Corn grinding, butter churning, pond dipping and pollinator hunting were are all included in the conclusion of our spring program. It made for a fun and memorable last day!
Sprouts had the opportunity to revisit chicken embryology by exploring the chicken scale and feed, even having the chance to grind their own corn. Who eats seeds and what kinds? It’s found in the feed of many farm animals, not to mention birds, squirrels and people eat seeds too! We also tried our hand at churning butter. The morning group was joined by Cindy Prentice, who lives on site at Tollgate with her husband, Roy Prentice, Farm Manager. Cindy worked as an outdoor educator for many years and is passionate about nature education and young children. We appreciated her company and extra hands!
Weighing Eggs on a Scale
Grinding Corn
Corn in the Sensory Table
We gathered as a large group to look back at some of our journal entries, photos, and quotes from the spring program and joined for musical movement with scarves to Raffi’s “In Our Garden.”
Reviewing the “Wonder Wall”
Moving to “In Our Garden”
Next we headed out in search of pollinators! How do pollinators help a garden grow? Bees and butterflies visit flowers to drink nectar and collect pollen, spreading the pollen from flower to flower. It’s important and essential work! We stopped at some of the bee hives on site to observe bees busy at work. The afternoon group had the opportunity to meet and talk with Tim McGee, a Master Beekeeper, who shared a close up view of several frames, including the opportunities to inspect a drone larva and taste honey straight from the comb. We strolled through the gardens, inspecting flowers, and observed the stream. We found a small, slender bee on a flower and learned Michigan has over 150 native species of bees. Wow!
At the Bee Hives
Searching for Pollinators
Inspecting a Flower
Talking with Tim McGee, a Master Beekeeper and Educational Leader at MSU Tollgate Farm
A Close Look at Honeycomb
Inspecting a Drone
Tasting Honey
Inside a Bee Hive
The stream then led us into the fascinating world of pond study. We used a net to scoop along the shore of the stream, transferring to shallow dishes, so Sprouts could then use spoons to scoop discoveries from the murkier dish to a dish filled with clear water. We found beetles of various sizes and colors, a dragonfly larva, a water strider, a shell, two tadpoles, and many young crayfish!
Observing the Stream
On the Bridge
Pond Dipping
Pond Dipping
Pond Dipping
Pond Dipping
Pond Dipping
As we move into summer, watermelon made a great choice for snack. We gathered on the deck overlooking the pond, where we had our first journaling session, and ate juicy, sweet watermelon as we listened to the story, “How Groundhog’s Garden Grew” by Lynne Cherry. The afternoon group felt a few sprinkles from one cloud above, feeling suddenly concerned that we needed to go inside, and proceeded to giggle when asked if they would melt. We sang the cloud away and carried on with our day… and fortunately nobody melted into the pond!
Watermelon on the Deck
Watermelon on the Deck
Our program ended with a wagon ride around the farm. Families joined us to celebrate a great first season of Farm Sprouts.
Mr. Alan Jaros, Education Director and Tractor Driver for our Wagon Ride
Wagon Ride Around the Farm
Thank you all for joining us as a part of the MSU Tollgate Farm community this spring! Special thanks to all who joined us and contributed to make this program truly special. Your efforts made a big impact in the lives of our Sprouts!