Spring Programs

Registration opens January 2nd, 2024.

Design Your Own Farm

2nd – 5th grade: What does a plant need to grow? Explore plant parts, photosynthesis, and the plant growth cycle with a hands-on transplanting activity. Learn how our farmers utilize technology to extend our season and provide the community with fresh produce on a guided tour of our working farm, including growing fields, gardens, greenhouses, and cold frames. Each student will transplant a seedling to bring back to the classroom. Teachers are provided with a digital multi-part lesson plan to complete at school, in which students apply what they learned to map out a menu, pick their crops and design their own farms.

6th – 12th grade: How can organic farmers work with their local ecosystem to restore soil health, sequester carbon, and grow more nutritious food for their community? In this program, Students will learn how our food system contributes to the climate crisis and discuss solutions as they observe the regenerative farming practices we utilize–crop rotation, drip irrigation, composting, season extension, integrated pest management. Each student will transplant a seedling to bring back to the classroom. Teachers are provided with a digital multi-part lesson plan to complete at school, in which students apply what they learned to design their own farms.

---

Seasonal Farm Tour

PreK-5th grade: Springtime at Queens Farm brings lots of activity! This comprehensive outdoor tour explores our food system and the many aspects of our historic, sustainable farm. Students learn what crops we are growing, how we integrate livestock into our practices, and recycle food scraps into compost. Students have the opportunity to see all of our diverse farm animals and feed a snack of hay to our goats.

6th- 12th grade: This outdoor tour explores regenerative agriculture by 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 inputs. Additionally, students will be introduced to our livestock and learn about holistic planned grazing and its importance in reversing desertification and sequestering carbon to combat the climate crisis.

---

Animal Adventures

PreK – 5th grade: What types of animals live at Queens Farm? Students will learn more about the livestock we raise and how each animal benefits the farm. Hands-on activities, including butter churning, help connect students to the value-added products we enjoy from farm animals. This program includes a tour of our working farm including visits to all farm animals and feeding a snack of hay to our goats.

---

Compost to Zero Waste & Fresh Veggies

K – 5th grade: The powerful ecological value of compost comes to life in this hands-on workshop. Through a series of exploratory, hands on activities, students learn 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 Queens Farm using only the power of compost. Students make “seed balls” using a combination of compost, clay and wildflower seeds to bring back to school. 

6th – 12th grade: Students actively explore our compost site as an outdoor laboratory through a combination of reading, teamwork and hands-on experimentation. They will be introduced to the process of composting, and the important role it serves in diverting waste from landfills and mitigating the climate crisis. Students make “seed balls” using a combination of compost, clay and wildflower seeds to bring back to school. 

---

History of NYC [Indoors]

Note: Our historic farmhouse can only accommodate one class per day (35 people maximum).

3rd – 5th grade: Step inside our 18th century farmhouse to learn about the life of Dutch farmers, Jacob and Catherine Adriance. Students will explore period artifacts and learn about daily lifestyles and family roles of an early NYC family. Select from one of the following additional activities: A) Churn and taste butter with an 18th century churn or B) Writing with quill pens and ink, an intro to 18th century schooling.

6th – 12th grade: Journey through the history that shaped New York City. From indigenous peoples to Dutch colonialism, Queens Farm showcases 300-years of the history of agriculture as a way of life in NYC. Learn how this 17th century colonial homestead evolved to a bustling truck farm serving a growing city well into the 20th century. Analyze artifacts and architecture in the historic farmhouse to find evidence of how changing culture, politics and technology shaped the way New Yorkers live today.

---

What’s the Buzz? Bees & Pollinators [Indoors]

2nd – 5th grade: Bees are fundamental to our food system. Through an indoor presentation students will be introduced to the life and behavior of honeybees and learn how bees pollinate many of the crops we eat every day. Students learn about added-value products through a candle-making activity and taking home an edible honey stick. This program is complemented by a tour of our working farm with specific observation time spent in our apiary.

6th – 12th grade: Can we survive without pollinators? Students observe the essential role of native and cultivated pollinators on our ecosystem and food system. Analyze how Queens Farm uses sustainable farming practices to preserve native habitats and encourage biodiversity while strengthening our community’s food system. Identify problems facing pollinator populations and discuss practical solutions to population decline. This program is complemented by a tour of our working farm with specific observation time spent in our apiary and a candle-making activity.