Farm to School Field Trip Guide for EISD Farm Field Trip Tips

Farm to School Field Trip Guide for EISD
This guide provides a brief outline of farms in the Elgin area that offer
educational farm field trips for students. As part of USDA’s Farm to
School Planning grant received by EISD, there are funds secured to
provide all the resources necessary for your class to take part in these
field trips. This is a fantastic opportunity for you and your students to
learn on farms in the outdoors, engaging with nature and food that is
sure to create excitement among your students. There will be ample
opportunity to work with STEM subjects (like calculating crop yields by
row and field), learn with their five senses, and meet a farmer right in
their own community.
Each farm listed provides different experiential and educational opportunities for your students. Some
focus on fruit and vegetable production, others on animals; some can facilitate 100+ students, other 30
students; some require more chaperones, while others do not. This guide will help you figure out which
farm field trip will be best for you and your students. Each farm has contact information – please feel
free to contact these farms directly to setup your field trip.
Farm Field Trip Tips
Remember, this is a farm field trip! As such, there are special considerations to keep in mind before you
and your students trek out to the farm:
-
Students and chaperone’s should wear appropriate clothing (closed toe shoes, hats, long
sleeves/pants, and other precautions against thorns, fire ants, etc.)
-
Farms do not assume any liability for accidents or injury. Please ensure that all students bring
back their permission slip signed by their legal guardians.
-
Students should bring their own water and snacks. If you are going closer to summer months, it
is very important that students remember to stay hydrated.
-
Most farms will allow a lunch hour during the field trip. If you and your students are interested
in this, be sure to confirm this with your farmer when you book the field trip, and be sure
students know to bring a sack lunch for that day.
-
Consider bringing sun screen for students who have sensitivities to sun exposure.
ACC Elgin Student Farm
About the farm
Sustainable agriculture is the ecological choice of the future as farmers strive toward the necessary
sound land stewardship that will protect the food supply for future generations. Austin Community
College is proud to offer a variety of courses through our Elgin Campus for students eager to obtain
training in organic food production methods and agricultural business skills.
Students will tour the fields in cover crop and greenhouse , we are a beginning farm just getting started.
Our farm will be ready for field trips after May 2016.
Main Contact
Evelyn Rosas, ACC Sustainable Agriculture Program Coordinator
[email protected]
512-223-9466
Address
1501 US-290
Elgin, TX 78621
Website
http://continue.austincc.edu/agriculture
Details
Adequate bathroom facilities? Yes
Adequate space for 50’ buses? Yes, multiple
Maximum student capacity: 200
Minimum students: 10
Ideal Student to Chaperone ratio: 10 – 1
Price per student: $5
Grades served: 6 and up
Bernhardt's Fruit and Vegetable Farm
About the farm
See seasonal vegetables growing in the fields on our 3 acre farm. Students will experience what it's like
to harvest on the farm if weather permits, as well as a general farm tour of a diversified fruit and
vegetable operation. Students will also have the chance to interact with chickens and friendly farm dogs.
Main Contact
Alex and Donna Bernhardt
[email protected]
512-791-8404
Address
Bernhardt Farm
2656 fm-1704
Elgin, TX 78621
Website
https://www.facebook.com/bernhardts.farm
Details
Adequate bathroom facilities? Yes
Adequate space for 50’ buses? Yes, 2 max
Maximum student capacity: 75
Minimum students: 10
Ideal Student to Chaperone ratio: 10 – 1
Price per student: $7.50
Grades served: K-12
Coyote Creek Farm
About the farm
A visit to Coyote Creek includes a tour of our organic feed mill and a visit with our pasture-raised
chickens who live in our certified organic pastures. Tour topics include sustainable and organic
agriculture, pasture-based farming, and soil health among many other topics.
Visitors to the farm need to dress appropriately - closed-toe shoes, preferably boots, are required. Food
and drinks (other than water) are not permitted. We have one bathroom but hope to have more in the
coming year.
