Deborah Betts
Co-Founder and Managing Director
Deborah has been driven by a passionate dream to create a healing farm community for individuals who struggle to embrace their mental and emotional life challenges. She believes that health and longevity can be found and sustained when there is a direct connection to the earth, animals, expressive art and the feeling of being home. She embraced that concept while raising her children, Mariah and Evan, on an organic homestead in Northern Vermont.
Deborah has 27 years of work experience in the field of Human Services. Her background has primarily been in Early Education and Family Advocacy, and Developmental Disabilities. However, for the past seven years, she has had the good fortune to work in the mental health field as a House Manager for a state licensed, Therapeutic Community Residence in the Upper Valley, whose “family model” of care for people with mental illness continues to inspire her.
She studied privately with Wesleyan Professor of Art, May Griswald, in West Hartford, Connecticut. A designer of silver and gold jewelry, she entered the craft market in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom and later, for private sale, in Camden, Maine. Still hinged to her heart, Deborah uses expressive art as a healing tool for individuals to work and heal from the inside out.
Hundred Acre Homestead is a seedling program that is a union between one family’s need for quality care of their loved one and Deborah’s desire to share her life’s work with an extended family.
James Napier, MD
Adjunct Psychiatrist
Board Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in May, 2001.
James Napier, MD is a General Adult Psychiatrist who serves as Medical Director and Adjunct Psychiatrist for Hundred Acre Homestead. His approach to psychiatry is both eclectic and conservative. He understands and appreciates the gamut of psychiatric thought, from psychoanalytical to biological, but prefers thoughtful, incremental change in pharmacology or treatment plans. He bases his practice on individuality: effective treatment must be tailored to meet each individual’s needs.
Jim has been in private practice in Norwich, Vermont since 2001. He lives with his wife Bridie, and their children Hailey, Zoe, and Wyatt in Royalton, Vermont.
Education:
Completed Psychiatry Residency at Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, New Hampshire in 1999; MD from Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio in 1995; BA in Biology and Economics from Denison University, Granville, Ohio in 1990.
John Halley
Facilities and Outdoor Activities Team Leader
As the Team Leader of Facilities and Outdoor Activities, John brings an array of skills to the Homestead. He is a woodworker who specializes in timber framing and hand-crafted joinery. He is passionate about organic gardening and has the goal of growing produce year round, even in Vermont’s wintry climate. He has over 20 years experience as a chef and he has a strong belief in the value of eating a healthy, organic diet.
John is a long time guitar player with a love for finger-style jazz. He also has a third degree black belt in Shaolin Kung Fu and Tai Chi. He has 16 years experience as a martial arts instructor. John leads the Homestead through physical practice as part of the weekly schedule.
Caring for the animals and working in the barn are some of John’s favorite tasks at the Homestead. He is a certified massage therapist specializing in therapeutic canine massage. A gifted caregiver, John’s acquired skills teach the importance of patience, practice and the beauty of performing simple, meaningful tasks. He believes this approach will not only bring great fulfillment, but a deep sense of joy as well.
Four years ago, John decided to leave his traveler’s lifestyle and grow some roots deep in the earth. His journeys and experiences have taught him the importance of connecting to the natural world and living a simple existence. For John and his wife Wendy, Vermont offered the opportunity to do both. He is the proud father of two English Mastiffs, Moose and Maggie, and a miniature Dachshund, Maynard.
James (Jimmy) Kalp
Culinary Program Team Leader
Jimmy is the Homestead’s chef. He believes that whole, organic food is the backbone to living a healthy, happy life. This belief is founded by over ten years of extensive work in the culinary arts field. To Jimmy, cooking and presenting food in an artistic way is extremely therapeutic, and eating that food helps to resonate balance throughout ones life.
Innovative meals are created everyday with a profusion of fresh ingredients, reflecting the importance of balance; nourishment and creativity.
His extensive knowledge of food and the elegant presentation he delivers never fails to capture a deeply developed commitment and delight in teaching these skills. Driven by his amazing “heart and soul” passion, his gracious and friendly personality inspires everyone to participate. Each resident is given the opportunity to spend significant time in the kitchen learning culinary skills. Jimmy’s warm, kitchen hospitality creates an informal gathering place for all. If desired, an individual may later use their skills for employment.
Jimmy also enjoys outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking, biking, paddling and gardening. Playing and listening to music is a great passion and another area of skill.
He lives in nearby Wolcott with his lovely wife Laura and his beautiful son, Quinn.