Dear *{{Name}}* ,
I hope this message finds you well. I want to provide a brief update on the ongoing discussions at the federal level regarding potential changes to Medicaid funding, which could impact services for people with disabilities.
Currently, there are proposed federal Medicaid cuts under consideration. While no final decisions have been made, these discussions could affect funding for Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) that are essential for supporting individuals with disabilities in Michigan and across the country. These services help with things like transportation, employment readiness, and community involvement—key elements that allow individuals to live independently and participate fully in their communities.
At Dutton Farm, we have always placed the well-being of our participants at the forefront of our mission. We are deeply committed to advocating for access to meaningful community involvement and opportunities that support the independence and growth of those we serve. To that end, I recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with legislators and advocate on behalf of our participants, and I will maintain regular communication with our lawmakers to ensure that the needs of those we serve are prioritized in these discussions.
We will keep you updated as things progress, remaining steadfast in our advocacy for the best possible outcomes for our community. Thank you for your continued support. Jenny Brown CEO
Dutton Farm |
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Supervisor Chris Barnett, Charter Twp. of Orion |
| Ken Dallafior, president of commercial markets at Blue Cross Blue Shield |
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Tom DeAgostino, board chair at Dutton Farm |
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A Fond Farewell and a Warm Welcome As Board Chair of Dutton Farm, it is both an honor and a bittersweet moment to share this important transition within our Board of Directors.
First, I want to extend our deepest gratitude to Chris Barnett, who is concluding over seven years of dedicated service on the board, including a term as Board Chair. Chris’s leadership, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to our mission have been instrumental in shaping the growth and direction of Dutton Farm. His expertise and advocacy for inclusive opportunity have left a lasting legacy that will continue to guide us in the years ahead. On behalf of the entire board and staff, thank you, Chris—you will be deeply missed, and always appreciated.
At the same time, we are excited to extend a warm welcome to Ken Dallafior, our newest Board Member. Ken brings a unique blend of professional experience, community service, and heartfelt passion for empowerment and inclusion. With a background that spans professional athletics, corporate leadership, and nonprofit involvement, Ken’s insight and energy will be a tremendous asset to Dutton Farm. We look forward to the perspective and guidance he will bring to our work.
As we honor the past and look toward the future, I remain inspired by the strength of our board and the collective dedication to creating opportunities for all. Thank you for being part of the Dutton Farm community. |
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Macomb Farmer of the Month
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Pictured: Dutton Farm Participant Anna Martin |
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This month, we're excited to celebrate Anna as Macomb’s Farmer of the Month!
Anna is a vibrant and beloved part of our community, known for her infectious energy and eagerness to jump into any activity. Whether she’s bowling strikes, sinking baskets on the court, or simply catching up over coffee with friends at Dovetail in Macomb County, Anna brings joy and connection to every moment.
One of her favorite weekly highlights is teaming up with Direct Support Professional Edan Bosca to show off their signature basketball trick shot—a move they’ve practiced to near perfection. You can often find them refining their skills and cheering each other on during group outings to the Greg Grant Sportsplex, where fun, fitness, and friendship go hand in hand. While Anna loves staying active and exploring new places, it’s the meaningful relationships she builds that matter most to her. She's always ready to lend a helping hand or share a kind word, and her warm, uplifting spirit lights up every room she enters. Congratulations, Anna! Your positivity, compassion, and genuine care for others make a lasting impact. You truly embody the heart of our community. |
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Pictured: Dutton Participant Judy and Dutton Farm Art Program Manager Michael Moorhead |
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Meet Dutton Farm'sArt Without Limits Program Manager
Michael Moorhead
This month, we’re excited to shine the spotlight on Michael Moorhead—a creative powerhouse and passionate team leader at Dutton Farm! Mike has been part of the Dutton Farm family for over three years, starting as a Direct Support Professional and stepping into his role as Art Program Manager in January 2024. Since then, he’s brought energy, vision, and heart to our art program, creating a space where participants can express themselves and thrive.
Mike’s commitment goes beyond creativity—he’s a true mentor and friend to the individuals he supports. His leadership style is grounded in authenticity, and his ability to make others feel seen and valued is what sets him apart. Whether he’s encouraging a participant through a new project or building team spirit, Mike leads with compassion and confidence.
Outside of Dutton Farm, Mike is a devoted movie buff who regularly appears on the YouTube podcast Hack the Movies, and he's also proud of his ECW wrestling championship belt—one of his favorite childhood dreams realized. He finds joy in family time, drawing cartoons, and making memories with his nieces and nephews during his favorite holiday, Christmas. Mike’s bucket list includes reconnecting with his Puerto Rican roots and continuing to chase the passions that make him, well—Mike.
