Education Programs
Waltham Fields Community Farm offers a range of educational programs for both youth and adults, including service learning/volunteering opportunities. In addition to providing volunteer experiences, we offer Children’s Learning Garden Programs, Educational Farm Visits, Family Programs, Practical Skills Workshops, Farmer Training, and a variety of public events that enable children and adults throughout the Greater Boston Area to come out and enjoy some time at the farm!
Children’s Learning Garden Programs
Practical Skills Workshops
Service Learning Opportunities
Farmer Training
For information on upcoming public programs and events visit our Calendar of Events page, or take a look at our 2011 Program Calendar.
To see what we were up to in 2010 and to get some great recipes, food/gardening info, and more, check out our Waltham Fields Community Farm Blog!
FARM VISITS!!!
Bring your students & campers out to the farm for hands-on learning that is fun, fulfilling, & delicious! We can plant a seed, create some compost, investigate insects, pick fresh veggies, or make a tasty snack while addressing the learning objectives that are important to you.For a more detailed description of our Farm Visit program click here
Contact our with any other questions, concerns, or to inquire about fee assistance.
To register for a Farm Visit, please fill out our Farm Visit Form
“We all had a great time at the farm; all my co-teachers were thrilled, and the kids obviously had a good time...There is little you could do to make the experience better.” -Liam Nolan, Lesley-Ellis School
Children’s Learning Garden Programs
The Children’s Learning Garden Program began in 1998 as a joint project with Cambridge Camping Association’s Cambridge Adventure Day Camp. The program was set up to give inner-city youth the opportunity to learn about how food grows. In 2007, we were able to expand the number of children served by offering additional programs through the Waltham Recreation Department, and today we also administer a few of these programs ourselves.
All Children’s Learning Garden programs enable hands-on learning about natural ecosystems, crop production and the farm environment, nutrition and food choices, and group cooperation. Children participate in a range of activities such as planting vegetables, exploring the compost pile, observing wildlife, playing games, and cooking. We focus heavily on Farm-to-Table programming, providing opportunities for participants to make and try healthful, farm fresh snacks.
Children’s Learning Garden Programs:
- After-School Programs for grades K-2: Go to the Waltham Recreation Department Homepage for current information.
- After-School Programs for grades 3-5: Fall after-school began Thursday, September 22nd!
- Summer Programs for entering grade 1-3:Check back in 2012!
- Summer Program for entering grades 4-6:Check back in 2012!
- Educational Farm Visits for preschool-8th grade, April-October: For a description of our Farm Visit program click here. To register for a Farm Visit, please fill out our Farm Visit Form
- Family Programs (for children 4 and under and their caregivers): Check back in 2012!
- Library Programs for children ages 6-10 at the Waltham Public Library
***FEE ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE FOR ALL CHILDREN’S LEARNING GARDEN PROGRAMS OFFERED THROUGH WALTHAM FIELDS COMMUNITY FARM: Please click here for eligibility guidelines. If you are eligible for fee assistance, fill out and send our Fee Assistance Form along with your payment and registration.
Practical Skills Workshops
- Organic Gardening: Four Tuesdays, March 1st-22nd
- Preserving the Harvest #1: Jam: Thursday, June 23rd, 6-9pm.
- Edible Wild Foods Walk with Russ Cohen: Wednesday, June 29th, 6-8pm.
- Preserving the Harvest #2: Lacto-Fermentation: Thursday, September 8th, 6:30-8:30pm
- Killer Party Dishes Fresh From the Farm with JJ Gonson of Cuisine en Locale!: Thursday, October 6th 6-9pm. CANCELLED
- Felted Flower Workshop: Thursday, December 8th 6-9pm.
Do you have a related skill that you would like to learn or teach? Please contact our .
FEE ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE FOR ALL EDUCATION PROGRAMS OFFERED THROUGH WALTHAM FIELDS COMMUNITY FARM: Please click here for eligibility guidelines. If you are eligible for fee assistance, fill out and send our Fee Assistance Form along with your payment and registration.
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Service Learning Opportunities
Since its founding in 1995, Waltham Fields Community Farm has been used as a resource by local groups and individuals seeking a rewarding and educational experience. While most of our volunteers help out with the farm duties, we also engage volunteers in our outreach activities, and have worked with several school classes and individuals to take on specific projects as appropriate. Volunteers contribute to the work of and improvement of our non-profit farming organization while learning about sustainable food production and benefiting from the merits of community service.
Find out more about volunteering at WFCF on our Ways To Get Involved page!
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Farmer Training
Waltham Fields Community Farm is committed to training the next generation of sustainable farmers. Our Assistant Grower positions are advanced opportunities in farmer training for individuals with one or more seasons of farming experience, and attract many highly qualified applicants each season. Regular feedback sessions, ongoing in-the-row education, and intense practice with farm decision-making and personnel management, combined with daily practice of sustainable agriculture techniques, make these positions a good fit for people with a serious interest in farming.
