The organization provides residential and vocational opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities
An organization that works with adults in rural and farm settings is looking to expand its reach in Saskatchewan.
“Farm in the Dell is a non-profit organization, and we support people with intellectual disabilities who live and work on the farm,” Lynette Zacharias, executive director of Farm in the Dell, told Farms.com. “We also have people who may not be in a group home setting or who are in independent living, come for the day and work on the farm.”
Farm in the Dell has two locations in Saskatchewan equipped with greenhouse facilities, gardens, and that house livestock.
Its original location in Aberdeen opened in 2010. The site houses 17 residents on about 80 acres that Farm in the Dell purchased.
And about 40 staff are there to support the residents and visitors.
A new 100-acre site in Biggar with two five-bedroom homes for 10 residents and a day program to accommodate almost 20 more individuals, is opening soon.
The provincial government committed $2.1 million in July 2025 to support the Biggar project while the Town of Biggar provided $350,000 in funding plus donating the land and a road to the site.
And now Yorkton is gauging interest about Farm in the Dell.
An information meeting is scheduled for June 16 from 6:30pm to 7:45pm at St. Andrew’s United Church at 29 Smith St. E.
“That’s an opportunity for us to tell people who we are, what we do, share stories, and get people thinking about if this would be good for their community,” Zacharias said. “Most of the group homes are in the city, so there’s such a huge need for rural opportunities to provide the people we support with meaningful work and reasons to get up every day.”
Farm in the Dell Facebook photo.
The biggest need for a possible Yorkton location is land.
The land needs to be suitable, and close enough to Yorkton that the community can support Farm in the Dell.
“In Biggar, the Town helps us out all the time,” Zacharias said. “They clear our snow and have thrown their support behind us and what we’re doing. And Western Sales donated a lawnmower and a tractor and are taking care of all the maintenance and servicing for us.”
Another supporter recently donated an SUV to help people get around.
Zacharias is hoping to have a booth at Agribition in November to raise awareness about Farm in the Dell and to gain support for the organization.
The more support it receives, the higher the chance the provincial government provides more funding for a project in Yorkton.
“I want to connect with companies in ag who may want to be a part of this,” she said. “And if we have enough support, then maybe the government will provide us with the operational capital because we can’t function unless the government is on board.”
One Farm in the Dell success story stands out for Zacharias.
One lady was raised by her grandmother, and after high school didn’t have many opportunities.
This lady came to Farm in the Dell six years ago, and since then has seen a tremendous improvement in her health and social skills.
“I think she’s lost over 100 pounds because she’s active every day,” Zacharias said. “And when she came, she barely spoke and we could barely understand her. Now she’s speaking in full sentences because she gained the confidence to speak for herself, and she’s one of the happiest people you’ll meet.”
Farm in the Dell started in Helena, Mont., in the 1980s.
Lowell and Susan Bartels worked with a group of parents in the community to create a self-supporting farm home for adults.
Anyone interested in learning more about Farm in the Dell in Saskatchewan can call 306-253-3325 or email info@farminthedell.com.