We’re grateful for his leadership, his big heart, and the joy he brings to our team and participants every day. If you see him around, be sure to ask for movie trivia or a tour of the art studio—you’ll walk away inspired! Thank you, Michael! |
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Community Connections in Full Bloom at Dutton Farm At Dutton Farm, we believe that true empowerment comes through connection, opportunity, and meaningful community engagement. Over the last few months, our participants have been busy building those connections through a variety of exciting outings and activities that reflect the heart of our mission.
From laughter-filled performances to behind-the-scenes adventures, our community involvement calendar has been full. A recent highlight was a trip to the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts to see Mutts Gone Nuts—a hilarious, high-energy show featuring talented rescue dogs. The excitement reached a whole new level when participant Kevin was invited on stage to help emcee part of the show, charming the crowd and stealing the spotlight with his enthusiasm and stage presence.
We also had an unforgettable opportunity to explore Little Caesars Arena, the iconic home of the Detroit Pistons and Red Wings. During this exclusive behind-the-scenes tour, participants walked the same halls as their sports heroes, posed for photos in the press room, and got a glimpse inside the green room where performers prepare before taking the stage. One of the biggest highlights? A look at the underground ice arena where the Red Wings practice—bringing the excitement of game day to life in a whole new way!
Closer to home, we've continued our much-loved bowling outings—where camaraderie, cheering, and a few strikes are always guaranteed. And with the arrival of spring, we've proudly launched Farmers Market Fridays once again! Participants have begun selling the seedlings and plant starters they’ve nurtured over the past few months, bringing their hard work to life and directly into the hands of local community members. These experiences are more than just field trips—they’re an extension of Dutton Farm’s vision to foster independence, build confidence, and create opportunities for adults with disabilities. Community involvement isn’t just an activity here—it guides our work and helps cultivate meaningful inclusion for everyone we serve. As we head into the summer season, we’re excited to keep expanding horizons, deepening community partnerships, and empowering our participants in every way we can—one experience at a time. |
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Check out the video to see the highlights! |
| Warrior Serve Day at Dutton Farm
This spring, Rochester Christian University selected Dutton Farm as the recipient of their annual Warrior Serves Day, and we were honored to welcome over 150 students and staff to our property for a day of hands-on volunteering. With great energy and enthusiasm, the group helped us prepare the farm for the season by mulching, painting, cleaning, and building raised beds for our gardens. Their hard work made a significant impact—and it was a day we will not soon forget.
From the moment they arrived, the Rochester Christian University community brought an inspiring spirit of collaboration and joy. Students and staff alike jumped into each task with smiles, laughter, and a shared commitment to making a difference. Their willingness to get their hands dirty and work side by side with our team made the day not only productive, but incredibly meaningful for everyone involved. We are so grateful for their time, compassion, and servant hearts. It was a beautiful reminder of what can happen when communities come together in support of one another. Days like this remind us that we’re all growing something special—together. |
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Meijer Features Everybody at Independence Market Grand Opening!
We were thrilled to attend a special pre-opening event as well as the grand opening of the new Meijer Market format store in Independence Township, celebrating not only a fresh retail concept, but the expansion of a meaningful and ongoing partnership.
This new location will proudly carry Everybody products, made by Dutton Farm participants as part of our inclusive employment program. Seeing our products on the shelves and our participants contributing meaningfully to their community is a true mission moment for us.
Our partnership continues to grow through employment, with two of our participants currently employed at Meijer stores, and others actively interviewing, all at different locations, a strong sign of success and the positive momentum behind this collaboration.
We’re excited for the continuation of our collaboration with Meijer, a company that has consistently shown a commitment to creating inclusive spaces and supporting workforce opportunities for adults with disabilities.
We’re grateful to Meijer for their continued support, and we look forward to building on this success together—creating real partnerships, real opportunities, and real futures. |
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| Celebrating 7 Years of Supporting Inclusive Employment
Since 2019, Comerica Charitable Foundation has been instrumental in expanding access to employment through dedicated grant funding. In 2023, they deepened their impact by sponsoring our annual High Hopes Gala and nominating Dutton Farm for the Detroit Lions First Down Program—recognitions that have elevated both our reach and visibility.
As Kevin Watkins, Vice President, External Affairs Market Manager, shared: “We are proud to have partnered with Dutton Farm for the last 7 years to help advance their workforce development program for individuals with developmental disabilities. We recognize this as a critical community need to place capable individuals with roles that celebrate their strengths while contributing positively to local businesses. We truly value this partnership and look forward to continuing our shared commitment to inclusion, opportunity and stronger communities.”
