1994-1996 Mini Grant Winners

First Cycle: September 1994

Mini-Grant: "Students of the Farm - Berkshire County Collaborative Project"

The Land Trust organized a students on the farm project with the Plains School in Stockbridge. This Farm immersion program is designed to strengthen the knowledge of local agriculture and offers third graders director contact with farmers, food and farms. Students participate in 5-6 full days of planting, cultivating, composting, harvesting, distribution and marketing of crops as well as classroom instruction by farmers.

Cathy Roth, UMASS Cooperative Extension, 44 Bank Row, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Attn: Berkshire Regional Food & Land Council

October 1, 1994-September 30, 1995

Second Cycle: November 1994

Mini-Grant 1: "Franklin County "Pumpkins from Seed to Harvest"

Pearl Rhodes Elementary School and Dancing Bear Farm, Leyden, MA - 2nd year organic gardening project and tours

This project introduced students at the Pearl Rhodes Elementary School in Leyden, MA to growth cycle of a crop by giving them their own pumpkin field to plant and harvest. In one introductory classroom session and two farm visits students planted seed, transplanted, mulched their field and harvested pumpkins. the pumpkins were donated to the classroom for sale to expand their trip account. This is the second year for the pumpkin project, it will be expanded to reach more age groups.

Tom Ashley & Trish Crapo, 181 Frizzell Hill Road, Leyden, MA , 01337

Spring and fall of 1995

Mini-Grant 2: "Food & Health Science Program"

The Department of Food Science at the University of massachusetts is interested in raising awareness of students and the general public about various scientific aspects of food. This would lead to a better understanding of the scientific nature of food production and food processing technologies thus increasing public awareness of the safety, nutrition quality of our food supply. The program will conduct workshops and supply curricula materials to middle and high-school science teachers./p>

Eric Decker, Associate Professor, Department of Food Science, Chenoweth Lab, UMASS, Amherst, MA 01003

Mini-Grant 3: "School Cafeteria Composting Program"

Conway Grammar School in Cooperation with the Smith Vocational-Agricultural School Farm and the Center for Ecological Technology

The Conway Grammar School composting program was begun with the intent of introducing biological decomposition and recycling to students in grades one through six with emphasis on handling cafeteria kitchen wastes and table scraps, the project confronts the issues surrounding food production, consumption and waste, as well as recycling and other current waste issues. Although the program has been successfully implemented currently maintenance of composting activity relies on volunteer efforts. In-service training of staff will provide in-house technical assistance and understanding of composting to assist in institutionalization of the program.

Tim Luce, Conway Grammar School, 24 Foumier Road, Conway, MA 01341

1994-1995 school year

Mini-Grant 4: "Growing with Care, Big Brother/Big Sister Program"

The Big Brother Big Sister Program of Martha's Vineyard sponsored a series of agriculture related lectures to benefit the community promote the Big Brother Big Sister Program, match adults and children with similar interest and to educate the public about sustainable agriculture, composting, food sources and specific garden related topics. Lectures were held at Eden, a local garden center and farm market on Saturdays in May and June.

Dee Dice, Box 2001, Vineyard Haven, MA, 02568

May and June 1995

Mini-Grant 5: "Waltham and Watertown Community Farm"

They started a community farm on three acres of the grounds of Gore Place, an historic mansion located in Waltham and Watertown The purpose of the farm was two fold: to grow vegetables for local soup kitchens, shelters and food pantries and to give urban people (children and adults) a chance to experience working on a farm by volunteering to plant cultivate and harvest the vegetables. Education about sustainable agriculture was communicated through written materials and conversation.

Oakes Plimpton, 67 Coolidge Road, Arlington, MA 02174

Summer of 1995

Mini-Grant 6: "Proctor and Witch Hollow Farm Education Program"

Agricultural education teaching materials were purchased from a variety of different sources. These materials will become the basic foundation curriculum for the Witch Hollow Farm Cultural Center, and will also be used as an enrichment science program in the Tri-Town School Union in grades K-6. All materials will be compiled into a comprehensive state of the agricultural curriculum.

