{"id":10319,"date":"2025-11-11T13:20:37","date_gmt":"2025-11-11T18:20:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carefarmingnetwork.org\/?p=10319"},"modified":"2025-11-11T13:23:13","modified_gmt":"2025-11-11T18:23:13","slug":"cultivating-workforce-inclusion-care-farming-network-and-red-wiggler-at-the-tapping-into-talent-innovation-and-opportunity-conference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/carefarmingnetwork.org\/cultivating-workforce-inclusion-care-farming-network-and-red-wiggler-at-the-tapping-into-talent-innovation-and-opportunity-conference\/","title":{"rendered":"Cultivating Workforce Inclusion: Care Farming Network and Red Wiggler at the Tapping Into Talent: Innovation and Opportunity Conference"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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This November, Andrea Barnhart, Co-Director of Care Farming Network (CFN) and Melissa McLearen, On-Farm Programs Director at Red Wiggler Care Farm were honored to present at Kennedy Krieger’s Neurodiversity at Work 2025 Tapping Into Talent: Innovation and Opportunity Conference. Their session, \u201cCultivating Workforce Inclusion: Advancing Care Farming in the United States,\u201d<\/em> spotlighted how care farming is transforming the landscape of inclusive employment across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What Is Care Farming?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Care farming is an innovative approach that combines therapeutic and inclusive employment practices within working farms. By offering meaningful, hands-on work in agricultural settings, care farms create opportunities for people of all abilities\u2014including individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), veterans, and others who often face barriers to employment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Building a National Movement<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The presentation highlighted how Care Farming Network is leading a national effort to strengthen and scale inclusive farming. Through collaboration, resource-sharing, and research, CFN is building the infrastructure needed to support care farms across the U.S.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Real-World Impact<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Drawing from Red Wiggler Care Farm\u2019s nearly three decades of experience in inclusive employment, Melissa shared practical strategies for recruitment, training, and retention that cultivate belonging, dignity, and purpose in agricultural workplaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expanding Opportunities through Research and Mentorship<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

As part of its USDA SARE-funded project, CFN is deepening understanding of what makes inclusive employment thrive on farms. This initiative includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n