Life on the Farm: Soil & Compost – Ages 5–10
Tuesday, November 10, 2026 | 10:00 AM–2:00 PM | $175 First-Time Students | $145 Returning Students
What's beneath our feet, and why is healthy soil so important to everything we grow?
Join us at Buckland Family Farm for a hands-on day exploring the fascinating world of soil, compost, and earthworms! Students will discover that soil is much more than dirt. It's a living environment filled with organisms, nutrients, minerals, and organic matter that help plants grow.
We'll begin by collecting and comparing different soil samples from around the farm. Students will investigate the differences between various soils, exploring how soil texture affects drainage, moisture retention, and plant growth.
Using an at-home soil testing kit, students will become young soil scientists as we test soil samples and investigate pH and important plant nutrients. We'll discuss what our results mean and why different plants have different growing needs.
Next, we'll explore the many materials we use to grow plants and care for the land at Buckland Family Farm. Students will compare bagged seed-starting mix, garden soil, finished compost, and wood chips, discovering why we choose different materials for starting seeds, growing vegetables, mulching garden beds, and improving soil.
We'll also investigate the important role animals play in agriculture. Students will learn about rabbit, chicken, horse, and cow manure, comparing their characteristics and how farmers use properly composted or aged manure to return nutrients and organic matter to the soil. We'll discuss why some manures need more careful composting before they can safely be used in gardens.
One of the highlights of our day will be meeting the earthworms! Students will observe their anatomy, movement, and behavior while learning how worms help break down organic materials and improve soil.
Finally, we'll build a worm composting bin, learning what worms need to survive and how food scraps, bedding, moisture, and air work together to create a healthy environment for decomposition.
Throughout the day, students will connect biology, chemistry, agriculture, and environmental science through observation, experimentation, and practical activities on the farm.
What We'll Explore
Discover Soil: Collect and compare soil samples, identifying differences in texture, color, and composition.
Test Soil: Use a home soil testing kit to investigate soil pH and nutrients and discuss what plants need to grow.
Compare Growing Materials: Examine seed-starting mix, garden soil, compost, and wood chips to discover their different purposes.
Explore Animal Manures: Learn how rabbit, chicken, horse, and cow manure contribute to soil fertility and why proper handling and composting matter.
Investigate Decomposition: Discover how leaves, plant scraps, and other organic materials break down and return nutrients to the soil.
Meet the Earthworms: Observe worms and explore their role in healthy soil and composting.
Build a Worm Bin: Help assemble a vermicomposting bin using suitable bedding, organic materials, and composting worms.
Practice Scientific Thinking: Make observations, compare samples, ask questions, and discuss the results of our investigations.
At a Glance
Ages: 5–10
Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
Location: Buckland Family Farm, Flat Top, WV
Tuition: $175 first-time students | $145 returning students
Enrollment: Limited to 6 students
Educational Focus: Soil science, biology, chemistry, ecology, decomposition, agriculture, and environmental stewardship
Students should dress for outdoor activities and working with soil, wear sturdy closed-toe shoes or boots, and bring a packed lunch and water bottle.
Activities may be adjusted according to weather and available farm materials. Students will use appropriate hygiene practices when handling soil, compost, and worms. Animal manures will be studied through safe demonstrations and discussion rather than direct handling of fresh manure.
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Invoices can be paid using Hope Scholarship or via PayPal.
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