We started the Farm to School to Work Hub to help get people with special needs into the workforce. But we quickly saw that some people need extra time and structure to discover what their abilities are and how they fit with possible jobs.
The cool thing about agriculture is that there are so many different tasks that are all equally important. It’s just a matter of finding the right job for the right person. Quality control is one example. The kind of attention that repetitive work – like checking for insects on plants or clogs in the water lines in the hydroponic system – is hard for most people to sustain. But some people with disabilities thrive on exercising that attention to detail; they enjoy this valuable work. We have a volunteer here who loves removing tape and staples from the broken-down boxes we use as ground cover to reduce weed growth. We wouldn’t be where we are without those boxes she has painstakingly prepared. Her role is just as important as someone’s with food safety certification or harvesting capabilities.
Grow Hub is a place that makes the connection between the skills our workers have and the needs of the community. It’s good work, doing good for others. We grow fresh fruit and vegetables and beautiful ornamental plants. We provide services that our neighbors need. At Grow Hub, people earn the opportunity to apply for real jobs that directly help others – the kind of good work we all want.
