From Family Farm to Nonprofit: The Ungers Are Growing Opportunity in Riverside

Gable Farms grew from YouTube videos and farming books.

Located in Riverside's Historic Citrus Preserve, Gable Farms is a nonprofit that serves adults with cognitive disabilities.

The farm is run by the Unger family: Kara, Erik, Joshuah and Kylee.

Kara and Erik have spent years researching educational support for their son Joshuah, who was diagnosed with autism. When Joshuah aged out of the school system, they built the farm around his love of farming, which later became a nonprofit.

The farm welcomes cognitively disabled students from the local school district.

Erik said the farm gives participants a chance to get outside and contribute based on their individual capabilities.

Before purchasing the land, Erik taught himself how to farm through watching YouTube videos and reading books.

"I needed to learn how to farm, not just farm, but farm in Riverside," he said.

The family found the property after living in Corona and slowly developed it into the farm it is today.

Erik said it was difficult to find resources for farming in Southern California's dry climate, so he looked to farms in similar climates, like Arizona. He participated in a workshop in Mesa, Arizona, at a farm named Steadfast Farm. Erik shared that through trial and error he was able to learn how to farm.

"If you have a problem growing something right now, maybe you're growing it at the wrong time," he said.

It was a constant game Erik had to play with California's heat.

"The hardest time to grow is in August and September, it's too hot for most plants," he said. "But in wintertime you grow the right crops."

The farm has sold crops to the Riverside Food Hub and the Inland Empire Food Bank, where the produce goes to food pantries and shelters.

The farm's team has grown to include Samantha Barnes, who sought out the farm after developing an interest in farming.

"He (Erik) basically taught me everything I needed to know about growing," Barnes said.

As farm manager, Barnes oversees the farm beds, coordinates visiting groups and cares for participants.

"Being a farm manager is not something I would expect to be doing at this point of my life," Barnes said. "It's been amazing."

Kylee, the family's daughter, learned to grow flowers using the same self-taught methods as her father.

The farm recently opened a store selling crops and flowers.

More information: Gable Farms is located at 10501 Victoria Avenue, Riverside. Follow the farm on Instagram.

By Marissa Perez