The valuable programs of the Spirit Winds Ranch Society are the latest to benefit from the semiannual plant sales of the Cochrane & District Horticultural Society.
On Oct. 16, society members presented a $880 donation, thanks to the proceeds of their fall plant sale in September.
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The Spirit Winds Ranch Equine Assisted Learning Program has been operating since 2016 by Laurel Griffin.
Along with two of her volunteers, Beth Horne and Kerri Dance, Griffin explained and demonstrated how animals, in this case horses, can assist young and old alike “to enhance mental health and build resilience by helping develop confidence, emotional regulation, a sense of community and belonging, as well as developing communication, relationship, teamwork, leadership and social skills.”
The Cochrane & District Horticultural Society is a non-profit organization which was founded in April 2005 by local gardeners unified by their love of gardening.
Members as well as non-members get together on the last Thursday of every month at the Cochrane Alliance Church to share gardening expertise and experiences that specifically deal with our Hardiness Zones 3a and 3b and our specific chinook conditions.
The group also maintains the gardens at the Westerson Cabin at the Cochrane Ranche. They hold two plant sales annually with all proceeds being donated to a local nonprofit organization.
With donations of plants and gardening items from members and local businesses, the Cochrane Horticultural Society has given out just over $10,000 to Cochrane organizations.
You can learn more about the horticultural society and its many activities here.