Our “Growing Dreams”
All proceeds from the Growing Dreams Gala will benefit eQuality Farms!
A history of “eQuality Farms”
eQuality, Pathways to Potential’s Greenhouse Project began in June of 2008. The Greenhouse Project started as a collaborative program implemented through a partnership between a local community center and eQuality, Pathways to Potential. The program was initiated in an effort to provide a horticultural/recreational experience to Adults with Developmental Disabilities. It soon became clear that a community centered gardening program would best meet the needs of not only adults with disabilities but also community members, seniors and children. As an inclusive community, eQuality and the local community center members learned together how to organically grow flowers, vegetables and fruits. All those involved benefited from the product of the garden and had the opportunity to participate in a fully integrated, intergenerational, inclusive program.
eQuality Pathways to Potential provided a 48 by 20 foot hoop structure greenhouse that was placed on the property of the local community center. In addition to the structure an adjoining garden was planted.
The initial goal of this pilot program was to provide an educational, social, vocational, and recreational opportunity to our community. A long term vision is to create a sustainable, agricultural community garden in which the end product is sold. The ultimate goal would be to gain the experience and knowledge to create a permanent certified organic garden.
In 2009, our organization partnered with the parents of an eQuality associate and placed our existing greenhouse in addition to a new structure, on their property. Associates from eQuality’s half day sites (Plymouth Creek, Maple Grove Community Center, the Mobile Ice crew, the Shoreview Community Center and Eden Prairie Community Center) as well as groups from AaCron and several full day work sites worked hard at planting, weeding, watering, transplanting and harvesting this year. eQuality has been selling our end product during this growing season at several local farmers markets. We have harvested greenhouse and outdoor garden produced edible and cut flowers, organic vegetables including “high tunnel” tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, carrots, summer squash, zucchini and onions.
In 2010, eQuality formalized our partnership by renting land we had previously farmed. In addition to our original two greenhouses, eQuality greatly expanded the number of acres used for field production. “eQuality Farms” now has seven Associates who work a half day at the farm preparing, seeding, planting, weeding, watering and harvesting the produce and flowers that are grown. Approximately 50 eQuality Associates participate at our farm every week through work and educational programming. eQuality and its’ Associates sell our product at three Farmers’ Markets per week in addition to selling to several local restaurants.
