A Farm Less Ordinary (AFLO) is a 501(c)3 non-profit founded in 2016 whose mission is to provide employment and a welcoming community to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD). We encourage a sense of self-worth and independence for our “Growers” through employment on our farms. This mission is the heart of our organization, hence we farm in a way that is best for our 50+ Growers and volunteers who set foot on the farm throughout the year. We use natural farming methods like cover cropping and organic matter mulches. We use natural pest control methods and we haven’t tilled our beds since 2022. We are proud to earn our CNG status and we will be talking about it frequently at the farmers Market!
AFLO offers work experience for Growers’ résumés, coaching in core employment skills, and training in agricultural, kitchen, and retail skills to help adults with ID/DD position themselves for gainful employment. In our Growers, we promote habits, social skills, and behaviors that can be used in any work setting—communication, teamwork, punctuality, adaptability—making them more employable beyond our farm.
AFLO’s goals remain the same today as they were at its inception—to bridge the gaps that keep many adults in the ID/DD community out of the workforce. Year over year we have continued to expand and tweak our program to offer a wide variety of work experiences to as many in the community as possible.
