Originally published in TEACH Magazine, September/October 2018 Issue
A farm field trip can be a great way to enjoy the fall season. Students can meet farmers, see how food grows, understand what kinds of food grow in their community, and engage in hands-on activities that can open their minds to new experiences. Here are a few farms across Canada to consider visiting this autumn.
Butterfield Acres
Calgary, AB
Located in Calgary, AB, Butterfield Acres offers programs that are child-centred and support curriculum objectives. Students can climb aboard one of the big wagons and take a gentle rolling ride in search of pumpkins. This visit includes pumpkin decorating and a farmyard visit with the animals.
Country Heritage Park
Milton, ON
Country Heritage Park offers curriculum-based programs that incorporate plenty of firsthand learning opportunities. Program topics include food literacy, history, outdoor education, sustainability, and the arts. Students can also explore biodiversity, food chains, habitats, and environmental conditions.
Fresh Roots
Vancouver, BC
Fresh Roots provides a fun field trip that supports the BC Curriculum. Their field trips include farm work experience, as well as a tasting of veggies. Grade 6 and 7 students can explore the evolution of crops through natural and unnatural selection, and the effects of climate on food. Students in Grades 4 and 5 can learn more about how a healthy environment, food, and people are connected.
Hunter Brothers
Florenceville-Bristol, NB
Hunter Brothers is a working farm that specializes in sweet corn production, along with potatoes, tomatoes, squash, pumpkins, and more. It offers activities including a corn maze, the Field of Fun, and a wagon ride.
Rounds Ranch
Barrie, ON
Rounds Ranch offers curriculum-connected tours for students of all ages. Activities include a pedal cart racetrack, zip-lines, slides, and barnyard boxcar rides.
Verger La Bonté
Perrot, QC
Take a class trip to Verger La Bonté in Perrot, Quebec! Packages include apple picking, pumpkin picking, and corn mazes. All packages include access to the playground, farmyard animals, and hayrides.
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