A Day on the Farm

A fun, farm-based educational visit, where families or other groups can have a hands-on experience of our Biodynamic farm. Choosing from the activities menu below, an itinerary is built upon your specific interests. A typical day can begin as early as 8:30 am and can last as long as six hours. Since we are a working farm, some of the activities are part of the farm’s natural rhythm and, therefore, follow specific timing.

First-time visitors must include the tour as part of their day. Also note that some activities are geared toward specific ages.

Activities

• Farm Tour: A personal, guided general tour of the farm that includes visiting the various farm animals, the barns and sheds, greenhouses, Creamery, Bakery, and Farm Store. 
• Farm to Table: From our farm gardens to the wild, there are many delicious things to harvest and use in a "you can cook" locavore lunch. This is a two-part activity where we first enter the vegetable garden to see how things grow and to pick vegetables and herbs that are ready to harvest. Then we bring our basket of produce into the Farm Learning Center kitchen where we cook, serve, and enjoy a meal together.
• Following the Herd: Observing the relationship between the cows and the pasture, as well as the social dynamic of the herd. Help the herdsman and apprentices bring in the cows for milking.
• Watching the Cow Parade: Observe how the herd interacts with one another as a group and individually as the cows travel to and from the barn. 
• Brushing and Milking a Cow: Join the cows in the milking parlor for an intimate, one-on-one experience. Grooming is a great way to get up close and personal with the cows. Then learn how to hand-milk a cow with one of our farm staff.
• Feeding the Pigs: Our passel of pigs provides a great service to the farm as the pigs recycle food waste from our various Artisan Food departments and our Organic Deli. Collect scraps from each of the Artisan Food departments and then feed the pigs.
• Small Animals – Chickens and Sheep.  Experience animal husbandry with one or more of our small farm animals.
• The Busy Life of Bees – A honeybee's relationship to the human and natural world creates a special role for bees on the farm. Get to know these social and cooperative insects by observing our hives. Beeswax modeling can be included in this activity.
• Farm Chores – The vegetables growing in our Biodynamic gardens require constant love and attention. Check in with the farmers and see how you can help our gardens grow.
• Traditional Craft – Clay modeling, beeswax candling, spinning, weaving, felting, using natural plant and vegetable dyes, jump rope making, basketry, and Ukrainian egg decorating are all possible crafts to choose from.
• In the Herbal Garden – Culinary and medicinal herbs are a significant part of farm life. Identify, taste, and work with the plants growing in our herb garden. Harvest and then use the plants to make an herbal product using traditional practices.
• Farm Tales – A special way to end your day on the farm! Our storyteller will share a delightful tale with a land, human, and/or animal twist. Storytelling can also be woven into a craft activity.

Each activity is $50.00 for a family or group of up to four people. Additional fees and/or discounts may apply depending on group size.

This program is available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and alternating Saturdays. Two weeks advance registration is strongly suggested. A 1/3 non-refundable deposit guarantees all bookings.

Who would enjoy a Day on the Farm? 

We have welcomed families on school breaks, Girl Scout troops, film makers, actors, home school groups, families from other Waldorf communities, and individuals who are interested in life on a working farm.

For more information, or to schedule a Day on the Farm, please email us.