Horticulture & Equine Active Learning (HEAL)

Taking advantage of all we have to offer on our 200-acre property, HEAL combines our equine and horticulture programs into one unique experience. Horses, plants, and beautiful natural surroundings are great reminders of mindfulness, teaching participants to slow down and be present. Touching a horse and digging your hands in the soil are both rich opportunities for learning and may be linked to relieving stress and developing a greater sense of connection.

The nature of healing. The healing of nature.—HEAL is a curriculum-based horticulture and equine learning experience offering 1-day or multi-week programs. HEAL strives to create unique outdoor education and wellness learning opportunities that include fresh air and hands-on experiences.

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Launched in 2017, HEAL addresses both academic and emotional needs in an engaging, therapeutic setting and offers underserved populations and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities outdoor learning opportunities designed to cultivate their socio-emotional well-being, cooperative skills, and autonomy. These programs foster adaptability and resilience to empower confident navigation of life’s day-to-day challenges.​

Less structure. Greater results.—HEAL incorporates a “reintroduce free play” strategy by intentionally making room for less-structured activity in EquiCenter’s secure, natural environment. Here, children are encouraged to engage with nature at their own pace, with the intention of fostering spontaneous, dynamic movement inspired by the outdoors. In this open, natural setting, children are free to explore and express themselves, enjoying simple, playful acts like jumping in fall leaves, rolling down hills, and climbing trees. Alongside these moments of free play, group activities such as nature walks, pond exploration, garden scavenger hunts, and farm relays offer additional opportunities for engagement, exploration, and self-discovery.​

Thinking small—We employ a “think small” strategy at the heart of how we develop and use every space for learning and play. EquiCenter’s inviting and interactive environments encourage students to immerse themselves in hands-on activities that feel both engaging and educational. As students become familiar with each unique area, they often take on leadership roles by sharing their knowledge and experiences with peers.

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School Group program options

The onboarding process for all groups includes a detailed discussion with each group's primary point of contact (staff, teacher, administrator) to determine subject curriculum, NYS learning standards, and transferable socio-emotional objectives to be covered. This ensures that what students learn during their HEAL experiences will impact their understanding of the subject material and interpersonal skills development beyond their time onsite.

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Half-day field trip—Available for groups no larger than 30 and scheduled for two hours, this field trip includes up to three stations, typically starting with a walking educational tour of our pastures and barns. Students will have a hands-on encounter with one of our adaptive riding horses and learn all about the equine world! The horticulture station typically includes an interactive farm project that encourages exploration of the greenhouse, fields, and the natural world around us. Groups can also include a cooking or team-building station.
Full-day field trip—Available for groups no larger than 60 and scheduled for 3-5 hours depending on group size, this option includes four to six stations for students to rotate through. There is a break mid-program for lunch (not provided).

Multi-week program—Available for groups no larger than 24 and typically running 1.5 to two hours per visit. Four to eight visits are scheduled with a curriculum that slowly builds students’ knowledge, comfort, and abilities around horses and horticulture.

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Interested? Contact Sara at smclaughlin@equicenterny.org​

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Farm Friends

Farm Friends is an opportunity to engage in meaningful, nature-based learning while building friendships and exploring new interests. Led by our trained staff, participants work together to cultivate food crops on our teaching farm, in both the field and the greenhouse.

 

Through group work and hands-on projects, participants will develop practical skills and also enhance their social-emotional learning and connection with others. Our program is designed to be flexible and inclusive, with sensory-friendly spaces and activities that can be adapted to meet each participant’s needs.

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Therapeutic Horticulture

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 hunger relief efforts throughout the Rochester area. All horticulture programs are offered to veterans at no charge.

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Veteran Farm & Wellness

Our weekly customized Veteran Farm & Wellness Program includes therapeutic horticulture lessons, cooking classes, and community meals. With facility improvements, including the construction of a 96-foot greenhouse, improved capacity and expanded the offerings for our participants including the addition of Maple Syrup Production Program offerings throughout the winter months. All horticulture programs are offered to veterans at no charge.

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Winter Wellness

The Winter Wellness Program is a four-week series that uses nature-based activities such as microgreen growing and outdoor exploration to support Veterans’ physical, mental, and social well-being during the winter months. By combining physical activity, mindfulness, and peer connection, Winter Wellness helps Veterans stay active, grounded, and supported through the winter season.

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Seasonal Horticultural Learning

The changing seasons brings opportunities for unique and changing programming:

 

Maple syrup production—Harvesting the natural sweetener produced by maple trees is a great way to learn about forest ecology, indigenous foodways, and modern syrup production. Through nature walks in our maple forest and demonstrations of tapping, boiling, and candy making, participants gain practical knowledge while experiencing the therapeutic benefits of outdoor programming.
Bees and Honey—Without pollinators, we couldn’t grow food and our ecosystem would be paralyzed. Honeybees are one of many pollinators that help our Farm thrive. By partnering with these incredible insects, we can learn about their essential function, share in their delicious honey, and learn about the history and science of beekeeping.
Food preservation—This six-part series offers hands-on workshops in food preservation, teaching participants diverse methods to extend the life of fresh ingredients. Topics include making fire cider, drying and freezing herbs, pickling, fermenting, and both water bath and pressure canning. Participants take home the preserves they make.

 

In Part 1: Site Selection, we'll focus on all the things to consider when picking out the location of your new growing space.

 

In Part 2: Plant Selection, we'll cover considerations for selecting plants that will thrive in your unique growing space.

 

And in Part 3: Design & Layout, we'll introduce design theories and layout practices that can be used to maximize your growing space.