About MS Farm

"Every child needs nature. Not just the ones with parents who appreciate nature. Not only those of a certain economic class or culture or gender or sexual identity or set of abilities. Every child."

-Richard Louv

Middle School Farm Inspiration:

The farm is a place for middle school students to establish connections between nature and nourishment. This program draws from diverse forms of knowledge to encourage students to:

interact with the natural environment in a way that feels comfortable to the student,
think critically about food systems and human roles within them, and
create reciprocal relationships with the larger community.

We are in the process of creating and implementing opportunities for the latter two inspirations.

What We Do:

After settling in, there is a planned 10-15 minute activity or a choice of activities to engage in. These activities may involve partaking in a seasonal activity, doing some gardening or science activity, or preparing and/or enjoying snacks. Afterward, students may enjoy relaxing and exploring the farm. There are trees to climb, plants to explore, and locations to hang and chill.

The middle school has two small plots. Currently, there are kale and chives that keep growing and producing in one plot. The second plot contains squash, beans and some wild purslane, if no one removes it thinking it is a weed. Students partake in the maintenance of these plots. There is also a compost area designed by community members that will be used in the near future.

How We Begin:

To be able to fully connect with nature, we need to be more than just exposed to it. We encourage each person to settle in upon arrival by focusing on their body or breathing as the brain takes in the cues from deep breathing to create the feel-good chemicals that help us calm down, get in tune with our bodies, and self-regulate our emotions. This helps students' minds become receptive to connecting with nature, a deeper relationship than just being exposed to nature. Students do some form of breathing or mindfulness activity for one minute before the farm session begins to ensure both our bodies and minds have arrived at the farm and become more in tune with the present moment which is NOW.

Farm Expectations:

Be mindful of the space (planting beds, pond, flowers, fruiting trees, building area, lunch tables, tire swing area), understanding that it is a shared outdoor classroom used by a variety of classes on a daily basis. Let’s be good stewards of our environment and our community spaces. There is no cleaning or maintenance crew, we are responsible for keeping our farm beautiful and in good working order.
All teachers are responsible for student supervision during snack, lunch, and break times. Teacher engagement is highly encouraged during farm learning activities. Let’s remember to model appropriate behavior for our students and show enthusiasm!
Harvesting is done so that all students can taste, smell, experience and learn from the various plants that grow at the farm. Students may not pick fruit, vegetables, or flowers for their own personal enjoyment. The goal is to ensure fairness and equity for all.
No ball play. Balls end up going into beds (or students' feet while retrieving balls), damaging established and newly seeded plants.
Nothing goes in the pond; sticks, rocks, hands, etc. It is a balanced ecosystem with a variety of living things that we want to nurture and protect.
We will continue to be mindful of water usage, especially with the extreme drought. All faucets need to be shut off after washing hands and “water play” will be on hiatus for the time being.
All building materials (lumber, bricks, rocks, etc.) need to stay in the back corner building area. Some materials may be used for creative play on the dirt hill, but generally should be returned at the end of play time. Any structures made in the building area may be left for other classes to add to or alter as they choose.
The fig tree along the back fence is the only tree to be used for climbing. No bricks or random lumber may be placed under, or carried into, the tree.
Please eat at tables & benches if possible. No eating in the back area behind the hen house. Trash gets left back there and often not noticed during student clean up time.
If any benches are moved, any tools used, cornhole played, or any supplies borrowed, all should be returned and put back as they were before leaving.
No phone or device use is allowed by students, and is highly discouraged for teachers.
Double check all trash is picked up, all belongings are collected, and furniture is put back before departing.The farm should be left as clean (or cleaner) than it was when students arrived.

Check out the calming video of the grasshopper.

Middle School Farm website managed by Grace Hess-Quimbita. Questions? Email Grace at: grace@thewaverlyschool.org

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About MS Farm

"Every child needs nature. Not just the ones with parents who appreciate nature. Not only those of a certain economic class or culture or gender or sexual identity or set of abilities. Every child."

-Richard Louv

Middle School Farm Inspiration:

What We Do:

How We Begin:

Farm Expectations:

All teachers are responsible for student supervision during snack, lunch, and break times. Teacher engagement is highly encouraged during farm learning activities. Let’s remember to model appropriate behavior for our students and show enthusiasm!

Harvesting is done so that all students can taste, smell, experience and learn from the various plants that grow at the farm. Students may not pick fruit, vegetables, or flowers for their own personal enjoyment. The goal is to ensure fairness and equity for all.

No ball play. Balls end up going into beds (or students' feet while retrieving balls), damaging established and newly seeded plants.

Nothing goes in the pond; sticks, rocks, hands, etc. It is a balanced ecosystem with a variety of living things that we want to nurture and protect.

We will continue to be mindful of water usage, especially with the extreme drought. All faucets need to be shut off after washing hands and “water play” will be on hiatus for the time being.

The fig tree along the back fence is the only tree to be used for climbing. No bricks or random lumber may be placed under, or carried into, the tree.

Please eat at tables & benches if possible. No eating in the back area behind the hen house. Trash gets left back there and often not noticed during student clean up time.

If any benches are moved, any tools used, cornhole played, or any supplies borrowed, all should be returned and put back as they were before leaving.

No phone or device use is allowed by students, and is highly discouraged for teachers.

Double check all trash is picked up, all belongings are collected, and furniture is put back before departing.The farm should be left as clean (or cleaner) than it was when students arrived.