News from The Mahurin Honors College

Currently in their 10th year of service, Top Crops is a nonprofit farm founded in 2013 by Bill and Carol Greer, along with their eldest son. The couple has two sons who graduated from WKU in 2012 and 2013. The organization operates out of the WKU farm and works with individuals with special needs, promoting educational development and giving those individuals an opportunity to exercise their potential.

The couple has a daughter with special needs who started playing Special Olympics basketball at a young age, which introduced the family to an organized group providing a safe environment for skills development. Since then both sons have worked with kids with special needs, from coaching basketball in the Special Olympics to working at the farm alongside other gardeners. Top Crops strives to give individuals the same experience, “The garden is all about continuing education, whether it's learning how to grow, learning how to sell, learning how to present, [or] strengthening socialization skills,” said Bill.

Currently hosting their seventh student intern, Top Crops supports the MHC in a financial aspect, through a scholarship to help scholars financially, and educationally with the hands-on experience of working at the farm alongside individuals with special needs. In return, the students give back to Top Crops through their internship- the hours they put into the garden and the connections they build with the gardeners. As part of the internship, scholars plant in the garden and sell at the farmers market, all while working and socializing with individuals with special needs. When asked what Bill hopes students gain from the experience he says, “I think they gain a great appreciation and understanding of the potential everybody has, no matter what you might see."

Kaitlyn Hall (MHC ‘27) is currently interning at the Top Crops farm. She is majoring in Special Education and minoring in American Sign Language. Kaitlyn always had a passion for teaching but had no inclination toward a specific subject, which led her to special education. She chose to pursue special education because of the students, the variety of unique education experience, and the focus on building students’ confidence and self acceptance. Talking about special education, Kaitlyn says, “While you do teach education content, special education is also focused on life skills and becoming the best version of yourself.” This passion of Kaitlyn’s contributed to her involvement with the Top Crops internship along with the unique opportunity to work with adults with disabilities and the concept of planting and selling produce which sounded enjoyable to her. Kaitlyn has benefited greatly from this internship so far, getting to teach and socialize with the gardeners and witness the pride they feel when selling produce at the farmers market. “The friendships, socialization, laughter, and positivity spread every time I am with TopCrops [makes] me feel pure joy, and I want to be sure I incorporate this environment into my future classroom.”

The Top Crops philosophy is to give back, which they do through bringing locally sourced produce to the community and supporting their gardeners. “Everybody has value. Everybody has the ability to contribute,” said Bill. Additionally, in an effort to grow their organization, they hope to attract more gardeners from high schools and increase volunteers. After high school, opportunities for special needs individuals diminish, so they hope to capitalize on the support systems special needs individuals have in high school to get them involved in the opportunities Top Crops offers.

For those wanting to start a nonprofit, Bill suggests having a dream, developing it, and making it happen with feedback from others. For those wanting to volunteer, there are so many options! Students can research the nonprofits in their city, contact United Way, Salvation Army, or others and they can connect students with further opportunities. Top Crops is always looking for volunteers, so if your organization is interested in giving back through opportunities at the farm, you can contact the owners at topcrops.garden@gmail.com. For other ways to participate in service opportunities or learn to be a leader in the community, visit WKU’s Leadership & Volunteerism page!

We are honored to support an organization that spreads so much hope and goodness through the community.