New Farm Empowers Homeless Community

This growing season, a The Gettysburg Gateway Microfarm will take the place of an empty field outside Gettysburg Gateway for Men. The residents at the homeless shelter will be paid to plant and harvest the crops.

Tyrone Morgan is one of the men participating in the farm. It’s been a while since he’s held a permanent job.

“I was working back in Hamilton, Ohio, in Butler County. I was a press operator and that job had moved out several years ago,” said Morgan.

About a month ago, Morgan lost his home. Now, he lives at Gettysburg Gateway for men, while he tries to get back into the workforce.

“I’m willing to learn and to develop some skills to hold a job,” said Morgan.

A gateway of opportunity is now opening for Morgan and other homeless men at the shelter.

Several organizations, including the TransPlant Project, The Other Place and Goodwill, have banded together to start a microfarm for residents.

“When we’re working with homeless people, we’ve got to figure out what we need to do to get them out of their current situation,” said Tina Patterson, executive director of The Other Place. “The best thing is, people need jobs. People need money.”

Learning agriculture could give them what they need.

“One of the real places for jobs today is agriculture,” said Howard Solganik, executive director of the TransPlant Project. “Even with the high unemployment, you talk to any farmer; they can’t find help to work on their farms.”

The residents at Gettysburg Gateway for Men could soon fill those open jobs.

First, they’ll start by making minimum wage working on the microfarm. They’ll build raised beds and grow fruits and vegetables.

Then, they’ll sell those fruits and vegetables to the community in local community supported agriculture boxes and at farm stands.

“I’m anxious to be back here in three-to-four weeks to see 20-to-30 people employed and working out here,” said Patterson.

Morgan said he hopes to take his employment a little further than the Gettysburg Gateway Microfarm.

“Get me some skills to be able to hopefully run my own business one day,” said Morgan.

Organizers said they hope the farm will be a fresh start for many men in the community.