What We Do

What to Expect from a Trip to High Point Farm

Members of Fountain House in New York City visit the farm on a weekly basis throughout the year. Groups consist of members from the units in Fountain House who visit the farm for a period of 3-5 days at any given time. Before the trip takes place, the groups gather in New York City to prepare. Full details are discussed such as what the weather will be like, what clothes to bring, the kind of work they will be doing, how much money to bring, and what time they will be leaving Fountain House. This is a chance to get the answers to all those questions before departure.

On the day of departure groups leave Fountain House at 10am and aim to arrive at High Point Farm at 12pm. Upon arrival at the Chalet, they prepare and eat lunch together, pick their rooms, make their beds, and decide on the meal planning and food shopping for the week. At 2pm they meet Farm Managers Abigail Jackson and Steven Pike at the office for the afternoon meeting where the group discusses the work of the day and decides who will take part in each task.

The Work-ordered Day

After the group has prepared and eaten breakfast together, they meet Abigail and Steven at the office at 9.30am. In the morning the alpacas, llamas, and chickens are fed and given fresh water. The animals are given fresh hay and the pens are thoroughly cleaned. The chicken eggs are collected, cleaned and boxed, ready to be eaten by the group or taken back to Fountain House for its daily meal programs. In the afternoon the alpacas and llamas are given plenty of hay and fresh water. At sundown the chickens are shut in the coop for the night.

The work can vary from season to season and changing weather conditions. Spring work includes cleaning and clearing the pens and fields, preparing the garden for planting, weeding all gardens and pathways, pruning the apple trees and clearing the orchards of all debris, mowing, spring cleaning, washing the windows, restocking the pantry, and repairing the farm roads. Summer work includes shearing the alpacas and llamas, skirting the fleece and sending it to the fiber co-op, reseeding the pastures, gardening, and harvesting the vegetables and fruits. Fall work includes raking leaves, harvesting the apples and pumpkins, preparing for Fall Fest, and replacing the chalet screens for storm windows. Winter work involves snow shoveling and plowing, wood splitting and stacking, and holiday event preparation.

'Down Time'

It is not all work, work, work! The daily work stops at 5pm so the group can relax in the evening and enjoy a delicious meal together in the beautiful dining room overlooking the lake. In the Summer groups can take the boats out on the lake, fish, barbecue, walk around the lake or just relax on the patio and enjoy the cool evening breeze. At night there are movies and popcorn, games, conversation, music and, finally, sleep!

Being at High Point together fosters teamwork, cooperation, physical activity and exercise, camaraderie, relaxation, physical and mental wellness, friendship, independence, and happiness into the lives of all who come here.