Our mission is to provide a safe, nurturing day program for individuals with cognitive disabilities. But what about the students who fall in between?
In February 2019, the vision of Next Step Farms began as a part of a casual conversation between special education teachers and a small group of parents. These parents were facing adulthood with their able bodied special needs children with limited daily living, purposeful " career' options. Little did these parents know, but both educators had separately identified the need within this society but neither knew how to implement a change. They did know that in the American Education system, students with special needs are permitted to remain in a public learning institution until age 21. Once the age is reached, it is hoped that necessary skills to somewhat independently thrive in the Community, in the Workplace and in their daily life have been acquired somewhere along the line. The Federal Addition of Mandatory Transition Skills (implemented beginning at age 15) helped to fill the gap to independence for some but not for all.. For students with a below average-to-average IQ (75 and up) and with mild disabilities, independence is often times achieved via a trade school, a community college or a university. For students with low cognitive ability (40 or lower), limited mobility and lack of independence, facilities and Medicare often provide care giving service either on a day service provision or through a residential facility. Their cognitive ability placed them lower than those who could manage the pace and rigors of a trade school, they can be somewhat independent, but they still need some contact. They have become the forgotten. They are the sociable individuals who need more assistance learning and completing a skill. Currently these individuals sit at home with nothing to do, they sit at their parents' places of employment appearing busy or completing rudimentary tasks to keep them occupied. These tasks are not necessarily beneficial to the company, but busy work for the individual. According to the 2017 Disabilities Statistics Annual Report, approximately 4.8% (21,000) of the population in Huntsville have a cognitive disability and could fall into this category. They have a few options but what if we could give them more? What if we could provide them with a functional hands-on learning and work environment? What if these young adults could learn and master functional life skills that would provide them with meaningful employment and the community with healthy choices? We saw the need. Over the next few weeks/months, that need became a vision and then an attainable reality. With the support of their families and friends, Next Step Farms began to take form. Each step of the way has been a filled with learning opportunities and unexpected change, but the determination and desire to press forward remained. In March 2022, we opened at a temporary location in the Monrovia community on Tuesdays and Thursdays while our future home is built! In November of that same year, construction began at the future and current home on Smith Vasser. On September 29, 2023. Chris & Robin Kramer alongside the board of directors, clients and their families as well as numerous community sponsors and elected officials, the ribbon was cut at our permanent location and our doors were opened. Next Step Farms is currently accepting new clients. We are open to current clients 4 days a week; we are eager to add the fifth day. To apply please send an email to info@nextsepfarms.org
Beginning in February 2025, Next Step Farms will offer five days a week for individuals looking for a safe, nurturing learning environment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkZ67lG_epE
11/24/2025
META gifted us a tree at the Huntsville Tinsel Trail! We had a blast planning, selecting , and decorating a tree that reflects us! It was a perfect day to get into the holiday mood and share a picnic with friends!!
Make your plans this season to find our tree at the Tinsel Trail! We are near the snow globe and duck pond!
Take a selfie( or an usie) with our tree and tag us on social media!! There might be a random stocking drawing for a prize!
11/24/2025
One of the first groups in the Snowglobe!
11/22/2025
Our week at a glance!
11/20/2025
2025 Farmsgiving Lunch is in the books!
11/15/2025
11/14/2025
Our week started with staff training and ended with garden treats for the animals! All the things were in between!!!
11/14/2025
Are you looking for some new holiday flavors! We experimented with cranberry jalapeno jam, and its delicious!
11/13/2025
🛻We are honored for the opportunity to work with Next Step Farms and help them find the right vehicle for their amazing program!
Next Step Farms is doing incredible work right here in our community by providing adults with cognitive disabilities the tools, skills, and confidence to thrive in everyday life. Their mission and dedication to the community inspire us, and we are proud to play a small part in supporting their journey. 🐐🌱🍉
👉 Check out their page to learn more about their important mission.
📞 Call us at (256) 217-8440
📍 Woody Anderson of Madison
1638 Hughes Rd. Madison, AL 35758
11/13/2025
Huge shout out of thanks to Josh and Lee at Woody Anderson Ford- Madison for assisting us in securing a new to us F150! What a great farm truck this will be for us!!
