About | Curriculum | Student Experience | Frequently Asked Questions | ADMISSION

Soltane Horticulture Vocational Training

Equipping adults with intellectual differences with the skills and experience to join the horticulture workforce!

Grounded In Purpose

This accessible course is designed to nurture abilities of every kind by developing horticultural job-ready skills in a patient and nurturing community that honors each individual’s strengths. Students will spend time learning and working directly in Camphill Soltane’s fruit orchards, herb and vegetable gardens, and ADA accessible state-of-the-art greenhouse. Trainees will focus on practical transferable skills used in the workplace through repetition, visual learning, supportive instruction, job shadowing, and hands-on practice. Graduates will leave with the strong foundational knowledge needed to gain paid meaningful positions and the confidence to flourish in the horticulture industry.

Horticulture TRAINING

Putting Purpose Behind The Work

A Proud Partnership That Gives Back To The Community

We’re thrilled to be a part of something bigger by providing fresh produce alongside the Chester County Food Bank putting rich purpose behind everything we plant, water, and harvest.

Our Campus

greenhouse, gardens, & orchard

Take a personal guided tour to help you decide if our campus is right for you!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the vocational training?

Students enrolled commit to a a full growing season from April through October meeting 3 days a week for 4 hours a day.

How many students to a class?

Our student to instructor ratio is 3:1 to ensure the highest quality personalized instruction possible.

Do you offer specialized tracks?  

We offer focus areas in native plant landscaping, greenhouse operations, and orchard care.

what if i have ambulatory needs across campus?

This is a physical role where participants will be in the garden during all seasons. We have a dedicated golf cart to make transitions as smooth and accessible as possible across varying terrain and campus learning spaces.

What will i receive to show my skill set to potential employers?

This program will work closely with local agricultural and horticultural partnerships to ensure appropriate and rigorous curriculum completion resulting in a Camphill Soltane Vocational Training Certificate.

Have More Questions?

register now for our virtual q+A

Wednesday, March 11th at 6:15PM

Camphill Soltane stands as a vibrant, inclusive community dedicated to cultivating belonging, purpose, and joy for adults with intellectual and developmental differences. Nestled on a peaceful campus in Glenmoore, Pennsylvania, Soltane has woven together creative learning, meaningful work, and social connection through its array of programs and enterprises for the past 37 years. Grounded in Camphill ideals of mutual contribution, the organization offers a rich tapestry of opportunities that empower participants to grow alongside peers and mentors.

At the heart of Soltane's land-based work is Soltane Horticulture, a flourishing initiative rooted in care for the land, sustainable cultivation, and inclusive participation and leadership. Through hands-on gardening, orchard care, greenhouse work, and seasonal plantings, participants engage deeply with the rhythms of nature while developing practical skills that support both personal and professional growth and community livelihood. Whether grooming the Angora goats, collecting freshly laid eggs, nurturing tropicals in the greenhouse, or harvesting fresh produce, individuals find connection, purpose, and confidence.

This spring, Camphill Soltane is proud to launch its Horticulture Vocational Training Program, a new and pioneering offering designed to bridge passion with professional pathways. This comprehensive training meets three days a week and focuses on real-world horticultural knowledge — from plant biology and soil science to irrigation and sustainable practices — coupled with professional development skills like teamwork, customer service, and interview readiness. The training is intentionally structured to prepare graduates to enter the workforce with confidence, competence, and a certificate that validates their achievements.

What sets this program apart is its deep commitment to accessibility and individualized learning. With sensory-friendly tools, adaptive pacing, and small class sizes, students receive tailored guidance that honors diverse learning styles and needs. Learners cultivate competencies in orchard care, greenhouse production, and garden design, all while being supported by experienced growers who foster confidence and independence.

Camphill Soltane’s horticulture initiatives echo the organization’s broader mission: to create inclusive spaces where every person can contribute meaningfully and be seen for their unique gifts. The vocational program builds on decades of experience offering supported work, volunteer opportunities, and integrated social enterprises in Soltane’s horticulture, Café, arts, and hospitality ventures. By embedding skill-building in a life-affirming community, Soltane helps participants step boldly into futures defined by capability, purpose, and joy.

Beyond the garden and greenhouse, the Camphill Soltane campus is alive with collaboration and creativity. The horticulture programs intersect with community events, seasonal celebrations, and shared traditions that reinforce dignity, respect, and shared purpose. As the vocational training program takes root in 2026, Camphill Soltane continues to expand its role as a living example of how care farming can nurture both land and human potential — offering an empowering model for inclusive, nature-based vocational pathways. 

Alyssa Scarborough

Camphill Soltane Director of Land Planning & Protection

Admission

let possibility bloom