Melanie Shepard, Proctor School 60 Main Street, Topsfield, MA, 01983

Mini-Grant 7: "Creating a Model for Sustainable Agriculture in the Classroom"

The Natick Community Organic Farm currently provides farm-based programs to Natick school children in grades 1-5. This project will enable the Farm to add programs at the Kindergarten and middle school level as well as provide teacher training, informational materials, pre and post Farm visit activities, and slide sets to enhance school visits. There is currently little interaction between farm staff and school faculty; teachers need to be empowered as to ways in which the farm can be a resource in the development of their own projects, lessons and activities.

Elizabeth Keohan, Eliot Montessori Middle School, 119 Eliot Street, Natick, MA 01760

Mini-Grant 8: "Westport's Farms"

The six teachers with 3rd grade classes (150 students) at the Westport Elementary School teach many of the Social Studies and Science curriculum objectives by using Westport as a theme. It is more meaningful if it is a real life experience that the students can relate to. Through the use of hands-on materials, speakers, projects, visuals and more, the children become very knowledgeable about Westport's social, economical and historical background. One of the largest resources in Westport is it's farms. Therefore, one of the major objectives of the Unit on Westport is to teach the importance of the farming community and how it effects everyone's lives.

Joan Travers, Westport Elementary School, 540 Drift Road, Westport, MA 02790

Third Cycle: April 1995

Mini-Grant 1: "Outdoor Classroom Project, Brimfield Elementary School"

A newly remodeled school site, became an outdoor gardening and landscaping classroom A volunteer worked with every classroom in the school as well as several special classes and scout groups. Each class developed and planted their own theme garden (alphabet garden, early American garden, herb garden, butterfly garden, dye garden, cut flower garden, sitting garden, etc.). 13 gardens in total were planted around the school These gardens were maintained throughout the summer and an irrigation systems was installed in the front of the school.

Linda Fuchs, Volunteer, CIO Brimfield Elementary School, Wales Road, Brimfield, MA, 01010

January-June 1995

Mini-Grant 2: "Head Start inc. in Holyoke-Chicopee and Lampson Brook CSA Farm Partnership"

This project proposes to establish a mutually beneficial partnership between a child care center and a local farm. Holyoke Chicopee Head Start, inc. a non-profit community organization which provides services to needy families, will purchase shares in Lampson Brook CSA Farm - a Community Supported Agriculture Farm. In return for the shares purchased by local community members, each receives fresh produce in season. Holyoke Chicopee Head Start will receive the fresh produce and will also educate the children and their families on responsible farming.

Elena S. Byrne, Program Specialist, Food and Consunner Service, USDA, 10 Causeway Street, Room 501, Boston, MA 02222

April 1995 to November 1995

Mini-Grant 3: "Construction of a Mini-Farm with MAC Emphasis"

A new agri-facility was built to house farm animals at the 4-H Farley Outdoor Education Center. The mini-farm provides security for animals (often borrowed from local Farm Bureau members), improve program efficiency, and enhances the agriculture education program.

Michael Campbell, Executive Director, 4-H Farley Outdoor Education Center, 615 Route 130, Mashpee, MA, 02649

1995 Camp Season

Mini-Grant 4: "Food Talk TV Cable, Mass Media Ag in the Classroom"

The project would develop five 25 minute cable TV shows in cooperation with UMASS Extension. for grades K-4. The program would be a progressive series.

Sharon L. Miller, 17 Armstrong Drive, Westboro, MA 01581-3501

Mini-Grant 5: "Outdoor Learning Center Allandale Farm"

There is a history of over 10 years of outdoor learning projects at this farm.This proposal provides a series of 19 workshops from May 1995 through October 1995 All of the themes to develop the theme of critical relationships between lives of participants and the role of agriculture and it's role in participants lives.

John D. Lee, Allandale Farm, 259 Allandale Road, Brookline, MA 02167

May to October 1995

Mini-Grant 6: "Milk Machine Exhibit "From Cow to Consumer"

This 6th generation dairy operation opened a Farmland exhibit in 1991 on 1 1/2 acres. It has grown to be the largest collection of endangered farm animals in New England. This year they have made the Dairy Milking Parlor ADA accessible. This grant will fund highly interactive signs for the Dairy Milking Parlor education program.

