We shared how care farms are transforming what community care can look like and were joined by some of the leaders behind the movement.

Presenters Included:

Kate Mudge, Care Farming Network

Caroline Croft Estay & Johnny Fifles, Vertical Harvest Farms

Rachel Gillis, CapeAbilities

Watch the recording to hear more about how care farms work, what inspires care farmers, and what’s possible when farms are designed as deeply supportive, inclusive spaces.

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Smile Farmers led a tour of their garden, offering tastings of nasturtium flowers, roselle, oregano, basil, and some of the season’s final cherry tomatoes. The garden’s herbs are dried and featured in a signature tea blend, while hot peppers are transformed into Smile Farms’ famous “Burn Ability” hot sauce.

Brianna guided the tour with her impressive expertise in edible flowers and herbs, even pointing out which weeds were safe to eat.

Andrew showed off the greenhouse and demonstrated how they creatively plant carrots and lettuce along the outer edges of the tomato beds, maximizing both the greenhouse and bed space.

Andrew summed up the visit by sharing some Burnability Hot Sauce and his slogan, that Smile farms garden is “where goodness burns bright.” We couldn’t agree more.

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In a world of workforce shortages and competitive job markets, companies are developing creative hiring strategies and looking at untapped talent pools. Through technology and companies actively seeking to diversify their workforces, more work opportunities are being crafted for individuals with disabilities. According to Maine’s Department of Labor, 16% of working-age adults in the state have one or more disabilities, exceeding the national average of 13%. Nationwide, 1 in 4 Americans has a disability. Actively engaging this talent pool could help mitigate worker shortages while providing career opportunities for individuals who are ready and eager to get to work.

Nona Yehia, co-founder and CEO of Vertical Harvest Farms, knows first-hand the importance of providing meaningful work opportunities to people of all abilities. “I have a brother with disabilities. I did not set out to be a vertical farmer, I am an architect by trade, and from a very early age, I understood that community wasn’t set up to support my brother like it was set up to support me. I think I was an advocate before I even understood what the word meant.”

Vertical Harvest Farms use hydroponic techniques to create farms in urban spaces. The company’s latest branch in Westbrook leverages technology to provide job opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Zoom and Google Chat enhance communication, while multimodal approaches are utilized in employee training to accommodate the diverse learning styles of individuals. The team at Vertical Harvest is striving to find a balance between automated farming with robots and hiring skilled workers to oversee the tech. Advancing technology is increasing job accessibility for diverse employee populations.

Inspired by the work of scientist and autism advocate, Temple Grandin, Yehia believes that old-fashioned, rigid job roles limit growth for the individual and the company. Instead, Vertical Harvest designs their job description around people’s strengths and makes an accessible application process that removes barriers to entry. Additionally, the company connects with local disability organizations, workforce development agencies, and vocational programs to let job seekers with disabilities know that there are job opportunities available.

“First and foremost, this is about smart business. We know that companies that embrace inclusive hiring gain access to a highly motivated, untapped talent pool made of the right people who bring problem solving skills, dedication, and fresh perspectives. We’re addressing this critical national labor issue. Right now, there are industries across the country who are struggling to fill positions, but at the same time, there are millions of capable individuals, especially people with disabilities, who are left out of the workforce due to outdated hiring models. This is a population who wants to work and deserves to work,” Yehia said.

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Through a federally-funded partnership with New Mexico State University, the New Mexico Technology Assistance Program, and the University of New Mexico, Mandy’s Farm offers programming designed specifically for people with disabilities who wish to access education and vocational support designed to cultivate a career in farming. Apprentices complete a two-year long program designed to prepare them to work on an existing farm or start a micro-business of their own and receive hands-on and classroom-based training in growing vegetables, cultivating fruit, caring for small livestock, and more. Following the completion of their apprenticeship, disabled farmers have the opportunity to incubate their own farming business within Mandy’s Farm. Their approach blends residential support, agriculture, and vocational training into a thriving ecosystem of care.

Growing Food in the desert

Mandy’s Farm grows everything from garlic and walking onions to quinoa—and garbanzo beans!—all on Zone 7b land that thrives from mid-April through October. They’re experimenting with diverse crops, including native species, while also growing food for a local restaurant with the goal of providing nutritious food to residents who live in their group homes. Future plans include a farm stand and community-centered meals for local residents.

