About Special Hearts Farm
Special Hearts Farm is *not* a traditional petting zoo or family entertainment venue focused on animal interaction for children. Instead, it operates as a vocational training and day program for students and adults with disabilities, teaching farming and gardening skills for employment. Its unique value proposition lies in supporting a vital community program and purchasing handmade goods created by the program participants.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Individuals or families looking to support a valuable community program that empowers individuals with disabilities.Shopping for unique, handmade gifts and products with a strong social impact.Parents of children or adults with special needs who might benefit from a vocational training program in farming and gardening (specific program enrollment required).Anyone interested in learning about and appreciating the work of individuals with disabilities in a supportive environment.Primarily serves students and adults with disabilities participating in their vocational day program. Reviews highlight it as a beneficial experience for 'our son with special needs' and 'forever young adults'.
Why families love it
- Primarily a vocational training program for individuals with disabilities in farming and gardening.
- Features a store selling unique handmade products like goat milk soap, candles, wood signs, sugar scrubs, and eggs, all crafted by individuals with disabilities.
- Partners with Orange County Public Schools, indicating a structured and recognized program.
- Offers an extremely friendly and welcoming environment for individuals with special needs, with amazing and grateful staff.
- Provides a significant and beneficial 'day program' experience for participants with special needs, highly praised by parents.
- The core mission of empowering individuals with disabilities through vocational training.
Insider tips
- Do NOT visit if your primary expectation is a traditional petting zoo experience with direct animal interaction for young children.
- Visit if you wish to support a meaningful vocational training program for individuals with disabilities.
- Plan a visit to their store if you are looking for unique, handmade gifts or farm-fresh eggs (store hours: 8am-2pm).
- Consider this program for a child/adult with special needs if seeking vocational training in farming/gardening (contact the farm directly for program eligibility and details).
Good to know before you go
- Parents specifically looking for a conventional petting zoo with interactive animals and entertainment for young children.
- Families expecting typical 'family entertainment venue' activities like playgrounds, organized kids' events, or extensive animal exhibits for public viewing.
- Visiting outside of the store hours (8am-2pm) if your intent is to purchase items.
- The most critical concern for parents is that this establishment is explicitly stated by reviewers as 'not a petting zoo.' Parents seeking a traditional petting zoo experience for their children will likely be disappointed.
- Limited information regarding public access for animal interaction or specific activities for visiting children (beyond what the program offers participants).
- Value
- No explicit pricing is mentioned for public entry or activities. Value comes from purchasing handmade products from the store, which directly supports the vocational program and the individuals with disabilities who create them. Products mentioned include goat milk soap, candles, wood signs, sugar scrubs, and eggs.
- Accessibility
- The entire program is designed for and caters specifically to 'students with disabilities' and 'individuals with disabilities' / 'special needs'.
- Safety
- No specific safety features for public visitors are mentioned in the reviews. The safety and well-being of the program participants are implied by the positive feedback on staff and program quality.
What parents say
"I was there fixing a broken drain pipe and snapped a few pictures of the animals that started following me as I was going back to my truck. I didn't know much about the organization until I went to their website at Specialheartsfarm.com and found that they teach farming and gardening to students with disabilities. They teach them skills for employment in the farming industry. Please check out their website for a better description of all they do. Proud to know that Orange County Public Schools partners with them to make this possible."
3 years ago
"This is not a petting zoo. The farm is an adult day training program for individuals with disabilities. They do have a store where they sell goat milk soap, candles, wood signs, sugar scrubs and eggs. These are all made by individuals with disabilities. Store is open from 8am-2pm. Such a wonderful program."
a year ago
"This place is been so far the best experience for our son with special needs - everyone here is super friendly and welcoming."
a year ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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