Main Contact
Emily Erickson, Community Relations and Sales Manager
[email protected]
(512) 285-2556
Address
13817 Klaus Lane
Elgin, Texas 78621
Website
http://coyotecreekfarm.org/
Details
Adequate bathroom facilities? No
Adequate space for 50’ buses? Yes
Maximum student capacity: 50
Minimum students: 10
Ideal Student to Chaperone ratio: 10:1
Price per student: $5 / student
Grades served: K - 12
Crowe’s Nest Farm
About the farm
Crowe's Nest Farm Animal Life Center is a 501(c)3 private, non-profit educational organization dedicated
to fostering public appreciation, knowledge, and wise stewardship of both the agricultural and wildlife
resources of Texas. We strive to cultivate a conservation ethic in students, teachers, and the general
public through hands-on interaction with the wildlife and habitats found on our 100-acre working farm.
We are licensed by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service.
Main Contact
Dave Williams
[email protected]
512.272.4418
Address
Crowe’s Nest Farm
10300 Taylor Lane
Manor, TX 78653
Website
http://www.crowesnestfarm.org/
Details
Adequate bathroom facilities? Yes
Adequate space for 50’ buses? Yes
Maximum student capacity: 160
Minimum students: 40
Ideal Student to Chaperone ratio: Any ratio is fine
Price per student: $6
Grades served: pre K - 12
Farmshare Austin
About the farm
If you are looking for an opportunity to learn more about organic agriculture with an educational group
we would love to host you at Farmshare! We can develop activities and experiences for a wide range of
ages, abilities, and interests. Field trips are typically three or four hours in the morning with groups of up
to 20 students. The day may include a tour, experience in the fields harvesting, trying farm fresh
vegetables, a specialized age-appropriate lesson or activity, and picnic lunch in the orchard. Field trips
are $10 a student and chaperons over the age of 20 are free. More information is available at:
http://farmshareaustin.org/field-trips-and-retreats/
Main Contact
Taylor Cook
[email protected]
817-896-7618
Address
Farmshare Austin
3608 River Road
Cedar Creek, TX 78612
Website
http://farmshareaustin.org/
Details
Adequate bathroom facilities? Yes
Adequate space for 50’ buses? Yes
Maximum student capacity: 25
Minimum students: 1
Ideal Student to Chaperone ratio: 5/1 – 10/1
Price per student: $10
Grades served: all ages welcome
Green Gate Farms
About the farm
No matter the age of your students, the Farm Educators at Green Gate Farms' New Farm Institute can
work with you to create appropriate lessons and activities on the farm to engage and excite your class.
Here at the farm, there are unlimited ways to get your students involved while meeting your learning
objectives. The lessons your students learn while on the farm are transferrable across subjects and
curricula, and can be expanded upon back at school. From individual campers to classrooms to
extracurricular organizations, we welcome student groups of all types and sizes. Call us to plan the
perfect farm experience for your children, students, or club members.
Main Contact
Michele Hockett Cooper
[email protected]
512-484-2746
Address
Green Gate Farms
8310 Canoga Ave
Austin, TX 78723
Website
http://greengatefarms.net/ ; http://newfarminstitute.org/
Details
Adequate bathroom facilities? Yes
Adequate space for 50’ buses? Yes
Maximum student capacity: 150
Minimum students: 10
Ideal Student to Chaperone ratio: 10/1
Price per student: $10
Grades served: pre K - 12
Millberg Farm
About the farm
26 year Certified Organic farm diversified with fruit trees, vegetables and native vegetation on 5 acres.
Easy to walk and see only heirloom veggies in various stages of growth some for harvest others seed
saving. Very unique habitat that utilizes woodchips for growing and pathway material. Easy to find, 1
mile off I-35.
