Lakeland Copper Beech Students Learn about Local Farming

Lakeland Copper Beech Middle School seventh graders got a taste of local farming practices recently when they traveled to Glynwood farm in nearby Cold Spring.

Students from Christina Connor’s Family and Consumer Science classes and Karen Bloom’s Health classes learned about everything from farm animals to making cream and butter during their recent visit.

“By traveling to Glynwood, students have the chance to see what they are studying in action,” offered Connors. During the day, the students visited the various barns and got to interact with the sheep, goats, chickens, and cows at the farm’s barns. Students also got a hands-on experience turning cream into butter while also working on wool combing and finger knitting. The program was conducted under the guidance of educators from the organization Something Good in the World.

“The trip tied into the Health curriculum’s units on nutrition where students are asked to explore healthier food alternatives,” explained Bloom. “We also discuss organic and sustainable farming practices in class,” she added.

In class, students learn about locally grown food and what is available in the Northeast. Connors explained that the trip also tied into their resource management unit where they talk about the amount of fuel that is used to ship and package our food, most of which travels thousands of miles. “Buying food locally gives consumers a chance to see how their food is grown and ask questions about the treatment of farm workers and the animals, and growing practices,” said Connors. Students, in turn, learned about the economics of buying locally-grown products.

Located off of Route 301, Glynwood Farm is now a carefully conceived and managed mixed-use operation, featuring pasture-raised livestock and 6.5 acres of Certified Naturally Grown vegetable crops. Glynwood’s mission is to ensure that farming thrives in the Hudson Valley. They farm, train farmers, promote regional food and collaborate to realize their vision.