A Holley High School geometry class spent months building a barn for a local non-profit farm.

Not only are they giving back to Homesteads for Hope, but they’re integrating the skills they’ve learned in the classroom into real world experience.

“It builds skills and gets us ready for our careers in the future and feels good to give back to the community,” said Holly High School student, Travis Mounts.

“I just felt like it was actually going to help me learn math because I can put it in real world scenarios and help me physically learn it doing stuff hands on,” said Holly High School student, Zach Dann.

Homesteads for Hope has grown significantly over the last year with new additions to their 55-acre property located along the Erie Canal. The addition of the 16x20 foot barn will allow the farm to house more animals.

The farm provides a place for young adults with all abilities to work, grow and learn day to day skills through a wide range of experiences.

“We teach them how to work in a farm in a work setting and be responsible and contribute to Rochester,” said Homesteads for Hope farm manager, Chris Krivanek.

“They are learning and growing together here,” said Homesteads for Hope store manager Darla Ferrante. “This is nature’s classroom and they love it. They’re learning how to measure things, cut things, work with power tools and helping Chris in the green house planting seeds.”

Once the students have completed their portion of the project they’ll have the opportunity to observe and learn from the contractors making the final window and metal installations.