FARM-TO-COMMUNITY

Our farm can come to you!

Transportation can be a barrier for many schools, recreation centers, and care facilities. Bringing the farm to you overcomes this barrier, can be easily scheduled around testing or other activities, and is a great way for both children and adults with special needs to engage in farm-based learning.

Select from our list of programs below, which can be adapted to meet your learning needs and cater to any age group. These programs also serve as a great pre- or post- experience in conjunction with an on-site field trip or program at Gorman Heritage Farm.

Farm to Community programs can run from 25-60 minutes to fit your schedule
Programming is designed for groups of up to 30 participants. We can schedule back-to-back program sessions on the same day to accommodate large groups.
The cost for schools and non-profit organizations is $100 per program session. The cost for for-profit organizations is $125 per session.
There is an additional $0.75 per mile (roundtrip) fee for travel, starting from Gorman Heritage Farm.
Financial assistance for schools is available. Please fill out the financial assistance form below.

We are now booking Farm-To-Community programs for 2025! Fill out the Farm-to-Community Interest Form to begin planning your program.
Questions? Email education@gormanfarm.org or call at 513.399.9760.

Farm-to-Community Interest Form

Financial Assistance Application

FARM-TO-COMMUNITY PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS

These programs last between 25-60 minutes. They are a sample of the programming we can provide. Reach out for more information about customizing these programs for different ages and grades.

A Rabbit is a Mammal

Rabbits are mammals that share common characteristics with other mammals and have differences that make them an important part of a farm. This program will encourage participants to discover the natural history characteristics of mammals by meeting and examining a live rabbit. All living things have basic needs, including rabbits and humans. Using hands-on exploration and discussion, participants will learn how farmers provide for the needs of rabbits and the unique role of rabbits as farm animals. Participants will have the chance to pet one of our rabbit ambassadors.

Rabbit Families

Using live rabbits and hands-on activities, we will study the characteristics of mammals and other living organisms, including how offspring look like their parents and each other. We will discuss rabbit adaptations for surviving in the wild, and their behavioral traits which are learned through interactions with the environment. We will also discuss rabbits’ role on the farm and the products they provide for people. (The content covered in this program is recommended for 3rd grade and up. For questions on adapting this program for a younger audience, email education@gormanfarm.org)

A Chicken is a Bird

This program will encourage participants to discover the natural history characteristics of birds by meeting and examining a live chicken. Chickens are birds that share common characteristics with wild birds and have differences that help them provide food for people. All living things have basic needs, including chickens and humans. Using hands-on exploration and discussion, participants will learn how farmers provide for the needs of chickens and how chickens can provide food for humans in return.

The Chicken and the Egg

This program will encourage participants to discover the natural history characteristics of birds by meeting and examining a live chicken. This program will introduce participants to the life cycle of birds and the importance of eggs and chickens in our food system by dissecting chicken eggs. (Due to the dissection activity, this program is recommended for participants that are 3rd grade and up, however adaptations are possible. Email education@gormanfarm.org for questions)

Busy, Busy Bees

Honeybees are busy insects with a unique social structure that enables them to work collectively for their own benefit and that of humans. This program will encourage participants to discover how honeybees help make food for people in two important ways: honey production and pollination services. Participants will learn the parts of a hive and structure of a colony, act out the different jobs of a worker bee, learn about the work of a beekeeper, and finish the program on a sweet note by tasting some Gorman Heritage Farm honey.

Thank a Pollinator!

Over 150 food crops in the world depend on animal pollinators to reproduce. Some scientists estimate that we can thank a pollinator for one out of every three bites of food on our plates. This program will encourage participants to learn about different types of animal pollinators and the flowers they pollinate. Through flower dissection, participants will learn about the structure of a flower and how pollination works. We will learn about how to help conserve our local pollinators, so they can in turn continue to help make food for humans.

For the Love of Goats

Like all farm animals, goats have unique body structures that help them to survive. This program will encourage participants to learn about those characteristics and compare them to other animals. By meeting one of our Nigerian dwarf goats, participants will learn how farmers provide for the needs of goats, and how goats can provide milk or wool to us.

Dig into the World of Worms

Red wiggler worms can convert food waste into healthy soil, which is important to all terrestrial life and many forms of food production. In this program, participants will learn all about worms and the benefits they bring to making healthy soil. The compost cycle will be introduced, followed by a meet-and-greet with our Red Wiggler Worms.

Longer Term Classroom Experiences

Tower Garden Rental – $350

Rent a JuicePlus Tower Garden from Gorman Heritage Farm. You can grow food indoors any time of year! This program includes the loan of Tower Garden equipment, assistance with set-up, seeds, and check-ins. This program ends with a delicious Harvest Party with recipes using the food you grew!

This program includes:

Use of the Tower Garden for 6-8 weeks
All the supplies needed: seeds, rock wool substrate, minerals for the water, lights, pump, and timer
Delivery and set-up/tear-down
One-on-one instructions
Check in visit/educational activity partway through the rental period
Timely support via email or phone.
25-30 minute program on hydroponic gardening (on set up date)
Harvest Party with multiple recipes to choose from

I’m a Worm Farmer – $250

Create your very own vermicompost bin with the help of a GHF educator! We will provide all the materials, including worms. This program will encourage participants to watch the compost cycle in real time, learn how to care for Red Wiggler Worms, and understand the importance of healthy soil.