Field Trips

Farmer for a Day Program

At Sweetwater, we ask a central question to both our students and community at large: 

Who is your farmer?

Most people today buy their food from big supermarkets. Along the way, we’ve become disconnected from where and how our food is grown—from the people who grow it, and the mindful work it takes. Growing food isn’t simply about planting seeds and harvesting crops; it’s about caring for the soil, conserving water, respecting pollinators and wildlife, and treating farm workers with dignity. 

At our farm, we show students what it means to grow food in a way that nourishes people while limiting harm to animals and the planet. Every choice- from composting food scraps, to avoiding harmful chemicals, to planting native species- teaches us that farming can be an act of stewardship and compassion. 

Our Farmer for a Day field trips invite students to step onto a working organic farm, roll up their sleeves, and reconnect with the land, food, and farmers who nourish us.

Program Overview

Trips to Sweetwater include an educational tour of our farm where students rotate through different interactive stations led by Sweetwater educators and trained volunteers. Each station focuses on an important aspect of organic farming. Students have an opportunity to investigate our compost area, greenhouse, water well, chicken coop, native trail, pollinator station and herb garden. Every student gets the chance to be “farmer for a day” by planting or harvesting crops in the education garden. Students also get to plant their own seeds to take home in a biodegradable pot which they make on site and have an opportunity to taste our farm fresh produce.

Dates: Wednesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays

Times: 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (lunch at 12 p.m.)

Audience: K-6 (customization for older grades)

Season: Year-round, primarily during the traditional school year

Format: 90–120 minutes guided tour + hands-on learning experience

Group size: Maximum of 60 students per visit (larger groups welcomed on multiple trips)

Chaperone ratio: At least 1 adult per 10 students

Pricing

We want every student to have the chance to experience a day on the farm, so our pricing is designed with a sliding scale to make field trips accessible. This scale helps us support schools with fewer resources while sustaining our education programs for all students.

If cost is a concern, please don’t hesitate to reach out- we’ll do our best to work with your school or group so that all students can join us in learning, exploring, and growing together.

Learning Goals

Prior to visiting the farm, educators receive a Pre-Trip PowerPoint presentation to help review our farm curriculum. This tool is meant to support classroom learning before or after the farm.

Our curriculum reinforces grade-level science and social-emotional learning. By the end of the visit, students will be able to:

• Describe what plants need to grow and how seasons affect crops
• Explain how soil, water, pollinators, and farmers work together to produce food
• Practice mindful stewardship: conserving water, composting food scraps, and protecting wildlife habitats
• Try age-appropriate farm tasks (planting, harvesting, composting) and reflect on the effort behind every bite
• Take home a seedling to nurture—extending learning back to the classroom and family

Volunteer as a Field Trip Guide

Love teaching kids outdoors? Join our volunteer team as an Educational Field Trip Guide. We provide training and ongoing support. Your guidance can empower a generation of land stewards! 

For more information, please visit Field Trip Guide Volunteer 

Ready to Book?

To schedule a field trip, or for more information, please contact our Education Coordinator- Dixie Espinosa at educationtours@sweetwater-organic.org

We look forward to welcoming your students to the farm!