Cultivate Care Farms

What Cultivate Care Farms does

Cultivate Care Farms is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2017 and headquartered in Bolton, Massachusetts, that operates as an outpatient mental health provider specializing in a proprietary therapeutic modality it calls Farm-Based Therapy (FBT). Under FBT, licensed clinicians (13 clinicians across 9 full-time salaried and 4 fee-for-service roles, plus 20 volunteers) conduct individual and group therapy sessions on a working farm where clients engage in animal care, sustainability activities, and nature-based tasks as part of clinical treatment. The organization has developed a structured five-component 'Posts and Beams' model (Hands-On Experience, Sustainability, Life Cycle, Community, Mindfulness) that it is working to position as a recognized modality comparable to CBT and DBT. The client base is children, adolescents, and young adults ages 5–23 presenting with anxiety, depression, ADHD, ASD, OCD, PTSD, and neurodivergent profiles, including a dedicated LGBTQIA+ and gender-expansive youth segment. The organization owns the Farm-Based Therapy™ service mark and holds Charity Navigator Four-Star and Guidestar Seal of Transparency ratings.\n\nThe business model blends clinical revenue with philanthropic funding. Clinical services are billed to seven major insurance carriers (BCBS, Tufts, Aetna, United Health Care, Optum, Carelon, Evernorth) under outpatient coverage, with private-pay options for uninsured clients. Group programs (e.g., Pride Pals at $50/session, Tween Group at $40/session) and summer camps ($100/day or $300 for 3-day programs) are paid by families, often via the Zeffy ticketing platform. A scholarship fund (Barney Scholarship Fund) subsidizes clients without adequate coverage. As a 501(c)(3), the organization also runs an annual fund and a multi-year Cultivating Community Campaign — a $750,000 capital campaign that raised over $477,000 by early 2025, supported by a $150,000 board matching pledge. Income is materially supplemented by programmatic grants, including a $125,000 award from the Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts — the largest grant in the organization's history — to fund Curly's Clubhouse, a group therapy facility under construction on the newly purchased (January 2025) historic Sawyer Farm property (1827 farmhouse, 1874 barn).\n\nThe organization serves 220 clients per week drawn from 56 towns across 5 Massachusetts counties, with an 80+ person waitlist — evidence that demand is structurally supply-constrained. The 2019–2024 growth trajectory is approximately 6x in weekly client count (35 → 180 → 220). In 2025, the organization launched the Hazel Initiative to deliver school-day programming to Worcester-area students, creating a new institutional channel. Distribution is direct and on-site only — clients physically come to the Bolton farm — although outreach programs bring animals to libraries and schools. Pricing is dictated by insurance contracts for clinical services and unit pricing for groups and camps. Expansion is gated by physical capacity: the Curly's Clubhouse build and property acquisition are explicitly aimed at a 30% capacity increase by 2027 and a 30% waitlist reduction within two years.

Name

Cultivate Care Farms

Legal name

Cultivate Care Farms, Inc.

Website

https://cultivatefarms.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cultivate Care Farms is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit outpatient mental health provider in Bolton, MA, delivering a proprietary Farm-Based Therapy modality to children, adolescents, and young adults (ages 5-23) with anxiety, depression, ADHD, ASD, trauma, and neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ presentations, serving 220 clients weekly across 56 Massachusetts towns.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outpatient Mental Health Services

NAICS

Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians) (621330), Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Behavioral Health for Children & Adolescents (Youth Services) (HLAFACAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Outpatient Mental Health Clinics & Counseling Centers (HLAFACAA), Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)

Keywords

• Farm-based therapy
• Outpatient mental health
• Youth counseling services
• Experiential therapy programs
• Nonprofit mental health

Headquarters

HQ city

Bolton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Insurance Billing: Cultivate Care Farms accepts insurance from BCBS, Tufts, Aetna, United Health Care, Optum, Carelon, and Evernorth carriers for outpatient therapy services. This represents the primary revenue stream for clinical services.
2. Private Pay: Clients who are uninsured or whose insurance is not accepted pay out-of-pocket for therapy sessions and group programs. Pricing varies by service type (individual vs. group, per session vs. multi-day camps).
3. Donations and Grants: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the organization raises funds through a Cultivating Community Campaign (capital campaign for property acquisition and renovations), annual fund, scholarship fund (Barney Scholarship Fund), and programmatic grants including a $125,000 grant from the Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts for Curly's Clubhouse construction. Over $477,000 raised of a $750,000 goal as of late 2024/early 2025.
4. Group Programs and Summer Camps: Fee-for-service group programs including summer camps (e.g., Camp Epic at $100/day or $300 for 3 days), Pride Pals ($50/session), Tween Group ($40/session), Teen Group sessions, and specialty day programs. These are paid directly by families.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Cultivate Care Farms provides outpatient mental health therapy through its proprietary Farm-Based Therapy (FBT) modality, delivering individual and group clinical sessions on a working farm in Bolton, Massachusetts. Services target children, adolescents, and young adults (ages 5–23) presenting with anxiety, depression, ADHD, ASD, OCD, PTSD, and neurodivergent profiles, with specialization in LGBTQIA+ affirming care. The organization is in-network with major insurance carriers and operates year-round therapy groups, summer camps, community outreach events, and team-building workshops.

