Some of the Vegetables & Fruits available at the Prairie Crossing Farm Market:
Arugula, Beans, Beets, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbages, Cauliflower, Celery,
Chard, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Kale, Leeks, Lettuces, Melons, Onions, Okra,
Peppers, Pumpkins, Radishes, Spinach, Squash, Tomatillos, Tomatoes, Turnips
Herbs:
Basil, Celeriac, Chives, Cilantro, Dill, Mint, Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Thyme
Flowers:
Over 100 varieties in Fresh Pre-Cut and Custom Cut Bouquets and Arrangements
Other:
Honey, Eggs, Beef |
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The Prairie Crossing Learning Farm
Overview Sandhill Organics The Learning Farm Farm Market
Welcome to the Learning Farm
The Learning Farm is open for visits year round.
- Please enter the farm using the North Farm Driveway closest to the Yellow Farmhouse
- Parking is available near the Yellow Farmhouse or on Harris Road
- Please follow signs directing visitors toward the Learning Farm areas of the farm
- We welcome your visit anytime between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m.
ABOUT US
Educating the children
in the greenhouse. |
The mission of the Prairie Crossing Learning Farm is to educate and inspire people to value healthy food, land and community through experiences on our farm. The Learning Farm is one of the only organic farms in Lake County to offer educational opportunities to children. It uses three acres of land, several greenhouses, a children's garden, and a henhouse as outdoor classrooms. Learning Farm education programs rely on a staff that has expertise in both agriculture and teaching.
The Learning Farm is a program of the Prairie Crossing Institute, an educational, non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to foster constructive, learning-based action in all areas of life, especially for environmental stewardship, sustainable growth, and organic agriculture. The Learning Farm and the Institute are located within Prairie Crossing, a conservation community in Grayslake, Illinois, widely recognized for its preservation of open land and sustainable agriculture.
Fresh, Certified Organic Eggs for Sale
The Learning Farm cares for a variety of 250, free range, laying hens who lay colorful eggs in hues of brown, tan, white and even green. The hens are fed only organic feed and vegetable scraps and are never given hormones, antibiotics or other drugs. Organic eggs are rich in omega-3 fatty acids which have been proven to lower the risk of a long list of diseases including cardiovascular disease, cancer, depression, allergies, auto-immune disorders, obesity and diabetes. The hens have free access to the outdoors year round and receive high quality care from the volunteers and participants at the Learning Farm.
The Learning Farm’s egg operation presents learning opportunities for many children, a chance for adults to connect with their roots or sink new ones, and helps fund this non-profit organization. A dedicated group of volunteers, the Hen House Helpers, gather, wash and pack the eggs daily. These fresh, healthy, organic eggs are sold at $4.50 a dozen and are available to purchase at the Prairie Crossing Farm. Instructions for purchase are located in the Long Barn, in the center of the Prairie Crossing Farm.
PROGRAMS
Students enjoying
class outside. |
Farm-based education
The Learning Farm works with 375 students from two local schools: the Prairie Crossing Charter School (grades K-8) and the Adolescent Program of the Montessori School of Lake Forest (grades 7-9). Students from both schools are engaged and excited about their lessons and work experience on the farm that integrate agriculture with learning about science, math, nutrition, social studies, and economics.
Henhouse Helpers
Henhouse Helpers taking
care of a hen.
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This dedicated group of volunteers helps take care of our flock of free-range chickens. The volunteers rotate days to feed the laying hens and collect, wash, and pack the eggs. The Learning Farm uses the hens and their organic eggs to teach students math, science, and a sense of responsibility as they care for these farm animals year-round. If you are interested in volunteering for any of our sessions contact Dorie Roth at droth@prairiecrossing.com
Pumpkin Gang members
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Great Garden Gang (formerly Great Pumpkin Gang)
Students in Grades K-5 grow crops from seed to table. During this after school program, children care for a plot of land, grow many different types of plants, learn about insects and animals on the farm, harvest and use crops for food and crafts. Great Garden Gang meets weekly, after school in the spring and fall. Click here for session dates and times. Click here for 2010 registration information.
