When Nina and Neil Rovner were looking for something meaningful for their daughter Miriam (Mimi) to do after she graduated from high school, they were disappointed with what they found. They researched programs and visited locations all over the country and decided they could hopefully create what they wanted locally. In the fall of 2004, they purchased a small family farm in East Hanover Township, Hershey, PA, and named it Hope Springs Farm. It took almost a year to complete the renovations. When the renovations were done, the Rovner’s realized their dream and the dream of many other families – a place for adults to enjoy a meaningful and purposeful day surrounded by the beauty of nature.

The Farm opened in October 2005 with four adult Growers. In 2014 Nina and Neil were recognized as the recipients of the prestigious Jefferson Award for their work in Dauphin County and nominated as a couple for the national Jefferson Awards. Over the years, the program has grown and evolved and serves over 50 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Link to the Jefferson Article by clicking on the picture below