School-To-Farm

The School-To-Farm Program offers farm-based educational opportunities for elementary aged students, adolescents with special needs, and urban youth. Summer camps for children, and programs for school groups are also offered through the School-To-Farm Program.Through hands-on experiences, children and adolescents are introduced to a wide variety of learning opportunities that help them to gain a deeper understanding of the world in which they live.

Farm animals play an important part in teaching children and young adults about many different aspects of farm life; whether milking the goats, feeding the chicks, or putting down fresh bedding for the piglets - such hands-on experiences enable children of all ages to develop an appreciation for the valuable role that animals play in supporting the sustainable life of a farm organism.

The Farm Apprenticeship Program for students ages 14-21
The Farm Apprenticeship Program is an alternative learning program offering students with exceptional needs the opportunity to learn practical and social skills through active participation in a farm setting. Each student's program is tailor-made to best address individual needs.

Under the instruction of the School-To-Farm Program Coordinator and teaching assistants, students and staff work as a team in carrying out daily responsibilities such as milking the goats, feeding the lambs, caring for the piglets and poultry, and working with the soil and plants. Academic work is supplemented with agricultural crafts activities, including basketry, candlemaking, carpentry and weaving.

Work activities take place at the Farm Center and elsewhere on the Hampshire campus, encouraging students to enhance both work and social skills development while fostering important interactions with the college community. Physical education activities include access to Hampshire College's swimming pool and sports facilities.

In accordance with students' IEP requirements, remedial and academic supports are provided for each student as needed through small group and individual tutoring. As a response to the Massachusetts Transition Initiative, this program provides links between the student's school years and supervised work environments.

"I like building animal housing and learning a lot about chickens. I like the people too."-- School-To-Farm student

Summer Day Camp Program: Caring for Animals on the Farm for children ages 6-12 years old
Set aside a fun-filled week in the summer for your child to explore the world of the farm and its animals. In this summer day camp children learn about the needs of different farm animals and how to take care of them, and explore the important relationship between animals on the farm and the health of the soil.

Why does a farm need animals? Many children today have little or no opportunity for actively learning about animals in a farm setting. In this summer program at the Hampshire College Farm Center, children are introduced to the importance of animals on a farm.

Through active hands-on participation, children learn how to care for the farm goats, pigs, lambs and poultry. Part of each day is spent with agricultural craft activities and swimming in the Hampshire College pool.

Caring for the Animals on the Farm is a program designed to teach children at an early age to love and respect the earth and its creatures.

To learn more about the Farm Apprenticeship Program, Caring for Animals on the Farm Summer Day Camp, or if you are interested in setting up a classroom visit, please contact Nicolette Robb at 413-559-5670, nrobb@hampshire.edu.