Use your 5 senses to explore life cycles on the farm

• Plants: sow seeds in spring or harvest vegetables in fall; learn plant parts and their functions.
• Farm animals: feed, brush, touch and/or hold farm animals; learn basic structures and functions
• Weather: seasonal change and the water cycle on the farm. 

Big Ideas

K: Plants and animals have observable features and behaviours. Daily and seasonal changes affect all living things.
1: Living things have features and behaviours that help them survive in their environment.
Observable patterns and cycles occur in the local sky and landscape.
2: Living things have life cycles adapted to their environment. Water is essential to all living things and it cycles through the environment.

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.

Big Idea:

Living things are diverse, can be grouped and interact in their ecosystems.

Learn about the basic structures and functions of body systems of farm animals

• Plants, farm animals and humans sense, respond and adapt to seasonal changes.
• Compare the basic structures and functions of body systems of different farm animals.
• Examine the internal body systems of a dead farm animal.

Big Ideas:

4: All living things sense and respond to their environment.
The motions of Earth and the moon cause observable patterns that affect living and non-living systems.
5: Multicellular organisms have organ systems that enable them to survive and interact within their environment.
Earth materials change as they move through the rock cycle and can be used as natural resources.
6: Multicellular organisms rely on internal systems to survive, reproduce, and interact with their environment.

Explore the survival needs and diversity of plants and animals on the farm

• Survival needs of plants and animals and how wild vs domesticated individuals satisfy those needs.
• Diversity of farm animals and crops has changed over time; heritage breeds, heirloom crops and seed saving.
• Compare monoculture vs polyculture and natural vs artificial selection in farm animal and plant breeding.
• Impacts of climate change on food production; sustainable agricultural practices, e.g. water conservation, crop rotation and composting.

Big Idea:

Evolution by natural selection provides an explanation for the diversity and survival of living things.

Explore the roles of "good" and "bad" microbes on the farm

• Decomposers: Micro-organisms in soil and compost are key to nutrient recycling.
• “Good” micro-organisms can help in making cheese, sauerkraut and salami, and are critical for digestion in cows, sheep and goats (ruminants).
• “Bad” micro-organisms can harm by causing infections or diseases, and making food spoil.

Big Idea:

Life processes are performed at the cellular level.

Investigate nutrient, water and energy cycles on a local farm

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

Big Idea:

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

Explore the impacts of domestication on the diversity of life.

• Basic Mendelian genetics, animal husbandry and plant breeding.
• Consider the impacts of mutation, mono/polyculture and natural/artificial selection on food sustainability.
• Learn about heritage animal breeds, heirloom crops and seed saving.
• Discuss ethical considerations of genetically modified organisms.

Big Idea:DNA is the basis for the diversity of living things.

Compare local food production methods to global food systems.

• Explore a local farm to learn about the tools and technologies used produce foods in the Yukon.
• Compare local, small-scale farming practices to large-scale, conventional food systems.
• Discuss food justice issues (e.g. food security, food sovereignty, workers’ rights, animal ethics) in the local and global community.

Big Ideas:
10: Consumer needs and preferences inform food production and preparation. Social, ethical and sustainability considerations impact design.
11/12: Tools and technologies can be adapted for specific purposes.

Regenerative farms use sustainable practices that increase ecosystem health.

• Soil organisms, plants, animals and humans are interdependent.
• Critically assess water use and conservation practices on the farm.
• Consider how global warming affects farmers and our food security in the Yukon.

Big Ideas:
11: Human practices affect the sustainability of ecosystems. Humans can play a role in stewardship and restoration of ecosystem.
12: Human actions affect the quality of water and its ability to sustain life. Human activities cause changes in the global climate system. Sustainable land use is essential to meet the needs of a growing population. Living sustainably supports the well-being of self, community and Earth.

Explore food justice issues in the local and global community.

• See first-hand how a local, small-scale farm operates and evaluate the local and global impacts of small-scale versus industrial agriculture.
• Explore the interconnections of social justice issues related to food and agriculture (i.e. poverty, access to land, food security, food sovereignty, workers’ rights, animal ethics, environmental and ecological justice).

Big Ideas:
11/12: Social justice initiatives can transform individuals and systems.
12: Social justice issues are interconnected. The causes of social injustice are complex and have lasting impacts on society.

Examine the organ systems of a farm animal.

• Hands-on exploration of the digestive, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, urinary, reproductive and/or nervous systems of a farm animal.
• Identify the structures and functions of the major organ systems.
• Compare the structures/functions of organ systems of specific farm animals to humans.

Big Idea:
Organ systems have complex interrelationships to maintain homeostasis.

A Kids on the Farm tour can achieve curriculum connections for the following subject areas, from K-12:

• Physical and Health Education - Get physically active outdoors and learn about healthy food choices.

• Career Education - New experiences expand students’ career skill set and options.

• Arts Education - Learn about fibre-producing animals; felt with local wool at Poplar Flats Farm or Wheaton River Gardens.

• Core French, Français langue première ou seconde - Farm tours are available in French at Fox Ridge Farm, LendrumRoss Farm and Wheaton River Gardens.

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Visites disponibles en français chez: 

Fox Ridge Farm, LendrumRoss Farm, et Wheaton River Gardens