
Horticulture Programs
Our horticulture programs are a great way for participants of all abilities and experiences to learn about farming and the growing world around us. By engaging in hands-on planting, maintenance, and harvesting activities, participants in our horticulture programs experience emotional healing, improved cognitive skills and improved balance, coordination, strength and stamina. They are able to hone skills as they help grow thousands of pounds of vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers each year, which are used in farm-to-table cooking classes and events and donated to food security programs throughout the Rochester area.
All of our horticulture programs are offered to veterans at no charge.

Intro to EquiCenter Days
Thursdays 10:00am-11:30am
12/15, 2/16, 3/16, 4/20, 5/18
FREE for veterans
Tour the EquiCenter Farm and learn about our Horticulture Program offerings! Intro to EquiCenter Days are open to veterans and service providers who are interested in exploring therapeutic horticulture and farming.

Farm & Garden Design
Thursdays, 1:00pm-2:30pm
February 2nd, 9th, & 16th (online)
Cost: $35, FREE for veterans
Learn how to select and set up your at-home growing space. This virtual workshop series includes 3 zoom video instruction seminars and access to EquiCenter's Farm & Garden design online course.

Veteran Farm + Wellness
Tuesdays, 10:00am-2:00pm
April 18 - September 26
Cost: Veterans only, no charge
Get your hands dirty in this full farm experience! Each week, you will learn as you work alongside our farm team to complete horticultural tasks that support our growing operations. Then, you will participate in a farm-to-table cooking class and community lunch. As a bonus, you will have the opportunity to harvest produce to take home with you!

Intro to Beekeeping
Thursday, June 8
11am - 1pm or 2pm-4pm
Cost: $20, FREE for veterans
Join our staff and beekeepers as they cover the basics of beekeeping, environmental benefits of pollinators, and a live bee hive inspection at our onsite BEE-lieve in Heroes apiary.
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Flower Harvest & Arranging
Thursday, July 27
11am-1pm or 2pm-4pm
Cost: $20, FREE for veterans
Learn the ins and outs of proper harvesting and care techniques for cut flowers. A working florist will share pointers on creative floral design and arranging. You will also make and bring home your own mixed cut flower bouquet!

Winter Wellness
Thursdays, 1:00pm-2:30pm
1/5, 1/12, 1/19, 1/26 (online)
Cost: Veterans only, no charge
Want to get involved with EquiCenter Farm, but can't attend our in-person classes and workshops? Sign up for this 4-part workshop series to use items from the farm and mindfulness practices to improve your sense of wellbeing and connect with the natural world around us. We'll send you a farm care package full of activity materials.
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Maple Syrup Production
Thursday, March 9
11am-1pm or 2pm-4pm
Cost: $20, FREE for veterans
This workshop will focus on the foundations of small-scale Maple Syrup Production including tree identification, tapping and sap collection, and syrup boiling.

Compost
Thursday, April 13
11am-1pm or 2pm-4pm
Cost: $20, FREE for veterans
Learn the foundations of composting and make a home compost system that will turn your kitchen scraps into natural garden fertilizer.
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Garlic Harvest & Curing
Thursday, July 13
11am-1pm or 2pm-4pm
Cost: $20, FREE for veterans
Learn about one of the most prolific and long-storing crops on our farm! Garlic can be eaten fresh, but curing (or drying for storage) is enhances flavor and makes the harvest last long into the winter months. Get your hands dirty with our farmers as they guide you through harvesting and curing our garlic.

Honey Spinning
Thursday, August 10
11am-1pm or 2pm-4pm
Cost: $20, FREE for veterans
Join our staff and beekeepers for the first honey harvest of the season! This hands-on workshop will include honey spinning, a tasting, and cover late season hive care.
Foundations of Growing
6-Part Virtual Class
Self-paced, online course
Cost: $50, FREE for veterans
Learn the basics of growing food at home at your own pace! This 6-part virtual class is pre-recorded, so you can follow along at any point throughout the growing season. Lessons focus on the life cycle of a home garden space from planning and planting to harvesting and preservation, making it a resource you'll want to reference all year long.

Seed Starting
Thursday, March 30
11am-1pm or 2pm-4pm
Cost: $20, FREE for veterans
Sow seeds for summer garden abundance. Participants will receive seeds and plant starts to continue growing at home.

Container Gardening
Thursday, May 11
11am-1pm or 2pm-4pm
Cost: $20, FREE for veterans
Kick off the outdoor growing season by learning about and planting your own window box garden for home-grown abundance even without an in-ground growing space. Participants will be able to take their window box gardens home to enjoy all season long.

Food Preservation Series
Fridays, 2pm-4pm
7/21, 8/4, 8/18, 9/1, 9/15
Cost: $20 for 1 session;
$90 for the 5-part series
FREE for veterans
This workshop series includes an overview of farm food safety and a variety of preservation methods to help you eat fresh from the garden all year long. Participants will make preserves to take home.

Seed Saving
Thursday, September 14
11am-1pm or 2pm-4pm
Cost: $20, FREE for veterans
Learn all about seed saving. Seed saving is a great way to use what's already growing around you to prepare and share seeds for future growing seasons. You will be able to collect seeds from the farm to take home!
Questions? Contact Katie Nuber at knuber@equicenterny.org for more information.