The Vocational Garden just finished another wonderful CSA season this month. This year we enjoyed serving 10 shareholders that supported our program from May through mid October. Their support not only kept the garden growing but provided us with the funds to buy all the supplies (seeds, equipment, packaging, tools, and lots and lots of compost) we needed this year, as well as provided our trainees with meaningful work, opportunities to grow in their vocational abilities, value, confidence, and purpose. Supporters are not just taking care of the people in their surrounding community, but also helping us steward our slice of earth here in Franklin well.
Until hard frosts, we will continue to harvest things like poblanos, jalapenos, huckleberries, okra, green beans, figs, mustard greens, swiss chard, herbs, and salad greens. We are using harvests for fig jam, dilly beans, pickled okra, huckleberry jam, candied jalapenos, tuscan seasoning, and an assortment of teas. Everything else is sent to chef Connie to incorporate in meals for the residents.
During the winter months we will focus on garden education and look forward to hearing from guest speakers related to topics we’ll be learning about. We also take some time to reflect on what went well, what we missed, and how we can do better next season with our CSA. Trainees are involved in aspects of garden planning and getting ready for our next garden year. Just recently we started selling some of our products at a local farm store in Spring Hill, Old Stone Creamery. We look forward to continuing production on our items that sell well there. We all enjoy a bit of a Winter slow down and rest from the physical demands of the busy Spring and Summer seasons and hope you do too.
Receive updates from the Center for Living and Learning delivered directly to your email inbox each month by signing up here.
The Center for Living and Learning is a private non-profit Residential Treatment Facility housing adults who experience severe and persistent mental illnesses. We provide 24-hour residential care and job training in a therapeutic environment with emphasis on the highest level of functioning and independent living. Learn more here.