Johanna’s Hope empowers people with all abilities to facilitate social connections and create accessible environments to explore the arts and nature at Jo’s Farm and in the local community.
Jo's Story of Hope
History
Johanna Benthal is a gifted young adult who was born with a rare neurological disease which causes bleeding and pressure in her brain.
Despite these challenges and the accompanying disabilities, Johanna lives a joyful and hope-filled life, surrounded by family and friends who support Jo’s endeavors to live this life with grace and purpose.
Jo expresses herself and finds purpose by creating art and by playing and singing music.
Jo has her very own art gallery in her backyard – “Jo’s Cottage” where she creates and displays her art and hangs out with her friends and family. These activities fuel Jo’s desire to inspire others to find their own passion to create art.
In addition to these artistic pursuits, Jo loves to connect with animals and nature.
During the pandemic, we added chickens, goats, and bees! And Jo’s Farm was born!
In 2021, we started inviting friends in our local community to visit Jo’s Farm to connect with nature, discover art, and inspire HOPE.
Jo continues to share her farm and her art with others in our local community to bring joy and inspire HOPE.
Objectives & Purpose
The specific objectives and purposes of Johanna’s Hope are:
- to create beautiful art through “Arts on Jo’s Farm” workshops
- to provide access for people with all abilities to nature, gardening, and farm life
- to connect people with all abilities and their families to local communities to increase awareness, support entrepreneurial pursuits, cultivate compassion, and share resources
- to support people with all abilities and family caregivers by providing respite workshops and retreats
- to advocate for the needs of people with all abilities and caregivers in healthcare settings
- to inspire HOPE
Johanna’s Hope empowers people with all abilities to facilitate social connections and creates accessible environments to explore the arts and nature at Jo’s Farm and in the local community.



Feb 12
The world is a better place today as our friends @johannashopeinc gathered to celebrate, create and spread some LOVE by making Valentines for our families and Senior Citizens for @townofriverhead Operation Valentine! After a fun gathering at Jo’s Farm including a visit from Jo’s chickens and some deer friends 🦌🦌-we brought our Valentines to the Senior Center where they will be distributed to local residents at the center and through the Meals on Wheels program. It was so good to be together to spread a little love and Jo got to show her friends her 11ft Valentine tree❤️❤️❤️🎄🎄!
Happy birthday Paul @drum_4000 !
...
Dec 16
It’s a wrap! Johanna’s Hope celebrated our end of the 2025 season with a little Christmas magic @gingerbreaduniversity @hallockvillemuseumfarm. Our friend and Assemblywoman @jodigiglio came by to celebrate and award all our participants with special certificates from Gingerbread University. A great Christmas celebration-lots of laughter and songs and end of the year party fun was had by all! See you all in February!
@maryhavenli
...
Nov 27
We spent the month of November focusing on practicing gratitude. Our first gathering we created gratitude trees to take home and one to leave at Jo’s Farm. The gratitude trees became the centerpiece for our Friendsgiving celebration last week. As our community grows and shares their gratitude, our hearts grow wider and closer. I never imagined that a pandemic, some chickens, goats and a dream could lead to this. So grateful today and always for @johannashopeinc ...
Oct 23
A beautiful day @stakeysfarm with a special thank you and Happy Birthday to Farmer Jim and Regina Stakey. It was a wonderful outing with our friends from @maryhavenli and @johannashopeinc. @johannasfarm and @eileenbenthal Jo was blessed and encouraged with a little help from her friends. ...
Oct 15
Doing fun October things with our friends .
We are on a mission to inspire creativity and build a community of HOPE. 🎃🦋@johannashopeinc on @johannasfarm @sbenthal @eileenbenthal
...
A lesson in Divine Providence. 🕊️ On Jo’s Farm, we are learning to Just Bee Happy! 🐝🌞 Last winter the bees died. In the spring I was too overwhelmed to start again so I told the Lord, “if you want bees on Jo’s Farm again, send the 🐝🐝🐝. “ So here we are!
It’s no wonder when you see the vibrant life still blooming here in every season- both in the natural world and human life- that the bees returned. Special thanks to our dear friends and bee keepers, @sarasp531 and Chris Kelly @promiselandapiaries for the inspiration and care and to @rewildlongislandnorthfork and @herrickslanefarm for our beautiful native garden and thriving herbs in every season. Life is beeautiful ! #hopeanchorsthesoul
...
Aug 24
Follow us @jamesportfire department 5k!
#team @johannashopeinc We are champions with a purpose!
...
Good morning from @johannasfarm !
Final days to get your tickets for our special fundraiser and celebration of @johannashopeinc!
Visit https://johannashope.org/ Johanna’s Hope – Exploring Art & Nature at Jo’s Farm for tickets.
