Supported Employment Program
Davis, CA
Farm to Mouth
Mental Health Consumer
Yolo County Resident
Be able to work approximately 2-6 hours/week
Farm to Mouth
Farm to Mouth’s funding has ended.
This flagship program is unique and in need of community support to continue operating and offering the opportunities they do. These are opportunities not currently available to people with an identified mental illness in Yolo County and rarely available to mental health consumers nationwide.
$10,000-$15,000 annually is needed to fund these core components of the program:
- Paying F2M employee wages
- Seed and fertilizers for the vegetable garden
- Perennial herbs and plants that enhance both the landscaping around the house and the vegetable garden itself, attracting pollinators and increasing the therapeutic environment
- Construction projects – tables, benches, gazebo – to increase residents’ motivation to spend time outside and in the garden
Therapeutic Gardening for Mental Health
The Farm to Mouth Program at YCCC Farmhouse is a unique program that provides vocational training and therapeutic gardening experience to individuals receiving mental health services in Yolo County, CA.
The Farmhouse, located on 10 acres in rural Davis, has a half-acre dedicated to growing vegetables (through organic methods) which become part of residents’ daily meals.
Vocational Training
Residents, many of whom haven’t had a job in many years, work under the supervision of the Farm Manager, have the responsibility to show up and work or communicate otherwise, and have the opportunity to move into more long-term farm roles with added responsibilities and benefits (i.e., Animal Caretaker, Greenhouse Manager).
Therapeutic Experience
The Farm provides an opportunity for residents to get out of the house and experience the joys and rewards of gardening. The garden is an escape from indoor activities and stresses of the community living environment. It is an opportunity for residents to create a deeper relationship with the food they eat by participating in growing it. It is an opportunity to productively engage in hands-on work that results in beauty, food, and transformation.
Farm to Mouth (F2M)
Finally, the Farm provides a paid workday once a week, open to both residents and individuals from the larger Yolo County community who are receiving mental health services but living more independently in community. In addition to offering vocational training and therapeutic experience, the Farm to Mouth program provides employment to individuals in need of income who are able to work in a limited way but may not be ready or able to fully join the workforce.
A few words from our clients
Farm to Mouth is one of our vocational programs that provide a wide array of resources to our clients!
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