Venetucci Farm's spring classes begin April 13. The 5-week classes meet from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The cost is $4 per student. To register, call David Rudin at 389-1251, x 112.

In Saving Seeds, kids will learn about seed anatomy, germination and dispersal and planting.
Children in kindergarten through second grade will explore the concept that seeds contain different parts vital to the young plant, that seeds have different strategies and a reason to move fro place to place, that seeds need basic conditions to germinate and that saving seeds helps preserve rare vegetables.

Kids in 3rd through 5th grade will explore the concepts that seeds contain within them the blueprint for the grown plant and that saving seeds is crucial in preserving genetic diversity.

In The Living Soil, students will learn that soil is far more than lifeless dirt.Through a mix of stories, experiments and explorations, including digging in the dirt in search of subterranean creatures, students will
learn about the very ground beneath our feet.

Kindergarten through second-grade students will explore the concept that soil is made up of different kinds and sizes of particles; that soil has both living and non-living elements; plants get nutrients and water from the soil and that worms help aerate and fertilize the soil; that composting helps return nutrients to the soil.

Grades 3 through 5 will explore how humus is a key component of soil and that top soil is an essential natural resource that takes a long time to create and a short time to lose.

Farm Animals, Caring for Our Heritage

Students will learn that farm animals can become endangered just like wild animals.
Students will also learn to identify different breeds of livestock
and help care for them during their visit. They will learn about the
important role animals play on a healthy, diversified farm.

Children in grade kindergarten through second grade will learn that animals have more than one job on a farm, that animals have certain instincts and needs (chickens want to scratch and roost.); caring for animals is a lot of work and that much of our food comes from animals, directly or indirectly.
3rd-5th grade students will explore what "Heritage Breeds" are and why they are important; sustainable versus industrial farming; humane animal treatment; how animals contribute to the health of the soil; what the role of animals is in turning solar energy into food and fertilizer; what advantages animals provide over tractors.

Good Bugs, Bad Bugs, Beyond Bugs
A hands-on exploration of the many creepy crawlies that live on our farm. Students will catch, identify and learn the life history of a variety of farmer’s pests and friends.

Concepts explored by children in kindergarten through second grade will include how arthropods have certain characteristics, that there are 5 groups of arthropods, that some arthropods help farmers and some are harmful and how Venetucci Farms tries to reach a balance between the two without using chemicals.

Kids in grades 3 through 5 will explore what the “pesticide treadmill” is and how it affects farming practices, the common orders of insects and an introduction to Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

Farm Tours is an interactive educational exploration
of Venetucci farm. The tour can be an overview
of the entire farm or a more in depth exploration of one particular aspect.
Tours can be
tailored to fit a specific curriculum need and each tour is adapted to the age
and interest of students and teachers. Tours are open to groups of all ages. All tours include hands-on experiential
activities, which vary with the seasons.

Requirements:

All classes have a 10 student minimum requirement. Teachers and chaperones are encouraged to attend and are not charged an attendance fee. Suggested ratio is 1 adult per 5 students (Counting the classroom teacher and 1 staff from Venetucci). All classes are held outdoors. Please dress for the weather and have students bring water bottles, sunscreen and closed toe shoes. Students might also need warm clothes and rain jackets.