Lexington Montessori School Farming

The Farming Program at LMS

One scoop, two scoops, three scoops. A lower elementary student digs and scoops new soil into the garden bed to get ready for this upcoming spring. Ready and eager to participate, students around her get their hands dirty and begin planting new seeds in the healthy soil. Others nearby water and care for full grown plants with a sense of kindness and curiosity that the outside world evokes in a special way. Several children gently pick out weeds and soon decide to go place their new collection in the compost pile. From behind me, I hear a child call out: “Can we pleaseee eat more swiss chard!?”.

What a sight! This is the type of scene you will find in the LMS greenhouse on a regular basis. I have had the privilege of working alongside the children while we plant, grow, harvest, identify and try new foods, and experience the life of a home grown garden. Children discover where food comes from, how it is grown sustainably, and begin to appreciate the hard work it takes to grow nourishing food on a small “farm”. We spend time learning and discussing nutrition, aiming to understand the importance of eating a rainbow of colors. In addition, the middle schoolers take a compassionate look at food insecurity in America and the lack of fresh fruits and veggies for those in need. From toddlers to 8th graders, the farming program allows students at LMS to explore their surroundings, challenge themselves, think deeply, and participate in growing and nurturing new life. The program empowers students to contribute to the wellbeing of their community at LMS while building their own relationship with food and nature.

List of 5 items.

Toddler

Toddlers explore the vibrant colors of fruits and vegetables and begin to identify what different crops look like. Toddlers meet weekly with the farming teacher. They also experience different aspects of gardening, such as weeding, watering, harvesting and composting.
Children's House

Children's House Children gain an appreciation for farmers and the work they do during each season. They learn to pay attention to weather patterns and how they impact the farm and the farmer. They learn about the parts of a plant and which of the parts are eaten. Children meet each week on a seasonal rotation and participate in daily farm chores and garden maintenance.
Lower Elementary

Lower Elementary - Students have farming class weekly on a seasonal rotation. They plant, weed and water gardens in outdoor raised beds as well as those in the greenhouse. They taste foods from the garden and learn to eat nutritionally as they “eat the colors of the rainbow”. Meeting weekly with the farming teacher they come to understand where our food comes from while getting excited about eating fruits and vegetables and connecting with nature through the garden
Upper Elementary

Upper Elementary Meeting weekly with the farming teacher, they learn to plan and plant a garden and eat foods that are in-season. They are actively involved in the process, from seed starting, to watering and weeding the various beds, both outdoors and in the greenhouse throughout the growing season, as well as harvesting and processing. Select students water the crops and manage the compost heap. All students experience the daily hands-on tasks associated with growing food for backyard gardens as well as for market. UE Students also play a key role in running pop-up farm stands on harvest days.
Middle School

Middle School Students meet weekly with the farming teacher and do hands-on farming and cooking projects. They learn to compost, plant and maintain gardens in both the outdoor raised beds and in the greenhouse. Students also study the challenge of food insecurity in America, as well as looking into the environmental impacts and ethical implications of our daily food choices.