Bloom bloom pow

Growing food, making an impact

A New Leaf sits on five acres of land in east Broken Arrow. For the last 36 years, the horticultural non-profit has provided job training and employment for individuals with developmental disabilities. 

“[They are] just like you and me,” said Kayla Jones, director of marketing and business development. “They have a lot of different interests, which is why we’ve created diversity in work and tasks. They want a choice in what they do for work.”

Until last fall, these services were provided primarily through A New Leaf’s greenhouse, which is open to the public and sells annual and perennial plants. But after receiving a United Way Innovation Grant last year, A New Leaf expanded its mission through Blooming Acres, a farming project with nineteen raised-bed gardens, potato barrels and row crops, cared for by its clients. 

Besides offering meaningful work to individuals who might have trouble finding it otherwise, Blooming Acres also helps feed low income families by donating produce to the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, the Lindsey House, and to Women in Recovery (WIR). Last fall, it gave produce to the Healthy Community Store Initiative, which sends a mobile grocery store into low-income food deserts in Tulsa. 

Nicole Pittman, the program’s horticulture manager, said they plan to continue expanding through the spring and summer.

“Last fall was our kickoff, we expanded this spring by two more raised beds and twenty potato barrels. We’re hoping to add a few more raised beds before summer, when we’ll add row crops,” she said. “There’s potential to produce a lot of food.”

Last year, they were able to grow 760 pounds of food with 19 raised beds. With these new additions they’ll grow well over 1000 pounds of food by the end of this summer. 

The general public is also able to buy a share, or petite share, of the food grown in a season as part of Blooming Acres’ Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model, which means 6-8 weeks of fresh produce grown at its gardens and delivered by its employees. Customers can also pick up the produce on site or in Tulsa. 

A full share ($195 for the summer) feeds a family of four-to-six and a petite share ($105) feeds two people. “We’re sold out for spring but have a few more spots for summer,” Jones said. Individuals can also buy shares and donate them. If you choose to donate, Jones suggests the food bank, Women in Recovery, or A New Leaf’s own residential clients. 

“We can make sure the share gets to a nonprofit, or to where it’s most needed. We serve 70 developmentally disabled individuals through residential services. Thirty of those need full-time care and many don’t have guardians and/or have limited finances. Our hope is one day to feed all of them, and to grow more nutrient-rich food for the food bank, for our clients, and for WIR,” Jones said. 

Though not certified organic—which is a lengthy, expensive, and arduous process—Blooming Acres buys organic seeds, doesn’t use chemicals, and follows organic growing guidelines.

This spring, CSA members are receiving peas, broccoli, onions, potatoes, Swiss chard, and spinach. For summer, members will get onions, peppers, tomatoes, squash, corn, beans, okra, and sweet potatoes.

Becky Hale, who lives in Tulsa, participated in the Blooming Acres CSA last fall. “What was really nice is that you get homegrown vegetables without having to have a garden,” she said. “They were very good. The price is reasonable and it’s for a good cause. Good vegetables for a good cause. It’s a win-win. And the clients working there are really sweet.”

Blooming Acres plans to begin composting and rainwater harvesting in the next year. But for right now, it’s focused on growing as much dense, homegrown, nutritious food as possible. 

If you’re interested in volunteering at Blooming Acres, visit anewleaf.org.  You might find yourself harvesting spinach, building a tomato trellis, planting green beans, or watering the onions. 

A New Leaf’s greenhouse is also open to the public—8:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday and Saturday 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

For more from Liz, read her interview with On Being host, Krista Tippett.