Therapeutic Horticulture
Since 2013, City Farm SLO has partnered with the San Luis Coastal Unified School District to offer Therapeutic Horticulture programming. This program provides farm-based lessons for middle schoolers, high schoolers, and young adults with disabilities, aiming to improve mental and physical health outcomes.
Our Impact
Research shows therapeutic horticulture enhances mental well-being, physical health, social self-efficacy, and quality of life for people with disabilities. Our program offers farm-based activities that improve coordination, balance, endurance, task-initiation, language, social skills, and overall well-being.
The Garden for All
In 2023, City Farm SLO built its Garden for All, a universally accessible growing space tailored for students in our Therapeutic Horticulture Programs.
​
The Garden for All features:
-
Raised beds at varying heights including wheelchair accessible beds
-
Decomposed Granite Foundation and Pathways
-
Shade Structures
-
Classroom Space ​​
-
Mobile Classroom Seating
-
Mobile Kitchen Cart and Demo Space
-
Sensory Garden
Student Spotlight
Savanah is an adventurous, curious, and creative student in our Therapeutic Horticulture Program who is willing to taste test any vegetable! In the Garden for All, she is able to plant seeds, tend to plants, and harvest veggies alongside her peers!
"It's been incredible to watch my students build skills to independently navigate the farm, water plants, and build their overall confidence. As the year progressed my class became increasingly more excited to attend the farm and they would talk/ask about the farm or the activities often on their AAC devices. The best moment I can think of this year was our student, Dat, collecting all the eggs, correctly reaching under a broody hen to check for eggs, and cleaning the coop diligently all in the same day. It was cool to see this because previously, he would hesitate to even be near the animals."
- Evan Liem, Special Education Teacher at SLO High
