As an instructional outdoor space, the Sunflower Hill Garden is a medium for educational, therapeutic, and life skills training; offering adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities opportunities to thrive.
Our multi-disciplinary programs and activities are designed for adults with special needs (intellectual and/or developmental disabilities including autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and other chromosomal abnormalities). Led by our knowledgeable and dedicated Garden staff, the curriculum is specially designed to offer unique experiences for individuals of all abilities.
Our in-person, Hands-On Garden Groups meet weekly and bi-weekly at the Sunflower Hill Garden. The program, which is open to adult day and adult-in-transition programs and individuals throughout the year, offers person-centered programming for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, providing opportunities to learn, explore, and engage in new and supportive ways. Led by knowledgeable staff with a passion for both people and plants, curriculum addresses educational, therapeutic, and life-skill topics to cultivate important independent living skills. Hands-On groups are uniquely designed to honor all ability levels.
Hands-On Garden Group participants learn about work imperative to keeping a garden growing, tools and skills employed in such work, and enjoy extended time participating in field tasks practicing what they have learned. Participants explore tasting new and healthy foods, and engaging in the natural setting.
Join us for our Spring Hands-On Garden Group Program!
This spring, we are excited to offer new and improved programs for our Hands-On Garden Group on Thursday afternoons from 1:00 to 2:30 PM. The session will run every Thursday from March 5 through May 21, with a one-week break during spring break (April 6–10).
Our Hands-On Garden Group now follows a station-based model, giving participants a more immersive and engaging experience each visit. During each session, participants will rotate through three stations, spending approximately 30 minutes at each. Stations will include food-based activities such as cooking or taste testing, creative art projects, and hands-on garden work like planting, harvesting, and garden care. This model allows participants to experience a wider variety of activities during each visit.
With this updated structure, we are able to accommodate more participants than in the past. Each participant may attend with a parent, caregiver, or support staff member who should plan to remain onsite and actively participate as needed. Only the participant needs to register, not the accompanying support person.
The cost for the Spring Hands-On Garden Group is $25 per session, for a total of 11 sessions ($275). Registration and payment are required for the entire session, and refunds are not available for missed sessions. Depending on a participant’s Individual Program Plan (IPP), families may be eligible for reimbursement through the Regional Center.
*Our goal is to provide accessible programs. If the cost of our Hands-On Garden Group program is prohibitive, please contact us. We will assess each request on a case-by-case basis.
The Sunflower Hill Garden produces thousands of pounds of fresh, organic produce each year, which is planted and harvested by our program participants. More than 90% of our produce is donated to local nonprofits. We also provide a weekly donation of 30 flower bouquets for Hope Hospice patients. The remainder is donated to our program participants and volunteers as well as sold at our Harvest Stand (seasonally).
Located at Hagemann Ranch in Livermore, CA, the Sunflower Hill Garden was co-founded by Christina Bogert and Lynn Monica and broke ground in 2015 with the mission to provide educational and vocational horticulture opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Contact us to learn how you can volunteer in the Garden.
Sunflower Hill Garden
455 Olivina Ave.
Livermore, CA 94550
