AACORN Community

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Kalamazoo, MI
AACORN Community

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AACORN: Adult Agricultural Community Option for Residential Needs. www.aacorncommunity.org
Donate: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/aacornfarminc

We provide a farm based program for adults with intellectual and developmental differences in the Kalamazoo area. AACORN Farm was established in early 2011 to provide agricultural experiences and therapeutic farm activities to adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). A skill-building program was launched in 2013 and became open to any adult with an intellectual or developmental difference who could benefit from a quiet rural atmosphere, small groups, and bonding with animals. Agricultural communities have spurred a movement across the nation, as these communities offer meaningful, productive work for individuals with ASD or related disabilities. In 2018, AACORN purchased a 40 acre farm from our good neighbors,
Tillers International. Located south of Galesburg and I-94, the farm came with a small house, large barn, small barn, corncrib, and several smaller outbuildings. The one building missing was an all-season center for indoor activities. We raised funds in 2019 and began construction in 2019-2020. This beautiful space has two large activity rooms, a commercial kitchen, laundry, storage, office, and restrooms. AACORN transforms lives! We offer year round programs featuring animal care, gardening, arts and crafts, cooking and baking, and activities of daily living. We enjoy working and socializing together. If you are interested in providing volunteer services or enrollment, visit the website!

10/12/2026

“Gosh, this is the BIGGEST water bowl I’ve ever seen! 😹 But hey, a guy’s gotta stay hydrated!” 💦🐐 - Eddie Pickles

10/09/2026

🌱 A Look at What’s Been Happening at AACORN!
The past few months have been full of growth, connection and plenty of activity around the farm.

From life on the farm and participant activities to community connections and special events, this Q3 video gives you a glimpse into what’s been happening at AACORN — and what your support helps make possible. 💚

Take a few minutes and see what’s been happening at AACORN!
We’re grateful to everyone who continues to be part of our community.
Expanding Choices. Building Community. 🌱

10/08/2026

🌻 Want to see what AACORN is all about?

We still have space available for our Tour & Trail visits next week! Come out to the farm, take a look around, and learn more about AACORN and our community.

We’d love to see you! 💚

👉 Check out the event for dates, details, and to sign up!
https://www.facebook.com/share/1BNmfiHLwZ/

10/06/2026

🐾 Meet Eddie Pickles! 🐾

Our newest farm resident has officially arrived—and he’s already making himself at home at AACORN. Well… sort of. 😉

Eddie Pickles is still deciding exactly how much he wants to socialize with his new people. One minute he’s peeking out from between the big red barn doors, the next he’s lounging in the barn allowing a little pet from Mary Lee. And sometimes, he prefers to supervise from the top of a fence post—especially when Brooke is nearby with the biggest smile on her face. ❤️

We’re pretty sure Eddie Pickles is going to fit right in around here. He just wants to make sure we understand that he’s in charge of the timeline. 😹

Welcome to AACORN, Eddie Pickles! We’re happy you’re here. 🐱🌾❤️

10/03/2026

🌱 Making Our Community Even More Inclusive — Part 2

Last month, we shared a look at a project taking shape at AACORN — new accessible pathways that would make it easier for people with physical and mobility challenges to reach two important parts of our farm: the garden and the pasture.

We’re excited to show you the finished project!

A new sidewalk now connects the Activity Building directly to the garden, making it easier to move between daily programming and the garden where participants grow, harvest and learn new skills.

And a second pathway leads into the pasture, to a 20x20 pad designed specifically for animal interaction. 🐐🌿

That means more people can have the opportunity to get out into the pasture, spend time with the animals and participate in one of the things that makes AACORN so special — life on a working farm.

This project is about more than concrete and pathways. It’s about removing barriers and creating more opportunities for people to participate fully in the life of our farm and our community.

More access. More participation. More opportunities to belong.
Expanding choices. Building community. That’s what this project is all about. 💚

09/26/2026

What a morning. ❤️

This Thursday, our Breakfast of Champions brought together a room full of people who believe in AACORN and the adults we serve.

Our participant speakers and their families shared what AACORN means to them, and the room responded with incredible generosity.

More than $29,000 was given during the breakfast, with the first $11,000+ eligible for our Leadership Match. That puts us at approximately $40,000 toward our $50,000 goal, with additional gifts still coming in.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, brought a friend, shared our story, volunteered, sponsored, or made a gift. You showed us what it means to be a champion for AACORN.

We are so grateful. 🌱

09/15/2026

🌱 Help Us Create a $10,000 Leadership Match!

As we get ready for AACORN’s Breakfast of Champions, we’re looking for a few more generous supporters to help create a Leadership Match for the event.

We’re grateful to already have $7,500 in commitments toward our $10,000 goal — and we’d love to reach the finish line!

Leadership Match Partners make their gift before the breakfast, creating a matching opportunity that encourages others to give during the event.

Would you consider becoming a Leadership Match Partner and helping us reach $10,000?

Your gift helps make AACORN’s tuition-free, year-round programming possible for adults with intellectual and developmental differences.

💚 Help us complete the match:
secure.qgiv.com/for/20breaocham

Thank you for helping AACORN expand choices and build community!

09/10/2026

🐐 **Help us bring the animals to the party!** 🐓🐇

AACORN is excited to partner with Residential Opportunities Incorporated for their Trunk-or-Treat event on Saturday, October 17, and we’re hoping our wonderful community can help us make the animal part of the day possible!

We’re looking for someone who would be willing to **loan us an animal trailer** for the event. We would need to pick it up on Friday, October 16, and could return it on the 17th or 18th.

If you have an animal trailer you’d be willing to loan us—or know someone who might—please send us comment below or contact Autumn @ [email protected] or call 269-391-3524. We’d be incredibly grateful for the help!

And if you can’t help with the trailer, sharing this post could help us reach the right person. ❤️

We can’t wait to bring a few of our AACORN animals along for a fun afternoon with our friends at Residential Opportunities, Inc. 🐐🎃

Photos from last years fun - Mini horse with person in Snoopy costume; Volunteers with goat and mini horse

09/09/2026

Many thanks to all who voted to put us in the top 4! We’re incredibly grateful.

If you’re a small business owner, check out this conference. It’s packed with good info…and you’ll be there to witness the Chamber Choice award winners being announced.

Address

6409 S. 34th Street
Kalamazoo, MI
49048

Telephone

+12693480985

Website

http://www.aacorncommunity.org/

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