Farm-Based Education

New Podcast Series: Farm to School Northeast

Sarah — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 22:06:06 +0000

New Podcast Series: Farm to School Northeast Sarah Fri, 12/06/2024 - 17:06

As part of our food system education work, we facilitate the Northeast Farm to School Collaborative, an active group of innovators working within their states and regionally to advance farm to school through networking, peer sharing, collaborative projects, policy, and convenings.

The Collaborative has launched a podcast exploring the creative ways that local food is getting into school cafeterias and how food system education is playing out in classrooms and school gardens across the Northeast.

But, what exactly is farm to school? It’s a big concept. To find a common thread, podcast creator Dinah Mack asked eight people working in the movement to share their definitions. Among the interviewees are Betsy Rosenbluth and Dana Hudson, two longtime Vermont farm to school champions.

Read on for excerpts from Dana and Betsy, and listen to the full episode below:

New episodes will be released monthly. Learn more and tune in wherever you listen to podcasts.

Betsy Rosenbluth, Co-Director, Vermont FEED & Farm to School Director, Shelburne Farms Institute for Sustainable Schools

"I describe farm to school as “making food real.” It's connecting students to where food comes from, and what it does for them: for their bodies, their communities, and their local economies. And through farm to school, they know how to grow and cook food, and what happens to waste; they know the food on their plate is tied to energy, poverty, land, water, social justice, and so many other global issues."

Dana Hudson, Coordinator, Vermont Farm to School & Early Childhood Network

"I’ve always felt that the term “farm to school” isn't the right term, but it's the best term we have. It casts a wide net, and everyone's here for different reasons. Someone might be here because they really care about children's nutrition. Someone else is here because they worry about farm viability. There are people that are here because they were hungry as children, and they want to make sure other people aren't hungry. There are people here that are more concerned about climate and sustainability.

Farm to school really is the most powerful beginning to changing the food system as a whole. I really believe that farm to school is the path forward to really rectify a lot of the broken elements of our food system."

Sarah Webb

Education Impact

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Climate Action and Food Waste: One School's Story

A case study in empowering students—and reducing waste—from Norwich, Vermont’s Marion W. Cross Elementary School.

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Youth Voice

Farm to School Education in Montpelier is Building Resilience

In celebration of National Farm to School Month, U.S. Senator Peter Welch and Vermont Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets Anson Tebbetts visit Montpelier High School to see their food systems education firsthand.

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How Do We Support & Grow Farm to School? A Conversation with Essential Ingredients Podcast

Farm to School Director Betsy Rosenbluth and Justine Reichman discuss how we can transform the lunchroom into a place of nourishment, community, and joy.

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December 6, 2024

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Kid-Favorite Plants for Your Garden

Sarah — Mon, 20 May 2024 14:07:24 +0000

Kid-Favorite Plants for Your Garden Sarah Mon, 05/20/2024 - 10:07

It’s time to start planting here in Shelburne, and we’re gearing up to fill the raised beds in our education gardens with veggies, flowers, and fruits. We choose the plants in these spaces with the typical things in mind (sun exposure, heartiness, water needs), but another quality weighs in: how much fun are they?

Hundreds of summer campers and thousands of visiting families learn all about how plants grow and where food comes from in these gardens. The beds aren’t optimized for production, but for an engaging sensory experience. Here are some of our educators' favorite plants that stir up excitement in the garden — try a few in your plot this season:

Sarah Webb

Surprising Tastes

Some pretty unassuming looking plants can pack a lot of flavor. “Kids love tasting the lemongrass and lemon verbena,” says educator Hannah Corbin. “They take a few leaves and stuff their pockets or their water bottles.”

Sorrel — a wild plant that is often considered a weed — can be cultivated in your garden. “Every age is super surprised and excited by the flavor,” says Educator Cat Parrish. “It tastes like sour candy.”

Stevia is another go-to plant: the super-sweet leaves are always a kid favorite.

Crafty Plans

Think beyond options for eating, too. Last year, we planted broom corn for the first time. “Broom corn is great because it grows really tall, and kids can run through the stalks,” shares educator Jed Norris. “And, the squirrels don’t eat it because it doesn’t actually produce corn. But it does produce long, fibrous tassels that you can craft brooms out of.”

