A jar of dirt.  Using something that's taken for granted, and turning it into something extraordinary. That's the kind of transformation that speaks to us.

Last fall, we had the opportunity to attend the Indiana ARC's annual conference in Muncie and witness all the great work the ARC engages in to benefit people with disabilities. They're an organization strongly committed to advocacy, empowerment, and helping each person use their skills and flourish. 

What excited us was a new initiative the ARC was undertaking: to partner with Marriott to build a training hotel in Muncie where people with disabilities would be taught the skills necessary to work successfully at a hotel.  Ground was broken for the ARC hotel while we were there, and commemorative jars of dirt distributed to all conference attendees. 

Our jar of dirt has been in our kitchen since the conference. The other day, my daughter finally asked what it is and why it's in our kitchen. "Because it's about a project that brings a lot of hope. I want to be reminded of hope,  so I keep it in a room where we spend a lot of time," I told her. The jar's label speaks volumes. "By working together we are turning ordinary dirt into extraordinary dreams," it says.  How true!

More and more, we see the assets of autistic people thought of as a potential advantage on the job. It's heartening to see that a number of traditional workplaces and corporations are opening doors to those with autism, seeking their skills because they are needed at their business. Much, much more needs to be done, but that is an important change. 

We've decided that our jar of dirt needs a new home. This summer, we'll break ground on our aquaponics expansion project, which will provide us the opportunity to have even greater impact in the community.  When we break ground on our new construction, we plan to mingle the ARC's dirt with our own.  

Dirt can be something ordinary. But with time, it can be so much more. Seeing the ARC's progress, those of us at Green Bridge Growers look forward to the transformation soon to happen when we build and expand. We are grateful for the inspiration of the ARC.  It's their outstanding example that gives us lots of momentum and much hope as we move forward this year. 

It's a great privilege to base our work in South Bend, Indiana, where there are several colleges and universities whose students participate in our venture as interns and volunteers. We love the energy, desire to learn, and expertise these students bring to us! 

One of our very special connections is with the Center for a Sustainable Future at Indiana University South Bend and its students.  We were fellows of the Center last year, and really appreciate the many innovative ideas CSF has brought to the IUSB campus and the local community. CSF also sponsors a minor in sustainability studies, and they have been great champions of our work.  Last December, when sustainability studies minor Maggie Kent approached us about creating a short film to complete a final project requirement for one of her sustainability studies courses, we jumped at the chance to work with her. What a creative option and what an out-of-the-box opportunity to learn and work with her sustainability studies course material!  We were very pleased to have Maggie and cinematographer Justin Howell work onsite for with us for a day to create a film featuring our venture. 

Interested in learning more about the story of Green Bridge Growers and our social mission? Maggie and Justin's film is linked here, and it's a wonderful way to share our impact and model.  They later entered their film to the Real Food Media Contest, which is coordinated by food justice advocate Anna Lappe.  And great news - we recently learned that their film about Green Bridge Growers is featured by the Real Food Media Contest in their media library. What a great testimony to the beautiful work done by Maggie and Justin to share the mission and vision of our venture!  We are very grateful to the two of them for creatively sharing our story and to the Real Food Media Project for highlighting Maggie and Justin's film.  


Here's the link to the Real Food Media film on Green Bridge Growers for you to explore: https://vimeo.com/128174547


Thanks Maggie and Justin, for your wonderful film -- and thanks to the Center for a Sustainable Future at IU-South Bend for the many ways you make our community greener and more sustainable.