WHITEHOUSE – Bittersweet Farms has received an award of $116,131 from the United States Department
of Agriculture, National Institute of Food & Agriculture to support the expansion of the
horticulture program.The grant will assist with the vocational and therapeutic endeavors of individuals with
autism, provide funding to purchase farming supplies and equipment, support a new food product development
plan, and enable Bittersweet Farms to expand its Community Supported Agriculture program. Bittersweet Farms
will share food grown on the farm with Hope United Methodist Church and the Anthony Wayne Food Pantry
located at Zion United Methodist Church. All three locations are in Whitehouse, and all provide food to
individuals living below the poverty level.The Center for Innovative Food Technology is responsible for the
evaluation of the one-year project.Bittersweet Farms has worked with all of these partners in the past. The
grant project will further engage adults with autism in meaningful farm activities that are therapeutic and
that may lead to some form of employment. The project will increase the amount of produce grown in
Bittersweet’s gardens, greenhouses, and hoop houses. The organization has a long history of gardening and
farming.