Flowers fill a good deal of the raised beds in these gardens, too, a pollinator’s haven. “We’ve found some great options that produce perfect drying flowers,” says educator Mallory Schmackpfeffer. “Then we can use them for crafts later on, like bookmarks and window banners.” Consider strawflowers, globe amaranth [also called gomphrena], and violas. The spectrum of hues also lend itself nicely to a rousing game of color search.

Broom corn (left) forms long, fibrous tassels. Pressing flowers and leaves between sheets of contact paper (right) is an easy craft for all ages. Photos: Sarah Webb.

Quick Bites

“Sometimes I only have a family in the Children’s Farmyard gardens for a minute,” shares Cat. “So I need things that people can quickly find, pick, and taste all in one bite.” Cat’s favorite combination to share is a cherry tomato with a basil leaf wrapped around it. “The tomato plants are really fun to trellis as a tunnel or wall. And they’re really fun to prune; kids have fun learning to pick the suckers out of the ‘armpits’.”

Other abundant, tasty options: lunchbox peppers, peas, and ground cherries.

Off the Beaten Path

“Buzz buttons can get almost any kid excited about going to the garden,” says Jed. Also called spilanthe or toothache plant, the flowers create a numbing effect in the mouth. “We just start with a pinch, and we always let the kids know what is going to happen. It tastes like the pith of an orange, and will make you produce saliva. The next thing you taste will be extra strong.”

And some things are just too cute to ignore, like sour gherkins, or mouse melons. “They look like tiny watermelons, but taste like a cucumber,” explains Cat. “They’re like little watermelons fit for a mouse, and make for a fun pickling activity.”

Mouse melons (left) and buzz buttons (right). Photos: Sarah Webb and Pinrath Phanpradith.

Sarah Webb

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Garden Bugs: Friend or Foe?

Our gardens aren’t just full of tastes, colors, and smells - they are full of BUGS! Meet some of the insects that might be living in your garden.

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Place-Based Education

Discovering the Wondrous World of Pollinators

On introducing students to native pollinators–and how we can each take actions to support them.

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Summer Learning on the Farm (with Activities!)

We’ve partnered with the Winooski School District to create a summer school program with time both on the farm and in the classroom - read more and get activity inspiration!

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May 20, 2024

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Farmer-to-Farmer Connections: Building Networks for Learning

Sarah — Thu, 16 May 2024 20:00:00 +0000

Farmer-to-Farmer Connections: Building Networks for Learning Sarah Thu, 05/16/2024 - 16:00

Sarah Webb

“I feel really passionate about providing an experience for children and young adults to have a connection to nature and learn about growing their food, but also empowering them so that they can have a toolset to be sustainable and have a different way of thinking and being in the world.”

–Ariana Wild, Wild Farm

In partnership with NOFA-VT, we recently wrapped up our Agricultural Educators Cohort, a peer-to-peer learning opportunity for farmers interested in connecting with schools and inviting youth to their farms for hands-on agricultural education.

Along with gatherings throughout the year, we matched all eight participating farmers with a coach farmer in their region to share best practices, offer advice, and help them realize their goals. Hear from one such pair, Ariana Wild of Wild Farm and coach Misse Axelrod of Vermont Farm and Forest School:

Farmer & Farm-Based Educator Resources

The Farm-Based Education Network
This free member network works to strengthen and support the work of educators, farmers, and community leaders who provide access and experiences on working farms.
The ABCs of Farm-Based Education, offered twice a year, spring and fall, at Shelburne Farms.
This popular three-day workshop helps farmers engage and inspire visitors, shares kid-tested activities, and cultivates a community of peers to learn from. The program is designed for farmers, farm-based educators, and non-formal educators with any level of teaching experience who are building or looking to re-inspire farm-based programming. Co-presented by Shelburne Farms and the Farm-Based Education Network.
This Farm Feeds Vermont Kids Campaign
The Vermont Farm to School and Early Childhood Network invites farmers selling to school and early childhood programs to post a lawn sign on your farm or market booth to tell your community that you’re helping to create a sustainable school food system.
Local Food Procurement Toolkit
School Nutrition Professionals throughout the state are incorporating more and more local foods into their meal programs. This toolkit gives you a broad look at how this works from the school cafeteria perspective, as well as some additional resources for farmers (check out the “Tips, Tools & Frequently Asked Questions” box).

