‘There’s a need everywhere’: The Production Farm brings mental, behavioral health services to Sheboygan Falls
SHEBOYGAN FALLS – The Production Farm opened its new location at the former First Pentecostal Church in Sheboygan Falls.
The Manitowoc County-based behavioral and mental health outpatient clinic will offer services for youth and adults at the Falls site. The adult program, which has clients ages 18 to 30, is new.
“When you turn 18, you don't magically just have your life together — that everything just works out and you don't need support anymore,” Emily Kunde, behavioral health manager and clinical supervisor for Sheboygan County, said.
The original Farm was established at a 10-acre farm in Whitelaw in 2016, following a similar pilot program in 2014.
Wyatt Kuether, CEO and founder of The Production Farm, told the Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter in spring 2022 there was a need for more services in Sheboygan County.
“Really, there’s a need everywhere,” Kuether said at the time. “For me, there’s always been a desire to bring The Farm to Sheboygan.”
Kuether is from Sheboygan, and The Farm was already supporting clients in the area.
The Farm projects the new site will help increase services by 30%, according to a news release. It logged more than 12,000 hours of services last year.
The clinic focuses on individualized programs for each client, pairing their goals and interests. One example is anger management and fishing.
"Fish don't always bite. They (clients) don't always catch what they're looking for. It can be a very frustrating endeavor," Kunde said. "When you look at that, it's an opportunity to build skills on the fly."
She added The Farm wants to build emotional health skills around life skills.
“So, not just going to the grocery store and shopping, but ‘How are you feeling interacting with the cashier?’” Kunde said.
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The Farm has a variety of spaces for programming. A few include a music room, computer lab, art room, sensory room and exercise room.
It also partners with organizations like the Boys & Girls Club and YMCA for programs and services.
Individuals must be referred to The Farm through avenues like school districts, youth justice programs and the Department of Health and Human Services. Those seeking outpatient therapy at The Farm don’t need a referral.
Kunde said The Farm aims to be a community resource, too, offering other necessities like hygiene products, food and clothing.
Mental health is connected to all areas of someone’s life, Kuether said.
“Sometimes mental health care looks like a meal and sometimes it looks like a pair of shoes,” he said. “Sometimes it looks like a jacket and sometimes it looks like psychoeducation and ... psychotherapy.”
"There's no need to silo any of these things because a need is a need,” he continued.
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The Production Farm is at 621 Broadway St. in Sheboygan Falls. The general office can be reached at 920-403-0021 and info@theproductionfarm.org.
Contact Alex Garner at 224-374-2332 or agarner@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @alexx_garner.
This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Production Farm expands mental health services to Sheboygan Falls
