“Everyone deserves to live a life of meaning,” said Colby Zimmerman, executive director of Hope Springs Farm. “The mission of Hope Springs Farm is to provide adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism, our Growers, a meaningful day through joyful group activities in a family farm setting and in our community.”

By expanding Growers’ abilities through essential farm chores (animal and plant care, gardening and other horticultural activities), and hands-on learning activities (cooking, canning, baking and nutritional training), Hope Springs Farm aims to help them achieve their individual goals, Zimmerman said.

The funds will be used to create a safe and healthy duck pond that will be 10 feet by 15 feet.

“This project will establish a safe environment for the wild ducks that live on the farm and a healthy and protected observation space for the adults with disabilities that are served here,” said Zimmerman. “At the pond, we will educate the Growers on the importance of protecting wildlife habitats, and how these practices improve quality of both human and animal life.”

Kim Nechay, executive director of the Perdue Foundation, praised the work of Hope Springs Farm.

“Hope Springs Farm is such a wonderful community asset. We are happy to help them create a new duck pond and observation area for the clients they serve,” she said. “We know how many smiles this will create in the future.”

About the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation

The Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, the charitable giving arm of Perdue Farms, was established in 1957 by company founder Arthur W. Perdue and is funded through the estates of Arthur W. Perdue and Frank Perdue. As part of our belief in supporting the communities where and with whom we do business, the Foundation provides grants on behalf of Perdue Farms in communities where large numbers of our associates live and work. At Perdue Farms, we believe in responsible food and agriculture^®.

About Perdue Farms 

We’re a fourth-generation, family-owned, U.S. food and agriculture company. Through our belief in responsible food and agriculture, we are empowering consumers, customers, and farmers through trusted choices in products and services.

The premium protein portfolio within our Perdue Foods business, including our flagship PERDUE® brand, Niman Ranch®, Panorama Organic Grass-Fed Meats®, Coleman Natural®, and Yummy®, as well as our pet brands, Spot Farms® and Full Moon®, is available through various channels including retail, foodservice, club stores and our direct-to-consumer website, PerdueFarms.com. 

Perdue AgriBusiness is an international agricultural products and services company. 

Now in our company’s second century, our path forward is about getting better, not just bigger. We never use drugs for growth promotion in raising poultry and livestock, and we are actively advancing our animal welfare programs. Our brands are leaders in no-antibiotics-ever chicken, turkey, pork, beef, and lamb, and in USDA-certified organic chicken and beef. Learn more at Corporate.PerdueFarms.com.

SOURCE Perdue Farms