Product overview

Cultivate Care Farms operates as a nonprofit mental health organization offering Farm-Based Therapy™ (FBT) as its core therapeutic modality. The organization provides a comprehensive suite of services centered around its innovative FBT approach: Individual Farm-Based Therapy delivered one-on-one at the 1827 Farmhouse, and Group Farm-Based Therapy encompassing multiple specialized therapy groups for different age groups and needs (Pride Pals, Built to Lead, The Chosen Herd, Tween Group, Teen Groups, and summer programs like Camp Epic and Get Your G.O.A.T On). Supporting services include community outreach bringing farm animals to libraries and schools, team-building workshops for organizations, wellness programming with events like Pride Day and Baby Goat Shower, and a Resource Library. The organization recently expanded with the acquisition of Sawyer Farm property, including Curly's Clubhouse—a dedicated group therapy facility under development. Services are designed for children, adolescents, and young adults (ages 5-23) with various mental health needs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Individual Farm-Based Therapy One-on-one clinical therapy sessions conducted at the 1827 Farmhouse and farm grounds in Bolton, MA, where clinicians work alongside clients (ages 5–23) on activities such as animal care, art creation, vegetable harvesting, and baking. Targeted at youth, teens, and young adults with anxiety, depression, ADHD, ASD, OCD, PTSD, and neurodivergent presentations, including affirming care for LGBTQIA+ clients.
• Group Farm-Based Therapy Therapeutic groups facilitated by mental health clinicians that provide peer support and validation around topics such as peer relationships, depression, anxiety, and self-esteem, delivered through farm-based activities at the Bolton farm.
• Pride Pals Safe and affirming therapy group for LGBTQIA+ youth ages 8–11 to connect with peers, celebrate identities, and build confidence through expressive arts, playful activities, and farm experiences. Held Saturdays at 12pm July–August at $50/session.
• Built to Lead Group for youth identifying as male ages 13–15 to develop communication skills, confidence, teamwork, and leadership through animal care, group projects, and land stewardship. Held Saturdays at 1pm July–August.
• The Chosen Herd Therapeutic group for adopted youth ages 11–14 to explore identity, relationships, belonging, and connection through shared farm experiences, expressive activities, and peer support. Held Saturdays at 2pm July–August.
• Tween Group Farm-Based Therapy group for LGBTQIA+ identifying adolescents ages 11–13 discussing school/social challenges, gender and sexual orientation, and identity development. Held Tuesdays at 6pm at $40/session.
• Teen/Young Adult Group LGBTQIA+ inclusive group for ages 16–19 discussing peer relationships, depression, anxiety, and self-esteem within a supported community, including mindful practices and animal or art activities. Held Thursdays 6–7pm.
• Teen Group 2 LGBTQIA+ inclusive group for ages 14–16 discussing peer relationships, depression, anxiety, and self-esteem with animals or expressive arts. Held Wednesdays 5–6pm.
• Get Your G.O.A.T On Summer camp program for ages 10–13 (July 14–16, 9am–12pm) focused on farm-based self-regulation, flexible thinking, problem-solving and teamwork skills through structured and choice-driven activities. Cost: $100/day or $300 for 3 days.
• Unplug & Unwind Summer program for ages 13–16 (July 21–22, 9am–12pm) allowing teens to disconnect from screens and engage with animals, baby goats, baking, art, games, and outdoor time. Cost: $100/day.
• Camp Epic Summer camp inspired by fantasy worlds for neurodivergent youth, twice-exceptional kids, socially anxious youth, and children who thrive in imaginative, interest-driven spaces. Ages 8–12, August 4–6, 9am–12pm. Cost: $100/day or $300 for 3 days.
• Diary of a Farm Kid: Back to School Edition Summer transition program (August 19–21, 9am–12pm) helping kids ease into school routines through friendship-building, animal care, and expressive arts with calm mornings and predictable rhythms.
• Oops and Daisies Group for ages 9–13 to loosen grip on perfectionism and build flexibility, tolerance for uncertainty, and confidence through animal care, farm projects, creative arts, and nature exploration. Held Saturdays at 10am July–August.
• Team-Building Workshops Corporate or group workshops involving morning farm chores and farm projects to learn new skills, motivate teams, improve communication, and achieve goals together.
• Community Outreach Program Program bringing baby goats to local libraries and schools, creating unique and meaningful interactions with the community as part of Cultivate Care Farms' outreach and accessibility efforts.
• Wellness Programming and Community Events Year-round community wellness programming including events such as Pride Day, Baby Goat Shower, and Black Sheep Knitters Club, designed to engage families and the broader community around mental health and farm-based experiences.