Laurence Davis, Farmland Petting Zoo, 7 Davis Ledge Road, Sterling, MA 01564

Construction begins May 1995 Opens June 1995

Fourth Cycle: September 1995

Mini-Grant 1: "After School Enrichment"

To run Earth Science Club after school. Program content includes composting, maple sugaring, germinating seeds, investigating trees and exploring the Salem Woods. They will tap maple trees and take field visits to Salem Woods and open space in Salem. The program will reach 15 students for an eight week period (diverse population, 49% are low income).

Andrea Dickinson, After School Enrichment, 81/2 Summit Avenue, Salem, MA 01970

Eight weeks in the spring of 1996

Mini-Grant 2: "Center for Ecological Technology: Community Gardening coalition developed to help develop two Eco-gardens"

The program will offer workshops on eco-gardening to provide information about sustainable and ecological growing techniques to teachers end members of the community. This information will be shared with students, who will then gain real life experience by using that knowledge as they develop a community garden. The communities involved will also learn about community gardening and will begin to understand the nutritional value of organic food and how to prepare fresh produce, gain an appreciation of our local farms in Berkshire County and experience the empowerment of growing one's own food.

Laura Dubester, Director, Center for Ecological Technology, 112 Elm Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201

December 1995 to July 1996

Mini-Grant 3: "A Celebration of Our Local Farms"

Agricultural studies are a way to bring the focus back to the community. Students will explore agriculture through traditional methods as well as through the use of computers and CD-ROM They will record their discoveries through word processing, desk top publishing, spreadsheets and databases. A community dinner will kick off the agriculture unit and the celebration of the local farming community and a field trip will be conducted.

Katherine A Kaczynski, Computer Coordinator, Trinity Catholic Academy, 11 Pine Street, Southbridge, MA 01550

November 95 - June 96

Fifth Cycle: November 1995

Mini-Grant 1: "Compost and Soils Laboratory Project"

The Conway Grammar School Compost program began in 1992 with an assessment. The Composting and recycling program is fully integrated into the school at this time at all levels. The current funds are requested for the developing and piloting of a compost curriculum and lab test kit for elementary grades The curriculum will he evaluated by independent teachers and will fit with math and science guidelines.

Tim Luce, Principal, Conway Grammar School, Conway, MA

December, 1995 through August 31, 1996

Heather Ware

Mini-Grant 2: "Water Quality Testing"

This project will introduce eight grade science students at the Indian Head Middle School to appropriate knowledge and attitudes about water quality in Hanson. Going beyond simple observations, students will learn to analyze water quality. They will also learn about watersheds, pollutants, environmental relationships and patterns and to evaluate water quality in their own community Includes two field trips, a guest speaker from Cape Cod Cranberry Growers' Association and teacher instruction to expand the program. Pre and post testing.

Anita Kofton, Eight Grade Science, Indian Head Middle School, Hanson, MA

April 1, 1996 through May 31, 1996

Mini-Grant 3: "Fishing is Shared Heritage"

To develop a classroom curriculum on Fisheries and Aquaculture as part of a task  force set up to assist families affected by the imminent off shore fisheries crisis. Overall  goal is to provide sustainable fishes and Aquaculture education to the general public through a concentrated focus on youth. Project will include storytelling, oral history, teaching materials, Resource packets, teacher training and parent meetings For Chatham, Orleans, Bastham, Wellfleet, Truro, and Provincetown Elementary Schools.

William Clark Director Cape Cod Cooperative Extension

January 1, 1996 January 1, 1997

Mini-Grant 4: "Students on the Farm Project"

The Land Trust requests continued support of the students on the farm project in at the Plains School in Stockbridge and expansion to the Village School in West Stockbridge Farm-immersion program to strengthen knowledge of local agriculture, offers third graders direct contact with farmers, food and farms. Students participate in 5-6 full days of planting, cultivating, composting, harvesting, distribution and marketing of crops, as well as classroom instruction by teachers and farmers.

