Learning Farm
We Grow hosted another group of students on Thursday this week. This time, the kindergartners from Rib Lake spent their time learning about the wide variety of vegetables and how each one tastes and how some don’t look like what they see in the cafeteria. They listened to a story and helped harvest pumpkins. Everyone got fresh pressed apple cider warm off the press, helped feed the animals, and ate lunch on the farm. It was a wonderful day of sharing our farm with our community.
Baby Blue Hubbard Squash
Purple Cauliflower
Brussel Sprouts
Arugula
Lettuce
French Breakfast Radishes
Carrots
Sauce Tomatoes
Onion
Garlic
Cucumbers (larges)
The teachers from this class have become regulars on our farm, bringing students year after year. They know how important and influential it can be to show kids how food is grown and how great local food tastes. Some are shocked that broccoli doesn’t grow on trees! And some didn’t know potatoes come from under the ground. Others know every single crop, even brussel sprouts, because they help in their own gardens. The greatest satisfaction for us is when the students get to dig their own carrots, wash and eat it right in the field. They are generally shocked at how different a fresh carrot tastes versus store bought or the school provided “baby carrots.”
While planning this farm visit, the school asked about our tour fees. We kindly replied, “no fee at this time.” It important that our CSA members and market customers understand that our time spent as a learning farm is included in the cost of our products. We give many of our days back to our community as our contribution to the area, largely by educating our youth, but also hosting civic groups, making presentations at schools and clubs, donating transplants and seeds, helping plant community gardens, donating to food pantries and more. These are the things that make our farm a “community farm.” Thank you for enabling us to do this for our living.
Not only is it extremely important for our youth to understand where food comes from and feel a connection, but it is also incredibly rewarding for us to share our passion with others.
Grateful to be teaching in the field,
