In a rural setting in Saskatchewan, a lively farm comprising two residences, a red barn, a workshop, a communal dining area, and a greenhouse buzzes with activity. Individuals with intellectual disabilities are actively engaged in gardening tasks on a sunny August day. Some women are harvesting beans while a small cluster of men tend to the corn and potato crops.
Resident Lynne Cammidge, aged 52, feels content at Farm in the Dell. She describes the farm as serene and picturesque, recalling her initial awe upon arriving at the property 15 years ago. Cammidge reflects on her relocation to the rural group home due to her aging parents’ wishes, noting that her experience at Farm in the Dell surpasses a previous group home in Saskatoon.
Situated approximately 45 kilometers northeast of Saskatoon near Aberdeen, Sask., Farm in the Dell is a non-profit organization dedicated to offering meaningful employment and a countryside lifestyle for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Shauna Dollansky, the site manager in Aberdeen, praises the residents’ dedication to farm tasks such as weeding and watering, highlighting their pride in caring for their living environment.
Many residents have agricultural backgrounds and seek to maintain a connection to the land as they did in their upbringing. The Aberdeen location of Farm in the Dell, established in 2010, accommodates seventeen clients across two homes, supported by around 40 staff members in various roles. Financial backing is provided by the Ministry of Social Services through Community Living Service Development.
Executive director Lynette Zacharias emphasizes the sense of community and camaraderie fostered at Farm in the Dell, providing individuals with intellectual disabilities a supportive and inclusive environment akin to a large family. The organization arranges outings for residents to engage with the local community and participate in events, offering a range of activities that enhance their sense of purpose and connection.
The farm hosts a variety of animals, including alpacas, donkeys, miniature horses, goats, pigs, rabbits, and cats, allowing residents to interact with them daily. Meals prepared on the farm incorporate vegetables and eggs harvested on-site. Zacharias notes the diverse activities residents engage in daily, from barn chores to woodworking projects.
The success of the Aberdeen farm led to the establishment of a second group home in Biggar, Sask., which opened recently. The community, in collaboration with Farm in the Dell, secured funds for constructing two interconnected five-bedroom homes on a 100-acre parcel donated by the rural municipality. The Biggar location now accommodates ten adults and employs 15 to 20 individuals.
Zacharias expresses hope for expanding the Farm in the Dell model to additional communities, aiming to extend support to more individuals and families in need. The organization relies on an annual budget of approximately $3 million from the Ministry of Social Services to sustain operations at both locations.
The Ministry of Social Services confirms funding for nearly 3,000 residential spaces for adults with intellectual disabilities, with ongoing efforts to construct new group homes in various communities, including specialized residences for clients with higher medical support requirements. The province anticipates completing nine out of the ten new homes by the end of the 2026-2027 fiscal year, with the final home slated for early 2028.
