Days begin as a normal day on the farm would, with the birds. 

Since our coops have an established ecosystem, not many visitors are permitted beyond the doors, so we have worked to create an "out of the box" viewing arrangement for students to participate in everyday farm life.

Some of the activities students may choose from are:  

The Hen Pen: 

Seasonally, we install outdoor coops for educational purposes. 

Students may spend time providing food and water for the chickens, holding and petting, as well as spending time observing their way of life. Students will have the opportunity to hand collect eggs out of the nests, while learning about packaging food for distribution all over the state. 

In the Garden: 

Seasonally, students are able to freely roam the gardens around the farm. With over 20 acres, the land is rich with opportunities for plant identification, light farming, planting etc.* 

Students will be given the opportunity to work within the garden, either tilling, weeding, fertilizing and planting. Here at our farm, we use the manure produced in the coops to fertilize our garden beds. Students will have the opportunity to observe where the manure is collected, dried and stored for up to a year before traveling into anyone's garden. Students may learn the value of how animals provide for the land, and vice versa. 

Up to the Farm Stand:

Students are invited to enter our (very small) farm stand, where we clean, process and package our food. Students will be able to observe the machinery that we have continued to use throughout the last 100 years of our history. Eggs are collected by hand, washed, candled, weighed and packaged for distribution. Optional for students to use machinery. This station is usually done in small groups. 

Nature Walk: 

The layout of the land includes many diverse areas filled with ledge, streams and wooded areas. The biodiversity found within these areas provide great opportunities for learning. Students have the opportunity to record what types of species thrive best in certain environments, and provide feedback to the species they think could live there, as well. 

Garden Snack: 

Depending on the season and how well our gardens are producing, students are invited to harvest snacks for lunch. Harvesting from the garden, foraging for wild berries, as well as identifying edible flowers for consumption. Giving students the opportunity to harvest their food gives them the ability to learn the importance of farming, the process of growing food etc*. 

Garden Design: 

Older Students are invited to create a small garden. Students will be able to gather what is needed around the farm as a "scavenger hunt" for building. Students will work as a team to construct a new garden. They may use natural materials to create a space that protects against predators, work to prep the area for planting, and begin by planting. Students have the opportunity to learn about the importance of companion planting, organic fertilizer and pest control through companion planting & the importance of design. 

Garden Art: 

All students are encouraged to create a piece of art to take home. Students are invited to collect forms for creating textural illustrations, sculptural pieces, rock painting, earth art etc*. 

Explorations: 

Students are invited to go on self-directed hikes throughout the farm, with a step by step trail guide that educates them about the lay of the land. Students will use the trail guide as a scavenger hunt, to find their way back to the beginning. Students will have to use a sharp eye for plant identification, uncover artifacts, and follow a map of pinpoints that will lead them around the entirety of developed farm land. This is a great exercise for self directed learning and team work. Students must demonstrate leadership skills to be able to complete this task. Recommended for older students only. 

Habitat Building: 

Habitats are a great way to learn about the diverse ecosystems that exist everywhere.  Students will explore creating "forts" and "homes" based on items they can find to build a steady home. Students are invited to hunt and gather for items around the land that can be used to build an ideal shelter for a small or large critter they spot on the farm. 

 

Depending on the weather, there are plenty of activities to keep busy on the farm. If you are concerned about class sizes, etc*- our activities can be divided into small group direction- guided by our wonderful Farmhand Staff.