Cathy Roth, Team Leader Agroecology Program, Cooperative Extension, Berkshire County Food and Land Council

December 1, 1995 through November 30, 1996

Mini-Grant 5: "Urban Orchards Outdoor Classroom - Phase I"

Work with teachers at two elementary schools in Boston to determine strategy for teaching about urban orchards, develop 3-5 formalized lessons, field test lessons at two elementary schools with established orchard plantings, add to the orchard plantings at those schools, evaluate and refine materials. Explore producing materials and lessons for the middle school grades.

William Taylor, Executive Director, Earthworks 42 Robinwood Avenue, #2, Jamaica Plain MA 02130

December 1995- June 1996

Mini-Grant 6: "Cambridge Organic Gardening Series"

Mini-grant will provide 36 teacher in three elementary schools in Cambridge with materials and consultant support for organic gardening and composting from Drumlin Farm. Two after school garden planning workshops will be funded for six lead teachers. It will enable 864 students to become involved in organic gardening.

Barbara Dorritie, Science Department, Cambridge Public School Room R222, Cambridge, MA 02138

Spring through Fall 1996

Mini-Grant 7: "Reaching Out for Agricultural opportunities in the 21st Century"

Will take a bus trip to UMASS to visit to plant path and entomology departments and the Hadley Farm Animal facility in January. In February 4 agriculture professional will visit the school. their presentations will be videotaped. In March they will visit Nourse Farm tissue culture facility, N greenhouse and a rose operation. Each student will keep a journal and classroom activities will support agricultural comprehension.

Charlene Galenski and Julie Webster, Deerfield Elementary School, 21 Pleasant Street, Deerfield, MA 01373

January 1996 to June 1996

Sixth Cycle, April 1996

Mini-Grant 1: "Tree Identification Project"

The project will identify and label the 25 varied trees on this 11 acre campus in the heart of Springfield, Massachusetts. A dichotomous key, specific to the site, will be created and workshops will then be offered to local elementary teachers instructing them how to use this key. Lesson plans will be developed focusing on tree appreciation, beauty, ecological and agricultural importance for a sustainable environment. The arboretum will be promoted for school groups as an outdoor laboratory. Initially 600 students and teachers will be involved in this project.

Janet Smith Coyne and Rosa Whiting, MacDuffie School 3 Ames Hill Drive, Springfield, MA 01105

Mini-Grant 2: "Gardens to Go"

The 35 second graders at the Green River School will learn basic skills of growing food from seed. Students will prepare container gardens, which will be taken home for the summer. Classroom time in April, May and June will be devoted to preparing the students to become capable growers. Most of the money will be spent on a light system and printed education materials.

Donna Cycz, Grade 2 Classroom Teacher, 60 Meridian Street Greenfield, MA 01301

Spring and fall 1996

Mini-Grant 3: "Display of Farms and Unique Agricultural Products in Franklin County, MA"

To develop and exhibit that will include a photographic portrayal of several farms and a description of produce and agricultural methods, examples of the products and a graphic display representing the current percentage of land in agriculture in Franklin County. This will be displayed at the Franklin County Fair and will be made available to other groups and organizations who want to learn about farming in Franklin County.

Martha Rullman, Box 21 Northfield, MA 01360

Spring and Summer 1996

Mini-Grant 4: "A Self Sustaining Agricultural System"

The Hillcrest Education Centers, is a residential treatment facility specializing in caring for children who have been victims of sexual and physical abuse, emotional and physical neglect. Most students have never grown anything or even visited a farm. The proposed program is designed to help students, through hands-on experience, understand and value the natural processes associated with recycling, sustaining soil quality and the productivity of the land. To accomplish this goal need to obtain basic materials. Once established the program will be self-sustaining.

