Friends of GKF

Where are our young photographers? kidsgardening.org/summer-photo-c…

During the 23-24 school year, more than 3,500 Baltimore City Public School students visited Great Kids Farm. Over 8,000 were visited by Farm staff at their school. You can help seeds of knowledge bloom through support of Farm-to-School programming. friendsgkf.org/give.

Spring has sprung and so has Great Kids Farm! The farm was bustling last week as it welcomed five schools for field trips. Farm staff continued to make their rounds and visited eight schools, meeting Baltimore City Public Students where they are.

Please take 10 minutes this week to contact your representative to voice your concern over federal spending cuts that affect school meals and SNAP benefits*. Find your representative:  ziplook.house.gov/htbin/findrep_… Make a quick call: ziplook.house.gov/htbin/findrep_…

This week, Great Kids Farm hosted its first Spring field trips! The Farm staff welcomed four schools to the farm and visited five schools for Garden Club. Staff also participated in an evening cooking class at Parks & People and STEAM Night at the Commodore John Rodgers School.

Although February was a short month, it was packed with fun and educational farm activity! The farm staff is keeping the momentum rolling into March and we can't wait to see what blooms in Spring.

In addition to visiting six schools for partnering lessons, garden club, and cooking class, Great Kids Farm hosted its annual African American Foodways Summit! We are thankful for all of the panelists, sponsors, volunteers, and students who made this year's event a success.

Great Kids Farm at Baltimore City Public Schools is recruiting FoodCorps service members to join their team for the 2025-2026 school year. FoodCorps is a nationwide AmeriCorps service-year program focused on food access and education. Learn more here:buff.ly/3XyqJrh.

It's a short week for Baltimore City Public School Students. Although it's white ❄️ outside, students and farm staff still got to use their green 🌿 thumbs 👍.

5 Baltimore City Public School classes are hatching chicks today from the eggs & kits provided by @friendsgkf! Teachers are taking the chicks home over the long weekend. They'll be back next week, so kids can interact w/ them b4 Farm staff pick them up to care for at the farm.

The GKF staff will visit FOUR elementary and middle schools for Garden Club or a partnership session this week. One school will Facetime the Farmer! We love supporting school visits and virtual sessions just as much as students at the farm because accessibility is important!

Friends had an amazing 23-24 school year! Read all about it in our annual report, now viewable on our website and linked here:buff.ly/3Wm6Vq8

It may look quiet on the Farm, but the in-school programs and Facetime-the-Farmer virtual programs are ramping up and the Great Kids Farm staff are busy prepping for the Food and Climate summit on the 22nd.

As we welcome 2025, we’re excited to continue growing the incredible programs at Great Kids Farm. However, we need your help to ensure all students have the opportunity to experience this unique learning environment. Let’s make this year unforgettable for the students—together!

If you want an impactful way to make a difference with end-of-year giving, please consider supporting Friends. Your donation can help ensure that every child has the opportunity to experience the hands-on learning and healthy eating education we provide. buff.ly/3splY12

We’re thrilled to share that programs at Great Kids Farm have grown by an incredible 40%! However, as we look ahead to 2025, we’re facing a shortfall in transportation funding. If you’re considering end-of-year giving, we’d be grateful for your support! buff.ly/3splY12

This Giving Tuesday, we’re grateful for you! Thanks to your generosity, we’re growing more than plants on Great Kids Farm—we’re nurturing young minds and creating a healthier, greener future. #GivingTuesday #FriendsofGreatKidsFarm