Click to view larger image of Redbook blurb.
AFLO story is featured in this April 2023 issue of Leesburg Lifestyle magazine, as is the incredible story of Max, Maya & Greg’s son, who has overcome many barriers to demonstrate his capabilities and intelligence.
Check out this beautiful video filmed during summer of 2022, created by the Community Foundation of Northern Virginia, one of our funders.
“John and I have spent the last 38 years working and volunteering in capacities that serve others—our nation, juvenile offend-ers, foster children, people living with mental illness, church youth groups, and scouting,” Katey says. “So this request was intriguing.” Empty nesters with grown children, they had land and a barn that John built. Katey was retired, and John was working from home.“Here we were with these great resources—time, space, land,” she says. They wanted to do something with those resources that was meaningful for others. “Our parents taught us that every per-son has value. Our religious faith taught us that every person has gifts to share.”
Loudoun County - In addition to job training, AFLO also helps growers feel connected to a community of other people whose talents, abilities, and personalities are “kaleidoscopic.” AFLO makes room for everyone, as long as they are willing to get their hands dirty and work. Hard work certainly builds camaraderie. After planting, maintaining, harvesting, and packaging vegetables, our growers sit down to eat their lunches alongside friends. Then, at the end of the day, they may bring home vegetables they grew to eat with their family.
A Farm Less Ordinary prepares for annual Feast in the Field event
Lovettsville - The farm’s signature fundraising event “Feast in the Field” will be held on September 25 at the farm’s Leesburg location on Gleedsville Road. Tickets are available online at afarmlessordinary.org/feast.
Voice of America - Employing Young People with Disabilities and Growing Life Opportunities
Bluemont - "It's a lot of small tasks that you need to do with your hands, which a lot of people might not have the hand-eye coordination or something like that," she explained. "It's also a lot of fine motor skills. You can learn that the world may be set up this way, but I can make accommodations for myself. I can go outside of the box and create a tool that can help me get the job done, no matter what."
Winchester Star - Sowing the Seeds of Success: SU students help farm workers with disabilities
BLUEMONT — A Farm Less Ordinary employs workers with intellectual and physical disabilities, and with that comes a need for unique farming solutions. Workers sometimes have problems with their fine motor skills, making tasks such as weeding, planting seeds or harvesting lettuce a challenge.
To help out, Shenandoah University graduate occupational therapy students are developing ways to address these issues.
Good Housekeeping - Everyday Hero: Growing hope.
The June 2018 issue of Good Housekeeping magazine went into some detail about why we started AFLO, how we learned to farm, and our methods for working with Growers with disabilities.
Redbook Magazine - Build a strong future
We were recently featured in Redbook magazine, in a brief summary of three non-profit approaches for helping kids with autism. We actually employ people with a whole range of developmental and intellectual disabilities.
Winchester Star - Less ordinary farmers have higher social goal (Jan. 25, 2018)
BLUEMONT — Most parents agree: There isn’t anything they wouldn’t do to ensure their children grow up to be healthy adults with opportunities to thrive and be productive. It’s hard work for parents of healthy children. It’s harder work for parents of children with developmental disabilities. Parents Maya Wechsler and Greg Masucci are working harder than they ever imagined at their 24 acre Clarke County property that is A Farm Less Ordinary.
A Farm Less Ordinary growing successful crops, people
Bluemont-based A Farm Less Ordinary and Ashburn’s Topgolf are teaming up to raise funds and awareness for A Farm Less Ordinary’s mission to employ people with disabilities.
The two-year-old nonprofit farm was founded by husband and wife pair Greg Masucci and Maya Wechsler after the two became involved in the disabilities community. Their source of inspiration is their own son, Max, who is autistic and nonverbal.
Bluemont farm creates opportunities for those less ordinary
Maya Wechsler and Greg Masucci are self-proclaimed city slickers. Living in D.C. proved to be a difficult place to raise their nonverbal, autistic son Max and his younger sister Delilah. In an effort to provide a safe environment for their family, the couple made the pilgrimage to Bluemont after buying a 24-acre farm.