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GROWING A �CARE FARM �WITH �INTENTION

Workflow, Farm Systems, and Sustainable Growth

Rachel Gillis, Farm Director

Cape Abilities Farm

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Session Context

  • Who we are: Our Mission
  • Transition from Farm Manager to Farm Director
  • Navigating growth guided by mission
  • Balancing production with vocational programming
  • Building farm systems that support people and production

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Who We Are

  • Cape Abilities Farm is one part of a broader mission focused on creating opportunities for people with disabilities across Cape Cod.
  • The farm serves as a public-facing hub where community, customers, volunteers, and program participants interact every day.
  • Our goal: meaningful work, real connection, shared purpose.

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Growth Challenges�We Faced

  • Increased production expectations
  • Growing participant programming needs
  • Farm systems and facility limitations
  • Staff workflow and time management pressures

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Refining Workflow & Infrastructure

  • Streamlining daily farm tasks
  • Improving crop flow and work areas
  • Investing in infrastructure that supports participants
  • Creating systems that are manageable for staff and participants

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Balancing Production & Programming

  • Matching tasks to participant abilities
  • Maintaining production quality while prioritizing care
  • Designing work that is meaningful and productive
  • Working with what the day brings!

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Lessons Learned

  • Growth must remain mission-driven
  • Our systems must support people first
  • Sustainable and intentional growth prevents burnout
  • Flexibility and patience are key!

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Key Takeaways

  • Establish farm systems and workflow to enable sustainable growth
  • Programming and production can support each other
  • Growth happens when done thoughtfully and gradually
  • Keep mission and community at the center