Apples and Apple Trees
Fall is harvest time on the farm. Students of all ages participate in the apple harvest. They take a hayride through the 20-acre apple orchard and pick apples. The lesson includes exploration of pollination, effects of seasonal changes on the apple tree, and the apple’s growth cycle from flower to fruit. Using a simple hand-cranked press, students make apple cider. After learning about pasteurization, students enjoy a glass of pasteurized cider.
PreK-COG 1; PHY 2; K.3 - A8; 2.2 – A19; 7.1 – C13.
Amazing Corn
Corn's history and versatility makes it a major agricultural crop. Students learn that corn and its by-products are in more than 3,000 items in our grocery stores, and in environmentally friendly plastics and fuel. In our outdoor corn classroom, students examine corn kernels and other parts of the corn plant. Student can wander through our corn maze.
PreK-COG 1; 1.2 - A13; 2.4 - A 23; 3.4 - B7.
Maple Syrup Program
Maple sap needs the winter cold. In this lesson students follow the maple sugaring process from sap to syrup. On a tour of our "sugar bush," stand of maple trees, students learn how to identify and tap maple trees. They observe changes in liquid when the frozen sap melts and they collect it in buckets. In the maple sugar house, they observe the sap boiling and see how the liquid turns to steam. Our working evaporator demonstrates how 40 gallons of sap are condensed into one gallon of syrup. Students make maple butter to take home. An extended lesson includes pancakes with maple syrup. Older students learn syrup grading. PreK-COG 1; COG 2; 2.1 - A18; 3.1 - B2; 6.2 - C4; 6.3 - C7
Farms Produce Food
In spring everything on the farm comes to life. Visitors explore food producing plants and animals. Working in our garden classroom, students plant their own seeds to take home, identify seed parts and discover what a seed needs in order to germinate and grow. The lesson can include: an awareness of the parts of a plant, germination, photosynthesis, and pollination.
In our animal barn, students participate in a hands-on interactive milking display and discuss the uses of farm dairy products. During their hayride through the 120 acres of gardens, pasture land, hayfields and orchard they are guided to listen and search for clues that show the plant-animal relationships on the farm. PreK-COG 1; COG 2; COG 12, 1.2 - A12, A13; 2.2 - A19, A20; 2.4 - A 23.
Summer on the Farm
Summer is an ideal time to visit the Farm. Students experience the full bounty of Connecticut farming by witnessing crop production in the apple orchards, hay fields, woodlands, pastures, corn field, flower and vegetable gardens, Christmas tree field and pumpkin patch.
They learn that the natural ingredients in ice cream are found on the farm. They make their own ice cream with a traditional hand-cranked freezer. During this hands-on activity, students witness the freezing process as liquid transforms into a cool, creamy treat. The students also cool off by enjoying their ice cream. PreK-COG 1; PHY 2; 2.1 - A18; 2.4 - A23; 3.1 - B2.
 Summer Academy June 28 - Aujgust 20
Farm Explorers
Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 1 students will explore animal and plant life on the farm from
barn and field to forest and stream. We will hike, take hayrides, do nature crafts, work in
the garden and more! Program runs from 9 a.m. - noon. $150 per week.
Ecoweek
Students from grade 2 to grade 6 will discover the ecological connections between all
living things in a variety of habitats. Come dressed to spend a lot of time outdoors! Program runs from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. $150 per week. Extended day option is available through 4 p.m.
for an additional $25 per day.
Animals
Students from grade 2 to grade 6 will work with Auerfarm animals and learn about local wildlife. We will investigate biodiversity as we learn about survival needs and animal care. Program runs from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. $150 per week. Extended day option is available through
4 p.m. for an additional $25 per day.
Art on the Farm
Students from grade 2 to grade 6 will use a variety of natural materials to create original artwork. Bring your creativity as we explore different mediums including clay, fiber, paint
and "found" objects. Program runs from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. $150 per week. Extended day
option is available through 4 p.m. for an additional $25 per day.
*Titles based on the USDA's web site
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