Irvin Learning Farm

Are you looking for opportunities for your child to connect with nature or learn about where the food she eats comes from? This June and July, the Irvin Learning Farm offers a half-day summer camp setting specializing in hands-on arts and natural science experiences.

Located at TLC’s 269-acre Irvin Farm, this pilot program is a place for discovery, fun and adventure in the natural world. Children (5-11) will explore the pond, walk through the woods, care for farm animals, harvest organically grown local crops, and create art from the landscape. Through their experiences they will learn about water quality, recycling and composting, sustainable forestry, and native plant and animal habitats.

Irvin Learning Farm is not just for children. Teachers are encouraged to attend to learn new ways to connect their pupils with nature. And high school students can volunteer to receive community service hours credit or as counselors-in-training.

Led by veteran educators Wendy Banning, Livy Ludington and Tori Ralston, the goal of the Irvin Learning Farm project is to give children and teachers experiences in the outdoors that enhance their current lives and learning, and that instill a lifelong commitment to stewardship of the land.

All three educators have experience developing programs and curricula and working with children of all ages. They are respected leaders in their fields with experience ranging from outdoor learning, the arts, applied science and nature sustainability.

To learn more, and for registration and contact information, go to www.learn-outside.com/irvin-learning-farm.html.

The Irvin Farm, just a few miles west of University Lake on Jones Ferry Road, is owned and cared for by Triangle Land Conservancy, a local nonprofit land trust working to provide the region with safe drinking water, healthy food produced on local farms, places for people to connect with nature and natural areas that support our diverse animal and plant populations.

Funding for the Irvin Learning Farm pilot project is provided by a grant from the Grable Foundation, whose mission is “to help children and youth become independent, caring and contributing members of society.” Generous funding is also provided by the Oak Foundation, which commits its resources to address issues of global social and environmental concern. Consultation is provided by The Conservation Fund, a national nonprofit committed to conserving America’s land and water resources.