Have you ever wanted to visit Auerfarm from the comfort of your own home? Through funding from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, students from Bloomfield and Hartford were able to do just that. Our virtual offerings this summer highlighted the three main areas of the farm–the farm animals, the gardens, and the wild spaces for students from pre-K through eighth grade through a combination of a live farm tour on Google Meet or Zoom and support materials to extend the experience. The support materials included simple, at home activities that encouraged outdoor exploration and STEM experiences as well as a choice board, which allowed students to explore in an interactive way by clicking on the different photos that are linked to relevant videos, activities, and articles on the topic. After a virtual garden visit focused on pollinators, one program partner reported that one of their Kindergarteners was inspired by the virtual visit and was out checking the undersides of leaves in their backyard in search of caterpillars. We were happy to be able to bring students an Auerfarm experience this summer even if it was through a screen.
