Programs

“Spirit Farm School Days” is designed for 2nd grade classes in the Osceola County school district and meets science benchmarks for that grade.  The appeal of critters is nearly universal, especially when they are the vehicle for gaining a deeper understanding of important science concepts.  Activities foster curiosity, encourage empathy and sharpen observational skills while building life science knowledge.  Students engage in ‘animal explorations’ to help them learn behaviors, classifications and characteristics, body parts and adaptations and life cycles.


“Spirit Farm Teen Ventures” is targeted to “at-risk” kids age 13-17.  A once-a-week after-school and weekend program, kids are challenged with wilderness survival techniques including survival psychology and the ‘will to live’, identifying edible and useful plants, wildlife tracking, building a shelter, building a fire, navigation and learning how not to get lost and signaling to be found.  Activities are intended to build teamwork, responsibility, leadership development and problem solving that can be transferred to their daily lives. 

“Harmony Gardens” begins as an on-site Spirit Farm gardening program and concludes with the creation of gardens at institutional sites.  Client groups come to Spirit Farm to learn the basics of gardening including soil preparation, planting, tending and harvesting with a final dinner featuring the harvested vegetables.  At the client site, Institute staff then assists residents/clients in creating their own garden with follow up support from both the Institute and the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Services (IFAS.)

The first Harmony Garden was planted at the Council of Aging in Osceola County where clients have taken ownership of the garden and harvested vegetables are prepared in lunch menus.  Recently, Captain Planet awarded the Harmony Institute a grant that is enabling the creation of a garden at Sunnyside Village, a residential facility for children ages 8–17 who have been removed from their homes due to physical or sexual abuse, abandonment or neglect.