On September 10th, 2024, care farmers gathered to learn how Homefields Care Farm provides meaningful employment and housing to support adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in their community.
Homefields Care Farm is an award-winning nonprofit organization dedicated to creating new life options for people who have disabilities. Hundreds of people who have a disability or other barrier to traditional employment have engaged at the farm, growing organic produce for community shareholders, and six adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities call the farm “Home.”
On the day of the farm tour, we met by the CSA building for a round of introductions. We learned about the history of Homefields from Allison Hawthorne, Homefield’s Board President. Then we headed out to the fields for our tour led by Farm Manager Andrew Phillips.
Andrew and his co-workers Doug, Cristian, Tony, and Christina showed us their perennial gardens, greenhouses, compost area, and annual crops in the field as they walked us around the farm. Participants asked great questions and we discussed how Homefields crew operates on a day to day basis, how they adapt their farming tasks to suit their team, and the successes and challenges they are facing in their work.
After the tour ended, we sat and chatted over a delicious dinner catered by Homefields and Koshary Station while we watched the sun go down. The group continued to ask questions of one another and share their stories, exchange resources, and bond over a great meal in a beautiful place.
We are so grateful to Homefields for hosting us!
