 By early June, most students reap the fruits of their labor in the form of a grade. For the students attending school at The Lands at Hillside Farms (TLHF), the fruits of their labor will yield, well..., fruit.
This fortunate group of students is part of the Dream Green Farm Program, a Transition Opportunities program through the Luzerne Intermediate Unit #18 (LIU). The concept was the brainchild of Dr. JoAnn Bierdziewski, supervisor of Special Education and Transition Services, and Brian Novicki, a vocational coordinator, both from the LIU. In 2008, the two saw benefit in a program that taught students with special needs how to plant, care for, and harvest flowers, herbs, and vegetables.
The program came to life when TLHF stepped up to help.
“The Lands holds a variety of educational programs, and when we approached them for the use of one of their greenhouses, they were excited and supportive,” Bierdziewski said.
“Dream Green is all the things that we are about– agriculture, education training, sustainable lifestyle, training people to support themselves,” explained Chet Mozloom, executive director of TLHF.
The first program ran for only a few months, as the students planted and cared for flowers, herbs, and hanging baskets at the greenhouse. The flowers and plants were sold at the Hillside store, in Kingston Township, and at the LIU offices. Profits from the sales were used to pay program expenses.
Adeline Orloski Zack is the LIU job coach for the Dream Green Farm Program. Through her hard work and that of her job mentors and students, the program itself grew.
“Because of the efforts of those who actually work the farm, this program has grown to encompass two markets– the Wilkes-Barre Farmers’ Market and Hillside– as well as several other sites,” Zack said. “Hand-in-hand, the program has gone from 6-7 months to a year-round program.”
In the winter season, students gather pine to make centerpieces, wreathes, and hanging baskets for the holidays. When the weather gets warmer, they plant vegetables in a one-acre plot provided by TLHF. The students also work in the greenhouse and plant various types of herbs, fruits, vegetables, and flowers to prepare for the summer season and the Farmer’s Market. Students are paid minimum wage.
“My favorite part of the program is going to the Farmers’ Market and laying plastic for the vegetables,” said David, a three-year veteran of the program. “I like the overall work involved in the program and would consider this type of work for full-time employment.”
Students involved in the program range inage from 16-21. During the school year, they work 2 1/2 hours a day; in the summer, the program expands to three hours a day.
The students gain a wide variety of knowledge from learning to work the earth to dealing with customers, making change, and merchandising. Their produce is grown with no pesticides, and the students use seaweed and fish emulsion rather than chemical fertilizer. They also learn to differentiate between good bugs and bad, as well as how to manage garden nuisances such as groundhogs and rabbits.
In the summer and fall, Thursdays are set aside for the Farmers’ Market in Wilkes-Barre. The profit from the sale of flowers and produce is split between the Dream Green Farm Program and TLHF.
“The students love working at the stands, and they love working with the customers,” Zack said. “Over time, we’ve gotten a following.”
The locally grown produce is a big factor, but there is another draw. Buyers look forward to the hand-decorated bags created and used by the students to package produce.
“People are really thrilled to get a bag with artwork on it,” she said.
Last summer, TLHF secured a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture to help the Dream Green Farm Program purchase seeds, supplies, and equipment for the next few years. To help offset the cost of heating the greenhouse – a significant expense- some of the grant funding was used to purchase heating lights and growing mats for the young seedlings that are started when there is still snow on the ground.
“This program is about everyone pitching in and showing people how they can contribute,” Mozloom said.
“Our students have a right to have as productive a future as possible, as does any student,” Bierdziewski added. “The program’s mission says it all: Plant the Earth and It Will Teach.”
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