We had so much fun
at camp this year! |
Children's Farm Camp
This summer day camp provides children aged three to ten with an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors as they explore where their food comes on a working organic farm. Children learn about growing food, insects, soil, and chickens and prepare fresh snacks from the farm. Click here for session dates and times. Click here for 2010 registration information. Click here for the 2010 Camp Policies and Procedures.
To download the registration forms you must have Adobe Acrobat reader; if you do not have the Adobe Acrobat reader, you can download it for free here.
Learning Farm Tours
Bring your group to visit the Prairie Crossing Learning Farm, a real, working organic farm in Grayslake, Illinois. Come experience our unique farm to learn about our farm-based education programs, get your hands dirty in the fields, taste the season's bounty, or even meet our charming flock of laying hens. Tours are offered by arrangement from April to November and are priced according to group size and interests. Both children and adults are welcome. Call us at (847) 548-4062 x11 or email droth@prairiecrossing.com to discuss group needs and schedule your tour today.
Prairie Farm Corps
 Prairie Crossing Learning Farm is seeking young adults ages 16-18 who are interested in the experience of working on an organic farm. During the summer, they will plant and grow crops, care for a flock of chickens, harvest crops and eggs, and prepare and sell them at market. They will participate in daily team building activities and cook weekly farm fresh meals together. The program will also involve several off-site visits to local farms, food pantries and colleges. Prairie Farm Corps increases work opportunities and job skills training for young adults in central Lake County Illinois while also increasing their connections to their food system, environment, and community. Click here for PFC Brochure. Click here for 2010 PFC Crew Member Announcement and Application.
FARM EVENTS
Events at the farm are open to the public and help to inspire young people and adults to understand the importance of healthy food, land, and community.
Join us at the...
GROWING WITH NATURE: ORGANIC PLANT SALE
Saturday, May 8th, 2010, 9:00 am-1:00 pm
Station Square at Prairie Crossing 977 Harris Road, Grayslake IL
Come purchase organically grown flower, vegetable, and herb starts during this fun, family event. These plants are perfect for starting your own garden or for giving away as Mother's Day gifts.
 Click here for 2010 Organic Plant Sale Pre-Order Sales Form. DEADLINE is March 19th.
For those plants that like to be direct sown, the Prairie Crossing Charter School and Learning Farm are selling certified organic seeds through Natures Crossroads, click on the banner below to place your seed order that will benefit the Growing with Nature Organic Plant Sale.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY
Late October, 2010
Prairie Crossing Learning Farm, 32400 Harris Road, Grayslake IL
The Learning Farm will be partnering up with the College of Lake County for the 6th year to participate in this national volunteer day.
If interested in any of these events please contact Dorie Roth at 847-548-4062 x11 or droth@prairiecrossing.com.
GET INVOLVED!
Receive our Email Newsletter
This is the best way to stay up to date on Learning Farm educational offerings, summer camp programs, volunteer opportunities, and events. Send an email to droth@prairiecrossing.com to be added to our email list.
Volunteer
Volunteers of all ages help to maintain the Learning Farm as an outdoor classroom and lead children's activities. To date, volunteers have contributed over 10,000 hours of service collecting eggs, planting, maintaining, and harvesting crops.
If you are interested in learning more about growing organic food and educating others about where our food comes from and would like to get hands-on experience working on a farm then we need you!
Sign up for our email newsletter to be best informed of any volunteer opportunities available.
STAFF
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Eric Carlberg, Farm Manager
Eric Carlberg became the Learning Farm’s Farm Manager in March 2009. For the past two years he worked as crew leader for Sandhill Organics, a certified organic farm that rents 40 acres from Prairie Crossing. He is also currently pursuing a Masters of Divinity Degree through Chicago Theological Seminary and hopes one day to be a pastor of a church that grows food for its surrounding community. Eric came to agriculture through an unusual route: working with homeless people. During his time managing a shelter in downtown Seattle, he took up gardening as a hobby to help him unwind after difficult days on the job. One day while working in the garden, he had an epiphany. As he began harvesting the vegetables he’d planted, he realized that the fertile soil beneath his feet could become a partner in helping people meet their daily needs. He then resolved to learn all he could about collaborating with the soil in order to help others do the same. Working as Farm Manager will provide Eric further “field” education to refine his skills while sharing all he’s learned up to this point.
