Horticulture/
Environmental Sustainability

In 2021, Reconnect began the first phase of the Horticulture and Sustainable Agriculture Initiative. This began with the building of twenty four 8’x4’ raised garden beds on the southwest side of the campus. The garden features a wide variety of organic, freshly grown vegetables. In its second season, the initiative has partnered closely with Reconnect Culinary Services in order to incorporate fresh produce from the garden into the ongoing menu of offerings during the growing season. 

The Horticulture and sustainable Agriculture Initiative was launched in partnership with the New York Horticulture Society (“The Hort”) which helps maintain the farm and a portion of the grounds as a part of their staff training. The Hort staff and volunteers in turn help train our Youth Partners in horticulture and safe, sustainable, organic agriculture.

The second phase of this initiative includes a hydroponic garden which will operate year-round and a farmers’ market to be conducted on site each month during the spring, summer and fall months. We hope to launch our hydroponics program in the summer of 2023.