When people think about Farm Camp Minnesota, agriculture, food production, or STEM often come to mind. But Farm Camp can connect to so much more, even a high school health class.
At Cherry School, ninth and tenth grade students discovered how their health curriculum ties directly into agriculture. With the support of a Transportation Grant, they left their classroom behind to see how farms impact nutrition, wellness, and careers.
Step One: Preparing in the Health Class
Before heading out on their Farm Camp adventure, students were introduced to agriculture through standards-based lessons that tied directly to their health curriculum. These lessons, provided by the Farm Camp Director, helped students make connections in advance so they could get the most out of their hands-on experience.
- Stacking Up Milk and Milk Substitutes
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Students compared dairy milk with plant-based milk substitutes, learning where each comes from, how they stack up nutritionally, and how food labeling impacts consumer choices. - Mastering Mindful Eating
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Students explored hunger, fullness, and eating habits while practicing portion sizes and mindful eating - a perfect lead-in to seeing how food is produced on the farm. - A Search for the Source
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Through an interactive relay, students matched everyday products to their agricultural source, discovering just how much of daily life depends on agriculture.
These activities gave Cherry School students a solid foundation, ensuring that what they saw on the farm connected back to their classroom learning.
Step Two: Nutrition in Action
The Farm Camp experience began at Takalas Farms, the largest dairy farm in St. Louis County. Students learned about the work it takes to get milk from the farm to the grocery store and why sheep are sheared. Interacting with the calves and lambs was a highlight, and many students said they had not realized how many animals one person can care for or how much effort goes into producing everyday products like milk and wool.
Next, at The Goat Shack, students discovered that successful farms can thrive on a small scale. On just two acres, Karen Burris produces goat milk products such as soaps and lotions. Holding the playful goats gave students hands-on experience and opened their eyes to the diversity of agriculture.
Step Three: A Lasting Impact
The health class connection was clear. Before the Farm Camp, only 59.8 percent of students felt knowledgeable about the agricultural industries they would be visiting. Afterward, that number grew to 91.1 percent.
- Prior to Farm Camp, only 30 percent of students could name five agricultural careers outside of farming. Afterward, 60.9 percent could.
- Confidence in understanding the industries visited grew from 60 percent to 100 percent following the event.
- When asked if they would like to participate in another Farm Camp experience, students overwhelmingly said "yes," citing reasons such as wanting to learn more about food production, try hands-on farm tasks, and better understand agriculture’s role in their community.
Making Experiences Like This Possible
This Farm Camp experience was possible through Farm Camp Minnesota’s Transportation Grant, which made the short trip from school to farm accessible for every student.
Cherry School’s health class is a powerful example of how Farm Camp connects to any subject area. By stepping beyond the classroom, students gain a deeper understanding of the food they eat, the products they use, and the agricultural careers that support healthy communities.
Ready to connect your health class, or any class, to real-world agriculture? Start planning your Farm Camp today: