WINTER JOURNAL - Learning Tree Farm
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Learning Tree Farm
WINTER JOURNAL
WINTER ON THE FARM In This Issue
Winter is not just a beautiful time on the farm with the tops of the trees
and the panoramic pastures blanketed in snow. Winter is the time of Winter On The Farm
year where many plants rest and prepare for the next growing season. A
trip to the farm in winter is a great time to explore the woods for plants
and animals that don’t just survive the cold, but thrive in it! Director's Corner
Many animals, like geese, migrate to warmer climates, but plenty of
wildlife can still be seen and heard during a hike in our woods. We can
Meet Amy Thompson
also look for ways that birds might change in the winter. The male
cardinal, for instance, reveals his most brilliant red color during the
winter months!
A Day On The Farm: A
Look At Field Trip
Our friendly farm animals fare well in the winter as well, as nature has
Programming
prepared them to brave the colder weather. They grow thicker coats and
they are fed more hay to generate more heat from their digestive
process. They also have access to the barns to shelter from the wind. Farmyard Fun Activities
We hope that you’ll bundle up and visit us this winter for a quiet hike in
the woods and a visit with our animals! Upcoming Events
LEARNING TREE FARM
LOOKING FORWARD WITH
STRENGTH, PERSEVERANCE,
AND THANKS.
DIRECTOR'S CORNER
Another year has come to a close inviting reflection on the
struggles many-faced and yet also the strength and
perseverance through these hard times. While
Learning Tree Farm faced the loss of our largest income source–
our field trips; we also continued to welcome visitors through
small groups programming, drop-in visitors, and virtual learning
opportunities. 2020 was a year of flexibility and responsiveness
and I believe that by having the resources of natural open
spaces, we were able to adjust to the needs of our community We were able to
and welcome them to find a peaceful place to explore.
adjust to the needs of
There are many programming adjustments we made in 2020 out
of necessity, such as family field trips, month-long events, and our community and
more outreach opportunities for the schools. This need for
programming in new ways stretched our team’s imaginations welcome them to
and offered silver linings. Due to popularity, many will continue
in 2021. We cannot thank you enough for the support you find a peaceful place
offered to LTF this year. We started our spring off with a
desperate need for a water source so children could wash their to explore
hands, and you made that happen through our COVID-19
Matching Campaign. We then ended our year with our Annual
Giving Campaign and not only did you help us meet our goal,
but you helped us surpass our goal.
The farm would not be what it is without your care and
dedication. Thank you! As this new year begins we welcome the
idea of new beginnings and growth. We are excited to say that
we are open for drop-in visitors, new themes for our small-
group programming started again in January, and we are
working towards a whole new summer-camp series. We also
have plans for a month-long spring event all about spring on the
farm and of course, our farm baby animals. We hope to see you
all back at the farm soon and until then, stay safe, and stay
warm.
PAGE 2 LEARNING TREE FARM
GET TO KNOW AMY THOMPSON
LEARNING TREE FARM STAFF HIGHLIGHT
Have you met Amy Thompson, Learning Tree Farm's Education Director? Amy
joined the Learning Tree Farm family in September and has brought years of early
childhood education and a love of the outdoors.
Amy has a BA in Elementary Education from Purdue University and has adapted from
a classroom teacher, a program developer for an American Cultural program for children
of American ex-pats, a 1-on-1 para, reading & math aide, to librarian. Amy has also honed her outdoor
education skills through 20+ years as a participant and then as a leader and volunteer in the Girl Scouts as
well as a counselor and program coordinator at several summer resident camps.
When she is not busy working or running around after her kids, cheering at marching band or dance
competitions, she tries to find some time for some of my favorite things, such as reading, doing some light
gardening, and enjoying the outdoors.
Q&A With Amy!
What is your favorite farm animal?
Oh, that's a hard one. I love all of them for different reasons. I guess I would
have to say our 3 donkeys, Surprise, Boo & Marshmallow. They're just so
sweet and patient with everyone. And it just cracks me up when they start
carrying on about something, especially when they see one of the staff in
the tobacco barn and are begging for a snack.
Why do you think nature-based education is so important?
I truly believe that nature-based education lends itself, and is one of the most
enjoyable ways, to becoming a lifelong learner. There's just so much to explore and get
excited about in a natural setting! So many questions to ask. When kids are truly engaged in a nature-based
experience, I don't think they even realize that they're "learning." When there's not the pressure of getting "the right
answer", kids are more willing to try new things and take risks that they may feel too afraid to do in a traditional
setting. When they've learned some cool new fact that they can show off to their family and friends, or learn a new
skill, they just feel so proud and empowered, and the journey of a lifelong learner has begun!
