Malibu Grange

The Growing Grounds Farms in San Luis Obispo and Santa Maria, Calif., have been serving the mental health community since 1984 through a combination of vocational training and horticultural therapy (HT), based on the foundation that working with plants in a peaceful natural setting has restorative effects.  HT is used in a wide variety of treatment situations, including helping abused children, the handicapped, cancer patients, and many others heal through a personal connection with nature.  Interestingly enough, British researchers have reported in the journal Neuroscience their discovery that a common soil bacteria activates specific neurons in the brain to produce serotonin.  Among other things, serotonin helps regulate mood, aggression, metabolism and sleep, and imbalanced levels often play a role in depression, bi-polar disorder and anxiety.

“One of the primary reasons our programs are successful is that people experience a sense of freedom working outdoors with the sun on their backs and their hands directly in the soil,” said Associate Director Frank Ricceri of the Transitions-Mental Health Association (T-MHA), the organization that oversees the Growing Grounds programs.  “The relaxed environment also helps mitigate fears of social interaction or anxiety around work.  As a result, people feel good about their work and less fearful of the rest of the world.”  Plus, Frank added, employees receive an added value by benefiting from a paycheck – many for the first time.

Mike Iman is just one of the success stories to receive a new opportunity at the Growing Grounds Farm in Santa Maria.  Mike was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder 30 years ago.  When he moved from Washington State to California’s Central Coast, he found himself in a lull, uncertain about his options.  His case worker at the T-MHA suggested Iman become involved with the program.  To Mike, the primary benefit at first was the prospect of simply earning a wage.  “I enjoyed working in the open air in the California climate, particularly coming from Washington,” he said.  “Being outdoors helped clear my mind of stressors and kept me busy working instead of pacing back and forth at my house.”

After four months at Growing Grounds, Santa Maria’s Program Director Ariela Gottschalk noticed Mike’s good social skills and encouraging interaction with other employees.  She recommended he apply for the Program Supervisor position at the newly opened Lompoc Recovery Learning Community to provide community support for the mentally ill and homeless in Lompoc.  At first he was hesitant to apply unsure about his public speaking abilities, but eventually beat out 20 other people for the job.  Today, six years later, he has overseen the program’s overall expansion and in the process has helped hundreds of people through support groups and a special program he created called the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP).

He says his experience working in his current position has improved his character and built his self-esteem.  He particularly feels an overwhelming sense of gratitude by being of service to others.  “I want to give Ariela a bouquet of flowers every time I see her,” Mike said.  He often shares his story with his clients and while he recognizes his case is unique, he says he is not an anomaly.  “Mental Illness is treatable and people can be successful if they stay on their medications,” he said.  “I tell my clients recovery is tough and they have to work at it, because the good things in life are an effort.”

Growing Grounds currently employs 100 people at both locations.   The San Luis Obispo location grows California native plants and perennials, from 2-inch liners to 25 gallon trees, and often works with habitat restoration projects.  The Santa Maria location grows seasonal row crops, from broccoli and kale in the winter to tomatoes and eggplants in the summer, all grown according to organic principles, in addition to an abundance of flowers.  On my recent trip, snapdragons, bells of Ireland, lavender and leucadendrons were growing beautifully.  From February to December, the Santa Maria location’s farm stand is open to the public on Thursdays from noon to dusk.

Employees who work at Growing Grounds are involved in all aspects of plant production, from seed to table, including marketing, selling and promotions, based on their needs, abilities and goals.  The nursery and farm are structured environments where people suffering from mental illness who tend to isolate from the outside world feel welcome and encouraged to learn new skills.  More importantly, it is a community of colleagues and friends that watch over each other.

“I see positive changes from people who have been here for while, some people really come out of their shell and others really begin thinking clearly,” Ariela said.  “The physical exercise aspect about it also helps so much, just getting outside and walking around, breathing fresh air, seeing the birds flying overhead with the wind in your face…It is just something about giving things life and nurturing a plant to watch it grow and produce food that is very satisfying.  It gives you hope. It’s the continuation of life.”

Growing Grounds Santa Maria: 812 W. Foster Rd., Santa Maria, CA, 93455 (805) 934-2181.

Growing Grounds San Luis Obispo: 3740 Orcutt Rd., San Luis Obispo, 93406 (805) 543-6071.

For more information visit the Transitions-Mental Health Association website.