EDUCATION

Workforce Development: Seedtime & Harvest Apprenticeship

At Bonton Farms, we believe that true transformation begins with relationships and grows through opportunity. The Seedtime & Harvest Apprenticeship Program is a peer-led, person-centered initiative that equips individuals from our community to thrive—at work, in life, and within themselves.

This apprenticeship isn’t just job training. It’s a journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and growth, rooted in what we call the Seven Human Essentials—core areas of wellbeing inspired by the social determinants of health and workforce development.

Through weekly classes, Apprentices gain life-changing tools:

Education to expand their minds
Skills to succeed at Bonton Farms and beyond
Guidance in mental health, life coaching, and workforce readiness

Our goal is to foster lifelong learners who embrace every experience—from the classroom to the farm—as a chance to grow.

Whether you're a neighbor looking for a new path or a donor who believes in investing in people, the Seedtime & Harvest Program is cultivating something powerful: hope, dignity, and opportunity—right here in Bonton.

The Extension Farm Enhancement

The Extension Farm Enhancement expands the educational capacity of Bonton Farms to better host school field trips, guided tours, and youth programming. The Extension Farm serves as a living classroom where children learn through direct interaction with the land, animals, and agricultural processes.

This engaging and accessible environment includes hayrides, animal care activities, crop harvesting, and hands-on workshops on sustainable farming and food systems. Students feed and care for animals, participate in planting and harvesting crops, and learn how farming impacts their daily lives.

TRAUMA INFORMED CARE

At Bonton Farms, our entire team is committed to fostering a community of care and understanding. All staff recently participated in Trauma-Informed Care training to strengthen our ability to support individuals in crisis and connect them with vital Bonton Wellness Center resources. By equipping our team with the tools to respond with empathy, safety, and respect, we continue our mission to nurture healing and holistic wellness within the community.

The Valentine Garden Project

The Valentine Garden project, created in collaboration with Swan Strings, introduces children to the intersection of farming, art, and music. Students will plant gourd seeds and learn how these natural materials can be transformed into functional string instruments through luthier workshops scheduled for spring and early summer. The project includes installing irrigation, protective ground cover for winter months, benches for outdoor learning, shade cloth to protect young plants, and video documentation to capture the growing and creative process.

This hands-on experience teaches youth how to grow and sustain plant life while exploring how creativity and science intersect in the making of music. By following the life cycle of the gourds from seed to sound, students participate in an integrated STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) learning experience. They explore the chemistry of plant growth, the physics of sound, and the artistry of craftsmanship, all while connecting to the rhythms of nature and their own creative expression.

COOKING & NUTRITION

(PLACEHOLDER) At Bonton Farms, we believe that true transformation begins with relationships and grows through opportunity. The Seedtime & Harvest Apprenticeship Program is a peer-led, person-centered initiative that equips individuals from our community to thrive—at work, in life, and within themselves.