Cultural trips
School trips
school trip to the farm
School Trip to the Farm: An Unforgettable Experience for Your Class!
Do you want to share knowledge with your students in a unique way? A school trip to the farm offers the perfect opportunity to experience nature, agriculture, and wildlife up close. Discover the diverse possibilities and how to optimally organize such a trip. Need support with planning? Get in contact with us here.
The topic, briefly and concisely
A school trip to the farm offers practical insights into agriculture and promotes understanding of where our food comes from.
The Bavarian program "Erlebnis Bauernhof" enables free educational stays and can serve as a model for other regions to improve educational opportunities.
The integration of farm experiences into the curriculum can increase student motivation and enhance environmental awareness, which can lead to an improvement in learning outcomes by up to 10%.
Planning an extraordinary school trip? Discover how a visit to a farm can become an unforgettable learning experience for your students – including practical tips and funding opportunities!
Introduction to School Trips to the Farm
What is a School Trip to the Farm?
A school trip to the farm is more than just an excursion – it is an educationally valuable experience that brings the classroom into nature. The aim is to offer students practical insights into agriculture, animal husbandry, and food production. Such trips promote understanding of the origin of our food and the importance of sustainable agriculture. Through direct contact with animals and plants, children learn to take responsibility and appreciate nature.
Why are farm visits important for schools?
Farm visits offer an incomparable educational value. They not only enhance understanding of natural cycles and food origins but also strengthen awareness of the environment and sustainable practices. Moreover, they improve students' social skills through shared experiences and teamwork. Such an outing can strengthen the sense of community within the class and open up new perspectives for the students. The Initiative Lernort Bauernhof in Baden-Württemberg provides a variety of information and contacts on this topic.
Diverse Programmes and Offers
The range of learning opportunities on a farm is impressive. From feeding animals to making butter, there are numerous activities tailored to different age groups. Some farms even offer special programmes for students with special needs. These programmes are designed to provide an unforgettable and educational experience for all students. For example, children can learn how to bake bread or how to set up a vegetable garden. The SchuB-Initiative in Switzerland also offers exciting programmes in this area.
Free Farm Experiences: The Bavarian Program Makes It Possible
The Bavarian programme "Erlebnis Bauernhof"
What is the programme "Erlebnis Bauernhof"?
The Bavarian programme "Erlebnis Bauernhof" offers pupils free educational stays on qualified farms. Since 2012, around 576,000 pupils have participated in this programme. The aim is to bring students closer to agriculture and nature and to give them the opportunity to actively participate in farm life. The programme is supported by the Bavarian State Ministry for Food, Agriculture and Forestry.
Goals and focus areas of the programme
The programme promotes active and sensory learning through practical experiences in agriculture and nature. The topics include food production, agriculture, nature, and the environment. Pupils should have the opportunity to understand the connections between nature and agriculture and develop an awareness of sustainable practices. The free guided tours for school classes are supported by the state government in Bavaria.
Participation requirements and funding
Eligible participants are pupils from grades 2 to 4, special needs schools, German classes, as well as pupils from grades 5 to 10 of certain school types. Participation is possible once throughout their school life. The programme is part of the initiative "Everyday Competence – School for Life", where a farm visit is recognised as a project day. For schools wishing to participate in the programme, there is a search function to find qualified farms.
Qualification for farms
Farms wishing to participate in the programme must demonstrate a well-thought-out educational programme and active commitment. There are two qualification paths: "Experience Farmer/Experience Farmeress" and "Fit for the Erlebnis Bauernhof Programme". Farms must ensure they offer students an educational and memorable experience. They must also comply with certain biosecurity measures to safeguard the health of both students and animals. The qualification also includes seminars focusing on working with pupils with special needs.
Learning with all the senses: School farms as a valuable addition to lessons
School farms as out-of-school learning sites
What is a school farm?
