Great Kids Farm continues the long heritage of the farm site as a place where young people prepare for successful and meaningful working lives.

In summer 2009, the farm co-managed an agro-hospitality work and career preparation program for more than 50 Baltimore students. Participants engaged in the hands-on work of growing, harvesting and marketing food crops, and developed career-oriented soft skills.

Great Kids Farm is now preparing to become an official site for City Schools’ Learning to Work program and its agricultural education program.

City Schools’ Learning to Work Program

Baltimore City Public Schools’ Learning to Work is a career technology education (CTE) program designed to keep students connected with the educational pipeline by helping them develop the necessary skills to complete high school, pursue post-secondary options and, ultimately, succeed in the 21st Century global economy. Among the newest CTE clusters available to students through City Schools’ Learning to Work program are those related to agricultural education. These clusters include:

Agricultural Education Career Cluster

The agricultural sector is a highly competitive global industry creating new challenges in identifying global and domestic markets; improving business planning, financing, risk management, and productivity; and reducing costs. Agricultural education at Great Kids Farm will prepare students for successful careers and a lifetime of informed choices in the global agriculture, food, fiber and natural resources systems. Through agricultural education, students are provided opportunities for leadership development, personal growth and career success. Great Kids Farm serves as a mobile classroom for students enrolled in the program, by exposing them to agricultural sustainability and organic farming. Students use Great Kids Farm to learn about all facets of plant and animal production.

Horticultural Services: Certified Professional Horticulturalist

This program is based on requirements for the Certified Professional Horticulturist (CPH) certification used by the Maryland “Green Industry.” In partnership with the Maryland Nursery and Landscape Association, CPH students complete a sequence of courses including: Introduction to Environmental/Plant/Animal Science, Foundations of Horticulture, Plant Production, and Landscape Design and Management. Students have the opportunity to earn the CPH industry certification and/or college credit through dual enrollment and articulation agreements with local institutions of higher education.

Environmental Science Cluster

This program is currently under development. This program applies biological, chemical and physical principles to the study of the physical environment and the solution of environmental challenges, including: abating or controlling environmental pollution and degradation; the interaction between human society and the natural environment; and natural resource management. Students will also have the opportunity to earn college credit through articulation agreements with Maryland institutions of higher education.

 Natural Resources Management Cluster

This program is currently under development and will focus on the study of and activities related to the natural environment and its conservation, use and improvement. Students will learn the principles of environmental science and natural resources management in areas such as climate, air, soil, water, land, fish and wildlife, and plant resources. Students will also gain an understanding of the recreational and economic uses of renewable and non-renewable natural resources. And they will have the opportunity to earn college credit through articulation agreements with Maryland institutions of higher education.

For more information about City Schools’ career programs related to sustainable food production, visit or call the Office of Learning to Work at 410-396-8733.