Transitions-Mental Health Association (T-MHA) recently received a $20,000 grant from the Henry Mayo Newhall Foundation. The grant will be used to finance the Growing Grounds Farm in Santa Maria and pay wages for workers, grow crops, and distribute seeds and herb plants to low-income neighborhoods.
“We are doing this to teach people how to grow their own food, and increase their access to fresh vegetables,” Frank Ricceri, associate director at T-MHA, said in a statement.
Growing Grounds Farm was established in October 2000, and since its inception has provided horticultural therapy, vocational training, independent living skills, and paid employment to more than 40 people who have severe mental illnesses.
The Henry Mayo Newhall Foundation’s ongoing financial support began in 2007, when the foundation toured the farm.
“The visit resonated with the trustees’ sense of agricultural roots and long farming roots in this region of California,” Ricceri told the Sun.
According to a fact sheet distributed by T-MHA, employees work shifts that range from three to 20 hours a week. Although the labor can be physically demanding, the employees are working outdoors, and the work “can contribute significantly to an individual’s recovery.”
“Every year we do a survey on how much the employees are satisfied with their lives at work,” Ricceri said. “Ninety percent of the 50 are very, very satisfied. Even those who can’t hang too long because of the physical work enjoy it because they’ve planted flowers and watched them grow.”
Anyone interested in buying produce or flowers that have been grown on Growing Grounds can visit 820 W. Foster Road. The stand is open on Thursdays from noon to 6 p.m., and all produce and cut flowers are chemical and pesticide free. There are also eggs available at the stand.
For more information, call Frank Ricceri at 934-2182.
Intern Henry Houston compiled this week’s Community Corner. Send comments or ideas to the Sun via e-mail at intern@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Jan 6-13, 2011.
