On December 2, we had the opportunity to visit the Valentia Foundation and its “Our Garden Interpretation Center” in Huesca.

We learned more about the history and operations of the foundation, which focuses on supporting people with disabilities and their families. Currently, the Valentia Foundation provides support and opportunities to more than 600 people with intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, and other developmental disorders.
One of the foundation’s pillars is “Valentia Emplea,” a special employment center with a social initiative that employs about 150 workers, 70% of whom have intellectual disabilities. They work in various fields, such as cleaning, gardening teams, or providing other services to private companies. Additionally, the Valentia Foundation has a green area located in Huesca, which includes an organic farming garden and the “Brotalia” garden store and center. Brotalia features a 4,000-square-meter nursery, 7 hectares of farmland, and a carpentry workshop. In addition to plants, they offer decorative items, organic food, and pet products.

All the foundation’s activities are essential and have a significant social aspect, aiming for the inclusion of adults with disabilities and those at risk of social exclusion. However, the purpose of our visit was to learn about the new interpretation center, connected to the organic garden. This organic garden has been operating for 11 years, employing a team of 8 people, 5–6 of whom have disabilities. The production is marketed through three channels: sales to employees, the organic market in Huesca, and direct sales at the Brotalia Garden. To complement the garden, the interpretation center was developed, aiming to promote awareness on topics such as nature, gardening, and biodiversity, among others.
The center also features a small classroom with various interactive activities designed to highlight the importance of biodiversity, types of seeds, awareness about the role of gardeners, and the responsible use of water (Image 3).


All explanations are presented in an accessible reading format, especially for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This allows visits from schools with guided tours, as well as independent family visits. People with disabilities participate in and lead these tours, as the goal is not only to understand the importance of diversity in nature but also in everyday life, aiming to show that while we are not all the same, each person has their abilities and deserves respect.
Finally, visitors can explore different areas of the garden, following their learning experience in the classroom, from the chicken coops to the well and the water-extraction wheel, or the aromatic plants that attract pollinators. It’s worth noting that many of the classroom materials, as well as the wheel, were developed in Valentia’s vocational workshops, showcasing collaborative work among those who are part of and work at Valentia. This vocational workshop is part of the direct care offered to people with disabilities, creating synergies with the foundation’s special employment center.








