our mission
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.
Farming For the Future Academy, Inc, (The Academy) is a 501©3 nonprofit, public charity established in 2011. In 2013 The Academy relocated to the Montana Veterans’ Home (MVH) in Columbia Falls, Montana. Most of our programs are a collaboration between the MVH and our Academy. This collaborations opened the door for us to develop programs for people, ages 0-100, with diverse needs and abilities. Many of these programs use agriculture and farming as the foundation to build individualized programs. Students learn practical life lessons that encourage independence, social awareness, and a respect for one’s self, community and environment. Programs such as; Onions for Autism Veggies for Vets garden program, Barnyards to Battlefields Animal Therapy and Life Skills program, Operation Intergeneration: Intergenerational Daycare, etc. All our programs are open to community
The Academy runs solely by volunteers and donations. The Academy is constantly soliciting funds to run programs and daily operational expenses. Please consider making a donation for us to continue bringing these valuable programs to our community.
The Academy runs solely by volunteers and donations. The Academy is constantly soliciting funds to run programs and daily operational expenses. Please consider making a donation for us to continue bringing these valuable programs to our community.
our programs
Our Vision
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Marketing programs are used to teach sustainable living skills. All produce; dairy, eggs, grains, fibers and meats sold in the Academy’s market to be purchased by, but not limited to, share crop holders, family members, volunteers and employees. Some students, along with family involvement, volunteers, faculty members and staff, will be encouraged to be part of the local Farmer’s Market. All monies obtained is reinvested to support the Academy and to encourage growth and sustainability. |
The use of Technology is used in programs, such as, but not limited to, touch screen instructional teaching for students of various needs. Touch screens placed throughout the farm where step-by-step instruction is needed; weeding, milking, cleaning, etc., screens have instructions broken down into basic steps to encourage independent learning depending on students needs.
Programs developed between the Academy and Graduate Students seeking experience in an alternative setting, but not limited to; education, ABA instruction, therapies, research, agriculture, horticulture and curriculum development. These programs encourage innovative and diverse learning opportunities for all involved, either through Fellowships, Student Teaching, Job Shadowing or Apprenticeship programs. Volunteer programs established and used, but not limited, to implement programs and instruction. Community members, retired educators, local merchants, etc. will have the opportunity to teach skills, give support and labor. |
Farming for the Future Academy Inc. seeks and encourages new ideas and techniques that may not have been tried in the public school systems. These ideas will be documented and the research will be used to further our curriculum and programs. The possibility to us successful educational ideas and techniques in other programs outside the Academy will be sought at a later time depending on need.
Governmental programs, such as, but not limited to; Women, Infants and Children (WIC), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamps Program and Montana Healthy Kids ( Medicaid), are used to support some of the Academy’s working capital. Grants, donations, loans and non-restrictive contributions will be used for start-up and running/operational expenses. Farming For the Future, Inc. will seek to branch out to other communities across the nation to build like schools depending on need and success and is an Equal Opportunity Employer with all that entails. |