Blanchet Farm
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| lending a helping hand |
The Blanchet Farm is located in Yamhill County, near Carlton, Oregon. The Farm was first
purchased in 1962 and now is a little over 60-acres in size. It's mission reflects the original
Catholic Worker Movement notion of the homeless and people in recovery working on a
farm, far away from the temptations of city life. Over the years, the Farm has been very
successful in changing lives and is a thriving place with several different types of operations.
Approximately twenty one men live at the Farm at any one time, usually staying between
three to six months. Most arrive there by referrals from various recovery and rehab
agencies in our area. All of the men are required to work a full day in one of several areas.
In addition, Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotis Anonymous meetings are held nightly on
the property, with the exception of Friday and Sunday nights when men are allowed to go to
outside meetings in either Newberg or McMinnville.
Work on the farm consists of caring for the 300 egg laying hens, feeding hogs and keeping
their pens clean, constant maintenance of the buildings, lawn and brush cutting, vehicle
repair, wood shop assignments, meal prep and pruning of numerous bushes, fruit trees and
Christmas trees. Most of the eggs collected are destined for the downtown Portland
location.
One of the principal activities at the farm is a woodworking shop, located in the former
laundry room. Some of the previous guests have had woodworking skills and passed on
those skills to others before they left. Besides producing the farms trademark Adirondack
chairs, the shop has just completed several pieces of furniture for the new downtown
facility. These include tables and stools for the new dining hall, and dressers, desks and
nightstands for the upstairs housing units..
The Blanchet Farm is an active place that generates a good deal of pride, skills and
self-esteem in the men who reside there. Far away from the temptations of downtown, the
men who come to the farm have a chance to get back on their feet and become farmers at
work.
purchased in 1962 and now is a little over 60-acres in size. It's mission reflects the original
Catholic Worker Movement notion of the homeless and people in recovery working on a
farm, far away from the temptations of city life. Over the years, the Farm has been very
successful in changing lives and is a thriving place with several different types of operations.
Approximately twenty one men live at the Farm at any one time, usually staying between
three to six months. Most arrive there by referrals from various recovery and rehab
agencies in our area. All of the men are required to work a full day in one of several areas.
In addition, Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotis Anonymous meetings are held nightly on
the property, with the exception of Friday and Sunday nights when men are allowed to go to
outside meetings in either Newberg or McMinnville.
Work on the farm consists of caring for the 300 egg laying hens, feeding hogs and keeping
their pens clean, constant maintenance of the buildings, lawn and brush cutting, vehicle
repair, wood shop assignments, meal prep and pruning of numerous bushes, fruit trees and
Christmas trees. Most of the eggs collected are destined for the downtown Portland
location.
One of the principal activities at the farm is a woodworking shop, located in the former
laundry room. Some of the previous guests have had woodworking skills and passed on
those skills to others before they left. Besides producing the farms trademark Adirondack
chairs, the shop has just completed several pieces of furniture for the new downtown
facility. These include tables and stools for the new dining hall, and dressers, desks and
nightstands for the upstairs housing units..
The Blanchet Farm is an active place that generates a good deal of pride, skills and
self-esteem in the men who reside there. Far away from the temptations of downtown, the
men who come to the farm have a chance to get back on their feet and become farmers at
work.
| For information about volunteering opportunities call (503) 226-3911 Blanchet House of Hospitality | 340 NW Glisan Street | Portland, OR 97209 | (503) 241-4340 |