What is your favorite thing to do in winter?
Well, outside I'd have to say hiking on a sunny winter day, listening to the snow crunch under our boots. And then
standing still in the quietness of the winter's woods. There's just something kind of magical in the stillness. Of
course, after that, you just have to go back inside and bake cookies & read by the fireplace!
PAGE 3 LEARNING TREE FARM
A DAY ON THE FARM: A LOOK AT FIELD TRIP
PROGRAMMING
What do students, teachers, and the farm for one of our most
parents do when they come for a popular programs: Spring On The
We like to get the
field trip to the farm? One of Farm. students excited
Learning Tree Farm’s great
strengths is our ability to offer a SPRING ON THE FARM about our natural
wide variety of programs that can
fit into any curriculum and grade As buses pull into the farm, our
world and our
level. From hands-on science to Education Staff is ready to start a proud rural Ohio
history, we like to get the students day of fun! Every field trip starts
excited about our natural world as with a quick orientation explaining heritage.
what our guests will see and do each of the raised beds to
during their visit and go over discover what vegetables might be
some rules to keep our animals ready to harvest and taste! Our
and visitors safe! We break into younger visitors are given shovels
small groups of 10 to 15 and we to dig through the dirt to see what
begin to move throughout the treasures they might uncover.
farm. By breaking into groups,
everyone has lots of opportunities A highlight of our spring garden
to see, smell, touch, and taste tour is to then let the students
without having to wait on the plant a flower to take home. We
sidelines. We encourage every discuss what plants need to
child to engage in hands-on survive and flourish. Watching the
learning by holding a chicken, flowers grow at home, students
petting the sheep, having a goat can continue to the lesson after
well as our proud rural Ohio kid sit in his or her lap, and even they go home. Students also learn
heritage. To give you an idea of having the piglets untie shoelaces! about the water and the water
our visitor’s experience, here is a system at the farm.
continued on page 5
schedule for a *typical day at In the garden, students explore
PAGE 4 LEARNING TREE FARM
continued from page 4
Students also get a hands-on look planted just outside the house in Our educators encourage
at the past in the Century House, our herb garden and visit the well, students to find wonders
where we have a variety of antique stirring their imaginations of what on their own while they
tools, clothing, and housewares. life must have been like! climb over logs, duck under
students are encouraged branches and listen to the
Our guests then get to take a look
sounds of birds, rustling
upstairs in the bedroom and a
leaves, and more!
room set-up as a school-room.
Children are amazed to see the
The day winds down with a picnic
bedding made of straw and to
lunch and free-play at our nature
learn that the whole family would
playground. Often, the border
share one room!
collies, Trip and Scout, provide
visitors with a demonstration of
No field trip to the farm is their sheepherding abilities, a
complete without a hike through time-honored tradition of working
our woods to visit the tire swing, dogs on the farm.
observation tower, and enjoy the
forest. Children use all their No matter the time of year,
senses to explore the world students leave the farm with
around them. They look for memories and a take-away, be it a
to pick-up and touch the things seasonal plants and for animal newly planted flower, a pumpkin,
they see and then compare and habitats, they dash through the 10- or even a decorated picture of
contrast with the tools and acre hayfield and, of course, take their favorite farm animal!
appliances they have in their own turns on the tire swing! Educators
homes. It comes as a surprise to point out our favorite places As the day comes to a close,
many students that cooking was including the raccoon tree, but children excitedly discuss their
done over an open fire inside a encourage students to find favorite parts of their adventures
house, or that water needed to be wonders on their own while they and load onto their buses where
brought in from an outside well or climb over logs, duck under they're sent off with a newfound
creek. We also have them smell branches and listen to the sounds love of nature, and a wave from
and taste a wide variety of herbs of birds, rustling leaves, and more! the Learning Tree team.
GIVING THROUGH GIFTS THAT GROW
Learning Tree Farm is teaming up with Partners for the Environment and other local environmental groups for
Gifts that Grow. For the month of February, Gifts That Grow brings together local and regional not-for-profit
groups that are some of the most respected environmental focused organizations in the region including
Learning Tree Farm, Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm, Beaver Creek Wetlands Association, B-W Greenway
Community Land Trust, Little Miami Watershed, and more!
These environmental champions come together to celebrate not only what they have accomplished, but to
celebrate the strength that comes from unity. We can all work together to protect the green spaces we love
and support these amazing organizations who give the Miami Valley the gift of nature. The Gifts That Grow
campaign will raise funds which will be split evenly amongst the participating organizations through the
Dayton Foundation. Keep an eye out on our social media page for how you can contribute to Gifts that Grow!
PAGE 5 LEARNING TREE FARM
FUN AT THE FARM Can you guess the
answers to these
farm-themed riddles?
