Meet Cheryl Kaletka | Executive Director & Founder of Fellinlove Farm

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cheryl Kaletka and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cheryl, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My name is Cheryl Kaletka and I am the Founder of Fellinlove Farm. As a former teacher (5 years) and education professor (19 years), a parent of young adults with unique needs (oldest daughter with seizure
disorder and youngest daughter with Down syndrome/repaired severe heart defects) and a caregiver to
aging parents (recently passed away from dementia), I considered every component of the farm to
directly reflect intentional design. Fellinlove Farm was designed and developed to socially, physically,
recreationally, mentally, emotionally, aesthetically benefit our guests in our community who may live with
similar concerns.

Fellinlove Farm is a small family farm for people of all ages and abilities, located on 11
¼ wooded acres in Holland, Michigan. The setting provides interaction with diverse animals and with
nature through ponds and a ¾ mile trail. Fellinlove Farm has been providing adaptive farm field trips
since April 2012 and became a nonprofit organization in June 2017 and a 501c(3) nonprofit organization
in May 2018. While Fellinlove Farm’s mission is to provide adaptive and inclusive field trips to people
with unique needs, its facilities welcome anyone who chooses to visit. The services and curriculum
provided during the field trips/tours have been carefully developed through the involvement of those who
attend, family members, caretakers and experts in the education field. This unique approach to nature
education allows even the most isolated people to enjoy the farm’s socially rich and engaging
environment by adapting each field trip to their specific needs.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Background: In the early stages of my career, I found myself at the intersection of education and personal experience. The birth of my daughter, who has Down syndrome and severe heart defects, marked a profound turning point. As I supervised Hope College students in a special education course, the challenges and joys of parenting a child with unique needs motivated me to share my dual perspective as both an educator and a parent. This two-year experience, coinciding with the birth of my daughter, provided a catalyst for sharing my unique skill set with other teachers. Encouraged by professors during my graduate coursework and teaching early childhood and elementary classes, I heeded their advice to pursue a faculty position. For nearly two decades, I taught nine Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education courses. My knowledge and expertise flourished through teaching, postgraduate work, and diverse experiences.

Passion for Animals and Educational Innovation: In April 2012, my professional journey intersected with my passion for animals when my daughter’s class, comprised of young adults with cognitive needs, embarked on a field trip to our farm. Witnessing the transformative communicative connections between animals and these young adults inspired me. I shared these experiences with my graduate students, who integrated research with syllabus assignments and replicated the farm experience for their students. The positive outcomes quickly led to an increasing demand for adaptive field trip experiences.

Expansion and Inclusivity: Responding to the growing interest, I expanded the scope to include senior assisted living tours, developed the inclusive Young Fellinlove Farmers program and offered volunteer work opportunities, catering to children and adults of all abilities. Both my parenting journey and professional background converge to create highly effective and educational tours, fostering connections with over 100 diverse animals.

Conclusion: My new career of executive director of Fellinlove Farm, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has been a dynamic blend of personal experience, educational expertise, and a passion for creating inclusive and innovative learning experiences. Through the fusion of my roles as a parent and educator, I have crafted a unique approach that resonates with diverse audiences and continues to make a positive impact on both students and the community.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would invite them to Fellinlove Farm in Holland, Michigan where you can see and connect with over 100 diverse animals, walk a 3/4 mile nature trail and pedal boat/kayak/canoe in a pond. In Laketown Township, we have beautiful Lake Michigan beaches and the magnificent Felt Mansion to visit! Then they can take a stroll and dine and shop in Downtown Holland and also visit the other local towns just miles away from Fellinlove Farm as Saugatuck and Douglas.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate this Shoutout to my daughters, Ashleigh & Alyssa Kaletka, my daily inspiration in all I do to help others.

Website: fellinlovefarm.com

Instagram: Fellinlove Farm

Twitter: FellNLuv

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FellinloveFarm

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/fellinlove-farm-holland

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMj5XLdjzkVNHJx8riVkGiA