In the Farm to School world, the word connect is used extensively when discussing people, food and land. The National Farm to School Network says that
Farm to school enriches the connection communities have with fresh, healthy food and local food producers by changing food purchasing and education practices at schools and preschools.
Just last week over on the Somerville Farm to School blog, I wrote about increasing connections to real food: the places where it’s grown, and the people who produce and share it. I suggested visiting a farm, shopping at a farmers’ market and attending a food event.
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All of those things you can do in one day. But if you are wondering how you can dig deeper to experience an authentic working farm, then here are some ideas for you. Do you have a toddler? Did you know you can send them to preschool on a farm? Are you the parent of a middle school or high school student? There are opportunities for them too! Are you interested in learning about farming as a profession? You can apprentice on a farm to get growing experience, technical knowledge and business planning assistance. All are things I want to do RIGHT NOW, as an ADULT!
A quick search for educational farms in Massachusetts, results in a very long list of opportunities including the following local organizations Drumlin Farm Preschool, Red Gate Farm, The Food Project, New Entry Sustainable Farming Project, and The Farm School, each one with their own specific mission and set of programs. Every single one using the word, you guessed it, connect to describe what they do.
What does each organization connect you to?
Drumlin Farm “encourages emotional connections to the land,” while at Red Gate Farm they connect “children and farming.” The Food Project provides jobs to young people so they can develop “personal connections to the food system and issues of food justice.” New Entry connects “emerging incubator farm projects across the country to resources, best practices, and technical assistance.” And last, but certainly not least, The Farm School connects “people to the land.”
Working with a wide range of ages, The Farm School inspires the next generation of farmers, from children with a particular interest in agriculture and a love of the land to adults interested in farming professionally. They teach aspiring growers “the myriad of skills needed to operate an economically viable small farm” including crop planning, managing soil fertility and health, greenhouse propagation, row crop production, pest, weed and disease control, extending the harvest, small fruit and orchard production, homesteading, food preservation, beekeeping, fiber arts, dairy transformation and cheese making, animal husbandry, forestry, carpentry, engine mechanics and equipment maintenance, tractor use, welding and cutting, hand tool use, timber framing, business planning and marketing skills, acquiring farm land, and legal and regulatory considerations.
Where do I sign up?
But I keep coming back to that phrase, “connecting people to the land.” It can be interpreted in many different ways.
The Farm School connects people to…
…healthful food, grown in living soil created by diverse crop production and rotation.
…responsible farmers, who care for the well-being of people, animals, soil and water.
…knowledge so that children, youth and adults can continue to educate themselves, learn new skills, and constantly question how to create an inclusive, sustainable food system.
Are you wondering how you can connect with The Farm School to support their work?
Send your child to attend one or two of their programs.
Attend one of their programs yourself.
Become a shareholder in their CSA program.
Support them with a donation,
Or simply, start a conversation with them at the Boston Local Food Festival.
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