Did you know that you can eat flowers? Nathalie learned this during her visit to The Sylvia Center at Katchkie Farm in Columbia County, NY.
Nathalie was one of two hundred children who were part of six trips to The Sylvia Center this year, twice as many trips as last year.
An average of twenty-five students and their families attended each trip. Stephanie, an 8 year old participant, learned how to take care
of the plants by using greenhouses. "I learned that even if we think we don’t like something we should try it because maybe we will be
surprised," remarked Stephanie on the trip home. In addition to learning how to properly hold a chicken, children learned the proper techniques
for cutting tomatoes, cauliflower, and lettuce, and asked about the difference between green and red tomatoes on the vine in the tomato jungle.
New to the farm this year were four pigs that were being raised organically. Children relished the opportunity to give the pigs their
apple cores and tomatoes. While walking through the garden using 'airplane arms,' which help children know where to step so they don't
inadvertently step on a growing plant, the children and their families tasted fennel, which reminded them of licorice, and yellow and orange carrots.
A perennial highlight of the trip was when the students helped prepare their lunch using items from the Farm and garden. After tasting a
mixed salad of fresh romaine lettuce and carrots drizzled with a homemade ranch dressing, one student proclaimed that she wanted to visit the Farm every week!
