MANSFIELD — Taking Root Farms, a developing nonprofit which hopes to open a working farm for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, has moved closer to accomplishing its dream.
Angela Eisaman said the organization’s inaugural 5K event, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 1, has reached 230 participants.
“We thought we’d maybe reach 100 (participants),” Eisaman said. “And even if we did get there we thought we’d be blessed.”
She said the support surrounding Taking Root Farm’s dream is overwhelming.
“We’re just so humbled by the response,” co-founder Susan Monastra said.
The founders’ goal in hosting a 5K is to raise awareness surrounding the topic of adults living with IDDs in Richland County. Their organization, Taking Root Farms, is their solution to what they perceived to be a growing problem.
“According to the Richland County Board of Developmental Disabilities, two of the top ranking concerns confronting individuals and families with special needs were residential supports and long-term planning and aging caregivers,” reads a Taking Root Farms press release.
Eisaman and Monastra hope their farm offers long-term care, and a purposeful life to adults with IDD.
Eisaman noted that adults with IDD are living longer because of advances in modern medicine. The waiting list population, therefore, will continue to increase.
According to a Today’s Geriatric Medicine article published in May 2013, the number of adults with I/DD age 60 years and older is projected to nearly double from 641,000 in 2000 to 1.2 million in 2030. Despite the numbers that indicate a rapidly growing problem, Eisaman does not believe the system is broken.
“The system is not broken,” Angela said. “And Richland County does an exceptional job with the disability population. But outside of an urban environment, there isn’t anything within 100 miles of us.”
The farm, which has not been acquired to date, will serve a population of adults with IDDs interested in agriculture. It’s an idea the community is buying into — literally.
Eisaman and Monastra said the 5K has gathered donations from 30 corporate sponsors and 90 individual donors for a total reaching nearly $10,000. After covering for the 5K costs, proceeds will go directly into their efforts to raising $80,000 to launch the building phase of their business model.
“We’re committed to this, we’re not going to give up,” Eisaman said.
The run has already attracted many individuals who are runners.
“But we also have people coming out who can’t run on their own,” Eisaman said.
She said those individuals, around 20, will run with assistance from wheelchairs, Hoyt running chairs and other prosthetic equipment.
“Some will even just walk,” she added.
Eisaman and Monastra decided to host their first 5K, Dash at Dusk, at Mid Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington. They said the race vibe gives the 5K an extra layer of fun.
“The participants are going to be able to stand on the podium, just like the racers do,” Eisaman said, adding various levels of awards will be distributed.
Participants will also receive event t-shirts and be entered for a chance to win raffle prizes.
Dash at Dusk will be held on Saturday, Oct. 1 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Mid Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington. To register, visit the website.
