuse Old Main as an Arts and Cultural Educational Center for our Academy, veterans and community. Please leave a message on the Contact Page for any questions, concerns or discussion.
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Old Main Arts and Cultural Educational Center
---We need your help to restore Old Main. Old Main was constructed in in 1896 to care for civil war veterans (both sides). I believe it was occupied by veterans until the current nursing home was built in 1970 and has been vacant until then. The State’s property report shows that it is 14,329 square feet. It is our plan to reuse Old Main as an Arts and Cultural Educational Center for our Academy, veterans and community. Please leave a message on the Contact Page for any questions, concerns or discussion.
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Mini Pearl 2004-2017
Good-Bye Dear Friend
Good-Bye Dear Friend
Clean out those closets.... We need a 1000+ old T-Shirts for one of our summer camps...we are planning on building huge "Pot Holder" looms (maybe not the size in the photo on the right, but like the one in the left corner) in one of our camps for kids to make bed-side rugs for their rooms. Shirts may have stains, but no holes. Please leave a message on the contact page or call 406-253-4369 for drop-off or pick-up. |
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Gathering of friends on a cold winter's day
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Lambs in the Spring
(Tentative Due Dates---May 2 & 3)
Meet "Mr" Glady's and Betty in the green (Registered name Pretty Boy)
Lambs in the Spring
(Tentative Due Dates---May 2 & 3)
Meet "Mr" Glady's and Betty in the green (Registered name Pretty Boy)
Our Animal Programs are in need of feed and grass/alfala hay donations.
Please message on our contact page if you would like to become a sponsor or go to our FaceBook page
Please message on our contact page if you would like to become a sponsor or go to our FaceBook page
Christmas 2016- Night of Lights
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Happy Holidays from Karl the Rooster!
Paul the llama made a huge impression at the Tiny Talks on November 5th at the Grouse Mt Lodge in Whitefish...Rochele did an amazing job handling him through the crowd. Thank you Linda Graf for the inspiration and willingness to go out on a limb...it was a wonderful evening (more pics to come)
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Another crazy Friday night on the farm
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THEY DID IT AGAIN!
The Home Depot Foundation has donated materials to up-grade our garden..raised beds, pavers between rows for wheelchairs and walkers, corrals for our farm animals and so much more!!! Home Depot employee volunteers (Team Depot) came all the way from Great Falls, Billings, Missoula, Helena and Kalispell to participate. Special thanks to Ben, Glinda and Hunter for your special community support!
Lunch was provided by Tea Kettle Cafe and Laurie's Deli!!! Gravel was provided by Schillengers and a canopy donation from Hanson's Hardware to keep the wet off our builders
Thank you!
THEY DID IT AGAIN!
The Home Depot Foundation has donated materials to up-grade our garden..raised beds, pavers between rows for wheelchairs and walkers, corrals for our farm animals and so much more!!! Home Depot employee volunteers (Team Depot) came all the way from Great Falls, Billings, Missoula, Helena and Kalispell to participate. Special thanks to Ben, Glinda and Hunter for your special community support!
Lunch was provided by Tea Kettle Cafe and Laurie's Deli!!! Gravel was provided by Schillengers and a canopy donation from Hanson's Hardware to keep the wet off our builders
Thank you!
(Please consider donating, so we may continue to bring amazing programs to our students and veterans)
Look what we've added!
"Barnyards to Battlefields"
Bunny Therapy...more photos to come of our Veterans' Bunny Therapy Program
Bunny Work
Hello "Mini" Pearl from Bozeman...welcome to the farm
(yes, she rode home in a "Mini" Van ...only logical)
Mini Pearl goes to work
Paul
(mini llama)
Vets Home new celebrity
Not sure if Paul the llama is greeting a resident or admiring himself
DUCKS!!!!
CAMPS...CAMPS...CAMPS...CAMPS
2016
Blue Wool Shoes...blue fair ribbon!
Why Bother With Fodder Camp
Hair Care with a Flare Camp
Barn Raising Camp--Day 1 (Painting before assembling..thanks for the pant WBC)
...Raising the Barns...
Thank you Vadim (Little John) Derov for the amazing Barns!
Bees...Bees...Bees...Bees...Bees (thank you Whole Kids for this program)
Can we do it?
(YES...with your help we can!)
We have been tossing around the idea of starting another program and would like to hear your thoughts. Many families are in need of living supports for loved-ones. We are trying to find a way to address this problem and we have a vision.
