All Abilities at the Farm (AAA)

Growing Opportunities' All Abilities At the Farm program (AAA Farm) supports underrepresented and marginalized groups to co-learn in a farm setting.

 

The program provides mentorship, encouragement and skills training to diverse groups. We have helped people return to the workforce after homelessness or institutional living, taught youth new skills through paid employment, and facilitated intergeneratoinal learning.  We support people from a diverse age range, currently spanning ages 5 to 85.

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Hundreds of participants have directly benefitted from the program, and many other volunteers and community members benefited indirectly.  Our Inclusion Specialist has experience working with people experiencing various mental health conditions, including attention deficit disorder, autism, bipolar disorder, fetal alcohol syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder, and schizophrenia. Participant care providers, including parents, psychiatrists, social workers, employment counselors, and teachers, use the AAA Farm program. 

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The AAA program provides a safe space and meaningful activities that promote the benefits of community-based farming.

 

We use a farm setting to:
 

• engage, train, and empower underrepresented and marginalized groups and provide opportunities for farming, co-learning, and community participation.

• support our commitment to reconciliation by working with Indigenous communities to increase their involvement in local farming and inclusion opportunities

• enhance capacity, vocational and life skills, and leadership of underrepresented and marginalized groups

• raise awareness of nutrition and food security while providing local and accessible solutions

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