Around Greenacres - Summer 2025
Our Biggest Summer of Camps Yet
This summer, Greenacres reached a major milestone, 48 camps across nine education sites, our most expansive and engaging season yet. Highlights included the first-ever camp at Michaela Farm, where Adventure at Kidstown quickly became a favorite, so much so that we expanded capacity midseason to meet the demand.
At the Equine Center, campers explored the world of horses through two new programs: Boots and Brushes, focused on care and creativity, and Hoof Dun’ It?!, a mystery-themed camp that combined equine education with playful problem-solving.
Meanwhile, the Art Center was alive with imagination all summer long. The season culminated in a lively final performance of Creativity Takes the Stage, where campers performed “All for One” from High School Musical 2, choreographed by Greenacres’ own Sophie Kussman, a true showstopper.
Over at the Nippert Barn, the Livestock team debuted Busy at the Barn Camps 1 and 2, where young learners followed the full farm-to-table journey, from collecting eggs to baking homemade buns for Greenacres hotdogs.
This record-breaking summer embodied everything Greenacres stands for: curiosity, creativity, and meaningful connection to the land.
A Morning with Dr. Temple Grandin
On Saturday, September 20, Greenacres had the honor of welcoming Dr. Temple Grandin, renowned animal behavior expert, author, and advocate, for an inspiring discussion on humane livestock handling and the importance of thoughtful design in agriculture.
More than 140 guests—educators, farmers, and community members—filled the audience, eager to hear Dr. Grandin’s insights on how observation and empathy can improve both animal welfare and learning environments.
Following her presentation, guests enjoyed a Q&A session and toured Greenacres’ livestock handling facility, one designed by Dr. Grandin herself. The morning embodied Greenacres’ mission to blend science, education, and compassion in every connection between people and the natural world.
A Night of Giving
Just a few days later, on September 24, the community gathered again, this time under the glow of string lights, for the first annual Giving with Grace fundraiser. The evening celebrated the Exploring with Grace (EWG) program, which provides hands-on educational experiences for children from all backgrounds.
More than 185 guests attended, raising an incredible $130,000 to support transportation, meals, and supplies, removing barriers so every child can explore nature, the arts, and sustainability education at Greenacres.
Speakers, including Meredith Leslie and members of the Lewis family, shared moving reflections on Grace’s enduring legacy and the transformative power of generosity. It was a heartfelt night of gratitude and connection, a true reflection of Greenacres’ values of giving and grace.
Growing to Give: Expanding Garden Donations
In 2024, the Garden department deepened its mission to grow food for both nourishment and compassion. While Greenacres has long partnered with La Soupe to donate produce through the Farm Store, this year the team sought new ways to ensure that even imperfect vegetables reached people in need rather than compost bins.
By partnering with the Society of Saint Andrew, Greenacres hosted a dedicated group of volunteer gleaners each week, harvesting produce after Monday’s main harvests. Their efforts yielded 3,800 additional pounds of fresh food donated to the community, on top of existing contributions.
The team also piloted a flower donation initiative, transforming surplus blooms into joy for local women’s shelters, even hosting a bouquet-making workshop. With its success, the Garden department plans to grow both efforts next year, continuing to nourish bodies and spirits while reducing waste.
Success in the Stables
It was a summer of accomplishment and growth in the Equine program. The Greenacres Pony Club team shined at the Kentucky Horse Park Rally, earning 1st Place Overall Team, 1st Place in Horse Management, and several top individual awards—including 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishes.
Back home, the stables buzzed with excitement as campers joined themed programs like Boots and Brushes and Hoof Dun’ It?!, designed for younger riders eager to learn about horse care and teamwork through fun, creative storytelling.
Combined with our beloved Horsein’ Around camps, the season blended play, purpose, and horsemanship, empowering the next generation of confident, compassionate riders.
Beetles and Biodiversity: A Research Milestone
In partnership with the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, the Research department reached an exciting milestone in its work to support biodiversity. Together, the teams focused on the American Burying Beetle (ABB)—a state-endangered and federally threatened species once native to Ohio.
Since 2013, the Zoo has been breeding and reintroducing ABBs to suitable habitats across the region. This summer, Greenacres researchers conducted surveys at our Indian Hill site using baited traps to study native beetles in the same genus. The results were promising: the abundance of “cousin” species suggests that Greenacres could provide ideal habitat for future ABB releases.
Plans are already underway for a 2026 reintroduction, marking a new chapter in Greenacres’ ongoing commitment to ecological research and species recovery.
A Fresh Coat for the Farm
While summer brought full barns and busy fields, the Buildings and Grounds team worked behind the scenes to keep Greenacres looking its best. One of their standout projects was repainting the railings at the livestock handling facility, a fresh coat of Greenacres green completed just in time for Dr. Grandin’s visit.
Their care and craftsmanship ensured that every detail reflected the same dedication to excellence and stewardship that defines Greenacres.
