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Farm and Garden School Programs
Berkshire Botanical Garden offers age and grade appropriate programming for schools, homeschoolers, youth organizations, preschoolers, and daycare centers. BBG Programs cultivate scientific discovery through framework-based instruction and memorable hands-on activities that allow students to draw upon prior knowledge and extend learning into new areas.
The Farm and Garden program aims to empower students to take ownership of their work through gardening, as well as foster a sense of community between students through social-emotional learning. If you would like to visit for a field trip or a school partnership program, please fill out the form below.
Contact Arielle Coon: acoon@berkshirebotanical.org.
Digging Deeper
Growing together from our garden to yours.
We offer a variety of in-school and after-school programming that allows our youth educators to bring our knowedge into the classroom and/or school garden. We plan our lessons based on the season. (We prefer to teach outdoors.) Our educators also ensure their lessons follow all Massachusetts Science K-12 Frameworks.
*All school programming options can be tailored to meet the needs of each school.
5-8 Week Program:
Our educators teach students of all ages and grades about the nature that surrounds them, focusing on local pollinators and wildlife. We also teach from the garden to give children the hands-on experience of growing and producing their very own food. We are passionate about giving students a great learning opportunity within the world that surrounds them. Sessions would be offered during each school's schedule for 30-60 minutes.
After-School Programming:
Our educators come into the school with a fun-filled educational lesson each afternoon. We work with students two to four days a week for roughly an hour. We take students outside and have them learn an array of things, such as tree identification, why pollinators are important, planting in gardens, and harvesting and cooking fresh produce.
Field Trip Rates & Policies
We welcome groups of all ages and sizes to our Garden.
We charge $10 per student along with a group fee to cover the cost of our educators. Our group fees are priced in increments of 10 students; $50 for 1-20 students and then an additional $50 per every 10 students. If attending with more than 45 students please reach out to our school programs manager at acoon@berkshirebotanical.org.
Chaperones: 1 adult for every 10 studnets should accompany groups, anyone in addition to this will be required to pay $10 per person.
Deposit and Cancellations: 50 percent deposit due within 14 days of scheduling. Cancellations made more than a week prior will get a full refund. In the event of severe weather, groups will have the option to reschedule their program.
Title 1 Schools: Please contact us for DISCOUNTED PRICING.
Senses in the Garden
Take a tour of the garden using all five senses. Students will experience the sights, smells, sounds, textures, and tastes of materials found in the Garden, and practice descriptive language and communication skills.
Seed and Plant Study
Explore the life cycle of a seed/plant through story and observation, with particular attention to seeds and their dispersal. Students will also be given the opportunity to learn about different kinds of plants and their seeds while matching seeds and their fruits.
Johnny Appleseed
Learn all about the popular fall fruit through story and an interactive lesson. Students will make their own apple cider using a cider press while learning that different apples add different flavors to the cider.
Pollinators
Walk with us through our gardens and meadows while we look for local pollinators and talk about why they are so important to us and our plants. Learn about the local pollinators such as our resident honey bees and why their waggle dance is so important. Students will have the chance to look at a hive up close and learn what they can do to help increase our local pollinator population.
Life Cycles in the Pond
Students will get an up close look at the invertebrates living in our pond using an array of tools, including magnifying glasses and identifiation keys.
Ecosystem Exploration
Explore the Garden and its wide range of habitats. At each stop, we will discover many ecologies that are home to a variety of species. Students will explore the role that a species plays in the environment, developing skills that will apply to their school or home garden.
What is an Herb?
Students will stroll through our Herb Garden while tasting and smelling the variety of herbs we grow. Student will learn how herbs are often used, then have the chance to pick herbs of their choice to make an herbed butter.
Composting
Learn the Dos and Don'ts of composting and what goes into making a successful composting pile. Through hands-on learning students will have the chance to learn what can and cannot go into a compost pile and how simple they are to create and maintain. Students will also learn about decomposers, like worms, and how beneficial they are to our compost and gardens.
LUNCH AT THE GARDEN:
Groups are welcome to bring a bagged picnic lunch to the Garden and eat on grounds before or after the program. Please note there are no indoor dining facilities at BBG.
Help Our Garden Grow!
Your donation helps us to educate and inspire visitors of all ages on the art and science of gardening and the preservation of our environment.
All Donations are 100 percent tax deductible.