School farms are farms specifically designed for school groups, offering immersive, hands-on experiences. They serve as out-of-school learning environments that provide insights into agriculture and animal care. Unlike traditional farms, school farms specialise in offering educationally valuable programmes for children and adolescents. These programmes are often closely aligned with school curricula, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge in practice.
Benefits of school farm visits
A visit to a school farm offers numerous benefits. On the one hand, it allows for the integration of academic subjects such as biology, mathematics, and geography with practical activities. On the other hand, it promotes social skills and environmental awareness among students. By working together on the farm, children learn to take responsibility, work as a team, and respect nature. School trips for primary schools are a great way to bring children closer to nature.
Examples of school farm offerings
The variety of school farm offerings is vast. Gut Herbigshagen provides programmes for classes 1-8 with an emphasis on organic farming and climate protection. NABU-Woldenhof focuses on strengthening environmental responsibility. LandWert School Farm offers all-inclusive prices for school trips with organic full board. These examples show that there is a suitable farm for every school class. The offerings from Gut Herbigshagen include stable and garden work, as well as rural crafts.
Animal feeding to butter production: How to make your farm day varied
Contents and Activities on the Farm
Typical Activities for Students
On a farm, there are numerous activities that provide students with a varied and educational day. These include feeding animals, making butter, gardening, and other crafts. Students can be actively involved in the daily farming routines, helping them develop an understanding of farm work. The Waldmühle offers activities such as animal feeding, tractor rides, and bread baking, for example.
Topics and Learning Content
The topics and learning content on a farm are diverse. There are specific programs on topics like grains, milk, or sustainability. Students can learn how grain is grown and processed, how milk is produced, and the importance of sustainability in agriculture. The materials from I.M.A. can be used to integrate these into school lessons.
Adaptation to the Curriculum
The programs on the farm can be individually tailored to the curriculum. Close collaboration with teachers is essential. For instance, students might learn about different farm animals in biology lessons or calculate harvest yields in mathematics lessons. The Emshof, for example, integrates education for sustainable development (ESD) into all areas.
Farm selection made easy: How to find the ideal learning place for your class
Organisation and Planning of a School Trip to the Farm
Choosing the Right Farm
The choice of the right farm is crucial for the success of the school trip. Various criteria should be considered, such as location, the programmes offered, suitability for the age group, and costs. It is advisable to use the search functions and lists of qualified farms to get an overview of the different offers available. For instance, the klassenreisen.de page lists 427 accommodations and package offers.
Booking and Costs
The costs for a school trip to the farm can vary. There are free offers such as the "Erlebnis Bauernhof" in Bavaria, but also paid programmes. When planning, it's important to consider the costs of accommodation, meals, and programme fees. It's advisable to book early to benefit from lower prices. For example, the LandWert Schulbauernhof offers all-inclusive prices for school trips with organic full board.
Preparation with the Class
Good preparation is the be-all and end-all for a successful school trip. This includes the educational preparation of students for the upcoming activities and learning content. Students should know what to expect on the farm and what tasks they will undertake. It is recommended to use teaching materials and worksheets to prepare the students optimally. Our articles on planning a class trip offer helpful tips in this regard.
Safety First: How to Protect Your Students on the Farm
Safety and Biosecurity on the Farm
Important Safety Aspects
The safety of the students is the top priority. It is important to minimise contact between visitors and animals and to inform students about the behaviour guidelines on the farm. Prior to the trip, parental consent should be obtained. Farms are required to adhere to safety standards and inform students about potential hazards. The information from the Bavarian State Ministry provides details about safety aspects.
Biosecurity Measures
Special caution is needed for diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). Hygiene standards should be maintained, and contact with animals minimised. Farms are obliged to inform students about potential risks and take appropriate protective measures. The biosecurity measures are particularly important to ensure the health of both students and animals.
Insurance and Liability
Insurance matters should be clarified before the school trip. It is important to know who is liable in the event of damage and which insurances need to be taken out. Farms and schools are required to inform students about liability conditions. It is advisable to take out additional insurance to be covered in an emergency. Our information on school trips provides further details.