"Semi Assisted Tiny Home/Farm Development"
We are looking to build a tiny home development for those that need some supervision but would like to have a home and place to work, play and live. The program will include a working farm, fiber mill, and a working market for those residing at the facility and for outreach programs. A community building will be used as a central location for meals, laundry, social, entertainment and music.
We are looking for people to help implement this project...please go to the contact page so we may hear from you.
Betty's 1st haircut
**********Big News**********
Here's a video of our academy and how far we've come since it's inception in 2011-2015. Enjoy!
Pumpkin Carving Field Day for our Vets
Our "Onions for Autism, Veggies for Vets" garden turned out some fantastic pumpkins. We grew so many pumpkins we decided to collaborate with Glacier-Gateway Elementary School 2nd graders to carve and paint with some of our Vets. We had a wonderful time and now have very interesting pumpkins to decorate with at the Veterans' Home in Columbia Falls. Everyone is invited to come out on Halloween night for Trick-or-Treating and to admire the talents of our local artists. Thank you Beth Love for opening your classroom to our Vets and sharing the event with other classes.
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Summer Camps 2015
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***Property Search***
We need your help...we are trying to expand and start the animal husbandry/job and life skills/marketing/full academic year and Out Reach Programs, but need to raise funds. The property would need to serve all areas; as well as, handicap accessibility and centrally located. If you have questions or would like to donate please contact Sherry at 406-253-4369 or use the donate button.
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CASA For Kids...Cycling For Children Event, July 25, 2015
CASA For Kids...Cycling For Children Event, July 25, 2015 was inspiring and humbling, Thank you riders for your commitment to our children in need....it was a pleasure to provide a resting point during your ride in our Onions for Autism Veggies for Vets Community Garden.
Thank you The Home Depot Foundation for the awesome work done at our garden June 15-17...the work done has made our garden a beautiful place to work, play and learn and enjoy...Hats off to these amazing community members
BNSF presented a check on Monday, June 9th at 2:30 at the farm's garden to cover tuition for summer programs http://www.kaj18.com/news/10k-bnsf-donation-helps-future-farming-in-the-flathead/
Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation has awarded our Academy $2000 for 2014 summer camp materials
Fiskars- Project Orange Thumb Award -http://www2.fiskars.com/Community/Project-Orange-Thumb
Whole Kids Foundation Award- https://www.wholekidsfoundation.org/about/grant-recipients/
Student Applications may be downloaded from the Student/Family page...please call 406-253-4369 for an appointment
ParaEducator Applications may be downloaded from the Teacher Page...We will be needing ParaEducators throughout the year as we add students
Summer Camps: week long Summer Camps. Camps are a team approach, each student will need to bring an adult with them.
Camps will run Monday -Friday, 9:30-11:30. The beginning of each camp we will discuss as a group if a midweek break is needed. Please leave inquiries on Contact Page.
Holidays & Camps
To Be Announced
Garden Program Volunteers and Donations
*Need volunteers to help with summer camps and summer projects
*The Garden Program is in need of more straw bales to make raised growing beds around the inside of the fence and protect the grapes
please leave a message at 253-4369 or on the contact page
These are our start-up donors...they deserve a special thanks for "getting-the-ball-rolling"
Thank you Whitefish foundation for summer camp donations
Thank you BNSF for funding the summer camps donations
Angie's Greenhouse for constant garden support
Thank you Franchini Family Foundation for operational support donations
Thank you Dennis and Phyllis Washington for donation
Thank you Treacy Foundation for the donation of sustainable farming equipment
Thank you Whole Kids for the greenhouse donation
Thank you Fiskars' Orange Thumb for garden tools and donation
Thank you Sue and Don Haverfield for your on-going support
Thank you Jane and Henry Ratzlaff for your on-going support
Thank you Plum Creek for the curriculum materials donation and to KAJ18 and Hungry Horse News for the wonderful coverage!
http://www.kaj18.com/news/grant-helps-special-columbia-falls-program/
Thank you The Home Depot Foundation for the awesome work done at our garden June 15-17...the work done has made our garden a beautiful place to work, play and learn and enjoy...Hats off to these amazing community members
BNSF presented a check on Monday, June 9th at 2:30 at the farm's garden to cover tuition for summer programs http://www.kaj18.com/news/10k-bnsf-donation-helps-future-farming-in-the-flathead/
Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation has awarded our Academy $2000 for 2014 summer camp materials
Fiskars- Project Orange Thumb Award -http://www2.fiskars.com/Community/Project-Orange-Thumb
Whole Kids Foundation Award- https://www.wholekidsfoundation.org/about/grant-recipients/
Student Applications may be downloaded from the Student/Family page...please call 406-253-4369 for an appointment
ParaEducator Applications may be downloaded from the Teacher Page...We will be needing ParaEducators throughout the year as we add students
Summer Camps: week long Summer Camps. Camps are a team approach, each student will need to bring an adult with them.
