‘At a loss for words’: State funding brings $400,000 to Taking Root Farms

MANSFIELD — What once felt years away suddenly moved within reach for Taking Root Farms.

The non-profit organization will receive $400,000 through Ohio’s capital budget to build projects designed to serve adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The Ohio Senate approved the capital budget June 3, and the Ohio House followed on June 10.

Representative Marilyn John championed the funding for the project, known as Taking Root Farms – Field of Opportunities.

“I’m kind of at a loss for words,” said Angela Eisaman, founder and director of operations of Taking Root Farms. “It was just another confirmation of how much this community needs it, wants it and really wants to be a part of making a difference in people’s lives.”

Eisaman said receiving the news during the same week services began felt like a ribbon-cutting gift.

Exceedingly, abundantly, more than we could ask or imagine.

Angela Eisaman, founder and director of operations of taking root farms

“The support we have had in this community, whether it’s a leader or an individual that just has a passion for what we do, is unbelievable,” she said. “I don’t think we could live in a more generous community.”

Building for the future

Taking Root Farms located at 565 S. Trimble Rd. plans to use the funding for three major projects.

“We broke it into three big needs we have coming up that we didn’t budget for,” Eisaman said. 

The first priority is a four-bay garage to house transportation vehicles and farm equipment.

“We were actually struggling with how we were going to protect our equipment,” she said. “We could not afford to put up a building.”

Taking Root Farms also hopes to build an open pavilion. Workers already excavated the site, Eisaman said, knowing they wanted to add the structure someday.

The third project includes a small public market where visitors can purchase vegetables, flowers and other products grown on the farm.

“So we can give back to the community in the same way that they gave to us,” Eisaman said.

If it hadn’t received the grant, Taking Root would have tried to raise the money, but that could have taken years, Eisaman said.

“The community has already been more generous than we could have ever asked for.”

Eisaman said the organization hopes to build the garage and pavilion next year and may start with a small roadside market before turning it into a full public market. 

Elected officials help bring future plans to fruition

Eisaman credited State Rep. John (R-Shelby) and Ohio Sen. Mark Romanchuk (R-Ontario) for helping secure the funding.

“We would not have accomplished this at all without Marilyn John and Mark Romanchuk,” she said. “I wouldn’t want to do this with anyone else.

“Every person deserves the chance to live a life filled with purpose, connection and belonging. At Taking Root Farms, we believe adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities should be fully seen, fully included and fully valued for who they are.” Eisaman said. 

She added the organization is deeply grateful to John and Romanchuk, whose leadership reflects the belief that the strength of a community is measured by how well it embraces every one of its members.

“I don’t think people realized how blessed we are in this community,” Eisaman said. 

John praised the organization’s impact on Richland County.

“The work that Taking Root Farms continues to do for adults with developmental disabilities is an invaluable asset to the Richland County community,” John said. “Their commitment to empowering individuals, fostering independence and creating meaningful opportunities has made a lasting impact on countless lives.

“I extend my congratulations on receiving funding through the State Capital Budget, which will help ensure they can continue their mission of uplifting, supporting and inspiring adults with developmental disabilities for years to come.”

A different model for adult services

Taking Root Farms operates as an adult day service for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., five days a week, allowing participants to take part in purposeful activities both indoors and outdoors.

Eisaman said the farm’s mission centers on helping individuals develop physically, socially and emotionally while giving them meaningful opportunities to engage with nature.

“The current model in our country for adult day services is urban design,” she said. “We just wanted something where people could really engage in nature and would be a safe environment for them.”

The idea for the farm stretches back more than a decade.

When Eisaman began researching the project in 2013, she traveled across the country and visited similar farms. She saw programs tailored to participants’ interests and abilities, from a key-making shop on one farm to opportunities that inspired new ideas back home.

“We have an individual who loves to compost, so could we have a worm farm?” she said. “There’s so many opportunities inside and outside.”

Eisaman said the farm gives adults with developmental disabilities another choice in how to spend their days and offers a place where they can remain for a lifetime if they choose.

She summed up the week’s news with a Bible verse she recently saw on Facebook.

“I saw a sign on Facebook that said ‘Exceedingly, abundantly, more than we could ask or imagine,’ that’s Ephesians,” Eisaman added. “That is it in a nutshell.”