Nonprofit to Open Farm Run by Those With Autism in South Huntington

A nonprofit organization that looks to improve the lives of those with autism plans to purchase a portion of the Fox Hollow Farm, a 10-acre organic farm in South Huntington.

ELIJA, which serves as a school and helps families and caregivers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, looks to use 6-acres of the land to create a sustainable future for transitioning adults with autism.

The funds would support the creation of a community supported agriculture (CSA) program where students and adults with autism will be able to work on their own local, organic farm. Once it opens, the CSA will provide an abundance of share options and a farm immersion program open to all Long Island residents, ELIJA says.

“As individuals with ASD age, many still need intensive instruction to learn essential work and life skills,” Debora Thivierge, founder and executive director of The ELIJA Foundation and School states, said in a press release. "In order for ELIJA’s quality services to grow and to support our families, we needed to develop a program for this demographic. We feel the ELIJA Farm CSA satisfies this need.”

The organization is seeking public and private support to purchase the land and is offering a number of branding sponsorship opportunities on the farm itself.

In the spring of 2016, ELIJA students were able to plant, nurture and distribute fruits and vegetables grown from a garden on the grounds of the Levittown school with help from current Fox Hollow Farm owners, Larry and Heather Foglia. Following the purchase of the 6-acre property, the Foglias will serve as the farm’s primary agricultural consultants.

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