On the Farm



The following opportunities are available on Villa Maria Farm:

Family Forest Fun
Seasonal family woodland walks will be held at Villa Maria. The theme for the walks is "Exploring with the Five Senses" and will include kid-friendly activities and a take-home project.  Sr. Jeanne Thurin, HM., Certified Environmental Educator and Teacher, will lead the walks. Adults must accompany child/children. Choose from two dates per session.

Spring 2012: Thursday April 19, 2012 or Sunday, April 22, 2012, 1:30-3:00 PM

         "Become Color Scavengers"
 Summer 2012: Sunday, July 8, 2012 or Thursday, Jult12, 2012, 1:30-3:00 PM
         "Smell and Taste the Season"

Autumn 2012: Sunday, October 14, 2012 or Thursday, October 18, 2012, 1:30-3:00 PM

         "Touching the Mystery of the Forest"


View the Family Forest Fun flyer.


Summer Camps
GROW Camp 2011
Planting: Saturday, May 28, 9:00-11:30 AM
Camp: Fridays, June 17-July 9, 9:00 AM - 3:15 PM
Gardening, Responsibility, Once Weekly (GROW) Camp is a weekly camp that meets on Fridays for children entering grades 1-3. Children, many from urban settings, learn the value of the land through gardening, nature crafts, swimming, plant and animal care, hayrides and much more. Professional farmers and master gardeners bring unparalleled credibility to this program. Lunch and snacks included. Scholarships available.


GROW Camp Publicity and Registration forms:
GROW Camp Brochure and Registration Form
Click here to view a WQED newsclip on GROW Camp 2009
View the 2011 LEAP and GROW Camp flyer


To-the-Farm Fieldtrips
Lessons take place on our working farm, forests, and wetlands at Villa Maria. All lessons are based on the 2010 Revised Ohio Science Standards and the Pennsylvania Department of Education's Academic Standards for Science & Technology and Environment & Ecology.
Farm Friends - PreK-K, 1 hr
Distinguish between real and pretend, domestic and wild animals and their needs and discover how animals give back to people. Take home a seed project.
In-Classroom, too!

Fun on the Farm - PreK-2, 1 hr
Explore the farm animals, barns, grounds, and farm equipment. Take home a seed project.
In-Classroom, too!

Touch, Look, and Listen - PreK-2, 2 hrs
Discover the colors, shapes, smells, sounds, and textures of the farm grounds, buildings, animals, and wetlands.

Gift of the Seed - PreK-3, 45 min - 1.5 hrs
Learn about plants, their growth and needs, and plant seeds to take home.
In-Classroom, too.

BUGS! - Grades 2-3, 2 hrs
"Build-a-Bug" to learn insect body parts and explore the farm for bugs using magnifying lenses and bug boxes.

Buzzin' Bees - Grades 2-6, 1.5 hrs
Examine the life and role of honey bees as well as bee keeping equipment.  View live bees from a safe distance with binoculars.  
In-Classroom, too. 
Home Sweet Home - Grades 2-4, 2 hrs
Discover animal and insect survival needs and habitats in the barns, wetlands, and grounds.

The Living Soil - Grade 3, 2.5 - 3 hrs
Investigate the properties and layers of soil as well as its composition of living and non-living elements.
In-Classroom, too!

Breeds and Feeds - Grades 3-6, 1-1.5 hrs
Compare the life cycles of cattle and sheep and identify their different breeds and needs.
In-Classroom, too!

Ohio History and Agriculture, Grades 4-5, 2.5-3 hrs
Learn how people interacted with and affected the environment of Ohio. Program is based on Ohio History standards and incorporates hands-on activities.
In-Classroom, too!

Agriculture and Natural Resources - Grades 4-8, 2-3 hrs
Learn about soil, flood and drought control, pollination, seed dispersal, and pest control.
In-Classroom, too!
Sustainable Agriculture - Grade 10, 4 hrs
Observe and discover how a farm is managed for sustainability, how energy cycles in agriculture, and how organic foods contribute to health.
Classroom and Farm lesson, 2 hours each.

Call us about our Made-to-Order Lessons
Compost, Ecosystems, Seasons, Food Webs,
Pollution, Trees and Forest, Diversity in Nature,
Water and Wetlands, Worms

Costs
$3.00 per child for less than 2 hours.
$5.00 per child for longer than 2 hours
$25.00 Hayride (when available)
Chaperones free


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Summer Internships
The Department of Land Management at the Villa Maria Community Center is currently seeking a responsible individual to support our ministry and services. The intern will work with Director of Land management to develop a substantive project that meets the organizations needs and the intern’s interests. The intern will be in a mentoring relationship and will report to the Director of Land Management. Together they will complete an evaluation of student performance for the student’s education institution upon the completion of the internship.

Duties/Skills Needed


  • Interest in sustainable agriculture and land systems
  • Assist with  routine farm tasks
  • Soil Management and preparation – nutrient amendments
  • Planting seeds and seedlings or bedding plants
  • Weeding – hand-hoeing, cultivating, etc.
  • Transplanting
  • Harvesting, preparing food for distribution or marketing
  • Help to nurture livestock by feeding and watering
  • Possible assistance with Farm Based Environmental education
  • Possible assistance with special events such as Harvest Day, Farm Tours, various workshops related to organics
For the full internship description and application form, please see the following document: 
Villa Farm Internship Description.
For questions about this internship, please contact John Moreira, Director of Land Management, at 724-964-8920, x3385.


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