Our Mission
In everything we do, we work to reinforce the dignity of special needs adults by being a home where they can find purpose, contribute to each other and the community, and reach their highest potential.
CONTACT US ABOUT WHETHER CERTAIN LEAGUE FARMS IS RIGHT FOR YOUR LOVED ONE
Our History
Certain League Farms began in 2017 with Mike and Roseann Bills’ purchase of the 7-acre farm in Williamston, MI. But their hope of a forever home and community for special-needs men began much earlier than that.
Options for special needs adults are limited. Most families facing the decision of how to provide for special needs adult children are faced with limited options that feel like “no options.” For Mike and Roseann and parents like them, these no-option options were simply unacceptable. Instead, they sought a place in the world for their children to have a forever home that would nurture and encourage their children’s continuous growth and dignity.
So Mike and Roseann made that option a reality, and Certain League Farms was born for special-needs men that truly are men of a league all their own.
How We’re Different
Certain League Farms is more than a place to eat, sleep, and simply exist. It is a home of empowerment and encouragement of each man’s unique potential.
- Days at The Farms fall into a carefully cultivated routine designed to provide responsibilities that translate to meaning and purpose.
- Men care for and nurture The Farms’ horses in their quarter horse breeding program. Interacting with and caring for horses has proven benefits for individuals with special needs. This relationship between men and horses not only provides mental enrichment but a sense of success and accomplishment.
- Certain League Farms’ is also home to Dream, a red-tri Australian Shepherd show dog. The Farms is a satellite kennel working in cooperation with Marcy Boomsliter of Lake Michigan Aussie. The men help care for and socialize Dream’s puppies, helping prepare the puppies for their forever home.
- The Farms also contains a large plot of asparagus. The men carefully cultivate and tend to the asparagus, reaping the rewards of working with the soil and then harvesting a beautiful crop. The Farms also provides local produce from area farms to the surrounding community.
Learn more about Certain League Farms.
What’s in a Name?
Certain League Farms is named after The Farms’ prize stallion A Certain League. A Certain League was a donation to The Farms from one of the country’s top breeders. When an injury threatened A Certain League’s life, Jane Backes offered Mike Bills the opportunity to rehabilitate A Certain League. Our stallion came to us broken, but where the world saw him one way, we chose to see in him potential. In the same way, when considering the extraordinary characteristics that set a prize-winning stallion apart, it’s easy to see that these are the same characteristics that describe The Farms’ residents, as well: resilient, unique, strong, and set apart for undeniable achievements.
Our Board
Mike Bills, President
Founder & CEO of Certain League Farms
Mike has never been afraid to see the world differently and create opportunities where others don’t see them. Mike is an executive coach, Reinvention navigator, and forward-facing strategic planner. As CEO of MB Strategies and also founder of PureReinvention. Mike is a passionate horse breeder and enjoys going to dog shows with Dream, the Farms’ red Australian shepherd. Mike and Roseann have five children.
Jodi Schafer, Vice President
Owner of Human Resource Management Services, Williamston, MI
Jodi has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Education from Kalamazoo College, along with 15 years of experience in human resource management, which includes ownership of Human Resources Management Services, LLC. Jodi is married to her high school sweetheart with two active daughters – Ella (12) and Ashlyn (10).
“I was fortunate to grow up in a rural area and know the joy that having access to nature and open spaces can bring. Being able to provide an impaired individual with an opportunity to live in an environment like Certain League Farms, where the agricultural setting not only provides peace of mind but also purpose and an opportunity to contribute to society in a meaningful way, is extremely rewarding both for the residents and for me personally.”
Bob Bower, Treasurer
Founder of Giving Tree Farm, Inc., Lansing, MI
Bob was founder and incorporator of Giving Tree Farm in Lansing, MI, which today provides comprehensive services to the disabled and elderly. This includes employment training on the farm through the cultivation of organic produce and herbs sold through CSA shares.
Deanna Richeson, Secretary
President/CEO Michigan Lodging and Tourism Association
Deanna has a quilted history of new company start-ups and program reinventions, from helping hearing impaired children and adults to supporting small companies entering international markets. She is currently the President/CEO of the Michigan Lodging and Tourism Association. Deanna and her husband, Bill, have six grown children, all now starting families of their own.
“My childhood was a magical experience as my family explored life on three continents before returning to our Michigan roots. Discovery in nature and on my grandparents’ farm led to a love for growing things, and I’m intrigued by the kaleidoscope of growth possibilities that Certain League Farms offers for residents, families and the community. The opportunity for those with special needs to live and work at Certain League Farms, in a peaceful, rural setting where they can experience the joy of nature and the success of contributing to a working farm life, is especially meaningful in weaving together a supportive community. I’m honored to join the journey and contribute to this mission.”
Roseann Bills, Board Member
Certain League Farms founder, Williamston, MI
Roseann saw the need for special needs housing and work training programs for the special needs population and wanted to make a difference. Certain league farms is a magical place where people learn to work with animals, raise crops and create a life. She is happy and honored to be a part of the journey.
Jim Hidlay, Board Member
Entrepreneurial, Strategic Sales, and Business Development Executive
Jim Hidlay is a lifelong resident of mid-Michigan. After graduating from Michigan State University, Jim began a career in technology sales, marketing, and business development. Jim spent many years at IBM as well as at TechSmith in Okemos. Jim now serves on the Board of the Impression 5 Science Center in Lansing, MI. He is appreciative of the opportunity to work with Certain League Farms and its mission to help adults with special needs. Jim enjoys travel, golf and boating. He lives at Duck Lake with his wife Molly and their rescue pets.
Our mission:
To reinforce the dignity of special needs adults by being a home where they can find purpose, contribute to each other and the community, and reach their highest potential.
The Certain League Farms Foundation is a 501(c)3.
