With an emphasis on learning and exploration of Florida’s unique environment and how agriculture play an essential part of our daily life, SREC will offer several field trip options that will be both educational and fun. “Grow with Sunshine” projects will give participants the unique opportunity to not only experience and learn about agriculture, but also assist in the development of the center. Programs will be designed to be age appropriate, and/or have age appropriate hands on opportunities to a range of students within a group. Also, upon request, to serve our diverse South Florida communities, SREC will include specially implemented elements into its lesson plans that are culturally enriching to its collaborating partners when requested.
“Grow with Sunshine – Plan it, Map it” retreats was inspired by the Florida Farm Bureau’s Plan it, Map programs. These day trips will consist of a morning educational activity, locally sourced lunch, afternoon fun activity and an interactive nature hike. Included will also be select elements from Groundwork: Their Own Garden, Exp1oration: The Sunshine Garden and Extensions for Midd1e and High School.
Ground transportation to the center can be arranged, however participants that prefer to partake as a family, are welcome to provide their own transportation. SREC’s welcome center and admin offices will be designed with a screened in porch to allow a resting place for parents who may not want to participate with all activities.
Upon arrival, students will be provided with a healthy locally sourced snack. While they are getting oriented in the environment, a history of the area will be presented.
In the morning before lunch, students will design a 30’ x 30’ garden using the activities laid out in the Florida Agriculture in the Classroom “Grow In – Play It” activities guidelines, which will be amended to fit our needs for the project. SREC will hire a local agriculture professional to lead this program.
After they plan their garden, the participants will be guided through the proper use of gardening tools. AS we will not be in planting season, the participants will “plant” stakes with signage to represent the garden. With an emphasis on the students learning proper equipment care, prior to lunch, all students will be required to clean and safely store all tools used for the morning exercise. Students will take home seedlings that will represent the plants that are designed for the garden they designed.
Lunch will be sourced by local farmers. A discussion led by a local grower will talk about their business, the importance of agriculture to the local economy and the nutritional value of locally fresh sourced products.
After lunch, students will make and be able to take home butter they will their own butter to take home. Additional butter made will be used to make Ghee onsite along with the nutritional and historical value of this century’s old dairy product.
To end the day and to escape the afternoon heat, the participants will explore the undeveloped areas of the property. The interactive guided hike will point out both the native and invasive plants on the property. Also, as the property was a former citrus grove, how an abandoned agriculture activity impacts the natural environment. Participants will return to South Florida at 4pm.
All programs will be designed to meet all local, state and federal COVID-19 protocols.