We
have been hosting school groups, short and long term visitors, apprentices
and interns at Hill and Hollow Farm for the past 5 years. As former city
dwellers, parents, and farmers we recognize more and more the importance
of hands on garden or farm work for children, especially children growing
up in urban areas who might not have easy access to green space or direct
knowledge of how the food we eat is actually grown. Over the years we
have seen a steady increase in the number of parents, educators and students
interested in our farm and its programs. We are thrilled with the growing
awareness and are always working to further develop our capacity to host,
educate and share our farm.
The Rural Center, Inc. provided Hill and Hollow Farm just the support
it needed to expand this on farm curriculum. In 2004, the first year
Hill and Hollow Farm worked with The Rural Center, Inc. five different
school groups came to the farm for day trips or multi day overnight visits.
The on farm curriculum was further developed to accommodate a wider range
of student’s age, now ranging form 8 years old to 17 years old,
third grade through high school seniors. Student visitors were able to
work along side farmers and interns in a variety of farm chores including
seeding, transplanting, cultivating, mulching, harvesting, composting,
irrigating, and working with the biodynamic preparations. All aspects
of animal husbandry were also introduced. Students, teachers and their
parent chaperones were delighted to walk through our woods, play in our
creeks and work in our fields during their on farm experience. Farm fresh
meals were shared to complete the farm visit.
To further enhance Hill and Hollow Farm’s ability to host school
groups, interns and families for farm visits and longer-term internships
and apprenticeships, The Rural Center, Inc. and Hill and Hollow Farm
worked together to construct a multi-use cabin. With two private rooms
and a large dormitory, “the cabin” was completed in late
spring of 2004, and was home to many short and long-term visitors during
the 2004-growing season.
We
have been hosting school groups, short and long term visitors, apprentices
and interns at Hill and Hollow Farm for the past 5 years. As former city
dwellers, parents, and farmers we recognize more and more the importance
of hands on garden or farm work for children, especially children growing
up in urban areas who might not have easy access to green space or direct
knowledge of how the food we eat is actually grown. Over the years we
have seen a steady increase in the number of parents, educators and students
interested in our farm and its programs. We are thrilled with the growing
awareness and are always working to further develop our capacity to host,
educate and share our farm.
The Rural Center, Inc. provided Hill and Hollow Farm just the support
it needed to expand this on farm curriculum. In 2004, the first year
Hill and Hollow Farm worked with The Rural Center, Inc. five different
school groups came to the farm for day trips or multi day overnight visits.
The on farm curriculum was further developed to accommodate a wider range
of student’s age, now ranging form 8 years old to 17 years old,
third grade through high school seniors. Student visitors were able to
work along side farmers and interns in a variety of farm chores including
seeding, transplanting, cultivating, mulching, harvesting, composting,
irrigating, and working with the biodynamic preparations. All aspects
of animal husbandry were also introduced. Students, teachers and their
parent chaperones were delighted to walk through our woods, play in our
creeks and work in our fields during their on farm experience. Farm fresh
meals were shared to complete the farm visit. 
To further enhance Hill and Hollow Farm’s ability to host school
groups, interns and families for farm visits and longer-term internships
and apprenticeships, The Rural Center, Inc. and Hill and Hollow Farm
worked together to construct a multi-use cabin. With two private rooms
and a large dormitory, “the cabin” was completed in late
spring of 2004, and was home to many short and long-term visitors during
the 2004-growing season.