Glenmoore, Pennsylvania
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.