With the goal of offering indoor and outdoor activities such as a petting farm, riding stables and a farmers market, the Promised Land Ranch + Preserve in Menomonee Falls — a project of the nonprofit America Farms Inc.— is being revitalized, with hopes to open by summer.
The vision is to bring all walks of life together, from special needs to the perfect athlete, said Stuart Winter, co-founder of the project.
Winter said he was “overwhelmed” in light of the support the project has received from the community in the last seven months, including volunteer support and donations.
“Miracle after miracle have occurred,” he said.
The project, W187 N8581 Maple Road, will occupy 80 acres.
Care for the soul
According to village documents, the facility will offer a riding arena and stable with equine therapy and private access for people with disabilities and veterans coping with PTSD.
It will also include an 18-hole mini golf course and clubhouse activities; trail riding and hiking; sale of in-season fruits and vegetables; public and private events in the activities barn; woodshop and technical skills training; a group home and organic farming, tree planting and land conservancy, according to village documents.
“We want to resurrect the petting zoo and have minimal livestock,” said co-founder Tim Winter. “We feel we have a viable business plan.” He said some of the programs will be private with limited public access.
More than a dozen community members wrote letters to village officials supporting the project. Village President Dave Glasgow said it was nice for the village to receive emails in support of a project.
“The care of the soul is probably the most important thing we can offer our fellow man,” Glasgow said.
Background
The Ranch Community Services formerly operated out of the space being taken over by Promised Land, working with developmentally disabled adults and also operating activities such as miniature golf and horse stables for many years, according to village documents. In November 2006 Curative Care Network Inc. acquired Ranch Community Services and focused on residential and daycare services to people with disabilities.
Curative Care Network still offers adult daycare services for adults with disabilities from ages 18-29 on the property adjacent to this project at W187 N8661 Maple Ave., according to Curative Services’ website. Winter said Curative will still operate its programs when the Promised Land Ranch + Preserve opens.
“We want to work with Curative and with other nonprofits,” said Tim Winter. His son, Stuart, emphasized that there have been a lot of community members excited about making this project happen.
“We can’t wait to bring wellness and wholeness into the community,” he added.
For more information, to volunteer or to make a donation
For more information on making a donation or volunteering, visit www.thepromisedlandranchandpreserve.com or www.americafarms.org
Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @KozlowiczCathy.
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