Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennie Moore.
Hi Jennie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Olathe, Kansas, and my connection to this work began long before I realized it. In 6th grade, I became close friends with a classmate who had Down syndrome. When his para was gone, I would step in to help, not because anyone asked me to, but because I wanted to. Looking back, I realize I was an advocate long before I even knew what that word meant.
I attended Northwest Missouri State University, initially planning to become a special education teacher. After my second year, I shifted my focus to sociology, still guided by the same goal, to help people and make a difference. Throughout college, I worked as a direct care professional supporting people with disabilities in their homes, an experience that deeply shaped my understanding of the importance of inclusion and independence.
One conversation from that time has stayed with me ever since. During my freshman year, a group of friends and I were talking about our “special talents.” Someone could play guitar and piano, another could speak Spanish and when it was my turn, I had nothing to say. One of them looked at me and said, “Jennie, yes you do. You genuinely care about other people — all people. Not everyone does.” Those words have guided every decision I’ve made and continue to shape the way I lead and serve today.
Before graduating in 2011, I accepted a position as a Program Manager for a disability service provider. A few years later, a passionate mother approached me with a vision to create better opportunities for her son and others with developmental disabilities after high school. I immediately wanted to help and joined the founding board as secretary. Her vision eventually became what we now know as Lettuce Dream. In 2021, I stepped into the role of Executive Director. Every experience along the way has led me here. Each day at Lettuce Dream reinforces my belief that when people of all abilities are given the chance to grow and contribute, entire communities flourish. There’s nothing more meaningful than being part of that kind of growth and purpose.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Of course, there have been challenges along the way… building and growing a nonprofit is never easy, but every obstacle has strengthened our mission and impact.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Lettuce Dream?
Lettuce Dream is more than a farm. It’s a movement rooted right here in northwest Missouri. We like to say we’re not just growing plants, we’re growing futures, too. At the heart of our work is a year-round hydroponic greenhouse where we cultivate crisp butterhead lettuce, romaine, arugula, basil, microgreens, and even a few tomatoes! Our butterhead lettuce can be found across northwest Missouri and throughout the Kansas City metro, reaching local grocery stores, schools, hospitals, and restaurants. If you spot a Lettuce Dream clamshell in the produce aisle, roots still attached for ultimate freshness, you’ll know you’re taking home food that was grown with purpose.
The real story of Lettuce Dream is about the people behind the plants. Alongside every seed we sow, we’re cultivating opportunities for individuals with disabilities to thrive. Our employment services are wide ranging from learning transferable job skills in the greenhouse, to gaining real-world experience through paid summer work programs for high school students, to connecting adults with meaningful jobs in the community. We work with agencies such as the Missouri Department of Mental Health (DMH) and Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation (MVR) to provide these services.
We don’t do this work alone. Our mission is powered by dedicated board of directors, staff, community volunteers and students from Northwest Missouri State University. Their involvement not only keeps our farm flourishing but also creates a powerful model of inclusion where people of all ages and abilities are working side by side, learning from each other, and growing together.
What sets us apart is the unique blend of agriculture and social impact. We’re proud to be known not just for our high-quality greens, but for the lives we help blossom along the way. Lettuce Dream is about inclusion, innovation, and creating a ripple effect of opportunity that extends far beyond our greenhouse walls. Next time you’re at the grocery store, look for our lettuce. You’re not only choosing food that’s fresh, healthy, and grown with care, you’re also investing in a brighter future for individuals with disabilities. That’s a harvest worth celebrating.
Any big plans?
We’re continuing to strengthen both sides of our mission; sustainable food production and inclusive workforce development. On the greenhouse side, we’re upgrading equipment and systems as well as piloting new crops to diversify our offerings. On the employment side, we’ve recently added a benefits specialist to our team to provide families with accurate, trusted guidance on how employment impacts disability benefits. This has been a critical need in helping individuals make informed decisions about work and independence. We’re also developing stronger partnerships with school districts to strengthen early career exploration and create pathways for students with disabilities into competitive employment.
Ultimately, the big picture goal is and will always be to create a stronger bridge between education, business, and inclusion ensuring that individuals with disabilities have real opportunities to grow, work, and thrive.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lettucedream.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lettucedreammo/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lettucedreammaryville/
