Press Release

August 31, 2006

The first of The FARM Institute’s Fall: Food, Farming, & Fun programs at Katama Farm will begin on September 16th. Fall programs at the FARM Institute connect Island children to the traditions of the harvest season and offer rewarding opportunities for children as well as their parents to get involved on the farm. See our calendar for dates and times.

Edgartown, MA—This season The FARM Institute has something for just about everyone with field trips, pre-school mornings, after school and Saturday programs. On Saturdays for ages five to twelve, a morning session will be offered from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. followed by an afternoon session from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Fall: Food, Farming, & Fun programs are filled with seasonal explorations of life on the farm. Packed with chores, projects and activities, students help the farmers prepare the farm for winter, participate in the harvest, nurture chickens and interact with other farm animals. Through preparing and preserving crops for the table, they will discover the economic and nutritional value of local food & so much more!

After-school options for students in grades 1 through 6 include a 10-week program beginning on Tuesday, September 19th. Students work with within their age group as well as mentor younger participants to round out the experience. TFI is pleased to join forces with the YMCA Creative Choices program again this season to provide YMCA Wednesdays at the FARM, an after-school program anticipated to start on Wednesday, October 4th.

Field trips will be offered on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday mornings throughout the school year that can provide valuable connections to science, math, literature, social studies and history through farming. Local teachers are encouraged to contact the farm to arrange field trips that can help meet their specific curriculum goals.

Participation is by no means limited to the elementary student, this year TFI plans to expand its popular Farmer-in-Training (F.I.T.) to include students 10 & up who have had some previous experience at the FARM. Students are chosen for this program through a demonstration of their desire to be on the farm. FIT kids who have been actively participating in this Friday after-school program over the past two years will have the option to move up to Farm Hand status and will be prepared to take on a more active role at the farm.

Last of all, parents of young children should keep an eye out for a new TFI program being developed called Wee Farmer Mornings. These mornings are perfect for a parent and preschooler to come for a hour and get their feet “wet” and will have a different topic each session.

If interested in the YMCA’s Wednesdays at the FARM please contact the YMCA program Director, Tom Hallahan at 508.696.7171 ext. 3 for further information.

The FARM Institute was founded with a vision to educate and engage children and adults in sustainable agriculture through a diverse working farm. Located at the 186 acre Katama Farm property in Edgartown, the Farm Institute provides year round education programs offering learning experiences in livestock management, gardening, nutrition and the tradition of Island farming.

No one is ever too old to lend a hand on the farm. Adults interested in volunteering in our education program contact Melinda. For details and/or to register for all other TFI programs contact Melinda Rabbitt DeFeo, Education Program Manager at 508.627.7007; visit us on the web at www.farminstitute.org or email .

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The FARM Institute - Post Office Box 1868 - Edgartown, MA 02539 - (508) 627-7007