Our mission and Vision
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide a safe and nurturing day program for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who seek to participate in a homestead type environment.
Our Vision
The Vision of Next Step Farms is to provide a hands on program for special needs adults through the production of farm fresh protein, produce, and products generated through the farm theme environment
Cultural Statement
At Next Step Farms our goal is to create a day care program with a homestead feel for individuals ages 18 and up who have special needs. Areas of daily routine involvement and opportunity at Next Step Farms include but are not limited to:
- Animal Husbandry
- Horticulture/Landscaping
- Mechanical Maintenance
- Culinary Techniques
- Data Entry
- Basic Finance
- Daily Living Skills
- Crafts
At Next Step Farms, we strive to…
- Accept each other understanding that we have our own abilities and limitations.
- Encourage one another in positive ways.
- Fully participate in teaching, learning, work and social activities.
- Aim to work as a team until the task at hand has been completed.
- Create a culture free of abuse, harassment and unfair criticism.
Leadership
Robin Kramer
Jerry 'Junior" Seymour
Christopher Kramer
Owner
Chief Executive Officer
Founding Member
Visionary
Robin Kramer has a Master's degree in Collaborative Special Education. She taught for 25 years as a Special Education teacher with Madison County Schools. Serving the adult special needs community has been a vision that she has had for many years. Through the love, support guidance and encouragement of her family and friends, Next Step Farms has come to life.
Christopher Kramer
Jerry 'Junior" Seymour
Christopher Kramer
Board President
Chris has a passion for small business and community outreach. His degree is Business Administration combined with a desire to meet the needs of the community in a safe, nurturing environment will only assist Next Step Farms in rising to the occasion.
Jerry 'Junior" Seymour
Jerry 'Junior" Seymour
Jerry 'Junior" Seymour
Board Vice President
Passionate about children and adults with special needs and handy with tools and equipment. Junior oversees the structural, functional areas on Next Step Farm. Junior brings the hands on, necessary tools to the vision.
Pamela Rigsby
Pamela Rigsby
Jerry 'Junior" Seymour
Board Secretary
Trained as a Special Education Teacher, Pamela currently serves numerous entities within the community . Pamela's drive and passionate personality is assisting NSF in making new connections.
Laura Hogue
Pamela Rigsby
Shannon Allen
Board Treasurer
Laura's family has been an advocate for Next Step since its early formation. They have supported NSF in the area of fundraising, volunteering time, and connecting resources. Professionally, Laura has served as the church secretary. She is knowledgeable with keeping tax records, bookkeeping, and maintaining finance records via computerized programs
Shannon Allen
Pamela Rigsby
Shannon Allen
Board Member
Mom to the infamous Beth, Brandon and Madison. Shannon is a licensed Professional Counselor at Reflections & Wellness Counseling. She also owns a non profit business called First Class Promotions. Shannon's personal desire to see increased opportunities within our community for unique learners brings a realistic voice to NSF.
Clifford March, Jr
Clifford March, Jr
Clifford March, Jr
Board Member
Clifford L. March Jr. is a native of Montgomery Alabama and a graduate of Sidney Lanier High School. He joined the United States Army following high school serving for more than two decades and two combat tours. After serving in the Army he worked for the United Nations moving to Liberia West Africa to help rebuild the Liberian Army after their civil war. He is currently employed by the United States Army Aviation and Missile Command as a Senior Logistician for the past 12 years. He is also a small business owner of FM Productions Entertainment Group and Trim City Barbershops. Clifford is a graduate of Columbia College in Missouri and holds a graduate degree from Trident University. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and RE Nelms Elks Lodge #977. Clifford is married to DeShannon March his wife of 23 years and they have four children Octavia, Olivia, Clifford James March and Christopher Lee March.
Albert Visone
Clifford March, Jr
Clifford March, Jr
Board Member
Al is a US Army Veteran. He has a degree in Business Administration and Accounting with past experience as a banker, Vice President of Finance and Corporate Treasurer.
Al l has been married to his bride Sherry for more than 50 years. He has two adult children and three grandchildren.
Both Al & his wife Sherry (Cookie) have a heart to serve the community and now to serve Next Step Farms.
Calvin White, Jr
Clifford March, Jr
Calvin White, Jr
Board Member
Calvin White Jr. is the husband of Yolanda of 15 years, a father of four (Calvin III, Camarious, Javin, & Moriah, and a native of Ruleville, Mississippi. He graduated from Ruleville Central High School followed by receiving his Bachelor of Science in Music Production and Master of Science in Digital Marketing from Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida. He is a Digital Marketing Specialist the owner of PureWhite Media Productions, a Digital Marketing Company, and a musician.
Outside of his career, Calvin has a passion for helping other and he has a motto that he lives by, which states “that one of the most important things you can do on this earth is to let people know they are not alone.”
Joshua Goodwin
David & Louise Catalfamo
Calvin White, Jr
Founding Member
Visionary
Joshua has a Master's degree in Special Education. He has a personal passion for hands on instruction & functional daily living skills. His guidance and persistence during the early formation days of NSF serve as a plum line for future endeavors.
David & Louise Catalfamo
David & Louise Catalfamo
David & Louise Catalfamo
Fundraising Advisory Board
Louise and David Catalfamo's belief in the mission of Next Step Farms combined with their love of the community have helped to make positive connections and successful fundraisers for Next Step Farms
Tammi McLemore
David & Louise Catalfamo
David & Louise Catalfamo
Volunteer Coordinator
Tammi joins the Next Step Farms family as the Volunteer Coordinator. Tammi's professional background consists of social work and connecting people with resources. Tammi volunteers these skills to the people of Next Step Farms. If you would like to volunteer your time and skills with clients of Next Step Farms, please email Tammi at nsfvolcoord@gmail.com