Sarah Webb

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Farm to School Impact by the Numbers

We’re sharing a look back at some of our projects, collaborations, and campaigns that helped to propel the farm to school movement forward in 2023.

Sharing a Love of Food to Foster Community

Laura Butler's commitment to building community among her families and children is a central theme of her farm to early childhood program.

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Connecting Students to Vermont's Dairy Farms

June is National Dairy Month, and we're highlighting a longtime program connecting farmer and students: Dairy in the Classroom.

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May 16, 2024

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Enriching Lives: Animal and Human

hbrough — Tue, 13 Jun 2023 20:07:25 +0000

Enriching Lives: Animal and Human hbrough Tue, 06/13/2023 - 16:07

Internship Overview:

After working on an educational farm in Connecticut throughout highschool, I fell in love with connecting humans and animals. As a junior at UVM this past semester, I partnered with Cat Parrish to design an internship around this love, officially titled: Animal Enrichment and Other Methodology to Increase the Mutual Value of Animal-Assisted Education. I’ll be honest, I pumped all three years of my college education into that title, but it boiled down to this: I wanted to explore how introducing additional enrichment opportunities affected the welfare of our education animals and in turn how this impacted their interactions with people. It grew into so much more.

Part 1: A Life Enriched

We all get bored; it’s human nature. But we’re not alone. Research into animal care practices show that other animals desire challenges, new experiences, and novel sensations, too. In the first part of my internship, I explored enrichment activities with the animals in the Children’s Farmyard, activities that can be divided into four main categories: Cognitive, Sensory, Environmental, and Social.

In the quiet winter months, when visitors are limited, and the goats, sheep, rabbits, and chickens snuggle up under the eves of the Farm Barn to await the return of lush summer pastures, I donned my flannel barn coat and began with the chickens.

As some of you know, much of the Northeast has been hit hard by the Avian Flu the past few years. It’s so highly pathogenic that the Farmyard chickens have been in quarantine for almost two years. Since we’ve all recently experienced pandemic quarantines ourselves, you maybe can relate to some of the stressors the chickens have faced. To combat that stress, I introduced poultry video games as a form of cognitive enrichment. Ok, technically, it was a cat video game, but the chickens didn’t mind. They seemed to enjoy pecking at the ants crawling across the screen of my iPad. It was a start.

Enrichment activities: Chickens peck at a fake ant crawling across a computer screen; chickens peck at a cardboard roll filled with "treats."

Responding to their natural behaviors, I came up with more activities to introduce to them. I cut holes in a cardboard tube and filled it with treats–like a log. The chickens had the cognitive and physical challenge of rolling and pecking the tube to get their treats. I also tried out my green thumb: I made a DIY Chia Pet, fresh out of the 80s, by placing a piece of damp felt in a shallow plastic container, adding chia seeds, and covering it with plastic wrap. The chickens loved it! They scratched at the forage and completely destroyed my hard work within an hour, much to my delight.

Another activity involved sprouting chia seeds on a felt mat and watching the chickens respond. They loved it!

I also focused on our rabbit, Freddy, as he was likely to interact most with children when I moved on to offsite programming (internship, phase 3!). I noted that he enjoyed pulling and tearing things, so I stuck hay, toys, and treats in a block of cardboard. He played with it for days! Upon seeing how clever he was, I set a goal to work with him on some training techniques in the future.

It was a time of trial and error, but seeing what the animals were interested in spurred me on and I realized I could make a difference for these animals and the people who learn from them.

The inspiration kept me going, because working on the farm in the depths of winter isn’t easy. One day when I answered a FaceTime call from my Mom, I saw that my eyelashes had become frosted and my scarf was frozen into a mask of my face! But this was also the day that I hoisted a small donated fir tree above my head, and threw it over the fence and into the pen for the goats to enjoy. Magpie, Raisin, Honeybee, and Yaya thoroughly inspected, dissected, and savored it. Even through my frozen lashes, I could see how pleased they were. Had it not been -35 degrees, I might have shed a tear.

