After 14 years helping neurodivergent adults gain confidence and skills, Open Sky Cooperative in Tantramar is marking a milestone. Several participants are preparing to enter the workforce, opening new spaces this winter for others seeking a place to grow.
On a quiet stretch of Folkins Drive, a farmhouse overlooks the Tantramar marsh. Inside, Open Sky Cooperative is more than a farm – it’s a workplace, a classroom, and a safe space. The non-profit social enterprise uses its small-scale farm operations to help neurodivergent young adults build independence through hands-on learning.
Teaching through work
Executive Director Laura Hunter says the cooperative’s goal is to create inclusive communities where people can thrive.
“We are fostering inclusive communities where people can thrive, contribute, and experience a sense of value, belonging, and hope,” said Hunter.
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Hunter explains that the cooperative’s social enterprise model connects farming, business, and community involvement.
“We use the big old farmhouse, the gardens, the barn with our critters – that’s our classroom for interaction and self-discovery,” she said. “Everything from planting and harvesting to sales and customer service becomes a learning opportunity…our program is not a linear program – we work really hard to meet people where they’re at.”
The term “neurodivergent,” Hunter adds, was chosen by participants themselves to describe a diversity of ways the brain processes information.
“They taught us to use that term because it’s more descriptive – an umbrella for brain or processing differences that make operating in the dominant culture a little more challenging.”
Preparing for employment
Several Open Sky participants are now preparing to transition into local workplaces. Hunter says that change not only reflects their growth but also opens new spaces for others to join the program.
“We’ve been working hard recently to talk with employers about their workplaces and whether there might be places that could be a welcome workplace for neurodivergent people,” she said. “We’re looking for employers who have opportunities that might be well-suited to our young people who are looking for work.”
She says the cooperative also helps train and support local employers who want to become more inclusive.
“We help our participants learn to advocate for their own needs,” said Hunter. “We also offer guidance and training for employers who want to make their workplaces more inclusive. Sometimes that means offering a short presentation or workshop to help them understand different needs and communication styles, and how a few small adjustments can make a big difference.”
A place to heal and grow
Currently, Open Sky supports about 17 participants, with capacity for up to 20. Hunter says many of those who come to the farm are rebuilding confidence after difficult experiences in traditional school settings.
“A hundred percent of them have experienced some level of trauma from their experience in the school system,” she said. “One of the first things we work on is helping folks rebuild trust in other humans – because they’ve been excluded, bullied, or discriminated against. We just feel privileged that they put their trust in Open Sky, the staff, and the community around us.”
Community connection
This year, the cooperative’s retail greenhouse welcomed more than a thousand customers. Hunter says the project gives participants another way to engage with the community.
“We’re so excited to have the greenhouse here at Open Sky, where participants can learn about growing vegetables and flowers and be part of selling them to the public,” she said. “We had over a thousand customers this spring, and the support from the community was tremendous.”
Beat the Blues Unplugged coming this winter
As for what’s next, Hunter says Open Sky is planning a new winter event called Beat the Blues Unplugged.
“We’re planning it for late January or early February – a small thank-you to the community with some music, lights, and a warm space to gather,” she said.
More 📸 from the visit to Open Sky:
(Clinton Davis/CHMA News)
