Our Growers
At the heart of our farm is a commitment to create meaningful work for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our stable and flexible work environment provides jobs where our growers can learn, contribute, and thrive while growing and distributing fresh, healthy food to our community.
Inclusive Employment
Since our beginning in 1996, Red Wiggler has provided meaningful employment for neurodivergent adults, a group of people who have been historically underemployed.
Today, our paid growers are crucial to each step of growing and distributing produce at Red Wiggler—from planting seeds and harvesting crops to meeting customers, training volunteers, and teaching visitors.
Growing and distributing food at Red Wiggler helps our growers increase their self-esteem and find meaning in their ability to give back to their community. From planting seeds and harvesting crops to meeting customers, training volunteers, and teaching visitors, our paid growers keep our farm running.
Our goal is that each visitor to the farm has a meaningful experience interacting with a grower. Everyone on the farm, including our growers, program staff, and volunteers, works together to grow high-quality vegetables and distribute them to our diverse community.
When people come together, exchange ideas and feedback, and learn from each other, it creates an inclusive environment where everyone has an opportunity to grow.
“At Red Wiggler, we create a nurturing environment where our growers can grow, both personally and professionally, empowering them to reach their fullest potential.”
Skills-Based Development
Growers and program staff work together to create and track a series of skills that promote growth and independence. These practical and social skills are things like seeding, handling produce, filling out a timesheet, public speaking, and following multi-step instructions.
Currently, Red Wiggler tracks the development of more than 50 skills through four progressions:
- Introduced
- Expected
- Independent
- Lead
Learn more about our growers through our Grower Spotlight blog posts.
Featured grower: Brandon
Brandon has been working for Red Wiggler since 2016. He’s one of the best mowers and mows the aisles of our pick-your-own herbs and flower gardens.
Interested in becoming a grower?
We don’t always have open grower positions, but when we do, they’re posted here.