We are incredibly grateful for the continued support of the Comerica Charitable Foundation, a valued and trusted partner in our mission to empower adults with disabilities to live lives of purpose, inclusion, and dignity. Their commitment to building stronger, more inclusive communities has helped create meaningful opportunities for the individuals we serve. |
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North Joins as Sponsor for Driving Fore Dutton
We are thrilled to welcome North as a proud sponsor of this year’s Driving Fore Dutton golf outing! Their generous support plays a vital role in helping Dutton Farm continue its mission of empowering and celebrating adults with disabilities.
What makes this partnership especially meaningful is that it goes beyond financial support. Last year, a team from North spent a day volunteering with us, offering their time, compassion, and energy to connect directly with our participants. Their dedication left a lasting impact, and it was clear their commitment to inclusion and community was more than a one-time gesture. As Ann Downey, Vice President of Accounting at North, shared:
I first learned about Dutton Farm through a good friend who has an adult daughter with disabilities. Through these two women, I’ve witnessed the wonderful work Dutton Farm does for adults with disabilities and their families. I introduced Dutton Farm to my work team and we spent a day volunteering together. They had such a wonderful experience! Meeting the staff and the participants was educational and inspiring for all of us. We are grateful for North's support of community involvement, and the team is looking forward to participating in the annual golf outing this summer. We are proud to support Dutton Farm so they can continue to be a shining light of hope for adults, their families, and the community they serve.
We are incredibly grateful for North’s continued partnership and look forward to working together to create even more impact this year. Thank you, North, for being such an important part of the Dutton Farm family! |
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Planting Seeds, Growing Skills: Horticulture and Animal Care at Dutton Farm
At both our Oakland and Macomb County locations, spring has brought more than sunshine—it’s brought fresh opportunities for our participants to grow, learn, and thrive through hands-on skill-building activities rooted in nature.
Over the past few months, participants have been busy planting and tending to seedlings for a variety of vegetables and herbs, all in preparation for our much-anticipated Farmers Market Fridays. These weekly markets give participants a chance to not only showcase the fruits of their labor, but also build important skills in horticulture, customer service, teamwork, and responsibility. From sowing seeds and watering plants to learning about harvest timing and plant care, each step is a valuable learning experience that helps prepare individuals for future employment opportunities and greater independence.
In addition to horticulture, our Oakland location has welcomed some exciting new residents to the farm family—two miniature goats named Cardinal and Emu, generously donated by the Tonti family. These friendly and playful goats have already become favorites among participants and staff alike. Their arrival, along with the addition of several new chicks to our flock of chickens, is helping us expand our animal care programming.
Caring for animals teaches participants critical life and vocational skills such as routine maintenance, empathy, observation, and responsibility. Whether it’s feeding, cleaning enclosures, or simply spending time bonding with the animals, these moments offer so much more than farm fun—they foster confidence, routine, and a deep sense of purpose. Together, these experiences in horticulture and animal care reflect the heart of our mission: to empower adults with disabilities through meaningful, real-world engagement. By planting seeds—literally and figuratively—we’re helping participants grow not only skills, but also self-esteem, independence, and opportunity. Stay tuned for updates on social media and in our emails as the spring progresses and summer’s bounty begins to bloom! |
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Workforce Development: Opening Doors to Purpose and Belonging
The Workforce Development Department has experienced incredible growth in the first quarter of the year, with new job placements, deepening community partnerships, and stories that remind us why supported employment matters so deeply. From building confidence to achieving long-held dreams, please join us in celebrating a season of progress and possibility. Highlights from this quarter include:
Michael Darnell accepted a position at Kroger Co. as a Courtesy Clerk after losing a long-held warehouse job due to lack of support. Despite months of rejections and setbacks, Michael never gave up—and neither did we. He immediately felt at home at Kroger, calling the store “like family.” Now known as the “local Kroger celebrity,” Michael is thriving. His mom shared that he’s full of confidence again, and with his first paycheck, he treated his family to his favorite: pizza. His story is a powerful reminder that employment isn’t just about work—it’s about belonging.
In October 2024, Zachary came to Dutton Farm with a unique and enthusiastic goal: to clean fire trucks and “be taught smart things.” Our Workforce Development team partnered with the City of Rochester to make that dream come true. With support from Fire Chief John Cieslik, City Manager Nik Banda, and HR Director Joellen, Zach became the Rochester Fire Department’s first-ever Equipment Detailer in April 2025. His work directly supports community safety, and his pride in the role is contagious. “I just LOVE it,” Zach says—a testament to the power of inclusive employment.
