allies inc nj horticultural therapy csa farm

by MaryAnne McMillan, HTR

Reflecting now, I think how fast the summer has gone, and then I think back to the hot, humid weather of this season and feel some relief that the dog days of summer are nearing an end. But most of all I feel gratitude for the wonderful CSA employees we have had working with us these past 3 months. Barry, Frances and Sharon have consistently given their all and they are what keep Linda, my coworker, and I motivated!

In a minute we will talk about our adventures in the garden, but first I wanted to introduce you further to the company that has helped individuals with special needs (“consumers” age 21 and over) find a place they can call home; where they can grow and flourish mentally, physically and spiritually.

Allies, Inc. is an accredited nonprofit agency dedicated to providing housing, healthcare, meaningful employment and recreational opportunities to people with special needs in the communities of their choice: an apartment, group home, or living with their parents. They may choose their own roommates, if necessary. Living arrangements are also based on their medical and staff needs.

We work together with the State of NJ, Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities. Developmental disability is a term used to describe a life-long disability attributable to mental and/or physical impairments. Most often these disabilities are manifested before the age of two.

People with Autism, Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, hard of hearing and blindness may be considered to have special needs. As you might know, our CSA Farm employees are consumers of Allies and are being paid to work on the farm. We have had individual volunteers over the summer who are also consumers with the agency. Our plan in the future is to offer this vocational training program to transitional students (students who are 21, the age where school funding runs) out coming out of the school system. Our program consists of daily work skill lessons, horticulture lessons and includes hands on training.

In most cases, the consumer does graduate from High School (might be a Special Needs program) and some even go on to college. For instance, Mercer County Community College (MCCC) in NJ, has a program called DREAM (Developing Real Expectations for Achieving Mastery). MCCC developed DREAM for students with intellectual disabilities who are looking for an inclusive, challenging educational opportunity with supports and services to help them achieve success.

We have learned how newspaper layered in the beds and completely covered by salt hay or straw can act as a magical weed deterrent! We have scared off the groundhog with water sprayed from the hose. Just ask our CSA staff member, Barry, how exciting that was! We have spread worm poop to add nutrition to the soil. We have watched our tomatoes and pepper plants grow into healthy ones, even after being planted in the near 100 degree heat. We have watched the magical flight of the butterflies and hummingbird moth that comes daily to enjoy our flower beds. We have occasionally popped a few cherry tomatoes into our mouths- nothing like Jersey Fresh tomatoes!

We will continue our harvest during the next two months. The days are getting a little cooler and the night sky comes a little sooner and we are already talking about what we plan to do next year; after all--- we are gardeners!