Students of North Harford help bring hands-on agricultural education to children amid pandemic

      The Farmyard in Parkton, Maryland is bringing hands-on farm-based education to children in the community throughout the pandemic. Renee Wilson is the owner and founder of The Farmyard. Being an ag kid herself, she realizes the importance of being able to interact directly with unique experiences growing up on a farm has to offer. 

     The Farmyard was started by Wilson and her father, notoriously known as “Farmer Steve” back in 2016. It began as a small stand that housed a few animals and sold pumpkins in the fall. Since then, it has expanded exponentially. The farm is home to almost a dozen animals, and classes for both adults and children are offered year-round. 

     The pandemic that swept the nation throughout 2020 didn’t impede on the work of the farm, or the mission they were set up for. Renee recruited the help of Amy Vaughan-Roland, a former HCPS educator and North Harford alumna. With her knowledge of the educational system, along with her experience growing up on her family’s farm, the two collaborated to spread knowledge to younger generations. The farm began to offer a new set of classes aimed for children (socially distanced, with mask rules, and lots of “germy gel”) that gives kids a chance at hands-on learning and time with friends while they are distance learning.

     Every week, children ages five to eight come to “farm school”. Each week presents a new topic, accompanied by crafts and activities to enrich the knowledge of agricultural-based learning. The leaders of The Farmyard knew they couldn’t tackle all of the teaching on their own and recruited the help of North Harford FFA members.  Students have the option to come and volunteer their time assisting with the teaching process at farm school. Hours spent on the farm can go towards SAE hours (a four-year string of projects magnet students complete throughout their career in the program) and creates a social outlet while students are distance learning. Freshman Sarah Wiseman says farm school is her “favorite place to be”. Wiseman, along with freshman Madison-Hedges Bailey, is using her time spent at farm school to collect data on knowledge growth in youth through surveys done at the beginning and end of the sessions. 

     Spring and Summer registration and volunteer information for Farm School, along with information about other events held throughout the year are found on The Farmyard’s website. Students do not have to be an FFA member to volunteer at The Farmyard, but do need to be prepared to be outside for most sessions and work with kids at a variety of ages.