New Program to Help the Developmentally Disabled 'Go Wild'

Some new faces will be selling their goods at the farmers market this summer—students from Go Wild, a program targeted to teach developmentally disabled participants about vocational farming, which is set to launch July 7 in Agoura Hills.

The hands-on program, created by Farming Independence, a nonprofit organization, will teach autistic and other mentally disabled teenagers and adults how to make handcrafted products such as coasters, cups and decorated notecards that they will then package and sell at the Agoura Hills Farmers Market on the last Sunday of the month.

The program will also offer recreational activities in the morning and bring in members of the community during the lunch hour to speak about different vocational jobs.

Sheila Mayfield, president of Farming Independence, created the program to increase employment among mentally disabled Americans.

“There’s very little available for teenagers with disabilities to transition to once they get out of high school,” she said, adding that less than 8 percent of companies in the United States hire adults with disabilities.

“We want to give them the support and tools to let them understand they can work and they can do a good job," she said.

Mayfield came up with the idea to start Farming Independence after reading an article about a similar organization on a farm in Pasadena last year.

“[I thought] we should do the same thing on this side of the Valley,” Mayfield said.

Cindy Shulman, whose son, a senior at Oak Park High School, will be attending the program, said she is thrilled to have Go Wild in her community.

“It’s very difficult for 16-, 17-, 18-year-olds and up to find somewhere where they can learn and give back,” Shulman said. “This program has so much to offer in terms of learning. It’s somewhere close to home where [my son] can make new friends. I just wish that there was more than just the one day a week."

Although this is only the first year of the program, Mayfield has big dreams for the future.

“Our concept for the Saturday program is to create a seed, a place in the community where young adults and teens can come to a natural farm environment and learn hands-on life skills and job skills,” Mayfield said.

Eventually, Farming Independence hopes to turn the Saturday program into a five-day career academy. Mayfield said the nonprofit is working on creating a bakery where participants can make and sell goods as well.

The Go Wild program will take place on a farm in Old Agoura during July and August, on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

There will be an open house orientation held on Saturday, June 16, for educators, volunteers and parents interested in the program. For information on how to get involved, call Farming Independence at 818-865-1418 or visit its website at www.FarmingIndependence.org.