Transitions-Mental Health Association (TMHA) has received a grant in the amount of $12,200 from the Harold J. Miossi Charitable Trust to implement a strategy of new TMHAconservation practices to save water, power, and money at their Growing Grounds Farm in San Luis Obispo.

For over 30 years, TMHA has operated the Growing Grounds Farm of San Luis Obispo, one of California’s most compassionate, proactive forms of treatment for adults suffering from mental illness. A combination of horticultural therapy and vocational training, the farm provides a disenfranchised population with true employment opportunities while maintaining a supportive environment. The Growing Grounds Farm champions agricultural practices that are ecologically sensitive and environmentally proactive and strives to be a fixture in the community through local nurseries, landscapers, farmers markets, business deliveries, and the retail location in downtown San Luis Obispo.

“To conserve the farm’s consumption of water and electricity, we have designed a comprehensive retrofit of all our irrigation,” explained Craig Wilson, program manager of Growing Grounds Farm in San Luis Obispo. “The technology we have identified is a sprinkler head that gives more uniform coverage and improves plant quality and health while using 30% less water than sprinklers currently in use.”

Growing Grounds Farm client employees will be utilized in the retrofit and installation process, which will provide indispensable new skills, on the job training, and paid employment for our employees.

“Given the primary agenda of the Growing Grounds Farm, it is important to note that the grant from the Miossi Trust will not only address conservation issues, but will create approximately 177 extra work shifts providing professionally supervised training in skilled labor to adults with mental illness,” Wilson said.

Growing Grounds Farm strives to improve the quality of life for their clients by helping them achieve personal goals that represent significant steps in their recovery. Clients that participate in our program learn valuable, transferable work skills and develop increased self-esteem and independence.

“The $12,200 grant will specifically be used to focus on the client and professional labor portion of this drought driven effort to save precious water resources,” Wilson said.

This is the third grant that the Harold J. Miossi Charitable Trust has made to the Growing Grounds Farm of San Luis Obispo. The trust was instrumental in helping the Farm launch its seed bank program, and they have continued their avid support by focusing this year on the pressing issue of water conservation.