Erica Hill Pfeiffer, Farm Educator
Erica joined the Learning Farm in August of 2008 to further develop and teach farm-based classes for students in local schools. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Horticulture from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Masters Degree in Science Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Colorado at Denver. Prior to starting at Prairie Crossing, Erica taught in a variety of formal and informal education settings including public school systems, botanic gardens and museums. She also worked as a horticulturist at Denver Botanic Gardens and served as an Americorps *NCCC member. Erica loves teaching people of all ages about nature and sustainable agriculture. In her spare time, you will find Erica enjoying the outdoors; hiking, camping, running, skiing and taking long walks with her husband and dog through the prairie. Erica is thrilled to be back in the great Midwest, reconnected with her roots!
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Dorie Roth, Program Associate
Dorie joined the Learning Farm September, 2008. She has been a henhouse helper and greenhouse volunteer for the past 2 years and enjoys her community garden plot here at Prairie Crossing. Dorie holds a Bachelors degree in Communications from St. Norbert College in DePere, WI. She worked for various companies in marketing, but has spent the past 4 years as Family Coordinator, raising her children Jake and Clare. Dorie has a love for the outdoors, particularly gardening. As her children head off to school she has joined our team to help with various communications, volunteer coordination, and a variety of other projects here at the Learning Farm. Dorie is very excited to join the team at the Prairie Crossing Learning Farm
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Ann Munley, Farm Camp Educator
Anne brings a wealth of experience as a preschool and kindergarten educator, and currently teaches English as a Second Language at New Trier High School. Anne holds degrees in Elementary Education and Cross Cultural Communication, but she also keeps her own vegetable garden, geese, and chickens at home! Anne got to know the Children's Farm Camp in June as our educator assistant, and now we're so excited to have her back as our main educator.
Sharon Gaughan, Farm Educator/Grants Coordinator
 Sharon has been both a formal and nonformal educator for many years, including the previous five school years as an elementary school teacher at the Prairie Crossing Charter School. During her time at PCCS, Sharon worked with her students to design, install, and care for an outdoor classroom which included a native plant butterfly garden, a Native American herb garden, and a Colonial American herb garden. She was also very involved in the Prairie Crossing Learning Farm during those five years, bringing her students to the farm and serving on the Learning Farm advisory board. Sharon has recently transitioned into a position at the PCLF, in order to focus on her primary passion – teaching and learning about organic gardening and farming. When not at the Learning Farm, you can usually find her gardening in one of her many home gardens. Sharon holds a B.S. in Wildlife Biology and a B.A. in Secondary Education from the University of Montana and an M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction (Science Education) from Penn State University.
CONTACT US
For more information on the Learning Farm and how you can get involved, please contact Dorie Roth at droth@prairiecrossing.com or 847-548-4062 x11.
LOCATION
The Learning Farm is located at 32400 N. Harris Rd. in the Prairie Crossing Conservation Community off of Route 45, just south of Route 120 in Grayslake.
Once you are in the Prairie Crossing community, follow the signs for the 'Farm'.
We are within walking distance of the two Libertyville/Prairie Crossing Metra train stations. For detailed directions on how to reach Prairie Crossing, click here.
The Learning Farm is open for visits between April 15th and December 15th.
- Please enter the farm using the North Farm Driveway closest to the Yellow Farmhouse
- Parking is available near the Yellow Farmhouse or on Harris Road
- Please follow signs directing visitors toward the Learning Farm areas of the farm
- We welcome your visit anytime between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m., April 15th through December 15th
Next: The Prairie Crossing Farm Market
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