Farm Tour
Ages 3 and up (one 1 - 1½ hour session)
 |
 |
|
Objectives:
- To realize the farm and the farmer as the producer of food.
Materials:
- Transportation (if needed)
- Water bottles, sun hats and sunscreen
- Sneakers or other hiking shoes
- A camera
Set up:
Contact a local farm. Many farmers are willing to give tours of their operations. Ask what the children would be able to do while visiting (e.g. pick produce, pet the animals, look at tractors and equipment, explore barns, etc.) Think safety first and relay that information to the children.
Part One:
Introduce the children to the Farmer. Allow the Farmer to explain the farm activities, while encouraging children to ask questions.
Part Two:
If possible, have the children examine the planted plots, tractors and other machinery. Depending on the type of farm and season, apple, peach or other fruit and vegetable picking may be possible. Most children are curious about the tractors: how they work, what they’re used for, or if it be hooked up to other pieces of machinery to do specific jobs. Barns are great places to find many interesting pieces of farm equipment or animals.
Part Three:
A picnic lunch on the farm might also be a fun ending to the visit. Bring all the children together to discuss what they saw and did on the farm. Have them write a thank-you note to the farmer. Include their favorite parts of the trip. It will bring joy to both the children and the Farmer.
Questions to Ask:
- What crops are grown at the farm?
- What crops are being harvested today?
- Does the farmer just grow plants for people or do they also grow plants for their livestock?
- What does the word livestock mean?
- Do they produce any animal products?
- How does the produce get from the farm to the grocery store?
- Who puts it in those plastic wrappers?
- Do they think that being a farmer would be fun?
- Does it look like a lot of work?
