More than likely you have heard the phrase “pay it forward,” which by definition is when someone does a good deed for you and instead of paying them back, you pay it forward by doing a good deed for someone else. A selfless and random act of kindness is not only a gift from God but also a gift to the person on the receiving end.

And no one should dispute that single mothers are often the most grateful recipients of such acts of kindness. Once a single mother herself, Christine Collins, a Tampa, Florida, based horticulturist and owner of the sustainable business, Wildrose Lawn Care, gets this; thus prompting her to pay it forward, in a huge way.

Collins and her husband, Paul Rauch, founded, Pay it Forward Farm (PIFF), in Spring Hill, Florida. Collins says, “ [PIFF] is a dream in which I believe God told me to ‘stop fighting my mother and honor her instead’. My mother was a single mom for many years after my father died in a boating accident leaving her with 6 (of 9) children at home and no money, no education and no job. She raised us and always had food on the table as well as welcomed strangers to our table. She was and is a woman of strength and generosity.”

The mission of PIFF is clear and strong: a community outreach for single moms and their children, promoting self reliance and sustainability as well as becoming a launching point for positive action in the world. The farm provides a place where mothers and their children can come and grow in mind, body and spirit in communion with Mother Nature and God.

During the years before becoming a single mom, Collins confided that she was probably on the ‘fast track to nowhere’. Then she found out she was pregnant. “Being pregnant and having my son was a turning point in my life. His father was not interested in parenthood, so I embarked on this adventure on my own. I moved into government subsidized housing near USF (the University of South Florida), next to crack cocaine dealers, and pursued a college education.”

She described her journey as a difficult one and recalls how the kindness of others truly touched her. Perhaps the instance that influenced her the most was one where others took initiative to help her out:

“I remember one time when my purse was stolen from one of my classes at USF. I had just picked up my food stamps so all of those were stolen as well. My instructor and class mates took up a collection and purchased Publix gift certificates for me that were in excess of the amount of food stamps that I had lost. I have many stories about the kindness of people who made my life as a single mother more positive and I want to repay these acts of kindness through our efforts at the farm.”

PIFF is a non-profit organization under the umbrella of LifeQuest Community Church (where they are members), who is currently serving as PIFF’s sponsor 501c3. She and Rauch purchased the land PIFF is situated on from her mother, Nannie Enno and her stepfather, Capt Fred Enno, who has given them a very generous “payment plan” and comes out every weekend to mow.

Pay it Forward Farm has no capital on hand. They have been, and continue to rely, on the generosity of donors and volunteers, not only to gain equipment but in order to prepare the land and out-buildings for what Collins envisions PIFF to become. “We have four buildings on the property that are in the process of being “rehabbed”. So, we have the moms, kids and other volunteers coming to the farm every weekend getting things ready for the first classes that will be offered in January 2010. This will be our actual ‘Grand Opening Month’.”

Yes, classes; you see PIFF is not just going to grow organic produce. Collins vision is for PIFF to become a full-fledged campus where single mothers (and eventually others) can come and learn how to grow, harvest and cook their own food. And not just produce either. Collins says, “In addition, we have plans for an orchard that will feature different types of citrus and nuts. Lastly, we will be developing an aquaponics pond that we will stock with Talapia.”

This first round of classes are FCHP classes (Florida Certified Horticulture Professional) and are generously underwritten by a grant PIFF received from the SWFWMD (Southwest Florida Water Management District). The classes are not free but scholarships are available to single mothers as well, as other women, who can show proof of need for assistance.

Future classes will include: cooking, nutrition, sewing, woodshop and agriculture.

Future plans call for one of the four buildings on the property, to be converted into a child-care facility so the single mother’s can come and be involved, without having to worry about finding a safe place for their young ones. But, the kids will be encouraged to learn alongside ‘mom’. For now, the duo are working on preparing a space in their own home, that will serve as a “babysitting area.” On the laundry list of needs PIFF has are, items for the babysitting area, so they can get it open in time for the January classes. Items needed here include: cribs, toys and an outdoor play-set.

Other items on the farm’s general needs list include:

* Appliances (ovens/stoves/sewing machines)

* Farm equipment (tractor/tiller/irrigation piping)

* Building materials (fencing/drywall/insulation)

And of course monetary donations and volunteers are always needed to keep things going and to ensure this extraordinary vision continues to take fruition. Collins, et al, are now busy harvesting the first fruits of their labor. They will be selling portions of the crop and that money will go directly back into the fund for running the farm with the goal, Collins says, “of becoming self-sufficient.”

And who doesn’t want to be self-sufficient? Perhaps Collins’ vision from God will plant the seed in the minds and hearts of others who may be looking for their own way to ‘pay it forward’.

For more information about the Pay It Forward Farm you can contact Christine at:

Telephone 813-966-7448

-or-

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Or through a form on their website: http://www.payitforwardfarm.org

Watch video from PIFF: http://www.payitforwardfarm.org/videos.asp

Comments

cleopatra226

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Wow! These people truly are incredible educators. What a truly inspiring family of generous, intelligent people.

Thursday 03 December 2009, 06:55

staceyrlouiso

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Hmmm....I know you!! She is originally from Wilder, KY! She really is a wonderful person and her faith is strong.

Thursday 03 December 2009, 07:06

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