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Dec 2, 2008 2:55 pm US/Eastern
Cape Farm Growing Produce And Confidence
DENNIS (CBS News) ―
This little Cape Cod farm may be filled with produce, but it's also real crowd pleaser.
This coming year,
Cape Abilities Farm in Dennis will grow over 20,000 pounds of their award-winning tomatoes. "They're so good," said professional chef Stephen Skelton. "They're fresh, beautiful, plump, juicy… They're excellent."
Skelton comes to the farm to stock up on a fruit that's even sweeter because of who farms it – dozens of disabled workers. "I love what they're doing because it's not just a farm. It's a working environment for people that need somewhere to work."
The farm grows produce
hydroponically, so there are abundant harvests every month but December. "They're trying new things," explained Tom Zurn, director of business development at Cape Abilities. "Some are earning their very first paycheck. It's a really powerful thing – just to be able to go to work and be a part of something."
At Cape Abilities Farm, they grow lettuce and eggplant and peppers, but take a closer look and you'll see the harvest they're really after in crops of self-confidence and self-esteem.
The workers earn $8 an hour and receive increases based on merit.
Vivian Sothard is almost 80. She's slightly mentally handicapped and spent years in an institution. At the farm, she feels like she belongs. "It's a place to have good work. People come to know you after a while. If they need help, they know you're around."
This farm offers and exceptional treat that is grown by exceptional people who take great pleasure in knowing that at the farm, they're treated just like everyone else.
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