My passion for working with animals, especially those in the Children’s Farmyard, stems from their intrinsic value. Their presence alone can calm someone; they can connect students to what they’re learning in the classroom; and they provide us with valuable resources that we must strive to procure ethically and sustainability. That’s why I’ve set out to improve their lives as they have improved mine. This internship was a culmination of the woman I have grown into and the passions I have discovered. I look forward to sharing more with you in the future.

For now stay curious,

Catherine Ziac

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Wonderful!

I love that you are thinking about the ... shall we call it Happiness Factor? of creatures great and small. I imagine that you also give thought to which individuals have outgoing personalities and enjoy "meeting the folks" as well as those who are introverted and who benefit from "quiet time." Lovely, thoughtful research -- and you couldn't have a greater mentor than Cat for this project!

Catherine, Your love for these farm animals is reflected in the innovative creations you produced to keep their brains occupied and curious. Well done!!

Beautifully written Catherine! I can hear your passion through your words. Congratulations & good luck!
XO-Tammy

What a great job! You are a gem. Thanks for that.

We are so lucky to have you on our Farmyard education team! Loved reading your reflection and am looking forward to part 2 and 3.

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Connecting Students to Vermont's Dairy Farms

Sarah — Fri, 02 Jun 2023 16:50:50 +0000

Connecting Students to Vermont's Dairy Farms Sarah Fri, 06/02/2023 - 12:50

Cambridge Elementary third graders bounded off the school bus, their pom-pom topped winter hats bobbing, as they circled up in front of the dairy barns. It had snowed the mid-May morning of their field trip to the family-operated Paul-Lin Dairy, but the sun was already peeking out from behind the clouds.

Cambridge Elementary students and their teachers circle up after their arrival to Paul-Lin Dairy in Bakersfield, VT. Photo by Sarah Webb.

The students and teachers are part of this year’s Dairy in the Classroom program, which combines hands-on classroom curriculum with visits to local dairy farms. Educator Virginia Holiman created the program, and has been connecting students and farms ever since. “Dairy in the Classroom started as a cooperative effort between Ladd Family Farm and my kindergarten class from 2002 to 2008,” says Virginia. “The kids developed a relationship with the farmer, visited the farm often, and adopted a calf.” The program grew over the years, first to five schools, then further throughout Franklin County, and now statewide. “Some years we served forty classrooms, some years less.”

Educator Virginia Holiman visits a Vermont classroom to teach kids about dairy farming and prepare students for visiting a local farm. Here, they're using our "Dress Up a Cow" activity to understand a cow's anatomy. Photo by Andrea Estey.

Cambridge Elementary is one of 17 currently participating in the program. This field trip was the culmination of a series of classroom visits with Shelburne Farms Educator Kelly Knudsen. Together, back at school, they learned about the anatomy of dairy cows, and how that milk is turned into foods like ice cream, cheese, and butter (taste tests, of course, were a highlight). "The kids get excited to share their knowledge and cooking skills at home," shares Kelly. "I love it when I see them on my next visit, and they're eager to tell me what they made with their family or rattle off all the dairy products they've been eating."

“Visiting a farm can be an overwhelming experience,” explains Virginia. “The classes before the field trip help the kids know what to expect. With a little preparation, they’re ready to show up to the farm with good questions, treat the animals with respect, and already have an understanding of the ‘grass to milk’ cycle.”

Farmer and Owner Linda Stanley introduces the students to Pez, a member of the milking herd, and explains how the milking equipment works. Photo by Sarah Webb.

And now the Cambridge students were ready to meet the stars of the story: the farmers and cows that make it all possible! “The kids get such a wonderful introduction to farms and dairy with their Dairy in the Classroom educators, who do a fabulous job,” shared Paul-Lin Dairy owner and farmer Linda Stanley. “The work in the classroom makes the tour all the better.” Since 1983, Linda and Paul Stanley have been caring for their herd of Jersey cows, and they have been collaborating with local schools to offer dairy education opportunities since 1996.

