Farm an outlet for those with special needs
Frankfort couple helping them make friends, memories
When Sherri Navarro and her husband, Damion, purchased a 5-acre farm last September in Frankfort, they didn’t intend to be running an agriculture learning experience, where people with special needs can learn real-world skills and make memories.
But when that seed was planted in their minds, it blossomed.
Now the teenagers and young adults with disabilities who come to Navarro Farm can plant seeds, tend to their crops, and harvest and sell their fruits and vegetables.
“The farm is a place to grow,” Sherri Navarro said. “Not only crops and agriculture, but to grow with confidence, knowledge and inclusion.”
The Navarros transformed a weedy former soybean farm and dilapidated barn into a working, not-for-profit educational facility.
They refurbished the farmhouse, restored the barn and built 84 raised beds to plant a variety of crops, including squash, peppers, tomatoes, cabbage, broccoli, herbs, blueberries and cantaloupe. They planted an orchard to grow plums, peaches, pears, apples and cherries and created a pumpkin patch so the farm will continue in the fall months.
Children aged 14 and older who have special needs have worked as farmers throughout the summer, nurturing the plants and caring for the chickens.
On Saturday mornings, they sell their harvest to the community at Carter’s
Corner farm stand, named after the Navarro’s 17-yearold son who has Down syndrome.
They have also donated fresh vegetables to area restaurants.
Volunteers, including speech pathologists, special education teachers, behavior specialists and occupational therapists, donate their time to work alongside Navarro Farm’s young farmers.
“When they are on the farm, there is a calmness,” said Lauren Pammer, occupational therapist and owner of Bee You Therapy in Mokena.
“Being here is so relaxing. It provides them with a real-life experience. They are weeding, they are getting the eggs from the chickens, they are pruning flowers and harvesting vegetables, they are getting their hands dirty. It makes them feel there is a value in what they do.”
Most importantly, Sherri Navarro said, they are developing friendships and building camaraderie.
“I see their growth already,” she said. “I see their talents, abilities and friendships. When they come here, they don’t want to leave. We want this to be a home away from home.”
Damion Navarro said the impact they could leave on people’s lives is what motivated them to create the farm and keeps inspiring them to expand and offer as much as they can for the special needs community.
He said they saw a need to help not only their son but their community, and they are driven by the desire to help play a part in the growth of children.
“Our mission is to show our children that to make a change, you have to be the change,” Damion said. “If you focus on other peoples’ needs instead of our wants, you are blessed.”
The Navarros have used their own money to operate the farm, but they do collect donations on their website, www.navarrofarm.org.
“We don’t make money; we make memories,” Damion said. “This is a place to grow. We feel God is taking over.”
When children and young adults arrive to the farm, they take part in a sharing circle, where they can say a fun fact about themselves,
talk about what they enjoy doing or why they like working on the farm.
They then tend to chickens or vegetable beds. They also socialize, play kickball, beanbags or other group games, listen to music, dance and enjoy one another’s company.
Matt Butterfield, whose 15-year-old son Silas works as a farmer, said the opportunity to learn at the farm is different from any other
opportunity his son has ever been afforded.
“The camaraderie here is so special to him,” Butterfield said. “It is something he looks forward to. It brightens his day.”
Several of the farmers said they enjoy feeding the chickens or picking produce. But the No. 1 reason they like the farm is the people, they said.
Best friendships are made at Navarro Farm.
“I like hanging with my friends,” said Jack Klawitter, 15, who was playing a beanbag game with two volunteers on a recent morning.
Cathryn Tack, 23, said her favorite activities include feeding the chickens, helping the hens and harvesting the vegetables. She said she was appreciative of the Navarros for starting the farm.
“The people are really nice,” she said. “Sherri and Damion have been so nice to me. (They) are like a second family to me.”
Carter Navarro said he enjoys spending time with the chickens and looks forward to when the farm gets more animals. He also likes seeing his friends. “I love the farm,” he said. As summer wanes and the farming program comes to an end, the Navarros are focusing on how to create a year-round program, especially for young adults who are no longer in school.
They would like to build a greenhouse to grow plants year-round. They want to bring in more animals, which also offers therapeutic benefits. They plan to create seasonal special events, such as an ice rink and an opportunity to visit with Santa, Sherri said.
Eventually, they would like to buy other property and create housing for adults with special needs.
The Carter’s Corner farm stand will be open from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays at the farm, 22155 S. 104th Ave., while they are still harvesting produce.