Grades K/1/2 Science: Plants, Animals and Seasonal Change

Use your 5 senses to explore life cycles on the farm:

Grades 3/4/5 Science: Biodiversity on the Farm

Explore the diversity of plant, animal and soil life:

• Plants: local and non-native plants; learn plant parts; plants are producers, the foundation of food pyramids.
• Animals: farm animal characteristics; basic structures and functions of body systems; animals are consumers.
• Soil biology: healthy soil ecosystems; bacteria and fungi are decomposers; different soil particles; compost.
• Food chains and food webs on the farm and in nature.

Curriculum Connections - Big Ideas

• Living things are diverse, can be grouped and interact in their ecosystems.
• All living things and their environment are interdependent.
• Humans use earth materials as natural resources.

Contact: Any of the participating farms

Grades 6/7 Arts Education: Local Fibre and Textiles

Learn about local fibre-producing animals and local fibre arts:

• Observe alpaca or sheep shearing.
• Learn about natural fibres, including their origins, characteristics, uses and care.
• Felt with local wool.

Curriculum Connections - Big Ideas

• Engaging in creative expression and experiences expands people’s sense of identity and community.
• Engaging in the arts develops people’s ability to understand and express complex ideas.

Contact: Midnight Sun Alpaca Farm, Northern Spirit Alpaca Farm or Wheaton River Gardens

Grade 8 Science: Photosynthesis and/or Microorganisms on the Farm

Learn about plant growth and/or explore the relationship of microorganisms with living things:

• Photosynthesis and cellular respiration in action.
• Bacteria in food production: make cheese, yogurt, sauerkraut or other fermented food.
• Compost: nature’s way of recycling; learn about microorganisms in the soil.

Curriculum Connection - Big Idea

• Cells are a basic unit of life.

Contact: Circle D Ranch, Elemental Farm, Lendrum Ross Farm, Little Fox Farm, Midnight Sun Alpaca Farm, or Wheaton River Gardens

Grade 8/9 Foods and Nutrition: Personal Food Choices

Investigate the cause and effect of our personal food choices:

• Learn about the true cost of local food.
• Examine factors that influence personal food choices, including availability, cost and environmental concerns.
• Consider the impact of factors that influence food choices, such as pricing, quality, availability, convenience, taste, organically grown and/or locally produced.

Curriculum Connections - PLO’s

• Social, economic and cultural factors that influence personal food choice.
• Discuss impact of factors that influence food choices.

Contact: Circle D Ranch, Elemental Farm, Heart Bar Ranch, Lendrum Ross Farm, Little Fox Farm, Midnight Sun Alpaca Farm, Rivendell Farm, or Wheaton River Gardens

Grade 9 Science: Nutrient Cycles on the Farm

Investigate energy, water and nutrients cycles on a local farm:

• Solar radiation and the greenhouse effect.
• Nutrient cycles, soil health and compost.
• Sustainable agriculture maintains a healthy ecosystem on the farm.

Curriculum Connection - Big Idea

• The biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere are interconnected, as matter cycles and energy flows through them.

Contact: Circle D Ranch, Elemental Farm, Lendrum Ross Farm, Little Fox Farm, Midnight Sun Alpaca Farm, or Wheaton River Gardens

Grade 10 Science: Animal Husbandry and Genetics

Explore the impacts of domestication and animal husbandry on the diversity of life:

• Basic Mendelian genetics and animals husbandry.
• Mutation, natural and artificial selection on the farm.
• Genetics and ethical considerations.

Curriculum Connection - Big Idea

• Genes are the foundation for the diversity of living things.

Contact: Circle D Ranch, Heart Bar Ranch, Lendrum Ross Farm, Midnight Sun Alpaca Farm, Northern Spirit Alpaca Farm, or Wheaton River Gardens

Grade 10/11/12 Foods and Nutrition: Local Food Production

See where local food comes from and how it is produced:

• Discover a healthy farm ecosystem and learn about local production methods.
• Explore factors that influence food production and supply, such as weather, production and fuel costs, growing conditions, local economy, organic production, growing season and geographic location.
• Consider environmental and health implications of local versus global food production.

Curriculum Connections - PLO’s

• Identify factors that affect food production and supply, especially in Canada today.
• Investigate career opportunities related to food production, service and marketing.
• Analyse global and environmental health issues related to the production and consumption of food.

Contact: Circle D Ranch, Elemental Farm, Heart Bar Ranch, Lendrum Ross Farm, Little Fox Farm, Midnight Sun Alpaca Farm, Rivendell Farm, or Wheaton River Gardens

Grade 11 Biology: Ecology on the Farm

Explore living things and their roles in the farm ecosystem:

• Microorganisms on the farm and their role in the cycling of nutrients.
• Plants use water and nutrients for photosynthesis.
• Pollinators are essential for plants to develop viable seeds.
• Food chains and food webs in the farm ecosystem.

Curriculum Connection - Big Idea

• Living things are interdependent.

Contact: Circle D Ranch, Elemental Farm, Lendrum Ross Farm, Little Fox Farm, Midnight Sun Alpaca Farm, or Wheaton River Gardens

Grades 11/12 Social Studies - Social Justice: Food Security

Explore the challenges and opportunities in attaining food security in the north and around the world:

• Food mapping: where does your food come from?
• Local versus imported food: costs, benefits and risks.
• Climate change, rising food prices, farmers, consumer choices and food security.

Curriculum Connections - Big Ideas

• The causes of social injustices are complex and have lasting impacts on society.
• Social justice issues have both individual and systemic effects.

Contact: Circle D Ranch, Elemental Farm, Heart Bar Ranch, Lendrum Ross Farm, Little Fox Farm, Midnight Sun Alpaca Farm, or Wheaton River Gardens

Grade 12 Entrepreneurship: Farmers are Entrepreneurs

Learn about running your own farm business from an expert in the field:

• Risks and benefits of farming, working for yourself and supporting your community.
• Farm economics, flow of goods from producer to consumer and marketing.
• Explore other agricultural career opportunities.

Curriculum Connection - Big Idea

• New experiences, both within and outside of school, expand our career skill set and options.

Contact: Any of the participating farms

Grade 12 Geography: Resource Management and Agriculture

Investigate the environmental impacts of local versus global agriculture:

• Discover a healthy farm ecosystem and techniques that protect the environment, public health, human communities and animal welfare.
• Compare local, sustainable farming practices to large-scale, conventional agriculture.
• Consider environmental concerns related to agriculture, such as water pollution, global warming and soil erosion.
• Observe responsible use of energy and water resources, such as solar power and conservation irrigation.

Curriculum Connections - PLO’s

• Assess the various considerations involved in resource management, including sustainability, availability, social and economic consequences.
• Assess the environmental impact of human activities, including energy production and use, agriculture and water use.

Contact: Circle D Ranch, Elemental Farm, Heart Bar Ranch, Lendrum Ross Farm, Little Fox Farm, Midnight Sun Alpaca Farm, Rivendell Farm, or Wheaton River Gardens