Benevolence Farm

Stable housing and gainful employment are critical for the successful transition of women returning from prison. Benevolence Farm will fulfill this crucial need in North Carolina through an innovative social-enterprise based program. Benevolence Farm will provide a transitional living program for 5, and eventually up to 12, women leaving North Carolina prisons. We recognize that change must come from within, but can be cultivated and inspired through a supportive, natural environment. Our goal is to give our participants the time and space — figuratively and literally — to make real, lasting changes and therefor not return to prison as nearly one if three formerly incarcerated individuals do.

Participants will develop skills in sustainable farming, small business practices, food preparation and presentation in an environment that fosters improved physical, spiritual and financial health. Residents will actively contribute to the wellbeing of the farm, staking a claim in the program's — and more importantly their own — success.

We currently have a house and 13 acres of land where we intend to welcome up to five women in the next several months. Longer term we will build additional housing for up to 12 women just west of the current residence on the vibrant land we are honored to steward.

Currently, our house, situated on 13 acres of land in Alamance County, is furnished and ready to house up to five women in the near future. Our farm manager has successfully cleared over a half acre of land and has planted summer and fall crops for harvest and sale at local farmers markets. Before we hit our funding goals and bring women to our program, we have implemented a series of bridge programming activities that are available to women in the community interested in healing through horticultural therapy.