Special Hearts Farm
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Special Hearts Farm is *not* a traditional petting zoo or family entertainment venue focused on animal interaction for children. Instead, it operates as a vocational training and day program for students and adults with disabilities, teaching farming and gardening skills for employment. Its unique value proposition lies in supporting a vital community program and purchasing handmade goods created by the program participants.
Key Highlights
- ✓Primarily a vocational training program for individuals with disabilities in farming and gardening.
- ✓Features a store selling unique handmade products like goat milk soap, candles, wood signs, sugar scrubs, and eggs, all crafted by individuals with disabilities.
- ✓Partners with Orange County Public Schools, indicating a structured and recognized program.
- ✓Offers an extremely friendly and welcoming environment for individuals with special needs, with amazing and grateful staff.
- ✓Provides a significant and beneficial 'day program' experience for participants with special needs, highly praised by parents.
Standout Features
- ⭐The core mission of empowering individuals with disabilities through vocational training.
- ⭐The welcoming and supportive staff, creating a positive environment for participants.
- ⭐The farm store offers unique, handmade products, serving as meaningful gifts and direct support to the program.
- ⭐The partnership with Orange County Public Schools adds credibility and indicates a well-structured program.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Do NOT visit if your primary expectation is a traditional petting zoo experience with direct animal interaction for young children.
- →Visit if you wish to support a meaningful vocational training program for individuals with disabilities.
- →Plan a visit to their store if you are looking for unique, handmade gifts or farm-fresh eggs (store hours: 8am-2pm).
- →Consider this program for a child/adult with special needs if seeking vocational training in farming/gardening (contact the farm directly for program eligibility and details).
Things to Consider
- ⚠The most critical concern for parents is that this establishment is explicitly stated by reviewers as 'not a petting zoo.' Parents seeking a traditional petting zoo experience for their children will likely be disappointed.
- ⚠Limited information regarding public access for animal interaction or specific activities for visiting children (beyond what the program offers participants).
- ⚠No details on children's play areas, typical petting zoo amenities, or entertainment features for a general child audience.
Price & Value
No explicit pricing is mentioned for public entry or activities. Value comes from purchasing handmade products from the store, which directly supports the vocational program and the individuals with disabilities who create them. Products mentioned include goat milk soap, candles, wood signs, sugar scrubs, and eggs.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •The entire program is designed for and caters specifically to 'students with disabilities' and 'individuals with disabilities' / 'special needs'.
- •Staff are described as 'super friendly and welcoming' and 'amazing', indicating a supportive and understanding environment for individuals with diverse needs.
- •Reviewers highlight it as 'the best experience for our son with special needs'.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Not mentioned in the reviews, as the primary focus is a training program and a store, not a public entertainment venue with dining facilities.
🚗Parking Info
- •Not mentioned in the reviews.
👥Crowd Levels
- •No information on general public crowd levels. Store hours are specified (8am-2pm), implying potential activity during these times for purchases.
🛡️Safety Features
- •No specific safety features for public visitors are mentioned in the reviews. The safety and well-being of the program participants are implied by the positive feedback on staff and program quality.
⏰When to Avoid
- • Parents specifically looking for a conventional petting zoo with interactive animals and entertainment for young children.
- • Families expecting typical 'family entertainment venue' activities like playgrounds, organized kids' events, or extensive animal exhibits for public viewing.
- • Visiting outside of the store hours (8am-2pm) if your intent is to purchase items.
Pricing/Package/Events
Photos
Recent Reviews
ynoT kcorymS
3 years agoI was there fixing a broken drain pipe and snapped a few pictures of the animals that started following me as I was going back to my truck. I didn't know much about the organization until I went to their website at Specialheartsfarm.com and found that they teach farming and gardening to students with disabilities. They teach them skills for employment in the farming industry. Please check out their website for a better description of all they do. Proud to know that Orange County Public Schools partners with them to make this possible.
Nancy Witte
a year agoThis is not a petting zoo. The farm is an adult day training program for individuals with disabilities. They do have a store where they sell goat milk soap, candles, wood signs, sugar scrubs and eggs. These are all made by individuals with disabilities. Store is open from 8am-2pm. Such a wonderful program.
Taylor Marshall
a year agoThis place is been so far the best experience for our son with special needs - everyone here is super friendly and welcoming.
Ruth Burton
4 years agoI love this place. I purchased lots of soaps to give as gifts. It's wonderful that these special children and forever young adults create these. A wonderful program for these blessed to be a part of it.
Stacy Carmichael PhD
2 years agoMy son is in the day program here. Amazing program and staff, we are very grateful to have this program available to us and excited about their future growth.