People with disabilities come as guests. Family and professional caregivers including anyone who serves disability communities are discounted as well. Tickets include 10 raffle tickets, full dinner, all drinks and desserts! Games and live music by @reggietunesentertainment and @officialmarkmk !
Join us as we build a community of HOPE!
#disabilityawareness #hopeanchorsthesoul
...
Thanks so much to @dog_vinci for this week’s “Arts on Jo’s Farm” program here on Jo’s Farm with all our friends @johannashopeinc.
Creating “Art from the heart” is even better with Picasso the painting dog leading the way! Our program meets once a month February and March 2 times a month from April through November, ending the year with a special holiday party in December. Our yearly fundraiser is next week and your donations allows us to continue building a community of HOPE to support people of all abilities and families who care for loved ones who need our support. People with disabilities attend the fundraiser for free. Special discounts for caregivers. Link is in the bio. Register today! #disabilityawareness #hopeanchorsthesoul
...
Jul 31
Take 9 minutes of your busy day to learn what happens when beautiful people, dogs and art come together. “Art from the Heart” happens every time we come together @johannashopeinc. This week we welcomed renowned artist-Yvonne Dagger and her CC Therapy Dog/Artist Picasso @dog_vinci to teach us about the beauty of life and art. Thank you @dog_vinci for brightening our day and teaching us beautiful things about art and life! Support Johanna’s Hope and more “Art from the Heart!” Link in bio. #disabilityawareness #abilitynotdisability #artist #dogsofinstagram ...
Jul 25
It’s the SWEETEST time of year! Bottling @promiselandapiaries honey to give out as favors for our yearly @johannashopeinc fundraiser on Jo’s Farm. Tickets include 10 raffle chances, @mapletreebbq, @peconicbayvineyards, and homemade desserts by @johannasfarm . Live entertainment by @officialmarkmk and @reggietunesentertainment . Discounted tickets for professional and family caregivers and people with disabilities attend for free. Space is limited. Purchase your tickets today or make a donation to sponsor an adult with special needs. Link in bio. @eileenbenthal @sarasp531 @rewildlongislandnorthfork @liz.786 @drum__4000 @honor.thy @byolivia.marie @marianna_rg621 ...
We owe a very special thanks to @impossibledreamcatamaran and @rick_rempe_live for hosting participants and friends of @johannashopeinc on their completely accessible catamaran for a beautiful summer sail. Access to beauty in nature is a priority for @johannashopeinc ! ⛵️👩🦼➡️ ...
Jun 17
It was an INSPIRING SPRING here @johannasfarm as we hosted our @johannashopeinc “plant and grow” workshops from March through early June!
We welcomed back Meyer from @caninecompanionslongisland and to continue his lovely golden adventures as an integral part of Jo’s life and the lives of all our friends here at Johanna’s Hope. Special thanks also to Emily Gabrielsen @myeightboys for sharing her time, resources and ❤️ with all of for container planting. We added more stepping stones and flowering perennial seeds to Tara’s Garden @rewildlongisland and hoped for the warmth of the sun! This weekend we will be a stop on the @rewildlongislandnorthfork garden tour. See their IG to sign up and come visit us! HOPE BLOOMS HERE!
#disabilityawareness #hopeanchorsthesoul #johannasHOPE.
...
May 26
Springing into art with raised canvas and paints. Our friends inspire all of with their determination and creativity. We do Art with a Purpose- to inspire HOPE. #disabilityawareness #hopeanchorsthesoul #abilitiesnotdisabilities ...
May 18
Johanna’s Hope 2025 season is in full swing! Time to catch up on our IG reels! After our holiday break, we host one program for February, one for March and then April we return to 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month. If you are an art creative and nature lover come message me to volunteer to assist or teach a class! Special thanks to @annejcakesandcookies for making our February opening extra sweet by teaching cookie decorating from the ❤️! Lots of Love to go around! #disabilityawareness #disabilityadvocate #hopeanchorsthesoul ...
In this season of HOPE we fondly recall some of the very special times and people who inspire us to continue the mission to build a Community of Hope right here @johannasfarm. We appreciate all of you who donate your time and treasure to inspire hope. Thank you today and always.♥️ ...
Nov 28
There’s so much to be thankful for @johannashopeinc . This little community of hope is growing and hope is alive and well on @johannasfarm. These beautiful people teach us what it means to enjoy the simple gifts of life and friendship. Happy Thanksgiving to all from our family to yours. 🍁🍁🍁 ...
Oct 31
Fun times celebrating Halloween with friends @johannashopeinc and with our neighbors @riselifeservices! Meyer was not phased by costumes at all and truly seems to enjoy all the attention!
I think he feels like we finally understand his destiny is to be the King!😂😂🦁🦁🦁
One thing is for sure this pup loves people and is natural with special needs.
