Growing YOUTH. Growing Food.
Gateway Farms exists to provide vocational training to our teenage residents so they can develop their God-given talents through the growing of quality produce for the purpose of connecting to our community.
Each resident-turned-farmer goes through an application and interview process before being hired. For most, it’s their first real paying job and we want to make it as close to the real world as possible – with a little extra compassionate care due to their current situation. Once hired, they are assigned tasks through agricultural avenues such as raising poultry, planting seeds, fulfilling Summer Produce Subscriptions, or serving customers at the weekly Market.
"Praying our kids know their Maker more, as they meet Him in the garden."
Through their employment at Gateway Farms, not only do resident-turned-farmers earn a little cash in a safe employment atmosphere, but they gain a level of competence that can’t be taught from a book. This, in turn, translates to feelings of accomplishment, confidence in their ability to get a job in the future, and immeasurable positive self-worth.
2024 Fall/Winter Produce Subscriptions Sign ups Closed.
As winter approaches, our 2024 produce subscriptions are closed for the year. We are using the shorter days to plan out our 2025 season and make process improvements across the farm. Work continues year-round for our vocational students at Gateway Woods.
If you are interested in making a donation to feed a family through the 2025 summer subscription season, click the PayPal link below.
Your donation provides a fresh, local, and diversified produce experience to a family in need. Delivery is coordinated through the Grabill Food Bank, which helps families in the community around Gateway Woods.
2023 By the Numbers
0
Residents Employed
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Customer Connections
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Hours of Skill Development
Testimonials
Get Involved with Gateway Farms
Summer Produce Subscriptions
Summer Produce Subscribers pick up their products every two weeks from June – September. In addition to fresh produce, from-scratch baked goods (like lavender scones) make an occasional delicious appearance. We offer pick-up locations in Leo and Bluffton areas.
Gateway Farms Market
The Market is a roadside stand set up every Thursday through the growing season. Community members can stop by for what’s in season – no subscription needed! This is a great way to get fresh seasonal produce on your evening commute home from work. The Market is located on Grabill Road at the front of the Gateway Woods campus.
Volunteer
If you would like to get more involved with Gateway Farms or Gateway Woods. Please visit our volunteer page and fill out the form.
Donate
Your donation helps Gateway Woods grow and start new programs like Gateway Farms to better serve the youth that are in our care.
Meet Our Staff
Eric Bahler
Gateway Farms Manager
Send us a message.
Common Questions
GW Farms exclusively employs the teenagers living at Gateway Woods placed through the Residential Program and Professional Foster Care.
Farmers are paid hourly and receive bonuses based on job performance. It varies but most work their way up to receiving minimum wage.
Contact us to stay in the loop of the latest customer opportunities. Become a Summer Produce Subscriber, or shop the Market on Thursdays from 4-6pm during the growing season (usually late May – early November). Follow us on social media to stay in the know of what’s happening in the garden.
We grow herbs, berries, and a wide variety of vegetables in our fields, as well as a few protein options in the barnyard. We offer frozen pork products, whole chickens, and fresh turkeys for Thanksgiving feasts. You may find the occasional baked good and farm by-products as we experiment and develop recipes.
Unfortunately, no.
We’ll take all the prayers we can get! We still operate under a nonprofit so we can accept donations to keep growing and making improvements around the farm. Through our partnership with a local food bank, you can purchase a subscription for a local family in need by selecting the "Donate a subscription" above. We also love having volunteers lend a hand. And if you attend the annual Auction in August, you can meet a farmer or two at the BLT stand where we use farm products to serve up a lunch option that pairs perfectly with a lemon shakeup.
From the Blog
The Latest News & Stories From Gateway Woods
