Triform Camphill Community, in Hudson, New York, is a residential community for young adults with developmental disabilities. It includes a dynamic mix of over 110 people spanning many generations, cultures and ranges of ability. Forty young adults with social, mental, physical and emotional disabilities, live and work side-by-side with full time volunteer resident staff and the staff’s families on a 500+ acre biodynamic/organic farm in beautiful Columbia County, NY. Triform is a model of care where young men and women with Autism, Down syndrome, and other developmental and neurological disabilities participate in dignified, purposeful work, share in warm, supportive relationships and make meaningful contributions to the well-being of everyone in the Triform community. Triform is changing the way we understand and appreciate the capabilities of people with special needs.
Triform is a forerunner and model in the disabilities field, where the ideals of inclusion and the development of individual potential are in the forefront. Triform’s programs promote confidence, self-worth, independence and achievement on many levels. The Triform special needs community offers an enriching social, intellectual and cultural life for its students, and year-round vocational opportunities in organic and biodynamic farm and gardening. Triform is among a select group of farms in the US certified by Demeter, which is regarded as the highest level of organic farming certification in the world.
Size of farm: Triform is 430 acres, which includes a diverse garden, many acres of forest and three farms working closely together.
Diversity of production: Two acres of mixed vegetables, flowers, herbs, berries and fruit, as well as 30 dairy cows, 20 steers, 20 pigs and 12 ewes plus lambs.
Apprenticeship details: Apprentices are housed in one of our community houses, help with social and physical care of our special companions, as well as with domestic chores and some meal preparation. They take full part in the farm life and are given opportunities to focus on gardening, animal husbandry or both. Apprentices are expected to join in 2 to 3 early morning milkings or harvesting. Official work hours are 9 am to noon and 2:30 to 5:30 pm, but may sometimes be extended beyond those hours.
Each apprentice has a full day off, is provided with a small stipend, full room and board, and access to a car.
Mentor Farmers: Etienne Bissonette, Max Von Stein
Address: 20 Triform Rd, Hudson, NY 12534
Phone: 518-567-4242 Email: etienne@triform.org (link sends e-mail)
Website: www.triform.org (link is external)