MILWAUKEE — On the south side of Milwaukee, near 6th and Norwich Streets, there is an urban farm that takes up nearly a whole city block. Part of it is dedicated to helping people with developmental disabilities gain valuable skills.
The Milwaukee Centers for Independence (CFI) now utilizes a portion of the urban farm and was able to expand its horticulture program because of it.
CFI has been around for decades and works with more than 20,000 people with special needs each year through 30 different programs. The goal is to help children and adults with developmental disabilities become more independent and learn job skills for the future.
Matthew Allen has autism and has been utilizing CFI services for a long time. He said his favorite is the horticulture program. When he’s working in the gardens, his face lights up with joy.
Allen, and more than 70 others, do everything on the farm, including planting, watering and harvesting herbs, fruits, vegetables and flowers. They also maintain the green houses. Then, they deliver what they grow to local restaurants that purchase the fresh produce from the organization. Some Saturdays this summer, CFI is also starting a farmer’s market where participants can sell what they grow. Whatever they don’t sell, they donate to local food pantries.
“It’s extremely rewarding for the clients because they tap into skills that we don’t always see that they have strengths in,” said Erin Dentice, supervisor of LIFE services for CFI. “It’s good for them to find skills they didn’t realize they had and to feel that confidence when a project is finished.”
Dentice said it’s a joy to teach Allen and the others new gardening skills, watch them get their hands dirty and find peace and purpose on the farm.
The CFI horticulture program has a goal of producing at least 1,000 pounds of fresh food this year.