Stewards of The Earth at The Farm School
Sixth grade students recently visited The Farm School, a working farm and nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting people to the land through a variety of programs that spread out across their nearly 400 acres in North-Central Massachusetts.
During their two-night trip, students got to truly live their grade’s theme, The People - a yearlong exploration of how humans interact with their environments through work, art, recreation, and thought. The trip allows students an opportunity to deepen connections with their peers while experiencing firsthand what it means to be stewards of the earth.
“The Farm School was a fun, interactive learning experience. We got to choose between some activities and had free time to roam around and play on the farm. My personal favorite part was getting to explore in the woods and collect rocks. The Farm School was one of the most fun field trips I have ever been on.” - Michael N.
From the moment they arrive, students are immersed in farm life. After setting up bunks, they toured the fields, met all the farm’s furry and feathered friends, and prepared for a day of serious farm work and chores ahead. Daily chores included picking fresh veggies, feeding the animals, milking the cows, cleaning the dining area and bathrooms, picking up the bunk rooms, gathering kindling for the fire, and lending a hand in the kitchen! Throughout the trip, students were instrumental in daily meal prep, working alongside farm kitchen staff to transform freshly harvested produce into meals for the group. Students also had the opportunity to engage in some agricultural, project-based learning where the ‘classroom’ was a working farm itself! From learning about the importance of having safe havens in nature and building shelters, to building a bridge for goats, mastering the art of whittling, expressing their creativity through farm art, and so much more.
“The farm school was so much fun. We got to hang out with so many different kinds of animals and do so many different things around the farm like stacking hay, cleaning the cow spaces, feeding animals, as well as planting food and plants. We also cooked food for the dinners, lunches, and breakfasts we had. The farm school was a really good experience. We went on walks and we all had a great time together.” - Coco E.
While some students may have preferred their daily chores to be petting and holding baby goats all day, it was fun for them to see how they could contribute meaningfully to a working farm – and still get to play with (and care for) baby goats. It goes without saying that students were able to gain a heightened sense of stretching outside of one’s comfort zone, all while bonding with their classmates - and yes, even some very cute baby farm animals, too. This was also a trip in which every student had the opportunity to shine and to demonstrate their emergent leadership skills, which go beyond being the loudest person, best athlete, or student that gets the highest grades. Students who jumped right into helping out with the cleaning of animal stalls, or hauling large bales of hay around with zero hesitation, were noticeable and recognized not just by one’s peers, but by The Farm School staff, too. These are the types of moments that are building blocks for a middle schooler’s social/emotional development and can truly help to build confidence that transcends beyond one field trip.
“My favorite part of the farm school was the walk to the river in the woods. I loved those five minutes of quiet. I think it was a great idea to do that.” - Daniel S.