Last Thursday was a milestone for us at Bowers Farm—it was our very first large field trip. Sure, we’ve hosted plenty of tours before: youth groups, senior groups, homeschool co-ops, and even Ag+Art events that bring hundreds of folks throughout the day. And of course, there's our beloved Farm Camp. But this? This was a whole new level.

Sixty-plus second graders. Four entire classes from Irmo Elementary. All arriving at the same time.

We were thrilled (and a little nervous!) for the opportunity to share the farm with these kiddos. We were the kick start for their unit studies on adaptations—both animal and plant.

Breaking It Down: Two Paths of Learning

To make the day run smoothly, we divided the students into two groups. One half went with me to explore animal adaptations, and the other headed over to learn about plants, pollinators, and even got to do a little planting of their own!

🐾 Animal Adaptations

With my group, students got to meet Sasa and Awi, our amazing livestock guardian dogs. We talked about their unique traits and how those traits help them do their jobs on the farm. From there, we moved on to some feathered friends: a chicken and a duck. The students loved getting to pet them and learning about the differences between the two—and how those differences help each bird thrive in its environment.

Then came the crowd favorite: Bella the lamb. Bella completely stole the show with her story (yes, she lived in our house with a diaper for her first month!) and her unique breed. We discussed why her breed has hair instead of wool and why that adaptation makes complete sense for their environment.

To top it off, we visited the pigs. They aren’t always cooperative, but that day? They were total stars. The mommas and babies gave us an up-close view of their life, including one mom laying down to nurse right in front of the students. It was magic.

🌱 Plant Adaptations & Gardening Fun

Over at the plant station, students explored the garden and learned about herbs, fruits, vegetables, and the pollinators that keep it all going. They tasted mint straight from the plant (always a favorite!), read Right This Very Minute—a beautiful book about where our food comes from—and planted a germinated cucumber seed to take home. Watching those little hands carefully plant something they’d get to care for? Just amazing.

Romney Ann and I even planted our own seed after the field trip, and this morning, hers had already sprouted through the soil. A small but sweet reminder of the day’s success.

From Sleepless to Speechless (With Joy)

Truthfully, I didn’t sleep much the night before. I kept going over the logistics, wondering if I’d forgotten something, hoping everything would go smoothly. Between the students and the 15-20 adults chaperoning, I felt a deep responsibility to make the experience meaningful, worth the time and cost, and yes—fun.

And it was.

As the buses pulled away, the teacher I coordinated with turned to me and said, “This was incredible! More than we even expected!” I cried. Happy tears, grateful tears, exhausted-but-proud tears. The parents were buzzing, the kids didn’t want to leave, and our staff? Absolutely phenomenal.

The Power of the Farm

The kids came to learn about adaptations, but they left with so much more—a sense of where their food comes from, a closer connection to nature, and maybe even a little spark of curiosity for the world around them. One of my favorite moments was hearing a little girl say to her friend, “This really is a beautiful piece of property.” Yes, sweet girl, it really is—and I love getting to share it with you!

This was just the beginning. I was nervous for this day, but now? I can’t wait for the next one.

Teachers: Let’s Connect!

If you're a teacher (or know one!) in the Midlands, we’d love to chat about what a field trip to Bowers Farm could look like for your students. From science and agriculture to environmental education and food systems, we offer hands-on learning experiences tailored to your curriculum.

Let’s make your classroom come alive on the farm!