The AGCS Micro-Farm

The ACGS Micro-Farm is a school-wide program that's designed to connect our students to the natural world by providing hands-on, discovery-based learning opportunities. It allows them to create meaningful connections to agriculture, food, animals, fiber, and natural resources. Young people are the future of agriculture in Pennsylvania and at the Micro-Farm, we seek to build their relationship with and understanding of farming.

Exposure to live animals brings out a student's compassion for all living things. It promotes and reinforces important character traits like responsibility and integrity. Research shows that children who interact with animals at a young age are good listeners, do better in school, and are compassionate beyond their years.

The Micro-Farm also provides our teachers with unique, multi-disciplinary teaching opportunities that are interactive and completely unforgettable. It's a place to learn about much more than farming and animal care; our students can explore a wide array of disciplines, including:

• • • Sustainable agriculture
    • Structural engineering
    • Animal care
    • Fine arts
    • Ecology
    • Commerce
    • Journalism
    • Photography
    • Humanitarian aid

Our upper school students actively participate in the planning and building of structures and water systems. They design and install landscapes, keep journals, and photograph farm activities. Students engage their creativity to make wasp traps and bird feeders. Our Green Team sells vegetables and flower plants that they've grown from seed. They deliver produce and eggs to local food banks, teaching our students that they can make a difference in the lives of people in our community.

Green Team is offered to students in grades 7-12 who want to learn by participating in the daily care of our Micro-Farm. Green Team members are responsible for growing and harvesting produce, maintaining our indoor hydroponic and aquaponic systems, and tending to the needs of our school's animals (goats, sheep, alpacas, chickens, ducks, rabbits, and fish). In addition to plant and animal care, students help maintain the Micro-Farm grounds and surrounding gardens. Our Green Team meets rain or shine!

Visit our Greenhouse & Gardens page for more information on our growing and harvesting operations.

Visit our Small Animal Farm and Back Pasture pages to meet our animals and learn how we care for them.

Farm Fun After-School Program

Farm Fun is an after-school program for kindergarten through third grade students who are interested in learning about the Micro-Farm and spending time outside.

Each session meets for four weeks in the spring at the Early Learning Center and has a seasonal theme, including: Signs of Spring, Gardens Galore, and Powerful Pollinators.