Baltimore City Public Schools -

The Baltimore City Public Schools Farm to School (F2S) program promotes experiential education that connects students to nature and food systems. In every grade band, our programs and services focus on three core areas: (1) food education for lifelong healthy habits, (2) nature-based exploration for wholeness and academic enrichment, (3) food system engagement for active citizenship, leadership development, and career skills. Reflecting on the priorities outlined in the City Schools Blueprint for Success, meaningful F2S experiences are transformative for students’ academic success and their social, emotional, and physical wellness. Additionally, they empower youth to understand, engage with, and co-create their food system in ways that can improve food security and sovereignty while also preparing youth to be systems thinkers and social changemakers.

With 33 acres of forests, fields, a stream, greenhouses, and a barn full of animals, Great Kids Farm (GKF) is a hub for hands-on farm-to-school opportunities. Baltimore City Public Schools Food & Nutrition Services owns and operates GKF.

The Farm to School team is proud to be a FoodCorps site! Since Fall 2023, we have hosted FoodCorps service members who expand food systems education throughout City Schools -- on the farm, in school gardens, and in classrooms across the district.

Click here for this year's job description and to learn more about applying. If you have any questions, please email the GKF Team.

The Farm to School team offers the following (free!) to staff and students in our district:

• Field trips to Great Kids Farm (GKF): Curriculum-aligned, hands-on learning with plants, animals, and land at the farm (grades k-5)

  • Request form

• Student Summits: A series of energizing workshops bringing together students from many schools: Good Food Summit (grades 5-8, Fall); African American Foodways Summit (grades 9-12, Winter); Spring Garden Club Summit (grades 3-8)

  • Interest Form

• Farm to Classroom Experience:The staff bring the farm to your school (classroom or club) to lead lessons on animals, planting, and/or farm-fresh cooking (all grades)

  • Request Form

• High School Employment Program*

• Service-Learning Opportunities @ GKF*

*Contact Farms with questions about these experiences.

• Facetime the Farmer: Live (virtual) visit to GKF tailored by age group and focus area [REQUEST FORM]

• Virtual Field Trip: Students explore GKF at their own pace with this digital experience designed for the virtual classroom [LINK TO TRIP]

• Video Resources: 

  • Science-curriculum-aligned videos [LINK TO MENU]

  • Introductory farm clips [LINK TO MENU]

Farm to School Specialists provide technical assistance and materials to school staff interested in school gardening, greening, cafeteria programs, and nutrition programs, in the form of: 

• Ag-tivity Kits: Materials and teacher resource pack to link classroom learning with hands-on experiences, including Aquaponics Kit, Microgreens Kit, Mushroom Kit, Indoor Herb Garden Kit, Worms Are Wonderful Compost Kit [LINK TO REQUEST FORM]

• Seeds and Seedlings: Seeds and seedlings are available for educational use on a seasonal basis (1x/Fall, 1x/Spring) [LINK TO REQUEST FORM]

• School Garden Toolkit

• Outdoor Learning Toolkit

• Classroom Cooking Toolkit

• FREE Farm Family Hours

• Participation in school-wide family events

• Connections with local farms, gardens, and food- or nutrition-related organizations

Other resources for school staff can be found on the City Schools Sustainability homepage, where links allow visitors to view all greening resources and to access Green Newsletters for staff. 

GKF hosts professional development and other gatherings (e.g., networking) for departments within City Schools and for external organizations with relevant missions. If you are interested in hosting a meeting at GKF, please submit a request here.

Email City Schools Farm to School staff if you are a Baltimore City Public Schools staff person interested in:

• School gardens and outdoor learning

• Food education

• Connecting F2S topics to curricula

• African-American Foodways Summit at Great Kids Farm

• 2nd graders head to Great Kids Farm for “What do Plants Need” lesson

• Great Kids Farm Summer Camp 2022

• Urban Update Podcast: Great Kids Farm with Baltimore City Public Schools

• Progress Report: Great Kids Farm Readies for Return of Field Trips After Inaugural Summer Camp

• Progress Report: African American Foodways Summit Connects Culture, Cuisine, and Our Community

• Progress Report: Tasting tomatoes and mulling about mint at Great Kids Farm