Beth Ervin
Program Director
Beth holds a Bachelor degree in Journalism/Public Relations from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Beth worked several years in Washington D.C. as the Appointment Secretary to former U.S. Senator Larry Pressler. In Iowa, Beth worked on several presidential campaigns doing advance work for candidate visits to the State. Beth also owned a home furnishing store in Minneapolis, Minnesota, responsible for human resources, customer service and sales management. Beth has served on the Board of Directors of Big Brothers/Big Sisters in Des Moines, Iowa. She is passionate about animals and believes strongly in the many benefits that result when humans and animals interact. She volunteered with "We Can Ride," an equestrian therapy program in Minneapolis, Minnesota and a graduate of "Mini Vet School," a community education program presented by the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota. Beth's responsibilities include training, fiscal management, program development, recruitment, hiring of staff and volunteers and oversees the coordination of scheduling along with program and client logistics.
Nancy Howes-Robson, MA
Human Services Director
Nancy is a practicing Family Therapist providing case management and counseling for clients and their families at a long term residential program located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Nebraska in Psychology and holds a Master of Arts from the University of South Dakota in Community Agency Counseling. Nancy's specialty practice includes: bipolar disorder, encopresis, oppositional defiant disorder, and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder. She conducts individual, group and family therapy sessions aimed at goal setting, helping clients take small steps towards their individual goals, and leading clients and families in making profound changes towards more productive directions in their lives. Nancy provides human service technical assistance and reviews and comments on the development and benchmark progress of specific client based learning plans associated with the Overlook Farm's Special Olympics, 4-H learning and "Family Strength" programs.
Greg Ervin, MS, CCA
Executive Director
Greg has more than 23 years service to the child care industry. He developed and managed a similar Special Olympics Equestrian and 4-H agricultural learning program
that served over 400 special needs youths annually for a nationally
renowned child care organization in Nebraska. Greg holds a Master of
Science degree in Human Service Counseling Administration and a
Bachelor of Professional Studies degree in Management of Human
Resources, both from Bellevue University at Bellevue, Nebraska. In
addition, an Associate of Applied Science degree in Agricultural Farm
and Ranch Management and is a certified professional agronomist.
Greg's responsibilities at Overlook Farm include overseeing the development of goal setting and Family Strength learning programs, hosting the Governing Board of Directors and providing program technical
support and outreach activities.
Kaci Postma
Special Olympics Coach
Kaci has grown up around horses and farm animals and began riding horses on her own at age 10. Since this time, Kaci has ridden and helped train dozens of different horses. She and her family currently own 20 horses. Kaci attends high school in Algona, Iowa, where she is an honor student. She volunteers as a coordinator at the Catholic Church's Vacation Bible School during the summer. Kaci plans to attend college and study to be a dental hygienist. She carries on a legacy of the love of horses passed on for generations. Her grandfather was a trainer and is now a horse trader. Her mother has been a horsewoman since before she could walk and she and Kaci ride together often. Kaci is the program's Special Olympics Equestrian Coach and oversees the training of select groups of Special Olympians. She prepares these athletes for various events culminating each year in Des Moines at the Iowa Special Olympics Equestrian Competition.
Greg and Jaci Eden
Overlook Farm Managers (Equestrian enthusiasts)
Equestrian, Small Animal, And Agricultural Assisted Learning Programs
Oversees equestrian and livestock operations, supervises Farmhand training and Farmhand activities associated with animal care training, orchard and gardening training and overall program safety. Greg & Jaci lend the technical support of all programs at Overlook Farm. Their diverse agricultural backgrounds help strengthen programs with oversight of farm safety and equestrian training.
G & J Ranch
The Edens operate a large modern family farming operation in North Central Iowa
and provide a service of matching individuals to horses, paying close
attention to meeting the unique needs of riders and animals. They have experience in trail riding, training, buying and selling horses. With the purchase of a horse from the Edens, they offer buyers the following guarantee:
If not satisfied with the match of a purchased
horse, buyers may return the horse within the first 10 days after
purchase and exchange it for a horse that offers a more suitable fit to
the rider, providing the horse remains as healthy and sound as the day
it was purchased.
The Edens also have available for sale: tack, saddles, harness, carts, and much more..... you request it, the Edens can find it.
To learn more, please contact the Edens at:
Greg: 515-320-4096 Jaci: 712-348-5091
Greg Eden and Lily
Greg Eden with Festus the dog and Learning Assistant Tilly
Craig VanDenHull
Overlook Farmhand
Craig
works on his families cropping and horse farm in North Central Iowa and
assists in the training and care of the horses and animals used at the
Overlook Farm riding program. Craig provides ongoing coaching and
educational support of Special Olympians involved with equestrian
competition training and fosters a learning environment to promote
positive interactions between Olympians and family members.
Andrew Eden
Overlook Farmhand
Andrew is a full-time student in North Central Iowa and has a great interest in caring for horses and farm animals. Along with his school studies, Andrew is active in high school sports, band and works on his families cropping and horse farm. At Overlook Farm, Andrew provides client technical learning support in facilitating equestrian, small animal, orchard and gardening learning activities. He fosters a learning environment to promote self-esteem and self-respect development, and provides relationship building opportunities for clients' and family members.