Every once in a while, if you’re lucky, you get the opportunity to spend time in a space that reminds you just how important community is. That feeling was exactly what we experienced when we got to spend the morning with the team and participants of Dutton Farm.
Dutton Farm was founded in 2010 when a local family found themselves with limited options for their daughter, Becca. Having watched Becca struggle for years to find the right support in the community in order for her to be able to explore her gifts to her fullest ability, the mother-daughter team of Michelle and Jenny decided it was time to find a solution. With a property donation and support from Jim Smither, Becca’s father, Dutton Farm officially had a place to call home allowing the program began to take on a life. Today, Dutton Farm has over 150 families that participate in the program, with over 1500 kids attending field trips from the Rochester Schools and over 200+ customers and community partners participating in their Farmer's Market.
Not only is Dutton Farm a safe, welcoming, inclusive environment for everyone, it’s also one of the most beautiful properties, tucked alongside the border of Rochester Hills and Oakland Township. Located just before the old farm sign showcasing “farmers market Fridays” is a winding dirt driveway leading to a beautiful greenhouse featuring a pick-your-own flower garden, a house that doubles as a classroom, a newly constructed education center and acres of farm land where goats play, and gardens grow.
During our visit we were greeted with warm hugs from participants, stories of families past and present, and tours of each space - showcasing all of the different areas of enrichment. Participants at Dutton are taught a wide range of skills that give them a prideful sense of independence that shines through as they show off their area of expertise. A few of the roles at the farm include working as a team, caring for animals, tending to gardens, and honing their skills as an artist and maker.
In addition to skills taught on the Farm, Dutton partners with local businesses to offer off-site experiences. The support from community partners allows participants to go out into the community to volunteer, socialize and learn consumerism skills while bringing more importance and awareness of what Dutton Farm offers.
After seeing the incredible ways that employment and purpose impacted the participants, CEO and Founder of Dutton Farm, Jenny Brown decided to take her mission even further. Jenny decided to start a natural bath and body company called Everybody by Dutton Farm. whose mission was to build a profitable brand using an unconventional and inclusive workforce. Money and time were both scarce, so she started small with just a single bar of handmade orange soap. That single bar of soap allowed her to land a deal with a local bed and breakfast which generated the revenue to hire her first employee. She knew right then that she wanted to experience that feeling again and again, and through dedication and hard work over the last several years, Everybody Inc. has employed 15 people and provided over 13,000 hours of employment. Those hours of employment that Everybody has created equate to financial freedom and independence, buying power, dignity, and economic stimulation in our local community. Most of all, the impact of their brand brings equality and respect to individuals with developmental disabilities. Several of Everybody’s initial employees were recruited by other companies who watched their journey and felt challenged and inspired to get involved. Today, Everybody has 10 employees and has shipped their products to 45 states across America.
Our trip to Dutton Farm, and the participants that greeted us, reminded us just how important community is and how each one of us are so perfectly unique and deserving of creating a beautiful life of our very own, however that may look to each of us.
Learn more about Dutton Farm and the incredible way it shapes the community by visiting https://www.duttonfarm.org.
Dutton Farm is located at 2290 Dutton Rd, Rochester, MI 48306 and offers you-pick pumpkin patches, flower patches and other goodies during Friday Farmers Markets. Check the website for their calendar of events, schedule is subject to change.
Our mission at Dutton Farm is to empower and support adults with disabilities in order for them to live a life of purpose, inclusion and dignity.