For more than ten years, Farm in the Dell (FITD) has transformed disabilities into abilities through purposeful work, a supportive community and life experiences. Shortly after FITD was announced as the benefiting charity for this year’s 25th annual RDO Caters Taters fundraising luncheon, many in the community quickly had new chances to see the ways FITD positively impacts the lives of their Garden Engineers.
Garden Engineers are FITD employees with disabilities, and FITD aims to provide them with joyful, productive, meaningful and never-marginalized employment. Hear more from FITD Garden Engineers from the FITD 25-acre campus.
Check out five more ways FITD exemplifies its mission to provide purpose through agriculture.
- They Grow People and Produce
“We have a variety of slogans that we use, but one of my favorites is ‘We don’t grow vegetables, we grow people’,” said Farm in the Dell Board President Dave Sigler. Sigler has been on the board of the nonprofit since 2016.
Garden Engineers have regular check-ins to monitor growth, and many have used the skills they have learned on the Farm to go on to other jobs.
2. Their Garden Engineers Become More Independent
Over the years, many team members have learned life skills that have helped them move from a group home to a more independent living situation.
“That’s the epitome of success for us,” Sigler said. “Because it’s life skills. It’s not about what they do here. It’s about what they can learn here and take into life after this.”
Sigler and other FITD leaders continually affirm their organization’s “people-over-profit” approach, which allows them to produce not only quality food but also well-rounded people.
- They Partner with Community Members and Businesses
Each year 2,000-plus guests from the community celebrate the mission and harvest of FITD by attending their farmers market, U-Pick days, and special events, such as the Table to Farm Dinners and Fall Festivals, where FITD leaders have chances to engage the community and provide a first-hand look at how the FITD mission comes to life. Additionally, FITD offers many on-the-farm volunteer opportunities, giving anyone who is interested ways to contribute and learn about how the simple acts of growing and tending to produce can teach vital lessons about taking care of yourself and those around you.
- From Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) to U-Pick, They Offer Affordable Produce
A farming model that allows consumers to buy shares of a farm’s harvest in advance, FITD’s CSA program creates sustainable revenue for their operations and enables community members to support their mission while receiving produce grown with care and love.
Farm in the Dell’s “U-Pick” opportunities also occur throughout the summer and fall months, featuring produce like strawberries, herbs, flowers and pumpkins. FITD team members say families enjoy this experience as they can strengthen their connection to area farmers and learn more about where their food comes from.
- They’re Focused on Future Growth
Sigler said the organization’s commitment to growing people means it can pursue goals that aren’t focused solely on immediate financial success. Besides being selected as the benefiting charity for this year’s RDO Caters Taters event, FITD was named Farm Family of the Year in Clay County through the University of Minnesota Extension.
FITD will receive 100% of the funds raised during this fall’s RDO Caters Taters event, celebrating 25 years of giving back to the community through our signature pound-tato fundraising luncheon. These funds will help FITD make infrastructure improvements, including adding structures and amenities more suitable for use during winter months. This will allow them to extend programming and events and employment options for Garden Engineers outside the traditional growing season.
Mark your calendars for RDO Caters Taters for Charity, which will be held on Monday, October 28, at the Holiday Inn Fargo. We’ll see you there!
