Dutton Farm

About Dutton Farm

A Mother's Mission: Born from a mother’s love and respect for her daughter Rebecca “Becca” Smither, Dutton Farm opened its doors in 2010 when Michele Smither recognized the lack of adult supports once Becca aged out of school. Determined to help her—and others facing the same challenges—continue growing and exploring their talents, Michele turned concern into action. With the generous donation of a neighboring property and steadfast support from Becca’s father, Jim, Michele drew on over 20 years of respite-care experience to welcome Becca and her friends for daily activities. Joined by her daughter Jenny Brown, Michele built a warm, supportive program where participants expanded on school-age skills and discovered new ones. What began as a small, family-led gathering has blossomed into a thriving nonprofit serving more than 150 adults across Oakland and Macomb counties, guided by Michele and led by CEO Jenny Brown. Mission: To empower and support individuals with disabilities to live a life of purpose, inclusion and dignity. Staff Values: Mission-Driven We are fueled by purpose. Every task — whether direct care or behind-the-scenes — connects to our shared mission of empowering adults with disabilities to live with dignity and inclusion. We stay true to our calling, keeping integrity and compassion at the center of what we do. Productive We take initiative and get things done. We move with focus and follow-through, using our time and resources wisely so the mission advances every day. When challenges arise, we look for solutions and keep momentum without losing care for people. Dependable We weather the storm. We stay steady, sturdy, and reliable — the kind of teammates and leaders others can trust when things get hard. Through consistency, calm, and commitment, we prove our dependability day after day. Collaborative We serve with empathy and thoughtfulness. We listen first, support each other, and value every perspective. Collaboration means carrying one another’s load — working selflessly so our participants and coworkers can thrive together. Positive We bring a hopeful spirit to our work. Even when the day is tough, we choose gratitude and encouragement. Our positivity isn’t shallow — it’s a steady belief that what we do matters and that people grow best in a culture of kindness and joy. Responsible We own our work and our words. We act with integrity, care for our resources, and hold ourselves accountable to one another. Responsibility here means stewardship — protecting the mission, our participants, and each other through thoughtful, ethical action.