Farm To You
Our mobile farm options for younger children focus on making that first contact with farm animals a pleasurable, confidence-building experience that stimulates an interest in what happens on farms and explores the visual, tactile and other sensory qualities of a range of animals and poultry. We bring along our panels and carry cages and set up an enclosure within your grounds where teachers and children can move freely and take turns at holding or feeding the animals. Display animals and poultry range from newborn to adult so that children are taken beyond that fascination with something "cute and cuddly". Children who are hesitant or even timid are able to progress from just looking over the fence, to choosing contact with an animal or chick that overcomes that initial fear and often quickly leads them to an exciting discovery about animals they had only seen in pictures or on TV. Our mobile farm options for these age groups do not assume that children have already had extensive contact with farm animals, and as such there is ample opportunity for students who may be unsure about approaching or handling animals to progress at a safe and gentle pace. Panels and cages are set up in the school grounds and classes spend a set time within the enclosure. The visit is tailored to meet the teacher's requirements and it is recommended that each group have 2 sessions with the animals during the course of the visit. We have found that this "second" contact with the farm animals is when students are most likely to ask questions freely, want to learn more and share their growing knowledge with f.a.r.m staff. Our mobile farm options for upper primary are more structured and based on advice from teachers regarding the areas of interest to be covered during the visit. The animal enclosure is set up in the school grounds and students are spoken to before entering the pen area. Some free time is allowed at the commencement of the visit, and then the group size is further reduced by specialising on a particular animal or aspect of study. For example, a group of 20 students would be split into two groups of 10 per presenter and spend an allotted time with a specific animal grouping, before swapping groups. Question and answer sessions are held and the visit includes a working sheep dog demonstration for the whole class (area permitting). Upper primary classes would also benefit from Farming Way visits which extend learning opportunities into specific areas dealing with wool and other fibres, milk and dairy products, poultry and eggs. Our mobile farm options for lower secondary are a means of introducing young students to the study of agriculture as a course choice in later years at high school. These visits are carefully tailored to teacher's requirements and serve as a hands-on resource opportunity for students to experience what farming and agriculture may offer them as an interest or career. Putting real beef into an assignment with a stud bull visiting the classroom, or simply fleshing out the white meat success story with a specialised poultry display - these are value-adding options for teachers to use in their lesson plans.
For students studying agriculture and related units, we offer an extensive network of contacts and resources that are available for teachers and lecturers. We have direct access to successful university graduates who are acknowledged young leaders in their field and who are currently working in the industry. We are able to negotiate work experience opportunities for students and we are able to arrange field trips and practical demonstrations.
Our mobile farm options for disadvantaged students are a special and rewarding part of our charter. We service many schools and groups that cater for children with special needs and we are privileged to offer teachers and carers unique visits that focus on the wonders of intimate and meaningful contact with farm animals. These visits are carefully planned and experienced staff is on hand to assist with one on one attention.
All visits are based on a minimum of three hours, with set-up and pull-down time not included. This ensures students have adequate time to participate in the various programs. Small facilities
should refer to Farmyard Friends
for visits that are more appropriate to their class sizes and
budget. We are committed to providing you with a suitable visit
and will arrange a package to meet your requirements. |
Pre schools and childcare centres
