'When You Put Your Heart To Something, Anything Can Happen'

FRANKFORT, IL — Tucked in a little corner of farmland off Laraway Road in Frankfort exists a place where all things nature thrive: fruits and vegetables, animals, and people.

As abundant as the acres of farm are the smiles on the faces of the visitors who go there.

The place is called Navarro Farm. It’s a nonprofit organization, the mission of which is to provide a space for children with special needs to grow, to learn, to share in the enjoyment of each other’s company and to spread that growth throughout the community.

Damion and Sherri Navarro purchased the 5-acre property in September. The original idea for the farm was to create a place to expand Navarro's family business, NES Environmental. But a friend, Brook Klawitter, suggested to them that the space could be used to teach children with special needs how to farm.

“We have a son (Carter Navarro) with Down syndrome, his best friend (Jack Klawitter) has Down syndrome, and we realized they don’t have much of an outlet,” Damion Navarro said. “A lot of places have rec centers where they go play and do activities, but we wanted to create a place where people can learn."

Navarro said he was also inspired to create the farm because of the amount of negativity he routinely sees coming from others in the community.

“So many people are consumed with gossiping and what other people do,” Navarro said. “And we’re trying to be an example to our children and our community that it’s not what people do, it’s what we could be doing. That’s our drive here: You can make a change, you can be an example by being the change.”

“... We’re trying to be an example, not only to our family but to our community.”

In just six months — Navarro said he originally thought it would take two years — the Navarros have built an already fully-functioning farm, with more than 40 raised gardens, a vineyard, fruit orchard, chicken coop with several dozen chickens, pumpkin patch and flower garden. And that’s just the farming side of things. There’s also the refurbished barn with a patio and loft with space for games, dancing, dinners and other social activities. There’s a large fire pit for hanging out on cool evenings.

“Let’s face it: Individuals with special needs, their phone doesn’t ring much and they don’t have much of an outlet,” he said. “So, if we can create that, and create a communal area and educate, and at the same time get them out of the house, be active, learn about nature, learn about where ‘dirt-to-dish’ comes from, I think we’re doing what God or what anyone wants us to do.”

Not enough? Navarro doesn’t seem to think so. There are also plans to erect at least two greenhouses for visitors to learn about farming year-round. Nigerian miniature-goats are on the way; their pen is already completed, with a roof that extends nearly to the ground that will be surfaced with grass for them to graze on. Beehives are already in place, with more coming, to produce local honey. Plans are being developed to work with 4-H to provide more opportunities for children with special needs

“Every day is something new,” Navarro said. “And just when you think when you don’t have enough energy to go on, you see [the visitors] hugging each other and helping each other, mingling and not being at home isolated or alone, that’s what motivates you, keeps you going. That’s my Red Bull. That’s my energy.”

And perhaps the grandest of all of Navarro’s plans is to create housing for people with special needs. And not just a place to lay their heads at night. Navarro said he wants there to be a bakery, a coffee shop, a work area, a splash pad, a bike path and everything else a small community would need.

“The biggest thing that everyone worries about who has a child with special needs is what happens to me when I’m gone,” Navarro said. “In most cases, even when you have family that loves your individual, they don’t know how to take care of them. So, we understand that housing and an environment for our individuals after we're gone is so very important. There is a lack of that.”

Much of the produce that grows on the farm is donated to local restaurants, Navarro said. It’s all part of the plan to be an example by helping his neighbors in the community.

And Navarro said he knew nothing about farming until the farm started to come to life.

He repeatedly stressed that none of what’s been done at Navarro Farm would have been possible without the help of volunteers and experienced farmers donating their time and effort.

“Without them, this dream or this farm couldn’t be a reality,” Navarro said. “We want to teach the kids that when you put your heart to something, you can make anything happen.”

Upcoming events planned at Navarro Farm, 22155 S. 104th Ave. in Frankfort, include a dance party from 7-10 p.m. Friday, A barbecue in September and a fall fundraiser in October.

For more information, or to learn how to volunteer or donate, visit the Navarro Farm website.

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