Working Mission will:
Through regenerative and sustainable farming practices, Working Mission addresses food insecurity by creating opportunities for individuals and families to access healthy, locally grown food. Our agricultural programs for gardens, bees, and animal husbandry utilize methods such as soil regeneration, composting, natural pest management, water conservation, and diversified planting systems, including our pollinator victory gardens, that restore the health of the land while increasing long-term productivity. Greater biodiversity creates healthier ecosystems that are more resistant to pests, disease, and extreme weather. We continue to witness the transformation of the 700+ acre Working Mission Farm, all while meeting the needs of the underserved in our community.
More than simply producing food, our farm serves as an outdoor classroom where participants gain hands-on experience in sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship, and food production. By connecting food production with education, development, and community engagement, Working Mission creates a holistic approach to combating food insecurity.
Through regenerative agriculture, we are cultivating healthy soil, healthy food, and healthy communities while building pathways toward long-term economic and social stability.
01
Alleviating food insecurities through agricultural programs
Garden Program
Meat and Eggs Programs
Â
- Chickens for Eggs: Currently, we have approximately 1000 laying hens. We donate a portion of these eggs both to our immigrant community families and to local food banks. These hens are raised entirely on pasture where they are fed only non-medicated feed and enjoy their days scratching around in the soil, looking for bugs, and soaking up the sunshine. Needless to say, their eggs are some of the best sources for essential nutrients and vitamins that someone can receive! We enjoy the opportunity to put such a high-quality product into the hands of those who need it most. Additionally, the sales of the eggs allow us to bring financial sustainability to our organization.
-
Meat Programs: We are in the process of raising pasture-raised lamb, goat, pork, and chicken. As with the eggs, a portion of the meat will be donated to our community, with the remainder available for sale to support Working Mission.
English as a Second Language (ESL) Class
We offer ESL classes in multiple locations and on multiple days throughout Rutherford County. These classes are offered free of charge, utilizing an internationally recognized English curriculum called Burlington English, which is a standards-based, fully blended curriculum. We offer both beginner and intermediate classes. The beginner class focuses on the basics of the English language and assists the attendees in communicating their basic needs and requests, as well as basic grammar skills. The intermediate class focuses more on language development, reading, and writing in the English language. Students not only learn reading and writing, but they also practice important life skills such as registering for their children’s schools, filling out paperwork at the doctor’s office, applying for a job, and job readiness terminology. This aspect will also begin to prepare them for their future needs in terms of citizenship preparation at the appropriate time in their journey.
Citizenship Preparation Class
Becoming a United States citizen provides countless benefits that affect not just the individual applying. It helps to allow families to stay together, to provide more stable communities, and to open up better job, grant, and scholarship opportunities within entire family units. Citizenship Prep covers the basics of American History and Civics and provides an opportunity for attendees to review and complete work both in the class setting and also on their own as homework. The workbook provided can be kept by the participant and used as a review prior to their Citizenship Interview once they have completed their application and have scheduled an interview. This class contains mock interviews that provide practice opportunities for applicants prior to their actual future interview for US citizenship. These classes are also offered as a free option for those who have fulfilled the requirements for US citizenship eligibility, and they are offered alongside our ESL classes at the same locations.
Driver’s Permit Preparation
This class is offered as a free option on alternating semesters from our Citizenship Prep classes for those interested in pursuing a Tennessee Driver’s Permit. It teaches the basics of driving in the US and covers topics such as road safety, rules of the road, traffic signs and signals, and others. The class utilizes the Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual provided by tn.gov/safety. There is a course handbook that one of our teachers built to highlight much of the license manual, but also break down the material into more understandable language and illustrations.Â
02
Shaping brighter futures through language and job development and citizenship preparation
03
Creating meaningful connections through intentional relationships and mentorships
Conversational English Class
Intentional Relationships
