Triform Camphill Community

It’s just before 6 AM and the day at Triform has already begun. This morning I’m with householder Max vom Stein, his daughter, Lily, and co-worker, Lena, as they start the daily routine of caring for and milking Triform’s cows. These beautiful animals are a big part of the farm and Max was kind enough to give me a tour of the dairy operation to let me get sense of just how these cows fit into the bigger picture of the community. While we talk, Max is busy herding heifer calves born this spring to nurse with their mothers.   He explains that Triform’s herd is a mixed one, combing a variety of breeds, including Jersey, Devon, and Swiss Brown cows.   Once the calves are seen to, we move on to milking. I learn right away that Triform’s cows are more than just livestock; each has their own name and distinct personality. Lily introduces me to Stormy, a very sweet Holstein that I’m told is one of the cows most beloved by the community.   As we settle in to milk, slowly ...

Maryellen Reidy, Triform's Day Hab Coordinator recently attended the 3rd annual Camphill Foundation's Research Symposium. She was gracious enough to share the following report on the Symposium's proceedings. -- I was fortunate to attend the Camphill Foundation Research Symposium July 26-28, 2017 at Solaris in Hudson, NY.   Of particular interest to me were the regulations regarding funding (i.e. Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) operated by the NYS Office of People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) under the oversite of the NYS Department of Health (DOH), the State’s Medicaid Agency). I will attempt to offer a brief overview of what lies ahead and what we can begin to do now.   Under this “new” system, an individual funded through the HCBS Waiver must be offered a choice of what they do for work and where they work; the individual should be able to decide for themselves; they should be integrated into the greater community (working alongside those ...