Galt looks to grow equestrian program
Galt school district looks to bring new ag focus to therapeutic horse program
Weather permitting, the Galt Joint Union Elementary School District will be restarting its therapeutic horse program known as Galt Horse Assisted Learning & Enrichment Program with children in the spring with a new focus.
Under a new Farm-Fork-Fitness-Family-Futures Master Plan presented by Superintendent Karen Schauer to the Galt City Council, this unique learning, fitness and enrichment center will improve the current basic track and therapeutic riding arena and fully utilize the 18 acres for intergenerational learning and enrichment.
This improvement and innovation project on the current McCaffrey Middle School site would not be funded through Measure K but will take grants, donations, and growing partnerships with the city, school district and other community stakeholders to move forward, Schauer said.
During winter and anticipated rainy weather, the district is concentrating on fundraising and long-term arena improvement efforts.
“Someday, the weather won’t matter since there is now a master plan for a covered arena along with a Farm to Futures indoor and outdoor center,” Schauer said.
In the short term, Liberty High School agri-science teacher Mandy Garner is leading efforts with her students and students from McCaffrey Middle School to plant more than 300 fruit trees to establish a three-acre farm area. (The fruit trees were scheduled to be delivered two weeks ago, but due to rain they had to postpone.)
This mini orchard could soon be accompanied by a vineyard and crop area to further cement the Farm to Futures concept, according to Schauer.
“Our middle school and high school youth will gain powerful hands-on agri-science and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) experiences from this outdoor learning center,” she said.
The Liberty Ranch Agriculture Department will take the lead on the farm installation and maintenance, but are in the early stages of discussion and collaboration to best utilize the facility for both district’s students, Garner said.
“This community is a special place that values agriculture, our kids, and the well-being of all who live here,” she said.
“We are thankful for the grant that is allowing us to build a facility that reflects our community values where there was once just an empty field.”
The Galt Farm to Futures Center components include:
• Multi-purpose synthetic athletic field with fitness stations and equipment storage area
• Improved GALEP therapeutic riding environment with covered arena
• Agri-Innovation Center with classrooms, restroom, shaded equine tack-up or livestock demonstration area
• Community plaza
• Opportunities for learners of all ages including agri-science career pathways and NGSS science education, track and field, Special Olympics, family events, 4-H and FFA, city youth sports leagues and Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship events
“The educational opportunities will be amazing and unparalleled by any other public school system, to my knowledge,” said GALEP trainer Chris McParland.
“This story is just unfolding.”
Garner, too, is excited about the opportunities for Galt’s youths.
“Since the building of our school, we have always looked for ways to work with and serve the community, particularly involving agriculture,” she said.
“We see this project as a beautiful team effort of both the elementary and high school districts, students, community members and local farmers who have already been instrumental in the planning, field preparation and training of our teachers.”
The Liberty Ranch teacher pointed out that while the farm will be the first phase of a larger project on the McCaffrey site, but an important one teaching students how to grow fresh food, providing them an outdoor learning laboratory for hands-on science education. It would also bring Liberty Ranch FFA students together with McCaffrey students for mentorship, Garner said.
Meanwhile, the elementary district will continue to collaborate with the City of Galt and the high school district to examine other possible grants, fundraisers and partnerships that can further develop the farm to futures components while strengthening career pathways.
Until then, the district is rolling out the plan in different school and community settings to generate interest and support. This included the December council meeting and last month’s Real Men’s Club crab feed fundraiser in which more than 300 participants got exposure to the GALEP therapeutic riding center while learning more about the Farm to Futures master plan at an informational table, Schauer said.