Field Trip to the Farm!

       One of my favorite things about teaching kindergarten is our field trips to the farm. Even in California we did this. Our whole kindergarten, all 26 of us (24 kids and 2 teachers), had been preparing for this trip for quite a while as we had to cancel it the first time due to rain.
      One difference between field trips here and in California is that our chaperones are members of our staff-not parents. We had three other staff members join us so there were five adults all together. This was nice because our chaperones knew all the kids as they work with them regularly. Another difference is that as soon as we arrived at the farm, our host brought out coffees for the adults!
      The first thing we did is we went inside and learned about wheat. Our guide showed us where wheat comes from and how to use the mill to grind it. All the kids got a turn to grind the wheat and sift it. Then we used the wheat to make cookies. Now, ordinarily, the cookies that are made at this farm by the kids contain four ingredients: flour, sugar, olive oil and wine. Wine in cookies??? This was exactly what went through my mind when I heard this. However, because we have two kids who need to abstain from alcohol due to religious beliefs, we had to request that they change it. So, they substituted the wine with apple juice. I do hope to try the wine cookies soon though.
     After the cookies were made, we took a tour of the farm. We first looked at all the crops. This is an organic farm so we found lots of critters. The kids saw many of the foods that end up on their plates in the cafeteria at lunch. We then walked over to see the chickens and donkeys. Now the donkeys are solely there to produce fertilizer. Many of the kids were not used to this smell and did not like it! But for me, it was like being at home. All the kids had a chance to feed the chickens with green vegetables and those chickens ate it up! Would love to get my hands on some of those eggs with diets like those!
    We then ate our lunch and our host brought out after-lunch coffees and cookies for the adults. Now this farm hosts a brunch on Sundays using all of their produce. We decided to book a reservation for that Sunday. A few of us went and ate a delicious meal! I definitely hope to go back for brunch and am looking forward to our field trip next year!