Our mission is to provide a safe, nurturing day program for individuals with cognitive disabilities. But what about the students who fall in between?
In February 2019, the vision of Next Step Farms began as a part of a casual conversation between special education teachers and a small group of parents. These parents were facing adulthood with their able bodied special needs children with limited daily living, purposeful " career' options. Little did these parents know, but both educators had separately identified the need within this society bu
t neither knew how to implement a change. They did know that in the American Education system, students with special needs are permitted to remain in a public learning institution until age 21. Once the age is reached, it is hoped that necessary skills to somewhat independently thrive in the Community, in the Workplace and in their daily life have been acquired somewhere along the line. The Federal Addition of Mandatory Transition Skills (implemented beginning at age 15) helped to fill the gap to independence for some but not for all.. For students with a below average-to-average IQ (75 and up) and with mild disabilities, independence is often times achieved via a trade school, a community college or a university. For students with low cognitive ability (40 or lower), limited mobility and lack of independence, facilities and Medicare often provide care giving service either on a day service provision or through a residential facility. Their cognitive ability placed them lower than those who could manage the pace and rigors of a trade school, they can be somewhat independent, but they still need some contact. They have become the forgotten. They are the sociable individuals who need more assistance learning and completing a skill. Currently these individuals sit at home with nothing to do, they sit at their parents' places of employment appearing busy or completing rudimentary tasks to keep them occupied. These tasks are not necessarily beneficial to the company, but busy work for the individual. According to the 2017 Disabilities Statistics Annual Report, approximately 4.8% (21,000) of the population in Huntsville have a cognitive disability and could fall into this category. They have a few options but what if we could give them more? What if we could provide them with a functional hands-on learning and work environment? What if these young adults could learn and master functional life skills that would provide them with meaningful employment and the community with healthy choices? We saw the need. Over the next few weeks/months, that need became a vision and then an attainable reality. With the support of their families and friends, Next Step Farms began to take form. Each step of the way has been a filled with learning opportunities and unexpected change, but the determination and desire to press forward remained. In March 2022, we opened at a temporary location in the Monrovia community on Tuesdays and Thursdays while our future home is built! In November of that same year, construction began at the future and current home on Smith Vasser. On September 29, 2023. Chris & Robin Kramer alongside the board of directors, clients and their families as well as numerous community sponsors and elected officials, the ribbon was cut at our permanent location and our doors were opened. Next Step Farms is currently accepting new clients. We are open to current clients 4 days a week; we are eager to add the fifth day. To apply please send an email to info@nextsepfarms.org
Beginning in February 2025, Next Step Farms will offer five days a week for individuals looking for a safe, nurturing learning environment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkZ67lG_epE
04/11/2026
Volunteers matter!
This week- Next Step has been humbled by the support of volunteers from Wilson Lumber Co, Gracious Savior Church, Just Serve, and other Moootivated Individuals.
These teams completed the site prep for our greenhouse , installed a personnel door for the back of the barn, constructed a divider fence with gate in the north pasture aka Jessie's Pasture, supported our growing fruit trees, installed a replacement part for out dishwasher, and thinned trees to gain more pasture land.
Total hours? 12
Total volunteers? 25
Thank you for seeing our mission, supporting our goals, validating our people and mooooving out to help!
04/10/2026
Another productive and growing week at Next Step Farms! Corn, radishes and beans have been planted! The foundation of our greenhouse has been completed and we have recaptured more of our pasture land.
Tomorrow, April 11th, we will have our 2nd Saturday Community Workday. We have a small fencing goal among other things to tackle. Join us from 8-12!
04/07/2026
Next Step Farms is excited to share that Jack, Beth and Will's artwork have been selected for the 2026 Capitol Showcase Art Exhibition!
The exhibit will be on display during the month of May in the Old Supreme Court Library located on the first floor of the Alabama State Capitol! If you are in Montgomery on a Monday- Friday from 8-4, stop in and take a look!
04/07/2026
Some of our clients have earned the responsibility of being team leaders. This means they have their own team and task to accomplish in a day. We would love to be able to add to their responsibility by giving them walkie talkies to communicate with other team leads and staff! Below is the link for what we are looking for a donation of.
