Last week the Pre-K class planned a trip to Wolfe’s Neck Farm for a visit with the farm animals and a morning of hiking along the trails! With palpable excitement and sturdy mud boots, we ventured our way down the road for a visit with our family and community-friendly farm neighbors: Wolfe’s Neck Farm!
Defined on its website as “a place for all…to learn about agriculture…visit the animals, explore the natural world…and enjoy the Maine coast,” the 626-acre saltwater farm has been part of the Freeport community since founders Eleanor Houston Smith and Lawrence M.C. Smith purchased the land in 1947. Knowing a visit to the farm would be abound with opportunities to expand on the teaching we do in Pre-K about preservation of resources, caring for animals, and protection of our lands, we set out for a visit to the farm.
First we made a visit to the animals! We saw the goats, sheep, cows, chickens, and rooster! We failed to capture it on camera but we were all laughing at one goat who defiantly stood on top of the hay stack, lording over the other goats who were eating. We were wondering how he would get down when we got to witness the incredible feat of his jumping over his compatriots. Watching him land solidly on his feet and walk away from the group, we had to admit perhaps he had earned the proverbial title of "king of the haystack".
The chickens and cows were fun to see as well! The chickens "chattered" to us the whole time and the rooster called his welcome nice and loud for all to hear again and again. We were happy to learn more about the chickens from the informational signs posted on the pens and were appreciative of the time it must have taken to hang the signs.
First we made a visit to the animals! We saw the goats, sheep, cows, chickens, and rooster! We failed to capture it on camera but we were all laughing at one goat who defiantly stood on top of the hay stack, lording over the other goats who were eating. We were wondering how he would get down when we got to witness the incredible feat of his jumping over his compatriots. Watching him land solidly on his feet and walk away from the group, we had to admit perhaps he had earned the proverbial title of "king of the haystack".
The chickens and cows were fun to see as well! The chickens "chattered" to us the whole time and the rooster called his welcome nice and loud for all to hear again and again. We were happy to learn more about the chickens from the informational signs posted on the pens and were appreciative of the time it must have taken to hang the signs.
After a lovely visit with the animals (and observing the vet lovingly care for a mama cow), we made our way to the Farm Loop Trail so we could spend the rest of our time hiking the trails. With bridges, natural steps, and beautiful fall foliage, the trail was well maintained and provided something fun around every corner to keep the children engaged in nature and observing the beauty of the natural world.
We followed the signs to a Heron Sanctuary. Though we saw no herons, it was a perfect opportunity to talk about the importance of land preservation for the animals with whom we share our land.
Not wanting our hike to end, we followed the trail signs to the Marsh Landing Outdoor Classroom. How impressed we were that our simple morning hike brought the children through 3 different types of habitats with different plants and opportunities for hands-on experience learning about the environment. It was also a perfect spot for quiet reflection and taking a break.
Another favorite aspect of the Wolfe's Neck trails were the several "outdoor classroom" circles set up, encouraging our little group to rest and snack and take a moment to sit together in the woods.
Giving our children access to nature and the opportunity to develop an appreciation for preservation and diversity plays an important part in the way we teach at Beansprouts. We are committed to helping our children connect to our natural world in a way that helps them become stewards for preservation and lovers of nature so they may grow up and care for the world in which we live.
Giving our children access to nature and the opportunity to develop an appreciation for preservation and diversity plays an important part in the way we teach at Beansprouts. We are committed to helping our children connect to our natural world in a way that helps them become stewards for preservation and lovers of nature so they may grow up and care for the world in which we live.
It was a lovely visit to the farm...and we were sad to leave (though excited to arrive back at school just in time for lunch!) Wolfe's Neck Farm is open to the public, free of charge (though guided school groups pay a fee), and open from dawn to dusk every day. Be sure to make your way to Freeport to visit the amazing work Wolfe's Neck and its employees/volunteers/interns/supporters are doing every day.
You can learn more at their website too! www.wolfesneckfarm.org
You can learn more at their website too! www.wolfesneckfarm.org
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