A Taste of Paradise - Summer24

A Taste of Paradise Farm Founder Tim Francis.

In our Summer 2024 edition, we visited A Taste of Paradise, an organic farm in Berry that has quietly transformed the lives of more than 450 at-risk and disadvantaged young people over the past 26 years. Founded by Tim and Andrea Francis, the farm was built on the belief that young people deserve stability, care, and genuine connection, something many participants have rarely experienced before arriving at the property.

Set across more than 100 acres, the program pairs each young person with a trusted adult mentor, creating a safe, hands-on environment that builds confidence and routine. The farm itself runs largely organically, with goats, cattle, poultry and horses all playing a part in the daily rhythm.

For many kids, that simple connection, feeding a chicken, holding a baby goat, or caring for livestock, becomes a turning point. Animals don’t judge, and they don’t ask for anything in return, which is often a completely new experience for these young people.