Some time ago, I told you about working Autumn Fest for the Learning Tree Farm. I have been involved with the Farm most of its existence in one manner or another. Today I would like to share with you the Farm’s story.
In the early 1970s, two teachers believed that not all students learn well in the classroom setting. They took their students on walking or biking field trips to parks in the area. Students became excited about seeing “so many trees in one place,” bird nests in trees, bugs under rocks and in the river.
When they returned to school, they shared their adventures. Both teachers were sold on the value and importance of hands-on learning.
In 1973, the teachers, along with many friends as supporters, founded Learning Tree Farm, a non-profit with the mission to facilitate hands-on learning in a traditional farm setting. To get the Farm ready for visitors took much hard work in barns, fields and yards. The first year brought 200 students from area schools.
Today, the Farm serves 6,000 students every year from eight surrounding counties. And the number is growing. This is in addition to Scouts, senior citizens and other groups that visit the Farm each year.
A Fitting Name
How did the Farm get its name? Among the trees are to be found the tallest, the heaviest, the oldest and for mankind, perhaps the most bountiful of all living things. From the substance of trees we derive food, fuel and shelter; from their grace and enduring beauty we draw inspiration and a sense of spiritual renewal. Because the Farm has over 40 different kinds of trees, because they are so prominent, and because they offer us much to learn, the co-founders chose Learning Tree Farm as the name.
The Farm depends on contributions, memberships and fund raisers for its existence. One event was heldlast month, the Autumn Fest, which I mentioned in a previous article.
Running for two days, the Fest provided the public the opportunity to see the Farm in full action with farm games, the sounds of music, stories told by a grio and much more, including an underground railroad presentation , the opportunity to pet the farm animals, a visit to the century house and, of course, a walk in the woods.
Also on this weekend, we were celebrating the 150-year anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s visit to the area, so he joined us on both days.
The other major fund raise for the Farm is the annual Antiques Appraisal Event, which I chair. That will Feb. 27. I will tell you more about that event in another article. Meantime, if you would like more information on the Farm, its programs or activities visit www.learningtreefarm.org
Mr. Hennessey may be contacted at pmhenn@sbcglobal.net