From Theory to Practice: How Students Benefit from Farm Experiences
Examples and Testimonials
Successful School Trips
There are numerous examples of successful school trips to the farm that had positive impacts on the students. These trips have helped to promote an understanding of agriculture and nature and to enhance the students' sense of responsibility. The students learned to work in teams, take on responsibility, and respect nature. The NABU Woldenhof offers immersive agricultural experiences for this purpose.
Experiences from Teachers and Students
Teachers and students report positive experiences on the farm. Students have the opportunity to experience nature up close and gain practical experience. Teachers appreciate the chance to take lessons outdoors and offer students a varied and educational day. The experiences show that students benefit from the farm experiences.
Tips and Recommendations
There are some practical tips for planning and conducting a successful school trip to the farm. It is advisable to plan early, select the right farm, and prepare the students thoroughly. Students should know what to expect on the farm and what tasks they will undertake. It is recommended to use teaching materials and worksheets to prepare the students thoroughly. Our articles on school trip ideas offer helpful tips on this topic.
Farm Education in Transition: New Learning Methods for the Next Generation
Future Prospects and Trends
Developments in Farm Education
Farm education is continuously evolving. There are new approaches promoting the integration of digital media and interactive learning methods. For instance, students can use tablets to learn about different animal species on the farm or use an app to calculate crop yields. The SchuB Initiative offers innovative learning methods in this regard.
Importance for Education
Farm education holds significant importance for education. It raises awareness of regional food production and sustainable agriculture. Students learn where their food comes from and the importance of sustainability in agriculture. The Learning Farm Initiative in Baden-Württemberg promotes collaboration between schools and farms.
Support Programmes and Initiatives
There are various support programmes and initiatives that back school trips to farms. The Bavarian programme "Farm Experience" is an example of such a support programme. There are also initiatives that foster cooperation between schools and farms. The support programmes help ensure more students have the opportunity to visit a farm.
School Trip to the Farm: Your Next Step for an Unforgettable Class Experience
More useful links
The Initiative Lernort Bauernhof in Baden-Württemberg provides a wide range of information and contacts about farm visits as educational sites.
The SchuB-Initiative in Switzerland offers exciting programmes for school classes on farms.
The Bavarian State Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Forestry supports the programme "Farm Experience", which enables free educational stays on farms.
The NABU-Woldenhof offers immersive agricultural experiences and focuses on enhancing environmental responsibility awareness.
FAQ
What exactly is a school trip to the farm?
A school trip to the farm is an educationally valuable excursion that provides students with practical insights into agriculture, animal husbandry, and food production. The aim is to enhance understanding of where our food comes from and the importance of sustainable farming.
Which age groups benefit most from a farm visit?
Students in primary school (Years 3 to 6) and lower secondary (Years 7 to 11) benefit especially. The programmes are often designed to be age-appropriate and offer suitable learning content and activities for each age group.
Is there financial support for school trips to the farm?
Yes, in Bavaria there is the "Farm Experience" programme, which provides free educational stays on qualified farms. Other federal states also have similar initiatives and funding options.
What activities can students experience on a farm?
The activities are diverse, ranging from feeding animals to butter making and gardening. Some farms also offer special programmes on topics such as grains, milk, or sustainability.
How is student safety on the farm ensured?
Student safety is a top priority. It's important to minimise contact between visitors and animals and to inform students about the behavioural rules on the farm. Farms are obligated to adhere to safety standards.
How can a school trip to the farm be integrated into the curriculum?
The programmes on the farm can be individually tailored to the curriculum. Close collaboration with teachers is crucial. For example, students can learn about different animal species as part of biology lessons.
What role does sustainability play in school trips to the farm?
Many farms emphasise sustainable farming and offer programmes that teach students the importance of environmental protection and resource conservation. Students learn how food can be produced sustainably.
How do I find the right farm for my school class?
There are various search functions and listings of qualified farms that provide an overview of the different offerings. The website klassenreisen.de lists many accommodations and package deals.
