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Farm Marks 35 Years Of Nurturing Teens

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By CHERYL KUCK

Tribune correspondent

Published: June 21, 2008

LITHIA - A rural haven where troubled teen girls learn to turn their lives around in a Christian atmosphere recently celebrated its 35th anniversary.

The festivities were held in honor of Steppin' Stone Farm's founding in 1973 by Anna Lois and Ed Keiser. The couple made the dream of creating a nurturing environment for teens a reality after coping with a granddaughter who was a chronic runaway. The Keisers served without pay at the farm until their deaths.

The 85-acre farm along the Alafia River in east Hillsborough County provides girls with housing, counseling, education and extra-curricular activities as a part of its faith-based program.

During the anniversary festivities, Steppin' Stone Executive Director Cindy Churchill told students, their families and farm supporters that she first came to the farm as one of the at-risk girls in 1977. Churchill, then Cindy Shelton, was a rebellious 14-year-old who was out of control and into drugs.

She went through the program, became an employee and named executive director in 1991. She has helped hundreds of girls get their lives back on track.

"It's a miracle we are here at all," Churchill said as she gestured to the group of students waiting to sing at the celebration. "The lives of these girls have been touched, and the farm program probably saved my life," she said.

Churchill said she tries to be an example "of the lasting change that the Keisers' plan of loving discipline in a Christ-centered environment can accomplish." She is married to the Rev. Ron Churchill, senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Plant City who is on the farm's board of directors and provides spiritual counseling for its residents.

The keynote speaker was Joe Newsome, a longtime supporter of the farm, 24-year member of the Hillsborough County School Board and longtime board member of the Florida Strawberry Festival. Newsome High School is named in his honor.

Stepping up to the podium, the Plant City icon referred to himself as "just a country boy."

To help illustrate the importance of Steppin' Stone, he recalled his childhood when his family would take an annual Christmas shopping trip to Tampa.

"We didn't go all the way to Tampa just to wander around. We had a purpose in going there. Having a purpose in life is important. This place Steppin' Stone Farm has a purpose. Everyone should come here to see what has been accomplished," Newsome said.

The farm has a capacity for 27 girls, and there's "always a waiting list," Churchill said. The girls stay at least a year and have to follow strict rules.

Steppin' Stone is a working farm that teaches students about horticulture and landscaping. There is an animal husbandry program, and the girls are active in the 4-H.

There are regular academic studies that also include entrepreneurship and public speaking. The farm's school has such activities as tennis, horseback riding, volleyball and an art program. Steppin' Stone participates with the Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools and offers a general high school diploma.

Cheryl Kuck can be reached at wkuck@tampabay.rr.com.

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