Farm-to-School: The CREST Farm, Education Alternatives in Wilsonville

WILSONVILLE, OR - Some students have trouble functioning in a traditional classroom setting, which makes CREST Farm a viable option for those Wilsonville Public Schools students. Founded in 2002, the school is an outdoor educational facility dedicated to Dr. Jane Goodall, and it's designed to get students into a hands-on, learning environment in the outdoors. The Farm can be found on a 10-acre parcel of land, designated specifically for educational use in Wilsonville.

Bob Carlson, the CREST director, comments on the program.

"The CREST farm provides a real context for learning for West Linn-Wilsonville students. They come to the farm on field trips, for work internships and special events. Learning can focus on science, wellness or work skills. Science learning includes soil science, botany, and biology. Students gain a deeper understanding of these fields by engaging in hands on tasks. On field trips with their wellness classes students learn to appreciate the value of eating fresh vegetables and they learn how to prepare and preserve food."

"During work internships the students learn farming, light construction skills and business and marketing skills. The interns help run a CSA or Community Supported Agriculture program under the guidance ofa professional farmer . The CSA has 28 customers who show up every Thursday from June 1st to November 1st ready to pick up their share of the harvest, so the work that the students engage in has very real consequences. The farm uses sustainable farming methods so the students learn the benefits of this type of agriculture for the environment and the community."

In addition to outside-of-the-classroom learning during the school year, CREST also offers camps in the summer and volunteer opportunities in the spring. Check out some of these other options below.

Spring Volunteer Hours: Want to volunteer in the spring? All experience levels are welcome, Friday from 10-3 and by appointment Wednesday-Saturday.

Tasting Program: the CREST tasting program is designed to help promote healthy eating in local, fresh produce.

Summer Farm Internship Program: Interested in sustainable farming? If you're a student entering grade 8 & 9, you are eligible to participate. These programs are offered through the summer, for June July and August.

CSA: Community Supported Agriculture provides people in Portland with produce. It's a one-acre farm, and if you are a member of CREST, you can participate in crop-sharing. You will then receive a partial share of the weekly harvest of vegetables.

The farm itself is located roughly 20 miles outside of Portland. Learn more about Crest Headquarters and the Crest Farm (including directions and the different hands-on experiences availaable).

Image via CREST Farm; Bob Carlson