The Specialty Crop Collaborative centers education and events around agriculture to promote meaningful work through the acquisition of job and life skills.

What exactly is it? Farmers and apprentices of various ages will be guided among our 5 acres to sustainably tend the ½ acre market garden, provide animal husbandry and care, complete general farm tasks including carpentry and crafting projects, employ job skills through managing and stocking The Specialty Crop Farm Stand, and build social skills among farmers, staff and farm customers. 

Is this only for adults with disabilities? While programming for adults with disabilities is our main focus, The Specialty Crop Collaborative offers all-ability and all-age events on our calendar (check our website for more information), as well as summer programming specifically catered to children under 18. 

We actively seek community involvement and support volunteerism at the farm. We host community events cultivating relationships between people who are non-disabled and people with disabilities.  We work to ensure all farmers experience dignity and purpose in all they cultivate here at The Specialty Crop Collaborative. Learn more about events here.

Is programming available to people with mobility challenges and those who use wheelchairs? The ultimate goal is for the farm to be accessible for all mobility abilities. We strive to create a welcoming and accessible space for all people. We have planted clover and cover crops in our garden walkways and curated natural paths throughout the farm for easier navigation. However, as is normal with fields and meadows, there are many places where the ground is uneven. We rely on our farmers and visitors to know their ability levels and the capabilities of their adaptive equipment. 

What does the future for programming and the future of farmers in your programs look like? It is our hope that the farm will fill a need for meaningful job and life skill programming for people of all ages with ID/DD in rural SD communities. Separate youth programming for kids ages 12-18 years old is part of the strategic plan at The Specialty Crop Collaborative.

Whether you’re a child under the age of 18 attending summer camp, a youth diving deeper into your passions that align with agriculture, utilize our programming short term as you build skills to seek employment elsewhere, to gain skills and education as a step toward additional education, or seek enjoy the great outdoors and farming at our programs long term we want to support and advocate for your needs.

Our board and staff are building and planning additional programs for adults as experienced, paid farmer mentors who have satisfactorily completed our Grow Program and are looking for more. Additionally we are working to form connections with businesses that align with our training program, a collaboration of area farms interested in investing in special people of all abilities, and providing consultation for graduates of our program along with their employers. 

Is there a fee associated with the programs offered? The Specialty Crop Collaborative is a fee based program. 

What should I do if I know someone with developmental disabilities that might thrive with this opportunity? We encourage you to explore and learn more about the programming we have to offer at The Specialty Crop Collaborative below.