CARE FARMING NETWORK BLOG

August 10, 2023

Lettuce Dream

Lettuce Dream serves individuals with disabilities in northwest Missouri who have the desire to work and be participating members of the community. People of all abilities have equal access to achieve their career goals and contribute to their community. We empower individual potential through innovative career programs and community inclusion while growing fresh hydroponic produce year-round.

Sometimes a single conversation can affect the direction of an entire life. You might say that just a handful of conversations gave birth to the idea of Lettuce Dream. It started out when two mothers of individuals with developmental disabilities began discussing what the future might hold for their kids in adulthood. These mothers saw few options for their children once they finished high school and wound up deciding that they themselves would be the ones to change that.

Together, the mothers began strategizing how the idea of inclusion could extend into their children’s adult lives. They dreamed of a day where their children could expand their education after high school and saw a future of fulfillment for them. Sadly, at this phase, one of the mothers was struck with cancer. Before her passing, she promised to do what she could from heaven if only her friend, Diane, would continue making efforts here on earth. Diane has kept that promise and Lettuce Dream is the unfolding reality to prove it. Lettuce Dream is built on the idea that individuals with developmental and cognitive disabilities have a lot to give and that everyone is better off when they are an integral part of the wider community. These two mothers have made good on the promises they made to each other and we are witness to their dream coming true.

kids planting lettuce

Lettuce Dream focuses on providing customized services to each individual to support them in their career journey. Lettuce Dream is contracted with the Missouri Department of Mental Health and Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation to provide employment services to individuals with disabilities through prevocational assessment and discovery, career planning and job development, job coaching, retention, stabilization and follow-up, as well as ongoing support. Click here to learn more about programs!

Location: 1623 E. 2nd Street, Maryville, MO 64468

Email: support@lettucedream.org

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fresh lettuce
August 1, 2023

Lynchburg Grows

Lynchburg Grows is a seven-acre urban farm dedicated to providing access to fresh, local, produce for Lynchburg residents, restaurants, and organizations, while also providing purposeful jobs for individuals with disabilities. The story of Lynchburg Grows is deeply rooted in a sense of community and help and its mission reflects those roots.

Providing meaningful, important work for people with disabilities has been part of Lynchburg Grows’ mission from the beginning. We currently employ four individuals with physical and/or mental disabilities. Our Farm Coach helps them stay on task and encourages them throughout the day.

Our employees deserve the credit for the farm’s harvest of more than 47,000 servings of food in 2020. The harvest supplies our community supported agriculture program, The Veggie Box, and our other programs that help provide access to fresh, healthy food in our community.

The Farm Coach program seeks to expand opportunities to bring more volunteers with disabilities to the farm to work alongside our farmers and Farm Coaches. This allows members of the community who have disabilities to benefit from our programming, open doors for us to hire new farmers should a particular volunteer show promise for farm-related work, and create an environment for our employees to engage in leadership and mentorship opportunities. A focal point of the program is making sure the farmers are able to facilitate independence, with an emphasis on expanding social and leadership skills. Ongoing coaching has helped farmers improve their efficiency, confidence, and motivation while allowing the Lynchburg Grows team to more fully identify learning edges to work on as our farmers move towards full independence. Reviews and adjustments for each farmer are implemented on an as-needed basis, and continues to provide job training that enhances the lives of our farmers and their participations in the local community.

Location:

1339 Englewood St. Lynchburg, VA 24501

Email: info@lynchburggrows.org

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July 31, 2023

Madison Fields Care Farm Tour

On June 27th, 2023, Madison Fields hosted The Care Farming Network for a special farm (and soapery) tour!

participants in front of red barnMadison Fields sits on 400 acres of beautiful farmland in the Agricultural Reserve of Montgomery County, Maryland. Madison Fields’ programs support their mission to strengthen their community by creating a safe, accessible, and inclusive agricultural environment where people of all abilities join together to participate in meaningful work, enjoy respite and healing, and engage with the natural world. Madison Fields program includes Equine-Assisted Services, Job Readiness Program, On-site Soapery, and Agricultural Education.

On the day of the farm tour, we met at the front of the farm and did introductions. We met our tour leaders: Nancy Frasche, Job Readiness Program Manager at Madison Fields, and David, Job Readiness Program Participant at Madison Fields. Then, we walked up the hill of the farm and met some of the horses (and a donkey) in the fenced pastures.
3 people standing, petting 2 horses

At the top of the hill, we visited the miniature horses in their enclosure, and we heard about their adventures in animal-assisted therapy at local schools, hospitals, and more! We then explored the Equestrian Center, where we saw horse riding lessons in action through the viewing window. David told us about the special connection he had with his primary riding horse, and about the beautiful displays they make to commemorate the horses after they pass away. Nancy gave us some insight into the different programs that the horses are a part of, including the Therapeutic Recreational Horseback Riding and the Equine Assisted Learning, as well as the processes for prospective (human) participants to get into these programs.

After that, we walked down to the chicken coop and learned about the chickens’ roles as a newer addition to the farm— we even got to take home some farm fresh eggs!

Throughout the tour, Nancy and David showed us the different components of Madison Fields’ multifaceted Job Readiness Program, including Equine Care (grooming, feeding, cleaning, paddock maintenance), Barn Maintenance (sweeping, arena care), Goat Care (milking, feeding, mucking, and soap making), and Chicken Care (feeding, cleaning, collecting eggs).

We finished off the tour in Madison Fields Soapery, where we saw (and smelled) the huge variety of soaps made by Job Readiness Program participants using goat milk from the farm. Nancy showed us some incredible animal-inspired soap carvings which were made by one of the participants.

After the tour ended, we all headed to the Milking Parlor for a delicious potluck dinner!

Participants inside a soapery