Student Farm Tours
One of the things we love the most here at Crown Hill Farm is to share what we do with others…. especially KIDS!
Imagine bringing your kids to a farm where they can see farm animals, learn about how food is grown and ask all the questions they’re wondering. That’s what we welcome here at Crown Hill. Of course,virtual visits can happen also— and that doesn’t stop the curiosity or fun!
These days, most kids know that food comes from a grocery store and rarely understand what it takes to put food in their lunchboxes. When someone is engaged in learning an activity (such as gardening or cooking) they are then more committed to utilize that knowledge in the future. It’s been shown that farm-to-school programs improve knowledge around food literacy, health and nutrition leading to triple the consumption of fruits and vegetables by kids. I just love when a kid I first met during a farm-to-school program excitedly runs up to my table at the market telling their parents about the food and where it came from. This enthusiasm leads to kids who choose a larger diversity of foods to eat and thus a healthier person in the long run.
We farmers like to say that we are also electricians, botanists, veterinarians, plumbers, builders, chemists and everything else! That means that we can work almost any topic relevant to your students into our farm tours for your class. For example,
a 1st grade class doing projects on animals getting to learn about our baby animals in spring
2nd & 3rd graders studying basic economics learning through the farm about producers, consumers and distributors
Kindergarteners learning that wool comes from sheep and some flowers can be edible
Elementary school kids understanding the life-cycle of chickens and eggs (which comes first?!)
Matching books read in class to farm-life here at Crown Hill, such as “Charlotte’s Web” and “Gwen the Rescue Hen”
3rd - 5th graders learning basic botany and how greenhouses use physics to help plants grow.
Our farm tours, currently offered virtually via Zoom, are custom designed for your students and their curriculum. We can incorporate into your tour anything from
animals,
economics,
sciences
reading,
art,
gardening,
cooking,
history
and more…
how it works
I’ll start with a quick introduction to myself and Crown Hill. Together, we’ll then walk around the property and see the relevant parts of our farm with your class— anything from the animals, gardens, greenhouses, kitchen or orchard. Along the way I’ll answer questions and follow your (the teacher’s) prompting and share relevant information.
At the end, we’ll leave room for more Q&A from the kids, which they and I really love! I’m always amazed at the fascinating questions your kids ask me and if allowed, I think they’d go all day! Many teachers have then used our field trip as an opportunity to practice writing or storytelling afterwards by having the kids write about what they learned.
Would you like to know more, or schedule a tour?
**PS: If you are not a school and have another group of kids (or family) you’d like to organize a tour… ABSOLUTELY inquire and tell me the details. We’d love to host you!
We had such a wonderful experience…
“Farmer Missy Singer DuMars has an incredible heart, passion for farming and gifts of learning to share. Last year, Missy from Crown Hill agreed to be one of our Friday Farmers in Hamburg Schools to visit with and read to students a farm connection story. It was such a treat for students and teachers at Union Pleasant Elementary School. Missy shared the story, Gwen The Rescue Hen by Leslie Crawford and brought her own sweet hen, Gwen for the children to meet. They loved it! Missy shared various size eggs with students as well as answering many smart questions about chickens and being a farmer. We had such a wonderful experience with Missy and Crown Hill and look forward to making future farm connections with students and Crown Hill Farm.”
Tricia Miller
Farm to School Coordinator
Hamburg Central Schools
Explained in terms that kids could easily understand…
“Since we began teaching through Zoom with the Covid-19 pandemic last spring, Missy has led two virtual field trips for my 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade classes. Missy is fantastic with children. She explained in terms that kids could easily understand as she gave us a tour of her farm. She would often check with the kids for understanding of vocabulary and to maintain their engagement. In the spring, we were fortunate to see chicks on her farm. She kindly let my class name one of the chicks and she sent regular updates and photos of the chick’s growth. I really appreciate how Missy was able to make a connection with the students. I highly recommend Missy and Crown Hill Farm for in-person and virtual field trips!”
Grace Kee
Teacher
Discovery Charter School
has a knack for engaging elementary aged students…
“Missy took our students on a virtual tour of Crown Hill Farm and they had a blast! She walked around her farm (holding her phone and using Zoom), showing the kids all her animals, answering questions, and engaging with everyone. She is super knowledgeable about the workings of the farm, the animals, and everything she grows. The property is also very beautiful. The students thoroughly enjoyed this virtual tour. I think the best part of the tour was that fact that Missy is very enjoyable to chat with and has a warm personality. Additionally, she also has a knack for engaging elementary aged students. This was so much fun and the students and I are looking forward to visiting Missy and Crown Hill Farm in the spring!”
Jennifer Walrod
Director of Global Education
The Harker School