2008 School Field Trips, Scouts and other Group Programs

We offer programs and tours for groups designed to provide participants with hands-on learning experiences that work well with Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom frameworks. Scouts can work on a variety of badges, and we can tailor a program to meet your specific needs. Sessions last approximately 1.5 hours and cost $7 per person, including siblings and chaperones. A $25 deposit is requested to reserve your date. Participants should dress for the weather and wear closed shoes or boots. Please call our office directly to arrange a group visit.

Preschool and Elementary

Life of a Seed (offered May—June) Children will visit the greenhouse and learn about thelife cycle of plants. They will examine a variety of vegetable seeds, learn about their growth requirements and plant a seedling to take back to the classroom for further study.

Meet the Farm Animals (offered May—October) Students will learn about raising farm animals in a natural way, observing how their unique physical characteristics determine their food and shelter needs. Healthy chickens, pigs, turkeys and sheep are our goal, and we will see the many products they provide. Students may participate in some aspect of animal care at the discretion of GMF staff.

The Living Compost Heap (offered May—October) Students will learn to appreciate the many organisms living in soil, and why recycling organic matter is essential to farming, as well as environmentally sound. They will examine the stages of decomposition, help turn ourcompost heap, and take some compost back to the classroom for analysis, along with instructions on how to begin composting at home or in school.

Pumpkin Patch (offered September—October) Children will learn about the lifecycle of pumpkins, as well as their many uses. They will visit the pumpkin patch, and select one to take home. Hayride provided. There is an additional fee of $4 per pumpkin for this program.

 

Grades 6—12

Introduction to the Farm (offered May—October) Broad introduction to diversified farming with and emphasis on organic vegetable production, animal care and equipment used to perform these tasks. Planting Vegetables (offered May—July) Students will actively participate in transplanting vegetable seedlings from the greenhouse to the field. Discussion will focus on the transition from a controlled environment in the greenhouse to the harsh conditions of the outdoors.

Raising Animals (offered May—October) Historically, diversified family farms have been the source of meat for Americans. In the last half-century meat production has undergone a devastating transformation. Modern farmers, under market pressure to increase efficiency and profitability, are raising animals in factory-like settings. This practice poses dire consequences to animal welfare, health and the environment. An in-depth discussion will compare small-farm animal husbandry (as practiced at Green Meadows Farm) to the factory farming methods of raising meat for the American table. Students will also tour the farm.

Soil Fertility and Composting (offered May—October) Soil fertility is the key to successful organic farming. Students will visit our compost operation and learn the basics of compost production, see the stages of decomposition, discuss carbon nitrogen rations and the role of temperature in producing nutrient rich compost. They will take samples of the material to analyze in the classroom, along with information on how to create their own compost system.

The Harvest (offered August—October) Most fruits and vegetables travel an average of 1800 miles from field to dinner plate. This trend has severed the once-intimate relationship between farmer and the local community. It is straining our natural resources, increasing pollution and decreasing the quality and nutritional value of our food. In this session, students will learn the benefits of purchasing locally grown fruits & vegetables and will joinGreen Meadows Farm crew with the harvest.

Click here for a printable brochure about our school group programs.

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Contact Information

USPS Mail: Green Meadows Farm / 650 Asbury Street / Hamilton, MA 01982

Call: Office / 978-468-3720 ...Farmstand / 978-468-2277 (when open)

E-mail: gm@gmfarm.com