They’ve planted native shrubs as a windbreak along the edge of the property, reinforcing their commitment to sustainability, and have been working hard to remediate their soil. A greenhouse, flock of ducks, and some very friendly goats greeted us upon our arrival, and are cared for the apprentices at the farm.

Empowerment in Action

What stood out was how choice is embedded into every aspect of daily life. There’s a task board with names and Velcro-backed picture icons that represent farm jobs. Apprentices choose their tasks each day, placing icons by their names and shifting them once completed. Visual tools like the “traffic light” clock help signal transitions between tasks, meals, and rest—simple systems that make a big impact in supporting autonomy.

Innovation Through Apprenticeship and Occupational Therapy

The AgrAbility Apprentice Program is one of Mandy’s Farm’s most exciting innovations. This two-year, paid program provides adults with disabilities the opportunity to gain farming and business skills through a mix of education and hands-on work. Apprentices receive a stipend each month, with additional support from Vocational Rehabilitation and USDA’s Beginning Farmer and Rancher program.

In their final year, apprentices can grow crops on their own plot of land and launch a small business. The program ends with a three-month job placement period, and the goal is for each graduate to be employed in agriculture.

Mandy’s Farm also has a close partnership with the University of New Mexico’s Occupational Therapy department. OT students complete practicum placements on the farm, where they support assessments and adaptive tool development—like a 3D-printed one-handed toolbox.

To learn more about Mandy’s Farm, visit their website at mandysfarm.org.

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Every adult with intellectual or developmental disabilities deserves a quiet place to relax, unwind, and recharge. Midnight Farm offers visitors a chance to relax in nature, explore their creativity, and connect with others at a beautiful, 40-acre farm in Douglas County, KS.

Many adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities receive lifelong support yet crave the opportunity to help and give back. Midnight Farm offers adults with I/DD the chance to experience the joy of giving care by nurturing plants and animals as well as a place to build community through the events, games, and activities hosted at the Farm. Midnight Farm’s therapeutic setting is critical to building valuable life skills and easing the stress and overstimulation of city living. For individuals who are part of GoodLife’s residential services or participate in GoodLife’s Day Services, the farm’s peaceful, rural character offers a day service experience that you just can’t get at a community center

Location: Douglas County, Kansas

Website

Instagram 

Facebook

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The Specialty Crop LLC is a five acre farmstead that focuses on agritourism in SD through farmstay/camping and events, and the Specialty Crop Collaborative is our nonprofit and deep calling at the farm. The Collaborative provides programming for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Programming focuses on job and life skill training through agricultural experiences.

 

Farmers in The Specialty Crop Collaborative tend a half acre garden, grows produce for sale in our (coming soon) farm stand, tend a flock of laying hens including coop chores, egg collection and chicken health management, and farm upkeep including grove clearing and small building projects. We also prioritize rest and relaxation at the farm including taking time to enjoy the beautiful land we steward, sharing the special food we grow, testing our farm products. We actively work to cultivate community and sow a meaningful life for people of all abilities

 

Located in: Hudson, South Dakota

Founded in 2023

Website: https://www.thespecialtycrop.com/

Instagram: @TheSpecialtyCrop

Facebook: TheSpecialtyCrop

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GROW HUB, (Growing Real Opportunities to Work—Harvest of Urban Business), a 501c3 not-for-profit, was incorporated in 2016 to meet a critical need faced by both local students and adults of varying abilities who complete their schooling at age 22, and have limited options for meaningful employment. GROW HUB is a beautiful and safe place where adults of all abilities can find meaningful work. Their collaborative community programs and partnerships provide opportunities and experiences they often cannot find elsewhere. Their campus provides a little something for everyone including retail sales, nursery stock management, gardening, landscape maintenance, equipment repairs, seed saving, plant sales, art classes and yoga workshops.

GROW HUB most recently hosted Native Plant-a-Palooza, a community festival with workshops, live music, food, plant and art vendors, and more! The workshop topics included wildflower propagation, a tree planting demo, replacing lawn areas with native plants using sheet mulch techniques, and the folk medicine of fire cider. The festival was co-sponsored by the City of Gainesville (certified as an official Bee City USA), Florida Native Plant Society, Florida Wildflower Foundation, Dr. Kim Kazimour (local School Psychologist), and Allegra.

