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JoAnn Dunne

Director

JoAnn has worked in the horticulture field for over 30 years as a landscape designer and horticulture educator. She holds a secondary VA state licensure in horticulture and floriculture education and headed the horticulture education program at Valley Career and Technical Center, in Fishersville VA, for several years.  JoAnn enthusiastically served students of all abilities in her capacity as a horticulture teacher. 

JoAnn holds a Greenhouse Operators Certification from the Virginia Flower Growers Association.  Her specialities include,  accessible gardening and landscaping, landscaping with trees, shrubs, and native plants, sustainable agriculture and organic gardening vegetable and ornamental. Additionally, she specializes in houseplant care and propagation, greenhouse crop production and floral design.  Her landscape work has been recognized by Garden Clubs of America.  JoAnn is a veteran of the US Navy and Air Force Reserves.  She holds certificates and an Associates Degree in Horticulture and Floriculture from BRCC and VWCC, and a BS in Business Administration from EMU.

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The Fox Moon Farm Project
3 hours ago
The Fox Moon Farm Project

🐴 A Milestone Worth Celebrating 🐴
Yesterday brought one of those sessions that reminds us exactly why we do this work.

One of our incredible young riders — a 17-year-old who lives with autism and works every day to navigate motor challenges, anxiety, and the world nonverbally — climbed up onto Merlin’s back for a brand-new challenge: threading rings onto cones and hanging them in the trees in the arena.

It looks like a simple game. It isn’t. Every ring placed is a lesson in following multi-step directions, color recognition, fine motor control, and patience — skills that don’t always come easily, practiced here in a way that feels like joy instead of work.

This rider has been part of our Healing with Horses community for over two years, and just recently graduated into our therapeutic riding program. And the growth has been remarkable. Grooming Merlin used to hold no interest at all — now it’s a ritual: twenty brush strokes on each side, every single time, before it’s time to tack up. That kind of focus, that kind of care for another living being, is something we get to witness grow week by week.

Research consistently backs up what we witness on the ground every week: therapeutic horseback riding offers real, measurable benefits for individuals with autism. The horse’s rhythmic, three-dimensional gait mirrors human walking patterns and has a documented calming effect on the nervous system, helping to regulate sensory input and ease anxiety. Physically, riding builds core strength, balance, coordination, and body awareness. Behaviorally and emotionally, studies show reductions in irritability and hyperactivity alongside gains in social communication, focus, and self-confidence — many of these benefits proving durable months after sessions continue.

We couldn’t be prouder of the courage, focus, and heart shown yesterday. And we’re deeply grateful to our team and to Merlin, our steady, patient partner in this work, for making moments like this possible.

This is the power of nature and animals as healers. This is Fox Moon Farm Project. 🍂 ... See MoreSee Less

🐴 A Milestone Worth Celebrating 🐴 Yesterday brought one of those sessions that reminds us exactly why we do this work.One of our incredible young riders — a 17-year-old who lives with autism and works every day to navigate motor challenges, anxiety, and the world nonverbally — climbed up onto Merlin’s back for a brand-new challenge: threading rings onto cones and hanging them in the trees in the arena.It looks like a simple game. It isn’t. Every ring placed is a lesson in following multi-step directions, color recognition, fine motor control, and patience — skills that don’t always come easily, practiced here in a way that feels like joy instead of work.This rider has been part of our Healing with Horses community for over two years, and just recently graduated into our therapeutic riding program. And the growth has been remarkable. Grooming Merlin used to hold no interest at all — now it’s a ritual: twenty brush strokes on each side, every single time, before it’s time to tack up. That kind of focus, that kind of care for another living being, is something we get to witness grow week by week.Research consistently backs up what we witness on the ground every week: therapeutic horseback riding offers real, measurable benefits for individuals with autism. The horse’s rhythmic, three-dimensional gait mirrors human walking patterns and has a documented calming effect on the nervous system, helping to regulate sensory input and ease anxiety. Physically, riding builds core strength, balance, coordination, and body awareness. Behaviorally and emotionally, studies show reductions in irritability and hyperactivity alongside gains in social communication, focus, and self-confidence — many of these benefits proving durable months after sessions continue.We couldn’t be prouder of the courage, focus, and heart shown yesterday. And we’re deeply grateful to our team and to Merlin, our steady, patient partner in this work, for making moments like this possible.This is the power of nature and animals as healers. This is Fox Moon Farm Project. 🍂Image attachmentImage attachment+2Image attachment
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The Fox Moon Farm Project
1 week ago
The Fox Moon Farm Project

Facebook
🌧️ Some of the best lessons don’t wait for sunshine.

Yesterday, thunderstorms rolled through Fox Moon Farm — and so did a full, busy day of learning. Rain changed our plans, but it didn’t stop the joy. Instead of letting the weather win, we leaned into it, and what unfolded was a day full of creativity, connection, and quiet courage.

There was puzzling in the barn, hands and minds working together while the storm rumbled outside. There was the pure, unfiltered delight of stomping in puddles — because sometimes the best therapy is just being a kid in the rain.

In the tunnel, we harvested alongside the storm’s rhythm, hands in the soil no matter what the sky was doing. And in the community center, clay took shape under focused hands, turning a rainy afternoon into something to be proud of.

Days like this teach our clients something sunny days simply can’t: that they are more capable, more flexible, and more resilient than they realize. When the plan changes, they can still find their footing — on a puddle, on a horse, on a hard day. They learn to adapt, to problem-solve, and to discover confidence in the unexpected.

That’s the heart of what we do here. Nature doesn’t wait for perfect weather, and neither do we. Every kind of day — rain or shine — is a chance to grow. 🌱

The Fox Moon Farm Project: harnessing the healing power of nature and animals for individuals with special needs and those on a journey through trauma. ... See MoreSee Less

Facebook 🌧️ Some of the best lessons don’t wait for sunshine.Yesterday, thunderstorms rolled through Fox Moon Farm — and so did a full, busy day of learning. Rain changed our plans, but it didn’t stop the joy. Instead of letting the weather win, we leaned into it, and what unfolded was a day full of creativity, connection, and quiet courage.There was puzzling in the barn, hands and minds working together while the storm rumbled outside. There was the pure, unfiltered delight of stomping in puddles — because sometimes the best therapy is just being a kid in the rain.In the tunnel, we harvested alongside the storm’s rhythm, hands in the soil no matter what the sky was doing. And in the community center, clay took shape under focused hands, turning a rainy afternoon into something to be proud of.Days like this teach our clients something sunny days simply can’t: that they are more capable, more flexible, and more resilient than they realize. When the plan changes, they can still find their footing — on a puddle, on a horse, on a hard day. They learn to adapt, to problem-solve, and to discover confidence in the unexpected.That’s the heart of what we do here. Nature doesn’t wait for perfect weather, and neither do we. Every kind of day — rain or shine — is a chance to grow. 🌱The Fox Moon Farm Project: harnessing the healing power of nature and animals for individuals with special needs and those on a journey through trauma.Image attachmentImage attachment+2Image attachment
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