April Volunteer Feature: Life Skills in Action with Ballston Spa Central School District

At Pitney Meadows Community Farm, we are continuously inspired by the wonderful individuals who share their time, talents, and passion with us. Our Volunteer Spotlight is a way to celebrate the incredible people who make our community stronger, and this month, we’re thrilled to highlight another group that brings so much joy and meaning to our work: the group of dedicated students and teachers from Ballston Spa High School.

At Pitney Meadows Community Farm, we believe deeply in the power of community…how shared experiences, honest work, and connection to the land can inspire.

One of the most beautiful examples of this spirit can be found in the consistent visits from the Ballston Spa Central School District’s self-contained special education transition program from Ballston Spa High School.

A Hands-On Approach to Learning

Alongside their dedicated teachers, Sue, Judi, Kathleen, and Christine, students CJ, Aiden, Adonis, Julianna, Andrew, Azimah, Caleb, and Lilliana visit Pitney Meadows Community Farm as part of their community-based instruction, a program designed to help them prepare for life beyond high school through real-world experiences.

The students, ages 18 to 22, are learning essential life skills in a setting that offers both structure and freedom. Their visits are filled with meaningful tasks that reflect the rhythms of the farm: planting garlic, bundling vegetables, tending to the Farm Stand, and even packing produce for donation. Each job is purposeful, and each student contributes in their own way.

Finding Peace in Purposeful Tasks

“The Farm Stand is one of their favorite places,” shared one of the teachers. “Adonis and Andrew both love tidying it up. It’s peaceful in there, and they can take their time.” Adonis agrees. “I like the organization of the Farm Stand and keeping it clean and tidy,” he said.

For some, repetitive tasks offer comfort and focus. For others, it's the variety and outdoor setting that sparks joy. Their time at Pitney Meadows often involves a walk along the trails or through the Community Garden, where they observe seasonal changes and connect with the natural world. “We love being outside in all the seasons,” said one teacher. “Even in the cold, they’ll ask, ‘Are we still going to Pitney Meadows today?’”

In the fall, they constantly stumble upon woolly bear caterpillars around the Farm, proving to be a long-lasting memory for these wonderful young adults. “We found so many in one year, we started naming them!” Julianna laughed. That sense of wonder and discovery is a hallmark of their time here. They also stumble upon Touch-Me-Nots that they would poke and see the seeds go flying, which is always a highlight.

Our Community Farm is also a place of “firsts.” Many students have tasted different vegetables for the first time in the Exploration Garden. “The cherry tomatoes were so good,” one student said. One of the teachers once bought a pint of ground cherries from the Farm Stand, and all the students got to sample them and loved them. Another described pulling carrots and radishes, washing them, bagging them, and tasting the difference: “The carrots were really sweet and crunchy. The radishes were spicy!”

Building Routines, Confidence, and Community

These moments, simple, sensory, and full of connection, are how real learning happens. The students build routines, practice teamwork, and grow in confidence. After working, the group often relaxes together on the warm stones by the trail entrance, looking out across the fields. “We like to look at the sky,” said one student. “It’s peaceful.” Caleb perks up when he hears the bray of the neighboring donkey. “He listens for it every time,” a teacher shared with a smile.

When asked what kind of plant they would be, the students thought hard about it… “I’d be a sunflower,” said Adonis. Aidan would also be a sunflower, or seaweed, since he loves the ocean. “I’d be a red tomato plant,” Julianna added. Andrew, always quick with a grin, said, “I’d be a carrot,” which was a hard decision, since he loves so many vegetables. CJ, not a fan of vegetables, would be a flower, probably a tulip. 

These students bring kindness, curiosity, and presence to every visit. They are not just learning, they’re becoming. Pitney Meadows is more than a place to volunteer; it’s a place where they can be fully themselves, with dignity and joy.

A Welcoming and Supportive Environment

Their teachers say it best: “It’s not just the space. It’s the people. You’ve welcomed us without hesitation, year after year. That means the world to our students.” Our Community Farm becomes a place where they can be themselves without pressure. It’s quiet enough to feel peaceful, open enough to invite curiosity, and structured enough to feel safe. With every visit, these students remind us that inclusion is about creating spaces where everyone belongs.

We are deeply grateful to Sue, Judi, Kathleen, and Christine for their unwavering dedication, as well as to CJ, Aidan, Adonis, Julianna, Andrew, Azimah, Caleb, and Lilliana for their enthusiasm, curiosity, and hard work. Together, they bring so much joy and positivity to Pitney Meadows Community Farm, and we are proud to be part of their journey toward independence.

Thank you all for sharing your time, talents, and spirit with us. You make our Community Farm a better, brighter place, and we can’t wait to continue learning, growing, and discovering alongside you!