Our Story
So what is the lab? We are a mobile learning venue that travels to all 55 counties in WV, and teaches agriculture related science lessons to PreK-5th grade children. We bring certified teachers to elementary schools, to teach lessons that meet WV Science CSO's. The lab is at the school for an entire week, and we are able to teach around 125 children per day or about 600 lessons in a week. Today's students are as many as 3 generations removed from farming. It is very disheartening to ask a child where their milk comes from and they tell you the name of a grocery store. One of our goals is to get children to realize that farming and agriculture touches almost every aspect in their daily lives. The Ag Lab is a unique learning tool that can be used as an 'event' at a school, or as a supplement to classroom teacher's lessons. For more information - please contact Michelle Bailey, Program Coordinator and ask how you can get the lab to YOUR school! [email protected]
The cost for the lab is $2,000 for a 5-day week and $1,800 for a 4-day week. This cost covers us coming to your school and setting up for the week. We have a teacher that stays and teaches for the week and we also provide ALL materials that is needed for the lessons that the school chooses.
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What is agriculture science?
With cooler weather and the waning school garden harvest, check out what’s “growing on” in our classrooms! Use of grow lights allows our students to observe and enjoy botany studies year round. Each plant is started from seed and students take turns caring for the seedlings as well as other classroom plants.
West Virginia Farm to School WV Mobile Agriculture Education Science Lab Capitol Market - Charleston, WV
Thank you to host J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works, Chef and WV native Mike Bowe of The Red Yeti and all who attended last night’s “Celebrating the Season” farm-to-table dinner. In addition to supporting local farmers, local businesses and celebrating the beauty of fall, the dinner raised funds for the cooking program at Charleston Montessori School. Three of our upper elementary students spoke at the dinner to share how their class is learning basic culinary skills, budgeting and meal planning, and the importance of nutrition through this school based-program.
“It's around the table and in the preparation of food that we learn about ourselves and about the world.” ~ Alice Waters
National Farm to School Network West Virginia Farm to School WV Mobile Agriculture Education Science Lab FoodCorps
Why attend next month's farm-to-table dinner at J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works? This special meal supports local farmers, local businesses and celebrates the beauty of fall. The November 7 dinner also supports the food education/cooking program at Charleston Montessori School, which teaches children culinary skills, the importance of meal planning and nutrition. To learn more about the event or to purchase a ticket, please click on the link below.
West Virginia Farm to School WV Mobile Agriculture Education Science Lab Red Yeti
Back to our outdoor learning laboratory! Lower elementary harvested amaranth and marigolds they planted last spring in the school garden beds to make into dye. The students will observe the jars as they sit in a window for a week, and then will drain the plant materials from the jars to see what colors of dye have been created by nature.
www.educatewv.com
West Virginia Farm to School WV Mobile Agriculture Education Science Lab WVU Extension Service
It’s not too late to get your piece of WVFB history! 100 Year key chains are for sale for $6 and proceeds go to the WV Mobile Agriculture Education Science Lab to educate students about agriculture. Order today by emailing or calling Michelle Bailey, Lab Coordinator at
[email protected] / 304-472-2080 ext. 313.
** $2 charge for shipping
During their mornings in the school garden last week, lower elementary students found an abundance of tomatoes ready for harvest. After a little brainstorming, the class decided to make two types of salsa: traditional tomato and fruit! The students washed the vegetables and fruit, reviewed kitchen knife safety skills, prepared and served the salsas as a mid-morning snack.
West Virginia Farm to School WV Mobile Agriculture Education Science Lab
Lower elementary prepared a salad bar on the last day of school with freshly picked lettuce from their raised bed garden. The students worked as a team to cut, rinse, grate and chop. It was a delicious end to the school year!
West Virginia Farm to School Charleston Main Streets Charleston West Side WV Mobile Agriculture Education Science Lab
Warmer spring weather has arrived - it’s time to prepare lower elementary’s raised garden beds! The tomatoes, marigolds and zinnias the class started from seed are almost ready to be moved outside, so the class held a garden clean out party in preparation for planting their seedlings after spring break.
West Virginia Farm to School WV Mobile Agriculture Education Science Lab Charleston West Side Charleston Main Streets
A few more of our favorite moments with the WV Mobile Agriculture Education Science Lab! Our students had an amazing week of discovery with the onsite experiences provided by the WV Farm Bureau’s learning laboratory. We are thankful for having this unique opportunity to deepen their understanding of the importance of farming, food production and the connection to our environment.
U.S. Department of Agriculture WVU Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design
Another wonderful day of learning and discovery in the WV Mobile Agriculture Education Science Lab! During their hands-on lab sessions, students identified seven different whole grains and the products they provide in our daily lives, as well as the learning the processes of mill grinding versus mortar and pestle. They also made their own plastic from corn and explored the difference between eco-foam and styrofoam. Each lesson followed the scientific method, reinforcing understanding of the process and research methods used by scientists.
West Virginia Department of Agriculture
Day two in the WV Mobile Agriculture Education Science Lab featured hands-on learning with the lessons West Virginia Farm Charm, Jack and the Beanstalk, Super Slurper and Snack Attack. For upper elementary’s experiments, there was an added focus on understanding lab safety rules scientists follow to avoid injuries and accidents. Once safety goggles were on, our students were ready to begin!
U.S. Department of Agriculture West Virginia Farm to School West Virginia Farm Bureau West Virginia Department of Agriculture
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