About | PM Orchards

Our Faith Focused Mission

At PM Orchards, our mission flows from faith in Jesus Christ. We want to help young people peel away layers of fear and misconceptions about God, replacing them with a vision of His true character: infinitely loving, non-coercive, never tyrannical.

In a world scarred by abuse, coercion, and harmful ideologies, we are called to reveal God’s goodness and mirror His love. That means creating communities of safety, truth, and healing where faith is not forced, but discovered freely.

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Meet the Founders: Miguel & Tara

At the heart of PM Orchards are Miguel and Tara, educators and mentors whose combined 40+ years of teaching and ministry have touched lives across the U.S. and abroad.

Together, Miguel and Tara blend their skills as teachers, mentors, and parents. Married in 2018, they have six children in their blended family, a daily reminder that love, resilience, and growth are possible through God’s grace.

Miguel – A lifelong educator and certified mental health coach, Miguel has taught everything from Spanish and ESL to Math, Science, and Bible. His teaching style is interactive and relational, helping students grasp even the most challenging lessons. Today, he brings both academic expertise and deep compassion to his mentoring role at PM Orchards.

Tara – With a Bachelor’s from Andrews University, a Master’s from Michigan State, and decades of teaching K-12, Tara is a seasoned educator and math specialist. She has a passion for one-on-one learning, empowering students through tailored education that builds confidence and long-term success.

A Legacy of Love and Service

Penny and Mike Tello lived Christ's love in action, driving kids to church, feeding migrant families, and serving with quiet humility. When an electrical fire took their lives, the loss felt unbearable. At the time, Tara and I were missionaries in Bolivia, walking with young people carrying deep trauma. Even through her own grief, Tara held me with steady grace. She didn’t rush me to heal; she sat in it with me and supported me through it.

In that broken pause, God planted a seed: What happens to our students when they age out? From that question and our grief, PM Orchards was born. Named after my parents, not as a memorial, but as a continuation of their legacy.

Tara and I embody their compassion through discipleship, mentorship, and practical healing. It’s dinners shared, tears witnessed, and futures rebuilt by and for the next generation.

Their hands will one day plant the gardens and trees that symbolize new beginnings. Because the orchard isn’t a dream we’re chasing, but a call we’re answering, a place where grief becomes sacred restoration.

Safe Spaces for Healing and Growth

Our work is deeply personal. As co-founders, our own life experiences and struggles have given us compassion for young people navigating trauma and spiritual or emotional abuse. At PM Orchards, we:

Create safe environments where young adults can question, wrestle, and heal.
Provide mentorship and counseling to guide them through recovery and growth.
Support them with education, housing, and meals, giving stability during a fragile stage of life.
Offer work and service opportunities, from agriculture to community outreach, building responsibility and purpose.

This is more than a program. It’s a family where every student knows they are seen, loved, and equipped for life.

Rooted in Hope

We dream of a community where every young adult has access to the guidance and resources they need to succeed.

Academically – equipping for university or vocational paths.
Emotionally – offering counseling and mentorship to heal past wounds.
Spiritually – showing them a God of love and freedom.
Practically – providing real work experience in orchards, agriculture, and community service.

Our long-term vision is a self-sustaining campus, where orchards and small industries not only provide food and income but also teach students stewardship, work ethic, and resilience.