Lambs Farm is located in Libertyville, Illinois, which is north of Chicago. Founded in 1961, Lambs Farm is a premier non-profit organization serving adults with developmental disabilities. Lambs Farm has grown from a small pet shop in Chicago to a 72-acre campus where opportunity flourishes for the more than 250 men and women served. Those with developmental disabilities served by Lambs Farm are provided the opportunity to advance in all areas of life through ever-increasing residential, vocational and recreational choices. Community partnerships allow them to experience a broader variety of activities. Activities focus on the enrichment of the people of Lambs Farm — building their determination to lead full, satisfying lives. They gain independence by having the freedom to be as self-governing as possible and they accomplish all this with dignity, taking pride in all that they do.

Fun for the whole family, the Farmyard features a petting area with sheep and goats. Enjoy a variety of attractions like mini-golf, a mini-train ride, cow bounce house and an Old World carousel. Note that these attractions are closed in winter. Housed in a turn-of-the-century barn, the Pet Shop features a wide selection of pets, supplies and gifts. At the Country Inn Restaurant, you can relax and enjoy a hearty, country-style meal, served by an attentive staff, in the charming setting.

Founded in 1961, Lambs Farm is a premier non-profit organization serving adults with developmental disabilities. Lambs Farm has grown from a small pet shop in Chicago to a 72-acre campus located in Libertyville, Illinois where opportunity flourishes for the more than 250 men and women served.
Those with developmental disabilities served by Lambs Farm are provided the opportunity to advance in all areas of life through ever-increasing residential, vocational and recreational choices. Community partnerships allow them to experience a broader variety of activities. Activities focus on the enrichment of the people of Lambs Farm — building their determination to lead full, satisfying lives. They gain independence by having the freedom to be as self-governing as possible and they accomplish all this with dignity, taking pride in all that they do.

In 1961, two people with extraordinary vision opened a pet store on Chicago's State Street. What was extraordinary about these two individuals was that they employed twelve adults with developmental disabilities to wait on customers, manage inventory, and care for the animals.
Co-Founders Bob Terese and Corinne Owen felt strongly that people with developmental disabilities deserved to lead meaningful and productive lives, and they put their own beliefs into practice by opening a business that would help them achieve this goal.

During the State Street years, The Lambs received support and growing recognition for its mission from the Chicago community-at-large. Individual donors, as well as corporate and foundation supporters, heralded the work of Bob and Corinne, recognizing that the Lambs Pet Shop was not only providing employment opportunities and a sense of community for participants, but was becoming a model program as well.

In 1965, Bob and Corinne moved their efforts to Libertyville, Illinois, 45 miles north of Chicago, when philanthropist W. Clement Stone donated his 70-acre farm for the program's expansion. With the additional space and restoration of a century-old barn into one of Lake County's largest pet stores, more adults with developmental disabilities entered the program, which soon became known as Lambs Farm.

Today, Lambs Farm is a premier facility in the United States for individuals with developmental disabilities, providing more than 250 participants with comprehensive residential, vocational and social support services, and welcoming more than 300,000 visitors each year to shop in our businesses and interact with our Program Participants. In coming to Lambs Farm, we hope visitors gain greater awareness of people with developmental disabilities, and further recognize their potential as full members of the community, the workplace and society at large.

Contact:

14245 W. Rockland Road
Libertyville, IL 60048