We HOPE your day and night is filled with all things happy and hallowed!♥️♥️🎃🎃🎃
...
Oct 14
Today’s the day! “Art from the Heart and Makers Market” 11am-4pm @hallockvillemuseumfarm. Art on canvases, walls, cards, rocks and more all created by diverse local artists who are passionate about their art! Baked goods, honey and more are available to purchase! Also today, free tours of Johanna’s Hope native garden, courtesy of @rewildlongisland will be available from 1-3pm. See flyer for details and address. Maps of gardens and free seeds available to share! @oneforallgifts ...
True colors shining through @johannashopeinc on @johannasfarm. Finishing touches done on all our art projects getting ready to show at “Art From the Heart and Makers Market” with all our friends from @oneforallgifts @hallockvillemuseumfarm Monday ,October 14th- 11am-4pm. See flyer for details. ...
“…if I could change the world, I’d be the sunlight in your universe..”
Jo, Laurie and I (and Meyer!) spent the morning at Legislative Breakfast sponsored by Long Island Family Support Services Advisory Council.
It truly was a morning spent shining the light on the good and the bad- what’s right and what needs to change to support people with developmental disabilities in NYS.
We met @nysopwdd Acting Commissioner Willow Baer, Legislative Director, Greg Roberts and reconnected with dear friends and tireless advocates- @jodiforny and @bobpolicastro of @angelashouseli.
All the speeches were inspiring and the connections made were important.
But by far, the speech given by Self Advocate, Kevin Christman was the most impactful.
Kevin highlighted what’s right in Ny and what needs to change, NOW before it’s too late.
His words filled with humor and candor delivered truth that landed like prophetic waves as participants responded with applause, laughter and standing ovations. Kevin is true a shining light in our disability communities and the world.
Special thanks to @jodiforny for listening to our concerns and taking the time to care. It’s nice to know we have a good neighbor in Albany fighting for people with unique abilities. Jo listened intently to @jodigiglio and clapped with one hand open and one tightly gripped saying- “That’s Jodi! Go Jodi!” Jo knows she cares.❤️
I’m inspired and tired. But we won’t stop fighting and advocating for our loved ones and shining that light!🌟🌟 We don’t walk this road alone!🌹🙏🕊️#disabilityawareness #abilitynotdisability #hopeanchorsthesoul @nyaddcares @angelashouseli @jodiforny @lafnatlife @caninecompanionslongisland
...
Sep 23
It’s been a busy few weeks at Jo’s Farm. We hosted puppy class for @caninecompanionslongisland giving pups lots of unique opportunities to socialize with goats and chickens. We practiced walking on different surfaces and ramps and even touring the camper to navigate tight spaces like champs! Our regular crew @johannashopeinc did some challenging diamond art projects . These next few weeks we are creating more art for display and sale at our upcoming Art from the Heart and Makers Market on October 14th @hallockvillemuseumfarm with all or friends from @oneforallgifts. See poster for details. #hopeanchorsthesoul #disabilityawareness #abilitynotdisability ...
I love your smile! 😀😀Lots of smiles to go around at our final summertime session of @johannashopeinc . We are very blessed to have @mrusso11 back again to share her wonderful gifts of theater arts with us! Dance, movement and songs made for a really fun morning with lots of smiles and HoPE! Thank you again, dear Marissa! I know your Mom dances over you from her home in heaven.🪶🪶#hopeanchorsthesoul #disabilityawareness #abilitynotdisability @maryhavenli @mrusso11 @eileenbenthal @danrusso1970 @sbenthal 😃🌞🌞 ...
Aug 24
Thank you to all of our special friends, families and sponsors who came out for the 3rd Annual Fundraiser for Johanna’s Hope. We had 104 people registered and 94 came to Jo’s Farm for a beautiful evening filled with HOPE! Special thanks to Chris Kelly @promiselandapiaries for sharing his inspiring words-always sweet as his honey and Raju Rajan and @rewildlongisland for adding to the natural beauty and education here on Jo’s Farm. To all our supporters and sponsors, especially @Nancy Reyer in honor of Michael’s smile and all our friends- thank you for partnering with us in building this community of hope for people of all abilities. Thank you to our dear friend and photographer, Olivia @honor.thy for the beautiful photos! @oneforallgifts @nofopotpies @onthedocksgrill @wendysdelimattituck @lucharitos @lovelanekitchen @lombardislovelanemarket @barrowfoodhouse @talmagefarmagway @jasonsvineyard @nofodoco @santaschristmastreefarmli @riverheadracewayofficial @silversandsmotel @bogeysny @rockhillgolf @peconicbayvineyards @bedellcellars @mattitucklionsclub @sarasp531 @liz.786 @sbenthal -All of you inspire HOPE! #disabilityawareness #abilitynotdisability #hopeanchorsthesoul ...