We offer Harvest Meal field trips for 3rd-5th grade students. 

For Preschool-2nd grade students we offer Fall Pumpkin Harvest and Spring Exploration field trips.

What to Expect on the Farm

In preparation for your upcoming visit we ask that you read through this information carefully.

Rogue Valley Farm to School coordinates with local farms to allow students to visit a working farm. We have agreements with each site that must be honored to ensure continued program availability. These guidelines have been developed with the safety of the children and the farmer’s crops in mind. We will review the following rules required of each visitor to all of our farm sites when your class arrives. They are:

  1. Watch where you step - even the smallest foot can damage seedlings and irrigation tubing.

  2. Ask before you pick anything - children will have the opportunity to harvest, but need to wait for instruction.

  3. Stay with your group - sometimes activities are spread out over a large area and we don’t want anyone getting lost.

  4. Respect the people, the farm and the food - tools are to be used with care and for their intended purpose. The produce is to be eaten and should be treated gently.

  5. Pack it in, pack it out - We encourage you to bring healthy snacks that can be composted at the farm, however if you do bring snacks in plastic packaging, please make sure you and your students are prepared to take any trash away. You may want to bring a trash bag to accommodate any waste you will need to bring back to the school.

Sample Harvest Meal Schedule:

9:30-9:45 Welcome, Orientation

Split into Groups

9:45-10:20 Session 1

10:25-10:45 SNACK BREAK

10:50-11:25 Session 2

11:30-12:05 Session 3

12:10-1:00 LUNCH. Clean-up. Good-bye.

 

Sample Pumpkin harvest/spring exploration Schedule (90 minutes):

Welcome, Orientation: 10 minutes

Rotation 1: 20 minutes

Snack break: 10 minutes

Rotation 2: 20 minutes

Seed tape activity/closing: 30 minutes

Come prepared

Small Groups with Assigned Parent or Teacher Leaders

  • Chaperones are appreciated - please limit to 3-5 adult chaperones so that we can feed everyone a farm-fresh lunch

  • Have students divided into even groups before you arrive (3 groups for Harvest Meals, 2 groups for Spring Exploration/Pumpkin Harvest field trips)

  • Please provide name tags for each of your students, having them color coded by group is helpful

  • Make sure you have a signed permission form for each student (if you are visiting The Farm at SOU, adult waivers are also required for teachers and chaperones)

What to Bring

  • Attire: weather-appropriate clothing, dress in layers, sturdy shoes or boots (closed-toed shoes are required)

  • Snack (lunch will be provided at Harvest Meals)

  • Water bottles

If you have any questions or concerns about your field trip, don't hesitate to contact us!