PEORIA MAGAZINE May 2022

2022 BLUE RIDGE

MORE OPPORTUNITIES Jim has wo rked in real estate investment and property management for 40 years, and the Sniffs run an apartment complex adj acent to Picket Fence. Some of the units are purposefully rented to adults with disabilities, and what they saw in Picket Fence was opportunity. “These kids have so much talent, but sadly, 80 percent of them graduate to nothing,” Jimsaid. “Picket Fencewent up for sale, andwe thought:What ifwecould take awell-known, profitable enterprise, turn it into a not-for-profit and offer training and employment opportunities for the special needs community?” “The opportunities for people with special needs are sadly limited,” Laura says. “Somany times, they are relegated to food service or janitorial positions. Here, they can learn to plant and grow, to greet customers, to run a cash register and learn life skills.” The Sniffs spent nearly two years raisingmoney to purchase the business, which like Blue Ridge Community Farm is now a 501(c)(3) charitable organization: Picket Fence Foundation. The operation employs about 20 people, pursuing a goal to fill half the positions with people who have disabilities, be they developmental, physical or intellectual. Additional part-time job opportunities in animal care, gardening, trail maintenance and mechanics are planned for the farm. But the reach into the special-needs community goes beyond the store and farm payrolls. When you walk into Picket Fence, the first display is the Ability Marketplace. The shelves are lined with goods made by the store’s special needs business partners. There are candles, quilts, picture frames, jewelry, paintings, scented soaps, greeting cards andmore. The Sniffs take no salary from the farm or garden center. Aside from meeting payroll obligations and operational costs, all proceeds from the Picket Fence and Blue Ridge operations go back into providing opportunities for the special needs population.

That includes the money raised by the Blue Ridge Community Farm conce rt series. ‘A GOD THING’ When Jim got the idea for a music event at t he farm, he was referred to Jerry Kolb, a Peoria-area music promoter. Jim walked Jerry to the top of Sunset Hill. “This really feels like a mini-Alpine Valley,” Jerry said. Jimfroze and looked at him. “Had to be a God thing,” Laura said. They arranged a trial run. Jerry lined up two bands, The Deep Hollow and Roundstone Buskers, and got local musician Sarah Marie Dillard to be the host emcee. Due to the pandemic, they limited the audience so the “crowd” numbered only 53 on the first Sunday of October, 2020. But the experience was convincing. “They proved it was a great place for music,” Jerry says. FAMILY-FRIENDLY VIBE He re-upped Sarah as the house emcee and set up four shows in 2021. The headliners includedThe Accidentals, The Deep Hollow, Good Morning Bedlam and Chicago Farmer. Local singer-songwriter artists agreed to opening sets. The season finale drew an estimated 700 people. Admission is free, though donations are encouraged. No concessions are sold; it’s BYO food and drink. “I really like the idea of it being free,” Jerry says. “That way you can decide the value you want to place on it and to what degree you want to support Blue Ridge, which is significant. We had to empty the donation box halfway through the last show because people couldn’t stuff any more money into it.” Another season is lined up for 2022, beginning in early September. Individual and business sponsorship opportunities are available, and vendors with special needs are welcome to sell their goods. The absence of artificial lighting necessitates daytime events. The need to avoid midsummer heat pushes the

schedule into late summer and early fall. But there’s no urgency to expand the schedule or add nighttime shows. The Sniffs like the family-friendly vibe of Sunday afternoons at the farm, with music lovers ranging from toddlers to folks in their 90s and even some Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis. This way, too, nobody loses sight of the real reason for it all. “We can’t solve all theworld’s problems,” Jimsays. “But we can give some people a little hope, let them know they’re loved and cared for in a safe environment and that they can shine, too.” For more information, visit us at blueridgecommunityfarm.org and picketfencefloral.net. The Accidentals Emily the Band SEPTEMBER 18 Chicago Farmer & The Field Notes Mama Said String Band SEPTEMBER 25 Still Shine Elizabeth Moen OCTOBER 2 The Deep Hollow Good Morning Bedlam OCTOBER 9 Stone and Snow Mary Erlewine COMMUNITY FARM CONCERT SERIES SEPTEMBER 11 Roundstone Buskers

Kirk Wessler is a former newspaper sports editor who has turned his attention in semi retirement to a new passion as a singer/ songwriter.

MAY 2022 P EORIA MAGAZINE 51