Fall Programs

FALL PROGRAM MENU

---

Seasonal Farm Tour

Pre-K-2nd grade: Fall at the Queens County Farm is bursting with activity! Come join us for this fun, educational tour where we describe the various farm animals that reside on the farm, visit our various teaching gardens to see, smell, taste, and touch different plants and flowers, and feed the goats a snack. 

3rd-5th grade: Explore our food system, and the unique features of our historic, sustainable farm. Students learn which crops we are currently growing and harvesting, and how we integrate livestock into our farming practices and recycle food scraps into compost. Students will also have the opportunity to visit all of our diverse and friendly farm animals, and even feed the goats a snack.

6th-8th grade: This outdoor tour explores regenerative agriculture, crop rotation, drip irrigation systems, and colonial farming techniques. Additionally, students will be introduced to our livestock, gaining knowledge of holistic planned grazing and its continued importance in reversing desertification and sequestering carbon to combat the climate crisis.

9th-12th grade: Visit the various historical landmarks onsite, learn about how our farmers extend our growing seasons and the farming techniques we utilize to close waste loops, build healthy soil, restore biodiversity, and provide nutritious food to our community, without the use of chemical agents. 

---

Apple Cider Pressing

K-8th grade: Discover how the apple has shaped lives throughout American history, and learn of its significance to New York State agriculture. During this tour, students will learn about food preservation as they press fresh cider from antique presses. Get a taste of plant genetics while discussing the seasonality, propagation, and pollination processes needed to produce New York’s signature fruit. Each student will receive a small bottle of pasteurized cider, take a guided tour of our working farm and historic orchard, and get to enjoy a hayride.

---

Seed to Pumpkin

PreK-2nd grade: Students learn about the different parts of a pumpkin and their purposes, what you can make out of the various parts of a pumpkin, and its nutritional value. Each student will pick their own small pumpkin from our patch, receive a guided tour of our working farm, take a hayride, and feed a snack of hay to our goats.

3rd-5th grade: Students explore botanical and agricultural concepts like the seed cycle, seasonality, and pollination using an autumn favorite: the pumpkin! Learn how this squash shaped Native and Colonial American history. Each student will pick their own small pumpkin from our patch, receive a guided tour of our working farm, take a hayride, and feed a snack of hay to our goats.

6th-8th grade: History and sustainability collide! Students learn how Native Americans influenced many of the popular crops of the Americas, including corn, tomatoes and squash. Through saving seeds and observing plants over time, they developed vibrant crop varieties and utilized companion planting — a sustainable growing technique that is still used today. Each student will pick their own small pumpkin from our patch, receive a guided tour of our working farm, take a hayride, and feed a snack of hay to our goats.

---

Corn Maze Adventure

K–5th grade: Start off your school year with an a-maize-ing experience as your class explores the farm’s 3-acre corn maze! Students will learn about how we grow and care for this historic crop and work in teams to make their way through our maze. We also discuss how we learned how to plant and harvest Native American gem glass corn, we discuss corn’s nutritional value, and how important of a crop corn was in colonial times.

6th–12th grade: Students will enjoy this unique fall experience learning about the history of corn in the Americas, how our corn field is grown and cared for and the significance of corn in our diets. Build your students’ teamworking and problem-solving skills as they collaborate to navigate their way through the many pathways and tall green stalks to find their way to Victory Bridge. A post-maze visit with our farm animals and hayride round out this unique fall experience.

---

18th Century Farmhouse History

Note: Our historic farmhouse can only accommodate one class per day (35 people maximum). Please note this program is not wheelchair accessible.

3rd–12th grade: What was life like in Queens in 1772? Through the story of the 3rd generation Dutch farming family, students learn about NYC’s historical past and pick up a few practical life skills like food preparation and preservation in our 18th century kitchen. Students assist in preparing pickled cucumbers, and freshly churned butter. An outdoor tour provides a view of the farm in the winter months. Students return indoors to taste other methods of preservation and take their pickles home to enjoy.

---

Register Now