THE VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS

Sheltered Workshop Guidelines

Bittersweet has been certified as a sheltered workshop by the U.S. Department of Labor. Private fund raising and the sale of products pay for the vocational equipment and for the wages of the persons with autism who work on the farmstead. The certificate from the Department of Labor provides guidelines and enables Bittersweet to pay proportionate wages.

To determine how much to pay in wages, they do a time study and use the prevailing wage of a non-disabled person, in a comparable job, as a reference. They pay their workers proportionately, depending on how productive they are. Most make less than minimum wage, and those who produce little or nothing get a token payment. This is the same system used in other sheltered workshops. It costs a total of about $25,000 to $28,000 a year to pay for the workers' wages, but thanks to the sale of goods and through donations and other supports in the community, Bittersweet is able to sustain those payments.

Horticulture Program

The horticulture program has grown considerably over the years, for the benefit and pleasure of the entire community. Bittersweet Farms doesn't have to worry about having a home for their finished products, or having a way to produce them. They have more credibility with their suppliers and dealers, and can pay as they go. Where they used to have $800-$900 seed orders, they now spend $3000-$4000 on seeds.

In the 2001 season, they raised 243 different annuals. They feel they need that kind of variety to stay competitive with the local greenhouses. People don't want to buy geraniums at Bittersweet, and then go someplace else to get their purple petunias. They want to buy it all in one location. Even though Bittersweet may not sell it all, they feel they have to have it all. They're pleased that they are covering their costs, and paying for the workers' wages as well.

Sensory gardens, aromas, textuers, colors

Because of its location, Bittersweet is competing with many commercial greenhouses in the area, that can sell their products for less, so Bittersweet has to lure customers with advertising and offer a large selection of flowers to those who come to buy. Although they're still located out of the way for many, the range of their reputation has spread.

Bittersweet tries to produce a quality product because they have pride in their work, and they love to hear salesmen who travel widely in the state tell them that their flowers compare favorably with any they've seen. But they're careful about not doing that at the expense of their mission. Every procedure in the greenhouses provides therapeutic activities and allows all to have a hand in it. In that work, they maintain meaningful partnerships and relationships.

The adults with autism continue to learn new skills as the years go on. Some become expert in particular activities. Ronnie now seeds marigolds as precisely as a machine can do it. It takes him a bit longer than a machine, but if you measure his marigolds in a flat when they grow, you discover that all the plants turn exactly the same way. He didn't know how to do any of this when he began, but with years of practice, he has become quite skilled. It's the new staff that they have to teach now.

It's important to note that people with autism can continue to learn all through their lives, if you just keep teaching them; but the way they're taught really matters. If they are taught in gradual steps, once they learn it, they can continue to do it.

Years ago staff members used to mix the fertilizer. Now, they just tell any one of a half a dozen folks to "Go get the fertilizer mix," and they do it. If Mike is taking a little too long to get it, Gino goes out on his own to see that it gets mixed. They have developed the confidence that they know how to carry out this task, and understand that they won't get in trouble if they do it on their own. Taking initiative does not seem to be an issue when these other factors are in place. Even when someone just mentions that they're going to need fertilizer when they fertilize later in the day, several of the guys anticipate that need by mixing the product on their own. They can carry out several steps at a time without a problem.

Horticulture Therapy

Embedded within Bittersweet Farms' horticultural activities, is a program under the direction of a horticultural therapist. Its aims are 1. to use horticulture and related activities to facilitate the learning of specific skills needed in a work oriented environment, 2. to provide group oriented, social experiences for each individual, 3. to provide a positive work environment to help each individual develop more appropriate personal and social behaviors, 4. to introduce change in a natural chain of events, through plant and horticulture related activities.

Projects created provide opportunities for those with autism to use their talents to contribute to a common cause, and to make products that can enhance the work site environment. They can give gifts to others and produce items for sale to the community. The tasks and projects developed, give the workers a sense of ownership and a feeling of being part of the whole.

Through the horticulture therapy program, it is hoped those involved will develop self esteem and feel useful, as they receive immediate and positive feedback from plants, crafts and gardening.

An example of a unique project is the sensory garden, where flowerbeds are designed for their sensory impact. There is a flowerbed rich in fragrance, one that presents a variety of interesting textures and one with brilliant colors for visual stimulation. The intention is to make the abstract concepts of aroma, tactile sensation, and color more concrete and therefore, more accessible.

Structure provided in tasks like growing plants, producing crafts, constructing wreaths, creating potpourri and growing food to eat, allows each person to learn what comes next, and to anticipate what the outcome will be. Through their involvement, they can learn about evolution and change in nature.

Above all, the goal of horticulture therapy is to enhance pride, success and feelings of self-importance through the horticultural experience.

Animal Care Program

Bittersweet has always had a variety of animals on the farm. Horses, pigs, goats, chickens, and even rabbits have been in residence in various numbers through the years. Birds are housed and fed, Canadian geese populate the pond, and kittens roam the barn. The adults with autism and staff feed, water, milk, ride, groom animals and collect eggs through the changing seasons.

Bittersweet Farms now has four horses. The horsemanship program, new in the last ten years, is a focus for many individuals and their families. Adults with autism show the ability to continue to learn as they participate this program, which is based on one-on-one instruction for a couple of hours a week. They learn skills associated with grooming, handling, saddling and riding, with some even mastering what's needed to compete in a 4-H or fairgrounds setting.

The instructor works with both day students and residents. She has had twenty-five years' experience, and knows the requirements for those more competitive settings. She works on an hourly basis five days a week, with some getting two hours a week of her training. Families see this program as a unique and exciting opportunity for their son or daughter.

The chicken coop

There's a new, large chicken coop, containing four dozen chickens. The coop was designed to resemble the barn, and was built from wood that was cleared for the water project. The variety of chicken breeds purchased offers different colors of eggs. Egg gathering is a very useful, daily activity that can be accomplished by those who may not be able to handle more complicated tasks.

Llamas

The staff and residents are learning about the two new llamas and ways they can use them. They received permission from the Metroparks to take the llamas through the park on their hikes. They're planning to eventually pack lunches and gear on the llamas when the group goes hiking. Llama wool will be useful for the weaving program, and their manure is supposed to be really good fertilizer.

Print Shop

In recent years, a hand press and other essential print shop equipment have been donated to Bittersweet Farms. Now located in the garage of the teahouse, the shop provides interesting and useful tasks in the printing of residents' art work, stationery, and calendars for Bittersweet Farms and for sale to the community. Artistic talents are encouraged and several residents have developed portfolios of creative work that have been displayed at neighboring art shows.

An art therapy program, in coordination with horticulture therapy, can target eye-hand coordination, improved understanding of spatial relationships, constructive group work and increased attention span. The combined efforts facilitate following directions and decreased impulsivity. Both expose workers to stimulating surroundings and can increase understanding of abstract concepts like time and growth.

Wood Shop

Carpentry and woodcrafts are offered in the wood shop where Adirondack chairs and other furniture are made to order. Birdhouses and other items for use on the farm are constructed there, as well. Workers learn appropriate tool use, safety rules and proper handling of material. Here too, they learn to see the evolution of a product from start to finish, and then can witness its function.

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