Quest Farm... started as a dream... became a reality... gives meaning to life and hope to the future.

Joe Richey, Director

Quest Farm, Inc. was born from a special needs Sunday School class that started more than thirty years ago. After working in the class for a number of years, the teachers watched the children become adults and realized that their needs were present seven days a week rather than just on Sunday. The teachers decided to establish a place that would provide these adults with the opportunity to live and work where they could be productive, happy, and safe. With these thoughts and dreams in mind, the teachers in the class formed a Board of Directors and incorporated Quest Farm. Joe and June Richey, a couple educated, trained, and experienced in working with people who are developmentally disabled, felt called by God to quit their jobs and begin this new adventure. At a time in life when many couples begin to enjoy some free time, Joe and June sacrificed their good paying jobs and became the executive directors of Quest Farm. They were on a quest to put quality into the lives of people with developmental disabilities.

The search for a farm soon began. After months of searching, Quest Farm found a 26-acre farm nestled in the hills of Scott County, Kentucky. Joe went to the bank to get a loan and the bank wanted $50,000 for a down payment. This was the first of many hurdles.

So Joe and June, along with the Board of Directors, spent the summer of 1984 writing letters to everyone they knew and raised about $30,000. It was getting close to the closing time and everyone had exhausted all their contacts. They kept praying and hoping they would somehow come up with the money. Two weeks before the closing, a letter and a check from a man in Oklahoma arrived on their desk. The amount of the check was $20,000 (just what they needed)! This was the first of many signs that this was truly a ministry touched by the hand of God.

Special Olympics

The farm had one residence, a barn, and a tractor. Joe and June moved in with three male adults and the dream of Quest Farm became a reality. As the word spread about the miracle of Quest Farm, so did the list of families who were interested. The need kept getting greater and greater and Quest Farm started to grow. Joe and June soon had six male adults living with them. Another residence was built in 1986 on the farm for another six male adults and not long after (1988), a third residence was built which housed six adult women. Now, the farm has three homes, a barn, three tractors, a new barn with an office and craft shop, four greenhouses, and eighteen farmers who live, work, and call Quest Farm home.

Quest Farm, Inc. is a non-profit organization, with a rotating Board of Directors from the Central Kentucky area monitoring the financial and operational aspects of the farm. Joe and June Richey are the executive directors and supervise the day to day operations. It is the intention and hope of Quest Farm to operate on a modest tuition, along with donations and grants from generous, caring people and businesses. It is the confidence and support of parents, guardians, community clubs, churches, businesses, and interested individuals, that is needed to make Quest Farm a continuing success.

The philosophy of Quest Farm is that the farmers should be able to develop independent living skills, become productive citizens, maintain an attitude of self-worth, attain their highest degree of mental, spiritual, physical, and vocational achievement, and most importantly, be happy members of their "farm family" while maintaining their individuality.

Greenhouses

Our prayer is that the farmers may reach for their stars in Quest of a full, meaningful life; that they might reach their full potential, realize their self-worth, and help others.


About the Quest Farm Logo

The Quest Farm name and logo were inspired by the words from the Broadway musical, The Man of LaMancha. "This is my quest, to follow my star." Because we believe that every person has the right to make this quest, we adopted this logo depicting a hand reaching for the star. It was created by Richard Russell of Nashville, Tennessee. It is the desire of the staff and Board of Directors that every resident of Quest Farm will have the opportunity and encouragement to pursue his/her star.