In a 1-1.5 hour work block, the VIT program participants learned vocational skills such as completing timesheets, following multi-step instructions, and gathering materials to prepare to work. To gain exposure to farming tasks, participants completed a range of flexible, low-risk farm jobs such as watering plants, spreading woodchips, and hand weeding, and got acquainted with many of the tools used in day to day tasks such as shuffle hoes, rakes, and shovels. Many of the volunteers-in-training stuck around to have lunch with the larger field crew under the shade of the oak tree, in order to get to know some of the other Red Wiggler staff and volunteers.

Renoxx Caregivers

The group from Renoxx Caregivers came to Red Wiggler with a built-in sense of camaraderie and teamwork, and they shared that working on the farm gave them a further sense of purpose and well-being. One participant named Krynn shared on her post-VIT program survey, “"I liked working on the farm because it made me feel better.” For many of Tuesday’s group, tasks such as using a dibbler for planting, raking and weeding were new challenges that brought “happy smiles,” as described by another participant David. The VIT program was an experience worth remembering with Paige, another volunteer-in-training, often taking the time to photograph special moments.

Here is a photo of Volunteer-in-Training Krynn from Renoxx using the dibbler, a tool that helps make clear holes for planting.

And here is a photo of the Renoxx group with new Red Wiggler tee-shirts.

Seneca Valley High School

Wednesday’s VIT group hailed from a local high school, Seneca Valley High School (SVHS), whose special-needs classrooms have long been partners of Red Wiggler. RW provided a space for the students to explore possible vocational opportunities for them post-high school, outside the confines of a school building. With the support of a dedicated paraeducator, the students learned how to use new tools, including shuffle hoes, shovels, and wheelbarrows, and everyone echoed a student’s sentiment that he had a “good time” and expressed sadness when the program came to an end for the season.

Here is a photo of a student from Seneca Valley High School and Maddy, one of our Care Farming interns, weeding in the Brown pick-your-own area with shuffle hoes.

Unaffiliated Individuals

Thursday’s group had the opportunity to not only build vocational and farm skills, but also for socialization and learning to work alongside new people in a team setting. When asked what his favorite part about being at Red Wiggler was, VIT participant Aaron said, “talking with and meeting new people.” The group came together to learn about new tools and tasks, and practiced taking their individual skills and contributing them towards a common goal. Participant Sarah said of her time in the program, “it was amazing, I learned a ton!”

Here is a photo of Volunteers-in-Training Sarah and Matthew, their support staff, and intern Maddy working on getting weeds out of the Brown pick-your-own area.