Welcome to the splendid state of Massachusetts, often referred to by its nickname - "the Bay State." Now, you may picture this place as a land of bustling cities and top-notch universities, but it's also a paradise for kids who love to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty in the delightful realm of farming! You see, Massachusetts is a magical place where the pumpkins are plumper, apples are crispier and the corn stalks grow taller than the most monstrous giants! And the kids here? They're no ordinary youngsters. They are the "Muddy Boot Brigade," led by their delightfully quirky leader, Captain Corn Cob. Captain Corn Cob, a scarecrow with twinkling button eyes and a corn husk mustache, takes his job quite seriously. Armed with a rake for a sword and a tractor for his trusty steed, he trains his brigade in the secret art of farming. These kids can plant a seed faster than you can say "squash," and they are known for talking in 'veggie vernacular,' using words like 'spudtacular' or 'berry good.' In this wacky world, the kids compete to grow the biggest tomato and race on speedy wheelbarrows, leaving clouds of dust and peals of laughter in their wake. They have mud pie bake-offs and create scarecrows that could make a potato laugh! So, if you're a fan of fun, farming, and a bit of fabulous madness, then pack your boots, grab your sunhat, and join Captain Corn Cob and the Muddy Boot Brigade in the exciting farm fields of Massachusetts!
Read morebest farming programs in Winchester, MA
What began in a humble New York City apartment with just a single student, Spark, has since blossomed into an enriching program impacting thousands of children. Our unique educational approach combines the elements of art, yoga, meditation, and nature to create a holistic learning environment. This distinctive blend is what sets Spark apart, allowing us to reach and inspire a multitude of children in truly meaningful ways. With an array of offerings to accommodate various schedules and needs, Spark has something for everyone. Our services extend beyond the standard after school and weekend classes to include holiday and summer camps, birthday parties, portfolio preparation, private classes, and custom pods. We also welcome homeschool groups and are thrilled to announce the recent addition of a forest school program to our repertoire. You can find Spark on-site in various schools and at our main studio located in the Upper West Side. But we're not stopping there - we're also planning to expand to the Upper East Side and Brooklyn. For our families in Pennsylvania, we run the program from our family studio there. And if you're not in close proximity to any of our locations, don't worry. We offer in-home instruction and virtual options to ensure that Spark can reach you, no matter where you are. We invite you to explore all the ways you can experience Spark and look forward to helping bring our program to you.
This method of planting has been used for centuries and is still used at Wright-Locke Farm today. The Wright-Locke Farm is situated in an area with a deep Indigenous history. The Massachusett Tribe and Pawtucket people were the original inhabitants of the area and had an important relationship with the land. Contrary to colonial notions of untouched wilderness, these tribes actively stewarded the land. They burned woodlands to facilitate the growth of grass and understory plants to improve edible harvests and game hunting. The Massachusett and Pawtucket also planted crops including maize, beans, squash, Jerusalem artichokes, and tobacco in small and large fields. Agricultural practices rooted in Indigenous farming are still in use today, including natural fertilizing and companion planting. At Wright-Locke Farm, these practices are employed to maximize the benefits of the crops grown, just as the Massachusett and Pawtucket did centuries ago. Natural fertilizers such as herring are used to nourish the soil, and companion plants of corn, climbing beans, and squash are grown together to provide mutual benefits. It is only through these practices that the legacy of Indigenous farming can continue.