Rooted in real-world experience

At Hansel Hill Farm, we believe education happens best when it's rooted in real-world experience. Our Homeschool on the Farm program gives students the chance to learn by doing—caring for animals, tending the land, exploring science through nature, and finding joy in community.

We want this to be more than a field trip. We’re offering a full-season connection to the rhythms of the farm, with weekly lessons designed to align with Maryland homeschool requirements across multiple subjects: science, math, language arts, physical education, and more.

Hands-On Agricultural Education at Hansel Hill Farm

FIT and Busy Bees are structured agricultural education programs offered as part of Hansel Hill Farm's agritourism programming.

Designed for homeschool students, these programs give young farmers the opportunity to learn agriculture where it happens — on a working farm.

Students don't just learn about farming. They participate in it.

Each session combines age-appropriate agricultural instruction with hands-on involvement in the farm operation. Depending on the season and what is happening on the farm, students may plant, cultivate and harvest crops; collect eggs; care for livestock and poultry; explore our orchard; learn about bees and pollinators; compost; investigate soil health; identify beneficial insects and agricultural pests; and practice other agricultural skills.

Our FIT program provides older students with deeper, hands-on exploration of agriculture and farm operations.

Students learn through real agricultural experiences while developing practical skills, responsibility, observation and an understanding of where food comes from.

Topics may include:

• Crop production and harvesting
• Animal husbandry and livestock care
• Poultry and egg production
• Beekeeping and pollination
• Soil health and composting
• Orchards and perennial crops
• Sustainable agriculture
• Agricultural tools and techniques
• Pest and beneficial insect identification
• Food systems and agricultural products
• Seasonal farm operations

Busy Bees introduces younger students to agriculture through shorter, age-appropriate lessons and hands-on farm experiences.

Students explore the farm through activities such as caring for animals, collecting eggs, planting seeds, harvesting vegetables, exploring the garden and orchard, learning about pollinators, and discovering how plants, animals, soil, weather and farmers work together to produce our food.

LEARNING CHANGES WITH THE FARM

A working farm doesn't follow a textbook — and neither do we.

Our curriculum follows the agricultural seasons and the real work happening at Hansel Hill Farm. Students experience different parts of the growing cycle throughout the year, from preparing soil and starting seeds to caring for crops, harvesting food and preparing the farm for the next season.

That means every session provides an opportunity to observe, learn about and participate in agriculture firsthand.

AGRICULTURE IS OUR CLASSROOM

FIT and Busy Bees are educational agritourism programs conducted on an operating farm. The purpose of the programs is agricultural education and hands-on exposure to agricultural products, practices and skills.

We believe one of the best ways for children to understand agriculture is to experience it themselves — boots on, hands dirty, and right alongside the farmers.