{"id":2910,"date":"2024-07-10T21:57:41","date_gmt":"2024-07-10T21:57:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carefarmingnetwork.org\/?page_id=2910"},"modified":"2025-11-10T11:42:48","modified_gmt":"2025-11-10T16:42:48","slug":"history-of-care-farming-network","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/carefarmingnetwork.org\/history-of-care-farming-network\/","title":{"rendered":"History of Care Farming Network"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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History of Care Farming Network<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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“A Care Farm In Every County”<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Care Farming Network's Origin and History<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The seed for Care Farming Network was planted at Red Wiggler Care Farm in Germantown, Maryland.\u00a0 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.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>

As a leader in the care farming movement, Red Wiggler was often asked the same question: \u201cWhere is the support system for people doing this work?\u201d After decades of responding to calls and inquiries from aspiring and active care farmers across the country, Red Wiggler took a bold step\u2014launching the Care Farming Network to provide the community, resources, and infrastructure needed for care farms to take root and thrive.<\/p>

2018-2021<\/strong><\/p>

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.<\/span><\/p>

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In October 2018, Red Wiggler partnered with Future Harvest CASA to host the inaugural <\/span>Mid-Atlantic Care Farming Summit<\/span><\/a>. The event drew over 70 attendees from seven states and Italy, sparking the beginnings of a vibrant care farming community.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>A common refrain from attendees\u2014<\/span>\u201cI can\u2019t believe I\u2019m not the only one doing this work\u201d<\/span><\/i>\u2014highlighted the deep need for connection, shared learning, and mutual support among care farmers.<\/span><\/p>

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 <\/span>Farm-Based Education Network Conference<\/span><\/a>, helping to elevate the visibility and credibility of care farming nationwide.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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2021-2022<\/b><\/p>

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 <\/span>Care Farm Directory<\/span><\/a> to increase visibility and connection among care farms nationwide.<\/span><\/p>

As the team expanded, CFN increased its national outreach efforts and hosted a <\/span>virtual launch event<\/span><\/a> that drew over 60 attendees. Shortly thereafter, CFN introduced its Monthly Member Gatherings\u2014regular virtual meetings designed to bring care farmers together to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and explore the unique challenges and opportunities of care farming.<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0<\/span>2023-2025<\/strong><\/p>

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<\/a>, and in-person meetups and farm tours throughout the Northeast- while also expanding ouronline Resource Library<\/a> with practical tools, articles, and insights.<\/p>

In 2024, CFN launched its <\/span>Mentorship Program<\/span><\/a>, 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.<\/span><\/p>

In 2025, CFN proudly hosted the inaugural <\/span>Care Farming Network National Conference<\/span><\/a>, 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.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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How We\u2019re Growing: A Regional Strategy for National Impact\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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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\u2014thanks to a focused regional growth strategy and the invaluable support of partners and funders.<\/span><\/p>

Our Blueprint for National Expansion<\/b><\/h3>

Drawing on our success in the Northeast, CFN is now implementing a replicable model to grow care farming across other regions. Our approach includes:<\/span><\/p>