McDonald Farm

Went on a field trip with the Kindergarten class today to McDonald Farm in Naperville.  A first time visit for me (and I have chaperoned quite a few field trips in my time). 

A little background about McDonald Farm, The farm has been around since the 1830's.  It has changed hands over the years until Mrs. McDonald gave the farm to The Conservation Foundation.  Mrs. McDonald wanted the property to be used for education, conservation and agriculture.  The foundation got some help from The Green Institute to help run  the property. 

This is taken from their website:
 The Green Earth Institute is a new, private not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting nutritional health and ecological sustainability. The Institute grows healthful organic vegetables, which it sells through a seasonal subscription arrangement known as Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA. In addition at the farm, the Institute provides children's nature education programs each summer and the Green Earth Fair annually in May.
The children learned about growing food and composting.  (I think the volunteer was impressed that I compost)  We were read a story about how food grows and learned a little song about a seed growing.  I think the kids REALLY enjoyed the composting part because they really got to dig their hands (and spoons) into that compost.  I think they were more into finding the worms.

one of the farm buildings

A very important farm building (note the "Restrooms" sign)

It's good to always know where the bathroom is, incase it is needed

digging in the compost

The boys thought it was cool to pick up the worms until the worms wet their hands

Bella even got into the digging for worms

found a baby worm

Mmmm...how about a nice plate of dirt for lunch!

YUMMY!

yes, of course she agreed to pose for this one

time to make a mixture of soil for our bean plants

Look at those girls working that soil!

gotta get all of the clumps out!

Maybe I can use them this weekend when we plant the garden?

Everyone earned a green thumb for their efforts

We had a lot of fun on our trip.  It was a beautiful day to be outside!  I was in charge of 5 children.  One boy was always way ahead in another group.  Finally, the other boy in our group got him to join us (as we are leaving and boarding the bus).  I said to the wandering boy, "What?  You don't love us anymore?  You have to run off and join another group?  What did we do wrong?" I think I might have worried the kid.  He said he still liked us.  That's good.  I got him and the others safely back on the bus. 

Looking forward to having Bella and her green thumb help plant the garden!