• Hazel Initiative (School-Day Farm-Based Therapy) School-day programming launched under the Hazel Initiative that brings students from Worcester-area schools to Cultivate Care Farms to experience Farm-Based Therapy during the school day.
• Resource Library Curated collection of books and articles to support clients and families on their journeys of growth, healing, and connection; full collection available at the Farm, with select titles available to borrow.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serving 220 clients per week from 56 towns in 5 counties; over 370 clients treated in 2023
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Worcester-Area Schools (Hazel Initiative)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025A school partnership initiative called the Hazel Initiative that brings students from Worcester-area schools to experience Farm-Based Therapy during the school day. This expands the organization's reach into the Worcester school district and provides structured daytime programming.
• Nan's Market (Stow, MA)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Community partner for the Sponsor A Goat initiative. Nan's Market in Stow hosted a community event where the Fab 5 goats were showcased to promote goat sponsorship and community engagement.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Talisman Summer Camp: Talisman is a North Carolina therapeutic summer camp for children with ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and learning disabilities. It mirrors Cultivate Care Farms' Camp Epic and Get Your G.O.A.T On programs in serving neurodivergent youth through structured, experiential, small-group formats.
• Green Chimneys: Green Chimneys is a New York-based nonprofit operating farm- and nature-based therapeutic, educational, and residential programs for children with autism, emotional disabilities, and behavioral challenges. It is the closest direct peer to Cultivate Care Farms in combining a working farm, animal-assisted programming, and clinical mental health services for a youth population.
• Hearts & Horses: Hearts & Horses is a Colorado-based therapeutic riding and equine-assisted services nonprofit serving children and adults with physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges. Comparable to Cultivate Care Farms as an animal-centric, nonprofit therapeutic model built around hands-on care of animals as a clinical intervention.
• Open Sky Wilderness Therapy: Open Sky is an outdoor and wilderness-based therapeutic program for adolescents and young adults, using nature and experiential activities as the therapeutic medium. Comparable to Cultivate Care Farms in applying non-office-based, experiential modalities to adolescent mental health, though delivered in wilderness rather than farm settings.
• Mountain Valley Treatment Center: Mountain Valley is a New Hampshire residential and experiential therapy program for adolescents and young adults, emphasizing adventure- and nature-based clinical work. Comparable to Cultivate Care Farms in deploying non-traditional, place-based modalities with an adolescent focus, though it operates at a higher acuity residential level.
• High Hopes Therapeutic Riding: High Hopes is a Connecticut-based nonprofit providing equine-assisted therapy and mental health services to children and adults with disabilities and mental health needs. Comparable as a New England-adjacent, nonprofit, animal-assisted therapy provider, though with a more equine-centric treatment model.
• Walker Therapeutic & Educational Programs: Walker is a Massachusetts-based residential and day treatment program serving youth with emotional, behavioral, and learning challenges. Comparable as a Massachusetts youth-services provider working with similar diagnostic profiles (anxiety, depression, trauma, neurodivergence), though operating at higher acuity.

Regional players

• Justice Resource Institute (JRI): JRI is a large Massachusetts-based human services nonprofit providing mental health, child welfare, and special education services across the state. Comparable as a regional youth-serving behavioral health nonprofit, though operating across many programs rather than a single farm-based modality.
• The Home for Little Wanderers: The Home for Little Wanderers is a Massachusetts nonprofit providing mental health, special education, and child welfare services to children and families. Comparable as a regional player in the same Massachusetts youth mental health nonprofit ecosystem where Cultivate Care Farms operates.

Broad incumbents

• McLean Hospital: McLean is a Harvard-affiliated psychiatric hospital in Massachusetts offering inpatient, residential, and outpatient mental health services across the full acuity spectrum. Comparable as a broad incumbent serving adolescent and young adult mental health in the same Massachusetts market, though at significantly greater scale and acuity range.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CultivateCareFarms
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cultivate-care-farms
• Instagraminstagram.com/cultivatecarefarms
• Xx.com/cultivatefarms

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles21 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cultivate Care Farms