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
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.
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 from April through November. Recruiting volunteers in February 2009!
Pumpkin Gang members
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Great Pumpkin Gang
Students in Grades K-5 grow pumpkins and other 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 Pumpkin Gang meets weekly, after school in the spring and fall culminating with a booth at the Edible Harvest Festival where students share their learning and their harvest with the wider community. Click here for 2009 registration information.
We had so much fun
at camp this year! |
Children's Farm Camp
This summer day camp provides children aged three to nine 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 2009 registration information. Click here for the 2009 Camp Policies and Procedures.
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.
Healthy Home Saturday Workshops
The Prairie Crossing Learning Farm offers monthly Saturday morning workshops that teach fun ways to use local and organic farm products to encourage healthy living at home. Workshop topics may include yogurt and tofu making; baking high-quality bread at home; making jams and preserves from local fruits; building a worm composting bin; extending the harvest by freezing, canning and drying; garden weed & pest walk; and much more. Workshops will be held on the second Saturday of the month, from 10 a.m. to noon. Participants always leave with delicious or useful products to take home. Fees for adults vary depending on topic, and children are free.
Prairie Farm Corps
Prairie Crossing Learning Farm is seeking young adults ages 16-22 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, will increase 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. If interested in any of these positions please click on the following links.
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 9, 2009, 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.
EDIBLE HARVEST FESTIVAL
Early October, 2009
Prairie Crossing Learning Farm, 32400 Harris Road, Grayslake IL
Sample locally grown food, enjoy a tour of the farm, participate in pumpkin painting and wheat demonstrations, and meet your local farmers. For more details visit www.edibleharvest.org.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY
Late October, 2009
Prairie Crossing Learning Farm, 32400 Harris Road, Grayslake IL
The Learning Farm will be partnering up with the College of Lake County for the 5th 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 would be 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!
For more information on the volunteer opportunities available, please click on the following: (Adobe PDF document). If you do not have the Adobe Acrobat reader, you can download it for free.
If interested in volunteering please contact Dorie Roth at 847-548-4062 x 11 or droth@prairiecrossing.com.
STAFF
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Nicole Jain Capizzi, Farm Manager
Nicole has been at the Learning Farm since 2004, working to develop our farm-based curriculum and educational farming systems. She holds a certificate from the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems at the University of California Santa Cruz, and completed training as a Master Gardener in King County, Washington State. Before coming to Prairie Crossing, she spent 5 years working and volunteering as a gardener, nursery buyer, horticulturalist, and landscaper before developing and teaching garden curriculum for children with Americorps. Nicole loves to hike and mountain bike in her native Northwest and to cook simple, delicious food for friends. She loves working outside in all seasons because she sees art everywhere in nature. In 2008, Nicole shifted her position to half time in order to pursue her own goals of starting an urban farm in the Milwaukee area. She and her trusty farmhand dog, Zari, can still be spotted around the Learning Farm taking care of the fields and livestock, working with students, and helping the ever-growing staff come together to build the programs foundation.
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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 Administration Assistant
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.
Dianne Boulay, Event Coordinator
Dianne began volunteering with the Henhouse Helper and Great Pumpkin Gang programs in 2007 and joined the staff in 2008 to coordinate the Organic Plant Sale and spring program promotion. Dianne holds a Bachelors Degree in Sustainable Agriculture and Horticulture from Evergreen State University in Olympia, Washington and completed the Master Gardener and Master Composter/Soil Builder trainings in King County, WA. She spent 5 years working with Seattle Tilth educating homeowners about Integrated Pest Management and organic lawn and garden care practices and assisting with special events.
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Jan Springborn, Farm Camp Educator
Jan began as a volunteer for the Childrens Farm Camp in 2007 and joined the staff as a lead camp educator in 2008. She has also volunteered in the greenhouse, growing plants and getting ready for the Organic Plant Sale in May. She holds a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education from North Central College and a Masters degree in Library Science from Northern Illinois University. Jan worked as a Childrens Librarian for many years, and also taught preschool and lead storytime at Under the Sycamore Tree. Jan delights in bringing children, nature, and books together and has a special place in her heart for 3-year-olds. She is looking forward to being a Grandmamma for the first time in October 2008.
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Tiffany Simons Chan, Farm Camp Educator
Tiffany has worked as a lead educator with the Children's Farm Camp since 2007. She grew up in California and earned a Bachelors
degree in Cognitive Science from the University of California, San Diego before moving to Chicago in 2002. She is currently working to complete her doctorate in Learning Sciences at Northwestern University, where her research focuses on what leads people to become involved with environmental issues. She completed the Cook County Master Gardener class in 2006 and has served as an educator and a volunteer with Garfield Park Conservatory, local school gardens, and other place-based educational and community garden programs in Chicago. In her free time Tiffany enjoys biking along the Chicago lakefront, cooking with her husband, tending to the container garden on her balcony, and hanging out with her two cats, Connor and Jules.
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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 Childrens Farm Camp in June as our educator assistant, and now were so excited to have her back as our main educator
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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