ELLSWORTH, Wis. — It's been less than two years since a farm in Ellsworth, Wisconsin created a place for families and children living with special needs. Elsie's Barnyard, named after three-year-old Elsie Fleming, launched in the summer of 2022.
"I think it just gives them something else to think about, gives them something else to focus on," said Mandy Fleming, Elsie's mom and creator of the barnyard. Elsie has Down syndrome.
The pilot program in 2022 allowed families to spend time at the barnyard, where they could interact with dozens of animals and get a break from a life filled with appointments.
"We have a lot of appointments and this just feels like home," said Corrine Grotholson, whose 3-year-old daughter Kinsley also has Down syndrome.
In the short time it has been operating, Elsie's Barnyard has gotten a lot of help. They've received thousands of dollars in grants and donations, including $10,000 raised during a memorial golf tournament in honor of Nick Rhiel, who died in a car crash in town.
"They just shared that they knew that their son would have been in full support of our mission and what we're doing here," Mandy said.
Elsie's Barnyard is now officially a nonprofit. Mandy hosts special time for parents at the barnyard during which they can talk over a cup of coffee while a professional speech and language pathologist works with the kids.
"Sometimes it can feel alone. So to have that connection...to discuss medical, or therapies or anything, we have this group that we can now share information with and even just vent to," said Brittany Thompson Kinneman, whose son Gibbson also has Down syndrome. "It's just nice to have that sounding board."
You can find more information about Elsie's Barnyard, here.