Both People and Plants Are Thriving at This Santa Cruz Garden | Eater

"A Santa Cruz nonprofit that transforms lives through year-long job training, transitional employment, and support services centered at a working farm; trainees develop practical skills like communication, conflict resolution, teamwork, professionalism, and time management, receive regular manager check-ins and weekly social-worker meetings, and often secure housing and steady employment after the program. Participants grow seasonal produce—strawberries, kale, and pumpkins—and the operation includes a retail storefront selling artisanal items such as lavender soap, herbal sleep tea, and beeswax candles. Recognized with a $20,000 grant and named a 2025 Small Business Hero by Intuit QuickBooks and Mailchimp, the organization will use the award to fund 68 subscription boxes for its Feed Two Birds program, part of a broader effort to expand access to fresh food while scaling carefully, building a committed team and resilient operations." - Vox Creative