Our Mission

The Homestead Farm Center Project, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization founded in 2014, is dedicated to opening opportunities to individuals with disabilities to work, learn, live, and thrive in a rural farm setting. Located on 100 acres of the historic Thomas Steele farm in beautiful Taylor County, West Virginia, the farm center offers educational opportunities and work experience in agricultural industries to clients with developmental disabilities. Homestead Farm Center’s RURAL (Rural to Urban Agricultural Learning) Initiative is designed to help individuals with disabilities to grow in independence, career readiness, and overall well-being through training in agriculture, organic gardening, environmental stewardship, health and wellness, cooking, and nutrition. RURAL helps participants apply the skills they have gained at the Homestead Farm Center to their everyday lives. In addition, our clients work on improving their own health and wellness and have access to recreational activities with their peers and families.  Donations are tax deductible.

New RURAL Workshop coming soon!

 Construction on our new RURAL Workshop is underway this month at Homestead Farm Center.   The 50×30 building will provide a dedicated space for classes in our farm heritage crafts, including weaving and textiles, printmaking, silkscreen arts, soap making, and woodworking.  Tentative plans include a permanent corner for sales of craft items made by our trainees.  We also hope to be able to offer special education classes in our area a series of one day workshops on farm crafts.  Special thanks to our donors who have made this project possible:  Jacob and Janaya Conjeski, Bernard McDonough Foundation, Freedom Kia of Morgantown, Antero Foundation, First Energy Foundation, Arch Coal LEER Mine, Andrew DeFazio, Truist Foundation, the Congregation of St. Joseph Wheeling chapter, and our many many contributors who have given generously to build the workshop.