Main Contact
Tim Miller, Owner
[email protected]
512-667-0776
Address
737 Opal
Kyle, TX 78640
Website
http://www.localharvest.org/millbergfarm-M8987
Details
Adequate bathroom facilities? Yes
Adequate space for 50’ buses? Yes
Maximum student capacity: 40
Minimum students: 15
Ideal Student to Chaperone ratio: 10:1
Price per student: $3 / student
Grades served: 5 grade – 12 grade
Skinny Lane Farms
About the farm
Students will see a working vegetable farm with goats, pigs, chickens, turkey's and a donkey. Field trip
includes a tour of greenhouses, fields, work buildings, barn and visit with the animals. Bring your own
food/drinks/blankets and you can have a picnic lunch on the property. Remember, this is a working
farm. Appropriate clothing (closed toe shoes, hats, long sleeves/pants, and other precautions against
thorns, fire ants, etc.) Farm does not assume any liability for accidents/injury.
Main Contact
Bekki Callaway
[email protected]
512-626-0826
Address
Skinny Lane Farms
12029 Pecangate Way
Manor, TX 78767
Website
www.skinnylanefarm.com
Details
Adequate bathroom facilities? Yes
Adequate space for 50’ buses? Yes
Maximum student capacity: 30
Minimum students: 10
Ideal Student to Chaperone ratio: 10/1
Price per student: $5
Grades served: pre K - 12
Sustainable Food Center’s Teaching Garden
About the farm
The J.P.’s Peace, Love, and Happiness Foundation Teaching Garden is SFC's site for gardening classes,
school and summer camp field trips, volunteer work days, group tours, and drop-in visits. Located
adjacent to SFC, the Teaching Garden demonstrates sustainable food gardening techniques that are well
suited to Central Texas' semi-arid climate. The Teaching Garden is cultivated using water conservation
techniques such as drip irrigation, ollas, and rainwater catchment cisterns. Visitors can also learn ways
to maximize small spaces and use companion planting techniques. Produce harvested from the Teaching
Garden is used in The Happy Kitchen/La Cocina Alegre® classes, sampled by visiting children and
volunteers, and donated to local food pantries. The Teaching Garden also includes a Children's Sensory
Garden where visitors can explore the garden using their five senses. In Spring of 2016, the Teaching
Garden will welcome honeybees into the garden with a teaching apiary where children and adults will
be able to learn about these amazing pollinators.
Main Contact
Liz Cardinal
Grow Local Teaching Garden Coordinator
[email protected]
512-220-1139
Address
Sustainable Food Center
2921 E 17th St Bldg C
Austin, TX 78702
Website
http://sustainablefoodcenter.org/program
s/grow-local/teaching-garden-tours-andfield-trips
Details
Adequate bathroom facilities? Yes
Adequate space for 50’ buses? Yes, 1 max
Maximum student capacity: 30
Minimum students: 10
Ideal Student to Chaperone ratio: 10/1
Price per student: $5
Grades served: pre K – 12
Urban Roots
About the farm
Urban Roots uses food and farming to transform the lives of young people and inspire, engage, and
nourish the community. Founded in 2007 as a program of YouthLaunch, Urban Roots has transitioned to
become an independent non-profit agency in the fall of 2011. Urban Roots operates a 3.5 acre urban
sustainable farm in East Austin.
Field trip activities include SEL informed and TEKS aligned activities and discussion focused on science,
health, and social studies areas, using parts of the farm to facilitate. 1 hour tour includes the above
experience, while a 1.5 hour tour adds hands on farm tasks (weeding, planting, thinning, harvesting,
etc.)
Main Contact
Ian Hunter-Crawford, Programs and Operations Director
[email protected]
512-750-8019
Address
4900 Gonzales St
Austin, TX 78702
Website
http://urbanrootsatx.org
Details
Adequate bathroom facilities? Yes
Adequate space for 50’ buses? Yes, multiple
Maximum student capacity: 60
Minimum students: 10
Ideal Student to Chaperone ratio: 10:1 (10 and older), 1:7 (9 or younger)
Price per student: $60 per group of 20 for 1 hour tour; $100 per group of 20 for a 1.5 hour tour
Grades served: K-12