Play, Explore, and Grow!

Come explore and play at the Farm! Our littlest visitors will have the opportunity to experience the wonder of exploring outdoors on the Farm. 

Students might… 

• Taste a rainbow of farm-fresh produce 
• Explore the many colors of our growing Farm 
• Create an art masterpiece 
• Sing and dance on the Farm 

Plants and Animals on the Farm

At Coastal Roots Farm, we have plants AND animals! Come meet some of the little critters who live at the Farm and learn about how plants grow. 

Students might… 

• Meet our Farm chickens 
• Explore vermicompost (worms!) 
• Taste the parts of a plant in the fields 
• Plant seeds 

Welcome to the Farm

Enjoy an exciting day on the Farm, digging into how food is grown and learning more about who grows it.  

 Students might…  

• Taste produce grown on the Farm 
• Search for critters in our garden spaces 
• Visit the chickens and learn how they help us grow food 
• Deepen their curiosity as they explore nature 

 Associated NGSS: 

• K-LS1-1. Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.  
• 1-LS3-1. Make observations to construct an evidence-based account that young plants and animals are like, but not exactly like, their parents. 
• 2-LS4-1. Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats. 

Pollination on the Farm

Can you imagine a world without fruit, flowers, chocolate or honey?! Learn how pollination works and the role of pollinators in producing many of our favorite foods.  

 Students might… 

• Observe pollinators in action 
• Play a game to understand how bees play a part in plant pollination 
• Prepare a pollinator-inspired snack 
• Investigate pollinator adaptations 

 Associated NGSS: 

• K-2-ETS1-3. Analyze data from tests of two objects designed to solve the same problem to compare the strengths and weaknesses of how each performs. 
• 1-LS1-1. Use materials to design a solution to a human problem by mimicking how plants and/or animals use their external parts to help them survive, grow, and meet their needs. 
• 2-LS2-2. Develop a simple model that mimics the function of an animal in dispersing seeds or pollinating plants. 

Dirt Made My Lunch

There’s a whole world happening right underneath our feet! Dig into soil health on the farm and experience first-hand how soil can impact what grows. 

 Students might… 

• Meet our vermicompost worms and learn how they benefit the soil 
• Plant a seedling to start their own gardens 
• Make a clay pinch pot to investigate soil texture 
• Taste farm-fresh produce and understand how soil helps it grow 

 Associated NGSS: 

• 3-LS4-3. Construct an argument with evidence that in a particular habitat some organisms can survive well, some survive less well, and some cannot survive at all. 
• 5-LS2-1. Develop a model to describe the movement of matter among plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment. 
• 5-ESS3-1. Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect the Earth’s resources and environment.

Adaptation Investigation

Learn about what plants and animals need to survive and thrive on the Farm! Discover different organisms’ adaptations and how we can work with nature to grow our food.  

 Students might… 

• Observe and draw different plant structures 
• Learn each plant part’s main function 
• Meet the chickens and investigate their role in our farming practices 
• Prepare and enjoy a farm-fresh, plant-part lettuce wrap 

 Associated NGSS: 

• 3-LS3-2. Use evidence to support the explanation that traits can be influenced by the environment. 
• 4-LS1-1. Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction. 
• 5-LS2-1. Develop a model to describe the movement of matter among plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment. 

Grow Jewish

Enjoy an exciting day on the Farm, celebrating Jewish values, fresh produce, and our responsibility to the earth and to each other.  

 Students might… 

• Learn about soil health and why it is a priority within Judaism  

• Grow their sense of wonder and amazement   

• Practice caring for chickens and the Jewish teachings surrounding animal welfare 

• Taste produce grown on the Farm with gratitude and blessings  

Grow Your Way Into a Career

California by itself is the 5th largest supplier of food in the world! The food system at large offers a spectrum of career opportunities that students will explore throughout this work-based learning experience.     

 Students might… 

• Be exposed to a number of food systems career options in a hands-on way 
• Reflect on the training and social-emotional competencies needed to pursue a food systems career 
• Hear Farm staff’s personal experiences about their employment journey 
• Discuss how workplace decisions can be made with the environment in mind 

 California Environmental Principles and Concepts: 

• Principle V – Decisions affecting resources and natural systems are based on a wide range of considerations and decision-making processes.  

Farming for the Future

The agriculture industry has a profound opportunity to change the fate of our climate destiny. The Farm will showcase regenerative growing methods that prioritize thriving ecosystems and societies.  

 Students might… 

• Compare regenerative and conventional agricultural practices 
• Explore and record data on the Farm’s compost operation 
• Identify soil-building practices, including crop rotation, integration of chickens, and mulching 
• Calculate food miles and practice making food with local, seasonal produce 

 Associated NGSS: 

• MS-LS2-3. Develop a model to describe the cycling of matter and flow of energy among living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem.
• HS-LS2-7. Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity.  

Food for Thought: Exploring Food Justice

Food is culture, family, health, and life. Students will engage in intentional conversations on how to promote fair access to fresh food for all on an individual and community scale.  

 Students might… 

• Understand the concepts of food inequality and justice 
• Prepare a farm-fresh snack with a thought-provoking twist 
• Identify food justice solutions they can promote in their own communities 
• Take action through volunteer tasks to help CRF feed community members 

 Character education guiding principles touched on, as stated in California Education Code Section 233.5(a): 

• Compassion – Kindness. The desire to help others in distress. To show kindness and concern for others in distress by offering help whenever possible.
• Initiative – Eagerness to do something. To take responsible action on your own, without prompting from others.

• Responsibility – Accountability. To consider oneself answerable for something. To demonstrate that you consider yourself to be accountable for your actions and that you follow through on your commitments.  

Tikkun Olam: Farming with Purpose

Guided by the value of Tikkun Olam, translating to “repair the world,” our Farm is committed to pursuing food justice. What does that mean and why is it a Jewish value? Students will engage in conversations grounded in Jewish inspiration on how to promote fair access to fresh food on an individual and community scale. 

 Students might… 

• Understand concepts of food inequality and justice from a Jewish perspective  

• Identify food justice solutions they can promote in their own communities, starting with their synagogue or home Jewish community  

• Explore core Jewish teachings surrounding our responsibility to community members and why the earth is on loan to us all 

• Prepare a farm-fresh snack with a thought-provoking twist 

Volunteering at Coastal Roots Farm

Work alongside the Coastal Roots Farm Education Team in helping maintain our production spaces as we fulfill the Farm’s mission of “nourishing community”.  

 Students might… 

• Complete farm tasks relevant to the season  
• Get dirty working as a farmer for the day to feed local food insecure communities 
• Give back to their community