Faculty and students have formed a relationship with a service and learning community in Runnells that has proven to be beneficial in enriching the knowledge and lives of both groups.

For the past seven years, the Homestead has been providing education and support services for adults and children with autism near Des Moines. As part of its workshop programs, many of the residents at the Homestead have been growing apples, squash, sweet corn and about 50 other kinds of vegetables and flowers, said Steve Muller, executive director of the Homestead.

“To provide those services we wanted to network with as many different groups as possible . one successful partnership we’ve had is with Iowa State,” he said.

Nearly 40 residents live at the Homestead, and they are involved with every step in the production of fruits and vegetables. Residents water, mow, weed, harvest, clean, and bag the produce.

Some are also able to help staff distribute the produce to both local organic food stores and stores in Des Moines through a community-supported agriculture program.

“The sense of accomplishment and work is important for people to be involved with something at a significant level,” Muller said.

Being able to work outside and having a project that requires involvement year-round is another advantage of the organic farm, Muller said.

“Many of the people we serve don’t have a lot of major life changes,” he said.

Because of this, working in an environment with seasonal changes provides a great amount of variety and exercise – as well as a final product to be proud of – that the residents might not get if only indoor workshops were held, Muller said.

Faculty and students from the horticulture department have been helping out with the farm. The Leopold Center gave a grant of 360 dwarf apple trees to the Homestead in 1998.

Heather Friedrich, research associate with the agronomy department, did research at the farm for her master’s degree during the 2000 growing season.

While at the farm, Friedrich consulted with Homestead staff about growing and production practices and studied organic pest management techniques.

“I enjoyed the interaction with consumers out there,” Friedrich said. “They showed interest in stuff that was going on in the orchard.”

The partnership and involvement with students and faculty was one of the key reasons for having the farm, Muller said.

“Part of the reason we wanted to do organic orchards is it puts a lot of students on our campus,” he said.

Students also learn about autism while working with residents and staff on the farm, he said.

“I hope we can continue to have folks come down and help out,” Muller said. “We’d enjoy having some more student involvement from Iowa State.”

For more information regarding the Homestead, call (515) 967-4369 or visit their Web site, www.thehomestead.org.