Farmer and Owner Paul Stanley leads students through the calf barn, teaching them about their diet and when they are weaned from milk. Photo by Sarah Webb.

“So many kids today don’t have a connection to their food,” Linda explained. “To be able to show first hand where food comes from is a treat for us. We love to share what we do as dairy farmers, and we feel so lucky to be able to give kids the chance to ‘pat a cow’.” And this trip was some students' first real experience on a farm. "I loved watching the kids' faces as Linda hand milked one of her Jersey cows," shares Kelly. "Their eyes lit up when they got to witness where their milk came from!" The students explored the milking parlor, met calves, and strolled the cow path to visit the milking herd in the pasture.

Linda leads students down the cow path, to see the milking herd on pasture. Photo by Sarah Webb.

Linda noted that the walk down the cow path is a Cambridge tradition. "A former teacher had the goal of every third grade student walking the cow lane here," she shared. "We love to see it continue year after year and connect kids to dairy farming."

Just before the students boarded the bus to head back to school, a chorus of little voices began to grow on the cow path (“I’m a dairy cow… pasture is my favorite chow…”) as the trip culminated in a gleeful serenade to the herd in appreciation of all they give to us.

Students get up close with one of the Jersey cows. The Dairy in the Classroom program teaches students to appreciate the animals and farmers that give us so much. Photo by Sarah Webb.

*Dairy in the Classroom has been supported by the New England Dairy and Food Council and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets with Shelburne Farms partnering to support education services.

Resources to Explore

Did you know June is National Dairy Month? You don’t have to visit a dairy farm to celebrate—check out some of these classroom resources to dive into all things dairy:

Digital Dairy in the Classroom

In 2021, Shelburne Farms and partnering farms created a series of virtual dairy farm field trips to keep students connected to Vermont agriculture. Watch videos with your students, and download activities and resources for your classroom.

The Most Costly Journey: Stories of Migrant Farmworkers in Vermont Drawn by New England Cartoonists

Named the Vermont Humanities Vermont Reads Book of 2022, this graphic novel depicts first-person narratives from immigrant Vermont dairy workers.

Vermont Dairy's Education Library

A collection of videos created by the Vermont Dairy Promotion Council showcasing how dairy farms operate in Vermont and the daily lives of Vermont dairy farmers. Available in Spanish and English.

Who Farms?

A collection of stories from culturally diverse Vermont farmers, told through comics and short videos created with middle-grade students in mind. A teacher’s guide is also available.

We are now accepting requests to participate in 2023-24 Dairy in the Classroom program! Complete our interest form to get started:

Learn more & Express your interest

Sarah Webb

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Making Butter Activity, and the Power of Food Memories

Food holds a lot of power, and it holds a lot of opportunity for us early childhood educators to help set attitudes for life.

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What is Farm to School? Green Teacher Podcast Digs In

All over the country, schools are transforming food systems education. Our professional learning team is featured on the podcast Talking with Green Teachers to discuss farm to school's impact.

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Dairy in the Classroom

What happens when a boy with food anxieties is regularly exposed to new foods in the classroom? Dana Hudson found out as a Shelburne Farms educator for a "Dairy in the Classroom" program.

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June 2, 2023

Tomato Planet Activity

admin — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 12:31:24 +0000

Tomato Planet Activity admin Tue, 04/25/2023 - 08:31

Photos by Andrea Estey

JUMP TO ACTIVITY

We know connecting people to food–where it comes from, who grows it, and how it’s grown–is essential for shaping a more sustainable future. Twice a year, farm-based educators from around the country join us at Shelburne Farms to learn strategies for doing exactly that.

In the ABCs of Farm-Based Education program, educators immerse in learning on our campus, gaining new ideas for engaging and inspiring visitors using their own farms and gardens, often learning as much from each other as they do from our facilitators. This spring, 19 educators from North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, and New York joined us for three days of learning in our Education Center, Children’s Farmyard, forest classroom, Market Garden and Sugarhouse, and Dairy.

