Murray • As he walks through the lawn at the Murray Greenhouse Foundation, Anson Alder points to planting boxes and patches of ground.

"We've got lettuce right there," he said. "Look at the flowers."

Alder takes personal pride in the garden, where he weeds and picks vegetables. He is a participant at the Murray Greenhouse Foundation, which teaches independent living and work skills to adults with developmental disabilities.

An 1,800-square-foot greenhouse on the grounds provides a place to learn about horticulture, as well as a source of income. The organic vegetables, plants and flowers grown there are sold to the public to raise money for the foundation.

The nonprofit organization — which opened its day school 2½ years ago in a renovated house at 6366 S. 900 East — is funded by donations and grants and operates with volunteers and two paid employees.

About 30 participants, ages 22 to 55, are enrolled and attend anywhere from a few days a month to five days a week. The tuition is $20 a day, which includes lunch.

The days are full of activities. Lessons might cover math, reading, history, cooking, sign language or how to set a table. Donated computers provide learning opportunities and fun. Arts and crafts are part of the curriculum, too.

In addition, the students do chores, such as loading the dishwasher and cleaning the bathroom. They also work in the greenhouse and learn what it's like to earn money — for their labor, they get fake cash, which they use to buy jewelry, stickers, balloons and other small items at the inhouse "store."

The foundation was created to help developmentally disabled adults when they age out of the school system at 22, said Sheila Wall, the executive director. Some would be stuck at home without the organization, she said.

"It's not only for the kids, it's for the families," Wall added.

Wall said she is unable to go shopping with her son, Riley, because she can't lift him in and out of his wheelchair by herself. On the days he comes to the Murray Greenhouse, she's able to run errands.

In addition, the foundation holds a Parents Night Out one Friday of every month. While their children are at a theme party that evening, the parents have time to go on a date.

An element important to the participants is the socializing. Christopher Horne shows his photo album to his friends there. There's a lot of laughter and good-natured teasing as everyone, including volunteers, plays a game of Red Rover.

The participants say they love their time at the school and name their favorite activities: Amber Livingston has fun making spaghetti and homemade ice cream; Shellie Eyre is a fan of Disney movies and enjoys crafts.

"Sometimes I like to play with my friends at the greenhouse," Eyre said. "I like to help people at the greenhouse doing plants."

The group has gotten close. There are tears sometimes when someone doesn't show up for a day.

"They're like family to each other," Wall said.

pmanson@sltrib.com Organic vegetables for sale

The Murray Greenhouse Foundation sells flowers and organic produce from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday at 6366 S. 900 East. Depending on the time of year, the products on sale can include carrots, lettuce, heirloom tomatoes, pumpkins, herbs and other produce.

Cash and checks are accepted; credit and debit cards are not. Proceeds are used to support the nonprofit foundation, which teaches independent living and employment skills to adults with developmental disabilities.

For more information about the organization, including volunteer opportunities and donation needs, go to murraygreenhouse.org.