As one of the district’s transition programs, G.E.T. (Growing Education Training) program began at one high school in partnership with Cymplify Central, a local business that included a market, coffee shop, and café. G.E.T. is an extension of the district’s community based vocational education program which provides real life experiences for students with disabilities. The G.E.T. program allowed students to explore their tentative career options and goals. Students spent the morning growing a variety of vegetables and herbs using hydroponic towers. Vegetables and herbs were not the only thing growing. The confidence of the students and their understanding of the world of work was also growing. The G.E.T program quickly expanded to a model farm to school food hub located at Loften High School. Students with disabilities from every high school had the opportunity to participate by staffing greenhouses while working side by side with employees and interns in a processing facility. The Food Hub is a collaboration between several district departments and has grown to be a model Farm to School Program providing training on school gardening and also preparing and processing local food for schools. This model was achieved with the help of community partners which included University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Science and Family Nutrition, Southern Heritage Seed Collective, Forage Far, Frog Song Organics, Gainesville Compost, Family Garden Farm, Possum Hollow Farm, The RePurpose Project, and Lowe’s. By participating in G.E.T., students gain an understanding of their abilities and interest, gain an understanding of the world of work, and acquire effective decision-making skills. The G.E.T. program provides a seamless transition to employment for student with disabilities.
The transition is not always seamless and students are not always ready to move to the world of work. When a student reaches the age of 22 and their time in the world of school is ending, they may not be ready for the world of work. Depending on individual needs, additional time and support may be necessary. Knowing that work is essential to a livelihood and to a sense of worth and accomplishment for all individuals, GROW HUB was born. GROW HUB provides a base for small agri-businesses who are engaged in growing and producing food and related products while the businesses provide meaningful employment to individuals with disabilities who are in need of additional time and support and also veterans who are re-entering the traditional workplace. Because GROW HUB on school board property next to the G.E.T program,
- Deliver more healthy food to more Schools
- Provide affordable produce to SNAP-Ed
- Educate our kids about the food they eat:
- New School Gardens and Field Trips
- Continue to engage the community:
- UF Family Nutrition Program, Downtown Farmer’s Market, 10 Can