We are all smiles!
11/13/2025
Update: Thank you to our farm friends the McCutcheon's for sending us a new pan!
Here at the farms we always say accidents happen, well an accident happened. Unfortunately now we are in need of a new 16in. Electric skillet. We would be grateful to anyone who wanted to gift the farm and be skillet! This is an item that we use every week.
11/08/2025
🌟 The 2025 Share Your Story Grant Catalog is open through 11/30/25! 🌟
This year’s theme, “Small Nonprofits Making an Outsized Impact,” shines a spotlight on the power of grassroots organizations to transform lives in our community.
The following 12 nonprofits have been approved by our Grants Committee to be featured in this year’s catalog:
• Clinica Medica Moscati
• Huntsville CNI Solutions
• FosteringConnections North Alabama Foster Closet
• Graces of Gurley
• Grandparents as Parents
• HATCH
• Huntsville Environmental Coalition
• Inside Out Studio
• Life or Death Recovery Services Inc.
• Next Step Farms
• ShowerUp Huntsville
• Snap Alabama
📽 Watch their videos, learn their stories, and consider co-investing to help amplify their impact across the Greater Huntsville region.
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Next Step Farms posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
In the American Education system, students with special needs are permitted to remain in a public learning institution until age 21. Once the age is reached, it is hoped that necessary skills to somewhat independently thrive in the Community, in the Workplace and in their daily life have been acquired somewhere along the line. The Federal Addition of Mandatory Transition Skills (implemented beginning at age 15)helped to fill the gap to independence for some but not for all..
For students with a below average to average IQ (75 and up) and with mild disabilities, independence is often times achieved via a trade school, a community college or a university. For students with low cognitive ability (40 or lower) ,limited mobility and lack of independence, facilities and medicare often provide care giving service either on a day service provision or through a residential facility. But what about the students who fall in between? Their cognitive ability placed them lower than those who could manage the pace and rigors of a trade school, they can be somewhat independent, but they still need some contact. They have become the forgotten. They are the sociable individuals who need more assistance learning and completing a skill. Currently these individuals sit at home with nothing to do, they sit at their parents places of employment appearing busy or completing rudimentary tasks to keep them occupied. These tasks are not necessarily beneficial to the company, but busy work for the individual. According to the 2017 Disabilities Statistics Annual Report, approximately 4.8% (21,000) of the population in Huntsville have a cognitive disability and could fall into this category. They have a few options but what if we could give them more? What if we could provide them with a functional hands on learning and work environment? What if these young adults could learn and master functional life skills that would provide them with meaningful employment and the community with healthy choices ? We have a need. A need for the Next Step.
At Next Step Farms our goal is to create a day care program with a homestead feel for individuals ages 18 and up who have special needs. Areas of daily routine involvement and opportunity at Next Step Farms include but are not limited to:
Animal Husbandry
Horticulture/Landscaping
Mechanical Maintenance
Culinary Techniques
Data Entry
Basic Finance
Daily Living Skills
Crafts
At Next Step Farms, we strive to…
Accept each other understanding that we have our own abilities and limitations.
Encourage one another in positive ways.
Fully participate in teaching, learning, work and social activities.
Aim to work as a team until the task at hand has been completed.
Create a culture free of abuse, harassment and unfair criticism.
In February 2019, Next Step Farms began as a part of a causal conversation between special education teachers and a small group of parents who were facing adulthood with their able bodied special needs children . We are in the early stages of development, but with diligence we believe our doors will be open in August 2020. We are currently viewing and considering various land plots, but funding most come first to secure the land. Next Step Farms is a recognized business in the state of Alabama and we are currently in the process of obtaining a nonprofit status. We need your partnership to help secure and start up this much needed resource in our community. Once initial start up is obtained( estimated to be $800,000), daily and/or weekly attendance of clientele should maintain the establishment including adequate staffing.
If you would like to be a part of growing this much needed community resource, we welcome you to our team. It takes a village! Please email us for more information.