In addition, we celebrate the achievements of: - Angelica Travis, who received a new task list at work with exciting new responsibilities
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Andrew Young, who earned his first pay raise
- Shomae Means, who was surprised with flowers from a happy customer in recognition of her excellent service
- Michael Rollman, who signed his job offer exactly one year after joining Dutton Farm’s Workforce Program
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Our new partnership with the City of Rochester Hills, which created its first-ever supported employment position in public service
These moments are more than milestones—they are stories of persistence, pride, and possibility. We are so proud of the individuals we serve and the employers who walk alongside us in building a more inclusive workforce. |
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Empowering Creativity and Independence: Dutton Farm's Art Without Limits Program
There's something magical that happens when creativity meets opportunity. At Dutton Farm, our "Art Without Limits" program supports individuals with developmental disabilities in discovering their artistic voices while building meaningful careers. This heartwarming initiative creates a space where creativity flourishes and dreams become reality. Discovering Unique Voices Through Art
Our program opens doors to artistic exploration through painting, drawing, clay, and beadwork. Every creative session becomes a journey of self-discovery, where participants uncover their own special way of seeing and expressing the world around them.
With a little guidance and plenty of encouragement, our participants don't just learn new techniques—they develop confidence and pride. Watching someone light up when they complete their first painting or beadwork project reminds us why we do this work.
Celebrating Success and Building Futures
Our artists aren't just creating beautiful work—they're building businesses and earning real income from their talents. Through our micro-business component, participants learn entrepreneurship skills from pricing and selling their work to collecting and managing their money.
This year has been incredible, with our talented artists earning over $3,700 through sales at art shows, Dutton Farm events, and open houses. Each dollar earned represents a step toward independence and proof that their artistic gifts have real value.
Come Meet Our Amazing Artists
You can meet our artists at the Sterling Heights Farmers Market on July 17th and at Sterlingfest from July 24th through 26th. Come browse their beautiful creations and maybe take home a piece that speaks to you. Your support means the world to our artists and helps them continue growing both creatively and professionally.
Our "Art Without Limits" program proves that with love, support, and genuine opportunity, there really are no limits to what people can achieve. |
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Dutton Farm Participants Raise Their Voices at the Michigan Capitol
This spring, a group of empowered Dutton Farm participants traveled to Lansing to take part in Voices in Action Advocacy Day, an annual event that brings self-advocates from across the state together to share their experiences, express their needs, and meet with the legislators who represent their communities.
It was more than just a field trip—it was a powerful day of self-representation and civic engagement. Each participant met with lawmakers from their home districts, speaking directly about the services, support, and opportunities that matter most to them. For many, this included sharing how Dutton Farm programs—such as vocational training, community involvement, and employment opportunities—have positively impacted their lives.
One of the most meaningful aspects of the day was the participants’ ability to speak for themselves. These conversations reinforced the belief that adults with disabilities not only deserve a seat at the table—they have important stories, insights, and ideas to contribute. By advocating in their own words, participants demonstrated the power of inclusion and the vital role self-advocacy plays in shaping more accessible, equitable communities.
To thank the legislators for their time and to make a lasting impression, each participant presented them with a hand-poured candle made by Dutton Farm’s “Everybody” brand—a line of products created by our participants. These thoughtful gifts served as a tangible reminder that adults with disabilities are valuable members of the workforce who can contribute meaningfully when given the opportunity. The day was a beautiful reflection of Dutton Farm’s mission: empowering adults with disabilities to live full, purposeful lives through access, inclusion, and advocacy. |
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Thank You Donors! 2025 1st Quarter |
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Walters Family Foundation |
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Bonnie DelMonico Carol A McLaughlin Constellation Energy David Mingle Desi Grozenski
Don MacDonald Elaine Wischmeyer Gary and Janelle Denis
Grant Downs Jake Feldman James & Michele Smither
James Rapelje Janet Kilbride Janis Ripple
Jill Markey John Else II Jonathan Smith
Joseph Galasso Jr. Katherine & Mike DiClaudio Katherine Gaughen
Kathleen KramerKaty Jarrod Pitstick Kim Christie Tello
Knights of Columbus- Michigan State Council Kristen Jennings |
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Laura Miehls Maggie Hay Marianne Snell
Mary Kowalski-Wilhelm Mary Staffhorst MDARD
Midwest Vision Partners Mike Linc New Covenant Church of Auburn Hills
Patty & Chris DelMonico Philip Jeszke Phillip Rosenkrantz
Rebecca Stilson Richard & Linda Thompson Richard Yandora
Rochester Rotary Charities, Inc. Scott Avery Springhill Housing Corporation
Stephan Lawson Suburban Bolt & Supply Susan Hoprick
Susan Wood Thomas & Geri Jablonski Women's National Farm and Garden Assoc. |
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Thank you to our 2025 Driving Fore Dutton Sponsors! |
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