History of Care Farming Network
“A Care Farm In Every County”
Care Farming Network's Origin and History
The seed for Care Farming Network was planted at Red Wiggler Care Farm in Germantown, Maryland. Since 1996, Red Wiggler Care Farm has employed people with developmental disabilities and pioneered innovative methods to engage both youth and adults, with and without disabilities, in food cultivation and distribution through employment and education programs.
As a leader in the care farming movement, Red Wiggler was often asked the same question: “Where is the support system for people doing this work?” After decades of responding to calls and inquiries from aspiring and active care farmers across the country, Red Wiggler took a bold step—launching the Care Farming Network to provide the community, resources, and infrastructure needed for care farms to take root and thrive.
2018-2021
Red Wiggler began dedicated outreach efforts to connect with care farms working for the benefit of people with intellectual or developmental disabilities(I/DD) in the Mid-Atlantic region. This work included site visits, building a comprehensive care farm database, and actively engaging with farm operators to understand their needs and approaches.
In October 2018, Red Wiggler partnered with Future Harvest CASA to host the inaugural Mid-Atlantic Care Farming Summit. The event drew over 70 attendees from seven states and Italy, sparking the beginnings of a vibrant care farming community. A common refrain from attendees—“I can’t believe I’m not the only one doing this work”—highlighted the deep need for connection, shared learning, and mutual support among care farmers.
In response, Red Wiggler expanded its outreach by presenting at sustainable agriculture conferences like Pasa and Future Harvest to raise awareness about care farming. The farm also organized and hosted meetups where care farmers could exchange ideas and build relationships around the therapeutic power of farming. Further cementing its leadership in the field, Red Wiggler sponsored a dedicated Social Care Farming Track at the Farm-Based Education Network Conference, helping to elevate the visibility and credibility of care farming nationwide.
2021-2022
Care Farming Network was officially established as a program of Red Wiggler Care Farm. With its launch came a new website, a distinct logo, and the publication of an online Care Farm Directory to increase visibility and connection among care farms nationwide.
As the team expanded, CFN increased its national outreach efforts and hosted a virtual launch event that drew over 60 attendees. Shortly thereafter, CFN introduced its Monthly Member Gatherings—regular virtual meetings designed to bring care farmers together to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and explore the unique challenges and opportunities of care farming.
2023-2025
Thanks to generous funding from USDA Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE), CFN has been able to significantly expand its reach and impact. This support allowed CFN to host a series of engaging webinars, several Beginning Care Farming Virtual Series, and in-person meetups and farm tours throughout the Northeast- while also expanding ouronline Resource Library with practical tools, articles, and insights.
In 2024, CFN launched its Mentorship Program, pairing aspiring care farmers with seasoned care farmers to foster relationships, share expertise, and provide sustained support during the critical early stages of care farm development.
In 2025, CFN proudly hosted the inaugural Care Farming Network National Conference, bringing together 170 attendees from 26 states for three days of learning, connection, and community-building. Membership also grew to include over 300 care farms, reflecting the growing momentum and nationwide interest in care farming as a model for healing, inclusion, and purpose.
How We’re Growing: A Regional Strategy for National Impact
When Red Wiggler first began connecting with farms intentionally supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), the Care Farming Network launched with just 13 member farms. By May 2025, that number had grown to over 300 care farms nationwide—thanks to a focused regional growth strategy and the invaluable support of partners and funders.
Our Blueprint for National Expansion
Drawing on our success in the Northeast, CFN is now implementing a replicable model to grow care farming across other regions. Our approach includes:
- Research – Identifying care farms, regional resources, and agricultural organizations and allies.
- Intentional Outreach – Connecting with care farms doing this work, even if they don’t yet identify as such.
- Farm Visits – Meeting with care farm leaders and identifying potential mentors.
- Landscape Survey – Understanding each region’s unique care farming characteristics, strengths, and needs.
- Regional Meetups – Hosting gatherings to foster relationships and share knowledge.
- Retreats – Facilitating deeper connection and strategy among key care farm leaders.
- Mentorship Program – Pairing new and aspiring care farmers with experienced mentors.
- Regional Conferences – Bringing together established care farmers, newcomers, and allies.
- Sustained Support – Securing funding to hire regional coordinators who can build momentum, create connections, and manage resources specific to the local care farming community.
What We Learned in the Northeast
Care farming is still an emerging concept in the U.S.—many farms didn’t even realize their work had a name. We began by conducting online searches using terms like “autism,” “neurodivergent,” “disability,” “farming,” and “agriculture” to identify care-centered farms.
From that research, we built connections, conducted a landscape survey, and visited key farms, including:
These visits culminated in a regional winter retreat, where care farmers came together to share best practices, build relationships, and envision the future of care farming.
From Connections to Community
Following the retreat, CFN launched a Resource Library of best practices, developed a Mentorship Program, and hosted a regional retreat that brought together care farmers and allies from across the Northeast. These milestones demonstrated the power of regional networks to drive lasting change.
Looking Ahead
With over 300 care farms now in the network, CFN is building momentum toward a future where every county in the U.S. has a care farm. By replicating our regional model, nurturing strong relationships, and supporting care farmers every step of the way, we are growing a more inclusive and therapeutic farming movement—one region at a time.