Learning on the Land: A Texas Farm-Based Education Handbook

View the project final report

Commodities

Practices

• Education and Training: farmer to farmer, focus group, networking, workshop, youth education
• Farm Business Management: agritourism, new enterprise development
• Sustainable Communities: community development, community planning, community services, local and regional food systems, new business opportunities, social networks

The purpose of this project was to teach Texas farmers how to host successful, educational youth programming on their farm by co-developing a comprehensive handbook and field testing its contents. The vision for the Farm-Based Education Handbook stems from direct inquiries from Texas farmers looking for support in expanding their offerings. This handbook was co-developed by the Texas Center for Local Food (TCLF) and a team of Texas farmers who represent a range of backgrounds and skill sets, including those new to farm-based education and those who already run successful programing. The team crafted the learning objectives, content outline, and reviewed the handbook at different points of completion.

The Texas Farm-Based Education Handbook guides curious, community-minded farmers through a step-by-step process in creating successful farm-based education events. These events may include field trips, summer camps, and more. Handbook contents were informed by farmer feedback, including two main sections:  (1) Field trip basics, (2) Farm exploration curriculum and recipes. Our goal was to build an easily customizable curriculum broad enough to cover different operational farm types and regions across Texas. The curriculum is modular, and accommodating to farms, as lessons will not require specialized equipment or materials beyond common farm and household items. The handbook will also cover how to connect with student/youth groups, practical marketing tips, and example outreach materials. The handbook is informed by, and complimentary to, two introductory Agritourism business courses on TXFED.org, TCLF’s online learning network.

The Texas Farm-Based Education Handbook contributes to two of SARE’s sustainability pillars: profitability and quality of life. Farm-based education is a valuable opportunity for farmers to generate revenue and new income streams, and build community connections.

Farmers were actively engaged throughout the process; TCLF hosted one field day gathering, reaching approximately 25 farmers to evaluate and improve the contents of the Texas Farm-Based Education Handbook. The field-day gathering was held at Hope Full Farm and included educational opportunities for farmers interested in learning how to host youth programs and wondering where to start. At the field day, we gathered feedback from participants on the accessibility and applicability of the handbook’s curriculum. 

Throughout the project, TCLF conducted outreach to disseminate the handbook and share lessons learned to a broader audience of Texas farmers and educators, reaching over 6,000 people before the project end date. We conducted an online feedback survey midway through the project that reached 29 farmers and educators. The final version of the handbook is a PDF download in Spanish and English, available for purchase for $30.

1. Collaboratively develop a Texas Farm-Based Education Handbook with a team of four Texas farmers.
2. Host one field day gathering reaching an expected 25 farmers to evaluate and improve the contents of the Texas Farm-Based Education Handbook.
3. Conduct outreach to disseminate the handbook and share lessons learned to a broader audience of Texas farmers and agricultural educators, reaching at least 100 people before the project end date.