06/01/2026
The Poverty Research Fellows (PRFs) recently visited Green Bridge Growers, a local social enterprise that combines sustainable agriculture with workforce development opportunities for people with autism in the South Bend community.
PRFs began the day with a tour of the farm, where they learned about Green Bridge Growers’ innovative sustainability practices, including aquaponics systems that use fish waste to nourish plants and support environmentally sustainable food production. They also learned more about the barriers many individuals with disabilities face in accessing stable employment and how organizations like Green Bridge Growers help create pathways to greater economic opportunity, independence, and community inclusion.
Following the tour, the PRFs volunteered on the farm and spread compost across newly planted fields. Through hands-on service, the group contributed to the farm’s ongoing work while gaining a deeper understanding of how local organizations can address poverty through environmental sustainability, dignified employment opportunities, and long-term community investment.
