Growing microgreens is an easy, inexpensive, and tasty way for students to learn about the plant cycle through hands-on activity and fast results. While working through the activity, ask these guiding questions: What do plants need to survive? What plant parts can you identify? What are their functions? How do plants change over time? What […]
Category: Farm to School
2021 Iowa Local Food Day
On October 13th, school districts, community centers, and private schools across the state participate in Iowa Local Food Day, a Farm to School initiative that brings food from local Iowa farmers to students throughout Iowa. Field to Family is honored and excited to once again procure delicious, healthy, local produce for kids across the state! […]
DIY Hydroponic Garden for Farm to School
A few years back, home daycare provider Anita Schaefer bought an “Aerogarden” with a Farm to ECE Grant. These indoor, hydroponic gardens are a great way to start seeds and grow things like herbs indoors, but they can be pricey. A colleague wondered aloud if there was a way to make a bigger, cheaper version […]
Farm to Early Care: Seed Starting Comparison Activity
Daycare provider Anita Schaefer loves bringing the garden into her at-home daycare. One of her favorite activities for little ones is a seed starting comparison activity. Kiddos as young as 18 months are able to plant seeds in cups of soil and watch them grow. Slightly older kids are able to guess which seeds will […]
Farm to Classroom Conversations
Invite local farmers into your classroom digitally! Each season, Field to Family prepares up to 3 local farmers to connect with classrooms in our area and share information about what’s happening on the farm. Contact [email protected] to arrange a digital visit. Browse our Farm to Classroom Resource Portal to learn more about bringing the farm […]
Farmer Fair Video Presentations
Farmer Fair Presentations Go Virtual These videos bring some of our favorite Farmer Fair presentations online! Show them in your classroom, send to students for at-home viewing or use as inspiration for virtual collaborations with local farmers. 7 minutes Recommended for Upper Elementary Join Farmer Susan on a virtual tour of Lucky Star Farm in […]
A Crash Course in Soil Science with Farmer Scott Koepke
<iframe width=”560″ height=”315″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/_qRlOV_QoIM” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture” allowfullscreen></iframe> Farmer Scott Koepke of Sugar Grove Farm gives a 14-minute crash course in all things soil in this high-pace video version of his regular Farmer Fair presentation. This project was possible because of a USDA Farm to School Grant awarded to Iowa […]
Lucky Star Farm
Join Farmer Susan on a virtual tour of Lucky Star Farm in Iowa City, Iowa to learn about the many animals her family raises! In this video version of her regular Farmer Fair presentation she introduces us to her chickens, turkeys, goats and llamas. Learn more about Lucky Star Farm at http://www.theluckystarfarm.com/. This project […]
Liberty High School Garden Tour
The Liberty High School Garden is wrapping up its second season, but it’s already a great example of what a school garden can be! Join coordinator Jenny and two of her students on a tour of the garden and hear what they have to say about the value of school gardening. Some of […]
Farm to School Month: Four At-Home Activities
October is Farm to School Month, and in a typical year, students would be getting an extra dose of edible education with Farmer Fairs, tasting events and other in-school experiences. Check out these at-home activity suggestions to help keep Farm to School learning alive and well no matter where school happens for your family this […]