“This program is so special because we know hundreds of farms have taken what they’ve learned in ABCs over the years back to their own communities, and helped visitors connect to agriculture and nature. There’s a real ripple effect,” shares Vera Simon-Nobes, coordinator of the Farm-Based Education Network and facilitator of ABCs.

In the words of two of this spring’s participants:

"I loved connecting with other educators and sharing about all of the different programs that they're working on, things that bring excitement, and challenges to talk through."

"I was able to see and live a vision I have only dreamed of. The activities as a group were very engaging and I will be taking lots of new ideas back to the classroom!"

Here’s one of the activities that we shared with ABCs attendees, called Tomato Planet, originally published in the resource book Project Seasons by Deb Parrella. You can do this activity with your own young learners, in a classroom setting or at home. While our instructions suggest using a cherry tomato, you could use any seasonal fruit, says facilitator Susie Marchand. To prevent food waste, practice good hand washing before handling your tomato. Once your tomato is dissected, enjoy it as a snack, either on its own or by adding it to a sauce or salsa!

Activity: Tomato Planet

Learn about seed survival and what seeds need to grow. This activity has two parts: discovering how many seeds are in plants, and learning what seeds need to grow.

We love introducing this activity with A Fruit is a Suitcase for Seeds by Jean Richards.

Materials

Cherry tomatoes
Plates and kid-friendly knives (To reduce waste, we often use compostable butter knives and paper plates cut in half.)
Index cards (one per learner) and a writing utensil
Four “bases” in an indoor or outdoor space

Download Tomato Planet as a PDF.

Directions, Part I

Ask, what’s inside the fruits of plants? (Seeds.) How many seeds are inside? Do you think similar fruits have a similar number of seeds? (It can vary from plant to plant.) Explain that learners will do an activity to find out about the number of seeds produced by a plant and how this relates to seed survival.
Depending on the size of your group, this activity can be done individually or in pairs. Give each learner or pair a cherry tomato. How many seeds do they think are inside? Record each guess on a flipchart or whiteboard, and review everyone’s guesses.
Next, distribute paper plates and knives. Have learners cut their tomato in half and count the seeds inside. This is a great part to do in pairs! Ask them to add up the total number of seeds. How did this compare with their prediction? Review and record the totals.

Directions, Part II

Ask, how many seeds does it take to grow one tomato plant? (Just one seed.) Write the word “seed” on an index card. Ask, what kinds of things will help this seed germinate and grow into a healthy plant? (Plenty of sunshine, enough space, good soil, enough water, fertilizer, weeding, etc.) Record each idea on an index card. When you’ve listed as many growth conditions as the group can generate, duplicate or triplicate the cards until you’ve filled ⅔ of all the cards.
How many tomato plants could they potentially grow from their cherry tomato? (The same number of plants as seeds.) Ask, why aren’t tomatoes growing everywhere? Record possible hazards to the seed germination and growth on remaining index cards. (Drought, too cold, too wet, competition from other plants, disease, some are eaten, etc.)
Now, for movement! Learners will enact the risky life of a little seed. Pass out one index card to each student. Explain that they should each look at their card but keep the information on it–a seed, or a positive or negative growth condition–a secret. In an outdoor or indoor space, set up four equally spaced bases. Explain that when you say “Go!”, they should run around the bases in a circle. When you say “Stop!” they should run to the nearest base. (You can also cue this by playing and pausing music.)
Ask learners to reveal their cards to others on their base. Have them determine whether or not a seed would be able to survive and grow in this spot. Check the conditions on each base. What are you missing?
Collect the cards, reshuffle, and distribute them to play another round!

Join us for the next session of ABCs of Farm-Based Education, happening at Shelburne Farms October 22–24.

Andrea Estey

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Summer Learning on the Farm (with Activities!)

admin — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 17:00:55 +0000

Summer Learning on the Farm (with Activities!) admin Thu, 08/05/2021 - 13:00

This summer, we’ve been collaborating with the Winooski School District to create a summer school program that includes time both on our working farm campus and in the classroom. Students from the elementary and high schools are learning about natural systems and the big ideas of sustainability and seeing them in action. (Even WCAX joined in on the fun!)

