Construction will begin soon to build an animal-assisted learning farm for teenagers in Townsend Township in Huron County.

An “experiential learning farm” has begun at 4418 Medusa Road, said Donna Hammann, the founder of Love Grows Love, a nonprofit that will operate the youth learning program.

The farm will include a variety of animals including horses- of all sizes- chickens, goats, dogs and cats, Hammann said.

“It will be great for leadership,” said Kasey Miller, executive director for the South Central School’s superintendent.

Miller and a group of other adults, enrolled in the Project Leadership program that utilizes horses for learning purposes, which took place in Ashland County and will be similar to the Love Grows Love program, Miller said.

“We did it as adults, and we loved it,” she said. “It’s amazing.”

Love Grows Love had been searching unsuccessfully for a suitable, permanent location for the last two years, Hammann said.

Suddenly, John Riley, Hammann’s brother, decided to get involved.

“My brother stepped up and said, ‘I’ll build you a place,'” she recalled.

Riley owns 150 acres at the Medusa Road location where a large animal barn and adjoining riding arena soon will be erected.

“The barn is ordered and will be delivered next month,” Hammann said.

Construction is scheduled to occur as soon as the building materials arrive, she said.

A pre-built large shed was delivered earlier this year and currently is storing equipment.

Eventually, the shed will be used for a meeting room, Hammann said.

On the front of the shed are two horseshoes as well as a horse-adorned decoration next to the front door.

A large-graveled rectangular area is lined on the outside with drainage and freshly planted grass seed, all in preparation for the barn.

Local farmers and other people have been donating their time and equipment to the organization, Hammann said.

One farm donated 50 bales of straw, which costs about $250 or more in the area, she said.

The facility will include a flower and vegetable garden where the teens can learn about composting, Hammann said.

Love Grows Love was founded in June 2018 after Hammann said she and a group of other people successfully hosted a six-week pilot program at an Ashland County equestrian facility.

Since then, Hammann said she and her sister Molly Riley and several others have continued the program at various locations and saw a need for the program to have its own home.

Hammann said she and Riley both became certified “equine experiential education associates.”

Hammann said she is an experienced equestrian who has used her own personal horses for teaching both youth and adults.

Like the rest of the country, she said the group halted briefly in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Additionally, the group ran into a zoning obstacle with the Townsend Township trustees which was resolved last month.

But, with the support of the community as well as a local school district behind them, the group didn’t get discouraged, Hammann said.

“It’s encouraging to think of all the community support we have received,” Hammann said. “We have such great community involvement.”

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