SEED: Sustainable Earth Education
Did you know that the Dickinson College Farm has a hands on, experiential, youth education program called Sustainable Earth Education or SEED?
The Dickinson College Farm is a 60-acre USDA Certified Organic living laboratory. Located just six miles from campus, the farm has more than 15 acres of vegetable production ground and 30 acres of animal pasture. The farm supports the academic interests of students and faculty, promotes renewable energy through a variety of innovative applications and builds a greater awareness about how food is generated using techniques that help sustain natural ecosystems.
Through SEED, we aim to provide creative learning experiences to children’s groups in the community. In the past, we have worked with local area schools, summer camps, Girl and Boy Scout troops as well as home school groups. We offer classes on a variety of topics ranging from compost, soil quality and plant life cycles to biodiversity, livestock management and beyond. Related topics such as nature, art and cooking are also available. Classes are taught by the SEED Student Educator and student volunteers!
2023-2024 SEED Student Educator:
Hi, my name is Kristen Beach and I am this year’s SEED Educator.
I am a senior environmental science major at Dickinson and my special interests within my major are ecology and public outreach. I am so excited about this upcoming year as SEED Educator as this position will allow me to combine both of my interests as well as work with kids, which is also something I love. This year’s educational theme is animals which have been an interest of mine ever since I was a kid so I am super excited to get to teach about them this year!
Parents and group leaders are welcome to participate, observe, take a self-guided tour of the farm or take a short drive into beautiful Boiling Springs. At the end of the program, children are invited to show parents what they’ve learned around the farm.
For planning purposes, please sign up for a class at least two months before their desired date on this form and notify farmcoordinator@dickinson.edu once you’ve done so. Please direct any questions to farmcoordinator@dickinson.edu.
2023-2024 Topics Offered*
*Our hands-on educational lessons can fulfill a variety of badges, including:
All Things Animals
Nutrient ABCs: Animals, Biogas, and Compost
Suggested ages 9-12
Explore nutrient cycling at the farm from the animals that consume and produce nitrogen, to the farm’s compost and biogas systems that recycle the nitrogen into forms available for future field and human use.
Life of a Farmer
Suggested ages 5-7
Ever wonder what a farmer does? Students will explore the farm through its daily activities. They will get to talk to one of our student workers about the different jobs they do through interactive activities such as learning about compost, taking care of farm animals, and the growing cycle of plants!
Creatures of the Farm
Suggested ages 9-12
The Dickinson College Farm has cows, chickens, and sheep! Spend time outside learning about what each animal eats, where each animal lives, as well as activities using sheep wool and egg shells.
Let’s Ruminate About Ruminants!
Suggested Ages 8-12
Do you know what a ruminant is?! Come take a walk around the farm with us to learn all about cows and sheep. Participants could discover how they process their food, make crafts out of sheep’s wool and make their own butter!
The Incredible Edible (organic) Egg:
Suggested ages 5-9
Collect fresh-laid eggs from the farm’s pasture-raised hens. We will see and taste the differences between our organic eggs and conventional eggs.
Past Virtual Lessons:
The second video about biogas at the farm can be watched here:
The third video about livestock at the farm can be watched here:
Our fourth video about soil and compost at the College Farm can be watched here:
Our fifth video about here: