Fall Programs

September Special!

We’re excited to offer three special guided programs this September with a FREE corn maze add-on option! Book our Fall Farm Tour, Apple Cider Pressing or Compost programs this September for this special limited time offer and enjoy 15 minutes exploring the Amazing Maize Maze for FREE. Starting October 1, this experience can be added to your booking for an additional $3/person. Scroll down to learn more and book today.

Fall Farm Tour – available September only

PreK-5th grade: Fall at the Queens County Farm is bursting with activity! Come join us for this comprehensive outdoor tour which explores our food system, and the unique features of our historic, sustainable farm. Students learn which crops we are currently growing and harvesting, and how we integrate livestock into our farming practices and recycle food scraps into compost. Students will also have the opportunity to visit all of our diverse and friendly farm animals, and even feed the goats a snack.

6th-12th grade: This outdoor tour explores regenerative agriculture; learning about the farming techniques we utilize to close waste loops, build healthy soil, restore biodiversity, and provide nutritious food to our community, without the use of chemical agents. Additionally, students will be introduced to our livestock, gaining knowledge of holistic planned grazing and its continued importance in reversing desertification and sequestering carbon to combat the climate crisis.

Apple Cider Pressing

1st-5th grade: Discover how the apple has shaped lives throughout American history, and learn of its significance to New York State agriculture. During this tour, students will learn about food preservation as they press fresh cider from antique presses. Get a taste of plant genetics while discussing the seasonality, propagation, and pollination processes needed to produce New York’s signature fruit. Each student will receive a small bottle of pasteurized cider, take a guided tour of our working farm and historic orchard, and get to enjoy a hayride.

Compost to Zero Waste & Fresh Veggies

K-5th grade: This exploratory, hands-on workshop introduces students to the powerful ecological value of composting. We will also dive into the basic science of compost, from the microbial food web living in our windrows to the nutrient balance needed to feed our crops. Farm educators demonstrate how we harness natural processes to divert food waste from landfills, reduce pollution, and restore soil health at the farm using only the power of compost. Students will make “seed balls” using a combination of compost, clay, and wildflower seeds to bring back to school and plant on their own. Also includes a hayride and tour of our historic site.

6th-12th grade: Students actively explore our compost site as an outdoor laboratory through a combination of reading, teamwork, and hands-on experimentation. Farm educators demonstrate how we harness natural processes to divert food waste from landfills, reduce pollution, and restore soil health at our farm using only the power of compost. Students will make “seed balls” using a combination of compost, clay, and wildflower seeds to bring back to school and plant on their own. Also includes a hayride and tour of our historic site.

Seed to Pumpkin – starts October 1

PreK-3rd grade: Students explore botanical and agricultural concepts like the seed cycle, seasonality, and pollination using an autumn favorite: the pumpkin! Learn how this squash shaped Native and Colonial American history before it spiced your latte. Each student will pick their own small pumpkin from our patch, receive a guided tour of our working farm, take a hayride, and feed a snack of hay to our goats.

4th-8th grade: History and sustainability collide! Students learn how Native Americans influenced many of the popular crops of the Americas, including corn, tomatoes and squash. Through saving seeds and observing plants over time, they developed vibrant crop varieties and utilized companion planting — a sustainable growing technique that is still used today. Each student will pick their own small pumpkin from our patch, receive a guided tour of our working farm, take a hayride, and feed a snack of hay to our goats.

Corn Maze Adventure – starts October 1

K – 5th grade: Start off your school year with an a-maize-ing experience as your class explores the farm’s 3-acre corn maze! Students will learn about how we grow and care for this historic crop and work in teams to make their way through our maze. Following their time in the maze, the group will tour the farm and enjoy a hayride.

6th – 12th grade: Students will enjoy this unique fall experience learning about the history of corn in the Americas, how our corn field is grown and cared for and the significance of corn in our diets. Build your students’ teamworking and problem-solving skills as they collaborate to navigate their way through the many pathways and tall green stalks to find their way to Victory Bridge. A post-maze visit with our farm animals and hayride round out this unique fall experience.