Farm Tours

Get out and enjoy a tour of agriculture with your class!

Activity Ideas

The following activities are suggestions for some creative ways to prepare your students for a safe and enjoyable agriculture tour.

Activity 1 - safety first | Activity 2 - follow the leader | Activity 3 - on the way

Get ready - go: Activity one - safety first
Purpose- To make students aware of hazards and to promote an attitude of safety for the field trip.

Procedure-
1. Assign groups of students the task of identifying hazards in a variety of locations such as in their home, the school yard, the classroom, a garage or a natural area.
2. Classify the hazards into two categories: avoidable and unavoidable.
3. Explain that on any tour or field trip there may be hazards.
4. As a class try to identify 10 possible hazards they may encounter on the tour they are planning. Ask which can be avoided or eliminated.
5. Develop some simple safety guidelines for the tour.

Note: The teacher may want to ask the host if there are any major hazards that the students should be made aware of.

Get ready - go: Activity two - follow the leader
Purpose- To help students understand the role of group leaders and group members on a field trip.

Procedure-
1. As a class establish what students feel are the responsibilities of a good leader.
2. As a class establish what students feel are the responsibilities of a good group member.
3. Break the class into groups of 4 or 5. Name a leader and give each group a simple task to complete. Allow 5 minutes for the group to organize. Then perform the task.
4. If time permits allow each child in the group to experience being leader.
5. In conclusion identify some of the problems the groups encountered. What were some good examples of cooperation?
6. Revise the lists of responsibilities for leaders and group members.

Get ready - go: Activity three - on the way
Purpose- To help students enjoy "getting there". If they are taking a long journey travelling can be considered part of the learning experience.

Procedure-
1. On a road map establish with the class the route that will be taken to the tour site.
2. Break up into groups to plan special events for the journey - examples: photo stops, snack break and telling stories.
3. Make a final trip agenda - remember children will have more energy on the way there.
4. Collect supplies and have a great time.

Special Considerations

Safety
Use common sense regarding animals and equipment. Remember many of your visitors will not know any of the hazards of a farm. Try to keep your tour out of unkept areas and away from direct contact with loose large animals.

The first order of the day is to establish the rules of safety. Make a list and try to arrange to have the teacher share it with the class prior to arrival. It is best to keep the rules simple (no more than 5 general rules). Such as: stay in your groups, follow the group leader’s directions, be quiet and still with the animals.

A student safety activity is included in the “Get ready - Go Series” which is part of this package.

House keeping
Consider the following special needs of the tour:

• Bathroom breaks - usually upon arrival and before leaving.
• First aid - have a simple kit on hand.
• Allergies - ask about allergies before making close friends of animals and plants.
• Snacks and refreshments - hungry children will lose their concentration quickly. Plan for frequent snack times. With extra activities, appetites soar. Suggest that children bring plenty of food and that disposal of garbage is taken care of.

1. Farm description and special points of interest.
2. Directions for finding the farm.
3. Best times for a visit.
4. Suggest one adult supervisor for each 5 students.

1. How many students will be coming?
2. What grade are they in?
3. How old are the children?
4. Have they been studying agriculture?
5. Does the school have a liability release form or policy?
6. Will the tour require picnic space? special facilities?

1/2 day tour		Full day tour
Arrival 9:30 a.m.	Snack and Bathroom Break Divide into Groups Introduction	Arrival 9:30 a.m.	Snack and Bathroom Break Divide into Groups Introduction
10:00 a.m.	Tour Begins Station 1 - (Cows with calves) listening Station 2 - (Feeding centre) touching, feeling Station 3 - (Equipment)	10:00 a.m.	Tour Begins Station 1 - (The barns) listening Station 2 - (Animals) smelling Station 3 - (Daily routine) talk, role play Station 4 - (Activity) move bales, touching
10:45 a.m.	Break (nail pounding competition)	11:00 a.m.	Break and games
11:10 a.m.	Tour Continues Station 4 - (Field crops)	11:45 a.m.	Clean up and Lunch
11:30 a.m.	Conclusion Sharing and Questions Taste - Sampling farm products	12:30 p.m.	Scavenger hunt
11:45 a.m.	Bathroom Break	1:00 p.m.	Tour continues Station 5 - (Equipment demonstration) listening Station 6 - (Field crops)
12:00 noon	Departure	2:00 p.m.	Bathroom Break Snack - Taste farm products
		2:30 p.m.	Conclusion Sharing Questions Cloud watching and weather predictions
		3:00 p.m.	Departure