RED WIGGLER FOUNDATION INC

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPT PURPOSE ACHIEVEMENTS: RED WIGGLER IS A CERTIFIED ORGANIC CARE FARM WHERE PEOPLE WITH AND WITHOUT DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES COME TOGETHER TO WORK, LEARN AND GROW HEALTHY FOOD. THIS MISSION IS CARRIED OUT THROUGH THE FOLLOWING FIVE, CROSS-FUNCTIONAL PROGRAMS. 1. GROWER PROGRAM: RED WIGGLER EMPLOYS ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, PROVIDING MEANINGFUL WORK, FAIR WAGES, AND VOCATIONAL SUPPORT FOR A HISTORICALLY UNDER-EMPLOYED POPULATION. THE JOB TITLE "GROWER" EXPLAINS THE INTEGRAL ROLE PLAYED BY THESE EMPLOYEES. GROWERS ARE INVOLVED IN ALL ASPECTS OF FARMING AND DISTRIBUTION, INCLUDING PLANTING, HARVESTING, FIELD AND FACILITIES MAINTENANCE, TOOL USAGE, AND GREENHOUSE MANAGEMENT. GROWERS ARE PAIRED WITH A MENTOR AND TOGETHER THEY REVIEW 52 FARMING TASKS, DISCUSS THEIR INTERESTS, AND SET MEASURABLE AND REALISTIC GOALS FOR THE SEASON. THESE GOALS RANGE FROM BEING INTRODUCED TO A NEW FARMING TOOL SUCH AS A WIRE WEEDER, TO WRITING A RESUME. REGULAR CHECK INS BETWEEN THE MENTOR AND MENTEE PROMOTE OPEN CONVERSATION REGARDING JOB SATISFACTION AND PROGRESS ON THEIR GOALS. FORMAL MID-SEASON AND POST SEASON CHECK INS ARE ALSO SCHEDULED. THROUGH SETTING, TRACKING, AND EVALUATING ANNUAL GOALS, GROWERS STRIVE TOWARD INDEPENDENT WORK AND TAKE PRIDE IN THE PROGRESS THEY HAVE MADE. THEY GAIN A PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY AS FARMERS AND FIND MEANING IN THEIR ABILITY TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE GROWING AND DISTRIBUTION OF HEALTHY FOOD. FY24 HIGHLIGHT - 100% OF GROWERS WERE INTRODUCED TO A NEW SKILL OR DEVELOPED AN EXISTING SKILL FURTHER. 2. EDUCATION PROGRAM: EDUCATION IS AT THE CORE OF ALL PROGRAMMING AT RED WIGGLER. RED WIGGLER PRIORITIZES SERVING YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES IN WAYS THAT WILL ENHANCE THEIR EDUCATION AND PERSONAL GROWTH. FY24 HIGHLIGHT - 209 YOUTH ENGAGED IN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING AT RED WIGGLER AND 25% OF THESE PARTICIPANTS WERE YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES. 3. SERVICE-LEARNING PROGRAM: RED WIGGLER PROVIDES INCLUSIVE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES TO YOUTH AND ADULTS WITH AND WITHOUT DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. VOLUNTEERS SUPPORT THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS AT THE FARM AND ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF OUR COMMUNITY. FY24 HIGHLIGHT - COMMUNITY MEMBERS VOLUNTEERED A TOTAL OF 2,873 HOURS AND 99% OF VOLUNTEERS WORKED ALONGSIDE GROWERS WHILE ENGAGING IN FARMING TASKS. 4. CSA PROGRAM: RED WIGGLER IS COMMITTED TO THE EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF HEALTHY FOOD. ADDITIONALLY, RED WIGGLER'S TRADITIONAL CSA PROGRAM PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR INCLUSIVE INTERACTIONS. FY24 HIGHLIGHTS - 54% OF OUR TOTAL VEGETABLE YIELD WAS DELIVERED TO LOW-INCOME MONTGOMERY COUNTY RESIDENTS AND 100% OF CSA PICKUPS WERE STAFFED BY A GROWER. 5. THE CARE FARMING NETWORK (CFN): THE CARE FARMING NETWORK ADVANCES THE THERAPEUTIC USE OF FARMING PRACTICES BY CONNECTING NEW AND ESTABLISHED AGRICULTURALLY BASED PROGRAMS TO BUILD CAPACITY, INCREASE QUALITY, AND PROVIDE TECHNICAL SUPPORT. THE CARE FARMING NETWORK IS A CATALYST FOR CREATING AND SHARING RESOURCES FOR CARE FARMS TO BE SUCCESSFUL. FY24 HIGHLIGHTS - CFN EXPANDED 32% AND NOW INCLUDES 311 FARMS IN THE NATIONAL NETWORK.