Camps will run Monday -Friday, 9:30-11:30. The beginning of each camp we will discuss as a group if a midweek break is needed. Please leave inquiries on Contact Page.
Holidays & Camps
To Be Announced
Garden Program Volunteers and Donations
*Need volunteers to help with summer camps and summer projects
*The Garden Program is in need of more straw bales to make raised growing beds around the inside of the fence and protect the grapes
please leave a message at 253-4369 or on the contact page
These are our start-up donors...they deserve a special thanks for "getting-the-ball-rolling"
Thank you Whitefish foundation for summer camp donations
Thank you BNSF for funding the summer camps donations
Angie's Greenhouse for constant garden support
Thank you Franchini Family Foundation for operational support donations
Thank you Dennis and Phyllis Washington for donation
Thank you Treacy Foundation for the donation of sustainable farming equipment
Thank you Whole Kids for the greenhouse donation
Thank you Fiskars' Orange Thumb for garden tools and donation
Thank you Sue and Don Haverfield for your on-going support
Thank you Jane and Henry Ratzlaff for your on-going support
Thank you Plum Creek for the curriculum materials donation and to KAJ18 and Hungry Horse News for the wonderful coverage!
http://www.kaj18.com/news/grant-helps-special-columbia-falls-program/
Columbia Falls Veteran's Home has given us permission to use this beautiful building!
Thank you, Joren Underdahl, Administrator for the Columbia Falls Veterans' Home, for the opportunity to make this school a reality. Not only are we allowed to build this school but, will also be working along side the gracious men and women that served our country...
....Onions for Autism -Veggies for Vets---we are always in need of gardening materials and volunteers to help with this wonderful project.
....Onions for Autism -Veggies for Vets---we are always in need of gardening materials and volunteers to help with this wonderful project.
Next Board Meeting- TBA at the Montana Veterans' Home in Columbia Falls 7:30-8:30
Would you plant onions for Autism?
Would you plant asparagus for Asperger?
Would you plant veggies for our Veterans?
We are asking for your help....please donate to our garden programs
Would you plant onions for Autism?
Would you plant asparagus for Asperger?
Would you plant veggies for our Veterans?
We are asking for your help....please donate to our garden programs
___________The Beginning...__________
*Thank you KCFW for the wonderful interview on Wednesday, 7/31 at 10 am, please view the online version below.
http://www.nbcmontana.com/news/alternative-education-program-takes-root-in-columbia-falls/-/14594602/21270324/-/i3m1sdz/-/index.html
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*Thank you Flathead Beacon for the wonderful article, to view please click on the attached link
http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/on_a_garden_in_columbia_falls_a_classroom_sprouts_up/34567
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Volunteer, Gabe Knudsen ROCKS!!!!!
Gabe is digging holes for our grapes as part of his Community Service for the Civil Air Patrol-
Your help is greatly appreciated!
Thank you Rowdy Knudsen from Meredith Construction
for building this beautiful shed!
Special Thanks
to
ProBuild for Materials and Lilenthal for Roofing
Rowdy is hanging hinges for our shed
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Rowdy pounding down the shingles
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Gabe and Eric hold the wall up
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Eric, Kris Jonathon and Gabe showing some muscle
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Volunteer, Britney Ratzlaff
Britney has donated her time to water grapes...the hoses are heavy, but she's all over it!
Thank you!
Veteran's Bob and Agnes "Butchie" Ryan
This wonderful couple is weeding the rhubarb patch at the Veterans' Home...while working side-by-side history is told. Ben was a fighter pilot, P38's and 39"s and Butchie was an army nurse, the years 1944 and 1945. The love story unfolded during a blind date in the Howard Field Officers Club in the Canal Zone.
Please watch the Before and After videos....good job!
Please watch the Before and After videos....good job!
Angie is looking out for our garden...
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...she filled 3 truck beds! Thank you!
Tomato, Petunia and Marigolds....enough for everyone!
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Hunter and Olivia stuffing Grow Tubes to protect our beautiful grape plants
Thank you Blue-X
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Hunter in front of the future gardens
Before we started the garden program...
Old Apple Orchard located next to the garden area
This is where we held our Mushroom Workshop on Dec 6th, 2014
(Thank you Starks Brothers for helping us maintain this old orchard.)
(Thank you Starks Brothers for helping us maintain this old orchard.)
