Tulsa Nonprofit 'A New Leaf' Teaches Horticulture Skills To Those With Developmental Disabilities

A New Leaf clients in Broken Arrow are seeing the fruits of their labor this week as they harvest thousands of pounds of produce.

Blooming Acres Farm produces between 600 to 800 cucumbers a week during the summer.

Courtney Vanderpool is one of the green thumbs who makes that happen. It is a job that comes natural to her.

"As I got older I would go out and help my mom and dad harvest stuff," she continued saying, "This is actually really familiar territory for me."

Oklahoma has one of the longest growing seasons.

"Our frost date is not until October 30th, so we have plenty of time," said A New Leaf Horticulture Supervisor Denisse Marti. "Cucumbers take about 65 days to harvest, so if something is not looking good, just throw another one in the ground."

Right now, the clients, who are all adults with disabilities, are learning to grow and cultivate cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, and okra.

"They are always really excited to see what is ready to harvest, you know, we are in the peak season," said Marti.

Blooming Acres is just one of the many ways A New Leaf helps these adults earn a paycheck and live independently.

Marti said skills taught on the farm translate off of it, too.

"Hard work, patience because you plant something and you have to wait those 60 days to see it happen, and teamwork because hauling those bags of soil requires everybody to take part," she added.

Once harvested, the produce ends up on tables across the community through Food On The Move's farm bags and food festivals.

Vanderpool said that is why she works so hard.

"It actually makes me feel really great knowing that there are people out there that may not be able to go to the store and actually buy produce, so this is very helping to the community."

To learn more about Blooming Acres, click here.