Registration for individual field trips is required. You may purchase tickets to a field trip when you register for the conference.
Ground Up Grain & Bakery Workshop
Take a guided tour of Ground Up Grain Mill and get a close look at the process of milling local Northeast grains into fresh flour on a traditional stone mill. Participants will have a chance to see the hydroelectric power that is used at the mill and witness why Holyoke was built at the bend in the CT River, learn about the grain delivery system, chat with our miller to learn about the process of milling grain to make flour and the primary grains we use for milling, why we use them, as well as sensory/tactile exploration of the different grains. The tour also includes a visit to our bakery workshop to sample delicious baked goods made with our fresh flour, all within our hydroelectric-powered facility in Holyoke, MA.
The Dairy Difference: Nourishing Students, Supporting Farms
Experience The Dairy Difference with a behind-the-scenes tour of a local dairy farm. Participants will explore how today’s dairy farmers care for their cows, steward the land, and deliver nutritious, locally sourced products to schools and communities. The visit will showcase innovations in sustainability, animal welfare, and food production. Attendees will gain firsthand insight into the people, processes, and partnerships that make dairy an essential part of the farm to school movement. By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Describe the key components of modern dairy farming, including animal care, milk production, and sustainability practices.
Identify opportunities to strengthen farm to school connections through local dairy sourcing and nutrition education.
Apply insights from the farm experience to enhance student engagement, menu development, and community partnerships that support healthy, sustainable food systems.
Science in the Springfield Public School Gardens
Discover how school gardens can become powerful, standards-aligned science classrooms in this engaging workshop spotlighting Springfield Public Schools. We’ll explore how garden tasks grow into full lesson plans, highlight K–5 science connections, and take a closer look at pollinator gardens as dynamic learning spaces. Participants will gain real-world insights from a large district’s successes and challenges, build a deeper understanding of how gardens support Massachusetts science standards, and walk away with concrete activities, and resources. This session emphasizes equity in science education and empowers educators and community members for continued engagement with gardens beyond the planning phase.