Urban Tilth’s new After School at the Farm program offers youth (preschoolers to fifth graders) an enriching opportunity to engage with nature through farm-based learning. The program aims to inspire and educate these students through nature-based play and learning experiences, fostering a lasting appreciation for the environment. By immersing youth in outdoor activities, we hope to cultivate positive, memorable interactions with nature that will have a ripple effect throughout the community, enriching it with a new generation that values and engages with the natural world.
This fall, every Wednesday from October 23rd to December 18th, the program will serve approximately 12 students per session across nine engaging sessions, reaching a total of around 108 young participants. Using a hands-on approach, the program introduces kids to the natural cycles of the Earth that can be experienced at the farm. This includes essential skills like farm safety, planting, watering, seed saving, and other forms of environmental stewardship while incorporating movement, mindfulness, and mental health support. Sessions are dynamic, with activities ranging from group games and freeze dance to learning about the life cycles of chickens.
The afterschool program has been carefully adapted to engage both younger and older children, ranging from preschoolers to fifth graders. Recognizing the different needs across age groups, parents of younger children often stay to support and guide them, while older kids, like those in fourth and fifth grade, are encouraged to take on more leadership roles. This flexible structure allows each age group to participate meaningfully, fostering interdependence and providing hands-on support for the youngest participants. Along with that, volunteer support from local students like one of our regulars, Ian, as well as teaching assistance and translation help from our Rudy Lozito Fellowship manager, Daniela, we are working hard on ensuring a welcoming environment for all families
A highlight of the program is the seed-saving project, which encourages children to gather, separate, and package seeds, building an appreciation for sustainable gardening. Recently, students harvested marigold seed heads, turning seed collection into a game before carefully preparing seeds to take home or contribute to local seed libraries and farm stands. This inclusive, hands-on activity allows students to learn and contribute in age-appropriate ways, inspiring them to share the seeds of knowledge with their families and community.
So far the first sessions of this program have seen growing interest, with attendance exceeding expectations. Parents are welcome to participate, and their feedback has shaped the program’s direction, such as incorporating more physical activity.
Urban Tilth aims to reach a broad swath of the Richmond community, with a special focus on engaging Black families and building connections to Richmond’s Black agricultural history. Field trips, such as visits to the neighboring Wildcat Creek, bring students into direct contact with local ecosystems.
https://urbantilth.org/after-school-at-the-farm/