I eat grains and scraps.
I can lay eggs.
I say 'cluck, cluck.'
My babies are called chicks.
Who am I?
I am filled with dirt.
You put seeds in me
Some things grow above me.
Some things grow below me.
What am I?
I have horns.
I eat almost anything.
FROM OUR KITCHEN: HARVEST CHILI My milk is used for cheese.
My babies are called kids.
Ingredients (15 oz) can pumpkin puree Who am I?
1 tablespoon olive oil or canola oil 3 cups of water or vegetable broth
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 large sweet onion, diced Chili Spices Mix Answers: Hen, Garden, Goat
2 large carrots, diced 2 teaspoons chili powder
2 stalks of celery, diced 1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
1 large sweet potato, peeled and diced ½ teaspoon of nutmeg (optional)
butternut squash, diced 2 teaspoons oregano
2 cans of black beans, rinsed and drained 1.5 teaspoons dried parsley
1 bag of frozen or fresh riced cauliflower 1 teaspoon cumin
1 pack of cooked lentils 1 teaspoon turmeric
1 cup of red quinoa 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 (6 oz) can tomato paste ½ teaspoon coriander
Instructions
- Heat olive oil and garlic in a large pot, deep frying pan, or right in your instant pot or crockpot over medium heat.
- Add diced onion, carrots, and celery to pan/pot and cook until tender - the onions will start to look somewhat translucent, about
5 - 8 minutes.
- Add water or broth, diced sweet potato, diced butternut squash, black beans, cauliflower, lentils, quinoa, diced tomatoes, tomato
paste, pumpkin puree, and all spices and herbs to your softened onions, garlic, carrots, and celery, in your crockpot/instant pot or
soup pan, and mix everything together. On the slow cooker setting, with the vent switched to the open position, cover with lid
and turn to low for 7-8 hours, or high for about 4 hours.
PAGE 6 LEARNING TREE FARM
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
CLUB CHICKADEE
This series for our preschool age friends runs during the school
year and investigates our farm animals, the gardens, and
wilderness areas through the reading of stories, the creation of a
craft, and hands-on explorations. There is always something new
to discover and old animal friends to greet!
*Registration and pre-payment is required
February 8th and 9th - Stranger in the Woods
Come explore the winter woods with us as we discover who lives
in our woodlands and how they make their homes in the winter.
March 8th and 9th - When Spring Comes
Welcome spring and all that it brings! New things growing, new
animal friends to visit, warmer weather beginning to return, and,
as always, fun to be had on the farm.
April 12th and 13th - The Earth Book
Let’s celebrate Earth Day as we discover why it’s so important to
take care of our world and how each one of us can help!
May 3rd and 4th - The Hidden Rainbow
Come help us find the hidden rainbow growing in our gardens
and woodlands as we explore the important role of honey bees
and other creepy-crawlies on the farm.
FOUR SEASONS OF FAMILY FUN
Join us for spring “Do the Rot Thing” beginners gardening and composting in April and "Summer Solstice Sing-A-
Long and Bonfire" in June. So many great opportunities for the whole family to enjoy the farm together! Be sure to
keep an eye on our webpage & social media a month before an event takes place to sign up.
SPRING FAMILY ADVENTURE SERIES
Mark your calendars for a month-long family series coming this May! We'll have four, weekly activities for you and
your family to enjoy and discover new areas of the farm each week! Keep an eye on it at the end of March for more
information!
LEARNING TREE FARM SUMMER CAMP
We are excited to offer two sessions of summer day camp this coming July 2021. For our younger campers (5-7-
year-olds) they can embrace all the fun and adventure the farm has to offer in our 1-day “Farmer for a Day” camp.
Ourlearningtreefarm.org/get-involved/become-a-farmyard-friend
older campers (8-11-year-olds) will have the opportunity to take a deeper dive into our new 3-day “Learning
Tree Farm Sampler” camp. Registration opens mid-February 2021!
PAGE 7 LEARNING TREE FARM
Your Learning
Tree Farm Winter
Newsletter
Unlock Unlimited Visits to The Farm
Do you love visiting Learning Tree Farm with your family?
We are excited to introduce a new, annual Family Farm Pass!
For one low fee of $55 (fewer than three family visits to the
farm!), you will receive unlimited visits to the farm.
A family farm pass includes two named adults and
dependent children or grandchildren. As part of the Family
Farm Pass, families will receive one year of regular
admission to Learning Tree Farm, email updates, and
newsletters in the mail.
To learn more and get yours today, visit
learningtreefarm.org/visit-the-farm/family-farm-pass/ to get
yours today!
*The Family Farm Pass does not include entry to special events or fundraisers
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