Wellington – Harvest Farm, like the men who live and work there, is slowly recovering.
Two new barns soon will be erected on land that was torched by a wind-stoked fire last year that crippled the farm’s production.
The farm also is heading in a new direction, opening up more to the neighbors and offering glimpses of the rugged work and spiritual responsibilities being taken on by 70 or so men fighting their addictions.
Jeff W. rode a Greyhound bus from Birmingham, Ala., over a week ago to work at the farm. On Wednesday, he was lobbing pumpkins to a small herd of cows, grateful for the opportunity to whip his alcohol addiction.
“My way dealing with alcohol wasn’t working,” he said, asking not to be identified. “Here, it’s God’s way and I’m getting a handle on it.”
Located about 60 miles north of Denver, near this small Larimer County community, Harvest Farm brings its residents from detox centers, social service agencies and local courts.
At the farm, residents rebuild their lives by feeding livestock and tending crops.
“We’re wanting more people to learn about Harvest Farms and how the people there are getting their lives together,” said Greta Ritchey, spokeswoman for the Denver Rescue Mission, which operates the 100-acre spread.
Residents participate in the five-phase New Life program to help them become productive members of society. The course, which can last over a year, combines academics, Bible study, work therapy and counseling.
“Before, I was waking up shaking and looking for another drink,” Jeff W. said. “These days, I’m waking up and looking forward to feeding goats.”
Much of what the farm produces feeds the local needy as well as community groups, residents and staff members.
But the accidental fire Nov. 27 delivered a stunning blow, destroying up to 2,500 bales of hay and 60 tons of feed grain as well three barns and the offices of the agricultural program.
Quick work by residents and the Wellington Volunteer Fire Department helped save 170 animals and prevent further damage to the farm.
Since then, donations of hay, feed, labor and equipment from all over have poured into the farm, including a new $20,000 hay barn.
Still, rebuilding has been slow. The new barns must meet new flood-plain standards, and insurance payments for the destroyed structures have just arrived.
Paul Paton, the farm’s agricultural supervisor, admits the last year has been rough. But it’s also been a valuable teaching experience for the residents.
“People say it’s taking so long to rebuild,” Paton said. “But it’s just like the people here. It takes awhile, but you still slowly and surely move forward.”
One of the new barns will house a living farm exhibit where students, from primary grades to graduate level, can study animal behavior and habits.
The farm is also scaling back its pig operation in favor of smaller livestock, like goats and sheep, to make the animals more accessible to people.
Adding an education component will allow the men getting treatment a chance to gain more social skills while dealing with the public, officials say.
Most of the men relish the chance to talk about the animals they work with and the programs offered at the farm, said Ben Bender, operations manager.
“Many of them come from the city, where there is a lot of noise and too many distractions,” Bender said. “Here, it’s a lot more peaceful.”
Staff writer Monte Whaley can be reached at 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com.
