Peoria-Area Community Impact Guide 2022-2023

BLUE RIDGE COMMUNITY FARM

21529 N. Blue Ridge Road Chillicothe, IL 61523 Phone: (309) 249-2499 Email:

blueridgecommunityfarm@gmail.com Website : blueridgecommunityfarm.org Facebook : @Blue Ridge Community Farm Instagram : @Blue Ridge Community Farm

To enrich the lives of individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities through educational, social and vocational opportunities in rural and community-based settings.

HOW TO HELP VOLUNTEER:

We have many volunteer opportunities on the farm! After volunteering, you are welcome to hike our trails (over 2.5 miles) and picnic or camp at one of our campsites. If you are a…  Boy Scout or Girl Scout  Future Eagle Scout looking for a project  Member of a service/civic organization  Member of a church group  Business looking for team-building opportunities  High school or college student seeking service hours, or  Someone who would like to volunteer, make a difference in our community, and get to know some amazing individuals… We need you! Please send your contact information to blueridgecommunity farm@gmail.com. DONATE: We welcome and verymuch appreciate donations. Additional information can be found at blueridgecommunityfarm. org/donate.

WHAT WE DO Blue Ridge Community Farm is a working farm for people with disabilities encompassing 245 acres located in northern Peoria County, just outside of Chillicothe. We offer educational field trips for people with disabilities of all ages which include music, crafts, hay rack rides and educational opportunities focused on agriculture, horticulture and animal care. We also offer social events for adults with disabilities including an annual square dance, cookouts and bonfire sing-a-longs. All of these opportunities are free of charge. The farm is home to ten alpacas, four donkeys, a horse, chickens and two golden retrievers. Our season runs from May through the end of October, with individuals with disabilities visiting from more than 50 different organizations/ schools each year. 2022 will see the return of the very popular Fall Concert Series, an important

fundraiser for Blue Ridge Community Farm. This is a free family event on the farm with in-kind donations supporting the farm. The concerts are held on a beautiful hillside on Sunday afternoons. Free ticket reservation information will be forthcoming on our website. We welcome only vendors with disabilities to sell their products at the series. Please contact us at blueridgecommunityfarm@gmail.com for more information. SIGNATURE EVENTS Annual Square Dance September 2022 Blue Ridge Community Farm 2nd Annual Fall Concert Series Kick-Off August 13 3300 Event Center in Peoria 2nd Annual Fall Concert Series September 11, 18 & 25 October 2 & 9 Blue Ridge Community Farm

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