As heavy duty walkie talkies, Retevis RB48 is fully ruggedized to withstand shock, humidity, water or dust ingress, and other challenges. Features: IP67 waterproof and dustproof, 2 meters drop-proof, 38CTCSS /83DCS, VOX function, vibration reminder, emergency alarm, NOAA, call tone, battery save,...
04/06/2026
We're having a debate.... Do you prefer your pickles crinkle cut, thin or thick? Well either way we have you covered, you may even get a variety jar!
04/04/2026
Time for framers! Who can help us!
04/03/2026
Nonprofits supporting one another- Together we grow stronger and healthier!
Registration for the 2026 Sarah Gayle Gibbs Memorial Clay Shoot is now open! Register at www.sggmf.org 🎀 Thank you for your continued support.
We look forward to seeing you on May 9!
04/02/2026
We hope everyone has a blessed Easter weekend!
Farm animals and bunnies are fun but we hope you know the real reason for the observance!
04/02/2026
We are LOVING our Spring stock of Next Step Farms t-shirts! Thank you so much Elite Embroidery & Screen Print for making us so colorful! Stop by the farm or our traveling farmers market and get yours today!
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In the American Education system, students with special needs are permitted to remain in a public learning institution until age 21. Once the age is reached, it is hoped that necessary skills to somewhat independently thrive in the Community, in the Workplace and in their daily life have been acquired somewhere along the line. The Federal Addition of Mandatory Transition Skills (implemented beginning at age 15)helped to fill the gap to independence for some but not for all..
For students with a below average to average IQ (75 and up) and with mild disabilities, independence is often times achieved via a trade school, a community college or a university. For students with low cognitive ability (40 or lower) ,limited mobility and lack of independence, facilities and medicare often provide care giving service either on a day service provision or through a residential facility. But what about the students who fall in between? Their cognitive ability placed them lower than those who could manage the pace and rigors of a trade school, they can be somewhat independent, but they still need some contact. They have become the forgotten. They are the sociable individuals who need more assistance learning and completing a skill. Currently these individuals sit at home with nothing to do, they sit at their parents places of employment appearing busy or completing rudimentary tasks to keep them occupied. These tasks are not necessarily beneficial to the company, but busy work for the individual. According to the 2017 Disabilities Statistics Annual Report, approximately 4.8% (21,000) of the population in Huntsville have a cognitive disability and could fall into this category. They have a few options but what if we could give them more? What if we could provide them with a functional hands on learning and work environment? What if these young adults could learn and master functional life skills that would provide them with meaningful employment and the community with healthy choices ? We have a need. A need for the Next Step.
At Next Step Farms our goal is to create a day care program with a homestead feel for individuals ages 18 and up who have special needs. Areas of daily routine involvement and opportunity at Next Step Farms include but are not limited to:
Animal Husbandry
Horticulture/Landscaping
Mechanical Maintenance
Culinary Techniques
Data Entry
Basic Finance
Daily Living Skills
Crafts
At Next Step Farms, we strive to…
Accept each other understanding that we have our own abilities and limitations.
Encourage one another in positive ways.
Fully participate in teaching, learning, work and social activities.
Aim to work as a team until the task at hand has been completed.
Create a culture free of abuse, harassment and unfair criticism.
In February 2019, Next Step Farms began as a part of a causal conversation between special education teachers and a small group of parents who were facing adulthood with their able bodied special needs children . We are in the early stages of development, but with diligence we believe our doors will be open in August 2020. We are currently viewing and considering various land plots, but funding most come first to secure the land. Next Step Farms is a recognized business in the state of Alabama and we are currently in the process of obtaining a nonprofit status. We need your partnership to help secure and start up this much needed resource in our community. Once initial start up is obtained( estimated to be $800,000), daily and/or weekly attendance of clientele should maintain the establishment including adequate staffing.
If you would like to be a part of growing this much needed community resource, we welcome you to our team. It takes a village! Please email us for more information.
