Kinder-Gardeners
Experiential learning for local Kindergarten and Elementary-aged youth
A playful and engaging way to introduce the seasonality of our region to young children while inspiring them to develop a lifelong interest in their food system! The Kinder-Gardeners program brings Kindergarten and Elementary school classes from Daly Elementary and other local schools on thrice-yearly field trips to the Farm designed to spark their interest in agriculture and food systems.
Through Farmer Laura’s Eyes: What Does a Kinder-Gardener Visit Look Like?
Each school visit has three parts: Tour, task, and taste. Our Farmer’s and helpers take the kids on a farm tour, spending time holding baby chicks, petting goats, gobbling at the turkeys, and visiting with the plants in the greenhouse. Then we do some sort of small task such as seeding beans or sunflowers, transplanting peas, or planting potatoes. Tasting (and smelling) what is growing on the farm is also a very important part of each visit. Recent elementary visitors got to pick and taste green onions, sniff the basil, eat some mint, taste nasturtium flowers and petals, and shell beans to take them home in their pocket (how many go through the washing machine is a different topic..!!).
The final part of school visits includes a big dance party on The Stage! Getting the kids up on the stage, that sits in the middle of the farm, naturally brings out the performer in each of them. Most groups just dance, but one visiting classroom put on an impromptu performance – planting, growing, and sharing food!
Watching kids make connections, seeing them immerse themselves in the natural world, and hearing all the imaginative things they come up with while visiting plants and animals is a joy for all involved.
Get Your Class Involved
We always welcome having new classes join us on the Farm! Invite your Kindergarten or Elementary-aged class to join the Kinder-Gardeners Program and gift your students a hands-on learning experience that plants the seeds of knowledge and curiosity about their food. Contact our team to learn more about our availability, pricing, and scholarship opportunities for local Public School classes.
