Horticulture Programs
Our unique horticulture programs use nature and the environment to help individuals of all abilities, veterans, and at-risk youth to achieve their full potential. By engaging in hands-on planting, maintenance, and harvesting activities, participants in our horticulture programs experience emotional healing, improved cognitive skills and improved balance, cooridnation, 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, sold to local restaurants, and donated to food security programs throughout the Rochester area.
All of our horticulture programs are offered to veterans at no charge.
Foundations of Growing
6-Part Virtual Class
Self-paced, online course
Cost: $50
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.
Compost
Friday, June 17
11am-1pm or 2pm-4pm
Cost: $20
Learn the foundations of composting and make a home compost system that will turn your kitchen scraps into natural garden fertilizer.
Nature Immersion
Thursdays, 2pm-4pm
June 2, 9, 16 & 23
Cost: $40
Forest immersion is a long-standing wellness tradition to connect you with the natural world around us. You will be guided through mindfulness reflections and discussions in the woods on our property by guest presenter Deborah Denome from Finger Lakes Immersion. You are highly encouraged to attend all of the sessions!
Seed Saving
Thursday, August 18
11am-1pm or 2pm-4pm
Cost: $20
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!
Veteran Farm + Wellness
Tuesdays, 10:00am-2:00pm
Now through August 30
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!
Container Gardening
Thursday, May 26
11am-1pm or 2pm-4pm
Cost: $20
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.
Flower Harvest & Arranging
Thursday, July 28
11am-1pm or 2pm-4pm
Cost: $20
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!
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Bulb Planting
Thursday, October 27
11am-1pm or 2pm-4pm
Cost: $20
Plant garlic and early season flower bulbs in fall for springtime abundance. Get your hands dirty with our farmers as they guide you through preparing and planting the garlic beds and how to select the best seed. You will get to bring home some of EquiCenter's German White Hard Neck garlic seed stock and flower bulbs.
Farm & Garden Design
Mondays, 7:00pm-8:30pm
May 16, 23 & 30 (online)
Cost: $35
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.
Intro to Beekeeping
Thursday, June 30
11am-1pm or 2pm-4pm
Cost: $20
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.
Preserving the Harvest
Thursday, August 25
11am-1pm or 2pm-4pm
Cost: $20
This workshop includes an overview of farm food safety and a variety of preservation methods to help you eat fresh from the garden all year long. You will make herb sachets, pickled vegetables, and berry jam to take with you.
Honey Spinning
Thursday, August 11
11am-1pm or 2pm-4pm
Cost: $20
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.
EquiCenter at Home
Tuesdays, 4pm-5pm
5/24, 5/31, 6/7, 6/14 (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. We'll send you a farm care package full of nature crafts and mindfulness activities aimed at promoting a sense of calm and wellbeing.
Garlic Harvest & Curing
Thursday, July 21
11am-1pm or 2pm-4pm
Cost: $20
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.
Questions? Contact Katie Nuber at knuber@equicenterny.org for more information.