Located in: Gainesville, Florida

Founded in: 2016

Website: https://www.grow-hub.org

Instagram: @grow.hub

Facebook: GROWHUBGNV

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Uncomfortable Confrontation: Simple De-Escalating Tips That Work

Though most of us would prefer to totally avoid confrontation, or any negative emotions or dysregulation, it is simply impossible to do. As a human being, there are times when we will be challenged with someone who is becoming frustrated or angry, possibly a friend or family member, or even someone at work. This can also be true of farm programs, whether it’s employees, volunteers, or participants in your farm program. The focus of this discussion was to provide simple de-escalating tips that will allow you to successfully support someone else who is exhibiting emotions that may be difficult to address while also providing easily remembered techniques to help co-regulate with others. This webinar is best suited for professionals working with people with intellectual & developmental disabilities.

Guest Speaker: Anna Schankowski, LMSW, is a Clinically Licensed Social Worker in Michigan.  She has worked in public schools for almost 20 years, and also has experience with private therapy. Anna is a certified Trauma Informed Practices Trainer and Restorative Practices Train the Trainer.  Founder and President of Healing Hearts Therapeutic Farm in Michigan, Anna has utilized so many of these clinical skills within her farm care program that provides healing to those struggling with emotional concerns, combined with Animal Assisted Interventions (Therapy, Education and Activities). Learn more about Healing Hearts Therapeutic Farm on their website.

Building Healthy Relationships At Work

People with developmental disabilities are often left out of the conversation about sexuality and relationships, almost as if they are incapable of having thoughts, feelings, and needs. In reality, they, too, are sexual beings who need information and skills for making healthy decisions about sexuality. As someone who works in a competitive integrated employment setting or a worksite, you see the need to address relationships and sexuality on a one-on-one basis with people with I/DD who are employees. We explored the topics and main points to teach and examine techniques for helping people with I/DD to have healthy work relationships.

In this webinar participants:

• Gained knowledge about relationships and sexuality and specific issues for people with developmental disabilities.
• Explored knowledge and skills for building healthy relationships at work including types of relationships, public and private, and working with coworkers
• Explored ways to communicate about sexuality with people with developmental disabilities.

Guest Speaker: Katherine McLaughlin (M.Ed.)is certified as a sexuality educator by AASECT (American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists) and is the Founder of Disability Workshops, now Elevatus Training, LLC. She is the CEO, Lead Trainer and delivers Elevatus’ live and online trainings. She is the author of Sexuality Education for People with Developmental Disabilities Curriculum and also develops educational materials for others to use in teaching and communicating. Learn more about Elevates Training on their website.

Adaptive Farming Strategies

In this webinar, member care farms discussed the adaptive farm tools and techniques they use to operate neurodiverse-inclusive farms. Neurodiverse participation was encouraged! Presenters (with and without disabilities) shared their top techniques and tools they use in a production farm setting:

Red Wiggler Community Farm (Maryland) is a sustainable Care Farm where people with and without developmental disabilities come together to work, learn, and grow healthy food. Founded in 1996, Red Wiggler now serves over 1,900 community members, has a 120-share CSA program, distributes 50% of organic produce to low-income households through our Farm to Group Home and Farm to Food Bank programs, employs 15 adults with developmental disabilities, and regularly hosts field trips and volunteers. Learn more here: https://redwiggler.org/

Little Otter Flower Farm (Virginia) is a small family farm started for son Max who has Autism. A flower farm fits with the family’s love of being outdoors, their desire to be part of a community, and tasks that match Max’s strengths. Little Otter sells their flowers online as well as at a local farmers market, and they offer a “Random Act of Kindness” option through which anyone anywhere can purchase flowers as a gift to be locally delivered. Learn more here: https://littleotterflowerfarm.com/

Vertical Harvest (Wyoming) energizes local food systems via hydroponic, vertical, controlled environmental agriculture (CEA) to deliver healthier food and futures. We work with communities to develop underutilized space in urban, underserved neighborhoods, grow “up” on a fraction of the land required by traditional agriculture, while using 85% less water to deliver our produce at peak flavor and nutrition, year-round. We use an inclusive employment model currently focused on individuals with physical and/or intellectual disabilities. Learn more here: https://verticalharvestfarms.com/

Care Farming Network is grateful to Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) for supporting this series!

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