Fall Planting 2016

As the season shifts from Summer to Fall, the temperatures are still high and we can only dream about cooler weather to come our way.  Even though the heat is up, t is time to plant our cool season crops, so all the kids dug in to plant kale, lettuce, swiss chard, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, greens, shallots and brussels sprouts. Our farm is a place where we work together, take turns, share and help each other out. Every time the kids come out, I see examples of this. Most times, lessons will connect to classroom content, but this week we were in the business of learning to work with each other and the soil, and it all kicked off with our 5th Annual Green Apple Day of Service. Over 100 people from our community, as well as the Metroplex came out to dig in.

After the workday, we got busy planting our crops.

 

Did you know that our 6th grade kids operate a small business? They grow and package specialty herbs that are sold at the Dallas Farmers Market. At the end of the week, the herbs are donated to a WIC food bank. This week some student interns learned about quality control and packaging.

At Round Up, we learned the names of our new chickens. Meet the girls!

Betty Jr.

 Vanilla

 Rosie

 Sassy

 Kylo Hen

 Luke Skywalker

Lola

The chickens bring the magic and the best in all of us!

Welcome Back To The Farm Week

Oh how the kiddos love their farm lesson each week! All classes came out to see what is growing and what we needed to do in preparation of planting next week. Many class beds were empty, except for the nutgrass, which tends to take over. The kids loved pulling them out, making sure to get the roots so that we don't have weed invaders when the crops take root.

 Since our bodies are made up of mostly water, we are promoting the health benefits of drinking water vs sugary beverages. All grades got a taste of okra and lemon basil water. Ask them how they liked it.

Kinder is learning about their senses of sight, smell, touch and taste.

First and Second grade friends took scientific notes from observations that they made.

Third grade is studying inherited traits, so we found parent plants and their offspring. We learned about various types of seed dispersal (wind, water, animals) as well.

Fourth grade is studying weathering and erosion. Ask them about the "Erosion Tree" and take a look at it next time you are on the playground. Check out the slope and path of least resistance that caused this to happen.

Fifth grade connected map skills and sense of place by making a human map of the world. See if they can point out directionality (North - South - East - West) from your home. Remind them to consider the direction that our school faces and see if they can apply that. Ask them about "Never Eat Soggy Waffles" (the way to remember the order of directions going clock wise). Sense of place is an important lifeskill.

Sixth grade learned about the herb business that they inherited from the kids who launched it last year. We have actually turned a profit in the first 6 months of doing business. If you are at the Dallas Farmers Market, you can check out our specialty herbs at Market Provisions. They have  a booth outside in the Shed, as well as a storefront inside the Market building. The herbs that don't get sold are donated to the WIC program for low income families to enjoy farm fresh herbs too.

We also held our fist Growing With Gardeners, where our beloved Master Gardeners shared their garden know-how with interested parents. Be on the lookout for these fun monthly events that happen right after drop off. Child care is available with Farmer Kim activities.

This is going to be a great year of learning and making life long connections on the farm. E I E I O..,