Farm Camp Minnesota connects 5-12 grade students to an on farm experience in a three part customized learning opportunity. The three parts include in class learning, using standards-based curriculum, hands-on farm or agribusiness tour and culminates in career exploration all while integrating with existing classroom curriculum.
Farm Camp to Redwood River Farms
Approximately 50 students from the Marshall summer school program had the opportunity to visit the Redwood River Farms in Marshall, Minnesota. Prior to the visit, students learned standards-based, grade specific curriculum that established the foundation for the field trip, the second step of a Farm Camp. The purpose of this experience was to introduce the summer school students to agriculture and get hands-on learning opportunities. This in-person Farm Camp Minnesota experience was made possible by the transportation grant.
About Redwood River Farms
This century old family farm has been in the family for four generations. Historically the farm was home to dairy cattle and pigs. As the farm has evolved with the times, they currently have outdoor pork, grass-fed Red Angus beef and seasonally free-range chickens. Students from the Marshall summer school program had the experience of meeting these animals in person.
Highlights from the Farm Camp Experience
"I was most surprised by the elevator that they used to put the hay bales in the barns."
“The farm had lots of animals. We saw pigs, cows, turkeys, goats, chickens, cats, and one calf. We had a fun time.”
"They moved their fencing daily so the cows could have fresh food"
Impact of the Farm Camp Experience
Before their Farm Camp Experience, students were asked to fill out a survey for us to understand the knowledge gained. In response to the following question “I know a lot about the industry that we are about to experience” 41.2% of the students agreed. After the Farm Camp Minnesota, 80.6% of students agreed - a 39.4% increase!