Happy New Year! I hope you had a relaxing winter break. I am excited to be back and look forward to a new year on the Micro Farm. My goal for 2020 is for each student to have at least one interaction with the Micro Farm. The interaction can be a lesson or unit linked to class curriculum, participating in a Micro Farm event like sheep shearing, Farm Fridays, Middle School or High School Green Team, a class visit with the animals, or snowshoeing. The farm is a magical place and the possibilities for curricular tie-ins are endless. Please reach out to me and we can create something that fits your needs.

Looking forward to working with you and your students during the remainder of the school year.

Silver Appleyard Duck Facts:

• Originated in England and introduced to the US in the 1960's
• Considered a dual breed and used for both eggs and meat
• Females are called ducks and males are called drakes
• Females lay up to 250 large, white eggs a year
• Life expectancy is between 4-8 years.
• Weight ranges between 7-10 pounds
• Incubation period is 28 days

The Micro Farm is a resource that is available to everyone and can be used to introduce or reinforce classroom learning and activities.

Looking for a farm/agriculture activity tie in for New Year? Contact me and we can design a unit or lesson for your class. Agriculture lessons can incorporate math, writing, research, agriculture literacy and more.

Winter weather is the perfect time to get the kids out of the classroom and exploring. The Micro Farm has a class set of snowshoes (25 pairs) available to use. A sign up sheet will be shared once snow is on the ground or in the forecast.

Green Team students have been busy overwintering the garden beds and harvesting lettuce and kale from the hydroponics system and hoop house.

The Green Team gardeners are busy planning spring produce and flowers, ordering seeds, and gearing up for a spring plant sale.

INGREDIENTS

for the salad

• 1 1/2 pounds Brussels sprouts

• 1 cup diced apple

• 1/2 cup feta cheese crumbled or cubed

• 1/2 cup pecans roughly chopped

• 1/2 cup pomegranate arils

• 1/2 cup bacon cooked and crumbled (optional)

for the dressing

• 1 tablespoon shallot minced

• 1/3 cup olive oil

• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

• 2 teaspoons Avon Grove Charter School honey

• salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Cut the ends off the Brussels sprouts then cut them in half lengthwise. Thinly slice each Brussels sprout crosswise to cut into shreds.

2. Place the shredded Brussels sprouts in a bowl along with the apple, feta cheese, pecans, pomegranate arils and bacon (optional).

3. Place the shallot, olive oil, red wine vinegar, mustard, honey and salt and pepper in a jar. Shake to combine.

4. Pour the dressing over the salad. Toss to combine, then serve.

recipe from spendwithpennies.com

Pennsylvania Farm Show: January 4th -11th Harrisburg, PA

National Ag Day: March 24th More information to come.

Annual Sheep Sheep Shearing: April 2020

Poetry in the Barnyard: April 2020 Celebrate National Poetry Month with the barnyard animal. More information to come.

National Beef Month: May 2020 More information to come.