Nancy Johnson, JFK Elementary School teacher, said kindergarten and first grade students (and their teachers) were getting hands-on experience while investigating the larger themes of life cycles, fairness and equity, community, and their ability to make a difference. “There is nothing better than spending the day walking through the market garden and discovering so many little creatures in the forest. Students and teachers also explored areas right on our own school campus that have similar animals and plants that we found at Shelburne Farms,” said Nancy.

Winooksi students on a Fabulous Five Scavenger Hunt in the Market Garden and reaping the final reward â carrots fresh from the soil! (activity below)

Alongside our educators, kids are exploring the outdoors (an especially welcome experience after the pandemic induced isolation of previous months), and classroom teachers are discovering how place-based learning can be incorporated in the curriculum once the semester begins later this month. “It was really exciting to co-teach and collaborate with the teachers,” shares educator Jed Norris. “Shelburne Farms and Winooski staff had time together before summer school began to plan ahead and learn from one another, and that made for a really strong program. It gave them the chance to explore teaching methods in a whole different setting, outside the four walls of a classroom. Some of the teachers are already implementing some of the activities at their schools.”

Winooski students visiting the chickens and sheep in the farmyard.

Curious what the students have been up to? Educators Jed Norris and Simon Schrier shared some of the activities, which you can download and use in your classroom with students, or enjoy at home in your own neighborhood with family and friends!

Colorsearch - “I've used this activity as a way to explore the Market Garden. Students get paint swatches in various colors, and then seek out those colors as they get to know the garden. It adapts to home really easily, you don't even need paint chips; you can use any colorful items to inspire your search.” -Simon
Plant Parts We Eat - “This activity is a great way to talk about all the parts of a plant. And, you can extend the lesson into a hands-on creation where kids create their own ‘super plant’ out of a selection of different plant parts.” -Jed
Life Under a Log - “Students check out what kinds of creatures might be living under dead and downed trees. All you need is a wooded area and a bit of curiosity. I used this activity last week in a lesson about cycles. Students had visited the Market Garden and learned about compost the day before. We drew connections between the decomposition process that happens in the compost pile, and the breakdown of wood and plants being carried out by the creatures underneath the log. Both processes show how small creatures help cycle nutrients, so that the good stuff contained in the last generation of plants can be used by the next.” -Simon
The Fabulous Five (watch a video)- “This super fun scavenger hunt takes a little bit of prep time, but it’s well worth it. Students get running around to learn about the specific needs of plants (the Fab Five: sun, water, air, space, and soil), and it’s a great jumping off point for experiments that could explore the question, “What would happen to a plant if it was missing one of the five?” -Jed
Bean Plant Dress Up (watch a video) - “This activity pairs well with the Fab Five scavenger hunt. After learning about what plants need, students can learn about the different parts of a plant and the job each of them do. It’s a great way to slow down and gather as a group. It can be adapted into paper drawing or 3D artmaking, too.” -Jed

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Favorite Children's Books from the Farm Educators' Collection

admin — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 19:21:15 +0000

Favorite Children's Books from the Farm Educators' Collection admin Fri, 03/31/2017 - 15:21

Over the years, the educators here on the Farm have curated a collection of go-to books to share with the kids and families who visit the campus. Sometimes a book will help students understand a complex problem more clearly, set the stage for exploring new ideas, or raise questions about the world around them. Since 1967, April 2nd (Hans Christian Andersen's birthday) has marked International Children's Book Day. We're celebrating with a few of the Farm's favorites.

Westlandia by Paul Fleischman, Illustrated by Kevin Hawkes

Westlandia nicely demonstrates connections between plants and the things we use everyday, including the ties to food and fiber, which is perfect for the Farm. It also has a subplot about inclusion, leadership, and developing self-confidence!

- Kerri McAllister, Program Manager & Place-Based Educator

Before We Eat by Pat Brisson, Illustrated by Mary Azarian

I love the variety of farmers and farm products included in this book. It shows the full food story of how crops start from farms, make their way to grocery stores, and finally arrive at our homes to be made into the food that fills our plates and bellies.