Brian M. Walsh, Hillcrest Educational Centers, Inc., Residential Treatment Centers, P.O. Box 4699 Pittsfield, MA 01202

April, 1996- April ,1997

Mini-Grant 5: "The Soil Tunnel: A World Underfoot"

The Soil Tunnel is a mobile educational display geared for students in grade 2 through 5. This interactive teaching aide, accompanied with hands-on exercises, was designed and constructed by the USDA and PCCD to demonstrate the importance of soil resources. This unique approach to learning allows students to crawl through}1 the tunnel and experience soil first hand, bugs and all. Each week, a trained college intern will transport and present the tunnel to a different school. PCCD will support the project for the first month. Requested funds will support the Soil Tunnel Activities for May and June.

Meredith A. Slater, Soil Scientist, USDA - NRCS 15 Cranberry Highway, West Wareham, MA 02576

May and June, 1996

Mini-Grant 6: "How Does A Cranberry Bog Work?"

The grant will be used to familiarize 7th grade students with the last working cranberry bog in Middlesex County. The main goal is to hire buses to transport the students to the bog during harvesting in the fall. The second goal is to rework video research materials}s so that they can be used at the middle school level. The third goal is to introduce the students to a real life farmer, Mr. Mark Duffy, so that they can ask questions about how a cranberry bog works. Finally, as part of an interdisciplinary unit the students can make cranberry rakes, build mini-bogs, and learn how cranberry goes from bog to table in juice, jelly and baked goods.

Susan Bassler Pickford. Bartlett Middle School, 79 Wannalancit Street, Lowell, MA 01854

Autumn of 1996

Mini-Grant 7: "Saturdays at the Farm Program"

The Hampshire College Farm is seeking funding for a fifteen week program for elementary-age children during the summer of 1996. The Saturdays-at-the-Farm Program is a hands-on program that provides urban youth-at-risk, the opportunity to create their own communal, organic vegetable and flower garden within the context of a working farm. The Khmer Community of Western Massachusetts and The Holyoke Youth Alliance will identify the children who will join the program. The program will bring children of different economic, social and ethnic backgrounds together to work on this joint food production venture.

Nicolette Robb, Director, School-to-Farm Program, Hampshire College Farm, 793 West Street, Amherst MA 01002

Summer of 1996

Mini-Grant 8. Agriculture in the City"

Agriculture in the City: Exposing Urban Kids to Gardening Lambert-Lavoie School has instituted a hands-on science program following the directives of the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. Two gardens and a beautification project are planned as the initial phase of a program that is designed to teach city students that agriculture is a large part of their lives. The entire K-5 student body will participate in the research, planning and implementation of these gardens. The program integrates several areas of the curriculum including math, language arts, science, history and geography. The garden project will provide urban students with opportunities to experience, appreciate and better understand agricultural issues.

Tracie Padyhula, Science Resource Teacher, Linda Fuchs, Horticulturist, Lambert-Lavoie School, 99 Kendall Street Chicopee, MA 01020

Spring, summer and fall of 1996

Mini-Grant 9: "4-H Camp Farley"

Request for Barnyard Equipment and Curriculum Thanks to a grant from Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom, last year, 4-H Camp Farley was able to construct a new mini-barnyard complex. This beautiful facility currently houses the camp's barnyard animals and serves as an effective tool for conducting agricultural activities. In keeping with this effort, 4-H Farley is requesting additional funds from MAC to purchase various support equipment and agricultural materials. This modest addition of specifically designed feeders and waterers, related curriculum and games, and other support items will go a long way toward enhancing the facility and program and improving our ability to manage it.

Mike Campbell, Executive Director, 4-H Farley Outdoor Education Center, 615 Route 130 Mashpee, MA 02649

Spring and Summer of 1996

Mini-Grant 10: "Pepperell Meets Hames and Axel Farm"

Hames and Axel Farm is an educational service to be provided throughout Massachusetts. Consisting of nine modules, each deals with a different topic. Beginning with Family Tree Child Care Center, three of the units will be presented to their school age summer program. These three plus three more will begin in October ' 96 as an enrichment program at Peter Fitzpatrick Elementary School. Units use a combination of media including live animals and drama. These and other tools will connect students with the farmer's contribution to their lives, and encourage land preservation and support for sustainable agriculture.

Patricia Garland Stewart, 3 Crescent Street, Pepperell, MA 01463

Spring and fall of 1996