Connecting Local Youth to Our Local Farms 

Our newest initiative brings Skagit agriculture to our next generation: local 5th and 3rd grade students.

This student-centered program highlights STEM principles that are present in Skagit Valley agriculture. Farm tours introduce students to agriculture as a thriving industry with opportunities to utilize new and ground-breaking innovations in robotics, computers, engineering and science.

Students visit farms, hear from farmers, participate in hands-on demonstrations, and gain a deeper appreciation for the daily operations of conventional and organic farms, as well as the necessary infrastructure and support industries that keep agriculture thriving.

Our goal is to strengthen the linkages between agricultural and vocational training and STEM, as well as introduce the exciting possibilities of a career path within the agricultural industry.  

Introduction with Farmer Ray de Vries

An Introduction to SPF's Youth InFARMation STEM Exploration Workbook. Farmer Ray de Vries shares why the location and climate of Skagit County makes the Skagit Valley so special.

Harmony Dairy

Meet Jason Vander Kooy, Co-owner of Harmony Dairy. Harmony Dairy is a family run dairy farm with two locations in the Skagit Valley. In addition to milking approximately 1,400 cows, Jason and his family grow feed like alfalfa, corn, grass and clover.

Ralph’s Greenhouse

Meet Ray de Vries, Co-owner of Ralph's Greenhouse. Ralph's Greenhouse is a family farm located near the Skagit River in northwestern Washington's Skagit Valley. Farmer Ray shares how plants use water to grow and how farmers move water to their fields.

Schuh Farms

Meet Steve Schuh, Co-owner of Schuh Farms. Schuh Farms is a family farm located west of Mount Vernon, on SR 536 (Memorial Highway). Schuh Farms grows corn, blueberries, strawberries, pumkins and other seasonal produce.

Workbook Download

 
 
 

Materials list for the activities in the student workbook

STEM Project #1 – Water Cycle in a Bag

  • 1 Plastic zip lock-style bag

  • 1 Permanent marker

  • Food Coloring

  • 2 Pieces of clear tape

  • 1 Cup of water

Bonus Activity – Build a Water Gauge

  • 1 Clear 1- or 2- liter plastic bottle (label and cap removed)

  • Rocks or marbles

  • Scissors

  • Permanent marker

  • Masking, duct, or painter’s tape

  • Ruler 

STEM Project # 2 – Surface Tension

  • 1 Eye dropper

  • 1 Penny

  • Liquid dish soap

  • 1 Cup of water

STEM Project #3 – Ancient Engineering

  • 1 PVC pipe, at least 1 inch outer diameter, between 12 and 24 inches long

  • Clear vinyl tubing, at least ¼ inch inner diameter – twice the length of the PVC pipe

  • 2 pieces of water proof tape

  • Scissors

  • 2 Containers for water

 STEM Project #4 – Let’s Grow a Plant

  • Pot(s) (either a starter tray or Peat seed starter pots if possible)

  • Potting soil, enough to fill pot(s)

  • Seed(s)

Bonus Activity – Capillary Action

  • Clear glass jars, cups or small clear vase

  • Celery stalks with leaves – preferably the lighter, center stalks

  • Water

  • Food coloring

  • Kitchen Knife

THANK YOU!

Thank you to our Youth InFARMation program partners:
Ag West, Banner Bank, Foothills Farm, Harmony Dairy, HF Sinclair Puget Sound Refinery, Hoehn Bend Farm, Marathon Petroleum Corporation, Osborn Quality Seeds, Ralph's Greenhouse, S&B Farms, Skagit Conservation District, Skagit County Drainage and Irrigation Districts Consortium, Soroptimist International of Anacortes, Washington Bulb Co., Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Adele Barborinas, and all of our volunteers.

Videography by Jake Campbell, Seattle