Consulting & Training

Farms and organizations yearning for inclusivity and accessibility, your journey starts here! We're not just consultants, we're your trusted partners in crafting spaces and services that embrace everyone, regardless of limitations or age. Hire us for advocacy that ignites change, coaching that empowers growth, inspiring keynotes that spark action, and tailored training and certifications that equips you with the tools to build a truly welcoming world. Together, let's cultivate a landscape where everyone can thrive, one accessible seed at a time.

Contact us today by filling out our services request form and join the movement towards a more inclusive future!

Consulting

Championing Accessible Farming Globally

Dr. Ivette is a leading force in making the world of farming accessible and inclusive. Her expertise spans continents, as she consults with government agricultural organizations, established farms, aspiring farmers, and more, all with one goal: creating accessible programs and experiences for everyone. Imagine:

♿️ Government agencies empowered to build inclusive agricultural policies.

♿️ Farmers equipped to welcome and support individuals with diverse abilities.

♿️ Communities thriving with accessible green spaces and healing gardens.

This is the impact Dr. Ivette brings. She's a sought-after farmer with a disability and a English/Spanish consultant and speaker, sharing her knowledge through:

Dr. Ivette's passion is infectious, her expertise undeniable. With her support, farms around the world can become welcoming spaces for everyone to learn, grow, and heal. Let's build a more inclusive future for agriculture, together.

Contact us today by filling out our services request form.

Speaking & Training

With over 20 years of expertise in Diversity, Equity, Culture, and Accessibility (DECA), Dr. Ruiz is a passionate advocate for transforming food systems. Her experience spans health & sciences, emergency management, public service, and farming, giving her a unique perspective on building inclusive food landscapes.

As a powerful speaker and consultant, Dr. Ruiz empowers organizations to embrace DECA principles, creating a more equitable and just food system for all. Let her ignite your journey towards a brighter future!

Rooted in Heart: Mentoring our Young Adults

At Healing By Growing™ Farms, we believe every young person deserves a safe, friendly, and non-judgmental space to grow. Our work is centered on the person. This means we focus on you—your strengths, your mental wellness, and your journey. We are proud to be ADA accessible, making sure our programs are open and welcoming to young adults of all abilities.

Whether you visit us at our farm sanctuary or we travel to meet you in your community—at a school, a church, an organization, or a local event—our mission stays the same. We are here for all young people, from all backgrounds, in any place you find yourself.

🌱 Learning by Doing: Our Core Pillars

We use our animals, crops, and soil to build the skills you need to be a successful, independent young adult. Here is what we do together:

The Math of Design: When we build new healing gardens through our Ambassador Program, we use math to bring a vision to life. We work together to measure the space, calculate how much soil and compost we need, and decide how many seedlings will fit. It’s about planning and building something real from the ground up.
Modern Skills for the Real World:
- Digital Literacy: Learning how to use technology to tell your story, share your work, and manage the business side of a farm.
- Honest Communication: Learning how to be transparent and honest about how you feel. We practice expressing ourselves through our words (verbal) and through our actions and energy (non-verbal).
Healing Through the Earth: We know that many young people deal with anxiety, depression, sadness, and stress every day. Working with the soil and animals helps you find your inner strength and stay calm. For those who have lived through trauma, our methods offer a safe space to find balance and peace, so you can fully show up exactly as you are.
Public Service as Healing: We believe that taking care of others is a powerful way to care for ourselves. By being Stewards of the Land and helping our neighbors, we find pride and purpose. Helping others is a beautiful part of our own healing path.

🏛️ Healing By Growing™ Farms National Conference

Every year, we host our National Conference, now in its 4th year. We feature four specialized tracks, including our dedicated track for young adults: Future Stewards: Next Generation. This is a powerful space to:

Meet Like-Minded Peers: Connect with other young people who share your passion for the land and community.
Bridge Solutions: Work together to find honest ways to support mental wellness and build healthier neighborhoods.
Lead the Way: Practice your leadership in a place where everyone supports you and listens to your truth.

Our Commitment to Young Communities

We are dedicated to supporting Food Security, Social Well-being, and Mental Health. A major part of our commitment is building Workforce Skills. By learning how to lead, manage, and grow, our young adults gain renewed hope and a deep sense of value and purpose. We help you find the confidence to lead your own life, be your true self, and become a leader in your community.

Here's what she can bring to your organization:

Keynote presentations: Dr. Ivette delivers thought-provoking keynote addresses, breakout sessions, and workshops on a range of topics within DECA (Diversity, Equity, Culture, and Accessibility), including:
- Building accessible and inclusive healing green spaces: From community gardens to therapeutic farms, Dr. Ivette shares her expertise in creating spaces that welcome and empower all.
- Moving beyond brain injury and trauma: Drawing on her personal experience and professional knowledge, Dr. Ivette offers hope and guidance for individuals and organizations navigating the challenges of brain injury and trauma.
- Cultivating a culture of DECA: Dr. Ivette equips organizations with the tools and strategies to integrate DECA principles into their core values and practices.
- DECA in farming, educational institutions, faith based organizations and food systems
Motivational speaking: Dr. Ivette's personal story of resilience and her dedication to building a more inclusive food system are sure to inspire and motivate your audience.
Accessibility training: Dr. Ivette provides practical training to organizations on how to make their programs and services accessible to people with disabilities. Dr. Ivette's speaking engagements are tailored to your specific needs and interests. She is available for in-person or virtual presentations. Her dynamic engaging style is sure to leave a lasting impact on your audience.

Audience

We focus on organizations, farmers, educators, policymakers, young adults, community leaders, and anyone interested in creating a more equitable and inclusive food system.

Fill out our services request form to contact Dr. Ivette and learn how she can help your organization achieve its DECA goals.

HBG Healing Gardens Alliance Partnership Program

The Healing Gardens Alliance Partnership Program blooms across the nation! We're coaching and empowering organizations to transform unused spaces into healing gardens, memorials, and food production plots. These HBG ambassadors, based in Connecticut, Ohio, Puerto Rico, and beyond, cultivate accessible green spaces for healing and community, collaborating with us to create a network of inclusive safe and educational sanctuaries. Our program welcomes partnerships on all levels, from private properties to organizations and schools to individuals seeking to build dedicated spaces for survivors. Join us in growing a vibrant network of healing and hope!