The DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture
recently presented a check to the Walnut Grove Vocational Farm to
assist with agricultural based training for people with special needs.
Shown in front of one of the greenhouses under construction
are: (from left) Dan Kenney, DeKalb County Community Gardens
Executive Director; Allan Aves, Farm Bureau Foundation Director;
Scott and Gene Heinsohn, with Walnut Grove Vocational Farm
Gene Heinsohn wants what any parent wants – opportunities for children to grow and prosper. His son, Scott, will soon age-out of the school system, being 21 years old with Down syndrome. And being a teacher, Gene knows “the plight of young adults with special needs” at this stage in life. “Scott is like everyone else, he wants to stay busy. He wants to be productive, be somewhat self-sufficient, and be happy,” said Gene.
The Heinsohn family owns Walnut Grove Farms north of Kirkland and has made the commitment to turn 20 acres into a vocational farm dedicated to training and providing hands-on experiences for people with special needs. The Walnut Grove Vocational Farm is part of the DeKalb County Community Gardens, Garden Paths of Hope Program.
Several community organizations and individuals have been supportive of the new vocational farm. Recently, the DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture provided a grant to the Walnut Grove Vocational Farm. The grant money will be used to provide agricultural based training and experiences for people with special needs. Allan Aves, Farm Bureau Foundation Director, visited the farm site to present a check from the Foundation for $8,000 and see the progress being made. “It’s a worthwhile program and I commend the Heinsohns for their hard work and dedication to the vocational farm.”
The farm will offer hands-on work in the gardens, orchards, and greenhouses, growing and selling an assortment of fruits and vegetables. It will also involve lawn mowing and landscape management, plus caring for livestock and animals.
The current focus is on infrastructure such as building the greenhouses, updating existing buildings, constructing a plant sales shed, and upgrading electrical and plumbing lines to bring the farm structures up to code. Gene says he’s pretty handy, as a vocational teacher at Kaneland’s Fox Valley Career Center and from years of experience on the family farm, but also counts on volunteers and others to assist with improvements.
Dan Kenney, director of the DeKalb County Community Gardens and retired DeKalb teacher, also is a key partner in the development of the farm. “Farming provides one of the best job opportunities for people with special needs – autism, Down syndrome and a broad spectrum of disabilities,” said Dan. “Here they can learn where their food comes from, how it’s grown and harvested, and be involved in the process.” The Garden Paths of Hope project will network with transition coordinators at the local high schools to train and prepare students for involvement at the farm. Once trained, these students will be ready for their farm experience.
From the July 2015 DeKalb County Farm Bureau Connections Publication
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