Learn & Grow

Dear Teachers:

As you plan activities for your students this summer or fall, we hope you will consider Sullivan Farm as a destination. Sullivan Farm is a “working farm.” During the season the farm crew is harvesting the vegetables they cared for all year. Visitors may see workers picking the vegetables and bringing them to farm stand for sale, tractors cutting, raking or bailing hay, and many other types of farming equipment and activities. Amidst all these exciting activities, we encourage schools or community groups to come for a visit. All tours are tailored to the age and interest of the group. A variety of educational themes are available. Tours run from May through October unless otherwise specified.

• Each tour and activity is approximately two and a half hours long.
• The farm stand is open during each tour providing an opportunity to purchase some of our locally/naturally grown products.
• Each tour can be tailored to meet the ages of children in your group.

FARM TOURS:

Know where your food comes from, how it grows and Connecticut’s rich farming history. Tour the vegetable garden, visit the sugar house and the blacksmith shop, and learn about farming equipment. Visit the farm stand where all natural vegetables, jams, jellies, syrup etc… are sold.

Each student will plant herb seeds in a cup to bring home.

And

Choose one of the following hands on activities for your group to participate in
Chicks and Salsa
After listening to the book Chicks and Salsa by Neil Numberman, the children will harvest tomatoes, onions, peppers, parsley and garlic form the garden. They will then make their own Salsa to enjoy in the garden.

Harvesting/Tasting
The children will be able to taste tomatoes, squash, peppers, beans and cucumbers after harvesting them form the garden.

Tops and Bottoms
Children will learn the parts of a plant, from roots to flower. Followed by a reading of Tops and Bottoms by Janet Stevens.

Worm Composting
After listening to Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin and learning about worm composting the children will be able to place their scraps from lunch and snack into the worm bin.

The Importance of Buying Locally/Naturally Grown Foods
Students will learn the importance of buying locally/naturally grown produce and the effect it has on their health, the environment and the local economy.

Colonial Games
Rolling hoop, jacks, checkers, nine pins, Graces and hopscotch.

Potato Extravaganza
One of the most enjoyable tasks for a child in a vegetable garden is digging up the potatoes by hand. The children will dig up a row of potatoes. (Limited Time, Summer tours only)

Planting
Planting is done all season in the garden. The children will help plant cucumbers, squash lettuce or beans. (Limited Time, Summer Tours only)

Butter Making
While listening to the story The Butter Battle Book by Dr. Seuss The children will make butter from scratch to enjoy on crackers.

Ice Cream Making
While listening to Ice Cream by Alicia Cooper, the children will be able to make their very own ice cream from scratch.

Composting
A discussion on the importance of composting and how a compost pile helps the soil and the environment. Children will bring scraps from lunch and home to place in the compost tumbler.

Maple Syrup Tours
Learn about the history of Maple Syrup. Listen to facts and folklore as you travel through time and experience how syrup was made in colonial times, the Civil War period, and the present day. (Limited time, End of February through March)

Please contact Diane if you are interested in participating in the Learn and Grow Program 354-0047.