- Jed Norris, Early Childhood Program Coordinator

Diary Of A Worm by Doreen Cronin

As the Family Program Coordinator, I’m always interested in developing programming that is engaging for both young children and their accompanying adults. Diary Of A Worm is a great example of a book that does just that: it combines entertaining and educational subject matter with humor that makes both adult and child laugh out loud!

- Cat Wright, Family Program Coordinator & Farm-Based Educator

Some Bugs by Andrea Diterlizzi, Illustrated by Brendan Wenzel

This book covers an amazing diversity of bugs and highlights their differences. Some Bugs makes every species look fun and exciting, leaving you wanting to get down on the ground and find the bugs in your own backyard.

- Jed Norris, Early Childhood Program Coordinator

Good Bread: A Book of Thanks by Brigitte Weninger & Anne Möller

I like to read this book while the preschool Adventures group [link] is eating the bread they’ve made from scratch and giving thanks for our food. After mixing the ingredients, kneading the dough, and baking the bread, we wrap the warm loaf in a towel and bring it outside on our adventure to enjoy together, either by the field of wheat in the summer or in the forest on a cool day. Good Bread is the perfect story to read after we’ve dissected wheat plants to look for seeds, ground wheatberries into flour, made the butter to spread on top of our bread, and are enjoying the fruits of our labor.

- Christine Lutters, Assistant Summer Camp Director, Early Childhood Program Educator

What Do You Do with an Idea? by Kobi Yamada, Illustrated by Mae Besom

I really enjoy the internal struggle and emotions that go along with having an idea a bit out of the norm that you want to share with others. This is truly a great book for both adults and children.

- Jed Norris, Early Childhood Program Coordinator

Charlie Needs a Cloak by Tomie dePaola

This book feels most fitting this season since we're getting ready to start our “Spring on the Farm” programs, which include an activity called “Sheep to Mitten.” The activity shows the process of how a sheep’s wool is spun into yarn to make clothing (and we visit the sheep!). The book ties in perfectly because it adorably chronicles how Charlie goes through the process of making a new cloak to replace his old tattered one.

- Courtney Mulcahy, School Programs Coordinator

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Reflections on ABCs of Farm-Based Education

admin — Tue, 30 Sep 2014 14:30:32 +0000

Reflections on ABCs of Farm-Based Education admin Tue, 09/30/2014 - 10:30

Angelica works a 13-acre farm called Wozupi (Dakota for “Garden”), a CSA (TSA) on tribal land in Prior Lake, Minnesota. A self-professed “non-educator,” she nonetheless conducts children’s programs for the tribe’s daycare. She wants to strengthen her teaching skills and reach out to school groups and homeschoolers.

Jackie stewards a ½ acre garden wedged between Interstate 95 and the Quinnipiac River in urban New Haven, CT. There, she offers wellness programs – in both Spanish and English – to adults with chronic disease, while her staff works with the children of these families. She wants more curriculum ideas, meaningful activities for kids, and ways to engage adults from many walks of life.

A crew from Benner's Farm in Setauket, Long Island draws their Farm as an introductory activity.

Twice a year, Shelburne Farms gathers people like this for our “ABCs of Farm-Based Education” workshop. Over the course of three days, attendees systematically (and leavened with a lot of laughter), add to their “backpacks” of activities, program ideas, and curriculum that will bolster their work. They also explore issues directly with our staff. Want to develop school field trips? Chat with Christie Nold, our School Programs Coordinator. Looking for creative ways to fundraise or address on-farm liability questions? Sit down with President Alec Webb.

The farm has years of experience to share. Yet in reality, the “experts” are already in the room. ABCs gives these folks the time, space, and encouragement to ask questions and seek answers from each other. It is invariably a fertile three days of cross-pollination, inspiration, and rejuvenation. (It’s particularly timely at the tail-end of a long winter, too!)

Ultimately, we’re building a community of people who care passionately and teach thoughtfully about the land we live on and farm, and the healthy foods that derive from it. In this way, we can reach kids in Prior Lake, and New Haven, and all across the country – far beyond the gates of Shelburne Farms. As Angelica from Prior Lake said at the end of her three days, “I showed up empty and left over flowing.”

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Holly Brough

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