ABOUT

Welcome to Our Sustainable Farm, a dedicated non-profit organization committed to empowering cognitively impaired adults and students through hands-on agricultural experiences. Our mission is to foster a nurturing environment where individuals can thrive, learn, and contribute to sustainable practices that benefit our community and the planet.

At our farm, we believe in the power of mentorship and Christian values to guide our initiatives. This year, we are excited to launch a new youth mentorship program designed to inspire the next generation. Participants will engage in meaningful activities that promote cognitive development while learning essential farming skills, all rooted in a supportive and faith-based framework.

At our farm, we believe in the power of mentorship and Christian values to guide our initiatives. This year, we are excited to launch a new youth mentorship program designed to inspire the next generation. Participants will engage in meaningful activities that promote cognitive development while learning essential farming skills, all rooted in a supportive and faith-based framework.

Our vision extends beyond just farming; we aim to create a community where everyone, regardless of their abilities, can find purpose and fulfillment. By integrating sustainability with cognitive and spiritual support, we strive to cultivate not only crops but also relationships that uplift and empower. Join us in making a difference, one harvest at a time.

BEGINNINGS

The Farm‑A.C. was born out of a simple need: access to fresh, organic produce. Kathy Cox, owner of an organic café, often struggled to find high‑quality organic ingredients and local growers who could meet her needs. She considered purchasing a small plot of land to grow produce for the café — but God had a bigger vision in mind.

That small idea grew into something far more meaningful: a place where individuals who often struggle to find where they “fit” could work side‑by‑side with people who value, support, and love them. A place built on genuine friendship, shared purpose, and the belief that everyone has strengths worth celebrating. A place where community is cultivated just as intentionally as the crops in the ground.

As the vision expanded, the mission remained beautifully simple: to make a positive impact on the community, one life at a time.

Kathy shared her dream with others, and soon a team of five formed around the mission. With dedication and a great deal of paperwork, The Farm‑A.C. became an officially recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Mission

Rooted in Christ, we grow people, purpose, and community through mentorship, inclusion, and meaningful work on the farm.

Concept Formation

The Name

As the idea for a farm‑based community center took shape, Kathy envisioned the name: R.O.N.S. Farm‑A.C. Center, Inc.

R.O.N.S. stands for Reaching Our Neighbors Spiritually, reflecting the heart of the mission — not simply to offer a handout, but a hand up. The goal is to reach people from the inside out, helping them discover and shine with the unique abilities they already possess.

Farm‑A.C. stands for Farm and Community Center, pronounced /fahr‑muh‑see/ — like “pharmacy.” The name symbolizes the healing, life‑giving power of what God offers us and how He provides healing directly and through His creation in nourishment, purpose, and connection.

But the name carries an even deeper meaning. Ron was Kathy’s father — a Vietnam veteran, devoted husband, hard worker, tough but loving father, loyal friend, and proud American. He also struggled with alcoholism. After returning from Vietnam, he turned to alcohol as a way to cope, finding community in the bar with people who understood his pain. That temporary comfort ultimately cost him his life.

Kathy’s hope is that The Farm‑A.C. can help prevent other families from experiencing the same loss. By creating a place of belonging, support, and purpose, the farm aims to offer a healthier, life‑giving community — one where people can heal, grow, and find connection. The farm also plans to develop programming specifically for veterans, honoring Ron’s legacy by serving others who have walked similar paths.