The Paddock Project is a place of LOVE, vision, and inclusion that prides itself on bringing together people, creativity, and ethics through proudly supporting employment for people of all abilities and growing and selling organic food.
After 17 years at Mullumbimby High School, working in and heading up the special education department, followed by some time working with the NDIS Karen Gross decided to take a leap and follow her dream of creating employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Speaking with Chrystal Jameson on the Her Brave Story podcast Karen talked about the challenges for people with disabilities finding work once they left school. Seeing this gap and recognising the opportunities within the NDIS, Karen took over The Paddock in Mullumbimby and developed it into a thriving social enterprise providing supported employment and community connection.
‘It is about providing an opportunity for local people with disabilities to find meaningful employment’ Karen told The Echo.
Over the last five years Karen has taken the project from employing around two people to 45 along with carers and volunteers who make The Paddock Project into what it is today.
When Karen stepped into the business The Paddock already had an established organic syntropic garden that was designed by Rodrigo. Syntropic farming is a type of agroforestry and is about following the principles of the forest and creating biodiversity.
From the paddock to you
‘We produce seasonal vegetables and there are zero food miles,’ says Karen with her warm smile.
‘We can harvest vegetables, fruit, and flowers for you. There is cassava, salad, silverbeet, and carrots – that is our current crop.’
The farm gives people a range of employment opportunities so that everyone can find something they enjoy doing and getting paid for what they do which helps them remain in the area.
‘Employment covers planting seeds, whole food production, preparing garden beds, planting, harvesting, cooking, management, sales etc,’ Karen explains.
‘Customers can buy organic seedlings, plants, (we have a focus on food plants and their companions), there is a beautiful organic garden, and a cafe that utilises food grown and produced on site.’
Fun to be had
The Paddock Project does breakfast and lunch with coffee from 7am to 3pm on weekdays and from 8am to 2pm on Saturdays. They also welcome volunteers on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday; Mondays you can join the Rainbow Family Yoga 3.30-4.30pm; there is a weekly Little Paddock People for 3-5 year olds on Wednesday mornings; a curry and jam on Wednesday afternoons from 4pm to 6pm; Tara sells fresh fish from her van on Thursdays 10am to 1pm; and there is a bi-monthly garage sale -. You can also hire the space on evenings and weekends for things like yoga, capoeira, or art classes and it is a dog and family friendly space.
‘This is a creative community and people get really excited about getting in touch with nature, knowing alternative gardening systems and we have a really friendly and welcoming vibe. It is a garden everyone can access and see their produce,’ says Karen.
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