Greetings from the Farm - Farm Blog #1
Greetings from the farm! It finally feels like fall, and the on behalf of the student farm crew, I would like to update you on some happenings thus far.
During the first quarter, each Upper Elementary student came to the farm one day each week for a few hours. We explored the farm, rain or shine, ate together, and of course, got some work done. The students have begun to acclimate their minds and bodies to farm tasks which is not an easy thing. They have started to get used to the feel of dirt and mud on their hands; insects flying around and landing on them; snake, frog, and spider sightings; as well as woodpeckers and hawks.
We have sweated in 90 degree heat and relished in cool rain. We have hoed, shoveled, raked, wheelbarrowed, planted, watered, harvested, and processed. We have built 12 garden beds, 75 feet long, in which kale, swiss chard, spinach, bok choi, lettuce, carrots, beets, turnips, and radishes are growing. Student farmers set 27 cedar posts that are 8 feet tall around the garden for a deer fence. We use real tools and have learned the responsibility and care that comes with that task.
We are working on perseverance and strength of mind and body to stick with repetitive tasks and not hop from one thing to another when something gets “boring.” We are learning that our work impacts others and if some do not make the effort, others have to pick up the slack. The students are starting to become invested in the farm and they hold each other accountable. We are learning how to produce food with our hands, and doing it as a team is fun!
During the first quarter, each Upper Elementary student came to the farm one day each week for a few hours. We explored the farm, rain or shine, ate together, and of course, got some work done. The students have begun to acclimate their minds and bodies to farm tasks which is not an easy thing. They have started to get used to the feel of dirt and mud on their hands; insects flying around and landing on them; snake, frog, and spider sightings; as well as woodpeckers and hawks.
We have sweated in 90 degree heat and relished in cool rain. We have hoed, shoveled, raked, wheelbarrowed, planted, watered, harvested, and processed. We have built 12 garden beds, 75 feet long, in which kale, swiss chard, spinach, bok choi, lettuce, carrots, beets, turnips, and radishes are growing. Student farmers set 27 cedar posts that are 8 feet tall around the garden for a deer fence. We use real tools and have learned the responsibility and care that comes with that task.
We are working on perseverance and strength of mind and body to stick with repetitive tasks and not hop from one thing to another when something gets “boring.” We are learning that our work impacts others and if some do not make the effort, others have to pick up the slack. The students are starting to become invested in the farm and they hold each other accountable. We are learning how to produce food with our hands, and doing it as a team is fun!
My favorite thing is when I set a group to a task, and the students rearrange themselves and get the task done in their own way that I could not have prescribed. I believe that as the farm grows and becomes more diverse, there will be something to fulfill each student’s interest underneath the overall goal of finding one’s place in the natural world. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know each of the children and am excited to work with them as we transition to fall and winter on the farm!
David Cloniger
Farm Manager
David Cloniger
Farm Manager
Thank you David! What a wonderful and fulfilling experience to watch something grow from seed to harvest and then to our tables. We value and appreciate your and the UE student's hard work!
ReplyDeleteThank you David. So glad Abintra and you are taking this on. We appreciate y'all!
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