A four-day workshop to help farmers engage and inspire visitors
Are you looking to build a farm-based education program, or inspire your existing programming? At this long-running workshop, you’ll fill your toolbox with kid-tested activities as you join a community of peers from around the region.
ABCs 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 with the Farm-Based Education Network, a project of Shelburne Farms.
How to Apply
We use a lottery-based system to register attendees for this workshop. Apply by August 18, 2025, and you'll be notified of your status by September 8, 2025.
- About our process: The majority of spaces for ABCs are available via lottery to ensure fair access and support program objectives. A few spaces are reserved for staff from the facilitators’ organizations and for attendees whose participation helps us better meet our objectives.
- Cost: The program, lodging, and meals are free for October 2025 due to generous support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
- Contact us for support with the application form.
Program Objectives
- ABCs is designed first and foremost for farmers and those teaching on farms and in gardens, so most of our spaces are allocated to people in those roles. Classroom teachers are also welcome, though we have fewer spaces allocated for classroom teachers. We encourage classroom teachers to explore Shelburne Farms' other professional learning programs.
- We aspire to facilitate inquiry, curate access to resources, build relationships, and deliver farm-based education content with an awareness of the many contexts in which participants are teaching.
- We are committed to creating learning experiences that are accessible and inclusive, and cater to diverse needs and perspectives.
- We strive for balance in the ABCs cohort among those teaching on urban, suburban, and rural farms; those who have ample experience in farm-based education and those who are just starting out; and those who are serving audiences from diverse backgrounds.
What to Expect
- Spend time in hands-on learning while you explore Shelburne Farms' dairy, farmyard, garden, and forest classrooms.
- Learn new activities and engagement strategies for school groups and visitors. Experience activities from Shelburne Farms' publications Project Seasons and Cultivating Joy and Wonder, and from Backyard Basecamp's educational offerings.
- Gain tools to communicate with and engage groups and visitors of all ages.
- Gather tips for creating a safe learning environment.
- Network with and learn from fellow farm-based educators.
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Andy DubackBuild or re-inspire your farm-based education programming.
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Vera Simon-NobesExperience activities from Shelburne Farms’ publications Project Seasons and Cultivating Joy and Wonder.
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Andy DubackExplore Shelburne Farms’ dairy, farmyard, garden, and forest classrooms.
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Courtney LeyFill your toolbox with kid-tested activities.
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Andrea EsteyConnect with fellow farm-based educators.
Create Your Learning Pathway
To continue your professional development, consider joining the Farm-Based Education Network, a community of fellow farm-based educators! FBEN is a project of Shelburne Farms and offers tools, support, and events for members throughout the year.
If you're not engaged in farm-based education, consider exploring other professional learning programs.
