On field trips to Great Kids Farm, students work together to grow, prepare, savor and share sustainable, organic food. They tour the farm and participate in hands-on activities. Repeat visits allow students to experience the whole spectrum of food production from planting seeds to harvesting mature crops and using them to prepare healthy meals or snacks in the farm kitchen.

The farm is also fertile ground for an array of learning experiences in farming and ecology. Students who visit the farm learn about:

• The Farm’s 14 living systems and how they are interrelated to one another and to the environment.
• Decisions that farmers make in managing our crops have a direct impact on our 33-acre woods, stream and pond.
• How these choices further influence the whole watershed area and ultimately affect the health of the Chesapeake Bay.
• The value of organic, sustainable and ecologically-conscious approaches to food production.

Great Kids Farm is dedicated to supporting schools in their school-based garden and food education efforts, and field trips to the farm are a great way for school communities to start or improve their own programs in these areas. Teachers may choose from a variety of field trip lessons that implement state curriculum standards. In addition, farm staff can work with educators to design a field trip that meets their students’ needs. Please see list of possible field trip lessons.

Planning a Field Trip to Great Kids Farm

• Field trips can be designed for City Schools students in grades K-12.
• Programs can vary in length from an hour-and-a-half to a full half-day.
• Field trips are free for City Schools students. A $5 per-student fee is charged for groups from other school districts. There is no charge for teachers and chaperones.
• Many field trips can take place year-round, while some lessons can only be conducted during the growing season (spring-fall).
• Schools must provide their own transportation to the farm.

Please see field trip guidelines for more information. Click here for a list of schools that have visited Great Kids Farm.

For more information on field trips, contact the Farm’s Education Program Manager: info@greatkidsfarm.org.