Farming… with Autism
Presented by Jesse Bell
November 9, 2005
National Training Workshop
Burlington, Vermont
Farming… with Autism
Sunrise over Cobscook Bay
Farming… with Autism
I am Jesse Bell from
Edmunds, Maine. I
have a developmental
disability called
Autism.
Farming… with Autism
Most people who have
autism have trouble
with verbal and nonverbal communication
and social interaction.
Farming… with Autism
I have sensory overload and I
cover my ears with my hands;
sometimes I hum to calm myself
down.
I also rub my hands together
to help process what is
happening.
Farming… with Autism
I need to move around a
lot and sometimes I don’t
like staying still.
Farming… with Autism
When I first get up, I
bounce on a minitrampoline to “oldies”
music for 15 minutes
each morning. This
helps me get ready for
my day.
Farming… with Autism
Tide Mill Farm is our
family farm on
Cobscook Bay.
There have been nine
generations on the
land.
Farming… with Autism
We raise organic
chickens, cows, pigs &
vegetables.
Farming… with Autism
I use my John
Deere ‘Gator
to get around
the farm.
I take things to
the people that
are baling the
hay.
Farming… with Autism
Each day I carry grain and
water with the ‘Gator’ to
600 pasture-raised meat
birds.
They arrive at our post
office as day-old chicks.
They live in the greenhouse
and then we move them to
these movable pens.
Farming… with Autism
I get grain for the
chickens and pigs
from the large bin.
The pig feeder holds
one ton of organic
feed that is
delivered from
northern Maine.
Farming… with Autism
When the round silage
bales are brought to the
barn area, it is my job to
wrap them for storage.
My older brother shows
me how to hitch the
plastic wrap in the twine.
Farming… with Autism
I have to be sure that I wind it at an even speed.
Farming… with Autism
I mark it with a
black marker
after it is all
wrapped.
I have to be sure
each one is
wrapped two
times.
Farming… with Autism
Now a tractor will come to move the bale.
Farming… with Autism
This is how we heat
the greenhouse and
my brother’s house.
I help split and haul
the firewood.
Farming… with Autism
We had to get the dry bales in before the rain.
I like to drive the diesel ‘Mule.
Farming… with Autism
I use walkie-talkies to stay in touch.
Farming… with Autism
I can do lots of things. I need clear directions
and sometimes I need help to do certain things.
Farming… with Autism
I am a member
of the Whiting
Volunteer Fire
Department.
I go to all the
meetings and
trainings.
Farming… with Autism
A few years ago I bought this 1953 Studebaker
pick up truck. I want to restore it. There was
one like this on the farm in the 60s.
Farming… with Autism
And on the horizon are changes….
Farming… with Autism
… organic dairy cows
will soon arrive on
Tide Mill Farm …
Farming… with Autism
…and there will be many new
things for me to learn to do
when we start milking cows.
Farming… with Autism
“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.
Live the life you have imagined.”
Henry David Thoreau
Farming… with Autism
Thank you for attending this presentation today.
Farming… with Autism
Do you have any questions ?
Farming… with Autism
Tide Mill Farms
~nine generations on Cobscook Bay~
Jane, Robert, and Jesse Bell
207.733.7591
www.tidemillfarm.com
www.tidemillorganicfarm.com