Whether you’re looking for a no-transportation field trip, space to spread out, or just a new way of seeing a subject, a Fresh Roots Field Class is a perfect solution! Field Classes are approximately 1 hour farm or classroom programs for teachers and students at David Thompson and VanTech Secondary Schools led by trained Fresh Roots educators. All Field Classes support the BC Curriculum, and many are interdisciplinary, touching on Big Ideas, competencies, and content from several courses. Field Classes are free for David Thompson and Van Tech classes! Depending on demand, we may limit bookings to two programs per class per season. Check out our current offerings and scroll down to complete a program request form. More details a can be found in our Field Class Flyer.

Farm Programs

Farm programs are generally available after Spring Break through the end of the school year, and from the start of school through October. Some programs may be available in November, depending on farm and weather conditions.

Farm Tour

Grades 8-12
Suggested courses: Any
Program length: 20 minutes-1 hour
Wondering why there’s a farm at your school? Take a tour of some of the first schoolyard market gardens in Canada! Tours can be 20 minutes to 1 hour long, and focus on what Fresh Roots is and what we’re growing at your school.

Student Team Build

Grades 8-12
Suggested courses: Career Education 8, Physical and Health Education 8-10, Outdoor Education 11, 12
Program length: 1-2 hour
This program includes a brief introduction to Fresh Roots and the many things we do, and plenty of time to work on projects around the farm, from weeding to building. Exact projects will vary depending on the group and the needs of the farm. This program can be 1-2 hours long

Farming Then and Now

Grades 8-9
Suggested courses: ADST 8, 9; Social Studies 8, 9
Program length: 1-1.5 minutes
From the invention of crop rotation to the industrial revolution to the creation of Genetically Modified Organisms, agricultural technology is always changing. See what technologies, modern and ancient, we use on our farms to grow delicious food, and even give some of them a try! This program is 1-1.5 hours.

Reproduction on the Farm

Grades 9-11
Suggested courses: Science 9, 10; Life Sciences 11
Program length: 1-1.5 hours
Plants grow from seeds that develop from flowers pollinated by bees. Except when they are pollinated by wind. Or grow from runners. Or tubers. Or bulbs. Or more! Discover some of the many, many ways plants reproduce sexually and asexually on our farm.

21st Century Farming

Grades 10-12
Suggested courses: Culinary Arts 10, Food Studies 10, Outdoor Education 11&12, Science 10; Life Science 11, Science for Citizens 11,  Environmental Science 11, 12, Social Studies 10, Social Justice 12, Urban Studies 12, Human Geography 12
Program length: 1-2 hours, can be split into 2 sessions
Climate change and biodiversity loss are major threats to our food system, and unjust labour practices in the food sector contribute to poverty and oppression in our communities, but there is a way forward! See how regenerative agriculture and projects like Fresh Roots can improve the food system by supporting both the ecosystem we are part of and the people who grow our food, and help build a truly sustainable food system!

Classroom Workshops

Classroom workshops make a great follow up to a farm program, or a stand-alone program in the off season. We can generally schedule classroom workshops from September through November and February through June. Availability may be limited in October and after mid-April.

Gardens for Good

Grades 8-12
Suggested courses: ADST 8, 9; Social Justice 12; Food Studies 10, 11; Environmental Science 11, 12
Want to take your garden to the next level and give back to your community? In this workshop, we’ll look at inspiring projects from around BC, and you’ll begin to design a garden-based project that will make a difference for your neighbors and the planet.

Track your Treat

Grades 8-12
Suggested courses: Foods 10
We are part of a global food system. But how big is it? We’ll make a corn and bean salsa using common grocery store items to see just how far food travels to get to our plates, and finish by exploring just how many of these “global” foods we can produce locally. Classes are asked to provide salsa supplies; a list will be provided.

Taking Action for Food Security

Grades 9-12
Suggested courses: Food Studies 10-12; Family and Society 10
This class investigates the concepts of food security within BC and Canada generally. Participants will learn about barriers to food security and work in teams to identify actions they can take to increase food security in their community. This is a great starting place for developing community action and advocacy projects.