Adult Agricultural Community Option for Residential Needs

May 2026

Hello AACORN Friends,

As AACORN continues to grow, this season has brought exciting new opportunities and thoughtful planning for the future.

Over the past several months, AACORN leadership and the Board of Directors have been working to align responsibilities in ways that best support the organization’s long-term goals, future growth, and continued stability. As part of that process, I have transitioned into the role of Director of Communications and Community Engagement, where I will continue focusing on community partnerships, outreach, events, communications, donor engagement, and sharing AACORN’s story.

During this transition period, Dr. Liz Farner is serving as Interim Executive Director, and we will be working closely together as AACORN continues strengthening its leadership structure to support future growth and development efforts.

AACORN remains deeply committed to its mission, participants, families, and community, and I’m excited to continue supporting the organization in this new role.

Support Our Mission

Thank you to everyone who has already completed our supporter preferences survey. Your feedback helps us better understand how you’d like to stay connected and engaged with AACORN as we continue to grow.

If you have not yet had a chance to complete the survey, we would greatly appreciate a few minutes of your time. Your input truly helps shape what comes next.

Thank you for your continued support of AACORN and belief in our mission.



With gratitude,

Mary

May is the big gardening month. Garden prep started with our farm assistant, Brian, spending two full days tilling up all of the walkways. After that, program participants helped lay cardboard and move mulch into the paths to help suppress weeds (with animal manure for fertilizer, everything grows well!). Program participants also assisted Brian with putting the hoops back up for our vine-growing vegetables, which was a huge help. On top of that, we’ve already started planting. So far we have hardy leafy greens, cabbage, onions, garlic, carrots, corn, and potatoes planted.

Participants Sarah and Kaylyn loading wood chips into a wheelbarrow for the garden paths.

Ben lays down cardboard before the wood chips are added to the garden paths, helping ensure everyone has access to the plants.

Program staff Beth works with Clarise (seated) to plant herbs in the raised beds we call "waisties." These beds allow easy access for people who find it easier to work from a seated position.

It seems fitting that a realty group would come out to relocate our greenhouse, doesn't it? Here are Keller Williams volunteers dismantling the greenhouse in order to fix the ground it is setting on.

The plan is to level the area, lay stone, and rebuild it into a fully functioning greenhouse space. We are very excited to see this project come together. The scope of the work requires outside help from dedicated volunteers like these.

We also hosted two volunteer groups from Plante Moran. One group helped dig up bulbs throughout the property,

The other group from Plante Moran focused on weeding our produce and perennial gardens. The hard work from both groups was greatly appreciated and made a noticeable difference. 

Above Left: Program Staff Leana shown milking one of the does who gave birth in April. The goat milk is frozen for use throughout the year in making soap. Below Left: Jesse is getting a kick out of bottle feeding two of the goat kids. They have also started nibbling grass and hay.

Above Right: Elliot is giving some love to Dottie, born in April. Our goats are handled right from birth, so they grow up quite tame. Below Left: Program Manager Sam and Property Manager Autumn (below right corner) are learning how to shear Faye, one of our two new sheep.

Tuesday, June 16 ~ The Prairies Golf Club

5303 W Main, Kalamazoo



Join us for our Annual Golf Outing—supporting tuition-free participation in AACORN’s farm-based programming. Whether you play, sponsor, or donate golf-related items, your involvement helps make these opportunities accessible to all.

Learn more and register below, or contact mary.pickett@aacorncommunity.org

to be part of it.