Farm cultivates jobs for those with disabilities [Video]

ROCKFORD, Mich — The harvest at one farm in Rockford cannot be measured simply by its produce.

New Growth Project, a nonprofit market farm, prides itself on growing vegetables and growing people.

Launched in 2021, the operation cultivates job opportunities for people with disabilities.

“It’s a wide variety of job opportunities here, which is what we love about having a farm because there are so many jobs to do. It allows us to meet individuals where they’re at and help them grow in their job skills and their confidence,” explained Christine O’Driscoll, Co-founder of New Growth Project. “An employee can experience planting seeds, transplanting plants, weeding, harvesting, washing, packing, handcrafting our soaps and candles, packing boxes.”

O’Driscoll told FOX 17 News that parenting a child with special needs planted the seeds to make a difference.

“It’s a personal story for me, because my oldest daughter also struggled to find and maintain work, …