Join the Adventure: Volunteer at Food Love Farm’s Exciting Summer Camp Experience!

Food Love Farm is ready for a busy summer season! Located on Lake Vera Purdon Road, this farm will welcome kids for its Summer Camp. Paul Harton, the Farm to School Director for Sierra Harvest, is excited about teaching children the journey of food—from planting to harvesting and cooking.

The camp offers four one-week sessions for kids aged 6 to 13. Each week, 25 kids will explore gardening, from planting seeds to learning about compost and harvesting their food. The hands-on experience includes making lunch with produce grown on the farm. This helps kids understand where their food comes from and how to prepare it.

This summer is special because the camp will include arts and crafts, themed days focused on topics like soil and microorganisms, and even interactions with the farm animals, including chickens, a pig, and bunnies. Harton notes that kids often come back every year. Some even return for multiple sessions, enjoying the opportunity to learn and experience farm life.

Many camp participants may not have easy access to fresh, healthy food or outdoor activities. Harton points out that this experience is vital, especially for children who are often glued to screens and may not spend enough time outside. He believes this camp helps combat “nature deficit disorder,” a term that reflects the growing concern about kids spending less time in nature.

Harton highlights that seeing kids develop an appreciation for nature is the most rewarding part of his job. Once they participate in the process—planting seeds, caring for plants, and harvesting—they discover new tastes and pleasures. Even kids who claim to dislike certain vegetables often change their minds after taking part in their growth and preparation.

Scholarships are available for families who need financial assistance, thanks to support from local organizations like Chapa De Indian Health in Grass Valley. This collaboration emphasizes the importance of teaching children about healthy eating and living. Harton believes every child deserves the chance to learn, especially those from challenging backgrounds.

Food Love Farm not only enriches kids’ lives but also strengthens community bonds by fostering a love for healthy living. As summer approaches, the Farm looks forward to inspiring the next generation of gardeners and chefs, one seed at a time.

For more information about the benefits of farm education, you can explore resources from organizations like American Farmland Trust.

Source link

news, local