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A three-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.

Applications are Closed

Applications are now closed for our next session, March 28–30, 2025.

ABCs is typically offered twice a year, once in spring and once in fall, at Shelburne Farms. Thanks to generous funding, participation and on-site accommodations are offered at no cost.

Interested in attending in October 2025? Express your interest, and we'll send you an email when applications open.

Express Your Interest

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. 
  • 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.

See a sample agenda from a recent ABCs.

  • Andy Duback

    Build or re-inspire your farm-based education programming.

  • Vera Simon-Nobes

    Experience activities from Shelburne Farms’ publications Project Seasons and Cultivating Joy and Wonder.

  • Andy Duback

    Explore Shelburne Farms’ dairy, farmyard, garden, and forest classrooms.

  • Courtney Ley

    Fill your toolbox with kid-tested activities.

  • Andrea Estey

    Connect 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.

Start a conversation with Vera Simon-Nobes at vsimonnobes@shelburnefarms.org to talk about this program. Or, complete our request for information form and someone will be in touch.

Request Info

Partners