News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Mustard Seed Ranch remains optimistic as they look to push forward with a project that would create two new children’s homes on their property.
Mustard Seed Executive Director Tammy Depperschmidt said the fire marshal’s office requested slight revisions to the building plans and hopes to begin construction soon.
“We’re praying that those revisions are sufficient enough and then we will be ready to at least start excavation for our next two homes,” Depperschmidt said, “which is really exciting because this will bring an additional 16 children to the Mustard Seed Ranch.”
Depperschmidt said the organization is still looking to reach its $1.8 million goal in its capital campaign by March 2019. Mustard Seed Ranch is currently $500,000 from reaching its goal.
“I have faith that we’ll be able to do that,” Depperschmidt said. “This community has been absolutely amazing not only for Mustard Seed Ranch but for a plethora of the different non-profits in the local area. So I have no doubt we’ll raise the money because it’s for children. It’s helping to provide a loving and Christian environment for children who desperately need this type of family.”
Depperschmidt said the new homes will be approximately 40 percent more efficient than their current buildings to help trim some costs. A new water pump house is in the works at the Ranch to do just that.
“We’ve really tried very hard to be more efficient with our current plans,” Depperschmidt said, “[We realized] that the more homes that we have, the more efficient we need to be with our space. But also, to be able to provide for eight children per home, you’ve got to have enough space to do that. These homes that we’re getting ready to build are more efficient as we will be building up as opposed to out, which is really exciting.”
Depperschmidt said it’s unclear as to when the organization will break ground on the project but she and her board of directors remain optimistic
“To be in a rush with something like this, raising the money, and building it all, it’s not as important as doing it the right way” Depperschmidt said. “When we do it the right way and being good stewards of the money that’s being donated, as well as having good discernment that we will be prepared when those new children come… Giving a deadline and outline of what that really looks like, I’m not really sure, because it’s all contingent on what we get from the fire marshal at this point.”
Depperschmidt said the Ranch has house parents lined up for one of the two homes which will house eight girls. She adds those interested in becoming house parents for the boys home can contact Mustard Seed Ranch.
